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V ^'^^
irrsToKY
ESSEX COUNTY.
MASSACHUSETTS,
WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCEIES
OF MANY OF n>
loxEERs AM) Prominent Men.
COMPILED UNPKH TIIK Sll'KllVISION OF
DV" HAMILTON HURD.
VOL. J. V ^ ' »:
; MAP. 30 388 ^
iXjrjXJSTR.j^TEr).
I'll I I. A DKI.IMI I A :
J. \v. 1. 1£; WIS & CO.
1888.
f 7
7
Cupyriijht, 1887,
By J. \V. LEWIS & CO.
^/i: /i'/(//i<s Reserved.
I'KKSS UF
JAS. U. nuDOERS Pltl.NTl.VQ fOMPANV
PHILADKM-IIIA.
PUBLISHERS" PREFACE.
Nearly four years ago the attention of the publishers, who have long made a specialty
of this class of work, was called to tiic fact that a history of Essex County was needed.
After mature deliberation the work was planned, and its compilation commenced. The best
literary talent in this section of the commonwealth for this especial work was engaged, whose
names appear at the head of their respective articiles, besides many other writers on special
topics. Tliese gentlemen approached the work in a spirit of impartiality and thoroughness,
and we believe it has been their honest endeavor to trace the history of the development of
the territory embodied herein from that period when it was in the undisputed possession of
the red man to the present, and to place before the reader an authentic narrative of its rise
and progress. The work has been compiled from authenticated and original sources, and no
effort spared to produce a history which should prove in every respect worthy of the County
represented.
The Puhm.shek-s.
Philadelphia, January 24th, 188S.
CONTENTS.
GENERAL HISTORY.
VOLUME I.
Ghaptehs. Page.
I. Introductory, i.
II. Bench and Bar, xv.
III. Old Modes of Travel, Ix.
Chapters.
IV. Science in Essex County, . .
V. Spiiit of the Early Lyceums,
VI. Miscellaneous,
Page.
. Ixxvi.
. Ixxxiv.
. xcvii.
CITIES AND TOAVI^S.
Chap. Page.
I. Salem 1
II. " continued. Ecclesiastical 17
III. " " Commercial, 63
IV. " " Banking lU
V. " " The Press 115
VI. " •• Educational, 129
VII. " " Literature, 135
VIII. " " Manufacturing, l>i
IX. " " Miscellaneous, 161
X. " ■* Societies, etc., 1G6
XI. " " Military 184
XII. " " Civil History, 225
XIII. Lynn 249
XIV. " continued. Ecclesiastical 263
XV. " " Schools, Libraries, Newspapers 272
XVI. " •' Industrial Pursuits, 280
XVII. " " Military 291
XVm. '• " Burial Places 299
XIX. •■ " Old Families, etc., 306
XX. " " Taverns— Modes of Travel, . . 320
XXI. •' ■' Miscellaneous 330
XXII. " " Short Notes 337
XXIII. Lynnfield, 377
XXIV. Saugus 391
XXV. " continued 394
XXVI. '■ " One Hundred Years Ago, ... 396
XXVII. " " Religious 399
XXVIII. •• Manufacturing, 407
XXIX. " " Taverns, Modes of Travel, etc., 41.')
XXX. " " Miscellaneous 419
XXXI. " " Military, 421
Chap. Page.
XXXII. Danvers 424
XXXIII. " continued. Revolutionary 444
XXXIV. " •• Ecclesiastical, 452
XXXV. " " Educational 475
XXXVI. •• •' Villages, 483
XXXVII. '* *' Miscellaneous 49.5
XXXVIII. ■' " Industrial, Societies, Physicians, 518
XXXIX. • ■ Civil History, 525
XL. " ■• Civil War 531
XLI. Ipswii-li. Pre-l>istorical S66
XLII. " continued. Municipal, 569
XLIII. " " Ecclesiastical 679
.XLIV. •• '• Educational 604
XLV. •• •■ Military, 612
XLVl. " •• Legal and Penal, 625
XLVII. " " Business 033
XLVIII. Beverly, 671
XLTX. Methuen 709
L. Georgetown, 794
LI. " continued. Early Grants, 798
LII. " •• Early Settlers 811
LIII. " " Parish Organiz.ation, .... 817
LIV. " " Educational, 821
I.V. *' " Religious Movements, . , . 826
LVI. " " General Town History, ... 830
LVII. " " Religious 83-5
LVIII. " " Manufacturing, 843
LVIX. •• " Military 848
LX. " " Conclusion, 852
LXI. Lawrence, 861
LXIl. Miilrllcton, 929
V
THE
History ob^ Essex Co., Massachusetts.
GENERAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
BY WILLIAM T. DAVIS.
The riyinoiith Council— Massachusetts Colony — Colonial Courts — Essex
County Createil— Couuty Courts— Barristers — County Officers — Law-
yers.
On the 20th of April, 1606, King James issued
letters-patent dividing between two companies, popu-
I.irly called the Northern and Southern Virginia
companies, a strip of land one hundred miles wide
along the Atlantic coast of North .America, extending
from the thirty-fourth to the forty-fifth degree of
north latitude, a territory which then went under the
name of Virginia, so called after Elizabeth, the virgin
Queen. The .Southern Company was composed of
knights, gentlemen, merchants and adventurers of
London, and received a grant of all the lands between
the thirty-fourth and forty-first degrees, while the
Northern Company was composed of persons of the
same description in Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth, and
received a grant of the lands between the thirty-eighth
and forty-fifth degrees. That portion lying between
the thirty-eighth and forty-first, which was included
in both grants, was open to the company first occupy-
ing it; and it was stipulated that neither company
should make a settlement within one hundred miles
of any previous settlement of the other company. On
the 3d of November, 1()20, Sir Ferdinando Gorges and
his associates, the members of the Northern Virginia
("ompauy, reieived a new patent, which passed the
seal on the 3<1 of the following July, under the
title of "The council established at Plymouth, in the
county of Devon, for the planting, ordering, ruling
iind governing of New England in America." Under
this patent the coini)any was .uithorized to hold terri-
tory extending from sea to soa, and in breadth from
the fortieth to the forty-eight !i degree of north lati-
tude. This patent or charter conferred power to make
laws, a])point tlovernors and other officers, and gener-
ally to establish all necessary forms of government.
On the 19th of March, 1627-28, the Plymouth coun-
cil granted a patent to Sir John Roswell, Sir .John
Young, Thomas Southcoat, John Humphrey, John
Endieott and Simon Whitcomb, covering a territory
extending from three miles north of the Merrimac
River to three miles south of the Charles River. This
patent was afterwards confirmed by letters-patent un-
der the bro.ad seal of England, i.ssued on the 4th of
March, in the following year. Sir Henry Roswell,
Sir John Young and Thomas Southcoat subsequently
sold their interest to .Tohn Winthrop, Isaac .Tohnson,
Matthew Cradock, Thomas Goff and Sir Richard Sal-
tonstall, who, with John Humphrey, John Endieott
and Simon Whitcomb, the remaining original p.at-
entees, formed a new association. The pecuniary in-
terests of the company were managed in England, and
Matthew Cradock, who had been named in the charter
by the King .as Governor, w.as there chosen to that of-
fice. John Endieott was, however, sent out in the
summer of 1628, and began a plantation at S.alem.
The charter was made in duplicate, one copy being
sent to Endieott and the other brought to New Eng-
land by Winthrop in 1630. By this charter a corpo-
ration was created under the name of " the Governor
and Company of the M.issachusetts Bay in New Eng-
land," and twenty-six persons were named in it as the
patentees. It provided that the oflicers should consist
of a Governor, Deputy-Governor and eighteen assist
ants, to be chosen annually by the freemen at the
General Court to be held on the last Wednesday in
Easter term. The General Court, consisting of the
Governor, assistants and freemen, was to be held four
times in each year, and by it officers were to be cho.sen
and laws and ordinances enacted.
Mr. Endieott was cho.sen Governor by the colony
after its arrival at Salem, but in the latter part of 1621),
the character and plans of the as.soeiates in England
having been changetl and an extensive emigration
been set on foot, .John Winfhroi> was chosen Governor
in England, and Jolin Humphrey Deputy-Governor.
Winthrop sailed in .\pril, 1630, and arrived in Mas-
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
sachusetts Bay on the 12th of June, at once assuming
power as Governor under the charter, which he had
brought with him. The first General Court was held
at Boston, October 19th, and at its first session the
freemen of which it was composed made an important
change in the form of government contemplated in
the charter, surrendering to the assistants the election
of Governor and Deput3'-Governor ; to the Governor
and deputy and assistants the enactment of laws, reserv-
ing to themselves only the election of the assistants.
Soon after, however, they resumed the privilege of
choosing the Governor and deputy as well as the as-
sistants, and in 1636 the General Court also assumed
the exclusive power of making the laws. In 1634, in
order to obviate the inconvenience of convening the
whole body of freemen, a law was passed providing
for the choice of delegates with all the powers of the
freemen, except those relating to the election of offi-
cers. For this election the whole body of freemen
met annually in the meeting-house in Boston ; but the
inconvenience of this arrangement was felt also, and
it was provided that Salem, Ipswich, Newbury, Sau-
gus, Weymouth and Hingham might retain as many
of their freemen at home at the annual elections as
the safety of the towns required, and that the votes of
these might be sent by proxy. A general law was af-
terwards passed to the same effect, applicable to all the
freemen in all the towns.
At first the assistants and deputies met together;
but in 1644, — inconsequenceof a dispute in which the
deputies claimed that a majority vote of the whole
court should rule, while the assistants claimed con-
current jurisdiction, — it was finally agreed that the
two branches should sit apart, and that each should
have a negative on the other. The Governor presided
at the Court of Assistants, and a new office of Speaker
was established for the Deputies' Court.
Until 1639 the whole judicial power was vested in
the Court of Assistants. In that year, on the 9th of
September, it was enacted that " for as much as the
businesses of the ordinary Court of Assistants are so
much increased as they cannot be despatched in such
season as were fit, it is therefore ordered that such of
the magistrates as shall reside in or near to Bo.ston, or
any five, four or three of them, the Governor or Dep-
uty to be one, shall have power to assemble together
upon the last fifth day of the eighth, eleventh, second
and fifth months every year, and then and there to
hear and determine all civil causes, whereof the debt
or trespass and damages shall not exceed twenty
pounds, and all criminal causes, not extending to life
or member or banishment, according to the course of
the Court of Assistants, and to summon juries out of
the neighbor towns, and the marshal or necessary
officers are to give their attendance as at other
courts."
On the 3d of March, 1635-36 it had already been en.
acted that "there shall be four courts kept every
quarter, — one at Ipswich, to which Newbury shall be-
long ; two at Salem, to which Saugus shall belong ;
two at Newtown, to which Charlton, Concord, Medford
and Waterton shall belong; four at Boston, to which
Roxbury, Dorchester, Weymouth and Hingham shall
belong.
" Every of these courts shall be kept by such mag-
istrates as shall be dwelling in or near the said towns,
and by such other persons of worth as shall from time
to time be appointed by the General Court, so as no
court shall be kept without one magistrate at the
least, and that none of the magistrates be excluded
who can and will intend the same ; yet the General
Court shall appoint which of the magistrates shall
specially belong to every of the said court. Such
persons as shall be joined as associates to the magis-
trates in the said court shall be chosen by the General
Court out of a greater number of such as the several
towns shall nominate to them, so as there may be in
every of the said courts so many as (with the magis-
trates) may make five in all. These courts shall try
all civil causes whereof the debt or damage shall not
exceed ten pounds, and all criminal causes not con-
cerning life, member or banishment. And if any per-
son shall find himself grieved with the sentence of
any of the said courts, he may appeal to the next
great Quarter Court, provided that he put in sufficient
caution to present his appeal with effect, and to abide
the sentence of the magistrates in the said great
Quarter Court, who shall see that all such that shall
bring any appeal without just cause be exemplarily
punished.
" There shall be four great Quarter Courts kept
yearly at Boston by the Governor and the rest of the
magistrates ; the first the first Tuesday in the fourth
month, called June ; the second the first Tuesday in
September ; the third the first Tuesday in December ; '
the fourth the first Tuesday in the first month, called
March."
It must be remembered that the term magistrate
was synonymous with that of assistant, and that there-
fore, under these various enactments, the assistants
retained judicial power. On the 25th of May, 1636,
the following magistrates and other persons were ap-
pointed by the General Court to hold the courts re-
ferred to in the above enactment of the previous
March, to wit: For Salem and Saugus, John Humphrey,
John Endicott, magistrates or assistants. Captain
Turner, Mr. Scrugge and Mr. Townsend Bishopp, asso-
ciates, and Ralph Fogg, clerk ; for Ipswich and New-
bury, Thomas Dudley, Richard Dummer, Simon Brad-
street, magistrates, and Mr. Saltoustall and Mr. Spen-
cer, associates, and Robert Lord, clerk ; for Newtown,
Charlestown, Sledford and Concord, John Haynes,
Roger Harlakenden, Increase Nowell, magistrates,
and Mr. Beeeher and Mr. Feakes, associates ; for
Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, Weymouth and Hing-
ham, Richard Belliugham, William Coddington, mag-
INTRODUCTORY.
istrates. and Israel Stoughton, William Hutchinson
and William Heath, associates. Under tliis law the
first Quarter Court of Salem was held June 27, 1036,
and the records of that session are well-preserved in
the first volume of the Court Records in the office of
the clerk of the courts in Salem. At that court one
magistrate, John Endicott, and three commissioners —
Nathaniel Turner, Townsend Bishopp and Thomas
Scrugge — were present. The following certificate is a
part of the record :
"Thes three, viz., cp. Xathaiiiel Turner, mr. Tow-
enshend Bishop and mr. Tho : Scrugge, did the day
and yeare above written take the oath of Commis-
sioners."
On the 6th of June, 16.39, it wa-s enacted that " for
the more speedy dispatch of all causes, which shall
concern strangers, who cannot stay to attend the or-
dinary courts of justice, it is ordered that the Governor
or deputy, being assisted with any two of the magis-
trates (whom he may call to him to that end), shall have
power to hear and determine (by a jury of twelve men
or otherwise as is used in other courts) all causes which
shall arise between such strangers, or wherein any
such stranger shall be a party, and all records of such
proceedings sh.all be transmitted to the Secretary (ex-
cept himself be one of the said magistrates, who shall
assist in hearing such causes) to be entered as trials
in other courts at the charge of the parties. This
order to continue till the General Court in the seventh
month come twelve month and no longer."
On the 2d of June, 1641. it was enacted that
" whereas it is desired by this Court to ease the coun-
try of all unnecessary travels and charges, it is or-
dered that there shall be four Quarter Courts kept
yearly by the magistrates of Ipswich and Salem, with
such others to be joined in commis.sion with them as
this Court shall appoint, not hindering any other
magistrates that will help them ; this order to take
effect after the next Quarter Courts shall be ended at
Salem and Ipswich, two of these Quarter Courts to be
kept at Salem and the other two at Ipswich ; the first
Court to be kept the last third day of the seventh
month at Ipswich (and the next at the same time the
former Courts were), the next quarter at Salem, the
third quarter at Ipswich, the fourth at Salem, and the
magistrates of Ipswich and S;ilem to attend every of
these Courts, but no jurymen to be warned from Ips-
wich to Salem, nor from Salem to Ipswich ; to each of
these places a grand jury shall be warned once a year,
and these Courts to have the same power both in civil
and criminal causes the Court of Assistants hath at
Boston, except trials for life, limbs or banishment,
which are wholly reserved to Boston Court; provided
it shall be lawful to appeal from any of these Courts
to Boston. And it shall be in the liberty of any plain-
tiff that hath an action of above an liun<ired pounds
principal debt to try his cause in any of these Courts
or at Boston ; the fines of these Courts to defray the
charges of the same, and the overplus to be returned
to the treiusurer for the public. And Salisbury and
Hampton are joined to the jurisdiction of Ipswich, and
each of them to send a grand juryman once a year to
Ipswich."
These enactments show the precise arrangement
and distribution of judicial powers at the time of the
division of the M:issachusetts Colony into counties, in
1643. On the lOth of May in that year it was enacted
th.at "the whole plantation within this jurisdiction is
divided into four shire.s, to wit:
"Essex Shibe. — Salem, Linn, Enon, Ipswicli, Rowley, Newlmry,
GlouceflTer and Chochicawick.
"Middlesex.— Charlestown, Cambridge, Watertown, Sudbury, Con-
cord, Woburn, Sledford, Linn Village.
"SpFroLK.— Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, Dedham, Bi-aiutree, Wey-
mouth, Uingbam, Nantasket.
" XouroLK— Salisbury, Hampton, Haverhill, Exeter, Buyer, Straw-
berry Bank."
These, of course, were at that time all the incor-
porated towns in the Massachusetts Colony. In the
shire of Essex, Salem was incorporated June 24, 1629,
as a town, and March 23, 1836, as a city; Lynn, in
Xovember, 1637, as a town, and April 10, 1850, as a
city; Enon (afterwards Wenham), was incorporated
May 10, 1643 ; Ipswich, August 5, 1634 ; Rowley, Sep-
tember 4, 1639; Newbury, May 6, 1635; Gloucester,
May 22, 1639, as a town, and Jlay 26, 1871, as a city;
and Chochicawick (afterwards Andover), May 6, 1646,
after the iucorporation of Essex County,
In Middlesex, Charlestown was incorporated June
24,1629; Cambridge, September 8, 1633; Watertown,
September 7, 1630; Sudbury, September 4, 1639; Con-
cord, September 2, 1635; Woburn, May 18, 1642;
Medford, September 28, 1630; Linn village (after-
wards incorporated as Reading), May 29, 1644.
In Suflblk, Boston was incorporated September 7,
1630, as a town, and February 23, 1822, as a city;
Roxburj-, September 28, 1630, as a town, and March
12, 1846, as a city, and annexed to Boston June 1,
1867; Dorchester, September 7, 1630, and annexed to
Boston June 4, 1869; Dedham, September S, 1636;
Braintree, May 13, 1640; Weymouth, September 2,
1635; Hingham, September 2, 1635; and Nantasket
(afterwards incorporated as Hull), May 29, 1644.
In Norfolk, Salisbury was incorporated October 7,
1640 ; Hampton, September 4, 1639 ; Haverhill in
1645, as a town, and March 10, 1869, as a city; Exeter
and Dover and Strawberry Bank (now Portsmouth)
became afterwards a part of New Hauij)shire.
In addition to the towns above mentioned as a ))art
of Essex County, Amesbury was incorporated April
29,1668; Boxford, August 12, 1685; Beverly, October
14, 1668; Bradford, in 1670; Dauvers, 1757; Essex,
1819; Georgetown, 1838; Groveland, 1850; Hamilton,
1792; Lawrence, incorporated as a town April 17,
1S47, and as a city March 21, 1853; Lynnfield, July
3, 1782 ; Manchester, May 14, 1645 ; Marblehead, May
2,1649; Merrimac, April 11, 1876; Methuen, Decern-
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
berS, 1725; Mirldleton. June 20, 1728; Nahant, March
29, 1853 ; Newburyport, January 28, 1764, as a town,
and May 24, 1852, as a city; North Andover, April
7, 1855 ; West Newbury, as Parsons, February 18,
1819, and under its present name June 14, 1820 ; Pea-
body, March 18, 1855, as South Danvers, and its
present name given April 13, 1868 ; Rockport, Feb-
ruary 27, 1840; Saugus, February 17, 1815; South
Danvers, May 18, 1855 ; Swampscott, May 21, 1852;
Topsfield, October 18, l(i50 ; West Newbury, June 14,
1820. As the towns of Amesbury, Haverhill and
Salisbury were the only towns in Norfolk County,
outside of the territory of New Hampshire, which
became a royal province in 1679, the following act
was passed by the General Court on the 4th of Feb-
ruary, 1679-80 :
" This Court being sensible of the great inconvenience and charge that
it will be to Salisbury, Haverhill and Amesbury to continue their County
Court, now some of the towns of Norfolk are taken off, and considering
that these towns iiid formerly belong to Essex County, and attended at
Essex courts, do order that these towns that are left be again joined to
Essex and attend public business at Essex courts, there to implead and be
impleaded, as occasion shall be; their records of lands being still to be
kept in some one of their own towns on the North of Merrimack, and
all persons according to course of law are to attend in Essex County."
By this act Norfolk County, as incorporated in
1643, was extinguished, to be revived in another sec-
tion of the State by an act of incorporation dated
March 26, 1793. The act above quoted alludes to a
former union of Amesbury, Haverhill and Salisbury
with Essex, which never actually existed. The allu-
sion is probably to old court connections, which
existed before the incori)oration of the county, in 1(!43.
Amesbury was a part of the old town of Salisbury,
Boxford of the old town of Rowley, Beverly a part of
Salem and afterwards of Danvers, Bradford a part of
Rowley, Danvers a part of Salem, Essex a part of
Ipswich, Georgetown a part of Rowley, Groveland a
part of Bradford and Boxford, Hamilton a part of
Ipswich, Lawrence a part of Andover, North Andover
and Methuen, Lynnfield a part of Lynn, Manchester
a part of Salem, Marblehead a part of Salem, Merri-
mac a part of Amesbury, Methuen a part of Haverhill,
Middleton a part of Salem, Topsfield, Boxford and
Andover, Nahant a part of Lynn, Newburyport a part
of Newbury, North Andover a part of Andover, Pea-
body formerly South Danvers and a jjart of Danvers,
Rockport a part of Gloucester, Saugus a part of Lynn
and Chelsea, Swampscott a part of Lynn and Salem,
Topsfield was New Meadows, Wenham was Enon,
mentioned in the act incorporating the county ; and
West Newbury was a part of Newbury, incorporated
as Parsons and changed to its present name Juue 14,
1820.
Since the addition to the county of the towns of
Amesbury, Salisbury and Haverhill, in 1679-80, the
only change in the boundaries of the county is that
already referred to, caused by the annexation of a
part of Chelsea, in Suffolk County, to .Saugus. On the
22d of February, 1841, it was enacted that "so much
of the town of Chelsea, with the inhabitants therein,
as is embraced within the bounds hereafter named is
hereby set off from said town of Chelsea and annexed
to the town of Saugus, to wit: beginning at thesouth-
erly side of the Newburyport turnpike on Maiden line
and running south 26 east 51 rods and 18 links on
said Maiden line to a stake and stones ; thence north
52 east to Saugus line ; thence by the line of Saugus
South Reading and Maiden to the bounds first men-
tioned; provided, however, that the inhabitants thus
set off shall be holden to pay all taxes heretofore
assessed in the same manner as if this act had not
been passed; provided, also, that all persons who
shall have gained a settlement upon said territory,
and who are now chargeable to the said town of
Chelsea, shall remain and continue to be supported
by said town of Chelsea, saving and excepting one
John Burrell, who shall hereafter be considered as
belonging to and shall hereafter be supported by said
town of Saugus.
"If any persons who have gained a legal settlement
in said town of Chelsea by a residence on said terri-
tory, or by having been proprietors of any part
thereof, or who may desire such settlement from any
such residents or proprietors, shall come to want and
stand in need of relief and support, they shall be
relieved and supported by the said town of Saugus in
the same manner as if they had gained a settlement
in said town.''
Essex County, of which Salem, Lawrence and New-
buryport are the shires, is situated in the northeast
corner of Massachusetts, and is bounded on the north-
ea.st by the Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by Mas-
sachusetts Bay, on the southwest by Suffolk and
Middlesex Counties, and on the northwest by New
Hampshire. It contains about five hundred square
miles of territory, traversed by the Merrimac River,
which enters the county between Andover and Me-
thuen and flows into the ocean at Newburyport ; the
Shawsheen, which enters the Merrimac at Lawrence;
the Parker River ; Ba.ss River, navigable to Danvers-
port; and the Ipswich River, which is navigable to
Ipswich. The business of the county is chiefly that
of manufactures and the fisheries, though a by no
means insignificant portion of its inhabitants gains a
livelihood from agriculture and general commerce.
Statistics relating to these industries will be included
in the town histories. The following table shows the
population, valuation and number of schools in each
town according to the last published returns :
PUBLIC
POPULATION. VALUATION. SCHOOLS.
Amesbury 4,403 $1,.')(J0,S35 20
Andover 6,711 5,0.")3,079 22
Beverly 0,186 10,170,780 36
Boxford 840 065,285 fi
Bradford 3,106 1,338,230 10
Danvers 7,048 3,761,.590 20
Essex 1,722 903,121 0
INTRODrCTORY.
PUBLIC
POPULATION. VALUATION. SCHOOLS.
Georgetown 2,299 1,018,491 10
Gloiicpster 21,713 9,S97,Mfi 80
Gnoeliind 2,272 880,771 10
Hamilton 850 602,4:13 4
Haverliill 21,79.-> 11,91S,2«0 75
Ipswich 4,207 2,097,482 Ifi
Lawrence 38,845 26,670,644 104
Lynn 45,861 25,056,5S.i 116
Ljnnfield 7G6 654,496 3
Manchester 1,638 3,827,6.%'i 7
MiirWehead 7,.518 3,964,927 15
Merrimic 2,.178 1,169,368 14
IHotlmen 4,507 2,777,610 19
Middleton 899 527,771 4
Nahnnt 6,17 6,.524,446 4
Newbury 1,690 1,C»59,405 T
Newburyport 13,716 8,321,954 29
North .\ndover .3,425 2,620,179 16
Peabody 9,530 7,188,290 33
Rockport 3,888 2,077,044 14
Rowley 1,183 545,095 7
Salom 28,084 27,765,824 84
Salisbury 4,840 2,227,043 21
SauguB 2,855 1,368,602 13
Swanipecott 2,471 3,95.5,202 10
Topsfiold 1,141 766,875 6
■Weliham 871 540,277 5
West Newbury 1,899 1,1.W,471 11
Tot.il 263,694 8180,665,573 328
It has been already stated that atihe time of the
formation of the counties, in 1(343, judicial power was
veiitcd in the General Court, the Court of Assistants
(or Great Quarter Court) the Quarter Courts (lield
ill specified towns) and the Strangers' Courts. After
the formation of the counties the above courts con-
tinued, though the Strangers' Courts were modified,
and the Quarter Courts, in their respective counties,
were called County or Inferior Quarter Courts. It
had also been provided by an act [massed September
9, 1039, that records be kept of all wills, administra-
tions and inventories, of every marriage, birth and
death, and of all men's houses and lands. It had, be-
fore the above date, been provided by a law passed
April 1, 1634, "that the constable and four or more
of the chief inhabitants of every town (to be chosen
by all the freemen there at some meeting there), with
the advice of some one or more of the next assistants,
shall make a surveying of the houses, backside, corn-
fields, mowing-ground and other lands improved or
inclosed on, granted by special orders of the court, of
every free inhabitant there, and shall enter the same
in a book (lairly written in words at length, and not
in figures), with the several bounds and quantities by
the nearest estimation, and shall deliver a transcript
thereof into the court within six months now next
ensuing; and the same so entered and recorded shall
be a sufficient a.ssurance to every such free inhabitant,
his and their heirs and assigns, of such e-state of in-
heritance or as they shall have in any such houses,
lands or frank tenements. The like course shall be
taken for a.ssurance of all houses and town lots of all
such as shall be hereafter enfranchised, and every
sale or grant of such houses or lots as shall be, from
time to time, entered into the said book by the said
constable and four inhabitants or their successors
(who shall be still supplied upon death or removal),
for which entry the jjurchasers shall jiay six pence
and the like sum for a copy thereof under the hands
of the said surveyors or three of them."
A further provision of law had been made on the
7th of October, 1640, as follows:
" For avoiding all fraudulent conveyances and that every man may
know what estate or interest other men may have in any houses, lands,
or other hereditaments they are to deal in, it is therefore ordered tliaf
after the end of the month no mortgage, bargain, sjilo, or grant, here-
after to be made of any houses, lauds, rents, or other hereditaments, shall
be of force against any other person e.\cept the gratitor and his heirs, un-
less the same be recorded as is hel-eafter e.xpressed ; aud that no such
bargain, sjile, or grant, already made in way of mortgage, where the
grantor remains in possession, shall bo of force against any other but
the graofDrur his heirs, except the same shall be eutered an is hereafter
expressed, within one month after the end of this court, if the party be
within this jurisdiction, or else within three months after he shall re-
turn. And if any such grantor, &c., bo required by the grantee, .\:i-., to
make an acknowledgement of any grant, Ac, by him made, shall refuse
so to do, it shall be in the power of any magistrate to send for the party
BO refusing and commit him to prison, without bail or mayneprise, until
he shall acknowledge the same.
"And the grantee is to enter his caution with the recorder, and this
shall save his interest in the meantime ; and if it be doubtfid whether it
be the deed or grant of the party, ho shall be bound with sureties to tho
next court and the caution shall remain good as aforesaid.
"And for recording of all such bargains, &c., it is further ordered that
there shall be one appointed at Ipswich, for which BIr. Samuel Symonds
is chosen for that court, to enter all such bargains. Kites, itc, of all lanils,
Ac, within the jurisdiction of that court ; aud Mr. Kmauuell Downing
is chosen in like sort for the jurisdiction of the court of Sjilem ; and all
the rest to be entered by Mr. Stephen W'inthrop, the I'ecorderat lioston.*'
The recorder was the clerk of the court. In IG41
it was provided that in every town " a clerk of the
writs" should be appointed, and a part of his duties
was to record all births and ileaths, and yearly de-
liver to the recorder of the court a transcript thereof.
It was also provided that every married man shall
bring a certificate, under the hand of the magistrate
who married him, to the clerk of the writs, to be re-
corded and returned by him to the recorder. Thus
it will be seen how extensive the jurisdiction of the
County Court was made. Aside from its ordinary
judicial powers, it had charge of the records of deeds
of probate matters and the laying out of highways,
and included the departments now held by the judge
and register of probate, the register of deeds, the
clerk of the courts and county commissioners.
With regard to treasurers, their duties, up to 1().')4,
were performed by the treasurer of the whole colony
or of the country, as he was called. In that year it
was provided " that henceforth there shall be treas-
urers annually chosen in every county, provided that
no clerk or recorder of any County Court shall be
chosen trea.surer of the county." The officer now
called sherill' was, in the days of the colony, called
marshal. There was a marshal of the General ("ourt
alone up to the formation of the counties, in 1G43,
and after that date each court a|)parently ajipointed
VI
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
its own marshal, though it is possible that even be-
fore that time every Quarter Court had its own of-
ficer bearing that name. So far as Essex County is
concerned, it is proper to state that the present regis-
try of deeds contains the entire records from 1638,
and that the original probate records prior to 1671
are to be found in the ofl5ce of the clerk of the courts,
where they were originally kept. The registry of
probate was located in Ipswich until 1851, when, un-
der general powers conferred by law, the county com-
missioners removed it to Salem.
There is another court which should be mentioned
to complete the colonial judicial system so far as it
concerned the county. On the 6th of September,
1638, it was ordered " that for avoiding of the coun-
try's charge by bringing small causes to the Court of
Assistants that any magistrate in the town where he
may hear and determine by his discretion all causes
wherein the debt, or trespass, or damage, etc., doth
not exceed twenty shillings, and in such town where
no magistrate dwells, the General Court shall, from
time to time, nominate three men ; two thereof shall
have like power to hear and determine all such ac-
tions under twenty shillings ; and if any of the parties
shall find themselves grieved with any such end or
sentence, they may appeal to the next Quarter Court,
or Court of Assistants. And if any person shall
bring any such action to the Court of Assistants be-
fore he hath endeavored to have it ended at home
(as in this order is appointed), he shall lose his action
and pay the defendant's coats." The jurisdiction of
this petty court was afterwards extended to matters
involving a sum not exceeding forty shillings. It
should be added, however, concerning this petty
court, that the selectmen of a town were authorized
to try offences against their own by-laws where the
penalty did not exceed twenty shillings, provided the
by-laws did not extend to anything criminal. They
were also competent to try cases where only one
magistrate lived in a town and he was an interested
party, and where there' was no magistrate and one or
more of the commissioners were concerned.
Up to 1685 the judicial system of Massachusetts
Colony and its counties remained as has been traced
above, as follows : 1st, the General Court with legisla-
tive powers and a limited appellate jurisdiction from
the Court of Assistants ; 2d, the Court of Assistants
or Great Quarter Court, with exclusive jurisdiction
in all criminal cases involving neither life, limb nor
banishment, and concurrent jurisdiction with the
County Courts in civil cases involving not more
than one hundred pounds, and appellate jurisdiction
from the County Courts ; 3d, the County Courts or
Inferior Quarter Courts, with jurisdiction in civil and
criminal cases, except cases of divorce and
crimes involving life, limb or banishment, having
power to summon grand and petit jurors, and to ap-
point their own clerks and other necessary officers, to
lay out highways, license taverns, to see that a proper
ministry was supported, to prove wills, grant admin-
istration and have general control of matters in pro-
bate, and have appellate jurisdiction from the Commis-
sioners' Courts ; 4th, Strangers' Courts, held at first by
the Governor or Deputy-Governor and two magis-
trates, or, in the absence of the Governor and deputy
by three magistrates with the same jurisdiction as the
County Courts so far as strangers are concerned, where
judgments were final ; 5th, Petty Commissioners' or
Selectmen's Courts in the various towns.
On the 18th of June, 1684, a judgment vacating the
colonial charter was issued, and a copy was received
by the colonial secretary, Edward Rawson, on the 2d
of July in the next year. Joseph Dudley was there-
upon appointed, by the King, President of Massachu-
setts Bay, Maine, New Hampshire and the Narra-
ganset country, and received the commission May
15, 1686. The Council appointed by the King were
Simon Bradstreet, Robert Mason, John Fitz Win-
throp, John Pynchon, Peter Bulkley, Edward Ran-
dolph, Wait Winthrop, Richard Wharton, John
Usher, Nathaniel Saltonstall, Bartholomew Gedney,
Jonathan Tyng, Dudley Bradstreet, John Hicks and
Edward Tyng, of whom Simon and Dudley Brad-
street and Nathaniel Saltonstall declined. The
Governor and Council possessed no legislative power,
except to establish such courts as might be necessary.
They were a court of themselves for the trial of causes,
and had authority to appoint judges. They estab-
lished a Superior Court, with three sessions a year, at
Boston, and" Courts of Pleas and Sessions of the Peace "
in the several counties. The President assumed
probate jurisdiction, but in some counties appointed
judges of probate. William Stoughton was appointed
to preside in the County Courts of Middlesex, Suf-
folk and Essex, and John Richard* and Simon Lynde
were appointed his assistants. These appointments
were made July 26, 1636. Appeals could be taken
from these courts to the President and Council.
But the administration of Dudley was of short du-
ration. Governor Andros arrived in Boston on the
19th of December, 1686, and a.s Governor assumed
jurisdiction over the whole of New England, includ-
ing the Plymouth Colony, which was not included in
the commission of Dudley. He appointed thirty-nine
members of his Council, and the Governor and Coun-
cil possessed the exclusive power of making and exe-
cuting the laws, subject to royal approval. He gave
to justices of the peace civil jurisdiction in cases not
affecting lands and not involving a sum exceeding
forty shillings. He established next the " Quarterly
Sessions Court," held by the several justices in their'
respective counties, and next an "Inferior Court of
Common Pleas," to be held in each county by ajudge
assisted by two or more justices of the county. Their
jurisdiction was limited to cases in which not more
than ten pounds were involved and no question of
INTRODUCTORY.
freehold, except in Boston, where the limit was twenty
pounds. Above these courts was the Superior Court
of Judicature, in which no action could be com-
menced involving less than ten pounds, unless it re-
lated to a question of freehold, and which was to be
hold in Boston, Cambridge, Charlestown, Plymouth,
Bristol, Newport. Salem, Ipswich, Portsmouth, Fal-
mouth, Northampton and Springfield. Joseph Dud-
ley was appointed chief justice of this court.
In 1691 a new charter was issued, embracing Mas-
sachusetts, Plymouth, Maine, Nova Scotia and the
intervening territory in one government, under the
name of the " Province of the Ma.ssachusetts Bay in
New England." This charter reached Boston May
14, 1692, and under its provisions the government
consisted of a Governor, Deputy-Governor and secre-
tary appointed by the King, and assistants or Coun-
cilors chosen by the General Court, and a House of
Representatives chosen annually by the people. The
Governor had the power of veto, and all acts and
elections by the General Court must be transmitted to
England and approved or disallowed by the King.
The General Court was authorized " to erect and
constitute judicatories and courts of records or other
courts," and the Governor and Council could appoint
udges, sheriffs, justices of the peace and other officers
of the courts. The regulation and management of
l)robate matters were given to the Governor and
Council, and delegated by them to judges in each
county. Under this charter the General Court no
longer possessed judicial power. The first court es-
tablished under the charter was a special Court of
Oyer and Terminer, organized by Governor William
I'hipps, the first Governor of the province, before any
aw had been passed authorizing it, for the purpose
of trying, chiefly in Essex County, persons charged
with witchcraft. On the 2d of June, 1692, the Gov-
ernor issued his commission appointing Wm. Stough-
ton chief justice, and Nathaniel Saltonstall (who de-
clined and was succeeded by Jonathan Curwin),
John Richards, Bartholomew Gedney, Wait Win-
throp, Samuel Sewall and Peter Sergeant associate
lustices; Stephen Sewall, clerk; Thomas Newton,
attorney-general (succeeded July 22d by Anthony
Checkley) ; George Corwin, sheriff. The first meet-
ing of this court was held at Salem on the 2d of
June, 1692, and its last meeting on the 17th of Sep-
tember following, after which the court was dissolved.
During this time the expense of the court to Essex
County was one hundred and thirty puuiids, and
nineteen persons were tried, condemned and hung,
and one was pressed to death.
On the 25th of November, 1692, a law was passed
establishing Courts of Justices of the Peace, four
Courts or Quarter Sessions of the Peace in each county,
an Inferior Court of Common Pleas for each county, a
Superior Court of Judicature for the whole province,
and a High CourtofChaucery for the province. This act
was disallowed. On the 19th of June, 1697, another
act was passed establishing County Courts, which was
also disallowed. On the 26th of June, 1699. three
acts were passed, e.stablishing in each county a Court
of General Sessions of the Peace and an Inferior Court
of Common Pleas, and a Superior Court of Judicature
for the province. The Court of General Sessions of
the Peace was authorized to be held at specified
times and places " by the justices of the peace of the
same county, who are hereby empowered to hear and
determine all matters relating to the conservation of
the peace and punishment of offenders." The Infer-
ior Court of Common Pleas Wiis to be held at specified
times and places "by four substantial persons, to be
appointed and commissionated as justices of the same
court in each county, who shall have cognizance of
all civil actions arising or happening within such
county, provided that no action under the value of
forty shillings shall be brought into any of the said
Inferior Courts, unless where freehold is concerned or
upon appeal from a justice of the peace." The Su-
perior Court of Judicature was to be held at specified
times and places in the province, by " one chief jus-
tice and four other justices, to be appointed and com-
missionated for the same, who shall have cognizance
of all pleas, — real, personal or mixt, — as well as all
pleas of the Crown and all matters relating to the
conservation of the peace and punishment of offend-
ers," etc. This court was ordered to be held for the
county of Suffolk, at Boston, on the first Tuesdays in
November and May ; for the county of Essex, at
Salem on the second Tuesday in November, and at
Ipswich on the third Tuesday in May ; for the county
of Middlesex, at Cambridge on the last Tuesday in
July, and at Charlestown on the last Tuesday in
January ; for the county of Hampshire, at Spring-
field, on the second Thursday in August; for the
county of York, at Kittery, on the Thursday before
the Ipswich court ; for the counties of Plymouth,
Barnstable and Dukes County, at Plymouth, on the
last Tuesday in March ; and for the county of Bristol,
at Bristol, on the second Tuesday in September.
Jurisdiction in probate matters had, during the
colonial period, been exercised by the common law
courts. During the administration of Andros it was
exercised by the Governor, but, by the charter of the
province, it was conferred on the (iovernor and Coun-
cil. Claiming, however, thepower of substitution, the
Governor and Council appointed a judge of probate in
each county, reserving to themselves appellate juris-
diction.
The judges of the Inferior Court of Common Plea»
for Essex County were as follows :
Appointed December 7. 16D2. — Bnrtholuniow Gedney, Samuel Apple-
ton, Jotin Hathorne, .lunalban Corwin.
1C9G. — Wm. Br«)wne, in place of Samuel Appleton.
1G98. — Daniel Peirce, iu place of Bartholomew Gedney, deceafc'd.
1G90. — Same appointed.
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1702.— Nathaniel Saltonstall, in place of Jonathan Corwin ; Jonathan
Corwin, in place of John Hathorne.
1704. — John .\ppleton, in place of Daniel Peirce.
1707. — Thomas Noyes, in place of Nathaniel Saltonstall.
1708. — John Higgiusou, in place of Jonathan Corwin, appointed to
the 'Superior Court.
171i'>. — Samuel Brown, in place of his father, Wra. Browne.
1720. — Jolin Burrill, in place of John Higginson.
1721-22. — Josiah Wok-ott, in place of John Burrill.
1729. — Timothy Linall and John Wainwright.
1733.— TheophiluB Burrill and Thomas Berry, in place of Samuel
Brown and John Appleton.
1737. — Benjamin Mai-ston, in place of Theophilus Burrill.
1739. — Benjamin Lynde, in place of John Wainwriglit, deceased.
17-15-46. — John Choat, in place of Benjamin Lynde, transferred to the
Superior Court.,
1754. — Henry Gibbs, in place of Timothy Linall, resigned ; John
Tasker, in place of Benjamin Marston, deceased.
1756. — Benjamin Picliman, in place of Thomas Berry, deceased.
1759. — Caleb Gushing, in place of Ilenry Gibbs, deceased.
1761. — Stephen Iligginson, in place of Benjamin Picliman ; Nathaniel
Ropes and Andrew Oliver, in place of Stephen Higgiuson, deceased,
and John Tasker, deceased.
1766.— William Bourn, in place of John Choat.
1770. — William Browne, in place of William Bourn, deceased.
1772. — Peter Frye, in place of Nathaniel Ropes, transferred to the
Superior Court.
1775. — John Lowell, Caleb Cashing, Benjamin Greenleaf and Azor
Orne.
1779. — Caleb Gushing, Benjamin Greenleaf, John Pickering, Jr.,
Samuel Holten.
1782.— Samuel Phillips, in place of Caleb Gushing.
1798. — Ebenezer March, in place of Benjamin Greenleaf.
1799. — John Treadwell, in place of John Pickering.
1808. — Samuel Ilolten retired, and was appointed chief justice of the
General Court of Sessions.
The Inferior Court of Common Pleas continued un-
til July 3, 1782, when the Court of Common Pleas
was established, to be held within each county at spec-
ified times and places, with four judges appointed
by the Governor from within the county.
Those in the above list, after 1779, were judges of
this court. This court continued until June 21, 1811,
when an act was passed providing that the common-
wealth, except Dukes County and the county of
Nantucket, should be divided into six circuits, as fol-
lows : the Middle Circuit, consisting of the counties ot
Suffolk, Essex and Middlesex ; the Western Cir-
cuit, consisting of the counties of Worcester, Hamp-
shire and Berkshire ; the Southern Circuit, consisting
of the counties of Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol and
Barnstable ; the Eastern Circuit, consisting of the
counties of York, Cumberland and Oxford; the sec-
ond Ea.stern Circuit, consisting of the counties of
Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset; and the third
Eastern Circuit, consisting of the counties of Han-
cock and Washington. It further provided that
there shall be held in the several counties, at the
times and places now appointed for holding the
Courts of Common Pleas, a Circuit Court of Common
Pleas, consisting of one chief justice and two associ-
ate justices, to whom were to be added two sessions
justices from each county, to sit with the court in
their county. The history of this court is so mingled
with that of the General Court of Sessions that
both should be sketched together. The Court of
General Sessions of the Peace remained substantially
the same during the provincial period, and up to
June 19, 1807, when it was enacted that it should
consist of one chief justice, or first justice, and a cer-
tain number of associate justices for the several coun-
ties, to be appointed by the Governor with the con-
sent of the Council. These justices were to act as the
General Court of Sessions in the place of the justices
of the peace in each county. On the 19th of June,
1809, the powers and duties of the General Court of
Sessions were transferred to the Court of Common
Pleas, and two years later, on the 25th of June, 1811, it
was enacted, " that from and after the first day of
December next, an act made and passed the 19th day of
June, 1809, entitled ' an act to transfer the powers and
duties of the Courts of Sessions to the Courts of Com-
mon Pleas,' be and the same is hereby repealed,
and that all acts, or parts of acts, relative to the
Courts of Sessions which were in force at the time the
act was in force which is hereby repealed, be and the
same are hereby revived from and after the said first
day of September next."
Again, on the 28th of February, 1814, it was en-
acted that the act of June 25, 1811, above quoted,
" be repealed, except so far as it relates to the coun-
ties of Suffolk, Nantucket and Dukes County, and
that all petitions, recognizances, warrants, orders,
certificates, reports and processes made to, taken for
or continued or returnable to the Court of Sessions in
the several counties, except as aforesaid, shall be re-
turnable to, and proceeded in, and determined by the
respective Circuit Courts of Common Pleas," already
referred to as having been established on the 21st of
June, 1811, in the place of the old Court of Common
Pleas. It further provided, " that from and after the
first day of June next, the Circuit Courts of Common
Pleas shall have, exercise, and perform all powers,
authorities and duties which the respective Courts of
Sessions have, before the passage of this act, exercised
and performed, except in the counties of Sufiblk,
Nantucket and Dukes County ; and it was further
provided that the Governor, by and with the advice
of the Council, be authorized to appoint two persons
in each county, who shall be session justices of the
Circuit Court of Common Pleas in their respective
counties, and sit with the justices of said Circuit
Court in the administration of the affairs of their
county, and of all matters within said county of
which the Courts of Sessions had cognizance." The
management of county affairs was controlled by this
court until February 20, 1819, when it was enacted,
"that from and after the first day of June next, an
' act to transfer the powers and duties of the Courts
of Sessions to the Circuit Courts of Common Pleas,'
passed on the 28th of February, 1814, be hereby re-
pealed ; and it was further provided, that from and
after the first day of June next the Court of Sessions
in the several counties shall be held by one chief jus-
INTRODUCTORY.
IX
tice and two associate justices, to be appointed by the
Governor, witli tlie advice and consent of tlie Coun-
cil, wlio uliall liavc all the powers, rights and privi-
leges, and be suhject to all the duties, which arc now
vested in the Circuit Courts of Common Pleas rela-
tive to the erection and repairs of jails and other
county buildings, the allowance and settlement of
county accounts, the estimate, apimrtionment and is-
suing warrants for assessing county taxes, granting
licenses, laying out, altering and discontinuing high-
ways, and appointing committees and ordering juries
for that purpose."
The Court of Sessions continued in the manage-
ment of county atlairs until March 4, 1826, when that
I)art of their duties relating to highways was vested
by law in a new board of county officers, termed
" commissioners of highways.'' The act creating
this board provided " that for each county in the
Commonwealth, except the counties of Suffolk and
Nantucket, there shall be appointed and commis-
sioned by His Excellency, the Governor, by and with
the advice and consent of the Council, to hold their
offices for five years, unless removed by the Governor
and Council, five commissioners of highways, except
in the counties of Dukes and Barnstable, in which
there shall be appointed only three, who shall be in-
habitants of such county, one of whom shall be
designated as chairman by his commission." The
act further provided that the doings of the commis-
sioners should be reported to the Court of Sessions for
record, and that said court should draw their warrants
on the county treasury for expenses incurred by the
commissioners in constructing roads located by
them.
On the 26th of February, 1828, an act was passed
providing "that the Act entitled, 'An Act to estab-
lish Courts of Sessions,' passed on the 20th day of
February, 1819; also the Act in addition thereto,
passed on the 21st day February, 1820 ; also the Act
entitled, 'An Act increasing the numbers and extend-
ing the powers of Justices of the Court of Sessions,'
passed on the 6th of February, 1822 ; also the Act en-
titled, 'An Act in addition to an Act directing the
method of laying out highways,' passed on the 4th
day of March, 1826, be and the same are hereby re-
pealed." It further provided that "there shall be ap-
pointed and commissioned by His Excellency, the
Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the
Council, four persons to be county commissioners
for each of the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk
and Worcester, and three persons to be county com-
missioners for each of the other counties of this Com-
monwealth, except the county of Suffolk," " that the
Clerks of the Courts of Common Pleas within the
several counties shall be clerks of said county com-
missioners," and "that for each of the counties in the
Commonwealth, except the counties of Suffolk, Mid-
dlesex, Essex, Worcester, Norfolk and Nantucket,
there shall be appointed and commissioned two per-
sons to act as special county commissioners."
On the 8th of April, 18;35, it w;ia provided by law
that in everv county except Suffolk and Nantucket the
judge of probate, register of probate and clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas should be a board of ex-
aminers, and that on the first JFonday of !May, in the
year 1835, and on the first Monday of April, in every
third year thereafter, the people should cast their
votes for three county commissioners and two special
commissioners. The law remained unaltered until
March 11, 1854, when it was provided, that the county
commissioners now in office in the several counties,
exceiit in Suffolk and Nantucket, shall be divided
into three classes ; those of first class shall hold their
oflices until the day of the next annual election of
Governor; those of the second class until the same
election day in 1855 ; and those of the third class
until the same election day in 1856, the commis-
sioners now in office determining by lot to which each
shall belong, and that at such annual election each
year thereafter, one commissioner be chosen for three
years. It was also provided that at the annual election
in 185(1, and each third year thereafter, two special
commissioners be chosen.
Since the passage of the law of 1828 establishing
Boards of County Commissioners the following per-
sons have been appointed members of the Essex
County Board :
182S-33. — .\sa W. Wildes, of Newbnryport ; Joseph Winn, of Sulein ;
Stephens Baker, of Ipswich ; Wm. B. Breed, of Lynn.
1834, — John W. Proctor, of South Danvers, in place of William B.
Breed.
18:55-37. — Moses Newell, of West Nowlmry, in place of .\sa W, Wildes.
1838-tU.— Asa T. Sewhall, of Lynn, in place of John W. I'roctor.
1841-4.1. — Charles Kimball, of Ipswich ; Robert Patten, of Amesbury ;
Wm. Whipple, of liockport.
1814-46. -Asa W. Wililes, of Newbnryport, and Benj. F. Newhall, of
Saugus, in place of Robert Patten and W'm. Whipple,
1847-49— John 1. Baker, of Beverly, in place of Charles Kimball.
1850-54. — Benjamin Mudge, of Lynn, in place of Benjaniiu F. New-
hall.
In this last year — in accordance with the law passed
March 11, 1854, providing for the division of the
commissioners by lot into three classes, one going out
each year, and another chosen by the people for a
term of three years — John I. Haker drew the first
class, Benjamin Mudge the second, and Asa W.
Wildes the third. At the election of 1854, and at
subsequent elections, the following were chosen :
1854. — Stephens Baker, of Beverly, in place of Jolin I. Baker.
1855. — Kben B, (Jurrier, of Lawrence, in jilace of Benjamin Mudge.
185fi. — George Haskell, of Ipswich, in place of Asu W. Wildes.
1857. — Stephons Baker, rechoseu.
1858.— Ebeu B. Currier, recliosen.
1859. — Abrani I). Wait, of Ipswich, in place of George Haskell.
18G0. — James Kimball, of Saloni, in place of Stephens Rtker.
1861. — JackS'iil B. Swott, of Haverhill, in place of Eben B. Ourrier,
1862, — Abrani D, Wait, recliosen,
1863, — James Kimball, recliosen,
1864. — Jackson B. Swett, recliosen.
1865. — Abrani D. Wait, recliosen.
1866, — James Kimball, lecliosen.
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1867. — Jttckson B. 8w(?tt, recboeen.
1868. — Cliarlea P. Preston, of Danvei-s, Id place of Abram D. Wait.
1869. — .lames Kinibal), rechosen.
1870. — Jttckfiun B. Swett, rechosen.
1871. — Charles P. Preston, rechosen.
1872.— *Jftnies Kimball, rechosen.
1873.— Zachariah Graves, of Lynn, in place of Jackson B. Swett.
1874. — Joseph 0. Proctor, of Gloncester, in place of Chaa. P. Preston.
1875. — James Kimball, rechosen.
1876. — Zachariah Graves, rechosen.
1877. — Joseph O. Proctor, rechosen.
1878. — John W. Raymond, of Beverly, in place of James Kimball.
1879. — Geo. J. L. Colby, of Newbiiryport, in place of Zachariah Graves.
1880. — Zachariah Craves, in place of Joaeiih 0. Proctor.
1881. — John \V, Uaymuml, rectiosen.
1882.— Edward B. Bishop, of Haverhill, in place of Geo. J. L. Colby.
188;j. — Geo. J. L. CoUiy, in place of Zachariah Graves.
1884. — John W. Raymond, rechosen.
1885. — Edward B. Bisliop, rechosen.
lS86.~David W. Low. of Gloucester, in place of Geo. J. L. Colby.
The Circuit Court of Common Pleas, which was
established in 1811, was abolished on the 14th of
February, 1821, and the Court of Common Pleas es-
tablished with four justices, one of whom it was pro-
vided by law should be commissioned chief justice.
On the Ist of March, 1843, the number of judges was
increased to five; March 18, 1845, it was increased to
six ; May 24, 1851, to seven. On the 5th day of
April, 1859, the Court of Common Pleas was abol-
ished, and the present Superior Court established,
with ten judges, which number was increased, May
19, 1875, to eleven.
The Superior Court of .Judicature, which was es-
tablished June 26, 1699, received no appointments to
its bench after 1775. During its existence the fol-
lowing judges were appointed:
1692.— Wni. Sloughton (Chief Jnstice), Thomas Ilanforth, Wait Win-
throp (Chief Justice, 17U8J, John Richards, Samuel Sewall (Chief Jus-
tice, 1718).
1690.- Eliaha Cooke.
1700.— John Walley.
1701.— John SalBn.
1702. — Isaac Addington (Chief Justice, 1703), John Hathorne, John
Leverett.
1708.— Jonathan Curwin.
1712.— Benjamin Lyndo (Chief Justice, 1728), Nathaniel Thomas.
1715. — Addington Ilavenjiort.
1718.— Edmund Quincy, Paul Dudley (Chief Justice, 1745).
1728.— John Gushing.
1733. — Jonathan Remington.
1736.— Richard Saltonstall.
1738. — Tiiomas Graves.
1739.— Stephen Sewall (Chief Justice, 1752).
1745. — Nathaniel Hubbard, Benjamin Lyude (Chief Justice, 1771).
1747.— John Cushing.
1752. — Chambers RubSell.
1766.— Peter Oliver (Chief Justice, 1772).
1760. — Thomas Hutchinson (Chief Justice).
1767. — Edmund Trowbridge.
1771. — Foster Hutchinson.
1772. — Nathaniel Ropes.
1774. — William Brown.
1776.— William Gushing (Chief Justice, 1777), John Adams (Chief
Jnstice), Nathaniel P. Sargeant, William Reed, Robert Treat Paine.
1776. — Jedediah Foster, James Sullivan.
1777.— David Sewall.
Of these. Judges John Hathorne, Jonathan Curwin,
Richard Saltonstall, Stephen Sewall, Benjamin Lyude,
Nathaniel Ropes, William Brown, David Sewall,
Jedediah Foster and Nathaniel P. Sargeant were Essex
County men. On the 20th of February, 1781, an act
was passed establishing the Supreme Judicial Court
as the successor of the Superior Court of Judicature.
It was established with one chief justice and four as-
sociates, but in the year 1800 the number of associates
was increased to six, and the State was divided into
two circuits, the East including Essex County and
Maine, and the West including all the remainder of
the State, except Suffolk County. In 1805 the number
of associates was again fixed at four, and so remained
until 1852, when their number was increased to five.
In 1873 the number of associates was increased to
six, and of one chief justice and six associates the
court is now constituted. Those in the above list
after 1774 were judges of the Superior Court of
Judicature of the State of Massachusetts, and not of
the province. Of the judges of the Superior Court
since its organization, in 1781, the following have been
Essex County men : Theophilus Parsons, Charles
Jackson, Samuel Putnam, Caleb Cushing, Wm. C.
Endicott and Otis P. Lord, who will be referred to in
another chapter containing .sketches of the bench and
bar.
The administration of probate affairs, as has been
already stated, was in the hands of the County Court
during the colonial period up to the accession of Pres-
ident Dudley, in 1685. It has also been stated that
he assumed the jurisdiction to himself, but delegated
it in one or more counties to a judge of probate ap-
pointed by him. Under the administration of Andros
the Governor personally attended to the settlement of
estates exceeding fifty pounds, and it is presumed
that smaller estates came within the rules established
by Dudley. After the deposition of Andros the old
colonial method was resumed and continued until the
charter of the province went into operation, in 1692.
Under the provincial charter jurisdiction in probate
affairs was conferred on the Governor and Council,
who claimed and exercised the right of delegating it
to judges and registers of probate in the several coun-
ties. During the provincial period there was no Pro-
bate Court established by law, but the judge and
register exercised their powers under authority de-
rived only from the Governor and Council. On the
12th of March, 1784, a Probate Court was established,
of which the judge and register were appointed by the
Governor until, under an amendment of the Constitu-
tion ratified by the people May 23, 1855, it was provided
after some previous legislation that in 1856, and every
fifth year thereafter, the register should be chosen by
the people for a term of five years. In 1856 a Court
of Insolvency was established for each county, with a
judge and register, and in 1858 the offices of judge and
register of this court were abolished, as well as those
of judge and register of probate, and the offices of
judge and register of probate and insolvency estab-
INTRODUCTORY.
Hshed. In the same year it was provided that the
register of probate and insolvency should be chosen
by the people, for a term of five years, at the annual
election in that year and every fifth year thereafter.
In 18G2 the Probate Court was made a court of rec-
ord. The oflices of judge and register have been held
by the following persons since the provincial charter
went into operation, in 1692 :
App.
JVI>(iE.S.
App.
rt:qisters.
1692,
Bartholomew Geiiney.
1092.
Stephen Sewall.
169S.
JoDathau Curwin.
1695.
Jotin Croade.
17(12.
John Appletou.
169S.
.lohn llif;ginson.
1739.
Thomas Berry.
17(12.
I>aiiiel Rogers.
1766.
John Choate.
1723.
Daniel .\ppIeton.
1766.
Nathaniel Hopes.
17(52.
Samuel Rogers.
1762.
Benjamin Lyniie.
1773.
Peter Frye.
1779.
Benjamin Greenleaf.
1779.
Daniel Xoyee.
171)8.
Saninel Holten.
1816.
Nathaniel Lord (3d).
1816.
Daniel A. White.
1852.
Kdwin Lawrence.
1854.
Nathaniel S. Howe.
1854.
George R. Lord.
1867.
Abner C. Goodell, Judge
of
18.i6.
James Ropes.
Insolvency.
1857.
Jonathan Perley, Jr.
1858.
Henry B. Fernald, Judge of
1858.
Abner C. GoodiMl, Register
Inaolvency.
of Insolrency.
1859.
George F. Choate, Judge
P. and I.
of
1858.
1859.
1878.
Charles H. Hudson, Register
of P.
Abner C. Goodell, Register
of P. and I.
Jeremiah T. Mahoney, Reg-
ister of P. and I.
The executive officer of the court was, in colonial
times up to 1685, called marshal, except in the
very earliest years, when he was called beadle. As
early, however, as 1634 the records show that James
Penn was chosen marshal. Under President Dudley
he was called provost marshal, under Andros he was
called sheriff, and after Andros, until the province was
established, in 1692, he was again called marshal. As
nearly as can be ascertained, the marshals in Essex
were as follows :
1663. Samuel Archard.
1670. Henry Sherry.
1685. Robert Lord.
1686. Jeremiah Neale.
16'.*1. John Rogers.
1692. John Harris.
The sherifls have been as follows :
1692. George Corwin.
1696. William Gedney.
1702. Thomas Wainwright.
William Gedney.
1708. Daniel lienison.
1710. WilliHiii Geduey.
1715. John Denison.
1722. Benjatnin Marston.
1746. Robert Hale.
1766. Richard .Saltonstall.
1779. Michael Farley.
1792. Bailey Bartlett.
18;ll. Joseph E. Sprague.
18.V2. Fredtfrick Robinson.
18.M. Thomas E. I'ayson.
18.*t6. James Cary.
1S67. Horatio G. Herrick.
Under a law passed in 1831 the Governor was au-
thorized, with the power of removal, to appoint sher-
ilTs for the several counties for five years. Under the
nineteenth article of amendments of the Constitution,
ratified in 1855, a law was passed in 1856 providing
that in that year, and every third year thereafter, a
sherifi' should be chosen by the people of each county
at the annual election.
The clerks of the courts were appointed by the
courts during the colonial period. During the pro-
vincial period the clerks of the County Courts and
those of the Superior Court of Judicature, and after-
wards of the Supreme Judicial Court, were distinct
until 17'J7, and the clerk of the latter two courts had
his oflice in Boston. The appointment lay with the
courts until 1811, when the Governor and Council
were made the appointing jiower. In 1814 the ap-
pointment was given to the Supreme Judicial Court,
and there remained until 1856, when it was provided
by law that in that year, and every fifth year there-
after, clerks should be chosen by the people in the
several counties. As nearly as can be ascertained, the
following is a correct list of the clerks of the courts
in Essex County:
1637. Ralph Fogg.
1647. Henry Bartholomew.
Robert Lord.
1653. Elia.s Slilcman.
1658. Hilliard Veren.
Bart, (ipdney.
1683. Beuj. Gerrisll.
1692. Stephen;.';ewull.l
1727. Mitchell Sewall.
1750. Jos. Bowditch.
1771. Wm. JelTrey.
1774. Jos. Hlanc.y.
1779. Samuel (Jsgood.
17S3. Isaac Osgood
179."). Thos. Bancroft.
1797. Samuel Holten.
1798. 'I'hos. Bancroft.
1804. Ichahod Tucker.
1812. Jos. E. Sprague.
1813. Ichahod Tucker.
1828. John Prince, Jr.
1842. Ebenez.cr Shillaber.
1852. .\8aliel Huntington.
1872. Alfred A. Abbott.
1885. Dean Peabody.
During the colonial period the clerks of the courts
were registers of deeds, and so continued until 1715,
when it was provided "that in each county some per-
son having a freehold within said county to the value
of at least ten pounds should be chosen by the people
of the county." In 1781 a law was passed renewing
and continuing this practice, and the law remained in
force until 1855, when it was provided that in that
year, and every third year thereafter, a register of
deeds should be chosen for the term of three years.
The list of clerks, therefore, above given will cover
the registers up to 1715. Since that date they have
been as follows :
1692. Stephen Sewall.
1727. Mitchell Sewall.
1774. John Higginsou.
1780. John Pickering.
1807. Amos Choate.
iai2. Ralph H. French.
1852. Kjihraim Brown, Jr.
Up to 1869 the registry of deeds for the whole
county was kept at Salem. I5ut on the 22d of
June, in that year, an act was passed providing
that the city of Lawrence and the towns of An-
dover, North Andover and Methuen should con-
stitute a district for the registry of deeds, under
the name of the Northern District of Essex, and
that the other towns in the county should con-
stitute the Southern District. . It also ])rovi(lcd that
the Governor and Council should, on or before the
1st day of the following October, appoint a register
for the Northern District to hold office until a regis-
1870. EphniiiM Brown, South.
1870. Gibert E. Hood, North.
187.'>. Ephraiin BruWn, South.
1875. Abiel Morrison, North.
1878. John R. Poor, North.
1879. Chas. S. (Isgood, South.
1 Was also clerk during the adtuinistratiou of Dudley,
during that of .\ndros.
ind probably
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ter should be chosen by the people of the towns in
the district at the annual election in 1870. It further
provided that the register of deeds then in office
should continue until a register for the Southern Dis-
trict should be chosen b)' the people of the district in
1870, and that he should deliver on demand to the
register of the Northern District all original deeds or
other instruments recorded and remaining in his
office conveying or relating to land or estates in said
Northern District.
After the formation of the counties it was provided
by law, in 1654, that each county should annually
choose a treasurer. This provision was renewed by an
act passed in 1692, after the formation of the province,
and continued, it is believed, up to 1856, when it was
provided that a county treasurer should be chosen in
that year, and every third year thereafter, for the term
of three years. Up to 1651, when provision was made
for the election of county treasurers, the treasurer
chosen by the General Court was the treasurer of the
whole colony. These were as follows :
lG3fi. Richard I>ummer,
1G37. Bichard Bellinijluim.
1640. William Tyng.
lC4-i to 16S4. Eichard Russell.
May 13, 1629, George Harwood,
Dec. 1, 1620, Sam i-.el Aldesy.
1632. Willinm Pynchoi).
1634. William Coddiugtuii.
No further record of county treasurers is accessible
before 1771. From that date they have been as fol-
lows :
1774. Michael Farley.
1702. Steplien Choate.
1813. Bailey Hartlett.
1814. Nathaniel Wade.
1852. Daniel Weed.
18.53. Allen W, Dodge.
1878. Edward K. Jenkins.
The only courts connected with the county remain-
ing to be mentioned are the Police and District
Courts. Of the Police Courts there are five — those in
Gloucester, Lawrence, Lynn, Haverhill and New-
buryport. That of Gloucester is for that city alone
and its officers are James Davis, justice ; Ellridge G.
Friend and Wm. W. French, special justices; and
Sumner D. York, clerk. That of Lawrence is also
for that city alone, and its officers are Nathan W. Har-
mon, justice: Wilbur F. Gile and Charles U. Bell,
special justices ; and Albert A. Tyler, clerk. That for
Lynn is for that city alone, and its officers are Rollin
E. Harmon, justice ; Ira B. Keith and John W. Berry,
special justices ; and Henry C. Oliver, clerk. The
Police Court of Haverhill comprises within its juris-
diction Haverhill, Bradford and Groveland, and its
officers are Henry Carter, justice ; Ira A. Abbott and
Henry N.Merrill, special justices; and Edward B.
George, clerk. That of Newburyport comprises New-
buryport and Newbury, and its officers are John N.
Pike, justice ; David L. Withington and Horace I.
Bartlett, special justices ; and Edward F. Bartlett,
clerk. The only district court is the First District
Court of Essex, which comprises within its jurisdic-
tion Salem, Beverly, Danvers, Hamilton, Middleton,
Topsfield and Wenham, and is held at Salem. Its
1 Chosen in England.
officers are Joseph B. F. Osgood, justice ; Daniel E.
Safford and Nathaniel I. Holden, special justices;
and Samuel P. Andrews, clerk. Police Courts were
originally established in Salem, 1831 ; Newburyport,
1833; Lawrence, 1848 ; Lynn, 1849; Haverhill, 1854;
Gloucester, 1858. That of Haverhill was re-established
in 1867, taking Bradford and Groveland within its
jurisdiction, and the jurisdiction of the Newburyport
Court was enlarged by the addition of Newbury, in
1879. The first Essex District Court was established
in 1874.
Little can be said in this chapter of the early history
of the Essex bar. Of those who were early called to the
bench were Nathaniel Saltonstall, of Haverhill, born in
1639, and a graduate of Harvard in 1659; Bartholomew
Gedney, of Salem, born in 1640; Thomas Berry, of
Ipswich, a graduate of Harvard in 1712; Andrew
Oliver, of Salem, a graduate of Harvard in 1724;
Samuel White, of Haverhill (Harvard), 1731 ; John
Hathorne, of Salem, born in 1641; Jonathan Curvvin,
of Salem, born in 1640 ; Eichard Saltonstall, of Hav-
erhill, born in 1703 (Harvard), 1722; Stephen Sew-
all, of Salem, born in 1702 (Harvard), 1721 ; Benja-
min Lynde, of Salem, born in 1700 (Harvard), 1718;
Nathaniel Ropes, of Salem, born in 1726 (Harvard),
1745; William Brown, of Salem (Harvard), 1855,— all
of whom were on the bench of the Superior Court of
Judicature, but not all educated in the law. The
bar was divided into two classes — barristers and at-
torneys, and this division continued until 1836,
though after 1806 under a rule of court counselors
were substituted for barristers.
The term " barrister " is derived from the Latin word
barra, signifying bar, and was applied to those only
who were permitted to plead at the bar of the courts.
In England, barristers, before admission, must have
resided three years in one of the Inns of Court if a
graduate of either Cambridge or Oxford, and five
years if not. These Inns of Court were the Inner
Temple, the Middle Temple, Lincoln's Inn and Gray's
Inn. Before the Revolution this rule seems to have
so far prevailed here as to require a practice of three
years in the Inferior Courts before admission as bar-
rister. John Adams says in his diary that he became
a barrister in 1761, and was directed to provide him-
self with a gown and bands and a tie wig, having
practiced according to the rules three years in the l\\-
ferior Courts. At a later day the period of probation
seeins to have been four years, and at a still later
seven years.
With regard to the continuance of barristers after
the Revolution, the following entry in the records of
the Superior Court of Judicature may be interesting:
"SutTulk, SS. Superior Court of Judicature at Boston, third Tuctday
of February, 1781, present William Cashing, Nathauiel P. Sargeaut,
David Sewall and James Sullivan justices : and now at this term the fol-
lowing rule is uuule by the court and ordered to be entered, viz.: where-
as, learTiing and literary accomplishments are necessary as well to jiro-
mote the haiipiness as to preserve the freeilom of the people, and the
learning uf the law when duly encouraged and rightly directed being
INTRODUCTORY.
as well p<^uHnrly subservient to tlio great and good purpose aforeeaid,
ivi |ii"omotivo of piililic and private justice : and tlie court being at al'
tiniea ready tn bestow peculiar marks of approbation upon the gentlemen
of the bar, wlio, by a close applic;iti<iri to the study of tbe science tlivy
profess. Iiy a mode of conduct wliich gives a conviction of tlie rectitude
of their minds and u fairness of i)nictice that does honor to tbe profes-
sion of tbe law shall liistiiijriiihl) as men of Rcit-nce, honor and integrity,
Po order Itiiit no t;entleman sliall be called to tbe degree of barrister
until he 8b:ill merit the 8amo by his conspicuous bearing, ability and
honesty ; and that the court will, of their own mere motion, call to tbo
bar such pereons as shall render themselves worthy as afore>aid ; and
that the maimer of eailing to tbo bar shall be n« follows : Tbe gentle-
man who shall be a candidate sluvll stand within the bar ; the chief jus-
tice, or in hif* alu^ence the senior justice, shall, in the name of tbo court,
rept-at to biro the qualifications necessary for a barrister-at-law ; shall
1ft him know thjit it is a conviction in tbo mind of the court of his being
possessed of those (lualitications that induces them to confer the honor
upon hini ; and shall solemnly charge him so to conduct biinself as to
be of singular service to his country by oxurting his abilities for the
defence of her Constitutional freedom ; an<l so to demean himself as to
do honor to the court and bar."
The act establishing the Supreme Judicial Court,
July 3, 1782, provided that the court should and
might from time to time make record and establish
all such rules and regulations with respect to the ad-
mission of attorneys ordinarily practicing in the said
court, and the creating of barristers-at-Ia\v. Under
the provisions of this act the following rule was
adopted and entered on the records of the Supreme
Judicial Court:
"Suffolk SS. At tlie Supreme .ludicial Court at Boston the last Tues-
day of August, ^'|K^, present \Villiam Cushing, Chief Justice, and Na-
thaniel P. Sargeant, David Sewall and Increase Sumner, .Justices,
ordered that barrister be called to the Bar by special writ to be ordered
by the Court, and to be in tbe following form :
''commonwealth of MASS.VfHl setts.
'* To A. C, Esq., of , Greeting: We well hnowing your ability,
learning and integrity, command you that you appear before our Justices
of our Supreme Judicial Court next, to be holdeii at , in and for our
county of , on the — Tuesday of •, then and there iu our said
Court to tiike upon you the state and degree of a Barrister-at-Law.
Hereof fail not. Witness , E8<i., our Chief Justice at Boston, the
— day of , in the year of our Lord and in the year of our
Independence , By order of the Court. , Clerk.
" which writ shall be fairly engrossed on parchment and delivered
twenty days before the session of the same Court by tbe Sheriff of the
same county to the pi-rscm to whom din-ctcd and being produced in
Court by the Barrister and there rend by tbe Clerk, and proper certiticate
thereon made, shall be re-delivured and kept as a voucher of his being
legjiUy cjilled to tbe bar: And the Barristers shall take rank according
to the date of their re8i)ective writs.''
It is believed that no barristers were called after
1784, and the following rule adopted in 1806 seems
to have substituted counselors in their ])lace:
"Suffolk SS. At the Supreme Judicial Court at Boston for the coun-
ties of Suffolk and Nantucket the si-cond Tuesday of March, 18(HJ, pres-
ent Francis Dana, Chief Justice, Theodon! Sedgwick, (Jeorge Thatcher
and Is-uic I'arker, Justices, ordered: First. No Attorm-y shall do the
business of a ruunsellor unless hv wliall hav«- hfvu m-.oh- t>r admittfd lu
such b,\ tb« C-onrt. Second. All Altorueys of this Court who have hem
admitted three years before the sitting of this Court shall be and hereby
are made Counselloi-s and are entitled to all the rights and privileges of
such. Third. No Attorney or Counsellor shall hereafter be admillcd
without a previous examination, etc."
In 183() the distinction between counselor and at-
torney was abolished. The rule of court adopted in
178;^ by the Supreme Judicial ('ourl was issued under
the provisions of the law i)a8Sod the year before. The
rule adopted in 1781 by the Superior Court of Judi-
cature seems to have been provided for by no jirevi-
ous law, and it is even doubtful whether before that
time any rule had ever been maile by the Xew Eng-
land courts providing for barristers. Precisely how
early they were introduced into our courts it is im-
possible to discover. It is known, however, as is
stated by Washburne, in his history of the judiciary,
that as early as 1708 there were twenty-five in Massa-
chusetts, of whom Daniel Famliam, William Pynchon,
John Chipnian, Nathaniel Peaselee Sargeant and
John Lowell were of Essex. It is possible that be-
fore the year 1781, during the provincial period, the
English rule was followed and that the rule of that
year was adopted in consequence of the new order of
things brought about by the Revolution.
It has been stated that the court termed "the Court
of General Sessions," which consisted of the justices
of the peace in each county and had existed during
the provincial period, was changed to " the General
Court of Sessions" in 1807. The judges appointed
to this court for Essex County were Samuel Holt(!n
(chief justice), Josiah Smith, Wm. Pearson, Thomas
Kittcridge, John Sumders, Henry Elkins (justices),
and John Punchard (clerk). In 1809 this court was
abolished, and its powers and duties trausferred to
the Court ot Common Pleas. In 1811, however, it
was re-established, and its officers consisted of Sam*l.
Holten (chief justice), Thomas Kitteridgc, Plenry
Elkins, John Prince and Joseph Fuller (^justices) and
Joseph E. Sprague (clerk).
The sessions of the Supreme Judicial, Superior and
Probate Courts, as now provided by law, are, —
Supreme: Law term at Salem on the first Tuesday in November. Jiiry
terms at Salem on the third Tuesday in April and the first Tuesday in
Novt-mber.
Siijifrior: Civil term« at Salem on tbo fiiwt Hlondnys in Juno and De-
cember; Lawrence on the first Mimday in March ; Newburyjiort on the
first Monday in September. t'riminal tenus, — Salem on tUv fourth
Monday in .lanuary ; Newburyjiort on the second Moixlay in May ;
Lawrence on tbe fourth Monday in October.
PrnbaU- : Salem on the first Monday in every month and on the third
Monday in every month, excej)! August ; Lawrence on the second
Monday in .lanuary, March, May, June, July, September, Novemhtji ;
Havf-rhill on tin- st-cond M-xiday in April ami October ; Newburyjnirt on
the fourth Monday in January, March, .'^lay, June, July, September,
November j Gloucester on the fourth Slonday in April and October.
The record of admissions to tiic bar in Essex County
begins in 1795, and the following is believed to be a
correct list up to 1887, inchisive:
iTttr..
Ichabod Tuker
\Vm 11. S.-widl
17110.
Charles Jackson
John Pike
1801.
Joseph Story
Joseph Sprague (:Jd)
1804.
Joseph Dana
}Wt\\. K Nielmla
Kal[ih II. French
Wni. S. Titcomb
Daniel A. White
Klisha 3Iacke
.Ii.hii I'rince. Jr.
Moody Noy*'S
Samuel Swt-It
Samuel L. Knapp
180.1.
Kbem;zifr Moseley
180S.
Kbenexer It ll<wkfotd
1800.
Leverett Saltonstall
Nathaniel Sawyt-r
John Bickering
Joseph Ilovry
1S07.
Ik-nry A, S. iH-arborn
1809.
R L. l)Iiv<r, .Ir.
XIV
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
David CummingB
1833.
John W. Browne
John Maurice O'Brioil.
Geo. Lunt
1810
Jacub Gerrish
1834.
Francis Silsbee
Larlcili Thorndike
1835.
Wm. Fattens
Samuel Merrill
Jonathan C. Perkins
Joa. B. Mauning
Otis P. Lord
B. W. Swett
1837.
Thos. B. Newhall
John Gallison
1838.
Joseph Couch
Stephen Hooper
Wm. Taggart
1812.
Timothy Hammond
Nathl. r. Safford, Jr
James C. JMeniU
Francis Cumuiina
Wm. Birley
1839.
Wm. 0. Moseley
Jacob Willard
Edward P. Parker
John Glen King
Richard West
Frederick Howes
Francis H. Upton
Ebenezer Everett
Jos. G. Gerrish
Theodore Ames
1840.
H. F. Barstow
1813.
Geo. Newton
Wm. Williams
Edward Andrews
Simon F. Barstnw
ThoB. Stephens, Jr
1842.
Frederick Merrill
OctaviuB Pickering
Luther A. Hackett
John Scott
Horace Pluuier
18U.
Henry Peirce
1843.
Geo. Haskell
1815.
Jas. H. Duncan
1844.
Alfred A. Abbott
Elisha F. Wallace
Jos. F. Clark
W. A. Rogers
Wm. L. Rogers
181C.
Wm. Thorndike
1845.
Moses Foster, Jr.
RnHls V. Hovey
Wm. F. C. Stearns
1818.
Andrew Dnnlap
David Kimball
Solomon S. Whipple
Benj. Barstow
John Foster
.leremiah P. Jones
1819.
Ebenezer Shillaber
Wra.D. Northend
John W. Proctor
1840.
Augustus D. Rogers
1820.
A. W. Wildes
Daniel Weed
1821.
Isaac R. How
Isaac Ames
E. H. Derby
Horace L. Conolly
Jos. G. Waters
1847.
W. Augustus Marston
1823.
Robt. Cross
1848.
Lonis Worcester
G. C. Wilde
George B. Lord
Wm. Oakes
A. G. White
John A. Richardson
Geo. F. Choate
Rufus Choate
N. S. Howe
Thornton Betton
1S49.
Wm. H. P. Wright
Robt. Rantoul, Jr.
Jairus W. Perry.
1824.
Jos. 11. Prince
Nathaniel Pierce
John Walsh
B. Frank Watson
1.S25.
Benj. Tucker
1859.
Wm. C. Endicott
1826.
A. Huntington
E. W. Kimball
Moses Parsons Parish
Geo. Andrews
Oilman Parker
Dean Peabody.
Stephen P. Webb
1851.
Philo L. Beverly
J. 0. Stickney
Wni. C. Prescott
David Roberts
Stephen G. Wheatland
W. S. Allen
John B. Clarke
1827.
Samuel Phillips
Stephen B. Ives, Jr.
1828.
David Mack
Amnii Brown
Nathaniel J. Lord
Jacob W. Reed
Geo. Wheatland
Daniel E. Safford
Ellis Gray LorinR
1852.
Sidney 0. Bancroft
John Tenney
Calel) Lamson
Edward L. Le Breton
J. A. Gillis
Nathaniel P. Knapp
Joseph H.Robinson
N. W. Hazen
Abner C. Goodell, Jr.
1830.
John Codman
John N. Pike
John S. Williams.
1851.
Chas. J. Thorndike
1831.
Alfred Kittridge
Chas. H. Stickney
Chas. Mi not
1854.
Michael B. Mulklns
Francis B. Crowninshield
Hiram 0. Wiley
Henry Field
1855.
Francis S. Howe
Chas. A. Andrew
C. W. Upham
1832.
N. Devereux
Wm. G. Choate
Ephraim T. Miller
G. A. Peabody
Joshua H. Ward
Robt. S. Rantoul
Geo. H. Devereux
18.-,C.
Harrison G. Johnson
Wm. G. Woodward
Jos. H. Bragdon
1862.
i«e;j.
C. Osgood Morse
Edward L. Sherman
Geo. W. Benson
Benj. Bordman
E. P. G. Mai-sh
Jacob Haskell
Wm. H. Paisons
Harrison Gray
Joe. Etistmau
H. N. Merrill
P. S. Chase
John James Ingalls
John B. Stickney
Henry Carter
Amos Noyea (,2d)
Edgar J. Sherman
Ephraim A. lugalls
Wm. M. Kogers
Chas. Kimball
David B. Kimball
Geo. P. Burrill
Wm. P. Upham
Benj. H. Smith
B. T. Hutchinson
John F. Devereux
John S. Driver
Wm. L. Peabody
Chas. Sewall
Arthur A. Peterson
Thorndike D. Hodges
Henry W. Chapman
John K. Tarbox
John C. Sauboru
Wm. G. Currier
Wm. Fisk Gile
Thos. A. Cushing
Wm. Cogswell
John Millikin
Francis H. Berick
Micajah B. Mansfield
Alphonso J. Itoberson
Geo. A. Bousley
Edward P. Kimball
Henry G. Rollins
Geo. Foster
Geo. Wheatland, Jr
Nathaniel J. Holden
Caleb Saunders
Frank Kimball
Minot Tirrell, Jr.
Chas. S. Osgood
R. B. Brown
H. L. Sherman
A. R. Sanborn
John W. Porter
Geo. H. Poor
H. W. Boardman
W. H. Dalrymple
Chas. A. Sayward
Solomon Lincoln, Jr.
N. Mortimer Hawkes
David M. Kelly
Elbridge T. Burley
Porter T. K.-bi-rta
John P. AdaniH
Eben A. Andrews
Wm L. Thompson
Wm. E. Blunt
John W. Berry
C. A. Phillips
Walter Parker
Thos. F. Hunt
Wm. S. Knox
Warren H. Jlace
Wm. C. Fabens
1875.
1876.
1877.
Andrew C. Stone
Geo. W. Cate
Robt. W. Pearson
Jas. L. Rankin
Jas. L. Young
Henry P. Moultou
Henri N. Woods
Geo. Holman
Horace C. Bacon
Benj. E. Valentino
Geo. W. Foster
Cha-s. Webb
J. Kendall Jeuness
Jeremiah T. Hahuney
Job. 0. Goodwin
Nathan N. Withiugton
John Edwardd Leonard
Chas. K. Briggs
Fred. D. Burnham
John S. Gile
Hiram P. Harrimaa
Clias. G. Saunders
Wm. S. Huse
Samuel A. Johnson
James H. Giddings
Ira Anson Abbott
Chas. W. Richardion
Fred. P. Byram
IraB. Keith
Wm. Henry Gove
Leverett S. Tuckerman
Josiah F. BIy
Wm. W. Wilkins
Arba N. Lincoln
Jos. E. Buswell
Chas. Upham Bell
Frank P. Ireland
Chas. A. Benjamin
Andrew Fitz
Chas. D. Moore
Amos E. Kollins
Louis W. Kelley
Chas. H. Parsons
A. L. Huntington
Fred. A. Benton
Arthur F. Morris
Chas. Roberts Brickett
John P. Sweeney
Willis E. Flint
Frank W. Hale
N. D. A. Clarke
Thos. Huse, Jr.
Edward B. George
Wilson S. Jenkins
Samuel H. Hodges
David L. Withiugton
Francis H. Pearl
Frank P. Allen
Jerome H. Fiake
Henry F. Chase
Henry T. Croswell
David C. Bartlett
Jas. E. Breed
Wm. F. M. Collins
Peter W. Lyall
Newton P. Frye
Chas. F. Caswell
Moses H, Ames
Eben F. P. Smith
Geo. F. Means
Thos. C. Simpson, Jr.
Geo. Galen Abbott
Chas. A. Tobiu
Boyd B. Jones
John A. Page
INTRODUCTORY.
Geo. J. Can*
Hintiii II, Browne
Will. 11. Muoiiy
Dcimis \V. (iuill
Tliotf. K. GiiHiigher
Wm. K. >ioves
John C. M. HhjIcj
Honue I. IliirtU-tt
Danifl N. Cruwley
Patrick I. McCuskin
Ooo. H. Iv<-8.
1879. Fmnk II. Clarke
KdwKrd P. Teher
JoBfpli V. Sweeney
Michael J. JlrNeirny
Josepti V, Hanuiiu
Forrest L. Kvana
(.'hiiiies Leighton
Kilwin F. Cloutnian
Charles 1). Welch
Friiiik V. Wit;ht
Jacob Otis WiinUvell
Charles G. Dyer
Charles 11. Syuionda
Edward K. Frye
Theodure M. Osborne
N. Sumner Myrick
Daniel J. M. O'Callaghan
Charles A. Rns.sell
Cliaries Howard Poor
leSi). Hpiij. Newball Jubuson
Joiiah F. Keene
Jonathan Lainson
Wm. W. Bvitlor
Frank C. Skinner
Charles S, Wilson
Fmnk E. Farnbam
Henry C l)urgin
Alden P. White
Charles E. Todd
William Perry
Calvin Il.Tnttle
G. M. Steams
John K. Baldwin
Samuel Merrill
Benj. K. Prentisri. Jr.
Frederick G. Preston
Edward C. Battis
1881. Charles A. De Conrcy
Albert Birnay Taaker
John Milton Stearns
Alfred L. Baker
1882. Wm. F. Noonan
Wm. II, Lucie
Charles F. Sargent
Wm. I). T. Trefry
James W. Goodwin
Edward H. Browne
Benjamin C Ames
Edward U. Uowelt
John C. Pierce
Nathaniel C. Bartlett
Edwin A. Clark
George L. Weil
Tristmm F. Bartlott
Nathaniel N. Jones
Is;iac A. Lamson
1883. Marshman M'. Ilazen
Chaih'S .\. Woare
Thomas n. Ronayne
Sumner D. York
Frank C. Richardson
Wm. A. Pew, Jr.
George E. Batchehler
Jlelville P. Beckett
Edmund B. Fuller
1884. Samuel A. Fuller
Eugene T. SIcCarthy
Wm. T. McKone
Joseph F. Quinn
1885. John B. Poor
George H. Eaton
Warren B. Hutchinson
John J. Flaherty
Jeremiah E. Bartlett
Byron E. Crowell
Robert O'Callaghan
Cornelius J. Rowley
Robert T. Babson
Thomas Keville, Jr.
Richard E. Hiiies
John C. Donavan
1886. Marry J. Cole
Wintield S. Peters
Edward P, Morton
Horace 51. Sargent
Wm. O'Shea
Wm. C. Kndicott, Jr.
Wm. R. Rowell
1887. George H. WilJianiB
BeHJ*iinin G. Hall
An<lrow Ward
Rufus P. Tapley, Jr.
Arcbibald N. Donahue
There remains little to be included within this
sketch of Essex County. The details concerning the
jails of Ipswich, the first of which was built in 1652 ;
of the court-house and probate building in that town,
the latter of which was built in 1817, and held the
records until they were removed to Salem ; of the
erection of a jail and house of correction in Law-
rence in 1853, and of the erection of a court-house
in that city in 1859, and of the county buildings in
Newburyport and 8alem, consisting in the latter city
partly of a granite court-house, built in 1841, and a
brick court-house built in 18til, will be included in
tlie town histories. There are various corporations,
associations and societies which would properly come
within the scope of these histories, but in case they
may be omitted it may, perhaps, be well to refer to
them at least by name. Those best known are the
Essex Institute, at Salem, established in 1821 and in-
corporated in 1848 ; the Essex County Natural History
Society at Salem, incorporated in 183(> ; the Peabody
Academy of Science, established at Salem in 18G7with
a fund of $140,000, of which the sum of $40,000 was ex-
pended in the purchase of the hall and museum of the
East India Marine Society; the Essex Agricultural
Society, founded by Colonel Timothy Pickering, in
1818 ; the Essex North and Essex South Medical Socie-
eties, and the Essex County Homoeopathic Medical
Society; the Merrimac Valley Dental Association;
the Veteran Odd Fellows' Association, of Essex
County; the Teachers' Association, incorporated in
1827, and Unitarian Conference and Congregational
Club.
This sketch, feared by the author to be imperfect,
more especially in its enumeration of the early offi-
ces and their incumbents, concerning whom the
records are often confused, will close with a list of the
present officers of the county :
Judge of Probate and Insolvency, (leorge F. Chnate, of Salem ; Reg-
ister of Probate and Insolvency, Jeremiah T. Mahoiicy, of Sale m ; Clerk
of the Court, Dean Peabody, of Lynn ; County Treasurer, E. Kemlall
Jenkins, of Antlover; Sheriff, Horatio G. Herrick, of Lawrence ; Regis-
ter of Deeds (North DiMtrict), John R. Poor, of Lawrence ; (South Dis-
trict), Charles S, Osgood, of Salem ; County Conimissiouera, John W.
Raymond, of Beverly, until 1S87 ; Edward B. Bishop, of HaTerhill,
until 18S8 ; David W, Low, of filoucetiter, until 18H!» ; Special Commi8-
sioners, Aaron Sawyer, of Amesbury, until 18K9 ; Ivorj' Emmons, of
Swampscott, ui.til 1SS9 ; Commiissioners of Insolvency, Sherman Nrlf>on,
of Georgetown William L. Thomi)Son, of Lawrence ; Horace I. Bart-
lett, of Newburyport ; Trial Justices, J, Scott Todd, of Kowley ; Na-
thaniel F. S. York, of Kockport ; W'illiam M. Rogers, of Mothuen ;
Orlando B. Tenny, of Georgetown ; Georgo II. Poor, of Andover ;
George W. Cate, of Amesbury ; Amos Merrill, of I'eabody ; Orlando S,
Bailey, of Amesbury ; William Nutting, Jr , of Marblehead ; Wesb-y K.
Bell, of Ipswich ; Stejihen Gilman, of Lynnfiehl ; and .luattph T. Wilson,
of Nahant.
CHAPTER ri.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
BV WILLIAM T. DAVIS.
The preceflyig cluiiiter contains matter wiiicli
might, perliaps, |iroperly be incliiik'il in this. That
clia|»ter contains, in connoction witli a sketcli of the
courts of Essex County, a list of persons admitted
to the bar, chiefly copied from the records in the
clerk's office in Salem. The present chapter will be
devoted principally to sketches of the bench and bar,
many of them necessarily short, but, [>erhaps, suf-
ficient, if not to do justice to the subjects them-
selves, to at leiist demonstrate the fruitfulness of the
county from its organization, in 1G43, in eminent
men. It is not too much to say that no county in the
State can fnrnish so distinguished a list of men edn-
ucated to the law among its native citizens.
XVI
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Amon^ those on the bench in the colonial and
early provincial periods few of the judges were law-
yers. Up to the Revolution only four judges, edu-
cated in the law, had been appointed to the bench
of the Superior Court of Judicature, — Benjamin
Lynde, Paul Dudley, Edmund Trowbridge and Wil-
liam Gushing. Few lawyers found their way across
the ocean, and fewer still pursued a professional
study here. A prejudice against them existed, and
the inducements to enter the profession were small.
The General Court of the Massachusetts Colony re-
flected this prejudice by ordering, on October 21, 1G63,
" that no usual and common attorney in any Inferior
Court shall be admitted to sit as Deputy in this
Court." In 1685, or immediately after that date,
during the reign of James II., Edward Randolph
wrote to England that there were only two attorneys
in Boston, and asked to have sent " two or three
honest attorneys, if any such in nature."
A Bar Association was formed in 1806, and at that
time there were probably only twenty-three members
of the bar in Essex County, while to-day, as the list
at the end of this chapter shows, there are two
hundred and three. These twenty-three were John
Pickering, Timothy Pickering, Benjamin Pickman,
John Prince, Jr., Samuel Putnam, Leverett Salton-
stall, Joseph Story, William Prescott and Samuel
Swett, of Salera ; Joseph Dana, Michael Hodge, Ed-
ward Little, Edward St. Loe Livermore, Ebenezer
Moseley and Daniel A. White, of Newburyport ; Ste-
phen Minot and John Varnum, of Haverhill ; Nathan
Parks, of Gloucester ; Ralph H. French, of Marble-
head ; Asa Andrews, of Ipswich ; Nathan Dane, of
Beverly ; and Samuel Farrar, of Andover.
This association probably dissolved about the year
1812, and in 1831 another association was formed,
whose records show that at the time of its formation
there were fifty-two members of the bar. Leverett
Saltonstall was the first and probably its only presi-
dent, as it existed only a few years. Ebenezer Shilla-
ber was its secretary, and Ebenezer Moseley, Jacob
Gerrish, .Tohn G. King, Rulus Choate and Stephen
Minot composed its standing committee. The pres-
ent Bir Association was formed at the court-house
in Lawrence October 20, 1856, and ,its constitution
was adopted at a meeting held at the court-house in
Salem December 16, 1856. Its presidents have been
Otis P. Lord, Asahel Huntington, William C. Endi-
cott, Stephen B. Ives and the present incumbent,
William D. Northend.
Samuel Appleton, born in Waldingfield, Eng-
land, in 1624, came to New England with his father,
Samuel, in 1635 and resided in Ipswich. He was
named in the charter of 1692 as one of the Council,
and was one of the first judges appointed in 1692 to
the bench of the Court of Common Pleas for Essex,
holding his seat until his death. May 15, 1696. He
married Hannah, daughter of William Paine, of Ip-
swich, and for a second wife, Mary, daughter of John
Oliver, of Newbury.
Daniel Pieece is believed to have been a native
of Newbury. In 1698 he was appointed judge of the
Essex Court of Common Pleas, and held his seat until
his death, January 22, 1704.
William Browne was the sou of William Browne,
and was born perhaps in Salem in 1639. In 1689, after
the accession of William and Mary, he was one ot
the Committee of Safety. He was appointed to the
bench of the Essex Court of Common Pleas in 1696,
and died while in oflice, February 14, 1716.
John Appleton, nephew of Samuel Appleton
above-mentioned, and son of John, was probably born
in Ipswich in 1652. He was town clerk of that town
in 1697 ; deputy to the General Court in 1697 ; a
member of the Council from 1698 to 1702, from
1706 to 1715 and from 1720 to 1722. He was appoint-
ed to the Essex Common Pleas bench in 1704 and re-
moved by Governor Belcher in 1732. He was in the
same year made judge of probate for Essex, and held
that office until his death, in 1739. He married, Novem-
ber 23, 1681, Elizabeth, daughter of John Rogers,
president of Harvard College.
Thomas Noyes was prob.ably born in Newbury in
1649. He was appointed to the bench of the Essex
Court of Common Pleas in 1707, and held that office
until 1725. He died April 12, 1730.
John Higginson, the son of Rev. John Higgin-
son, and grandson of Rev. Francis Higginson, ot
Salem, was a merchant by profession, and appointed
to the Essex Common Pleas bench in 1708, and held
thac office until his death, in 1720, at the age of sev-
enty-three years.
John BuRRiLLwas born in Lynn in October, 1658.
He represented that town for many years in the
Genera! Court and during ten years was Speaker of
the House. He was crown counselor and appointed
to the Common Pleas bench in 1720, and died Decem-
ber 10, 1721.
Samuel Browne, son of Judge William Browne
already mentioned, was born in Salem, October 8,
1669. He succeeded his father on the Common Pleas
bench in 1716, and as associate and chief justice
continued on the bench until his death, June 16, 1731.
Bartholomew Gedney was a physician, and prob-
ably born in Salem in 1640. He was one of the jus-
tices of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, organized
in 1G92 by Governor Phipps, for the trial of the
witches. He was appointed in 1692 judge of probate
for Essex County, under the authority assumed by
Governor Phipps to delegate probate power vested in
him. In the same year he was appointed one of the
judges of the Court of Common Pleas. He seems to
have mingled military with judicial occupations, and
commanded an expedition against the Indians in 1696.
He died February 28, 1698-99.
Jonathan Corwin was a native of Salem, born in
THE BENCH AND BAR.
November, lfi40. In 1692, on the resignation by Na-
thaniel Saltonstall of his seat on the bench of the
Court of Oyer and Terminer, organized by(i(ivcmor
William Phijips for the trial of the witches, he was
appointed in his place. After the union of the col-
onies he was appointed one of the judges of the Court
of Common Pleas for Essex County, and in 1715 was
appointed to the bench of the Superior Court of Judi-
cature, holding the office until his death, in June,
1718.
William Hathorne came in the "Arbella" with
Winthrop in 1630, and first settled in Dorchester. In
1636 he received a grant of lands from Salem, and
took up his residence there. He was commissioned
speaker of the House, counsel in court, judge and
soldier.
Johnson, in his " Wonder- Working Providence,''
says: "Yet, through the Lord's mercy we still retaine
among our Democracy the Godly Captaine William
Hathorne, whom the Lord has imbued with a quick
comprehension, strong memory and Rhetorick, and
volubility of speech, which has caused the people to
make use of him often in Public Service, especially
when they have had to do with any foreign govern-
ment." He was the American ancestor of Nathaniel
Hawthorne.
JoHX Hathorne, son of William Hathorne above-
mentioned, was born in Salem August 4, 1641. Be-
for the union of the Massachusetts and Plymcmth
Colonies he was a representative or delegate to the
General Court, and one of the assistants. At the acces-
sion of William and Mary to the throne, after the
deposition of Andros, he was one of the Council
assuming the government of the colony. When the
Court of Common Pleas for Essex County was estab-
lished he was appointed one of its judges, and in 1702
was promoted to the bench of the Superior Court of
Judicature. While on the bench he was a member
of the Council, and, under the direction of Lieutenant-
Governor Stoughton, commanded an unsuccessful ex-
pedition against the French and Indians on the
Penobscot River. He continued on the bench of the
Superior Court until his resignation, in 1712, and died
on the 10th of May, 1717.
Benjamin Lynde was born in Boston September
22, 1666, and graduated at Harvard in 1686. He
studied law at the Temple in London, and was admit-
ted as a barrister before his return to America.
Washburn, in his "Judicial History of Massachu-
setts," says that he was the first regularly educated
lawyer ever appointed to the bench of the Superior
Court. In 1699, or thereabouts, he removed to Salem,
and made that place his residence until his death, on
the 28th of January, 1749. He was appointed one
of the justices of the Superior Court of Judicature
in 1712, and in 1728, on the resignation of Samuel
Sevvall, was appointed chief justice.
Blcx.iAMlN Lyxdk (2d) was the son of the above-
named Benjamin Lynde, and was born in Salem
ii
October 5, 1700. He graduated at Harvard in 1718,
and, though not a lawyer, was appointed in 1734 a
special justice of the (>)urt of Common Pleas for
Siiilblk, and in 1739 one of the standing judges of
that court for Essex. He was appointed to the bench
of the Superior Court in 1745, and on the appoint-
ment of Chief Justice Thomas Hutchinson to the
office of Governor, in 1771, he was commissioned in
his place, resigning his seat in 1772. He was then ap-
pointed judge of probate for Essex County, which
office he held until his death, October 9, 1781.
Richard Saltonstall was the son of Richard
Saltonstall, of Haverhill, and was born in that town
June 14, 1703. He was the grandson of Miijor Na-
thaniel Saltonstall, great-grandson of Richard Sal-
tonstall, and great-great-grandson of Sir Richard Sal-
tonstall, one of the original patentees of the colony
of Massachusetts Bay. The subject of this sketch
graduated at Harvard in 1722, and at the age of
thirty-three was appointed a judge of the Superior
Court of Judicature. It is not known that he was
educated to the law, nor was it in either the days of
the Massachusetts Colony orof the province thccustom
to confine judicial appointments to those of the legal
profession. At the age of twenty-three he held a
commission as colonel of the provincial troops, and
in 1737, while on the bench, he was the commander
of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.
He was a man of scholarly habits, of considerable
learning, of refined tastes and was conspicuous for
the generous hospitality which his ample means
enabled him to dispense.
Judge Saltonstall held his seat on the bench until
his death, which occurred at his residence in Haver-
hill, October 20, 1756. He married three wives, the
last of whom was a daughter of Elisha Cooke, one of
the judges of the Court of Common Pleas for SuMblk
(bounty, and granddaughter of Judge Elisha Cooke,
one of the judges of the Superior t'ourt of Judica-
ture, who married a daughter of Governor John
Leverett. He left three sons — Richard Saltonstall, a
graduate of Harvard in 1751, who died in England
in 1785; Nathaniel, a physician, living in Haverhill,
a graduate of Harvard in 1766, who died in 1815 ; and
Leverett, a captain under Cornwallis, who died in
New York in 1782. He left also two daughters,
one of whom, Abigail, was the first wife of Colo-
nel George Watson, of Plymouth, and the other the
wife of Rev. Moses Badger, of Providence.
Caleb Ciishini;, of Salisbury, was made Comninn
Pleas judge in 1759, and after the Revolution, when
the Common Pleas Court was reorganized, he was
appointed chief justice.
Stei'IIICN HlcittiNWON was born in Salem in 171<i.
He was appointed judge of the Common Ple:w in
1761, and died in the same year.
Andrew Oliver, of Salem, wiis one of the
"Mandamus Counsellors." He graduated at Har-
vard in 1749, and wasa])pr)inted Common Pleas judge
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
in 1761, and held office until the Eevolution. He
died in 1799.
William Bourne was the son of Sylvanus Bourne,
of Barnstable, and graduated at Harvard in 1743.
He settled in Marblehead, and was made judge of
the Court of Common Pleas in 1766, holding his
office until his death in August, 1770.
Peter Frye was born in Andover in 1723, and
graduated at Harvard in 1744. He was register of
jirobate and judge of the Common Pleas Court, to
which office he was appointed in 1772, and which he
held until the Eevolution. He died in England
in 1820.
William Browne was born in Salem February
27, 1737, and graduated at Harvard in 1755. In
1764 he was appointed collector of Salem, and in
1770 was made a judge of the Court of Common
Pleas for Essex. He was confirmed as judge of the
Superior Court of Judicature June 15, 1774, and
in the sameyear wasmadea "Mandamus Counsellor."
He was a Loyalist, and, retiring from the counlry in
1778, was made Governor of Bermuda in 1781, and
died in England February 13, 1802.
Samuel Sewall was born in Bishop-stoke, Eng-
land, March 28, 1652, and died in Boston January
1, 1730. His grandfather, Henry Sewall, born in
1576, came to New England and lived in Newbury,
where he died about 1655. His iather, Henry Sew-
all, came to New England in 1634, and after begin-
ning a settlement in Newbury, returned to England.
In 1659 he again came to New England, and after
making a permanent settlement in Newbury, was fol-
lowed by his wife and children in 1661. The son,
Samuel, graduated at Harvard in 1671, and after
studying divinity preached for a time. On the 28th
of February, 1676, he married Hannah, daughter of
John Hull, a goldsmith of wealth in Boston, by whom
he secured ami)le means of support without the
drudgery of a minister's life. He was made an assistant
in 1684, and continued in office until the arrival of
Andros. In 1688 he went to England, resuming on
his return, in 1689, the office of assistant, and from
1692 to 1725 was a member of the Council. In 1692
he was made a judge of the Court of Oyer and Term-
iner and subsequently an associate judge of the Su-
perior Court of Judicature, which position he held
until 1718, when he was made chief justice. He was
also judge of probate for Siiifolk, and resigned both
offices in 1728 on account of old age. He had been
a firm believer in witchcraft, and was one of the
judges before whom the alleged witches were tried,
but on the 14th of January, 1697, Rev. Samuel Wil-
lard read a "bill," as it was called, before his congre-
gation, in which the judge expressed his abhorrence
of the acts in which he had been engaged, and peni-
tently asked the forgiveness of God and man.
Stephen Sewall, son of Major Stephen Sewall,
was born in Salem December 18, 1704, and graduated
at Harvard in 1721. He was for a short time tutor at
Harvard, and afterwards taught school in Marble-
head. He was appointed associate judge of the Su-
perior Court of Judicature in 1739, and in 1752 was
promoted to chief justice. He held his seat until bis
death, which occurred September 10, 1760.
Samuel Sewall was born in Boston December
11, 1757, and graduated at Harvard in 1776. In 1808
he received the degree of LL.D. from his alma
mater. He studied law with Francis Dana, of Cam-
bridge, and practiced in Marblehead, which town he
represented in the Legislature. He was a member
of Congress from 1797 to 1800, and in the latter year
was appointed associate justice of the Supreme
Judicial Court. In November, 1813, he was made
chief justice, and died in Wiscas-set, Me., June 8,
1814. He married, December 8, 1781, Abigail, daugh-
ter of Dr. Humphrey Devereux, of Marblehead.
JosiAH Walcott, a merchant in Salem, was ap-
pointed to the bench of the Essex Court of Common
Pleas in 1722. He continued on the bench until his
death, February 2, 1729.
Timothy Linall was born in Salem November 4,
1677, and graduated at Harvard in 1695. He was
Speaker of the Hou.se of Representatives in 1720, and
in 1729 was appointed to the Common Pleas bench.
He held his seat until 1754, and died October 25,
1760.
JoJfN Wainwright was a merchant of Ipswich,
and graduated at Harvard, in 1709, at the age of
eighteen. He was appointed to the Common Pleas
bench in 1729, and held his seat until his death, Sep-
tember 1, 1739.
Theophilus Burrill, of Lynn, was a nephew of
Judge John Burrill, and was appointed to the Com-
mon Pleas bench in 1733, and died in office in
1737.
Thomas Berry', a physician of I|)swich, was born
in Boston and graduated at Harvard in 1712. He
was judge of probate of Essex County, as well as
judge of the Common Pleas Court, to which office he
was appointed in 1733, and which beheld until his
death, in 1756.
Benjamin Maeston was born in Salem, but in his
later years lived in Manchester. He married Eliza-
beth, daughter of Isaac Winslow, of Marshfield, and
great-granddaughter of Governor Isaac Winsbiw, of
the " Mayflower." He was sheriff of Essex County, and
was appointed to the bench of the Court of Common
Pleas in 1737, which office he held until his death, in
1754. He graduated at Harvard in 1689.
John Choate, of Ipswich, was judge of probate
for Essex County, and chief justice of the Court of
Common Pleas. He died while in office, in 1766.
Henry Gibbs, a native of Watertown, was born in
1709, and graduated at Harvard in 1726. He settled
in Salem as a merchant, and was appointed to the
Common Pleas bench in 1754, and continued on the
bench until his death, in 1759.
John Tasker, of Marblehead, was made Common
THE BENCH AND I5AK.
Pleas judge in 1755, and died in office November 9,
17til.
Bex.) A MIX PiCKMAN, of Salem, was born in 1708,
and was a merchant. He was appointed to the Com-
mon I'lea.s l)eneh in 175(>, holding his otiice until 17()1.
He died August 20, 1774.
William Prescott wa< born in Pepperell August
19,1762, and was the son of Colonel William Prescott,
who di«tintruished himself at the battle of Runker
Hill. He graduated at Harvard in 178:?, and after
teaching school for a time in Brodklyn, ('onn., he en-
tered the law-office of Nathan Dane, in Beverly, where
he afterwards began to practice. He subseijueiitly
removed to Salem and married a daughter of Mr.
Hickling, American consul at St. Michael's, from
whom the late distinguished historian, William Hick-
ling Prescott, the son of William Prescott, derived his
middle name. While in Salem he was a member of
both the House and Senate in the State Legislature.
He removed to Boston in 1808, and before his removal,
in 1806, and afterwards, in 1813, he was offered a seat
on the bench of the Supreme Judicial Court, which he
declined. He was a member of the Executive Coun-
cil from Suffolk County, a delegate to the Hartford
Convention in 1814, and in 1818 accepted theajipoint-
ment of judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the
county of Suffolk. He died in Boston December 8,
1844, and at his death a meeting of the bar was held
in the Supreme Court room, at which Mr. Webster
offered resolutions of respect, which were responded
to by Chief Justice Shaw, at that time holding the
court.
Nathaxiel Saltoxstall, son of Richard and
grandson of Sir Richard Saltonstall, one of the six
patentees of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, was
born in Ipswich in 1630, and graduated at Harvard in
li)")ii, afterwards settling in Haverhill, on an estate
still known as the "Saltonstall seat." He was chosen
an assistant in 1670, and on the arrival of President
Dudley, in 1685, was offered a place as member of his
Council, which he declined. He took an active part
in deposing Andros, and under the charter of 1692 was
appointed one of His Majesty's Council. At the
breaking out of the witchcraft delusion. Governor
William Phipps, without authority of law, established
a special Court of Oyer and Terminer to try the
witches, and by commissions dated June 2, 1692, ap-
pointed Wm. Stoughton chief justice, and Nathaniel
Saltonstall, John Richards, Bartholomew Ciedney,
Wait Winthrop, Samuel Sewall and Peter Sergeant
associate justices.
Judge Saltonstall, like many other judges of the
time, was not bred to the law, but he was a man of
strong mind and sound sense, and not easily imbued
with the bigotry and fanaticism prevailing at the time.
He left the l)onch evidently disgusted with the work
it was called on to perform, his place l)eing taken by
Jonathan Corwin. He married a daughter of Rev.
J'hn Ward, of Haverhill, and die.l .May 21, 17(»7,
leaving three sons, — Gurdon, the Governor of Con-
necticut ; Richard, the father of Richard, whose sketch
is given below ; and Nathaniel, who graduated at Har-
vard in 1605, and died young.
Jamew CtisHlxa Mehrill was the son of Rev.
Giles Merrill and Lucy (Cushing) Merrill, and was
born in Haverhill September 27, 1784. He married
Anna, daughter of Dr. Nathaniel Saltonstall, of
Haverhill, and died in Boston October 4, 1853. He
fitted for college at Exeter and graduated at Harvard
in 1807. He studied law with John Varnura, of
Haverhill, and was admitted to the bar in 1812 at the
September term of the Circuit Court of Common
Plea.s, held at Salem. He not long after removed to
Boston, where he continued to reside until his death.
For many years he was a justice on the bench of the
Police Court of Boston, resigning in 1852 on account
of feeble health. Previous to his appointment to the
bench he was a member of the Senate and House of
the State Legislature. He was a scholar as well as
a jurist, and his proficiency in Greek literature was
recognized by liis alma mater by his continuance for
thirty years on its examining committee for Greek.
Joseph Gilbert Waters was born in Salem July
5, 1796, and wa.s the son of Captain Josepli and Mary
(Dean) Waters. He graduated at Harvard in 181<),
and after completing his law studies in the office of
John Pickering, was admitted to the bar at Salem at
the October term of the Supreme Judicial Court in
1821. In 1818 he went to Mississippi, where he spent
several years, and returned to Salem, where for a
short time he was the editor of the Salem Observer.
In 1825 he married Eliza Greenleaf, daughter of
Captain Penn Towusend. He was appointed special
justice of the Police Court in Salem in 1831, and
afterwards held the office of standing justice of the
same court from 1842 until 1874. In 1835 he waa a
member of the State Senate, and died in 1878.
Bex.iamix Merrill was born in Conway, New
Hampshire, in 1784, and fitting for college at Exeter,
graduated at Harvard in 1804. He studied law with
Mr. Stedman, of Lancaster, and was admitted to the
bar in Worcester County. Removing to Lynn in
1808 to enter into practice, he was required under the
court rules to study one year within the county, and
entered the oflice of Samuel Putnam, whose partner
he afterwards became. He received the degree of
LL.D. from Harvard in 1845, and died at Salem July
30, 1847, at the age of sixty-three. When he settled
in Lynn he w:is the first lawyer who had ever opened
an office in the (own, and after a few months' resi-
dence there, it is said that he was told that the pres-
ence of a lawyer would be prejudicial to the interests
of the community, and that he was requested to
leave.
Joseph Perkixs ivas born in Essex July 8, 1772,
and graduated at Harvard in 1794. In 1801 he wa.s
apjiointed county attorney, and died in Salem Febru-
arv 28, 1803.
HISTORY OF ESSEK COUx^TV, MASSACHUSETTS.
AsAHEL Huntington was born in Topsfield July
23, 1798, and graduated at Yale in 1S19. He was
county and district attorney, clerk of the courts and
twice rejircsentative i'roni Saleni to tlie General Court.
In 1853 he was mayor of that city, and died Heptem-
ber 5, 1870.
Theophilus Parsons. — Among the eminent law-
yers of the last century, Chief Justice Theophilus
Parsons stands pre-eminent, and to his autobiography
by liis son, Theophilus Parsons, we are indebted for
tliis sketch of his life as a lawyer, statesman and
judge. His judicial knowledge and legal acumen
won for him the title of "giant of the law," and his
intimate knowledge of the structure of the Greek lan-
guage, and acquaintance with its literature, in which
he deliglited, and to which he turned for recreation
from his legal duties, caused Mr. Luzac, the then
Professor of Greek in the University of Leyden, to
say of Mr. Parsons, that he should be called " The
giant of Greek criticism."
Chief Justice Theoidiilus Parsons was born in By-
field, Massachusetts, 1750, and his father. Rev. Moses
Parsons, was a settled minister in that place. His
first youth was passed at Dunmer Academy, of By-
field, under the Rev. Mr. Moody, and he entered Har-
vard College in 1765. The minister's stipend was
small, and his family la^ge, so that when the young
Theophihis was ready to enter college pecuniary ditfi-
culties stood in his way. So general, however, was
the accepted idea, that his natural ability promised
great things, great exertions were made to send him ;
one of the maid servants offered to give him a year's
salary, twelve pounds, to help him. This offer was
of course refused, but the assistance proffered by
friends and parishioners was gladly accepted. Theo-
philus was an insatial)le student, but after his lessons
were learned would turn for recreation, to a novel or
self-imposed mathematical problem with equal relish,
which practice he followed in after years, adding a
devotion to scientific studies. He graduated in 1769,
and went to Portland, Maine, then called Falmouth,
where he taught a grammar school ; when not occu-
pied with his school duties, he studied in the office of
the eminent lawyer. Judge Theophilus Bradbury.
Here he applied for admission to the bar. The com-
mittee for examination to whom he referred himself,
construed the rule that three years of preparatory
study, meant three years of consecutive study, and
that his employment of school-teaching prevented that
from being so considered. However, the committee
yielded to his solicitations, and his examination
proved so entirely satisfactory, he was admitted to
practice in Falmouth. This was in 1774.
The following year Admiral Graves, commander of
the British squadron in Boston Bay, despatched some
ships of war to Falmouth with orders to destroy it,
and it was almost totally burned. Mr. Parsons then
returned to his home, greatly disappointed and cast
down ; but he found at his father's house, Judge
Trowbridge, and his learned help and counsel was as
eagerly sought and received by Mr. Parsons as he was
ready to give it. The latter remained in Byfield a
considerable time, and when he found that Jlr. Par-
sons was to be his companion and student, he ordered
thither all his library, which was not only the best,
but probably the only thoroughly good one, then in
New England.
He found in Mr. Parsons an intelligent student, of
devoted industry prepared by previous habits, as well
as by previous knowledge, to profit by this golden op-
portunity.
Edmund Trowbridge died in Cambridge, in 1793,
at the age of ninety-four, and during half of his long
life, he was, by common consent, regarded as the
most learned lawyer of New England. In the seventh
volume of the Massachusetts Reports (page 20), Mr.
Parsons speaks of his excellence as a common-law
lawyer, and says: "The late Judge Trowbridge was
an excellent common-law lawyer, of whose friendly
assistance in my early professional studies I cherish
the most grateful remembrance," and Chancellor
Kent, in his commentaries calls hiui "the oracle of
the common-law of New England."
About the time of the Declaration of Independence
the formation of a Constitution became a matter
of much moment to many of the colonies which had
just become States. In Massachusetts the system of
government went on with few alterations, although
the charter had lost all force. In June, 1776, it was
proposed in the general court to prepare a form of
government, or constitution, — to be presented to the
people. In 1778, a constitution was agreed upon by
the General Court, and offered to the people, but was
rejected by them by a vote of five to one. The.se were
the reasons for its rejection :
The draft was imperfect, evidently drawn up with-
out due care and consideration ; the peoj^le preferred
that it should be made by a committee chosen for that
express purpose and not by the Legislature. A Bill
of Rights, clearly defining to the people what were
their inalienable rights, was not prefixed, and lastly,
the constitution so carefully avoided a strong govern-
ment, the power of the executive was a mere cipher.
It was this last objection which weighed most with
many people.
The conflict for the ado|)tion or rejection of the
constitution seemed to be the early manifestation that
a new question was brought before the minds of men
which threatened, or seemed to threaten, the disruj)-
tion of civil society, and has continued to this day to
divide, not politicians only, but the whole people;
and will ever do so. This question is, which shall
prevail of the two great parties, into one or the other
of which every man is forced by nature, habit, taste,
education or circumstances. These are the parties of
progress and conservatism ; of those who love the
" largest liberty " with more regard to its quantity
than its quality, and those who desire only the best
'^/
^zyn^~^of
THE BENCH ANT) BAR.
X.Xl
liberty, and dread, as the greatest of evils, its corrup-
tion into license. To all men of tliis last class the
constitution offered to the people was wholly woith-
k'ss ; and to this large party Mr. Parsons belonged.
His home Wiis in Esse.x County, and there he was
sustained by the warm .sympathy of excellent men,
and perhaps, young as he was, strengthened their
Idve of order or their fear of auarchy. A meeting of
these men took place in Essex County, in 1778, in
Newburyport ; a committee was appointed and then it
adjourned to Ipswich ; and there it met in the last
week of April of that year, when a term of the Su-
preme Judicial Court was held there. At this ad-
journed meeting a pamphlet was presented by the
committee, approved and adopted by it and by its
order published.
It contained eighteen distinct articles, setting forth
the leading objections to the Constitution proposed.
Its title was: "The result of the Convention of
Delegates holden at Ipswich, in the County of Essex,
who were deputed to take into consideration the
Constitution and form of government proposed by
the Convention of the State of Massachusetts Bay."
It was called the " E-sex Result." It went very
fully into the consideration of the objects and prin-
cii)les which should be regarded in the formation of
a constitution ; it not only made the rejection of the
proposed constitution far more decisive, but exerted
an important influence on the structure of that Con-
stitution which was soon after framed and adopted by
the people.
Mr. Parsons wrote this pamphlet, which is now very
rare, but is reprinted in the Appendix to his auto-
biography. The proof that he wrote it lies in the
assertion of Chief Justice Parker, who says in his
address to the grand jury after Judge Parsons' death :
" The Report was undoubtedly his, though he was
probably aided by others, at le;ust, with their ad-
vice." This elaborate Report is called " The Essex
Result." No doubt, he obtained all the assistance,
by advice and suggestion, which could be rendered
to him in a matter of this importance by the wise
men with whom he acted. But he wrote every word
of it, and this, perhaps, proved that the young man
was already recognized by them, who were certainly
among the ablest and most veneralde men of the
county, as one with whose work they were satis-
fied, and one whom they could trust to speak for
them. Among the most distinguished peculiarities
of the actual institutions and government of this
country is the singular blending of the progressive
and conservative principles in such a way that they
do not 80 much neutralize each other as promote each
other's activity, while they com[)ensate for each other.
\\ hile our fathers were making history, there were some
whose love for liberty had degenerated into a love of li-
cense, and whose idea of happiness was to run riot
through the fields of life ; they balanced and checked
and were balanced and checked bv the stern lovers of
order, who appeared, in their extremity of opinion,
to think that the first use of legs is to wear fetter-i,
while walking is but a secondary and conditional pur-
pose. Ha])pily, there were wise men who were able
to bring these extremes into compromise, and, by
means of compromise, into union. The " E<sex Re-
sult" was regarded as a very early encounter with
the great question then dawning upon this country
and upon the world. It was an earnest endeavor to
discover and declare how progress and conservatism,
liberty and order, might be so adjusted in human in-
stitutions, that freedom should be secure, and peace
and happiness be the children of freedom.
The Old Confederation of the United States was
formed Noveml)er 15, 1777, in the midst of war and
danger and effort; and wdiile these lasted their pres-
sure kept it together. But with the relaxati n of
peace its debility and insufficiency became apparent.
In May, therefore, 17S7, a convention of delegates
from the states assembled at Philadelphia for the
purpose of forming a Federal Constitution, and at
once the new parties of the country — the Liberty
party and the Government party — started into full
life.
The two antagonistic principles entered into imme-
diate, constant and energetic conflict; and the good
sense and caution and love of peace, ^nd the |iro-
found conviction that union would be impossible if
not then consummated, and that without union there
must be destruction — all these were in perpetual
requisition, and were only able to reconcile these
hostile sentiments and principles so far as to produce
the Constitution, which was throughout, and in al-
most every paragraph and every provision, a com-
promise. After the Constitution was framed, the
man who most loved peace and union labored stren-
uously to procure for it the signatures of all the dele-
gates, that it might go to the people with the advan-
tage of their unanimous consent. And all did sign
but three — Randolph and Mason, of Virginia, and
Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, afterwards gover-
nor of the State. The Constitution contained a pro-
vision that it should go into effect as soon as nine
states should accept it. It was adopted by the Con-
vention that framed it on the 17th of September,
1787; then by Delaware, December 7, 1787; by
Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787 ; by New Jersey,
December 18, 1787; by Georgia, January 2, 1788;
and by Connecticut, January 9, 1788. Then came
the question whether the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts sh(]uld accept it. It was feared that Massa-
chusetts would be ho.stile, and that her example
would operate with much power upon New York,
Maryland and Virginia for good or for evil. Janu-
ary 9, 1788, tiie convention of delegates from the
towns of Massachusetts assembled in Boston to de-
termine whether the Constitution should be adopted
or rejected by that State. The debates of this c(m-
vention were republished by the Legislature of Mas-
HISTOKY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
sachusetts in 1866. The editorial care of this volume
WHS entrusted to Messrs. Bradford K. Pierce and
Charles Hale. In their preface these gentlemen say :
"The proceedings of the Convention were of great
importance, and were so regarded throughout the
country at that time. It is quite certain that, if
Massachusetts had refused her assent to the Consti-
tution of the United States, that well-devised scheme
of government, the careful work of the patriots and
statesmen of the last century, under which the nation
lias enjoyed so large a degree of prosperity, would
have failed."
John Hancock and Samuel Adams were two of the
most important members of the convention. Both
were doubtful, but it was generally supposed that
while they were not friendly to each other, they
agreed in a decided leaning against the C institu-
tion. General Knox, after the Constitution was
adopted, writes to Washington as follows : " The op-
position has not arisen from a consideration of the
merits or demerits of the thing itself, as a political
machine, but from a deadly principle levelled at
the existence of all government whatever. ... It
is a singular circumstance that, in Massachusetts, the
property, the ability and the virtue of the State are
almost solely in favor of the Constitution. . . ."
The Massachnsetts convention was of the opinion that
certain amendments and alterations in the Constitu-
tion would remove the fears and quiet the apprehen-
sions of the people of the commonwealth and more
effectually guard against an undue administration of
the Federal Government. These amendments were
often called in the histories of the times, the " Con-
ciliatory Resolutions," and they were eminently so.
It was their purpose to reconcile conflicting opinions
and to procure the adoption of the Constitution.
Samuel Adams at once arose and declared himself
satisfied with the Constitution with these amend-
ments, and seconded them, and Hancock withdrew
his opposition. They were referred to a committee
and reported with little change. After some discus-
sion, in which one or two of the opponents of the
Constitution spoke of the amendments as reconciling
them to it, the Constitution was adopted by a vote
of one hundred and eighty-seven yeas to one hundred
and sixty-eight nays. Mr. Parsons wrote these amend-
ments, and it is always said that these " Conciliatory
.Re.solutions " saved the country.
Mr. Parsons was now living with his wife in New-
buryport in Green Street. He married Elizabeth
Greenlief, daughter of Judge Greenlief, and he used
to say that the suit in which he won his wife was
worth all the others he ever gained. In 1800 he re-
moved to Boston. When he left Newburyport for
Boston, gentlemen in the town gave him a farewell
dinner, at which Robert Treat Paine gave him an en-
thusiastic toast: "Theophilus Parsons, the oracle of
law, the pillar of politics, the bulwark of government."
To which Mr. Parsons replied : " The town of New-
buryport; may the blessing of Heaven rest upon it as
long as its shores are washed by the Merrimac." I
will pause here to mention a trait of character in
which he did not stand alone in his profession. He
made it an imperative rule, from which he never
swerved during his professional career, never to make
any charge against or accept any fee from a widow or
a minister of the goxpel.
In 1806 Chief Justice Dana resigned on account of
the infirmities of age, and Mr. Parsons was invited to
become the Chief-Justice, which office he accepted
and held until his death, which occurred in 181.3.
The last words of a distinguished man are often
worthy of commemoration, for they not only fre-
quently witness that his thoughts are occupied with
the duties of his professiou, but sometimes seem to
bear a certain relation to the life upon which he is
about to enter. Judge Parsons' were: "Gentlemen
of the jury, the case is closed and in your hands. You
will please retire and agree upon your verdict."
Judge Parsons always maintained that the authentic-
ity of the gospels was proven by the fact of their una-
nimity in all essentials and disagreement in unessen-
tial details. After death his face wore an expression
of triumph. It was that which he might have worn
when he exhibited to a jury indisputable evidence of
some great fact which he had asserted and others had
denied. The expression was as if he said in words like
these : " See there the proof. I have believed ; and
when I could not believe I have hoped ; and through
all objection, uncertainty and despondency I have
kept my belief and my hope ; and now there is the
proof that I was right."
Benjamin Pickman, the son of Benjamin and
Mary (Tappan) Pickman, was born at Salem Septem-
ber 30, 1763, and married, October 20, 1789, Anstiss,
daughter of Elias Hasket and Elizabeth (Crovvnin-
shield) Derby. He studied law with Theophilus Par-
sons at Newberyport, and settled permanently at
Salem. He was at various times Representative and
Senator in the State Legislature, a member of the
Constitutional Convention of 1820, a member of the
Executive Council, and from 1809 to 1811 a member of
the national House of Representatives. He died at
Salem August 16, 1843.
Timothy Pickering was born in Salem July 17,
1745, and was admitted to the bar in 1768. He was a
graduate of Harvard in 1763, and received a degree
from New Jersey College in 1798. He commanded a
regiment in the Revolution, was adjutant-general of
the army in 1777, and was quartermaster-general in
1780. After the war he settled in Pennsylvania, and
between 1791 and 1800 was Postmaster-General, Sec-
retary of \Var and Secretary of State. He returned
to Salem in 1801, was chief justice of the Essex
County Court of Common Pleas, United States Sen-
ator from 1803 to 1811, and a Representative in Con-
gress from 1815 to 1817. He died in Salem January
29, 1829.
-TT^a,
V^P
<^^/^ ^-v
THE BENCH AND BAR.
John Pickering was born in Siilem February 17,
1777. Ho was a son of Colonel Tiniotby Pickering,
and griidimted at Harvard in 17'.t(). After several
years' residence in Europe, he returned to Salem in
1801, and w;i.s admitted to the Essex bar in ISOG. In
1827 he removed to Boston, and in 1829 was appointed
city solicitor, and held that oflice until his de.ath, at
Boston, May 5, 1846. He was equally distinguished
as a lawyer and a scholar, achieving in the latter
capacity, however, his chief fame. His Greek and
English Lexicon, his studies and |)ublication8 in
philology, his proficiency in the languages, with more
than twenty of which he was familiar, including He-
brew, Chine-so and the Indian languages of America,
made him an authority universally respected, and
whenever appealed to, considered decisive. He re-
ceived the degree of LL.D. from Bowdoin College in
1822, and from his alma mater in ISS/).
TiiKOPHlLUs Bradbury, a descendant from Thomas
Bradhury, of Salisbury, was born in Newbury Novem-
ber 13, 1739. He graduated at Harvard in 1757, and
for a time taught a grammar school in Falmouth (now
Portland) Me., where he afterwards opened a law-
otlice and practiced law from May, 1761, to 1779. He
then removed to Newbury, where he resided until his
death, September 6, 1803. He was at various times
Senator and Representative in the State Legislature,
a member of Congress from 1795 to 1797, and in the
latter year was appointed associate justice of the
Supreme Judicial Court.
Nathax Dane was born at Ipswich, in the parish
then called the " Hamlet," now the town of Hamilton,
on the 29th of December, 1752. He was descended
from John Dane, of Berkhamstead, England, who
came to New England before 1641, and died at Rox-
bury in 1658. The American ancestor, by a first wife,
whose name is unknown, had John, probably born in
Berkhamstead about 1612; Elizabeth, who married
James Howard ; Francis, born about 1616, who had
three wives, Elizabeth Ingalls, Mary Thomas and
Hannah Abbot. The son John had a first wife, Eleanor
Clark, and a second named Alice. His children were
John and Philemon, who married Mary Thompson and
Ruth Converse. He died in Ipswich September 29,
1684. His son, John, married Abigail Warren and
had John; Daniel; Susan, born March, 1685-86;
Nathaniel, born June, 1691 ; Abigail ; Rebecca; and
Elizabeth. Daniel married (1st) Lydia Day, an<l (2d)
Mary Annable. and had Daniel, born about 1716;
John, about 1719; Mary, about 1721; Lydia, about
1725; and Nathan, about 1727. His son Daniel,
born in Ipswicli, probably in 1716, married, in
1739, Abigail Burnham, and was the father of
the subject of this sketch. He worked on his
father's farm until he was of age, when he prepared
himself for college, and entered Harvard with the
chuss which graduated in 1778. He then taught school
at Beverly, pursuing at the same time his law studies
in the oflice of .Judgp Wetmore, of Salem. In 1782
he began the practice of law in Beverly and made
that town his residence until his death, February 15,
1835. He was a member of the Massachusetts House
of Ile|)resent'.Uive8 from 1782 to 1785, of Congress
from 1785 to 1787 and for five years, between 1790 and
1798, a member of the Massachusetts Senate. He was
a member of the Electoral College in 1812, and a
member of the State Constitutional Convention in
1820. In 1794 he was ai)pointed justice of the ('ourt
of Common Pleas for Essex County, but resigned his
place almost immediately after its acceptance. In 1814
he was a member of the Hartford Convention.
Mr. Dane was one of the founders of the Mii.ssa-
chusetts Temperance Society, and for several years its
president. He was a member of the Massachusetts
and Essex Historical Societies, and of the American
Antiipiarian Society, and received the degree of LL.D,
from Harvard in 1816, tn 1829 he founded, in Har-
vard University, the law profe-isorship that bears his
name, and at a later date was a liberal contributor for
the erection of the Dane Law College, He was a
diligent student and his authorship of " A General
Abridgment and Digest of American Law " gav(' him
a fame in the profession which time has not dimmed.
As a statesman, the identification of his name with the
ordinance of 1787 for thegove rnment of the territory
northwest of the Ohio, drafted by him, will give him
a place in history as long as the institution of slavery,
whose spread and power that ordinance checked, has
a record in the annals of the land.
So long, too, as the famous speech of Mr, Webster
in reply to Robert Young Hayne, in the United States
Senate, January 26 and 27, 1830, shall be read, Mr,
Dane will be kept in memory by the eulogy which
Mr, Webster uttered in his splendid effort. He said :
" In tlie course of my obm-rvations tho other day, Mr. F'residciit, I
p:ii(i a passing tril)iito,of respoct to a vi-ry wortliy man, Mr. Dnno, of
Massjictmsetls, Iteoliappens tliat liodn.-w tlie orciinance of 17H7 fortlie
guvernnient of tlie nortliwest territory, A man of so mucli aliility and
so little pretence, of so great a ciipacity to do good and so \intnixeda dis-
position to do it for its own sake, a gentlenniu who had acted an import-
ant l>art forty years ago in a measure ihe influence of what is still deeply
felt in the vi-ry matter which was tliesuliject of debate, might, 1 tiionght,
receive from mr acnininendalory r4-cognttion. But the hononilde Seini-
tor was inclined to he facetious on the subject. Ho was nither disposed
to make it matter of ridicule that 1 harl intr(.HJuoe<l into the debate the
name of one Nathan Dane, of whom he assures us he had never beloro
heard. Sir, if the honorable member had never before hearii of Mr.
Dane, I am sorry for it. It elit>ws him less acquainted with the public
men of the country than I ha<l snpjjosed. Let lue tell him, however,
that asneer from him at the meiitiott of the luluie of Mr. Dane is in bad
taste. It may well In- a high mark of amliilion. sir, either w itli the lion-
orable gentlentan or myself, to accoiuplisb iis much to make our names
known to advantage and remembered with gratitude as .Mr. Dane has
accomjjlished."
Those readers of this imperfect sketch of Mr. Dane
who may wish to know what he said himself concern-
ing his connection with the ordinance of 1787, are re-
ferred to an interesting letter from him to Daniel
Webster dated Beverly, March 26, 1830, which may
be found in the " Proceedings of the M.is.sachusetts
Historical Society from 1867 to 1869," page 475.
Wll.l.I.VM Wr.T.MoltE was born in Connecticut in
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1749, and graduated at Harvard in 1770. He was
admitted to tlie bar in 1780, and began to practice in
Salem. After a few years, having property in Maine,
wliicli came to liim tlirougli his wife, who was a Wal-
do, he removed to Hancock County, where for some
years he held the office of judge of probate. In 1804
he removed to Boston, where he liel 1 a seat on the
bench of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, and
died in 1830. The wife of Judge Joseph Story was
a daughter of Judge Wetmore.
Daniel Farjtham was born in York, Me., in
1719, and was the son of Daniel Farnhara, a native
of Andover, Mass. He was fitted for college by
Rev. Samuel Moody, of York, and graduated at Har-
vard in 1739. He studied law with Edmund Trow-
bridge, of Cambridge, who was considered the best
lawyer of his time, and who, in 1759, became chief
justice of the Superior Court of Judicature. Only a
year after leaving college, in July, 1740, he married
Sybil Angier, daughter of Rev. Samuel Angler, of
Watertown, and granddaughter of Uriah Oakes, the
fourth president of Harvard College. Soon after
marriage Mr. P^irnham took up his permanent resi-
dence in Newburyport, and began practice. At that
time there was no lawyer east of Salem in Essex
County, and the field was one in which a man of
less ability would have won success. But Mr. Farn-
hara was a man not only of learning, but of indomi-
table energy and activity, and soon stood in the front
rank at the Essex bar. In 1768 he was one of five
barristers in Essex County, the others being Wm.
Pynchon, John Chipman, Nathaniel Peaselee Sargent
and John Lowell. The house which he built and oc-
cupied was a fine specimen of that style of domestic
arcliitecture which Harrison, the English architect,
who came to this country with Bishop Berkely, in-
spired, and which was freely adopted in Salem, Mar-
blehead, Portsmouth and Newburyport. The house
stood where the Kelly School-house now stands, and
is remembered by many of the present generation.
Mr. Farnham, or, as he is better known. Colonel
Farnham, having received acommission from Governor
Bernard in 1769 as lieutenant-colonel of the Essex
Regiment, continued in active and successful practice
until the Revolution. His attachment to the King
was strong, and after all hope of a peaceable adjust-
ment of the controversy with Great Britain was aban-
doned, though he had taken an active part in opposing
the Stamp Act and other measures of the home gov
ernment, he remained a persistent, earnest and out-
.spoken adherent of the crown. He was the only one
in Newburyport who had the courage to avow loyal
sentiments, and after his death, which occurred in
1776, it was the boast of the town that it had been
purified. There is some ground for the suspicion that
his death was the result of abusive treatment at the
hands of the patriots. Dr. Samuel Peters, in a letter
dated June 19, 1783, says : " Messerve (collector of
Portsmouth) and Porter, a lawyer of Salem, agree
that there never was known to be in Newburyport
more than four loyal subjects, one of whom went ofl
to Scotland, Colonel Farnham was killed by the
rebels, and Mr. Bass and Dr. Jones gave satisfaction
to the rebels and remained there."
Though the patriotic citizens of Newburyport
looked upon the deatli of Colonel Farnhara as a
purifying event, it is certain that during his long res-
idence in that town, up to the Revolutionary period,
he was an honored lawyer and citizen, prominent in
every good work, and a means of purification to all
who came within the sphere of his example and in-
fluence. In his domestic relations he was a loving
husband and a tender father. After his death the
copy of a prayer which was found in his pocket-book,
and which he was in the daily habit of repeating,
shows him to have been a devout and faithful Chris-
tian.
William Pynchox was born in Springfield in
1725, and graduated at Harvard in 1743. In 1745 he
removed to Salem, where he studied law with Stephen
Sewall, one of the judges of the Superior Court of
Judicature. He died in Salem in March, 1789.
John Chipman was the son of Rev. John Chip-
man, of Marblehead, and graduated at Harvard in
1738. He died in Falmouth (now Portland) in July,
1768.
Nathaniel Peaselee Sargent was born in
Methuen November 2, 1731, and graduated at Har-
vard in 1750. He practiced law in Haverhill. He
was the son of Rev. Christopher Sargent, of Methuen.
In 1776 lie was appointed judge of the Superior
Court of Judicature, and in 1789 chief justice of that
court, holding the place until his death, in October,
1791.
John Lowell, the last of the five Essex County
barristers in 1768, was not long identified with his native
county. He was born in Newbury in 1743, and gradu-
ated at Harvard in 1760, receiving the degree of LL.D.
in 1792. He studied law in Boston in the office of
Oxenbridge Thacher, and after a short term of prac-
tice in Newburyport removed to Boston, and finally
to Roxbury, where he died in May, 1802. In 1781 he
was chosen a member of Cf'mgress, and in 1782 was
appointed one of the three judges of the Court of
Appeals from the Court of Admiralty. In 1789 he
was appointed judge of the LTnited States District
Court, and in 1801 was made chief justice of the
First Circuit of the United States Court, and held the
office until the law establishing the court was re-
pealed, in 1802.
Nathaniel Ropes was born in Salem May 20,
1726, and graduated at Harvard in 1745. In 1766 he
was appointed judge of probate for Essex, and chief
justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the same
county. He lived in Salem until his death, which
occurred March 19, 1774.
Teistram Dalton, son of Michael Dalton, was
born in Newburyport M.ay 28, 1738, and graduated at
x^^,-^^-^^'%-^
■^^<^
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Harvard in 1755. He studied law in Salem and mar-
ried a daughter of Robert Hoo[)er, of Marhk'hcad.
He was a representative from Newburyport and
Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representa-
tive.s, and a member of the State Senate. With
Caleb Strong, he represented Massachusetts in the
United States Senate from 1789 to 1791 in the first
Congress after the adoption of the Constitution. He
invested largely in property at Washington, and re-
moved to that city, but eventually sustained serioug
losses. He was appointed, in 1815, surveyor of the
ports of Boston and Charlestowu, and died in Boston
May 30, 1817. The house in which he lived in New-
buryport is still standing on State Street, a gambrel-
root house, a little above the Public Library, on the
ojjposite side of the street.
OfTAVHTs PiCKERlsi!, SOU of Colouel Timothy
Pickering, was born in Wyoming, Pa., September 2,
1792, during the temporary residence of his iiither in
that place. His father returned to Salem, his native
town, in 1801, and Octavius was a Salem youth of
fourteen years when he entered Harvard, in 180().
He was admitted to the bar at Salem at the October
term of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas in 1813,
but very soon removed to Boston, where he was ad-
mitted to the Suffolk bar March 6, 1816. From that
time until his death, October 29, 18(58, he was no
longer identified with Essex County. He published,
in 1867, the life of his father, and engaged in other
literary works, but his twenty-four volumes of Mas-
sachusetts decisions, known as " Pickering's Re-
ports," arc his best title to a lasting remembrance.
John Gali.ison was born in Marblehead in Oc-
tober, 1788, and graduated at Harvard in 1807. He
was admitted to the bar at Salem in 1810, at the Sep-
tember term of Court of Common Pleas. After a
short practice in Marblehead he removed to Boston,
where he published, in 1807, two volumes of Circuit
Court reports and engaged in literary work. He died
December 25, 1820.
Hon. Daniel Appleton White, for thirty-eight
years judge of probate for Essex County, was born in
Methuen, on ground now at the heart of the present
city of Lawrence, June 7, 1776. He was the sixth
son and eleventh child of John White, a gentleman
farmer of that day, and was descended in the sixth
generation from William White, one of the founders
of Newbury and, in 1640, one of- the original gran-
tees of Haverhill, his mother being Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Joseph Haynes. It was a happy country
home of the best class in which his early years were
passed, abounding in comfort, plenty, intelligence
and alfection, with high-minded parents and a large
family of brothers and sisters united by ties of unu-
sual strength, and amid surroundings of natural
beauty, on a noble farm of nearly three hundred
acres, bounded by the Merrimac and the Spicket
Rivers. As in most New England faiiiilics, the boy
of less physical strength and of a studious bent was
iii
selected by these qualities for an cdii Mli.Mi, and he
entered the academy at Atkinson, N. II., in June,
1792, and Harvard College in the freshman cl.ass of
1793, having completed his preparation in seven and
a half months of actual study of from fourteen to
sixteen hours a day. Although Cambridge has reared
a host of loyal students, the college has rarely trained
so devoted a son ;is he proved to be. Learning was,
indeed, at a low ebb there in the last years of the
eighteenth century, the apparatus of knowledge small
and the opportunities were scanty, and in morals and
religion the unsettling effect of the French Revolu-
tion was marked ; but it was a place to train a strong
character and to knit worthy friendships. In a class
of exceptional talent, young White graduated the
first scholar, in 1797, and, after two years spent in
teaching the public grammar-school in Medford, in
August, 1799, returned to Cambridge as tutor in
Latin, a j)osition then of great responsibility and
influence, in which he was enabled to be of much
service to the college. Perhaps the four years thus
occupied were the happiest part of his life, with his
marked academic tastes and aptitudes. In Septem-
ber, 1803, however, resigning his tutorship, he re-
moved to Salem to complete, in the ofiice of Mr.
(afterwards Judge) Samuel Putnam, the studies for
the bar, which he had been pursuing while tutor.
Here, with Mr. John Pickering, eminent later as a
philological scholar, he prepared an edition of Sal-
lust, "the first edition of an ancient classic ever
published in the United States which was not a pro-
fessed re-impre.ssion of some former and foreign edi-
tion," the sheets of which were unfortunately de-
stroyed by fire on the eve of publication, in 18u5.
Having been admitted to the bar in June, 1S04, Jlr.
White began the practice of his profession in New-
buryport with success and distinction as a lawyer and
citizen, residing in that town for thirteen years. Of
strong political convictions as a Federalist, he became
prominent in that party in Massacliusctts during the
administrations of Jefferson and Madison, being a
member of the State Senate from 1810 to 1815, and
taking a leading part in public affairs, and in No-
vember, 1814, being nominated for Congress as the
Federal candidate in the Essex North District, he was
elected by a nearly unanimous vote, the expression of
a constituency not of hisown party alone of the general
respect and trust in which he was helil. -At this junc-
ture, on the threshold of a conspicuous public career,
the offer by Governor Strong of the ofiice of judge of
probate for the county of Essex altered the coui-se of
his life. He accepted this position, and resigned his
commission as Representative in the spring of 1815,
against the judgment of many friends, who felt that
he did not estimate his iiualifications for high public
service at their full worth ; but he was led to this
decision by considerations such as appealed with pe-
culiar force to a lofty and unworldly character. De-
voted to the principles of his party, he yet could not
HISTOllY OP ESSEX COUNTr, MASSACHUSETTS.
be its slave; his strong taste for literary studies and
for a life of scholarly freedom from engrossing pro-
fessional cares found an opportunity for satisfaction;
but the controlling motive with him was due to the
bereavement of his liome. He had married Mrs.
Mary Van Schalkwyck, daughter of Dr. Josiah Wil-
der, of Lancaster, May 24, 1807, whose early death,
June 29, 1811, had left him with two young daugh-
ters, a care and duty which the life of a public man
at Washington would liave compelled him to sacrifice.
In giving up the opportunity of a consjiicuous public
career he did not, however, turn aside from a large
sphere of honorable service. The office of judge of
probate, when held for the length of time during
which Judge White exercised its duties, brings its
holder into important relations with the whole com-
munity, and enables him to stand to the widow and
the orphan for tlie justice of the commonwealth in
their hour of need. Moreover, a special reason for
the appointment of a judge of such weiglit of char-
acter and high reputation had been the fact that the
methods of several of the probate courts, and partic-
ularly that of Essex County, needed revision and
reform. To thi.s task Judge White addressed himself
with results wliich made the court a model of admin-
istration, which was followed in the other probate
courts of the State. Still, the necessary changes
which he introduced led to serious misunderstandings
for a time in a public accustomed to loose and easy-
going methods, and the feeling culminated in 1821 in
a memorial addressed to the Legislature by sundry
persons in complaint against the judge and the reg-
ister of probate in Essex County. His former politi-
cal opponents found this a favorable occasion of
attack, and the special committee appointed by tlie
House of Representatives held an ex parte investiga-
tion, without giving the officers who were thus assailed
any opportunity to vindicate their action. Yet the
committee were compelled to do so in their own re-
port, unanimously adopted by the Legislature, which
stated that the changes which had been introduced
were " some of them expressly required by difi'erent
statutes, others by the Supreme Court adjudged to be
necessary, and, as far as they could find, all of them
useful." Judge White took this occasion to publish,
in 1822, a careful historical account of the course of
probate law and procedure from the earliest times in
this commonwealth, with an account of the former
practice in Essex County and the changes which had
been introduced. This little work, entitled "A View
of the Jurisdiction and Proceedings of the Courts of
Probate in Massachusetts, with Particular Reference
to the County of Essex," and which concluded with
a dignified and just animadversion upon the mode in
which the legislative investigation had been con-
ducted, became an authority on the subject. The
reforms which he had introduced were adopted in the
courts of other counties, while fixed salaries were
substituted for fees. When Judge White resigned
his office, July 1, 1853, in his seventy-eighth year,
but with his physical and mental powers unabated,
nearly every estate in the county had passed under
his care, and his fidelity and justice in the adminis-
tration of his duties had been crowned with universal
respect and honor. The opportunities of leisure
which his judicial position afforded enabled him to
meet the demands for those services which naturally
devolve on a public-spirited citizen holding sucli a
position in the community. He was one of the
founders of the Essex County Lyceum, the pioneer
in the system of public lectures which promised and,
for a time, fulfilled the promise to be potent among
the educational and moral influences of the time,
being its president, and also the first president of the
Salem Lyceum. Of the Essex Institute he was pres-
ident from its foruuition, in 1848, until his death.
Addresses on public occasions, as at the dedication of
Harmony Grove Cemetery, and the eulogies on Dr.
Bowditch, in Salem, and Hon. John Pickering, in
Boston, were given by him. Harvard College lie
served with unwearied devotion for many years in
the board of overseers and on various committees,
receiving from the university in 1843 the honorary
degree of LL.D., and in 1844 delivering the address
before its Association of Alumni. But his delight
was in his noble library, rich especially in the ancient
classics, historical works and English beUes-leftres,
wliere his happiest hours were spent in liis favorite
studies. These bore fruit especially in his writings
concerning theological subjects and congregational
polity. His early bent had been to the profession of
the Christian ministry, from which he had been de-
terred by the difference of his convictions from those
of his honored parents, who were earnest members of
the Baptist communion, while his own sympathies
were with the liberal Christian movement, which
took form in the Unitarian denomination, in which
he became one of the most prominent laymen ; and
his special interest in studies more congenial to the
sacred profession than to that of the law never waned.
In tlie earnest debate between the two branches of
the Congregational body he took part with his pen,
publishing in 1832 an elaborate work, marked by
much learning, entitled " Correspondence Between
the First Church and the Tabernacle Church, in
Salem, in which the Duties of Churches are Dis-
cussed, and the Rights of Conscience Vindicated,"
and the studies of many years were gathered up by
him in his old age in his volume on "New England
Congregationalism in its Origin and Purity," pub-
lished in 18G1, just before his death. In these studious
labors, however, he was no recluse, but his fine old
mansion was the seat of a large and wide hospitality
to friends and kindred and strangers. This had be-
come his home wlien, after his removal to Salem, he
had married, August 1, 1819, Mrs. Eliza Wetmore,
daughter of William Orne, Esq., a prominent mer-
chant, whose early death, March 27, 1821, again
THE BENCH AND BAR.
darkened his domestic happiness. His subsequent
niiiriiage, January 22, 1824, to Mrs. Ruth Kogors^
(laughter of Joseph Hurd, Ksq., of ('h;irlosto\vn,
pUiced once more at the head of his home a refined
and charming lady, who shared and graced its hospi-
talities, surviving him to die November 28, 1874, at
the age of more than ninety years.
Fn fuch serene and happy occupations the closing
years of Judge White's life were spent after the resig-
nation of his judicial otfice, which he continued able
to have filled, if he had so chosen, to his death,
March .30, ISOl, near the close of his eighty-fifth
year, with undimmed powers of body and mind, and
with a spirit ever young. His brethren of the Essex
bar expressed the feeling of the community in reso-
lutions adopted at a meeting called for the purpose
after the death of Chief .Justice Shaw and of Judge
AV'hite, which recorded their " appreciation of" his
" fine intellectual and moral traits, of that elegant
and varied scholarship, and that tliorough and exact
learning of which a brilliant university career gave
promise, and which the experience of so long a life
did not disappoint; of his fidelity to his professional
and judicial duties ; of the services which he has
rendered to the probate law by his faithful adminis-
tration and his published treatise; of the pure and
simple course of his daily life ; of the unswerving
integrity, the exquisite religious sensibility, the large
philanthropy and the unlxninded and generous sym-
pathy for all around him, which ennobled his life,
even to its extremest close," and commemorating,
"with afiectionate pride," "the influence of his ex-
ample." Two enduring memorials in gifts ampler
than are often bestowed by men of far larger
estate remain to perpetuate his memory. The first is
that by which he bestowed on the Essex Institute, in
Salem, the greater part of his library, amounting in
all to over eight thousand books and ten thousand
pam|ihlets. The oiher is the noble White Founda-
tions in the city of Lawrence, which now covers the
green fields of what was his father's farm in Methuen.
In selling to the Essex Company his portion of this
territory, he had reserved six acres, including a fam-
ily burial lot, with the restriction that it should not
be built upon without the consent of that company.
With this consent, in 18-52, he vested this property
in three trustees, who were directed to make proper
provision for the burial-place, after which the pro-
ceeds of sales of the land were to be inve-<ted and the
income applied to the establishment and support of
an annual course of lectures and in the purchase of
books for the Public Library, any further surplus to
be used " in such manner as they, in the exercise of
a sound judgment and discretion, shall consider best
adapted to promote the moral, intellectual and Chris-
tian advancement and instruction of the inhabitants
of the town of Lawrence, earnestly requesting the
said trustees constantly to bear in mind that the great
object intended to be promoted and acciiniiilislie<l is
the education and training up of the young in habits
of industry, morality and piety, and in the exercise
of true Christian principles, both in thought and
action." From the income of this fund annual
courses of lectures since 18G4-65 have been given in
Lawrence, free to the industrial classes, and filling
the largest hall in the city to overflowing, and since
1872 a regular ai)propriation of one thousand dollars
annually has been applied to the purchase of care-
fully-selected books for the Public Library, while it
is estimated that the principal of the fund will event-
ually amount to one hundred thousand dollars, — a
worthy fulfillment of a wise and comprehensive plan
for enduring public benefit. The two daughters of
Judge White by his first marriage were married to
Hon. William Dwight, of Springfield, and Hon.
Caleb Foote, of Salem, while two sous survived him,
the children of his second and third marriages, —
Rev. William Orne White and Dr. Henry Orne
White. All of these children have ilescendants.
Simon Gukenleaf was born in Newburyport
December 5, 1783, and educated at the Latin school
in that town. While he was a boy his father re-
moved to New Gloucester, Maine, where he received
his early education at the common schools. Without
the advantage of a college career, at the age of
eighteen he entered the law-ofiice of Ezekiel Whit-
man, of Portland, and after a five years' course of
study was admitted to the bar of Cumberland Coun-
ty in 1806. He began to practice at Standish, Maine,
removing, after a short time, to Gray, and from
thence, in 1818, to Portland.
In 1820 he was appointed reporter of decisions of
the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, and held otfice
twelve years, during which time be issued nine vol-
umes of reports, which laid the foundation of his
reputation and future distinguished legal career. He
published at an early day a volume of " Overruled
Ca^es," and later in life a treatise on the " Law of
Evidence.'' This work, with his " Iteports," assures
him a lasting fame.
In 1817 he received from Bowdoin College the de-
gree of Master of Arts, the degree of Doctor of Laws
from Harvard in 1834, and from Amherst in 184.5. In
1834 he was appointed Royal Professor of Law in
Harvard University as the successor of Profes.sor
Ashmun, and after the de.ath of Judge Story he wius
ai)pointed to the Dane Profcssorsliip in 1846. He
was induced by ill health to resign in 1848, when he
was honored with the title of Emeritus Professor of
Law in the University. He died at Cambridge Octo-
ber 6, 1853.
Asa Waldo Wilde.s was born (1786) in Topsfield and
graduated at Dartmouth in 1809. After leaving col-
lege he taught school in Newburyport and Washing-
ton, and finally returned to Newburyport and entered
as a student the law-office of Stephen W. Marston.
He was admitted to the bar in 1820, and began in
Newburyport the practice of law, which he continued
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
until 1826. In that year that part of the duties of
the Court of Sessions which related to highways was
transferred to a new board, " called commissioners
of highways," consisting of five members appointed
by the Governor. Mr. Wildes was appointed by Gov-
ernor Lincoln a member of the board, with Robert
Rantoul, of Beverly ; Stephen Barker, of Andover ;
Joseph Winn, of Salem ; and William B. Breed, of
Lynn, as his associates.
In 1828 the Board of Highway Commissioners was
abolished, and the Board of County Commissioners
establi-hed. Mr. Wildes was appointed by the Gov-
ernor chairman of the new board, and held office by
successive appointments until 1835, when the office
was made elective ; and again by election until 1856,
with the exception of one term of three years, from
1842 to 1845.
Mr. Wildes was peculiarly fitted for the place he
so long occupied, and his prolonged incumbency was
as creditable to the people of Essex County as to
himself. They appreciated his legal knowledge and
sound judgment, and did not hesitate to call him
into their service. He died in Newburyport, Decem-
ber 4, 1857.
Stephen W. Maeston was born in Fairlee, Vt.,
in 1787. He graduated at Dartmouth, and after com-
pleting his law studies with Judge White, of Salem,
settled in Newburyport. He was well read in the
law, and at an early day took high rank at the Essex
bar. He was one of the junior counsel in the cele-
brated Goodridge robbery case, in which Daniel
Webster was senior. Had it not been for the mas-
terly management and skill of Mr. Webster, aided by
the thorough work of his assistants, the Kenistons,
Jacknian and Pearson, the defendants would doubt-
less have been convicted of a crime which had never
been committed. There had been no robbery, but
Goodridge had been so ingenious in the arrangement
of his plot and of the evidence to sustain it, that the
proof against the parties charged seemed almost con-
clusive. An account of this trial, perhaps the most
remarkable one in the annals of the State, was pub-
lished in a pamphlet, and is worthy of examination
by all who are interested in the administration of
criminal law.
In 1833 Mr. Marston was appointed justice of the
Police Court at Newburyport, and continued in office
until 186G, when the increasing feebleness of age in-
duced him to resign. His duties on the bench were
conscientiously performed, and his decisions, which
were rarely reversed, were always marked by a sound
judgment as well as an exact perception of legal prin-
ciples. He was a member of the Legislature in early
life,and the Whig candidate for Congress in opposition
to Caleb Cushing in that gentleman's first great con-
test for the national legi-slature. He died at his resi-
dence August 27, 1873.
Samuel L. Knapp was a native of Newburyport.
He was graduated at Dartmouth College, and studied
law at Newburyport with Theophilus Parsons, and
became a practicing lawyer in his native town. He
afterwards removed to Boston, where he edited the
Boston Galoxij, and for a short time the Commercial
Oazette. He again removed to Washington, where he
was engaged as editor of the National Journal, and
finally to New York, where he edited the Commercinl
Advertiser. He was one of the junior counsel with
Daniel Webster in the famous Goodridge robbery
case, and would have attained high rank at the bar
had not a fondness for general literature enticed him
away from his profession. He died at Hopkinton
Springs in July. 1838.
Henky Alexander Scammell Dearborn, son
of General Henry Dearborn, of the Revolution, was
born in Exeter, N. H., March 3, 1783, and died in
Portland, Me., July 29, 1851. He. graduated at the
College of William and Mary in 1803, and studied
law with Joseph Story, in Salem, where he entered
into practice, having been admitted to the bar in
1807. He was brigadier-general in command of
troops in Boston harbor in the War of 1812, collector
of the ports of Boston and Charlestown from 1812 to
1829, a member of the Constitutional Convention of
1820 and a member of Congress from 1831 to 1833.
In 1834 he was made adjutant-general of Massachu-
setts by Governor John Davis, and removed, in 1843,
by Governor Marcus Morton, for loaning theState arms
to Rhode Island to suppress the rebellion. He was
mayor of Roxbury from 1847 to 1851, the year of his
death. He was the author of several works which
added materially to an already well-established repu-
tation.
Gayton Pickman Osgood was born at Salem,
July 4, 1797, and was the son of Isaac and Rebecca
T. (Pickman) Osgood. He graduated at Harvard in
1815, and studied law with Benjamin Merrill. He
began practice in Salem, and afterwards removed to
Andover, at which place his parents had, while he was
young, taken up their residence. He was in the Legis-
lature, and was a member of Congress from 1833 to
1835. He married, March 24, 1859, Mary Farnham,
of North .\ndover, and died in that town June 26, 1861.
RuFT'S King, son of Richard and Isabella (Brag-
don) King, was born in Scarboro', Me., March 24,
1755, and graduated at Harvard in 1777. His
father had removed to Scarboro' from Watertown,
Mass., in 1746. He studied law with Theophilus
Parsons, of Newburyport, whose office was on the
corner of Green and Harris Streets, and commenced
practice in that place.
From 1784 to 1786 he was a member of Congress,
and it is said that in consequence of his dis.appoint-
ment at the selection of Tristram Dalton for United
States Senator in 1788, removed to New York. His
career there is well known, and forms no part of the
history of Essex County. He died at Jam.aica, Long
Island, April 29, 1827. William King, the first
Governor of Maine, was the son of Richard King, by
THP] BENCH AND BAR.
his first wife, Mary, daughter of Samuel Blake, of
Scarboro', and half brother nf Bufiis.
Nathaxiei. Co(is\vi:i.i., son of Tliomas Cogswell,
was born in JIaverhill January 19, 1773, and gradu-
ated at Dartmouth in 1704. He studied law with
Ebenezer Smith, of Durham. N. H., and began prac-
tice in 1805. In 1808 he established him-elf at New-
buryport, and died at the Rapids of the Red River
August, 181.3.
IrHAnoi) TrcKER was born at Leicester April 17.
1705, and graduated at Harvard in 1791. He re-
ceived a degree from Yale in 1804, and from Bowdoin
in 1806. He began the practice of law in Haverhill,
having been admitted to the bar in 1705, and re-
moved to Salem, where he held the office of clerk of
the courts for Essex County for many years. He
was the son of Benjamin and Martha (Davis) Tucker,
of Leicester, and was twice married, — first. September
16, 1798, to Maria, daughter of Dr. Joseph and
Mary (Leavitt) Orne, and second, October 13, 1811,
to Esther Orne, widow of .Joseph Cobat and daugh-
ter of Dr. William an<l Lois (Orne) Paine. He died
at Salem October 22, 1846.
William Cranch, son of Richard Cranch, who
was born in England in November, 1726, was born
in AVeymouth, Mass., July 17, 1769, and graduated at
Harvard in 1787, receiving the degree of LL.D.
from his alma mater in 1829. After his admission
to the bar he practiced first in Braintree, and after-
wards in Haverhill. In October, 1794, he removed
to Washington, and was appointed in 1801, by Presi-
dent Adams, associate judge of the Circuit Court of
the District of Columbia, of which he was chief jus-
tice from 1805 to his death, which occurred Septem-
ber 1. 1855. He publislied nine volumes of reports
of the United States Supreme Court, and six volumes
of reports of the Circuit Court of the District of Col-
umbia.
Joseph E. Sprague was the son of William and
Sarah (S|irague) Stearns, and took his mother's
maiden-name. He was born at Salem iSepteniber 9,
1782, and graduated at Harvard in 1804. He studied
law, and was postmaster of Salem from 1815 to 1829.
In September, 1830, he was appointed sheriff of Es-
sex County, and continued in office until 1851. He
was, at various times. Senator and Representative in
the State Legislature, and died February 22, 1852.
Joseph Story was born in Marblehead Septem-
ber 18, 1779. and was the son of Dr. Elisha Story, a
native of Boston and a surgeon in the Revolution.
He graduated at Harvard in 1798, and received de-
grees of LL.D. from Brown (1815). Harvard (1821) and
Dartmouth (1824). Among his classmates were Wm.
Ellery Channing. .John Varnum.and Sidney WMllard.
His education before entering college wiia received in
Marblehead, under the direction of Rev. Dr. William
Harris, afterwards president of Columbia College.
He began his law studies in the office of Chief .Justice
Samuel Sewall, in Marblehead, but on his appoint-
ment to the bench he entered the office of Judge
Samuel Putnam, and was admitted to 'the bar of
Essex County in July, 1801. He was a Democrat in
politics, and as such stood almost alone among the
lawyers of the county. He was a member of the
Massachusetts House of Re|)resentatives in 1805, '0(),
'07, a member of Congress in 1808, again a memberof
the J^egislature from 1809 to 1812, and was chosen
Speaker of the House of Representatives in Janu-
ary. 1811.
In 1806 he advocated in the Legislature an increase
of the salaries of the Supreme Judicial Court in op-
position to the prejudices of his party against high ju-
dical salaries, and more especially against Theophilus
Parsons, whom it was proposed to place on the
bench, but who could not afford to relinquish a prac-
tice of ten thousand dollars for a position having at-
tached to it the paltry salary of twelve hundred dol-
lars. Mr. Parsons was especially obnoxious to the
Democrats, but Mr. Story, with that sturdy indepen-
dence which always characterized him, advocated
and carried a bill to increase the salary of the chief
justice to two thousand five hundred dollars, and of
the associates to two thousand four hundred dollars,
and Mr. Parsons was appointed and accepted the ap-
pointment. In 1809 he advocated and was largely
the means of securing a further increase of the sal-
aries of the chief justice and the associates to three
thousand five hundred dollars and three thousand
dollars, respectively.
On the 18th of November, 1811, he was appointed
by Madison associate justice of the Supreme Court
of the United States, to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of William Cushing, which occurred on the
18th of September, 1810. The ajjpointment had been
previously ottered to John Quincy Adams, who de-
clined it. Mr. Story was then only thirty-two years
of age, and his appointment reflects credit on the sa-
gacity of Mr. Madison, who discovered in so young a
man the signs of promise which his career afterwards
fully verified. In 1820, at the time of the separation
of Maine from Massachusetts, he was a delegate from
Salem to the Constitutional Convention. In 1828
Nathan Dane, who, in founding the Law School at
Cambridge, had reserved to himself the appointments
to its professorships, appointed Judge Story Dane
professor of law and John Hooker Ashniun, Royal
professor of law, and in the next year, 1829, he re-
moved from .Salem to Cambridge, where he continued
to reside until his death, on the 10th of .September,
1845.
Aside from his learning in the law and that won-
derful fiuency in the use of language, both spoken and
written, which made his learning available, nothing
distinguished him more than his industry. With the
labors of the judge constantly pressing upon him and
the cares of his professorship, the press was kept busy
in supplying the law libraries of the land with his
coninientarics and treatises and nii.sccllaneous pro-
XXX
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ductions. His first publication seems to have been a
poem entitled the " Power of Solitude," published in
Salem in 1804. In 1805 appeared " Selection of
Pleadings in Civil Actions with Annotiitions." In
1828 he edited the Public and General Statutes
passed by Congress from 1789 to 1827, and in 1836
and 1845 supplements to thesedates. In 1832 appeared
"Commentaries on the Law of Bailments, with Illus-
trations from the Civil and Foreign Law ; " in 1833,
"Commentaries on the Constitution;" in 1834,
" Commentaries on the Conflict of Laws, Foreign and
Domestic, in Regard to Contracts, Rights and Reme-
dies, and Especially in Regard to Marriages, Divorces,
Wills, Successions and Judgments." In 1835 and
1836 appeared " Commentaries on Equity Jurispru-
dence as Administered in England and America;"
in 1838, " Commentaries on Equity Pleadings and the
Incidents Thereto, according to the Practice of the
Courts of Equity in England and America ; " in 1839,
" Commentaries on the Law of Agency as a Branch
of Commercial and Maritime Jurisprudence, with Oc-
casional Illustrations from the Civil and Foreign
Law;" in 1841, "Commentaries on the Law of
Partnership as a Branch of Commercial and Maritime
Jurisprudence, with Occasional Illustrations from the
Civil and Foreign Law;" in 1843, " Commentaries on
the Law of Bills of Exchange, Foreign and Inland,
as Administered in England and America, with Oc-
casional Illustrations from the Commercial Law of
the Nations of Continental Europe; '' in 1845, "Com-
mentaries on the Law of Promissory Notes." His
decisions in the First Circuit, from 1812 to 1815, are in
" Gallison's Reports ; " from 1810 to 1830, in " Mason's
Reports;" from 1830 to 1839, in "Sumner's Re-
ports ; " and from 1839 to 1845, in Story's " Reports."
Among his numerous other publications were an
" Eulogy on Washington at Salem," 1800 ; "An Eulogy
on Captain James Lawrence and Lieutenant Lud-
low," 1813; "Sketch of Samuel Dexter," 1816;
" Charges to Grand Juries in Boston and Providence,"
1819; "Charge to Grand Jury at Portland," 1820;
" Address before the Suffolk Bar," 1821 ; " Discourse
before the Phi Beta Society," 1826; "Discourse be-
fore the Essex Historical Society," 1828 ; " Address
at his own Inauguration as Professor," 1829; "Ad-
dress at the Dedication of Mount Auburn," 1831 ;
" Address at the Funeral Services of Professor John
Hooker Ashmun," 1833; "Eulogy on John Mar-
shall,'' 1835 ; " Lectures on the Science of Law,"
1838; "Address before the Harvard Alumni," 1842;
and his " Charge to the Grand Jury of Rhode Island
on Treason," in 1845. In addition to this long list of
his works might be mentioned a large number of essays
and articles in magazines and reviews, and three un-
printed manuscript volumes, finished just before his
death, entitled " Digest of Law Supplementary to
Comyns,'' which are deposited in the Harvard Col-
lege library.
John Vaknum was born in Dracut in 1783, and
graduated at Harvard in 1798. He practiced law in
Haverhill, and there married, October 9, 1806, Mary
Cooke, daughter of Dr. Nathaniel Saltonstall, of Hav-
erhill. He represented Haverhill in the Sta'e Legis-
lature, and was also a member of the Senate. He
was a member of Congress from December 5, 1825, to
March 3, 1831. His law studies, before admission to
the bar, were pursued in the office of Judge Smith, of
Exeter. He died July 23, 1836.
John Glen King, son of James and Judith
(Norris) King, was born in Salem March 19, 1787,
and graduated at Harvard in 1807. He studied law
with William Prescott and Joseph Story, and was
admitted to the bar in 1812, at the November term of
the Supreme Judicial Court, sitting at Salem. He
was Representative and Senator and the president of
the first City Council of Salem after its incorporation
as a city, in 1836. Aside from legal attainments,
which were universally recognized as of a high order,
he was proficient in historical study, and was a mem-
ber of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and one
of the founders of the Essex Historical Society. He
married, November 10, 1815, Susan H., daughter of
Frederick Oilman, of Gloucester, and died July 26,
1857.
Mr. King's baptismal name was John King, but by
an act of the Legislature passed June 21, 1811, it was
changed to John Glen King. He was descended
from William King, who came from England in the
" Abigail " in 1635. Though he graduated in 1807, he
did not receive his degree until 1818, having been one
of those engaged in'the famous Commons Rebellion,
which occurred in his senior year. While a member
of the House of Representatives he was appointed in
the Prescott impeachment case to make the impeach-
ment at the bar of the House, in the name of the
House and the people, and also one of seven members
to conduct the impeachment before the Senate. He
was chairman of the committee and made the opening
argument.
A letter from Boston, in the Salem Gazette, at the
time of his death, paid the following tribute to his
memory: "The Hon. John Glen King, whose death,
at the ripe age of seventy years, has been announced,
was a gentleman universally respected for his private
worth and public services and example. All who
have had the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance
with him have been blest by his social qualities, his
urbanity of manner and his kindness of heart. The
odor of his virtues will long endure among his
friends. Truly a good man has departed."
Nathaniel Lord, Jr., though not a member of the
bar, was so long register of probate of Essex County,
and came in such close contact with lawyers in the
performance of their professional duties, as to deserve
an honorable place in this record. He was descended
from Robert Lord, who came to New England in 1636
and settled in Ipswich. Robert had five sons — Roli-
ert, Thomas, Samuel, Joseph and Nathaniel. Of
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THE BENCH AND I5AK.
these, Robert had six sons, — Robert, 1657 ; John,
]65!» ; ThoiiKis ; ,Ii)se|)li, 1674 ; Xatlianicl, al)out If!".');
and Jiiiiio^, l(!7(). Of these, .James had James, .Joseph
and Nathaniel. Of tliese, Xatluiiiiel married Eliza-
beth Day, and hail Nathaniel, 1747 ; Abraham, 1751 ;
Isaac, 17.53. Of these, Isaac, by wife, Susanna, had
Isaac, 1777; .Joseph, 1778; Nathaniel, the subject of
this sketch, Heptember 25, 1780; and Levi, 1704. Of
these Nathaniel, by his wife I'-unice, had Nathaniel,
James, Otis Philli[)s, Isaac, and (Jeorge Kobert. Of
these, George Robert, by his wife Mary, had George
Robert and four daughters, JIary L., Anna M., Ella
K., and Elizabetli F.
Mr. Lord graduated at Harvard in 1798, and be-
came first connected with the probate oflice as clerk
of Daniel Noyes, who had been register many years.
In May, 1815, he was appointed register by Governor
Caleb Strong, and continued in office until lie was re-
moved by Governor Boutwell, in 1851. In 1851 Edwin
Lawrence succeeded him, and in the next year the
registry was removed to Salem.
After leaving college and before going into the
registry as clerk he taught school a few years in
York, Me., and was also for a short time an assistant
in the Dummer Academy. He married, in Decem-
ber, 1804, Eunice, daughter of Jeremiah and Lois
(Choate) Kimball, of Ipswich, and sister of Colonel
Charles Kimball, of that town. His three sons, Na-
thaniel James, Otis Phillips and George Robert, of
whom only the last is living, owed many of their
strong mental and physical traits to their father.
Sketches of the first two may be found in another
place in this record. To George Robert Lord, who,
at one time, was register of probate, and is now the
courteous and efficient assistant clerk of the courts at
Salem, the writer of these sketches is indebted for
facilities in the examination of records, which he
most generously afforded.
Too much praise can scarcely be awarded to Nathan-
iel Lord lor the fidelity, thoroughness and courtesy
with which he performed the duties of register during
his incumbency of thirty -six years. Very many now-
living have cause to remember his kindness of heart,
his timely counsel and his honorable deportment,
both in business and social life, and the admirable
method and system of the office under its present
management is largely due to the high standard
which he set up, while it was occupied by him.
David Cu.m.miss wa.s the son of David and Mehita-
bel (Cave) Cummins, of Topsfield, and was born in that
town August 14, 1785. He graduated at Dartmouth
in 1806, and after completing his law studies in the
office of Samuel Putnam, of Salem, was admitted to
the Essex bar at .^alem in 18011, at the September term
of the Court of Common Pleas. He began practice at
Salem, afterwards removing to Springfield, and finally
to Dorchester, wlierc he died March 30, 18,55. He
was appointed justice of the Court of Common Pleas
in 1S28, and remained on the bench until 1841. He
was twice married, — first, August 13, 1812, to Sally,
daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Peabody) Porter, of
Topsfield ; and second, to Catherine, daughter of
Thomas Kittridge, of Andover.
Samuel Porter, of Salem, was admitted to the
bar of E-sex County before the Revolution. He
studied law with Daniel Farnham, of Newburyport,
and became a Loyalist refugee and ended his days in
England.
Nathan W. Hazen was born in Bridgeton, Maine,
July 9, 1800. He there received his education in the
public schools and in the Bridgeton Academy. He
studied law with Leverett Saltonstall, of Salem, and
was admitted to the bar in 1828. He settled in An-
dover, where he secured a large practice. He was a
member of the Massachusetts House of Rcjjrcsenta-
tives in 1834, and at a later day a member of the
Senate. He died in Andover, March 1!>, 1887, the
oldest member of the Essex bar.
Benmamin Ropes Nichols, son of Ichabod and
Lydiii (Ropes) Nichols, w:is born in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, May 18, 1786, and graduated at Harvard
in 1804. He was admitted to the bar of E>sex County
in 1807, and for many years practiced law in Salem.
He married, April 12, 1813, Mary, daughter of Colonel
Timothy and Rebecca (White) Pickering, of Salem.
She was born in Philadelphia November 21, 1793,
during her father's temporary residence in that city,
and outliving her husband many years, died in West
Roxbury March 22, 1863. Mr. Nichols removed to
Boston in 1824, where he died April 30, 1848. He
was a man of culture, and as an antiquary won more
than c(mimon distinction. In 1820 he was appointed
by the General Court on a commission, with Rev.
James Freeman, of Boston, and Samuel Davis, of
Plymouth, to superintend the work of copying such a
portion of the New Plymouth records as they might
think desirable. Under the direction of this commis-
sion, six volumes of court proceedings, one volume of
deeds, one volume of judicial acts and one volume of
laws were copied, and the cojiies were deposited in the
officeof the secretary of the commonwealth, where they
still are. The original records were also put in proper
condition for preservation, and to the intelligent per-
formance of the duties of the commission the present
state of the Old Colony records is largely due.
RlTFUs Choate, the son of David ami Miriam
(Foster) Choate, was born on Hog Island, in the town
of Essex, October 1, 1799. He began the study of
Latin in 1809 with Dr. Thomas Sewell, and continued
his stu<lies with Rev. Thomsis Holt, Wra. Cogswell
and Rev. Robert Crowcll. He afterwards spent seven
months at Hampton Academy, then in charge of
James .Vdams. and graduated at Dartmouth College in
1S19, from which college he at a later day received the
degree of LL.D. Degrees were al.so awarded to him
by Yale in 1844 and Harvard in 1845. After leaving
college he studied law in the office of William Wirt,
at WiLshington, and at the Dane Law School in Cam-
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
bridge, and was admitted to the Essex bar, in Salem,
at the September term of the Court of Common Pleas
in 1823. He began practice in Danvers, where he re-
mained until 1834. During his residence in Danvers
he was a State Representative in 1825, State Senator
in 1827, and member of Congress from 1832 to 1834.
In the latter year he removed to Boston In 1841 he
succeeded Daniel Webster in the United States Sen-
ate, when that gentleman resigned his seat to become
Secretary of State under President Harrison. In
1853 he succeeded John H. Clifford as attorney-
general of Massachusetts, and in the same year was
a member of the Constitutional Convention. In 1858,
in consequence of ill-health, he gave up professional
labor, and in 1859 sailed for Europe. At that time
the Cunard steamers from Boston touched at Halifax,
Kova Scotia, and when reaching that port he was too
feeble to proceed, and lauding, died in that city July
13, 1859.
Mr. Choate, before he removed to Boston, had been
distinguished at the bar ; and after the death of Mr.
Webster, in 1852, he was universally recognized as
standing at the head of the bar of Massachusetts. In
legislative fields he seemed out of his element. In
the dominion of law, to which he gave his heart and
soul and strength, he wa-s supreme. Though an ora-
tor of the first class, his greatest forensic efforts were
before a jury, and no gladiatorial show ever exceeded
in interest the continuous exhibition of logic entwined
with wreaths of eloquence in which he indulged be-
fore a reluctant jury, until one after another of the
panel yielded to him his judgment and was ready, as
he triumphantly saw, to give him his verdict. The
writer ha« seen him address himself for an hour to a
single juryman, until he saw at last that he, with the
rest, was secure. He was a man of large frame, broad
shoulders and upright figure, surrounded by a head
and face which it is as impossible to describe as the
flash of the lightning in the cloud or the aurora in the
sky.
Though contrasting strongly with Mr. Webster in
every movement and feature, he was perhaps as
striking in appearance, and in an uncovered crowd
would have been as likely to arrest the attention of
the stranger. There was a fascination about him
which always won the sympathy of visitors to the
court-room where he was engaged for the side in
whose interest he was acting. The juror could uo
more easily escape this fascination than the visitor,
and to this may be attributed a part of his success.
The writer was in court at Mr. Webster's last appear-
ance before a jury in Boston, and Mr. Choate was op-
posed to him. It was one of the many contests in
which the heavy-moulded dray-horse, which would
only exhibit his strength when he had tons to draw,
was pitted against the racer. The racer won the case
because there were no tons to draw, and because
activity, alertness, swiftness and grace alone were
needed.
Few lawyers in Massachusetts have been so much
beloved as Mr. Choate. To the young members of the
bar he was always courteous and kind; to his peers
he was always considerate and liberal. His death was
felt as a public loss, and not only the various societies
and the bar to which he belonged put on record
their tributes to his memory, but the citizens of Bos-
ton met in Fanueil Hall and passed resolutions in his
honor.
Charles Jackson, born in Newburyport May 31,
1775, graduated at Harvard in 1793 and received the
degree of LL.D. from his alma mater in 1821. He
was a son of Jonathan Jackson, of Newburyport, who
afterwards removed to Boston and there died March
5, 1810. He studied law with Theophilus Parsons
and was admitted to the Essex bar in 1796. In 1803
he removed to Boston and attained very soon a high
rank. In 1813 he was appointed by Governor Strong
associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, and
left the bench in 1823. He was a member of the
Constitutional Convention of 1820, and in 1833 was
appointed one of the commissioners to codify the
State laws. He died in Boston December 13, 18.55.
Stephen Minot was born in Concord, Mass., Sep-
tember 28, 1776, and graduated at Harvard in 1801.
He studied law with Samuel Dana, of Groton, and
was admitted to the bar in Middlesex County in 1804.
He practiced for a short time in New Gloucester and
in Minot, Maine, and finally settled in Haverhill. He
was, from December, 1811, to June, 1821, judge of the
Circuit Court of Common Pleas, and county attorney
from 1824 to 1830. He died in Haverhill April 6,
1861.
Samuel Putnam, LL.D., A.A.S.' — " Samuel Put-
nam was born in Danvers, on the 13th of April, 1768.
He was the son of parents of superior intelligence
and worth, the line of his ancestry in that place run-
ning back into our greatest American antiquity. His
father. Deacon Gideon Putnam, amid the emergencies
of an early settlement, seems to have exercised a
variety of those needful functions which devolved
upon men of most native sense and energy. His
mother, who united to keen wit most acute feelings,
having, of ten children, only this one spared, would
often betray the smile and tear in the same moment,
and this only one left of her offspring was naturally
of so very slender constitution that faintly indeed
in his youth could his after career have been antici-
pated, and only a bold casting of the horoscope have
meted out to him his coming years or attainments.
Samuel went to school in Beverly, whither for a time
the family removed, and afterwards, at the age of
ten years, he studied in the academy at Andover.
He saw the soldiers under Arnold as they were going
down to attack Quebec, and they were pleased that
the little boy — who appears to have had melody born
1 Thij sketch is taken almost wholly from a sermon deliveretl in 1853,
by Rev. A, U. Bal-tol, D.D. (Contributed.)
SAMUEL PUTNAM
THE BENCH AND BAR.
ZXXUI
in him, even at his tender age, so rarely cultivated
was his faculty — could play the fife for them as they
marched by.
"Before the Revolution, too, he had seen a regi-
ment of soldiers in command of General Gage, the
British governor. He was himself distantly related
to tlie celebrated Genera! Israel Putnam. But his
vocation was not to the turbulence of battle, but to
the serener air of peaceful studies, and having en-
tered Harvard College, with others, a class-mate of
John Quincy Adams, he received his graduation in
July, 1787, and continued an enthusiastic friend of
his alma mater to the end of his days.
" His (iither had destined him to be a teacher, but,
moved by the inspiration and other destiny of his
own nature to a different sphere of greater intellectu-
al study among men, he went to Newburyport to
study law with the distinguished Judge Parsons,
yet was by him — his class of pupils being full — direct-
ed to Master Bradbury, as he was called, a sound
and learned lawyer. He established himself in the
practice of his profession, soon very extensively at
Salem ; held a leading rank as an advocate, and,
again.st eminent opponents, was prompt, acute, ready,
and able, with all the ingenuity at command needful
to serve his client. No advocate of the time is under-
stood to have been better versed than he in the prin-
ci|)les of the common law^. He had peculiar slcill and
fame in the branch of mercantile or commercial law,
which was a rare reputation at that period, so that the
great Samuel Dexter, in an important case sent his
client to Essex, to Mr. Putnam, as the man to consult
in that early school of the law in Massachusetts."
So late as the year 1885, Lord Esher, the present
distinguished Master of the Rolls, pronouncing the
judgment of the Court of Appeals of England in an
important commercial case said: "The first c;tse to
be dealt with is the American case of Brooks vs. The
Oriciitid Insura7ice Co. It came before a judge whose
decisions I have often read with admiration, and from
whom I have certainly received great assistance, Mr.
Justice Putnam."
" The renowned Justice Story, who had been his
scholar, dedicated one of his works to his former
teacher, with a high tribute to his sagacity and
knowledge, as well as unspotted integrity. He took
a decided and ardent part in the political questions
of the time, but it is believed, in all the fire of parties
that during his early manhood so hotly blazed out,
he had no zeal that was not matched by his fairness,
or at the core and in the seed outdone by liis charity.
But so did he retain his earnestness, and so deter-
mined was he in his opinions, that he always, to the
close, considered it a duty, even at personal inconve-
nience, to cast his vote.
" Upon the death of Chief Justice Sewall, in 1814,
he was, by Governor Strong, for whom he had a great
reverence, appointed judge of the Supreme Juilicial
Court of this Commonwealth, and he continued to
iv
exercise this high ofiice for twenty-eight years. I
state what is in the cognizance of those familiar with
the subject, in saying he had the respect of all good
men for the manner in which he performed its sol-
emn and responsible duties. No man ever held the
scales of justice more even. None was ever more in-
tent on making righteous decrees ; none ever more
fearless and independent in his decisions ; none more
solicitous for the deliverance of the wrongfully ac-
cused, and none more indignant against all trickery,
lying and fraud. Members of the bar join with his
compeers on the bench to declare that no opinions or
judgments of a high tribunal were ever more like-
ly to be sound, sober, practical, and to the point,
than his, as they are recorded in the books.
" He adhered with great conservative firmness and
inflexibility to his principles ; but one of his associ-
ates told me his principles were good to adhere to.
It is the award of another sincere observer of his
course that, engaged as he had been in politics, with
his whole heart espousing one side, on his becoming
judge he put the politician entirely ofl' and, in his
place, knew no distinction of fellow or foe. It is an
unequivocal sign of the goodness of his heart, that,
while nobody could suspect he was at all influenced
by any regard to human favor^so clearly and evi-
dently above all personal reganls and consequences
was he in his duty — he yet carried into the execution
of that duty the singular urbanity which stamped his
whole deportment in private life.
" In 1825 he received from the University in Cam-
bridge the title of Doctor of Laws. In 1842, while
still able to accomplish well the work falling to him
in his lofty sphere, he retired into private, there to
prove completely that no role of oflSce, but what was
solid and genuine, gave him his real consequence in
the world. I am persuaded from every quarter will
be confirnieil the assertion, that he bore himself with
admirable fidelity and acceptance in all the relations
he sustained. He was exceedingly hospitable, kept
open door, cordially invited his friends to come in,
delighted to serve them at his table, and forgot not —
how could he with his inclination? — to send a portion
to the stranger and the poor, or to some humble
neighbor, after whose comfort his benevolence
yearned. He was glad to go with his guests over his
old paternal estate, which it was a special pleiusure to
him to increase and improve. He cherished and
fondled his farm, but had not the ambition of some to
accumulate wealth. He loved to set out trees, whose
growth and full flourishing only his posterity could
see. I remember he once showed me how nuich a
limb had grown on one of his trees; he had, I think,
brought the branch to town, assuring ine it afforded
him as much satisfaction as another man would de-
rive from a dividend.
" He desired kindly constructions of the deeds and
motives of others, and would allow no ill intent to be
ascribed where any excuse was possible, while all
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
unfairness everywhere met his steady disapproval.
Respecting harshness of remark he often quoted a
saying of his own father: "That may be true, my
.son, but you should not say so." This love of all
that is spiritually accordant was naturally connected
with or issued in a great love of music, especially of
sacred music, under his own roof or in the temple.
He had a very sensitive ear to the precision of the
note ; could scarce abide any falseness of tune, was
never more pleased than when some beloved old
hymn rang up to heaven, and when not listening to
the anthems of the sanctuary, or the voices kindred
and dear to him, found, what was to him, a delicious
feast in the minstrelsy of the birds. There was, in
truth, an infinite sweetness in him; his face was
favor, his look an invitation, and he could not keep
his hand from blessing the head of a child as he weut
along. He was, I think, a very happy man, not ex-
empt from trial, tasting some pain and sadness as the
springs of health and life were broken up, but finding
in existence a large boon for overrunning thanksgiv-
ing. He had favorite books and authors, and found
in reading, and in hearing his friends read, the pleas-
ant occupation of much time. The enjoyment which
a good old age has of youth was his to an uncommon
degree. The first time I saw him was with the
young all around, evidently both attracted by his
love for them, and overflowing him with the tokens
of their own, so that in their looks and motions they
seemed to make one life together; and I remember
well his presence, like a blessing, once, on occasion
of the usual gathering of the children of our own so-
ciety on the afternoon of Fast Day. I have heard it
repeatedly said, in gratitude to him or commendation
of him, that he loved to encourage young men in
their commencing efforts, and by a word or a line
from the desk of his tribunal would cheer and stim-
ulate them.
" During the stormy period of our public affairs,
before and after 1812, he was among the stirring spi-
rits. He repeatedly represented, in both branches
of the Legislature, his section of the State, and, we
may not doubt, uttered always, withe ut compromise,
the deliberate conclusions of a thoughtful mind, and
the deep sentiments of a guileless heart."
Judge Putnam was married October 28, 1795, to
Sarah Gooll, of Salem, who survived him by eleven
years. He had three sons and five daughters, who
lived to grow up. All were married, and all but one
survived their father. He died July 3, 1853, in his
86th year.
Leveeett Saltonstall was born in Haverhill
June 13, 1783. It is probable that no native of Essex
County who has held his residence through life
within its limits has been so conspicuous and so uni-
versally respected and beloved. It may be said, too,
with perfect truth, that no family in New England
can boast of a more extended pedigree or more gen-
ie blood than that whose name he bore and whose
fame he contributed so much to maintaiu. He was
the son of Dr. Nathaniel Saltonstall, of Haverhill,
and Anna, daughter of Samuel White, of Haverhill,
a descendant of William White, a settler in Ijiswich
in 1035, and one of the first settlers of Haverhill in
1040. Dr. Nathaniel Saltonstall, born February 10,
1746, was the son of Richard Saltonstall, of Haver-
hill, and his third wife, Mary, daughter of Elisha
Cooke, whose wife, Jane Middlecott, was a great-
granddaughter of Governor Edward Winslow, of the
Old Colony. Mary Cooke was also great-granddaugh-
ter of Governor John Leverett. Richard Saltonstall,
born June 24, 1703, was the son of Richard Salton-
stall, of Haverhill, and Mehitabel, daughter of Cap-
tain Simon Wainwright, of Haverhill. The last-
mentioned Richard Saltonstall, born April 25, 1672,
was the son of Nathaniel Saltonstall, of Haverhill,
who was appointed in 1692, by Governor William
Phipps, one of the judges of the Oyer and Terminer
Court to try the witches, and refused to serve, and
his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. John Ward, of
Haverhill. Nathaniel Saltonstall, born in Ipswich
in 1639, was the son of Richard Saltonstall and
Muriel, daughter of Brampton Gurdon and Muriel
(Sedley) Gurdon, of Assington, County of Suffolk, in
England. Richard Saltonstall, born at Woodsome,
County of York, England, in 1610, came to New
England with his father. Sir Richard Saltonstall, in
1630, returned in 1631, married in England about
1633, and coming back to New England in 1635, set-
tled in Ipswich. He died on a visit to England, at
Hulme, April 29, 1694. Sir Richard Saltonstall, of
Huntwick, Knight, baptized at Halifax, England,
April 4, 1586, was lord of the manor at Ledsham.
He was the son of Samuel Saltonstall, and his first
wife, Anne, daughter of John Ramsden, of Longley.
He married three wives, — first, Grace, daughter of
Robert Kaye, of Woodsome, who was the mother of
the son Richard; second, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir
Thomas West, Baron de la Warre; and third, Martha
Wilford. He was one of the original patentees
of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, and after his
first wife died he came to New England with Win-
throp in 1630, bringing his children. He began the
settlement of Watertown, returned to England in
1631, and there died about 1658, giving in his will a
legacy to Harvard College. Samuel Saltonstall, the
father of Sir Richard Saltonstall, the date of whose
birth is unknown, died January 8, 1612-13, and was
buried in Holy Trinity Church, Hull. He married
three wives, — first, Anne Ramsden, above mentioned,
who was the mother of Sir Richard Saltonstall ; sec-
ond, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Ogden ; and
third, Elizabeth Armine, widow of Hugh Armine,
mayor of Hull. Gilbert Saltonstall, the father of
Samuel, had a seat at Rooke's Hall, in Hipperholme.
He died in 1598 and was buried at Halifax Decem-
ber 29th. In his will he mentioned his wife, Isabel,
and left legacies to the Halifax Church and the
^na '^s^,A H nxia^'-i
^^^-^^^.^^^^^0^7^^:^^^^^
THE BENCH AND BAR.
XXXV
Halifax Grammar School. It is unnecessary to follow
tlie pedigree further in detail. It is sufficient to say
that heyond Gilbert, above mentioned, through two
Richards, another Gilbert and two other Richards, it
goes back to either John or Richard, the sons of
Thomas De Saltonstall, of the West Riding of York-
shire, who flourished about the year l.'WO. Every
generation has been distinguished for the eminent
men it hiis produced, and in the direct line of the
subject of this sketch, every ancestor back to Richard,
who came with his father in 1030, hiis been a gradu-
ate of Harvard. To this list of graduates the names
of Mr. Salstonstall himself, and of his son, Colonel
Leverett Saltonstall, the present collector of the port
of Boston, may be added.
Nor is the Saltonstall pedigree the only ancient
one to which the family of Mr. Saltonstall may lay
claim. The family of Gurdons, one of whom, Muriel,
daughter of Brampton Gurdon, married Richard
Saltonstall, who came to Xew England with his
father in 1630, has a recorded pedigree in the hands of
Sir William Brampton Gurdon reaching back to Sir
Adam Gurdon, who lived in the thirteenth century.
The mother of Muriel Gurdon was Muriel Sedley,
and the Sedley family, too, has a pedigree which is
only lost in the reign of Edward the First. And still
another family mingles its blood with that of the
Saltonstalls. Sir Richard Saltonstall, who came to
New England with his son in 1630 and returned to
England in 1631, married for his first wife, from
whom the Essex branch of the family sprang, Grace,
daughter of Robert Kaye, of Woodsome, and the
pedigree of the Kaye family, as taken from the York-
shire visitation, published by the Harleian Society,
reaches through a plain channel back to the time of
William the Conqueror. Thus it will be seen that
Mr. Saltonstall, besides the blood of his own imme-
diate family, carried in his veins not only that of the
Winslows and Leverctts of New England, but that of
some of the most ancient families in Great Britain.
Mr. Saltonstall pursued his preparatory studies at
Phillips Academy, and graduated at Harvard in
1802. In 1838 he received from his alma mater the
degree of LL.D., the degree of A.B., from Yale, in
1802, and of A.M. from Bowdoin in 1806.
He studied law with Ichabod Tucker, of Haverhill,
and afterwards with William Prescott, and after a
short term of practice in his native town, removed to
Salem in 1806. At that time the Essex bar contained
on its rolls the names of Nathan Dane, William Pres-
cott, Samuel Putnam, Joseph Story, John Pickering
and Daniel A. White. By the side of these eminent
men, with whom he came constantly in competition,
he grew step by step, until he became their profes-
sional peer. Samuel Putnam was called to the bench
of the Supreme Court in 1814, Joseph Story was
appointed to the bench of the United Slates Sujirenie
Court in 1811, Nathan Dane gradually relinciuished
I ractiee, Daniel A. White was made juilge of probate
and John Pickering finally removed to Boston. As
these early rivals, one after another, left the field, Mr.
Saltonstall attained the position, which he held for
many years and until his death, of leader of the
Essex bar. He possessed every qualification for a
successful lawyer, especially in a county like Essex,
made n|) of small towns with honest, plain, matter-
of-fact people, among whom the character and life of
a professional man were criticised and prized aa much
as his acumen and learning. The character and life
of Mr. Saltonstall were singularly pure. Every man
in Essex County knew it, and, when involved in ditti-
culties, felt sure that his counsel would be wise and
his services discreet and honest. For many years the
Essex bar has had a reputation for fair and honorable
dealings not possessed by that of every county in the
State, and that reputation Mr. Saltonstall did much
to establish and maintain. The confidence of his
fellow-citizens of both the city of Salem and of the
county wa-s many times and in various ways mani-
fested. By Hon. Stephen C. Phillips, who knew him
well, it was said, that "at an early age he took his
seat in the Massachusetts House of Reprasentatives,
and in that body at different periods, even to the very
close of his public life, he rendered perhaps his most
valuable services, and was distinguished and honored
beyond almost any of his cotemporaries. He was
an ettective debater and in the committee-room none
could surpass him in the faithful, patient and intelli-
gent performance of all his duties. He was a member
of the Massachusetts Senate in two most important
political junctures, and as a leader of the majority he
assumed a full share of responsibility for its acts.
As president of the Senate, too, he performed his
duties with admirable dignity and to universal accept-
ance. In the political service of Massachusetts he
felt him-self at home, and the State never h.ad a citi-
zen who maintained her character with a nobler pride
or labored for her welfare with a purer zeal." On the
incorporation of Salem as a city, March 23, 183i), her
citizens did him and themselves the honor of making
him their first mayor, and in that capacity he served
until 1838. In the latter year he was chosen Repre-
sentative to Congress, and remained in office until
1843. In the discharge of his duties as Representa-
tive he was singularly faithful, useful and earnest.
During the latter half of his Congressional life he
was chairman of the Committee on Manufactures, and
on his shoulders fell the burden of the investigation
and inquiry, and of the prei)aration of the report and
bill, which finally resulted in the passage of the tjir-
ilfof 1842. He was an active and honorable member
of the old Whig party, conscientiously devoted to its
interests at a time when party policies were con-
tinuously distinct ; and sincerely believing that the
success of the policy of that party would best promote
the welfare of the country. He was not a partisan in
the sense in which so many are partisans to-day, and
would have indignantly refused to follow his party
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
into the support of new measures devised purely for
party purposes, without reference to the public good.
When he advocated a measure, therefore, he spoke
with a conviction behind liis words, with a heart
pouring out its fullness from the tongue, and hence
the impressive and convincing eloquence of which he
was a master.
Mr. Salstonstall was conspicuous in other than
legislative and legal fields. He was president of the
Bible Society, president of the Essex Agricultural
Society and of the Essex Bar Association, a member
of the Massachusetts Historical Society and the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the
board of overseers of Harvard University,
The relations of Mr. Saltonstall with his family
were to the last degree confiding and tender. To say
that he was beloved is only to repeat what may be
said of nearly every husband and father. To say
that he was worthy to be beloved is a better and a
juster tribute. The affection which is merely incident
to relationship fades with time. The tears of his
children, though forty years have elapsed since his
death, still start when they recall the virtues of their
father, and exemplar, and friend.
Mr. Saltonstall married, March 7, 1811, Mary
Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Sanders, of Salem,
and died in Salem May 8, 1845. On the 8th of May
a meeting of the Essex bar was held at Ipswich, at
which Benjamin Merrill was chosen president, and
Ebenezer Shillaber secretary ; and resolutions offered
by Joseph E. Sprague, and seconded by Nathaniel J.
Lord, were passed as a tribute to his memory. On
the same day, in the Supreme Court, Mr. Merrill
presented the resolutions of the bar, and addressed
the court. Judge Wilde replied, expressing "his
sympathy with the feelings of the bar, and his regret
at the loss of so useful and excellent a citizen as Mr.
Saltonstall, whose worth and excellence he had
known and highly esteemed for forty years."
On the 10th of May, at a special meeting of the
City Council of Salem, Mr. Roberts submitted re
solves concerning the loss sustained by the city in
the death of Mr. Saltonstall, which wereunaninuiusly
passed.
The Massachusetts Historical Society took ap[)ro-
priate notice of his death by eulogies spoken by
various members, and at a later day by a memoir in
its published proceedings. On Sunday, the 18th of
May, Rev. Dr. John Brazier delivered, in the North
Church in Salem, a discourse on his life and charac-
ter ; and a commemorative sermon was also preached
in the East Church by Rev. Dr. Flint.
Isaac Ridington How, son of David How, was
born in Haverhill March 13, 1791, and graduated at
Harvard in 1810. He studied law with William
Prescott and continued through life in the practice of
law in his native town, where he died January 15,
1860.
Samuel Merrill was born in Plaistow, New
Hampshire, in 1776. His preparatory studies were
pursued at Phillips Academy under the instruction of
Joseph S. Buckminster, and with his brother, .lames
Cushing Merrill, he graduated at Harvard in 1807.
He studied law with John Varnum in Haverhill and
began practice of the law in Andover in partnership
with Samuel Farrar. He was at various times a
memberof both branches of the Legislature, and, aside
from his law studies, was through life a diligent
scholar, and especially proficient in Greek and Latin
literature. He died in Andover December 24, 1869.
Michael Hodge was born in Newbury port in
1780 and graduated at Harvard in 1799. He studied
law in his native town and there followed his profes-
sion. Samuel L. Knapp describes him in his per-
sonal sketches as a man "who was never perfectly
satisfied with his profession, for in his character was
exhibited that moral enigma which has so often per-
plexed the metaphysicians, — great personal intrepidity
united to a painful and shrinking modesty ; a fear-
lessness of all the forms of danger to a diffidence in
the discharge of professional duties." He married, in
1814, Betsey Hayvvard, daughter of Dr. James
Thacher, of Plymouth, Mass., and widow of Daniel
Robert Elliott, of Savannah, Georgia, and had James
Thatcher, a graduate of Harvard in 1836, who was
lost on Lake Michigan with a career in the paths of
science already brilliant, but yet full of hope and
promise. Mr. Hodge died in Plymouth on the 6th of
July, 1816.
Jedediah Foster was born in Andover October
10, 1726, and graduated at Harvard in 1744. He
finally established himself in Brookfield and married
a daughter of Brigadier-General Joseph D wight. He
was appointed judge of the Superior Court of Judica-
ture in 1776 and died October 17, 1779.
Charles Amburger Andrew was born in Salem
in 1805 and graduated from the Harvard Law School
in 1832. He also studied in the office of Leverett
Saltonstall and was admitted to the bar in 1831. He
died at Salem June 17, 1843.
Benjamin Lynde Oliver was born in Salem in
1789 and studied law with Joseph Story and Samuel
Putnam. He was admitted to the Essex bar in June,
1809. He died in Maiden June 18, 1843.
Ebenezer Mosely, son of Ebenezer and Martha
(Strong) Mosely, was born in Windham, Conn., Nov.
21, 1781, and graduated at Yale College in 1802. He
studied law with Judge Chauncey, of New Haven,
Judge Clark, of Windham, and Judge Hinckley, of
Northampton. In 1805 he settled in Nevvburyport,
and at various times had as students in his office John
Pierpont, afterwards a clergyman ; Governor Dunlap,
of Maine; Robert Cross, Asa W. Wildes and Caleb
Gushing. In 1813-14 he was the colonel of the Sixth
Regiment, and, as chairman of the Board of Selectmen ,
welcomed Lafayette on the occasion of his visit to
Newburyport. From 1816 to 1820 and from 1884 to
18.36 he was a member of the House of Representa-
^ ^.^x...
--/
THE BENCH AND BAK.
tives, and in 1821 and 1822 a member of the Senate.
In 1832 he was a Presidential elector and threw his
vote for Henry Clay. On the 17th of June, 1811, he
married Mary Ann, daughter of Edward Oxnard, and
died at Newburyport August 28, 1854.
LoNSON Nash came to the bar in 1807 and settled
in Gloucester, his native town. He Wiis a Represen-
tative in 1809 and Senator in 1812. He retired in
1860 and died at Great Harrington February 1, 1863.
William Fabens, son of William and Sarah
(Brown) Fabens, was born in Salem April 14, 1810,
and graduated at Harvard in 1832. He early settled
in Marblehead an<l was engaged in law practice until
his death, March 11, 1883. He was trial justice from
1860 to 1878, a State Senator in 18o9, a trustee of the
Nautical School during the entire period of its exis-
tence, and for many years an active member of the
School Board of Murblehead.
Caleb Cushixg. — Newburyport, from the first set-
tlement of the country, has been greatly distinguished
for the eminence attained by her sons, daughters and
citizens, in letters and active life. She can point to a
long list of state>men, orators, poets, jurists, divine.',
inventors and merchants, who do her honor. One of
the least of our cities in territory and population,
she has made herself famous at home and abroad, in
the States of the Union and the nations of the globe.
Among the names of her jurists she counts Bradbury,
Parsons, Jackson, Lowell, Greenleaf, Wilde and a
host of others famous for their knowdedge of common
law and international law, as well as for their legal
opinions and decisions uttered in our courts ; but no
one of them in his varied acquirements and duties
has done more credit to himself and the place of his
birth or residence than Caleb Gushing. There have
been in this century, or in this country, few to com-
pare with him. It has been said that no man is
great in everything or great at all times; but as we
look back on his career, from youth to old age, we
discover no dimness, no weakness. As a polygon
presents in its many sides and angles, in its roofs and
towers, its lights and sliadows, the evidence of its
own strength and beauty and the skill and genius of
its designer and builder, so he, in deeds and words,
through a long life and under varied circumstances,
in success and in defeat, stands as an illustrious ex-
ample of what a man may be and may do, when he
puts a human will and indomitable persistency in
what he undertakes to accomplish. He was a scholar
lofty in bis attainments; an author and an orator
equally expert with pen or voice ; a lawyer attractive
at the bar, profound on the bench and celebrated as
minister of justice — attorney-general for the country,
uttering opinions which nations were bound to re-
spect. He was a statesman the compeer of Webster,
John Quincy Adams and Charles Sumner, who were
his friends and admirers, and no man has shown
greater knowledge of the science of government— of
the principlis on which are based our own and for-
eign institutions. He was a diplomatist of high rank,
negotiating treaties in South America, Spain, (^hina,
in pressing our claims before the extraordinary tri-
bunal at Geneva, where sat the distinguished com-
missioners from Germany, Italy, Spain, England and
America, who listened to no other man more gladly.
It did not matter where be was place<l, what duties
he was to perform or with whom he was to act, he
never failed in courage, capacity or power and perse-
verance. He was equal to the occasion. The late
Isaac O. Barnes, many years United States marshal
for the district of Ma.ssacliusetts, who knew Mr.
Gushing intimately, and was himself a scholar and a
wit, being one day in the Public Library of Boston,
was approached by a young man, who inquired where
he could find an encyclopiedia. Mr. Gushing passing
at the moment. Colonel Barnes, pointing to him, re-
plied : " There is a living, self-moving cyclopedia,
from whom you can obtain information upon every
question that has interested any people in any age of
the world." This seems almost a literal truth. He
had made himself personally acquainted by his
travels with all the continents of our globe, he had
crossed the oceans and great seas, climbed the Rocky
Mountains, the Alps and the Andes and sat on the
foot-hills of the Himalayas ; had conversed with the
Russian at St. Petersburg, the German at Berlin, the
Italian on the Bay of Naples, the Frenchman at
Paris, the Spaniard at Madrid, the Tartar in Eastern
Asia, each in his own tongue, and at the reception of
foreign ministers by President Pierce, surprised them
all in his facility of language. He studied religions
with the preachers of Geneva, the priests of Rome
and the Brahmins of India, and he had discussed pol-
itics and international law with the highest minister
of state in China. The schools had found him a most
enthusiastic student, the forum an eloquent advocate,
and to his reading of books there was no end. He
was literally the devourer of books and the digester of
their contents. He was the only man we ever knew
who could read a dictionary and delight in the study
of every word ; and that did Caleb Gushing on the
first appearance of Webster's Unabridged, containing
one hundred and fourteen thousand words, and, more
than that, unsolicited and without remuneration, like
a proof-reader, he marked every error or mistake ; so
he could study a volume of abstract principles be-
cause he could surround each statement with the
children born from it, and thus evolve from naked
truths passages of beauty. This single fact of his
reading we may cite: " When called to the Supreme
Bench he had long been out of the practice of law,
and to prepare himself for duty, read fifty-seven
volumes of the Massachusetts Reports— all up to that
date — in nineteen days, or three full volumes per day,
and so thoroughly did he the work that he was famil-
iar with every decision they contained. This he
could do because he w^as untiring in labor and needed
little sleeii. He often read eighteen hours a day
xl
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tion and his feme and skill as a writer and debater."
" Nor will I forget," added he, " his very amiable
traits of character, which prevented difference of
opinion or of party, sundering the ties of social inter-
course. He knew how to abandon a policy or quit a
party without quarrelling with those he left behind."
Thus we see him, a Democrat, in the most friendly
relations with Charles Sumner, at Washington, spend-
ing an evening of every week in discussing public af-
fairs and inquiring what might be done for their com-
mon country. Like relations held he with Secretary
Seward, and with all the Republican presidents from
Lincoln to Grant inclusive.
He retired from politics, after the Rebellion broke
out, and spent most of his time at Washington, where
every administration during his life had the benefit of
his well-formed opinions; nor was there a single
branch of the government that did not avail itself of
his service. When not connected officially with them
he was held in reserve for any emergency that might
occur. Nothing personal or political prevented his
serving his country. He was intensely loyal and pa-
triotic; never man more so; ready to sacrifice anything
for the unity and perpetuity of the government. We
recall his words in dismissing the national Democratic
convention, over which he was called to preside at
Charleston, S. C, when we stood on the brink of the
Rebellion :" I pray you, gentlemen, in returning to
your constituents and the bosoms of your families, to
take with you, as your guiding thought, the sentiment,
the Constitution and the Union." Those were the
waymarks and the guides of his life.
After leaving Congress he at once entered upon the
duties of minister to China, to which he had been ap-
pointed by President Tyler to negotiate a treaty. This
he did, going east to China and returning in the same
direction, via Mexico, with the best treaty to that date
ever made with that ancient people ; perfecting his
work and circumnavigating the globe in fourteen
months. The treaty was submitted to the Senate that
had, on political grounds, three times rejected him as
secretary of the treasury, and was so satisfactory as to
be ratified without a dissenting voice
His next important service was as attorney-general
under President Pierce, to which he was called from
the Supreme Bench of Massachusetts, which occa-
sioned one of his associate judges to pay him this com-
pliment, " when he came to the bench we didn't know
what we could do with him; and when he left, we
didn't know how we could do without him." As At-
torney-General, he perhaps appeared to the country
at large, better than in any position he had before
held ; and when he retired, carried with him a higher
reputation for profound knowledge, than any of his
predecessors. He was then at his maturity, in the
fulness of physical and mental strength, and his labors
were the most arduous and varied. It was not uncom-
mon, for weeks in succession, for him to be in his of-
fice from four o'clock in the morning till midnight.
and every conceivable question on our relations to
matters at home and abroad, wsa submitted to him.
His opinions fill three volumes, of the fifteen in the
whole, to the date of his retirement ; and no less au-
thority than William Beach Lawrence, in his edition
of Wheaton, declares " they constitute in themselves
a valuable body of international law." They show
also his fidelity to the principles of the fathers of the
republic.
In the short space allowed this sketch, we may not
go into particulars. That he had the confidence of
the country may be seen in this: President Lincoln
appointed him a commissioner to adjust claims pend-
ing between this country and Mexico, Spain and
other peoples ; President Johnson made him a special
envoy to the United States of Colombia; President
Grant appointed him minister to Spain, counsel for
the United States to Geneva and would have made
him chief justice of the Supreme Court, had not Mr.
Cushing asked him to withdraw the nomination, not
made at his solicitation, upon the dissent of a single
Senator ; and at every point his action was endorsed
by the country, the public press ap[)lauding.
He now retired to his home. Though still strong,
but pressing hard upon four-score years, he could see
that the end was near, and he heard the message :
" What thou hast to do, do quickly." He obeyed,
turned his attention to his private affairs and sought
rest with personal friends, in the town and by the river
he had loved so well, and where he had been loved.
His mission was finished; he had all the honors de-
sired ; his fortune was ample; he had really nothing
more to do, than to be himself, as he was to the end,
and utter his last prayer for his country. He died
January 2, 1879, and was gathered to his fathers. He
sleeps on the western slope of the hill, where the r,iys
of the setting sun longest linger on the marble that
bears his name, and the name of her who was dearest
of human kind to him. He had built the tomb for
his wife, and in it prepared his own resting place — a
place for one; he determined at her decease, forty-five
years before, there should be no more.
Daniel P. King, though never admitted to the
bar, passed through a course of study in law and de-
serves a place in this record. He was born in Dan-
vers January 8, 1801, and was the son of Daniel and
Phebe (Upton) King, of that town. He fitted for
college at Phillips Academy and graduated at Harvard
in 182.3. In 1824 he married Sarah P., daughter of
Hezekiah and Sally (Putnam) Flint, and finally set-
tled down at Danvers as a farmer, following the occu-
pation of his father before him. He was a Represen-
tative to the Legislature from his native town in 1835,
Speaker of the House in 1840 and 1841, president of
the Senate in 1843, and was chosen in the last year
Representative to Congress, continuing in olUce until
1849. His natural gifts, cultivated by his collegiate
and legal studies, specially fitted him for legislative
duties, and more particularly for that class of them
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xli
which attaches to the responsible position of presiding
officer. He died in Danvers July 25, 1850.
EuAS Hasket Dkkby was born in Salem Sep-
tember 24, 1S03, and graduated at Harvard in 1824.
He studied law in the office of Daniel Webster, and
appears on the official list of lawyers admitted to the
bar to have been admitted at Salem in the year of his
graduation from college. He settled in Boston, and
by an increasing practice in railroad cases soon
became identified with railroad interests, in the pro-
motion of which he was far-seeing and bold. He was
a prolific writer for newspapers and magazines, hav-
ing in all his productions an eye to the advancement
and prosperity of Boston. He was at one time pres-
ident of the Old Colony Railroad, and died in Bos-
ton, March 31, 1880.
George Lunt, son of Abel and Phrebe Lunt,
was born in Newburyport December 31, 1803,
and graduated in Harvard in 1824. He was ad-
mitted to the Essex bar in 1833, and until
1848 practiced law in Newburyport. In that
year he removed to Boston, and in 1849, under the
new Whig national administration, was appointed
district attorney for Massachusetts, succeeding Rob-
ert Rantoul. During the four or five years which pre-
ceded the war he was one of the editors of the Boston
Courier, and was earnest in his opposition to all the
measures on the part of the North which tended
to dissatisfy and estrange the South. His convictions
were doubtless as sincere and pure as those who de-
nounced him, but his love for an unbroken union min-
gled w-ith a timidity which shrunk from a test of its
strength, made him appear at times what he was not,
an advocate of slavery and its attendant evils.
Outside of the columns of newspapers, Mr. Lunt's
publications were chiefly poetical, while the news-
papers themselves contained many a poetical gem
from his pen, which eventually found its way into a
public collection. A volume of his poems was pub-
lished in 1829, another in 1843, another in 1851 and
still others in 18.54 and 1855. The last few years of
his life Mr. Lunt spent in comparative retirement in
Scituate, and died in Boston May 16, 1885.
Stephen Palfrey Webb, son of Captain Stephen
and Sarah (Putnam) Webb was born in Salem March
20, 1804, and graduated at Harvard in 1824. He
studied law with John Glen King, of Salem, and was
admitted to the bar in 1826. He settled in practice
in Salem, and was, before 1853, Senator, Representa-
tive and mayor. In that year he went to San Fran-
cisco, where he was also chosen mayor in 1854, and
returned to Salem, again to be chosen mayor in 1860,
'61 and '62. He was city clerk of Salem from 181)3 to
1870, and finally removed to Brookline, where he
died in 1879. He married, May 26, 1834, Hannah
Hunt Beckford Robin.son, daughter of Nathan and
Eunice (Beckford) Robinson.
Robert R.*.xtoul, Jr.,' the son of Robert and
"By Dr. A. P. P«abody.
Joanna (Lovett) Rantoul, was born in Beverly, August
13, 1805. In his childhood he gave no doubtful
promise of the traits of mind and character that were
prominent in his maturer years. Happy in home in-
fluences, and in thoseof his earliest school-life, lie not
only learned with wonderful facility, but manifested a
power of thought and reasoning so unusual for his
age, that there was never any purpose other than of
securing for him the best means of education attain-
able. He was fitted for college at Phillips Academy
in Andover, and entered Harvard in 1822, graduating
in 1826. His college life was one of untiring indus-
try. Fourteen hours out of the twenty-four were,
oftener than not, spent in study. He paid little at-
tention to the college curriculum, easily reading Lat-
in and Greek at sight, and in mental, moral and polit-
ical science reciting from his own " inner conscious-
ness," in words of which the professor could find no
trace or analogue in the text-book. He devoted a
great deal of time to the higher literature of conti-
nental Europe. The French language he learned by
reading it, and it early became :is familiar to him as
the English. In German, under the tuition of Dr.
Follen, he belonged to the first class in Cambridge
that ever studied that tongue. His chief aim was to
become conversant with the political history and in-
stitutions of the European nations, and with the his-
tory and science of government and legislation. He
was as intimately acquainted with Grotius and Puff"-
endorfl", Machiavelli and Beccaria, Montesquieu and
Jeremy Benth.am, as the foremost of his classmates
were with their required chiss-work. But, notwith-
standing his incessant labor, he was not inditlVrent
to college society, though he took part in it mainly in
behalf of the interests which he held in the highest re-
gard, and with the view of raising the standard of
general culture. " The Institute of 1770 " was formed
by the union of three pre-existing societies, one of which,
while surrendering the distinctive portion of its name,
insisted on retaining the index of its birth-year. This
new society was organized, virtually by him, for the sole
purpose of literary and scientific work, and in its
earlier years was among the most eflicient educational
forces in the university. Mr. Rantoul's high place in
the esteem of his classmates was manifested in his
election as class-poet, and, although in after years he
wrote but little verse, he had already shown, and cer-
tainly showed by that very poem, a talent which, with
adequate cultivation, might have given him no incon-
spicuous place among American poets. Mr. Rantoid,
on leaving college, entered tlic law-office of John
Pickering, and at a later period that of Leverett Sal-
tonstall.
He was admitted to the bar in 1829, and established
himself for a time in Salem, where his principal bus-
iness was as junior counsel for the Knapfis in thi^
celebrated White murder trial, in whicli he collected
and prepared the evidence for the defense. In 1831
he removed to South Reading, and in 1833 to Glou-
xlii
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
cester, which town he represented in four successive
Legislatures. In 1835 he was appointed on a com-
mittee for revis-ing the statutes of Massachusetts, and
in the three following years he served and performed
very efficient service on the Judiciary Committee.
He first distinguished himself in the Legislature by
his opposition to the charter of a " ten million bank,"
at a time when paper money, often of difficult and
doubtful currency, flooded the country, and shortly
before the suspension of specie payment by the New
England banks. His action was with the Democratic
party ; but it was universally admitted that it was his
able argument (which might stand now as an inde-
pendent treatise on the philosophy of finance), that
won over a sufficient number of the Whig majority in
the House, though it was regarded as a party measure,
to defeat the scheme. There was hardly an important
subject before the House on which he remained silent ;
and his speeches were not harangues, but thorough ar-
guments, based on facts, statistics and principles, and
requiring, in order to answer them, if not an ability
equal to his own, at least an amount of diligent study
and careful elaboration which few legislators were, or
ever are, willing to bestow.
The subject of capital punishment, commended to
him by his father's lifelong interest in it, was among
those which he early and often urged on the attention
of the Legislature. As chairman of committees he
made three reports in as many successive years in
favor of the abolition of the death-penalty, besides
as many carefully prepared speeches, and not a few
shorter ones in the progress of debate. He after-
ward wrote " Letters on the Death-Penalty," ad-
dressed to the Governor and Legislature of Massa-
chusetts, which were reprinted by order of the Legis-
lature of New York. He also embraced every avail-
able opportunity for delivering lectures and addresses
on this subject. His writings upon it probably con-
tain all that has been or can be said in opposition to
capital punishment, and they have been largely
quoted wherever the question has been discussed on
either side of the Atlantic.
In 1839 Mr. Rantoul opened an office in Boston,
having his home in Beverly. In 1843 he was ap-
pointed Collector of the port of Boston and Charles-
town, and in the following year United States Attor-
ney for the District of Massachusetts, which latter
office he resigned in 1849.
During the period of his legal practice in Boston
he had the management of a singularly large number
of cases of prime importance, both for clients of his
own and in behalf of the government, and in several
instances he not only gained his cause against the
strongest possible array of opposing counsel, but won
their hearty applause ; and when he lost a case he
seldom failed to have the verdict of an intelligent
public fcr what he had made to appear the better
side. One of bis most remarkable cases was that of
Sims, the fugitive slave, whose defence he was called
to undertake without an hour's previous notice, yet
in whose behalf he made an argument to which, as
we read the report of it to-day, it seems as if nothing
could have been added, whether on the score of con-
stitutional law or of natural right. A large propor-
tion of the cases in which he appeared as an advocate
were, like this last-named, such as he espoused with
his whole heart, equally from feeling and from prin-
ciple, so that he identified himself fully and entirely
with the person or cause under trial.
Mr. Rantoul, at the outset of his public life, at-
tached himself to the Democratic party from sincere
conviction, and with full knowledge that this was not
the way to obtain place or office, or even the recog-
nition of ability or merit, in Massachusetts. But he
never bore any part, nor felt any sympathy, with the
pro-slavery sentiment, in which, for many years, the
two great political parties had vied with each other
in that sordid sycophancy to the South which cul-
minated in the Fugitive-Slave Law. The passage of
this law roused intense indignation in Massachusetts,
and led to the building up of the Free-Soil party,
with which the leaders of the Democracy were free
to form a coalition, while loyalty to Mr. Webster re-
strained the opposing party from giving unanimity of
expression to the feeling which, beyond a question,
was universal throughout the State. Mr. Rantoul
had several times before been nominated for Congress
and had received a very large minority cf votes. In
1851 he was elected by the Massachusetts Legislature,
in which the Free-Soil party held the balance of
power, to fill out Mr. Webster's unexpired term in the
United States Senate, on his becoming Secretary of
State, and in the same year he was chosen as a mem-
ber of the House of Representatives for the Essex
South District.
During the brief period of his Senatorship there
was no occasion which called upon him for more than a
few short speeches, on matters of no permanent im-
portance. But in the House he at once took a prom-
inent part in debate, not wholly in connection with
the slavery issue, but on other subjects of national in-
terest. On the occasions on which he addressed the
House he showed himself armed at all points, whether
for defence or for assault, and was probably the man
above all others, whom the abettors of such wrongs as
had assumed to their view the aspect of right most
dreaded to encounter.
His vast learning, his tenacious memory and his
prompt command of its resources, made him a most
formidable opponent, while the same qualities fitted
him for the efficient advocacy of measures conducive
to the national progress and well-being.
But his career was cut short at the moment when
he was winning the highest distinction, and when es-
pecially the friends of freedom were depending on his
already well-proved strength as their champion. He
was preparing a speech on the fisheries, a subject
which he doubtless understood better than any other
^'^9 hyA-H Rilc}ae.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xliii
man in Congress, when he was arrested by an attack
ot" erysipelas, which, after a very brief illness, termin-
ated fatally on the 7th of August, 18.''2.
In our summary narrative of Mr. Rantoul's profes-
sional and official life, we have described but a small
portion of his work in and for the community of
whicli ho was a citizen. He was pre-eminently a pub-
lic servant, unselfish and philanthropic, deeming it
his highest privilege to advance the true interest and
well-being of his country and his race. This was his
ruling ambition, and it was an ambition that gave
him no rest. He cared not for station or office, except
a.s a post of usefulness. He would not have accepted
the highest position in tlie world had it impaired the
liberty of speech and pen ; while he was content to re-
main a private citizen so long as he could make him-
self heard and felt by multitudes.
Mr. Rantoul bore no small part in the creation of
facilities for travel and transportation. When the
extension of the Boston and Worcester Railroad to
Albany was first agitated, and the crossing of the
mountain-spine in Western Massachusetts seemed an
almost hopeless enterprise, he undertook the advo-
cacy of this measure, and had large influence in pro-
curing subsidy for it from the State and in winning
for it the favor of private capitalists.
Illinois was indebted to him for like se.'vice, attended
with no small personal loss and sacrifice, in the con-
struction of her Central Railroad, and his name, so
beneficially connected with her history, is kept in en-
during memory, and has been given to a town that has
sprung into being since his death.
In the cause of education Mr. Rantoul held a fore-
most place. He was among the founders of the sys-
tem of Lyceum lectures, and lectured himself when-
ever he could find opportunity, in those early times
when the lecturer sought onl}' to instruct, not to
amuse, his hearers, and had no compensation other
than their gratitude. lie started the publication of
a series of Lyceum lectures and other popular tracts,
in successive numbers, under the title of " The Work-
ing Men's Library."
He was one of the earliest movers in the establish-
ment of the Ma.ssachusetts Board of Education, and
was intimately associated with Horace Mann, as his
defender and coadjutor in the reform of the common
schools of the State. He procured the publication of
two series of many volumes, which he virtually edit-
ed, under the name of " The Common-School
Library," — one series for the older, the other for
less advanced pupils, — both consisting chiefly of
standard works in various departments of knowledge,
which in their ordinary editions were beyond the
reach of common readers. He was an earnest advo-
cate of the temperance cause, and, while conforming
himself to the purest moral standard, he spared no ef-
fort when, by public address or by i)rivate influence, he
could hope to bring his fellow-citizens up to the same
elevated views. Indeed, his high tone of character, his
friendly interest in whatever was of real moment to
tho.se around him, his perpetual propagandism of the
primal truths and great causes that were dearer to
him than success, prosperity or fame, gave him a com-
manding and beneficent influence over men of all
classes and conditions with whom he was brought
into relations, more or less intimate.
In 1831 Mr. Rantoul married Jane Elizabeth
Woodbury, of Beverly. He had two sons, both liv-
ing,— Robert Samuel, of Salem, a lawyer, who has
been a member of both branches of theMassachu.setts
Legislature; and Charles William, now a resident of
Florida.
Nathaxiel James Lord was born in Ijiswich
October 28, 1805, and gr.aduated at Harvard in 182.'i.
He studied law in the law school at Northampton,
under Judge Howe and Professor Ashmun and in the
office of Leverett Saltonstall, at Salem, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in September, 1828. He was asso-
ciated with Mr. Saltonstall in business until 1835,
and afterwards, until tlie autumn of 1858, was actively
engaged alone in the practice of the law. After the
death of Mr. Saltonstall, in 1845, he was the acknowl-
edged leader of the Essex bar. In his earliest i)ro-
fessional life, as the junior partner of Mr. Saltonstall,
he had little opportunity as junior counsel to show
his extraordinary ability, but as soon as he launched
his own boat and assumed command, he only waited
for the death of his old venerable partner and the
removal of Mr. Choate to Boston to become identified
witli his native county as its greatest lawyer. Besides
tliese two eminent men, he had to cope with .lohn
Glen King, Joshua Holyoke Ward, Caleb Cushing,
Robert Rantoul and Ebenezer Closely, but his re-
peated trials of strength with these skillful antago-
nists, vindicated his claim to the first honors of bis
profession. He died at Salem June 18, 186!). On
the 21st a special meeting of the Essex Bar Associa-
tion was held, to take notice of the death of their late
associate, at which William C. Eridicntt, the president
of the association, delivered an address, analyzing and
eulogizing the character of the deceased. He was
followed by Asahel Huntington, .Tonathan C. Perkins,
Thomas B. Newhall and William D. Northend. At
an adjourned meeting, held June 28th, Alfred A. Ab-
bott, in behalf of a committee appointed at the
previous meeting, presented a memorial on the life
and character of Mr. Lord, which was accepted and
ordered to be entered on the records of the associa-
tion.
On the 2d of July, 1869, Mr. Abbott, in behalf
of the Association, read the memorial in the Supreme
Court, in session at Salem, and moved that it be
placed on the records of the court. The motion wiis
seconded by William C. Endicott, who was followed
by Mr. Huntington in a motion that a copy be sent to
the family of Mr. Lord. Chief Justice Brigham
then addressed the bar, and in respect to the memory
of Mr. Lord, the court .tdjourned.
xliv
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Jeremiah Chaplin Stickney, son of Jolin and
Martha (Chaplin) Stickney, was born in Rowley
January 6, 1805. He pursued his education at the
Bradford Academy and at the Salem Latin School,
and graduated at Harvard in 1824. He studied law
with David Cummins, and was admitted to the bar in
1826. He was postmaster of Lynn under President
Jackson, Representative to the State Legislature in
18.39 and 1840, reappointed postmaster of Lynn by
President Pierce in 1853, and continued in office un-
til 1858. He married, December 25, 1829, Mary,
daughter of John Frazier, of Philadelphia, and died
August 3, 1863.
Jonathan Cogswell Perkins was born in Essex
November 21, 1809, and graduated at Amherst in
1832, of which institution he was chosen a trustee in
1850. He studied law at the Dane Law School and
in the office of Rufus Choate, and was admitted to
the Essex bar, at Newburyport, in 1835. In 1845
and 1846 he was a member of the Massachusetts
House of -Representatives, in 1847 and 1848 a member
of the State Senate, in 1848 president of the Salem
Common Council, in 1853 a member of the Constitu-
tional Convention, and in 1848 was appointed by
Governor Briggs an associate judge of the Common
Pleas Court, holding his seat until the abolition of
that court and the establishment of the Superior
Court in 1859. He received from his alma mater the
degree of LL.D. in 1867. He edited and annotated
" Daniels' Chancery Practice, with American Forms,"
" Sugden on Vendors," "Arnold on Insurance," " Ben-
jamin on Sales," " Williams on Executors and Ad-
ministrators," "Pickering's Reports," " Vesey's Re-
ports," "Abbott on Shipping," "Angell on Water-
courses," "Jurmin on Wills," and the several works
of Chitty on Contracts, Bills, Criminal Law and
Pleading. He died December 12, 1877, in Salem,
where he had always lived after his admission to the
bar in 1835. After he left the bench he was city so-
licitor of Salem.
Joshua Holyoke Ward was a native of Salem,
where he died June 5, 1848, at the age of thirty-nine.
He graduated at Harvard in 1829, and pursued his
law studies in the office of Leverett Saltonstall at
Salem, and at the Dane Law School at Cambridge,
receiving the degree of LL.B. in 1832. In 1844 he
was appointed one of the justices of the Court of
Common Pleas, and remained on the bench until his
death. He was a man of exceptional ability, witli a
promise universally recognized of a brilliant judicial
career.
Otis Phillips Lord, brother of Nathaniel James
Lord, was born in Ipswich July 11, 1812, and having
fitted for college at Dummer Academy, entered Am-
herst with the class which graduated in 1832. He
was the son of Nathaniel and Eunice (Kimball) Lord,
and descended from Robert Lord, who came from
Ipswich, England. He studied law with Judge
Oliver B. Morris, judge of probate in Hampden
County and in the Dane Law School at Cambridge,
from which he graduated in 1836. He was admitted
to the bar in Salem in December, 1835, and began
practice in his profession in his native town. In
1844 he removed to Salem, where he resided until his
death, March 13, 1884. He was a member of the
House of Representatives in 1847, '48, '52, '53, '54, in
which last year he was Speaker. In 1849 he was
a member of the Senate, and in 1853 a delegate to the
Constitutional Convention. Upon the organization
of the Superior Court, in 1859, he was appointed by
Governor Banks an associate justice, and held this
position until he was appointed by Governor Gaston,
December 21, 1875, an associate justice of the Su-
preme Judicial Court. The latter position he re-
signed December 8, 1882, and he died in Salem on
the 13th of March, 1884.
On the 22d of March, only a few days after his
death, a meeting of the members of the bar of the
commonwealth was held in Boston, at which senti-
ments were expressed containing a just and deserved
tribute to his character and services as a jurist and a
man. Attorney-General Edgar J. Sherman, in pre-
senting resolutions on that occasion, said that " for
nearly a quarter of a century Judge Lord served the
commonwealth as a judge of the highe.st tribunals
with distinguished ability, and it was only when in-
firmities became inexorable that he reluctantly
abandoned the position which was dear to him both
as the post of duty and of honor. . . . He had a nat-
ural instinct for the law. His learning was not ex-
tensive, and his temperament was always too impa-
tient for much research ; but he could recognize a
distinction or detect a fallacy at a glance. In his
power to grasp and enunciate principles, to analyze
and marshal evidence, to seize upon and with re-
morseless clearness and logic to present the controll-
ing elements of a case, he was seldom, if ever, sur-
passed. . . His personal character was one of marked
individuality, but it is no flattery of him to say that
its most prominent features were the warmth and sin-
cerity of his friendship, his rugged honesty, and a
courage which never paltered with his convictions."
Chief Justice Morton, in the course of his response,
said, " Judge Lord was a rapid thinker, and quickly
formed impressions upon any questions of law pre-
sented to him. Whether his views were right or
wrong, he saw them clearly and strongly ; and such
was his power of forcible expression, that there was
at times danger that he might make the worse the bet-
ter reason. But he had such control over his mind
that he could grasp and appreciate any fair argument
which tended to refute his views, and had the candor
to abandon at once his position when convinced that
he was in error. ... In every relation of life he was
a man of marked individuality and force. In every
aspect of his character he was a strong man. He
was strong in his intellect, strone in his emotions,
strong in his friendships, strong in his dislikes and
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TIIK BENCH AND BAR.
xlv
prejudices, strong in thought and strong in language,
and, above all, strong in his integrity."
Nothing need l)e added to show what manner of
judge and lawyer and man Otis Phillips Lord was be-
lieved by his contemporarie.s to be.
(tEoroe Minot, son of Judge Stephen Minot, of
Haverhill, w.is born in that town January 5, 1817.
He graduated at Harvard in 183(), and studied law
with Hufus Choate, preparatory to his admission to
the Surtblk bar in 1839. He is best known for the
" Digest of the Decisions of the Supreme Judicial
Court of Massachusetts," which he pviblislied in 1844,
and to which he added a supplement in 1852. He
died at Heading, Mass., April 16, 1858.
RoBEKT WoRM.STED Tkevett was bom in 1789,
and graduated at Harvard in 1808. He studied law
and settled in Lynn in 1813, where he died January
13, 184:i.
Stephen Bradshaw Ives was born in Salem
March 9, 1827, and was the son of Ste])hen B. Ives, of
that city. He received his early education in the
I)ublic schools and graduated at Harvard in 1848.
After leaving college he taught school one season in
Newbury, and afterwards had charge as principal of
one of the Salem grammar schools. He studied law
in the office of Northend & Choate, in Salem, and was
admitted to the bar at Salem at the March term of the
Court of Common Pleas in 1851. For a year or two
he was clerk of the Salem Police Court, and in 1853
began active practice. By his eminent qualifications
for his chosen profession, guided and spurred by an
unusual enthusiasm in its pursuit, he early secured a
large business and won an enviable reputation. He
died at Salem February 8, 1884, and on the next day
a meeting of the Bar Association of Essex County
was held in the court-house, in Salem, and a commit-
tee consisting of William D. Northend, George F.
Choate, A. A. Abbott, Daniel Saunders and Charles
P. Thompson was appointed to prepare resolutions of
respect to be presented to the court.
In the Supreme Judicial Court, sitting at Salem on
the 24th of the following April, a worthy memorial
was read by Alfred A. Abbott, who was followed in
appropriate remarks by Mr. Northend, Mr. Thomp-
son, Mr. Saunders, Charles A. Benjamin and Leverett
8. Tuckerman.
Chief Justice Morton, presiding, accepted the me-
morial in behalf of the court and added his testimony
to the high character, indomitable energy and pro-
fessional skill of Mr. Ives. The whole bar acknowl-
edged the truth of Mr. Abbott's statement that for
" thirty years he pursued a career which has had few
parallels in the history of the Esse.K Bar."
Alfred A. Abbott, son of Amos Abbott, was born
in Andover May 30, 1820. He was educated at Phil-
lips Andover Academy and entered Yale College in
1837. At the end of his junior year he left Yale and
entered Union College, from which he graduated in
1841. In 1843 he graduated also from the Dane Law
School at Cambridge. His law studies were finished
in the office of Joshua Holyoke Ward, and lie was
admitted to the bar in 1844. He commenced practice
in that part of Danvers which is now Peabody, and
made that his residence nntil his death, October 27,
1884. He represented the town of Danvers in the
Legislature in 1850-52, and the county of Essex in
the Senate in 1853. In the latter year he was a mem-
ber of the Constitutional Convention, and was ap-
pointed district attorney for the Eastern District.
He held office as attorney until 1869. In 1870 he was
appointed, upon the death of Mr. Huntington, clerk
of the courts, and in the same year he was chosen for
Mr. Huntington's unexpired term. He continued in
olfice until his death, having been twice re-elected.
In a memorial read by William D. Northend, pres-
ident of the Essex Bar Association in the Superior
Court at Salem, December 8, 1884, Mr. Northend
said : " Mr. Abbott was something more than a law-
yer or clerk of the courts ; he was a man of broad
culture and large knowledge and experience outside
his profession. He read the best books and was a
thorough student of English literature. His occa-
sional public addresses were models of excellence.
His style was elegant and graceful and his language
most felicitous. . . . He had a very sympathetic
nature, his delivery was forcible and impressive and
as an orator he had no equal in the county since the
days of Rufus Choate. If he had sought distinction
in the general practice of his profession, there was no
place at the bar or on the bench to which he could
not have justly aspired ; or if he had cherished polit-
ical ambition, he had the qualities which would have
insured him a high position and reputation as a states-
man."
JoHX K. Tarbox was born in that part of Methuen
which is now Lawrence May 6, 1838. His parents,
of Huguenot extraction, were poor, and at tlie age of
eight years he wasleft an orphan under the guardian-
ship of Rev. Bailey Loring, of North Andover. lie
was educated in the public schools of Methuen and
Lawrence and the Franklin Academy of North Ando-
ver, and while still a youth, entered as clerk the drug-
store of Henry M. Whitney, of Lawrence. In 1857,
attheage of nineteen, he became a student in thelaw-
oflice of Colonel Benjamin F. Watson, of Lawrence,
whose attention had been attracted by his exhibition
of mental activity and who advi-sed him to jirepare
him.self for the profession of law. In 1800 he wasad-
mitted to the bar and also to a partnership with Col-
onel Watson, and at a later day was a partner of Ed-
gar J. Sherman, the present attorney-general of the
commonwealth. During a part of the war he was a
paymaster's clerk, and on the 28th of August, 1863,
was mustered out of the service as lieutenant of Com-
pany B, Fourth Massachusetts Regiment.
After leaving the service he became the political
editor of the Lawrence American, and in 1864 was a
delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In
xlvi
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1868, 70, '71, he was a Representative from Law-
rence, in 1873 Senator and in 1873-74 mayor of that
city. In 1870, '72, '76, '78, he was an unsuccessful can-
didate of the Democratic party for Congress, but in
1874 was chosen and sat in the Forty-fourth Con-
gress. In 1879 he presided at the Democratic State
Convention, and, in 1883, while city solicitor of Law-
rence, was appointed by Governor Butler insurance
commissioner. He was reappointed by Governor
Robinson in 1886, and won a deserved reputation, not
only for the faithful and thorough performance of the
duties of that office, but also for his exhaustive labors
in the revision and codification of the insurance laws
of the State, in obedience to a resolve of the General
Court. He died in Boston, May 28th, 1887.
Nathax W. Haemon was born in New Ashford,
January 16, 1813. His early life was spent on a farm
with the educational ad vantages of the common schools.
He fitted for college at Lenox and graduated at Wil-
liams in 1836. In 1839 he was admitted to the bar in
Berkshire County, and his name is on the list of ad-
missions to the Essex bar in 1842. After practising
law a few years in Berkshire County, a part of the
time as partner of George N. Briggs, afterward Gov-
ernor of the Commonwealth, he removed to Lawrence
and made that place ever afterward his residence. In
1857 he was a member of the House of Representa-
tives, and at a later time a member of the State Senate.
In 1876 he was appointed Judge of the Police Court
of Lawrence and held office until January of the pre-
sent year(1887), when, on account of enfeebled health,
he resigned. He died September 16th, 1887, leaving
two daughters, Harriet and Cornelia, and one son,
Rollin E. Harmon, Judge of the Police Court of Lynn.
Hon. James Henry Duncan was born in Hav-
erhill, Mass., December 5, 1793. On the paternal side
he was of Scotch-Irish descent. His great-grandfather,
Cxeorge Duncan, was one of the colony that came from
Londonderry, Ireland, and settled in Londonderry,
N. H., 1719. His grandfather, James, came to Hav-
erhill about 1740, where he established himself as a
merchant. He died in 1818, aged ninety-two years.
He had ten children, the sixth of whom was James,
who married Rebecca White, and died January 5,
1822, aged sixty-two years. He left two children —
Samuel White, who died October 21, 1824, and James
Henry, of this sketch.
On the maternal side the family of Mr. Duncan
covers the entire history of Haverhill, a period of
more than two centuries, and on the paternal side the
three generations cover more than half of this period.
Mr. Duncan early evinced a fondness for books, and
at the age of eleven years he was sent to Phillips'
Academy at Exeter, N. H., then the leading classical
school in the country. Here he was brought into the
companionship of Edward Everett, Jared A. Sparks,
Buckminster, John G. Palfrey and John A. Dix.
The stimulating influence of such companions, aided
by his own quick faculties, rapidly developed him ;
and at the age of fourteen he entered Harvard Col-
lege. He was graduated in due course, in the class of
1812, with Dr. John Homans, Judge Sprague, Bishop
Wainwright, Henry Ware, Franklin Dexter, Charles
G. Loring and others. In college Mr. Duncan held a
high rank, especially in the classics, the careful study
of which was strongly apparent in the smooth,
rounded. Latinized style that marked his conversa-
tion and public speech.
The career, thus happily begun, was followed by
the study of the law, — first in the office of Hon. John
Varnum at Haverhill, and afterwards with his cousin,
Leverett Saltonstall, at Salem. In 1815 he was ad-
mitted to the Essex bar, and entered upon practice at
Haverhill. For several years Mr. Duncan gave his
entire time to his profession ; but the death of his
father, January 5, 1822, left him in the charge of a
considerable estate, which gradually withdrew him
from its duties, though he did not wholly relinquish
practice until 1849, when he took his seat in Congress.
It has been thought by many a misfortune for his own
reputation, that the cares of property interfered with
the ardent practice of his profession. His ready and
sympathetic eloquence, his thorough honesty and
comprehensive judgment gave promise-of a brilliant
future. But probably his life was more widely useful
than if he had remained an advocate. As a lawyer
he was devoid of trickery, and he instinctively repu-
diated those indirect methods often employed in the
profession. Though richly gifted as an advocate, he
had a constitutional aversion to litigation, and thus
was oftener engaged in settling cases than in disputing
them. We copy here from the resolutions of the Es-
sex bar, passed after his death :
*^ lieioh-ed. That we desire to expiess and put on record our respect
for tile memory find character of the Honorable James H. Duncan, whose
recent death was BO sincerely and deeply lamented in the particular com-
munity where he was born and lived, as well as by the public at large.
Mr. Duncan entered on the practice of the law in the courts of this
county, more than fifty years ago, after a thorough preparation, ac-
cording to the usages of the day, partly in the office of the late Lev-
erett Saltonstall, so distinguished here in hia generation, and his kins
man and friend. He pursued his profession here for many years, with
marked fidelity and success, always trusted and respected by his breth-
ren, until, having served his State honorably and usefully in both
branches of the Legislature, he was called by the general voice of his
fellow citizens into the public councils of the country, now more than
twenty years ago, since which time he has withdrawn himself wholly
from the practice of the profession, and attendance on the courts. Of
late years he has been known as a lawyer, to much the largest por-
tion now in practice at this bar, only by the ' tradition of the elders,'
among whom, as well as in the courts, he had obtained and always
held a 'good report.'"
Mr. Duncan lived what might be called a public
life ; yet it was through a certain evident fitness that
led him to be called to its duties, rather than from his
own seeking. A short time previous to his admission
to the bar, he was elected major in the Haverhill
Light Infantry; and, passing through the various
grades of militia service, he rose to the rank of colo-
nel, by which title he was afterwards commmly ad-
dressed. He was early a trustee of the Essex County
-"^ ty A.iLHvLchzi
iCgv'^Z^t/
u^zc^^-ty
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xlvii
Agricultural Society, and from 1836 to 1838 its presi-
dent.
On the formiitioii of the Xational Republican part\%
popularly known as the Whig party, in 1827, he was
elected to the State Legislature, and in the three suc-
ceeding years to the Senate, when he declined re-elec-
tion. In 1837-38, he was again found in the House;
and in the two following years, he was a member of
the Council. In 18-57 he was again elected to the
Legislature. On the pa.^sage of the State Insolvent
Law, in 1838, he was appointed one of the Comrais-
sionere in Insolvency ; and on the passage of the
United States Bankrupt Law, in 1S41, he was made
Commissioner in Bankruptcy, holding the office until
the law was repealed. In 1839 he was elected a dele-
gate to the convention at Harrisburg that nominated
General Harrison for the Presidency. In 1848 he was
chosen to represent his district, then the largest man-
ufacturing district in the United States, in the na-
tional Congress ; and was re-elected in 1850.
Of his Congressional career Hon. Amos Tuck, of
Exeter, at the time United States Senator from New
Hampshire, thus speaks :
" Tie entered Congress at the first session of General Taylor's adminis-
tration, when the problems in politics and government, which grew out
of tile Mexican War and the acquisition of California and New Mexico,
infused such intensity of feeling into the public mind. The old Whig
party, with which Mr. Duncan had long been honorably connected, was
becoming more anti-slavery ; while the Democratic party was gradually
giving way to the entire leadership-of Southern men, and heconiiug
hopelessly involved in the sin, shame and want of statesmanship, in-
volved in the advocacy and support of slavery extension. Mr. Duncan
had relations of friendship with the old leaders of the Whig party, and
was welcomed into their fellowship at Washington on his arrival at that
city. Itut his moral perceptions had been cultivated beyond what was
common among the devotees of either of the old parties, and he knew
and felt the force of the moral (luestions which were discussed through-
out the country upon the relation of the government to slavery. At-
tached to his party, and attached to his honored friends, he yet could
not be blind or deaf or insensible to the claims for justice of the humble
who could not even speak for themselves. He remembered those in
bonds, as bound with them, and, at the expense of personal comfort.
Toted, I believe, from first to last, during his Congressional term of
four years, under all the circumstatices of an excited period of our his-
tory, on the slavery question in all its phases, only as his best friends
could DOW wish he had voted, after all the light since shed njjon the sub-
ject. That he so signally and uniformly acted on the side of wisdom
and right, while so many of his associates were misled by excitement, or
failed for other reasons to see and maintain what it is now apparent they
ought to have supported, I attribute in a great degree to his elevated
moral character, to his cultivated sense of right, to his determination
never to violate the dictates of an enlightened conscience. He was not
a frequent debater in the House of Representatives ; but when he did
speak, he commanded more than common attention. He was one whom
to know was to love, who made many friends and no enemies, and who
left Congress possessing universal esteem."
The tribute of affection and respect which the poet
Whittier paid to him after his decease makes honor-
able mention of him as a man in public life and in
his social relations. " His Congressional career was
a highly honorable one, marked by his characteristic
soundness of judgment and conscientious faithful-
ness to a high ideal of duty. In private life as in
public, he was habitually courteous and gentlemanly.
For many years the leading man in his section, he
held his place without ostentation, and achieved great-
ness by not making himself great."
Not the letist of Mr. Duncan's public services were
his labors in behalf of the Union during the Civil
War. He was active with voice and pen in strength-
ening the hands of the government. He cheerfully
acted as the medium of communication between the
soldiers in the field and their families at home. They
sent to him their well-earned money, which he per-
sonally distributed, gladdening of^en many a humble
home by his presence as the harbinger of good tid-
ings and comfi^rt.
These statements indicate how constantly Mr, Dun-
can was in public life. Meanwhile, he was serving
in other large public interests not of a political
nature ; while in town matters his services were con-
stantly demanded. For fifty years, scarcely an im-
portant item of municipal business was transacted
except under his advice or leadership. If a matter
needed to be brought before the General Court he
was delegated to do it. He took the leading part in
the erection of two town halls, making, at the dedi-
cation of both, historical addresses. In this connec-
tion Hon, Alfred Kittredge says, — " He took great
interest in the affairs of the town^ and frequently ad-
dressed his fellow-citizens upon subjects of importance.
He was listened to with great interest, and usually
carried a majority with him. In all discussions he
was in a marked degree gentlemanly, both in his
manner of presenting subjects and in his treatment
of those who differed from him, stating his own views
forcibly, and giving others due credit for their own.
He had a remarkably clear utterance, and a rich
ringing voice that gave him great power over an
audience. When in the Legislature, Samuel Allen,
I think, gave him the cognomen of the 'silver-
tongued member ' from Haverhill,
This sketch would be incomplete if it overlooked
Mr. Duncan's relation to the great religious and
benevolent movements of his time. He took the most
lively interest in the cause of education, and in the
great missionary organizations of his own and other
Christian denominations. He was a member of the
Board of Fellows of Brown Univei-sity from 1835 till his
death. In 1861 the Board conferred on him the honorary
degree of Doctor of Laws, It is not too much to say
that his name and influence were a tower of strength in
the councils of the corporation. It is thus that Barnas
Sears, then jiresident of the University, speaks of him
as he ajipeared at its annual meetings, or in the larger
gatherings of the representatives of the Mi-ssionary
Union, — "Long will men remember the impressions
made on these and similar occasions by this Christian
gentleman and scholar, with his finely-cut features
and symmetrical form, his graceful and animated
delivery, his chaste, beautiful, and musical language,
his pertinent, clear and convincing arguments, his
unHinchiiig fidelity, and spotless integrity. So bleiiil-
ed in him were these various attributes of bodv and
xlviii
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
mind that we can think of them only in their union,
and it would seem that a mind of delicate mould had
formed for itself a bodily organ suited to its own
purposes. In him we see how much Christianity can
do for true culture, and how beautiful an orna-
ment culture is to Christianity."
Mr. Duncan during his whole life worshipped with
the First Baptist Church in Haverhill, though he did
not become a member of the church until the age of
forty. His ancestors on both sides were among its
founders. Thus a Baptist by birth and education he
afterwards added to the principles thus inculcated
the full conviction of his mature years. However
attached to his own communion he was not in the
narrow sense of the term a denomiuationalist. By
nature he was catholic and took the broad and liberal
side on all church questions. Every good cause had
in him a friend. He wrought zealously with all true
lovers of God and man. The cause of home and for-
eign missions, of popular education and the dissemi-
nation of a sound literature enlisted his earnest
advocacy. Indeed, he was quick in his response to
all good objects by which humanity could be elevated
and God honored.
Mr. Duncan remained single till the age of thirty-
three, when, June 28, 182(5, he married Miss Mary
Willis, daughter of Benjamin Willis, Esq., of Boston.
Thirteen children were born to them. Three died
in early childhood, and three passed away after they
had attained to adult years, leaving seven, — two sons
and five daughters. His home, of which Mr. Dun-
can was pre-eminently the head, was the centre of
a liberal culture and of a refined and generous hos-
pitality. This hospitality was not the mere recipro-
cation of society. His ample mansion was open
alike to friends and strangers. If the town, or any
religious or secular interest could be served by his
hospitality, it was proffered without stint. His house
was regarded as the temporary home of public speakers,
lecturers, clergymen and all others to whom hospi-
tality seemed due. The grace and tact and dignity
which Mr. Duncan uniformly exhibited thus in his
own home is remembered by multitudes.
Mr. Duncan's last illness was brief, and its fatal
termination was a surprise to all. Although he was
seventy-five years old he bore no marks of age. A
cold which caused no apprehensions at first, suddenly
developed into pneumonia, which after only a few
days of sickness terminated fatally, February 8, 1869.
The announcement of his death passed r.apidly
through the town, and was received almost with in-
credulity. When the surprise passed, a general
sorrow and sense of bereavement took possession of
all hearts. Many had lost in bim a loved and faith-
ful friend, and all felt that the town had been be-
reaved of its most useful and honored citizen, and
that his place would not soon be filled. By the
general urgent desire of the community the funeral
services were held in the church, instead of the house.
as was first intended, and were attended by a large
concourse of people. Though holding no office at
the time, such was the appreciation of his services in
the past, and such the sense of the love sustained by
his removal, that the town adopted most appropriate
resolutions upon the event.
There are other deceased members of the bar of
whom sketches would be interesting, if reliable mate-
rials could be readily obtained. Some of these will be
remembered by present members of the bar, and are
as deserving of a place in this record as many who
have been especially mentioned. Edward Pulling
(H. C), 1775, John W. Proctor, Jacob Gerrish, Ellis
G. Loriug, Francis B. Crovvninshield, George H. De-
vereaux, George Andrews, Hobart Clark, Asa An-
drews, Eben Shillaber, John B. Peabody, Wm. How-
land, George Foster Flint, Frederick D. Burnham and
Jairus Ware Perry are some of those whose sketches
have been necessarily omitted.
Hon. Stephen Henry Phillips ' was the eldest
son of the Hon. Stephen Clarendon Phillips and Jane
Appleton (Peele) Phillips, of Salem. His paternal
great-grandfather. Deacon Stephen Phillips, a de-
scendant of the Rev. George Phillips who reached
Salem with Winthrop in 1630, and settled at Water-
town, had removed from his ancestral home in that
town to Marblehead, where he became a leading citi-
zen, taking the Chair as Moderator of the tumultuous
town-meeting called to protest against the Boston
Port Bill of 1773, and was thenceforth an active pa-
triot and a member of the Committee of Correspon-
dence and Safety. His grandfather, Stephen Phil-
lips, was a well-known citizen and merchant of Mar-
blehead. His father's public services as a sturdy
supporter of the interests of Salem, as an un-
tiring friend of Freedom in Congress and elsewhere
and of the Public School System of Massachusetts,
will be recounted by others and are freshly remem-
bered. Other descendants of the same Puritan an-
cestry have won distinction. The same stock produced
the founders of academies bearing the name at Exeter
and at Andover. It produced the famous Boston pa-
triot of the Revolution, William Phillips ; his son,
the first mayor of Boston, John Phillips; in the third
generation, Wendell Phillips, a son of the latter, our
matchless master of English speech ; as well as that
much admired divine, the Rev. Phillips Brooks.
The subject of this sketch was born at the family
mansion in Charter Street, Salem, now occupied as a
City Hospital, August 16, 1823. His school exjjeri-
ence was unique. Before 1831) he had been a pupil at
the dame's school of Miss Mehetable Higginson,
and from that date on he enjoyed the successive
teachings of Henry K. Oliver, with whom Jones Very,
David Mack, and Surgeon John L. Fox of the Wilkes
Exploring Expedition were assistants, in Salem; of
Frederick P. Leverett, at the Old South Chapel in Bos-
• Robert S. Rantoul.
-=»^ ? fcy A HHiUhif'
1
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xlix
ton ; of the Rev. Joseph Allen at his boarding-school
in Northampton ; and of William J. Adams at a private
school in Murray Street, New York City. The year
1836 found him at the Select Cla.ssical School in
Washington, D. C, founded by Salmon P. Chase
when a law student in the office of Attorney-General
Wirt, and there Charles Levi Woodbury, AUred Plea-
santon, since known as a famous cavalry general, and
Mansfield Lovell, the rebel commandant who evacuated
New Orleans in faceofFarragut, were among his school-
mates. The next year he passed in Salem at the school
of Rufns T. King, in Chestnut Street, and another year
under Master Oliver Carlton, of the Latin Grammar
School, brought him a certificate with which, at the
exceptional age of fifteen, he entered Harvard in
1838, taking his degree in course, a winter spent in
the West Indies in the senior year for the recovery of
his health depriving him of the very high rank he
had previously held. Here he had for classmates the
Rev. Samuel Johnson, of Salem, the eminent Orien-
talist, and a well-known essayist and magazine writer,
Frederick Sheldon, of Newport, R. I. On graduating
in 1842, he became a member of Harvard Chapter,
Alpha, of the Society of the Phi Beta Kappa, and was
j at a later date a founder, and for its first six years
President, of the Harvard Club of San Francisco.
The three years following his graduation, — the last
three years of the life of its great patron. Judge
Story, — Mr. Phillips spent at the Dane Law School,
where Charles Sumner was an occasional lecturer
and Simon Greeuleaf was Royal Professor. Ex-Presi-
dent Rutherford B. Hayes ; Chief Justice Peters,
of Maine; Chief Justice Morton, of Massachusetts;
Chief Justice Lee, of the Sandwich Islands ; Ex-
Chief Justice Foster, of New Hampshire, and Ex-
Chief Justice Bradley, of Rhode Island, were among
his fellow students. After a further period of study in
the officeof theHon. Benjamin R. Curtis, at Boston, he
was admitted to practice at the Suflblk bar in April,
38-16, and for the years 1847, '48, '49, '50 edited the
Boston Law Reporter.
Having removed his office to Salem, Mr. Phillips
was appointed by Governor Boutwell, in 1851, District
Attorney for the County of Essex, a position which he
filled with acceptance and which he resigned in 1854.
Advancing rapidly in professional and general esti-
mation, and having formed a business connection
with James A. Gillis, since for many years City Solic-
itor of Salem, — an office which Mr. Phillips himself
filled for the years 1856, '57, — he had already achieved
a leading position at the Essex bar, when he was
elected in the last named year, at the unusual age of
thirty-four, Attorney-general of the Conmionwealth.
This responsible and dignified position he retained
by popular election through the three years' admin-
istration of Governor Banks, the first Republican ad-
ministration in Massachusetts, and at its close, in
1801, was by him appointed Judge-advocate-gcneral
of the militia of the State.
Continuing the practice of his profession in Boston
and in Salera, with such interruptions as no patriotic
citizen could honorably avoid during the five troubled
years which followed, and acting, from November,
1863, as chairman first of the ('ity Water Committee,
charged with procuring an act for the introduction of
a water-supply for Salem, and then of the Water
Commission, upon which devolved the duty of con-
struction, Mr. Phillips in 1866 accepted overtures
from Kamehameha V. for a position as one of the
four responsible ministers of his privy council, and
temporarily left the United States for Honolulu.
LTnder the Hawaiian constitution, modeled largely
on our own, he acted, throughout his residence in
Honolulu, as Attorney-general, and for a considerable
portion of the time as Minister of Foreign Aflairs
also. At times he added to these trusts that of Min-
ister of Finance, and very generally he was the recog-
nized head of the Royal Government in the House of
Nobles, King's Cabinet and Privy Council. He was
at liberty to practice in the courts of law in causes in
which the interests of the State were not involved.
A position as the responsible head of a government
like this is not without peculiar difficulties. For rea-
sons of their own, England, France and the United
States had seen fit to recognize the Sandwich Islands
as an independent sovereignty. But with a standing
army of seventy men, it was no mean task to keep the
peace amongst as many thousands of these tawny,
mercurial, Malayo-Polynesiau subjects; to suppress the
occasional armed outbreaks of religious fanaticism or
of jealousy of foreign influence; to maintain at all
times the dignity and self-respect of a reigning house
under a form of government, nominally constitutional,
in which the elements of strength were wanting, and,
while yielding all that could safely be granted to
foreign commercial and diplomatic agents and foreign
missionaries, to see to it that none of them secured
concessious injurious to rival denominations, nation-
alities or interests, or to the State. And this was the
task which confronted Mr. Phillips during his seven
years' residence at Honolulu. He was largely instru-
mental in the reciprocity negotiations of 1867-69, in
which President Grant took so active an interest as
to invite him to a private interview, and while secur-
ing to the people of the islands a measure of domes-
tic tranquillity and peace which made life and prop-
erty as safe there as in any portion of the civilized
world, he was able to apply to their foreign affairs
the good, old American doctrine of Washington's
farewell address, — "Friendly relations with all na-
tions; entangling alliances with none."
Upon the change of dynasty consef|uent njion the
death of Kamehameha V., Mr. Phillips returned in
1873 to the United States and established himself at
San P'rancisco as Resident-Director and Solicitor of
the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United
States. During eight years spent here in the practice
of the law he was at times retained as the official conn-
1
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
sel of the State Board of Railroad Commissioners, and
the California State Reports show that he appeared in
important causes, of which Estate of Hinckley, 58 Cat,
457, dealing in a radical w^ay with the State law of
charities, is perhaps the most noteworthy. In 1881 he
resumed the practice of his profession in the State of
Massachusetts, residing in Danvers. He had previ-
ously married, at Haverhill, Oct. 3, 1871, while on a
temporary absence from Honolulu, Miss Margaret D.,
daughter of the Hon. James H. Duncan, of Haver-
hill, a lady whose acquaintance he had made in the
Hawaiian Islands.
It will be seen that, throughout a somewhat varied
career, Mr. Phillips has only in a single instance
been a candidate for office before the people, and in
that instance the office was a jirofessional one. Never
slow to respond to the calls of good citizenship and
good neighborhood ; never hesitating to show his
colors in any exigency where the public has a right
to his opinions, he remains first, last and always a
lawyer. Coming to the Essex bar, one of the ablest
in the country, at a time when the rough habits of
bluster and brow-beating were passing out of vogue,
he made it his rule to appeal directly and with em-
phasis to the intelligence and convictions of jurors,
and to the sound, legal discrimination of the Court,
and in all cases to treat pei'sons whom chance placed
in his power on the witness-stand with the considera-
tion due to that most trying and unprotected of posi-
tions. The thorough preparation which was insured
to every cause entrusted to his hands left nothing to
be decided by chance which could be foreseen and
provided for, and the sagacity, energy, discretion and
nerve which he displayed in his chosen calling were
not slow in meeting their reward. It came to be a
rare occurrence during his practice at the Essex bar to
find a case of exceptional magnitude on trial from any
part of the county in which Mr. Phillips did not appear
on one side or the other. Among the most interest-
ing of his cases may be noticed Boston and Lowell
Railroad Corporation vs. Salem and Loivell Railroad
Company, 2 Gray, 1 ; the famous Rockport liquor
case, Brown vs. Perkins, et ux., 12 Cray, 89; and a
case against the 8ergeaut-at-arms, upon writ of habeas
corpus, Bwnham vs. Morrissey, 14 Gray, 226, which
settled the constitutional prerogative of the House of
Representatives, in matters of contempt.
While Attorney-general of Massachusetts Mr. Phil-
lips was called on to prepare papers for the removal,
by process of address to the Governor, of the Hon.
Edward Greeley Loring from the office of Judge of
Probate for the county of Suffolk, a proceeding which
excited the most intense political feeling at the time,
for which the files of the office afforded no precedent,
and which did more than any other single event to
make of a comparatively unknown lawyer, John Albion
Andrew, the great War Governor of Massachusetts.
He was also called to Lynn by a threatening dem-
onstration of unemployed workmen during the
feverish period which succeeded the financial dis-
asters of 1857, and by his firm bearing and calm,
persuasive address did much to avert the grave dis-
orders which seemed to be impending. He was pres-
ent, as a member of the Governor's staff, at the great
Concord muster of the State Militia in October, I860,
and seconded in every way the efforts then making to
put the Massachusetts contingent on a war footing.
Not many months later he found an opportunity to
present the sword there worn to a citizen of Marble-
head, marching, in command of a company of his pa-
triotic townsmen, the first company in the State to
respond to the call of Governor Andrew, to the relief
of the capital beleaguered with rampant treason, and
it received no stain in the hands of Captain Knott V.
Martin.
Mr. Phillips was associated with ex-Governor Clif-
ford as Commissioner of Massachusetts for the adjust-
ment of a boundary question between this State and
Rhode Island, which called for the intervention of the
Attorney-General of the United States, and was in
Washington on that errand in the closing days of Jan-
uary, 1861. Brought, in this way, in daily contact
with Mr. Stanton, at a time when Mr. Buchanan's
Cabinet was in the last stages of disintegration, the
Massachusetts Commissioners were not slow to divine
the nature of the suspicions which distracted him,
and reported confidentially to Governor Andrew, in
the following letter:
Washington, Wednesday night, January 30, 18G1.
Dear Sik : — In an interview we had to-night with the Attorney-gen-
eral of the United States, we have been authorized to express to you,
ctmfidcntially , his individual opinion that there is imnunent, if not in-
evitable peril of an attack upon the city of Wasliington between the 4th
and the loth of February — with a view to secure the symbols of govern-
ment and the power and prestige of possession by the traitors who are
plotting the dissolution of the Union.
We have but a moment before the closing of the mail to say to you, in
this informal way, that no vigilance should be relaxed for Massachusetts
to be ready at any moment, and upon a sudden emergency, to come to
the succor of the Federal Government.
This may be an unnecessary precaution, but we feel that it is a simple
discharge of a plain duty on our part to give you this intimation after
what we havo heard from a source of sucli high authority.
In great haste, we are very truly and respectfully yours,
John H. Clifford.
Stephen H. Phillips.
Gov. Andrew.
Governor Claflin, in his addre.ss in Doric Hall,
February 14, 1871, accepting in behalf of the Com-
monwealth the Statue of Governor Andrew, says it
was upon this letter that action was taken, February
5, 1861, to furnish two regiments with overcoats, not
a company in the State being then ready for march-
ing orders, and he attributes to this cause the ad-
vanced state of preparation which enabled otir troops,
though remote, to reach A\'ashington with the fore--
most.
Bred among the Conscience Whigs, so called, Mr.
Phillips became a Free Soiier from the start and
acted with that party in the national campaigns of
1848 and 1852. In 1856 he represented his native
THE BENCH AND BAR.
ilistrict in the first national Republican Convention
wliich sat at Philadelphia and nominated Fremont,
subsequently he served as president of the local cam-
jiaign club, which met weekly at Lynde Hall, Salem,
in support of that nomination, and in 1864 he sat again
in the Republican Convention which named Lincoln for
a second term. In 1884 he presided at a county dem-
onstration in Salem in support of Blaine and Logan.
His religious affiliations have been with the LTnitariau
body, with such advanced leaders of thought as Chan-
ning, Emerson and Parker. Mr. Phillips holds personal
independence above sectarian and party allegiance.
Nathaniel Ward was born in Haverhill, County
of Suffolk, England, in 1570. He was the son of Rev.
John Ward, one of a long line in direct descent be-
longing to the clerical profession. He graduated at
; Cambridge in 1603, studied law in the Temple and
after extended travels on the continent, began his
professional practice. He soon, however, abandoned
the law, and studied divinity, finally settling as a
clergyman in Standon, in Hertfordshire. As early as
the year 1629 he seems to have become disaffected to-
wards the English Church. The following is an ex-
tract from the records of a meeting of the "Governor
and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New Eng-.
I land," held in London, November 2o, 1629 :
r " Lastly, upon the mocou of Mr. Whyte, to the end
that this business might bee pceeded in wth the first
iiitencon, wch was cheifly the glory of God & to that
jiurposethat their meetings might bee sanctyfied by
the prayers of some faithfull ministers resident heere
in London, whose advice would be likewise requisite
upon many occasions, the Court thought fitt to admitt
into the freedome of this company Mr. Jo : Archer &
Mr. Phillip Nye, Ministers heere in London, who, be-
ing heere psent, kindly accepted thereof: also Mr.
AVhyte did recomend unlo them Mr. Nathaniell
Ward, of Standon."
On the 12th of December, 16.S1, he was ordered to
appear before Bishop Laud and answer the charge of
non-conformity. In 1633 he was forbidden to preach,
mid in April, 16114, sailed for New England, arriving
i'l June. He was settled at once, as the first minister
oi' Agawam (now Ipswich), with Rev. Thomas Parker,
us the teacher or assistant. In 1636 he resigned, on
account of ill health, and seems after that time, as
long as he remained in New England, to have been
engaged, more or less, in public affairs, for the de-
tails of which his early education in the law had spe-
' cially fitted him. Win/ltrop's Journal, first printed in
1790, says that " on the 6th of the 3d month. May,
1635, the Deputies having conceived great danger to
our State in regard that our magistrates, for want of
positive laws in many cases, might proceed according
to their discretion, it was agreed that some men shall
be appointed to frame the body of grounds of laws in
resemblance to a Magna Charta, which, being allowed
by some of the ministers and the General Court,
should be received for fundamental laws,"
The above extract does not appear in the records of
the court, but the following entry is found in the rec-
ord of the proceedings of the above date :
" The Governor (John Hayues), Deputy-governor
(Richard Bellingham), John Winthrop & Tho : Dud-
ley, E-q,, are deputed by the Court to make a draught
of such lawes as they shall judge needfull for the well
ordering of this plantation, & to present the same to
the Court,"
On the 25th of May, 1636, nothing having been yet
accomplished in the matter of the laws, the records
stale that " The Governor (Henry Vane), Dejiuty-
governor (John Winthrop), Tho: Dudley, John
Haynes, Rich : Bellingham, Esq., Mr. Cotton, Mr.
Peters & Mr. Shepheard, are intreated to make a
draught of lawes agreeable to the word of God, which
may be the fundamentals of this commonwealth, & to
present the same to the next Generall Court."
In September, 1636, Mr. Cotton j-eported a code of
laws, but no action was taken on their adoption. Un-
der the date of March 12, 1637-38, the following en-
try appears in the records of the General Court :
" For the well ordering of these plantations, now in
the beginning thereof it having been found by the
little time of experience we have here had that the
want of written laws have put the court into many
doubts and much trouble in many particular cases,
this Court hath therefore ordered that the freemen of
every town (or some part thereof chosen by the rest)
within this jurisdiction shall assemble together in
their several towns & collect the heads of such neces-
sary and fundamental laws as may be suitable to the
times and places where God by his providence hath
cast us, & the heads of such laws to deliver in writ-
ing to the Governor for the time being before the
5th day of the 4th month, called June, next to the
intent that the same Governor together with the rest
of the standing counsell & Richard Bellingham, Esq.,
Mr. Bulkley, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Peters & Mr. Sheapard,
elders of several churches, Mr. Nathaniel Ward, Mr.
William Spencer & Mr. William Hawthorne, or the
major part of them, may upon the survey of such
heads of law make a compendious abridgement of
the same by the General Court in autumn next, add-
ing yet to the same or detracting therefrom what in
their wisdom shall seem meet."
Winthrop's Jtiurnal states that in December, 1641,
" The General Court continued three weeks and es-
tablished one hundred laws, which were called the
Body of Liberties, composed by 3Ir. Nathaniel Ward
sometime past at Ipswich, who had been a minister in
England, and formerly a student and practiser in the
course of the Common I>aw," This was tiie first
code of laws established in New England, and was
so mingled in the subsequent codification of the laws
with later statute-s, that for a long period its precise
provisions were unknown. In or about 1823, how-
ever, Mr. Francis C. Gray, of Boston, found in the
Boston AtheniEum a manuscript of sixty pages which,
lii
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
probably, belonged to Elisha Hutchinson, who died
in 1717, at the age of seventy-seven years. This
manuscript contained a copy of the colonial charter
and a " Coppie of the Liberties of the Massachusetts
Colony in New England." This " Coppie" contained
one hundred distinct articles separated by black lines,
the introductory and concluding paragraphs not be-
ing numbered. Unlike the code, which Kev. Mr.
Cotton prepared, and which was not accepted, it did
not follow closely the laws of Moses, nor did it cite
Scripture except relating to punishments. Cotton
went so far in tliis respect as to add to the provision
" that the Governor, and in his absence the Deputy
Governor, shiill have power to send out warrants
for calling the General Court together," the Scripture
authority contained in the first verse of the twenty-
fourth chapter of Joshua, " And Joshua gathered all
the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the
elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their
judges, and for their officers, and they presented
themselves before God."
The Body of Liberties followed the Scriptures so
far as to make no crimes capital, not made so by the
Mosaic law, and some of these were omitted, such as
heresy, profaning the Lord's Day, reviling magis-
trates, etc. As the author of this code, Nathaniel
Ward, a resident in Essex County, as long as he re-
mained in New England, is entitled to a place in this
narrative.
On the 1.3th of May, 1640, the General Court
granted him six hundred acres of land at Pentucket
(now Haverhill), which he sold November 26, 1646,
to John Eaton. In 1641 he preached the election
sermon. During the winter of 1646-47 he returned
to England, and was settled at Shenfield, in the
county of Essex, where he died in 1653. His son
John, born in Haverhill, England, November 6, 1606,
graduated at Cambridge iu 16.30, and was settled in
Haverhill, Mass., in 1645, where he died December
27, 1693.
Mr. Ward was an author of some notoriety, if not
repute in other fields than that of law. In 1648 he
published a humorous satirical addi'ess to the l^ondon
tradesmen, turned preachers, entitled " Mereurius
Anti-Meclianicus on the Simple Coblers Boy," which
was reprinted in Washington in 1844. On the 30th
of June, 1647, he preached a sermon before the House
of Commons, which was published, and in the same
year published "A Religious Retreat sounded to a
RBligious Army." In 1648 he published " The hum-
ble petitions, serious suggestions and dutiful expos-
tulations of some freeholders of the Easterne Associ-
ation to the high and low Parliament of England,"
and in 1650 "Discolliminium a Reply to Bounds and
Bonds." But ihe work by which, next to the Body
of Liberties, he is best known, is a quaint political
tract satirizing the afiairs and manners of the Massa-
chusetts Colony and the fashionable ladies of the day,
of which the following is a copy of the title-page:
"The simple Cobler of Aggawam in America Willing To help mend
his native country lamentably tattered both in the upper Leather and
Sole with all the honest stiches he can talie
And as willing never to be paid for his work by old English wonted
pay.
It is his trade te patch all the year long gratis.
Therefore /pray gentlemen keep your purses.
By Theodore de la Guard
In rebus arduis ac tenui spe, fortissima quaequo confilia tutissima
sunt. Cic.
In English.
When boots and shoes are torne up to the lefts
Coblers must thrust their awles up to the hefts.
This is no time to fear .\pellis gramm :
Ne sutor quidem ultra crepidam.
London.
Printed by J. D. & li.T. for Steplien Bowtell at the signe of the Bible in
Popes Head Alley
1647."
This work, though printed in England after the re-
turn of Mr. Ward, was written in New England in
1645. A careful reprint was edited by David Puisifer,
of Boston, in 1847.
Thomas Bancroft Newhall. — Mr. Newhall was
born in that part of Lynn which is now the town of
Lynnfield October 2, 1811. He is a lineal descendant
from Thomas Newhall, the first white child born -in
.Lynn, and a son of Asa T. Newhall, a prominent and i
successful farmer and magistrate. (
Mr. Newhall was fitted for college at Andover and
Lynn Academies, and graduated from Brown Univer-
sity in 1832. He studied law in offices in Danvers
and Boston and at the Harvard Law School, and was
admitted to the bar at the March term of the Court
of Common PJeas, 1837, and early in the following
month established himself in business in Lynn. He
soon acquired a very satisfactory practice, in which
he has continued during the intervening fifty years,
and with the discharge of the duiies of various offices
of a public and private character with which he has
been honored, his life has been active, useful and hon-
orable. In 1852 he married Miss Susan S. Putnam,
of Salem, and he has two children surviving — James
S Newhall, of Lynn, and Mrs. Caroline P. Heath, of
Boston.
William Crowninshield EndicottIs descended
from John Kndicott, who came to Salem in 1628 as
Governor of the Colony, sent out by the Massachusetts
Company. The family in his line has, during the two
hundred and sixty years which have elapsed since
that date, always lived in Salem and its vicinity, and
most of the lime on the farm which included the .
homestead of the Governor. John Endicott was born \
in Dorchester, Dorsetshire, England, in 1588, and
married Anna Gouer, who came with him to New
England. She died in 1629, leaving no children, and
Governor Endicott married, August 17th, 1630, Eliza-
beth Gibson, of Cambridge, England. He died March
15th, 1665, and his children were John, born about
1632, and Zerubbabel, born in 1665. Zerubba-
bel married a wife, Mary, who died in 1677, and he
afterwards married Elizabeth, widow of Rev. Antipas
/3. ^A^^^^^oM^-
I
i
i
;
i
JJz^.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Newman, and daughter of Governor John Winthrop.
He was a physician, and lived in Salem. His chil-
dren, all by the first wife, were John, born 1G57 ;
Samuel, 1659; Zerubbabel, 1664; Benjamin, 1665;
Mary, 1667; Joseph, 1672; and Sarah, 1673. Of
these children Samuel married Hannah Felton about
1694, and had John, born October 18, 1695; Samuel,
August 30th, 1697; Ruth, 1699; and Hannah 1701.
Of these Samuel, who was christened at South Dan-
vers, September 30th, 1716, after he had reached
manhood, married his cousin, Anna Eodicott, Decem-
ber 20th, 1711, and widow Margaret (Pratt) Foster,
February 11, 1724. He died in 1766, and was buried
in the family burial-gi'cund at Danvers. His chil-
dren by his first wife were John, born April 29th,
1713; Sarah, September 19th, 1715; Samuel, March
12,1717; Sarah, 1719; and Robert, 1721. By his
second wife he had Hannah and Ann, twins, born
November, 1727 ; Eliaa, December, 1729 ; Joseph,
February, 1731; Lydia, 1734; and Ruth, 1734. Of
the children of vSamuel, John was christened at South
Dauvers, June 9th, 1717, and owned and occupied the
old Governor Endicott farm. He married Elizabeth
Jacobs May 18th, 1738, and died in 1783. His children
were John, born in 1739; Elizabeth, 1741 ; William,
1742; and Robert, 1756. Of these, John was chris-
tened in the South Church, at Danvers, June 7th,
1741, and lived on the old Endicott estate. He mar-
ried Martha, daughter of Samuel Putnam, and had
the following children : Samuel, born in June, 1763;
John, January 13th, 1765 ; Moses, March 19th, 1767;
Ann, January, 1769; Elizabeth, August, 1771 ; Jacob,
1773; Martha and Nathan, twins, September, 1775;
Sarah, September, 1778; Rebecca, May 20th, 1780;
William, 1782; and Timothy, July 27, 1785. Of these,
Samuel was christened iu the South Church, at Dan-
vers, November 1st, 1767, and was in early life a ship-
master. He retired from the sea in 1805, and, mak-
ing Salem his place of residence, entered actively into
mercantile pursuits. The records of the town of
Salem show that he was prominent in town affairs,
serving both as selectman and Representative in the
General Court. He married, in 1794, Elizabeth,
daughter of William Putnam, of Sterling, Mass., and
with his brothers, John and Moses, owned the old
family estate. He died May 1st, 1828, and his chil-
dren were Samuel, born March, 1795; Eliza, who
married Augustus W. Perry ; Martha, who married
Francis Peabody ; William Putnam, March 5th, 1803 ;
and Clara, who married George Peabody. Of these,
William Putnam, who was christened in the North
Church, at Salem, March 13, 1803, graduated at Har-
vard in 1822, and married, in February, 1826, Mary,
daughter of Hon. Jacob Crowniushield. He married
again iu December, 1844, widow Harriet (French)
Peabody. His children, all by the first wife, were
William Crowniushield, born in Salem, November
19th, 1826; Mary Crowniushield, February 4th, 1830,
who died February 16, 1833; George Frederick, Sep-
tember 11th, 1832, who died January 11th, 1833; and
Sarah Rtgers, March 3d, 1838, who married George
Dexter, of Boston.
Of these children of William Putnam Endicott,
the eldest, William Crowninshield Endicott, is the
subject of this sketch. He was reared and educated
in Salem, surrounded by families of wealth and cul-
ture, and carrying in his veins a share of the best
New England blood. Indeed, few places can boast
of the careful training of youth for which Salem has al-
ways been distinguished, and which has educated
and developed that school of cultivated gentlemen of
which Mr.Endicott is a marked example. He was fitted
for College at the Salem Latin School, and graduated
at Harvard in 1847. No man ever had better oppor-
tunities for the studyof his chosen prol'e.'^sion, the law,
than were alibrded to him in the office of Nathaniel
J. Lord, of Salem, who during many years stood in
the front rank of the Essex Bar. In 1850 he was ad-
mitted to practice at Salem, and iu 1853 associated
himself with J. W. Perry, who had been admitted to
the bar in 1849. It was not long before his abilities
as a lawyer were recognized, and these combined with
a grace of deportment and dignity of character at-
tracted and held a large and constantly increasing
business.
So marked was his prominence, both as a lawyer
and a niau, that when a vacancy occurred on the
Bench of the Supreme Judicial Court iu 1873, Gov-
ernor William B. Washburne unhesitatingly selected
him from the political party opposed to his own for
an appointment to the vacant seat. He continued on
the bench until his resignation in 1882, leaving it
after a service of nine years, to the regret of members
of the bar and his associates, and carrying with him
the alfection and esteem of both.
In 1884 he was the candidate of the Democratic
party of Massachusetts for Governor, and in 1885,
after the inauguration of Grover Cleveland as Presi-
dent of the United States, was appointed by him Sec-
retary of War, a position which he still holds with
honor to himself, his native State and to the nation.
Mr. Endicott married Ellen, daughter of George
Peabody, of Salem, and has two children, a daughter
Mary, and a son, William C. Endicott, Jr.
William H. Niles was born in Orford, New
Hampshire, December 22, 1839, and is the son of
Samuel W. Niles and Eunice (Newell) Niles, of that
town. At the age of five years he removed to South
Reading (now Wakefield), and afterwards to North
Bridgewater and East Bridgewater, in which Last
place he grew into manhood. He pursued the usual
courses of study in the common schools and for two
years was a private pupil under the care of Rev. R.
W. Smith, of East Bridgewater, in whose family he
lived. He then pursued a classical cour.sc in the
Providence Conference Seminary, at East Greenwich,
Rhode Island, and left, that institution in 1861 to take
the situation of principal of an academy in Georgia.
liv
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
He remained in the South until the latter part of
1865, when he came to Boston and there engaged in
mercantile business. He not long after began the
study of law under the direction of Caleb Blodget,
now a judge of the Superior Court of Massachusetts,
and at the March term of that court, at Lowell, in
1870, he was, on examination, admitted to the bar.
He at once opened an office in Lynn, where he has
since pursued a succe.ssful career. In March, 1878,
George J. Carr, who bad for several years been a stu-
dent in his office, was admitted to the bar and became
his partner. The business of the firm, which has rap-
idly increased in volume and importance, is a general
one, embracing all branches of the law. Mr. Niles
has neither held nor sought nor desired public office,
but has confined himself assiduously to the labors of
his profession. He has rendered willing service on
the School Board of Lynn, believing it to be one
which every good citizen should render, if called
upon, and one rather within the field of citizenship
than that of public life. He married, on the 19th of
September, 1865, Harriet A., daughter of L. D. Day, of
Bristol, New Hampshire, and has three daughters,
all under nineteen years of age.
Charles Perkins Thompson is descended from
John Thompson, who came to Plymouth in the
" Ann," or the "Little James," in 1623. He was born
in Braintree, Ma.ss., July 30, 1827, and was educated
in the common schools of that town and in the Hol-
lis Institute, which was established in Braintree in
1845 by John R. Hollis, aud discontinued in 1865. He
studied law with Benjamin F. Hallett, of Boston, and
was admitted to the Suffolk bar in the spring of
1854. Mr. Hallett was United States District Attor-
ney from 1853 to 1857, and jMr. Thompson, after his
admission to the bar, was employed by him as his
second assistant, his son, Henry L. Hallett, now
United States Commissioner, acting as first assistant.
In the spring of 1857 he removed to Gloucester, and
has since continued to make that place his residence.
In 1871 and 1872 he was a member of the State
House of Representatives, and in 1874 was chosen a
member of the Forty-fourth Congress. In 1885, on
the appointment of William Sewall Gardner, then a
justice of the Superior Court, to a seat on the bench
of the Supreme Judicial Court, he was appointed by
Governor George D.Robinson to fill the vacancy.
Judge Thompson has been for many years active
in the interests of the Democratic party, and in 1881
was the candidate of that party for Governor. His
warm friends are far from being confined, however,
to that political organization, and the number is not
small of those who were only restrained by the
shackles of party from giving him their support, and
would have been glad to welcome him as the chief
executive of tlie State.
John James Marsh,' of Haverhill, is descended
1 I)y Hon J. B. D. Cogswell.
from an old family of that place, whose members are
numerous and widely scattered.
The ancestor, George Marsh, came from England
in 1635 to Charlestown, and settled in Hingham,
Mass. His son, Onesiphorus, settled in Haverhill
in 1672. He located at what was long known as
" Marsh's Hill," a mile west of the village, in modern
times Wingate's Hill.
In 1721, John Marsh, son of Onesiphorus, was
chosen deacon of the first parish church.
David, son of John, was chosen deacon in 1737,
continuing in that office till his death, Nov. 2, 1777.
Aljout 1728 he removed from Marsh's Hill to the
village, to the site adjoining on the north, the Centre
Church, still occupied by descendants. David Marsh
had twelve children, who lived to a great age. The
average of the twelve was eighty-three years, and the
united age of all was one thousand. They were all
noted for industry, temperance and frugality. Two
of them, Lydia and Abigail Marsh, born in 1745 and
1747 respectively and unmarried, gave, in 1825, a lot
of land on the north side of what is now Winter
Street, for the Haverhill Academy.
Nathaniel Marsh, born 1739, was active in town and
military aftairs, commanded a relief company which
marched from Haverhill to Stillwater in the Bur-
goyne campaign, was chosen in 1787 to the State con-
vention to deliberate on the Federal Constitution and
voted yea upon the question of its adoption. He
was also a representative in the Legislature in 1786,
1788, 1789, 1790, 1797 and 1798.
Moses, son of David, had twelve children, like his
father. Two of his sons, David and John Marsh,
were partners in business for nearly fifty years in a
store in Merrimack Street, on the river side.
There they manufactured hand cards for carding
wool, before machines for that purpose, driven by
water, were introduced here. After their introduc-
tion, and during the second war with England, they
began to make the machines also and the cards with
them. It is supposed that under the direction of
Abraham Marland, an Englishman, who commenced
woolen manufacturing in Andover as early as 1807,
the brothers Marsh made the first carding machine
used in this part of the country. Subsequently they
sent many into New Hampshire and Maine. During
their long career it has been said that the example of
David and John Marsh was proverbial, not only for
the fairness of their dealings and their promptness to
meet all obligations, but also for the brotherly kind-
ness which marked their intercourse with each other.
Samuel Marsh, the youngest of this long-lived and
estimable family, was born in 1786 and died in 1872,
in the city of New York, where he had resided many
years and was largely engaged in important transac-
tions. He was heavily interested in the Fox and
Wisconsin Improvement Company, and was president
of the New York and Erie Railroad Company, being
succeeded in the latter position by his nephew.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Iv
Nathaniel Marsh, also a native of Haverhill. Marsh-
field, now a thriving town in AVood County, Wiscon-
sin, preserves tlie name and marks the foresight of
Samuel Marsh.
John James Marsh, son of John Marsh, tlie partner
of David, was born at Haverhill May 2, 1820. His
early education was received in its schools and at the
Haverhill Academy. He graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1841. Of his seventy-six classmates, the
largest number have deceased. Gardner Greene
Hubbard, well-known to many through his early con-
nection with the development of the telephone,
Henry Elijah Parker, for many years professor of the
Latin language and literature at Dartmouth, Edward
Reed, son of " Honest " John Seed, many years in
Congress from Massachusetts, and Edward Webster,
son of the great stateman, Daniel ,Webster, may be
mentioned, the first three still surviving. Mr. Marsh's
law studies were pursued in the offices of Alfred
Kittredge, of Haverhill, and Slossons & Schell, of
New York City, and at the Dane Law School, Har-
vard University. In 1846, he commenced the prac-
tice of the law in Haverhill, continuing in it till
about 1872, when the pressure of private business
caused him to relinquish the profession. Upon the
change from a town to a city government in 1870,
Mr. JIarsh consented to act as city solicitor in that
and the succeeding year. Otherwise he has never
held public oflice. During the period of Mr. Marsh's
active practice, he had many students, of whom may be
mentioned John James Ingalls, United States Senator
from Kansas, and Addison Brown, Judge of the Dis-
trict Court of the United States for the Southern
District of New York. He was always regarded as a
sound, energetic lawyer and successful practitioner.
The Children's Aid Society of Haverhill, a most
deserving charity, established some years since a
home upon Kenoza Avenue, which was ill-adapted to
its beneficent purposes. In 1883, Mr. Marsh and his
sister, Mrs. Ames, erected upon the lot on Main
Street, which had been previously donated to the
society by them and their cousin, Mrs. Kelly, a sub-
stantial and commodious brick building, which, upon
its completion, was, with simple ceremonies, trans-
ferred to the society. Being in memory of their de-
ceased sister it is known as the " Elizabeth Home."
" John Marsh," as he is known in Haverhill, is ac-
tive in his habits and social in his temperament.
Apparently in vigorous health, he bids fair to rival
the remarkable longevity in the past, of the family
whose most conspicuous representative he at present
is. His residence is on Summer Street, and he is fre.
(juently to be seen driving out to his farm in the
West Parish, on the shore of Crystal Lake, where he
takes great satisfaction in the improvement of his
acres, and the breeding and management of stock.
Chakles Johnson" Noyes is a lineal descendant
of Rev. James Noyes (one of the colony which settled
at Newbury in 1G35), preacher and scholar, who
erected what is now known as the "old Noyes
house,'' standing a short distance to the right of the
upper green, not far from the Old Town Church in
old Newbury. His paternal grandfather was Parker
Noyes. who was born September 25, 1777, at Haver-
hill, Mass., and died in 1848. Parker Noyes married
Mary Fifield, who was born at Hopkinton, N. H., in
1780, and died in 1810. They lived for a time at
Canaan, N. H., where Johnson Noyes, the father of
the subject of this sketch was born, January 23, 1808.
Johnson Noyes, while a young man, moved to Haver-
hill, Mass., having learned the shoemaker's trade,
and was married to Sally Brickett, daughter of John
and Abigail Brickett, on the 10th of October, 1S33.
They settled at what was known as the North Parish,
in Haverhill, where he carried on a country store and
manufactured shoes to a limited extent. Here one of
four children, Speaker Noy&s, was born, August
7, 1841, and lived until about nine years of age, when
his parents moved into the main village, then a thriv-
ing town, now a city of twenty- four thousand people.
John Brickett was born at Newbury, Mass, in 17(>2,
and his wife at Haverhill, in 1763. The former died
December 27, 1845, and the latter in the March
previous, each at the ripe age of eighty-five years.
The other children of Johnson Noyes were Ann
Augusta, who died when a mere infant ; Sarah B.,
who was born December 10, 1834, and died May 29,
1862 ; and Elizabeth C, who was born December 23,
1845, and died May 5, 1870. After moving to the
village Speaker Noyes attended the schools and
passed through all the various grades, graduating at
the Haverhill Academy in 1860, the valedictorian and
president of his class. And when, afterward, an
alumni association was formed, he became its first
president and held the oflice five years, finally declin-
ing a re-election. He was twice the class orator and
chairman of its senior catalogue committee. He was
admitted to the bar at Cambridge, Mass., and began
practice simultaneously in Boston and Haverhill in
1864. The extent of his Essex practice soon necessi-
tated the discontinuance of his Boston office. In the
second Lincoln campaign, that of 1864, Mr. Noyes
was made president of the Lincoln Club of Haver-
hill, an organization composed of leading business
men and citizens, and on the assassination of Presi-
dent Lincoln he was selected to deliver the memorial
oration before the city authorities. In the f;ill elec-
tion of 1865 Mr. Noyes was elected a member of the
House of Representatives of 1866, in which he served
on the committee on the judiciary. Declining a re-
election to the House, he accepted a nomination from
the citizens of Haverhill as candidate for the Senate,
and was elected in a triangular contest, in whicli
George S. Merrill, of Lawrence, and Moses F. Stevens
were com|)etitors.
In the Senate Mr. Noyes served on the committee
on education, library (being chairman), and on the
joint special committee on amendments to the Con-
Ivi
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
stitution. At the close of the session he declined
further political honors and devoted himself to his
profession. He again opened an office in Boston and
carried on a successful practice in the two counties
until the business in Boston required his whole time.
In 1872 he located his family in South Boston, where
he has since continued to reside.
In 1876 he again entered the field of politics by ac-
cepting a nomination for Representative, and was
elected, thus re-entering the House in 1877. He
served that year as chairman of the committee on
mercantile affairs and on the committee on Hoosac
Tunnel and Troy and Greenfield Railroad. Re-
elected in 1878, he served as chairman of the com-
mittee on harbors and Hoosac Tunnel. In the
House of 1879 Mr. Noyes was a prominent candidate
for Speaker, but was defeated by Mr. Levi C. Wade,
who received the caucus nomination and consequently
an election. Mr. Noyes was made chairman of the
committee on amendments to the Constitution, and as
such took charge of and secured the adoption in the
House of a number of important amendments. Re-
turning to the House of 1880, Mr. Noyes was elected
Speaker over a number of competitors on the fourth
ballot, receiving one hundred and twenty-one votes.
Chosen to the House again the following autumn, he
was elected Speaker by a practically unanimous vote.
He was also again elected, and was Speaker in the
House of 1882.
In the following summer, when it became known
that Governor Long would decline a renomination, Mr.
Noyes' name was at once taken up' by the press as
one in every way suitable for the head of the ticket,
and friends from all parts of the State urged him
to contest the nomination. After considering the
matter some time he declined, however, to allow the
use of his name in this connection. Had he gone
iuto the convention as a candidate, the outcome
would have been very different, with the probabilities
largely in favor of the nomination coming to him. As
it was, he received next to the largest vote for the
Lieutenant-Governorship. In the campaign of 1883
he received the unanimous nomination for the Gov-
ernor's Council from the Republican Convention of
the Fourth Council or District, and, although the dis-
trict was Democratic, received a very large vote.
He now sought retirement from active politics, de-
termining to devote himself to the labor of his pro-
fession and the care of his growiug private interests.
He was soon after appointed as special justice of the
Municipal Court of the City of Boston for the South
Boston District, which position he has continued to
hold. In 1886, however, he was again induced to be-
come a candidate for the House, and though the dis-
trict was more than doubtful, won the election. He
at once began an active campaign for the Speakership,
and, to the surprise of the other candidates and the
consternation of their friends, won upon the first
ballot.
Mr. Noyes is a member of the Order of Odd Fel-
lows, and has long been active therein, having passed
the chairs respectively of the subordinate lodge and
the encampment. He is also an active member of the
Masonic fraternity. He is a member of Adelphi
Lodge, and one of its Past Masters ; a member of St.
Matthew's Royal Arch Chapter; a member of St.
Omer Commandery, Knights Templar, and one of its
Past Commanders ; a member of Lafayette Lodge of
Perfection; a member of the Giles F. Yates Council,
Princes of Jerusalem; a member of Mount Olivet
Chapter Rose Croix, and a member of Massachusetts
Consistory. He has also taken the council degrees in
Boston Council, but has never taken membership.
He was also for a time a member of the National
Lancers and of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company. Mr. Noyes is connected with the directory
of a number of business corporations, in two of which
he is president. In his religious affiliations Mr.
Noyes is Unitarian, and has at times been quite ac-
tive in church and Sunday-school work. In politics
he has taken an active part on the stump during the
last fifteen years in different parts of the country, and
in the Garfield campaign of 1880 he spent six weeks
speaking for the Republican cause throughout the
States of North Carolina and Florida.
As a speaker, Mr. Noyes is fluent in utterance,
easy and graceful in manner and remarkably apt in
his choice of words. His memorial address at Wor-
cester on Sunday evening, May 28, 1882, was a fin-
ished production, and was listened to by an audience
that packed Mechanics' Hall to its utmost capacity.
It was published in the Worcester Gazette of the fol-
lowing evening, and widely quoted by the press of
the State. His ofl'-hand efforts are always appro-
priate to the occasion and exceedingly felicitous.
As a presiding officer, Mr. Noyes has few equals
and no superiors. His fine presence and quiet dignity
of manner awe and hold in check all turbulent dem-
onstrations, while his unfailing courtesy is felt and
acknowledged by all. Gifted with keenness of vision
and a readiness of apprehension, any movement made
by a member to get the floor is immediately recog-
nized, while a motion coming from any part of the
House is caught at once and clearly stated to that
body. Added to these qualifications is a thorough
knowledge of parliamentary law, which makes him at
all times the master of the situation. No attempt at
resorting to the most bewildering of parliamentary
tactics can disturb his equanimity, or make him for a
moment lose sight of the point in hand; but, through
all the intricacies of motions and amendments and
counter-motions, the debate is kept uuder rigid con-
trol, and the final disposition of the question so clear
and just that from the decisions of the chair there is
no appeal.
To those who have come in contact with Mr. Noyes
there is no difficulty in discerning the occasion of his
popularity. He possesses in a high degree that
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ivii
strong personal magnetism that at once draws one to
him, while there is a sincerity and cordiality mani-
fested by him that makes the bonds of friendship
enduring. Easily approachable, genial and sun-
shiny by nature, he makes a most delightful com-
panion, and his personal popularity is very great.
In 1864 Mr. Noyes was married to Miss Emily
Wells, the only surviving daughter of Col. Jacob C.
Wells, a well-known and successful merchant of Cin-
cinnati, O. They have three children. The eldest.
Miss Fannie O. Noyes, is a young lady of rare artistic
talent, and is now studying in Paris as an animal
painter ; the second, Mr. Harry R. Noyes, holds a
fine position with a well-known firm of stock brokers;
and the youngest, Miss Gracie L., is still in school.
Marcu.s Morton is the son of Marcus and Char-
lotte (Hodges) Morton and was born in Taunton, Mass.,
April 8,1819. His father was born in Freetown, Mass.,
in 1784, and graduated at Brown University in 1804.
He received the degree of LL.D., from his alma mnter
in 182(5, and from Harvard University in 1840. In
1825 he was appointed justice of the Supreme Judi-
cial Court and continued on the bench until 1840,
when he resigned to assume the duties of Governor of
the commonwealth, which oiBce he held during that
year and again in 184.3. He died in 1864. The father of
Governor Morton was Nathaniel Morton, of Freetown,
born in 175.3, who married in 1782, Mary Cary, of
Bridgewater. The father of Nathaniel was Nathan-
iel, born in 1723, who married in 1749, Martha Tup-
per. The father of the last Nathaniel was Nathaniel
of Plymouth, born in 1695, who married, in 1720, Re-
becca, widow of Mordecai Ellis, and daughter of
Thomas Clark, of Plymouth. The father of the last
Nathaniel was Eleazer, of Plj'mouth, who married in
1693, Rebecca Marshall, of Boston. The father of
Eleazer was Ephraim, of Plymouth, born in 1623,
who married, in 1644, Ann Cooper. The father of
Ephraim was George, of Plymouth, who married in
Leyden, in 1612, Julian, daughter of Alexander Car-
penter, of Wrentham, I^nglaud, and came to Plym-
outh in the '' Ann " in 1H23. Another son of George
Morton, and a brother of Ephraim, was Nathaniel
Morton, the secretary for many years of the Plymouth
colony and the author of " New England's Memo-
rial."'
Thomas Clark, whose daughter, Rebecca, married
Mordecai Ellis and afterwards Nathaniel Morton above
mentioned, married three wives, and Rebecca was the
daughterof the third wife, born in 1698. The father of
Thomas Clark was James, born in 1637, who married in
1657, Abigail, daughter of Rev. John Lathrop, of Barn-
stable. The fatherof James was Thomas, of Plymouth,
apas.sengerin the " Ann " in 1623, who married before
1634, Susanna, daughter of widow Mary Ring, and in
1664 widow Alice Nichols, of Boston, and daughter
of Richard Hallet. It will thus be seen that this
branch of the Morton family is descended from two
of what are called the " First Comers '' of Plymouth.
The gravestone of Thomas Clark, one of these, is still
standing on Burial Hill, in Plymouth.
Marcus Morton, the subject of this sketch, fitted
for college at the Bristol County Academy, in Taunton,
then under the charge of Frederick Crafts, a graduate
of Brown University, in 1816, and a recipient of the
degree of Master of Arts from Harvard in 1820. He
graduated at Brown Universitv in 1838, and after
having studied two years in Dine Law School, at
Cambridge, received the degree of Bachelor of Laws
from Harvard, in 1840. After studying another year
in the law office of Sprague & Gray he was admitted
to practice in Sutlblk County in 1841. He practiced
law in Boston until 1848, living in Boston until 1850,
and then removing to Andover, in which place he has
since held his residence. In 1853 he was a member of
the Constitutional Convention from Andover, and in
1858, represented that town in the House of Represen-
tatives. On the establishment of the Superior Court,
in 1859, he was appointed by Governor Banks, one ot
its justices, with Charles Allen, of Worcester, as chief
justice, and Julius Rockwell, of Lenox; Otis Phillip
Lord, of Salem ; Seth Ames, of Lowell ; Ezra Wil-
kinson, of Dedham; Henry Vose, of Springfield;
Thomas RiLssell and John Phelps Putnam, of Boston ;
and Lincoln Flagg Brigham, of New Bedford, as his
associates. In 1869 tw-o vacancies occurred on the
bench of the Supreme Judicial Court, in consequence
of the resignation of Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar and
Dwight Foster, which were filled by Governor Clafiin
by the appointment of Judge Ames, who had left the
Supreme bench fn 1867, and by the promotion of
Judge Morton.
In 1S82 Horace CJray, of Boston, who had occupied
a seat as associate justice of the Supreme Court from
1864 to 1873, and since 1873 as chief justice; he re-
signed the latter oflice on his appointment as one of
the justices of the Supreme Court of the United
States, and Judge Morton was appointed by Governor
Long to fill the vacancy. In 1870 he received the de-
gree of LL.D. from his alma mater, and in 1882 from
Harvard.
Judge Morton still occupies his seat as chief justice
and, in the performance of his duties, upholds and
maintains the high character for which the Supreme
Judicial Court of Massachusetts has always been dis-
tinguished.
William W. Story, son of J(ise|)h Story, was
born in Salem, February 12, 1819, and graduated at
Harvard in 1838. He also graduated from the Dane
Law School at Cambridge, in 1840, but soon gave up
the profession and devoted himself to sculpture, in
which he has won an enviable distinction. Among
his best known works are the statue of Edward Ever-
ett, in the Boston Public Garden, and the statue of
Chief Justice Marshall, at the west front of the Cap-
itol in Washington.
Edgar T. Sherm.vx was born in Weathersfield,
Vermont, November 28, 1834, and is descended from
Iviii
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
an early New England settler, bearing that name.
He was eilucated in the common schools of his native
town, and in the Wesleyan Academy at Springfield, Vt-
In his earliest manhood he tanght four years in the
Academy at Harwich, Mass., and in 1853 went to Law-
rence, where, in the next year he began the study of law-
In 1858 he was admitted to the bar of Essex Co., and
soon after took the position of clerk of the police court
of Lawrence, which, after two years, he resigned to be-
come a partner of Daniel Saunders, of Lawrence, in
the active practice of law. During his six years'
connection with Mr. Saunders he enlisted in 1862 in
the Forty-eighth Massachusetts Regiment, and after
the battle of Port Hudson was breveted major, for
bravery in the field. Having served out his time he
again went to the front as captain in the Sixth Mas-
sachusetts Regiment, and served until the end of the
war. His active military career was supplemented
after the war by his appointment as chief of the di-
vision staff and assistant adjutant-general on the staff
of General Benjamin F. Butler, with the rank of
colonel in the State militia, and he held that position
until 1876.
After the war he entered into a law partnership of
short duration with John K. Tarbox, who had been
admitted to the bar in 1860, and who had subsequently,
as well as Colonel Sherman, seen service in the field.
In 1865-66 he was a member of the House of Rei)re-
sentatives, and in 1868 was chosen district attorney for
the Eastern District, which included the towns of
Essex County. To this office he was chosen for five
successive terms, of three years each, and resigned In
December, 1882, to assume the duties of Attorney-
general, to which he had been chosen as the candidate
of the Republican party at the November election.
He was rechosen Attorney-general in 1883, '84, '85,
'86, '87, and was, on the 14th of September of the pre-
sent year, nominated by Governor Ames to fill the
vacancy on the bench of the Superior Court caused by
the promotion of Marcus Perrin Knowlton to the
bench of the Supreme Judicial Court to fill the va-
cancy caused by the resignation of William Sewall
Gardner. Before the publication of this sketch the
nomination of Colonel Sherman will be confirmed,
and he will be in full possession of his judicial office.
In 1884 he received from Dartmouth College an hon-
orary degree of Master of Arts, but neither occupies
nor seeks public positions outside of the professional
field in which he has labored faithfully, and is now
reaping his harvest.
Lincoln Flagg Brigham, was born October 4,
1819, in that part of Cambridge called the " Port."
He was the son of Lincoln Brigham and Lucy
(Forbes) Brigham, the daughter of Elisha and Hannah
(Flagg) Forbes, of We^tboro, Massachusetts. The
first American ancestor of the Brigham family was
Thomas Brigham, who came to New England in 1635,
and settled in Cambridge, where he died in 1653.
The subject of this sketch, after leaving the public
schools of his native town, entered the counting-room
of Samuel Austin, of Boston, with a view to a com-
mercial life. His plans in this direction were, how-
ever, after two or three years abandoned, and he fitted
for college under the care of Rev. David Peabody,
the husband of his eldest sister, and afterwards Pro-
fessor of Belles-Letters and Rhetoric in Dartmouth
College, and graduated from Dartmouth in 1842. In
1844 he received the degree of LL, B. as a graduate
of the Dane Law School, at Cambridge, and in 1883
received the honorary degree of LL.D. from liis
Alma-Mater. He finished his law studies at New
Bedford, in the office of Clifford & Colby, a law firm
composed of .John H. Clifford, afterward attorney-
general and Governor of the commonwealth, and Har-
rison G. O. Colby, who, while Mr. Brigham was a
student in the office, was appointed by Governor
George N. Briggs, a justice on the bench of the Com-
mon Pleas Court, and who resigned in 1847, and died
in 1853. Mr. Brigham was admitted to the Bristol
county bar in June, 1845, and after the appointment
of Mr. Colby to the bench, became in July of that
year a partner of Mr. Clifford. In 1853 he was ap-
pointed by Mr. Cliftbrd, then Governor, district-at-
torney of the southern district of Massachusetts, com-
prising the counties of Bristol, Barnstable, Nantucket
and Dukes county. In 1856 tlie office becoming
elective by a recent law, he was chosen attorney by
the people of the district, and held the office until he
was appointed by Governor Nathaniel P. Banks to a
seat on the bench of the superior court, then first
established. Judge Seth Ames, chief-justice of that
court, was appointed in 1869 by Governor William
Claflin, a justice of the supreme judicial court, and
Judge Brigham was promoted to the seat of chief-
justice, which he has since up to this time held.
Judge Brigham married October 20, 1847, Eliza
Endicott, daughter of Thomas Swain, of New Bedford,
and has four sons, one of whom, Clifford Brigham, a
graduate of Harvard in 1880, lives in S-alem, and as a
partner of George Burnham Ives, a graduate of Har-
vard in 1876, is engaged in the practice of law in
Salem and Boston. During the residence of Judge
Brigham in New Bedford, which terminated in 1860,
he was interested in military affairs, and for a time
was the efficient and popular commander of the New
Bedford Light Infantry, one of the most active and
respectable volunteer companies in the State. In
1860 he removed to Boston, and in 1866 to Salem,
which jilace he has since made his residence. From
the exacting labors of his official station he turns to
music for his chief relaxation, and in whatever social
circle he has lived he has done much to cultivate and
refine its musical tastes. As a judge he has won not
only the esteem, but the affection also of the mem-
bers of the bar, and as a man he is universally be-
loved.
Samuel Swett was born in Newburyport June 9,
1782. He was the son of Dr. John Barnard and
THE BENCH AND BAR.
\h
Charlotte (Bourne) Swett, and entered Harvard Col-
lege in 1796, having been fitted by his father at the
grainmar-sehool in his native town. He studied law
in Exeter, N. H., with Judge Jeremiah Smith, and
afterwards with Judge Charles Jaotson and Judge
Edward Livermore, and was admitted to the Essex
Bar in lSO->. He began the practice of law in Salem,
where he married, August 25, 1807, Lucia, daughter
of William Gray. He relinquished practice in 1810
and removed to Boston, where he became a partner
in the firm of Wm. B. Swett & Co. In the last year
of the War of 1812 he entered the army as a volun-
teer on the staff of Geueral Izard, and served as a to-
pographical engineer, with the rank of major. He
was aide-de-camp on the staff of John Brooks, Gover-
nor of Massachusetts, from 1816 to 1823, and wiis
three years a member of the Legislature. His wife
died May 15, 18-14, and he died in Boston October
28, 1866."
William S. Allen was the son of Ephraim W.
Allen and born in Newburyport in 1805. He gradu-
ated at Dartmouth College in 1825, and after study-
ing law with Stephen W. Marston, was admitted to
the Essex Bar in 1827. For several years he was a
partner of Caleb Gushing, and a representative from
Newburyport in the General Court. He was the first
editor of the Newburyport Daily Herald, started by
himself and his brother, Jere. S. Allen, in 1832. At
that time the Herald and the New Bedford Mercury,
which started a few months earlier, were the only
daily papers in Massachusetts outside of Boston.
About the year 1835 he removed to St. Louis, where
he was elected to a judgeship, which he held for sev-
eral years. During the last twelve years of bis life
he was connected editorially with the St. Louis lie-
vublican, and died in St. Louis in June, 1868.
Stephen Hooper was the son of Stephen Hooper,
a prominent merchant of iSewbur3'port, and was born
in that town in 1785. He was fitted for college at the
Dummer Academy, and graduated at Harvard in
1808. He was admitted to the Essex County bar in
1810, and opened an office in Newburyport. He rep-
resented the town of Newbury, to which town his
father removed while he was a youth, and which
place he continued to make his residence in the Gen-
eral Court when he was twenty-five years of age, and
at the age of thirty-one he was chosen a State Sen-
ator. In 1818 he removed to Boston, and there de-
voted himself to the practice of his profession. He
was for several years an alderman of the city, and
there died in 1825.
EDW.4RD St. Loe Livermoke was born in Ports-
mouth, New Hampshire, April 5, 1762. His father,
Samuel Livermore, born in Waltham, New Hamp-
shire, May 14, 1732, died at Holderness, New Hamp-
shire, in May, 1803, and was Attorney-General of New-
Hampshire, member of the Continental Congress,
member of the convention to adopt the Federal Con-
stitution, president of the Constitutional Convention
of 1791, judge of the Supreme Court, member of Con-
gress and United States Senator. His son Edward
was a counsellor at law, and United States Attorney,
and judge of the Superior Court of New Hampshire.
He removed to Newburyport, and while a resident
there was chosen member of the tenth Congress in
1806. He removed to Boston in 1813, and died at
Lowell, September 22, 1832.
Samuel Sumser Wilde, so long a distinguished
justice on the bench of the Supreme Judicial Court,
deserves as a resident in Esses County eleven years,
a place in this record. He was born in Taunton,
Mass-, February 5, 1771, and graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1789. He read law with David L. Barnes,
of Taunton, who was afterwards judge of the United
States District Court for Rhode Island. He was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1792, and removed to Maine,
practising his profession in Waldoboro' and Warren
and Hallowell, to which last place he removed in
1799; while at Warren he represented that town in
the General Court, and while at Hallowell was twice
chosen one of the electors of president and vice-presi-
dent, and in 1814 was a member of the executive
council. In 1815 he was appointed by Governor
Caleb Strong an associate justice of the Supreme
Court of Massachusetts, and at the separation of
Maine from Massachusetts he removed to Newbury-
port, where he resided until 1831. He received the
degree of doctor of laws from Bowdoin College in
1817, from Harvard in 1841, and from Dartmouth in
1849.
In early life he was an active Federalist, and lived
to be the only surviving member of the Hartford
Convention. He continued on the bench thirty-five
years, and resigned in 1850, at the age of seventy-nine
years. To those readers who remember Judge Wilde,
and have been able by personal observation to meas-
ure his abilities as a jurist and his high character as
a man, the following letter written in Hallowell in
1820, with its estimate of the judge iu the early days
of his judicial life, will be interesting:
" IIallowelt,, m.-iy 31, 1820.
" It is witli much regret tbat we learn that .hi-lgc WiMe is making
preparations to leave the town and tiie State of Maine in order to reside
in Bliissacliusetts, and there exercise the fnnctionH of a Judj;o in tlie
Supreme Court in that State.
"In his several capacities of a judge, citizen, friend and acquaintance,
liis value has been so generally known and felt among us that his de-
parture must necessarily be viewed with concern. On the bench he is
conspicuous for his talents and learning, as well as for his candor and
impartiality. He is at all times affable, and yet be pre^erves order ; by
his industry and arrangement ho despatches business ; though he knows
how to bo p:itient when the case denninds it ; to his mildness he joins
tirmness, atid by his personal character he adds weight to his judicial
decisions ; since his sincerity gives assunince that these decisions are in-
dei>endent and conscientious. As a citizen he was formerly much en-
gaged in public affairs, and yet he continued never to lose his temper or
to give personal offence, and his intentions and fair dealing never called
in question either when conducting his own afTaii'S or those of his
clients. Those who have known .ludge Wilde as a frieiul are those who
will most feel his loss ; since the warmth of his feelings, the pleasant-
ness of his temper, and his desire to render services were always con-
spicuous in his intercourse with them." * * *
Judge Wilde died in Boston, June 22, 1855.
Ix
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
This record will be closed with a list of the present
members of the Essex County bar:
Amesbury. — Horace I. Bartlett (also at Newbury-
port), George E. Bachelder, George W. Gate, George
Turner, Frank C. Whiting.
Andover. — George W. Foster, George H. Poor.
Beverly. — Frederick W. Choate, Samuel A. Fuller
D. W. Quill, (also in Salem).
Bradford. — Henry Carter (also at Haverhill), Frank
H. Pearl.
Danvers. — Daniel N. Crowley (also in Salem), Wil-
lis E. Flint, Edward L. Hill, Stephen H. Phillips
(also in Salem), J. W. Porter, Alden P. White (also
in Salem).
Essex. — Frank C. Richardson (also at S.ilem).
Georgetown. — W. A. Butler, Jeremiah P. Jones.
Gloucester. — Archibald N. Donahue, John J. Flah-
erty, Wm. W. French, M. J. McNeirny, Wm. A.
Pew, Jr., J. C. Pierce, Charles A. Russell, Edgar S.
Taft, Henri N. Woods, Sumner D. York.
Hamilton. — Daniel E. Safford.
Haverhill.— Khhoit & Pearl, N. C. Bartlett, Wm. E.
Blunt, B. F. Brickett, Harry J. Cole, Edward B.
George, J. P. Jonts, B. B. Jones, H. N. Merrill, Wm.
H. Moody, Moody & Bartlett, John A. Page, Isaac E.
Pearl, Winfield S. Peters, C. H. Poor, H. M. Sargent,
E. B. Savage, Warren Tilton, R. D. Trask, H. H.
Webster, John J. Winn.
Ipswich. — George Haskell, Edward P. Kimball,
Charles A. Sayward.
Lawrence. — Benjamin C. Ames, M. H. Ames, Charles
U. Bell, T. Burley, Joseph Cleaveland, Charles A. De
Courcey, D. F. Dolan, Newton P. Frye, John S. Gile,
W. F. Gile, N. W. Harmon (deceased), H. F. Hopkins,
M.S. Jenkins, Wm. S. Knox, P. W. Lyall, D. B. Magee,
J. J. Mahoney, Wm. T. McKeone, W. F. Moyes, John
R. Poor, D. W. Proctor, Aretas R. Sanborn, John C.
Sanborn, C. F. Sargent, Caleb Saunders, Charles G.
Saunders, Daniel Saunders, Edgar J. Sherman, John
M. Stearns, Andrew C. Stone, John P. Sweeney, Wm.
L. Thompson, George L. Weil.
Lytin.—D. 0. Allen, John R. Baldwin, T. F. Bart-
lett, John \V. Berry, George J. Carr, N. D. A. Clarke,
Wm. C. Fabens (also at Marblehead), Joseph F. Han-
nan, R. E. Harmon, Nathan M. Hawkes, H. F. Hurl-
burt. W. B. Hutchinson, Ira B. Keith, Caleb Lamson,
Charles Leighton, W. H. Lucie, James R. Newhall,
Thomas B. Newhall, M. P. Nickerson, Wm. H. Niles,
AVm. F. Noonau, Dean Peabody, E. K. Phillips, T. H.
Romayne, Wm. 0. Shea, J. H. Sisk, Eben F. B. Smith,
Calvin B. Tuttle, Frank G. Woodbury, John Wood-
bury.
Marblehead. — Wm. D. Trefry (also at Salem).
Merrimac.—T. H. Hoyt, M. Perry Sargent.
Mtthueii. — Wm. M. Rogers, W. R. Rowell.
Newburyport. — J. C. M. Bayley, Charles C. Dame,
John C. Donovan, Joseph G. Gerrish, Frank W.
Hale, Harrison G. Johnson, Nathaniel N. Jones,
Amos Noves, Nathaniel Pierce, John N. Pike, E. C.
Saltmarsh, Thomas C. Simpson, Eben F. Stone, David
L. Withington.
Peabody. — Sidney C. Bancroft, Frank E. Farnham,
Charles E. Hoag, George Holman, Eugene T. Mc-
Carthy, Benjamin C. Perkins, Frederick G. Preston,
Thomas M. Stimpson (also in Salem), Wm. P. Up-
ham (also at Salem), F. W. Upton, Henry Wardwell,
Charles A. Weare.
Reading. — Solon Bancroft, Chauncey P. Judd, E.
T. Swift. '
Rowley. — George B. Blodgett.
Salem. — Edward C. Battis, C. A. Benjamin, Clifford
Brigham, George F. Choate, W. F. M. Collins, Forrest
L. Evans, Andrew Fitz, James A. Gillis, Wm. H.
Gove, Joseph E. Quinn, Richard E. Hines, Nathaniel J.
Holden, Thomas F. Hunt, A. L. Huntington, George
B. Ives, Samuel A. Johuson, D. B. Kimball, Edward
P. Kimball, George R. Lord, J. T. Mahoney, Eugene
T. McCarthy, P. J. McCusker, Henry P. Moulton,
Wm. D. Northend, Theodore M. Osborne, Charles S.
Osgood, J. B. F. Osgood, B. C. Perkins, Sidney Per-
ley, Wm. Perry, John W. Porter, D. W. Quill, Josiah
F. Quinn, J. M. Raymond, C. W. Richardson, Daniel
E. Safford, Charles Sewall, C. H. Symonds, Charles
P. Thompson, L. S. Tuckerman, George Wheatland
A. P. White, Frank V. Wright, J. C. Wyman.
Saugus. — Benjamin F. Johnson.
Topsfield. — Benjamin Poole.
CHAPTER III.
OLD MODES OF TRAVEL.
BY ROBERT S. RANTOUL.
" You may ride in an hour or two, if you will,
From Halibut Point to Beacon Hill,
With the sea beside you all the way,
Through the pleasant places that skirt the Bay ;
By Gloucester Harbor and Beverly Beach,
Salem Witch-haunted, Naliant's long reach.
Blue-bordered Swampscott and Chelsea's wide
Slarshes, laid bare to the drenching tide.
With a glimpse of Saugus spire in the west,
And Maiden hills wrapped iu hazy rest.
" All this you watch idly, and more by far.
From the cushioned seat of a railway-car.
But in days of witchcraft it was not so ;
City-bouud travellers had to go
Horseback over a blind, rough road.
Or as part of a jolting wagon-load
Of garden-produce or household goods.
Crossing the fords, half-lost in the woods.
By wolves and red-skins frighted all day.
And the roar of lions, some histories say.
If a craft for Boston were setting sail,
Very few of a passage would fail
Who had trading to do in the three-hilled town ;
For they might return ere the sun was down."
— Peggy Blights Voyage, by Lucy Larcom.
When this region of ours was first colonized by
Europeans, they contented themselves for a time
OLD MODES OF TRAVEL.
Ixi
with the rude means of conveyance and transpor-
tation Ijnovvn to their savage neighbors. The fav-
orite way to Boston, Plymouth and Cape Ann was
by water. The " dug-out " was much in use, being
a pine log twenty feet long and two and one-
half feet wide, in which they sometimes " went
fowling two leagues to sea." These "cannowes"
seem to have been inspected at stated intervals by
a town surveyor, and p.assed or condemned according
to their fitness for further survice. It was in swim-
ming for one of these, from a desire to visit the
Indian Village at "Northfield," that Governor Win-
throp's son Henry, on the day after his arrival at
Salem, was drowned in the North River. In one
of these rude boats, no doubt, Roger Conant might
often be seen making his way up Bass River, to
visit his farm of two hundred acres, near the
"great pond side." And Governor Endicott's little
sloop-boat, or " shallop," flits across the pages of the
ancient records, as, no doubt, she walked the waters
of the bay and rivers, like a thing of life.
The condition of the trail, which was the only
land transit between Salem and Boston, is indicated
by two contemporary writers of the first authority.
On the 12th of April, 1()31, Governor Endicott
wrote to Governor Winthrop the following letter from
Salem :
'* Right Worahipful: I did expect to Iiave been with yon in person
at the Court, and to that end I put to eea yesterday, and was driven back
again, the wind being stiff against us. And there being no canoe or
boat at Saugus, I must have been constrained to go to Slystic, and thence
afoot to Charlestonn, which at tliat time durst not be so bold, my body
being, at this present, in an ill condition to wade or take cold. * « *
The eel-pots you sent for are made, which 1 lia<I in my boat, hoping to
have brought them with me," * * * *
It will be observed that these worthies were not
the plodders of the Colony. Their position insured
them the best travelling facilities the times afforded.
Governor Winthrop wrote in his journal, October
25, 1031, "The Governor, with Captain Underbill
and other of the officers went on foot to Saugus.
and next day to Salem, where they were bounti-
fully entertained by Captain Endicott, and on the
28th they returned to Boston by the ford at Saugus
River and so over at Mystic."
In 1637 Governor Winthrop passed through Salem
on foot, with a large escort, on his way to and from
Ipswich, and next year visited Salem by water and
returned by land. The first party of Salem people
who visited Boston after its settlement are said to
have spent four days on the way, and, on the follow-
ing Sabbath, to have put up a note of thanks in our
First Church (now restored and standing in the rear
of Plummer Hall) for their safe guidance and re-
turn.
In 1650, as we learn from Parkman's " France and
P^iigland in North America," the first essay was made,
at the instance of the Colony of Massachusetts, to-
wards negotiating a reciprocity treaty between these
English settlements and the French colonies in Can-
vii
ada. A Jesuit ambassador from Quebec set out in
company with a converted Indian chief, to visit Bos-
ton, and secure the military aid of this colony against
the Iroquois, in consideration of some privileges of
trade to be granted by the French. He made his way
from "Kepane" (Cape Ann), where he was forced
ashore by stress of weather, to Charlestown, " partly
on foot — partly in boats along the shore," and from
that peninsula the priest crossed by boat to Bosttm, —
probably the first Romanist who ever received a wel-
come in the Puritan Colony. On returning, he
stopped at Salem, and dined with Governor Endicott,
who, he says, spoke French.
Some felling of trees and hoisting ofrocks was needed
to convert these muddy trails into bridle-paths, and
then the colonist moved about through the forest, ac-
com|ianied by good-wife on a pillion behind aud fol-
lowed perhaps by a pack-horse, sweating under well-
stufl'ed panniers. " Such a way as a man may travel
on horseback, or drive cattle," the court ordered
laid out by Richard Brackenbury, Mr. Conant and
others from the ferry at Salem, to Jeftrie's Creek, now
Manchester. Poets sing false, or the saddle was
sometimes mounted on the backs of neat cattle, in
those early days, as now-a-days in South Africa and
San Domingo :
" Then, from a stall near at band, amid exclamations of wonder,
Alden, tile thoughtful, the careful, so liappy, so proud of Priscilla,
Brought out bis snow-white Bull, obeying the hand of its master,—
Led by a cord that was tied to an iron ring in its nostrils, —
Covered with crimson cloth and a cushion placed for a saddle.
.She would not walk, he said, through the dust and heat of the noon-
day ;
Nay, she should ride like a Queen, — not plod along like a peasant.
Somewhat alarmed at first, but reassured by the others, —
riaclng her hand on the cushion, her foot in the hand of her hns-
band, — ■
Gaily, with joyous laugh, Priscilla mounted her palfrey."
After the bridle-paths came the roads. The con-
figuration of our surface did not favor the use of
canals, and we escaped that dreary stage in the devel-
opement of transportation. Roads multiplied apace,
but they were constructed not so much on mathemati-
cal, as on social principles. Nothing is more enter-
taining to the idler than to trace out some old aban-
doned lane, wandering between crooked walls^
choked up with underbrush of barberry, alderberry,
rose-bush, fern and bramble — arched with grand old
elms, and seemingly leading nowhere. Some dilapi-
dated cellar-wall or ruined well soon answers the ques-
tion "whither wilt thou lead me?" The pioneers built
their homes where the soil was tempting, the slopes
attractive, and material at hand. Villages were small
and infrefjuent. Hence roads were made to reach the
homesteads of single colonists, and not with prime re-
gard to directness between town and town. And an
the distance around a hill was no greater than over it,
and the cost of excavating must be avoided, these
roads, in uneven places, became still more circuitous,
from the hills they encountered. Their original cost
has been expended many times over, in widening.
h
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
straightening, and leveling them, so that the curious
observer will find on either side of the present road,
grass -grown bits of the old highway leading oft' a little,
and soon returning to it.
An old fiimily of the county has been in the habit
of making a yearly pilgrimage from Cape Ann to
Andover, over the road as it was two or three genera-
tions back, faithfully tracing out, wherever it was
possible, each oxbow in the way, with its ancient trees
and low-roofed farm-house and well-sweep and brook.
Hawthorne has thus described one of the most tempt-
ing of these lovely by-ways, in his account of
"Browne's Folly," written for the "Weal-Keaf" in
1860:
"Along its base ran a green and seldom trodden lane, with which I
was very familiar in my buylioutl ; and tliere was a little biook, which I
remember to have dammed op till its overflow made a mimic ocean.
When I last looked for this tiny streamlet, which was still rippling
freshly through my memory, I found it strangely shrunkeD ; a mere ditch
Indeed, and almost a dry one. But the green lane was still there, pre-
cisely as I remembered it ; two wheel tracks, and the beaten path of tlie
horses' feet, and grassy strips between ; the whole overshadowed by tall
locust trees, and the prevalent barberry bushes, whicli are rooted so
fondly into the the recoliections of every Essex man."
These old roads belonged to the period when a
journey to Boston was a thing to be thought of for
days before — and only to be embarked on in pleasant
weather. Dobbin must be brought in from pasture —
be rested and fed up a little, and have his shoes
looked to ; the " one-boss shay," with its capacity for
stowage like that of the ark, —
*' Thorough-brace bison skin, thick and wide, —
Boot, top, dasher of tough old hide
Found in the pit when the tanner died," —
this lumbering conveyance was to be cleaned up over
night and its wheels put in order ; the Sunday suit
must be aired and dusted, and when at last the
eventful morning dawned fresh and fair, and the
leave-taking of several generations was accomplished,
the journey of the day was to be performed, by not
too burthensome stages, relieved by episodes of break-
fast and bailing at the " Creature Comfort," or some
other favorite lialf-way house, and a scrupulous with-
drawal of Dobbin from the too active iniluence of
the mid-day sun.
A few figures will show how much distances from
point to point have been reduced since these days.
We find the following in " Travis's Almanac," Bos-
ton, 1713.
'^From Boston to Portsmouth (Ferry's excepted), 62 Miles, thus accounted.
*' From Wimsimit, to Oweits 4 Miles, to Lewe3^s 2 & half, to the Sign of
the Galley at Hirlevi 9, to tlie Ferry at lievcrly 1, to Fiekes at Wenlniiir 5, to
Cromtoiis at Ipswich 0, to Beiitiels ;it Unwh'y 3 & half (which is called the
half-way house), to Sargeants at Newbury, the upper way by ThwrcVs
Bridge 8, but from Rowley the right hand way by the Ferry is hut 7 to
said Sargeantis, to Tntes, or to Pikes Gate at Salisbunj 2 & half, to Nortons
at Hampton 4 & half, to Shei-bnus at said Town 2, to Johnsons at Greenland
S Sc half, and to Haruies at the three Tons at Portsmouth 5 Miles & half."
In April, 1775, Col. Pickering marched his regi-
ment from Salem on the alarm of the.fight at Lexing-
ton. To explain his failure to reach the scene of ac-
tion, he gives these distances in his journal. Salem
to Danvers, two miles; to Newell's in Lynn, seven
miles; to Maiden, six miles; to Medford, three miles;
to Boston, four miles ; making the route from Salem
to Boston, towards the close of the last century,
twenty-two miles.
The character of the ])ublic houses of the time is
closely allied to our subject. The " Sign of the Galley
at Salem," mentioned by Travis, was, no doubt, the
"Ship Tavern," on School Street, at the corner of what
are now Church and Washington Streets, the old
Governor's house, brought up by water from Cape
Ann, and rebuilt there and successively occupied by
Conant and Endicott. It was kept, in 1713, by Henry
Sharp, who, in 1701, advertised a calash to let, the
first recorded instance of such a convenience in
Salem. Modern travelers would hardly think these
inns well described by the term "ordinary," under
which they were licensed. They were conditioned to
allow no tippling after nine at night ; the house must
be cleared on week-day lecture of all persons able to
attend meeting ; no cakes or buns to be sold, this was
in 1637, on fine of ten shillings, the prohibition not
to extend to cakes "made for any buryall or marriage,
or such like special occation." In 1645, the widow
of an inuholder is licensed "if she procure a fitt man,
that is Godly, to manage the business." lu 1659. the
law forbids dancing at taverns, and as late as 1759,
the sale of spirits, wines, coffee, tea, ale, beer and
"syder" on the Sabbath.
At the middle of the last century a New York mer-
chant, supercargo on board the ship "Tartar Galley,"
from New York for London, was disabled when a few
days out, and put in to Boston for repairs. While
detained there he seems to have moved among what
he terms the "best Fashion in Boston." I make
room for a passage from his Journal.
'* October IDift, 1750. While at breakfast air, Nathaniel Cunningham
waited on me at Capt. Wendell's, agreeable to promise & furnished me
with a horse to go to Salem, being very desirous to see the country.
Sett out about 10 o'clock. * * * Cross'd Charles Towne Ferry.
* * * About 2 miles from thence we crosst Penny Ferry which is
better than ^.i mile over. Being the neighest way to Salem. From this
to Mr. Ward's is about 8 miles, and is about a mile this side of Lyn
which is a small Country Towne of ab't 200 Houses very pleasantly sit-
uated, & affords a Beautifull Rural Prospect ; we came to Mr. Ward's
about one o'clock and dynd on fryd Codd. From this place is about 7
miles to Salem. After dinner having refreshed ourselves with a glass of
wine sett out on our Journey through a barren rocky country which af-
forded us not the least prospect of anything but a desart country, abound,
ing with Loffty Ragged Rocks a fine Pastering Ground only for their
Sheep, the Ehoads are exceeding stony and the country but thinly
peopled.
" October \^th. Arrived at Salem ab't 3 a Clock put up our Horses at
the Wid'o Prats from whence went to See Coll. William Browne where
drank Tea with his Spouse, after which Mr. Browne was so Good as to
Accomodate us with a Walk round the Towne, Shewing ua the wharfs
warehouses Ac. ; went up in the Steeple of the Church, from whence
had a Fine View of the Town, Harbour, Ac, which is Beautifully Sit-
uated From which have a View of Mr. Brownes Country Seat which is
Situated on a Heigh Hill ab't 6 Miles Eastward of Salem. Spent the
Evening at his House where Joynd in Company by Parson Appleton,
Miss Hetty his daughter_from Cambridge, they Being Acquainteuce of
Mr. and Mrs. Bi-owne, we Supd togeather and after that where Very
nieri-y, at Whist, &c.
I
OLD MODES OF TRAVEL.
Ixiii
" Oct. 20th. Lodg'dat Mr. Brownes ; after Breakfast Saunterd round
the Towne mayking Our Observations on the Buihl's itc. Dynd at his
Huiiae, after Dinner had a Good Deal Conversation with liim upon Vari-
ous Subjects, he being a Gent'n of Excellent Pai-ts well Adversed in
Leaturate a Good Scholar a Great Vertiiosa and Lover of the Liberal
Arts and Sciences haveing an Extraordinary Library of Books of the
Best Ancient and Modern Authors, about .'i a Clock we Sett out in his
Coach for his Country Seat rideing trough a Ple;isant Coiftitry and fine
Rhoads. we arived there at 4 a Clofk the Situation is very Airy Being
upon a Heigh Hill which Over Looks the Country all Round and affords
a Pleasant Rural Prospect of a Fine Country with fine woods and Lawns
with Brooks water running trough them, you have also a prospect of the
Sea on one Part an On another A Mountain 80 Miles distant The House
is Built in the Form of a Long Square, with Wings at Each End and is
about So Foot Long, in the middle is a Grand Hall Surrounded above by
a Fine Gallery witli Xeat turned Bamiester and the <_'ealing of the Hall
Representing a Large doom Designed for an Assembly or Ball Room, the
Gallery for the Musitians >kc. the Building has Four Doors Fronting the
N. E. S. & W. Standing in the middle the Great Hall you have a Full
View of the Country from the Four Dores, at the Ends of the Buildings
is •! upper and 2 Lower Roonia with neat St^iir Cases Leadeiug to them,
in One the Lower Rooms is his Library and Studdy well Stockd with a
Noble Colection of Books, the others are all unfurnish'd as yet Nor is
tlie Building yet Compleat, wants a Considerable workman Ship to Com-
pli-at it, BO as the Design is. But Since the Loss of his first wife who
was Governour Burnetts Daughter of \ew Yerk by whome he has yet 2
Little Daughters Liveing, the Loss of her ho took much to heart as he
was doateingly fond of her Being a Charming Ladie when married. But
lie is now determind to Compleat it. we drank a Glass wine haveing
Feaated our Eyes with the Prospect of the Country, Returned to liis
House where Sup'd and Past the Evening A'astly -Agreeable being a Very
merry Facitious Gentlemen, went to bed Intend'g to Proceed to Marble
head Next Morning.
'* Oct. 2l$t. Haveing Got our Horses rea»ly, after Breakfast took our
Leave's of Mr. Browne and Spouse. Before proceed shall Give a Small
Discription of Salem. Its a Small Sea Port Towne. Consists of ab't 450
Houses, Several of which are noat Buildings, but all of wood, and
Covers a (Ireat Deal of Ground, being at a Conveniant Distance from
Each Uther, with fine Gardens back their Houses, the Town is Situated
on a Neck of Land Navagable on either Side, is ab't L'*^ JUles in Lenght
Including the build'gs Back the Towne, has a main Street runs
directly trough, One Curch, 3 Presbiterian and one Quakers Meeting,
the Situation is Very Pretty, Ac. The Trade Consists Chiefly in the Cod
Fishery, they have ab't 6o or 70 Sail Schooners Employd in tliat Branch.
Saw ab't 40 Sail in the Harb'r hav'g then ab't 4m at Sea. They Cure all
their Own Cod for Markett ; Saw there a Vast \ntidjer Flakes Cureing ;
IN the Harbour Lay also two Topsail Vessellsand three Sloops, on Ex-
am'g into Ihe Fishery find it a very adventag's Branch."
The travellers then ride to Marblehead "trough a
])leasant country and o:ood Roades " — spend an hour
there at breakfast with Mr. Read— see the town,
of which they formed no very flattering impression,
and push on to their friend Mr. Ward*s, at Lynn.
'' Dyned upon a fine mongrel goose'" — proceeded on
their journey "through Mystic, and came to Jlr.
Wendell's in fioston, ab't 8 o'clock."
r find passages illustrative of the times in the diary
of John Adams, written when the author was "riding
the circuit" in the practice of the law, at the age of
thirty, and residing in Braintree.
" IIGC), Noi\ 3d, Momlaif. Sett off with my wife for Salem. Stopped
half an hour at Boston. Crossed the Ferry ; at three o'clock arrived at
Hill's, the tavern in Maiden, the sign of the Rising Eagle * * * where
we dined. Here we fell in company with Kent and Sewall. We all
oated at Jlartin's where we found the new Shenff of Es-sex, Colonel Sal-
tonstull. We all rode into town together. Arrived at my dear brother
Cranch's, about eight, and drank tea and are all very happy. Sat and
heard the ladies talk about ribbon, catgut, and Paris net, riding-hoods,
cloth, silk, and lace. Brother Cranch came home and a very happy
evening we had. Cranch is now in a good situation for business, near
the Court House and Mr. Barnard's meeting-hoiuie and on the roa<l to
Marblehead: his house fronting the wharves, the harbor and shipping^
hns a fine prospect before it.
*'4. Tnesday. A fine morning : attended court all day. * * Prayer
by Mr. Barnard, Deacon Pickering was foreman of one of the juries * «
his appearance is perfectly plain, like a farmer. » * * *
"o. Wednesday. Attended Court ; heard the trial of an action of tres-
pass, brought by a mulatto woman for damages for resti-ainiiig her of her
liberty. * * * Spent the evening at Mr. Pynchon's witli Farnham,
Sewall, Sargent, Colonel Saltonstall, etc., very agreably. Punch, wine,
bread and cheese, apples, pipes and tobiu-co. Popes and bonlires this
evening at Salem, and a swarm of tumultuous people attending them.
"6. 'llinrsday. A fine morning. Oated at Martin's, where we saw five
boxes of dollars, containing, as we were told, about eigliteen thousand
of them, going in a horse-cart from Salem Custom House to Boston, in
oriler to be shipped for England. A guard of armed men, with swords,
hangers, pistols and muskets, attended it. We dined at Dr. Tuft's in
Medford. * * * Drank tea at Jlrs. Kneeland's,— got home before
eight o'clock."
On a previous visit to his brother (.'ranch in August,
he rode after tea to Neck Gate, then back through the
common, down to Beverly Ferry and about town.
"Scarce an eminence," he says, "can be found any-
where to take a view. The streets are broad and
straight and pretty clean. The houses are the most
elegant and grand that I have seen in any of the
maritime towns."
On Friday, June i^Hth, 1770, he set out on another
"journey to Falmouth in Casco Bay." Dined at
Goodhue's in Salem. Fell in with a London merchant,
a stranger, who " made a genteel appearance," — was
in a chair, himself with a negro servant; talked of
American atTairs: thought the colonists "could not
conquer their luxury," and this would make them de-
pendent on Great Britain. "Oated my horse and
drank balm tea at Treadwell's in Ipswich." Tread-
well's wiis a favorite resort with him. On a visit there
ten days before, he says, — " Rambled with Kent round
Landlord Treadwell's pastures to see how our horses
fared. We found them in the grass up to their eyes;
excellent pastures. This hill, on which stand the
Meeting-house and Court House, is a fine elevation,
and we have here a fine air and the pleasant prospect
of the winding river at the foot of the hill."
On another visit he \vrites :
"Landlord and landlady are some of the grandest people alive : land-
lady is the great grand-daughter of Governor Endicott. * * As to
Landlord he is as happy and proud as any nobleman in P^nglatid."
And again —
" The old lady has got a new copy of her great grandfather's, Governor
Endicott's picture hung up in the lious<\"
That picture is now among the collections of the
Essex Institute.
Next morning, Saturday, June 30th, he "arose not
very early, drank a pint of new milk and set of!';
oated my horse at Newbury, rode to ('larke's at
Greenland meeting-house, where I gave him hay and
oats and then set off for Newington." Dined there
with his uncle Joseph, minister of that town, then in
his eighty-second year, and set off for York over
Bloody Point Ferry * * "a very unsentimental
journey excepting this day at dinner; have been un-
fortunate enough to ride alone all tlie way and liave
met with very few characters or adventures. I forgot
Ixiv
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
yesterday to mention that I stopped and inquired the
name of a pond in Wenham, which I found, was
Wenham Pond, and also the name of a remarkable
little hill at the mouth of the pond, which resembles
a high loaf of our country brown bread, and found
that it is called Peters' Hill to this day from the
famous Hugh Peters." * * *
"Juiyl, SftniUiy. Arose early. I took a walk to the pasture, to see
how my horse fared. * * * My little mare had provided for herself,
by leaping out of a bar© pasture into a lot of mowing ground, and had
filled herself with grass and water. * * * *
*'2. Monday morning. In my sulky before five o'clock, Mr. Winthrop,
Farnham and D. Sewall with me on horseback : rode through the woods,
the tide being too high to go over the beach and to cross Cape Neddick
River: came to Littlefield's in Wells, a quarter before eight; stopped
there and breakfasted. * * * Rode to Patten's of Arundel. Mr.
Winthrop and I turned our horses into a little close to roll and cool
themselves and feed upon white honey-suckle. P. M. Got into my
chair : rode with Elder Bradbury tlirough Sir William Pepperell's
woods: stopped and oated at Milliken's and rode into Falmouth."
Compare this picture of Mr. Adams riding into
Falmouth, in his dhobligeant, as he calls his narrow-
seated chair or sulky, with an incident in the career
of two statesmen of our time. During the negotia-
tion of the British-American treaty wliich detained
Mr. Webster in the cabinet of Johu Tyler, after his
colleagues Iiad deserted all the departments but that
of State, it was proposed to convey him, in company
with Lord Ashburton, with the utmost speed, from
Boston to Portland. Alexander Brown, a genial,
trusty, energetic man, was chosen from among the
drivers on the route to arrange the conveyance by
stage from the railroad terminus, and the most
thorough preparations were made. Relays of picked
horses, frequent and fresh, awaited him at every stage-
house, a groom to each horse, ambitious, both man
and beast, to act well their parts in the struggle
against time. Three minutes were allowed for each
change of horses. Mr. Brown, afterwards depot-
master at the railroad station in Boston, recalled the
achievement of that day with pride until his death,
and used to tell how the Britisli Ambassador got out
at a stopping-place and, watch in hand, observed the
process of " unhitching and putting to," remarking
that it was done ;is quickly, within a few seconds, as
in England. This was high commendation from an
Englishman. And it certainly was a notable thing,
to have driven for eiglit hours over American roads,
well enough to keep an English peer in good humor,
and to have brought him into Portland, whicli was
the old time Falmouth, in company with the man
described by Carlyle as a " Parliamentary Hercule-s,"
" a magnificent specimen," whom " that tanned com-
plexion, amorplious, crag-like face and those dull,
black eyes under their precipice of brows, and that
mastiff mouth, lead one to back against all the extant
world," and of whom Emerson wrote " He is a natu-
ral emperor of men," and Sidney Smith is reported to
have said that he must be a liumbug, " for no man
could be a tenth part as great as he looked."
Once more, Monday, June 17, 1771, Mr. Adams
set out upon the Eastern Circuit.
" I mounted my horse and rode to Boston in a cloth coat and waist-
coat, but was mucli pinched with a raw, cold, harsh, northeast wind.
At Boston I put on a thick flannel shirt, and that made nie comforta-
ble and no more ; so cold am I, or so cold is the weather, June 17th
■^^ * * Came over Charlestown ferry and Penny ferry and dined at
Kettel's in Maiden. * * * Overtook Judge Cuehing in his old
curricle with two lean horses, and Dick, his negro, at his right
hand, driving the curricle. This Is the way of ti-avelling in 1771,
— a judge of the circuits, a judge of the superior court, a judge
of the king's bench, common pleas and exchequer for the Province,
travels with a pair of wretched old jades of horses in a wretched old
curricle, and a negro on the same seat with him driving. * * *
Stopped at Martin's in Lynn with Judge Gushing ; oated and drank a
glass of wine. * * « Rode with King, a deputy sheriff, who came
out to meet the judges, into Salem : put up at Goodhue's, The negro
that took my hoi-se soon began to open his heart. He did not like the
people of Salem ; wanted to be sold to Capt. John Dean of Boston, His
mistress said he did not earn salt to his porridge and would not find him
clothes."
Arrived at Falmouth, July 2d, he writes :
"This has been the most flat, insipid, spiritless, tjisteless journey I ever
took, especially from Ipswich."
And this we can understand better when we read of
his riding alone through Saco woods after night-fall.
" Many sharp, steep hills, many rocks, many deep ruts, and not a foot-
step of man except in the road ; it was vastly disagreeable."
Before great advances could be made towards speed,
comfort, safety and cheapness in travel, fords and
stepping-stones must give way to ferries, — ferry-ways
must yield to bridges, and turnpikes must supersede
county roads on the great thoroughfares. Road-
making was no new art. It had been carried to a
high point by the ancients, but the costliness of their
works made the lesson of little value to the new J.
countries of the modern world. The Romans, for in- "
stance, had magnificent roads leading out into the
provinces, — as many of them as the hills upon which
the eternal city sat. These roads were crowned with
a surface of polished stone, over which wagons, on
wooden wheels, were drawn by unshod beasts with
ease and speed. But it was only at the beginning of
this century that McAdam showed us how to bridge
over a quagmire with a crust of concrete so firm as to
bear loads that make the marshy substratum on which
it rests quake like a jelly.
From 1636 a ferry had been supported between
North Point or Salem Neck, so-called, and Cape Ann
or Bass River side, now Beverly. From time to time
it was leased for the benefit of the grammar school-
masters of Salem. At first it provided only for the
crossing of persons. But, in 1639, these were the
regulations : " Lessee to keep an horse-boate— to have
for strangers' passadge id. apeice, — for towne dwellers
Id. apeice, — for mares, horses and other great beasts
&d. apeice, and for goats, calves and svvyne '2d. apiece."
For more than a century, an inn known as the "Old
Ferry Tavern," stood hard by on the Salem side. The
ferry touclied at Salem side near the present bridge,
but a little to the east.
In 1787, Beverly, somewhat aggrieved at the manage-
OLD MODES OF TRAVEL.
Ixv
ment of the ferry in the interest of Salem, moved for a
bridge. A charter, now on deposit with the Essex In-
stitute, was granted to the Cabot^, and Israel Thorn-
dike of Beverly, and to John Fiske and Joseph White
of Salem, and the old ferr\--way was laid out as a
highway by the Court of Sessions. December 13th,
the proprietors of the bridge organized at the Sun
Tavern. Nathan Dane was moderator, and William
Prescott, clerk. The bridge was opened for use
September 24, 178S. It was one of the modern won-
ders. Gen. Washington, on his northern tour the
next year, dismounted to examine it and observe the
working of the draw. And a Russian engineer was
specially commissioned to acquaint himself with its
structure. But this beneficent work was not carried
through without violent opposition, of which Spite
Bridge was one of the fruits. Salem voted to oppose
the petitioners and invited other towns to do so.
Competition was threatened from a parallel bridge.
The navigation of North River, it was urged, would
be annihilated, and forty vessels of various tonnage,
then employed there, would be driven from the river.
Orue's Point was insisted on as the proper terminus
in Salem. "Prejudices, strong party feeling and
much excitement" are spoken of by Felt, and he
adds that one Blythe, a wit of the time, was prompted
to observe that there never was a bridge built with-
out railings on both sides. This timely succes.sor of
the old ferry-way, after compensating its projectors
for their risk and outlay, reverted, at the expiration
of its seventy years' charter, to the State. I may be
pardoned a personal reminiscence in this connection.
My grandfather walked over the bridge on the day it
was opened for travel, being then a Salem school-boy
ten years old, and again in his eightieth year on the
day of the exjjiration of its charter in IS^'iS, having
been president of the corporation in the interval.
In 18(58 the bridge was surrendered by the State to
the towns and thrown open to the public, in accord-
ance with that enlightened social economy which
teaches that all needless restraint upon the inter-
cour.se of neighbors is barbarism.
Another monument of Essex County enterprise is
the turnpike connecting us with Boston, now also, in
the same liberal spirit, dedicated to free travel.
March 6, 1802, Edward Augustus Holyoke, Wil-
liam (Iray, Nathan Dane, Jacob Ashton and Israel
Thorndike, with their associates, were incorporated to
build a turn])ike from Buffum's corner, through (treat
Pastures, over Breed's Island in Lynn Marshes, across
Mystic River, and from a point near the Navy-yard
to Charles River Bridge. The Statute Books are full
of similar acts at this period. The Essex Turnpike
from Andover, intended to bring the travel of Ver-
mont and New Hampshire through Salem to Boston,
was chartered the next spring, as was also another
from State street, Newburyport " by as nearly a
straight line as practicable " to Maiden Bridge.
Here again we were not behind the times. Telford
and McAdam had not completed their grand experi-
} ments nor demonstrated their rival systems for some
years later. But the turnpike corporators used the
best science of the day and a wonderful road they
made. In the famous records kept at Benjamin
Blanchard's Barber Shop, in which his distinguished
patrons noted current events, while wailing for an
empty chair, it appears that work began near " Pick-
ering's Pen " June 7. 1802. Of course there was
vigorous opposition and wild disparagement on one
side, — great enthusiasm on the other. Dr. Stearns,
one of its most ardent promoters, is said to have de-
clared that, when the turnpike was done, a man
might stand on Buffum's corner and look straight in-
to Charlestown Square. The extent of the work of
building may be judged of by the fact that a village
of huts covered the high ground now occupied by
Erastus Ware, which soon became a resort for toddy
and tenpins, and that the material and tools em-
ployed, sold on the completion of the work, brought
at auction, October 27, 1803, thirty-two hundred
dollars. Captain Richard Wheatland paid the first
toll, July 12, 1803, on his way to Boston to take
command of his ship for Calcutta. How much the
new route, only twelve miles and a fraction long, did
to bring us and the metropolis together, will be re-
called with pleasure by some yet living who enjoyed
for the first time, in the early years of the century,
an evening ride to Boston with a ball, a concert, or a
play in prospect to give zest to the excursion.
The largest sum, taken in a year at " Toll-Gale No
1," near our great pastures, was $5300, in 1805 ; — the
day of the greatest travel was June 1, 1813. On
that summer afternoon the smoke of conflict between
the " Chesapeake" and "Shannon" was rolling over
the bay. One hundred and twenty stages, crowded
to repletion, passed up that day. Thousands of spec-
tators prayerfully watched the fight from every hill-
top and gloomily retired when the issue was but too
plainly seen.
On the morning of November G, 1809, the old
gate-keeper at "No. 1," gets orders to take no more
tolls. Gravely he sets open, for the last time, the
last toll-gate in Essex County and breaks out in
rhyme :
"Tlie last toll is taken, — I've ewmig wide the gate.
The wuni liAS been spoken, — We yield to our fate ! "
The distinctive character of the turnpike among
roads is departed. It is as wholly a thing of the past
as that negro village which once clustered about the
entrance at Buffum's corner, with its fortune-telling
and cake-baking and fiddling and dancing. But the
great road will stand. Years will not destroy ils
traces of heavy blasting and grading, — its viaducls of
splendid masonry across deep, i)icture.sque ravines,
their granite sides and terraced buttresses backed up
with sturdy trunks and roots of ancient elm and wil-
low, fit types of the blended beauty and utility which
mark its course. No son of Salem returning from
Ixvi
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
his wanderings, however great a truant, but will
pause delighted on that hill top, where bursts upon
the eye the eldest born of New England cities,
whether the morning sun is touching with an early
glory the score of spires and towers, clustered about
that thing of beauty, the South Church Steeple, or
whether at night-fall, broadsides of factory windows
are blazing with their perpetual illumination in hon-
or of the triumplis of industry. While lovers ram-
ble and young limbs are strong, — while Bitter-sweet
Rocks live in song, and Great Pastures find a place
in story, — .so long shall there be brisk walking among
its rugged scenes in Spring and Autumn, and willing
steeds shall be urged to speed over No-bottom Pond
Bridge on the moonlight gallop, so long as water
plashes up like molten silver through the chinks in
the planking, — until, indeed, the poet sings to deaf
ears,
" 'Tislife to guide the fiery Barb
Across the moonlit plain I "
The first public conveyance noticed by Felt was a
" large stage chair," or two-horse curricle which ran
from Portsmouth to Boston and back each week, in
1761. "An epidemical distemper" among horses
interfered with the business in 1768, but, two years
after, Benjamin Coats, who was then landlord at the
Ship Tavern in School (now Washington) Street,
gave notice that he had bought a " new Stage chaise"
which would run between Salem and Boston "so that
he will then, with the one now improved in that bus-
iness, be able to carry and bring passengers, bundles
and the like everyday except Sunday." He has also
five fall-back chaises, one fall-back curricle, six stand-
ing top chairs and three sulkies to let. In December,
1771, Benjamin Hart advertises that " he has left
riding the single horse post between Boston and
Portsmouth and now drives the post stage lately im-
proved by John Noble. He sets out from Boston
every Friday morning and from Portsmouth on Tues-
day morning following. The above conveyance has
been found very useful and now more so, as there is
another curricle improved by J. S. Hart, who sets off
from Portsmouth the same day this does from Boston,
by which opportunity offers twice a week, for travel-
lers to either place."
Systematic staging probably began here about 1796,
and in this business Benjamin Hale, of Newburyport,
seems to have been the pioneer on the route between
Boston and Portsmouth, as was Seth Paine, of Port-
land, on the lines further east. Mr. Hale was a reso-
lute, persevering man, and there was nothing worth
knowing about staging which he did not know. Many
improvements in stage springs are accredited to him,
as well as the introduction of the trunk-rack, by
which means the passenger's luggage was employed
to ballast the coach, whereas formerly it had rested, a
dead weight, on the axles, jolting and- tossing as
though springs were yet to be invented. Pie had
made his way up from small beginnings against dis-
couragements and trials, but his single coach, driven
by his own hand, in the early years of the century,
had given place to a large establishment of horses,
carriages and drivers. Mr. Paine's career had not
been different. He was a postman in Maine when
all the mails were carried on horse-back ; a man of
few words, prompt, inflexible, and of great energy.
He came to be the largest owner and sole manager of
coaches east of Portsmouth and government con-
tractor for the eastern mails, while the stages on this
side of Portsmouth were under the able and exclusive
management of Mr. Hale. The proprietors, at this
time, were few, — not more than five or six. Besides
those named, were Judge Elkins, of Wenham and
Salem, and Samuel Larkin, of Portsmouth. Dr.
Cleaveland, of Topsfield, bought an interest about
1806. The profitable character of the business could
not long be concealed. Tributary lines spring up.
Thus a stage connected with the Boston Line set off
from Salem, August 20, 1810, for the Coos County.
Three were to be despatched every week. Competi-
tion, of course, followed, and, in 1818, opposing lines
were absorbed by the original proprietors, and the
Eastern State Company was incorporated. It is not
too early to write in a historic strain of that once
familiar visitant, the Stage Coach. And the books of
this corporation, now in po.ssession of the Essex In-
stitute, shed ample light upon one of the largest and
most successful staging enterprises of New England.
The Eastern Stage Company was chartered by the
State of New Hampshire, for a period of twenty
years. Its act of incorporation, approved June, 1818,
contains three sections, and, singularly enough, by
no word except its title, from beginning to end, indi-
cates the business to be facilitated thereby. By this
act, Samuel Larkin, William Simes, Elisha Whidden
and their associates are made a body corporate, the
"Eastern Stage Company," by name, are to sue and
be sued, have a common seal, make rules and by-laws,
and generally to do whatever appertains to bodies
corporate, with a capital stock not exceeding one
hundred thousand dollars, and shares not more than
five hundred in number, and that is all. To one fa-
miliar with the guarded language of acts establishing
the railroad lines which superseded this great stage
route, the absence of all limitations of power is strik-
ing. In the early railroad charters every function
that could be anticipated is provided for, even to the
grade of the road-bed, the curves of the track, and the
erection of toll houses and toll-gates, after the analo-
gy of the turnpike, where trains were to stop and
travellers pay fare.
But these corporators did not abuse their powers,
however loosely conferred. Their first meeting, duly
notified in the Portsmouth Oracle, the Boston Centinel
and the Newburyport Herald, was held at Langmaid'.H
tavern, at Hampton Falls, on Friday, October 9, 1818.
They chose Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland, of Topsfield,
Moderator, and Samuel Newman, Clerk, accepted the
OLD MODES OF TRAVEL.
Ixvii
charter, adopted by-laws and fixed their capital stock
at lour hundred and twenty-five shares, of one hun-
dred dollars each. The by-laws provide for eight
directors and a proprietors' clerk, to be chosen annu-
ally by the share-holders, who were to throw a vote
for each share owned, not exceeding twenty — the di-
reciors to chose a president from their number, ap-
point "a principal agent and treasurer" and such
" agents, drivers and servants as they may find neces-
sary for the due management of the property."
They are to close accounts and declare dividends in
March and September, and are allowed two dollars
per day and expenses for attendance at directors'
meetings. The clerk was under oath, and the agent
and treasurer under bonds in the sum of ten thou-
sand dollars.
Article VI. provides a form of stock certificate, as-
signable by indorsement and transfer on the books of
the proprietors' clerk.
Article VII. " Xo person whatever shall be privi-
leged to ride in any of the company's carriages with-
out paying common stage fare.''
They organized thus, — President, Dr. Cleaveland, —
Proprietors' Clerk, Seth Sweetser, — Directors, Josiah
Paine, Stephen Howard, Seth Sweetser, Samuel Lark-
in, Thomas Haven, Henry Elkins, Ephraim Wildes.
Col. .leremiah Coleman was principal agent and
treasurer.
If the charter said nothing of the purposes of this
corporation, their own by-laws said about as little.
Xowhere is there a distinct announcement of the
function which they proposed to discharge, nor any
description of the extent nor location of their field
of operations. This is to be explained, no doubt, by
the fact that some of these gentlemen were, before
their incorporation, already successful operators and
proprietors of stages running over portions of the
routes they now proposed to combine, and no words
were needed to teach them the duties and liabilities
of common carriers of persons.
Thus at the first directors' meeting we seem plunged
at once into the dust and whirl of stage- coach travel.
The six o'clock stage from Portsmouth (they vote) is
to be discontinued. What a chapter might be writ-
ten on that early coach, leaving "Wildes' Hotel" at
six o'clock each frosty October morning or, better
still, on the stage which, all winter long, in storm or
by starlight, left Boston for the East at five o'clock
in the morning. The hurried breakfast, — the smok-
ing corn-cake, — the savory rasher, — the potato raked,
glowing hot, out of its bed of ashes, — the steaming,
creamy, aromatic coflVe, — the chill, crisp morning, —
lanterns flitting ghostly thrimgh the ample stables,
— reluctant horse-boys shivering about the door-yard
and wishing themselves in their bunks again, — the
resonant crack of the whip, — the clear, sharp click of
well-shod hoofs on frozen ground, — the clatter of
wheels, — the scramble in the dark for seats, — the
long, dull ride with fellow-travellers chilled and
grim, half concealed by twilight and half in mufflers,
— that crying baby, who seems to have found vent, at
that unlucky hour, for all the pent-up sorrows of its
little life, — the gradual warmth of conversation and
day-break stealing at last over the coach-load, — the
side-lights fading out and good nature once more pre-
vailing over cramped legs, sharp elbows and cold
feet shuffling among the scanty straw, — all these
things must now be given over to the romancer,
whose ready pen, ever busy with the past, will not
long neglect them.
The late President Quincj' gives a well-drawn pic-
ture of staging facilities at the close of the last cen-
tur)'. He was then paying court to a New York la-
dy, to whom he was privately engaged and after-
wards married. Boston had twenty — New York,
thirty thousand souls. Two coaches and twelve
horses sufficed the travel between the two commercial
centres of the continent. The journey was almost as
rare an event then as a voyage to Europe is now, and
took about as long. To one bent on Mr. (.^uincy's
errand the way no doubt seemed doubly tedious. The
impatient suitor writes :
*' The carriages were old. aud the shackling and much of tlie harneBs
made of ropes. Cue pair of horses carried us eighteen miles. We gen-
erally reached our resting-place for the night, if no accident intervened,
at ten o'clock, and after a frugal supper, went to bed with a notice that
we should he called at three, next morning— which generally proved to
he half-past two. Then, whether it snowed or rained, the traveller
must rise and make ready by the help of a horn lantern and a farthing
candle, and proceed on his way, over bad roads, — sometimes with a
driver showing no doubtful symptoms of drunkenness, which good-
hearted piissengers never failed to improve at every stopping-place, by
urging upon him the comfort of another glass of toddy. Thus we trav-
elled eighteen miles a stage, sometimes obliged to get out and help the
coachman lift the coach out of a quagmire or rut, and arrived at New
York after a week's hard travelling, wondering at the ease as well as the
expedition with which our journey was effected."
Contrast with this picture an " Old Driver's Remi-
niscence," which I give in his own words. The stage
that left Newburyport for Boston at 8 o'clock in the
morning usually took the passengers who had stopped
for rest over night, many of whom were strangers to
our New England custom.s. One morning, as the
passengers were about taking their seats, a gentleman
asked the driver it he would accommodate him with
a seat on the box. " Certainly," says the driver,
" please step right up before another occupies it."
Our first stop was at Rowley, a seven mile drive, dur-
ing which many questions were asked by the stranger
and answered according to the driver's knowledge.
At this place we took some passengers. While the
driver was arranging the baggage, the gentleman on
the box asked him to step in and take something to
drink. His reply was, " No, I thank you, sir, I have
no occasion for anything," and he mounted the box
and drove tn Ipswich, where the horses were changed.
Here most of the passengers alighted while the shift-
ing was taking place. At the same time the stranger
came off the box and urged the driver again to take
something to drink. The answer was the same as be-
Ixviii
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
fore. When the horses were ready, the driver, as
was the custom, says — " the stage Is ready, gentle-
men I " and they take their seats in the coach. Off
they start down the crooked hill and over the stone
bridge, called by some short-sighted people " Choate's
Folly." The next stop was at Wenham, where it was
the usual practice to take the fares, it being the Half-
Way House ^to Boston. And here the outside pas-
senger says to the driver again, — "Come, now, you
have accomplished one-half of the distance, — you
must certainly take a drink with me." " No, I thank
you, sir." " What kind of men are you drivers here
in this section of the country ? Drivers where I
came from will drink at every stopping-place, and it
is with much fear that we travel there, but here I see
that passengers are perfectly at ease when seated in
the coach." "Sir, things have changed here within
a few years. You were saying that passengers in
your section were uneasy, and often had fears for
their safety while riding with your drivers. Here all
that is reversed, for in former years the travellers
used every precaution to keep the drivers sober, but
now the drivers by their example try to keep the
passengers sober." " I will never ask you to drink
again," says our outside passenger, and he was mum
on the drinking question the rest of the way to Bos-
ton.
The arrangements for the main route of the Eastern
Stage Company, in the winter of 1818, may be
sketched thus : A coach left Portsmouth for Boston at
9 A. M., (the same carriage running through), dined
at Topsfield, then through Danversport and ^alem to
Boston, and back the same way next day, dining at
Newburyport. A portion of the Newburyport turn-
pike was used, and this made Topsfield quite metro-
politan, so much so that conventions often met there.
In 1808 a great caucu.s was held at Topsfield to de-
nounce the embargo. The County Convention which
established Lyceums met there in 1829. The Essex
Agricultural Society, formed at Topsfield in 1818,
held its annual meetings there in 1820, '22, '23, '24,
'25, '37 and '38, but never after.
Of course the records plunge us at once into all
sorts of questions of law and policy, — they meet us at
the threshold, — they linger to the end ; — questions
of tolls on turnpikes and bridges,— conferences ar-
ranged with this and that corporation, — new terms
made or war declared. Once it is voted that seven
hundred dollars be accepted by the Newburyport
Turnpike as toll for the year, or the stages go by Old
Town Bridge. Complications grow out of the delicate
relations of carriers to the public. Too accommodat-
ing drivers are induced to act as expressmen on their
private account, and attempts are made to hold the
company liable for their losses. At the first meeting
" Drivers are expressly prohibited from carrying any
money or packages, not accounted for to the company's
agent; " and almost at the last a " committee is con-
sidering the subject of drivers carrying provisions
from sundry places to Boston for sale, contrary to a
vote of the directors." In April, 1819, " the company
do not consider themselves accountable for the loss
of any baggage, bundles, or packages whatever, com-
mitted to the care of the drivers, or otherwise put into
their stages." This sweeping announcement, so like
what is sometimes read on the backs of railroad tick-
ets to-day, was followed up in the same spirit in 1826
and 1829. Now they vote that no driver shall carry
anything, except in his pocket, without paying the
company's agent, on pain of instant dismissal ; and
again, the driver must " agree with the agent to ex-
clude his private or pocket business from his compen-
sation, so the company shall have no participation,
direct or indirect, with such business of the drivers,
meaning especially Bills of any Bank which may be
entrusted to them." " But is this law? " ask the per-
plexed proprietors of Benjamin Merrill, Es(|., in 1832,
and that eminent counselor finds himself unable to
give the desired assurance, but on the contrary, they
record a long opinion advising them that their con-
tract with drivers will not discharge them from lia-
bility, unless notice of it is brought home in each case
to the sender of the bill or parcel. And accordingly a
notice, drawn by him, is formally served in person on
every bank president and cashier on the route, posted
in the taverns, and widely advertised in the news-
papers.
The record is rich in little incidents which give life
to the picture of the times. A driver is fined fifty
dollars, the value of a horse killed by his carelessness.
Afterwards, for good conduct, the forfeiture is reduced
to one month's wages. Owing to the appreciated state
of the currency, in 1820, wages were reduced, and
fares from Boston to Exeter put at three dollars.
Once in awhile a coach is overturned. In one case, if
payment of damages is refused by the Salem Turn-
pike, the agent is to enter complaint and present the
road to the grand jury ; in another, forty dollars are
received in liquidation. Again, a director is to settle
for damages done by loose horses breaking out of the
Salem stable. And again, fines imposed by the post-
otfice department for loss of mails, are to be charged
off to the drivers who lost them. Sub-agents were
selected for the principal points on the route, placed
on salary, and under bonds, and quartered at the best
hotels. Blacksmith's shops were established at many
points, and extensive stables in Bo.ston and elsewhere,
many of them built of brick. Not more than seven
shillings were to be paid for shoeing, out of Boston,
and but ten cents for caulking or resetting shoes. Dri-
vers are forbid taking letters, in violation of laws reg-
ulating the United States General Post-office; and fre-
quent embassies are dispatched to Washington to con-
tract for carrying the mails, or to change the times or
terms for delivering them. " Accommodating Stages "
are sometimes to take mails at the desire of govern-
ment or the postmaster at Boston, but " Mail Stages "
are regularly designated, and these make better speed
OLD MODES OF TRAVEL.
and collect higher fares than the former. Mail-con-
tracts are exchanged among difterent companies, and
combinations formed with other lines where compe-
tition would be ruinous, and sub-agents are withdrawn
from inns which harbor the books of hostile compan-
ies. In April, 1823, it is significantly voted that sev-
eral sub-agents be discharged, and hereafter it shall
be an " indispensible requisite that their moral char-
acters be good, and that they have no horses and car-
riages to let." In August, 1823, it is voted to " keep
a horse and chaise in Boston to accommodate passen-
gers, and carry and fetch their baggage." This under
the str&ss of a vigorous opposition, when the exigen-
cy called for unusual efl'orts and the running of ex-
tras at "about the same time the opposing stage goes,
but always a little liefore that conveyance and at the
same fare." In October, a number of horses and
chaises are to be kept on hire at Newburyport. In
December, the extras run a little before the opposition
coaches are to charge but half fare. The Ann Street
stage-house at Boston is leased and furnished, and
Col. Wildes placed there as landlord, with an interest
in the jirofiw not to exceed one-half. Next summer
the horses are to be fed with cut hay and meal. April
19, 1825, the directors met at Oilman's hotel, in New-
buryport. They found their enterprise thriving, —
established a sinking fund to be swelled by semi-an-
nual additions; carried one thousand dollars to that
account ; <leclared a semi-annual dividend of four i)er
cent. ; created seventy-five new shares, making up the
full five hundred to which they were limited in
their charter, and provided for selling the new shares
at not less than six dollars i)remiura on a par of one
hundred dollars. To the sinking fund was afterward
voted the net income of the Ann Street stage-house,
and the agent was directed to sell at auction, from
time to time, collections of articles left in their oflices
and coaches " for which no owners can be found."
The second dividend for this year was six per cent.,
and in 1826 eleven per cent, was divided.
At the end of ten years the prosperity of the com-
pany was established. It had now substantial stables,
not connected with public houses, at all the chief
points of the route, one of them on Church Street, in
the rear of the Lafayette Coffee-house, in Salem ; and
it owned hotels, or a controlling interest in hotels, at
Boston, Newburyport, Exeter and Dover. It was
sending deputations to the New England Stage Asso-
ciation, which met at " Holbrook's," in Milk Street,
Boston, with a view to bring together, at least once a
year, representatives of all the stage companies of this
section. In October, 1828, it held its shares at a pre-
mium of fifty dollars, and made a semi-annual divi-
dend of eight per cent., on one hundred and fifty dol-
lars per share. At this time the management of the
stage-house in Ann Street passed into the hands of
Mr. Leavitt, upon the death of Col. Wildes and Uol.
Henry Whipple of Salem, became a director in place
of Judge El kins, resigned.
In 1830, the company was incorporated in Massa-
chusetts, with a capital of one hundred thousand dol-
lars. In 1832 it sent delegates to a Mail Contract
Convention, which sat at " Wyatt's " in Dover, to
apportion the mail routes for New England, and its
bid shows that it was running coaches from Concord
to Portsmouth ; Dover, by two routes, to Newbury-
port ; Portsmouth, by Exeter, to Newburyport, Salem
and Boston; from Salem to Haverhill mikI Lowell;
from Gloucester to Ipswich ; and from Lowell, by two
routes, to Newburyport.
January, 1838, found them free from debt and their
stock higher than ever. They owned near five hun-
dred horses. A steamboat had been built on Lake
Winnepessaukee and they were running stages from
Dover to meet it. At times they ran a daily to Port-
land. In October, 1834, the stock stood at $202.13
per share on their books, par being $100. In Janu-
ary, 1835, they were paying between eight and nine
thousand dollars in tolls for the year, had bought
turnpike, bridge and bank stocks, and amongst other
real estate the Dalton House, between the West es-
tate and Church Street, in Salem, which they sold,
retaining a way out from the stables to Church Street.
Up to this point their career must be considered as
one of unmixed prosperity. The Eastern Railroad
was not chartered; the Boston and Maine was but a
spur from the Boston and Lowell,. extending as far as
Andover. Travel increased apace, —with it the run-
ning stock and corps of employes. The directors'
record-book is pleasant reading now. They meet at
comfortable inns, spend two or three days together, ex-
amine lucrative accounts, pass the evening over
plethoric way-bills, compute their dividends, make
combinations with kindred bodies all over the Eastern
States, and New York if need be, and smile at com-
petition.
What a text is here for another volume of pen and
ink sketches, — these old stage houses which figure in
the record, — "Wildes' Hotel" at Portsmouth, "Lang-
maid's" and "Wade's" at Hampton Falls, "Oilman's"
and the "Wolfe" at Newburyport, the "Sun Tav-
ern," the " Lafayette Coffee House " at Salem, " Ann
Street Stage House" and "City Tavern " in Boston I
What pleasant memories start up at the recital, as of
those ancient hostelries of London, once, as Mr.
Dickens says, " the headquarters of celebrated coach-
es in the days when coaches ijerformed their journeys
in a graver and more solemn manner than they do in
these times, but which have now degenerated into
little more than the abiding and booking places of
country wagons." Of these he says, "there still re-
main some half-dozen in the borough, which have
preserved their external features unchanged, and
which have escaped alike the rage for public im-
provement and the encroachments of private specu-
lation. Great, rambling, queer, old places they are,
with galleries, and passages, and stair-cases wide
enough and antiquated enough to furnish materials
Ixx
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
for a hundred ghost-stories, supposing we should
ever be reduced to the lamentable necessity of in-
venting any." Such was our own poet's Wayside
Inn,
" Built in tbe old colunial day,
Wlieii men lived in a grander way
With ampler hospitality —
A kind of old Hobgoblin Hall,
Now somewhat fallen to decay.
With weather-fltains upon the wall
And stair-ways worn and crazy doors
And creaking and uneven floors.
And chimneys huge, and tiled and tall.
A region of repose it seems.
By noon and night the panting teams
Stop under the great oaks that throw
Tangles of light and shade below.
Across the road the barns display
Tbeir lines of stalls, their mows of hay.
Through the wide door the breezes blow, —
The wattled cocks strut to and fro, —
And, half effaced by rain and shine.
The ' Red Horse ' prances on the sign."
_ One seems to recall the impatience with which the
tired traveller looked forward to alighting at these old
inns, — to see again the village steeple peering over
the hill, its gilded cockerel glistening in the sunset, —
to hear the stage-horn once more bidding the post-
master expect the evening mail, the landlord serve
the welcome meal ; to see honest, little, nervous Jack
Mendum, or sturdy, robust, reliable Robert Annable,
or good-natured Knight, or the voluble but substan-
tial Pike, or some other famous whip, gather up his
reins and muster his strength for a final sweep across
the tavern yard, the crowning effort of a day of toil
to dusty traveller and smoking, jaded team, and then
down go the steps and cramped legs are free at last!
Or we seem again to be bowling down that grand
old turnpike from Newburyport, with Ackerman or
Barnabee or Forbes, rumbling by old Gov. Dummer's
Academy at Byfield, telling off the milestones through
the Topsfield of fifty years ago, over the gra.ssy hills
and by the beautiful lake at Lynnfield, on the coach
that left "Pearson's" at six every summer morning;
or to be whirling by Flax Pond, where, a cen-
tury ago, Mr. Goldthwaite asked John Adams to
a "genteel dinner" of fish, bacon, peas and incom-
parable Miideira, under the "shady trees, with half a
dozen as clever fellows as ever were born ;" or to be
rattling through the old toll-gate and dashing down
Great Pasture hills into Palein town on the topmost
seat of the early Boston Mail Stage which, in 1835,
was to "breakfast in Salem and dine at Portsmouth,"
while all the eastern landscape is aglow with the
tints of morning and the dews of spring make every-
thing in nature .sparkle. Or perhaps it is winter.
" Now the incre.Tfiing storni makes all the plain
From field to highway a vast foaming sea !
And sculptors of the air, with curious skill,
Have graven their images of stainless white.
Pagodas, temples, turrets, columns raised
From the exhaustless quarries of the snow,
Afar and near, — the artwork of the wind !"
and we reach perhaps the little court-house on the
hill at Ipswich, with the bar of Southern Essex, to
find that another coach-load of jurisprudence is stuck
fast on Rowley Marshes, while judge and counsellor
alike have committed trespass quare dansumfregit, in
prying their coach out of a snowdrift with the near-
est fence rails.
The Hon. Allen W. Dodge writes of the drivers of
those days as follows : —
" In those days of old-fashioned winters, there were many trials and
difficulties in getting through the route, but let the storm or the snow
blockade be ever so bad, they were always ready to do, to the uttermost,
all that men could do to accomplish it. These drivers, too, were the
most obliging and kind-hearted men that ever handled reins, cracked
whip or sounded stage-horn.
"They were great favorites with all tbe boys who rode with them.
Many of us who were then at Exeter Academy came home at the end ot
the term by the Eastern Stage route, and a lively time we used to have
of it. Quite a number of stage coaches were always sent on to take us.
When they arrived what a scramble ensued to see who should ride with
Pike, who with Annable, or Knight, or Forbes, or some other good-
natured driver, experienced in stages and careful of their young charges
as if they were all destined to be governors, or judges, or presidents.
We used to consider it the seat of honor on the outside with the driver,
there to listen to his stories and to enjoy his company. Many a scrap of
practical wisdom did we youngsters thus pick up to turn to good account
on the great road of life.
'* ,\nd then too what a gathering at the old Wolfe Tavern in Newbury-
port, when the noon stage-coaches arrived from Boston ! The siiiewalk
was often crowded with anxious boys, and men too, to catch a sight of
distinguished passengers and the last fashions, and to hear the latest
news. Why, it was jis good as a daily paper, or a telegraphic dispatch —
better indeed, for the living men, actors sometimes in the scenes de-
scribed, were there to tell what had happened."
I find related in a contribution to the Salem Gazette,
one of those little incidents that sparkle like jewels in
the sand :
*' Once when a mere child it was necessary for nic to go from Saco to a
town near Boston. This was ijuite an undertaking in those days, as one
was obliged to pass the night in Poi-tsmoutb. Being without a protector,
my mother confided me to the care of one of those old, faithful drivers.
It was evening when we reached Portsmouth and very cold. Everything
was new and strange to me. How carefully was I taken by the hand
and led up tiuit long flight of staii-s to the excellent accommodations
which awaited me ! How well I remember the kind, smiling face of
Robinson, as next morning, whip in hand, he appeared at the parlor
door and inquired for the 'little girl' who was to go with him! His
hearty 'good morning' and 'all ready, miss,' as I presented myself, are
still sounding in my ears. While changing horses at Newburyport I was
comfortably seated before a warm file in the sitting-room. Indeed, I do
not know that I could have been more comfortably atten<led to had I
been the daughter of the President. I was the daughter of a poor
widow instead, and an utter stranger to the man whose memory I have
ever cherished as one of the pleasant recollections of my childhood."
What stalwart men thi^i sturdy, out-door life pro-
duced! Moses Head, of Portsmouth, drove into that
town, from Boston, the stage that brought news of
peace in 1815, with a white flag fastened to the box.
News of the battle of New Orleans came at the same
time. That evening there was a procession in honor
of these events. Head, who was then Ensign of the
artillery comi)any, and resembled General Jackson in
appearance and stature, arrayed himself in a military
suit and chapeau, and personated the hero of New
Orleans in the ranks of the procession to great accept-
ance. He was born among the granite hills of New
Hampshire, and died at the age of seventy-two, after
a sickness of a day, the only sickness of his life.
OLD MODES OF TRAVEL.
Ixxi
Another old driver sends me his recollections of |
" life on the road," and I insert them here.
" I began to drive on an opposition line in 1823, and after about nine
months I bad an application from Col. Coleman to come over to the old
company. As I thought it a more permanent job, I came over to drive
* Extra." I had not been long at it before the travel increased very
much, 80 the directors ordered one hundred more horses to be bought,
and carriages in proportion, to accommodate the public. The business
caiue on so bard that I had all I bargained for. I followed the mail
twelve days in succession, starting from Boston at 2 o'clock in the morn-
ing, breakfasting in Newburyport, dinner at Portsmouth and back again
to supper in ^aleni, getting into Boston anywhere from nine to eleven
o'clock, so there waa not much sleep or rest for me. The twelfth day,
when I drove into the yard at Salem, Col. Coleman was there, and said
he, 'young man. you had better stop here and get a little rest and take
your team in the morning at four o'clock.' So Mr. Rand took the team
to Boston and bai^k.
"The worst of it was, I bad the same horses out and back every day.
It was hard keeping up with the mail, as their horses rested one or two
days in the week, and they were like wild ones. Only bold on and they
would go as fast as any one wisbeii to ride. As a general thing we made
good time. I have been through Charlestown Square on time, for three
weeks, not varying five minutes by the clock, although we hjvd some
trying storms.
"I was compelled to stop at Hamilton one night, after beating with
the storm from seven in the morning till ten at night, with a single
sleigh and two horses, and so, completely used tip, we slept well. It
cleared up about three o'clock, so that nncle Robert Annable, with the
morning coach, came along l>retty well, and passed ua while we were
asleep, and took otT his bells so as not to awake us, and then he was very
joyotis to think be had got ahead. It was something, to be sure, that
never happened before nor since.
"On the whole it was a very pleasant life, for every one on the road
was very hospitable to us. I never got stuck in the mud nor snow, w hen
all the people on the road were not willing, night or day, to lend a hand.
So we felt that we were among friends, and that was comforting to us.
The wealthy Southerners, who used to come east in summer, would al-
most always want us to keep on and drive them to Providence or New
York, for they did not get so good accommodations at the South. .\nii
as we refused the refreshments they offered us at every stopping place,
we were pretty sure to get a handsome present before they left, which
was far more satisfactory. It was a very pleasant business, and we bad
our choice of company outside, and that was worth a great tleal,
" When it was decided by the Legislature that there should be a Rail-
road, you may depend upon it there were heavy hearts. For we had
spent so much time in staging we did not know what we should do. But
all who wished had something to do. The corporation empli>yed a
large number of the drivers as conductors, baggage-masters and brake-
men. I withdrew and took up the e.xpress business, and followed that
until 1860. So I had served the public from '2.3 to '60."
These drivers, so freely trusted with life and treas-
ure, with the care of helpless infancy and age, de-
served well of the coiuinunity they served, and are
held in kindly remembrance. They knew of old the
wants and habits of the travelling public, and railroad
corporations were glad to secure agents from among
their numbers.
Has anybody forgotten rare James Putter, of the
Salem and Boston Line, — active, clear-headed, cour-
teous and prompt, who for forty years drove with
such care and skill to Boston and back that, it was
said, he was as well known and as much respected by
Salem people as Dr. Bentley '? Here he comes up the
street from the old "Sun Tavern" with the seven
o'clock moriiiug coach, his dapple-greys groomed to a
hair and well in hand, — the model driver, trusted by
the banks, by the old sea-kings, by everybody with
uncounted treasure, — the splendid reinsman, chosen
in August, 1824, to bring the beloved Lafayette in
safetv into Salem !
Has anybody forgotten the scene in College yard at
Cambridge, when Peter Ray arrived, at the end of the
term, with his coach and six sorrels, to take home what
might well be styled the " flower of Essex ! " How he
displayed, before admiring eyes, his mastery of curves
and functions, by turning six-in-hand, at a cheerful
trot, in the little corner between Hohvorthy and
Stoughton, and how the Essex County boys, cheered
by their fellows and eager for the long vacation,
whirled out of college gate and down the historic
roads by Washington's Elm, and Letchmere's Point,
and Bunker Hill, to their welcome home ! Handsome
Peter, they called him — a favorite with children and
ladies — for with him, on the introduction of the fam-
ous steel-spring coaches, they first knew what it was
to ride comfortably outside, with an intelligent and
entertaining driver, whose tongue kept pace with his
team, and whose castles in the air often reached stu-
pendous proportions before half the distance between
Lynn and Salem had been accomplished 1
And here comes Page! witty, large-hearted, strong-
handed Woodbury Page, his two bays on the jump,
swinging round the terner from Beverly, sweeping
round the Common to the old stable in Union Street,
shifting horses, and then round the big elm and otf
again in a twinkling, with those very four milk-whites,
with which he drove Henry Clay, in October, 1833,
from Senator Silsbee's door-step in Wa.shington Square
to the Tremont House in sixty minutes !
And what shall be said of the polished and agree-
able Jacob Winchester, favorite driver on wedding
journeys and pleasure parties, who carried bags of
specie to and from New York, when our merchants
wanted a messenger who would neither play the nigne
with funds nor sutler anybody to take them from him ;
what of the popular driver and consummate reinsman
Lot Peach, who would get to Boston about as soon
with criiws' meat as moderate drivers did with choice
teams of horses; — what of Albert Knight, always on
good terms with passengers and steeds; — what of stout,
little, talkative Major Shaw, who was off at three with
the sorrels and the last coach up, rather than not go
with whom ladies would often lose the morning stages
and some hours of shopping and visiting in Boston ;
— what of stalwart, kind-hearted, deep-voiced Adrian
Low, whose cheerful life ended in mystery and an un-
known grave; — what, indeed, of the hundred and fifty
good, sound, trusty men who, from first to last, drove
stages over these routes in the employ of regular or
opposition lines, whole families of them, like the four
Potters, the three Annables, the three Akermans, the
brothers Canney, Conaut, Drake, Knight, Marshall,
May, Manning, Patch, Robinson, Shaw, Tenney, T(iz-
zer, Winchester, seeming to have been born on wheels,
or descended from the hippocentaurs of ancient fable,
— men who combined energy and good nature in u
ratio not likely to be developed by any vocation now
in vogue, — men who cracked their joke as they swung
their whip, — men who knew what it is vouchsafed us
Ixxii
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to know of that fascinating uncertainty, the horse,
and supplemented this with a wonderfully shrewd in-
sight into the nature of their fellow-creatures ! '
And what shall be said of those elegant coaches
built at the Union Street shop for the Salem and Bos-
ton Stage Company, —
*' step and prop-iron, bolt and Bcrew,
Spring, tire, axle, and linch-pin too,
Steel of the finest, bright and blue,"
the first in the country mounted on steel springs, and
provided behind with a •' dicky " and trunk-rack after
the English pattern ! And what of those noble teams
of blacks and bays and buckskins and roans and
chestnuts, clean-limbed and strong, that moved out,
with coats like velvet, every afternoon when dinner
was over, before the City Tavern in Brattle Street, the
Ann Street Stage House or the Marlboro Hotel, sweep-
ing the ground with flowing tails, too often, it must be
added, tails of fiction, in which the cunning hand of
Lancaster had eked out the unsuccessful efforts of na-
ture! What of those scores of coach-builders and
blacksmiths, and harness-makers, who plied the awl,
and bent the tire, and drove the plane, with such pride
and spirit in these old days, when Harding shod, and
Daniel Manning ran with orders from the Sun Tavern
to the yards in Union Street, and William H. Foster
balanced accounts and made up dividends, and
Mackie, over his saddlery, fought out the battle of
Waterloo, in which he took a part, and that shy boy,
since known to fame as Nathaniel Hawthorne, was
keeping stage-books in his uncle Manning's office!
What of that ancient negro hostler at Breed's Hotel,
in Lynn, with his little competency accumulated from
the trifles dropped into his hat for many a year by
kindly travellers as the stage rolled off, who fell on
his knees on the stable floor and wept great tears when
the steam whistle sounded at last and he felt indeed
that he must say with his Shakesperean prototype,
"Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!" Too many
of this company of worthies are now
" Where rolling wheels are heard no more
And horees' feet ne'er come."
Twenty-one surviving drivers of the Eastern Stage
Company honored themselves and the memory of the
agent under whom they served, by attending, in April,
18(i6, the funeral of Colonel Coleman, the man to
1 It was a happy thonght which brought two hundred and fifty " old
fitagera" of the Connecticut Valley,— Drivers, Proprietors and Agents, —
together at Springfield for a merry Christmas in 1859, Hon. Ginery
Twitchell and James Parker, Esq., of the Western Railroad, seem to have
been promoters of this "gathering of the whips," and two dai'S were
given up to their entertainment in Springfield during which the hospi-
talities of larder and stable were tested to the utmost. At a i)ub!ic din-
ner on the occasion were produced those spirited lines of Kdwin Ilynner,
now familiar to newspaper readers, beginning,
" Oh ! the days are gone when the merry horn
Awakened the echoes of smiling morn
As, breaking the sliunber of village street,
The foaming leaders' galloping feet
Told of the rattling, swift approach
Of the well-appointed old stage coach !"
whose vigorous and intelligent oversight that enter-
prise had almost owed its success for a quarter of a
century. During the same years the Salem and Bos-
ton Company was under the courteous management
of "William Manning, another model stage agent,
known among the "whips" as "Sir William," and to
have been trusted by whom they thought enough for
an epitaph.
We come now to the closing scene of the Eastern
Stage Company. In July, 1835, the ominous words
" Rail Road " appear for the first time in their volumi-
nous records. Let us see what these words meant.
Passengers had been transported in carriages drawn
by steam over the Darlington and Stockton Railway
in England, for ten years. The engines employed
were stationary, and inventive genius had been as
busy with the problem of travelling in steam carriages
over turnpikes, as with the twin problem, which has
since completely overshadowed the other, of locomo-
tive machinery for railways. During the first ten
years of the century, indeed, the steam engine, both
stationary and locomotive, began to be applied to
transportation. And long before this, the simple tram-
way of wood, stone or iron, operated by horse-power,
had been employed for the conveyance of passengers
and freight. As early as the settlement of New Eng-
land, wooden rails were in use between the coal mines
of Newcastle and the river, and these were so far per-
fected that in 17(;.5 they had been introduced exten-
sively in England, and enabled a horse to drag from
two to three tons on an easy grade. Plates and wheels
of iron had still further and very largely increased the
draft-capacity of the horse. On the Darlington and
Stockton road, trains had been provided with stable-
cars, in which the horses employed for motive power
on level and up grades, rested and fed in quiet while
the momentum of the train carried it down hill.
The use of the Railway was no less familiar on this
side the ocean. Our former townsman, Wm. Gray,
after leaving Salem, in 1809, owned a wharf in Boston
on which trucks were moved by hand over a plank-
walk, provided on its edges with round iron bars, on
which ran grooved wheels, thus forming a freight
Railway from the ship in her dock to the warehouses
on Lynn (now Commercial) Street. In grading Bea-
con Hill for the erection of the State House, late in
the last century, an inclined Railway was used, on
wliich the gravity of the loaded cars, in their descent,
served to bring up on a parallel track those which had
been emptied, and the same e-xpedient, also in use in
England, was employed at Quincy when the blue
sienite of the quarries began to supplant, as a build-
ing material, the familiar gray granite of our hills,
ledges and bowlders. The first Railroad charter
granted by Massachusetts, authorized, March 4, 182(i,
the building of a Railway from these quarries to Ne-
ponset River, and the first freight transported over it
was the cqrner-stone of Bunker Hill Monument. It
was operated by horse-power.
OLD .DIODES OF TRAVEL.
b
That unrest which prognosticates some great step
in inventive art was stirring the public mind and
bringing to light every clumsy expedient of cogs and
ropes and wheels for mounting grades, and for moving
by steam on common roads, as well as on rails, when,
in 1829, the Stephensons, father and son, produced
the Locomotive " Rocket," and placed it upon the
Liverpool and Manchester road. Its success was at
once complete and transportation by horse-power was
doomed from that hour. In America we were not
behindhand in applying steam to propulsion. It was
already in use since 1807 on our rivers, canals and
lakes. Indeed, the Hon. Xathan Reed, of Salem and
Danvers, formerly a member of Congress from this
district, had made a paddle-wheel steamboat in 1789,
in which he navigatetl the river from his iron-works
to Essex Bridge, taking Governor Hancock, Dr. Prince,
Dr. Holyoke and Nathan Dane a.s passengers with
him. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was begun
in 1827 ; other routes from New York and Philadel-
phia soon after. In 1829-30-31 Massachusetts char-
tered Railroads from Boston to Lowell, to Providence
and to Worcester.
In 1833, the Boston and Lowell road was extended
to Andover and Wilnungton, and to Haverhill in
1835. This was the first incursion of the iron mon-
ster into Essex, but he rapidly made his way over the
county, enfolding in his fatal coils the poor struggling
Stage Companies, whose nightly dreams were dis-
turbed by the scream of the whistle, and whose waking
eyes, turn where they might, were blasted with those
words of doom, " Look out for the engine." ' For a
time our directors stood up manfully to their struggle
with fate. First they tried to curtail their expenses,
— oftered to sell real estate, — to buy in their stock at
par, then at SGO and then at i?.50, and pay for it in the
personal effects of the company. Fifty horses were to
be disposed of at a stroke, and again and again another
fifty, — hay and grain were high, — the appetites of live-
stock inexorable. To add to their embarrassment,
travel went on increasing as the hour of dissolution
drew near. More horses and more were required, and
1 Mr. Tony Waller has favored the English-reading public with his
views on the Itailway and its invasion of his native Island, in words
which I am forced to*recall at this point. Said that eminent driver, us
reported in "Master Humphrey's Clock," "I consider that the rail is
unconstitutional, and a inwader o' privileges. As to the comfort— as an
old coachman I may say it— veresthe comfort o' sitting in a harm-chair,
a lookin' at brick walls, and heaps o' mud, never comin* to a public
'ouse, never seein* a gliiss o' ale, never goin' thro' a pike, never mcetin'
a cliange o' no kind (bosses or otherwise), but always comin' to a plate,
ven you comes to vun at all, the werry picter o' the last t As lo the
honor and dignity o' travellin', vere can that be vithout a coachman,
and vats the rail to sich coachmen as is sometimes forced to go by it, but
a outrage and a insult ! and as to the iugen,a nasty, wheeziu', creakin',
gaspin', puthn', bustin' monster, always out o' breath, with a shiny
green and gold hack like a onpleasant beetle ; as to the iiigon as is
alvays a pouriu' out red-hot coals at night and black sraoke in the day,
the sensiblost tiling it does, in my opinion, is ven there's soniethin' in
the vay, and it sets up that 'ere frightful scream vich seems to say ' now
eres two hundred and forty passengei^ in the werry greatest extremity
o' danger, and eres their two hundred and forty screams in vun I' "
again and again they were forced to replace those
sold. To sell so large a stud at once, when the end
came, would bring prices down to a ruinous figure,
and the theory was generally accepted, that upon the
i establishment of steam cars, horse flesh would be
j worth little more than dog's meat. Before the end of
1835 they had joined the other proprietors of New-
buryport turnpike in oflering five miles of it for the
use of a projected Railroad to Salem. In 1836 the
Eastern Railroad was chartered.
Still they go on voting to sell their horses, still
buying more. Late in '36 they try adding twenty
per cent, to their fares. The directors meet once a
month without notice, sometimes at half past six in
the morning. They combine with thirteen like com-
panies to keep up prices. Opposition coaches take
the road and prices come down again. Late in '37,
! they try a reduction of wages, the peremptory sale of
j thirty horses, " as the company is fast approaching
dissolution," they say, — sell the lease they hold of
Henry Codman, of the Ann Street House, and agree
with the purchaser to keep their teams from day to
day, — sell the Exeter Stables, the Portsmouth and
Concord Stages, — apply without success for a short
extension of their charter to close the business, and
in February, '38, — their charter expired in June, —
offer for sale the whole remaining assets of the cor-
poration.
This eflbrt failing, the shareholders were for the
last time summoned to Hampton Falls, — detailed
reports submitted, — a fruitless effort made to start a
new company, and the property turned over to trus-
tees for final administration. And so this respectable
body-corporate died without issue, at the stroke of
midnight, June 26, 1838. Says the late Col. Whip-
ple, who had been a director for ten years, and be-
came its president on the death of Dr. Cleaveland in
1837, "the holders of stock, during twenty years, re-
ceived eight and one-third per cent, in dividends an-
nually, and after paying all debts, between $66 and
$67 on each share. It does not ap[)ear that a pas-
senger was killed or injured."
In August, 1838, the steam cars from Boston reached
Salem. The Register speaks of immense crowds on
every arrival and departure, covering the depot
grounds and the banks of the mill-pond. In the
belfry of the wooden station house hung a bell, taken
from a ruined Spanish convent, and sold to one of
our West Indiamen for old metal, which was vigor-
1 ously rung to summon passengers on the departure of
a train. At first, the cars took eleven hundred ])er-
sons per day, but this, said the pa[)ers, was evidently
due to their novelty, and could not be expected to
continu,e. From six to eight hundred, it was thought,
could be relied on. In about a month, sixteen hun-
dred passengers were carried in one day, "the best
day's work yet," said the ]iress with entlmsiasm I
The Boston Courier stated that the cars used were not
of the prevailing style, shaped like a coach-body with
1.x
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the door on the side, but were of a new pattern, in
which a man may stand erect or pass from one to an-
other, the whole length of the train, while in motion,
with perfect safety. The passage from Salem to the
Boston side of the ferry occupied from thirty-five to
forty minutes, and it was hoped that about thirty-two
minutes would be the average time consumed, when
all was completed. TheBosfon Post announced that the
witches came out of their graves to see these new con-
veyances. They met all expectations, and Mr. George
Peabody, the first president of the road, in his open-
ing address delivered before the six hundred stock-
holders and others, August 27th, called attention to
the fact that those doing business in Boston could
now live more cheaply in Salem than in Boston.
What the railroad has done for us, in common with
all the environs of Boston, cannot be briefly stated.
If Boston is the Hub, the railroads seen from the
State House dome are the living spokes, which bind
it to an outer circle of social and business relations.
If these have carried off our men of enterprise in
search of a larger market, they have brought back
the wealth they accumulate to beautify our estates and
elevate our culture, and make of Massachusetts Bay,
from Plymouth to Cape Ann, one great suburb in
which the arts of cultivated life are brought to aid
the native charms of country living.
Of the two presidents of the Eastern Stage Com-
pany, the first, Dr. Cleaveland, was a man of no com-
mon stamp. Hecame of the staunchest Puritan stock,
his great-grandfather, Moses Cleaveland, having emi-
grated in his prime from Ipswich, in England, to
Eastern Massachusetts and left a numerous and dis-
tinguished progeny. Some of them appear among the
founders of Connecticut; many of them adorn the
learned professions or fill chairs in the universities.
Dr. Cleaveland's father died on his 77th birthday, in
1799, having been for more than half a century the
pastor of Chebacco Parish in this county — a chaplain
in both the French and Revolutionary wars, present
with the army at Ticonderoga in 1758, at Louisburg
in 1759, at the siege of Boston in 1775, on the Con-
necticut shore in 1776, and in 1778 in New York and
New Jersey, and having given three sons to the Con-
tinental army.
Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland was a man of large
stature, and of erect, dignified and commanding as-
pect. A tall stripling of sixteen, he attended his
father upon his service as chaplain during the siege
of Boston, and in 1777 enlisted in the army as a com-
mon soldier. The stress of war deprived him of the
collegiate training to which he had looked forward
fondly, and kept him, during his minority, either in
the camp or at the plow. Having subsequently mas-
tered the science of medicine he began practice at
Topsfield in 1783, purchasing the stock of a suc-
cessful predecessor, as well as his library of just two
volumes. He was soon after complimented with a
commission as Justice of the Peace, and began to in-
terest himself in the public affairs of town and coun-
ty. As a politician he was earnest, ardent and patri-
otic. He was chosen, through Federalist support, to
the State Senate in 1811, and lost his seat next year,
under the operation of that famous districting sys-
tem known as the "Gerrymander." From 1815 to
1819 he was re-elected, and then withdrew. In 1814
he was a Sessions Justiceof the Circuit Court of Com-
mon Pleas. From 1820 to 1822 he was an Associate
Justice of the Court of Sessions for the county, and in
1823 became its Chief Justice. This station he filled
with ability and firmness until 1828, when he retired
from public business, receiving at the same time from
Harvard College the honorary degree of Doctor of
Medicine.
With an iron constitution and health, up to his .
fiftieth year, untouched by disease, Dr. Cleaveland
never laid aside the practice of his profession, how-
ever interrupted, but had extended it to all the
neighboring towns. And until his death, in Febru-
ary, 1837, at the age of 77, he continued to serve, as
their trusted physician, the community with which he
had for fifty years identified himself by rare activity
in every enterprise of moment. As a neighbor he was
sought for his willing and judicious counsel, while his
public career was marked throughout by good judg-
ment, sound sense and solid worth.
He was twice married and left five children, among
whom the eldest son, an honored graduate of Bow-
doin, a distinguished educator, man of letters and
Doctor of Laws, perpetuates his name and title.
Dr. Cleaveland's was one of those monumental
characters which deserve study both for themselves
and because they are typical of their times. Formed
in our Revolutionary period, it was consolidated like
the arch by the pressure which events imposed upon
it. If his principles were austere, he applied them
as rigidly to his own conduct as to his judgment of
others. Thus he could in youth forego, without a
murmur, the college training he had been promised,
and, at the last, reject narcotics which would have
spared him excruciating torture, because they might
deaden his mental and moral sensibilities. Says the
late Dr. Peirson, of Salem, in the Medical and Surgi-
cal Journal, " He was a much respected member of
the Essex South District Medical Society. No man
amongst us set a better example of professional integ-
rity and honor. The few who could boast of his
friendship will long remember with pleasure the vir-
tuous and kind-hearted old man, whose influence was
uniformly and efliciently exerted in support of good
order and the true advancement of society."
Colonel Henry Whipple, the second and last presi-
dent of the Eastern Stage Company, has left us so
lately that the mention of his name is enough to re-
call a venerable presence and an exemplary life. He
was born at Douglass, in Worcester County, June 24,
1789, and died in his eighty-first year, December 2,
18(39. He served his apprenticeship with his brother
OLD MODES OF TRAVEL.
Charles, at Newburyport, and opened a book-store in
the Franklin (then Archer's) Building, in Salem, Oc-
tober, ISIO. For three-score years Irom that time,
including part of that golden era when the story of
Salem ('ommerce reads like an eastern fiction, Colonel
Whipple was constant at his post, supplying our dar-
ing navigators with charts and bonks of travel, — our
busy thinkers and bold projectors of enterprises dis-
tant and domestic with the best intelligence of the
day. Said the Danvcrs Wizard, in July, 1861 : " It
would be difficult to point to a man now living so
identified with the social, literary and denominational
interests of Salem as is Colonel Whipple. In almost
all the .societies of a social and benevolent character
he has been prominent and active. With the grace
of native dignity and the bearing of a gentleman of
the old school, the suavity of his manner attracted to
his place of business the elevated and refined of
Salem. His store was the resort and lounging place
of all the eminent men of the past who have given a
name to Salem in its modern history. Here met
Bowditch, Story, Prince, Pickering, the elder Wor-
cester, Barnard and Hopkins. Here Cummins dis-
cussed politics with Glen King and Saltonstall, while
Dr. Flint and Judge White made criticisms on the
last new book."
It was well said of Colonel Whipple that in his
death Salem had lost one whom slander never
touched, and who had probably never made an
enemy, — his religious persuasion a consistent sup-
porter,— the militia a veteran whose commissions
bore date and expired before those of anj' officer now
living, — and the Masonic body its oldest member.
First from seniority on the roll of the Active Fire
Club, and lately President of the Salem Dispensary,
— a promoter in 1821 of the Salem and Danvers Asso-
ciation for Mutual Protection against Thieves and
Robbers, as well as an active militiaman from his en-
listment in the ranks of the Salem Ligiit Infantry in
1811, until he resigned the command of the Artillery
Regiment of Southern Essex, he was, in earlier as in
later life, ready at all times for whatever service de-
volves upon the good citizen and Christian neighbor.
At the close of the year 1869 he fell peacefully asleep
at his home in Salem, alter enjoying for a while a
tranquil retrosjiect of the memories he was to leave
behind.
The good old days of stage coach travel are over.
Gone, too, are moat of those to whom they owed their
charm. The stage-driver, — that next best man, it
was quaintly said, to the minister, out of jail, — we
have no longer. The old stage houses are for the
most part, as in London, closed and deserted, or
stand, like the old Bell Tavern, "with a kind of
gloomy sturdiness, amidst the modern innovations
which surround them." Never again shall
" The windows of the wayside inn
Across the meadows, bare and brown,
Gleam red with firelight through the leaves
Of woodbin*, hanging from the eaves.
Their crimson curtains, rent and thin !"
Even the Ann Street Stage-House, — the very focus of
New England travel, — has vanished, and the name of
the street it stood on is fading out of mind! Never
again, about its hospitable hearth, that well known
company of" whips" shall gather for a parting pipe,
when guests are dreaming, and night coaches in, and
horses well-bestowed, and smouldering embers, in its
ample tire-place, give & fitful, fiickering light. I see
them now, in their quaint old chairs, whifl's of smoke
curling lazily about their cheerful, ruddy, weather-
beaten faces, — heavy, wet jack-boots steaming on the
hearth, — ample capes and top-coats Hung dripping on
the benches, — while they chat by turns and stir the
fire and laugh at the storm. There aits burly Sam
Robinson, telling how he served the sneak who stole
a ride on the trunk-rack every day as the noon coach
passed through Wenham, by driving into the pond at
Peter's Pulpit, under pretence of watering his horses,
and then making such vigorous application of the laoh
that whoso rode behind was glad to escape his par-
thian blows by dropping ofl" into the water! Or lit-
tle Jack Mendum mounts a chair to tell how he drove
the " mail," and " something broke," and the hungry
passengers were all out hurrying him on, and the
neighbors bustled about, and he lost his patience, and
making up in oaths what he lacked in stature, bid
them all stand aside and let him manage, " for while
I drive that mail, I am the L'nited States of Amer-
ica!" Or Peter Ray recounts the driving of the first
steel spring coach to Boston on its trial trip, freighted
with the mechanics who were its builders, and what a
stir it made on 'change! l,)r Major Shaw, blinded by
his great popularity, utters his famous threat of run-
ning the railroad off" the route, by opposition coach-
es ! Or Woodbury Page enjoys the discomfiture of
the Cliarlestown driver, who roughly asked him to
" get his bean pot out of the way," when he was tak-
ing up a pa.ssenger from that city for Beverly, and he
replied, " wait till I get the pork in!" Or they all
debate, with the warmth of conviction, the relative
merits of the northern and southern routes to the
eastward, until Alex. Brown declares that stage
routes to the east are like different creeds in re-
ligion, for all creeds lead to heaven, if faithfully fol-
lowed,— upon which reticent little Conant taps his
pipe on the great iron fire-dog, and as the ashes drop
upon the hearth, puts it tenderly away in his waist-
coat pocket, remarking that he would rather not go to
heaven at all, if he must go by the Dover route, and
retires to bed.
" Each had his tale to tell, and each
Was anxious to be pleased and please,
With rugged arts of humorous speech."
Never again, in that quaint old hostelry, shall
" The fire-light on their faces glance.
Their shadows on the wainscot dance."
And the coaches which once, says a writer in the
Ixxvi
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Lynn Reporter, " raised such a dust on the turnpike,
night and day, that Breed's End knew no rest, and
the road seemed made for their accommodation, so
much at home were they on it in their day of glory,"
are all gone now. Over Essex Bridge, over the turn-
pike, through Salem streets, horse-cars now rumble
and rattle with their growing ireight. And at last
the single coach, which brought us daily the dust and
mail bags of Cape Ann, has disappeared forever.
Never again shall we gather at the cottage gate, as
the clatter of wheels and the cloud of dust approach,
to welcome the aged parent, — the coming guest, — the
daughter home from school. Never again shall we
linger in the open doorway of a New England home-
stead, in tender parting with the young son setting
out for sea, or on some distant westward venture, —
to speed the lovers starting together on the life-long
journey, — never again cast longing glances after that
receding freight of dear ones, until at last the wind-
ing road and over-hanging elm trees part us, and we
sit sadly down to listen,
" While faint from farther distance borne
Are heard th« clanging hoof and horn,"
Never again will the midnight watcher by the si-
lent bedside hear the mail-stage arrive and go, leav-
ing its messages of love and sorrow for the sleeping
townsfolk, and sing, with Hannah Gould,
" The rattling of tliat reclvless wlieel
That brings tlie bright or boding seal
To crown tliy Iiopes or end tliy fears,
To light thy smiles or draw thy tears,
As line on line is read."
Famous levelers were these old stage coaches and
masters in etiquette also ! What chance-medley of
social elements they brought about ! What infinite
attrition of human particles, — what jostling of ribs
and elbows, — what ' contact inconvenient, nose to
nose' ! What consequent rounding and smoothing of
angles and corners, — what a test of good-nature, —
what a tax on forbearance, — what a school of mutual
consideration ! For how else could a dozen strangers
consent to be boxed up and shaken together for a
day, but upon condition that each was to exhibit the
best side of his nature and that only !
To the next generation the old stage coach will be
as shadowy and unreal a thing as were those which
appeared, musty and shattered, to the uncle of the
one-eyed Bagman in Pickwick, while he dozed at
midnight in the Edinboro' courtyard. "My uncle,"
says the Bagman, in telling the story, "rested his
head upon his hands and thought of the busy, bustling
people who had rattled about years before in the old
coaches and were now as silent and as changed. He
thought of the numbers of people to whom one of
those crazy, mouldering vehicles had borne, night af-
ter night, through all weathers, the anxiously ex-
pected intelligence, the eagerly looked for remittance,
the promised assurance of health and safety, the sud-
den announcement of sickness and death. The mer-
chant, the lover, the wife, the widow, the mother, the
school-boy, the very child who tottered to the door at
the postman's knock, — how had they all looked for-
ward to the arrival of the old coach ! And where
were they all now ! "
CHAPTER IV.
SCIENCE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
BY JOHN ROBINSON.
Ix the sketch here attempted of a collection of
subjects which may be classified under the general
head of scientific, no pretence is made of complete-
ness of detail, or even that many points are not
omitted which are as well worthy of notice as some
others which are included. The breadth of the term
scientific might easily be made to embrace much mat-
ter which can be more properly treated under the
separate histories of this volume by writers more fa-
miliar with the individual worker or his special sub-
ject; nor will space be given to the scientific institu-
tions of the county or their work, as they will be fully
treated elsewhere. It will, therefore, only be under-
taken to show, before directly taking up the subjects
of natural history, the principal ground intended to
be covered by this article, that in science of almost
every sort Essex County has produced workers, and
workers, too, of no mean order. In the special field
of natural history a very remarkable amount has
been accomplished, especially in the direction of local
investigation, and, besides, the county ofters notewor-
thy inducements to encourage students of the natural
sciences.
There are many names, to which we may point
with pride, of men who, at home and abroad, have
received high honors, and, either by birth or residence,
have added to the fame of Essex County. In medi-
cal science the name of Edward Augustus Holyoke,
and in mathematics and astronomy those of Andrew
Oliver, Nathaniel Bowditch and Benjamin Pierce, are
remembered with gratitude and respect. In connec-
tion with the early established scientific institutions
Essex County held a prominent place. The original
membership of the American Academy of Arts an
Sciences included seventeen names, which may be
claimed as belonging to Essex County, and the initial
volume of the memoirs of that institution published
in 1785 was very largely composed of papers and
communications from Essex County scientists. In
chemistry many workers might be enumerated who
have contributed their share towards the increase of
general knowledge of the subject.
Dr. James R. Nichols of Haverhill, well known
through his long connection with the " Boston Journal
of Chemistry,'' of which he was the editor, has been
a worker in science and a writer of note. Among his
i
SCIENCE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
Ixxvii
published works are " Fireside Chemistry " and
" Chemistry of the Farm," but the one which has
prcbably arrested the most attention is a little volume
printed in 1882, entitled " From Whence, What,
Where?" which has already passed through several
editions.
Mr. Chas. Toppan is conspicuous as the inventor of a
very successful process for bleaching, and for the
new products of petroleum which he has introduced,
having also published accounts of his experiments.
In this place should be mentioned the name of Fran-
cis Peabody, a patron of the sciences, who was among
the first to become interested in the establishment of
the " Lyceum " system of scientific lectures, and
whose valuable library, ever open for the use of the
earnest student, now enriches the shelves of the Essex
Institute, of which, as well as the Peabody Academy
of Science, he was president. In physical science
the record is interesting. Jloses G. Farmer, of Salem,
the well-known electrician, was for many years con-
nected with the United States Government torpedo
station at Newport, R. I. Prof Charles Grafton Page,
in 1837, made experiments with magnetic currents
and musical sounds, which excited much attention
both in this country and abroad, and which paved the
way to that great invention, the speaking telephone,
which Prof. A. Graham Bell, a resident of Salem
during the years of his experimenting, first publicly
exhibited before a meeting of the Essex Institute in
that city in 1877.
With these brief references to other branches of
science, we will proceed to consider the natural his-
tory of the county and the work of students in its va-
rious departments.
Geology and Mineralogy. — The entire absence
of fossils and the obscure nature of the rocks of the
cimiity render the study of these branches of science
uninteresting to the beginner, who is usually attracted
at first, and led to more serious study, by the beauty
of the minerals or the curious forms of petrifactions
It is, therefore, easy to explain the rather limited
number of students of geology and mineralogy, as
compared with those interested in zoology and botany.
The work, too, in the county, although in many eases
emanating from prominent sources, has been carried
on by many diflerent persons, no single student having
attempted any general survey of the whole county, so
that a thoroughly satisfactory account of the geology
and mineralogy of the region cannot as yet be given.
A great number of papers and notices of local inter-
est have been published in the scientific journals and
proceedings of scientific societies; but as the larger
portion of these refer to a region of which Boston is
the centre, most of the work only covers the southern
and eastern portions of Essex County. A very full
list of published articles referring to the region of
Eastern Massachusetts, collected by Professor M. E.
Wadsworth and printed in the " Proceedings of the
Boston Society of Natural History" (vol. xix. p. 217),
viii
includes upwards of ninety titles of articles in the
" Memoirs and Proceedings of the American Academy,"
" Boston Journal of Philosophy and Arts," "American
Jourualof Science and Arts," " Proceedings of the Bos-
ton Society of Natural History " and the " Proceedings"
and "Bulletin of the Essex Institute," of greater
or less length, which relate more especially to the geolo-
gy and mineralogy of Essex County. Many of these,
articles are of course very brief and possess only a
negative value, while others are communications of
much interest and importance.
The list of writers of the earlier articles include the
names of Dana, Agassiz, Hitchcock, C. T. Jackson, W.
B. Rogers and Chas. Pickering, while the papers and
notices of more recent date, outside of the local work-
ers, include the names of N. S. Shaler, Alpheus Hyatt,
T. Sterry Hunt, W. O. Crosby and M. E. Wadsworth.
Among the residents of Essex County who have made
these subjects a study and who have published the re-
sults of their work are Dr. Andrew Nichols, of D.an-
vers; B. F. Mudge, Esq., andC. M.Traey,of Lynn ; J.
J. H. Gregory, of Marblehead ; Rev. S. Barden, of
Rockport ; Dr. H. C. Perkins and Alfred Osgood, of
Newburyport ; Rev. G. F. Wright, of Andover, and
D. 51. Balcb, of Salem.
Taking the more recently published work as a guide,
the following synopsis of the underlying rocks has
been prepared by Mr. J. H. Sears, of the Peabody
Academy of Science, as a provisional arrangement, but
one which, however, a more careful study of the rocks
of the county now in progress may in some respects
require to be changed :
NoKlAN. I Xaugus Head Series.
f Syenite, Hornblemlic and Binar.v, Peabody, Salem.
I Feldsite, Blarbletiead Neck, Lynn, Newbury.
Dioryte, Salem, Danvera, Peabody, Nahant, etc,
Horublendic Gneiss, Salem Neck, Danvens, Beverly.
Limestone, Lynufield, Danvere, Newbury.
MONTALB.\N.
Gneiss, West Danvere, Andover.
Mica Slate, Merrimac, Araesbury, Haverhill.
Argillite, Middleton, Topsfleld.
Shawmdt. i Amygdaloid, Saugus, River Parker, Newbury.
Slate, River Parker, Newbury.
Conglomerate, River Parker. Kent's Island.
Trachyte, Marblehead Uarbor.
The most conspicuous geological features of Essex
County are the trap-dykes, of which fine specimens
are to be seen at Nahant, Marblehead and Cape Ann,
and the curious drift boulders which are met with
in almost every part of the county, and which, to-
gether with the many wonderful glacial scratchings
and groovings, ofl'er a most favorable opportunity for
the study of this epoch in geology.
Many of the drift boulders are of great size and
are often found in most remarkable situations, pro-
jecting over ledges, mounted upon other stones or
crowning the summits of the hills. Among the
most noted boulders are Ship Rock, in Peabody,
the estimated weight of which is eleven hundred
Ixxviii
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tons; AgassizRock, in Manchester; and Phfeton Rock,
in the woods between Peabody and Lynn. M;^ny of
these, inchiding some of several tons in weight,
perched upon the bare hill-tops, may be rocked by
the hand, some even by a child. Were some of these
erratics in the grounds of any popular summer re-
sort their fame would be heralded abroad and thou-
sands flock to see them ; but, as it is, the country boy,
with his bare feet and berry pail, or the infrequent
pedestrian on his woodland rambles are their only
visitors.
Careful study is continually bringing to light
minerals previously unknown in the county. Many of
these, although insignificant in appearance, are of
great interest to the student, and serve to show the
relations between the characters of the Essex County
rocks and those of other regions. The number of
known or authentically reported minerals may be
placed at fifty-nine species.
The most general interest is naturally attached to
those minerals, chieHy the metals, of value in com-
merce or the arts. In the earliest colonial times bog
iron was worked at Saugus, and later, at Topsfield
and Boxford, it was taken out in two or three places
for mechanical purposes. The history of the old
iron-works at Saugus River is a very interesting one.
They were started in 16-13 and continued in opera-
tion under many difficulties until about 1688, but now
only cinder-heaps, covered with soil and herbage,
remain to tell of their existence. At these works labor-
ed Joseph Jenks, a native of Hammersmith, Eng-
land, the founder of a prominent New England
family. Jenks was an inventor of considerable note
in his day and deserves to be remembered as one of
the earliest men of scientific tendencies in the county.
A bit of romance attaches itself to him as the en-
graver of several of the dies from which the famous Pine
Tree shillings were struck off in 1652 and later. Iron
pyrites had been mined in Boxford, and gold was at
one time found in small quantities near Hood's Pond.
The so-called Governor Endicott copper mine in
Topsfield, has been worked within the century ; but,
probably, at a profit too small to warrant a continu-
ance of operations. Serpentine at Saugus, Lynnfield
and Newburyport has been quarried in small quan-
tities for ornamental purposes and for the manufac-
ture of magnesia.
But the most conspicuous effort, however, to turn
our mineralogical resources to account was that at
Newburyport, when the wave of speculation in lead
and silver passed over the once valueless pastures
of that locality. The result, not unexpected to the
miner of more practical experience in other regions,
although it may have placed profit in the hands of
some of the original land-owners or speculators in
land, proved of greater interest to the student for
whom specimens were brought to hand without cost,
than to those who were unfortunate enough to invest
their capital in the enterprise with the hope of large
financial returns. All attempts thus far made in the
direction of working our precious metals have re-
sulted, as similar attempts in the future are likely
to result, in small profit, if not actual loss. But
aside from this, there is left, however, as the pride
and prize of Essex County's geological and mineralog-
ical resources, the solid granite whose mass not only
assure us an enduring foundation and probably ex-
emption from natural convulsions, but which, un-
questionably, is to be looked upon as the mineral pro-
duct of the greatest commercial value in the county.
OuE Scientific Frontier. — From the fact that
the geographical boundaries of Essex Co. are largely
natural ones, it is possible to study its flora apart
from that of surrounding regions, with much more
satisfactory results than is usually the case in small
areas of territory bounded by arbitrary lines. Indeed,
with the exception of Barnstable County, Mass., where
the ocean marks nearly its entire outline, no county
in New England ofl'ers better opportunities for such
work than our own. For the botanist, the Merrimac
Valley to the northwest and the ocean on the northeast
and southeast form most natural limits, while toward
the south a solid mass of cities separate the county
from the region beyond Boston, the flora of whicli
shows many immediate and marked changes in char-
acter from that of Essex County. The southwestern
boundary is, however, a less natural one, although
the line of hills beginning at Chelsea and running
through Melrose and Saugus to Wakefield and Read-
ing forms a natural division between Essex and Mid-
dlesex a portion of the distance. The dividing line
between these counties, where Andover and Methuen
join Tewksbury and Draeut, is less satisfactory. This
is but a short distance, however, and there is no
marked difference in the character of the plants on
the opposite sides of the line at this point.
Botany and ZooLOtiY: General Features. —
Essex County contains upwards of fifty ponds rich in
water and marsh jflants, while the deep woods of Mid-
dlet(ni, Boxford and Andover and those of Manches-
ter and Essex closely resemble the interesting region
at the base of the White Mountains of New Hamp-
shire, and with these woods the bare and rugged
shores of Cajje Ann form a striking contrast.
The land plants belong to the northern flora, and
some mountain sjiecies may yet be found, while a
paradox in the shrubby form of the Magnolia g/auca,
still abundant in the Gloucester swamps, ofl'ers a sub-
ject for speculation. The marine algie belong decid-
edly to the arctic flora, for the long arm of Cape Cod
projecting into the ocean seems to form a natural bar-
rier to the farther progress of southern species north-
ward. At this point, too, the warm current of the
Gulf Stream bears ofl^ to the eastward, while toward
the shore, in Massachusetts Bay, the almost expended
influence of the cold Labrador current is felt. A
marked distinction is therefore found between the
marine animals and plants north of Cape Cod and those
SCIENCE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
Ixxix
at the south of it, although in favorable situations,
in warm nooks, some southern species are found north
of this barrier, while some northern ones retain a foot-
hold south of it, and there are certain cosmopolitan
species which flourish in all waters.
It will be seen, therefore, that with the great va-
riety of animals and plants which may be collected,
and the natural limits which may be placed to the
study of their distribution, attractions are offered
which have proved suHicient to develop many stu-
dents of botany and zoology at home, and to induce
many others from abroad, among them some of the
most eminent naturalists of the day, to come hei'e to
pursue their investigations.
Introduced Plants — The early settlement of the
county and numerous historical data available to the
botanist render this a particularly favorable region
to observe the introduced plants. Many species, such
as the genista, barberry, white-weed and others of
European origin, earl}' established themselves in
places where they now flourish to an extent it would
seem difficult for them to exceed in their native
lands. The natural fruits and vegetable productions,
and such plants of the old country as could be made
to succeed in this soil, were among the first things to
which the colonists gave their attention, as early ac-
counts amply testify, and thus we are, in many cases,
able to trace the date of introduction of species now
thoroughly naturalized. The study of these plants
is aided by the little work entitled, " New England
Rarities Discovered," by John Josselyn, an early
traveler, who made several visits to this country, the
most extended being from 1663 to 1671, when he
seems to have given much attention to the native and
introduced plants. A reprint of Josselyn's work,
with notes by Professor Edward Tuckerman, is now-
available. In studying the Essex flora, it must be
borne in mind that, by the clearing of the land and
other great changes incident to the settlement, such
native plants as were best able to endure these
changes, and those which the changes favored, have
now been given prominent places, while those which,
at the time of the settlement, may have been abun-
dant, but which were unable to endure the changed
surroundings, arc now scarce or have entirely disajv
peared. To the botanist all these questions add in-
terest to the study of the local flora, and perhaps ex-
plain why the plants have received more continuous
attention than either the animals or the minerals of
the county.
The Native Plants. — The fallowing table, taken
from the catalogue of the flora of Esse.K County, pub-
lished by the Essex Institute in 1S80, with addi-
tional notes made from the herbarium of the Pea-
budy Academy of Science, gives a fair idea of the
material available for botanical study and the dis-
tribution of species among the different families, as
well as the number of introduced plants to be found
in the countv :
Tabu showing the character of the plants, native 'tnd naluriilised, groioing in
Essex County, Mass,
Orders.
Genera.
1
.2
>
Intrudnced fruni
other portiuna of
United States.
Introduced from
foreign countrieB
>>
h
It
aj
•A
ExMgens
85 1 371
1 ' 7
17 124
5 21
2 69
2 2
3 115
855
17
372
5(1
161
9
312
36
"is"
17
12
3
41
39 1 210 157
3 4 10
6 41 1 t
47
Vaectilar (.'ryptogama
'.'.'.'.'.'. 1
Characea?
Thalloplivtes
U/-. 699
1776
147
48 1 263
t
168
55
Total number of species recorded 1776
Species of Fungi (estimated) 1200
Species of fresli water .\lga' (estimated) 2(X)
Diatomacea; (estimated) 250
Total of all species recorded and estimated 3426
In this table the introduced plants enumerated are
chiefly such as have become thoroughly estal)lished, al-
though sometimes very locally.^ The Thallophytes in-
clude only the lichens, of which forty-five genera, one
hundred and fifty-seven species, are recorded, and the
marine alg:e, of which there are seventy genera, one
hundred and fifty-four s|iecie,s. The fungi of the
county have never been catalogued, owing to their
great number and the difficulties attending their
study ; but, judging from the catalogues of other re-
gions, it is quite probable that twelve hundred spe-
cies would be a fair estimate of their number. Nei-
ther has any list been prepared of the Diatoms and
Desmids, a numerous class, which, together with a
large part of the fungi, are microscopic, and, al-
though numerous in species, possess but little value
in considering the flora as a whole, or the general
distribution or character of the plants of the county.
Prominent Botani.its. — The study of botany in Es-
sex County, it may be said in New England, properly
dates from the time of Kev. Manasseh Cutler, at the
close of the last century. Early writers, as Francis
Higginson, John Josselyn, William Wood, John
Winthrop and others, refer to the native fruits and
flowers. Josselyn published the well-known " New
England Earities Discovered," 2>reviously referred to,
and Higginson, in a letter written from Salem in
1629-30 (Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. 1. p. 121). speaks of
the " Flowering Mulberry," or raspberry, and
"Chervil," or sweet Cicely, as growing near Salem
in places where, certainly until a few years, these in-
teresting historical plants still flourished. None of
these writers can, however, be considered as Essex
County botanists, and it is not until the close of the
American Revolution that we find any serious or
scientific study given to the plants of the county.
Manasseh Cutler, of Hamilton, after his varied ser-
vices of Revolutionary chaplain, lawyer, doctor, pas-
tor, reformer and pioneer, found time to prepare, in
1783-84, as the the title of his paper says, " An ac-
count of the vegetable production growing in this
Ixxx
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1
part of America, botanically arranged." This was
published in the first volume of the "Memoirs of the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences," which
was printed in 1785, where some three hundred and
fifty species of flowering plants were described, and
several important scientific points suggested, which
have been since adopted in botanical treatises. Dr. Cut-
.ler's paper bears the date of presentation, January 2(i,
1784, and it was his intention to extend the work,
several manuscript volumes now being in existence
prepared toward this end.
Following Cutler came Dr. George Osgood and Dr.
Andrew Nichols, both of Danvers. The former con-
tributed notes for''Bigelow's Florula Bostoniensis,"
and published a partial list of plants in the vicinity of
Danvers and Salem; and the latter delivered, in 1816, a
series of lectures on botany, the first of such ever
given in this neighborhood. Dr. Nichols was one of
the founders of the Essex County Natural History
Society, and for some years its president, and he thus
had an important influence on local botanical work.
In 1823 two young men, both destined to be long re-
membered on account of their contributions to botani-
cal knowledge, began their work in Essex County.
These were William Cakes, of Danvers, later of Ips-
wich, and Charles Pickering, then speuding much of
his time at the homestead of his grandfather. Colonel
Timothy Pickering, at Wenham.
Oakes, disgusted with law, his chosen profession,
became the first critical botanist of the region, and
at this time converted Dr. Pickering from entomology
and conchology, studies he had first chosen, to bot-
any. Oakes botanized with Pickering extensively
in Essex County, particularly in the Creat Swamp,
Wenham, a region then almost in its primitive wild-
ness. He afterwards prepared a list of Vermont
plants for Thompson's history of that State, and had
in contemplation a work on the plants of New Eng-
land, which, owing to the appearance of Beck's Bot-
any, was never completed. His most elaborate work
was a folio volume on White Mountain scenery, illus-
trated by Sprague, which, however, was not published
until after his death, in 184S. Oakes was impulsive
and generous, and thoroughly in earnest in his favor-
ite study. Like many men of note, he was little appre-
ciated while living, yet no monument could have been
erected to make his memory more cherished and his
labors more respected by the present generation of
botanists than that which he left behind, — an exten-
sive collection of beautifully prepared botanical speci-
mens determined with faultless accuracy, a portion of
which formed the nucleus of the present county
botanical cabinet, now in the hands of the Peabody
Academy of Science in Salem.
Professor Tuckerman dedicated to him a pretty
little plant common in the region of Plymouth, but
as this was afterwards transferred to another genus,
the name " Oakesia " has been given to the sjjriug
belhvort, a common Essex County plant, by Professor
Watson, of Cambridge, who, in his revision of the
Liliacea?, has thus named it to perpetuate the mem-
ory of William Oakes.
In 1838 Dr. Pickering was appointed naturalist to
the United States (Wilkes) Exploring Expedition,
and, to perfect his knowledge of animals and jjlants
in foreign countries, he made extensive journeys after
his return from that expedition. He was the author
of several works of great value, the production of
which required untiring research. Among them are
the " Geographical Distribution of Animals and
Plants " and the " Chronological History of Plants,"
the latter occupying the last sixteen years of his life
in its preparation.
It is but right that Essex County should claim a
share of the honor of his name, for it was here that
his attention was drawn to the study of botany, and
in the " Chronological History of Plants," page 1063,
we find the following entry : " 1824. In this year,
after an excursion in 1823 with William Oakes, di-
verting mj' attention from entomology, (I made) my
first botanical discovery." Dr. Pickering retained
the deepest interest in botanical work in Essex
County until his death, which occurred at Boston
March 17, 1878.
The work of the Essex Institute from its founda-
tion, in 1848, following that of the Essex County
Natural History Society, from which it was in part
developed, was largely devoted to botany and horti-
culture, a leading speaker at its meetings and con-
tributor to its publications being Rev. John Lewis
Russell, who made his home in Salem in 1853.
Mr. Russell devoted himself principally to crypto-
gamic botany, publishing accounts of his investiga-
tions from time to time as he proceeded. He was,
besides, the author of many popular articles on va-
rious families of plants. He lectured frequently on
botany, and was for many years vice-president of the
Essex Institute, and contributed much to the general
knowledge of botany in Essex County, but his most
extensive collections were made in other places.
Among the earlier published catalogues of the
plants of portions of the county was the " Studies of
the Essex Flora," by Mr. Cyrus M. Tracy, of Lynn.
This was intended to give a list of the flowering
plants found in the neighborhood of Lynn, and
enumerated five hundred and forty-six species. Be-
sides possessing a very happy gift as a botanical lec-
turer, Mr. Tracy has contributed several valuable
articles upon local botany to the publications of the
Essex Institute and elsewhere.
At the evening and field meetings of the Essex
Institute many papers on botanical subjects have
been presented, including, in addition to those pre-
viously referred to, contributions from George D.
Phippen, S. B. Buttrick, John Robinson and John H.
Sears, of Salem ; Rev. A. B. Alcott, of Boxford;
Miss Mary N. Plumer, of Newburyport ; Miss H. A.
Paine, of Groveland ; and others. Many students of
SCIENCE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
botany are distributed throughout the county, and
numerous private herbaria have been formed, and, at
tlie rooms of the Peabody Academy of Science in
Salem, a large and valuable collection of the plants
of Essex County is accessible to botanists. Special
work has been done by several authors and collectors
outside of the county, who have either visited this re-
gion to study the plants, or who have made compar-
ative observation from specimens sent to them from
the county for the purpose. W. H. Harvey visited
Nahant about 1850 to stndy the marine alg;i' in pre-
paring his famous work, " Nereis Boreali-Amcricana,"
which was published by the Smithsonian Institution
in 1852-57. Professor W. G. Farlow, in his "Algae of
New England," and in his monograph of the Gymno-
sporangea, includes the Essex County species studied
by him at various stations. Dr. B. D. Halstead and
Dr. T. F. Allen have studied the Charaeea>, and have
published articles on the .species ; Mr. F. S. Collins
has carefully studied the marine algas, Mr. C. E.
Faxon the grasses, sedges and mosses, and Mr. C. J.
Sprague the lichens. Rev. A. B. Hervey, now of
Taunton, worked almost entirely in Essex County in
preparing his "Collector's Guide and Introduction to
the Study of Marine Algie." Nearly all of the work of
Essex County botanists has been systematic ; at least
little, if anything, in the way of original research has
been published by any county author in relation to
the physiology or morphology of plants.
HorlicuUure. — In horticulture, a science too seldom
treated as such, the citizens of Essex County have
furnished valuable contributions. The establishment
of the Essex Agricultural Society and the horticul-
tural department of the Essex Institute have doubtless
fostered the interest which has been shown from the
earliest date in this subject, and which at times has
been given considerable prominence in the county.
There are several names worthy to be mentioned as
promoters of the science of horticulture. Robert
Manning, of Salem, whose death in the midst of his
labors occurred in 1842, at one time cultivated in his
own gardens, for the purpose of critical comparison,
nearly one thousand varieties of pears, together with
other fruits, sufficient to make the total of two thou-
sand varieties, several of which he originated. John
Fisk Allen, as early as 1843, produced some valuable
varieties of grapes, the famous "Allen's Hybrid" be-
ing one of the number, and during the years of his
experimenting in horticulture he tested the large
number of four hundred varieties of grapes under
glass. Mr. Alien was the first person in New Eng-
land and the second in the United States to success-
fully cultivate the great water lily of South America
{ Fictoria regia), which he flowered in Salem in 1853,
and later he published, at great expense, a superbly
illustrated folio work on its habits and cultivation.
Between 1830 and 1877 Mr. Geo. Haskell, ol' Ipswich,
made many scientific experiments in the culture of
the grape l)y grafting, inarching amd hybridization.
the results of which he published in pamphlet form
in 1877. During this time Mr. Haskell produced sev-
eral hardy hybrid grapes of acknowledged merit.
Beginning in 18()1 and continuing for several years
afterward, Mr. Edward S. Rogers, of Salem, by a
strictly scientific experiment, the result of excellent
botanical knowledge, produced the famous hybrids
between the native fox grape and the more tender,
hot-house varieties, known as the "Rogers' Grapes."
These have given to cultivators a class of hardy
grapes of rare excellence and world-wide reputation,
and have won for the oriiiinator the gold medal of the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the highest
award of the most eminent institution of its character
in America.
Zoology} — Though Essex County has been a favor-
ite collecting ground for naturalists for many years,
exact statistics of its fauna are lacking. For this
there are several reasons, the most prominent of
which is that in recent years students have failed to
record the results of their researches. Thus, of the
mollusks, no catalogue has been published for half a
century, while not a single group of insects has been
thoroughly worked up. In fact, the only group con-
cerning which we have definite statistical knowledge
is that of the vertebrates, where we have, thanks to
the labors of Messrs. Goode and Bean, of the United
States National Museum, a catalogue of all the fishes
that are known within the county limits, and the ex-
cellent catalogue of the birds by F. W. Putnam, which,
although the work of his youth, has required but few
corrections to bring it up to the present time. Of the
other vertebrates, the turtles, snakes and batrachians
are comparatively few in number and fairly well
known, while to the knowledge of the existing mam-
mals but little can be added, although a very interest-
ing chapter could be written upon those which have
disappeared, and whose story must be looked for in
the early colonial records and the Indian shell-heaps.
We have many catalogues of New England animals,
but it is a diflicult task for a student to predict from
these exactly what forms will be found in a certain
restricted region. Thus the land forms to be found
in Northern Maine or on the White Mountains would
ditt'er greatly from those occurring near the shore of
Long Island Sound, and from neither could we ex-
actly tell those which would be found in Essex
County. In the marine fauna, too, a similar difficulty
is noted, for Cape Cod divides the animals occurring
in the salt water into two groups, each with its own
fades, although there are of course many species
which occur on either side of that barrier.
The following estimate of the number of species,
although but rudely approximate, may serve as a
guide for the present and until further published
1 Th« writer 13 largely imlebted to Prof. J. S. Kitigsloy, of the Stat«
University of Truliana, formerly a special Htiuleut at tliM I'ealioiiy
Academy of Science at Salem, for tlio account of this branclt of tlie
natural history of the county.
Ixxxii
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
work shall furnish us with accurate figures (in some
groups there are almost no data to base any conclu-
sions upon, while others, however, are comparatively
well known) :
Sponges 30
Cwlenterates 100
Ecbinodenas 30
MoUuacoiilea 60
MolluBca 390
Worms 225
Crustacea 250
Insects 2500
Veytebrales :
Ascidia 20
rishes 150
Batrachia 18
Reptiles 22
Birds 266
Mammals 41 517
4102
In the above estimate both the fresh water and ma-
rine fauna are included. Of the simplest forms of
animal life, the Protozoa, no account is made for the
reason that absolutely nothing is known of them be-
yond the fact that the species are very abundant ;
every stagnant pool has its population, while the mud
near the shore is actually alive with them. Incon-
spicuous as they are, they play an important part in
the food supply of many of the economic fishes, as
well as in destroying still smaller forms which might
otherwise be injurious to human health. Of the
sponges of the county but little is known ; many of
them are inconspicuous, and none are of value for the
ordinary purposes for which sponges are used, as all
lack that resilience of fibre characteristic of commer-
cial sponges. The finest examples of sponges in Essex
County have been found on the piles of Essex bridge.
The marine worms are very abundant, and furnish
a large amount of food for fishes. While the ordinary
conception of a worm is that of a disgusting animal,
many of the marine worms are marvels of beauty both
in shape and color. In this respect however they
must yield to some of the Ca'lenterates, a group which
includes the jelly-fish, sea-anemones and those other
flowers of the sea which the naturalist calls hydroids.
None of these, however, have the economic importance
possessed by some of the mollusks and Crustacea,
groups which furnish the oyster, clam and lobster.
The insects are almost solely terrestrial and, as will
be seen from the above table, include over half the
total number of species occurring in the county. Of
tliese the beetles are the most numerous in species, it
being estimated that from twelve to fifteen hundred
can be found within the boundaries. Next in nu-
merical importance come the flies and bugs, followed
in turn by the bees and ants on the one hand, and the
butterflies and moths on the other, the remaining
forms of insects being few in number of species. The
vertebrates are so well known that they need no fur-
ther mention than the figures against the different
orders in the table above.
The marine fauna of Essex County is decidedly
northern. The majority of the species found along
the coast range north to the British provinces, and not
a few may be collected on the shores of Europe, mak-
ing the passage by the way of the Arctic seas. A
smaller number range southward and pass the bound-
ary line of Cape Cod, though but few extend in this
direction beyond the Jersey shore. The land animals
are likewise northern in character, and Essex County
may be regarded as a portion of the " AUeghanian
region " of the " Eastern province " of zoological geog-
raphy.
Several localities in the county have become famous
as zoological centres, either from the students who
have lived near them or from the profusion of the
material they offer for study. To the first category
belongs Salem, for the Essex Institute and thePeabody
Academy of Science have drawn many zoologists
hither. Here Wheatland, Putman, Packard, Hyatt,
Morse, Emerton and Cooke have labored, while for
several years students came from all parts of the
country to attend the Academy's Summer School of
Biology. Salem may also rank among the places of
the other group, for there are few spots on the whole
New England coast which furnish better collecting
ground than that around Essex (Beverly) Bridge,
where the number of species to be found is very large,
although indiscriminate collecting would soon deplete
it. Next in order is Nahant where the Agassizs, fa-
ther and son, with their assistants and pupils, did so
much to enlarge our knowledge of the marine life.
More lately Annisquam has come into prominence
through the laboratory there established in 1881 by
Professor Hyatt and maintained by the Women's Ed-
ucational Society of Boston.
The interest in zoological studies has been fostered
by the various scientific societies within the county,
the most prominent among which are the Essex In-
stitute and thePeabody Academy of Science of Salem.
Besides these may be enumerated the Lynn Natural
History Society, the Cape Ann Literary and Scientific
Society, at Gloucester, the Danvers Natural History
Society, the Bradford Natural History Society, the
West Newbury Natural History Society, the Merri-
mac Natural History Society, of Amesbury, and the
Cuvier Club, of Salem, which last, although composed
entirely of young people, gives promise of good results,
For two years the United States Fish Commission
made Essex County the centre of its explorations,
contributing much information of value, especially in
relation to the deep-water animals.
The fiiuna of Essex County has been made the sub-
ject of several studies, some of which are worthy of
mention in the present sketch. Professor Hyatt has
studied the sponges ; the Agassizs, father and son, and
the late H. J. Cook have investigated the radiates
the development of the worms has been studied by
Alexander Agassiz and Charles Girard; the mollusca
have been investigated by John Lewis Russell
SCIENCE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
Ixxxiii
William Stimpsoa and Edward S. Morse ; Professor
ilorse, also, was the first author to point out the true
position of the brachiopods among the worms, his
theory now being adopted by the most eminent scien-
tists. The Crustacea and their development have been
studied by A . S. Packard and J. S. Kingsley ; the
harvestmen have been described by H. C. Wood, and
J. H. Emerton has made and published researches on
the spiders. Among the insects, the work of A. S.
Packard, S. H. Scudder and F. W. Putman deserves
mention. J. S. Kingsley has described the develop-
ment of one of the acsidians, while among the fishes
the papers of G. B. Goode and T. H. Bean and of F.
W. Putman upon the species, and the investigations
of J. S. Kingsley, H. W. Conn and B. H. Vantleck
upon the development, should not be omitted. F. W.
Putman has studied the reptiles and birds, furnishing
the list of county species pulilished in the proceedings
of the Essex Institute previously referred to. The
birds have also been investigated by Dr. Elliot Cones.
In spite of the work above referred to, and the ex-
cellence, even eminence, of many of the workers, the
field is so large and the supply of materials so great
that there still remains an enormous amount of work
to be accomplished before a knowledge which may be
termed exact is obtained of the animals of the county.
Arch.eology. — In archaeology, a study but re-
cently given its proper position among the sciences,
considerable work has been done in tlie county. The
surface relics of the race which formerly occupied
this territory have long been observed, and, in a few
instances, preserved specimens of the so-called axes,
celts and arrow-heads were placed in the East India
Museum in Salem as early as 1802, and examples
were figured in the first volume of the American
Academy, published in 1785, from the cabinet of that
institution. But it is only in comparatively recent
years that any scientific observations have been
ma le in relation to the graves, village sites and
shell-heaps of this early race. Much has been writ-
ten of late, speculative and otherwise, in relation to
the pre-historic people, which may be read by those
desiring to form opinions as to the correctness of the
various theories advanced, but it is sufficient here to
say that the most reasonable theories point to the
Algonquin Indians of the region at the time of the
settlement of this country, and their direct ancestors,
as the people who fashioned the implements of stone,
bone and clay which are daily turned up by the
jdough and occasionally met with in graves and
shell-heaps. Yet it is reasonable to accept the theory
that another and earlier race once occupied the
country, perhaps the ancestors of the Esquimaux,
even ruder in their way than the Indians, and who,
being driven to the North by a more aggressive race,
left their relics behind, which are now found con-
fused with those of later date. It was supposed
formerly that tiie shell-heaps found all along our
coast were natural deposits, and not until recently
were they connected with the early inhabitants of
the county. Professor Jeffrys Wyman, of Cam-
bridge, investigated the shell-heaps at Ipswich, with
Putnam, Cooke and Morse, and later these investi-
gations have been continued by many others.
The most interesting result of the study of these
shell-heaps is perhaps that learned from the ex-
amination of a very old deposit at Ipswich, composed
of shells of the oyster, a species now practically
extinct along our shore, but which at the time of
the deposit of this shell-heap must have been very
abundant. From the relics there found, it was clearly
shown that cannibalism was practiced by the people
who left us this record of their existence. In 1867
Mr. J. F. Le Baron prepared a map of the shell-
heaps on Castle Neck, Ipswich, and throughout the
county are numerous collections of so-called " Indian
relics," most of which may be classed as "surface-
finds," owned by private individuals and public
institutions. The largest collection of pre-historic
relics is that of the Peabody Academy of Science
in Salem, which numbers several thousand speci-
mens and includes many objects from graves and
shell-heaps, besides skeletons and crania.
Besides the work of Wyman, I'utnam and others
and the articles published by the Essex Institute on
this subject. Dr. Abbott, of New Jersey, has made
some field observations here and has published in his
work entitled " Primitive Industry" much of interest
in relation to tbe local archaeology, besides giving fig-
ures of specimens collected in Essex County. Pro-
fessor Jlorse, of the Peabody Academy, during his
visit to Ja|>an, made several explorations in connec-
tion with the archa?ology of that country, the results
of his work being published in the memoirs of the
University of Tokio, Japan.
Archaeology is now one of the most progressive
among the sciences, and one of Essex County's gifted
sons, Professor Frederick W. Putnam, formerly of
Salem, now Peabody Professor of Archieology and di-
rector of the Archieological Museum at Cambridge,
profiting by his early training as a zoologist, is for
the first time teaching the country the proper and
only way of exploring the mysterious mounds of the
West.
It will be seen by this sketch that a large portion of
the scientific work has centered in and around Salem.
This is undoubtedly due to the facilities there ofi'ered
for study. Museums and scientific institutions had
early become established in Salem, and many society
and private libraries and microscopes were available.
But with the interest in these sulijects and the estab-
lishment of good lecture courses and libraries in
nearly every city and town, natural history and
scientific clubs and societies have sprung up in vari-
parts of the county, and students of natural history
may now be found at every hand, both ci)llectors and
those who are pursuing their studien of the minerals,
the fauna or the flora, without forming collections.
Ixxi
XIV
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
CHAPTEK V.
THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY LYCEUMS.
BY KOBERT S. RANTOUL.
Timothy Claxton was born in Norfolk, England,
August 22, 1790. His father was a gardener, in the
service of the Windham family, at Earshani Hall.
Neither hia father nor his mother could read or write,
but, with the generous aid of the Honorable Mrs.
Windham, the mistress of the house, they were en-
abled to educate their children. Timothy was from
boyhood a marked character, and, as a young man,
identified himself with the great movement for the
general diflusion of knowledge, which, under the lead
of Henry Brougham and other less conspicuous and
comprehensive minds, swept over England and Scot-
land in the third decade of the present century. It was
in the year 1823 that the so called '' Mechanics' Insti-
tutes '■ began to attract the attention of all classes in
Great Britain by their marked success. In that year,
Claxton, who had spent sometime in Russia, engaged
in the introduction of fgas-works, sailed from St.
Petersburg and landed at Boston, whence, in Septem-
ber, he removed to Methuen, in this County, and con-
nected himself with the machine-shop of a cotton-
mill established by Stephen Minot, of Haverhill, at
Spicket Falls, and at that time operated under the
supervision and agency of the afterwards well-known
political economist and writer, Amasa Walker.
In detailing, in his autobiography entitled the " Me-
moir of a Mechanic,'' the years passed in Methuen,
this remarkable man says :
*' In the spring of 1824 an opportunity offered itself for me to attempt
the formation of a society for mutual improvement. A small society,
for reading and general inquiry, had existed for ahout five years in the
village, and was at a very low ehb at that time. I attended it and
found a respectable number of both sexes, .issembled at the house ot one
of the members. They were engaged in reading by turns, and the
president put questions to them ;is they proceeded. I inquired what
other exercises they had. He told me that was all, except an annual ad-
dress by the president. I asked if it would not be well to try the debat-
ing of questions and familiar lectures on science and the arts. He
thought well of it. I told him I thought they need not be afraid, for I
bad seen persons engaged in such exercises whose opportunities were in-
ferior to theirs. I was asked if I could give them a lecture. I said I
would try, and prepared myself accordingly. I had brought a small
air-pump with me from Russia, which I made from apiece of gas-tubing,
with a ground brass plate, on a mahogany stiiud. I bought a few glass
articles, which I ground to tit the pump-plate, with a little sand and wa-
ter, on the hearth-stone of my room. I procured a small wash tub and
fitted a shelf to it, for a pneumatic cistern. In this way I succeeded,
with a very simple apparatus, in explaining the mechanical and some of
the chemical properties of air. This put new life into the society.
Their constitution was revised, to make provision for a library and ap-
paratus. Debating was introduced with success, and the ladies handed
in compositions which were read at the meetings. Several members
were prevailed upon to give lectures on subjects connected with their
professions or callings. I served as vice.president* for the remainder of
my stay in the town, and took an active part. The society became too
large for the members' houses. It tried the School-House and then the
Tavern Hall, but, not satisfied with either, built a two-story building for
its own use, and continued to prosper. It held weekly meetings, with a
routine of exercises for the month, comprising, for the first week, Read-
ing by all ; for the second, Reading by one memberspecially designated ;
for tile third, Original Lectures, and for the fourth. Discussion."
Here we have germinating, in the spring of 1824,
in Essex County, the root-idea of the American Ly-
ceum. The society, which Claxton left behind him
well-established in Methuen, when, in October, 1826,
he removed to Boston, possessed every characteristic
feature of the novel organization now to be described,
and which, under the uew name of "Lyceum," soon
to be applied to it by another, was about to challenge
the approval and enlist the interest, and even the en-
thusiasm of the best minds in the country. I have
been thus minute in describing Claxton's enterprise,
because no earlier date than this can be assigned to
the origin of "the Lyceum system in America. On
his removal to Boston, he became well known for his
mechanical ingenuity, his large scientific attainments
and his whole-souled devotion to the diffusion of use-
ful knowledge. He at once associated himself with
Josiah Holbrook, who had just come there from Con-
necticut, and with other kindred spirits and before
the end of the year 1826 had established the " Boston
Mechanics' Institution." In 1829 he bore an active
part in the formation of the first Boston Lyceum, and
in 1831, with Holbrook and others, established the
"Boston Mechanics' Lyceum," of which, for the next
five years, Claxton was chosen president. Finally,
having inherited an estate in England, he returned
thither to enjoy it, and there closed his life. In 1839
he issued, from the London press, a book of "Hints
on Self-Education," of which the London Civil En-
gineer and Architects' Journal remarked, in a strain of
high commendation, that "it had all the ease and
simplicity of De Foe, and the exemplary utility of
Franklin."
Dr. George A. Perkins, of Salem, who passed his
early years in Boston, well remembers Claxton as a
valued friend of his boyhood, always genial, gracious
and kind, who would interrupt his work, not for
hours merely, but for days, in order that some willing-
minded youth might not go unenlightened.
Attention was first publicly called to the general
practicability of organizations like this in an anony-
mous article which appeared in the October number
of the American Journal of Education for 1826. It
proved to have been written by one Jo.siah Holbrook,
an alunmus of Yale College and a native of Derby,
Conn., born in 1788. Mr. Holbrook afterwards be-
came well known as an enthusiastic devotee of popu-
lar education in all its phases. At different periods
of his career he was a lecturer upon science, a maker
of school apparatus, and a compiler of school text-
books, and in 1824 was conducting at Derby an agri-
cultural and manual-labor school, in which he had,
in some measure, anticipated the modern theory of
object-teaching. His .scheme for " Associations of
Adults for Mutual Education," as he called them, the
name "Lyceum" being only applied a little later,
was introduced to public notice in a guarded editorial
indorsement as "of uncommon interest," as "impor-
tant in a political point of view," as "intimately con-
THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY LYCEUMS.
Ixxxv
nected with the diffusion of intelligence and with the
elevation of character among the agricultural and
mechanic classes," as " a sure preventive of those in-
sidious inroads of vice which are ever ready to be
made on hours of leisure and relaxation." With such
high liopes, prompted by motives so unmistakably
humane, ingenuous and noble, did the pioneers in this
unique undertaking make their modest, though con-
fident appeal to public favor 1
On January 7, 1879, the Concord Lyceum com-
memorated its fiftieth anniversary. The fir.st name
on its original roll and its first jiresident had been
the venerable and Reverend Dr. Ripley, the Revolu-
tionary sage who had, from his study window in the
Old Manse, watched his parishioners defending the
bridge on that fateful day when there
*' The embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world !"
The last of the original signers of its constitution
had been Judge Hoar, then a lad of twelve, now be-
come a personage of the fir.st distinction, introduced
in 1870 by Emerson to C'arlyle, as "a friend whom
you saw in his youth, now an inestimable citizen in
this State, and lately in President Grant's Cabinet,
Attorney-General of the United States. He lives in
this town and carries it in his hand."
Naturally called on to speak on such an occasion,
Judge Hoar remarked : —
" The Lyceum began, aa most thin^ do that are eood, by the gratui-
tous labors of an enthusiast, BIr. Josiah Holbrook, of Boston, a man who
was interested in geology and mineralogy, and went about the State de-
livering lectures upon these subjecta, and urging the people of the cities
and towns to form Lyceums for popular education. His scheme embraced
a good deal. He l>ersuaded the people of various towns and cities, of
Boston, and Charlestown, and Salem, and Worcester, and many of the
smaller towns of the commonwealth to start his Lyceums. There has
beeu but one, however, that has grown up into anything like the pro-
portions of the institution which he contemplated and recommended,
and that 'is the Essex Institute at Salem. It has, as he proposed each
Lyceum should have, a large library, an extensive collection of objects
in natural history, cabinets of mineralogy, having courses of lectures,
and th« members dividing themselves into sections for the prosecution of
the study of history, science and art."
The large expectations entertained of Holbrook's
novel scheme will appear from the contemporary ex-
pressions of its prime mover and his coadjutors, and
from the sympathetic utterances of the journals of
the day. There was nothing new in the Debating
Club, the Social Library, the Literary Circle, the
Union for General Inquiry and for Scientific Research.
These had long been known, and in one form or an-
other had sprung into a sporadic life in all the active
centres of the world. Paris and London had not
been without them for centuries, and Franklin had,
just a hundred years before, established his "Junto,"
where the select coterie of a dozen friends, picked
from his " ingenious acquaintance," who spent Fri-
day evenings at the Ale House in Philadelphia in
1727, discussed curious queries on points of morals,
politics or natural philosophy, propounded a week in
advance of their consideration, heard original essays
from each member in turn, and finally established a
"lending library,"— the germ of the American Philo-
sophical Society. But the idea of combining the
functions of libraries and literary, scientific ami de-
bating clubs all in one body — of throwing the doors
wide open and inviting in all who would assume their
shareof the work — of systematically organizing such
clubs in every village and hamlet and then, for mu-
tual encouragement and help, joining them all in a
common league together, was indeed a new conceit,
and if impracticable in its details, was not unworthy
of that tbrmative period which preceded Boards of
Education, Normal Schools and Teachers' Institutes
and Conventions, — the day of slow mails, stage-coach
travel, rare newspapers, scant amusements and un-
systematic teaching, before the cylinder-press, the
electric telegraph, the locomotive engine, the subma-
rine cable and the ocean steamer had made the world
one family, — the day which ushered in our " revival
of learning," when the depressions resulting from two
wars waged to effect our independence of Great Bri-
tain were happily over, when a distinctly American
literature was beginning to show itself in the writings
of Dana, Bryant, Irving, Cooper and Halleck, when
Mann and his co-workers were just extorting from the
close-locked Teutonic intelligence the secrets of the
Prussian school sy.stem for the advantage of our new
republic, when Bancroft, Everett, Ticknor and Hedge
were just returning from their first taste of German
University culture, burthened like honey-bees with
' their delicious store, and when the English speaking
peoples on both sides of the water seemed suddenly
waking up to the consciousness as of newly discov-
ered truth in the now familiar postulate that demo-
cratic government, while it is the safest and most sta-
ble of all if it rest on generally diffused intelligence,
becomes, when based on prevailing ignorance, the
most intolerable of despotisms.
Holbrook's confidence in his scheme was contagious
because it was enthusiastic and exuberant. He sup-
posed the Lyceum system would rapidly pervade the
country and ultimately the world at large. " It seems
to me," he said in his original prospectus, "that if
associations for mutual instruction in the sciences
and other branches of useful knowledge could once
be started in our villages, and upon a general plan,
they would increase with great rapidity and do more
for the general diffusion of knowledge and for raising
! the moral and intellectual taste of our countrymen
than any other expedient which can possibly be de-
vised. And it may be questioned if there is any
other way to check the progress of that monster, in-
temperance, which is making such havoc with talents,
morals and everything that raises man above the
brute, but by presenting some object of sufiicient in-
terest to divert the attention of the young from places
and practices which lead to dissipation and to ruin."
In this initial article and in the subsequent allus-
ions to the subject with which the public jiress and
Ixxxvi
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
educational periodicals fairly teemed, the general
mechanism of the proposed organization is sufficient-
ly disclosed. Each " Association of Adults for Mu-
tual Improvement " was to have its president, secre-
taries, treasurer, curators and other needful function-
aries and also three delegates to meet, twice a year,
delegates from other branches of the organization in
the same county, for the furthering of its various ob-
jects, especially " for qualifying teachers." And this
board of delegates for the county, duly organized,
shall appoint a representative to meet representatives
from other like boards, who shall be .«tyled the
" Board of Mutual Education for the State." These
State boards are to organize in turn, to meet annually
for certain prescribed functions, and to send delegates
to a general conclave embracing the whole country,
whose permanent headquarters were ultimately to be
established at Washington. The society was to be
open to all adults of both sexes who were willing to
share its labors and its cost, and the monies accruing
from fees for admittance or from the generosity of
patrons were to be applied to the purchase of books,
cabinets, philosophical and scientific apparatus, the
collection and exchange among the Lyceums of the
country of specimens in botany mineralogy and natural
history, the preparation and publication of town and
county maps and histories and the observing and
communicating through publication and correspond-
ence of atmospheric, meteorological and climatic phe-
nomena, the chemical analysis of soils, the character
of quarries, minerals and mines, and such other facts
of importance as might from time to time come to the
knowledge pf the corresponding secretaries. Funds
might also be applied to the aid of institutions for
" practical instruction," and even to the help of de-
serving aspirants in pursuing the higher branches of
study. In science " classes" were to be formed, each
choosing its " foreman," and conducting its investiga-
tions in its own way, and each in turn occupying the
floor on its allotted night and c'aiming the attention
of the whole Lyceum, be it in geology, astronomy, nat-
ural philosophy, chemistry or mechanics. The plan of
itinerant, migratory or perambulating libraries was
commended to the attention of counties and towns.
This plan consisted in combining the funds devoted by
several neighboring towns to the purchase of books
for general circulation, so that more books should be
obtained for the money expended and no duplicates
bought. Thus each town in a group, say of five towns
for instance, would take possession of one fifth of the
books purchased, keep them for an agreed period and
pass them on to the next town of the group, receiving
a second fifth at the expiration of the stipulated
term. But in the estimation of the projectors of the
Lyceum the library in all its forms had failed as a
stimulant to independent thinking amongst the mass
of the people. Some more pungent flavor must be
imparted to general education. This was to be
eflected through the immediate contact and clashing
of mind with mind in neighborly bouts over issues of
real, living, dominating importance. Questions upon
which all the townspeople had finally to pass were to
be debated before all the town by friends and neigh-
bors who had serious convictions, pro and contra, as
to how these questions ought to be determined.
Moreover, scholarship was seen to possess intrinsic
and inherent values of its own, quite aside from the
consideration it buys. Why, it was asked, may not
all men enjoy these in equitable measure? The
locking up of learning in cloisters and colleges had
been denounced by our forefathers from the first, as
among the " wiles of Satan." Why not seize, per-
force, upon the cherished heir-loom of the schools?
If eloquence and culture, if the gifts of tongue and
pen and the power of deep thinking were precious
boons, entitling the possessor to the deference they
claimed, why, it was impatiently asked, might they
not be more evenly distributed ? If science and the
arts really conduced to the amelioration of mankind,
why be longer indebted for their blessings to a few
favored devotees? Why not snatch them for our-
selves? Was it the spirit of the Renaissance and the
Reformation abroad again? Or was it rather the
error of the French Encyclopiedists masquerading in
a new disguise? It wa.s no spirit of hostility or jeal-
ousy towards the higher learning, for it assumed that
happiness was possible in the ratio of the learning
attained. It was not proposed to raze the citadel, but
only to assault its keep and divide its hoarded treas-
ure. It was an uprising in behalf of more light.
Perhaps it was the socialistic principle applied to
culture. Perhaps it was communism in brain-food
and brain products. It wandered far away from its
English prototype, — so far that we find Sir Thomas
Weise, a Briti.sh member of Parliament, discussing
the doings of the National Lyceum of America in
1831, with a view to adapt its methods to the needs of
the Mechanics' Institutes of England. Holbrook
claimed it as a thoroughly American product, and it
certainly seemed well suited to the genius of the
country, for it was democratic in spirit and republican
in form ; it was free and voluntary and spontaneous
in its origin ; it was elastic and self-adapting in its
organization ; it was social and humanizing in its
aims, and kept before it the great and dignified causej
ot self-culture and mutual improvement, while it cer9^
tainly might claim continental scope and dimensionsj
after its first national meeting in 1831, when no lesa
than eight or nine hundred town Lyceums were re-l
ported in different parts of the country, with fift}' oi;
sixty county Lyceums, as well as several State organ-1
izations. The end showed that vitality resided in the!
town Lyceums and not in the attempted confedera-
tions of them.
The reader who finds it hard to recognize in all
these anticipations the lyceum of actual fact as we
have known it for the last half-century, may easily
reconcile himself to the truthfulness of the picture I
THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY LYCEUMS.
Ixxxvii
have drawn by a little study of the journals of the
day, — by an examination of the score of articles which
appeared in the first five volumes of the American
Journal of Education, — and by a passing glance at the
state of opinion and conditions of life which prevailed
in the New England of 1820-30.
When Claxton was lecturing on air before his
townsmen of Methuen, there was not a rod of steam
railway in existence. That potent leveling and cen-
tralizing agency had not begun its work. The ques-
tion was still an opeu one whether horse-power or
steam would ultimately prove the better motor for the
new roadways already being provided with rails of
wood, iron and stone. And it was only in 1828-29
that the Stephensons succeeded in applying the tubu-
lar boiler to the traction engine "Rocket," and that
the trium]ih of steam was established. The first
locomotive-engine which invaded Essex County ran
on a spur track laid by the Boston and Lowell cor-
poration to Audover in 1833, and to Haverhill in 1835.
The Eastern Railroad reached Salem in 1838. Tops-
field was, up to this time, the recognized centre of the
county, and its Academy Hall and its famous Stage
House, since removed to Phillips' Beach, Swampscott,
and there consumed by fire, were the usual meeting-
places for all county gatherings. Each town had then
a social autonomy of its own, not yet impaired by the
draft on its active citizenship, necessary to meet the
business demands of our great railroad centres, build-
ing up great hives of industry and bringing together
great swarms of population, nor by the superior
attractions of city art galleries, concert-halls, lecture-
rooms and theatres for our hours of ease. Each was
a social centre for itself, — a planet, as it were, revolving
with its own satellites in its own sphere, and not yet
swung out of its appointed course by the disturbing
attraction which, when brought near, the greater
body, be it material or social, possesses for the less.
Each had its traditions, its ancient families, its lead-
ing people, — both those of approved hospitality, of
the great house and the long purse, and those who
based their claims on superior knowledge, character,
discrimination and taste, — its clergymen and deacons,
its 'squires, doctors, teachers, ship-masters and own-
ers of shipping, — its town elite, — and for better or
for worse, its own townspeople must suffice, in the
main, for its own ueeds.
Our county, one of the original four incorporated
and set off in 1C43, has an area of not far from live
hundred square miles which, at the time we speak of,
supported a population of about eighty thousand
souls, and of these fifty-four or fifty-five thousand
lived in thirteen large towns, every one of them incor-
porated before 1650, and seven of them as early as
1640. Of the towns in Ma-ssachusetts possessed of
four thousand inhabitants and upwards, Esse.x County
contained nearly one-half. Of our six prosperous
cities the largest, Lynn and Lawrence, held no such
places in the census tables then. Lynn, now the
larger of the two, was a town of not half the size of
the Salem of that day, and smaller than either New-
buryport or Gloucester, while Lawrence, which now
bestrides our great water-way like a Colossus, had
neither "promise" nor "potency" before 1847. In
many ways ours was a peculiar county. Nowhere on
this continent, outside the great cities, were so many
people brought together in so small a space. Nowhere
was there greater average wealth or more generally
diffused intelligence, independence, comfort and thrift.
Save in a few exceptional situations, as of the counties
of Dukes and Barnstable, there was nowhere in the
country a population living on an equal area and
touched by navigable water at so many points. Be-
sides the lordly Merrimac, flanked on either hand
with growing towns, turuing more spindles than any
other river in the world to-day, and weaving miles
enough of cloth every three weeks to swathe the earth,
which furnished to our thirty miles of northern
frontier a cheap highway for freight, the county
could claim, within its limits, no less than five val-
uable and commodious harbors, at Newburyport,
Gloucester, Beverly, Marblehead and Salem, not to
omit others of lesser draught, but fully equal to the
more moderate demands of local trade. Treading
hard upon the heels of the great towns already
mentioned came Andover, Haverhill, Newbury,
Ipswich and Danvers. Amongst the counties of the
State Essex had no rival. — not even Suffolk, — in the
aggregate of her population, unless, perhaps, Worces-
ter, and probably she overtopped them all. Her
lands were held in small hereditary estates by the men
who tilled them. Her capital and her enterprise
found ready employment at home, or if they looked
abroad, turned eager glances to the East, and not as
lately toward the setting sun.
Content in earlier years with the hard fare and
meagre earnings of the fisheries and the export trade
in fish, and later trained on the gun-decks of ships of
war, or of their own privateers, the people of Essex
County had come, since the days of peace, to push
their ambitious ventures into every sea. Foreign
commerce, which is in itself a liberal education, had
taught them what the bold and strenuous life of the
fishing-smack or the man of-war could never have
engrafted upon their sturdy. Puritanic thought, and
they brought home from their distant voyaging a
freight more remunerative than silks, or gums or spices,
made up of broadening views of life and liberal esti-
males of men and things. Geography and ethnol-
ogy they studied at first hand. The i)opulations which
their enterprise employed, and the trade which their
successes and their hospitality invited, built up large
markets for the consumption of all that the interior
sections of the county could produce. The popula-
tion was singularly homogeneous, the fevf mills there
were being operated by the sons and daughters of
Essex County farmers and mechanics, amongst whom
the average of intelligence and character Wiis not a
Ixxxviii
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
whit lower than where mills did not eyjst. This high
average was not reduced — possibly it was advanced —
by another manufacture which formed a peculiar fea-
ture of the industry of the county. Khoes were then
made by hand, and as the occupations of husbandry
and the fisheries left much of the inclement season
unemployed, these callings were very generally sup-
plemented in the winter months by the making of a
coarse kind of shoe for the southern market. This
was a craft which called for little capital, since
the shoe-stock was distributed in weekly portions
from Lynn or Haverhill, the great centres of this pe-
culiar industry, nor did it require any great degree of
dexterity or skill. And thus the frugal yeomanry of
Essex, whose summers were employed on the Grand
Banks or on their ancestral acres, clubbed together
by half-dozens to build the little box-like shoe-shops
which once dotted all our country roads, apd in which
they wrought lustily all winter with lapstone and
awl, in a temperature less conducive to longevity,
perhaps, then stimulating to cerebration. And here
all unconscious of the dictum of Pliny — " ne sutor
ultra crepidam." — they were so eftectually over-ruling,
as well as of the supercilious slurs of Cicero, and
Plautus and Horace on their indoor habits and un-
military pose, they passed judgment from the bench,
so to say, on the latest sermon, newspaper leader, po-
litical harangue and local gossip, with as much crit-
ical acumen, and as deep, earnest consideration of
each passing topic as though, in very truth, time's
noblest offspring were the last.
I do not know that I need sketcli in further detail
the salient features of this sturdy people. General
the Baron von Riedesel's remark upon the Bay Colo-
ny in Revolutionary days, — high praise from an ene-
my,— " the inclination of the people is for commerce,
navigation and the military art," as well described
them half a century later, and no local community
could with lass presumption take to itself the glowing
encomium of Burke upon the commerce and fisheries
of New England. Theirs was the county which had
produced the Pickerings, the Cabots, the Crownin-
shields, the Lowell-', — Nathan Dane, Manasseh Cut-
ler, Rufus King, Theophilus Parsons, Joseph Story,
— the Derbys, the Thorndikes, the Peabodys, the
Jacksons, the Graj's, the Lees, the Pickmans, the
Hoopers, the families of Cleavelaud and Phillips and
Bowditch, and, earlier than all these, the fine old
stocks of Lynde, of Sewall and of Dummer. Theirs
was the sod upon which Endicott and Higginson
and Saltonstall and Winthrop first stepped ashore.
Theirs was the soil upon which Gage had mus-
tered his myrmidons, in the vain hope to quench
the insurgent spirit flaming up in a Provincial
Assembly which defied his sovereign from the old
town-house in Salem. And while it may be the
fact that no actual collision of troops ever conse-
crated in blood the soil of Essex County, although
we sutlered from Indian butcheries in the vallev of
the Merrimac, and felt the shots of British cruisers
along our seaboard, and saw from the north shore of
the bay the smoke of battle between the " Shannon "
and her doomed antagonist, — that unequal contest
over which English school-boys still regale their
drooping spirits in the choru.s, —
" The Chesapeake, so bold, out of Boston. I am told,
Came to take a British frigate neat and bandy,
.^nd tlie people of the port came out to see the sport,
With their music playing ' Yankee doodle dandy I' "
— while all this may be true, certain it is that no
equal number of people had borne a heavier share in
Indian, French or British hostilities, or contributed
more victims to the horrors of Mill Prison, Dartmoor
and the slave-pens of Algiers, from the gloomy days
of Bloody Brook, of the Pequots and the Narragan-
setts, — from the days of the brilliant assaults upon
Port Royal, Louisburgand Quebec, — down through the
times when Washington took command of the Conti-
nental forces and called on us, without waiting for the
action of Congress, to improvise a navy, — the times
when Mugford and Manly and Harraden and Hugh
Hill were afloat, — when Marblehead set her amphib-
ious regiment on foot, — down to that later day when all
our seaboard towns vied with each other to do homage
to the naval heroes of the second war of Independence.
The doubtful claim to the first bloodshed of the
Revolution on that Sunday afternoon in February,
1775, at the old North Bridge in Salem, might be
worth contesting in another county, but not here, for
our [)eople have twice sought out and attacked, on
her own chosen field, the naval power which claims
to rule the waves, closing with her wherever they
could find her, be it in the Indian Ocean or the Irish
Channel, or in whatever waters her red flag pro-
claimed her the terror of the seas, and giving battle
until she cried enough. Facts like these go far to
justify the ancient boast that Essex County produces
more history to the acre than any equal area in the
country. Antecedents like these had well prepared
the people of the county for the new educational dis-
pensation of which we speak, and they were as ready
as any of their neighbors to distinguish the wheat
from the chaff in Holbrook's singular proposals.
Enough has been said to indicate in a general way
what these proposals were. It must be remembered
that the first scientific survey of an American State
was Hitchcock's survey of Massachusetts, the report
of which became public in 183.3 ; that we had no
State Board of Education before 1837, and no author-
ized map of the commonwealth until 1842, and that
our first Normal School, established at Lexington in
1839, and which it had been proposed, the year be-
fore, to establish at Dummer Academy, was the first
in America, although the Prussians had known them
for a century. The Lyceum was accordingly hailed
as a cheap and much needed training-school and ex-
amining board for common-school teachers, while its
semi-annual county gatherings were to serve the pur-
THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY LYCEUMS.
Ixxxix
poses now met by Teachers' Institutes and Conven-
tions. It was the impression of its projectors that
scientific topics were to prove the most attractive, and
that by adhering rather exchisively to these they were
to escape at once both the Scylla and the Charybdis
of religious and political contentions. To suppose,
however, as is common, that at any time troublesome
questions were successfully excluded from the Lyceum
platform is to accept an error. No question was more
generally discussed from the outset than that of the
relative disadvantages of a free black and a slave
population, the Colonization Society's methods, and
abolition in the District of Columbia, and while the
heat engendered was probably less than it would
have been a little later, — the Garrison mob was in
October, 1835, — I am convinced that the most volcan-
ic topics were not interdicted, from reading a letter
now before me, addressed by the Hon. Horace Mann
to my father, both being members of Governor Ev-
erett's first Board of Education, in which is reported
an attack made in a lecture before one of the best-
conducted and most conservative Lyceums of the
county, denouncing the board "as a machination of
the Devil, — showing the preponderance of Unitarian-
ism in it, — that the next element in point of .strength
was infidelity, two members being infidels, and its
orthodoxy confided to one poor, weak old man 1"
Another mode proj)Osed to quicken the public
mind was through "cheap and popular" publications.
The Middlesex County Lyceum, under the Presidency
of Edward Everett, began the publication of a series
of treatises, of which the first was a popular Lyceum
lecture on taxation by Andrew P. Peabody. It is
now before me, and is designated on its title-page as
Vol. I., No. 1, of the " Workingmen's Library." A
prospectus follows, from which it appears that the
publications were intended, in part, for reading as
Lyceum lectures in small towns where there might
be difficulty in procuring speakers. They were
to be published monthly, and furnished by a com-
mittee of five. They were not to fail for want
of being "plain and intelligible;" each writer to
be " answerable for his own statements and opin-
ions ;" the price to be seventeen cents each. In a
letter to my father, who was associated with him
on the board of management of the Jliddlesex
County Lyceum, Mr. Everett, whose clerical habit
had not wholly worn off, although he franks his letter
as a member of Congress, speaks of these publica-
tions as " tracts," is " more and more favorably im-
pressed " with the plan, " if it be made sufficiently
cheap to penetrate the community," and recommends
" short tracts, such, for iustance, as may be read thro'
aloud in an hour & a quarter at the farthest," — offers
as his own contribution a lecture lately repeated at
Charlestown, Waltham and Framingham, — hopes it
" might do as one of the tracts," and thinks " the
rule should be to put them as low as they can possi-
bly be afforded." Henry Brougham was promoting
publications of a similar character at this time in Great
Britain.
One marked result of the Lyceum system, the pro-
duction of a school of trained and able debaters in
every town, does not seem to have been anticipated
by its projectors. Among the long lists of prospective
benefits I do not find this enumerated. But it was
plain from the start that the Lyceum was to aflbrd a
free-school of debate for questions calculated to shape
public opinion, questions involving expediency and
policy, quite as much as questions of pure science.
Thus Emerson seems to have found in the Lyceum
the freedom denied him in the pulpit. How far he
shaped the Lyceum, how far the Lyceum shaped him,
is a question upon which we may not eater here.
His biographer, Cooke, states that at once upon his
return from Europe in 1833 " he took advantage of
the interest in this new mode of popular instruction
and working with many others served to mould the
Lyceum into a means of general culture; helped make
it a moral and intellectual power, a quickening influ-
ence on life and thought," while his admirer, Marga-
ret Fuller, lets us see that in his lectures he was en-
listing a following which made the later essays possi-
ble. Whether, without the Lyceum, Wendell Phil-
lips and Henry Ward Beecher would have achieved
their triumphs in the mastery of popular audiences,
is a debatable question. Even of such men as Garri-
son and Parker, — men whose natures are an endoge-
nous rather than an exogenous product, — it is not
quite safe to say that they would have been just what
they were without the Lyceum. But I had better
let Mr. Emerson tell his own story.
Mr. Emerson stepped from the pulpit to the Ly-
ceum platform. He describes his appearance in the
new field, which occurred in the winter of 1833-34,
as his " first attempt at public discourse after leaving
the pulpit." His subjects had at that time a marked
leaning towards natural science. Two years later he
detailed to Carlyle the reasons which ought to bring
the latter to America. " Especially Lectures. My
own experiments for one or two winters, and the
readiness with which you embrace the work, have led
me to expect much from this mode of addressing men.
In New England, the Lyceum, as we call it, is al-
ready a great institution. Besides the more elaborate
courses of lectures in the cities, every country town
has its weekly evening meeting, called a Lyceum, and
every professional man in the place is called upon,
in the course of the winter, to entertain his fellow-
citizens with a discourse on whatever topic. The
topics are miscellaneous as heart can wish. But in
Boston, Lowell and .Salem courses are given by indi-
viduals. I see not why this is not the most flexible
of all organs of opinion, from its poj)ularity and from
its newness, permitting you to say what you think,
without any shackles of prescription. The pulpit of
our age certainly gives forth an obstructed and un-
certain sound, and the faith of those in it, if men of
xc
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
genius, may differ so mucli from tliat of tliose under
it as to embarrass the conscience of the speaker, be-
cause so much is attributed to him from the fact of
standing there. In the Lyceum nothing is presup-
posed. The orator is only responsible for what his
lips articulate. Then what scope it allows ! You
may handle every member and relation of humanity.
What could Homer, Socrates or St. Paul say that can-
not be said here ? The audience is of all classes, and
its character will be determined always by the name
of the lecturer. Why may you not give the reins to
your wit, your pathos, your philosophy, and become
that good despot which the virtuous orator is ?
"Another thing. I am persuaded that if a man
speak well, he shall find this a well-rewarded work
in New England. I have written this year ten lec-
tures; I had written as many last year, and for read-
ing both thcoe and those at places whither I was in-
vited, I have received this last winter about three
hundred and fifty dollars."
The next year he wrote to Carlyle: " I find myself
so much more and freer on the platform of the lec-
ture-room than in the pulpit. . . . But I preach in
the Lecture-Room and there it tells, for there is no
prescription. You may laugh, weep, reason, sing,
sneer or pray according to your genius. It is the new
pulpit, and very much in vogue with my northern
countrymen. This winter, in Boston, we shall have
more than ever; two or three every night of the week.
Wheu will you come and redeem your pledge?" And
again, " I am always haunted with brave dreams of
what might be accomplished in the Lecture-Room, so
free and so unpretending a platform, a Delos not yet
made fast. I imagine eloquence of infinite variety, —
rich as conversation can be with anecdote, joke,
tragedy, epics and pindarics, argument and confes-
sion." In an earlier letter, dated April, 1835, he had
said to Carlyle : " If the lectures succeed in Boston,
their success is insured at Salem, a town thirteen
miles off, with a population of fifteen thousand.
They might, perhaps, be repeated at Cambridge,
three miles from Boston, and probably at Philadel-
phia, thirty-six hours distant. . . . They might be
delivered, one or two in each week. And if they
met with sudden success, it would be easy to carry on
the course simultaneously at Salem, and Cambridge,
and in the City."
To all which solicitations, Carlyle, not taking very
kindly to the proposal, though thinking " I could
really swim in that element were I once thrown into
it," " a thing I have always had some hankering af-
ter," " could any one but appoint me Lecturing Pro-
fessor of Teufelsdrockh's Science, — 'Things in gen-
eral ' ! " replies from time to time with an occasional
growl, and they keep the plan "hanging to solace
ourselves with it, till the time decide," until, in De-
cember, 1841, he writes in this characteristic strain of
Emerson's " Lectures on the Times", "Good speed
to the Speaker, to the Speech.] Your Country is luck-
ier than most at this time ; it has still real preaching ;
the tongue of man is not, whensoever it begins wag-
ging, entirely sure to emit babblement, twaddlement,
sincere cant and other noises which awaken the pas-
sionate wish for silence."
Of course there were objectors and doubters, and
the Lyceum was opposed on the very grounds upon
which its promoters supported it. For those who
shook their heads over Pope's line,
"A little learning is a dangerous thing,"
and Bacon's warning,
*' A little pUilosopliy inclineth man's mind to atheism,'*
the answer was ready, — that we cannot have much
unless we first have little, and that the having of lit-
tle begets the desire for much. If these organiza-
tions might not hope to carry higher aloft the apex
of the pyramid of human knowledge, they might hope
to be able to broaden out its base and set the vener-
able pile upon a more firm, stable and comprehensive
footing. It was the diftiision of information, primar-
ily, and not the advancement of science, which the
Lyceums aimed at. The systems of education they
recommended were always described as practical, and
were pretty sharply antagonized with those of the
colleges and higher schools. They seem to have had
a strong leaning towards manual labor academies,
which were then much in vogue, and one of which
enjoyed a brief career at the Cherry Hill Farm, in
North Beverly. They proposed to insist, amongst
other branches, upon instruction in practical politics,
and called for the study of the State and Federal Con-
stitutions, and for text-books on familiar principles of
law. The lottery was one vulnerable member of the
hydra-headed monster, and they proposed to attack
that. lu temperance was another, and they proposed to
have a tilt at that. As a Board of Education, as a
Lecture Bureau, as an Agricultural, Geological and
Topographical Survey, they made no doubt, the Ly-
ceum was to prove invaluable. They proposed a
great central School, for the dissemination of their
ideas, connected with which a central work-shop was
to manufacture and send forth at cost, school ajipar-
atus, philoso|)hical, astronomical and geometrical in-
struments and chemical and other scientific prepara-
tions. They went so far as to propose, in much the
same spirit in which we have set apart a Labor Day
and an Arbor Day, to consecrate the second Monday
of December to the interests of the Lyceum. The
Lyceum was to do for the head, if not perhaps '
for the moral nature, what religion was doing for
the heart, and one of our judges, holding a criminal
term of court, charged his grand jury to go home
and devote themselves to the establishment of town
Lyceums, as a measure of prevention against crime.
The mistakes they made were due in part to san-
guine temperament, and partly to the spirit of the
times, which was a spirit of unrest. These were the
days of Fourier and of Owen, of Brook Farm and the
THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY LYCEUMS.
Phalansteries, when phrenology and mesmerism were
struggling hard for a place among the sciences, and
all sorts of experimental sociology were in the air.
By undertaking a great deal too much ; by claiming
a great deal more than they could maintain, the pro-
jectors of the system had well nigh obscured the real
merits of their conception. They had discovered a
valuable specific, but it was not a panacea for all
human ills. They had found a pearl of great price. It
was not the philosopher's stone. Fortunately there
were not wanting keen-eyed scholars who could ap-
preciate the value of the discovery, and Essex Coun-
ty had her share of these.
It was in November, 1820, that Ilolbrook addressed
thirty or forty of the farmers and mechanics of Mill-
bury, a little town of a thousand inhabitants just
south of 'Worcester, and at the close of a lecture on
natural science induced them to organize themselves
for mutual improvement, and to assume the somewhat
pretentious title of "Millbury Lyceum, No. 1, Branch
of the American Lyceum." This little group of per-
sons,— there is no reason for supposing they ever met
earlier than September, lS2l), — included among its
number several marked characters of whom perhaps
Thomas Blanchard, the great inventor, was the most
conspicuous. The United States Government had, at
that time, a manufactory of small arms at Millbury,
under the supervision of a very able mechanic named
Morse, and with the co-operation of Blanchard and
another mechanic named Andrews, who had correctly
calculated an eclipse of the moon, he established this
society: It w,as by no means the first of the kind,
nor the first to take the name of Lyceum, but it was
the first in Holbrook's system. Troy, X. Y., had
maintained its Lyceum since 1818, but it was a col-
lection of curiosities and specimens, such as we of-
tener call a museum. Gardiner, Me., had a Lyceum
in 1822, but that was an academy established by a
benevolent gentleman of the town bent on trying the
experiment of the manual labor system. Professor
Hitchcock may have applied the name as early to
one of the natural history societies at Amherst Col-
lege, but what Holbrouk kuew of these things or what
guided him in the choice of this classic word he has
not told us. It was so new and strange a word that
we are instructed by the Journal of Education to pro-
nounce it "Li-see-um." To designate a new thing
he had a right to a new word, and these Greek names
have been most arbitrarily impressed into the service
of modern ideas. An Athemeum with us is likely to
be a library, but this is not what it was at Athens nor
what it means in Englaud. A Gymnasium with us
imports a place for physical training, but the Greeks
used it much more comprehensively to cover all
sorts of culture, especially mental, and the (iernums
follow them. The word Museum, quite divorced from
the muses who gave it once a graceful significance
and an affiliation with music, genorally designates
with us a gathering of rather dry subjects. In Ger
many, equally without relation to its native origin, it
means a club house. In Paris the Lyceum is a Gov-
ernment preparatory school; in London it is a thea-
tre; in modern Greece a university, — so that what-
ever the word meant to the ancient Athenian, Hol-
brook might, without greater violence, apply it to his
new club for mutual improvement. In fact the Ly-
ceum of ancient Athens was a grove where Aristotle
daily imparted his learning and inspiration through
the medium of conversations and discu.ssion, as did
Plato in another grove called the Academy. And if,
as is probably true, the word Lyceum is related in its
origin to the words /-iKof, 'Acvui/^ lux, light, Holbrook
might turn the laugh on his too fastidious critics,
for surely Aristotle's grove was no luciis a non
lucendo.'
From whatever source derived the word met a want
and while the more scholarly amongst his recruits
objected that it was stilted and inapt and that it made
a very bad plural withal, no movement was made for
substituting any other, and those who cared much
for the thing and little for the name were both aston-
ished and delighted to see the number of societies
throughout the country calling themselves Lyceums,
increasing before the close of 1831 to something like
a thousand.
Of these none were earlier in the field than Clax-
ton's, at Methuen, and this was one of the very few
which provided itself with a local habitation. The
structure stood on what is now Broadway, near Park
Street, and has since been removed and converted
into a dwelling. One other in this county, organized
at Salem, in January, 1830, and at once incorporated,
completed and occupied in January, 1831, and paid
for out of the proceeds of its lecture courses, the com-
modious structure for its own accommodation, still in
daily use, and known as Lyceum Hall. Of the Salem
movement, Judge White, Col. Francis Peabody, Hon.
Stephen C. Phillips, and Rev. Chas. W. Upham seem
to have been the central figures. The first address
delivered before the Salem Lyceum was given by
Judge White, its first president, in the Methodist
cha()el in Sewall Street. The preliminary meetings
for its formation had been held at Col. Peabody's
house, and brought together, as we learn from the
memoir of that conspicuous citizen by Mr. Upham,
such active and able coadjutors as Dr. A. L. Peirson,
Leverett Saltonstall, Rufus Choate, Benjamin Crown-
inshield, Robert Rantoul, Jr., Elisha Mack, Dr. Geo.
Choate, Warwick Palfrey, and others, of whom Hon.
Caleb Foote. Hon. Geo. Wheatland and William P.
Endicott, Esq., are the last survivors. An address
from Hon. Stephen C. Phillips opened the new hall
the walls of which were decorated with frescos ot
Judge White and Captain Joseph Peabody, of Demos-
thenes and Cicero, and also with a somewhat airdii-
tious design over the platform, in which the J^ycean
Apollo apiieared resplendent in his cloud-borne car.
But of this tradition relates that an unlucky janitor,
XCIl
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
groping in the attic, presumably to regulate the ven-
tilation, put his stumbling foot through the ceiling,
and found himself occupying, uninvited, a seat in the
chariot of the god of light! This famous Lyceum,
with its unbroken continuity of lecture courses now
reaching the limit of fifty-seven consecutive years, — a
record only paralleled, so far as I know, by that of
another, formed December 21, 1829, in the little red
brick school-house in Littleton, a 'own of one thou-
sand inhabitants, between Concord and Groton, which,
under the name of the Littleton Lyceum, has sus-
tained itself with spirit and success, and without a
break, to the present time, — this famous Lyceum has
called to its platform the most eminent men and
women of our era. While few names are wanting
which could add lustre to its record, the name of most
frequent recurrence is that of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The next Lyceum formed in Essex County, after
that at Methuen, of which I have definite information,
was an organization for lectures and discussion formed
at Beverly, certainly as early as December, 1828, —
probably earlier, — and which took the name, Novem-
ber 5, 1829, of the Beverly Lyceum. It owed its origin
to the activity and public spirit of Robert Rantoul, Jr.,
Dr. Augustus Torrey and T. Wilson Flagg. Hon.
William Thorndike was its first president, and on its
original roll of members, it is interesting to find, in
company with the names of William Endicott, John
Pickett, Augustus N. Clark and Warren Prince, prob-
ably the last survivors of the Beverly worthies who
joined it, that of Caleb Foote, of Salem.
A Lyceum, formed at North Andover, April 13,
1830, is claimed to have been the outgrowth of an
association for mutual improvement organized early
in the year 1828, and such a society existing. May 15,
1830, in the North Parish of Danvers, is also thought
to have been gathered in some form and at some time
during the same year.
At South Danvers, the " Literary Circle," devoted
at first to reading and conversation solely, opened its
meetings with an address from Dudley Stickney, its
first president, on December IG, 1828, at Dr. Shed's
Hall, nearly opposite the South Danvers Bank, and
although it enjoyed from the outset the countenance
of Rufus Choate, Dr. Nichols, Fitch Poole, Dr. Joseph
Osgood, and others hardly less honored, it could not
be called a Lyceum before January 9, 1834, when it
took that form of organization.
A movement began in Lynn, also, as early as De-
cember 23, 1828, and in this Alonzo Lewis seems to
have been active; but of its nature I know nothing.
So far as I can learn, there was not in existence in
Essex County, on the fifth day of November, 1829,
any organized body, in full working order, calling
itself a Lyceum, and supporting an established course
of debates and lectures, except at Beverly.
Of the extent to which the late Hon. Robert Rantoul,
Jr., contributed to the success of the organization, it
does not become me to speak. His college experience
had qualified him to be of service in this way, for he
had succeeded, in 1823, before the end of his freshman
year, in establishing a debating club called the
AKPIBOAoroTMENOl, which, in November, 1825,
united with the Hermetic Society and the old Speak-
ing Club or Fraternity of 1770, forming, under a con-
stitution drawn by him, the Institute of 1770. Hon.
Chas. W. Upham, in his memoir of Col. Peabody, has
recorded his high estimate of my father's services, and
the late Ellis Gray Loring, of Boston, Hon. Robert C.
Winthrop, Rev. James Freeman Clarke, and Dr. O.
W. Holmes, all near his time in college, with Dr.
Andrew P. Peabody and the late Richard Hildreth
and J. Thomas Stevenson, his classmates, have tes-
tified at various times that they then regarded his
power in organization and in debate as phenomenal.
Mr. Rantoul left college in August, 1826. He resided
at Beverly for the next five years, while studying his
profession in the offices of Hon. John Pickering and
Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, and afterwards occupying
an office in the Stearns Building at Salem. In the
summer of 1831, he was residing and practising his
profession at South Reading, and there became a
member of the publication committee of the Middle-
sex County Lyceum.
Rufus Choate, who was some years Mr. Rantoul's
senior, was practising law at South Danvers, in
an office facing the Square, from September, .1823,
until his removal to Salem in 1828. Before those
dates he had pursued his studies in the offices of Mr.
Andrews, of Ipswich, and of Judge Cummins, of Sa-
lem, as well as in that of Attorney-General Wirt, at
Washington. He seems to have taken an early and
very active interest in the Lyceums springing up
around him, as so rare a nature could not fail to do,
and to have identified himself, both before and after
his establishment in Salem, with the eftbrts of his
neighbors in behalf of mutual improvement. His
name appears for the first time, as a lecturer, in the
roll of the Salem Lyceum, — he was a member of its
first board of managers, — in 1831, and but twice there-
after; but his lecture, entitled the "Romance of the |
Sea," originally known as the " Literature of the
Sea," when first delivered in Salem, in 1837, became I
at once famous. AVhipple says of it in his "Recol-l
lections of Eminent Men," — "Those who heard it!
forty years ago now speak of it as a masterpiece of ]
eloquence. It enjoyed a popularity similar to that of
Wendell Phillips's lecture on 'The Lost Arts.' "
The first steps towards the organization of an Essex
County Lyceum were taken at a gathering at Topsfield,
December 30, 1829. It was not composed largely of
delegates, but some eighty public-spirited professional
and scholarly gentlemen came together there in Acad-
emy Hall, for mutual enlightenment on this interest-
ing theme. Besides the Methuen and Beverly Ly-
ceums, there were then existing in the county, one at
Newburyport, organized November 25, 1829, on a
very independent footing, and holding weekly meet-
THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY LYCEUMS.
xeui
ings ; and another at Bradford, East Parish, now
Groveland, called the Frauklin Lyceum, organized
December 23, 1829, holding weekly meetings in the
hall of Merrimac Academy. If others were repre-
sented in the gathering at Topsfield, I have failed to
trace them; but of those then in existence three,
probably those of Newburyport, Bradford and Me-
thuen, declined to send delegates or be in any way
subjected to the authority of the proposed County
Lyceum ; and one, Beverly, sent delegates to protest
against the scheme of confederation, except on condi-
tion that the autonomy of the town Lyceums w'as
fully recognized and assured. The feeling of these
remonstrants was well expressed by Icbabod Tucker,
of Salem, who said : " For purposes of mutual improve-
ment, the County Lyceum will be useless. He had
no objection himself to ride ten or twelve miles once
in three or four months, to shake hands with his
friends from distant parts of the county, and to take
a social chat and eat a social dinner together. He
thought it would be a very good thing. But it was
idle to think of forming a government while there was
nothing to govern, or of forming any board of control
without the consent, i5rst asked and obtained, of those
who are to be controlled by it." This spirit of oppo-
sition to the plan of confederation was by no meaus
exceptional here, but cropped out elsewhere. The
opening address, by Dr. Thomas A. Greene, before the
New Bedford Lyceum, December 18, 1828, says: " We
have adopted the name of New Bedford Lyceum, in
preference to calling ourselves a branchof the Ameri-
can Lyceum, as has been done in some other places.
This involves no necessary connection with other
societies, but leaves us at liberty to pursue our own
course." The very vigorous Lyceum at Newburyport
was started on the same basis, and there is reason to
think that many of the most promising of the early
organizations kept aloof at least until they could be
assured that no undue control would be attempted by
the County L3-ceum, and also that all efibrts (m the
part of the evangelical element to give it a sectarian
or denominational caste would be defeated. The dif-
ferences of opinion which thus developed themselves,
and the warmth with which opposite views were
maintained throughout an extended session, showed
that this gathering was no dilettanti excursion. It
was called to order by Rev. tiarduer B. Perry, of
Bradford, who was its secretary, and Hoc. Robert
Rantoul, St., of Beverly, was its president. The
question whether Lyceums should be of spontaneous
growth and self-sustaiued, or should derive their
charters and powers from a central head, such as a
County or a State Lyceum, was vigorously discussed
by Judge Cummins, Elisha Mack, Ichabod Tucker,
Robert Rantoul, Jr., Dr. George Choate and Rev.
Chiis. W. Upham, all of Salem, and Rev. Leonard
Withington, of Newbury, in favor of the view which
prevailed, and by Dr. Spotlord, of Rowley, and Rev.
Henry C. Wright, of West Newbury, in opposition.
and the convention recommended a County Lyceum,
as a means of strengthening town Lyceums previously
formed, but in no sense or degree as a source of power
or authority, and after appointing the necessary com-
mittees, dissolved. One of these committees, of which
Rev. Chas. W. Upham was chairman, issued, January
24, 1830, a circular letter, inviting the towns to form
Lyceums, to send delegates to proposed semi-annual
county gatherings, and to adopt constitutions modeled
either on Holbrook's or that of the Beverly or of the
Salem Lyceum, each of which was quoted in extenso.
The letter concludes with an urgent appeal to the
town Lyceums to send delegates to a county ccmven-
tion, called to meet at Ipswich Hotel, March 17, there
to consider a couuty constitution to be submitted by
the committee. Representatives of seventeen Lyce-
ums attended this meeting, — there were then twenty-
six towns in the county, — and adopted a county con-
stitution ; they chose Judge White president, fixed
the annual meeting on May 5th, at Ipswich ; requested
an address from Judge White, which was delivered,
and is in print; and apportioned the county among.-t
a Board of Managers, in the following districts: To
Mr. Howe, of Haverhill, his own town, Methuen and
Bradford West Parish; to Mr. Crosby, of Amesbury,
that town and Salisbury; to Rev. Mr. Withington,
Newburyport and Newbury; to Rev. Mr. Perry,
Bradford East Parish, West Newbury and Rowley ; to
Rev. Mr. Vose, of Topsfield, that town and Boxford ;
to Mr. Cutler, of Lynn, Lynn and Saugu*; to Rev.
Mr. Bartlett, of Marblehead, and Rev. Jlr. Badger, of
Andover, their own towns respectively ; to Hon. Wm.
Thorndike, Beverly and Essex; to Hon. Israel Trask
and Rev. Mr. Hildreth, Gloucester and Manchester;
and the towns of Salem, Ipswich, Dan vers, Lynnfield,
Hamilton, Middleton and Wenham, to Hon. D. A.
White, Rev. John Brazer, Eben Shillaber and Icha-
bod Tucker, E-quires, all of S.alem.
The first annual meeting was held, as announced,
on May.iith, in the First Parish meeting-house at Ips-
wich, and it is proof enough of the quickening influ-
ence of the county movement inaugurated at Tops-
field December 30, 1829, that between that date and
the meeting at Ipswich, May 5, 1830, Lyceums had
been formed at Salem, January 18th ; at Andover,
February 10th; at Manchester, February 18th; at
Gloucester, February 19th ; at Topsfield and New
Rowley, some time in February; at West Newbury,
March lf>th ; at Essex, some time in March ; at North
Andover, April 13th; and one at Amesbury and Sal-
isbury in common, and others, at dates which I cannot
determine, at Lynn, Haverhill and some of the par-
ishes. Delegates were present on the otli of May from
eighteen established Lyceums.
The County Lyceum met next, November 24th, at
the Tabernacle in Salem, where it was addressed by
Rev. Mr. Perry, who succeeded to the presidency upon
the retirement of Judge White, and whose address was
printed. The second annual meeting was held, May
XCIV
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
27, 1831, in the First Parish meeting-house at New-
buryport, and was addressed by Rev. Dr. Brazer, of
Salem, whose remarks were also printed. Ipswich
had formed a Lyceum since the last report, and was
now represented in the convention. But so far as I
can ascertain, this was the last meeting of the Essex
County Lyceum. Teachers' Institutes were coming
into favor; some element of internal discord may
have relaxed its hold on public support, or it may be
that the town Lyceums had found themselves so
strong as to be perfectly well able to get on without it.
Meantime the State Lyceum of Massachusetts, the
second in the country (New York being a month be-
fore us), was coming into prominence from the char-
acter of the men who were conspicuous in it, and, to
Holbrook's mind at least, his scheme was also taking
on national, if not even international dimensions.
But before passing from the local Lyceums, let us look
for a moment at the nature of the subjects with which
they mainly concerned themselves. I shall not enu-
merate the long list of subjects upon which lectures
were delivered, because in the selection of these the
listeners had little voice. But the topics chosen for
debate and the character of their other exercises cer-
tainly furnish a fair criterion of the prevailingstandard
of intelligence and the drift of public feeling. In the
large towns, where either the services of professional
men were to be had for the asking or the money re-
quired to secure them was readily forthcoming, the
lecture was the common medium of instruction. No-
thing else was ever offered in Salem. But it was in
the small towns, as the annual reports assure us, that
the institution did its greatest work, and here debates
were the chief attraction. These were both written
and extemporized, but in both cases the subjects were
announced in advance and disputants appointed to
open the discussion. In North Danvers, in Topsfield,
in Haverhill and in Beverly debates seem to have
proved a special attraction. Among the questions
discussed were these: "Ought the habit of wearing
mourning apparel to continue?" "Ought imprison-
ment for debt to be abolished iu Massachusetts?"
" Are railroads likely to jirove advantageous? " " Is it
expedient to authorize a lottery for completing Bun-
ker Hill Monument?" "Ought the government to
remove the Seminoles and Cherokees, and have In-
dians a right to tribal government independent of
that of the State and of the Union?" "Do newspa-
pers, on the whole, contribute to the morals of a
people?" "Do the evils of the militia system counter-
balance its advantages?" "Is capital punishment
justifiable in Massachusetts? " " Are the poor laws in
their present state beneficial?" "Ought public roads
to be maintained by the town or the county?"
"Ought representatives, in voting, to be governed by
their own convictions or those of their constituents?"
"Is it expedient to divide the town of Danvers?"
" Is Free Masonry calculated to promote virtue, reli-
gion and good government?" "Ought immigration to
be discouraged ? " " Is it right, is it expedient to abol-
ish slavery in the District of Columbia?" "Ought
the incorporation of factories to be encoui'aged ? "
" Is it expedient to take legal measures to prevent the
distillation of ardent spirits? " "Which sex has pro-
duced the best authors, according to their respective
opportunities for literary acquirement?" "Does pub-
lic policy require that females be excluded from the
public offices of government and exempted from the
active duties of citizens? " " Is the use of ardent spir-
its and stimulating liquors beneficial to the commu-
nity?" " le it for the advantage of Christendom that
the Russians expel the Turks from Europe?" "If the
Greeks gain their independence, what form of govern-
ment will best suit their circumstances?" "Is the
present government of France likely to be perma-
nent?" "Has the career of Byron been beneficial or
injurious?" " Of Napoleon ?" "What occasions the
stillness of the air which precedes earthquakes?"
" Is the use of anthracite coal likely to conduce to
economy and comfort?"
In many instances the same question was discussed
for several sittings and often referred to a committee
for final determination. Ladies made their contribu-
tions, if at all, in writing, and often anonymously,
through the medium of the post-office or of a special
receptacle for their communications and essays estab-
lished by each Lyceum. In some places, notably in
Gloucester, Boston and Philadelphia, ladies were en-
couraged to take part, but their co-operation was not
always invited. In Salem, Haverhill and elsewhere
ihey were at first admitted on special terms, and each
required the guaranty of a male sponsor for her good
behavior. The sex seems to have been treated with a
vague distrust, like some untried, monstrous and ex-
plosive force, only to be experimented on, if at all,
with the utmost circumspection. Where the)' ap-
peared they were cautioned to come with heads un-
covered, for bonnets were ample, and the presence of
these fascinating obstructions, it was said, tempted
auditors to rise from their seats when experiments
were shown, and thus still further to intercept the
vision. Of topics for lectures, I think that electricity,
experimentally illustrated, was the universal favorite.
In Salem Colonel Peabody owned costly apparatus for
these experiments ; in other less fortunate places the
funds of the Lyceum were devoted to its purchase,
and everywhere men of scientific knowledge enough
to exhibit and explain the phenomena of galvanism,
magnetism and kindred manifestations of this tremen-
dous agent were in unfailing demand. In this con-
nection the fact is not without interest that Professor
Charles Grafton Page, of Salem, whose name was a
household word amongst early Lyceum-goers, and
who was afterwards for many years a principal exam-
iner of patents at the Patent Office, and also connected
with the early stages of the Smithsonian Institute at
Washington, succeeded, in 18.51, in driving a loco-
motive electric engine on the Baltimore and Ohio
THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY LYCEUMS.
Railroad from Washington to Bladensburg and back,
reaching a maximum speed of nineteen miles per
hour. It was not an uncommon practice in the Ly-
ceums to engage some attractive celebrity for the
opening lecture of a winter's course, and to make tluit
lecture free, with a view to invite a large attendance
and to recommend the institution to general favor.
This policy was a justification of the remark of Dr.
Holmes, in his " Lecture on Lectures and Lecturers,"
that the Lyceum served the purpose, among others,
of a cheap menagerie for showing the lions to the
people. I recall a course at Beverly, probably in
1842, ojjened by John Quincy Adams, who was after-
wards entertaintd at the Brown mansion, on Cabot
Street, now the residence of Mr. Perry Collier. Cura-
tors were chosen where there were cabinets and appa-
ratus, and other officers for the care and administra-
tion of libraries. In some places, where the repetition
of lectures was made necessary by the straitened
accommodations of halls and churches, the lecturer
read the same address on Tuesday evening and on
Wednesday afternoon, and his audiences, by a
process of natural selection, divided themselves
between those whose occupations left their even-
ings free and the school attendants, teacher and
pupil, with ladies and persons of leisure who could
spare the hours of daylight, and so made a " lec-
ture afternoon" in a new sense on Wednesday. In
other places, as in Salem for the years between
1851 and 1856, when we had outgrown our little am-
phitheatre and were yet repelled by the cost and vast-
ness of Mechanic Hall, courses were repeated on Tues-
day and Wednesday evenings, and the former being a
night devoted by the Evangelical Churches to relig-
ious gatherings, the atmosphere on the first reading
of a lecture was considerably more heretical than on
the second. The lecturer's fee was generally ten dol-
lars, rarely twenty, and in most cases lectures, like
other services, being rendered by public-spirited
townsmen, — Mr. Emerson delivered ninety-eight in
Concord, — were gratuitously rendered. Dr. Chapin's
mot, "I lecture for FAME, Fifty-And-My-Expenses,"
belougs to a later epoch. In some instances the ex-
ercises of the Lyceum were opened freely to the pub-
lic, but generally a little contribution to the funds
was exacted, say fifty cents or a dollar per year. The
magic-lantern took the place of our elaborate appa-
ratus for illustration, but the name "Phantasmagoria,"
perhaps, made up for some of its deficiencies.
The Lyceums, while alike in general drift, differed
nmcli iu methods and details ; that at Gloucester was
organized under the general act for incorporating
Lyceums approved March 4, 1829, and for the first five
years continued its sittings through almost the entire
year. It devoted its attention at once to the schools
of Gloucester and to the history of the town. To the
distinguished names I have mentioned in connection
with it, may be added those of Dr. Ebenezer Dale,
Benj. K. Hough, Dr. William Ferson and John W.
Lowe. The Lynn Lyceum encouraged the produc-
tion of dissertations and essays and divided itself into
ten classes or departments covering agriculture, trade
and manufacture.<, education, letters, morals, art and
sciences, physiology, natural iiistory — including min-
eralogy, geology, botany and chemistry — history and
public improvements. Two outlying districts of
Lynn, namely, Woodend and Swampscott, had early
Lyceums of their own. The Beverly Lyceum often
had a lecture, followed by a debate on the same even-
ing. At one time it met twice in each week for
debate, and the debates sometimes extended over
several adjournments. It also voted by j-ea and nay
vote on the weight of argument, as well as on the
merits of the question. And the president of the Ly-
ceum did not preside over the debates, but was re-
quired to appoint in each case a chairman of the
committee of the whole. Robert Rantoul, Sr., con-
tributed a course of lectures on the history of the
town which became the acknowledged basis of Stone's
" History of Beverly." In a course on physiology, by
Dr. Augustus Torrey, resort was had to the expedient
of distributing a full printed synopsis of each lecture
before its delivery. The Lyceum of Amesbury and
Salisbury had expended nearly a hundred dollars for
books and apparatus during its first season. That at
Andover had followed an introductory by Holbrouk,
and a second address by Judge White, with a course
of six illustrated lectures on astronomy from Rev.
Harvey Wilbur, which were delivered at intervals of
two or three days, and cost seventy-five dollars.
Then Rev. Calvin Stowe pointed out the dangers of
the prevailing ideas iu education, especially those in-
cident to Lyceums, and he was followed bj' Rev. E.
W. Hooker in an essay claiming the Scriptures as the
only basis of ethical science. At Bradford Merrimac
Academy, one of the six large institutions of the kind
then flourishing in the county, the students from
abroad were allowed free admittance to the meetings
of the Lyceum, probably in consideration of the use of
Academy Hall, and a collection of mineral and vege-
table specimens and other curiosities was begun, in
1830, having amongst them what was thought to be
a foot and leg of aboriginal sculpture. At North
Andover meetings were held once a fortnight, the
year round, save in the summer month-i, and head-
quarters were established, with a reuling-room, in
the brick building opposite the meeting-house. At
North Danvers the meetings were largely attended,
occurred three times each month, and were occupied,
with " Lectures, Debates, Compositions on Miscella-
neous Topics, Reports of Committees appointed to
solve questions in Natural Philosophy and Mathe-
matics, and to criticize Declamations and Composi-
tions." Lectures were read on chemistry, mechanics,
geography, natural history, phrenology, geometry,
natural theology, anatomy and architecture.
It would only be necessary to look beyond the
countvin order to extend indclinitely this catalogue of
XCVl
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
idiosyncrasies. The Nantucket Lycenm, one of the
very earliest, incorporated bj' a special charter ap-
proved February 12, 1827, at once took steps for the
gathering of a museum of local industry, by issuing a
printed call to whalemen, urging them to neglect no
opportunity for bringing home specimens illustrative
of their venturesome and romantic calling and giving
them directions as to the best known means of secur-
ing and preserving them. The Worcester Lyceum
made the common law of business a special topic for
instruction, and organized classes in chemistry, his-
tory, geography and practical mechanics. Many of
the Lyceums anticipated the functions of village im-
provement clubs, embellishing, with shade-trees, the
roads and lanes, beautifying the borders of lakes and
streams, opening vistas and caring for the village
green. And one at Williamstown, if the journals of
the day may be trusted, attempted the introduction of
a new industry and undertook the planting, in the
spring of 1830, of twelve thousand white mulberry
trees at its own cost.
Such were the early Lyceums of Massachusetts, and
Essex County contained between a fourth and a third
of the whole number, when, in February, 1831, Mr.
Secretary Vose, of Topsfield, presented the best re-
port made by any county to the first gathering of the
Massachusetts Lyceum at the State House in Boston.
With a brief review of the doings of the State and
National Lyceums this paper may fitly close.
The first movement looking towards the organiza-
tion of a State Lyceum in Massachusetts took place
at the Exchange Coffee-House in Boston, November
7, 1828. Daniel Webster filled the chair and en-
dorsed the scheme, and George B. Emerson was secre-
tary. Josiah Holbrook reported progress. Edward
Everett pledged his support and urged that books
and apparatus quite beyond the reach of single per-
sons, could be owned and made of general use by Ly-
ceums. The meeting adjourned for one week, and
met again at the same place for the report of its com-
mittee on the present condition and needs of the
Lyceum system, when Edward Everett was called to
the chair, atd after, discussion, another adjournment
for one week was had. At the last meeting Dr.
Charles Lowell took the chair and an elaborate re-
port was submitted and adopted after debate, and laid
before the people of the State, setting forth very forci-
bly and plainly the purposes and advantages of the
Lyceum and urging general attention to its claims.
The movement had the endorsement, also, of Henry
Ware, then acting president of Harvard College, of
Alexander H. Everett, and of other names hardly
less conspicuous and influential, but it lacked the
vital energy of the town Lyceums.
Later in the same winter, February 6, 1829, a meet-
ing of members of the Legislature and others inter-
ested, was held at the Representatives' Hall, resolu-
tions voted and given to the public, and a committee
raised to collect and report information on Lyceums
in the commonwealth. This report was made at an
adjourned meeting at the same place, February 19,
1830, at which Governor Lincoln presided. It re-
commended, through Alexander H. Everett,its chair-
man, the formation of town and village Lyceums and
of county Lyceums as an outgrowth and supplement
to these, defined and described their objects, urged
teachers to join them, proposed a State Lyceum, ap-
pointed a State Central Committee, including many
of the foremost names in Massachusetts, upon which
Essex County was represented by Stephen C. Phillips,
Riifus Choate, Benjamin Greenleaf, William Thorn-
dike, Gayton P. Osgood, Alonzo Lewis and others, re-
commended the Lyceums to co-operate in the pro-
posed survey by Colonel James Stevens for a map of
Massachusetts, proposed a scientific and practical ex-
amination of the resources of each town, gave a defi-
nition of the Lyceum as " a voluntary association of
persons for mutual improvement," sent out a circular
letter, with a promise of others, and urged in return a
general response in the form of systematic reports from
all the Lyceums in Massachusetts.
In consequence of this action the Massachusetts
State Lyceum was organized February 25, 1831, and
of this Alexander H. Everett was president and Jo-
siah Holbrook secretary. Dr. James Walker, Hon.
John Davis and Judge White were among its vice-
presidents. It arranged for an elaborate lecture course
at the State House during the annual session of the
Legislature, with a most exhaustive catalogue of sub-
jects and a most distinguished list of speakers, includ-
ing Judge Jackson, Horace Mann, Theodore Sedg-
wick and James Savage. Its first anniversary meet-
ing was held at the State House, February 1st, 2d and
6th, 1832, the president in the chair and Stephen C.
Phillips, of Salem, secretary. It appeared that the
twenty-six towns in Essex County supported twenty-
three Lyceums, a record quite in advance of any other
section of the country. Salem had the largest Lyceum
in the State, numbering twelve hundred members.
That at Newton ranked next, and after Newton camei
Newburyport, with four hundred and fifty, and Glou-|
cester with four hundred. Haverhill with three huu'^
dred and fifty, was amongst the largest. Timothy
Claxton took part in this meeting in an etfort toshov
how Lyceums might be of service to struggling invenl
tors in perfecting their designs and models. At the
next meeting of the State Lyceum, which proved to"
be its last, held February 20, 1833, Dr. Gannett and
Rev. John Pierpont a])pear among the speakers. But
the efforts of all these good men and true were unable
to save it longer.
The National Lyceum did not succeed much better.
Organized in the United States Court Room in the
City Hall at New York, May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 1831, in ac-
cordance with a call issued January 13, by the State
Lyceum of New York, sitting at Utica on its first
gathering, the National Lyceum of America proceeded
to adopt a constitution based upon the representation
MISCELLANEOUS.
of local Lyceums, each State and territory to send not
less than three delegates, and not more than half its
number of members in Congress. This body elected
Hon. Stephen van Rensselaer, of Albany, N. Y., as
its president, and Hon. Edward Everett and Hon.
Thomas S. Griinke, of South Carolina were two of its
five vice-presidents. It issued the usual appeals for
support ; commended to the aid of local Lyceums the
work of Colonel James Stevens, an eminent engiueer,
then engaged in Massachusetts on the first State topo-
graphical map produced in the country ; called for the
establishment of normal schools ; questioned the poli-
cy of retaining Latin and Greek in the advanced
schools as a required study; urged the introduction of
the natural sciences; and, after much labor of a more
formal character, adjourned for a twelve-month. Its
next meeting was in the Aldermen's Room in the City
Hall at New York. May 4, 5, 6, 7, 1832, and here it
was honored with the presence of an ex-president of
the Spanish Cortes, of Zavala and Salgada, two
Mexican ex-governors, and of Fortique, a representa-
tive in the Congress of Venezuela, as well as at other
times of the consul-general of Colombia, the Prussian
Envoy, an Armenian essayist from Constantinople, an
Atheuian professor, and a philosopher from London.
It met again May 3, 4, -5, 6, 1833, in the same place,
and elected President Duer of Columbia College its
presiding oificer. It recommended a uniform system of
meteorological observations, amongst the Lyceums of
the country ; the introduction of vocal music and man-
ual labor in the common schools; commended .Audu-
bon's great work on the birds of America; heard let-
ters from several leading personages in the West In-
dies and the Central American States, as well as in
various parts of the Union, and urged the formation in
New York of a National Cabinet of Natural History,
to be made up of contributions from local Lyceums.
At a meeting in the same place. May 2, 3, 5, 1834,
Massachusetts made a good report through Hon. Wm.
B. Calhoun, and the state of education in Cuba, Po-
land and Mexico were considered. It was voted to
print an essay on the North American Indians by
Schoolcraft, and a text-book on Constitutional Juris-
prudence, furnished by President Duer. In May, 1835,
the annual meeting was again held in New York, and
the teaching of political economy and the fine arts in
the public schools was advocated. John Pickering's
researches in the dialects of the North American
tribes were highly commended. Signs of approach-
ing dissolution began to manifest themselves. At
the meeting of May G, 7, 9, 1836, at the same place.
Dr. Howe, of Massachusetts, explained his method of
educating the blind, and New Grenada reported the
purchase, at government cost, of twenty thousand
slates and two hundred thousand slate-pencils ! Hol-
brook proposed supplying every one of the eleven
thousand counties in the United States with a cabinet
of minerals of its own, furnished through the system
of Lyceum exchange. In May, 1837, the annual meet-
ing was held in Philadelphia. The disposal of the
surplus revenue was discussed and Espy's theory of
storms was commended, with a request to the local
Lyceums to report their weather observations to Espy.
Government was memorialized in favor of a weather
bureau, Holbrook now produced his twelve-page
prospectus of a "Universal Lyceum," with Henry
Brougham at its head, a list of fifty-two vice-presi-
dents, one for every week in the year, taken from all
the nations of the earth, and one hundred and thirty-
nine secretaries, besides Josiah Holbrook, who is
styled " Actuary." The declared objects w^ere " the
diffusion of knowledge over our globe," and " the ex-
change of shells, minerals and plants." The meeting
of 1838 was held at the free church in Hartford, Con-
necticut, and sat but one day, May 15. Common-
school matters occupied it largely, but it found time
to consider also the questions of international copy-
right and the improvement and embellishment of
towns and villages. It complains of lack of funds and
finds the American Institute of Instruction a growing
competitor. It met once more ; this time at New York
again, May 3, 4, 5, 1839 ; fifty-five delegates were pre-
sent, but none from Massachusetts. It proposed a
convention to sit for one week from November 22d,
at Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, just before the
session of Congress, in order to influence that body in
applying the Smithson Legacy, and also in favor
of selling the public lands for educational purposes.
It proposed to call for educational statistics in the
next decennial census, and finally it proposed a Gen-
eral National Convention of the whole L'nion to sit at
Washington, D. C, in May, 1840. These never met,
and so ended all but what survived in the town Ly-
ceums, and possibly here and there a scattered county
organization, of the Lyceum system of .Tosiah Hol-
brook. This remarkable man seems to have died as he
had lived, reaching out for more thau he could grasp.
His lifeless body was found floating in a stream near
Lynchburg, Va., May 24, 1854, and there was reason to
believe that in clambering alone up the rugged blufl' to
secure some rare mineral specimen or delicate flower
of which he was iu search, he had missed his footing,
and so lost his life. Few in any age have shown
more unselfish devotion to a noble idea, and what he
really did, however it may have fallen short of what
he hoped, is monument enough for any num.
CHAPTER VI.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Agriciilliirul— Medical — Railroad;*.
EssE.x AoRlGiTLTUKAL SOCIETY.' — The idea of the
formation of this society originated with Col. Timothy
Pickering, who, at the head of forty men, made the
1 By Benjamin P. Ware.
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
first armed resistance to British forces, February 28tli,
1775, at Nortli Bridge, Salem. He called a meeting
of farmers, and other inhabitants of Essex County, at
Cyrus Cummings' tavern in Topsfield, Monday, the
16th of February, 1818. Ichabod Tucker was chosen
moderator, and Daniel Cummings, secretary ; these,
with John Adams, Paul Kent and Elisha Mack, were
appointed a committee to report a plan of organiza-
tion.
Timothy Pickering was chosen president, and Wil-
liam Bartlett, Dr. Thomas Kittredge, John Heard
and Ichabod Tucker, vice-presidents, Leverett Sal-
tonstall, secretary, and Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland,
treasurer.
Timothy Pickering was annually chosen president,
for ten years to 1829 ; Frederick Howes, four years,
from 1829 to 1833; Ebenezer Mosely, three years,
from 1833 to 1836 ; James H. Duncan, three years,
from 1836 to 1839 ; Joseph Kittridge, two years, from
1839 to 1841 ; Leverett Saltonstall, four years, from
1841 to 1845 ; John W. Proctor, seven years, from
1845 to 1852 ; Moses Newell, four years, from 1852 to
1856; Richard S. Fay, two years, from 1856 to 1858 ;
Daniel Adams, two years, from 1858 to 1860; Allen
W. Dodge, three years, from 1860 to 1863 ; Joseph
How, two years, from 1863 to 1865 ; William Sutton,
nine years, from 1865 to 1874; and Benjamin P. Ware,
thirteen years, from 1874 to 1887, now holding the
oiEce.
The secretaries and treasurers of the society have
been as follows : —
SECRETARIES.
David Cummings 1818-19.
Frederick Howes 1819-20.
John W. Proctor 182U-42.
Daniel P. King 1842-44.
Allen VF. Dodge 1844-fiO.
Charles P. Preston 18r,0-85.
David W. Low 1885-
(Now in office.)
TREASURERS.
Ichabod Tucker 1818. William Sutton 1841-66.
Edward H. Payson 1850-81.
Gilbert L. Streeter 1881-
(Now in office.)
Daniel A. White 1819-23.
Benj. R. Nichols 1823-26.
Benj. Merrill 1826-28.
Andrew Nichols 1828-41.
There has been a carefully prepared address deliv-
ered before the society, at its annual meeting, every
year since its organization, except the five years be-
tween 1823 and 1829. These addre.*se.s have been de-
livered in every instance by a citizen of the county,
invited by a vote of the trustees, and have been pub-
lished in the transactions of the society, and form a
valuable part of the agricultural literature of the so-
ciety. Col. Timothy Pickering delivered the first ad-
dre.ss in 1818, and again in February, 1820. The
others were as follows : —
Andrew Nichols, in October, 1820.
Kev. Abiel Abbott, in 1821.
Kev. Peter Eaton, in 1822.
Hon. Frederick Howes, in 1823.
Col. Pickering, again in 1829.
Hon. James H. Duncan, in 1830.
Kev. Henry Colman, in 1831.
Rev. Gardner B. Perry, in 1832.
Dr. Jeremiah Spofford, in 1833.
Hon. Ebenezer Moseley, in 1834.
Hon. Daniel P. King, in 1835.
Hon. Nathan W. Hazen, in 1836.
Eev. Nathaniel Gage, in 1837.
Rev. Leonard Withingtou, in 1838.
Rev. Allen Putnam, in 1839.
Hon. Ashael Huntington, in 1840.
Alonzo Gray, A. M., in 1841.
Hon. Allen W. Dodge, in 1842.
Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, iu 1843.
Hon. John W. Proctor, in 1844.
Rev. Edwin M. Stone, in 1845.
Hon. Moses Newell, in 1846.
Thomas E. Payson, Esq., in 1847.
Josiah Newell, Esq., in 1848.
Hon. Asa T. Newhall, in 1849.
Hon Caleb Cushing, in 1850.
Rev. Milton P. Braman, iu 1851.
Hon. Henry K. Oliver, in 18.52.
Hon. Joseph S. Cabot, in 1863.
Hon. R. S. Fay, in 1854.
Dr. James R. Nichols, in 1855.
Ben. Perley Poore, Esq., in 1856.
Dr. E G. Kelly, in 18,57.
Dr. Geo. B. Loring, in 1868.
Edward Everett, in 1858.
lion. J. J. H. Gregory, in 1859.
Rev. .lohn L. Russell, in 1860.
Hon. Alfred A. Abbott, in 1861.
Geo. J. L. Colby, Esq., in 1862.
Hon. Daniel Saunders, in 1863.
Hon. Darwin E. Ware, in 1864.
Nathani^ Cleavland, Esq., in 1866.
Hon. Otis P. Lord, in 1866.
Rev. R. H. Seeley, D.D., in 1867,
Dr. Geo. B. Loring, again in 1868.
Benjamin P. Ware, Esq., in 1869.
Hon. Benj. F. Butler, in 1870.
Hon. Joseph S. How, in 1871.
Hon. Wm. D. Northeud, in 1872.
Rev. Charles B. Kice, i n 1873.
John L. .Shorey, Esq., in 1874.
Rev. Dr. E. 0. Bolles, in 1875.
Cyrus M. Tracy, in 1876.
Rev. O. S. Butler, in 1877.
T. 0. Thurtow, Esq., in 1878.
Dr. Gen. B. Loring, again in 1879.
David W. Low, Esq., in 1880.
Dr. James R. NicholB,again in 1881.
Francis H. Appleton, Esq.,in 1882.
Hon. Chas. P. Thompson, in 1881.
Asa T. Newhall, iu 1884.
Thomas Saunders, in 1886.
Rev. John D. Kingsbury, in 1886.
Dr. William Cogswell, in 1887.
In connection with these addresses, fifteen original
hymns, odes and songs, have been sung by selected
choirs, and published in the transactions. There
have also been published in the transactions of the
society, (67) sixty-seven prize essays upon various
subjects connected with agriculture, for which has
been paid premiums varying from eight to twenty-
five dollars each ; also (49) forty-nine prize reports of
committees ; premiums paid for these from six dol-
lars to ten dollars; in addition there have been pub-
lished (626) six hundred and twenty-six extended re-
ports of committees, containing original ideas and
suggestions, each filling from one to ten pages of
printed matter.
These addresses, essays and reports contain the best
thoughts, the broadest experiences and wisest sug-
gestions of the most prominent farmers and profes-
sional men of Essex County, in the last sixty -five
years, and make up, principally, the agricultural lit-
erature of the county.
The Essex Agricultural Society, unlike all others
in the State, owns no grounds, including a trotting
track and show buildings ; it has no local abiding
place. But instead, owns a tent, some portable cattle
pens, twelve hundred exhibition fruit dishes, an expe-
rimental farm of one hundred and fifty acres, which
brings an income of from three hundred to .five hun-
dred dollars per annum, besides conducting such ex-v!
perinients as are required by the committee having
that matter in charge. A library of eight hundred
volumes of valuable books for reference and study,
and funds invested in bank stock, the market value
of which is $17,119.83.
This society needs no trotting track, for it never
paid a dollar for speed since its organization ; or for
any other attraction, nor allows any on its grounds,
except of a purely agricultui'al or horticultural char-
acter, which must be grown or owned within the
county. Domestic manufactures and works of art
from citizens of the county receive the encourage-
ment of the society. All stock competing for a pre-
MISCELLANEOUS.
XCIX
mium must be owned in the county at least four
months previous. Agricultural implements, from any
source, are admitted for competition ; no entrance
fees required from any competitor for premiums.
The whole of the exhibitions are open, free to the
public, except for admission to the exhibition hall,
where twenty cents is charged. An average sum of
three thousand dollars has been offered in premiums
annually for the last ten years, and since its organi-
zation the society has, as near as can be ascertained,
awarded in premiums and gratuities an aggregate of
§48,727.54. In addition, the society has supported
three scholarships at the Massachusetts Agricultural
College through the entire course of four years, at
fifty dollars each per year, and for three years had a
premium of one hundred dollars offered for the best
prepared student, who shall enter the college from
Essex County and continue through the four years'
course.
This society holds its annual exhibitions in differ-
ent parts of the county where most needed and where
suitable accommodations cau be provided. Since its
organization, it has held its shows at Danvers, ten
times; Lawrence, seven times; six each at Lynn,
Topsfield, Haverhill and Xewburyport ; five times at
Georgetown and Salem; four times at Gloucester;
three each at Andover and Ipswich ; two at Peabody ;
one at Newbury; and two others in doubt. This so-
ciety has held, since required by the State Board of
Agriculture, 1879, forty-eight institutes in different
parts of the county where most wanted. At each
meeting two sessions have been held, with a large at-
tendance, and the subjects selected discassed with
much interest and satisfaction to the farming com-
munity, resulting in promulgating much practical
knowledge and a growing interest in the farm. Two
trials of mowing machines and other machines for
mating hay, have been organized and conducted by
the society, and two of plows and other implements
for cultivating crops, each proved of great value to
the farmers and were a complete success. The whole
number of members since its organization is twenty-
nine hundred and eighty-six ; the present number
now living is fifteen hundred and eight.
The society publishes annually an edition of from
fifteen hundred to two thousand copies of its transac-
tions, containing from one hundred and twentj' to
, two hundred and twenty pages, for distribution
I among its members and others
The transactions published since the society's or-
ganization make in the aggregate eighty-seven hun-
dred and sixty-one pages of valuable and interesting
: reading matter, and which are no inconsiderable part
i of the agricultural literature of the State.
1 Es.SEX South District Medical Society. -
I This is one of the oldest of the district societies
' that form the JIassachusetts Medical Society. It was
organized Xovember 4, 1805, by ten physicians, who
met at the Sun Tavern, in Salem ; Dr. Edward Aug-
ustus Holyoke president and Dr. John Dexter Tread-
well secretary. It consists of those members of the
Massachusetts Medical Society who reside in Lynn,
Swampscott, Xahant, Saugus, Lynnficld, Marblehead,
Salem, Peabody, Danvers, Middleton, Beverly, Wen-
ham, Topsfield, Ipswich, Hamilton, Essex, Manches-
ter, Rockport, Gloucester.
Its meetings are held every six weeks, either in
Salem or Lynn, except occasionally during the sum-
mer months, in other towns within the district. At
these meetings written pa])ers are read and oral com-
munications are made, giving an account of interest-
ing cases that have occurred in their practice.
The Library, which was established by a vote of the
society at its first meeting, contains about twenty-five
hundred volumes. The books from the libraries of
the late Drs. E. A. Holyoke, A. D. Pierson and Samuel
Johnson compose a large portion and are very valua-
ble additions. The cireulatiuu is limited to members
of the society. The library is deposited in Plummer
Hall, Salem.
The Es.SEX North District Medical Society
was organized November 3, 1841. An application had
been previously made to the Massachusetts Medical
Society and granted by that body for the formation of
the fellows of that Society practicing in Amesbury,
Audover, Boxford, Bradford, Georgetown, Haverhill,
Lawrence, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, Row-
ley, Salisbury and West Newbury into an association
to be entitled the Essex North District Medical So-
ciety. At the date above mentioned Dr. Jonathan G.
Johnson, of Newburyport, was chosen president; Dr.
Rufus Lo'ogley, of Haverhill, vice-president ; Dr. F.
V. Noyes, of Newburyport, secretary ; Dr. Isaac Boyd,
of West Newbury, treasurer; and Dr. J. Spoflbrd, of
Groveland, librarian. The Society chooses annually
eight counsellors, and these in connection with the
counsellors of other district societies in the State
constitute the Board of Counsellors of the Massa-
chusetts Medical Society. Five censors are also
chosen annually, who examine applicants for admis-
sion as to character and professional qualifications,
and the consent of three censors is necessary (or ad-
mission.
Stated meetings are held quarterly. The annual
meeting is held at Haverhill on the first Wednesday
in May, at which ofllcers for the year are chosen, and
other meetings in August, November and February
at such places as may be from time to time deter-
mined.
BcsTON AND Maine Railroad extends from
Boston to Portland, Me., a distance of 115.50 miles.
This road was originally organized as the Andover
and Wilmington Railroad Company. It took its pre-
seut name in 1839. This company is now- the largest
railroad corporation in New England. Its leased
lines in Essex County are as follows : Eastern Rail-
road, chartered April 14, 1830; Danvers Railroad;
Lowell and Andover; Newburyport; WeH Amesbury;
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Chelsea Beach; Newburyport City; and Boston and
Lowell and branches. President, George C. Lord ;
General Manager, James T. Furber.
Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad
extends from East Boston to Lynn, along Revere
Beach. It was chartered May 23, 1874, and was
opened July 29, 187.5. It does a large summer busi-
ness. Gauge three feet. Honorable Edwin WaUlen, of
Lynn, is president.
Boston, Winthrop and Shore Railroad extends from
Point Shirley to Point of Pines. Honorable Edwin
AValden, president.
TUE
History of Essex Co, Massachusetts.
CITIES AND TOWNS.
Cfl AFTER I.
SALEM.
INTRODUCTORY.
BY REV. OEOEGE BATCIIELOR.
The writer of this iutroductory chapter is released
from the ordinary duties and responsibilities of the
chroniclers whose work he prefaces wfth some general
views of the various epochs of the history of Salem.
The careful precision a.s to names, dates and the
order of events required of them must here give
place to general views, rapid sketches and such
characterization of men and times as may be ex-
pected of the essayist rather than the historian.
For more than a hundred years after the discovery
of America by Columbus, New England was un-
known. It was a century of exploration and dis-
covery, and the Catholic Spaniard played a leading
part in the process of opening a new world to civiliza-
tion. His imagination was inflamed by what are
now incredible stories of treasure to be discovered,
of magical and supernatural manifestations to be
noted in nature and human life, and by hopes of at-
taining to some new and unheard of power over the
secret forces of nature, then go unknown, and yet so
tempting to the unscientific mind of the sixteenth
century. He was animated, al.so, by zeal to convert
or dispossess the infidel, and to commend himself as
a loyal son of the church, thus at one happy stroke
making his fortune both for this world and the next.
In 1565 St. Augustine was founded, and in 1582
Santa Fo was colonized and made a station of the
church, and the Spaniard, keeping for the most part
within those isothermal lines which, by an unwritten
law of nations l\ave so largely controlled the course
of empire, was elated by visions of inexhaustible
wealth, national glory and religious propagandism
for which the western continent ofiered such unex-
ampled opportunities.
To the Protestant Englishman during all this time
New England was unknown except as au undistin-
guished part of the western world. With the seven-
teenth century the French, English and Dutch began
to establish colonies in Nova Scotia, Canada, Vir-
ginia and New York. Then New England begins to
emerge slowly from the vast, unsurveyed bulk of the
continent, and to attract the attention of those in
whose keeping were the seeds which, for a hundred
generations of English and Germanic life, had been
preparing to grow into the social, civil and religious
institutions of New England. "God sifted a whole
nation," said Stoughton, " that he might send choice
grain out into this wilderness." He might have said
that the civil and religious institutions of the Ger-
manic race were sifted to furnish precedents, apti-
tudes and the specific religious impulses out of which
to produce the Puritan Church and the New England
Commonwealth.
Reviewing the events recorded in this volume, and
contemplating the rare and great qualities of the
founders of Salem as manifested in some of the most
heroic and dignified aspects of human life, and in
crises of difficulty and danger ; regarding, also, with-
out flinching or apology, the grim and cruel traits
and deeds which disfigured their lives and stained
their record, one need not be ashamed of his interest
and admiration. The founders of Salem were not
greater, wiser or better than other men. But the
narrowness of their opportunity, together with the
great use they made of it, rendered their qualities
conspicuous, and the record of them a just cause of
pride to all who inherit any share in their labors and
rewards. As in some little Swiss canton, whore
nature has thrust together and pushed high into the
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
air the sublimities of that Alpine scenery, of which
every detail may be surpassed elsewhere, while the
general efl'ect has no rival, so in this little township
were to be brought together and set to do the drudgery
of common life such gifts of culture, courage, wisdom
and strength as commonly go to the founding of
kingdoms and the conduct of empires. Indeed, in
their own way, the way of intelligence and freedom,
they were laying the foundations of institutions with
influence more powerful and enduring than any em-
pire which has risen or fallen since they lived their
strenuous lives of homely toil and great endeavor.
The events which wore crowded into the first century
of what was then their obscure history, spread over a
larger surface and connected by more evident ties
with the fortunes of civilization, would have attracted
universal attention. Now they become an imperish-
able part of the history of human progress.
In 1614 Capt. John Smith, prince among adventurers
and good fellows, coasted, named and praised New
England, and going home to England he spent much
time in commending the newly-discovered "Para-
dise" to rich and influential people. Then came the
Pilgrims bound for a more genial climate; but driven
out of their course by fortunate accident, they settle
in Plymouth, and establish their church. But even
in their little and well-sifted band there was not per-
fect agreement in matters of religion, although that
was their chief concern, and soon we see John
Lyford, of no enviable reputation, with John Oldham
and others, because they could not agree to " sepa-
rate " from the Church of England, pushing out and
exploring the coast to the northward to find or found
a home. Among them was one Roger Conant, well
commended then and afterward for his homely good
sense and perfect honesty. They tarry awhile at
Nantasket, where Capt. Miles Standish, coasting that
way, had built a hut a year or two before, and there, in
somewhat dubious case, they are waiting when the
Dorchester Company in England, having by this time
(162.3) forty or fifty ships passing to and fro, bringing
over fishermen, salt, etc., and taking home cargoes of
fish, beaver skins and such furs and other spoil of
the wilderness as may be gathered there, summon
Roger Conant to take charge of their station at Cape
Ann. A charter has been secured, and hopes are en-
tertained that now, after many misfortunes, some
profit may accrue to the adventurers. Conant is to
be Governor, Lyford minister to the half a hundred
people gathered there, and Oldham is asked to come
and trade with the Indians, which ofiice he declines.
Misfortunes continue, however. Fire, sickness and
quarrels (a fierce one with Miles Standish) break
their courage, reduce their profits and finally cause
the abandonment of the undertaking.
Conant now has in mind an undertaking of another
kind. Finding on the peninsula of Naumkeag a
sheltered place where he thinks it possible for colo-
nists to maintain themselves in comfort, he proposes
to the Rev. John White, of the Dorchester Company,
to establish there a jjlantation. It has been com-
monly believed that he proposed to provide here a
shelter for such unhappy creatures as might in Eng-
land be persecuted for their religion. This is now
disputed on the ground that he was not a " sepa-
ratist " in Plymouth, and did not agree with John
Endicott when he came, and that he was now proba-
bly only looking out for a place where he and others
might find life a little less hard to support on the
usual terms. It is not impossible, however, that,
" churchman" though he was, he had suffered enough
for his religion to long for a place where the cursed
jangle of theological discord might be forgotten, and
other interests be made prominent. White promised
him assistance of all needed kinds, and in 1626 Roger
Conant, John Woodbury, John Balch and Peter Pal-
frey (names to be remembered) begin the clearing of
the forest and the building of houses. About twenty-
five, all told, are gathered there, and Naumkeag (not
yet Salem) begins to be. Two years later there were,
it may be, thirty or forty persons in the colony.
Some had followed Lyford to Virginia, and some had
returned to England. Conant, resolute and patient,
remained and kept with him those who were inspired
by his confidence and shared his hopes, whether re-
ligious or commercial. But, as so often happens, he
was to sow that others might reap. He was too
modest and undemonstrative to figure as a " person-
age," and to meet the more ambitious views of those
in England who were influential in the management
of affairs; and so it happened, when the property of
the Dorchester Company passed into the hands of the
New England Company, that Conant was superseded
by Capt. John Endicott.
It was not Roger Conant, mild, tolerant, concilia-
tory and unambitious, that the feeble colony needed,
but John Endicott, the man of the iron hand and
determined will, the man to tear the cross from the
flag of England and defy the world when his blood
was up and his religion was in question. As a btisi-
ness transaction the transfer was justifiable enough.
The parties to it on the other side of the water were
buying and selling so much property at its commer-
cial value. But on this side of the water it looked
like the betrayal of a trust. Having no rights which
they could legally defend, the old colonists felt the
change to be grievous when, from being masters of
the situation, if not the guardians of a refuge sacred
to those who were oppressed for conscience' sake, they
were suddenly and unexpectedly reduced to a hand-
ful of ordinary colonists who were transferred with
the soil, and could only take the hard choice to go or
conform to the law of the land. They were heard to
talk about "slaves" and "slavery," and for some
months held aloof from the meetings of the new-
comers. But Capt. Endicott occupied a higher social
SALEM.
position than they, and he was not a man to be
trifled with. In 1629 Governor Endicott receives in-
tclligenoc as follows: that the company at home has
obtained a confirmation of their grant by letters
jiatent from His Majesty, Charles I., and that he is
confirmed as Governor, with a council styled " the
Councill of Massachusetts Bay." The new-comers
had the power. But they saw that it was hard for
the others to submit, and were disposed to use their
power kindly. The colony was now grown to in-
clude, perhaps, three hundred persons, and at last
the old settlers determined to make the best of it,
and united in one body under Governor Endicott, and
then, as we are told, " in remembrance of a, peace set-
tled upon at a conference at a general meeting be-
tween them and their neighbors after the expectance
of some dangerous jar," they called the place Salem,
or Peace. The story is a pretty one, and seems to
furnish a natural and probable explanation of the
change of name, but it is necessary to say that all
such interesting statements are doubted or denied by
modern investigators. It is held by some that Couant
gladly received Captain Endicott and that their dif-
ferences of ojiinion related to such matters as tlie
morality of raising tobacco and other such affairs of
minor importance.
The story of ihe ecclesiastical and commercial for-
tunes of Salem will be told elsewhere in the succeed-
ing narratives. They were inextricably intertwined
with each other. Both begin now to assume impor-
tance, although many a weary day must pass before
either of them will lie settled and prosperous. For a
time the religious interests which they had at heart
compelled them to postpone somewhat the temporal
enterprises upon which depended their comfort and
success. Whatever we may say of the purposes of
Roger Conant, nobody need be in doubt as to the
purposes of John Endicott. Religion was with him
the first concern. He believed his creed. He had
come here to give it room to grow into a new mode of
life, and he did not intend to let anything among the
powers terrestrial or demonic interfere with his pur-
pose. But, before the temporal plans of the little
community could be carried out, some very stern ne-
ce.ssities were to try and to strengthen their faith.
The winter of 1029 brought them little but trouble
and sorrow. The climate, then as now, was rough
and unsparing. No proper accommodations could be
provided for so many families, their base of supplies
was three thousand miles away, they were unused to
such hardships and were ignorant of the dangers to
be provided against. While, therefore, their friends in
England were tkinking of them as happily established
in the " Paradise " of New England, and were look-
ing forward to the pleasure of joining them in the
spring or summer following, they began to sicken
and die of exposure to cold, and the hunger which
comes not with absolute famine, but inability to eat
the coarse food which they had. Some epidemic
disease probably brought on shipboard, had been
communicated to them, and the place had become in-
fected and pestilential. When Winthrop came with
Saltonstall, Dudley and Johnson, and a company, in
seventeen ships, in all, a thousand or more before the
season was over, they found a colony of men and
women haggard with weakness and want and de-
pressed with sorrow. More than eighty had died in
that awful winter, and of those who remained many
had scarcely strength to stagger to the shore to meet
the new-comers and give them tearful welcome. To
the gentlemen and ladies who had come to transfer
the government of the colony to the soil of New
England, and establish here homes even more splen-
did than those they had left behind them, Salem of-
fered at that time but few inducements. Winthrop
therefore pushed along the coast, and soon he, with
Dudley, Johnson, Saltonstall and the most of the
new colonists, were laying the foundations of Charles-
town, Boston and Watertown. The seat of govern-
ment was transferred to Charlestown, and again the-
hopes and ambitions of the men of Salem had ended
in a bitter disappointment. To Governor Endicott
was now measured out that which he had meted to
Roger Conant, and probably he was no better pleased
than he with the result. But this time there was
no rebellion. Endicott was too good a discipli-
narian to resist a higher authority, and it happened
then, as it has many times since in Salem, that the
good things provided for home use were passed over
to the common account, and the commonwealth
gained by her loss.
We need not waste much time in praising the con-
summate wisdom of the founders of Mas.-!achusetts.
They were wise, and they did well, and what they
wrote in their charters and constitutions, and estab-
lished in their customs and laws, show that they were
seeking the best things in human institutions and
knew the value of them when found.
But it is clear enough now that the Puritans were
not the inventors of the system they established in
New England, nor of the many complicated devices
by aid of which they made their ideas effective in the
conduct of aflairs, social and civil. They selected, in-
deed, but they did not create out of pre-existen,t
nothingness the institutions which here they cleared
from much rubbish of ecclesiasticism and from the
burden of the monarchy of England. Th^ begiiji-
uings were small. Seen from the outside, they were
mean and bare. The homes, labors au<l successes of
the first colonists of Salem would Ije unworthy of our
attention were they associated wi.th the lives of or-
dinary settlers in a new country. But^ small though
the beginnings were, these m«fn were beginning to
store up and to train the energy which was afterw«rd
to expand with tremendous force ia the (^peinng of
the whole world tu cownierce and civilization, and in
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the establiahment of the best things in American
life.
In tlie New World, free to follow the bent of their
minds, they emancipated themselves from many an
impediment and returned to the natural tendencies
of the Germanic race, to which they belonged, and
which, in Europe, has ever since been slowly attain-
ing to that which they arrived at quickly. Of that
race they brought the traditions and tendencies, and,
almost unchanged, some of its most ancient customs
and laws. The town, the town-meeting, the common
holding of lands, the pasturage under herdsmen of
their goats, swine and neat cattle, the pastor who was
not a priest and many curious customs which have
seemed to us to be evidences of their independence,
skill and ingenuity, or which look like the temporary
expedients of necessity, were simply survivals of
English and German habits, dating back sometimes a '
thousand years, or even in some cases as we now
know, antedating European civilization itself, and
originating as in that immemorial past of our race
when its home was in Asia.
Indeed, during the whole of the seventeenth cen-
tury, the daily life of the people of Salem, if accur-
ately represented to us now, would suggest European
rather than American associations. Religion was
the most important concern in that little settlement
when it held a thousand souls. But, after all, the
business of getting a living then, as now, occupied
most of the waking hours. For the most part, their
life on shore was rural, and their occupations and
customs such as may even now be noted in secluded
parts of the Old World.
On a summer morning the good man and good
wife were up with the sun, attending to their various
tasks, for by six o'clock at the latest, and in some
years by half an hour after sunrise, the herdsmen of
various kinds will be heard blowing their horns as
they pass each man's door, gathering all the swine,
goats and neat cattle of the town into flocks and
herds, to be cared for during the day in the great
pastures and other common fields. " The Great
Pen " is provided for the cattle, and if, at six o'clock,
any townsman shall not have his cows milked and
ready for the herdsman, he must follow after as he
may, and be responsible for any damage done to (ir
by his stray cattle. At half an hour before sunset the
horns of the approaching herdsmen were heard again,
and every man was required to care for his own
swine and goats at home. Sometimes in town-meet-
ing it was a matter which divided the suflrages of
freemen, as it was voted, that in a given season, the
swine should or should not be allowed to run at
large by night. Such customs are unknown now in
America. But they still survive in many of the pas-
toral regions of Europe, such as the Black Forest and
secluded valleys of Switzerland.
Bimple, honest, God-fearing men and women made
up the majority of the population. Their tasks were
homely and laborious, and their tastes simple. But
although from necessity their life externally was not
unlike that of the European peasantry, they were
neither stupid nor ignorant. Even those who had
belonged to the servant class, and there were many
of them, had passed through experiences which had
sharpened their wits and greatly enhanced in their
eyes the value of liberty. They had come over "un-
der bonds " to serve a specified time in a condition
not much better than slavery. Some had regained
their freedom on the failure of commercial and in-
dustrial enterprises, it being cheaper to let them shift
for themselves than to find work for them or to re-
turn them to England.
The yeomanry were picked men who had come
over, not only because they hoped to better their con-
dition and give their children a better chance than
they could have at home, but also because they were
interested in great problems of religion and govern-
ment, and believed that these problems could be
worked out to better advantage in a new country
where they might be free from tradition and adverse
precedent. They were trained in a school of experi-
ence which will show results in later generations.
Among these were some who held with tenacity to
the social distinctions of the old country. They were
those of official and professional standing, such as in
England would, if not bearing a title, be permitted to
write " gentleman " after their names. In spite of the
leveling influence of their experiences and of the
theories they held, the old habits were not easily
given up, and, unconsciously, even, the relations of
master and servant were retained on the Old World
footing, and the mutual reserve remained after such
relations had ceased. It took two hundred years, under
the most democratic of institutions, to abolish the
distinctions of aristocracy, and to make a " yeoman "
of like character and education seem as good as a
"gentleman."' It was years before the possibility of
establishing in Massachusetts an hereditary aristoc-
racy ceased to be either a menace or a temptation.
With the founding of Boston, Salem lost its rela-
tive importance, but continued to be a centre of intel-
ligence, and gradually, after long discipline, becamei
one of the most influential towns in the common-i
wealth. Its liberality and intellectual alertness werel
shown very early in the treatment accorded to Roger
Williams, who was loved and honored in Salem long
after he was proscribed by the colonial authorities.
Even John Endicott admired and defended him until
further resistance to authority would have been re-
bellion. The enthusiasm, humaneness and free
thought of Roger Williams seem to belong rather
to our time than to that of the Puritan, who, with
all his goodness, was grim and sometimes cruel. The
man who, in 1631, could advocate, aa he did, the
rights of the savage, and in later years make his noble
SALEM.
plea for toleration, must have been a rare creature,
and those who loved and honored him, as he was
loved and honored in Salem, must have been, even
then, capable of better things than the circumstances
of the hard times in which they lived could offer
them. When he goes into exile in l(i36 it is pleasant
to read that Governor Winthrop, not in otflce, how-
ever, gives him a private hint that he is wanted by
the government, and that the safest place for him will
be found on the shores of Narragansett Bay.
The Puritan minister was a great personage in the
little colony. From the nature of the case, religion
being avowedly and actually first among the concerns
of the community, he was a man of much official dig-
nity and influence. He could not be elected to office
nor long hold it in comfort unless he represented the
best thought and feeling of the people and showed a
gift for mastery. He was the most highly-educated
man in town. He had leisure to correspond with
men of like standing abroad. He was the organ of
communication with the outside world. He had no
competitors. The intellectual appetite of his towns-
men was keen, and there were no adequate means of
satisfying it in a time when they had no lectures, no
concerts, theatres, newspapers, magazines, or many
books. He was the peer of the best, and was freely
consulted both in public and private by parishioners
and magistrates as to questions of conscience and
questions of policy. The first ministers were men of
such parts and learning that they were largely inde-
jieiident of each other and of their congregations.
They seemed to have moved back and forth between
the two continents with great freedom, and to have
e.xcited great interest, both by their coming and their
going. They have been over-praised, and condemned
beyond their demerits; for they were neither so good
nor so bad as they have sometimes been represented
to be. They would not have been human had they
not been tempted to magnify their office unduly, and
they must have been more than human to emancipate
themselves wholly from the bigotries and superstitions
of their times. We shall soon see them doing some
cruel work, and our modern blood will find it difficult
to keep cool as we helplessly watch the unmerited
sufferings of good, even if misguided, men, and we
shall helplessly writhe as we hear the hissing whip fall
upon the naked backs of women whom pastors and
magistrates alike agree to punish in the name of God.
But if we are wise, we shall reflect on all the circum-
stances of the time and make such allowance as is
due.
The Puritan attempted to crush the imagination,
and is, therefore, supposed to have been devoid of it.
Hut the imagination is a faculty nimble of foot and
light of wing. It goes where it is not sent, and
works where it is most contemned. Often it trans-
forms itself, and, because its lighter moods are not in
favor, plods in the disguise of some heavy-footed fac-
ulty, and masquerades as a phase of the sober reason,
or still more homely common sense. In the Puritan
the imagination did not exercise itself in the modern
fashion nor after the manner of " ungodly play-
wrights." It was not stimulated by such visions of
wealth and conquest as turned the head of the Catho-
lic Spaniard. It was in him a sober faculty, dealing
with the well-attested realities of common life, and
what he considered the equally well-attested realities
of the supernatural world. Given the facts to work
upon, and this creative faculty was capable of producing
sur|)rising results. As the sober-visaged, plainly-clad
Puritan sat in church listening to the long prayers
and still longer sermons and lectures in which his
favorite preacher described the city of G d, his im-
agination, released from all restraint by his godly
purpose, made many an excursion into the realm of
those fair possibilities which on the earth were no-
where actual. He saw new and holier churches, so-
cieties, commonwealths arising to make the earth a
safer home for the chosen children of God. He saw
cities arise in the wilderness; fleets sailed over un-
known seas, and broad lands, cleared, inhabited and
wisely ruled, stretched in peaceful expanse before his
comprehensive and creative imagination. These
visions were not a waste of his time and energy ; for
they were the working plans of the architect and the
engineer, who was able to create that which he imag-
ined. He could understand the proud boast of the
Roman, who, if he could not play the fiddle, could
make a small village into a great city. To describe
the Puritan as without imagination is to deny to him
that which w;is a chief characteristic of his laborious
life. His stinnihis and delight came with and from
the exercise of this power, by which the mind clearly
sees that which, as yet, has never been. That which
distinguished him from those who commonly and con-
sciously use this power was the capital fact that they
never used it solely for pleasure. It was an instru-
ment as useful as the more homely tools of the work-
ing intellect. That which in the Puritan was active,
but disguised, in his posterity two hundred years later
was to break out into the full fruit and flower of the
imagination. Hawthorne was the legitimate product
of the ancient stock. All along the line of modern
life, when Puritanism had completed its emancipa-
tion, there broke a wave of poetry. Bryant, Long-
fellow, Holmes, Lowell and the rest of that distin-
guished company only revealed the inherited traits
which were in their ancestors, though not then mani-
fest. Even Quakerism now sings in the poetry of
Whittier.
That Puritanism w.as not, in all its parts, so grim as
we sometimes imagine was shown by the love the
people of Salem hore to Roger Williams. It was
made still more apparent that it was not without
tenderness of heart and susceptibility to change of
ibougbt when the great ".\ntlnomian Controversy"
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
came. In 1637 Anne Hutchinson, a great-hearted
woman, nearly overturned both church and state. By
her liberal ideas and impassioned eloquence she car-
ried with her Henry Vane, the Governor, and a major-
ity of the people of Boston, the ministers almost
unanimously opposing her. She was, as even her
enemies admitted, a woman of wonderful power and
attractiveness. Her philosophical ideas were not un-
like those of modern Transcendentalism, and in many
ways she only anticipated the thoughts which two
hundred years later Emerson was to make familiar to
sympathetic audiences in Lyceum Hall. The dis-
pute was carried into everything, interfering with the
course of government, even down to the conduct of
town affairs. It made it more difficult for John Endi-
cott to carry on the Pequot War. The reaction from
Antinomianism brought back into power VVinthrop,
Endicott and the other old settlers — the " fathers and
founders" — who were already, because of their seni-
ority, becoming "distinguished townsmen." Mrs.
Hutchinson found little open sympathy in Salem,
because Hugh Peter was then at the full tide of hia
remarkable success, and he, with Governor Endicott,
severely punished all who rebelled. They gave Gov-
ernor Winthrop their hearty support, and helped him
back into power, thus re-establishing Puritan rule in
Massachusetts. Still, before her tragical death at the
hands of the Indians, in 1643, this remarkable woman
had made an ineffaceable mark on the institutions of
Massachusetts and Rhode Island and greatly strength-
ened the impulse to grant, as well as claim, liberty of
conscience.
From this time on there are two parties in church
and state, representing Puritanism and Puritanism
ameliorated. They go on in Salem together until
the cruel policy of Governor Endicott, together with
the absurd notions of demoniacal influence then cur-
rent, bear their proper fruit in the " Witchcraft De-
lusion." Then Puritanism begins to relax its arbi-
trary and merciless tyranny and milder counsels pre-
vail. Meanwhile, we shall see the two in conflict
and shall see how a false theory of duty can, in the
name of righteousness, drive humane men to the most
inhuman deeds.
But the townsmen of Salem during this eventful
seventeenth century were not solely given up to re-
ligious contention. They had many other interests,
some of them very absorbing. Their lives were not
stagnant or dull. To have in rapid succession two
such ministers as Roger Williams and Hugh Peter,
and to trace with intelligent interest as they did their
subsequent career, the one founding a colony, the
other going to the scaffold to expiate the death of a
king, was enough to sharpen the wits of the dullest
and give him a lively interest in the aftiiirs of two
continents. The great events of the rebellion, the Com-
monwealth, the restoration of th e Stuarts and the Revo-
lution all passed within the limits of a single lifetime.
and every change in the fortunes of England was felt
in the homes of Salem. Each man felt a responsibility
for the issue of the battle over the seas, and when
the commonwealth of England fell, the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts was accounted its lawful
heir.
But at home were many and engrossing occupa-
tions and interests, some good and some to modern
consciences, as much to be condemned as any of their
religious excesses. Commerce began its beneficent
career, and was for a hundred and fifty years a
source of good things innumerable. It kept the in-
tellect alert, gave knowledge of other nations and
gradually liberalized the minds of all who were en-
gaged in it. It produced a remarkable breed of men,
to whom in time the burdens of ecclesiasticism became
insupportable, and the Puritan spirit was at last trans-
formed and a broad catholicity took the place of
bigotry. But as yet we see only the beginnings, and
we see them marred by many an evil practice. The
distillery arose in the colony and began to pour its
poisoned stream into all the homes of savagery. The
ships which went out laden with New England rum
returned sometimes freighted with African slaves,
and tender consciences did not seem to be hurt by
the transaction. It is recorded that negroes were
brought to Salem as early as 1638. The laws of na-
tions were not well defined in those days, and a war
with any nation, or a war among unfriendly nations,
gave excuse for privateering, which easily slipped
into piracy. Pirates who preyed upon their own
commerce were punished when caught, but those who
only molested unfriendly nations were winked at, and
it was not a thing unknown for a pirate to sail into
Salem harbor and sell his plunder to the townsmen,
who asked no questions so long as they got good
bargains. Indeed, it is now quite impossible to tell
the true story of those times without doing injustice
to them, so greatly has our moral standard in many
things been elevated. One can easily see, however,
that there were many compensations for the Puritan.
His world was not so colorless as it seems to us when
we think only of his religion, and imagine that to
have been his only absorbing interest.
The internal arrangements of the colony at Salem
were for many years matters of constant and grave
concern. Things which seem to us trivial were then
of great importance. The public lands were at first
held by the government, and the towns, as agents of the
colony, distributed them among their inhabitants.
A law restricting this power of distribution to the
towns was passed (as William P. Uphara, Esq., in-
forms us) in 1635. The land was granted in small
building-lots and planting-fields to those who were
admitted to the privileges of the town. There could
be no specu'lation in town lots. Only the occupiers
could hold them. The rights of forest, field and shore
were common, and to the householders pertained cer-
SALEM.
tain privileges of pasturage and other rights peculiar
to the proprietors. A man was made a freeman by
the General Court, and when he desired to settle,
asked to be " admitted an inhabitant," and, if his re-
quest was granted, became a member of a corpora-
tion consisting of certain named persons and such
others as they chose.
Land was given to any one who became an inhabit-
ant. At first there was no difficulty. But the ques-
tion which arose when the late-comers were numer-
ous, and insisted upon their full sliare of these privi-
leges, became troublesome. Among the old settlers
there were at least three distinctions of social rank
attaching to freemen, non-freemen and servants.
These were increased by an additional line drawn be-
tween the cottagers and commoners, — those who liad a
share in the original common rights and those who
had not been admitted to such rights. The cottagers
had great advantages, and for many years clung to
their privileges. They even held meetings separate
from the town. The contention at times must have
been much more exciting than the news of a change
of government in England, or the loss of the colo-
nial charter, because it affected the fortunes of every
householder in a direct way. It was not until the
eighteenth century came in that the dispute was
closed. In 1660 the general government passed a
law that those who then had cottages or houses built
should have rights in common land. About a gen-
eration later it was a serious question what rights
they should have (then a large number) who were
not included under that law. The cottagers were those
who held under the law ; the commoners were those
who claimed a right, not by virtue of the act of 1660,
but by right of habitation. In 1702 the town passed
a vote settling this difference and admitting to a
right in the commons all houses then built. In 1713
the commoners, which term then included both com-
moners and cottagers, organized under the province
law, and are to this day represented by the " Great
Pasture Corporation." These various measures were
not agreed upon without great friction and excite-
ment, and even the famous "witchcraft year," which
came when the dispute was at its hottest, could only
postpone the excitement over a matter which affected
the fortunes of every townsman. The commoners at
last voted to give up to tlie town the highways, burying-
places, the common lands which lay within the town,
bridge and the block-houses, with the training-
grounds and various other relinopiishments, which
brought the affairs of the town on to a modern
footing. Hospitality was not a characteristic of those
days. People were suspicious and jealous of new-
comers and required of them proofs that they w-ould
be safe and agreeable neighbors before the}' admitted
them to a share of the common property. For tempo-
rary purposes they granted them cottage rights and
garden spots, but not every new-comer was welcome.
Strolling adventurers were promptly arrested and re-
quired to give an account of themselves. For a
hundred years these internal relations of the com-
munity were very important and influential. They
have now nearly passed out of the memory of all but
the students of antiquity. But they were important
then, and in the various attempts made to adjust
differences and find out that which was for the com-
mon welfiire, the community was being compacted
and trained to common action in a way which made
all its strength available in its great days when it
covered the sea with privateers and merchantmen.
But before we take leave of the seventeenth century
there are still some grievous things to be noted. The
Friend is to us an emblem and suggestion of peace.
But in 1657 he was to the people of Salem a creature
to be abhorred and, by force if necessary, expelled
from the community. It must be remembered that
during all this century any, even the most innocent,
trespasser was there illegally if he was not permitted
by the authorities to make his home there. No mat-
ter what his business, if he was forbidden to dwell
there, and still persisted in ojjposition to the proprie-
tors, he was regarded as being as much outside of his
rights as a poacher or a burglar. There was not even
a sidewalk where he could claim to be on public soil,
or on the "King's highway." Every inch of soil
belonged to the town and the proprietors. When
undesirable persons, therefore, were present and re-
fused to go away when warned, it was easy and alto-
gether too natural for those in authority to begin with
threats and then proceed to force, which became at
last cruel much beyond the original intention. When
Massachusetts decreed that Quakers remaining within
her bounds must die, it was hoped and believed that
the threat of death would be effectual. When it was
discovered that martyrdom had its charms, and that
for every Quaker hung there would be five more
ready for hanging, the brief madness of the magis-
trates yielded to the excited protests of all tender-
hearted people, and the shameful law was repealed,
but not until it had caused such deeds of cruelty in
the colony, especially in Boston, as no good man can
now contemplate without horror. The only plea to
be offered in mitigation is that the magistrates feared
overmuch a popular revolution and were driven to
excess by overplus of official zeal. Still, we must
remember that it was a century of perils and of fears.
Safety lay in concert of action. The Jesuits, the
Anabaptists, the Quakers, if permitted to come and
proselyte, might bring in all kinds of political trouble
and danger from foreign nations. The Dutch and
Indians were near and dangerous, and the whole
community lived in such fear of unseen perils as we
can scarcely imagine. For all that, we cannot be
reconciled to the whipping of women at the cart-tail
nor the ofl'ering to sell Quakers to be taken as slaves
to the Barbadoes.
8
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
But the latter daya of the century approach with
many fears, some prosperily and great distraction of
mind and purpose. John Endicott had moved to
Boston and died there in 1665. The race of great
mercliants had begun with Holliugworth and others.
Philip English, the famous Episcopalian, was dazzling
the eyes of his neighbors with his enterprise and the
magnificent style of his living. His house and offices
were full of "bound servants," and he evidently paid
little attention to the strait ways of Puritanism.
The "founders " who came to old age all died before
the century was out. There were among them Major
Hathorne and Captain Curwen, the Hon. W. Browne,
who, coming over before 1638, lived half a century in
Salem, and were regarded as " distinguished towns-
men " when they died. There was much wealth
accumulating already and life began to go on with
considerable stateliness and dignity. Even those who
did not for themselves expect to arrive at any station
of especial honor still easily lent themselves to the
general mode of life and assisted in creating a public
sentiment favorable to the production of men of grave
manners, weighty ideas and comprehensive plans of
public and private advancement. With this outward
gravity, and not altogether consistent with it, there
were many grotesque and extravagant notions con-
cerning both nature and the supernatural. At a time
when men knew so little of the world and its natural
products as to expect to find lions in the American
wilderness, and when the loadstone was supposed to
have some magical power of indicating the place of
the precious metals, when devils and demons, both in
their own form and as possessing human beings, were
supposed to be as common as bats and owls, at any
time events might happen which would break the
outward calm and throw the community into a fever
of curiosity or of apprehension.
At the end of the seventeenth century the town
was, in many ways, in an unnatural condition. There
had been numerous alarms and the real dangers were
many. At any time enemies at home might trouble
them, and against an irruption of foreign enemies
there was no protection which was trustworthy. The
more wealthy the community became the greater the
danger that the ships of an enemy might sail into the
ill-defended harbor and lay waste the town. Many
losses had been incurred and the people were sore
with apprehension, restless and ready for a panic of
any sort. The occasion came, and Salem won an
unpleasant and ill-deserved fame as the scene of the
" Witchcraft Delusion." The sad tale will be hon-
estly told in the narrative to follow. It is only
necessary to say here that in our time men forget the
multitudes who have been burned in Europe as
witches and remember the score who went to an
unhappy death on the scaffold in Salem, as if there
were something peculiar in Salem witchcraft to dis-
tinguish it from the common experience in such
matters of the rest of the civilizred world. When the
Zuni Indians came to Salem, a few years since, one ot
them, speaking in Plummer Hall, told the people that
he heard that they put their witches to death. He
told them that they did right; the Zunis did the
same. It was the only way to deal with them. The
Indian had a face like Dante's, and his opinions were
only the same as were held by all the civilized world
down to the time when in Salem the long delusion of
the ages finally gave way to the humaneness of
modern feeling. In Northern Europe, as Topelius
testifies, witches were slain by the hundred. This
eruption in Salem was the last infamous outbreak of
Puritan fanaticism, and it cleared the air for all the
generations since.
To do anything like justice to the people of those
days we must remember that they were at the same
time more happy and, in many ways, more cheerful
than we are apt to think, and that they also were
more hard and insensible to certain forms of human
suffering than we are, and that, moreover, great sensi-
bility could be a trait of the character in which were
qualities which, to us, seem quite incompatible with
it. We must also remember that many things which
to us seem like acts of their free will did not seem so
to them. To be obliged to whip an Anabaptist or a
Quaker seemed to many a tender-hearted Puritan as
necessary and as grievous as to us seem the unavoid-
able sufferings which come by " act of God." That a
certain brutality was cultivated by such theories is
certain. The best argument against the whipping-
post is that whatever the crimes of the culprit who
suffers at one end of the whip, there will always be a
brute at the other end of it — probably the worse brute
of the two. When Hugh Peter died in England for
his political offenses we have a picture of the times
which it is now difficult to contemplate without a
shudder. As he waited for his turn at the gallows he
was compelled to see his friend Cooke cut down and
quartered. "How like you this?" asked the execu-
tioner, rubbing his bloody hands. When such things
were going on it is hard for us to remember that the
sun shone as brightly then as now over the lovely
shores and bays of Salem ; that in summer the east
wind was fresh and cool as it swept over the sparkling
water, where the fisher boats floated and the fisher
boys sang their ancient ballads or shouted to each
other in careless jollity; that there was a merry sound
from the herdsmen's horns as the kine came in fresh
from the pastures in June, and that for anyone life
was easy and careless and happy. But it was so, and
many a legend, tradition and reminiscence of those
early days show that sailors danced and were jolly,
that rustics were as light-hearted at times, and even
more content and satisfied than now. Society went
on, as society must, with love-making and marriage,
the love of children and the association of friends;
and what men could not prevent, or thought they
SALEM.
could not, that they contrived to shut out and forget.
In the days of the witchcraft excitement, however,
there was no possibility of shutting out or forgetting
the grizzly horror which might look in at any window
and claim any victim. Whether one believed in all
the possibilities of demoniacal i)ossession or only
feared the passion of enemies and the mania of the
populace, the danger and the fear were inevitable and
oppressive.
But those unhap]iy days passed. The common
sense and good feeling of the community reasserted
themselves, and the humaneness which had never
been able to justify itself assumed an authority it had
never had before. The modern period may be said to
begin with the eighteenth century, although many a
lapse and " many a backward streaming curve " show
that progress then, as now, was not a regular progres-
sion from evil to good or from good to better things
in public and private life.
The eighteenth century opened with renewed pros-
perity. Commerce was establishing itself, and with
many and wide relations with the foreign world, Sa-
lem was becoming what it has always been since that
time — remarkable for the number of its inhabitants
who were cosmopolitan in their tastes and habits.
The influence of a few men fostered a habit which, in
time, produced a very peculiar and remarkable race
of sailors and traders. Abandoning the ponderous
methods of the older merchants, who built huge ships
and founded permanent colonies, or occupied posts
in foreign lands and carried on operations involving
great expense and requiring to be protected by costly
convoys and garrisons, the fishermen and traders of
Salem learned to skirmish all abing the border-lines
of the civilized world, and prepared themselves for
the brilliant exploits of later years. But it took a
hundred years to train the whole population and
compact it so that when the time came, whether for
privateering or commerce, every varied need could be
quickly, naturally and cheaply provided for at home.
For these purposes there were needed on the spot
men of universal knowledge of the known world, able
also to make a shrewd guess as to what lay out of
sight in the undiscovered parts of the world. They
needed trusty agents as intelligent, if not as far-see-
ing, as themselves — men who could obey orders of a
comprehensive character, with wit enough to modify
them when new conditions arose. With them must
go sailors who were bold, trusty, enterprising and in-
telligent, coming out of families whose interests were
identical with those of the merchants and traders.
About these there must be a homogeneous and inter-
ested population ready and skillful in all the trades
and handicrafts needed by the main business of the
place. We shall see, by and by, how all these con-
ditions were prepared and what a mark .Salem made
on the business of the world. For the present we only
note the fact that the process was beginning. The
fishing-boats and coasters, the trading smacks and
larger craft plying between the West Indies and Sa-
lem, and the ships which were slowly extending the
European commerce of the colony, were training such
a hardy, brave and intelligent seafaring population as
can now be found in no city or town of any size any-
where in the world.
From this time on religious matters are less en-
grossing and less distracting. Education, business
and politics claim an increasing share of their atten-
tion, and a town is slowly built up of a homogeneous
population, prosperous, well educated, capable of
taking an intelligent interest in all the affairs of the
town and the Commonwealth. But the colonies,
provinces now under royal Governors who are inclined
to haughty ways and the exercise of irresponsible au-
thority, are still small, isolated and feeble. The set-
tlements are still scattered. Communication is infre-
quent. Horses are few, and, until the beginning of the
seventeenth century, carriages were almost unknown,
while turnpikes and stage-coaches were yet to be in-
triiduced as the novel apjilianccs (if a new civilization.
Roads everywhere were bad, bridges were few, and
the obstruction to public travel, except by a very
few main highways, was so great that each separate
community was nearly reduced to dependence upon
its own resources, excepting such supplies as might
come by water, the great common highway of com-
merce. The water-ways were still used for most kinds
of transportation, even among neighbors in Salem.
For, as the town grew along the water's edge, with the
frontdoors of the houses opening towards the harbor
or the various rivers, while the lanes, out-houses
and swine pens were behind, where the principal
streets now are, it was more easy to convey all bulky
articles a long distance by water than to carry them
but a little way on land. The settlements sjiread
along the bays and rivers, and even little creeks
were useful to the farmer who sought a market for
his surplus produce in exchange for needed supplies.
With all their increased wealth and comfort, we must
still think of them as a "feeble folk," scattered and i'evi,
too few to live up to the independent ideas they have
now been nourishing for a century. Money was
scarce, even when comfort abounded, and stores
could be provided at any time in a given place only
by transporting them in kind. Virginia could not
give a thousand bushels of wheat to Boston by send-
ing a bill of exchange, as we might do to-day if a fam-
ine occurred in Asia Minor, but must laboriously col-
lect the grain from her own scattered wheat-fields
and transport it from Virginia to Boston.
With the fall of the colonial government and the
coming of the royal Governors, new problems of the
must perplexing kinds mllcd in upon them. From
the beginning of the century the American Revolu-
tion was preparing itself It took seventy-five years
to breed the ideas, train the men and make it possi-
10
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
sible to provide the supplies which were at last to
come to their highest uses'and expression in the repub-
lic. During these years attention was more and more
called to what were to become national problems-
Provincial governors, however bad, served an excel-
lent purpose when they turned the attention of the
colonists away from the idiosyncrasies of religionists
(good and bad alike), and concentrated the energies
of the people in defense of their common rights and
privileges. From the time that Sir Edmund Andros
said to Mr. Higginson, in Salem, "Either you are
subjects or you are rebels" it was certain that rebel-
lion would come. It was already prepared for in the
mind of every Salem householder who believed that
his tenure was independent of the King. Even then
it was claimed by Mr. Higginson that the lands of
New England belonged not to the King, but to the
people who occupied and paid for them. There miglit
be doubt as to who were the rightful proprietors of
the town lots and " common lands '' of Salem, but
there was no doubt that the King was not one of them.
In the "great pastures" even the "swineherds"
would have resisted his claim to the feeding of a pig
so long as he was not a " householder" in Salem.
The reaction from the intolerance and over-religi-
ousness of the preceding century was largely brought
about by the enfoixed practice of the toleration which
they had feared and abhorred. Being obliged to live
in peace with Anabaptists, Episcopalians and Qua-
kers, they learned, if not to like them, at least to do
business with them, and at last to respect them as
valuable members of the connnunity. Wearied with
long strife which had proved to be so profitless, the
peace which followed the establishment of public
worship after the manner of the Friends and the
" Churchmen " must have been a grateful surprise
even to those who had predicted dire evils to follow
the toleration of Episcopacy or heresy. The minds
of men were now somewhat released from the contem-
plation of insoluble theological problems, and the
fears which had hung over the colony for a hundred
years began to drift away or to dissolve before the
splendor of the rising sun. Religion began to be re-
garded as the beneficent guide of life to be privately
followed and not publicly enjoined upon others.
Many now living remember Dr. Holyoke, whose
one hundredth birth-day was celebrated by a dinner
at the Essex Coffee-House, in 1828, which he attended
and at which he spoke. He was graduated at Har-
vard College in 174(1, and therefore knew all of the
men and women of the last half of the eighteenth
century in Salem, and those older men and women
also whose memories went back to the lifetime of the
condiiores themselves. To men now living he may
have told the stories related to him by men who heard
them from the lips of John Endicott. His own mem-
ory must have held some wonderful reminiscences of
the hundred years in which the feeble provinces were
growing to be a great nation, able twice within his
knowledge successfully to meet the mother-country in
arms, and on sea and land to prove herself invincible
to any foreign foe. As a boy, in 1736, he may have
ridden over from Marblehead on a pillion behind his
father, or have sailed around Naugus Head in a fish-
ing boat to see the funeral procession of Philip Eng-
lish, and have listened that day to the tales of the
grandams and goodies who remembered when he and
his wife were arrested as witches. Perhaps he heard
some of them slyly remind each other of having had
a hand in the sport when the mob stripped and i)lun-
dered his house. Some of them were in that proces-
sion which marched out to the edge of the wilderness
at Gallows Hill, or stood near enough to hear the dy-
ing groans of Giles Corey. The older men that day
would be sure to recall that other funeral when John
Endicott was followed to his grave, in 1GG5, by his
old companions, " the founders of the Colony."
There would be several there who remembered seeing
Robert Wilson's wife tied to the tail of a cart, and
whipped from " Mr. Gedney's house to her own door
in '61.'' As Dr. Holyoke iu later years recalled these
things, and contrasted the hardships and perils of his
own century and theirs, he must have remarked the
fact that the hard and perilous experiences of his
time were memories to be proud of and to rejoice
over as their anniversaries came, while the most ex-
citing and perilous experiences of the preceding cen-
tury left shameful memories and bitter regrets. Be-
ing born in Marblehead in 1728, Dr. Holyoke could
not remember that in that year Gov. Burnet, finding
it impossible in Boston to obtain an appropriation
from the General Court for his salary, called a session
in Salem, where he found the members still intracta-
ble and unwilling to provide supplies for a " royal
Governor." He would (piite naturally have been one
of that crowd of six thousand people who assembled
on Salem Common to he:irGe(^rge Wliitefield preach,
and he certainly heard much of the heated contro-
versy which began at that time and continued until
the Congregational Church of New England was di-
vided, three-quarters of a century later. Those who
sympathized with George Whitefield and Jonathan
Edwards at the time of the " great revival " then
formed one party ; those who disapproved of their
methods and doctrines formed another, and the lineal
descendants or natural inheritors of the ideas and
moral sympathies of these two parties are to-day in
Salem, respectively called Orthodox and Unitarian
Congregationalists. George Whitefield, loved, ad-
mired and praised by one party, was by the other dis-
trusted and condemned. But to all he was an object
of exceeding interest and curiosity. Holyoke felt
the earthquake shock in '55, the year that Lisbon
went down. He saw Timothy Pickering as a boy in
the streets and saw the children growing up who were
to march with him to Winter Hill, when the British
SALEM.
11
were retreating from Lexington, and get for a hard
day's march, with none of the fighting which they
went for, only curses hecause they did not get there
sooner and capture tlie wliole force. He must have
stood at the North Bridge when Colonel Leslie march-
ed that way iind was met by the " proprietors of the
North Fields," who a.ssured him that the way beyond
the bridge was not the "King's Highway," which he
claimed it to be, but a private way where passing was
" dangerous " for those who were forbidden by the
lawful owners. He was a man in middle life when
the great events of the Revolution were coming to
pass. He might have seen Lafayette in Salem in
1784, and Washington in 1789, and may have owned
one of the numerous beds occupied on that memora-
ble occasion by the " Father of his country." No
doubt he stood on the wharf when the "Grand Turk "
sailed on her famous voyage to India and China, and
went down to see her when she came in, the first
to bring a cargo direct from Canton to New Eng-
land. Some writers describe tho.se days as provincial,
dull and uninteresting to any but traders and sailors.
But the man must have been curiously made who
could stand in the distinguished company certain to
assemble at such a time and see the treasures of the
oriental world begin to pour into that little old
Puritan town and not have sensations which would
stir his blood and cause his nerves to tingle as scarce-
ly anything would but war. These men, whose ances-
tors would not willingly associate with Anabaptists,
Episcopalians or Quakers, were now ready to trade
with Catholics, Buddhists, Mohammedans, Parsees,
and idolaters of every hue and creed. Trading with
them, they learned to respect them, and sometimes
they even formed life-long friendships with men of the
most diverse religious opinions. During his own life-
time Dr. Holyoke had seen revolutionary changes of
many kinds. He saw jthe little provinces become
a powerful nation. He saw religion cast off its
gloom and severity, while in social life austerity
gave place to animation and a joyous activity. He
saw also in their cradles, or playing in the streets, the
boys who were to bring literary renown to the old
town when her commercial laurels faded. Perhaps
the boys are now growing up who, by the fame of
their scientific achievements, will take up the succes-
sion and make Salem as illustrious in science as she
is now for the fame of her children, — Prescott and
Hawthorne.
Of the last cetitury Timothy Pickering was perhaps
the most distinguished man born or living in Salem
after 1750. He was conspicuous for the force and
dignity of his character, for his many attainments
and for his notable public services. Born in 1745, and
dying in 1828, a descendant of one of the "founders,"
graduated at Harvard College, in his later years an
oflScer of the First Church, a Unitarian before Chan-
ning had begun to preach, his life was almost an e])it-
ome of Puritan history in all its phases. From the
time, in 1774, when the Colonial Legislature assem-
bled in Salem and took measures to call a General
Provincial Congress in Pliila(lel|)hia, Pickering was
at the centre of events. A mere catalogue of the
offices he held in that-half century will suggest the
many services he rendered and his eminent fitness for
public life. He was adjutant-general and quarter-
master of Washington's army; delegate to the Con-
stitutional Convention at Philadelphia ; Postmaster-
General, Secretary of War and Secretary of State un-
der Washington and Adams; United States Senator;
Representative in Congress ; and president of the
Essex Agricultural Society. But, eminent as he was,
he was but one in a group of professional and busi-
ness men of rare ability and great attainments. Many
of the educated people of that time, as in the next
generation, were familiar, not only with public
affairs in their own country, but also were at home in
foreign lands, and had much of the culture which is
gained by travel after the usual course of education
is finished. They were not provincial in any narrow
sense. Those merchants who had no academic train-
ing acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the world,
which gave them great infiuence as advisers, and a
large number of them were eminent outside of their
counting-rooms. Such names as those of Benjamin
Goodhue, Nathaniel Silsbee, the two brothers Jacob
and Benjamin Crowninshield, Benjamin Pick-
man and William Gray suggest to those who are fa-
miliar with the history of the country the great ser-
vices rendered by merchants in the early days of the
republic. Goodhue and Silsbee were United States
Senators. One of the Crowninshields was Secretary
of the Navy, and one declined the same position some
years before. Mr. Pickman was Representative in
Congress after holding many posts of honor in Massa-
chusetts, as did the other merchants named. Nathan
Reed was well known, not only as member of Con-
gress, but as jurist and inventor. He made a steam-
boat with paddle-wheels as early as 1789. B. Lynde
Oliver was a learned and famous physician of that
time, being well versed in such knowledge as was
then current in scientific circles, and an authority in
optics. Nathaniel Bowditch everybody has heard of
who ever smelled salt-water. He was famous both
on sea and shore. His fame was so extensive and
stable that even his contemporaries who used his
"Navigator" and worked out their i)roblems by use of
his tables, often thought of him as being as ancient
and famous as^Sir Isaac Newton. After his marine
experience was over he lived as a quiet business man
in Salem, not especially conspicuous in a place and
at a time when first-rate attainments and achieve-
ments were expected of many men in many modes
of action.
As merchants at that time, no men were more con-
spicuous in Salem, or elsesvhere, tlian Klias Haskett
12
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Derby, Joseph Peabody and William Gray. The
story of the commercial fortunes of the town will be
told elsewhere. They were at their brightest in the
period between the two wars with England and were
the direct result and continuation of one of the most
interesting and exciting episodes in the varied histo-
ry of Salem. America had no navy when the Revo-
lutionary War began. Exposed along all her line of
coast to a descent of the enemy, but one defense was
possible. Instant submission must have followed had
not the whole merchant service of every kind offered
itself with ships and men trained to enterprise and
eager for adventure. It was to Salem, Beverly and
Marblehead that Washington looked at once for an
armed fleet, without awaiting the slow action of a
loosely organized Congress or taxing the inadequate
resources of scattered and half-appointed ship-yards,
and these old sea-poris did not fail him in his neces-
sity. They furnished, ready-made, the first navy
of the war. Shipbuilding of every kind was
pushed with all speed. Vessels of all kinds, large
and small, were commissioned to sweep the seas and
make lawful prize of war whatever could be captured
belonging to the enemy. Salem entered into this
form of war with great enthusiasm. It suited the
adventurous spirit of her boys. Jonathan Ilaraden
was a sea-dog of the approved pattern. Bold, perse-
vering and indomitable, he made himself a terror to
the enemy, and, with others of like temper and
spirit, soon made Salem a magazine of supplies of
every kind, taken from the merchantmen of Great
Britain. At one time a famine was averted by the
timely arrival of a prize laden with flour and dry
goods. More than one hundred and fifty privateers
sailed from this port during the Revolution. The
extraordinary activity of the marine forces of the
town left few to take part in the war on land, although
when Colonel Pickering marched after a drum
through the aisles of the First Church, calling for
volunteers, the full quota of the town fell in behind
him and followed him into the street. Privateering
had all the charm of piracy without its crime and
outlawry. It furnished adventure to match the de-
sires of the most inflamed youthful imagination. The
town was full of well-educated young fellows who
were eager for excitement. The people were of a
homogeneous breed, mostly the descendants of the
English yeomanry. Every one knew his neighbor,
and each one had a reputation to make or to main-
tain. Every sailor boy expected some day to be ad-
miral of a fleet or master of a vessel at least. All
were intelligent, and sailed with a purpose. The re-
sult was the training of a merchant marine of unex-
ampled intelligence, enterprise and experience. When
the war was over it was easy to see that the little town
of five or six thousand inhabitants was swarming
with sailors and privateersmen, rough, boisterous, im-
patient of the plodding ways of business, spoiled for
anything but a life of adventure. With the harbor
crowded with swift-sailing vessels and the streets
filled with idle sailors, with ship-owners not averse to
the life of enterprise and adventure made familiar by
war, all the conditions were prepared for the sudden
enlargement of the mercantile resources of the town
which followed. Many volumes would be required
to hold the record of the times, the adventures in
foreign lands, the hunt for new markets, the unex-
pected discovery of obscure corners of the world,
where salable products of the earth, rare in Europe
and America, were common, and to the natives of lit-
tle value, the conflicts with natives often murderous
in disposition and cannibals to boot, the rivalries of
fellow merchants, and the dangers from foreign na-
tions, both on sea and shore. These, often told in
part, familiar to many, have as yet never been pre-
sented to the public in the fuUnes's which the great
interest of the subject would justify.
In this place it is possible only to call attention to
the features of society at that time which are often
overlooked, the dash and excitement of the common
life and the brilliant cosmopolitanism of the rich, en-
terprising and educated men who conducted these en-
terprises. The sudden quiet which fell upon the
town when the foreign commerce departed, the grave
demeanor of the elders, who, their business being
done, and their sons having gone to conduct other
enterprises, quietly settled down to the enjoyment of
wealth and leisure, have given the impression that it
was always so in Salem. When those who are in mid-
dle life now came upon the stage the play was over,
the curtain was falling and the lights were going out.
But when everything was fresh and all enterprises in
full operation, when the store-houses were full, the
wharves scenes of busy activity, and the young men
of the town were coming and going on their travels
and voyages, there was nothing dull or sluggish in
the movements of society. Youth was predominant
and hopefulness characteristic of the times. The un-
exampled opportunities for young men drew them
from all the neighborhood, and in those days the in-
crease of population was largely of this class. An
impression of gravity and severity is given by pic-
tures of the men and women of that time, who, in
dress and manner, seem ancient and stiff. At that
time it was customary to mark distinction of age and
standing by the fashion of the garments. Old men
did not affect the sprightliness of youth either in gait
or garment. In middle life one's coat was a little
longer, his waistcoat a little more voluminous, his
shoe buckles a little broader, and there was an air of
repose and a suggestion of solidity which was regard-
ed as not inappropriate to one who might be supposed
to have done something and had passed the need of
hurrying overmuch. It was a gravity not altogether
without the compensations and quiet cheerl'ulness
which come with well-filled pockets, and a heavy
SALEM.
13
balance at the bank. The young men as they pros-
pered were not averse to a little of the dignity which
began to indicate that they were men of weight. All
social distinctions were still marked by etiquette and
<lrcss in a way now quite unknown. Until just be-
fore the Revolution names of students were printed
in the catalogue of Harvard College in the order of
the social rank of their parents. Something is to be
said for customs which mark off society into classes
according to age and merit, and make it easier to
grow old and more desirable to succeed in lawful en-
terprises, because of the increased respect paid to the
aged and the honorable. Old age in some ways began
earlier than now. It is difficult for us to realize what
an extension of the working capacity of the race has
followed the great improvement of optical instru-
ments since the beginning of this century. Timothy
Pickering was near-sighted and wore glasses. A sol-
dier has left on record the emotions with which he
saw him ride along a line of camp-fires in the even-
ing, his eyes blazing at intervals like balls of fire.
He had never seen such a sight before. Many near-
sighted people, having no glasses, were accounted
queer, because they could not join with others in
sports or many occupations, and the middle-aged,
who were not rich enough or enterprising enough to
provide themselves with the costly and ugly specta-
cles then made, were early victims of old age and
were laid on the shelf prematurely because they could
not see.
The intellectual excitements of the last part of the
eighteenth century were many and strong. Inter-
course with the whole world brought freight of many
kinds besides that which paid duty at the custom-
house. Puritanism had lost its hold upon the lead-
ing classes and English Unitarianism waa coming in
to make Salem a " peculiar place." But this, though
influential, was as yet a silent force, working persua-
sively, but not noisily. French Democracy, working
in some ways to the same end, was a disturbing force
of which more account was taken. France had been
the friend of America in her well-nigh hopeless strug-
gle. Lafayette was loved there next to Washington,
and it was natural that French ideas should be popu-
lar. But in the admixture of French ideas with Pur-
itanism it is easy to see there were difficulties not
easily overcome. " Infidelity " was a word of ominous
meaning, and the atrocities of the French Revolution
made it hard to keep one's balance when attempting
to take from the French philosophers the good there
undoubtedly was in their theories, and to avoid the
evil which was only too apparent. Dr. Bentley was
a Democrat and a sturdy fighter. He did not hesi-
tate to avow his liberal opinions as to church and
state and to take the consequences, and the conse-
quences were sometimes unpleasant. He stood almost
alone because of his opinions, a Roger Williams of
later date, not doomed to banishment because the
times had changed. Even so early as 1787 he was a
leader in the ways which were by many accounted
destructive. The story of the theological contests of
the time belong in the ecclesiastical history of Salem,
and will be told in its proper place. But the struggle
was not wholly, perhaps not at this time mainly, the-
ological. The questions in dispute were by all par-
ties supposed to relate to the very foundations of
social institutions and civil government. The new
world of modern life was in jirocess of discovery. New
ideas were pouring into minds both trained and un-
trained in a tumultuous profusion which was bewil-
deriug. Everybody knew that the old familiar forms
into which society had been shaped by Puritanism
were shifting and changing. To some the changes
were welcome; to some they were alarming. Few-
were indifferent to them, and no one knew what would
come next, nor exactly what was desirable. The de-
scendants of the Puritans, then as now, were conser-
vative in action and slow to change the outward habit
of their lives. The intellectual tumult, however, was
none the less because veiled by the decent garb and
weighty manners of the " respectable citizen." The
peculiarities of Salem life cannot be understood by
those who do not take into account the stress and
tension of the minds of the men and women of tho-e
days, and the great activity of intellectual faculties
exercised on numerous questions which had no rela-
tion to business and no concern with the traditional
religious beliefs. It is not possible to account for the
outburst of literary expression in the generation fol-
lowing this on the supposition that the best society of
the last days of the eighteenth century was a " purse-
proud " aristocracy, of which the most conspicuous
members were those who, by patient and unscrupulous
dealings in Xew England rum, negroes, tobacco and
salt codfish, had amassed wealth and were enjoying it
in an atmosphere of dignified and exclusive dullness.
The evil and the stupid elements of a commercial
town were there, and no doubt in their full propor-
tion. But there was that other something, the intel-
lectual unrest and voiceless activity which came to
expression a little later in sons and daughters trained
to think, accustomed from childhood to familiar
intercourse with the masters of thought and literature,
and able themselves to contribute to the world's slowly
accumulating treasure of immortal books. The liter-
ature of a generation springs out of nothing but a
previous generation prepared to nourish thoughtful
sons and daughters. In the generation to come upon
the stage as the great merchants pass away we shall
see how the brilliant literary history of Salem was
prepared for in these busy and laborious days after
the Revolution. There was, in general society, at
that time great formality and exclusiveness, due in
part to the perilous strength of thought, out of which
may come new dispensations of peace, or, with unfavi r-
able conditions, contentions and disaster. Many of
H
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the more " aristocratic " families had naaintained their
loyalty to the royal government, and were perhaps all
the more attached to their King because at a distance
from their " old home " they idealized him. They
had found Salem too hot for " tories," and at the be-
ginning of the war had gone to England or the Brit-
ish provinces. Among the " patriots " who remained
the lines were strictly drawn between Federalists on
the one side and Republicans on the other. The
principles which were approved on either side were
illustrated in many ways, and social life took its tone
largely from the color of the political party to whiclr
a family belonged. The one would give society some-
thing of the stateliness of aristocratic society abroad,
while the other would abandon all formal etiquette
and return to the unconventional ways " of nature."
To the P^ederalist, Thomas Jefferson riding unattended
on horseback to take the oath of ofBce as President of
the United States was simply demeaning him.self and
degrading his office. To the Republicans he seemed
to be setting an example of glorious republican sim-
plicity. The two social ideals created social distinc-
tions and produced rivalries which seem now incredi-
ble and foolish. But we must remember that nothing
is of small value when it illustrates a principle, and
that by outward signs a community is educated to
loyalty or dislike for a theory of social order upon
which the safeiy or prosperity of all may depend-
The men of these times were at the head of the
streams <iut of which were flowing the main currents
of the national life. They knew it and they felt their
responsibility.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century Salem
was still a small town. The century was well on its
way before fifteen thousand people gathered there.
But it was the home of a vigorous race, — the product
and flowering of the Puritan stock, enriched by cul-
ture, made wise by many experiences of adversity
and polished by travel and a wide experience with
men of many creeds and customs. In a letter written
at the time, Haskett Derby is described as "a fine,
majestic-looking man." " He says little, yet does not
appear absent ; has traveled much, and in his man-
ners has an easy, unassuming politeness that is not
the acquirement of a day." Such a description may
be taken as almost typicil of the society of that time
in its best aspects. There was no doubt pride, pre-
tension and folly, such as always come and go with
rapid changes of fortune. Tliere was no doubt a class
whose arrogance was not justified by any service ren-
dered to the public by themselves or their ancestors.
Others were unworthy heirs of great names, and unfit
custodians of family renown. There were the purse-
proud who were ignorant, and the exclusive who, in
order to be so, were obliged to forget their ancestry
and exclude their kindred. But after making all the
allowances which could be suggested by envy, by the
ill-natured rivalry of other towns, or by jealous rivals
at home, granting all that reason and the democratic
sentiment of America claims for the rank and file of
citizenship, still it remains true, and after making all
deductions, fiiir and unfair, only the more conspicu-
ously true, that in those days the little town of Salem
was the home to a remarkable degree of intellect, cul-
ture and high-bred character ; that it was not merely
the dwelling-place of traders and speculators, but was
an exceptional centre of attraction for a large number
of men of comprehensive ideas, broad culture and a
certain largeness of life not common then or now. In
the chapters which follow on commerce and on litera-
ture the story of the achievements of the men of Salem
will show in what ways the energy which had been
stored up and the knowledge which had been accum-
ulating were put to use both in enriching the world
and making it wiser, — two processes not always carried
on together. Aside from this history of activity on
the sea and the gathering up of literary power there
is little to tell of these times before the War of 1812.
What there is to be noted shows that a settled pros-
perity has begun. The common is laid out, two banks
are incorporated, the turnpike was opened, making
rapid travel possible, two new banks were incorpo-
rated, two military companies held their first parade,
a ship came in from a voyage round the world and
another made the first voyage for trade at the Fiji
Islands, Nathaniel Hawthorne was born, the Athe-
nieum was incorporated, and Messrs. Judson, Newell,
Nott, Hall and Rice were, in the Tabernacle Church,
consecrated the first missionaries to India. This lat-
ter event, to many the most notable of the century,
was one of the remarkable modern illustrations of the
earnestness of the Puritan spirit in matters of religion,
and it was a direct result of the meeting of two phases
of the Puritan character. The spirit of enterprise
opened the heathen world to commerce and the pious
zeal of the church which had maintained the Puri-
tan creed sent the gospel to complete the work of civ-
ilization. The two purposes which united at the
founding of Salem made the third century of its lile
illustrious with the double triumphs of commerce and
religion. The record of the Christian missionaries
of New England shines with all the traits of heroism.
In all the years which have followed since the sailing
of the first missionaries in the brig "Caravan "in 1812,
the Orthodox people of S.ilem have retained their in-
terest in their work, and have been able with both
money and advice to assist in generous measure.
It would be a mistake to suppose that the large
amount of liberal " leaven " in the ecclesiastical life
of Salem was the result of any easy-going optimism
on tlie part of the people, or that the changes which
have passed over the Puritan spirit indicate any
wholesale lapse of the people from the standards of
their fathers. The change was the result of a battle
fiercely but fairly fought, and it has left all parties in
possession of an inheritancedirectly derived from their
SALEM.
15
forefathers. The strife which followed the division of
the Congregational body of Salein was probably the
last one of its kind in Puritan history, and it would
be an instructive exhibition if one could put the sym-
bols of ecclesiastical discipline in chronological order,
marking the two hundred years, with the gallows at
one end and a "union Thanksgiving service " at the
other. Tolerance in all matters of religion has become
common-place in Salem. But all parties who date
their ecclesiastical ancestry from the beginning are
equally proud of their fathereand all claim, whatever
their modern differences, to illustrate in important
particulars the principles of the founders. Even the
Episcopalians and the Quakers now live in peace
with the descendants of those who persecuted them,
and claim their share of the common inheritance,
while not a few of the children of the persecutors
have accepted the tenets of the men and women who
suffered as disturbers of the peace and rebels against
the ciiureh of God. Of no portion of her population
is Salem more ])roud than of her " Friends." It is
hard for her to forgive herself that in her borders
they suffered violence. Their love of peace and their
zeal for human liberty have conquered. Left to
themselves, they have proved themselves to be not
disturbers, but keepers of the peace, and as others
adopt their rule of conduct their protest dies away
and they are no longer to be distinguished from their
friendly neighbors.
The founding of the Andover Theological School
and the oath imposed upon its pnjfessors, with its list
of things to be opposed, are part of the ecclesiastical
history of Salem, and show some of the influences at
work in shaping her religious and social life. John
Norris, of Salem, gave ten thousand dollars of the
original endowment. The school was intended to
ofiset the " latitudinarianism " of Harvard College.
The heresies mentioned were those which in Salem
were, or had been, regarded with more or less sym-
jiathy and toleration. It is a list w hich could never
liave been made in a western town. The professors
were sworn to opposition, " not only to Atheists and
infidels, but to Jews, Papists, Mohammedans, Ai'ians,
Pelagians, Antinomians, Arminians, Socinians, Sabel-
lians. Unitarians and Universalists." Now every one
of these words stood for that which had been a be-
lief heltl by men of Salem or their friends and busi-
ness correspondents at some time in their troubled
history.
The war with England in 1812 was a disaster to
Salem which her merchants dreaded and would have
avoided. Their ships were abroad on all seas, and
they protested against the peril and loss which they
saw to be inevitable. But the war being declared,
they turned their attention with characteristic vigor
to the prosecution of it to a victorious conclusion.
As in the Revolution, an efficient navy being wanted
and not being available, an extemporaneous navy was
speedily organized, and, as usual, the privateering
fleet of Salem was greatly out of proportion to her
small population. Ships and seamen were abundant,
and the boys were natural sailors and sea-fighters.
Of the enemy much spoil was taken and many prison-
ers. But of the forty privateers, twenty-six fell into
the hands of the Briti>h, and their crews lay in prison
at Barbadoes and elsewhere. Dartmoor was filled
with them, and until within a few years the survivors
of captivity in that gloomy place recited the stories of
their sufierings and release to admiring listeners.
As commerce culminated and passed away, the in-
tellectual vigor which had been evolved or educated by
its enterprise and wide experience of the world began
to manifest itself in other ways. The life of ])rofes-
sional men in the town was attractive and their work
lucrative, according to the modest standard of the
time. Ministers, lawyers and doctors, of learning and
ability abounded. Scholars were numerous and well
equipi)ed. The men of native mental power, who had
not been highly educated, sent their boys to Harvard
College, and young men of wealth, education and the
habit of foreign travel were in many families where
culture was accounted at least as good as wealth. At
that time all classes lived the year round in Salem.
They might have outlying farms, and were in the
habit of traveling much abroad, but the principal in-
terests of the rich and educated families were at
home. The influence of this concentration of in-
terest, and the maintenance of a permanent domestic
life in one place was favorable to the cultivation of
the whole community. Men of exceptional gifts were
not isolated from their townsmen. Those who were
conspicuous for their wi-sdom were held in honor at
home, and served the community like other citizens.
For illustration every institution of the town might
furnish an example, — Timothy Pickering was pres-
ident of the Essex Agricultural Society ; Nathaniel
Bowditch was president of the Essex Fire and Marine
Insurance Company; Daniel A. White was president
of the Athena'um and of the Essex Institute; Lever-
ett Saltonstall held similar offices ; Colonel Francis
Peabody founded the Lyceum ; and in the school
committee for 1821 we find the names of Tim. Picker-
ing, Joseph Story, Nat. Silsbee, Gid. Barstow, Lever-
ett Saltonstall, John Pickering and others. In the
list we have one who had been a cabinet officer under
two Presidents, a member of Congress, an United
States Senator, a justice of the Supreme Court, with
others almost equally eminent, together with two
physicians of fine attainments, and business men of
prominence. Not one of the whole list is insignifi-
cant. John Pickering made the first Greek lexicon
with definitions in English, and not Latin, while
among the teachers with whom the committee had to
deal with then or a little later were such men as the
author of "Worcester's Dictionary" and Henry K.
Oliver. Rufus Choate was practicing law ; Nathaniel
16
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Hawthorne was just going to college at Brunswick ;
the sculptor and poet, W. W. Story, was not quite old
enough to enter school ; Jones Very, the poet, was a
shy and modest lad of eight years ; Samuel Johnson,
the eminent historian of the "Oriental Religions,"
was getting the first impressions of the East which
were to turn his attention to its literature, and make
him the first American scholar in that department of
learning; and many boys were fitting themselves in
the public, schools to become what they have been
ever since — most important factors in the evolution of
American society. Education was a "hobby" at
this time, and money was at rapid rate being turned
into brains and brain culture. Between 1815 and
1832 seventy-nine Sali^m boys were graduated at Har-
vard College alone. In 1828 seventeen boys entered
Harvard College, and seven the same year went to
other colleges. In those days young men, their
travels being over, returned to live at home, and a
proportion of the men to be met on Essex Street,
unusually large for a town of its size, were college
bred. The intense mental energy directed by the
fathers into the channels of commerce could not be
limited to them, and their sons, inheriting their
ability with a wider range of experience and a greater
knowledge of the world of books, became lawyers,
judges, theologians, physicians, men of' science and
men of letters, and exponents in all New England
and the Northern States of the intellectual and
"gentle" life." It was a period of wonderful intel-
lectual stimulus and fertility. Within a radius of
twenty miles from the custom-house, from which the
" Scarlet Letter " was dated, the stock being homo-
geneous and the conditions similar, there were pro-
duced in the early part of the century in Boston,
Cambridge, Salem and other towns. Story, the two
Danas, Sparks, Everett, Ticknor, Prescott, Norton,
Ripley, Emerson, Parker, Hawthorne, Rantoul,
Holmes, Whittier, Motley, Lowell and many another
of equal or lesser light, and they drew into their fel-
lowship such men as Channing, Bancroft, Longfellow,
Agassiz, Choate and Webster. The common family
life out of which they came was, to a great extent, the
common life of an ordinary social circle in Salem.
Henry R. Cleveland, son of a ship-master, was one of
the "five of clubs," and brought his companions,
Sumner, Longfellow, Hillard and Felton, to enjoy
the gay and witty society to be found about his home.
Many a visitor from Cambridge and Boston sought
the company of the accomplished men and beautiful
women who constituted a genuine " society," and
many of the daughters of Salem were taken away to
grace the homes of other cities.
Certain writers have much to say about the '' pro-
vincialism " of Salem in the fir.'it half of this century.
It is not necessary to deny any charge they may
make, for no doubt it was provincial. But it was less
so than any sea-port town of England at the same
time, and was behind few English towns in the
knowledge the people had of English literature of the
better sort. Dr. Kirwan's philosophical library, made
a prize of war in the Iri.sh Channel, became the basis
of the present Athenfeum Library, a rare collection
of good books both new and old. But it is safe to say
that there was in that library no book so abstruse, so
philosophical, or printed in language so uncommon
as to be unfit for the use of numerous men and women
in Salem. Rummage the closets of any old gambrel-
roofed house to-day, and along with crackle-ware tea-
pots and old silver porringers you will find some rare
volume of "Seneca," the "Spectator," the "Dial,"
the common reading of Hawthorne and his playmates
of seventy years ago or later.
Salem became a city about the time when its most
famous days were over. With the transference of its
trade to the larger cities and more accessible markets
its local prominence was greatly reduced. The build-
ing of railroads and the multiplication of modern in-
ventions reduced, instead of increasing, its relative
importance. Great eflforts were made, and hopes
were entertained, that the port of Salem might again
become the centre of a great inland trade. Stephen
C. Phillips lost his life in a burning steamer on the
St. Lawrence River, while making an effort to open
new provinces to the enterprise of Salem. His
sons were prominent in the movement which resulted
in the provision made by the city for an abundant
supply of pure water. When the city charter was
procured, most of the wealth wou by enterprise in all
quarters of the globe was still held by citizens at
home, or so invested as to swell the general resources
of the city. But the inviting fields for enterprise
opened in the Western States have caused the trans-
ference of a large part of it to other places, and with
it have gone many of those who have inherited it.
Some of them are to be found in most of the large
cities of the Eastern States and in Europe. The sons
of Salem are officers of many western railways, and
the money won in oriental trade now facilitates the
transport of the grain which feeds the millions of
Europe.
The old Salem is gone. The men, the commerce,
the Puritan spirit, the high-bred courtesy, the stately
ways, the great men and women with strong local at-
tachments,—these are gone. Nothing remains of the
most stirring epoch in the life of the town but names,
places, and a decreasing number of the families who
trace their ancestry back of the nineteenth century,
in Salem.
A new Salem has taken the place of the old. A
city stands where the old town won its renown, — a
city with railroads, hor.se-cars, electric lights and cot-
ton-mills, and a large foreign population. The man-
sions built by merchants of English descent and train-
ing are inhabited b_v operatives in the mills or labor-
ers, who have no interest in the old ways or the
SALEM.
17
former inhabitants. The Irish brogue and the
French language are heard now where pure English
was once the rule. The old wharves are rotting ; the
ancient warehouses are silently falling to decay, and
the beautiful shores of streams and harbors, which
once delighted the eyes of their owners, are becoming
an oflense to the poor who dwell along their borders.
The custom-house, always too large for any reason-
able expectations of prosperity, is much too vast for
the diminishing commerce in dutiable goods. The
old Salem is dead aud gone. Most of it does not even
exist as a relic of a fast-fading antiquity.
But a new Salem is rising. The points of activity
and interest are no longer on her shores, which, for
the present, are abandoned to chance and fate until,
with renewed life and a more abundant leisure, meas-
ures shall be taken to make them once more as
beautiful and attractive as they were when " Lover's
Lanes " and clean beaches were the resorts of the
youth. The centres of life and business activity are
DOW within the town, along that highway which,
once a lane and then a street, took its curves from
the line of the shores where the merchants lived and
business was done. Two hundred years ago what is
now Essex Street was a shady lane, where the goats
and swine and cattle passed on their way to and from
their pastures, and where, in the dewy freshness of a
summer morning, the horns of the herdsmen sum-
moned their flocks and herds, to be driven away to
fields now inhabited by prosperous citizens. The
shores are now deserted by commerce, and the shaded
lanes of the old time are now the paved and lighted
highways through which begins to move, with in-
creasing energy, the business which is to repair and
rebuild the fallen fortunes of the city. Home indus-
tries, domestic commerce, manufactures, science,
literature, music, art and education are now restoring
the vanishing wealth, renewing the ancient renown,
and making the city a centre of enterprises which are
already enriching the national life.
Since the nineteenth century began there have
been three distinct periods in the progress of the city.
First, there was the commercial and intellectual
energy of the first thirty years. They were supposed
to be without limit. But they were appropriated by
the larger life of New England. Then came the
slowly diminishing prosperity of the thirty years be-
fore the War of the Rebellion, in which, in spite of
costly endeavors to prevent it, the city lost its an-
cient importance as a centre of business. The war
ended the career of " Old Salem," and the new Salem
began to be. The city lives no longer on its mem-
ories alone, and is not distinguished solely for its an-
tiquity. Business activity and scientific enterprise
are rapidly preparing the conditions for a new career
of progress, on new lines. The history of Old Salem
is closed ; but in the new city, which is rising on its
ancient foundations, its memories will be cherished,
its annals will be preserved with care and enriched
2
with fresh discovery. The historic places where the
good and evil passions of men were displayed in con-
flict, and where great virtues made the contest illus-
trious, will be visited, as the years pass, by an incrciis-
ing number of pilgrims from all the newer parts of
the country. The ideals of character which were the
Puritan's finest contribution to the resources of mod-
ern civilization, honored and revered on the spot
which g.ave them birth, will be constant sources of
virtue and intelligence.
The people of Salem are proud of their ancestry and
history, and a diligent band of local antiquarians is
working out the story of the past, with results of more
than local fame. But the city is entering upon a new
career, and may become as notable for its achieve-
ments in the years to come as it was justly famous in
the past.
The Athensum, the Essex Institute, the Pea-
body Academy of Science and the societies and indi-
viduals that are attending to music and art are yet to
be heard from in a way not unworthy of Salem. The
idea is being cultivated that wealth is not the sole
foundation of good society, aud that the money made
in the old times was not the princii^al gain. That
money is now flowing in other channels, but it has,
in flowing away from the place where it was accumu-
lated, made it only the moi'e evident that it was one of
the least of the treasures gained in the enterprising
days of foreign commerce. Now attention is turned
to the other things which are seen to be permanent
and of staple value in good society. The new Salem
will be rich, but its cultivation will be not incidental.
It will be held to be of primary importance, and, with
religion, good morals and wisdom, will enrich the
national life far beyond any material contributions
which it may make to the national prosperity.
CHAPTER II.
SALEU— {Continued).
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
BY KEV. EDMUND B. WILLSON.
Thi.s history lays no cl.aim to completeness. It
deals but slightly with the interior, the unorganized
religious life of the first settlers of Salem, or of the
later inhabitants of the place. It is little more than
a liistorical sketch of the church-life of its people.
Nor is it for the most part history now written for
the first time. The main facts relating to nearly
every church in the towu have been already collected
and priuted — those of earlier date than the present
century by the very competent hand of Rev. Mr.
Bentley, minister of the East Church ; those falling
18
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
within the present century by Charles S. Osgood and
Henry M. Batchelder, in their historical sketch of
Salem, published in 1879, whose contents vreie mani-
festly verified with painstaking care so far as the
authority for them could be had and the scope of
that work permitted them to be included.
The settlement of New England, it is to be borne
in mind, was an enterprise in the interest of religion.
"Civilized New England," says Palfrey, "is the child
of English Puritanism." To know the child, there-
fore, we should know something of its ancestry. Only
briefest notices of the ante-migration period of Eng-
lish Puritanism, however, can find rfiom here.
When it is said that the colonizing of New Eng-
land was in the interest of religion, it is not meant
that secular interests had no voice in the councils
that directed it. Hopes of advantageous trade and
prospects of opening new fishing-grounds were not
wanting. Philanthropic plans for converting and
civilizing the Indians mingled with schemes for
reaping solid gains from exchanging English goods
for land, peltry, fish, whatever products might turn
to account in a commerce between the Old World
and the New. The sleepless love of adventure, thirst
for roving and change, sure to be dreaming its fasci-
nating dream of voyage and exploration in every tenth
young Englishman's brain, of course played its part.
The never failing, restless, religious adventurer —
source of constant danger to the peace of the new
settlement — would also be ready to embark in the
first ship that sailed. It remains true that a religious
purpose was predominant and controlling in the
Puritan company that settled Salem.
Up to the time of its leaving its English home for
the West, the history of Puritanism is to be studied
chiefly as the history of a national religious move-
ment, of the rooting, spread and final prevailing of
the ideas of the Reformation on English soil. It is
our province to trace it more particularly after its
landing in America, and more particularly still in the
planting, growth and shaping of the institutions
which it founded and fostered in this town. It lost
nothing of its intensity of religious purpose when it
left its native land. It became even a larger element
in the life of the settlers of New England after their
removal than it had been before, in that here they led
a life of narrowed and simplified conditions. It had a
more undivided supremacy. It had deeply colored
and characterized their life and history before they
came ; now it was the very life of their life. It im-
bedded itself in their social and domestic customs,
and took control of their political aims and plans.
Lines of minor divergence naturally came to be
drawn among the English reformers themselves, and
that a good while before they sailed for these shores,
as they found they were not agreed as to the ex-
tent to which church reform should go, or what were
the methods most hopeful for effecting it. Some
counseled separation from the established church as
the only way to realize a pure worship, with entire
freedom of mind and conscience, seeing no other
sure way to obtain relief from the despotism of the
Church of Rome, whose spirit was still present and
ruling, and whose methods still lingered in the
Church of Episcopal England. Those who took this
view were the Separatists, Brownists, Independents
of their time, avowed advocates of democracy in
church government, for which Robert Brown of
Norwich was a strenuous contestant, and in which
he led a considerable following. Others regarding
the national church as a true church still, even in its
degeneracy, and having an invincible antipathy to
the least semblance of schism, firmly resisted the
secession movement, and sought rather to purify the
church of its formalism by the leaven of a more sin-
cere and fervent piety. These were the Puritans.
From the former class came the Plymouth colo-
nists,— by the way of Holland, where they tarried a
few years, and contemplated for a time making a
permanent religious home under the tolerant laws,
the Protestant leanings and the comparatively hos-
pitable public sentiment of that country.
The Puritans continued for a while their experi-
ment of staying in the national church and there
working out its reformation. They never formally
abandoned it. But practically they did. They con-
fessed to themselves after a time that they were not
succeeding. Reluctantly they became more and
more accustomed to turn their eyes to the sea and to
think of the shores beyond. English trading com-
panies were sending their ventures meanwhile to the
wild and little-known bays and rivers of Virginia
and their ships were ranging the whole long Eastern
coast of the new continent. They might try their
experiment there, they thought, under a less close
and jealous scrutiny, and possibly pursue there, un-
molested by savage neighbors, as they could not at
home, unmolested by priests and prelates, the better
religious life they craved.
The reports that came from Plymouth were, to be
sure, of hunger, cold, sickness, death and of return-
ing malcontents, but also of an undaunted faith, a
peaceful following of their own way in religion, and
a fixed purpose to stay on the part of the conductors
and earliest members of that community. A schis-
matic the Puritan would never be, but a non-con-
formist he could be. But at length non-conformity
came to be no longer permitted in England. He
looked now, then,oftener toward the sea, and thought
more of a home and a church in the wilderness.
John White, of the English Dorchester, " a famous
Puritan divine," perhaps not thinking of a possible
Puritan church at all, but only of a plantation com-
bined with a fishing and trading-post, — John White,
of whatever thinking, interested himself, at any rate,
to induce some faithful men among the number of
those who made voyages from his town for the pur-
pose of fishing in these neighboring waters and bar-
SALEM.
19
tering along these neighboring American coasts, and
who were often for months together detained about
these parts, to make a station at Cape Ann, " where
the mariners might have a home when not at sea,
where supplies might be provided for them by farm-
ing and hunting, and where they might be brought
under religious influences."
In 1623 a plant was made, with this view, under
Thomas Gardner as overseer. For some cause it
failed. Two years later Mr. Eoger Conant, who had
left the Plymouth colony from disaffection, and had
come up the coast as far as Nantasket, being reported
to the Dorchester associates as a "religious, sober
and prudent gentleman," was invited by them to
come to Cape Ann and to take charge of the planta-
tion there. Though this confidence in the newly-
installed director was not misplaced, the plantation
still languished, and a year or two after, those en-
gaged in it sold what remained of their vessels and
supplies, disbanded, and, as a company, quit their
joint proceedings. But a few, of better stuff" than the
rest, and of more staying qualities of character, re-
mained behind, and kept charge of the last importa-
tion of cattle. Mr. White was not one to accept
defeat. He kept up communication with Conant, who
meantime had removed to Kahumkeike, as a preferable
seat for the general purposes of colonization, and
pleaded with him not to be discouraged nor to desist
from the undertaking to which he had set his hand.
If Conant and three others whom he named would
engage to stay at Xaumkeag, he promised to obtain a
patent for them and send them recruits, with provis-
ions and goods suitable for trade with the Indians.
The drooping spirits of the settlers were with some
difficulty roused again, the faith of the English mer-
chants was reinforced by the energetic representations
of the Dorchester patron, so that they became willing
to risk a portion of their wealth in another attempt.
Not only Dorchester fishermen, but London mer-
chants and gentlemen and others, were brought to
put some capital at stake here. And it fell out that
John Eudicott, "a man well known to divers persons
of good note," "manifested much willingness" to
accept the leadership of the new effort proposed, and
came in the summer of 1628, at the head of a not
large party, to take the management, which, after
some objection from those already on the ground,
was finally yielded to him, and the name of Salem,
which has since come to honor, commemorates, it is
said, the pacification of the dispute between the new-
comers and the old, which for a while threatened to
wreck the project.
So Salem began in 1628. With its beginning began
its worship. Probably under some tree, or if a shelter
had been reared before the first Sabbath day came
round, under its roof, it might be the roof of Conant's
house, or of some original " planter's house " at first
designed for common use. Their worshi]) followed the
prayer-book of the English Church, in part, it is
likely, but they easily loosened themselves from its
ritual, and their worship became informal and spon-
taneous— exposition, free prayer, mutual exhortations,
— largely modifying the traditional forms of their
Old World church-life, all parts recognizing the pecu-
liarity of their situation as they supplicated for pa-
tience, faith and constancy in the way of duty and
self-sacrifice.
Let us pause for a moment to observe this type of
man who stands for the Salem founder. His portrait
has often been drawn, but it differs pretty widely in
the hands of diflferent delineators. The differences,
however, will turn out to be mainly in the strength
of the lines and the depth of the coloring. Under
them all the same man is easily recognized. He is of
firm make, and his figure, face and spirit always hold
their place and are to be identified at a glance. It is
thus that the author of the " History of New England
during the Stuart Dynasty,"' has sketched his feat-
ures. " The Puritan w.as a Scripturist — a Scripturist
with all his heart, if, as yet with imperfect intelli-
gence. . . . He cherished the scheme of looking
to the word of God as his sole and universal directory.
The Puritan searched the Bible, not only
for principles and rules, but for mandates — and when
he could find none of these, for analogies — to guide
him in precise arrangements of public administration
and in the minutest points of individual conduct.
His objections to the government of the
church by bishops were founded, not so much on any
bad working of that polity, as on the defect of author-
ity for it in the New Testament ; and he preferred his
plain hierarchy of pastors, teachers, elders and dea-
cons, not primarily because it tended more to edifica-
tion, but because Paul had specified their offices by
name. . . . The opposing party in the State was
associated in his mind with the Philistine and Amor-
ite foes of the ancient chosen people, and he read the
doom of the King and his wanton courtiers in the
Psalm which put the ' high praises of God ' in the
mouth of God's people ' and a two-edged sword in
their hand, to bind their King with chains and their
nobles with fetters of iron.' . . . He would have
witchcraft. Sabbath-breaking and filial disobedience
weighed in the judicial scales of a Hebrew Sanhe-
drim. His forms of speech were influenced by this
fond reverence for the Bible. ... He named his
children after the Christian graces, still oftener after
the worthies of Palestine, or, with yet more singular-
ity, after some significant clause of holy writ.
"The Puritan was a strict moralist. He might be
ridiculed for being over-scrupulous, but never re-
proached for laxity. Most wisely, by precept, influ-
ence and example — unwisely by too severe law, when
he obtained the power — he endeavored to repress pre-
vailing vice and organize a Christian people. Hia
error was not that of interfering without reason, or
■John Gorham Palfrey, vol. i. pp. 274-277.
20
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
too soon. When he insisted on a hearing, villainous
men and shameless women, whose abominations were
a foul offense in the sight of God and of all who rev-
erence God, were flaunting in the royal dressing-rooms.
The foundations of public honor and prosperity were
sapped.
" In politics, the Puritan was the Liberal of his
day. If he construed his duties to God in the spirit
of a narrow interpretation, that punctilious sense of
religious responsibility impelled him to limit the as-
sumption of human government. In no stress, in no
delirium of politics, could a Puritan have been brought
to teach that, for either public or private conduct,
there is some law of man above the law of God.''
The Puritan came to New England, as before stated,
as a non-conformist, not as a separatist, with not less
definite conceptions of whathe did not want in church
forms and institutions than of what he did want.
The ideal of the true church, which he had derived
from the Scriptures, was of a brotherhood — a church
of equals. The elder, the bishop, was but a minister.
In him was no official superiority or authority, but
such as he had been invested with by his brethren.
To be rid altogether of the false claims and assump-
tions of authority which the English, as well as the
Romish hierarchy asserted, and sought to enforce, was
what the Puritan saw clearly as his right ; it was one
of the promised advantages dearest to his heart, lobe
gained by his removal to some distant and obscure
retreat, that there he would be less subject to jealous
observation and easy interference, than under the
immediate eye of the Lords Spiritual of England.
Seeing his way so far, plainly, he set about modeling
his church order accordingly, when he arrived in his
new home. The church brotherhood was sufficient
unto itself The local group of Christian people ac-
quainted with one another, and assembling together,
were competent to proceed with their worship in their
own preferred way and to maintain their Christian
fellowship on such grounds and conditions as seemed
to them Scriptural and fitting, always under a common
acknowledged responsibility to their consciences and
their God. This was practically " separatism," or
" independency," but as yet they did not call it by
that name.
This state of things was favorable to the growth of
a free and natural church life, such as would develop
spontaneously under the existing conditions. There
was no preconceived form to which all intellectual
conclusions, spiritual aspirations and prophetic vis-
ions must mold their expression. Precedents sat
loosely upon them. They asked themselves what they
wanted, and what best satisfied their religious hunger
and need, with the consciousness of a liberty of
choice to which they had not been accustomed. So
they felt their way along tentatively into the adoption
of a church life such as suited their case as they found
it then and there existing, regarding it at the same
tinie s^s subject to modification as they should find it
thereafter to require. If they made mistakes, they
were free to repair them. They did make mistakes.
They could not help it. They were made up in their
individuality of the old traditions and the new long-
ings. They put their free principles on trial, and
when they ran against some rock of rare and excep-
tional individualism like Roger Williams, or some ap-
prehended social outcome of the largest liberality,
like the familism or antinomianism, as they regarded
it, of Ann Hutchinson, they felt a strain upon their
before unquestioned postulates, and studied out the
problem as they best could, to arrive sooner or later at
some practical conclusion as to the next step neces-
sary to be taken. They made their church polity, as
has been happily said, as they went along. The churches
of New England had this opportunity to grow up
without an excess of swathing prescriptions, and
profited by it as a child in an out-door life, and with
not too much sheltering, dictation and repression of
its activity, often derives strength from its freedom.
This little Puritan colony was yet a child — in the
principles and art of constructing society, framing
government and learning how to live together in a
self-controlling community, how to draw the line be-
tween what might be safely conceded to individual
choice and what must be enacted for the general
good ; it was a child, it thought as a child, it under-
stood as a child, in this new learning. In finding out
how to use its newly-acquired liberty without abusing
it, it could not leap to the highest wisdom at a bound.
It must sometimes stumble and fall. If it rose again
and went on to better things, taught by experience to
avoid its earlier mistakes, its experiment was to be
accounted a success. Man's idealism and his hard,
practical wisdom for daily use in every-day life never
walk together with even feet. The one hastens, the
other lags ; the one sees forward, the other is half-
blind, and only trusts in experience looking backward.
Each corrects the other with much confidence that,
both as to speed and direction, it is entitled to govern.
It was as inevitable as it was human that the Puritan
should sometimes push on with a daring that, to his
old associates, seemed rashness, and sometimes mani-
fest what posterity, with the teachings and experience
of centuries behind it, to assure and reassure itsjudg-
ment, loftily pronounces timidity and inexcusable in-
consistency. A sufferer for his own dissent, how could
he be so inconsistent as to turn and excommunicate,
exile and crush out the dissenter from his own creed
and church order ? It was simply because it fell to him
to pass upon the questions that came to him for judg-
ment two and a-half centuries ago, and not now.
Where to draw the line between the liberty that is
permissible and safe and the license that is reckless
of consequences and destructive and must be checked
— this is the question that is always up, with the in-
dividual and with society, lasting on from age to age,
but with applications new and difficult perpetually
ar'sing in practice. It is as much our predicament as
SALEM.
21
it was that of EnHicott and Winthrop, of Cotton and
Higginson and Williams centuries back. Have we
not to decide to-da_v «lietlier men who, for aught we
know, are as honest and sincere as we are, shall be
allowed openly and enthusiastically to teach any crowd
it can gather, in the streets of any city, that the laws
that they live under are oppressive, were enacted in
the interest of the strong and rich and overbearing,
and may be cast off, and the very foundations of so-
ciety upturned and overthrown without scruple,
whenever the power can be obtained for the purpose?
Add to this, that a problem more delicate and diffi-
cult still was before the Puritan mind, viz., how to
steer clear of offense to the jealous and watchful home
government, and at the same time preserve the liber-
ties they had come here to enjoy, and were fully de-
termined to maintain, and the hard conditions under
which this Puritan child community was taking its
tutelage may be the better appreciated, and a too free
criticism of the inhabitants of New England in the
first half of the seventeenth century will be likely to
be postponed.
Another condition in the circumstances under which
the first settlers of New England organized their
church system must not be overlooked, for it had a
constant influence in giving a cast to the thought as
well as a shape to the covenants, the discipline, the
teachings and the whole institutional life of the peo-
ple. This was the fact that the same community was
regarded as both a church and a state. It was work-
ing out a double problem. Half consciously and half
unconsciously, its citizens were striving, in the dual
capacity of citizens and Christian disciples, to realize
at once, and in one, an ideal commonwealth and a
true church. So, half consciously and half uncon-
sciously, each of them, the church and the common-
wealth, was tending to usurp at any time the func-
tions of the other, and for a considerable period these
New England communities were in the process of
finding out whether or not the one could stand fir the
other ; if not, how far the union was possible, and the
identification could be made to hold. Though to the
mind of the Puritan the problem inclined always to state
itself in the form of the question, whether, in the last re-
sult, the church, as representing more nearly the divine
government, must not of right absorb to itself, as the
higher and as sole heir of both, all inferior authorities,
and take the ordering of human society in all its in-
terests and relations under its own direction, and
whether thus the ancient dream of a theocratic rule
was not to come to realization in the earth, and that
here, first, upon these American shores. The spell of
this great hope was upon him alike when he set up
tribunals for the trial and punishment of offenders
against the peace of society, and when he fixed upon
th'i true order of proceeding in church affairs. Qual-
ifications for citizenship and for church membership
constantly threatened with him to run into each other,
get mixed and to become one and the same thing.
And in the civil and the spiritual sphere alike he was
free to enter on experiments which should test the
practicability of his long-cherished theories. He
made laws, and instituted courts, and prescribed mag-
istracies, and called into being agencies of government,
a step at a time, as exigencies arose and as new con-
ditions pushed him to decisions, which he had been
willing to leave till some necessity drove him to
judgment and action.
As a fact going to show in strong relief the predomi-
nance of religious motive and purpose in the settle-
ment of New England, the very leading part taken
by the ministers in the administration of public
affairs is to be noted. For a considerable period they
were but little less conspicuous as counselors and
founders in the establishment of civil government and
in its conduct, than in constituting churches, settling
what should be done in ecclesiastical matters and di-
recting both worship and religious instruction. And
these ministers of the earlier times of New England
possessed high qualifications for the duties they were
called to perform. Belonging to that class of persons
whose original force of character and independence of
thought and action had caused their exclusion from
church dignities and chances of preferment in
the Church of ilngland, they had had the best train-
ing which the universities of Cambridge and Oxford
afforded. " By the practice in the colony," it has
been said, "the General Court, from time to time,
propounded questions to the ministers or elders which
they answered in writing. The proceeding was simi-
lar to that under a provision of the Constitution re-
quiring the justices of the Supreme Judicial Court to
give to either branch of the Legislature, or the Gov-
ernor and Council, upon request, opinions upon im-
portant questions of law and upon solemn occasions.
The opinions given by the ministers, which have been
preserved, are very able, and will, in logic and sound
reasoning, bear a not unfavorable comparison with
opinions of justices given under the provision of our
Constitution." '
Rev. Edward E. Hale, D.D., whose large informa-
tion respecting early American history justly gives
great weight to his statements, while discrediting the
common notion that the early ministers of Massachu-
setts exercised the controlling or leading influence in
affairs of civil government which history and tradi-
tion have ascribed to them, nevertheless says this of
them: "There can be little doubt that John Cotton,
minister of the First Church [in Boston], had very
great authority here, while he lived, of a social or po-
litical character. There can be no doubt, humanly
speaking, but that Boston is Boston, because he came
and lived here, be it observed, because Winthrop and
Dudley wanted him to, and begged him to.
Ami probably few affairs of importance were decided
> Hon. William D. Northend : Address before Essex Bar Association,
p. 7. (NJ
22
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
in which Cotton did not take part, and in which his
advice was not respected." It is difficult to see upon
what grounds Cotton is thus assigned a weight of in-
fluence wholly exceptional, so that it could be said
that " no trace of any such power appeared after-
ward." If " there were countless instances," as Dr.
Hale says there were, " when the ministers met with
the court, advised with them and were consulted as any
other intelligent gentlemen might be consulted," we
read between these lines that many ministers were
found to be " intelligent gentlemen," whom the court
deemed it important to consult. Official respect
purely, and authority as ecclesiastics it is not claimed
that they received. Quite otherwise. In the first
church organized in Massachusetts — that in Salem —
those who had been ministers in the English Church
were first " reduced to the ranks " among the Salem
brethren, and then by those brethren raised or set apart
to the position of ministers. " There were present, at
the time, and on the spot," says Upham, "at least four
persons who had borne the ministerial office in distin-
guished positions, men of talent, learning and repu-
tation, and eminent in worth as well as station." ' If
they had great influence afterward, it was because by
their solid intelligence and their consistent Christian
carriage they entitled them.selves to a leading influ-
ence. " The leaders led as they always will," says Dr.
Hale,words emphatically applicable to men likeHiggin-
8on, Williams and Peters, as well as to Cotton. "The
clergy," says Palfrey, in a resume of the state of the
Massachusetts colony in 1634, " now thirteen or four-
teen in number, constituted in some sort a separate
estate of special dignity. Though they were excluded
from secular office, the relation of their functions to
the spirit and aim of the community which had been
founded, as well as their personal weight of ability
and character, gave great authority to their advice.
Nearly all were graduates of Oxford or Cambridge,
and had held livings in the Established Church of
England. Several had been eminent among their fel-
lows for all professional endowments."
The theology of the Salem colonists, as of the set-
tlers of New England generally, was Calvinistic.
The formularies emanating from the Westminster
Assembly of divines embody it with virtual accuracy.
It was held with no half indifference, no mental reserva-
tions; not merely for substance of doctrine. Face to
face, with a will to blink nothing of the terrible in-
ferences involved, as before God, the sombre creed
was confessed. And though, with Robinson, these con-
fessors believed that more light would break forth
from the word of God, they anticipated no such light
as would soften the rigors of the divine government
or lift the crushing doom of eternal pains from the
non-elect — from the unbeliever and the impenitent
who remained hardened to the hour of death. This
was the Puritan's creed. His human feeling of com-
> Address at rededication of the church, 1867, p. 12.
passion and justice was too strong against it in many
a genial hour, and in many a sympathetic tempera-
ment, and he took refuge, as often as occasion required,
from unbearable thoughts of the fate of the wretched
lost, and unbearable thoughts of God, in the comfort-
ing sentences of Scripture that reminded him that
God would have mercy and not sacrifice.
The first church in New England was that at Ply-
mouth. It landed a completed church. The next,
the first gathered upon the soil, was that at Salem.
Its beginning possesses a curious interest and throws
invaluable light upon the principles and aims that
guided the founders of the earlier colonial churches.
At every point in the proceedings it may be seen that
it was a natural and gradual growth, rather than an
artificial construction, built upon precedents. It ap-
pears that seventeen days intervened between the first
step taken in the business of organization and the
final one. The 6th of August, 1629, has usually been
assumed as the date of its institution. We should
rather assign it to the 20th of July. On that day it
exercised the highest functions of a corporate body,
viz., held an election — voting in the choice of its most
important officers, viz., those of pastor and teacher.
True, it had no written constitution yet. Its cove-
nant was not adopted till more than two weeks after-
wards. So far as appears, it had not yet a list of en-
rolled members. " Every fit member wrote, in a note,
his name whom the Lord moved him to think was fit
for a pastor, and so likewise, whom they would have
for teacher." But nothing indicates how it was de-
termined who were to be deemed " fit members."
Perhaps it was by general assent of the assembly, any
ballot being received if no objection was made. Per-
haps each one was put upon his own conscience to
decide for himself whether he ought to participate in
the vote. At least the result was accepted without
question or dispute. The day had been appointed as
a " solemn day of humiliation for the choice of a pas-
tor and teacher." It was a public assembly, meeting
in response to this appointment which took action.
" The former part of the day being spent in praise
and teaching, the latter part was spent about the elec-
tion."
We are forbidden to suppose that this was a mere
preliminary and informal selection, intended tobe rati-
fied later, by the fact that the church then and there pro-
ceeded to set apart the pastor and teacher-elect with
solemn and formal ceremony of official investment.
"So the most voice was for Mr. Skel ton to be pastor and
Mr. Higginson to be teacher ; and they accepting the
choice, Mr. Higginson, with three or four more of the
gravest members of the church, laid their hands on
Mr. Skelton, using prayers therewith. This being
done, then there was imposition of hands on Mr.
Higginson." Here are all the circumstances indica-
tive of a completed installation of these two chief
officers of the church ; and this was on the 20th of
July. When the church or assembly proceeded to its
SALEM.
23
next action, which was the choice of elders and dea-
cons, it did leave ihnt business uncom)ileted, at that
time, to be finished at a later day. Atter going so far
as to designate the persons of its choice — perhaps by
what we might call an informal ballot — it is quaintly
added by Mr. Charles Gott, in his letter to Governor
Bradford, that " they were only named, and laying on
of hands deferred to see if it pleased God to send us
more able men over." It is true that at the meeting
which followed, August 6th, " appointed for another
solemn day of humiliation for the full choice of elders
and deacons, and ordaining them," not only were the
elders and deacons chosen and set apart to their re-
spective offices in a formal and solemn manner, but
some ceremony of ordination took place also, in seem-
ing repetition of that by which, on the 20th of July,
the pastor and teacher had been ordained. In look-
ing for the reasons for this we are left largely to con-
jecture. AVhatever may have occurred in the consul-
tations held by those interested between July 20th
and August 6th, the election, which had taken place
on the former day, must have been deemed valid, for
it was left undisturbed, and no like form was gone
through with again. But the church at Plymouth
had been notified of the occasion, and representatives
of that church had been invited and were expected
to be present on August 6th. Their approval and
assurance of fellowship were also expected to be given,
and were valued, though especial care was taken that
it should be understood beforehand that this proffered
fellowship would be welcomed on the part of the
Salem Church simply as an act of Christian courtesy
and brotherly communion, and not as implying any
ecclesiastical jurisdiction in one church over another.
There had been correspondence previously between
them of Plymouth and these of Salem in regard to
the true principles and right method of church founda-
tion and organization, in which there had appeared
to be a general harmony of views and the utmost good
feeling, though not entire concurrence in all points.
On the 6th of August a covenant was to be present-
ed for adoption, and a more definite recognition and
enrollment of the members of the church was to be
made by signing and accepting the covenant. In the
absence of any definite testimony going to show the
motive for the renewal of the act of ordination— the
laying on of hands — upon the pastor and teacher-
elect, we venture to think that it may have been part-
ly that, upon review of the proceedings of July 20th,
it was thought that the adoption and signing of the
covenant would more properly have preceded the or-
daining of the ministers; partly, perhaps, that the
contemplated full constitution of the church designed
to go into effect on the later day, together with the
expected presence on that day of the Governor and
others, messengers from the Plymouth Church, as
guests of the Salem brethren, and appointed to bring
greetings from the older sister church, made it seem
to those who arranged the proceedings, fitting that
the induction of the chosen ministers of the church
into office should form a part of the observances of
the time, as essential to their completeness. Gover-
nor Bradford and his associates from Plymouth, "com-
ing by sea and hindered by cross-winds," did not
arrive till late in the day; but though not present
at the beginning, " they came into the assembly after-
wards, and gave them the right hand of fellowship,
wishing all prosperity, and a blessed success unto
such good beginnings."
To assist us in determining — if that is possible — what
was the form of the covenant adopted by the Salem
Church in 1629, and to explain some of the contro-
versies which have arisen over this nueation, it is nec-
essary to present here certain facts in regard to the
history of the records of this church.
No records made contemporaneously, or nearly so,
with the events and facts which they record are now
in existence of an earlier period than 1660, the time
when the ministry of John Higginson began. John
Higginson was the son of Francis, who was chosen the
first teacher in the Salem Church July 20, 1629, and
who drew up the covenant adopted August 6th of the
same year. There was a book of records purporting
to cover the period from 1629 to 1660 in existence
when John Higginson was ordained, or at least from
1636 to 1660 ; when and how it began is obscure. It
appears to have borne upon its pages some things
which it seemed to the most considerate and exem-
plary members of the church not well to hand down
to posterity. A committee was appointed accordingly
"to review the church book and to report such things
to the church as they conceive worthy of considera-
tion." In their report the committee say that :
" They conceived the book itself and paper of it
being old, not well bound, and in some places having
been wet and torn, and not legible, is not like to last
long to be of use to posterity ; therefore they thought
it best if it were kept in a place of safety by the
Elders — by that means it will be of use so Ion;/ as it will
last. Only some few passages in it, which do reflect
upon particular persons, or upon the whole church,
without any church vote, and without the proof, they
did mark in the book as thinking they should be
struck out." At the same time, " some of the breth-
ren propounded, which was readily consented to, that
there might be liberty, to such as desired it, to see
those passages mentioned in the former book for a
month's time." This recommendation appears to
have been satisfactory to the church, and to have
been adopted and carried into effect. It accomplished
all that was expected of it — perhajis more. Not only
were the objectionable parts withdrawn from sight,
but the book itself disappeared, and except some jior-
tions of it which were transcribed into the new book
of records, begun by John Higginson in 1660, its con-
tents are unknown. It has been assumed that all that
was important in it would be likely to be preserved,
and to be contained in the record of the second Hig-
24
HISTOKY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ginson. Very likely. We shall probably never know.
Some will never cease to regret that they cannot know.
If not important in any other sense, some will always
think that even the expunged records are important
to the completeness of history, and wish that it had
been permitted them also to judge for themselves the
wisdom of suppressing them. It would be interesting,
no doubt, to see what picture the stormy time of Roger
Williams' ministry left of itself on the old record-
book. At least, as to the faithfulness and accuracy of
the copy of those portions, purporting to be trans-
cribed from the first book into the second, as far as
they go, there should be no valid ground of doubt.
But just here a new question, and an important one,
precipitates itself upon us as tothis very point — name-
ly, the accuracy of the copy. The old book, the first
book of records, appears to have been begun no earlier
than 1636, with the beginning of the ministry of Rev.
Hugh Peters;^ consequently its record of events at
the organization of the church, in ]629,was not strictly
contemporaneous with the events. When we read there
the covenant of 1629, as renewed in 1636, what confi-
dence may we rightly have that the renewed covenant
was the same that Francis Higginson wrote, and the
church in Salem adopted August 6, 1629? Was it the
same in substance only, or likewise in form? Over this
question a spirited controversy has arisen within the
last fifty years.
John Higginson, minister of the church from 1660
to 1708, and son of the framer of the covenant, him-
self, as a youthof thirteen, having joined the church in
1629, solemnly renewing this covenant with the church
in 1660, records it as having been already "renewed"
by the church in 1636, and he is our authority for say-
ing that it is the covenant adopted in 1629, as he in-
dorses it as such, the record in the margin running
thus: "6 of 6th month, 1629, this covenant was public-
ly Signed and Declared, as may appear from page 85, in
this book." To this, as renewed in 1660, is prefixed
a preamble adopted with it in 1636, which states the
fact and shows the motive of the renewal at tha t
time, 1636, and an additional article is appended to it
at the end, which was adopted with it at the renewal, in
1660, as applicable to the relation of the church to the
Quakers at thai time, the fact and the motive of the
addendum being likewise plainly stated, Mr. Higgin-
son's intention seems clearly and unmistakably to
have been to present the covenant of 1629 in its orig-
inal and unaltered form, and to distinguish from it
carefully the prefix and suffix above referred to as no
part of it. We introduce it here as it stood, unques-
tioned, for more than two hundred years. And to
make evident the parts added in 1636 and in 1660, it
is given as it stands in the record of Mr. John Hig-
ginson in 1660, —
' He wrote his own name Peter. It has been the modern usage to
write it Fctcra. Dr. Palfrey, in his "History of New England," writea
it Peter.
O-ather my Saints together unto me Ifiat have made a Coveimnt with me by
SdcrificK. Psa. 50 : 6:
0. of 6/ft Month. 1629, Wee ichose names are here under icrtUen^ mem-
This Covenant was bers of the present Church of Christ in Salem,
ublickly Signed and having found by sad experience how dangerous
Declared, as may it is to sitt lonee to the Covenant wee make
appear from page 85, with our God : 2nd How Apt wee are to wan-
in this Book. der into by pathes, even to the looseing of our
Jirst aim.e-8 in entring into Church fellotoship :
Doe therefore solemnly in the presence of tfie Eternall God, both for our
own comforts, and those which shall or maye be joyned unto vs, renewe
that Church Covenant we find this Church bound unto at theire first be-
ginning, viz: That
We covenant with the Lord, and one with an other; and doe bynd
ourselves in the presence of God, to walke together in all bis waies, ac-
cording as he is pleased to reveale himself unto us in his Blessed word of
truth. And doe more explicitely ia the name and feare of God, profess
and protest to walke as followeth, through the power and grace of our
Lord Jesus.
1 first wee avowe the Lord to be our God, and our selves his people in
the truth ami airaplicitie of our Spirits.
2 Wee give our selves to the Lord Jesua Christ and the word of his
grace, fore the teaching, ruleing and sauctifyeing of us in matters of
worship, and Conversation, resolveing to cleave to him alone for life and
gtorie ; and oppose all contrarie wayes, cannons and constitutions of men
in his worship.
3 Wee promise to walke with our brethren and sisters in this Congre-
gation with all watchfuUnes and tendernes, avoyding all jelousies, suspi-
tions, backbyteings, censurings, provoakinga, secrete risings of spirite
against them ; but in all offences tu follow the rule of the Lord Jesus,
and to beare and forbeare, give and forgive, as he hath taught us.
4 In publick or in private, we will willingly doe nothing to the ofence
of the Church but will be willing to take advise for our selves and ours ,
asocasion shall be presented.
5 Wee will not in the Congregation be forward eyther to shew cure
oune gifts or parts in speaking or scrupling, or there discover the fayl-
ingof oure brethren or sisters butt atend an orderly cale there unto ;
knowinghow much the Lord maybe dishonoured, and his Gospell, in
the profession of it, sleighted, by our distempers, and weaknesses in
publyck.
0 We bynd our selves to studdy the advancement of the Gospell in
all truth and peace, both in regard of those that are within, or with-
out, noe way sleighting our sister Churches, but using theire Coun-
sell as need shalbe : nor laying a stumbling block before any, noe,
not the Indians, whose good we desire to promote, and soe to con-
verse, as we may avoyd the verrye appearance of evill.
7 Wee hoarbye promise to carrye our selves in all lawful! obedience,
to those that are over us, in Church or Commonweale, knowing how
well pleasing it will be to the Lord, that they sliould have iocour-
agement in theire places, by our not grieveing theyre spirites through
our Irregularities,
8 Wee resolve to approve our selves to the Lord, in our perticular cal-
ings, shunning ydlenessaa the bane of any state, nor will wee deule
hardly, or oppressingly with any, wherein we are the Lord's stew-
ards :
9 alsoe promysing to our best abilitie to teach our children and
servants the kn jwledg of God and his will, that they may serve him
also ; and all this, not by any strength of our owue, but by the Lord
Christ ; whose bloud we desire may sprinckle this our Covenant made
in his name.
This Covenant teas renewedby the Church on a sollemne day of Hnmil-
iation 6 of \ m^netk 1600. When also considering the potcer of Temptation
amongst us by reason nf ije Quakers doctrine to the leavening of some in the
place where we are and endangering of others, ih>e see cause to remember the
Admonition of our Saviour ChiHstto his disciples Math. 10.
Take heeil awl beware of ye leaven of the doctrine of the Pharisees and
doe judge 80 farre as we utiderstand it yt ye Qnakers doctrine is as bad or
worse tha7i that of ye Pharisees; Therefore we doe Covenant by the kelp
of Jesus Christ to take heed and beware of the leaven of the doctrine of
the Qnakers.
The preamble, postscript and marginal note we
have italicized.
Until about fifty years ago, no doubt is known to
have been publicly expressed or privately entertained
SALEM.
25
that the covenant, as renewed in 1636, was, with a
near approach to verbal accuracy, the same that was
adopted in 1629. In connection with a " discourse
delivered on the First Centennial Anniversary of the
Tabernacle Church," in 1835, by Rev. Samuel M.
Worcester, pastor of that church, and published, the
author places the covenant of 1636 — the foregoing
covenant of these pages — in an appendix, with the
following passage taken from its lirst paragraph in
quotation marks, namely : " That we covenant with
the Lord, and one with another, and do bind our-
selves, in the presence of God, to walk together in all
his ways, according as he is pleased to reveal himself
unto us in his blessed word of truth : " and follows
the quotation with this explanatory observation, " I
have seen fit to throw into the form of a quotation
that part of the Preamble of the foregoing Covenant,
which I suspect was, in substance at least, The Cove-
nant ^ which the church was bound unto at their first
beginning.' " [The italics are ours ] This conclu-
sion, though couched at first in the form of a suspi-
cion, was fortified with sundry reasons to support it,
and affirmed later in more confident terms : " The
conclusion is to my mind irresistible from the internal
evidence alone, that the covenant printed in the Mag-
nalia of Mather [that of 1636 as given above], and
often cited as the covenant of the First Church at its
beginning, could not have been the first Covenant of
that church."
Again, in a discourse delivered at Plymouth De-
cember 22, 1848, and published the following year.
Dr. Worcester reiterates the same opinion with
greater emphasis, and qualified by no doubts : " W^hat
has been generally printed, for a hundred and fifty
years, as the First Covenant of that church, and
adopted August 6, 1629, is not that covenant. It was
adopted as a special covenant in 1636 " is his confi-
dent decision, which he proceeded to support with
the asserted facts and resulting reasonings which had
brought his mind to this conviction. And yet, again
in 1854, in discussion of the same subject before the
Essex Institute, the same ground was firmly main-
tained by him. In the next year, 1855, two publica-
tions appeared, both issued by the Congregational
Board of Publication, which gave their sanction to
this later view of the first covenant. One was "The
Ecclesiastical History of New England," etc., by Jo-
seph B. Felt, Vol. I., and the other a new edition of
Morton's " New England's Memorial," in the appen-
dix to which the editor, or editors, indorse the same
conclusion. Mr. Felt says, ' that " this cove-
nant [of 1629] differs from the second, formed 1636,
which has long been supposed to be the fir.st, and
from the hand of Higginson, when it was probably
drawn up by Peters at the later date." He api)ears
to have relied, as Dr. Worcester had done, mainly on
internal evidence as his warrant for this belief^
1 Pago 115.
2i
= Page 267.
In the new edition of "Morton's New England's
Memorial," Appendix A, under the heading "The
Articles of Faith and Covenant of 1629," there is
attributed to the editor of an earlier edition of the
work, the learned Judge John Davis, an important
oversight in not discovering that with the covenant
of 1629 was adopted a separate confession of faith,
and in misinterpreting history, in that he omitted to
connect this confession of faith with the covenant of
1629 as a virtual part of the constitution of the
church at its beginning.
The foregoing authorities, — Worcester, Felt and
the editors of " Morton's Memorial," edition of 1855,
witnessing to the strong probability, if not moral
certainty of considerable and important differences
between the covenant of 1629 and the renewed
covenant of 1686 {if they be not reducible to one
authority, viz. : the Rev. Dr. Worcester, followed by the
others), lay especial stress upon the indications, or
proofs, that the covenant of 1629 was adopted Jointly
with a creed, or confession of articles of belief. The
covenant proper of 1629 they believe to have been
materially shorter than that of 1636, but to have had
this credal adjunct, which made the church constitu-
tion of 1629 to diti'er greatly from the renewed cove-
nant of 1636 in being distinctly and emphatically
doctrinal in its aspect.
An arraignment so weighty as this of what had
passed for verified history for many generations,
though sustained by a sujiport so considerable, and
by names of repute, was not likely to go long un-
challenged. Nor did it. Taking only the time neces-
sary to subject the evidence in the case to a rigid
re-examination, the Hon. Daniel A. White, judge of
probate of Essex County, and a leading member of
the First Church for many years, replied to the
published statements of Rev. Dr. Worcester, in which
the traditions current for a couple of centuries as un-
disputed truth were set aside as we have seen with
great assurance as founded in misconception — as
sanctioning "an egregious and singular error." Point
by point the champion of the long accredited ojiinion,
— namel.v, that the covenant of 1636 was, with no mate-
rial difference, the covenant of 1629, — stoutly contend-
ed for the trustworthiness of the ancient and long
unquestioned opinion. The testimony of John Hig-
ginson was held to be explicit. His knowledge of
the facts was not to be impeached. What Cotton
Mather said of the first covenant was also to be ac-
cepted, he contended, with as much confidence as if
it had been said by Higginson himself, for he, Hig-
ginson, wrote that, having " known the beginning and
progress of these (New England) churches unto this
day, and having read over much of this history (in
the Magnalia), I cannot but in the love and fear of
God beaj witness to the truth of it." The first cove-
nant is given by Mather as agreeing with that of
1636, only differing from it in lacking its jueamble.
The important testimony of Rev. John Fiske is also
26
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
cited by Mr. White — only lately brought to light, but
dating almost from the renewal of the Covenant in
1636, as Mr. Fiske came to Salem, from England, in
1637, and was for some time an assistant of Rev. Mr.
Peters. In Mr. Fiske's private book of records " we
find recorded," says Judge White, " in the handwrit-
ing of Mr. Fiske, the First Covenant of the Salem
Church, with the preamble to its renewal, . . .
Mr. Fiske's record of the Covenant being essentially
the same as that which we have taken from the Salem
Church book " (that already presented in this writ-
ing)- •
The "confession of failh," which Dr. Worcester
supposes was adopted by the church in 1629, in con-
nection with the first covenant, Mr. White believes
— and believes he has proved — was of much later
date, probably 1680, and was expressly declared not to
be intended, even at that date, to be imposed as a rigid
test upon all candidates for admission to the church.
He produces much evidence to show that the impo-
sition of doctrinal tests as a uniform and indispensa-
ble condition of admission to church membership
was expressly disavowed by the church at the begin-
ning, and that for a long time at least it consistently
adhered in practice to the position thus taken. Not
denying that Mr. Francis Higginson was commis-
sioned "to draw up a confession of faith and cove-
nant in Scripture language," or that he did so, he
finds all that these terms describe and define in the
single instrument commonly known and spoken of
as the first covenant; "covenant," or "confession
of faith and Covenant," he finds it called, the terms
being used interchangeably, and when designated as
"the confession of faith and covenant," the pro-
noun referring to it is in the singular number, indi-
cating but one instrument or writing. Morton, hav-
ing full knowledge of things from the beginning,
writes, in his "New England's Memorial:" "The con-
fession of faith and covenant fore-mentioned was
acknowledged only as a direction, pointing unto that
faith and covenant contained in the holy Scripture,
and therefore no man was confined unto that form of
words, but only to the substance, end and scope of
the matter contained therein. . . . Some were
admitted by expressing their consent to that written
confession of faith and covenant ; others did answer
to questions about the principles of religion that
were publicly propounded to them ; some did present
their confession in writing, which was read for them,
and some that were able and willing, did make their
confession in their own words and way. A due re-
spect was also had unto the conversations of men,
viz. : that they were without scandal." '
Besides much other external and historical evi-
dence, too voluminous to be introduced here, but pre-
• i
1 '* New England's Memorial," Davis* edition, pp. 146-147. See also a
tract, without date (in Boitun Athenaium Library. "B. 76; Sermons"),
entitled "A Direction," etc. Ruferred to by both I>r. Worcester and
Judge White as bearing upon this question.
sented as bearing upon the writer's main conclusion
and fortifying it. Judge White comments also care-
fully upon the internal evidence in the alleged anach-
ronisms contained in the covenant of 1636, much
relied upon to prove that it could not have been the
same as that of 1629. On this point he dissents from
the judgment expressed by Dr. Worcester, Mr. Felt
and the editors of "Morton's Memorial," edition of
1855, and at the same time equally forecloses, it may
be here observed, by unconscious anticipations, so
far as the weight of his name goes, a similar opinion
from another source presently to be noticed, — an
opinion not expressed till after Judge White's death,
— by his former pastor. Rev. Charles W. Upham.
This opinion of Rev. Mr. Upham is remarkable, not
only for the weight that justly attaches to any opinion
of his upon matters to which he had given many
years of study, and to which he brought a trained
mind and habits of research, but still more for the
reason that it is a direct reversal of an earlier opinion
of his own on a point since strenuously controverted,
without so much as an allusion on his part to any
change of opinion, or to any judgment previously en-
tertained and expressed, and now abandoned or mod-
ified ; remarkable, moreover, as being in direct oppo-
sition to the well-known and elaborately-maintained
opinion of his able and candid parishioner. Judge
White, with whom he had been in life-long associa-
tions of intimacy, and the worth of whose deliberate
judgment he knew so well how to estimate, and yet
to his dissent from whose judgment he makes no ref-
erence whatever that we have been able to discover.
Mr. Upham's last conclusion, in regard to the identity
of the covenant of 1629 with that renewed in 1636, is
against it, and agrees with that of Dr. Worcester^
that thore were two covenants ; that of 1629 very
short, that of 1636 quite long. But on Dr. Worces-
ter's more important position, that there were articles
of belief required to be adopted as a confession of
faith, distinct from the covenant, but in force in con-
nection with it, in 1629, — against this opinion Mr.
Upham expresses himself on all occasions distinctly
and emphatically.
It is to be remembered that Rev. Charles W. Up-
ham, whom we now cite, was for twenty years pastor
of the First Church (from 1824 to 1844), conversant
with its records and with early Salem history, and
the author of important historical discourses of com-
memoration, delineating with great fullness of detail
the story of the early days of the Salem Church.
Mr. Upham delivered a " Seco/id Century Lecture of
the First Church." in 1829 of a historical character,
and gives in an appendix, as the "first covenant of
the First Church," the covenant already given on a
preceding page of this work, it being the same as that
which was renewed in 1636, he holding — that is, at
that time — to the long-established and settled opinion
upon the question in hand. Mr. Upham remarks at
the end of the covenant that "at a veiy early period
SALEM.
27
this covenant was displaced by another. It was re-
stored and renewed at the ordination of John Hig-
pinson in 1660. In the course of time it was again
superseded, and for many years has not been used in
the church." How much he may have meant by the
expression, "at a very early [>eriod this covenant was
dis|)laced by another," we cannot tell. He does not
specify as to the time or the extent of the displace-
ment. He may have had in mind the preamble of
1636 ; if more than that, we cannot interpret his lan-
guage, since no other changes are known to us pre-
vious to 1660.
On the 8th of December, 1867, Mr. Upham deliv-
ered an address at the re-dedication of the First
Church building. Without intimating an abandon-
ment of a former judgment, he incidentally shows that
his judgment upon the matter in question was quite
difterent in 1867 from that he had expressed nearly
forty years before, thus: "This renewed covenant of
1636 bears the impress of the style of thought and ex-
pression of Hugh Peters, whose name heads the list
as from that date. . . . In most of the clauses the lan-
guage and forms of thought were, as plainly appears,
suggested by circumstances that had disturbed the
peace and harmony of the church during the stormy
agitations and conflicts of Roger Williams' period,
and are therefore of temporary and retrospective in-
terest. The passages that have no such special refer-
ence, hut express sentiments of universal and perpet-
ual obligation, are inscribed on the opposite wall. It
will be noticed that it begins by quoting from the
covenant at the ' first beginning ' of the church. From
the aspect of the document in the church book, and
its entire construction and import, it is highly prob-
able that what is inscribed on that tablet in German
text is all that wis taken from the first covenant. It is
so complete in itself that the inference which the form
of the document and the bearings of the contents seem
to suggest, that it was the whole of that document, is
almost unavoidable."
What was "inscribed on that tablet in Geiman
text" was this, —
" We covenant with the Lord, and one with another,
and do bind our.'^elves in the presence of God, to loalk to-
gether in all his ways, according as He is pleased to re-
veal Himself unto us, in His blessed word of truth."
And this, says Mr. Upham, "it is highly probable
is all that was taken from the first covenant."
Perhaps no expression of our own opinion is called
for, as to who is right in this controversy. If we have
fairly placed the facts before the reader, and espe-
cially if we refer him to the authorities in which he
may find the merits of the question exhaustively
treated (as we propose to do at the end of this ar-
ticle), we shall put him in the way to form his own opin-
ion for himself, if he cares to do so. We dismiss the
interesting inquiry by simply calling attention, fur-
ther, to the fact that those who have sought to invali-
date the long-settled opinion that the covenant "re-
newed " in 1636 is the same that was adopted at the
founding of the church in 1629, appear to rest their
argument and conclusion mainly upon the internal
evidence aflbrded by the document itself In resting
their case upon that, they give it, as it seems to us, its
best support, the weight of the historical evidence
alone being insufficient to sustain their position.
Both Mr. Upham and Dr. Worcester think they find
in the covenant, as renewed in 1636, traces of the
church agitations, and of the special controversies in-
tervening between 1629 and 163i). Mr. White does
not. Mr. Upham, moreover, finds that " this renewed
covenant of 1636 bears the impress of the style of
thought and expression of Hugh Peters." Mr. White
could not discover this .
It should be borne in mind that this kind of evi-
dence, while it may be strong and convincing in
some cases, is peculiarly liable to take a more marked
or a slighter coloring, or even an opposite hue, ac-
cording to the interpreter's direction of approach
and resulting point of view. It needs a judicial im-
partiality, a very complete knowledge of the religious
history of the time, and a keen and much practiced
literary perception, to pass intelligently and convinc-
ingly upon such points. The dilficulty is heightened
by the circumstance that the very power of the recre-
ative imagination, so necessary to reproduce vividly
the life and thought of a past period, is itself often a
snare and becomes an easy and frequent cause of the
misconstruction of language. We follow with cau-
tion, and not without a measure of distrust, a line of
argument which grounds important inferences upon
what are at best only inferences from premises incap-
able of verification, therefore not compelling assent.
No fact comes out more conspicuously in the early
history of the Salem Church than that it intended to
guard well its own independence. It was conscious
of a new departure. It trod its untried way with
caution, but with a firm foot. It was determined to
make sure of this, namely, that the unit of human au-
thority in matters ecclesiastical should be the body
of members congregating and covenanting together in
church fellowship, in any one appointed place which
should give it local habitation and name. Each such
congregation was competent and commissioned to
manage its own affairs. It need acknowledge no
earthly superior. The Scriptures were its law-book.
In them it would seek to find out the mind of Christ,
the Head of the Church, in whom resided, for it,
the ultimate sovereignty in s[)iritual things. It was
glad to exchange assurances of mutual good-will and
fellowship with the elder sister church at Plymouth.
It had no intention of cutting itself off from Chris-
tian fraternal relations with the churches of the
mother-country, and stood with an anticipating hand
of welcome stretched forth in brotherly recognition
to all the New-World congregations of Christian
people which it foresaw planting themselves in a long
succession by its side, and all around. But each church
28
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
within its own borders constituted, under the Divine
Head, a dominion of its own. It was in pursuance of
this principle that the First Church in Salem had un-
made the before-ordained ministers found within its
own fold at the beginning, that it might make them
ministers of its own creation and invest them with
right and title to their office from itself.
In other ways, it availed of every opportunity that
offered to rea.ssert this principle. It looked with dis-
trust upon a proposed affiliation of its ministers with
the ministers of other churches in pastoral associa-
tions, fearing that these associations would come in
time to claim some power of direction and control
within the churches, or would invent some form of
ecclesiastical bondage, into which the churches of
the colony might be drawn unconsciously, to the loss
of their complete self-government. It was not long
after its foundation before it conceived its independ-
ence to be seriously threatened. Other churches
which had sprung up around it, and such as had an
honorable and weighty constituency, showed a dispo-
sition to meddle in its affairs by taking cognizance
of teachings by the ii^alem ministers, which they re-
garded as not agreeing with the Scriptures, nor as
being consistent with the peace and welfare of the
community of new settlements in the colony. As
often as there appeared to be occasion for it, this
church reaffirmed, in clear and strenuous language,
its purpose not to suffer its fellowship, — which it ex-
tended freely and gladly as a sympathetic, helpful,
brotherly communion, to all churches and all Chris-
tians,— not to suffer it to become an entangling alli-
ance, which might endanger its own freedom and
autonomy. There was abundant justification for
these precautions in the usurpation of ecclesiastical
authority with which these Salem Christians had
been lately only too familiar in England, and which
warned them to keep a jealous guard against the
forging of new fetters of spiritual domination and op-
pression this side the sea, under the guise of better
symbols of church order and of Christian living.
The officers of the church as first organized in
Salem were, besides the pastor and teacher, one or
more ruling elders, deacons and deaconesses. Between
pastor and teacher no distinction of precedence ap-
pears to have been observed. It is probable that in
the performance of their respective duties it was
found that the work of each naturally overlapped
that of the other to a considerable extent, and that
experience showed before long that it was better to
combine the two offices in one, as was done.
The duties belonging to the office of the ruling
elder were not very distinctly defined. He was an
assistant to the pastor and teacher, but while under
their general direction, he had an independent voice
also as adviser and administrator in church affairs.
The office came to Plymouth from Holland with the
Pilgrim Church. That church found it in the Ee-
formed Churches of the Continent and referred to the
French Reformed Churches as its own precedent for
establishing it, though in the French Churches the
ability to teach was not held to be a necessary quali-
fication for a ruling elder, as it was in the Dutch-
English and American Churches.' For a hundred
and fifty years, at least, ruling elders were chosen by
some churches in Massachusetts as necessary to their
complete organization, although Mr. Bentley says,
" the office never existed but in name, and did not
survive the first generation."^ Mr. Bentley regards
the office as having been designed to represent the
power of the church itself on the part of its general
membership, the elder standing as a permanent
watchman and makeweight against all assumptions
of special authority on the part of the ministers.
After his brusque and vigorous fashion he indicates
how far short of answering its end was the device, by
his brief and contemptuous notice of those who were
elected to the place. " In the choice of an elder to
rule the church, care was taken not to accept a civil
officer, and Elder Houghton was appointed. He was
a man of inotfensive ambition, and died in the next
year after his appointment. Mr. Samuel Sharpe suc-
ceeded him, but he was frequently absent, and never
possessed even the shadow of power. He died in 1658.
The independence of Mr. Williams and the sover-
eignty of Mr. Peters rendered the office useless in
their time, and it never obtained its influence. When
Mr. John Higginson, the son of Francis, in 1660, re-
turned to Salem and attempted to revive the form of
government which his father had adopted, Mr. John
Browne was elected elder, but we find no other ser-
vices but of attending, for a short time, the private
instructions of the pastor, who had secijred all the
power." We have said that the office did not cease to
be known with the first generation, or for a century
and a half after, and it is true that the men called to
the office even in the later years of its existence were
not all colorless and valueless ciphers. But the fcHr
of ministerial usurpation had very much died away,
and the ruling elder was, in time, without functions,
and disappeared. Mr. Bentley's assertion that it soon
came to stand for little more than a name seems to be
borne out by the history of the churches of the Mass-
achusetts Colony.
Deacons, but not deaconesses, are mentioned as offi-
cers chosen at the organization of the Salem Church.
They received the contributions of the church and
distributed them, and made provision for the table of
communion, serving also in the dispensation of the
bread and wine in the observance. Deaconesses, if
not chosen at once by the church at Salem, were, ac-
cording to custom, regularly selected in the churches
of the earliest colonial period. As at Plymouth, so at
Salem. They were widows by preference, of at least
three-score years, without carefully prescribed duties
1 Felt's Eccl. Hist. Vol. i. p. 34.
2The North Church in Salem chose a rulingelder as late us 1826 — pro-
nounced by Felt " the only continuation of an ancient custom here."
SALEM.
29
as to details, but were appointed to carry on a general
ministry of visiting and comforting among the sick,
poor and distressed.
We have been more minute and explicit in specify-
ing some of these forms of church-life and organiza-
tion first adopted here, because this was the pioneer
church. Offices, titles and usages now long familiar to
every New England village were then new, or known
only as existing in the English churches under other
conditions, and where they had a diflerent signifi-
cance; here, under an old name, went a new thing.
New methods were on trial, and were carefully ob-
served and studied, and sought to be adjusted to the
circumstances of the time and people, and were not
immediately and onre for all fixed in an unalterable
form.
Francis Higginson lived but a year after the found-
ing of the church. On the 6th of August, 1630, just a
year from the day when its organization was com-
pleted, a day in whose doings he bore the leading part,
he closed his earthly labors. He was born in 1588,
and was, therefore, a little more than forty years of
age when he came to Salem. He was a graduate of
the famous English University of Cambridge — of
Emanuel College, according to Mr. Upham ; of Jesus,
says Judge White; of St. John's, says F. S. Drake
(American biography); and Mr. Savage (Geneal.
Diet.), seemingly warranting and reconciling all these
assignments, has it : " Bred at Jesus College, Cam-
bridge, where he took his A.B., 1600, but was of St.
John's when his A.M. was given, 1613, though Mather
asserts he was of Emanuel.' He was first settled in
Leicester, England, where he had so high a reputa-
tion as a preacher that " the people flocked to hear
him from the neighboring towns." Neal, historian
of the Puritans, says, " he was a good scholar, of a
sweet and atfable behavior, and having a most charm-
ing voice, was one of the most acceptable and popular
preachers of the country." Becoming a non-con-
formist he was ejected from his living and forbidden
to preach in England. After this he resorted to
teaching for a livelihood. He is characterized by Mr.
Bentley as " grave in his deportment and pure in his
morals. In his person he was slender, not tall ; not
easily changed from his purposes, but not rash in
declaring them. His influence in giving form and
direction to the iirst church polity in America was
second to none." Mr. Bentley, by a few strokes, pic-
tures some of the results of Mr. Higginson's brief
ministry in the social customs of the newly-gathered
community at Salem, and shows in what spirit and
along what lines of influence he wrought : " He
lived to secure the foundation of his church, to de-
serve the esteem of the colony and provide himself a
name among the worthies of New England. When
he died, he left iu the colony the most sacred guards
U]>on the public manners. Cards, dice, and all such
amusements, had no share of favour. Family devo-
tions were inculcated and established, and the most
constant attendance on public worship. The minis-
ters visited families to assist in their devotions. Con-
stant care of the poor was required ; the Indians were
not permitted to trade in private houses ; all the
inhabitants were instructed to unite in the labours
which promoted their common interest; and the
greatest confidence was required in all who were
appointed in civil trusts." (Pp. 2-14-24.5.)
Rev. Samuel Skelton, ordained the first pastor of
the church, in association with Mr. Higginson as
teacher, on the 20th of July, 1629, survived his col-
league four years. He had been the minister of Gov-
ernor Eudicott, in England, and was held by him in
especial affection and esteem, as one to whom he had
rea.son to look up as his spiritual father. His name
is less conspicuous in the early annals of the Mass.a-
chusetts churches than that of Higginson. He seems
to have been a modest and retiring man, and is de-
scribed by a contemporary as ''of gracious speech,
full of faith, and furnished by the Lord with gifts
from above." He was content to yield precedence to
others, nor soured with jealousy when to them went
the harvest of fame. " As he never acted alone,''
says Mr. Bentley, "he yielded to others all the praise
of his best actions." The scant recognilion accorded
to him among those who led in church afi'airs in the
earliest days is further explained by his biographer
by the fact that "there was a want of friendship be-
tween the ministers of Boston and its neighborhood
and the ministers of Salem. Everything which one
party did was found fault with by the other." That
he was a man of positive convictions and not lacking
in courage would appear from his standing forward
in defense of his colleague, Roger Williams, when
the latter was assailed and in danger of being over-
borne by those who uttered the sentence of popular
condemnation against him. Mr. Skelton was prob-
ably of about the same age as Mr. Higginson, having
taken his first degree in 1611, two years later than
Mr. Higginson. He was of Lincolnshire, educated at
Clare Hall, Cambridge, and died August 2, 1634.
Francis Higginson had been dead six months, and
Mr. Skelton was carrying on his ministry alone in the
Salem Church, when Roger Williams arrived in Bos-
ton, early in February, 1631. Rev. John Wilson,
minister of the First Church in Boston, was contem-
plating a visit to England, and Mr. Williams was in-
vited to supply his place during his absence, but de-
clined on the ground that the members of that church
were " an unseparated people."
April 22d, following, he was invited to Salem as an
assistant to Rev. Mr. Skelton. Having already
promulgated some novel and unacceptable notions
deemed subversive of the just authority of the magis-
trates, the Massachusetts Court interposed a remon-
strance against the action of the Salem Church, and
succeeded in preventing Mr. Williams' coming to
Salem. He soon went to Plymouth, and even there,
though the teachings of the separatists were more in
30
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
favor ia Plymouth than in Boston, and his personal
qualities gained him a large influence, his "singular
opinions" were not welcome to all, and after serving
a while as assistant to Rev. Ralph Smith, he applied
himself to manual labors and to trade for a liveli-
hood, devoting much time also to acquiring the lan-
guage of the Indians, though meanwhile never losing
sight of the then agitating questions of church gov-
ernment, and of individual responsibility in civil and
ecclesiastical affairs.
In 1633 Mr. Williams obtained, not without some
difficulty, a dismission from the church in Plymouth,
and returned to Salem ; returned accompanied by
several members of the Plymouth Church, who pre-
ferred to give up their home and church relations to
severing the tie that bound them to their pastor.
Arrived in Salem, he became an assistant to Mr.
Skelton, though without formal ordination. And
notwithstanding that he had come again under the
censure of the Governor and Assistants of Massachu-
setts for offensive writings and publications, in some
of which he had denied the validity of the title of the
Massachusetts Company to its territory, in that they
had not the assent of the natives of the soil, yet he
was invited and ordained, upon the death of Mr.
Skelton, in August, 1634, to succeed him in the pas-
toral charge of the church. In this office he con-
tinued till October 19, 1635, when the opposition
which his vigorous assertion of his views had aroused
culminated in a sentence pronounced by the General
Court that he should depart out of the jurisdiction of
Massachusetts within six weeks, on account of hav-
ing " broached and divulged divers new and danger-
ous opinions against the authority of the magistrates,
as also writ letters of defamation, both of the magis-
trates and churches." " The colonial records," says
Arnold, the historian of Rhode Island, " fix the date
November 3d." Consent was given afterwards to the
postponement of his removal till spring, upon con-
dition of his refraining' from promulgating his
objectionable doctrines. It was withdrawn subse-
quently, upon the allegation that the conditions had
been violated. Learning that he was to be sent at
once to England, he anticipated the plans of his
judges, escaping early in January to the South,
through the wintry snows and storms, and finding a
refuge on the banks of the Seekonk River, where he
founded the State of Rhode Island.
The teachings of Mr. Williams which gave offense,
to be fully understood, must be sought for and ex-
amined in the history of the time, at greater length
than it is possible to consider them here. They
dealt largely with definitions and distinctions bearing
on the relations of the civil and spiritual authorities
to each other, showing their respective limits, con-
stantly raising questions of much nicety and diffi-
culty, and yet questions immediately and vitally
practical, as affecting issues at the moment pressing
upon the people. The whole field of discussion
being at the same time complicated with that larger
problem which had exercised the minds of the colon-
ists from the first, namely : the possibility of con-
structing a civil order on a Biblical foundation. The
severity of the course pursued by the magistrates and
ministers has been ascribed in part, and probably not
unjustly, to a feeling in the churches of Boston and
the neighborhood not friendly to the Salem Church,
which church had shown, from the first, a commend-
able jealou.sy of interference by other churches, and
a determination to maintain strictly its independence.
It has been mentioned as a noteworthy fact that " in
this court [for the trial of Mr. Williams], composed
of magistrates and clergy, while some of the laymen
opposed the decree [of exile], every minister, save
one, approved it." '
If it be conceded " that there were faults on both
sides, and that they were faults of the age rather than
of the heart," it must be conceded, too, that this
marked man was before his time in the discernment
and announcement of some principles ecclesiastico-
political, destined to stand the test of after-trial,
since, in his transmitted ideas, as well as his charac-
ter and bearing during those troublous days which he
spent in Salem, he grows more illustrious under the
light of experience, while the proceedings of those
who drove him out from their company become
more difficult of apology. Roger Williams has had
the credit of being the promoter, if not the cause, of
the act of Governor Endicott in cutting the cross
from the English colors. It is not clear what part he
had in it, if any. If any, he was not the man to dis-
avow it; if any, he but represented a feeling dominant
in many a Puritan's breast at the time, who, perhaps,
more prudent than he, would not have counseled it,
though pleased to see it done. Such was Roger
Williams. " Open, bold and ardently conscientious,
as well as eloquent and highly gifted, it cannot be
surprising that he should have disturbed the magis-
trates by divulging such opinions, while he charmed
the people by his powerful preaching, and his ami-
able, generous and disinterested spirit."
Mr. Williams was born in Wales in 1599, resided
in London during his youth, was elected a scholar of
Sutton's Hospital (now the Charter House), July 5,
1621, admitted to Pembroke College, Cambridge, Feb.
8, 1623, graduated B. A. January, 1627, took orders
in the Church of England, obtained a benefice in
Lincolnshire, became a non-conformist, or "Separa-
tist," and embarked at Bristol, Dec. 11, 1630, for New
England. He died at Providence, R. I., in April,
1683.''
1 "Arnold, History of Rhode Island," p. 38.
- Porter C. Bliss, in Johnson's Cyclopiedia. — Since this notice of Roger
Williams was prepared, intimations have come to ns that new liglit may
be expected to be let in soon, upon the origin and early days of this
striking figure in the history of primitive New England. The new
matter found claims to be not only additional to the old and hitherto-
accepted story, but corrective also. For example: It is sjiid that "the
Roger Williams who was a foundation scholar at the Charter House in
SALEM.
31
The infant church, already served by three minis-
ters in half a dozen years, found its fourth in one
horn to lead, Rev. Hugh Peters, who, after tilling the
pastoral office for five busy and fruitful years, in
which he governed and shaped with the decision of a
master, was summoned away from this humbler field
of labor to a broader theatre and a more famous ca-
reer, in which his life assumed historical importance,
and set him among the conspicuous actors of his age,
ending tragically at the executiontr's block. Mr.
Peters was born at Fowey, in Cornwall, in 1599, the
same year as Roger Williams, and was educated at
Trinity College, Cambridge, taking the degree of A.
M. in li)22. Appointed to a London lectureship while
still very young, he drew a large following by his for-
cible and eloquent preaching. Li 1G29, it having be-
come not only uncomfortable but dangerous for such
as he, a Puritan and a popular preacher, to stay in
England, he withdrew to Holland and became the
pastor of a church at Rotterdam, whence he came to
New England, Oct. 6, 1G3.5. He was invited to take
charge of the church in Salem after the departure of
Mr. Williams, and was settled Dec. 21, 1636. He was
an able minister and something more, a clear-sighted
administrator in civil-political and politico-economi-
cal affiiirs. Without neglecting his duties as pastor,
which he discharged with rare energy and faithful-
ness, he set himself diligently to improving all the
social regulations and habits of the place, on which
the welfare of the new community depended. In the
controversies, which he inherited from Mr. Williams,
he showed no sympathy with the adherents of the
latter, nor toleration for the opinions which had
brought on him the condemnation of the ministers
and the General Court. He spent little time over the
comprehensive principles and enlightened distinc-
tions laid down by his predecessor as to the relative
authorities of the secular and ecclesiastical govern-
ments, and the rights of the individual soul under
each, while he plunged with assiduous zeal into stud-
ies which he deemed of a more immediate and press-
ing importance. He gave his attention to projecting
measurps for promoting the business prosperity, the
orderly living, the growth in population of the town;
he devised measures for the better execution of the
laws, for the preservation of peace and the establish-
ment of beneficial industries.
Respecting no man, says Mr. Bentley, has the pub-
lic opinion been more divided than respecting Mr.
Hugh Peters. This division of opinion he ascribes
to the part he took in the commonwealth of England
and in the death of King Charles, though intimating
that " unkind reports " had been connected also with
1C21. and who was Bent to the University in July, 1624, being a good
scholar, was not the Roger 'Willianis of Rhode Island." So much, Rev.
Gf*>rge E. Ellis, D.D., president uf the Massachusetts Historical Socie-
ty, is reported— in the Boston D.o7y Atlverliser of March 11, 1887— to
consider proven by the investigativns of the librarian of Brown Uui-
versitj, Mr. Reuben A. Guild.
the early part of his life, which reports, however,
either never reached New England or were unheeded
there. The Rev. Charles W. Upham, in his Second
Century lecture, has vindicated his fame with a gen-
erous and warm enthusiasm. But there is no differ-
ence of opinion as to the great benefits which his life
and labors in Salem, from 1636 to 1641, conferred up-
on its people and its forming social habits and insti-
tutions. He objected to the devotion of so much
time as had been given to the numerous weekly and
occasional lectures, to the neglect of the daily indus-
tries, which he fostered as being nearest in the line of
evident and pressing duties. His church greatly in-
creased, showing that there had been no lack of faith-
ful tillage therein. New and valued citizens were
attracted to the place. He interested himself in re-
forming the police system, encouraged commerce,
caused new arts and employments to be introduced, a
water-mill was erected, a glass-house, salt works, the
planting of hemp was advised, and a regular market
was set up. He formed a plan of carrying on fishery,
. and of coa.sting and foreign voyages. Amid all his ac-
tivities, it is repeated, "he did not forget his church."
In Synod and Salem pulpit alike, he made his power
constantly and beneficently felt. Clear-headed and
wise, he was a check upon the invasion of supersti-
tion, and in the excitement caused by Mrs. Ann
Hutchinson's doctrine and influence, kept his church
in the main free from its disturbing effects, and went,
Mr. Bentley thinks, full far in the opposite direction
of repression. The Massachusetts Colony, having
occasion to find suitable persons to represent their in-
terests in England with reference to the laws of excise
and trade, it was not strange that Mr. Peters
should be selected to be one for this commission. His
qualifications for it were evident. His people resisted
his acceptance of the appointment and remonstrated
against it; they could not spare him. But they were
overborne by the urgency with w-hich the claim for
his services was pressed, and finally a reluctant assent
was yielded, and on the 3d of August, 1641, he left
with his colleagues for England. There he became
involved in the revolution which brought Cromwell
to supreme power. Peters was his counselor and fa-
vored friend, and when the restoration gave back
power to Cromwell's enemies, the lives of all his
friends were held forfeited. Hugh Peters was a se-
lected victim, and as such was beheaded in the Tower
Oct. 16, 1660.
Mr. Peters was assisted in his pulpit duties between
1637 and 1640 by Rev. John Fiske, who taught a
school in Salem about that time. Mr. Fiske was set-
tled afterwards over a church in Wenham and still
later in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. It was he — be-
fore alluded to in these pages — who copied from the
earlie.st record-book of the church the covenant con-
tained therein, with some other minutes, which have
lately come to light, and have furnished important
evidence as to the form of the first covenant.
32
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTS', MASSACHUSETTS.
The Rev. Edward Norris was settled as a colleague
with Mr. Peters Miirch 18, 1(340. Mr. Bentley says his
was the first ordination which was performed with
great public ceremonies in Salem. He had come
from England the year before, and joined the church
here in December of that year ; had been a teacher
and minister in Gloucestershire ; was distinguished
for learning, was of a tolerant spirit, and had a large
and well-balanced mind. He was a man to wield a
wide and strong influence, and that for good. He
fell upon troubled times, inheriting in his turn the
unsettled controversies of his predecessor's ministry.
A Mrs. Oliver, a follower of Mrs. Ann Hutchinson,
had claimed, in the time of public service, the right
of communion, without a covenant, and was sent to
prison for disturbing the congregation, though soon
set at liberty. During Mr. Norris' ministry she again
openly asserted the same right, and was publicly dis-
graced.
The Anabaptists were busy. Mr. Endicott set his
face against them as disturbers of the peace of the
church and of the community ; a few were subjected
to punishment, some confined to the town, or laid un-
der other humiliating and annoying prohibitions. Mr.
Norris took no active part in these proceedings, and
seems rather to have endeavored to quiet and repress
the public excitement than to promote it, and suc-
ceeded in keeping the town in comparative tranquil-
lity during his life. He died December 23, 1659, in
time to escape the full force of the still greater dis-
traction caused by the Quakers who had appeared in
Salem in 1657. His abilities, attainments and high
character were recognized throughout the colony.
He wrote upon affairs of public interest temperately,
yet forcibly. He assisted in constructing the system
of ecclesiastical discipline " substantially contained
in the Cambridge Platform,'' and yet he refused to
substitute in his own church the platform of 1648,
which he had helped to shape, for the one already in
use, resolutely insisting on the maintenance of his
church's independence. At the same time, with a
rare consistency, he successfully restrained his own
church from meddling in the controversies and the
management of other churches.
Mr. Norris was the last of the ministers of the first
generation. " The consistent politicks, the religious
moderation, and the ardent patriotism of Mr. Norris,"
says Mr. Bentley, " entitle him to the grateful mem-
ory of Salem. He diverted the fury of fanaticism by
industry, he quieted alarms by inspiring a military
courage, and in the public morals, and a well-di-
rected charity, with a timely consent to the incorpo-
ration of towns around him, he finished in peace the
longest life in the ministry which had been enjoyed
in Salem, and died in his charge." '
Mr. Norris' ministry of nearly twenty years seemed
long as measured by the average term of service of
1 Col. Mass. Hist. Soc. for 1799 : p. 259.
those who had preceded him. But it was short as
compared with that of his successor. John Higgin-
son, the son of the Eev. Francis, the first minister —
"Teacher" — of Salem, was born at Claybrook, Eng-
land, August 6, 1616, and accompanied his parents
when they came to New England, in 1629, and was
thirteen years old, therefore, when he arrived ; and at
that age he joined the church. After his father's
death he was assisted by the magistrates and minis-
ters, who could not forget what the young church
owed to the father, in continuing his education. At
the age of twenty, and for four years after, he was
chaplain at Fort Saybrook, Connecticut.. In 1641
he taught a school in Hartford, and studied divin-
ity with the Rev. Thomas Hooker ; in 1643 be-
came an assistant to Rev. Henry Whitfield, of Guil-
ford, whose daughter he married. From 1651 to 1659
he was in sole charge of the church in Guilford. In
that year, 1659, he took passage for his native land.
The ve.ssel in which he sailed was obliged by stress of
weather to put into Salem harbor. The church in
Salem had recently lost its minister. A negotiation
with Mr. Higginson w.as entered into which issued in
an engagement on his part to remain and preach for
one year. At the end of the year he was invited to
become the pastor, accepted the invitation, and was
ordained in August, 1660. Already forty-four years
old, he continued in the ministry in Salem forty-eight
years, till his death, December 9, 1708, at the age of
ninety-two years. He was sole minister for twenty-
three years, till 1683, — except that for four years,
from 1672 to 1676, he had a so-called " assistant," ^
who did not assist, as is explained farther on. In
1683, he being then sixty-seven years of age. Rev.
Nicholas Noye< became his colleague. The settle-
ment of Mr. Higginson was signalized by an addition
to the covenant of the church, as a solemn declara-
tion against the teachings and practices of the Qua-
kers, as has been mentioned. It had been the custom
of the church, from time to time, to " renew " the
covenant, as has been noticed before, an act equiva-
lent to a solemn re-affirmation of loyalty to its vows,
and which was accompanied, in two instances at least,
by an addition to Its original form, for the purpose of
putting on record the church's sentiment or verdict
upon special dangers and evils existing at the time.
Thus, at the settlement of Rev. Mr. Peters, the church
prefaced a " renewal of the covenant " with a pream-
ble which has already been given on a previous page,
it being of the nature of a penitent confession that
they had experienced the danger of coming to " sit
loose to the covenant made with God," and found
how apt they were "to wander into by-paths, even to
the loosing of their first aims in entering into church
fellowship." So, now, in 1660, we come upon anoth-
er tide-mark, showing how high had arisen the feel-
ing against the Quaker invasion, the following being
- Charles Nicholet.
SALEM.
33
appended to the covenant : " When also considering
the power of temptation amongst us by reason of the
Quakers' doctrine to the leavening of some in the
place where we are, and endangering of others, [We]
do see cause to remember the admonition of our
Savior Christ to his disciples. Math. 16 : Take heed
and beware of the leaven of the doctrine of the Phar-
isees, and do judge so far as we understand it that the
Quakers' doctrine is as bad or worse than that of the
Pharisees; therefore we do covenant by the help of
Jesus Christ to take heed and beware of the leaven
of the doctrine of the Quakers." "This ap])endix to
the covenant sufficiently shows the stand taken by
Mr. Higginson towards the Quakers. It is difficult
in our time to conceive the excitement which the ar-
rival of a shipload of Quakers from England in 1660,
the year of Mr. Higginson's ordination, caused in the
Massachusetts colony. A vigorous persecution had
been iu progress for some time before, with the usual
rewlt of increasing the boldne.'S and multiplying the
number of the new sect. They were not altogether
an inoffensive people. For, though they disclaimed
the use of physical violence even in protection of
themselves, among them were those who knew the
irrit.iting power of arrogant and exasperating speech,
and did not spare the use of it, accusing the magis-
trate.s, miuisteri and the members of the churches of
ignorance of the true religion, and of being unac-
quainted with its spirit. Their interruption of pub-
lic worship, their open denunciations of time-serving
and hireling ministers, and their fanatical violations
of good order and the public quiet in some cases,
were calculated to inflame the popular mind to the
highest pitch of anger ; and while this does not ex-
cuse the heavy hand of persecution raised upon them,
it explains and palliates the disgust and antipathy
felt by many reasonable and worthy persons towards
such intemperate revilers of men and women, who
were, at least, as good as themselves, and were held
in honor — deservedly or not — as appointed chiefs in
church and state. " The wildest fanaticism on their
part was met by a frenzied bigotry on the other." Mr.
Higginson was active in turning upon them an unre-
lenting harrying, for which Mr. Bentley says he was
sorry afterwards. Eighteen of these unhappy per-
sons are said to have been jjublicly punished in Sa-
lem in the year 1661. And, as is always the case
when men suffer for their opinions, the most blame-
less met with the same fate as the most turbulent and
aggressive. After the restoration of King Charles
II., he took their case into consideration and put a
stop to the persecution. It had lasted about five
years. The excitement soon died away when the per-
secution ceased.
A " Direction " for a public profession of faith was
lire|)ared by Jlr. Higginson, and printed in a dateless
tract, already referred to, probably, says Ju<lge White,
iu 1680, which, however, was " to be looked upon as
a fit means whereby to express that their common
3
faith and salvation, and not to be made use of as an
imposition upon any." This "Direction" became
famous in the friendly but controversial discussion,
already alluded to as having occurred thirty to forty
years ago, between Rev. Dr. Worcester and Judge
White, as to the form of the first covenant, it being
regarded by the former as substantially identical with
a confession of faith adopted by the church in 1629,
along with the covenant, a position earnestly con-
tended against by the latter as wholly untenable.
In 1672 there came a man to Salem from Virginia,
who, for a few years, filled quite a large place in the
town and church — Mr. Charles Xieholct. He was
invited to be the assistant of Mr. Higginson for a
year, " for trial."' At the end of the year the engage-
ment was renewed upon the same terms for another
year, one condition of which being that he should
have for. his maintenance "a free voluntary contribu-
tion every Lord's day." When, at the end of the
second year, he w-as offered again the same terms,
they were j)robably not accepted, as, a little later, it
was voted that, "it is agreed by a hand and free vote
of the town for Mr. Xicholet's continuance amongst
us during his life." At the same time (that is, early
in 1674) the town voted a grant of as much land on
the common as should be needed " for to build a new
meeting-house for the worship of God." ' This meet-
ing-house was begun and its frame erected, but was
never finished. The invitation to Mr. Xicholet, ex-
tended by the town instead of by the church — an
unusual, if not an unprecedented proceeding — and the
building of another meeting-house at some distance
from the established place of worship, were painful
proofs to the elder minister that there were restless and
disaffected persons in his congregation not unwilling
to show their discontent. "His enemies," says Mr.
Bentley, " made by persecution, now had power to dis-
tress him." His support had been partly withheld.
Some who were not unfriendly thought it time that a
portion of his burden of varied duties and wearing
responsibilities should be transferred to an assistant.
But the church had taken offense and exception at
the manner in which the assistant was called — that is,
in the town's having acted by itself. A remonstrance
was sent to the General Court, which tribunal answered
by declaring its disapprobation of such a departure
from established usages, characterizing it .as not only
very irregular, but as " expressly contrary to the
known wholesome laws of this jurisdiction." Mr. Hig-
ginson disapproved the course pursued by his assistant
and the town. Mr. Xieholct explained and promised
to be on his guard, but apparently continued his
ministry and drew to himself a following of malcon-
tents, and kept up the discord till, happily for the
town, "after many farewell sermons," he "departed
from America forever," in 1676.
As time healed or softened the dissensions that
iTowD Becards, pp. ITli, 208, 217, i-'S.
34
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
attended Mr. Nicholet's ministry, it also made the
burdens carried by the senior pastor, now without an
assistant, to be felt more oppressively as he advanced
in years. The way was thus prepared for another
trial of the experiment of a colleague. In 1C82 Mr.
Higginson recommended it; and on the 14th of No-
vember, 1683, Mr. Nicholas Noyes was ordained. It
was a choice fortunate for the church. Mr. Noyes'
character, as drawn in the record-book of the church
when he died, on the 13th of December, 1717, at the
age of nearly seventy years, and at the end of a min-
istry of thirty-five years, has been accepted as a just
portraiture of the man — a portraiture the more enti-
tled to be preserved and reproduced on suitable occa-
sions, in that it is a calm after-judgment respecting
one who bore a prominent part in the ever-memorable
and mournful proceedings of the dark days of the
witchcraft trials. It is the testimony of his contem-
poraries; of those who should be presumed to know
him best; who knew his mistakes and the sincerity
of his lamentation on their account. " He was extra-
ordinarily accomplished for the work of the ministry,
whereunto he was called. . . . Considering his
superior genius; his pregnant wit; strong memory;
solid judgment ; his great acquisition in human learn-
ing and knowledge ; his conversation among men,
especially with his friends, so very pleasant, enter-
taining and profitable; his uncommon attainments in
the study of divinity ; his eminent sanctity, gravity
and virtue ; his serious, learned and pious perform-
ances in the pulpit ; his more than ordinary skill in
the prophetical parts of Scripture; his wisdom and
usefulness in human afl'airs ; and his constant solici-
tude for the public good : it is no wonder that Salem
and the adjacent part of the country, as also the
Churches, University and people of New England,
justly esteem him as a principal part of their glory."
For one to have saved such a reputation as this, who
had been a chief actor in bringing those accused of
witchcraft to punishment, argues rare excellences of
character. Mr. Bentley accords him exceptional
honor as the one among all those ministers who were
swept along by the storm, misled, silenced, non-pro-
te.sting, accountable — the one who made all possible
reparation afterwards ; an open, confessing, self-sacri-
ficing atonement for the evil he had done and caused,
to the extent of his ability. " Noyes came out and
publicly confessed his error ; never concealed a cir-
cumstance ; never excused himself; visited, loved and
blessed the survivors whom he had injured; asked
forgiveness always, and consecrated the residue of
life to bless mankind. He never thought, in all these
things, that he made the least compensation, but all
the world believed him sincere." The glooms of the
period of the witchcraft visitation have had no parallel,
before or since, in the ancient town. It is not our
province to depict its creeping horrors. It stands
apart, a story of unrelieved tragedy. It was connected
with the church-life of the people, but it was an epi-
demic mania, an outcropping nightmare of supersti-
tion, that swept like a sudden torrent over the region.
" From March till August, 1692, . . . business
was interrupted. The town deserted. Terror was in
every countenance, and distress in every heart."'
We thankfully leave the sombre task of telling the
sad tale to another.
We introduce here the few remaining minutes to be
noted respecting Rev. Mr. Noyes. He was born in
Newbury December 22, 1647, and was the nephew of
the first minister of Newbury, Eev. James Noyes.
For thirteen years before coming to Salem he had
been settled in the ministry at Haddam, Conn. He
was never married.
During the witchcraft storm Mr. Higginson held
himself aloof. " His only fault was his silent con-
sent." He had gone too far with the Quakers, and
learned the lesson of caution. But it was not in him
to be strong enough, old man that he was, where all
were stricken with the madness, to sound an alarm
and call a halt. It was what all were waiting and
praying for, from some one. But probably if any had
been brave enough and far-sighted enough to cry
aloud in protest, it would only have availed when the
tempest was subsiding and far-spent ; earlier it would
only have added another victim, possibly, to the pop-
ular frenzy. Such a panic-stricken community could
only come to its senses slowly, and when the fury of
the blast was passed. Mr. Bentley's just reflections
are in place here, and in the history of the church
should not be omitted : " As soon as the judges ceased
to condemn, the people ceased to accuse. Just as
after a storm, the people were astonished to see the
light at once break out bright again. Terror at the
violence and the guilt of the proceedings succeeded
instantly to the conviction of blind zeal, and what
every man had encouraged all professed to abhor.
Few dared to blame other men, because few were in-
nocent. They who had been most active remembered
that they had been applauded. The guilt and the
shame became the portion of the country, while Salem
had the infamy of being the place of the transactions.
Every expression of sorrow was found in Salem. And
after the death of Mr. Higginson, whose only fault
was his silent consent, the church, before the choice
of another minister, publicly erased all the ignominy
they had attached to the dead, by recording a most
humble acknowledgment of their error. After the
public mind became quiet, few things were done
to disturb it. But a diminished population, the
injury done to religion, and the distress of the ag-
grieved were seen and felt with the greatest sorrow." '
For six years from the death of Mr. Higginson Mr.
Noyes was the sole pastor of the church. He being
then nearly sixty-seven years old, Mr. George Curwin,
son of Hon. Jonathan Curwin, was ordained as his
colleague. Mr. Bentley says that Mr. Curwin was
1 Bentley, pp. 270-271.
SALEM.
35
proposed by Mr. N^oyes in 1709, soon after the death
of Mr. Higginson, and would have been immediately
ordained if those living beyond the town bridge had
not hoped to become a separate church. In 1713 an-
other church was formed, which is the lower parish
in Danvers. Mr. Curwin's settlement followed in
May of the next year. The opening of his ministry
was fnW of promise, and excited in his people high
hopes of usefulness, — hopes destined to an early
blight. He died Nov. 23, 1717, at the age of thirty-
four years, only four and a half j'ears from his ordina-
tion. He was horn in Salem May 21, 1GS3, graduated
from Harvard College in 1701, and ordained May 19,
1714. The entry made upon the church book of rec-
ords, of date Xov. 23, 1717, after recording his death,
adds : " He was highly esteemed in his life, and very
deservedly lamented at his death, having been very
eminent for his early improvements in learning and
piety, his singular abilities and great labors, his re-
markable zeal and faithlulness in the service of his
^Master. A great benefactor to our poor. The Eev.
Mr. Xoyes his life was much bound up in him."
These last words read more as prophecy than as rec-
ord of a past accomplished, when we look on to the
next entry upon the book. It is but twenty days
later. It records the death, Dec. 13th, of the Rev.
Nicholas Noyes. Within three weeks the church is
bereaved of both its pastors.
Mr. Samuel Fisk was called with great unanimity
the next year to the church in Salem, and was or-
dained on the 8th of October, 1718. He was a grand-
son of Rev. John Fisk, herein before mentioned as
sometime assistant to Rev. Hugh Peters, afterwards
minister of Wenham and Chelmsford ; was born
April 6, 1689, in Braintree, where his father, Rev.
Moses Fisk, was many years minister, and was grad-
uated from Harvard College in 1708. He was a man
of acknowledged abilities and of great energy, but the
unanimity with which his miui.stry was welcomed at
the beginning gave place in no very long time to a
rising alienation on the part of a portion of hit* con-
gregation, which grew to a protracted and bitter con-
troversy,— protracted and bitter even in comparison
with other church contentions, proverbial as such are
for their tenacity and implacability, — many of his
parishioners becoming hopelessly estranged from him,
the division culminating at last in the expulsion of
Mr. Fisk from his pulpit in 173.5. Mr. Bentley as-
cribes his loss of usefulness to high thoughts of church
authority. Pamphlets of more than four hundred
pages of printed matter remain in a Salem library
(Athenieum) to represent the course of the correspond-
ence and criticisms which grew out of the long con-
test. The points involved were not chiefly theological
or ecclesiiistical, but consisted largely of charges
brought by members of the church of misrepresenta-
tion and of a want of ingenuous, truthful and frank
dealing on the part of Mr. Fisk as to an unwarranted
interpolation in the church records in the matter of
maintaining or discontinuing the church " lecture,"
an institution which had long existed, the interest in
which had fallen off greatly, and the responsibility
for whose decay, and close, and resunii)tion was mu-
tually bandied back and forth between the minister
and the dissatisfied brethren. Mr. Fisk was also accused
of arbitrarily refusing to call church meetings except
such as he pleased a.nd when he pleased, and of assert-
ing a right of control in church matters generally
deemed by a very considerable part of his congrega-
tion to be unauthorized and inadmissible. As to one
of the issues raised, Mr. Fisk and his followers seem
to have planted themselves on unassailable ground.
The aggrieved brethren seem to have been a confessed
minority of the church. When, therefore, this ag-
grieved minority, — supposing it to be such, — first
called on a neighboring church,— the second in Bos-
ton,— to come in, by its representatives, and endeavor
to compose the existing difficulties, the majority de-
clined to submit their case to this commi.saion for a
hearing and decision. So, when a council of four
churches made a similar attempt, and again, when a
yet larger and more imposing council wjis summoned,
they simply denied the jurisdiction of each and all
such ecclesiastical courts, in steadfast adherence to
that original principle laid down at the founding of
the church, in 1(329, of the independence of each
church, and they denied the authority of any other
church or churches to interfere in its concerns. Unless
by some formal vote it had surrendered this claim of
autonomy in favor of some other paramount autliority
as does not seem to have been claime<l, or the voice of
the majority was arbitrarily suppressed by the pastor,
which is perhaps charged by implication, it is difficult
to see by what right the majority of this church and
congregation were dispossessed of their meeting-house
or any of their church rights, as was done, and sanc-
tioned by the General Court.
After the exclusion of Mr. Fisk from the pulpit, a
majority of the members of the church withdrew and
built another meeting-house near at hand.' The with-
drawing members continued to use the title of " The
First Church," their right to which could hardly be
gainsaid, perhaps, except upon the ground taken by
the courts of Massachusetts a hundred years later,
viz. : that the church derives its designation from the
parish out of which it has grown, and upon which its
identification depends. Mr. Fisk took away with him
the church book of records, retaining it through the
peril d of his ministry. In 1762 Eev. Dudley Leavitt,
the minister of the church which Mr. Fisk had led
out in 1735 to a new home, died, much beloved and
lamented. That church soon after opened a gracious
and conciliatory correspondence with the church of
the First Parish, proposing to relinquish to it the title
1 They first placed it too near, — *• only twelve perches and eleven feet
from the First parish ineeting-huiise." The General t.^urt interfered,
iinil ordered that it should not »t*nd " nearer to the other Uian forty
perches."' It was removed accordingly.
36
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of the First Church from that time, and took for itself
the title of " The Church of which Eev. Dudley Leu-
vitt was late Pastor," — known since, and now for
many years, as the Tabernacle Church. These over-
tures were met in a like spirit. An amicable division
of plate and other church property accompanied and
attested the healing of the old wounds of dissension.
Leaving, for the present, the notices of other
churches formed in the town from time to time, we
follow out first the sketch of the p'irst Church. During
the years from 1735 to 1762 the old First Church and
Society was called, and called itself the Church and
Parish of the Confederate Society, or, for a shorter
title and common use, the Confederate Church. Dr.
Worcester says the secedersgave them the title. The
effect of the division by which the society was cleft in
1735 was depressing for a while, undoubtedly. But
on the 5th of August, 1736, Mr. John Sparhawk was
called by " the brethren adhering to the ancient prin-
ciples of the First Church in Salem," with substan-
tial unanimity, to the ministry among them, and was
ordained on the 8th of December following. He was
the son. of Rev. John Sparhawk, of Bristol, R. I., and
was born in that town in September, 1713, and gradu-
ated at Harvard College in 1731. He died April 30,
1755, in the forty-second year of his age. He was
described by his parishioner, Dr. Edward Holyoke, as
" large in person, a man of dignity and an excellent
preacher." If that people is to be accounted happy
whose history affords few incidents or experiences
deemed worthy to be recited, the same evidence may
be taken as ground for the belief that a church is
happy, its life one of peace, of silent, healthful, spir-
itual growth, when it affords little material for the
historian to record. The First Church entered upon
such a period after the close of the rather tempestu-
ous ministry of Mr. Fisk. The usefulness of Mr.
Sparhawk's labors, and the affection in which he was
held, is shown by the sincere sorrow caused by his
death. The ministries which followed were of a like
character, and, even down to this day, have generally
abounded in quiet and diligent service on the part of
the ministers, and been characterized by general har-
mony and co-operation on the part of the church and
congregation in maintaining the institutions of re-
ligion and cultivating the spirit of the Christian
gospel.
Rev. Thomas Barnard succeeded Mr. Sparhawk.
He was the son of Rev. John Barnard, of Andover,
and was born in that place August 16, 1716, grad-
uated from Harvard College in 1732, ordained at
Newbury January 31, 1738, left his people there on
account of " difficulties about Mr. Whitfield's preach-
ing," and turned to the study and practice of law for
a time. Re-entering the ministry, he was installed
minister of the First Church in Salem September 17,
1755. He was a man of solid excellencies, both of
mind and character, not brilliant, but strong and
rightly balanced, " much beloved by his society and
esteemed by the public." He was disabled by paral-
ysis in 1770, and a colleague was settled in 1772. Mr.
Barnard died August 5, 1776. The colleague just re-
ferred to was Mr. Asa Dunbar. There had been a
division of feeling in the choice of a colleague, some
desiring Mr. Barnard's son, Thom.as Barnard, Jr., to
be invited to take the place, while a bare majority
were for Mr. Dunbar. The organization of the North
Church, with Mr. Thomas Barnard, Jr., for its minis-
ter, was the result of the disagreement. But the parting
between the brethren who went out and those who
stayed behind was friendly, and characterized by an
affectionate reluctance to take the decisive .step, and
by a generous surrender of some of the vessels and
sacred things belonging to the church, because they
had come to it by gift from those who were now de-
parting or from members of their families. Rev. Asa
Dunbar was born in Bridgewater May 26, 1745, grad-
uated at Harvard College in 1767, and ordained in
Salem July, 22, 1772. His health before long be-
came broken, and compelled him first to seek its res-
toration in rest, and finally to resign his office, which
he did April 23, 1779, his society consenting with re-
luctance, and not until convinced that it was a neces-
sity. Honorable and delicate testimonials of the
mutual affection and confidence subsisting between
the pastor and people were exchanged at parting.
Mr. Dunbar studied law after leaving his ministry in
Salem, and settled in Keene, N. H., where he prac-
ticed his profession and lived greatly respected till
June 22, 1787, the time of his death. He appears to
have lived in Weston before coming to Salem ; he
married there Mary Jones, in 1772, and had a child
born there in 1776. After leaving Salem, and before
settling in Keene, he probably lived in Harvard for a
time, as he had children born there in 1780 and 1781.
Mr. Bentley, a competent judge, and not given to un-
meaning praise, characterized him as a man of genius.
Rev. John Prince, who succeeded Mr. Dunbar, and
whose ministry covered a period of fifty-seven years —
for forty-five of which he had no assistance — was born
in Boston July 22, 1751, graduated at Harvard College
in 1776, and ordained minister of the First Church in
Salem November 10, 1779.' Dr. Prince was a faith-
ful and devoted minister and lived in the sincere af-
fection and respect of his people during his long pas-
torate. But he had greater fame as a devotee of
natural science and an ardent philosophical investiga-
tor than as a preacher. His parishioner, the late Hon.
Daniel A. White, says of him that " he possessed the
spirit of a true philosopher and a true Christian, and
was alike distinguished for his mechanical ingenuity,
his attainments in natural, in theological and general •
1 The ministry of Dr. Prince has had no parallel for length in Salem,
except in that of Rev. Dr. EinersoD, of the South Church, which ex-
teniled over more than sixty-seven years, though for the first nine and
the last thirty-two of the years of his ministry he was associated with col-
leagues, and for many years before his death he performed almost no
professional duties.
SALEM.
37
learning, and for his various genius and taste, his ar-
dent love of nature and of art, his single-heartedness
and trulj- Christian temper, and for his amiable and
generous disposition, especially as manifested in the
gratuitous diffusion of his scientific discoveries and
ini]irovements, and in imparting his rare knowledge
at all times for the gratification and entertainment of
others. His character will long be remembered with
sincere admiration." He bequeathed to his society a
library of nearly four hundred and fifty volumes. He
was an honored member of various societiesorganized
for the study of science, art and history, and received
the degree of Doctor of Laws from Brown University.
His death took place on June 7, 183(5.
During the ministry of Dr. Prince the parish re-
ceived valuable legacies from Charles Henry Orne, a
merchant, and from Miss Mehitable Higginson, a
descendant in the sixth generation from the first
minister, and widely known as " a teacher of succes-
sive generations of children," and " a blessing to the
church and the town." More recently the permanent
funds of the society were increased by a liberal be-
quest from Hannah Haraden Ropes, and in 1867
amounted to about ten thousand five hundred dol-
lars. In the year 1817 the society became incorpor-
ated as the First Congregational Society in Salem.
In 1824 Mr. Charles W. TJpham was ordained as a
colleague pastor with Dr. Prince. He was born in St.
John, New Brunswick, May 4, 1802, graduated from
Harvard College in 1821, and from the Divinity
School in Cambridge in 1824. He was ordained in
Salem the same year, December 8th, and filled a min-
istry of twenty years, when impaired health caused
him to resign, and he closed his ministry in Decem-
ber, 1844. Mr. Upham was held in high esteem as
an acceptable preacher and a man of scholarly at-
tainments. He received, on retiring from his ministry,
substantial tokens of the generous appreciation of the
people whom he had served, and which he acknowl-
edged with a warm recognition. He died in Salem
June, 15, 1875, more than thirty years after his min-
istry ended, having filled in the course of that time
several important civil and political offices. He was
mayor of Salem in 1852; elected to both Houses of
the Legislature of the State at different times, and
president of the Senate in 1857-58; member of the
National House of Representativs in 1853-55 ; and of
the State Convention of Massachusetts in 1853. In
various sermons and addresses he sketched and illus-
trated the history of the Salem Church, and contrib-
uted for publication much historical and biographical
material, relating to the men and times of early New-
England. During his ministry he published a small
work upon the " Logos, " another upon " Prophecy as
an Evidence of Christianity ; " " Lectures upon Witch-
craft," which, in 1867, he expanded into an elaborate
work of two volumes of nearly one thousand duodec-
imo i)ages. '' A Life of Sir Henry Vane," in iS/jarlcs'
American Bioijrap/ti/, was from his pen. In 1856 he
wrote the "Life, Letters and Public Services of John
Charles Fremont," one of the Presidential candidates
of that year. His last published literary work was a
" Memoir of Timothy Pickering," in three volumes.
He edited the Christian Ecgisfer in 1845-46, and was
a frequent contributor to periodical publications, both
religious and secular.
Rev. Thomas Treadwell Stone was called to the
vacant pastorship in June, 1846, and on the 12th of
July following was installed in that office, with the
simplicity of form observed in the primitive Salem
Cliurch, the entire service being carried on and com-
pleted by the congregation through its appointed rep-
resentative and the pastor-elect. Mr. Stone was born
in Waterford, Me., February 9, 1801, and graduated
at Bowdoin College in 1820. He was ordained in
Andover, Me., September 8, 1824, and continued to
be pastor of that church till September, 1830, when
he became preceptor of Bridgton Academy. After
two years he resumed the ministry, and was settled
in East Machias May 15, 1833. The anti-slavery
agitation which came to its crisis after a quarter of a
century in civil war in 1861, and which had been
long straining threateningly the civil institutions and
the political integrity of the nation, had also deeply
disturbed the peace of a large proportion of the
churches of the free States. Some ministers caused
discontent in their folds by preaching upon the
country's responsibility and duty in regard to the in-
stitution of slavery, some gave equal offense by
wholly refraining from the theme, and still others
displeased their hearers by what they said or their
manner of saying it. The public feeling was ex-
tremely sensitive. The congregations were divided
in sentiment. Expressions used in the pulpit, which
in ordinary times might not have produced a ripple
of commotion, in the inflammable state of popular
feeling then existing, broke friendships, and sun-
dered in many instances the bond that held pastor
and church together. Mr. Stone, incapable of giving
offense by any breach of Christian charity or cour-
tesy, yet felt himself constrained to utter an earnest
testimony against slavery as subversive of the plain-
est principles of justice and humanity, and as equally
condemned by the fundamental teachings and the es-
sential spirit of Christianity. While his personal and
professional character was unassailable and unim-
peached, as it respected the purity and disinterested-
ness of his motives and the singleness of mind and
the high ability with which he discharged the duties
of the ministerial office, some of his society became
dissatisfied, and he was dismissed in February, 1S52.
He was afterwards settled in Bolton, and is now
passing a serene and studious old age, dividing his
time between his home in Bolton and the homes of
Lis children.
January 6, 1853, the vacancy caused by the dismis-
sion of Dr. Slone was filled by the installation of
Rev. George Ware Briggs. Mr. Briggs was borji at
38
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Little Compton, R. I., April 8, 1810, graduated from
Brown University in 1825, and from the Divinity
School at Cambridge in 1834, and was ordained in
Fall River September 24, 1834, and installed in
Plymouth, January 3, 1838, as colleague pastor with
Rev. James Kendall, D.D. Dr. Briggs resigned his
mini.stry in Salem April 1, 1867, and the same year
was settled over the Third Congregational Society in
Cambridge (Cambridgeport), where he still ministers,
his society having refused not long since to accept his
resignation. During Dr. Briggs' ministry in Salem
the " irrepressible conflict " between slavery and
freedom reached the stage of open war, and the at-
tempted secession of the slave States brought the
conflict to a termination in the emancipation of the
slaves, the victory of the northern armies and the re-
storation of peace between the North and the South.
Dr. Briggs was a strenuous and able champion of the
cause of freedom and of the maintenance of the na-
tion's integrity during the war.
Rev. James T. Hewes succeeded Dr. Briggs, Sep-
tember 27, 1868. Mr. Hewes was born in Saco, Me.,
March 23, 1836 ; was ordained in South Boston, Feb-
ruary 19, 1862 ; resigned June 4, 1864 ; settled over
the Second Unitarian Pari.sh, in Portland, Me., June
23, 1864. He resigned his Salem charge August 31,
1875. With health already impaired before leaving
Salem, he was installed in Fitchburg September 26,
1876. After a ministry there of five years, seriously
interrupted by ill health, he resigned, sincerely re-
spected and beloved by his society, and after a year
and a half spent in California, removed to Cambridge,
where he died November 21, 1882.
Rev. Fielder Israel, now in pastoral charge of the
First Church, was installed March 8, 1877. He was
born in Baltimore, Md., June 29, 1825, was in the
]\Iethodist ministry for some years, and later had been
pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wilmington, Del.>
and of that in Taunton, Mass., before his settlement
in Salem.
The First Church has occupied successively four
houses of worship on or near the same spot, Essex,
corner of Washington Street. The first is still stand-
ing— so much of it as to make its size, shape and gen-
eral aspect visible and certain. The main timbers of
its frame are preserved and are in their original
places, the clothing of the skeleton only — that is, the
boarding and plaster — having been from time to time
renewed. "An unfinished building of one story,"
says Rev. Mr. Upham, "was temporarily used at the
beginning for the purposes of the congregation."
Houses had been provided at once, by order of the
company in London, for dwellings for the two minis-
ters,— Rev. Mr. Higginson's "directly south of and
about fifty feet distant from the eastern part of the site of
the present meeting-house " (ground covered at present
by the southeastern corner of the Asiatic Block, now
the rear room of the Salem Savings Bank, in which
the corporation and its trustees hold their meetings).
Mr. Skelton's house was farther south and to the east,
on the southern side of the present Front Street.
Neither of these two ministers lived to preach in the
first meeting-house, which was contracted for in 1634,
the year of Mr. Skelton's death, and which stood, it
will be recalled, quite near the sites of their dwellings
as just given. Mr. Norton was the builder of that
first meeting-house. The trees for it were not felled
till the beginning of 1635. and the house was erected
the summer after. Its dimensions were twenty feet
in length by seventeen feet in width, and twelve feet
in the height of the posts. A gallery extended across
the northern end, or side, whose front supporting
beam rests now in its original position, the floor of
the gallery rising towards the rear by a sharp pitch.
The main floor of the house is supposed to have been
of clay. The door opened on Essex Street when the
building stood on its original foundation ; the gallery
ran across the same end ; the preacher's place — and the
pulpit's, when one was built — was opposite, that is, on
the southern end. The windows were not glazed till
1637. In 1639 the house was elongated southward by
more than its original length, viz. : twenty-five feet.
When a new house of worship was to be built, in
1670, the town voted to appropriate the old house to
the town's use for a school-house and watch-house.
In the course of the next ninety years it was put to
various uses by the town. It was in 1760, it is prob-
able, that it was sold to Thorndike Proctor, and by
him removed to a spot now in the field a few rods
south of Boston Street, near the foot of Gallows (or
Witch) Hill, a public road at that time running past
it, and there it was occupied as a tavern, after which
it stood awhile as a neglected and nearly empty stable
and disused store-house. In 1864 it was presented
to the Essex Institute by Mrs. David Nichols, its
owner at the time, and removed to the rear of Plum-
nier Hall, where it now stands restored to its primi-
tive form by the liberality of the late Francis Pea-
body, Esq., then president of the Essex Institute, in
such a way that the original parts and the renewed
portions, respectively, are easily to be distinguished
from each other. The second meeting-house was built
in 1670, on the western side of the site of the first. It
was sixty feet long on Essex Street, fifty feet wide and
twenty feet stud ; " cost one thousand pounds," says
Rev. Mr. Upham, " had galleries, and was called by
Cotton Mather ' the great and spacious meeting-
house.' '' This house served the congregation nearly
sixty years. In 1718 it was found to have become so
decrepit as not to be worthy of repairing, and it was
voted to build a new one to take its place on the same
ground.
This third meeting-house was seventy-two feet long
on Essex Street, and fifty feet wide, with two tiers of
gallery and a spire. " The steeple," says Mr. Upham,
"was probably like that still preserved in the vener-
able meeting-house of the First Church of Hingham,
built in 1681, rising directly over the centre of the
SALEM.
39
roof, the bell-rope coming down to the broad aisle,
half-way between the pulpit and the main entrance."
Great changes were afterwards made in the interior
arrangement and in the external appearance of the
building. A picture of it,- as it appeared in its latest
form, may be seen among the collections of the Essex
Institute, and is also preserved in the appendix to the
sermon preached by Kev. Mr. Upham at the dedica-
tion of the church edifice at present occupied by the
society. The old house was taken down in 1826,
and the new was built and dedicated November 16th
of the same year. There are a few still living who
remember the former, with its three tiei^s of windows,
its tower and spire on its western end, and its front
entrance upon its Essex Street side.
The meeting-house built in 1826, and now in use,
was materially changed in appearance both within
and without in 1875. Without, it was originally a
plain brick structure, cruciform in general outline,
the central and main portion, that containing the
auditorium, being nearly square, and in appearance
much the same as now on its northern front ; high
porches projecting from the middle of the eastern
and western sides made the arms of the cross ; the
building stood above a lower story devoted to business
jiurposes, — stores, etc., as now. On the Essex Street
side of either porch were doors of entrance to the
auditorium and the gallery; the ascent from the
pavement to the entrances was made by a short flight
of steps, an iron fence with gates inclosing the re-
cesses between the street and the steps. Within, a
gallery extended along the Essex Street front, in
which was the choir and organ, and some space for
sittings besides; on the opposite, the southern side,
was the rather high pulpit. In 1867 considerable
changes were made from its first interior appear-
ance; a smaller organ was substituted for the one
which had been in use, and was placed with the
choir, in an alcove or gallery, within the upper part,
of the eastern porch; the front gallery was removed,
and appropriate inscriptions were placed upon the
northern wall, against which it had stood. In 1875
the whole interior was changed to its present form, the
pulpit or preacher's desk being carried to the western
side, and a large new organ built in its rear. At the
same time the two porches upon the eastern and
western sides were replaced by extended additions on
those sides reaching the entire length of the build-
ing, providing not only stairways of access to the
audience-room, but rooms adjoining for the minister's
use and his library, for the Sunday-school library
and for other convenient purposes.
Society of Friends. — We now turn back to find
and trace the offshoots from this parent stem of eccle-
siastical growth in the Salem settlement. The earli-
est of these was a gathering of (Quakers. Mention is
made of the appearance of these people in Salem
first ill 1656 or '57, only about ten years after George
Fox began his itineracy and public preaching in
England. The peculiar tenets and practices of the
Quakers exhibit one of the numerous phases taken
on by the new and freer spirit to which the Reforma-
tion of the sixteenth century had given birth. It was
an emancipation from bondage to legalism, ecclesias-
ticism and hierarchies. It was usually characterized by
more or less spiritual exaltation and religious enthusi-
asm, [n some sanguine, imaginative and emotional
temperaments, this new spirit burst forth, like new
wine from old bottles, into ell'ervescent prophesyings
and extravagant claims of illumination. Sincere and
pure in motive as most of these people were, they
were yet protestants of the protestants, and in many
instances boldly arraigned the existing churches as
needing a new baptism of the Spirit; as leaning with-
out warrant wholly on the letter of the Bible. They
afiirmed that each human soul might have its own
immediate communication with God, its own inter-
pretation of Christ, and its own revelation of truth,
not to be superseded by any external authority.
Very innocent and even commendable aflirmations
these would perhaps be pronounced to-day; and were
Endicott, Higginson and Wilson here now, they
w(mld, it is likely, assent to them; while we who
are to-day sitting complacently in judgment upon
their conduct and upon that of the Southwicks and
Maules, if we had been among them in their time,
should have been Quakers and denouncers of Quak-
ers in just about the same numerical proportions as
they were. We need not be unjust to those who
fined, sold and hanged Quakers, in order to do
justice to the Quakers. The members of the
churches of Salem and Boston could not know just
the nature, conditions and the probable outcome of
the problem which they had to deal with in Quaker-
ism in 1656, as we now know it, viewing it in the
light of history. When they first heard announced
the peculiar views of these people, they recognized
in them something like and yet unlike the teachings
of Mrs. Hutchinson and of the Anabaptists, which
they deprecated with genuine dread. To what would
the new doctrines disseminated by these preachers,
of which they had some not reassuring reports from
England, lead, and where would they endi" Did the
preachers themselves know? Or were they on a drift
whose tendency they were quite unable to forecast?
Now it is but common-place wisdom to .say that it
was not right to judge the whole body or the great
majority by the vagaries of a few unbalanced spirits.
But the judgment had to be nuide then and there,
by the contemiwraries of Robinson, Stevenson and
Mary Dyer, and they could not tell at once who were
the typical disciples of the new school and who were
the exceptional zealots whose ways would be eventu-
ally repudiated by the majority, — nor indeed whether
the few might not yet become the majority, which
was what they feared. They could not tell, nobody
could, to what pitch this excitement might rise.
Alarming possibilities loomed np to their ajiprehen-
40
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUJ^TY, MASSACHUSETTS.
sive imaginations. Tlie ways and doctrines of these
Quakers appeared to them to lead out to the un-
fenced wilderness of antinomianism [no-law-ism] ;
so their propagators were honestly, if mistakenly,
held to be dangerous to the security of the new com-
munities struggling to set up here law and order in
commonwealth and church. The latter were con-
tending with teachings and influences sincerely be-
lieved to be disorganizing and hostile to the peace, if
not to the existence, of the newly-planted colony. It
is asking too much to require that magistrates and
ministers, church-members and citizens, in the in-
fancy of a great and critical experiment in the con-
duct of civil and ecclesiasticalaft'airs, acting under cir-
cumstances of frequent perplexity and serious embar-
rassment making their own precedents as they went, and
daily treading paths of uncertain ending, should have
been exempt from the limitations of their age, and
should have made the discovery, at once and on the
spot, that the extreme of tolerance towards dissent
and contradiction was a discreet and safe policy, to
be fearlessly followed out in practice without any
restrictions and under whatever provocation — a dis-
covery which, after two hundred years of social
progre.ss, hardly commands an unqualified and univer-
sal acceptance. It would be disingenuous not to
allow, however, that personal feelings, wounded pride
and narrow and bitter prejudices doubtless mingled
with considerations of public policy, however uncon-
sciously, in promoting the persecution of the Quakers,
Persecutors and persecuted were alike human.
Grant that the doctrines of the Quakers had much
truth to justify their earnest proclamation. They had
too often, as uttered, the implication, if not the tone,
of the Pharisee's " I am holier than thou," to the mem-
bers of the New England Churches. Their authors
were not sparing in the terms of self-humiliation, it
is true, and this made the assumption of suj)erior in-
sight, and nearer communion with God, the more irri-
tating and offensive. The very truths and half-truths
that were couched in many of the allegations made
against the Christianity of the day, — allegations of un-
due devotion to letter and form, and of lack of true
religious experience and life, w-hich, if they had come
from brethren within the church, or from supposed
friends, might have been welcomed by the more
spiritually-minded and conscientious of the fold, — were
not to be borne when regarded as the false accusations
of meddlesome, censorious and aggressive pretenders to
superior piety. The cruelties visited upon the Quak-
ers were simply horrible, almost beyond belief. Yet
we may not flatter ourselves that it is because we are
so much better than our fathers that we are to-day
unanimous in this verdict. It is, that we are nearly
a quarter of a millenium later than the Puritans of
1650, and that between their time and ours a good
deal has been learned. As to the aggravated sufferings
to which the Quakers were subjected, however, this
should be said : that in an age when all pains and
penalties for crime were immeasurably heavier and
more cruel than now, if the Quakers must suffer pun-
ishment at all, the punishments inflicted upon them
were not unusual, and therefore were such as should
have been expected: fines, whippings, public disgrace,
imprisonment, enslavement,' banishment and death.
And furthermore it should be mentioned, though not as
alleviating in the least the responsibility for the harsh
treatment visited upon the Quakers, that some who
suffered seemed rather to court martyrdom than to
shriuk from it. The disturbances growing out of the
visits of Quakers to the places of public worship ap-
pear to have been less numerous and less violent in
Salem than in some other places. As has been already
mentioned, a Mrs. Oliver had, in Mrs. Hutchinson's
time, and again afterwards, claimed in the open con-
gregation the right to partake of the communion,
though not a member of the church ; had denied the
right of the church or the magistrates to prevent her ;
and had suffered a brief imprisonment for the first
offense, and was " publicly disgraced " after the second-
One Christopher Holder, a Quaker, after being ban-
ished, returned and spoke a few words in the meeting
here, September 21, 1657, " after the priest had done,"
but "was hauled back by the hair of his head, and a
glove and a handkerchief were thrust into his mouth."
On the Monday he was sent to Boston, received
thirty stripes and was imprisoned nine weeks. Samuel
Shattock, for trying to prevent the stopping of Hol-
der's mouth, was carried to Boston and imprisoned
there. Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, members
of the church in Salem, for entertaining Holder and
another of his sect,were sent to Boston and imprisoned.
Some twenty persons are named by Felt [Annals] iis
having been among the persons punished, or indicted
for attending a Quaker Meeting at Nicholas Phelps'.
So serious was the apprehension of evil to the churches
from this source, that when the covenant was " re-
newed," soon after the Rev. John Higginson's settle-
ment, a special clause of warning against the leaven
nfthe doctrine of the Quakers was added at the end, as
has been noted already.
The Quakers in Salem had their meetings at
first in private houses. Their first meeting-house
stood on the south side of Essex Street, on the
space between the houses numbered at present 373
and 377, and is said to have been built by Thomas
Maule, in 1688. Maule had some years before been
warned, as a Quaker, to quit the town, and two citizens,
Samuel Robinson and Samuel Shadocke,had been fined
twenty shillings each for "entertaining" him in 1669.
In 1716 Maule bought the meeting-house he had built
in 1688, for twenty-five pounds, the society having then
built their second meeting-house, a plain building, as
all Quaker meeting-houses are, on the present site of
1 Mr. Bentley mentioned ttiat in 1659 "the heads of a family belonging
to Salem were onlcreil to be sttlii." If, a& is probable, the reference is to
Daniel and Provided Southwick, son and daughter of Ijawrence and
Cassauira Southwick, the order waa not carried into effect.
SALEM.
41
the Quaker burying-ground, at the corner of Essex
and North Pine Streets, the latter street not having
l)een opened. This second meeting-house is remem-
bered by the older citizens of Salem, having been
removed only about fifty-five years ago, that is in
1832.' The brick meeting-house, on the corner of
Warren and South Pine Streets, now occupied by
the society, was built in 1832, upon land given for
the purpose by a. friend, indeed, though not a Friend
by sectarian designation, George S. Johonnot.
A difl'erence as ti> discipline or doctrine, which arose
among the New England Quakers towards the end of
the first quarter of this century, led to earnest and
protracted controversy, and finally to a practical divi-
sion of the body into two sections, in 1843, sometimes
popularly designated as " Gurneyites and Wilburites,"
from their adhesion, respectively, to John James Gur-
ney, of England, and John Wilbur, of Rhode Island :
each section claiming to be logically and spiritually
in historical line with the founders of the sect. The
latter conceived that the former " did not allow so
full an agency to the Holy Spirit on the mind and
heart as the primitive Friends did." The separation
took effect in this region, at the New Enghind Yearly
Meeting, in June, 184.5 ; and again at the Quarterly
Meeting in August, and at the Monthly Meeting in
September following, was ratified by the followers of
the two representative men above named, and the two
sections fell irreconcilably apart. The majority of the
society in Salem held with Gurney, and those of the
adverse views put up a small meeting-house at the
corner of Essex and North Pine Streets, in 1847, which
is now standing on the same spot, having been changed
into a dwelling-house.
Though the (Juakers have no fixed and salaried
local ministers, the following persons are named
in the " Historical Sketch of Salem," by Messrs.
Osgood and Batchelder, as being "among the minis-
ters acknowledged and recorded as such, from time
to time, by the Salem Monthly Meeting of Friends
(comprising the meetings of Salem and Lynn) : Mica-
jah Collins, Mary Newhall, Moses H. Bedee, Avis
Keene, Elizabeth Breed, Jane Mansfield, Benjamin
H. Jones, William O. Newhall, Abigail Bedee, .Soph-
ronia Page, Henry Chase, Hannah Hozier, Lydia
Dean, Mary Chase, Daniel Page and Ruth Page." No
records of the minority meeting in the house by the
burial-ground, are known to have been preserved. Its
numbers, not large at first, gradually diminished till
the society became extinct. Among those who upheld
that meeting, and were identified with it as ministers
or well-known supporters, are remembered Nathan
Page, David Butfum, Lois (Southwick) Ives and
George F. Reed. Current rumor used to say that the
1 The frame of it is now standiDg in Peabody, on tho Lynnfield road,
liaving been purchased by the late Mr. Samuel Brown, taken down by
hiui and eet up af;ain fur a barn near his dwelling-house. .\n addition
baa been put to it, but its original size and form are easily to bo niailo
out.
3J
last-named, a fine scholar and an able teacher,a mem-
ber of the class of 1831 in Harvard College,- remarka-
ble as a linguist, in character simple and guileless as
a child, was sometimes, in the last days of the society,
the only attendant at the meeting-house, and that
then he sat there alone in silent worship and medita-
tion what time the Spirit detained him.
In 1671 the inhabitants of "the farms," or "Salem
Village," as the lands now lying about " Danvers'
Centre" were then called, regarding themselves as
entitled by their numbers and their remoteness from
the Salem Church to a nearer place of worship and
the full services of a minister, began to hold religious
services among themselves on the Lord's day, and
constituted a church, the parent church assenting and
regarding this church and congregation as a branch
of itself Rev. James Bailey was the first minister,
settled in October, 1671, and Rev. George Burroughs,
of unhappy memory (as a victim of the witchcraft
madness), succeeded him, November 25, 1680. On
the 10th of November, 1689, this church was formally
ge])arated from the mother church at Salem, and on
the 15th of that month Samuel Parris was ordained
its pastor.
Marblehead, taken from Salem, was incorporated
in 1649, but no church was gathered there till 1684;
meantime .such of its people as had had or desired
church fellowship continued to find it in connection
with the church in Salem. On the other side of Bass
River, in what is now Beverly, public worship was
established in 1657, and Rev. John Hale was settled
as the first minister in 1667. In 1713 a second church
was formed in that part of Danvers, then called the
lower parish, or " middle precinct," afterwards Souih
Danvers, now Peabody.
East Church. — The third church formed within
the present territorial limits of Salem, regarding the
Quaker " Meeting " as the second, was that commonly
known by the title of the East Church. But as
Quaker "meetings" were not held worthy to be
counted as " churches " (members of Congreg.ational
Churches being judges), and as the Quakers them-
selves adopted another name for their assembly, this
church styled itself the "Second " Church. It will
be remembered that during the colleagueship of Mr.
Nicholet with Rev. John Higginson (1672-76), eftbrts
were made to establish a meeting, and that a meeting-
house w!is partly built in the east part of the town, on
the northeast border of the common. With the de-
parture of Mr. Nicholet, the division in the society
was virtually healed, and the meeting-house was not
completed; but the idea of a church in that ipiarter
did not wholly die out of the minds of the residents
in those parts. When a committee of the First Parish
reported " reasons for building a meeting-liouse" for
the use of that parish early in the last century, it un-
- Mr. Reed completed his college course, and had a part assigned him
for commencement, but neglected to prepare for it, and did not take his
degree.
42
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
designedly gave strength to the project long enter-
tained by the Eastern District of a separation from
the parent church, and of building a meeting-house
in the midst of the population to be accommodated
thereabouts. As quoted by Dr. Flint in his sermon
on leaving the old East Church, in 1846, this commit-
tee's report alleged that " the house [of the First
Church] was not big enough to hold the people, and,
for want of room, many of the eastern end of the
town, and many others on other accounts, stayed
away from public worship ; and a great many, under
pretence of being of the Church of England, went to
Marblehead in boats, [so] that our harbor appeared
more like a day of frolicking than anything else."
The First Church resisted separation as long as it
could, and more than hinted in its acquiescence at
the last that the " proceedings of some of the said
brethren" had been "irregular" and "contrary to
good order ; " but seeing a meeting-house already
built, and knowing that a minister was selected and
ready to be ordained, it finally, in 1718, made a virtue
of necessity, ceased from further opposition, and gave
the Second Church its benediction at parting.
The year 1718 was an eventful year to the First
Church, made so by its having recently lost by death,
both within three weeks, its two ministers (Rev. Mr.
Noyes and Eev. Mr. Curwin), by the settling of
another (Rev. Samuel Fisk), by the erection of a
large, new church building for its own use, and by
the completing of the new East Church building for
the people living in that section, and the organization
of a separate church and congregation there, over
which Rev. Robert Stanton was ordained the minis-
ter on the 8th of April, 1719. The East Society's
meeting-house was situated hal f a mile to the east of the
First Church, on Essex Street, at the corner of what was
then Grafton's Lane (now Hardy Street). In the sermon
of Dr. Flint, just above quoted, it is thus described,
— " The house was in dimensions originally forty by
sixty feet, and what has been called tunnel-shaped,
the belfry and spire ascending from the centre of the
roof" In 1761 this meeting-house was new sashed
and glazed ; iu 1766 clap-boarded ; in 1770, " there not
being room to accommodate the congregation," it was
voted to enlarge it, which was done the following
year by dividing it in the centre, carrying the western
half fourteen feet farther west, and covering in this
additional space. The seams, showing the lines of
junction between the old part and the new, were
visible in the plaster of the ceiling till the house was
abandoned, in 1846. At the time of the enlargement
a new steeple was built at the western end, and a
porch was added at the eastern end. In 1846 the
present church edifice was built and occupied.
The birth-place of Rev. Robert Stanton, the first
minister of the East Church, is not known. Mr.
Felt gives 1692 as the year of his birth. He
graduated at Harvard College in 1712, and died
May 30, 1727, after a ministry of eight years. Dr.
Flint, the fourth in the line of his successors, inters
that his ministry was peaceful and happy, from the
fact that nothing to the contrary has been recorded,
and that his early death was regretted alike by his
people and the community at large. Mr. William
Jennison was ordained the year following Mr. Stan-
ton's death ; that is, in 1728, May 2d. He was born
in Watertown in 1705, and died in the same town in
April, 1750, having been dismissed from the East
Church Sept. 13, 1736. He graduated at Harvard
College in 1724. His letter of resignation is pathetic
in its humility. A disaffection of his society towards
him had become general, the cause of which is not
now known. " Honored and Beloved," he wrote, " I
esteem myself very unhappy that I have fallen under
your displeasure. Glad would I be, if it lay in my
power to fulfill the ministry I have received among
you, [.so] as to approve myself to God and to the con-
sciences of all of us ; but when I consider the great
and long uneasiness and dissatisfaction you have la-
bored under (for which I am heartily sorry), I despair
of being re-instated in your love and affection, so as
to answer the great ends of the sacred office among
you. I am therefore willing to accept a dismission
from the sacred office among you, which I write with
fear and trembling, not knowing at present what will
become of me and mine; but earnestly trusting to
your favor and kindness towards us under the diffi-
culties of my situation, and which you have encour-
aged me to hope for, upon my being freely and wil-
lingly dismissed. I heartily wish the best of blessings
to your dear church and flock. . . ."
The long ministry of Rev. James Diman fol-
lowed that of Mr. Jennison. Mr. Diman was
born on Long Island, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1707, grad-
uated at Harvard College in 1730, was librarian
of the college two years, was ordained in Salem
May 11, 1737, and died Oct. 8, 1788. His minis-
try was peaceful for the most part, and so success-
ful that an enlargement of the meeting-house was
required in his day and was made. Towards the end
of his pastorate, however, his society became desirous
of a colleague. A large portion of the people had
fallen out of sympathy with their minister's opinions
and teachings, which were rigidly Calvinistic, and, in
this, at variance with their own. i These divergencies
led at length to an interruption of harmony ; feelings
of personal coldness and alienation set in. After a
reluctant assent to the expressed wishes of the society
for a colleague, in 1783, and the settlement, the same
year, of one who held theological views not in accord
with his own, the senior minister manifested an in-
creasing estrangement and withdrawal from his soci-
ety. Mr. Diman is described as " of grave aspect, in-
vested with the imposing dignity — rather stern and
awe-inspiring — peculiar to the ministers of the age
of huge wigs, which were a symbol of the clerical
authority and the orthodox theology of the day."
The colleague called to a.ssist Mr. Diman was the
SALEM.
43
widely-known scholar, independent thinker, political
writer and vigorous preacher, William Bentley, who
" dispensed at once with the wig and creed of which
it had been so long the symbol." Mr. Bentley wiis
born in Boston June 22, 1759, graduated at Harvard
College in 1777, was three years tutor there, ordained
in Salem Sept. 24, 1783, died Dec. 19, 1819, the
discourse at his funeral being preached by Professor
Edward Everett, then connected with the college at
Cambridge. The beginning of Mr. Bentley's ministry
marked the transfer of the East Church from apparent
allegiance to the theology of the Westminster Assem-
bly to that of a liberalism not yet defined, but which
later took the name of Unitarian. It cannot be said
that the new minister brought about the change, since
we have seen that the people of that church, in choos-
ing a minister, showed a preference for one of a dif-
ferent type from that of their senior pastor, even
while the latter was yet preaching to them — they
having already departed from the doctrinal faith up-
held by him. This more liberal theology, which
proved to be the nascent Xew England Unitarianism,
was, to a wide extent, "in the air," in the last quarter
of the last century, in Eastern Massachusetts, though
not yet developed into an open and systematized con-
fession of faith, nor exciting yet the opposition and
alarm which it caused in the early years of the pres-
ent century, greatly disturbing all the Congregational
Churches of New England, and dividing a considera-
ble portion of them into two polemic camps. Of the
Boston clergy, a considerable number had ceased to
hold to the creed of the New England founders. Some
were pronounced in their disaffection and dissent;
some simply refrained from teaching important parts
of the creed of Calvin and the Westminster divines.
Mayhew and Howard, of the West Church ; Chauncey
and Clarke, of the First Church; and Lathrop, of the
Second Church, who preached Mr. Bentley's ordina-
tion sermon, were well known for their liberal opin-
ions. So were Mr. Barnard, of the North Church,
and Mr. Prince of the First Church in Salem; while
the pastors of two churches of the Episcopal order in
Boston and Salem, — Rev. James Freeman, of the
King's Chapel in Boston, a friend and classmate of
Mr. Bentley, and born the same year, and Rev. Na-
thaniel Fisher, rector of St. Peter's in Salem — were
by common repute of the same general way of think-
ing.
It was with men like these that Mr. Bentley was
cl.assed theologically, if, indeed, he was not more
unorthodox than they; and this fact recommended
him the more as an acceptable candidate to the wor-
shippers in the East meeting-house. Chiefly on ac-
count of his political opinions, which were in accord
with those of the Republicans of his day, as opposed
to those of the Federalists, and on account of his
frequent and strong enforcement of these ojjinions
through the press, he was not in close and cordial
professional fellowship with his clerical brethren of
the neighborhood, they being ibr the most part Fed-
eralists. Consequently his intercliange of ])ulpit
services with them was much more restricted than it
would otherwise have been, being confined to a few.
He was an ardent patriot. On the 22d of February,
1793, he delivered an oration commemorative of the
birthday of George Washington to a very large
assembly in the North meeting-house. Again, after
the death of Washington, he was invited by the citi-
zens of Salem to pronounce a funeral oration, which
he did in the same place before a vast gathering of
people. When the UnitedStates frigate "Constitution"
was driven into Marblehead harbor by the British
cruisers Tenedos and Endymion, on Sunday, April
3, 1814, and a messenger brought the news to the
church. Dr. Bentley promptly dismissed the congre-
gation and hastened, with many of his parishioners,
to the scene of the expected attack.
Dr. Bentley was a man of broad culture, of a wide
range of reading and research, and of a catholic mind.
Thedeepand long-enduring influcncewhich heexerted
is attested by the traditions that still live among the
people of Salem, showing the authority that went with
his name and word. He did not write for ])Osterity,
but for his own time, caring little for fame. His fame
reached beyond his immediate neighborhood and out-
lasted his time, not because he planned it to be so,
but because of the powers of his large and many-sided
personality and his wealth of resources. He had
much and varied learning, had it at command, and
possessed along with it that bracing, balanced, health-
ful "common sense" which is so H)(conimon. His
heart was warm, his sympathies were quick, his hand
was always in practice, both for giving and serving.
"From all that I have learned of him," says his suc-
ces.sor. Dr. Flint, " I have conceived of him as pos-
sessed of a vigorous and brilliant intellect, — rapid and
exuberant in thought, — of great ease and fluency of
speech. — uutrammeled by the authority of names or
systems in philosophy or theology, — interpreting the
universe and the Bible fearlessly by the light, which
enlighfeneth every man that cometh into the world, — the
light of the soul, which is greater than the outward
universe, or the mere letter of the Bible." Dr. Bent-
lev never married. " Having no family ties to divide
his cares and responsibilities with his people, he made
them his family. And the aflection he manifested
for them he had the happiness to know was cordially
reciprocated by them." Once he wrote for posterity —
a " Historical Sketch of Salem," published in the
" Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society "
(vol. vi.).
Dr. Bentley's successor, just above quoted, was
Rev. James Flint, born in Reading December 10,
1779; graduated at Harvard College in 1802; ordained
over the church in Bridgewater [East Parish] Octo-
ber 29, 1806; installed pastor of the East Church, in
Salem, September 19, 1821; he died March 4, 1855.
He was the sole ministerof the East Church for thirty
44
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
years, till 1851, h-lien Rev. Dexter Clapp became his
colleague. The period of Dr. Flint's ministry was
one of steady prosperity for the society. In 1846 the
beautiful brick church, with front of free stone, was
built on what is now Washington Square (then Brown
Street), over against the southwest angle of the com-
mon. Dr. Flint was a man of scholarly tastes, had a
poetic temperament, and his graceful and vivid writ-
ing, combined with an animated and warm delivery
of his discourses, made him an attractive preacher,
welcomed always in the pulpits of his denomination,
as his presence was acceptable also on those more
public occasions which brought him before his fellow-
citizens at large.
Rev. Dexter Clapp, installed as colleague with
Dr. Flint December 17, 1851, was born July 15,
181G, in Easthampton, Mass. ; graduated at Am-
herst College, 1839, and at the Cambridge Divinity
School in 1842; was ordained pastor of the Unitarian
Church in Savannah, Ga., November 2G, 1843, and
continued in the ministry there for a few years, after
which he was settled over the Second Church in Rox-
bury (First in West Roxbury) five years. He was
minister of the East Church twelve years, till Feb-
ruary, 18G4, when he resigned on account of ill-health.
He died July 26, 1868. During his ministry in Salem
his society was united and strong. It was with sin-
cere regret that his resignation was accepted. He
was a spiritually-minded man, an earnest preacher,
and a high ideal of ministerial duty made both his
pulpit and his pastoral services acceptable and effec-
tive.
A few months after his resignation Rev. Samuel
C. Beane was called by the society to succeed him.
Mr. Beane was born December 19, 1835, in Candia,
N. H.; graduated at DartmQuth College in 1858, and
from the Cambridge Divinity School in 1861 ; ordained
in Chicopee, Mass., January 15, 1862; installed in
Salem January 1, 1865; resigned January 1, 1878;
installed in Concord, N. H., January 9,1878; resigned
May 10, 1885, since which time hu has been a mis-
sionary for Northern New England, appointed by the
American Unitarian Association. Rev. George H.
Hosmer was installed pastor of the East Church Jan-
uary 1, 1879, and resigned January 1, 1886. He was
born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 14, 1839; graduated at
the Meadville Theological School, 1866 ; ordained as
an evangelist in 1867, and after preaching in Deer-
field, Mass., some time, was installed in Bridgewater
December 17, 1868, where he remained ten j'ears. He
was installed in Neponset February 20, 1887. Rev.
William H. Ramsey, the present minister, was or-
dained October 15, 1886.
Episcopal. — St. Peler's.— The great majority of the
first settlers of Salem brought with them no love of
Episcopacy from the Old World home. John Lyford,
the well-known disturber of the peace of Plymouth,
"came hither also,'' as an associate of Roger Conaut,
and held services for a time, before Endicott and his
company came, according to the usages of the Eng-
lish Church. He was here but a short time, however,
as he went to Virginia in 1627, and died there the
same year. Of Endicott's company there were a
few — at least the two brothers Brown, John and Sam-
uel— who did uot fail in loyalty to the Church of
England. They were leading men and councillors.
When they saw in the organization of the First
Church that a new departure, amounting to a virtual
secession from the National Church, was determined
on, they, with some others of like mind, set up a sep-
arate worship after the order of the Book of Common
Prayer. When Governor Endicott summoned them
to answer for their schismatic attitude towards the
Salem Church, they persisted, " and therefore, find-
ing those two brothers to be of high spirits and their
speeches and practices tending to mutiny and faction,
the Governor told them that New England was no
place for such as they, and therefore he sent them
both back to England at the return of the ships the
same year." "This proceeding," says Palfrey, " had
first raised, and for the present issue had decided, a
question of vast magnitude. The right of the Gov-
ernor and Company of Massachusetts Bay to exclude
at their pleasure dangerous or disagreeable persons
from their domain they never regarded as questiona-
ble, any more than .a householder doubts his right to
determine who shall be the inmates of his house." '
The experiment of Episcopal worship was not tried
again with a view to permanency for a long time. To
Mr. George R. Curwen's valuable notes, which I am
kindly permitted to use, I am indebted for many in-
teresting and important facts in the history of St.
Peter's Church. He says that in 1727 Rev. George
Pigot, then rector of St. Michael's, in Marblehead,
delivered monthly lectures and administered rites of
the English Church in Salem, from which he infers
that there was an organized parish of that order here
at that time. In 1733 a church was built on " Prison
Lane" (now St. Peter's Street), and was consecrated
June 25, 1734, the land on which it stood having been
given in part for the purpose by Philip English and
his family, a pew in the church being set apart to
them as an equivalent for the rest. The gift was es-
timated at nineteen-twenty-fourths of the value of the
land, viz., ninety-five pounds, the other five-twenty-
fourths representing the estimated value of the pew,
viz., twenty-five pounds. This church had forty pews
and a tower upon its western end. It gave place to the
present Gothic stone building in 1833, which was en-
larged in 1845 and further improved not many years
since by the erection of the stone chapel annexed to
it. Rev. Charles Brockwell, a graduate of Cambridge,
England, was the first rector, entering upon his ofEce,
says Mr. Curwen, October 8, 1738. (Mr. Felt says
May 9, 1739.) November 27, 1746, he left St. Peter's,
having been appointed by the Bishop of London to
1 ' History of New England/' vol. i., p. 299,
SALEM.
45
King's Chapel, in Boston. He died August 20, 1755,
says Felt (April 20, 1755, say Osgood & Batchelder, in
sketch of Salem), at the age of tifty-nine.
Mr. Brockwell was educated at St. Catherine's Hall,
Cambridge, and wa.s appointed by the Society (in
England) for the Propagation of the Gospel in for-
eign parts, to St. Andrew's Church, in Scituate, JIass.,
but " finding neither the place nor the people to an-
swer his expectations," he removed to Salem. The
officers of the Salem Church, in applying to the So-
ciety in England for a clergyman to succeed him, in
1747, testify to his faithfulness, and speak of theirs as
"this infant, though tJourishing church."
Rev. William McGilchrist was appointed his succes-
sor. Mr. McGilchrist was born in Glasgow, Scotland,
1703 ; graduated at Baliol College, Oxford, in 1731 ;
ordained priest in 1733, and sent by the above-men-
tioned missionary society, in 1741, to Charleston,
South Carolina. After four years' service he was
obliged, by the state of his health, to return to Eng-
land. Recovering from his illness, he was appointed
to succeed Mr. Brockwell in Salem, and entered on
the duties of his office in 1747. He died in the min-
istry in Salem, April 19, 1780, aged seventy-three
years. His services seem not to have been quite con-
tinuous, however, through the thirty-four years inter-
vening between his settlement and his death. The
opposition to the English Church establishment had
not died out. The parish was not strong, though it
gradually increased until 1761, when it was found
necessary to add twenty feet to the length of the
church building. It was not without difficulty, however,
that, in the face of popular odium and legal ban, the
small congregation upheld its standard. In 1777 the
revolutionary spirit was impatient and intolerant.
The Legislature passed a law prohibiting the reading
of the Episcopal service under heavy penalties.
Later, however, the service was reinstated by the
rector. From 1771 to December, 1774, Rev. Robert
B. Nichols, a native of the West Indies, educated at
Queen's College, Oxford, was an assistant to Mr. Mc-
Gilchrist. He was afterwards a chaplain in the
British army, and became still later dean of Middle-
ham, England.
Rev. Nathaniel Fisher was the next rector. He was
born in Dedhara July 8, 1742. The mother of Fisher
Ames, the distinguished statesman and orator, was his
sister. Mr. Fisher graduated at Harvard College in
1763, taught a school in Granville, near Annapolis,
Nova Scotia, under the patronage of an English mis-
sionary society, soon after the Revolutionary War be-
gan. In 1777 he went to London, and was there or-
dained a priest by the celebrated Dr. Robert Liwth,
Bishop of London, and was licensed on the 25th of
September of that year as assistant to Rev. Mr.
Wood, of Annapolis, and continued after the death of
Mr. Wood, which occurred the following year, in
charge of his mission in Annapolis and Granville,
till the close of the vear 1781. On his return to Mas-
sachusetts at that time he was invited to Saint Peter's
Church, Salem, and entered upon his duties there,
February 24, 1782. His ministry in Salem extended
over a period of thirty years, and closed only with
his life, on Sunday, December 20, 1812. Mr. Fisher
became a man of leading influence in the Episcopal
Church in Massachusetts, being active in the early
years of his ministry in measures for the organization
of that church in Massachusetts and parts adjacent,
and was held in high respect by the clergy and laity.
He was a man of independent mind and action, more
than once casting a solitary vote in conventions of
the Episcopal Church on important questions coming
before them, when his voice alone broke the other-
wise unanimous decision. He was a man of strongly-
marked traits of character, " and very decided and
fixed in his prejudices, which he took no pains to
conceal." His demeanor, says his successor, Rev.
Charles Mason, was somewhat stern, but he was a
man of generous feelings and habits. In person he
was strongly built and of a large frame. His consti-
tution was vigorous, and remained firm till his death.
In the preface to a volume of his sermons published
several years after his death, it is observed that " to
clearness of apjirehension the author joined a spright-
ly imagination, which was exercised with care and
modesty, and contributed equally to illustrate and en-
liven his sentiments. This, as well as the other
faculties of his mind, was regulated and enlivened by
a devoted study of the ancient classics, which, to the
latest period of his life, he read with the ardor of a
true scholar.''
" In regard to these sermons," says Rev. Mr. Jla-
son, " it may be proper to add that while they contain
earnest and impressive appeals to the heart and con-
science, especially those which the author last wrote,
— we find in them no clear and distinctive instruc-
tion upon the great orthodox doctrines of the church.
They convey, indeed, no positive doubt in regard to
any of these doctrines, but are deficient in such defi-
nite statements as would show that the writer firmly
and heartily maintained them. It is possible that
they may not do entire justice to their author in this
respect, and that the preferences of the editor, who is
supposed to be a friend who afterwards joined the
ranks of the Unitarian denomination, may have in-
sensibly biased his judgment in the selection." The
person referred to as having edited the volume of ser-
mons was pr ibably the late Joseph Story, one of the jus-
tices of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Judge Story was a devoted friend and parishioner of
Mr. Fisher, and to his pen is attributed a highly ap-
preciative obituary notice of his pastor, which ap-
peared in the Salem Gazette of December 25, 1812.
At the time of Mr. Fisher's death the congregation
worshipping in Saint Peter's Church was in a very fee-
blecondition. Thecommercial misfortunes and restric-
tions that led the way to the War of 1812 had operated
disastrously upon the town, and especially upon the
46
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Episcopal Society. The clergy of the town, of various
denominations, severally in turn, supplied the pulpit
of the church through a series of Sundays succeeding
Mr. Fisher's death. The ministry of Mr. Fisher was
followed by that of Rev. Thomas Carlile, who first
officiated as lay reader, and after ordination entered
upon the duties of rector January 22, 1817. He was
born in Providence, R. I., January 12, 1792, and
graduated at Brown University, 1809. His ministry
was eminently useful to the parish, raising it from
the low condition in which he found it to a position
of comparative prosperity. He resigned the rector-
ship October 6, 1822, and died in Providence March
28, 1824.
Rev. Henry W. Ducachet, who followed Mr. Car-
lile, was born February 7, 1797, in South Carolina.
He was educated at Princeton, studied medicine and
practiced as a physician some years in Baltimore and
New York. Changing his profession for that of the
ministry, he first served St. Peter's Parish, as lay
reader, in 1823, and for a i-hort time as rector, after
ordination as a priest. He resigned December 5,
1825, and removed to Norfolk, Virginia.
Rev. Thomas W. Coit, the next rector, was born in
New London, Conn., June 28, 180.3, graduated at Yale
College, 1821, was settled in Salem July 16, 182U, re-
signed March 22, 1829, and became rector of Christ
Church, Cambridge, Mass. • He died in Middletovvn,
Conn., June 21, 1885. His ministry in Salem, though
short, was very useful to the parish. He was highly
esteemed in the Episcopal Church, and wrote vigor-
ously in defense of churchmen, as against the Puri-
tans.
The St. Peter's Parish was much disheartened
when Mr. Coit left them, but entered into a corre-
spondence with Rev. Alexander V. Griswold, bishop
of the Eastern Diocese, and then rector of St. Mi-
chael's Church, in Bristol, R. I., which resulted in
his coming to Salem to take the pastoral charge of
St. Peter's, which he did December 24, 1829. He
continued in the office till June 26, 1834, when he re-
moved to Boston. Mr. Gri.swold was born in Sims-
bury, Conn., April 22, 1766, and died February 15,
1843. He was widely known and universally esteemed
through Eastern M;issachusetts for his personal vir-
tues and his exemplary simplicity, dignity and fidel-
ity in the responsible ofiice to whose duties he was
devoted. During the ministry of Bishop Griswold
the new stone church was built, his last official act
being its consecration.
Rev. John A. Vaughan was Bishop Griswold's
s^uccessor. He entered upon his duties June 26,
1834. Mr. Vaughan graduated at Bowdoin College
in 1815, and resigned the Salem rectorship in 1836.
Rev. Charles Mason followed him, being inducted
into the ministry in Salem May 31, 1837. Mr.
Mason wa-s a son of Jeremiah Mason, the eminent
lawyer; was born in Portsmouth, N. H., July 25,
1812; graduated at Harvard College, 1832. Dur-
ing his ministry the church was enlarged by a chan-
cel and vestry-room. The congregation increased
and there was growing strength and constant
union in the parish. Mr. Mason resigned May 30,
1847, and became rector of Grace Church, Boston, in
which office he continued until his death, March 23,
1862.
Rev. William R. Babcock came to the vacant
rectorship April 30, 1848, and resigned April 18,
1853. He was born in Westerly, R. I., March 28,
1814 ; graduated at Brown University, 1837. From
Salem he removed to Natchez, Miss. Rev. George
Leeds succeeded him in the St. Peter's rectorship
September 4, 1853, and resigned April 8, 1860. He
was born in Dorchester, Mass., October 25, 1816. Mr.
Leeds removed from Salem to Philadelphia, and died
there April 15, 1885.
Rev. William Rawlins Pickman was the next
rector. He took charge of the parish October
7, 1860, and left it in 1865. There was a serious
interruption, in the course of his ministry, to the
harmony which had existed before, and the agita-
tion did not cease while he continued in office.
Rev. James O. Scripture succeeded Mr. Pickman in
November, 1865. He was born June 26, 1839 ; gradu-
ated at Dartmouth College, 1860, and died August 9,
1868, having officiated in all the usual services, in-
cluding the communion, at St. Peter's Church, the
Sunday next preceding his death. He died sincerely
mourned by his warmly attached and suddenly be-
reaved congregation. From May 1, 1870, to March 28,
1875, Rev. Edward M. Gushee filled the rectorship of
St. Peter's, having been previously settled over St.
Paul's Church in Wallingford, Conn. From Salem
he removed to Cambridge, Mass., and is in charge of
a church in that city. In 1872, during the ministry
of Rev. Mr. Gushee, the stone chapel was erected in
rear of the church. The pre-ent rector of St. Peter's,
Rev. Charles Arey, D.D., commenced his services in
Salem September 26, 1875. He came to Salem from
St. John's Church in Buffalo, N. Y. He was born in
Wellfleet, Mass., August 22, 1822.
Tabernacle Chuech. — The Tabernacle Church
is next in age among the churches of Salem. The
causes of its origin have been already mentioned,
in part, in the story of the First. Church, to which the
reader is referred. In 1735 the disaffection in the
First Church towards Rev. Samuel Fisk, its minister,
came to a crisis, as has been stated, in his exclusion
from the pulpit of that church, and his withdrawal
with a majority of its members : Dr. Worcester says,
"three-fourths, at least, of the church and society;''
the remaining members, in their petition calling for a
meeting for reorganization, assert that the late minister
" was dismissed by a major part of the brethren of the
church of the First Parish, qualified by law to act in
that matter." The preacherof the first Centennial Dis-
course says that neither the day nor the month can
be ascertained when Mr. Fisk and his friends deter-
SALEM.
47
mined to establish themselves upon aseparate founda-
tion, or when they consummated their determination
by any formal process. In inquiring for the birth-
day of this, the " Third," or Tabernacle Church, I in-
cline to fix on May 4, 1735, as its probable date.
This church conceived of itself a.s having had a con-
tinuous life and identity with the church of li320.
It was not till the 23d of May, 1763, that, by a formal
vote, it relinquished the title of the First Church and
assumed that of the Third Church. But its date of
actual beginning may be assumed to be the first time
it assembled after its expulsion from the meeting-
house of the First Church. If the exclusion was, as
the record says, on the 27th of April, 173o, there can
be no doubt that the congregation met somewhere,
probably enough at the house of Joseph Orne, the
next Sunday, which would be May 4, 1735. They
soon began the building of a new meeting-house,
which was coni])leled in 1736. It will be remembered
that they first placed it too near the house of the old
parish, "only twelve perches and eleven feet" from
it, and that the General Court ordered it to be re-
moved to a limit "not nearer to the other than forty
perches." This house stood nearly upon the site of
the Perley Block, and was completed early in 173(5.
In 1744 Mr. Fisk asked for a colleague. The
confidence felt at first in his leadership and in the
wisdom of the step taken in separating from the mother
church, had begun to wane. Some correspondence
was had with that church relative to an accommoda-
tion. No agreement could be reached. Rev. Dudley
Leavitt was called to be colleague with Mr. Fisk. He
declined to take the office of colleague pastor, but, it
was understood, might consider an invitation to be-
come sole pastor. August 12, 1745, the congregation
voted that Mr. Fisk be discharged from ecclesiastical
relations with the society ; the church had taken simi-
lar action twf) weeks before. The way being now
considered open for Mr. Leavitt's settlement, the call
to him was renewed and accepted, and he was or-
dained October 23, 1745, not, however, peacefully.
Mr. Fisk's friends were present at the time and place
appointed in sufficient force to interrupt the public
services and prevent the orderly proceedings of the
ceremony. Those who had come together to settle
the new minister retired from the tumultuous scene
to a neighboring garden, where, under the shelter of
a tree, the service of ordination took place. Mr. Lea-
vitt died, sincerely lamented, February 7, 1762. The
society prospered during his mini^try. The church,
says Mr. Worcester, became "more Calvinistic" un-
der his preaching. Mr. Leavitt was born in Stratham,
N. H., in 1720, and graduated at Harvard College in
1739. That his influence was marked in calming the
troubled waters of controversy, that his mind was
large and his spirit catholic, and that the impression
made by his labors was deep and lasting, is shown by
the fact that the church which had been led by his
counsels not onlv surrendered its claim to the title of
First Church, soon after his death, but voted to take,
in affectionate commemoration of him, the title of
"The Church of which Rev. Dudley Leavitt was late
Pastor." It kept this name from August 2, 1762, to
May 23, 1763, when it voted to assume the name of
the "Third Church."
Mr. John Huntington was ordained successor of
Mr. Leavitt Sei)tember 28, 1763, but lived less than
three years from his ordination, dying May 30, 1766
at the early age of thiry years. He was born in Xor-
wich. Conn., iu 1736, and graduated at Harvard Col-
lege in 1763.
The next ministry was that of Rev. Jvathaniel
AVhitaker, D.D., which continued for fourteen or
fifteen mostly stormy years. He was settled July
28, 1769, and his connection with the society was
dissolved February 24, 1784. He made some un-
usual conditious as preliminary to his acceptance
of the society's invitation to Salem. The cus-
tomary services of installation were not to be ob-
served. Certain articles of agreement between him-
self and the church must be adopted, changing ma-
terially the method of church government and organ-
ization from that usual with Congregational Churches
making it essentially Presbyterian. He afterwards
endeavored to bring the church formally into connec-
tion with the Boston Presbytery. He was himself a
Presbyterian. With a view to substitute some equiv-
alent for the omitted installation service, he proposed
that the Rev. Messrs. Diman, Barnard and Holt, neigh-
boring ministers, should be invited to be present " as
friends to the society and the common cause of relig-
ion." This was done, and the ministers invited re-
turned an answer declining the invitation, not wish-
ing to countenance proceedings which they character-
ized as "irregular," and remonstrating against the
course taken, though in an entirely friendly spirit.
The church was prepared to comi)ly with all requisi-
tions made by the pastor-elect. He was a man of
popular gifts; his preaching was much admired. He
was energetic, active, inclined to assume power and to
take control in whatever matters engaged his interest.
The conditions of the union between pastor and people
had not been very distinctly drawn. The church
under the blinding glamours produced by the i>rciich-
er's brilliancy, accepted everything, and soon awoke
to the fact that they were entangled in the meshes of
various concessions not well defined, opening doors to
misunderstanding and contentions which in due time
ripened into open and bitter strife. On the 6th of
October, 1774, the meeting-house of the society was
burned. At this time those who had been pushing a
resolute opposition to Dr. Whittaker withdrew and
organized the church now known as the South
Church. Reports unfavorable to Dr. Whittaker's
character had been in circulation, and the secession
of those who had withdrawn did not bring peace.
The attendance upon his ministrations fell olf, and
after long and persistent efforts to accomplish the end.
48
HISTOKY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the society relieved itself of its discredited pastor and
of Presbyterianism, and resumed its place among the
Congregational Churches of the town.
After the burning of the first meeting-house the
society built a new one on the corner of Washington
and what was then Marlborough (now Federal) Streets,
the site of the present church. The new church was
built in 1776, though not Supplied with pews until the
following year. The society was not in a condition to
make the building of it easy, or to bring it promptly
to completion. When dedicated, it was, says Dr. Wor-
cester, without galleries, without pulpit and without
even plastering upon the walls. Being modeled after
Whitfield's London Tabernacle, the building, and
from it the church and congregation took, in the pop-
ular speech, its name, which in time was adopted by
the society, though without any definite action au-
thorizing it. The close of Dr. Whittaker's ministry,
in 1784, was in striking contrast with its imposing
beginning. His friends were few, he had no regular
salary, his parish was weak, his fame tarnished. He
was born in Long Island, N. Y., February 22, 1732,
graduated at Princeton College, 1752, and died Janu-
ary 21, 1795, in Virginia.
Rev. Joshua Spaulding followed him. He was
ordained October 26, 1785. The society recovered
its strength under his ministry, and for a time
prospered. The meeting-house, having added pul-
pit and galleries, was finished and furnished. Mr.
Spaulding, says Mr. Worcester, was a man of un-
questioned piety, " but the vehemence and pungency
with which he preached the distinguishing doctrines
of grace often inflamed the enmity of the carnal
mind," and tended to make him " less popular." En-
gaging also in political controversy, both with pen
and voice, and finally asserting his own right, as pas-
tor, " to negative the votes of the church," he brought
upon himself finally a warm and determined counter-
action of his measures, within his church, and was led
to ask a dismission, which took place April 23, 1802.
He did not cease to minister to a portion of his flock,
however, as those who disapproved of the action of
the society in dismissing him withdrew with him
from the church and organized " the Branch," or
Howard Street Church, of which more is to be said in
its place. Mr. Spaulding was born in Killingly, Conn.,
graduated at Dartmouth College, 1786, resigned the
pastorship of the Branch Church May 4, 1814, and
died September 26, 1825, at the age of si.\ty-five years.
The next minister, the fifth in the ministerial line of
the Tabernacle Church, was Rev. Samuel Worcester,
D.D. He was installed pastor of the Tabernacle
Church in Salem, April 20, 1803, and continued in
the oflSce till his death, June 7, 1821. His ministry
covered a period of great religious activity, in and out
of his church, in which he bore a conspicuous part.
The Unitarian controversy, which divided many of the
principal Congregational Churches of Eastern Massa-
chusetts, was at its height. Dr. Worcester was a promi-
nent champion on the orthodox side, and wrote in
opposition to Dr. Channing, especially in review of
the sermon preached by Dr. Channing at the ordina-
tion of Mr. John Emery Abbot over the North
Church in Salem, April 20, 1815. He was an active
promoter of the organization of the American Board
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, in 1810, and
became its corresponding secretary. In his church
the first missionaries to India were ordained and com-
missioned on the 6th of February, 1812. His influ-
ence extended widely beyond his society, and was
strong and deep within it. His labors outside his
church became so weighty and engrossing that a col-
league was settled in 1819, that his connection with
his people might continue, though only a part of his
time and strength could be devoted to their service.
The meeting-house underwent no little change during
these years. In 1804 it lost its dome and belfry in a
tempest. The next year a steeple was built upon its
front, changing it materially from its original tent-
like form. Mr. Worcester was born in Hollis, N. H.,
November 1, 1770, graduated at Dartmouth College,
1795, and had been five years pastor of a church in
Fitchburg before his settlement in Salem. He was a
younger brother of Noah Worcester, the " apostle of
peace," and the author of " Bible News " and some
other important contributions to the Trinitarian con-
troversy, upon the Unitarian side.
The colleague settled wi;h Dr. Worcester, July 21,
1819, was Mr. Elias Cornelius, a native of Somers,
N. Y., born July 31, 1794, graduated at Yale College
1813, dismissed from the Tabernacle Church December
22, 1826, to take a position in the service of the Amer-
ican Education Society. He died February 12, 1832.
His parish esteemed him an able and devoted man,
and regretted his departure. February 14, 1827,
John P. Cleaveland succeeded him. Mr. Cleaveland
was born in Rowley July 19, 1799, graduated at
Bowdoin College, 1821, was dismissed from the Tab-
ernacle Church May 14, 1834.
His successor, the eighth in the pastoral line,
was Rev. Samuel Melanchthon Worcester, son of
Rev. Samuel, chronicled above as the fifth in
the line. He was born in Fitchburg, September
4, 1801 ; graduated at Harvard College, 1822 ;
from 1823 to 1834 professor in Amlierst Col-
lege ; settled in Salem December 3, 1834 ; resigned
January 31, 1860; died August 16, 1866. His tastes,
though scholarly, and his training, though directed to
service in the church, did not limit his sympathies
and activities to scholastic or ecclesiastical lines. He
was a true patriot and took a profound interest in the
national crisis which the country passed through in
the years from 1860 to 1865. He had represented
the town of Amherst, the city of Salem and Essex
County in the State Legislature. His orthodoxy was
stanch and positive, but his spirit was genial and
kind, and his bearing was courteous and friendly with
all.
/^A/VHj>^/l^
SALEM.
49
A new church — the present building — was erected
in 1854, on or near the site of the old, and a large
new chapel, of two stories, was built in its rear and
in connection with it, in 1868, — the ample size and
commodiousness of theae buildings attesting the
prosperity of the society, and the largeness of the
wants they were designed to meet.
Mr. Charles Ray Palmer was ordained pastor of the
church August 29, 18(50, and dismissed June 13, 1872.
Mr. Palmer was born in New Haven, Conn., May 2,
1834 ; graduated at Yale College, 1855, and, after his
dismission from the Tabernacle Church, became the
pastor of a church in Bridgeport, Conn. From June,
1872 to Dec. 31, 1873, the church was without a pastor.
On the last-named date Rev. Hiram B. Putnam was
installed. His health failed, causing him to seek a
dismission, which took place March 15, 1877. Mr.
Putnam was born in Danvers January 27, 1840;
graduated at Amherst College, 18G0, and had been
settled over a church in West Concord, N. H.,
before his installation in Salem. Rev. De Witt S.
Clark, the present pastor of the church, wa.s installed
January 15, 1879. He was born in Chicopee, Mass.,
September 11, 1841 ; graduated at Amherst College,
1863, and had been pastor of a church in Clinton,
Mass., before his settlement in Salem.
North Church. — On the 3d of ^March, 1772,
The Proprietors of the Xorfh Meeting Houae organized
themselves into a religious society with the above
title, in the Salem Town Hall. They had been mem-
bers of the First Parish; there were forty-three. On
the 19th of July of the same year, fifty-two persons,
having received a dismission from the First Church on
the 16th of May preceding, met at the house of Ben-
jamin Pickman, on Essex Street, opposite St. Peter's
Street, constituted themselves a church, which they
afterwards voted should be called the North Church.
This secession from the First Parish grew out of a
disagreement in the choice of a minister. In 1770 the
highly-esteemed minister of the First Church, Rev.
Thomas Barnard, became disabled by paralysis, and
his people looked for a colleague. Thomas Barnard,
Jr., a son of the pastor, who had a little before com-
pleted his preparation for the ministry, supplied hia
father's pulpit for some months, and about half of the
society earnestly desired his settlement as colleague
pastor. A small majority preferred another man,
who, after much delay, was called and ordained. The
disappointed friends of the younger Barnard were
unwilling to give him up, and organized the new
(North) society, as above related. A site for a
meeting-house had been selected and purchased on
the 14th of February, 1772, on the corner of Lynde
and North Streets, on the western line of what
was early known as " Sharpe's Training-Field." This
meeting-house was first opened for public worship
August 23, 1772, though not nearly completed. After
occupying it three Sundays, the proprietors deter-
mined to add side-galleries, not originally contem-
4
plated in the plan of the building committee. It
was not considered finished till nearly five months
after the society began to meet in it. It was a house
of large capacity, and was on that account much re-
sorted to for civic celebrations on tlie Fourth of July,
and on other public days, for many years. Thomas
Barnard, Jr., was ordained January 13, 1773, and
continued in the pastoral office till October 1, 1814,
the day of his death. He came of a ministerial an-
cestry. His father, an uncle, a grandfather, a great-
grandfather had all been preachers ; nor does this
roll completely sum up the clerical kinsmen descended
from the American progenitor. Rev. Francis Barnard
of Hadley. Thomas Barnard, Jr., was born in New-
bury, February 5, 1748 ; graduated at Harvard College,
1766, and studied theology with Dr. Williams, of
Bradford, afterwards professor at Harvard College.
The North Society suffered in common with other
churches during the Revolutionary War. Mr. Barn-
ard at first leaned to the side of the Royalists, and a
considerable number of his leading parishioners
were pronounced Loyalists, including several who
quit the country. He turned to the Whig side, how-
ever, before long, and was afterwards steadfast in
that way. Though but a young man, he made him-
self prominent at the North Bridge, when Colonel
Leslie, the British officer, came at the head of three
hundred men from Marblehead, for guns supposed
to be collected and deposited on the other side of the
North River. He bore himself with dignity and firm-
ness that day, albeit as a pacificator of the roused
passions ready to burst into a flame. He has the
credit of counseling the compromise which saved
bloodshed, and led to the turning back of the King's
troops, leaving the object of the expedition unac-
complished.
Dr. Barnard's long ministry justified the loyalty
of his early friends. He was broad-minded, wise and
catholic in spirit, effective as a preacher, genial and
trustworthy as a friend and a pastor, fond of chil-
dren, and the society was united and prosperous
through his ministry. As a scholar he stood well
among the scholarly. He was held in such honor
among the preachers of his day, and was of such repu-
tation in the churches and in the State, as to be often
sought to preach on days of general public conven-
tion, both ecclesiastical and other. Among the able
pulpit leaders of thought in a highly intelligent com-
munity, and at a time when theological inquiry was
exciting great interest, and becoming more free and
earnest, he held an eminent place, held it long, and
at the close of his forty years and more of service,
his influence showed no sign of waning. In his theo-
logical opinions he belonged to the liberal school, and
so educated his congregation that they elected a Uni-
tarian to succeed him with hearty unanimity.
That successor was John Emery Abbot, son of
the distinguished head of Phillips Academy, in
Exeter, N. H., Dr. Benjainiti .\bbot. Mr. Ab-
50
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
hot was born at Exeter August 6, 1793, graduated
at Bowdoin College 1810, and pursued his professional
studies partly at Cambridge, under the direction of
Dr. Henry Ware, Sr.; and partly with Dr. Wil-
liam Ellery Channing, of Boston, who preached at
his ordination as minister of the North Church,
April 20, 1815. The sermon of Dr. Channing on this
occasion produced a deep and wide-spread impression,
and was followed by strictures and controversial
arguments against its positions from the pen of Dr.
Samuel Worcester, of the Tabernacle Church, in
Salem. Mr. Abbot, not yet twenty-two years of age,
taking charge of this large society, and giving him-
self with great devotion to the studies and labors
incidental to a position so exacting and responsible,
broke down in health within two years. Rest and
travel brought only temporary and partial alleviation
to his illness, and he died at his father's house in
Exeter October 7, 1819. Though his ministry was
so short, it left a lasting influence. Mr. Abbot
was a good scholar and a conscientious student. But
his highest power lay in a soul of deep religious sen-
sibility, a character of rare purity and loftiness of
aim, and a consecrated fidelity.
Mr. John Brazer succeeded him. His ordination
took place November 14, 1820. Mr. Brazer was
born in Worcester, Mass., September 21, 1789, grad-
uated at Harvard College 1813, was appointed tutor
in Greek in the college 1815, and from 1817 to
1820 was tutor in Latin. His ministry in Salem
ended with bis life, February 26, 1846. In Jan-
uary, 1846, he left his home in Salem for a milder
climate, his health requiring rest and change; and
he died at the plantation of his friend and class-
mate. Dr. Benjamin Huger, on Cooper River, near
Charleston, S. C. Dr. Brazer was of a sensitive
and nervous temperament, which made him seem
reserved, almost shy, to many, but he was a friend
of the poor, and a minister of comfort to the sorrow-
ing. Conservative by nature, he was a preacher of
commanding power, clear and logical in thought,
grave and dignified in manner, serious and searching
in bringing truth home to the conscience. For the
twenty-five years and more of his ministry he held
one of the largest and most intelligent congregations
in Massachusetts in close and united attendance upon
his services. During all this period the society was
in a condition of the highest prosperity. It was
during the ministry of Dr. Brazer that the present
stone church was built on Essex Street. The ques-
tion of building was some time in agitation. The
project was not finally approved by all. But the
majority having decided upon it, the corner-stone
was laid May 16, 1835, and the church was dedicated
June 22, 1836. It was finished at first perfectly
plain in its interior, with white walls. In 1847 it
was completely changed within, and assumed its
present appearance, under the direction of the late
Francis Peabody, Esq.
Mr. Octavius Brooks Frothingbam was ordained
successor to Dr. Brazer March 10, 1847. He was
born in Boston November 26, 1822, graduated at
Harvard College 1843, resigned his charge in Salem
April 9, 1855, and was installed pastor of a newly-
gathered Unitarian Society in Jersey City, N. J.,
September 11, 1855. The year following he re-
moved to the city of New York and became the
minister of the Third Unitarian Society in that city,
where for many years he was widely known as an
eloquent expositor of so-called "radical" religious
thought. Leaving this position in somewhat im-
paired health, Mr. Frothingham, after a period of
travel and rest, has taken up his residence in Boston.
Mr. Frothingham's ministry in the North Society
produced some results worthy of notice. In the first
years of it his theological views and his ideal of
the ministerial aim were in closest accord with those
of his hearers. They were what were termed, in the
phrase of the day, conservative. But a change came
— by the fault of nobody. The minister was in
earnest in the pursuit of truth. It led him, in time,
to conclusions which modified materially his pulpit
utterances. Some persons who could not change
with him no longer enjoyed bis ministrations as
before. But we have to notice that an important edu-
cation went on under this experience of listening
to teachings in themselves not welcome, not accepted,
but heard with respectful attention, because of the
recognized ability and sincerity of the preacher. It
gave the society broader sympathies, a more fear-
less spirit of inquiry, and a tolerant, self-possessed
and catholic mind towards all forms of honest thought.
A habit of candid hearing grew ; novel and unaccept-
able teachings were heard with patience ; the mind
was not thrown off its balance by hearing its cher-
ished opinions arraigned or denied. During the min-
istry of Mr. Frothingham the society built its vestry,
in the summer of 1853.
Rev. Charles Lowe succeeded Mr. Frothingham.
Mr. Lowe was born in Portsmouth, N. H., Novem-
ber 18, 1828, graduated at Harvard College 1847,
was tutor in Greek and Latin in the college 1850-51,
ordained colleague pastor with Rev. John Weiss,
in New Bedford, July 28, 1852, resigned in 1854,
on account of ill-health, installed minister of the
North Church, Salem, September 27, 1855, and re-
signed July 28, 1857, as before, on account of ill
health. On the 28th of May, 1859, he was in-
stalled minister of the Congregational (Unitarian)
Church in Somerville, and after a ministry of nearly
six years, was once more compelled by the state of
his health to resign. With a partial regaining of his
health there came, as was always sure to come with
returning strength, a desire of active service, and he
gave several years of etBcient administration to the
American Unitarian Association, as its secretary, be-
sides editing for a time the Unitarian Review. Mr.
Lowe died June 20, 1874.
1 "^
5.' -"^ -^3-^
\~~~
UX^-7r\_
SALEM.
51
The present minister of the North Society is Rev.
Edmund B. Willson, who was installed June 5, 1859.
He was born in Petersham, Mass., August 15, 1820,
was a little while in Yale College, and graduated at
the Cambridge Divinity School, 1843, ordained in
Grafton, Mass., January 3, 1844, installed in West
Roxbury July 18, 1852.
South Church. — Mention has been made of a di-
vision in the Third (now known as the Tabernacle)
Church, in 1774, growing out of dissatisfaction with
Dr. Whitaker, and a secession or dismission of some
thirty-eight members has been noticed as having
taken place after the church was burned. Those
withdrawing purchased the Assembly House, as it
was called, built in 1766, which stood on the site of
the present vestry of the South Church, and estab-
lished public worship there. They organized a
church, which an ecclesiastical council, so far as such
a council was empowered to confer and confirm a
title, authorized to take the name of the Third Church.
An issue was made later as to its right to do so. It
was argued that not even an ecclesiastical council
has retroactive power to alter facts, or to enact that
a misrepresentation shall have the force of truth ; that
this was not made the Third Church in Salem by a
declaration that such should be its name. There was
a Third Church of the Congregational order (chrono-
logically), and this was not it. We must suppose that
the church worshipping in Cambridge Street considered
itself, on some ground or other, as having come right-
fully into pos8es.sion of the title which its mother
church, Dr. Whitaker's, had enjoyed, but had now
forfeited. It can hardly claim that, by reason of
Dr. Whitaker's or the church's defection from Con-
gregationalism to Presbyterianism, the title of the
Third Church had lapsed or become a disused and un-
claimed waif, which any cliurch might pick up and
appropriate at will. If the transfer of Dr. Whita-
ker's church to the Presbyterian body, real or quasi,
had broken the line of descent, it surely had broken
it as fatally for the daughter church as for the
mother. If Dr. Whitaker's church was not the
Third Church, there was none, or the North Church
wa.s that, for the North Church was organized in
1772. If the church worshipping on Cambridge
Street was the Third Church, what was that church
still existing under the ministry of Dr. Whitaker?
It was not extinct. Had the withdrawing portion of
the society conveyed away with it the entire and
identical body, of which it had been but a member —
a part? and could it assert its lineal and unbroken de-
scent from Rev. Samuel Fisk's church? It seems
to do so. What did this withdrawal of the aggrieved
do to Dr. Whitaker's church ecclesiastically, legally,
or as simple fact? Here it is to-day, under whatever
name, the same church that has had a continuous
life from 1735 to this year of grace.
Such has been the general line of argument and
statement pursued by those who have questioned the
historical truth of that name adopted by the church
of the South Society in February, 1775. We do not
see how it is to be answered. There w-as one more
church in Salem after February 14, 1775, than there
had been before. Can there be any question which
one began at that time, or that, in fact, the church
of the South Society was the new one, whose ex-
istence dates from that time ?
The meeting-house of the Third Church, on Essex
Street, was burned on the 6th of October, 1774.
The dismissed members and those who joined
them iu the new enterprise had their purchased
house of worship ready for occupation on the 18th
of December following. The church was, in the
phrase of its own preference, "recognized" by a
council called for that purpose, February 14, 1775,
and this may be taken, in our judgment, as the date
of the beginning of the church's independent exist-
ence. The society called itself the Third Congrega-
tional Society till March 15, 1805, when it was incor-
porated under the title of " The Proprietors of the
New South Meeting-house," on entering its new (the
present) meeting-house on Chestnut Street. This
house, built in 1804, was dedicated January 1, 1805.
It was remodeled and renewed throughout in its
interior in 1860, but its fine exterior architectural
forms and proportions were preserved unchanged.
The first minister was Mr. Daniel Hopkins, a younger
brother of Dr. Samuel Hopkins, of Newport, R. I.,
the famed theologian and founder of a school of
diviuity well known in the beginning of the cen-
tury. He was born in Waterbury, Conn., October
16,1734, graduated at Yale College, 1758, and taught
a school for young ladies in Salem from 1766 to
1778, this being " the first school for the exclusive
instruction of young ladies ever instituted in Salem,
and taught by a gentleman." While teaching he
preached as opportunity offered. He was ordained
November 18, 1778, and his ministry continued till
his death, December 14, 1814, he having the assist-
ance of a colleague from 1805. Mr. Hopkins pos-
sessed some of the traits of his more distinguished
brother.. They were both more than ministers, warm
patriots, and did good service for their country dur-
ing the Revolutionary crisis. Mr. Hopkins, of New-
port, was a resolute foe to slavery ; the Salem brother
was a forward advocate of independence. He was a
member of the Provincial Congress in 1775, and in
1778 was elected a member of the Council of the Con-
ventional government. His theological views were
in substantial accord with his brother's. His sermons
were not written beyond a mere outline. " The doc-
trines he preached," says his son-in-law and colleague,
Mr. Emerson, "and the plain, direct and pungent
manner in which he presented them, procured for
him warm friends and bitter enemies. Such was the
opposition awakened against hiui, that a committee,
consisting of some of the most influential men in
the town, waited upon him at his residence, and made
52
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
a formal and earnest request that, for the peace of
the community, he would leave the town. . . .
With characteristic shrewdness, he closed his eyes,
smoothed down his face and mildly said, ' Gentle-
men, I smoke my own tobacco.' The committee
withdrew and gave him no further trouble." At the
same time that he is described as giving offense by the
severity and point of his preaching, enforced, too,
with the vigor of a man of strong native talent, he
is said to have been of a kind and amiable disposition,
affable and courteous in social intercourse, his con-
versation marked by good sense and pleasantry.
April 24, 1805, shortly after entering the new meet-
ing-house, Mr. Brown Emerson was ordained "col-
league pastor, and commenced a ministry of the re-
markable length of sixty-seven years, ending with
his life, July 25, 1872. During thirty-five of these
years he was sole pastor, having been for the first
nine years the junior pastor with Dr. Hopkins, and
the last twenty-three years the senior pastor with two
juniors, successively. Rev. Mr. Dwinell and Rev. Mr.
Atwood. For the last fifteen or twenty years of his life
his participation in the duties of the ministerial
office was slight and infrequent, and for a few years
had ceased altogether. He was born at Ashby,
Mass., January 8, 1778, and graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1802. The union and strength in which
the society maintained itself, while he ministered to
it, best attest the quality of the man. In the days
of his highest vigor and fullest activity he was a
preacher acceptable to his hearers, and fulfilled the
duties of his office to the satisfaction of those who
attended upon his ministry.
Mr. Israel E. Dwinell was ordained colleague with
Mr. Emerson November 22, 1849, and resigned on ac-
count of loss of health in 1863, and removed to Cali-
fornia, in whose more genial climate he has filled a
pastorate of many years in Sacramento, and since, for
some years, a professorship in the Theological Sem-
inary in Oakland, California. He was born in East
Calais, Vermont, October 24, 1820, and graduated at
Burlington, Vermont, in 1843. Rev. Edward S. At-
wood succeeded Mr. Dwinell and is the present pas-
tor of the church. He was born in Taunton, Massa-
chusetts, June 4, 1833, graduated at Brown University
in 1852, and was installed in Salem October 13, 1864.
He had been pastor of a church in Grantville (now
Wellesley Hills) previous to his settlement in Salem.
Branch Church (or Howard Street). — It
has appeared more than once in these annals
that the Puritans did not leave behind them,
on quitting England and its church establishment,
the elements of dissent and causes of division.
From every form of dissent dissenters were sure
in time to arise ; and if doctrines afforded no pre-
text for non-conformity, administration did. Some-
times voluntarily, sometimes upon compulsion, the
division took place, only to be followed by sub-divi-
sion. The multiplication of churches came ofteuer
from explosive forces within, producing cleavage,
than from the requirements of increasing population.
Each portion, majority and minority, seoeders and
seceded-from, kept in itself its proportion of the seeds
of separatism. Separatists who had once tried non-con-
formity and self-exile had had a lesson and an experi-
ence which rendered a repetition of the experiment by
them the more probable and the more easy. Sometimes
the pastor headed the exiles, as did Rev. Sam'l Fisk, lea-
ving the church without a pastor ; sometimes the pastor
drove a restive portion of the flock into the wilderness
without a shepherd, as in the case of the thirty-eight
brethren and sisters of Dr. Whitaker's church. And
now again, in 1803, from this same church goes out
the minister. Rev. Joshua Spaulding, leading forth
such as preferred sharing with him exodus and uncer-
tainty to remaining safe in the fold of the mother
church without his voice to guide. In this way
came into being " the Branch " Church (as it was at
first called, afterwards (from its location, the Howard
Street Church). These emigrants from the Tabernacle
Church possessed abundance of energy and faith, if
they were not rich in this world's goods. Organized
December 29, 1803, after a brief period of meeting in
a private house, then in a vestry loaned them, and
for a time in chance pastures with neighboring flocks,
they built a large and handsome meeting-house on
Howard Street in 1804, which they dedicated Febru-
ary 8, 1805. They were not a quiet people. Their
history is colored by varying fortunes. The spirit of
zeal, independence and aggressive reform had its
home among them. -Temperance and slave-emancipa-
tion numbered warm and self-sacrificing advocates in
both pulpit and pew. Those who "sat under" the
preaching of Rev. George B. Cheever and Rev. Charles
T. Torrey were in no danger of sleeping under it, nor
of resting in indifference to the great social evils of
their time.
After the example of the mother church, from
which it had its birth, this church, for a time — from
1814 to 1827— allied itself with Presbyterianism, and in
time returned, after the same example, to the Congre-
gational order. The characteristics of the first min-
ister. Rev. Joshua Spaulding, have been touched upon
in the notice of the Tabernacle Church. His minis-
try in the Howard Street Church extended from April
17, 1805, to May 4, 1814, when he resigned and re-
moved to the State of New York. He died Septem-
ber 26, 1825. For nearly five years after Mr. Spauld-
ing's removal the church was without a pastor. It
joined the Presbytery of Newburyport. Rev. Henry
Blatchford was installed in its ministry January 6,
1819, and resigned December 20th of the following
year. He was born in Lansingburg, N. Y., graduated
at Union College 1811, and died September 7, 1822.
Mr. William Williams was ordained his successor
July 5, 1821, and remained pastor of this church till
February 17, 1832, when he resigned, on account of a
division in the church, and on the 22d of November,
SALEM.
53
1832, was installed pastor of a newly-gathered church
branch of this " branch," composed of a very consid-
erable following of members of the Howard Street
Church, who withdrew with the pastor.
Mr. George B. Cheever, the next minister of the
church, was ordained Feb. 13, 1833, and resigned Jan.
4, 1S3S. He was born in Hallowell, Maine, April 17,
1807, and graduated at Bowdoin College 1825. His
ministry was a busy one. An irrepressible vitality
and mental activity gave his pen as little rest as his
voice. He wrote for the journals and the reviews.
His eyes were about him to see what was wrong and
reprehensible in the customs of society and iu the
conduct of individuals. For giving his pen too great
freedom in his strictures upon these he incurred a
suit of libel and a judgment involving thirty days' im-
prisonment. His theology was Puritanic and posi-
tive. His convictions were strong and urgent. He
was a zealous preacher of reform, a vehement orator,
aggressive and unsparing in attack upon whatsoever
and whomsoever he found, in his judgment, hinder-
ing the cause of which he was the champion. In 1838
he became the pastor of the Allen Street Presbyterian
Church in New Yorlc, and in 184(5 was installed pas-
tor of the Congregational Church of the Puritans in
the same city. He still lives in a vigorous old age.
Rev. Charles T. Torrey was installed on the day on
which Mr. Cheever was dismissed, January 4, 1838.
He had been settled before as pastor of the Richmond
Street Congregational Church, in Providence, R. I.
He was born in Scituate November 21, 1813, grad-
uated at Yale College 1833, resigned his charge in
Salem July 21, 1S39, and, after having twice sutfered
imprisonment iu Baltimore, Md., for alleged viola-
tion of the laws of that State in conspiring with slaves
to effect their escape from bondage, died in the Mary-
land penitentiary May 9, 184(5.
Mr. Torrey regarded it as a great crime to enslave
a fellow-man. He preached this conviction. He car-
ried his faith into practice, and suffered for it. The
story of his martyrdom, as told by Henry Wilson in
" the Rise and Fall of the Slave Power," possesses a
sad, an almost romantic interest. " Well-born, with
superior talents, education and professional prospects,
a charming home, cheered by the presence of a lovely
wife and little ones, he sacrificed them, disregarded
the popular sentiment of the North, and braved the
vengeance of the South, to aid the lowly and down-
trodden." He claimed to have assisted four hundred
slaves to obtain their freedom. He frankly told Rev-
erdy Johnson, by whom he was defended in the
courts of Maryland, that he had helped one of his
slaves to escape. He attempted, with others, to get
out of the Baltimore prison. Being betrayed, he was
heavily ironed and placed in a damp and low arched
cell, and treated worse than if he had been a murder-
er. " I was loaded with irons weighing, I judge,
twenty-five pounds, so twisted that I could neither
stand up, lie down, nor sleep." December 30, 1843,
he was sentenced to six years' imprisonment in the
penitentiary. After his death, even the officials of
the Park Street Church, in Boston, refused their per-
mission to have the funeral services over his dead
body in that church. But an indignant multitude
followed his remains to Mount Auburn with tokens
of sorrow and sympathy. And Faneuil Hall, the
evening after, echoed the mournful but honoring
words of his eulogists. Whittier wrote : " There lies
the young, the beautiful, the brave ! He is safe now
from the malice of his enemies. Nothing can harm
him more. His work for the poor and helpless was
well and nobly done. In the wild woods of Canada,
around many a happy fireside and holy family altar,
his name is on the lips of God's poor. He put his
soul in their soul's stead ; he gave his life for those
who had no claim on his love save that of human
brotherhood."
Rev. Joel Mann, a native of Orford, N. H., and
graduate of Dartmouth College 1810, was installed
pastor of the Howard Street Church May 6, 1840, and
resigned April 14, 1847. At the time of Mr. Mann's
dismission the condition of the church seemed so
hopeless of substantial revival from its divisions and
losses, that the council called to dismiss him advised
the church to " separate and unite with other
churches till they can organize anew with a greater
prospect of union and usefulness. The major part of
the church complied, but the rest, claiming to be the
Howard Street Church," still clung together, and
maintained public worship, with small and steadily
declining numbers, for about seventeen years longer.
Rev. Messrs. M. H. Wilder, E. W. Allen and C. C.
Beaman serving as ministers during that time. Rev.
Mr. Beaman, the last of the number, came in 1857,
and resigned October 2, 1864. The Howard Street
meeting-house after being occupied a short time by a
newly-formed " church of the New Jerusalem," was
sold at auction, by authority of the Legislature June
28, 1867, to the First Methodist Society in Beverly,
and in 1868 was taken down, transported across the
river, and set up again on Railroad Avenue, Beverly,
with the exception of the tower, which was not found
in good enough condition for re-erection. This year
(1887) a lofty tower has been added to the front end
of the church, and an extension hiis also been made
in the rear. The building was well worth preserving,
whether for itself or its history. It was designed un-
der the advice and direction of Mr. Samuel Macintire,
a Salem carpenter, famous also as a successful church
builder, the South meeting-house on Chestnut Street,
in Salem, having been designed by him.
It will be seen by this brief sketch of the history of
the Branch, or Howard Street Church,— not one of the
older churches of Salem, beginning its existence with-
in the present century, and but short-lived as the lives
of churches are reckoned, having become extinct in
about sixty years from its formation, — that it has had
more of stirring incident, of eventful and disintegrat-
54
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ing controversy, of salient characteristics in its mem-
bership and of striking biographical episodes in the
career of its pastors than usually falls to the lot of
churches of much longer life.
When the use of the North meeting-house was re-
fused to Mr. Crowninshield and his friends, for the
funeral services of Captain Lawrence and Lieutenant
Ludlow, who lost their lives in the engagement be-
tween the frigates Shannon and Chesapeake, in
1813, the doors of the Howard Street meeting-house
were opened, and there Mr. Story's eulogy was deliv-
ered. The inherent spirit of Puritanism, with its
flavor of intense individuality, fearless assertion of
freedom, its equally fearless application of condemna-
tory truth, its stiff, " conscientious contentiousness;
or contentious conscientiousness,"- — this spirit has
had many a jjicturesque illustration in the brother-
hood of "the Branch."
First Baptist Church — It has been claimed that
there were Baptists in Salem as early as the period of
Roger Williams' residence and ministry here. They
were here prior to 1639, at least. That year, says
Felt, William Wickenden, a Baptist preacher, moved
from Salem to Providence. That year the Salem
Church notified the Dorchester Church that it has
excommunicated Roger Williams and nine others
named, all but two of them having been re-baptized.
Anabaptists they were often called — that name signi-
fying the " re-baptized." It was not till December 24,
1804, that the First Baptist Church was embodied in
Salem. Its first place of worship was a frame build-
ing, one story high, thirty-six by fifty-five feet in
dimensions, standing not far from the spot now
occupied by the meeting-house of the Bociety.
" This house faced the West, and stood on a high
bank, forty or fifty feet East of North Street, with its
Southern side nearly on the line of the present Odell
court." It soon gave place to the present brick
meeting-house, which was dedicated January 1, 1806.
Since its opening, considerable land has been pur-
chased to constitute the front on Federal Street, which,
with various other improvements, have given the
house and lot their present attractive aspect. In 1868
the interior of the building was reconstructed and
improved throughout. October 31, 1877, it was vis-
ited by fire, and its interior so destroyed as to require
rebuilding entirely.
The first minister was Mr. Lucius Bolles, born
in Ashford, Conn., September 25, 1779, graduated
from Brown University 1801, and settled in Salem
January 9, 1805. His connection with the church
in Salem, as an active pastor, practically ceased
in June, 1826, when his release from the pastoral
office was requested and obtained of the church,
by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, that he
might become its corresponding secretary ; though
for eight years after, till August 6, 1834, he con-
tinued to be the senior pastor of the church, with-
out discharging any of the duties of the office. He
died in Boston January 5, 1844. When Mr. Bolles
came to Salem, those who adhered to the theological
views of the Baptists " were few in numbers and fee-
ble in resources," says Dr. R. C. Mills, in his fiftieth
anniversary sermon: "The state of piety in the
American churches was low." In theological opinions
the early Baptists of America were strictly Calvinistic.
The disintegration of the Calvinistic creed had pro-
gressed in Eastern Massachusetts at the time this
church was formed, so far as to cause those who still
held it in its integrity, deep solicitude for its mainte-
nance. The Baptist denomination was cordially
allied with its supporters of other names, and regarded
itself as in some sort an especial bulwark against the
spread of the opposite errors; as the case was set
forth by one of its ablest advocates : " Infant baptism
led to Arminianism, and that to Socinianism in
churches which had been strictly Calvinistic."
The Baptist Church increased from the first, and soon
grew strong in Salem, under the devoted ministry of its
earliest pastor. There was no considerable hostility
at that time among the people at large, either to the
tenets of this denomination respecting the mode and
subjects of baptism, to which many persons inclined,
or to their creed, the Unitarian controversy not having
yet opened into public discussion. The use of the
North meeting-house (corner of Lynde and North
Streets) was asked for the ordination services at the
settlement of Mr. Bolles, and was granted ; but, for
some reason, they were held, not at the North, but
at the Tabernacle Church; possibly because, though
the vote granting the use at the North meeting-house
passed, it became known that there were twelve dis-
sentients among those voting. Dr. Bolles became
eminent in his denomination. He laid his founda-
tions well. A minister both capable and zealous, his
period of service was long enough to educate a gener-
ation, and so to fix habits, and to stamp his congre-
gation with distinctive characteristics which have run
on, doubtless, into the succeeding years. In twenty
years, and before he left them, they were strong
enough to colonize, and a second church was formed.
Rev. Rufus Babcock was installed as colleague
with Dr. Bolles August 23, 1826, and was practi-
cally the sole pastor, his senior having relinquished
to him all pastoral duties. Mr. Babcock remained
till October 11, 1833, when he resigned to accept
the presidency of Waterville College, in Maine, his
resignation being accepted by his people with re-
luctance. Mr. Babcock was born in Colbrook, Conn.,
September 18, 1798, and was graduated at Brown
University, 1821. After leaving Waterville he was
pastor of churches in Philadelphia, Poughkeepsie,
New Bedford and other places. He died in Salem,
Mass., May 4, 1874, while on a visit among old
friends.
August 6, 1834, Rev. John Wayland, having been
a professor in Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., and
called from that position to succeed Mr. Babcock,
SALEM.
55
was settled pastor of the church, and continued in
office until near the close of 1841, his resignation be-
ing accepted November 12th of that year. Mr. Way-
land afterwards became an Episcopalian. He was
held in high esteem by his parishioners in Salem.
He was succeeded by Mr. Thomas D. Anderson, who
was settled March 15, 1S42. In 1848, his health hav-
ing failed, he resigned, and his resignation was ac-
cepted, January 28th of that year, with every testi-
mony of regret on the part of the church at their loss.
Rev. Robert C.Mills was installed as the next pastor
of the church June 14, 1848. Dr. Mills' ministry
continued till April 21, 1876, when he resigned, and
within a few years after removed to Newton, in
which city he now resides. Dr. Mills was born, Feb-
ruary 6, 1819, in New York City, and graduated at
the University of New York 1837. His was the long-
est sole and active pastorate this church has known,
being but little short of twenty-eight years.
Rev. George E. Merrill .succeeded Dr. Mills February
2, 1877 ; his health failed after some years of active ser-
vice, and he resigned June 1, 1885. He was born in
Charlestown December 19, 1846, graduated at Har-
vard College 1869, and had been settled in Spring-
field, Mass., from October, 1872, to January, 1877.
In the more equalile and milder climate at the foot of
the Rocky Mountains he has so far regained health
as to be able to take charge of a Baptist Church at
Colorado Springs, Col. Rev. Galusha Anderson,
D. D., followed Mr. Merrill in the pastorship of the
church, being recognized as pastor November 18,
1885. He resigned his ministry January, 1887, to
take the presidency of Granville College, Ohio. He
had come to Salem from another important educa-
tional position — that of the presidency of the Univer-
.sity of Chicago, 111. Mr. Anderson was born in Ber-
gen, Genesee County, N. Y., March 7, 1832, gradu-
ated at Rochester, N. Y., 1854, was two years pastor
of a Baptist Church in Janesville, Wis., from 1858 to
1866 pastor of the Second Baptist Church in St.
Louis, Mo., from 1866 to 1873 professor in the Theo-
logical Seminary at Newton, from 1873 to 1878 pas-
tor of the Strong Place Church in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Free-Will Baptist — There were two or three
kindred religious movements in the early years of
the century, which were not very clearly distin-
guished from one another in the popular appre-
hension, but whose differences assumed no incon-
siderable importance, for a time at least, to those
who contended for their respective tenets and built
upon them. They had this in common : that they
marked in some cases a partial modification, in
some a pronounced rejection of Calvinistic doc-
trinal standards, as a ground of Christian commu-
nion and church fellowship. They also indicated the
ecclesiastical unrest of the time, and showed a long-
ing tor greater spiritual freedom, a growing intel-
lectual activity and courage, and, as a consequence, a
perceptible widening of the scope of theological in-
quiry and religious sympathy. We find a society
formed in 1806, which built a meeting-house on Eng-
lish Street in 1807, and which Messrs. Osgood and
Batchelder mention as a society of " Free-Will Bap-
tists, sometimes called Christians." These two are
quite different denominations, divided on theological
grounds and on the conditions of fellowship. The
society that worshipped in English Street was formed,
says Felt, as a Free-Will Baptist Society. Thirty
years later, in June, 1840, a portion of the society,
having imbibed the views of Alexander Campbell,
withdrew and organized a separate meeting, taking
the name of " Christians " (especially repudiating the
name Christ-ians, by which they were more commonly
called), and worshipped in several different places till
they became extinct. A list of the ministers of the
Free-Will Baptist vSociety in " Felt's Annals " contains
the following names: John Rand (1806-07), Abner
Jones (1807-12), Samuel Rand (1813-14), Moses How
(1816-19), Abner Jones, 1821. George W. Kelton,
William Andrews, William Coe and Christopher
Martin are also said to have preached for this people
prior to 1840. Among the ministers who preached
for the Christians were William W. Eaton (1843-47),
David 0. Gaskill (1847-50 or later).
Universalist.— In 1804 a Universalist preacher,
Samuel Smith by name, appointed a meeting at the
Court House and preached, so far as is known, the
first Universalist sermon ever heard in Salem. It was
not altogether a satisfactory service to those who at-
tended it, but served to bring together and make
known to each other a considerable number of per-
sons who were disposed to entertain with favor the
views of that denomination. Between that time and
1808 meetings were held, at first at irregular intervals,
but soon weekly, as an established Sunday congrega-
tion. Various ministers came and went, — the veteran
John Murray, Hosea Ballou, Thomas Jones of Glou-
cester, and others. The meetings were held in
private houses at first, but a hall, or large room, in
the new house of Nathaniel Frothingham, on Lynde
Street, was found suitable, and there they stayed
mostly, till their meeting-house was built. The soci-
ety was organized in 1805, but its records for the first
twenty-one years — from 18U5 to 1826 — are lost. In
1808, Aug. 17th, it laid the corner-stone of its meet-
ing-house, at six o'clock in the morning ! and on the
22d of June, 1809, dedicated it, and installed a minis-
ter the same day. A lot of land on St. Peter's Street
(then known as Prison Lane), valued at a thou-
sand dollars, had been given by Benjamin Ward for a
meeting-house, covering, in part at least, the present
site of the Central Baptist meeting-house, and now
deemed more eligible than the spot in Rust Street on
which the house was built, but not so regarded then ;
it was accordingly sold, and the land bought on which
the church now stands. The minister settled on the
day the church was dedicated was Rev. Edward
Turner, who came from Charlton, Mass., where he
56
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
had been the minister of a Universalist society. He
retained his connection with the Universalist society
in Salem till June 1, 1814, when he accepted a call to
the Universalist society in Charlestown, Mass. When,
a few ye.ars later, the question whether all punishment
for sin is limited to this life divided the Universalist
denomination, Mr. Turner took the negative, and
after severing his connection with the society in
Charlestown he became identified with the Unitari-
ans. He died in West Roxbury Jan. 24, 1853, at the
age of seventy-six years. The line of ministers fol-
lowing Mr. Turner may be conveniently given here,
with their periods and in their order: Rev. Hosea
Ballon, June 18, 1815, to Oct. 12, 1817 ; Rev. Joshua
Plagg, Dec. 7, 1817, to March 1, 1820 ; Rev. Barzillai
Streeter, Aug. 9, 1820, to Sept. 20, 1824 ; Rev. Seth
Stetson, June 1, 1825, to March 23, 1828 ; Rev. Lem-
uel Willis, March 25, 1829, to May 26, 1837 ; Rev_
Matthew Hale Smith, June 6, 1838, to April 5, 1840 ;
Rev. Linus S. Everett, May 12, 1841, to April 12,
1846 ; Rev. Ebenezer Fisher, May 4, 1847, to Oct. 7,
1853 ; Rev. Sumner Ellis, Feb. 1, 1854, to Sept. 1,
1858 ; Rev. Willard Spalding, March 4, 1860, to Nov.
28, 1869; Rev. Edwin C. Bolles, D.D., June 18, 1871,
to Sept. 1, 1887.
Several of these were preachers eminent within
their denomination, and the fame of two or three
went beyond it. Mr. Ballou was one of the earliest
apostles of Universalism, possessing great native
vigor of intellect, unfailing courage and a power
of plain, simple and direct statement which made
him one of the ablest and most effective among
the advocates of his faith in the times of its earlier
promulgation, when it was unpopular, and kept its
earnest defenders in incessant controversy. He went
from Salem to Boston, and for more than thirty-five
years labored there. Rev. Matthew Hale Smith be-
came widely known both as a champion and an
assailant of Universalism. Versatile and having a
facile command of pen and speech, a too easy mobil-
ity carried him away from one to another denom-
ination and back again, and from one to another
profession in such rapid succession that his confessions
and renunciations lost their power of impression from
their number and their nearness to each other. Rev.
Mr. Willis' ministry is regarded as having been emi-
nently useful, and helpful to the prosperity of the
church. The ministry of Mr. Fisher and that of
others since have been characterized by a devotion to
Christian scholarship and a careful instruction of the
people in religious truth. Dr. E. C. Bolles, the last
of the line, now about leaving Salem, and whose
pastorate is the longest upon the list, is known as one
of the most prominent preachers in his own denomi-
nation, while his services as a popular lecturer and
speaker at gatherings non-denominational are in
large demand. The society is large and prosperous,
and has more than once given promise of coloniza-
tion.
A second Universalist society was indeed organ-
ized in 1844, and held its first public meeting in
Lyceum Hall on the 12th of May of that year.
Afterwards its meetings were held in Mechanics' Hall,
then in the Sewall Street meeting-house, and finally
in Phflenix Hall. On the 6th of June, 1852, however,
it voted to discontinue its meetings, and was dis-
banded. Its first settled pastor was Rev. Day K. Lee,
who was succeeded by Rev. Messrs. Benjamin F.
Bowles, S. C. Hewett and E. W. Reynolds. Again,
about twenty-five years ago, — perhaps in 1861, — the
experiment of maintaining a second Universalist
place of worship was carried on for some months at
liyceum Hall, but no permanent organization came
of it.
The Sunday-school connected with the first society
was organized during the ministry of Mr. Willis, and
by him. May 3, 1829, and " was the first in this de-
nomination this side of Boston, and the third known
to exist among the Universalists." It is at this time
one of the largest, if not the largest, of the Protestant
Sunday-schools in Salem.
The meeting-house has undergone several exten-
sive and costly transformations since it was built,
both within and without. In January, 1840, the
changes necessary for the reception of an organ
were made. In 1842 the pews of the gallery were
taken out and replaced by new ones of more con-
venient form, the walls and ceiling were painted
in fresco, and other larger and lesser changes
in different parts of the building were made, some
of them to prepare for the placing of stoves. In
1855 still greater changes were carried through, with
an outlay of several thousand dollars. The floor was
raised, the old pews were removed, and an increased
number with different arrangement took their place ;
a new pulpit was put in, costing five hundred dollars
and paid for by the ladies of the society. The whole
interior was renewed in form and color. In 1857 the
space in front of the church was opened and enlarged
by the removal of a neighboring dwelling-house,
while new fences and new bricking and boarding of
side-walks made the approaches to it more roomy and
pleasant. Again, in 1877, the spirit of improvement
took the venerable building in hand and changed its
whole aspect, internally and externally, bringing it to
its present appearance. Its original square, plain
tower, stopping so abruptly and baldly as to suggest
the likelihood of its not having been finished according
to the builder's original intention, was carried up to
its present graceful height and proportions, with some
not excessive ornamentation. The new coloring with-
out and within produced marked effects. The pulpit
regarded with so much pride in 1855, gave way to the
modern platform and simple reading desk. It is now
one of the largest and most satisfactory of the
church edifices in the city, — a city which has a fair
number of attractive houses of worship.
Roman Catholics. — The parent Catholic Church
SALEM.
57
in Salem was that of St. Mary. The first Roman
Catholic services in the town were held in 1806 by
Rev. John Cheverua, of Boston, the first Roman
Catholic bishop of Massachusetts, and subsequently
services were held occasionally by the bishop and Dr.
Matignon during the intervening years till 1811,
when services were held in a school-house on Hardy
Street, by Rev. John O'Brien, who afterwards became
pastor of the church in Newburyport. The first set-
tled pastor was the Rev. Paul McQuade, who was
here from 1818 to 1822. It was in 1821, and during
his pastorate, that St. Mary's Church was built cm
the corner of Mall and Bridge Streets. This issupposed
to have been the first Catholic Church built in Essex
County, the church in Newburyport not being built
until 1848. Before that year (1848) Catholics came
even from Newburyport, and of course from the
nearer and adjoining towns, to the church in Salem,
Bishop Cheverus sometimes walking from Boston to
Salem to preach and celebrate Mass. The land on
which the church was situated was deeded to Bishop
Cheverus by the president, directors and company of
the Marblehcad Bank, " for the use and benefit of a
certain number of persons in Salem, who have or are
about forming a Roman Catholic Church and society
in said Salem." This church was built by subscrip-
tions of citizens of Salem, some of whom were not
Catholics, but entertained a kindly feeling towards
the principal Catholics of the place, among whom
were the late John Simon, Francis Ashton and Mat-
thew Newport, representing, respectively, the three
Catholic nationalities, French, Italian and Irish. The
largest contributor was probably John Forrester, father
of Simon, the great merchant of those days, who was
himself of Irish birth, but a Protestant in religion.
The following is a partial list of the clergy of this
church: John Mahoney, 1826 to 1830; William
Wiley, 1830 to 1834 ; John D. Brady, 1834 to 1840 ;
James Strain, 1841 to 1842; Thomas J. O'Flaherty,
1842 to 1846 (died March 29, 1846) ; James Conway,
1846 to ; T. H. Shahan.
When the Church of the Immaculate Conception
was built on Walnut Street in 1857, the Church
of St. Mary ceased to be occupied, that parish be-
ing merged in the new one, and in 1877 the old
church was torn down, and the land on which it
stood was sold by decree of the Supreme Judicial
Court, on the 20th of December, 1882, the terms
of the deed by which tlie bishop acquired his title
preventing the conveyance of an unquestionable
title to another purchaser without this authority
from the court. The line of pastors in the Church
of the Immaculate Conception includes the names
of Rev. Thos. H. Shahan, Michael Hartney and
William H. Hally, with those of Rev. Charles
Renoni, James Quinlan, Wm. J. Delahunty, M.at-
thew Harkins, Wm. A. Kennedy, James J. Foley,
Martin O'Brien and Thomas Tobin as a.ssistants. The
rapidly increasing needs of the Catholic pojiulation
4^
had already called so urgently for enlarged church
accommodations, even before the church in Walnut
Street was erected, that in 1850 the Church of St.
James was opened on Federal Street, though not ded-
icated until January 10, 1857. Its first pastor was
Rev. Thomas Shahan, and he was succeeded by Rev.
William Daley (who died in Rome), and Rev.
John J. Gray, the present pastor. The Rev. J.
Healy, Michael Master.son, William Shinnick, D. J.
Collins and John Kelleherhave been assistant clergy-
men in the parish since its organization. Two large
schools, of five or six hundred pupils each, are carried
on by sisterhoods of Notre Dame, connected with the
two churches of the Immaculate Conception and St.
James, respectively. An asylum for orphans and
also, secondarily, for the aged and infirm, is main-
tained on Lafayette Street, by a si.sterhood of the
Gray Nuns of Montreal, and has at present about
seventy children in its care.
The French speaking Catholics of Salem, having
become numerous, were gathered for worship in their
own tongue in 1872, in the Church of the Immaculate
Conception. There were about ninety families at
that time. In 1873 they bought the old Seamen's
Bethel on Herbert Street, and took the name of St.
Joseph's Church. Rev. George Talbot was appointed
the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. 01.
Boucher, and on the appointment of the latter to the
rectorship of the French Church in Lawrence,
Father Talbot resumed the charge of St. Joseph's.
Rev. J. Z. Dumontier succeeded him early in Janu-
ary, 1878. In September, 1878, Rev. Octave LePine
was appointed pastor, and on the 13th of July, 1879,
the present pastor. Rev. F. X. L. Vezina was given
charge of the congregation ; Rev. Joseph O. Gadoury
is his assistant. On the 26th of August, 1881, as the
congregation had much increased, the old building on
Herbert Street was found inadequate, and the Lus-
comb estate, on Lafayette Street, was bought, and
steps were taken to build a new church, which was
done in 1883, and services were held in it in March,
1884. In April, 1886, the Elwell estate adjoining
was bought for a parsonage. The French congrega-
tion represents a population of about two thousand
five huudred souls at present.
Methodist Episcopal. — Organized Methodism in
Salem dates back to 1821, when a church w.as formed.
In 1822 Rev. Jesse Filraore became its first pastor.
The next year, 1823, a church was built in Sewall
Street, the same that is now occupied by the Wesley
Chapel congregation, and which is about to be re-
placed by a more substantial structure immediately in
its rear, fronting upon North Street. This church
did not unite with the General Conference till Feb-
ruary, 1835. Mr. Filmore had resigned his pastorate
in 1832, but became pastor of the church again in
1835, and yet again in 1840, remaining till 1844.
The following names are to be found upon its roll
of pastors previous to the formation of a second
58
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Methodist Church, in 1841 : Joseph B. Brown, 1832-
33 ; Jefferson Hamilton, 1833 ; T. C. Macreading,
1834; Aaron Waitt, 1834-35; J. W. Downing, 1835-
38 ;T. G. Hilar, 1838-39.
Trouble seems to have grown out of the ownership
of the church building by the pastor, who had erect-
ed it, and, as its owner, had a more potential voice
and vote in its atfairs than ordinarily falls to the pas-
tors of churches, and involved relations between pas-
tor and people not found to be conducive to har-
mony.
This modest and not very ancient house of wor-
ship has sheltered, at different times, and for longer
or shorter periods, a great variety of worshippers,
passing under uncongenial denominational names,
resting here in turn temporarily on the road to
larger and more permanent holdings elsewhere, or —
on the road to further ecclesiastical transformation,
or — on the way to extinction.
Second Methodist. — In March, 1841, a second
Methodist congregation was formed by members
withdrawing from the first, who built a meeting-
house in Union Street (afterwards occupied by one
branch of the Second Advent Church). Rev. N. T.
Spaulding was the first pastor, and among the earlier
of his successors were Joseph A. Merrill, David K.
Merrill, Horace Moulton, Phinehas Crandall, David
L. Winslow, John W. Perkins; some of them, how-
ever, for very short periods — from less than a year to
two years. The difficulties in the Sewall Street
Church continuing, the church in Union Street gradu-
allv absorbed into itself the members of the former,
and it became extinct. Meantime, its own pros-
perity and increasing wants made a removal neces-
sary, and the church on La Fayette Street, corner of
Harbor Street, the present home of the society, was
built in 1851, and dedicated January 5, 1853. Its
roll of pastors since it has occupied its present place
of worship is as follows : Luman Boydcn, 1851-53 ;
A. D. Merrill, 1853-54; Daniel Richards, 1854-56;
John A. Adams, 1856-57; Austin F. Herrick, 1857-
59; John H. Mansfield, 1859-61 ; Edward A. Man-
ning, 1801-62; Gershom F. Cox, 1862-64; Loranus
Crowell, 1864-67 ; S. F. Chase, 1867-69; D. Dorches-
ter, 1869-72 ; J. S. Whedon, 1872-74 ; George Collyer,
1874-77;. Daniel Steel, 1877-79; George W. Mans-
field, 1879-82; William P. Ray, 1882-85 ; T. L. Gra-
cey, 1885-87.
During the winter of 1871-72 the advisability of
organizing another Methodist Church was consid-
ered by the La Fayette Street Church, the result of
which was that the old Methodist meeting-house in
Sewall Street was purchased and re'dedicated. May
24, 1872, and a new society was formed, taking the
name of Wesley Chapel, and Rev, Joshua Gill, ap-
pointed by the New England Conference its pastor,
first held Sunday services therein May 26, 1872.
Thirty-five persons bringing certificates from the par-
ent church were constituted the new church. The
following pastors have been successively in charge :
Rev. Joshua Gill, 1872-74; William J. Hambleton,
1874-77 ; William H. Meredith, 1877-80 ; Charles F.
Rice, 1880-83; Willis P. Odell, 1883-86; Thomas W.
Bishop, 1886 . Mr. Bishop is the present pastor.
The church has enjoyed the services of devoted and
capable pastors, and has had a large and substantial
growth. Under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Odell the
need of more room and better accommodations be-
came so pressing that the enterprise of building an-
other church to meet the wants of the society was
taken up with spirit and harmony, and an encourag-
ing subscription list was started with an assurance
of final success. The work has gone forward in the
hands of his successor, and the plans are perfected
for a new church on North Street, which is to be of
brick, with terra-cotta trimmings and a handsome
tower, and which will have sittings for a thousand
persons, its appointments in all other respects being
designed to answer all the needs of a large and in-
creasing congregation. By legislative enactment the
church was authorized in 1886 to change its name to
Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Independent Congregational Society
in Barton Square. — In the autumn of 1819 the
North Church pulpit becoming vacant by the death
of Mr. Abbot, that society invited Rev. Henry Col-
man, pastor of a church in Hingham, to become its
minister. The invitation was not unanimous, and
was declined. Later, a portion of the First Parish de-
sired that Mr. Colman should be invited to become a
colleague with their minister, Rev. Dr. Prince, but
failed to persuade the society to take the action they
advocated. In 1824 these friends of Mr. Colman in
the North and First Parishes withdrew from their re-
spective churches, and organized the Independent
Congregational Society in Barton Square. A church
of brick was built and dedicated in Decembei', 1824.
Rev. Henry Colman was installed February 16, 1825,
and resigned December 7, 1831, on account of ill
health. Mr. Colman had been pastor of the Third
Church in Hingham thirteen years, and had taught
a school there ; from 1820 to 1825 he taught a school
in Boston. After leaving Salem he engaged in ag-
riculture at Deerfield, Mass., and was employed by
the State from 1836 to 1842 to investigate its agri-
cultural condition and resources. In 1842 he was
sent to Europe in pursuit of the same purpose, and
the results of his observation were embodied in
two octavo volumes. He also published reports
ujion agriculture and silk culture, and two volumes
upon European lile and manners. Visiting Europe
a second time, for the benefit of his health, he died
at Islington, England, August 14, 1849. He was
born in Boston September 12, 1785, and graduated
from Dartmouth College, 1805. Mr. Colman was an
independent thinker, and did not always follow the
conventional roads as a theologian and preacher, a
fact in which lay, doubtless, one of the causes •
SALEM.
59
though not the sole cause — of the want of unanimity
in the North and First Churches in desiring liim for
a minister.
Mr. Colman was succeeded by Rev. James W.
Tliompson, who was installed March 7, 1832, and
remained in this ministry twenty-seven years, till
March 7, 1859. Mr. Thompson had been settled
in Isatick before his settlement in Salem, and
left his church here to take charge of the Second
Church in West Roxbury (Jamaica Plain), of which
he continued the sole or senior pastor till his death,
September 22, 1881. He was born in Barre, Mass.,
December 13, 1805, and graduated from Brown Uni-
versity, 1827. The society increased and prospered
during his pastorate. The church building was en-
tirely reconstructed in its interior, galleries were
added and a commodious vestry of brick was erected
in connection with it, at the rear, to meet its increas-
ing wants.
L)r. Thompson was succeeded by Mr. Augustus M.
Haskell, who was ordained January 1, 1802, and re-
signed May 2, 1866. Mr. Haskell was chaplain of
the Fortieth Massachusetts Regiment in the Civil
War, from September 11, 1863, to November 5, 1864,
and after his Salem ministry became the pastor of
Unitarian Churches in Manchester, N. H., and West
Roxbury (Boston), Mass., successively. He is still
pastor of the latter society, He was born January
24, 1832, in Poland, Me., and graduated at Harvard
College, 1856. Mr. George Batchelor followed Mr.
Haskell, being ordained October 3, 1866. He re-
signed after sixteen years of service, November 1,
1882, to take the pastoral charge of the Church of the
Unity, in Chicago, 111., which he was obliged by ill
health to relinquish after two or three years. Mr.
Batchelor was born in Southbury, Conn., July 3,
1836, graduated at Harvard College 1866, having
completed a theological course at the Meadville
School previous to his course in college. Rev. Ben-
jamin F. McDaniel was installed jiastor January 7,
1883, and resigned at the end of four years of service,
January 1, 1887. He had been, before his Salem
ministry, pastor of churches in Hubbardston, Mass.,
and Exeter, N. H., and left Salem to take pastoral
charge of a church in San Diego, Cal. He, like
a predecessor named above, did good service in one
of the Union armies during the Civil War.
Centr.^^l Baptist Church. — As mentioned before,
in the sketch of the First Baptist Church, a colony
from that church was dismissed and commissioned by
it, in 1825, to establish a second church of ita order in
the lower part of the city. It was duly organized
January 19, 1826, under the name of the "Second
Baptist Church," having its house of worship and
chapel, on St. Peter's Street, ready for occupancy
prior to its organization, though the dedication was
delayed till June 8, 1826. In 1855 its name was
changed, by a legislative act, to the " Central Baptist
Church in Salem."
August 23, 1826, Mr. George Leonard was or-
dained its first pastor. He was compelled, by fail-
ing health, to resign his ministry, which had opened
with much promise, January 19, 1829. Mr. Robert
F. Pattison was ordained September 9, 1829, but
within six mouths asked and received a dismission,
February 12, 1830. In October, 1830, Rev. Cyrus
P. Grosveuor was installed pastor, and remained
with the church till November 1,1834. Mr. Grosvenor
became warmly engaged in the anti-slavery agitation,
just opening, and which disturbed the peace of many
churches, and broke the pastoral tie in not a few
cases. It may be presumed to have had its share of
influence in interrupting the harmony of the relation
between Mr. Grosveuor and his people.
Mr. Joseph Banvard was ordained pastor of the
church August 26, 1835, and continued with it till
March, 1846; and this period was manifestly one
of increased activity, harmony and growth. Rev.
Benjamin Brierly was installed Mr. Banvard's suc-
cessor in September, 1846. His brief pastorate ended
August 25, 1848. Mr. William H. Eaton followed
him, and was ordained August 16, 1849. His
society reluctantly consented to his dismission, in
November, 1854. The next pastor was Rev, Daniel
D. Winn, who came in October, 1855, and was dis-
missed by his own desire, December 23, 1866. Dur-
ing Mr. Winn's ministry the meeting-house was
remodeled at a large cost. Early in 1867 Rev. S.
Hartwell Pratt succeeded Mr. Winn, and resigned his
charge October 21, 1870, to become pastor of the
newly-formed Calvary Baptist Church, organized
largely by his influence and under his direction. In
January, 1872, Rev. David Weston, D.D., was settled
in charge of the church, but being the same year
elected professor of ecclesiastical history in Hamilton
Theological Seminary, N. Y., he resigned, to the sin-
cere regret of his church, September 27, 1872. April
8, 1873, Rev. W. H. H. Marsh succeeded him, and
remained seven years, to 18S0. Rev. Charles A.
Towue, the present pastor, took charge of the church
in 1881.
The Crombie Street Church. — On the 16th of
P'ebruary, 1832, one hundred and thirty-nine members
of the Howard Street Church — the minister of that
church, the Rev. William Williams, one of them —
withdrew from it, with the purpose of organizing a
separate church. They held their first meeting for
public worship in Lyceum Hall February 19, 1832.
The same day the Sunday-school, composed of their
children, met at the same place. On the 6th of
the next April they organized themselves into a re-
ligious society, and took the name of the " Lyceum
Society." The purchase of a brick building on
Crombie Street, now their house of worship, then
known as the Salem Theatre — which had been occu-
pied as a theatre — having been eflected, at a meeting
held in the office of Hon. Rufus (/hoate, on the 29tli
of August, 1832, a committee wius chosen to make
60
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the required changes in the building to adapt it to its
new uses. These changes accomplished, the pulpit
was in the centre of the western end, the choir-gal-
lery was opposite the pulpit. Over the pulpit was ihe
inscription, " Love the truth and peace," with the date
of the church'.s institution — May 3, 1832 — and that of
the dedication of its house of worship— November 22,
1832 ; below were the names of the pastor and the
architect. Between the lines, right under that in-
scription, " Love the truth and peace," we may pre-
sume that the recent emigrants from Howard Street
read another inscription, invisible to the eye of flesh :
" The end of our prayers, the desire of our hearts ;
for which we have left home — a house in contention,
divided against itself" The church took the name,
" The New Congregational Church" on the 8th of
May, 1832, and on the 17th of September of the same
year, adopted the title, which has been permanent
since, of the " Crombie Street Church." In 1851 the
pulpit was carried to the opposite (the eastern) end
the floor, which had sloped upward from the front,
was brought to a level, the pews were reversed, the
brick vestry was built in the rear and the walls and
ceiling were painted in fresco; nine years later, in
1860, the organ was carried to the rear of the pulpit,
to stand as it now does, the congregation claiming to
have been the first in Salem to dispense with choir-
singing, which it did in 1850, and for which the pres-
ent position of the organ was deemed better adapted.
The first in the line of pastors has been already
named — Rev. William Williams. He was born in
Wethersfield, Conn., October 2, 1797 ; graduated at
Yale College 1816 ; ordained pastor of Howard Street
Church July 5, 1821. His ministry continued from
November 22, 1832, to March 1, 1888. The new
meeting-house was dedicated the same day that Mr.
Williams was installed. After resigning his charge
in Salem Mr. Williams was settled in Exeter, N. H.,
for a few years, after which, in 1812, he returned to
Salem, and having studied medicine with Dr. Abel
L. Peirson, of this city, established himself in the
practice of medicine, in which he became successful.
He died in 1860. Rev. Alexander J. Sessions, born
in Warren, Mass., August 13, 1809, and graduated at
Yale College in 1831, was the next pastor, settled
June 6, 1838, and continued till August 22, 1849,
when he resigned, and has since been the pastor of
churches in Melrose, Scituate and North Beverly. He
is still living in Beverly. The third paster was Rev.
James M. Hoppin, born in Providence, R. I., Janu-
ary 17, 1820 ; graduated at Yale College 1840 and
settled as pastor of Crombie Street Cnurch March 27,
1850. Mr. Hoppin remained till May 16, 1859. He
has since been a professor in Yale College — first, of
homiletics and pastoral theology and later of the
history of art. December 29, 1859, Rev. Joseph
Henry Thayer was settled as the fourth pastor of the
church. He resigned this charge February 19, 1864,
to accept the position of associate professor of sacred
literature in the Theological Seminary at Andover,
which oflice he continued to fill until 1882, when he
resigned. He was appointed the next year lecturer
on Biblical theology in the Divinity School of Har-
vard University, and on the death of the eminent
scholar, Ezra Abbot, professor of New Testament
criticism and interpretation in the Divinity School,
Professor Thayer was appointed to the same place,
which he still holds.
During the Civil War Mr. Thayer asked leave of ab-
sence from his parish to become chaplain of the For-
tieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers tor nine
months. His term of service was from September 17,
1862, to May 15, 1863. He was one of the American
members of the company of New Testament revisers
and translators in England and America, who brought
out the Revised New Testament in 1880, and with
their co-laborers who had given similar revision to
the Old Testament, a revised translation at a later day
of the whole Bible. Mr. Thayer w.is born in Boston
November 7, 1828, and graduated at Harvard College
1850.
The fifth paster was Rev. Clarendon Waite, whose
short term of service fell between the dates of April
10, 1866, and December 3d of the same year (less than
nine months). Being advised by his physicians that
he could not expect the health requisite for the min-
istry, he withdrew from his profession, and in just
about a year afterwards died on a journey to a new
field of labor to which he had been called (that of
professor in Beloit College, Wisconsin). Mr. Waite
was born in Hubbardston, Massachusetts, December
12, 1830, graduated at Brown University, Providence,
and had been seven years pastor of a church in Rut-
land, Mass., before coming to Salem. Rev. Hugh
Elder, the sixth pastor, was born in Dunfermline, Scot-
land, March 26, 1838, and graduated at the University
of Edinburgh 1863. He preached to the society and
was invited to become its minister before the settle-
ment of Mr. Waite, which invitation he declined. Af-
ter the death of Mr. Waite he came again to preach ;
was called again to the pastorate, accepted and was
ordained January 28, 1868. He resigned at the end
of August, 1884, to accept the position of pastor of the
college church connected with Airdale College, in Brad-
ford, England. The present pastor of the church,
Rev. Louis B. Voorhees, was installed April 15, 1885.
He was born June 10, 1847, in Rocky Hill, N. J., and
graduated at Princeton College 1868. He had been
pastor of churches in North Weymouth, in Worcester
and in Grafton previous to his settlement in Salem.
It needs but a reference to the fact that four of the
seven pastors of this church have received ap-
pointments to positions in educational institutions of
the higher class to show that it has been favored with
a line of scholarly men for its ministers. Better than
that, they have been, as a whole, men devoted to the
service of the people outside the church as well as in-
side, thus helping the church to which they minister-
SALEM.
61
ed to make an honorable history among the churches
of the town.
Second Advent. — A religious movement of con-
siderable extent grew out of the preaching of Wil-
liam Miller, the prophet of the millenium, who, for
about ten years (from 1833 to 1843), stirred many com-
munities to a high pitch of excitement with predic-
tions of an early return of Christ to the earth ; the
time was definitely set ; when it had passed unevent-
fully another was set. After several such predictions
had successively failed, though many lost faith and
abandoned the body identified with the great expec-
tation, others, still sanguine that it was no more than
an error of time, and that a small one, settled into a
belief that the Lord would appear soon to set up his
kingdom ; and the latter have become a permanent
sect. Mr. Miller never preached in Salem, as we can
learn ; but a large gathering of his disciples, and of the
curious to hear the exposition of his belief, was held
in North Salem, in camp, in 1842. Preachers con.
linued to set forth the millenial doctrine according to
Mr. Miller from time to time, and on July 23, 1848, a
church was formed, which, with intervals of suspend-
ed services, has continued to the present time. In-
deed, it has at times divided into two sects over con-
troverted poiuts turning chiefly on the state of the
" dead " between the body's dissolution and resurrec-
tion. Sunday services have been maintained in two
places of worship at the same time for a while. At
present the society worships in its own church in
Herbert Street. It has changed its place of a.ssembling
several times; has been in Sewell Street (old Meth-
odist meeting-house), in Union Street (Second Meth-
odist), Holyoke Hall, 199 Essex Street, Hardy Hall,
Washington Street. One of its sections, when there
were two passing under the same name, met in a chap-
el in Endicott Street. The pastorates of this church
in both branches have been mostly short. Several,
however, have continued for a period of a few years
each. Rev. Lemuel Osier, Francis H. Berick, Rufus
Wendell, Charles E. Barnes, George W. Sederqui-st,
Frederick Gunner (Endicott Street) have at different
times ministered to the society. The present pastor
is Rev. George F. Haines.
Episcopal : Grace. — A second Episcopal Church
was organized in the year 18.58, under a movement
arising in St. Peter's Church, the rector of St.
Peter's, Rev. Dr. Leeds, remarking in the Jour-
nal of the Diocese of 1859 : " The completion of
the fifth quarter-century in the history of St. Peter's
was celebrated Isy laying the corner-stone of another
church edifice, to be known by the name of Grace
Church." The new church, a Gothic frame structure,
was consecrated June 2, 1859. The Rev. George D.
Wildes was the first rector, his pastorate covering eight
years, 1859-67. Rev. Joseph Kidder succeeded Mr.
Wildes in 1868, and remained until July 1, 1870,
when the present rector, Rev. James P. Franks, suc-
ceeded him. Thesixtv communicants with which this
church began had increased, at the twenty-fifth anni-
versary of its consecration, to one hundred and fifty.
The architecture of the church remains as it was at
the beginning.
New Church Society (oftener designated in
popular speech as the Church of the JS\'w Jerusalem, or
Swedaiboryian Church). — As early as 1840 those in-
terested in the doctrines of the New Jerusalem met
at the homes of difi'erent individuals and read the
writings of the church. In 1845 Miss Mary Eveleth
having joined the little baud, became their reader for
most of the two or three following years ; after that
Mr. Joseph Ropes was for a few years their leader.
It was in 1861 that meetings began to be hold in the
hall of the building which had been General H. K.
Oliver's school-house, and which was erected by him,
on Federal Street. At that time Rev. Warren Burton
was their leader. Here a Sunday-school was first
gathered. From this place a removal took place to
Creamer Hall, on Essex Street, and on the 25th of
January, 1863, the society was instituted by Rev.
T. B. Hayward, who preached for the congregation
two years, or more. Services were afterwards held in
the Howard Street Church and in Hamilton Hall.
Rev. Abiel Silver was minister from 1867 to 1869.
The society was incorporated July 13, 1869. That
year a lot of land was purchased for a church. On
this laud the present church was built, and dedicated
April 18, 1872. Rev. L. G. Jordan was the minister
from June 6, 1869, to November 1, 1870. Rev. A. F.
Frost began to preach for the society in 1872, but was
not installed as pastor till January 25, 1875. He re-
signed June 30, 1879. Rev. Mr. Hayden followed
Mr. Frost, being engaged to preach for a year. After
he left, dilTerent ministers preached from one Sunday
to several months each, until April 1, 1884, when Rev-
Duane V. Bowen was invited to become the minister
of the society. The invitation w;is accepted, and he
remains to the present time the minister. Rev. Mr.
Bowen was ordained in the Unitarian ministry in
1873, and had served parishes of that denomination
before embracing the faith of the New Church and
identifying himself with that body. In making the
change he did not sever the bonds of frien<lship and
syuij)athy by which he had been held in earlier
fellowship with the communion of which he had been
a member. Of the fifty-nine original members of the
New Church Society, twenty have removed from the
city, and fourteen have been " removed to the spiritual
world," the speech of this church not recognizing
such translation as death.
Calvary Baptist Church. — On the 21st of Oc-
tober, 1871, ninety members of the Central Baptist
Church received letters of dismission from thatcluirch,
for the purpose of constituting a new church, upon a
somewhat different basis from that on which the par-
ent church existed, believing " that the house of God
should be free to all, without the sale or letting of pews,
or the granting to a worldly pnipricturship a vole on
62
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
any interest pertaining to the church." They met in
the old Howard Street Chapel October 24, 1871, and
organized under the name of " The Calvary Baptist
Church of Salem." Rev. S. H. Pratt, who had come
in their company from the Central Church, was chosen
their pastor. The congregation transferred itself to
Mechanic Hall for a time. Coming to feel the need
of a church home of their own, Mrs. John Dwyer
gave them land on which to build, and they proceeded
to set up their meeting-house on the corner of Essex
and Herbert Streets, meantime worshipping at the old
"Bethel "on the latter street, till the new church
should be ready. With much effort, their means not
being abundant, they carried the enterprise through
and dedicated their house on the 17th of November,
1873. On the 17th day of March, 1874, the chuijch
organized as a corporation under the general statutes
of Massachusetts ; there was no society distinct from
the church, the church itself being incorporated.
" The seats are utterly free, no price or rent being
charged for any seat, and no seat being assigned to or
claimable by any person, and all seats being open to
the first comer ; . . . the expenses are met by
voluntary weekly offerings." Rev. Mr. Pratt resigned
his charge May 4, 1873. For nearly a year they had
the services of Mr. E. B. Andrews, a student of New-
ton Seminary, and since professor both in Newton
and in Brown University — services which were of great
value beyond his religious ministry, as he worked
strenuously to raise the money for the building of the
church. Twice they invited him to become their pas-
tor and twice their earnest call was declined. Rev.
D. H. Taylor was ordained their second pastor Sep-
tember 9, 1874. He continued tn the pastorate till
January 12, 1877. On the 27th of the following March
(1877) Rev. William A. Keese, then settled in Ells-
worth, Me., was invited to take pastoral charge of the
church, and accepting, began his labors May 6th, and
resigned May 26, 1883, at the end of a ministry of six
years. Rev. Samuel H. Emery, the present pastor, was
settled January 2, 1884. He was ordained December
5, 1877, and had been pastor of a church in Bellows
Falls, Vt., previous to his settlement in Salem.
Seamen's Society : Seaman's Bethel. — When Salem's
prosperity rested largely upon commerce, and the
town was not without a considerable population of
seafarers and their families, some transient, some res-
ident, they were regarded by the Salem churches as
a class entitled to special missionary effort. In Aug-
ust, 1824, a " Bftthel " was opened in a store at the
head of Derby Wharf as a place of worship, and Rev.
Eleazer Barnard became the minister. The next
year Rev. Benjamin H. Pitman succeeded Mr. Bar-
nard, remaining two years ; and in 1832 Rev. Michael
Carlton was appointed, and continued in this work
nearly thirty years, adding, in the latter years of his
ministry, many of the offices of a minister at large
and of a dispenser of the charities of the rich among
the poor to his pastoral and missionary duti&s among
sailors. A chapel was built on Herbert Street, and
from its top the '' Bethel " flag long waved an invita-
tion to all who would come, seamen and others, to
worship. As the number of seamen has diminished
in Salem, the special mission work in behalf of sailors
has become desultory and intermittent at times. Rev.
Benjamin Knight, a Baptist clergyman living in Salem,
rather past middle life, took up and carried on the
same miscellaneous work which Mr. Carlton had pur-
sued, that of colporteur, preacher and pastor to
seamen, agent of the charitable in seeking out and
relieving cases of want, and advocate of temperance—
in short, the work of a minister at large. Since Mr.
Knight's death two organizations, not altogether
friendly to each other, have grown out of his mission,
both assuming the name of " Bethel " societies, and
seeking to perpetuate a ministry to the neglected and
the unchurched like that in which he labored so many
years. Neither has a settled pastor. One worships
in the same building in which Mr. Knight preached,
at the head of Phillips Wharf, the other (lately incor-
porated) on Derby Street, opposite the Bertram Home
for Aged Men.
Church of the Colored People. — Another
mission enterprise was started by the Salem churches
about sixty years ago, in 1828, to provide a separ-
ate place of worship for the colored people of the
town, it being their own desire to have a church
home by themselves, in which they would be
free from unpleasant and intrusive observation,
and have a more perfect enjoyment of ministra-
tions of their own selection, and more congenial
to their feelings and religious habits. A chapel was
built, in 1828, on South Street, afterwards known
as Mill Street, and still later as (new) Washington
Street, the chapel being removed when Washington
Street was extended up the hill. This litile congre-
gation called itself at tirst the " Union Bethel Church."
It had James P. Lewis as a missionary in 1831. It
several times changed its name. In 1839 it wa.s " Wes-
leyan Methodist," in 1842 " Zion's Methodist," or
" Equal Rights Zion's Methodist Church " (unless
this was a branch of the former), in 1845 again the
" Wesleyan Methodist Connection in America," in
1854 " First Free-Will Baptist Society." In 1889 John
N. Mars was its pastor; in 1845, Samuel Palmer; in
1855, Rev. James H. Marston. It had many reorgan-
izations. Its light sometimes flickered, sometimes
seemed to have gone out. Messrs. Osgood & Batchel-
der date its extinction within the year 1861. The Af-
rican Methodist Episcopal Church has several timis
within the last eight years sent preachers from its
Conference to undertake a revival of public worship
among the colored people, and the establishment of a
church. Rev. Jacob Stroyer and Joseph Taylor have
each continued efforts to this end for two or three
years at a time, but unsuccessfully. The po|>ulation
in whose interest the experiment has been tried is es-
timated at about three hundred souls in all. Many
SALEM.
63
of these are already respected members of other
churches, satisfied with their church relations. The
desire of many colored persons, sensitive to surround-
ing opinion, and constrained by a self-respecting re-
serve to have their worship apart and by themselves,
has been well understood and sympathized with, and
they have been liberally aided in their attempts to
maintain their own separate meetings on Sunday.
But it would appear to be wiser, hereafter, to seek
their absorption in the other churches, where, it may
be hoped, time and a growing appreciation of the
spirit of true Christianity will make real the abolish-
ment of all distinctions of class and race.
MouMON. — For a few years a church of the " Latter-
Day Saints," better known as Mormons, existed in
Salem. It was organized January 1, 1842. Ten years
before, Joseph Smith, the " prophet " of that sect,
came to Salem, with associates, and propagated its
tenets, not unsuccessfully ; in 1843 it had one hundred
members. Erastus Snow remained here as its elder
for a year or two. But in 1844, when all the pilgrims
of this order were ^:etting their faces towards Nauvoo,
in Illinois, their sacred city, the church in Salem
obeyed the general impulse and made a clean exodus
from among the aliens.
Deaf Mute.s. — A small congregation of deaf mutes
organized themselves into a religious society in 187G,
and have had Kev. Philo W. Packard, one of their
number, as their only pastor. They number about
twenty persons. Mr. Packard was born in Boston
February 25, 1838.
LuTHER.iN Swedish Church. — -One finds the sim-
ple record in the list of Salem churches for 1884-85 that
" a Lutheran Swedish Church was organized June 15,
1884 — no pastor — John Lonn its president. Its place
of meeting. Central, corner of Charter Street."
For many years a body of believers, classed as
"Spiritualists," numerically undeKned and undefin-
able, at times sufficiently organized for regular meet-
ings, have had sessions from Sunday to Sunday for
such communion, utterances and conferences as usu-
ally characterize their congregations. Those who at-
tend such gatherings are few compared with the num-
ber of those who entertain opinions more or less con-
current with theirs, but to whom they are private
speculations, or a private faith, calling for no public
and conventional proclamation, or separate and per-
manent organization.
The principal authorities consulted :
Rev. (;. W. I'phitm's " Sermon at the Dedicntion of the First ChuiTh,"
November IG, lS2b ; " Second Century Lecture," 1829 ; "Address at the
Rededication of the First Church," December 8, 1SG7.
Rev. WiHiani Bentley's " Description of Salem" (''Ma«3. Hist. Col.,"
vol. vj., year 1799).
Rev. .1. H, Felt's " .\nnal8 of Salem," two vols. ; Felt's " Ecclesiastical
History of New England," vol. i.
Hon. Daniel \. White's ''N. E. Congregationalism," 1861.
Lectures by Judge White respecting the " Foundenj of Salem and the
First Church "
" Papen* Relating to Rev. Samuel Skelton," by William P. L'pham,
Est). ("Hist. Col. of Essex Inst.," vol. xiii.).
" Genealogy of the Slarsh Family," Skelton.
"Sketch of Salem," by Charles Osgood and Ileiirj' M. Batchelder,
1879.
*• .\ddress before the Essex Bar .\ssociation," by lion. VVm. I>. North-
end, president of the association. 1S.S5.
"Discourse on the First Centennial .Anniversary of the Tabernacle
Church, April 2r., 1835," by Rev. Samuel M. Worcester
"Narrative of the Controversy between the Rev. Mr. Samuel FisU,
the Pastor, and a number of the Brethren ol the First Church of Christ
in Salem," 17.35 ; " Narrative of the Proceedings of the Ecclesiastical
Council, convened in Salem in 17:H," 1735 ; other published pamphlets
relating to the above controversy, bound together in a volume in the
library of the Salem Athenaeum.
" Brief History of Settlement of Third Church in Salem, ITr.o and of
the Ecclesiastical Council of 1784," by Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Whitaker.
" Correspondence in Relation to the Third Church of 1735."
" First Centenary of the North Church," 1872.
"Semi-Centennial Sermon " by Rev. Robert C. Mills, D.D., First Bap-
tist Church.
" Semi-Centennial .\ddress on the Fiftieth .Anniversary of Dedication Of
the Universalist Meeting-house and Installutionof Rev. Edward Turner,''
18.W.
" Manual of Cronibie Street Church "
" Manual of Central Baptist Church."
" Historical Sketch of Calvary liiplist Church," by Rev. William A.
Keese, in Report to the Salem Baptist .\ssociation, 1883.
[In Library of Boston .\thena*um " B. 76, Sermons No. 7^-"] -^
tract of six pages ; its title page, iu part, " .\ Direction for a Publick
Prof-ssion in the Church .\ssembly after the Private Examination of ihe
Elders " [much referred to in the discussion between Dr. S. M. Worcester
and Judge D. A. White respecting the covenant and confession of the
Salem Church, adopted in lt;29].
" Reports of the Salem Society of Deaf Mutes, 1876, 1881, 1886."
■'Roger Williams," article by Porter C. Bliss in "Johnson's Encyclo-
p.Tdia."
Sewell's " History of the Quakers."
Sprague's ".\nnals of the American Pulpit."
Jlorton'a " New England's Memorial," editions ol 1826 (Davis'), and
of 18.15 (Cong. Pub. Soc).
Drake's " History of American Biography."
Savage's " Genealogical Dictionary."
Barry's "History of Massachusetts."
Arnold's " History of Rhode Island."
Palfrey's " History of New England."
"Salem Directories."
CHAPTER III.
THE COMMERCIAL HISTORY.
BY CHARLES S. OSGOOD.
Salem may justly be proud of her commercial his-
tory. No other seaport in America has such a won-
derful record. Flying from the mast of a Salem ship
the American flag was first carried into the jiorts be-
yond the Cape of Good Hope. Her vessels led the
way from New England to the Isle of France and In-
dia and China, and were the first from this country to
display the American flag and open trade at St. Pe-
tersburg and Zanzibar and Sumatra, at Calcutta and
Bombay, at Batavia and Arabia, at Madagascar and
Australia, and at many another distant port. Well
may she ])roudly inscribe on her city seal Dicilk
India' uxque ad ultlmum siiiiim.
The colonists, in the War of the Revolution, were
almost destitute of ships of war. They were engaged
64
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
in a struggle with one of the most powerful maritime
nations, without the meiins to cope with their enemy
on the liigh seas. Their own commerce was ruined,
and it was essential to their success that provision
be made for forcing the commerce of Great Britaiu to
suffer in common with them, the fortunes and viciscii-
tudes of war. Boston, New York, and the larger sea-
ports, were occupied and nearly ruined by the enemy,
and the main reliance of the country was on the ship-
ping of Salem and the neighboring towns of Beverly
and Marblehead.
The merchants of Salem at this crisis showed that
the resolution passed in town meeting June 12, 1776,
that " if the Honorable Congress shall for the Safety
of the United American Colonies declare them inde-
pendent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, we will
solemnly engage, with our lives and fortunes, to sup-
port them in the measure," was no meaningless phrase-
ology or idle boast.
They turned their vessels into men of war, and
built new ones for the service, equipped them with
cannon, manned them with gallant seamen and sent
them out to meet Great Britain on the deep. During
this contest there were sent out from this port at least
one hundred and fifty-eight vessels, manned by sev-
eral thousand brave sailors from Salem. They mounted
more than two thousand guns, carrying on an average
twelve or fourteen each, and captured during the war
as many as four hundred and forty-five prizes.
The war ended, the merchants of Salem found them-
selves in possession of man}' large and swift-sailing
vessels which had been built for use as privateers.
These being too large to be profitably employed in the
coasting trade, or on the short voyages to other ports
heretofore visited by Salem ships, their owners de-
termined to open to distant countries new avenues of
trade and bring to Salem the products of lands lying
in the remotest quarters of the globe.
There was no lack of seamen to man the vessels.
The young men of the town, fresh from service on the
armed ships of Salem, were eager to embark in just
such ventures as a voyage to unknown countries ottered.
They had served with Haraden in his daring exploits
oft' the coast of Spain, and had been with West when,
in the darkness of the night, he cut his prize out of a
British harbor under the guns of the enemy. What
wonder that after wielding the cutlass and the board-
ing pike, they were not contented to put their hands
to the plough or return to the daily drudgery of the
work-shop. The spirit of adventure was awakened,
and the more dangerous and perilous the undertaking
the better it suited the temper of these wild and cour-
ageous graduates from the deck of the privateersman.
From the close of the War of the Revolution until
the embargo in 1808, Salem was at the height of her
commercial prosperity. The white sails of Salem's
ships were unfurled in every port of the known world
and carried the fame and name of Salem to the utter-
most parts of the earth.
The history of this period makes a tale which even
the imaginings of romance could hardly parallel. It
is crowded full of the accounts of daring adventures
by brave seamen in unknown seas, of their encounters
with pirates and savage tribes, of their contests with
the armed ships of France and England and of their
imprisonment among the Algerines and in the prisons
of France and Spain.
It was the young men of Salem that officered her
ships, sailing as captains at an age when the boys of
the present time are scarcely over their school-days.
At the beginning of one of the East India voyages of
nineteen months, neither the captain (Nathaniel Sils-
bee), nor his first mate (Charles Derby), nor his sec-
ond mate (Richard J. Cleveland), was twenty years of
age, and yet these boys carried ship and cargo safely
to their destination, with imperfect mathematical in-
struments and with no charts but of their own mak-
ing, and returned with a cargo which realized four or
five times the amount of the original capital. With
no power to communicate with home, the success of
the undertaking was largely in the hands of these
youthful captains. Their duty was not ended when
the ship arrived safely in port, for upon their judg-
ment and sagacity in buying and selling depended the
profits of the voyage.
In those early days, when a vessel left Salem har-
bor, there was often nothing heard from her until af-
ter the lapse of a year or more she would come sailing
back again. To-day the earth is girdled with the tele-
graph, and the arrival of a ship in the foreign harbor
can be known at home almost within an hour of her
reaching port. Then, foreign prices were unknown
and the result of a voyage might be splendid success
or ruinous disaster; now, a voyage is merely a passage
from port to port with the market ascertained before-
hand at either end.
When Captain Jonathan Carnes set sail for Suma-
tra, in 1795, on his secret voyage for pepper, nothing
was heard from him until eighteen months later, he
entered with a cargo of pepper in bulk, the first to be
so imported into this country, and which sold at the
extraordinaiy profit of seven hundred per cent. This
uncertainty which hung over the fate of ship and
cargo lent a romantic interest to these early voyages
which this age, with its telegraph and steamship, has
destroyed.
The lower part of the town, in the days of Salem's
commerce, was full of bustling activity. The wharves
were crowded with vessels discharging their cargoes,
gathered from all nations, or loading for another ven-
ture across the seas. Sailors fresh from the distant
Indies were chatting on the street corners with com-
panions about to depart thither, or were lounging
about the doors of the sailor boarding-houses with
that indescribable air of disdain for all landsmen
which seems always to attach to the true rover of the
seas. They were looked upon by the younger por-
tion of the community with that curiosity which is so
SALEM.
65
near akin to awe, with which we regard those about to
start upon, or who have just returned from some un-
commonly perilous undertaking.
The shops were full of strange and unique articles
brought from distant lands. The parrot screamed at
the open door and in the back shop the monkey and
other small denizens of foreign forests gamboled at
will, sometimes escaping to the neighboring house-
tops, much to the delight of the small children who
gathered to watch their capture with upturned faces
and expressions of intense interest in the result of the
chase. Derby Street in those days was well worth a
visit, if only for the suggestions of foreign lands that
met the eye on every hand.
Salem at that time was one of the principal points
for the distribution of foreign merchandise, over
eight million pounds of sugar being among the im-
ports of the year 1800. The streets about the wharves
were alive with teams loaded with goods for all parts
of the country. It was a bu.sy scene with the coming
and going of vehicle-', some from long distances, for
railroads were then unknown and all transportation
must be carried on in wagons and drays. In the
taverns could be seen teamsters from all quarters sit-
ting around the open fire in the chilly evenings, dis-
cussing the news of the day or making merry over
potations of New England rum, which Salem in the
good old times manufactured in abundance.
All this has changed. The sail-lofts where on the
smooth floor sat the sail-makers, with their curious
thimbles fastened to the palms of their hands, busily
stitching the great white sheets of canvas that were
to carry many a gallant ship safely through storm
and tempest to her destination in far-distant harbors,
and that were to be reflected in seas before unvexed
by the keel of an American vessel, are deserted or
given over to more prosaic uses, the ship-chandlers'
shops are closed and the old mathem.atical instrument
maker has taken in his swinging sign of a quadrant,
shut up his shop and, as if there was no further use
for him here, has started on the long voyage from
which there is no return.
The merchandise warehouses on the wharves no
longer contain silks from India, tea from China, pep-
per from Sumatra, coffee from Arabia, spices from
Batavia, gum-copal from Zanzibar, hides from Africa,
and the various other products of far-away countries.
The boys have ceased to watch on the Neck for the
incoming vessels, hoping to earn a reward by being
the first to announce to the expectant merchant the
safe return of his looked-for vessel. The foreign
commerce of Salem, once her pride and glory, has
spread its white wings and sailed away forever.
It remains for us to-day to gather together as well
as we may the facts and incidents of this memorable
epoch in the history of our city and preserve them as
a precious legacy from the Salem of the past to the
Salem of the future.
Although commerce has sought other ports and is
5
no longer prosecuted here, the influence of the old-
time merchants, whose energy and enterprise, whose
daring and far-sightedness, made such an unparal-
leled chapter in the history of Salem, still lingers
with us. Salem to-day owes to these men the high
position she holds in the world of science. Their
broad and liberal views, stimul.ited by contact with
all nations, prepared their descendants, the Salem of
to-day, for the good work which is now being carried
on in our midst. Their rare and unique collection of
curiosities now in the possession of the Peabody
Academy of Science grows in interest each year,
being one of the principal points of attraction to
visitors. As such it will always remain, a perpetual
monument to the far-seeing and public-spirited mer-
chants and ship-masters of Salem.
Salem was undoubtedly chosen as a good place for
settlement by Roger Conant, who described it as " a
fruitful necke of land," because of its harbors and
rivers. Situated on a peninsula, with North River
on one side and South River on the other, all parts
of the town were readily accessible by water. Salem
was from the first and of necessity a maritime place.
The Massachusetts Company, that sent John Endi-
cott to Salem, was a trading company, and the home
Governor, Matthew Cradock, writes to Endicott in
1629 to send, as return cargoes, "staves, sarsaparilla,
sumach, two or three hundred firkins of sturgeon and
other fish and beaver."
The early, long-continued and staple trade of
Salem was in the product of the fisheries. The har-
bors and rivers swarmed with fish, and the supply
was so plentiful that large quantities were often used
for manure. From 162;i to 1740 Winter Island seems
to have been the headquarters of the Salem fishing
trade, and that trade was the staple business of
Salem down to a much later period. In 1643 the
merchants of Salem were trading with the West
Indies, with Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands.
Between 1640 and 1650 the commercial career of
Salem received an impetus, and her vessels made
voyages not only to the mother-country but to the
West Indies, Bermudas, Virginia and Antigua. Her
wealth was great in proportion to her population,
and Josselyn, writing in 1644, sa^-s "in this town are
some very rich merchants." In 1663 William Hol-
lingworth, a Salem merchant, agrees to send one
hundred hogsheads of tobacco from the River Poto-
mac by ship from Boston to Plymouth in England,
the isle of Jersey or any port in Holland, and thence
to said island for seven pounds sterling per ton.
From 1670 to 1740 the trade was to the West In-
dies and most ports of Europe, including Spain
France and Holland. From 1686 to 1689 inclusive
Salem is trading to Barbadoes, London, Fayal, Penn-
sylvania, Virginia and Antigua. The great majority
of her vessels are ketches from twenty to forty tons
and carrying from four to six men. Only one ship
appears among them, and her tonnage is but one
66
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY. MASSACHUSETTS.
hundred and thirty tons. In 1698-99 registers are
taken out for two ships of eighty and two hundred
tons, a barque, three sloops and twenty ketches. The
ketch of those days was two-masted, with square sails
on the fore-mast and a fore-and-aft sail on the main-
mast, which was shorter than the fore-mast. The
schooner, which gradually supplanted the ketch,
first appears in our Salem marine about 1720. Felt
says that " Andrew Robinson, of Gloucester, origi-
nated the name of schooner in 1709." John John-
son, of Salem, in 1693, "having for nigh three years
followed the trade of boating goods " to and from
Boston, " sometimes twice a weeke," complains to
Governor William Phipps of the cost of entering and
clearing.
In 1700 the foreign trade of Salem is thus described
by Higginson : " Dry, merchantable codfish for the
markets of Spain, Portugal and the Straits, refuse fish,
lumber, horses and provisions for the West Indies.
Returns made directly to England aie sugar, mo-
lasses, cotton, wool, logwood and Brasiletto-wood, for
which we depend on the West Indies. Our own pro-
duce, a considerable quantity of whale and fish-oil,
whalebone, furs, deer, elk and bear-skins are annually
sent to England. We have much shipping here, and
freights are low."
Dr. Edward A. Holyoke, writing of the commerce
of Salem in 1749, says : " The commerce of this town
was chiefly with Spain and Portugal and the West
Indies, especially with St. Eustatia. The cod fishery
was carried on with success and advantage. The
schooners were employed on the fishing banks in the
summer, and in the autumn were laden with fish,
rum, molasses and the produce of the country and
sent to Virginia and Maryland, and there spent the
winter retailing their cargoes, and in return brought
corn and wheat and tobacco. This Virginian voyage
was seldom very profitable, but, as it served to keep
the crews together, it was continued till more advan-
tageous employment offered."
Comparatively little mention is made in this chap-
ter of the commerce of Salem prior to the Revolu-
tion. The colonial trade was narrow and limited,
and was restricted by the short-sighted policy of the
home government. Trade was carried on with the
West Indies, with the mother-country and with some
other of the European ports, but the famous record
of Salem as a commercial port begins with the close
of the Revolutionary War.
Colonel Higginson, in his recent article on " Old
Salem Sea-Captains," says " there is nothing more
brilliant in American history than the brief career of
maritime adventure which made the name of Salem
synonymous with that of America in many a distant
port. The period bridged the interval between two
wars ; the American Revolution laid its foundation ;
the later war with England saw its last trophies."
It is to this period that this chapter is largely de-
voted, and it has been the endeavor of the writer to
present as complete an account of Salem's commer-
cial triumphs as can be gathered, the records of the
custom-house and the files of contemporaneous news-
papers being gleaned for material for the work. The
log-books in the custody of the Essex Institute have
also been carefully examined. These form a curi-
ously interesting collection suggestive of life on
ship-board, and of the old ship masters who made the
entries in them from day to day. It is to be regretted
that a large proportion are devoted wholly to the direc-
tion and force of the wind, to the latitude and longi-
tude and the details of the ship's course. But now
and then, especially among those belonging to the
East India Marine Society, most interesting accounts
are given of the customs and manners of foreign na-
tions.
In one of the oldest of them we find this entry,
made in the Indian Ocean : " A wave just broke over
the ship and came in at the cabin w'indow, making a
blot on the log;" and there is the blurred writing,
just as the salt water left it a hundred years ago ; a
trifling incident, but how real it makes the voyage to
us! As we turn the pages, yellow with age and
musty even now with the smell of the ship, we seem
almost to be sailing the distant ocean and feel the
force of the wave as it dashes against the vessel and
throws its spray through the cabin window.
In the following pages it has been found most con-
venient to trace the course of trade with different
countries separately, although it must be understood
that many vessels visited several of the ports named
in the course of a single voyage, — one, for instance,
starting from Salem stopping at Manilla, and thence
on to Canton, returning direct to Salem.
The Caxton Trade.— Elias Hasket Derby led
the way to India and China, and opened for Salem
that extensive foreign commerce which will always
hold a prominent place in her history. His enter-
prise and vigor was something rarely paralleled. Not
content to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors, he
turned bis eyes to the Cape of Good Hope and the far-
distant Indies, and determined to measure his strength
with the incorporated companies of England and
France and Holland, which then entirely monopo-
lized the commerce of the East. He boldly entered
into competition with that great and powerful mo-
nopoly, the East India Company, which Queen Eliza-
beth incorporated on the last day of the sixteenth
century, a company whose Governor, Josiah Child
(formerly an apprentice, sweeping one of the count-
ing-rooms of London), became the possessor of bound-
less wealth, the companion of nobles, and one from
whom King Charles II. graciously accepted a gift of
ten thousand guineas,^a monopoly which held in its
powerful grasp the whole trade of England, with the
distant East, issuing its edicts from the India House
on Leadenhall Street to its subjects in India, com-
manding them to disregard the votes of the House of
Commons ; and which, as late as the year 1800, when
SALEM.
67
the ship " Active," of Salem, George Nichols, mas-
ter, arrived at Liverpool, from Salem, with a cargo of
Surat cotton, compelled her to carry it to London and
dispose of it from the warehouses of the Company in
that city.
Mr. Derby, on the 28th of November, 1785, cleared
the ship " Grand Turk," Ebenezer West, master,
for the Isle of France, with the purpose to visit
Canton. This vessel went to the Isle of France and
China, and returned to Salem in .June, 1787, with a
car^oofteas, silks and nankeens, making the first
voyage from New England to the Isle of France, In-
dia and China.
In the year 1790 there were three arrivals from
Canton. The brig " William and Henry," Benjamin
Hodges, master, one hundred and fity tons, was en-
tered, in May, to Gray & Orne. Captain Hodgeji was
a good type of the master mariner of that period. He
was born in Salem, April 2(5, 1754. When the East
India Marine Society was formed, be was chosen its
president. He brought to Salem the first full cargo
of tea direct from Canton. He died April 13,180(5.
Captain Hodges makes the following quaint entry in
his log-book, under date of Friday, Dec. 25, 1789, when
leaving China for home : " Discharged the pilot after
much altercation, having promised him fifty-six dol-
lars, which I only intended as a conveniency, as
forty dollars is the established customary price, which
sum was all I intended and all I did pay him. How-
ever unjust it may appear to promise with an inten-
tion not to perform, yet it is necessary in dealing with
such rascals as the Chinese, who are ever ready to
take undue advantage, and, as the vulgar say, ' Two
cheats is an even bargain,' and the only method to
keep pace with such faithless villains." Evidently
Captain Hodges was not impressed with the honesty
of the average Chinaman.
Captain Hodges also gives a list of the American
vessels then lying at Canton, fourteen in all, of which
five hailed from Salem, four from New York, three
from Philadelphia and two from Boston ; and of
the two Boston ships, one, the " Massachusetts," of
one hundred and ninety tons, had a Salem man,
Benjamin Carpenter, for captain. Captain Carjien-
ter, although he does not appear to have made any
voyages from Salem, was intimately connected with
our marine societies. He was one of the founders of
the East India Marine Society and an early member of
theSaleinMarineSociety, which last-named society has
in its possession a log-book of a voyage made by him
in the ship " Hercules," of Boston, from that place to
the East Indies, in 1792. His crew con.sisted of
thirty-nine men, thirteen of them from Salem. All
but two or three of the crew were between nineteen
and twenty-four years of age, Captain Carpenter put-
ting down his own age at forty. This log-book is
remarkable for the elegance of the penmanship and
the skill displayed in making pen-and-ink sketches of
islands, rocks and other objects of interest to mariners.
The ship " Astrea," James Magee, master, and
Thomas Handasyd Perkins, supercargo, of three hun-
dred and thirty tons, arrived in June to Elias H.
Derby, with a cargo of tea, paying $27,109.18 as
duties ; and the ship " Light Horse," Ichabod Nich-
ols, master, two hundred and sixty-six tons, in June,
to Elias H. Derby, with a cargo of tea, paying
$16,312.98 as duties. There is no year when the
direct arrivals from Canton numbered more than
three. The " Astrea " was one of Mr. Derby's favor-
ite ships. She was distinguished for speed, having in
one voyage to the Baltic, made the run in eleven
days from Salem to the coast of Ireland. Preparing
for a voyage to Canton was in those days a serious
undertaking. The "Astrea " was sent up the Baltic
for iron, a schooner was sent to Madeira for wine,
and specie was collected from New York, Philadel-
phia and Baltimore. In February, 1789, the " .\strea"
was dispatched for Canton with an assorted cargo,
consisting of iron, wine, butter, candles, ginseng, beef
and flour. The cargo of the " Astrea " was entrusted
to the joint care of Captain JamesMagee and Thomas
Handasyd Perkins. This bist-named gentleman was
afterwards for many years a leading merchant of Bos-
ton, and one of the founders of the Boston
Athena?um.
As showing how completely the merchant was
obliged to rely on the judgment of the officers of his
ship a few extracts from the letter of instruction
given by Mr. Derby to the officers of the "Astrea "
may be interesting. He writes as follows :
"Salem, Febniary, 1780.
"Capt. J.iMES Magee, Jr.. Mr. Thom.as H. PERKPiS •
"Gent£, — The ship '.Vstrea' being ready for 3ea. I do a<Ivise and onler
you to coine to sail and make the best of your way to Batavia, and on
your arrival there you will dispose of such a part of the cargo as you
think may be moat for my interest. If you find the price of sugar to be
low, you will then take into the ship as much of the best white kind as
will floor her, and tifty thousand weight of coffee, if it is as low as we
have heard, and fifteen thousand of saltpetre, if very low ; some nut-
megs and fifty thousand weight of pepper ; this, you will stow in the
fore peak, for fear of its injuring the tea.*. At Batavia you must, if
possible, get as much freight for Canton as will pay half or more of your
charges, — that is, if it will not detain you too long— as by this addition
of freight it ^vill exceedingly help the voyage. If Messrs. Blanchard .t
Webb are at Batavia in the Brigantine 'Three Sisters,' and if they
have not stock sufficient to load with coffee and sugar, and if it is low,
and you think it for my advantage, then I would have you ship me
some coffee or sugar and a few nutmegs to complete his loading. If his
brigantine can be sold for a large price, and sugar and coffee are too
dear to make any large freight — in that case it possibly may be for my
interest to have her sold, and for them to take passage with you to Can-
ton, but this must not be done unless you. Dr. Blanchard and Capt.
Webb shall think it greatly for my iuterest. It is my order that in case
of your sickness, you write a clause at the foot of thes_* orders, putting
the command of the ship into the person's hands that you think the
most equal for it, not having any regain! to the station he at present ha^
in the ship. Among the silks, you will get me one or two pieces of the
wide nankeen satin, and others you will get ad directed. Get me two
potaof twenty pounds each of ginger, that is well put up; and lay out
for my account fifteen or twenty pounils sterling in curiosities. There
will be breakage-room in the bilge of the ship, that nothing dry can go
in; therefore, in the crop of the bilge, you will put some boxes of
China, such as are suitable for such places, and filled with cups and
saucere, some bowls, and anything of the kind that may answer. .\1-
tboui;li 1 have been a liltlc purliciilar ill these orders, I do not mean
68
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tlieni as positive ; and you have leave to break them in any part where
you by culcuhatlon thinlt it for my interest.
" Your friend and employer,
" Elias Hasket Derby."
The '*Astrea" did not make so successful a voyage
as was anticipated. American ships were beginning
to follow the lead of the *' Grand Turk," and between
the fall of 1788 and 1791, no less than fifteen Ameri-
can vessels arrived in Canton. Mr. Perkins was
obliged to sell the large invoice of ginseng at twenty
thousand dollars, less than the prime cost. Four
ships of Mr. Derby, the "Astrea,'* " Light Horse,"
"Atlantic" and "Three Sisters," were lying at Can-
ton in the summer of 1789. Two of these ships were
sold, and the proceeds of all their cargoes was shipped
in the "Astrea" and ** Light Horse," both of which
vessels arrived safely in Salem, in June, 1790, with
728,871 pounds of tea for Mr. Derby. The entire
importation into the United States during this year
was 2,601,852 pounds. This unprecedented importa-
tion was disheartening to the China merchants, as it
was largely in excess of the consumption which at
that time was less than a million pounds. An unex-
pected duty had also been imposed on teas which
bore heavily upon the importers.
We therefore find no further arrival from Canton til!
1798, when the ship " Perseverance," Richard Wheat-
land, master, enters in April with a cargo of tea and
sugar to Simon Forrester, paying in dutie^s $24,5()2.10.
Captain Wheatland was largely endowed with the
bravery, vigor and enterprise which were so essential
to a successful ship-master in the times when it was
sometimes necessary to fight a passage to the destined
harbor. He was born in Wareham, England, in Octo-
ber, 1762, and began his seafaring life in the city of
London. He served on a British man-of-war for three
years, holding some small office on board the ship.
After the peace of 1783, Captain Wheatland, being in
the West Indies, became acquainted with Captain
William Silver, of Salem, and at his solicitation came
to Salem, where he afterwards resided. He married
a daughter of his friend, Captain Silver. She died
shortly after her marriage, and he subsequently mar-
ried a daughter of Stephen Goodhue. He was the
father of George Wheathmd, now the senior member
of the Essex bar, and of Dr. Henry Wheatland, the
president of the Essex Institute. As illustrating the
dangers to which commerce was exposed at this time
as well as the bravery of Captain Wheatland and his
crew the following letter is given, together with the
heading which precedes it in a local paper, and which
shows the bitterness with which the French nation
was then regarded by the press and people, —
"A sea fight gallantly and victoriously maint.ained by the ship 'Per-
severance,' Captain Richai'd Wheatland, of this port, against one of the
vessels of war uf the ' Terrible Republic' The Freni-h rascals, con-
trary to the laws of war and of honor, fought under false colors, whilst
the ' Eagle,* true to hie charge, spread his winga on the American flag."
The following is Captain Wheatland's letter to his
owners ;
" Ship ' Perseverance,' Old Straits of Bahama, January 1, 1799.
" Gentlemen :
" Conceiving we may possibly meet an opportunity of forwarding this
immediately on our arrival at Havana, or perhaps before, induces me to
give an account of our voyage thus far.
"Until December 26 met with nothing very material, except heavy,
disagreeable weather off" the coast, and, having the wind so far to the
westward as to preclude the possibility of making our passage round the
bank, were compelled, contrary to our wishes, to go through the Old
Straits of Bahama. On the afternoon of the 27th were boarded by the
British frigate 'Komilla,' Captain Rolles, our papers examined and we
treated with great politeness. They purchased, at our own prices, a
number of articles from the cargo and of the people. Three days before,
they had captured a French privateer sloop of ten guns and sixty men,
and retook an American brig, her prize. After two hours' detention we
were permitted to proceed, which we did without meeting any interrup-
tion till Monday, December 31. For particulars of that day we give an
extract from a Journal kept on hoard.
" December 31, Key Remain in sight, bearing south, distance four or
five leagues. A schooner has been in chase of us since eight o'clock,
and has eveij^ appearance of a privateer. At one o'clock p. m., finding
the schooner come up with us very fast, took in steering-sails, fore and
aft and royals; at half past one about ship and stood for her; she imme-
diately tacked and made sail from us; we fired a gun to leeward, and
hoisted the American ensign to our mizzen-peak ; she hoisted a
Spanish jack at main top-mast head, and continued to run from
us. Finding she outsailed us greatly, and wishing to get through the
narrows, in the Old Straits, at two o'clock p. m., we again about ship,
and kept on o\tr course. The schooner immediately wore, fired a gun to
leeward and kept after, under a great press of sail. At half past two she
again fired a gun to leeward, but, perceiving ourselves in the narrows,
above-mentioned, we kept on, to get through them, if possible, before she
came up with us, which we effected. At three o'clock, finding ourselves
fairly clear of Sugar Key and Key Laboas, we took in steering-sails,
wore ship, hauled up our courses, piped all hands to quarters and pre-
pared for action. The schooner immediately took in sail, struck the
Spanish jack, hoisted an English Union flag and passed under our lee at
considerable distance. We wore ship, she did the same, and passed each
other within half musket. A fellow hailed us in broken English, and
ordered the boat hoisted out and the captain to come on board with his
papers, which he refused ; he again ordered our boat out, and enforced
his orders with a menace, that in case of refusal he would sink us, using
at the same time the vilest and most infamous language it is possible to
conceive of.
"By this time he had fallen considerably astern of us; he wore and
came up on our starboard quarter, giving us a broadside as he passed our
stern, but fired so excessively wild that he did us very little injury, while
our stern-chasers gave him a noble dose of round-shot and langrage. We
hauled the ship to wind, and, as he passed us, poured a whole broadside
into him with great success. Sailing faster than we, he ranged consider-
ably ahead, tacked, and again passed, giving us a broadside and a furi-
ous discharge of musketry, which they kept up incessantly till the
latter part of tlie engagement. His musket balls reached us in every
direction, but his large shot either fell short or went considerably over
us, while our guns, loaded with round shot and stiuare bars of iron, six
inches long, were plied so briskly and directed with so good judgment,
that before he got out of reach we had cut his mainsail and fore topsail
all to rags and cleared his decks so effectually that when he bore away
from us there were scarcely ten men to be seen.
' He then struck his English, and hoisted the flag of the ' Terrible Re-
public,' and made off with all the sail she could carry, much disap-
pointed, no doubt, at not being able to give us a fraternal embrace. The
wind being light, and knowius he would outsail us, added to a solicitude
to coni]ilete our voyage, prevented our pursuing hirn ; indeed we had
sulficient to gratify our revenge for his temerity, for there was scarcely a
single fire from our guns but what spread entirely over his hull. The
action, which lasted an hour and twenty minutes, we conceive ended
well ; for, exclusive of preserving the property entrusted to our care, we
feel a confidence we have rid the world of some infamous pests of so
ciety. We were within musket-shot the whole time of the engagement
and were so fortunate as to receive but very trifling injury ; not a per.
son on board met the slightest harm. Our sails were a little torn, and
one of the quarter-deck guns dismounted.
"The privateer was a schooner of eighty or ninety tons, copper bottom
and tbught five or six guns on a side. We are now within fortv -eight
hours' sail of Havana, where we expect to arrive in safety ; indeed we
SALEM.
69
have no fear of any privateer's preventing iis, unless greatly superior in
force. Tlie four quarter-tieck puns will require new carriages, ami one
of them was entirely (iisniounted.
" Wh reiiuiin with esteem,
"Gentlemen,
" Your humble servant,
*' RlCllAKD WHEATLANn."
There ia appended to this letter, in the newspaper,
the following comment:
" The gallantry of young Mr. IngersoU, on board the ' Perseverance,'
we are well assured, contributed greatly to second the determined
bravery of Captain Wheatland in defending the ship. Indeed the whole
ship's company deserve well of their owners and of their country."
Captain Wheatland, after retiring from the sea, was
engaged in commerce. He died in Salem in March,
1830.
The ship " Elizabeth," Daniel Sage, master, arrived
from Canton in June, 1799, consigned to William
Gray, and the ship " Pallas," William Ward, master,
to Samuel Gray, William Gray and .Toseph Peabody,
with a cargo of tea and sugar, paying a duty of SO(i,
927.65, arrived in .luly, 1800. In May, 1802, the ship
"Minerva," M. Folger, master, belonging to Clitrord
Crowninshield and Nathaniel West, entered from
Canton and was the first Salem vessel to circumnavi-
gate the globe. She sailed around Cape Horn, stop-
ped one degree south of Chiloe, went to the Island of
Mas-a-Fuera, where she took seals, wintered south of
Lima and proceeded to China. She came home
around the Cape of Good Hope.
The .ship " Concord," Obed Wyer, master, entered
from Canton in July, 1802, with a cargo of tea to
Gideon Tucker and Pickering Dodge, paying a duty
of Si20,477.53 ; and in April, 1803, the ship "Union,"
George Hodges, master, to Ichabod Nichols and thirty-
nine others, entered with a cargo of tea, paying a duty
of $43,190.79. Thet-hip "Friendship," William Story,
master, arrived from Canton, Sumatra and the Isle of
France, in August, 1804, to Jerathmael Pierce, with
tea, coffee and pejjper, paying a duty of $31,.")14.19.
The ship " Eliza," William Richardson, master, ar-
rived in May, 1807, to Pierce and Wait, and the ship
" Hercules," James M. Fairfield, master, with a cargo
of tea and cassia, paying a duty of $45,575.98, in March,
1808, to Nathaniel West. In April, 1810, the brig
" Pilgrim," Charles Pearson, master, arrived to Rich-
ard Gardner, and the ship " Hunter," Philip P. Pinal
master, with a cargo of tea, sugar, candy and cassia,
to Jerathmael Pierce, in May, 1810.
The brig " Active," William P. Richardson, master,
arrived vviih a cargo of tea and cassia, consigned to
James Cook, and paying duties to the amount of
about thirty-two thousand dollars. The "Active"
left Salem June 1, 1810, and went to the Feejee Is-
lands, where she remained till July 26, 1811. She
arrived in Salem, March 27, 1812, one hundred and
eighteen days from Canton.
The brig "Canton," Daniel Bray, Jr., master, ar-
rived in May, 1817, from Canton and Marseilles, to
Joseph Peal>ody and Gideon Tucker, having per-
formed the voyage to Canton and Europe in eleven
months and twenty-five days. The .ship "China,"
Benjamin Shreve, master, cleared for Canton, May 24,
1817, and arrived in Salem March 30, 1818, with a car-
go of tea, nankeens and silks to Joseph Peabody and
others, and ])aying a duty of $il5,.348.56. In January,
1819, the ship " Hercules," James King, Jr., master,
arrived with a cargo of tea and sugar, paying a duty
of $51,765.49 and consigned to Nathaniel We.st, Jr.
and others. The ship " Osprey," Stephen Brown,
master, arrived from Canton, via Boston, in July, 1819,
one hundred and seventeen days from Canton, to
William P. Richardson, and the ship " Midas," Tim-
othy Endicott, master, entered from Canton, via Bos-
ton, to Pickering Dodge, with a cargo of tea, cloves
and sugar, in September, 1819, one hundred and forty-
three days from Canton. In February, 1820, the ship
" Friendship," Thomas Meeke, master, entered from
Canton to Pickering Dodge and others, with a cargo
paying a duty of $21,677,44.
The brig " Leander," owned by Joseph Peabody,
made three voyages direct from Canton, entering in
March, 1825, in April, 1826 and in July, 1829. Charles
Roundy was master on the first two voyages and N.
Smith on the last ; the cargoes paying duties of $86,
847-47, $92,392.94 and $84,043.82 respectively. The
ship " China," H. Putnam, master, entered from Can-
ton in April, 1825, to Joseph Peabody and others, pay-
ing a duty of $22,987.32.
The ship "Sumatra," owned by Joseph Peabody,
made six voyages direct from Canton, entering in
April, 1829, in April, 18.30, in October, 1831, in
June, 18.34, in December, 1836, and in October)
1841. Charles Roundy was master on the first four
voyages, and Peter Silver on the last two. When re-
turning on the last voyage. Captain Silver speaks the
ship "Echo," dismasted, with one hundred and forty
passengers bound for New York. He could not board
the distressed vessel at once, because of the storm
then prevailing, but lay by until he was able to send
his boat and supply her with sails and provisions. He
took on board his own vessel twenty-four of the pas-
sengers, including several sick ladies, and landed them
at Holmes lloll. For the kind and timely assistance
rendered, Captain Silver was presented by the ]ia.ssen-
gers with a silver pitclier, and each of his mates with
a silver cup.
The ship " Eclipse," William Johnson, niastfr, en-
tered from Canton in August, 1832, consigned to
Joseph Peabody. The above-named comprise all the
vessels that entered at the Salem Custom-house, direct
from Canton, bringing a full cargo of Canton goods.
There were many other Salem vessels that went there
in the course of their voyages, or that cleared from
Salem for Canton and returned to other ports. The
ship " St. Paul," Chas. H. Allen, master, and owned
by Stephen C. Phillips, went to China from Manilla
and on her return to Salem in March, 1845, broufiht
iiart of a cargo of tea iind other merchandise from
70
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
China. All the direct trade from Canton to Salem
after 1825 was carried on by Joseph Peabody.
Among the vessels that cleared for Canton was the
ship *' Brutus," Richard Crowninshield, master
March 7, 1798. The ship " Gov. Endicott," Benjamin
Shreve, master, cleared for Canton May 5, 1819, and
experienced a tremendous gale on July 31st, during
which the whole watch, consisting of the second-mate
and heven men were washed overboard and lost, and
her mizzen-mast and rudder were carried away. She
arrived at St. Salvador in a crippled condition on the
26th of September.
From a journal kept by Mr. Samuel Gondhue on
board the ship "Sumatra," Charles Roundy, master*
on a voyage to Manilla and Canton, the following ex-
tracts are made as giving some general account of the
incidents of such voyages,
'* Sunday, May 24, 1829.— At three o'clock in the morning got under
way from Derby wharf, and in fifteen minutes dropped anchor in the
harbor. At seven o'clock the passengers came on board and we got
uuder way and stood to sea. For passengcra we have Mr. Low and
wife. Mrs. Harriet Low and servant and Mr. Amniidon. The ship's
company consists of tlie captain, his two mates, Mr. Johnson and Mr.
Shephard, eleven hands before the mast, cook and steward, making
twenty-one persous in all on board. At eight o'clock we discharged our
pilot, and at ten o'clock we got our breakfast. Tha wind was fair and
blowing a good breeze, fast taking us from our native laud.
"Wednesday, June 3d. — Very pleaBant and delightful weather. We
have been employed for several days in cleaning our guns, small arms,
boarding pikes, etc., and in making wads and other warlike prepara-
tions, as we shall soon be in the way of pirates.
'Sunday, June 21s(.— This is the fourth Sunday at sea, and we are
now drawing near the equator.
"Monday, June 22d. — Just as the watch was called at four p.m., we
discovered a barque just on our weather bow about eight miles from us.
He had his royals furled top-gallant sails clewed up, courses hauled up,
and main top sail to the mast. He seemed to be laying too to speak to
us. On our nearer approach, he being two or three miles on our weather
bow, saw him to be a small craft with painted ports, and instead of a
barque it was a brig with a jigger mast and a false stern. It was evi-
dently a man of-war or a pirate in disguise. The wind beginning to
head us oflf, all hands were called to tack ship to the westward. In a few
minutes a heavy rain squall came up, and we soon lost sight of our
suspicious neighbor.
'^Monday, June 29th. — Thirty-seven days out. About one p.m. crossed
the Equator with a six-knct breeze.
" S'ltniiUiy, July 2otk — This fureiioon saw two very largo whales very
near us. They appeared to be very old and had barnacles on their heads.
They passed very slowly under our stern with their mouths wide open.
Wedne^d'ty, Jnhj 2'Mh. — Had strong breezes during the day. The dis-
tance ran was two hundred and one miles, the greatest day's work since
leaving Salem.
"Sitiid(i_y, AuQiist \Wi. — For the last twenty days ending yesterday we
sailed three thousand nix hundred and eight uiiles, averaging one hun-
dred and eighty miles a day. Caught a large porjjnise weighing about
three hundred and Iifty pounds. It was very fortunate for us to get
some oil as our stock of oil has been out four or five days.
*-Wednesday^ Augmt 2Hh. — At eleven p.m. we saw the Island of Java,
and at eight a.m. we passed Java Head with a fine eight-knot breeze
and got fairly inside the Straits of Sunda. Came to anchor otf Angier,
and a Dutch boat came off for news and letters, and afterwards came off
again, bringing fowls, vegetables and fruit. They informed us that the
ship ' Lotus,' Thomas Moriaty, captain, had gone up the Straits three
days before bound to Canton.
" Ttu'irfay, September 8th. — About two P.M. we entered the Bay of
Manila after a very short passage of one hundred and six days from
Salem. As we went up the bay the rain at intervals poured down in
torrents, giving us a specimen of Manila weather, at this season of the
year. At dark we passed the point of Cavite, and at seven o'clock came
to anchor about two miles below Manila. We found the ship 'Man-
darin,' of Salem, William Osguod, captain, and tlu^ shi]), ' Rustitution,'
Capt. Kinsman, and a New York brig were at Cavite. Thus, of the five
ve3.sels laying in a single port, three of them are Salem ships.
*' Monday, September 14Wt. — Went ashore at Manila. The streets, some
of them are wide with tolerable good accommodations for foot passengei-s.
The lower stories of all the buildings are occupied as shops or stores.
The upper stories are used as dwellings. The shops for the most part
are kept by Chinese. They are not very neat, and are generally filled
with a great variety of articles, such as hats, dry goods, fancy articlee,
etc. We passed a bridge built of stone over a canal. There were
plenty of beggars on the bridge who had a very miserable appearance.
There are several large churches in the suburbs. One very large one of
stone we went into. They were saying mass over a corpse. After
hurrying over a parcel of Latin, like a ship in a squall, and throwing a
little water and burning some incense, the corpse was carried off. The
inside of the church was paved with flag-stones, and was filled with
Malays, a large proportion being small boys, who appeared to be very
devout. I do not think the city is very strongly fortified. It was once
taken by the English. We met a number of carriages something like a
barouche. They were filled with ladies who all have a kind of olive
I)ale complexion, but aie otherwise tolerably handsome. They dress
very splendidly and generally have no head dress excepting a handker-
chief or piece of muslin. I never saw any of them walking, I suppose
they think themselves too good to touch the earth. Among the Malay
women there is but very little beauty. They are of a copper color and
have a kind of hopping gait, something resembling a cock turkey. Tlieir
dress is but little more than a piece of cloth tied round their waist.
They wear wooden shoes which have nothing above the sole excepting a
small place for a toe. At eight o'clock we returned to the ship. If I
waa to live here I should nnich rather be on board our ship than on
shore among a parcel of Spaniards, Malays, pigs and dogs.
" Thiesdmj^ Septe7nber 2lirf— At8 30we got under way after laying in
Manila fifteen days, and taking in four thousand piculsof rice, and a
light breeze took us slowly out of sight of the turrets and towers of
Manila.
*"■ Wedneaduy , September SOth. — We are sailing along aimmg the Ladrone
Islands. There are plenty of fishermen about us. The fishermen are a
very hardy set of people. Their whole fortune is in their boat and that
is their sole dependence. They carry their families in their boat and
sometimes there are two or three generations, from the white-headed old
man to the young babe. Their boats are kept in good order and
generally have two masts, with mat sails. They mostly fish two or three
in company with nets, and come to anchor in the night among the
islands. They are, indeed, a very independent set of men. It is but
nine months since we were going along these islands bound home. We
have made two passages, laid in Salem one month, been to Manila, and
are now here again. At three p.m. we came to anchor iu Macao roads.
At ten o'clock the next morning our passengers left us, and no doubt
were glad to get on shore after being so long on shipboard. Several
Chinese junks passed us bound into Macao. They generally have two
or three masts, and have an eye painted on each bow. They have large
wooden anchors, and sail very clumsily.
*' Saturday, October '.id. — Got under way for Lintiu, and in the afternoon
we passed a great number of craft of all descriptions, mostly fishing boats.
We generally siiw that the wife had the helm while the men were at
work on the nets or laying still, and there were plenty of young brats,
blackguarding every one that passed, for that I believe is the first
thing they learn. The town of Liutin is small and is the principal place
for smuggling opium, which sells here for eight hundred dollars a picul
of one hundred and thirty-three pounds.
'* Tuesday, October fith. — About eleven o'clock we passed a fort which
stands at the entrance of Whampoa Kiver. There was a mandarin came
off to go up the river with us, and, though dressed in his gaudy roln-s
and arrayed in all his state, his first business after coming on board was
to beg a bottle of rum. Soon after passing the entrance we came in
sight of a large pagoda which stands upon high land and is about two
hundred feet high.
"Monday, October I2th. — This morning five of us started in the boat to
go up to Canton. We passed a duck boat. The ducks were let out on
the sliore to feed, and I should think there were several hundred of
them. When the keepers want tbem they sing out, and the last one in
generally gets a Hogging. Some distance from the city you can tell you
are drawing near to a large commercial city, by the clouds of sniuke
hanging over it, and the forests of nuists in the river. At the head of
Whampoa River stands a fort. It is square and built of stone and brick,
and has about thirty small pieces of cannon in it. They are lashed with
rattan to blocks of wood. We soon landed at Canton, and were busy
making what little purchases we were able to affurd. The shop-kecjK-r^^
SALEM.
71
are always ready at the landing place to lead you to tbeir shops, recom-
mending their goods above all others. Their shops, especially those in
China and New Streets, are very clean, and their goods make a hand-
some show. They generally have an Eniilish sign over their door, but
go by the Chinese names, e.vcept some in Hog Lane, such as 'Jimmy,'
'Good Tom,' ' Young Turn,' etc., anil among others, 'General Jackson,'
recommended himself to us. We were not much gratified in finding the
hero, an inferior, black-looking Tartar, sun ounded by a few pieces of
inferior silks, some pictures, etc. .\t six o'clock we returned to the
ship.
" Thnrsdatj^ Decemher llth. — At three o'clock this morning six of us
started in the pinnace for Canton. After breakfast we went up China
Street to finish making our purchases, and while there saw a procession
of a mandarin. He was preceded by about a dozen dirty-looking Tar-
tars with bamboos, and no other uniform than a dirty led cap. One had
an instrument something like a tambourine, another something like a
fife, which made a hard screeching sound The mandarin was in a
palanquin and carried by two Tartars. At the head of the street there
was a theatre. The players were very active, and their dress was rich
and s]dendid. They are paid by the shop-keepers ef the street, and at-
tract great numbers of Chinese. At the entrance of China Street there
was a large figure of Josh, and around him were burning several lights,
while before him were heaps of oranges, also a roast pig and a turkey.
About four o'clock we started on our return to the ship.
**Weihi€sdafi, Decemher Ziilh. — Having got all our cargo of tea on board,
we got underway and dropped down the river on our way home. After
an uneventful passage, the 'Sumatra' arrived safely in Salem harbor,
with her cargo of tea, in April, 1830."
The India Trade.— Indi<a was visited soon after
the close of the Revolutionary War by Salem vessels.
The trade was opened by Elias Hasket Derby, and
the ship " Atlantic," commanded by his son, was the
first vessel to display the American ensign at Surat,
Bombay and Calcutta. This was in the year 1788.
The ship " Peggy " arrived in Salem, June 21,1789,
with the first cargo of Bombay cotton brought to this
country, consigned to E. H. Derby. The brigantine
"Henry," Benjamin Crowninshield, master, of one
hundred and twenty-five tons burden, and manned
by eight men, arrived at Salem, from Madras, Bengal
and the Isle of France, consigned to E. H. Derby and
John Derby, Jr., January 10, 1791, and on May 13,
1793, the ship " Grand Turk," Benjamin Hodges,
master, of five hundred and sixty-four tons burden,
and owned by E. H. Derby, arrived from Madras
with 1,031,484 pounds of sugar, 500 bags of saltpetre,
464 pieces of redwood, 3,900 hides, 709 bags of gin-
ger, 830 bags of pepper, and 22 chests of tea,
the cargo paying a duty of $24,229,65. The " Grand
Turk" had sailed, outward bound, Sunday, March 11,
1792, at 3 P. M., and Captain Hodges writes in his
log book that " great numbers of our friends assem-
bled at the old fort and expressed their good wishes in
the old English custom of three huzzas." The
schooner " Polly and Sally," George Crowninshield,
master, and consigned to Richard Crowninshield with
sugar, pepper and coffee, arrived from Bengal in May,
1794. The l)rig "Enterprise," William Ward, master,
entered in August, 1794, from India, consigned to
William Gray. The ship " Henry," Jacob Crownin-
shield, master, entered from India and Cowes, in
November, 1794 to E. H. Derby. " The ship " Wash-
ington," Benjamin Webb, Jr., master, entered July
11, 1795, from Calcutta, via. Boston, with a cargo of
sugar to John Fisk. The ketch " Eliza," Stephen
Phillips, master, appears to be the first vessel to ar-
rive at Salem direct from Calcutta. She entered Oc-
tober 8, 1795, with a cargo of sugar to E. H. Derby.
The " Eliza " cleared from Salem for the East Indies,
December 22, 1794, with an outward cargo of 48
casks of brandy, 22 barrels of naval stores, and 106
pairs of silk stockings.
There were five arrivals from India in 1796, — Feb-
ruary 23d, the brig " Friendship," George Hodges,
master, to Joseph Osgood, Jr., from Calcutta; April
18th, the snow " Peggy," Josejih Ropes, master, to E.
H. Derby, from India ; April 18th, the ship " John,"
Jona Moulton, master, to William Gray, from Calcut-
ta ; August 16th, the brig " Hind," Jona Hodges,
master, from Calcutta; and September 20th, the
ketch " Eliza," Stephen Phillips, master, to E. H.
Derby, from Calcutta.
From a New York paper, under date of April, 1796,
we make the following extract: "The 'America,'
Captaiu Jacob Crowninshield, of Salem, Mass., com-
mander and owner, has brought home an elephant
from Bengal in perfect health. It is the fir.st ever
seen in America, and is a very great curiosity. It is
a female, two years old, and of a species that grows to
an enormous size. This animal sold for ten thousand
dollars, being supposed to be the greatest price ever
given for an animal, in Europe or America."
There were four entries from India in 1797, — in
May, the bark "Essex," John Ropes, master, to Wil-
liam Orne, from Calcutta ; in May the ship " Wil-
liam and Henry," John Beckford, master, to William
Gray, from Bengal ; in May, the ship '' Benjamin,"
Richard Gardner, master, to E. H. Derby, from Cal-
cutta and the Cape of Good Hope ; and in July, the
ship " Betsey," Nathaniel Silsbee, master, from Cal-
cutta and Madras, consigned to Daniel Pierce and
Nathaniel Silsbee, with sugar, coffee and pepper,
paying a duty of $10,753.20.
During the year 1798 there were nine entries from
Calcutta ; the largest number of entries in any single
year. The years 1803 and 1818 show the same num-
ber. The entries from Calcutta for the year 1798
were, — in January, the ship " Recovery, Joseph
Ropes, master, to E. H. Derby ; in January, the ship
" Lucia," Thomas Meek, mtister, to William Gray ;
in March, the bark " Sally," Benjamin Webb, master,
to Thomas Saunders & Co. ; in March, the brig
" Good Hope," Edward West, master, to Nathaniel
West ; in March, the brig " Adventure," James Barr,
Jr., master, to John Norris ; in March, the ship
" Betsey," Josiah Orne, master, to Sanuiel Gray &
Co. ; in March, the ship " Mary," Nicholas Thorn-
dike, master ; in May, the ship " Sally," Josiah Obear,
master; and in July, the ship " Belisarius," John
Crowninshield, master, to George Crowninshield &
Sons, with a cargo of sugar, 10,76" pounds of sugar-
candy, and 118,215 pounds of cofi'ce, from Calcutta
and the Isle of France.
There were but two enterics in 1799. The ship
72
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
"Recovery," Joseph Ropes, master, entered May 7th,
to E. H. Derby. This vessel had touched at Mocha
on her outward passage, and displayed the American
flag for the first time at that port. The ship
"Ulysses," Josiah Orne, master, entered July 10th,
to William Gray. Both entries were from Calcutta.
The above-named vessels comprise all that arrived
from India prior to the year 1800.
The limits of this chapter will not permit a full list
of the subsequent entries, but the names of a few are
given as showing the Salem merchants and ship-
masters engaged in this trade. The ship "Active,"
Timothy Bryant, master, with a cargo of 180,000
pounds of cotton to Bryant & Nichols, entered from
Bombay, in August, 1800. The ship "Vigilant,"
James Clemmons, master, entered from Bombay, in
February, 1801, with a cargo of cotton to Simon For-
rester. The bark " Eliza," Benjamin Lander, mas-
ter, entered from Calcutta, July, 1801, with a cargo
of sugar and other merchandise to Joseph White.
The ship " Hazard," Henry Tibbetts, master, entered
from Calcutta, May, 1802, with sugar, cigars and
cordage, to John and Richard Gardner, paying a
duty of $10,298.
The brig " Sally," William Ashton, master, entered
from Calcutta in February, 1803, to Jacob Ashton &
Co., with a cargo of sugar, payinga duty of $10,()31.5-1.
The ship " Lucia," Solomon Towne, master, entered
from Calcutta in August, 1804, with a cargo of sugar,
indigo and cheroots, to William Gray aud others, and
paying a duty of $24,001.08.
The ship " Argo," Stephen Field, master, entered
from Calcutta in March, 180.5, with a cargo of sugar
to Philip Chase and others, and paying a duty of $32,-
799.47. The ship " Mary Ann," Edward Norris,
master, entered from Calcutta, April, 1806, with a
cargo consigned to John Norris, and paying a duty of
$14,797.68. The ship "Franklin," Timothy Well-
man, 3d master, entered from Calcutta in October,
1806, with a cargo of sugar to Joseph Peabody, and
paying a duty of $19,734.60. The ship " Friendship,"
Israel Williams, master, entered from Madras in No-
vember, 1806, with a cargo of pepper, coffee and indigo
to Pierce & Wait, paying a duty of $21,093.21. The
ship "Exeter," Thos. B. Osgood, master, entered from
Bengal in October, 1807, with 3.56,043 pounds of cotton,
11,141 of indigo, and 80,731 of sugar, payinga duty of
$16,331.21, and consigned to Benjamin Pickman, Jr.
The ship " Union," William Osgood, master, en-
tered from Calcutta in September, 1811, with a cargo
to Stephen Phillips, and paying a duty of $26,408.23.
The ship " Restitution," David D. Pulsifer, master,
entered from Calcutta in October, 1812, with a cargo
to Simon Forrester, and paying a duty of $51,526.33.
The brig "Caravan," Augustine Heard, master, en-
tered from Calcutta in March, 1813, with a cargo to
Pickering Dodge, paying a duty of $26,975. The
bark " Patriot," Nathan Frye, master, entered from
Calcutta in March, 1816, to John H. Andrews.
In October, 1816, forty-two vessels had cleared for
India since the close of the War of 1812, and sixteen
of them carried out three million hard dollars. The
ship " Malabar," Josiah Orne, master, entered from
Bombay in June, 1817, with a cargo of cotton and
pepper to John W. Rogers, paying a duty of $18,-
769.40. The ship " Endeavour," Timothy Bryant,
Jr., master, entered in September, 1817, to Dudley L.
Pickman. The brig "Alexauder," David A. Neal,
master, entered from Bombay in September, 1817,
with cotton to Jonathan Neal.
The ship "(lentoo," Nathaniel Osgood, master, en-
tered from Calcutta in June, 1818. The cargo of this
vessel, as was often the case with large vessels sent on
distant voyages, was the property of a large number
of persons. It consisted principally of sug.ar and
cotton, and the consignees were Pickering Dodge,
Nathaniel Sil.sbee, Francis and George Lee, John
Belknap, Francis Quarles, Samuel P. Gardner, Baker
& Hodges, Henry Pickering, John Derby, Philip and
A. Chase, Samuel G. Derby, John W. Rogers, John
Stone, Humphrey Devereaux, Nathaniel Osgood and
Samuel G. Perkins. The whole duty paid was $29,-
270.55. The brig " Lawry," John Holman, master,
entered from Calcutta in May, 1820, to John Derby,
and paying a duly of $20,693.99.
The brig " Naiad," Nathaniel Osgood, master, ar-
rived from Calcutta in January, 1821, with a cargo
to Pickering Dodge, paying a duty of about $24,000.
The ship "Aurora," Robert W. Gould, master, arrived
from Siam in January, 1823, with a cargo of pepper
and coffee to Willard Peele. The brig "Ann,"
Charles Millett, master, arrived from Bombay in
November, 1825, to Henry Prince. The brig " Reaper,"
J. F. Brookhouse, master, entered from Bombay in
February, 1830, consigned to Robert Brookhouse.
The brig " Nereus," Thomas Farley, master, entered
from Bombay in April, 1830, consigned to John W.
Rogers. The ship "Catherine," Joseph Winn, Jr.,
entered from Calcutta in October, 1831, consigned to
Joseph Peabody. The brig " Quill," S. I. Shillaber,
master, entered from Bombay in October, 1832, con-
signed to N. L. Rogers & Brothers. The brig
" Cherokee," W. B. Smith, master, entered from
Bombay in February, 1837, consigned to Michael
Shepard. The ship " W^illiam and Henry," Charles H.
Fabens, master, entered from Bombay in September,
1839, consigned to David Pingree.
In 1842 there were three entries from Calcutta, —
the ship " General Harrison," W. Lecraw, master, in
February ; the ship " Isaac Hicks," Newell, master
in September ; and the ship " New Jersey," Barry,
master, in December, all with cargoes consigned to
Francis Peabody. The last entry at Salem from ports
in India of a vessel consigned to a Salem merchant
was that of the bark " Brenda," H. Bridges, master,
in August, 1845, with a cargo of pepper and cordage
to Michael Shepard, paying a duty of $31,793.65.
Within the last few years there have been several en-
SALEM.
<3
tries from Calcutta of vessels bringing cargoes of jute
butts to the factories here.
A detaileil history of these India voyages could not
fail to be interesting, and would contain many thrill-
ing accounts of the perils of the sea. In January,
1788, the ship "Juno," Henry Elkins, master, and
owned by E. H. Derby, cleared for the East Indies,
and when forty hours out was found to be sinking.
Every effort was made to free her, but without suc-
cess, and in twenty minutes she went down. The
crew escaped in one of the ship's boats, and were
picked up and taken to Demerara. In 1793 the ship
"Astrea," on a trading voyage from Madras to Pegu,
was seized by the king of the latter place as a trans-
port for stores to his army in Siam, who had gone
thither to attack that empire. Captain Gibant and
his second mate were detained as hostages for the
performance of the voyage. In March, 1807, the ship
" Howard," Benjamin Bray, master, from Calcutta,
was lost at Grapevine Cove, Gloucester. The captain,
second mate and two seamen were drowned. On
Thursday, October 28, 1819, the brig " Naiad," Na-
thaniel Osgood, master, arrived at Salem from Cal-
cutta, with a cargo consigned to Pickering Dodge.
On the Monday night previous the " Naiad " was
struck by lightning, and the second mate, Mr. Wil-
liam Grillen, of Salem, was instantly killed. He was
on the maintopsail yard at the time, and, on being
struck, fell into the water with his clothes on fire.
The first mate was knocked down and one of the men
severely injured. The vessel received but trifling
damage.
From the year 1800 to 1842, inclusive, only the
years 1809, '14, '15, '38, '39 and '41 passed without an
entry at S^alem from some of the ports of India. The
whole number of entries during that period from
Calcutta were one hundred and fifteen, the years
1805, '06 and '07 showing seventeen, and the years
1816, '17 and '18 showing twenty-one. There
were twenty entries from Bombay during the same
time, six from Bengal, six from Madras, three from
Siam, and two from Ceylon. During the periods
from 1802 to 1807, and from 1816 to 1822, there was
the greatest activity in the Calcutta trade.
From 1816 to 1840 the Salem trade with Calcutta
was mainly carried on by Joseph Peabody. He was
the owner of the famous ship " George," which made
voyages between Salem and Calcutta with the regu-
larity of a steamer. The " George" was built in 1814
for a privateer by an association of ship-carpenters,
who were thrown out of employment by the War of
1812. Peace came on before she was sold, and Cap-
tain Peabody bought her for sixteen dollars per ton.
She measured three hundred and twenty-eight tons,
and was a full-rigged ship. The "George" made
twenty-one voyages to Calcutta between 1815 and
1837. She sailed from Salem May 23, 1815, on her
first voyage, and arrived home June 13, 1816, one
hundred and nine days from Calcutta. The length of
5i
her voyages was surprisingly regular, varying but a
few days in all her pas.sages between Calcutta and
Salem. She sailed from Salem August 5, 1836, on
her last voyage, reaching Salem on her return Mav
17, 1837, one hundred and eleven days from Calcutta.
Previous to her leaving Calcutta on her twenty-first
voyage, the Banian merchants of that port presented
to the ship a complete and beautiful " freedom suit"
of silk signals and colors. Her commanders were
William Haskell, Thomas West, Samuel Endicott,
Thomas M. Saunders, Jonathan H. Lovett, Jr., and
Benjamin Balch, Jr. Her sujiercargoes were Daniel
H. Mansfield, Ephraim Emmerton, Jr., George W.
Endicott, Samuel Endicott, Samuel Barton and James
B. Briggs. Her cargoes paid in duties §651,743.32.
After her last voyage to Calcutta she was sold to Jef-
ferson Adams and Caleb Smith, and went to Rio
Janeiro, where she was condemned about January 12,
1838. Mr. Peabody imported from Calcutta, between
1807 and 1840, about 1,050,000 pounds of indigo, of
which the ship "George" brought, in seventeen
voyages, 755,000 pounds.
The Batavia Trade. — In the Indian Ocean,
near the island of Sumatra, lies the island of Java,
and here again Salem vessels were the first to display
the American ensign. There was quite an extensive
trade with this island in the early days of Salem's
commerce. Of the seventy-two arrivals from Batavia
between the years 1796 and 1855, thirty-five were pre-
vious to the year 1807, and seventeen during the
years 1817, '18, '19 and '20. From 1806 to 1816 there
was no arrival.
The brig " Sally," Benjamin Webb, master, cleared
for Batavia Sept. 30, 1795, and entered from the same
place Sept. 6, 1796, with a cargo of pepper and sugar
to Thomas Saunders & Co. The schooner '' Patty,"
Edward West, master, cleared for Batavia Sept. 26,
1795, with wine, brandy, gin, tobacco, lead and iron,
and entered from that place, on her return, Oct. 3,
1796, with pejiper and sugar, consigned to Nathaniel
West. The bark " Vigilant," John Murphy, master,
entered in February, 1797, with 238,746 pounds of
cofiee and 168,604 pounds of sugar, consigned to
Simon Forrester. The brig " Eunice," Enoch Sweet,
master, entered in July, 1797, with coffee and pepper
to George Dodge and others. The brig " Star," John
Burchmore, master, entered in November, 1797, to
John Norris & Co. The bark " Eliza," Gamaliel
Hodges, master, entered in February, 1798, and again
in December, 1799, to Joseph White." The brig
" Olive Branch," Jonathan Lambert, Jr., master, en-
tered in 1798, consigned to Ashton & Lambert. The
ship " Friendship," Israel Williams, master, entered
July 4, 1798, with 301,687 pounds of cofl'ee and 111,-
087 pounds of sugar, to Pierce & Wait, and paying a
duty of $18,376.13. The brig " Exchange," William
Richardson, master, entered in August, 1798, to
Ezekiel H. Derby. The ship " Hazen," Jonathan
Hodges, master, entered in August, 1798, consigned
74
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to William Orne. The ship " Franklin," James
Devereux, master, entered in October, 1801, with
315,742 pounds of coffee, 164,699 ot pepper and 155,-
797 of sugar, consigned to Joseph Peabody, and pay-
ing a duty of 129,709.40. Tlie same vessel, with the
same master and consignee, entered in March, 1804,
and May, 1805.
The ship " Margaret," Samuel Derby, master, en-
tered in June, 1802, with coffee and other merchan-
dise, consigned to John Derby and Benjamin Pick-
man. The " Margaret " cleared for Sumatra Nov. 19,
1800, with iifty thousand dollars in specie, twelve
casks of Malaga wine and two hogsheads of bacon.
She left Salem Harbor on the 25th of November, and
anchored in Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, Feb. 4,
1801. Leaving Table Bay February 10, she reached
Bencoolen Roads, Sumatra, on the lOlh of April, one
hundred and thirty-six days from Salem. Without
stopping to trade at Sumatra, the vessel proceeded to
Batavia, arriving there on the 25th of April. While
at Batavia Captain Derby made a bargain with the
Dutch East India Company to take the annual freights
to and from Japan, and left for that place with his
cargo June 20, 1801.
The " Margaret arrived at the port of Nagasaki
July 19, being obliged to fire salutes and dress the
vessel with flags before entering port. Mr. George
Cleveland, who was clerk for Captain Derby, gives an
interesting description of his visit to the city of Naga-
saki. " In the first place,'' he says, " we went to
Facquia's, an eminent stuff merchant. Here we were
entertained in such manner as we little expected. We
had set before us, for a repast, pork, fowls, meso, eggs,
boiled fish, sweetmeats, cake, various kinds of fruit
and sacky and tea. The lady of the house was intro-
duced, who drank tea with each of us, as is the cus-
tom of Japan. She appeared to be a modest woman.
The place we next visited was a temple, to which we
ascended from the street by at least two hundred
stone steps. Adjoining this was the burying-ground.
We went next to the glass-house, which was on a
small scale ; thence to a lac-ware merchant's, where
we were entertained with great hospitality. Thence
we went to a tea-house, or hotel, where we dined.
Alter dinner we were entertained with various feats
of dancing and tumbling. Towards dark we returned
to the island, and so great was the crowd in the streets
to see us pass that it was with difliculty that we could
get along. The number of children we saw was truly
astonishing. The streets are narrow, and at the end
of every street is a gate, which is locked at night. The
houses are of two stories, built of wood.
"The Japanese observed one fast when we were
there. It was in remembrance of the dead. The cer-
emonies were principally in the night. The first was
devoted to feasting, at which they fancy their friends
to be present ; the second and third nights the graves
are lighted with paper lamps and, situated as they
are on the side of a hill, make a most brilliant ap-
pearance. On the fourth night, at three o'clock, the
lamps are all brought down to the water and put into
small straw barques with paper sails, made for the
occasion, and, after putting in rice, fruit, etc., they are
set afloat. The exhibition was very fine.
" As the time was approaching for our departure,
we began to receive our returns from the interior,
brought many hundred miles. These consisted of the
most beautiful lacquered ware, such as waiters, writ-
ing-desks, tea-caddies, knife-boxes and tables. We
also received a great variety of silks, fans in large
quantities and a great variety of porcelain. The East
India Company's cargo had already been put on
board. The jirincipal article was copper in small
bars. The company's ships have been obliged to take
their departure from the anchorage opposite Nagasaki
on a certain day to the lower roads, no matter whether
it blew high or low, fair or foul, even if a thousand
boats should be required to tow them down. We, of
course, had to do as our predecessors had done.
Early in November we went to this anchorage and
remained a few days, when we sailed for Batavia,
where we arrived safely after a passage of a month."
This account is interesting because the " Margaret "
was the first Salem vessel and the second Ameri-
can vessel to visit Japan. The .ship "Franklin," of
Boston, commanded by Captain James Devereux, of
Salem, was the first American vessel which traded
with Japan, having been employed to make the same
voyage as the "Margaret" two years previously.
Commercial intercourse was not opened with Japan
till half a century later ; the American Treaty, the
result of the expedition under Commodore Perry,
which opened her ports to the world, being dated
March 31, 1854. Previous to this time all the trade
with Japan was in the hands of the Dutch, who were
obliged to submit to the grossest indignities.
The ship "Henry," John Barton, master, entered
from Batavia in July, 1802, to John Derby and Ben-
jamin Pickman. The ship " Herald," Zachariah F.
Silsbee, master, entered in May, 1804, to Nathaniel
Silsbee. The brig " William " arrived Aug. 31, 1802,
consigned to Jonathan Mason. She lost her captain,
John Felt, and her mate by sickness during the voy-
age. The ship " Mary and Eliza," Nathaniel Haw-
thorne, master, arrived in October, 1804, with coflee,
nutmegs, sugar and mace, to Joseph White. The
bark " Georgetown," George Ropes, master, arrived
in April, 1806, to Stephen Phillips. The ship
" Henry," Benjamin Russell, master, arrived in May,
1806, to Edward Russell and others. The ship " Her-
cules " made two voyages, entering in March, 1816,
and March, 1817, to Nathaniel West, commanded on
the first voyage by Edward West and on the second
by James King, Jr. The ship " Erin," Nathan Cook,
master, entered in November, 1819, to Henry Picker-
ing. The brig " Franklin," John White, master, en-
tered in September, 1820, to Stephen White. The
brig " Roscoe,'' J. M. Ropes, master, entered in Au-
SALEJI.
75
gust, 1827, to Charles Saunders. The bark " Henry,"
R. Wheatland, master, entered in December, 1835,
consigned to Samuel Cook and others.
The ship " Union," William Osgood, master, from
Pulo Penang. with a cargo of pepper and tin, con-
signed to Stephen Phillips, was cast away on the
northwest point of Baker's Island, Feb. 24, 1810, dur-
ing a snowstorm and lost with most of her cargo.
The brig " Java," Nathaniel Osgood, master, from
Batavia, went ashore on the bar off Nauset, Cape Cod,
on the night of February 9, 1832, in a snowstorm.
The crew narrowly ascaped in the boats. The cargo,
consisting of 585,000 pounds of coft'ee, 13,500 pounds
of nutmegs and 91,000 pounds of block-tin, was
owned by Jonathan Neal. The vessel was a total
wreck.
The ship " Sumatra," Peter Silver, master, made
two voyages from Batavia, arriving at Salem in Sep-
tember, 1842, and August, 1843, consigned to Joseph
Peabody. Captain Silver ha-s a strange experience on
one of these voyages. He sees a vessel in distress,
and bearing down finds her to be the bark " Kilmars,"
of Glasgow, with no person on deck except a female,
who seems almost frantic. He sends a boat and
brings her on board. She was about eighteen years
old, and wife of the commander of the bark. Two
months before the vessel had sailed from Batavia
with a cargo of sugar for Europe. The crew, shipped
at Batavia, were many of them discharged convicts.
The captain received an intimation that the crew
contemplated obtaining possession of the vessel, and
when it became certain that such was their intention,
he charged the ringleader with the design and, in the
altercation that followed, shot and wounded him.
He then succeeded in confining the crew in different
parts of the vessel, and endeavored with the help of
two boys, to navigate his vessel back to Batavia. In
the early morning, before the vessel was discovered
by Captain Silver, the captain with the two boys had
started in a boat for the shore to procure help. The
captain's wife finding her husband missing was fear-
ful that he had been killed by the mutineers, but she
found that they were still confined. Dreading lest
they would soon break out, she took her stand on the
rail, determined to throw herself overboard if they
regained the deck. Only twenty minutes after she
was taken from the " Kilmars " the crew broke out,
took charge of the vessel and made sail. In order to
avoid a collision. Captain Silver steered away from
the vessel and arrived at Batavia, where he placed
the lady under the charge of the Dutch Government.
The " Kilmars " subsequently reached Angier, where
the authorities took possession of her and adopted
measures for the trial of her crew. The captain and
the boys were picked up in the Straits of Sunda.
Anxiety and overwork had made him partially in-
sane. When he left his vessel he had expected to be
able to return at once with help.
The ship " Rome," Nathaniel Brown, master
arrived from Batavia in December, 1842, consigned
to B. W. Stone. The last arrivals in our harbor from
Batavia, were the " Buckeye," in August, 1853, and
" Witch," in November, 1855, both consigned to
Edward D. Kimball.
The Sumatra Trade. — Salem sent the first ves-
sel that ever sailed direct from this country to Suma-
tra, and a Salem captain commanded the last
American vessel that brought a cargo of pepper from
that island. In the year 1793, Captain Jonathan
Carnes of Salem, being at the port of Bencoolen,
learned that pepper grew wild on the northwestern
coast of Sumatra. On his return to Salem he made
known his discovery to Mr. Jonathan Peele. who
immediately built a schooner and gave Carnes the
command. The vessel was called the "Rajah," and
was of one hundred and thirty tons burden, carrying,
four guns and ten men. In 1795 he set sail for
Sumatra, the destination of the vessel and the object
of the voyage being kept a profound secret. The
" Rajah " cleared at Salem November 3, 1795, for India,
having on board two pipes of brandy, fifty-eight cases of
gin, twelve tons of iron, two hogsheads of tobacco
and two boxes of salmon. The vessel was absent
eighteen months, during which time her owner Mr,
Peele had no tidings from her. At last she entered
Salem harbor, with a cargo of pepper in bulk, the
first to be so imported into this country. This cargo
was sold at a profit of seven hundred per cent. Such
an extraordinary voyage created great excitement
among the merchants of Salem, and they were all
anxious to discover in what part of the Eastern
World the cargo had been procured. But the matter
still remained a secret. Captain Carnes was prepar-
ing for another voyage; and the Salem merchants
determined if possible to penetrate the mystery,
despatched several vessels to the port of Bencoolen
where it was known Carnes got his first knowledge
of the trade. They were not successful, however, and
had to make up their voyages in some of the ports of
India. But the secret voyages to Sumatra did not
long continue. By the first of the present century the
mystery was penetrated, and the whole ground open
to competition.
The brig " Ra,jah " made several voyages to Suma-
tra, under command of Captain Carnes, entering .at
Salem in October, 1799, with 158,544 pounds of pep-
per, and in July, 1801, with 147,776 pounds, the last
consigned to Jonathan & Willard Peele.
The firm of George Crowninshield & Sons were
largely engaged in the early Sumatra trade. The
ship " Belisarius,'' Samuel Skerry, Jr., master, made
several voyages for this firm, entering at Salem in
July, 1801, with 320,000 pounds of pepper; in July,
1802, with 306,542 pounds; and in September, 1803,
with 276,459 pounds. The ship "America" made
two voyages, commanded by John Crowninshield on
the first and Jeremiah Briggs on the second, and
entering in November, 18(tl, with 815,792 jjounds of
76
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
pepper, paying a duty of $53,842.27, and clearing
January 2, 1802, on the second voyage, returning in
October, 1802, with 760,000 pounds, paying $50,031.76.
The ship " Concord," Jonathan Carnes, master, made
two voyages, entering in November, 1803, and in
August, 1805. The ship "John," John Dodge, mas-
ter, entered in October, 1807, and the ship " Fame,"
Holten J. Breed, master, in April, 1812, with 623,277
pounds of pepper, paying a duty of $37,396.62, all
consigned to this firm.
Joseph Peabody entered upon this trade early.
Among his vessels were the ship " Cincinnatus, John
Endicott, master, which entered in September, 1803,
with 307,824 pounds of pepper ; and in November,
1807, commanded by William Haskell, with 347,000
pounds. The ship "Franklin," Samuel Tucker,
master, which entered in September, 1810, with 539,-
585 pounds. The ship " Janus," John Endicott,
master, which entered in December, 1809, with 537,-
989 pounds, and in December, 1810, with 547,795
pounds. The '' Janus " sailed from Salem April 1,
1810, and arrived at the Vineyard on her return,
November 26, 1810, making one of the shortest
voyages ever made from Salem to Sumatra and back.
These were among Mr. Peabody's early voyages.
He continued the trade until about the time of his
death, in 1844. The ship " Sumatra," Peter Silver,
master, which entered in July, 1838, and the ship
" Eclipse," George Whitemarsh, master, which en-
tered in February, 1840, in February, 1841 and in
December, 1842, and the ship " Lotos," Benjamin
Balch, Jr., master, which entered in November, 1841,
were among the later voyages.
Abel Lawrence & Co. were the consignees of the
brig "George Washington," Timothy Bryant, master,
which entered in November, 1803, and of the ship
" Putnam," Nathaniel Bowditch, master, which en-
tered in December, 1803, with 425,000 pounds of
pepper and 42,000 pounds of coffee from Sumatra and
the Isle of France, and paying a duty of $27,034.67.
Captain Bowditch afterwards became distinguished
for his mathematical works and as an astronomer,
and achieved a world-wide reputation by his treatises
on navigation.
Captain Bowditch writes in his journal of this
voyage :
" On your arrival at Sumatra you contract with the
Datoo for the pepper and fix the price. If more than
one vessel is at the port the pepper which comes daily
to the scales is shared between them as they agree.
Sometimes the Datoo contracts to load one vessel
before any other is allowed to take any, and he holds
to this agreement as long as he finds it for his inter-
est to do so, and no longer, for a handsome present or
an increase of the price will prevent the pepper from
being brought in for several days, and the person
who made the agreement must either quit the port or
else give an additional price. The jirice in 1803 was
from ten to eleven dollars per picul. The price has
risen there being now thirty sail of American vessels
on the coast.
" The pepper season commences in January, when
they begin to gather the small pepper at the bottom
of the vine; in March, April and May is the height
of the crop. The best pepper grows at the top of the
vines and is gathered the last. It is larger and more
solid than that gathered at an earlier period. Some
suppose that the pepper is all gathered in May,
but I was in some of the gardens in July, and found
at the top of the vines large quantities which would
be ripe in a few days. Some calculate on two crops,
but from the best information I could procure, there
is only one. The pepper is generally weighed on
American scales. It is sold by the picul, equal to
one hundred and thirty-three and one-third pounds.
What is weighed in the day is paid for in the even-
ing, they being unwilling to trust their property
in the hands of those they deal with; in the same
manner it is not prudent to pay in advance to the
Datoo, as it would often be difficult to get pepper or
money of him again."
The ship " Good Hope," George Cleveland, master,
entered in January, 1805, consigned to Nathaniel
West. The ship " Freedom," John Reitb, master, in
January, 1805, consigned to Jonathan & Willard
Peele. The bark " Eliza," Joseph Beadle, master,
entered in August, 1806, consigned to Joseph White
& Co. The ship " Union," George Pierce, master,
entered in October, 1806, consigned to Stephen Phil-
lips, with four hundred and sixty-five thousand two
hundred and seventy-one pounds of pepper, paying a
duty of $28,606.26. The ship " Eliza," James Cook,
master, entered in October, 1807, with one million
twelve thousand one hundred and forty eight pounds
of pepper, consigned to James Cook, and paying a
duty of $66,903.90. The ship "Herald," Z. F. Silsbee,
master, entered in December, 1809, consigned to
James Devereux. The bark " Active," William P.
Eichardson, master, entered in December, 1809, con-
signed to John Dodge, Jr. The bark " Camel,"
Holten J. Breed, master, entered in July, 1816, con-
signed to William Silsbee. The bark " Eliza and
Mary, Nathaniel Griffen, master, consigned to Wil-
liam Fettyplace, entered April, 1823. The brig
" Jane," Thomas Saul, master, entered in November,
1823, consigned to Willard Peele. The brig " Persia,"
Moses Endicott, master, in July, 1824, with one hun-
dred and sixty thousand pounds of pepper to Dudley
L. Pickman. The ship "Friendship," Charles M.
Endicott, master, entered in July, 1831, consigned to
William Silsbee, and the ship " Delphos," James D.
Gillis, master, entered in October, 1831, consigned to
Z. F. Silsbee and others. The bark " Malay," J. B.
Silsbee, master, entered in November, 1836. The
bark " Borneo," C. S. Huntington, master, in April,
1842, consigned to Z. F. Silsbee.
David Pingree was the consignee of the ship
"Caroline Augusta," which entered in August, 1842,
SALEM.
77
and in November, 1845. She was commanded on the
first voyage by E. D. Winn, Tucker Daland was the
con.signee of the brig " Lucilla," which entered in
June, 1842 and in November, 1846. H. W. Perkins
was the master on the first voyage and D. JMarsiiall
on the second. This was the hist vessel to arrive at
Salem from the coa-t of Sumatra.
The trade with Sumatra was, at one time, mainly
carried on by Salem merchants, and a large propor-
tion of the pepper consumed was distributed to
all countries from the port of Salem. From the year
1799 to 1846 inclusive, but five years (1813, '14, '15,
'22 and '37) passed without an entry at Salem from
the island of Sumatra. During that period there
were one hundred and seventy-nine arrivals, the
years 1809, '10 and '23 showing ten each, the largest
number in any single year.
Although the direct trade between Salem and Su-
matra ceased in 1846, Salem vessels and Salem ship-
masters were engaged in it until a much later date.
The last Salem vessel on the coast was the ship "Aus-
tralia," J. Dudle)', master, owned by Stone, Silsbee &
Pickman. She was there in 1860. There is no direct
trade to-day between the United States and Sumatra.
Captain Jonathan Carnes, of Salem, commanded the
first American vessel that ever procured a cargo of pep-
per in bulk from the Island of Sumatra, and a Salem
captain was master of the last American vessel that
visited that coast. The bark " Tarquin," Thomas
Kimball, master, and William F. Jelly, mate, both of
Salem, arrived at New York in 1867, and this arrival
closed the American trade with the Island of Su-
matra. The " Tarquin " was owned by John L. Gard-
ner, of Boston.
The energy and fearlessness of our early navigators
was something almost marvellous. In vessels of but
one hundred and fifty tons they boldly set sail for
ports never before visited by Americans, and without
chart or guide of any kind, made their way ai^id
coral reefs and along foreign shores. Even as late
as 1831, when a United States war vessel was de-
spatched to the Island of Sumatra, no chart of the
coast could be found in the possession of the govern-
ment. The United States frigate " Potomac" sailed
for the East Indies in 1831, and in the journal of her
voyage it is stated that it was the original intention
of her commander to prepare charts and sailing di-
rections for the guidance of other mariners, but that
" this duty has been much more ably performed than
it could have been with our limited materials." For
this important service our country is indebted to
Captains Charles M. Endicott and James D. Gillis,
of Salem, Mass.. The former, who was master of the
" Friendship," when she was seized by the Malays
at Quallah-Battoo, has been trading on this coast for
more than fifteen years, and during that period he
has, profitably for his country, filled up the delays
incidental to a pepjier voyage, by a careful and reli-
able survey of the coast, of which no chart was pre-
viously extant which could be relied on. Captain
Endicott has since published the results of his labors
in a well executed chart, which comprises all that
portion of the coast which is included between Sin-
kel, 2° 18' and 4° 15' north. Actuated by a like com-
mendable zeal for the commercial interests of his
native country, Captain Gillis has extended the sur-
veys to latitude 5° north, and published an excellent
chart, accompanied also with sailing directions.
These are important acquisitions to our knowledge of
this coast, and will increase the security of our mer-
chants and mariners. We gladly embrace this oppor-
tunity to acknowledge our obligations to both these
gentlemen for much valuable information and many
interesting facts.
Salem, therefore, was not only the first at Sumatra,
but the first to make it safe for others to follow her
lead, and as long as American vessels visited the coast
their commanders were provided with copies of the
charts prepared by these Salem shipmasters.
The dangers of the coral reefs were not the only
ones our mariners had to contend with. The natives
of the island were cruel and treacherous, and ready
to commit any atrocity for the sake of plunder.
The ship " Putnam," commanded by Captain John
Carlton, was captured by the Malays on the 28th of
November, 1805, and several of the crew massacred.
The " Putnam " was at anchor in the outer roads of
Rhio (island of Bentang), where she had been trading
with the natives for pepper. The captain had already
closed his business at Rhio, when the fatal catastro-
phe took place. There was at the time a Malay brig,
belonging to Lingen (a neighboring island), lying in
the inner roads, besides two English brigs, viz., the
"Malcolm," Captain Fenwick, and the "Transfer,"
Captain Matthews. On the 26th the captain, having
been ashore and on board the " Malcolm " to transact
some business, was informed on his return that a boat
from the Lingen brig had made a visit to his ship in
his absence, and from their behavior excited strong
suspicions of a design to cut her off. They had also
been on board several times before without any ap-
parent business, but to gratify their curiosity. Cap-
tain Carlton, apprehensive of their design, endeavored
to excite the caution and courage of his officers and
crew, confident that there was no danger but from
negligence or timidity. The next morning (the 27th)
the captain sent the third officer to the Malay brig to
forbid their again coming on board the ship. He at
the same time repaired and set the boarding nettings
and made other preparations for defense. About five
in the afternoon his apprehensions were renewed, by
observing the Malay boat again coming toward the
ship, whereupon he ordered every man to arm him-
self, and have everything in readiness, in case of an
attack ; but his apprehensions were lessened on the
boat's nearer approach, by observing a Chinese mer-
chant in it. The merchant came on board and offered
to barter pepper for tin, on terms which the officers
78
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
(who had wanted an opportunity of selling their pri-
vate adventures) accepted, and, to make the bargain
more sure, took thirty dollars of him as earnest. Not
one of the Malays could, at this time, be persuaded
to enter the ship, and at sunset they returned to the
brig.
On the 28th Captain Carlton found it necessary to
go on shore once more, to close his business with the
Rajah, previous to sailing. He was much averse to
leaving the ship again on account of the suspicious
conduct of the Malays, who were expected on board
with pepper as agreed for. However, as the brig lay
to the southward, and as it blew a perfect gale to the
northward, he thought there was little probability of
any boat coming on board that day ; he therefore took
the pinnace, with Mr. Fenno, his clerk, and two hands,
and proceeded on shore. On his return, about five in
the afternoon, he called on board the "Malcolm" to
take his leave. He had been there only a few min-
utes before he was alarmed by the sight of his ship's
boat coming along side, with seven of the crew on
board, three of them dangerously wounded, viz., Mr.
Samuel Page Pierson, second officer ; Stephen Hol-
land and William Brown, the two former mortally.
The men were taken on board and their wounds im-
mediately dressed. This shocking sight but too
plainly indicated the unhappy event which had taken
place. The Malay boat, with sixteen men on board,
had been to the ship with the pepper. It seems, not-
withstanding all the causes for suspicion, they were
received very unguardedly on board the ship and
without the people having their arms at hand in case
of an assault. The pepper was taken in, and the
hands were about weighing it, when it was observed
that the Malays, about six in number, were secretly
receiving their creases from their fellows in the boat.
On this the second ofiicer, Mr. Pierson, stepped to-
ward them and directed them to return to their boat.
This served as a signal to begin their savage a'.tack,
in which Mr. Pierson fell, mortally wounded. The
Malays in the boat immediately reinforced their com-
rades in the ship. The first officer received a slight
wound, and, being closely pursued, escaped over the
bows. Richard Hunt followed, but afterwards got up
by a rope into the fore-channels, where one of the
Malays creased him through the netting and he
dropped below the channels and held on for some
time but was probably badly wounded and fell into
the water and was seen no more. A number of others
fled at the onset of the Malays. The cook, a black
fellow, by the name of George Cowley, was heard to
say a few minutes before the Malays began the mas-
sacre that he would not fight if they did attempt to
take the ship ; he accordingly concealed himself be-
low and was not seen after the action. A black man,
by the name of Henry Annuls, was killed on deck as
soon as the action began. Ciesar Thomson, the stew-
ard, a mulatto, was struck at the same time, but, being
a brave man, he seized a handspike and knocked the
assailant down and another after him ; but a third
gave him a mortal wound. Stephen Holland, a sea-
man, at the beginning of the attack, got over the
bows, where he stood for a few minutes, when, spying
a handspike on the deck, he sprang and seized it.
With this he knocked down several of the Malays,
but, unfortunately, received a mortal stab at last. At
length, what with those who were killed and wounded
and those who had escaped to places of safety, Wm.
Brown, a carpenter of the ship, was left to maintain
the contest alone ; which he did with great bravery
and success, and was thereby the means of saving the
lives of those who survived the rencontre. He had
seized a strong stick, of about three feet in length, on
the end of which the cook had fastened an iron coffee-
mill ; this was an excellent weapon, and he dealt
such deadly blows among his antagonists with it that,
after a severe contest, he cleared the decks of them.
He received two wounds ; the first was between the
shoulders, but nit deep, as he caught the hand of the
Malay and broke the force of the blow, and with a
well-aimed stroke be laid the fellow at his feet. Im-
mediately he had three more upon him, who, finding
him resolute, retreated aft, and in following them he
observed a fourth, who was standing upon a cask
above him, aiming at him ; he attempted to seize his
hand, but was not so fortunate as before ; he caught
his arm, however, but, his hand being bloody, it
slipped up to his elbow, and the fellow creased him
over the left shoulder; the force of the weapon was
in some measure stopped by its striking the spine,
though it went through his back on the right side of
the spine. Notwithstanding this, he drove all the
Malays abaft the mizzenmast, when Henry Pettit
came down from the fore-top, where he had been
during the action. He brought aft a handspike and
kept the Malays at bay until Brown went below and
bnmght up a spear, with which he quickly drove
th^m all into the water, where they were picked up
by their boat, which had cut their fastenings and
dropped astern for that purpose. There were twelve
or thirteen of the Malays who had been engaged on
board ; one was left dead upon deck ; four were car-
ried off wounded, some, it was supposed, mortally,
during the struggle, and seven or eight were driven
overboard by Mr. Brown.
Brown and Pettit then attempted to fire a swivel
into the boat as she passed under the stem ; but the
confusion of the scene probably prevented their prim-
ing it properly, so that it did not go off". The Malays
being thus driven out of the ship, Brown ran fore
and aft, in order to rally those of his shipmates who
had abandoned him in the conflict, calling out that
the decks were clear and they might return with
safety. Having collected them together. Brown ad-
vised the chief officer to display a signal that would
bring them assistance from the ships in the inner
roads ; but the officer being fearful of their returning
to a second attack, gave orders for abandoning the
SAliE.M.
79
ship, though the boat had by this time pulled off two
or three miles, more in tear, no doubt, of being de-
stroyed by a shot from the ship than with any idea of
renewing their attack upon her; only half of their
number remaining in a condition for action, one hav-
ing been killed and seven others wounded. The
Malays observing the shij) to be thus abandoned by
the crew, returned, of course, and took possession of
her.
The mortification of Captain Carlton at being in
this sudden and unhappy manner deprived of his
ship is not to be described. He immediately ap-
plied to the English vessels to assist him in attempt-
ing her recovery. Captain Fenwick, of the " Mal-
colm," ^■ery promptly, and Captain Matthews, of the
" Transfer," with reluctance, consented to pursue the
pirates. They accordingly set sail, and at eight
that evening anchored in the straits of Lingen. At
daylight the next morning they weighed anchor
and steered for Lingen ; at eight a.m. saw the pirates
from the top gallant-yards ; at half pa.st past five p.m.
the "Mtrlcolm" was within cannon-shot, but the
" Transfer,'' not sailing so well, three or four leagues
astern ; at six, within pistol-shot of the ship, and the
pirate brig about musket-shot distance, on the lee
quarter of the "Malcolm." The ship then commenced
firing and the "Malcolm" immediately returned a
broadside with a discharge of musketry. The brig
also hauled to and brought her bow-cha-sers, the only
guns she had to bear, on the " Malcolm " and fired
them once, without any judgment or etl'ect. The ship,
whose guns were in excellent order, well-leveled and
supplied with plenty of powder and round shot, kept
up a well-directed fire for half an hour, and the "Mal-
colm " received considerable damage in her hull, rig-
ging and boats ; and Mr. Trask, the first oflicer of the
" Transfer," but who had gone on board the " Malcolm"
as a volunteer, was unfortunately killed. The "Mal-
colm," during this rencontre, kept up as brisk a fire
as circumstances would admit of. She was badly
equipped for fighting. She had no gun-tackle and
only two rammers and sponges, and one of those was
lost early iu the action, and only seven men to work
the guns. Her deck was extremely round, and the
brig very crank ; and the guns being fought to lee-
ward, they upset every time they were discharged,
and several times pitched out of the jiorts, breech up,
and stood perpendicularly. Yet, under all these dis-
advantages, the "Malcolm " discharged as many as
ten broadsides ; the musketry, also, was well served,
and the pirates were completely silenced in half an
hour and bore away, and had it been earlier in the
day, the ship would probably have been recovered. At
the close of the action the third officer of the " Put-
nam" was badly wounded in his right hand and
arm by the going off of a gun while he was loading
her. When the " Transfer " came up Captain Mat-
thews was requested to follow on and renew the ac-
tion, but he declined, and, as he was depended on
as the pilot, Captain Fenwick was obliged to follow
him, and they hauled to, to the eastward, and an-
chored, while the pirates were left to proceed unmo-
lested. At daylight next morning they hove up and
made sail for Lingen ; again discovered the pirates,
and at three p.m. were on the point of renewing the
attack upon them, when Matthews tacked about, and
they were obliged again to give up the ship when she
seemed almost to be in their possession, and follow
the " Transfer " towards Lingen.
At daylight, December 1st, they found that they
were in shore of the pirates. Matthews got first under
way; but, to the astonishment of those on board the
" Malcolm," hauled on a course directly from them.
Captain Fenwick, judging it not prudent to pursue
alone, followed the "Transfer" into Lingen roads,
leaving the pirates in quiet possession of their prize,
when another opportunity had presented of recover-
ing her with little effort. Captain Carlton, after this,
made api)lication to the Governor of Malacca and to
Admiral Trowl)ridge for assistance to recover his ship,
but could obtain none, and was obliged to submit to
the mortification of giving her up as a total loss.
The foregoing account is gathered from correspond-
ence published in the Salem papers at the time of the
piracy.
The ship " Marquis de Somerulas," Captain Story,
was attacked by the Malays at Sumatra September
18, 1806, and one man was killed and sev.-ral wounded,
but the crew succeeded in driving away the attacking
party.
The ship " Friendship," Charles M. Endicott, mas-
ter, was attacked at the port of Quallah-Battoo by
the native Malays. The first mate, Charles Knight,
was killed and several of the seamen wounded.
Captain Endicott was ashore at the time, receiving
pepper to be sent on board. Observing something
unusual in the conduct of those aboard the ship.
Captain Endicott determined to return to her at once,
but hardly had he started with his men when crowds
of Malays began to assemble on the banks of the
river, brandishing their weapons and otherwise men-
acing him. At the same time three Malay boats,
with forty or fifty men each, came out of the river and
pulled toward the ship. Convinced that the only
way to recover the ship was by obtaining assistance
from some other vessel, Captain Endicott directed his
boat's course to Muckie, a port about twenty-five
miles distant, where he knew two or three American
vessels were lying. Arriving there, he found three
vessels, among them the brig " Governor Endicott," of
Salem, H. H. Jenks, master, and the ship " James
Monroe," J. Porter, master, of New York. These
vessels proceeded at once to Quallah-Battoo. The
" Friendship " was meanwhile in the possession of the
Malays, who plundered her of the specie and every
other movable article. Four of her crew jumped
overboard at the time of the attack, and swam a dis-
tance of two miles before they could find a safe place
80
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to land. After wandering about in the buslies, almost
without food, for three days, they found a canoe, and
made their way to the residence of a friendly native,
named Po Adam, who furnished them with clothing
and carried them aboard one of the American vessels.
Upon the arrival at Quallah-Battoo of the three ves-
sels, before mentioned, an attack was made upon the
town, and the " Friendship " was boarded and re-
captured. Her voyage having been broken up, the
" Friendship " returned to Salem, where she arrived
July 16, 1S31. About a year thereafter the United
States frigate " Potomac," before referred to, bom-
barded Quallah-Battoo as a |)unishment for the con-
duct of the natives towards an American vessel.
Another Salem vessel, the " Eclipse," had a some-
what similar experience on the coast of Sumatra in
1838. While the mate and four hands were ashore, a
party of Malays boarded the vessel and killed the
captain, Charles P. Wilkins. The crew, finding
themselves overpowered, escaped, some by ascending
the shrouds, and some by jumping overboard and
swimming ashore. The Malays then plundered the
ship of specie, opium and everything else of value,
and departed with their ill-gotten gains. The men
aloft descended, lowered their boat, and rowed to a
French bark lying at an adjoining port. The next
morning the crew returned to the vessel, and during
the night they set sail and left the island. The
"Eclipse" had a sad ending. She sailed from
Sumatra July 10, 1849, under command of Captain
Daniel Cross, and was never after heard from. She
had on board a cargo of pepper, consigned to Tucker
Daland and Henry L. Williams.
The Manila Trade. — In the early days of Salem
commerce, when her enterprising and energetic mer-
chants were seeking to establish trade with hitherto
unknown countries, and her ships were ploughing the
seas which had never before floated an American
vessel, the ship "Astrea," commanded by Henry
Prince, and owned by that king among merchants,
Elias Hasket Derby, entered the harbor of Manila,
the capital city of the Phillipine Islands, situated on
the island of Luzon. Obtaining there a cargo of 750,-
000 pounds of sugar, 63,695 pounds of pepper, and
29,767 pounds of indigo, she entered at Salem in May,
1797, and paid a duty on her cargo of $24,020. A
journal of this voyage, kept by Nathaniel Bowditch,
afterwards so famous as a mathematician, is on the
files of the East India Marine Society. The "Astrea"
left Salem March 27, 1796, and went to Lisbon, Ma-
deira and Manila, arriving at the latter place October
3, 1796. On the passage home, February 18, 1797,
the ship sprung a leak, and two men were obliged to
be kept at the pumps constantly from that time till
the 22d of May, 1797, when the vessel arrived at
Salem.
In the precise and rather formal handwriting of
Dr. Bowditch we find in his journal the following ac-
count of his experience at Manila:
" The city of Manila is about three or four miles in
circumference, is walled all round, and cannon are
placed at proper intervals ; but we were unable to get
much information with respect to the state of the
place, as they were shy of giving any information to
foreigners. The buildings within the walls are all of
stone, and none except the churches are more than
two stories high, on account of the violent earth-
quakes, which they have generally at the breaking up
of the Monsoon. The month of March is when they
most expect them, but on the 5th of November, 1797,
we experienced several violent shocks at about two
P.M., which came from the northward and proceeded
in a southerly direction, continuing with violence
nearly two minutes. It threw down a large house a
half a league from the city, untiled several buildings,
and did much other damage. It was not observed on
board the ship lying ofi' the bar. The motion of the
earthquake was quicker than those usual in America,
as the latter are generally preceded by a rumbling
noise ; the former was not.
"The suburbs of Manila are very extensive, and
most ot the business is done there. The houses of the
wealthier class are of two stories, built of stone ; the
poorer sort live in bamboo houses with thatched
roofs. No house can be built in the suburbs without
the particular permission of the Governor, in which
the dimensions of the buildings are stated, fearing,
if they are too high, that an enemy might make use
of them for attacking the city, as was the case when
the English took the place formerly, for one of the
churches near the walls was very serviceable to them;
it has since been pulled down.
"There are but few Europeans in the settlement;
all the women have a little of the Indian blood in
their veins, excepting the lady of the Governor and
two or three others, though by successive intermar-
riages with Europeans they have obtained a fair com-
plexion. The natives (like all other Malays) are ex-
cessively fond of gaming and cock-fighting. A
theatre is established for the latter business, from
which the government draws an immense revenue,
this diversion being prohibited at any other place ;
sometimes there are 5,000 or 6,000 spectators, each of
which pays half a rial. A large sum arises from the
duties on tobacco and cocoa wine. Tobacco is pro-
hibited, but if you smuggle any on shore, it cannot be
sold for more than the cost in America, notwithstand-
ing the retail price is very high ; particular people,
licensed by the king, are the only persons allowed to
deal in it. All the natives chew dreca and betel,
though not mixed with opium, as in Batavia. This,
with chewing and smoking tobacco, makes the teeth
very black. The cigars used by the women, and
which they smoke all day, are made as large as they
can possibly get into their mouths. The natives are
about as honest as their neighbors, the Chinese ; they
stole several things from us, but, by the goodness of
the police, we recovered most of them. On the 3d of
SALEM.
81
December, 1797, they broke into the house where we
lived, entered the chamber where Captain Prince and
myself were asleep, and carried off a bag containing
one thousand dollars without awaking either of us or
any of the crew of the long boat, sleeping in the ad-
joining chamber. The guard boat discovered them as
they were escaping and pursued them; they, in en-
deavoring to escape, ran afoul of a large boat, which,
upsetting them, the money went to the bottom, and,
what was worse, the bag burst and the money was all
scattered in the mud, where the water was eight feet
deep ; however, b}' the honesty of the captain of the
guard, most of it was recovered. The thieves were
caught, and, when we were there in ISOO, Mr. Kerr
informed us that they had been whipped and were to
be kept in servitude several years.
"The same day another robbery was committed
equally as daring. The day the indigo was shipped
the second mate came ashore with several of the
people to see it safe on board. The boats we had
provided not taking all of it, we sent the remainder
aboard with a black fellow to guard, who was es-
teemed by Mr. Kerr as an honest fellow, but he had
been centriving to steal a couple of boxes. When the
' Casco,' containing the indigo, had passed the bar, a
small bo.it came aboard with two boxes tilled with
chips, stones, etc., appearing in every respect exactly
like those full of indigo, and pretending that we had
put on board two wrong boxes, they exchanged their
boxes for two real boxes of indigo, but in bringing
them ashore they were detected and the indigo
returned.
" There are great numbers of Chinese at Manila,
but they are all obliged to become Catholics. It is
from them that most of the sugar is purchased. They
trade considerably with China. Their junks arrive
at Manila in January, and all their goods are depos-
ited and sold from the Custom-House."
From 1797 to 1858, the date of the last arrival from
this port, there were eighty-two entries at Salem from
Manila. The period from 1829 to 1839 shows the
largest number of arrivals, thirty of the eighty-two
entries being made during that time.
The ship " Folansbe," Jonathan Mason, Jr., master,
entered in May, 1799, with sugar and indigo, con-
signed to John Collins & Co. The ship " Laurel,"
Daniel Sage, master, entered in July, 1801, with 115,-
133 pounds of indigo and 124,683 of sugar, consigned
to William Gray, and paying a duty of $32,382.26.
The ship " Fame," Jeremiah Briggs, master, en-
tered in March, 1804, consigned to Jacob Crownin-
shield. The " Fame " visited the coast of Cochin
China in search of sugar and Captain Briggs in his
journal relates the following interesting incidents
connected with his visit :
" The king of Cochin China has about five hundred
vessels of war of all denominations, principally boats
from about forty to ninety feet long, a number of
junks and four ships carrying thirty guns each, about
(i
four hundred tons, rigged and sailed European
method. The boats that are reserved for the use of
the royal family are the most elegant work that I
ever saw ; the painting was superb. The one which
is called the king's is one hundred feet long and not a
butt in her. She mounts eight guns, six pounders,
and one twenty-four pounder. I saw a great number
of brass cannon, eighteen and twenty-four pounders,
that were cast in the country. Elephants are kept to
the number of five hundred, trained for war. The
first mandarin is captain of two companies and like-
wise these animals. They are manteuvered by a boy
sitting on their head with a hook, with which he turns
them. The city is composed of an astonishing num-
ber of small huts thatched. There is no other kind
of house except those of the first mandarins. The
council-house is a large building. I suppose it would
contain one thousand people. It is entirely open in
front, they having a looking-glass about ten feet long
in it. There was a very large stone, about eight feet
long, two and a half wide and one and a half thick ;
it was hung with a bolt through the middle and so
nicely balanced that the touch of a finger would set it
going ; by .striking it with a stick it would ring like
a bell. The citadel or fort is about three-fourths of a
mile in circumference; it has a wall of twenty-five
feet, which the present king is now extending two
miles. The streets are laid out in European style.
He has now one hundred thousand men at work lay-
ing out the roads, building the walls, etc. The king
himself attends every day. He is mounted on an ele-
phant. His dress is yellow silk, and he is attended by
a guard of two hundred men armed with spears, each
spear with hair upon it dyed red. He keeps thirty-
two concubines. They all live together in one house
which they are not allowed to leave. It is built upon
the water and communicates with the land by a
bridge. The king is thirty-one years of age, a man
very well informed. Their churches are entirely
without ornament. I saw a number of the Cochin
Chinese that were Christians. They appeared very
mild in their manners."
The ship " Essex," Joseph Orne, master, entered in
May, 1805, with sugar and indigo from Manila, con-
signed to William Orne, and paying a duty of $18,-
443.70. The ship " Horace," John Parker, master,
entered in May, 1806, consigned to William Gray.
The ship " Exeter," Thomas B. Osgood, master, en-
tered in June, 1806, with 14,589 pounds of indigo and
702,064 of sugar, consigned to Benjamin Pickman,
Jr., and paying a duty of .$23,520.33.
From 1806 to 1816, there seems to have been no
entry from Manila at the port of Salem. The ship
" Endeavour," Timothy Bryant, master, entered in
May, 1816, consigned to Nathan Robinson. The ship
" Perseverance," Samuel Hodgdon, master, in May,
1820, consigned to Williard Peele. The brig " Ann,"
Charles Millett, niiister, in July, 1824, consigned to
Henrv Prince. The brig " Peru," William Johnson,
82
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Jr., master, in April, 1825, consigned to Stephen C.
Phillips. The ship " Endeavour," James D. Gillis,
master, in September, 1826, consigned to Nathaniel
Silsbee. The bark "Derby," Allen Putnam, mas-
ter; entered in March, 1827; in April, 1829; J. H.
Eagleston, master; and again in July, 1832, J.
W. Cheever, master, consigned to Stephen C. Phil-
lips. The ship " Mandarin," William Osgood,
master, entered in March, 1830, consigned to Pick-
ering Dodge. The ship " Sumatra," Charles Roun-
dy, master, entered in November, 1832, consigned
to Joseph Peabody. The brig "Charles Doggett,"
William Driver, master, entered in November,
1832, consigned to Richard S. Rogers. The ship
"Lotus," George W. Jenks, master, entered in June,
1832, consigned to Pickering Dodge. The ship
" Brookline," Charles H. Allen, master, entered in
April, 1837, consigned to Stephen C. Phillips. The
ship " Caroline," Charles H. Fabens, master, entered in
April, 1842, consigned to David Pingree. The ship "St.
Paul," belonging to Stephen C. Phillips, was almost as
famous in connection with Salem's trade with Manila
as was the ship "George" in the Calcutta trade. The
" St. Paul " made twelve voyages between Salem and
Manila. She sailed on her first voyage from Salem
June 3, 1838, and arrived at Manila in one hundred
days, which was the shortest passage made by the
ship from Salem to Manila. She reached Salem, on
her return, in April, 1839, in one hundred and forty-
eight days from Manila. Joseph Winn, Jr., com-
manded the ship on this voyage, having also been
master on her previous voyage from New York to
Manila, and back to Salem, where she arrived, for
the first time, April 29, 1838. On her second and
third voyages she was commanded by George Pierce,
and entered at Salem April 4, 1840, and July 7, 1841.
Joseph Warren Osborn was master on the fourth and
fifth voyages, and she arrived at Salem August 8,
1842, and January 8, 1844, making on the last voy-
age the long passage of one hnndred and eighty-
eight days. On her sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth
voyages, she was commanded by Charles H. Allen,
entering at Salem March 17, 1845, March 12, 1846,
March 19, 1847, and April 6, 1848. William B. Davis
was ma-ster on her tenth voyage, sailing from Salem
May 18, 1848, and returning March 26, 1849. Cn her
elveventh and twelfth voyages she was commanded by
Charles H. Allen, returning to Salem on her eleventh
voyage January 7, 1851, and sailing from Salem, on
her twelfth voyage, July 5, 1851. On the 9th of De-
cember, 1851, she went ashore on Masbata Island, in
the Straits of San Bernardino. She was subsequently
raised and sold to Spanish parties, but never returned
to Salem.
The last arrival at Salem from Manila was the
bark " Dragon," Thomas C. Dunn, master, which
entered in July, 1858, with a cargo of hemp, con-
signed to Benjamin A. West. Salem merchants con-
tinued the trade with Manila for some time there-
after, but their vessels entered and cleared at other
ports. Tucker Daland and Henry L. Williams, Henry
Gardner, B. W. Stone & Brothers and Silsbee & Pick-
man were extensively engaged in this trade. The
last-named firm still continues the trade with Manila.
Tub Isle of France Trade. — In the Indian
Ocean, not far from the eastern coast of Madagascar,
lies a small island, called the Isle of France, or Mau-
ritius. The climate of this island is remarkably fine.
Throughout the year the thermometer ranges from
76° to 90° in the shade. The Dutch formed a settle-
ment there in 1644, but subsequently abandoned it.
A more successful attempt to form a permanent es-
tablishment was made by the French in 1721. It
remained in French hands until the year 1810, when
it was taken by the British in an expedition under
General Abercromby, and has since remained a Brit-
ish possession.
When the merchants of Salem, after the close of the
Revolutionary War, sought to establish commercial
intercourse with foreign ports never before visited by
American vessels, the Isle of France was among the
first places to which tliey sent their ships to bring
home cargoes of sugar, which was the staple article
of export. Elias Hasket Derby dispatched the
" Grand Turk," Ebenezer West, master, there in No-
vember, 1785, and she returned to Salem in June,
1787, making the first voyage from New England to the
Isle of France. In December, 1787, the " Grand
Turk " made another voyage to the Isle of France,
under the charge of Elias Hasket Derby, Jr. He sold
the vessel, and remained on the island about a year,
when he went to India and thence back to Salem.
Of the arrivals at the Isle of France in 1789, ten
were from Salem, five from Boston, two from Phila-
delphia, one from Virginia, three from Baltimore, one
from Beverly and one from Providence.
The schooner " Richard and Edward," George
Crowninshield, master, entered January 4, 1790, con-
signed to George Crowninshield. The brig " Wil-
liam," Thomas West, master, entered in December,
1791, consigned to William Gray. The ship "Henry,"
Jacob Crowninshield, master, cleared for the Isle of
France June 25, 1791. She was of one hundred and
ninety tons burden, and carried ten men. Her out-
ward cargo consisted of 60 boxes of wax and 50 boxes
of sperm candles, 18 barrels hams, 3000 feet of oars,
14 tons iron, 13 hogsheads tobacco, 17 casks oil, 102
barrels beef and pork, 27 casks ale, 6 kegs flints, 287
barrels flour, 424 cases and 190 jugs of Geneva, 25
boxes soap, 6 boxes chocolate, 43 kegs lard, 62 quin-
tals fish, 6 hogsheads West India rum, 12 bags pimento,
16 cannon, 88 hundredweight shot, 1 hogshead, 4
crates ware, 40 barrels tar, 4 barrels pitch, 30,000 feet
lumber, 175 casks powder, 7 saddles and bridles, 12
tables and 5 desks. She entered on her return in
November, 1792, with 172,749 pounds of sugar, con-
signed to Elias Hasket Derby. The brig " Hind,"
John Beckford, master, entered in January, 1793,
SALEM.
83
consigned to William Gray. The brig "Peggy,"'
Amos Hilton, master, entered in August, 1793, con-
signed to John Fisk. The ship " Aurora," Thomas
Meek, master, entered in March, 1794, with 424,034
pounds of sugar, consigned to William Gray.
The ship "Benjamin,'' one hundred and sixty-one
tons, Nathaniel Silsbee, master, cleared for India De-
cember 10, 1792, and entered in July, 1794, from the
Isle of France with cotton, indigo, sugar and pepper,
consigned to Elias H. Derby. Her outward cargo con-
sisted of tobacco, cordage, shooks, iron, lead, salt,
provisions and earthen ware. Twelve thousand glass
tumblers, costing less than !?1000, were exported
in this ship and arriving when there was no glass-
ware on the island, sold for $12,000. Captain Sils-
bee was but twenty years old when he assumed com-
mand of the " Benjamin." The brig " Peggy," John
Edwards, Jr., master, entered in May, 1795, consigned
to John Fisk. The brig " Rose," John Felt, master,
entered in July, 1795, consigned to Elias H. Derby.
The ship " Belisarius," George Crowninshield, Jr.,
master, entered in July, 1795, with tea, cotfee and
indigo, consigned to George Crowninshield & Co.,
and again in October, 1796, with the same description
of cargo. The brig " Hope," Samuel Lambert, mas-
ter, entered in June, 1796, consigned to Ashton &
Lambert. The ship " Martha," George Ropes, mas-
ter, entered from the Isles of France and Bourbon in
May, 1797, with 416,993 pounds of coftee, 136,617
pounds of sugar and 13,262 pounds of cotton, consigned
to Elias H. Derby, and paying a duty of $23,317 88.
The ketch " Eliza," Stephen Phillips, master, entered
in July, 1797, consigned to Elias H. Derby. The
brig " Katy," Job Trask, master, entered in July,
1797, consigned to Benjamin Pickman, Jr.
There were nine entries at Salem from the Isle of
France in 1798, the largest number in any single
year. Among the entries were the ketch " Brothers,"
John Felt, master, in April, consigned to Ezekiel H.
Derby ; the ship "Martha," John Prince, Jr., master,
in June, consigned to Elias H. Derby, with 260,000
pounds of cotree. 336,603 of sugar and 17,803 of cot-
ton, paying a duty of $24,943 47, and the bark
"Vigilant," Daniel Hathorne, master, in October,
consigned to Simon Forrester.
The trade with the Isla of France was largely car-
ried on by Elias Hasket Derby, and after his death,
in 1799, the Salem trade with this island decreased.
The years 1797 and 1798 show seventeen arrivals and
were the years when the most trade was carried on
between Salem and this island. There were a few
direct arrivals after 1798. The bark " Two Brothers,"
Samuel Rea, master, entered in April, 1806, consigned
to Thorndike Deland. The brig "Sukey," Henry
Prince, Jr., master, entered in August, 1808, con-
signed to Stephen Phillips. There were a few arri-
vals in later years, and some vessels bound to or from
other ports touched at this island ; but the largest
direct trade was prior to the year 1800.
The Mocha Trade.— On the 26th of April, 1798,
Captain Joseph Ropes, in the ship " Recovery," left
Salem, bound direct for Mocha, Arabia Felix, with
fifty thousand dollars in specie, and arrived at that
port on the 9th of September. This was the first
American vessel that ever displayed the stars and
stripes in that part of the world. The captain says
that the arrival of the strange ship was viewed with
great interest by the authorities, who could not di-
vine from whence she came, and made frequent in-
quiries to know how many moons she had been com-
ing. Captain Ropes went from Mocha to Calcutta,
and thence to Salem. The first vessel to arrive at
Salem from Mocha with a full cargo of cofl'ee was the
ship " Recovery," Luther Dana, master, which ar-
rived in October, 1801, with 216,286 pounds of coffee
consigned to Elias H. Derby, 7,485 pounds to Henry
Prince, 11,825 pounds to Nathaniel Bowditch, 34,917
pounds to Clifford Crowninshield and 33,181 pounds
to Nathan Robinson, and paying a duty of $16,844.39.
The ship " Ulysses," Henry Elkins, master, entered
from Mocha and Muscat in January, 1802, consigned
to George Crowninshield & Sons. The brig " Ed-
win," Joseph J. Knapp, master, entered in Novem-
ber, 1803, consigned to Charles Cleveland & Co. The
ship " Bonetta," Benjamin Russell, master, entered
from Mocha in February, 1804, with 268,851 pounds
of coffee consigned to Benjamin Pickman, Jr.
In 1805, there were eight arrivals from Mocha, the
largest number in any single year ; and during that
year there was landed at Salem over two million
pounds of Mocha coffee. The entries were: the ship
"Margaret," Henry Elkins, master; the ship " Two
Sons," Thomas Ball, master ; and the ship " America,"
Benjamin Crowninshield, master, — all consigned to
George Crowninshield & Sons ; the brig " Suwarrow,"
William Leach, Jr., master, consigned to William
Leach and others ; the bark " Eliza," Joseph Beadle,
master, consigned to Joseph White; the ship "Mary,"
Samuel King, master, from Aden, consigned to John
Norris ; the ship " Commerce," Thomas Bancroft,
master, consigned to Nathaniel West ; and the bark
" Mary," Daniel Bray, Jr., master, consigned to Ben-
jamin Derby and John Derby.
George Crowninshield & Sons had three vessels
which entered from Mocha in 1806 ; the ship " Mar-
garet," Henry Elkins, master; the ship "John,"
William Fairfield, master; and the brig "Telema-
chus," Benjamin Frye, master. The ship "Frank-
lin," Timothy Wellman, 3d, from Mocha and Aden,
entered in December, 1808, with 532,365 pounds of
coffee consigned to Joseph Peabody, and paying a
duty of $26,618.25. The brig "Coromandel," Wil-
liam Messervy, master, entered in October, 1813,
with a cargo of coffee consigned to John Derby, and
paying a duty of $28,587.60. The brig " Beulah,"
Charles Forbes, master, entered from Mocha in
April. 1820, consigned to John W. Rogers. The
brig "Ann," Charles Jlillett, master, entered in
84
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
May, 1827, consigned to Michael Shepard. After the
opening of the Zanzibar trade the vessels engaged in
that trade visited Mocha and obtained a part of their
cargo there, and to the account of that trade reference
may be had for later dates.
The Madagascar Trade. — The American trade
with the island of Madagascar was opened by Nath-
aniel L. Rogers & Brothers, eminent and enterprising
merchants of Salem. Robert Brookhouse was also
among the pioneers of this trade. The brig " Thetis,"
Charles Forbes, master, appears to be the first ves-
sel to enter, with a full cargo from that island. She
arrived in November, 1821, with 216,519 pounds of
tallow, consigned to J. W. & R. S. Rogers. The
brig " Beulah," Charles Forbes, master, which entered
from Mocha in April, 1820, consigned to John W.
Rogers, touched at Madagascar on her passage, and
brought from there a small quantity of tallow. This
appears to be the first American vessel to trade at
Madagascar. The brig "Climax," G. W. Grafton,
master, entered in March, 1822, consigned to Robert
Brookhouse. The brig "Thetis," William Bates,
master, made three voyages, entering in January,
1823, in February, 1824, and in January, 1825,
consigned to Richard S. Rogers. The brig " Reaper,"
Robert Brookhouse, Jr., master, entered in Decem-
ber, 1824, consigned to Robert Brookhouse. The
brig " Nereus," B. W. Brookhouse, master, entered in
December, 1825, consigned to Nathaniel L. Rogers.
The brig " Susan," Stephen Burchmore, master,
entered in August, 1826, consigned to Robert Brook-
house.
At the time of the opening of the trade with Mada-
gascar Zanzibar was a small settlement, and no trade
was carried on there, gum-copal, the principal staple,
being carried to India by the Sultan's vessels, to be
cleaned. The trade with Zanzibar was an extension
of the Madagascar trade. The vessels subsequently
engaged in that trade usually touched at Madagascar
and Mocha, and made up their cargoes in part in
each place. In the account of the Zanzibar trade
will be found the later arrivals.
The Zanzibar Trade. — As Salem had been first
at Sumatra and Madagascar, so she was first at Zanzi-
bar. But little of the uncleaned guni-eopal, which
was the staple article of export, was brought to this
country until after the " Black Warrior," belonging
largely to N. L. Rogers, and commanded by John
Bertram, was there in 18.31. Captain Bertram arrived
at Zanzibar while the Sultan's frigate was lying in
the harbor, ready to carry the gum-copal to India, and
made a bargain for what was on hand and for future
cargoes. The " Black Warrior" arrived in Salem in
March, 1832, with the first large quantity of unclean-
ed gum-copal that had been imported into this coun-
try. For some time thereafter the gum-copal trade
was monopolized by Salem merchants, and all the
gum-copal used was distributed from the port of
Salem.
But the " Black Warrior," although taking the first
large cargo from Zanzibar, was not the first vessel to
open trade with that port. The brig " Ann," Charles
Millett, master, and owned by Henry Prince & Son,
left Salem March 12, 1826, for Mocha. When she ar-
rived there, in June, Captain Millet found a great
scarcity of bread-stuffs, and, leaving a clerk in charge
of the business, he left Mocha for Zanzibar and
Lamo, where he obtained a cargo of small grain, and
purchased ivory and other articles for the homeward
cargo. The " Ann " went from Zanzibar to Mocha,
and from thence to Salem, arriving May 9, 1827.
This was the opening of American trade with Zanzi-
bar. The same vessel made a second voyage to Zan-
zibar, leaving Salem August 9, 1827, arriving home
April 10, 1829, having visited many new ports on the
east coast of Africa. On the passage home, February
20, the " Ann " lost her masts and was otherwise
badly wrecked. She also lost her mate and two men.
For their skill in navigating the vessel into port the
insurance companies presented the commander with
a service of plate ; his clerk, John Webster, with a
silver pitcher ; and the rest of his men with three
hundred and thirty dollars.
The three-masted schooner "Spy," Andrew Ward,
master, ninety-one tons, appears to be the first vessel
to enter at the Salem Custom-House from Zanzibar.
She arrived at Salem August 11, 1827, one hundred
and ten days from Zanzibar, with a cargo consigned
to Nathaniel L. Rogers & Brothers. Cajitain Ward
reported that the " Susan," Burchard, master, touched
at Zanzibar about the 1st of March, and that the
" Fawn," of Salem, had also been there. The " Spy "
was built at Essex in 1823, and was the first three-
masted schooner of which there is any record. On
ihe 12th of January, 1825, the brig " Laurel." Lovett,
master, owned by Robert Brookhouse, left Salem for
South America. Finding markets dull, the captain
sailed for ports east of the Cape of Good Hope, and,
about the 10th of July, left Port Louis, Mauritius,
for Zanzibar, stopping at the island of Johanna on
the way. This was the first time the American flag
was displayed at that Island, and the king gave a re-
ception in honor of the event. The vessel arrived at
Zanzibar the 20th of July, 1825, and, although not
the first to open trade, seems to be the first to have
displayed the American flag at that port. From
Zanzibar the " Laurel " proceeded to Mombas, and
from there to Patta, Lamo and other small places, in
all of which she appears to have displayed the Ameri-
can flag for the first time. The " Laurel " arrived in
Salem, on her return passage, June 3, 1826.
From the year 1827, when the " Spy " entered from
Zanzibar, to the year 1870, when the last entry from
that port was made at Salem, there were one hundred
and eighty-nine arrivals from Zanzibar. The period
from 1840 to 1860 was the time of the greatest activ-
ity in this trade, one hundred and forty-five of the
one hundred and eighty-nine entries being made be-
SALEM.
85
tween those years. Nathaniel L. Rogers & Brothers,
John Bertram, Michael Shepard, David Pingree,
Joseph Peabody, Andrew Ward, Nathaniel We.ston,
James B. Curwen, Ephraim Emmerton, Tucker
Daland, Michael W. Shepard, George West and Ben-
jamin A. West were among those engaged in this
trade.
Among the earlier arrivals were the brig "Cipher,"
S. Smith, master, in March, 1834; the brig "Tigris,"
John G. Waters, master, in July, 1834, consigned to
David Pingree; the brig "Thomas Perkins," J. P.
Page, master, in November, 1834, consigned to
Putnam I. Farnham; the brig "Leander," J. S.
Kimball, master, in April 183(5, and again in Au-
gust, 1837, consigned to Joseph Peabody; the brig
" Palm," N. W. Andrews, master, in November, 1836,
consigned to John Bertram; the brig "Cherokee,"
W. B. Smith, master, in April, 1837, consigned to
Michael Shepard ; the bark " Star," E. Brown, mas-
ter, in November, 1839, again in 1842, W. B. Smith,
master, and agaiii in September, 184G, in October,
1847, and in January, 1849, William McFarland, mas-
ter, consigned to Michael Shepard ; the brig " Rich-
mond," William B. Bates, master, in October, 1840,
to Ephraim Emmerton ; the brig " Kolla," A. S. Per-
kins, master, in January, 1841, and again in January,
1843, consigned to David Pingree ; the brig " Rattler,"
F. Brown, master, in May, 1841, and again in 1843, J.
Lambert, master, consigned to Michael Shepard ; the
bark " Brenda," Andrew Ward, master, in March,
1844, with one hundred and forty-two thousand one
hundred and twenty-four pounds of dates and other
merchandise, consigned to Michael Shejiard and John
Bertram ; the brig " Richmond," William B. Bates,
master, entered in December, 1845, consigned to
Ephraim Emmerton ; the bark 'Eliza," A. S. Perkins,
master, entered in May, 1846, consigned to George
West and David Pingree ; the bark " Orb," W. Cross,
master, entered in November, 1846, and again in
March, 1848, C. F. Rhoades, master, consigned to
Tucker Daland; the bark "Sophronia," B. R. Pea-
body, master, entered in January 1849, and again, E.
A. Emmerton, master, in October, 1850, consigned to
Ephraim Emmerton ; the bark " Iosco," Groves, ma.s-
ter, entered in January, 1852, consigned to Michael
W. Shepard, and again in December, 1852, consigned
to John Bertram.
Space will not permit the enumeration of any large
proportion of the arrivals from this port, but enough
have been given to indicate the merchants who were
engaged in the Zanzibar trade. Many of the vessels
touched at Madagascar and Mocha, and obtained a
part of their cargoes at those places. For years this
trade was largely in the hands of Salem merchants,
and Salem was the principal point of distribution for
ivory, gum-copal and Mocha coffee.
Among the vessels lost while engaged in this trade
was the bark " Peacock," Joseph Moseley, master,
and owned by John Bertram, which was wrecked on
a reef near Majunga, Madagascar, August 0, 1855,
and with the cargo was a total loss. The bark
"Arabia," John Wallis, master, and owned by Benja-
min A. West, sailed from Salem, on her first voyage,
July 4, 1857. On the passage home. May 9, 1858,
while off the Cape of Good Hope, she fell in with the
"Ariadne," bound from Bombay to Boston. This
being in a crippled and sinking condition, her crew,
twenty-three in number, were taken on board the
" Arabia." The supply of water was inadequate for so
large an addition to their number, and Captain Wal-
lis thought it prudent to enter Table Bay and procure
an additional supply. At the entrance to the bay the
"Arabia" was becalmed. The night was dark, and
about 2 A.M., the vessel struck on a reef and became
a total loss. The cargo was saved and sold. The bark
" Iosco," Clau.ssen, master, and owned by John Ber-
tram, was wrecked on a reef off Zanzibar, July 7, 1858.
Both vessel and cargo were lost. The bark " Guide,"
McMullen, master, and owned by ,Tohn Bertram, was
wrecked on the Ras Hoforn, east coast of Africa, on
the night of September 4, 1860, and with her cargo
was a total loss. The bark " Jersey," James S. Wil-
liams, master, owned by John Bertram, was built at
Salem in 1869, and was wrecked at Madagascar on
her first voyage.
The large importation of uncleaned gum-copal, an
article which, prior to 1832, had been sent to India to
be cleaned, led to the establishment by Jonathan
Whipple of a factory at the foot of Turner Street, in
Salem, to clean and prepare the gum for the market.
Prior to the establishment of Mr. Whipple's fiictory,
Daniel Hammond had been engaged in cleaning the
gum, but Mr. Whipple was the first to establish the
business on an extensive scale. At first the gum was
cleaned by being scraped with a knife. Mr. Whipple
soon introduced the process of washing it with an
alkali. The uncleaned gum was deposited in tubs of
alkali liquor and allowed to stand over night. It was
then taken and placed upon large platforms in the open
air, and carefully dried and brushed. The gum was
then sorted as to size and color.
This business was established about 1835, and in-
creased very rapidly. Mr. Whipple commenced by
employing four or five men, but at the time of his
death, in 1850, the number of men employed averaged
thirty-five or forty, and the amount of gum cleaned
each year was about one million five hundred thous-
and pounds, the gum losing in weight about one-
quarter part during the process of cleaning. Mr.
Whipple was succeeded by his sons, who continued
the business under the name of Stephen Whipple &
Brothers. The business was prosperous until the year
1861, when an import duty of ten cents a pound was
imposed on the uncleaned gum. The gum was there-
after cleaned on the coast of Africa before shipment,
and the business diminished until it wa.s finally
abandoned altogether.
The trade with Zanzibar, Madagascar, Arabia and
86
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the east coast of Africa has been continued by Salem
merchants from the summer of 1826, when the ' Ann "
was there, to the present day. In 1846, Salem had
nine vessels there. The successors of the firm of
John Bertram still continue the trade, but their ves-
sels no longer enter the port of Salem. The last
arrival at Salem from Zanzibar was the bark " Glide,"
May 1, 1870, and this was also the last arrival at Sa-
lem of any vessel owned in Salem from beyond the
Cape of Good Hope.
The Cape of Good Hope Trade. — When the
merchants of Salem, at the close of the Revolutionary
War, sent their vessels on long voyages, the Cape of
Good Hope was among the first places visited. In
this a.s in most other trades established with distant
countries Elias Hasket Derby was the first to lead the
way. In 1781 he built at the South Shore a fast sail-
ing ship of three hundred tons called the " Grand
Turk " for use as a privateer. She carried twenty-
two guns, and was remarkably successful in capturing
prizes. In November, 1784, Mr. Derby despatched
this vessel, under command of Jonathan Ingersoll, on
the first voyage from Salem to the Cape of Good Hope.
The cargo of the "Grand Turk " consisted, in part, of
rum, which was sold to an English East India-man
and delivered at the Island of St. Helena. From
there she returned to Salem, via the West Indies, ar-
riving in 1785. He bought in the West Indies, Gren-
ada rum enough to load two vessels, sent home the
" Grand Turk, " and returned himself in the " Atlan-
tic."
A striking incident is connected with this voyage
of Captain Ingersoll. On his passage to Salem he res-
cued the master and mate of the English schooner
" Amity," whose crew had mutinied and set their
officers adrift in a boat. After their arrival at Salem,
Captain Duncanson of the " Amity " was sitting one
day with Mr. Derby in his counting-room, and while
using his spy-glass he saw his own vessel in the offing.
Mr. Derby promptly manned one of his own brigs,
put two pieces of ordnance on board of her, and, tak-
ing with him the English captain, boarded and recap-
tured the " Amity."
Mr. Derby purchased a vessel which had been cap-
tured from the British during the Revolutionary War.
He named her the " Light Horse." This bark he
sent, in January, 1787, to the Cape of Good Hope, un-
der command of John Tucker.
The captain wrote his first letter from Table Bay,
dated May 15, 1787, giving an accountof asaleof part
of the cargo. From the Cape he went to the Isle of
France, sold the remainder of his cargo, loaded with
coflee and some India goods, and returned to Salem,
arriving in January, 1788.
The brig " Hope," of one hundred and sixty tons
burden, carrying eight men, made an annual voyage
between Salem and the Cape of Good Hope for six
consecutive years, entering at Salem in February,
1790, in August, 1791, in July, 1792, in June, 1793,
in May, 1794, and in July 1795. She was command-
ed on the first three voyages by Jonathan Lambert,
and on the last three by Samuel Lambert, and her car-
go was consigned, on each voyage, to Jacob Ashton
and others. The schooner " Ruth," Jonathan Lam-
bert, Jr., master, entered in July, 1796, consigned to
Jacob Ashton and others. The ship " Betsey," Jere-
miah L. Page, master, entered in May, 1804, consign-
ed to Abel Lawrence & Co.
Coffee, wine, pepper, sugar, ivory and aloes were
among the articles imported. Most of the direct
trade with the Cape of Good Hope, was carried on be-
fore the commencement of the jiresent century, and
Jacob Ashton and Jonathan Lambert appear to have
been largely engaged in it.
The Austealian Trade. — Wherever a new chan-
nel of trade was opened for Americans, Salem was
either the first to open it, or her vessels followed close-
ly after the pioneers. She was found asking for ad-
mission to the port of Sydney, in 1832, and by a spe-
cial order of the council, passed that year, the ship
" Tybee," Charles Millett, master, was allowed to en-
ter that port. This vessel was owned by Nathaniel
L. Rogers and others, and was the first American ves-
sel to enter the ports of Australia. The " Tybee " en-
tered at Salem from Sydney January 20, 1835, again
in March, 1836, and again in June, 1837. Joseph
Rogers commanded her on these voyages, and her car-
go consisted mainly of wool. The ship " Black War-
rior," William Driver, master, entered from Sydney
in September, 1835, and the ship " Shepherdess," J.
Kinsman, master, in May, 1836, both bringing cargoes
of wool. All the above-mentioned cargoes were con-
signed to Nathaniel L. Rogers & Brothers. This trade
did not prove profitable and it was not long continu-
ed, the direct entries at Salem, from Sydney, being
confined to the years 1835, '36 and '37.
The Feejee Island.s Trade. — The enterprise of
Salem merchants seems not to have been confined by
the limits of the civilized world, but to have extended
to all habitable countries, however remote and how-
ever peopled. Salem was as familiar a name to the
cannibals of the Feejee Islands, during the first half
of the present century, as it was to the savages of
Africa and Madagascar. In many of those wild coun-
tries, the untutored natives thought Salem comprised
all the remainder of the outer world about which they
knew so little. Captain William P. Richardson, of
Salem, was at the Feejee Islands in the bark "Active,"
in 1811. He sailed from Salem June 1, 1810, and left
the Feejee Islands July 26, 1811, for Canton. He ar-
rived at Salem March 27, 1812, one hundred and
eighteen days from Canton. This was the first trad-
ing voyage from Salem to the Feejee Islands. Com-
mercial intercourse with these islands began about
1806, probably by the vessels of the East India Com-
pany.
When Commodore Wilkes went on his famous ex-
ploring expedition, he took with him as pilot and inter-
SALEM.
87
preter, Captain Benjamin Vanderford, a Salem ship-
master, who, having made many voyages to these is-
lands, was familiar with the customs and language of
the natives. Captain Vanderford died March 23,
1842, on the passage home; and the commodore, writ-
ing of him says : " During the cruise I had often ex-
perienced his ust fulness. He had formerly been in
command of various! vessels sailing from Salem, and
had made many voyages to the Feejee Islands. Dur-
ing our stay there, he was particularly useful in su-
perintending all trade carried on to supply the ship."
Commodore Wilkes was indebted to another Salem
captain for bringing one of the vessels of his squad-
ron,— the " Peacock," — safely into port, on the 12th
of July, 1840. Captain J. H. Eagleston, of Salem,
who was trading there at the time, rendered him this
important service. The commodore, in his report to
the government, says : "The squadron is much in-
debted to Captain Eagleston for his attention and as-
sistance. I am also indebted to him for observations
relating to gales."
Captain Eagleston made voyages to these islands
between 1830 and 1840, in the bark " Peru," the ship
" Emerald," the brig " Mermaid " and the ship
" Leonidas." On one of his passages in the " Leoni-
das " he caught several albatrosses, and tied to the
neck of each a quill containing a slip of paper, on
which was written "Ship Leonidas, of Salem, bound
to New Zealand." One of these birds was caught by
a French vessel off the Cape of Good Hope, several
hundred miles away from the spot where it was first
caught by Captain Eagleston. The news reached
Salem March 21, 1840, and was the first news of this
vessel since she sailed, on the 9th of August. Cap-
tain Eagleston sailed for Stephen C. Phillips, who
was a prominent merchant of Salem from about 1828
to the time of his death, in 1857. Mr. Phillips was
largely engaged in trade with the Feejee Islands, with
Manila and other Eastern ports. In 1846 Salem had
six vessels engaged in trade with the Feejee Islands.
The usual voyage was from Salem to the Feejee
Islands, where the vessel would remain, collecting
the beche-de-mer, a sort of sea slug, found on reefs and
in shallow water, and after drying and preparing
them for the market, carry them either to Manila to
exchange for sugar and hemp, or to China to ex-
change for tea, the voyage usually consuming about
two years. Salem almost monopolized this trade,
and, in a work written in London, in 1858, by Thom-
as Williams and James Calvert, missionaries at these
islands, it is stated that the tralfic in sandal-wood,
tortoise-shell and beche-de-mer, "has been, and still
is, chiefly in the hands of Americans from the port of
Salem." There are many curious articles at the Pea-
body Academy of Science at Salem, which were
brought from the Feejee Islands during the early
voyages.
Among the Salem merchants engaged in this trade
were Nathaniel L. Rogers & Bros., Stephen C. Phil-
lips, Samuel Chamberlain & Co. and Benjamin A.
West. The bark " Zotott"," Benjamin Wallis, master,
made several voyages to the Feejee Islands. Captain
Wallis, on two of these voyages, covering a period
from 1844 to 1850, was accompanied by his wife, who,
upon her final return, wrote an account of her trav-
els, in a book entitled, "Life in Feejee." She men-
tions seeing the brig " Elizabeth," the bark "Samos,"
Captain H. J. Archer, the bark "Pilot," Captain
Hartwell and the brig " Tim Pickering," all of Sa-
lem, during the first voyage. The " Samos " was af-
terwards condemned at Manila. The " Tim Picker-
ing," Walden, master, while lying at Ovalou, in the
Feejee Islands, was driven ashore in a severe gale,
April 5, 1848, and became a total loss. Captain Ben-
jamin Vanderford was at the Feejee Islands about
1819, in the ship "Indus," and about 1822 in the
" Roscoe." The bark " Dragon," Thomas C. Dunn,
master, sailed from Salem February 22, 1854, and ar-
rived at the Feejee Islands, a distance of sixteen
thousand seven hundred and seventy miles, in eighty-
five days, making the shortest passage ever made
from the United States. She crossed the equator in
twenty days, and passed Port Phillip, New Holland,
seventy-three days out. She reached Salem from
Manila September 4, 1856, with one thousand one
hundred and seventy bales of hemp, consigned to
Benjamin A. West.
The seamen of Salem, visiting these islands, were
exposed to peril of their lives from the ignorant and
deceitful inhabitants, and to disaster to their ships
from hidden reefs, of the existence of which they
were unaware. In August, 1830, the brig " Fawn,"
James Briant master, and owned by Robert Brook-
house, was lost at the Feejee Islands, and Captain
Charles Millett, of the ship " Clay," gave captain and
crew a passage to Manila. The ship " Glide," in
March, 1832, was driven ashore at Tackanova, and
lost. Her boat's crew were attacked by the natives,
at Ovalou, December 26, 1831, and two of them killed.
In the same gale which destroyed the " Glide," an-
other Salem vessel, the brig " Niagara," was lost, at
an island one hundred and forty miles from Tacka-
nova.
The brig " Charles Doggett," owned by Nathaniel
L. Rogers & Bros., and commanded by George Batch-
elder, was at Kandora, one of the Feejee Islands, in
September, 1833, and her crew were curing the beche-
de-mer for the East India market. They were at-
tacked by the natives for the sake of plunder, and
five of the crew were killed, including Charles Ship-
man, the mate. The remainder escaped in the boats,
but were all more or less injured. James Magoun, of
Salem, who had lived among the islanders several
years, was dangerously wounded. On the way to
Manila, the vessel touched at the Pelew Islands, and
the crew were again attacked by the natives, and a
boy was killed. The vessel reached Salem, from
]Manila, in October, 1834.
88
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The story of a previous voyage of the " Charles
Doggett," under the command of William Driver, is
one of most romantic interest, and deserves a place
in history. As an introduction, it may be well to
give a brief account of the mutiny of the "Bounty,"
which, though an oft-repeated tale, is still one of
thrilling interest. Captain William Bligh was sent
by the British Government in the "Bounty" in De-
cember, 1787, to Tahiti. He reached that island in
October of the following year, and remained there six
months, collecting bread-fruit plants, with which he
started for Jamaica. Twenty-four days out, on the
28th of April, 1789, a part of the crew mutinied, and
forced Captain Bligh and eighteen men into the
ship's launch, which they cast adrift, turning their
own course back to Tahiti. The captain and his
companions arrived on the 14th of June, after suffer-
ing almost incredible hardships, at the island of
Timor, a distance of three thousand six hundred
nautical miles from the place where they were aban-
doned. The mutineers, after staying at Tahiti for
some time, fearing pursuit, sailed eastward, taking
with them eighteen natives, six men and twelve
women, and leaving part of their comrades at Tahiti.
They landed at Pitcairn Island, a solitary island in
the Pacific Ocean, lying at the southeast corner of
the great Polynesian Archipelago, having an area of
only one and a quarter square miles. Here they
took up their residence, and burned the " Bounty."
From the time they left Tahiti, in 1792. nothing was
heard of them, until an American, Captain Folger,
touched at the island in 1808. At this time, all the
men, save Alexander Smith, and several of the wom-
en, were dead. The island was visited by British
vessels in 1825 and 1830.
In 1831 their numbers had increased to eighty-
seven, and the island was scantily provided with
water. At their own request, they were transported
by the British Government to Tahiti. All the origi-
nal settlers were dead, and their descendants had
been reared away from contact with the world, and
were, despite their wild ancestry, virtuous and re-
ligious. Never having looked upon vice, they found
themselves among a people where virtue was un-
known. Disgusted with the immoralities of the Ta-
hitians, the most loose, voluptuous and unchaste peo-
ple that exist under the tropic sun, they yearned
with a homesick longing for the isolation and quiet
of the little island that had so recently been their
home.
It was at this time that the brig " Charles Doggett,"
William Driver, master, and owned by Nathaniel L.
Rogers & Brothers, arrived at Tahiti. These poor
homesick people besought Captain Driver to take
them back to their native island. For their own
sake, but above all for the sake of their children, they
desired to leave this land of sensual indulgence.
Captain Driver finally consented to carry them, sixty-
five in number, back to the island, fourteen hundred
miles away, from whence they had so recently
arrived, taking in pay some old copper, twelve blan-
kets and one hundred and twenty-nine dollars in
missionary drafts. They left on the 15th of August,
1831, and were landed on Pitcairn Island on Septem-
ber 3rd, after an absence of about nine months. In
1855, finding their numbers again too large for the
island, for they now numbered two hundred and two,
they petitioned the British Government, and, in 1856,
were removed to Norfolk Island. In 1859, two fami-
lies, in all seventeen, returned to Pitcairn Island.
An English writer, in speaking of them, says: "From
their frequent intercourse with Europeans, the Pit-
cairn Islanders have, while retaining their virtuous
simplicity of character and cheerful, hospitable dis-
position, acquired the manners and polish of civilized
life, with its education and taste."
May it not well be said that a Salem vessel saved
this people from sinking into the immoral life that
surrounded them at Tahiti, and that in their strange
and romantic history there is no chapter more impor-
tant than that which records the assistance rendered
them by Salem in their time of need ?
The South American Trade. — The trade be-
tween Salem and South America has been quite ex-
tensive. This trade began early, and continued to be
jirosecuted after trade with other foreign countries
had been abandoned. On the 25th of August, 1789,
the schooner " Lark" arrived from Surinam with
sugar and cocoa. The brig " Katy," Nathaniel
Brown, master, cleared for Cayenne in April, 1798,
with fish, flour, bacon, butter, oil, tobacco, candles
and potter's ware. The schooner "Sally," Daniel
Proctor, master, cleared for Cayenne in March, 1802.
For forty years, from 1820 to 1 860, there was constant
commercial intercourse between Salem and the ports
of South America.
Para was the port most frequently visited, there
having been four hundred and thirty-five arrivals at
Salem from that port, mainly between the years 1826
and 1860. The largest number of arrivals in a single
year was in 1853, when twenty vessels entered. The
last entries were in 1861. Rubber, hides, cocoa,
coffee and castana nuts were among the articles im-
ported. A few of the entries from Para are given, to
indicate the merchants engaged in this traffic : The
schooner " Betsey," James Meagher, master, entered
from Para in March, 1811, with cassia, coffee and
cocoa, consigned to John Howard; the schooner
" Four Sisters," Joseph Ervin, master, in August,
1811, with one hundred and thirty-eight thousand
pounds of cocoa, to William Orne; the schooner
"Resolution," Edward Brown, Jr., master, in July,
1812, consigned to Jeremiah L. Page; the brig "Mer-
cator," Samuel B. Graves, master, in September, 1817,
to Robert Upton ; the schooner " Cyrus," Benjamin
Russell, master, in March, 1820, to Robert Upton ;
the schooner " Charles," Richard Smith, master, in
August, 1822, to Michael Shepard ; the schoon^
SALEM.
89
"Phcebe," Benjamin Upton, master, in December,
1824, to Robert Upton ; the schooner " Leader," Na-
thaniel Griften, master, in April, 1826, to Richard
Savory ; the schooner " Dollar," Thomas Holmes,
master, in April, 1826, to David Pingree; the schoon-
er " Cepheus," Charles Holland, master, in August,
1826, to Joseph Howard; the brig " Romp," Clarke,
master, in December, 1828, to Thomas P. Pingree and
Michael Shejiard ; the schooner " Gazelle," Warren
Strickland, master, in August, 1830, to James Brown ;
the brig " Abby M.," R. Wheatland, master, in Octo-
ber, 1830, to Gideon Tucker ; the brig " Amethyst,"
John Willis, master, in July, 1831, to Robert LTpton ;
the brig " Fredonia," S. K. Appleton, master, in Sep-
tember, 1832, to Benjamin Creamer ; the brig " De-
posit," G. E. Bailey, master, in January, 1842, to
James Upton (this vessel made regular trips between
Salem and Para) ; the brig " Mermaid," C. Conway,
master, in April, 1842, to P. I. Farnham ; the brig
"Eagle," M. S. Wheeler, master, in December, 1842,
to Benjamin Upton ; the brig " Deposit," under com-
mand of Charles Upton, entered in March, 1844, and
made several voyages thereafter, consigned to Luther
Upton; the brig "Granite," S. Upton, master, en-
tered in October, 1844, and made regular trips, to S-
F. Upton ; the brig " Rattler," C. W. Trumbull, mas-
ter, entered in July, 1846, and made a number o
voyages, consigned to John Bertram ; the brig " M'
Shepard," H. B. Manning, master, entered in March
1853, and continued for some time in the trade, con-
Bigned to John Bertram. Messrs. Phippen and Endi-
cott were the last among the Salem merchants engaged
in this trade. There were two entries in the year
1861, and these entries closed the trade of Salem with
Para.
There has been a large trade between Salem and
Cayenne, beginning in the last century. The whole
number of arrivals from this port between the years
1810 and 1877 was about three hundred. The largest
number of entries in a single year was in 1835, when
there were eleven entries from that port. From 1835
to 1840 inclusive, there were fifty-eight entries. The
Cayenne trade was the last foreign trade engaged in
by Salem merchants at the port of Salem.
Among the entries from that port was that of the
brig "Trial," Eben Learock, master, in June, 1810,
with molasses and cofl'ee, consigned to Francis
Quarles ; the schooner " Rachel," Mark Knowlton,
master, in August, 1812, to John AVinn ; the brig
'• Return," Henry King, master, in March, 1813, to
Thomas Perkins ; the schooner " Essex," Thomas
Cloutman, master, in May, 1816, with cocoa, molasses
and almonds, to William Fabens; the brig " Ram-
bler," W. D. Shatswell, master, in February, 1821, to
William Fabens, and in February, 1828, to Benjamin
Fabens ; the brig " Cynthia," in July, 1821, to J. H.
Andrews ; in 1824, to Michael Shepard, and in 1825,
to David Pingree ; the brig " General Jackson,"
Shatswell, master, in May, 1826, to P. I. Faridiam ;
7
the brig " Jeremiah," Joshua F. Safford, master, in
June, 1821, to David Pingree; the brig " Rotund,"
Joseph R. Winn, master, in May, 1825, to Benjamin
Fabens; the schooner " Betsey and Eliza," Benjamin
Pickering, master, in August, 1829, to Joseph Shats-
well ; the schooner " Numa," D. R. Upton, m:\stcr,
in March, 1833, to Robert LTpton ; the brig " Romp,"
Peter Lassen, master, in September, 1851, to Joseph
Shatswell ; the brig " Esther," W. H. Fabens, master,
in February, 1850, to Benjamin Fabens, Jr., and in
August, 1850, Peter Lassen, master, to Charles H.
Fabens ; the bark " Lawrence," Fabens, master, in
September, 1851, to Charles H. Fabens.
David Pingree and Jo.seph Shatswell were largely
engaged in this trade. The Fabens family for four
generations have carried (m the trade between Salem
and Cayenne. William Fabens began it about 1816,
Benjamin Fabens about 1825, Charles H. Fabens
about 1850, and Charles E. and Benjamin H. F.abens
about 1869. The successive generations have prose-
cuted the trade continuously from 1816 to the present
day. The last named removed the business to Boston
in 1877, and now carry it on from that port. The
last arrival at Salem from a South American port was
the schooner "Mattie F," which was entered from
Cayenne, by Messrs. C. E. & B. H. Fabens, March
21, 1877. The entry of the "Mattie F." closed the
foreign trade of Salem.
The trade between Salem and Buenos Ayres is the
next in importance. From 1816 to 1860, inclusivCj
there were one hundred and twenty-one arrivals at
Salem from this port. The period of greatest activity
was from 1841 to 1860. Robert Upton, James Upton,
David Pingree and Benjamin A. West were among
the merchants priocipally engaged in this trade. The
entries from this port include that of the brig " Nancy
Ann," John B. Osgood, master, in April, 1816, to
Stephen Phillips; the ship " Diomede," Samuel L^
Page, master, in March, 1817, to Philip (/base ; the
brig " Cambrian," H. G. Bridges, master, in June,
1823, to Joseph Peabody ; the brig " Bolivar Libera-
tor," James Garney, master, in January, 1831, to P.
I. Farnham ; the bark " Chalcedony," J. E. A. Todd,
master, entered in April, 1841, and made several voy-^
ages thereafter, commanded by Captain Todd, and a
number after 1849, with George LTjjton as master (she
was consignedjon these voyages to James Upton) ; the
bark " Three Brothers," Welch, master, entered in
May, 1843, consigned to David Pingree; the brig
"Cherokee," Mansfield, master, entered in October,
1843, consigned to Michael Shepard; the brig "Ga-
zelle," Dewing, ma.ster, in November, 1843, to John
Bertram; the brig " Olinda," S. Hutchinson, master,
in December, 1843, to Gideon Tucker ; the bark
"King Philip," George Upton, master, in June, 1844,
to James Upton ; the brig " Gambia," G. E. Bailey,
master, in September, 1848, to Benjamin A. West;
the bark "Maid of Orleans," Charles Upton, master
iu September, 1848, and uri several sub.sequent voy-
90
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ages, consigned to James Upton ; the bark " Man-
chester," S. Upton, master, in May, 1853, to Robert
Upton; the brig "Russell," in August, 1854, to Geo.
Savory; the bark "Salera," in August, 1860, to Jas.
Upton. The last entry at Salem from Buenos Ayres
was in 1860.
Rio Grande was a place with which Salem mer-
chants traded quite extensively. Hides and horns
were the principal articles imported. From 1817 to
1860 there were one hundred and fifty-five arrivals at
Salem from that i>rovince, and of that number, one
hundred were during the period from 1845 to 1854 in-
clusive. The largest number of arrivals in a single
year was seventeen, in the year 1851. The Uptons
were largely interested in this trade, as they were in
most of the Salem trade with the ports on the eastern
coast of South America. Robert Upton, James Up-
ton, Benjamin Upton, Luther Upton and H. P. Upton
and David Pingree, George Savory, Thomas P. Piu-
gree, Benjamin Webb and David Moore were among
those engaged in trade with Rio Grande.
From the list of entries from that place at Salem a
few are given. A complete list would hardly interest
the general reader. The brig " Trader," John Eve-
leth, master, entered in June, 1817, with tallow con-
signed to Edwiird Lander; the brig "Rotund," John
Ingersoll, master, in July, 1822, to Gideon Tucker;
the brig " Cynthia," Shillaber, master, in October,
1828, to David Pingree ; the brig " Abby M.," R.
Wheatland, master, in October, 1829, to Putnam I.
Farnham and others ; the brig " Quill," Thomas Far-
ley, master, in November, 1831, to Nathaniel L. Rog-
ers & Bros. ; the brig " Mermaid," George Savory,
master, in May, 1841 to Benjamin Upton ; the brig
" Northumberland," Kane, master, in November,
1842, to Thomas P. Pingree; the bark "Chalcedony,"
J. E. A. Todd, master, in October, 1846, to James
Upton, and in May, 1847, to Luther Upton ; the brig
" Russell," R. F. Savory, master, in May, 1847, to H.
P. Upton ; the bark " William Schroder," J. E. A.
Todd, master, in March, 1848, to Robert Upton ; the
bark " Wyman," J. Madison, master, in July, 1849,
to James Upton (this vessel made many trips be-
tween Salem and Rio Grande, commanded by George
Harrington); the bark "Sophronia," E. A. Emmer-
ton, master, in July, 1849, to Ephraim Emmerton ;
the schooner " Maria Theresa," O. Baker, Jr., master,
in August, 1849, to D. R. Bowker ; the brig "Draco,"
E. S. Johnson, master, in October, 1849, and in April,
1850, to David Moore ; the brig " Prairie," E. Upton,
inaster, in November, 1850, to George Savory and
others- the bark "Delegate," D. Marshall, master, in
January, 1851, to Benjamin Webb and others; the
bark " Arrow," in June, 1860, to James Upton. There
were two entries from Rio Grande in 1860, and with
those entries the Salem trade with that place closed.
There was a single entry from Rio Grande in 1870,
but neither vessel nor cargo was owned by Salem
merchants.
The Salem trade with Montevideo began about
1811, and ended in 1861. There was no entry from
this port between 1811 and 1823. The largest num-
ber of entries was during the years 1847, '48 and '53.
Robert Upton, James Upton and Benjamin A. West
were among those engaged in trading with that port.
Hides and horns were the principal articles imported.
The brig " Hope," Benjamin Jacob.s, master, entered
in June, 1811, consigned to Thomas Perkins; the ship
" Glide," Nathan Endicott, master, entered in Novem-
ber, 1823, consigned to Joseph Peabody ; the brig
" Chalcedony," George Upton, master, in May, 1839,
and in (October, 1847, to James Upton ; and in March,
1848, to Luther Upton ; the bark " Zotoff," G. E.
Bailey, master, in January, 1853, and again in Au-
gust, 1853, to Benjamin A. West; the bark "Peacock,"
Upton, master, in April, 1853, to Robert Upton ; the
bark " Argentine," George Upton, master, in June,
1853, to James Upton; the bark "Miquelon," S.
Hutchinson, in July, 1853, to E. H. Folmer; the
brig "Mary A. Jones," in January, 1860, and again
in July 1860, to Benjamin A. West. There was a sin-
gle entry in 1861, the last entry at Salem from Mon-
tevideo.
In the years 1824 and 1825 there were twenty-four
entries from Maranham. From 1817 to 1858 there
were one hundred and ten entries. Joseph Howard
and James Brown were among those most largely in-
terested in this trade. The brig " Henry," George
Burchmore, master, entered from Maranham in Jan-
uary, 1817, consigned to Stephen White; the brig
" Anson," Haskett D. Lang, master, in May, 1819, to
P. & A. Chase ; the brig " Alonzo,'' George K. Smith,
master, in August, 1819, to Joseph Howard ; the brig
"Betsey," Timothy Ropes, master, in August, 1819,
to George Nichols ; the schooner " Mermaid," John
Willis, master, in April, 1824, to Pickering Dodge ;
the schooner " General Brewer," George Gale, master,
in August, 1825, to Stephen White; the brig "Stork,"
Stephen Gale, master, in November, 1825, to James
Brown and others ; the brig " Calliope," George
Creamer, master, in March, 1826, to Robert Upton ;
the schooner "Spy," Benjamin Russell, master, in
April, 1826, to Nathaniel L. Rogers & Bros.; the brig
" Edward," Thomas C. Whittredge, master, in May,
1826, to Thomas Whittredge; the schooner "Sally
Barker," F. Quarles, master, in June, 1826, to Mi-
chael Shepard ; the brig " Stork," Oliver Thayer,
master, in July, 1826, to Joseph Howard ; the brig
" Cynthia," Benjamin Shillaber, master, in April,
1827, to David Pingree ; the brig " Wm. Penn," S. K.
Appleton, master, in January, 1836, to John F.
Allen; the brig "Amethyst," R. Hill, Jr., master, in
February, 1837, to J.ames Upton ; the brig " Palm,"
in September, 1840, to Thomas P. Pingree; the
schooner "East Wind," in June, 1858, to Phippen &
Endicott ; and this entry closed the Salem trade with
Maranham.
Surinam was visited early by Salem vessels. The
SALEM.
91
period of the greatest activity in this trade was be-
tween the years 1797 and 1810. There were twelve
arrivals at Salem from this place in 1799, and the
same nnmber in 1804. There were two entries in
1800, the lust made at Salem from Surinam. Coftee,
cocoa, sugar, cotton, molasses and distilled spirits,
were the principal articles imported.
The schooner "Saint John,'" W. Grafton, master,
entered from Surinam in October, 1791, consigned to
Joseph Waters. The brig " Lydia," Eben Shillaber,
master, in August, 1790, to William Gray. The
brig "Three Friends," John Endicott, master, in Oc-
tober, 1790, to Jonathan Gardner and Joseph Pea-
body. The schooner " Cynthia," Hezekiah Flint,
master, in December, 179G, to Joseph Peabody and
Thomas Perkins. The schooner " Diligent," James
Buffington, master, in February, 1797, to Joseph
Sprague & Sons. The brig "Katy," Nathaniel
Brown, master, in August, 1798, to Benjamin Pick-
man, Jr. The schooner " Fame," Downing Lee,
master, in April, 1798, to Samuel Gray and John Os-
good. The brig " Neptune," Robert Barr, master, in
May, 1797, to John Barr. The ship "Henry," Ste-
]ihen Webb, master, in June, 1799, to Elias H. Der-
by. The ship "Belisarius," Edward Allen, master, in
August, 1799, to George Crowninshicld & Sous.
The schooner "Helen," Samuel King, master, in No-
vember, 1799, to Benjamin West. The ship "Atlan-
tic," Eben Learock, master, in April, 1804, to Joseph
Peabody. The bark " Active," John Endicott, mas-
ter, in July, 1804, to Benjamin Hodges. The schoon-
er " LTnion," Moses Yell, master, in December, 1807,
to Michael Shepard. The brig " Nabby," Hardy
Phippen, master, in April, 1808, to Samuel Archer,
3d. The brig "Union," Timothy Kopes, master, in
October, 1823, to John H. Andrews. The brig
"Rambler," S. Upton, master, in March, 1829, to
Benjamin Fabens. The brig " Cynthia," John G.
Waters, master, in August, 1829, to David Pingree.
The ship " William and Henry," C. H. Fabens, mas-
ter, in January, 1838, to David Pingree. The brig
" Mary Francis," in July, 18.5.T, to Joseph Shatswell.
The bark " Lawrence," in Ajiril. 1857, to Charles H.
Fabens. The brig " Elizabeth," in April, 1860, and
in August, 1860, to Benjamin Webb. The above-
mentioned entries show the names of the Salem mer-
chants engaged in trade with Surinam.
There were three entries at Salem from Rio Janeiro
in 1810. The largest number of entries in a single
year was in 1824, when six vessels entered from that
port. The schooner "Mercury," Edward Barnard,
Jr., master, entered from that ])ort in June, 1810, con-
signed to Nathaniel West. The brig " New Hazard,"
Edward Stanley, master, in July, 1810, to John Gard-
ner, Jr. The ship " Marquis de Someruelas," Thomas
Russell, master, in July, 1810, to John Gardner, Jr.
and Michael Shepard. The ship ".John," Jeremiah
Briggs, master, in March, 1811, to George Crownin-
shicld. The brig " Cora," P. P. Pinel, master, in De-
cember, 1811, to Jerathmael Pierce. The brig
"Alonzo," Philemon Putnam, master, in April, 182-'?,
to Joseph Howard. The ship " Friendship," Rich-
ard Meek, master, in November, 1823, and again in
November, 1824, to George Nichols. The brig
"Pioneer," Andrew Ward, master, in April, 1824, to
John W. Rogers. The brig " Edward," Thomas C.
Whittredge, master, in August, 1824, to Thomas
Whittredge. The brig "Roscius," J. Kinsman, mas-
ter, in November, 1824, to Robert Upton. The brig
"Thom.as Perkins," B. Shillaber, ma.ster, in Septem-
ber, 1832, to Michael Shepard. The bark " Richard,"
J. Hodges, master, in November, 1832, to Joseph
Hodges. The bark " Imaun," Batchelder, master, in
April, 1852, to Benjamin A. West. The entry of the
" Imaun " closed the Salem trade with Rio Janeiro.
The principal articles imported were coffee and sugar.
In August, 1832, the brig "Mexican," of Salem,
owned by Joseph Peabody, and connnanded by John
G. Butman, of Beverly, left Salem for Rio Janeiro,
having on board twenty thousand dollars in specie.
On September 20th, between the hours of eight and
nine A. m., she was hailed by the piratical Spanish
schooner, " Pinda," Commander Gilbert. The pirates
came on board the " Mexican," and threatened all
hands with instant death unless the specie was im-
mediately produced. They obliged the crew to bring
the boxes containing it on deck, when they at once
transferred it to the schooner. They then ransacked
the cabin and rifled the captain's pockets, taking his
watch and money. Not being successful in finding
any more specie aboard the brig, the pirates returned
on board their schooner. In eight or ten minutes
they came back, apparently in great haste, shut all
the crew below, fiistened the companion-way, fore
scuttle and after hatchway ; stove the compa-sses to
pieces in the binnacles, and cut away tiller-ropes,
halliards, braces and most of the running rigging.
They then took a tub of tarred rope-yarn, and wh.at
they could find combustible about the deck, put it
into the caboose-house and set it on fire. As soon as
the pirates left, the crew of the " Mexican " reached
the deck through the cabin scuttle, which the pirates
had neglected to secure, and extinguished the fire,
which, in a few moments, would have set the main
sail on fire and destroyed the masts. The crew im-
mediately repaired damages, as far as possible, and
set sail for home, where they arrived October 12th.
It was, doubtless, the intenti-on of the pirates to burn
the brig, but seeing another ve.ssel in the distance,
and being eager for more plunder, they did not stop
to fully accomplish their design, and the crew thus
escaped a horrible fete. The "Mexican" had a
crew of thirteen men ; among those now living are
John Battis, Jacob Anderson and Thon;as Fuller, all
of Salem.
Our government ordered a vessel to cruise in pur-
.suit of the pirate, but she soon gave up the chase as
ho])rless. The piratical ve.ssel w.as afterwards caji-
92
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tured by an English vessel, and on August 27, 1834,
H. B. M. brig " Savage," Lieutenant Commander
Loney, commanding, from Portsmouth, England, ar-
rived in Salem harbor with sixteen of the pirates as
prisoners. They had an examination in Salem, and
then were taken to Boston, and tried before Chief-
Justice Story. Five of them were banged June 11,
1835. Bernardo de Soto, the mate of the " Pinda,"
when master of the Spanish brig, "Leon," had, in
1831, at great personal risk, rescued seventy-two per-
sons from the burning ship "Minerva," of Salem,
Captain George W. Putnam, and for the bravery and
humanity displayed by him on this occasion, he was
pardoned by President Jackson.
Pernambuco was a port at which many Salem ves-
sels touched for orders. There were not a great many
direct entries at Salem from that port. The largest
number was in 1826, when there were six entric*.
Among the entries were the brig "Welcome Return,"
Jeremiah Briggs, master, in September, 1809, con-
signed to Josiah Dow. The schooner "Hannah,"
Edward Briggs, master, in June, 1810, to Josiah
Dow. The brig " Alonzo," Isaac Killam, master, in
August, 1811, to John Derby. The schooner "Ris-
ing States," Samuel Lamson, master, in March, 1812,
to James Cook. The ship " Endeavor," Nathaniel
L. Rogers, master, in May, 1812, to John Forrester.
The brig " Levant," Samuel Eea, master, in October,
1812. to Joseph Peabody. The brig " Cora," Philip
P. Pinel, master, in September, 1815, to Jerathniael
Peirce. The brig " Eliza," Stephen Gale, master, in
November, 1819, to Benjamin Barstow. The brig
" Eliza and Mary," S. Benson, master, in November,
1825, to S. White and F. H. Story. The brig " Olin-
da," E. Wheatland, master, in December, 1825, and
in June, 1826, to Gideon Tucker. The brig " Wash-
ington," A. Marshall, master, in August, 1826, to
William Fettyplace. The brig " Amethyst," R. Hill,
Jr., master, in May, 1836, to Robert Upton. The
brig " Mermaid," George Savory, master, in May,
1840, to Putnam I. Farnham. The brig " Gazelle/'
J. Dewing, master, in March, 1841, to Joseph Shats-
well. The entry of the " Gazelle " closed the direct
trade between Salem and Pernambuco. The jjrinci-
pal article imported thence was sugar.
Bahia, Paraiba and Patagonia on the eastern coast,
and Valparaiso, Lima and Guayaquil on the western
coast of South America, were among the places from
which vessels entered at the port of Salem. The
trade with these places was not very extensive. The
brig " Blakely," Benjamin Fabeus, master, entered
from Bahia in July, 1819, with molasses, consigned
to William Fabens. The brig "Lion," J. P. Felt,
master, entered from Bahia in June, 1821, consigned
to John Dike. The brig " Augusta," Seth Rogers,
master, entered from Bahia in March, 1824, consigned
to Gideon Tucker. The brig " Mercator," Aaron
Miller, master, entered from Bahia in September,
1826, consigned to John F. Andrew. The schooner
" Generous," E. B. Hooper, master, made several
voyages in 1832 and '33 between Salem and Paraiba,
consigned to Michael Shepard. The ship " China,"
H. Putnam, master, entered from Lima in July,
1828, consigned to Joseph Peabody. The brig
" Herald," Aaron W. Williams, master, entered from
Guayaquil in August, 1824, consigned to George
Nichols. The brig "Phcenix," George Hodges, Jr.,
master, entered from Guayaquil in December, 1826,
with one hundred and sixty-six thousand one hun-
dred and twenty pounds of cocoa, consigned to Moses
Townsend. The brig " Java," Nathaniel Osgood,
master, entered, from Guayaquil in January, 1829,
and proceeded to New York.
The West Coast of Africa Teadb. — If the na-
tives on the west coast of Africa have been temper-
ate they have been so in spite of the efforts of the
Salem merchants, to supply them with the materials
for intemperance. The trade opened early, and Oc-
tober 6, 1789, the schooner " Sally," and October 8,
1789, the schooner "Polly," cleared for Senegal, each
with a cargo of New England rum ; and from that
time forward, Salem has contributed largely to spread
a knowledge of the potent qualities of New England
rum, of the astounding effects of gunpowder and of
the consoling influences of Virginia tobacco, among
the savage tribes of the West Coast. The Salem
trade with this coast has been quite extensive. The
period of the greatest activity was between the years
1832 and 1864. During that time, there were five
hundred and fifty-eight arrivals at Salem from the
West Coast of Africa. From 1844 to 1860, only the
years 1854 and 1855 show less than twenty entries.
Robert Brookhouse, Daniel Abbot, Putnam I. Farn-
ham, David Pingree, William Hunt, Charles Hoff-
man, Edward D. Kimball and George West, were
among those engaged in this trade. Hides, palm-
oil, peanuts and gum-copal, were the principal ar-
ticles imported. Among the entries were the brig
" St. John," Thomas Bowditch, master, which en-
tered from Sierra Leone in June, 1796, consigned to
Henry Gardner & Co. The brig "Sukey," John Ed-
wards, master, which entered from Senegal in July,
1801, consigned to Henry Prince & Co. The brig
" Star," Richard J. Cleveland, master, entered from
Goree in July, 1808, consigned to John Derby. The
brig " Siren," James Vent, master, entered in March,
1828, consigned to Robert Brookhouse. The schoon-
er " Fredonia," Charles Hoffman, master, in Septem-
ber, 1829, to Daniel Abbot. The brig "Shawmut,"
J. Emerton, master, in July, 1831, to Robert Brook-
house. The schooner " Complex," J. Burnham, mas-
ter, in June, 1832, to Richard S. Rogers. The schoon-
er " Dollar," John Stickney, master, in September,
1835, to Putnam I. Farnham. The brig "Selina and
Jane," Joseph Rider, master, in August, 1836, to
David Pingree. The brig " Elizabeth," N. Frye,
master, in March, 1837, and in November, 1837, J.
A. Phipps, master, consigned to William Hunt.
SALEM.
93
The brig "Cipher," J. Rider, master, in August, 1839,
to Charles Hoft'man. The brig "Tigris," N. A.
Frye, master, in December, 1840, to Robert Brook-
house. The brig " Malaga," S. Varney, master, in
Octobei, 1844, to E. G. Kimball. The brig "Her-
ald," P. Ayres, master, in February, 1845, to William
Hunt. The brig " Hamilton," H. Tufts, master, in
March, 1847, to Edward D. Kimball. The brig
" Fawn," J. Rider, master, in June, 1847, to George
■West. The brig " Tam O'Shanter," J. R. Francks,
master, in February, 1848, to Benjamin Webb. The
brig " Ohio," Josiah Webber, master, in April, 1848,
to Edward D. Kimball. After 1848 the trade was
largely in the hands of Robert Brookhouse, Edward
D. Kimball and Charles Hotfman. The last arrival
at Salem from the Wes^ Coast of Africa was the brig
"Ann Elizabeth," from Sierra Leone, which was en-
tered by Charles Hoft'man in July, 187.S. Salem mer-
chants are still engaged in this trade, but their vessels
do not enter the harbor of Salem.
The West India Teade — The early trade of Sa-
lem was mainly in the product of her fisheries. The
first settlers came hither for the purpose of establish-
ing a fishing and trading post, and among their first
acts was the building of stages on which fish could be
dried and prepared for consumption. The islands of
the West Indies offered a market for the exchange of
the fish for other products, such as sugar, cotton and
tobacco, and it was natural that a trade between Sa-
lem and those islands should commence at a very
early period. The island of Barbadoes, one of the
Carribbean group, was one of the earliest places at
which Salem vessels traded. Salem was trading with
Barbadoes as early as 1G47. William Hollingworth,
then a merchant in Barbadoes, writes to his mother,
Mrs. Eleanor Hollingworth, at Salem, under date of
September 19, 11)87, that " fish now att present bares
a good rate by reason ye Newfoundland men are not
yet come in but I believe itt will be low anuffe about
three months hence. Oyle will be ye principal com-
uioditie. Pray lett my brother see this letter. I can-
not tell what to advise him to send as yett besides
oyle but in a short time wee shall see what these New-
foundland men will doe, what quantity of fish they
bring in, and then I will advise him further."
The ketch " Providence," John Grafton, master, on
her passage from Salem to the West Indies, in Sep-
tember, 1669, was cast away on a rock in a rainy
night, and six of the crew were drowned. The mas-
ter, mate and a seaman remained on the rock till
morning. They then succeeded, with difficulty, in
reaching an island about half a mile away, where they
found another of their company. There they remain-
ed eight days sustained by salt fish ; and the last four
days by cakes made from a barrel of flour which had
been washed ashore. After four days they found a
piece of touch-wood and a flint, and with the aid of a
small knife, they struck fire. They framed a boat
with a tarred miinsail and some hoops, and then fas-
tened pieces of boards to them. With this boat, so
made, they sailed ten leagues to Anguilla and St.
Martin's, where they were kindly received. Joshua
Ward was one of these sufferers.
The dangers to which these early navigators were
exjiosed we can hardly realize. With no correct
charts and with the rudest instruments, they had no
method of fixing their exact location while at sea.
The dangers of approaching coasts were also vastly
greater, ow-ing to the want of light-houses. Boston
light-house was first lit up in 1716 ; Thatcher's Island
light-house in 1771 ; and Baker's Island light-house
in 1798. It is related that in 1788 a schooner from
Bilboa, bound for Marblehead, was only saved from
shipwreck by a seaman first seeing the rock in our
harbor called " Satan," close to the bows (there was a
snowstorm at the time), and shouting the fact to the
crew ; the captain being then for the first time aware
of his true longitude on the coast.
Salem was trading with the Barbadoes for cotton
in 1685, for in September of that year, as the small-
pox raged there, the selectmen order " that all cotton-
wool imported thence shall be landed on Baker's Is-
land." In 1686 the Governor issues a pass to the
pink "Speedwell," Thomas Beadle, master, to go to
Barbadoes; to the ketch ' Hannah," John Ingcrsoll,
master, for Fayal and Barbadoes; to the ketch "In-
dustry," Lewis Hunt, master, Ibr St. Christopher's ;
and to the ketch " Penelojje," Edward Hilliard, mas-
ter, also for St. Christopher's. In 1688 a similar i)as9
is issued to the ketch " Diligence," Gamaliel Haw-
kins, master, and the ketch "Virgin," John Allin,
ma.ster, both bound for Antigua ; and in 1689, to the
pink " Dove," Zebulon Hill, master, and the ketch
" James Bonaventure," Philij) Prance, master, both
bound for Barbadoes. In 1688 Philip English is trad-
ing with St. Christopher's.
The records of our early commerce are vague and
fragmentary, but enough is known to indicate that
the Salem trade with the West Indies was continued,
in a greater or less degree, from the year 1638, when
the ship " Desire " made a voyage to New Providence
and Tortuga, and returned laden with cotton, tobacco,
salt and negroes (slaves), the latter the first imported
into New England, to a very late period in her com-
mercial history. In 1639 the first importation of in-
digo and sugar seems to have been made, and in 1642
eleven vessels sailed from New England for the West
Indies with lumber. The custom-house records
prior to the Revolution have disappeared. Possibly
they were destroyed in the great fire of 1774, when
the custom-house was burned, or, it may be, carried
to Halifax at the breaking out of the war. They
have never been found, and we must content ourselves
with such information as can be gleaned from other
sources.
The law imposing a tax on sugar and molasses
created great dissatisfaction among the Salem mer-
chants, and there were uianv forfeitures in conse-
94
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
quence. Tt was upon a petition of James Cockle, Col-
lector at Salem, for a warrant to search for smuggled
molasses, heard at the old State House in Boston, Feb-
ruary, 1761, that James Otis made his immortal plea
against writs of assistance.
The temper of the usually law-abiding people of Sa-
lem regarding the imposition of these duties may be
judged by their treatment of poor Thomas Row, who
seems to have performed only his duty as a customs
officer. From a local paper under the date of Sep-
tember 13, 1768, the following extract is made :
" One Eow, a Custom House waiter, on Wednesday
last, by informing an officer of the Customs that some
measures were taken on board a vessel in this Har-
bor, to elude the payment of certain duties, engaged
the attention of a number of the inhabitants, who de-
termined to distinguish him in a conspicuous manner
for his conduct in this service. Between the hours of
ten and eleven A. M. he was taken from one of the
wharves and conducted to the Common, where his
head, body and limbs were covered with warm tar,
and then a large quantity of feathers were applied to
all parts which, by closely adhering to the tar, exhib-
ited an odd figure, the drollery of which can easily be
imagined. The poor waiter was then exalted to a seat
on the front of a cart, and in this manner led into the
Main Street, where a paper, with the word ' Informer '
thereon, in large letters, was affixed to his breast, and
another paper with the same word to his back. The
scene drew together, within a few minutes, several
hundred people, who proceeded with Huzzas and loud
acclamation, through the town; and when arrived at
the bounds of the compact part, opened to the Right
and Left, when the waiter, the confused object of
their ridicule descended from his seat, walked through
the crowd and having received the strongest assur-
ances that he should, the next time he came to this
place, receive higher marks of distinction than those
which were now conferred upon him, went immedi-
ately out of town."
While the trade between Salem and the West In-
dies was probably continuous from 1638 down to quite
recent times, the last entry from Havana being in
1854, the period of the greatest activity was from 1798
to 1812. The entries from Havana and Martinico
were four each in the year 1797, while in 1798 there
were twenty-one from Havana and thirteen from Mar-
tinico. The largest number of arrivals from Havana
in a single year was in 1800, when there were forty-
one entries from that port. During that year there
was imported into Salem over eight million pounds of
sugar. In 1805 there were twenty-eight entries from
Havana, and forty-four from Martinico. Between
1798 and 1812 there were three hundred and thirty-
two entries from Havana, and two hundred and thirty-
two from Martinico. There was a large trade in the
latter part of the last century between Salem and Aux
Cayes, Port-au-Prince and the other ports of the is-
land of St. Domingo, and with the island of St. Eus-
tatia. But while Salem vessels were found in almost
every port in the West Indies, Havana and Martinico
were the principal places with which trade was car-
ried on.
A list of the merchants engaged in this trade would
include the names of almost every one interested in
commerce during the years that the West India trade
ilourished. Benjamin Pickman was engaged exten-
sively in this trade and amassed a large fortune in it.
It is not possible, in the space allotted to this chap-
ter, to give any extended list of the vessels entering
from the West Indies. In the palmy days of this trade
Salem was a point of distribution for large quantities
of sugar and coffee, and the buyers from all parts of
the country must have given a bustling and busy as-
pect to streets now quiet and almost deserted. It was
a custom in those days to make up the cargo of a
large vessel by inducing various persons to send ad-
ventures, the owner of the vessel getting a commission
for buying and selling. The brig " Massafuero," An-
drew Haraden, master, entered from Havana in Sep-
tember, 1805, with 150,000 pounds of sugar consigned
to Joshua Ward, Jr. ; 9000 to Timothy Wellman ; 6000
to Eben Seccomb ; 62,000 to S. B. Doane ; 2000 to Wil-
liam Monroe; 20,000 to Robert Hooper & Sons ; 4000
to John Jenks ; 65,000 to William Gray ; 4000 to Ben-
jamin H. Hathorne ; 5000 to Joshua Pope ; 3000 to
Joshua Phippen, Jr., and with a small quantity of
merchandise consigned to Benjamin West. Among
other entries from Havana, we find the ship " Mount
Vernon," Elias H. Derby, Jr., master, which entered
in May, 1799, with five hundred thousand pounds of
sugar, consigned to Elias Hasket Derby, and paying
a duty of .'B12,842.15, and the ship " Martha," Nicholas
Thorndike, master, which entered in December, 1799,
with four hundred thousand pounds of sugar; the two
vessels landing nearly a million pounds of this com-
modity. In October, 1809, the schooner" Neutrality,"
Benjamin Fabens, master, entered from St. Barthol-
omew's with sugar and coffee consigned to William
Fabens. The Fabens family for several generations
have bt;en engaged in trade with the West Indies as
well as Cayenne. The last vessel to enter at Salem
from Havana was the brig " Vincennes," on June 29,
1854, consigned to Phillips, Goodhue & Bowker.
The RUS.SIA Trade. — Salem vessels opened the
American trade with St. Petersburg. On the 15th of
June, 1784, the bark " Light Horse," Captain Buffin-
ton, was sent by Elias Hasket Derby with a cargo of
sugar, and she was the first American vessel to trade
at St. Petersburg.
Salem merchants, in the palmy days of her com-
merce, were largely engaged in trade with Russia.
There have been two hundred and eighty-nine arrivals
from the ports of Russia at Salem. The period of the
greatest activity in this trade was from 1797 to 1811
inclusive, one hundred and sixty-two of the two hun-
dred and eighty-nine entries having been made dur-
ing that time. The largest number in a single year
SALEM.
95
was in 1811, when there were thirty-one entries. The
war caused a suspension of the trade, and in 1812
there were but three entries and none in 1813 and
1814. In 1815 there were nine entries, and the trade
continued till 1829, when it ceased almost entirely,
there having been but about six entries after that
year. The last vessel to enter from St. Petersburg
was the ship " Eclipse," Johnson, master, to H. L.
AVilliams, in September, 1843. All the East India
merchants carried on more or less trade with Russia,
and brought from there duck, hemp and iron, with
which to make up their cargoes for the East. Elias
Hasket Derby, William Gray, .Toseph Peabody, Na-
thaniel West, William Orne, Nathaniel Silsbee, Gid-
eon Barstow, Thomas Perkins, Pierce & Waite, Ste-
phen Phillips, Joseph White, Pickering Dodge, Si-
mon Forrester, William Silsbee, Stephen White, Dud-
ley L. Pickman, John H. Andrews, James Devereux
and Samuel Orne were among the Salem merchants
engaged in this trade. A few of the earlier entries
are given, showing the ports from which the vessels
arrived.
The brig " Ceres," Thomas Simmons, master, enter-
ed from Russia, in October, 1789, with 1,546 pieces of
sail-cloth and sheeting, 180 bundles of hemp, 948 bars
of iron, and 359 hundredweight cord.ige. The brig
" Iris," Benjamin Ives, master, entered from St. Peters-
burg in October,1790. The brig " Hind," John Bick-
ford, master, cleared forthe Baltic, June 17, 1790, with
600 barrels of tar, 10 barrels of turpentine, 4 hogsheads
tobacco, 27 casks of rice, 21 hogsheads New England
rum and 73 chests of Hyson tea, and entered from St.
Petersburg, on her return, in November, 1790. The
ship " Commerce," John Osgood, master, entered from
St. Petersburg in December, 1790, again in Novem-
ber, 1791, and again in September, 1792. All these
vessels were owned by William Gray. The brig
'' Good Intent," M. Haskell, master, entered from Rus-
sia in December, 1791, again in November, 1792, and
again in November, 1793, consigned to Simon Forres-
ter. The brig " Polly and Betsey," Gamaliel Hodges,
master, entered from St. Petersburg in November, 1794,
consigned to Joseph White. The bark " Essex," John
Green, master, entered from Russia in January, 1795,
and again in October, 1795, consigned to William
Orne. The bark "Vigilant," Richard Wheatland,
master, entered from Russia in October, 1795, consign-
ed to Simon Forrester. The brig " Hopewell," James
Dowling, master, entered from St. Petersburg in Sep-
tember, 1797, consigned to Nathaniel West. The
bark " William," Benjamin Beckford, Jr., master, en-
tered from St. Petersburg in January, 1798, and again
in August, 1798, consigned to William Gray. The
brig " Neptune," Robert Barr, master, entered from
Russia in October, 1798, consigned to John Barr.
The first entry from Archangel appears to be that of
the shi]> '' Perseverance," Richard Wheatland, mas-
ter, in October, 1798. She proceeded to Boston with
her cargo. The brig " Fanny," Jesse Smith, nmster.
entered from Archangel in November, 1798, with
hemp, cordage, candles and soap, consigned to John
Derby, Jr. The ship "Cincinnatus," Samuel I^ndi-
cott, master, entered from St. Petersburg in Novem-
ber, 1799, consigned to Joseiih Peabody. The brig
'■ Good Hope," Nicholas Thorndyke, master, entered
from St. Petersburg in October, 1801, consigned to
Nathaniel West. The ship" Mount Vernon," Samuel
Endicott, master, entered from St. Petersburg in Sep-
tember, 1804, consigned to Joseph Peabody. The
brig "Admittance," C. Sampson, master, entered
from St. Petersburg in September, 1805, consigned to
John Osgood. The brig "Augusta," Timothy Hara-
den, master, entered from Archangel in September,
1810, consigned to Joseph Peabody. The ship
" Friendship," Edward Stanley, master, entered from
this same port in September, 1811, consigned to Jer-
athmael Peirce. The ship " America," Samuel
Briggs, master, entered from Riga in April, 1812,
consigned to Benjamin W. Crowninshield. The ship
"Herald," Eleazer Graves, master, entered from
Archangel in August, 1815, consigned to Nathaniel
Silsbee. The brig " Saucy Jack," Nathaniel Osgood,
master, entered from Archangel in November, 1815,
consigned to Pickering Dodge.
Among the later arrivals was the brig " Niagara,"
Oliver Thayer, master, which entered from Cron-
stadt in September, 1828, consigned to Joseph Pea-
body.
The last two arrivals from Archangel apj>ear to
have been the ship " Diomede," Samuel L. Page,
master, which entered from that port in October,
1820, and the schooner " Regulus," George Chinn,
master, which entered in November, 1820, consigned
to Edward Lander and others. The last arrival from
Cronstadt was the brig "Mexican," H. Johnson,
master, which entered in August, 1836, consigned to
Joseph Peabody. There was no other arrival I'rom
Russia until September, 1843, when the ship
" Eclipse," Johnson, master, entered from St. Peters-
burg, the last vessel to arrive at Salem from that
port.
Trade with Spain and Portugal. — Among the
earliest ports to which Salem sent the products of her
fisheries for a market, were those of Spain and Portu-
gal. This trade began before the year 1700, in
which year Higginson speaks of the foreign trade of
Salem, as being in "dry merchantal)le codfish for the
markets of Spain and Portugal." Bilboa and Lisbon
were among the ports earliest visited. In 1710 the
ship " Macklesfield," a frigate of three hundred tons,
belonging to London and from Lisbon, was cast
away outside of Baker's Island and lost. In Febru-
arv, 1715, the ship "Hopewell," Unuled with fish for
Bilboa and anchored in the harbor, was driven
ashore on the rocks in South Field. Most of her
cargo was unloaded befi)re she was got off.
Bilboa and Lisbon are mentioned as ports with
which Salem vessels traded from 1714 to 1718.
96
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTS", MASSACHUSETTS.
Philip English was trading at Spanish ports from
1G94 to 1720 ; and Richard Derby, from 1732 to 1757.
The last entry from Bilboa was in 1809. The years
lcS03 and 1807 show each eight entries from Lisbon.
From 1800 to 1808 the trade with Spain and Portu-
gal was at its height. Bilboa, Cadiz, Barceluna, Ma-
laga, Tarragona, Alicant, Lisbon and Oporto were
among the ports from which Salem vessels brought
cargoes. After the War of 1812 there were but few
entries from either of those ports, saving that of an
occasional cargo of salt from Cadiz.
The ship " Astrea," Henry Prince, master, entered
from Alicant in April, 1799, with fifty-eight thousand
and three gallons of brandy and four thousand four
hundred and forty-six gallons of wine, consigned to
Elias H. Derby, and paying a duty of $20,930.59.
The brig " Favorite," Henry Rust, Jr., master, enter-
ed from Bilboa in December, 1800, consigned to Peter
Lander & Co. The schooner " Willard,'' from Ali-
cant in July, 1800, with red wine and brandy, to
Willard, Peele & Co. The brig " Essex," Joseph
Orne, master, from Barcelona in July, 1800, with red
wine and soap to William Orne. The brig "Nancy,''
Thomas Barker, master, from Tarragona in October'
1801, with brandy to Samuel Gray. The snow " Con-
cord," William Leech, Jr., master, from Oporto in
September, 1802, with port wine, etc., to William
Gray. The brig " Hannah,'' Clifford C. Byrne, mas-
ter, from Malaga in November, 1802, with wine, etc.,
to Joseph White. The ship " Restitution," John
Derby (3d), master, from Lisbon in April, 1805, with
wine, figs and salt to Simon Forrester. The bark
"Active," William P. Richardson, master, from Ma-
laga in June, 1807, with twenty-three thousand seven
hundred and forty-six gallons of Malaga wine to
Timothy Wellman, Jr. The brig " Washington,"
Nathan Story, master, from Barcelona in July, 1807,
with red wine, brandy and soap, consigned to
Stephen Phillips. The brig " Sukey and Betsey,"
Caleb Cook, master, from Malaga in November, 1807,
with wine and raisins to Edward Allen. The ship
" Sally," Nathan Cook, master, from Lisbon in Sep-
tember, 1824, with salt, etc., to James Cook. The
last entry from Lisbon was in 1829. The principal
articles imported from Spain and Portugal were salt,
wine, brandy and soap.
Teade with other European Ports. — Prior to
the War of 1812 Salem vessels were to be found in
all the principal ports of Europe, and Salem mer-
chants were trading with Copenhagen, Gottenburg,
Stockholm, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Rotter-
dam, London, Liverpool and Bordeaux. The princi-
pal trade with Copenhagen was between 1796 and
1807. There were eight entries in 1799; that with
Gottenburg, from 1809 to 1812, and from 1820 to 1823,
there being thirteen entries from that port in 1810;
that with Antwerp, from 1817 to 1830, there being
nine entries from that port in 1827 ; that with Ham-
burg, from 1798 to 1802, there being five entries iu
the last-named year; that with Amsterdam, from
1802 to 1806, there being five entries in the first-
named year ; and that with Bordeaux, from 1794 to
1807, there being twelve entries in 1804 and the same
number in 1805, the whole period showing sixty-nine
entries. There were only occasional entries from the
other ports. The last entry from Copenhagen was
in 1816 : from Amsterdam, in 1823 ; from Antwerp, in
1836 ; from Hamburg, in 1828 ; from Gottenburg, in
1837 ; from Rotterdam, in 1834 ; and from Bordeaux,
in 1815.
From Copenhagen the brig " Francis," J. Wallace
master, entered in March, 1792, and again in Novem-
ber, 1702, with iron and glas.s, consigned to William
Gray. The early trade with Copenhagen seems to
have been carried on largely by Mr. Gray. John Fish,
Ezekiel H. Derby, Joseph Peabody, Thomas Perkins,
and George Crowninshield & Sons were also engaged
in this trade. The whole number of entries from
Copenhagen was forty-five. The last entry was the
schooner '' Rover," Josiah Dewing master, in August,
1816, consigned to Pickering Dodge.
The brig " Hector," Captain Lewis, arrived in 1788.
While the brig lay at Marlstrand, where she dis-
charged her cargo, a Swedish ship was wrecked on a
very rough and rocky part of the island in a violent
storm. The crew, with assistance from the land,
soon got safely ashore, except the mate, who went
overboard with the fore-mast, to the top of which he
had retreated for safety. The mast remained attached
to the wreck by the shrouds, and the man continued
his hold on the mast, the waves continually breaking
over him. The sea was in such violent agitation and
the shore so rugged that an attempt to recover him
was extremely hazardous. About twenty sail of
Swedes were then in the harbor, whose boats were
many of them employed to succor the distressed ob-
ject, but returned without eft'ecting it, intimidated by
the danger. At length application was made to Cap-
tain Lewis's crew for their assistance, with the ofi'er
of a considerable pecuniary reward if they would
make the attempt, even should it fail of success, but
they nobly refused going on a mercenary principle.
However, from pure motives of humanity, the mate
and six hands went ofi' in a boat, at the utmost haz-
ard of their lives and under the discouraging repre-
sentations of those Swedes who had before sailed,
surmounted every danger, and brought the sufferer,
with just the remains of life, ashore, after hanging,
as it were, by a straw several hours in the water.
The ofl'er of money was now repeated to them, and
again refused. The Governor of the place being
made acquainted with the transaction, sent for these
brave Americans to his house, and, taking each of
them by the hand, made the most honorary acknowl-
edgments for their successful exertions to rescue
from destruction a subject of Sweden, but a stranger
to them, and presented the mate with a golden spoon
and each of the othfrs with a silver spoon, as testi-
SALEM.
97
monies of their heroism and humanity, and also
granted them the liberty of walking in any part of
the city at any time of day or night, a privilege in
which even their own subjects are not indulged. In
short, so much was this act admired that it gained
them every mark of respect from the citizens, and
tlie name of an American, says the account, became
synonymous with that of hero and friend.
From Gottenburg the schooner " Nancy," Richard
Derby master, entered in August, 1791, with iron,
consigned to E. H. Derby, Jr., & Co. and John Fisk.
The ship "Nancy," J. Devereux master, entered in
August, 1792, consigned to John Fisk. From 1794 to
1804 there were no entries from this port. The ship
" Rising States," Benjamin Beckford, Jr., master, en-
tered in February, 1804, with hemp, to William Gray.
The schooner " Saucy .Tack," Benjamin Upton ma.ster,
in September, 1809, with glass, to Timothy Wellman,
Jr. The brig "Neptune," Henry King master, in
December, 1810, with cordage, steel and sheet-iron,
to John Saunders. The ship " China," Hiram Put-
nam, master, in October, 1820, with iron, to Joseph
Peabody. The brig " Jane," Thomas Saul master,
in July, 1820, with iron, to Willard Peele. The brig
" Roscoe," J. Briggs master, in October, 1825, with
iron, to Charles Saunders. The brig "Cynthia,"
Benjamin Shillaber master, in October, 1826, to
David Pingree. The ship " Borneo," I. Nichols mas-
ter, in September, 1835, with iron, consigned to Z. F.
Silsbee. The brig " Leander," J. S. Kimball master,
in August, 183t), to Joseph Peabody. The whole
number of entries from Gottenburg was sixty-one.
The last entry was the brig " Mexican," in July, 1837,
consigned to Joseph Peabody.
From Antwerp the ship " Messenger," Edward
Stanley master, entered in June, 1817, consigned to
John Forrester. The brig "Nancy Ann," John B.
Osgood master, in August, 1817, to Stephen Phillips.
The brig "Naiad," Nathaniel Osgood master, in July,
1823, to Gideon Barstow and others. The brig
" Indus," Thomas Moriarty master, in April, 1826, to
Pickering Dodge. The brig " Centurion," William
Duncan master, in May, 1826, with linseed-oil, to
Nathaniel West, Jr. The ship " Friendship," Na-
thaniel Osgood master, in May, 1827. The brig
" Niagara," Oliver Thayer master, in August, 1829,
to Joseph Peabody. The whole number of entries
from Antw-erp was fifty-five. The last entry was the
brig " Curlew," J. Cheever master, in October, 1836,
consigned to Edward Allen.
From Amsterdam the brig "Peggy," Jonathan
Derby master, entered in September, 1794, with
glassware, paint, iron, steel and ribbons, consigned to
Benjamin Pickman, Jr. The ship " Essex," Solomon
Stanwood master, in September, 1800, with forty-two
thousand eight hundred and seventy-one pounds of
cheese, five thousand pounds of nails and eight thou-
sand gallons of gin, to Nathaniel West and William
Gray. The ship " Minerva," Matthew Folger master,
7
in September, 1802, with gin, steel and cheese, to
West, Williams & Crowninshield. The whole number
of entries from Amsterdam was twenty-three. The
last entry was the ship " Endeavour," James D. Gillis
master, in October, 1823.
From Hamburg the schooner "John," lioujamin
Webb master, entered in December, 1792, with steel,
glass and spirits, consigned to John Fisk. The
schooner " Patty," Edward Allen, Jr., nuister, in
October, 1794, with gin, brandy, hemp and Bohea tea,
to Nathaniel West. The brig " Hope," Benjamin
Shillaber master, in October, 1794, to John Norris.
The brig " Salem," Oliver Obear master, in June,
1799, with gin and hemp, to William Gray. The
ship " Friendship," Israel Williams master, in July,
1799, to Peirce & Wait. The brig " Thetis," Jolin
Fairfield master, in November, 1799, to Jonathan
Gardner. The schooner "Cynthia," John H. An-
drews master, in November. 1801, to Pickering Dodge
and others. The brig "Helen," Samuel C.Martin
master, in December, 1816, with iron, to Humphrey
Devereux. The brig " Roscoe," Benjamin Vander-
ford master, in September, 1823. The whole number
of entries from Hamburg was thirty-six. The last
entry was the brig " Texel," Samuel Wells master, in
January, 1828.
From Rotterdam the ship " Peggy," James Very
master, entered in August, 1791. The ship "Active,"
George Nichols master, in August, 1803, with gin, to
Benjamin Hodges & Co. The bark "Georgetown,"
Joshua Saftbrd master, in September, 1806, to Pick-
ering Dodge. The brig " Indus," John Day master,
in November, 1823, with white-lead, nutmegs and
mace, to Henry Prince. The whole number of
entries from Rotterdam was sixteen. The last entry
was the ship " Borneo," C. Prescott master, in May,
1834.
From Bordeaux the brig " Essex," John Green
master, entered in November, 1790, consigned to
Orne & Saunders. The brig "Columbia," Henry
Rust master, in April, 1792, to William Gray. The
brig "Nancy," Edward West master, in July, 1794,
with wine and sweetmeats, to John Derby, Jr. The
brig " Favorite," Peter Lander master, in October,
1795, to John Norris & Co. The schooner " Betsey,"
Israel Williams master, in November, 1796, with
brandy, wine and cheese, to Peirce & Wait. The
brig "Exchange," William Richardson master, in
May, 1797, with claret wine and brandy, to Ezekiel
H.Derby. The schooner "Jason," Benjamin West,
Jr., master, in June, 1797, to Benjamin West & .Son.
The brig " Nancy," Jonathan Neal master, in August,
1797, to William Gr.ay. The brig " Catherine," Dan-
iel Gould master, in May, 1803, to Joseph Peabody.
The brig "Pompey," James Gilchrist master, in
March, 1804, with wine and twenty-one thousand
seven hundred and seventy-two gallons of brandy, to
Joshua Ward, The ship " Prudent," Edward Ford
master, in July, 1804, to Nathaniel West, The brig
98
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
" Edwin," Penn Townsend master, in October, 1804,
with wine and prunes, to Moses Townsend. The brig
" Industry, J. Coolv master, in February, 1805, to
William Orne. The ship "Algol," Thomas Foliiisbie
master, in October, 1807, with wine, to Nathan Rob-
inson. The whole number of entries from Bordeaux
was seventy-five. The last entry was the schooner
" Cyrus," Benjamin Upton master, in November,
1815, with brandy, yellow ochre and prunes, to Robert
Upton.
From Stockholm the ship "China," H. Putnam
master, entered in August, 1823, consigned to Joseph
Peabody. The brig " Centurion," Samuel Hutchin-
son master, in October, 1829, with iron, consigned to
Gideon Tucker.
From Christiana the brig " Industry," Samuel
Smith master, entered in ^March, 1812, with iron
hoops and window-glass, to William Orne. The
brig "Cuba," Josiah B. Andrew master, in Novem-
ber, 1816, with iron, steel and glass, to John Andrew.
On the 7th of January, 1796, the ship "Margaret,"
of Boston, John Mackey master, with a valuable
cargo from Amsterdam, went ashore in Salem harbor,
on the Eastern Gooseberry, during a snow-storm.
The captain and three others perished on the wreck.
The rest were saved by men from Marblehead. On
the 11th of the same month the brig " John," Eben-
ezer B. Ward master, from London, was lost on the
Great Misery during a snow-storm. There was at
this time no light on Baker's Island, and these ship-
wrecks led the Salem Marine Society to send a mem-
orial to Congress, dated in February, 1796, in which
it is stated that " much of the projierty and many of
the lives of their fellow-citizens are almost every year
lost in coming into the hai-bor of Salem, for want of
proper lights to direct their course. No less than
three vessels, with their cargoes, and sixteen seamen
have been lost the present season." The act author-
izing the erection of a light-house on Baker's Island
was approved April 8, 1796, and the lights were shown
for the first time January 3, 1798.
On the 21st of February, 1802, the ship " Ulysses,"
Captain James Cook, the "Brutus," Cai)tain William
Brown, owned by the Messrs. Crowninshield, and the
" Volucia," Captain Samuel Cook, belonging to Israel
Williams and others, sailed from Salem for Bordeaux
and the Mediterranean. When they departed the
weather was remarkably pleasant for the season, but
in a few hours a furious snow-storm commenced.
After using every exertion to clear Cajie Cod, the
tempest forced them the next day upon its perilous
shore. The " Volucia" struck in the forenoon and
the other two in the evening. The first was saved
with part of her cargo, but the others were total
wrecks. The saddest part of this catastrophe was the
loss of life in the " Brutus." One hand was killed
by the fore-yard prior to the ship's striking, another
was drowned while attempting to reach the shore,
and the commander, with six men, perished with the
cold after they had landed. Captain Samuel Cook, of
the " Volucia," was associated with mercantile affairs
in Salem for a long period. He was born August 3,
1769, and was the son of Stephen and Elizabeth
(Newhall) Cook. In 1797 he was commanding a
vessel bound for Cadiz. During the palmy days of
the East India trade he was engaged in distributing
that wealth through the South. He died in Salem
December 10, 1861, having lived through the whole
period of the rise and decline of the commerce of
Salem.
Mediterranean Trade. — Besides the Spanish
ports on the Mediterranean, Salem vessels visited
Marseilles, Genoa, Naples, Leghorn, Messina, Paler-
mo, Smyrna and Trieste. Salt, wine, brandy, figs,
raisins, almonds, candles and soap were among the
articles imported from those ports. Leghorn and
Marseilles were the ports most frequently visited.
From 1804 to 1808 there were forty-six entries from
the former and twenty from the latter port. From
1821 to 1829 there were forty-one entries from Leg-
horn and seventeen from Marseilles. The last entry
from Leghorn was in 1841 and from Marseilles in
1833. The principal trade with the Mediterranean
ports was from 1800 to 1808.
From Leghorn the ship " Martha," John Prince,
Jr., master, entered in July, 1799, with 40,893 gallons
of wine, 18,490 gallons of brandy and 6744 pounds of
soap, consigned to Elias H. Derby, and paying a duty
of .'i:!l2,840.12. The ship "Lucia," Thomas Meek
master, in July, 1800, with brandy, soap, etc., to Wil-
liam Gray, and paying a duty of $20,301. The brig
" Sukey," Samuel Sweet master, in August, 1800, to
Simon Forrester. The ship " Friendship," Israel
Williams master, in September, 1805, to Peirce &
Wait. The brig " Betsey," Andrew Tucker master,
in June, 1806, with soap, tallow, figs, currants, raisins,
almonds and candles, to Joseph Peabody and Gideon
Tucker. The ship " America," Joseph Ropes master,
in June, 1807, to Nathaniel Silsbee. The ship
"Hope," James Barr master, in November, 1807.
The brig " William and Charles," I.saac Killam mas-
ter, in November, 1807, with soap, candles, currants
and wine, to Michael Shepard. There were no entries
from Leghorn from 1808 to 1816. The ship "So-
phia," Jonathan P. Felt master, entered in April,
1816, consigned to Charles H. Orne. The ship
" Eliza," William Osgood master, in January, 1821,
to Stephen Phillips. The brig " Essex," William
Fairfield master, iu January, 1822, with candles, soap,
raisins, etc., to Nathaniel Silsbee. The ship " Two
Brothers," William Messervy master, in February,
1823, to Holton J. Breed. The brig " Gov. Endicott,"
H. C. Mackay master, in October, 1823, to Pickering
Dodge. The brig " Malay," J. Richardson, master,
in May, 1825, with lead and currants, to Nathaniel
Silsbee. The bark " Patriot," John Marshall master,
in August, 1826, to John H. Andrew. The ship
"Janus," Henry G. Bridges master, in August, 1829,
SALEM.
99
with salt, wine and letter-paper, to Gideon Tucker.
The brig " Amazon," Oliver Thayer master, in March,
18.!2, with -salt, etc., to Joseph Peabod)'. The la.st
vessel to arrive from Leghorn was the brig "Mexi-
can," H. Johnson master. She entered in Septem-
ber, 1839, in March, 1840, and in September, 1841,
consigned on each voyage to Joseph Peabody. The
whole number of entries from Leghorn was one hun-
dred and thirteen.
From INIarseilles the schooner " LTnion," Stephen
Field master, entered in October, 1802, consigned to
Edward Allen. The ship " Ulysses,'" William Mug-
ford master, in August, 1804, with prunes, almonds,
18,199 pounds of soap, 48,233 gallons of wine and
1571 gallons of brandy, consigned to William Gray.
The ship "Endeavour," James Buffinton master, in
July, 1805, with 44,902 gallons of claret wine, etc., to
Simon Forrester. The brig " Industry," Jonathan
Cook master, in March, 1806, to William Orne. The
brig " Sukey," Samuel B. Graves master, in Novem-
ber, 1807, to Nathan Pierce. The schooner " Aga-
wam," Francis Boardman master, in June, 1816, to
John Dodge. The ship " Perseverance," James Sil-
ver master, in October, 1S16, with salt, brandy and
claret wine, to Willard Peele and William Fettyplace.
The brig " Cygnet," Samuel Kennedy master, in
July, 1823. with wine, to Stephen White. The brig
" Java," William H. Neal master, in September,
1823, with 35,295 gallons of red wine, 1045 gallons of
oil and 9708 pounds of soap, to Jonathan Neal. The
ship " Endeavour," J. Kinsman master, in December,
1827, to Dudley L. Pickman. The ship " Messenger,"
James Buffinton master, in January, 1828, to John
Forrester. The ship " Bengal," J. Richardson mas-
ter, in August, 1830, to Pickering Dodge. The
wliole number of entries from Marseilles was fifty-
three. The last entry was the brig " Roque," T. Sea-
ver ma.ster, in February, 1833, with salt, etc., to
Joseph Peabody.
From Naples the ketch " John," Stephen PhillijJS
master, entered in March, 1799, with 25,000 gallons
of brandy and 46,417 pounds of soap, consigned to
Elias H. Derby, and paying a duty of Sll,299. The
brig " Cruger," John Barton master, in July, 1800,
with soap and wine, to John & Richard Derby. The
ship "John," Daniel Bray master, in May, 1804, with
32,437 gallons of wine, to Benjamin Pickman, Jr.
The brig " Belleisle," Samuel Leech master, in Au-
gust, 1805, to Pickering Dodge and Nathan Robin-
son. The ship "Hercules," Edward West master,
was seized in Naples in 1809, but Captain West had
the good fortune to obtain her release in order to
transport Lucien Bonaparte and family to Malta,
thus saving his ship from confiscation. The " Her-
cules " was owned by Nathaniel West. The schooner
" Joanna," Jonathan Hassam master, entered in Jan-
uary, 1810, with brandy, etc., to Samuel Gray. The
last entry from Naples was the ship " Francis," Wil-
liam Haskell master, in August, 1810. This vesse'
was purchased of the Neapolitan government by the
American consul to bring home the crews of Ameri-
can vessels confiscated by order of that government.
She brought two hundred and fourteen persona, a
large number of whom belonged in Salem. The Sa-
lem vessels and cargoes condemned at Na])les were
valued at seven hundred and eighty-three thousand
dollars.
The ship "Margaret," of Salem, William Fairfield
master, left Naples April 10, 1810, with a crew, fifteen
in number, and thirty-one passengers. On Sunday,
May 20th, a squall struck the ship, and she was
thrown on her beam-ends. As every person on board
was on deck at the time, they all reached either the
bottom or side of the ship, the waves at tiie time
making a continual breach over her. Monday morn-
ing the sea was tolerably smooth, and one of the
boats having been repaired. Captain Fairfield and
fourteen men left the ship in her, and were picked up
on .Saturday, May 26th, by the brig " Poacher," of
Boston. The sufferings of those left on the wreck
can hardly be imagined. After the long-boat had
departed they raised a signal of distress. On the
28th a gale swept away the stage they had erected,
and the provisions they h.'id gathered, except a small
quantity of w-ine and salt meat. On the 30th they
made another stage over the forecastle, and so kept
themselves out of the water. June 3d one of the
number died of fatigue and famine. For seven days
they had nothing to drink each day but an allowance
of three gallons of wine for all, and a glass of vine-
gar for each man. Many could not resist the temp-
tation to quench their thirst from a pipe of brandy
which had been saved from the cargo. On the 5th
twelve of their number, overcome by their hardships
and privations, died, and another on the next day. By
the sixth the whole of the upper deck had gone, and
no food was left but beef and pork, which could not
be eaten because there was no fresh water. Since
the time of the disaster, May 20th, four vessels had
passed in sight of the sufferers on the wreck and
added the pangs of disappointed hope to their other
trials.
On the 7th, five of the number left the wreck in a
small yawl. These were John C. Very, E. A. Irvin,
and Jeptha Laytu, of Salem; Henry Larcom, of Bev-
erly; and John Treadwell, of Ipswich. They left
about ten survivors on the wreck, and from these no
tidings ever came. Who can imagine their agony, as
hope gradually faded out, and they died one by one
in mid-ocean. The escape of those in the small boat
is a remarkable instance of human endurance, amid
sufferings and hardships almost incredible. For six-
teen days after leaving the wreck they had nothing to
sustain them but brandy, a gill in twenty-four hours;
and to quench their thirst were obliged to resort to
most revolting means. On the night of June 22d
there was a fall of rain, and water was caught in
handkerchiefs, sufficient to partially allay their thirst.
100
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
June 23d, Treadwell, worn out with fatigue, hunger,
and thirst, died without a struggle. The same day
they caught some rudder fish, which was the first food
they had eaten since they liad left tlie wreck. On the
twenty-eighth Layth died, leaving three survivors in
the boat. The next day, with a heavy sea running,
they lost their oars and mast, and having nothing to
steer by they gave themselves up for lost. They had
already been passed by three vessels, when, on the
30th, they saw another in the distance, and strained
every nerve to get in her track. In this they were
successful, and Captain Stephen L. Davis, of Glouces-
ter, the master of the vessel, received them and treated
them with great care and kindness. Tossed about in
a small and shattered boat for twenty-three days, with
scarcely any food or water to sustain them, exposed to
storms and gales in which it seemed hardly possible
that such a craft could keep afloat, their escape from
such extraordinary perils and privations is hardly
paralleled in the history of marine disasters.
From Messina, the ship "Prudent," Benjamin
Crowninshield, master, entered in December, 1803,
with 11,406 gallons of red wine, 6,413 gallons of white
wine, 4,303 gallons of brandy, and 9,810 pounds of
soap, consigned to Nathaniel West. The ship " Two
Brothers," John Holman, master, in October, 1804, to
Israel Williams. The brig " Louisa," Kichard Ward,
Jr., master, in August, 1810, to James Cook. The brig
"Harriot," Samuel Becket, master, in October, 1811,
with soap, raisins, almonds and wine to Nathaniel
Silsbee. The brig " Eliza and Mary," Thorndike
Procter, master, in August, 1818, to Stephen White.
The last entry was the brig " Centurion," Samuel
Hutchinson, master, in June, 1831, with currants, oil,
&c., to Gideon Tucker.
From Smyrna, the brig "Independence," Nathaniel
L. Rogers, master, entered in April, 1810, to Dudley
L. Pickman. The brig "Reward," James Hayes, Jr.,
master, in July, 1810, with almonds, raisins and figs,
consigned to Charles H. Orne and Dudley L. Pick-
man. The brig " Resohition," Samuel Rea, master,
in April, 1812, to Joseph Peabody. The brig "Hope,"
John Beckford, master, in December, 1829, with one
hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds of figs, to
Daniel Abbot and Robert Stone. The last entry was
the brig " Leander," James Silver, master, in January,
1831, with salt, figs, raisins and wool, to Joseph Pea-
body.
From Trieste, the brig "Texel," Charles Hill, mas-
ter, entered in December, 1825, with olive oil and
lead, consigned to John W. Rogers. The bark " Eliza,"
Samuel Benson, master, in July, 1829, with hemp and
glass, to Stephen White.
The brig " Persia," John Thistle, master, from
Trieste for Salem, belonging to Silsbee, Stone & Pick-
man, and having a cargo of rags and sumac, was
wrecked in the storm of March 5, 1829, on a rocky
shore near Brace's Cove, about a mile and a half below
Eastern Point, Gloucester, and all on board peri.'ihed.
From Genoa, the brig "Nereus," David A. Neal,
master, entered in March, 1822, with raisins, &c., to
John W. Rogers. The brig " Rebecca," J. P. An-
drews, master, in July, 1831, to John H. Andrew.
Among other entries was that of the brig "Telema-
chus," Penn Townsend, master, from Constantinople
in May, 1810, with cordage figs, raisins and currants,
to David Burditt.
Among the last voyages projected by Elias Hasket
Derby was one up the Mediterranean, by the ship
"Mount Vernon," in 1799. Hostilities had com-
menced between the United States and France.
American trade had been rendered unsafe, and, as a
consequence, a great demand for sugar had arisen in
the ports of the Mediterranean. At this crisis Mr.
Derby had built the ship " Mount Vernon," of three
hundred and fifty-six tons, equipped her with twenty
guns, manned her with fifty men, and, after loading
her with eight hundred cases of sugar, placed her in
the hands of his son, Elias Hasket, with a sailing-
master. The cargo cost forty-three thousand two
hundred and seventy-five dollars. The following
letter, written by his son, is interesting as showing
the risks attending our commercial ventures at this
period :
" K. H. Derby, Esq., Salem :
' GlBRALTAE, Ist .\UgUSt, 1799.
" Uonored Sir : I think you must be surprised to find me here soearly.
I arrived at this port in seventeen and one-half days from the time my
brother left the ship. In eight days and seven hours were up with
Carvo, and m.ade Cape St. Vincent in sixteen days. The firet of our
passage was quite agreeable ; the latter light winds, calm, and French-
men constantly iu sight for the last four days. The first Frenchman we
saw W.1S off Tercira— a higger to the southward. Being uncertain of his
force, we stood by him to leeward on our course, and soon left him. July
2Sth, in the afternoon, we found ourselves approaching a fleet of up-
wards of tlfty sail steering nearly northeast. We ran directly fur their
centre; at four o'clock found ourselves in their half-moon; concluding
it impossible that it could be any other than the English fleet, continued
our course for their centre to avoid any apprehension of a want of confi-
dence iu them. They soon dispatched an eighteen-gun ship from their
centre, and two frigates — one from their van and another from their
rear — to beat toward us, we being to windward. On approaching, under
easy sail, the centre ship I fortunately bethought myself that it would be
but common prudence to steer so far to windward of him as to be a
grape-shot distance from him, to observe his force and manteuvering.
When we were abreast of him he fired a gun to leeward and hoisted
English colors. We immediately bore away and meant to pass under
his quarter, between him and the fleet, showing our American colors.
This movement disconcerted him, and it appeared to me he conceived we
were either an American sloop of war or an English one in disguise, at-
tempting to cut him off from the fleet ; for, while we were in the act of
wearing on his beam, he hoisted French colors and gave us his broad-
side. We iuiuiediately brought our ship to the wind and stood on about
a mile ; wore -toward the centre of the fleet ; hove about and crossed
him on the other tack, about half grape-shot distance, and received his
brotidside. Several of his shot fell on board of us and cut our sails, two
round-shot striking us without much damage. All hands were active in
clearing ship for action, for our surprise had been complete. In about
ten minutes we commenced firing our stern-chasers, and in a quarter of
an hour gave him our broadside in such a style as evidently sickened
bini ; for he immediately luffed in the wind, gave us his broadside, went
in stays in great confusion, wore ship afterward in a large circle, and
renewed the chase at a mile and a hslf distance, a manceuvre calculated
to keep up appearances with the fleet and to escape our ihot. We re-
ceived seven or eight broadsides from him, and I was mortified at not
having it in my power to return him an equal number without exposing
myself to the rest of the fleet, for I aju persuaded I should have had the
pleasure of sending him h«.me, had he been separate from them.
SALEM.
101
" At midnight we had distanced them, the chasing rocket-signals
being almost out of sight, and soon left them. We ttien kept ourselves
in constant preparation till my arrival here ; and. indeed, it has been
requisite, for we have been in constant brushes ever since. The day
after we left the tleet we were chased till night by two frigates, whom
we lost sight of when it was dark. The next morning off Cape St. Vin-
cent, in tlie latitude of Cadiz, were chased by a French lateen-rigged
vessel, apparently of ten or twelve guns— one of them an eighteen
pounder. AVe brought to for him : his metal was too heavy for oun?, and
his iKwition to windward, where he lay j ust in a situation to cast his shot
over us, and it was not in my power to cut him off; we, of course, bore
away and saluted him with our long nines. He continued in chase till
dark, and when we were nearly by Cadiz, at sunset, he made a signal to
his consort, a large lugger.'whom we had just discovered ahead. Having
a strong breeze, I was determined to pass my stern over him, if he did
not make way for nie. He thought pru<lent so to do. -\t midnight we
made the lights in Cadiz City, but founil no Knglish tleet. After laying
to till daylight, concluded that the French must have gained the
ascenilency in Cadiz, and thought pnident to proceed to this place, where
we arrived at twelve o'clock, popping at Frenchmen all the forenoon.
At ten \. M. off Algesiras Point, were seriously attacked by a large
latineer, who had on board more than a hundred men. He came so
near our broadside as to allow our six-pound grape to do execution hand-
somely. We then bore away and gave him our stern guns in a cool and
deliberate manner, doing apparently great execution. Our bars having
cut his sails considerabl.v. he was thrown into confusion, struck both hie
ensign and his pennant. I was then puzzled to know what to do with
so many men ; our ship was running large, with all her steering-sails
out, so that we could not inmiediately bring her to the wind, and we
were directly off .\Igesiras Point, from whence I had reason to fear she
might receive assistance, and my port ((Iibralt"r) in full view. These
were circumstances that induced me to give up the gratification of bring,
ing him in. It was, however, a satisfaction to flog the rascal in full
view of the English fleet, who were to leeward. The risk of sending
here is great, indeed, for any ship short of our force in men and guns —
but particularly heavy guns. Two nines are better than six or eight
sixes ; and two long twelves or thirteen pounders do better than twenty
sixes, and could be managed with few men.
"It is absolutely necessary thai two government ships should occasion-
ally range the straits and latitude of Cadiz, from the longitude of Cape
St. Vincent. I have now, while writing to yon, two of our countr.vmen
in full view, who are prizes to these villains. Lord St. Vincent, in a fifty-
gun ship, bound fur England, is just at this moment in the act of re-
taking one of them. The other goes into Algesiras without mclesta-
tion.
" I find that nothing is to be done here with advantage except to ob-
tain information from above. I have been offered thirty dollars to de-
liver my sugar at Naples, where I think I shall go ; but rather expect to
sell at Venice, Constantinople or Genoa, in ca-se the French are driven
from there. I have concluded to touch at Malaga with Captain Young,
of B.ipton. and obtain what information I can ; and think I may direct
Sir. White how to lay out the projierty in his hamls, against my return,
as I think it fur your interest to have it out of Spain. You need have
but little aj)prehen9ion for my safety, as my crew are remarkably well
trained and are perfectly well disposed to defend themselves, and I think,
after having cleared ourselves from the French in such a handsome
manner, you may well conclude that we can effect almost any thing. If
I should go to Constantinople, it will be from a passport from Admiral
Kelson, for whom I carrj' a letter to Naples.
" Your affectionate son,
" Elias II.4SKET Derby."
In subsequent letters Mr. Derby writes : " My sales
here amount to about $120,000, which I have found
impossible to invest immediately in a cargo proper for
America. I have, therefore, contracted for $60,000 in
silks called ormazene, and about seven hundred casks
of wine. In the meantime, whilst the silks are in the
loom, I have thfiUght it for your interest to purchase
two polacca-rigged ships, of two hundred and ninety
and three hundred and ten tons, both of them very
fine ships, almost new and great sailers. They are
now ready to proceed with the ' Mount Vernon ' for
Manfredonia, to take on your account cargoes of wheat
to Leghorn, which, from the rising state of the mar-
ket, I think will more than clear the ships. They
cost, with all expenses, about .^10,000. Thetwoships
made a voyage for wheat and cleared nearly $30,0(10
in two and a half months." Mr. Derby dined with
Lord Nelson and the officers of the fieet at Kaples.
The beautiful Lady Hamilton was present at this
dinner. The "Mount Vernon " arrived home safely,
with a cargo of silks, wines and brass cannon, and
realized a net profit of more than one hundred thou-
sand dollars on a capital of forty-three thousand, two
hundred and seventy-five dollars, the cost of the out-
ward cargo.
The foregoing account illustrates the great disad-
vantages, in some respects, under which the commerce
of that period was prosecuted. Mr. Derby desired to
return to Salem from the Mediterranean by the fall
of 1799, but his silks must be manufactured and he
must wait till the red wine of Port lolo is ready to
ship. "Exchange on London," he says, "is very
disadvantageous, besides the uncertainty of it, and to
leave property in a distracted country like this, where
they guillotine six a day, three or four times a week,
would be madness.'' So he must perlbrce remain til!
his cargo is ready, and that he may not remain in
idleness, he buys two ships and freights wheat to Leg-
horn, and makes nearly thirty thousand dollars in
less than three months. He returned in 1800 with
the " Mount Vernon " and a valuable cargo. Great
as were the obstacles placed in the way of trade at
that period, these very drawbacks made possible the
sometimes enormous profits of the voyage, so that
although to-day trade is carried on with greater facil-
ity, there ia no such opportunity for making a for-
tune in a single venture, as was possible about a
hundred years ago.
The Nova Scotia Trade.— About the year 1840
the trade between Salem and Nova Scotia, and the
other British provinces on the eastern coast of North
America, began to be vigorously prosecuted, mainly
by English vessels, whose captains often owned both
ship and cargo. This trade increased very rapidly.
Wood, coal and plaster were among the principal
articles of import. In 18-10 there were fifteen entries;
in 18-1.5, one hundred and seven ; in 1850, three hun-
dred and ninety-one ; in 1855, three hundred and twen-
ty-eight: in 1800, two hundred and fifteen ; iu 1805,
one hundred and eighteen ; in 1870, one hundred add
seventeen; in 1875, fifty-nine; iu 1878, fifty-three; in
188(!, ninety. During the thirty years from 1841 to 1870,
inclusive, there were five thousand seven hundred and
twenty-fourentries. The period of thcgreate-st activity
was from 1848 to 1857, inclusive, when there were 3253
entries, or an average of 325 for each year.
Tin: California Trade.— A letter giving definite
information of the discovery of gold in California
reache<l Salem in October, 1848. The brig "Mary
and Ellen " was then fitting for sea. A cargo suita-
102
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ble for the California trade was at once put on board,
by Stephen C. Phillips and others, and the brig, un-
der command of Captain J. H. Eagleston, was cleared
October 27, 1848, for the Sandwich Islands via Cali-
fornia. Salem again takes the lead, for this was the
first vessel to .sail for California from Massachusetts
after the gold discovery. Both vessel and cargo were
sold in California. The first vessel that cleared from
Massachusetts for San Francisco direct, with an as-
sorted cHrgo and passengers, was the bark " Eliza," of
Salem, loaded by .John Bertram and others, and com-
manded by Captain A. S. Perkins. She left Salem
December 23, 1848, and arrived at San Francisco
June 1, 1849. Alfred Peabody, of Salem, was among
the passengers, and upon his arrival he found that
Captain Eagleston had already sold the " Mary and
Ellen," and her cargo. John Beadle, Jr., Dennis
Rideout, George P. Buffum, George W. Kenney and
Jonathan Nichols, all of Salem, were passengers with
Mr. Peabody.
The bark "Lagrange," Joseph Dewing, master,
sailed from Salem for San Francisco March 17, 1849,
taking as passengers the "Salem and California
Trading Company," among whom were Joseph Dew-
ing, Anthony Francis, Nicholas Bovey, J. K. Vincent,
P. Oilman, John H. Pitman, H. B. Bogardus, H. A.
Tuttle, C. R. Story, A. Robbins, John McCloy, George
Harris, C. C. Teele, Joseph L. Bartlett, William P.
Leavitt, Thomas B. Flowers, Eben Chapman, Charles
E. Brown, William H. Sibley, 0. A. Gordon, John
H. Dakin, Daniel Couch, D. A. Nichols, Moses
Prime, Edward Fuller, William Brown, B. F. Sym-
onds, William Sinclair and James Stewart, of the
Trading Company, and Nathaniel Osgood and Rich-
ard H. Austin, all of Salem. On board the same ves-
sel were twelve passengers from Danvers, four from
Lynn, two each from Manchester and Beverly, four
from Gloucester and about ten from other places.
The ship " Elizabeth," J. S. Kimball, master, was
cleared for San Francisco April 3, 1849, by W. P.
Phillips. Brackley R. Peabody and Robert M. Cope-
land, of Salem, went as passengers. The bark " Ann
Parry," \Vm. M. Harron, master, was cleared June 20,
1849, tor San Francisco, by Benjamin Webb. James
C. Briggs and Wra. H. Clark, of Salem, were passen-
gers. The ship " Talma," Wm. B. Davis, master,
cleared September 11, 1849, and the bark "Backus,"
A. D. Caultield, Jr., master, cleared November 28,
1849, for San Francisco. In the " Backus " Joseph
Allen, Charles R. Julyn, Thomas W. Taylor, Wm.
Stafford and Wm H. Brown went as passengers.
The ship " Crescent," John Madison, master,
cleared for Benicia, Cal., Decembers, 1849. She had
been purchased by the Salem Mechanics' Trading
and Mining Association, and was loaded with one
hundred and thirty thousand feet of lumber, framed
and made ready for erection into houses, and the
frame-work of a small steamboat. On the 6th of De-
cember the "Crescent" left Salem with the following-
named members of the association as passengers :
Albert Lackey, Thomiis J. Giffbrd, Dean C. Symonds,
John Madison, Thomas Dickson, Jr., John H.New-
ton, Jonathan Davis, Eben Waters, Nathaniel Jenk-
ins, John D. Chappie, Edward A. Wheeler, George
S. Nichols, John P. Dickson, Joshua Pope, Oilman
Andrews, Israel Herrick, Charles L. Hardy, Wm.
Graves, Wm. P. Buft'um, Asa A. Whitney, Wm. H.
Searles, James Gardner, Payne Morse, Benjamin S.
Boardman, Samuel H. Larrabee and John Nichols,
all of Salem, and a number from Lawrence, Fitch-
burg, Lynn and Newton, in all numbering about
sixty-one. She arrived at her destination May 26,
1850, and was sold, with her cargo, very soon after
arrival.
During the gold excitement a large number of
Salem residents went to California, sailing from other
ports. Stephen C. Phillips and John Bertram were
among those engaged in the California trade.
Salem Tonnage. — In 1793 twelve ships were
owned in Salem; in 1807, sixty; and in 1833 only
twenty-nine. In 1825 there were thirty-two ships,
five barks, ninety-five brigs, sixty schooners, and six
sloops owned in Salem, measuring thirty-four thou-
sand two hundred and twenty-four tons — the ship
"Nile," of four hundred tons, was the largest; and in
1828 thirty ships, one hundred and two brigif, eight
barks and thirty schooner.^, the largest being the ship
" Arabella," of four hundred and four tons. In 1833
there were one hundred and eleven Salem vessels en-
gaged in the foreign trade.
For some time after Salem ceased to be a port to
which vessels from foreign countries brought their
cargoes, Salem merchants continued to own a large
amount of tonnage, but they transacted their busi-
ness mainly in Boston and New York. At the pres-
ent time (1887) there are hardly a dozen vessels hail-
ing from Salem engaged in the foreign trade. The ship
" Highlander," 1352 tons, owned by Benjamin W.
Stone ; the ships " Sooloo," 963 tons ; " Mindoro,"
1021 tons; and " Panay," 1190 tons, owned by Sils-
bee, Pickman & Allen ; the barks " Glide," 493 tons,
and " Taria Topan," 631 tons, owned by Ropes, Em-
raerton & Co.; the three-masted schooners "Benja-
min Fabens," 687 tons; "Charles H. Fabens," 301
tons; and " George K. Hatch," 378 tons, owned by
C. E. & B. H. Fabens; and the bark "Fury," 310
tons, owned by Henry O. Roberts, are all that are left
to carry the name of Salem to foreign lands, and none
of these ever enter the port of Salem.
Where once vessels were arriving — sometimes two
in a single day— from India or other remote ports,
but a solitary schooner found her way into Salem
harbor from a foreign port, other than those from the
British provinces, during the year ending June 30,
1878, and she brought a cargo of coal from England.
At the custom-house, where, in the week ending Sep-
tember 15, 1798, seven Salem vessels — three ships, one
bark and three brigs — cleared for Copenhagen, there
SALEM.
103
was cleared, during the year ending June 30, 1878, one
vessel to the West Indies and one to Liverpool, the
sinjrle entry and the two clearances heing in the month
of Dcctiuber. The whole number of foreign entries for
that year was seventy-nine, of which eiglit were Amer-
ican vessels and the total tonnage was 8183. The
number of foreign clearances was ninety six, of which
nine were American vessels, the total tonnage being
10,090.
The Whale Fishj;ry. — After the decline of the
foreign commerce of Salem it was hoped tliat the
whale fishery might be successfully prosecuted, and
for a short time there was quite a fleet of whalers
hailing from this port. Stephen C. Phillips was agent,
in 1841, for the ships "Elizabeth,'' 398 tons, and
"Sapphire," 36o tons; and the barks " Emerald," 271
tons; "Eliza," 240 tons; "Henry," 262 tons; and
"Malay," 2(j8 tons. John B.Osgood was agent in the
same year for the ships " Bengal," 300 tons ; " Izette,"
280 tons ; " James Maury," 395 tons ; and " Mount
Wollaston," 325 tons ; and the barks " Reaper," 230
tons, and "Statesman," 258 tons. Nathaniel Weston
was agent for the bark " Palestine," 248 tons. The
"Malay" was lost July 27, 1842, on Europa Rocks,
in Mozambique Channel. The "Eliza" was con-
demned at Tahiti, June 15, 1843, and the " States-
man " at Talcahuana, November 3, 1844.
During the year ending April 1, 1837, sperm oil to
the value of $124,440 and 108,065 gallons of whale
oil, valued at S40,866, were landed at Salem. There
were 432 hands employed in this business. During
the year ending April 1, 1845, there was landed at
Salem 45,705 gallons of sperm oil, valued at $39,306,
and 18,345 gallons of whale oil, valued at $5686, the
number of hands employed being 110. The hopes
entertained at the outset in regard to the whale fi.-'h-
ery were destined never to be realized.
Felt says, in 1847, " There are two whalers from
Salem. The prospect is that this perilous employ-
ment, recommenced in hope as to its increase, contin-
uance and profit, will soon terminate in disappoint-
ment." Benjamin Webb had some vessels engaged
in this fishery, and John C. Osgood was agent of the
last whalers that hailed from the port of Saletn. This
business was abandoned several years ago, and to-day
no whalers are owned in Salem.
The Coasting Trade. — While Salem has lost her
foreign trade, the harbor of Salem is not entirely bar-
ren of vessels, for a large amount of tonnage — larger
even than when she was at the height of her com-
mercial prosperity — now engaged in the coasting
trade, brings coal to Salem for distribution to the mills
of Lowell and Lawrence, In 1870 there entered the
harbor 1812 coasting-vessels, having an aggregate
tonnage of 213,514, and 1237 vessels measuring 203,-
798 tons entered during the year ending June 30,
1878. In 1885 there arrived at S.alem 1599 vessels,
with a tonnage of 270,000. The Salem and New York
Steamship Company maintained a line of steam pack-
ets between Salem and New York from July, 1871, to
June, 1872.
The " Massachusetts," the first steamboat to enter
Salem harbor, arrived from New York in July, 1817,
and was employed for a short time in making excur-
sions in the bay. She was regarded at the time as a
great curiosity, and attracted considerable notice from
the towns-people. In this connection the fact is
worthy of mention that Dr. Nathan Reed, of Salem,
was the actual inventor of the first steamboat with
paddle-wheels in American waters. Dr. Reed Wiis
certainly a most versatile genius. He was successively
a student of medicine, ajiothecary, inventor, member
of Congress, and finally chief justice of the Court of
Common Pleas of Maine. He was born in Warren,
Mass, in 1759, and graduated at Harvard in 1781. He
studied medicine with Dr. E. A. Holyoke, of Salem,
and afterwards kept an apothecary shop in that
place.
While keeping store in Salem he presented a peti-
tion to Congress in 1790, stating, among other discov-
eries, that he had made one "of the application of
steam to the purposes of navigation and land car-
riages." This petition was accompanied by a recom-
mendation from a select committee of the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was also the in-
ventor of a patent for the manufacture of nails, which
originated the building of the Danvers Iron Works.
The trial-trip of his newly-invented steamboat was in
the summer of 1789, and he had on board such dis-
tinguished guests as Governor Hancock, Hon. Nathan
Dane, Dr. E. A. Holyoke and the Rev. Dr. Prince.
His trip was from his iron works, at Danvers.port, to
the Essex Bridge, at Beverly. Fulton's success on the
Hudson was sixteen or eighteen years later. So
Salem has not been behind her neighbors in naviga-
tion, whether under steam or canvas.
Dr. Reed represented this district in Congress, and
in 1807 removed to Maine, where he was for many
years chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
He died at Belfast in 1790. His house in Salem stood
on the site now occupied by Plummer Hall.
The Customhouse. — Hand-in-hand with com-
merce come the collectors and oflicers of the customs
revenue. Belbre 1819, and during the palmy days of
Salem commerce, there was no government building
for the accommodation of such officers. Salem has
been established as a port of entry at least since
1658. In 1G63 Hilliard Veren was collector, and in
1683 Marblehead, Beverly, Gloucester, Ipswich, Row-
ley, Newbury and Salisbury are annexed to the port
of Salem by order of the Court of Assistants, and it
is decreed that this port and Boston shall be lawful
ports in this Colony, where " all ships and other ves-
sels shall lade or unlade any of the plantations' enu-
merated goods, or other goods from foreign ports,
and nowhere else, on penalty of the confiscation of
such ship or vessel, with her goods and tackle, as
shall lade or unlade elsewhere."
104
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
At an early period commerce seems to have cen-
tred about Creek Street and the hicality of the present
Granite Railroad Station. This is the supposed lo-
cation of the " Port House on the South river," men-
tioned in an order of the Quarterly Court in 1636.
All the " cannowes of the South Syde are to be
brought before the Port House att the same time, to
be viewed by the Surveiors." These "cannowes"
were used for transporting passengers to North and
South Salem before the days of bridges, and in them
they sometimes went fowling "two leagues to sea."
There was another port-house on North River, and
much business was done in former years on that side
of the town.
The custom-house for thirty-four years was in a
building on the corner of Gedney Court, erected in
1645, and known as the French house, having been
tenanted at some time by French families. In 1774
the custom-house seems to have been on Essex
Street, between Washington (then School) and North
Streets, and to have been burnt in the great fire of
October 6, 1774, which destroyed the Rev. Dr. Whit-
aker's meeting-house, eight dwellings and fourteen
stores. It is not unlikely that the custom-house rec-
ords were also destroyed in this fire, thus accounting
for the lack of any such records prior to the Revo-
lution.
In 1789 it was on the site of the present bank
building in Central Street. Major Hiller was then
collector. In 1805 it was removed, under Colonel
Lee, to the Central Building, on the opposite side of
the street, where a carved eagle and shield, lately
restored, still mark the spot. In 1807 it was in
Essex Street for a time, opposite Plumuier Hall; in
1811 it was on the corner of Essex and Newbury
Streets, and, in 1813, in the Central Building again,
where Colonel Lee resided, and whence, in 1819, it
was removed to the government building erected for
the purpose at the head of Derby Wharf, where it
now remains. This building stands upon land bought
of the heirs of George Crowninshield, and was the
site ot the Crowninshield mansion-house, which was
removed to make way for the present structure. It
was, says Hawthorne, "intended to accommodate a
hoped-for increase in the commercial prosperity of
the place — hopes destined never to be realized — and
was built a world too large for any necessary pur-
pose, even at the time when India was a new region,
and only Salem knew the way thither." This cus-
tom-house is a substantial, two-story, brick building,
with a large warehouse in the rear, the whole sur-
mounted by a cupola, from which the inspectors can
watch for incoming vessels. It is now out of all pro-
portion to the business of the port, and the time is
not far distant when it will be abandoned for some
smaller quarters.
There has been collected in imposts at the port of
Salem, since the organization of the Union in 1789,
more than twenty-five millions of dollars. From
August 15, 1789, to 1791, the amount collected was
$108,064.48, and the number of foreign entries was
205. From 1791 to 1800, inclusive, the duties were
$2,949,817.19, and the foreign entries 1508. From
1801 to 1810, inclusive, the duties were $7,272,633.31,
and the foreign entries 1758. From 1811 to 1820,
inclusive, the duties were $3,832,894.81, and the for-
eign entries 835. From 1821 to 1830, inclusive, the
duties were .$4,685,139.58, and the foreign entries
1226. From 1831 to 1840 the duties were $1,987,-
509.12, and the foreign entries 903. From 1841 to
1850 the duties were $1,534,558.58, and the foreign
entries 2327. From 1851 to 1860, inclusive, the du-
ties were $1,816,676.42, and the foreign entries 3693.
From 1861 to 1870, inclusive, the duties were $846,-
741.74, and the foreign entries 1,420. The large in-
crease in tbe number of foreign entries since 1841 is
due to the large trade then carried on between Salem
and Nova Scotia. From 1871 to 1878, inclusive, the
duties were about $223,911.96. The duties for the
quarter ending December 31, 1807, when the embargo
was otHcially announced in Salem, were $511,000,
which is the largest amount ever collected at Salem
in a single quarter. The goods were imported in
twenty-two ships, three barks, nineteen brigs and
twenty-three schooners. In 1868 there was collected
in duties $118,114.37, of which $30,000 was paid in a
single month. In 1878 the whole amount collected
was only about $11,000, of which only about $3600
was for direct imports. In 1886 the amount collected
was about $28,767.
CoUeclors of Customs. — The successive collectors since tlie Revolution
have been Warwick Palfray (Ijorn October, 171.5 ; died October 10,
17117), from 1776 to 1784; Joseph Hiller (born March 26, 1748; died
February 9, 1814), 1784 to ISOi; ; William R. Lee (born 1744 ; died in
office, October 26, 1824), 1802 to 1824; James Miller, 1825 to 1S49 ;
Ephraini F. Miller, 1849 to 1857 ; William B. Pike, 1857 to 1861 ; Wil-
lard P. Pliilli]i8, 1861 to 1865 ; Robert S. Rautoul, I81I6 to 1809 ; Charles
W. Palfray, 1809 to 1873 ; Cbarles H. Odell, 1873 to 1885 ; Richard F.
Dodge, 1885 to the present time.
Deputy Collectors. — The deputy collectors, under the present organiza-
tion, have been : Charles Cleveland, from 1789 to 1802 ; William VV.
Oliver, 18o3 to 1839 ; John B. Kniglit, 1839 to 1843 ; Ephraim F. Miller,
1843 to 1849 ; J, Linton Waters, 1849 to 1854 ; Henry E. Jenks, 1854 to
1857 ; Chipman Ward, 1857 to 1859 ; Henry Derby, 185!) to 1801 ; Eph-
raim F. Miller, 1861 to 1864 ; Chiirles S. Osgood, 1864 to 1873 ; J. Frank
DaltoD, 1873 to 1881 ; A. Frank Hitchings, 1881 to the present time.
Sitneijars. — The surveyors during the same period have been Bar-
tholomew Putnam, from 1789 to 1809 ; (Jeorge Hodges, 1809 to 1817 ;
John Saunders, 1818 to 1830 ; James Dalrymple, 1830 to 1834 ; Joseph
Noble, 1834 to 1838 ; Edward Palfray, 1838 to 1841 ; Stephen Daniels,
1841 to 1843; Nehemiah Brown, 1843 to 1846; Nathaniel Hawthorne,
1840 to 1S49 ; Allen Putnam, 1849 to 1854 ; Lewis Josselyn, 1854 to
1867 ; Ebenezer Dodge, 1857 to 1861 ; William 0. Waters, 1861 to 1803 ;
Charles F. Williams, 1803 to 1805 ; Joseph Moseley, 1865 to 1871 ;
Charles D. Howard, 1871 to 1875, when the office was abolished.
Nttv<tl 0.{licers. — The naval officers have been William FickmaD,
from 1789 to 1803; Samuel Ward, 1803 to 1812 ; Henry Elkins, 1812 to
1829; John Swasey, 1829 to 1842 ; Abr.aham True, 1842 to 1840 ; John
D. Howard, 1846 to 1849 ; William Brown. 1849 to 1853 ; Charles Millett,
1853 to 1858 ; John Ryan, 1858 to 1860 ; Joseph A. Dalton, 1861 to 1865,
when the oflRce was abolished.
The two most prominent names in this list are
those of Nathiiniel Hawthorne and James Miller,
— the one, the uuequaled master of romance; the
SALEM.
105
other, "New Englantf's most distinguished soldier."
Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem July 4,
1804, in the house now numbered twenty-one, on
Union Street. He was a descendant of Major Wil-
liam Hathorne, who came with Governor Win-
throp, in the " Arbella." The name is an old and
honored one in Salem, and prominently connected
with its early history. On the death of his father,
in 1808, he lived for a time with his maternal grand-
father, Richard Manning, on Herbert Street. For a
year he lived in Raymond, Me., and then returned to
Salem. He was graduated at Bowdoin College in
1825, in the same class with the poet Longfellow.
He was appointed weigher and gauger at Boston in
1838, and was removed in 1841 for political reasons;
he was surveyor at Salem from 1846 to 1849; and
consul of the United States at Liverpool from 1852 to
1856.
The growing interest in Hawthorne as a writer
brings to the Custom-House a crowd of curious
travelers from far and wide. The room he occupied,
the desk on which he wrote, the stencil-plate with
which he put his name on packages, the room in
which he tells us he found the manuscript, telling
the sad, strange story of Hester Prynne, were, until
a few years since, preserved and examined with in-
terest by tourists. The Custom-House was re-
furnished in 1873, and his desk was deposited by his
successor in office with the Essex Institute. He died
in Plymouth, N. H., May 19, 1864, while making a
short journey, in the company of his friend and class-
mate, President Franklin Pierce.
James Miller was born in Peterboro', N. H., in
1776. He was bred to the law, and left the courts
for the camp, on being appointed by Jefferson, in
1808, a major in the Fourth L'nited States Infantry.
He was with General Harrison throughout his fa-
mous western campaign of 1811 ; after this followed
Brownstown, Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, and
from the last dates his national fame and his briga-
dier's commission. At that battle Major-General
Brown was in command, and was disabled ; and
Scott, of the First Brigade, was also disabled. It was
plain that a certain hill, whose frowning front bris-
tled with artillery, was the key to victory. At this
juncture. Colonel Miller was called on to storm the
work. " I'll try, sir ! " was Miller's reply, and as he
gays, with his regiment reduced to less than three
hundred men, he at once obeyed the order. Two
regiments ordered to his support quailed and turned
back. "Colonel Miller," says the official record,
" without regard to this occurrence, advanced steadily
and carried the height." " Not one man at the can-
non," says he, in writing to his wife, "was left to put
fire to them." The memorable words, " I'll try,
sir ! " were at once embossed upon the buttons of his
shattered regiment, which was presented with a cap-
tured gun, for distinguished gallantry. On the fol-
lowing November, Congress voted him a gold medal
7i
bearing his likene-ss, his famous words, and the names
of Chippewa, Niagara and Fort Erie. He was also
presented with a sword by the State of New York.
General Miller was Governor of Arkansas Territory
in 1819. He died July 7, 1851, in Temple, N. H.
Mr. Cleveland and Mr. Oliver are remarkable
among the deputy collectors. The former was born
in Norwich, Conn., June 21, 1772, and died June 5,
1872, coming within sixteen days of living out the
century. At the age of ninety-eight he attended Jlr.
Oliver's funeral, who died at ninety-one. Mr. (Jliver
was connected with the Custom-House forty-six
years. He was born in Salem December 10, 1778,
and died December 29, 1869.
Jonathan Pue, now immortalized in " The Scarlet
Letter," became " searcher and surveyor " in 1752,
and died suddenly in office, March 24, 1760. In
1734 William Fairfax, whose name was afterwards
pleasantly associated with that of Washington, left
the collectorship of this port and removed to Vir-
ginia.
Marine Insurance Companies. — The rapid in-
crease in the shipping at this jiort which took place
after trade was opened between Salem and the East
Indies led to the organization of a number of insur-
ance companies where the merchants could insure
ship and cargo. At the different offices of these com-
panies the merchants assembled in the evening to
transact their business, to read the papers and to hear
the general gossip of the day. Here the shipmasters
recounted the perils they had encountered, and com-
pared notes with each other regarding the voyages
from which they had just returned ; and here, in the
busy days of Salem's commerce, all was bustle and
activity and life. Many of the offices were retained
long after the business had greatly diminished, and
became a place where the retired shipmasters of Sa-
lem resorted to discuss the news of the day, and re-
count the departed glories of the past.
The E.ssex Fire and Marine Insurance Company
was incorporated March 7, 1803, William Gray and
others incorporators, and was located in the building
on Essex Street, facing Central Street; Nathaniel
Bowditch was its president for many years. The
Merchants' Insurance Company, Peter Lander, presi-
dent, was located in the store now occupied by
Thomas B. Nichols, on the west side of Essex House
yard. The Salem Commercial Insurance Company
was incorporated in 1818, N. Silsbee, Joseph Storv
and others incorporators ; George Cleveland, for
many years, president. The Mercantile Insurance
Company, incorjjorated in 1825, John Winn, Jr., pres-
ident, was located on the western corner of Essex and
St. Peter's Streets. After that company gave up bus-
iness the Essex Insurance Company was formed and
occupied the same location. The Oriental Insurance
Company, incorporated in 1824, was located in the
East India Marine building, and subsequently re-
moved to Asiatic Bank building. The Social lusur-
106
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ance Company was incorporated March 1, 1808, and
revived June 5, 1830, for ten years, to settle old
claims. The Salem Marine Insurance Company,
which was incorporated in February, 1856, and com-
menced business in February, 1857, is the only ma-
rine insurance company now doing business in Salem.
William Northey is president, and F. P. Kichardson
secretary.
Ship-Building. — It was natural that early atten-
tion should have been given to ship-building in a
settlement where the staple article of trade was the
product of the fisheries. In 1629 the Home Company
sent six ship-builders to Salem, of whom Robert
Moulton was chief. Salem Neck was used for ship-
building from the very earliest period. So many peo-
ple were located in that vicinity in 1679 that John
Clifford was licensed to keep a victualling liouse for
their convenience. In 1636 Richard Hollingworth,
a ship-builder, who came to Salem in 1635, gets a
grant of land on the neck from the town, and builds
a ship of three hundred tons there in 1641. It is
most probable that prior to 1637 Robert Moulton and
his shipwrights built several small decked vessels for
the fisheries and for trading. The Home Company
ordered three shallops to be built in Salem in 1629,
doubtless for fishing purposes. From 1629 to 1640
Salem had not much shipping of her own ; but in
the latter year the Rev. Hugh Peters, of the First
Church, a man of great energy and sagacity, inter-
ested the people in ship-building, and in a few years
an abundant supply of vessels were built. Salem be-
came noted as one of the principal places in the col-
ony for building vessels.
From 1659 to 1677 there appear to be four noted
ship-builders in Salem, one of whom, Jonathan Pick-
ering, gets a grant of land about Hardy's Cove from
the town, to himself and heirs forever, to build ves-
sels upon. From 1692 to 1718 seven ship-builders
appear prominent in Salem, among' whom are Joseph
Hardy and William Becket. In 1662 the town au-
thorities endeavor to accommodate, at Burying Point,
near the foot of Liberty Street, those desirous of
graving vessels. In 1676 Salem is said to be one of
the principal places for building vessels, at four
pounds per ton. Of the twenty-six vessels belonging
to Salem in 1698-99, seventeen were built here. From
1700 to 1714, inclusive, registers were granted to four
ships, three barks, nine brigs, twenty-four sloops and
nineteen ketches belonging to Salem. They ranged
from fifteen to ninety tons, and forty of them were built
here. In 1705 the ship "Unity," of two hundred and
seventy tons, was built in Salem, for Boston and Lon-
don merchants, and in 1709 Joseph Hardy built the
brig " American Merchant," of one hundred and
sixty tons burden. In 1712 a sale is recorded by
Ebenezer Lambert, shipwright, of Salem, of ye good
sloop " Betty,'' lately built, of about eighty tons bur-
den, to Benjamin Marston, of Salem, for two hundred
and forty jjound.s, or three jiouuds per ton.
Vessels were built or repaired in Salem on the neck,
including Winter Lsland ; on the creek running into
South River, near the foot of Norman Street; at the
Burying Point near the foot of Liberty Street, and at
other places on the South River ; at Frye's Mills on
the North River; and at Hardy's Cove. Referring
to the creek running into the South River, Felt says,
writing in 1842, that " its course was from the South
River, below the mills, and up between Norinau and
High Streets. A century since boys would go in
boats from its waters to a swamp in Crombie Street,
and collect eggs from blackbirds' nests. Britton's
Hill, running from Summer Street, formerly had a
ship-yard, whence ves-ols were launched into the
creek. An octogenarian vividly remembers a brig of
one hundred and fifty tons, which was built on the
margin of the same waters." It seems hardly credible
that the principal ship-building of the town was at
one time carried on in this locality, for scarcely a
vestige remains to-day of the creek or cove, and the
South River is gradually disappearing from view, and
at this point runs through a covered culvert.
The Beckets have been famous as ship-builders in
Salem. Tlie ship-yard of the Beckets was situated
between Phillips' Wharf and Webb's Wharf. This
place has been known as Becket's Beach, and is di-
rectly in front of the old mansion-house built by
John Becket about 1655. It was occupied by the
Beckets as a ship-yard from 1655 to 1800, a period of
one hundred and forty-five years. After 1800 Retire
Becket built his vessels on land farther to the east-
ward.
The most famous vessel built by Retire Becket was
the yacht " Cleopatra's Barge," of one hundred
and ninety-one tons burden, whose owner. Captain
George Crowninshield, spared no expense in her con-
struction or in her appointments. She was built for
a pleasure-trip to the Mediterranean, and excited
wonder, even at Genoa, for her beauty, luxury and
magnifi(!ence. She was launched October 21, 1816, in
the presence of an immense concourse of people.
During the winter of 1817 the harbor was frozen over
to the Haste and Coney Island, and this vessel having
returned from her voyage, a great many people drove
over the ice in sleighs to visit her. Retire Becket
also built, in 1799, the brig " Active," of two hundred
and six tons, in which William P. Richardson made
the first trading voyage from Salem to the Feejee Is-
lands, in 1810 ; and in 1800 the ship " Margaret," of
two hundred and ninety-five tons, which made the
first voyage from Salem to Japan, leaving Salem No-
vember 10, 1800, under command of Samuel Derby ;
and in 1794, for Elias H. Derby, the shij) " Recovery,"
of two hundred and eighty-four tons, which, under
the command of Joseph Ropes, first displ.ayed the
stars and stripes at Mocha. He also built for Elias H.
Derby, in 1798, the ship "Mount Vernon," of three
hundred and fifty-six tons; for George Crowninshield
& Sons, 1804, the ship "America," of four hundred
SALEM.
107
and seventy-three tons, famous as a privateer in the
War of 1812 ; for Z. F. Silsbee and James Devereux,
in 1807. tlie ship " Herald," of two hundred and sev-
enty-four tons. The last vessel built by Mr. Becket
wa.s the brig " Becket," of one hundred and twenty-
eight tons, for John Crowninshield, in 1818.
Ebenezer Mann came to Salem from Pembroke in
1783, and in the same year commenced building ves-
sels in a yard near Frye's Mills, on North River, and
continued in the business until about the year IStld.
Among the vessels built by Mr. Mann was the brig
"William," of one hundred and eighty-two tons, in
1784, for William Gray; the brig "Fanny," of one
hundred and fifty-two tons, in 1785, for Benjamin
Goodhue; the bark "Good Intent," of one hundred
and seventy-one tons, in 1790, for Simon Forrester ;
the schooner "Betsey," of one hundred and eight
tons, in 1792, for Jerathmael Peirce ; the brig " Hind,"
of one hundred and fifty-seven tons, in 179o, for Wil-
liam Orne ; the ship "Good Hope," of one hundred
and eighty-eight tons, in 1795, for Nathaniel West ;
the bark " Eliza," of one hundred and eighty-seven
tons, in 179t), for Joseph White ; and the ship " Pru-
dent," of two hundred and fourteen tons, in 1799, for
Nathaniel West.
Christopher Turner, who came to Salem from Pem-
broke, where he was born in 1767, continued the bus-
iness of ship-building at Frye's Mills after Mr. Mann
retired. He built, among others, the schooner" Essex,"
of one hundred and fourteen ton^*, in 1800, for Wil-
liam Fabens, for the West India and Cayenne trade.
The ship "Ponipey," of one hundred and eighty-
eight tons, in 1802, for William Orne. She was after-
wards sold to Joshua Ward, made into a brig, and
commanded by James Gilchrist. The ship " Hope,"
of two hundred and eighty-two tons, in 1805, for J.
& J. Barr. The ship " Hunter," of two hundred and
ninety-six tons, in 1807, for Jerathmael Peirce. ' The
briff " Romp," of two hundred and thirty-two tons, in
1809, for Nathaniel Silsbee. She was commanded by
William Lander, and was confiscated at Naples, in
1809, on her first voyage. The ship "Rambler," of
two hundred and eighty-six tons, in 1811, for George
Nichols. She was captured by the Br'tish in 1812,
while commanded by Timothy Bryant. Mr. Turner
built, at Union Wharf, for George Crowninshield, the
sloop "Jefferson," of twenty-two tons, for a pleasure-
yacht. She was launched in March, 1801, and is be-
lieved to have been the first real yacht built in the
United States.
David Magoun built, on the neck, between the gate
and Colonel John Hathorne's house, in 1805, the ship
" Alfred," two hundred tons, for Joseph White.
Barker & Magoun built, at the same place, the
schooner "Enterprise," two hundred tons, in 1812,
and the schooner "Gen. Stark," in 1813.
Enos Briggs wasone of the most noted ship-builders
in Salem. He came here from Pembroke in 1790, and
built the ship " Grand Turk," of five hundred and
sixty tons, for Elias Ha-sket Derby. She was built on
the lot of land next east of Isaac P. Foster's store,
and was launched ]May 10, 1791, and reiilaced the ship
"(irand Turk," of three hundred tons, which was
sold at the Isle of France in 1788. A Salem paper at
the time of the launching calls her " the largest ship
ever built in this country."
Having built the " Grand Turk," Mr. Briggs re-
turned to Pembroke for his family. They arrived at
Salem July 4, 1791, and the sloop in which they came
brought, also, the frame of a dwelling-house, which
he erected on Harbor Street, and which, for many
years after his decease, was occupied by the family of
his daughter, Mrs. Nathan Cook. Mr. Briggs was born
in Pembroke July 29, 1746, and died in Salem Octo-
ber 10, 1S19. His ship-yard in Salem was located be-
tween Peabody and Harbor Streets, west of the
Naumkcag Cotton-Mills. Here he built for Elias Has-
ket Derby, in 1792, the ship " Benjamin," of one
hundred and sixty-one tons, which was afterwards
commanded by NAthaniel Silshee ; in 1794, the ketch
"Eliza," of one hundred and eighty-four tons, which,
under command of Stephen Phillips, made some of
the early voyages to Calcutta and the Isle of France;
in 1795 the ketch "John," of two hundred and fifty-
eight tons, and the ketch " Brothers," of one hundred
and forty-eight tons ; and, in 1796, the ship " Martha,"
of three hundred and forty tons. For George Crow-
ninshield & Sons he built, in 1794, the ship " Belisa-
rius," of 261 tons. For Peirce & Wait, in 1797, the
ship " Friendship," of 342 tons, afterwards command-
ed by Israel Williams. For Joseph Peabody, in 1798,
the schooner "Sally," 104 tons; in 1798, the brig
"Neptune," 160 tons; in 1801, the brig " Catherine,"
158 tons; in 1803, the ship "Mount Vernon," 254
tons; in 1804, the ship " Janus," 277 tons; in 1805,
the ship " Augustus," 246 tons ; in 1807, the ship
"Francis," 297 tons; in 1811, the ship "Glide," 306
tons; in 1812, the brig "Levant," 265 tons ; and in
1816, the ship " China," of 370 tons. For Nathaniel
West, 1794, the schooner " Patty," 111 tons, which,
under command of Edward West, made one of the
earliest voyages from Salem to Batavia ; and in 1801,
the ship "Commerce," 239 tons. For Benjamin Pick-
man, in 1803, the ship " Derby," of 300 tons. For
Simon Forrester, in 1805, the ship "Messenger," 277
tons. For William Gray, in 1806, the ship " Pac-
tolus," 288 tons. Mr. Briggs built, while in Salem,
fifty-one vessels of 11,500 tons, among them the fa-
mous frigate " Essex," of 8.50 tons, built in 1799.
Elijah Briggs, on the death of his cousin Enos, con-
tinued the business of ship-building at the yard in
South Salem. He built for Pickering Dodge, in 1819,
the ship " Gov. Endicott," 279 tons ; in 1828, the
ship" Lotos," 296 tons; in 1828. the ship "Mandarin,"
295 tons; and in 1829, the ship " Rome," 344 tons.
For Jonathan Neal, in 1820, the brig " Java," 225 tons.
For John Forrester, in 1823, the ship " Emerald,"
271 tons. For Joseph Peabody, in 1824, tlie brig
108
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
" Mexican," 227 tons, and the brig " Amazon," 202
tons. For Gideon Tucker, in 1825, the brig " Olinda,"
182 ton8. Mr. Briggs was born in Scituate July 17,
1762, and died in Salem May 29, 1847.
Elias Jenks and Ichabod JR. Hoyt continued the
business of ship-building in South Salem down to
1843, and built their vessels a little to the westward of
the spot occupied by Enoa Briggs. They built for
Joseph Peabody, in 1827, the ship " Sumatra," 287
tons ; in 18.31, the ship "Eclipse," 326 tons; in 1833,
the ship " Naples," 309 tons ; and in 1837, the ship
" Carthage," 426 tons. For Nathaniel L. Rogers &
Brothers, in 1828 the ship " Crusoe," 350 tons. For the
Messrs. Silsbee, in 1831, the ship " Borneo," 297 tons ;
and in 1840, the ship " Sooloo," 400 tons. For Thorn-
dike Deland, in 1836, the schooner " William Penn,"
125 tons. For David Pingree, in 1843, the bark
" Three Brothers," 350 tons.
In 1834, there had been built in Salem for the for-
eign trade since 1789, sixty-one shijis, four barks,
fifty-three brigs, three ketches, and sixteen schooners,
measuring 30,557 tons.
On the 1st of December, 1825, there was launched
from the ship-yard of Mr. Cottle, in North Salem, near
Orne's Point, a schooner of 40 tons, built for the
use of the American missionaries at the Sandwich
Islands. She was called the "Missionary Packet,"
and sailed from Boston January 17, 1826, for the Sand-
wich Islands.
Samuel Lewis built, in 1849, the bark " Argentine,"
for Eobert Upton, and in 1850 the brig " M. Shepard,"
160 tons, for John Bertram.
John Carter built, in 1854, under the superintend-
ence of A. H. Gardner, on the eastern side of Phillips
Wharf, for Edward D. Kimball, the bark " Witch,"
417 tons ; and subsequently, at the same place, for
other parties, the ship " Europa," 846 tons.
Edward F. Miller, whose ship-yard was at the point
of land in South Salem opposite the end of Derby
Wharf, built for R. W. Ropes & Co., in 1855, the brig
"Mary Wilkins," 266 tons; and in 1859, the bark
" La Plata," 496 tons. For Benjamin A. West, in
1857, the bark " Arabia," 380 tons. She was lost at
the Cape of Good Hope on her first voyage. For
John Bertram, in 1856, the bark " Guide ; " in 1861,
the bark "Glide," 493 tons; in 1869, the bark " Jer-
sey," 599 tons, which was lost at Madagascar on her
first voyage ; and. in 1870, the bark " Taria Topan,"
631 tons. For John C. Osgood and others, in 1862,
the brig " Star," 250 tons.
Joshua Brown built, near Miller's ship-yard, the
schooner "Prairie Flower," 106 tons. This vessel was
launched on the 27th of April, 1858. She sailed from
Salem Tuesday, June 8, 1858, for Boston, to obtain a
part of her fishing outfit. A large party of young
men were on board, invited by the owners to make the
trip to Boston. About 2 p.m., when in the Broad
Sound and entering Boston harbor, the schooner was
struck by a sudden gust of wind and capsized. The
water rushed into the cabin, filling it, and of those
there at the time, seven were drowned. They were all
under thirty years of age, and all of Salem. Osgood
Sanborn was 28; Daniel R. Fitz, 24; George C.
Clarke, 24 ; Francis Donaldson, 21 ; William H. Rus-
sell, 20 ; William H. Newcomb, 20 ; and Lewis B.
Smith, 14. The remainder of the party were rescued
by vessels that chanced to be near the scene of the
accident. No such calamity had occurred in Salem
since the 17th of June, 1773, when the King's boat,
belonging to the custom-house, was capsized in Salem
harbor during a squall, and three men and seven
women, all of Salem, were drowned. Mr. Brown
built a number of other vessels, among them the
schooner " David B. Newcomb," 92 tons, in 1860, and
the brig " Albert," 325 tons, in 1862.
Salem Merchants. — This chapter should not be
closed without some notice of the men whose enter-
prise and daring made for Salem her brilliant com-
mercial record.
Among the earliest of the merch.ants was Captain
George Curwin, who was born in England in 1610.
He settled in Salem about 1638, and was extensively
engaged in commerce. His books of account show
that he had embarked in the London trade previous
to 1658. He died on the 3d of January, 1685, leaving
a large estate, comprising four ware-houses and two
wharves in Salem, and a ware-house and wharf in
Boston, and the ketches "George," "Swallow,'
" John " and " William," valued at £1050.
Captain Walter Price, who died in 1674, and Cap-
tain John Price, who died in 1691 ; John Turner,
who died in 1680 ; William Bowditch. who died in
1681 ; Joseph Grafton, Sr., who died in 1682 ; William
Brown and John Brown, who died about 1687, '88 ;
Henry Bartholomew, who died in 1691 ; Richard
Hollingworth and his son, William Hollingworth,
were all engaged in commerce in Salem.
Philip English came to Sakm before 1670, and in
1675 married the daughter of another Salem mer-
chant, Mr. William Hollingworth. In 1676 he is at
the Isle of Jersey, commanding the ketch "Speed-
well." He had so flourished in 1683 that he put up
a stylish mansion on the eastern corner of Essex and
English streets. It was one of those ancient mansion
houses, for which Salem was once noted — a venerable
many gabled, solid structure, with projecting stories
and porches. Down to 1753 it was known as Eng-
lish's great house. It stood until 1833, long tenant-
less and deserted, and when torn down a secret room
was found in the garret, supposed to have been built
after the witchcraft furor, as a place of temporary
security in case of a second outcry.
In 1692 Philip English was at the height of his
prosperity. He was trading with Bilboa, Barbadoes,
St. Christopher's and Jersey, as well as with several
French ports. He owned twenty-one vessels, besides
a wharf and warehouse on the neck, and fourteen
buildings in the town. It is probable that his wife
SALEM.
109
was over-elated by their prosperity, and forgot her
humble friends of former days, for she is now called
" aristocratic," and the prejudice thus engendered
against her doubtless led to her being " cried out"
against for withcraft. Both Mr. English and his wife
were so accused. From 16!)4 to 1720 Mr. EnjrHsh
sends ketches to Newfoundland, Cape Sable or Aca-
dia to catch fish, and sends these fish to Barbadoes or
other English West Indies, Surinam and Spain. He
also had a number of vessels running between Salem
and Virginia and Maryland.
Mr. English was put into Salem jail, .so says Felt,
in 172.5, for refusing, as an EpLscopalian, to pay taxes
for the support of the East Church, .\bout 1734 he
retired from trade, and in 1735 he was put under
guardianship as being clouded in mind. He died in
1736, aged about eighty-six years, and was buried in
the Episcopal church-yard.
The name of Derby is intimately associated with
the commerce of Salem — Roger Derby, born in l(i43,
emigrated to America in 1(371 from Topsham, in the
South of England. He was a member of the Society
of Friends, and first settled in Ipswich, but having
been fined for non-conformity, he removed to Salem
where he embarked in trade. At his decease in lti98
it appears by his inventory, that he possessed a house,
wharf and warehouse. His son Richard, born in
1679, engaged in maritime affairs, but died in 1715,
leaving, among other children, a son Richard, born
in 1712, whose son, Elias Hasket Derby, was the
most eminent among Salem's merchants. The last-
named Richard, in 1736, at the age of twenty-four,
was the master of the sloop " Ranger," bound from
Salem to Cadiz and Malaga. In 1739 he sails in the
"Ranger" to St. Martin's, and in 1742 he is master
and part owner of the " Volant," bound for Barbadoes
and the French Islands. In 1757 he retired from the
sea and became a merchant of Salem, relinqui^hing
his vessels to his sons John and Richard.
The commerce in which Mr. Derby was engaged
was pursued in vessels ranging from 50 to 100
tons. His vessels, laden with fish, lumber and
provisions, cleared for Dominica or some Windward
Isle in the British West Indies, and then ran through
the islands for a market. The returns were made in
sugar, molasses, cotton, rum and claret, or in rice and
naval stores from Carolina. With the returns from
these voyages assorted cargoes were madeof oil, naval
stores, and the produce of the islands for Spain and
Madeira, and the proceeds remitted partly in bills on
London, and partly in wine, salt, fruit, oil, iron, lead
and handkerchiefs to America. The commerce of
these days was bold and adventurous. Few vessels
exceeded 60 tons burden, and they were exposed
not only to the dangers of the seas, but also to the
buccaneers and French and Engli.sh cruisers. During
the French War, from 1756 to 1763, Mr. Derby owned
several ships as well as brigantines, carrying each
eight or ten cannon. He was owner of part of the
cannon which Col. Leslie was sent down from Boston
by Gen. Gage to capture, in 1775. His son John car-
ried to England the first news of the battle of Lex-
ington, and returned to Salem with the first intelli-
gence of the effect it (>roduced in London.
Mr. Derby was born in Salem September 16, 1712,
and died there November 9, 17cS3.
The second son of the last named Richard Derby,
Elias Hasket, was born in Salem August 16, 1739,
and was Salem's most eminent merchant. He was
the pioneer, and led the way while others followed.
His vessels were the first from New England at India
and China, and largely to his courage and sagacity
Salem is indebted for the prominent place she held as
a commercial port. Until his coming, the trade of
Salem was narrow and limited. He opened the ports
of the whole globe to the Salem ships, and made the
name of Salem familiar wherever trade penetrated or
civilization ventured.
At an early age he entered the counting-room of
his father, and from 1760 to 1775 he took charge of
his father's books, and engaged extensively in trade
with the English and French islands. At the com-
mencement of the Revolutionary War, he had seven
sail of vessels in the trade of the West Indies. Many
of the rich men clung to the mother country, but Mr.
Derby espoused the cause of the colonists. His trade
and that of Salem was ruined by the war. Indignant
at the oppressive course of Great Britain, Mr. Derby
united with his townsmen, and Salem fitted out at
least one hundred and fifty-eight armed vessels during
the Revolution.
From 1771 to 1785 the tonnage of Salem declined,
and did not revive till the opening of the India trade,
when it increased with astonishing rajiidity.
On the 15th of June, 1784, the barque " Light
Horse" was sent by Mr. Derby to St. Petersburg with
a cargo of sugar, and opened the American trade
with that place.
In November, 1784, he despatched the ship "Grand
Turk," of 300 tons, Captain Jonathan Ingersoll,
on the first voyage from Salem to the Cape of
Good Hope. A Ithough this voyage was not very suc-
cessful, it gave Mr. Derby an insight into the wants
and jirices of the Indian market, and Nov. 28, 1785,
he cleared the same vessel under command of Eben-
ezer West, for the Isle of France, with the purpose to
visit Canton, went to the Isle of France, Batavia and
China, and returned to Salem in June, 1787, with a
cargo of teas, silks and nankeens, making the first
voyage from New England to the Isle of France,
India and China.
In December, 1787, Mr. Derby again despatched
his ship " Grand Turk " on a voyage to the I^^le of
France under the charge of his .son, Elias Hasket
Derby, Jr. The " Grand Turk " was sold at a great
profit, and the son remained at the Isle of France
until the arrival, about a year afterwards, of the ship
" Atlantic," when he proceeded to Surat, Bombay)
110
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and Calcutta, and first displayed our eusign at those
ports. He bought, at the Isle of France, the ship
"Peo;gy," sent her to Bombay for cotton and then back
to Salera, where she arrived June 21, 1789, with the
first 'jargo of Bombay cotton. One of his vessels was
the first to display the American flag at Siam and
another made the first voyage from America to Mocha.
In February, 1789, Mr. Derby sent, for the first
time, the ship " Astrea" on a direct voyage to Can-
ton. American ships were now following the lead of
the " Grand Turk," and we find fifteen there in 1789,
five of tbem belonging to Salem, and four to Mr.
Derby. In 1790 he imported into Salem 728,871
pounds of tea. In May, 1790, the brig " William and
Henry," Captain Benjamin Hodges, owned by Gray
& Orne, entered this port with a cargo of tea, which
was among the first of .such cargoes imported in an
American bottom. When Mr. Derby first engaged in
the India trade there were no banks, and he rarely
purchased or sold on credit. While his large ships
were on their voyages to the East he employed his
brigs and schooners in making up the assortment for
cargoes by sending them to Gottenburg and St.
Petersburg for inui, duck and hemp; to France, Spain
and Madeira for wine and lead ; to the West Indies
for spirits ; and to New York, Philadelphia and Rich-
mond for flour, provisions, iron and tobacco. In the
brief space of fourteen years (from 1785 to 1799), he
made one hundred and twenty-five voyages, by at least
thirty-seven different ves.sels, of which voyages forty-
five were to the East Indies or China. Among the
oflicersof his ships, who were afterwards distinguished,
were the Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee, late United States
Senator from Massachusetts and Dr. Nathaniel Bow-
ditch.
In 1798 the nation appeared to be on the eve of a
war with France, and was without a navy. John
Adams was President, and the administration, in June,
1798, passed an act authorizing the President to accept
such vessels as the citizens might build for the na-
tional service, and pay for them in a six per cent,
stock. Subscriptions were opened in Salem, and Mr.
Derby and Mr. William Gray each subscribed ten
thousand dollars, and William Orne and John
Norris each five thousand dollars, and in a brief
period some seventy-four thousand, seven hun-
dred dollars were subscribed. Mr. Enos Briggs,
who had built many of Mr. Derby's fastest ships,
was instructed to build a frigate, to be called
the " Essex." The keel was laid April 13, 1799,
and September 30th following she was successfully
launched. She proved the fastest ship in the navy,
and captured property to the amount of two million
dollars. Admiral Farragut served on the " Essex "
as a midshipman.
Mr. Derby made one more brilliant voyage before
he closed his career, although he did not live to ascer-
tain its results. Hostilities between France and the
United States had commenced when Mr. Derby sent
a ship of four hundred tons, called the " Mount Ver-
non," equipped with twenty guns, manned by fifty
men and loaded with sugar, to the Mediterranean.
The cost of the cargo was forty-three thousand two
hundred and seventy-five dollars. The vessel was at-
tacked by the enemy, but escaped, and arived safely
in America with a cargo of silks and wines, and real-
ized a net profit of one hundred thousand dollars.
Before her arrival Mr. Derby died, Septembers, 1799,
and left an estate which exceeded a million dollars,
and was supposed to be the largest fortune left in this
country during the last century.
The mansion in which Mr. Derby lived while ac-
quiring his fortune still stands on the corner of Wash-
ington and Lynde Streets, and was, for a long time,
occupied by another Salem merchant, Robert Brook-
house. Mr. Derby erected an elegant and costly edi-
fice on the site now occupied by Derby Square, and
laid out walks and gardens from Essex Street to a
terrace which overhung the South River. The man-
sion was finished, but was occupied by Mr. Derby but
a few months before his death. For some twelve
years thereafter it was in the possession of his oldest
son, but with the embargo and war there came a check
to the prosperity of Salem, and no one was willing to
incur the expense incident to living in such a palatial
structure. The buildings and gardens were closed for
years, and finally gave place to the square and market
which now bear the name of Derby.
Crowninshield is another family name whose mem-
bers contributed to the commercial prosperity of Salem.
John Crowninshield was born in 1696, was a Salem
captain in the West India trade about 1724 and died
in 1761. He was the father of George Crowninshield,
who was born in Salem in 1734, and who married a
sister of Elias Hasket Derby. George Crowninshield
built a mansion-house on Derby Street, which was
demolished to make room for the present Custom-
House in 1816. After the Revolution, and until the
embargo, he was engaged in commerce with his sons,
and in the War of 1812 was successful in priv.ateering,
the most famous of his vessels being the " America."
He died in 1815.
His son George was the owner of the famous pleas-
ure yacht, the " Cleopatra's Barge," in which he vis-
ited the ports of Europe. It was the firat American
vessel to cross the ocean solely on a pleasure excur-
sion. He returned in October, 1817, and on the 26th
of the following November, while the yacht was lying
at the port of Salem, he died suddenly in her cabin at
the age of fifty-one.
Jacob Crowninshield was a member of Congress,
and was appointed Secretary of the Navy in 1805, but
declined on account of ill health. Benjamin W.
Crowninshield was Secretary of the Navy from 1814
until 1818, and a member of Congress from 1823 until
1831. He built and lived in the house which is now
the Home for Aged Women, on Derby Street. He
died in 1851.
SALEM.
Ill
The Pickmans were among Salem's successful mer-
fhaiits. Col. Benjamin Pickman, who was born in
1700, wH.s largely interested in the West India trade,
and as the principal article of export to those islands
was the product of the fisheries, he engaged extensive-
ly in the prosecution of that industry. His fish-flakes
extended from North Street through Federal to Bcxston
Street, and down to the river. He amassed a large for-
tune in this business, and, in recognition of the service
rendered him by the codfish, he had a carved and
gilded effigy of that fish placed on the side of each
stair in the |)rincipal hall of his house, which he built
iu 17"iO, and which still stands on Essex Street, next
the East India Marine Building. The front of this
house is now hidden by a block of stores. Col. Pick-
man died in 1773. His sons, Benjamin and William,
were merchants of Salem, and his grandson, Dudley
L. Pickman, a son of William, who was born in 1779,
and died in 184G, was largely engaged in the East
India trade, and was an eminently successful mer-
chant.
Silsbee is a name prominent in the annals of Salem's
commerce. Nathaniel Silsbee, an eminent master
mariner and confidential agent of Elias Hasket Derby,
was born in Salem November 9, 1748. At a very early
age Mr. Silsbee was entrusted with the charge of a
vessel and cargo to the West Indies, and subsequently
he was owner of several vessels employed in that
trade. He commanded the " Grand Turk " on a voy-
age to the West Indies and afterwards to Spain. In
the course of a few years he embarked in business on
his own account, and soon acquired an independent
fortune, which unfortunately was lost by reverses in
business. He died June 25, 1791, leaving three sons,
each of whom were masters and supercargoes of ships
while in their teens, and became eminent and success-
ful merchants. Nathaniel, born in 1773 ; William,
born in 1779 ; and Zachaviah F., born in 1783.
The eldest son, Nathaniel, followed his father in the
command of the ships of Elias Hasket Derby, and in
1793, at the early age of twenty was on a voyage to the
Isle of France as captain of the new ship " Benjamin,"
of one hundred and sixty-one tons. From the Isle of
France he proceeds to the Cape of Good Hope, re-
turns to the Isle of France, and brings his sliip liome
with large profits. In 179(5 Mr. Derby dispatches him
in the ship " Benjamin " to Amsterdam, and thence
to the Isle of France, with a credit of ten thousand
dollars for his own private adventures. After selling
his cargo at a great profit he purchases a new ship of
four hundred and fifty tons and returns to Salem,
with a full cargo of East India goods for his owner,
and such favorable results for himself as to enable
him to commence business on his own account, in
which he soon achieves a fortune.
After the attainment of a competency, Mr. Silsbee
devoted many years to the civil service of his country.
He was chosen a member of Congress in 181(i, and
served in the House until 1821, and in the United
States Senate from 1826 to 1835. In 1823, '24 and '25 he
was president of the Massachusetts Senate. lie died
in Salem, July 14, 1850.
Captain Nathaniel West and his elder brother,
Ebenezer, and his younger brother, Edward, were
prominent in the early commercial days. Ebenezer
was, for nearly four years, during the Revolution, a
prisoner of war, and was exchanged shortly before
peace was declared. He subsequently had command
of E. H. Derby's fiimous ship, the " Grand Turk," and
in her made the first voyage from New England to
Canton. Edward, while in command of his brother
Nathaniel's ship " Hercules,'' was seized at Naples iu
1809, but had the good fortune to obtain her release,
in order to transport Lucien Bonaparte and family to
Malta, thus saving his ship from confiscation. In 1775,
Nathaniel, at the age of nineteen, being in command
of a merchant ves-el iu the West India trade, was
captured by a British frigate and compelled to
serve as midshipman in the British navy. Not long
after he escaped and went to Spain, where he em-
barked for Salem in the privateer "Oliver Cromwell,"
Captain Cole, of this port. He made several cruises
in the " Oliver Cromwell," and took many prizes. He
participated with the famous Captain Haraden in
several contests, and made successful cruises as cap-
tain of the privateer " Black Prince," carrying eight-
een guns, and one hundred and fifty men. On one
occasion, with Captain Nathaniel Silsbee as his lieu-
tenant, he put into Cork, on a dark night, and cut out
and took away a valuable prize.
Cai>tain West subsequently embarked in commerce,
and pursued it with continued success until he had
amassed a large fortune. In 1792 he built and des-
patched the schooner " Patty," under command of his
brother Edward, and she was the first American ves-
sel to visit Batavia. His ship "Minerva" was the
fir.-t Salem vessel to circumnavigate the globe. His
ship " Hercules,'' under his brother Edward's com-
mand, on the conclusion of the war with Great Britain,
in 1815, was the first vessel to sail from the United
States for the East Indies, under the terms of the
treaty. He was born in Salem January 31, 1756, and
died here December 19, 1851. In person he was of
fine figure and of majestic mien and gait. He never
forgot the dignity which belonged to his years and
station. He was a gentleman of the old school in
manners and dress, and adhered with scrupulous te-
nacity to the costume of his early years.
William Gray was a prominent merchant of Salem.
He was born in Lynn, June 27, 1760, moved to Salem
at an early age, and entered the counting-room of
Richard Derby. He became one of the largest ship
owners in Salem, and followed the lead of Mr. E. II.
Derby in sending ships to Canton and ports in the
East Indies. In 1805 Salem had fifty-four ships,
eighteen barks, seventy-two brigs and eighty-six
schooners, five ships building and forty-eight vessels
round the cape. In 1807 sixty sliips, seven barks,
112
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
forty-two brigs, forty schooners and three sloops in
the merchant service, and one hundred fishermen and
schooner.s; and of these William Gray owned fifteen
ships, seven barks, thirteen brigs and one schooner,
or one-fourth of the tonnage of the place.
From 1801 to 1810, inclusive, the duties collected
at Salem amounted to $7,272,633.31, and these were
the years of Mr. Gray's greatest activity.
His former mansion, is now the Essex House. About
1808 he left the Federal party and joined the Demo-
crats, upholding Jefferson in the Embargo Act of that
year. Party feeling ran high, and Mr. Gray, finding
a growing coolness towards him among many of his
former associates, left Salem in 1809 and moved to
Boston, where, in 1810 and 1811, he was chosen lieu-
tenant-governor, and where he died November 3,
1825. During his life he accumulated a great prop-
erty. As a merchant he was industrious, far-seeing
and energetic ; as a citizen patriotic and public-
spirited, and he may well be classed among Salem's
" princely merchants."
Joseph Peabody was another eminently successful
merchant, who lived to see the decline of that com-
mercial prosperity to which he had contributed so
largely. He was born in Middleton December 9,
1757, and during the Revolutionary War he enlisted
on a privateer, and made his first cruise in E. H.
Derby's " Bunker Hill," and his second in the " Ran-
ger." In 1782 he made a trij) to Alexandria in the
"Ranger" as second oflicer, and on his return the
vessel was attacked by the enemy, and Mr. Peabody
was wounded. After peace was restored he was pro-
moted to a command in the employ of the Messrs.
Gardner, of Salem, and soon realized a sufBcient sum
to purchase the vessel known as the "Three Friends."
He retired from the sea in 1791, and engaged actively
in commerce. The brig " Three Friends," Joseph
Peabody, master, entered from Martinico in June,
1791, with a cargo of molasses and sugar consigned to
Mr. J. Gardner, and this was probably his last voyage.
During the early years of the present century he built
and owned a large number of vessels, which in every
instance he freighted himself His vessels made
thirty-eight voyages to Calcutta, seventeen to Canton,
thirty-two to Sumatra, forty-seven to St. Petersburg
and thirty to other ports of Europe. He shipped, at
different times, seven thousand seamen, and advanced
thirty-five to the rank of master, who entered his em-
ploy as boys.
The disastrous effects of the embargo and war were
shown in the diminution of vessels in the foreign
trade of Salem from one hundred and fifty-two, in
1807, to fifty-seven in 1815. In ISIG forty-two In-
diamen had sailed and sixteen returned since the
war. In 1817 Salem had thirty-two ships, two barks
and eighteen brigs in the India trade ; and from 1808
to 1817 the .arrivals from foreign ports were nine hun-
dred and thirty six, which yielded an annual average
of duties of three hundred and seventy-eight thousand
five hundred and ninety dollars. In 1821 one hun-
dred and twenty-six vessels were employed in foreign
commerce, fifty-eight of them in the India trade, the
largest being the ship "China," H. Putnam, master,
three hundred and seventy tons.
A few facts relating to the connection of Mr. Pea-
body about this time with the China trade are in-
teresting. In 1825 and 1826, the " Leander," a lit-
tle brig of two hundred and twenty-three tons,
brclught into Salem cargoes from Canton, which paid
duties amounting, respectively, one to $80,847.47 and
the other to $92,392.94. In 1829, 1830 and 1831, the
"Sumatra," a ship of only two hundred and eighty-
seven tons, broftght cargoes from the same port, pay-
ing duties of $128,363.13, in the first case ; $138,480.-
34, in the second, and $140,761.96 in the third, the
five voyages paying duties to an aggregate of nearly
$587,000. No other vessel has entered Salem paying
$90,000 in duties. Both brig and ship were owned
by Mr. Peabody, and were commanded on each voy-
age by the same gentleman. Captain Charles Roundy,
a good type of that class of m:ister mariners whose en-
ergy and fearlessness carried the name of Salem to
the remotest ports, and whose uprightness and busi-
ness integrity made that name an honored and re-
spected one in those far-off countries. Mr. Peabody
died at Salem, January 5, 1844.
Nathaniel L. Rogers was an enterprising and
prominent merchant of Salem, and opened the Ameri-
can trade with Madagascar, Zanzibar and Australia.
He was horn in Ipswich, August 6, 1785, and died
July 31, 1858. Associated with him in business wag
Richard S. Rogers, another successful merchant, who
wag born in 1790, and died in Salem June 11, 1873.
Robert Brookhouse was engaged in trade with
Madagascar, Patagonia, the Feejee Islands and large-
ly with the West Coast of Africa. He was very suc-
cessful as a merchant, and accumulated a large
property. He was born December 8, 1799, and died
June 10, 1866. After his death his son Robert, with
William Hunt, Joseph H. Hanson and Nathan A.
Frye, continued the trade with the West Coast of
Africa.
These brief notices of a few of the prominent mer-
chants of Salem should not be closed without some
reference to the last of their number, whose vessels
arrived in her harbor from ports beyond the Cape of
Good Hope.
John Bertram was born on the Isle of Jersey, Feb-
ruary 11, 1796, and died in Salem March 22, 1882.
Mr. Bertram came to Salem at an early age ; and in
December, 1813, we find him sailing from Boston in
the schooner " Monkey " as cabin boy. He arrived in
Charleston, S. C, early in 1814, and left there in an
American privateer in March. The privateer was
captured, and he was taken to Bermuda and con-
fined in the Bermuda and Barbadoes prison-ships.
Having been born on the Isle of Jersey, and being
familiar with the French language, he was released.
SALEM.
113
as a Freiiclimaii, after which he shipped on an
American schooner and started for home, but was
again talcen prisoner, and carried to England, where
he arrived in April, 1815, after peace had been de-
clared.
In 1824, with V. I. Farnhain an.l others, Mr. Ber-
tram chartered the schooner "General Brewer," and,
in company with Captain W. B. Smith, sailed for
.Saint Helena. When a few days out, he met the
brig ■' Elizabeth," of Salem, Story, master, bound also
for Saint Helena. Captain Story came on board the
" General Brewer," and took tea with Captain Ber-
tram; and each was desirous that the other shcuild
not know his destination. They each announced
themselves as bound for Pernarabuco. Captain Ber-
tram suspected, however, that the "Elizabeth" was
bound to Saint Helena, and he was extremely anxious
to arrive there first, and di.spose of his cargo. As
night came on, in order to lighten liis vessel, he had
his entire deck-load of lumber passed aft and thrown
overboard, and by crowding on all sail, day and
night, he arrived at Saint Helena, disposed of his
cargo, and was coming out of the harbor, just as the
"Elizabeth" arrived. From Saint Helena, Captain
Bertram went to Pernambuco, on his way to
Salem. After his return home, he purchased the
"Velocity," 119 tons burden, and, with Captain
\V. B. Smith, again set sail for Saint Helena. He
went from there to the Cape of Good Hope, and
thence to the llio Grande and the Coast of Patago-
nia, at wliich latter place he remained, engaged in
trading tor hides, while Captain Smith made trips up
and down the coast in the "Velocity." After being
at Patagonia for some time. Captain Bertram and
Captain Smith both sailed for Pernambuco in the "Ve-
locity," and there found Captain Thomas Downing,
of Salem, in the brig " Combine," of 133 tons
burden. They purchased the "Combine" of Cap-
tain Downing, and Captain Bertram returned
in her to Patagonia. Captain Smith came back
to Salem in the "Velocity," and arrived there
in August, 182G, with a cargo of two hundred
and eight thousand two hundred and ninety-one
])Ounds of beef, consigned to Peter E. Webster.
After trading for awhile on the coast, Captain J5er-
tram returned to Salem iu the "Combine," arriving
December 14, 1S26. He afterwards made another
trip to Patagonia in the "Combine," returning to
Salem in July, 1827, with one hundred and thirty-
five thousand one hundred and twenty-two pounds of
beef He was on the coast of Patagonia for about
three years.
8
Un his final return to Salem the lirm of Nathaniel
L. Rogers & Bros, offered him an interest in the ship
" Black Warrior," of 231 tons burden, and he sailed
in command of her from Salem in December, 1830,
for Madagascar, Zanzibar and Mocha. Captain
Henry F. King, of Salem, was with him on this
voyage, serving as his clerk. He loaded with a
large quantity of gum-copal in bulk, and established
a trade there which continues to the present time.
He returned from this voyage March 31, 1832. Mr.
Bertram was connected in this business in the
' early years with Michael Shepard, Nathaniel Wes-
ton and Andrew Ward.
From 1845 to 1857 he was trading with Para. He
sent, in December, 1848, one of the first vessels from
Massachusetts to California after the gold discovery,
and the favorable accounts he received from her in-
duced him to send three vessels from Salem the next
si)ring with full cargoes, and two others shortly after.
He also engaged in the California trade with Messrs.
Glidden & Williams, of Boston. While Captain Ber-
tram was engaged in the California trade he built,
with others, the ship "John Bertram," 1100 tons,
at East Boston, and she was launched in sixty
days from the time of laying her keel, and in
ninety days was on her way down Boston har-
bor with a full cargo on board, bound for San
Francisco. Although many predicted that a vessel
built so hastily would not last long, their predictions
have not beeu verified, and the ship is still afloat,
sailing under a foreign flag. She sailed for San Fran-
cisco on her first voyage January 10, 1851. Ca|itain
Bertram has been connected with the building and
management of several railroads in the \Vest. He
founded, and has maintained at his own expense, the
" Old Men's Home," and he was largely instrumental
in establishing the Salem Hospital. As a merchant,
he was enterprising and energetic; as a citizen, pub-
lic-spirited and charitable. His name worthily
closes the long list of eminent merchants who have
given Salem a history unparalleled in the annals of
American commerce.
The foregoing notices of Salem merchants are by
no means complete, and doubtless some, equally
worthy of extended mention, are omitted. The
names of others, particularly of those of the latter
period of our commerce, will be found in the ac-
counts of the difi'erent trades, ft is not possible, in
the limits of a single chapter, to do full justice to all,
but the sketches just given will serve as an examjilc of
the class of men who nuide the nanieof S;dem famous
in the commercial annals of the State and nation.
114
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
CHAPTER IV.
S.\LEM -(Continued).
THE HANKING INTEREST.
BY HENEY M. BATCH ELDER.
The Easex Hank— The Saletn Natimtal Bank — Thr Merchants' National
Bank— The Commercial Bank— The National Exchange Bank—TlieAdalic
Natiivil B ink—The Mercantile National Bank — The Mechanics' and
Traders' Bank — The Nanvikeag National Bank — The Bank of General In-
ti-rcst — The North American Bank— The Salem Savings Hank— The Salem
Fire Cenl^ Sarings Banks.
Theek are nine banks in Salem — seven banks of de-
])Osit and discount, and two savings banks.
In 1782 a branch of the Bank of North America
was located in Boston, and in 1784 the Massachu-
setts Bank was established in that city. Eight years
later the first bank was opened in Salem. It was
styled the " Essex Bank," and commenced business
July 2, 1792, with a capital of about three hundred
thousand dollars.
It was in 1786 that, by Congressional order, ac-
counts were kept in dollars, dimes and cents instead
of pounds, shillings and pence. On account of busi-
ness troubles, specie payments were suspended from
1837 to 1839, and again at the breaking out of the
Civil War in 1861. This last suspension lasted until
1876.
The Essex Bank, occupied a room in the build-
ing now known as the " Central Building," on Cen-
tral Street, which street was for a time known as
Bank Street. It expired in 1819, though its affairs
were not fully wound up till 1822.
The Salem Bank now the Salem National
Bank, was incorporated March 8, 1803, with a capi-
tal of two hundred thousand dollars. This was in-
creased to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars irf
1823 ; reduced in 1859 to one hundred and eighty-
seven thousand five hundred dollars ; restored to two
hundred thousand dollars in 1865; increased in 1873
to three hundred thousand dollars, which is the
present cajiital. Its presidents have been Benjamin
Picknian, 1803; Joseph Peabody, 1814; George Pea-
body, 1833; Benjamin Merrill, 1842; George Pea-
body, 1847 ; William C. Endicott, 1858 ; Augustus
Story, 1875; S. Endicott Peabody, 1882. Its cashiers;
Jonathan Hodges, 1803; John Moriarty, 1810;
Charles M. Endicott, 1835; George D. Phippen,
1858.
The bank was originally located in a brick building
on the south side of Essex Street, next west of the
Benjamin Pickman estate, nearly opposite St. Peter
Street. This building stood in from the street, and
was erected for the accommodation of the Salem
Bank and the Salem Marine Insurance Company on
the lower floor, and the East India Marine Museum
on the second.
The Salem Bank adopted the national system in
1864, and moved to the Holyoke Building, Washing-
ton Street, in 1866, where it is still located.
The Merchants' Bank was incorporated June 26,
1811, with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars,
which was afterwards increased to four hundred
thousand dollars, and reduced in 1815 to the original
figure. The bank was first located in the Union
Building, on the corner of Essex and Union Streets,
later in the Biiwker Block, and in 1855 removed to
the second floor of the then newly-built Asiatic
Building on Washington Street. In 1883 it was re-
moved to its present location, in the Northey Build-
ing, on the corner of Essex and Washington Streets.
Its presidents have been Benjamin W. C'rowninshield,
1811 ; Joseph Story, 1815 ; John W. Treadwell, 1835 ;
Benjamin H. Silsbee, 1851 ; George R Eramerton,
1880. Its cashiers: John Saunders, 1811 ; John W.
Treadwell, 1813 ; Francis H. Silsbee, 1835 ; Benja-
min H. Silsbee, 1848 ; Nathaniel B. Perkins, 1851 ;
George R. Jewett, 1883 ; Henry M. Batchelder, 1883.
The bank became the Merchants' National Bank,
December 30, 1864.
The Commercial, now First National Bank,
was incorporated February 12, 1819, with a capital
of three hundred thousand dollars, which was re-
duced to two hundred thousand dollars in 1830, and
restored in 1851. This bank first opened its doors at
its present location, in the Central Street Bank
Building. It presidents have been Willard Peele,
William Sutton and Eben Sutton. Its cashiers : Na-
thaniel L. Rogers, Zachariah F. Silsbee and Edward
H. Payson. It was the first bank in the city to enter
the national system, becoming the " First National
Bank " in June, 1864.
The Exchange Bank was incorporated January
31, 1823, with a capital of three hundred thousand
dollars, which was afterwards reduced to the present
amount, two hundred thousand dollars. It com-
menced business in a building on the site of William
Gray's garden, No. 172 Essex Street, the building ex-
tending to the corner of St. Peter Street. It was re-
moved to the First Church building in December,
1864, occupying at that time the rooms on the corner
of Washington Street, but was transferred to the
southwest corner of the building in 1875. The bank is
now numbered 109 on Washington Street. Its presidents
have been Gideon Tucker, John Webster, Henry L.
Williams, Nathan Nichols. Its cashiers: Johri
Chadwick, Joseph H. Webb. It became the
National Exchange Bank February IS, 1865.
The Asiatic Bank was incorporated June 12,
1824, with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars,
which was increased to three hundred and fifteen
thousand dollars. It commenced business in the
Central Street Bank Building ; removed from there
to the East India Marine Building, on Essex, oppo-
site St. Peter Street, and in 1855 changed its quarters
to the Asiatic Building, on Washington Street, where
SAIvK.M.
115
it is slill located. Its pixsidcuts luive beeu Stephen
White, Nathan W. Neal, Thomas P. Pingree, Josei)h
S. Cabot, Leonard B. Harrington ; and its cashiers :
Henry Pickering, Joseph S. Cabot William H.
Foster and Charles 8. Ilea. Mr. Foster, who re-
tired from the oHice of cashier in 1884, had been in
the service of the bank for sixty years, since its or-
ganization. It became the Asiatic National Bank
December 8, 1864.
The Mercantile Bank was incorporated March
4, 1826. Its capital has always been two hundred
thousand dollars, and it has always been located on
Central Street, first in the Central Building, on the
west side of the street, and since 1827 in its present
quarters in the Central Street Bank Building, nearly
opposite. Its presidents have been Nathaniel L.
Rogers, David Putnam, John Dwyer, Aaron Perkins,
Charles Harrington. Its cashiers: .John A. South-
wick, Stephen Webb and Joseph H. Phi])iien. The
bank became the Mercantile National Bank January
10, 1865.
The Mechanics' and Traders' Bank was incor-
porated March 10. 1827, with a capital of two hun-
dred thousand dollars, but never commenced
business.
The Naujikeag Bank was incorporated March
17, 1881, with a capital of two hundred thousand
dollars, which was subsequently increased to five hun-
dred thousand dollars. It commenced business in the
store of Benjamin Dodge, on Essex Street, opposite
the Essex House, thence was removeil to the Man-
ning Building, now Bowker Place, from there to the
Ea.st India Marine Building, and in 1872 to its pres-
eut quarters, on the second floor of the Asiatic
Building, Washington Street. Its ])residents have
been David Pingree, Edward D. Kimball, Charles H.
Fabens, William B. Parker, David Pingree, (Jr.,) and
1 Joseph H. Towne. Its cashiers have been Joseph G.
Sprague, Joseph H. Towne and Nathaniel A. Very.
The Naumkeag became the Naumkeag National
Bank in December, 1864.
The Bank of General Interest was also in-
corporated March 17, 1831, with a capital of two
hundred thousand dollars. John Russell was presi-
dent and William H. Russell cashier. It ceased
business in 1842.
The North American Bank was incorporated
March 31, 1836, with an authorized capital of three
hundred thousand dollars. It never went into opera-
tion.
The Salem Savings Bank was incorporated Jan-
uary 2!', 1818, as the " Institution for vSavings in the
town of Salem and Vicinity." Thename was changed
to the Salem Savings Bank in 1843. It commenced
business on Central Street, thence removed to the
Bowker Building, and in 1855 to the present location
in the Asiatic Building, Washington Street.
Its presidents have been Dr. Edward A. Holyoke,
1818; Joseph Peabody, 1830; Nathaniel Silsbee,
1844; Dauiel A. White, 1851 ; Zach. F. Silsbee, 1861 ;
John Bertram, 1864; Joseph S. Cabot, 1865; Beiija-
min H. Silsbee, 1875; Peter Silver, 1879; William
Northey, 1883. The treasurers have been William 1'.
Richardson, 1818; William Gibbs, 1820; William
Dean, 1821; Peter Lander, .Tr., 1822; Daniel Bray,
1823; Benjamin Shrove, 1837; Henry Ropes, 1839 ;
William Wallis, 1861; Charles E. Symonds, 1865 ;
William H. Simonds, Jr., 1870. In 1855 the bank
removed to the Asiatic Building, Washington Street,
which it now owns. Its depositors number between
sixteen and seventeen thousand, and the amount on
deposit averages $6,500,000.
The Salem Five Cents Savings Bank was in-
corporated in 1855. It opened for business in the
second story of the Downing Block, No. 175 Es.sex
Street, removing from there into its present quarters on
the second floor of the Northey Building. Its presi-
dents have been Edward D. Kimball, 1855 ; Edmund
Smith, 1861 ; Henry L. Williams, 1862; John Kins-
man, 1879 ; William H. Jelly, 1882. Its treasurers :
J. Vincent Browne, 1855 ; Charles H. Henderson,
1868. The number of depositors is over eight thou-
sand, and the amount on deposit averages more than
$2,500,000.
The aggregate capital of the national banks of Sa-
lem is 82,015,000, and the combined surplus funds and
undivided profits on August 1, 1887, was over $900,000.
The amount on deposit on the same date was over
•~?1,700,0(M).
CHAPTER V.
f^XLEil.— Continued.
THE PRE.SS.
liY GII.UEKT I.. STRKETER.
The history of the press in any community, if prop-
erly executed, is a chronicle of the times, a correct
narrative of the passing events of the period. It is
the business of the journalist to "catch the manners
living as they rise," but the correctness of the picture
will depend, of course, upon the skill of the artist.
It is, difticult to appreciate the condition of our
early colonial community before the days of the news-
paper, which now seems so essential to a ])roper
knowledge of events. It is manifest that the ordinary
gossip of the community, and the verbal narration of
events transpiring elsewhere, satisfied every want.
There were printing presses in the colony long before
sufficient patronage could be obtained to warrant the
establishment of a newspaper. There was a printing
press in Cambridge as early as 1639, and as the infant
university was located there, as well as the local gov-
ernment of the colony, the persons concerned in it
were encouraged by grants of land from the {rcneral
116
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Court. Subsequently, in 1(574, a printing press was
"set up" in Boston, and this was by special leave of
the General Court, which had previously ordered, in
16G4, that there should be no other press than that in
Cambridge ; for, besides the cost of importing a
printing press from England, and the great cost of
paper and other materials, the early printers had to en-
counter the objections of the Puritan authorities, who,
although ready to patronize the press to some extent,
looked upon the freedom of printing with a jealous
eye. They early appointed certain trusted clergymen
to act as licensers of the press.
The first attempt to establish a newspaper in North
America was made in 1600,. when (September 25th) a
single number of a small sheet was printed in Boston
by Richard Pierce for Benjamin Harris. It was con-
demned at once by the public authorities, and it is
believed that a second number was never issued. It
was fourteen years after this before another party ven-
tured to try the experiment, and this person was John
Campbell, the postmaster of Boston, who succeeded
in establishing the Boston yews Letter.
Wliile, therefore, Salem was the third town in the
colony, in the order of time, to enjoy the advantages
of a public printing press, it was nearly a century later
than Boston in getting one. The arrival of this press
in Salem, in 1768, was a great event. Although the
town contained many literary persons of distinction,
and the inhabitants were generally well educated, the
literary resources of tlie town which were available
by the public were quite limited. There were few
books, for they were very costly, and these were in
possession of tlie wealthy families. Most families
were esteemed fortunate if they possessed the Bible,
the almanac and a few approved sermons. The first
attempt to collect a library in Salem was when the
Social Library was formed, and this was after the
printing press was established.
But the decade preceding the Revolution was one
of great intellectual activity. The press in the colony
had been relieved from the supervision and control of
the clergy, and its absolute independence was nearly
secured. Several newspapers had been commenced
in Boston, and there was a general disposition to en-
courage and sustain such publications.
The person who undertook to establish the printing
business in Salem was Samuel Hall, a young man, a
native of Medford, and one who, from his qualities of
mind and energy of character, was well suited to per-
form the task of a pioneer in this matter. He was a
practical printer, and had learned his trade of his
uncle, Daniel Fowle, who was the first printer in
New Hampshire. Before coming to Salem he had
been concerned with Mrs. Anne Franklin, sister-in-law
of Benjamin Franklin, in the publication of the New-
port (R. I.) Mercury, a newspaper originally estab-
lished by James Franklin, and which has been con-
tinued until this time.
Mr. Hall was in sympathy with the rising party of
young men who were becoming restive under the
yoke of the mother-country, and he was afterwards
active in the Revolution ; and it is quite probable
that he was assisted in his enterprise by leading per-
sons of the patriotic party.
Mr. Hall opened his office in Salem in April, 1768.
It was located on Main Street, a few doors above the
Town-House — about where the Creamer block is sit-
uated. This locality was then, as now, near the
centre of business. The Town-House was a wooden
building of two stories, next above the First Church,
on the spot between the present church and the para-
pet of the railroad tunnel. It was where the town-
meetings were usually held (in the lower story), and
was also occupied, in the second story, as a court-
house. It was afterwards called the State-House, as
the Provincial Assembly of Massachusetts convened
therein in 1774, with John Hancock as president.
It was a building of humble pretensions, its chief
claim to notice arising from the circumstance that it
was a painted building, which was an uncommon
distinction in those days. In front of the building,
extending on either side of the door, was a wooden
bench, where the elderly men of the town were ac-
customed to assemble to gossip and converse on pub-
lic and private matters.
1. The Essex Gazette. — Mr. Hall soon resolved
to commence a newspaper here. Salem was the
principal place in the colony outside of Boston. It
was a town of about five thousand inhabitants, largely
engaged in the fisheries and in the coastwise and
West India trade, and was generally prosperous.
There were many wealthy and eminent people here,
some occupying important positions in the colonial
or in the royal service. The town was also noted for
its intellectual culture and the elegance of its society.
Proposals were issued by Mr. Hall in July, 1768,
for publishing a paper to be entitled The Essex
Gazette, to be issued weekly, on Tuesday, at 6«. M. per
annum. The prospectus was full and explicit in re-
gard to the character of the proposed paper; and, as
indicating the spirit in which the enterprise was
started, we quote the following passage :
* ' I shaU exert myself to obtain as general and fresh a Collection of News
as will lay in my Power, both Foreign and Domestic, and insert it with
accuracy ami in due order ; and I slmll at all times aSrii'liiou.sIy endeavor
to procure and carefully luiblish, as I nniy have room, any Compositions
that nuiy have a tendency to promote Keligion, Virtue, Industry, good
Order, a due sense of the Rights and Lilierties of our Country, with the
Importance of true and genuine principles of patriotism, and whatever
may servo to enliven and animate us in our known Loyalty and Affec-
tion to our gracious Sovereign. In short, any Pieces tliat nuxy be pro-
ductive of Public Good, or contribute to the innocent Aumsenient and
Entertainment of my Readers, will be inserted with Pleasure ; and any
writings of a Contrary Nature will, if offered for Insertion, be instantly
rejected."
These comprehensive, patriotic and emphatic state-
ments of his intentions, with more of a similar char-
acter, constituted Mr. Hall's introduction to his
readers. And all that he here promised he thoroughly
performed, for he was prompt and faithful in the
SALKM.
117
execution of all his contracts, devoting himself with
great energy and spirit to the discharge of his
duties.
The first number of the paper appeared August 2,
1768, and was a very creditable publication in its
typographical execution and the general character
of its contents. It was printed upon a crown sheet,
folio, ten by sixteen inches, three columns to the
page. This diminutive sheet, less than one-third the
size of the Gazette of to-day, was s]inlcen of in the
prospectus as " four large pages, printed in folio."
It was doubtless considered as large at that time.
The head was adorned by a rude wood cut, compris-
ing the figures of two Indians, with a codfish over-
head, and a dove with a sprig in its bill in the centre.
This device bears some resemlilance to the Essex
County seal, and was probably intended to be em-
blematical of peace, the fisheries and successful emi-
gration. A portion of this device is contained in the
seal of the city of Salem. The head-line assured the
reader, in the common phraseology of that day, that
the sheet contained " the freshest advices, both for-
eign and domestic." It bore as a motto a quotation
from Horace, "Omne tulit punctuni qui miscuit utile
dulci."
The contents of the paper were such as were looked
for in public prints at that time, chiefly items of polit-
ical news from various parts of the world, very con-
cisely stated, and selected with care and good judg-
ment. Foreign news occupied a large share of the
columns. Domestic news was given simply, under the
names of the several towns in the colonies, whence it
was received. A few advertisements filled out the
sheet. The contents were mostly selected, but few
original pieces, either editorial or contributed, ap-
pearing in the columns in those days. The public
did not estimate so highly at that time as they seem
to now, the off-hand remarks, speculations and eflu-
sions generally, of editors and their correspondents.
Among the contributors to Mr. Hall's paper was Col.
Timothy Pickering, then a rising young man, and
afterwards an officer in the Revolutionary army and
Secretary of State of the United States. He pub-
lished a series of able and elaborate articles upon the
importance of a reorganization of the militia, which
had great influence in arousing attention to the sub-
ject, and which suggested complete plans for increas-
ing the efficiency of that branch of the public service.
His father, Deacon Timothy Pickering, also fre-
quently communicated with Mr. Hall's readers,
usually to rebuke some growing evil in the commu-
nity or to encourage some good work.
Mr. Hall was eminently qualified for the task he
had undertaken. He possessed business talents, enter-
prise, ability, editorial tact and judgment, and withal
sympathized entirely with the state of the public
mind at that time with respect to the mother-coun-
try. He had commenced his paper at an important
season. The causes were then activelv at work
which soon eventuated in the Revolution. A spirit
of independence was growing up in the breasts of
the people, and the principles of civil and political
liberty were undergoing a thonuigh discussion. With
this condition of popular feeling Mr. H.all sympa-
thized warmly and earnestly.
Subscribers to his Gazette were obtained, not only
in this town, but also doubtless in most of the princi-
pal ])laces in the colony ; for a newspaper at that
period was a much more important thing than at the
present day, when such publications abound in all
directions. There were then but five papers in the
state, all of which were in Bo.ston, namely, the News
Letter, Evening Post, Gazette, Chronicle and Advertiser.
There was none at the eastward except in Ports-
mouth. No regular stages or other means of trans-
portation having been established, excepting a single
stage to Boston, Mr. Hall's eastern subscribers were
supplied by a post-rider, who left the office on publica-
tion mornings for the towns between here and New-
buryport, depositing the papers on the way. To ob-
tain the most recent news from Boston, he incurred
the ex])ense of a special messenger from that town,
(in the previous day, who brought the latest papers.
The news from New York was a week old, from Phila-
delphia a fortnight, and from London two months.
In 1772 Mr. Hall admitted his younger brother,
Ebenezer, into partnership with him. Their business
connection continued until the death of Ebenezer, in
Cambridge, February, 177(), aged twenty-seven.
The Exsex Gazette was published here nearly seven
years, a period which embraced the most imp< rtant
events that immediately preceded the Revolution.
All the great questions which agitated the colonies
during that time were discussed in its columns. The
odious taxes imposed by the King, the non-importation
agreements, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Port
Bill, the Tea troubles, the doings of the people in
their town-meetings and other primary assemblies, the
popular hatred of the officers of the crown, and other
similar topics were laid before Mr. Hall's readers in
the succession of their occurrence.
In October, 1770, an attempt was made to injure
the subscription of the paper on account of an al-
leged partialit}- in its ccdumns towards the nonimpor-
tation agreements. But the ett'ort was unsuccessful,
and seems to have resulted in the increase rather than
diminution of the list. The number of subscribers at
this time was about seven hundred.
As indicative of the spirit of the paper, we may
(juote an article which appeare<l March b, 1771. This
was the anniversary of the massacre in State Street,
Boston. The columns on this occasion were draped
in black. On the first page was a mourning tablet,
surrounded by heavy black lines, upon which was in-
scribed the following animated declaration:
"As A Solemn anii Peki'MUai, MKMOBIAI. :
"or tlio Tyranny of tlie Britisli Administration of Oovernmcnt In tha
vi'ar»1768, 1700,011(11770:
118
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
"Of the fatal and tlestructive Consequences uf {|uurteiing ArniieB, iu
Time of Peace, in lK>puloU8 cities :
"Of the riducnloua Policy, and infamous Absurdity, of supporting
Civil Government by a Military Force.
"Of the great Duty and Necessity of tiruily opposing Despotism at its
first Approaclies;
"Of the detestable Principles and arbitrary Conduct of those Minister)^
in Britain who advised, and uf their Tools in America who desired,
the Introduction of a St;inding Army in this Province in the Year
1768:
"Of the irrefragible Proof which those Ministers themselveB thereby
produced, that the Civil Government, as by them administered, was
weak, wicked and tyranical :
" Of the vile Ingratitude and abominable Wickedness of every American^
who abetted and encouraged, either in Thought, Word, or Deed, tlie
establishment of a Standing Army among his Countrymen :
"Of the unaccountable Coniiuct of those Civil Governors , tha innnediate
Representatives of his Majesty, who, while the Milifarn were tri
umphantly insulting the whole Lfgislative Authority of thii:
State, and while the blood of the nuissacred Inhabitants was {lowing
in the Stl-eets, persisted in repeatedly disclaiming all Authority of re-
lieving the People, bj any the least Removal of the Troops :
" And of the savage Cruelty of the IMMEDIATE PEEPETKATOKS,
" Be it forever Remvmhereil,
That this Day, THE FIFTH OF MARCH, is the Anniversary of
PRESTON'S MASSACRE— IN KING STREET- BOSTON— NEW ENG-
LAND—1770.
In which Five of his Majesty's Subjects were slain and six wounded.
By the Discharge of a Number of Muskets from a Party of Soldiers
under the Command of Capt. Tuomas Preston.
GOD Save the People 1
" Salem, March 5, 1771."
In May, 1775, soon after the Concord fight - a lull
account of which, as well as of Leslie's invasion, etc.,
had appeared in the Gazette — Mr. Hall transferred
the publication of his pajier from Salem to Cambridge,
for political purposes. The last number issued here
was dated May 2d, and the next number in Cam-
bridge May 12th. The office was in a building of
the college, Stoughton Hall. The title was then en-
larged to the Xew England Chronicle or Essex Ga-
zette. This movement was made " at the desire of
many respectable gentlemen of the Honorable Pro-
vincial Congress," with whom Mr. Hall was in high
favor. The paper was continued in Cambridge
until the evacuation of Boston by the British, when
it was removed thither, and at the same time the
title of Essex Gazette was dropped.
Before Messrs. Hall left Salem, their printing-
oiBce was burnt out by the great lire of October, 1774,
which destroyed a meeting-house, custom-house,
eight dwellings, fourteen stores and several barns and
out-buildings. The meeting-house destroyed was the
Rev. Dr. Whitaker"s, which was succeeded by the
Tabernacle, and stood on King Street just above
School Street, about where the Endicott building
now is. The custom-house was just above.
The printing-office was subsequently located
in a brick building on School Street, which was
afterward incorporated iu the brick block near the
corner of Norman Street.
2. The Salem Gazette axd Newbury and
Newbueyport Advertiser. — Before Mr. Hall left
town another newspaper was commenced, July 1,
1774, with the foregoing elaborate title. It was pub-
lished by E/.ekiel Russell, from Boston, an unsuccess-
ful printer, who had been an unsuccessful auctioneer
also. His antecedents were those of a Tory. In 1771
he had published in Boston a small paper called the
Censor, which was iu the interest of the loyal party,
and soon expired. _ He had also been known, in 1773,
as the printer of a hand-bill entitled " The Trades-
men's Protest against the proceedings of the Mer-
chants relative to the new Importation of Tea." This
handbill excited so much feeling among the patriotic
merchants and tradesmen that, at a large town-meet-
ing in Faneuil Hall, the printer and the authors of it
were pronounced as "detestable," and the protest it-
self as " false, scandalous and base." Mr. Russell's
office in Salem was " in Ruck Street, near the State
House," somewhere on Washington Street, near the
depot, we presume. The head of the paper an-
nounced that it was " A Weekly, Political, Commer-
cial and Entertaining Paper — Influenced neither by
Court or Country." But the Country decided that it
was influenced by the Court. The editor was sus-
pected of a bias in favor of the British, probably on
account of his previous course in Boston, and the
paper accordingly terminated in a few months an un-
popular career.
3. The American Gazette, or the Constitu-
tional Journal. — This was the title of another
paper by Mr. Russell, the author of the previous one;
and like that, it failed to command public confidence
and support. It was published during the Revolu-
tion, commencing June 19, 177(>, and closing in a few
weeks. It was nominally published by John Rogers,
at Mr. Russell's office; but as Rogers was merely
Russell's journeyman, and owned neither press nor
types, the latter was doubtless the true proprietor.
The printing-office at this time was near the upper
end of Main Street. The paper was published weekly,
on Tuesday, at eight shillings a year. The device at
the head of the paper, coarsely cut in wood, was that
of an open journal, supported by two figures— one that
of fame with her trumpet, and the other an Indian with
his bows and arrows. Beneath the volume was a ship
under sail.
Some time after the suspension of this paper Mr.
Russell removed to Danvers, and printed for a few
years near the Bell Tavern, and then returned to
Boston. There he continued the printing business,
in a small way, until his death, in 1796, at the age of
fifty-two.
Mr. Russell seems to have experienced through life
a constant succession of the reverses of fortune. Be-
sides the fruitless eflTorts we have mentioned, he had
been a publisher of the Portsmouth Mercury, in com-
pany with Thomas Furber, and that paper continued
but three years. It is said that Mr. Russell's wife
was the "better half" of his family, assisting as a
practical printer in his office, composing popular bal-
lads for publication, and assuming the business upon
his death.
4. The Salem Gazette and (!eneral Adver-
SALE.M.
11!)
TiSEE. — For nearly five years during the Revolution
there was no paper in .Salem. But in 1780 Mrs.
Mary Croucli, widow of a ])rinter in Charleston, S. C,
removed hither with her ]irc.-s and types, and De-
cemher 6, 1780, issued a prospectus, in the name of
Mary Crouch it Co., for the publication of the Salem
Gazette and General Advertiser. For this purpose
they announced "an elegant assortment of type and
printing materials," and stated their purpose to re-
late such matters as should refer '' to the safety and
welfare of the United States, to the liberties and in-
dependence of which the Salem dnzttle will be ever
sacredly devoted." The first number of the paper
was dated January 2, 1781. It was of the crown size,
issued weekly at fifty cents a quarter. The paper was
more miscellaneous than its jiredecessors had been.
It commenced the publication of stories, tales and
other entertaining articles.
Mrs. Crouch exhibited spirit and enterprise, but
was unable to succeed with the paper, which lasted
only nine months, closing October 11th of the same
year. She assigned as reasons for the stoppage, " the
want of sufficient assistance, and the impossibility of
wbtaining house-room for herself and family to reside
near her business." Her printing-office was at the
corner of Derby and Hardy Streets. Mrs. Crouch
afterwards removed to Providence, her native place.
5. The Salem Gazette. — In just a week after the
close of Mrs. Crouch's paper Samuel Hall aarain en-
tered upon a career as publisher in Salem. He had
returned from Boston, and jirobably bought Mrs.
Crouch's materials. He commenced a new paper en-
titled The Salem Gazette, the first number of which
was dated October 18, 1781. It was of the size and
general character of his previous paper. He contin-
ued the publication of this series of Gazettes for a
little more than four years, enlarging the sheet in the
third volume, and bringing it to a close in this town
November 22, 1785. At that time he removed the
paper to Boston.
In finally terminating his connection with Salem,
Mr. Hall stated that he did so only under the pres-
sure of stern necessity. His business had been ma-
terially injured by a ta.\ upon advertisements, which
had been imposed by the Legislature the previous
summer. This tax, in conjunction with the decline
of trade, had operated so disastrously as to deprive
him of nearly three-quarters of the income of his
paper from that source, and on this account he ac-
cepted the advice of friends, who recommended his
removal to Boston. The contracted circulation of
the paper, and the great expense attending its publi-
cation in Salem, he said, rendered a burdensome tax
upon his advertising columns insupportable. The
expense of procuring intelligence from Boston alone,
by special messenger, was so great that to defray it
he would gladly have given more than half the profits
of all the newspapers circulated in this town.
The tax on advertisements, of which ^Ir. Hall
complained so bitterly, was voted by the Lcgislaturo
July 2, 178"), and had elicite<l an outcry of indigna-
tion from nearly all the papers in the State. It was
imposed to aid in licpiidating the war debt incurred
during the Revolution. It required the payment of
six pence on each advertisement of twelve lines or
less, and one shilling on those of twenty or leas, and
so on in proportion. This act was denounced in
severe terms as an infringement of the liberty of the
press, as the " Bostouian Stamp Act," etc. When
the law went into operation. Mr. Hall spoke of it in
the Gazette an follows:
" No printer can iiuw aiivertise, even in h\» owit paper, any buotvti or
pieufs of jneti/ or devotion, not excepting tlie IIoi.v Itim.K, witliout pay-
ing a lieavy tax for it. How this acconln witti Itis Fxcellency's lata
' Proctaniation for tlie encouragement of /'it///, Virfiit; Educatlun anti
Miiiiiters,* let tile franiei-a of the act determine. Were it not for ttie tax
upon advertisinj; good books, tlie Printer liereof wontd inform the Pnl)-
lic ttiat tie lias just puMistied ' Extracts from Dr. Priestly's Catechism,'
wliieh tie setts at five coppers single, and two shillings the dozen."
In leaving, Mr. Hall said he should always retain
the most grateful recollection of favors received in
this place, and should " always endeavor to promote
the interests and reputation of the town of Salem."
The removal to Boston was executed with charac-
teristic promptness, so that not a single issue of the
paper was omitted, the next number, under the new
name of Tlie Massachusetts Gazette, appearing as a
continuation on the regular day, November 28th.
Mr. Hail made arrangements to supply his Salem
subscribers as usual, by a carrier. Ho subsetinently
sold the Gazette to other parties. He afterwards
printed a paper for a short time in the French lan-
guage, entitled Courier de Boston, — the first paper in
that language in New England. In 1789 he opened
a book-store in Cornhill, which he sold in 18U5 to
Lincoln & Edmaiids, of which firm Could & Lincoln
were the modern successors.
l\Ir. Hall, as we have stated was born in Medfbrd
November 2, 1740, of Jonathan Hall and Anna
Fowle. He died October 30, 1807, aged sixty-seven
years. He was an industrious, accurate and enter-
prising printer, a judicious editor and excellent man.
His life was one of active usefulness and of remark-
able success. Besides his newpaper publications, he
was the printer and publisher of many works of var-
ious degrees of importance, some of them of consid-
erable value. The list of his publications during his
residence in Salem, and subsetpicntly in Boston,
would reflect great credit on him as a man of business
enterprise. In his papers he advocated liberal opin-
ions with firmness and discretion, and always com-
manded the confidence and respect of the best men
in the community. " The country," says Mr. Buck-
ingham, "had no firmer friend, in the gloomiest per-
iod of its history, as well as in tlie days of its young
and increasing prosperity, than Samuel Hall."
r>. The Salem Chronicle and Essex .AnvEU-
■PlsEli— The short interim succeeding Mr. Hall's sec-
ond serie-i was followed, :\I:ircli :'.(), 178(;, by the
120
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
commencement of a weekly paper with the foregoing
title, by George Roulstoue. It continued less than a
year, and possessed no special interest. It was
jirinted on Paved Street, on a crown sheet, at nine
shillings.
7. The Sai.em Gazette. — The present Salem Ga-
zette was commenced October 14, 1786, when John
Dabney and Thomas C. Gushing issued the first num-
ber of The Salem Mercury, which in 1790 (January
•5th) assumed the name of The Salem Gazette, and has
•so continued ever since. Mr. Gushing was a native
of Hingham. He had served his apprenticeship with
Mr. Hall, and had afterwards, in 1785, been con-
nected with John W. Allen in the publication of the
American Recorder and Charlesiown Advertiser, in
Charlestowii. He was twenty -two years of age when
he came to Salem, and, from his intercourse with so
excellent a master as Mr. Hall, had doubtless been
strengthened in the liberal principles and correct
Jbabits which he brought to his new undertaking.
The Mercury was printed weekly, on Tuesday, on a
■demy sheet, four columns to a page, and chiefly in
long primer type. The price was nine shillings a
year. The contents of the paper gave evidence of
care in the selection, and the original communica-
tions were from competent writers. Party lines had
not been drawn at that early period, and the political
<:haracter of the paper was simply that of an ardent
advocate of the new Federal Gonstitution, the adop-
tion of which, in our own State, and in other States
successively, was recorded in terms of exultation.
Mr. Dabney withdrew from the paper at the close
of the third volume, October 6, 1789, and opened a
book-store, leaving Mr. Gushing sole proprietor of
the business. He continued thus until October 14,
1794, a period of five years, and then transferred the
publication to William Garlton, his partner in the
Bible and Heart Book-store. This book-store was a
noted place of resort for the leading gentlemen of
the town, such as Dr. Bowditch, Dr. Holyoke and
Dr. Prince, for many years. The store was subse-
quently carried on successfully by John M. Ives,
John P. Jewett and D. B. Brooks, and it is now Mr.
Young's music-store. There were formerly wooden
figures of a Bible and a heart suspended over the
door, which, during the War of 1812, in a time of
great political excitement, were torn down in the
night by some mischievous persons, and thrown into
the harbor. It was upon the occasion of a li.st of
privateers in our harbor being published in the Ga-
zette by the foreman of the office.
The excited and virulent jjolitical feeling at various
times between 1802 and 181.0, embracing the events
connected with the last war with (;reat Britain, was
fully exhibited in the columns of the Gazette. Al-
though Mr. Gushing was himself of a mild and
peaceable disposition, he allowed a pretty free use of
his columns by writers who did not emulate his own
virtues. The llepublican ]>arty was assailed in vio-
lent and olten extremely personal language. Sar-
casm, ridicule and severe deinuiciation were freely
employed. Nor was the Register at all backward in
returning the assault in a similar tone and spirit.
This mode of warfare led, on several occasions, to
serious personal difficulties.
In the fall of 1802 a violent contest arose between
the Federal and Republican parties, concerning the
election of a member of Congress from this district.
The result was favorable to the Republicans. When
it was over, in November, the editors of the Register
and Gazette were called upon to answer for the tone
of their papers, the former by a libel suit and the
latter by threats of personal violence. Mr. Gushing
was visited at his house by Captains Richard and
Benjamin Growninshield and Mr. Joseph Story, and
taken into a private room, where he was charged
with malicious publications, of a purely personal and
offensive character, against the complainants and
their friends, designed to injure them in the estima-
tion of the community. After detailing their griev-
ances at some length, Captain Benjamin Grownin-
shield threatened to shoot Mr. Gushing if he contin-
ued to publish such things as they had complained
of. Mr. Gushing replied that it had been his en-
deavor to keep his paper free from undue personali-
ties, though he considered public characters and
public conduct as proper subjects of animadversion;
and as for the future he should give no pledges, but
should be governed by his regard for decency, and
endeavor to give no just cause of offense. The con-
versation became so loud and boisterous that it
alarmed the females of Mr. Cushing's family, who
called a number of persons into an adjoining apart-
ment, as listeners ; and thus the whole affair became
a matter of public notoriety. The excitement which
ensued was so great that Mr. Gushing was obliged to
publish a full account of the interview.
Party politics continued to rage for several years
afterwards with a degree of violence which has not
been exhibited since.
One of the most amusing circumstances connected
with this period was that of the Pictorial Gerry-
mander. The Democratic Legislature of 1811-12
had carved and cut up the towns of Essex County in
such a manner as to favor the election of a Demo-
cratic member of Congress from Essex South. The
district thus formed was very strange in its outlines,
running from Salem all around the line of back
towns, Lynn, Andover, Haverhill, etc., and ending at
Salisbury. This curious arrangement struck the eye
of Gilbert Stuart, the celebrated painter, as present-
ing the outlines of a natural monster, and he accord-
ingly took his pencil, and by affixing claws to the
lower extremities at Salem and Marblehead, wings to
the back at Andover, and a ' horrid beak' at Salis-
bury, produced the figure of a creature which he said
would do for a Salamander. But Major Benjamin
Russell suggested that it might more properly be
SALEM.
121
called a "Gerrymander," in allusion to Elbridge
Gerry, the Democratic Governor of the State. It
ever after received this title. An engraving of the
monster was inserted in the Gazelle and other papers,
and ])rinted upon handbills, as an electioneering
document. In 1813, when the Democrats were de-
feated, the Federalists were in high glee over the
" Gerrymander," which had been so useful to them,
and on the morning after the election in April, a fig-
ure of the skeleton of the deceased monster appeared
in the Gazette, with the appropriate epitaph,
•• Hatched 181:2— killed 1813." This device was exe-
cuted by Mr. Appleton, the jocose partner of Mr.
Gushing in his book-store, who cast a block of type-
metal and engraved the figure during the night pre-
vious to its publication. There was subsequently
published a picture of the nondescript in its coffin,
and a fac-simile of the grave-stone, together with
an amusing programme of mock ceremonials at its
funeral.
Mr. Gushing relinquished the publication of the
Gazette Dec. 31, 1822, on account of infirm health,
and, in retiring from a post he had so long occupied,
bade adieu to his friends in a graceful note. He died
Sept. 28, 1824, aged sixty. As an editor and pub-
lisher, as well as a member of the firm of Gushing &
Appleton, he had secured a host of friends, who re-
membered him as " the amiable and gifted Gushing."
His qualities of mind and heart were such as com-
manded the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
He was steadfast and conscientious in his political
opinions, a j^erson of thorough integrity in his busi-
ness aftairs, gentle and pleasing in his manners. He
is described as having had strong powers of mind,
warmth of fancy, various and extensive knowledge,
and a familiar acquaintance with the best of English
literature, which gave attraction and fascination to
his conversation.
Among the writers for the GVirW/e during Mr. Gush-
ing's connection with it was the late Benjamin Mer-
rill, who was a constant and voluminous contributor
to its columns, and whose writings contributed largely
to its success and influence upon tlie public mind.
The next publishers of the [laper were Caleb Gush-
ing, a son of Thomas G., and Ferdinand Andrews, who
commenced at the beginning of 1823. Mr. Gushing
withdrew at the end of sis months, and Mr. Andrews
contitnied sole publisher until April 1, 1825, when he
sold half of the establishment to Galeb Foote. Mr.
Foote had served his ajqjrenticeship with Mr. T. C.
Gushing, who had himself been an apprentice of Mr.
Hall, and thus was established a personal connection
between the original Essex Gazette and the Salem Ga-
zette of to-day. In 1826, Oct. 1st, the other half of the
Gazelle was purchased by William Brown, of Mr.
Andrews, who removed to Lancaster and established
a paper in that town. He afterwards returned to
Salem to publish the Landmark, and was subsequently
a proprietor of the Boston Daily Eoeiti/if/ Trarellfi:
In 1.833, Jan. 1st, Mr. Foote became sole proprietor
of the Gazette. He was assisted for some time by
John B. Ghisholm, and afterwards for many years by
Major William Brown. In 1851, Jan. 1st, Nathaniel A.
Horton became associated with Mr. Foote as publisher
and editor, and so remains at the present time. From
Jan. 1, 1847, until Oct. 3, 1851, the Gazette was issued
tri-weekly, on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. At
the latter date the Saturday edition was discontinued
in favor of an enlarged semi-weekly. Since the mod-
ern division of parties the Gazette has been a zealous
and efficient advocate of the views of the Republican
party, in entire harmony with its old antagonist, the
Megistei:
The printing-office previous to 1792 was somewhere
near its present location, and for two years subsequent
to that time in Stearns' Building. It was afterwards
removed to the present neighborhood ; then to No. 8
Paved Street. From 1825 to 1827 it occupied the
rooms now improved by the Register office. It was
thence removed to Golumbian Hall, in Stearns' Build-
ing, and in 1831 to quarters in the Holyoke Building,
where it remained until January, 1874, when it occu-
pied its present commodious quarters in Hale's Build-
ing.
8. The Salem Register. — This paper was com-
menced during the first year of the present century,
May 12, 1800, when the first number was issued with
the title of 77ie Impartial Register. It was jjublished
on Monday and Thursday, by William Garlton, who
had withdrawn from the Gazette and dissolved his
partnership in the book business witli Thomas G.
Gushing several years before, as we have already
stated. The Register started in opposition to the
Federal jjarty, and, during the violent political strug-
gles which ensued, was an able supporter of the Re-
publican cause. It selected for its motto the following
lines:
'■ \\\ parties here may plead an honest, favorite cause.
Whoever reasons l>est on Nature's, Wisdom's Laws,
Proclaims eternal Truth — gains Heaven's and Men's applause."
Dr. Bentley aided Mr. Carlton in his new publica-
tion, as he had previously done in the Gazette, and
his famous summaries and variety of miscellaneous
and local articles soon gave the paper a decided char-
acter. In a few months, Aug. 7th, the title was enlarged
to Tlie Salem Impartial Register. This was continued
until Jan. 4, 1802, when the word "Impartial" was
dropjied, leaving The Salem Register. At the same
time the original motto gave place to the well-known
verse which is still printed in the pa])cr, and which
was written impromptu by the late Judge Story, who
is said to have scribbled it in pencil on the side of a
printer's case.
" Here shall the Press the People's ItiKhts maintain,
I'nawed by Influence, and unhrihed by Cain ;
Here Patriot Truth her glorious precepts draw.
Pledged to Religion, Liberty and Law."
During the autumn of this year (1802) the editor,
122
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Mr. Carlton, was convicted of a libel on Timothy
Pickering, and suffered imprisonment tlierefor. This
occurred just after the election of a member of Con-
gress for this district, when Jacob Crowninshield, the
Democratic candidate, waschosen over Mr. Pickering,
who was the Federal candidate. The Register had as-
serted that " Robert Listen, the British Ambassador,
distributed five hundred thousand dollars amongst the
partizans of the English nation in America," and in-
timated that Mr. Pickering might have partaken of
" these secret largesses,'' " some little token, some
small gratuity, for all his zealous eiForts against lib-
erty and her sons, for all his attachment to the inter-
ests of England," at the same time indulging in con-
temptuous flings toward the distinguished ex-Secre-
tary of State. To answer for this article Mr. Carlton
was indicted by the grand jury, and tried before the
Supreme Court, at Ipswich, in April, 1803. He was
convicted, and sentenced to pay a fine of one hundred
dollars and the costs of prosecution ; to be imprisoned
in the county jail two months, and to give bonds, with
two sureties in four hundred dollars each, to keep the
peace for two years. This unfortunate aft'air is simply
illustrative of the acerbity of jjarty feeling at that
time.
In a little more than two years after this imprison-
ment Mr. Carlton died, July 24, 180.5, aged thirty-
four years. He had suffered from fever during his im-
prisonment as stated by Dr. Bentley, and continued
feeble until the day before his decease, when he was
suddenly seized by violent fever and derangement,
which terminated his life in twenty-four hours. Mr.
Carlton was a native of Salem, and descended from
two of the ancient families of the country. His con-
stant friend said of him : " He always possessed
great cheerfulness of temper and great benevolence of
mind. He was distinguished by his perseverance, in-
tegrity and uprightness. To his generous zeal the
public were indebted for the early information which
the Ee<jisler gave of the most interesting occurrence.".
To a tender mother he was faithful, and to his family
affectionate. The friends of his youth enjoyed the
warmth of bis gratitude. His professions and friend-
ships were sincere. He was an able editor and an
honest man."
Previous to the death of Mr. Carlton the printing-
oflice was removed (January 3, 1803) from its origi-
nal location in the house on Essex Street, next below
the Franklin building, to a room over the post-office,
where Bowker's building now stands. At the same
time a new head-piece was mounted, a figure of Lib-
erty, with the motto, " Where liberty is, there is my
country."
After the death of Mr. Carlton the Register was
published for his widow, Elizabeth, until the 26th of
August ensuing, when she died also. It was then
continued " for the proprietors," — Dr. Bentley and
Warwick Palfray, Jr., contributing to its columns for
nearly two years. In August, 1806, an advertisement
appeared, stating that '" The Salem Register having
been supported iu its editorial department by the
voluntary assistance of its friends since the decease
of the late editor, Mr. Carlton, the proprietors are
desirous of obtaining an editor to conduct the same
in future." No new arrangement was commenced,
however, until July 23, 1807, when a " new series,"
entitled The Eise.v Register, was commenced by
Haven Pool and Warwick Palfray, Jr., assisted by S.
Cleveland Blydou. At this time the famous motto-
verse was dropped, and the following sentence adopt-
ed as a substitute: "Let the greatest good of the
greatest number be the pole-star of your public and
private deliberations." [Ramsay.] Mr. Blydon's
name remained in the paper only about six months,
when, January 6, 1808, it was withdrawn. The pub-
lication days were then changed tp Wednesday and
Saturday, " for various reasons, some of a public and
some of a private nature." The favorite motto was
again resumed.
On June 28, 1811, Mr. Pool, the eldest proprietor,
although only twenty-nine, suddenly died, after a
short illness, leaving Mr. Palfray the sole editor and
publisher for the next twenty-three years. Mr. Pool
was described in an obituary notice as " an affection-
ate husband, kind pareat and dutiful son. He was of
a cheerful disposition, constant and ardent in his
friendships and excessively fond in his domestic at-
tachments." He is remembered as a genial and gay
companion.
The printing-office was located successively in the
three buildings next below the Franklin Place until
April 28, 1828, when it was transferred to Stearns'
Building, and on October .5, 1832, it was finally re-
moved to Central Building, where it now remains.
On February 1, 1823, the old publication days,
Monday and Thursday, were resumed. On January
1, 183.5, John Chapman, who had entered the office as
an apprentice in 1807, was admitted as partner in the
business, and continued until his death.
The death of Mr. Palfray, who had been identified
with the Register as Mr. Cushing had been with the
Gazette, occurred August 23, 1838, at the age of fifty-
one years. He was a native of Salem,, a descendant
of Peter Palfray, one of the first settlers of this place
— having arrived here several years before Governor
Endicott. Mr. Palfray served his time as a printer
with Mr. Carlton, whose oflice he entered in 1801. He
assumed a share in the charge of the Register while
yet a minor, and his tact and good judgment, thence-
forth exerted, largely increased the circulation of the
paper, and gave it popularity and influence. He was
the sole conductor during the times of the embargo
and the war with England, when political feeling ran
very high, and was much embittered by personal hos-
tilities. "Yet, notwithstanding all the excitements
of those periods," said his eulogist, the late Joseph E.
Sprague, " Mr. Palfray gave as little just cause of of-
fense as any man living could. Possessed of most
SALEM.
12a
generous and honorable feelings, he never willingly
gave just cause of offense to a political opponent.
Personal allusions were always painful to him — and
at those periods of deadly feud, when he was placed
at the editorial desk, it was his greatest pleasure to
take from the papers handed him for publication the
poisoned arrows; and when he could not consistently
with political duty, wh(dly remove personal allusions,
to soften them to the utmost limit.*' ..." With
but slight advantages of education, there were but few
who were more u.?eful to society. His heart was the
abode of pure thoughts — his life the exemplar of good
principles. The tongue of calumny, in the times of
bitterest political animosities, never breathed a sylla-
ble against the spotless purity of his life and char-
acter."
Though Mr. Palfray never sought office, he held
several public trusts. He was a member of the city
government at the time of his death, and vice-presi-
dent of the Mechanic Association. He had served
with usefulness in both branches of the Legislature.
After the death of Mr. Palfray, the paper was con-
tinued by the surviving partner, Mr. Chapman, — the
family of the former retaining an interest in the pub-
lication. Mr. Chapman, by the soundness of his
judgment and the integrity of his principles, contrib-
uted largely to the continued success of the Register,
although he was not a regular contributor to its col-
umns. The paper was an able exponent of the pur-
poses of the Whig party during the entire period of
its existence, and Mr. Chapman was made a member
of the Governor's Council in recognition of the value
of his services to his party. And afterwards, when
the Republican party triumphed in the election of
Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency of the United
States, Mr. Chapman was appointed postmaster of
Salem. On January 1, 1830, Charles W. Palfray, a
son of the former proprietor, and a graduate of Har-
vard University, assumed the place vacated by his
father. In 1S41, January 1st, the earlier name of 1/te
Salem Rerjister was again adopted. Eben N. Walton
became associate publisher and editor, January 1,
1873, and since the death of Mr. Chapman, April
19, 1873, the paper has been published by Palfray ct
Walton.
The Register during the more than half-century of
its existence hiis received the contributions of able
pens. Dr. Bentley and the late Sheriff Sprague were
voluminous and influential writers in its columns for
a great many years. Judge Story, during his residence
in Salem, was a frequent contributor. So was Andrew
Dunlap for many years previous to 182-'). The " Sum-
maries " of Dr. Bentley have become famous. These
concise and curious medleys were furnished regularly
for a quarter of a century. They often extended to a
column and a half of close matter, and sometimes to
several columns. They were continued until the very
close of his life, the last " Summary " appearing in the
Register pul)lished on the very day of his death, the
last da/ of the year 1811). These contributions from
Dr. Bentley's industrious pen were thus constantly
furnished without ever a dollar being received by him
as compensation. He labored without the expecta-
tion or desire of reward.
9. The Weekly Visitant. — In 180(j, during the
rage of party politics, a periodical was commenced by
Haven Pool, of a purely literary character, though
not of great pretensions. It was an octavo, entitled
The Weekly Visitant, published on Saturday evening
"directly west of the Tower of Dr. Prince's Church."
Price two dollars per year. It seems to have been
designed to afl'ord its patrons more agreeable reading
than was furnished in the political papers, an idea
which was expressed in the couplet adopted as a
motto :
"Ours are the plans of fair, deligbtful peace,
Uiiwarped by parly rage, to live like brothere."
10. The Friend. — The Visitant had a successor
the next year in The Friend, started by Mr. Pool, in
connection with Stephen C. Blyth, as editor, January
3, 1807. It was published weekly, on Saturday even-
ing, of the common new.spaper form, at two dollars
per year. It was announced as a " new and neutral
paper," and was therefore spoken of as "a scheme novel
in its design ; " nevertheless it was hoped that by
avoiding insipidity it might be made interesting.
Like its predecessor, this paper indicated a desire for
peace in the community by selecting a peaceful motto
from Ecclesiasticus : " Sweet language will multiply
friends ; and a fiiir speaking tongue will increase
kind greetings." The Friend lasted about six months,
until July 18th, and was then merged in the Register,
with which the publisher and editor also formed a
connection. Mr. Blyth had changed his name to
Blydon, during the year, by consent of the General
Court. He was a native of Salem, and taught school
here. He afterwards removed to Canada, and is be-
lieved to have died there.
11. 12, 13. HuMOROfs PrBi.icATioNs. — In 1807
and 1808 Mr. John S. Applet«ii, of the firm of Gush-
ing & Appleton, who was known as a ready wit, got
out two or three small humorous publications, which
had a temporary run as periodicals. One of these
was "The Fool. By Thomas Brainless, Esq., LL.D.,
Jester to his Majesty, the Public. A new and useless
paper, of no particular form or size, issued at irregu-
lar intervals; and the price to be left at the generosity
of the public." This was issued in 1807. Then there
was "the Barber's Shop, kept by Sir David Razor,''
published by Gushing & A]ipleton in 1808 and print-
ed by Joshua Gushing, a brother of Thomas C. Gush-
ing. Another of these ephemeral sheets, the Punches
of those days, was Salmagundi, from the same
source. In all of these the Republican party was the
object of ridicule and satire.
14. The (Jo.si'EL Visitant. — This was the title of
a quarterly octavo magazine, commenced in Salem in
1811. to espouse the doctrine of Univeralism. It is
124
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
interesting from the circumstance tliat it was the first
regular periodical issued by that denomination in this
country. There had been previously an occasional
publication in Boston entitled The Berean, — contain-
ing the proceedings of an association, — eight numbers
of which were printed at irregular intervals, without
regard to time ; but the Visitant was the first regular
periodical. It was started at the suggestion of a Con-
ference of Universal Ministers, assembled at Glouces-
ter in January of that year. The conductors were
Thomas Jones, of Gloucester, Hosea Ballon, of Ports-
mouth, Abner Kneeland, of Charlestown, and Edward
Turner, of Salem, all prominent clergymen of that
communion, settled over societies in the places
named. The contents of the magazine were chiefly
sermons, essays and briefer articles upon religious
and doctrinal points. The price was twenty-five
cents a number. The numbers for June and Septem-
ber were printed at the Register office ; that for De-
cember, by Ward & Coburn, on North Street; and
that for March, 181:2, was published in Charlestown.
The second volume did not appear until 1817, when it
was printed by Warwick Palfray, Jr. It was now edit-
ed by Hosea Ballon and Edward Turner. At the com-
mencement of Vol. 3, April, 1818, the publication
was removed to Haverhill and assumed by P. N. Green.
1.5. The Salem Ohseever. — The first number of
The Observer was i)ublished January 2, 1823, by Wil-
liam and Stephen B. Ives — the former an apprentice
of Mr. Gushing, of the Gazette. It was of the royal
size, and issued weekly on Monday evening, from the
Washington Hall building. No. 2 Court Street. Price,
two dollars. The paper was designed to be a literary
and miscellaneous sheet, eschewing party politics, — a
character which it has maintained until the present
time. It was edited by Benj. Lynde Oliver, E.sq., dur-
ing the first year. After the fifth number the time
of publication was changed to Saturday evening,
which arrangement continued for twenty-two num-
bers, and then Saturday morning became the time of
publication, and so continues now. At the commence-
ment of Vol. 2, 1824, the title was changed to Salem
Observer, and at the same time Joseph 6. Waters,
Esq., became editor, as successor to Mr. Oliver. At
the conclusion of the year Mr. Waters withdrew from
the responsibility of the paper, but continued to be a
contributor for several years afterwards. In 1825,
January 15th, the name was enlarged to Salem Litera-
ry and Commercial Observer, and this was borne until
January 3, 1829, when the title Salem Observer was
resumed.
The printing-office was removed, November 25,
1826, from its original location to "Messrs. P. & A.
Chase's new brick building in Washington Street."
There it remained until 1832, February 4th, when it
was again removed to quarters in Stearns' Building
which it occupied for fifty years. In 1882 the pro-
prietors erected the Observer Building, of three
stories, of brick, in Kinsman Place, next to the City
Hall, and these commodious quarters they still oc-
cupy. In 1837, January 7th, Mr. George W. Pease, who
had served his apprenticeship in the office, was admit-
ted to the partnership, and in 1839, January 5th, Mr.
Stephen B. Ives withdrew, leaving the firm of Ives &
Pease.
The Observer has from the beginning "pursued the
even tenor of its way" as a well-established family
newspaper, experiencing fewer changes of fortune
than some papers we have mentioned, and therefore
affording fewer incidents "to make a note of." Es-
tablished in a time of intense political excitement as
a non-partisan paper, it was the first to succeed upon
that basis.
At the termination of Mr. Waters' editorship, Sol-
omon S. Whipple became a regular contributor to its
columns, and afterwards Wilson Flagg, Kev. E. M.
Stone, Edwin Jocelyn and Stephen B. Ives, Jr. Gil-
bert L. Streeter became associated with the Observer
on January 1, 1847, and, with the exception of a biief
period of two years, has been a regular contributor
ever since.
16. Salem Courier.— In 1828, September 17th,
Charles Amburger Andrews began a weekly paper,
the Salem Courier, which was published on Wednes-
day, at three dollars, from an office in the East India
Marine Hall building. It proclaimed itself " strictly
independent," a supporter of Adams' administration,
an opponent of the tariff, etc. It became, however,
a theological rather than a political paper, and was a
zealous antagonist of the doctrines of Calvinism. Its
editor was a pleasant and humorous writer, and had
able correspondents. But the paper was continued
for only one year. Mr Andrews was a member of the
bar, and served as a representative of the city in the
Legislature. He died June 17, 1843.
17. The Hive. — This was a small weekly publica-
tion for children, commenced on Saturday, Septem-
ber 21, 1828, by W. and S. B. Ives. The picture of
a bee-hive ornamented its first page, and its contents
were mostly selected.
After the fifth number it was issued on Wednes-
day. It continued for two years. The first volume
was 16mo and the second an 8vo. It was one of the
earliest of papers intended exclusively for children,
which are now so numerous and excellent.
18. Ladies' Miscellany. — A small weekly folio,
with this title, was commenced January 6, 1829, a
specimen number having been issued on the 7th of
November preceding. It was printed at the Register
office by John Chapman, on Tuesday, at one dollar
per year. It was designed " to furnish a supply of
amusing, instructive and unexceptionable reading to
the Ladies of Salem and vicinity." At the close of
the volume the issue was suspended for want of sup-
port, but April 7, 1830, a second volume was com-
menced, on Wednesday, in consideration of a " consid-
erable accession to the list of subscribers." At the
close of this volume the publication ceased.
SALEM.
125
19. Essex County Mercury. — The publication
of a diminutive weekly paper by the proprietors of
the Gazette was conimeuced in 1831, June 8th, under
the name of Saleni Mercury. It has since been much
enlarged, and is now entitled Essex County Mercury,
Danvers, Beverly and Marhlehead Courier. It is made
U]) mainly from the columns of the (iazctte.
20. Salem Advertlser. — The first organ of the
modern Democratic party in Salem was The Commer-
cial Advertiser, commenced April 4, 1832, by Edward
Palfray and James R. Cook. It was started as a
semi-weekly, on Wednesday and Saturday. The
office was in Central building, over the Savings
Bank. It was an earnest advocate of the election of
General Jackson to the Presidency, and throughout
its existence of seventeen years continued to uphold
the views of the Democratic party. After the first
year the additional title of Essex County Journal was
adopted, and it was published as a weekly, on
Wednesday, until July S, 1837, when Palfray & Cook
sold out tf) Charles ^V. Woodbury, who issued it as a
semi-weekly again, under the name of The Sidem Ad-
vertiser. Thus it was continued until February,
1849, when it was a weekly once more uiitil its final
close, August 1, 1849. From October 1(5, 1841, until
September 11, 1844, the title wna Salem Advertiser and
Argus, after which the word "Argus " was omitted.
So many persona were connected with the Adver-
tiser at various times, as editors and publishers, that
we must mention them briefly. During tlie pro-
prietorsliip of Mr. Woodbury, Wm. B. Pike served as
editor forabout six weeks from October 17, 1838. Henry
Blaney serveil two terms as proprietor, first, from March
11, 184(*, until October Iti. 1841, and again from June
21, 1843, until September 11, 1844. Benjamin Kings-
bury, Jr., was editor during the political campaign of
1840. Edward Palfray took a second turn of two
years between Mr. Blaney's two periods. H. C.
Hobart and F. C. Crowninshield were the editors
during the campaign of 1844. Mr. Hobart after-
wards went to Wisconsin, and became Speaker of the
Assembly. Mr. Crowninshield enlisted for the Mexi-
can War, and was a lieutenant of a comjiany. Messrs.
Varney, Parsons & Co. were the next publishers,
from November 20, 1844, to December 31, 1845, and
were succeeded by Messrs. Perley & Parsons, Mr.
Varney having gone to the war as a corporal. The
final publisher was Mr. Eben N. Walton, who began
February 15, 1847, and continued to the end. Mr.
Woodbury, an earlier editor, and once postmaster
here, was the third one who went to the war. He was
drowned on his way back. Before he came to Salem
he published the Gloucester Democrat. Edward Pal-
fray, the projector of the paper, and the person who
was longest editor of it, died at the Worcester Hos-
pital in 184G, April 14th, aged forty-one. He was a
spirited and forcible writer, a zealous Democrat and
a kind-hearted man.
21. Saturday Evening Biilletix. — This was
the title of a small neutral paper, published weekly
by Palfray &, Cook, at the Advertiser office. Price, one
dollar. It continued for one year, from May 18,
1833, when it was relinquished in favor of a political
journal. It was edited by Nicholas Devereux.
22. The Constitutionalist. — This was the po-
litical journal which followed the Bulletin. Its pub-
lishers were the same. It was a small weekly. It
sustained Marcus Morton for Governor and Joseph
S. Cabot for Congress. The duration of tliis paper
was from June 28, 1834, until the close of the year —
a little more than six months.
23. The Landmark. — Iq 1834, August 20th, a semi-
weekly paper, entitled The Landmarh, of goodly size
and elegant tyi)ography, sent out its first number from
a new printing-office, corner of Essex and Liberty
Streets. It was printed on Wednesday and Satur-
day by Ferdinand Andrews, formerly of the Gazette,
and subscfinently j)ublisher of the Boston Traveller,
and was edited by Rev. Dudley Phelps.
'X\\6 Landmark \\'a% started in the i)eriod of "the
Unitarian controversy," and was intended to coun-
teract the influence of Unitarianism, which was prev-
alent in Salem at that time. It was also intended to
give utterance to anti-slavery and temperance senti-
ments, both of which topics were beginning to at-
tract sericms attention. On .Tanuary 31, 1835, a com-
munication was published in the Landmark upon the
subject of temperance, which caused more excitement
in the community than any other publication either
before or since. It was the famous article by Rev.
George B. Cheever, then the young pastor of the
Branch Church in Howard Street, entitled "Enquire
at Amos Giles' Distillery." It set forth in lurid
colors the evils attending the manufacture, sale and
use of intoxicating liquors, and depicted, with great
severity of language, the responsibility of those en-
gaged in the liquor business. It was understood to
have personal reference to a prominent and reputable
citizen of Salem, a deacon of the First Church, nho
was a distiller, and was alleged to contain liliehius
matter. The editor of the Landmark apologized in
the next number for the api)earance of the obnox-
ious article, but this did not allay the public excite-
ment ; and a fortnight afterwards Mr. Cheever was
publicly whipped in Essex Street, just above Sewell
Street, by Ellas Ham, the forenum of the distillery,
who used a cowhide for the purpose ; and in the even-
ing of the same day an attack was made upon
the Landmark office, with the apparent design of
wrecking it, but it was defended from the inside, and
the assault failed. Mr. Ham was fined fifty dollars
for the whipping. Jlr. Cheever was tried for libel,
and, although defended by Rnfus Choate, was con-
victed, and sentcnce<l to a fine of one tliousand dol-
lars and imprisonment in Salem jail for one month.
He was escorted to jail by his friends, an<l was fur-
nishe<l with every convenience and luxury. The
parties to these events subsequently and consequently
126
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
left town. Mr. Ham became an active friend of tem-
perance in after-years. Mr. Phelps retired from the
Landmark, and Mr. Cheever left the Branch Church
and entered upon a distinguished career in New
York City. The Landmark was not sustained in its
advanced position, and its publication ceased Novem-
ber 2, 1830, in a little more than two years from the
outset.
24. The LifiHTHOUSE. — During the time of the
I_jandmark a small weekly paper, entitled Tlie Light-
house, was printed at the Gazette office, and " edited
by an Association of Gentlemen," the design of which
was " to represent the sentiments and espouse the in-
terests of liberal Christianity." It was recognized as
an antagonist of the Landmark, and was continued
from June 11th until October 31st of the year 1835.
The first nine numbers were issued on Monday ; the
remainder on Saturday.
25. Essex County Democrat. — This was the ti-
tle of a paper removed hither from Gloucester in the
fall of 1838, to sustain Joseph S. Cabot, and the in-
terests of the Cabot section of the Democratic party,
in distinction from those of the Rantoul section. It
was edited and published by Joseph Dunham Friend.
The first number was issued November 2d of that
year. After continuing for a time as a semi-weekly,
on Tuesday and Friday, it became a weekly. It ex-
pired in about three months.
26. The Harrisonian. — During the exciting po-
litical contest of 1840 a small campaign paper, en-
titled The Harrkoitian, containing speeches and
documents, was published by the editor of the Ga-
zette. It was commenced on Saturday, February 22d,
and continued weekly until the election, lending its
aid to the Whig nominees.
27. The Whk;. — This also was a campaign paper,
a few numbers of which were published in 1840 at the
Register office, to promote the election of General
Harrison to the Presidency. Such campaign sheets
as the ^Yhig and Harrisonian were numerous during
the memorable contest of that year, and exerted a
large influence in favor of the election of Harrison
and Tyler. They were published at very low rates,
and freely purchased by political clubs for gratuitous
distribution.
28. Genius of Christianity. — This was the title
of a small semi-monthly sheet, printed at the Observer
office, for the Rev. A. G. Comings, for two years from
January 1, 1841. It was a religious paper, as its ti-
tle indicates. Mr. Comings was a pre.aeher of the
Campbellite faith, and had a society in a room on
Washington Street, opposite the court-house.
29. The Christian Teacher. — This was substan-
tially the same puljlication as the Genius of Christi-
anity, containing, as it did, the same matter as that
sheet, thrown into a quarto form, once a month, for
circulation through the mail. It was issued during
the year 1832. The printers and editor were of
course the same.
30. " The Locomotive, an Independent Journal."
— In April, 1842, William H. Perley commenced a
weekly paper in Lynn, entitled The Locomotive, which
was removed to Central building, Salem, December
17, 1842, and published here on Saturday, until July
8, 1843 — about six months. A few numbers in Feb-
ruary were published semi-weekly, on a diminutive
sheet. From May 13th it was published by Perley &
Whittier. It was humorous and miscellaneous in its
character.
31. Essex County W.\shingtoxiax. — This paper
was printed in Lynn, by Christopher Robinson, and
was published in Lynn and Salem, on Thursday, dur-
ing a portion of the year 1842. Its connection with
Salem was brief and merely nominal. It was one of
the earliest of the numerous temperance periodicals
which sprang up at the time of the Washingtonian
or moral suasion movement. The editor at one time
was the Rev. David H. Barlow, of Lynn.
32. Salem Washingtonian. — This paper, like
the preceding one, had only a nominal connection
with our city. It was printed in Boston, by J. B.
Hall, published by Theodore Abbott, and edited by
Charles W. Denison. Its Salem office was in Wash-
ington Hall (then permanent!)' occupied by a tem-
perance society), whence it was circulated on Satur-
day, fora short time, in 1843, commencing July 8th.
It soon afterwards assumed the title New England
Washingtonian , and was published in Boston under
that name for several years.
33. Independent Democrat. — A division existed
in the Democratic party in 1843, which led to the es-
tablishment of a weekly paper here to sustain David
Pingree as a candidate for Congress against Robert
Rantoul, Jr. It was entitled Lndependent Democrat ;
was commenced March 6th, and continued for a few
weeks only. Wm. H. Perley was the printer.
34. The Voice of the People. — In 1843, May 7th
Sylvanus Brown, who was then in Salem Jail for dis-
turbing a religious meeting, published at the IjOCo-
motive office three numbers of a small sheet with the
foregoing designation, beginning May 7, 1843. Mr.
Brown was one of the sect of " Comeouters," then
somewhat numerous, so called because they came out
from the churches as a protest against the pro-slavery
tendencies of the pulpit.
35. Voice Around the Jail. — In 1843 Henry
Clapp, Jr., issued a small transient publication with
the foregoing title, from W. H. Parley's printing-of-
fice. Mr. Clapp was editor of the Lgnn Pioneer, and
was then an occupant of Salem Jail under a sentence
for libel. His " Voice " in this printed form was in
favor of radical reform. Mr. Clapp was a Garrisonian
Abolitionist, and a man of genius, and subsequently
became prominent as a journalist in New York City.
36. The Evangelist. — For the second time the
publication of a Universalist periodical was begun in
Salem, Aug. 12, 1843. It was a small weekly, with
the foregoing title, issued on Saturday from Samuel
SALEM.
127
T. Damon's office in Manning's Building. The edi-
tors were L. S. Everett, J. M. Austin and S. C Bulke-
ley, the first settled over the Universalist society in
Salem, and the others pastors in Danvers. The
Evangelist was sustained only six months.
37. Essex County Reformer. — This was the
third temperance paper published here as an aid to
The Wasliinijtoiikm or moral suasion movetnent. It
was issued weekly, on Saturday, upon a small sheet,
lioiu the office of S. T. Damon. T. G. Chipman was
the editor. It lasted three months from Sei>tcmber 2,
184:!.
3S. The Temperance Offering. — The Rev. N.
Hervey, who preached to a Free Church in Washing-
ton Hall, commenced P'ebruary, 184.5, a monthly
12mo periodical, with the title named above. Dur-
ing that year it was printed at the Gazette office. The
second and last volume, for 184G, was printed in Bos-
ton, of octavo size, and with the additional title of
I'lmth's Cascade. The volumes have since been
issued in book-form.
39. Salem Okaci.e. — In 1848 two numbers of a
small advertising sheet, called T/te Oracle, were pub-
lished for the months of .Tanuary and February by
Henry Blaney. Four more numbers, enlarged, for
the four months following, were printed at the Ga-
zette office for Jos. L. Wallis, editor.
40. E.SSEX County Times. — This paper was a
Democratic weekly, published in the fall of 1848, by
E. K. Averill. It began in Marblehead, where ten
numbers were issued, and ended its brief period here
with three numbers more. It was issued irregularly.
The principal writer for its columns was E K. Aver-
ill, Jr., who was better known as a writer of "yellow
covered literature" for Gleason's publishing house
in Boston.
41. The Free World. — This was a spirited cam-
paign paper, published during the Presidential con-
teat in 1848, in support of Van Buren and Adams,
the Free-Soil candidates. It commenced August loth,
and continued on Friday until November 10th. The
editor was George F. Chever, Esq. It was printed at
the Observer office.
42. Salem Daily Chronicle. — The first attempt
to establish a daily paper in vSalem was made by
Henry Blaney, who, in 1848, March 1, began the
Sa/ein J>aily Chronicle. It was printed in Bowker's
building, and published every afternoon at one cent a
copy. It took no part in politics and was short lived.
43. The Asteroid.— In August, 1848, William H.
Hutchinson, a job printer, commenced a small
monthly sheet for the entertainment of the young
peoi)le in our public schools, etc., entitled as above.
It was continued here for several months, and was
then removed to Boston.
44. Essex County Freeman. — The Free-Soil
movement in 1848-49 led to the establishment of
several new papers in different parts of the common-
wealth. One of these was the Esse.v County Freeman,
the first number of whicli was i.ssned by (Jilbert L.
Streeter and William Porter August 1, 1849. It was
designed to aid the jiolitical anti-slavery movement,
and in pursuance of this purpose sustained the nomi-
nations of the Free-Soil party, and subsequently
those of the coalition of the Free-Soil and Demo-
cratic parties. It was published semi-weekly, on
Wednesday and Saturday, at three dollars per year,
from an office in Hale's building. In ]85(), Nov. 2r>th,
Mr. Streeter withdrew his interest in the paper, but
remained as editor. The publication was continued
by Mr. Porter until 1852, Feb. 11th, when he withdrew,
and the publication was assumed by " Benjamin W.
Lander for the Proprietors." At the same time ( !eo.
F. Chever, Esq., associated himself with the former
editor as joint conductors of the jiajjcr. In the be-
ginning of the next year the establishment was pur-
chased by Rev. J. E. Pomfret, the former editors con-
tinuing their services in that department for several
months. Mr. Pomfret was the publisher of the jiaper
for one year, after which Edwin Lawrence, of the
Lynn Baij State, become the proprietor. He issued
it weekly until June 14, 1854, when tlie publication
ceased, alter a term of five years.
45. The National Democrat. — On Saturday,
May 24, 1851, Mr. .Tames Coffin issued a .specimen
number of the National Democrat, but the patronage
ofiered did not warrant a continuance of the paper.
It was designed to oi)pose the coalition of the Free-
Soil and Democratic parties.
46. The Union Democrat. — The next movement
for an anti-coalition Democratic paper was more suc-
cessful. The Union Democrat lasted over ten months.
It was commenced by Samuel Fabyan, a printer from
Boston, July 31, 1852, and closed October (Hh, wlien it
was removed to Boston. The office was in Bowker's
building. Published on Wednesday and Saturday.
47. Massachusetts Freeman. — This was the
titleof a weekly Free-Soil paper, published for a short
time by J. E. Pomfret, commencing June 8, 1853. It
was made up from the columns of the Essex Countij
Freeman. Mr. Pomfret, previous to his commence-
ment in Salem, had published several papers, the last
of which was the Amesbury Villager. He was a min-
ister of the Universalist persuasion, and afterwards
settled in Haverhill.
48. The People's Advocate. — This ]iaper was
begun in Marblehead, in November, 1847, by Rev.
Robinson Breare, a Universalist minister, and bore
the title of The Marblehead Mercury. In 1848 it be-
came the property of James Coffin and Daniel R.
Beckford. In 1S49 it was entitled The People's Advo-
cate and Marblehead Mercury, and in August of that
vear Mr. Coffin became sole proprietor. In October,
1.S53, it abandoned its neutral position iji favor of the
advocacy of the views of the Democratic party. In
October, 1854, the printing-office was moved to Salem
and the title of the paper was abbreviated to T/ie
People's Advocate. It was discontinued in ]8()1.
128
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNT V, MASSACHUSETT:^
49. Salem Daily Journal. — The second at-
tempt to establish a daily penny paper in Salem was
made by Edwin Lawrence in 1854. He published
the first number of the Salem Daibj Joiu-nal on the
24th of July of that year. It was published in the
afternoon, as the Chronicle had been in 1848. The
experiment was not successful, and the publication
was abandoned November 24, 1855, after a trial of
over a year. The Journal was at first neutral, after-
wards favorable to the Native American party, and in
the fall of 1855 approved the Republican nomina-
tions. Mr. Lawrence, previous to his removal to Sa-
lem, had published the Newbiiryport Union, Lynn Bay
State and Essex County Freeman.
50. The Essex Statesman. — These were no news-
paper ventures during the unsettled period immedi-
ately preceding the outbreak of the Rebellion, and it
was not until 1803, the secimd year of the war, that a
new publication was undertaken. This was the Essej:
Statesman, commenced on January 17th, and pub-
lished on Wednesdays and Saturdays by Edgar Mar-
chant, and afterwards by Benjamin W. Lander. It
was announced a.s a " conservative " paper and was
conducted as a moderate opponent of the national
administration. It terminated after four years of dif-
ficult existence.
51. The Post.— In July, 1872, Charles H. Webber
began the publication of a weekly paper entitled Tlie
City Post, which was continued under the successive
title-s of Salem City Post and Salem Evening Post. Mr.
Webber, after a few years, disposed of the paper,
which had become a semi-weekly, to Charles D.
Howard. The latter proprietor, in 1885, sold the
concern to " The Telegram Publishing Co.," a new
penny daily. The Post was a professed neutral paper
with Democratic leanings.
52. The Salem Evening News, a small daily
penny paper, begun October 16, 1881, by Robert
Daman, issued from a new office on Central Street.
The News, having become prosperous, was subse-
quently enlarged and removed to Brown's building,
on Essex Street. The main purpose seems to have
been to collect the local news and gossip of the town,
in which it has been quite successful.
53. The Evening Telegeam. — This venture of a
small penny daily, in rivalry of the News, grew out of
the suspension of the Post, as has been mentioned.
The first number was issued by " The Telegram Pub-
lishing Company," on February 9, 1885, and it con-
tinued until March, 1887, when, becoming embar-
rassed, the plant was sold out to the publishers of the
Daily Times.
54. The Daily Times. — A new trial of the penny
plan by parties previously interested in the Telegram.
The first number was issued March 21, 1887.
55. The Salem Pdblic. — A weekly paper com-
menced Saturday, April 23d, 1887, by Charles F.
Trow, at $1.50 per year. Devoted chiefly to the in-
terests of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr.
Trow had been connected with the Jlethuen Tran-
script and the Salem Telegram.
This completes the list of newspapers published in
Salem by subscription since the introduction of the
printing press by Samuel Hall, more than one hun-
dred years ago. Besides these, several advertising
sheets have been issued, such as the Pariltion, pub-
lished by David Conrad for about four years, and the
Fireside Favorite, published for a yet longer time and
still continued by John P. P'eabody. These have
been circulated gratuitously, principally for the busi-
ness advantage of their [)roprietors.
Another series of periodicals, of a scientific character,
deserve to be enumerated. To review the contribu-
tions of Salem authors to the literature of science
would be an elaborate work, quite beyond the scope
of this paper. Benjamin Lynde Oliver was a distin-
guished contributor to scientific works before the
Revolution, and his " Essay on Comets" was pub-
lished in Salem from Mr. Hall's press. The names
of Count Benjamin Rumford, John Pickering, Na-
thaniel Bowditch, Edward A. Holyoke, Charles L.
Page and others more recent would be included in
this category. For the periodicals published in Salem
for the promotion of scientific knowledge we are in-
debted to the Essex Institute and the Peabody Acad-
emy of Science. The former society has been prolific
in publications within the past few years, its priced
list showing about one hundred and fifty pamphlets
and books. The "Journal of the Essex County Nat-
ural History Society," from 1838 to 1852, was followed
by the " Proceedings and Communications " of the
Institute from 1848 to 1868, and then by " The Bulle-
tin," issued quarterly. These publications contained
an account of the regular and field meetings of the
society, and papers of scientific value. Besides these,
the Institute issues its " Historical Collections," quar-
terly, at three dollars a year, containing papers of
historical, genealogical and biographical interest and
of permanent value to students in general and local
history. Although no name is given of the editor of
these publications, it is well known that the public
are indebted for them to the indefatigable industry of
Dr. Henry Wheatland, who is, indeed, the founder of
the Institute itself.
Another serial originally issued under the auspices
of the Institute was "'2'Ae American Naturalist, an
Illustrated Journal of Natural History." This very
meritorious magazine is still published. After its first
volume it was published under the auspices of the
Peabody Academy of Science for four years, and since
that time it has been issued in New York and Phila-
delphia. The original editors at its commencement
in March, 1867, were A. S. Packard, Jr., E. S. Morse,
A. Hyatt and F. W. Putnam.
Another serial, miniature in size, was begun in
May, 1886, by the " Cuvier Natural History Club,"
under the name of "The Amateur Collector." The
price is twenty-five cents a year and it appears
SALEM.
129
monthly. The youthful naturalists who projected
and have maintained this little enterprise design it
chiefly to awaken an interest in natural history in the
minds of young people.
We have now passed in rapid review the periodical
literature of Salem, chiefly its newspapers, during the
piist century. The reader has observed, doubtless,
that only a few of these many enterprises have been
permanently successful. Most of the journals which
we have named died in early infancy, only three of
the whole number having survived a generation. The
multiplication of newspapers during this period has
been exceedingly rapid, and yet where one has suc-
ceeded, perhaps fifty have failed. Often commenced
merely as business speculations, rather than to meet
the wants of the community, they have not been sus-
tained by the public, because not needed.
When Mr. Hall issued his proposals for the publi-
cation of a " Weekly Ptiblick Paper" in this place,
such a vehicle of information was greatly desired.
Newspapers were few in number and confined to the
large seaboard towns. The}- were looked for and read
in the country with the deepest interest. The ap-
pearance of the weekly sheet was an event of import-
ance to people of all classes. Now they abound
everywhere. Almost every considerable village in the
country can boa.st its local print. Then, the e.Kpense
attending the publication of a newspaper was very
great. Paper was scarce and costly, and other ma-
terials obtainable only by importation from the
mother-country. The style of the papers, in respect
to typographical appearance, was quite inferior. The
old iLsstx Gazette is a curiosity of the printer's art,
although it was in all respects a superior paper for
those days.
During the past fifty years the art of type-making
has advanced rapidly, and wonderful improvements
have been made in presses and other contrivances
and materials emidoyed in the printing business. The
artof wood-cutting has been, we might almost say, dis-
covered since the days when grotesque devices, clum-
sily executed, figured so extensively at the head of
the little colonial journals. The rude wood-cuts
which then were supposed to adorn the public sheets
are curious and amusing exhibitions of the infancy of
this delicate art, now .so useful in elegant and cheap
illustrations. If any one is interested to see the first
difficult beginnings of the engraver's skill, he may
find many singular specimens in Thomas' "History of
Printing," a valuable and rare work, now out of print.
A few instances are also given in Mr. Buckingham's
interesting Reminiscences of the newspaper press, to
which work, as well as the former one, we are in-
debted tor some of the statements in this account. A
comparison of the uncouth adornments of the papers
of the Revolutionary period with the exquisite wood
engravings in the monthly illustrated magazines now
published affords a contrast nearly as great as that
exhibited by the toilsome operations of an old hand-
9
press beside the wonderful rapidity of the lightning
cylinder machines of the present day.
The ancient newspapers were of small dimensions,
printed on large types, with clumsy presses and upon
coarse paper. Such were the early [irints of Salem.
They were less various in their contents than those of
our time, and were made up without much order or
method. They were less full and minute in respect to
local and general information. But little eflbrt was
made to gather the countless fragments of news which
now distend the columns of the public journal. In all
these respects there has been a groat improvement in
the public prints. But in regard to honest industry
and enterprise, public spirit, boldness and freedom of
expression, patriotic and noble endeavor, we do not
know that any superiority can be claimed for the
modern journals. In these particulars the publishers
of ante-Revolutionary times were generally worthy of
the highest praise.
CHAPTER VI.
SALEM — ( Continued).
EDUCATIONAL.
BY WINFIELD S. KEVINS.
The public and private schools of Salem have ever
occupied a high place among the educational institu-
tions of the country. If Salem did not establish free
schools as early as Virginia, it was, doubtless, because
the settlement here was not as early. The first set-
tlement in Virginia was made in 1607, and her first
public school is believed to have been established in
1621, fourteen years later. The real settlement of
the Massachusetts Bay colony was in 1628, when .lohn
Endicott and his fellow- voyagers came to Salem, al-
though Conant and a few others had located here in
1626. In 1637, nine years after the coming of Endi-
cott, John Fiske opened a public school in Salem.
In Boston, in 1636, a petition was presented to the
authorities asking for a free school. Whether it was
established before 1642, at which time we find the
first definite mention of it in the records, we know
not positively; probably it was. But to whomsoever
shall ultimately be awarded the honor of establishing
the " first free school," this is true : that while
Salem maintained hers from 1637 down to 1887, in un-
broken succession, the Governor of Virginia, in 1671,
"thanked God there were no free schools, nor print-
ing, and hoped they would not have any these hun-
dred years," and long years thereafter the Old Do-
minion taxed schoolmasters twenty shillings per
head.
These early " free " schools were not, be it under-
stood, as free as the schools of 1887, when not only
house and tuition are free, but also books, stationery
130
HISTOEY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and other supplies. The town of S.ilem in those
diiys appears to have borne the larger part of the ex-
pense of the master, and taxed the balance to the
parents of such as could pay. A vote, passed Sep-
tember 30, 1G44, said : " If any poor body hath chil-
dren or a childe to be put to school, and not able to
pay for their schooling, that the town will pay it by a
rate." John Fiske, the first schoolmaster, relin-
quished the office in 1639, and was succeeded by Ed-
ward Norris in 1640. Norris was evidently the onl)'
teacher in the town school for twenty years after. In
1670 Daniel Epes, Jr., was employed at a salary of
£20 a year, and, also, "to have besides halfe-pay for
all scollers of the towne, and whole pay from
strangers." Mr. Norris was voted £10 as a sort of
pen.sion in 1671. In July, 1672, he resumed the mas-
tership of the grammar school for one year. At the
expiration of that time, and until his death, in 1684,
he was voted an allowance each year from £10 to
£15. Some time during Mr. Norris' teachership the
school came to be called a grammar school, and so
continued for several years. Latin and Greek were
taught. Mr. Epes, in 1677, agreed with the select-
men to teach English, Latin and Greek, and fit pupils
for the university ; also to teach them good manners
and instruct them in the principles of the Christian
religion. In 1768 tuition in the public schools was
made free to all and ever since has been so.
This school has always been classed as the imme-
diate predecessor of the present classical and high
school. Perhaps this is the simplest way, although
it might with just as good grace be said to be the pred-
ecessor of our present grammar schools. However,
adopting the customary division, we find no evidence
that there was more than one school until 1712, when
Nathaniel Higginson established a "school for read-
ing, writing and cyphering, in the north end of the
town-house." This school was for some time known
as the writing school, but gradually assumed the
name of English school, which it bore for many
years. The other was known as the Latin or Gram-
mar school, as the speaker or writer chose, as often
one as the other, for nearly a century, the former
name gradually superseding the latter. The English
and Latin schools were united in 1743, and separated
three years later.
During all this time and until about 1793 these
schools appear to have been for boys exclusively. In
the last-named year the town instructed its committee
to " provide at the writing school, or elsewhere, for
the tuition of girls in reading, writing and cypher-
ing." In 1827 the town voted to have two high
schools for girls. One was located in Beckford Street,
and known as the West school, the other in Bath
Street, and known as the East school. This was un-
doubtedly the first time that females were provided
with high school instruction. But to return to the
boys' Latin, or grammar school, we find that its
course of study in the eighteenth century comprised
the branches now commonly taught in the grammar
schools, and, in addition, Latin and Greek. The dead
languages seem to have been deemed of more import-
ance than the English branches. In 1752 the com-
mittee orders tliat all boys who go to the grammar
school must study Latin as well as read, write and
cipher. In 1809 the committee ordered that " Latin
and Greek languages. Geography, English Grammar,
the principles of Arithmetic, and writing be taught
in the Grammar schools, but that one-half the time,
at least, of each scholar be devoted to Latin and
Greek, so that the other studies be subservient to the
learned languages."
The Latin school was transferred to the new build-
ing prepared for it on Broad Street on April 19,
1819. It began with a principal and Latin usher,
and an assistant in the English department. The
number of pupils reported as being in the school the
following month was eighty-six, and one year later.
May 4, 1820, one hundred and thirteen. The Eng-
lish department was discontinued in a few years, and
the school, under the principal and an assistant, was
a classical school, fitting boys to enter the univer-
sity. The school was divided in 1827, and Henry K.
Oliver took charge of the English High school, as
this portion was called. Mr. Oliver was appointed
June 16, 1827. The school continued to increase in
numbers and enlarge its curriculum until about 1839,
when two recitation rooms were added and two as-
sistants appointed.
The school was mostly renamed in 1845. The Lat-
in school was called the Fiske ; the Boys' High school
the Bowditch ; the Girls' High school the Saltonstall.
Nine years later the Fiske was merged in the Bow-
ditch, and in 1856 the Bowditch and Saltonstall were
united under the name of the Salem Classical and
High school. To-day it is known as the Classical
and High school. The course of study was divided,
in 1882, into a four years' classical and a three years'
English course. Thus we have traced, very briefly
of necessity, the rise and growth of the first Salem
public school until it has become one of the strong-
est high schools in the country. In its long line of
forty three masters, from John Fiske down, have been
men of more than ordinary ability and some of more
than local reputation.
The grammar schools as we know them now are
generally considered as having had their origin in
that writing school which Nathaniel Higginson
opened on September 1, 1712, when the. committee
"agreed" with him "to keep a writing, cyphering
and reading school in the north end of the town-
house, which is now fitted up for a school, for one
quarter of a year from this 1st day of September, and
to be paid for the same seven pounds ten shillings in
money." This school evidently filled the place now
filled by the primary schools ; and the grammar
school work of the present day was combined with
the curriculum of the Latin school in those days.
SALEM.
131
The school which Mr. Higginson thus started appears
to have given satisfaction, for on September 25, 1713,
the committee agreed " that Mr. Nathaniel Higginson
i.s desired to continue to keep the school till 25
December, and to be paid proportionally." On
March 9, 1713, the committee is "agreed that Mr.
Nathaniel Higginson be desired to keep the writing
school for one quarter longer ... at not exceeding
ten pounds the quarter." On April 13th following, the
committee " agrees ' that he shall keep the school
for one year from the preceding March for thirty-six
pounds. His successor was John Svvinnerton, who
began his labors on January 2, 1716. Nathaniel Hig-
ginson was the son of John and Sarah (Savage) Hig-
ginson, the grandfather of Rev. Francis and great-
grandfather of Rev. John Higginson, the first and
sixth ministers of the First Church in Salem. He
was born April 1, IIJSO, and died in 1720. He lived
in a house that occupied the site of the present East
Church, near the Common.
This school was known sometimes as the Writing
school and sometimes as the English school, the
former name gradually giving way to the latter, un-
til it was finally dropped. It soon began to act as a
feeder to the Latin school, lor in July, 1717, the com-
mittee voted that four boys be promoted from the
Reading and Writing school to the Grammar school.
We find no trace of more than one English school in
the town proper previous to 1785. As early as 1700
the town granted money for schools at Ryall Side
(Beverly), Middle Precinct (Peabody), the village
(Danvers)and Will Hill (iliddleton), where the in-
struction was probably substantially that of the Eng-
lish or Writing school. In 1785 three English schools
were opened, — one in the centre of the town, Edward
Norris, master ; another in the eastern part of the
town, with John Watson master and a third in the
western end, with Isaac Hacker master. An Eng-
lish school was opened in North Salem in 1807, and
one in South Salem in 1819, the latter being fir.'rt
known as the South English school. This school was
snljsequently located on Ropes Street, and named the
Brown school. In 1874 it was transferred to tiie
new house on Hazel Street, and soon after called the
Saltonstall Grammar school. Another English or
Grammar school was established in the east part
of the town, on Williams Street, in 1821. The High
school for girls opened on Beckford Street, in 1827,
subsequently became the Higginson Grammar school.
In 1841 a new school was opened on Aborn Street, for
both sexes, under charge of Charles Northend. Four
years later it was named the Epes school. In 1876
the Higginson and Epes were united with the Hacker,
on Dean Street, all under the name of Bowditch
Grammar school. The Girls' High school, on East
Street, in 1827, was the original of what is now the
Bently school for girls, Grammar and Primary. The
Centre school was, in 1841, united with the Williams
Street and East Street schools as the Union school.
and located near Forrester Street. In 1845, when the
general renaming of schools took place, this school
received the name of Phillijis' Grammar. The North
English in North Salem became the Pickering.
In 1729 generous Samuel Brown, in giving two hun-
dred and forty pounds to the school fund, provided
that one hundred and twenty pounds should go to the
Grammar school, sixty pounds to the English school,
and sixty pounds to a Woman's school. His lan-
guage w'ould seem to indicate that while the two first
named then existed, the other was to be established.
He did not state what should be taught in the other
two, but in the Woman's school the interest of the
donation was "to be yearly improved for the learning
of six very poor children their letters, and to spell
and read, who may he sent to said school six or seven
months." This was, undoubtedly, the founding of our
primary school. But the records of the school com-
mittee give no indication of the establishment of the
school until March 20, 1773, when a vote was passed
which would indicate quite clearly that no action had
been taken previously. It read :
"The interest of said Brown's donation and legacy
to a Woman's Reading School, being about eight
pounds and four shillings per annum, be given to
Mrs. Mary Gill, for which she is to teach nine
poor boys to spell and read this year. This and to
find them in firing during the winter, provided she
admits but sixteen other schollars into her school."
To this is appended in the records the following.
" We, the subscribers, advise to the order. Asa Dun-
bar, Wm. Brown, one of tlie Posterity of the Donor."
It is evident that Mrs. Gill was already keeping a pri-
vate school, and that this money was paid to her for
teaching small poor children.
By the old town records, however, it appears that
at a town-meeting ou May 16, 1764, a vote was passed
" that the School Committee be empowered to draw
fifty dollars out of the Town Treasury and ai>ply the
same for the instruction of the poorest children of the
town in reading at Women's School." On March 3,
1770, Timothy Pickering petitioned the selectmen to
" Be pleased to insert a line in your warrant for the
next Town-Meeting to know if the Town will take
into their consideration their vote passed in May,
1764, respecting the schooling the poorest people's
children at Women's School, etc." Whether this |)e-
tition means that no action had been taken on the
vote of 1704, or whether we are to infer that the peti-
tioners desired a reijetition of that, ive do not know.
The records of the meetings of the school committee,
not very full for those years, make not the least men-
lion of this matter, nor do the accounts show any
orders drawn to pay any one for the purposes speci-
fied. But this omission may be due entirely to the
incompleteness of the record.
Early the tbllowing month (his entry was made:
" The committee met the 8th inst. and agreed that
the following-named Boys be jiut to the Charity
132
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
School kept by Mrs. Gill, and there be taught for six
months from the 10th inst." Then follow the names
of ten boys.
On August 10th the committee "agreeJ that an
order for two pounds, three shillings and six jjence
be drawn in favor of Mrs. Mary Gill, being one-quarter
of a year's interest of Samuel Brown, Esq., his Dona-
tion and Legacy." From this time on appears an
order for the payment of Mrs. Gill every three months.
The conclusion is irresistible that she was the first
teacher of a free public woman's school, and that our
primary schools date from April 10, 1773, and not
from 1729, the year of Colonel Brown's donation.
Thus we have three independent schools of three
distinct grades corresponding to our present high,
grammar and primary.
Two years later, in Mr. Brown's will, leaving an
additional one hundred and fifty pounds for the
school fund, he speaks of the " Latin," " English " and
" woman's " schools. In 1801 a notice about the
schools mentions the grammar school, where all the
higher branches were taught, including Latin and
Greek, and three public schools for children of both
sexes and not less than five years of age, where the
alphabet, spelling and reading would be taught.
Primary schools have continued as a separate de-
partment of our educational institutions down to the
present time, and are now deeme<l the foundation of
our school system. During a portion of the past
eighty years we have had " intermediate " schools
for such as had passed the primaries, but could not be
classed in the grammar schools. There are now
eleven primary schools, and no intermediate existing,
although the school committee in 1885 authorized the
establishment of one when needed.
From 1807 to 1843 colored children were educated
in separate schools most of the time. It is supposed
that previous to that time they were not instructed at
all by the town. Chloe Minn was the first teacher of
a primary school for colored children. As early as
1830 a girl of color was admitted to the high school.
Some opposition being manifested to this, and the le-
gality of the act questioned, the committee took
counsel of eminent legal lights, and was informed
that the colored girl had as much right in the school
as a white child. It is needless to say that the pres-
ent generation sees, without thought of protest, black
and white, native and foreign, educated together, not
only in the same school, but side by side in the same
class.
From the settlement of Salem down to 1712 the ed-
ucational interests of the town were controlled by the
people themselves, cither by direct vote or instruc-
tions to the selectmen. In 1712 the citizens in town-
meeting assembled chose Samuel Brown, Josiah
Walcot, Stephen Sewall, John Higginson, Jr., and
Walter Price to have charge of the schools. Commit-
tees were chosen by the people every year thereafter,
until Salem was incorporated as a city in 183(5. Under
the charter, members of the school committee were
chosen by the City Council until 1859, when the
power was restored to the people, to whom it properly
belongs. The mayor and president of the Common
Council are, by the charter, made members of the
board, the people electing three members from each
of the six wards. The ofiice of superintendent of
schools was created in 1865, and Jonathan Kimball
elected to the position. It was discontinued in 1872
and revived in 1873, when A. D. Small was elected
superintendent. It was again discontinued in 1880,
since when the schools have been supervised by sub-
committees.
It is not proposed in a brief chapter like this to
trace out all the sites occupied by school-houses
during the past two hundred and fifty years. It is
important, however, to learn something of the houses
used by the earlier schools and of the spots where
they stood. Of Mr. Fiske's school-house we know
nothing. The church may have served the purpose,
as it did for town-meetings. In 1655 the school was
kept in the town-house, which then stood near what
is now the southerly end of the railroad tunnel. A
year later the town empowered a committee " to have
the school-house repayred." Whether this indicates
an independent house for school purposes, or has ref-
erence to the room in the town-house used by the
school, no one knows. In 1672 Daniel Andrews was
voted pay for keeping school in his house.
About 1700, perhaps shortly before, grants of school
money were made to the inhabitants " without the
bridge," also to those at Ryall Side, Middle Precinct,
and the village. Just where their school-houses were lo-
cated it is impossible to say. On June 16, 1712, the
town voted "that the watch-house, adjoining the town-
house, be for the future set apart and improved for a
school-house . . . and that the same be re-
paired and fitted conveniently for the use aforesaid."
The watch-house stood beside the town-house ; most
antiquarians say to the south of it ; but when, in 1712,
the school committee "agreed with jVathaniel Hig-
ginson to keep a writing, ciphering and reading
school," it was to be "in the north end of the town-
house, which is now fitted up for a school." Of
course this meant the watch-house, and the language
indicates clearly that it was at the north end of the
town-house, and not the south.' This town-house
was the one which stood in the middle of what is now
Washington Street, opposite the Brookhouse estate,
on the corner of Lynde Street. The watch-house
continued in use for some years, and the schools were
kept in this street so long that it came to be known as
"school-house lane."
In 1760 the town voted to erect a brick school-
house, a great step tbrward in the march of educa-
1 Felt, in bis "Annals of Salem," and otlier local historians locate
this school "in the north end of the town," but the records of the school
committee say "in the north end of the town-Zjciifif,'*
SALEM.
133
tional progress. This building stood near where the
previous school-house had. It was taken down in
178o to make room for a new court-hou.se, and quar-
ters hired elsewliere for the schools. They were not
long without a home, for on March 24th the town
voted to build the Centre school-house, 24x86 feet, a
portion of which was to be occupied by a library.
This building was of wood, two stories high. The
Latin school occupied rooms here. Other houses
were undoubtedly soon built for the East and West
schools. The next school-hou.ie built was probably
that in North Salem, which was on the corner of
North and School Streets. The High school now oc-
cupies a fairly commodious building on Broad Street,
where it has been located since 1856. For thirty-
seven years previous it had occupied the neighboring
building now used by the ("Jliver Primary school.
The largest school building in the city is the Bow-
ditch, on Dean Street, built in 1870 at a cost of eighty-
five thousand dollars, including land. The Phillips
Grammar school, on Lower Essex Street, occupies an
eight-room house, built in 1883 at a cost of thirty-
three thousand and five hundred dollars. The
Bently Cirammar and Primary, on Essex Street, near
the Phillips, was built in 1861 and enlarged in 1886.
The four-room building in North Salem, occu[>ied by
the Pickering Grammar school, was built in 1862, at
a cost of twenty thousand dollars. The Saltonstall,
on Holly Street, South Salem, the only wooden gram-
mar school-building, and built in 1874, cost sixteen
thousand dollars. Of the primary school-houses all
are small and mosi of them are old, wooden four-room
buildings. The Bertram is the only one of recent
date.
The jiay of the earlier teachers was small. Mr.
Epes, in 1677, was to have twenty pounds from the
town, and if that was not enough with tuition to
make sixty pounds, the selectmen were to make up
the balance. If it was more than enough, he was to
have it and be free from all taxes, trainings, watch-
ings and wardings. In 1699 Mr. Whitman was to
"have fifty pounds in money, each scholar to pay
twelve pence a month," and " what this lacked was to
be made up out of the fund sett apart for grammar
schools." Thus the compensation ran along for some
years with slight variations, but, on the whole, slowly
rising. Mr. Nutting had ninety pounds in 1729. At
the close of the eighteenth century the master of the
English school had one hundred and fifty pounds and
" found ink," and the grammar master one hundred
and thirty pounds, and nothing said about ink. In
180,3 each of the four school mistresses " is to have a
salary of one hundred dollars and four cords of wood."
In 1819, when Thomas Henry Oliver (General H. K.
Oliver) succeeded Mr. Clark in the Latin school as
"usher," it was at a salary of six hundred dollars, and
in 1824, as " assistant," he had nine hundred dollars and
Mr. Eanies, the master, twelve hundred dollars. The
same salary was paid to Oliver Carleton in 1840, wliile
Rufus Putnam, as master of the High school, had one
thousand dollars. The masters of the other schools
had seven hundred dollars each and the assistants
from two hundred dollars to two hundred and filty
dollars. Teachers in the ]>riniary school received
one hundred and fiity dollars. Perhaps this part of
the story may as well be completed with brief allusion
to salaries paid in 1887. The master of the High
school has two thousand two hundred dollars ;
the sub-master, one thousand five hundred dollars;
the first assistant, eleven hundred dollars ; other
assistants and principals of piimary schools, six hun-
dred and fifty dollars ; male principals of grammar
schools, one thousand eight hundred dollars ; one
female principal one thousand five hundred dol-
lars; assistants in grammar and primary schools, five
hundred dollars.
In the days when those small salaries were paid, a
year of teaching was a year indeed. The school-bell
was ordered to be rung (in 1700) at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
from March 1st to November Ist; at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
the remainder of the year, " ye school to begin and
end accordingly." A half-century later the only vaca-
tions were "general election, commencement day and
the rest of that week, fasts, thanksgivings, trainings,
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons." This, says
Felt, was a liberal allowance compared with what
their predecessors had enjoyed. Now we have, in
all, full three months' vacation besides Wednesday
and Saturday afternoons. Are our boys and girls
more healthy than those who went to school " from
morning to night," and "the year round?" For
nearly two centuries the girls were not granted the
same privileges as boys. They went to school four
days in the week from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., atid
4.30 to 6 P.jr., from April 1st to October 1st, the idea
being, evidently, that they needed but little educa-
tion.
A State Normal school for girls was established in
Salem in 1854. The city provided the site and erected
the building at a cost of about $13,200. The State
reimbursed $6000 of this amount and the Eastern
Railroad Company contributed $2000 additional.
The building was enlarged in 1870-71, at a cost of $2'),-
000. It was dedicated on September 14, ISf)!, having
been opened for the admission of pupils on the pre-
vious day. Richard Edwards was principal from the
opening to September, 1857; Professor Alpheus
Crosby from October, 1857, to September, 1865, and
Professor Daniel B. Hagar from September 6, 1865,
to the present time. The aims and methods of the
school are best stated in the langiuige of the circu-
lar:
"The ends chiefly aimed .at in this school are, the
acquisition of the necessary knowledge of the Princi-
ples and Jfethods of Education, and of the various
branches of study, the attainment of skill in the art
of teaching, and tlie general development of the men-
tal powers.
134
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
" From the beginning to the end of the course, all
studies are conducted with especial reference to the
best ways of teaching them. Recitations, however
excellent, are not deemed satisfactory unless every
pupil is able to teach others that which she has her-
self learned. In every study the pupils in turn occu-
py temporarily the place of teacher of their class-
mates, and are subjected to their citicisms as well as
those of their regular teacher. Teaching exercises of
various kinds iorm a large and important part of the
school work."
Private schools have always been an important fac-
tor among the educational agencies of old Salem.
The first mention which Felt, in his Annals, makes of
these institutions is under date of January 1, 1770,
when, he finds, Daniel Hopkins, who was afterwards
a minister in Salem, had leave to open a private
school for reading, writing and arithmetic. He adds
that a teacher in one of the public schools had " re-
cently taught in the evening on his own account.''
We can hardly believe that for one hundred and forty
years after the settlement here there were no private
schools. That they existed, but are unrecorded, we
have no doubt Two years and a half after the above
leave was granted, Cbarles Shimmin is advertising to
instruct children and youth in English, book-keep-
ing, geography, astronomy, etc. A year or so later
(1773) Elizabeth Gaudin opened a school to instruct
young ladies in plain sewing, marking tent and Irish
stitch. In about 1780 Mrs. Mehitable Higginson,
widow of John Higginson, who died in 1818, aged
ninety-four years, with her daughter Mehitable, began
a private school, which she kept many years, and
which became of great repute. Nathaniel Rogers
and his wife, Mrs. Abigail Dodge Rogers, parents of
the Messrs. Rogers, leading merchants in Salem
during the first half of this century, kept a famous
school during the latter part of the la.it and early in
this century. Thomas Cole came from Marblehead
and opened the well-known female school in 1808,
and continued until about 1834, when he resigned on
account of his health. He lived eighteen years after-
wards, and was an active member of the school com-
mittee.
In 1782 Mr. Bartlett adds composition and history,
and in 1783 Nathan Reed adds grammar and elocu-
tion. It will be seen that the branches taught in
private schools were mainly additional and supple-
mentary to those in the public schools. In 1802, says
Felt, William Gray, Benjamin Pickman and others,
" desirous to atford their sons the privileges of a school
with few pupils, under a teacher of high character
and attainments, and subject to their immediate con-
trol," concluded to have such an establishment.
They employed Jacob Knapp, and in 1803 built a
school-house for him. The number of pupils was
limited to thirty, and Mr. Knapp's salary, which was
twelve hundred dollars the first three years, was for
the remaining five years fixed at the, for those times,
munificent sum of two thousand dollars. This school
was in Church Street, and later moved to the vicinity
of the common. A similar school, known as the Sa-
lem Private Grammar school, was begun in 1807, on
Chestnut Street, where the Phillips house now stands.
Several other schools, on a similar plan, were opened
in difterent parts of the city about this time. The
public schools appear not to have given satisfaction.
The town was economizing, and began, as usual, with
the schools. A vote to build a new house was revoked
in 1820, and the old one repaired ; teachers' salaries
were reduced. The higher branches, like geography,
history, grammar and elocution, appear to have been
long finding a place in the school course. A census
taken in 1820 revealed 27-iO children of school age, of
whom 226 boys, out of some 1300, were in private
schools. From 1806 to 1820 Felt finds seventy-five
advertisements of piivate schools. In 1816, the year
before the course of study in the public schools was
enlarged, seven masters set up private schools, and it
is believed that half the children in town attended
them. The enhirgement of the course reduced the
private schools by one-half. In 1820, however, there
were 69 private schools, with 1686 pupils, the amount of
tuition being $18,836, against $8592.89 paid by the town.
Four-fifths of the amount paid for private tuition was
for girls and small children of both sexes, they not
having been provided for properly in the town schools.
Eleven years later there were 70 private schools,
with 589 males and 1001 females, the cost of tuition
being $22,700, while the cost of the public schools,
with 1236 pupils, was $8877. The number of private
schools had been reduced to 49 in 1S43, with 972 pu-
pils, at an annual cost of $13,594.75. The public
schools instructed about 2000 pupils at a cost of
$14,816.86. Thereafter the number of private schools
diminished until, aside from the parochial schools,
there are now less than a dozen. The number of
pupils attending them is 365, out of a school popula-
tion of 5140. The three Roman Catholic parochial
schools contain 917 girls and no boys.
In closing this chapter it seems not inappropriate
to say a word about the schools of Salem as they exist
to-day, just two hundred and fifty years after Mr. Fiske
began that " first free school." The High School had,
in 1887, an enrollment of 216, and the average attend-
ance was 180. The corps of teachers consist of a mas-
ter, two male and five female assistants. The grammar
schools are five in number. The Bowditch, for both
sexes, with a male principal and twelve female assist-
ants, had a membership of 479; the Bently, for girls
only, with five female teachers, 176 ; the Phillips, for
boys only, with a male principal and seven female as-
sistants, 267 ; the Saltonstall, for both sexes, with a
principal and seven assistants, 255 ; the Pickering,
for both sexes, with a principal and four assistants,
174.
The primary schools showed the following member-
ship: Bently, 163 ; Bertram, 148; Browne (six teach-
SALEM.
135
ers) 193 ; Carlton, 173 ; Endicott, 169 ; Lincoln, 195 ;
Lynde (five teachers), 217; Oliver (five teachers),
222; Pickman, 133; Prescott, 1 35 ; Upliam, 152;
Naumkeag, 110- making a total of 3546.
Those primary schools not otherwise mentioned
had lour teachers. There is an " unattached " teach-
er, who goes from school to school to relieve the prin-
cipal while she supervises the work in other
rooms. The Naumkeag, located in the house on Ropes
Street, is an ungraded school. It is intended for such
pupils as cannot be conveniently classified in the
graded school, but its patronage is now entirely of
French Canadian children, who must be taught the
English language first of all, and its various branches
subsequently. This school was established in 1869,
and is in charge of a principal and one assistant.
Evening schools are kept through the fall and winter
months — one for boys and one for girls. The attend-
ance has always been small and somewhat irregular.
The course of study is of a somewhat miscellaneous
character.
The courses of study in the several schools do not
diifer materially from those now generally pursued in
all public schools. Added to the common branches
of learning are music, under the direction of a special
instructor, drawing, history of the United States, and
physiology and temperance hygiene. All books, slates,
pencils, stationery and general supplies used in the
schools are, by law, furnished to the pupils free ot
expense. The cost of introducing these, in 1884, for
4000 pupils was about §9000, in addition to the
$2000 worth then in the school-houses. The cost
was somewhat above the average for the State. The
cost of replenishing, in 1885, was above $5000, and in
1886 $6200, which is also above the average for the
State. This latest addition to the expense of maintain-
ing free public schools, however, makes them free in
fact as well as in name. The child may now come to
them " without money and without price." The total
cost of the Salem schools in 1886 was $81,507.16.
CHAPTER VII.
SALFM- (Conlinued).
LITERATURE.
BY GEO. B. LORING.
While we contemplate with profound interest the
material growth of a community, and trace its pro-
gress in agriculture and commerce and the arts of
life, we turn always with more attention to the intel-
lectual operations by which it has taken its stand
among the thoughtful and cultivated. The work of
man's hands is alwavs interesting, but the fruits of
his mental toil arrest our most solemn attention, and
take us into a higher atmo8i)here where dwells his
divine genius. The development of letters in a new-
ly-settled country is always slow. Men engaged in
organizing States have no time for books. Author-
ship is a work of establislied government, developed
industries, a prosperous condition. The defenders of
a frontier and the organizers of war seldom write his-
tories or poems. Achilles fights and Homer writes.
When States are to be organized, and towns founded,
ami farms outlined, the scholars are obliged to wait
for their turn. The adage " iw/er arma silent ler/en"
should include also et litene. In the early colonial
days of our country the work of the condilores imperi-
orum was so coustant and pressing that there was nei-
ther time nor opportunity for intellectual work, other
than that which belonged to the church and the state.
Until within fifty years American literature has been
a prediction, and it required all the scholarly enthu-
siasm and confidence in the American mind, which
Mr. Everett, just then returned from the schools of
Europe, po.ssessed to foretell the eflTeet of free institu-
tions on the public mind here. When he pronounced
his oration at Harvard in 1824, in which he appealed
to the scholars to do their duty, and placed before
them the picture of a great literary republic, ju.st then
beginning to dawn, he was obliged to look back upon
a feeble and meagre contribution by American
authors to the libraries of their country. At that
time no poet greater than Joel Barlow had appeared
among us. Charles Brockden Brown was the chief
novelist. Hutchinson stood foremost as a historian.
No scientist had either explored or written, except
Franklin, at once scientist, essayist, statesman, diplo-
matist. That long array of poets, and historians, and
novelists, and essayists, and scientists, and jurists, and
statesmen, and divines, which now fills the world
with their brilliant performances, and has placed
the literature of the United States along with that of
any other nation, ancient or modern, has accom-
plished all its work since that prophecy of Mr. Ever-
ett was made. Great declarations had been pro-
claimed, urgent protests had been put forth, essays
upon forms of government had been written, sound
constitutions had been organized, the pulpit had
threatened with vehemence and exhorted with religious
fervor, theological disputations and moral es.says filled
the colonial libraries. There was no necessity for
gratifying the imagination, which at that time had
but a small abiding-place. The surrounding reality
was more remarkable than any tale tluit could be
told. And the songs of Zion apjiealcd to their hearts
with a warmth unknown to the most fervid lines of
love.
All these influences were especially strong in the
community of Naumkeag. The leaders of the colony
were men of deep thought, strong convictions and
stern purpose. They had an abiding faith, and they
alwavs hi'lil themselves in readiness to defend it. It
136
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
was a liberal education to listea to the sermons of
Francis Higginson and Samuel Slielton, the pastor
and the teacher of the First Church, and to the pro-
found philosophy and radical doctrines of Roger Wil-
liams— all scholars of Oxford and Camljridge. The
public utterances of Hugh Peters, preacher, civilian,
manufacturer, merchant, more than filled the place
of an attractive volume. Harvard sent into the Sa-
lem pulpit the brilliant but deluded Noyes, the com-
manding Curwin, the devout Fisk, aud in later colo-
nial days Barnard, the pious and prudent, and Dun-
bar, the fervid and patriotic. Stejiping aside a mo-
ment from his official duty, the Rev. Mr. Higginson
published " Generall Considerations for the Planta-
tions in New England, with an Answer to Several
Objections ; " and '' a true relation of his last voyage
to New England."
This book was published as early as 1(529. It sets
forth the reasons for supporting the settlement, es-
pecially at Naumkeag, and defines its object to be
the planting of the Gospel on these shores, the erec-
tion of a refuge for Christians, provision for the poor
and needy who could not procure homes in England,
economy of living in that extravagant and wasteful
age, a supply of education for the poor, the support
of a particular church aud to set an example of faith
and devotion to the cause of Christ.
Roger Williams, who commenced his remarkable
career in Salem, began his work of authorship in
1643. In that year, during a voyage to England, he
composed his " Key to the Language of America,"
the first treatise on the subject prepared on this con-
tinent. This was soon followed by a book entitled
the " Bloody Tenent," in which he denounced the
views of John Cotton, that it was the duty of the
magistrate to regulate the doctrines of the church, to
which Cotton replied in a volume called the " Bloody
Tenent washed and made white in the Blood of the
Lamb " To this Williams rejoined in " The Bloody
Tenent yet more Bloody by Mr. Cotton's endeavor to
wash it White." In these books he most earnestly
maintained the doctrine of religious toleration and
entire freedom of conscience. His last publication,
so far as known, is entitled " George Fox digged out
of his Burrows," a book which appeared in 1672, in
reply to Pox's " Defence of the Quakers." Prior to
this, however, he published, in 1652, " The Hireling
Ministry none of Christ's, or a Discourse touching
the Propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ," and the
same year " Experiments of Spiritual Life and
their Preservations." He also addressed many letters
to John Winthrop and John Winthrop, Jr., Governor
of Connecticut from 1633 to 1635. In all these works,
written during a stormy life, and amidst scenes of the
greatest trial and excitement, will be found that
vigor of thought, independence of feeling, philosoph-
ical power and devotion to strong conviction for
which Roger Williams was distinguished.
Hugh Peters entered upon his varied career in this
country October 6, 1635, at which date he landed in
Salem. He was settled as the successor of Roger
Williams December 21, 1636, and while performing
most efficient service as minister of a parish, he de-
voted himself to regulating the police force of the
town, to encouraging commerce and manufactures aud
to the general welfare of the community. Educated
at Jesus College and Trinity College, Cambridge, he
commenced life as a comedian, but soon took holy
orders in the Church of England, and was for some
time a lecturer of St. Sepulchre's, London. He soon,
however, became a non-conformist and fled to Hol-
land, where it is said he " used his powerful eloquence
and pulpit eccentricities with great effect," until he
emigrated to America. It was with this mental cul-
ture and this remarkable experience that he com-
menced his labors as pastor of the First Church in
Salem, and pursued his literary career. He was the
author of '" Good Work for a Good Magistrate," 1651,
in which he recommends the burning of the histori-
cal records in the Tower ; "A Dying Father's Last
Legacy to his Only Child," 1660, and " a number of
political tracts, occasional sermons," etc. He also
published " Amesii Lectiones in Psalmos, cum Epist.
Dectic," 1617. The opinions of historians and biog-
raphers with regard to Hugh Peters differ widely.
He is called a grand imposter and an arch-traitor on
the one side, and on the other side he is eulogized as
a martyr to the cause of civil and religious freedom,
a pure and able divine and a devoted philanthropist.
That he had extraordinary ability and immense en-
ergy no man can doubt, nor can we fail to recognize
his influence in raising the New England colonies
into a position of power and effect, which is still felt
throughout the country.
In 1690 Thomas Maule published " Truth Set and
Maintained," — an ardent plea for the Quakers as a
means of spreading the Gospel. He was indicted for
the publication of a book, " wherein is contained divers
slanders against the churches and government of this
province," and for saying at the honorable court in
Ipswich " that there were as great mistakes in the
Scriptures as in his book." He was, however, ac-
(fuitted.
It seems proper to record here the mental attain-
ments and eflTorts of a youthful prodigy who, while
he left no mark of his great powers, occupies a place
in the list of those who represent the early culture
and scholarship of Salem. Nathaniel Mather, a son
of Increase Mather, lies buried in the Charter Street
Bnrying-grouud, with the inscription on his grave-
stone, "an aged person who saw but nineteen winters
in this world." He was born in 1669 and died Octo-
ber 17, 1688. He was graduated at Harvard in 1685.
At sixteen he delivered an oration in Hebrew, and
ranked among the first scholars of his time. When
a mere child he repented in sackcloth aud ashes that
he had " whittled on the Sabbath-day, and thus re-
proached his God by his youthful sports." At twelve
SALEM.
137
he cried out " Lord, give me Christ or I die." His
brother, Cotton Mather, says of him, " Nor did he
slubber his prayers with hasty amputations, but
wrestled in them for a good part of an hour togei her."
He died at nineteen, " an aged person," as recorded
on his grave-stone in the Charter Street Burying-
ground, and left, it is true, a most slender record be-
hind him. But the scholar who contemplates his
career will admire his genius and will picture to him-
self the brilliant work he would have accomplished
for mankind a;;d his country had his life been spared
and his promise been fulfilled. His memory belongs
to the community where his ashes lie and his radiance
illumines the dawn of letters in the colony.
In Salem Village the Rev. Peter Clark, an able and
earnest minister, published in 1752 a " Defense of
Infant Baptism," and in 1760 "The Doctrine of Orig-
inal Sin Vindicated Again." In 1728 he published a
sermon at the ordination of William Jennison at the
East Church. He died in ITOfi, aged seventy-five.
It w'ill be noticed that authorship has thus far been
confined to the clergy. Until 1700 the provincial
and colonial theocracy was complete. The clergy
organized the State, constructed the laws, provided
municipal regulations, exercised a general and close
supervision of public aft'airs and directed the current
of literature. The libraries of that day were full of
volumes of sermons, moral essays, treatises on theol-
ogy, books of devotion, all well exemplified by the
numerous productions of Roger Williams and Hugh
Peters.
At the opening of the eighteenth century the cur-
rent of thought changed. The manil'eat mistakes of
the preceding three-quarters of a century were fully
realized, and the law-givers were busy in reforming
the code, and the publicists and theologians com-
menced the work of explanation. The State bad be-
come organized; the theory on which it was con-
structed had become operative; the doctrinal contests
were largely over ; and the minds of the community
had settled into a degree of repose which created but
few active authors and writers. The Indian wars
commenced, and for many years the active forces of
the colony were engaged in the horrors of forest war-
fare. The strong men organized train-bands ; the
brave mothers kept careful watch of the homes ; the
clergy who were not engaged in active military ser-
vice inspired the hearts of the people with faith
and courage. From the breaking out of the Indian
wars until the close of the French war the opportu-
nity for study and meditation was small ; and during
the remainder of the century, which was occupied by
the War of the Revolution and the civil conflicts of
the construction of the Constitution, the thought of
the people was turned to questions of state, and the
science of government occupied very largely the
minds of those who were engaged in literary work.
In public debates, in the newspaper press, in a flood
of pamphleteering, may be found the fruits of the
9i
mental efibrt of the day. There was neither time
nor opportunity nor inclination for poems or novels ;
and theological disputations were suspended before
the all-absorbing topics which a great struggle for
freedcim, and a great declaration and defense of pop-
ular rights, had created. Science asserted itself, it is
true, from time to time. Franklin pursued his obser-
vations on electricity, and, so far as Salem is con-
cerned. Judge Andrew Oliver published in 1772 "An
Essay on Comets," "Papers on Lightning, Thunder
Storms and Water-spouts," and an account of a dis-
ease among the Indians, while Benjamin Thompson,
later Count Rumford, was imbibing here, as an ap-
prentice in John Appleton's shop, his passionate love
of science.
In 1740 Dr. Edward Augustus Holyoke, who was
born in 172S, was graduated at Harvard, and, in 1749,
commenced in Salem the practice of medicine, which
he continued eighty years. He publislicd many med-
ical articles in the reviews of his profession, and sci-
entific papers in the " Memoii-s of the American
Academy of Science." He possessed great repose of
body and spirit, and that balance of powers which
usually attends longevity.
It was about 1770 that Timothy Pickering com-
menced his career as soldier and statesman by pub-
lishing a manual of military tactics which he used in
drill service before the breaking out of the Revo-
lutionary War, and whose principles he applied in a
critical review of the military training of his superior
officers as the war went on. He found time, in the
midst of his duties in the army, in Congress, in the
Cabinet and in agriculture, to publish an exhaustive
letter on the " Conduct of the American Government
towards Great Britain and France," and a " Review
of the Correspondence between President John
Adams and W. Cunningham," besides many valuable
papers connected with his varied official service.
Colonel Pickering was not only governed by a high
sense of duty throughout his long career, and by
strong convictions, but he also expressed himself in a
nervous, vigorous style, and in controversial corre-
spondence was a most formidable foe. To no man is
this country more indebted for its independent na-
tionality and the strength of its institutions. He per-
formed his service with such fearlessness and honesty
that he was at times placed on the defensive ; but he
now stands in the front rank of the great and pure
men of the Revolutionary and Constitutional period in
our history. In a literary point of view, he has left
for the imitation of those statesmen who come after
him a clear and impressive style and great power of
statement.
The adoption of the Constitution and the organiza-
tion of the Union found the country almost entirely
absorbed by political controversies, and most vigorous
endeavors to restore the languishing business of a
people eshausted by a long war and a feeble and un-
satisfactory system of government. The pulpit, the
138
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
bar and the newspaper press absorbed nearly all the
cultivated talent of the country. The progress of
Ariuinianism and the development of Unitarianism
gave rise to a most animated theological controversy,
and the issues, growing out of various interpretations
of the Federal Constitution, brought out a strong
body of writers on these subjects. Rev. Thomas Bar-
nard, of the North Church, published many occa-
sional sermons, beginning in 1786, among which may
be found an eloquent discourse delivered on the death
of Washington, following in this respect his father,
Rev. Thomas Barnard, of the First Church, who be-
gan his publications in 1743.
One of the most remarkable writers and investi-
gators of that day was Rev. .John Prince, LL.D., who
was born in Boston in 1751, and died in Salem in
1836. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1776,
and was ordained minister over the First Church
in Salem in 1779. He was a most indefatigable
worker, and applied himself to scientific research,
often at the expense of bis ministerial and parochial
duties. He was an intimate friend of Count Rum-
ford, who commenced his great career in this town as
author and investigator in 1765, and joined in many
of his inventions and scientific experiments. He
improved largely the air-pump, and tested many plans
for warming rooms. He published many sermons,
among which are a Fast Sermon in 1798, a Charitable
Sermon in 1806, a sermon on the death of Dr. Barnard
in 1814, and a sermon before the Bible Society in 1816.
His labors and his character were noticed by many
scientific, literary and historical societies, and were
reviewed by many leading periodicals of the day.
Dr. Prince exerted a commanding influence on the
community in which he lived and his memory is
warmly cherished in Salem. In theology he passed
from Arminianism to Unitarianism with many of his
clerical associates, and set a noble example of the ca-
pacity of a liberal-minded man to retain his faith
while pursuing his theological investigations and
modifying his views. His style was simple and some-
what severe, but it was used by him to convey sound
doctrine, and a fund of valuable information and
much food for thought.
William Bentley was ordained over the East Church
four years after Dr. Prince commenced his labors at
the First Church. He was born in Boston in 1759;
was gi-aduated at Harvard in 1777 ; and died in 1819.
He was one of the ablest men of his time. His learn-
ing was extensive, and he used it, not only in the
pulpit, but also in the newspaper press, to which he
was a liberal contributor, and in a more elaborate
work upon the history of Salem. He was at one
time the editor of the Essex Register. In poli-
tics he was an ardent Republican and espoused the
cause of Jefferson and advocated his interpretation of
the Constitution. In theology he was an extreme
Arminian, and paused not when he reached Unitarian-
ism, but adopted with great force and ability those
doctrines which since his day have been more gener-
erally accepted by the followers of Emerson and Par-
ker and the German school. He was a most ardent
patriot and left his pulpit in mid-service to defend
the town of Marblehead and the frigate " Constitu-
tion," when she was chased into that harbor, now fa-
mous as the rendezvousof the competingyachts of the
country. Dr. Bentley was at his death warmly eulo-
gized by Edward Everett, at the time a professor
in Harvard College. But it was not found con-
venient to publish the sermon. He left his valuable
library to the theological school at Meadville, and
the American Antiquarian Society, at Worcester. He
was a most beloved pastor and friend, and his memory
is held as a most precious legacy by the descendants
of those who loved him in his lifetime, and worshipped
his spirit after death. Dr. Bentley published: "A
Sermon at Stone Chapel, Boston," 1790; "Sermon on
the death of Jonathan Gardner." 1791; "Psalms and
Hymns," 1795; "A Masonic Discourse," 1796 ; "Ar-
tillery Election Sermon," 1796; "Sermon on the
death of General Fiske," 1797; "A Masonic Dis-
course," 1797 ; " Masonic Charge," 1798 ; " History of
Salem," 1800; "Sermon on the death of B. Hodges,"
1804; "Sermon on the ordination of Joseph Richard-
son Hingham," 1806 ; " Election Sermon," 1807.
These two distinguished divines performed great
service in the work of sustaining the literary reputa-
tion and power of Salem — a duty which before their
death was taken up by one of the most learned and
exemplary sons of this town, the Hon. John Picker-
ing. He was born in Salem in 1772, a son of Timothy
Pickering, and spent his early life in public service at
home and abroad. He was secretary of legation to
Portugal, and afterwards private secretary of Rufus
King, in London. He filled many important positions
as instructor at Harvard, practiced law in Salem until
1830, was a Senator from Essex and a member of the
House of Representatives from Salem, and revised and
arranged the Statutes of Massachusetts. He was,
during his life, a most diligent student. His works
are of great value to the scholar, and attracted the
favorable attention of learned men at home and
abroad. In 1816 he published " a vocabulary or col-
lection of words and phrases which have been sup-
posed to be popular in the United States," a work
which was accepted at once as of great value by
scholars on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1829 he
published a volume " On the Adoption of a Uniform
Orthography for the Indian Languages of North .
America," to which students of etymology made con- I
stant reference. In 1836 he published " Remarks on
the Indian Languages of North America," accepted
as a most valuable treatise by General Cass, W. H.
Prescott, Du Ponceau, Ludewig and others. In 1826
he published " A Comprehensive Lexicon of the Greek ■
Language, adapted to the schools and colleges of the
United States," a book which ran through many edi-
tions and was published in Edinburgh by Professor
SALEM.
139
George Dunbar, with additions. The third American
edition was so enlarged aud improved as to be ae-
ce|)ted as final authority. Mr. Pickering also pub-
lished "A Fourth of July Oration in Salem, "in 1804;
" Eulogy on Nathaniel Bowditch, before the Academy
of Arts and Sciences,'' 183S ; " Lecture on the Alleged
Uncertainty of the Law,"' 1834; "Dr. Edwards' Obser-
vations on the Language of the Muhekaneew In-
dians," 1823; "Eliot's Indian Grammar," 1822;
" Father Kasles' Dictionary of the Abnaki Lan-
guage," and the " Vocabulary of Josiah Cotton," and
" A Grammar of the Cherokee Language." He ed-
ited with a memoir " Peirce's History of Harvard
University." In connection with Judge White, of
Salem, he published an edition of "Sallust," in 1805.
He also published a translation of " M. Dupin's Ref-
utation of J. Salvador's Trial of Jesus," prefixed to
the " E.xamination of the Testimony of the Four
Evangelists;" "A Review of the McLeod Inter-
national Question ; " " Remarks on Greek Grammar; "
" An Address Before the American Oriental Society ; "
" A Paper on the Roman Law ; " " An Article on
National Rights ; " " An Essay on the Agrarian
Laws ; " " An Essay on the Pronunciation of Greek ; "
one on the " Priority of Greek Studies ; " one on the
" Egyptian Jurisprudence; " papers on the "Cochin
China Language," and " Prescott's History of Ferdi-
nand and Isabella."
The scholarship of Dr. Pickering, especially as a
linguist, has seldom been surpassed. He had a pro-
found knowledge of more than twenty languages.
President Felton said of him that "he was one of the
noblest and most learned men our country has pro-
duced." He possessed great purity of character and
a most amiable and gentle disposition. His mind
was enlarged by much learning and his heart was con-
stantly warmed by his devotion to scholarly labor and
his daily intimacy with the works of students of all
ages and every country.
During tlie years occupied by Jolin Pickering in j)er-
forraing his great literary work, Joseph Story entered
upon his remarkable career as poet, legislator, law-
yer and jurist. He was born in Marblehead Septem-
ber 18, 1779 ; was graduated at Harvard in 1798 ; was
admitted to the bar in 1801, and commenced the
practice of his profession at once in Salem, where he
resided until appointed professor of law at Harvard
in 1829. He was a lawyer who had acknowledged
power as an adviser and an advocate, even in the
early days of his professional labors. He was a most
influential member of the Massachusetts House of
Representatives, and during his term of service in
Congress, to which he was elected as a Jeffersonian
Republican, in 1808, he pursued a course of great
independence and commanding influence. During
this period of his public career he had entered upon
the field of authorship with great zeal, and was al-
ready recognized as an eloquent orator, a graceful
scholar and an able expounder of the law. As early as
1804 he published a poem, entitled "The Power of
Solitude," which, whatever may have been its poetic
merit, indicated the grace and fervor of the author's
mind. He then commenced his long catalogue of
treatises on various branches of the law. He pub-
lished "A Selection of Pleadings in Civil Actions" in
1806 ; " The Public and General Statutes passed by
the Congress of the United States from 1789 to 1827; "
"Commentaries on the Law of Bailments," 1832;
" Commentaries on the Constitution of the United
States, with a preliminary review of the Constitu-
tional History of the Colonies and States before the
adoption of the Constitution," 1833 ; " Commentaries
on the Conflict of Laws, Foreign and Domestic, in
regard to Contracts, Rights and Remedies, and espe-
cially in regard to Marriages, Divorces, Wills, Succes-
sions and Judgments," 1834; "Commentaries on
Equity Jurisprudence as administered in England
and America," 1835 ; " Commentaries on Equity
Pleadings and the incidents thereto, according to the
Practice of the Courts of Equity in England aud
America," 1838 ; " Commentaries on the Law of
Agency as a Branch of Commercial and Maritime
Jurisprudence, with occasional Illustrations from the
Civil and Foreign Law," 1839; "Commentaries on
the Law of Partnership as a Branch of Commercial
and Maritime .lurisprudence," 1842 ; " Commentaries
on the Law of Bills of Exchange, Foreign and In-
land, as administered in England and America, with
occasional Illustrations from the Commercial Law of
the Nations of Continental Europe," 1843; "Com-
mentaries on the Law of Promissory Notes, and
Guaranties of Notes and Checks on Banks and Bankers,
with occasional Illustrations from the Commercial Law
of the Nations of Continental Europe," 1845; be-
sides numerous decisions on his circuit as United
States justice, of which Sir James Mackintosh said
they were " admired by all cultivators of the law
of nations."
It would not be supposed that in the midst of such
vast and constant labor as a lawyer, professor, jurist
and author, Judge Story would have found time for
productionsof a more purely literary character,and yet
the list of these is long and interesting. He delivered
in Salem an eulogy on George Washington, 1800;
eulogy on Captain J. Lawrence and Lieutenant C.
Ludlow, 1813 ; sketch of the life of Samuel Dexter,
181G ; charge to the grand juries of the Circuit Courts
at Boston and Providence, 1819; charge to the grand
jury of the Circuit Court of Portland, 1829; address
before the members of the Surtblk bar, 1821 ; dis-
course before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Har-
vard, 182(3; discourse before the Esse.K Historical
Society, 1828; discourse on inauguration as Dane
Professor of Law in Harvard University, 1829 ; ad-
dress on the dedication of the cemetery at Mount
Auburn, 1831 ; discourse on the funeral obsequies of
John Hooker Ashmun, 1833 ; discourse on the life,
character and services of Hon. John Marshall, LL.D.,
140
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1835; lectures on the Science of Government, 1838;
discourse before the Ahimni of Harvard College,
1842; charge to the grand jury of Rhode Island on
treason, 1845; with many occasional speeches and
pamphlets.
America has produced but few men equal in all
respects to Judge Story. As a student he combined
patience, diligence, comprehension and enthusiasm to
a most extraordinary degree. He turned his atten-
tion in his early life to the hardest of all sciences, in
which dispassionate judgment and cold deliberation
are essentially required. And yet he filled the tem-
ple of the law with a genial warmth and a radiant
glow which could not be surpassed by any work of
taste and imagination, and has rarely been equaled
in those spheres which are dedicated to fervor and
devotion. He had a sacred regard for the law, and
he inspired his hearers with the same sense of reverent
admiration. His mind, with its vast grasp and broad
understanding, worked on with the rapidity of light.
And while exercising his vigorous powers, he had
most genial attractions for his associates, and those
whom he taught, and in his famiU' he always won
the most ardent alTection by his kindness and gen-
tleness and simplicity. He was a great lawyer, a great
author, a great citizen, and a kind and affectionate
parent. Mrs. Farrar said of him, " He was the beau-
ideal of a judge." His justice was always tempered
with mercy.
The career of Nathaniel Bowditch, which, in an in-
tellectual point of view, is one of the most remarkable
and admirable records in history, commenced in Salem
almost contemporaneously with that of John Picker-
ing and Joseph Story. Pickering was born in 1772,
Bowditch in 1773, and Story, who made no delays in
his youth, in 1779. Pickering delivered his first ora-
tion in Salem in 1804. Bowditch published "The
Practical Navigator " in 1802, and Story was ad-
mitted to the bar in Salem in 1801 to overtake in
accomplishment his great contemporaries. They
removed to Boston about the same time, carrying
with them the great reputation they had already
achieved.
Dr. Bowditch was born in Salem in 1773, and died
in Boston in 1838. He began life in the forecastle of
an East Indiaman, and before he had relinquished
his interest in navigation he had become the mariner's
guide across the trackless sea. Placed in charge of
an insurance company in Salem, he advanced from
"The Practical Navigator" to the"Mecanique Celeste,"
and the interpreter of Laplace to all English-speaking
nations, and when he was called to a higher posi-
tion in Boston as the organizer and president of the
Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, an
enduring monument to his financial wisdom and
skill, he continued his studies still, until he accom-
plished that great literary work upon which his fame
rests so securely. He seems to have been indifferent
to all obstacles from the beginning to the end of his
great career. At ten years of age he was compelled
by poverty to labor for his own living. He followed
the seas, mostly in a subordinate capacity, until he
had reached mature manhood. And when he en-
tered upon the great work of his life he was obliged
to call his family about him, and confer with them
as to the possibility of his publishing his volumes
without outside aid. The same economy and cour-
age which bore him through his early trials bore him
also through the later struggles, fortunately support-
ed as he was by the resolute determination of his
wife and children. While engaged in his work he
seemed to be unconscious of disturbance or interrup-
tion, and his most difficult calculations were made in
the midst of the amusements of his family. The
"Mecanique Celeste " appeared in four large volumes
in 1829, '32, '34, '38. And by the strength of his
genius he stood in the front rank of the great students
and mathematicians of the world.
Dr. Bowditch possessed this great mental power,
but he was remarkable also for his foresight, prudence,
integrity and courage. His influence was felt in
commercial circles, in scientific associations, in the
government of Harvard College, and on the lives of
those who bore his name, and went out from his
domestic circle to practice the virtues he had given
them as his best legacy.
The Rev. Samuel Worcester, D.D., commenced a
long and useful career as pastor, preacher and author
in charge of the Tabernacle Church in Salem, in 1803.
He was born in Hollis, N. H., in 1770, was graduated
at Dartmouth in 1795 and died in 1821. He was a
theological scholar of great ability, and entered with
zeal and power into the controversies of his day.
From 1810 until his death he was corresponding sec-
retary of the A. B. C. F. M., and he was untiring in his
eflicient support of that association. He published
six sermons on the doctrine of " Eternal Judgment,"
1800 ; "A Discourse on the Covenant with Abraham,"
1805; "Three Letters to the Rev. W. E. Channing on
Unitarianism," 1815; an edition of Watts' Hymns,
1818 ; many magazine articles and the first ten Reports
of the A. B. C. F. M. He was considered one of the
ablest supporters and advocates of orthodox Christian-
ity, and was counted worthy of elaborate reviews and
notices by such writers as Jeremiah Evarts, A. P.
Peabody and Rufus Anderson. Dr. Worcester added
much to the literary reputation of Salem, and his
presence and services gave importance to the town.
He presented a fine example of the New England
clergy of a former date ; and he raised a standard
which his theological associates were proud to follow,
and which has served as a mark for those who have
succeeded him. He brought harmony and strength
to a church organization which had passed through
many trials and changes, and gave it the proud dis-
tinction of sending forth the first foreign missionaries
to the East Indies.
The Rev. Elia.s Cornelius was settled as an associate
SALEM.
141
of Dr. Worcester in 1819, and dismissed in 1826. He
was the author of " The Little Osage Captive," 1822,
and a " Sermon on the Trinity," 1826.
Benjamin Peirce, who was born in Salem in 1778,
and died in 1831, contributed largely to the literature
of his times. He became librarian of Harvard Col-
lege in 1826, and retained this station until his death.
He was the author of a " History of Harvard College
from 16.36 to the Revolution ; " a "Catalogue of the
Library of Harvard College," 1830. He was a dili-
gent scholar and a most useful oflicial in the college.
The Rev. .lames Flint was born in Reading 1779,
was graduated at Harvard 1802, and installed over
the East Church 1821. He died in 1855. He had
great mental powers, a glowing imagination, an in-
cessant activity. Ralph Waldo Emerson said he had
genius. His literary remains consist of a volume of
sermons, occasional sermons and addresses and a few
sweet and fervid hymns scattered here and there in
the collections for churches. There are those who
remember him with great esteem and reverence.
He published : " The Christian Ministry," 180G ;
"Sermon on Ordination of Rev. N. Whitman Bil-
lerin," 1814; "God a Refuge in Times of Calamity
and Danger,"' 1814; " Election Sermon," 1815 ; "Dis-
course at Plymouth on the Landing of the Pilgrims,"
181G; "Ordination of Scth Alden, Marlboro'," 1819;
"Sermon on the Death of Rev. Abiel Abbot," Beverly,
1828; "Sermon on the Sabbath," 1828; "Sermon on
Indolence," 1829; "Change: Phi Beta Kappa Poem,
Harvard," 1839; "Collection of Hymns," 1843;
"Sermon on the Vanity of Earthly Possessions,"
1844; "Sermons on Leaving the East Church," 1845;
"Sermon on the Death of Dr. Brazer," 1846; "Ser-
mons on the Deaths of President Taylor and Hon. U.
Silsbee," 1850; "Posthumous Volume of Sermons
and of Poems," 1852.
The Rev. .John Brazer was born in Worcester in
1789, was graduated at Harvard in 1813, where he was
tutor and professor until 1820, in which year he was
ordained pastor of the North Church. Dr. Brazer
was a most polished scholar, and on all public occa-
sions when he was called on to deliver a sermon or ad-
dress he acquitted himself with great taste and finish.
His style was not easily surpassed. He was a strong
and consistent and conservative Unitarian, and his
congregation was one of the largest and most influen-
tial in the town. He delivered the Dudleian Lectures
at Harvard in 1836, and published a volume of ser-
mons about the same time. His labors were mostly
confined to his parish, and he left a valuable literary
harvest from his fertile and well-cultivated mind.
Dr. Brazer published; "Discourse for Promotion of
Christian Education," 1825 ; " Sermon on the Death
of Dr. Holyoke," 1829; "Power of Unitarianism,"
1829; "Ordination of Jonathan Cole," 1829; "Me-
moir of Dr. Holyoke," 1830; "Sermon on the Value
of the Public Exercises of Religion," 1832; " Efficacy
of Prayer," 1832; "Duty of Active Benevolence,"
1835; "Essay on Divine Influence," 1835; "Lesson
of the Past," 1837; "Present Darkness of God's
Providence,'' 1841 ; " Sermon on the Death of Hon.
Benj. Pickman," 1843; "Sermon on the Death of
Hon. Leverett Saltonstall," 1843; "Posthumous vol-
ume of Sermons."
Henry Pickering, a brother of John Pickering, born
in 1781, was for some time a merchant in Salem, and
afterwards removed to New York. He printed a vol-
ume of poems for private distribution in 1830, and a
poem entitled the "Ruins of Paestum " in 1822. He
possessed the scholarly tastes of the faibily, and en-
joyed a fine reputation as a gentleman of refinement
and learning.
As a friend of the distinguished authors just enu-
merated, and as a graceful scholar, wise legal adviser
and patron of letters, no man ever stood higher than
the Hon. Daniel Appleton White. He was horn in
Methuen in 1776, was graduated at Harvard in 1799,
and devoted himself for some years to teaching. He
was admitted to the bar in 1804, and was appointed
judge of probate for Essex County in 1815, at which
time he took up his residence in Salem for the re-
mainder of his life. He died in 1861. He published a
"Eulogy of Washington at Haverhill," 1800 ; " View of
the Jurisdiction of the Court of Probate in Massa-
chusetts," 1822; a "Eulogy of Nathaniel Bowditch,"
1838 ; an address at the consecration of Harmony
Grove Cemetery, 1840 ; " New England Congregation-
alism in its Origin and Purity," 1861 ; besides numer-
ous pamphlets.
Judge White led a long and useful life in Salem.
His literary work was always done with great taste
and skill, with a purity and terseness of style rarely
equaled, and with great wisdom and humanity. His
mind was always guided by a high moral sense. In
his connection with public aftairs he always exercised
the most untiring devotion to the welfare of the com-
munity, and steadily entertained lofty views of the
duties of a Christian commonwealth. To the libraries
of Salem and to the educational work of the Lyceum,
which he founded, and the Essex Institute, which he
patronized liberally, he rendered a service which
should never be forgotten. He was known as the
friend of the scholar and of sound learning.
In 1818 the friends of Rev. Nathaniel Fisher pub-
lished a posthumous volume of his sermons preached
at St. Peter's Church, which were considered of a high
order. He was born in Dedham in 1742, and died in
Salem in 1812.
In the same year (1818) Benjamin Lynde Oliver, a
gentleman of great ability and attainments, published
his first volume, entitled " Hints on the Pursuit of
Happiness." He followed this with "The Rights of an
American Citizen," 1832; "Law Summary," 1833;
" Practical Conveyancing," 1838 ; " Forms of Prac-
tice," 1841 ; " Forms in Chancery, Admiralty and
Common Law," 1842. Mr. Oliver wasdistinguishcd for
his brilliancy in conversation and his high social quali-
142
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ties. He was a most skillful chess-player, and was
considered an authority in that intricate game. He
was born in 1788, and died in 184.3. He was a son of
Rev. Thomas Fitch Oliver, an Episcopal minister, who
published an interesting discourse on Masonry in
1784. He was also a nephew of Dr. B. Lynde Oliver,
who died in Salera in 1835, aged seventy-five, and who
published many medical treatises.
In 1824 the Rev. Josiah Willard Gibbs, who was
the son of Henry and Mercy (Prescott) Gibbs, and born
in Salem in 1784, commenced the publication of his
philological works, consisting of "A Hebrew and
English Lexicon to the Old Testament, including the
Biblical Chaldee from the works of Prof. W. Gese-
nius ; " an edition of the above for schools, in 1828;
"Philological Studies" with English illustrations,
1857 ; and "A New Latin Analyst," 1859. Professor
Gibbs was a long time professor of sacred literature
in Yale College. He was a profound scholar ; his
works were republished in London, and were favora-
bly noticed by the most accomplished linguists.
While yet a junior in Dartmouth College, Charles
Dexter Cleveland commenced his literary career. He
was born in Salem December 3, 1802 ; was graduated
at Dartmouth College in 1827, and in 1830 was elected
professor of Latin and Greek in Dickinson College,
Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He entered upon the work
of authorship in 1S26, at which time he published
" The Moral Characters of Theophrastus," with a
translation and critical notes. This he followed with
"An Epitome of Greek Antiquities," 1827; "First
Lesson in Latin on a New Plan," 1827; "The Na-
tional Orator," 1827 ; Xenophon's "Anabasis," with
English notes, 1880; "A Compendium of Greek An-
tiquities," 1831; "First Lessons in Greek," 1832;
" Sequel to First Lessons in Latin," 1834 ; an edition
of Adams' " Latin Grammar," 1836 ; "An Address of
the Liberty Party of Pennsylvania to the People of
the State," 1844; " First Latin Book," and " Second
Latin Book," 1845 ; " Third Latin Book," 1848 ; "A
Compendium of English Literature," 1848 ; "Hymns
for Schools," 1850 ; " English Literature of the Nine-
teenth Century," 1851 ; an edition of Milton's " Poet-
ical Works," 1853 ; "A Compendium of English
Literature," 1858. His Latin series have always
been highly esteemed by scholars ; and his edition of
Milton is most satisfactory, both to the scholar and
the general reader. His devotion to ancient and
modern literature has given his country a noble
movement in American scholarship ; and it has been
said of his work that " good taste, fine scholarship,
familiar acquaintance with English literature, un-
wearied industry, tact acquired by practice, an inter-
e.st in the culture of the young, a regard for truth,
purity, philanthropy, religioH, as the highest attain-
ment and highest beauty — all these were needed, and
they are all united in Mr. Cleveland."
The Rev. Samuel Melancthon Worcester began his
work as an author in 1826. He was a son of the Rev.
Samuel Worcester, to whom allusion has been made;
was born in 1801 ; was graduated at Harvard in 1822;
was for many years tutor and professor in Amherst
College, and was settled over the Tabernacle Church,
in Salem, in 1834. He was recording secretary
of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions, from 1847 to 1866. In 1826 he published
" Essays on Slavery," by Vigorinus; in 1854 "A Me-
morial of the Tabernacle Church ; " many sermons
and discourses ; and many articles in reviews and
periodicals. He represented Salem in the Massachu-
setts Legislature in 1866. Dr. Worcester had great
industry and a strong mind controlled by sincerity
and honesty of purpose. He resembled his father in
the sturdy vigor of his style and in the purity of his
purpose. He resigned his pastorate in 1859, but not
until he had strengthened the work his father con-
solidated, and had seen his people collected in the
new church edifice which they erected in 1854.
The Rev. Jo.seph B. Felt has intimately connected
his name with the history of Salem, by his faithful
and accurate annals of the place. He was born in
Salem in 1789, was graduated at Dartmouth in 1813,
and soon became the acknowledged historian of many
localities in Essex County. He published histories
of Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton and Salem, in all of
which he displayed great patience of research and
great capacity for arrangement and selection. He
also published "Collections from the American Statis-
tical Associations on Towns, Population and Taxa-
tion " in 1847, and a " Memoir of Roger Conant" in
1848. He is highly esteemed as a reliable annalist,
and an honest and capable searcher after truth ; and
he is accepted as authority on all matters which he
has investigated and recorded. He ranks among the
most faithful of historians.
The work of social reform has at times occupied
most absorbing attention in Salem, and has been sup-
ported by some of her ablest and most conspicuous
citizens.- Among the most remarkable of her re-
formers was the Rev. George B. Cheever, who, while
pastor of the Howard Street Church, exerted himself
most vigorously and conscientiously in behalf of
human freedom and temperance. He was born in
Hallowell, Me., in 1807 ; was graduated at Bowdoin
College in 1825, and not long after was settled in
Salem as pastor of the "Branch Church." His fear-
less hostility to the traffic in and the use of ardent
spirits led him into the most violent contest, in which
he maintained his position with great courage and
persistency, and in an attitude far in advance of his
times. While here he published "Inquire at Deacon
Giles' Distillery," a work which produced a stirring
social commotion in the town, but won for him the
reputation of an ardent and brave reformer. He
afterwards settled in New York as pastor of the Allen
Street Church, 1845 ; and as pastor of the Church of
the Puritans in New York, in 1846. He published
" The American Common-Place Book of Prose,"
SALEM.
143
1828, and of "Poetry," 1829; "Studies in Poetry,"
1830; "Lectures on Hierarchical Despotism" and
"Lectures on Pilgrim's Progress," 1843; "Wander-
ings of a Pilgrim in the Shadow of Mont Blanc,"
1846 ; "The Hill of Ditliculty," 1849 ; " The Voice of
Nature to her Foster-child," "The Soul of Man,"
1852 ; "A Reel in the Bottle for Jacob in the Dol-
drums," 1852; "Journal of the Pilgrims at Plym-
outh," 1848; "Punishment by Death: its Author-
ity and Expediency," 1849; " Windings of the River
of the Water of Life," 1849; " Powers of the World
to Come," 1853; "Lectures on Cowper," 1856;
"God against Slavery," 1857.
These works indicate the tendency of Dr.Cheever's
mind ; they also indicate his great power and versa-
tility. He has made a mark in his time which will
never be obliterated, and he has done much to direct
the public mind in the paths of morality, rectitude
and virtue.
At the time when Dr. Cheever commenced his ca-
reer in Salem the Rev. Charles W. Upham had just
entered upon his pastorate in the (First) Congrega-
tional Church as colleague of Dr. Prince. Mr. Up-
ham was born in St. John, New Brunswick, 1802;
was graduated at Harvard, 1821, and settled in Salem
in 1824. For twenty years he was minister of this
parish, at the end of which time he resigned, and
pursued diligently his work as public official and au-
thor. He was a member of the Thirty-third Congress ;
Representative to the General Court in 1849, '59, and
'60; State Senator in 1850, '57 and '58, and one year
presiding officer of that body. He was mayor of the
city in 1852.
Mr. Upham became an author at an early period
of his career. He published, in 1828, " Letters on the
Logos." This was followed by "Principles of Congre-
gationalism," 1829; "Lectures on Witchcraft," 1835;
" Salem Witchcraft, with an account of Salem Village,"
1867; "Discourse on the Funeral of Rev. John Prince,"
1836 ; "Life, Explorations and Services of John Charles
Fremont," 1856; "Lifeof Sir Henry Vane," 1836; "Life
of John Quincy Adams," 1839; oration, July 4, 1844;
oration before the New England Society, N. Y., 1846 ;
" Life of Washington," 1852 ; and the last three vol-
umes of the " Life of Timothy Pickering," a work
commenced by Octavius Pickering, a son of Timothy
Pickering, a graduate of Harvard in 1810, and for
many years reporter of the Supreme Court of Ma.s.sa-
chusetts.
Mr. Upham was a graceful and forcible writer. His
sermons, while a preacher, were extremely attractive
to old and young, and wore filled with a warm Chris-
tian spirit. In his work as a public servant he set
an example of honest conviction and a fearless dis-
charge of duty. His contributions to the history of
his country were most valuable. The " Life of Sir
Henry Vane" which he contributed to Sparks' "Ameri-
can Biography" has always been accepted as one of the
most brilliant works of the kind in the English lan-
guage. His "History of Witchcraft" is elaborate,
graphic and exhaustive; and his share of the "Life of
Timothy Pickering" is a charming record of the great
work of that remarkable man. Mr. Upham, at his
death, left a circle of warm and devoted friends, and
an honorable record in the community in which he
spent so many long and laborious years of his life.
In 1800 William Biglow, or, as he sometimes sub-
scribed his name, Gulielmus Magnushumilis, was
engaged as a teacher in Salem. He was born in
Natick in 1773, was graduated at Harvard in 1794,
and died in 1844. He was the author of the " His-
tory of the Town of Natick from 1650 ;" and of the
town of Sherborne from its incorporation to the end
of the year 1830. He contributed a Latin poem on
the occasion of the second centennial of Harvard, in
1836. He published "Elements of Latin Grammar,"
1811; "Education," a poem, Salem, 1799; "Phi
Beta Kappa," poem, 1811; "Poem on Intemper-
ance," Cambridge, 18.34; "Recommencement, or
Commencement Again," Boston, 1811 ; several school
books. He married a daughter of Peter Lander, of
Salem. He was a scholar of extensive reading, and
was well known to numerous acquaintances as a so-
cial companion of original wit and fancy, and pos-
sessing a fund of anecdote, which he would commu-
nicate with facility in prose and rhyme.
The Hon. Joseph G. Sprague delivered a eulogy on
Adams and Jefferson in 1826, and published many
political and biographicpl essays. Lieutenant John
White, U. S. N., published " Voyage to the China
Seas," 1826.
Dr. R. D. Mussey practised medicine in Salem at
this period, and earlier for several years. He was en-
gaged in lecturing on chemistry in 1816, and removed
to accept a professorship at Dartmouth College, and
afterwards at Cincinnati. He published many medi-
cal essays and an elaborate treatise on tobacco. He
married a daughter of Dr. Joseph Osgood, of Salem.
Dr. Daniel Oliver was engaged with Dr. Mussey in
popular scientific lectures in Salem. He resided here
for many years, and was afterwards professor of the
theory and practice of medicine at Dartmouth Col-
lege. He published " First Lines in Physiology," in
1835.
It was in this period of the literary history of Salem
that Nathaniel Hawthorne commenced his inspired
work. Born in Salem July 4, 1804, he led a quiet
and secluded life for thirty years, pa.ssing shyly
through the schools of the town and inconspicuously
through Bowdoin College, where he was graduated in
1825. His first appearance as an author was in The
Token and The Democratic Review, where he published
anonymously a series of tales so attractive that the
most brilliant minds of the country commenced a dili-
gent search for the author, who was supposed for a
long time to be a female of great delicacy of fancy and
keen knowledge of human nature. In 1837, however,
he collected these productions into a volume entitled
144
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
"Twice-Told Tales," and the position of Hawthorne
in the world of letters was at once recognized. The
book received a most flattering review by Longfellow,
a warm and cordial reception by Miss Mitford and
a moat enthusiastic welcome from all that class of re-
fined and aesthetic students who were gathering
round Emerson, George Eipley, Margaret Fuller,
Theodore Parker and their charming and critical as-
sociates. On the other hand, the hard students re-
joiced in his appearance. From this time until his
death, in 1864, a period of less than thirty years, he
held various official positions conferred upon him for
his merit as an author; and he sent forth that collec-
tion of romances which have given him an immortal-
ity in the world of letters and have elevated the po-
sition of the American mind to the rank accorded to
genius in all ages and among all nations. " TheScar-
let Letter," " The House of the Seven Gables,"
" Blithedale Romance," " Mosses from an Old Manse,"
"Grandfather's Chair," "The Wonder Book,"
"Tanglewood Tales," "The Marble Faun," "Our
Old Home," " English Note-Book," " American Note-
Book " all came out in rapid succession, and now oc-
cupy the dearest corner in every well-appointed li-
brary, at home and abroad.
By his many reviewers Hawthorne has been com-
pared with nearly all the great writers of fiction,
whose works have been accepted as beyond mere fig-
ments of the fancy. That he surpassed them all in
his comprehension of the motives of the human heart
there can be no doubt. It was a supernatural ele-
ment in him which gave him his high distinction.
When he entered upon his work as a writer he left
his personality entirely behind him. In this work he
allowed no interference, he asked for no aid. He was
shy of those whose intellectual jjower and literary
fame might seem to give them a right to enter his
sanctuary. In an assembly of illustrious authors and
thinkers he floated reserved and silent around the
margin of the room and at last vanished into outer
darkness. The working of his mind was so sacred
and mysterious to him that he was impatient of any
attempt at familiarity or even intimacy with the di-
vine power within him. His love of personal soli-
tude was his ruling passioa ; his intellectual solitude
was an overpowering necessity. And so in great
loneliness he toiled, conscious that no human power
could guide him, and that human sympathy was of
no avail. He appeared to understand his own great-
ness so imperfectly that he dared not expose the mys-
tery to others ; and the sacrednes? of his genius was
like the sacredness of his love. That this sentiment,
so natural and admirable, made him somewhat unjust
to his literary associates there can be but little doubt.
For while he applied to them the powerful test of
his own genius, before whose blaze many of them
withered, his retiring disposition kept him at a dis-
tance almost fatal to any estimate of their true pro-
portions. And even when he admired and respected
the authors among whom he moved, and was proud
of the companionship into which his genius had ele-
vated him, he never overcame his natural sensi-
tiveness with regard to the demand they might make
on him as a fellow-artist, to open his creations to
their vision and with regard to the test Ihey might
apply to him. For his sturdy manhood he sought
intimates and companions, — not many, but enough to
satisfy his natural longing for a fellow; for his genius
he neither sought nor desired nor expected to find
companionship. For his old oflicial friends he had a
tender affection ; for the strong and practical young
men with whom he set forth in life he had an abid-
ing love and attachment; they satisfied the longings
of one side at least of his existence. For the throne
on which he sat in the imperial realm of his own
creative thought he de.sired no associate; his seat
there was for himself alone ; his reign there was su-
preme. And when he retired to that lonely room
which he had set apart at the height of the tower which
overtopped his humble abode in Concord, and with-
out book or picture, alone with a solitary seat and
desk, having none to commune with except nature,
which stood before his windows to cheer his heart,
and he entered upon his work, his creation moved
steadily and majestically, as when the morning stars
sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy.
At the fuundation of Hawthorne's genius lay those
strong and sturdy characteristics which he had in-
herited from a long line of agricultural and maritime
ancestors. And these characteristics he never sur-
rendered. He found lor them a sympathetic feeling
in the few companions whom he met in the ordinary
service of his life. They were genuine as nature had
made them— neither tasteless nor artificial nor cor-
rupt. And in their association his mind found the
repose which all nature requires. But this was by no
means his life ; and let those w ho assume that his
companions led him into bad practices, even were
they so inclined, remember that he found his eternal
rest with someof the sweetest and purestspirits of his
time. Let those who flippantly accuse him of dissi-
pation and vulgarity remember that he found his home
among the noblest characters in the community in
which he lived, and let their regard and love for him
attest his nobility and purity. They say he was pure
and chaste and honorable — and their testimony is
enough. He had no fondness whatever for social
pleasures, good or bad, and never entered into them,
nor did he establish between himself and his fellow-
men the superficial intimacy upon which society rests.
But his instinct led him into the companionship of
the refined and gentle, whose life was made beautiful
by the constant presence of poetry and art and the
highest intellectual culture. Salem, in Hawthorne's
day, was filled with brilliant and beautiful women ;
and they worshipped at a distance this mysterious
divinity, whose delicate fancies charmed their hearts,
and whose glowing eye and sturdy form, and dome-
SALEM.
145
like head crowned with a luxuriant "pomp of hair,''
and fair and noble face, made up in him the ty])e of
imperial manhood. The doors of the most delightful
society were open to him. But he selected from a
secluded nook a modest flower, gave her his heart and
united with her in exploring the beauties of art and
letters, and in building up a home of great simplicity
and love. Hawthorne knew many ideal homes in his
day, but none more beautiful than his own, which
was always in accord witli the delicacy of his taste
and feeling, and on entering which he was obliged to
leave no unworthy qualities, no discordant habits
behind. No act of his life and no association had un-
fitted him for such companionship as he found there.
He embodied in all his relations with life the finest
of those characteristics which have made his native
place the home of strong and versatile powers, and of
faculties which have produced adeep impression upon
the world.
Julian Hawthorne, a son of Nathaniel and Sophia
Peabody Hawthorne, was born in Boston in 1846,
but passed much of his childhood in Salem while his
father was surveyor of that port. He has devoted
himself entirely to literature, and has displayed most
remarkable faculties in the creation of fiction and the
delineation of romance. It is easy to trace the re-
semblance between his own mind and that of his
father, and easy also to distinguish the difference.
At an early age he has secured a foremost place
among the authors of the country, and has added
much to the literary wealth of his times. To powers
like his the future is full of bright promise.
The Rev. Thomas W. Coit. who was connected with
Saint Peter's Church until 182(3, was born in 1803 ;
was graduated at Yale in 1821 was ordained, July
16, 1826, resigned March 2.3, 1829. He was a scholar of
good capacity and attainments, was professor of Trinity
College, and president of Transylvania University.
He published "The Theological Common-Place
Book" in 1832 ; " Remarks on Norton's Statement of
Reasons," 1833 ; " The Bil)le " in paragraphs and par-
allelisms, 1834; "Townsend's Chronological Bible,"
1837 ; " Puritanism, or a Churchman's Defense against
its Aspersions," 1844.
Elizabeth Palmer Peabody has devoted a long life
to a most valuable literary labor. She was born in
1804, and spent her early years in Salem witli her
sisters, who became the wives of Nathaniel Hawthorne
and Horace Mann. She commenced her literary
work early in life, publishing " Reconls of a School,"
" Spiritual Culture," " Dick Harbinger, the Pioneer,"
" The Present," " Introduction to Grammar," " First
Steps to History," 1833 ; " Key to the History of the
Hebrews," 1833; "Key to Grecian Hi.story," 1833;
"Chronological History of the United States," 1856;
"Memorial of Dr. Vvilliam Wesselhoeft," 1859;
" Translation of De Gerando's Moral Self-Education,"
1859; "Bern's System of Chronology," 1852 ; "The
Esthetic Papers," 1849 ; " E-say on Language," 1857 ;
10
and many papers in the ChrUtian Rraminer and
Journal nf Education. She has engaged most zeal-
ously in many reforms and has always combined
great humanity and kindness with careful scholar-
ship. She was an early disciple of Dr. Channing, and
she cultivated most intimate relations with Washing-
ton Allston, Emerson and the leaders of what is now
known as the Concord Scliool of Philosophy. Her
last publication, "An Evening with Allston, and
Other Essays," is a most graceful and profound pro-
duction. She is now eighty-three years of age and
retains all her vigor of thought and power of expres-
sion. Her sister, Mrs. Hawthorne, has publislied a
charming volume of letters, and her sister, Mrs. JIann,
has written an admirable " Life of Hon. Horace
Mann," and has published a valuable dlition of his
works.
The talent and accomplishments of these three wo-
men deserve a more elaborate notice than can be
given here. They were daughters of Dr. Nathaniel
and Elizabeth (Pahner) Peabody, who resided a long
time in Salem and elsewhere in Essex County. Mrs.
Peabody was the daughter of General Joseph Pearce
Palmer, a patriotic officer in the Revolutionary army,
and was one of a remarkable family. Her sister
Catherine was the mother of George P. Putnam, the
distinguished publisher and liberal patron of letters.
Her sister Mary married Royall Tyler, chief justice
of Vermont, poet and essayist, and was the motlier of
learned clergymen and college professors ; and her
sister Sophia married Dr. Thomas Pickman, of Salem,
an able and beloved physician of the town. The
daughters of Dr. Peabody inherited the talent of their
mother's family, and they have made many contril)u-
tions to the literature and art of the country. Their
associates and companions were among the most
learned men and women of their time, by whom they
were held in great aft'ection. The last survivor,
Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, even in her old age, oc-
cupies her mind with all objects of philanthropy and
charity, and enjoys the profound respect and esteem
of all who know her, and of all who renieinber her
constant labors in the cause of good learning and ed-
ucation.
One of the most diligent and studious of Salem au-
thors was Jonathan Cogswell Perkins, lawyer and jurist,
and so learned and accurate an annotator of the nu-
merous law books he i)ublished that he has been placed
by the best authorities "by the side of Story and Jlet-
calf " He was born in Chebacco Parish, Ipswich (now
Essex), in 1809, was graduated at Amherst in 1832.
studied law with Rufus Choaxe and at the Cambridge
Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1835. In
1848 he was appointed judge of the Court of Common
Pleas of Massachusetts, " and proved liimself to be a
learned and able, as well as a just and upright judge."
He published nine volumes of the second edition of
" Pickering's Mas-^achu.setts Reports," 1885-41 ; " Chit-
ty's Criminal Law," 1847 ; " Chitty on Contracts, with
146
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Valuable Annotations," seven editions from 1839 to
1859; "Jarman on Wills," 1849; "Abbot on Ship-
ping," 1854; " Daniell's Chancery Practice," 1851 ;
" Collyer on Partnership." 1850; "Chitty on Bills
and Notes," 1854; " Arnould on Insurance," 1851);
" Sugden's Law of Vendors and Purchasers of Real
Estate," 1851; " Angell on AVater-Courses," 1869;
" United States Digest," 1840 ; " Chitty on Pleadings
in Civil Actions," six editions from 1844 to 1866 ;
"Brown's Chancery Reports," 1814; "Vesey, Jr.,
Chancery Reports," 1844-45. After a busy and la-
borious life, of great value to the profession of law,
Judge Perkins died Dec. 12, 1877.
Benjamin Peirce (Professor) was born in 1809 and
graduated at Harvard 1829. He was Hollis profes-
sor of mathematics in 1832, and Perkins professor
of astronomy and mathematics from 1842 to 1867,
having been previously tutor in mathematics. In
1867 he was appointed superintendent of the United
States Coast Survey. Professor Peirce was truly a
mathematical genius. He comprehended a problem
with great rapidity and clearness, and he stated it,
with his conclusion, with a conciseness never sur-
passed by mathematicians of aay era. No proposition
was too small to receive his attention and none too
large to be mastered by his powerful mind. His pub-
lications were numerous, and they stand in the front
rank ot mathematical works. He published " Ele-
mentary Treatise on Plane Trigonometry," 1835 ;
" Elementary Treatise on Spherical Trigonometry,"
1836 ; " Elementary Treatise on Sound," 1836 ; " Ele-
mentary Treatise on Plane and Solid Geometry,"
1857 ; " Elementary Treatise on Algebra," 1837 ;
" Elementary Treatise on Curves, Functions and
Forces," 1841; "Tables of the Moon, arranged in a
form under the superintendence of Charles Henry
Davis, lieutenant U. S. N.," 1853 ; " Physical and
Celestial Mechanics, Developed in Four Systems of
Analytic Mechanics, Celestial Mechanics, Potential
Physics and Analytic Morphology," 1855; besides
many articles on " Meteors," " Latitudes," " Pertur-
bations of Uranus and Neptune," " Comets," " Sat-
urn's Ring," " Tails of Comets," " Moon Culmina-
tions," "Celestial Mechanics and Meteors." His
diligence was great, as was also his power of applica-
tion, and his amiability and patience enabled him to
pursue his work continuously amidst the interruptions
incident to his duties as teacher and professor. His
position among the scientists of his day was among
the foremost, and it is related of him that he secured
by letter, for a fellow-student and observer, to M. De
Lesseps, the plans and measurements of the Suez
Canal, which had been repeatedly refused to those
who applied as statesmen and diplomatists. He died
in 1880.
A brother of Professor Peirce, Charles Henry, born
in Salem in 1814, and a graduate of Harvard in 1833,
was formany years examiner of drugs and medicines
for the port of Boston, and published " Translation of
Stockhardt's Principles of Chemistry," 1850, a work
which was highly commended ; and " Examinations of
Drugs and Medicines," 1852. Dr. Peirce died in 1855.
Charles T. Brooks, who was a contemijorary of Pro-
fessor Peirce, ])ossessed a mind of an entirely difierent
order. He was born in 1813, was graduated at Har-
vard in 1832, and was ordained pastor of the Unita-
rian Church, Newport, R. I., in 1887. He had a
quick imagination, a graceful fancy and a deep love of
poetry. His sermons were characterized by great
piety and strong faith, as well as by a progressive lib-
erality. It was chiefly as a poet, however, that he
distinguished himself and took his place among the
scholars and authors of the country. He published
"Schiller's William Tell," translation 1838; transla-
tion of " Mary Stuart," and the " Maid of Orleans,"
1839; " Titan," from Jean Paul Richter, 1840 ;
"Specimens of German Songs," 1842; translation of
Schiller's "Homage of the Arts," 1847; "Poems,"
1848; the controversy touching the " Old Stone Mill
at Newport," 1851 ; " German Lyrics," 1856 ; " Songs
of Field and Flood," 1854.
Mr. Brooks was distinguished not only for his
ability as a sch(dar and poet, but for the sweetness of
his disposition and the purity of his life. His pres-
ence in the pulpit was a benediction, and he bore the
trials which fell upon him with a calm and patient
submission which won the admiration of all who
knew him.
The essays and poems of Jones Very were published
in 1839. He was born in 1813, as was Mr. Brooks,
just preceding, and was graduated at Harvard in 1836,
four years later. His progress towards distinction
was not rapid, but it was sure and constant. His rank
in college was good, his ability was recognized and he
was appointed Greek tutor in the university soon after
his graduation. The first issue of his poems and es-
says attracted universal attention. They were char-
acterized by great religious fervor, a fine imagination,
great delicacy of thought and a pure, simple and ef-
fective style. His sonnets were especially charming.
He was intimate with the beauties of nature and drew
many a lesson from the flowere by the wayside and the
fair landscape which lay around his home. His soul
was, at the same time, fidl of aspiration, and he saw
the hand of the Creator in all the natural objects
about him. On every subject which came under his
notice he turned a " dim religious light," and you
rose from his essays with the feeling that you had
been led to the contemplation of his themes by the
prophet of the Lord. It was said of him, by one of the
ablest of his critics, that" he always piped the sweet,
sad notes of religious melancholy," but he also taught
the most unbounded faith and the most confident re-
liance on that divine power to which he turned for
inspiration, and on which he leaned throughout his
sincere and thoughtful and pious life. He was oneof
the most sympathetic of men, and one of the most
inspired.
SALEM.
147
Robert Rantoul, Jr., one of the most eloquent and
brilliant of all the sons of Essex County, hardly
ideiUifKHl hinisolf with Salem, except as a law-student
in the ofiices of John Pickering and Leverett Salton-
stall, and a lawyer from 1829 to 1831. At this time,
however, he took so active a part in the mental ac-
tivity of the town, that he has given an opportunity
for enrolling his name in this list of cultivated and
intellectual men. Mr. Kantoul was born in Beverly,
1805 ; was graduated at Harvard, IS2G ; was admitted
to the bar, 1820 ; and died in 1S.')2. During this com-
paratively short period he devoted himself largely to
public service and won great distinction as a lawyer,
legislator and orator, with powers which, had they
been exercised in more purely literary work, would
have won for him greater distinction still. His com-
manding presence in the Massachusetts Legislature is
well remembered. His bold and gallant stand in
Congress is recalled with admiration by his contem-
poraries who remain. He was a fearless advocate of
the principles in which he believed, and he was the
most inspiring popular orator of his day in Massachu-
setts. He was formidable as an adversary and all-
powerful as an ally ; a generous and kindly opponent
and a tender and devoted friend. His early argument
in behalf of popular education, and his unanswerable
attack on the Ten Million Bank Bill, which he defeated
in the Massachusetts Legislature; his report against
capital punishment ; his oration at Concord, in 1850 ;
his reply to attacks made on him in Congress, in 1852 ;
hi.'' speech to his devoted constituents in Salem, July
o, 1852 ; his arguments as United States district
attorney, from 1845 to 1849 — all indicate great mental
grasp, extraordinary keenness of perception and mas-
terly skill in arrangement. When he died a great career
was suddenly and prematurely closed. And in the
great struggle which followed, in the opening of which
he took a conspicuous and important part, and which
ended only with the Civil War, his friends, his State
and his country, when disheartened by adversity, were
encouraged by the thought that the spirit of Kantoul
was with them, and mourned that liis voice could be
no longer heard. His recorded words gave great in-
spiration to those on whom the burthen of the contest
fell when he was gone ; and his name is warmly
cherished by the few now living who knew him, and
by the many who have learned from their fathers to
admire his courage, his genius and his gentle and
ati'ectionate spirit.
On the organization of the Barton Square Unita-
rian Church, in 1824, the Rev. Henry Colman was
installed as pastor, February Id, 1825. Mr. Colman
was born 1785, and died 1849. He continued his
connection with the church seven years, and then
withdrew to a broader and more active sphere of
duty. He became one of the most useful and inter-
esting of agricultural writers. He published " Re-
ports of the Agriculture of Massachusetts," 1849 ;
" European Agriculture and Rural Economy," 1851 ;
" Agriculture and Rural Economy of France, Belgium,
Holland and Switzerland," 1848 ; and " European
Life and Manners," 1849. He spent many years in
England, investigating agriculture and society, and
he was the first to describe the domestic economy of
that country, into whose well-organized homes he was
most cordially admitted. His style was graceful and
graphic, and his intercourse wa.s genial and highly
attractive.
In 1842 Richard J. Cleveland published a narrative
of " Voyages and Commercial Enterprises,' which
was most favorably noticed by the leading reviews of
the day. His son, Henry Russell Cleveland, born in
1808, graduated at Harvard in 1827, died in 1848,
and published " Remarks on Classical Education
of Boys by a Teacher," 1834 ; " Life of Henry
Hudson," 1838; " Addre-ss Delivered Before the
Harvard Medical Association," 1840; "A Letter to
the Hon. Daniel Webster on the Causes of the De-
struction of the Steamer ' Lexington,"' 1840; besides
many papers to the North American Revleio and the
New England Magazine. Mr. Cleveland was a sound
scholar and a graceful and forcible writer. His early
death was deeply deplored.
One of the most brilliant and fascinating of Amer-
ican writers and historians was William Ilickling
Prescott, who was born in Salem, 179(5, and died in
Boston in 1859. He was a son of Judge William
Prescott, who resided in Salem from 1789 to 1808, and
who was intimately connected with the most im-
portant business enterprises of that day, and whose
name appears on many of the important documents.
Mr. Prescott was graduated at Harvard in 1814, and
I having been disabled by a painful accident from en-
f lering upon a professional li'e, lie commenced at once,
! under great obstacles a literary career which he pur-
sued with great diligence and success until the close
lofhislife. He published, in 1837, "The History of
Ferdinand and Isabella,'" and stepped at once into
the list of the great historians of the world. It was
universally known that this fascinating and elaborate
work had been accomplished under difficulties which
would have discouraged the most enthusiastic and
devoted student, and the entire world of scholars was
filled with admiration of the accomplishment and the
tenderest sympathy with the heroic author. The
history was translated into German, French, Spanish,
Italian and Russian, and was enrolled at once
among the classic productions of the world. But Mr.
Prescott did not relinquish his work here. Dependent
upon a reader for his data, and employing an appa-
ratus constructed in a writing csise for the blind, he
"pursued his solitary way." His mind acquired great
strength as he went on with his work, and he retained
and arranged the materials he had accumulated
with marvelous facility. In 1843 he published the
"History of the Conquest of Mexico, with a Prelimi-
nary View of the Ancient Civilization," and a
"Life of the Conqueror, Fernando Cortez ; " and
148
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, iMASSACHUSETTS.
the world of scholars was once more filled with ad-
miration of his " pure, simple and eloquent style,
keen relish for the picturesque, quick and discerning
judgment of character, calm, generous and enlight-
ened spirit of philanthropy." In 1847 this was fol-
lowed by the " History of the Conquest of Peru,
with a Preliminary View of the Civilization of the
Incas," a work which was as enthusiastically re-
ceived as its predecessois. His style was again ad-
mired ; his candor and fidelity and power of descrip-
tion were warmly commended by authors and readers
alike. The " History of the Reign of Philip the
Second, King of Spain," appeared in 1855. The ma-
terials for this work, the preparation of which oc-
cupied six industrious years, were gathered without
regard to trouble, labor and expense, and the work it-
self opened one of the most thrilling and important
chapters in the history of the greatest and most stormy
periods of Continental Europe. The brilliancy of
the volumes drew from the historian Macaulay, then
in the height of his power, the warmest praise.
" The genius of Mr. Prescott," said he, "as a histo-
rian, has never been exhibited to better advantage
than in this very remarkable volu)ne, which is
grounded on ample and varied authority." In 1857
he published "The Life of Charles the Fifth after his
Abdication," Modestly insisting that Robertson had
most faithfully recorded the policy and events
of this great monarch's reign, he devoted him-
self to the unrecorded years of his life of retirement, and
sup])lenicnted the brilliant pages of Robertson with a
touching narrative of the close of the great life to
whose career they had devoted their fine historical
powers. In addition to these important works, Pres-
cott published biographical and critical miscellanies
containing reviews and essays of great interest, —
"Charles Brockden Brown, the American Novelist;"
"Asylum for the Blind;" " Irving's Conquest of
Grenada ; " " Cervantes ; " " Chateaubriand's English
Literature ; " " Bancroft's United States ; " '' Madame
Calderon's Life in Mexico:" "Moliere;" "Italian
Narrative Poetry ; " " Poetry and Romance of the
Italians;" "Scotch Song;" "Da Ponte's Observa-
tions ; " " Ticknor's History of Spanish Literature."
Mr. Prescott was sixty years old when his last vol-
ume was published. For more than a quarter of a
century he had pursued his great career. In many
respects he was the greatest of American historians.
Scholars recognized him as one of the most brilliant
of their number, when that number in this commu-
nity was not small. The American people remem-
bered with pride that the blood of the brave com-
mander of the patriot forces at Bunker Hill was flow-
ing in his veins. A Christian community loved him
for the beauty of his character, and for the high
moral standard which he had followed through life.
His biography was written by all the biographers;
his works were reviewed by all the reviewers ; his
character as a scholar was discussed with admiration
by Edward Everett, and George E. Ellis, and Francis
Lieber, and Theodore Parker, and A. P. Peabody,
and by all the historical societies of the world. No
American writer has won higher renown, no Ameri-
can citizen has received more profound respect and
warmer love.
Alpheus Crosby, who took charge of the Normal
School in Salem Oct., 1857, was born in 1810, and died
in Salem April 17, 1874. He was graduated at Dart-
mouth in 1827, and was appointed professor of Greek
and Latin languages in that college. He was a dili-
gent and careful scholar, and published " A Greek
and General Grammar," " Greek Tables," " Greek
Lessons," "An Edition of Xenophon's Anabasis,"
" First Lessons in Geometry," " A Letter of John Fos-
ter, with Additions," "An Essay on the Second Ad-
vent." Professor Crosby was for many years princi-
pal of the Normal School in Salem, and after retiring
from that position passed the remainder of his life in
this city.
Edwin P. Whipple, who was born in Gloucester in
1819, was for a long time employed as clerk in a bank
in Salem,'and for a time was the librarian of the Salem
Athen:eum. where he acquired tho.-^e literary tastes
which he afterwards exercised with so much activity
and usefulness. He began to write for magazines
early in life, and soon acquired a good reputation as
a facile and graceful essayist. He was an interesting
popular lecturer, selecting his themes with great skill
and treating them with great wit and discrimination
He published " Essays and Reviews," 1848 ; " Lec-
tures on Subjects connected with Literature and Life ;"
" Washington and the Principles of the Revolution ;"
"An Oration before the City Authorities of Boston,
July 4, 1850 ;" " Character and Characteristic Men,"
1867, in which he discussed Character, Eccentric
Character, Intellectual Character, Heroic Character,
the American Mind, the English Mind, Thackeray,
Hawthorne, Edward Everett, Thomas Starr King
and Agassiz. He was considered "one of the ablest
of Americar critics." His lectures were esteemed as
miniature histories, and were highly valued. He was
accepted by Prescott, and Griswold, and Bowen, and
Thomas. He was not accepted by Edgar A. Poe.
George B. Loring was b(u-n in North Andover, (at
that time included in Andover) November 8, 1817.
He entered Harvard College in 1834, and entered
the Harvard Medical School, where he was graduated
in 1842. He was in practice from 1842 to 1850 ; sur-
geon of the United States Marine Hospital, Chelsea,
1843 to 1850 ; commissioner to revise the United
States Marine Hospital system, 1840; member of the
Massachusetts Legislature, 1806 to 1868; president of
the New England Agricultural Society from its foun-
dation, 1864, to the present lime ; United States Cen-
tennial Commissioner, 1872 to 1876; president of the
Massachusetts Senate, 1873 to 1877; member of the
United States House of Representatives, 1877 to 1881 ;
United Stat(S Commissioner of Agriculture, 1881 to
SALEM.
149
1SS5. In the midst of his public career he has been
active as a writer on many and diverse topics, and a
speaker on many and various occasions. He has
pul>lished " An Essay on Phlebitis," Xew England
Journal of Surgery and Medicine, 1843; "An
Oration on Constitutional Freedom, the Corner-
stone of the Republic," 1856 ; " Review of the
Scarlet Letter," 1851 ; " Reply to the Church Re-
view on the Scarlet Letter," 1851 ; " Letters from
Europe in the Boston Post," 1848-49; " Modern Ag-
riculture," 1858 ; " The Farmer's Occupation," 1858;
" Agricultural Education," 1858 ; " Farm Stock, Mas-
sachusetts Report on Agriculture," 1859 ; " The Re-
lation of Agriculture to the State in Time of War,"
18()2 ; " Scientific and Practical Agriculture," 18(54 ;
" The Assassination of Lincoln," 18(55 ; " The Unity
and Powfr of the Republic," a Fourth of July ora-
tion, Newburyport, 18(55; "The State of the Union^
a Speech in the Massachusetts House of Repre-
sentatives," 1866; "The New Era of the Repub-
lic," 1866; " Dedication of the Soldiers' Tablets at
Bolton," 1866; "Classical Culture," 1867; "The
Power of an Educated Commonwealth," 1867 !
"Agricultural Investigation," 1867; "Oration on the
Dedication of Soldiers' Monuments at Weymouth,"
1868; "Semi-Centennial of the Essex Agricultural
Society," 1868; "The Development of American
Industry," 1869; "The Connection of the State Board
of Agriculture with the Agricultural College," I860;
'• Tiie Struggles of Science, Address before the Amer-
ican Institute," 1870; "Oration Dedicating the
Memorial Hall, Lexington," 1871 ; " Speech at the
Dedication of the Morse Statue, New York," 1871 ;
" Oration at the Bi-Centennial Celebration at Dun-
stable, Mass.," 1873; "Speech in the Mas-acliusetls
SiMiate in behalf of the Museum of Comparative
Zoology," 1873 ; "Eulogy of Agassiz," 1873; "The
People and Their Books," an address jledicating the
Thayer Library at Braintree, 1873; "Oration at the
Centennial Celebration at Sherburne," 1874; "Ora-
tion at Centennial Celebration of Swansea," 1875 ;
" Address on Tree-planting before the Fern Cliff .\s-
sociation," Lee, Mass., 1875 ; " A Speech in the Mas
sachusetts Senate in Favor of Rfscinding the Re-
solves Condemning Charles Sumner," 1874; "k
Speech in the Massachusetts Senate on the Railroail
Policy of Ma.'isachusetts," 1874 ; "S|)eech on Suflhigt-
as a Right under a Republic," Massachusetts Semite,
1874; " k\\ Oration at the Centennial of Leslie's Re-
treat from Salem,"' 1875 ; "Oration at the North Church.
Boston, on the Centennial Anniversary of hanging out
the Signal Lanterns to warn Paul Revere of the Ad-
vance of the British Troops to Concord," April 18,
1875; " Oration at Bloody Brook," 1875; "Oration
Dedicating the Mugford Monument at Marblchcad,"
1875; "Sketch of the Massachusetts Surgeons in the
Revolutionary Army," 1875; "The Farm- Yard Club
of Gotham," an account of New England families and
farming (i)p. 600), 1876 ; " Eulogy of Dr. S. G. Howe,''
Mas.sachusetts Senate, Jan. 21, 1876; "Oration
on Speculative Masonry," 1876 ; " Speech before the
New England Society," New York, Dec. 10, 1875 ;
"Speech in the United States House of Representa-
tives on Specie Payments," 1877 ; " Speech on the Col-
legeof William and Mary in Congress," 1878; "Speech
on American Industry and the Tariff, in Con-
gress," 1878; "Defence of Massachusetts in Con-
gress," 1880; "The American Pidblem of Land-
holding." 1880 ; " Eulogy of Caleb Gushing," 1879 ;
"Address on the Cobden Club and the American
Farmer," 1880; " Education, the Corner-stone of the
Republic," speech in Congress, 1880; "Eulogy of Judge
Collamer,'' in Congress, 1880; " Eulogy of Garfield,
Lodge of Sorrow, Washington," 1880; "Speech on the
Anniversary of John Winthrop's Landing in Salem,''
June 22, 1880; " Washington as a Statesman," 1882 ;
"Opening Address at Mechanics' and Manufactur-
ers' Institute, Boston," 1881 ; " Address at the Cotton
Convention, Atlanta, Ga.,'' 1881; "Address at the
Tariff Convention, New York," 1881; "Address be-
fore the Mississippi Valley Cane-Growers' Associa-
tion," 1882 ; " Address before the American Forestry
Association, St. Paul, Minn.," 1883 ; " Oration at the
Ninety-fifth Anniversary of the Settlement of Mariet-
ta, Ohio," 1883 ; " The Cattle Industry," 1884 ; " The
Infiuence of the Puritan on American Civilization,"
1885; "Puritanism, the Foundation of Liberal Chris-
tianity," 1887; "New England Agriculture," 1887.
Dr. Loring has also contribute<l to the Southern Lit-
erary Messenger, the Massaehnselts Quarferb/ and the
.Viirfh American Review, and has delivered a great
number of occasional speeches in addition to tho.se
enumerated, besides many political addresses in State
and national campaigns.
Edward Augustus Crowninshield, son of Hon. B.
W. and Mary (Boardman) Crowninshield, born in
Salem, 1817, was graduated at Harvard, 1836, and
died, 1859. His literary taste led him to the collec-
tion of rare books ; his valuable library contained
the " Bay Psalm Book," 1640 ; Morton's " Memorial ;"
Winslow's " Hypocrisy Unmasked, " 1645; Coryat's
"Crudities," 1611.
t Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditcli, a son of the great
mathematician, who was graduated at Harvard in
1822, published a "Memoir of N. Bowditcli," 1839;
" History of the Massachusetts (ieneral Hospital,"
1851; and "Suffolk Surnames," 1855. Dr. Henry I.
Bowditcli, another son, wlio was graduated in 1828,
has published translations of valuable treatises on
medicine.
William W. Story, the son of Judge Story and
antlidr of his biograjihy, was horn in Salem in 1819,
and was graduated at Harvard in 1838. He look the
degree of Llj.B. at the Dane l,aw-S(lio(il, and was ad-
mitted to the liar in 1841. He published " Report of
Cases Argued and Determined in the Circuit Court
of the United States for the First District," 1842-47 ;
" Nature and Art, a Poem," 1844; "Treatise on the
150
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Law of Contracts under Seal," 1844 ; " Treatise on the
Law of Sales of Personal Property," 1847 ; " Poem de-
livered at the Dedication of Crawford's Statue of
Beethoven, at the Boston Music Hall," 1856; "The
American Question," 1862; '"Eoba di Roma," 1862;
" Proportions of the human figure according to a new
Canon for practical use," 1866; " Grafiti d' Italia,"
1869; '-The Poet's Portfolio," 1855; besides poems
and articles in the Atlantic Monthly, the Boston Mis-
cellany and Blackwood's Magazine. As an artist, Mr.
Story has taken a front rank. For this he had an
early love. The admirable bust of his father was oni'
of his first works, and there is in existence a crayon
portrait of one of his classmates, taken a short time
after they left college, which, as a likeness and as a
drawing, is admirable. In sculpture he has produced
busts of his father, J. R. Lowell, Josiah Quincy, The-
odore Parker, Edward Everett, and statues of Everett,
Chief Justice Marshall and Professor Henry. He has
also created in marble the Shepherd Boy, Little Red
Riding Hood, the Libyan Sibyl, Cleopatra, Judith,
Holofernes, Sappho, Saul, Medea and others of great
beauty and power. His genius as author and artist
are everywhere acknowledged, and be has shed great
lustre on bis country.
Among the cultivated men of Salem, William C. En-
dicott has accomplished, as lawyer, writer, jurist and
statesman, a work of which his native city will always
be proud. He was born in Salem in 1826, and was
graduated at Harvard in 1847. Having taken his de-
gree at Cambridge, he was admitted to the bar in Essex
County, and commenced the practice of his profession
in Salem. His judgment as a lawyer was soon recog-
nized, and he became one of the leaders of the bar
and one of the best of ollice advisers. The grace and
finish of his style liave always been recognized in his
public performances, among the most interesting and
elaborate of which are his orations on the two hundred
and fiftieth anniversar)' of the landing of John Endi-
cott, celebrated in Salem in 1878 ; his address before
the Young Men's Union on Patriotism, as bearing on
the duties of the citizen ; address on John Hampton
and his relation to the great Puritan movement here
and in England; lecture on Chivalry; agricultural
address at Sterling on the relation of agriculture to
the stability and permanence of the State; speech on
the death of N. J. Lord. Mr. Endicott's services on
the Supreme bench of Massachusetts are highly es-
teemed, and his conduct of afl^airs as Secretary ol
War, to which he was appointed in 1885, will place
him on the list of sound and judicious Cabinet minis
ters.
The Essex bar has furnished many names which have
added to the intellectual reputation of Salem, and
foremost among these stands that of Rufus Choate.
Mr. Choate was born in 179'J, and was graduated at
Dartmouth in 1819, and died in 1859. Entering at
once upon the studv and practice of his profession,
first in Danvers and then in Salem from 1828 to 1834,
he secured and retained during his life a most bril-
liant reputation as an advocate. He commenced the
study of law with Wm. Wirt, in whose office he re-
mained one year, and completed his studies with
Judge David Cummins, of Salem. He was admitted
in September, 1813, to the Common Pleas bar and in
1825 to the Supreme Court bar. His skill and elo-
quence in the courts were acknowledged to be unri-
valed. In addition to this, he charmed his hearers
with addresses and orations of great originality and
beauty, and his readers with glowing admiration of
the peculiar grace and power of his style. Whatever
he touched he adorned, wliether it was the record of
the Puritan at Massachusetts Bay, or the Pilgrim at
Plymouth, or the oratory of the ancients, or the ro-
mances of the moderns. He found rest and repose in
his library after the labors of the day, and some of his
most touching eloquence was bestowed upon the
solacing power of books. He was elected to the
Massachusetts Legislature in 1825, to the Massachu-
setts Senate in 1827, to Congress in 1832, to the
United States Senate in 1841, to the Massachusetts
Constitutional Convention in 1852. Those who have
heard his startling oratory will understand bow
impossible it is to describe the power of his
speech, and will sympathize with the exclama-
tion of Henry Clay, at the close of one of Mr.
Choate's superb speeches in the United States Sen-
ate, "What will Massachusetts send here next?"
The two volumes of his biography by Professor
Brown contain all that remains of his many speeches,
orations and arguments as member of Congress from
the Essex District, as United States Senator from Mhs-
sachusetts, as occasional orator and as lawyer at the
bar. It is unnecessary to enumerate them here. His
words still linger with those who knew him — his
wit, bis wisdom, his learning, his inimitable repartee.
And, more than all, his lovable and affectionate
spirit remains with those who loved him and were
tenderly regarded by him.
Nor should the strength of his associates here at
the bar be overlooked, — the sound learning and hon-
est purpose and judicial integrity of Samuel Putnam ;
the polished scholarship of John G. King; the pro-
found legal knowledge of N. J. Lord ; the wit and
humor of Benjamin Merrill ; the quaint solemnity of
Judge David Cummins ; the sturdy power of Otis P.
Lord ; the delicious geniality, and courtly bearing,
and persuasive tongue, and Christian spirit of
Leverett Sallonstall, the senior — all fond of sound
learning, all unrecorded authors, all pillars of the
literature of Salem. The treatise of David Roberts
on "Admiralty," published in 1859; the admirable
address of Asahel Huntington before the Essex Ag-
ricultural Society, and his speeches in behalf of the
temperance reform in the court-room and before pub-
lic audiences; the volume of earnest and eloquent
speeches published by Wm. D. Northend, with his
elaborate papers on the Essex Bar and the Puritans
SALEM.
151
on the administration of President Peirce, and on the
decision of the Maine judges upon the election returns
of 1SS2, and his excellent address before the Essex
Agricultural Society ; the "Notes of Travel, or Recol-
lections of Zanzibar, ^locha," etc., 1854, by J. B. F.
Osgood ; the conclusive opinions of Judge L. F. Brig-
ham ; and the valuable publication on " Trusts,'' Ijy
Jairus W. Perry — all be'ong to the literary record ot
the city, and bear witness to the culture and attain-
ments of this portion of the Essex bar.
Joseph Hodges Choate, born in Salem in 1832,
was gra<luated at Harvard in 1852, setl led as a lawyer
in New Yorlc, and has risen to tlie front rank as a
counselor and advocate. His eloquence, and wit, and
wisdom as a public speaker have given him great
distinction among scholars and great influence with
the people.
To the works of the physicians, already referred to
should be added the " Remarks on Fractures," and the
" Memoir of Dr. Holyoke," furnished bv Dr. A. L.
Peirson, the learned physician, the skilll'ul surgeon,
the devoted student who strengthened the bond be-
tween the profession here and all the great centres
of the country ; and also the translations of Dr.
Charles G. Putnam, a son of Judge Samuel Putnam,
of most honorable memory, the sanitary writings of
Dr. George Derby, a son of John Derby, who estab-
lished the Board of Health in Massachusetts, of which
he was a valuable member, after having rendered
most valuable and efficient service in the Union army
during the Civil War.
And the clergymen of the town also, from the early
days until now — what have they not done to add to
the literary reputation of the community? The ser-
mons of John Emery Abbott, who died in 1811), the
beloved pastor of the North Church, the most blessed
consoler and adviser of his flock ; the profound medi-
tations of the Rev. T. T. Stone, published in 1854; the
well-balanced views of the Rev. J. W. Thompson ; the
sweet inspirations and wise counsels of the Rev.
Charles Lowe; the delightful historical review of
the North Church, and the long series of thoughtful
and pious sermons of the Rev. E. B. Willson; the
brilliant and searching speculations of the Rev. O. B.
Frothingham ; the " Bow in the Cloud," pointed out
for every mourner by the Rev. George W. Briggs ; the
sound utterances of the Rev. Brown Emerson ; the
excellent work of the Rev. E. S. Atwcod as a pulpit
orator, and faithful biographer of John Bertram ; the
active and vigorous labor of the Rev. E. C. Bolles,
brilliant in the pul[>it, charming in the lecture-room,
invigorating as a companion ; and the history of the
First Baptist Church, by the Rev. R. C. Jlills— all
these are a portion of the treasure which the pulpit
of Salem has poured into its literary storehouse. To
this list belongs the name of the Rev. Samuel John-
son, who was born in Salem in 1822, the son of Dr.
Samuel Johnson, was graduated at Harvard in 1842,
and having completed his studies at the Divinity
School at Cambridge, commenced his work as pastor
and preacher. Possessed of a most powerful mind
and a fine moral sense, he set his standard high and
endeavored faithfully to reach it. In his religious be-
lief he coincided with Theodore Parker, whom he
resembled in the fervor of thought and e.Kpression,
the severity of his h'gic and the purity of his charac-
ter. His sermons, delivered with a most impressive
voice and manner, were carefully-jjrepared essays on
all public questions of religion, morality and politics.
His contributions to the literature of the country as
an author of essays, and especially of " Oriental Relig-
ions," were rich and valuable. .\nd he was counted
among the intellectual luminaries wliich flash across
the heavens in independent paths, and wlien gone
leave the observer bewildered with wonder and admi-
ration.
The Rev. James M. Hoppin has published " The
Notes of a Theological Student " and "The Tempta-
tions of American Young Men," and has also deliv-
ered an address, dedicating Plummer Hall, in 1857;
and published " Eurojiean Travels.'' He was born in
Providence, R. I., in 1813 ; was settled over Crorabie
Street Church in 1850 ; was profe.-isor of homiletics and
pastoral theology in Brown University, and is now
professor of the history of arts.
Xhe Rev. Henry W. Foote, the pastor of King's
Chapel, Boston, a son of the venerable editor of the
Salem Gazette, has published a history of King's Chap-
el and many occasional sermons — eulogies of distin-
guished members of his parish ; the Rev. George
L. Chancy, also a native of Salem, now at Atlanta,
has published an interesting and valuable series of
books for boys ; the Rev. George B. Jewett, at one
time professor at Amherst and afterwards minister at
Na>hua, N. H., spent the closing years of his life in
Salem, engaged in work on a " Dictionary of the
Greek Testament ; and the Rev. J. Henry Thayer,
pastor of Crombie Sireet Church in 1859, lecturing
at Cambridge ou " Biblical Theology."
Around the literary institutions of the town, more-
over, has always gathered a studious and inquiring
body of investigators and writers. The Essex Insti-
tute— who can measure the amount of scientific and
hi-storical research it has inspired in Essex County"?
For its guide and leader aud organizer too much prai.se
canuot be recorded. For much more than half a cen-
tury Dr. Henry Wheatland hasdevotedall histimeand
powers to this valuable institution. From a small
society organized for historical research in the county,
he has raised it into the highest position, and placed
it with the strongest and most useful in the land. .As
he went on in his work with a patience and diligence
unexampled, all the best forces contributed to his
support and that of his organization. The wealthy
contributed of their store, the scientist gave the re-
sults of his investigations, the learned gathered to
its councils, a body of students has been graduated
from its halls who have adorned the higher semina-
152
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ries of learning — F. W. Putnam, the devoted student
and recognized authority in zoology, and the early
explorer of'the Mammoth Cave, and more recently the
Indian Mounds in Ohio, particularly those in
the valley of the Little Miami ; John Robinson,
whose treatises on Trees and Ferns are now accepted
by the United States Geological Survey as the best of
the kind in the country ; John H. Sears, the accom-
plished and independent botanist and geologist; E.
S. Moore, who has opened up the domestic art of Ja-
pan and delineates animal development, and advocates
evolution with inspiring zeal and great artistic skill;
Alpheus S. Packard, author of " (3bservations on the
Glacial Phenomena of Labrador and Maine, with a
View of the Recent Invertebrate Fauna of Labrador,"
1867 ; a guide to the study of insects, and a treatise
on those injurious and beneficial to crops, 18G9; and
reports as United States commissioner to consider
and report upon the Rocky Mountain locust; and
Alpheus Hyatt, a most devoted student and teacher
of natural history. The work which Dr. Wheatland
has accomplished will endure as long as the recorded
history of Essex County, the remains of its architec-
ture, the specimens of its domestic economy, the in-
terest in its geological structure, the beauties of its
flora and fauna, shall find a place in the admirable
institution he has founded and developed, and as
long as Essex County shall remain in reality or
history.
One of the most diligent and active literary friends
of the Institute is Robert S. Rantoul. He is a son of
Robert Rantoul, Jr., was graduated at Harvard in
1853, and at the Law School, in Cambridge, in 1856.
His contributions to the publications of Salem, where
he has re-sided since his admission to the bar, have
been numerous and important. He has published
"Notes on Wenham Pond," 1864; "The Cod in Mas-
sachusetts History," 1856 ; " Address on taking the
Chair of the Essex Liberal Conference," 1869 ; " Port
of Salem," 1870 ; '• Argument before the Finance
Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature upon
the Preservation of Salem Harbor," 1870 ; " Decora-
tion day Address before the Chipman Po^t G. A. R.,
Beverly," 1871; "Notes on odd works of Travel,"
1872 ; " Report as arbitrator between the Common-
wealth and the Massachusetts Historical Society in
the matter of the Hutchinson papers,'' 1874 ; "Cen-
tennial Oration at the Celebration at Stuttgart, Wur-
temburg," July 4, 1876 ; " Memorial address on the
death of Freiligrath, Stuttgart," 1877; "Address on
resuming the chair of the Liberal Conference,"
1880 ; " Oration at the Two Hundred and fiftieth An-
niversary of the Landing of Wiuthrop," 1880;
"Sketch of Cat (now Lowell Island)," 1880 ; " Me-
moir of Benjamin Peirce," 1881; " Early Quarantine
Regulations at Salem," 1882 ; " Memoir of James
Kimball," 1882; "Note on the Authenticity of the
portraits of Governor Endicott," 1883; "'Sketch of
James O. Saffbrd," 1883; "Report to the Massa-
chusetts Legislature against abolishing the Poll Tax
as a prerequisite for suffrage," 1885 ; " Two Reports
against the Biennial Amendments of the Constitu-
tion, 1884-85 , "The Essex Junto — the long embargo ;
thegreat Topsfiekl Caucus," 1808, 1882. " Material for
a History of the Name and Family of Rentoul — Rin-
toul — Rantoul," 1885 ; "A Contribution to the His-
tory of the Ancient Family of Woodbury," 1887 ;
Mr. Rantoul's work has been done with great ac-
curacy and fidelity.
This sketch would not be complete without an enu-
meration of the contributions which have been made
by an accomplished and cultivated group of authors
who have found recreation and pleasure in their work.
Among these, Robert Manning |)ublished, in 1838, his
valuable "Book of Fruits;" his son, Robert Man-
ning, the secretary of Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Society, his recent valuable history of
that society. Heniy K. Oliver, the accomplished
teacher, the rare musical composer, the immor-
tal author of "Federal Street," published, in
1830, " The Construction and Use of Mathematical
Instruments ; " Elizabeth Saunders reviewed " Ferdi-
nand and Isabella" in 1841, andadvocated with great
zeal the cause of the North American Indian ; Thomas
Cole published " Microscopy as Applied to Ferns and
Plants;" John Lewis Russell issued many valuable
papers on botanical subjects; George A. Ward pub-
lished " Biographical Essays," and " The Journal and
Letters of Samuel Curwen " were published in 1 842 ; J.
Fisk Allen issued his " Essay on Grape Culture," and
his striking monogram on the "Victoria Regia; "
James F. Colman published his graceful volume of
poems in 1846; W. P. Upham published his "Brief
History of Stenography " in 1877; his "Memoir of
General Glover," a collection of letters on the siege
of Boston ; his " Records of Salisbury ; " E. H. Derby
published " The Catholic Letters and Record of a
Jurist to a Young Kinsman Proposing to join the
Church of Rome," 1856; Charles Pickering prepared
an elaborate " Report of Wilkes' South Sea Expedi-
tion;" John B.Derby published "The Musings of a
Recluse," 1837 ; " Major Samuel Swett published a
paper on " Who Commands at Bunker Hill,'" and de-
livered a Fourth of July oration in 1805, at the South
Meeting-house; Perley Derby published his "Genea-
logical Researches into thcFamiliesof Thomas White,
of Marblehead, and Mark Haskell, of Beverly, and of
the Sons of Reginald Foster," 1872 ; George H. Dever-
eaux published a "Translation of the Literary Fables
of Yriarte," 1855, and " Sam Shirk, A Tale of the
Woods of Maine," 1871 ; William Giles Dix put forth
"The American State and Statesman," 1876; and
" The Deck of the ' Crescent City,' " 1853 ; James H.
Emerton issued " Life on the Seashore," and " Short
Communications in the Papers of the Institute;''
Joseph Warren Fabens published " Life on the Isth-
mus," 1853; and "The Camel Hunt," 1851; George
D. Phippen has published "Botanical sketches" and
SALEM.
153
" History of the Old Plauters in the Institute List ; "
D. B. Hagar, the accomplished teacher of the Nor-
mal School, has published from time to time that inval-
uable series of school books which have won for him
a high reputation : Primary Lessons in Numbers, Ele-
mentary Arithmetic, Common School Arithmetic, Key
to Arithmetic, Elementary Algebra, Manual of Dicta-
tion Problems. John M. Ives published, in 1847, "The
New England Bonk of Fruits ; " James Kimball
published •' A Journey to the West in 1817," and " De-
struction of Tea in Boston Harbor ; " " Explora-
tion of Merrimac River," and " Notes on the Richard-
son and Russell Families ;" and James P. Kimball, his
son, issued his papers on " Ores and Metals Taught
in the Mining Schools of Europe," which led to his
selection as director of the Mint, for which service
he is so admirably fitted ; Stephen H. Phillips issued
his paper on witchcraft; JohnT. Devereux published
a collection of poems he had contributed to periodi-
cals; Gilbert L. Streeter prepared for the institute
''The History of Newspapers," " Clergymen of Salem
in the Revolution," " Historical Notes of Salem Scen-
ery ;" James A. Emmerton "The Genealogy of New
England Families from English Records ; " Henry F.
Waters discovered, for the admiration of scholars, the
birth-place of John Harvard, and wrote upon the
" Home and Genealogy of Shakspeare ; " C. M. Endi-
cott published a valuable paper on " Leslie's Retreat,"
and the " History of the Salem and Danvers Aque-
duct;" Dr.G. A. Perkins published "The Genealogy
of the Perkins Family and the Fabens Family ; "
•lames Upton an " Essay on the Ripening of Pears ; "
Leverett Saltonstall, the junior, " A Memoir of Oliver
Carlton;" Edw. A. Silsbee " Talks on Architectural
and Art Topics;" Ernest Fenollosa, one of the most
brilliant scholars of Harvard, 1874, is made professor
at Tokio, Japan, and is a most diligent and distin-
guished student of Japanese art ; E. Stanley Waters
" History of the Webb and Ropes Families;" Wins-
low Upton, professor of astronomy in Brown Univer-
sity, on the " Eclipse of 1878 ; " Wm. G. Barton pub-
lished a paper on " Thoreau, Flagg and Burroughs,"
and a paper on "Pigeons and the Pigeon Fancy;"
Rev. B. F. McDaniel a paper on the "Geology and
Mineralogy of Essex County ; " Oliver Thayer, " Early
Recollections of Essex Street;" Charles S. Osgood
and H. M. Batchelder published their most excellent,
faithful and graphic sketch of Salem, 1879; the fugi-
tive poems of William P. Andrews, together with his
volumeof the "Sonnets and Lyrics of Jones Very,"
accompani'^d by a most sympathetic and appreciative
notice, have secured for him an enviable place in the
ranks of the authors of Salem; W. L. Welch, "An
Account of the Cutting Through of Hatteras Inlet,
N. C. ; " George M. Whipple, an interesting sketch of
the "Musical Societies of Salem;" Henry M. Brooks
has published " Olden Time Scenes," a most interest-
ing collection, and A. C. Goodell, Jr., has edited with
great care and accuracy "The Laws and Resolves of
101
the Province of Massachusetts Bay," and has con-
tributed many papers on historical matters which
have attracted great attention, his services in this
direction having elevated him to the presidency ot
the Massachusetts Historic Genealogical Society ;
Pickering Dodge, in 1840, " A Treatise on Modern
Painters ; " Thomas Sanders, in 1886, a spirited and
instructive " Examination of the Agriculture of Essex
County," which was published by the Essex Agricultu-
ral Society at Newburyport; and Samuel M. Caller
published, in 1881, a sketch of the Southwick family,
descendants of Lawrence and Cassandra Soutliwick.
Of the female writers, Caroline R. Derby, a daugh-
ter of E. Hersey Derby, published, under the name of
D. R. Castleton, a series of tales in Harper's Montldy
so striking and beautiful that the readers of that
magazine sought for her identity, to pay her the trib-
ute she deserved. Her fugitive poems were of a high
order. She published " The Ruler's Daughter " and
other poems in 1877, and a novel entitled " Salem, or
a Tale of the Seventeenth Century," which was read
with great interest.
"The Half Century of Salem," prepared with
great care and discretion, was published by Mrs. M.
A. Silsbee in 1887.
Sarah W.Lander published, in 1874-75, her fascina-
ting stories, — " Spectacles for Young Eyes," " Boston,"
"Rhine," "St. Petersburg," "Zurich," "Berlin,"
" Rome," " New York," — a most attractive and in-
structive series, and " Fairy Bells," a translation from
the German.
Maria Cummins, a daughter of Judge David and
Maria (Kittredge) Cummins, was born in Salem in
1830, and passed her early life in that city. She ap-
peared as an authoress in 1854 with a novel, entitled
" The Lamplighter," which was instantly received
with great favor. It ran through editions amounting
to seventy thousand copies in less than a year, and
stands among the most popular American tales. Miss
Cummins published a charming story, entitled "Ma-
bel Vaughan,"' in 1857, which was declared by some
critics to be far in advance of " The Lamplighter."
In both these works she displayed great power of de-
lineation and a most graceful style.
Mrs. Kate Tannatt Wood has contributed from her
lil)eral store the series of tales which have delighted
old and young,— "Six Little Rebels," "Dr. Dick,"
" Out and About," " Duncans on Land and Sea,"
" Doll Betsey," " Jack's First Contract," " Toots and
his Friends," "Twice Two," "All Around a Rock-
ing," " Hester Hepworth," " Hidden for Years,"
"The Minister's Scent," "That Dreadful Boy, a
Novel," " Headlands, a Novel." Poems, — " Dan's
Wife," "Christmas at Birch's," " Dinah's Ciiristmas,"
"Papa's Valentine" and many more, and many con-
tributions to the magazine literature of the d.ay.
Mary L. Horton published poetical and jjrose com-
positions, 1832.
Lydia L. A. Very has issued a volume of i)oems uf
154
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
rare merit, and, in connection with her sister, has
published "The Essays and Poems of Jones Very,"
her brother, which is invaluable as a complete collec-
tion of the works of this remarkable writer.
Mary Orne Pickering prepared during her life a
biography of her father, John Pickering, a faithful
and in.structive work, which was published in 1887.
Mrs. Martha Perry Lowe, wife of the Rev. Charles
Lowe, pastor of the North Church, published "The
Olive and the Pine " and " The Palm," and has since
given to the public a most interesting biography of
her devout and faithful husband.
Mary Wilder (Foote) Tileston, a sister of the Eev.
Henry W. Foote, has published " Helps by the Way,"
" Quiet Hours" and "Sursum Corda" and many ad-
mirable selections of poetry.
Sarah Savage, a daughter of Ezekiel Savage, in
1833, contributed some well written and fascinating
stories to "Scenes and Persons, Illustrating Christian
character." Among her publications were " Trial and
Discipline," "James Talbot," "Alfred" and "The
Backslider." She died in 1835, and left an enviable
reputation as an author of taste and ability and great
delicacy of fancy.
Elinor Forrester (Barstow) Condit published in
1869 "Philip English's Two Cups."
Hannali G. Creamer published "A Gift to Young
Students," " Eleanor," " Delia's Doctors," &c.
Lucy W. Stickney published the " Genealogy of
the Kinsman Family " and assisted her father, Mat-
thew A. Stickney, in his "Genealogical Researches."
Mrs. M. D. Sparks, widow of Jared Sparks and
daughter of Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee, published a
charming volume of poems, hymns, Homes, Harvard
in 1883.
Mary N. Plumer, in 1881, wrote an interesting es-
say on "The Dissemination of Seeds," Mrs. Chadwick,
in 1853, published " Home Cookery," and Mrs. George
H. Devereux, also, a book on cookery.
In preparing this sketch of the literary history of
Salem great care has been taken to include all who
have contributed their share to the record, those who
had a temporary interest in the town, as well as those
who passed their lives here, those who set forth in
life here and left their homes, and those who were
adopted even for a short season. When we consider
the population and the commercial character of Sa-
lem, the number of writers recorded here is extraor-
dinary, and presents a remarkable list of the literary
sons and daughters, native and adopted, of the town.
If in the collection there are any omissions, it must
be attributed to the difficulty attending an extended
research among so great a mass of materials of di-
verse descriptions.
CHAPTER VIII.
SALEM— ( Continued).
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
BY HENKY C. GAUSS.
The manufacturing interests of the city of Salem,
although occupying in their total valuation, a fourth
place among those of the manufacturing centres of
Essex County, are only within a few thousand dollars
of being second in the valuation of their general
manufactures. The census of 1880 gives Salem a total
of manufactured products of $8,440,350, of which
the leather manufacture contributes nearly one-half
Since the compilation of that census, the increase in
the volume of the leather business, together with the
increase of the shoe manufactures and that of other
lines, with the establishment of at least two new in-
dustries, have augmented the volume of manufac-
tured products in the city till it would be safe to
place the total valuation at the time of writing at, at
least, nine millions of dollars.
There are represented in Salem thirty-one of the
more important lines of manufacturing industries,
including most of the general lines of manufacture,
with several specialties. As has been said, nearly
one-half of the volume of manufacturing products is
contributed by a single industry, one that makes Sa-
lem the most important centre of its prosecution in
the country, and one that was the first to be establish-
ed. This is the
Leather Manufacture. — The leather business
of Salem has had a slow but steady growth, and with
but few checks. Philemon Dickinson is the first re-
corded tanner; he flourished in 1639. The early tan-
neries were probably on land now bordered by the
northern side of Washington Square and by Forrester
Street, — the excavation for a cellar for a house built
by Charles W. Whipple on the latter street, in 1886,
having revealed the rotted boards of vats with an ac-
cumulation of tan-bark, the deposit going to some
depth, causing an inconvenience in placing the foun-
dation. Other excavations in the same vicinity also
have disclosed traces of ground bark. The same sub-
stance, together with the horns of cattle, has been
found at the foot of Liberty Street, and it is believed
that a tannery was established there at an even earlier
date than that of those on Forrester Street.
One, or perhaps two, tanneries sufBced the primitive
demands of the early settlers for leather, and even in
1768 there were only four tanneries established in
Salem. Just previous to the above date Joseph
Southwick, a preacher-tanner of Danvers, introduced
the first-recorded improvement in the process by put-
ting his old horse at work grinding the bark in a
SALEM.
155
stone mill. If the old gentleman looks down now on
the labors of his successors, he must be vastly inter-
ested in the evolution of his slow-going stones, with
their capacity of a slab of hark in half an hour, to
the whirring bark-mill of to-day that devours a car-
load in an equal time.
From the last part of the eighteenth century the
tanneries deserted their location in the lower part of
the town and began to make their habitat along
the course of the then clear and stenchless North
River. In ISOl there were seven tanneries situated
in the valley that soon came to be called " Blubber
Hollow," and the number of these gradually increased,
extending up the stream and along Boston Street till,
in 1850, there were eighty-three establishments, of
which thirty-four were tanneries, as many currying-
shops, fifteen shops which carried on both trades,
and two morocco-dressers. The value of the leather
tanned and curried was in the vicinity of $869,047.70,
and five hundred and fifty hands were employed.
The large number of establishments may be accounted
for by the fact, stated by a veteran tanner, that the
owner of the shop, with only four or five men, gener-
ally constituted the. shop's crew.
About this time there was a great depression in the
leather trade in Salem that continued several years.
It eventually was removed, and the American civil
war, with the wars of the Crimea, that followed the
first years of its recuperation, gave it an impetus it
had never before had, and its progress has never since
been checked to any material degree, while its present
prospects, with improved railroad facilities and im-
proved processes of manufacture, are brighter than
ever before.
There are at present in Salem fifty-four firms en-
gaged in the manufacture of leather, — twelve tanners,
fifteen curriers, twent\'-one tanners and curriers, and
six morocco-dressers. The census of 1880 gives fifty-
two establishments with nine hundred and ten
employees, $1,167,050 invested as capital, and a value
of production of $4,209,004. That there has been an
increase in the volume of the business since that date
all the leather men agree, and, after careful considera-
tion, it is thought that it is not too high to estimate
the capital employed at $1,350,000, a volume of pro-
duction of $4,750,000, and a total employment of nine
hundred and fifty men.
The leather manufactories lie, for the most part, in
a well-defined district, well compacted and lying on
the following streets: Boston, both sides, from E.ssex
to Goodhue; Goodhue, northern side; Grove, western
side, to Harmony Grove Cemetery; Mason, eastern
side, to oil works ; South Mason and Franklin. There
are also a number of scattered shops on the short
s-treets leading up "Gallows Hill."
There have, of course, been great improvements in
machinery in the leather trade since Parson South-
wick's bark-mill, but there is still room for many
inventions that will lessen the time of production of
leather, and aid to supersede, to a degree, hand-
labor. There has been, and, perhaps, still is, a preju-
dice among manufacturers in favor of hand-labor and
against machine, but the late strike taught them that
machines could be used, and a revolution in the
business in this respect is expected by many leather
men.
The Late Stkike. — The late strike above re-
ferred to was the second of the great leather strikes
that have been inaugurated in Salem. It had its true
origin in the attempts of the Knights of Labor, to
which the employees almost universally belonged, to
enforce a new price-list for splitting and some other
branches, together with a ten-hour-a-day time sched-
ule. The manufacturers refused to entertain price-
list or time schedule, and as a strike in some depart-
ments was imminent, posted the following circular:
"Whereas, At a meeting of the leather manufacturers of Salem and
Peabody, at which over sixty members were present, the subject of dic-
tation to us in the management of our business was referred to a com-
mittee with full power to act as in their judgment may seem best, and
that we follow such course as they may advise. That committee having
met, reported the following resolutions :
*' That hereafter we employ only such men as will bargain individu-
ally with us and agree to take no p;irt in any strike whatever;
and all men desiring so to be employed by us may report Tuesday
morning, July 13th, at the usual hour of this factory.
"That we are determined to stand by the men who do so, and also
determined to run our business without any dictation,
"F. R,Tl!TTI,E,
*'G. W, Vaknicy,
•'Alvan a, Evans,
"Geo. H. Poor,
'■W, F. Wiley,
"Franklin Osborne.
"JrLY 12, 1886. '^Cotumittee.''
This stroke at once removed the contest from every
question of wages and hours, and threw down the
gage of battle directly before the order of the
Knights of Labor. It took up the defiance and a
generally strike w'as ordered. Men left their work
by scores. Shops were left with hides in the lime,
without a hand to save them, except the proprietor.
Some shop crews worked till the stock was put out of
danger, and then left. The manufacturers combined
and helped those whose stock was spoiling, to save it.
All, however, could not be cared for, and a loss of
several hundred dollars was sustained. The manu-
facturers, as soon as possible, began to import non-
union help from Maine and the provinces, and the
new workmen, by careful supervision, were able to
take the place of the skilled labor in part, and the
manufacture of leather went on after a short delay.
The success of the manufacturers in partly filling
the places of the strikers irritated the latter, and after
a series of petty and very annoying persecutions, the
enmity broke out into open riot, beginning in Peabody
on August 7th, when non-union men and their board-
ing-houses were stoned by angry mobs. It extended
to Salem on the Monday following, on the 9th, and
the non-union men, their boarding-houses and some
tanneries were subjected to the same treatment. The
riot, however, was promptly sii|ipressed by the police.
156
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.;
and a system of patrol established that prevented
further outbreaks.
Finding that open riot was ineffectnal, a guerrilla
warfare was adopted; whenever a non-union man was
found away from police protection he was assaulted.
Details of strikers also followed the non-union men
about, the boycott was used, and every means possi-
ble put in practice to induce the men to leave. Some
men did go, but their places were soon filled, while
the strikers, despite help from the Knights of Labor,
grew weaker and weaker.
The culmination came on Thanksgiving Day ; a mob
attacked two brothers named Yeaton on Boston
Street, and also stopped a horse-car and beat three non-
union men who were its occupants. The long series
of outrages disgusted the better class of the strikers,
and, with the cessation of help from the order, the
strike was declared off. This was on Sunday, No-
vember 28th. Those strikers who could find work
went back, but many whose places were filled were
unable to get back and much suffering was caused
among the poor employes as a result.
The result of the strike to the manufacturers was
that it gave them perfect freedom from the Knights
of Labor dictation, and although the losses of stock
were considerable, the loss was lessened by the in-
crease in the price of leather and the stoppage of a
threatened over-production. The result to the em-
ployees was disastrous, — a long term of idleness, with
the vice idleness brings, brought want to many a
family, and the winter of 1886-87 was one of sore
distress in many cases.
Cotton Manufacture. — Next to the leather
business, the manufacture of cotton cloth is the most
important industry carried on in Salem. The cotton
goods manufacture is vested in a single concern, the
Naumkeag Steam Cotton Company, incorporated April
5,1839. The original capital of the company was $200,-
000. The first mill was erected in 1847, the capital
stock being increased to $700,000 meanwhile.
This first mill is four hundred by sixty feet, con-
tains 32,768 spindles and 643 looms, with a capacity
of 0400 yards of cloth a week. At the time of its
completion it was regarded as the finest and best-
appointed mill in the country.
The first mill being a success, twelve years later a
still larger building was erected by the company, the
capital being increased to $1,200,000. The second
mill is four hundred and twenty-eight by sixty-four
feet and contains 35,000 spindles and 700 looms.
Since the building of the second mill, three addi-
tional mills, slightly smaller, have been built, the last
one, on the opposite side of Union Street from the
others, being constructed in 1883, the first loom being
started Jan. 12, 1884.
The Naumkeag Steam Cotton Company has now a
capital of one million five hundred thousand dollars,
and its plant consists of five mill buildings, with ma-
chine-ahop, storage-houses, etc. The total number of
spindles in the mills, is one hundred thousand, and of
looms, twenty-four hundred. The power in the mills
on the eastern side of Union Street is furnished by
two pairs of Corliss engines of twenty thousand
horse-power total, and in "Mill No. 5" by a four
hundred horse-power engine. The mills are lighted
by twenty-ttvo hundred gas jets and six hundred and
fifty incandescent lights, gas works and an electric
light plant being situated on the premises.
The production of cotton cloth by the mills during
the yeir 188G was eighteen million seven hundred
and fifty thousand yards, at a valuation of about one
million five hundred thousand dollars, and sixteen
thousand bales of cotton were consumed. There are
fourteen hundred operatives employed in the mills,
and the yearly pay-roll is four hundred and twenty
thousand dollars.
The Naumkeag Mills have always taken a front
rank in the cotton manufacture of New England for
the quality of the cloth produced and their solid
financial standing, the stock at present being quoted
many points above par. The relations with the oper-
atives have for the most part been harmonious. The
company has experienced no disastrous fires, and the
whole course of the company has been, to a great ex-
tent, a prosperous one. The mills are now models of
appointment and management.
Shoe Manufactures. — Next to the manufacture
of cotton goods, the largest industry in Salem is the
manufacture of shoes, which, while not as extensive I
as that of some other towns of the county, is still
fairly large and is increasing. There are twenty-one
manufacturers of shoes in the city, the grades being
mostly medium and fine ladies' and children's shoes.
There are, besides, twenty-five shops for the manu-
facture of inner-soles, stiffenings, etc., and two shoe-
stitching shops. '
The capital employed in the shoe business in Salem
is about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dol-
lars, with a value of production of about nine hun-
dred and twenty-five thousand dollars, and a total
number of eight hundred and fifty employees. The
manufactories are mostly grouped in the vicinity of
the Boston and Maine Railroad depot, on Mill, Wash-
ington, Dodge and Lafjiyette Streets, although two of
the largest are on Boston Street.
The relations between employer and employe in
the shoe factories of Salem have been harmonious
during the past few years and, save one or two minor
troubles, there have been no strikes. The projected
street over the South River is expected to open up
land that will be utilized for shoe manufactories, and
with good railroad facilities, nearness to the leather
supply and no labor difficulties, Salem offers many
advantages for location of shoe manufactories.
Jute Bagging. — The manufacture of jute bagging
is now carried on in Salem at two establishments.
The first jute-mill was established in the fall of 1865,
when the late Francis Peabody built the jute-mill on
SALEM.
157
Sk erry Street. Two years later a tract of land on English
and Webb Streets, the old English estate, was bought
and a second mi\\ built by a company known as the
India Maminieturing Co., formed at the same time. A
second company, called the Bengal Bagging Co., was
formed in 1S70 to carry on the Skerry Street mill,
but, in 1875, all the property fell into the hands of
David Xevins & Co., of Boston, and, since the death
of the elder Nevins, a year or two ago, has been car-
ried on by his son.
The two mills have now over a thousand spindles,
with a cai)acity of five million yards of bagging a
year. The total value varies, but averages three
hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The amount of
jute-butts consumed annually is twenty-two thou-
sand five hundred bales, at a value of eight dollars
per bale. The two mills employ a total of two
hundred and sixty-eight hands, of which one hun-
dred and one are females and one hundred and two
youths and children.
The jute-butts are brought from Beng.il, from the
port of Chittagong, in large vessels that give the in-
habitants of Salem their only occasional sight of large
sized, square-rigged vessels, and the import duties
make up the greater part of tlie receipts of the
Salem custom-house, the amount received from each
vessel being in the vicinity of two thousand dollars.
The bagging is mostly shipped South for use in baling
cotton, especially large shipments going to Galveston,
Tex.
White-Le.4.d Manufacture. — The manui'acture
of white-lead as a pigment from pig, or blue-lead, is
one of the oldest industries in the city, it having
been established in 1826. In that year two lead-mills
were started, one by the first Salem Lead Company
and the other by Colonel Francis Peabody. Both
were situated in South Salem, the first on the site of
the Naumkeag Cotton-Mills, the other where La-
grange Street is now situated.
Ihe first Salem Lead Company had a cajjital stock
of over two hundred thousand dollars, but the enter-
prise proved unprofitable and, after an expenditure
of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, the
works were sold at auction in 1835 for the sura of
twenty thousand five hundred dollars.
The works established by Colonel Peabody were
more successful, and were carried on at Lagrange
Street till 1843. In 1830 the Wyman GristMills, at
Forest River, were purchased and used for grinding
and mixing the lead. In 1843 the Forest River Lead
Company (incorporated in 1846) purchased the works
of Colonel Peabody, tore down the sheds on Lagrange
Street, and established the entire plant at Forest
River. The manufacture of white-lead to the amount
of one thousand tons annually was carried on by the
company till 1882, when it made an assignment.
The works were operated for a time by a Boston firm,
hut were finally abandoned in 1883, and have since
remained unoccupied.
The present Salem Lead Company was incorporated
February 7, 1868. It has its works at the foot of
Saunders Street. They consist of a large three-story
mill, with corroding-sheds in the rear. The company
has a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dol-
lars employed at this factory, and the annual product
is about fifteen hundred tons of while-lead, dry and
ground in oil, together with a considerable amount of
sheet-lead and lead-pipe. About thirty hands are
employed.
Oil Manufacture.— The refining and manufac-
ture of oils has been an industry in Salem from 1835,
when Caleb Smith began the oil and candle manufac-
ture on the site of the present Seccomb Oil Works.
Col. Francis Peabody began the same industry a year
later, also in South Salem. The latter did a large
business, buying in one year one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars' worth of sperm and whale oils.
He also manufactured a large quantity of candles
and imported the first machine for braiding caudle-
wicks.
There are now four manufactories of oils in the
city ; two, however, are unimportant. Seccomb,
Thayer & Sons carry on the manufacture at the "old
stand,'' established by Caleb Smith. They manufac-
ture lubricating and curriers' oils to a small extent.
The Seccomb Oil Company, which was established in
1865, was dissolved in 1885.
The Salem and South Danvers Oil Company was
organized in 1855, and have a capital of forty-eight
thousand dollars. Since the organization the com-
pany has manufactured considerable quantities of
kerosene and curriers' grease and oils.
On June 14, 1887, the works of the company took
fire from a spark blown from a burning tannery on
South Mason Street, and within three-quarters of an
hour a stock worth ten thousand dollars, with all the
wooden buildings of the plant, were totally destroyed.
The stills, however, and other manufacturing jjiant
were not materially injured, and the work of rebuild-
ing was re-commenced at once, although some citi-
zens made an attempt to have the Board of Aldermen
refuse a permit to rebuild on that site. The manu-
facture of kerosene has been given up, and the man-
facture of curriers' grease and oils entered on on a
large scale.
The Adamanta AV'orks. — The latest established
industry in Salem has been that of the manufacture
of paints, etc., by new processes, by the Adamanta
ManuTacturing Company .at the former Rowell farm,
on Salem Xeck.
The Adamanta Manufacturing Company organized
in 1885 with a capital of three hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, for the prosecution of the numufac-
ture of a number of articles under different patents,
mostly German, purcha.sed, in the autumn of 1885, the
estate, on Salem Neck, known as the Rowell farm.
This land was admirably fitted for the purpose of
the manufactory, being secluded and with easy water
158
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and land access. Building was commenced in Feb-
ruary, 1886. A long, low, fire-proof building was
constructed for the manufactory, together with the
necessHry out-buildings, and in September, 1886, work
was commenced. At present there are about twenty-
five men employed, a number of whom are Germans,
as is the superintendent.
The products of the works are enamel paints, var-
nish, a steam-proof pitch and an artificial rubber.
The present manufactory is a merely experimental
one, but a large quantity of the articles produced has
been sold; the demand is said to be increasing, and
a large manufactory is among the probabilities; in-
deed, plans for such are being now considered.
Manufacture of Type-Writees. — A second
industry of importance that has lately been estab-
lished in Salem is the manufacture of type-writers,
under the Hall patents. In May, 1885, the plating
and polishing works of E. C. Bates, on Front Street,
were removed to the building 200 Derby Street, and
with a large plant the manufacture of the Hall type-
writer was begun, together with that of light ma-
chinery and electrical goods. The Hall Type-Writer
and Machine Company was incorporated in April,
1886, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars,
at one hundred dollars per share. The company now
employs fifty men, and produces an average of two
hundred type-writers a month, at an annual value of
ninety-six thousand dollars. The business of manu-
facturing light machinery and electrical work, mostly
by contract for Boston and New York firms, is also
large.
Manufacture of Cars. — Two companies for the
manufacture of cars have been established in Salem.
In 1863 the Salem Car Company began the manu-
facture of horse cars at the present car-shops of the
Boston and Maine Bailroad, on Bridge Street.
The project was unsuccessful, and the works were sold
to John Kinsman, after having been in operation a
short time. This gentleman manufactured a few
railroad cars there, and then sold the works to the
Eastern Railroad. They are now operated by the
Boston and Maine Railroad as repair-shops, the bulk
of the repairs for this section being made there.
About one hundred and fifty hands are employed, and
during leisure seasons a few cars are built, several of
the best rolling stock on the Eastern Division having
been constructed here.
The Atlantic Car Company was organized in 1872,
and commenced the manufacture of railroad cars at
works built by them on Broadway, in South Salem.
The works only- ran for a year, the business crisis in
1873 being the cau.se of their closing. The buildings,
after being unoccupied for four years, were used as a
furniture manufactory. This in turn failed, and,
after a long period of idleness, the works were again
started up as a manufactory of the " Humiston Pre-
servative." This also failed, and the United States
Patents Company took the plant; that continued for a
year or two, then failed ; and in 1886 the Poor Broth-
ers, of Peabody, bought the plant, and altered it over
into a tannery, with several hundred vats, and em-
ploying a large number of men.
TheGas-Light COiMPANY. — The Salem Gas-Light
Company was organized in April, 1850; works were
built at the foot of Northey Street, and the first stores
lighted December 17, 1850, and the street lights on
December 25th of the same year, A large amount of
gas has been manufactured. When the city electric
light system was put in operation, in 1S86. the greater
part of the street lights were given up. The change,
however, caused but little diminution in the produc-
tion of gas, as it was found that the increased use of
gas by individuals nearly made up the deficit.
The present plant of the company, having been .in
constant use for thirty-seven years, has gone out of
date, besides being in a bad condition, and the com-
pany has in process of construction, at its lot on
Bridge Street, new retorts and apparatus of an im-
proved pattern. A wharf, gas-holder and other build-
ings had been constructed there some years before,
and when the present works shall be finished the
company will have a complete plant. The manufac-
ture of gas will be carried on there, and the Northey
Street works abandoned.
The present works contain fifty-five retorts, and
41,858,000 cubic feet of gas were manufactured
there during 1886. The selling price was $1.75 a^
thousand feet. The new works will have a much
greater capacity than have the old.
Electric Lighting Co. — Salem was among the
first cities in New England to introduce electric
lights. In 1881 a small plant was set up in the rear
of the West Block, and a few lights started. The
first lights were lighted December 18, 1881. The
light, used at first by the storekeepers as an adver-
tisement, came rapidly into favor, and, in April,
1882, the Salem Electric Lighting Company, with
a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, was incor-
porated, and took the plant established in 1881. The
demand for lights increased rapidly, and in the fall of
1886 the city of Salem closed a contract with the com-
pany for one hundred and twenty-nine lights for two
years from Oct. 1, 1886, at forty-seven cents a night for
one hundred lights, and forty-five cents for the re-
mainder, the lights to burn all night and superseding
four hundred gas-lights. The number was afterward
increased to one hundred and forty-seven lights,
which are now located and make Salem one of the
best lighted cities in the State.
In June, 1885, the incandescent light was intro-
duced, and quite a number of stores are lighted with
the lights, as well as the Council and Aldermanic
chambers at City Hall.
The electric lighting station is situated in the rear
of the West Block, on Essex Street, in a specially
constructed building, whose tall, iron chimneys are a
prominent feature in a bird's-eye view of Salem from
SALEM.
159
any point. The plant consists of eight arc dynamos,
of a capacity of thirty lights each, of which five are
employed on the city lights. There is an incandes-
cent dynamo, burning two hundred and fifty lights.
The power is supplied by boilers of three hundred
horse-power, with three engines, respectively one hun-
dred and seventy-five, seventy-five and sixty horse-
power. The station is a well-appointed one, and the
lights give good satisfaction.
Ml.SCELLAXEOrS MANUFACTURES. — The Hst of
the more important manufactures of Salem is now fin-
ished, but the miscellaneous manufactures are large
in total and comprise most of the domestic industries
and manufactures, with the employment of a large
number of operatives. There are two iron foundries,
employing about twenty-five men and producing a
large amount of castings for the different manufac-
tories of the city and county ; eleven machine-shops,
most of which manufacture machines under patents ;
and one boiler-shop. The total. value of the product
of the metal-working establishments of the city is
about seven hundred and twenty-five thousand dol-
lars.
The building trades are well represented, Salem
being a centre for the district in this respect, and the
total value of the building products is in the vicinity
of three hundred thousand dollars.
Boxes, to the value of thirty -five thousand dollars,
are made ; stone-work, of a value of thirty thousand
dollars, is produced ; and the printing and publishing
interests have a value of production of fifty thousand
dollars.
Defunct Industries. — The ,Salem Laboratory Com-
pany.— Among the few industries which have been
relinquished in Salem, the manufacture of chemicals
was the oldest. The manufacture of chemicals was
begun on Lynde Street early in the present century,
and continued by the Salem Laboratory Company,
incorporated in 1819, which continued the manufac-
ture above alluded to, removing the works to North
Salem. A considerable amount of chemicals were
manufactured up to 1884, when the company was
dissolved on account of decreasing profits and other
considerations. The buildings have been partly de-
molished, and one has been utilized asacurrying-shop.
The Cooperage Business. — During the years of the
commercial prosperity of Salem, and especially at the
times of the AVest India and West African trade, the
cooperage business of Salem was quite extensive, ten
or twelve firms being engaged in the manufacture of
fish butts, molasses and rum hogsheads, etc. With
the decrease of the commerce the business declined,
and is almost extinct, there being now only two
shops, employing six or eight men, and turning out
a few hundred lead kegs and half-barrels yearly.
Gum Copal C'/eaniny. — Another very important in-
dustry during the lime of the trade with the west
coast of Africa was the cleaning of gum copal and
other varnish gums, carried on at Hunt's wharf.
Nearly all the varnish gums used in this country
at that time were landed at Salem, and in a rough
state. The business of preparing these gums for use
grew to considerable proportions, but the imposing of
a duty on the rough gums caused the business of
cleaning them to be transferred to Africa, so that al-
though small lots have been cleaned within six years,
the business is now entirely extinct.
The Coal Business. — The principal industry of
Salem, outside of the direct manufacturing interests,
is the transshipment of coal, for the most part to the
factories of Lowell and Lawrence. During the year
1886 — a year below the average in the amounts of
coal received, owing to great coal strikes — the amount
of coal brought to Salem was 184,163 tons, at an
average valuation of five dollars per ton. The coal
was brought in three hundred and sixty-three sailing
vessels and thirty steamers, whose aggregate tonnage
would probably be as great as that of any year in
Salem's palmiest commercial days.
The coal trade of Salem has been established since
1850. In that year the Salem and Lowell Railroad
was completed to Salem, and coal began to arrive at
Phillips' wharf for the mills in Lawrence and Lowell.
A business of one thousand tons was done the first
year, and the amount rapidly increased till, in 1871
and 1872, two hundred thousand tons was the aggre-
gate. In the former year a coal-pocket was built, but
in the latter the road was leased to the Boston, Lowell
and Nashua road and the larger part of the business
transferred to Boston, and under the later regime of
the Boston and Lowell the business has been still
further decreased. During 1886 the aggregate of tons
landed at Phillips' wharf was 26,645, mostly brought
in small vessels of one hundred to five hundred tons
capacity, the gradu.al filling up of the docks prevent-
ing the entrance of larger vessels.
The greater part of the coal coming to Salem is
landed at the Philadelphia and Reading Company's
pier, situated a short distance below Phillips' w'harf,
and built in 1873- The pier consists of a wooden -
walled bulkhead, having a coal "pocket" with a
capacity of eight thousand tons, and a long bridge
connection. The bridge is about fourteen hundred
feet in length and the wharf seven hundred feet. The
depth of water at low tide is eleven feet. Most of the
coal is brought in the iron steamers of the company,
whose average capacity is 1660 tons. They run at
regular intervals during the greater part of the year,
the round trip from Philadelphia, including loading
and unloading, taking about two weeks, although,
under especially favorable circumstances, it has been
made in one. The coal received fr(<m the steamers
and sailing-vessels is temporarily stored in the pocket
and shipped away by rail as fast as cars can be pro-
cured. Most goes to the mills of Lowell, Lawrence
and Haverhill. The total amount of coal received at
the pier in 1886 was 106,247 Ions.
Besides the coal received for direct transshipment.
ico
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
a large amount is received for the supply of a con-
siderable local and district demand. There are thir-
teen retail coal dealers in the city, mostly situated on
Derby Street and along the South River. The total
shipments of coal received by them during 1886 were
53,801 tons.
Owing to the precarious state of the demand for
labor in the coal business in Salem, and also to the
transient natui'eof the labor itself, as no special train-
ing is needed for coal handling, and many take to it
as a makeshift, it is difficult to ascertain how many
receive support from the pursuit of that grimy call-
ing. It is safe to say, however, that three hundred
men, in round numbers, are employed by the coal
trade of the city.
The Horse-Railroads. — The Naumkeag Street
Railroad. — The benefit that the establishment and
growth of the two horse-railroad companies running
from Salem has been to the city is almost inestimable.
It has turned into the cotfers of the Salem merchants
money that has in former years gone to Boston ; it
has made Salem, in fact, what she is in position, the
centre of the southern part of Essex County. It is
safe to say that it has doubled the retail trade of the
city.
The first act of incorporation of a horse-railroad
in this city was obtained in 1862, under the name of
the Salem Street Railway Company. The road was
built to South Danvers (now Peabody), and the first
car run July 8, 1863. In the same year the road was
extended to Beverly, the line being opened for travel
on October 28th. In May, 1864, a branch was built
to South Salem, and five years later, June 4, 1869, a
North Salem branch was put in operation.
The old Salem company, however, proved an un-
profitable investment, and in 1875 a new company,
known as the Naumkeag Street Railway Company,
leased the property of the old road, and, by careful
management and display of considerable enterprise,
soon establ shed the scheme on a paying basis.
The first extension of the tracks under the new
company was to the '' Willows," the picnic ground of
Salemites for generations, the line being opened June
10, 1877. A year or two later several of the heavy
stockholders of the rnad purchased a tract of land
there, and erected a " Pavilion " and theatre, besides
making a small park there, and this, with many im-
provements made on the public land by the city, was
opened as a summer resort on June 10, 1880.
The opening of the " Willows " was one of the
great factors of the success of the Naumkeag road ;
immense crowds of people were attracted to the place,
as many as eight thousand people being on the
grounds on some occasions, and, for the most part,
transjiorted by the horse-car lines.
Dating from the opening of the " Willows," and
especially since 1883, the extension of the rails of
the Naumkeag Street RailroaJ has been steady and
rapid. In 1883 the Beverly track was extended to
the Gloucester crossing; a little later a branch was
laid to the northern side of Harmony Grove, which,
however, has since been given up as not being profit-
able.
In the spring of 1884 a line was projected to the
town of Marblehead, whose transportation facilities
by railroad were very meagre. The line was com-
pleted in August, 1884, the first car being run August
18th, and being received with great enthusiasm by
the Marbleheaders. The line ha-s met with good suc-
cess, although it was prophesied that it would prove
unprofitable during cold weather ; the use of stoves in
the cars, however, removed that objection, and the
cars have a good patronage all through the winter.
The increasing traffic on the line between Salem
and Beverly, together with the foreseen extension to
Wenham, led the directors of the road to have another
line through Beverly constructed. It was built through
Rantoul Street, and connected with the Cabot Street
line at the Gloucester crossing, the line being opened
on June 16, 1886.
The line in Peabody was then extended through
Lowell Street previous to July 2, 1886 ; and on August
21st the Marblehead tracks were extended through the
town to Franklin Street.
The greatest addition to the road was consummated,
however, in the connection of the Beverly tracks
through North Beverly to Wenham depot and to
Asbury Grove, the latter branch, however, being used
only in summer. The road, about seven miles in
length, was completed May 23, 1886, and formally
opened on the 26th. This road was a grea* stroke of
policy; it accommodated an immense local trade, be-
sides " booming " building interests along the lino.
On June 1, 1886, by legislative enactment the Naum-
keag road assumed the franchise of the old Salem
Street Railway, and, with the purchiise of the Salem
and Danvers in the spring of 1887, assumed an entire
control of the local tralfic.
The Naumkeag Street Railroad Company at pres-
ent has a capital of $250,000 of paid-up stock, di-
vided among forty-nine stockholders, with a net debt
of $257,959.52, and total assets of $636,240.23. The
road has a length of 30,119 miles, of which 7,785
miles were the original property of the Salem road,
and 8,800 miles that of the Danvers road, making the
extensions made by the Naumkeag Company during
their occupancy 13,534 miles.
The consolidated road has at the time of writing
105 cars, 390 horses and 112 employes, with an annual
pay-roll of $69,340.50.
The Naumkeag system is divided into four
branches, each with its stables, cars and euperin-
tendent, but under the direction of the superintendent
of the main branch. The latter includes the tracks
in Salem, Beverly, to the Gloucester crossing, Peabody
and to the " Willows." The stables are situated on
Webster Street and at Beverly Cove. The Danvers
branch includes all the old Danvers track, and has
SALEM.
161
stables in Danvers and Peabody. The Murblehead
branch inchides the Marblehead tracks and stables on
tlie road, and the Wenham branch inchides the tracks
below the Gloucester crossing, having stables at
W'enhani, near the town hall.
The total earnings of the consolidated road for 1886
were $190,4GS.50, with a total expense of $1.54,977.79.
Besides the extent of the Naumkeag tracks, connec-
tion is made at Peabody and Marblehead with the
Lynn and Boston Street Railway, whose lines extend
the entire distance to Boston, making a distance of
some thirty miles in diameter reached by the road.
Salem and Danvers Street Railroad — In the I'all of
1883 a party of Salem, Peabody and Danvers capi-
talists formed a stock company for the purpose of
constructing a horse railroad from Salem to Danvers.
They were incorporated May 15, 1884, under the
style of the Salem and Danvers Street Railway Com-
pany, with a capital stock of seventy thousand dol-
lars, afterward increased to one hundred thousand
dollars. The construction of the road was pushed
rapidly, and five miles of track were built and the
road equipped at a cost of §62,783.24. The road was
opened for travel June 2-5, 1884, and during the first
three months of its operation the net income was
$5239.93. In the spring of 1885 a connection of the
Danvers track with that of the Naumkeag Street Rail-
road in Peabody was begun and completed July 9th,
the cars running from Salem through Peabody to Dan-
vers and vice versa. Several branches to Tapleyville
and other parts of Danvers were also built, so that the
road had access to every part of the town, and con-
trolled all the local tratfic.
It was feared by the Naumkeag road that the pro-
posed filling of the South River would give the Dan-
vers road a location through the heart of the city,
and a movement was made to get control of the road,
which was accomplished in April, 1887, the Na-
umkeag road paying one hundred and sixty-five dol-
lars for a small balance of stock, and assuming the
debt of the Danvers corporation.
The road is now running in conjunction with the
Naumkeag system, cars of the road being run through
from Danvers to Beverly.
Railroad Commuxicatiox. — The steam railroad
communications of Salem are excellent, the Boston
and Maine Railroad, Eastern Division, formerly the
Eastern Railroad, which was opened in August, 1878,
and the Boston and Lowell Railroad, which has a
terminus here, give rapid and cheap transportation to
every part of the Eastern New England States and
Canada. There are twenty-three regular trains to
Boston on the Boston and Maine daily, with twenty-
two extras and eleven Sunday trains, and a nearly
equal number of trains going east. The trains on the
Boston and Lowell road are also frequent.
The freight facilities are equally good, and the
amount of business transacted at both stations
amount to a very large sum annually.
11
Retail Trade.— The retail trade of Salem is
large, especially in the dry-goods line, and has greatly
increased since the extension of the horse-car lines.
The dry-goods trade includes eighteen firms, and the
stores are large and handsome, including three which
occupy the entire blocks in which they are situated.
The largest clothing-store east of Boston is also estab-
lished here, with largestores devoted to other lines, and
Essex Street, the centre of the retail trade, is lined
with stores that e(iual, if not surpass, any in Essex
County.
CHAPTER IX.
SALEM (Continued).
MISCELLANEOUS.
BY WU.I.I.i.M T. DAVIS.
Ix the preparation of the history of Salem, several
writers have been engaged, each confining himself to
the special department assigned to him, and thus ne-
cessarily leaving untouched some sulijecls, the omis-
sion of which would make the history unfinished and
incomplete. This chapter, therefore, will include a
reference, to the government of Salem as a town, to
its organization as a city, the adoption of a city seal,
the earlier and later water- >vorks, the witchcraft delu-
sion and to such associations and organizations as
have not been treated in the departmental work.
The settlement of Salem may be dated 1626, when
Roger Couant, with his companions, leaving Cape Ann
took up his temporary residence at Naumkeag, as Sa-
lem was then called, or it may be dated September 6,
1628 (old style), when John Endicott cast anchor in
Salem harbor, as governor of the colony, sent by the
MassachusettsCompany,iu London, of which Matthew
Cradock was governor, to make a pernianent settle-
ment on the shores of Massachusetts' Bay. As the
city has inscribed the date 1626 on its seal, it is per-
haps useless either to inquire how completely the set-
tlement by Conant was abandoned, or to question the
claim -of the earlier date.
.Salem, like Plymouth, was never incorporated as a
town. At the first meeting of the Court of Assistants,
held at Charlestown, August 23, 163U, it was recognized
as a distinct plantation or town, and with Mattapan
was exempted from the common charge (or the sup-
port of Rev. Mr. Wilson. Its character as a town was
not questioned after the arrival of Winthrop in 1630,
but its boundaries were uudefined, and those, of course,
were to be settled by the General Court of the Colony.
Thus, at the Court held on the 41 h of March, 1634, it
was ordered that " Mr. Nowell and Mr. May hewe slial 1
.set out the bounds betwixt Saugus (Lynn) and Salem
and betwixt Salem and Marble Harbor;" and at the
Court held on the 3d of March, 1635-36, it was "re-
162
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ferred to John Humfrey, Esq., and Capt. Turner, to
set out the bounds betwixt Salem and Fpswich." On
the 13th of March, 16.38-39, it was "ordered that the
bounds betwixt Salem and Linn shall begin at the
cliffe by the sea, where the water runs, as the way
lyeth by the ould path thatgoeth to Linn at the south
end thereof next to Linn & the whole pond to bee in
Salem bounds; &froni that part to run upon a straight
line to the island in the Humfreys pond & from that
island to run upon a straight line to 6 great pine trees
marked, called by the six men that layd out the
bounds, the 6 mens Bounds ; & from these trees to run
upon a straight line unto another little pine tree
marked by the side of a little hill beyond the trees, to
run upon the same line so farr as o' bounds shall
reach, into the conntrey."
At first Salem included within its recognized limits
Beverly, Panvers, Manchester, Peabody, Marblehead,
Middleton and parts of Topsfield,Wenham and Lynn.
Beverly was incorporated October 14, 1668, and a part
annexed to Danvers, April 27, 18.57. Danvei-s was in-
corporated June 16, 17.57 and divided into Danvers
and South Danvers, May 18, 1855, the name of the
latter being changed to Peabody, April 18, 1868.
Manchester was incorporated May 14, 1645 ; Marble-
head, May 2, 1649; Mkldleton, June 20, 1728; Wen-
ham, May 10, 1643; Topsfield, October 18, 1650. A
part of Salem was also annexed to Swampscott, April
3, 1867, and the boundary line between Salem and
Danvers was changed March 17, 1840.
At a General Court held March 3, 1635-36, it was
ordered that " whereas, particular towns have many
things which concerne onely themselves, and the or-
dering of their own affairs, and disposing of business
in their own town, it is therefore ordered, that the
freemen of every town or the major part of them shall
onely have power to dispose of their own lands, and
woods with all the privileges and appurtenances of
the said towns, to grant lots, and make such orders as
may concern the well-ordering of their own towns, not
repugnant to the laws and orders here established b.v
the General Court; as also to lay mulcts and penalties
for the breach of these orders, and to levy and distrain
the same, not exceeding the sum of xxs. ; also to choose
their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors
for the highwa.vs, and the like; and because much
business is like to ensue to the constables of several
■towns, by reason they are to make distresses, and
gather fines, therefore that every town shall have two
constables, where there is need, that so their office
may not be a burthen unto them, and they may attend
more carefully upon the discharge of their office, for
which they shall be liable to give their accompts to
this Court when they shal be called thereunto."
In accordance with the above act of the General
Court the Town of Salem chose, at a meeting held on
the 19th of the 4th month (June) 1637, a committee
of twelve " for manadgin the affaii's of the town." A
part of the record of this meeting is lost, and the ac-
tual election of this committee is not found on the
town books. The deficiency is, however, supplied by
the town Book of Grants, which contains the follow-
ing entry:
" The 20th of the 4th monuth, 1C37.
"A towne meeting of the 12 men appoynted for the businee thereof
whose names are here under written:
Mr. Hatborne. Taniell Ray.
Mr. Bishop. Bobt. Moulton.
Mr. Conuaugbt. Mr. Scruggs.
Mr. Gardiner. Jeffry Massy.
Jolin Woudbery. John Balch.
Peter Palfrey. John Holgrave."
Mr. Hathorne was William Hathorne, Mr. Bishoj^
was Townsend Bishop, Mr. Connaught was Roger
Conant, Mr. Gardiner was Thomas Gardiner and Mr.
Scruggs was Thomas Scruggs. This committee was
the prototype of the Board of Selectmen of a later
period. There had been previously chosen, on the
16th of the 9th month (November), 1635, a committee
consisting of Captain William Traske, John Wood-
berry, Mr. Conant, Jefl'ry Massy and John Balshe as
"overseers & L.ayers out of Lotts of ground for this
presinct of Salem, but are to have directions from y'
towne where they shall lay y" out, and in leiwe of y'
paynes they are to have 4d. the acre for small lotts,
and 10s. the hundred for great lotts rightly & exactly
laid out & bounded ; and 3 of these may doe the
worke."
There had also been appointed in the latter part of
March, 1636, a committee of thirteen, whose names
are not given, who were called " the towne represent-
ative," but the committee of twelve above referred to
seems to have been the first committee with the broad
powers delegated to it of managing the affiiirs of the
town. The meetings of this committee are called in
the records town meetings, and by their direction in-
habitants were admitted, lands granted, raters were
chosen and the general business of the town was con-
ducted. At the meeting of the committee held on
the 20th of the 10th month (December), 1637, John
Endicott appears as a member, and on the 29th of the
8th month (October), 1638, Mr. Fisk, but whether
John, or William, or Phineas, does not appear.
At a general town meeting held the 31st of the 10th
month (December), 1638, seven men were chosen
" for the managing of the affaires of the towne for a
twelve moneths, viz.: Mr. Endecott, Mr. Hathorne,
Mr. Conant, John Woodbury, Laurence Leech, Jeffry
Massy and John Balch." Under date of the 11th
month (January), 1639-40, it is recorded that "the
ould Seaven men continewed still." The next year
the committee consisted of the same persons, and in
1642 of Mr. Endicott, Mr. Hathorne, Mr. Massy, Peter
Palfrey, Laurence Leech, Mr. Gardiner and William
Lord. In 1643 Henry Bartholomew was substituted
for IMr. Leech, and at the meeting at which the new
committee was chosen, held the 4th of the 10th month
(December), 1642, it was ordered "that the seaven
men chosen for the managing of the aflaires of the
towne, or the greater number of them, shall meete to-
SALEM.
iGa
gether monethlie one the second day of the weeke,
in the morninge, to begine the second day the weeke
next being the 11th of the 10th mo., 1643, upon the
penaltie of tenne shillings, to be leavied one the whole
or upon such of them as are absent w'*^ out just
ground."
Up to this date while the meetings of the freemen
of the town were called general town meetings, those
of the seven men were called particular town meet-
ings. After this date they were called "meetings
of the 7 men," or " town meetings of the 7 men." In
1644-4o the same persons served as the committee,
and in 1G4(3 eight men were chosen, viz.: Captain
Hathorne, William Lord, John Hardey, Mr. Corwine,
Sergeant Porter, Samuel Archer, Ed. Batter and
William Gierke. In 1647 William Hathorne, Edmond
Batter, George Corwin, Jeffry Mhssv, John Porter,
Henry Bartholomew and Emanuel Downing made uj)
the board of seven men, and about this time their
meetings were sometimes called meetings of the
** townsmen."
From this date the seven men were called select-
men, and the following is a list of selectmen down to
the incorporation of the city in 1S86:
1G48.
Wm. Hathorne.
Wm. Browne.
Thomas Gardiner.
Roger Conant.
Thoiuus Lathrop.
Henry Bartholomew.
John Porter.
1649.
Wm. Hathorne.
Wm. Browne.
Roger Conaat.
Jeftry Massy.
Henry Bartholomew.
George Coi-win.
Walter Price.
1050.
Win. Hathorne.
Emanuel Dowing.
George Corwin.
Jeffiy Massy.
Roger Conant.
Walter Price.
Henry Bartholomew.
1651.
Wm. Hathorne.
Roger Conant.
John Porter.
Jeffry Massy.
Henry Bartholomew.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
1652.
Wm. Hathorne.
Roger Conant.
John Porter.
Walter Price.
Jacob Barney.
George Corwin.
Edmond Batter.
1653.
George Corwin.
Wm. Hathorne.
Roger Conant.
John Porter.
Jeftry Massy.
Walter Price.
Kdmond Batter.
1(154.
George Corwin.
Roger Conant.
John Porter.
John Gedney.
Richard Prince.
Jeffry Slassy.
Kdmond Batter.
1655.
George Corwin.
John Porter.
Jacob Barney.
Jeffry Blassy.
Thomas Gardiner.
Jno. Gedney.
Edmond Batter.
1G50.
Wm. Hathorne.
Thomas Gardiner.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
John Porter.
Jeffry Massy.
Edmond Batter.
1657.
Wm. Browne.
G«orge Corwin.
John Porter.
Jacob Barney.
Richard Prince.
Jeffry Massy.
Walter Price.
1658.
Wm. Hathorne.
Roger Conant.
Thomas Lathrop.
Edmond Batter.
Jos. Buice.
1659.
Wm. Hathorne.
George Corwin.
Walter Price.
Wm. Browne.
Edmond Batter.
1600.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
Walter Price.
Roger Conant.
Thomas Lathrop.
Edmond Batter.
John Porter.
1661.
Wm. Browne.
Wm. Hathorne.
George Corwin.
John Porter.
Roger Conant.
Walter Price.
Edmond Batter.
1662.
Wm. Hathorne.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
Walter Price.
Edmond Batter.
John Porter.
Henry Bartholomew.
1663.
Wm. Hathorne.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
Walter Price.
Edmond Batter.
George Gardiner.
Heuiy Bartholomew.
ir.6-1:.
Win. Hathorne.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
Walter Price.
Thomas Lathrop,
Edmond Batter.
Henry Bartholomew.
1665.
Wm. Hathorne.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
Edmond Batter.
Thomas Lathrop.
Walter Price.
1666.
Wm. Hathorne.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
Edmond Batter.
Thomas Lathrop.
George Putnam.
Walter Price.
1667.
Wm. Browne.
John Porter.
Nathaniel Putnjim.
George Putnam.
Humphrey Woodbury
John Pickering,
Edmond Batter.
1668.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
George Gardiner.
John Corwin.
Benjamin Gardiner.
John Pickering.
Eiimond Batter.
1669.
George Corwin.
Edmond Batter.
Bartholomew Gedney.
John Putnam.
John Corwin.
Wm. Browne.
John Pickering.
1670.
Wm. Hathorne.
Wm. Browne.
John Porter.
Henry Bartholomew
Jos. Gmfton, Sr.
George Gardiner.
Wm. Browne, Jr.
1671.
Wm. Hathorne.
Wm. Browne.
George Corwin.
Edmond Batter.
Walter Price.
John Putnam.
Walter Price, Jr.
1672.
Win. Browne.
Henry Bartholomew.
John Corwin.
Bartholomew Gedney.
Edmond Batter.
1673.
Wm. Hathorne,
George Corwin.
John C'Orwin.
Henry Bartholomew.
Jos. Grafton, Sr.
Richard Prince.
1674.
Thomas Lathrop.
George Corwin.
John Corwin.
Jos. Croswell.
John Flint.
Xicholfts ilanuing.
1675.
Geoi^e Corwin.
Edmond Battir.
.lohn Corwin.
Wm. Browne, Jr.
John Putnam.
John Pickering.
John I'rice.
1676.
Edmond Batter.
Joi)n Corwin.
Wm, lirowiie, Jr.
Samuel Gardiner, Sr,
Bartholomew Gedney.
John Pickering.
John Price.
1677.
Jos. Grafton.
Philip Cromwell.
John Higginson.
Samuel Gardiner, Sr.
Lieut. Leach.
Edward Flint.
Wm. Trask.
167S.
John Corwin.
Wm. Browne.
Philip Cromwell.
John Turner.
John Higginson,
Jolin Hathorne.
167y.
John Corwin.
Wni. Browne.
George Corwin.
John Higginson.
Philip Cromwell.
Tsi-ael I^orter.
.Tohn Hathorne.
1680.
Edmond Batter.
John ("orwin.
W'm, Brov\ nt^
Samuel Gardiner, Sr,
John Putnam.
Israel Port ?r.
John Hathorne.
1681,
John Corwin.
Wm. Browne.
John Price.
Samuel Gardiner, Sr.
Israel Porter.
John Pickering,
John Hathorne.
1682.
John Corwin.
Samuel Gardiner, Sr.
John Price,
John Hathorne.
John Pickering.
Samuel Gardiner, Jr.
John Higginson.
Israel Porter.
1683.
Samuel Gardiner, Sr.
John Price.
John Hathorne.
John Higginson.
.lohn Pickering.
Israel Porter.
Sanniel Gardiner, Jr.
1684.
Bartholomew Gedney.
John C<jrwin.
John Price.
John Ruck.
Thomas CardintT.
Daniel .Andrew.
Samuel Ganiiner, Jr.
lGt>5.
Bartholomew Cedney,
John Higginson.
John lUitlv.
Israel Porter.
Wm. Porter.
Samuel Gardiner.
Timothy Lindall.
Wm. Hirst.
1G8G.
John Ruck.
John Price.
John Leech.
Thomas Gardiner.
Samuel Gardiner, Sr.
Timothy Lindall.
Wm. Hii-sl.
16S7.
John Price.
John Ruck.
"Wm. Hirst.
John Higginson.
Samuel Ciudiner.
Robert Kitching.
1688.
.John Putnam.
Kathtniel Putnam.
Edward Flint.
John Higginson.
John Price.
Thomas Gardiner.
Samuel Gardiner, .Jr.
1689.
John Putnam,
John Pickering.
Israel Porter.
Captain Sewall.
Wm. Hii-st.
Benjantin Gerrish.
Samuel Gardiner.
1690.
Stephen Sewall.
John Pickering.
Israel I'orter.
Wm. Hirst.
Samuel Gardiner.
Daniel Andrew.
Benjamin Gerrish.
1691.
Israel Porter.
Thomas Flint.
Benjamin Marston.
Josiah Wolcott.
Manasscli Marston.
Robert Kitching.
Daniel Parkniau,
1G92.
Samuel Gardiner,
Stephen Sewall.
Israel Porter.
John Putnam.
John Pickering,
Edward Flint.
Robert Kitching.
1693.
Wm. Hirst.
Stephen Sewall.
Israel Porter.
Benjamin Gt-rrish,
Jolin Pickering.
Edward Flint.
Robert Kitching.
1694.
Wm. Hirst.
Stephen Sewall.
Timothy Lindall.
EdwaPl Flint.
Benj:(miu (it-rrish.
Israel Porter.
.Samuel Browne.
1695.
Wm. Hirst.
164
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Israel Porter.
Samuel Browne.
Stephen Sewall.
Timotliy Lindall.
Benjamin Gerrish.
Samuel Gardiner.
1G96.
Stephen Sewall.
Israel Porter.
Samuel Gardiner.
\\m. Hirst.
Timothy Liiulall.
Manasseh Marston.
John Turner.
1G97.
Benjamin Browne.
John Higginson.
AVm. Hirat.
Stephen Sewall.
Benjamin Putnam.
Kdward Hilliard
Samuel Nui-se.
1G98.
Benjamin Browne.
John Higginson.
\Vm. Hii-st.
Stephen Sewall.
Samuel Browne.
Benjamin Gerrish.
Josiab Wolcott.
inoo.
.Itisiah Wolcott.
Philip English.
Daniel Andrew.
Edward Flint.
Jeremiah Neale.
Joseph Putnam.
Peter Osgood.
1700
Wm. Hirst.
Stephen Sewall.
Samuel Browne.
Samuel Gardiner.
Daniel Andrew.
Joseph Herrick.
Daniel Kpes.
1701.
VVni. Hirst.
Samuel Browne.
Jona. Putnam.
Jos. Herrick.
John Higginson.
Daniel Kpes.
Stephen Sewall.
1702.
\Vm. Hii-st.
Sitniuel Gardiner.
John Higginson.
Walter Price.
John Putnam.
Jos. Herrick.
Daniel Epes.
17l):i. Same.
1704.
Wm. Hi ret.
Josiah Wolcott.
Walter Price.
John Browne.
John Turner.
Jona. Putnam.
Daniel Epes,
1705. Same.
1706,
Samuel Gardiner.
Walter Price.
John Turner.
Tiiomas Flint.
Peter Osgood.
Benjamin Putnam.
Daniel Epes.
1707.
Josiah Wolcott.
Captain Gardiner.
Captain Turner.
Benjamin Putnam.
Jona. Putnam.
John Higginson.
Daniel Epes,
170S.
Josiah Wolcott.
Samuel Gardiner.
John Browne,
John Turner.
Walter Price,
Benjamin Putnam.
Daniel Epes,
1V09,
Samuel Gardiner.
John Turner.
John Higginson.
Peter Osgood.
John Gardiner.
Benjamin Putnam.
Jona. Putnam.
1710.
Stephen Sewall.
Samue! Gardiner.
Jona, Putnam.
Benjamin Putnam.
Jos. Orne.
John Pickering.
John Gardiner.
1711,
Josiah Wolcott-
Walter Price.
Wm. Gedney.
Jos. Putnam.
John Browne,
James Lindall.
John Trask.
1712.
Josiah Wolcott.
Benjamin Lynde,
Wm. Gedney.
Francis Willoughby.
Jos, Putnam.
John Trask.
Walter Price.
1713.
Benjamin Lynde,
Wm. Gedney.
Francis Willoughby,
Peter Osgood,
Walter Price.
Abel Gardiner.
Jos. Herrick.
1714.
Wm, Oedney.
Peter Osgood.
Samuel Gardiner.
F. Willoughby.
Wm. Pickering.
Walter Price.
Jos. Herrick.
1715,
Stephen Sewall.
Captain Pickering,
Jos, Orne.
James MonUon.
Walter Price,
Philip English.
Jos. Putnam.
1716.
Philip English.
Jos. Orne.
James MouUon.
Jos. Herrick.
Wm. Pickering.
John Pickering,
Jos Putnam.
1717.
John Pickering.
Jos. Orne,
Wm. Pickering.
Jos. Putnam.
James Moulton.
Samuel Ruck.
Thos. Barton.
171S.
Wm. Bowditch.
Wm. Pickering.
James Moulton.
Jacob Manning.
Benjamin Flint.
Benj. Gerrish.
John Putnam.
1719. Same with Thos.
Barton for J. Putnam,
1720. Same.
17-21.
Wm, Bowditch.
Job. Wil/ard.
Benjamin Flint,
Benjamin Gerrish.
Thos. Barton.
Jotin Putnam.
James Moulton.
1722.
Wm. Bowditch,
Daniel Epes.
Jus. Willard.
Tho.s. Fuller,
Benjamin Flint.
Benjamin Gerrisli,
Thos. Barton,
1723,
Wm. Bowditch.
Jacol> Manning.
Daniel Epes.
Thomas Fuller.
John Cabot.
Jos. Orne, Jr.
Thos. Barton.
1724.
Jacob Manning.
Benjamin Flint.
Benjamin Gerrish.
Daniel Epes.
Thomas Fuller.
Jos. Orne, Jr.
Thomas Barton,
1725. Same witli Wm.
Bowditch for Mr.
Gerrish,
1726.
Wm, Bowditch,
Jacob Manning.
Benjamin Flint.
Jos. Orne, Jr.
Thomas Flint,
Thorndike Proctor,
Tiiomas Barton.
1727.
Same with Ichabod
Plaisted for Mr.
Blanniug.
1728.
Daniel Epes.
Jos. Oine, Jr.
Thomas Flint,
Ichabod Plaisted.
Samuel Barnard.
Miles Ward.
Thomas Barton.
17-9. Same.
1730. Same with John
Higginson for Mr,
Barton.
1731.
Thomas Barton.
Jos. Orne, Jr.
Benjamin Flint.
Ichabod Plaisted.
Thorndike Proctor.
Samuel King,
John Higginson,
1732.
Thomas Barton,
Daniel Epes.
Jos. Orne, Jr.
Thorndike Proctor.
Ichabod Plaisted.
Miles Ward.
John Preston.
Samuel Flint.
John Higginson,
1733, Same with Samuel
Browne for Ichabod
Plaisted,
1734.
Thomas Barton,
Daniel Epes.
Jos, OruQ, Jr.
Thorndike Proctor.
Thomas Flint.
Samuel King.
Ed. Kitchen.
Israel Andrew.
John Higginson.
1735.
Thomas Barton.
Jos. Orne, Jr.
Daniel Epos.
Ichabod Plaisted,
Thorndike Proctor,
John Preston.
Samuel Flint.
John Turner, Jr. 174G. Same with Jona 1760,
John Higginson. Gardner and Thomas George Williams.
1736, Same with Samuel Lee for Mr, Pickman.
Barton for Thomas 1747. Same with James
Barton. Jeffrey for Mr. Lee,
1737, Same with Josliun 1748.
Hicks and Samuel Nathl. Andrew.
Orne Jona Gardner.
James Jeffrey.
James Putnam,
T. Proctor.
John Proctor, Jr.
Eben Work.
1749.
T. Proctor.
Saml. Gardner.
Warwick Palfray.
Saml. King.
Saml, Holton.
Eben Work.
John Higginson.
Eben. Moulton.
Daniel Marble.
T. Proct.>r.
Saml. West.
Ezekiel Marsh.
Jos. Putnam.
John Leach,
John Gardner,
1741.
Jos. Putnam.
John Gardner.
Ben. Ive-^.
John Leach.
Daniel Marble,
Benj. Browne.
Daniel Epes.
T. Proctor.
John Clarke.
1742.
Captain Pickman.
Benj. Ives.
Daniel Epes.
Col. Bronne.
Jos. Putnam.
1743.
Benj. Ives.
Benj. Pickman.
l)aniel Epes.
Jos. Putnam,
Benj. Browne.
1744.
Benj. Pickman,
John Leach.
Nathanl Andrew.
Daniel Epes, Jr.
Benj. Browne.
Stephen Putnam.
John Higginson.
1743.
Benj, Pickman
Daniel Epes.
Nathl. Andrews.
Benj. Browne.
James Putnam.
Wm. Porter.
John Higginson.
Endicott for
and Proctor.
1738.
Daniel Epes.
John Preston.
Samuel Flint.
Samuel Barton.
Joshua Hicks.
Samuel Endicott.
Wm, Lynde.
Richard Elvires.
John Higginson.
1739.
John Higginson,
Samuel Flint.
SaniueJ Barton.
John Preston.
Thorndike Proctor,
Daniel Epes.
Dr. Cabot.
Capt. Pickman.
Capt. Ives.
1740.
Thomas Flint.
1753. Same.
1754.
Joshua Waru.
T. Proctor.
Abraham Watson.
Timothy Orne.
Nathl. Ropes.
1755. Same with John
Nutting for Mr, Ward.
1756. Same with Ste-
phen Higginson for
Mr, Nutting,
1757. Same.
1758. Saml. Gardner.
Nathl, Ropes.
Benj. Goodhue.
Benj. Herbert.
Jona Ropes, Jr.
1759. Same with Peter
Frye for Nathl. Ropes.
(The records from 1760
to 1764 are missing.)
1765.
Saml. Curwen.
Wm. Browne.
Richard Lee.
Richard Derby.
Jose pi 1 BUney.
1700.
Jos. Blaney.
John White, Jr.
Jona Gardner, Jr.
Jeremiah Hacker.
T, Proctor.
1767.
Jos. Blaney.
Benj. Pickman, Jr.
Jeremiah Hacker.
T. Proctor, Jr.
David Phippen.
1768.
Jos. Blaney.
Jona Gardner, Jr.
David Phippen.
Jeremiah Hacker.
Benj. Osgood.
Jacob Ashton.
Saml. Barton, Jr.
E. H. Derby.
George Dodge.
1770. Same with John
Felt for Mr. Ashton.
1771. Same.
1772. Same with John
Gardnerfor Mr. Derby
1773.
George Dodge.
George Williams.
John Gardner,
Henry Gardner.
Tim. Pickering, Jr.
1774. Same with Wm.
Pickman, and Wil-
liam Northey forMr.
Dodge.
1750. Same with Saml. 1775.
Flint for Mr. Holton. Tim. Pickering, Jr.
1751.
Joa. Bowditch.
Jona Gardner.
John Leach.
Abraham Watson
John Higginson.
1752. Same with T. Proc-
tor for Mr. Higginson.
T. Proctor.
John Hodges.
Ebon Beckford.
Joseph Spraguo
1776.
T, Pickering, Jr.
John Gardner (3d).
John Hodges.
SALEM.
165
Joim Peele, Jr.
Ebeii BeckforJ.
Jus*"!)!! Spraguo.
Jacob Ashton.
1777.
Richard Ward
John GurdiuT (:Jd).
Ehen Beckfurd.
Jacob Ashton.
Jona Peele, Jr.
1778. Same with Wil-
liam Pickinau for Mr.
Ward.
1779. Same.
1780.
Benj. Goodhue, Jr.
Miles Greenwood.
John Norris.
Peter Landen.
John Itvitlintun,
1781.
Saml. FlagE.
John Fisk.
Joshua Ward.
Jona. Ingersoll.
Jerathmel Price,
17S2.
Wm. West.
Joshua Ward.
,Ji)hn Ai)pleton.
Francis Cabot, Jr.
Jona Waldo.
1783. Same with Wm
E. H. Derby.
179i.
Jona. Waldo.
Jacob Sanderson.
E. H. Derby.
Benj. Ward, Jr.
Edward Norris.
1795. Same.
17110. Same with Jona.
Lambert for Mr. Der-
by.
1797. Same with Nathl.
Ropes for Mr. San-
derson.
1708. Same with Amos
Hovey for Mr. Ropes.
1799.
Jona. Waldo.
Benj. Ward.
Amos Hovey.
Saml Ward.
Jona. Lambert.
ISOO. Same.
1801. Same with Jacob
Sanderson and John
Gardner for Messra.
Ward.
1802.
John Buffinton.
John Ilathoriie.
Jona. Mason.
Benj. Ward. Jr.
Addison Richardson.
Gray for Mr. Waldo. ISO:^. Same with John
1784. Same with Saml. Punchard for iMr.
Pierce for Mr. Cabot.
1785. Same.
1786. Same.
1787.
John A])pleton.
.lofihna Ward.
Wm. Gr.iy.
Saml. Pierce.
John Fisk.
1788.
Wm. Gniy, Jr.
Edward Pulling.
John Halhorne,
Saml, Ward.
Edward Norris.
John Bnfllnton,
Wm, Northey.
1789.
Wm. Northey.
John Fisk.
Richard Ward.
Wm. Gray.
Saml. Ward,
Jona. WaMo.
John Puffinton.
1790. Wm. Northey.
Joseph Spia:.^uc,
Geo. Crowuiushield.
Nathl. Richardson.
John Hathorne.
1T91. Edward Norris.
John Hathorne.
Nathl. Richardson,
Jona, M'aldo.
Nehemiah BufTinton,
1792. Same with Jos.
Sprague for Mr. Buf-
fington .
179:i. Eben Putnam,
John SaundeifJ, Jr.
Wm. Gray, Jr.
Joseph Wliite,
IMason,
1804. Same with Moses
Townsend for Mr.
Puncbard,
1805.
John Hathorne.
Benj. Ward, Jr.
.Addison Richardson.
Moses Townsend,
Nfliemiah Buffinton,
ISdO.
Jona. Mason,
John Hathorne.
B. Ward. Jr.
Samuel Rupes.
Henry Prince.
1S07.
John Hathorne,
Moses Townsend,
James Cheever.
Benj. Crowninshield.
Benj. Ropes,
1808.
John Hathorne.
Moses Townsend.
Benj, Ropes.
George S. Johonnot.
Joseph Ropes.
1809.
Moses Townsend.
Jo.seph Ropos.
Samuel Ropes.
Edward Allen.
Joseph Winn.
1810.
Moaes Townsend.
Joseph Winn.
Jona. Neal, Jr.
.JoBliua Ward.
Benj. Crowninehield.
1811.
Moses Townsend.
Joshua Ward.
B. W. Crown inshield.
Thos M.Woodbridge.
Joseph Ropes.
1812.
Samuel Ropes.
Ab.d Lawrence.
Philip Chase.
Wm. Mansfield.
Michael Webb.
181.3. Same.
ISH. Same.
181.'-).
Sanniel Rope.s.
Abel Lawrence.
Wm. Slausfield.
Abijah Northey.
Benj. H. Hathorne.
1S16.
Moses Townsend.
Joseph Winn.
Joseph Ropes.
John Crowninshield.
Henry Elkins.
1817.
Wm. Mansfield.
Michael Webb.
Moses Townsend.
Saml. Eudicott.
Joseph Ropes.
1818.
Wra. Mansfield.
Wm. Fettyplace.
Saml. Endicott.
Gideon Barstow.
John Prince, Jr.
1819.
Saml. Endicott.
John Crowninshield.
John .Andrews.
JuliM Howani.
Perley Putnam.
182n. Same.
1821. Same with James
Silver fur 31r. Crown-
inshield.
1822.
Perley Putnam.
James Silver.
Willard Peele.
Timothy Bryant.
Abijah Northey.
1823.
Perley Putnam.
Tim. Bryant.
Andrew Tucker.
John Stone.
George Hodges.
1824.
Perley Putnam.
John Stone.
Andrew Tucker.
Wm, Proctor.
Benj. Fahens.
182.^. Same with JcBeph
Howard for Mr. Proc-
t.r.
182G.
Periey Putnam.
Andrew I'ucker.
Benj. Fabens.
Joseph Howard.
John Foster.
1827.
Andrew Tucker.
Benj. Fabens.
David Moore.
Perley Putnam.
N. L. Rogers.
1828. Same with Henry
King for Mr. Rogere.
1829. Same.
1830. Same with Nathl.
Frothingham for 5Ir.
Rogeit},
1831.
Benj. Fabens.
Nathl. Frothingham.
Isaac Newhall.
Benj. Blanchard.
Jos. Cloutiuan.
1832. Same with Henry
Whipple for Mr. Fa-
bens.
1833.
Holton J. Breed.
1834.
Natbt. Frothingham,
Nehemiah Brown.
Samuel Holman.
Perley Putnam.
George Peabody.
Nathl. Frothingham. 1835. Sumo with John
N. L. Rog.-rs. Stone for Mr, Froth-
Joseph Beadle. ingham.
David Pingree.
The meetings of the town, in the early days of the
colony, were held in the meeting-house of the First
Parish. The church and the town were practically
identical and the name meeting-house was derived from
the fact that it was the general place of meeting, not
alone on Sunday, but on all public occasions. This
meeting-house stood near the southeasterly corner of
Washington and Essex Streets, and was erected in
1634. About the year 1677, a building for town pur-
poses was erected in the middle of School, now Wash-
ington Street, near what is now Lynde Street, and
facing south. The upjier part was fitted for a court-
house, and there the Court of Oyer and Terminer,
organized by Governor Phipp-*, in lfiD2, for the trial
of the witches, was held.
Essex County was established May 10, ](U^^ and on
the 14th of November, 1644, Salem was made the
shire of the county; but precisely where the courts
were held previously to 1677, is not definitely known.
It is probable, however, that the meeting-house was
used as a court-house, as well as a town-house. A
prison was erected in 1668, near the southwesterly
end of the meeting-house, and this fact adds force to
the suggestion that the meeting-house was used for a
court-house.
In 1719, a second town and court-house combined
was erected on School, now Washington Street, near
the southerly end of the railroad tunnel. In this
building the General Court met, October?.!, 1728,—
April 2, May 28 and June 2-^5, 1729, — by order of Gov-
ernor Burnet, because he believed that undue influ-
ence was exerted in Boston against a grant for his
salary.
On the 25th of May, 1774, the General Court was
adjourned by Governor Gage, to meet at Salem on the
7th of June; and again the Salem Town-house be-
came historic. The session lasted eleven days, during
which the court protested against its removal from
Boston, and on the 17th passed a resolve appointing
James Bowdoin, Thomas Gushing, Samuel Adams,
John Adams and Robert Treat Paine delegates to the
Congress at Philadelphia, "to consult upon measures
for the restoration of harmony between Great Britain
and the Colonies." Upon this action. Governor Gage
at once, on the same day, dissolved the court ; and so
ended, in the old Town-house in Salem, which ought
to be standing to-day, the last General Court in Mass-
achusetts, under a Provincial (Tovernor.
On Thursday, the first of Septt-mber, writs were
issued by the Governor for a new court, to meet at
165a
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTS, MASSACHUSETTS.
Salem on the 5th of October, but were recalled by
proclamation. The Assembly met notwithstanding,
and organized with John Hancock, Chairman, and
Benjamin Lincoln, Clerk; and on the 7th of October
voted " that the members aforesaid do now resolve
themselves into a Provincial Congress, to be joined
by such other persons as have been or shall be chosen
for that purpose, to take into consideration the dan-
gerous and alarming situation of public affiiirs in this
province, and to consult and determine on such mea-
sures as they shall judge will tend to promote the
true interest of His Majesty and the peace, welfare
and prosperity of the province."
After this action, the Congress adjourned to Con-
cord, where it was more formally organized by the
election of Mr. Hancock, President, and Mr. Lincoln,
Secretary ; and after several sessions in Concord and
Cambridge, finally dissolved. Thus the old Town-
house again became memorable, and was not only the
scene of the last act under the old dispensation, but
the scene also of the first act under the new.
In 1785, another building was erected for the joint
use of the town and county, in the middle of Wash-
ington Street, nearly opjjosite the Tabernacle Church,
and town meetings were there held until the erection,
in 1816, of the Town House in Derby Square, which
was used until the incorporation of the city in 1836.
The second prison was built in 1684, near the corner
of Federal and St. Peter's Streets, and the present
prison was built in 1813.
The lands within the territory of Salem were origi-
nally held by the freemen of the town, and all grants
were made by them. The historical sketch of Salem
by Charles S. Osgood and H. M. Batchelder, pub-
lished in 1879, says that, —
"With increasing population, tliis metliod of holding the lands be-
came unwieldy and cumbei'Sonie. and in 1713 the then owners of the
common lands under the province laws became organized into a quasi
corporation with the title of Commoners. In 1713 the commoners
granted all the highways and burying-places and common lands lying
within the town bridge and block-honses to remain forever for the use of
the town of Salem, and tho Common was then dedicated forever as a
training-field. In 1714 the commoners, at a meeting held at the meet-
ing-house of the first parish in Salem, voted that Winter Island be
wholly removed and granted for the use of the tishing rights to use the
same to be let by the Selectmen of Salem ; and the same year the Neck
lauds were granted and reserved to the town of Salem for a pasture for
milch cows and riding horses, the same to be fenced at the town's
charge.
*'In 1722-23, Feb. 26, the grand Committee of the commoners who
had charge of affairs reported the whole number of rights to be 1132,
and the number of acres held, 3733, Several distinct proprietaries were
formed under an act of the colonial legislature ; and the conimonera of
the two lower parishes having 790 rights and 2500 acres of land lying
between .Spring Pond and Forest Kiver, organized themselves into a
corporation. This organization continued until 185.0, when they were
incorporated into the Great Pasture Company, and by that company the
last of the common lands, about 400 acres in extent, are now held."
The training-field referred to in the above extract
was at the time of its grant an uneven and spongy
piece of ground, scarcely fit for the use to which it
was dedicated until ISOl, when Elias Hasket Derby,
the colonel of the militia, raised about two thoiisaHd
five hundred dollars by subscription and put it in or-
der. In 1802 it was named by the selectmen Wash-
ington Square, and it is now enclosed by an iron fence,
within which are two rows of trees, mostly elms.
In the early part of 1836 a determined effort was
made to change the town government for that of a
city. The population of the town, which, according
to the census of 1830, was 13,886, had then probably
reached 15,000. Its property valuation the year be-
fore was j!8,250,000, and the amount raised by taxa-
tion for county and town expenses was $40,391.31.
The amount of tonnage of vessels owned in the dis-
trict, which included Beverly, was 34,906, consisting
of 30 .ships, 12 barks, 70 brigs, 124 schooners and 14
sloops. The expression of the town was that of a
city, except so far as its form of government was con-
cerned. It had a police court, of which Elisha Mack
was the judge, and Ezekiel Savage and Joseph G.
Waters were the special justices. Its lawyers were
Leverett Saltonstall, Benjamin Jierrill. John Glen
King, Larkin Thorndike, Solomon S. Whipple,
Ebenezer Shillaber, Joseph G. Waters, Asahel Hun-
tington, Stephen P. Webb, David Roberts, George
Wheatland, Nathaniel J. Lord, Charles A. Andrews,
Francis H. Silsbee, George H. Devereux, John S.
Williams, Joseph H. Prince and Jonathan C. Per-
kins. Its physicians were Oliver Hubbard, Joseph
Torrey, Samuel Johnson, Abel L. Pierson, George
Choate, John G. Treadwell, Edward A. Holyoke,
Benjamin Cox, Elisha Quimby, Nathaniel Peabody
Dentist, A. J. Bellows and Horatio Kobin.son.
It had seventeen churches and chapels, eight stock
banks, with a combined capital of one million eight
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, one savings bank,
five stock insurance comjjanies with a combined capital
of eight hundred thousand dollars, one Mutual Fire In-
surance Company, one Latin school, one English
high school, seven English schools, one of which was
for colored children, two girls' high schools, seven
primary schools and forty-seven private schools. It
had also among the libraries the Salem Atheuenm with
seven thousand five hundred volumes, the Essex and
another circulating library with six thousand volumes,
the Salem Mechanic Association's Library with seven
hundred and fifty volumes, the Colman Circulating
Library with five hundred volumes and the Essex
Historical Society Library. In the fire department
there were one receiving and eight suction engines,
one hose company, one hook and ladder company and
three sail carriages, and there were in the militia
the Salem Light Infantry, the Mechanic Light In-
fantry, the Salem Artillery, the Salem Independent
Cadets and four companies of infantry of the line.
The newspapers at that time were the Salem Gazette,
issued semi-weekly, Tuesday and Friday, started in
1773; the Essex Register, semi-weekly, Monday and
Tliursday, established in 1800 ; the Salem Observer,
weekly, Saturday, established in 1822 ; the Salem
Mercury, weekly, Wednesday, established in 1831 ;
SALEM.
165b
the Commercial Advertiser, weekly, Wcdiicstlay, es-
tablished ill 1S32; and the Landmark, semi-weekly,
Wednesday and Saturday, established in 1834.
At that time railroad counections bad not been
made and the following facilities for travel were open
to the people of Salem. The Salem and Boston Stage
Company advertised tliat scats could be taken at the
Lafayette Coffee Hou.se, Salem Hotel, at the office in
Court Street, and at the office in West Place, and
that three stages would leave at seven A. M, two at
7A, one at eight, one at nine, one at ten, one at two
P. M., one at 1} and one at four P. M., all returning
the same day. On Sunday, one at four P. M.
Osborne's Line left the office on Essex Street,
nearly opposite the market, daily, except Sunday, at
seven A. M,, returning in the afternoon.
The stages of the Great E^istern Line left the Cof-
fee House for Boston at 10* A. M., 2 J P. M., 3J P. M.,
and 4 and G P. JI.
Besides this there were the Gloucester, and Beverly,
and Manchester, and Marblehead, and Lynn stages.
At a town-meeting held on the 29th of January,
1836, " to act on the petition of George Peabody and
others to ascertain the sense of the town in relation
to the adoption of a city form of government and to
take any measure in relation thereto." Leverett Sal-
tonstall was chosen moderator. It was voted on mo-
tion of Elias Hasket Derby " that a committee of
three be chosen from each ward, who, together with
the selectmen, .shall be a committee to take the sub-
ject into consideration and to report at an adjourn-
ment of this meeting as to the expediency of adopt-
ing a city form of government," and the following
were chosen to serve on the committee :
Ward 1. Thomas Fark-ss.
Josepli G. Waters.
Joseph IIo(igt!S.
WarJ 2. lloUuii J. Breed.
Nathl. Silsbee, Jr.
J. T. Andrew.
Ward a. Jos S. Cabot.
Wm. B. Pike.
Leverett Saltonstall.
Ward i. N. L. Rogers.
Michael Sliepurd.
Ehen Symonda.
The town at that time had been divided into dis-
tricts or wards under the provisions of law now con-
tained in llie thirty-fourth chapter of the General
Statutes.
Ac the adjourned meeting held on the 1.5th of Feb-
ruary it was voted in accordance with the report of
the committee that it was expedient to adopt a city
form of government, and that the committee with six
added, be instructed to draw up and submit to the
Legislature an act for that purpose, which shall not
take effect unless accepted by the people. .Joseph
Peabody, Benjamin Merrill, Gideon Barstow, Eben
Shillabcr, Isaac Gushing and Nathaniel J. Lord were
added to the committee.
An act "to establish the city of Salem" was ap-
proved by Edward E\erett, Governor, March 23, 1S3(),
and warrants were at once issued for a town-meeting
to be held April 4th. At this meeting Benjamin
Merrill was chosen moderator, and on the question
of the acceptance of the charter eight hundred and
two votes were cast, of which si.K hundred and seven-
teen were in the affirmative. On the 2.')th of April an
election was held for mayor, six aldermen and twenty-
four members of the council. Of 1104 votes for mayor
Leverett Saltonstall received 752; Perley Putnam,
260; George Peabody, 56; and David Putnam, 36.
The organization of the government took place in the
Tabernacle Church, on Monday, May 9th, when,
after a prayer by Rev. Dr. Brazer and the administer-
ing of the oath of office by David Cummins, one of
the justices of the Court of Common Pleas, the mayor
delivered his address. Thus the second incorporated
city in the Commonwealth entered upon its career,
Boston had been incorporated onlj' fourteen years be-
fore, February 22, 1822, and Lowell, the third city,
was incorporated less than a montli afterwards, on
the 1st of April, 1836.
It is not proposed in this chapter, somewhat dis-
jointed and fragmentary in its character, to enter into
any details of the history of the city. It is intended
merely to supply such deficiencies as other chapters
covering various specified departments necessarily
leave.
It was not until December, 1837, that any move-
ment was made towards the adoption of a city seal.
Ou the 18th of that month an order was introduced
into the Board of Aldermen, providing for the ap-
pointment of two members with such as the Council
might join to consider and report upon the expedien-
cy of jirocuring a seal. The Council concurred, and
on the 19th of February, 1838, at a meeting of the
Aldermen an ordinance was introduced providing
that a device should be adopted with the word Salem
in the centre, inclosed in an olive wreath, and in a
circle round the margin the words "Founded Sepf.,
1628. City Incorporated, 1836.". Tliis ordinance was
passed by the Aldermen on the date of its introduc-
tion, but in the Council it was referred on the 5th of
March to its committee on the seal, who on the 12th
reported a recommendation which was adopted that
the further consideration of the ordinance be referred
to the next City Council. On the 9th of April, 1838,
the ordinance was taken from the files and referred
to a joint special committee, consisting of Aldermen
Peabody and Holman, and Councilmen Oliver, Put-
nam and Hunt. Mr. George Peabody submitted a de-
vice to the committee of which he was the chairman,
which with some alterations was approved. On the
25th of February, 1839, the committee through Henry
K. Oliver, chairman, on the part of the Council re-
ported to the Council " an ordinance to establish the
City Seal." Be it ordained by the City Council of the
city of Salem that the following be the device of the
seal of said city, to wit: In the centre thereof a shield
bearing ujion it a ship under full .sail, approacliing a
coast, designated by the costume of the person stand-
ing upon it and by the trees near him, as a portion of
the East Indies ; beneath the shield this motto,
"Divitis Indiic usque ad ultinuim siinini," signifying
165c
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
" To the farthest port of the rich east," and above the
shield a dove bearing an olive branch in her mouth.
In tlie circumference encircling the shield the words:
" Solynia condita, 1628.
Salem founded, 102S."
'* Civitatis regimine donata, 1636.
Incorporated as a City, 18:i6."
The ordinance was recommitted with instructions
to ascertain the correct date of the settlement of the
city, but finally adopted after substituting 1626 for
1628, and changing Solyma to Salem. The commit-
tee to whom the date of settlement was referred re-
ported that they had "investigated the subject and
do not find any reason for changing the date as at
present affixed to the proposed seal. As the history
of the settlement of the town is so well known, they
do not think it necessary to bring forward all the facts
in relation to it. The whole question seems to turn
upon the point whether the settlement is to date from
the time when Roger Conaut, Peter Palfray and others
came here in 1626, and built a few houses, but with-
out the means of remaining, or the lirae in 1628,
when Endicott came out with colonists, and all the
means necessary for founding a colony. The subject
may admit of some argument, but the committee are
of opinion that it would be better to fix the period of
foundation of the town as it has been generally re-
garded, and will be found stated in many of our val-
uable gazeteers and other similar books in 1628, as
this was undoubtedly the first permanent settlement."
This report was signed by George Peabody, chairman,
but notwithstanding its recommendation the date was
changed as we have seen to 1026, and the seal was
finally adopted March 11, 1839, nearly three years
after the incorporation of the citj'.
The introduction of water into Salem, and the final
evolution of its present water system cover a period
of more than sixty years. The first practical scheme
for the supply of water for the inhabitants of Salem
and Danvers was conceived in 1796. About that
time a wave of excitement swept over the State con-
cerning the supply of water to towns, and during the
last five years of the last century a number of water
companies were incorporated. Luther Eames aud
others, of Boston, were incorporated Feb. 27, 1795;
Lemuel Stewart and others, of Williamstown, Feb. 26,
1796; Theodore Sedgwick and others, of Stockbridge,
June 1.5, 1796; John Bacon and others, of Richmond,
November 24, 1796 ; Calvin Whiting and others, of
Dedham, June 15, 1796 ; Chandler Robbins and
others, of the South Parish of Hallowell, then in
Massachusetts, February 9, 1797 ; Eli Stearns and
others, of Lancaster, February 14, 1797; and Wm.
Davis and others, of Plymouth, February 27, 1797.
A meeting of those interested in the scheme was
held December 30, 1796, at the Sun Tavern, and those
present were Abel Lawrence, William Gray, Jr.,
Samuel Gray, Joshua Ward, Ichabod Nichols, Wil-
liam Orne, Jerath Pierce, William Lang, Nathaniel
West, Jacob Ashton, Squiers Shove, John Jenks, Ed-
ward Southwick, Jonathan Dean, Joseph Fenno,
Benjamin Carpenter, Abner Chase, Philip Chase, |
Aaron Wait, Jacob Crowninshield, Joseph Aborn,
James Bott, Edward Pulling, Folger Pope, John
Gardner, Jr., Samuel Derby, John Norris and John
Daland. Mr. Ashton was chairman, and John Jenks ,
clerk, and a committee was appointed consisting of I
Edward Southwick, of Danvers, William Gray, Jr.,
and Joshua Ward, of Salem, to procure an act of in-
corporation. A charter was accordingly obtained,
dated March 9th, 1797, under the style of tlie " Pro-
prietors of the Salem and Danvers Aqueduct." The
charter provided that the towns of Salem and Dan-
vers should have the privilege of placing conductors
into the pipes for the purpose of drawing such water
therefrom as might be necessary "when any mansion
house or barn or other building" should be on fire,
without paying therefor.
The proprietors organized April 7, 1797, by the
choice of William Gray, Jr., president ; Jacob Ash-
ton, vice-president; John Jenks, treasurer ; Joshua
Ward and John Norris, of Salem, and Edward South-
wick, of Danvers, directors. Thomas Nichols was
chosen agent. The capital was fixed at ten thousand
dollars, divided into a hundred shares of one hundred
dollars each. The plant of the company consisted
at first of a large hogshead sunk into the spongy
ground in the neighborhood of Brown's and Spring
Pond, of pine logs with a three inch bore, and a res-
ervoir on Gallows Hill, ten feet deep and twenty-four
feet square. The works were completed in the spring
of 1799, and water was supplied to families at a yearly
rate of five dollars. This rate was raised the next
year to sixty cents per month. In 1802 a new foun-
tain was built on land bought of Wiliiam Shillaber
to the southwest of the old one, and the supply was
suflScient to enable the company to lead a pipe to
Gray's Wharf and sell water to the shipping at twelve
and a half cents per hogshead.
In 1804 the old logs were replaced by new ones
with five-inch bore and paid for by assessments on
the shares which, up to 1807, amounted to two hun-
dred and sixty-five dollars per share, or twenty-six
thousand five hundred dollars in all. In 1805 a new
tariff of rates was adopted similar to that of the Bos-
ton company, to wit : —
For a family of five persons Eight dollarB.
For a family of six and less tban twelve Ten "
For a family of twelve or upwards Twelve "
For a public or boarding bouse Twelve "
For a West India Goods Store, from Eight to Twelve "
For a mansion house and West India Goods Store under the same roof,
to be supplied from one tube Si.\teen dollars.
Up to November, 1807, the company had expended
on their works, including lost dividends, forty-four
thousand one hundred dollars, making the cost of the
shares four hundred and forty-one dollars each. In
1810 William Gray, Jr., resigned the presidency, and
was succeeded by Jacob Ashton. In 1816, owing to
SALEM.
165d
a deficiency of water, all branches leading to manu-
l'actorit«, bathing hunses and stables were cut off, arul
lin-caiitions were taken against waste. At a date not
I'ar I'roni 1817 another reservoir was built on tfewall
Sirect with a capacity of twenty-two thousand gal-
lons, and U|) to 1818, from 18tl7, regular dividends,
wiili tbrcc exce|itions, were paid. In 1819 an ar-
rangement was made with the .Salem Iron Coni|iany
to erect a Ijoring mill, and for the first time the log.s
were bored by machinery. During the [leriod ex-
tending from 1818 to 18:21 the earnings of the com-
pany were expended in layiug new yellow pine logs,
and very soon after arrangements were made with a
view of connecting the pipes by iron castings. Up
to this time it is presumed that in Salem as in other
places one end of the log was tapered down and driv-
en into its fellow log, the bore of which had been
reamed out to receive it. An iron band encircled the
butt of each log to prevent splitting when driven
into. The iron connections were tubes tapered
slightly on the outside at each end and with a flange
in the middle. This flange served two purposes, pre-
venting unequal entrances of the two ends of the
tube, and when settled in the body of the wood by
the operation of driving the logs home, lessening the
danger of a leak.
In the winter of 1829-30 Mr. Ashton, the president,
died, and Joseph Peabody took his place. From 1821
to about 1834 the aftairs of the comjiany went on
smoothly, and for the most part regular dividends
wen- paiil. Little complaint was heard of a scarcity
of water, but this was owing less to the abundance
of supply than to the low standard of peojde's wants
com])ared with those of to-day. and to the free use of
pumps and wells owned either by individuals or the
town. In 18.55 there were no less than sixty town
pumps in various streets, of which the following is a
list:—
Twii in Kuglish Street nuar Derby Street.
One ill Derby Street lieur Tnrner Street.
Two in Derby Street near tlie Cn*toin Uunse,
Twu in K6se.\ Street near Uerliert Street.
Two in Neptnne Street near Elm Street.
Twu ill Liberty Street near tlie Centre.
Two in Derby Square.
Two in Waiiiiin^ton Street corner of Esse-x Street.
Two in Hri.i{;o Street near Pleasant Street.
Two at foot of Central Street.
Two in Kast Street near Essex Street.
Two in KsBox Street near Daniels Street.
Two in liatli Street near Newbury Street
Two in IJruwn Street near Winter Street.
Two in St. Peter Street near Brown Street.
Two in Marlboro Street near the Court House,
Two in Mill Street near Ni.rnian Street.
Two in High Street nearlbe Centre.
One in Crombie Street near the Centre.
Two in Essex Street near Summer Street.
Twu in Essex Street near Hainiltuu Street.
Two in Essex Street near Flint Street.
Two in Essex Street near IJnfTiim's Corner.
One ill Sewall Street near the Centre.
Two in Federal Street near North Street.
Two in Federal Street near Beckford Street.
Two in Federal Street near Dean Street.
lU:i
Two in Boston Street near Federal Street.
Two in Boston Street near Smith's Store.
Two in North Saleiii.
one ill South Salem near Peabody Street.
Two in South Salem near Putnam's Store.
In 1834 an act of iiH'in-poration was obtained liy
another company, but its o)ier;itions were successfully
checked by a reduction of the tariff, and no action
was taken under its charter. In the same year a six-
inch iron pipe was laid in Essex Street from North
to Newbury Streets, at a cost of five thousand dol-
lars, which sum was paid out of the earnings of the
company. At various other times new pipes were
laid, old lines of pipe extendcl :ind the founttiin res-
ervoirs improved and enlarged, so thtit in 1844 it was
estimated that the company had expended one hun-
dred thousand dollars on their works. In 1849 the
condition of the company had become so perplexing,
owing to increasing demands for water without ade-
quate means of su|)plying it, that its stockholders be-
came somewhat discouraged. At this juncture the
steam cotton mill felt greatly the need of water, and
its proprietors conceived the project of buying up the
shares of the Aijueduct and securing control of the
corporation. The result was a revolution in the or-
ganization of the company and the election of a new
board of management, consisting of William D. Wa-
ters, president; Ebeuezer Sutton, vice-president; and
.foseph S. Leavitt, John Lovcjoy, William Lunimis
and C. M. Eudicott, directors. Under the new man-
agement the number of shares was increased to one
thoiLsand at one hundred dollars each, a line of pipe
was laid to Spring Pond; the capital was again in-
creased to two hundred thousand dollars and before
the summer of 1.8.'J0 an iron main pipe of twelve
inches bore, measuring sixteen thousand one hundred
and sixty-five feet, was completed, with a reservoir
capable of holding six hundred and fifly-two thou-
sand gallons. From this time on until 18(10 improve-
ments and extensions were constantly going on, iron
pipes replacing the decayed wooden ones and sources
of supply being enlarged to such proportions that at
the last mentioned date a statement of the aflairs of the
comjiany showed a capital stock of two hundred thou-
sand dollars, forty miles of jiipe including branches,
thirty-six hundred takers, and reservoirs and fountains
of one million one hundred thousand gallons capacity
besides Spring Pond of fifty-nine acres as a reserve.
Hut still the supply was inadequate to meet the de-
mand, and in 180.5, with a view to defeat the move-
ment then going on to build city water-works, a con-
nection was made with Brown's Pond, and a sixteen-
iiich main laid as far as the heail of Federal Street.
But the movement on the part of the city could not
be checked, — it went successfully on, tiiid ihe result
was the retirement of the olil comjiany ami the use
of its pipes for the supply of the adjoining town of
Peabody.
It is not necessary to give a detailed history of the
present water system. A brief sketch will be suffi-
165e
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
cient. On the 12th of October, 1863, John Bertram
and ninety-three others petitioned the City Council
" to take the necessary measures to procure from the
Legislature power to establish city water-works." On
the 23d of November, ISfiS, the City Council chose in
convention, Stephen H. Phillips, James B. Ciirwen
and James Upton, a committee to collect evidence
showing the necessity of a larger sujjply of water and
submit the same to the Legislature in support of the
petition which the mayor had been directed to pre-
sent when action was taken on the petition of Mr;
Bertram. The petition of the mayor, supplemented
by a second petition, asked for authority to take water
from Humjihrey's, Brown's and Spring Ponds and
Wenham Lake. At the hearing before the Commit-
tee of the Legislature, on the 29th of February, 1864,
the petitioners were represented by Robert S. Ran-
toul, and were opposed by the Aqueduct f'ompany.
On the 13th of May, 1S64, an act was approved which
provided that the city might take water from either
Wenham Lake, or Brown's and Spring Ponds, and
that the City Council should determine by joint ballot
at least fourteen days before the first Monday in Decem-
ber, 1864, which source they would select, the act to
be void unless accepted by a majority of the voters at
a meeting to be held on that day. On the 14th of
November, 1864, the City Council decided by a vote
of twenty-two to five to select Wenham Lake, and on
the 5th of December, the citizens voted to accept the
act by a vote of ten hundred and twenty-three yeas
to one hundred and fifty-one nays.
On the 22d of May, 1865, Stephen H. Phillips,
James [B. Curwen and James Upton, were chosen
water commissioners, and on the 26th of June, Frank-
lin T. Sanborn and Peter Silver were chosen in the
places of Messrs. Curwen and Upton, who declined
to serve. Mr. Phillips was made chairman, James
Slade was apijointed engineer, Charles A. Swan as-
sistant engineer and Daniel H. Johnson, Jr., clerk.
After many vexatious delays, on the 12th of Febru-
ary, 1866, the commissioners advertised for propo-
sals for the construction of a reservoir on Chipman's
Hill, in Beverly, and on the 18th of May the work
was begun, by Collins & Boyle, the contractors. In
July a Worthing'ton pumping engine was bought at a
cost of forty thousand dollars, and in the same month
Willard P. Phillips was chosen commissioner in the
place of his brother, Stephen H. Phillips, who had
resigned. In October, contracts were made with J.
W. and J. F. Starr, for six thousand feet of thirty
inch, and twenty-five thousand feet of twenty inch
iron pipe, and in the following April, with Boynton
Brothers, for a pipe bridge and syphon at Bass
Eiver.
On the 3d of February, 1868, a contract was made
with George H. Norman, of Newport, R. I., to fur-
nish and lay the iron and cement distribution pipes,
and to set hydrants and gates. On Wednesday, De-
cember 2, 1868, the filling of the distribution pipes
commenced, and on the 25th the houses and citizens
were supplied. On the 19th of November, 1869, Mr.
Phillips, on the part of the commissioners, transferred
the charge of the works to the City Council, up to
which time the amount ex|)ended was one million
dollars.
AVenham Lake is situated in Beverly, and Wenham
has an area of three hundred and twenty acres, with
an extreme depth of fifty three feet and a level of
thirty-one feet above mean high tide. Its distance
from City Hall is four miles and six-tenths, and it is
capable of supplying two and a half millions of gal-
lons of water d.aily. The reservoir on Chipman's
Hill is four hundred feet square, with a cajiacity of
twenty million gallou.s, and a level, when filled, one
hundred and forty-two feet above mean high tide.
The works are in the charge of a board of five
members, one of whom is chosen annually by concur-
rent vote of the City Council ibr the terra of five years.
Up to December 1, 1885, the total cost of the works
was $1,423,783.48, and the income from rates for the
year 1885 was $62,886.47. The number of takers is
at present about 8000.
The Witc'hckaft Delusion. — The extraordinary
delusion concerning witchcraft which prevailed in
Salem during the latter part of the seventeenth cen-
tury must not be omitted in this narrative. It fur-
nishes material for a sad chapter in the history of the
town, and one which every lover of his kind pitying
their infirmities, and sympathizing with their woes,
would gladly see expunged and forgotten. It was no
new delusion, and in Salem was only peculiar in the
extent to which it possessed and infiuenced the minds
of men. It was a part of the theology of the times,
and had been handed down from generation to gene-
ration, from the earliest days of Christian history. In
the 18th verse of the 22d chapter of Exodus it is
written, " Thou shalt not sutler a witch to live." In
the 27th verse of the 20th chapter of Leviticus it is
also written, " A man also or a woman that hath a
familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put
to death ; they shall stone them with stones; their
blood shall be upon them," and in the 18th chapter
of Deuteronomy are found these words : " There shall
not be found among you any one tliat maketh his son
or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth
divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter
or a witch; or a charmer or a consulter with familiar
spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer, for all that do
these things are an abomination unto the Lord ; and
because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth
drive them out from before thee."
A belief in witchcraft was universal, for it rested on
what was thought to be divine authority. It was con-
fined to no class, no order of minds, no degree of edu-
cation. It was as much a matter of fact as the fires of
hell and infant damnation. Nor was the punishment
of death judged by the standards of the day excessive
or unjust. As early as 1646 the Massachusetts Gene-
SALEM.
165
ral Court, following scriptural command, passed a
law that " if any mau or woman be a witch, that is,
hath or consuhetli with a familiar spirit thej- shall be
put to death." Xl the same time thirteen other
offenses were made punishable by death in accordance
with quoted passages of !Seri])ture ; nor docs this seem
so strange when we reflect that the only lingering ar-
gument for capital punishment in our own day rests
on the Old Testament books of Exodus and Numbers
and Leviticus, which declare that " he that killeth
any man shall surely be put to death."
So far was obedience to Scripture authority carried
in dealing with actual or constructive ofienses that
after the defeat and death of King Phili]), in lti76.
most of the ministers of the Massachusetts and Ply-
mouth Colonies who were consulted as to what dispo-
sition should be made of his innocent son quoted from
the Bible to justify their opinion that he should be
put to death. Among those consulted were llev. John
Cotton of I'lymouth, Rev. Samuel Arnold of Mai'sb-
field and Rev. Increase Mather of Boston. The two for-
mer, in a united opinion, said " they humbly conceive
on serious consideration, that children of notorious
traitors, rebels and murderers, especially of such as
have been jirincipal leaders and actors in such horrid
villanies, and that against a whole nation ; yea, the
whole Israel of God may be involved in the guilt
of their parents, and may Salva repiiblica be adjudged
to death, as to us seems evident by the Scripture in-
stances of Saul, Achan, Haman, the children of whom
were cut otrby the sword of justice for the transgres-
sions of their parents, although concerning some of
these children it may be manifest that they were not
capable of being co-actors therein."
Mr. Mather said : " It is necessary that some effec-
tual course should be taken about him. lie makes
me think of llailad, who was but a little child when
his father (the chief sachem of the I'^lomitcs) was killed
by Joab ; and had not others fled away with him I am
apt to think that David would have taken a course
that Hadad should never have proved a scourge to
the next generation."
This incident is quoted to .show how potent in the
witchcraft age what was believed to be literally the
word of God was in its control over the juilgments
and actions of men.
Nor was the delusion confined to New England.
It prevailed wherever the Scriptures were read and
were recognized as authority. Chief Justice Matthew
Hale, in his charge to the jury, on the trial of Rose
Cullender and Amy Deering for witchcraft, in 1G65,
said : " That there were such creatures as witches he
made no doubt at all. For first the Scriptures had
affirmed so much. Secondly, the wisdom of all na-
tions had provided laws against such persons, which
is an argument in their confidence of such a crime.
And such hath been the judgment of the Kingdom, as
appears by an Act of I'arliament which hath provided
punishment proportionate to the quality of the offence."
The expression of such an opinion by the highest
legal authority in England, and the existence of the
statute to which he refers are sufficient to illustrate
the universal prevalence of the delusion and the be-
lief in the necessity of the severest punisluncnl of the
guilty.
It was not Salem witchcraft, but the witchcraft of the
world. The people of Salem were constituted like
others of their generation. The inflammable material
lying hidden within the delusion existed in every
community ; it haiqiened to be Salem where the
spark ignited them and caused the consuming flame.
It has been estimated that in Europe during the si.\-
teeth and seventeenth centuries, more than a hun-
dred thousand of both sexes were convicted of witch-
craft and burned, drowned or hanged.
All through the earlier life of the American colonies
there had been what might be called .sporadic cases
of supposed witchcraft whii-h finally resulted like
sporadic cases of disease in a violent epidemic at
Salem. Hon. Wm. D. Northend in an address deliv-
ered December 8, 1885, before the Essex Bar Asso-
ciation says that " within half a century before the
trials for witchcraft in this (Essex) county, accusations
against persons for witchcraft had been made in Bos-
ton, Dorchester, Cambridge, Springfield, Fladley,
Groton, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury, Hartford,
Hampton, Portsmouth and Salmon Falls in New
Hampshire. During this period in the colony five
persons were executed upon conviction of witchcraft,
as follows: JIargaret Jones, of Charlestown, executed
at Boston, June 15, 1(548; the wife of Henry Lake, of
Dorchester, about 1650; Annie Hibbins, of Boston,
June 19, 1656 ; Mary Parsons, of Springfield, May 29,
1657 ; and Goody Glover, of Boston, November 16.
1686."
There had been also accusations within the county
of Essex and in Salem and its vicinity. h\ 1658
.lohn Godfrey, of Andover, was accused of causing
losses in the estate of several people and "some afflic-
tion in their bodies also." In November, 1669,
"Goody Burt," a widow, was prosecuted, a physician
testifying that no natural cause could have led to
such ettects as were wrought by her. Phillip Reed, a
physician, preferred similar charges against Margaret
Gilford, and in 1679 Caleb Powell was arrested as the
warrant of arrest stated " for suspicion of working
with the Devil to the molesting of William Morse
and his family."
It is worthy of note that the delusion concerning
witchcraft never made any considerable headway in
the Plymouth colony. The people of that colony
probably had as firm a faith in witchcraft as the peo-
ple of Mas.sachusetts, but it never grew into a panic
as it did in the sister colony. Their laws against
witchcraft were as severe as those of Massachusetts,
and death was the punishment for "solemn compac-
tion or conversing with the devil byway <)f witchcraft
or conjunction." Only two cases, however, were
165g
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
brought before the courts of the colony, in one of
which the accuser was sentenced to be either whipped
or to make public acknowledgement of her offense,
and in the other the accused was acquitted. The fol-
lowing record of these cases may be interesting to
readers :
" (leneral Court. March 5, IGGO.
"Joseph Sylvester, of Marshfield, Joth acknowledge to owe and to
atand indebted nnto his majesty, his heirs, &c., in the snm of twenty
pounds sterling in good and current pay ; the condition of this obliga
tioD is that in case Dina Sylvester shall and doth appear at the Court ol
assistants to be bolden at Plymouth, the first Tuesday in May next, and
attend the Courts determination in reference to a complaint made by
Wm. Holmes and his wife about a matter of defamation ; that then this
obligation to be void or otlierwise to reinain in full force and virtue.
" In witness the above bounden hath hereunto set his hand the iUh of
March, 1000.
"Joseph Svlvkster.
"Dina Sylvester being examined aaitb the bear she 6aw was about a
stone's l^brow from the highway when slie saw it ; and being examined
and asked what manner of tail the bear had, she said she could not tell
for bis head was towards her.
*' May 9, IGGl. Concerning the complaint of Wm. Hulines, of IMarsh-
field, against Dinah Sylvester for acfusing his wife to be a witch. The
Court have sentenced that the said Dina shall cither he publicly whii)ped
and pay the sum of five pounds to the said Wm. Holmes, or in case she
the said Dina Sylvester shall make public acknowledgement of her fault
in the premises that then she shall bear only the charge the Plaintift" hath
been at in the prosecution of his said suit. The latter of which was
chosen and done by the said Dinah Sylvester, viz., a public acknowledge-
ment made as followeth.
"May 9, 1061. To the Hon. Court assembled, whereas I have been
convicted in matter of defamation concerning Goodwife Holmes, I do
hereby aclinowledge I have injured my neighbor and have sinned
against God in so doing, though I had entertained hard thoughts against
the woman ; for it had been my duty to declare my grounds, if I had any,
unto some magistrate in a way of God and not to have divulgnd my
thoughts to others to the womans defamation. Therefore I do acknowl-
edge my sin in it, and do humbly beg this Honorable Court to forgive
me and all other Christian people that bo oftended at it, and do promise
by the help of God to do so no more ; and, although, I do not remember
all that the witnesses do testify, I do rather mistrust my memory and
submit to the evidence.
"The mark of Dinah Svi.vksteu.
the country and was cleared of this inditement in prucesse of law by a
* March 0, 1070-77.
' The Inditement of Mary Ingham.
" Mary Ingham : Thou art indited by the name of Slary Ingham, the
wife of Thomas Ingham, of the towne of Scituato in the jurisdiction of
New Plymouth for that thou, haveing not the feare of God before thyne
eyes, bast by the bealp of the devill in a way of witchcraft or sorcery,
maliciously procured much hurt, mischeiffe and paine unto the body of
IMehittable Woodworth, the daughter of Walter Woodwortb, of Scituate
aforesaid, and some others and particularly causing her the said Mehitta-
ble to fall into violent fitts, and causing great paine unto severall parts
of her body att severall times, soe as shee the said Mehittablo Wood-
worth hath bin almost bereaved of her sencis, and hath greatly lan-
guished, to her much suffering thereby, and the procuring of great
greiffe sorrow and charge to her parents ; all which thou hast pn>cured
and don against the law of God, and to his great dishonor and contrary
to our 80V lord the Kinge, his crowue and dignitee.
" The said Mary Ingham did putt herselfo on tbe tryiill of God and
jury of twelve men whose names follow :
'Sworn, ■
Mr. Thos. Hucken'<.
John Wadswortb.
John Ilowland.
Abraham Jackson,
Eenajali Pratt.
John Blacke,
f Marke Snow,
j Joseph Bartlett.
I John Richmond.
Sworn. -j j^j.jjj xalbutt.
John Foster.
Seth Pope.
"The jury brought in not guilty, and soe the said prisoner was
cleared as above said."
While the witchcraft panic never extended to the
old colony, the case of Dinah Sylvester, above quoted,
bears the strongest internal evidence of the deep-seated
belief there in witchcraft itself. That it should have
been considered a serious defamation of character,
and a deadly wound to personal reputation to be
charged with communing with the devil shows that
such a communion was an offense in the existence of
which the whole community had faith, and one as
real and positive as murder or any other well defined
crime. It is probable that if at the commencement
of the panic an accuser had received the punishment
awarded to Dinah Sylvester, it would never have
passed beyond its incipient and opening stage.
Various causes have been assigned to the outbreak
of the excitement in Salem and its mad, but fortunately
short, career. None of them, however, are satisfac-
tory. Like vitiated blood in the human system, it
gradually and necessarily came to a head, and as the
location of the ulcer which gives relief to the body
depends on some trivial and unknown cause, so in
some mysterious and accidental way Salem became
the gathering point from which was to be thrown otl'
that insane delusion, which had for generations and
centuries poisoned and terrified the minds of men.
In the early months of the year 1692 the panic be-
gan. On the 29th of February warrants were issued
for the arrest of Tituba, an Indian servant of Mr.
Parris, Sarah Osborn, a woman who was bed-ridden,
and Sarah Good, a woman of ill-repute, who, upon
the complaint of Joseph Hutchinson, Edward Put-
nam, Thomas Putnam and Thomas Preston, were
charged with afflicting sundry persons in remarkable
and unaccountable ways. Other accusations and
arrests speedily followed. Mr. Upham, in his ex-
haustive work on witchcraft, says, — "There was no
longer any doubt in the mass of the community that
the devil had effected a lodgment in Salem village.
Church members, persons of all social positions, of
the highest repute and profes.^ion of piety, eminent
for visible manifestations of devotion, and of every
age, had joined his standard and become his active
allies and confederates." Arrest followed arrest, each
arrest adding to the panic, and the panic leading to
new arrests. On the arrival of Sir William Phipi)s
at Boston on the 14th of May, 1692, bearing the
charter of the "Province of Massachusetts Bay in
New England," and bis commission as its Governor, the
prisons at Salem, Ipswich, Boston and Cambridge were
full of i)ersons awaiting trial for the crime of witch-
SALEM.
165h
craft. Governor Pliipps was a believer ia witchcraft,
as was William Stoughton, the Lieuteiiant-Govcriior,
and took iiniiierliate steps to bring the accused to trial.
Under the charter the General Court alone had the
power to establish courts of justice, but by an unwar-
rantable usurpation of authority, the Governor or-
ganized a (,'ourt of Oyer and Terminer to act in and
for the counties of t^uffolk, Essex and Middlesex, and
appointed William Stoughton, of Dorchester, chief
justice, and Nathaniel Saltonstall, of Haverhill,
Major John Richards, of Boston, ;\Iajor Bartholomew
Gedney, of Salem, Wait Winthrop, Captain t^amncl
Sewall and Peter Sargent, of Boston, associate jus-
tices. Mr. Saltonstall declined the appointment, and
.Jonathan Corwin, of Salem, was appointed in his
place. Stephen Sewall was appointed clerk, and
Thomas Newton attorney-general, the latter being
succeeded in oHice, July 22, 1(592, by Anthony Check-
ley. George Corwin, of Salem, was apjiointcd sheriti'.
The commissions of the court were dated May 27,
1(592, and the court convened at the court-house in
Salem on the 2d of June. The court-house and the
Salem town-house were combined in one building,
which stood in the middle of what is now Washington
Street, near Lyn<le Street, and facing south. I'nder
the colony a law had been passed, as has already been
stated, making witchcraft a crime, and fixing as a
jienalty the punishment of death. Sir Edward An-
dros during his administration adopted the colony laws,
but after his expulsion and under the new charter it
was supposed that prosecutions for witchcraft cnuld
only be made under the old English statute of .lames
the First. The first trial was that of Bridget Bishop,
of Salem. She was convicted on the 8th of June and
executed on Gallows Hill on the 10th. Cn the day
of her conviction the General Court came together
and passed an act reviving the old colonial law, and
under that law it is presumed the subseipient trials
were hehl. After the conviction of Bridget Bishop
the court adjourned to June 29th. During the recess
the Governor and Council sought the advice of tlic
principal ministers in Boston and vicinity, who on
the lotli of June replied in writing, advising that all
the proceedings should be "managed with an exceed-
ing tenderness towards those who may be complained
of, especially if they have been persons formerly oi
an unblemished reputation;" "that the evidence
ought certainly to be more consider.able than barely
the accuseil persons being represented by a spectre
unto the atHicted, and that they should not esteem
alterations made in the suH'erers by a look or touch of
the accused to be an infallible evidence of guilt."
They nevertheless recommended "speedy and vigor-
ous prosecutions," according to the directions given
in the laws of (Jod and the wholesome statutes of the
English nation tVir the detection of witchcraft.
The court again met on the 29th of .Tune, and con-
tinued with several adjournments to September 17th,
when it adjounu'd to the lirst Tuesday in Noveinbrr,
before which time it was formally dissolved. During
its various sessions twenty-seven persons were con-
victed and condemned to death, as follows, — Bridget
Bishop, Sarah (rood, Sarah Wildes, Elizabeth How,
Susanna Martin, Rebecca Nurse, ( !eorge John Proctor,
George Jacobs, John Willard, Martha Carrier, Martha
Corey, Mary Eastey, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Mar-
garet Scott, Wilmot Reed, Samuel Wardwell, Mary
Parker, Elizabeth Proctor, Dorcas Hoar, Mary Brad-
bury, Rebecca Eames, Mary Lacy, Ann Foster, Abi-
gail Hobbs and Abigail Faulkner. ()f these Eliza-
beth Proctor was pardoned on the gmund of insulli-
cieut evidence, and the six following her on the list
finally escaped punishment. Such is the record of a
court established expressly for the trial of criuus inin-
ishable by death, but without a justice on its bench
educated to the law. In such a court unfamiliar with
judicial methods, ignorant of the rales of evidence
and not untouched by the popular frenzy, the trials
were little more than a formal condemnation of per-
sons already tried and convicted l)y the judgment of
an excited and reckless people.
After the dissolution of the Court of Oyer and
Terminer, the Superior Court of .Tmlicature was es-
tablished in November, 1(592, with William Stoughton
chief justice, and Thomas Danforth, Wait Winthroj),
.lohn Richards and Samuel Sewall associate justices.
This court had jurisdiction in cases of witchcraft, and
at its session in Essex County in the .Fanuary follow-
ing, indictments for the otleuse were found against
fifty persons, and all who were tried were acquitted
except three, and these were pardoned by the Gov-
ernor. All not tried were discharged on payment of
tliirty shillings each to the attorney general. At the
first session of the Court of Middlesex County several
persons in prison under indictments were tried but
all were acquitted. The storm of infatuation had
burst and spent its force, the moral atmosphere of the
community was cleared and the sober judgment of
men once more held sway. Let the present generation
while it passes judgment on the delusions of a former
age be sure that it is itself, free from delusions and
follies if less dangerous and cruel, yet as little con-
formable to the standards and tests which wisdom
and common sense should apply to the acts of men.
Little remains to be mentioned in this chapter.
The industries, the schools, the churches, the com-
merce, the military, and many of the leading as.socia-
tions, are fully treated in other chapters. The fol-
lowing perhaps ini]ierfect list will furnish some idea
of the field in which the literary and scientific and
benevolent tastes and energies of the people of Salem
find ojiportunities for their exercise, —
Salem .\tlicii;i-uiii iiicoriioialL'ti in ISIlt
Salem Lyceum iiistituli'il in l.s:!(l
Yonng Mph'* Tnitin inBtitnteii in I8.V1
.Siiluni Maiinn Society inslitnleii in 17(10
KnsI Tnilia Marine Society instituted in IV'.W
Salurn Kraternity organized in IWi'.l
166
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Young Mea^B Christiaa Assuciatiou organised iu 1858
Plummer Farm School incorporated in 1855
Salem Hospital organized iu 187;i
Salem Dispensary organized in 1820
Old Ladies' Home founded in 1801
Salem Charitable Mechanic Association organized in 1817
Harmony Grove t'emetery Corporation incorporated in 1840
Salem Female Charitable Society incorporated iu 1804
Samaritan Society organized in 18:j;j
.Salem Female Employment Society incorporated in 18U7
Seamen's Widow and Orphan Association. ..incorporated iu 1844
Seamen's Orphans' and Cliildren'g Friend Sociely.. ..inc. in 1841
City Orphan Asylum of Salem Sisters of Charity.. founded in 18tJ6
St. Peter's Guild organized in 1872
American Association for the Advancement of Science..org. 1840
Bertram Home for Aged Men incorporated in 1877
Essex Institute founded in 1848
Association for Relief of Aged and Destitute Women in Salem,
organized in ISijO
Notre Dame Educational Institutes.
Peabody Academy of Science founded in 1867
Woman's Friend Society and Working Women's Bureau,
organized in 187C
American Hibernian Society organized in 188C
American Legion of Honor organized in 1879
Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Ancient Order of United Workmen in three lodges.
The Oriental Lodge, No. 4 organized in 1878
The John Endicott Lodge, No. ]2 organized in 1879
Puritan Lodge, No. 62 organized in 1880
Bethel Aid Society organized in 1880
Colonial Club , organized in 1882
Boston and Maine R. R. East Division Car Department Mutual
Benefit Association organized in 1809
Jejinie Wade Counrril, No. 2, Daughters of Liberty. ..org. in 1877
Essex Agricultural Society incorporated in 1818
Essex Bar Association organized in 1856
Essex South District Medical Association organized in 18()5
Franklin Mutual Benefit Association incorporated in 1882
Pliil. Sheridan Post 34, Grand Army of the Republic.org. in 18G7
Improved Order of Red Men.
Naumkeag Tribe, No. .T instituted in 1888
Knights of Honor Salem Lodge, No. 150 organized in 1875
Knigbts of Pythias North Star Lodge, No. 38. ..organized in 1870
The Liberal Club, organized in 1882
Loyal Association, No, 5, Stationary Engineer8..organized in 1883
Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters organized in 1880
Master Carpenters' and Builders' Association. ..organized iu 1SS6
Naumkeag Grocers' Association orj^anized in 1885
Local Branch, No. 302, of Order of Iron Hall. .organized in 1886
Niagara Council, No. 11, of United American Mechanics,
organized in 1872
Roger Williams <"nuncil, No. 94, of Order of United Friends,
organized in 1883
North Salem Union Chapel Association organized in 1881
John Endicott Colony, Nt). '.t, of Pilgrim Fathers org. in 1880
Hawthorne Council, No. 331, of Royal Arcanum org. in 1879
Salem Council of same, No. 14 organized in 1877
Salem Firemen's Relief Association organized in 1878
Salem High Scliool Association organized in 1807
Salem Mutual Benefit Association organized in 1873
Salem Oratorio Society organized iul808
Salem Police Relief Association organized in 1877
Salem Belief Committee organized in 1873
Salem Schubert Club organized in 1878
Salem Seamen's Bethel Society organized in 1883
Salem Society of Amateur Photographers organized in 1885
Salem Society of Deaf Mutes incoiporated in 1878
Salem Symphony Club organized im 1885
Colonel Henry Merritt Camp No. 8 of Sons of Veterans,
organized in 1884
Urban Club organized in 1884
Ward One Associates organized in 1883
Twelve Temperance Associations.
Winslow Lewis Commandery, Knights Templar org. in 1865
Salem Council Royal and Select Masters (Masons). ..lost, in 1818
Washington Royal An.h Chapter (Masons) instituted iu 1811
Sutton Lodge of Perfection (Masons) .-...instituted in 1864
Essex Lodge of Free and Accepted Musons chartered in 1793
Starr King Lodge of Free and .\t;cepted Masons chartered in 1804
Essex County Masonic Mutii:il Uelief Association org. in 1876
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.
Royal Enterprise Lodge, No. 1895 instituted in 1878
Naumkeag Encarnpment, No. 13, I. 0.0. F organized in 1845
Salem Encampment, No. 11, I. 0. 0. F organized in 1884
Unity Canton, No. .'», Patriarchs Militant, I. O. 0. F..org. in 1883
Essex Lodge, No. 26, I. 0. O. F orj^anized in 1843
Fraternity Lodge, No. 118, I. 0. O. F organized in 1846
Union Relief Committee, I. O. 0. F organized in 1877
Union Lodge, No, 11, Degree of Rebekah organized in 1870
Odd Fellows' Mutual Benefit Association organized in 1869
Three bicycle clubs.
Three boat clubs.
One yacht club.
In closing this chapter, it is only necessary to add
a few statistics. According to the last census in
1885, the population of Salem was 28,0S4, and the
valuation iu the same year ^27,765,824. During the
yearl885, 1599 vessels arrived at Salem, 114 of which
were from foreign ports, and their aggregate tonnage
was 270,003,29 tons. The receipts for duties in the
same year were $20,145.01, and the customs expenses
$7,095.15. If to the business by sea which these fig-
ures represent the large inland commerce by rail be
added, it is easy to see that while Salem has lost the
foreign trade upon which, as its seal indicates, its
early prosperity was based, it has nevertheless made
a satisfactory advance in its industries, its population
and wealth.
CHAPTER X.
SALEM — {Continued).
SOCIETIES, ETC.
The Literary and Scientific Societies.^ — A
history of the literature of Salem, giving an account
of those who have individually devoted themselves to
this pursuit or collectively in the organization of the
various institutions of learning, for the enctmrage-
ment of which a beneficent public spirit has existed
from the beginning, and has worthily exerted itself
as exigencies called it forth, would form an interest-
ing and important chapter in the history of Salem.
Sufficient space has not been allowed to do justice
to the subject in this communication. It will be
fully treated elsewhere. A few incidents that have
1 By Henry Mlieatland.
SALEM.
167
occurred in this direction can only be noted in their
chronological order.
As preliminary to the notice of these institutions of
learning, a brief allusion to some of the agencies
leading ultimately to their present condition may not
be deemed inappropriate.
The first great transaction in the settlement of the
town was the organization of the church, a step
mai-ked by profound wisdom as well as ardent piety.
Francis Higginson, " the father and pattern of the
New England clergy," as he is justly called, prepared
a document, which, w'hile it formed an admirable
manual of Christian faith and duty, eml)odied the
principles of improvement and progress, and recog-
nized the importance of a right education of children.
His brave compeer, Gov. Eijdicott, heartily co-
operated with him, and subsequently took a provident
care for the education of poor children at the ex-
pense of the town.
Salom has been blessed above most other towns in
the wisdom, learning, piety and energy of the leading
men among the early settlers or their immediate de-
scendants. At the opening of the Grammar School
arrived Rev. John Fiske, a learned scholar and di-
vine qualified for the work. Roger Williams, after-
wards the founder of Rhode Island, and Hugh I'ders,
who proved himself an able statesman and powerful
friend of the whole colony, as well as a [lopular
preacher and an energetic benefactor of .Salem.
Peters's effective influence gave an im[)ulse to in-
dustry and euterprise in every direction. Then we
had the Browncs, whose charities, through successive
generations, Howed freely in aid of education, learn-
ing, religion and the i>oor. William Browne was
here with Fiske and Peters, to catch the love of
learning from the one and the spirit of commerce
from the other, and for more than half a century was
considered a liberal and successful i)romoter of learn-
ing. He came over with his wife, in ItjSo, residing
in Salem till his death, in 1G8S. William Browne,
whose name appears among the early members of the
Social Library, was a descendant in the fifth genera-
tion. Emanuel Downing came to Salem in 1(336,
where he lived in great esteem, after representing the
town in the General Court. His wife, Lucia, was a
sister of Gov. ,lohu Winthrop, His son George was
then a lad of some fifteen summers, preparing under
the tuition of Rev. John Fiske to enter the college,
where he graduated in the first class, that of 1642.
The son went to England, eiiterecl Cromwell's service
and became highly distinguished.
Major William Hathorne came over in the"Arbella,"
with Winthrop, as stated by Savage, and came to
Salem in 1636. Salem tendered him grants of land.
From that time his name appears in the records as
holding imjiortant positions, as commissioner, Speak-
er of the House of Representatives, counsel in cases
before the courts, judge on the bench, etc. Johnson,
in his " Wonder-working Providence," thus says of
him : " Yet through the Lord's mercy we still retaine,
among our Democracy, the Godly Captaine, William
Hathorn, whom the Lord hath imbued with a quick
apprehension, strong memory and Rhetoriek, volu-
bility of speech, which hath caused the people to
nuike use of him often in I'ldilick Service, especially
when they have to do willi any foreign government."
He died in 1681.
His son John seems to have inherited many of his
prominent traits of character, and to have succee<ied
to all his public honors. He died in 1717. The
name appears, thus far, to have been as prominent in
the civil history of that period, as it has been in the
elegant literature of the present, in a descendant of
the sixth generation, Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Other contemporary families of the colonial and pro-
vincial periods might be named of eqtial or superior
distinction in the hi.story of Salem, actuated by a
like public spirit and not less zealous in promoting
the higher interests of the town as well as its com-
mercial prosperity, as Pickmau, Orue, Curwen, Hig-
ginson, Cabot, Pynchon, Oliver, Lynde, Turner,
English and others.
The Salem Athen.eum was incorporated in
March, 1810. Its conception was suggested undoubt-
edly by the Boston Athemeum, organized some three
years earlier. The charters of the two institutions
are in many respects similar, the leading objects of
both being the promotion of literature, the arts and
sciences. The founders of the Salem Athenaeum were
actuated by high motives, and laid a broad basis for
future operations, commencing at first \vith a library,
and trusting to the future for the further extension of
their views and plans. To this end they purchased
the Social and Philosophical Libraries.
The S()C1AI> LiiUvAry. — This reminds us of the
Social Evening (.'lub, composed of the leading spirits
of the town, which fl(nirished during the middle of
the last century, and wiis wont to hold its meetings
weekly at the Tavern House of Mrs. Pratt, to discuss
the topics of the day, especially those of a literary or
scientific character. The fiillowing are understood to
have been mendiers : Benjamin Lynde and Nathaniel
Ropes, both of the bench of the Sui>erior Court of the
Province, the former, as well as his father, its chief
justice ; William Browne, judge of the Superior Court,
afterwards Governor of Bermuda; Andrew Oliver,
judge of the Common Pleas; Rev. Thomas Barnard,
of the First Church; Dr. E. A. Holyoke, a young
physician ; Stephen Higginson, Benjamin Pickman
and Timothy t)rne, merchants; William Pynchon,
an eminent lawyer, and others. A taste for literature
and knowledge, and a zeal in the prosecution of sci-
entific studies, were thus imparted to this community,
of which the imprints can be distinctly traced through
our suliseiiuent history. The first movement in this
168
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
direction was the meeting of gentlemen, many of
whom wore members of this club, at the Pratt Tavern
on Moiulay evening, March 31, 17G0, for the i>ur|)Ose
of "founding a handsome library of valuable books
apprehending the same may be of very considerable
use and benefit under proper regulations." A sub-
scription was iii)ened, funds obtained, and Rev. Jere-
miah Condy, a Baptist minister of Boston, being
about to visit England, was employed to purchase the
books. On their arrival a meeting of the subscribers
was held, May 20, 1761, of which Benjamin Pickman
was moderator and Nathan Goodale clerk. The Social
Library was thus put in operation. The books im-
ported, with those given by members or otherwise
procured, amounted to -115 volumes. The society was
incorporated in 1797. It may be regarded as the
pioneer of all the institutions established in this place
for the promotion of intellectual culture.
The Philosophical Libeary. — This also calls to
remembrance some of the scenes in the Revolutionary
period ; the Cabota' privateer-ship " Pilgrim ; '' its
bold and stalwart commander, Hugh Hill ; his daring
exploits ; the capture of a schooner in the English
channel, having on board the library of Dr. Richard
Kirwan, a distinguished chemist; the bringing of
these books into the neighboring port of Beverly;
the purchase ef the same by several scientific men of
Salem and its vicinity, of whom may be mentioned
Rev. Maniisseh Cutler, of the Hamlet Church in Ips-
wich, now Hamilton, Rev. Joseph Willard of Beverly,
afterwards president of Harvard College, Dr. Joshua
Fisher of Beverly, Dr. E. A. Holyoke, Dr. Joseph
Orne, Rev. Thomas Barnard and Rev. John Prince,
all of Salem. They made it the foundation of the
Philosophical Library in 1781. To show Dr. Bow-
ditch's estimate of the value and character of these
books, this extract from his will is inserted:
Ilenlf "It is wcU-knuwn that the valuable Scientific library of the
celebrated Dr. Kicbiii-d Kirwan, was dtiriug the Ivevolutionary war,
captured in the British Channel, on its way to Ireland, by a Beverly
Privateer, .and that by the liberal and enlightened views of the owners
of the vessel, the library thus captured was sold at a very low rate, and
in this numuer was laid the foundation, upon which has since been buc-
cessfnUy established tlie Pbilosopliiral Library so called and the present
Salem Athenannn. Thus, in early life, I found near me a better collec-
tion of Philosoiiliical and Scientific books tlian could be found in atiy
other part of the Ihiitetl States nearer than Philadelphiii, and by the
kindness of its proprietors I was permitted freely to take the hooks from
that library and to consult and study them at pleasure. This inestima-
ble advantage has made me deeply a debtor to the Salem Athena'um.
and I do, therefore, give to that Institution the sum of one tljousand
dollars, the income thereof to be forever applied to the promotion of its
objects and the extension of its usefuluess."
Athen.kum. — The rooms of the Athenaeum in Cen-
tral Building, Market (now Central) Street, were
opened to the proprietors on Wednesday, July 11,
1810, with a goodly collection of books upon the
shelves, duly arranged and properly classified.
In April, 1815, the library was removed to rooms in
Essex Place; in 1825 to rooms over the Salem Bank ;
in 1841 to Lawrence Place, and in April, 1857, to
Plumraer Hall, the present resting place for this val-
uable and increasing collection of books.
The present number of volumes is about twenty-
one thous.md. These have been obtained principally
by moneys arising from the sale of shares and annual
assessments and subscriptions, although many valua-
ble works have been received as donations from the
friends of the institution.
The number of shares is one hundred. Each share
entitles the jiroprietor to take from the library four
liooks at one time. Books which have been in the
library one year can be retained four weeks; if less
than that time, two weeks ; recent periodicals, in
numbers, one week. Persons not projirietors, ap-
proved by the trustees, may have all the i)rivileges of
proprietors in the use of books for one year, on the
payment of one dollar in addition to the annual as-
sessment, which is determined at the annual meeting.
The assessment for several years past has been five
dollars.
Officers o/ the Stikin Alheuicum for the year 188T-S. — Edmund It. Will-
.-^oii, president; Henry Wheatland, clerk; Uichard C. BlauniDg, treas-
urer; William (.'. Endicott, .Ir., Richard C. Manning, George P. Mes-
servey, William Nortliey, Charles S Osgood, George A. Perkins, Fred-
erick P. Richardson, Henry Wheatland, Ednnind B. Willson, trustees ;
.Mice II. Osborne, librarian ; .\uuie E. Suell, aassistant librarian.
Plummee Hall. — On the 13th May, 1854, at her
residence in Salem, " died Mi.ss Caroline Plumnier,"
leaving bequests to the city of Salem for the founding
of a Farm School of Reform " for boys in the city of
Salem ; " to Harvard College for the foundation of a
Professorship of Christian Morals, and to the Salem
Athenteum the sum of thirty thousand dollars "for
(he purchasing of a piece of land, in some central and
convenient spot in the city of Salem, and for building
thereon a safe and elegant building of brick or stone,
to be employed for the purpose of de|iositing the
books belonging to said corjioration, with liberty also
to have the rooms thereof used for meetings of any
scientific or literary institution, or for the deposit of
any works of art or natural productions." Thus, by
the noble bequests of this lady, an impetus has been
given to the cause of literature, science, philanlliropy
and noble living, which will ever make her name
respected, honored and beloved, not alone in the city
of Siilem or within the walls of Harvard, but wherever
learning and liberality shall find a home.
The location selected is upon one of the leading
thoroughfares of the city and near its centre, with
agreeable and attractive surroundings, and about
which cluster many associations of exceeding interest
to the student in history, the scholar, the scientist and
the general public.
The buildiug is in the form of a parallelogram,
ninety-seven feet three inches long by fifty-three wide.
The exterior walls are faced with pressed brick, and
are forty-five feet in height above the under-pinning,
which is four feet six inches high and is cjf luuvvn
sandstone. The steps, doorway, wimlow-dressings,
SALEM.
169
balcony, belts, &c., are also of the same stone. The
style of the building is Romanesque. On the first
floor were arranjred the scientific and historical col-
lections of the In^stitute ; on the second floor the
libraries of the Athciiii'Um and of the Institute. The
shelving in the library-rooms having lieen completed
and the books placed upon the shelves, though not
finally arranged, the building was accepted at a meet-
ing of the proprietors, held on Monday, September
21, 1857, and dedicated on Tuesday, the sixth of
October following. The order of exercises was as
I'd Hows :
.Mrsir, hy a vnluiitrer flinir uiulHr thy ilircctiun uf Sliiiiuel Ftjiiullut.!!,
..r Siiluni ;
HvMS, liy Hon. Junipli (iilln-rt Wiiters, uf S.-ilem ;
I'UAVKK, by Uov. Ot'urge Wart- Brings, uf the First Church, Sjileni ;
Hi MN, by Uev. .loiies Very, of SHlein ;
ADiiKEs.'i, by Uev. .Jamr.s Miisou Uoppiu, uf the Crombie Street
(_'hurch, SahjTTi ;
HvMN, by Rev. Charles Timothy Brooks, of Newport, U. I.
Bt:NEl)lc_-rios, by Rev. Robert Curtis Mills, of the Fii-et Bajitisf
Clmrch, Salem.
The following letter from the historian rrcsctitt,
received among others in response to invitations tn
attend the dedication, will I)e read with interest :
PLi'l'KRELL, Oct. Ci, lS.n7,
J)EAR Sin: I, liit«t evening, hiol till' pleasure uf receiving the invita-
tion of the cuiiiiiiittee to atti-nil the ileilieatioli of riuimiier Hall. Unfur
tuuately, being absent fruiu town, it iliil not reach nie till tuo late tu
profit by it. I beg yun will present my acknowledgments to the com-
mittee for the honor they have clone ine. I need not assure them that I
take a sincere interest in the ceremonies of the day, for I am attached to
Salem by the reminiscences of many happy hours passed there in boy-
hood ; and I have a particular interest in the spot which is to be covered
with the new editice, from its having been that on which I first saw the
Ir _-ht myself. It is a jileas-int thought lo me, that through the enlight-
t liberality of my deceased friend Miss rlumiiier, it is now to be con-
. . i;ited to so noble a purpose.
\\'ith great lespect, believe nie, dear Sir,
Very truly yours,
\\'M- H. PlEESroTT.
I>R. tJEonoK Cuo.M'E, Ples. Suleiii .\tlien;eulii.
Prexidfii/s of tin; Suleiii Af/inxnim.
Edward .Augustus llolyoke I810-:;n
Benjamin Piekman 1829-3.^i
Ichabod Tucker 183.'.-38
Daniel .Viniletun W'hile 1838-40
Benjamin Merrill 1840-47
Stephen Clarendon Phillips 184"-.'")ll
Oeorgc Clioale 18511-114
Alphens Crosby lsr,4-7 4
William Mack 1874-Sll
Kdmiind Biirko Willson 1886
Cler/:.'<
.lohn Sp.arhawk .\ppb'loii 1810-14
John Pickering 1S14-1'.I
.lohn (ilen King 1810-.)I
Ebenezer Shillaber 1831-41
William I'utnaiii Ricliarilson 1841-46
Henry Wheatland 1S4C
The Kssex Ik.stitdte. — The Essex Institute was
formed by the union of the Essex Historical Society
and ihe Essex County Natural History Society, and
was organized, under an act of incorporation granted
by the Legislature of Massachusetts in February of
1848, on the 1st of March fnllnwing.
The Essex Hktork al Society. — At the sug-
gestion of Hon. John Glen King and George A.
Ward, Est]., several gentlemen, many of whom were
active in the organization of tlie Salem Athen;euni,
eleven years before, assembled on the 21st of Ajiril,
1821, Hon. Joseph iStory presiding, aiwl formed them-
selves into an as.sociation under the name of the Essex
Historical Society, the leading object of which was
the collection and preservation of all authentic ma-
terials illustrating the civil history of the county of
Essex, and in i'urtherance (hereof they invited the co-
operation of other kindred societies. An actof incor-
poration was obtained from the Legislature, June 27,
1821. The first corporate meeting was held on Wed-
nesday, June 27, 1821, due notice having been given
of tiie call at which the act was accepted and the so-
ciety organized by the adoption of rules and regula-
tions and the election of officers to serve until the
annual meeting fixed on the 6th of September, in
commemoration of the landing of Governor John En-
dicott on that day (0. S.), 1628.
The venerable Dr. E. A. Holyokc, who always took
the most lively interest in whatever concerned Ameri-
can literature and science, was elected the first presi-
ileiit. It is quite remarkable that in I'acli stage in the
progress of institutions of this chariicter in Salem, a
leading part was taken by one man, Dr. Holyoke; he
signed the call for the meeting at the tavern of Sirs.
Pratt in 17G0, and was an original subscriber to the
funds then raised to establish the Social Library ; he
was one of the purchasers of Dr. Kirwan's books, thus
co-operating in founding the Philnsophical Lilirary ;
he was the first president of the Salem Athenicum,
and the first president of the Essex Historical Society.
The zeal and ability of the members and their friends,
in a short time, gathered together a good collection of
portraits and antique relics, illustrative of the early
history of the county and the nucleus of a library con-
taining files of several newspapers, pamphlets, docu-
ments, etc. These were first depositeil in Essex
Place, on Essex Street, facing Central ; then in the
room over the Salem Bank, where Downing Block
now .stands, afterwards in Lawrence Place, at the cor-
ner of Washington and Front Streets, until the union
which formed the Institute.
On the (ith of September, 182,'i, the day of the
:innuai meeting, Hon. Leverett Saltonstall delivered
a public address, which was well received, before
the society, in the First Church. On Thursday,
the 18th of September {N. S.), 1828, the mem-
bers of the society, with their invited guests, met
to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the
landing of Endicott. The orator of the day was the
Hon. Jo.seph Story, one of the justices of the United
States Supreme Court, an original member and the
vice-president of the society. The president of
the society. Dr. Holyoke, the centennial anni-
versary of whose birth was appropriately observed
170
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
by the medical profession of Boston and Salem
on the thirteenth of the month preceding, pre-
sided. The secretary was the Hon. Joseph G. Waters,
secretary of the society for the twenty-one years pre-
ceding the union, in 1848. He will be long remem-
bered for his deep interest in our literary and scien-
tific institutions and for his versatile gifts and exten-
sive knowledge of English literature and history. The
society had on its roll of membership at that time
many men of wide distinction. Probably no society
in the United States could claim a greater number of
influential men in the various walks of life. The elo-
quent address of Hon. Mr. Story at the North Church ;
the intellectual and social banquet at Hamilton Hall ;
these, and other interesting incidents connected
therewith, rendered the occasion one long to be re-
membered in the annals of the society.
OFFICERS OF THE ESSEX HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Presidents.
Edward Augustus Hol.voke 1821-29
Benjamin Pickman 1829-35
Ichabod Tucker 1835-37
Baniel .ippletou White 1837-48
Recording Secretaries.
Oeorge Atkinson Ward 1821-22
Jolm White Treadwell 1822-24
William Proctor 1824-27
Joseph Gilbert Watere 1827-48
The Essex County Natural History Society.
— A communication was printed in the Salem Gazette
for Tuesday, February 1, 1831, under the signature of
Ebah, suggesting the feasibility of organizing a So-
ciety of Natural History ; other coinnuinications oc-
casionally appeared, but the various suggestions did
not begin to take a tangible form until December,
1833, when, on the evening of Saturday, the 14th, a
meeting of those friendly to the subject was held,
which resulted, after several adjournments, in the or-
ganization of the Essex County Natural History So-
ciety, Dr. Andrew Nichols, of Danvers, president;
William Oakes, Esq., of Ipswich and Rev. Gardner
B. Perry, of Bradford, vice-presidents; John M. Ives,
Esq., of Salem, secretary and treasurer ; Rev. John
Lewis Russell, of Salem, cabinet keeper and libra-
rian ; William Oakes, Esq., of Ipswich, John Clarke
Lee, of Salem, Charles Grafton Page, of Salem,
Thomas Spencer, Esq., of Salem, curators.
Upon the organization of the society the attention
of its members was mainly devoted to horticulture ;
its rooms were opened occasionally during every sea-
son with greater or less frequency, as circumstances
would permit, for exhibitions of fruits and flowers.
The first exhiliitiou took place on Tuesday, July 11,
1834. The first general exhibition, which continued
several days, occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday,
September 14th and 15th, 1841.
These exhibitions, though not an original object,
became, in the course of years, one of the most
important features of the society. For several
years exhibitions were held weekly during the sum-
mer months, with an annual show in September, and
increased in interest with each successive season.
Several nurseries were established, the demand for
fruit trees, ornamental trees and shrubs increased,
and Salem, for some years became, as it were, a cen-
tre for horticultural operations. The exhibitions at
the Metropolis were largely indebted to the Salem
gardens for their requisite jiroportion of fruits and
flowers.
This city and its vicinity bad a goodly array of en-
thusiastic and successful cultivators of the choicest
gifts of Flora and Pomona ; among them the name of
Robert Manning stands as a pioneer in the cultiva-
tion of fruit, especially of the pear. The garden of
Mr. J. Fisk Allen exhibited, for .several seasons, a
fine disjjlay of that gorgeous lily, " Victoria Regia,"
and his excellent treatise on that flower, with illus-
trations, finds a place in every well stored library.
Salem was also noted for the great variety of grapes
aud other fruits grown under glass. The gardens and
grounds of the Messrs. Putnam, Lee, Cabot, Emmer-
ton, Upton, Ives, Bertram, Hoffman, Derby, Phippen,
Ropes, Oliver, Glover, Bosson, Gardner and others,
may be mentioned in this connection.
The Journal of the Essex County Natural Histonj
Society, comprising one volume in three numbers, is-
sued in 1836, 1838 and 1841, was published by the
society. i
Officer.s of ES.SF.X CouNTV Natural IIistorv Society.
Pi-esideiUs.
Andrew Nichols 18.33-15
Jolm Lewis Russell 1845-48
Secrttariei.
John M. IvcB 1833-35
Henry Wheatland 1835-48
During the autumn of 1847 the Historical and the
Natural History Societies held several meetings to ef-
fect a union. A joint committee was appointed to
draft a plan to serve as a basis of organization. The
plan offered by the committee was accepted by the
two societies at a meeting held January 14, 1848.
An act of incorporation was obtained in February of
that year, and upon its acceptance, on the 1st of
March following, the Essex Institute was organized.
The organization of the two societies being on an
entirely different basis, generous concessions were
called for from both [larties to bring about the de-
sired results.
The Historical Society always had a small mem-
bership. Members were elected by ballot, aud an
entrance fee was required. There was no regular
assessment, though occasionally one was levied ; the
rooms were never opened to the public at stated
times, though persons could obtain access by calling
upon the librarian or some officer, who was always
courteous and ready to grant such a favor.
The Natural History Society was differently con-
stituted. Any inhabitant of the county could be-
SALE.M.
171
come a member by signing the constitulion and paying
the small annual assessment. The rooms were al-
ways central anil accessible, and were frequently
opened for horticultural and other exhibitions, the
aim being to make them attractive and thereby to
awaken au interest in the objects of the society. The
collections increased in vahie and importance, the
membership was enlarged, and consequently more
means were available to extend its operations.
The Institute, in organizing in 18-18, took up with
vigor the work of its two component members, as
well as new undertakings of its own. If the Essex
Historical Society had busied itself with collecting
and perpetuating the liistory of the county, the In-
stitute, with its new blood, hoped not without reason
to push this important portion to still greater results.
If the Natural History Society had been successful in
its delightful exhibits of fruits and flowers, so did the
Institute at the outset perpetuate this excellent ex-
ample and call to its aid a new class of generous con-
tributors. Jloreover, it began at once, by means of
field meetings and other popular and original appli-
ances to make science, local tradition and history,
literature and the arts, so far as it could with its
modicum of means and membership, a part of the
daily diet of the people.
The librar)' and various collections were removed
to Plummer Hall as soon as the shelving and cases
were prepared for their reception.
The several departments of the Museum were ar-
ranged on the first floor, and were well represented ;
in several of the classes of the animal kingdom the
collections were inferior to but one or two others in
the country. Those in some classes were arranged
and identilied, and catalogues commenced. In con-
sequence of a liberal use of its rich supply of dupli-
cates, the Institute became the recipient of large
and valuable collections from scientific itistitutions
and individuals, both in this and foreign countries.
These various scientific collections, containing some
one hundred and forty thousand specimens are now
deposited at Kast India Marine Hall, in the custody
of the trustees of the Peabody Academy of Science,
according to terms of agreement signed May 29, 1867,
by the contracting parties.
The Peabody Museum was, after thorough re-ar-
rangement, dedicated to the pul)lic on Wednesday
afternoon, August 18, 18(19, the first day of the meet-
ing, in Salem, of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science.
All contributions of specimens in natural history
which have since been received by the institute,
either by donations or otherwise, have been likewise
deposited with the trustees above named, at East
India Marine Hall.
The collections of antique relics, paintings, portraits,
engravings, etc., are placed in thehalls of the institute,
and are of great historic value, and will be alluded to
in another place.
The agreement by which the institute has occupied
Plummer Hall, jointly with the Athen;eum for thirty
years, was cancelled from the end of April by the gov-
erning board of the two institutions, February 25,
1887, and at the same time another agreement was
adopted to go into efiect on the 30th of A])ril, 1887,
by which the institute retains the use of the first
fioor and the basement for the deposit of a portion of
its library and collections, and the hall to be used for
lectures and meetings, horticultural and art exhibi-
tions, and for other purposes not inconsistent with
the provisions of Mi.ss Plummer's will. Each society,
as heretofore, may freely consult the books of the
other.
Library. — The library of the institute contains
about fifty thousand bound volumes, and some one
hundred and fifty thousand pamphlets. In the early
stages of the growth of a great library, its energies
are mainly absorbed in mere accumulation. At a
later stage, and when exchanges are established and
a law of growth confirmed, while accretions are not
less rapid, more attention can be given to extending
its usefulness and acquainting others with the value
and character of its treasures. The institute library
has now reached this stage. It is for the first time
able to display its quality and richness in the new
building purchased March 12, 1880, and since suita-
bly fitted tor the purposes intended. Among the
valuable features which, on being catalogued, it will
be found to contain, are, —
A very complete collection of the legislative and
official publications of Massachusetts from early dates,
as well as those of several other States of New Eng-
land and of the Union at large.
A large and daily increasing collection of the works
of the authors of Essex County, both native and resi-
dent, already counting about six hundred volumes.
Full files of newspapers possessing to the antiquary,
the historical student and the c<inveyancer, a value
hardly to be exaggerated.
Some eight thousand volumes of English, Greek
and Latin classics, also historical and other works,
selected for the private library of the donor, the late
.ludge Daniel A. White, first president ol the Essex
Institute. A collection of some three hundred Bibles
and parts of Bibles of curious antiquity, including one,
doubtless the oldest book in Essex County, dated be-
fore the discovery of America, in the year 1481), a well
preserved copy brought from a Carmelite Monastery
in Bavaria, and presented to the institute October 2,
1858, by Rev. J. M. Hopi)in, then of Salem, now a
professor in Yale College. Part of the library of the
late Francis Peabody, the third president of the in-
stitute, containing some three thousand volumes,
principally, architectural, horticultural and scientific.
Also the libraries of the late Augustus Story, com-
prising about fifteen hundred volumes of literary and
historical books — and that of the late William Sutton,
ir^
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
about sixteen hundred of agricultural and historical
works.
The China Library, containing nearly seven hun-
dred volumes, an unique collection of publications
relating to that country and her people; the Library
of the Art Department, numbering upwards of five
hundred volumes, together with many periodicals in
its various branches, to which additions are being
constantly made, and a small Musical Library.
A large portion of the books are arranged in the
new building, — the Historical in the western section
of the second floor ; the Literary in the eastern sec-
tion and the Essex County books in the central. On
the third floor are the Theological, in the western
section ; Scientific, in the eastern ; the Directories,
Horticultural and Educational Books, in the central.
The national, state and city Documents, those re-
lating to Einance and Trade, bound volumes of News-
papers and Pamphlets, are retained in Plummer Hall.
The large room is furnished with settees and chairs,
and is used for lectures, concerts, meetings and exhi-
bitions of Art, Horticulture, etc.
Meetings of the Institute. — Regular meetings are held
on the first and third Monday evenings of each month ;
field meetings, during the summer months, at such
times and places as may be api)ointed by a special
committee.
The Institute was organized in the spring of 1848.
It at once introduced a system of field meetings,
unique and interesting, as well as useful to those who
have attended them. These meetings gather from
one to three hundred or more persons ; four or five of
them are held in each season. Railroads, local au-
thorities, church committees, educational, scientific
and literary organizations, have uniformly united their
efforts to make attendance easy and agreeable. The
first of these gatherings was held at Danvers, June
12, 1849, and, with the interval of three .summers, in
1853-4-5, they have since been uninterrupted. One
hundred and thirty-five field meetings have been held
in ninety-si-x different places in thirty-three of the
towns and cities of the county of Es.sex, and twelve
meetings in twelve towns or cities beyond the county
limits. Members of the Institute and all others are
invited on equal terras. A spot is selected for its
scientific and historical interest, and with some regard
to its facilities for trans])ortation, shelter and refresh-
ment. Physicists and anti(|uarians, especially local
students of science, tradition and history, are sought
out. The party attending provides itself with a bas-
ket luncheon, and is usually transported at half fare.
Reaching its destination, it is often welcomed by a
local committee, deposits its baskets and extra cloth-
ing, and, in self-appointed sections, follows the lead
of its specialists in botany, geology, entomology, local
history or antiquity, to various points of interest in
the neighborhood. Coming together at noon in the
village church, the school-house, the town hall, or
some inviting grove, a meeting is held, after the bas-
kets are emptied, and the results of the previous
rambles are exhibited, compared, analyzed and dis-
cussed.
In yet another way has the effort been successful to
make science and sociability tributary to each other.
For several seasons, beginning May 1, 181)6, and for
several evenings during each season, meetings were
held, which might be described as microscope shows.
From twenty-five to fifty instruments of every variety
of make, were brought together in Hamilton Hall,
where the friends of the Institute, to the number of
two hundred, passed most agreeable evenings in ex-
amining the specimens shown, in listening to the
comments of experts and specialists, and in general
social relaxation. The occasions owed much of their
success to the intere.st and labor of the late well-
known microscopist, Edwin Bicknell.
Lectures. — During the past fifteen or twenty years,
regular courses of lectures have been delivered annu-
ally in the winter months, with perhaps a few excep-
tions ; and before this occasionally as opportunities
offered. These embrace a wide range of topics in
science and literature. In addition to the above,
courses of lectures or single lectures have been given
by those who were or are now active members of the
institute.
Commemorations. — The fiftieth anniversary of the
organization of the Essex Historical Society was ob-
served on the 21st of April, 1871. The address was by
A. C. Goodell, Jr., Esq.; an excellent choir, under the
direction of General H. K. Oliver, sang an original
hymn, written for the occasion by Rev. Jones Very ;
after which remarks were made by Rev. George D.
Wildes, of New York City ; General H. K. Oliver
and J. Wingate Thornton, of Boston ; and Dr. George
B. Loring. ,
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization
of the Essex Institute, on the 5th of March, 1873,
was commemorated by a banquet in the rooms of the
Institute, with addresses by the President, His ICxcel-
lency Governor William B.Washburn, Mayor William
Cogswell of Salem, Hon. George B. Loring, president
of the Massachusetts Senate, Hon. John E. Sanford,
speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representa-
tives, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, of New England
Historico-Genealogical Society, Prof. 0. C. Marsh, of
Yale, and others.
The centennial of the Destruction of the Tea in
Boston Harbor, December 10, 1773, was noticed at a
special meeting on that evening by an address from
James Kimball, Esq., whose grandfather, William
Russell, was one of the actors on that occasion.
The first centennial of the meeting in Salem, Octo-
ber 5, 1774, of that memorable body which formally
and finally resolved itself into a Provincial
Congress and established in Massachusetts " a gov-
ernment of the people, by the people & for the peo-
SALEM.
173
pie," was commemorated b}' an address from A. C.
Goodell, Jr., Esq.; a fine double quartette, under the
direction of Afr. M. Fenollosa, sang some ]iatric>tic
pieces.
The directors of the institute, in compliance with
several official circulars and personal letters from the
chief of the Historical Department of the Centennial
Exhibition at riiiladelphia, made an exhibit of spec-
imens illustrative of the HistoiT of Essex Counly.
Portraits of Governors Endicott, Leverett and Brad-
street, of 8ir Richard Saltonstall, Rev. Dr. UFanasseh
Cutler and Colonel Timothy Pickering and about one
hundred articles of historical interest, also an album
containing one hundred and twenty photograplis il-
lustrating our city, were coutribnted. These remained
during the exhibition.
The commemoration of the two hundred and fif-
tieth anniversary of the landing of .Johu Endicott at
Salem, September 6, 1628, was conducted by the Es-
sex Institute, Sei>tember 18, 1878. The forenoon ex-
ercises, in Mechanic's Hall, consisted of an organ vol-
untary by Mr. B. J. Lang, reading of Scripture and
prayer by Rev. R. C. Mills, hymn by Rev. Jones
Very, poem by Rev. C. T. Brooks, ode by Rev. S. P.
Hill, oration by Hon. W. C. Endicott; Mrs. Hemans'
hymn, " The Breaking Waves Dashed High," sung by
Mrs. J. H. 'West; poem, by W. VV. Story, read by
Prof. J. W. Cliurchill ; the one hundredth Psalm
sung by a chorus.
The guests then proceeded to Hamilton Hall, where
an elegant lunch was served by Cassell. The divine
blessing was invoked by Rev. R. C. Mills, D.I). The
president opened the afternoon speaking, and was
lollowed by Rev. E. C. Bolles, toast master. Governor
.\. H. Puce, Mayor H. K. Oliver, Hon. R. C. Win-
throp, President of Massachusetts Historical Society,
Hon. M. P. Wilder, President of the New England
Historico-Genealogical Society, Dean Stanley, of
Westminster Abbey, Hon. W. C. Endicott, Hon.
L. Saltonstall, Prof. B. Peirce, Hon. G. B. Loring,
Rev. F. Israel, Joseph H. Choate, Es(j., of New York,
B. H. Silsbee, Esq., President East India Marine
Society, and Rev. E. S. Atwood.
The two huiulred and fiftieth anniversary of the
arrival of .lohn Winthrop at Salem, with the charter
and records of the Massachusetts Bay Company, oc-
curring on the 22d of June, 1880, the first field meet-
ing of the season was held on that day, at the Pavil-
ion on Salem Neck, and the occasion was devoted to
a commemoration of this important event. At 1 I'.M.
lunch was served in the dining hall ; at 2.30 o'clock
the afternoon session was held in the great hall
below.
The president introduced Robert S. Rantoul, Esq.,
who then delivered an historical and eloquent ad-
dress. Rev. De Wilt S. Clarke, read a poem written
for the occasion by Miss Lucy Larcom, who was
present, and was followed by Colonel Thomas Went-
worth Higginson, of the Governor's statt', a lineal de-
scendant of Rev. Francis Higginson. Hon. George
Washington Warren, i>residenl of Bunker Hill Mon-
ument Association ; Hon. George B. Loring, M.C.,
Mayor H. K. Oliver, anil Seth Low, Esij., of Brooklyn,
N. Y.; .selections from the correspondence were read
by Rev. E. S. Atwood, and a communication from E.
Stanley Waters, E.sq., by Rev. George H. Ilosmer,
giving a reminiscence of his predecessor in the puljjit
of the East Church, Rev. William Bentley, D.l).,
whose birthday this gathering also commemorated,
he having been born in Boston June 22, 17oi). The
proceedings at these coninienioralions were fully re-
ported and are in jnint.
77if Pnblicatiniis of /he Iintlilute. — " Proceedings and
Communications," 0 v<ils., 8vo., 1848-tlS. These vol-
umes contain a large number of descri])tions and fig-
ures of new species, especially of corals, insects and
polyzoa, and many valuable pajiers in natural history.
The first three volumes also contain many important
historical papers. In addition to the papers on spe-
cial subjects, the volumes contain the proceedings of
the meetings of the institute, the records of the addi-
tions to the library and the museum, and many im-
porta?it verbal communications made at the meetings,
etc.
" Dulletin," 17 vols., 8vo, issued quarterly ; :i con-
tinuation of the " Proceeilings of the Essex Institute,"
containing an account of the regular and field meet-
ings of the society and papers of scientific value.
"Flora of Essex County," by John Robinson, 8vo,
pp. 200.
" Historical Collections," 28 vols., 8vo, issued quar-
terly, contain extracts from the records of courts, par-
ishes, churches and towns in this county ; abstracts of
wills, deeds and journals; records of births, ba|)tisms,
marriages and deaths, and inscriptions on tombstones ;
also papers of historical, genealogical and biograph-
ical ijiterest. In these volumes will be found mem-
oirs of the following persons: of Daniel A. White, by
George W. Briggs; of George A. Ward, Daniel P.
King and Francis Peabody, by Hon. Charles W. lip-
ham ; of Asahel Huntington, by Hon. Otis 1^. Lord;
of Henry C. Perkins, by Rev. Samuel J. Spalding, of
Newbury port; of James Upton, by Rev. Robert C.
Mills; of Augustus Story, by Rev. Charles T. Ihooks,
of Newport. R. I.; of Benjamin Peirce, James Kim-
ball, Charles Davis and .lames O. Safiiird, by Robert
S. Rantoul ; of .lohn Bertram, by Rev. E. S. Atwood ;
of John Lewis Russell, .lohn C. Lee and Charles T.
Brooks, by Rev. E. B. Willson ; of Gen. John Glover,
by William P. Upham ; of Jones Very, by William P.
Andrews; of Oliver Carlton, by L. Saltonstall ; also
genealogies of the families of Gould, Chipman,
Browne, Pope, Fiske, Koi)es, Hutchinson, I'.ecket.
Higginson, Webb, Gedney, Clarke, Silsbee, Fabens,
Newhall, Perkins and Town.send.
The institute exchanges publications with fifty soci-
ties in Germany, fourteen in France, eight in Switzer-
land, five in Belgium, four each in Sweden, Russia,
174
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Italy and Norway, three each in Austria and Den-
mark, two each in Spain, Australia, South America
and Java, one each in Portugal, China, Tasmania,
Mexico, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, four in
Canada, sixteen in Cxreat Britain (besides receiving
the government surveys of India and the United
Kingdom), and with twenty-seven miscellaneous, forty
scientific and thirty-three historical societies in the
United States of America.
Art Exhibitions — In February, 1875, the proposal
of the Misses Mary E. and Abby O. Williams, of Sa-
lem, to deposit temporarily their valuable collection
of paintings, many of which were copied by them
from acknowledged masters during a residence of sev-
eral years in Rome, and had earned the praise of Rus-
kin, was gratefully accepted.
The collection was received on Thursday, March
4th, and it had been found expedient, with so fine a
basis, to arrange an art exhibition, and to solicit other
contributions. The exhibition was opened Thursday,
March 11th, and continued to Friday evening, March
19th. From the day that notice was given, pictures of
all kinds were sent in with the greatest liberality, and
some three or four hundred of them were hung upon
the walls of the exhibition-room.
The second exhibition opened on Tuesday, Novem-
ber 9, 1875, and closed Wednesday, the 17th. The
eastern ante-room was occupied with a display of
bronzes, porcelain and pottery ; this was the first ce-
ramic exhibition in Salem.
Encouraged by this success, exhibitions have been
held in June, 1879, in April, 1880, and in May, 1881,
May, 1882, May, 1883, May, 1884, and June, 1886.
The collections in these exhibitions have been con-
fined, with one or two exceptions, to the recent pro-
ductions of Essex County artists.
Manuscripts. — The collection of manuscripts is
large and valuable, consisting of original (diarters,
commissions, account-books, records and papers of
extinct local organizations, such as old stage and in-
surance companies, orderly-books in our several wars,
court papers, correspondence, journals, almanacs with
written notes ; also a large number of log-books con-
taining records of voyages made at the period of our
city's commercial prominence.
The day books of Dr. E. A. Holyoke contain an ac-
curate record of hi.s professional jiractice; they com-
prise one hundred and twenty-three volumes of ninety
pages each. The first entry was July 6, 1749, the
last February 16th, 1829.
Membership. — The members of the institute number
about three hundred and fifty. Resident member-
ship is secured by election and the payment of an
annual assessment of three dollars, and this entitles
the member to admittance to all horticultural, anti-
quarian and art shows during the year, to the use of
the books of the library to the extent of four vol-
umes at a time and to consultation, free of cost, of
the books of the Salem Athenaeum, whose share-
holders enjoy the reciprocal right of consulting
free the books of the Essex Institute. Life mem-
bership of the institute is obtained by paying at one
time the sum of fifty dollars.
OFFICERS OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE.
PresideiUs.
Dftliiol Applekm \\liite. 1«48-61
Asahel Huntiugtou 18G1-G5
Francis Peabocly 1865-67
Henry Whcatlaud 1868-
Secrttariea.
Henry WheaUanJ 1848-08
Aniua Howe Johnson 18G8-70
John Kobiusou 1870-71
Amos Howe Johnson 1871-73
John Robinson 1873-75
George Munton Whijiple 1875-
The Library. — It began with a few shelves of books,
miscellaneous and unselected in a small back room.
There are now some five or six thousand volumes. The
increase in the size of the library, and the greatly in-
creased use of it, have made necessary a migration
from room to room, until it has reached its third sta-
tion, where it has fair accommodations in the room
which is the last added to the suite occupied by the
Fraternity.
This library has been gathered by gift wholly. It
is the only free public library in Salem. Its large
number of readers show an active circulation. The
number of books lost is very small comparing favor-
ably with all known similar institutions in this re-
spect.
Its Reading- Room is supplied with the Salem papers
by the favor of the publishers, and from .some of their
offices come besides many of their most desirable ex-
changes, several daily and weekly newspapers,
pictorial weeklies, religious, scientific and literary
periodicals.
In 1875 the Fraternity became incorporated under
the statutes of Massachusetts, that it might hold and
administer larger funds, and that its permanence and
efliciency might be the better a.ssured.
Its Funds. In 1873, Dudley P. Rogers of this city
bequeathed the income of fifteen thousand dol-
lars to the Fraternity with something more at the
death of certain favorite animals. Miss Harriet A.
Deland died June 29, 1876, leaving by will five thous-
and dollars. Martha G. Wheatland died June, 1885,
leaving two thousand to the Fraternity. With the
income accruing from these funds and subscriptions
from its friends collected annually, and small sums
occasionally from other sources, the Fraternity, with
the gratuitous assistance of several ladies and gentle-
men, is enabled to do some good work in the promo-
tion of the objects of its organization.
Officers for the year 1887-88. — Henry Wheatland
SALEM.
175
president; G. W. Mansfield, secretar)- ; Willium
Northey, treasurer.
East India Marine Society. — Soon after the
termination of the Revolutionary War, the merchants
of Salem directed their attention to the opening of
new avenues of trade, especially with the countries
beyond the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn with
which this country hud previously no coMUMcrcial
relations.
Elias Hasket Derby was the pioneer in this direc-
tion. His ships were the first to visit any of these
ports, and to him, in a great degree, may be attributed
the establishment of the East India trade in Salem.
Other vessels soon followed, and gradually an e.\ten-
sive business was developed, which created great ac-
tivity in the various industries of this place, especially
those connected with the building, rigging and fitting
for sea of vessels of various kinds. The young men
of Salem and its vicinity, on leaving the school, the
academy, and tlie college actuated by the prevail-
ing spirit of the period, for the most part entered
upon a commercial career, and found employment in
the counting-room, on sliipboard, or with some of the
commercial agencies established in these distant
ports to facilitate the conducting of their business
(jperations. The influence of these surroundings
greatly modified public sentiment, and the outcome
was the organization of an instituti<in, having in view,
the assisting its unfortunate members or their fami-
lies, in improving themselves in the knowledge of navi-
gation and of the various trades in which they were
engaged, and incidentally in collecting a museum
which should represent the peculiarities of the
strange people, and strange places visited by its mem-
bers in their long and distant voyages.
During the summer and early autumn of 17'Jlt,
the first suggestion of such an institution was made by
a few shipmasters who were standing under the lea
of a store on the end of Union Wharf, where they were
in the habit of congregating, during the intervals be-
tween their voyages. An agreement was drawn up and
signed by .lonathan Lambert, Jona. Ingersoll, Jacob
Crowninshield, John Gibaut, Nathaniel Silsbee and
others to form an association consisting of such ship-
masters only, as have had a register from Salem, and
who had navigated those seas at or beyond the Cai)e
of Good Hope, to be called the East India Marine
Society, or by any other name which may hereafter
be determined. And they also further agree that the
first meeting to carry into efl['ect the above purposes
shall be held at Capt. Webb's tavern, on the IStii of
September (Wednesday evening), 1799.
The meeting was held, and a committee was ap-
pointed to prepare the articles and to report at the
meeting to be held on Monday, October 14, 1799.
At the adjourned meeting the articles were read
separately and adopted. Officers chosen a.s follows:
Benjaniin Hodges, president; Ichabod Nichols, .Jona-
than Lambert, Benjamin Carpenter, committee of ob-
servation ; Jonathan Hodges, secretary ; Jacob Crown-
inshield, treasurer.
Rev. William Bentley of the East Parish, many of
whose parishioners followed the sea and were inter-
ested in or members of the new society writes in his
journal :
" 7'r(€S(f'i</, I 'rtoher 22, ITl*^'. Cuplaiil Ciiines fl jlii Silm:iti;l sliowed me
varioup spcinieiis nf shells, a large oyHtei-Khell. a petrilied iiiii8llruom
rup iiiiil Hteiii, two spec-ilneus of boxes in Kold, with the pen work ex-
treniely nice and open llowei>,. the work is of niieuininonlv fhiii plales of
gold, l.,v the Malaj'S.
" It is proposed hy ttie new tnarine society, railed the Kast India
Marine Society, to make a cabinet. This society has been lately thoiij^lit
of. i'aptain i^libant lirst mentioned the plan to nte tliis snnimer, and
desired me to give him some plan of articles or a sketch. The tirst
friends of the institution met and chose a committee to compare or di-
gest articles from the sketches given to them. Last week 1 was in-
formed that in the preceding week the members met and signed the
articles proposed by the committee and Inid t hosen otlii ei>^. (See
above.)
" ThttrKtUttj. S'irrwhrr 7. ITT'.t. Mr. Caines has presented his curiosities
to the new-formed Kast India Marine Society and they are proviilinga
museum and cabinet. The above were the tiist sia'cimens given to the
Society.
** Xovemher 6, 17ft'.', Hooms weie obtained in the Stearns' building on
the north east corner of Essex and Court, n()W Wasilington, Streets for
their meetings and a place for the deposit of books, charts, etc., and in
July of the following year glass cases were puivided to aiiange therein
the specimens that bad been accumulated."
This may be considered one t)f the earliest museums
in this country, and it has had a world-wide lame.
There was at that time a museum in Boston which
commenced with an exhibition of a few wax figures at
the American Coffee-house, on State Street, Mr.
Daniel Bowen the proprietor. In 179.5 he moved his
collections to a hall in Bromfield Street, when it
took the name of the Columbian Jluseum; it was de-
stroyed by fire .January 3, 1803. JJther collections
were formed but had not a continuous history, nor
were any of these earlier museums establisheil for
scientific purposes.
The act of Incorporation having passctl lioth
branches of the Legislature was approvetl by the
Governor March 3, 1801. The objects are:
1st. To assist the widows and children of deceased
members who may need the same from the income of
the funds of the society, which were obtained from
the fees of admissions and the annual assessments;
also from donations and bequests.
2d. To collect such facts and observations as tend
to the improvement and security of lutvigatioii. For
this purpose every member bound to sea was author-
ized to receive a blank journal, in wdiich he is to in-
sert all things worthy of notice which occur during
his voyage, particularly his observations on the vari-
atitni of the comptiss, bearings and distances of capes
and headlands, of the latitude and longitude of the
ports, islands, rocks anil shotds; and ujion his return
to deposit the same with the society. These journals
are afterwards bound in volumes under the direction
of the inspector, with a table of contents or index.
Ninety of these journ;ils, prior to IX.'jl, of voyages
made to various parts of the world, and in several in-
176
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
stances to places rarely visited, have already been de-
posited ; recourse has often been had to them to cor-
rect the latitudes and longitudes of our ships, also for
historical purposes.
Many of the journals are beautiful examples ot
neatness and fine penmanship, and are embellished,
here and there, with diagrams, maps, drawings of
coasts and even with sketches of native craft. The
society was in constant communication with the
United States Government and the scientific records
made by its members have received more than ordi-
nary mention by well-known authors of works on me-
teorology. The endorsement of the society was ever
considered a guarantee of the highest character.
Commodore Maury in compiling his well-known
wind charts continually used the society's journals,
and Captains Charles M. Endicott and James D. Gillis,
members of the society, prepared charts of Sumatra
which are spoken of in the report of the cruise of
the United States frigate " Potomac," which vessel
was sent out in 1831 for the purpose of performing
this in connection with other work, as " more ably
performed (l>y these gentlemen) than it could have
been with .nir limited material." (See Hist. Sketch
ofSalem, p. 151.)
To the library of which these journals formed tlie
nucleus, were added by purchase and gift " books of
history, of voyages & travels and of navigation;
among them are several rare valuable editions ot the
celebrated voyages of Perouse, Cook & Vancouver."
With " the same view the President and committee
have authoritv to purchase books of similar character
as they may deem useful to the society." This was
more applicable in the palmy days of the India trade
in Salem than at the present time ; since then other
institutions have been organized, whose objects are
mainly to take care that this and allied cla.sscs ot
books are accessible to scholars as well as to the gen-
eral reader. -a • i
3d. To form a museum of natural and artificial
curiosities, particularly such as are to be found be-
yond the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn. This
has been obtained, to a considerable extent, by the
valuable donations of the members as well as ot
others friendly to the institution. The fame of this
Museum was, at first, in a great measure, due to pub-
lic interest as a collection of curiosities, and not on
account of its scientific value; yd the originators of
this work devised for themselves methods and
plans based upou the orderly ways of transacting
business at that time, which are very commendable.
They instructed the members whenever their voyages
should take them among uncivilized people to collect
the utensils, weapons and dresses of such people;
also accounts of native customs were often noted in
their journals or communications by letter to the so-
ciety-collections of shells, birds, mammals, etc., also
specimens of the flora and of the geology were con-
tributed.
The scientific man of to-day finds among these
fruits of their labor much valuable and interesting
material to aid him in his researches and investiga-
tions, especially in the science of anthropology. They
builded better than they knew.
The Annual Festivals of the .S'ocicl;/ in November
were very attractive and interesting to the public in
the early years of its history. The society formerly
paraded through the streets, the officers usually
dressed in Eastern costume, with battle axes, spears
and other warlike weapons ; there was also a palan-
quin, in which reclined a boy apparelled iu most
gorgeous habiliments, borne by persons in the East
Indian dress, attended with fan and hookah bearers
and every other accompaniment of an East Indian
eipiipage.
The exercises of the day closed with a banquet
with toasts, sentiments, etc. These have now passed
away, and the annual gathering is not marked by
any outward display. We copy from the press of
that day a report of the meetings iu 1801 and 1805.
On Wednesday last was the annual meeting of the
East India Marine S(XIEty. On this occasion is
the choice of their ofticers, and an elegant dinner is
provided. Before dinner the members proceeded
from their hall under an escort of the cadet company
and attended with an excellent band of music. As
their cabinet displays the richest collection of East-
ern curiosities, and furnishes the (.rincipal dresses
and ornaments, as well as martial instruments and
inventions of the oriental nations, a proper exhibi-
tion was made for the gratification of the numerous
citizens assembled to view the procession. The
whole s'cne provoked curiosity, and indulged it,
while good taste and dignity of manners justified it.
Capt. Benjamin Hodges has continued to receive the
annual invitation to be their president, while all the
members have generously contributed to afford such
communications and such articles as have enriched
their records and their collections. The Museum is
decorated with instructive historical paintings, at the
expense of the society. The celebrated navigators ap-
pear on its walls. Rich specimens in the whole ex-
tent of Natural History are already obtained, and no
country is forgotten which has afforded anything to
the antiquarian, the historian, or the friend of com-
merce.'
On Wednesday last The E.\st India .Marine
Society had their annual meeting, with ihe festive
scenes in which they recall their former friendships,
recount their services and urge their common zeal
for the promotion of the end of their society. Thei.
success has been worthy of their great attempts, and
their exertions have been such as have been unpre-
cedented in our country. Their museum, happy in
its arrangements and elegant in its display of it.-i rich-
es,—with the many suliject-i it embraces— the great
i Salon Segisler, Monday, November li, 18lH.
SALEM.
177
variety with wliicli it is enriched, does honor to their
taste, their inquiries and their diligence. It was a
great diminution of their pleasure to be deprived of
the company of their president, Capt. B. Hodges, who
was unable to attend. Captain Carpenter, the vice-
president, presided on the occasion with dignity.
The military parade was by the Light Lifantry,
under Captain Saunders, and the procession w;us ad-
mired as a just display of the eastern manners. The
wliole scene was powerful in convincing us of the
personal merit of the members, of the benefits from
their institution, and of the zeal with which they
have promoted its best reputation.'
Xovember 2, 1803, the society voted to take the
room in the second story of the building then being
erected for the accommodation of the Salem Bank
and the Salem Insurance Company on the first floor,
on the eastern portion of the land now occupied by
the Downing Block — dimension of the i-ame forty
feet by titty-four. On the 7th of JIarch, 1804, a com-
mittee was appointed to remove the collections and
to arrange the same in the new hall.
July 8, 1817, — Voted to accept the invitation from
the committee of arrangements to join the procession
this day, — reception of James Monroe, President of
the United States. Also voted that the president of
the society be requested to wait on the President of
the United States of America, and in the name of the
society to invite him to visit the museum with his
suite, and also to wait on the Governor of the com-
monwealth with a similar invitation, — and at such
time as they shall appoint for the purpose, the officers
of the society to attend them to the hall.
July 5, 1820, Voted that the president and commit-
tee be authorized to procure printed copies of the
catalogue ^ now preparing, to furnish each member
(or the family of each member deceased) with a copy
and to present the same in the name of the society to
such gentleTuen of the town and its vicinity as the
president and committee may think proper.
Voted, That the president and committee be au-
thorized to engage Dr. Seth Bass to superintend the
museum under their direction and for such compen-
sation as they may judge reasonable.
January 7, 1824. — Voted, That the subject of en-
larging the hall or procuring another hall be submit-
ted to a committee. May 19, 1824, the committee re-
ported that a new building may be erected that will
accommodate the society in the most convenient man-
ner and they subjoin for their consideration the fol-
lowing proposal, to be oflFered for subscription imme-
diately : —
1 Salem lieguter, Monday, November 11, ISOo.
2The first priuted catalogue of objects in the museum, journals, list of
members, etc., while the collections were in the Salem Bank Building.
This gave 2209 members. In 1825 the museum moved to the East India
Marine Hall, and by the impetus thus given the collections were rapidly
augmented, so that iu 1S31, when the second edition wa-s printed, be-
sides having some entailment, gave 4299 members for the museum.
12
" A lot of land may bo had near tho present hall, of a proper size for
erecting the contemplated buibliiig, and that it may be completed in tho
course of the next year, proposjils for erecting a btiilding of about 45 by
1>.^ feet for E. I. M. S. and other purposes, by an association to be incor-
porated for the purpose under llio name of the East India Marine Hall
Corporation ; one hundred and fifty sliares at 8I0U each ; the society to
take as many siiares as tliey may deem pruin-r, the remainder to mem-
bers of tile society or otlier parties."
Twenty-sixth Aiinivcrsart/ — Dedication of the Sew
Hall, Friday, October 14, 1825.— Celebration by a
public procession and dinner, on the occasion of
taking possession of the hall which they have lately
erected and fitted up in splendid manner for their
accommodation. This hall, over one hundred feet in
length and forty in breadth, is as chaste and beautiful
a specimen of architecture as our country can exhibit,
and filled as it is by the rare and curious productions
of nature and art from the four quarters of the globe,
forms a cabinet unrivalled in this and excelled per-
haps by few in any country.
On this occasion the society was honored by the
company of the President of the United States and
many other distinguished guests, amongst whom were
Mr. Justice Story, of the United States Supreme
Court; Hon. Benjamin W. Crowninshield, member
of Congress for this district; Hon. Josiah Quincy,
Mayor of Boston; Hon. Mr. Hill, of the Executive
Council ; Hon. Timothy Pickering, President Kirk-
land, of Harvard University, and a large number of
merchants, professional men and others.
The society, with its guests, moved iu procession at
two o'clock from Hamilton Hall, under the direction
of liichard S. Rogers and Jonathan P. Saunders,
Esqrs., and, escorted by a fine band of music, pro-
ceeded through some of the principal streets to their
new hall on Essex Street. The occasion drew together
a vast concourse of citizens, who te.'ititicd by repeated
cheers and greetings their happiness at beholding the
Chief Jlagistrate.
The dinner was served in a style of magnificence.
The religious services were performed by Rev. Dr.
Kirkland and Rev. Mr. Cornelius. Hon. Stephen
White, President of the Society, presided at the tables.
The President of the United States appeared in good
health and spirits. The toasts were announced by
John W. Treadwell, Esq., the Corresponding Sec-
retary.
December 31, 1866.— The report of Mr. John B.
Silsbee, respecting the arrangements for the transfer-
ence of its building and collections to the Essex In-
stitute, or Mr. Peabody or his trustees, was read and
accepted.
Too much [iraise cannot be given to the thoughtful
originators and promoters of this institution, which,
after flourishing for three-quarters of a century, trans-
fers to younger hands the care and continuance of its
scientific and other collections, reserving for itself the
administration of its noble charities, which will con-
tinue as long as the in.stitution exists.
Superintendents of Museum, Seth Bass, M.D.,Mal-
178
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
thus A. Ward, M.D., George Osborne, M.D., Charles
G. Page, M.D., Henry Wheatland, M.D., George D.
Phippen.
The Peabody Academy of Science. — With the
decline of Salem's foreign commerce the East India
Marine Society found it more and more difficult to
obtain means for conducting the museum which it
had maintained with increasing success since 1799.
Few new mepibers joined the society, and the pro-
ceeds of its invested funds and membership assess-
ments were all required for the charitable objects of
the organization. The museum, therefoi'e, became a
burden, and serious thoughts were entertained of sell-
ing the collections.
At about the same time the Essex Institute had ac-
cumulated a large and valuable collection of objects
relating to natural history, the care of which, with
the limited means then at its disposal for this purpose,
threatened to seriously embarrass the society and dis-
perse the band of scientists who had collected and
were working under the auspices of that in.stitution.
In 1866, through the instrumentality of Mr. Fran-
cis Peabody, at the time president of the Essex Insti-
tute, the existing condition of affairs with these insti-
tutions was brought to the attention of Mr. George
Peabody, of London. After a very careful considera-
tion of the matter, both on the part of Mr. Peabody
and those interested in the institutions here, a general
understanding was arrived at, and ou February 26,
1867, Mr. George Peabody generously placed in the
hands of several gentlemen the sum of one hundred
and forty thousand dollars, " for the promotion of
.science and useful knowledge in Essex County," to
be expended in a manner indicated by a letter of trust
and as understood between himself and the trustees
named, and who, on Saturday, March 2, 1867, or-
ganized as the "Trustees of the Peabody Academy
of Science," with Mr. Francis Peabody as president.
The East India Marine Hall property was purchased
and the large exhibition-room was refitted for museum
])urp()ses with a special portion of the fund, according
to the request of the donor. The museum of the East
India Marine Society and the natural history and eth-
nological collections of the Essex Institute were then
placed in the hands of the academy trustees as per-
manent deposits. These were arranged in East India
Marine Hall, which was dedicated August 19, 1869,
and opened to the public, the act of incorporation, ap-
proved April 13, 1868, having passed both branches
of the Legislature.
Thus, through the instructions of the founder, the
work of the institution was clearly indicated, and,
although the funds were given for the benefit of the
citizens of the county, the directions as to the pur-
chase of the East India Marine Hall property and
the agreements with the societies depositing their col-
lections definitely located the institution in Salem,
where its work must be conducted.
It has been the effort of the trustees to carry out
Mr. Pcabody's wishes by managing the affairs of the
institution on as broad a plan as the income from the
funds will permit. The museum, to which very large
additions have been made by the trustees since 1867,
through exchange, purchase and by gift, is arranged
as an easy object-lesson in natural history. All the
specimens in the cases are labelled clearly, larger
cards and signs being placed to indicate the groups of
the animals or minerals and the divisions of the eth-
nological collections. By this means the difficult
problem of a catalogue for the use of visitors is
avoided. This system is with the trustees a necessity,
as the visitors to the museum number upwards of forty
thousand annually, and are, with very few exceptions,
persons without any scientific training whatever, and,
in order that the museum shall be of any benefit to
them and furnish them with instruction, the arrange-
ment of the collections must at once be made simple
and attractive. The office of the academy is ever
open to any one who may desire to make inquiries as
to the nature of any rock, animal or plant, or, in fact,
anything coming under the general head of science.
All such inquiries are answered as far as possible, and,
at least, the inquirer is directed where he may gain
the information he seeks. In 1876 a summer school
of biology was established by the trustees, which was
conducted for .«ix seasons, and only discontinued when
it was found that very few persons from Essex County
cared to avail themselves of its instruction, nearly all
the students coming from the Western States. Dur-
ing the continuance of the school, lectures were given
and laboratory work conducted by well-known special-
ists in all branches of natural history. In addition
to this work, special students have been received at
the academy and classes in various branches of natu-
ral history are from time to time conducted, and,
since the completion of the addition to the building
and the opening of Academy Hall, public lectures
have been given by men of acknowledged scientific
attainments at such hours and at a rate of admission
so low as to come within the reach of all. Of scien-
tific memoirs the academy has published two volumes,
chiefly of original researches by the officers of the
academy, and, in addition, nineteen annual reports,
several of which include scientific papers, have been
issued. By a system of exchange, a large library of
the publications of similar institutions, both of this
country and abroad, has been brought together.
The officers of the academy at the present time are :
Trustees, — William C. Endicott, President ; Henry
Wheatland, Vice-President ; Abner C. Goodell, Jr.,
Secretary; all of Salem; James R. Nichols of Haver-
hill, George Peabody Russell of England, S. Endicott
Peabody of Salem, George Cogswell of Bradford, .lohn
Robinson of Salem, Treasurer. The last three named
have been chosen to fill vacancies caused by the deaths
of Mr. Francis Peabody and Dr. Henry C. Perkins
and the resiguation of Prof. Asa Gray.
SALEM.
179
The first director under the trustees was Professor
Frederick Ward Putnam, now of Cambridge, who was
followed in 1876 by Dr. AlpheusS. Packard, Professor
in Brown University, and, in 1880, by the present di-
rector. Prof. Edward S. Jlorse.
The museum and a.ssistants there employed are in
charge of the Treasurer, Mr. Robinson. The museum
is open free to the public every week day from 9 to 5
o'clock, and, pending the completion of the new ex-
hibition room in the addition to the main building, as
at present arranged in East India Marine Hall, it con-
tains, on the western side of the main floor, an educa-
tional collection illustrating the orders of the animal
kingdom, arranged in their proper sequence, from the
lowest forms to the highest. This collection was
chiefly derived from the Essex Institute in tlio year
1867.
On the eastern side are arranged the Ethnological
collections, principally received from the East India
Marine Society, which are subdivided according to
races or countries. This collection ranks among
the very highest in importance in America. It is
especially rich in South Sea Island implements, cloths,
models, idols, domestic utensils, etc., and Chinese,
Japanese, and East Indian life-size models of native
characters, besides the boats, clothing, utensils, imple-
ments of war and of domestic use from these coun-
tries, and from Africa, Arabia, and North and South
America. The collection from Japan is very fine,
having been formed by the director during his la.st
visit to that country. A collection from Korea and
another illustrating the Indian Tribes of North
America, have just been added to the museum.
The gallery is devoted to the Natural History and
Archaeology of Essex County. Nearly all of the spe-
cies of the flora and fauna are represented by pre-
served specimens; the collection of birds and that of
native woods being especially fine. The academy has,
also, the best local collection of prehistoric implements
and utensils of stone, bone and clay to be found in
Essex County.
An educational collection of minerals has recently
been arranged in the central gallery case.
Academy Hall, previously referred to, is on the
lower floor of the fire-proof addition to the East India
Marine Hall building. It has a pleasant audience-
room with a seating capacity for three hundred and
fifty persons, and is well ventilated and tastefully
decorated. The hall was arranged primarily for the
use of the academy, but, having a separate public
entrance, it is rented for .such other purposes as are
deemed suitable by the trustees.
The Salem Lyceum was founded in the month of
January, 1830, " for the purpose of mutual instruction
and ration al entertainment by means of lectures,
&c." The persons engaged in this formation were
among the principal gentlemen of the town. The
first meeting was held at the house of Colonel Francis
Peabody, on January 4, 18.30 ; a meeting was subse-
quently held in Town Hall, where a committee was
appointed " to prepare a constitution and submit the
same for inspection to the citizens of Salem."
On the evening of .January l.S, 18:W, a meeting
was held at the Essex House, and a formal organiza-
tion was ertected by the choice of Daniel A. White,
president; Stephen C. Phillips, vice-president;
Charles W. Uphara, corresponding Secretary ; Stephen
P. Webb, recording secretary ; Francis Peabody,
treasurer, and a board of ten managers which in-
cluded the names of Rufus C'hoate, Leverelt Salton-
stall and Caleb Foote.
In the original plan a series of public debates was
contemplated, but this intention was never carried
out. A course of lectures was, however, started at
once, and in the first course all but four were de-
livered by gentlemen of Salem. The lectures were
first giveu in the Methodist meeting house on Sewall
Street, and afterwards in the Universalist meeting-
house. But duriug the summer of 1830 plans were
adopted for the construction of the present Lyceum
Hall, which was built and ready for occupancy in
January, 1831, at a cost of $3036, the land upon
which it was erected costing seven hundred and fifty
dollars.
For over half a century an annual course of lectures
has been delivered before the Salem Lyceum, and
during a portion of that time the demand for tickets
has so far exceeded the seating capacity of the hall that
a duplicate course has been given — geutlemen's tickets
at the outset were sold for one dollar, and ladies'
tickets for seventy-five cents ; but it was not consid-
ered proper for ladies to purchase tickets unless " in-
troduced" by a gentleman, and the tickets issued to
them ran as follows : "Admit to the Salem Lyceum
a Lady introduced by ." In the changes
which fifty years have brought about, ladies not only
purchase tickets on equal terms with gentlemen, but
appear upon the platform as lecturers, without ques-
tion or comment.
Nearly a thousand lectures have been delivered be-
fore the Lyceum, and it is doubtful if any other in-
stitutiou in the country could present such a distin-
guished list. Judge Daniel A. White delivered the
first lecture, his subject being " Advantages of Knowl-
edge," and the list of lecturers includessuch names as
Daniel Webster, Rufus Choate, Edward Everett, John
Quincy Adams, Caleb Cushing, Charles Sumner,
Henry Wilson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wen-
dell Holmes, Wendell Phillips, Louis Agassiz, George
Bancroft, Charles Francis Adams, Horace Mann,
Jared Sparks and Robert C. Wiiithrop. Among the
Salem lecturers were Judge Daniel A. White, Francis
Peabody, Rufus Choate, Thomas Spencer, Stephen C.
Phillips, Henry Colman, Henry K. Oliver, Charles
W. Upham, Leverett Saltonstall, Joshua H. Ward,
Caleb Foote and George B. Loring. Rali)h Waldo
Emerson lectured in thirty-two diflcrent courses.
180
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY. MASSACHUSETTS.
His firat lecture was given in 183.5, and his last in
1870.
The Lyceum can no longer offer such attractions to
its patrons. The public taste has changed, and de-
mands amusement rather than instruction in such a
form. The purely literary lecture as a source of
general entertainment is almost a thing of the past.
The small cost of the cheap editions of the books of
the present day which enables an author to address a
larger audience at le-s inconvenience to himself, may
have something to do witb this change. Whether
this be so or not the interest in the Lyceum lectures
has not been maintained of late years, and the time
may not be far distant when it will be deemed ad-
visable to bring the affairs of this old time institution
to a close.
The board of officers at present consists of President,
George B. Loring ; Secretary, Charles S. Osgood ;
Treasurer, Gilbert L. Streeter. Trustees, George
Peabody and Caleb Foote, and a board of eight man-
agers.
.Salem Fraternity. — On the 7th of February,
1869, Mr. Alfred Stone, of Providence, formerly a
resident of Salem, by invitation addressed a meeting
at the East Church, explaining the working of the
Providence Union. The next evening a few persons
came together in the parlor of Benjamin H. Silsbee,
Esq., to confer upon the matter further. Other meet-
ings followed at the same place, and resulted in the
formation of the Salem Fraternity, under a constitu-
tion which states the purpose of the organization to
be "to provide evening instruction and amusement"
for such of our population as " being confined to
their work during the day need recreation at the
close of their labors."
The experiment fairly began on the 21st of April,
1869, on which evening the western range of rooms
on the second floor of Downing's Block, 175 Essex
Street, was opened for the purpose from front to
rear. The place was well chosen ; central, accessible,
attractive in its principal rooms, while the thorough-
fare of the Essex Street promenaders led directly past
its door. The rooms were designated as amusement,
reading, school and work-rooms.
A year and a half after its opening a winter course
of lectures was started. On Saturday evenings the
games and amusement were suspended, and their
room was taken for this object. Gen. H. K. Oliver
gave the first lecture on Saturday evening, October
22, 1870, subject " Good Manners." These lectures
were continued on successive Saturday evenings for
several years with great success, interspersed with
familiar talks upon different mechanical trades and
various industries by practical workers in them.
The Young Men's Union was organized in 1855,
and was for many years a flourishing institution. It
maintained a reading-room, and each season a course
of lectures and entertainments was given under its
auspices, but, failing to maintain its membership, it
was dissolved some four or five years ago.
Salem Charitable Mechanic Association. —
Organized October 1, 1817; incorporated June 4,
1822 ; consists of regular apprenticed mechanics and
of manufacturers, citizens of the city of Salem and
vicinity. Its object is to extend the means of use-
fulness b.y encouraging the ingenious, by assisting the
necessitous, and by promoting mutual good offices
with each other.
A donation of books from Mr. Oliver Parsons, in
April, 1820, laid the foundation of the library be-
longing to this institution. A committee was then
appointed to solicit contributions, and in July of that
year the number of volumes amounted to three hun-
dred. In January, 1821, Mr. Benjamin Pickman pre-
sented a complete set of Rees' Cyclopaedia. From this
time the library has annually increased by donations
and special appropriations, and at present numbers
five thousand one hundred and twenty-five volumes.
It is deposited in the middle eastern room under the
Mechanic Hall, and is opened on Saturday evenings
for the delivery of books. This institution early
adopted the plan of having popular lectures on liter-
ature and science delivered to the members and their
families. The first lecture was delivered by Dr.
George Choate on Thursday evening, January 24,
1828, in Franklin Hall. These lectures were contin-
ued weekly, usually on Thursday evenings, during the
winter season, for about thirty-eight years. They
have since been delivered in their rooms, Derby
Square, then Washington Hall, Lyceum Hall and
Mechanic's Hall.
This association was instrumental in the building
of Mechanics' Hall, in 1839. A stock company was
incorporated for this purpose, in which the association
invested a portion of its funds, the remainder of the
stock being taken by the Salem Lyceum and the
members and friends of the association. In 1870 it
was enlarged and entirely remodelled, in its present
condition.
In September, 1849, its first meeting was held in
the above-named building. It was very successful
and creditable to the Board of Managers and all who
were interested in its success.
The fir.st exhibition under the auspices of the gov-
ernment of the association was held at the Mechanic's
Hall, Salem, commencing on Monday September 24,
1849. A good representation of the products of our
varied industries was arranged upon the tables mak-
ing a very creditable appearance. Forty-four medals
and fifty-two diplomas were awarded by the judges.
Odd Fellowship.' — The exact date of the origin
of Odd Fellowship in Massachusetts is not known.
The first lodge, self-instituted and without a charter,
held its sessions in Boston. No records of its early
meetings were preserved. On the 26th of March,
1 By Daniel B. Hagar.
SALEM.
181
1S20, it was organized by the choice of officers, the
arloption ol" a name, and of laws for its government,
anil the commencement of a record of its proceedings.
It was instituted under the name of Massachusetts
Lodge, No. 1. On the 11th of March, 1823, Siloara
Lodge, No. 2, was instituted. On the 28th of March,
Ma.ssachusetts Lodge wrote fo the Grand Lodge of
Maryland, recognizing it as the Grand Lodge of the
order in the United i^tates, and asking for a charter
to be granted to it as the Grand Lodge of Massachu-
setts. The request was granted, and the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts was duly organized June 9,
1823.
The growth of the order in Massachusetts was not
rapid, and after a few years it became nearly e.xtinct.
Prior to 1832 seven lodges had been instituted, all of
which had at that time ceased to exist, Merrimac
Lodge, No. 7, being the last to give up. The Grand
Lodge of the State died with the subordinate
lodges. In 1883 Merrimac Lodge was revived,
and was placed under the jurisdiction of the
Grand Lodge of the L^nited States. On the 22d of
June, 1841, Massachusetts Lodge, No. l,was reorgan-
ized. By request of these two lodges, the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts was reinstated December 23,
1841. From this time the growth of the order was
encouraging. Within two years the number of
lodges increased to twenty-five. Between 1850' and
1860 there was a period of declension in the pros-
perity of the order in Massachusetts. Since 18G0 the
order has rapidly grown in numbers and influence,
nntil it has come to be recognized as the leading ben-
eficial order in the commonwealth. The present
number of lodges is one hundred and ninety-one; the
number of members, according to the last report,
August, 1887, is thirty-four thousand six hundred
and sixty-two.
The organization of the order includes the Grand
Lodge, the Subordinate Lodges, the Grand Encamp-
ment, Subordinate Encampments, Cantons of Patri-
archs Militant, and Lodges of the Daughters of Re-
bckah.
Essex Lodge, ^"o. 26.— On the 20th of October,
1843, the first step was taken towards establishing a
lodge of Odd Fellows in Salem. Adrien Low, G. D.
Lyons, William Durant, Thomas Harvey and C. C.
Hayden met at the house of Mr. Low, and, after de-
liberation, determined to apply to the Grand Lodge
for a charter for Essex Lodge, No. 26, I. 0. O. F.
The charter was granted, and on the evening of No-
vember 6, 1843, the grand officers duly instituted the
lodge and installed its officers. The officers were, —
N. G., Thomas Durant; V. G., C. C. Hayden ; Secre-
tary, George Russell ; Treasurer, Adrien Low ; W.,
W. Merrill; C., B. F. Steadman ; L G., T. E. Page;
R. 8. N. G., T. Harvey ; L. S. N. G., J. Kimball ; R.
S. V. G., N. Goldsmith ; L. S. V. G., W. Saunders ;
R. S. S., W. R. Allen ; L. S. S., I. T. Kimball ; Chap.,
I. P. Atkinson.
The lodge at once entered upon a very prosperous
career.
At the close of the year 1844, it numbered one
hundred and thirty-four members, and January 1,
1849, five years and two months from its organization,
it numbered three hundred and fifty-seven mem-
bers. The whole number of members from its forma-
tion to the present time is nine hundred and twenty-
five ; of these one hundred and thirty-seven have died.
The present number is three hundred and eighty-
seven. A large number of members have withdrawn
from Essex Lodge to aid in establishing other lodges.
It furnished three of the five charter members of
Atlantic Lodge, four of the five for Ocean Lodge,
and four of the five for Holton Lodge. For the or-
ganization of Fraternity Lodge, it gave forty-three
members ; for Bass River Lodge, thirty-one ; for
Magnolia Lodge, twenty-seven; for Danvers Lodge,
eleven. Essex Lodge has furnished in part the mem-
bership of some fifteen lodges.
Since its organization the lodge has paid in weeklj'
benefits to the sick, $26,580.87 ; in funeral benefits,
$.")826.10; in other charities, $3366.39; total, $35,-
773.36. This amount does not include frequent pri-
vate subscriptions not entered on the lodge books.
The lodge has a trust fund of over $15,000, which
is at present under the chargeof three trustees, Rufus
B. Giftbrd, Daniel B. Hagar and Charles H. Kczar.
The membership of the lodge has included men of
every profession and almost every occupation ; many
of whom have held prominent positions in city and
State and in the high ranks of Odd Fellowship. One
of its members, Levi F. Warren, has been Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and
one, Rufus B. Gilford, has been Grand Patriarch of
the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts, and Grand
Representative to the Sovereign Lodge of the United
States.
The Noble Grands of Essex Lodge, in their order
of service, have been : William Durant, C.C. Hayden,
James Kimball, Thomas Harvey, Adrien Low, War-
ren G. Rayner, Joseph A. Goldthwait, Richard Lind-
ley, Thomas H. Lefavour, George Russell, Henry Lus-
comb, Benjamin S. Grush, John W. Rhoades, Walter
S. Harris, Hale Hildreth, Charles E. Symonds, Alvah
A. Evans, Joshua W. Moulton, Simeon Flint, Enoch
K. Noyes, Robert P. Clough, E. B. Phillips, Willis
S. Knowlton, Samuel B. Foster, George C. S. Choate,
Benjamin S. Boardman, Charles B. Luscomb, Charles
H. Manning, Samuel Fuller, Rufus B. Gilford, George
W. Kingsley, Thomas Oakes, Walter Norris, James
M. Brown, John R. Norfolk, Jonathan S. Symonds,
Joseph Beadle, Edwin Verry, Joseph A. Kimball,
Moses H. Sibley, Seth S. Currier, Joseph Swasey,
Albert Day, Benjamin Edwards, I/Ovi F. Warren,
John White, William Holland, CUiarles Adams, Elea-
zer Hathaway, Richard N. Knight, Edward E. Dal-
ton, James Donaldson, William P. Hayward, Natha-
niel M. Jackman, John S. Wardwell, Jr., Perry Col-
182
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
lier, George M. Harris, Aaron C. Young, George H.
Blinn, John F. Staniford, Joseph Batchelder, John
H. Russell, Henry Conant, William D. Dennis, Wil-
liam R. Tebbetts, Aaron J. Patch, William O. Arnold,
Charles Babbidge, John Wilson, William P. Poiis-
land, George M. Gallup, Charles C. Roades, Charles
B. Trumbull, Joseph N. Petersen, John E. Kimball,
John E. Matthews, Frank Cousins, Benjamin A.
Touret, David B. Kimball, Clarence Hayward,
Howard C. Kimball, Amos J. Vincent, Robert E.
Hill, Daniel B. Hagar, Arthur S. Palfray, George Z.
Goodell, Warren B. Perkins, A. L.. Burnham, An-
drew J. Wilson.
The Secretaries have been : George Russell, James
C. Briggs, Samuel B. Buttrick, Amory Holbrook,
Jonathan F. Worcester, Israel D. Shepard, John G.
Willis, Joseph Farnham, Franklin Grant, Benjamin
S. Boardman, Charles E. Symonds, Charles B. Lus-
comb, John W. Moulton and E. B. Phillips; the last
named has been secretary since 1858.
The Treasurers have been : Adrien Low, Nathaniel
Goldsmith, James Harris, E. B. Symonds, Samuel
Smith, John Beadle, Jr., Rodney C. Fletcher, Robert
P. Clough, Volney C. Stow, George C. S. Choate,
James M. Brown, John J. Ashby, Andrew H. Lord,
Charles H. Norris, John P. Langmaid, William P.
Hayward and John Wilson.
The present chief officers of the lodge are : N. G.,
A. J. Wilson; V. G., E. A. Reed; Secretary, E. B.
Phillips; Treasurer, John Wilson.
Fraternity Lodge, No. 118, was instituted November
13, 1847, at Lynde Hall. The charter under which
the lodge exists is signed by Rev. Dr. E. H. Chapin,
at that time Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Massachusetts. Of the Board of Grand Officers that
instituted the lodge. Judge W. E. Palmenter, now
chief-justice of the Municipal Court of Suflblk County,
is the only survivor.
The charter members were James Kimball, Adrien
Low, Stephen AVhittemore, Jr., T. H. Lefavour,
George Russell, AVilliam Lummus, Jesse Smith, S. B.
Buttrick, Ephraim Annible, William Saunders, B. R.
White, Gardner Barton, John Barlow, Joseph Hunt,
James Harris, Jr., Nathaniel Wiggin, Alexander
McCloy, C. B. Elwell, Alva Kendall, John Lovejoy,
John G. Willis, Franklin Grant, William Brown,
Joseph Farnuni, S. O. Dalrymple, Jonathan Perley,
George W. Pease, Jonathan F. Worcester and D. C.
Haskell.
The first board of officers were James Kimball,
N. G. ; Stephen Whittemore, V. G. ; Jonathan F.
Worcester, Sec. ; Thomas H. Lefavour, Treas. ; Frank-
lin Grant, W. ; William Brown, C ; John Lovejoy,
L G. ; E. Annible, 0. G.; Joseph Farnum, R.S. N. G.;
S. O. Dalrymple, L. S. N. G. ; C. B. Elwell, R. S. V. G. ;
Alva Kendall, L. S. V. G. ; Jonathan Perley, R. S. S. ;
George W. Pease, L. S. S.; Trustees, S. B. Buttrick,
Jesse Smith and James Harris, Jr.
These brothers were all active members of the
order : Messrs. Kimball, Low, Whittemore, Lefavour
and Russell having been at the head of Essex Lodge, of
Salem, and many others having held other positions
in that lodge.
The lodge inaugurated an entirely new arrange-
ment of the system of dues and benefits. The Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts endorsed and especially com-
mended the system of Fraternity Lodge, and it has
been substantially adopted by all Odd-Fellows' Lodges
in the country.
Of the twenty-nine original members, nine are now
living (July 1, 1887), and in active membership, hav-
ing held continuous membership more than forty
years; all the other charter members are dead.
The Noble Grands of this Lodge, in regular order,
have been James Kimball, Stephen Whittemore,
Jr., Joseph Farnum, Jonathan F. Worcester, Benja-
min Whittemore, I. D. Shepard, George H. Pearson,
Jonathan Perley, S. 0. Dalrymple, William Brown,
H. E. Jocelyn, H. E. Meloney, Alva Kendall, E. C.
Webster, William B. Brown, F. H. Lefavour, C. B.
Elwell, Charles Estes, William B. Ashton, John R.
Smith, N. A. Horton, George L. Upton, Joseph J.
Rider, T. H Lefavour, William M. Hill, Richard
Harrington, T. M. Dix, W. H. Caulfield, C. D. Stiles,
Charles Odell, A. J. Lowd, J. W. Averell, Joseph L.
Lougee, C. H. Ingalls, Edward F. Brown, T. B.
Nichols, N. A. Very, R. W. Reeves, G. C. Fernald,
John P. Tilton, J. A. Hill, William Harmon, Charles
B. Fowler, B. L. Morrill, B. M. Kenney, George H.
Hill, Jesse Robbins, W. D. Gardner, W. G. Ham-
mond, Samuel C. Beane, A. J. Tibbets, W. L. Welch,
Charles Phelps, James A. Evans, J. R. Lambirth, W.
A.Upton, F. A. Newell, C. H. Harwood, David Allen,
William Meade, Joseph A. Sibley, E. W. Woodman,
I. G. Taylor, Edward Mitchell, John M. Raymond,
E. 0. Richards, W. S. Nevins, A. B. Fowler, A. W.
Batchelder, H. C. Strout, George W. Burnham, J. D.
H. Gaus, George Putney, Fred. Tibbets.
• The secretaries, in regular order, have been Jona-
than F. Worcester, Richard Gardner, I. D. Shepard,
Daniel T. Smith, William Archer, Jr., H. E. Meloney,
Joseph J. Rider, T. H. Lefavour, N. A. Horton, Wil-
liam M. Hill, Joseph L. Lougee, C. H. Ingalls, J. P.
Tilton, C. B. Fowler, J. W. Averell, J. A. Hill, A. J.
Lowd.
The treasurers have been T. H. Lefavour, I. D.
Shepard, A. B. Keith, James A. Wallis, George R.
Buffum, T. M. Dix, Joseph Farnum, Joseph L.
Lougee.
The present trustees of funds are William M. Hill,
George Russell, N. A. Very, C. B. Fowler, E. F.
Brown.
The present number of members is three hundred
and twenty; fifty-nine members have died. The
lodge has paid for relief of members, $12,544.67; for
burial of the dead, $2640; for other charitable pur-
poses, $2376. The lodge has remaining a large fund
for relief.
SALEM.
183
An examination of the list of members of tliis
liiflge, in its forty years of history, shows that its
members have been among the most prominent citi-
zens of Salera. Two have filled the position of mayor
of the city, thirteen have served as aldermen, five
have served as president of the Common Council,
sixty-four as members of the Common Council, and
others in many prnniinent public positions in State,
county and municipal affairs.
In the order itself the members of this lodge have
been highly honored. Nathaniel A. Very has served
as Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of
Massachusetts, and William M. Hill has served as
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of JIassachusetts;
and other members have filled many important posi-
tions in the Grand Encampment and the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts.
yaumteag Encampment, No. 1.3, /. 0. 0. F. — The
Naumkeag Encampment was organized June 26,
1845. Its members are connected with various sub-
ordinate lodges including Essex, Fraternity, Holton,
Bass Eiver, Agawam, Ocean, Hoekomoco, Asylum,
Me., and Boston. The large majority of the members
belong to Essex and Fraternity Lodges. The present
number of members is three hundred and fifteen.
Fifty-three of its members have died.
Its first officers were: C. P., William Archer, Jr.;
H. P., Benjamin H. Grush; S. W., Israel D. Shepard;
J. W., John C. Howard; Secretary, Samuel B. Foster;
Treasurer, William Saunders, Jr.
The present officers are: C. P., William A. Saun-
ders; H. P., C. C. Rhoades; S. W., Andrew J. Wil-
son; J. W., Edward N. Reed; Secretary, E. B.
Phillips; Treasurer, J. Archer Hill. The trustees of
its fund are Samuel A. Potter, Aaron C. Young and
James Buxton.
The Chief Patriarchs, in the order of their service,
have been: William Archer, Jr., Samuel B. Foster,
Franklin Grant, John C. Howard, Walter S. Harris,
James Kimball, Jonathan Perley, Jr., Jefford M.
Decker, Stephen Whitmore, Joseph Farnum, Jr.,
John White, Robert P. Clough, James H. Conway,
Edward C. Webster, Alva A. Evans, E. B. Phillips,
Isaac Young, Simeon Flint, Andrew H. Lord, Rufus
B. GifTord, Nicholas Woodbury, John E. Smith, An-
drew F. Wales, B. W. Standley, Richard L. Woodfin,
Thomas Cakes, William A. Foster, John R. Norfolk,
Joseph J. Rider, Thomas W. Webber, George M.
Hildreth, Moses H. Sibley, Joseph Swasey, Simon
Lamprell, John E. Davis, Daniel F. Staten, Eleazer
Giles, Caleb Prentiss, Jr., Ezra Stanley, John Conway,
Jr., William M. Smith, T. D. Hanuers, N. A. Very,
Abram A. Fiske, Charles H. Ingalls, Charles F. Wil-
kins, Charles B. Fowler, Andrew J. Tibbetts, Aaron
C. Y'oung, George H. Blinn, Jr., William D. Gardner,
William O. Arnold, James W. Averell, Joseph N.
Peterson, N. M. Jackman, George M. Harris, Frank
Cousins,S. A^ugustusStodder, Wesley K. Bell, Edward
F. Brown, F. A. Newell, Albert Day, Jr., John Wil-
son, George W. Ingalls, William E. Mead, Andrew J.
Lord, George W. Grant, Fred. J. GifJbrd, Arthur S.
Palfray, Arthur R. Millett, C. D. Bliss, J. O. Buxton,
Robert E. Hill, A. J. Vincent, J. K. Saunders.
Salem Encampment, No. 11, /. 0. 0. F. — The Salem
Encampment was organized January 1, 1884, with
fifty-eight charter members. Since that time fifty-
eight members have been initiated, making the total
number one hundred and sixteen. Of these, one has
died and one has been dropped, leaving the present
number one hundred and fourteen.
The Chief Patriarchs, in- the order of service, have
been : William E. Mead, George Millett, John M.
Raymond, Otis Buruham, I. G. Taylor, W. P. Pouss-
land, W. H. Dayton, E. M. Carpenter.
The present leading officers are: C. P., E. M. Car-
penter; H. P., J. F. Lovejoy; S. W., A. M. Batch-
elder; J. W., W. L. Nevens; Secretary, A. J. Lowd ;
Treasurer, W. I). Dennis.
This Encampment pays for sick benefits one dollar
per week ; for funeral benefits, fifty dollars.
Union Lodge, Daughters of jRebeiah, Ko. 11, /. 0.
0. F. — Union Lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah
was instituted April 12, 1870. Sixty-nine charter
membei-s were present at its first meeting, mostly
from Essex Lodge.
Its first officers w-ere, N. G., Eleazer Hathaway ;
V. G., Eliza A. Ingalls; Recording Secretary, Charles
H. Ingalls; Permanent Secretary, Sarah H. Baker;
Treasurer, Margaret J. Robin.son.
The present membership consists of seventy-nine
brothers and ninety-two sisters.
The present officers are, N. G., Amos J. Vincent ;
V. G., Eliza A. Ingalls ; Recording Secretary, E. B.
Phillips; Permanent Secretary, Lulu H. Graham;
Treasurer, Lydia A. Tyler.
Patriarchs Mititant, I. 0. 0. J!— Canton Unity, No.
5, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., was instituted
.lanuary 6, 1883, as Unity Uniformed Degree Camp,
No. 5, with twenty-seven charter members. The offi-
cers installed were, Commander, George H. Blinn ;
Vice-Commander, Walter J. Norris ; Officer of the
Guard, William O. Arnold ; Secretary, John Wilson ;
Treasurer, Samuel A. Potter. Among the charter
members were Nathaniel A. Very, Past Grand Rep-
resentative, and William M. Hill, then Mayor of
Salem.
The camp grew' in a short time to one hundred and
thirty-five members, taking its membership from Sa-
lem, Beverly, Ipswich, Gloucester, Danvers, Peabody,
Marblehead and Lynn.
On the 12th of February, 1886, Unity Camp was
merged into a canton, taking the nanieCirand Canton
Unity, No. 5, P. M., I. O. O. F. It consisted of three
component cantons, numbered 13, 14 and 15. The
ofilcers of the new organization were :
No. 13. Captain and Commandant. Arthur S. Pal-
fray ; Lieutenant, Charles F. Wilkins; Ensign, Chas.
D. Bliss.
18-i
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
No. 14. Captain, William W. Pinder; Lieutenant,
Charles W. Wallis; Ensign, George O. Tarbox.
No. 15. Captain, John Karcher; Lieutenant, Wil-
liam E. Luscomb ; Ensign, Horace A. Roberts.
Clerk of Grand Canton, John Wilson; Accountant,
Samuel A. Potter.
The canton made a creditable appearance in the
parade on the 22d of September, 1886, given in hon-
or of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, at Boston. It
turned out the largest number of any canton in the line.
Many of the most prominent men of Essex County
are members of the canton.
Its present officers are :
No. 13. Captain and Commandant, Fred. J. Gif-
ford, of Salem ; Lieutenant, George H. Stickuey, of
Salem ; Ensign, A. S. Edwards, of Beverly.
No. 14. Captain, Arthur R. Millett, of Salem;
Lieutenant, W. G. Hussey, of Salem ; Ensign, Ed-
ward N. Reed, of Salem.
No. 15. Captain, John E. Graham, of Salem ; Lieu-
tenant, John O. Buxton, of Peabody ; Ensign, Joseph
C. Shepherd, of Gloucester; Clerk, John WHson ;
Accountant, Henry C. Millett. Cantons pay no ben-
efits, its objects being social.
Odd Fellows' Burial- Ground. — A joint committee
consisting of Brothers Walter H. Harris, Alvah A.
Evans and Nathaniel M. Jaekman, of Essex Lodge,
and Brothers G. C. Fernald, William M. Hill and
Nathaniel A. Very, of Fraternity Lodge, purchased
eight lots in what was then known as the Orne Street
Cemetery, since called Green Lawn Cemetery. The
price paid was $218.40, each lodge paying one-half
that amount.
This purchase was made in August, 1868. In 1871
the sum of two hundred dollars was expended in
grading these lots into one large lot, and putting it
into a good condition. A monument was erected
upon the lot in 1884, at the cost of eleven hundred
and twenty-five dollars. The fund for the erection
of this monument was donated by Naumkeag En-
campment, the same being a part of the proceeds of
a fair held by that encampment.
The monument is of granite and consists of a base
and sub-base of hammered stone, a square stone upon
whose several faces are the memorial inscriptions, an
octagonal stone embellished with emblems of the
Order, a polished column, around which is twined a
vine of leaves, and upon its summit a polished globe.
It is four feet five inches square at the base, and is
thirteen feet high.
The lot is under the care of a joint committee, con-
sisting of three brothers from each lodge.
Up to the present time, there have been fifteen in-
terments in the lot ; five bodies have been removed
to other lots, leaving at present ten graves, four of
which represent an entire family — father, mother and
two children ; one is that of a brother of a lodge in a
distant part of the State ; the remainder are those of
brothers belonging to the Salem Lodges.
CHAPTER XI.
SALEM — ( Continued).
MIILITARY HISTORY.
BY CHARLES A. BENJAMIN.
Unlike many cities of equal historic importance,
Salem is fortunate in her inability to point to a record
of battles fought within her limits or sieges sustained
by her. No turreted walls have enclosed her, nor,
with one exception, since the precautions takeu in the
earliest life of the infant settlement, have her streets
been watched by sentinels or, except in peaceful
parade, echoed to the tread of armed men or rumble
of artillery. As her name imports, she has indeed
been a city of peace, and her citizens for nearly two
centuries, have, withinherborders, enjoyed immunity
from the scourge of war. Her fame rests upon the
success of her people in the paths of commerce and
manufacture ; their devotion to science and art and
a charity and large-heartedness that, accompany-
ing wealth, have prevented want and made her ever
the abode of comfort and plenty. But although thus
given to peaceful pursuits and preserved in herself
from the devastation and ruin of war, this by no
means implies that Salem has not indirectly sufi'ered
from its efl'ects, or that her men have been slow to re-
spond to the demands of their country upon their pa-
triotism and courage ; for they have manfully borne
their full part in the wars of the nation, and sus-
tained its honor and that of their native town on all
occasions. In every Indian skirmish, and on every
smoke-wreathed field known in our history, from the
taking of "Sassacus his fort" to Bunker Hill and
Gettysburg, or fighting their guns on the ocean in
all latitudes, have stood the men of Salem, patriotic,
brave and enduring. Their blood has wet the sod
from tlie chapparal of Mexico to the sliores of the
great lakes, and their shattered bones lie fathoms
deep in every sea.
This, then, is the military history of Salem — not
that of a Saragossa or Leipsic, shaken in her own
territory with the thunder of cannon, the crash of
failing walls, and the groans of the wounded and dy-
ing— but steadfastly enduring in almost every cycle of
her existence the departure of numbers of her best
and bravest, and keeping green the memory of those
who never returned, with tears, but in great honor
and gratitude.
Within the limited space necessarily given in a coun-
ty history to a monograph of this character, it is impos-
sible to render full justice to all those whose services
constitute the military record of the city, and if any
for themselves or their ancestors or kindred shall feel
neglected in this particular, their indulgence is re-
quested on this account, and because of the sometimes
scanty sources of information existing, with relation
SALEM.
185
to the connection of individuals with the warlike
events of our history.
The first settlers of Salem, in common with their
neighbors, landing in the wilderness and surrounded
by a race of savages not numerous, but singularly ac-
tive and enterprising, to whose keen, though unaiught
comprehension, their habits appeared objectionable
and their civilization a menace, soon found that a
conciliatory attitude was ineffectual to remove the
suspicions of the Indians and enable the colonists to
rely upon their good faith. The Indian, once fairly
committed to a friendship upon a sound basis, may be
expected to keep his engagements, and is a .steadfast
ally. When, however, as has usually been the case
in our history, treaties and alliances were forced
upon him as the weaker party, he fully realized the
moral weakness of these compacts, and felt justified
by his simple code of ethics in evading them upon
the least sign of bad faith on the other side, or by
simple treachery, followed by such violent eflbrts to
as far as possible restore the proper equality of num-
bers between himself and his antagonist, as made the
Indian wars extremely destructive and cruel.
Our ancestors therefore found it essential to their
continuance here, to organize for defense. At the
meeting of the Court of Assistants in September,
1630, the first step was taken in this direction by the
appointment of Captains Underbill and Patrick,
doubtless old English soldiers, as military instruct-
ors (probably charged also with the early organiza-
tion of the forces), and an assessment was levied
upon the various settlements for their mainteuance.
Salem's share toward this comfortable billet for these
old veterans was three pounds.
In the following April the same authority di-
rected that the companies should be drilled by their
officers on each Saturday : Captain Underbill or
Patrick no doubt superintended the operation, and
with the latitude presumably allowed to the military
hope of the pious colonists, were doubtless some-
times permitted to be well sustained with strong
waters and to swear freely at both officers and men,
after the fashion of military instructors in all ages.
Every man was at this time required to bear arms,
and the colony seemed to be establishing itself on a
sound military basis. Several cannon were brought
to Salem about this time.
In August of the same year (1631), a considerable
hostile body of Tarrentines or Eastern Indians,— pro-
bably from Maine, — made their appearance in the
vicinity of Salem, and caused much alarm to the set-
tlers, as they were reputed to be puissant in warfare
with the unpleasant habit of eating their captives.
The people, however, fell in at once, and dragging
out their six pounders, discharged them into the
woods in the supposed direction of the enemy:
whereat the Tarrentines, being unaccustomed to the
sound of heavy ordnance, and apparently finding it
disagreeable, took themselves ofi" without further de-
lay. This bloodless victory scored one for the Salem
men, and must have been a gratifying result of their
first engagement with the enemy.
About this time Captain John Endicott com-
manded an expedition composed of Salem men and
other colonists to the number of ninety, to beat up
the Indians who had gathered about Block Island
with mischievous intent and had committed some
depredations. The Fabian policy of the gentle savage
prevented any general fight, although a few Indians
were picked ofl' by some accurate long-range practice,
and the general effect of this energy and promptness
appears to have been salutary.
While bearing a hand generally upon the simple
fortifications and block-houses built for the safety of
the colony, the Puritan warriors of Salem keptup their
military habits by frequent drills, though they do
not seem to have been engaged with the Indians
again until 1036. It was on the occasion of a parade
of the Salem company during this interval that the
Cross of St. George was cut out of its colors by the pious
sword or command of Capl. John Endicott, whose mili-
tary and religious instincts seem to have been quite
equally developed. This a-sertion of the puritan di.s-
like of papistical emblems, raised a considerable
breeze on both sides of the Atlantic, and the offense to
the authority of the Crown was only condoned after
suitable apologies. In August, 1636, hostilities hav-
ing broken out with the Pequod Indians, a force of
four small companies under Captain Endicott, one
of which comprised the Salem contingent and was
commanded by Ensign Davenport, of this place, was
sent out against the enemy. Marching westward
they had some skirmishes with the Indians, and re-
turned September 1-ith, after inflicting on them consi-
derable loss, while themselves losing but two men
killed and a few wounded. The military officers ap-
pointed for Salem that winter were, Captain William
Trask, Lieutenant Richard Davenport and Ensign
Thomas Reade.
The following year Salem furnished two officers.
Captain Trask and Lieutenant Davenport, and twenty-
eight men as a part of the quota of one hundred and
sixty from the Massachusetts Colony, who, under the
general command of Captain Stougliton, marched to
join the Connecticut forces in the campaign against
the Pequod chiei', Sassacus, who had assumed a hos-
tile attitude. Before the arrival of the Massachusetts
reinforcement,- Colonel Mason had severely defeated
the Indians, but they gallantly rallied, and the forces
of the colonists having united, nearly e.Kterminatcd
them in a second engagement where Lieutenant
Davenport and a party of his Salem men particularly
distinguished tlieniselves. Lieutenant Davenport was
promoted, and in 1644 was appointed as captain to
the command of the castle in Boston harbjr. Later
on he became a colonel, but had then removed from
Salem.
There followed a considerable period during which
186
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the settlers were not harassed by the Indians to any-
great extent ; but realizing their constant danger,
their vigilance was not relaxed and the military were
kept in a good and increasingly efficient condition,
with numbers continually augmenting, while the gar-
rison and outpost duty they were required to perform
was arduous and constant.
The discipline of the colonial soldier seems to have
been carefully looked after at this time, for we read
that it was enacted that " any disobeying his officer
should be set in the bilboes or stocks, or be whip-
ped." Jlilitary officers also directed the arms that
men should carry in going from home, and particu-
larly when attending church. The sight of a stal-
wart citizen of Salem of to-day, heavily armed and
marching up and down the sidewalk in front of the
First Church door narrowly wutching every ap-
proach, while Sunday morning service was in pro-
gress ; and the subsequent exit of the congregation
at its close, each man with a heavy matchlock carry-
ing a bullet of fifteen to the pound, on his shoulder,
would strike us as rather odd ; but it was quite the
correct thing in the sixteen-forties at the very same
place.
As a sample of the good fighting stuff of which the
ancient Salemite was constructed, it might not be out
of place to draw attention to the military talents of
that distinguished Salem divine, the Eev. Hugh
Peters, who officiated in the First Church at about
this time, and who doubtless imbibed some of the
belligerent spirit of his colonial parish : for, some time
later being in England, he served as chaplain of one
of the " Ironsides " regiments of Cromwell's army,
and on one occasion in Ireland, we are told, took
command of the regiment, and handled it in action
like a born soldier. It is to be regretted that the
active part he took in the affairs of the English Com-
monwealth ultimately cost him his head.
In the summer of 1645 war was declared by the
colonists against the Narragansett tribe, and the
Salem military marched with other troops against
them. The Indians, however, do not seem to have
laid in sufficient ammunition or had their tomahawks
properly sharpened, for they " weakened," if the ex-
pression may be permitted, and sued for peace, which
was concluded before the combatants came to blows.
In October of that year the officers appointed for the
Salem company were: Captain William Hathorne;
Lieutenant William Clark and Ensign William
Dixey, while John Endicott, who had previously held
that commission, was continued as sergeant-major-
general, which, though now an obsolete title, was
then given to the commander-in-chief of the forces of
the colony.
Fifteen years later we find the military estab-
lishment of what had now become the County of
Essex, well organized and containing two troops of
cavalry, one of which was composed of men of Salem,
Manchester, Lynn and Riverhead, under Captain
George Curwen and Lieutenant Thomas Putnam of
Salem, and Cornet Walter Price of Manchester.
Captain Thomas Lathrop of Salem, though he may
afterwards have been of Beverly, was, in 16IJ3, ap-
pointed to command the Eastern foot company of the
town. It would appear that at this early date there
were two standing companies of infantry and part of
a company of cavalry furnished by the town of Salem,
which, considering the probable population of the
settlement, must have comprised a large part of its
able-bodied men.
Quiet continued to prevail until in 1675 the sudden
uprising of Philip, Chief of the Wampanoags, with
his tribesmen and allies, dispelled the fancied se-
curity of the colonists and called into immediate ac-
tion their well-appointed and trained forces. Never-
theless, so well had this astute warrior laid his
plans and so carefully had they been kept from the
knowledge of those whom it was his purpose to anni-
hilate, that his preconcerted attack was a complete
surprise and for a time it seemed as if the accomplish-
ment of that purpose was by no means impos.sible.
Towns were destroyed in an hour, large numbers of
the people were massacred and the outlying settle-
ments were abandoned by the inhabitants who flocked
toward the larger towns to the eastward. In the
hasty muster and advance of the troops to succor
their hard-pressed brethren, their eagerness in some
cases outran caution, and in the first contact with the
insidious foe they had difficulty in holding their own
and met with some severe reverses.
Captain Lathrop, before mentioned, while in com-
mand of a picked body of young men of the Essex
companies, called by contemporaneous writers " the
flower of Essex," was convoying a supply train, and
being ambuscaded in Deerfield while crossing Muddy
Brook, was killed with seventy of his men — nearly
his entire force. Hearing the noise of the firing,
Captain Mosely hastened from the upper part of
Deerfield with his company, and finding the Indians
engaged in scalping Lathrop's men, attacked them
without hesitation, though greatly outnumbered, and
drove them off with severe punishment. The com-
pany of Captain Mosely seems to have contained
many Salem men and his lieutenants, Savage and
Pickering, both of Salem, did much in aid of his
victory by their resolution and gallantry. As in
Lathrop's company there were also a number of Sa-
lem young men, this town shared in the general
mourning of the county over the disaster that befell
them.
The powerful Narragansett tribe, having at length
allied themselves with Philip, the colonists deter-
mined to avail themselves of the inclement weather
of approaching winter that would draw the Indians
together, and, with a very strong force, to deal this
tribe a crushing blow that should render them pow-
erless for future harm. Thirty-one men, under Cap-
tain Gardner, were drawn from the Salem companies
SALEM.
187
and joined the force that marched southward to at-
tack tlie stronghold in Rhode Ishmd, where a large
part of the Narragansetts were gathered. In the at-
tack upon this palisaded fort in a morass, which was
signally successful and utterly broke the power of
that formidable tribe, Captain (ifardner and six
other men of Salem were killed and eleven wounded,
which would indicate that the men from this town
were not shii-king their work to any great extent.
Hostilities continued during the following year
and while the enemy had been much weakened and
the military had begun to get hold of their work and
were equal to the Indians when they could find them,
yet with such subtle foes and in a country full of
difficulty for moving columns, constant vigilance
had to be exercised, and the troops had little rest.
More men were impressed from Salem for active ser-
vice. Those remaining strengthened the main fort
here and built "garrisons" (block-houses), for the
protection of the farm people outside of the town.
These were all garrisoned, and the militarj' of Salem
must have been nearly all on duty during this time,
at home or with the active forces. Lieutenant John
Pierce and Ensign Gardner were appointed in the
winter of 1676 to the foot company lately com-
manded by Captain Gardner, who fell at the Narra-
gansett Fort.
In the spfing of this year Captain George Curwen,
of Salem, who was commanding a troop of cavalry in
the field, had a difliculty with a Major Henchman,
liis superior officer, and the General Court, — which
useful body, by the way, seemed to be available for
any service from expounding doctrine, to sitting as a
general court-martial — sentenced the gallant captain
to dismissal and a fine of £100. As, however, he
seems to have been too good an officer to lose, and
quite likely the General Court finding that they had
lilundered about the evidence, he was presently re-
stored to his rank. Although the record is silent on
this point, it is also to be hoped that he got back his
hundred pounds.
In September of that year, Major William Hathorne,
with part of the Salem contingent bore a hand in the
final surprise of Quecheco, where the greater number
of the Indians remaining in arms were cajrtured and
King Philip's war ended ; that gallant chief having
been killed the previous month.
Civilization has its advantages, and looking at the
question practically, it is perhaps best that its on-
ward marcli should not be obstructed by a few sav-
ages. Nevertheless it is difficult to withhold admira-
tion for this man Philip and his brave followers, who,
believing that the English were driving them from
the land of their fathers, died in the ettbrt to preserve
their inheritance as gallantly as did Leonidas or
Winkelreid. jVs to the Iniiian methods of warfare,
if they made more cruel work of it than the pious
Puritan did on several occasions, the chroniclers have
n)uch misled us.
Early in 1677 some Eastern or Maine Indians
rather disgusted the Salem ship-owners by capturing
a number of their vessels that were on that coast, pro-
bably engaged in fishing. Exactly how it was done
is not clear, and the fact is rather surprising ; for
while dashing fighters on land, the red man has rarely
gone in much for naval distinction. However, in
some way or another in this case they managed to
pick up " no less than thirteen ketches and captivate
the men,'' so goes the record. The ketch was a small
schooner-rigged vessel which was much used in tliose
days. As was quite customary', on receipt of this intel-
ligence, a fast was immediately ordered, while an
armed ketch with a crew of forty men and doubtle.-s
the destructive big guns that had proved so noisily ef-
fective on a previous occasion, was dispatched as a
man-of-war to the rescue. " The Lord gave them
success," is the l;rief and pious record of this first of
Salem's long list of maritime victories. Matters
rather calmed down after this naval exploit for a
dozen years or so, and the good Puritans of Salem in
the absence of war's alarms, were able to improve
their material condition and to indulge in those
fierce doctrinal squabbles in which their souls took
stern enjoyment. But their military matters were
not neglected, and in 1689 Jonathan Walcott was ap-
pointed captain, and Nathaniel lugersoll and Thomas
Flint, respectively lieutenant and ensign of the new
company formed at Salem village, afterward the town
of Danvers. Samuel Higginson, of Salem, was about
this time serving as lieutenant-colonel of the South
Essex regiment that embraced the Salem companies
and those of adjacent towns.
The Indians in this year, instigated by the French,
gave signs of restlessness, and in July seventy men
were told off from the Essex lower regiment of foot,
that included the Salem companies, to join in the de-
fence of the frontier towns. Captain B. Gedney, who
declined, and subsequently Captain S. Sewell, Lieu-
tenant Robert Kitchen and Ensign Edward Flint
were appointed officers of the West Salem company.
The companies of Salem seemed to have been well
filled, for Capts. Sewell and John Price were presently
ordered to organize four companies from their com-
mands. The names of the new officers commissioned
in consequence of this mobilization do not appear.
As the savages became more threatening in their
demonstrations and tilings were looking rather blue, a
fast was now ordered in Salem. It is pleasant to ob-
serve the practical military preparations that in each
emergency accompanied the prayers of our excellent
ancestors. They were ever buckling on the sword, as
it were, even while they were in the act of bending
the knee.
In August Captain Simon Willard marched with
a contingent from Salem and vicinity to Casco Bay,
while the Essex lower cavalry troop, po.ssibly still
under the efficient command of our old friend Captain
Curwen, were ordered to Ncwichewannock.
188
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Late in the fall Captain Willard writes to the gov-
ernor for supplies for the Casco Bay outpost, and
takes occasion to say that " the parents of his soldiers
"are much displeased because they have not already
" returned as was promised." What effect this state-
ment had upon the governor does not appear, but it
is to be hoped that the displeasure of their parents
was not visited upon the unhappy young recruits
themselves when they ultiniateh' turned up in Salem.
In 1690 war was declared against the French by the
Colonists, who were much harassed by them in the
fisheries and by their Indian allies in the Eastern set-
tlements. Great military activity prevailed and while
a few Salem men form part of the one hundred and
sixty from Massachusetts reporting at Albany, four
companies under Maj. John Price, Capts. Sewell and
Walcot, and other othcers whose names are not given,
join the larger New England force preparing to at-
tack Port Royal, the French stronghol J in Nova Sco-
tia. Benjamin Gedney, of Salem, now a colonel, and
apparently held in high estimation, was appointed
to command this expedition, but he declined the honor
in favor of Sir William Phipps, who this year captured
the place.
No especial mention is found of the conduct of the
Salem portion of the beleaguering force, but it requires
little penetration to feel quite assured of their gallant-
ry on every opportunity, and it is pleasant to observe
that Colonel Gedney is upon his return, placed upon
the committee to divide the plunder obtained from
Port Royal, which was very valuable. Let us hope
that he saw to it that Salem received her just share
thereof.
The cavalry (Essex lower troop) now under com-
mand of Captain Brown, of Salem, are in the field
again this year, though the direction of their service
is uncertain — probably to the eastward — while three
hundred and eight men of Colonel Gedney's regiment,
doubtless then under his command, from Salem and
vicinity, rendezvous late in the year, and take part in
the unsuccessful expedition against Montreal and
Quebec, Captain John Curwen being one of the offi-
cers, with no doubt others from Salem.
A desultory warfare was continued with the French
and their Indian allies for a long period, during which
there is little to be gleaned in the chronicles, of the
doings of the Salem soldiery. In fact little actual
fighting was done by any body in thispart of the coun-
try, though the scouts and Indians had no end of
quiet amusement in the depths -of the forest, bush-
whacking and .scalping each other to their heart's
content.
In 1692 Colonel Gedney went down to Wells, Me.,
with an escort of thirty troopers (probablj' of the Essex
lower troop) and made a peace with the Maine In-
dians, independently-of the French, which appears to
have endured until 1695, when, by the bad faith, ac-
cording to Colonel Gedney's account, of one Captain
Chubb in command at Kittery, the Indians again
took up arms, obliging the colonel to march on that
place with four hundred and sixty men. We pre-
sume that this imposing force, combined with Colonel
Gedney's diplomatic abilities, restored the broken
peace, for there do not seem to have been any further
d'fficulties in that region for some little time there-
afterwards.
In 170.3 we find the Governor ordering the impress-
ment of twenty men for the " Flying Horse," an
armed cruiser of Salem. As the good people of the
town with solemn pleasure watched the fitting out of
this vessel, how little did they realize the very large
number of armed cruisers that were, in later times, to
be sent from their harbor ! It appears that the buc-
caneers of the Spanish main, who had for many years
been making things very unpleasant for treasure-ships
and settlements in the vicinity of the equator, now
began to extend their operations to the northward
and appeared occasionally off the New England coast.
Hence arose the necessity for this incipient naval
force.
In the year 1704 a party of pirates, in a vessel com-
manded by one Quelch, remained off and on the coast
for a time, having a secret rendezvous in a house near
the entrance of Marblehead harbor. AVhere the armed
cruiser was at the time is not clear, except that she
was out of the way. However, the good people of Salem
got along without her very well, according to the
record ; for, the character of the gang developi jg itself
by some depredations, they were tracked to Gloucester,
and Major Stephen Sewall, with one party, and Judge
Samuel Sewall (who, by the way, was the chief pro-
moter ofthe expedition), in personal charge of another,
followed them down and carried their vessel by board-
ing, killing or capturing the entire lot after a rattling
fight. The survivors were promptly hanged as a sug-
gestion of the insalubrity of the New England climate
to gentlemen of their profession. The hint was not
lost upon the unhanged residue, and it was not until
eighteen years later that the exploit of the notorious
Capt. Low in Marblehead harbor, indicated that these
lively sea-rovers must have learned of the demise of
the belligerent Salemjustice, andhadgood hope ofthe
immunity that they actually enjoyed on that oc-
casion.
During the interval of comparative repose that en-
sued for Salem and vicinity, in common with the rest
of the colony, between King William's and Queen
Anne's War, there is nothing to record. But this af-
forded but a brief breathing-space, and soon the border
towns were again suffering from Indian attacks, and
the Colonists involved in expensive and abortive
expeditions in the effort to conquer Canada, so much
desired by England. The pressure of danger was not
severely felt in Salem just now, since we find the town
indulging in a rather acidulous controversy in 1706
with the Governor, as to whether Fort Anne, in Salem
should be repaired by the town or the Province.
In August, 1708, Major Walter Turner, with Cap-
SALEM.
189
tains John Gardner and Walter Price and a Salem
contingent, join with other troops in pursuit of a party
of French and Indians that had threaded the wilder-
ness in one of their numerous raids and suddenly ap-
peared near the northern towns. A sharp action,
in which the enemy were discomfited and driven off,
and John Gyles, of falem, lost an arm, with a few
others killed and wounded, was the net result.
There is little to record in the next few years of a
military character that concerns Salem. Although
until the peace of Utrecht, in 1711, there was constant
warfare on ihe border.
In 1714 the town petition the General Court- — hav-
ing evidently had enough of the Governor in this
matter — to repair and garrison Fort ,\nne. We are
not told the result.
The peace of New England began to be again dis-
turbed in 1720 by French intrigues among the Eastern
Indians whose depredations on the border recom-
mence, although it is uncertain as to what part Salem
took in the Norridgewock episode and other border
affairs that succeeded.
Soon after the opening of the French War, in 174.5,
we read that Capts. Grant, King, White and Covell,
all of vSalem, embarked with the troops bound for
Cape Breton and the siege of Louisbourgh. Capt.
George Curwen also took part in that brilliant and
successful campaign, for an extract from a letter from
him to his wife says "young Gray (of Salem) is killed,
June 2d, in the attack upon a battsry, and three more
of Grant's men missing." The officers mentioned were
doubtless in command of men from Salem and vicinity.
In the spring of 1746, a French fleet being reported off
the coast with an army, preparing for an attack upon
Boston, the Salem companies march to its protection.
Perhaps this circumstance may have come to the
knowledge of the French commander; at any rate the
force made no landing: as a matter of fact it never
got very near Boston, if it were, as is jirobable, the one
commanded by the Duke D'Anville.
In 1755 the final war between the French and Eng-
lish on this continent was formally opened, so to
speak, although, as usual, the Indians instigated by
French officers and priests, had precipitated actual
hostilities for a year or more before, and in the early
part of the spring of this year Salem sends twenty-eight
men, her quota of reinforcements to Col. Johnson's
army operating towards Cron-n Point. To refresh the
spirits of these men before their departure, the Rev.
Mr. Clarke preaches them a sermon entitled, "a word
in season to soldiers." We trust that in their con-
duct at the ensuing battle of Lake George, the good
effects of Jlr. Clarke's exhortations were made mani-
fest. Captain Samuel Flint on September 25th (1755)
marches with his company to join the same army.
In Jlay, 1755, Col. Piaisted leaves Salem to assume
his command at Crown Point; probably in the expe-
dition about to move under Col. Winslow.
A libtral bounty is offered about this time by the
General Court for the scalps of any Indians of all ages
and both sexes, and a fast is ordered in Salem to
pray for victory over the French and Indians.
In the spring of the following year (1757) a force of
eighteen hundred men was drafted in Massachusetts,
and under command of Col. Jcseph Frye, of And-
over, marched to reinforce the garrison of Forts Ed-
ward and William Henry. Captains Goodhue,
Piaisted, Clarke and Pickman, of Salem, commanded
companies in this force. Other Salem officers may
have been with it, and some, at least, of the men in
these companies were volunteers from Salem. King
George promised £10 to every man who should enlist
this year, and in the case of these men he failed to pay
up. The old gentleman doubtless having considerable
paper maturing about that time, may have been a little
short. At any rate they got no money out of him, and
a number of loyal citizens of Salem made it up to
them by private subscription. The names of the men
receiving this bounty were, —
In Capt. Goodhue s Company.
Petor Stokey.
Jacob Verry.
David MoiriU.
David Phipt'ii, Jr.
Barnabas n«rrick.
James fiould.
Thomas Synionds.
jVpbauis Seavy.
J..hn Elkins.
Joliii Haley.
John Ward, Jr.
Eleazer Symonds.
Josfiph Sand.s.
Jolin Colliiia.
Moses Townsend.
In Capt. Plaisted's Company.
.Tohn Swariays.
Robert KUiot.
John I.eaman, Jr.
Edward Ross.
//) Capjf. Clarte's Company.
Tliomas Kneeland. SamU Merritt.
John W'ebb. .Jos. Kborn.
Jo. Syinond. Jos. Silsby.
Jolin Osgood. Jolin Dowst.
The record gives none of the luimes of the men in
Capt. Pickman's company, who received this money,
although it indicates that there were some. ' It will be
remembered that Liid Loudon, this year, withdrew a
large part of bis army from the Charaplain country
and elsewhere for his abortive attempt upon Louis-
bourgh, which by the peace of Aix la Chapelle had
been returned to the French. The astute Montcalm
saw his opportunity and reckoning, with reason, upon
the probability of Loudon's failure in the east, marched
straight south with a strong army of French trooi>s
and Indians, and suddenly appeared before Fort Wil-
liam Henry. In the short siege of the place, followed
by its surrender and the subsequent shocking Indian
massacre, Richard Butman, Daniel Robertson ami
possibly others of Salcni were killed, while six
Salem men were captured and carried to Canada.
The.se things had a depressing influence upon Salem,
and another fast was ordered.
In 1758 General Abercrombie's bloody repulse be-
fore Ticonderoga was hardly calculated to raise the
spirits of the people, but there was hardly time to
190
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
have a fast ordered in Salem, before the very differ-
ent news of General Amherst's recaptuie of Louis-
bourgh that followed almost immediately after would
seem to have obviated the necessity for it.
Whether any vSalem men were with Abercrombie
cannot be stated with certainty, but as his force con-
tained over nine thousand provincial troops there can
be little doubt of it ; some also were presumably serv-
ing under Amherst.
There is extant a journal of one Gibson Clough, of
Salem, a private of Ca])tain Giddings' company, in
the Fourteenth Provincial Regiment, that under Col-
onel Jonathan Bagley, was sent to reinforce the gar-
rison of Louisbourgh after its capture.
Captain Giddings and a considerable portion of his
company were evidently from Salem as well as
Clough, whose running account of his experiences
gives a fair idea of the life of the New England sol-
dier of that day. Some of his comments are rath-
er amusing. Speaking of certain disciplinary pro-
ceedings he remarks that " there is no spair of whip
here;" and further on in an apparent fit of disgust
with the service, he says, "if we get clear this year, I
think we shall be unwise if we come here again to
serve our King and country."
As the severe weather of a Cape Breton October
approaches, Mr. Clough observed that they would soon
stand in need of winter clothing and good liquors
. ..." for to keep up our spirits ;"...." But,"
he dryly adds, " we are not likely to get liquors or
cloathes !".... He describes, in his odd manner,
the dismantling of the fortificalions of Louisbourgh
and the daily incidents of garrison and outpost duty ;
tells of the news of tlie taking of Quebec by General
Wolfe and of the subsequent operations of General
Amherst against Montreal and the French lake forts,
all of which is filtered through the usual camp ru-
mors and gossip. For the most part our friend writes
in very low spirits, until his final description of his
return home with Amos Hilton, Jonathan Buxton,
Eobert Picket and Daniel Butman, of Salem, and other
comrades whom he does not name, which is marked,
to use his own words, by " great joy and content."
At the capture of Quebec Captain John Tapley, of
Salem, took part, with no doubt other Salem men,
although it is probable that a larger number of them
were serving with General Amherst's army, that
failed to reach Quebec in time to co-operate witb
Wolfe, but performed signal services the following
year in the reduction of Montreal and the remaining
French posts that finally ended the dominion of that
people on this continent.
Lemuel Woods, a soldier in this army, believed to
be from Salem, wrote a fragmentary journal that has
been preserved. No doubt his soldierly qualities were
superior to his scholarship ; for his style, even for a
diary, must be regarded, in whatever light we view it,
as very slovenly. He speaks of Lieutenant Gran-
ger and Ensign Peabody having obtained permission
to look at the works of Fort Ticonderoga after its
surrender, naively adding, .... "I accidentally
went with them and viewed the fort," etc. (we de-
cline the reproduction of his spelling). When the
journal, in describing the accidental death of a man
of his regiment, says, .... "a heavy stick slipped
and stove him all to mash, and they brought him over
and buried him," .... we must admit a con-
ciseness of expression that in a measure redeems
Mr. Woods' manuscript ; but when, in another place
he speaks of the camp being .... "all in a combus-
tion a raging things up for a sudden push when called
for," ... .it seems hardly worth while to quote
more although the diary is of much interest as illus-
trating the life of a soldier of the time in active ser-
vice.
The French wars were now ended. The people of
the colonies while impoverished by the aid rendered
the mother-country, had nevertheless learned their
strength ; and the presence among them of a large
body of trained soldiers, just returned from efficient
service in the field where they had often proved
themselves fully the equals of the British regulars,
did not tend to make them tolerant of any tyrannical
measures of the Crown. So for the next fifteen years
the people of Salem, in common with their neigh-
bors, were warming up in their quarrel with the
mother-country.
The General Court meeting in Salem in 1774, Gov-
ernor Gage brought down two regiments as a display
of lorce that should overawe the court and the people.
But upon his return to Boston the troops were with-
drawn, fortunately without any collision with the
exasperated people.
It was in Salem that the Revolution really began,
when the General Court, the same year, formed itself
into a Provincial Congress, and subsequently, after
adjourning to Concord, appointed oflicers independ-
ently of the crown and proceeded to procure arms
and ammunition. Here also occurred the first actual
collision with the British troops, which, though with-
out bloodshed, resulted in their retirement without
the accomplishment of their purpose.
For on Sunday morning, February 26, 1775, Colonel
Leslie in command of a battalion of infantry, sailed
around from Boston and debarking at Marblehead,
marched rapidly to Salem, with the purpose of seizing
some cannon and munitions collected and stored at a
point across the North River. A draw bridge that
was there had been raised by the people, who shrewd-
ly guessed their unlawful object. In endeavoring to
push across in batteaux moored near by, some resist-
ance was made by the crowd, and one man received
a slight flesh wound from a soldier's bayonet. The
number of people increased, and some prominent
citizens warning Colonel Leslie that with the present
temper of the people he would never take his com-
mand back alive if he persisted or fired upon them, he
said that if, as it was a matter that concerned his honor.
SALEM.
191
they would permit him to pass the bridge, be would
immediately withdraw. This was agreed to, and the
bridge being lowered, he led bis men across and at
once countermarching, returned to Marblchead and
re-embarked for Boston. This bloodless expedition
was the first military movement made by the English
in the Revolutionary War. On April 18th, Colonel
Pickering, with three hundred men from Salem,
marched in pursuit of the British troops retreating
from Lexington, but failed to come up with them.
Captain Hiller commanded one of his companies.
Some others from Salem were in the engagement,
however, and Benjamin Pierce was killed at Lexing-
ton village.
Just previous to the Lexington aflair Salem had
been getting in order for the. coming war. A general
muster was held March 14th, of all jiersons liable to
military duty in the town armed and equipped. The
new pine tree flag was raised, perhaps for the first
time, on this occasion.
The Provincial Congress had recommended the tac-
tics and manual of 1764 (probably English) for the pro-
vincial troops, but very shortly aftei', the system pre-
pared by Colonel Timothy Pickering, of Salem, was,
it appears, adopted.
No compromise seemed possible after Lexington.
Men arranged their affairs and joined the army, now
gathering near Boston. A lady writing from Salem,
June 10, 1775, says : " The men are listing very fast ;
3 or 400 are gone from here." Many of those who
were able to do so, now sent their families back into
the country, to Nantucket and other inaccessible
places, believing Salem to be too near the scene of
hostilities for safety.
In the historic engagement of Bunker Hill that
naturall}' followed the jirompt erection of works com-
manding Boston, a few Salem men took part, and
Lieutenant Benjamin West, of Salem, a gallant
young officer, was killed at the breastworks. As has
been stated, many Salem men now joined the fighting
force as minute-men, militia or Continentals. Col-
onel Timothy Pickering, who seems to have had a
genius for military matters, made " a plan of exer-
cise " or tactics, already spoken of, that the Congress
ordered to be used by oflScers of the Massachusetts
Militia. He was, in 1776, appointed quarterma.ster-
general of the army, and served as such and as adju-
tant-general, with distinction throughout the war. In
an interesting diary of one Lieutenant Craft, from
Manchester, kept while serving with the army in
the environs of Boston, are many allusions to oflBcers,
whose names indicate that they may have been from
Salem. His regiment, at any rate, was raised in
lower Essex County, and doubtless largely in Salem,
and Colonel William Mansfield, who commanded it,
was a Salem man. The pay of the army was not ex-
cessive at this time, captains receiving six pounds
per month, and lieutenants four and three pounds;
sergeants forty-eight shillings, and privates forty
shillings. Captain John Felt commanded a com-
pany of artillery in service this year, his lieutenant
being John Butler, both of Salem.
The same year (1770) Fort Lee was built to com-
mand Salem harbor, and a company of men, under
Captain John Symonds and Lieutenant Benjamin
Ropes, Jr., stationed as its garrison. In 1777 forty-
four men w^ere raised in Salem as her quota for the
army, presumably under a Captain Greenwood, for
we read that he marched from Salem on public ser-
vice with his company, on November 11th, 1777.
Fifty-four men additional were also drafted to act as
guards for Burgoyne's surrendered army,underCaptain
Simeon Brown. Another company, under Cai)tain
Benjamin Ward, also marched to join the army at
New York December 17, 1777. This was doing
pretty well for a little town in one year, and in 1778
we find the town still promoting enlistments by voting
bounties to the men who should volunteer for the
army. This would indicate that even in that day of
intense patriotism, it was necessary to use extraor-
dinary means to induce men to be steadily food for
powder, while they might be quite ready to dodge
about as minute-men for a few days' fun.
In July of this year Captain Samuel Flagg com-
manded a small company raised for special service in
Rhode Island. Captain Flagg's lieutenants were
Miles Greenwood and Robert Foster. Major Hiller,
of Salem, also had a command in this expedition,
which, under General Sullivan, attempted, with the
co-operation of the French fleet under the Count
D'Estaing, to wrest Rhode Island from the English,
who held it under Sir Robert Pigot. Owing to the
failure of the French fleet to render the promised as-
sistance, the objects of the expedition were not at-
tained. Considerable mention is made of the ser-
vices of the Salem company in the accounts of this
campaign.
The same year the town had to proceed with the
additional task of raising forty-two men for the Con-
tinental army, and some others for some special short
enlistment not particularly described.
In 1779 a committee are appointed in Salem to
raise thirteen more men for the Rhode Island service
and twenty-eight for the Continental army, in which
they no doubt had difficulty ; for it is stated that in Oc-
tober large additional pecuniary inducements, in ad-
dition to Continental and State pay, were voted to
recruits to serve three months in the army. On De-
cember 11th Captain Addi-son Richardson marched
with his company to join the army.
Early in 1780 the town voted a very large sum for
those days, to devote to the raising of sixty-two men
to serve for six months in the army.
These records bear continual testimony to the
baneful practice so prevalent in that war of enlisting
men for short terms of service. It was a constant
cause of complaint by the officers of the Continental
Army, and did much to destroy its efficiency.
192
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Major Samuel King, of Salem, an aide to General
De Kalb, was killed in action this year in South Caro-
lina, and Captain Nathan Goodale, of Salem, is also
reported as made prisoner by the enemy.
A letter dated in camp near West Point, on the
Hudson, February 12, 1782, to Joshua Ward, from a
Salem soldier of the Continental Army, whose signa-
ture does not appear, asks to have sent him certain
articles on credit, and speaks of the hardships endur-
ed by the army without supplies or money. Captain
Flint, killed this year in the first day's battle at Sara-
toga, is believed to have been from Salem. Mention
should be made of Colonel Samuel Carleton, of the
Continental line, who was from Salem, and who so
distinguished himself that Washington declared him
to be one of the most intrepid officers who served
under him.
Of the special part taken by Salem and her soldiers
in the succeeding years of this war, there is too little
trace. There is evidence, however, that her record
in point of numbers and service was quite up to the
average, though it is to be regretted that so little can
be written of the gallant deeds of her officers and
men in an army where all were so brave and steadfast,
and that, though in the appendix a list is given of the
names of those who served from Salem, there is some
doubt as to its accuracy, and it tells nothing of the
actions in which those men took part, or of the char-
acter of their service.
But in tlie record given of the part borne by Salem
and her citizens in our revolutionary armies, though,
it were much more complete, but a small part of her
services to the country can be fully comprehended.
Long before the colonies took the first decisive ac-
tion that resulted in their independence, Salem had
been steadily increasing her commerce, and in 1775
she had become au important port of entry, her mer-
chants were becoming wealthy and a large part of her
people followed the sea. Very soon after the war
broke out, it became evident that a navy was almost
as necessary to our success as an army. Congress
fitted out a few armed vessels, but the resources of the
young nation were inadequate to equip any sufficient
number to cope with the powerful navy of Great
Britain, or even to be of much use in the destruction
of her commerce.
Here, then, was the opportunity of Salem, with her
ships lying idle at her wharves in fear of English
cruisers, and her fine seamen idling about her streets.
Procuring commissions for private armed cruisers and
letters of marque and reprisal for her trading ships,
she fitted out her ablest and swiftest vessels with heavy
guns and powerful crews well officered,iand sent them
over the sea in quest of the enemy's merchantmen.
Nor did they neglect her smaller men-of-war, but, as
eager for glory as plunder, promptly attacked any
armed ship whose weight of metal was not absurdly
disproportionate to their own, and in the majority of
cases with success; while her trading vessels made
their voyages well armed, and with double complement
of men, and showed their teeth when interfered with or
when falling in with a vessel whose chances of capture
were sufficiently good tojustify the risk to their owners.
Our privateer navy was intensely active and suc-
cessful, and played an important part in that contest,
severely crippling the enemy's merchant marine and
keeping her navy busy in every part of the world to
protect it.
It is impossible to give more than a glance at the
exploits of the gallant officers and men who ranged
the seas in the Salem privateers, sending in a rich re-
turn of captured vessels to their owners.
And it is not to be understood that in the capture
of these merchantmen no fighting was involved.
Many of the English trading vessels were letters of
marque, and nearly all carried guns and had strong
crews well armed, aud, defending themselves with
true English courage, they were often onl)* taken after
a severe struggle. The actions between our privateers
and British men-of-war or privateers were of the most
sanguinary description, and were only finally deter-
mined by boarding and a hand-to-hand fight on the
deck of one or the other of the vessels.
The Salem privateers and letters of marque formed
a large part of those sailing from American jjorts
during that war, aud, indeed, the principal business
of the town became that of privateering, the results
of which laid the foundation of many fortunes that
are but now being dissipated.
Some of the regulations governing the crews of
Salem privateers in the Revolution were curious.
The owners of the vessel, after deducting outfit and
expenses, took one-half of the value of the prizes, and
the officers and crew the other half, divided in certain
proportions according to rank. A prize of $500 was
given to the man first sighting a sail, and $1000 and
best firelock to the first man to board the enemy. For
the loss of a leg or arm in action $4000 was paid as
compensation, $2000 for an eye and $1000 for a joint.
If one of the crew were detected in thieving, he suf-
fered the loss of all prize money, which, to judge by
the liberal schedule above given, must have been in
some cases a severe penalty.
As illustrating the work of these gallant little ves-
sels, it is related that the ship "General Pickering,"
sixteen guns. Captain Jonathan Harraden command-
ing, on May 20, 1780, engaged and whipped an Eng-
lish man-of-war of twenty guns; on June 1st fought
and took a schooner of fourteen guns and fifty-seven
men, and on the 4th boldly lufi'ed up and sustained
the attack of the "Arguilles," thirty-four-gun frigate,
and though quite unable to take a vessel of such size,
beat her off" after an engagement of nearly two hours.
The " Julius C«jar," of Salem, a small schooner, the
same year, simultaneously engaged two vessels, both
of heavier metal than herself, aud made it so warm
for them that they were glad to make sail and leave
their plucky little antagonist in possession of the field.
SALEM.
193
In June, 1782, it took a British s.loop-o('-war four hours
to capture the little privateer "Jack," of Salem, and
she did not strike until her captain, David Ropes, and
more than half her crew were killed or wounded.
The "Jack" was a small ship that had the pecu-
liarity of having a mizzen mast that could he taken
down at sea and as easily put up agaiu. By this ex-
pedient she constantly deceived the enemy and
escaped capture, appearing alternately as a ship and
a brig.
Captain Perkins, of Salem, commanding a small
privateer, had on one occasion manned two prizes, and
was making the best of his way home with only four
men left before the mast, when an English privateer
([uickly hove in sight. Instead of running away, he
immediately made all sail for her, and she, not liking
his apparent I'eadiness for a fight, wore around and
sailed away. A rather amusing incident occurred to
the privateer Oliver Cromwell, Captain James Barr,
when cruising in the West Indies in 1779. Sighting
a vessel with low top-masts and apparently no guns
in a fog off the coast of Cuba, one morning, she sup-
posed it to be a large merchantman and was ranging
up alongside, when in a trice up went a string of jjainted
canvass that covered her ports, and the " Oliver Crom-
well " narrowly escaped being blown out of water by
the discharge of a frigate's full broadside. She was
much crippled, but managed to get away in the fog
and light breeze.
The letter of Marque "Eanger" twenty men, when
anchored in the Potomac, the night of July 5, 1782,
was attacked by sixty tories in boats. The captain,
Lucum, was shot at the first volley and Joseph Peabody,
of Salem, second officer, springing to the deck in his
night clothes, drove the enemy ofi" by the clever ex-
pedient of directing the crew to drop cold shot into
the boats. One was sunk and the others pulled
away.
Many more incidents of this character might be
given did space permit ; sufiice it to say that these
are but a sample of the adventures of the Salem
fighting marine during these years.
It would be intei'esting reading could we follow the
adventures of Captain John Leach, who commanded
at different times the privateers " Brutus," " Frank-
lin," " Eagle," " Dolphin " and " Greyhound ; " Capt.
Nathan Brown the first commander of the "Jack"
and also of the ship "Hunter;" Capt. Joseph Rob-
inson, who commanded the ship " Pilgrim " and also
the " Franklin ; " Capt. Sam'l Masury of the schooner
"Panther;" Capt. John Donaldson, who sailed the
brig " Captain ; " Capt. John Mason of the brig
" Lion ; " Captain Jacob Wilds, who sailed in the
privateers "Greyhound," "Hawk" and "General
Greene;" Capt. William Patterson, who commanded
the ship "Disdain" and brig "Favorite;" Capt.
Benj. Dean of the strong sloop "Revenge;" Capt.
Benj. Moses, another commander of the ship "Oliver
•Cromwell ; " Captain Anthony Diver, a former officer
13
of the English Navy, who was a lieutenant on several
ve.ssels, and later ably comnuinded the privateers
"Civil Usage" and "Sturdy Beggar;" Capt. Ebe-
nezer Pierce of the schooner " Liberty ; " Capt. John
Gavett of the brig " Flying Fish ; " Cai)t. John
Brooks, also a commander of the " Junius Brutus; "
Capt. Edward Rolland, also of the brig "Sturdy Beg-
gar ; ■' Capt. AVilliara Carleton, who sailed the heavily
armed and manned sloop " Blacksnake; " Capt. Benj.
Hammond of the schooner " Greyhound ; " Capt.
Charles Hamilton commanding the ship "Jason;"
Capt. John Fearson of the ship " William ; " Capt.
'J'homas Benson who had the schooner " Dolphin,"
and later the ship " Hendrick ;" when he was captured
in the latter in 1782, a petition to the General Court
asked that an exchange be arranged forthwith for
Capt. Benson, his services being so valuable to the
country. There were also Captains John Revell,
Forrester, Mascoll (killed while boarding an enemy's
ship in 1777), McDaniel, Daniel Ropes, J(diu Buf-
finton, John Carnes, John Turner, Samuel Tucker,
Joseph Lynde, Pratt, Briggs, Cook, Baker, Brook-
house, Gray, Nehemiah Bufiinton, Dunn, James
Cheever, Neili, John Felt, lugersoll, Crowell, Bald-
win and many others, all Salem men, commanding
Salem ships with good Salem ollicers and crews, and
handling them with great seamanship and bravery.
It is impossible to give a list of the other officers and
crews of the vessels sailing as privateers from Salem
during the Revolution. Their aggregate would be
little, if any, under five thousand men, first and last,
and would comprise a large majority of the able-
bodied men of the town who did not join the army.
They were largely sea-faring in their training, and
took to this rough and tumble naval experience as
naturally as ducks to water.
A fairly accurate register of the privateers of Salem
in this war, will be found in the appendix; and the
following copy of the commission of a Salem priva-
teer commander in the Revolution may be of inter-
est:
"The Delegates of the United States of Nhw Hampshire, Massachu-
setts Bay, Rliotle Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jei^sey, Penn-
sylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, N'U-tli Carolina, Sontli Caro-
lina and Georgia. To all unto whom tliese presents shall come, send
greeting — know ye, that we have granted and by these piesenis do grant
license and authority to Samuel Cioel Mariiuu-, Commander of the
Schoouor called tho ' Creyhoutul ' of the Inirthen of forty tons or there-
abouts, belonging and others — mounting six csrriage guns and navi-
gated by eleven men, to fit out and set forth the said schooner in a war-
like manner, and by and witli the said schooner and the crew there()f,
by Force of Arms to attack, snlidue and take all ships and other vessels
whatsoever carrying .Soldiers, .\rni9, Gunpowder, Ammunition, Provi-
sions, or any other Contl'aband Goods to any of the British Armies or
ships of war employed against these iruiled States. .\nd also to attack,
seize and take all ships or oilier vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of
Great Britain, or to any subject or snhjecls thereof, with their Tackle,
Apparel, Furniture and Ladings on the High Seas <u- between high and
low water marks (the ships or \essols, together with their cargoes be-
longing to any Inhabitant or Inhabitiinls of liermuda. Providence and
the nahama Islauils, such other ships ami vessels bringing Persons with
intent to settle and reside within any of the United States, or bringing
Arms, ammunition or warlike stores to the said States for the use
thereof, which said shiiis or vessels you shall sufler to l)ass uuniolesled,
194
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the commanders thereof permitting ii peaceable search and giving satis-
factory information of the contents and lading and destination of the
voyages, only excepted). And the said ships or vessels so apprehended
as aforesaid and as prizes taken, to carry into any Port or Harbor
within the dominions of any nentral State willing to admit the same, or
into any Port within the said United States in order that the Conrts
there instituted to hear and determine Causes Civil and Maritime, may
proceed in due form to Condemn the said captures, if they be adjudged
lawful prizes, or otherwise according to the usage in such cases at the
port or in the State where the same shall be carried. The said Samuel
Croel having given Bond with sufficient sureties that nothing be done
by the said commander of schooner or any of his officers, Marines, or
company thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the usage and Customs
of Nations, and that he shall not exceed or transgress the Powers and
Authorities contained in this Commission. And we will and require all
our oiRcers whatsoever in the Service of the United States to give succor
and assistance to the said Samuel Croel in the Premises. This commis-
sion shall continue in force until the Congress shall issue orders to the
contrary. Dated at Boston, 14th day of October, 1779, and in the 4th
year of the Independence of the United States of America.
" By order of the Congress,
" John Jay, President.
" John Avery, AUeiit.
' Chas. Thompson, Secretary.'^
Aftei' the Revolution the new nation being nomin-
nlly at peace with other countries, there is nothing to
record until the War of 1812, though Salem shipping,
which had vastly increased in value since the inde-
pendence of the country had been established, suf-
fered considerably from the depredations of the
French navy, which, had we been a little stronger,
were a quite sufficient casus belli.
Subsequently, that government frankly recognizing
their fault in this matter, paid over a large amount to
the United States as an indemnity fund for the ship-
owners who had suffered loss. Our government, with
a calm dishonesty for which an individual would have
been promptly punished, put the money in its coffers,
and no part of it has, up to date, been paid to those
to whom it properly belonged. As it is difficult to get
a government indicted and put into States prison,
or even to force it to file an answer in a civil proceed-
ing, the unhappy people who were swindled in this
matter were obliged to die without getting their
money, and their heirs have since hung around the
steps of the capitol at Washington or caught the mem-
bers of Congress in the lobbies in the hitherto vain
attempt to recover their own.
A little later, when the Barbary corsairs began to
pick up our merchantmen, with some Salem vessels
among them, we felt that if we could not make it con-
venient to quarrel with France, wc did not propose to
have Algiers or Tripoli tread upon us, and promptly
whipped those people .into the belief that we were
something of a naval power, after all.
AVhat part was taken by such Salem men as were
serving in the United States navy, in that quite cred-
itable little war, we cannot say, but it was doubtless,
as usual, efficient and valuable.
In 1798, it being obvious that the United States
needed a navy, and the government having no facili-
ties for ship-building, a request was made that the
citizens of certain maritime localities loan funds to aid
in the equipment of the navy. In Salem a large sura
was subscribed, and the frigate " Essex," afterward
to become a very famous vessel, was built by Salem
ship-builders on Winter Island, rigged and turned
over to the government. It was a patriotic task for a
little town of nine thousand inhabitants to undertake.
The " Essex " proved a very fast sailer, and had a
noted career.
The following are the names of the subscribers to
this loan, on which the government paid only six per
cent, while borrowing other moneys at eight percent.,
a fact well known to these gentlemen :
Wni. Gray, Jr 1(10,000
Elias H.Derby 10,000
Wm. Orne 6,000
John Norri.s 5,000
.John Jenks 1,600
Ebr. Bickford 2,000
Benj. Pickman, Jr 1,000
Stephen Webb 6no
Benj. Pickmiin 1,000
Jos. Pcabody 1,600
John Osgood 1,000
Wm. Prescott 1,000
Ichabod Nichols 1,000
Benj. Caipenter 500
Jacob Ashton 1,000
Jan)es King 500
Samuel Gray 2,000
Wm. Ward 600
Joshua Ward 760
Joiiathim Neal 2,000
John Deland 100
Joseph Newhiill 100
Benj. Goodhue 800
Nttthl. Batchelder 50
Dauiel Jenks 600
Samuel Archer 100
Jos. Vincent 200
Joshua Kichardson 500
Jos. Mosely 100
Wait & Pierce 2,000
Tlios. Saunders 500
Abel Lawrence 600
Hardy Ropes 200
Thos. Gushing 60
E. A. Holyoke 800
Moses Townsend .*.., 100
Timothy Wellman, Jr 100
John Derby 1,000
Edward .Ulen, Jr 600
Page & Ropes 100
Thomas Perkins 600
John Blurphy 600
Joseph Cabot 600
Edwd. Killen 100
Ezekiel H.Derby 1,000
Jona. Mason
Saml. Ropes, Jr
Paml. Brooks
Asa Pierce
Natlia. Pierce
Upton & Porter
Buffnm & Howard..
Jos. Osgood, Jr
AVm. Appleton
John Hathorue ....
Isaac Osgood
60
60
60
80
.. 250
400
450
25
60
200
.500
Elias H. Derby, Jr 400
Jona. Lambert 40
Henry Osborue 50
Joseph Hill 300
Walter P. Bartlett 100
Israel Dodge 6f,0
Saml. Very 100
Brackey Rose 100
AsaKilhnm 20
A lady, by J. Jenks 50
Benj. West, Jr 3,50
Thomas Chipman TOO
Eichd. JIanning, Jr 200
David Patten 50
Edw. J. Sanderson 200
Jolin Treadwell 500
John BalT 000
Wm. Luscomb 300
Jona. Waldo 40
Thos. Bancroft 100
Nathl. West 1,500
Saml. Mclntire 100
Benj. Felt 100
George Dodge 1,000
Peter Lander 200
Stephen Phillips 1,000
Kichd. Derby, Jr 1,500
Jos. Waters 415
C. Crowninshicld . 600
John Pickering 200
Ednnind Upton 300
John Murong 60
Lane & Son (in work) 100
Elms Briggs 50
Ephraim Emmerton 100
Wm. Marston 260
Edw. Lang 100
Thos. Webb , 200
Michael Webb 100
Edmund Gale 10
Benj. Webb, Jr 100
Richard Manning 1,000
Benj. Hodges 500
John Beckett 100
James Gould 50
Total 874,700
During the years that preceded the War of 1812,
the Salem merchantmen in common with othei'S lost
men by the high-handed impressments of the British
men of war, that exercised a pretended right to take
from the ship of any nation met on the high seas,
such seamen as their officers chose to consider English
subjects; and as they were in need of sailors they
were by no means nice in drawing distinctions.
Therefore, while opposed on general principles to the
SALEM.
195
embargo and subseciui'iit declaration of" war against
England, these unwarrantable acts had left sufficient
sting in the minds of the Salem merchants and sea-
men to render them very ready to again sweep the
seas with their privateers to the serious detriment of
the British merchant marine. Again it may be said,
without much exaggeration, that from commerce this
became the principal business of Salem, and if it
were possible to give a list of the men who at some
time during this war, served on her privateers and
letters of marque, it would give a very Jiiir idea of the
seafaring portion of the town's population.
In writing of the exploits of the privateers of Sa-
lem in this war, it is difficult to know how to begin
and where to end. For three years forty vessels,
practically men of war, cruised from this port heavily
armed, and officered, and manned by as skillful and
brave navigators and seamen as were then afloat.
And this does not include over one hundred letter of
marque trading vessels, that kept the sea and did
some fighting as well as trading. Of these, as their
warlike character was merely incidental, we shall be
unable to make more than this passing mention.
With regard to the privateers, the records of the
time are more or less imperfect: some of the deeds
performed by them are recounted while others are
unnoticed, and the history of their actions and cap-
tures is imperfect and unsatisfactory. Nevertheless,
it is impossible to turn this remarkable page in the
history of the town without glancing at the careers
of a few of these notable vessels, and recalling some
of the incidents of their warfare.
The daring with which these fine vesseLs were
fought and the brilliant seamanship that so fully
utilized their admirable sailing qualities, were the
wonder and exasperation of the English navy, and
caused British merchants many hours of painful reflec-
tion.
These qualities of vessel and crew were never bet-
ter illustrated than in the ship " America," twenty
guns, and carrying a crew of one hundred and fifty men,
more or less. She was owned by George Crownin-
shield, and was the largest privateer sailing from
this port. Admirably commanded by Captains
Joseph Ropes, John Kehew and John W. Cheever at
different times, she was considered by some to be
the fastest vessel afloat during that war. JTcr success
in capturing prizes was phenomenal, and the amount
realized by her owner was verj* large; her captures
up to March, 1814, were estimated at the value of
$1,100,000. Unlike the greater number of privateers,
she escaped capture by the enemy, and may be said to
have died peacefully in her bed, long subsequent to
the war.
A smaller full-rigged ship, called the ".Vlfred,"
sixteen guns and one hundred and ten to one hundred
and thirty men, was an effective cruiser. She was
built in Salem in 1805, and at her launch the rudder,
which, against the remonstrance of the builder, was
already hung, struck the bottom and was thrown out,
falling immediately across the stern-post and stop-
ping the vessel, so that she lay aground one tide.
When floated she was found to be badly "hogged."
She was brought to the wharf and large blocks of
wood placed under her stern-post and forefoot, and
her weight brought upon the extremities, which caused
her to settle in the centre and resume her original
lines. She was never apparently the worse for this
severe test of her elasticity, but proved a good ship
and fast sailer. When fitted as a privateer she sailed
less well than previously and was altered into a brig.
She seemed under both rigs to have had bad luck with
her spars in heavy weather. As a brig she was pro-
bably over-sparred, but that had not been the case
when shi])-rigged. She was well commanded by Cap-
tains Stephen Williams and Philip Be^som, under
both of whom, if the vessel lost a fewsticks, she never
failed to send in prizes enough to fully atone for this
one foible. Two of her prizes alone sold for one hundred
and twenty thousand dollars. She was ultimately
cai:)tured in February, 1814.
The ship "Alexander," eighteen guns and about
one hundred and forty men, was commanded on her
fir.st cruise by Captain Wellman, and gave promise of
a successful career, which was fully borne out by her
performances on the next cruise under Captain Ben-
jamin Crowninshield, when, with the greater part of
her crew away in seven prizes just previously taken,
she was, on May 19, 1813, crowded on shore in Wells'
bay by two English men-of-war, and captured. So
closely was she pressed by the enemy that only twenty
men of her crew succeeded in reaching the shore and
escaping.
The otlier full-rigged privateer sailing from Salem,
the ship "John," sixteen guns and a strong crew of
one hundred and sixty or more men, was commanded
by Captains Fairfield and Crowninshield (who after-
wards commanded the Alexander), and after a short
season of great usefulness, in which she picked up some
twenty English merchantmen, more or less, was in her
turn picked up by an English frigate in February,
1813, and Salem saw her no more.
Of the privateer brigs of Salem, perhaps the most
profitable and fortunate was the "Grand Turk." She
was large for the time, carried eighteen guns and one
hundred and fifty men, and became noted for her good
qualities as a sailer and her audacity and uniform
good fortune. At one time, in 1813, under one of her
two gallant commanders. Captain Breed or Greene, she
stood oft' and on at the month of the English channel for
twenty days, capturing a number of vessels almost in
sight of their home ports; finally eluding all pursuit
and making off in safety. She was never captured.
The smaller brig, "Montgomery," twelve guns,
commanded in turn by Captains Holton J. Breed (who
was also in the " Grand Turk "), Joseph Strout (who
had been a naval officer), and Benjamin Upton, was
almost as fortunate a vessel as the "Grand Turk."
196
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
She made many prizes and distinguished herself by
some hard fighting. On one occasion she had a des-
perate action with a large, heavily-armed ship, which
she captured after losing many men, her then captain,
Upton, being severely wounded. At another time,
falling in with a British troop ship, near Surinam, full
of soldiers and carrying eighteen guns, a man-of-war
to all intents and purposes, she attacked without hesi-
tation, and after two hours' hot work, drew oti'for re-
pairs, intending to "resume business at the old stand,"
as it were, as soon as she could splice up some of
her rigging and plug two or three troublesome shot-
hole-s. But the Englishman liad had quite enough of
lier, and crowding all sail made good her escape.
After a very successful series of cruises, the " Mont-
gomery " was ultimately obliged to succumb to supe-
rior force, but it took the British line-of-battle ship,
" La Hogue,'' seventy-four guns, to bring her to terms.
The " fore and aft " rig seems to have commended
itself to those engaged in privateering, doubtless from
the fact that by pointing higher, a schooner could
more easily work to windward of a largo merchant-
man, while, in case of pursuit by a man-of-war, she
could go off dead before the wind, still holding one of
her best points of sailing. At all events, the greater
number of our privateers in this war, from all ports.
were top-sail schooners, twenty-three of this class
sailing from Salem. These vessels were, some of them
of fair size for the time, others very small, but nearly
all were good sailers and were always well handled.
They carried but few guns, but one of these was usu-
ally a large one, and their strong crews of daring sea-
men, eager for the chance of boarding, rendered them
exceedingly formidable to everything they met, short
of an enemy's frigate. They chased, fought and ran
away, as the occasion required, with equal bravery
and address. Most of them met their fate sooner or
later, but this resulted u.sually from their own temer-
ity, and not before the English had paid for them
many times over, in their prizes taken.
Boom can be given to the notice of but few of these
gallant little vessels, though a book might well be
filled with the record of their exploits. There was a
little pink-sterned fishing schooner changed into a
privateer, called the "Fame," of only thirty tons, and
carrying two six-pounders, that had wonderful luck
and was never cajjtured, though finally lost in a storm.
She sailed fast, and her excellent reputation did not
seem to suffer under any of her numerous command-
ers, for she changed them, apparently, at almost every
cruise; being commanded successively by Captains
Webb, Upton, Poland, Greene, Chapman, Endicott,
Brookhouse and Evans.
The "Frolic," a much larger schooner, carrying
one twenty-four pounder and a smaller gun and com-
manded by Captains Green and Odiorne, proved a
very lively vessel in more senses than one, sweeping
the sea like a broom during her short life, though her
captures were not of great value. She was built on
Salem Neck, and was very fast, but had the peculiar-
ity of being unduly sharp aft; so much so, indeed,
that she was unseaworthy, and on her second cruise,
being taken aback in a slight squall, ran stern
under as far as the main hatch, and was only saved
from swamping by great exertions. So little did her
crew enjoy this particular phase of her frolicsomeness,
that they came aft in a body and offered the captain
tn give up all advances if he would abandon the
cruise. The British man-of-war "Heron," happening
around about this time, saved the officers from any
embarrassment on this score by capturing and burn-
ing the vessel, in spite of her desperate endeavors to
escape through a long stern chase.
Dr. Benjamin F. Browne, well remembered by our
citizens, was taken on board of the " Frolic," and
many are familiar with his experiences in Dartmoor
prison, where he and his shipmates were confined un-
til the peace. He narrowly escaped being shot in the
savage suppression of restlessness among the prison-
ers, by Colonel Shortland, commanding the guard.
Dr. Browne, in those days, of course, a mere boy,
took also a short cruise on the ship " Alfred," already
spoken of.
The " Dolphin " was a still larger schooner, carry-
ing more men, though less weight of metal, than the
"Frolic." She was built in Baltimore, before the
war, and altered to a privateer, and under Captain
Jacob Endicott, made, perhaps, as good a record as
any privateer schooner sailing from Salem in propor-
tion to the time of her service ; for she was captured
in September, 1812. A single vessel and cargo taken
by her brought the large .sum of sixty thousand dollars.
A lady passenger, on one of the prizes taken by the
'• Dolphin," in a published letter, bore pleasant testi-
mony to the politeness of Captain Endicott, who
caused her to be landed at the jjort most convenient
to her destination and scrupulously secured to her all
her money and baggage. Judging from the batteries
carried by some of the ships taken by the " Dolphin,"
she must have done considerable fighting, first and
last.
The vicissitudes sometimes attending the career of
a privateer were well illustrated by the "John " and
" George," a fine American-built schooner, captured
early in the war by an English man-of-war,and for some •
reason turned adrift. She was found off Cape Sable
by the American privateer " Regulator," August 13,
1812, and sent in to Salem, where, being found to be
fast, she was turned into a privateer. She made one
short cruise under Capt. Sinclair, in which she was suc-
cessful. Her name was then altered to the " Revenger,"
though it would seem as if the name she already bore
had given her sufficiently good luck. Certainly the
new one brought her none, for she was captured on
her very next cruise. The Englishmen who bought
her continued her as a privateer, again changing her
name to the "Retaliation." Subsequently a Portsmouth
privateer retook her, but she was lost to Salem, and
SALEM.
197
her further changes of name are no longer a matter
of history.
The " Dart," a small schooner of but forty tons and
two small guns, commanded successively by Captains
Davis, Symonds, Green and Poland, under each of
whom she was admirably handled, was a profitable '
little vessel. She sailed well and took some valuable
prizes. One in particular, a large armed merchant-
man, heavily manned and carrying si.K guns, she
gallantly took after a most determined resistance.
She was never captured, though, as if the elements
conspired with the enemy against these plucky little
vessels, both she and the " Fame " already spoken of,
were wrecked in the Bay of Fundy.
The " Fair-Trader," another little schooner, of the
same tonnage as the " Dart," seems to have been a
good cruiser, and under her Captain John R. Mor-
gan took a number of prizes before her capture in
September, 1812.
The largest privateer schooners that sailed from
Salem during the war were the " Diomede," com-
manded by Captain J. Crowninshield ; the "Enter-
prise," Captain Morgan; and the "Growler," Captains
Graves and Lindsay. They were all built for this pur-
pose on the " Baltimore Clipper" model, and were .all
ultimately captured by the enemy after a more or less
fortunate service. The "Diomede" was a very fast
sailer. On one short cruise of a few weeks she sent
in six vessels, and among others of her captures was
one large ship carrying sixteen guns ; while among
the "Growler's" captures, one vessel and cargo are
mentioned as valued at one hundred thousand dol-
lars.
Four sloops figured .is priv.ateers from Salem in this
war, of which the little " Jefferson " was very suc-
cessful considering her size, which was that of a mere
pleasure boat, for which purpose, indeed, she was
originally built in Salem. She carried one gun and
twenty men, and managed to escape capture.
The sloop " Wasp," rather larger, was also built in
Salem, carried two six pounders and twenty-five men.
Upon her first cruise after making some captures, she
was herself t.aken, but in a manner that reflected
honor upon her captain and crew. Attacked by the
British schooner-of-war " Bream," of ten guns, she
only surrendered, after a close fight of half an hour,
and a running fight of nearly nine hours, most of the
time at musket range, during which Captain Ervin
in vain tested the tine sailing qualities of his little
vessel to the utmost, in the effort to escape. So great
was the gallantry displayed in the defence of the
" Wasp," that Captain Ervin and his crew were
treated with the greatest consideration by their gen-
erous captors, after the surrender of the sloop, and
when walking in the streets of St. John on jiarole
Captain Ervin was pointed out as the Salem captain
who defended his vessel with such heroism.
The " Polly " was a large, powerful sloop, built on
the Hudson before the war. She was oversparred until
it was ascertained that she sailed better by shortening
her mast. She kept the sea as well as vessels of any
class, and could go to windward of anything she was
after, while no English ship could catch her in the
open sea. She was not taken until April, 1814, and
then only by being cornered and driven ashore by an
English corvette. This, bj' the way, seems to have been
a favorite manoeuvre of the enemy in dealing with
our swift and sometimes audacious little privateers.
The English man-of-war "Indian," twenty-two guns,
had previously tried to come it over the "Polly"
in a difterent style, and failed most signally ; for both
vessels being becalmed off Cape Sable, she sent in
her launch anil other boats to board her, but the
"Polly" beat them off with such slaughter that it was
with difficulty that they could get back to their ship,
which made no further effort to molest her ant?gonist,
and made off when a breeze arose. Captains Samuel
C Hardy and Robert Evans successively handled
this wonderful little vessel with great skill, and with
her one twelve pounder and eight sixes, and a strong-
crew of sixty men, she was for nearly two years a most
effective sea rover.
A large number of the privateers were captured by
the enemy, as will be seen by the list given in the ap-
pendix ; but so great was the aggregate value of their
prizes that the pecuniary loss to the owners was of
little consequence, .although many good men of their
crews lost their lives or languished long in English
prisons.
There were a number of small craft, launches and
open boats that ran out on occasion, and made some
captures, being, in the hands of desperate men, no
mean antagonists. Mention should be made of the
schooner " Helen," loaned by the Messrs. White and
Knapp, Salem merchants, at their own ri-^k, and
fitted out and manned by a volunteer crew^ of seventy
men, gathered by fife and drum in Salem streets, all
within the sp.ace of about four hours. It appears that
news was received Nov. 12, 1812, in Salem, that the
"Liverpool Packet," a well-known and very active
British privateer, had been seen inside of Halfway
Rock, and this sudden expedii ion was organized for her
capture. The Englishmen had sailed for St. John in
time to avoid the "Helen," but the incident suffi-
ciently indicates the high spirit of the time and the
courage of the men, who, at a moment's notice, were
ready to attempt the capture of a strong and well-
armed vessel.
It would seem that m.any English prisoners came
this way, for in 1814, and perhaps previously, tlie
government maintained the prison-ship "Aurora" in
the North River, in which many were confined, prin-
cipally sea-faring men.
During the war, in addition to the ordinary militia
and the volunteer companies of the town there was a
company of sea-fenciblcs, so called, organized and com-
posed entirely of masters and mates of mercliantmen
who were idle, to serve as artillerists or otherwise, as
198
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the coast was threatened from time to time by British
men-of-war.
The venerable William H. Foster, now living, was
a member of the cadet company of that day, and was
also acting as assistant to the United States provost
marshal of the district, in which capacity he took the
parole of three English otiieers, who had been taken
in Maine, and reported to be paroled until exchanged.
Mr. Foster's youthful appearance, and the easy absence
of ceremony in dealing with them, rather astonished
the Englishmen, one of whom, a colonel, remarked
that it would have taken several British officers to man-
age such a matter with them, instead of one young boy.
Young Foster looked after them that night, and in
the morning they were sent to Andover, where, with
others, they enjoyed for a time the good air and
ample religious and literary privileges of that hill
town, if any there were there then. We were econom-
ical of men and means in the prosecution of that war.
Mr. Foster also remembers various alarms, muster-
ings and marches hither and thither on various occa-
sions. When the frigate " Constitution " was forced
to take refuge in Marblehead harbor from a pursuing
squadron of the enemy, the company of fencibles
dragged their twenty-four pounders over to the shore
of that town to play on the enemy in case they should
follow her. The English vessels, not being acquainted
with the shore and depth of water, did not venture
in, and an attack with boats upon a formidable
frigate was out of the question, of course.
The next day the "Constitution" was brought
around to Salem by Joseph Perkins, the harbor pilot,
who died but a few years since, and anchored under
the guns of the fort. With the crowd of others from
Salem and Marblehead who lined the headlands, Mr.
Foster a year later shared in the intense excitement
and bitter disappointment of witnessing the combat
of the ill-fated "Chesapeake" with the "Shannon,"
in which our shij) was taken but a mile or two off
shore.
It is to be regretted that a list of those who served
in the army during the war of 1812 from Salem can-
not be given, as in that existing at the State house
the residences of the men are not given. The num-
ber was, it is understood, not large, as the war was
not over-popular in this neighborhood, and the tastes
of a maritime people led them to seek the enemy on
their proper element.
It may not be considered out of place to allude to
the services of General Miller, who held a command
in this war, and who, though not originally from
Salem, was long identified with the town by his resi-
dence here. His modest but determined answer to
General Scott, at the battle of Lundy's Lane, when
asked if he could carry a certain position with his
brigade, followed by his gallant and successful attack,
will ever live in the memory of his countrymen.
The Mexican War called for but few regiments to
augment the strength of the regular army. The
names of the few from Salem who served in the Mas-
sachusetts regiment of volunteers, commanded by Col.
Caleb Gushing, of Newburyport, are to be found in
the appendix. This regiment served in the army
commanded by General Scott, and took part in the
engagements that signalized its resistless march from
Vera Cruz to Mexico. If any men from this place
joined the so-called New England regiment, it lias been
impossible to obtain their names.
It is proper to speak of some vr)lunteer militia or-
ganizations that have been identified with the history
of the town ; for without a hearty recognition of the
long existence of some of them in the face of many
difficulties, and of the services they have directly and
indirectly been able from time to time to render, no
military record of Salem would be complete.
Incidentally, it may be stated that under the system
adopted soon alter the Revolution, the entire male
population of the State, within certain ages, was en-
rolled as a militia, and were liable to be called out by
the Governor for service within the State upon any
emergency. Meanwhile they were required to attend
at certain stated times and places for musters or train-
ings in companies, regiments and brigades of local
establishment, under officers chosen and commissioned
by the Governor. With the heterogeneous mass of
raw material that, under this system, were, within the
memory of man, annually formed upon Salem Com-
mon, under officers for the most pari quite ignorant of
the simplest requirements of military duty, it is not
necessary to trouble ourselves in an article that as-
sumes to treat of things military. These gatherings
served to amuse the people, and the vanity of many
excellent citizens was tickled by military titles that
often as ill-fitted their characters as their uniforms
did their persons.
Here and there in the State, however, from the be-
ginning, there were a few, who, having a real desire to
learn the duties of soldiers and to be of some use in
case of need, formed themselves into volunteer com-
panies by permission of the State, elected men of mil-
itary instincts and application as their officers, and
in neat uniforms and equipments steadily labored to be
as far as possible real and not caricatures of soldiers.
They kept alive the germs of the military spirit sown
in the different wars, and furnished tactical schools
that proved of value when the State or nation re-
quired troops for actual service. The superiority of
these organizations over the mob of enrolled militia,
became ultimately so apparent that Governor Banks,
some years before the war, remodeled the entire mil-
itary establishment of the State upon the volunteer
plan that has endured to this day, and furnishes us
with two brigades of fairly instructed militia.
Of the original volunteer companies the Salem
Light Infantry, the Mechanics' Light Infantry and
the Salem Cadets were among the beat in the State.
First parading, July 4th, 1806, under Captain John
Saunders, the Salem Light Infantry was from the out-
SALEM.
199
set a select body of men, numbering in its ranks in
every period some of the most substantial citizens of
the town, and actuated always by a strong esprit du
eorpsxhat told in its invariable excellence in drill and
discipline.
It did some slight service as coast guards during
tlie War of 1812, and at the breaking out of the civil
war in 1861, went to the front with the Eighth Regi-
ment Massachusetts Militia, and served three months.
One incident of this service was its voyage from An-
napolis to New York as guard for the old frigate " Con-
stitution,'' which relic of our former naval prowess, the
government was determined should not fall into the
hands of the enemy. It subseijuently served nine
months, in 18(52-63, as part of the 50th ^Ia.ss. Militia, in
the service of the United States, seeing plenty of warm
work in the Department of the Gulf. And in 1864
it again volunteered for another three months' ser-
vice. Throughout the war the company was con-
stantly sending from its ranks large numbers of men,
in the aggregate nearly three times the number it con-
tained in 1861, many of whom held commissions.
The war record of this company is remarkable.
Doing much service as an organization, and repeated-
ly, when at home, filling its ranks and as often de-
pleting them in the manner alluded to, it seemed a
never failing conduit for the augmentation of our
armies in the field. The company still endures with
good numbers as a part of the Eighth Regiment Mas-
sachusetts Militia, and is a credit to the city.
Older than the organization just described, by over
twenty years, the Second Corps of Cadets, originally
formed as a company in 1781, under Captain Stephen
Abbott, constantly vied with the other in the high
character of its membership and in the maintenance
of a good state of drill and efficiency. During the
War of 1812 it performed similar duty at intervals,
and during the War of the Rebellion did three
months' duty in the service of the United States.
From its ranks went only less officers and men
to the active army than from those of its rival.
Organized at present as a small battalion of two
companies, it presents a fine appearance when on du-
ty, and is ju-tly regarded as one of the crack military
bodies of the State.
The Mechanics' Light Infantry first paraded under
Capt. Perley Putnam, July 4, 1S07. As its name im-
plied, it was composed originally of young mechan-
ics and was always a most excellent company, as it
is to-day, although its numbers are somewhat reduced
from what they should be. It went to the front with
the Fifth Militia Regiment in April, 1861, for three
months; and few companies have ever had fuller
ranks than it showed on that occasion.
The Salem City Guard, organized about 1848, was
said to be a good company in its prime, though it no
longer exists. Certainly its old members may feel
that though dead, it is on the field of honor, as it is
the only militia company of Salem that enlisted as
such for the three years' service in the War of 1861.
It died as a militia company, to become a part of the
Fortieth Mass.ichusetts Infantry Volunteers, where it
saw plenty of service.
The Salem Artillery, a company organized in 1787,
and two juvenile organizations formed of boys under
eighteen, the Washington Rangers and the Washing-
ington Blues, both first parading aljout 1807, were
short-lived, neither surviving after about 1815.
The three companies of militia above spoken of as
now existing in Salem, do not stand merely as relics
of the past, like the Ancient and Honorable .\rtillery
of Boston, but are essentially military in character,
and to be relied upon for any necessary service.
In the case of the Light Infantry and Cadets, the
commemoration of their past glories, — their historical
department, if it may be so described, — is well cared
for by their respective veteran corps, that turn out in
large numbers on all anniversaries and other festive
occasions with side arms and impressive chapeaus,
and in the customary closing exercises of the day, in-
dulge in much jovial reminiscence and display con-
vivial talents of the highest order.
Before considering the part taken by Salem in the
war fought for the preservation of the Union, mention
should be made of the defensive works that have from
time to time been erected within her limits.
The harbor and town of Salem have never been
specially well fortified, and a word will dispose of the
history of her defences of this nature.
There is some mention of an early structure, prob-
ably a block-house, within a stockade that stood on
the highest point in the present city limits, which
would be that now occupied by the Sewall Street
Methodist Church. This work, strengthened from
time to time, was no doubt the one alluded to as Fort
Anne, and was presumably the main reliance of the
place against Indians. Another work of equal an-
tiquity was the Darby Fort, erected in 1629, on the
Marblehead Side, probably on Naugus Head, where
the present earth work is located.
During the Indian wars, block-houses were erected
at various points on the outskirts of the settlement to
guard the plantations, and were in times of danger
furnished with garrisons, though probably unprovid-
ed with cannon.
In 1643 a considerable fort was built on Winter
Island, originally styled Fort William, which was
maintained at intervals, until the Revolutionary War,
when it was strengthened and mounted with a few
guns. The land and fort were ceded to the United
States in 1794, and in 1799 its name was changed to
Fort Pickering; it has, since that time, been in an
alternate condition of grassy dilapidation or neat ef-
fectiveness, according as peace or war has prevailed
in the land. The work on the hill on the neck to the
north of Winter Island, is the successor of a breast-
work existing on that spot at a very early day, that
has from time to time been restored. In the Revolu-
200
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tionary AVar it was called Fort Lee — and perhaps
still retains the name.
Away on the point the builders of cottages may
have found traces of an old battery that commanded
the islands and Beverly harbor during the Revolution,
under the name of Fort Juniper. It has now disap-
peared, and the yachtsmen and cottagers flirt and
make merry, where once the sad-faced patriot senti-
nel looked out over the bay in the moonlight and
wondered at the inscrutable providence that kept him
out there in the cold instead of suffering him to slum-
ber in his comfortable bed in the town, but a mile
away.
This is no place to discuss the causes that led to the
Civil War. The long strain imposed upon our institu-
tions by Negro Slavery, that anomaly in a nation found-
ed upon the theoretical equality and freedom of allmen,
was not to be relieved longer by hollow compromises,
in which both parties felt defrauded. And yet at the
North there prevailed an optimistic feeling of secu-
rity— a reluctance to believe that their brethren of
the South were willing to sever a Union of States
baptized with the blood of their fathers, and present-
ing, with all its defects, such a grand illustration of a
successful government by the people for the people
To the last they hugged the hope that the Southern
bluster would evaporate and, in some manner, the dif-
ferences between the sections be healed.
The sound of the first gun fired upon Fort Sumter
awakened the North from this dream, and with a de-
termination that the Union should remain inviolate
quite as strong as that of the South for its dissever-
ment, it arose and bent its great strength and vast
resources to the task of defeating the aims of the
secessionists. Handicapped by want of preparation,
its purpose was firm, and in spite of traitors at home
and false friends abroad, it finally and most thoroughly
accomplished this work.
Salem shared with other Massachusetts towns in her
sudden anger at the attack of the batteries of Charles-
ton. On the evening of April 17th, the Wednesday after
the firing upon Fort Sumter, an earnest meeting of
citizens was held in Mechanics' Hall, at which the
mayor, Hon. S. P. Webb, presided and read a strong
address, which was subsequently published, in which
the people were called upon to forget party differences
and uphold the government in its effort to preserve
the country. Patriotic speeches were made and reso-
lutions, prepared by a committee made up without
regard to the previous party affiliations of its mem-
bers, were unanimously adopted. They expressed the
determination to stand by the government, pledged
life and fortune to the preservation of the Union, and
to the protection and care of the families of those
about to go into the field. Several thousand dollars
were subscribed on the spot for this purpose, and a
permanent committee chosen to secure more funds,
composed of the following well-known gentlemen :
S. P. Webb, .John Bertram, R. S. Rogers, W. D.
Pickman, B. A. West, G. F. Browne, W. P. Phillips,
N. B. Mansfield, William McMullan, E. W. Kimball,
G. H. Devereux, W. D. Northend, J. V. Browne, C.
W. Upham, George Peabody, W. C, Endicott, Charles
Mansfield, David Pingree, A. Perkins, J. S. Jones, R.
S. Rautoul, A. C. Goodell, R. C. Manning, Samuel
Brown, J. C. Stimpson, and B. M. Perkins.
Meanwhile the first call of the President for State
troops to be sent for the defence of the capital, had
been promulgated, and some of the military compa-
nies being under orders to march, the town was sim-
mering with the excitement of their approaching de-
parture.
On the following day the Salem Light Infantry,
called the Zouaves, under Captain Arthur Devereux,
numbering sixty-two muskets, left Salem for Boston,
where, though on the militia rolls as Company A,
Seventh Militia Regiment, they were attached to the
Eighth Regiment, and w-ere at once sent forward.
Two days later, April 20th, two other companies, the
Mechanics' Light Infantry, under Captain George
Pierson, and the City Guard, under Captain Henry
Danforth, left Salem and went direct to the City of
Washington as part of the Fifth Militia Regiment.
Upon the departure of each of these companies
they were addressed at their armories by the mayor
and other prominent citizens amid a gathering of
their friends. They were bid God-speed, and urged to
remember the high duty they were called upon to
perform, while at every step of their march through
the streets they were cheered by enthusiastic crowds,
many of whom only regretted that circumstances pre.
vented their being also in the ranks. The city was
a unit in its enthusiasm, and while there was plenty
of "gush," if the word may be pardoned, and an
exaltation of sentiment greater than our national
temperament has been usually given to, the occasion
justified it, and it was hearty and genuine to the last
degree. In these companies over two hundred men
left Salem for Washington within five days from the
call of the President.
But the Governor of Massachusetts, and other far-
seeing men in the State, were fully persuaded that the
immediate and pressing need for soldiers would not be
confined simply to the protection of the National
Capital ; that the South was making no mere demon-
stration, and that to preserve the integrity of the na-
tion there might be required another and different
army from the militia regiments now ha.stening to
Washington. The tread, therefore, of the marching
troops was still sounding in Salem's streets, when re-
cruiting offices were opened at the suggestion of pro-
minent citizens, to provide for the unknown contin-
gencies of the future.
Captains Coggswell and Fitzgerald began at once to
enlist men for three years' service, and had but little
difficulty in doing so. At an Irish patriotic meeting
forty men were enlisted on the spot. The City Coun-
cil of Salem had, meantime, voted $15,000 at its first
I
SALEM.
201
meeting after tlie surrender of Sumter, to be used in
aid of tlie families of absent soldiers.
April 24th, the pa.st members of the absent Light In-
fantry organized under the style of the Veteran Light
Lifantry, for such duty as might be required of them
about home.
Captain Charles Manning, who had been enlisting
men for the Fourth Battery of Light Artillery, had
his rolls filled, and added to the military enthusiasm
of the hour by a drill on Salem Common, on May 3d,
and the same day the Fitzgerald Guards were para-
ded. This company went into camp on May 10th as
part of Colonel Cass's Irish Regiment, afterwards the
Ninth Massachusetts Infantry, On Sunday, May
12th, Captain Coggswell's company, then styled the
Andrew Light Guard, marched from their barracks
on Winter Island to attend church in a body, and
two days later they left the city for Camp Andrew, in
Roxbury, wliere they were incorporated with the
Second Massachusetts Volunteers. The company
was presented with a color on its departure from the
city.
Both of these companies were uniformed by the
city and private subscriptions, supplemented by the
personal work of the patriotic women of Salem.
And .so the long i)atriotic excitement fed by these
events continued. Perhaps never in the hi.story of
any country was there seen such an outburst of disin-
terested enthusiasm so well sustained as marked the
first few months of the war in the entire North. And
it was fully shared in Salem. Every one was desirous
of doing something in aid of the cause. Men and
women seemed for the time to lose sight of the petty
aims and thoughts of every-day life, and were digni-
fied by a common love of their country and a desire
to serve it.
Every man who enlisted was in the eyes of his
friends a hero. Nothing was too good for him. And
this honest admiration and the enthusiastic ovations
given to the departing soldiers, did indeed make he-
roes of the meanest among them, and they went to
the front with a high courage that courted the oppor-
tunity to fully deserve the encomiums .showered upon
them.
At home the newspapers were crowded with war
news, genuine and speculative. The published letters
of absent soldiers to their friends were read with
avidity, and their sage prognostications as to the
plans of the enemy and the possibilities of the future
were only less interesting than the views of a host of
military strategists, who now arose and recommended
movements, and criticized the officers in command of
the troops, as freely as if military science had been
imbibed with their mothers' milk.
The great puzzle was as to the movements of the
enemy. Where their position was not known, it was
nevertheless stated with as much precision by the
military newspaper correspondent as though he ex-
amined 'their lines daily. The masked battery and
13i
other military spectres were worked for all they were
worth, and the people strained their understanding
to the utmost to master the intricate details of posi-
tions, evolutions, strategy and logiatique, not always
realizing the ignorance of those who wrote so fluently
on these subjects. On the street corners, in the old
corner book-store and other centres of quasi-public
consultation, the all-absorbing topics were of a mili-
tary character, and that group was fortunate that
included some tactical veteran of the light infantry or
other militia organization, on whose words the others
hung as they were those of an oracle.
Military notices and advertisements for recruits be-
gan to appear in the papers, while the announcement
to the effect that " the ladies of such and such a church
" would meet on such an afternoon to make clothing
" for a certain company, or that such other ladies
" would meet to make Havelocks," and other similar
notices indicated that the feminine portion of the
community were not only talking (which of course
they needs must always do) but also vigorously work-
ing, as indeed they were. Although prevented by na-
ture from .shouldering muskets, the women of Salem
were then and throughout the war, filled with a pa-
triotic fervor that found practical expression in such
liberality of means and effort as gave great aid and
comfort to the Salem men in the field, and to the un-
fortunates who languished from time to time in hos-
pital.
When the militia companies went out and the vol-
unteers were enlisting in advance of the resources of
the government for their equipment, the fair ones of
Salem laid aside their embroidery and sewed for dear
life on rough uniforms, being fully repaid for their
toil when watching the gallant forms marching
through the streets in garments with each stitch of
which they were familiar.
In a newspaper of the time the mayor recommends
the Havelock as a useful article for the soldier in a
warm climate, and states that he has a pattern at his
office for the use of those desiring to make them. So
this remarkable ])roduct of this .stage of the war cost
the Salem ladies many hours of work; and as the mi-
litia man or recruit with this queer imitation of the
servicealile article worn in the East Indian service
on his head, passed proudly by on the sidewalk, the
benevolent ladies who had cut and made it little real-
ized how soon it would be thrown away or used as a
dish-cloth in camp.
May 24tli ten men went on to reinforce the Salera
Light Infantry, and great excitement was caused in
Salem by the advance of the national forces acro.ss
the Potomac into Virginia, and the wild rumors of
accompanying engagements that bad no founda-
tion.
General Andrews, ol Salem, was put in command
of the forts of Boston harbor early in June. Later in
the month the city was enthusiastic over the engage-
! ment at Philippi, West Virginia, where our troops
202
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
gained a slight success, and General Lander, of Sa-
lem, led in his brigade. The families of the men in
the field who required it, now regularly received the
aid that was continued to all throughout the war.
Drill clubs were formed in the city to familiarize men
with the use of arms in view of future needs. In
their ranks were many men who distinguished them-
selves later in the war. The Veteran Light Infantry
also met often and drilled vigorously. As the full
extent of the rebel strength transpired, and it ap-
peared that all the Southern States were determined
to join in the secession movement, authority was given
to the States to raise more troops, and early in July
recruiting offices were again opened in Salem by A.
Parker I^rowne, J. C. Putnam and N. W. Osborne.
Meanwhile the companies of Cogswell and Fitzgerald
were fast learning iheir duties in camp.
July 16th considerable excitement was caused by
the report of the rebel privateers "Sumter" and
"Jeff Davis" being upon the coast. But the times
had changed. The town no longer swarmed with
seafaring men, and no recruiting party marched
through the town, beating up a crew to go out and
take them, as in the days of 1812. A few .super-
annuated ship-masters, men of wealth and ease, were
about all that remained to remind one that this had
been a maritime town and a great centre of com-
merce.
During July it was daily expected that our army
would advance, and as the enemy were now known to
be in some force in its front, a decisive action was
anticipate<l. The month wore on full of earnest
work, and with an underlying feeling of suppressed
excitement and strained expectation, until at length
the day came — that day of sorrow and deep mortifica-
tion. The first confused reports, contradictions and
excuses soon crystalized, and the full extent of the
disaster at Bull Pviin struck the people of Salem, as
the entire North, like a blow. Stunned at first, they
soon recovered and began to grasp the full meaning of
this defeat. They saw that a great war was only just
begun : That the eflbrts already put forth could be
regarded as but an earnest of what must continue in-
definitely, and that if the nation was to endure, faith
and patriotism nuist be subjected to a steady strain,
and men, money and effort given without stint.
The first stage of the war was over; the time ol
wild enthusiasm, of exaggerated sentiment and un-
thinking elation excited by the novelty of the situa-
tion, had jjassed. Men and women were sobered and
realized the heavy burden of bloodshed, grief aud loss
that they must bear ; and they took it up without hesita-
tion, here as elsewhere. Men began to arrange their
affairs that they might join the army, and the drill
clubs were assiduously attended, while the recruit-
ing officers found little difficulty in filling their
ranks.
The returning short term companies were greeted
with a kindness and warmth that served to fix the
resolution of most of their members to return to the
army. Every engagement with the soldiers was
rigidly kept, and there was an increa-sed effort made in
all directions to furnish all that the government
should require of Salem. The patriotic work of the
ladies was continued with unabated zeal, and as the
war continued they never relaxed their energies.
They organized or assisted in fairs in aid of the
sanitary commission. Their Dorcas Societies incon-
tinently threw over the poor whom they had always
hitherto had with them, and picked lint f<ir the
wounded, or knit socks of the stoutest yarn and jior-
tentous dimensions for the soldier well or ailing.
They gave freely of money, medicines aud delicacies
(or army necessities, hopefully kept up the cheerful-
ness of the men at home ; while during the long war
there were few among them who did not have some
one especially dear to them, who had gone with the
army, and to whom, if living, they sent words of lov-
ing encouragement, or for whom, if dead, they shed
many tears, while they still worked on for the living.
In this connection reference should be made to the
Field Hospital Corps raised in Salem, in May of this
year, by the Rev. D. G. Wildes, rector of Grace
Church. This corps was composed of sixty volunteers |
from Salem and vicinity, and w is said to be the first
effort for a systematized ambulance department in
the army.
On the day following the battle of Bull Run, the
" Essex Cadets," a company recruited by Lieut. A.
Parker Browne, marched under Capt. Seth A. Bux-
ton from Salem to join the camp of instruu-tion. It
subsequently was incorporated with the Fortieth
Regiment Massachusetts Infimtry.
Early in September the first company of sharp-
shooters unattached, containing many Salem men,
left the State for Washington, and on the 4th of the
month, Capt. Ethan A. P. Brewster's Company "A,"
of the Twenty-Third Slassachusetts Infantry, that
had been recruiting in Salem, marched from town to
the camp at Lynnfield, followed on the 7th liy Capt.
John F. Devereux's Company, subsequently attached
to the Eleventh Infantry.
A drill club that had been steadily keeping to their
work for some months, voted about this time to en-
list in a body for the war, and on the 18th of Octo-
ber, marched under Capt. Geo. M.Whipple, to Lynn-
field, to join as its Company " F," the Twenty-Third
Infantry, which was now completed. Containing two |
full Salem companies, this regiment, on the 31st of the
month, marched into Salem and were reviewed on the
Common, just before leaving for the seat of war, to the
great pride and satisfaction of the people.
Meanwhile there had been constant recruiting for
other companies. On the 8th of October a second
company of sharpshooters, under Capt. E. Wentworth,
left fiir the front as part of the Twenty-Second Infan-
try ; and Capt. Charles M. Devereux's Company " H,"
Nineteenth Regiment, were mustered into service in
SALEM.
203
November, and left the State Dec-ember 13tli, while
early in December Capt. John Daland's and (ieorge
F. Austin's Companies partly recruited in Salem and
attached to the Twenty-Fourth Infantry, were ordered
South with their regiment.
Capt. Manning's Fourth B.attery of Lisrht Artillery,
entirely raised in Salem, had been mustered into ser-
vice and enibarUed on transports for the department
of thedulf.
In the foregoing account of tlie various military or-
ganizations leaving for the front, it is Viy no means to
be understood that they comprised all of the officers
and men who had entered the service from Salem
during the first nine months of the war. But those
have been spoken of who.se departure had some pecu-
liar interest for the nia.ss of the people by some cir-
cumstances of their organization or otherwise. For,
during this time Salem men were joining other com-
panies and regiments daily, and going to the front, as
will be seen by the brief notices of the various regi-
ments, a little further on. Salem was indeed doing
her duty in this first year of war, and as the event
[iroved, she had byno means exhausted her resources.
To the end of the war she continued to furnish men
and money liberally. Her quota was usually forth-
coming.
Early in l.'^(12, two military funerals in her streets,
of officers of distinction, served to remind the people,
had it been necessary, that war was not all pomp and
glitter, but meant deatli and sorrow. Salem did honor
to her illustrious dead, and the obsequies of General
Lander, whodicd in West Virginia, and of Lieutenant-
Colonel Henry Mcrritt, killed in action at Newberne,
gallantly leading the Twenty-Third Regiment, occur-
ring on the 8th and 21st of March, were impressive,
and attended by a large concourse of people.
Recruiting was resumed in 18G2. The Federal
armies in the field were very large; but when the
heavy work of the war fairly opened, and the long
rolls of the killed and wounded on the Peninsula be-
gan to be read, it was clear that those armies must be
replenished, from time to time, for years to come per-
haps; and so men were again flocking to the rendez-
vous and marching to the front.
Captain S. C. Oliver's Company of the Thirty-fifth
Infantry, containing some Salem men, went forward
with that regiment in August, 1862, and September
8th three companies under Captains D. H. Johnson,
Richard Skinner and Henry Danforth, that had been
partly recruited in Salem during the summer for the
Fortieth Infantry, were forwarded with the regiment
to Virginia. The last mentione<l of these companies
was the City Guard, with ranks filled up by fresh
enlistments. The Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fortieth
was Joseph A. Dalton of Salem.
November 19th Captain George Putnam's Com-
pany, " A," of the Fiftieth Militia Regiment, left the
State fiir the Department of the Gulf for nine months'
service. This C(jmpany was the Salem Light Infantry
filled up by special enlistments, many of its original
members being already in service in other parts of the
army.
December 27th Company E, recruited in Salem
for the Forty-eighth Jlilitia Regiment, by Captain
(feorge Wheatland, for nine months' service, em-
barked on transports for the Department of the Gulf.
July 10th of the following year (18G3) the draft
was ordered in the Northern States, and . Captain D.
H. Johnson, as Provost Marshal, completed the rolls
here and began to draw the names. Rut few men, how.
ever, were drafted in Salem, as the city made every
effort to fill her ([uota by offering heavy bounties to
volunteers, and in the main succeeded.
November Kith, 1863, the Twelfth Unattached
Company of Heavy Artillery, raised in Salem under
Captain J. W. Richardson, occupied the forts on
Salem Neck. This com])any, then commanded by
Captain Jos. M. Parsons, in June of the following
year (18(54) was ordered to Washington.
May 12, 1864, the Salem Light Infantry, Captain,
R. W. Reeves, again left Salem for one hundred days'
garrison duty, to relieve the regular volunteer troops
from this service and enable them to be put in at the
friirit.
In addition to the very large sums contributed by
individuals, from time to time during the war, in aid
of the soldiers, of their families' and to [U'omote en-
listments, the amount of which cannot be ascertained,
the city a|)propriated and expended on account of the
war one hundred and si.x thousand eight hundred and
eighty-five dollars, exclusive of over two hundred
thousand dollars, State aid to the families of the men
in the field, which latter was ultimately refunded to
her by the State. She responded to all calls upon her
for men, about three thousand entering the array and
navy during the war out of an entire population of a
little over twenty-one thousand. In the partial ac-
count given of the departure of these men from Sa-
lem, no tnention has been made of the character of
their service or that of the regiments to which they
belonged. It could not be expected that any extended
history of these organizations can be here given, and
only a glance at the careers of those containing more
or less Salem men is permitted by the limitation of
this article.
The militia regiments that first went out in the
spring of 1861, had a valuable experience of the
duties of the soldier in active service, learning the
use of arms and camp and outpost duty ; bnt they
were not engaged with the enemy excc|)t the Fifth
regiment, in which were the Salem City Guard and
Mechanics' Liglit Infantry Com[ianies, that took
some part in the battle of Bull Run though suffering
but slight lo.ss.
The first regiment to he raised for the service of the
United States, in this State, was the 2d Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry, that began to be formed before
the Government had called for other than militia
204
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
regiments. The Company commanded by Captain
Cogswell, containing many Salem men, was attached
to it, and at the close of the war this officer returned
in command of the regiment and with the brevet of
a brigadier, while of the Salem enlisted men, five had
earned commissions. The Second had a distinguished
record. With Colonel Gordon and Lieutenant-Col-
onel George L. Andrews, (of a Salem family) both
West Pointers, it was from the beginning a thoroughly
instructed and efficient regiment. It served under
General Patterson in ISGl, and subsequently remained
in the Shenandoah Valley under General Banks, dis-
tinguishing itself as a part of the rear guard in his re-
treat to the Potomac in May 1862. Closely engaged in
the battle of Cedar Mountain under the same officer,
it there lost nearly half of its officers and one-third
of the men. It took part in the succeeding battles of
Centreville and Antictam, and the following year
lost heavily at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.
Forming part of the force sent to New York to sup-
press the draft riots, it was then sent to Alabama
where the regiment was furloughed for re-enlistment
and returned with recruited ranks in time to take
part in General Sherman's severe Atlanta campaign,
subsequently marching through Georgia and continu-
ing northward through the Carolinas in the resistless
march of that officer until its fighting days were ended
at Raleigh by the news of Lee's surrender. At the
muster out, July 14, 1805, there were but four officers
and one hundred men remaining of the original full
regiment that had marched from the State to the front.
In the Ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer
Infantry there were a large number of Salem men,
particularly in company F, originally called the
Fitzgerald Guard, already mentioned. Serving in
front of Washington from its muster in June, 18i5],
when it became a part of the great Army of the Poto-
mac, in whose fortunes it shared until its muster-out
in June, 1864. In Morell's division of the fifth
corps, it took part in all the battles of the ill-fated
peninsula campaign, and in the determined stand
made by Porter in command of this corps at Gaines'
Mill, the Ninth lost twenty officers and three hundred
and sixty men. Still, and always in the fifth corps
under Porter, and afterwards under Warren, the reg-
iment was engaged at Centreville, Antietam, Freder-
icksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and
through the Wilderness to Spottsylvania, on all these
historic fields acquitting itself with great gallantry
and sufl'ering heavy losses. The regiment was mus-
tered out at the expiration of its term of service in
June, 1864. Four of the enlisted men from Salem
had received commissions in addition to the three
officers origin.iUy marching from the city.
The Twenty-third Regiment Massachusetts Infan-
try had peculiar claims upon the city by reason of
the large number of its citizens in the ranks, and the
interest attaching to one of its companies that, in a
sudden burst of patriotic feeling had resolved them-
selves, by a vote, from a drill-club of amateurs into a
company of United States soldiers with plenty of
hard service immediately before them. The regi-
ment was sent to Annapolis, and a few months later
joined General Burnside's expedition that took Roa-
noke Island and occupied Newberne. It suffered
some losses in these operations, including Lieutenant-
Colonel Merritt, already mentioned. Later, in the
same department, under General Foster, it was en-
gaged at Heckman's farm, Arrowfield Church and
Drury's Bluff. In the later action it lost heavily,
being exposed to a flank attack.
Under General Stannard, the Twenty-third joined
the Army of the Potomac just before the battle of
Cold Harbor in which it took part, subsequently
doing duly in the trenches at Petersburg. Being
returned to its old department, it was put in during
the final operations in that quarter in 1865, being last
engaged at Kingston. It was finally mustered out of
service in June, 1865, a large number of the regiment
having re-enlisted the previous year. Six of its en-
listed men from Salem returned home with commis-
sions, excepting one. Lieutenant Richard P. Wheeler,
who had died of w(mnds received in action.
The Twenty-third was a thoroughly good regiment
and always did its work in gallant style.
Captain Arthur F. Devereux, who had drilled the
Salem Light Infantry Company just before the war
to a wonderful point of excellence, upon the return
of that company JVom its three months' service, aided
in raising the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts
Infantry, going out as its lieutenant-colonel and
returning in command as a brevet brigadier-general.
He took with him as officers nine or ten of his old
light infantrymen and near one hundred recruits from
Salem, besides many from the vicinity. The Nine-
teenth was a regiment always noted for its drill and
precision of movement and distinguished itself in
many actions. It took five stand of colors, and was
twice complimented in general orders.
Getting its initiation at Balls' Bluff, it took part in
the Peninsular battles, Centreville, Bristoe Station,
Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg (there forming the
advance that crossed the river in pontoons), fought at
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and
succeeding engagements, and after the rough winter's
work in front of Petersburg, was in at the death at
Appomatox, where one of its captains was killed by
the last shot .said to have been fired by the enemy.
Capt. George W. Batchelder, of Salem, was killed at
Antietam.
The 24th Volunteer Infantry contained several offi-
cers and a considerable number of men from Salem. It
was a well instructed regiment, and always displayed
good qualities in the face of the enemy. Accompany-
ing the Burnside expedition it took part in the en-
gagement prior and subsequent to the occupation of
Newberne, and being sent to the siege of Charleston
was in the attempt on Fort Wagner and other actions
I
SALEM.
205
in that vicinity until ordered to St. Augustine, Fla.,
ill the latter part of IStJS. In the spring of 18(>4 it
was transferred to the Tenth Corps, Army of the
James, where, at the battle of Drury's IJluff, it sull'er-
ed considerable loss. Later at Deep Bottom and in
subsequent service in front of Petersburg, the regi-
ment lost heavily. It continued to participate in the
operations tliat resulted in Lee's surren<ler. Having
largely re-enlisted at the expiration of its first three
years of service, the regiment was not finally mus-
tered out until January 20, 1866, remaining on duty
as part of the garrison of Richmond, Va. Adjutant
Charles G. Ward, of the Twenty-fourth, of Salem, was
killed in action May 6, 1864.
In the Eleventh Infantry were a nnmlier of men
recruited in and about Salem. Its list of engage-
ments is that of those of the Army of the Potomac, in
which it served from the first battle of Bull Run to
the close of the war, and always with distinction.
The Salem men who served in the Twelfth Infantry
known as the Webster Regiment, after making the
campaign with General Banks in the Shenandoah
Valley and at Cedar Mountain, had a similar experi-
ence in the succeeding engagements of the Army of
tlie Potomac through the battle of Cold Harbor, after
which those that were left were mustered out at the
expiration of their term of service.
In the Fortieth Infantry there were a considerable
number of officers from Salem, and it was recruited
partly here. The regiment entered the service in
September, 1862, served in Virginia until in the di-
vision of General Gordon (the former colonel of the
Second Infantry) it was sent to Suftblk to reinforce
General Peck, who was facing Lougstreet's army.
From there sent to the South Atlantic coast, it was
engaged at Seabrook farm, S. C, and subsequently
forming a part of the Florida expedition, sufl'ered se-
verely at Olustee and the accompanying actions in
that ill-advised campaign. The regiment was sent
north in time to engage in the final operations of the
Army of the Potomac, entering Richmond in April,
186S. Lieut. George C. Bancroft, from Salem, was
killed at Old Church, Va., June 1, 1864.
The Seventeenth Infantry contained nearly seventy
Salem men. Raised in 1861, after a few months' gar-
rison duty at Baltimore, it reported at Newberne, N.
C. It was engaged at Kinston and Goldsborough. On
the 16th of December, 1863, an attack was made on
Newberne by a strong force of the enemy, and the
Seventeenth lost heavily in repelling it. Later it
was engaged at Washington, N. C. Subsequently,
March 8, 1865, the regiment was heavily engaged at
Wise Forks, N. C, in the advance made from the
coast to connect with General Sherman. Garrisoning
Greensboro', N. C, until July 11, 1865, the regiment
was then mustered out of service.
The single officer and sixteen or eighteen men of
Salem who served with the Thirtieth Massachusetts
Infantry, known as the Eastern Bay State Regiment,
were, with it, engaged in the principal actions in the
department of the Gulf during 1862 and 186;'.. Re-
enliating in 1864 it, upon return from furlough, was
put into the Nineteenth Corps and transferred to
Washington, and ultimately the Shenandoah V^al-
Icy, where it was engaged in Sheridan's battles, spe-
cially distinguishing itself at Cedar Creek. The
regiment remained in service in (Tcorgia until 1866.
In the Thirty-Second Infantry were rather more
men from this city. Tliis regiment, going to the
front early in 1862, after a short period of garrison
duty, became a part of the Army ol'the Potomac, and
remained with it to the end, being engaged in nearly
every battle fought by that army, from the Peninsu-
lar campaign to the moment that the Army of North-
ern Virginia laid down its arms. Its only commis-
sioned officer from Salem, Captain Charles A. Dear-
born, was killed at Fredericksburg.
The Thirty-Fifth Infantry had three officers from
Salem, although but few enlisted men. Its record is
very similar to that of the regiment last mentioned,
although it did not go into action until Antietam.
Lieutenant Charles F. Williams, of this regiment, from
Salem, died of wounds September 22, 1868.
The Twenty-Eighth and Twenty-Ninth regiments
of infantry numbered but i'evi men in their ranks
from Salem. Mustered into service in 1861, the
Twenty-Ninth took part in the engagements of the
Army of the Potomac from Gaines' Mill to Freder-
icksburg, when it was ordered West, and bore a
hand at Vicksburg and in other engagements in the
cotton States, being ordered North, and taking part
in the Cold Harbor battle and in the succeeding ope-
rations in front of Petersburg. The Twenty-Eighth,
entering the service early in 1862, was put into the
-Army of the Potomac in season for the battle of Cen-
treville and every subsequent jiitched battle of that
army, ending at Ream's Station. Like all Massachu-
setts regiments these did their duty well. The Thirty-
Ninth Infantry, commanded by Colonel Charles L.
Pierson, of Salem, contained but few others from this
town. It was a good regiment and saw its share of
service.
Mention should be made of the two colored Massa-
chusetts regiments, the Fifty-Fourth and Fifty-Fifth
Infantry, both of whom had some officers (who were
white) from Salem, and some recruits also. Both
regiments were sent to Hilton Head, participated in
the Olustee campaign in Florida, and took an active
part in the operations against Charleston, S. C. They
were in the assault on Fort Wagner, where the Fif-
ty-Fourth lost heavily, and wherever engaged showed
such courage and soldierly conduct as did much to re-
move the predjudice entertained at first for this class
of troojis. They remained in service in that depart-
ment until their final muster-o'.it. Lieutenant Edwin
R. Hill, of the Fifty- Fifth, of Salem, was killed in ac-
tion December 9, 1864.
There was a considerable aggregate contingent of
206
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Salem men in the Fifty-Sixth, Fifty-Seventh and Fifty-
Eighth regiments, ]jarticuliirly in the latter, whose
Lieutenant-Colonel, John Hodges, of Salem, was killed
while leading the regiment, July 30, 18G4. These
regiments were raised late in the war (ISU.S), but got
into very heavy work when their turn came, and as is
often the case with full regiments coming to the front
from garrison duty, they were kept well in the advance,
where they were very willing to go. They all lost
severely in the Virginia campaign of 1864-G5, and
well-earned a good place in the roll of honor of their
State.
In the First, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Eighteenth,
Twentieth and Twenty-second Regiment.s of Massa-
chusetts Infantry, there was but an aggregate of f(jur
officers and about seventy enlisted men from Salem,
exclu.sive of the fir.st and second companies of sharp-
shooters hereafter mentioned. The.se regiments were
all connected with the Army of the Potomac from the
time of its tirst mobilization and bore a distinguished
part in its many sanguinary engagements. All were
mustered out at the expiration of their three years'
service at various dates in 1864, with the exception of
the Twentieth that re-enlisted, but had the misfortune
to be surrounded at Reams Station, August 23, 181)4,
where the entire regiment was killed or captured.
Lieutenant Richard Derby, the only commissioned
officer from Salem in the Fifteenth Regiment, was
killed at Antietara.
The two companies of sharpshooters raised in this
State took a number of keen rifle shots out of Salem,
particularly the Seccmd company that had nearly all
its officers and about thirty men from this city. This
company was attached to the Twenty-second Ma.ssa-
chusetts Infantry, and shared in the honors and
fatigues of that gallant regiment in the Army of the
Potomac from the beginning, doing valuable service
in its particular line of duty on many fields. It was
subsequently attached to the First and Twentieth
Regiments of Infantry.
The first company though commanded by a Salem
man, had few in its ranks from here. Serving unat-
tached in General Lander's command until the death
of that officer in West Virginia, it was subsequently
attached to the Fifteenth, and later to the Nineteenth
Infantry, taking the creditable part in the battles of
the Army of the Potomac that was borne by those
distinguished regiments. Its first captain, John Saun-
ders, of Salem, was killed at Antietam.
Salem was well represented in other branches, in
the three years' service. The First Regiment of
Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, commanded by Col.
Tannatt, of Salem, a West Point graduate, had more
Salem men in its ranks than any regiment that left
the State. Raised in 1862, it did duty in its proper
sphere in charge of the heavy guns in diflerent
fortre.sses in the belt around Washington, at Mary-
land Heights and elsewhere. In General Pope's cam-
paign in 1862 the regiment was ordered as infantry
to the front and participated in the battle of Centre-
ville. After another period of service in garrison, it
again took the field in May 14, 1864, and in Tyler's
powerful division of heavy artillery, lost heavily at
Spottsylvania. It continued at the front in the third
and second corps, taking a distinguished part in the
succeeding work of the Army of the Potomac, until
the surrender of Lee's army, and was finally mustered
out at the expiration of its term of service.
The Second and Third Regiments of Heavy Artil-
lery contained many officers and men from Salem.
The former did garrison duty at various points in
North Carolina and south-eastern Virginia during its
term of service, as well as some active duty in the field.
Two of its companies were captured in April, 1864,
in an engagement at Plymouth, N. C. The Third,
raised late in 1864, served in the fortifications in front
of Washington.
The Fourth Massachusetts Light Battery that has
already been alluded to, was raised, early in the war,
entirely in Salem. It was embarked at Boston, ac-
companying General Butler's expedition for the re-
duction of New Orlean.s, and it remained in the ex-
treme South during its entire service of nearly four
vears. It was first engaged at Baton Rouge, was at
the siege of Port Hudson, and on the Bayou Teche
campaign. In General Canby"s force it entered Ten-
nessee and was engaged at Morganzia, and on Grier-
son's raid, in 1864. Joining the land force sent against
Mobile, it took part in the siege and capture of that
place, where it remained until sent to Texas, serving
there until its muster out in October, 1865. It was an
excellent battery, well handled, and eflicient in action.
The Fifth and Thirteenth Batteries of Light Artil-
lery contained more or less Salem men, and the first-
named was ultimately commanded by Captain Charles
A. Phillips, of Salem. This battery left the State in
December, 1861, and was always attached to the Army
of tlie Potomac, doing excellent service and sull'ering
severely. The Thirteenth Battery served in the De-
partment of the Gulf, being present at the siege of
Port Hudson, on the Bayou Teche campaign, and on
duty in various parts of Louisiana. It was formed
later than the Fifth, leaving for the South, January
20, 1863.
In the Third Massachusetts Cavalry, several officers
and a considerable number of men from Salem had a
varied and arduous service. Originally recruited as
the Forty-first Massachusetts Infantry, in 1862, it was
sent to the Department of the Gulf, where, shortly
after, to meet the need in that quarter of mounted
troops, the regiment was for a time used as Mounted
Infantry. This anomalous condition was presently
changed, and they were organized as the Third Cav-
alry and equipped and instructed accordingly. Tak-
ing part in the siege operations at Port Hudson and
in the Red River campaign, the regiment was in 1864,
shipped North with General Emory's Nineteenth
t'orjjs, and joined the Army of the Shenandoah. Here
SALEM.
207
it \va,s remounted and put in the First Brigade, Second
Cavalry Division, participating in General Sheridan's
brilliant campaign. After the Rebellion had been
iiuellcd this regiment vvns sent upon the plains with
other cavalry, to hold down certain restle-ss Indian
tribes. It was ultimately mustered out of service in
the fall of IStJo. Lieutenant Tickering D. Allen, of
this regiment, from Salem, was killed at Brashear City,
La., June 2, 1803.
A number of men were recruited in Salem for the
Second Massachusetts Cavalry that went out in l.Sl)2.
This regiment had the peculiarity of having live full
com]iaoies from the Slate of California. It served in
Virginia, and at one time enjoyed the equivocal dis-
tinction of being specially detached to hunt down
the guerrilla, Colonel Mosby and his command, which
was very much like the historical search for the Irish-
man's Hea. Allowed later to fly at higher game, the
regiment did good lighting at Aldie, Xorlli Anna
Bridge and elsewhere. Being ordered to the Valley,
it participated in the campaign of 1S(;4, and ulti-
mately accompanying Sheridan's column to Rich-
mond, fought in the closing engagements at Five
Forks and Sailors' Creek, and was present at the sur-
render at Ap[)oniatox.
In the First Regiment of ^Massachusetts Cavalry a
few Salem men enlisted in IStil. This was one of the
first mounted regiments in the field and had an ex-
cellent name for a long and valuable service of four
years, almost constantly in Virginia. A battalion,
originally recruited to reinforce this regiment, was
ultimately attached to the Fourth Massachusetts Cav-
alry, raised in 1864, and in which were some men from
Salem, and saw considerable hard service in the closing
work of the war.
Of the short-term regiments the Forty-eighth and
Fiftieth regiments of Massachusetts Militia, that served
nine months in 18(12 and '03, contained each a large
number of Salem men. These regiments were both
sent to the Department of the Gulf where they took
part in the siege of Port Hudson and the other active
operations then going forward in Louisiana and Tex-
as. Their service was arduous and well performed.
The principal number of the Salem men in the Fif-
tieth were in Company A, already alluded to as being
the Salem Light Intantry.
The Seventh Militia Regiment also entered the
service in 1862 for six months' service taking the
larger ])art of one com[iany from Salem.
In the Fourth Heavy Artillery, the First Battalion
of Frontier Cavalry, and the Sixty-first Infantry, all
eidisted, late in the war, for one year's service, there
was a considerable aggregate of Salem men. The
first did garrison duty at Washington, and the second
served on the Canada frontier a few months, while
the Sixty-first reached the Army of the Potomac in
time to do .some hard work in the closing engage-
ments of the war. The First Battalion of Artillery,
was somewhat recruited in Salem. It served during
the war, but only in home garrisons. It is proper to
observe that in all of the regiments raised late in the
war, were many veterans who had already served with
honor in older organizations.
Slention has already been maile of the first three
months' troops that went forward in 1861. Those that
went later in the war for this term, were used to re-
lieve the regular volunteer troops from garrison duty,
that they might join the armies in the field in press-
ing emergencies.
This hasty review of a few facts in the career of the
regiments in which the men from Salem served, is the
only means possible to convey an idea of the services
those men performed for the country. Any individual
record of nearly three thousand men is of course out of
the question, and it would bean invidious task to se-
lect especial ca.scs for remark where all were good and
faithful soldiers. The few names mentioned have
necessarily ajipeared as essential parts of the narra-
tive or to add here and there to its interest. If some
regiments have appeared to receive more attention
than others, it is in no sense to be taken as in deroga-
tion of the services of the latter, but must be attrib-
uted to the greater interest naturally attending those
containing the largest number of Salem men, or, in
.■-ome cases, to the greater facilities of obtaining infor-
mation concerning them.
We cannot follow the history of the vessels of our
navy, in which many men from Salem served. These
men were scattered through the various fleets, on .so
many ships of war, that it would be an impossibility to
write of the work performed by those vessels within
the limits of this article ; and their aggregate number,
though large, was small in comparison with the num-
ber who served on land. The record of Salem on the
sea, however, is good in this war, as in all others.
Some fifty-.seven offifcrs and three hundred and
twenty-five seamen, many of the latter being warrant
and petty officers, entered the navy during the war, in
addition to such others as might have been serving
when it opened. This small proportional number of
seamen indicates the fact that few vessels sailed from
or obtained their crews in Salem at the outbreak of
the war; while the large number of offiiters who were
mainly drawn from the officers of merchant vessels,
ecjually shows that the traditions of the old Salem
families kept many men upon the sea as captains and
mates of merchantmen sailing from other ports. It
is doubtful whether any town in the country of equal
si/.e furnished as many volunteer officers for the navy
during the war, as Salem; and their proverbial exc'el-
lence in the duties of their profession, made them of
great value upon the quarter-decks of the mcn-of-vvar
in which they served.
A number of these officers commanded vessels,
among others Lieut. Com. Wm. (i. Sallonslall who
commanded the "Commodore Ilidl," the "Governor
Buckingham," and the "Kensington;" Lieut. Lewis
D. Voorhies the "Gemsbok;" Lieut. John Roberts a
208
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
sloop of war; Lieut. William C. Rogers the gunboat
''Anderson " and also the '* Huntsville ;" Lieut. Henry
Pitman an armed schooner; Master Thos. W. Hutch-
inson who also commanded the "Huntsville;" Master
Abraham A. Very, for a time, the " Camliridge," and
Ensign Charles Boyer the *' Yantic ;" Ensign Robert
H. Carey who also commanded the " Anderson " and
Ensign Charles Wilkins a gunboat ; Ensign James S.
Willianis commanded a vessel in one of the blockad-
ing squadrons and Ensign William M. Swasey a dis-
patch boat. Others no doubt may have held similar
commands, many were executive officers and nearly
all were given responsibilities in excess of the require-
ments of their nominal rank in the service.
The names of officers and seamen are found in the
appended list of those who entered the two services
during the Civil War, and the work they did appears
in the wonderful record of the navy ; in the blockad-
ing squadrons; attacking the strong works of the ene-
my on the coast and on the banks of our great rivers,
and sweeping distant seas in pursuit of his nimble
privateers.
A few officers and enlisted men from Salem also
served with regiments not of this State, but it has not
been possible to note any facts regarding such regi-
ments. Their names appear in the appended list.
It is with reluctance that the imperfect record of
this great war is finished. If it may seem monotonous,
it is the monotony of numerous gallant deeds per-
formed simultaneously by many men. (Ireater variety
might imply less heroism ; and the history of men in-
tent on one great purpose may well like that of suc-
ceeding events, repeat itself.
The military history of Salem must end with the
events of 1865; for since that date there has been no
war nor hardly rumor of war in the land, excepting
where away in the western country the indomitable
red man still occasionally stirreth up a little strife.
In closing, it may only be added that volumes might
be written of the valiant deeds performed for two
centuries Vjy her sons afloat and ashore. Perhaps
enough has been here suggested, however, to indicate
that this quiet city can, on occasion, hold her own
with many an old fighting town, and that amid the
arts of peace here cultivated so assiduously, the strong
spirit of war slumbers but lightly in the breasts of
her people, ready to be aroused at the first menace to
the rights and liberties of the nation,^
Appendix (No. 1).
1774, May 17. As a Committee of Correspondence,
the following persons were chosen :
George Williams. Jonathan Gardner, ji.
Stephen Higgiuson. Joseph Sprague.
Richard Manning. Richard Derby, jr.
1 The writer of the foregoing article begs to acknowledge his indebted-
ncBB forniany facts to Felt's "Annals of Sali-m," CViggcshairs "Pri-
vateers," many papei-s in the Plistnrical Collections of tlie Essex Iniititiitr
and the files of the Salem Gazette, in addition to the usual fields of his-
torical research.
Jonathan Ropes. Warwick Palfray.
Timothy Pickering, jr.
1775, October 16. A list of the Committee of Safety
and Correspondence, now elected:
Timothy Pickering, jr. John Feit.
Thomas Mason. John Hodges,
Samuel Williams. Joseph Vincent.
Jacob Ashton. Joseph Spragne.
Samuel Webb. David Felt.
Richard Ward. Bartholomew Putnam.
William Nurthey. George Williams.
Benjamin Ward, jr. Jonathan Peele, jr.
Joshua Ward. Alirahani Weston.
Stephen Osborn. John Fisk.
Abraham Gray. Samuel Ward.
Warwick Palfray. Nathan Goodale.
John Pickering, jr. Jonathan Andrews.
John Gardner (3d). George Osborn.
Joseph lliller. Dudley Woodbridge.
An enlistment, August 15, 1777, to reinforce the
American army till last of November, as one-sixth of
the able-bodied militia of Salem, according to a re-
solve of General Court, August 8th.
Capt, Zadock Buffinton. Benjamin Tarbox.
Jonathan Southwick. Nicholas Hopping.
Edmund Munyau. Isaac Holt.
John Curtis. Nathaniel Safford.
Ebenezer Tuttle. Job Abbott.
Benjamin Hudson. Nathan Skerry.
Elijah Johnson. Samuel Cheever.
Joshua Moulton. Benjamin Gardner.
Joseph English. Joseph Twiss.
Stephen Barker. Ephraim Skerry.
William Holman. James Austin.
Israel Burrill^ Benjamin Shaw.
William Clougb. Joseph Flint.
Elisha Newhall, Jeremiah Newhall.
Jo>ihua Pitman. William Meak.
Joshua Gould. Daniel Foster.
Thomas Cheever. Samuel Lovcjoy.
Abel Mackintire. Edward Brown.
Natlianiel Holden. Samuel MeiTitt.
John Ward. William Newhall.
Ezekiel Diuicklee. Thorndike Proctor.
Cape Briton (black). Joshua Cross.
List of men drafted to help guard Burgoyne's troops
at Winter Hill in 1777:
Mansel Burrill.
Benjamin Brown, jr.
Asa Peirce.
Samuel Skerry.
Jonathan Very, jr.
Timothy Welman.
Nathaniel Osgood, jr.
Stephen Cleaveland.
William Proseer.
John Flint.
Edward Barnard,
Isaac Osgood.
John Gardner, (4tli).
Stephen Webb.
Benjamin Hathorn.
John Carwick.
Edward Britton.
Samuel Miisury.
William Young.
Thomas Ruce.
John Dove.
Jonathan Ashby.
Samuel Bond.
Jesse Farson.
William Cook.
.Joshua Couvers.
Samuel Blyth.
Nathaniel Perkins,
Thomas Palfray.
Benjamin Daniels.
Littlefield Sibly.
Joseph Ross,
Benjamin Peters.
James Andrews.
William Pynchon, jr.
Reuben Alley.
Benjamin Cheever.
Joseph Kempton,
Gabriel Mutiyon.
Edmund Henfield, jr.
Joseph Baron.
Andrew Ward.
Joseph Young.
James Boardnian.
Nathaniel Lang.
Stephen Oshorn.
John Wood.
Janie.'» Symond?.
Nathan Kimball.
Joseph Cook.
SALEM.
209
David ftlansfield. James Guuld.
David Bfadle. Joseph Oook, jr.
Soldiers in the Coutinenlal army whose fiimilies
receiveil assistance in 1777.
Col. Samuel Carlton.
Soluiiioli Wi^bl>er.
Thomas Needhiun.
William Skeldun.
Kphraiiii Iiig:ina.
AVilliaiii Jopliii.
Asa Whitti^morc.
Saiiiii*^! Oakman.
Rirliard Mayhory.
Jostipli Slamiry.
Williani Gray.
Benjainin Latherby.
Capt. Thomas Barues.
Joseph Millet.
Samuel Crowd.
Stephen Uall.
James Orav.
Douglass ]4Iiddleton.
Capt. Ebenezer Winship.
Abraham Moi-se.
Cliarles A'anderford.
Curiielius Biiigen.
William BriKbt,
Thouias Keeue.
Sannud Murray.
William Bright.
GibHim Cloiigh.
t-Mmuiid Gale.
Joseph Cook.
John Masury.
Joseph Metcalf.
Nathaniel \eedham.
Sauuitd Bishop.
These two, Peter Pitman ami Xatlil. Knights, were
of the army, 1776.
Besides the preceding, there were other sokiiers of
Salem in the army from 1777 to 1780, as follows:
George Ulmar. Abraham Bolton.
John Peirce. .lohn Gillard.
Timothy Dwyer. Thomas Rurhe.
Thomas Rkherson. Jephtha Ward.
Joel Chandler. William Lockbead.
Valentine Beron.
John Darrago.
William Liscom.
Spencer Thomas.
Joseph Synimes.
Samuel Askins,
David Levit.
Moses Chandler.
(Element Gunner.
Samson Freeman.
William Graviel.
Jonas Child.
William Woster.
Riciiard Downing.
Georgo Venner.
In the records of Ma-ssachusetts quota iu the army,
the following were of Salem, 1780:
Nathaniel Hathorn. Brown Vellett.
Alexander Baxter. Edward Lee.
Fortune EUory. Daniel Williams.
Capt. Nathan Goodale. David Collins.
William Fitzael. George Tucker.
Men hired by Salem to serve six months in the
Continental army, according to resolve of General
Court. June 5. 1780:
Josieph English.
James Turner.
William Jlorgan.
Noah Parker.
Samuel Royal (black).
Benjamin Oliver (Idack).
Thomas 3Iorse.
James P. Bishop.
Robert Thompson.
Charles Brien.
John Burk.
James Smith.
Edward Prize.
John Gamgus.Jr.
Humphrey Fears.
John Tracy.
Benjamin Knowles.
Robert Stutson.
John Ward.
James Smith.
Tiiomas Sheridan.
William Long.
.MiL-hael Condon.
John Green.
These belonged here and thirteen others, belonging
elsewhere, were named with them.
Xames of soldiers|hired;from December, 1780, to Feb.,
1781, to serve three years in the Continental army:
John Hale. Mi.ha.d Garrin.
Peter Harris. Benjamin Oliver.
Nicholas Wallis. .Alexander Smith.
John Smith. William Ryan.
John Bryan. Joisepb Williams.
14
Peter Mass.
James Fitzgerald.
Samuel Appey (negro).
Loudon (negro).
Thomas Wbiddick.
Joseph Laroache.
Kdward Rudge.
Samuel (uegro).
John Ducture.
Samuel Wardsworth.
PaulHolbrouk.
Alexander Camjibell.
James Welch.
Maurice Barrett.
Patrick Swaney.
John Dean.
Eneas McDonald.
Pulydore (oegro).
Charles Colley.
Benjamin Peters.
William Tector.
Joseph Liotier.
Cesar (negro).
William McLaughlan.
Raii'Ial McFadin.
James Ketwel.
John Smith.
Benjamin Daland.
Jonathan Gardner.
John Still.
Samuel Payne.
William Gray.
John Riley.
Lawrence Verues.
Micliael Alley.
Edward Smith.
John Jackson I negro).
William Thompson.
Nathan Williams.
John Youans.
William Wetnmre.
1781. John Coolin, \Villiam Cooper, Benjamin
Webb and Thomas Lakeman were in the army.
Men detached to service in Rhode Island, accord-
ing to resolve of General Court, June 16, 1781 :
Major Joseph Hiller. Samuel Cbeever.
Francis Haynes. Joshua Pitman.
William Orne. Theophilus Batchellor.
Lewis Hunt. Capt. Simeon Brown.
Jnhn Dove. William West, jr.
Edward Nnrris. Seth Ring.
Samuel Symonds (3d). Joseph Millet.
Francis Cook. Francis Boardman.
John "Wiburt. Samuel Jones.
Jonathan Gardner (3d). *'aleb Foot.
Joseph Daland. John Emmerton, jr.
Ebenezer Nutting. Charles Britton.
George Frazier. David Beadle.
Joseph English. Nathaniel Brown.
Thomas Symonds. Richard Manning.
James Masury. Abel Lawrence.
Nathan Prince. William Thomas.
David Bickford. Penn Townsend.
Benjamin Lang. David IngersoU.
Robert Hill. James Carrel.
Cheever Mansfield.
From May 25th to July 11th, 1782, enlistments to
serve in the army three years:
Jacob Northrnp. Samuel Buckman.
Josiah Phelps. Joel Northrup.
Edward Bessley. Daniel Weller.
John Adams. John Melony.
Peter liigersoll. Edward Rudge.
James Smith. Samuel Locke.
David Jones. John Coats.
William Leonard. John Hiibbard.
Andrew Bulger. Thomas Brown.
John Dorsey. James Slater.
John Taylor. David Davis.
Alanson ilamner. Abraham Newport.
Mose.s Hall. William Lamson.
William Tector. William Taylor.
Eliphaz Spencer. Thomas Poware.
Benjamin .Johnson. Nathaniel Williams.
John Fogarty.
The names of the following officers who served in
the Revolutionary armies, and are all believed to
have been from Salem, do not appear in the foregoing
lists :
Col. Timothy Pickering. Capt. Samuel Flagg.
Lieut. Benjamin West. Capt. Greenwood.
Col. William Mansfield. Lieut. Miles Greenwood
210
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Capt. John Felt.
Lieut. John Butler.
Capt. Juhn Symonds.
Lieut. Benjamin Ropes, jr.
Capt. Benjamin Ward.
Lieut. Robert Foster.
Capt. Addison Richardson.
Major Samuel King.
Capt. Flint.
APPENDIX (No. 2.)
List of Salem Privateers of the Revolution.
{This is believed to include 'Letters of Marcpie.')
SHIPS,
rilgrim
Essex
Franklin
Scourge
Disdain ,
Congress
Royal Louis
PoruB
Grand Turk
Rattle Snake...
Rover ,
Cromwell
Jason
Marquis
Hendrick
Junius Brutus..
Rhodes
Harlequin
Neptune
Mohawk
Buccaneer ,
Cicero
Rambler
Defence
Independence..
Jack
Black Prince...
Bunker Hill ...
Hector.
Jack
Hunter ,
Pickering ,
Renown
Roe Buck
Trenton
Thirty-five ships.
Tyger
Montgomery
Sturdy Beggar
Captain
New Adventure
Active
Hero
Fortune
Swift
Blood-hound
Flying-fish ,
Fox ,
Cato
Chase
Brandywine
Cutter
Eagle
Fame
Hampden
Hornet
Lexington
Lincoln
Lion
Maccaroni
Number
of Guna.
Weight
of Metal.
No. of
Men.
IS
9
120
20
6
110
18
6
100
2(1
6
110
20
6
110
29
9
130
18
6
100
20
9
130
24
6
120
20
4
95
20
4
95
16
6
100
16
6
100
16
4
75
18
6
100
20
6
no
20
6
110
20
4
95
16
4
75
22
6
110
18
9
120
18
9
120
16
6
95
14
6
85
16
4
70
12
9
60
18
6
20
6
22
6
14
4
18
4
16
6
14
4
12
4
12
6&4
622
2645
GS.
16
4
70
14
4
60
14
4
60
10
3
45
14
3
65
14
4
60
8
4
40
14
4
60
14
4
60
14
3
55
10
3
45
14
3
55
14
3
55
10
3
45
6
3
10
3
12
4
16
4
14
4
10
3
8
3
12
4
IG
6
14
4
Names.
Monmouth
PJuto
Rambler
True American
Tyger
Wildcat
Thirty-two brigs.
Number
of Guns.
14
10
10
14
392
SCHOONERS.
Greyhound 8
Lively 8
Shackle 6
Pine Apple 6
Languedoc 6
Doipbiu 6
G
Panther 4
Beaver 10
Blackbird 10
Civil Usage | 10
Civil Usage / each.
Centipede 6
Congress 8
Cutter 8
Delight 4
Dolphin I 10
Dolphin J each.
Fly 10
Fox 10
General Gates 8
Greyhound 6
Hammond 10
Hampden 8
Harlequin 10
Hawk 10
Hornet 14
Lark 12
Lively 14
Modesty 8
Pompey 6
Scorpion 6
Shark lo
Skulpion , 10
Swett 1*2
Tatne Bush 10
Warren 10
Thirty-seven schooners.
320
Weight No. of
uf Metal. Mfn.
4
3
6
4
3
4
SLOOPS.
Fish-hawk 8
Hazard 6
Black Snake 12
Bowdoin 8
Jack 14
Morning Star 8
Revenge 10
Rover 8
Bowdoin 8
Nine sloops. 82
Seven shallops, names not mentioned
RECAPITULATION
Vessels.
Ships 3S
Brigs 32
Schooners 37
Sloops 9
Shallops , ■ 7
Total 120
3
35
3
35
3
30
3
3'l
2
25
3
3.1
3
.30
3
20
Swivels.
Swivels.
Swivels.
2
3
Swivels.
2
Swivels.
Swivels.
Swivels.
2
2
Swivels.
3
3
Swivels.
Swivels.
Swivels.
Swivels.
3
2
2
Swivels.
Swivels.
3
Swivels.
3
235
4
40
3
30
3
3
4
3
3
3 * 4
2
70
120
mon.
)N.
Guns.
Men.
022
2645
392
870
320
235
82
70
120
SALEM.
211
NAME
Active
Alexander.
Alfred .
America
Brk Vomit
Buckskin .
Cadet .
Castigatoi .
Cossack
EJart
Diomede.
Dolphin...
Enterprize. ..
Fair Trader.
Fame
Frolic
Galliniper
Gen. Putuani
Gen. Stark
Grand Turk..
Growler
Helen...
Hulkar.
Jefferson .
John
(
t
Jolni A Guul,;'-.... (
Lizard
Montgomery ...
Orion
LHvl
Phajni.x .
Polly
Recovery ..
Regulator.
Revenge..
Scorpion ..
Swift
Swiftsure .
Terrible..
Viper..
Wasp..
Sch.
Ship
Ship
Brig
Ship
Boat
Sch.
Si'h.
Launt'h
Sch.
Sch.
Sch.
Sch.
Sch.
Sch.
Sch.
Sch.
.Sch.
Sch.
Sfh.
Brig
Sch.
Sch.
•Boat
Sloop
Ship
Sch.
Sch.
Brig
Boat
Boat
.Sch.
Sloop
Sch.
Sch.
Sch.
Sloop
Sch.
Launch
Sch.
Sloop
(APPENDIX No. 3).
list of the privateers.
Belonging to Salem during the War of 1812.
WeiL'ht
of
Metal
u
1
200
10
,17
I
2
30
2
190
10
2
5
0
6
0
20
1
96
1
8
20
2
75
1
2
.'>7
1
2
14
1
27
1
10
1
0
0
14
1
30
2
9 "
C "
Muskets
12 lbs.
4 "
C "
3 "
(Jar'nade
IS lbs.
4 "
12 '•
6 "
12 "
6 "
18 "
12 "
6 "
24 "
6 "
6 "
32 "
18 Car.
9 lbs.
12 Car.
9 lbs.
24 "
t; "
6 "
Muskets
4 Car.
Gibs.
12 "
6 "
(J "
6 "
18 "
Muskets
Muskets
nibs.
12 "
6 "
3 "
24 "
G "
12 "
0 "
4 "
4 "
Muskets
4 lbs.
6 "
Where
Built
16
50
40
20
45
40
100
70
100
35
30
60
30
60
50
150
100
70
16
20
105
50
30
100
Salem
Baltimore
Salem
Salem
Salem
Baltimore
Boston
Salem
Salem
Salem
New York
Baltimore
Salem
New York
Essex
Salem
Eng. built
Boston
Salem
Wiscasset,
Me.
Baltimore
Braintrcp
Salem
Salem
Salem
New York
Salem ■
Mcdford
Salem
Salem
Salem
Poughkep-
sie, N. Y.
Saiem
New Y'ork
New Y'ork
Salem
Eng. built
Salem
Salem
Salem
Salem
When
Built
1810
1808
1813
1808
1814
1813
1813
1800
1814
1812
1809
1804
1813
1807
1814
1813
1812
1812
1792
1813
1801
1794
1810
1813
1812
1813
1814
1800
1810
1808
1810
1812
1808
1813
1814
1813
David
Magonn
Retiah
Becket
Leach & Teague
Webbi Beadle
Webb 4 Beadle
Commander
Benj. Patterson
(T. Wellm.an, jr.
I B. Crowniushield
Step'n Williams
Philip Besson
Joseph Ropes
John Kehcu
Jas. W. Chever
John Upton
Bray
William Cailey
Josiah Eiwell
Ste'n G. Clarke
.Spencer Hall
John Upton
William Davis
T. Symonds
John Green
Abner Poland
J. Crowninshield
Jacob Endicott
Barker A ilagoun John R. Morgan
I John R. Morgan
Webb, Upton, Poland
Green, Chapman ,4 Evans
Nathan Green
J. B. H. Odiorne
Tim. Wellman
Andrew Tucker
John Evans
Barker & Magonn I John Evans
j William Rice
[ Holten J. Breed
Nathan Green
Under Sup't'nce Sam'l B. Graves
Capt. J. J. Knapp Nath'l Lindsey
John Upton
Leach & Teague Samuel Lanison
John Keheu, J. H.
Captured
Christ'er Juriier
Enos Briggs
Leach .k Te.agne
Leach & Teague
Leach & Teague
William Rowell
Wm. Huliss
Leach & Teague
Leach 4 Teague
Leach & Teague
William Huhn
Downie, S. Giles
J. Wellman, jr.
James Fairiield
B. Crowninshield
John Sinclair, jr.
Samuel Loring
Holten J. Breed, Bcnj.
Upton, Joseph Strnut
John Upton
Jonathan BIythe
William Duncan
Stephenson Richards
Sam'l C. Hardy
Robert Evans
Joseph Peele
James Mansfield
John Sinclair, jr.
.Stephenson Ki<'hards
Thomas Osborne
Harvey Clioate
Stephen Clarke
Charles Berry
James Thomas
John Greene
Joseph Preston
Ernest A. Ervin.
Sept., 1812
May 19, 1813
Feb., 1814
Sold at auc-
tion
June, 1831
Sold
Sept., 1812
March, 1813
May, 1814
May, 1813
Sept., 1812
May, 1813
and burnt
Nov.
1814
July
1813
Aug.
1813
1814
Feb.,
1813
Nov.
1812
1814
May, 1813
April, 1813
April, 1814
1812
Sept., 1S12
(APPENDIX No. 4).
List of officers and enlisted men from Salem who served in the Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers during
the Mexican War.
CrowiiiiishieM, CbarleB B Cajtt.
Crgwuiushieia, John C Ist, Lieut.
Cliarlea C. Varney, Levi Curtis Privates.
Augustus Chanibeiiain, Lucius Giover.... Musicians.
212
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
APPENDIX No. 5.
List of Commissioned Ofiicers from Salem. War of the Rebellion.
.Mien, Pickering P 1st Lieut., 3d Cav. ; killed.
Ames, George L., Capt. ; Bjt. Lieut. Col. D. S.
Com. Dept.
Andrews, Richard F., 2d Lieut. U. S. 0. T. (36th
U, S. Vols).
Annable Ephraim A 2d Lieut. 2d H. Art.
.\therton, Charles H 2d Lieut. Ist H. Art.
Austin, George F Capt. 24th Inf.
Avery, Henry Act. Ensign, Na\-y
Babson, Ed»in Act. Ensign, Navy
Baker, Charles H Engineer, Navy
Bancroft, George C Ist Lieut. 40th Inf. ; killed.
Batstow, Simon F Major, Gen. Meade's Staff.
Batchelder, Charles J (L) 1st Lieut. 3d Cav.
Batchelder, George W Capt. 19th Inf. ; killed.
Bates, Charles H Ist Lieut. 23d Inf.
Bertram, Joseph H. M Major, U. S. Pay Dept.
Black, Patrick W Capt. 9th Inf.
Bott, ThomaaE Capt. 11th Inf.
Boyer, Charles Act. Ensign, Navy
Brewster, Ethan .4.. P Maj. 23d Inf.
Briggs, Joseph B 1st Lieut. 4th Bat. L. Art.
Brooks, Charles W 1st Lieut. 23d Inf.
Brown, Kobert B Capt. 2d Inf.
Browne, A. Parker Maj. 40th Inf
Browning, George F Capt., Bvt. Maj. 2d Inf.
Bruce, Daniel, Jr U. S. C. T.
Buffum, G. B Capt.
Buffum, Robert Lieut. 4th Tenn. Cav.
Burnett, Servington S...2d Lieut. 48th Inf. Militia.
Buxton, Seth S Maj. Ist H. Art; died in service.
Calef, Benjamin S., Capt., Maj. Gen. Birney's Staff.
Carey, Robert H Act. Ensign, Navy.
Center, Addison Capt. 23d Inf.
Chadwick, John C, Capt. 19th Inf, Lieut. Col. 92d
U. S. 0. Inf.
Chapman, George T Act. Ensign, Navy.
Chase, Charles W Capt. 40th Inf.
Chase, Thorndike Clerk Com. Dept.
Chipman, Andrew A., 1st Lieut. 12th Inf. ; 4th H.
Art. ; Trans. 39th Inf.
Chipman, Charles G Capt. 54tb Inf. (colored).
Chisholm, T Act. Ensign, Navy.
Clough, Benjamin P Act. Ensign, Navy.
Cogswell, William., Col. 2d luf. ; Bvt. Brig. Gcu.
Coleman, Francis M 2d Lieut. 3d H. Art.
Cox, Charles G Maj. 40th Inf.
Cummings, Walter C Lieut.
Cummings, William C 2d Lieut. 23d Inf.
Daland, John Capt. 24th Inf.
Dalton, Joseph A Lieut. Col. 40th Inf.
Dalton, Samuel 1st Lieut. 1st H. Art.
Danforth, Henry F Capt. 40th Inf.
Davidson, Heni-y, Jr., 1st. Lieut. 4th Bat. L. Art.
Dearborn, CharlesA., Jr Capt. 32d Inf. ; killed.
Derby, T. Putnam, Jr Capt. 4th U. S. C. T.
Derby, Richard Capt. 16th Inf. ; killed.
Devereux, Arthur F., Col. 10th Inf. ; Bvt. Brig.
Gen.
Devereux, Charles U Capt. 19th Inf.
Devereux, John F Capt. 11th Inf.
Dimon, Charles A. R., Col. Ist U. S. Vols. ; Bvt.
Brig. Gen.
Dodge, Elliot C, Lieut. 1st Regt. N. Y. Excelsior
Brigade.
Dodge, Richard F Act. Ensign, Navy.
Dodge, Thomas F 2d Lieut. 2d H. Art.
Doherty, John 1st Lieut. 9th Inf.
Driver, Joseph M., Chap. Hospital, Washington.
Dudley, L. E 13th Inf.
Durgin, Horace Q. M. 18th Inf. militia.
Edwards, Charles W 2d Lieut. 2d Inf.
Edwards, Shuball Act. Ensign, Navy.
Emilio, Louis F Capt. 54th Inf. (colored).
Emmerton, Charles S 1st Lieut. 23d Inf.
Enimerton, George R 1st Lieut. 23d Inf.
Emmerton, James A Sui-g. 2d 11. Art.
Endicott, Charles Act. Master, Navy.
Evans, Alvan A Ist Lieut. 2d Co. Sharps.
Evans, John W., 2d Lieut. 13th Unat. Co. Inf. mi-
litia.
Fabens, George 0 Act. Ensign, Navy.
Fallon, Thomas R 2d Lieut. 9th Inf.
Farmer, George S., Lieut. 4tli H. Art. ; Died at
Andersonville Prison before receiving commis-
sion.
Finney, George Act. Master, Navy.
Fisher, Charles Engineer, Navy
Fisher, George A., Ist Lieut. 23d Inf. ; Trans. U. S.
Sig. Corps.
Fitzgerald, Edward Capt. 9th Inf.
Ford, John F 1st Lieut. 48th Inf. militia.
Foster, Joseph C 2d Lieut. Salem Cadets.
Fowler, Philip M Capt. (U. S. C. T).
Fox, John L Surg. Navy.
Frye, Charles H Capt. 2d N. C. Vols.
Frye, Nathan A., Jr., 2d Lieut. 59th Inf. ; not
mustered.
Gardner, George W Capt. 24th Inf.
Getchell, George H Capt.
Glidden, Joseph H 1st Lieut. Cth luf. militia.
Goldthwait, Joseph A., 1st Lieut. 2d Inf. ; Capt. and
C. S. U. S. Vols.
Gordon Act. Ensign, Navy.
Goodale. Joshua C 2d Lieut. 2d H. Art.
Goss, James W 1st Lieut. 1st H. Art.
Gray, George C, 2d Lieut. 1st Co. Sharps. ; Capt_
178th N. T. Vols.
Grant, Frederick 1st Lieut. 2d H. Art,
Hale, Henry A., Capt. I9th luf. ; Bvt. Lieut. Col.
and A. A. G. Vols.
Ilamblett, Samuel H 1st Lieut. 5th Bat. L. Art.
Hancock, John Midshipman, Navy.
Haunan, Dennis B Surg.
Harrington, Daniel Midshipman, Navy.
Harrod, Benjamin C let Lieut. 1st II. Art.
Haskell, Augustus M Chap. 40th Inf.
Hatch, C!liarlesF .-^ct. Ensign, Navy.
Hayward, Charles H 1st Lieut. 23d Inf.
Henfield, Amos Capt. 3d Cav.
Hill, Edwin R., 1st Lieut. 2d Inf. ; Trans. 66th Inf.
(colored) ; killed.
Hill, William A Capt. 19th Inf.
Hiltz, Jacob C 1st Lieut. 2d U. S. Vols.
Hobbs, Edward let. Lieut. 1st H. .\rt.
Hodges, Johu, Jr Lieut. Col. 6th Inf. ; killed
Hodges, Thorndike D Capt. Ist N. C. Vols.
Holt, Frank 2d Lieut. Ist Bat'n F. Cav.
Hoyt, S Capt.
Hurd, William H 2d Lieut. 50lh Inf, militia,
Hutchinson, Thomas W Act. Master, Navy.
Jackson, Andrew Act. Ensign, Navy.
James, Henry Engineer, Navy.
Johnson, Daniel H., Jr Capt, 4uth Inf,
Johnson, Thomas H 2d Lieut. Salem Cadets.
Kelley, Thomas 2d Lieut. 30th Inf.
Kemble, Arthur Act Asst. Surg., Navy.
Kenny, Jonathan A 2d Lieut. Salem Cadets.
Kimball, Frank Lieut.
Kimball, Jacob Act. Lieut., Navy.
Kinsley, Benjamin F
Lakeman, John R Ist Lieut. 23d Inf,
Lander, Frederick W Brig, Gen,
Lee, Charles J ^d Lieut. 48th Inf. militia,
Lee, John R 1st Lieut, and Q, M. let Inf.
Lee, Robert G Act. Master, Navy.
Leonard, James 2d Lieut. 3d H. Art.
Loud, Charles A.
Luscomb, Joseph H Act. Ensign, Navy.
Luscomb, Henry R 2d Lieut. 3d H. Art.
McGourty, Patrick 2d Lieut. 11th Inf.
Manning, Charles H Capt. 4th Bat. L. Art,
Manning, Joseph A. .2d Lieut,, Gen, Butler's Staff.
Manning, Thomas H let Lieut. 4th Bat L. Art.
Mansfield, William D Capt. 14th N. Y. Vols.
Slarks, Joliu L Maj., Salem Cadets. \
Marks, Thomas H .\ct. Ensign, Navy
Meban, Dennis Capt. 2d Inf,
Merritt, Henry Lieut. Col. 23d Inf. ; killed.
Merrilt, Henry A 1st Lieut. 2d H. Art.
Millet, Charles (2d) Act. Ensign, Navy.
Millet, Edward .\ct. Ensign, Navy.
Millet, Frank Act. Ensign, Navy. i
3Iillet, William H Act. Ensign, Navy,
Miller, Frederick L Engineer, Navy.
Miller, James Capt. 4th Cav.
Milward, Benjamin F 1st Lieut. 69th Inf.
Jloody, Converse ('.apt. Md. Vols,
iloseley, Joseph Act. Master, Navy.
Mullaly, John E Capt. 17th Inf,
Neal, William S Ass't. Engineer, Navy.
Nichols, James B Capt. 24th Inf,
Nichols, James W 2d Lieut, 4ath Inf
Noyes, Isaac S Ist Lieut. 7th Inf. militia.
Nutting, William G Act. Lieut. Navy,
O'Brien, Martin Capt, 9th Inf,
O'Donnell, James 1st Lieut. 9th Inf.
O'Leary, Timothy Capt. 9th Inf. '
ttliver, Samuel C, Lieut. Col. 1st H. .\rt. ; Lieut.
Col. •2d H. Art. ; Bvt. Col.
Osborne, Nathan W. N., Capt, 13th U. S, Inf,
(Vols),
Palmer, William L Maj, l:ith Inf. ; Bvt, Col,
Parsons, Joseph M Capt. 3d H, Alt.
Peirson, Charles L., Col. 59lh Inf. ; Bvt, Brig.
Gen.
Peirson, George H Col. 6th Inf. militia.
Peirce, Charles H .\ct. Ensign, Navy.
Perkins, Charles T 1st Lieut. 24th Inf. j
Plialan, Edward A Capt. 2d Inf. ■
Phalan, Michael (W) 1st Lieut. 9th luf,
Phillips, CharlesA Capt, 5th Bat. L. Art.; Bvt.
Maj.
Phillips, Edward P. (B) Lieut.
Phillips, Edward W., Ist Lieut. 50th Inf, Militia,
Phipps, John Act. Eusign, Navy
Pickering, John., Capt. 13th L'nat. Co. H. Art ; 3d
H. Art. ; Adj. S. 0. '
Picknian, Benjamin 1st Lieut. 3d Cav,
Pitman, Henry Act. Lieut., Navy.
Pollock, John Lieut. Col. 40th Inf
Pool, Marcus M 2d Lieut. (1st H Art).
I'ope, Frank Capt, 1st H, Art,
Pope, James Capt, 1st H, Art.
Price, Benjamin S .Act. Asst. Pay Master, N«\,v
Putnam, George D Capt. 50th Inf. militia.
Putnam, Henry C Act. 3Iaster, Navy,
Putnam, William S .Act, Ensign, Navy,
Quimby, Samuel F .^ct. Asst. Surg., Navy.
SALEM.
213
Kedmond, Philip E., Ist Limit, 9th Inf.; died in
service.
Reeves, Robert W., Capt. 13th fuat. Co. Tuf. mil-
itia.
Reynolds, John P.,jr Capt. lilth Inf.
Richardson, James M., Capt. llitll Unat. Co. H.
.\rt.
Roberts, John Act. Lieut., Navy.
Rogers, William C Act. Lieut. Navy.
Rose, Stephen C Lieut. Col.
Ross, William H Capt.
Rowell, Sidney B M Lieut. 3d n. Art.
Safford, John B Asst. Engineer, Navy.
Saltonstall, William G .\ct. Lieut. Com., Navy.
Sanders, Charles Ist Lieut. 48th Inf. militia.
Saunders, John ('.apt. 1st Co. .Sharp.; killed.
Servey, William T .\ct. Ensign, Navy.
Sherman, Charles F 2d Lieut. .17th Inf.
Shreve, William P., 1st Lieut. Gen. Birney's
Staff.
Skinner, Richard, jr Capt. 4i)tli Inf.
Smith, Albert P Act. Ensign, Navy.
Smith, Joseph C Ist Lieut. 1st H. .\rt.
Smith, Lawrence P .\ct. Ensign, Navy
Smith, Robert Capt. 2d Co. Sharp.
Smith, Samuel .-ict. Ensign, Navy
Snapp, Philip J 1st Lieut. -.iid Inf.
Staten, Edward H.,Capt. tjth and 7th Inf. militia.
Stevens, George 0., Ist Lieut. 13th Itiat. Co. Inf.
militia.
Stiles, Charles D 1st Lieut. 2d Co. Sharp.
Stinipsvni, KdwanI S...lst Lieut. 55th Inf. (colored).
Stoddard, Bonjaniin F Capt. 2'lth Inf.
Stone, Lincoln R., Surg. ;id Inf. ; o4th Inf. (colored);
V. S. Vols.
Syinouds, Benjamin K., 1st Lietit. .'iltth Inf. and
Wth Inf.
Symonds, H. C >laj.
Swa-sey, William M .\ct. Ensign, Navy.
Tannatt, Th..nias R Col. 1st U. Art.; inth Inf.
Thayer, J. Henry Chap. 4c;ith Inf.
Upton, Edwunl Ist Lient. 2d Co. Sharp.
Upton. William B Capt. 1st U. S. Vols.
Very, Abraham A .\ct. Ensign Navy.
Voorhies, Lewis D Act. Lieut. Navy.
Walcott, Alfred F Capt. 21st Inf.
Walcott, Charles F., i.'ol. lllst Inf. ; Bvt. Brig.
Gen.
Ward, .Andrew A Act. IMaster, Navy.
Ward, Charles G.,lst Lieut, and Adi. 24tb Inf ;
killed.
Ward, John L Capt. 50th Inf. militia.
Waters, Edward S., Vol. Kngineer, Gen. Burnside's
Staff.
Waters, John .Act. Knsign, Navy.
Webb, .\ugnstine F 2d Lieut. 40th Inf ; killed.
Webb, Francis R .\ct. Ensign, Navy
Webb, Joseph H 1st Lieut. 40th Inf.
Wentworth, Louis E Capt. 2d Co. Sharp.
West, W. <:.
Wheatland, George, jr Maj. 4Htll Inf. militia.
Wbeoler, Richard P , 2d Lieut. 23d Inf.; died of
wounds.
Whipple, George M Capt. 23d Inf.
Wliite, Caleb B.
Wildes, George G Chap. 24th Inf.
Wilkins, Charles \ct. Ensign, Navy.
Wiley, George 2d Lieut. 48th Inf. Militia.
Williams, Charles F., jr., 2d Lieut. 35th Inf. ; died
of wounds.
Williams, James S .Act. Ensign, Navy.
Williams, 'William A Engineer, Navy.
Wilson, Edmund B Chap. 24th Inf.
Wilson, Jacob H 2d Lieut. 40th Inf.
Winn, John K Act. Ensign, Navy.
Woods, George H Lieut. Col.
APPOINTMENTS (neither Commissioned nor Enlisted -Men).
Berry, Williatn'H Surg.'a Stew., Navy. Luscomli, Abial T Snrg.'s Stew., Navy.
Dalton, J. Frank Capt.'s Clerk, Navy. Webber, Joseph Snrg.'s Stew., Navy.
Farrington, George P., jr Surg.'s Stew., Navy. Wells, Charles H Surg.'s Stew., Navy.
Haniblett, Augustus P. .. Paymaster's Stew., Navy.
LIST OF ENLISTED MEN FROM SALEM IN WAR OF REBELLION.
Abbott, Adolphus 23d Inf.; V. K. C. j Anderson, Edward Navy
Abbott, Benjamin F 4th H. Art. j Anderson, James H., jr Navy
Abbott, Charles J Wagoner, 24th Inf. ' .Andrews, Gilman A Corp. 60th Int. militia
.Adams, Charles H 23d Inf. ; 3d 11. Art.
Adams, Charles P.. ..1st Co. Siharps., 5th Inf. militia
Adams, Charles 1st H. Art.
.Adams, George W Navy
.Adams, George W 2d H. Art.
Adams, Henry 2d H, Art.
Adams, Henry J..32d luf. ; V. K. C. ; 2d Co. Sharps.
Adams, Henry P Ist Bat'n H. Art.
Anthony, Joseph E 11th U. S. Inf.
Anthony, Joseph ^th Inf. militia
.Annis. Joseph E 40th Inf.
Appleton, John L 2d Inf.
Archer, George N 8th Inf. militia
Archer, Benj. F. (H.) 2d Co. Sliarps.
Archer, Rufns P., jr 4th H. Art.
Archer, William II Corp. 2d Co. Sharps
Adams, John H Wth Inf. I Arnold, Edward H 4th H. Art.
Adams, Thomas M 0th Inf. militia
Adams, Peter F 6th Inf. militia
Ahern, John 3d H. Art.
Aldrich, Edward M 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Aldrich, Moses H 7th R. I.
Allen, Benjamin, jr 11th Inf. ; died of wounds.
.Allen, Charles F .Wth Inf. militia.
Allen, Edward F 2d H. Art.
Allen, Henry lOth Inf.
Allen, Horatio D ttorp. 23d Inf.
Allen, George W 4th Cav.
Allen, William H 2d Co. Sharps.
.Allen, James Corp.
Allen, John N .-iSth Inf.
Allen, William A Navy.
Alton, Samuel T 2d Inf. ; died of wounds.
Ambrose, Charles 22d Inf. ; trans. Navy.
Ames, Eben Navy
Ames, M. Eugene Navy
Anderson, Thomas B Navy
Anderson, George F , jotU Inf.
Anderson, Aust 18th Inf.
Anderson, J.jseph .54th Inf. ;' .55th Inf. (colored).
Anderson, William Navy
Anderson, William J Navv
Arnold, Isiuic S Ist H. Art.
Arnold, James E IstH. Art., V. R. C.
Arnold, James E 3d Cav.
Arnold, James H 2.id Inf.
Arnold, Joseph E 1st H. Art.
Arnold, Peter 2d Cav.
Arringtun, Benjamin E I'. S. Vet. Vols.
Arrington, Benjamin F 23d Inf.
Arrington, Benjamin R 17th Inf.
Arrington, James, Jr 23d Inf. ; U. S. V. R. C.
Arrington, John R Navy
Artemus, John -'iSth Inf.
Arvedson, C. K Navy.
Arvedson, William L Sergt. 24th Inf.
Arvedson, Cliarles F Navy
Ashbcll, Wyatt 1st H. Art. ; died in service
Ashby, Elias W Sergt. S. C.
Astroiil, Carl 30th Inf.
Atkinson, Frank E 1st Sergt., 62d Inf.
Attwood, Frank Ist Sergt., G2d Inf.
Austin, Aldoii K S. C. ; 23d Inf. ; died in service
Austin, Amos P Corp., 1st Bat'n F. Cav.
Austin, Everett E 13th Unat. Co., Inf. militia.
Austin, Orlow 13th Inf.
Austin, William R -3d Inf.
Avery, John W. C, 1st H. Art. ; died Anderson-
ville Prison.
Ayres, Loren (Lorron) 23d Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Babbidge, William 17th Unat. Co.
Babbidge, William A -JOth Inf. militia
Babcock, John F Corp. 4th Cav.
Babcock, John H 7th Inf. ; 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Bacheller, William H 17th Inf.
Eager. Henry ^^Vf
Bagley, Daniel I Navy
Bailey, Edward A., (Edwin A.) 'id Inf.
Bailey, Therou 1st H. Art.
Bailey, Warren K I'Jth Inf.
Bailey, William ..'id H. Art.; 17th Inf.
Bainee, Richard Navy
Baker, Barney 3d Cav. ; V. R. C.
Baker, Benjamin '2d II. Art.
Baker, Edwin D 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Baker, Henry C .50tb luf., militia; 30th Inf.
Baker, Robert 20th Inf.
Baker, William H 1st H. Art. ; V. B. C.
Baker, Peter '-'3'' I°f
Batch, William D Corp. 50th Inf., militia
Balfe, Thomas 5th Bat. L. Art.
Bulger, Patrick 2d Cav.
Ball, George H. A I'Jth Inf.; U. S. Cav.
Ballard, Francis A ''Oth Inf.
Ballard, George R '«< H. Art.
Baltazar, Ca.stano Navy ; drowned at sea, 1873-
BareilBon, Abraiii F., S. C. ; .''.oth Inf., militia ; 2d
Cav.
Barge, William >st U. S. V. U. C.
Barker, Benjamin
Barker, Charles F
Barker, John.
Barnard, Samuel, 4lh liat'n L. Art, died in service
2d Inf.
..S. 0. ; .50th Inf.
214
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Barnard, Samuel, jr 23d Inf., V. E. C.
Barnard, William H 17t.h Unat. Co.
Barnard, William H Navy
Barnes, Israel D 2d Unat. Co. ; died in service
Barnes, Michael D 3d H. Art.
Barnes., John 11th Inf. ; died of wounds, 18G2
Barnett, Patrick 62d Inf.
Barnum, S. G Navy
Barriugton, Archibald 43d U. S. C. T.
Barrington, A Navy
Barters, John.
Bartlett, Calvin Ist H. Art.
Bartlett, Jeremiah I Navy
Barrett, Cornelius Navy
Barrett, Peter 69th Inf. ; died of wounds.
Barrows, Henry Navy
Barry, Edward Navy
Barry, Edward A :id H. Art.
Barry, John H 13th Unat. Co
Barry, William H 5th Inf, militia
Bassett, Eben Navy
Bassett, John A 7th Inf.
Bassett, Robert C, 1st H. Art. ; died Andersonville
Prisou.
Batchelder, Charles IstH. A.
Batchelder, George H 3d H. Art
Batchelder, George W Sergt. Sth Inf., militia
Batchelder, John 11th Inf., V. R. C.
Batchelder, John H Corp. 2d Co. Sharps.
Batchelder, Richard Sergt. 3d Cav.
Batchelder, Walter 1st H. Art.
Batchelder, George H 11th Inf.
Batchelder, George H SW Inf.
Batchelder, William H 17tb Inf.
Bateman, Cliarles Isl Cav.; killed.
Bateman, Jusepli 48tb Inf. militia
Bateman, Thomas 48th Inf. militia
iiauer, Anton 23d Inf.
Bauer, Ignace (Iguaz) 5tU Bat. L. Art.
Baxter, John Navy
Beach, William, jr .' 10th Inf.
Beadle, John (3d) Navy
Beals, WilUam A 4th H. Art.
Becker, Joseph Corp. 3d H. Art.
Becker, Peter 23d Inf.
Beckett, Daniel C Corp. Ist H. Art.
Beckett, Edward C Navy
Beckett, William H 29th Inf. ; 36th Inf.
Beckford, John M Ist H. Art.
Beckford, Jonathan A 1st H. Art.
Beckford, Eben 23d Inf., V. R. C.
Beckford, Jefferson (A.) Ist H. Art.
Begg, William H 1st H. Art
Bell, James Navy
Bell, William H 7th Inf. ; Sergt. 2d Cav
Bellows, James 1st H. Art.
Bellows, John 9th Inf.
Bennett, Abram K S. C.
Bennett, George A., 13th Unat. Cu. ; 50th Inf. mili-
tia; Ist Bat'n F. Cav.
Bennett, Larrington Corp. 4stli Inf. militia
Benson, Samuel B Ist Sergt., 69th Inf.
Berg, William K 5th Inf. militia ; 2d Co. Sharps.
Berrin, Lewis Navy
Berry, Edward A 3d H. Art.
Berry, James A 62d Inf.
Berry, William H Sergt. Ist Bat'n, F. Cav.
Berry, William E 22d Inf.
Beston, James Blacksmith, 3d Cav. ; V. R. C,
Bickford, William F., 6th Inf. militia ; Ist H. Art.
Bigelow, Walter R 4th H. Art.
Biuney, Thomas J 62d Inf.
Birmingham, John 61st Inf.
Birney, Thomas J (See Binney, Thomas J.)
Bissell, Wesley T 40th Inf
Bixby, Joseph H. (A.) 7th Bat. L. An. ; V. R. C.
Black, William ;..Navy
Blaisdell, George E 23d Inf
Blake, Darius G 2d Inf.
Blanchard, Andrew J., 23d Inf. ; died in rebel prison
Blanchard, Daniel 11th Inf. ; killed
Blanchard, William H 2d Cav.
Blinn, George H., Sergt. 13th Unat. Co.; Corp. 60th
Inf. militia; Ist Bat'n F. Cav.
Bly, Benjamin (Joseph) Corp. 24th Inf.
Boden, Thomas C 50th Inf. militia.
Boden, Hiram C Navy
Bodwell, John A... .6th N. H. Vols. ; died in service
Boleud, James 32d Inf.
Bolton, Thomai) IstH. Art. ; trans. Navy
Bonner, John 32d Inf.
Borden, Thomas Navy
BouBley, George E 7th Inf. militia
Bousley, Nathaniel C 50th luf. militia
Bousley, Theophilus F 48th Inf. militia; killed
Bovey, James G 1st Sergt. Ist H. Art.
Bovey, Nicholas Sergt. 4th Bat. L. An.
Buvey, Thomas L 50th Inf. militia
Bowen, Francis 28th Inf.
Bowen, James W Navy
Bowen, Thomas E lot H. Art
Bower, Anton 23d Inf.
Bowler, Henry A., 1st H. Art. ; died Andersonville
Prison.
Bownar, John 22d Inf. ; 2.3d Inf.
Boyce, Henry 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia
Boyce, John F., 4th Bat. L. Art.; died in service.
Boyd, George Navy
Boyle, Michael W Ist Sergt. 9th Inf-
Brackett, Warren 2d H. Art.
Bradford, Francis Navy
Bradley, James Navy
Bradley, John 1st H. Art. ; died of wounds
Brady, Edward 9th Inf
Brady, James 23d Inf.; 2d Inf.
Brady, Patrick R 9th Inf. ; 32d Inf.
Brady, Thomas Navy
Braman, John Navy
Bray, G. Parker Ist H. Art.
Bray. Isaac Navy
Breed, Elhridge H 3d H. Art
Breed, Frank S 62d Inf
Breed, Otis J 3d H. Art.
Brennan, Michael 4th H. Art.
Brickley, John 11th luf
Briggs, Edward L. P 4th Bat, L. Art
Briggs, Henry F., 6tb Inf. militia ; detailed in Navy
Brigham, Azel P Pr. Mus. lUh Inf.
Brigham, William H. B Mus. 11th Inf.
Britton, John 3d Cav.
Broderick, Dennis 9th Inf. ; 6Ist Inf
Brooks, Horace A., 60th Inf. militia ; 1st Bat'n F.
Cav.
Brooks, Joseph H Sth Inf. militia
Broo'ss, Richard 'iOth Inf. ; killed
Brooks, Samuel H 23dluf. ; died of wounds
Brown, August Navy
Brown, Albert W..8th Inf. militia ; 7th Inf. militia
Brown, Augustus 23d Inf. ; died in service
Brown, .\ugustuB, 1st Sergt. 50th Inf. militia ; 1st
i-ergt. 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
Brown, Benjamin K., Sergt. Sth Inf. militia ; Wag-
oner, 3d Cav.
Brown, Charles Na\'y
Brown, Charles Navy
Brown, Charles A Corp. 4Sth Inf. militia
Brown, Charles W 62d Inf
Brown, Edmund A Navy
Brown, Elhridge K Sth Inf. militia
Brown, Ezra L 23d Inf.
Brown, Ezra W 23d Inf.
Brown, Frederick C 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia
Brown, George A., Sth Bat. L. Art. ; died in service
Brown, George L 22d Inf.
Brown, George A., Sth Inf. ; Corp. 19th Inf. ; died
of wounds.
Brown, George 0 19th Inf.
Brown, Henry F Mus. 23d Inf.
Brown, Henry, jr 30th luf
Brown, Herbert A. Navy
Brown, Jeremiah W Ith Bat. L. Art.
Brown, James Ist H. Art.
Brown, James 9th Inf.
Brown, James Navy
Brown, James H 1st H. Art.
Brown, James E Navy
Brown, John B Mus. 7th Inf.
Brown, John B 11th Inf. ; died of wounds
Brown, John H Navy
Brown, OUver 24th Inf.
Brown, Patrick Ist Cav.
Brown, Samuel 1st H. Art.
Brown, Patrick 24th Inf.
Brown, Samuel A S. C.
Brown, Thomas E 1st H. Art.
Brown, Thomas W 48th Inf. militia
Brown, William '22d Inf.
Brown, William P Sijth Inf. militia
Brown, George A Sth Bat'n L. Art.
Browne, John B Mus. S. C.
Browning, Clement A Corp. 3d H. Art.
Bruce. Robert P Corp. 1st H. Art.
Bruce, SulUvan Navy
Bryant, Enoch.jr 19th Inf.
Bryant, Timothy W 50th Inf. militia
Buckley, Bartholomew S Ist H. Art.
Buckley, John 6th Bat. L. Art.
Buckley, Patrick Ist H. Art.
Buckley, Timothy Navy
Buffam, Charles C S. C.
Bullum, George W 23d Inf.
linker. William H lOth Inf.
Bullock, Attwood C 1st H. Art.
Bulger, James Sth Inf. militia; Sergt. 40th Inf.
Bulger, Patrick 2d Cav.
Bunipus, Elisha Navy
Burbank, Nathan P 2d Inf.
Buichstead, David W Corp. 23d Inf.
Binding, Edward W 5th Inf.
Burg, William R (See Berry, William R.)
Burgess, Charles H., 2d H. Art. ; 3d Cav. ; died in
service.
Burgess. William H Artificer 3d H. Art.
Burke, Michael 4th Cay.
Burke, Richard 9th Inf.
Burnes, Charles E 12th Inf.
Burnei', George W l'2th Inf.; died of wounds
Burnham, Joseph P 3d Cav.
Burnham, John 9th Inf.
Burns, John 9th Inf.
Burns, John 11th Inf. ; killed.
Burns, John H 4th Bat. L. Art.
BuiTill, Francis A 1st H. Art.
Busted, Andrew Sergt. 4{lth Inf.
Buswell, John H 2d Cav. ; Gist Inf .
Butler, Benjamin F 39th inf ; trans. Navy
Butler, Charles 4th Cav.
Butmau, George^A-,Mus. 59th Inf. ; died in service
Butnian, Luther C 22d Inf. ; trans. 32d Inf.
Buton, Maurice Navy
Bntterfleld, Hiram 17th Inf.
Buxton, Alonzo D Ist H. Art.
Buxton, Augustus Ist H. Art.
Buxton, Charles W Wagoner, 17th Inf.
Buxton, Edward H 4th Cav.
Buxton, George, jr Wagoner, 17th Inf
Buxton, George B Sth Inf. miUtia
Buxton, George-F., 5th Inf. militia ; Q. M. Sergt. 2d
H. Art.
Buxton, George E ■ S. C.
Buxton, John 4l8t Inf.
SALEM.
215
Buxton, John 11 1st H. Art.
Buxton, Samuel U oth Inf. militia
Buxton, Thomas, 1st H. .\rt. ; died .\ndereonville
prison.
Cadieu, Charleii I! Navy
Cain, Patrick Kth Inf.
Cahill, IiarthoIoniew...4th H. .\rt. Died in service
Callahan, John ISth Inf. militia ; 4th H. -\rt.
Callahan, Patrick nth Inf.
Calavacan, Charles 'i2d Inf. ; killed
Call, Aaron W Corp.4Mth Inf.
Call, Isaac 40th Inf. ; V. K. C.
Call, Georpe Wth Inf
Call, George A 1st H. Art.
Call, Oeorge A 23d luf.
Call, Samuel L Bat'n G.,3(I Penn.
Call, Thomas? ITtli Cnat. Co.
Campbell, John C 1st H. Art.
Campion, Kdward J 'lOlh Inf.
Campion, Patrick J Sergt. 20th Inf.
Cane, Thomas 28th Inf.
Caras, Lattara 19th Inf
Carey, George A Navy
Carey, Hugh Mh Inf
Carey, James 32d Inf ; died in service
Carey, John 'Mh Inf
Carlin, Samuel 2d Inf.
Carroll, Charles I3th Unat. Co.
Carroll, James 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Carroll, Peter Ist H. Art.
Carlisle, John 18th Inf.
Carleton, David 19th Inf
Carlton, John \V 8th Inf. militia
Carlton, David. ..Sergt. 23d Inf. ; Missing, supposed
killed
Carlton, Joseph G. S Corp. 23d Inf.
Carney, Richard Corp. 9th Inf
Carr, Thomas F 3d H. Art.
Carr, William H 7th Inf. militia
Carpenter, Isaac W 3d Cav.
Carter, William II 7th Inf. militia
Carter, William H...Corp. l:ith Unat. Co. ; 4th Cav.
Carter, Simon.
Casey, Daniel 20th Inf
Casey, Daniel (David) 13th Unat. Co. Inf.
Casey, Thomas Navy
Cashin, David Corp. Oth Inf
Cashion, Robert 9th Inf
Caspersen, .John P 12th Inf. ; killed
Cassidy, James 23d Inf.
Oassidy, .lames 2d H. Art.
Cassell, Charles C, 64th Inf (colored) ; trans. 6Sth
Inf (colored).
Cassell, John 31., 34th Inf (colored) ; trans. 65th
Inf. (colored).
Cashrsn, John l-'th Unat. (3o. Inf.
Caswell, George A S. C.
Cate, John H 19th Inf ; trans. Navy
Gate, Samuel A otb Inf. militia ; Navy
Chalk, Henry T Corp. 1st H. Art.
Chamberhiin, Luther L Sergt. 2d H. Art.
Chamberlain, Charles E. A.
Chamberlain, Garland A. ..Sergt 2Uth Unat. Co. H.
Art. ; 3d II. Art.
Chambers, John W 1st H. Art.
Chandler, Benjamin F 2d Cav.
Chandler, Isaac H..Corp. D9th Inf ; .'tDth Inf mil-
itia ; died of wounds.
Chandler, John Corp. 6th Inf militia
Chandler, George A 7th Inf. militia ; Navy
Channell, George W 3d H. .\rt.
Chapman, Joseph R 4th H. Art.
Chapman, Lewis A 4tb Bat. L. Art ; trans. 13th
Bat.
Chappie, WMlliam F 8th Inf militia ; 23d Inf
Chase, Benjamin E 7th Inf militia
Chase, Charles il..3f.tli Inf : Hosp. Stew. U. S. Vols.
Chase, Charles P Corp. 24th Inf
Chase, George Navy-
Chase, George E 48th Inf. militia
Chase, Jacob C .'i.'Sth Tnf (colored)
Chase, John R 48th Inf militia
Chase, John R. o7th Inf.; 59th Inf
Chase, Lyman A 2d H. Art.
Cheney, Joseph H 7th Inf militia
Cheney, Richard K. W n2d Inf
Cliesley, Charles II, jr -. 24th Inf
Chesley, Edward A 4th H. Art.
Chessman, Charles H .^Oth Inf militia
Chick, Daniel 3d H. Art.
Chick, William H loth Inf
Childs, Charles N Navy
Chipman, James G 1st H. .\rt.
Chipman William F. T 3d II. Art.
Chipman, William H I3th Unat. Co. Inf
ChipniaEi, .\n'irew T I7th Inf
Chisni, Wini,ani 20th Inf
Chitnian, William H 13th Unat. Co. lof
Chrystal, Samuel 19th Inf
Chute, Lsaiah 7th Inf militia
Chute, Rupart J Mus. 7th Inf. militia
Claiborne, George C 3d Cav.
Cl.-iflin, William 11 8th Inf militia
Clark .Mbion J 23d Inf
Clark, Charles A. D Sergt. 4th Bat. L. Art.
Clark, Edward A .'ith Inf militia ; 29th Inf
Clark, Henry M Corp. 4th Bat. L. .\rt.
Clark, Charles? 1st Bafn H. Art.
Clark, John A 19th Inf ; killed
Clark, John F....lBt H. Art. ; Corp. .Sth Inf militia
Clark, John W C2d Inf
Clark, Patrick Navy
Clark, Patrick 20th Inf
Clark, Sylvester W 6th Inf militia ; 24th Inf ;
killed
Clark, William Navy
Clark, William B .ioth Inf militia
Clark, William W 23d Inf
Clarrage, Edward D. (F.) 1st H. Art.
Clarrage, James 0 11th Inf; Navy
Clements, Charles II 2d Co Sharps
demons, William H .....Hh Inf. militia ; 2d Co.
Sharps
Clough, Robert P., 1st Sergt. 6th Inf. militia, S. C.
Clough, William H id H. Art.
Clough, William H. (V.) I7th Inf.
Clynes, Frank H Corp. 23d Inf
Clynes, John Oth Inf
Coburn. Geo. E 54th Inf (colored).
Cocklin, John Oth Inf.
Cokclin, John J. (I.) Corp. 1st H. Art.
Cochrain, George 39th Inf.
Cochran, Daniel Oth Inf
Cochran, James, 11th Inf.
(Tehran, James Corp. 40th Inf.
Cochran, John 2d luf ; killed, 1862
Cochran, Thomas H 24th Inf
Cochrane, James Ist Bat'n H. .\rl. : Irans. navy
Cochrey, Bartholomew Oth luf
Cogan, John Oth Inf.
Cogger, James 4th H. .\rt.
Coggin, Thomas 48tli Inf militia.
Cogswell, Epes, Artificer 4th Bat. L. Art. ; died in
service.
Cohane, John Sergt. llth luf
Colcord, David B 1st H. .\rt.
Cole, Robert Killed.
Coleman, Patrick 'M l"f
Collier, Charles D Ist H. Art.
Collier, John F 1th H. Art.
Collins, Charles H 23d Inf
Collins, Edward A., 13th Unat. Co. Inf militia,
23d luf
Collins, Cornelius F 3d H. Art.
Collins, Edward, jr S. C.
t'ullins, George W 23d Inf
Collins, Jeremiah 30th Maine Vols.
Collins, John G 4th Cav.
Collins, John H 4th Bat. L. Art.
Collins, John llth Inf
Colony, Moses G.
Colman, Benjamin F S. C.
(.'-olnian, George B., 54[h Inf (colored) ; trans. 55th
Inf (colored).
Colwell, Patrick ..4Sth luf militia, 3d H. Art.
Conant, George W G2d Inf.
Coney, Charles W., 1st II. .\rt. ; died .\ndersonvilIe
Prison.
Conner, Patrick Ist H. .\rt.
Conners, Cornelius 2d Cav.
Connolly, James Oth Inf.
Connors, Jeremiah 2d Inf.
Connor, Henry 2d Inf.
Converse, Francis T Bugler 2d H. .\rt.
Converse, Augustus 2d Cav. ; mus. lOtli Inf.
Converse, Josiuh L., Bugler 2d H. .\rt. ; mus. 19th
Inf
Conway, Dentils Sergt. 62d Inf.
Conway, James., I3th Uoat. Co. Inf. militia ; Sergt.
62d Inf
Coogan, John 9th Inf.
Cook. .Welbert P 1st H. Art.
Cook, David N., 17tli Inf, 13lh Unat. Co. Inf
militia.
Cook, Frank 22d Inf ; Navy.
Cook, George B 50th Inf militia.
Cook, George W .Wth Inf militia.
Cook, Jeremiah V. R. C.
Cook, Peter S llth Inf
Cook, William S 23d Inf
Copeland, George A S. C; ; 60th Inf militia;
23d luf
Corcoran. Daniel Oth Inf
Corcoran, John ■2d Inf.
Corrigan, Daniel 10th luf.
Coriigan, John 27th Unat. Co. Inf
Cottle, Alfred 1st H. Art.
Cottle, Samuel 19th Inf ; tiaus. Navy.
Cotter, Simon 4th Bat. L. Art.
Cottrell, William A 1st H. Art.
Coughlin, Edmund C 'iSth Inf
Coughlin, John 9th Inf
Coughlin, Thomas H Wagoner 24tli Inf
Cousins, Joseph H 13th Unat. Co. Inf militia.
Cowee, George L...4th Bat. L. .Art.; died in service.
Cowley, .Tohli H Ist H. Art., V. R. C.
Cowley, Richard 3d U. Art.
Crane, .Albert J 2A Co. .Sharps.
Crawford, James, Corp. Ist Cav. (Co. K, New Bat.
Cav.).
Crawford, Wallace l,^th Inf ; trans. 20th Inf
Creden, Cornelius 9th Inf
Critchet, Charles E 24th Inf
Crocker, Josiah M '23d Inf
fronan, Jeremiah let Sergt. Oth Inf
Cronan, John Ist Bat'n. H. Art.
Cronin, John Slst Inf.
Cronin. Patrick '. 17th Inf
Cross, George ....48th Inf militia.
Cross, George W,, Isf II. Art. ; died Andersonville
Prison.
Crosson, James F 2d Inf.
Crowley, Jeremiah 2'2d Inf
Crowley, Florance 42d Inf
Crowley, Philip 30lh Inf. ; died in service.
Crswell, Freeman llth Inf
Cullen, John llth Inf
Cummings, Edward I) 12th Inf
Cunningham, John Navy.
Gunaidgham, John J 1st Bat'n. U. Art.
216
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Cunningham, Lawrence 9th Inf.
Cunningham, Matthew, Corp. Ist. Bat'n. II. Art.,
11th Inf.
Cunningham, Tlionias li*th Inf. ; trang. Navy.
Cunningham, William W 11th Inf.
Cunniff, Martin Pr. Mus. 4(lth Inf.
Curran, ,lohn 17th Inf.
Currier, Charles W Ist H. .\rt.
Curtis, .\lon20 67th Inf., 5'.lth Inf.
Curtis, Jacob 4th Bat. L. Art.
Cutler, Nathan I' let Sergt. Ist H. Art.
Cutts, Benjamin S. C.
Ciitts, Richanl A S. C.
Cusick, Patrick 9th Inf.
Cusick, l^atrick 'Jth Inf.
Dailey.John Uth luf
Dailey, Patrick 4th Bat. h. An.
Dailey, Thomas 62d Inf.
Dale), Bartholomew 41st Inf
Daley, Charles P Sergt. 2(1 H. Art.
Daley, .lames 22d Inf. ; killed.
Daley, James P lath Inf.; V. R. C.
Daley, John 4th Bat. L. Art.
Daley, Jeremiah Ist Inf.
Daley, Lewis T 62d Inf
Daley, Patrick l;ith Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
Daley, Timothy 2d Inf
Dalrymple, Ceorge 50th Inf militia.
Dalrymple, George W... 1.3th Unat. Co. Inf. niititia.
Dalrymple, Simon 0 8th Inf militia.
Dalrymple, William H Corp. 60th Inf militia.
Dalton, Charles H Sergt. S. C
Dalton, Eleazer M., Jr Ist H. .\rt. ; killed.
Dalton, James 2d H. Art, 22d Inf.
Dalton, Sepherino M Sergt. 1st H. Art.
Dalton, Patrick 40th Inf., V. R. C.
Dalton, William T S. C.
Danforth, George Corp. 62d Inf
Danforth, Robert K Corp. 1st Bat'n. H. .\rt.
Daniels, Edward A 48th Inf. militia.
Daniels, John B-..5th Inf. militia. 4Sth Inf militia.
Daniels, William Corp. 48th Inf militia.
Daniels, William F Sergt. 23d Inf
Daniels, William, Jr 23d Inf
Danigan, Thomas 40th Inf
Darcy, James.
Darcy, Michael Navy.
Darcy, Thomas 9th Inf.
Davenport, David 6th Inf. militia.
Davis, .\ndrew L Ist H. .\rt.
Davis, Benjamin r...26th Inf : trans. 6th V. S. Art,
Davis, Charles W...Sergt. 23d Inf., 5th Inf. militia.
Davis, George 5th Art., U. S. C. T.
Davis, George \ Sergt. 1st II. An.
Davis, James D., 4tli Bat. L. Art. ; died in service.
Davis, Jefferson R Mus. 2d II. Art.
Davis, Samuel Corp. 40th Inf.
Davis, Warren P Corp. S. C.
Day, John 4th Vt. Vols.
Day, John Navy.
Day, John M Corp. 3d Cav.
Dean, Charles S 4th Cav.
Dearborn, Henry F Navy.
Deboa, James .'. 9th Inf ; V.R. C.
Deland, Alfred N Corp. IstH. Art.
Deland, Charles Navy.
Dehiier, Henry 28th Inf. ; Navy.
Dempsey, .Tames 9th Inf.
Derby, Charles W 1st H. Art.
Derby, Perley 23d Inf ; V. R. C
Derwin (or Dervin), Michael 4th Bat. L. Art.
Desmond, Dennis 9th Inf
Desmond, John 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Desmond, John 17th Inf.
Devine, John 17th Inf
Devine, Michael 9th Inf.
Dickson, Augustus 4th Cav.
Dinsniore, William 0th Inf
Dix, Charles E Navy.
I>ix, James Navy.
Dockham, William S 48th Inf. militia.
Dodd, James Navy.
Iiodge, Charles W 6th Inf militia.
Dodge, Charles P., Jr S. C.
Dodge, George A 47th Inf
Dodge, Eben P 23d Inf
Dodge, Joseph H fltli Inf ; died in service.
Dodge, Joseph R..6uth Inf militia ; died in service.
Dodge, Judsou F Navy.
Dolan, Patrick 9th Inf
Dominick, Joseph .6th Inf militia ; 29tb Inf.
Donahoe, Patrick F 7th Inf ; 2d Cav.
Donahue, Thomas, 4th Bat. L. Art. ; died in ser-
vice.
Donegan, Thomas 5th Bat. L. Art.
Donelly, Patrick O 9th Inf
Donovan, John 9th Inf
Donovan, Patrick II Corp. 17th Inf
Donovan, Timothy 4th II. Art.
Dougherty, Michael S Ist H. Art.
Douglass, Albert, 48th Inf militia ; Trans. 2d R. I.
Cav.
Douglass, Albert Navy.
Douglass, Albert C 8th Inf. Militia; 19th Inf
Dow, George W 5th Inf
Dowdell, Charles Oth Inf
Downing, Henry W., Corp. S. C. ; Sergt. 2d H.
Art.
Dowst, Joshua W., Sergt. 6th Inf militia ; 3d Cav.
Drahan, Nicholas V. R. C.
Draper, William M Hosp. Stew. U. S. A.
Dresser, Charles F 1st H. Art. ; died in service.
Driscoll, John Otli Inf
DriscoU, John 0 12th Inf
Driscoll, Timothy 9th Inf
Driver, Samuel 19th Inf
Driver, Stephen P Q M. Sergt. 23d Inf
Drown, William P 6th Inf militia.
Dudley, W'arren - 23d Inf
Duffee, John R 4th Bat. L. Art.
Duggan, Morty 48th Inf. militia.
Duggan, William 9th Inf
Dunham, Nicholas 13th U. S. V. R. C.
Dunn, James 19th Inf
Dunuigan, John Navy.
Dunnegan, Thomas.. 5th Bat. L. Art.
Diirgin, Thomas .69th Inf ; trans. 67th Inf
Dupar, William G Navy.
Dutra, Theodore 2d Unat. Co.
Dwight, Freeman 27th Inf
Dwinell, David L. M Sergt. 1st H. Art.
Dwinell, AVilliam P., 13th Unat. Co. Inf militia;
4th Bat. L.Art. ; trans. 13th Bat. L. Art.
Eagan, Richard F 13tli Unat. Co. Inf militia
Easterbe, Thomas W 7th Inf militia.
Eastley, Alfred 19th Inf
Eaton, Alpheus 6th Inf militia.
Eaton, Horace D 50th Inf militia.
Eck, William 22d Inf
Edgerly, Charles E 23d Inf
Edgerley, Samuel A Sergt. 24th Inf
Edwards, George 23d Inf.
Edwards, George K V. R. O.
Edwards, George W., Corp. 40th Inf ; died in ser-
vice.
Edwards, John L., 6th Inf. militia ; 4th Bat. L.
Art. ; detailed as sailor, 1801.
Edwards, Joseph 2d N. Y.
Edwards, Richard L , 24th Inf
Edwards, William 19th Inf
Edwards, William P Corp. 19th Inf
EmmeiBon, Charles H 2d Inf ; killed.
English, James W 6th Inf militia.
Entwistle, Thomas 23d Inf
Enwright, James 19th Inf
Estes, George H Ist H. Art. ; killed.
Estes, John F., Mus. 13th Unat. Co. ; Corp. 1st
Bat'n F. Cav.
Estes, William P. R 19th Inf >
Evans, Daniel 11th Inf
Evans, George (E) 6th Inf. militia ; Navy.
Evans, James G 20tli luf
Evans, William 50th Inf. militia; 3d H. Art.
Fabens, William P 3d H. Art.; died in service.
Fairfield, John H Ist Bar' n U.Art.
Fairfield, Samuel G 1st H. Art.
Fairfield, William 1st U. Art.
Fairfield, William 3d H. Art. ; V. R. C.
Fairfield, William 22d Inf
Fairley, Alexander 19th Inf
Farley, Charles (M) 1st II, Art.
Farley, George E 48th Inf. militia.
Farley, James H *23d Inf. ^
Farmer, Joseph P Ist II. Art.
Fallon, Patrick 17th Int.
Farnham, George A 4th Cav.
Farnum, Henry A 3'2d Inf.
Farrell, Edwar.l 4th H. Art.
Farrell, John 9th luf
Farrell, John - 3d H. Art. ; trans. Navy, -i
Farrell, Robert 0th Inf.; killed.
Farrell, Owen 22d Inf
Farrell, William 6th Inf. militia.
Fauuce, Moees D Artificer 4th Bat. L. Art.
Feldgen, Hiram S Sergt. 17th Inf
Felt, David H 17th Inf
Fennell, John 62d Inf
Ferguson, George P Ist H. Art.
Ferguson, Samuel A., 6th Inf militia ; Ist H. Art. |
Ferrick, James 62d luf j
Ferris, Edward 22dlnf. j
Fessenden, George 2d Cav. '
Field, Charles V. R. '
Field, Joseph (John) W 8th Inf niilitin
Fields, Robert M 17th Inf.
Fillebrown, Charles F 1st H. Art.
Finley, Edward. ..30tli Inf. militia; died in ser-
vice. I
Finngan, Thomas Navy^
Firth, John A 2d H. Art.
Fischer, William L. (F) 23d Inf.
Fish, Charles W 23d Inf ; died in service. .
Fisher, Francis A Corp. 3d H. Art. I
Fiske, Peter 19th Inf.
Fitch, John 19th Inf. (
Fitzgerald, Conrad 2d Inf
Fit/.gerald, George Navy.
F'itzgerald, Michael 3d H. Art.
Fitzgerald, Terrance 3d Cav.
Fitzgerald, Timothy.
Fitzgerald, William Navy.
Fitzgerald, John 0th Inf ; trans. 32d Inf.
Flaherty, Thomas 9th Inf
Flakefield, Charles 2d H. Art. ; died of wounds.
Flakelield, John, jr 38th Inf militia.
Flannigan, Nicholas Navy.
Flaunigan, Thomas Navy.
Fleet, George 1st H. Art. ; killed. ,
Flemming, Hugh Navy.
Flemming, Slichael Na\ y
Fletcher, Francis H Sergt. 54th Inf (color-'-i
Flood, John 6th Inf. militia ; 48th Inf militia.
Flowere, William H.,jr Ist H. Art.
Flynn, Thomas 23d Inf
Fogg, James W Navy.
Foley, .lames 3d Cav.. 62d Inf.
Folsom, Nathaniel F Ist H. .\rt.
Foote, George Y 48th Inf militia
SALEM.
217
Foote, Jiihu C IstH. Art. (Band).
Foote, Moses F....4th Bat. h. Art. ; Jieil iu service.
Forbes. Charles 11th Inf.
Ford, Charles T 24th luf.
Ford, Jeremiah L 48th Inf. militia.
Ford, Samuel A Navy.
Ford, Stephen.
Forneas, William F. (L| 23d Inf.
Foss, John G oOth Inf. militia ; 3d H. Art.
Foss, Juhn h 23d Inf.
Foster, IsajicP., jr Sergt. 8. C.
Foster, John M Hosp, Slew, oth Inf. militia.
Foster, Charles W 1st H. Art.
Foster, Patrick Ist 11. Ait. ; died in service.
Foster, William J S. C.
Fountain, James W 6.">th Int. (colored)
Fountain, Willirtiii 5Jth Inf., trans. 55th Inf.
(culond).
Fowler, Newton G 7th Inf, militia.
Fuwier, Edward Navy.
Fowler, Samuel M., Cuip. 1>1 II. Art. ; died An-
deraonville Prison.
Fowler, William T., Sth Inf. militia; Sergt. 2.1d
Inf. ; killed.
Fowler, William W Navy.
Fox, Lawrence 17th Inf.
Foye, Edward Navy.
Francis, Joseph, 4ttth Inf, uiiliiia; o'Jth Inf. ;
killed.
Francis, Moses F Navy.
Franklin, George 28th Inf.
French, Harry B 56th Inf.
French, John G2d Inf.
Freeze, Noah L 19th Inf.; 47tb Inf. militia.
Friend, Joel M 50th Inf. militia.
Friend, Alfred Corp. 24th Inf. ; died of wounds.
Friend, Frederick Navy.
Friman,Karl 22d luf.
Frothintjliam, Gustavutt, Int U. Art.; died iu ser-
vice.
Frothinghiun, John F., Ist H. Art. ; died of
wuuiids.
Frye, Alfred, 1st H. Art. ; died Andei-sunville Prison.
Fne, I'auiel M 12th Inf., V. It. C.
Furbush, Edward W 20th luf
Furtony, Michael Navy.
Full, William L 1st. H. Art.
Fuller, Charles G U. S. Signal Corps.
Fullum, John 17th Inf. militia.
Gaffiiey, rhristopher.
Gage, Andrew J 2d Co. Sharps.
Galarcar, Charles. See Calaracaii, Charles.
Galivan, Michael 13lh Unat. Co. Inf.
Gallagher, Joseph Navy.
Gallagher, Thomaa 17th Inf.
Gallagher, William G 1st Bat'n F. Cav.
Gallnear, Charles '.id Co. Sharps.; killed.
Gallucia, Hezekiah A 3d H. Art.
Galloway, F. N Navy.
Galloway, John H 20th Inf
Gammon, James 1st H. Art.
Gauley, John H 9th Inf.; killed
Gannou, John 4th H. Art.
Gannop, John 9th Inf.
Gardner, Abel 5th luf. uiilitta ; 2d Co. Sharps.
Gardner, Albert G Pr. Mus. 23d luf.
Gardner, Benjamin B 2d Inf.
Gardner. Charles II lUth Inf.
Gardner, Benjamin F 2i)th Inf.
Gardner, Charles W.,5lh luf. militia : S. C. ; Navy.
Gardner, Charles W 50th Inf. militia.
Gardner, Edward L 47th Inf. militia.
Gardner, George A Navy.
Gardner, Horace B Ut H. Art.
Gardner, Howard P Ist II. Art.
Gardner, John Mus. 7th Tuf militia.
14A
Gardner, James W 2d Co. Sharps., 22d Inf.
(^iardner, Benjamin S.
Gardner, Joseph D S. C.
Gardner, Robert 2d Inf.
Gardner, William 3d U. S. xVrt.
Gardner, William D , S. C.
Gardner, William H 5th Inf. militia.
Gardner, William H.. 48th Inf. militia.
Garney, .John W 23d Inf.
Gairity, John 3Uth Inf
Garrity, Patrick, 4th Bat. L. Art., trans. 13th Bat.
Gas3, Williaui II Navy.
Gehow, James Navy.
Geigle, Edward Sergt. 9th Inf.
Getchell, Charles E Corp. S.C.
Cietchell, Chailea L 23d Itif. ; died iu service.
Getchell, Edward E 2.id Inf.
Getchell, George F 1st H. Art.
Getchell, James A 1st H, Art.
Getchell, Stephen 0 IstH. Art.
Gibbions, Lyman 0 '■2d Inf.
Gibbs, William, 54th Inf., trans. 55th Inf. (colored);
killed.
Gibson, John F 3d H. Art.
GifFord, Charles P...Iat Co. Sliarps. ; died in service.
Gifford, Frank, "th Inf. militia; 4th Cav.; died in
service.
Giles, CharlesH Mb Inf. militia.
Giles, Israel iDth Inf.
Gillespie, James S Ist H.Art.
Gillespie, Joseph A 23d Inf.
Gilley, George S 2d H. Art., trans. Navy.
GilloD, Hugh 11th Inf.; died in service.
Gilman, Charles B 14th Bat. L. Art.
Gilman, John T 5th Inf. militia.
Gilman, Joaoph 4th Bat. L. Art., trans. Y. li. C.
Gilman, Simon F I4th Bat. L. Art.
Glazier, James E. (B) 23d Inf.
Glazier, George W S. C.
Gluss, George Navy.
GleasoH, John ;;Uth L'liat. Co., U. Art.
Glidden, Joseph H 5tli luf. militia.
Glover, James, Jn. See Grover.
Glover, Joseph N 4»>ili Inf. militiii.
Glover, Heury B 11th Inf; killed.
Glover, William H 48th Inf. militia.
Glover, George D Sergt. S. C.
Goldsmith, William H 4th N. H. Vols.
Guldtliwaite Benjamin F 23d Inf.
Goldtbwaite, Charles A 9th Bat. L. Art.
Goldthwaite, (ieorge C S. C.
Goldtliwaite, Luther M 1st H. Art.
Goldthwaite, Warren V 1st Bat'n F. Cav.
Goodhue, Amos D 32d Inf., traus. V. R. C.
Goodhue, Hiram B S. C.
Goodhue, John E 4th Bat. L. Art.
Goodrich, William 6th Inf. militia.
Goodsell, Heury I9th Inf.
Goodwin, George 19th Inf.
Goodwin, Thomas 29th Unat. Co. H. Art.
Gordon, George E Ist Inf.
Gorman, Jamts Ist H. Art.
Gormau, John 57th Inf., traus. from 59th Inf.
Gorman, Michael Navy.
Gorman, Thomas 1st H. Art.
Gorman, Thomaa 'Jth Inf., trans. V. R. C.
Gorten, Samuel Sergt. ,62d luf.
Goss, Charles H 8th Wik
Guss, George L fith luf militia, 23d Wis.
Gu3S, Samuel (I.)T 1st U. Art.
Gould, James lat N. Y. Exculsior Brigade.
Gove, Charles F 29th Inf.
Gould, Gilmau J 2d N. H. Vols.
Grady, Dennis Navy.
Graham, William, 'jlh Inf.; reported killed as Gor-
ham.
Grahaui, William 4tii Cav.
Grant, Benjamin H S. C.
Grant, Edward H 23d Inf.
Graaer, Charles Navy.
Gray, George A 48th Inf. militia.
Gray, George A 4th H. Art.
Gray, Everhardt 3d H. Art.
Gray, John 3d H. Art.
Gray, John (II.) '23d Inf.
Gray, Joseph let Co. Sharps.
Gray, Robert 2d N. Y. H. Art.
Gray, William 19th Inf.
Greeley, Thomas J Corp. 24th Inf.
Green, George P Navy.
Green, George W 4th H. Art.
Green, Joseph II ..Ist H. Art,; died in service.
Green, John Navy.
Green, Thomas., lillh Irtat. Co. luf. militia; Corp.
9th Inf.
Green, William U 2d Inf.
Greenough, Daniel S., :id Inf.; died of wounds,
1864.
Greenough, Johu W., Jr., Corp. 23d Inf; died of
VFounds.
Grieve, Thomas V. B. C.
Griffin, Benjamin 55th Inf. (colored).
Griflin, Eben, Jr S. C.
Griffin, Henry, 13th Unat. Co. luf. militia ; Cist Inf.
Griffin, John 29th Unat. Co. H. Art.
Grithn, Thomas 5th Bat. L. Art.
Griffiu, Thomas J 48th Inf. militia.
Griffin, William 4th Bat. L. Art.
Grimes, Charles H., lat 11. Art. ; 2;)th Unat. C«. li.
Ai-t.
Grimes, Ismel W 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
Grimes, Oliver 1st H. Art.
Grimes, Robert Z9th Unat. Co. H.Art.
Grimes, Warren S yth Inf.
Grimes, William H 23d Inf.
Grinson, Thomas L...12ih Inf.; missing, supposed
killed.
lirosvenor, Edward P 23d Inf.
Grover, James, Jr 5th luf.; militia.
Grover, Johu, Jr 4th Bat. L. Art.
Grocer, Johu C 4th Cav. ; Navy.
Grnsh, Benjamiu .S Sergt. 4uih Inf.
Guilford, Elbridge H., Corp. 5th Inf. militia ; de-
tailed as sailor.
Guilford, Samuel W Sergt. 4Uth luf; killed.
Gwinn, Charles H., Sergt. 6th Inf. militia; 7th
Itif. militia.
Gwinn, Edward .\., Corp. 4i)th Inf.; died of
wounds.
Ilackett, Harrison 5th Inf. militia, 3d H. Art.
Haekett, Michael 28th Inf.
Hadley, Horace L 5th Inf. militia.
Hale, Joseph S 48th Inf. militia.
Haley, James 62d Inf.
Hall, Edwin A Mb Inf. militia, Sergt. 23d Inf-
Hall, James A., Oth Inf. militia, G2d Inf.
Hall, Thomas 22d Inf.
Hall, William H., 5lh luf. militia, 48th Inf. mi-
litia.
Ham, Edwin 2d Inf.
Hammond, William G., ttirp. l.Jtli Unat. Co. Inf.
militia. 5oth Inf. militia.
Hancock, John E Ist H. Art.
Hausbaw, Johu Navy.
Hanson, George 4Mh Inf. militia.
Hanson, John 9th Inf., tnins. Navy.
Hanson, George W 35th Inf.
Hanson, Parker W 7th Inf. niililia, 3d H. .\rl.
Hardmau, James 20th luf.
Harmon, M. I> Navy.
Harrington, Daniel oUtb Inf.; died of wounds
Harringtou, F. H. W Nary
Hiuringtou, Leuminl 50th Inf. militia.
Harrington, Michael 19th Inf., V. R. C.
218
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Harrinjjton, Philip F 4tii H. Art.
Harrington, William H 5LL Inf. militia
Harris, Alphonzo 50th I uf. militia.
Harris, John.Jr SadUUr, 1st Bat'n F. Cav.
Harris, Juhn P 1st H. Art.
Harris, William S outU Inf. militia.
Harrison, George 19th Inf.
Hart, John 17th Inf.
Hart, John W 5th Inf. militia.
Hart, Joseph L 4th Bat. X,. Art ; died in service.
Hart, Timothy *20th Inf.
Hartman, Charles 16th Inf.
Hartwell, Joseph W 7th Inf. militia.
Hartwell, William H 23d Inf.
Haskell, Benjamin F 19th Inf.
Haskell, Charles.... Cor p. liith Inf. ; died in service.
Haskell, Charles F 7th Inf. militia.
Haskell, Elijah Navy.
Haskell, Edward B S. C.
Haskell, William H IstH. Art.
Hassett, Martin 30th Inf. ; died in service.
Hatch, Henry J
Hatch, Thomas C.lyth Unat. Co. Inf. militia ; 1st
Bat'n F. Cav.
Hathaway, Stephen F Ist H. Art.
Hauseman, William 19th Inf.
Hawes, James Navy
Hawthorne, William H Master's Mate, Navy.
Hay, John
Hayden, Thomas Navy
Hayes, Benjamin Corp. 9th Inf.
Hayes, James 2d H. Ai-t. ; trans. Navy.
Hayes, John 57th Inf.
Hayes, Juhn I I9th Inf.
Hayes, Mauricw 3oth Inf. ; died in service.
Hayes, Thomas Navy
Hayford, William B....l6t H. Art., 4th Bat. L. Art.
Hayward, Charles E 1st H. Art.
Hazard, John Navy
Hazeton, Augustus 48th Inf. militia.
Hazeltou, David Jr 4th Bat. L. Art.
Hazelton, Andrew. 48th Inf. militia.
Healy, Dennis 9th Inf.
Heaney, Richard 9th Inf
Heeney, Thomas 2d Cav.
Heeney, William A IstH. Art.
Helpin, James. ..55th Inf. (colored) ; died in service.
Helt, Benjamin G 1st H. Art.
Hemmenway, Frederick Navy.
Hendei-son, Charles H Corp. 1st H. Art.
Henderson, Ephraim 1 1st Sergt. let H. Art.
Henfield, James H., 29th Unat. Co. H. Art., 1st
Sergt. 1st Bat'n 11. Art.
Henfield, Joseph H S. C.
Henneasy, Arthur Navy.
Hennessy, David :^d Inf.
Hennessey, James P 4th Bat. L. Art.
Hennessy, John Corp. 9th Inf.
Henry, Michael 1st Cav.
Henville, William W 1st Cav.
Herrick, Benjamin, jr Ist H. Art.
Herrick, Benjamin F 2d Unat. Co Inf. militia.
Hersey, WillianiH 1st H. Art.
Hewitt, Edwin W 23d Inf.
Heywood, George 23d Inf.
Hicks, Samuel Navy
Hibhard, Curtis A 5th Inf, militia.
Higbee, Stephen D S. C.
Higgins, Thomas 02rt Inf.
Higginbotham, John Navy
Higginbotham, Joseph 23d Inf.
Hig-'ey, Gilman S 2.'id Inf.
Hifield, Thomas Navy
Hill, Charles H 3d H. ,'\rt.
Hill, Horace L 1st Inf.
Hill, James ; 5th Inf. militia
Hill, Thomas Navy
Hill, Thomas G Navy
Hilton, Charies H 62d Inf.
Hilton, Edward W 1st Cav.
Hinckley, George U., 23d Inf ; died Anderson-
ville Prison.
Hinds, Richard 48th Inf. militia.
Hines, Thomas F Corp. 48th Inf. militia.
Hiues, Thomas T 6th Inf. militia
Hitchings, Abijah F., 8th Inf. militia ; Sergt. I'Jth
Inf.
Hoar, Thomas V. R. C.
Hobbs, George Artificer Ist H. Art.
Hobbs, Nathan F Navy
Hodgdon, George B Corp. 23d Inf.
Hogan, James 56th Inf. ; died of wounds
Holden, John 11th Inf.
Holmes, George H 1st H. Art.
Holmes. Francis W Navy
Holland, Thomas Navy
Homer, George H lyth Inf
Hood, Osborn Navy
Hopkins, John Ist II. Art.
Hoiton, George IstH. Art.
Horrigan, Jeremiah 19th Inf.
Howard, Austin Navy
Howard, Daniel L 4th H. Art.
Howard, David A., 6th Inf. militia ; 27th Unat. Co.
Inf.
Howard, Fben BJ 1st H. Art.
Howard, Frank C 8th Inf. militia
Howard, Fletcher 2 2d Inf. ; trans. 32d Inf
Howard, John H 5th Inf. militia
Howard, Nathaniel K. 6th Inf. militia
Hovey, William 48th Inf. militia
Howe, James Navy
Howes, Christopher H 6Uth Inf. militia
Hoyt, Charies C Sergt. 4Sth Inf. militia
Hoyt, George N Gist Inf
Hoyt, John A 6th Inf. militia; 4th Bat. L. Art.
Hoxflin, Frederick 22d Inf.
Huddle, Benjamin 17th Inf.
Hughes, Edward 9th Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Hughes, James Navy
Hunter, John Navy
Huntress, Charles W 4th H. Art.
Huntress, John E 4th Bat. L. Art.
Hurd, George S Navy
Hnrd, William H 5th Inf. militia
Hurley, James Navy
Hurley, 'John Navy
Hurley, John F Q. M. Sergt. 4th Bat. L. Art.
Hurley, William 2d Cav.; killed
Hurly, William Oth Inf. ; died in service
Hurrell, John 9th Inf.; killed
Hurty, James Navy
Huse, Edward yth Inf.
Huse, Stephens 4th Bat. L. Art.
Husmann, Johannas 22d Inf. ; Navy
Hutchinson, George C. 2d Co. Sharps; trans. V. R. C.
Hutchinson, Goodwin Navy
Hutchinson, John L., Artificer, 20th Unat. Co. H,
Art.; 1st H. Art.
Hutchinson, William 2d H. Art.
Hutchinson, William 23d Inf.
Hytyes, George 22d luf ; Navy
Ingalls, John 11th Inf.; died in service.
Ingalls, John D 48th Inf. militia.
Ives, George A 44tli Inf.
Ivei"8, William Ist Cav.
Ivory, John , 62d Inf.
Jackson, Andrew 48th Inf. militia.
Jackson, James W. C Navy.
James, John. ...54th Inf; trans. 55th Inf. (colored).
James, John Navy.
Janes, Edwin 17th luf.
Janes, John 50th Inf. militia.
Janes, William H V. K. C.
Jaques, John Navy
Jaques, Joseph 4Sth Inf. militia; Navy.
Jarvis, M'illiam H 19th Inf.
Jeffs, James M Ist H. Art.
Jefl"reys, William F 48th Inf. militia.
Jennis, James D 32d Inf.
Jennie, Thomas J 32d Inf.; trans. V. R. C.
Jewell, Charles C...7lh Inf militia ; Sergt. 2d Cav.
Jewell, David N Navy.
Jewell, Franklin 2d Inf.; killed.
Jewett, Charles S... wagoner 40th Inf ; trans. V. R. C.
Jewett, Lewis T 1st H. Art.
Jewett, John W V. R. C.
Jewett, Thomas E Sergt. 48tU Inf. militia.
Johnson, Alfred 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
Johnson, Charles I7th Inf
JubnsoD, Frederick A Corp. l2th luf; V. R. C.
Johnson, Frank E 5th Inf. militia.
Johnson, George Ist Inf.; trans. 11th Inf
Johnson, Henry Sergt. 4th Bat. L. Art.
Johnson, John H 1st H. Art.
Johnson, John O. 2d Cav.
Juhnsou, Louis 28th Inf.
Johnson, Lewis Navy.
Johnson, Peter Navy.
Johnson, Samuel Navy.
Johnson, Samuel F Navy.
Johnson, William B. F 1st H. Art.
Jones, Alexander 17th Inf
Jones, John Navy.
Jones, John J Navy.
Jones, Stephen F 1st Sergt. 17th Inf.
Jones, Thomas T Navy.
Jones, William U 19th Inf.
Jonlan,Johii 19th Inf.
Jordan, William 9th Inf.
Joyce, Juhn 19fh Inf
Joye, Robert U , 2d Inf.
Junkee, Augustus L... 2d Inf.
Kain, John 22d Inf; trans. 32d Inf.
Kane, Dennis F. Navy.
Kavanaugh, James Navy.
Kayler, Patrick.. llth Inf.
Kearney, Peter IGth Inf.
Keating, John L 3d Cav.; trans. Navy.
Keating, IVlichael 9th Inf.
Keating, Patrick 9th Inf.; killed.
Keenau, Michael 9th Inf.; killed.
Keene, Charles 4th Cav.
Kehew, Francis A. .5th Inf. militia; Sergt. 24th Inf.
Kehew, George 5th Int. militia; 24th Inf.
Kehew, John H 5th Inf. militia; 24th Inf.
Kehew, Samuel B 1st H. Art.
Kell, William 9th Bat. L. Art.
Kclliher, Jameo Com. Sergt. Ist Cav.
Kelleher, John 9th Inf
Kelliher, Jeremiah Navy.
Kelliber, Murtnion Navy.
Kelly, Charles Navy.
Kelley, Charles D 9th Inf.
Kelly, Edward.. Com. Sergt, 1st Cav.; 8tb Inf. militia.
Kelly, James 28th Inf.
Kelly, James 9th Inf
Kelley, James.. Navy.
Kelley. John 9tb Inf.
Kelley, Juhn 9th Inf.
Kelley, John 9th Inf
Kelley, John 30th Inf.
Kelly, Luke Navy.
Kelley, Michael 9th Inf.
Kelley, Michael 2d Cav.
Kelly, Patrick Navy.
Kelley, Simon P 9th Inf.
Kellogg,. Fred B 1st H. Art.
Kendall!, William H 60th luf, militia.
SALEM.
219
Kennedy, Martin 9th Inf.
Kennedy, Martin Navy.
Kennedy, Michael. ..4Sth Inf. militia; trans. 2d R.
I. Cav.
Kennody, Miohiiel Navy.
Kennelly, Havid OtU Inf.
Keuney, Bonjnmin M 23d Inf.; trans. V. R. C.
Kenuey, Thomas F Navy.
Koniiison, Orriu W 23d Inf.
Kershaw, Samnel 20th Inf.
Ketchaiu. Francis H
Kezar, Albert 4th Bat. h. Art.; died in service.
Ee7.ar. Albert 3d Cav.
Kezar, Alouzo V.ith Unat. Co, Inf. militia.
Kezar, Alonzo C llth Inf.; 17th Inf
Kezar, Charles H S. C.
Kezar, George L 2d H. Art.
Kezar, George W... Sergt. fi2d Inf.
Kezar, Walter A Sergt. 2ltth Inf.
Kiernan, Eugene. 4th H. Art.
Kilbride, Daniel 4th Bat. L. Art.
Kilhum, Alexander S 40th Inf.
Killiam, William G S. C.
Kimball, Charles A S. C; 3d H. Art.
Kimball, George S S. C.
Kimball, llomce W Navy.
Kimball, Jiinies, jr llth Inf.
Kimball, Joseph A 40th Inf.
Kimball, Palmer 2d Inf.
Kimball, William L oth Inf. militia ; 1st Cav.;
Sergt. 3d H. Art.: tmns. Navy.
King, George Navy.
King. John 2d Inf.
King, John llth Inf.; trans. V. R. C.
King, Obey Navy.
King, Peter 2d H. Art.
Kingsley, George W 4th Bat. L. Art.
Kingsley, John 3d H. Art.
Kingsley, William P.. Ist H. Art.
Kinsley, James H I9lh Inf.
Kinsman, Joseph N.. 23d Inf.; died in service.
Kirklaud, James M .....Corp. Ist Bat'n II. Art.
Kirwin, Charles Navy.
Kittredge, Uenry 3Uth Inf.; died in service.
Kittredge, Henry A. .Corp. .JOth Inf.; died in service.
Kleever, Ferdinand Navy.
Kuapp, Saumel W l;jth Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
Knight, Charles Navy.
Knight, Jeremiah 3d H. Art., 2d Inf.
Knight, Solomon Navy.
Knowles, David L Navy.
Knowlton, George..50th Inf. militia: died in service.
Kuuwlton, George W 2d Co. Sharps.
Knuwlton, 31ai-cu8 A Navy.
Knowlton, Samuel 23d Inf.
Knowlaud, John B 2d il. Art.
Kohaue, Michael 2d H. Art.
Kyle, Robert Corp. 4oth Inf.; killed.
Lablair, Lotiis llth Inf.
Lacey, James Navy.
Lacy, Thomas Navy.
Lackey, Frank llth Inf.
Ladd, Daniel W Q. M. Sergt. 1st Cav.
Laduc, Joseph Navy.
Lahey, Jeremiah 40th Inf.
Lakeman, Horace I'.tth Inf.
Lakeman, Nathan. ..Q. M. Sergt. Ist H. Art.; Super.
Lamb, Hiram O Oth Inf. militia ; S. C.
Lanison. George A 13th Unat. Co. Inf. niilitiu ;
50th Inf. militia.
Lancy, Patrick Navy.
Lander, Benjiimin W Q. M. S.
Landt-r, William T 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
Landers, David 2d H. Art.
Landgren, George 0 Navy,
Landgreu. John H.. Navy,
Land}', Michael, jr
Lane, Charles H Navy.
Lane, William H Ist Inf.
Lang, Josei)h 2d Cav.
Langdell, George W 50th Inf. militia.
Laiigriiaid, George W 2d Inf.
Larrabne, Joseph N Corp. 48(h Inf. miiitia.
Larrabee Samuel W Ist Sergt. 48th Inf. militia.
LarrabcM, Warren 48tli Inf. militia.
Lan-abee, William W 2d Inf.; killed.
Lawrence, John Navy.
I^awton, George F 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Leach, Daniel E Corp. S. C.
Leach, HarriB flth Inf. militia.
Leach, Lehbens, Jr Sergt. l.^th Unat Co. Inf,
militia.
Leach, Robert Navy.
Leahy, David Ist H. Art.
Learey, Henry Navy.
Leary, Dennis... 2d H. Art. ; 17th Inf. ; died Ander-
Bonville Prison.
Leary, Timothy '-ttli Inf.
Le^Ty, Timothy 19th Inf.
Leavitt, Israel P. ..Corp. 17th Inf, ; 5th Inf. militia.
Lechood, John Navy.
Lee, Francis H 23d Inf.
Lee, John \V..Ut H. Art. ; 3d H. .^rt. ; trans. Navy.
Lee, Joseph, Jr -"lOth Inf. militia.
Lee, Robert G 59th Inf.
Lee, M'illiyni H Navy.
Lee, William R 69th Inf. ; trans. 57th Inf.
Lee, William S o7th Inf.
Lee, York M Navy.
Le Grand, Charles E.. Bugler Ist Bat'n F. Cav, ; l3th
Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
Lehan, Wdiiam 22d Inf. ; trans. 32d Inf.
Leighton, M'illiam., 2d Cav, ; died in service.
Lenakin, William Navy.
Lendholm, Charles F 99th N. Y. Inf.
Leonard, John H Sergt. 17th Inf.
Llewellyn, Patrick
Llewellyn, Thomas J 9th Inf
Lewis, Chancy H Corp. Ist H. Art.
Lewis, Charles W Mus. 3d H. Art.
Lewis, Daniel S I9th Inf.
Lewis, Eneas I Navy.
Lewis, George B 2d Co. Sharps,
Lewis, Henry 1st H. Art.
Lewis, Henry Navy.
Lewis, John Navy.
Lewis, Roland F Corp. 17tli Inf.
Lewis, Thomas W 3d H. Art.
Libby, Henry, ..5th Inf. militia ; St-rgt. "tti Inf. mi-
litia.
Libby, John F 7th Inf. militia.
Libby, Melviu J Navy.
Lightfoot, Joseph 25th Inf ; died of wounds.
Lilee, Jack Navy,
Linehan, (.'onneUns J. ..13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
Linehan, Dennis Corp. 1st Cav. 5tli Inf. militia.
Linehan, John Sergt. 2d H. Art.
Linehan, John 53d Inf.
Linehan, Thomas E 23d [uf.
Little, Thomas Navy.
Litllefield, Daniel .llth Inf.
Littleficld, Elmer S. C.
Littletietd, Moses II Corp. 4th Bat L. .\rt.
Littlefield, Joseph \ Navy.
Lobdell, Richard T Navy.
Locke, Cyrus. ...7th Inf. Diilitia; Corp. 7th Bat. L.
Art.
Logan, Jeremiah Corp. Isl H. .\rt.
Long, Andrew Navy.
Long, George 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Long, Henry Navy.
Long, Knb-rt J 12th Inf. ; trans. Navy.
Looby, Thomas 4th Bat. L. Art.
Loratta, Anthony Navy.
Lord, Charles L .Oth Inf. militia; S. 0.
Lord, Francis S. C.
Lord, George C 6th Inf. militia.
Lord, Henry C 13th Inf.
Lord, Thomas H ; 2d Cav.
Lorigan, John Sergt. 91h Inf.
Lorrigan, Michael 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Loring, John ]7!h U. .S. Inf.
Loud, David, Jr S, C.
Loud. Elbridge Ist Bat'n H. Art.
Loud, George B 3d Cav.
Loud, Joseph G S. C.
Low, Cornelius H 1st H. Art- ; trans. V. R. C.
Low, George H .'>th Inf, Militia.
Low, .Tames W oth Inf. Militia.
Lt.wd. Albert J Sergt. .^th Inf. Militia.
Lowd, Jacob R 5iitb Inf. Militia ; ftorp 4th Cav.
Lowd, William H Navy.
Lowry Blichaol Navy.
fjucey, Daniel Navy.
Lucy, Michael P 17th Inf.
Luiidgren, James F Ist Bat'n H. Art.
Lundy, Michael Gist Inf.
Lunt, William J 5th Inf. militia.
Luscomb, Charles P.. 5th Inf. militia; Navy.
Lusconib, George W... Sergt. 59th Inf. ; trans. 57th
Inf. ; 50th Inf. militia ; 8th Inf. militia.
Luscomb, Henry R.. Navy.
Luscomb, William H Corp. 24th Inf.
Lusconib, William F 1st H. Art.
Luscomb, William L Ist H. Art.
Lusk, Joseph H 1st H. Art.
Lynch, Charles Navy.
Lynch, Francis E Navy.
Lynch, James Navy.
Lynch, James 9th Inf.
Lynch, John Navy.
Lynch, Patrick 48th Inf. militia.
Lynch, Patrick, .,4th Bit. L. Art. ; trans. 13th Bat.
L. Art.
Lynch, Patrick 9th Inf.
Lynch, .Jeremiah 22d Inf. ; died in Rebel Prison-
Lynch, W'illiam 9th Inf.
Lyons, Charles H 3d H. Art.
Lyons, James 48th Inf. militia.
Lyons, Patrick 4th H. Art.
Lynn, Matthew Sergt. 9th Inf.
Lyon, James W 1st R. I. Inf.
McAdams, Patrick G2d Inf.
McCabe, Patrick. ..48th Inf, militia ; .'S9th Inf. ; died
in service.
McCabe, William H Ist Cav. : killed.
.McCalterty, Noal 2itth Inf.
MctJann, Hugh l"fh Inf.
!\IcCiirthy, Daniel Ist Bat'n H. Art.
McCarthy. Daniel 9th Inf.
McCarthy, Dennis W Oth Inf^
SlcCarthy, John Corp. 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Mc('avthy, John...4lh Hat. L. Art. ; died in service.
McCarthy, Michael Sergt. 1st Bat'n IL Art.
McCarthy, Patrick 9(h Inf.
McCarthy, Patrick 9th Inf.
McCarty, John 9th Inf.
Mct'arty, John Navy.
McCUlInn, George H 2d H. Art. ; tnins. 17th Inf.
Mc(;ioud, Alfred Ist Bat'n H. Art.
McCloy, John B 23d Inf.
McCloy, Robert Corp. S. C.
McCommic, .John.... 13lh Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
McCormick, Charles Navy.
McCorniicU, Thomas 23d Inf.
McCormick, Thomas 28th Inf.
M<-Donald. Eneaa 17th Int.
McDonald, Philip Hh H. Art.
McDonnell, David 59th Inf. ; died in service.
220
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
McDonnell, John I3th Unat, Co. Inf. militia.
McDonnell, PUilip I'^th Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
McDonnell, Philip 2d Inf.
McDonongb, Enos 17th Inf.
McDiifBe, Augustus P '^3d Inf.
McDuffle, Dana H Navy.
McDuffie, George Navy.
McDuffie, Hugh Sergt. 5th Inf. militia; let Cav.
McDugal, John 48th Inf. militia.
McFaddeu, Albert 32d Inf.
McFiirland, Clutrles 5th Inf. militia.
McFarland, Charles. ..Sergt. 12th Inf. ; trans. 20th
Inf.
McFarland, James 9th Inf.
McFarland, Pt-ter... 40th Inf. ; died in service,
McGordis, Charles Ist H. Art. ; died of wounds.
McGrath, John 9th Inf.
McGuire, Charlea 2d Cav.
McGuire, Patrick 9th Inf. ; killed.
McGuire, Thomas yth Inf.
McGuire, Thomas L'2d Inf.; trans. 5tli U. S. Art.
McGurty, Patrick nth Inf.
Mcllugh, Patrick H 9tb Inf
Mclntire, Charles.. 17th Inf. ; lOth Tnf.
Mclntire, George 24th Inf. ; died of wounds,
McKcnnau, Francis iSlth Jnf.
McKenn.v, Rubert 20th Inf.
McKenzie, John W 2d Co. Sharps. ; killed.
McKinley, Barney Navy.
McKliget, James 9th Inf.
McKormick, John '.Hh Inf.
McKown, John B...lBt H. Art. ; died a prisoner at
Milan, Ga.
McLaughlin, Andrew Navy.
McLaughlin, James
McLaughlin, Michael 24th Inf.
McLord, Alfred let Bat'n U. Art.
McMahon, James Uth Inf. ; killed.
McMaUon, John .' Hith Inf. ; killed.
McMahon, Philip. ..7th Inf. militia; 1st Bat'n II.
Art.
McMurphy, Benjamin F 7th Inf. militia.
McMurphy, James F 4th H. Art.
McNamara, Michael 20th Inf. ; died in service.
McNaniara, Peter .9th Inf. ; killed,
McNeal. Di.niel F 19th Inf.
McNeil, Mi«hael..7th Inf. Militia ; Ist Bat'n H. Art.
McNulty, James (Ist) 3d Cav.
McShane, James 22d Inf.
McShea, John 17th Inf.
McShea, Thomas 3d H. Art.
McSweegan, James 62d Inf.
McSweeney, Morgan 9th Inf.
McVey, Charles Navy.
Mack, William 2d H. Art.
Mackie, John A 50th Inf. militia.
Madden, Stephen 62d Inf.
Maddicutt, John Navy.
Maddin, John, 4th Bat. L. Art. ; trans. 13th Bat. L.
Art.
Magoun, Samuel B 11th Inf.
Magrath, David, Corp. ; 28th Inf. ; trans. V. R C
Magner, John 4th Bat. L. Art. ; died in service.
Mahoney, Dennis, 9th Inf. ; trans. Navy as Daniel
D. Mahoney.
Mahoney, James, jr Navy.
Mahoney, John C 24th Inf.
Mahoney, Timothy +th H. Art.
Mallen, Henry 'Sd Cav.
Maloney, Edward t9th Inf.
Maloon, William H S. C.
Malowe, John Navy
Manning, Albert E 23d Inf.
Manning, Daniel A., artificer; 4th Bat. L. Art. ;
died in service.
Planning, Horace Ist H. Art ; died in service.
Manning, Peter 11th Inf.
Manning, Philip A., Gth Inf. militia ; Ist Bat'n F,
Cav.
Manning, Richard H 3d H. Art.
Manning, William H let H. Art.
Manning, Wdliam S Corp. 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Manser, John B 62d Inf.
Manstield, Charles H 8th Inf. militia, 11th Inf.,
U. S. Eng. Corps.
Mansfield, Daniel R S. C.
Mansfield, George S..Corp. 23d Inf.; trans. V. R. C.
Mansfield, James, jr 5th Inf. militia
Mansfield, John R....5th Inf. militia ; 7th Inf. mili-
tia ; Wagoner 1st Bat'n H. -Vrt,
Marley, Richard 17th Inf.
Marr, Michael 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia
Marshall. Ezekiel H S. C.
Marshall, Robert C 3d H. Art. ; trans. Navy
Marshall, John H 4th Bat. L. Art. ; trans. 13th
Bat. L. Art.
Marshall William F 48th Inf. militia
Martin, Edward 4<ith Inf.
Martin, George A Mu8. 59th Inf. ; killed
Martin, Heury 23d Inf.
Martin, William II 17th Inf.
IMathews, Lawrence 9th Inf. ; died of wounds
Mathews, Vincent 48tb Inf. militia
Matthews, Henry Navy
Matthews, Henry 28th Inf.
Masury, Thomas A 29th Inf. ; died of wounds
Ma.\field, Charles O Corp. 1st H. Art. ; super
Maxfield, James, jr 5th Inf. militia
Maxfield, John G 2d Cav.
Maxfield, John V ItJt Maine H. Art.
Maxwell, Adam 4th H. Art.
Maxwell, Silas 17th Inf. ; died in service
May, Henry E 2d Co. Sharps., Iranw. V. R. C.
Meade, William E Navy
Meady, Albert C let H. Art.
Meady, Daniel F 2d Co Sharps
Meek, Henry M..5th Inf. militia ; Ist Bat'n F. Cav.
Mehan, John C Navy
Mehan, Mathew 17th Inf.
Melcher, George P.. ..Ist H. Art. ; Ist Bat'n H. Art
Melcher, John E 1st H. Art.
Melcher, Levi L..5th Inf. militia ; 7th Inf. militia;
2d Co. Sharps
Melden, William R I9th Inf.
Meldram, Orin 24th Inf.
Melley, William, jr 4th Bat. L. Art. ; died in
service
Mellow, Henry.
Melville, Frank 2d Cav.
Merrill, Amos Clerk Prov. Marshall's off.
Merrill, John C S. C.
Merrill, Parker., Com. Sergt. 3d Cav,; trans. V. B.C.
Merrill, William R 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia
Messenger, Hugh G 62d Inf.
Metcalf, George W let Cav.
Meyer, William 39th Inf
Miles, Crrin A 11th Inf.
Miller, Allen, jr 2d Co. Sharps.
Miller, Arthur J. (G.) 22d Inf
Miller, Jacob 19th Inf.
Miller, James 50th Inf. militia
Miller, Thomas Navy
Millett, Andrew J ... Q. 31. Sergt. let H. Art.
Millett, Charles, 2d S. ('.
Millett, Daniel 11th Inf. ; died in service
Millett, George Navy
Millett, William H S. C.
Millett, William S llth Inf. ; trans. 11th Bat.
Millett, William llth Inf.
Milton, B. Sylvesters Ist Cav.
Miner, Albert H 7th Inf. militia
Miner, John T 4Dth Inf.
Minnahan, John.., let Bat'n H. Art.
Mitchell, Edward S. C.
Mitchell, Patrick 48th Inf. militia
Mitchell. William I'.itli Inf.
Mitchell, William F 4th H. Art.
Monarch, Eben 3Uth Inf.
Monarch, George U Itit H. Arr.
Munaghai), Joseph H...Com. Sergt. 9th Inf. ; Cum.
Sergt. 32d Inf.
Monies, William H Sergt. 3d H. Art.
Monroe, Robert C 23d Inf.
Moody, Convei-se 8th Inf. militia
Mooney, John 19th Inf.
Moore, John G 1st Inf.
Moore, Thomas lyih Inf.
Moore, Thomas H Saddler 5th Cav.
Moran, Frank 3d H. Art.
Moran, James llth Inf, ; killed
Murau, Nathaniel 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia
JMoran, .Matthew Navy
Morgiiu, Francis llth Int
Morgan, John A Navy
IMurgati, Joseph Navy
Morgan, Joshua Navy
Morgan, Michael 4th Bat. L. Art.
Morgan, Patrick 23d Inf. ; died Andersouville
I'risjn
Moruney, Thomas let Bat'n H. Art.
Moirill, Gilinan L llth Inf.
Morrill, Henry 0.. fithluf. militia
Morris, James Ist H. Art.
Morrif,, George U. S. C. T.
Morrison, George M Ist Bat'n H. Art.
Morrison, John 22d Inf.
Morrison, John ..2d Co. Sharps. ; killed
Moriissey, John Corp. 3d H. Art.; trans. Navy
Morrissey, John 9th Inf. ; killed
Morse, Charles C 23d Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Morse, George l>t Bat'n H. Art.
Morse, George F 5Uth Inf. militia
Morse, George W...Sergt. 2d il. Art.; 5th Inf.
militia.
Morse, Henry Ist H. Art.
Morae, James 62d Inf.
Morse, John 1st H. Art.
Morton, Charles 48th Inf. militia
Morton, Ge'irge 13th Inf.
Morse, John R 5th Inf. militia
Moses, John E 59th Inf.
Moser, John H 5tli Inf. militia
Moulton, Charles E Gth Inf. militia
Moulton, Nathan E Corp. 4th H. Art.
Moynaban, HumiJirey 9th Inf
Mullaly, Michael 17th Inf.
Mullaly, William Sergt. 17th Inf
MuUane, Martin 3id Inf.
Mullen, Patrick A *24th Inf; killed.
Mulligan, Martin 3d Cav.
Mulready, Stephen (H) 19lh Inf.
Mulready, Thomas Sergt. 4th Bat. L. Art.
Munroe, Alexander A 23d Inf.
Munroe, George, 4th Bat. L. ■\rt. ; died in service.
Monroe, Isaac M 4th H. Art.
Munroe, Robert Navy
Munroe, Stephen N 5th Inf. militia
Murphy, Christopher 9th Inf.
Murphy, Cornelius 2d Cav.
Muiphy, Hugh E I7th Inf.
Murphy, James Ist Bat'n H. Art.
Murphy, John 3d H. Art.
Murphy, John 48th Inf. militia
Murphy, John 5th But. L. Art,
Jluiphy, Jolin 5tli Bat. L. Art.
Murphy, Luke 19th Inf.; killed.
Murphy, Michael 48th Inf militia
Murphy, Michael 3d Cav,
Murphy, Michael IfltSergt. 9th Inf.
Murphy, Michael 9th Inf
SALEM.
!'•_']
Murphy, Patrick .-. Nary
Miirpliy, Peter 48th Inf. militia
Murphy, Thomas (let) Ist Bal'u H. Art.
Murphy, Thoiuas 6th Bat. L. Art.
Murpliy, William 59th Inf.. tmns. 5Ttb Inf.
Murphy, William 13th L'uat. Co. luf. militia.
Murphy, William H 2:)cl Inf.
Murphy, William H 7th Inf. militia
Murray, George lat H. Art
Murray, Jeremiah. Corp. 2d Inf. ; trans. 4tli V. S.
Art.
JIurray, John 27th Unat. Co. Inf.
JIurray, iVIartin -Ith Cav.
Musgrave, Peter Corp. 1st H. Art.; killetl
Mynehau, John Navy
Naglo, Jacoh Corp. 'i;l<l Itif.
NaoB, Henry E Navy
Nay, Joseph B...Sergt. 5th Inf. militia ; lltli V. S.
Inf.
Neal, James M 1st 11. Art,
Neal, William W Navy
Needham, James 2:M Inf.
Needhani, Jame^ F - 1st H. Art.
Neil, Edward 9th Inf.; killed
Nelson, James F C<jrp. ISth Inf. militia
Nelson, Jeremiah Corp. ."iOtli Inf. militia
Neville, Patrick 3d Cav. ; trans. V. R. C.
Newconib, Charles B., Jr Sergt. 4th Bat. L. .\rt.
Newell, Charles O Sergt. 2(Jth Inf.
Newton, .\lhertE... .Corp. l.ith I'nat Co. Inf. mili-
tia ; 50th Inf. militia.
Nicholas, Ben.jamin Navy
Nirho!', .\rra Navy
Nichols, Benjamin C 1st H. Art-
Nichols, Geoige A Sergt. 13th Unat. Co. Inf.
militia; 50th Inf. militia.
Nichols, William C Mns. 21th Inf.
Nichols, William H 3d...i;th Inf. militia ; 7th K. I.
Cav.
Nickerson. .\nsel 3d H. .\rt
Niles. Amos Navy
Nimblett, Benjamin F .... Corp. 23d Inf. ; 5th Inf
militia.
Nimblelt, John W 3d H. Art, ; trans. 2'.itli Unat.
Co. H. Art
Noble, AlexanderJ 1st H. Art.
Noble, James A .5uth Inf. militia
Nolan, Francis Corp. 24tli Inf.
Nolan, Thomas 4th Bat. L. Art. ; trans. 13th
Bat. ; died iii service.
Nolan, Thonjas 3,1 H. .\rt.
Noland, Thomas Ist H. .\rt.
Noonaii, John 24th Inf.
Norcross, Orlando W ...1st H. .\rt.
Norris, William E 17th Inf.
Norton, John 9th Inf.
Nonrse. George A - 23d Inf.
Noyes, Charles W fi2d Inf.
Noyes. Edward D 19th Inf.; kiiled
Noyes, George S Corp. C2d Inf.
Norwood, Alexander 4()th Inf.
Nugent, John 28tb Inf.
Nugent, Sylvester 11th Inf.
Nutter, Horace 1st Bat'n H. .irt. ; 2d H. Art.
Nutting, Joseph H 4<lth Inf.
O'Brien, Edward ;ith Inf.
O'Brien, James 1.3th Unat. Co. Inf. militia.
O'Brien, John .5th Bat. L. Art.
O'Brien, John Ist 9th Inf.
O'Brien, John 2d 9Hi inf.
O'Brien, Stephen 4th H. \rt.
O'Brien, Thomas 9th Inf.
Ober, Oliver .50th Inf. militia ; died iu service
O'Callahan, Eugene gth Inf.
O'Connell, Timothy 19th Inf. ; killed
O'Connor, James 9th luf.
O'Connor, James llth Inf.
O'Connor, John 20th Inf.
O'Connor, John nth Inf. militia
O'Donuoll, Donald 2d 11. Art.
O'Donuell, John .Navy
O'Donnell, Patrick 9th Inf.
O'Oonnell, William.
Ogden, James lOlh Inf.
O'Hara, Patrick 4th Bat. L. Art.
ci'Ilaia, Patrick 9th Inf.
O'Hara, Patrick J 12th Bat. L. Art.
O'llare, .\udrew J 2d Inf.
O'Hare, Charles H nth Inf.
O'Hare, Charles II Z'd Inf. and Mus. 23d Inf
tl'IIare, PoIoniuB 2d Inf.
O'Keefe, John 24th Inf.
O'Keefe, .lohu 9tli Inf.
0'Keefe,Patrick 9th Inf.
Oldson, Charles (F) Navy
Oldson, Kdwin U , Mus. .59th Inf.
Oldson, Francis T 2Jth Inf. ; died of wounds
oldson. (Jeorge D Navy
(ddson, Jolin H Navy
Oldson, Joseph H Cth Inf. militia
O'Leary, Dennis 2d IJ. .\rt.
"'Neal, Thomas 24lh Inf.
ll'Neil, Michael 2il Cav.
D'Rourke, John 9(h Inf., U. S. M. C.
O'Shea, I'atiick 17th Inf.
0 Sullivan, Timothy 1st Bat'n II. .4rt.
O'Snllivan, Timothy 29th Inf.
Oshorn, Frederick M 23d Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Osborn, John B 4tb H. Art.
Osborn, Josiah B 1st H. .\rt.
Osborn, Stephen H 23d Inf.
Osborn, William E ;M Unat. Co. Inf. militia
t)sborne, John B Navv
Osborne, John II 5lh Inf. militia; Navy
Osborne, Laban S 5th Inf. militia ; Ist H. Art.
Osborne, Stephen H 23d Inf.
Osgood, Cyrus M 2d Co. Sharjis : killed
Osgood, Edward T 8th Inf. militia ; 23d Inf.
Osgood, (ieorge E 23d Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Osgood, William II. ..Ist Bat'n II. Art.; 2d II. Art. ;
Navy
Owens, James I9th Inf.
Packard, William f,2d luf.
Paine, Charles D Gth Inf. militia
Paine, Joseph A., Jr 23d Inf.
Paine, William 51th Inf. : trans. .55th Inf.
(colored).
Paishley, Sylvester nth Inf.
Palmer, Cliarles W 1st H. Art.
Palmer, George 1st H. Art.
Palmer, William H lith Inf. militia
Palmer, William H. H 50th Inf. militia
Parker, Alfred Navy
Parker, George F 21th Inf.
Parrott, Fmncis Ist IT. .\rt.
Parshley, Nathaniel D Isl H. Art,
Parshley, Sylvester 7th Inf. militia; 9th Inf
Parsons, Cyrus 5th Inf. militia ; 7tli Inf. militia
Parsons, Eben 0 4th Bat. L Art.
Pareons, George W Ist H. Art.; killed
Pai-sons, William I)., 23d Inf. ; died Andersonville
Prison.
Patch, John S....23d Inf.; missing. Supposed killed
Patten. Frank r)2d Inf.
Patten, James M 6th Inf. militia
Peabody, William Ist Hat'n II. Art.
Peabody, William M....6tb Inf. militia ; 4th Hat.
L. Art.
Peach, George S,, 1st Sergt,, 5th Inf. militia; .Sergt,
24th Inf,
Peach, (ieorge W 4th H. Art
Peach, Thomas S 4th H. Art.
Peach, William, Jr 5th inf. militia ; 40tli Inf.
I'eckbani, Charles, 1st Bat'n H. Art. ; died in service
I'eiicc, Charles H ist II. Art.
IV'iirlar, .loll 11 9th Inf.
I'endergast, ■I'liomas.... 1st H. An. ; died in service
IVpper, Waller A Navy
Percliard, Clement II ,50th Inf. mililia
Perkins, Asa B Navv
Perkins, Charles, ..Corp. 13lh nnat.Co. Inf. mililia ;
5l)th Inf. militia ; Ist Bat'n F. Cav.
Perkins, Cliarb;s C 1st Inf.
Pej-kins, Eben S 23d Inf-
Perkius, Francis M 50th Inf. militia
Perkins, George II ,5l)th Inf. mililia
Perkins, Henry Kith Unat. Co. Inf mililia
Perkins, .lames W 60lh Inf. niihlia
Perkins, Josi'ph A Sth Inf. militia ; S. C. ; 1st
Bat'u F. Cav.
Perkins, Joseph II., (N.) .5th Inf. militia
Perley, John E Navy
Pcrley, Thomas A 5(lth Inf. militia
Perry, Henry W .5th Inf. militia
PelTV, Henry E Navy
Perry, Horace S Ist II. Art.
Peny, William A .5th Inf. mililia
Pervier, Benjamin L Mus. 3d H. Art.
Peterson, Andrew G., Corp. 13th Unat. Co. Inf.
militia; .50tli Inf. militia ; l.st Bat'u F. Cav.
Petel-son, Thomas S Navy
Pettengill, George nth Inf. militia
Plielan, Tliomiu* nth Inf.
Phelaii, Thomas J Corp. Ist II. Ml
Phillips, Angelo- :)d H. Art,
Phillips, Benjamin A 2d H, Art.
Phillips, Edward B
Phillips, .himes L 31th Inf.; trans. V. E.G.
Phillips, .lolm Ist H. Art.
Phillips, Phinoas W 7th Inf. militia
Pbippen, Abraham I7th Tuf. ; died in service
Phippen, Charles H 5lh Inf. mihtia ; Sergt. 7th
Inf. militia ; 1st H. Art.
Phippen, David 4th Bat. I.. Art.
Phippen, Edw.ird A., Jr .ith Bat. I.. Art.
Phippen, George P Corp. 23d Inf.
Phippen, Joshua 2d.
Phippen, Joshua B 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Phippen, Kobert A Ist H. Art.
Phippen, Kobert C Ist H. Art.
Phippen, William II Ist H. Art.
Phipps, Henry B,, Corp. 1st H. Art. ; died Ander-
sonville Prison.
Phinney, Edwin Corp. 9th Inf. ; trans, ;i2cl Inf,
Pickering, Benjamin F Sergt, Otli Inf, militia ;
Corp. 7th Inf. militia.
Pickering, Benjamin P S. C.
Pickett, Charles 1st Sergt. 40th Inf.
Pickman, Hersey D Corp. 13th Unat. Co. Inf.
militia; 50th Inf. militia.
Pierce, Alden J 27th Inf.
Pierce, David II Sth Inf. mililia
Pierce, John Ist Bat'n H. Art. ; 2d 11. Art. ;
V. R. C.
Pierce, Thomas Navy
Pierce, William Corp. 2d Cav.
Pierce, William H 27[li Inf.
Pike, George N 4th H. Art.
Pinckton, William 23d Inf.
Pilikham, Charles F., Artificer, Ist Bat'n H. Art. ;
died in service.
Pinkhaiu, Charles II Sergt. S. C.
Pinkbani, William A 23d Inf. ; died in service
Piper, John F .•<crgt. .59th Inf.
Pitman. John H Mast. Male.; Navy
Pitman, Nathaniel, (.Ir, or F ,), 1st II. .\rt. ; died of
w,iiinds 1804.
Pitman, William Ist H, Art,
Pitman, William II lat H. Art.
222
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Pitts, Albert W 1st II. Art.
Pitts, Otis '_':id Inf.
Pirt, Isaac Navy
Place. Charles A 12th N. H. Vols.
PiunuiicT, David 10th Maine Inf.; killed
PInninier, Ffiiiik Sergt. 24th Inf.
Plutnmer, George Sergt. Ist H, Art.
Plummer, Lewis K Sergt. 22d Inf.
Pollock, David M 23d Inf.
Pond, Frederick A 50th Inf. militia
Pond. Joseph P., Jr 59th Inf.
Poor, Horace A llth Inf.
Poor, James, Jr Ist H. Art. ; 5th Inf. inilitiii
Pope, Benjamin C 23d Inf. ; V. R. C.
Pope, Joseph 2d Inf.
Pope, TIioniasS.,5th Inf. militia; 1st Bat' n F. Cav.
Porter, Charles llth Inf.
Pope, Thomas Navy
Porter, William T Ist H. Art.
Potter, Francis B I2th Inf. ; died in service
Ponlson, Lewis 2d Cav.
Pousland, David N S. C.
Ponsland, Edward A Navy
Pousland, John H., Corp. Ist Bafn H. Art. ; 2d U.
Art. ; oth Inf. militia.
Powell, Nf tlmniel Navy
Powers, Charles H Navy
Powers, E Iward 9th Inf. : trans. 32d Inf.
Powers, Edward E 19th Inf. ; trans. Navy
Powers, James. Oth Inf.; killed
Powers, John 1st H. Art.
Powers, Richard, Jr 3d Cav.
l*ower6,'Stepheu A.... 48th Inf. militia
Powers, William F Corp. 3d H. Art.
Pratt, A. W Navy
Pratt, Calvin L., 5tli Inf. militia ; 4th Bat. L. Art.
Pratt, Edward L Navy
Pratt, Edwin F., Sth Inf. militia ; Corp. 4th But.
L. Art.
Pratt, James F 1st H. Art.
Pratt, John W.. Sergt. 4(ith Inf.
Pratt, Lewis R Sergt. 2d H. Art; Sth Inf. militia
Pratt, William A 3d H. Art.; trans. Navy
Pray, Joseph let Bat'n 11. Art-
Pray, Joseph S 3d H. Art.
Preble, John V. R. C.
Preston, Charles H 19th Inf.
Preston, John C 2d Inf.
Preston, John F 59th Inf. ; killed
Preston, John H Mns. 2d Inf.
Preston, Otis P., 5Uth Inf. militia; died in service
Preston, William A TiOth Inf. militia
Price, Bufns 19th Inf.
Price, William H. See Prime, William H.
Prime, William H 23d Inf.
Prime, Joshua S 17th Inf.
Prime, William H. H Hosp. Stew.
Prince, George 23d Inf. ; died of wounds
Prince, William W S. C.
Pulsifer, Charles A Ist 11. Art.
Pulsifer, David F 23d Inf. ; killed
Puisifer, Nathaniel F., let H. Art. ; died in service
Pulsifer, William H Navy
Purheck. John H 1st H. Art.
Purbeck, John H 9th Inf. ; Ut U. Art.
Pnrbeck, William L 5th Bat. L. Art. ; killeil
Putnam, Perley Navy
Quinlan, Thomas yth Inf.
Quinn, John 5th luf. militia
Quinn, Joseph 2d Inf.
Quinn, Joseph 17th Inf.
Qninn, Patrick 23d Inf.
Q\iinn, James Mus. 19th Inf.
Quinn, James 23d Inf.
Quinn, John V. R. C.
Quinn, John ..Ist Cav.
Quinn, John Navy
Radford, George A S. C.
Ragan, Michael let II. Art. ; died in service
Ranisdell, Alonzo 0., 4th Bat. L. Art. ; trans. 13th
Bat. L. Art.
Ramsdell, Joseph R 3d H. Art.
Ramsdell, Peter A Corp. Sth Inf. militia ; 3d H.
Art.
Ramsdell, William F 3d H. Art.
Randall, Charles W Sergt. 1st H. Art.
Raymond, Alfred A.,.jr I'.Hh Inf.
Read, William 10th Inf.
Real, Joseph F 2d H. Art.
Reardon, Daniel 2d Inf.
Redman, John 13th Unat. Co., Inf. militia
Reed, Benjamin A 23il Inf.
Reed, Thomas 2Hh Inf.
Reeves, Edward 1st H. Art.
Reeves. William H Ist H. Art. ; died in service
Regan, B. F 12th Inf.
Regan, Dennis Oth Inf.
Regan, Edmund. Oth Inf.; died of wounds
Regan, James 9th Inf. ; killed
Regan, Stephen 4th H. Art.
Regan, Stephen. 28th Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Regan, Timothy 4th H. Art.
Remick, James (See Reniick, Patrick)
Remick, Patrick Sergt. Oth Inf.
Renion, John C S. C.
Restell, John 19th Inf.
Restell, John, jr 19th Inf.
Rice, Benjamin B 7th Inf. militia
Rice, George Hosp. Stew. U. 6. A.
Rice, William H. C 2d Inf.
Richards, John H 23d Inf.
Richardson, Alfred 4th Bat. L. Art.
Richardson, Alfred J 2d H. Art.
Richardson, Henry H 5th Inf. militia
Richardson, Jolin H 55th Inf. (colored)
Richardson, William L 39th Inf.
Rioker, Francis M S. C. ; 23d Inf.
Kicker, James, Sergt, 2d N. H. Vols. ; died of wounds
Ricker, Richard 2d Cav.
Ricker, Richard 17th Inf.
Ricker, William H 2d Cav.
Rider, Joshua 0 Gth Inf. militia
Rinks, John H Navy
Rix, Asa W. S Sth Inf. militia
Roach, 3Ucliael Navy
Roark. Frank 22d Inf. ; trans. 32fl Inf.
Roarke, Thomas Mns. 32d Inf.
Roberts, George 59th Inf. ; died of wounds
Roberts, Henry L 23d Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Roberta, James 19th Inf.
Roberts, John 2d Co. Sharps.
Roberts, John S 23d Inf., 3d H. Art.
Roberts, Samuel, jr 19th Inf.
Roberts, Stephen H 2d Co. Sharps.
Roberts, William 5th Bat. L. Art.
Roberts William I! 1st H. Art.
Robbins, Louis L Corp. 23d Inf.
Robbins, Nathaniel A Corp. S. C.
Robbinson, Edward L., Ist Sergt. 22d Inf. ; trans.
32d Inf. ; trans. V. B. C.
Robinson, Harry S 17th Inf.
Robinson, Jeremiah 4th Cav.
Robinson, John, 50th Inf. militia
Robinson, John G Q,. 31. Sergt. 48th Inf. militia
Robinson, Nathaniel F Corp. SOtli Inf. militia
Robinson, William 2d Cav. ; trans. V. R. C.
Rock, John 18th Inf.
Rodigrass, John S 19th Inf.
Rodwell, John A. ..6th N. H. Vols. ; died in service
Rogan. Cornelius Oth Inf.
Rogan, William 9th Inf.; died in service
Rogan, William N 9th Inf.; died in service
Rogers, Benjamin H llth Inf.
Rogers, Henry N llth Inf.
Rogers, John E 6th Inf. militia
Rogers, John E Navy
Rogers, Joseph C 23d Inf.
Rogers, Joseph S. S llth Inf.
Rogers, Simon A..Ist Bat'n H. Art. ; died in service
Rollins, Abijah 2,id Inf.
Rollins, James Navy
Rollins, William 19th Inf.
Ronan, Wm. H.. ..Corp.3d H.Art. ;48th Inf. militia
Rooney, Peter I9th Inf. ; trans. 2Cith Inf.
Koss, Daniel M 1st Cav.
Ross, J. Perrin Sth Inf. militia
Ross, Joseph H let H. Art.
Ross, AVilliam H..8tb Inf. militia ; 19th Inf. ; killed
Ross, William P Ist H. Art.
Ronke, John Oth Inf.
Rounds, Edward H Corp. 23d Inf.
Rowe, George E 4Uth Inf.
Rowe, James II 61st Inf. ; died in service
Rowell, Thomas A., Q. M. Sergt. 3d H. Art. ; Corp.
7th Inf. militia.
Rowley, Robert (ith Inf. militia
Ruee, Benjamin B 2d H. Art.
Rull, Benjamin B Ist Bat'n U. Art.
Runey, Peter See Rooney, Peter
Russell, Albert W llth luf.
Russell, George F Ist H. Art.
Russell, JohnH Sergt. 40th Inf.
Russell, Martin V. B Mns. let 11. Art.
Rust, Edwin F., 4th Bat. L. Art. ; traue. 13th Bat.
L. Art.
Ruth, Edward .'iOth Inf. ; trans. 57tb Inf.
Ruth, Edward Navy
Ruth, John 59th Inf.
Ryan, John 3d Cav.
Ryan, John 19th Inf.
Rjan, John P , Navy
Ryan, Patrick 48ih Inf. militia
Safford, George W 50th Inf. militia
Sanborn, Edward D 3d H. Art.
Sanborn, Horace E 1st 11. Art.
Sanborn, Joseph W., C'orp. 13th Unat. Co. militia ;
50th Inf. militia.
Sanborn, John F 5th Inf. militia
Sargent, Charles 0 23d Inf.
Sargent, Thomas J Ist H. Art.
Sassfiekl, Edward 3d U. S. Inf.
Saunders, Charles 2d Cav.; trans. V. R. C.
Saunders, David E., jr Sergt. Siith Inf. militia
Saunders, Henry T...Corp. 23d Inf. ; died in service
Savory, John 2d H. Art. ; died Florence Prison
Sawyer, Caleb let H. Art.
Sawyer, Nathaniel 1st H. Art. ; trans. V. R. C.
Scanlan, Michael l^th Inf.
Scates, David M 24th Inf.
Scheledel, Otio 22d Inf. ; trans. 32d Inf.
Scopic, Leo 28th Inf.
Schultz, Carl F 23d Inf. ; died in service
Schweitzer, George 22d Inf. ; trans. 32d Inf.
Scribncr, Luther .Corp. 4th Cav.
Scriggins, Joshua C 23d Inf.
Scriggins, William J 50th Inf. militia ; Navy
Scully, John II .9th Inf.
Scully, Patrick 48th Inf. militia
Searles, George 5th Inf. militia
Seger, John llth Inf.
Seltou, Thomas E Navy
Semons, Francis A., Corp. 7th Inf. militia; Sth Inf.
n])litia.
Senter, William C 23d Inf.
Shanley, William J Sth Inf. militia ; 3rt H. Art.
Shapine, John 23d Inf.
Sharp, Thomas 3d H. Art.
Sharkey, Charles 17th Inf.
SALEM.
223
Shatan-ell, Joseph A 7th Inf. militia
Shaw, Brown E 2.3d Inf.
Shaw, Cohn See Sliaw, Orlin
Shaw, Cyrus P 8th Inf. militia
Shaw, .luhn Navy
Shaw, Jolin ...Corp. Ut H. .\rt.
Shaw, Xeil 7th Inf. militia
Shaw, Orlin Corp. lUh Inf. ; died of wounds
Shaw, Walter G. C. C, Corp. 24tli Inf. ; 40tli Inf. ;
4Bth Inf. militia.
Shea, Daniel 9th Inf.
Shea, Patrick 2d H. Art.
Shea, Patrick 9lh Inf. ; died of wounds
Shea, Timothy 9th Inf.
Shearin, Charles H inth Inf.
Sheannan, James L Navy
Shearman, William Navy: .o.^th Inf.
Sheelian, Edward ITth Inf.
Sheehan, John J...Gth Inf. militia ; Ith Bat. L. .\rt.
Shehan, Patrick Navy
Sheehan, Timothy 1st II. .\rt.
Sherlock. Thomas T 9th Inf. ; died iu service
Sherman, William Navy
Sherman, Wni., .Mth Inf. ; trans. .>"jth Inf. (colored)
Sherwin, William, jr Scith Inf.
Shine, Cornelius A 2d Cav.
Shirley, John 2d H. Art
Shorten, James 9th Inf ; V. B. C.
Shorten. Michael Corp. 2d Cav.
Short, Charles H 50th Inf. militia
Short, Joseph A 29th Inf. : killed
Shutes, John B Ut H. .\rt.
Sikey, William H 2d Co. Sharps
Silver, Augustus -4th Bat. L. Art.
Silver, W. A..4th But. L. Art.; trans. 13th Bat. L. AH.
Simmons, Francis X 5th Inf militia
Simmons, William 2d 11. Art. ; died of wounds.
Simon, John F,. Corp. 50th Inf. militia ; died in serv.
Simonds, Edward A 1st Sergt. S. C.
Simonds, William 19th Inf ; 40th Inf.
Simiinds, William H 40th Inf.
Simons, Francis A :ld H. Art.
Simpson, John \ Navy
Sinclair, David 2lth Inf.
Sinclair, James 62d Inf.
Sislie, KoLert 28th Inf.
Skerry, Edward S 1st H. Art.
Skerry, George L 4th Bat. L. .\rt.
Skinner, Emery B 1st H. .\rt.
Skinner. James N 50lh Inf. militia
Skinner, Philip G Sergt. S: C.
Sleunian, Charles A 50th Inf. militia
Sloper, William A 5th Inf. militia
Sluman, William H Navy
Small, William M 61st Inf.
Smealhers, .loseph Ist II. Art.
Smith, A. P., Corp. 23d Inf. ; 9th Inf. ; 8th Inf mil.
Smith, Benjamin F Sergt. 4th Bat. L. Art.
Smith, Charles Navy
Smith, Charles F 23d Inf.
Smith, Daniel F V. R. C.
Smith, Frederick W 8th Inf. militia; 23d Inf.
Smith, Harley P 7th Inf. militia
Smith, Henry 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Smith, Henry J Sergt. 20th Inf.
Smith, Henry J 5th Inf. militia; 2d Cav.
Smith, James E 2.3d Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Smith, James S 8tli Inf. militia
Smith, John 1st H. Art.
Smith.'John Iltli Inf.; 23d Inf
Smith, .John A 19th Inf.
Smith, John B 1st Inf.
Smith, John F 13th I'nat. Co. Inf. militia
Smith, Jonathan C..." IstH. Art.
Smith, J. .Tewett Ist Bat'n H. Art.
Smith, Lorenzo 23d Inf.
Smith, Patrick 48th Inf. militia; died in service
Smith, Samuel H...8th Inf. militia ; Sergt. 19th Inf.
Smith, Thomas R 1st H. Art.
Smith, Timothy lOlh Inf.
Smith, William Ist H. Art.
Smith William A 1st U. Art. : V. R. C.
Smith, Wm. A.,.T4th Inf. (colored) ; trans. 5.ith Inf.
Smith, William J 20th Inf. ; kined
Smith, Winiam R 7th Inf. militia
Smith, William 15th Bat. L. Art.
Snell, Nicholas P..Corp. 1st H. Art. ; died of wounds
Solen, Nathaniel See Soley, Nathaniel
Soley, Frank 13lh Unat. Co. Inf militia
Soley, Franklin 7th Inf. militia
Soley, Nathaniel 1st H. Art.
Somner, Sehan IGth Inf. ; trans, llth Inf
Soper, Jeremiah V. R. C.
Southard, Geo. F 50th Inf. militia
Soiithaifl, (.Southward) Samuel S 2;{d Inf.
Southwick, Edward 48th Iitf militia
Sonthwick, Elhridge M., 7th Inf. militia ; 3d U. Art.
Southwick, Joseph llth Inf
Slianlding, J. C Navy
Spencer, Hiram B 1st Cav.
Spoffiird, .lohn B Navy
Spring, Patrick .9th Inf
Stacey, Peter 48th Inf militia
Stafford, James M 1st Sergt. 2d Inf.
Stamper. William V llth D. S. Inf.
Staniford, Daniel.. Corp. 0th Inf. militia ; S. C.
Stanley, .Vbrahani J Mus. 24th Inf
Staples, E. C Navy
■Staples, Ellas C 1st H. Art , killed
Staples, George 2d Inf, killed
Staten, .\lexander 4th Cav.
Staten, M'illiam H. 1' 1st Maine Vols.
Stearns, William Navy
Stenford, Joseph 19th Inf
Sterling, William S Sergt. 62d Inf
Stevenson, John H Navy
Stevenson, Rohert 30th Inf,
Stevens, Daniel W 17th Inf.
Stevens, Edward P 8th Inf militia
Stevens. John, Navy
Stevens, John 2d Cav.
Stevens, John 28th Inf.
Stevens, Samuel 62d Inf.
Stevens, Samuel .\., Gth Inf. militia ; 2d Maine Vols.
Stickney, David Navy
Stickney, George A 1st H. Art.
Stickney, Joseph Navy
Stickney, Joseph A Navy
Stillman, Amo.s....S. C, ; 50th Inf militia ; 23d Inf.
.Stillman, Edward, Mus. 13th Unat. Co. Inf. militia ;
Mus. 50th Inf. ; Mus. S. C. ; 1st Bat. F. Cav.
Stillman, James II 23d Inf.
Stillman Samuel 2d Co. Sharps., killed
Stimpson, Edwaril A 48th Inf. militia; Kith Inf
Stacker, Charles II S. C.
Stotldard, George A .'0th Inf militia
Stone, Charles Corp. Ist Co. Sharps.
Stone, Benjamin F 17th Inf
Stone, George B 23d Inf.
Stone, George L Gth Inf militia
Stone, Joseph 11. S 4th Cav.
Stover, Nathaniel F., 4Sth Inf militia ; 3d H. Art. ;
died in service.
Stnifford, .lames M. (see Stafford, James 51.)
Stratton, Benj. F., 50th Inf. militia ; died in service
Stuffles, John 3d V. S. Art.
Sullivan, Cornelius 3d Cav.
Sullivan, John - Navy
Sullivan, Matthew llth Inf.
Sullivan, Patk., 9th Inf. ; died Andereonville Prison
.Sullivan, Patrick 3d U. .S. Art. ; killed
SuUivan, Timothy 2d H. Art.
Sumner, .lolin A 5th Inf militia
Swaney, WillLam H 2.3d Inf, killed
Swasey, Lewis G., Sergt. 3J 11. .\rt.: Corp. IstH. Art.
Swasey, Thomas S. B 3d Cav. ; Navy
Sw'asey, William R 8th Inf. militia
Swasey, William R Gth N. II. Vols. ; killei^
Sweenev, Daniel, (David) 9th Inf
Sweeney, John 2d Cav,
Sweeney, Morgan, 2d Inf.;59th Inf ; trans. 57th Inf
Swaney, William 48th Inf militia
Sweeny, WilliaTu II 23d Inf.
Sweet, Hartford S 23d Inf.
Sweetland, Alouzo 8th Inf militia
Sweetzer. Benj. F-, Sergt. .5GtIi Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Swett, Francis F V. R C.
Symonila, Clias. A,, -"tth Inf militia ; lat Bat. F. Cav.
Symonds, Edward A., .5nth Inf. militia ; 3d H. Art.
Symonds, Geo. H S. (--.
Symonds, Henry A 40th Inf. ; trans. 24th Inf
Symonds, Joseph P 48th Inf. militia
Symonds, J. Shove.
.Symonds, Nathaniel A., Corp. Gth Inf. militia ; 5th
Inf. militia.
Symonds, Nathaniel C 23d Inf.
Symonds, Stephen G 7th Inf. militia
Symonds. William H 40lh Inf.
Sykes, Edwin 57lh Inf.
Tarbox, Asa llth Inf.
Tarliox, David V. R. C.
Tarbox, Henry .M, (H.) 17th Inf
Tarbox, Jonathan S lat H. Art.
Tarbox, Randall 1st Inf. ; died in service
Tarbox, .Samuel A Wagoner 23d Inf
Tarbox, William H lat H. Art.
Tareno. Sareno I'jth Inf
Tato, (.'harles Navy
Taylor, Charles loth Inf
Taylor, James 3d Cav.
Taylor, Peter Gist Inf
Taylor, Thomas Isl Cav.
Taylor, William 3d Cav.
Taylor, William II 3d H. Art.
Teague, .Amos G 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Teagiie, Robert 1st H. .Art.
Teague, Thomas A Ist H. Art.
Teague, Wm. 11., 5th Inf militia; 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Tedder, John T lat Bat'n H. Art.
Terrance, Edward Gist Inf
Therin, Charles H 17th Inf
Thiers, Patrick 17th Inf.
Thomas, Charles S, Corp. 2d Co. Sharps
Thomas, Eli C..23d Iiif ; died Andersonville Prison
Thoniiis, Geoige W 17th Inf.
Thomas, James 19th Inf. ; died in service
Thomas, Joseph F Gth Inf militia
Thomas, Richard II 23d Inf V. R. C.
Thomas, Samuel W Navy
Thomas, Stephen W., Jr 1st H. Art.
Thomas, Warren 23d Inf
Thomas, WiUiam II. H 3d H. Art.
Thompson, Darius N Corp. 3d H. Art.
Thompson, E<iward C I9th Inf
Thompson, F. B.....4th Bat. L. Art. ; died inaervice
Thompson, George A 5th Inf. militia; killed
Thompson, George H 19th Inf.
Thompson, .lohn N .5th Inf militia
Thompson, William 2d H. Art.
Thorndike, Theodore .\ otth Inf militia
Thorner, Samuel R 40th Inf
Thornton, John 23d Inf
Thrasher, Nath,, 4lh Bat L. Art. ; died in service.
Tibbetts, Andrew R..". 23d Inf. ; V. R. C.
Tibbet Is, George F 8th Inf militia ; 1st H. .\rt.
Tibbetts, WmiamR IstH. Art.
Tierney, Patrick Corp. 9th Inf.
Timmins, Garritt Sergt. 9th Inf
Timmins, Patrick Corp. 9th Inf
Tirrell, William 19th Inf
Tiviss, John W Navy
Tobey, William, jr..Corp. 5th Inf militia ; 1st Cav.
Tobin, James 4th H. Art.
Toby, Stephen W 1st H. Art.
Tolman , Stephen W 40th Inf
Toomey, John 18th Inf. ; trans. 32d Inf
Toomey, John.
Torr, Joseph 40th Inf
Towle, AlbertL Corp. S. C.
Towne, Samuel 1st H. Art.
Towns, Calvin I Ist H. .\rt. ; died of wounds
Townsend, WilliaDi U 23d Inf. ; died in service
Tracy, John 9th Inf. ; died in service
Tracy, Joseph, jr 3d Cav.
Tracy, William 9th Inf
Trac.v, William 17th Inf
Trafton, Charles 3d H. Art.; 17th Inf.
Trainer, Thomas Ist H. Art.
Trainer, Thomas 3d II. Art. ; trans. 29th Unat.
Co. H. Art.
Trask, Amos W 23d Inf
Trask, David B.
Trask, Edward 19th Inf.
Trask, Henry 5th Inf. militia
Trask, Henry A,...4lh Hut. 1.. Art. ; trans. V. R. C.
Tra.sk, James E Kith Unal. Co. Inf militia ; 60th
Inf militia.
Trask, .Toseph E 23d Inf.
Trask, Moses A 2d Co. Sharps
Tray, James Navy
Trofatter, Klias .4 Wagoner 50Ih Inf militia ;
died in service
Trout, Bradford U Uth Inf
224
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Tiull, Chailua W 4tli Bat. L. Art. ; died in
service
Tucker, Henry G 1st H. Art.
Tuclier, Horace S. C.
Tucker, John H 4Sth Inf. militia; Hth Inf
Tucker, Joseph W 1st H. \n.
Tucker, Timothy 2il Cav.
Tuclter, William W 4th Bat. L. Art.
Tufts, John A 4tli Bal. L. Art. ; dieil in service
Tufts, Kufus W 5th Inf. militia
Tukey, Greenleaf S Coip. 50th Inf. militia
Turner, Jame.s H., jr Ist H. Art.
Turell, Benjamin F Navy
Tschopik, Leo 28th Inf. Probahly same as Leo
Schopic.
Tuttle, William H 50th Inf. militia
Twist, Joseph C 3d H. Art. ; trans. 29th Uuat.
Co. H. Art.
Twiss, Joseph C, 1st 17th Inf
Twiss, Joseph C, 2d ITtli Inf.
Twohig, .lohn 9th Inf.
Twomey, Thoma.s Corp. 2d H. Art.
Tyler, Alfred S. C.
Tyler, Jesse Ist H. Art.
Tyler, J. H 17th Inf.
Upham, Benjamin N 7th Inf. militia
Upham, Franklin 1st H. Art.
Upham, Joshaa W .', Ist H. Art.
Upham, Oliver W. U S. C. ; 233 Inf.
Upham, Warren J Ist H. Art.
Upton, Daniel S. C.
Upton, Edward Sergt. 69th Inf.
Upton, Robert 1st H. Art.
Upton, W^arren A .50lh Inf. militia.
Upton, William R.
Usher, Horace D 1st H. Art.
Valentine, Herbert E 23d Inf.
Vanderford, Benjamin F Sergt. 4th Bat. L. Art.
Varina, William Corp. G2d Inf.
Varney. Henry 1st H. Art.
Vaughn, Charles E 32d Inf.; killed.
Veno, Felix 48th Inf. militia; Ist Bafn H. Art.
Very, .\braham A 4th Cav.
Very, Edwin Mus. 23d Inf.
Very, Ephraim P 48th Inf. militia.
Very, Nathaniel O S. C,
Vinnah, Francis J Navy.
Viannah, Frank Corp. 23d Inf.
Vincent, Amos J 2d R. I.
Voller, Benjamin H 2d Inf.
Wadleigh, Curtis E 2.3d Inf.
Wait, Ashbel 1st H. Art. ; died in service
Walcott, Royal E 23d Inf.
Walden, William W. P Corp. 1st H. Art.
Waldrun, James Navy-
Waldrou, John 23d Inf. ; trans. V. R. C.
Waldron, Joseph K., C'ori). fjth Inf. militia ; S. C. ;
3d H. Art.
Walker, David A Sergt. 33d Inf.
Walker, W. A Sergt. 59th Inf.
Walker, William Corp. 3d H. Art.
Wallace, John A 2d Inf. ; died in service.
Walsh, James Corp. 4Sth Inf. militia.
Walsh, John 9th Inf.
Walsh, Martin 9th Inf
Walsh, Patrick 9th Inf.
Walsh, William H., Mus. 4Sth Inf. militia ; Ist
Bat'n F. Cav.
Walton, Edward A 1st H. Art.
Walton, John H., 71h Inf. militia ; 17th Unat. Co.
Inf. militia.
Walton, Joseph A 48th Inf. militia.
Walton, Joseph H Corp. 22d Inf.
Ward, James L 7th R. I. Cav.
Warner, Abraham F., Corp. I9th Inf.; died Ander-
sonvillo.Pi'ison.
Warner, Clarence A Corp. 1st H. Art.
Warner, Edward L 4th Bat. L. .\rt.
Warner, Frank B 50th Inf. militia.
Warner, Geo, L., Sergt. 19th Inf. ; died in service.
Warner, John V., 4th Bat. L. Art., trans. 13th
Bat. L. Art.
Warner, William W., 26th Inf.; died in service,
Warren, Edward J 5th Inf. militia.
Warren, Moses 5th Art. U. S. C. T.
Warren, William H Corp. 2iith Inf.
Washburn, Horace W 1st Bat'n H. Art,
Wiishington, John S 54th Inf. (colored)
Waters, Henry F 23d Inf. trans. V. R. C.
Waters, Horace 19th Inf.
Waters, James V., ol th Inf. militia ; died in service
Watson, John F....Sergt.l3thUnat. Co. Inf. militia
Watts, Charles Navy.
Watts, Charles E IstH, Art.
Watts, Richard IstH. Art.
Watts, Thomas Navy.
Webb, Henry, jr 4Uth Inf.
Webb, James H - Navy.
Webb, John F Com. Sergt. Ist H. Art,; S. C.
Webber, .Mendel S 5th Inf. militia.
Weeks, William H 6th Inf. militia.
Weir, George 0 Navy.
Welch, Charles 0 2d Cav.
Welch, James H Navy.
Welch, John (1st) 3d Cav.
Welch, John Ist H. Art.
Welch, John 41st Inf.
Welch, John(2<J) :id Cav.; killed
Welch, John A Navy.
Welch, ^licliael Navy.
Welch, Jli.hael 7th luf. militia,
Melcli, Miciiaol, 4th Bat. L. Art. ; died in service.
Welch, Tliomafi Navy.
Welch, Walter 9th Inf.
Welch, William 2d H. Art.
Welch, William L 23d Inf.
Welch, W. P 5th Inf. militia.
Wellraan, Charles C, 1st H. Art.; died Ander-
sonville Prison.
Wellman, George 0 IstH. Art.
Wellman, Timothy A 40th Inf., trans. V. R. C.
Wells, George .\ S. C.
Wells, S. C 11th Inf.
Wentworth, Charles .\ 4Uth Inf.
Wentworth, Charles F 62d Inf.
Wentworth, Ezra N Navy.
Wentworth, John 3d Cav. ; V. R. C.
Wentworth, John H Sergt. Ist H. Art.
Wentworth, John H., 4th Bat. L. Art.; died in
service.
West, George, 5th Inf. militia ; 7th Inf. militia.
West, W. C Corp.
Weston, Charles 4th Bat. L. .\rt.
Weston, Richmond Navy.
Westwood, George G2d Inf.
Wettey, Slartin.
Whalley, Thomas Navy.
Wheatland, Simeon J., 54th Inf. , trans. 55th Inf.
(colored).
Wheelan, S. B...5th Inf. militia ; 1st Bat'n H. Art.
Wheeler, Michael 1st H. Art. ; died in service
Wheeler, Samuel B 2d H. Art-
Whelan, John Navy
Whclan, John 9th Inf.
Whelan, Michael 9th Inf.
Whiarty, Thoma8 4th Bat. L. .\rt.
Whicher. Ira S 11th luf.
^Vhite, Francis P 4tli H. Art.
White, Henry F 5th Inf. militia
White, John 62d Inf.
White, Thonuw 5th Inf. militia
White, William Navy
Whitman, William W 7th Inf.
Whitmar^h, Leander Navy
Whitmore, Wiliiam W S. C. ; 7th Inf. militia
Whitney, Samuel 4th H. Art.
WTiitridge, Charles E 8th Inf. niiUtia
Whittemore, Henry Navy
%Vliittemore, William W 1st Bat'n Art.
Wiggin, Benjamin T Ist H. Art.
Wiggin, George F S. C-
Wiggins, Georgo A G2d Inf.
Wilber, Wesley Navy
Wildes, Hayward L 4Ih Bat. L. Art. ; trana. 13th
Bat. L. Art.
Wiley, Edwin W 7th Inf. militia ; 3d H. Art.
Wiley, George E 1st Sergt 59th Inf. ; killed
Wiley, John G 2d H. Art.
Wile.v, Moses, Jr 48th Inf. militia ; 19th Inf.
Wiley, William Ist Inf. ; 40th Inf. ; 24th Inf.
Wiley, William F .Sergt. 24th Inf.
Wilford, John B 3d Cav. ; trans. V. B. C.
Wilkins, Albert (2d) Sergt. Ist H. Art. ; super.
Wilkiiis, Ed. M 3d H. Art.
Wilkins, George G 23d Inf. ; killed
Wilkins, James G Navy
Wilkins, Michael C 1st H. Art.
Willburn, James 11th Inf.
Willett, Allen Navy
Willey, Albert W 24th Inf.
Willey, Edward A Navy
Willey, George M 17th Inf.; Navy
Willey, Mark L Navy
Willey, Mark L., Jr Navy
Willey, William (See Willey, Albert W.)
Williams, .\rthur .S U. S. Eng. Corps.
Williams, Charles A Sergt. 6th Inf.,militia
Williams, Edward Navy
Williams, George 19th Inf-
Williams, G...54th Inf.; trans. 55th Inf. (colored).
Williams, John Na^'y
Williams, John ..Navy
Williams, .John F Navy
Williams, John H Sergt. 1st H. Art.
Williams, John H 2d Cav.
Williams, Henry 5th Inf. militia; 39th Inf.
Williams, Martin V .4Stb Inf. militia
Williams, Richard Navy
Williams, Thomas Navy
Williams, Thomas J 23d Inf
Williams, Thomas J 3d Cav
Williams, William D., 5th Inf. militia ; 4th Bat. L.
Art. ; died in service.
Willis, John Navy
Willis, Lewis U. S. C. T.
Williston, Samuel P Sergt. 4th Bat. L. Art.
Williston, William D id Inf. ; killed
Wilson, James Navy
Wilson, John H Navy
W^ilson, Joseph H 2d Inf,
Wilson, Joseph H Navy
Wilson, Richard M 1st H. Art,
Wilson, Thomas 19th Inf.
Wilson, William H Navy
Winchester, Isaac 23d Inf.
Winchester, S,..Corp. 23<1 Inf. ; died Audersonville
Winn, Edward A Master's Mate, Navy
Winter, Lawrence 9th Inf. ; died in service
Winters, John 3d H. Art.
Wil)pich, John 48th Inf. militia
Withington, Francis 2d Cav.
Wood, John 19th Inf.
Wood, John 19th Inf.
Wood, .Sanniel A Navy
Wood, William P 1st H. Art. ; I8th V. R. C.
Woodbine, Abel Navy
Woodbury, George H oOlh Inf. militia
Woodbury, Josiah H Corp. ■2.3d Inf
Woodbury, Levi Ist Bat'n H. Art.
Woodell, Eli Navy
Wooden, William 19th Inf.
Wright, James Navy
Wright, Nathaniel F 59th Inf.
Wright, Richard Navy
Wyatt, Andrew .1. (W.) Mus. 23d Inf.
Wynder, Thomas 3'2d Inf
Yasinski, Edmund A S. C.
York, Edward W .3d U. Art. ; trans. Navy
Young, Aaron C Artificer, Ist H. Art.
Young, Charles H 11th Inf.
Young, James 99th N. Y. Inf.
Young, William A Sergt. 3d Cav-
Note. — The foregoing List of Soldiers of the Revolution is taken from Felt's Annals of Salem, with a little addition ; as also that of the Privateers of
that War. The List of Privateers of the War of 1812 is the one made by Mr. Leavitt, found in the Historical Collections of the Essex Institute ; while the
lists of those serving in the War of the Rebellion were carefully compiled for me from all sources by Mr. F. V. Wright, and are believed to be very nearly
correct. It was desired to append a list of those from Salem who had attained rank and distinction in the regular army and navy throughout our history ^
but in the accessible rosters-their residences when appointed are not given, C, A, B,
SALEM.
225
CHAPTER Xir.
SALEM — (Continued).
CIVIL HISTORY.
BY HENRY M. BROOKS.
Salem was incorporated as a city 3Iarch 22,
1836, and the charter wa.s accepted April 4, 1836,
by a vote of six hundred and seventeen for, to one
hundred and eighty-five against it. It was the sec-
ond city incorporated in the commonwealth, Boston
having been the first, and Lowell the third.
Leverett Saltonstall was the tirst mayor,
elected April 25, 1836, and resigned in December,
1838. He was a descendant of Sir Richard Salton-
stall, and was born in Haverhill, June 13, 1783 ; was
educated at Phillips Academy and at Harvard, where
he graduated in 1S02. In 180.T he commenced the
practice of law in Salem, where he was eminently
successful, and where he was always held in great
esteem. A State Senator in 1831 ; elected member of
Congress in 1838, and served with distinction until
1842. In politics he was a Whig, but had the respect
of men of all parties. He was a member of the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the
Massachusetts Historical Society ; author of a histor-
ical sketch of Haverhill. Mr. Saltonstall was quite
interested in music and was, with General Oliver,
prominent in promoting musical taste in Salem. He
died in Salem May 8, 1845.
Stephen Clarendon Phillips was the second
mayor, elected December 5, 1838, holding the office
until March, 1842. He was born in Salem, November
4, 1801 ; graduated at Harvard in 1819. He was a
distinguished merchant, at one time largely engaged
in the Manilla and Fiji Island trade ; Representa-
tive in Congress from 1834 to 1838, and had pre-
viously represented the town of i-^alem at the General
Court at various periods. Originally a Whig, he
joined the Free-Soil party in 1848, and was a candi-
date for Governor. Mr. Phillips was especially inter-
ested in the cause of education, was a member of the
State Board of Education, and gave the whole of his
salary as mayor to the city for the benefit of the pub-
lic schools. He g.ive also a great deal of personal
attention and time to the subject. In the latter part
of his life he engaged largely, in the lumber trade,
and while visiting Canada in 1857 he was one of the
ill-fated passengers on board thesteamer "Montreal,"
burnt on St. Lawrence River on the 2Gth of June of
that year. He was a very benevolent man and greatly
beloved and respected wherever known.
Stephen Palfray Webb was the third m.ayor,
served in 1842, '43, '44, •'60, '61 and '62, and was city
clerk from 1803 to 1871. He was born in Salem,
March 20, 1804; graduated at Harvard in 1824. He
15
was a lawyer by profession. Besides holding the
offices mentioned, Mr. Webb was elected mayor of
San Francisco in 1854, during a temporary residence
in that city. He was not elected a second term, as it
was said he " refused to get rich " out of the office.
Noted for honesty and integrity, as well as for social
qualities, he made many friends. He died at Brook-
line, Mass., September 29, 1879.
Jo-seph Sebastian Cabot was the fourth mayor,
and served four years, — 1845, '46, '47 and '48. He
graduated at Harvard in 1815. He had been cashier
and president of the Asiatic National Bank, and was
at one time bank commissioner ; president of the
Salem Savings Bank, president of Harmony Grove
Cemetery Company, president of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society ; always interested in finance
and horticulture. He was a gentleman of integrity,
much esteemed, but rather retiring in his habits;
had been in former years a Democratic candidate for
Congress. He was born in Salem, October 8, 1796,
and died June 29, 1874.
Nathaniel Silsbee, Jr., was the fifth mayor,
and served in 1849, '50 and again in 1858 and '59.
He was born in Salem, December 28, 1804, and was
the son of Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee, a distinguished
Senator in Congress; graduated at Harvard in 1824.
He was a merchant, and for several years the treas-
urer of Harvard College. He resided in Boston and
Milton some years before his death, which occurred
July 9, 1881.
David Pingree was the sixth mayor, serving from
March, 1851, to March, 1852 ; a well-known merchant.
He was born in Georgetown, December 31st- 179.5,
and inherited wealth from his uncle, Thomas Per-
kins, an old Salem merchant, once of the firm of
Peabody (Joseph) & Perkins. Mr. Pingrce did a
large business in Salem, owning many vessels en-
gaged in the East and West India and African trade ;
was largely interested in Eastern lands, and owned
Mount Washington, in New Hampshire, which is still
in possession of his heirs. He was one of the builders
of the famous carriage-road to the summit. He was
president of the Naumkeag Bank from its organization,
in 1831, and president of the Xaumkeag Cotton Com-
pany from its establishment, in 1845, until his death,
March 31, 186."!.
Charles Wentworth Upham was the seventh
mayor, serving in 1852. He was born at St. John,
N. B., May 4, 1802, and graduated at Harvard in
1821 in the class with Ralph Waldo Emerson. He
was minister of the First Church in Salem from 1824
to 1844, for the first twelve years as colleague with
Rev. John Prince, LL.D. Retiring from the minis-
try, he was subsequently elected member of Congress
from the Essex South District, serving with great
satisfaction to his constituents from 1853 to 1855 ; he
represented the city at the General Court for several
years, and was president of the State Senate in 1857
and 1858; Whig and Kepublican in politics. An
226
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
eloquent speaker and excellent writer, Mr. Upham
was distinguished as an author. Among his most
valuable works are the " History of Salem 'Witch-
craft" and "Life of Timothy Pickering." He also
wrote a "Life of Fremont." At one time he edited
the Christian Register, of Boston, and contributed
from time to time to various periodicals. Mr. Ujiham
was noted not only for his intellectual but social
qualities. He died June 15, 1875.
AsAHEL Hdntington was the eighth mayor, serv-
ing from March, 1853, to March, 1854. He was
born at Topsfield, July 23, 1798, and graduated at
Yale in 1819. He was a prominent lawyer ; elected
district attorney in 1830, resigned in 1845, but was
again elected in 18J7, and held the office until 1851,
when he was appointed clerk of the courts for Essex
County, in which office he contintied until his death,
September 5, 1870. He was deeply interested in the
cause of temperance, and frequently lectured on the
subject, and was an effective speaker. He was twice
a representative at the General Court ; was president
of the Essex Institute, also president of the Naum-
keag Cotton Company. Mr. Huntington was highly
esteemed by the people of Salem and of Essex
County.
Joseph Ai^drews was the ninth mayor, having
been elected on the Know-Nothing or Native Ameri-
can ticket in 1854 and 1855. He was born in Salem,
December 10, 1808; began business as a clerk in one
of the Salem banks, and in 1832 was elected cashier
of the Commercial Bank, in Boston, where he re-
mained until the bank closed, in 1838. He was
always interested in military matters, and commanded
at one time the Salem Light Infantry. He was brig-
adier-general of Massachusetts Militia at the break-
ing out of the Civil War, and was placed in command
at Fort Warren, in Boston harbor, where he had
charge of the State troops before their departure to
the seat of war. He removed to Boston and died
there February 8, 1869.
William Sluman Messeevy was the tenth
mayor, serving in 1856-57. He was born in Salem, Au-
gust 26, 1812, and began business in a counting-room
in Boston about 1830. In 1834 he went into business
in St. Louis, Mo. In 1839 he was a Mexican trader,
and spent several years in Chihuahua and Santa Fe.
When the Territory of New Mexico was organized he
was elected delegate to Congress, and was afterwards
acting Governor. Having had financial success in
his various operations, he returned to Salem in 1854,
and was soon afterwards made a director in various
corporations. He was interested in literary and scien-
tific institutions, and a great reader. He was also in-
terested in politics; an Old Line Democrat, but during
the war a strong Kepublican. He died February 19,
1886.
Stephen Goodhue Wheatland was the eleventh
mayor, and served in 1803 and 1864. He vfas born
at Newton, August 11, 1824, and graduated at Har-
vard in 1844. He was a lawyer by profession ; rep-
resented the city at the General Court for a number
of years; was a director in several corporations, and
has been president of the National Exchange Bank.
Joseph Barlow Felt Osgood was the twelfth
mayor (1865), and was born in Salem July 1, 1823 ;
graduated at Harvard in 1846. He is an able law-
yer ; has been a member of the State Senate and
House of Representatives. At present he is judge of
the First District Court of Essex County, which posi-
tion he has held since its establishment, in 1874.
David Roberts was the thirteenth mayor, and
served from January, 1866, to September 26, 1867,
when he resigned on account of a disagreement with
the aldermen. He was an attorney and counselor-at-
law, having graduated at Harvard in 1824. At one
time he was a representative at the General Court ;
was author of a work on admiralty law and practice.
He was born in Hamilton, April 5, 1804, and died in
Salem, March 19, 1879.
William Cogswell was the fourteenth mayor,
and was elected on the resignation of Mayor Roberts,
September 26, 1867, and held the office in 1868 and
1869, and again in 1873 and 1874. He was born in
Bradford, August 23, 1838; a graduate of Harvard
Law School ; practiced law in Salem. He served
with distinction in the War of the Rebellion ; went
first as captain in the Second Massachusetts Regi-
ment aud rose to the rank of brevet brigadier-general ;
and was with Sherman in his famous march through
Georgia. Since the war he has held the office of
State Inspector of Fish for several years ; has several
times represented the city in the Legislature, and the
district in the State Senate. He is at present Repre-
sentative in Congress from Essex District.
Nathaniel Brown was the fifteenth mayor (1870
-71), and was born in Salem, March 18, 1827. He
began business as clerk in the counting-room of
Messrs. Stone, Silsbees & Pickman, noted East India
merchauts; went to sea, and was for many years an
intelligent ship-master. In 1871, as president of the
Salem Marine Society, he delivered an address on the
centennial anniversary of that society's incorporation.
He died in Salem December 10, 1879.
Samuel Calley was the sixteenth mayor, and
held the office in 1872 and again in 1881 and 1882.
He was born in Salem, April 13, 1821 ; was a house-
painter by trade, but always greatly interested in
political and municipal affairs ; Republican in poli-
tics, and was representative at the General Court in
1870 and 1871. He died January 1, 1883.
Henry Laurens Williams was the seventeenth
mayor (1875-76), and was born in Salem, July 23,
1815. He began business in the counting-room of
N. L. Rogers & Brothers, well-known merchants. In
1836 he went into the employ of Joseph Peabody, the
noted merchant. After the -death of Mr. Peabody,
in 1844, he founded the house of Williams & Daland,
in Boston. Later he was for some years a director of
SALEM.
227
the Eastern Railroad Company, president of the
Five-Cents Savings Bank and of the National Ex-
change Bank. He died September 27, 1879.
Henry Kemble Oliver was the eighteenth
mayor, serving in 1877, 1878, 1879 and 1880. He was
born in Beverly, November 24, 1800; graduated at
Harvard in 1818. He was a .school-teacher in
Salem from 1819 to 1844 ; was the first master of the
English High School ; afterwards opened a private
school for boys and, later, a school for young ladies.
He was interested in military matters, and was adju-
tant-general from 1844 to 1848. Elected agent of the
Atlantic Cotton Mills, at Lawrence, he removed to
that city in 1848 ; mayor of Lawrence in 1859 ; agent
of the Board of Education in 1858 and 1859 ; State
treasurer from IStil to 18(56; chief of the State Bu-
reau for Labor for some years. He possessed great
knowledge of the art of music, and composed numer-
ous excellent Psalm tunes, such as " Federal Street,"
" Merton," etc. ; published a few years ago a collection
entirely of his own compositions ; was made one of
the judges of musical instruments at the Centennial
Exhibition, in Philadelphia, in 1870. He was also
well versed in mathematics and astronomy. In short,
he was a man of very varied talents and accomplish-
ments. He died at Salem, after a long illness, Au-
gust 12, 1885, and had a public funeral from the
North Church, of which he had long been a member,
and was formerly the organist.
William Millett Hill was the nineteenth
mayor (1883 and 1884), and was born in Salem, Au-
gust 16, 1831. He was a currier by trade ; a Demo-
crat in politics ; was president of the Common
Council from 1873 to January 14, 1875, when he was
appointed city marshal, which office he held until
1877, after which he was appointed ujjon the State de-
tective force.
Arthur Lord Huntington was the twentieth
mayor, and served in 1885. He was the son of the
Hon. Asahel Huntington, a former mayor, and was
born in Salem August 12, 1848 ; graduated at Har-
vard in 1870 ; a lawyer by profession. He was presi-
dent of the Common Council in 1877 and 1878.
John Marshall Raymond was the twenty-first
mayor, elected December 8, 1885, and again in De-
cember, 1886, and is the present incumbent. He was
born June 16, 1852, and is a graduate of the Boston
University.
The following is a tabulated list of mayors :
Leverett Saltonstall From 1836 to 1838
Stephen C.Phillips " 1838 " 1842
Stephen P. Webb " 1842 " 1845
Joseph S. Cabot " 1845 " 1849
Nathaniel Silsbee, Jr " 1S49 " 1851
David Pingree " 1851 " 1852
18.52 to 1853
18.53
' 18.54
1854
' 1856
1850
' 1858
1858
' 1860
1860
" 1803
18G3
< 1865
1805
' 1806
180G
' 1867
18C7
' 1870
1870
' 1872
1872
' 1873
1873
' 1875
1875
' 1877
1877
' 1880
1880
• 1882
1882
• 1884
1884
" 1885
1883
Chark'a W. Upham From
Asahel Huntington •*
Joseph Andrews '»
William S. Messervy "
Nathaniel Silsbee, Jr. fre-elected) *'
Stephen P. Webb (re-elected) "
Stephen G. Wheatland "
Joseph B. F. Osgood "
David Roberts *'
William Cogswell "
Nathaniel Brown "
Samuel Calley **
William Cogswell (re-elected) *'
Henry L. Williams "
Henry K. Oliver '*
Samuel Calley (re-elected) **
William M. Hill »
Arthur L. Huntington *'
John M. Raymond "
PRESIDENTS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
John Glen King (H. U., 1S07), lawyer 183&-37
Richards. Rogers, merchant .'....1838
John Russell, president Bank of General Interest 1839-41
Joshua H. Ward (H. U., 3829), lawyer and judge 1842-44
David Putnam, dry-goods merchant 1844
Joseph G. Sprague, cashier Naumkeag Bank 1845-47
Jona. C. Perkins (Amherst, 1832), lawyer and judge ...1848
Benjamin Wheatland (H. U., 1819), treasurer New-
market Company 1849-51
John Whipple, cabinet-maker 1852-53
Daniel Potter, blacksmith and deputy sheriff. 1854-55
John Webster, treasurer Newmarket Company 1856
William C. Endicott (H. U., 1847), lawyer and justice
Supreme Judicial Court, present Secretary of War.
(I.S87) 1857
Stephen B. Ives, bookseller 1858
Henry L. Williams, merchant 1859
James H. Battis, cigar manufacturer 1860
Stephen G. Wheatland (H. U., 1844), lawyer 18GI-G2
William G. Choate (H. U., 1852), lawyer 18G3-64
Gilbert L. Streeter, editor and bank officer I8i;5, '70-72
Charles S.Osgood, lawyer, deputy collectorand register
of deeds IS&J-OS
William M. Hill, currier 1873-75
George W. Williams, clerk 1875
George H. Hill, druggist 1876
Arthur L. Huntington (H. U., 1870), lawyer 1877-78
William A, Hill, leather dealer 1879-80
John M. Riiymond, lawyer 1881-82
William Leonard, shoe dealer 1883
Charles H. Ingalls, manufacturer 1884
John Robinson, treasurer Peabody Academy 1885-86
William E. Meade, locomotive engineer 1887
PRESENT CITY GOVERNMENT (18S7).
Mt-iyor.
John M. Raymond.
Aldermen.
John H. Batchelder, president.
George A. Collins. George W. Varney.
William L. Hyde. Oliver D. Way.
William S. Mclntire. Urban K. Williams.
President of Common Council. ,
William E. Sleade.
Citii Clerk. City Treasurer. Water Hoard.
Henry M. Meek. F. A. Newell. Alonzo H. Smith, president.
CUy SoliciUrr,
Forrent L. Evans.
228
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
BIOGEAPHICAL.
JOHN ENDICOTT.
John Endicott was born in Dorchester, England, in
1588. In 1623 a company known as the Dorchester
Company established a colony at Cape Ann, near
what is now Gloucester. This colony consisted of
about fifty men, under the leadership of Roger
Conanty/and not long afterward removed to Naum-
keag (now Salem). The Dorchester Company was or-
ganized by Rev. John White, of Dorchester, who, in
response to letters from Couant favoring a permanent
settlement, wrote to him that if he and John
Woodbury, John Balch and Peter Palfray would re-
main at Naumkeag, he would, as soon as possible, ob-
tain a patent and forward more men and supplies.
In accordance with this promise, Mr. White obtained
a patent from the Council for New England, dated
March 19, 1628, conveying to six persons — Sir Henry
Rosewell, Sir John Young, John Humphrey, Thomas
Southcote, John Endicott and Simon Whitcomb — a
tract of country described as " that part of New Eng-
land lying between three miles north of the Merri-
mac, and three miles to the south of the Charles
River, and of every part thereof in the Massachusetts
Bay ; and in length between the described breadth
from the Atlantic to the South Sea." Some changes
were afterwards made in the list of grantees by the
retirement of Rosewell, Y'oung and Southcote, and
the substitution of Sir Richard Baltonstall and others
in their places.
Under this patent, John Endicott, described as "a
man of dauntless courage, benevolent, though aus-
tere, firm, though choleric, of a rugged nature, which
his stern principles of non-conformity had not served
to mellow," was sent out from England, and arrived,
with his wife and a band of emigrants, in the ship
"Abigail " at Salem September 6, 1628. He had been
appointed in England Governor of the plantation,
while Matthew Cradock bad been chosen Governor
of the Massachusetts Company in London. After his
arrival in New England the English Company ap-
plied for a charter, which might give them authority
to establish a government within the territory granted
to them by the Council for New England. The
charter was granted and passed the seal March 4,
1629. This charter created a corporation under the
name of the " Governor and Company of the Massa-
chusetts Bay in New England." In 1630 John Win-
throp, as Governor under the charter, assumed con-
trol of the colony, having arrived in June of that
year. At the first meeting of the Court of Assistants,
held at Charlestown August 23, 1630, it was ordered
" that the Governor and Deputy-Governor for the time
being shall always be justices of the peace, and that Sir
Richard Saltonstall, Mr. John.son, Mr. Endicott and
Mr. Ludlowe shall be justices of the peace for the
present time, in all things to have like power that
justices of the peace hath in England for reformation
of abuses and punishing of offenders.'' On the 7th
of September, 1630, he took his seat as one of the as-
sistants, and occupied that position many years. In
1636 he was appointed one of the magistrates to hold
the Salem Court, and in the same year colonel of the
regiment composed of the militia of the towns of Sa-
lem, Saugus, Ipswich and Newbury. In 1637 he was
chosen " to be one of the standing consell ibrthe term
of his life," and in 1641 was chosen Deputy-Governor.
In 1644 he was chosen Governor and removed to
Boston, and served almost continuously in that office un-
til his death in Boston March 15, 1665. In 1645 he was
made sergeant major-general, the highest military offi-
cer in the colony, and in 1652 established a mint, which
was engaged in coinage more than thirty years. He
was a man of good education, of fearless disposition
and determined will. Whatever credit may be due
to others in the successful establishment of the Mas-
sachusetts colony, it may be reasonably doubted
whether his presence and influence were not essential
parts of the great whole, which gave it a permanent
life.
SIR RICHARD SALTONSTALL.
Sir Richard Saltonstall was born in Halifax, Eng-
land, in 1586, and died in England about 1658. He
was one of the grantees under the patent from the
Council for New England, obtained by Rev. John
White in behalf of the colony at Naumkeag, e-tab-
lished under the leadership of Roger Conant. In the
charter to the Massachusetts Company, which passed
the seal March 4, 1629, he was the first named of the
eighteen assistants provided for in that instrument,
and came to New England with Wiuthrop in 1630.
In March, 1635-36, he had a grant of one hundred
acres of land in Watertown, and in June, 1641, a
grant of five hundred acres " below Springfield." He
finally returned to England, having previously revis-
ited it in 1631. In 1644 he was in Holland, and there
the portrait of him now in the posse^^sion of his de-
scendants was painted. Breadth of mind and a liberal
spirit were his marked characteristics, and have been
inherited by the successive generations of his descend-
ants. In 1651, in a letter to Rev. John Wilson and
Rev. John Cotton, he lamented the narrow spirit of
persecution prevailing in the colony, and urged upon
them the exhibition of kindlier and more charitable
judgment and treatment of those who had been sub-
jected to persecution.
Sir Richard is spoken of more in detail in the
sketch of Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, of Salem, in the
chapter on the Bench and Bar, and in that sketch
may be found a full statement of his family and an-
cestry.
JOSEPH PEABODY.
Joseph Peabody was born in Middleton, in Essex
County, which was made up of parts of Salem, Tops-
field, Boxford and Andover, and incorporated June
/
OF MASSACHTSETTS
.usq_ k..a-^ir -^^l^u
7Mcoir
230
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The West Indies, the Spanish Main and the northwest
coast came also within the range of his enterprises.
The business of Mr. Peabody always had Salem for
its headquarters, and from and to that port all his
vessels sailed, and from there was distributed in
coasting vessels the merchandise which they had
brought from all parts of the world. His ships were
built and equipped there, and it may be easily imag-
ined how much employment he gave to his townsmen
and how largely he promoted the prosperity and
growth of the town.
At various times he had as partners in business
Mr. Thomas Perkins, who sailed with him in his early
privateering voyages, and Mr. Gideon Tucker, both
of whom, though men of great business capacity,
reaped abundantly the benefit of the master-mind of
their partner.
The career of Mr. Peabody sufficiently indicates,
without a definite analysis, his character. To have
accomplished it he must necessarily have possessed
certain qualities, without which it would have been a
failure instead of a remarkable success. His temper-
ament was cool, his judgment was unerring, his esti-
mate of men was almost infallible. He was cautious
and careful in making his calculations and reaching
conclusions, but his calculations when made were
always correct and from his conclusions no argument
or obstacles could swerve him. But underlying and
supplementing all his qualities as a business man was
the experience of his early life at the lowest round in
the commercial ladder, which made his steady progress
comparatively easy and sure.
Mr. Peabody died on the 5th of January, 18-1:4, at
the age of eighty-six \ears. His widow died on the
28th of February, 1854, at the age of eighty-seven
years.
COL. FEANCIS PEABODY.
Colonel Francis Peabody was the son of Joseph
Peabody, of Salem, and a lineal descendant from
Lieutenant Francis Peabody, of St. Albans, Hert-
fordshire, England, born in 1614, who came to New
England in the ship "Planter" in 1635 and first settled
in Ipswich. In 1638 Lieutenant Francis Peabody re-
moved to Hampton, in the old county of Norfolk, but
iu or about the year 1650 took up his permanent resi-
dence in Top-field. He married Mary, daughter of
Reginald Foster, and had children.
Joseph, one of his descendants, was born Dec. 12,
1757, whose sketch is included in this volume ; mar-
ried, first, August 28, 1791, Catherine, and second,
October 24, 1795, Elizabeth, daughters of Rev. Elias
Smith, of Middleton.
Colonel Francis Peabody, one of the sons of Jo-
seph, born December 7, 1801, was placed, at ten years
of age, in Dummer Academy, at Byfield, under the
care of Rev. Abiel Abbott. At the age of twelve he
was placed in a select private school kept by Jacob
Newman Knapp, in Brighton, where he remained
four years. Here ended his academic education. His
predilection for scientific pursuits was so strong that
a collegiate career was abandoned, and his time and
energies were devoted to the study of mechanics and
chemistry. In 1820, at the age of eighteen, he took
passage in the ship " Augustus," belonging to his
father, to Russia to re-establish his health, which had
been seriously impaired by a fever which, during its
ravages, threatened his life and had left him somewhat
enfeebled. From Cronstadt, the port of destination,
Mr. Peabody made a tour into the interior of Russia
and returned home in the " Augustus '' with renewed
health and a zeal for his chosen work strengthened
and matured. During the next two winters he at-
tended courses of scientific lectures in Boston and
Philadelphia, in the latter city forming an acquaint-
ance with the distinguished scientist. Dr. Hare, which
proved of special benefit to him in his course of
study.
Nor was his enthusiasm confined to scientific pur-
suits. His attention was turned to military matters,
and as whatever subject he applied his mind to he
studied with earnestness and easily mastered, he was
soon in command of a battalion of artillery and was
rapidly promoted to a lieutenant-colonelcy of a regi-
ment. In 1825 he was transferred to the infantry as
colonel of the First Regiment, First Brigade, Second
Division of the Massachusetts Militia, and ever after-
wards bore the title which he thi'n acquired. Hon.
Charles W. Upham, an intimate and devoted friend
of Colonel Peabody, in a memoir, to which the writer
of this sketch is indebted for much of its material,
says that, " having exhausted the activities of a mili-
tary life, it had no charms for Francis Peabody, and
he forthwith gave himself back to his predominating
tastes and to the inexhaustible satisfactions they
afforded him. Yielding again and now once for all
to the spirit of the place, he renewed his philosophi-
cal and inventive operations and engaged in branches
of business, manufacturing and commercial, to which
they led him, remaining always on hand, however, to
bear his part in movements for the general welfare."
Colonel Peabody was among the first to introduce
the system of public lectures on scientific and literary
subjects, which did so much to instruct the last gen-
eration and spread intelligence among the people.
In 1828 he gave a free course of lectures in Franklin
Hall, in Salem, on the history and uses of the steam-
engine, and the next season gave a similar course in
Concert Hall, in the same city, on electricity. These
lectures awakened in the community a sense of the
value of knowledge, which took form in the estab-
lishment of lyceums not only in Essex County, but
throughout the commonwealth.
Colonel Peabody had, in 1826, connected himself
with the establishment of the business of the " Forest
River Lead Company," but in 1833 he built the paper-
mills in Middleton. At a later date he began on an
extended scale the business of refining sperm and
'^ilca^-Zhi/z^.
232
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
that denomination being among his most vahied
friends. Strong good sense, sound judgment, great
clearness of perception and statement were his most
strilving cliaracteristics. Eminently just and honora-
ble in all his dealings and despising everything false
or tricky, he was nevertheless a man of strong preju-
dices, but he did not allow them to betraj' him into
injustice. Mr. Pickman was not only an accom-
plished merchant, familiar with everything relating
to accounts, the laws and usages of insurance, bank-
ing and exchanges, but extensive reading, aided by
an excellent memory, had given him a vast fund of
general information, particularly on historical and
geographical subjects and the politics of Europe and
this country, as well as a good knowledge of the best
English and French literature. He was a large man
physically, fully six feet two inches in height, of
striking presence, with a fine head and expansive
forehead, indicating decided brain-power. His man-
ners had all the dignity and courtesy of the old
school. The brick house on the corner of Chestnut
and Pickering Streets, built in 1819, was occupied by
him until his death, which occurred in 1846. He
was married, in 1810, to Catherine, daughter of
Thomas Sanders, of Salem. Three children .survived
him : Catherine Sanders, married to Kiehard S. Fay,
of Boston; Elizabeth Leavitt, to Richard S. Rogers,
of Salem ; and William Dudley, to Caroline, daughter
of Zachariah F. Silsbee, of Salem.
A son of the last, born in Salem in 1850, and a
grandson, born at Geneva, Switzerland, in 188.>, both
bear the name of Dudley Leavitt Pickman.
RICHARD S. ROGERS.
Richard Saltonstall Rogers was born in Salem
January 13, 1790, and was a lineal descendant, not
from John Rogers, the martyr, as has been supposed
by some, but from another John Rogers, a contem-
porary of the martyr, living in another jjart of Eng-
land. This John Rogers had two sons, — the Rev.
Richard Rogers, of Weathersfield, and John, who
lived in Chelmsford. The latter son, John, was the
father of Rev. John Rogers, of Dedham, England,
who was the father of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, who
was born in Haverhill, England, in 1598, came to New
England in 1636, and was settled at Ipswich in 1637.
The Rev. Nathaniel Rogers married Margaret Crane,
and was the father of Rev. John Rogers, of Ipswich,
born in Coggeshall, England, in 1630, who graduated
at Harvard College in 1649, and was its president
from April 10, 1682, until his death, July 2, 1684.
The Rev. John Rogers, the president, married Eliza-
beth Dennison, and was the father of another Rev.
John Rogers, of Ijaswich, who was born in Ipswich
in 1660, and graduated at Harvard in 1684. The last
John married Martha Whittiugham, and was the father
of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, of Ipswich, born Septem-
ber 22, 1701, and a graduate at Harvard in 1721.
The Rev. Nathaniel Rogers married, first, December
25, 1728, Mary, daughter of John Leverett, presi-
dent of Harvard College, and widow of Colonel John
Denison, of Ipswich, and second, Mary, daughter of
Thomas Burnam, and the widow of Daniel Staniford.
By his second wife he had Nathaniel, born March 11,
1762, and a graduate at Harvard in 1782. The last
Nathaniel married Abigail, daughter of Colonel
Abraham Dodge, and had Nathaniel Leverett,
August 6, 1785, who married, October 24, 1813, Har-
riet, daughter of Aaron Wait, of Salem ; John
Whittingham, who married Austin, daughter of Colo-
nel Benjamin Pickman, of Salem; Richard S., the
subject of this sketch, January 13, 1790; William
Augustus, who graduated at Harvard in 1811 ; and
Daniel Dennison, who died in infancy.
About the year 1790, after the birth of his two
oldest children, Nathaniel Rogers removed from Ips-
wich to Salem. Richard Saltonstall, with his
brothers, was educated at the common schools, and
in early manhood entered with energy and enthu-
siasm upon a business career. At that time Jerath-
mael Peirce, the father of Benjamin Peirce, librarian
of Harvard College from 1826 to 1831, and grand-
father of the late Benjamin Peirce, professor of
astronomy and mathematics at Harvard, was, with
Aaron Wait, under the firm name of Wait & Peirce,
largely engaged in Salem in the foreign trade. Na-
thaniel Leverett Rogers, the oldest brother of Rich-
ard, married, in 1813, Harriet, the daughter of Mr.
Wait, and through his influence Richard obtained
large consignments of merchandise to Rus-sia, and
spent several years in that country engaged in the
management of the affairs of that enterprising house.
In 1816 he sailed as supercargo in the ship "Friend-
ship," belonging to the same house, on a voyage to
Lisbon and Calcutta, and after successive voyages in
that capacity, and one voyage on the ship " Tartar,"
as master, he, with his next oldest brother, John
Whittingham Rogers, was taken into partnership by
his oldest brother, Nathaniel Leverett Rogers, who
had already established himself at Salem in foreign
trade, under the name of Rogers Brothers. The three
brothers, all of whom were quick-sighted, quick-
witted and quick to act where shrewd calculation and
clear judgment led the way, started at once on a
career which, during twenty years, overcame every
ob.stacle in the way of its success.
The older readers of this sketch will remember
the vessels in their employ and the captains who
commanded them, — the " Grotius," " Augustus,"
"Tybee," "Clay," " Nereus," "Quill" and "Charles
Daggett," will be recognized as names of vessels of
which not a timber-head remains, while the names of
their masters — Woodbury, Ward, Skerry, Neal, Far-
ley, Vanderford, Kinsman, Lamson, King, Mugford,
Bowditch, Brookhouse and Drevin — only recall the
past and its busy days of active commercial life.
With these ships and masters the Rogers Brothers
44^^^.±:5-^
J;^C^ X^.^.
SALEM.
233
were the pioneers in the Zanzibar and New Holland
trades, and besides numerons voyages to South
America and various European ports, there were per-
formed by them more than one hundred and twenty
voyages around either Cape Horn or the Cape of
Good Hope.
Those who are familiar with the facilities which
ocean cables aff'ord to the merchant who sends his ship
to-day into distant seas find it difficult to a|)preciate
the judgment and skill and heroic courage without
which no man could successfully engage in foreign
commerce fifty years ago. Now the owner communi-
cates with his master in every port, and orders are
postponed to meet the exigencies as they arise. Then
a one or two or three years' voyage was planned at
the start, and its successful termination was a triumph
of business skill. Of this skill the Rogers Brothers
were largely the possessors and until unexpected and
undeserved reverses met them, in 1S42, their career
was smooth and prosperous.
But the reverses were not sufficient to discourage
or depress Mr. Rogers. He met them with the same
undaunted courage which he had always exhibited
when perils threatened and disaster was nigh. He
again adopted the occupation of his early life and
sailed as supercargo to Australia in the ship "lanthe,"
Captain Woodbury, opening with hope a new chapter
in his life. He afterwards became engaged in com-
merce to some extent with his brotlier-in-law, W. D.
Pickman, of Salem and Boston, and never ijermitted
himself, as long as health and strength remained to
fall away from active and absorbing pursuits.
Mr. Rogers married, May 14, 1822, Sarah G.,
daughter of Hon. Jacob Crowninshield, and had Wil-
liam Crowninshield; Richard Denison, who married
Martha Endicott, daughter of Colonel Francis Pea-
body; Jacob Crowninshield, who married Elizabeth,
daughter of Colonel Francis Peabody ; Sarah and
George, who died early; and Arthur Saltonstall.Hemar-
ried, second, March 17, 1847, Elizabeth L., daughter of
Hon. Dudley L. Pickman, of Salem, and had Dudley
Pickering; George Willoughby, who married .Tose-
jdiine Lord, of Peabody ; and Elizabeth P., who
married Mr. Pound, and resides in England.
Mr. Rogers was a man who never sought popularity
nor office. His individuality was strong, his opinions
were his own and not easily changed, his will was
indomitable, and for many years his influence in
political and civil life was marked. He was at
various times a member of the Common Council of
Salem and of the Legislature, but the methods of
modern politicians were distasteful to him and he had
no ambition to keep them company. He died June
11, 1873, at Salem, at the ripe age of eighty-three
years.
CAPT.ilX JOHX BERTRAM.
Among the names which Salem holds in loving and
lasting remembrance, there are few, if any, which are
15i
more highly esteemed than that of .Tohn Bertram.
He was a notable representative of a class of men
who, as civilization advances, grow more and more
important in their influence upon society. In a bus-
iness age like our own, a great merchant is pre-emi-
nently a factor of force. He and his work touch the
community at an infinite number of points. His
honest successes are an inspiration to the nuiltitude
of workers, the patience and industry by which he
wins his wealth and .standing are a rebuke to the
idlers who take life easily and hope to find short cuts
to fortune, his methods are suggestive and healthful,
and his history is a school book for beginners to
study. In the record of human activities there is
nothing finer than the story of the career of a trulj'
great and honorable merchant.
And both as a great and honorable merchant John
Bertram was exceptionally eminent. He owed noth-
ing to fortune. Born in humble circumstances with no
friends to push him, and no capital with which to
begin the world, he shouldered himself to the first
rank of successful business men by sheer force of
will and i)atient endurance. He first saw the light
in the Isle of Jersey, February 11, 1796. His family
were residents of the Parish of St. Saviour, to which
parish his ancestry as far back as he was able to
trace it had always belonged. The Bertram
family belonged to the middle class, in
the somewhat peculiar society of the unique island
which is both French and English. The ancient
parish church is still standing, and in later life Mr.
Bertram had the pleasure of revisiting the very local-
ity where, as a boy, he had played, and of entering
again the old church in whose very shadow he had
perhaps in his earlier years nursed ambitions and
hopes that were to be realized in his later life. Be-
yond question, that old church and its surroundings
had something to do with imparting a permanent
tinge to his thoughts and feelings, for through a long
life he showed a profound reverence for and interest
in religious matters, and a sketch of the old church
procured in his later years was one of the most highly
estieemed of his household treasures.
The family came to America in 1807, and settled in
Salem. Like all adventurous Salem boys of that day,
John conceived a grand pa.ssion for the sea. The
shop where he worked was within hearing of the lap-
ping of the waves, and through the windows he could
catch sight of the lines of masts and the white gleam
of the canvass and the songs of the sailors outward
or homeward bound, seemed to invite him to become
a wanderer on the ocean. At last a decision was
reached, and in December, 1812, Captain Bertram,
then sixteen years old, shipped for his first voyage on
board a vessel bound for Alexandria and Lisbon,
rated on the ship's lists as a " boy " with a pay of
five dollars a month. Then came the exciting times
of the War of 1812, and after his return from his first
voyage he followed the adventurous life of a privateer
234
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
until he found himself a prisoner on board the prison
ship " Alicant," at Bermuda, and in 1815 one of the
unhappy captives confined in the prison ship at
Plymouth, England.
The close of the war released Captain Bertram from
his captivity, and he found himself at home again,
with very little to show for his years of hard service.
But the boy's romance had become the purpose of
the man, and he was soon afloat again, serving in
vessel after vessel, voyaging to all parts of the world,
rising from grade to grade, until he found himself in
command, retiring from the hard life of the sea in
1832, after twenty years of tasking and faithful ser-
vice. From thence on he continued in the ordinary
routine of commercial business until 1848, when the
discovery of gold in California set the world on fire.
Captain Bertram was quick to discern the value of
this new opening for business, and sent out the first
vessel from the States after the discovery of gold, and
the third vessel which arrived from any port. He,
with oth:rs, subsequently built a number of ships for
the trade, most of them clippers, some of them very
large. From 1852 to 1858 he gradually narrowed the
range of his commercial business, until at last he
confined it to trade in the Indian seas. In 1856 he
became interesttd in Western railroads, and carried
into the new business the same energy and caution
and foresight which had characterized him in other
departments of activity. There, as elsewhere, his
ability commanded success, and his faculty for organ-
ization enabled him to spend his last years with his
business so well in hand, that he was free from
anxiety and relieved from overburdensome labor.
At the same time he did not intermit his vigilance.
Useful occupation was his delight, and he devoutly
believed that if a man wished to be well served, he
must serve himself. His quiet office was an observa-
vatory, whose windows looked north, south, east and
west, and he kept watch of what was going on that
concerned him, both on the far shores of Zanzibar
and beyond the roll of the Mississippi. Wherever
the business was the man was, to plan and oversee
and superintend.
Perhaps the most notable thing about Captain
Bertram — certainly the thing by which he will be
longest and most lovingly remembered — was bis open-
handedness. He was no importunate creditor in the
transaction of busine-ss. The number of obligations
due him, which were cancelled without payment, will
never appear upon the open record. Impatient as he
might be at any attempt to defraud him, intolerant
as he was of ail shiftlessness and extravagance, yet
when misfortune overtook his debtors, they had
nothing to fear from him. Instead of being their
persecutor, demanding the pound of flesh nominated
in the bond, he was sure to become their helper. He
took especial interest in young men in their early
business struggles, and was ready to assist them, both
with advice, which, however valuable, is cheap, aud
also with financial aid, which most men do not fur-
nish so readily. He had been young himself, and
knew all the perplexities of beginnings, and, out of
his own experience, caught the impulse to save
others from what he had suffered himself
And this open-handedness was not a matter of sel-
fish calculation. It came out of large-heartedness.
This business consideration was supplemented by
most munificent liberality. During the dark days
of the War of the Rebellion he was a most intense
patriot, in pur-e as well as profession. The wants of
the soldiers never plead with him in vain, and he
often anticipated the cry for help before it was ut-
tered. The records of the Grand Army show that
this generous interest was not a momentary enthusi-
asm. To the close of his life he kept in mind the
needs .and the deserts of the defenders of the Union,
and his unrecorded liberalities in their behalf were
quite as numerous as his formal donations. The for-
lorn condition of the race whom the war liberated
was constantly and pressingly present with him, and
any plan for their elevation was sure to receive gen-
erous consideration at his hand ; so that he made
himself powerfully felt in the schools and educational
movements undertaken in behalf of the freedmen.
Soldiers and freedmen alike never lost a better friend
than Mr. Beriram.
The needs of his own community made constant
and large demands upon his sympathy. He was
always ready to listen to a story of want, and no de-
.serving applicant failed of a helping as well as a
hearing. His generous instincts often foresaw the
formal appeal for assistance. He kept a list, to
which he was constantly adding new names, of needy
families, 1o whom he annually sent supplies of fuel,
and he left in trust to the city a large amount, the
income of which was to be used year by year in pro-
viding wood and coal for the poor, and no nobler or
more judicious legacy was ever made. Morning by
morning his hand kindles the fires on scores of the
hearthstones of the destitute, and his memory is kept
alive by the gracious light and warmth in multitudes
of the homes of poverty. A benefaction of that sort
is a well-considered charity.
Captain Bertram's liberalities of this nature were
numerous. His gifts to the Salem Hospital, his
establishment of the Bertram Home for Aged Men,
his legacy to the Children's Friends' Society were all
on a munificent scale, and will go on doing a work of
blessing for generations to come.
No other single citizen of Salem has done more for
the good name and real welfare of the municipality
than Captain John Bertram. His life was a striking
illustration of the fact that wise and generous giving
does not impoverish a man. The serene content of
his old age was the result of a useful and unselfish
life, — a forcible and instructive lesson to those whose
highest ideal of living is a constant struggle for
merely personal advantage. The tears of the hun-
:^<~fi^(l..^?''^~' *^eX^7-x^»^»^^^^
SALEM.
235
dreds whom he had helped, that watered his grave
wlien he was borne to his rest at the ripe term of
eighty-six years, were the most satisfying tribute j
which any man can receive. The regret at his less,
wHh which his name is always .spoken, is conclusive
evidence that a useful and generous life is the fairest
which any man can live. This is the true earthly
immortality which is best worth the having.
So long .IS Salem is well spoken of by those who
are acquainted with the ancient city, there will be
coupled with its other claims to regard and renown
the name of John Bertram.
J.\COB PCTXAM.
The late Jacob Putnam was one of the founders of
the leather business in this vicinity. He was a man
of a kindly nature, of indomitable energy and un-
flinching integrity, and possessed a large share of that
intuitive knowledge of human nature which lies at
the foundation of success in every vocation.
He was of English descent and traced his lineage
back among the earliest settlers of this Common-
wealth, to John Putnam, of Aylesbury, Buckingham
County, England, who, with his wife and three sons,
sailed from London, in 1631, for New England. He
disembarked that same year in Boston, and, after a
short stay in Charlestown, proceeded with his family
to the then infant village of Salem, and here fixed
his new place of abode. That he had been a man of
note and had attained prominence in his native coun-
try is shown by the ftict that a tract of land in Salem
was now granted to him by the Crown for distin-
guished services rendered to the English government.
Upon this tract he soon erected a house for himself
and one also for each of his three sons, and devoteil
himself to the subjugation of the wilderness and the
\ development and improvement of his new estate.
His family increased and multiplied with the lapse of
years, and by the achievements of many of its mem-
bers the family name of Putnam has attained a de-
servedly high reputation both in the arts of peace
and of war. The immediate descendants of this first
emigrant were active, discreet and courageous men,
fully alive to all the interests of the early settlers of
New England and active and stirring in all the ex-
citing struggles which marked our colonial history.
They took part in all the combats with the Indians,
at Bloody Brook, Brookfleld, Lancaster and other now
famous fights. The family soon attained prominence
in Salem and, indeed, in the whole of Essex County,
the sound judgment and vigorous integrity of its mem-
bers making them fit leaders in all new enterprises,
from the institution of a church to the prosecution of
a business venture, and safe guides to wise decisions
on the many knotty points that tasked the ingenuity
of our ancestors as they laid broad and deep the
foundations of our present commonwealth.
General Israel Putnam was from one of the branches
of this family ; and his impetuous zeal and daring,
which might have degenerated into audacity had it
not been so shrewdly tempered with New England
discretion, have been displayed in many other mem-
bers of the family.
One of the sons of this John Putnam, the founder
of the family, was Nathaniel, and through him, his
son Benjamin, his grandson Stephen, and his great-
grandson Stephen, the younger, a share of the ances-
tral estate originally granted by the Crown to John
Putnam came to Jacob Putnam, the subject of this
sketch, and fifth in the line of descent from the origi-
nal settler. Jacob Putnam was born at Danvers No-
vember 17, 1780, near the close of the Revolutionary
War. and grew up to manhood in Salem and in Danvers.
He did not enjoy great op])ortunities of education,
having to depend upon the common schools of his
neighborhood for the slender education which he ob-
tained from others. But his best education, as is not
infrequently the case, was that which he owed to
himself alone. He had inherited the traits of his an-
cestors in no small measure, and his good judgment
and common sense enabled him always to be equal to
the demands of any situation in which he found him-
self, and fully capable of carrying on an active busi-
ness career. The same adventurous spirit which had
fi)und vent in the daring achievements of General Put-
nam led Jacob Putnam in his early manhood to seek
fortune in maritime commerce; but his sound judg-
ment soon persuaded him to settle down into the
steady pursuits of a business life. In the year 1805
he made a trip to Calcutta in the good ship "Boston
Packet," and was absent from his home for two years.
Upon his return to Salem from this voyage, in the
year 1807, he established himself in the hide and
leather business. This busine.ss he prosecuted in all
its branches, dealing in hides, tanning, currying and
marketing the finished product, extending his opera-
tions as opportunities offered, and always availing
himself of whatever improvements were within his
reach. He also engaged in the South American trade
importing both hides and India rubber from that
country. He was interested in the Sumatra tradeand
became a ship-owner and importer. He continued
the active prosecution of his business until his death,
which occurred January 18, 186(5, when it pa.ssed to
his youngest son, George F. Putnam, of Boston, the
present proprietor.
Mr. Putnam's wife was the daughter of Captain
James Silver, of Salem, an East India merchant.
Though Mr. Putnam held himself aloof from any
political office, he was a highly public-spirited man,
and always took a sagacious and intelligent interest
in all matters relating to the improvement of his na-
tive city. His generous and kindly nature was
also active in many directions, especially in private
charities, for he had none of that vanity which seeks
to make a public display of its benefactions; and his
humane and kindly disposition was known by its
236
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
fruits to many a poor family, which had good reason
to mnurn his death.
Mr. Putnam was also a man of deep feeling of patriot-
ism and eager to promote the welfare of his country. He
served as a soldier in the War of 1812, doing duty
on the sea-coast defenses at Salem, and serving the
public and his country in other directions. He took
a deep interest in the prosperity and success of the
religious enterprises of his day, both in his native
city and in the country at large, and contributed gen-
erously towards their support. He was interested in
fostering everything that would promote the pro-
gress and prosperity of his community and of his
country. A man of the highest probity and honor,
his character was unstained, and be died respected
and honored bv all who knew him.
STEPHEN C. PHILLIPS.
Stephen Clarendon Phillips was descended from
Rev. George Phillips, who was tlieson of Christopher
Phillips, of Rainham, in the county of Norfolk, Eng-
land. Rev. George Phillips was born in W9S, and
was educated at Tittleshall. He entered Gouville &
Cain's College, Cambridge, April 20, 1610, receiving
the degree of A. B. 1613 and A. M. in 1617. He came
to New England in the " Arbella" in 1630, and set-
tled in Watertown, wliere he died. By a first wife,
who was a Hayward, he had a son, Samuel, born in
1625, who graduated at Harvard in 1650, and suc-
ceeded Rev. Ezekiel Rogers as minister of Rowley.
Samuel married, in 1651, Sarah, daughter of Samuel
Appleton, a native of England, who was one of the
first settlers of Ipswich. By a second wife (Elizabeth
Welden) Rev. George Phillips had Zerobabel, Febru-
ary 5, 1632 ; Jonathan, October 19, 1633 ; Theopbilus,
April 28, 1636 ; Annible, October, 1637 ; Ephraim,
1640; Obadiah, 1641 ; and Abiel. Jonathan, one of
these children, married, January 26, 1680, Sarah,
daughter of Jeremiah Holland (Harvard College,
1645), was a schoolmaster and magistrate, and died at
Watertown, his native place, in 1704. His cliildren
were Sarah, born September 14, 1682 ; Abigail, April
22,1683; Jonathan, 1685 ; George, Nathaniel, Eliza-
beth, Ruth, Sarah and Hannah. Jonathan, one of
these children, was born in Watertown, and married,
February 27, 1717, Hepzibah, daughter of Stephen
Parker, of that place. He removed, in 1719, to Mar-
blehead, and. about 1740, to Newport, R. I., where he
died. His children were Stephen, born July 18,
1718, Ruth and others. Stephen, one of these chil-
dren, was born in Watertown, and married Elizabeth,
daughter of Thomas Elkins, of Marblehead. He was
a prominent man, deacon of the Congregational
Church, and, in Revolutionary times, an ardent
patriot and a member of the Committee of Safety and
Correspondence. He died in Marblehead March 1,
1801. His children were Mary, born August 22, 1755 ;
Elizabeth, November 28, 1757 ; Sarah, February 23,
1760; Stephen, November ;i3, 1764; Lydia, January
17, 1767 ; William, November 15, 1769. Stephen, one
of these children, was born in Marblehead, and for
some years was a ship-master in the employ of E.
Hasket Derby, of Salem. About the year 1800 he re-
moved to Salem, after which time he was engaged in
commerce, except during the last few years of his
life, when he spent his summers on his estate in North
Danvers. Salem continued, however, to be his resi-
dence, and there he died October 19, 1838. He mar-
ried Dorcas, daughter of Dudley and Dorcas (March)
Woodbridge, of Salem, who died at Salem June 15,
1802.
Stephen Clarendon Phillips, the subject of this
sketch, was the son of the last-named Stephen, and
was born in Salem November 4, 1801. But the dis-
tinguished character of his ancestry is not confined to
the family whose name he bore. Through his mother
(Dorcas Woodbridge) he was descended from Rev.
John Woodbridge, a follower of Wickliffe, in the
latter part of the fifteenth century, whose son John
braved the dangers of the same faith, as did a line
of four direct descendants, all clergymen, and all
named John. The last John, minister at Stanton
Witts, in England, married Sarah, the daughter of
Robert Parker, and sister of Thomas Parker, who
came to New England and settled in Newbury in
1695. His son. Rev. John Woodbridge, came to New
England in 1635, and died in Newbury, March 17,
1695. He married, in 1639, Mary, daughter of Gov-
ernor Thomas Dudley, and thus the Dudley as well as
the Woodbridge blood runs in the veins of the Phillips
family. Nor is this all ; Benjamin Woodbridge, son
of the last Rev. John, and great-grandfather of Dorcas
(Woodbridge) Phillips, married Mary, grand-daughter
of Rev. Nathaniel Ward, of Ipswich, the author of the
" Body of Liberties," adopted as a code of laws by the
General Court of MasPachusetts in 1641.
Mr. Phillips graduated at Harvard in 1819, and at
once entered into active business as a merchant, and
in 1822, at the age of twenty-one, was the head of a
family, an extensive business man and Representative
in the General Court. On the 6th of November in
that year he married Jane Appleton, daughter of
Willard Peele, of Salem, who died December 19, 1837.
On the 3d of September, 1838, he married Margaret
Mason Peele, sister of his first wife, who died at
Salem July 15, 1883. The children of his first wife
were Stephen Henry, born August 16, 1823, whose
sketch may be found in the history of the Bench and
Bar, in the second chapter of this work ; Willard
Peele, September 7, 1825, well known in recent years
as one of the efficient and successful trustees and man-
agers of the Eastern Railroad; George William, No-
vember 27, 1827 (Harvard, 1847); Henry Ware^
August 19, 1829; Jane Peele, February 24, 1833;
Margaret Peele and Catharine Peele (twins), June 30,
1835 ; and Abbott Lawrence, December 7, 1837. The
children of his second wife were Walter Mason, May
26, 1839; Charles Appleton, January 30, 1841 (Har-
^^\ ;:;^^^^
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?^
^
SALEM.
237
vard, 1860); Edwar.l Woodbridge, August 3,1842;
and Catharine, July 7, 1844.
Mr. Phillips was an ardent lover of his native city,
a man of overflowing public spirit, and with a heart
which beat with warm sympathy in response to the
appeals of his neighbors and fellow-townsmen in be-
half of all deserving enterprises and charities. The
educational interests of Salem won his early and con-
stant aid and support, and for many years he pre-
sided over the board which had them in charge. In
1830 ■ he was chosen State Senator, and in 1834
was chosen in the place of Rufus Choate, who had
resigned his seat, to represent the Essex South Dis-
trict in Congress. His duties in Washington were
ably performed, and by his generous spirit, his
thorough integrity, his business methods and his
kindly deportment, he won the confldeuce and friend-
ship of both political friends and foes. The regard in
which he was held by his brother Eejiresentatives was
well illustrated by Mr. Hardin, of Kentucky, whom
Mr. Cushing described as " the gray-haired Nestor of
the House, and its perpetually snarling Thersites,"
who, in a reply to a speech of Mr. Phillips, said that
" if all the members of the House were like this gen-
tleman from Massachusetts, God would never have re-
pented that he made man."
After one re-election, in 1836, Mr. Phillips retired
from Congress, and in 1839 was chosen to succeed
Leverett Saltonstall as mayor of Salem. He held
office three years, and on his retirement gave the
amount of his entire salary to the city for the im-
provement of the building occupied by the Bowditch
and Fisk Schools. In 1848 and 1849 he was the can-
didate of the Free-Soil party for Governor, and during
those and succeeding years was an active participant
in those movements which resulted in the organiza-
tion of the Republican party.
During the last years of his life he was confronted
by adversities in business, and though beyond middle
age, with a hopeful spirit and an undaunted courage,
of which younger men might well be proud, he set
himself about to repair and rebuild his fortune. He
engaged in extensive timber and lumber enterprises
on the St. Maurice and Three Rivers, in Canada,
where his third son, George William, was established
for their care and supervision. After a visit to the
field of his operations, in 1857, he took pa.ssage at
Quebec in the steamer " Jlontreal," for Montreal, on
Friday, the 26th of June, with the intention of return-
ing home. On the same afternoon the steamer took
fire, twelve or fifteen miles above Quebec, o[)posiie
Cape Rouge, and only about one hundred and fifty of
the four hundred passengers on board were rescued.
Among those who lost their lives was Mr. Phillips.
His son sent news of the disaster to Salem by tele-
graph the next day, stating that his father's body had
been recovered, and would reach Salem on the follow-
ing Tuesday. At sunset on Saturday, after the re-
ceipt of the sad news, all the bells of the city were
tolled, and on Sunday appropriate allusions to the
death of Mr. Phillips were made in all the churches,
and the flags of the shipping and armories and engine-
houses were displayed at half-mast. On Tuesday, June
30, the funeral took place at Barton Square Church,
and the remains of him, whom the city regarded almost
as its fat her and every man as his benefactor and friend,
were consigned to the grave. The Newhunjport Her-
ald said : " With a fortune or without it, we do not
know the man that Essex County could not as well
have spared. He was one of nature's noblemen, and
as an able, honest, sincere Christian man, added
worth to the human race by belonging to it." And
every reader of the Herald said Amen.
WII.I^IAM HUNT.
William Hunt was born in Salem April 25, 1804.
He was in the fifth 'generation from Captain Lewis
Hunt, who came from England and settled in Salem
about 1660. His father's name was William. When
a mere lad he was employed by Mr. Jonas Warren,
in his store at Danversport. After remaining there
a short time he entered as clerk in the store of Mr.
Nathan Blood, on Derby Street, Salem, where he re-
mained until 1823, when he was employed by Mr.
Robert Brookhouse, who had recently commenced in
the African trade. After a few years he was given
an interest in the business, which was continued un-
til the death of Mr. Brookhouse, in 1866. They
transacted a very large business, which was extended
to the interior of Africa, from whence they imported
large quantities of palm oil, gold dust, ivory and
hides. At one time they owned more than twenty
ships and barques. After the death of Mr. Brookhouse
Mr. Hunt continued the business with Robert Brook-
house, Jr., Josejih H. Hanson and Captain Nathan
Frye, until March 27, 1869, when the last voyage was
completed, and he retired from business with ample
means.
Mr. Hunt was married to Austis Slocom, daughter
of Ebenezer and Sarah (Becket) Slocom, March 24,
1831. Two sons — William Dean and Lewis — and two
daughters — Mary Dean Hersey and Sarah Becket Put-
nam— survive him. He died August 3, 1883.
Mr. Hunt enjoyed a high reputation as an intelli-
gent and honorable merchant. He was also a man of
much intellectual culture. His reading was very ex-
tensive, he being familiar with all the best authors.
He took a deep interest in all aH'airs of his native
city, filling many positions of trust. In his charities
he was very uno.stentatious, knowing but the need to
give the required aid.
EDWARD D. KI.MBALL.
The subject of this sketch belonged to a New Eng-
land family, which moved from Ipswich, Mass., to
Bradford and Haverhill, and later to Plaistow, N. H.,
23S
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
being among the early settlers of the latter place. Here
Mr. Kimball was born, December, ISll, and was a
son of Nathaniel and Sarah Knight Kimball. He re-
ceived his education at Pembroke and at Atkinson
Academy, N. H., an institution of which his grand-
mother was one of the early promoters, and which he
attended until he engaged in business at home. By
the death of his father he was left, at an early age, as
the eldest son in a family of three boys and three
girls, with the responsibility of assisting his mother
and attending to the duties of the farm. For several
years he was engaged in business in a small way, and
in the fall of 1833 he made a voyage to South Amer-
ica. The following year, at the age of twenty-one, he
left the old homestead and moved to Salem, and
shortly after married his cousin, the daughter of Hon.
.lohn S. Kimball, of Belfast. He entered into the
eastern produce business with Stephen Hoyt, who was
afterwards made mayor of New Orleans under Gen-
eral Banks. This connection was dissolved in the
winter of 1837 by Mr. Hoyt withdrawing from the
business; and Mr. Kimball continued it until 1843,
when he bought out the African business of his
brother-in-law, David Pingree. This necessitated
his going to the West Coast of Africa, which he did
soon after, taking with him his wife, and remaining
about a year and a half, to look after his property and
qualify himself for the successful prosecution of the
business. This, in connection with the East India
business, he continued until stricken with paralysis,
from which he died at Paris, France, in September,
1867, at the age of fifty-six, after an illness of three
or four yeai's. He had three sons, one of whom sur-
vives him. During his business career he was at
times associated with David Pingree, Esq., his brother-
in-law, and with his nephew, Thomas Pingree, but
principally with his brother-in-law, Charles H. Mil-
ler, with whom he was associated many years, and
who continued the business after his death. His
brothers, Elbridge and Nathaniel, were interested in
the business, and also Mr. Reader, on the coast of
Africa, and in the East Indies Frank Reed, Esq., who
died in Batavia.
Mr. Kimball was among the last of the merchants
who sent vessels from the port of Salem, and in the
latter part of his life he moved his business to Bos-
ton.
He, during his life, filled several other positions of
trust and honor, among them the presidency of both
the Naumkeag Cotton-Mills of Salem, Mass., and the
Naumkeag Bank of Salem. He was successful in all
his business pursuits" from a rare combination of in-
dustry and judgment; managing all his affairs with
great skill and success; an indomitable worker ; he
possessed all the requirements for a large and success-
ful merchant, being at once a good buyer, seller and
accountant, generous, polished in all his manners, de-
cided in his opinions and prompt to act upon them,
which at once gained for him the confidence and re-
spect of all who knew him. And he at all times ex-
hibited a rectitude of character which never wavered
from the proper direction.
HENRY K. OLIVER.
Henry Kemble Oliver was born November 24, 1800,
at Beverly, Mass., in the Upper Parish of which town
his father was minister from 1787
to 1797. He was the third son and
the eighth child of the Rev. Daniel
and Elizabeth ' (Kemble) Oliver,
both of Boston, and of the seventh
generation of the descendants of
Thomas Oliver, " chirurgeon," who
immigrated from Lewes, Sussex,
England, to Boston, with his wife,
Ann, and their six or eight chil-
dren, in 1632, in the ship " William
and Francis," from London.
Henry Kemble was christened Thomas Henry,
which name was changed by act of Legislature in 1821
to that of his mother's only brother, who died in 1802.
Thomas Oliver, the immigrant, a rulingelder of the
First Church in Boston, died June 1, 1658, aged ninety
years. The direct line of descent to the subject of
this notice is as follows :
Thomas Oliver and Ann (maiden-name unknown).
Peter Oliver and Sarah (Newdegate).
Nathanael Oliver and Elizabeth (Brattle).
Nathanael Oliver and Martha (Hobbs).
Nathanael Oliver and Mercy (Wendell).
Daniel Oliver and Elizabeth (Kemble).
Henry Kemble Oliver.
In the year 1801 Rev. Daniel Oliver, with his fiimily,
removed to Exeter, N. H., and in 1802-03, to Boston.
Here Henry attended, at five years of age, the school
of a Mr. and Mrs. Hayslop. and acquired his earliest
rudimentary knowledge. In 1809 he was transferred
to the school of Madame Tileston. " The two schools,"
he has written, " were on the same method, a good
deal of sitting still — if one could — and a very little
teaching for each pupil. Not liking either, and with
nothing to interest or amuse, during the dreary six
hours of the day, I not unfrequently fell under the
discipline of good Madame Tileston. I cannot re-
member that we had books or slates, and sitting still
and being good was not within the bounds of my
spontaneity; for I was a nervous, uneasy and playful
child."
After leaving Madame Tileston's school, Henry at-
tended the Mayhew School, on Chardou Street, under
Messrs. Milliken and Holt, " both good floggers," and
later, about the year 1810, the school kept by Eben-
ezer Pemberton, formerly principal of Philliijs An-
dover-Academy. " With Master Pemberton — but still
keeping up my elementary studies in English — I be-
1 Etizabeth Kemble was tlie second daughter and tliirdcliild of Thomaa
and Hannah (Thomas) Kemble.
Il (\
SALEM.
239
gan my Latin grammar, under the old dreary method
fif committing everything to memory. The book used
was 'Adams' Latin Grammar,' followed by the 'Col-
loquies of Cordevius.' I had small relish for Latin,
but was quite fond of my English studies and very
apt in declamation.
"Some time in ISll n)y father removed me to
Phillips Academy in Andover, then under care of
Jolin Adams. . . . Here, continuing my Latin, I com-
menced Greek grammar, and memorized, with distaste
at the difficult work, all of the book before etitering
upon translating. When that came about it was upon
' Dalzelt's Grroea Minora,' a work then in nearly uni-
versal use for lads fitting for college. . . . My stay at
Andover was for about twelve months, my first three
days having been indelilily fixed in memory by the
most distressing homesickness."
Returning to Boston, Henry entered the Latin
School, — then on School Street, under William Bige-
low, — near the close of 1811. His brother, Nathaniel
Kemble Greenwood Oliver (Harvard College, 1809),
was for a time, with Mr. Bigelow, an usher of the
Latin School, and, about the close of 1813, he opened
a private school. Henry attended it, and was by his
brother offered at Harvard in 1814. " I was then but
thirteen years and eight months old, a mere lad, with
a short jacket, having, as was the fashion of the day,
a wide collar to ray shirt, fringed with a ruffle and
turned down over my shoulders. . . . On being taken
out to Cambridge at tlie beginning of the term my
father gave me most valuable and excellent counsel.
A part of this counsel — and it was very earnestly
prohibitory — was that I should not attempt to play
any musical instrument whatever.' I had been a
member of the Park Street choir in Boston, and he
gave permission for my singing in the chapel choir,
which performed the sacred music on Sunday, under
charge of William H. Eliot (H. C, 1815). I strove
to obey, but I was over-mastered by my love of music,
and I borrowed a flute with one key, the upper joint
of which was cracked nearly its whole length. ... I
afterwards, at college, learned to play the violoncello."
Henry remained at Harvard College during the
Freshman year and until May or June (1816) of the
Sophomore year, when the increase at the college of
Unitarian views, and the greater expense, induced his
removal to Dartmouth College, much against his in-
clination. He entered the Junior Class of the latter
institution in the fall of 1816. "I had no inclination
for a literary life, and my whole preparation for college
was to me a burden. . . . When 1 entered college I
had but little knowledge of geography or arithmetic,
none of history, almost none of the great facts of as-
tronomy. My intellectual powers had not been prop-
erly or philosophically cultivated. ... In Latin and
Greek, and in French, I held at college a pretty good
1 His fattier was entirely destitute of the iiinsical sense, and he had the
early iliflike of the religious people of his ik'tiouiiTiiition (he was a Cal-
Tinist of the liopklDsian variety) to all musical instrumentf.
rank, but I fjiiled in mathematics and in intellectual
and moral jihilosophy. I took an interest in what
was then called natural philosopliy, a good deal in
rhetoric and elocution, but felt sorely my unripeness
when called upon to express my ideasin composition."
Immediately on graduating at Dartmouth College
Mr. Oliver returned to Boston. The commencement
at Harvard College occurred one week later, and at
that time he received an ad cnndem with his old class-
mates, and subsequently, in 1862, the complimentary
degree of A.M.
In May, 1819, he was among the applicants for
the place of usher in the newly-established Latin
Grammar School in Salem, and at the canvass was
numbered third in the order of success. But it hap-
pened that the first candidate died soon after election,
the second obtained a better place at Lynn, and so
Mr. Oliver was appointed. He went to Salem on
Thursday, June 10, 1819, making his home with "that
most excellent man," Rev. Brown Emerson, minister
of the South Church. "I entered upon my work as
teacher on the following Monday, June 14th, with
very great fear and trembling, and entire distrust in
luy own abilities, knowledge and ultimate success.
Finding my imperfections, I commenced a course of
aelf-education, first in the studies in which I was
guiding others, then in French, then in Spanish and
Italian ; adding afterwards a wide course of mathe-
matics and philosophy, astronomy, general literature
and history. I was merciless to myself, studying as
many hours out of school as I taught within. What
I thus acquired I have never forgotten."
On Sunday, June 20, 1819, Mr. Oliver joined the
choir of Mr. Emerson's church, his voice, which had
been a high and pure soprano, having matured into a
deep and very firm and clear bass, with a range from
low C to high E. "I also continued my practice on
the flute and violoncello, adding to them the double-
bass. In 1821, on suggestion of Hon. Leverett Sal-
tonstall, — always my friend, a noble and excellent man
in every respect, and then a leading member of the
North Church and society, — I commenced practicing
the piano-forte and the organ, and, in 1822, I was ap-
pointed organist of St. Peter's Church in Salem, re-
moving to Barton Square Church in 1827, in each
place with full charge of the choir."
In 1821 Mr. Oliver's father, mother and two sisters
came to Salem for a time, and the family resided on
Carpenter vStreet. " Among the families calling upon
us was that of Capt. Samuel Cook,'- residing on Fede-
ral Street. I had met his elder daughter, Sarah, at
meetings of the choir of the South Church, of which
she and many ladies of the most cultivated families
of Salem w'ere members. An intimacy springing up
between Miss Cook and my sister Margarett, I saw
2 Captain Samuel Cook was a retired Khip-niaster, the contemporary of
the many enterprising and famous master-mariners of .Salem, and of its
numerous and sncce.-^sful merchants, lie mairii'd Saruli, daughter of
James and Sarah Chever.
240
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
her very frequftntly, and was gradually drawn to-
ward her by the loveliness of her disposition, the
unvarying kindness of her temper, the quiet dignity of
her demeanor, the gentleness of all her ways and all
her words — till I found ray whole self possessed with
love for her .... On Tuesday, the 30th of August,
1825, we were married, at her father's house, by the
Rev. Mr. Ducachet."
On the 4th of July, 1824, Mr. Oliver delivered the
oration at the celebration carried out by the young
men of Salem, a production which, according to a
published account of the proceedings, " was received
with the most flattering testimonials of approbation
by a crowded and respectable assembly." While
connected with St. Peter's Church, Mr. Oliver entered
upon a course of theological study, with a view of
entering the pulpit of the Episcopal Church. His
views, however, became Unitarian, and he relin-
quished the study.
In 1827 he was appointed head master of the newly-
established Engli.*h High School, but in 1830 he
resigned the position and opened a private school,
building on Federal Street a house planned carefully
for the special purpose. " I doubled my income
within a year, and during the fourteen years I after-
wards continued to teach, I had no reason to com-
plain of either patronage or want of success. During
these fourteen years I taught boys six years— fitting
for college and for counting-room — and girls eight
years. . . . I opened the school in the spring of 1831
with about forty scholars."
Having in 1821 enlisted into the Salem Light Infan-
try, at that date and long afterwards one of the best
companies of the State, Mr. Oliver obtained a great
deal of military knowledge. In 1833 he was elected
lieutenant-colonel of the then just organized Sixth
Regiment of Light Infantry, and in 1836 he was
chosen ils colonel, a position he resigned in 1839.
In 1844 Colonel Oliver was made adjutant-general
by Governor George N. Briggs, and gave up teaching,
but he retained his residence in Salem. The military
force of the State at that date consisted of about seven
thousand men, all volunteers. The military property
was stored in an arsenal near the foot of the Boston
Common, in pan, and in i)art in another arsenal in
Cambridge. During his occupancy of this office the
war with Mexico broke out, and the general government
called, in May, 1846, for troops from each of the New
England States. This call was subsequently revoked
by the Secretary of War (General Marcy). In No-
vember of the same year, however, it was renewed,
but on Massachusetts alone, one regiment only being
called for, infantry. Ten companies were organ-
ized. During his term of office General Oliver was
elected captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artil-
lery Company of Boston, of which organization he
had been a lieutenant in 183.S; and in 1847 he was
appointed by President Polk a member of the Board
of Visitors at the Military Academy at West Point.
He was elected secretary of this board, and prepared
the report to the government.
He continued in the office of adjutant-general till
1848, when he was appointed resident agent of the
Atlantic Cotton-Mills, a new corporation for the
manufacture of coarse cotton shirtings and sheetings,
at Lawrence, Mass., to which town he removed in the
early summer of the year mentioned.
In 1853 he was sent from Lawrence, with Messrs.
Storrow and Parsons, to the Constitutional Conven-
tion of the State, where he was chairman of the Com-
mittee on the Militia.
He left the Atlantic Mills in May, 1858, and in
November following was elected mayor of Lawrence.
In 1859 he was elected Representative to the Gen-
eral Court.
In 1860, having been nominated thereto by the
Republican Convention at Worcester, General Oliver
was chosen State treasurer on the ticket with John
Albion Andrew, as Governor ; and he was re-elected
for each of the four years which made up the five to
which the office is limited by law.
In 1867 he accepted a call from Governor Bullock,
of Massachusetts, to look into the condition of the
factory children in the various establishments of the
State. This he did for about two years, finding the
several laws relating to their employment under ten
years of age, and their schooling when between ten
and fifteen years of age, violated everywhere. He
prepared two reports on the subject, which excited not
a little attention and comment, and caused more
stringent legislation.
In 1869 he attained an honorary admittance to the
Phi Beta Kappa Society, and in 1870 he gave the
oration at Dartmouth College.
The act for the establishment in Massachusetts of
a Bureau of Statistics of Labor, with a chief and
deputy, was passed in 1869, and General Oliver was
selected by Governor Claflin as the chief of the
bureau. To the duties of this office he gave his
undivided attoition, having to grope his way unguid-
ed by precedent, example or experience; everything
connected with the investigations being new, and
nearly all those investigations rendered ditlicult and
embarrassing by the very strong and powerful influ-
ence of the employing class of the State. He left the
bureau in May, 1873.
In April, 1876, he received an appointment as one
of the judges at the International Centennial Exhibi-
tion at Philadelphia, and was assigned to Group
XXV., in charge of all "Instruments of Precision."
Under this expression were included astronomical
instruments of all sorts, trigonometrical and surveying
instruments, microscopes, magnetic and electric, tele-
graphic and telephonic instruments. There were
al.-o added musical instruments of every variety, from
organs down, these being assigned to a sub-group, ot
which General Oliver was chairman.
Subsequently, after the work of the judges was
SALEM.
241
supposed to have been finished, and they had left
Philadelphia, a " Group of Judges on Appeals " was
summoned, of which General Oliver was one, and he
again repaired to Philadelphia.
A few days prior to his leaving Philadelphia for
his home he received a letter from Salem, desiring
him to accept a nomination for the mayoralty of that
city, to which he consented, and, at the election later,
he was chosen mayor. He was re-elected in the fol-
lowing year, and also in the years 1878 and 1879.
At the approach of the year 1881, Mayor Oliver
publicly announced his decision not to be a candi-
date for re-election, against many requests that he
would again sland. "Being eighty years of age on
the 24th of November, 1880, it is quite time that I
should rest," he said, " and it would not be, in my
view, right to impose the natural incapacities of old
age even upon a willing people."
On his eightieth birthday, with earnest expressions
of gratitude for many favors shown him, during a
half century of residence, by his fellow-citizens of
Salem, he addressed a letter to the City Council, of-
fering as a nucleus of a Public Library for the city, a
donation of books from his own library. The city
not feeling then in a position to undertake the estab-
lishment of a library, a portion of the books — about
800 volumes — was afterw.irds given by General Oliver
to the " Salem Fraternity."
During the summer of 1882, General Oliver began
to be sensible of a cardiac trouble, which, without his
being aware of the fact, had been discovered several
years before by his physician. The difficulty gradu-
ally increased, and his condition became very serious
in the succeeding winter, but in the following spring
the trouble was so far under control that he jjassed a
very comfortable existence. But he, perforce, led a
very quiet life, declining all invitations of a public
nature, and passing his time in the companionship of
his friends, his books and his music. His communi-
cations to the newspapers and the periodicals of the
day on current subjects, and on the events of " long-
ago," became now very numerous.
During the summer of 1885, up to Sunday, the
26th of July, General Oliver's health continued as
good as in the two years before. On the Sunday
mentioned he complained of his head, and after an
unquiet night he awoke with evident cerebral trou-
ble, aphasia being the chief, and, in fact, the only
marked symptom. The inability to express his
thoughts in words continued, physical weakness su-
pervened, and he was not able to leave his bed on
the morning of the 29th. He died in the early even-
ing of August 12th, retaining almost to the last some
consciousness of his .surroundings.
General Oliver's death called forth extended mani-
festations of regret and sympathy, public and private,
and his funeral, which took place from the North
Church, on Monday, August 17th, was attended by a
large concourse of citizens and of officials, both of
16
Salem and of other places. His body rests in the
family tomb in the cemetery on Broad Street, Salem,
within sight of the school-house which was the scene
of his earliest labors as teacher, and in which hangs
his portrait. Upon the tomb there has been placed a
natural boulder, from the neighboring fields, covered
with moss and gray lichens, and upon this stone is
engraved his name, date of birth and of death, and
a sculptured suggestion of the pipes of an organ, em-
blematic of sacred music, which was the grand passion
of his life.
Of the character of the subject of this notice it is
difficult to speak in a brief space, his talents were so
various, his acquirements so extensive, and his per-
sonality so strikingly composite. His powers as stu-
dent, teacher, writer, musician and executive officer
were such as are rarely combined in the same per-
son. But the strongest note in his character — the
dominant chord — was the musical one. " I had," he
says, " early manifested a pa.ssion for music, ac-
quired from my mother, who had a voice of rare
excellence and great skill in singing, and I learned
any music I heard my brother and my sisters per-
form with the greatest ease and rapidity." And
again, "My amusements in college were entirely
innocent, and I found great comfort and pleasure in
the study and practice of music, my voice and knowl-
edge of the flute being passport to many families
wherein music, especially sacred music, was prac-
ticed. An evening so passed was to me the greatest
pleasure I desired." At ten years of age he was a
member of the choir at Park Street Church, Boston.
He was also, early, a member of the Handel and
Hayden Society, of that city, and an active member
of its chorus, whenever possible, even beyond the age
of seventy years, at which period of his life his voice
still retained great sweetness and power. He
was, from his earliest residence in Salem, largely
identified with music, and he was the most active
member of the Mozart Association, founded in 1825,
and of the Salem Glee Club, 1832. Gradually, sa-
cred music, as has been stated, came to be his great-
est love, the oratorios of Handel, of Hayden, and of
Mendelssohn, his passion, and the organ his idol
instrument. He was organist of churches in Salem
and Lawrence for a period of forty years. As a com-
poser of church music he held high rank, and many
of his compositions have an abiding popularity. In
1849 he published with Dr. S. P. Tuckernian " The
National Lyre," and in 1875, "Oliver's Collection of
Sacred Music." In 1883, Dartmouth College con-
ferred upon him the Degree of Doctor of Music, and
requested his portrait to be hung upon its walls.
As an educator of youth General Oliver really
loved his profession, and he combined, in a rare de-
gree,' firmness and thoroughness with youthful sym-
iRev. Joseph H. Felt, in his "History of Salem." pronounces Mr.
Oliver's private school to have btjcn the most complete and successful
ever carried on in that town.
242
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
pathies and feelings. His interest in education
never flagged to the end of his days. He was him-
self always a diligent student: the classics were his
delight, and he never forgot the beautiful passages
from the Greek and Roman writers which he liad
early learned. But he was also a mathematician of
unusual excellence.
His services as a member of the school committee
were eagerly sought for in both Salem and Law-
rence, and in parts of the years 1858, '59 and '60, he
was chosen by the State Board of Education to visit
the public schools in various parts of Massachusetts,
and to attend teachers' institutes and conventions.
He was also at various times in the Examining
Board of Visitors of Harvard College, both in the
classics and in mathematics.
When the high school in Lawrence was opened,
he presented to it the extensive and valuable appar-
atus which he had collected for his private school in
Salem, and he added to the gift a set of busts and
statuettes, engravings and many books of reference,
Latin, Greek and mathematical, for the use of teach-
ers and pupils. As a token of gratitude the school
was given his name, and his portrait was requested,
which was hung upon its walls. One of the public
schools in Salem also bears his name.
As a military man General Oliver showed marked
ability. As colonel of the Sixth Regiment he
brought it to a high degree of efficiency, and while
adjutant-genera), through his personal visits to the
parades of the various regiments, and his encourage-
ment of drilling, the service was greatly improved.
The role of manufacturer was ably filled by him,
but it was more through his devotion to what he had
in hand than through any special love for manufac-
turing. Nevertheless, the products of the mills over
which he presided held always the highest rank in
the market. The employes did their best, urged not
only by the knowledge that much was expected of
them, but by the personal magnetism and sympathy
of their superintendent, which always so touched and
quickened those under him, in every position he ever
held, that they instinctively desired to do what he
wished done. He thus secured from his subordinates,
whether he were present or absent, their best service.
In 1851 he founded a library for the operatives of
the Atlantic Mills by a present of books. He also
established for them free hot and cold baths in a
building near the mills.
As treasurer of the State, General Oliver directed
the vast business of the office without loss to the
Commonwealth, while on one occasion he saved its
credit in a great and sudden emergency by pledging
his private means. During his term of office the
Civil War broke out, and the business of the depart-
ment increased to an unprecedented degree. The
treasurer acted also as paymaster to the troops raised
by Massachusetts, and during the continuance of the
war he handled and accounted for $77,000,000— really
the sum was $154,000,000, for being received and
paid out it was twice handled.
As chief of the Labor Bureau General Oliver made
a profound impre.ssion. His official announcement of
the existence of great abuses called forth extended
comment and great antagonism. Some of his work
struck at the root of great evils, or of erroneous opin-
ions in society, and so awakened deep hostilities ;
but he lived to hear all his statements of these evils
wholly verified, and his efforts to ameliorate them
justified. During the five years of holding the
office he prepared five annual reports to the Legisla-
ture upon the earnings, cost of living, aud savings or
indebtedness of the laboring classes of the State —
their homes, education, habits of living, morals, man-
ners, hours of labor, amusements, societies of various
sorts — upon factory life, fiictory operatives, factory
children, the schooling of the latter, half-time
schools, etc., in fact, upon everything relating to the
great question of labor and the laboring classes,
skilled and unskilled, and of every grade and variety
of them.
" I left the bureau in May, 1873, retiring with an
entire consciousness that I had omitted no effort in
endeavoring to do my whole duty, and that ^ had,
regardless of persona! considerations, faithfully set
forth the real status of the working people, the real
wealth-producers of the St.ate."
After leaving the Bureau, and to the end of his
life, he retained the deepest interest in the welfare of
the working classes, and more especially in that of
factory children, as the many articles written by him
for the newspapers of the day testify. In April, 1885,
his portrait was hung on the walls of the office of the
bureau, in Boston, as its first chief.
As mayor — in two cities — his great executive abil-
ity and knowledge of men made him a valuable offi-
cer, and his retirement elicited hearty expressions of
regret and good wishes from the several departments
of the city government and from the citizens generally.
General Oliver's wide range of study and reading
caused frequent demands for his services as lecturer
before lyceums and other literary associations, and
before educational, musical and agricultural societies,
while his ready command of language, and his wit
and humor, made him greatly sought for as presiding
officer at festive occasions. Many of the.<e occasions
saw him such an officer when he was beyond eighty
years of age. Of these latter characteristics, which
constituted a very marked feature of his character, it
has been written "His wit and humor were keen, ex-
uberant and irrepressible, and his many tales, and
his treasury of knowledge made him extremely com-
panionable, and a delightful conversationalist on any
topic." A curious feature in his character was the
presence of exuberant spirits and gayety. and the pas-
sion forsacred music. But with all his gayety his feel-
ings were deeply reverent. He loved nature ardently,
and flowers were the source of the greatest delight to
o/^c^X^^
SALEM.
243
him ; his highly cultivated garden was the home of
many a prize-bloom.
Much as the subject of this notice employed his
pen, he published but one little work besides his mu-
sical works mentioned. This was in 1830, " A Work
on the Construction and Use of Mathematical Instru-
ments in Portable Cases." About the same time he
wrote a work on Algebra, but finding that the late
Mr. Ebenezer Bailey was engaged upon a book of
similar character General Oliver generously with-
drew his own manuscript. But he wrote, especially
in the later years of his life, a vast number of articles
for the newspapers and current literature of the day
on all the topics with which he was familiar, and
these communications were most entertaining and in-
structive.
General Oliver's wife died on the 24th of January,
18G6, and this was a blow which he never really re-
covered from. In recording the event he wrote, —
" As said Carlyle of Mrs. Sterling, in his life of
Edward Sterling, she was of a pious, delicate and
affectionate character, exemplary as wife, mother,
friend, — of timid, yet gracefully cordial ways, — with
natural intelligence, instinctive sense and worth:
with a soft voice, a tremulously sensitive nature,
strong chiefly on the side of the affections, and the
graceful insights and activities that depend on these;
truly a beautiful, much enduring, much loving house-
mother."
Henry Kemble and Sarah (Cook) Oliver had issue,
— Samuel Cook, Sarah Elizabeth, Henry Kemble,
Maria Kemble, Emily Kemble, Mary Evans and
Ellen Wendell.
ABIEL ABBOT LOW.
Salem has been most generous in enriching, with
her worthy sons and daughters, olher cities and towns
of the country. Few places are more indebted to
her for such noble gifts than Brooklyn, N. Y., the
story of whose better history and higher prosperity
could not be told without the mention of such men
as Seth Low and his sons, Isaac H. and John W.
Frothingham, Ripley and Reuben W. Ropes, George
B. Archer, and others of most excellent repute. Hon.
Ripley Ropes, after faithful and valuable service to
his native city, removed many years ago to Brooklyn,
where his exalted character as a man and his long and
distinguished usefulness in public life have made their
enduring impress upon the city of his adoption.
Abiel Abbot Low, one of the merchant princes of
New York, and an eminent philanthropist and finan-
cier, was born in Salem, Essex County, Mass., Febru-
ary 7, 1811. He was the eldest son among twelve
children of Seth L)W, a native of Gloucester, West
Parish, of the same State. His mother, Mary Porter,
was descended from John Porter, one of the original
settlers of Salem village, (now Danvers), and was a
daughter of Thomas Porter, of Topsfield, the town
adjacent to Danvers on the north. The Porters have
been a numerous and influential race in this part of
Massachusetts and elsewhere for more than two hun-
dred years. Mary was born in Topsfield in 1786, and
was a lady of superior character, illustrating all the
virtues and nobleness of the Roman matron, refined
and adorned with the influences and graces of the
Christian faith. She lived to be eighty-six years of
age and continued to be an object of much veneration
among all who knew her, to the end of her useful and
honored life. Her husband, Seth Low, was a man of
high intelligence and of solid worth, of strong, clear
and sedate mind, and of courteous and dignified de-
portment. He was held in great respect and love by
his fellow-citizens at Salem, where he spent the ear-
lier portion of his married life, as also at Brooklyn,
N. Y., whither he removed in 1829, and where he died
in 1853. A devout, upright, and public-spirited man,
he was one of the foremost citizens of Brooklyn,
and rendered most important service, in many ways
to that city in its earlier municipal history. Blessed
with such a parentage, and inheriting the excellent
qualities of both his father and mother, the son could
hardly fail of an honorable and distinguished career.
He grew up without any of the vices or bad habits
which so often blight the hopes and promises of youth.
He received his early education mainly at the public
schools of his native city, and wisely and diligently
improved the opportunities and advantages which
were there afforded him. He was, for some time be-
fore he reached the age of maturity, a clerk in the
mercantile house of Joseph Howard & Co., a Salem
firm largely engaged in the South American trade.
Here he manifested remarkable aptitude for business,
and won, not only the heartiest commendations, but
the entire confidence of his employers. In 1829 he
removed to New York, and remained with his father,
whose occupation was that of a drug merchant, for
three years. In 1833 he sailed for Canton, China, and
on arriving there became a clerk in the house of Rus-
sell it Co., which was then the largest American firm
in China, and of which an uncle, the late William
Henry Low, was a partner. In 1837 he was admitted
into the firm, and, after three years, returned home,
in 1840, to prosecute the same business here — already
possessed of considerable wealth, though not yet
thirty years of age. He was early distinguished for
his sagacity, his far-seeing wisdom and his bold and
judicious action. Soon after his arrival home, he es-
tablished himself in Fletcher Street, New York, and
there laid the foundation of that which was destined
to become the leading house of America in the China
trade. The business of the house was of rapid growth
and at length assumed such large proportions that a
fleet of swift vessels became indispensable.
With characteristic energy he set about building
his own ships, and the construction of the " Houcjua,"
"Samuel Russell," "N. B. Palmer," "David Brown,"
"Oriental," "Penguin," "Jacob Bell," "Contest,"
"Surprise," "Benefactor " and " Benefactresi " kei)t
244
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
pace with the demands of his business for a while ;
but he was compelled to purchase several, among them
" The Golden State," " The Great Republic " and the
'' Yokohama." For years the house carried on its
immense traffic of teas and silks without the loss of any
of its ships. From Fletcher Street the office was first
removed to South Street, between Beekman Street and
Peck Slip, and again, in 1850, to No. 31 Burling Slip,
the present site of the establishment. About the year
1845, Mr. Josiah O. Low, a brother, became a partner ;
in 1852, Mr. Edward H. K. Lyman, a brother-in-law,
was admitted into the firm ; and at various subsequent
dates several sons and nephews, — the flrm-name be-
coming and remaining to this day "A. A. Low &
Brothers." The firm have always maintained their
justly-deserved reputation for the strictest integrity,
and for the largest and most enlightened methods of
mercantile pursuit and dealing. Their name has been
the synonym for rectitude and honor in all business
transactions, and thej- have been a tower of strength
amidst all the changes, fluctuations and reverses in
the commercial world during the past forty-six years.
Their influence was most powerfully exercised and
felt in the cause of maintaining the national credit ;
and in the gloomy years of the Civil AVar they bore
their full share in the work of defending and saving
the Republic. Refusing to allow their ships to .sail
under any other flag than the Stars and Stripes, they
suffered the loss of the "Contest" and the "Jacob
Bell," both of which were captured and burned by
Confederate privateers, the latter being freighted at
the time with a cargo of great value. During Mr.
Low's whole business career he has received constant
tokens of the high respect and consideration of the
mercantile profession to which he belongs, and of the
community in which he lives. His influence in the
New York Chamber of Commerce has been whole-
some and conspicuous, and it has also been justly ap-
preciated and honored. He became a member of it
in 1846. In 1863 his sound judgment, his ready grasp
of details, his marked sagacity and his unbending
rectitude led to his election as president of this
world-renowned body ; and on the expiration of the
stated term of three years, he was re-elected. At the
close of 1866 he resigned this position, in order to
make a voyage around the world. On January 1, 1867,
he embarked with his wife and one son from San
Francisco in the Pacific Mail steamship " Colorado,"
the first American merchant steamer which crossed
the Pacific.
On his return he was honored with a banquet, ten-
dered by the representative men of his profession, in
the city which had so long been the scene of his labors
and his triumphs. He frequently has been called upon
to address the Chamber of Commerce and his fellow-
citizens upon subjects connected with the financial
or political problems of the day. His vigorous mind
has been highly cultured by reading, study, travel, ob-
servation and action. His style, both as a writer and
a public speaker, is singularly felicitous and effective,
and remarkable for clearness, compactness, good taste
and elegance of expression. He has the faculty and
the habit, not only of stating his case strongly, but of
reasoning on it so wisely and fairly, as well as forcibly,
that his reader or listener (as the case may be) is car-
ried with him, and willingly, as well as from convic-
tion, adopts [his conclusions. It is because of these
qualities that Mr. Low has always had such great in-
fluence in the associations with which he has been
connected, and such weight in the community in
matters of general interest. Had his career been in
public life, he would have been as eminent in the
counsels of state as he has been in the wide domain
of commerce. In great crises, commercial, financial
or political, in periods of depression, panic or actual
disaster, he has the courage of his convictions, and
his opinions are eagerly sought and freely given.
During the Civil War, on all important questions of
national policy or duty, his voice and his action were
alike ready and sagacious, clear, loyal and determined.
Holding no political office, though several times in-
vited to do so, he often has been called or sent to the
national capital in a representative capacity, for con-
sultation with the government in relation to matters
of grave commercial interest.
It is not easy to measure the value and influence of
such a man in the community and the country to
which he belongs. Able, wise, patriotic and of incor-
ruptible purity and honesty, he is constantly a pillar
of strength and support to all the best interests of
society and is a rock of safety and defense amidst the
changes and perils to which government and people
are exposed, or are liable. It is not alone Presidents
and Cabinets, Congressional leaders and foreign minis-
ters, the army and navy, upon whom we must chiefly
depend in the most stormy times, or in the most criti-
cal emergencies. All will be lost unless the nation is
held mightily to its financial obligations, its plighted
word, its sacred honor. After the war, and for many
years, the land was rife with dangerous theories and
pestilent heresies in regard to these matters, and Re-
pudiaiion itself was a more or less popular cry. It was
all-important, and absolutely necessary, that the mer-
cantile and banking classes should lift their voices for
the right, that the great commercial metropolis should
be heard, that the Chamber of Commerce should
speak, and speak with no uncertain sound. Of such
occasions, one was in connection with the Centennial
Celebration of the Chamber, held at Irving Hall, New
York City, April 6, 1868. Mr. Low delivered an ad-
dress on " The Finances of the United States," and
the closing portion of it is here given, in illustration
of his sound views, his exalted patriotism and the
power and grace of his words :
" Finally," he says, *' it seems to me that existing laws for the conver-
sion and refleniption of the public debt are good enough till the country
returns to specie payment. I look to such return as our only hope of
rescue from impending evil. The crisis js full of peril, as all who read
and reflect will be forced to admit ; the contemplation of this peril leads
SALEM.
245
me to sorrowful reflection. Three jearshaTe passed away since the War
of the Rebellion was closed. The eventful month of .Ajiril, isr.i. wit-
nessed the snrrender, throughoiit the South, of all the rebel forces ; the
disbanding of the loyal armies of theXorth, and the re-establishment of
the national authority everywhere ; and although the country was pros-
trate in sorrow at the death of its great hero and martyr. Ihero was sol-
ace and joy in the thought that the blood and treasure of the loyal States
had not been poured out in vain. Not only had the life of the nation
been providentially preserved, but its honor was untarnished ; at home
an<l abroad contidence in the ability of our people faithfully to redeem
every obligation that was given during the war daily gained strength,
and the speedy restoration of the wayward States to their legitimate
place in the Union was the animating hope of every patriotic heart.
How this hope has thus far been disappointed it is not my province to
consider.
"We may now boast, indeed, that .\raerica is 'the land of the free and
the home of the bi-ave ; ' slavery has ceased to exist ; the curse and the
reproach it brought on onr flag and our fame have been bnrie*l in a com-
mon grave. Have we wiped out this long endured blot on our country's
escutcheon, amid all the fire and bloodshed of civil war, in order to
deepen and darken the stain repudiation would leave in its stead? Has
it come to this, that the Congress of the nation can deliberately enter-
tain propositions, in less than three years after the war, that strike at
the spirit and letter of laws now on the statute-book, in the presence of
the very men who made them — law-s that are vital to the security of
those who lent their money for the prosecution of the war ! Have we
reason to fear that Senators and Representatives who make such de-
mands on our confidence, in their extraordinary measures to enforce re-
construction, will subject our faith to a still severer test ? Can they
hope to maintain the character of friends of the Union for the sake of
the Union if they expose to dishonor the life whose salvation has cost
such a price in blood and treasure ? Shall we go forth as hitherto, in
virtue of onr American birthright, proud in the consciousness that our
nation's ri^At makes our nation's mighlj or remain at home rather than
be withered by the rebuking eye of every honest man in every other land
governed by honest men ? It were better, far, to dash from the Ameri-
can ensign every star and leave only the stripes, as a symbol of everhisting
disgrace — of everlasting punishment— if we must cease to claim the re-
spect we have hitherto enjoyed under its all-inspiring folds. No ! Let
me recall these despairing words ! I will not believe in such a destiny.
The loyal and the true will rally in behalf of the right and the good. The
people and the Congress will uphold the national faith. Our eagles and
half-eagles will once more circulate throughout the land, our eyes shall be
gladdened with the old device, 'In God we trust,' and throughout the
world the stars and stripes shall float together the glorious emblem of
nationality to millions upon millions yet unborn."
At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Low sub-
mitted resolutions, which were unanimously adopted,
favoring the resumption of specie payments and the
honest discharge of the national debt. No man,
more than he, was fitted by talent, character, exper-
ience, rectitude and service to stand at the centre in
such a time, and represent before the people and the
world the commercial mind and interests of the
United States. Mr. Low has been solicited many
times to become the president of banking, insurance
and other institutions of a similar character, but he
has declined every proflered station of service save
that of a director, in which capacity he is identified
with a number of prominent organizations. In
Brooklyn, the city of his adoption and residence, he
has been one of the most public-spirited and useful
citizens. He has been an ever-ready and excep-
tionally liberal patron of schools and colleges,
churches and charitie.', not alone in Brooklyn and
Xew York, but in other parts of the land ; and his
contributions of money to every good enterprise or
institution that has appealed for aid have rarely, if
ever, been surpassed in number and magnitude by
those of any of our wealthy and philanthropic citizens.
Thoroughly imbued wiih the spirit of a firm and en-
lightened Christian faith, the church has found in
him a true, devoted, c.xcmpliiry friend, and many of
its branches of ditferent names have been encouraged
and prospered by his timely and generous gifts. Fully
appreciating the value and importance of substantial
education to every community, he has long made the
public and private schools of the city objects of the
highest concern. Of the Packer Colk>giatc Institute,
in Brooklyn, Mr. Low has been for many years presi-
dent of the board of trustees, giving to its affairs
large and intelligent oversight, and contributing lib-
erally to its library and scientific equipment. The
Brooklyn Library and the Long Island Hi.-torical So-
ciety have found in him, from their inception, one of
their most appreciative, active and munificent patrons.
The City Hospital, the Society for Improving the
Condition of the Poor, the Union for Christian Work
and many other benevolent institutions, attest his
readiness to aid in the support of well- designed and
practically-managed organized charities. Perhaps no
more touching illustration of this influence has been
furnished than in the munificent gift, by Mr. Low,
in the name of his wife, of the new and beautiful Sf.
Phcebe's Mission House, which he caused to be erected
as a fitting memorial of a departed daughter of won-
derful beauty of Christian character and life. The
building was opened May 5, 1886, and a tablet more
recently erected bears the inscription :
" In Loving Memoet
Harriftte Low.
This house is given for the work she loved by her
bereaved parents."
In our great Civil War, Mr. Low's loyalty and
patrotism were most pronounced and constant. He
was a member of the Union Defense Committee of
New York, and quite early in the conflict succeeded
Mr. Dehon as treasurer of the committee, which
place he continued to fill until the war was over. He
was among the most energetic, liberal and useful
members of the "War Fund Committee" of Brook-
lyn, which was organized in 1802, and which elli-
ciently aided the United States Sanitary Commission.
He was president of the General Committee of Citi-
zens in Brooklyn, which, in co-operation with the
committee of the Woman's Relief As.sociation, in
February, 1864, managed and carried out to its grand
result of more tlian $400,000, tlie Brooklyn and Sani-
tary Fair.
This sketch would be quite imperfect did it omit
allusion to Mr. Low's constant and most generous re-
lief to those who are in need. It is his nature to
" Do good by stealth and blush to find it fame," and
the world little knows, though very many privately
and gratefully know, the largeness, spontancousness
and mercy of his bounty in their liour of sullering.
His sympathy and gifts have not been limited to
those to whom he stood in the relation of friend or
246
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
mere acquaintance. The casual mention, in his pres-
ence, of distress that had befallen even a stranger
whom he had never seen and of whom before he had
never heard, has many and many a time (within the
knowledge of the writer) elicited not only his warm
and Christian sympathy, but his prompt and large
pecuniary relief. It has often been remarked by
those who have known him well, how continuously
and tenderly, amidst all his manifold and arduous
daily cares, he has borne such unfortunates in mind,
recalling their names and circumstances and, with
more benevolent intent, making fresh inquiries about
them long after it might naturally have been sup-
posed that such cases must have been forgotten. One
of his honored father's last injunctions to his children
was, " Remember the poor." And that they have
done, not more in obedience to the p.iternal mandate,
than from the philanthropic spirit which they in-
herited from their excellent parents, and which they
have also imparted, it may be added, to the succeed-
ing generation. As the acknowledged head of this
very large and influential family circle that surrounds
him in Brooklyn, and in every domestic relation of
life, Mr. Low, it is not necessary to say, finds his own
faithful devotion and affectionate care abundantly
recompensed to him in the veneration and love of all.
And what is thus true of him in the home and
amongst his kindred is true of him also in other con-
nections, in which to still larger numbers he has been
the prudent counselor, the thoughtful sympathizer,
and the helpful and steadfast friend.
Mr. Low was first married, in March, 1841, to Ellen
Almira, daughter of the late Josiah Dow, of Brook-
lyn, N. Y., and a lady of rare worth and loveliness,
by whom he had four children, — two sons and two
daughters, all of whom survived their mother, who
died in January, 1850. In February, 1851, he was
married to Anne D. B., widow of his deceased brother,
William Henry Low, and daughter of the late M.
Bedell, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Mrs. Low has been very
prominent in the religious, benevolent and social life
of the city ; and it was specially under her fond and
faithful guardianship, intelligent and judicious train-
ing and earnest and conscientious Christian influence
that the motherless children to whose charge she
succeeded, and her son, William G., who had been
born under her first marriage, received together their
home preparation for their varied and prominent
spheres of usefulness in subsequent years.
Of these five children, Harriette died August 2,
1884; and Ellen, who married Henry E. Pierrepont,
Jr., of Brooklyn, died December 30, 1884. The sur-
viving three, are A. Augustus Low, merchant, who
married a daughter of the late George Cabot Ward,
Esq., of New York ; William G. Low, lawyer and
Hon. Seth Low, ex-mayor of Brooklyn, and also a
merchant, both of whom married daughters of the
late Hon. Benjamin R. Curtis, of the Supreme Court
of the United Slates.
LEONARD BOND HARRINGTON.
The names of men who distinguished themselves
for the possession of those qualities of character
which so largely contribute to the success of private
life and to the public stability, of men who have been
exemplary in their personal and social relations, thus
winning the affection, respect and confidence of those
around them, ought not to perish.
Their example is more valuable to the majority of
local readers than that of illustrious heroes, statesmen
or writers, .nnd all are benefited by the delineation of
those traits of character which find scope and exer-
cise in the common walks of life.
Among the individuals of this class few are better
entitled to be held in respectful remembrance than is
the subject of this sketch.
The direct ancestor of Leonard B. was Robert, who
came from England prior to 1642, and settled in
Watertown, Mass.
For several succeeding generations the Harring-
tons were tillers of the soil, and became, through
their energy and thrift, extensive landed proprietors
in the various parts of New England, where they set-
tled and were men of influence and position.
Charles, the father of Leonard B., however, was a
tanner and currier by trade, and he carried on this
business during the early part of his business career
with a good degree of success. He also did a large
business as a packer of beef, and opened up a large
export trade in it. In this branch of business he was
a pioneer, and was very successful until, during the
French War, he suffered great losses in vessels
and cargoes by French spoliations. He married Mary
Bond, by whom he had five children, — Charles, born
January 29, 1782; Artemus, born October 14, 1784;
Ruth, born August 25, 1789; Jonas B., born August
22, 1792; Leonard Bond, born January 29, 1803.
Leonard spent hia boyhood in Salem, Mass., to
which town his father moved from Watertown shortly
after the Revolutionary War. He attended school in
Salem, where he acquired a practical knowledge of
the branches there taught, but, at the age of thirteen
years, developing a taste for sea-life, he went a voy-
age to South America, during which he suffered
from yellow fever, and recovering from it, was finally
shipwrecked. These experiences led him to give up
the sea, and he then chose the business of leather
manufacture. He learned this trade in Roxbury,
Mass., and after serving his time he worked as a
journeyman for several years,"and by prudence and
frugality was enabled to begin business for himself in
1829, and from that time to the present has success-
fully maintained his position among business men.
He was married, January 8, 1831, to Margaret G.
Hersey, of Roxbury, who was a superior woman, and
did much to encourage and assist him in his plans,
and was much beloved bv all who knew her. From
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SALEM.
247
this union were four cliildren, three of whom are
now living.
Having no taste for political life, Mr. Harrington
has never been prominent in polities, but has always
been identified with the Whig and, later, the Repub-
lican parties. In religious l)elief he is a Universalist,
and contributes liberally ibr the support of public
worship.
He is a man of benevolence, easily approached, of
kindly instincts, and has always in later years been
ready to assist those less fortunate than himself in
their business difficulties by his wise counsel and
good judgment.
Mr. Harrington has for many years been promi-
nently connected with the financial institutions of
Salem. He is president of the Asiatic National
Bank and vice-president of Old Salem Savings Bank.
For twenty years he was engineer of the Fire De-
partment, and by his energy and zeal did much to
improve the old system ; but all this was prior to the
advent of the modern steamer, and when the hand
machine was made to do duty by " the boys breaking
her down."
At the great age of eighty -four years Mr. Harrington
is still able to attend to his large business, going to
Boston nearly every day, and while having assigned
much of the detail to other hands, still in the direct-
ing power exercising his business tact and method to
the advantage of those associated with him. Mr.
Harrington's grandfather was a noted teacher of his
day, and as "Master Harrington" was widely known.
Leonard Bond, a maternal uncle, was a soldier in
the Revolutionary War.
CALEB FOOTE.'
Hon. Caleb Foote was born in Salem February 28,
1803, of a sea-faring stock. The first of his ancestors
who came to this country, Pasco Foot, who settled in
Salem before 1637, had a grant of land in that year,
in connection with his fisheries, at Winter Harbor.
The degree to which the dangers of the sea assisted
in depopulating the maritime towns of our sea-coast
in the earlier days is forcibly illustrated in the family
history of Mr, Foote. His great-grandfather. Cap-
tain William Dedman, died of yellow-fever in a voy-
age to Havana. His maternal grandfather, Samuel
West, a member of the Salem Marine Society, died
in a trading voyage to Virginia. His paternal grand-
father, Caleb Foote, after serving in the Revolution-
ary army at Cambridge, engaged in the privateering
service, was captured by a British ship, and immured
in Forton prison, near Portsmouth, England, from
which he escaped to France, and, returning home,
died early of disease brought on by the hardships and
privations which he had endured in the cause of his
country. His father, Caleb Foote, sailed in command
1 By Kev. Henry W. Foote.
of a vessel from New London in 1810, and his vessel
was never heard from afterward, while his wife, Martha,
daughter of Samuel Massey West, had died four years
before. Thus their son was left at the tender age
of seven fatherless, motherless and portionless, wholly
dependent on relatives, and began to earn his own
living at ten years old, when he left the North Salem
Public School to attend in the shop of an uncle in
Salem, and later in Boston, returning to Salem
again for employment in Mr. Samuel West's book-
store. He was on the point of following the sea, and
had shipped as cabin-boy for a sealing voyage in
Arctic regions, when the captain who had engaged
his services broke the agreement in order to take a
larger and stronger boy, and diverted the current of
his life. He found employment in the office of The
Salem Gazette in 1817. Here Mr. Foote has ever
since remained as apjirentice, projtrietor and editor,
never long absent from its duties and only rarely en-
gaged in services which called him elsewhere.
T/ie Salem Gazette was one of the few newspapers
whose commencement long antedates the present cen-
tury. On the 1st of August, 1768, began the exist-
ence of the Essex Gazette. There were for a time
transfers to other places, suspensions and changes of
name, but the apprenticeship of two proprietors con-
nects without a break the first issue with that of one
hundred and nineteen years later (in 1887). The
founder of the line, when Massachusetts was a Brit-
ish province, was the sturdy Whig rebel, Samuel
Hall. The accomplished and amiable Thomas 0.
Cushing served his apprenticeship with Mr. Hall,
and took his materials and revived the paper, after a
broken period, in 1786. Mr. Cushing continued the
publication of the Gazette until January 1, 1823,
when, feeling the infirmities of age and disease press-
ing on him, he transferred the establishment to one
of his sons, Caleb Cushing, and a nephew, p'erdinand
Andrews, retiring from business to die September 28,
1824. Mr. Cushing was a man of rare excellencies
of character, combining faculties of the mind and
qualities of the heart which secured in no common
degree the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens,
and was a good master in those days of thorougli
business training.
The life of an apprentice was one of hard drudgery,
but the printing-office is a school which gives en-
couragement to a boy endowed with the love of read-
ing, for the self-education which has to take the place
of the opportunities of school and college; moreover,
as Mr. Foote grew up, he found kind and influential
friends, who, when the opportunity aro-e, assisted
him with a loan in establishing himself in the busi-
ness by purchasing half the property in the paper.
In 1825 he thus became associated with his former
fellow-workman, Ferdinand Andrews, as publishers
and joint owners of the Gazette. In 1826 Mr. William
Brown succeeded Mr. Andrews, selling his interest in
the paper also to Mr. Foote January 1, 1833, who
248
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
thus became sole eflitor and proprietor until Janu-
ary 1, 1854, when Nathaniel A. Horton, who had
followed what were the traditions of this time-hon-
ored newspaper for more than a century, in growing
up as an apprentice under the training of his senior,
was associated with him in publishing and editing
the paper. This partnership has continued till the
present time (1887). On June 8, 1831, Mr. Foote
had also established a small weekly paper, to which
he gave the name of The Salem Mercury, the original
title of the Gazette. This was afterwards enlarged
and its title changed to that of The Essex County
Mercury, and it became an important addition to the
influence of the office through the wide constituency
which it gained throughout the county.
Meantime such public duties as the engrossing
labors of an editor would permit came to Mr. Foote.
He served on the school committee in 18.30-31, and
was a member of the Massachusetts House of Repre-
sentatives in 1832 and 1833, declining a re-election.
In January, 1838, having been for some years chair-
man of the Whig County Committee, he was elected
by the Legislature, on which the duty of choosing
the Executive Council at that time devolved, a mem-
ber of the Council under Governor Edward Everett,
and was again elected in 1839, declining a subsequent
re-election.
On the accession of the Whig party to the control
of the government, a change being necessary, not for
party reasons only, in the Salem post-office, Mr.
Foote was appointed postmaster in May, 1841, soon
after the death of President Harrison, and retained
the position three years, administering the office on
strict business principles, entirely aloof from political
methods, making no change in.4 the subordinate offi-
cers, and keeping the business of his newspaper
apart from his official duties. A pressure, however,
being brought to bear by the administration to in-
duce him to become a partisan of John Tyler and to
employ the newspaper in furthering his schemes for
election to the Presidency, on refusing to do so, Mr.
Foote was dismissed from the post-office in April,
1844. The subsequent years and until the present
time (1887), with the exception of seven months' ab-
sence in Europe in 1867, were devoted exclusively to
the business of the newspaper, in which active labors
it was allotted to Mr. Foote to spend a longer period
than the full term of life as named by the Psalmist.
A friend, Rev. E. B. Willson, adds the following :
" Mr. Foote's life affords a noteworthy instance— not a solitary one,
to be sure — of the admirable substitute which tlie printing-office and
editorial chair may be for the training-school and the college class-
room to an apt student. His style as a writer has the better qualities
of one college bred— Biniplicity, perspicuity and purity .of diction, and
the art of putting things with directness and effect. His knowledge of
language and his literary taste and skill are those of the scholar well
grounded in English literature and versed in other languages, ancient
and modern. Naturally, liistory, political economy and the affairs of
trade and social progress come to be the studies of the conductor of an
influential press, an important portion of whose readers are educated
men and women. ^In these departments of journalism Mr. Foote's
accomplishments, at a period when such work was comparatively rare
and when he was sole editor, secured for his editorial writing attention
and habitual perusal and respect, which has continued during the more
recent years, when the editorial responsibility has been shared with his
associate. In his long career in the midst of a community character-
ized by a high average of intelligence and a corresponding moral stan-
dard, to have had so strong and enduring hold upon successive genera-
tions and through so many and so great changes in manners and opin-
ions, in politics and theology, in private and in social life, bespeaks a
man of weight, candor and well-balanced judgment, and of an integrity
and steadiness of purpose not often paralleled. His native modesty
would never permit him to obtrude his conclusions at any time where
their expression was not called for ; hut those who have drawn from
him his opinions upon topics of current interest, including such as were
matters of controversy, have been pretty sure to find that he had ma-
tured opinions of his own. and that he had not only the courage of bis
convictions, but that he had been a courageous thinker in arriving at
his convictions.
" To those who know Mr. Foote only in the common intercourse of
life, and who have only come near enough to observe his unfailing cour-
tesy of bearing, the moral courage, poise and self-reliance hidden behind
these genial manners and never-ruffled tones would be likely to be a
revelation wholly unsuspected. Not many a man would be able to
carry himself calmly and with unshaken nerves through an interview
with desperate fellows, who had, without doubt, plotted to rob him of
things of value supposed to he on his person, in a retired apartment of
their own selection, to which they had conducted him for this very pur-
pose, and when he had come away unharmed from their lair would
relate the affair as quietly as if it had been but a common incident. It
would bring a genuine surprise to those accustomed to see one charac-
terized by an unvarying serenity of features and urbanity of address in
all situations for a lifetime, to find him capable on occasion of shielding
a junior co-worker from abusive criticism by rising from the chair edi-
torial and stepping to the front to assure a rich and influential citizen and
friend in a firm and peremptory voice that, though not himself the writer,
he assumed joint responsibility with the writerfor what had been written,
and that the course of remark which he had interrupted must cease
then and there, or the visitor must leave the place. To be sure, we rec-
ognize it as the n.atural and right combination when courage and kind-
liness go together ; but, unhappily, -it is not a conjunction so common as
not to cause the surprise of delight when we witness it."
The publication and editing of a public journal in a
community like that which inhabits Essex County is
a self-denying and exigent task, requiring a man to
become wholly merged in his work, especially where
the newspaper has had an historic part for more than
a hundred years in guiding opinion and helping to
mould public development. The Gazette was founded
by a patriot who had zealously espoused the American
cause, and it continued the earnest supporter of the
principles of Washington and Hamilton and of Fed-
eral measures and men as long as the Federalist
party continued to exist. To these principles it held
faithfully through the later changes of the party-
names to Whig and Republican, but without being
an organ of any party or individual, and, on occasion,
standing alone against an unworthy candidate for
high office, and securing his defeat. If a journal of
this character has fulfilled its opportunities of public
teaching and public influence, in the constant inter-
est of good morals, honest politics and the religion of
good-will and charity, it is a fit memorial of the life
which h.as been devoted to it.
Mr. Foote was married, October 21, 1835, to Mary
Wilder, daughter of Hon. Daniel Appleton White
judge of probate for Essex County. She died De-
cember 24, 1857. Of their six children, three are
surviving.
'^/^^,
</<
SALEM.
248a
NATHANIEL B. MANSFIELD.
Nathaniel B. MausfieUl was born in Salem, Octo-
ber 20, 1796, three months after the death of his
father. His mother was left with four children, —
two daughters and two sons. Of the daughters, one
married Captain Brookhouse, of Salem, and the other
Joseph Eveleth, of Boston, for many years high
sheritF. Of the sous, one died single, and the sub-
ject of this sketch married the daughter of William
Fabens, of Salem, who was one of the successful
merchants of his time.
At an early age the subject of this sketch chose
the profession of the sea. Having no one to put
him forward, he commenced as a sailor in the fore-
castle, and by his energy and perseverance soon be-
came officer and then master of a ship. He was part
owner of the " Statesman " and " Newburyport," and
transacted business between Havana and Russia for
many years. He left the sea as a profession at the
age of forty-five, and from that time until his death
was interested in shipping. He was connected in
business at diverse times with Benjamin Howard,
Glidden Williams, Samuel Stevens & Co., of Boston,
and Captain John Bertram, of Salem. During the
last years of his life he was interested in the ice
business at Panama, and established, in connection
with Samuel Stevens & Co., a line of packets to Au.s-
tralia. Mr. Mansfield was also a member of the Ma-
rine Society of Salem.
He took great interest in politics, was an Old-Line
Whig, and a member of the city government for many
years as well as of the State Legislature. His great
speech at that time was in connection with the land
damages to be assessed on the Essex Railroad. He
refused at various times the office of collector of the
port. He was unceasing in his endeavors to accom-
plish a party victory.
He had the courage of a strong man with the ten-
derness of a child, and was loved and respected by
all who knew him. He died September 24, 1863.
He was a man of unflinching integrity, and died,
as he had lived, one of Salem's most honored and
esteemed citizens.
BENJAMIN WILLIAMS CROWNINSHIELD.
Benjamin Williams Crowninshield, son of George
and Mary (Derby) Crowninshield, was born at Salem,
December 27,1772; descended from Dr. John Cas-
per Richter von Cronenshilt, a German physician,
who came from Leipsic to Boston about 1688, and
died there in 1711; married Elizabeth, daughter of
Jacob and Elizabeth (Clifford) Allen, of Salem ;
owned lands near Lynn Mineral Spring Pond. Two
of his sons, John and Clifford, came to Salem and
were successful and enterprising merchants ; John
married Anstiss, daughter of John and Sarah (Man-
ning) Williams, the father of George, above-named.
Mr. Crowninshield, like his ancestors, was largely
engaged in commercial enterprises in connection
with his father and brothers, under the name of
George Crowninshield & Sons. His brother, George
Crowninshield, the owner of the famous pleasure
yacht, the " Cleopatra's Barge," made an excursion
to the ports in the Mediterranean, returning in Octo-
ber, 1817. He built the large brick house on Derby
Street, between Curtis and Orange Streets, now occu-
pied as the Old Women's Home. He was a member
of the Massachusetts State Senate for several years.
United States Secretary of Navy from December,
1814, to November, 1818, Representative in United
States Congress 1823 to 1831, one of the first directors
of the Merchants' Bank, Salem (incorporated June
26, 1811); married Mary Boardman, daughter of
Francis and Mary (Hodges) Boardman, January 1,
1804. He removed to Boston in 1832, and died there
February 8, 1851.
UEXUy WHEATLAND.
Henry Wheatland, son of Richard and Martha
(Goodhue) Wheatland, was born in Salem, January
11,1812. He was graduated from Harvard College
in 1832, and its Medical School in 1837. He never,
however, actively engaged in the practice of medi-
cine. At an early age he became interested in the
study of natural history, and both in the neighbor-
hood of his home and during voyages for his health
to South America and Europe, he made extensive
collections, which have enriched the cabinets of the
scientific in.stitutions in Salem. He was chosen su-
perintendent of the museum of the East India Marine
Society in 1837, and held that oflice until 1848, when,
chiefly through his eflbrts, the Essex County Natural
History Society and the Essex Historical Society- —
he being an active member of both societies — became
united as the Essex Institute, to the building up of
which he has since untiringly given the greater por-
tion of his life, and of which society he is now the
president. Leaving the field of scientific research to
younger men and those who were becoming special-
ists in its different branche.s, he later devoted himself
to local history and genealogy, and is now admitted
to be one of the leading antiquarians in the county,
from whose fund of knowledge constant draughts are
being made by workers in this field.
Dr. Wheatland is one of the original trustees of
the Peabody Academy of Science and its vice-presi-
dent, a trustee of the Peabody Museum of American
Archasology and Ethnology of Cambridge, and a
member of the principal scientific and historical so-
cieties of the countrv.
NATHANIEL SILSBEE.
Nathaniel Silsbee, son of Nathaniel and Sarah
(Becket) Silsbee, was born at Salem January 14,
1773; descended from Henry Silsbee, of Salem, 1639,
Ipswich, 1647, Lynn, 16r)8, died 1700, through Na-
thanieF, Nathaniel', William*, NathanieP. He pur-
sued his studies with Rev. Dr. Cutler, of Hamilton;
2-48b
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
died July 14, 1850; married, December 12, 1802,
IMary, diuigliter of George and Mary (Derby) Crown-
iiiJ-biekl, born Seplcmber 24, 1778; died September
20, 1835. In early life he was -ii ship-master and
supercargo, afterwards a successful and eminent mer-
chant, a Representative and Senator in Massachu'etts
Legislature, for three years president of the latter
body, Rej)rcsentative United States Congress 1817-21,
Senator United States Congress 1826-35.
BEKJAMIN PICKMAN.
Benjamin Pickraan, son of Benjamin and Mary
(Toppan) Pickman, was born at Salem September 30,
1763; descended from Nathaniel Pickman, who came
from Bristol, England, with his family in 1661, and
settled in Salem, through Benjamin^ (born in Bristol,
1645, married Elizabeth Hardy, died December,
1708), Captain Benjamin', Colonel Benjamin* and
Colonel Benjamin*; pursued his preparatory studies
at Dummer Academy, then under the charge of the
celebrated "Master Moody;" graduated at Harvard
College 1784; married, October 20, 1789, Anstiss,
youngest daughter of Eli.is Hasket and Elizabeth
(Crowninshield) Derby (born October 6, 1769, died
June 1, 1836); studied law with Theophilus Parsons
(Harvard College, 1769), then residing in Newbury-
port, and afterwards chief-justice of Massachusetts
Supreme Court; admitted to the bar; soon relin-
quished the practice of the profession and engaged
in commercial pursuits, in which he continued during
the greater part of his life ; a Representative and Sen-
ator of Massachusetts Legislature; member of Massa-
chusetts Constitutional Convention, 1820; member of
the Executive Council of Massachusetts; Represent-
ative United States Congress, 1809-11. He was
president of the directors of the Theological School
at Cambridge, and also president of the principal lit-
erary and historical and other institutions of Salem
and vicinity ; died at Salem August 16, 1843.
WILLIAM REED.
AVilliam Reed, son of Benjamin Tyler and Mary
Appleton (Dodge) Reed, was baptized June 9, 1776;
married, November 13, 1800, Hannah, daughter of
Robert and 3Iary (Ingalls) Hooper, of Marblehtad
(born August, 1778; died May 16, 1855). The first
ancestor was William, son of Richard Reed, of Whit-
tlesey, in the county of Kent, who came to America
about 1630, settled first at Weymouth, then removed
to Boston; Samuel", Samuel^ of Marblehead, Sam-
uel*, Samuel^ Benjamin Tyler", above-named; an
eminent merchant in Marblehead, and highly esteemed
for his benevolent and religious character ; Represent-
ative United States Congress, 1811-15; president of
Sabbath-school Union of Massachusetts, of American
Tract Society ; an officer and member of many other
educational and religious organizations. He was
so deeply interested in the cause of temperance that
he was styled the "Apostle of Temperance." He
died suddenly February 18, 1837. His widow, w^ho
survived several years, was always engaged in works
of charity, and was regarded as a most accomplished
lady and eminent Christian.
BENJAMIN GOODHUE.
Benjamin Goodhue, son of Benjamin and Martha
(Hardy) Goodhue, was born at Salem, September 20,
1748; graduated at Harvard College 1766; married,
January 6, 1778, Frances Richie, of Philadelphia
(born June 27, 1751, died at Salem January 21, 1801);
married, secondly, November 5, 1804, Ann Willard,
a daughter of Abijah and Anna (Prentice) Willard,
of Lancaster, Mass. (born August 20, 1763, died Au-
gust 2, 1858) ; descended from William Goodhue,
born in England in 1612, took the oath of freeman
December, 1636, and probably came over in that
year; settled in Ipswich and sustained the chief
trusts of the town ; was deacon of the First Church
for many years, selectman, representative in General
Court, etc. ; died about 1699 ; through Joseph^, Wil-
liam^, Benjamin*.
He early embarked in commerce with credit and
success; a Whig in the Revolution ; represented the
county of Essex in the Senate of Massachusetts from
1784 to 1789, when he was elected a Representative to
the first United States Congress under the new Con-
stitution ; in 1796 elected to the United States Sen-
ate, and in 1800 he resigned his seat and retired to
private life. He died at Salem, July 28, 1814, leav-
ing an irreproachable name to his then only sur-
viving son, Jonathan Goodhue, of New York, a mer-
chant who, in character and credit, stood second to
none in that commercial emporium.
JOSEPH GILBERT WATERS.
Joseph Gilbert Waters was the son of Captain Jo-
seph and Mary (Dean) Waters, of Salem, where he
was born July 5, 1796, and a descendant in the sixth
generation from Lawrence Waters, one of the first
settlers of Watertown. He graduated at Harvard
College in 1816, and studied law with John Picker-
ing, of Salem. In the autumn of 1818 he went to
Mississipjii, and resided there some two or three
years in the practice of his profession. Owing to ill
health, he rettjrned to Salem, and opened an office,
where he resided during the remainder of his life.
He was editor of the Salem Observer for several years
from its commencement in 1823. He was appointed
special justice of the Salem Police Court September
1, 1831, and standing justice February 23, 1842, and
continued to discharge the duties of this latter office
until the establishment of the First District Court in
1874. In 1835 he was a member of the Massachu-
setts Senate. He al.so held other offices of honor and
trust. He married, December 8, 1825, Eliza Green-
leaf Townsend, daughter of Captain Penn Townsend.
He died July 12, 1878.
LYNN.
249
CHAPTER XIII.
LYNN.
BY JAMES E. XEWHALL.
THEN AND NOW.
Descripiive Passages — Tlie Indians — Tim Settlors — Xume of the Place —
Natnrnl Features — Productions — Embarrassments and Successes — Civil
History — Statistics.
' I hearthd tread of pioneers
Of nations yet to be,
Tlie first low vvasli of waves where soon
Shall roll a human sea."
— Whittike.
If, upon the afternoon of some foir clay, one should,
from the summit of Bunker Hill Monument, through
a clear gliuss, direct his eve northeasterly, he will see
stretching in an irregular line of something more
than three miles, and at a distance of eight or ten
miles, a settlement presenting such features and hav-
ing such surroundings as will be likely to secure his
attention for many minutes. Between him and the
settlement, far beyond the circle of busy life that lies
at his feet, is a stretch of marsh land of rusty gold
tinge, diversified by one or two stately groves, by
inlets and by salt streams, and traversed by railroads
over which locomotives are constantly puffing, and
highways over which horse-drawn carriages of all
descriptions are constantly moving.
Extending along the rear of the settlement is a
line of dark woodland hills, with here and there
cropping out a gigantic porphyry cliff, overlooking
many miles of sea and land. In front lies the ocean,
ever rising and falling like a thing of life, expand-
ing quietly upon the glistening beaches or dashing
sullenly against the huge buttresses of storin-scarred
rock, every marine craft known to these waters skim-
ming hither and thither upon its surface.
Directing his eye to the settlement itself, the be-
holder would observe white suburban dwellings scat-
tered about in picturesque niches with gardens and
groves. Then come the central portions, with pond-
erous business structures, the tall smoke-ejecting
chimnies proclaiming the reign of industry and
thrift, and in every neighborhood some lofty steeple
or graceful tower, testifying to a realization of the
higher duties of life.
This is Lynn. And probably no place upon the
New England coast can present more attractive fea-
tures and such varied scenery. It is one of the old-
est settlements of Massachusetts, as distinguished
from Plymouth, and has always maintained a steady,
though not rapid, growth, till, at the present time, it
has reached a population of very near 50,000. It is on
the northern shore of the great bay which is entered
from the Atlantic through the gateway formed by
Cape Ann, so named by Prince Charles in filial re-
1(5 J
spect for his mother, and Cape Cod, so named by the
notable English navigator, ]$artholome\v Gosiiold,
from the circumstance of finding multitudes of cod-
fish sporting about there. It was the central one of
the three important settlements commenced at nearly
the same time, — namely, Salem, Lynn and Boston ;
is five miles southwest of the former, and ten miles
northeast of the latter. It is not now very extensive,
territorially, but as regards population is the largest
city in the United States, east of Boston.
THE INDIANS.
" Where now the poor Ilulian scatters the sod
With otTerings litirut to an unknown god,
By gospel light shall the path be trod
To the courts of the Prince of Peace.
" .\ndhere will coiiiiuerce appoint her mart ;
The marble will yield to the hand of art ;
From the sun of science the rays will dart ;
And the darkness of Nature cease ! "
— H. F. GoPlD.
Before proceeding to other topics, a few words re-
garding the Indian race found here may not be inap-
propriate. But of that race we are almost entirely
destitute of substantial or illustrative details. Enough,
however, is known to show that they were not a supe-
rior people, but rather a poor specimen of the human
family, though the poet and sentimentalist have
clothed them in glowing drapery, and awarded them
singular nobleness of character. It is natural to feel
a deep interest in those who before us occupied the
soil we inherit, whether they were of our own kindred
or of other tribes, and it is hard not to assign to them
ideal virtues. But yet it is unaccountable that so
many writers, notwithstanding the authentic ac-
counts of the horrid barbarities of the red men, as
a people, of their ignorance and depravity, should
persist in giving them such an elevated sense of
honor and such refinement of sensibility. From com-
parisons made by some enthusiasts it would seem as
if these "children of nature" were thought to be
superior to all other people of all time. But in es-
timating the character of these, our predecessors up-
on the soil, would it not be well to call to mind some
of the incideats that roughly touched our own Essex
County — the barbarities experienced by the Dnstin
and Rolfe families, in the terrible attacks on Haver-
hill, and the fate of the " Flower of Essex " at
Bloody Brook, for instance?
There is abundant evidence that there were indi-
viduals of the Indian tribes of lofty character.
Gratitude is a noble trait, and of its possession they
furnish touching examples. With unwavering con-
stancy they would cleave to their friends; but with
delight and remorseless vigor they would cleave down
their enemies. Of physical courage, endurance of
pain, and contempt of death they present conspic-
uous examples. But these would not be offered as
evidence of true exaltation. That here and there an
individual of cxcci)tional magnanimity a])peared is
not denied; but the great body were degraded in the
250
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
extreme. It would be unjust to assume that they, as
a people, were destitute of the innate sense of right
that distinguishes human nature wherever found, or
that there were not many endowed with those finer
feelings which, under favoring circumstances, can
modify and redeem.
To the honor of the people of the Bay settlements
it may be said that their conduct towards the natives
was generally marked by justice, if not generosity,
and, hence, but little hostility was experienced till
they had become strong enough to dismiss their
fears. It was not till the great struggle of 1675,
known as King Philip's War, that much occurred
hereabout to cause real alarm.
The unmeasured censure that some have bestowed
upon the settlers for what is termed their unjust
seizure of lands, in given instances, may have been well
merited, for it is sad to believe that some came with
very different motives from those popularly ascribed
to them, and which they professed. These were un-
scrupulous in their dealings with the Indians, and
overreached and wronged them in every possible way ;
but there were comparatively few of such unworthy
ones.
In treating of Indian land titles, and their absorp-
tion by the settlers, an important fact is usually left
out of view, — namely, the fact that the Indians were
themselves but land robbers. They boastingly as-
serted that the country did not originally belong to
them, but that their brave fathers wrested it by
bloody war from the former possessors ; defiantly
endeavoring to strike terror into the settlers by thus
claiming to be a race of conquerors, who might, in
good time, rally and drive the pale-faced usurpers
into the sea over which they had intrusively ven-
tured. Yes, they and their fathers were brave ; but
their bravery was far too generally that of violence
and lust for blood.
And another thing: the Indians did not cultivate
the soil, at least to any extent, for they were by no
means an agricultural people. The great command
to "till the soil" they did not obey, but remained
unfaithful stewards; and there is, perhaps, room for
the casuist to assume that as they would not perlorm
their duty, there was no wrong in replacing them by
those more faithful.
To follow some writers, one might imagine that the
dusky dames and damsels had remarkably refined ideas
and graceful accomplishments ; that in music espe-
cially they were really proficient ; and, though desti-
tute of guitars and pianos, had a felicitous way of
modulating their voices by the songs of birds or
purling of mountain rills. And they would lead us
in imagination to listen to melodious strains ringing
through the forest aisles as thrilling as the song of
the old Spanish troubadour and as inspiring as a
cathedral symphony. That many of them had musi-
cal voices and a perception of true rhythm may not he
questioned ; nor need it be doubted that they had
ability to express the natural feelings in song and
significant action. Says the poet, —
"Tl»e Indian maid danced on the smooth curving shore,
And mingled her iong with the wild ocean roar."
But that she danced " scientifically " or had what we
understand to be trained musical powers, is hardly
to be believed. Most certainly the musical instru-
ments of our red brethren did not produce peculiarly
harmonious sounds. And if the war-songs were mod-
ulated by the notes of birds, they must have been
birds of rasping cry, like the crow or hawk.
To conclude: the Indian population hereabout was
quite small at the time the whites came. The exact
number cannot of course be known ; but there could
not have been above a few hundreds. They were a
degraded people, but brethren of our own race, pos-
sessing in some degree every quality that goes to make
up the human being. They were unrefined and
governed chiefly by the lower instincts of our nature,
with undisciplined minds and unawakened moral
sensibilities.
THE SETTLERS.
'* Deep-miuded and austere they were,
Witli hearts of graver throbs,
And their few errors but appear
As spots on vestal robes."
It was in the autumn of 1626 that the sturdy Roger
Conant broke up the unsuccessful fishing and plauting
station at Cape Ann, and led his little company,
among whom was the clerical mischief-maker Lyford,
some fifteen miles inland and located at Naumkeag,
where, though subject to many privations, their" utter
deniall to goeaway " resulted in permanent occupation.
Two years afterwards, in 1628, Eudicott arrived with
his large company. Presently the old Indian name
Naumkeag was dropped, and that of Salem, or Peace,
adopted ; and the settlement soon began to be noted
for its business activity, its political and ethical in-
fluence.
Some of the new-comers had hardly remained long
enough to recover from the excitement attendant on
the emigration, and the fatigues ot the passage, when
they became restless and desirous of trying their for-
tunes in other and, as they conceived, more promising
localities. Permission seems to have been readily
obtained for little companies to sit down almost any
where within the Patent. Indeed, the authoritative
Eudicott allowed th^m the broad privilege to " goe
where they would."
Now let us, by the light of tradition, behold, on a
bright day in the early part of the summer of that
eventful year 1629, a little company of white men,
prospectors from Naumkeag, coming over the rocky
hills into the fair Saugus territory. They pause now
upon a sunny hill-top, then upon a pleasant plain ;
they traverse the woodland precinct, view the ponds
and water-courses ; but above all, delight to gaze upon
the ocean, beyond which lies their native isle. But
all is done with an eye to the practicability of perma-
LYNN.
251
nently i)itching their tents. A few skulking Indians,
perhaps, followed them unseen, filled with wonder and
apprehension, beeause it had been foretold by the
dusky prophets that men of fair complexion would
one day come and occupy the land. But no hostile
demonstrations were made, and the prospectors re-
turned safe, and so well satisfied that it was deter-
mined to immediately commence a settlement.
"Over the eastern bills they came,
A sturdy, grave ami godly band.
A band then all unknown to fame,
But destined to redeem the lan<l."
And thus it was, that in June. 1629, the sectlement
of Lynn was commenced — three years after that of
S.alem, and one year before that of Boston.
The Indian population, as just intimated, was then
so small as to be really insignificant; and not being a
pastoral or an agricultural people, the land itself w.as
to them of little value, excepting that the woods yield-
ed a fair amount of game, and a few vegetable products
aflbrded some little addition to their limited variety
of food. But the sea was a never-failing source of
supply ; and it is not to be wondered at that the
thought of being driven away to some unknown land,
where its bright expanse could no more be seen, nor its
winsome voice heard, and especially where its store
of dainty food could no more be drawn upon, must
have been depressing in the extreme. Nor is it to be
supposed that, nomadic as to some extent they were,
they had not local attachments; that, homely as were
their rustic abodes, they were not loved with all the
ardor felt by the more cultured of our race, such at-
tachments not being governed by intellectual or moral
sentiments. Yet they do not ajjpear to have received
the strangers in anything like a hostile attitude.
The names of all who composed the first little com-
pany of settlers do not seem to have been anywhere pre-
served. But EriMUNi) Ingai.ls and Francis, his
brother, were certainly prominent among them.
Edmund Ingalls was a maltster, and established the
first malt-house hereabout, though he undoubtedly
turned his hand to other employments as exigency
required. The industrial portion of the settlers neces-
sarily pursued various occupations in difl'erent sea-
sons. The death of Mr. Ingalls, which took place
nearly twenty years after, was tragical. He was pro-
ceeding on horseback homeward from a short journey
westward, when, on reaching the frail little bridge
that crossed the Saugus River, he was precipitated
into the stream and drowned. The General Court
expre.ssed their regrets at the untoward accident, and
their willingness to do something indicative of their
appreciation of the good services of the deceased by
voting the sum of a hundred pounds to his children.
Francis Ingalls, brother of the foregoing, was a
tanner, and established a tannery just within the pres-
ent limits of Swampscott. Mr. Lewis says this was
the first tannery in New England; and Mr.Thompson
says the same. But it is a mistake. There were tan-
ners in Plymouth several years before. Mr. Ingalls
tannery was no doubt the first in Massachusetts, a-s
distinguished from Plymouth. He died at the age of
seventy-one years, leaving a will dated August 12,
1672. The inventory of his estate was filed soon after
his decease, and the following enumeration of assets
will give something of an idea of the estate and house-
hold equipment of a fairly well-to-do denizen of that
primitive period:
" 5 acres of medow, at Lyn, at 5 pounds, £2-5. A piece
of land in y" wilderness at Lyn, 2 coats, 2 pairs of
breeches, 1 pair draws, and a leather dublet, and a wes-
coat, 1 hat and a pair of stockens, 1 pr. shoes, 3 prs.
pillows, 3 napkins,8 pieces of old pewter, 1 Iron Kittoll,
a frying pan, 1 Bible and another book, a warming pan,
and dripping pan, .Tchair3,4cushons, aspining wheele,
2 silver spoons. Dues to his estate from Nicholas
Rich, 17£ 17s. Dues to his estate from Thomas Taylor,
11£."
With the Ingalls brothers appear to have come
three others, namely, William Dixey, John Wood
and William Wood, the two latter supposed to be
father and son. The father, John, seems to have been
a good, common-sense, plodding settler, industrious,
but with little ambition. William, the son, was evident-
ly an active, aspiring young man, something of a rover,
a keen observer and one desirous of making a mark.
And he did make a mark, which remains conspicu-
ous at this day. He may well be called the first his-
torian of Lynn, or indeed of New P^ngland. He was
the author of " New England's Prospect," which Wiis
printed in London in 1G34. It was a work evidently
inspired by a love for his new home, and gives graphic
accounts of the diflierent settlements, their condition,
advantages and prospects, with shrewd suggestions
and honest deductions, but withal tinged by crude
conceptions, more or less attributable to the peculiar
views and circumstances of the settlers, and the con-
ceitsof the time. His quaint descriptions will continue
to be quoted so long as our early history continues to
interest. He also, in 1635, published a map of New
England, engraved on wood.
The William Dixey who came in company with the
Ingalls brothers and the Woods appears to have been
a common laborer rather than a handicraftsman. He
had been for a short time a servant to Isaac John.son,
of Salem, — very likely a farm laborer, as such em.
ployees were in those days called servants. In a de-
position made by him some twenty-eight years after-
ward he speaks of others having come with him, but
does not give their names, and says they kejit their
"cattell in Nahant the sumer following." He sub-
sequently removed to Salem, where he kept the ferry
over North River.
Thus we find that during this year — 1629— at least
five settlers appeared, some of them heads of families,
with wives and children no doubt. We have seen,
too, by their occuiiations, that they must have be-
longed to the classes accustomed to labor, and conse-
252
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
quently best fitted to endure the hardships attendant
on such an enterprise.
Details regarding memorable events are always in-
teresting, and the introduction of the actors in them
renders thera doubly so. And surely it is but a meet
act of gratitude to endeavor to preserve the names of
such as are fully entitled to live forever in the mem-
ory of those who continue to enjoy the blessings of
institutions founded by them in toil and privation,
even though those names may not yet have been
heard beyond the circumscribed limits of their
ancient home. A conviction like this may often gov-
ern in the present sketch.
During the year 1630 some fifty additional male
settlers appeared. These, however, were not all heads
of families. Among them are found several names
still prevalent among us, — a fact indicative of their
primary design to make this a permanent home.
They settled in all parts of the town, which was then
territorially much more extensive than it is now, some
locating as many as ten miles from others. They
brought with them considerable farm stock, such as
neat cattle, sheep and goats, for they were chiefly
husbandmen or such as at some portions of the year
could turn their attention to farming. Their names
are here inserted in alphabetical order, for it is well
thus to preserve their memory, as many now living
can trace their lineage directly to them. Occasion,
however, may be taken elsewhere in this sketch to say
something further concerning several of them who,
for various reasons, are entitled to more than a pass-
ing notice.
Armitage, Godfrey.
Armitage, Joseph.
Axey, .lames.
Baker, Edward.
Ballard, William.
BftDcroft, .lolin.
Bennet, Samuel.
Breed, Allen.
Brown, Nicholas.
Burrill, George.
Burton, Boniface.
Chadwell, Thomas.
Coldam, Clement.
C'oldam, Thomas.
Cowdry, William.
Dexter, Thomas.
Di-iver, Robert.
Edmunds, William.
Farr, George.
Feake, Henry.
Fitch, Jeremiah.
Graves, Samuel.
Hall, John.
Hatliorne, William.
Hawkes, Adam.
HawKes, John.
Holyoke, Edward.
Howe, Daniel.
Howe, Edward.
Hubbard, Thomas.
Hudson, Thomas.
Hussey, Christopher.
Keyser, George.
Lindsey, Christopher.
Negus, Jonathan.
Newhall, Thomas.
Potter, Robert.
Ramsdell, John.
Rednap, Joseph.
Richards, Edward.
Salmon, Daniel.
Smith, John.
Smith, Samuel.
Talmadge, Thomas.
Taylor, John.
Tomlins, Edward.
Tomlins, Timothy.
Turner, Nathaniel.
W^alker, Richard.
W'hite, John.
Wilkins, Bray.
Willis, Thomas.
Witter, William.
Wright, Richard.
After 1630 the population steadily increased.
Among the new-comers were .some of established rep-
utation in public life and some of high social stand-
ing; so the place began to be of note and influence.
It will probably be in our way as we proceed to intro-
duce many who, at different periods and in various
ways, added to the prosperity and fame of this their
adopted home.
NAME, NATURAL FEATURES, PRODUCTIONS, EMBAR-
RASSMENTS AND SUCCESSES.
"In sooth, your honor, it was a goodly place ; but rich domains at-
tract evil eyes."
The original or Indian name of the territory com-
posing the present city of Lynn and the adjacent
towns which once formed a part of her domain was
Saugus, an Indian word said to signify great or ex-
tended ; and by that name it was known till 1637,
when the General Court passed this concise order :
" Saugu.st is called Lin." The name Lynn was
adopted from Lynn Regis, or King's Lynn, Norfolk,
England, which is a venerable borough upon the
river Ouse, near where it falls into the German Ocean.
It has been a seaport of some importance for centu-
ries, and has a peculiarly interesting history, having,
apparently, maintained its loyalty to the sovereign
through all the political agitations and civil wars
from the time of King John, which monarch pre-
sented to the corporation a sword, a mace and one or
two other regal gifts, which are still treasured there
with chivalrous fidelity. In Doomsday Book, A. D.
1086, Lynn Regis is called Lenne, which means, in
the ancient language of Britain, " spreading waters."
The name here was adopted through courtesy to Rev.
Mr. Whiting, the second minister, who had been a
resident of King's Lynn. He was much beloved,
being eminent for learning, piety and serenity of
temper. He ministered here for the long period of
forty-three years.
The extensive Saugus territory, having thus received
the name of Lynn, remained intact but few years
before it began to be shorn of outlying portions.
But down to 1814 no very extensive tract had been
severed. In that year Lynnfield, which had been
called Lynn End, and having been incorporated as a
district in 1782, was set off' as a separate town under
its present name. Another portion was, by legisla-
tive action, taken from the mother town in 1815,
and incorporated under the name Saugus, thus re-
viving the old name in that detached portion of the
territory. In 1852 still another portion was set off",
and the new town of Swampscott came into being.
The next year, 1853, the pleasant little peninsula of
Nahsnt was unbound and made a separate munici-
pality. By these facts it will be seen that it is very
difficult to treat those municipal children of Lynn as
having any separate early history.
Along the inland border of Lynn rise extensive
ranges of rocky, wooded hills, never attaining a
height of more than two hundred and twenty-five
feet, though appearing, from the water or from the
shoreward levels, to be much higher, which overlook
the city and its village environs, with meadows, lake-
lets and low, level marshes, the latter sometimes
LYNN.
253
entirely submerged by the storm-impelled sea which
relentlessly floats off the laboriously raised stacks of
salt hay, and afford the strange sight of railroad
trains apparently gliding upon the ocean's surface.
This nuirsh hay, it may be renaarked, though by no
means so highly esteemed for fodder as English or
upland hay, is yet well worth the labor of storing.
For stock, though not very palatable, it is healthful,
and for some purposes quite valuable.
Away beyond, lies the great e.xpanse of Massachus-
etts Bay, with numerous green isles and headlands,
the shores at night illuminated by innumerable lights,
confusing, one might supiiose, to the mariner, though
picturesque to the beholder. Almost the whole of
Massachusetts Bay is within the range of vision from
the hills of Lynn. And glistening in the sunshine may
likewise be seen the gilded dome of the State House,
in Boston, some of the architectural piles of the city
and the blue hills of Norfolk, Jliddlesex and Worces-
ter. And the writer dares predict that these hills,
so picturesque and pleasant in themselves, so airy and
affording such charming views, and withal furnish-
ing such abundance of substantial and handsome
building material, will, ere many years have passed,
be occupied by structures rivaling in grandeur and
romantic conceit many that crown the famed steeps
of the Old World. True, in some parts the ascents
and descents aie such that, for the infirm and sluggish,
sidewalk stairs, such as are seen in the beautiful Medi-
terranean isle of Malta, might be required, — incentives
to maledictions like those attributed to the impetuous
Byron :
" Adieu, ye cursed streets of stairs.
How surely he wlio mounts you swears."
But to such as are enraptured with nature in her
more untamed aspect, the hope will long remain that
such desolating improvements may never come. But
it is enough for the good people of this generation
that they may yet, upon the sunny heights, enjoy the
budding beauties of spring, in the sequestered glens
find retreats for summer's fervid hours, and every-
where, as the year draws towards its close, witness
the indescribable glow of autumn foliage. Yes, and
winter, too, has its charms. What more enchanting
than the frosted trees? Suddenly, as if by some celes-
tial alchemy, every limb and twig seems swaying
with the weight of brilliant gems. No wonder that
poets have so often celebrated the charms of such
fairy scenes. Our own Lewis has commemorated, in
lines perhaps the most inspiring that he ever wrote,
the striking display on the brilliant morning of .Jan-
uary 29, 1829. But ours is not the only land in which
may be witnessed these radiant exhibitions of Nature's
scenic power. In Philip's " Epistle to the Earl of
Dorset," written at Copenhagen in 1709, is this
graphic passage, which may well be quoted as descrip-
tive of the scene sometimes presented here:
"And yet but lately have I seen, even here.
The winter in a lovely dress appear ;
Ere yet the clouds let fall the trejlsured snoxv,
Or winds begun through ha/.y skies to blow.
At evening a keen eastern breeze arose,
-\nd the descending; rain unsully'd froze.
Soon as the silent shades of night withdrew.
The ruddy morn diseloseii at <»nce to view
Tlu! fare of Nature in a rich disguise.
And brighlened every object to my eyes ;
For every shrub and every blade of grass,
Andevery pointed ttiorn seemed wrought in glass ;
In pearls and rubies rich the hawthorns show,
While though the ice the crimson berries glow.
Tlie thick-sprung reeds which watery marshes yield,
Beeni polished lances in a hostile lield.
The st4tg, in limpid currents with surprise,
Sees crystal branches on his forehead rise ;
The spreading oak, the beech and towering pine.
Glazed over, in the freezing ether shine.
The frightened birds the rattling branches shun,
Wiiich wave and glitter in the distant sun.
^^'hen, if a sudden gust of wind arise,
The brittle forest into atoms flies.
The crackling wood beneath the tempest bends.
And in a spangled shower the prospect ends."
The " Lakes of Lynn," as Mr. Lewis felicitously
calls the chain of beautiful ]iond3 that lie upon our
inland border, are a charming feature of the land-
scape. And during these latter years the eligibility
of their romantic borders for retired and tasteful res-
idences has become most fully recognized. From them
is annually reaped an abundant winter harvest of ice
for summer use — -collectively some sixty thousand
tons. And in various ways they are made to supply
the wants and add to the comforts of the people, es-
pecially Birch and Breed's Ponds, through which
comes our public water supply. The principal of
these picturesque lakelets, with their areas, are as
follows :
ACKEa.
Gold Fish Pond 154
Holder's Pond 7
Lily Pond 4
Sluice Pond 50
ACRES.
Birch Pond M
Breed's Pond 64
Cedar Pond 43
Flax Pond 75
Floating Bridge Pond 17
Birch Pond is an artificial reservoir, or storage
basin, formed in 1873, for the purpose of an additional
supply of water for public use. It was made by car-
rying a substantial dam across Birch Brook Valley,
on the east of Walnut Street, near the Saugus line.
A considerable part of this pond is in Saugus.
Breed's Pond is also artificial, and takes its name
from Theojdiilus N. Breed, who, in 1843, built a dam
across the valley a few rods from Oak Street, on the
north. He thus procured sufficient power for the iron
works he established on Oak Street. On the loth of
April, 18.51, during the memorable storm by which the
light-house on Minot's Ledge was carried away, some
forty feet of the dam were demolished, and out rushed
the water in a current ten feet in depth, with such
impetuosity that large rocks were carried across Oak
Street into the meadow below. The dam was repaired
and Mr. Breed continued his business,which was iron-
casting and machine work, five or six years longer,
and then the works were closed.
In 18G0 the dam was broken, and the water sull'cred
254
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to escape, leaving a bed which remained a noxious
bog, where rank vegetation flourished and noisy rep-
tiles congregated. In 1863, liowever, the dam was
again repaired, the pond restored and other business
commenced. Finally, after an interval of idleness,
in 1870, the city purchased the property as the first
step towards securing a suitable public supply of pure
water. Repairs were made about the pond, the Pine
Hill Reservoir was built, pipes were laid in the streets,
the pumping engine was set up on Walnut Street
and then, on the 27th of February, 1873, the water
was sent coursing through the distributing pipes. The
reservoir has a capacity of twenty million gallons and
is one hundred and seventy-seven feet above sea
level.
Cedar Pond is in the northeast section of the city,
near the Peabody line, and by a small stream connects
with Sluice Pond.
Flax Pond was first looked to for a public water
supply. It was in 18(59 that it became apparent that
something must speedily be done in that direction. It
was found that this pond, with its adjuncts, could
furnish a daily average of three million gallons, but
objections were made as to its use for domestic pur-
poses on account of impurities. A temporary arrange-
ment, however, was made for its use in cases of fire.
Pipes were laid, and on the 8th of December, of the
year named, the water was sent coursing to the hy-
drants in various parts of the city. And that was the
first time the city received a supply from any source,
by aqueduct, for any purpose. This arrangement con-
tinued till a supply for all needs was secured from
other sources. Flax Pond, from the earliest times,
has yielded its waters for many useful purposes. The
principal stream that it sends forth is Strawberry
Brook, which, in its course to the ocean, has carried
mills, supplied tanneries and done many other useful
things, besides answering as a highway for the ale-
wives to reach their spawning-grounds. This pond,
likewise, is to a considerable extent artificial ; and its
name was derived from the circumstance that much
of the flax which in former times was raised herea-
bout was taken there to be duly rotted.
Floating Bridge Pond. — This lies in the direct
line of the old Salem and Boston turnpike, and the
bridge by which it is crossed floats upon the surface,
a circumstance that gave rise to the name. This pond
is of great depth, .so much so that in former times it
was spoken of as " without a bottom." The bridge
lies flat upon the surface, and, as carriages pass, the
water is forced up between the planks, so that some
portions are always wet. Stacey's Brook, which dis-
charges at King's Beach, has its rise in Floating
Bridge Pond.
Gold Fish Pond. — This is a small gathering of
water and occupies what was formerly a brambly bog.
It is on Fayette Street, near Lewis, and close by the
spot on which Edmund Ingalls, one of the very first
settlers, established himself in 1029; hence it was
sometimes called " Ingalls's Pond." It was likewise
called " The Swamp," in view of its swampy condition
and uncomely aspect. But in 1870, at an expense of
about three thousand seven hundred dollars, such
improvements were made as rendered it one of the
chief ornaments of that part of the city. Especially
has it a most attractive appearance at evening, in the
lustre of the electric light. About 1840 it began to be
called Gold Fish Pond, the name originating in the
fact that in it had then appeared large numbers of
goldfish, supposed to have been the offspring of five
of the species which some boys procured and let loose
therein 18.37. These fish became so abundant that in
a few years the youth of the neighborhood gained
many a dime by peddling them about town from
buckets of water.
Holder's Pond is a pretty little woodland lakelet
among the rocky hills, with wild, tangled paths upon
its borders, as sequestered as any misanthrope would
desire, for his musing hours. And in winter it af-
fords, like all the other ponds, a fine surface for the
skater's sports.
Lily Pond is upon the north of Boston Street,
and near the Peabody line, a portion lying within the
limits of St. Joseph's Cemetery. It no doubt acquired
its name from the splendid growth of white lilies that
year after year, before the multitudes of juvenile dep-
redators began to make their descents, adorned its
surface, and perfumed the air around.
Sluice Pond. — At the time the matter of estab-
lishing public water-works in Lynn was under discus-
sion, the waters of various sources were analyzed, and
it was found that those of Sluice Pond were the pur-
est. This little lake lies near the northeast border, in
what used to be called Dye Factory Village, but now
Wyoma. It is of irregular shape, and with it, by a
gentle little stream. Cedar Pond is connected. The
waters of this pond have for many years been utilized
for mechanical purposes, the sluice-way through which
they passed giving the pond its name ; it was, how-
ever, formerly called Tomlins's Pond. A small stream
connects its waters with Flax Pond, so that Cedar,
Sluice and Flax form links to the chain that reaches
the ocean by way of Strawberry Brook.
Spring Pond, the main body of which lies in Sa-
lem, though the famous mineral spring, from which
its name is derived, is just within the Lynn border,
has an interesting history which would more properly
be given elsewhere. Then there is the little pond, if
it can properly be so called, near the centre of the
Common. This was formed in 1835, by intercepting
the waters of a little brook that pursued its weedy
way across that pleasant public ground. Improve-
ments were made and the fountain placed in 1871.
Nothingneed be added, perhaps, regarding the mill-
ponds that have from time to time been formed by
individual enterprise and for individual emolument,
though they have added to the prosperity of the place
and done their part in the way of beautifying. That
LYNN.
255
on Federal Street was formed as early as 1655, was
dug by hand, and is still 3Uii]>lied by water from Flax
Pond, coursing along the canal, tapping Strawberrv
Brook at Park Street, and running on through a part
of Marion. Then there is the tweuty-acre mill-pond
near the foot of Pleasant Street, formed by Mr. John
Alley, in 1831, by running a dam fnnu hi^s wharf to
the marsh.
The territory of Lynn presents an interesting field
for the geologist. Here are literally hills of por-
phyry of various colors, red and a beautiful purple
predominating, which would, were the stone not so
difficult to work, afford an inexhaustible store of
handsome and cheap building material. It is now,
however, beginning to be used to some extent, in the
rubble form. The beautiful walls of Saint Stephen's
Church are chiefly composed of it; also those of the
First Universalist Church, in Nahant Street. There
are likewise large deposits of green stone and syenite.
In blasting for the pipes of the City Water- Works up
the hill opposite the pumping station on Walnut
Street, beautiful dendrites of manganese were found
in abundance. Enormous boulders of granite are
found in the woods and upon the shores; but these
are now fast disappearing, for building purposes.
There are also veins of quartz ; and there is a tradi-
tion that some of the early settlers found gold, in
small quantities. The eminent geologist, Agassiz,
long had a summer residence at Xahant, and many
interesting facts have been brought to light by his
researches. The rugged battlements of rock that
frown along the shores of the peninsula, upon which
he so loved to gaze, and whose mysterious construc-
tion he so loved to investigate, we are assured, stood
there in solemn majesty ages before Europe emerged
from the chaotic mass.
In an examination of the geology of Lynn, Saugus,
Swampscott and Nahant would naturally be in-
cluded. But in this place nothing more than a mere
suggestion or two can be made as to the various in-
teresting formations. It is profitless to speculate sis
to what the condition of the formations and dei)Osits
was ages ago, or to endeavor by present appearances
to trace the operations of nature in pre-historic
times. It may, however, be noted as an interesting
fact, touching the history of Essex County, that
geological researches long ago led to the belief that
at a remote period the Merrimac River, after enter-
ing Massachusetts from New Hampshire, instead of
pursuing its present course, and discharging its
waters at Newburyport, followed a more direct line,
and cast its contribution into the Atlantic at Lynn.
Supposing that to have been the case, and that it had
continued to the present time, where now would
have been that line of thrilty Essex County border
cities and towns, Lawrence, Haverhill, Bradford,
West Newbury and the others that so adorn the
whole extent of the beautiful valley; yea, and New-
buryport herself?
Lynn cannot now boast of a lordly stream like the
Merrimac, but she can boast of her bright little
Saugus that traverses her western border — a modest
little river, to be sure, but one which has largely con-
tributed to her prosperity during her whole history,
by furnishing eligible mill-sites and other manufac-
turing privileges, and by yielding abundance of va-
rious kinds of excellent shore fish. Tons of eels
have sometimes been speared from beneath the ice
during a single winter, and the clam-banks near the
mouth have yielded of their abundance many a nu-
tritive meal for the humble board of the poor as well
as savory addition to the luxurious table of the rich.
Indeed, the extremity of poverty, at least in the mat-
ter of food, was never so keenly felt by the settlers
hereabout as by those farther inland, the sea, like a
faithful parent, being always a good provider. In
addition to all these benefits may be mentioned the
facilities for salt water bathing, and boating sports.
And now, with its tributaries of pure water, this gen-
tle river of Saugus is about to swell the volume of
Lynn's public supply.
It was upon the border of Saugus River that the
ancient iron-works, said to have been the first in
America, were established. And in a romantic glen,
a stone's throw from the bloomery, it is alleged, a
band of pirates concealed themselves, after quitting
their bloody traffic upon the seas, remaining undis-
turbed till a King's cruiser appeared upon the coast,
when capture and swift retribution overtook most of
them.
Lynn, as before stated, is about ten miles northeast
of Boston, the metropolis of New England. Includ-
ing Swampscott and Nahant, which, though they
have now become separate municipalities, still seem
to be mere territorial outposts, the seashore line
measures about six miles ; and inland from the sea
the line measures about five miles. The main body
of the city, or rather of the business portion, occupies
a plain, with the sea in front. But there are some di-
versities of surface. Sagamore Hill and the Highlands
being airy elevations, crowned by many fine resi-
dences.
It can hardly be said that the soil of Lynn is nat-
urally fertile. It is stony, and in many places the
descent towards the sea is so considerable that the
droughts of summer often have a serious ellect.
Nevertheless, such an abundance of rich manuring
material is day by day thrown up by the sea, and the
means of irrigation are so near at hand, that the la-
bors of even the indigent husbandman need not be in
vain. Farming was, of course, the chief occupation
of most of the early settlers, and it is stated by (Jra-
ham that in 1637 there W'ero thirty-seven plows in
the whole colony, most of them being in Lynn.
In the early times of the settlement the woods, the
beaches and marshes furnished irresistible attrac-
tions for the sportsman. Feathered game of various
kinds was found in the woods, upon the beaches and
256
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
marshes ; cod, haddock, bass and halibut sported in
the offing ; and the woods furnished a good share of
wild meat.
Of feathered game very little is now found. The
fish, or rather the fishing interest, was chiefly taken
away by our undutii'ul children, Nahant and Svvamp-
scott, when they departed ; and, of course, in the
sketches of those places, some account of it will ap-
pear. As to furred game, there is now almost liter-
ally none in the woods. Occasionally a shame-faced
sportsman may be seen shying from the forest at
evening, po.ssibly with a poor little rabbit, but most
likely empty-handed.
William Wood, the author of "New England's
Pro.spect," who has already been spoken of as a resi-
dent of Lynn, was inclined occasionally to give his
descriptive passages in numbers. He did not, prob-
ably, ns|jire to the character of poet, though, with as
^ood grace as some others, he might have done so;
and perhaps, having called him the fir.^t historian of
Lynn, we may as well also call him the first poet.
Of the flora of this region he discourses briefly in
numbers, mentioning among the trees, the oak, Cy-
prus, pine, chestnut, cedar, walnut, spruce, ash, elm,
maple, birch and some others of smaller growth ;
naming also the "diar's shumach," the "snake-
murthering hazell " and " sweet saxaphrage, whose
spurnes in beere allays hot fever's rage." Most of
these kinds are still common in Lynn woods, though
the chestnut and one or two others are not often
seen. The hemlock, one of the most graceful native
trees of New England, he does not allude to, except-
ing, perhaps, under some other name.
Mr. Wood mentions some of the fruits of this " In-
dian orchard," but does not go much into particulars.
Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries and
whortleberries are still common in the woods and
meadows. One of the best known shrubs at present
found is the barberry, the root of which was formerly
much used in dyeing, as it imparts a beautiful yel-
low. It bears an acid berry, of bright scarlet, from
which an excellent preserve is made. It is, however,
no doubt an exotic, and akin to that which in Eng-
land is called the peppcridge bush. The early settlers
introduced some plants for which after-geueratious
had little cause to be thankful; among them the
white-weed, now known by the more dainty name of
field-daisy, and the wood-wax, that beautiful pest of
pasture land. But the barberry seems to hold a
doubtful rank. Its prevalence, more than a hundred
years ago, became so injurious in the pastures that
the law interposed to check its increase. It, however,
requires such a peculiarity of soil, that to this day it
has not spread over a great extent of territory. Even
in most parts of Massachusetts a barberry bush was
never seen. The General Court, in 1753, ordered that
all persons having barberry bushes growing on their
lands should extirpate them before the 10th of June,
1760. And the surveyors of highways were required
to destroy all growing by the roadside within the
specified time, or the towns should pay two shillings
for every one left standing. The reasons for this
order were that those bushes had so much increased
that the pasture lands were greatly encumbered ; and
it was imagined that " a steam flew off" from them
that blasted the English grain. So it appears that
left-handed thanks were due to the people of other
lands, in the early days, for questionable gifts, as well
as from us of this generation for the gift of the
sarcastically-twittering English sparrow. But then
it should be remembered that the many nobler gifts
from abroad far outnumber the few of doubtful value.
In the woods and fields, the tangled dells and damp
vales, along the weedy rills and upon the rocky
heights, may still be gathered wild flowers in great
variety, from the brilliant cardinal to the shrinking
violet. To sum up in a terse sentence of Mr. Lewis,
"The forests, fields and meadows are rich in the
abundance and variety of medicinal jilanls, and the
town presents a fine field for the botanist."
Very few parts of the New England coast present so
many interesting and at times sublime features as those
within and about Lynn. Here bold and jagged clifis
of greenstone, feldspar and other adamantine forma-
tions rear themselves as impregnable barriers against
the inroads of the ever-assaulting ocean; there, broad
beaches of fine, gray sand, so comjjact and hard that
carriage wheels scarcely make an impression, with
ridges of the wonderful up-castingsof thesea — shells of
curious shape and glistening stones of every color and
form. In pleasant weather and during the warm
season there are many attractions for the pleasure-
seeker in promenading, boating and fishing; and for
the health-seeker in refreshing breezes, quiet retire-
ment and the restoring sea-bath.
The principal beach is that which joins Nahant to
Lynn, and has, from early times, been known as
Long Beach. It is nearly two miles in length, and
forms a gentle curve. The early geographers spoke
of it as a very curious formation. To the first settlers
it seems to have been the scene of weird mystery,
awe-inspiring and not unmixed with undefinable ap-
prehension. Its hollow moanings warned, its gentle
murmurings relieved. Mr. Wood thus alludes to it, —
" Vpon y" south side of y' Sandy Beach y° sea
beateth, which is a sure prognostication to presage
stormes and foule weather and y" breaking vp of
Frost. For when a storrae hath beene or is likely to
be itt will roare like Thunder, being hearde six
myle.s." The roaring is not, however, always indica-
tive of an approaching storm, as it arises from the
violent driving in of heavy seas by out-winds. The
wind may change and the threatening cease. Long
Beach was a favorite sporting-ground with the In-
dians, and gambling groups sometimes assembled
here, for the Indians were great gamblers, often risk-
ing all their possessions, even to papoose or squaw,
upon the turning up of a shell or fall of a stone. The
LYNN.
257
Iniliau sagamore dwelt upon the neighboring height
that overlooks the beach, and from there was aecns-
tonied to view the athletic sports of his people, which
took place on the sandy plateau, sometimes being un-
able to restrain himself from joining in the contests —
the same picturesque height that still bears the name
Sagamore Hill, and is now crowned by commodious
dwellings, stores and other marks of refined and busy
life.
Upon these beaches and along the rockv in<lenta-
tions of this rugged coast the sea has, from time to
time, cast up from her mysterious store-house won-
derful specimens of the deposits there. And they
have also been the scene of some most appalling ship-
wrecks and other marine disasters, (iovernment has
done something to lessen the dangers, and still much
needs to be done. Egg Rock towers up in the offing,
eighty-six feet above sea level, and has an area of
some three acres, on one-third of which is a shallow
layer of soil. It is a precipitous cliff of feldspar, in-
capable of being landed upon, excepting at one point
and during a calm sea. Upon this lonely rock, which
is a couple of miles from Long Beach, a mile from
Nahant and three miles from Swampscott, a light-
house has been erected, which for the first time shed
forth its hospitable beams on the night of September
lo, 1,8.5(3.
From time to time the territorial integrity of old
Lynn has been raided upon. As already remarked,
Lynnfield was set off in 1814, Saugus in 1.S1.5, Swamp-
scott in 1852 and Nahant in 1853. But as to the lat-
ter, some two centuries ago, it was in danger of being
severed from the parent, for it was in l(iS8 that Ed-
ward Randolph, who has been called the evil genius
of New England, petitioned Governor Andros for the
gift of Nahant, indulging, no doubt, in the ple.isant
dream of erecting a sort of baronial establishment for
himself there. His choice of a seat certainly indi-
cated good taste, if not a love for fair dealing. The
town was notified of the petition, and great excite-
ment ensued, it being well known that the petitioner
had much influence as counselor, secretary and per-
sonal friend of the Governor. He had been sent out
to report on the condition of the colonies, and was
justly reputed to be unfriendly to their interests.
There was no doubt of his high prerogative proclivi-
ties, nor of his being one of the chief instruments in
annulling the beloved old charter. He himself says
that he was regarded at Boston " more like a spy
than one of his majesty's servants," and speaks of be-
ing welcomed, on his return from a brief absence, by
" a paper of scandalous verses." The nature of these
"scandalous verses" may be gathered from the fol-
lowing extract:
*' Welcome, Sr. welcome from y" easterne shore,
With a commiaaion stronger than before
To play the horse-leach ; rob us of our IHeeces,
To rend our land and teare it all to pieces :
Welcome now back againe; aa is the whip,
To a ffoole's back ; as water in a ship.
17
Boston make rooms ; liandolph's returned, that Hector,
Coufirmed at home to bo yf sharp Collector."
It can well be supposed that Randolph was by no
means a favorite with the people of Boston, for among
his other imprudent — or take the word as more exactly
expressive without the " r," —attempts at acquisition,
he petitioned to have a house-lot on Boston Common
set off to him.
Such was the man who, in KJSS, petitioned Andros,
who had just about as much love for the colonies and
forabstract justice as he, to grant him the beautiful
peninsula of Nahant. The Governor undoubtedly
was inclined to comply with his favorite's petition ; but
decency required that the matter should not be con-
summated with unseemly haste.
On notice of Randolph's petition, a town-meeting
was held, and a vigorous protest, setting forth the
right of the town to the peninsula and the damage
that would ensue from the granting of the petition,
was addressed to the Governor and Council. But
Randolph was persistent and renewed his petition, de-
nying the right of the town to the land, and even go-
ing so far as to declare that Lynn never
was an incorporated town, "and so not endowed
with a power of receiving or disposing oT such
land." To this a spirited rejoinder, signed by
seventy-four of the principal inhabitants, was for-
warded. But it is not easy to say what the result
would have been, had not the successful uprising of
the peojde presently consigned both Andros and Ran-
dolph to the Fort Hill Prison, in which uprising the
people of Lynn naturally took an active part, Rev.
Mr. Shepard, the minister, heading the phalanx which
marched to Boston, arriving there, as Randolph
grxiphically said, at about eleven o'clock, "like so
many wild bears." This Randolph alliiir formed a
lively episode in Lynn's history.
Had Nahant been granted to Randolph, it is easy
to see that it would have become a sharp thorn in the
side of Lynn ; that a continual petty warfare would
have en.sued. It would no longer have been, as for
many years it was, a pasture for her cattle, nor would
it have become, as in afier-years it did, a delightful re-
sort for parties of pleasure. And even at this day, instead
of being the paradise of a certain class of reputed
" dodgers," it would have been — we know not what !
From what has already been said, something may
be gathered of the condition, habits, culture and gen-
eral fitness of the settlers as laborers on the founda-
tions of a new social fabric, and likewise something
of the natural features of their new home. It will be
observed that they came largely from the industrial
classes. But they were a thoughtful people, and re-
alized the responsibilities that rested on them. Next
to ensuring the means for ])rocuriiig the prime neces-
sities of life, — food, clothingand shelter, — they felttjie
importance of supplying facilities for common educa-
tion, for moral and intellectual training.
Lynn, unlike some other New England settlements.
258
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
has all along, in a remarkable degree, depended on
herself, procuring whatever she possessed by her own
industry and skill ; in other words, has had only what
she earned. Some of the early settlements were the
outcome of foreign business enterprise, and flourished
by the aid of foreign capital. Especially in later times
have manufacturing communities been nurtured, if
not sustained, by capital drawn from outside of their
limits. Not so with Lynn. Her advancement has
been made through her own enterprise, her accumu-
lations by her own industry. Throughout all the
periods of business adversity and temporal distress
that have cast their shadows over the community, in
colonial, {provincial and later times, Lynn has ever
been able not only to maintain her own sons and
daughters, butto aftbrd, not perhaps of her abundance,
but of her thrift and generosity, relief to communities
more severely afflicted. " When there were yet few of
them, and they strangers in the land," with humble
trust, patient endurance and unremitting toil, they ap-
plied themselves to their new duties, and seldom
failed of meet reward. But the writer is not unmind-
ful that there is a higher duty to perform than the
boastful tracing of progress in a mere worldly way,
that higher duty being to mark the development of
the great principles that constitute the true founda-
tion of human right and duty ; of tracing, even in the
most limited sphere, the progress of those princi2)les
on wliich true liberty rests — principles which con-
tribute so largely to the sum of human happiness,
and have made our nation what she is.
In the history of Lynn, perhaps as conspicuously as
in that of any other New England community, may be
seen the progress to which we refer — the progress of
principles which were the birthright of the settlers, as
Englishmen, shadowed forth in the charter of 1215,
and finally appearing in more pronounced form in the
Declaration of American Independence, in the estab-
lished Constitutions and supplementary Bills of Rights.
The Andros administration has been referred to.
That, perhaps, was the most pregnant, as It certainly
was the most stirring, episode during many years of
New England history. Something of its bearing
upon the people here has been seen. The result, no
doubt, was of great benefit politically, for it quick-
ened the apprehension of natural rights and solidified
the determination to permit upon this soil no en-
croachment upon them. The " tyrant of New Eng-
land," as the obnoxious Governor was called, soon
found that opposition attended every step, and mani-
fested itself in every way — in grave denunciation,
cutting satire and comic hyperbole. Imagine the ef-
fect of the following stanzas from the Sternhold and
Hopkins version of the Fifty-second Psalm, as they
are said to have been lined oflTwith great unction by
an elderly deacon, and with equal unction sung by
voices old and young, smooth and rough, in tune and
out, at a meeting which the Governor, in one of his
tours, deigned to attend :
" Why dost thou, tyrant, boast abroad
Thy wicked works to praise ?
Dost thou not know there is a God,
liVhose mercies lust always ?
"Why dost thy mind yet still devise
Such wicked wiles to warp ?
Thy tongue untrue, in forging lies,
Is like Ji razor sharp.
Thou dost delight in fraud and guile,
In mischief, blood and wrong :
Thy lips have learned the flattering stile,
O false, deceitful tongue."
Civil History. — The civil history of Lynn, in its
organic features, does not much differ from thatof other
early Bay settlements. The town was never formally
incorporated, but by the earliest General Court was
recognized as an existing municipality. That was
enough, though, as we have just seen, the obsequious
Edward Randolph, a counselor of Governor Andros
when, in 1688, he petitioned for the gift of Nahant,
denied this, saying, in answer to the vigorous protes-
tations of the Lynn people, "It does not appear . . .
that the said town of Lynn was incorporated in the
year 1635, nor at any time since, and so not now en-
dowed with a power of receiving or disposing of such
lands, . . . and their town of Lynn is equal to a vil-
lage in England, and no otherwise." But he and his
unscrupulous superior soon found that there was a
power somewhere that was able to defeat their arbi-
trary schemes and land them both in a prison.
The settlers were thoroughly imbued with the sen-
timent that political power belonged to the people.
If Roger Williams was the first here to fijrmulate
this as well as certain principles of religious freedom,
he was not the first to realize it. When they left the
Old World they left the dogma of a divinely-appointed
class, and adopted the manly idea of equal rights.
Such being the case, what more natural than the es-
tablishment of the town-meeting, — the assembly in
which all could meet and freely discuss the affairs
by which the well-being and prosperity of all were to
be affected, and in which each individual, by voice
and vote, could exercise his influence? There was the
charter, to be sure, and its authority was acknowl-
edged ; but its provisions would not have been allow-
ed to override the higher demands of conscience,
right and justice, had there been any apprehended
attempt to do so, for the trained and ingenious mind
can discover ways of interpretation that will circum-
vent the most crafty scheming.
Very soon the interests of the settlers broadened,
and it became necessary to establish "Ye Great and
Genrall Courte." And the same right of free discus-
sion and free action was maintained there. At first
every freeman was deemed a member of the court,
and liable to be fined if he did not attend its sessions,
for it was rightly claimed that the community was
entitled to the best judgment and skill of each of its
members, it being realized as well then as now that
in the mind of the humblest hewer of wood and
LYNN.
259
drawer of water conceptions of unspeakable value
might arise. But the time soon arrived when it was
impracticable for the whole body of freemen to at-
tend the court sessions ; no room could be found
large enough to contain them, and then the end had
to be sought through deputies or representatives.
Soon parties began to appear, and divisions, not on
the primary principle of individual freedom, but on
the question as to whom it would be most safe and
expedient to invest with the delegated power.
Of course it would not be practicable or even de-
sirable to go largely into detail regarding the old town-
meetings. They were conducted here much as else-
whore. Every local matter was freelv discussed and
often the debates broadened into irrelevant disserta-
tions on great public questions and theoretical propo-
sitions, very much as they are apt to in these days
of political enlightenment. Neighborhood disagree-
ments and jealousies would occasionally arise, and
crude conceptions and selfish inclinations manifest
themselves. Village orators would harangue at weary-
ing length and village seers forecast calamities; but
there were also wise, honest and patriotic men,
shrewd counselors and wary watchers for the public
good, and through all and in all each felt hia own in-
dividual rights and acknowledged his responsibili-
ties.
It is not wonderful that the people of the old Bay
State clung so tenaciously and so long to the town-
meeting. Il had carried them safely through perilous
times and threatening shocks ; and in a broad sense
it may even be claimed that it had been the very
nursery of American freedom. There was no city
organization in all Massachusetts till 1822, w'hen Bos-
ton assumed the new investiture, having then a popu-
lation of forty-five thousand. It was quite a number
of years, however, before any other town followed her
example. Salem and Lowell were the first, they be-
coming cities in 1836. But the adoption of the city
form was so far receding from elementary freedom,
and while it was desirable, if not necessary, in many
respects, it also afforded greater facilities for ambitious
politicians and wire-pullere to ply their arts.
Lynn adopted the city form of government in 1850.
Many worthy and prominent people strongly oj)posed
the change, and the adoption of the charter came
near being defeated ; indeed, a similar one previously
granted by the Legislature had been defeated by pop-
ular vote. Mr. George Hood, a man of much ability
and .strong persuasive powers, led the opposition, and
it is a little singular that he who had persistently and
vehemently opposed the charter was elected the first
mayor under it. In his inaugural address he thus bade
adieu to the old regimi' : " Before proceeding to the
business immediately before us, it seems to be appro-
[jriate to the occasion to revert briefly to our venera-
ble system of town government, of which we have
taken leave forever, and to pay a passing tribute to
the memory of the conscientious men who, in the
midst of toil, privation and peril, founded, cherished
and transmitted it to us as a rich inheritance. Ac-
cording to Lewis' History, the first white men known
to have been inhabitants of Lynn were Edmund In-
galls and his brother, Francis Ingalls, who came here
in 1629. The next year came Allen Breed, Thomas
Newhall, George Burrill, Edward Baker, John Rams-
dell and Richard Johnson; in 163'), Henry Collins;
in 1640, Andrew Mansfield, Richard Hood, Edward
Ireson and Henry Rhoades, — all of whom have rep-
resentatives in this City Council, and perhaps others
of whose history I have not been informed. . . . Our
town government has accomplished its mission ; its
successful operation for more than two centuries has
proved the capacity of man for self-government ; it
has proved that the safest repository for power is in
the hands of the people. During this long period
we hear of no abuse of power by them, nor of those
to whom they intrusted the care of the town govern-
ment. They taxed themselves liberally for all neces-
sary objects of public improvement. The church
and the school-house grew up together, both signifi-
cant monuments of advancing civilization." Is it
probable that at the end of two centuries more it can
be .said of the people under the present form of mu-
nicipal government, that no abuse of power by them
or those to whom they entrusted the administration
of alUiirs, had been heard of?
Mr. Hood well said that under the old government
the town prospered. Its growth was steady, but not
rapid. At the lime of the adoption of the charter,
in 1850, the population was 14,200; twenty years be-
fore, in 1830, it was 6200; in 1765 the first recorded
census gave 2198 ; and the increase of business was
in .something like the same ratio. But after the in-
troduction of machinery in the manufacture of shoes,
which was subsequent to the adoption of the charter,
the increase of business and population was seem-
ingly much more rapid, though perhaps the percent-
age was not much greater.
For nearly two centuries the town-meetings were
held in the meeting-house, as the settlers preferred to
call their house of worship, the first being an un-
seemly little structure, standing in a hollow, near
the territorial centre, and the only public building.
It was not held by the same tenure that " churches "
now are, but was the property of the town. There
the village orators exercised their eloquence, the vil-
lage statesmen their patriotism, the incipient wire-
pullers their cunning, till the house itself disappear-
ed. "The Old Tunnel," as the parish meeting-house
built in l(i82 was in after-years called, then became
the place for the transaction of tow'U business. It stood
near the centre of the (Jonimon, and continued for sev-
eral generations to servethe double purpose of a i>lace
for public worship and a place for the transaction of
public business. But it was relieved of the latter use
in 1806. In the mean time the Methodists had come
in and built a house of worship. And some objec-
260
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tions having been made to the further use of the old
house, the town-meetings then (1806) began to be
held in the Methodist house, which stood near the
east end of the Common, at the head of Market
Street. There they were held till the erection of the
Town-House, in 1814. That building bad an inter-
esting history, of which little can be given here.
It stood on the centre of the Common, nearly oppo-
site the head of Hanover Street, and for many years
the interior remained unfinished. Of course, elections
were held in it; military companies drilled there; and
it was used for assemblages and exhibitions of various
kinds. In 1832 it was removed to South Common
Street, at the point where Blossom Street now opens,
and the interior finished. On the formation of the
city government, in 1850, it was thoroughly repaired
and fitted for the reception of the officials under the
new and more august order. Thus it remained until its
destruction by fire on the morning of October 6,
1864.
It was on the 10th of April, 1850, that the Legisla-
ture granted the City Charter ; on the 19th of the
same month the inhabitants, in town-meeting assem-
bled, voted to accept it ; and on the 14th of May the
first organization under it took place. The cere-
monies were held in Old Lyceum Hall, which stood
on Market Street, corner of Summer. The day was
pleasant, and a large number, some of whom were
ladies, were present. In the evening the new gov-
ernment, together with a considerable company of
prominent citizens, partook of a collation in the
Town Hall. There was no jubilant display at the in-
itiation of the new government; no procession, no
pyrotechnic exhibition, either oratorical or material.
All parties seemed to join in a quiet but cordial accept-
ance of the change, and in a hopeful, if not enthusi-
astic spirit, determined to repress all former misgiv-
ings.
Soon after the destruction of the old Town House
the necessity of a substantial City Hall was so mani-
fest that the work of erection was set about energeti-
cally ; and, on the .30th of November, 1867, the present
stately edifice was dedicated. The city ofiices were
soon removed thither, and from that time onward
have the commodious chambers echoed with the elo-
quence of the assembled counselors.
Whether Lynn has prospered more since the adop-
tion of the city form of government than she would
have prospered had the old town form been longer
continued can only be conjectured. But certain it
is, that during the thirty-five years that the existing
form has been in operation her progress has been
highly satisfactory. The population h;is more than
trebled ; and in business, in educational facilities, in
benevolent enterprises, and, may we not venture to
add, in religion and morality, her advancement has
been alike marked.
It has been stated that Lynn has always been for-
tunate in having among her people men of sagacity.
energy and prudence, — men who, in the administra-
tion of her municipal afi'airsand in her broader inter-
ests, vigorously defended her rights and labored for
her good. These are deserving of special notice, and
in an elaborate history should have a place ; but in a
limited sketch like the present but comparatively
few can be even named. In the troublous days
of the Andros administration, among her heroic
defenders were Oliver Purchis, Eev. Mr. Shepard,
Thomas Laighton, Kalph King and John Burrill. In
the stormy times of the Revolution she had the vigi-
lant watchfulness of Rev. Mr. Treadwell, Rev. Mr.
Roby, Deacon John Mansfield, Dr. Flagg and Fred-
erick Breed, besides her brave sons who took the
field. And all along, down to these later times, she
has never been destitute of loyal sons to protect her
good name and promote her prosperity. Especially
may it be said that during the threatening times of
the great Civil War scarcely a man in her whole popu-
lation could be found who was not ready, if need be,
to take the field in defense of the national cause.
The following is a list of the mayors of Lynn, with
the dates of inauguration :
George Hood, the first mayor, served two terms ;
was inaugurated May 14, 1850, and April 7, 1851.
He was a native of Lynn, and died June 29, 1859,
aged fifty-two.
Benjamin Franklin Mudge, the second mayor,
was inaugurated June Ifi, 1852. He was a native of
Orrington, Me.; born August 11, 1817, and died in
Manhattan, Kansas, November 21, 1879.
Daniel Collins Baker, the third mayor, was
inaugurated April 4,1853. He was a native of Lynn;
born October 14, 1816, and died in New Orleans, La.,
July 19, 1863.
Thomas Page Richardson, the fourth mayor, was
inaugurated April 3, 18.54. He was a native of Lynn ;
born July 27, 1816, and died November 24, 1881.
Andrews Breed, the fifth mayor, was inaugurated
January 1, 1855. He was a native of Lynn ; born on
the 20th of September, 1794, and died in Lancaster,
Mass., April 21, 1881.
Ezra Warren Mudge, the sixth mayor, was in-
augurated January 7, 1856, and January 5, 1857,
serving two terms. He was a native of Lynu ; was
born on the 5th of December, 1811, and died Septem-
ber 20, 1878.
William Frederic Johnson, the seventh mayor,
was inaugurated January 4, 1858. He was a native
of Lynn ; born [in Nahant] July 30, 1819.
Edward Swain Davis, the eighth mayor, served
two terms ; was inaugurated January 3, 1859, and
January 2, 1860. He was born in Lynn June 22, 1808,
and died August 7, 1887.
HiEAM Nichols Breed, the ninth mayor, was in-
augurated January 7, 1861. He was born in Lynn j
September 2, 1809. \
Peter Morrell Neal, the tenth mayor, held the
office four terms. He was inaugurated January 6,
LYNN.
261
1862, January 5, 18G3, January 4, 1S(J4, ami Jauuary
2, 18(i5. He is a native of Nortii Berwick, Me., and
was born September 21, 1811.
Roland Greexe Usher, the eleventh mayor,
served three terms. He was inaugurated January 1,
18(56, January 7, 1867, and January 6, 1868. He was
born in Medford, Mass., January 6, 1823.
James Xeedham Buffdm, the twelfth mayor, was
inaugurated Jauuary 4, 1S69. He was afterward
elected for a second term, and inaugurated January 1,
1872. He was born in North Berwick, Me., May 16,
1807, and died June 12, 1887.
Edwix Waldex, the thirteenth mayor, served two
terms; was inaugurated January 3, 1870, and January
2, 1871. He was born in Lynn, November 25, 1818.
Jacob Meek Lewis, the fourteenth mayor, served
four terms, being inaugurated January 6, 1873, Janu-
ary 5, 1874, January 4, 1875, and January 3, 1876.
He was born in Lynn, October 18, 1823.
Samuel Mansfield Buiuer, the fifteenth mayor,
served two terms, having been inaugurated January
1, 1877, and January 7, 1878. He is a native of Lynn,
and was born June 23, 1816.
George Plaisted Sanderson, the sixteenth
mayor, was inaugurated January 6, 1879, and Jauu-
ary 5, 1880, serving two terms. He was born in
Gardiner, Me., November 22, 1836.
Henry Bacon Loverino, the seventeenth mayor,
served two terms. He was inaugurated January 3,
1881, and January 2, 1882. He is a native of Ports-
mouth, N. H., and was born April 8, 1841.
William Lewis Baird, the eighteenth mayor,
was inaugurated January 1, 1883, aud January 7,
1884, serving two terms. He is a native of Lynn ;
born July 29, 1843.
John Kichard Baldwin, the nineteenth mayor,
was inaugurated January 5, 1885. He is a native of
Lynn, and was born May 10, 1854.
George Dallas Hart, the twentieth mayor, was
inaugurated January 4, 1886. He was born in Mai-
den, Mass., December 7, 1846, and is an ofl'spring of
the old Lynn Hart family. Mayor Hart, elected for
a second term, was inaugurated January 3, 1887.
A short series of statistical statements, touching
the present state of municipal and kindred aflairs,
will now be given. Other statistics relating to spe-
cial topics will appear in their proper places.
Population. — The population of Lynn, as given
by the State census of 1885, is 45,867, — males, 21,752;
females, 24,115. Native born, 36,099 ; foreign born,
9768. Of the age of eighty years, 10 males and 31
females ; of the age of ninety years, 3 males and 7 fe-
males; of the age of ninety-live years, 4, all females.
Colored persons, ()24.
The population at dillorent periods is shown by the
f(dlowing:
Years 1800 1K50 1885
Population 2,S37 14,257 4.1,8(17
Dwellinos. 1885. — Whole number, 7383, — of
which 7161 are of wood, 76 of brick, 2 of stone, and
the others of mi.Ked material. It will be noted that
this does not include the business buildings, many of
which are of brick and very large. Number of per-
sons to each occupied dwelling, 6.33. Number of
buildings erected during the year, 392. Lynn has long
been famous for the moving of her buildings from
place to place, and, in pursuance of the custom, 55
changed their places during the year.
Valuation, Taxation and Polls. — The follow-
ing table shows the progress of Lynn in these matters,
at several periods since she became a city :
YEAR,
EEAL ESTATE.
PERSONAL
ESTATE.
TOTAL.
NO. POLLS.
TAX PER
81,000.
1850
1S60
1870
1880
1886
$1,100,515
6, 2111,400
14,277,212
17,013,543
23,305,806
$1,674,328
3,357,605
(!,M9,9a3
5,470,192
6,000,003
S4,834,843
9,649,005
20,927,115
23,383,735
29,305,809
3,251
3,933
6,773
10,702
13,842
J9.I0
8.80
17.20
17.60
19.00
It will be perceived from the foregoing that we have
made marked progress, as well in taxation as valua-
tion and polls.
Approvriations and Receipts, Expenditures
AND City Debt. — The "progress" in these matters
is indicated by the following :
1850
180O
1870
1880
1886
APPROPRIATIONS
AND RECEIPTS.
S45,ooo.no
110,607.28
524,776.72
705,099,57
1,080,274.65
EXPENDITURES.
S36, 704.19
101,569.51
499,583.25
653,327.90
1,014,617.80
CITY DEBT.
Mar. 1, IS-lo, 871,.398.15
Dec. 31, I860, 123,1(10.00
Dec. 3I,I.s7(J, 910,000.00
Dec.31,1880, 2,109,000.00
Dec. 2(J, 1886, 2,.522,4O0.00
It should be remarked, in relation to the city debt,
that the exact condition is not always apparent. For
instance, the debt in 1886 is given as !?2,522,400.00,
but there were such drawbacks as reduced the net
amount to §1,778,128.82.
Almshou.se. — Average number of subjects, 67; av-
erage cost of each per week, $2.62. Aid was also given
to 519 families, or some 1600 outside persons ; 5457
tramps were during the year provided with food and
lodging at an expense of .§320.55.
Fire Department, Fire Alarms, Etc. — Steam
fire-engines, 5 ; hook-and-ladder trucks, 2; horse hose
carriages, 5 ; hose wagon, 1 ; large double-tank chem-
ical engine, 1 ; supply wagons, 5 ; fire alarm telegraph
wagon, 1 ; jumper hose carriages, 2 ; hose pungs, 5 ;
buggy, 1; small extinguishers, 6. The manual force
consists of 1 chief and 4 assistant engineers, 1 super-
intendent and 1 assistant superintendent of fire alarm
telegraph, 6 engineers of steam fire-englne.s, 5 firemen
of steam fire-engines, 12 drivers, 10 foremen, 8 assist-
ant foremen, 49 hosemen, 20 laddermen, 12 substitutes,
making a total of 129. There are also in the service
of the department 22 horses and 14,750 feet of hose.
The number of hydrants scattered about the city is
557, and the number of street reservoirs, 19. The tcl-
egiaidiic fire alarm was established here in 1871, and
has proved extremely useful and economical. The
number of fire alarmr during 1885 was 188,84 being
bell and 104 still alarms. Loss by fire during this
262
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
year, $169,975.85. Expenditures of the department
for the year, $44,840.06.
Notices of tlie most disastrous fires that have ever
occurred in Lynn may be found elsewhere in these
pages.
Police Department. — The expenses for the year
1885 were $43,451.44; number of arrests, 1472; 511
being of persons of foreign birth, and 166 females ; 828
were for drunkenness, 186 for assault and battery and
128 for larceny ; 5453 persons were provided with
lodgings.
Water Works. — Net cost of the public works, to
January 1, 1887, $1,342,144.11. Average consump-
tion of water per day during the year 1885, 1,920,519 gal-
lons ; average to each inhabitant, a trifle over41 gallons
per day. Total extension of pipe in Lynn, 75} miles.
The report of the president of the board says (1886),
" The department has paid all expenses of mainte-
nance, the interest on the water debt, and shows a sur-
plus of $26,919.18 to be carried to the water-loan sink-
ing fund."
BiRTH.s AND Marriages, 1886. — Number of births,
1296 ; number of marriages, 616.
Under the sub-titles "Libraries" and "Schools"
may be found statistics relating to those institutions,
and under " JJurial-Places " will appear certain
vital statistics.
And here, perhaps, is the proper place to enumer-
ate some of the institutions, associations and societies
for beuevolent, moral, social and recreative purposes,
of which Lynn has a large number. They are, gener-
ally, worthy of honorable recognition, and some are
deserving of great praise. It would hardly be practi-
cable even to name them all here, nor is it necessary,
as several are spoken of elsewhere. Yet a little space
may be allowed, the name of the organization gener-
ally indicating its character. Among them are. —
Associated Charities (the object being to discreetly
distribute the means contributed for charitable pur-
poses.), Board of Fire Insurance Underwriters, 7 clubs
for religious, social, political, mutual improvement
and recreative purposes. There are also 3 bicycle and
4 boat clubs, and 1 shooting club. Female Benevo-
lent Society, Firemen's Relief Association, Free Pub-
lic Forest Association, Grand Army of the Rei)ublic,
Home for Aged Women, Houghton Horticultural So-
ciety, Inebriates' Home, Knights of Honor, Knights
of Labor, Knights of Pythias, Lasters' Protective
Union, Lynn Hospital, McKay Stitchers' Union, 4
Masonic lodges (spoken of elsewhere). Mechanics'
Exchange, Medical Society, 9 mutual benefit associa-
tions-among them the Workingnien's Aid Associa-
tion and the Accident .Vssociatiou, 12 Odd Fellows'
lodges. Press Association, Sanitary Association, Shoe
and Leather Association, Teamsters' Union, 10 tem-
perance organizations, Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation.
Lynn Banks. — There are now (1887) in Lynn five
banks of discount, with an aggregate capital of
$1,100,000, to wit: First National, capital, $500,000;
Central National, 1200,000 ; National City, $200,000 ;
National Security, $100,000 ; Lynn National, $100,000.
There are also two savings banks, namely, Lynn In-
stitution for Savings and Lynn Five-Cents Savings
Bank, with aggregate deposits, January 1, 1887, to
the amount of $4,710,000.
Lynn Post-Office. — The business of a post-office
may, perhaps, ordinarily be taken as a fair indicator
of the business of the place in which it is located.
The Lynn post-office was established in 1793, before
which time the mail matter of the people here was
distributed through the Boston office. Fifty years
ago, that is in 1835, the gross amount of postage ac-
cruing at the Lynn office, all told, for the year ending
October 1st, was $2,459.28 ; and the increase of bus-
iness to the present time is indicated by the following
items for the year ending December 30, 1886 :
Receipts from sale of stamps, stamped enyelopes
and postal cards J.'i0,452.97
Expenditures for salaries, rent, gas, etc 23,071.88
Excess of receipt over expenditures $20,781.09
Number of pieces delivered by carriers 3,214,98.5
Number of pieces collected by carriers 1,270,030
There are six daily mails, Sunday excepted, to
Boston and the South, and four to the East. Fifty
years ago the government did not provide carriers to
deliver and collect mail matter, a fact that, no doubt,
has had something to do with the increase of corre-
spondence. The rates of postage were much higher
than at present. The postage on a single letter from
Lynn to New York, for instance, was 18| cents, a fact
which induced many to send by private hand when
opportunity offered. But the postage was not required
to be paid in advance, a circumstance, one might
think, encouraging to correspondence. A penny post
began to run about town in 1812; but he was not em-
ployed by government, individuals ])aying him at
the rate of two cents a letter. The first postmaster
was Colonel James Robinson, and he kept the office
on Boston Street near the corner of North Federal.
He was a soldier of the Revolution ; was succeeded in
1802 by Major Ezra Hitehings, reared a large family
of sons and daughters and died, in 1832, in reduced
circumstances, being the recipient, during his latter
years, of a small pension.
LYNN.
263
CHAPTER XIV.
LYNN— (C<Hi(i'«uf(i).
ECCLESIASTICAL.
Iteiigious Societies^ their Firrmation and Growth — Sketches of E<}rhj MhiieterB
— Hotisei of M'orship ami their Eijnipntejtt — Statistical Details.
' The sermon, learned long and cold ;
The psalni in graveyard nieTre told ;
Bnt piety, right deep and trne,
Each exercise ran through and through."
— louuAN.
Considering the chief cause of tlie occupation of
bleak New England, it would naturally be supposed
that the very first public institution in a settlement
would be a church. But Lynn was some three years
without a minister. Very likely, however, some sort
of public religious services were held, especially on
the Lord's day.
FiiisT Church. — The first church of Lynn, the
fifth in the Bay colony, was gathered in 1(132 ; and it
remains at this day one of the three or four of tlie
early ehurche.s that have preserved their fidelity to
the ancient Puritanical faith. Almost every one of
the old churches hits become Unitarian or Univer-
salist.
The church here appears to have commenced in a
way not in accordance with Puritanical or Orthodox
order. But whatever irregularity existed was cured
by the decision of a council held in March, 1635,
" that, although the church had not been properly
formed, yet, after-consent and practice of a church
estate h.ad supplied that defect, so all were recon-
ciled." The church was instituted by Rev. Stephen
Bachiler, who arrived with his family in June, 1032,
the chief inducement for his coming probably being
that he had a daughter residing here, the wife of
Christopher Hussey. There came with him six per-
.sons who had belonged to his church in England,
and to these, with such settlers as chose to join them,
he commenced ministrations, without installation.
He was then of the ripe age of seventy-one years,
and appears to have retained great vitality, both
mental and physical. He was a man of at least sin-
gular characteristics ; was high-tempered and ex-
tremely tenacious. There was soon serious disturb-
ance among his little flock, and gross scandals began
to circulate, insomuch that in four months after his
arrival the court was appealed to, and that august
body thus decreed :
"51^ BatchelMs required to forbeare exeroiseing guifts as a posf or
teacher pnbliquely, in o' pattent, iinlesse it be to tho;<e hee brought with
him, for his contempt of authority, & til! some scandlee he removed."
This sentence, however, wtis soon after annulled.
But the difficulty was not healed ; other questions and
scandals arose, and the court was again a|)pealed to.
Finally, on his promise to leave town within three
months, the proceedings were discontinued. He was
here about four years. Afterwards he was at New-
bury and Hampton, of which latter place lie was one
of the first settlers. He subsequently pitched his
tent in one or two other places. But in 1651 he re-
turned to England, where, at the age of ninety, he
married his fourth wife, his third still living here,
and apparently of a reputation by no means unblem-
ished. She petitioned the court for a divorce, but no
record of the fate of the petition is found. Mr.
Bachiler died near London in 1660, in the one hun-
dredth year of his age. His descendants, and there
are many hereabout, take some pride in the fact that
Daniel Webster, the eminent statesman, and Mr.
Whittier, the poet, trace their genealogical lines to
him.
Rev. Samuel Whiting, the successor of Mr. Bachi-
ler, was installed on the 8th of November, 1636. He
was descended from a long line of honorable ances-
tors, and was a son of Sir John Whiting, mayor of
old Boston, England, in 1600 and 1608. His brother
John was also m lyor four years and his brother
James one year. Samuel, the minister, was born in
1597, and at the age of sixteen was entered at Eman-
uel College. He was an apt student, received the
degree of A.B. in 1616, and that of A.M. in 1620.
Afterwards he received the degree of D.D. His
father died while he was in college, leaving a very
considerable estate. Emanuel College, as is well
known to readers of Puritan history, was called "the
hot-bed of Puritanism," and it was while there, no
doubt, that he imbibed those principles which grew
with his growth, and strengthened with his strength
— those principles which so strongly marked his
whole life. It is well to bear in mind that what were
known as the Puritan principles of that day had ref-
erence not only to church, but also to state. It was
not only the grand purpose to purify the church of
obnoxious rites and ceremonies, but also to free the
people from governmental oppression and wrong — to
circum.scribe the royal prerogatives, defend against
the encroachments and reduce the privileges of the
aristocracy ; in short, to break down every barrier to
the reasonable exercise of individual right, freedom
and responsibility.
Mr. Whiting took orders in the C'hurch of England
soon after graduating, and became chaplain in a
refined and wealthy family in Norfolk. After re-
maining there about three years, ajjparently in great
pro.si>erity and hai)piness, he accepted a rectorship in
Lynn Regis as colleague of Rev. Dr. Price. In that
situation he remained three years, administering his
oflice acceptably, excepting his refusal to conform to
certain required u.sages in the establi-shcd church ser-
vice; in brief, he was a Non-conformist, subjected
himself to the censure of the Bishop of Norwich,
and was induced to resign and remove to tlie parish
of Shirbeck, near Boston, where he again filled the
264
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
office of rector, and again came under censure for
non-conforming practices.
In 1636 his situation became so uncomfortable tiiat
he resigned, and prep.ared to emigrate to America.
The same year, 1636, in which he resigned his charge
at Skirbeck, he emigrated to America, arriving in
May. He does not appear to have greatly enjoyed
the voyage hither, as he remarks that he would
" much rather have undergone six weeks' imprison-
ment for a good cause than six weeks of such terrible
seasickness." A few months after his arrival, No-
vember 8, 1636, at the age of thirty-nine, he was
installed minister of the little church here at Lynn.
Mr. Whiting was twice married. His second part-
ner, she who accompanied him hither, and whose
remains peacefully slumber in our old burial-place,
near the west end of the Common, could claim family
descent more illustrious than his, for she could trace
her lineage, without a break, to William the Con-
queror. She was a sister of Oliver St. John, the chief
justice of England during the commonwealth, and
own cousin of Oliver Cromwell. But all the incidents
of birth and family on his and her part, incidents
which to so many, even here and among us of this
day, possess a peculiar charm, seem to have weighed
nothing in comparison with their strong sense of
duty.
The young couple, as they then were, apparently
without one longing look behind, left the bright
scenes, the comforts and luxuries of their early
homes, crossed the stormy ocean, and bravely en-
tered this western wilderness, with stout hearts, to
fight the battle of civilization. Nobly did they ad-
dress themselves to their chosen work, and great
was their success. The beneficial results of their
coming did not by any means end with their lives.
Children were born to tliem, and childreu's children
have appeared in every path of usefulness, and
adorned our whole history. The entire nation has
received benefits hardly capable of being over-esti-
mated. Some of their descendants have been con-
spicuous in theological, scientific and literary call-
ings; others have filled useful and honorable positions
in the national civil service; others, again, have risen
to eminence in the military profession. One needs only
to glance over a dictionary of American biography to
learn how meritorious the family has proved.
Mr. Whiting, as might readily be supposed, took
great interest in the education of the youth of the
town, and, together with his accomplished wife, did
everything possible to refine the manners and elevate
the condition of every class. He took unwearied pains
to advance every material interest — to improve the
husbandry, the fisheries, the mechanic arts — indeed,
all branches required for the supply of current and
prospective wants. And all the time he never lost sight
of oppportunities to promote the broader interests
of the. little community, vigilantly guarding against
the imposition of wrongful burdens by the General
Court, through misinformation or selfish appliances,
and laboring in every honest way to elevate and dig-
nify her name. The town grew apace during the
forty years he continued so devoted to her concerns ;
and it was a healthy growth.
It is not to be forgotten that many of the clergy of
that day had very great influence in the direction of
public affairs. Indeed, it was common for the execu-
tive, legislative, and even the judicial authorities, to
apply to them for the solution of intricate questions
and the determining of principles. Many, if not most
of them, had, like Mr, Whiting, been ministers in the
Church of England, and were men of learning and
deep thought. The very experiences that induced
their emigration often arose from their advanced
views of human rights and political liberty. It is to
be remembered, too, that at that period the settle-
ment of a minister was, under ordinary circumstances,
expected to be for life; not a mere temporary sojourn,
as is so often the case in our day. And it will readily
be perceived how much greater the opportunity of the
faithful pastor then was to inaugurate and sustain
pursuits calculated to be permanently beneficial, the
long continuance of his fostering care ensuring
results that under frequent change could never be
attained, at the same time receiving his own reward
in coutemijlating the regenerating effects of his godly
teaching.
No sooner had Mr. Whiting commenced his min-
istrations to the little flock here than the discordant
elements that had disturbed it, and the whole com-
munity as well, under his predecessor, were harmon-
ized, and old and young gathered around him in
delightt'Lilsympathy and trust — exemplifying the truth
that mental strength, coupled with genial manners, is
potent to secure confidence and love.
The remains of that good old man were laid away
for their everlasting repose in the then quiet village
burial-place, ovei'shadowed by ancient forest-trees,
where but a small company had then been gathered,
but where now lie an innumerable host, all heedless
of the stately edifices that one by one have arisen
around, and undisturbed by the tramp of the busy
multitude. Tne spot where he rests is marked by
a simple granite shaft, reared, a few yeai's since, by
the Hon. William Whiting, of Boston, a direct de-
scendant, who himself rendered such eminent service
to our government during the most trying period of
the War of the Rebellion, and who has been since
called to join his honored ancestor in the land whence
none return. In the names of Whiting School and
Whiting Street is the memory of this beloved min-
ister perpetuated.
At this point it may be well to give the pastoral
succession in this, the First Church of Lynn, with
the dates at which the pastorates began, and append
a few notes on some whose names appear therein.
1G32. Stephen Bacliiler.
Ib30. Samuel WUiting.
1C37. Thomas Gobbet (colleague).
1680. Jeremiah Shepard.
LYNN.
2(55
1832. Darid Peabody.
1830. Parsons Cooke.
ISn.";. Jiinies M. Whiten.
1S72. .Stephen R. Dcnnen.
187li. Waller Barton.
ISX.5. Frank .T. Mundy.
logo. Joseph Whiting (colloague).
17*20. N'athaniel Flenchman.
17i''3. .lohn Treudwell.
1784. Olwilliih I'arsons.
17'.p4. Thomas (^ Thatcher.
1813. Isaac Hurd.
1818. Otis Rocknood.
Rev. Thom.vs Cobbet, who was settled in 1637 as
colleague with Mr. Whiting, was a marked character
among the early New England divines — marked for
his learning, piety and unswerving principles. He
was born in Newbury, England, in lOOS, studi<5d
at Oxford and suffered for non-conformity. He re-
mained here in Lynn till 1656, then left and settled
at Ipswich, where he died in 1685. Mr. Cobbet
preached the election sermon in 1649, and the court
voted that ''Jlr. Speaker, in the name oftheHowseo'
deputyes, render Mr. Cubbett the thankes of the Howse
for his worthy paines in his sermon wch, at the de-
sire of this howse, he preached on the day of eleccon,
and declare to him it is their desire he would
print it heere or elsewhere." He was a voluminous
writer, and among his works was " A Practical Dis-
course on Prayer," of which Cotton Mather remarks,
" Of all the work.s written by Mr. Cobbet, none de-
serves more to be read by the world or to live till the
general burning of the world, than that of Prayer."
The elegant Cobbet school-house, on Franklin Street,
erected in 1872, is a memorial of this esteemed min-
ister.
Rev. .Terejiiah Shepard, who in 1680 succeeded
Mr. Whiting in the pastorate, was a man of decided
traits, and to a degree destitute of the milder quali-
ties of his predecessor. Yet he was successful in his
ministry, and his death was deeply mourned. His
pastorate extended over forty years. Jlr. Lewis says
" he was distinguished for his unvaried piety," and
" was indefatigable in his exertions for the spiritual
welfare of his people." He reasoned deep
" Of Providence, fore-knowledge, will untl fate."
His ministrations were characterized by great seri-
ousness, and his views of human nature gloom)', al-
most to distortion. Rev. Mr. Brown, minister of the
Reading Church, in his journal, under date of June
25, 1712, says : " I was ordained past' of this church
and received the dreadfull charge from the mouth of
Mr. Shepard, of Lynn."
Mr. Shepard took an active part in some of the po-
litical agitations of the day ; and in the insurrection
that deposed and imprisoned Governor Andros, on
the 19th of April, 1689, he exhibited quite as much
patriotic zeal as could be expected in a minister of the
Gospel, as appears by the relation of one who was
present, and who, in speaking of the array that march-
ed in from the country to the assistance of the insur-
gent Bostonians, says : "Ajiril 19th, about II o'clock,
the country came in, headed by one Shepard, teacher
of Lynn, who were like so many wilil bears ; and the
leader, mad with passion, more savage than any of his
17i
followers." The courage and discretion of Mr. Shep-
ard no doubt did much for the welfare of Lynn dur-
ing that trying period. He was inclined also to wiitch
with jealous eye any approach of trespassers upon the
Puritanical domain, and as Quakerism was beginning
to make serious inroads, he appointed the 19th of Ju-
ly, 1694, as a day of fasting and jirayer for the stay of
(hat "spiritual plague." He died on the 8d of June,
1720, aged seventy-two years. His tomb still remains
conspicuous in the old burying ground, marked by a
])lain oblong brick stand surmounted by a heavy
stone slab, with an inscri[)tion now so eaten by time
and the elements as to be almost illegible. But his
name is enduriiigly preserved in Shepard Street and
Shepard School. Mr. Shepard wa.s a son of Rev.
Thomas Shepard, who was born in Towcester, Eng-
land, in 1605, received an excellent education, came
over while yet a young man, and was ordained as first
pastor of the First Parish Church of Cambridge, in
1636. He was conspicuous for his fervid piety. In
Johnson's " Wonder- Working Providence," publish-
ed in 1651, he is spoken of as " That gratious, aweete,
heavenly-minded and soule-ravishing minister, Mr.
Thomas Shepheard, in whose soule the Lord shed
abroad his love so abundantly, that thousands of souls
have cau>e to bless God for him, even at this day, who
are the scale of his ministry." He appears to have
received the name Thomas in rather a singular way,
saying: "The Powder Treason day [November 5,
1605], and that very houre of the day wherein the
Parlament should have bin blown up by Popish priests,
I was then borne, which occasioned my father to
give me this name Thomas, because he sayd I would
hardly hclcere that ever any such wickedness should
be attem])ted by men agaynst so religious and good
Parlament."
A worthy descendant, Mr. George L. Shepard, of
Boston, a son of the late eminent merchant, Michael
Shepard, of Salem, has recently pulilished a genealog-
ical account of some of the descendants of the family
head .
Mr. Shepard was the first minister of the "Old
Tunnel," so called. That famous meeting-house was
erected in 1682, two years after his settlement. It
will be borne in mind that in those days, and indeed
long after, a church here was so far a public institu-
tion that its temporal arrangements at least were gov-
erned by the votes of the town. To illustrate, let us
quote some votes passed at town-meeting in lli92 :
"January 8. It was voted that Lieutenant Blighe should have liberty
to set up a pew in the northeast turner of the ni.eting-houBe, by Jlr.
King's pew, and he to maintain the windows against it.
" The town did vote that Lieutenant Fuller, Lieutenant Lewis, air.
John Hawkes, senior, Francis Burrill, Lieutenant Burrill, John Burrill,
JTinior, Mr. Henry Rhodes, Quarter-Master Bas^ett, Mr. Haberfiehl, Cor-
net Johnson, Sir. Bayloy and Lieutenant Blighe should sit at the table.
" It WHS voted that Matthew Farrington, senior, Henry Silsbee and
Josei)h Blanstield, senior, should sit in tlie deacon's -eat.
'■ It WiU) voted that Thomas Farrar, senior, Crispus Br.-wc'r, Allen
Breed, seTiior, I'lement Coldaui, Hubert Rand, senior, .loiiathan lludsoii,
Richard Hood, senior, and Sergeant Haven should sit in the pulpit.
266
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
"The town voted tlmt them that are surviving that was chosen by
the town a committee to erect the meeting-house, and Clerk Potter to
join along with them, should seat the inhabitants of the town in the
meeting house, l)0th men and women, and appoint what seats they shall
Bit in, hut it is to be understood that they are not to seat neither the
table nor the deacons' seat, nor the pulpit, but them to Bit there as are
voted by the town."
The pulpit of the Old Tunnel was capacious enough
to contain ten persons. A small bell swung in the
little tower, and in the northeast corner of the gallery
was a " negro pew," quite elevated and boarded well
towards the top. The colored brethren and sisters
were required to sit there, where they might hear, but
neither see nor be seen.
Mr. J. Warren Newhall, in his poem delivered at
the celebration of ifie two hundred and fiftieth anni-
versary of the organization of the chuich, June 8,
1882, thus speaks of the architecture of this famous
old house of worship :
" A modest cupola the roof surmuuuts
Of quaint design — so history recounts.
'Twas said the belfry bore a semblance fair
To an inverted tunnel poised mid air ;
Hence was the structure the 'Old Tunnel ' named,
And for this title evermore was framed.
Downward with quite a questionable grace.
The bell-rope fell into a central place
Within the unique auditorium, where
The sexton rang the call to praise and prayer.
"We see no gorgeous fresco on the walls.
Through no stained glass the light of heaven falls ;
But glinting 'mid the naked oaken beams,
Through the small diamond panes the sunlight gleams.
No richly cushioned slips the people knew.
But plain deal seats, with here and there a pew,
Built by some person, who must first procure
Permission from the town this to secure.
As time advanced these pews more numerous grew,
But were not wholly uniform to view, —
Some large, some small, of patterns manifold.
By which the owner's taste or means were told.
*******
In place of dainty desk therein appeared
A pulpit, with its lofty form upreared.
While like a canopy o'er the preacher's head
The sounding-board its huge proportions spread.
*******
In the bleak days of wintry wind and snow.
No furnace fire dispensed its genial glow ;
To those who fain the service would attend.
The humble foot-stove was the warmest friend."
To the fidelity of this sketch the writer can well
attest from childhood recollection and experience.
Of the oft protracted exercises our poet also gives the
following graphic description :
" No w.arning clock prescribed the preacher's powers ;
The simple sand-glass told the passing hours.
Which, when the tell-tale sand its course had run,
AVas deflly turned, and sixteentbly begun !
For they preached sermons countless in deductions ;
None of our modern half-hour productions.
In continuity they excelled, 'tis true ;
Always an lionr in length, and sometimes two."
Eev. Nathaniel Henchman succeeded Mr.
Shepard in 1720. He was born in Boston on the 22d
of November, 1700, as is stated on the Lynn records
in the handwriting of his son, and. if the date is cor-
rect, must have settled here at the early age of twenty.
But there is doubt as to the correctness of the date.
He graduated at Harvard in 1717. His grandlather
was Daniel Henchman, the same who planted the
historical " big elm " on Boston Common, which was
destroyed by a gale in February, 1876. And this
Daniel Henchman was also ancestor of Frederick
Tudor, the wealthy ice merchant, who did so much to
beautify Nahant. Mr. Henchman ministered here
forty years, and died on the 23d of December, 1761.
Rev. Mr. Barton, in his address on the two hundred
and fiftieth anniversary of the church, remarks that
Mr. Henchman proved to be a man of very different
views from his predecessors. Whiting, Cobbet and
Shepard, and adds that his " settlement gave a new
and disastrous turn to affairs. Finding here a very
flourishing church and society, he left, after forty
years' ministry, only eighteen members, and that in
the days of the great awakening under Whitefield
and Edwards." In 174-5 Mr. Whitefield came to
Lynn, and Mr. Henchman refused permission for him
to preach in the meeting-house, a step that occasioned
a long and bitter controversy. The great revivalist,
however, found audience-room elsewhere, one of his
out-door discourses being delivered while standing
on the platform of the whipping-post, near the meet-
ing-house. But yet Mr. Henchman is reputed to
have been remarkably genial in manners and to have
treated Mr. Whitefield personally with much respect
and politeness. It is easy to see that his ministry
here was not successful, and that there were serious
breaks in the harmony of the parish. He had pecu-
liar notions of ministerial duties and ministerial
rights, and was tenacious in his adherence to them.
He was twice married and the father of five children.
His tomb is in the Old Burying-ground, and is, like
Mr. Shepard's, marked by a plain, oblong brick struc-
ture.
Rev. John Teeadwell was the successor of Mr.
Henchman. ''And during his pastorate," remarks
Mr. Barton, " two events occurred which brought in a
state of things disastrous to the church in common
with others, viz.: the Half Way-Covenant and the
Revolutionary War." He was ordained on the 2d of
March, 1763, and remained nineteen years ; hence it
will be perceived that he was here during the most
stirring period in American history. The Provincial
Congress, in June, 1775, recommended the carrying
of arms to meeting on Sundays and other days when
worship was held, by the men who lived within
twenty miles of the sea-coast; and so we find Mr.
Treadwell appearing in the pulpit with a loaded
musket, cartridge-box and sermon. He was born in
Ipswich September 20, 1738, and graduated at Har-
vard in 1758. His pastorate here ended in 1782. He
then returned to Ipswich, his native place, and after-
ward removed to Salem; was a Representative and
Senator in the General Court, and a judge of the
Common Pleas Court. His patriotism was conspicu-
LYNN.
•267
oils, his manners fl:enial, and he loved to indulge in
pleasantry, sometimes even out of season. His witty
sayings often gained currency, and many of them are
not yet forgotten.
Rev. Ob-^diah Parsons, the successor of Mr.
Treadwell, was installed February 4, 1784, "iu peace,
harmony and concord," as Mr. Sparhawlc, of Lynn-
field, says in an almanac memorandum. He remained
eight years and then returned to Gloucester, his native
place, where he died in December, ISOL He had
two wives and nine children. His settlement here
does not seem to have promoted the prosperity of the
church, and there were some scandals that hastened
his removal, though he seems to have maintained a
good social standing.
It was during the pastorate of Mr. Parsons that the
parsonage at the corner of South Common and Com-
mercial Streets was erected. And, as an appropriate
illustration of some of the habits and customs of the
time, it may be pertinent to relate an incident con-
nected with the enterprise. The story is that a num-
ber of the parishioners of small means were surpris-
ingly liberal in the amounts they subscribed in
furtherance of the good object, though it was under-
stood that their donations would be received in the
form of labor upon the premises, at a fixed price per
day. The contributors were highly applauded
for their generosity and the building committee
|)raised for their liheralit.v in arranging with a neigh-
boring retailer forasupply of "refreshments," as they
might be called for, while the work proceeded.
Cheerily and rapidly the work went on. And then —
when the building was completed and the accounts
brought together — the contracting parties were aston-
ished to find that the retailer's score, for liquid refresh-
ments alone, exceeded in amount all that class of
subscriptions.
Rev. Thomas Cushixg Thatcher was installed
next after Mr. Parsons. He was a son of Rev. Peter
Thatcher, of Brattle Street Church, Boston ; was born
in 1771 ; graduated at Harvard in 1790, and settled
here in 1794,' remaining till 1S1.3. He attained a
good old age and died in Cambridge September 24,
1849. He was afTable in his social relations, but
inclined to asperity in his controversial writings. He
preached the funeral discourse over the bodies of the
drowned men from the Scottish brig " Peggy," which
was wrecked near the southern end of Long Beach
December 9, 1795. The service was held in the
meeting-house, the eight recovered bodies being
present. There were twelve on board the brig, only
one of whom escaped, and he, during the mournful
service, stood in the centre aisle. Mr. Thatcher's
text was, "And I only am escaped alone to tell thee,"
Job, ch. i., V. 19. On the 13th of January, 1800, he
pronounced the eulogy on Washington. He also
delivered the funeral sermon over the bodies of Miles
Shorey and his wife, who were instantly killed by
lightning on Sunday, the 10th of July, 1803, in the
house which still stands on Boston Street, oppo.site
Cottage. He was a descendant from that Mr. Tliatcher
who, with his wife, were the only survivors of the
terrible shipwreck, in August, IGS.^J, of the bark of
Mr. Allertou, which was east away ofl" Cape Ann and
twenty-one persons drowned, including Rev. Mr.
Avery, his wife and six children. The island on
which Mr. Thatcher and his wife were safely cast is
still called Thatcher's Island.
Rev. Lsaac Hurd, the tenth minister, was ordained
September 15, 1813, and remained about three years.
He graduated at Harvard in 1806 From Lynn he
removed to Exeter, N. H., where he was installed
over the Second Church of that place in September,
1817. There he remained till his death. At the
closing period of Mr. Hurd's ministry the condition of
the church was very low; so much so, indeed, that
the question of disbanding began to be agitated. But
better things were in store. This was the time when
the " liberal " element was beginning to actively work
in the old churches, and Mr. Hurd was inclining to-
wards the new views. It is almost wonderful that
the church did not at that time recede from the old
])aths, as so many of the other New England churches
did. And it probably would have gone over had
Mr. Hurd possessed the firmness and attractive
power possessed by some others of the seceding
clergy.
Rev. Otis Rockwood, who succeeded Mr. Hurd,
was firm in the faith, firm in his denominational at-
tachments, and firm in his determination to prevent,
if possible, any straying from the old paths. He was
sound rather than brilliant, and to his earnestness is
much of his success to be attributed.
The successors of Mr. Rockwood, down to the pres-
ent time, have been strong in the faith and zealous in
their labors, men of ability and learning, and some
of them distinguished above the common rank. So
well are their characteristics known to this genera-
tion that an attempt at portrayal in detail would be
needless here, did the limits allow. Their names and
the dates of their settlement have already been
given. It may not appear invidious, however, to re-
mark that Rev. Parsons Cooke, who was settled in
1836 and died on 1864, was perhaps the most notable
since the time of Mr. Shepard. He was especially
strong as a controversialist, and seemed to take a
grim delight in opportunities to attack the Unitarian,
Universalist and Methodist denominations. Persons
of his characteristics always make a mark, and have
tenacious adherents and determined opponents. It is
difticult, therefore, to form an entirely satisfactory
opinion from contemporaneous estimates, and future
results must indicate the amount of good achieved.
Mr. Cooke published two or three works which re-
ceived some attention at the tinu^ they appeared, the
most interesting of which, at least to Lynn people,
being that entitled " A Century of Puritanism
and a Century of its Opposites." It related
268
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to the history of ecclesiastical affairs here, and
took quite an unfavorable view of some of his
predecessors in the pastorate and those of their com-
munion. Its sometimes poorly authenticated state-
ments, as to the unworthiness of those under notice,
opened the way for the future liberal-minded histo-
rian to rank him as one disjiosed to magnify the fail-
ings, rather than the goodness, of others.
Besides the foregoing list of regular pastors the
church has, of late years, had the services of two or
three acting pastors, whose names follow, — Rev.
George E. Allen, who supplied in 1863-64 ; Eev.
Joseph Cook, 1870-71 ; Rev. J. R. Danforth, 1872.
Mr. Cook afterwards became quite famous as a lec-
turer, delivering several series in Boston and other
large American cities. He likewise visited Europe
and other parts of the world, attracting much atten-
tion. He still (1887) continues to exercise his gifts
in his chosen field. While here, he delivered a series
of Sunday evening lectures in Music Hall, which cre-
ated considerable sensation on account of the pun-
gency of his style, and, as many thought, indiscreet
and unnecessary assertions and denunciations.
Thursday, the 8th of June, 1882, the two hundred
and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the First
Church of Lynn was observed by fitting ceremonies
at the house of worship, on South Common Street.
The day was pleasant and the attendance good. The
forenoon exercises consisted of addresses, prayers,
Scripture reading and appropriate music. The his-
torical address was given by the pastor. Rev. Walter
Barton ; and a poem, from which quotations have al-
ready been given, was read by the author, J. Warren
Newhall. At noon an abundant repast for visitors
was spread in the lecture-room. The afternoon ser-
vices were all of an impressive character. It was an
occasion of much interest, — something more than a
mere society or denominational observance, being
well calculated to enlist the sympathies and stir the
feelings of all, especially natives of the town.
The history of the First Church of Lynn has here
been dwelt upon more at large, perhaps, than our
limits justify ; but, in an important sense, it embodies
a history of the place. In its communion were the
fathers of the town, and, all along, many of the chief
men have held it to be their spiritual home. Its influ-
encein early days was potent forgood,andin its listof
pastors appear some names of more than ordinary
lustre.
Having spoken thu.s at large of the First Church
and its ministry, brevity will be necessary in sjieak-
ing of the other religious societies, of which there
are now thirty. Before enumerating them, however,
a word should be said of the first churches of Lynn-
field and Saugus, which were the Second and Third
of Lynn.
The Second Parish Church of Lynn was formed in
1720, the year in which Rev. Mr. Shepard died, and
Ijecame the First Church of Lynufleld. The eccen-
tric but learned Nathaniel Sparhawk was the first
minister. In the sketch of Lynnfield this parish will
be further spoken of. In the mutations of New Eng-
land theology it became a Universalist Society.
The Third Pariah Church of Lynn was gathered in
1732, and became the First Church of Saugus. It was
over this parish that the Rev. Joseph Roby was set-
tled for the long period of fifty-one years. He was
learned and pious, and withal ardently patriotic,
being chosen one of the Committee of Safety at the
opening of the Revolution. This society, like that
of Lynnfield, finally adopted the Universalist faith.
Tkinitariax Congregational. — Of the Trini-
tarian Congregational — or, as they are popularly
called, the Orthodox — Societies, there are now four,
namely, — the First Church, that already spoken of,
and whose present place of worship is a fine brick
edifice on South Common Street, built in 1872 ; the
Central Congregational, founded in 1850, and whose
prei-ent house of worship is also a fine brick edifice,
on Silsbee Street, built in 1868 ; the Chestnut Street
Congregational, commenced in 1857 as a Congrega-
tional Methodist, and becoming distinctly Calvin-
istic in 1860, their house of worship being a frame
structure on Chestnut Street, built in 1857 ; the North
Congregational, founded in 1869, and worshipping in
their neat wooden church on Laighton Street, built in
1870.
Unitarian Congregational. — The Second Con-
gregational Society of Lynn is Unitarian in sentiment.
It was founded in 1823 and has a peculiar history,
exemplifying some of the changes to which so many
religious bodies were subjected at about the time of
its institution. As has been seen, Mr. Rockwood, of
the First Church, was a strong Calvinist. He was
settled in 1818. At that time the leaven of"' liberal
Christianity," as it was called, and which subse-
quently developed into broad Unitarianism, had begun
actively to work. And it was chiefly from those who
dropped off from the old society, having imbibed the
more " liberal views," that this was formed. Among
the early members were several of the most influential
people of the town, and it has always comprised some
of the wealthiest. Their house of worship, which is
the first and still the only one of the order in Lynn,
was dedicated on the 30th of April, 1823, and is on
South Common Street. It is a wooden structure, and
does not compare favorably with most of the present
Lynn houses of worship. It may be mentioned, as
an interesting fact, that it was in a sermon preached
in Boston, at the installation of Rev. Mr. Shackford,
who was the sixth pastor of this society, that the dis-
tinguished Theodore Parker first publicly and clearly
enunciated his peculiar doctrinal views. Another
interesting fact, mentioned by Mr. Johnson in his
" Sketches of Lynn," is, that the venerable Dr.
Pierce, of Brookline, who was here at the ordination
of Rev. Mr. Pierpont, the fifth minister, on that occa-
sion remarked that that " was the ninety-fourth ordi-
LYNN.
269
nation that he had attended, and that it was the first
one where intoxicating drinks were not used, and the
first ordination dinner at whieh ladies were present.''
Friends, or Quakers. — A Socief;/ of Frienda eotn-
nieuced worship here as early as 1677. The rigid
laws against the Quakers, which for many years de-
formed the statute-books of Massachusetts, and the
story of their rigorous enforcement, are too well
known to need recounting. But it should be borne
in mind that the so-called Quakers of those days
were very different from the quiet, orderly and hon-
est people of after-years who have borne the name.
They were a turbulent set. defying the government
and outraging, certainly in some instances, the decen-
cies of social life. The society here has ever em-
braced some of the best people, and, with tlie excep-
tion of one or two rather unaccountable outbreaks,
has pursued the even tenor of its way. They worship
in a plain wooden structure, on Sil.sbee Street, built
in 1810.
Methodist.^To that early pioneer of Method-
ism, Jesse Lee, is to be attributed the formation of
the first society of the denomination in Lynn. Rev.
Mr. Daniels, in his " History of Methodism," speaking
of the travels and untoward experiences of Lee in New
England, says, — " In Lynn a more hospitable recep-
tion was accorded to him, and there he formed his
first society in Massachusetts, February 20, 1791,
consisting of eight members. On the 27th of the
same month it had increased to twenty-nine mem-
bers, and in May following more than seventy per-
sons took Certificates of their attendance on his min-
istry— a measure rendered necessary by the laws of
the State, in order to secure them from taxation for
the support of the clergy of the 'standing order.'"
August 3, 1702, was held at Lynn the first Methodist
Conference in New England. "There were eight
persons present besides Bishop Asbury," says Daniels,
" among whom was Jesse Lee, who was now exulting
in having gained a permanent foothold in this un-
I)romising region."
The Fii-st Methodht Sorie/i/ of Lynn, thus formed,
has maintained a prominent standing not only in
Lynn, but in the denomination at large, and has sent
forth several thrifty ecclesiastical offspring. Their
present house of worship is a conspicuous brick ed-
ifice on the northeasterly side of City Hall Square,
built in 1879. ,St. Paul's Methodist Socictij was formed
in 1811. Their present house of worship is a wooden
structure ou Union Street, built in 18(Jl. The pre-
ceding house was totally destroyed by fire on Sunday
evening, November 20, 1859. Some five hundred
persons, many of whom were children, as a Sunday-
school concert was in progress, were in the building,
but all safely escaped. The South Street Methodist So-
ciety was formed in 1830. Their house of worship is
a neat wooden structure on South Street, built in
1830. The Maple Street Methodist Society, Glen mere
Village, was founded in 1850. Their house of wor-
ship is an attractive structure of wood on Maple
Street, built in 1872. The Boston Street Methodist So-
ciety was founded in 18o3. Their house of worsliip is
a wooden structure on Boston Street, built in 1853.
The African Methodist Society was organized in 1856,
and their modest house of worship, on Mailey Street,
erected the next year. Trinity Methodist Society, near
Tower Hill, was founded in 1873, and their present
tasty edifice of wood built soon alter. Recently a so-
ciety has been organized in Wyoma Village.
Baptist. — The First Baptist Society was founded in
1816. A great deal has been said of the persecutions
to which the early Baptists were subjected, and much
of the rigorous conduct towards them was inex-
cusable. Yet it may be said of them, as was said of
the early Quakers — they were not characterized by
peacefulness, humility and the high sense of Chris-
tian duty which characterizes those of the name at
this day. Their interference with State afl'airs no
doubt created more opi)osition than their purely re-
ligious doctrines. It is probable that most students
of New England history would concede that the Ijan-
ishment of Roger Williams even was brought about
more from political than religious considerations.
This, however, is not the place for discussing such
questions. When the church here in Lynn was
formed, the persecutions had long ceased. The house
of worship of the First Bajjtist Society is a fine ed-
ifice of wood on North Common Street, erected in
1867. The Washington Street Baptist Society was
founded in 1854. Their house of worship, at the cor-
ner of Essex and Washington Streets, is one of the
finesit in town, is of brick and sione, and was built in
1874. The Iliyh Street Free- Will Baptist Society was '
organized in 1871. Their house of worship is of wood,
and stands in a commanding position on High Street.
The East Baptist Society was organized in 1874, and
have their house of worship on Union Street. The
Union Baptist Society, founded in 1880, have their
place of worship on Oxford Street, and is a society of
colored people. Tlie North Baptist Society have their
place of worship in Wyoma Village.
Christian. — The Christian Society was organized
in 1835. Their house of worship is a wooden struc-
ture on Silsbee Street, built in 1840. This church
has always maintained a most respectable denomina-
tional standing.
Universai.ist. — The first meeting held in Lynn
for the preaching of the doctrines of this denomina-
tion was in the Academy Hall in 1811. The First
Universalist Socitty, however, was not formed till
1833; it was then organized in the Town Hall, and
has had a steady and substantial growth till, at the
present time, it is one of the largest religious bodies
in Lynn, embracing many of the prominent people.
The present house of worship, on Nahant Street, is
built of stone and brick, and is one of the finest in
the city. The Second Universalist Society was organ-
ized in 1837. Their house of worship is a wooden
270
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
structure on South Common Street, corner of Com-
mercial, the same that was originally occupied by the
First Church, and afterwards by a small society of
another denomination. Some of the material of the
edifice was first used in the famous Old Tunnel.
Second Advent. — The Second Advent Society have
a house of worship on Liberty Street, opposite Cam-
bridge. The society, though not large, is composed
of earnest believers.
Protestant Episcopal. — The Episcopal Church
was of slow growth in Lynn, though it is no doubt
true that there were individual churchmen here at an
early period. Richard Sadler, who came in 1635, and
located at the present junction of Walnut and Hol-
yoke Streets, it is reasonable to suppose, was a de-
voted churchman, as he took priest's orders after his
return to England. His name is perpetuated in the
lofty porphyry cliff that rises near the point just
named, and which was granted to him by the town in
1638 ; and that he was a man of integrity, intelligence
and prudence is apparent from the importance of the
public offices he was constantly called to fill ; and
there were no doubt here and there other church-
men who may have veiled their sentiments, so great
were the prejudices against them. From all that ap-
pears, the first service held here was on the evening
of Sunday, October 18, 1818. At that time Rev.
Thomas Carlisle, of St. Peter's Church, Salem,
preached in the First Parish Meeting House, known
as the Old Tunnel, the same in which the celebrated
Whitefield had been denied the privilege of holding
a service. But things had changed. The rigid fet-
ters of the old faith were loosening, and it was act-
ually by invitation of some of the influential mem-
bers of the parish that Mr. Carlisle came. Yet, as
events proved, these good men had but poorly in-
formed themselves as to the church offices and re-
quirements, for they were chiefly the very men who
soon after formed the Unitarian Society. However,
a sort of church was instituted, which existed, but
did not flourish, for a year or two, and then became
extinct. It was not till 1834 that another attempt
was made to establish a church here. An organiza-
tion was effected, and f<ir a time they were so pros-
perous as to erect a modest house of worship, which
was consecrated in 1837, but failure ensued ; and it
was not till 1844 that permanent church worship be-
came' established. It was then, in 1844, that St.
Stephen's was formed. For some years it was
weak and without much influence, but finally
became prosperous, and is now one of the most
substantial in the diocese. The house of worship,
on South Common Street, is a beautiful struc-
ture of brick and stone, more costly than any other
church building in the county, and is endeared
to the parish, especially, as the gift of the late Hon
Enoch Redington Mudge. It was consecrated on
Wednesday, November 2, 1881, and cost two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. The interior is impres-
sive for its richness and freedom from all garish dis-
play, some of the decorations being very costly.
A chime of ten bells has recently been placed in the
tower, and first rang out their sonorous notes on the
morning of Easter day, 1886. Among the tunes
played on that occasion were " Jesus, Lover of my
Soul," " The Morning Light ii Breaking.'' This is
the first chime ever in Lynn ; is pronounced by ex-
perts to be superior in tone and unison, and was pro-
cured by members of the parish in grateful memory
of Mr. Mudge, the donor of the edifice. The weight
of the largest bell is three thousand and thirty pounds,
and the cost of the whole was five thousand two hun-
dred and fifty dollars. The chime was welcomed
with much satisfaction by the people generally, and
two of our local poets, in pleasant strains, celebrated
the acquisition. Three of the eight impressive stan-
zas by J. Warren New hall are here given :
" In the Sabbath morn's husli with melodious accord.
They shall join in an anthem of praise to our Lord ;
And their soul-soothing vespers, at eve's hour of rest,
Shall be wafted like notes from the Isles of the Blest.
" They shall ring at the bridal, where love's vows are breathed
By the blushing young maiden with orange-blooms wreathed ;
Or chime the low dirge as the grief-bidden tear
Of affection bedeweth the cherished one's bier.
" At fair jocund morning, or peace-hallowed night,
We shall list to their music with grateful delight,
As they blend in a chorus exultant and strong.
Or soothing and sweet as a lullaby song."
And in the poem of twelve stanzas, by our fellow-
townsman, Joseph W. Nye, are these felicitous lines:
*' 'Tis meet they first our joy should ring
Upon the glorious Easter Day,
While we responsive gladly sing
The risen Christ and own His sway.
*' O bells ! ye fitly grace the tower
That one of liberal eoul did raise.
Who pave this fane — a sacred dower —
To which all hearts yield ready praise.
" 0 city loved ! with grateful heart
Receive this gift so kindly free ;
To thy fair name it will impart
A charm that we have longed to see."
The Church of the Incarnation was formed in 1886,
chiefly by members who withdrew from St. Stephen's.
They at present worship in their beautiful stone
chapel near the corner of Broad and Estes Streets.
There is every reason to hope and believe that this
parish will soon be exercising an extensive and
benign influence.
Roman Catholic — St. Mary^s Parish. — The first
Roman Catholic service held in Lynn seems to
have been in 1835, a private house accommodating
all the attendants. In 1848 the numbers had so in-
creased that they purchased a frame building on
South Common Street, near Elm. This building had
rather a singular history. It was first a Methodist
house of worship, and stood on land purchased of the
Congregational Society. In 181.T it was bought by
the newly-formed First Baptist Society, and occupied
LYNN.
271
by tliem for a number of years. Next it became a
district school-house; then, in 1848, it wa.s purchased
by the CathnUrs and fitted up for their services ; and
finally, on the night of the 28th of May, 1851), was
destroyed by an incendiary fire. The first min-
ister was Father Charles Smith, who died in January,
1851, and was succeeded by Rev. Patrick Strain, who
yet, 1887, remains in charge, having served for the
longest term of any of the present Lynn ministers.
After the destruction of the first house of worship
the Catholics obtained the useof Lyceum Hall, which
stood on Market Street, at the corner of Summer, and
there mass was said, instructions given and confes-
sions heard. In 1860 the site for the present St.
Mary's Church, at the south side of City Hall Square,
was procured, and the fine Gothic structure erected.
It remained for some years the most imposing church
edifice in Lynn. It is built chiefly of brick, its
dimensions being one hundred and fifty by seventy-
three feet, and having a steeple one hundred and
sixty-five feet in height. The interior is imposing,
has a number of costly paintings and a fine organ.
The seating capacity is one thousand three hundred.
Connected with St. Mary's Church is an excellent
parochial school for children of both sexes, at which
the daily attendance is over sis hundred. The man-
agement is in the bands of Rev. Father Strain, and
the expenses are met by the menibert of the parish.
St. Mary's Cemetery, on Lynn field Street, conse-
crated Nov. 4, 18.58, is connected with this parish.
The Catholic population of Lynn has steadily in-
creased, and at the present time outnumbers any
other Christian denomination — so far, at least, as is
indicated by attendance on public ministrations.
There are now five Catholic priests resident here,
and they are as a body worthy of commendation for
their zealous endeavors to elevate the character and
condition of those under their charge. The long and
successful ministry of Father Strain will ever be
remembered to his credit.
St. Joseph's Paris/i, in Union Street, embraces
chiefly the Catholic population in the eastern part of
the city. It was formed in 1874, and their stately
house of worship erected in 1875. Like St. Mary's,
it is built chiefly of brick, and is a conspicuous edi-
fice, with a seating capacity of about one thousand
two hundred. Rev. J. C. Harrington is the minister,
having an assistant. St. Joseph's Cemetery, on Bos-
ton Street near Cedar Pond, is connected with this
parish.
A French Catholic Church was formed herein 1886,
and a church is already in process of erection.
The Catholics of Lynn, it is thought, form about
thirty per cent, of the whole population.
SWEDENBORGIAX. — A Swedenborgiau or New Je-
rusalem Society was formed here in 188t). Some
years ago an attempt was made to establish a society
of this order, but the worshippers were so few that
services were not long continued.
In addition to the foregoing, there are here, as in
most jilaces as large, other religious organizations
sustained by some of the churches or by pious and
benevolent individuals, such as the Bethel and the
West Lynn Mission, which are doing much good.
It will be seen by the following tab'e that there are
now in Lynn thirty-one organized Christian bodies,
to wit :
Methodist (1 African) 8 i CongreBntional (rniUrian) ... 1
Baptist (1 Aflicau) 6, Friends 1
Cuneregatioiial (Trinitarian) . 4 j Clui.^tittn 1
Roman Catholic (1 Krench) . . :i\ Second Advent 1
I'niversalist 2 ' Swedenhorpian 1
Protestant Epiacojial 2 Sal%-atiou Army of America ... 1
The following gives the city assessor's valuation in
1886 of the church property belonging to some of the
principal religious societies, including the church
edifices and the lots on which they stand:
St. Stephen's (Episcopal) S23.'i,000
Tirst Universaliet 122,iiu0
First Jlethodist 102,n(.hi
Washington Street Biptist 81,000
Central Congregational (Trinitarian) T^.O'IO
First Congregational (Trinitarian) (i:i,2U0
St. Marj-'s (Roman Catholic) iM.tKm
St. Joseph's (Roman Catiiolic) r.2,(XK)
First Baptist 4t,OnO
Friends 17,iHio
Second Congregational (Unitarian) 16,600
Some of the edifices, it will be observed are quite costly;
and if the time should ever arrive when they are as
heavily taxed as individual property, impecunious
worshippers may regret the rich appointments. We
should not have been likely to have erected so many
churches nor so grand ones had taxation interposed
its hungry hand. The above enumeration, as will be
observed, does not include all the houses of worship.
Taking in the whole, it is found that for the year
1886 the amount of church property exempt from
taxation was !?1 ,079,000.
It is easy to see from the foregoing that Lynn is by
no means in a state of spiritual starvation, or, at least,
need not be. Her places of worshij) are numerous
and eligible. And as to the learning and ability of
her clergy, she would probably acknowledge inferiority
to very few. Perhaps there is a little overstraining
that verges on the sensational in some societies, and
occasional displays that have the unpleasant air of
denominational rivalry ; but then even spiritual
emulation may result in good.
In the " leading'' churches a good deal of attention
is paid to music. And in some instances it really
appears as if that were considered of more imjxirtance
than the preaching; naturally enough, too, where the
music is good and the preaching is poor. But that
does not seem to be exactly the right idea. The sacred
strains that resounded in the rude sanctuaries of our
fathers, though not, perhaps, in full accord with the
rules of harmony, were fervid and stirring to the
jiious heart. But is not the tendency of much of the
church music of this day rather to lead from devotion
272
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to admiration — admiration of artistic composition and
artistic rendering? And does not the sedate wor-
shipper sometimes feel as if listening to
"Light quirks of music, brolven and uneven,"
such as would only
"Malce a soul dance upon a jig to lieaven."
The singing in some of our churches is, at the pres-
ent time, congregational, with the leading of a chorus
choir ; in others a quartette fills the programme. St.
Stephen's follows the ancient church custom of having
a surpliced male choir, chiefly boys, whose young,
fresh voices and natural renderings add greatly to the
interest of the service. In one church an " orchestra
band" has lately appeared as an attraction.
A few remarks as to religious observances in former
days might be of some interest here; but it is neces-
sary to pass on to other topics. It may, however, be
remarked, by the way, that there were, at different
periods, quite different views prevailing. In early
times the Levitical law, in all its rigidity, was
adopted ; then came from time to time modifications
in one way and another ; and, finally, about the
close of the eighteenth century, the leaven of French
infidelity began perceptibly to work in some classes.
But in this part of New England the stronghold of
Puritanism was long maintained. Albert Gallatin,
the eminent financier and Secretary of the Treasury
under Jefferson, was a native of Geneva, and of rigid
Puritanical stock. He was in Boston in 178.3, and
thus speaks of life then and there: " Life in Boston
is very wearisome. There are no public amusements,
and so much superstition prevails that singing, violin-
playing, card-playing and bowls are forbidden on
Sunday." Calvin himself would probably have sanc-
tioned these views, though they were far from New
England Calvinism. But these few mere hints on
this subject must sutfice.
CHAPTER XV.
LY!^ii— (Continued).
SCHOOLS — LIBRARIES — NEWSPAPERS.
Schools^ their Number and Character^ wUh Sketches of Some of the Old
Teachers — Present Condition, Cost of Maintenance, ivith Various Statis-
tical Items — Notice of Early Collections of Books — Free Public Libra-
ry, its Formation, fxrowth and Present Condition — Neicspapers, Sketch
of Oi« First Paper here, and its jpditor — Papers of the Present Day.
Won of learning, men of training,
O, be yours a potent sway ;
W'riting, teaching, vice restraining,
Guiding in the better way.
— Allan.
Schools. — The next thing thought of after the es-
tablishment of the church was the school. And the
purpose was not so exclusively then, as it now is, that
the youth might be prepared for the common business
transactions of life, which at that period were few
and of limited range. It embraced also the higher
motive of fixing in the youthful mind the principles
of moral rectitude and religion. Thus, we find an
enactment of the General Court in 1647, commenc-
ing: " It being one chief proiect of y' ould deludor
Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of y" Scrip-
tures, as in former times by keeping them in an un-
known tongue, so in these latter times, by persuading
from y"^ use of tongues, y' so at least y' true sense and
meaning of y' originall might be clouded by false
glosses of saint-seeming deceivers, y' learning may
not be buried in y" grave of our fathers in y' church
and commonwealth, y"^ Lord assisting our endeavors :
It is therefore ordered y' every township in this juris-
diction after y"= Lord hath increased them to y' num-
ber of 50 householders, shall then forthwith appoint
one within their towne to teach all such children as
shall resort to him, to write and reade," &c. . . "And
it is further ordered, y' where any towne shall in-
crease to y' number of 100 families, or householders,
they shall set up a grammar schoole, y° master thereof
being able to instruct youth so farr as they may be
fitted for y' university, provided y' if any towne ne-
glect y' performance hereof above one yeare, then
every such towne shall pay £5 to y° next schoole till
they shall performe this order." In 1654 the court
prohibited the teaching of schools by persons of "un-
sound doctrine." Were such a statute now in force,
the first difficulty would be to determine what is
"unsound doctrine."
Many of the first teachers were of the clergy, and
it need not be remarked that they, with perhaps a
few exceptions, were graduates of the English uni-
versities, and many had been ministers in the Church
of England. Naturally enough, they had a veneration
for classical learning, and believed in the sui>erlative
virtues of Greek and Latin. But there was little
time wasted in attempts to give a smattering of every
kind of knowledge, useless as well as useful, as has
been the case in later days. There were few books,
but the deficiency was supplied by the instructors in
various quaint ways, by brief explanatory talks, by
homely and ingenious illustrations.
The first action of Lynn in her corporate capacity
in relation to schools, so far as the records show, was
in January, 1696, when it is recorded, " The Select-
men agreed with Mr. (Abraham) Normanton to be
schoolmaster for the town for said year ensuing, and
the Town is to give him five pounds for his labors,
and the Town is to pay twenty-five shillings towards
the hire of Nathan Newhall's house for a year to keep
the school in, and that said Mr. Normanton hire said
house." It seems as if, with a salary of five pounds,
the town might have provided a school-room for Mr.
Normanton. This, however, could not have been tlie
first opportunity the youth of a town had to gain in-
LYNN.
273
struction ; far from it. And it will be observed that
the court, as just quoted, does not re(|uire that in
places of only fifty householders there shall be estab-
lished a school, but that a resident shall be appointed
to " teach such children as shall resort to him," etc.
It was when a place had increased to a hundred fam-
ilies, that they were to " set up a grammar sehoole."
The early records of Lynn having disappeared,
there seem no means for determining when the youth
were first gathered for instruction. There is no d<jubt
that Mr. Whiting and Mr. Cobbet, the early ministers,
took pains to instruct the youth of their day. And
]\L-. Lewis remarks, under date 1687, " Mr. Shepard
kept the school several months this winter." So there
must then have been an established school. Many of
the churches had a "teacher," so-called, connected
with the ministry. The word, as thus applied, did
not then have the same significance that it now has,
but evidently had some connection with secular as
well as religious teaching. Mr. Coljbet, who was col-
league with Mr. Whiting, was called "teacher." On
the 6th of October, 1680, when Mr. Shepard was or-
dained pastor, Mr. Whiting'sson Joseph was ordained
teacher. In 1718 Mr. Shepard being out of health,
the selectmen were directed to employ a schoolmaster,
and in their selection " to have relation to some help
for Mr. Shepard in jireaching." On the town records,
under date December 21, KiOl, it is stated that at a
meeting of the selectmen " Mr. Shepard, with his
consent, was chosen schoolmaster for the year ensu-
ing." These sufficiently show the intimate relation
then existing between the clerical office and teach-
ing.
In 1702 a vote was passed allowing ten pounds for
the maintenance of a grammar-master, "such master
to have over and above the said ten pounds 2 pence
per week for such as are sent to read, 3 pence per
week for them that are sent to write and cipher, and
six pence per week for them that are sent to learn
Latin, to be paid by parents and masters that send
their children or servants to learn as aforesaid." A
grammar-school was one in which Latin was taught,
Englisli grammar not being in use. Arithmetic was
taught by the instructor's writing sums on a slate ; and
reading and writing were taught much as they now
are. These were the common and chief studies.
Spelling was allowed to range loosely about the
alphabet, there being no fixed standard. So long as
the letters used gave the right sound to the word it
was sufiBcient; and some of their words look queer
enough to the school-boy of this day.
It appears, that for the convenience of the different
neigliborhoods, the school was at some periods a sort
of ambulatory institution, being at one time located
in one part of the town and then in another — a fact
that has given rise to the supposition that there were
more schools than really existed. For instance, in
1720, the school was kept in Lynnfield, in Saugus,
on the Common and at Woodend. .lohn Lewis w;is
IS
teacher that year; but he was very soon superseded,
or an additional school was established, for another
master soon appears ; and it is not probable that there
were two teachers to the same movable school. The
name of the new teacher w.as Samuel Dexter, and he
was probably a descendant from Thomas Dexter, one
of the most enterprising of our earlier settlers, as he
was certainly the progenitor of several eminent per-
sons. He was but twenty years of age when he took
the school ; was a son of Rev. John Dexter, of Maiden,
and a graduate of Harvard. He subsequently became
minster of the First Church of Dedham. He says in
his diary : "Then being desirous, if it might be, to
live nigher my friends, by y" motion of some, I was
invited to keep y" school at Lyn ; w'fore, quitting my
school at Taunton, I accepted of the proffers made at
Lyn, and Feb. 17, 1720-21, I began my school at
Lyn, in w"'' I continued a year; and upon y^ day y'
my engagement was up there a committee from Maldon
came to tre.at with me in reference to Maldon school ,
w"'' propo.salls I complyed with and kepty' school for
ab' six weeks, and then was mostly to the present
time, [4 Dec. 1722] improv'd in ])reaching."
The Friends, or Quakers, established a school i n
Lynn in 1776 ; and in 1784, after considerable oppo-
sition, the town voted to grant their request to have a
portion of the school-money especially appropriated
to its support. The annual allowance was continued
some years. Micajah Collins was master of this
school more than a quarter of a century, ever retaining
the respect of the parents and affection of the pupils ;
and of those who received his instructions there are a
few yet renuuning who can now hardly speak of him
without emotion. He was born in 1764, of Quaker
parents, received a fair education, and was an ap-
proved minister of the Society for almost forty years.
In his ministerial capacity he traveled much and
became known and respected in many parts of the
United States. He was married, but left no issue.
The last moments of his life are represented to have
displayed inamarked degree the true characteristics of
the dying Christian. Many friends and neighbors as-
sembled around his bed, and in kind words he dealt
to them admonitions and encouragements, and ex-
pressed his own assurance of a blessed immortality.
Then he took each individual by the hand and bade
all an affectionate farewell. Like the setting of a
summer's sun, he gently passed away, without a
murmur or a sigh. He died on the yotli of January,
1827. From a poetic tribute to his memory, penned
by Rev. Enoch Mudge, a clerical father in the Meth-
odist Church, and published in the Newport, R. I.,
Mercury, the following lines are extracted:
*' III toniper open, atniablo anii mild.
In niannt'is simple, trusting .is a cliild ;
Ho to ttio youtli !i plfrtsiiig j>attiTii gave.
Of access easy, pious, clieorl'til, grave ;
.\11 classes felt an interest in ttie man.
For innocence througli atl liis actions ran.
liOng as an at>le ministi-r he stood,
274
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
And spent his lengthened life in doing good ;
At home, abroad, the humble Christian shone,
"While all the praise he gave to God alone."
To the Lynn Transcript of December 24, 1886, James
A. Breed contributed an article in which he named
twenty-two persons living who were pupils of Mas-
ter Collins, fourteen of them residents of Lynn.
None were less than seventy-two years of age, and
the ages of five ranged from eighty-five to ninety-
three.
Down to the beginning of the present century
hardly any girls attended the public schools. There
were several reasons for this. One was that their
services were needed at home ; another, that the
studies were not thought necessary for their sphere;
and a third, that it was not proper to have boys
and girls so closely associated — all which ideas seem
to be reversed in this our day. Female pupils are
first spoken of, in a Lynn school report, in 1817.
It would be tiresome to multiply details concerning
the early schools. Those of Lynn maintained a credi-
table standing. The people were poor, and during
the depressed times immediately preceding the Revo-
lution, the stormy days of the war, and the
turbulent period immediately succeeding, the cause
of education was permitted to languish. But the vital
fires were not extinguished, only smouldering ; and
when more settled times were reached, they revived
with renewed activity. Teaching was not formerly
reckoned as a regular profession, but was usually
undertaken as a temporary calling by students pre-
paring for other vocations. And this, no doubt,
sometimes operated unfavorably for the schools.
Such, to a great extent was the case in Lynn, till
within fifty or sixty years. Indeed, the wages of all
the teachers here, till within twenty-five years, were
very low, and they were compelled to resort to va-
rious expedients to make both ends meet, if they
were blessed with families. There was good old Mas-
ter Blanchard, who, in 1811, came here to take charge
of a district school, bringing with him in the lumber-
ing old carriage his ten children, and finding two
others added to the number in due time ; he proba-
bly never had a salary above three hundred and fifty
dollars a year, and to eke out was compelled to keep
little private evening schools, and do odd jobs as ac-
countant and scrivener. He was for some ten years
teacher in the little square one-story wooden build-
ing, with hipped roof, that stood on the latitudinal
centre of the Common, nearly opposite where Com-
mercial Street now opens, its diminutive belfry, un-
occupied save by the store of lost bat-balls which had
from time to time lodged there, giving it a sort of
classical aspect. There he taught reading, spelling,
defining, writing, ciphering, a little grammar, and
those now too often neglected, but highly desirable ac-
complishments,— good manners, correct deportment
and respect for age.
Master Blanchard's religious principles were of the
old Puritanical order, and somewhat rigid at that.
And the church probably owed much to his deter-
mined stand and urgehcy that it did not, as did so
many other churches of the order, about that time,
swerve to the so-called "liberal" faith. He ever
made it a part of his duty to endeavor to train the
moral as well as the intellectual faculties of those
under his charge, as many of the generation now
nearly passed away would gratefully attest. He
usually devoted an hour or two every week to lectur-
ing the pupils on morals, manners, or some didactic
subject, closing with a fervent prayer.
He was a musician of much taste and skill, led the
singing in the old church from 1811 to 1824, and
composed one or two psalm tunes which long con-
tinued popular, and may sometimes now be heard.
He was a fifer in the Revolutionary army, and drew
a small i:)ension which did its part to help along. His
musical talents, however, were never exercised in the
school-room, for artistic music was not then thought
a necessary accomplishment for those who were
chiefly destined for the shoemaker's seat or the farm.
The village singing-school afforded opportunity for
those whose musical aspirations could not find ade-
quate expression in the natural form of whistling.
Yet Master Blanchard was not a pronounced char-
acter, as the world goes, and it seemed singular to
many that he should have had the influence he did.
Some called him " non-committal ' ' or " time-serving."
His influence probably lay in his stern morals, his
intelligence and genial manners. He was interest-
ing in conversation, but usually grave and little given
to humorous turns. He died on the 2.5th of May,
1842, aged seventy-eight years.
The Lynn Academy, a private institution, was
opened in 1805, and had some days of prosperity, but
more that were otherwise. Its beneficial influence,
however, was marked, several of its preceptors being
men of excellent acquirements and high character.
It continued till superseded by the High School in
1849.
Having said thus much of the old schools and
school-teachers, a word about the school-houses may
be appropriate. Till within fifty years the Lynn
school-houses were quite unseemly in external ap-
pearance and void of internal conveniences ; yes, they
were shabby. And such was the case in most places,
excepting a few of the richer and more pretentious.
Mr. Everett's picturesque conception of the tasty
red-top school-house nestling so cosily and signifi-
cantly at the cross-roads was ideal, fur paint was
grudgingly applied without, and within would usually
be found dirty floors, hacked benches and wad-
decorated walls. In Lynn we could boast of hardly
anything shapely, to say nothing of the grand or
beautiful, till 1848, in which year the commodious
wooden structures on Franklin and Centre Streets
were erected and supplied with such modern appli-
ances as placed them among the best in the vicinity.
LYNN.
275
And since then the erection of such stately structures
as the Cobbet, on Franklin Street, and the Ingalls, on
Eisex, in 1872, evince the zeal of our people in the
cause of common education. There are one or two of
the old school- houses yet in existence, and a com-
parison of them with those Just named is well
calculated to astonish not only for the evidence of
immeasurable architectural advance, but also, per-
haps, for the progre.ss in extravagance. But the com-
parison must end there, for no such inequality exists
between the teachers of old and their modern suc-
cessors. And let us ever bear in mind that the
grandest school-houses do not always insure the best
teachers or turn out the best scholars.
Our present Iligli School was commenced in May,
1849, in the wooden structure then standing on the
west sideof Franklin Street, where the Cobbet school-
house now stands. Jacob Batchelder, who had for
fourteen years been jireceptor of the old Academy, was
the first teacher. The present High School house,
near Highland Square, was completed in 1851, and
the school was immediately quartered there. It has
enjoyed almost uninterrupted prosperity, and its
teachers have been uniformly learned and skillful.
Alonzo Lewis, the poet and hi.storian, was a teacher
herein Lynn, his native place, for many years; and
it is not easy to determine whether, in the vigor of
life, he prided himself most as a poet, historian or
schoolmaster. One of his longest poems is entitled
" The Schoolmaster." It comprises nearly seven hun-
dred lines, and flows on from beginning to end in his
usual melodious style. On the opening page appear
these lines :
I sing the Teacher's care, his daily pains.
The hope tliat lifts him ami tlie \a»k that cti.iins ;
His an.xious toil to raise the gentle niiiiil,
His skill to clear the path for youth desigued,
His faithful watch o'er life's expanding ray,
To guide young genius up Iniprovenient's way.
And further on are these :
The Teacher's lot is filled with pain and care
Which but devoted hearts are fit to bear.
His rank and worth in freedom's cause are great.
Surpassed by few that bless the public state.
His is the task to fit the youthful mind
For all the stations by its God designed.
There are many beautiful passages in this poem,
though some critics have thought that as a whole it
falls short of one or two others in his volumes. It
would be pleasing to quote a number of passages did
the scope of this sketch permit ; but we may venture
to give a short selection or two as specimens of the
emanations from that gifted mind, which so uniformly
indicate reverence for learning and love of virtue :
"Some shade of woe o'er every lot is thrown ;
Some secret pain each human lieart must own.
Yet, sons of learning ! it is yours to rise
Almve earth's ills, to seek your native skies.
There, with congenial stars your worth shall shine,
And form a galaxy of rays divine !
.\nd though awhile outshone hy some bright sun,
Yet still ye glow whoD his clear course is run.
As yonder splendid cone of torri<l light
Gleams with rich lustre on the dome of night.
And marks the path where day's bright orb hiuspiLMt,
So hallowed genius ! shall thy memory cast
Iti) pure effulgence o'er the shade of mind,
To light the path for future worth designed.
Here the glad inuse her tribute i)ays to theo,
Taylor, thou Shakspeare of divinity I
From humblest scenes thy genius bade thee soar.
The brightest realms of virtue to explore.
Raised from the teacher's to the bishop's chair
Life's purest honoi-s waited on thee there ;
And youth and jige, by thy instructions blest,
Enshrined with tears thy everlasting rest."
And .again :
" Ye, who the pages of romance have scanned,
.Vnd think to find such at the poet's hand ;
Know that refinement springs from lofty thought,
That life's best pleasures are by virtue brought ;
That warmth of heart and excellence of mind
-\re in devotion's sacred charm combined ;
This is the joy that bows to heaven's control,
This the exalted pure romance of soul."
Mr. Lewis gained much commendation by his
" History of Lynn." But it was not voluminous, em-
bracing but about two hundred and fifty octavo pages ;
yet it was so condensed as to contain much more
than its proportions would seem to allow; and, unlike
most works of any kind, appeared, in the mind of the
reader as he proceeded, to expand and shed more and
more light. It has been said that historical works are
always interesting. But there is an immeasurable
diS'erence in the degrees of interest. Minute details
often weary, and yet they often possess a w'onderful
charm. Their success depends upon the judgment
with which they are interwoven. Mr. Lewis's details
are never wearying. And he had a haj)py faculty of
introducing reflections and illustrations that opened
extensive fields of useful thought — a faculty of inesti-
mable value in any writer.
Mr. Lewis took great interest in the prosperity of
his native place, — judging by results, much greater
than he took in his own individual advancement, — and
did many good things that otherwise might have
long remained undone. The construction of the road
to Xahant, along the harbor side of the beach, was an
enterprise carried through in a great measure by his
exertions. For the light-house on Egg Kock we are,
perhap.s, indebted to him more than to any other in-
dividual. The names of old streets were suggested by
him, and so were the names of most of the ponds and
the romantic and picturesque places and objects about
the woods and along the shores. The city seal was
drawn by him ; and, in short, wc owe a debt of grati-
tude to him for an almost countless number of useful
labors and useful suggestions. In the mere pr(<fftssion
of teaching, no doubt, there have been a number here
who would rank as the superiors of Mr. Lewis, but it
may be questioned if there has been one who, on the
whole, has added more to the prosi)erity or done
more to promote the refinement and elevation of our
people. He was born in the neat little cottage
276
HISTOEY OF ESSEX COUiNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
still standing on the north side of Boston Street,
nearly opposite Bridge, on the 28th of August, 1794.
He obtained, chiefly by his own exertions, a very
good education, though he was not a college graduate.
His poetic talents were early developed, the first vol-
ume of his poems appearing in 1823. Another and
enlarged addition appeared in 1831. But the largest
collection was issued after his dece-ise, in 1882, in a
handsome volume edited by his son Ion, and formed
a graceful tribute to his memory. The first edition of
the " History of Lynn," by Mr. Lewis, was published
in 1829, in four numbers ; the next edition was is-
sued in 1844, in the form of an octavo of two hundred
and seventy-eight pages. In 1865, four years after
his decease, a new edition appeared, enlarged by
newly-discovered matter, and with the annals brought
down to the time of publication, by the writer of this
sketch. He died in his picturesque little cottage at
the seaside, on Beach Street, on the 21st of January,
1861.
At the present time the female teachers of our
public schools far outnumber those of the other sex ;
and it is well that it is so, for their influence on the
young minds committed to their charge, in the lower
schools especially, has unquestionably a most ben-
eficial effect. But a glamour surrounds the mistress
of old, of which she of our day is divested, distance
of time lending its enchantment. Says Shenstone :
*' Her cap, far whiter than the driven snow,
Emblem right meet of decency does yield ;
Her apron dy'd in grain, as blue, I trowe,
As is the harebell that adorns the field ;
And in her hand, for sceptre, she does wield
Tway birchen sprays." . . .
*' Albeit ne flattery did corrupt her truth,
Ne poinpus title did debauch her ear ;
Goody, good-woman, gossip n'aiint forsooth.
Or dame, the sole additions she did hear ;
Yet these she challeng'd, these she held right dear."
And the poet's graphic delineation has other win-
ning touches:
" One ancient hen she took delight to feed.
The plodding pattern of the busy dame ;
Which ever and anon, impell'd by need,
Into her school, begirt with chickens came ;
Such favor did her past deportment claim ;
And if neglect had lavish'd on the ground
Fragment of bread, she would collect the same ;
For well she knew, and quaintly could expound.
What sin it were to waste the smallest crumb she found."
There was worthy "Madame Breed," who long
taught her little school on Water Hill, her frilled cap
without a stain, and her manners as stately as if she
were a queen. Some of our "best people" of the
present day can trace their pedigree to her. She was
mother of Andrews Breed, so long landlord of Lynn
Hotel, in the days of its greatest glory, and grand-
mother of our fifth mayor.
As to the condition and comparative usefulness of
our present schools, there have been more or less de-
rogatory whisperings; not so much touching their
management as the course of study ; but as that is to
a considerable extent prescribed by law, it is so far
beyond the regulation of those in whose hands the
educational interests are more immediately placed.
The boast that these primary seats of learning are
now far superior to any heretofore known is often
heard. But the important question is : Are they
superior in adaptation to existing wants ? The law re-
quires instruction in "orthography, reading, writing,
English grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing,
the history of the LTnited States and good behaviour."
It is highly probable that if each town could have its
own way, or, in modern phrase, were " local option "
permissible, this simple curriculum would in many
places be changed, as the common pursuits in differ-
ent localities greatly vary, rendering some studies
much more desirable than others. Of course, each
town must know its own wants. As a general re-
quirement, however, perhaps the present could not be
much improved. And the same may be said of high
school studies, as there, in addition to those named,
it is required that "general history, book-keeping,
surveying, geometry, natural philosophy, chemistry,
botany, the civil polity of the Commonwealth and of
the United States, and the I-atin language " be taught.
But the law does not end with the above require-
ments. It opens a wide, permissive door through
which numerous other studies, some of questionable
utility, may and do intrude where the authorities allow
or direct. It is here that danger lies, for some that
were better kept out will occasionally, by mysterious
influences, find their way in ; some, to say the least,
as u.seless as necromancy. Great responsibility rests
on school committees, and it is agreeable to be able to
testify that Lynn has usually been fortunate in se-
curing those who had a due sense of their responsi-
bility and intelligence and energy sulKcient to execute
their great trust in a way most conducive to the best
interests of the people.
In former years such studies were pursued as best
prepared the pupil to meet the requirements of the
position he was in homely honesty expected to occupy
in after-life ; not such a position as imaginative pa-
rental affection might picture. There is so much
knowledge the possession of which is sure to add to
our well-being that it seems unwise to occupy our-
selves in efforts to gain that which is of doubtful
utility. It has been said that all knowledge is use-
ful, but most certainly all knowledge is not equally
so. No one can learn everything, life not being long
enough for that, and hence is it not the part of wis-
dom to learn as thor.iughly as may be that which is
indispensable or sure to be most useful ? There is an
old maxim that speaks of the jack-at-all-trades being
good at none, and why not apply the suggestion to
the departments of learning?
Are we not more prone to theorize than our practi-
cal fathers were? more charmed with the ideal?
But it may be asked. Is not the mind more fully de-
LYNN.
277
veloped and strengthened, better disciplined and
polished, through these modern requirements ; are not
more extensive, beautiful and ennobling avenues of
thought opened through such means ? This is a
point for the wisest to discuss, and when they have
determined it they will do well to let the world know
the result.
The annual reports of our .school committees are
full and persiiicuous, and it seems as if no citizen need
be in ignorance of the condition of every school, nor
of the ever-growing wants of our whole educational
system.
The following summaries will perhaps give as much
statistical information concerning our present
schools as "may be thought necessary. They are for
1886.
Number of Schools. — 1 High School, 7 grammar
schools, 66 primary schools, 2 evening schools, 1 even-
ing drawing school.
Teachers. — Whole number of teachers in day
schools, including music teacher, drawing teacher and
teacher of elocution, 141 ; number of teachers in even-
ing schools, 4.5 ; number of teachers in evening draw-
ing school, 4 ; in High School, -5 male and 6 female
teachers ; in grammar schools, 4 male, 63 female ;
principals' assistants, 5 ; teachers in primary schools,
66.
Pupils. — Average whole number of pupils belong-
ing to all the day schools, 6415 ; average daily attend-
ance of pupils in all the day schools, 5614 ; average
number of pupils to a regular teacher in High
School, 29; average number of pupils to a teacher in
grammar schools, 42 ; average number of pupils to a
teacher in primary schools, 5.3 ; average attendance of
pupils in evening schools, -321 ; average attendance of
pupils in evening drawing school, 116 ; High School
graduates, June, 1886, 28.
Cost of Support of Schools. — For such as are accus-
tomed to estimate the value of things moral and intel-
lectual, as well as material, on a pecuniary basis, it
may be stated, iu brief, that the actual expenditure
from the city treasury for the support of the public
schools in 1886 was §126,905,85, which included, for
teacher.s' salaries, $82,096.37, and for each pupil be-
tween five and fifteen years, $16.86. The relative
cost of the schools may be seen from the fact that the
total expenditures of the city for the year were
$1,014,617.80.
Libraries. — As auxiliaries in the cause of educa-
tion, our libraries i-hould be named . The first in-
corporated institution of the kind in Lynn appears to
have been the "Social Library," which was estab-
lished in 1819, though before that there were one or
two collections of books to which the public gener-
ally had access; one especially, of considerable value,
though limited in the number of volumes, near the
close of the last century, in charge of Kev. Mr.
Thatcher, of the First Church. The "Social Li-
brary " was a useful institution and continued some
thirty years under its original organization, and then
was united to the small collection of the Natural His-
tory Society. Its number of volumes seems never to
have exceeded 1500. In 18.55 the "Lynn Library
Association '' was incorporated and became custodian
of the united collection, then numbering about 2000
volumes.
In 1862 the " Lynn Free Public Library" was es-
tablished, receiving the books of the Library Associ-
ation, with such additions from other sources as
raised the number of volumes to 4100. Thus began
the notable Lynn Public Library, the usefulness of
which is too well understood to need much remark
here. The city year by year makes liberal appropri-
ations for its support and increase, and has been for-
tunate in the selection of those who take special
charge of its interests.
There has been a steady increase in the number of
volumes of the Public Library, and at the close of
1885 there were 34,411 bound volumes and 4486
pamphlets. The number of deliveries during the year
188.5 was 85,355, and the largest number taken out in
one day during the year was on Saturday, January 31st,
when 951 were delivered. Receipts for the year,
S6994.25 ; expenditures, $6974.27. Whole number of
books purchased during the year, 888, including of
religious works, 28 ; scientific, 61; biographical, 79;
hi-storical, 134; prose fiction, 219.
Of course there were, all along, as the town grew,
small circulating libraries in the diflerent neighbor-
hoods, and limited collections belonging to societies
and clubs. These, together with those of the religious
societies, furnished probably more good reading than
was availed of in those industrious times. Charles F.
Lummus, the first printer, for instance, had a collec-
tion of two or throe hundred volumes in connection
with his office, which he called the Redwood Li-
brary.
There have not been many large donations to our
Public Library as yet, though from time to time books
and other appropriate contributions have been made.
In this respect Lynn has been less fortunate than
many other places. But there was one opportune
legacy which w-ill not be forgotten — that of §10,000
from Sidney B. Pratt. Mr. Pratt was born on the
14th of May, 1814, and died on the 29th of January,
1869, never having been married. He wius una.ssum-
ing in manners, liberal in idciis, diligent in business.
Soon after the opening of the Eastern Railroad, in
1839, he commenced the express business, in a small
way, which, by his promptness, activity and faithlul-
ness, grew apace into large proportions, and fiiuilly,
under the name of "Pratt and Babb's Express," be-
came one of the leading lines in the vicinity. The
public estimation of him was indicated by the attend-
ance at his funeral, which took place from the Friends'
meeting-house, of the mayor and other members of
the city government, and a large concourse of busi-
ness citizens. The donation to the library was by
278
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
will. A good likeness of him is to be seen in the
Public Library.
Another liberal bequest to the Public Library was
made by Lyman F. Chase, who died January 3, 1885.
This gift was $5000. Mr. Chase was a native of
Lynn, and much respected as a young business mau,
his age at the time of his decease being forty-three.
Newspapers. — There was no newspaper published
in Lynn till 1825. It was on the 3d of September of
that year that the Weekly Mirror, under the proprie-
torship of Charles Frederic Lummus, made its first
appearance. And, as this was an event of marked
importance in our history, something more than or-
dinary notice may surely be proper, both of the paper
and its proprietor.
The appearance of the Mirror certainly was not
brilliant, either mechanically or editorially. There
were but nineteen lines of editorial matter in the
whole paper. And there was no greeting to the pub-
lic, nor allusion, in any shape, to the prospects, plans,
or expectations of the publisher. An original tale
occupied five of the little columns, and an original
poem filled another. Mr. Lewis probably wrote
both of these. Three or four advertisements appeared
on the third page ; and the rest of the paper was made
up of news items and short extracts. The four pages
of the sheet — that is the printed part — were each a
fraction less than nine inches by eleven in size; the
type was much worn, the ink poor, the paper coarse
and dingy. The size of the type was long primer,
excepting about one column of brevier and two of
pica. And, on the whole, the expectant public can
hardly be charged with undue fastidiousness for fail-
ing to bestow very high encomiums on this new-born
child of the press. Mr. Lummus told the writer,
among other things, while recounting the experiences
of that eventful period, that he sent a copy to the
New England Oalarij, then under the charge of Mr.
Buckingham, requesting an exchange, but received
his own back, with the second E in the word Week-
ly changed to an A. The fifth number appeared in
a somewhat enlarged form. The same width of col-
umn was preserved, but some five inches were added
to the length, making a paper of much better shape.
But this was done without boasting or any flourish of
trumpets. There was not a line of editorial on the sub-
ject; norwasthere, indeed, a line on any subject, in that
number. Two of the columns were in pica ; and the use
of that large type was continued, to some extent, for
a long time, he, the publisher, taking all suitable op-
l)ortunities to gravely assure his readers that it was
for the benefit of the aged people, whose eyes were
dim; and many thanks did he receive for his kind-
ness. The Mirror was first printed in a small wooden
building, on the west side of Market Street, just
where Tremont Street now opens. But in ibur or five
years the office was removed to another small building,
at the west end of the Common, the most active busi-
ness of the town at that time being centred there.
For a considerable time the Mirror could boast of
but little in quantity, in an editorial way, though
what there was, was very good in quality ; and it
soon became a very readable paper, for, as the proprie-
tor gathered confidence and became more experienced,
he displayed most excellent taste and judgment in
his selections. He had an open eye for the. substan-
tial and useful as well as the exciting and entertain-
ing, and was diligent in looking up matters of local
interest. And his brief remarks were often strikingly
comprehensive. He seldom attempted an article
more than a square or two in length, and was never
guilty of spreading over half a column what might
just as well be expressed in twenty lines.
Mr. Lummus was very social in his disposition; was
acquainted with everybody ; was an accomplished mu-
sician, and something of a military man. He likewise
interested himself in political aftiiirs, but was too
honest to gain a reputation for stability as a partisan.
In all intellectual and recreative enterprises, from
the dignified lyceum to the jovial chowder party, he
was ready and active, and hence frequently found
himself in a situation where he was able to pick up
matter for useful or amusing " squizzles," as he termed
his short articles. And he was able in a short time
to gather around him quite a number of very accept-
able correspondents.
Mr. Lummus earned for himself the popular nick-
name of "Philosopher" in a rather amusing manner.
Lawyer Gates being in the oflice one day, abruptly
inquired, " Charles, what does the F. in your name
stand for?" "Philosopher," was the instantaneous
response. The ready wit so struck the old gen-
tleman that he at once gave currency to the sell-be-
stowed sobriquet.
He had a strange propensity to frequently change
the appearance of his paper. Every little while his
sheet would appear, perhaps with a new head, a dif-
ferent width of column, or some fancilul display of or-
namental type. His means were limited, and his
office but poorly supplied with materials. An an-
cient Ramage press, which looked as if Franklin
might have worked at it, a small font of second-
hand long primer, a little brevier, and a very few lit-
tle fonts of small ornamental letter, with a case of
pica and a few pounds of great primer, were almost
everything he had. His three stands were so aged as
to totter on their legs, and his galleys were warped or
cracked. The only large type in the office for years
were two or three alphabets of four-line pica an-
tique capitals, which served for the heading of hand-
bills, and at one time for the heading of his
paper. With such a fitting out, he could not, of
course, be expected to turn out any very elegant
specimens of the art. But at that time such displays
in job printing as are now made were not thought of
In March, 1832, the writer purchased his whole es-
tablishment for two hundred dollars, paying quite as
much as it was worth. He had, however, in the mean
LYNN.
279
time procured a small font of new long primer, and
sent off the old press, hiring a small iron one.
As to the success of the Mirror, it may in brief be
stated that small returns rewarded hard labor. The
number of subscribers was about four hundred —
sometimes running a little below, but seldom above.
The amount of work in the office — ;jobs, newspaper
and all — could l)e done by the publisher and one
hand. But at first, in a corner of his office, and after-
ward in a separate room, Mr. Lumraus kept a shop
with a small stock of stationery and fancy articles,
such as are usually sold in a country book-store. A
few musical instruments likewise formed a part of his
stock, and he would frequently, in times of the great-
est hurry, abruptly drop his composing stick to per
form a solo on one of them, much to the discomfiture
of his journeyman. Indeed he did not possess quite
so strong an attachment for manual labor as for some
other pursuits. lie was fond of considering the mat-
ter in a philosophical way, and would sometimes re-
mark, " Well, I guess I won't work too hard to-day, lest
I should have nothing to do to-morrow," which remark
was the sure precursor of a ride, a walk or an interval
of repose over a book. There was a vein of humor,
without the sting of sarcasm, running through his con-
versation, and he much loved a harmless practical joke.
He had an original way of ridding himself of idlers
and such disagreeable company as quartered in his
ofBce: it was, to immediately set them at some dis-
agreeable work. No matter who the individual might
be, old or young, high or low, he would be called to
go for a pail of water, sweep the floor, or perform
gome other equally dignified service, a plausible ex-
cuse always accompanying the request ; and when one
thing was done another was ready to be commenced
on, until the victim was wearied out. A gentleman
of the first respectability was once seen rolling at the
press with a hand-roller, his clothes, hands and
sweaty brow all bedaubed with ink, while Mr. Luni-
mus W.1S pulling on with all possible speed, to pre-
vent any opportunity for rest, his countenance wear-
ing the gravity of a sphinx. His financial ability
was not of a high order, and he was, moreover, of
quite a liberal turn. So it is hardly probable that
had his income been ever so great he would have be-
come rich. He would occasionally hire a horse and
wagon, and occupy perhaps half a day in going to
Salem to procure two reams of paper. The writer
was informed by a neighbor of his that he called at
his place one forenoon, urging him, in great haste, to
ride with him to Boston, whither he was bound, in a
chaise, alone. It being a pleasant day, the invitation
was accepted. On reaching the city he drove di-
rectly to a famous restaurant, and called for some fa-
vorite viand, which was speedily before them. As
soon as the meal was disposed of, Mr. Lummus
arose, and, with an air of great satisfaction patting
the natural receptacle of all good dinners, informed
his friend that he was ready to start for home.
In the matter of dre.ss Jlr. Lummus was far from
being a successful imitator of Brummel, though he was
always decently clad. The exterior habiliments, how-
ever, were not usually in exact keeping with the in-
terior ; for sometimes within his muddy and ungainly
cow-hide boots he wore delicate silk stockings. And
beneath his shaggy coat, of dingy-white and ancient
fashion, was perhaps underwear of the finest linen.
He occasionally conceived strange antipathies and
prejudices which would sometimes exhibit them-
selves in a manner rather amusing than offensive.
Seeing him once seize the list of the carrier for the
eastern part of the town, and begin eagerly to cross off
names, the writer asked him if so many wished to stop
their papers. " I don't care whether they do or not,"
he replied, " but if they want it any longer they've got
to move out of Woodland to get it." As some of his
best friends — among them Mr. Lewis and Mr. Curtin
— lived in that section, it seemed odd that he should
have conceived such a prejudice.
Like most editors, he was fond of having his paper
talked about, and loved much now and then to create
a sensation. To that end he would occasionally con-
centrate in one of his little paragraphs enough material
to serve most editors for a column — charging a perfect
little bomb-shell — perhaps offensive from its personal
application, or roughly divulging some private matter.
Like most editors, too, he was pleased to see his arti-
cles going the rounds of the press ; and he knew well
how to accomplish the end by inserting that which,
from its bare oddity, would be snapped up. For in-
stance, he, upon one calm summer morning startled
the community with the bold announcement, —
"Huckleberries is ripe." And the press all over the
country echoed his announcement. It was customary
in former days, as well as now, for people to complain
of the dilatoriness of the Legislature. And Mr. Lum-
mus once issued his paper with tlie usual conspicuous
heading, "Legislative Proceedings," in one of its
columns, followed by a long blank space. It was
thought to be a good joke ; but he said the best of the
joke was that it saved the setting of so many types.
The Mirror was discontinued in March, 1832,
the proprietor having become involved, and the
income not meeting the expenses. In the summer of
the same year he published the first Directory of
Lynn. It was a small 12mo, of seventy pages, with
paper covers, and contained such information as is
usually found in publications of the kind.
Mr. Lummus now passed some four years without
any regular, settled employment. He worked a little
at printing, kept a circulating library for a short time,
had one or two classes in French and several in music.
His plan in teaching French was to learn a lesson
one day and teach it the next, thus keeping one step
ahead of his pupils, and so near them as to see all the
difficulti&s of the way — so he said — and his success
was so satisfactory that one largo class made him a
valuable present.
280
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
There is no doubt that Mr. Luinmug did much to
awaken and foster a love for literature and other re-
fining influences in the little community, and that we
of the present generation owe a debt of gratitude for
that. In the columns of his little paper the writings of
Miss Fuller, Enoch Curtin, Solomon Moulton and
quite a number of others first appeared. And Mr.
Lewis was a contributor to its columns as long as it
existed. He was in some sort a literary " head-cen-
tre," and his quaint and unpretentious criticisms
doubtless had much influence in rectifying the style
of inexperienced writers. Many times has the writer
heard him remark, in his serio-comic undertone,
while looking over a manuscript and ruthlessly draw-
ing his expunging pen through passages, no doubt,
thought by the writer to be the most brilliant : " There
is a flower without any smell ; " or, " There is no nub
to that."
Early in 1838 the health of Mr. Lummus began
seriously to fail ; and it was not long before he was
compelled to take to his room and then to his bed.
The writer often visited him then, for, being in sick-
ness and adversity, he was neglected by most of those
who, in his brighter days, had been cheered by his
friendship. He was usually cheerful, for his Christian
faith was strong, and he seemed to feel no regret at
the near approach of death. But to the last his nat-
ural eccentricities would occasionally exhibit them-
selves. One afternoon, just before his death, the bell
happened to toll for a funeral. He heard it and re-
marked, " There, there is that old bell again ; well, it
will toll for me in a fewdays. I suppose," without any
apparent conception that it would strike one as an
unseemly remark. At another time he was found
sitting up eating a piece of toast, and, in reply to the
inquiry as to how he felt, said : " Oh, your grandsir
will be well enough in a few days, I guess." But after
he had retired, and one was at his bed-side to bid him
good-night, he explained by saying that his remark
might have savored of levity ; that it had reference to
his death, which would probably take place in a few
days; and he certainly trusted that all would be well
with him.
It was on the 20th of April, 1838, at the age of
thirty-seven, that Mr. Lummus closed his life. He
had marked singularities of character, but always
proved so fast a friend and agreeable companion that
he was universally beloved. And he had such an hon-
esty of purpose, and strong desire to " do a little good
in the world," as he expressed it, that his memory is
more worthy of being cherished than many of higher
pretensions and greater renown. Says Mr. Lewis :
" He was an excellent musician, and a choice spirit.
Few young men in Lynn were ever more extensively
beloved or more deserved to be. But thou art dead I
' Alas ! poor Yorick ! ' Thine is a loss to be thought
about, and thou shalt long live in our love."
Such was the beginning of printing in Lynn ; such
the first printer and his outfit; such the first news-
paper, its character and success. Since that time
many papers have arisen, flourished for a time and
passed away ; but there has hardly ever been a period
without one or two respectable journals. At the
present time (1887) we have the following:
The Lynn Reporter (weekly), established in 1854.
The Lynn City Item (weekly), established in 1876.
Daily Evening Item, established in 1877.
The Lynn Bee (daily), established in 1880.
They are all on the high road of prosperity, in a
pecuniary way, each being far in advance of all the
others, according to their individual claims. But then,
money-making is, of course, a mere secondary matter
with the worthy publishers. And as to editorial
management, it may be remarked that every sheet
bears evidence that not one of the editors would
reasonably be expected, in the accustomed modesty of
the craft, to deny that he is the ablest of the entire
brotherhood. Commendation, however, is needless
here, and criticism would be unbecoming.
There are a number of book and job offices, besides
the offices at which newspapers are printed. And the
work turned out is quite equal in accuracy and ele-
gance to that done elsewhere in the commonwealth.
CHAPTER XVI.
LYNN— ( Continued).
INDUSTRIAL TURSUIT.S.
Iron Workit, First in America— Phinting and Fishing — Ciolli Manufacture
— The Great Shoe and Leather Trade ; its Kistotij and Presejtt Condition —
Other Mannfactures — statistics Pertaining to the Different Trades, Inter-
spersed.
•' Earth is tlie work-ehop of mankind.
And we're all workers here,
With busy hand or busy mind,
Each in his destined sphere.
Work'-s higher wage — content and health —
Ita lesser — luxury and wealth."
In a very short time after the settlement of Lynn
was commenced, mechanics of the few kinds neces-
sary to supply the limited wants of the people ap-
peared. Even before the Colonial Patent was re-
moved to New England, which was in August, 1629,
the company at home were careful to see that a suffi-
cient number of skilled artificers were sent over.
Ironworks. — The first undertaking of general im-
portance was the establishment of the iron works on
the border of Saugus River. These works were com-
menced as early as 1643, and formed an enterprise
worthy of more extended notice than can be attempted
here. The undertaking was one of unquestionable
importance, not only to the narrow circle of settlers in
this immediate vicinity, but to the whole country. It
may, indeed, like many other great projects, have
been induced and fostered by hopes of pecuniary gain
LYNN.
281
to those directly concerned ; but certain it is thiit it
resulted in great general good, thongh it ended in
financial disaster and vexation in individual instances.
Yet, after all, it is by no means certain that individ-
ual selfishness was the mainspring of the scheme. The
Massachusetts Compiny evidently realized the im-
pc rtance of such works to the settlers, for before the re-
moval of the patent the subject was earnestly dis-
cussed, and at a meeting in London, March 2, 1G28-
29, an agreement seems to have been made with a Mr.
Malbon, "he having skyll in iron works," to come
hither on a prospecting tour.
These works at Lynn have been spoken of a-t the
first in America; but the claim that those at Brain-
tree were the first is not forgotten. After patient re-
search, however, the writer is convinced that the claim
cannot be substantiated. Mr. Malbon is known to
have been here as early as October, 1629, and seems
first to have settled at Salem. Now Braintree is some
twenty-five miles away, and that distance, in the al-
most entire absence of roads, was a serious matter.
Why, then, should he have gone so fiir away, and into
another jurisdiction, when ore could be found so near
at hand as Saugus ?
It is evident that some of the workmen at Braintree
were previously employed in Lynn, among them
Henry Leonard, who came over in 1(342, to engage in
the Lynn works. But after all, a priority of two or
three years in the establishment of such a business is
of little importance, though it is well to be exact, con-
sidering that sometimes other and material facts may
be dependent.
It is apparent that though the Lynn Iron Works
were not sustained by local capital — for there was
little here^some of our leading men were active in
promoting their establishment. Eobert Bridges, for
instance, in 1642, took specimens of the ore to Eng-
land, and was, in truth, instrumental in forming the
company. And Thomas Dexter, who owned some of
the land in which the ore was found also took a lively
interest in the enterprise. It is, therefore, unjust to
call it a mere English speculation. The people of
Lynn did what they could to help along the busi-
ness.
Smelting, forging and casting were carried on at
these works, as well as blacksmithing and various
other branches of metal work. And it is singular
that there was not better success. One or two inven-
tions cf a very useful kind were perfected by some of
those employed here ; notably by Joseph Jenks, who
delighted the farmers with a greatly-improved scythe,
or " engine to cut grass," as the court called it. Here
were also made, as Mr. Lewis states, by the same in-
genious Mr. Jenk.s, the dies for the famous pine tree
coins of 16o2. In 1654 the authorities of Boston
agreed with Mr. Jenks " for an Ingine to carry water
in case of fire," which is said to be the first fire-en-
gine in America. There must at one time have beer'
a good deal of business, for that period, carried on at
18i
the works, as Winthrop, in a letter dated Se|)tember
30, 1648, says, " The furnace runs eight tons per week,
and their bar iron is as good as Spanish." The ore
was obtained in the vicinity, and was of the kind
called bog ore.
The site of the works was in a sheltered vale on the
border of the river, in what is now the centre village
of Saugus; and a picturesque little hamlet called
Hammersmith grew up apace. Henry Leonard and
his brother James worked here, and their descend-
ants have to this day been identified with the iron
manufacture, not only of New England, but the whole
country. From the humble beginning of these Lynn
works has developed the enormous iron trade of the
present day. Skilled workmen went from here
from time to time, and established themselves
in different parts ; and their children and children's
children, adepts in the same calling, borne on the
waves of population as they spread over the land, are
still easily identified as of the old Lynn stock.
As before intimated, these iron works were not a
financial success. There was very little ready money
in the colony ; and though the manufectured articles
were sold at a very reasonable rate for coin, yet, as
the General Court curtly told the company, an axe at
twelve pence was not cheap to one who had no twelve
pence to buy. And again, they had not been long in
operation when they became involved in vexatious
and expensive lawsuits. Hubbard says, " Instead of
drawing out bars of iron for the country's use, there
were hammered out nothing but contentions and law-
suits." They seem to have gained the ill-will of many
of their neighbors, had difficulties about flowage,
about contracts for wood, and so on. And a most
remarkable prejudice appears to have arisen from the
apprehension that they would consume so much wood
that fuel would become scarce. They, however, con-
tinued in a sort of lingering consumption for many
years, when the fires of the forges went out never to
be relighted, the begrimed workmen departed never
to return, and the chief tangible marks of their exist-
ence now remaining are two or three grass-grown hil-
locks of scoria, called by the people of the neighbor-
hood the " cinder banks." Curious visitors sometimes
dig through the thin soil that covers the slag and fre-
quently find bits of charcoal as fresh as when ejected
from the sooty portals, and occasionally a piece of
iron casting.
In the description of New England by Samuel
Maverick, recently discovered by Mr. Waters in the
British archives, and probably written in 1660, ap-
pears the following: "Five miles westward (from
Marblehead, 'the greatest town for ffisliing in New
England') lyeth theTowneof Lynne along by the sea
side, and two miles above it, within the bounds of it.
are the greatest Iron works erected for the most part
at the charge of some Merchants and Gentlemen here
residing, and cost them about 14000£, who were, as it
is conceived, about six years since Injuriously oulted
282
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of them to the great prejuclice of the Country and
Owners." So it .seems Mr. Maverick recognized their
value; and he must have been familiar with their
whole history, for he came over as early as 1G24, at
the age of twenty-two, and settled on Noddle's
Island, now East Boston, which the General Court
granted to him in 1633 — a fact which indicates an ap-
preciation of his character and services, notwithstand-
ing the deep prejudice that prevailed on account of
his being a zealous Episcopalian.
It may be thought that the most proper place for a
notice of these works would be in the sketch of Sau-
gus, as they were actually within the present limits
of that town ; and no doubt the worthy gentleman
who furnishes the sketch of that place will give them
suitable attention. But there was no settlement of
the name Saugus during their existence, nor for a
hundred years after. They are always spoken of on
the records as of Lynn. While it is of little moment
on which side of the present line they were situated,
it may be thought that their importance entitles
them to some notice in both places. They were the
first considerable mechanical industry established
here. Craftsmen there were in sufficient numbers
and variety to supply all local needs, and that was.
about all.
After the now historical iron works on Saugus
Kiver were abandoned there seems to have been no
attempt at iron-working liere for almost two centuries,
unless blacksmithing be called such. It was in 1843
that Theophilus N. Breed built a factory on Oak
Street for the manufacture of shoemaker's tools and
for various kinds of castings, erecting a dam and
forming what has ever since been known as Breed's
Pond, a description of which has already been given.
After a few years, however, Mr. Breed relinquished
the business, and the pond finally became the proper-
ty of the city, and yet forms one of the chief sources
of our public water supply, as well as a pleasing fea-
ture of the landscape, surrounded as it is by romantic
hills and woods.
Planting and Flshing. — Planting and fishing
were Indeed the chief dependence for many years.
And they insured a comfortable livelihood, so that
the people hereabout were, in a sort, independent
from the beginning. The land, however, was not very
favorable for husbandry, though the sea yielded an
abundance of valuable manuring matter ; and in later
years, as the cost of labor increased, farming ceased
to be profitable, till it has now been well-nigh aban-
doned.
The flshing was at first confined to what is now
known as dory-fishing, and was chiefly carried on
from Swampscott. The little boats of the settlers,
like the skifl's of the Indians, merely ventured into
the ofling. But there was no need of going farther,
as the fish were abundant near the shore. It was not
till 1795 that the first jigger, so called, a sail craft of
some twenty tons, was procured. But from that time
the business increased, affording ample maintenance
to many and fortunes to some. The fishermen here
have promptly availed themselves of every new dis-
covery and improvement in the prosecution of their
calling and been alert in taking advantage of propi-
tious tides.
Shell-fish have always been taken in great quanti-
ties along the shore, and many an indigent family
have found that the clam banks never refused a lib-
eral discount.
The lobster trade, too, has been one of very consid-
erable profit, though it has of late years been so vig-
orously pursued that fears have arisen lest the dainty
Crustacea may be exterminated. As before remarked,
the flshing was chiefly carried on at Swampscott,
which was a part of Lynn till 1852. And, as the
writer, when preparing the proposed sketch of that
town, will nece.<sarily have something to say about
the fisheries, but little need be added here.
An idea of the extent of the lobster yield on our
coast may be gathered from the fact that during the
year ending May 1, 1805, there were taken at Nahaut
150,000, and at Swampscott 37,000. The average val-
ue, as taken from the traps, was six cents each. Since
that time the annual catch has gradually diminished.
And under the apprehension that the species may be-
come extinct, as just stated, the Legislature has been
invoked for their protection. But one would think
there could not be much danger in that direction, as
piscatory naturalists assure us that a single female
lobster will lay 42,000 eggs in a year. It must be,
then, that there are " denizens of the deep " as fond as
we of the savory food.
The district of Lynn, Nahant and Swampscott re-
turned, as the product of their flsheries for the quarter
ending December 3, 1880, as follows : Codflsh, cured,
300,000 pounds; mackerel, 400,000 pounds; herring,
salted, 100,000 pounds ; lobsters, 7000 pounds ; fresh
fish, daily catch, 315,000 pounds; fish oil, 3200 gal-
lons. Total value, $44,141.50.
A brief quotation from William Wood's quaint de-
scription of what he saw in 1631 may close what is
needful just here about the fisheries: "Northward
up this river [the Saugus] goes great store of alewives,
of which they make good red herrings ; insomuch
that they have been at charges to make them a wayre
and a herring-house to dry these herrings in. The
last year were dried some 4 or 5 last [150 barrels] for
an experiment, which proved very good. This is like
to prove a great enrichment to the land, being a sta-
ple commodity in other countries, for there be such
innumerable companies in every river that I have
seen ten thousand taken in two hours, by two men,
without any weire at all saving a few stones to stop
their passage up the river. There likewise come store
of basse, which the English and Indians catch with
hooke and line, some fifty or three score at a tide. . . .
Here is a great deal of rock, cod and macrill, inso-
much that shoales of basse have driven up shoales of
LYNN.
283
macrill, from one end of the sandy beach to the
other, which the inhabitants have gathered up in
wlieelbarrows." Alewives still go up the fresh-water
streams for a few weeks in the spring to spawn in the
ponds; especially do they swarm in Strawberry Brook
on their way to Flax Pond ; but they are not now
esteemed so highly for food as formerly. There are
but few bass, some rock cod and occasionally great
(juantities of mackerel. The habits of the latter,
however, are so peculiar that different seasons show
very different accounts.
Cloth MANUFACTrRE. — In 172(i the Salem Court
awarded to Nathaniel Potter, of Lynn, £13 15.<. forthe
manufacture of three pieces of linen. It is not clear
what kind of cloth this was, but is very likely to have
been what was afterwards known as " tow cloth."
Certain it is that flax was raised here in considerable
quantities. The fine pond near our northeastern border,
known as Flax Pond, received its name, as mentioned
in the description already given, from the circum-
stance that much of the flax was rotted there. The
tow cloth, as it came from the family haud-loom, was
not regarded as a very genteel fabric, but its durabil-
ity could not be questioned, and after being whitened
it was fair, though not so smooth and soft as one of
this day would desire for an innermost garment. The
raising of flax and manufacture of tow cloth has long
since been discontinued.
In the early times of the settlement sheep were
raised to some extent, and of course the fleeces were
by the thrifty dames wrought into comfortable cloth-
ing. But the whir of the spinning-wheel and click of
the hand-loom have long since ceased to be heard.
Shoes asp Leather. — Shoes. — The history of
shoes and shoe-making seems always to have had a
peculiar interest. Workers at the craft appeared at
an early period of the world, for it was necessary to
protect the feet from the arid sands of the torrid zone
and the frosty plains of the frigid. The earliest cov-
ering of the feet in the one case was no doubt the
sandal, manufactured from some vegetable production,
and in the other, the moccasin, made of uncurried
skin. Sandals are still worn in the ea.stern countries,
though light shoes seem generally preferred. The
manufacture of shoes in those countries is conducted
in the same primitive style that was in practice here
in our early days, though the sewing-machine and
other revolutionizing contrivances are being intro-
duced. The writer, while threading his way through
one of the narrow old streets of Algiers, two or three
years since, came across a shop in which were half a
dozen shoemakers busily at work on the same kind
of low seat used in the Lynn shops of sixty years
ago, knee-stirrup, lapstone and broad-face hammer,
fulfilling their duties as of yore. So natural did the
whole look that a pause wa.s involuntarily made; but
though the jolly workers seemed not averse to have a
chat, the difficulties of language rendered the com-
munication very limited. In the same city a French-
man was seen l)U3ily at work on an .\merican sewing-
machine.
Of all the industries of Lynn, the manufacture of
shoes ha-s taken the lead for many years; but it was
not till the middle of the last century that she began
to be known, to any marked extent, in that line of
business. Nor is it certain that there was any special
inducement for the establishment of the business
here, though the manufacture of leather, which was
engaged in to some extent in the earliest times, may
have had something to do with it. Edward Johnson,
of Woburn, writing in 1().51, speaks of a Shoemakers'
Corporation in Lyun,and Mr. Lewis remarks that the
papers relating to it were unfortunately lost, "having
probably been destroyed by the mob in 1765." But
it must have been an insignificant association. And
what reason there was for supposing that the papers,
if any really existed, were destroyed in the Stamp
Act riot, is not known. It seems more probable that
they would have been destroyed in the disorderly
times of Andros; but more probable still that they
never had any papers.
Edmund Bridges and Philip Kirtland are usually
spoken of as the first shoemakers here. They came
in lfi3.5. But John Adam Dagyr, a Welshman, who
came in 1750, seems to have raised the humble
occupation almost to the rank of a fine art. He took
great pains to excel ; and, it is said, imported the
most elegant shoes from Europe, and dissected them
for the purpose of discovering the hidden mystery of
their elegance. This, however, appears to have been
done before, but without the desired effect. Shoe-
makers from all parts of the town, says Mr. Lewis,
went to him for information ; and he is called in tlie
Boston Gazette of 1704 " the celebrated shoemaker of
Essex." From this time Lynn took rank as the fore-
most place for the manufacture of ladies' shoes in all
New England — indeed, in all the provinces. But i\Ir.
Dagyr, in a pecuniary way at least, never profited
much by his skill and labor. The writer has been
told by one who knew him well that he lived in a
homely way, was not very neat in his dress and did
not keep his little shop, which was on Boston Street,
near where Carnes now opens, in the neatest order ;
in short, that he fell into such habits as were not
conducive to a thrifty life. He finally became so
destitute as to make his hoiue in the almshouse, and
there he died in 1808. Kirtland Street, in the west-
erjy part of the city, and Kirtland Block, in Union
Street, perpetuate the name of the earlier craftsman,
Pliilip Kirtland, and so, iu its wav, does the Kirtland
Hotel, in Summer Street. But as yet no such honor
has been bestowed on the name of Dagyr, unless a
wild spot in the domain of the Free Public Forest
Association, lately consecrated to his memory, be
taken as such.
At the time of Dagyr's arrival, 1750, there were
but three men in Lynn who carried on the business
to such extent as to employ journeymen; and these
284
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
were William Gray (grandfather of the rich mer-
chant, so extensively known by the inelegant sobri-
quet of" Billy Gray "), John Mansfield and Benjamin
Newhall ; the latter, the writer is pleased in being
able to say, was his great-grandfather.
Down to the Revolution the business moved on-
ward, but its progress was slow. And during the
war, like most other matters of trade, it was sadly
depressed. Soon after the return of peace it began
to show renewed strength, and was presently recog-
nized as the leading employment of the place. Some
of the shrewd business men seeming to have a proph-
etic vision of the position it was destined to occupy
in future years, vigorously set about placing its inter-
ests on as firm a footing as possible. Several ener-
getic workers to that end are more worthy of being
remembered than some others who are extolled as
public benefactors. There was Ebenezer Breed, a
native of the town. He made himself acquainted
with all that was to be learned in Lynn, and while
yet a young man went to Philadelphia, where he en-
gaged in a profitable business connected with the
trade here. In 179:2 he visited Europe, and not
only sent over quantities of the better and most fash-
ionable kinds of shoe stock, but also some skilled
workmen to instruct the operatives at home in the
more elegant mysteries of the art. He seemed de-
termined to prove that as fine and substantial shoes
could be made in Lynn as in Europe, and he suc-
ceeded. But the business in a measure languished,
for shoes could be imported from England and France
and sold cheaper than the manufacturers here could
turn them out. Finding such to be the condition of
things, Mr. Breed, in conjunction with some others in
the trade at Philadelphia, set about endeavoring to
induce Congress, which then held its sessions in that
city, to impose a duty on imported shoes sufticieut to
protect the home manufacture. They resorted to a
little shrewd management to efiect their purpose.
Among other schemes a dinner party was given, for
they well knew that an appeal to the stomach is in
many cases more irresistible than an appeal to the
head. Sundry members of Congress were invited to
the banquet, as well as divers charming ladies, among
the latter the fascinating Quaker widow, Dolly Todd,
once Dolly Payne, and afterward Mrs. President
Madison. Mr. Madison himself, who was an influen-
tial member of Congress, was also there. One or two
of the ladies appear to have been aware of the ulter-
ior purpose of the party, and not averse to assisting
in making it a success. It need only be added that
a very satisfactory act was passed, and Lynn rose on
the event. Perhaps facts like these may partially
account for the pertinacity with which our people
have all along adhered to the protective tarifl" system.
Poor human nature is such that self-interest has
much to do with shaping principles.
Without attempting to follow the progress of the
trade into minute details, it may be well to state a
few facts that will enable one to judge of its growth.
In 1810 there were manufactured here just about
1,000,000 pairs, and they amounted in value to
$800,000. The earnings of the female binders reached
$50,000. Twenty years later, that is in 18.30, the
number of jmirs made was, in round numbers, 1,670,-
000, Lynnfield having been set oft' in 1814 and Sau-
gus in 1815. Twenty-five years later, that is, in 1855,
the number of pairs is found to have been 9,275,593,
Swampscott having been set off' in 1852 and Nahant
in 1853. From 1865 to 1875 there were made, on an
average, not less than 10,000,000 pairs a year, of the
average value of $1.20 a pair.
But a statement of the condition of the shoe trade
at the present time would no doubt be most interest-
ing as well as useful, and it is proposed to attempt it
with some fullness.
Colonel Wright, in his synopsis of the last United
States Census, gives
The number of shoe factories in Lynn as 174
The average number of employees as 10,708
Capital invested • 84,2G3,25U
W^ages paid in one year 4,93I,fi30
Stock used 12,918,221
Value of product 20,916,867
Gross profit 3,1197,206
Estimated interest and expenses 2,350,4y2
Netprofit or loss 746,814
Average yearly product per employee 1,056
Average yearly net profit per employee 70
Average yearly earnings for each employee 461
Percentage men employed 71.7
Percentage women employed 28.
Percentage children employed .3
These latest published figures show that $668,280
more were paid in wages, in a single year, than the
total capital invested. Equally remarkable is the
high yearly average of earnings for each employee,
which, it should be remembered, is the average for
men, women and children. It is also satisfactory to
learn that less than one-third of one per cent, of all
Lynn shoe employees are children. The careful at-
tention given, in recent years, to collecting statistics
of employees and wages makes the reports of statisti-
cal bureaus unusually interesting and instructive. In-
dustrial information is eagerly sought, and an especial
interest has centred in examining the progress of the
shoe industry, because of its wonderful development
and because that development is the result of Ameri-
can ingenuity.
Although the shoe business has such a powerful
hold on the every-day life of the people of Lynn, lofty
shoe factories do not, by any means, constitute the
whole of Lynn's wealth and enterprise. Wherever
factories of any kind are located, there naturally
spring up a score of subsidiary industries engaged in
producing articles which may be used as component
parts of a staple product. Lynn, rich in its hundreds
of large and small supply factories, which furnish al-
most everything from tacks, boxes and blacking, to
the beautifully finished kid skins of the great morocco
factories, is not an exception. From sumac-filled
LYNN.
285
vats, sunk deep in the ground, up five and six stories,
the city is devoted to every department of its eliosen
industry. Above ground and below ground tlie busi-
ness centre of the city is thoroughly dedicated to pro-
ductiveness.
To speak of leather-scented Lynn is almost to speak
the literal truth. From tall chimneys, which stand
above ponderous boilers and powerful engines, pours
forth the smoke of leather shavings and leather re-
fuse, swept from the busy workrooms. Thus every-
thing serves its purpose. Hundreds of leather-shaping
machines furnish ton upon ton of fuel for the great
boilers. As moisture from vegetation is taken up by
the sun, and formed into clouds which pour forth rain
to increa-e the same vegetation, so old leather as^sists
in the manufacture of new leather. Every piece of
discarded leather has a value. Thin shavings are
pasted and pressed into some new form, fibrous pieces
are ground into leather board, and even a ton of fac-
tory sweepings has a marketable value. Thus from
the time the tanner sells the hair shaved from the
skin, to the time the skin is cut and split into a
thousand pieces, every particle has a use and value.
The activity and bustle of Lynn people is, in no
small measure, due to association with swiftly-moving
machinery. Indeed, it is almost impossible to work
with people who are always in a hurry to keep up
with machinery without catching the same habit.
There is nothing lazy about Lynn. It is distinctively
a city of workers when there is work to do. There
are, unfortunately, seasons of the year when trade is
at a low ebb, and there is therefore a necessity for
making the most of it when the factories are in mo-
tion. There are two busy seasons, one during Janu-
ary, February and March, when summer goods are
manufactured, the other during July, August and
September, when winter goods aremanul:icture<l. The
Western market generally requires goods earliest, the
Baltimore and Southern market next, the Philadel-
phia, New York and New England markets latest.
Western wholesale buyers order sample pairs of the
next summer's styles as early as the preceding Octo-
ber, and for winter wear as early as the preceding
March. I;?unimer is as much a preparation for winter,
and winter for summer, in shoe manufacturing, as in
any other gre.vt industry. Although six months in
the year probably comprise the busy seasons, yet there
are often factories which run exceptionally steady
through the greater part of the year. In fact, there
is some trade in every factory every week in the year,
as samples, sample orders and duplicate orders fill up
a great amount of time between the seasons. The un-
certainty of constant employment calls for good wages,
so that during the busy season operatives earn a hand-
some sum, which, if it could only be continued
throughout the year, would make the trade of shoe-
making very desirable. The dull times, however, put
the annual income at no more than a supporting av-
erage.
The conduct and ownership of Lynn factories is
decidedly different from that of most manufacturing
cities. In the large mill cities especially the facto-
ries are owned by corporations, and often only a
small percentage of the stock is owned by residents.
The profits of the corporation are paid to non-resi-
dents, who may have little interest in the city's pros-
perity. Not so in Lynn. Lynn is almost wholly
owned by Lynn residents. Wages and profits alike
contribute to the city's advancement. There are no
stock corporations, but every firm manages its own
business. By the industry and perseverance of its
own citizens, Lynn has increased its wealth, and taken
a proud position among the foremost manufacturing
cities of the world. Prosperity is not borrowed, but
is a home product.
Wages in Lynn are paid weekly. It has been so
ever since factories were first established, being an
outgrowth of the old custom of paying the shoe-
maker for his work as soon as finished. Saturday is
the great pay-day. Lynn shoe manufacturers have
always been well rated in the financial world, and
no doubt much of their sound financial standing is
due to frequent payments. They have an immense
cash paid-up capital in labor alone, all of the time,
and as labor is estimated as about one-fourth the
value of the manufactured product, Lynn manufac-
turers would pay one-fourth immediate cash for all
their bills, even if they did not pay any more. Labor
bills are preferred bills in Lynn, and its good etl'ect
is seen on every hand. A "nimble sixpence" has
always been a Lynn business principle, and any other
system would seem unnatural.
Lynn operatives have never been called to work
by factory bells. Nominally there are fifty-nine
working hours in the week, but practically there is so
much work done by the j)iece that ojieratives work a
much smaller number of hours. Factory whistles give
alarms at seven o'clock in the morning, at twelve
o'clock noon, and at one and six o'clock in the after-
noon. Those employed by the week observe these
hours, excepting on Saturday, when work is over at
five o'clock. Almost every kind of work is piece-
work, as even in work done by the week there is
some stated amount to perform, which is practically
the same. There is unusual freedom in entering and
leaving lactories, and a time-keeper from some
strictly-conducted industry would no doubt consider
Lynn perfectly demoralized. It would be hard to
name a place where employees can be more indepen-
dent and more fully allowed to regulate their own
time than in the factories of Lynn.
Lynn employees live well, dress well and are very
thrifty. They live for the most part in detached
houses arranged for one or two families. There are
very few tenement blocks, and on the avcnige there
is one house to every seven i)er.sons of the whole
population. Manufacturers, as a rule, are not large
real estate owners, and do not attempt to house their
286
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
own employees, as is often the case with corpora-
tions. The employees themselves are large real estate
owners, hundreds of houses being owned by thrifty
workmen and workingwomen, who have built for
themselves neat little homes. Until recent years
people still preserved land for kitchen gardening,
even in streets contiauous to the business centre.
These gardens are gradually filling up, but the same
custom still exists in the outlying streets. Lynn
owes much to its working people. Had they
been less intelligent and industrious, the city could
never have grown so evenly and so neatly as it has.
Had the working people been less willing to build
houses with their surplus earnings, the increasing
popu'ation could never have been so comfortably
accommodated. Manufacturers needed money for
increasing business, and could never have afforded
to build the houses as fast as they were needed. Lynn
has been the mutual success of employers and em-
ployed, and a history of its progress which failed to
give proper credit to its small property-owners would
do injustice to the people — the bone and sinew of the
community.
As is the case in every other great industrial com-
munity, Lyun capitalists and workmen have often-
times disagreed on the equivalent to be paid for
labor. A general disagreement has almost always
resulted in a strike. It is a strange fact that strikes
almost invariably occur with most frequency in years
of great business depression, when manufacturers can
least afford to pay increased wages, and when work-
men can least afford to remain idle. The success of
a strike depends greatly on the efficiency of labor
organization and the confidence of the members in
the leaders. There are periods when organizations
spring up in great numbers, and other times when
the members lose interest and the organizations are
less powerful. Disagreements between capital and
labor are no modern invention. The good old doc-
trine of "bearance and forbearance" will do more to
engender good feeling than anything else. Water is
bound to seek its own level. If the market will war-
rant it, prices go up, and if there is no demand, prices
must go down. Prices get where they belong, de-
spite remonstrance, strikes and differences of opinion.
No combination of capital or organization of labor
can arbitrarily permanently establish them. For a
short time it may be possible to govern them, but
that progress which changes trades and trade methods
is no respecter of combinations or organizations, and
grades and levels prices in accordance with the
prosperity or adversity of the existing generation.
It is for us to adjust ourselves to changing circum-
stances with as little friction and as peacefully as pos-
sible.
The process of shoe manufacturing does not neces-
sitate so large a plant nor so expensive an outlay as
textile manufacturing. Shoes are composite, and the
shoe industry is composite. The shoemakers take a
number of manufactured articles, and sew and nail
them together in a stylish, shapely manner, thus pro-
ducing a shoe. There are few chemicals to evaporate
if manufacturing ceases for a day, a month or a year.
Nearly everything in shoemaking represents work.
When work stops, the factory process stops. There is
no boiling, mixing or dyeing process going on while
the shoemaker sleeps, but his guiding eye and hand
are necessary to progress. Water, blacking, glue,
paste, cement and applied finishes are all the liquids
that enter into the process of shoemaking. In temper-
ing stock, water exclusively is used, every other liquid
being for external application. On account of this
simplicity, shoes can be made economically in a very
small compass, with little outlay, or can be made in
great factories with a perfect wealth of machinery.
It is a versatile business, and depends on the energy
and perseverance of the manufacturer. It is more a
business of the people than any great textile industry
possibly can be. It is possible for a mechanic to rise
from the lowest to the highest position. There are
even workingmen's co-operative factories. The work-
men invest a sum of money in the enterprise, are paid
the same wages as are paid in other factories, and are
to share in the profits. Shoe manufacturing needs
industry, economy and a natural talent for making
business success, like any other pursuit. Small be-
ginnings are just as possible to-day in any business
as they ever were, and are just as inconvenient. The
convenience only of a large capital seemingly makes
it a necessity. Oftentimes a comparatively newly es-
tablished firm will outstrip veteran manufacturers in
the race for trade. This has a tendency to keep trade
progressive, and no doubt will contribute to its per-
manence. With the constant invention of improved
machinery and tools, the style of conducting business
changes about as often as the styles of shoes.
To small capitalists venturing into the shoe busi-
ness, contractors are a great assistance. With their
help a man can manufacture shoes at a very small
outlay. There are contractors to do almost every-
thing. Large manufacturers even have a large part
of their upper-stitching done by contractors. But to
the small manufacturer, the shoemaking contractor,
with a line of machinery, is incalculably valuable.
He not only contracts for making the shoe, but will
even provide lasts and everything necessary to be
used. It is possible for a man to have one small room
for headquarters, and yet, by contract, arrange for
the transaction of an extensive and profitable busi-
ness. The product does not have that distinctive in-
dividuality, however, which belongs to individual
factories, because several manufacturers are often
supplied by one contractor. But it serves to show
how thoroughly Lynn is equipped for the business in
all its phases.
Not only in our country, but beyond the seas, the
fame of Lynn factories has attracted notice. During
the year 1886 a young man, the son of a wealthy
LYNN.
287
German, made his home in Lynn and worked on dif-
ferent machines in a Lynn shoe factory, studying the
ways of Yankee shoeniaking. American machines
and Lynn machines have made their way all over the
world, attracting great attention and interest. Lynn
is only one large customer for her own great supply
dealers who make the city their headquarters. Lynn
supplies go to a dozen foreign countries as well as all
over the United States.
If a person were to ask what grade of goods were
manufactured in Lynn, he would be told everything
in the shape of a shoe. The staple grade is a medium
and low-priced article for ladies, misses and children,
but there are also several prosperous firms manufac-
turing for men, boys and youth. In ladies' wear, ev-
erything is made from elegant hand-sewed French
kid button boots and delicate beaded velvet toilet
slippers to shoes of cheaper material, which are made
for the million. Everything that can be thought of
or desired for American wear is made in Lynn. There
are some goods made for export, but the goods for
foreign wear form a very small part of the year's bus-
iness.
Lynn represents a city built without any n.atural
advantages, excepting a healthy situation and beauti-
ful natural attractions. There is no reason why it
should have become a prosperous city more than
many another, and it would not have become so but
for the untiring industry, energy and perseverance of
its inhabitants. The city is blessed with a very poor
harbor, has no extensive water-power privilege, is not
a great railroad centre, and, until a few years since,
had only one steam railroad privilege. Its clo.se
proximity to Boston has, until recent years, been a
disadvantage to local store-keepers, and there has not
been that reliable country trade from neighboring
towns which has contributed to the wealth of more
distant cities.
Lynn is not a county-seat, and has no National,
State or County buildings or institutions. The city
forcibly illustrates how a whole people can, by de-
voting themselves assiduously to some definite call-
ing, make themselves proficient and prosperous.
The world is never surprised at rapid growth in the
West, but the growth of an ancient town on the rock-
bound New England coast is remarkable and notice-
able. Lynn, a (juiet, home-like town, grew from
itself, by itself, to a position of importance, and is
now the largest city in Essex County. Its inhabitants
knew how to make shoes, and they made them. In-
crease of business called out increase of inventive
power to supply the demand. Machines to make
shoes called for factories, and factories called people
in from towns all over the Northern New England
States, where shoes had formerly been sent to be
made. This remarkable city is an interesting study
because of its peculiar success, as without natural or
fortunate advantages it has grown and made a
famous name.
And this seems a proper place to go a little into his-
torical detail regarding the leather manul'acture here,
as distinguished from the shoe mamifacture. But, be-
fore passing to that matter, the writer would acknowl-
edge his indebtedness to Mr. Howard Mudge New-
hall for what is most interesting in the foregoing ac-
count of the shoe trade.
Leather. — ^There is an old proverb which tells us that
there is " nothing like leather,'' so necessary and use-
ful is it in all the arts and for many domestic pur-
poses. So well aware of this were the early settlers
of New England that we find the General Court
voting, in September, 1638, to " remember to provide
bark in the following April for the tanning of divers
hides to come." This importation of hides would
seem to indicate that they had few cattle, or that they
purposed to kill as few as possible, that their num-
bers might increase. It is probable that the hides of
those killed were not well taken off or properly
cured, and thus were lost through neglect or destroy-
ed. For this reason we find an order passed in Oc-
tober, lG-10. i)roviding for the proper slaughtering and
care of hides and skins, and for sending them to be tan-
ned and dressed, with a fine to be imposed upon all who
neglected such duty. In June, 1G42, the Court
passed an elaborate bill, providing that no butcher,
currier or shoemaker should exercise the feat or mys-
tery of a tanner, on pain of forfeiting six shillings
eight pence for every hide or skin tanned ; butchers
to forfeit twelve cents for every gash or cut made in
slaying ; no persons except tanners to be allowed to
purchase any hides ; persons selling hides insuf-
ficiently tanned to forfeit them ; tanners not allowed
to let their liquors heat or spoil on pain of £20 for
every oft'ense ; no currier to dress any leather
insutiiciently tanned, or burn or injure any leather in
dressing, on pain of forfeiting the full value of every
such hide ; sealers of leather appointed, and leather
not sealed to be forfeited ; sealers to take oath to per-
form their lawful duty. This order was afterwards
extended so as to include all leather made into boots
and shoes. In 1646 a stringent law was made to pre-
vent the exportation of any hides or skins, and per-
sons so exporting, and masters of vessels receiving
them, were to forfeit their full value.
A committee was appointed May 31, 1672, to look
after defects in the tanning of leather and report
means to prevent the same.
Although goat and sheep-skins were not classed
with hides, yet the same stringent measures were
taken to prevent their exportation. A number of
gloveis, whose names were George Hepbourne, Thos.
Buttolph, James Johnson, Nathaniel Williams, Geo.
Clifford and Thomas Goulby petitioned against their
exportation by one Kalph Woory in 1645, and he was
restrained from sending away more than eight dozens,
and he and all others forbidden thereafter to export any
unless made into gloves or other garments — an early
instance of the protection of labor and home industry
288
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
In 1672 every seaport town was obliged to choose an
officer to see.that no hides or slcins were improperly
transported.
That the manufacture of leather from hides was car-
ried on at Lynn at a very early day is evident. We are
informed that Francis Ingalls, one of the first five
persons who settled within our bounds, was a tanner
and carried on the business on what is now Burrill
Street, in Swampscott, and it is claimed that his was
the first tannery in the colony. Mr. Lewis states
that he saw some of the vats removed from their an-
cient position about the year 1825. George Keysar
came to Lynn about 16.39. In 1649 he bought from
Samuel Bennett the land lying between Boston
Street and Waterhill, and extending from the New-
hall property to the present city pumping station.
This had previously belonged to Joseph Armitage.
Keysar carried on the tanning business here till his
removal to Salem, in 1680. His wife was a daughter
of Edward Holyoke, and he died in Salem in 1690,
aged seventy-three. His son Elizur pursued the same
calling at Salem, and his son John at Haverhill —
this fact showing that the sons were educated to their
father's trade here in Lynn. In 1665 a child by the
name of Elizabeth Newhall was drowned in one of
Keysar's tan-vats near Boston Street. This property
was not disposed of by Keysar's heirs till after 1702,
when it probably passed into the possession of the
Potters, who owned the property on the opposite or
northerly side of Boston Street. In 1705 Robert Pot-
ter, who was son of the first settler, Nicholas, disposed
of this tan-yard with the tan-house to his son Benja-
min, who was a tanner, having very likely, also,
learned his trade from the Keysars; Benjamin after-
wards acquired the title of captain, and pursued his
calling here till 1745, leaving his estate to hisichil-
dren, only one of whom was a son, named Benjamin,
and he became non compos and had a guardian for
many years.
Upon substantially the same premises once occu-
pied by Keysar and Potter a tan-yard and tan-house
have been in operation within the memory of persons
still living, and the last occupant, Samuel Mulliken,
finished off the tan-house into tenements for dwell-
ings. This old building has been demolished within
a few years. The yard is still vacant, and the ancient
vats can be found by digging.
Upon the premises covered by the factory of John
T. Moulton, a tan-yard was in operation at a very early
day by Lieut. John Burrill. He was a son of the first
settler, George, and was probably born in England
in 1631. He lived on Boston Street, in what was
more latterly called the Carnes house. This stood
upon the spot where Carnes Street joins Boston
Street, and was exactly opposite the tan-yard. Col.
John left the tan-yard and buildings to his son,
Theophilus Burrill, Esq., who also carried on the
same business here till 1721, when he sold out to
Deacon John Lewis. He in turn, by his will, gave
the tan-yard and tan-house to his grandson, Samuel
Lewis, who sold it, in 1782, to Daniel Newhall and
Nathaniel Sargent, who continued it. In 1793 New-
hall sold out to Sargent, and he continued alone till
his death in 1798. In 1805 Joseph Watson was the
owner and pursued the currying trade. These prem-
ises were purchased about 1844 by Joseph Moulton,
and have been occupied by him and his successors
till the present time (1887), for the manufacture of
morocco leather. Many of the old vats were removed
by him, and some still remain. This spot, therefore,
has been used for tanning purposes for nearly all the
time since the settlement of the tuwn. A fine spring
of cold water, with the natural stream now called
Strawberry Brook running through the yard, and in
later years a head of water from the canal above, gave
the place unusual advantages for a business of this
kind. To Mr. John T. Moulton, son and successor of
Joseph Moulton, the writer is much indebted for facts
here given touching the leather business.
During the latter part of the last century and the
beginning of the present the tanning business was
carried on by Benjamin Phillips at the yard of the
mill at Waterhill. Here he had a chance for a fulling- ■
mill for softening his hides, running it by water-power, '
which was quite an advance over the old method of
horse-power. To him were apprenticed the brothers
Winthrop and Sylvanus Newhall, who afterwards
had their tan-yards on Market and Broad Streets,
then called Blackmarsh. Winthrop Newhall was
succeeded, in 1818, by his son Francis S. Newhall,
who, in 1822, formed a partnership wiih his brother
Henry for carrying on the morocco leather business.
Probably Winthrop Newhall was the last of the
heavy leather tanners here, the morocco trade having
supplanted the heavier business which seems to have
taken deep root in Salem and Dan vers at about the
same time.
The morocco manufacture was probably com-
menced by William Rose upon the same spot where
the Burrills began and carried on the tanning of
hides. This is inferred from the fact that when
Joseph Watson made a mortgage of these premises,
Rose was called upon to sign his name as witness to
the conveyance. He may have been working for
Watson or carrying on business in a small way for
himself in Watson's shop. He shortly after had a
shop for himself on a spot near that now occu-
pied by St. Stephen's Church, on South Common
Street, but left town in 1809, going to Charles-
town. On Boston Street and in the vicinity
of these old tanneries lived John Adam Dagyr, who
has been so many times advertised as the celebrated
shoemaker of Essex in 1764, and his opinion and ad-
vice in regard to the kinds of material requisite for
ladies' shoes may have had something to do with the
introduction of the morocco business here. At any
rate, it came about in his day. His wife's father,
Moses Newhall, was probably a shoemaker , the father
LYNN.
289
of Moses certainly was, as the records show. It is a
verv unpleasant circumstance tliat both Dagyr and
his wile, in their last days, came to want.
Daniel ( Jollins, many years ago, carried on a tan-
nery on Boston Street, nearly opposite the present
Kirtland Street. Levi Robinson took the business
more than fifty years ago, and it has finally developed
into the large morocco establishment of John E. Don-
allan.
From Rose and his small beginning has the busi-
ness gradually increased to its present extensive pro-
portions. This matter has been faithfully treated by
David N. Johnson, in his " Sketches of Lynn." He
brought it down to 1880, since which time the amount
of bu.siness has somewhat increased, and two or three
new firms have taken up that other branch of the
trade, the manufacture of tawed and alum-tanned
calt and sheep-skins.
The manufacture of leather, of one kind and anoth-
er, but chiefly morocco, in Lynn, at present reaches a
pretty high figure, as appears by the following from
the last LTnited States Census returns:
Number of eBtHblishmeuta 23
Employees, 7G8
Wages paid during tlie year, J408.6'8
Capital iliTested JOlO.InO
Stock used Sl,f.57,763
Value of product $2,309,272
Miscellaneous Manufactures. — The other
manufactures of Lynn appear almost insignificant in
comparison with the shoe and leather. But some-
thing should be said regarding them. The aggregate
(including the shoe and leather) as given by the last
United States Census, is as follows:
Number of establishraenta 329
Employees, total average number 12,-ltG
piales above IG, 89i4. Females above 15, 34S7. Youth
and children, 35.)
Wages paid during the year 85,823,572
Capital invested $5,882,350
Stock used $15,.551,!138
Value of product, 825,216,778
A very large proportion of the above, of course, be-
longs to the shoe business. Indeed, the same census
gives as the value of the boot and shoe product $20,-
946,867, of the above grand aggregate of $2.5,216,778.
A few of the other industries may be named :
Bricks. — It was early found that there were large
deposits of excellent clay in and about Lynn. And
it has always been used to some extent. But hereto-
fore wood ha-s proved so much cheaper as a building
material that brick-making had no great encourage-
ment. During later years, however, things have
changed, and bricks are coming into more extensive
use. The value of bricks annually made is about
twenty-eight thousand dollars and the number of per-
sons employed, forty.
Boxes. — The value of boxes— paper and wood^
manufactured in Lynn during a year is about one
hundred and sixty thousand dollars, and the total
li»
I
wages paid fifty-five thousand dollars. It will readily
be supposed that these are chiefly used in tlie shoe
trade.
Fisheries. — Lynn, with Swampscott and Naliant,
belongs to the fishing district of Marblehead. But
since Swampscott and Nahant turned their b.acks
upon their aged mother she has had little to show in
the matter of fisheries, and little in the way of ship-
ping, if her ambitious yacht-fleet is excei)ted ; but
that, by hardy delvers of the deep, would probably be
regarded as belonging to the ornamental rather than
the industrial. Recent returns, touching the fisheries,
have already been given.
It appears, by the last published returns, that the
industrial employees of Lynn receive higher wages
than those of any other place in the county — the
average yearly earnings of each employee being four
hundred and sixty-seven dollars. And this average
applies to men, women and children. In Haverhill
the bulk of the business is similar to that of Lynn ;
and there the average yearly earnings of each employee
is but three hundred and forty-eight dollars, while at
the same time the average number of men workers there
is some fijur per cent, greater than at Lynn. In Salem
the average earnings of each employee is three hundred
and forty-three dollars. In Newbnryport but two
hundred and sixty-eight dollars. Peabody comes
nearest Lynn, showing four hundred and fifty-four
dollars per year for each emplovee.
In closing this division of our work, it is not amiss
to remark that the manufacture of boots and shoes
takes the lead of all the industries of Massachusetts.
The total value of products in the State, in 1880, was
$6.31,135,284; and of this $105,118,299 was of boots
and shoes. Other manufactures, as stated by the
careful hand of Colonel Wright, stood as follows :
cotton goods, .S68,.566,1S2 ; food preparations, $68,0.35,-
755; woolen goods, $47,473,668; metals and metallic
goods, $40,190,569; leather, $30,188,859; clothing,
$27,253,.582 ; mixed textiles, $21,601,038; machines
and machinery,$20,894,545 ; paper, $18,358,361 ; fur-
niture, .$11,196,827; printing and publishing, $10,-
474,684. "These twelve industries produce $469,352,-
369 worth of goods out of the total product [$631,135,-
284] of the State."
The actual average yearlv earnings of boot and shoe
employees throughout the State, including both sexes
and all ages, is $381.58.
A few other industries of Lynn may be alluded to
in passing, which never grew to large proportions, but
yet were of some importance in their day :
Ship-Building, or rather boat-building, as it would
be called at this day, was engaged in here to .some ex-
tent, at an early period. A sloop of fifteen tons was
built in 1677, and another of about the same burden
in 1685. And within some twenty-five years of the
latter date, about half a score of vessels, ranging from
ten to thirty-five tons burden — and one of sixty —
were built here. About 1726 a ship-yard waa estab-
290
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY. MASSACHUSETTS.
lished on Broad Street, a little east of the foot of
Market, at vvliich were built, as is stated, sixteen
schooners and two brigs. But the business there was
abandoned after a few years. There seems to have
been quite a number of expert workmen at ship-
building in Lynn for many years, and one or two re-
markably skillful naval architects. The celebrated
frigate " Constitution " was built in Boston, at the
ship-yard of Edmund Hart, a Lynn man. In 1832 a
yard was established in West Lynn, a little east of
Fox Hill Bridge, at which were built a few small ves-
sels. The Lynn " Whaling Company '' was formed
about that time, and hopes of a profitable maritime
business were entertained, but the enterprise proved
a failure.
Chocolate began to be manufactured at the mill on
Saugus River, at the Boston Street crossing, as early
as 1797. In or about 1805 Araariah Childs i)urchased
the establishment and commenced manufacturing an
article that soon acquired a world-wide reputation,
continuing the business till 1840.
Snuff \iaA been made at the mill as early as 1794 by
Samuel Fales, but the use of snuff becoming, by de-
grees, unfashionable, the business died out.
Salt. — Salt-works were established in Lynn in 1805,
but the business never grew to large iiroportions. The
works were on what is now Beach Street, near Broad.
Silk and Silk Printing. — Some fifty years ago a
number of our people became much interested in the
silk manufacture. They procured collections of
worms and planted great numbers of white mulberry
trees for their food. They were successful in a lim-
ited w-ay, but the business never resulted in anything
profitable, and in a year or two the efforts were dis-
continued. The results in some instances were quite
satisfactory. The writer remembers being shown, by
a neighbor, some handkerchiefs which were woven
from silk raised by him and printed at one of the silk
printing establishments, which for a number of years
did an active business in Wyoma village, in the
vicinity of Strawberry Brook, and on Waterliill.
Wall Paper and Rubber Goods were also manufac-
tured here fifty years ago, and the waters of Straw-
berry Brook were utilized in some other small manu-
facturing enterprises.
New Isdusteies. — Quite recently there have been
added to the industries of Lynn one or two of much
promise, which are well worthy of enumeration.
Electric Lighting. — Very soon after it had become
demonstrated that electricity could be successfully util-
ized for the illumination of cities, a local electric
light company was formed in Lynn and permission
given by the city to supply customers, the city itself
becoming a large customer also. This company in-
troduced into the streets the very successful arc light
of the Thompson-Houston patent, and this mode of
lighting soon became so popular that in 1883 a brick
building was erected on Stewart Street to enlarge the
capacity to meet the local demand.
The capitalisls who became interested in this enter-
prise, recognizing that the development of electric
lighting was in its infancy, were convinced that they
could profitably invest capital for the manufacture
and introduction of electrical apparatus. To that end
they invested money in the Thompson-Houstim com-
pany, of New Britain, Conn., organized under the
laws of Connecticut. The machinery and plant of the
company was soon removed to Lynn to occupy the
substantial brick factory building on Western Ave-
nue, erected for them by the late Minot Terrill, a
gentleman who spent nearly the whole of a large for-
tune, which he had inherited, in building improve-
ments of lasting benefit to the city. The company
brought many new families to l^ynn, the business in-
creased, and the factory accommodations have had to
be enlarged by the addition of another large building.
At the beginning of 1887 fully six hundred people
were employed, and the annual product amounted to
one million dollars. This product is sent all over the
world, the demand increases, and oftentimes the
works are kept in operation until late in the evening
to keep abreast of the orders.
Prof. Elihu Thompson, an experienced electrician,
from whom the company derives its name, is very
versatile in discovering new methods of applying
electricity, which constantly adds new departments
of work in the factory. The company, although
chartered in another State, is practically a Lynn en-
terprise, and destined to be of great importance to the
city. The main business office is in Boston ; the
Western office in Chicago.
Hat- Fin is/ling. — In the early part of 1887 a hat-
finishing establishment was commenced on Summer
Street by Mr. Timothy Merritt. The new undertak-
ing will no doubt become a growing success, as the
projector has a good knowledge of the business and
energy and enterprise. Every new industry contrib-
utes to Lynn's permanent growth, and there is no
reason why coverings for the head cannot be as suc-
cessfully manufactured by her people as coverings for
the feet.
TVie Ice Business may not be strictly called a manu-
facture unless frost is considered a working partner.
But it is now an important industry, and one to be
considered, more directly than almost any other, a
home industry, the material being of home production
and the perfected article being consumed at home.
During the last three or four years there have been
harvested an average aggregate of some sixty thou-
sand tons each year. In the storing season some-
where about three hundred men are employed in the
various departments. At other times, of course, the
number varies, and is considerably less.
Occasion has been taken to speak of the industrious
habits of the people of Lynn, and of their economy.
Upon these traits have mainly rested that general
thrift which has been marred by few examples of
large accumulation, or of extreme penury — a condi-
LYNN.
291
tion certainly the most desirable for any community ;
for it is the condition that insnres the greatest deE;ree
of contentment and freedom of mind. Contentment,
liowever, is not, in a worldly sense, an incentive to
enterprise, for those who feel contented in low degree
seldom put forth the energies nece.ssary to rise above
it. Till within a short period Lynn has had no really
rich men ; and perhaps it would have been better had
she remained a< she was. But strife for riches in an
eminent degree characterizes this period ; yet how
ditlerent is the course men pursue for their attain-
ment. Some, without genius, culture or special op-
portunity, succeed by boldness and courage, others by
frugality and carefulness, others by persistent labor.
And then individuals are animated by very different
motives in their desire for wealth; some desire it for
the ease it brings, some for its luxuries, some for the
social position it ensures ; and some, it is to be hoped,
for the good it enables them to do for others. And if,
in the whole round of cravings, this latter incentive
does not in some measure enter, one might as well
remain idle.
" Labor brings tlie joys of health ;
Labor brings the meed of wealth ;
In thy brother's labors share,
And thine own the lighter are."
How much we nowadays hear about shortening
the hours of labor ! Our friends, the " Knights of La-
bor," are not the only ones exercised about the mat-
ter. If one would gain time from manual l.M.bor for
purposes of health or intellectual improvement, or for
any of the higher purposes of life, he is certainly to
be commended; but if only for the lower and enervat-
ing indulgences which too often fill up "loafing
hours," as they are aptly called, he had better be at
work.
To the trne New Englander
•'Absence of occupation is not rest ;
A mind liiite vacant is a mind distressed."
CHAPTER XVIL
LYNN— (C'o?!<('nufd).
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
Earjy UUtory, irilh Sl-etchea of Some of the Command^ra — Ancient and
H'lnornhle ArtUlerij, with Li^t nf tyttn Members mid Notices of Some
Achierementg—Lijml iu the Indian U'tirx, iu the Revolution and Suline-
quent Warn, and in the Great CivU War — Hey Prenent Military Organiza-
tions.
" Thermojtylie and Marathon,
Though cla.ssic earth, can boaat no more
Of deeds heroic than yon sun
Once saw upon ibis distant shore,"
Though the Indians in this immediate vicinity
manifested but little hostility towards the settlers,
there were constantly disturbing apprehensions.
Perhaps the promptness in military preparation did
much to prevent any serious attacks, though the
small number here, and their inefficient weapons,
could not give them much encouragement in aggres-
siveattempts. Butitwas notsoinsomeotherquarters,
and Lynn soon put herself in a condition to succor
any neighbor that might stand in need. The Indians
quickly learned the use of firearms, and there were
enough aincmg the settlers whose base cu])idity led
them, without scruple, to furnish muskets and ammu-
nition to the dusky warriors iu exchange for furs and
wampum currency. Even as early as 1630 the Court
found it necessary to order that " noe person what-
soever shall, either directly or indirectly, imploy or
cause to be imployed, or to their power permit any
Indian to vse any peece v|)on any occasion or pre-
tence whatsoever, under pain of Xs. ffine for the first
offence, and for the 2 offence to be ffyned and impris-
oned at the discretion of the Court." This was the
next year after the settlement began.
Militar_v skill and personal bravery were naturally
in high repute. Plymouth had her Miles Standish,
and JIassachusetts, though perhaps destitute of a
leader as conspicuous as he, could boast of several
commanders of experience and tried valor. Lynn
was remarkably fortunate iu this respect, as she had
within her borders two or three well skilled in the
tactics of the field. The first major-general of the
colony was .lohn Humfrey, who settled here in 1034.
His dwelling was on the east side of Nahanl Street,
and overlooked the sea, Nahant and the Beach, and
was but a short distance from the spot on which the
habitation of Montowampate, or Sagamore James,
the Indian ruler, stood. The writer is well aware
that Mr. Hunifrey's residence is thought by some to
have been at Swampscott, but careful research has
shown that to be an error. He indeed owned an ex-
tensive tract of land thereabout, but assuredly did not
live in that then lonel)' place. Some even suppose
that the "Farm House" on the estate, so highly im-
proved and embellished by the late Hon. Enoch Red-
ington Mudge, was the identical residence of Mr.
Humfrey. But it is thought that even a slight ex-
amination would be sufficient to convince any one
that such a house could not have been built at that
period. It is in the style of a later day. He possibly
had cultivated acres in the vicinity, and may have
erected some rude structure for the tem]iorary shelter
of laborers. He also had a land grant in what is now
Lynnfield, including the beautiful little lakelet still
known as Humfrey's Pond. This latter grant was
made in 163.5, the year after his arrival, and in these
words, — "There is 500 acres of land and a freshe
pond, with a little ileland conteyneing aboute two
acres, granted to John Humfrey, Esq., lying be-
twixte nore & west from Saugus [Lynn], jirovided
hee take noe part of the 500 acres within 5 myles of
any towne nowe planted. Also, it is agreed, that the
inhabitants of Saugus [Lynn] & Salem shall have
292
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
liberty to build stoore howses upon the said ileland,
and to lay in such provisions as they judge necessary
for their vse in tynie of neede."
Mr. Humfrey was one of the most eminent men in
the colony, was an original Ma-ssachusetts patentee,
and, before the removal of the patent to New Eng-
land, was chosen Deputy-Governor. It being, how-
ever, thought best for the interests of the company
that he should for a time remain in England, Thomas
Dudley was chosen to serve in his stead, and came
over with Winthrop's company in 1630.
When Mr. Humfrey came over be brought with
him, says Winthrop, " more ordnance, muskets and
powder." He was accompanied by his wife and six
children, and it is pretty certain would not have re-
turned so soon had it not been for the disconsolate
yearnings of his home-sick wife, who was a daughter
of the Earl of Lincoln. But he had restless ambition,
and perhaps felt that New England was too limited
and uncertain a field for his aspirations. From his
feverish dreams of advancement, however, he finally
awoke. But it was the chilling pressure of disap-
apointment that awoke him. And when meditating
on the defeat of his most cherished schemes, a gush
of tenderness and even deep religious feeling over-
whelmed him. Not much can be said of his exploits
in the field, but as a counselor and home director, in
planning, ordering and providing, his services were
of inestimable value. He returned to England in the
fall of 1641, and there died in 1661.
A military company was organized in Lynn as
early as 1630. Richard Wright was appointed cap-
tain ; Daniel Howe, lieutenant ; and Richard Walker,
ensign. They were provided with two iron cannon.
In 1631 there was a report that some Indians intended
an attack on Lynn, and Walker, with a suitable num-
ber, was detailed for the night guard. He at one
time, while on duty, had an arrow, shot from among
some bushes, pass through his coat and "bufl' waist-
coat,'' and afterwards another arrow was shot through
his clothes. It being quite dark, after a random dis-
charge or two of their muskets, the guard retired.
The next morning the cannon was brought up and
discharged in the woods, and nothing more came of
the attack. After that the people of Lynn suB'ered
little or no molestation.
At the breaking out of the Pequot war, in 1636,
Captain Nathaniel Turner, of Lynn, commanded one
of the companies detailed to serve in the first cam-
paign. The expedition did efficient service at Block
Island, New London and thereabout. The next
year, 1637, a second expedition was undertaken, and
the town furnished twenty-one men. In one respect
Lynn was a loser by this war, for Captain Turner be-
came so enamored of the country through which he
marched that he permanently pitched his tent there,
becoming, as Trumbull says, one of the principal set-
tlers of New Haven. But his fate was mysterious and
pielancholy. He was one of the five men of " chief
note and worth " who sailed for England in 1647, in
the little vessel commanded by (Japtain Lamberton,
which was never heard of after; unless the "phantom
ship" which appeared in the Sound after a great thun-
der storm the next year, and which beholders declared
was an exact image, is taken as her representative.
Captain Turner received his commission as "Cap-
taine of the military company att Saugus," in March,
1633, from the General Court. He became a near
neighbor of his superior officer, John Humfrey, and
the two no doubt often conferred together on military
affairs. Humfrey's .action, as already intimated, was
in the Council, while Turner's was more in the field,
and one of the first orders the latter received was the
rather ignoble one to march to Nahant on a wolf-
hunt. What luck he had in destroying his four-foot-
ed foes does not appear; but when he was called to
meet more worthy enemies, he was brave and tri-
umphant. His moving from Lynn at that formation
period in her history was a great loss to the place,
probably quite as great as that of the departure of his
neighbor Humfrey.
Among the Lynn soldiers in the Pequot war was
Christopher Lindsey. He was a laboring man, and
kept the cattle of Mr. Dexter, at Nahant. The eleva-
tion on the peninsula, called Lindsey's Hill, received
its name from him. He was wounded in the war,
and in 1655 petitioned the court for an allowance,
saying that he was " disabled from service for twenty
weekes, for which he never had any satisfaction." He
was allowed three pounds. His only daughter,
Naomi, married Thomas Maule, of Salem, the famous
Quaker, whose doctrinal book, together with its sup-
plementary " Persecutors Mauled," created quite a
sensation. In it he remarks they five times impris-
oned him, thrice took away his goods and thrice cru-
elly whipped him.
It was in 1638 that the Ancient and Honorable Ar-
tillery was organized. Six Lynn men were among
the first members, namely, William Ballard, Joseph
Henes, Daniel Howe, Edward Tomlin?, Nathaniel
Turner, Richard Walker. Daniel Howe was chosen
lieutenant. A word in relation to one or two of these
early members of that ancient organization may not
be inappropriate. In relation to Mr. To.mlin.s, it ap-
pears pretty certain that he was one in whom great
tru.^t was reposed in civil matters, as well as military.
Yet it is evident that he had decided opinions, which
were not always expressed in ways the most wise or
gentle. On the 3d of September, 1634, the court
ordered that he, "or any other put in his place by the
Commi-sioners of War, with the help of an assistant,
shall have power to presse men and carts, for ordinary
wages, to helpe towards makeing of such carriages
and wheeles as are wanting for the ordinances." His
brother, Timothy Tomlins, was the same year ap-
pointed overseer of the "powder and shott and all
other amunicon " of the plantation. lu 1643, being
then a member of the House of Representatives, he
LYNN.
293
was " ordred and appoynted, by both Houses of the
Courte, to go iippon a mesisunge to ye Narragansett
sachems," and dismissed Crom the " howse for ye pres-
ent to prepare himself for ye jiirney." He went in
company with the celebrated Indian negotiator, Gen-
eral Humphrey Atherton. And it is represented that
one of their first acts was to catechise the benighted
Narragansetts on the Ten Commandments. It is
I)robable that he had not much of an ear for music
other than martial, for, in 1G41, he was arraigned for
expressing opinions against ujusic in the churches.
He, however, retracted, and was discharged.
Nathaniel Turner, who also joined the Ancient
and Honorables at the time of their organization, has
already been sjioken of. Thesword which he wielded
against the Indians is still preserved by the Histori-
cal Society of Hartford, Conn. A picture of it may
be seen in Harper's Magazine, volume xvii. page 3.
The same weapon also did service, in other hands, in
the old French War and in the Revolution.
Richard Walker has also been mentioned as en-
sign of the first military company of Lynn, formed in
l(i80. And the duties of the soldiers of those days, in
time of peace even, must have been burdensome, for
it was ordered, in 1631, '' that every Captaine shall
train his companie on saterday in every weeke." In
May, 1679, a new troop nas formed in Lynn, consist-
ing of forty-eight men. They i)etitioned the General
Court that Captain Richard Walker might be ap-
pointed commander. Ralph King, who was a son-in-
law of the veteran, was made lieutenant. If this is
the same Richard Walker, he must then have been
eighty-six years old, for he was born in 1593. He ap-
pears, however, to have been blest with a most vigor-
ous constitution, for he lived to the great age of
ninety-five years. And he is prf)bably the same hero i
to whom Johnson, of W(.>burn, refers in the following
lines, touching an encounter with some Indians :
" He fougtit the Eastern Indians there,
Whose poisoned arrows tilled the air,
And two of which these savage foes
Lodg'd safe in Captain Walker's clothes."
But the captain of the new troop may have been his
son Richard, who was born in 1611, though he even
had attained the age of sixty-eight.
The venerable organization now known as "The
Ancient and Honorable Artillery," but which in its
charter is called " The Military Company of the Mas-
sachusetts," at its formation, in 1638, was designed
for discipline in military tactics. For many years it,
no doubt, served an excellent purpose, but of late
years it has come to be regarded as rather a holiday
institution. Lynn has furnished a fair share of mem-
bers, and a list is deserving of space here:
IGIK. William Ballard.
ltJ38. Joseph Hewea.
1638. Daniel Howe (Lieut).
1038. Edward Tomlins.
11)38. Nathaniel Turner.
1«)8. Richard Walker.
1M2.
John Wood.
1821.
Robert Robinson.
VA-^.
Benjamin Smith.
18J2.
Daniel N. Breed.
164:..
Clenieht Coldaui.
1822.
Geo rse, Johnson.
1B48.
John Cole.
1822.
Ebenezer Neat.
16.W.
Samuel Hutchinson.
18ol.
Roland G. Usher.
1694.
Tliumas Baker.
1S60.
Richard S. Fay, Jr
1717.
Benjamin Gray.
1639. Samuel Bennett.
1640. John Humfrey.
1040. Thonnis Jtartliall.
1641. Robert Bridges.
1641. John Humfrey, Jr.
1041. Adam Otiey.
Of the first six, those who joined at the time of the
organization, enough has perha|)s been said. But
some of those who subsequently joined are worthy of
brief notice.
S.\MUEL Bennett, who became a member in 1639,
was one of the first settlers, and located in what is
now the westerly part of Saugus. He owned consid-
erable woodland. " Bennett's Swamp," so called to
this day, in old Dungeon Pasture, was owned by him.
His residence was not far from the ironworks, and
in that vicinity he also had lands. He had a good
deal of independence of character, not to say wilful-
ness. At the Quarterly Court, in 1645, he was pre-
sented " for saying, in a scornful manner, he neither
cared for the Town nor any order the Town could
make." In 1671 he sued John Giflord, former agent
of the ironworks, and attached property to the
amount of four hundred pounds, for labor performed
for the company. On the 27th of June, the following
testimony was given : "John Paule, aged about forty-
five years, sworne, saith, that living with Mr. Samuel
Bennett, upon or about the time that the ironworks
were seased by Capt. Savage, in the year 53 as I take
it, for I lived ther several years, and my constant
imployment was to repaire carts, coale carts, mine
carts, and other working materials for his teemes, for
he keept 4 or 5 teemes, and sometimes 6 teemes, and
he had the most teemes the last yeare of the Iron
Works, when they were seased, and my master Ben-
nett did yearly yearne a vast sum from the said Iron
Works, for he commonly yearned forty or fifty shil-
lings a daye for the former time, and the year 53, as
aforesaid, for he had five or six teemes goeing gener-
ally every faire day." In 1644 he was presented by
the grand jury as " a common sleeper in time of ex-
ercise," and fined two shillings and sixpence. There
was a law firbidding the s-ale of commodities at too
great a profit. And for a breach of this law he ap-
pears to have once or twice .suffered prosecution. On
the colony records, under date of May 15, 1657, may
be found this entry : " In answer to the petition of
Samuel Bennett, humbly craving the remittment or
abatement of a fine imposed on him by the County
Court, for selling goods at excessive prizes, the court
having perused, and by theire committee ex-
amined, the papers in the case presented, together
with the allegations and pleas of the peticoner and
others, by him produced, understanding by what ap-
peared, the peticoner received of George Wallis
about forty pounds or ujiwards meerely for the re-
lease of the bargain made betwixt them, . . . see it
not meete to graunt the petition in whole or in part."
Mr. Wallis had also been fined "fivety pounds" for
294
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
" selling goods at excessive prizes," and petitioned
for a remittal, and the same court judged it " meete
to remit the fine all to tenn pounds," which remittal
was made in consideration of his being necessitated
" to be at the losse of about forty pounds or more to
attayne a release of the bargain betwixt him and
Samuell Bennett." It seems to have been a mere game
of sharps between Bennett and Wallis, but shows the
care taken by the court to prevent a circumvention
of the wholesome law forbidding one to sell at an
excessive profit. The maxim so prevalent in the bar-
gainings of our day — caveat einptoi — seems then to
have been unheeded. Not much is to be found re-
specting Mr. Bennett in his military capacity.
John Homfrey has already been spoken of to
some extent.
Thomas Marshall, who was a soldier under
Cromwell, and without whose assistance, John Dun-
ton says, " if we may believe him, Oliver did hardly
anything that was considerable," has been spoken of
somewhat largely in another connection.
Robert Bridges, or Captain Bridges, as he was
generally called, was a man of substance and marked
traits of character. He was admitted a freeman in
1641, and joined the Ancient and Honorables the
same year, being then captain of a militia company.
He was a good deal in civil authority, was Speaker of
the House of Representatives, an assistant, an acting
magistrate and a member of the Quarterly Court. In
164.5, accompanied by Richard Walker and Thomas
Marshall, both already spoken of as Lynn members
of the company, he went as commissioner to negotiate
between Lord de la Tour and Monsieur d'Aulney, the
governors of the French provinces on the north of
New England. The embassy did good service and
the court appropriately recompensed them.
That Captain Bridges possessed rigidly Puritanical
characteristics is abundantly evident. He was one
of the five who, in May, 1645, were appointed by the
court to draft bills for "positive lawes" against lying.
Sabbath-breaking, profanity, drunkenness and kin-
dred vices. And in 1049 was one of the assistants
who, with the Governor, on the 10th of May, signed
a protestation against the wearing of long hair, "after
the manner of ruffians and barbarious Indians."
It was Captain Bridges who, in July, 1651, granted
the magistrate's warrants against Clarke, Crandall
and Holmes, the Baptist missionaries from Rhode
Island, concerning which affair it is propo.sed to say
something in the sketch of Swampscott.
In the Essex Court files may be found the follow-
ing record of Captain Bridges's official action in the
case of Thomas Wheeler, who appears to have been a
man of character and some estate : " 4tli mo., 1654.
Thomas Wheeler bound over to the Court by the
worshipful Captain Bridges, for sinful and offensive
speeches made by him in comparing the Rev. Mr.
Cobbet to Corah. It being proved by three witnesses,
sentence of Court is, that he shall make public ac-
knowledgment upon the Lord's day, sometime within
a month after the date hereof, according to this form
following, and pay the three witnesses £12 2«. 6rf. and
fees of Court : [I, Thomas Wlieeler, having sjioken
at a town meeting in February last, evil, sinful and
offensive speeches against the Reverend Teacher, Mr.
Cobbet, in comparing him unto Corah, for which I
am very sorry, do acknowledge this my evil, to the
glory and praise of God and to my own shame, and
hope, for time to come, shall be more careful.] The
constable of Lynn is to see it perlbrmed." Mr.
Wheeler removed to Stonington, Ct., in 1664, and
became the largest lai.dholder in the place, was an
honored member of the church, and died there in
1686. at the age of eighty-four.
It is not found that Captain Bridges made much of
a mark in a military way, but as a business man he
certainly, by his enterprise and prudence, added
much to the reputation and prosperity of Lynn. He
may almost be called the father of the iron works. It
was in 1642 that he took specimens of the bog ore found
here to London, and succeeded in forming a company
which .soon after commenced operations by setting up
the bloomery and forge. And although the works
proved pecuniarily disastrous, the country at large
reaped great ulterior benefit through some of the
skilled workmen, the best that England could afford,
who removed to other places and engaged in works,
which, under better management, grew to great im-
portance.
Taking all points of character into view and mak-
ing due allowance for the characteristics of the time,
it must be conceded that Captain Bridges furnishes a
fair specimen of the noble class of men who so faith-
fully labored in laying the foundations of the social
fabric which has become our inheritance — men hon-
est, religious, persevering, hopeful and brave. Yet it
must be admitted that he was not of a specially ge-
nial disposition ; nor could he have been very popu-
lar in some of his relations. He had hard points of
character; was arbitrary, exacting, unyielding in the
smaller concerns of daily intercourse, and perhaps
not sufficiently regardful of the minor rights of those
about him ; for we all love to have our rights respected,
even when they are of little value. In those days of
difficulty and doubt, minds were trained to meet the
trials of life with a fortitude that amounted to hero-
ism. Indeed, it was a favorite idea that the afflictions
men were called to endure were disciplinary ; that
souls were purified by sucli means. This, however,
was probably quite as much theoretical as otherwise,
for the best of us would prefer to secure by observa-
tion, rather than experience, the good that might be
derived from pain and suffering.
John Wood, who joined the company in 1642, was
one of the earliest comers. He settled in that part
of Lynn since known as Woodend, the local name
being derived from him. He is supposed to have
been father of William Wood, the author of " New
LS^NN.
295
England's Prospect,'' published in London in 1634, a
book givino; such lively and graphic descriptions of
the Bay settlements that it has ever been held in high
repute. Little or nothing seems to be known of Mr.
Wood's military accomplishments. Perhaps he joined
the artillery as a sort of apprentice at martial tactics.
Clement Coldam, made a member in lt>4.5, ap-
peared here as early as 1030. And his recollection of
matters pertaining to our very enrly days seems to
hrive been much relied on in after-years, his testimo-
ny having great weight in several important lawsuits.
Not much is known of his military achievements. A
record says that on April 14, 1691. " Clement Coldam
and Joseph Hart were chosen cannoners, to order and
look after the great guns." If that means him, he
must have been a very old man — about ninety — but
he had a son Clement, who was supposed to ha.e re-
moved to Gloucester many years before.
Thomas Baker had experience in the field during
the great King Philip War, 1675, being one of the
Lynn company. He was in the great swamp fight at
South Kingston, R. I., in which Eiihraim Newhall
was killed.
This member of the artillery, who is usually called
Captain Thomas Baker, appears to have been a grand-
son of Edward Baker, who came to Lynn as early as
1630, and from whom '• Baker's Hill,'' in Saugus, re-
ceived its name, behaving settled near it. From him
a line of respectable descendants has reached down
to the present time. Daniel C. Baker, our third
mayor, was of the lineage. And in several other
places descendants have become conspicuous.
The life of this Captain Thomas Baker was so illus-
trative of the vicissitudes to which the people of that
period were exposed, and withal so tinged with ro-
mance, that space may be allowed for a glimpse or
two. He was taken captive by the Indians at Deer-
field on the terrible night of February 29, 1704, and
carried to Canada. He, however, the next year, suc-
ceeded in effecting his escape. In or about the year
171-T he married Madam Le Beau, whose name figures
8omewhat in the history of that period. She was a
daughter of Richard Otis, of Dover, N. H., who,
with one son and one daughter, was killed by the In-
dians on the night of June 27, 1689, at the time they
destroyed the place. She was then an infant of three
months, and was, with her mother, carried captive to
Canada and sold to the French. The priests took
her, baptized her, and gave her the name of Chris-
tine. They educated her in the Romish faith, and
she passed some time in a nunnery, not, however,
taking the veil. At the age of sixteen she was mar-
ried to a Frenchman, thus becoming Madam Le Beau,
and became the mother of two or three children.
Her husband died about 1713. And it was very soon
after that her future husband, Captain Baker, appears
to have fallen in with her. He was attached to the
commission detailed by Governor Dudley, under
John Stoddard and John Williams, for the purpose of
negotiating with the Marfjuis de Vaudreuil for the
release of prisoners and to settle certain other mat-
ters, and went to Canada. From Stoddard's journal
it appears that there was much trouble in procuring
her release, and when it was obtained, her children
were not allowed to go with her. Her mother was
also opposed to her leaving Canada.
After her return, Christine married Captain Raker,
and the}' went to reside at Brookfield, where they re-
mained till 1733. They had several children, and
among their descendants is Hon. John Wentworth,
late member of Congress from Illinois. She became
a Protestant after marrying Ca))tain Baker, and sub-
stituted the name Margaret for Christine, though
later in life she seems to have again adopted the lat-
ter. In 1727, her former confessor, Father Siguenot,
wrote her a gracious letter, expressing a high opinion
of her and warning her against swerving from the
faith in which she had been educated. He mentions
the happy death of a daughter of hers who had mar-
ried and I'ved in Quebec, and also speaks of her
mother, then living, and the wife of a Frenchman.
This letter was shown to Governor Burnet, and he
wrote to her a forcible reply to the arguments it con-
tained in favor of Romanism. And there are, or
recently were, three copies of the letter and reply in
the Boston Athenieum. The mother of Christine
had children by her French husband, and Philip,
Christine's half-brother, visited her at Brookfield.
All the children of Captain Baker and Christine,
seven or eight in number, excepting the first, who
was a daughter, bearing her mother's name, were
born in Brookfield. There is no reason to doubt that
the connection was a happy one. They held a very
respectable position, and he was the first representa-
tive from Brookfield. He was indeed once tried be-
fore the Superior Court, in 1727, for blasphemy, but
the jury acquitted him. The offense consisted in his
remarking, while discoursing on God's providence in
allowing Joseph Jennings, of Brookfield, to be made
a justice of the peace, " If I had been with the Al-
mighty I would have taught him better."
In 1733 Cai)tain Baker sold his farm in Brookfield.
But this proved an unfortunate step, for the purchas-
er failed before making payment, and their circum-
stances became greatly reduced. They were a short
time at Mendou, and also at Newport, R. I., but
finally removed to Dover, X. H. Poor Christine, in
1735, petitioned the authorities of Xew Hampshire
for leave to " keep a house of public entertainment"
on the " County Rhoade from Dover meeting-house
to Cocheco Boome." To this petition she signs
her name " Christine baker," and mentions that she
made a journey to Canada in ho|)e of getting her
children, "but all in vaine.'' A license was granted,
and it seems probable that she kept the house a num-
ber of years. She died, at a great age, February 23,
1773, and an obituary notice appeared in the Boston
Evening Posl.
296
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
There seems, at first sight, to be a little confusion
of dates in the foregoing, or possibly some mistake in
personal irlentity, if the dates in the following depo-
sition are correct. The deposition is in favor of a
fellow-soldier, and bears the date June 8, 1730 :
"The deposition of Thomas Baker, of Lyn, in the county of Essex,
aged about 77 years, Testitieth and saitli. That I, being well ai-iiuainted
with one Andrew Townsend of Lyn aforesaid for more than S't years
since, and do certainly know and very well Remember that the s*! An-
drew Townsend was a soldier in the Expedition to the Narragansett un-
der y« Command of ('apt. Gardner, and that he waa in ye n^ Narragansett
fite and in s'^ fite RecM a wound, in or about the year 1675."
The deponent styles himself of Lynn, but it rather
appears that he was then of Brookfield. Perhaps,
however, he was proud to still call himself of Lynn,
or merely meant that he was of Lynn at the time of
the "fite." It is evident that he was somewhat of a
rover.
The King Philip War, that last great struggle of
the red men, commenced in 1675. It was a period
when all the energy and all the patriotism were put
to the test — a period, as it appeared to many, of life
or death. And our people, though not apparently
exposed to immediate danger, responded with a
promptness worthy of all praise. The then captain
of the military company of I^ynn was Thomas Mar-
shall, who had been a resident here for some forty
years, though in the mean time he had been back to
England, where he gained, by his bravery in the par-
liamentary army, a commission as captain from Oli-
ver Cromwell. He was a man of some eccentricities,
but yet must have had the confidence of the people.
He kept the tavern near Saugus River for many
years, and appears to have been in some respects a
model landlord. He is spoken of in other connec-
tions.
It would not be easy to ascertain the exact number
of men furnished nor the amounts raised in response
to the public calls in this great struggle ; but Lynn
did her full share.
Our limits will not allow of much detail regarding
the different wars that have, from time to time, spread
their alarms through the land — the French and In-
dian Wars, the Revolution and the subsequent con-
tests down to the great Rebellion. Nor is the little
that could be given necessary, as the public records
and local histories abundantly supply all needs in
that direction ; to say nothing of the numerous war-
like events incidentally spoken of in other parts of
this sketch, as the participants caine under notice.
A few facts, however, should be stated.
During the French and Indian War, 1754-63, some
two thousand French Catholic neutrals were sent to
Massachusetts to be quartered in different places.
Lynn's share was fourteen. Their provisions were
supplied by Thomas Lewi*, and among his items of
charge were four hundred and thirty-two quarts of
milk at six pence a gallon. A company marched
from Lynn for Canada, May 23, 1758, and two were
killed.
Then we come down to the Revolution. Several
Lvnn men were at the battle of Lexington, April 19,
1775, the opening battle of the war, and four were
killed, ^namely, Abednego Ramsdell, William Flint,
Thomas Hadley and Daniel Townsend. On the 2.'3d
of April Lynn chose a Committee of Safety, consisting
of Rev. John Treadwell, minister of the First Parish,
Rev. Joseph Roby, minister of the Third Parish and
Deacon Daniel Mansfield; others were afterwards
added, among them Dr. John Flagg. An alarm com-
pany was formed, and three night watches estab-
lished. The memorable battle of Bunker Hill was
fought June 17, 1775. The Lynn regiment was un-
der command of Colonel John Mansfield. It mus-
tered, but did not reach the ground in time to take
part in the conflict. For his "remissness and back-
wardness in the execution of duty," the colonel was
ordered before a court-martial, consisting of twelve
field-oflicers, presided over by Gen. Greene, found gui I ty
and ordered to be cashiered. The patriotic people of
Lynn were greatly mortified at this untoward occur-
rence, which, however, had rather the efli'ect to stimu-
late their zeal and determination. Lynn furnished
for the war two colonels, three captains, five lieuten-
ants, five sergeants, six corporals and about a hun-
dred and sixty privates, which, considering the then
small population, was doing remarkably well. She
was poor, and her business prostrated during the war ;
nevertheless, in 1776, she voted fifteen pounds each
to the company of soldiers furnished for the expedi-
tion to Canada, and ten pounds for every enlisting
volunteer. She also, in 1780, granted as much money
as would purchase two thousand seven hundred silver
dollars to p.ay the soldiers. This was liberal, consid-
ering the losses by the depressed condition of the cur-
rency. Within two years she had granted for war
purposes seventy thousand pounds, old tenor. Jlr.
Lewis remarks, "A soldier of the Revolution says
that, in 1781, he sold one thousand seven hundred
and eighty dollars of paper money for thirty dollars
in silver." By this, something may be seen of the
town's liberality. In the procession at the celebra-
tion of the Fourth of July, at Lynn, in 1828, were
over forty who had served in various capacities and
for various terms in the armies of the Revolution ;
among them four pensioners. The government at
that day was not so able to grant pensions as it at
present is, and hence comparatively few were on the
lists. That was the last procession in which most of
them ever anpeared — excepting the great procession
which knows no counter-march, in which we are all
moving on, and from which every one of them soon
dropped out.
Concerning several of the more prominent Lynn
soldiers who served in the Revolution, it would be
agreeable to say something ; but the allotted space is
so limited that it is necessary to be chary of its use.
So deserving a commander as Colonel Ezra Newhall,
however, should not be passed over in entire silence.
LYNN.
297
He was a great-great-grandson of Thomas Newhall,
the first white person born in Lynn, and was captain
of the Lynn Minute Men at the opening of the war ;
but, in consequence of the delay of the troops from
Salem, was not present at the battle of Lexington.
Nor was he present at the b.attle of Bunker Hill, as he
was attached to Colonel Mansfield's regiment, as
senior captain, and by the " remissness " of that offi-
cer was kept from joining the gathering squadrons.
In earlier life Colonel Ezra was an officer in the
French War under Colonel Ruggles. Subsequently
to the battle of Bunker Hill he was major, then lieu-
tenant-colonel in Colonel Putnam's Fifth Massachu-
setts Regiment, and so continued to the end of the
war. He served in the camjiaign that sealed the fate
of Burgoyne, was at Valley Forge and at the battles
of Trenton and Princeton. After the war he was ap-
pointed by President Washington collector of inter-
nal revenue, and retained the office till his death, on
the /ith of April, 1798, at the age of sixty-si.v years.
There is abundant evidence that while in the army
he was very popular with his companions-in-arms.
While the regiment was encamped at Winter Hill
some dissatisfaction was manifested concerning the
rank of the captains and other officers, as they stood
on the brigade major's books. The captains, there-
fore, on the 27th of August, 1775, held a meeting and
voted to "settle the rank of officers by lot, and abide
thereby," at the same time voting that Captain Ezra
Newhall should rank as first captain. Indeed, he
seems alwaj's to have been spoken of as a brave and
prudent officer, and a man much beloved. He lived
in the house still standing on Boston Street, at the
southwest corner of the recently opened Wyman
Street. After the Revolution he removed to Salem,
purchased an estate on Essex Street, and there died
at the time above stated. The Salem Gazette, in an
obituary notice, said : " He served his country in the
late war with fidelity and honor; and in civil and do-
mestic life the character of an honest man, faithful
friend, tender husband and kind parent was con-
spicuous in him. Society sufters a real loss by his
death."
The warlike events of later years are, or should be,
so familiar to every reader that any attempt at de-
tails wdiich space would allow would be far from sat-
isfactory, and we must content ourselves with little
more than bare allusions.
The VV'ar of 1X12 was essentially a naval conflict,
but there was much suffering and business depression,
and above all, sharp political dissension. At times
there were sudden alarms in the seaboard settlements
arising from threatened descents and bombardments
from the enemy's ships in the bay. The gallant con-
test between the English frigate " Shannon " and the
American frigate " Chesapeake," on the 1st of June,
1813, was witnessed by crowds of the people of Lynn,
who not only climbed the hills, but clung to the house-
tops. And when the American flag was seen to strike,
19i
many a sorrowful eye was turned away. Watch stations
were established upon several heights, and two or
three alarms occurred which hastily called out the
soldiery and excited the people, but no serious con-
flict took place.
Soon after the close of the first quarter of the pres-
ent century the military interest began to fall into
popular disrepute. It had, indeed from the frequency
of exercise required and other exactions, become quite
burdensome. The opposition developed especially in
the shape of ridicule. And had it not been for the
saving efforts of the uniformed or, as they were
called, the volunteer companies, it is hard to tell
where the matter would have ended. There were at
this time three handsomely uniformed and well-
drilled companies, — namely, the Lynn Artillery, or-
ganized in 1808; the Light Infantry, organized in
1812 ; and the Rifle Company, organized in 1818.
Sometimes totally unfit persons were designedly
elected as officers, and the district "companies of the
line "at times amounted to little more than tattered
and jeering a.ssemblages. One man who was elected
an officer in a We-<t Lynn company is well remem-
bered. He was a fellow of good information and
bright w'it, but extremely low habits. For a supply
of liquor he could be induced to play in any r6le.
On a certain parade day he appeared mounted on a
gaunt roadster wrapped in a long cloak decorated
I)rofusely with conspicuous and ridiculous badges.
And so he capered around as long as he could retain
his seat. Yet the fires of patriotism had by no means
been extinguished, for every one saw the necessity of
a properly organized militia. The disafi'ection was
only towards the existing recpiirements. And the re-
sult of the popular manifestations was a radical
change in the laws. And from that time to this the
laws have been modified as circumstances required.
The Seminole or, as it was often called, the Florida
War, commenced in 18,35 an<l continued nearly eight
years. It cost the United States some ten million
dollars and several thousand lives. There were ro-
mantic as well as bloody features pertaining to this
war. Its precipitating cause seems to have been
some indignities offered the wife of Osceola, a chief of
the Seminoles. He was the son of an English trader
who married the daughter of a chief, and was of a
most determined and persistent character. So pro-
longed was the war that the people became very im-
patient, and with their complaints and censures min-
gled ridicule, notwithstanding some of the best and
bravest array officers were detailed for the service. A
sharpshooting poet in 1839 thus delivered himself:
" Ever since the creation,
By the best calcvilatiun,
Tlio Florida War has been raging ;
And 'tia our expectation
Tliat tlie liist contlagratiuii
\VilI tiud us tlie same contest waging ! "
Perhaps the incident in the Seminole War that
298
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
most nearly touched the people of Lynn was the loss
of Robert R. Muclge, a young officer, promising and
much beloved. He was a son of Benjamin Mudge, a
native of Lynn and for many years one of her most
prominent citizens. Lieutenant Mudge graduated at
the West Point Military Academy in 1833, and in
1835 was ordered to Florida to take part in the Sem-
inole War as lieutenant under Major Dade. He was
killed at Withlacoochie, together with the whole
company of one hundred and seventeen, with the ex-
ception of three.
The Mexican War commenced in 1846. Lynn fur-
nished twenty volunteers, no special call being made.
In 1832 the threats of revolt iu South Carolina and
her apparent determination to break the integrity of
the Union, the zeal and oratorical vigor of her states-
men, the drilling of her troops, all tended to create
serious apprehension in every quarter. And had it
not been for the unflinching determination of Presi-
dent Jackson, his warnings and declarations, espec-
ially as embodied in his famous proclamation, there
is little doubt that a rebellion would then have been
precipitated. But that extremity was reserved for the
next generation. And it came.
The history of the great Rebellion, the first overt
act of which was the bombardment of Fort Sumter
on the 12th of April, 1861, is so familiar that we need
only refer to a few facts specially pertaining to Lynn.
In five hours after President Lincoln's first requisi-
tion for troops arrived Lynn had two full companies
armed and ready for duty. And early the next day,
April 16th, they departed to meet the foe. The two
companies formed a part of the Eighth Massachusetts
Regiment, and were Company D, the Lynn Light
Infantry, commanded by Captain George T. Newhall,
and Company F, commanded by Captain James Hud-
son, Jr. The regimental officers belonging to Lynn
were Timothy Munroe, colonel ; Edward W. Hinks,
lieutenant-colonel ; Ephraim A. Ingalls, quartermas-
ter; Roland G. Usher, paymaster; Bowman B. Breed,
surgeon ; Warren Tapley, assistant surgeon ; Horace
E. Munroe, quartermaster sergeant. Many volunteers
stood ready and would have gone had there been time
for equipment. Company D marched ofl' with sixty
privates, and Company F with seventy-six. The zeal
thus early kindled did not abate during the whole
war. Every call for troops was quickly and fully re-
sponded to, and everything done that could add
to the comfort of the brave ones upon the field. Lynn
furnished three thousand two hundred and seventy-
four soldiers, which was two hundred and thirty more
than her full quota. Enthusiastic war meetings were
from time to time held. And the principal vic-
tories were celebrated by the ringing of bells, by bon-
fires and other joyful demonstrations. Many of her
gallant sons fell on the field ; others lost their lives by
diseases contracted during the campaigns, and still
others have passed away in the common course of na-
ture since the alarms of war have ceased. Many
peacefully lie in the Soldiers' Lot in the beautiful
Pine Grove Cemetery, while others rest in more se-
cluded sepulchres, or with their fathers in the older
burial-places, their graves being strewn on every re-
turning " Memorial Day " with fresh flowers by sur-
viving comrades and loving kindred. By far the
greater number, however, still sleep upon the battle-
field. A stately Soldiers' Monument was erected in
City Hall Square in 1873. It is an allegorical and
classic work of art in bronze, cast at Munich, in Ba-
varia, and cost $30,000.
The Grand Army of the Republic in Lynn. — Gen.
Lander Encampment, Post 5, is said to be the largest
in the country. But its ranks are thinning out as
member after member is drafted into that army which
marches on with ceaseless step, and knows no coun-
termarch.
As population increases, the laws governing our
State military affairs are constantly undergoing
changes, and it would be useless to attempt here any-
thing like a historical account of the alterations even
during the last forty years. The organizations have
come to be essentially voluntary rather than compul-
sory. And the people have never been backward in
sanctioning the most liberal provision for the disci-
pline and comfort of her soldiery.
Our present military organizations are the Light
Infantry (Company D) and the Wooldredge Cadets
(Company I), both in high repute. There is aUo the
Lynn City Guards Veteran Association.
It is quite within the recollection of the writer that
the newspaper reader often saw at the close of an
obituary notice the phrase " He was a soldier of the
Revolution." But it is never seen at this day. It is
said that the last person to whom a pension was paid
on account of the Revolutionary War died at Wood-
stock, N. H., early in 1887, at the age of ninety-seven. '
She was a widow by the name of Abigail S. Tilton.
Is it not a solemn thought that all of the brave ones
who fought for our liberties at that trying period have
lain down to that prolonged rest from which they will
be aroused only by the sound of the trumpet that
summons them and all of us for final review and in-
spection ? And is it not, too, a solemn thought that
the remnant of the Grand Army of our day, who took
the field for the maintenance of those liberties, are
fast joining the throng of their martial fathers ? A
few years more, and the last soldier will have marched
away, and the " Grand Army of the Republic" sur-
vive in memory only as a vestige of the heroism of
the past.
LYNN.
299
CHAPTER xvnr.
t,YNy:—{Coutinued}.
BURIAL-PLACES.
Thr Old Biinjhig-Groiiud, loith Epitnphs and Notice* of Some Who Lie
Ihere — (tllier Rurial-Ptaces and t'eineleries — Memoi-ial Day — Ancient
Funeral (.'itelotnt.
*' The colli dark grave — tliere 19 no cjire,
No pain nor gloom,
Wilhin the tomb ;
The wicked cfase from tioublitig there.'
" It is wise for us to recur to the history of our an-
cestors. Those who do not look upon themselves as
a link connecting the past with the future, in the
transmission of life from their ancestors to their pos-
terity— do not perform their duty to the world. To be
faithful to ourselves, we must keep our ancestors and
posterity within reach and grasp of our thoughts and
affections — living in the memory and retrospection of
the past, and hoping with affection and care for those
who are to come after us. We are true to ourselves
only when we act with becoming pride for the blood
we inherit, and which we are to transmit to those
who shall soon fill our places." So wrote Daniel
Webster, and who will not subscribe to its truthfulness
and wisdom ? No apology is needed for the introduc-
tion of an extended notice of the burial-places of Lynn,
for such consecrated grounds always possess a touch-
ing interest — to the old, because there lie the departed
kindred and friends of earlier years ; to the young,
because there they see, fast gathering around, the
loved ones fromthebroken household and the charmed
circle of glad companionship. In these often-shunned
retreats lie those who have made the history of the
place ; and who could be more worthy than they of
grateful remembrance?
One of the first objects in commencing a settlement
was to select a suitable place for the burial of the
dead, as all realize that such a place will surely be
needed, whatever other seeming nece.ssities may be
dispensed with. True, the dead would rest just as
quietly by the stony wayside or in the weedy bog, as
in a flowery bed or beneath a marble monument; but
to the sorrowing kindred there is something repugnant
in thinking of them as resting in a dreary, uncared-
for spot. The Indians, even, had great regard for the
remains of their departed ancestors; and woe betide
the daring enemy who would desecrate the rude ne-
cropolis upon the sunny hillside.
But yet with what diflerent teelings do the living
think of the last resting-place they are destined to
occupy. Some would lie in a sequestered spot, where
the soothing dirge of sighing trees is ever heard ;
some would lie on the ocean shore, where the spent
waves murmur a ceaseless lament ; some would lie in
the art-adorned cemetery, whither the stepsof pensive
wanderers may tend at thuughtful hours ; some would
lie in the centre of the busy life they loved so well,
but which no longer can disturb or charm; and some
would have their mortal remains di-solvcd in the cru-
cible of cremation. Says John Anster:
" If I might choose where my tired limbs shall lie
When my task here is done, the oak'8 green crest
Shall rise above my grave — a little mound
R;ii8ed in some cheerful village cemetery.
And I could wish that with unceasing sound
A lonely mountain rill was murmuring by
In music through the long soft twilight hour.
And let the hand of her whom I love best
Plant round the bright, green grave those fragrant flowers
In whoso <leep bells the wild bee loves to rest.
And should the robin from some neighboring tree
Pour his enchanted song — Oh ! softly tread.
For sure if aught of earth can soothe the dead.
He still must love that pensive melody."
And then our own Lewis pleadingly enjoins :
" 0, bury me not in the dark old woods,
Where the sunbeams never shine ;
Where mingles the mist of the mountain floods
With the dew of the dismal pine !
But bury me deep by the bright blue sea,
I have loved in life so well ;
Where the winds may come to my spirit free,
.\nd the sound of the ocean shell.
** 0, bury me not in the churcliyard old.
In the elinie of the doleful tomb !
Where my bones maybe thrust, ere their life is cold,
To the damp of a drearier gloom !
But bury me deep by the bright blue sea,
Where the friends whom I love have been ;
Where the sun may shine on the gras.3 turf free,
And the rains keep it ever green ! "
And thus sings Beattie :
*' Let vanity adorn the marble tomb
With trophies, rhymes, and scutcheons of renown ;
Mine be the breezy hill that skirts the down ;
Where a green grassy turf is all I crave
With here and there a violet hestrown,
Fast by a brook or fountain s murmuring wave ;
And many an evening sun shine sweetly on my grave."
The early settlers, with most unaccountable irrever-
ence, had little regard for the resting-places of their
dead, often allowing rank weeds and brambles to
flourish, and wandering animals to roam at will over
the reserved acres. Whittier alludes to this in these
touching lines :
*' Our vales are sweet with fern and rose,
Our hills are maple-crowned ;
But not from them our fathers chose
The village burying-ground.
*' The dreariest spot in all the land
To death the,v set apart ;
With scanty grace from Nature's hand.
And none from that of art."
But these later generations of their children have
in a measure atoned for their .strange remissness by
consecrating beautiful cemeteries, in which sometimes
appear monuments so costly and decorative that the
mind is liable to be led from meditation on the vir-
tues of those they commemorate to admiration of
them as works of art or disapprobation of them as
moiiunients of ostentation and extravagance.
300
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The Old Burying-Ground of Lynn is in the
westerly part of the city. It is not known with cer-
tainty when the first interments were made there.
The stones are no certain index, for tlie oldest one
bears the date 1698, and multitudes must have been
buried there oefore that time. There rest the early
fathers and mothers of the place, and many whose
talents and virtuous deeds made them conspicuous in
their own day and generation.
The first burial in this ancient place, so far as is
certainly known, was in 1637, wlien the remains of
John Bancroft, ancestor of the distinguished histo-
rian and statesman, George Bancroft, were laid there.
And it was on the 1st of April, 1687, that the remains
of Thomas Newhall, the first white person born in
Lynn, was buried there. He had died at the age of
fifty-seven years. The oldest stone bears this inscrip-
tion : "Here lyeth ye body of lohn Clitlbrd. Died
lune ye 17, 1698, in ye 68 year of his age." The fig-
ure nine, by some sacrilegious intruder, was, eighty
years ago, altered in a rough way, so as to resemble a
two, and that has led some to the erroneous belief
that there was a burial here as early as 1628.
For some two centuries no complete record of in-
terments here seems to luive been kept, but since the
law so required, the town and city clerks have been
faithful in recording.
Mr. John T. Moulton, a worthy native, a few years
since had all the inscriptions copied and published in
the Peabody Institute Collections, — a labor of love
for which he is deserving of the highest commenda-
tion.
A few of the epitaphs in this ancient gathering-
place of the dead will be given ; but it will be borne
in mind that it very often happens that the name of
one of the most worthy and useful is not so perpetu-
ated, while that of another, whose memory elicits no
sentiment of reverence, is blazoned on a pompous
monument. It should be borne in mind, too, that
many, insjiired by ardent love for their native place,
were overtaken by the fell destroyer when far away,
never again to meet those of their generation till
the sea gives up her dead.
Churchyard lore is not usually very refined in dic-
tion, however tender in sentiment, and the simple,
unlettered record is sometimes more touching than
the studied and stately. But a countless multitude,
of whose names even there is no record, are there at
rest, among them, perhaps, " some mute, inglorious
Milton," or some heroic Washington. Certainly a
host of the godly men and women of the early days
are sleeping there, to be aroused only at the last
trumpet's sound ; and theirs must be the brightest
dreams, should dreams come in that night ot cen-
turies.
'' Sure the lust end
Of the good man 18 peace. How calm his exit !
Niglit de\v(* fall not more gently on the ground
Nor weary, worn-out winds expire so soft."
The few epitaphs for which space can be afforded
in this connectiou will, for convenience, be arranged
alphabetically.
•' In memory of Rev. Thomas F. Alexander, pastor of the Second Chria-
tian Church in Lynn, who died April '2, 1838, aged 2:i years.
" Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. — Ps. 116,
15.
" 0 Church ! to whom this youth was dear,
The angel of thy mercy here.
Behold the path he trod.
A milky-way through midnight skies ;
Behold the erave in which he lies ;
Even from this day thy Pastor cries
Prepare to meet thy God."
Few ever had the capacity to so win the esteem of '
the young people of his generation as did this youth-
ful clergyman. He possessed uncommon talents and
an uncommonly felicitous way of expressing his
views and convictions. He mingled freely with those
of all denominations, was neither bigoted nor heter-
odox, and his early death was deeply felt as a serious
loss to the community.
"In memory of Mr. Zachariah Atwill, who died November 6, 1836.
^t 81.
" Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that
man is peace."
Mr. Atwill was a Revolutionary soldier. At one
time he lived in the ancient house that stood on the
centre of the Common, a little west of the pond, but
now stands on the easterly side of Whiting Street and
which is the oldest building in Lynn of which the
date of erection is positively known. It was built in
1682 for the residence of the parish sexton. Mr. At-
will kept the almshouse for many years before its re-
moval, in 1819, from the corner of Essex and Chest-
nut Streets to Tower Hill. A son of his, Zachariah,
Jr., was a sea captain, and, it is said, crossed the At-
lantic some fifty times without the loss of a seaman.
" Here lyes y" body of Mr. Thomas Baker, who died October y« 3d
1734, aged 81 years."
Mr. Baker was drafted November 13, 1675, to serve
iu King Philip's War, and was in the Narragansett
fight. In 1694 he was a member of the Ancient and
Honorable Artillery, and is spoken of more at large
in other pages of this sketch.
"In memory of Amos Ballard (son of Mr. John Ballard, of Boston),
who was deprived of his life by the accidental discharge of a musket in
a canoe iu Lynu River, on the 2.5th of August, 1708. JEtat 77.
"The grave hath eloquence, its lectures teach
In silence louder than divines can preach ;
Hear what it says, ye sous of folly, hear;
It speaks to you ; lend an attentive ear. "
" In memory of Mr. Josiah Breed, who died December 12, 1790, in the
59th year of his age.
" Death is a debt to nature due ;
Which I have paid, and so must yon."
" Here^yes buried ye body of Doc' Henry Burchsted, a Silesian, who
died Sept'' xx, Anno Christi, MDCCXXI. ^Etatis Sua; LXIIII.
" Silesia t > New England sent this man.
To do their all that any healer can,
LYNN.
301
But he who conquered all diseases must
Find one wbo throws liini down into the dust
A chymist near to an adeptist come,
Leaves here, thrown by his caput mortuuin
Reader, physicians die its others do ;
Prepare, for thou to this art Ila-•^tL■nillg too."
"My widow'd mother,
My only earthly friend,
Erected this monument
To tell each traveller,
Who loi'ks this way,
That underneatli this stone
Rests the ashes uf her mily son,
Josiah Barrage, who died Dec. 13th, 17C*T,
Aged 21 years.
Oft do we <iee the tender bud of hope,
Opening its beauties to the morning light,
When lo! a frost cuts down the tender plant,
And levels all our prospects with the dust."
" Here lyes buried the body of the Honorable John Burrill, Esq ,
who died Decem*'' ln'h Anno Christi, MDCCXXI. .Etatis LXIV.
" Alas ! our j-atron's dead ! the country — court —
The church— in tears, all echo the rejKtrt ;
Grie%ed that no piety, no mastering sense,
No counsel, gravity, no eloquence,
No generous temper, gravitating to
Those houors. which they did upon him throw.
Could slay his fate, or tht-ir dear Burrill save
From a contagious sickness and the grave.
The adjacent towns this loss reluctant bear.
But widowed Lynn sustains the greatest share:
Yet joys in being guardian of his dust
Until the resurrection of the just."
The residence of Mr. Burrill was on the western
slope of Tower Hill, and there he died, leaving no
children. The " contagious sic-knesa '' which proved
fatal was small-pox. He was well known throughout
the province, was much in public life, and sustained a
high reputation as a legislator. He was ten years
Speaker of the House, and greatly respected for his
ability and urbanity in conducting public business.
"In memory of Mr. Thomas Cheever, a soMier of the Revolution,
who died Jan. 2H, 1823, ^t. 90.
*' Receive, O earth, his faded form.
In thy cold bosom let it lie.
Safe let it rest from every storm,
Soon must it rise, no more to die."
" The Rev. Joshua W. Downing, A. M. Died July 15, 1S:19, aged 2R."
Mr. Downing was one of Lynn's most promising
young men. He was a son of Elijah Downing, a cabi-
net-maker, who lived on North Common Street, corner
of Park. He graduated at Brown University, and at
first intended to pursue the profession of law, but
becoming converted, he joined the Methodist Confer-
ence, and soon became one of the most acceptable
preachers in the denomination, insomuch that at
the time of his decease he was in charge of one of
the oldest and most opulent churches of the order in
New England,— the Bromtield Street Church, in
Boston.
"This monument is inscribed to the mcmor>- of John Flagg, Esq., in
whom remarkable tt-mperance, uniform prudence, unaffected modesty,
affectionate humanity and diffusive beiievoleuce shone conspicuous
among the virtues which graced his character, endeared him to his
family and friends, and secured him the respect and love of all who had
the happincbs \o know him.
" Aa a physician, his skill was eminent, and his practice extensiye
and successful.
"To Death, whose triumph he had so often delayed and repelled, but
could not entirely prevent, he at last himself eubmiitfd on the UTth of
May, 17!)3. in the ftuth year cf his age.
" Heav'n now repays his virtues and his deeds,
And endless life the stroke of death succeeds."
Dr. Flagg graduated at Cambridge in 17G1. and
eight years after settled a^a physician in Lynn, where
he soon, by his integrity, affability and skill, won the
esteem and confidence of all. He was active and pa-
triotic during the trying Revolutionary period, was a
member of the Committee of Safety in 1775, and com-
missioned as a colonel. Dr. James Gardner, for
many years a public-spirited and highly-respected
practitioner here, married his only daughter. Dr.
Flagg lived at the eastern end of Clarion »Street, in
the same house in which the famous merchant, Wil-
liam Gray, was born some twenty years before.
"George Gray, the Lynn Hermit, a native of Scotland, died at Lynn,
Feb. 28, 1848, aged 78 years."
This eccentric individual lived alone for many
years in what was, at the time of his appearance, a
retired and forlorn retreat, little better than a bram-
bly bog, though near a public road. Further notice
of him appears elsewhere.
"Ttiis monument is erected to the memory of Mr. Samuel Hart, son
of Mr. Joseph & Eunice Hart. Obt. July 18, 18u2, .^t. 24.
*' Farewell to friends, to science & to time,
God bids me leave you all, though in my prime.
Parents, mourn not, though I'm the fourth young son
That God hath callfd, he still doth leave you one,
Grieve not for me, but for the living grieve,
'Tis they who dit^, it is the dead who live."
The writer of this sketch well remembers hearing
in early childhood, a sister of the deceased often
speak in the most affectionate terms of his lovely
character, especially of his amiability. He seems to
have been ambitious of leaving the toilsome occupa-
tion of farmer, and preparing for usefulness in some
learned profession, and was a student — in Harvard
College, it is believed — at the time of his death. The
family greatly mourned his loss, and the whole neigh-
borhood partook in the sorrow. The epitaph refers to
three brothers who had gone before him, leaving him
the last but one of all the sons of the stricken parents.
The epitaplis of thei^e three follow, and they are all
uncommonly impressive in sentiment and tenderly
expressed :
"Sacred to the mem(»ry of Joseph & Hnrrill Hart, Obt. Nov. 15th &
Dec. 8th, 1780, Act. 18 & 11 years, Sous of Joseph and Kuuice Hart.
"These lovely youths resigned their breath,
Prepared to live & ripe for death ;
You blooming youths who view this stouo,
Learn early death may be your own.
The Lord, wlio hatli all sov'n'iKU jKHVer,
Cut short the lo\e]y opening tlower.
The sister's joy, the parent's hope,
Submit to death's rek-ntless stroke."
"Sacred to the memory "f Joseph Burrili Hart, son of Mr. Joseph Jt
Mrs. Eunice Hurt, wbo died Xov. IH, 17iK<, Aged 7 years.
302
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
*' His opening mind a thousand charms revealM,
Proof of those thousands which were still couceard,
Tlio loveliest flow'r in nature's garden plac'd,
Permitted just to bhioni and pluck'd in haste.
Angels beheld him ripe for joys to come,
And cuird by God's command their brother home."
Joseph Hart, the afflicted father of these promising
youths, was a farmer, and lived in the ancient house
that stood on Boston Street at the corner of North
Federal. He owned all the land on the west side of
the street up to Walnut, and raised corn, potatoes and
the usual products for faiuily consumption, together
with large quantities of flax, which was wrought into
a durable though not elegant kind of cloth. Mrs.
Eunice Hart, mother of the deceased youths, was a
granddaughter of Hon. Ebenezer Burrill, who occu-
pied the extensive farm at Swampscott, a portion of
which was lately owned by the Hon. E. R. Mudge,
deceased. The ancient farm-house in which Mr. Bur-
rill lived is still standing near the elegant stone villa
of Mr. Mudge.
" To the memory of Deacon Ezra Hitchings, who waa born April 15,
1765, and died Nov. 20, 18'29. This stone is erected by the members of
the Second Congregational Chul-ch in Lynn, of which, from its forma-
tion, he was an able and efficient officer, as a testimonial of the profound
respect and love for his integrity and benevolence, his piety as a Chris-
tian and his worth as a man.
** The memory of the just is blessed."
The Second Congregational Church of Lynn was
the first Unitarian, and to the present day remains
the only society of that denomination here. Major
Hitchings, to use the military title by which he was
popularly known, was a native of that part of Lynn
which is now Saugus. His wife, who was a woman
of much force of character, was a sister of Colonel
James Robinson, a soldier of the Revolution, and first
postmaster of Lynn. They had no children of their
own, but adopted one or two, whom they reared with
the watchful care of true parents. Mr. Hitchings
kept a West India goods store on Boston Street,
corner of North Federal, and did a fair village busi-
ness, though it yielded nothing beyond a comfortable
maintenance.
" Sacred to the memory of Benjamin Massey, who was born Nov. 19,
178(5, and died Dec. 10, 1831.
*' Reader, a moment pause before this stone ;
It tells a husband, father, Christian gone ;
These sacred names he bore ; but oh, how well
Must faithful memory, not the marble, tell ;
Enough, if in this hard white stone you see
His strong, firm will — his spotless purity."
The loss of Mr. Massey to the community was se-
riou.sly felt. He was an active, useful citizen, his
services being in constant demand wherever strict
personal integrity and prudence were required. He
took an important part in the management of public
affairs, and filled several of the higher offices of public
trust. At the organization, in 1828, of the Lynn Mu-
tual Fire Insurance Comi)any, that still remarkably
successful institution, he was chosen secretary, and
held the office till his death. He was an industrious
blacksmith, his shop and dwelling being on Western
Avenue, a few rods west of Federal Street.
•' Alonzo Lewis, died January 21, 18G1, aged sixty-six years and five
mouths.
" Frances, his wife, died May 27, 1839.
" All angel-s now, and little less while here."
This is the resting-place of Mr. Lewis, the poet and
historian. In the neat little burial inclosure are two
or three chaste marble stones, unpretentious but
strikingly appropriate. As Mr. Lewis is spoken of
somewhat at large in another place, nothing further
need be said here. The other inscriptions in the in-
closure, however, should be given, —
" Frances Maria.
Aurelius.
Lynnwortb.
Ina.
Alonzo Lewis, Jr.
Died March 7, 1852.
Irene Lewis,
Died March 26, 1853.
Mary Lewis,
Died Jan. 28, 1878.
William Lewis,
Born 1596.
Died 1071.
Amey, his wife.
Isaac Lewis, Jr.,
Born 1683.
Died 1763.
Hannah, His wife.
Nathan Lewis,
Born 1721.
Died 1804.
Mary, his wife.
Zachariah Lewis,
Born 1765.
Died 1810.
Mary, his wife."
(Five Generations.)
*' Here lyes buried y* body of Ensign Joseph Newhall, aged 47 years.
Departed this life January y 29, 1705."
This Mr. Newhall was a man of some note and
much respected. In 169G the town granted hira lib-
erty to "Sett up a pewe in y' east end of y" meeting-
house Between y" east dowre & the stares." He was,
at the time of his death, a member of the General
Court, and perished in a great snow-storm while on
his way from Boston. It was a violent storm, continu-
ing two days — the 29th and 30th of January. He
was a son of Thomas Newhall, the first white person
born in Lynn, and the father of eleven children, all
of whom survived him. Many descendants of his are
yet remaiuing in Lynn.
*' Here lies buried the body of M' Zackeus Norwood, who departed this
life Feb. the 8th, 1750, aged 40 years."
"Here lyes buried the body of Doc* Jonathan Norwood, who de-
parted this life March 16th, 1782, in y" 3lst year of his age."
These two stones are in memory of father and son.
Zacheus, the father, was keeper of the old Anchor
Tavern, which, as "Norwood's Tavern," augmented
in fame to the close of provincial days. He is
spoken of elsewhere in these pages. Dr. Jonathan,
the son, was a well-educated physician, and lived on
the north side of the Common, between Mall and
Park Streets. He graduated at Harvard in 1771.
His death, March 16, 1782, was occasioned by in-
juries received by a fall from his horse.
" In memory of Mr. Isaac Orgin, who died May 29th, 1831, .>Et. 70.
" Afflictions sore loug time I bore.
Physicians strove in vain.
Till God did please to give me ease,
And take away my pain."
LYNN.
303
Mr. Orgin was one of the youthful patriots who took
tlie field in the Revolution, and is said to have been
some time a drummer.
*' Here lif3 buried the body of Mr. William Perkins, a gentleman of
lil>enil ediicution. He was bred at Harvard College, and commenced
Master of Arts in y year 1761. He was justly admired for his uncom-
mon abilities, natural and acquired ; his literature, exemplary piety,
modesty, meekness, and many other humane and Christian virtues
which rendered him lovely in every relation of life. He died of a fever
Oct' y" !J, ITtio, and in the 28'^" year of his age."
".Mary Pitcher.
173S-1813."
This !<imple inscription on a neat headstone per-
petuates the name of one who attained a world-wide
reputation as " Moll Pitcher, the fortune-teller of
Lynn." A somewhat extended notice of her may be
found elsewhere in these pages.
" The First Church of Christ in Lynn erected this monument to the
memory of their faithful and much esteemed brother, beacon Nathaniel
Sargent. He died September 23, 1798, aged 38 years.
" I am the resurrection and the life saith the Redeemer."
*'The Tomb of Rev. Jeremiah Shepard. The memory of the just is
blessed. BIrs. Mary Shepard died March 28, 1710, .\et. 53. A prudent
wife is from the Lord. Prov. xxxi. 10 & 28; the Mother of 9 children ;
6 died, .Teremiah, 17(10, Act. 23: Mehetabel, 1088: Margaret, 1683:
Thomas, 1709, Aet. 29: Francis, 1692.
" Rev. Jeremiah Shepiird died June 2, 1720, Aet. 72.
" Elij.ih's mantle drops, the prophet dies.
His earthly mansion quits, and mounts the skies.
So Shepard's gone.
His precious dtist, death's prey, indeed is here.
But 's nobler breath 'mong seraphs does appear ;
He joins the adoring crowds about the tlirone.
He 'b conquered all, and now he wears the crown."
A notice of this venerable minister appears in an-
other connection.
" How uncertain are human enjoyments I
"From gratitude, respect and endearing recollection, this stone Is
erected in remembrance of Mrs. Jane & Sally Tufts, consort & daughter
of Mr. llavid Tufts, who died Nov. 15th & IBtb, 1795, aged 28 years, th»
infant 1 day.
"Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Tufts, & dau% wife and
dau' of Mr. David Tufts, who obt. Aug. 20th i 22d, 1801. She aged
32 years, the child .\et .0 hours.
" Wliy do we mourn departed friends
Or shake at death's alarms ?
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To cull them to his arms."
"In memory of Mr. David Tufts, a soldier of the Revolution, who
died July 6, 182:1, Aet. 60.
" When coldness wraps this suffering clay,
Ah, whither strays the immortal mind?
It cannot die, it cannot otay.
But leaves its darkened dust behind."
This Mr. David Tufts, whose singularly severe and
affecting visitations are here commemorated, lived in
a comfortable two-story frame dwelling which stood
on what is now Western Avenue, at tlie northeast
corner of Federal Street, the site being now occupied
by huge brick business buildings, and his land ex-
tended nearly to Centre Street. His barn was opposite
the west wing of Lynn Hotel. As stated upon the
stone, he was a soldier of the Revolution, and must
have been in service while a mere boy. He drew a
pension during the latter part of his life, for though
in the way of gaining a comfortable livelihood by
farming and expressing, in a small svay, he was yet
obliged to exercise industry and economy. He kept
his sword hanging above the head of his bed as a me-
mento of his early heroism. His last wife was Eunice,
a daughter of Jo.seph Hart, of Boston Street, and she
survived him more than forty years. He left three
sons, one of whom was Deacon Richard Tufts, so long
conspicuous for his rigid principles as a temperance
reformer, and so highly respected for his unswerving
moral integrity. He was a deacon of the First Con-
gregational Church for many years, and died an octo-
genarian. Col. Gardiner Tufts, whose efficient ser-
vices in the interest of the Massachusetts soldiers,
during the Civil War and subsequently, were highly
appreciated, and who is yet doing efficient service
under State appointment, was a son of the deacon.
" John E. Weston, Minister of the Gospel, died July 2'i, 1831, Aet. 35.
" He was ordained Oct. 1827, Pastor of the 2** Baptist Church In Cam-
bridge, and at the time o( his death was pastor elect of the Baptist
Church, Niiahua, N. H. It was while on a journey to Nashua to preach
on the ensuing Sabbath that he was drowned in Sandy Pond in Wil-
mington. This sudden and afflictive event occurred in consequence of
a deep bank near the edge of the pond, from which, unperceived by him,
he was precipitated with his carriage and sank in death.
" Thus died a most excellent husband and
Father, a devoted and humble Christian, an
able and euergetic minister, beloved by all,
and bearing the noble features of that Saviour
whom he delighted to honor."
In this venerable resting-place of the dead repose
the remains of three early ministers of the First
Church — Whiting, Shepard and Henchman — as well
as the countless host of other worthies — fathers and
mothers of past generations — some of whom have
elsewhere come under notice.
" Life's labor done, securely laid
In this their last retreat.
Unheeded o'er their silent dust
The storms of life shall beat.
" The etorm which wrecks the wintry 6ky
No more disturbs their deep repose
Than summer evening's gentlest sigh,
Wiiich shuts the rose."
The other burial-places of Lynn are as follows, ar-
ranged according to the dates of consecration :
The Friends' Burial-Place. — This seems to
have been set apart for its sacred purposes early in the
last century, probably in or about the year 1723, as
h found that Richard Estes conveyed to the Friends
Society an eligible lot of land at the corner of the
present Broad and Silsbee Streets, " in consideration
of the love and good will " he bore " to y' people of
God called Quakers, in Lyn," by a deed dated the
"seventeenth day of the tenth month, called Decem-
ber, in y" ninth year of the reign of King George, in
the year of our Lord, according to the English ac-
count, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-two."
The land was given " unto y° people aforementioned
to bury their dead in, and to erect a meeting-house
304
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
for to worship God in: I say those in true fellowship
of the gospell unity with the monthly meeting, and
those are to see to y" Christian burying as we have
been in y' practice of." In 1826 the remains of a
hundred and nine persons were removed from the old
Friends' Burying-ground in Boston, and deposited in
this at Lynn, the reason being that the society at
Boston had become virtually extinct and their ground
disused. Considerable feeling, however, was mani-
fested by some, and Joseph Hussey refused to permit
the removal of the remains of his two sisters to Lynn,
preferring to have them deposited in King's Chapel
ground. Thi.s burial-place is conveniently and pleas-
antly situated, near the house of worship, and has a
number of neat memorial stones, without costly or
gairish display. And in it rest a goodly number of
Lynn's most prudent and worthy sons and daughters.
Adjoining this ground is another, opened in 1825, as
a tree burial-place; the reason for the proceeding
being that the society refused to permit the interment
of a child in their ground without a compliance with
their regulations.
The Eastern Burial-Place, on Union Street,
was opened in 1812, is neatly kept, and contains the
dust of many worthy ones.
Pine Grove Cemetery was consecrated on the
afternoon of Wednesday, July 24, 1850. The weather
was warm, but the slcy was clear, and a great con-
course attended. The exercises, conducted amid
such picturesque and inspiring surroundings, were
extremely impressive. The address was delivered by
Rev. Charles C. Shackford, minister of the Unitarian
Society. Several other clergymen took part in the
exercises. An original ode, by G. W. Putnam, and
original hymns, by Mr. Joseph \V. Nye, Miss Anna
H. Phillips and Miss Annie Johnson, were sung.
This beautiful burial-place is surpassed by very few
in the country for its picturesque natural features, its
stately trees, fine shrubbery and flower-studded ia-
closures, as well as for its graceful and noble monu
ments. The first burial took place on Sunday, Octo-
ber 13, 1850 ; and the total number of interments up
to January 1, 1886, was nine thousand six hundred,
four hundred and sixty-five having taking place
during 1885. As to the pecuniary receipts and dis-
bursements, it may in brief be stated that for the
year 1885 the City Council appropriated $8000; to
that was added, from sale of lots, $5176.50 ; from in-
terments, $1480.50 ; from care of lots, $2673.59 ; and
from various other sources sutficient to make a total
of $19,509.86. The expenditures for labor, grading
and the numerous other needful purposes were
$19,310.99.
St. Mary's (Roman Catholic) Cemetery, which
comprises eight acres, is situated on Lynnfield Street,
near the suburban village of Wyoma. It was conse-
cratedon Thursday, November 4, 1858, by Bishop Fitz-
patrick, assisted by six other clergymen. A violent
storm prevailed on the day of consecration, and the
services, so far as they properly could be, were held in
the church, where the rite of confirmation was ad-
ministered to some two hundred persons.
St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) Cemetery, on
Boston Street, in the northeastern outskirts, was con-
secrated by Archbishop Williams, in the afternoon of
Thursday, October 16, 1879. A number of clergy-
men from neighboring places were present. Eighteen
burials had taken place there before the day of con-
secration. In the forenoon of the day of the cere-
mony the rite of confirmation was administered in
the parish church, by the archbishop, to about a
hundred and twenty-five children.
Almshouse Ground. — A small lot was set apart
on the Almshouse grounds for the burial of deceased
inmates. But no burials are now made there.
At the present time the burials are chiefly made in
the three cemeteries, the whole number in 1886
having been as follows: In Pine Grove Cemetery,
375 ; in St. Mary's, 207 ; in St. Joseph's, 46 ; in the
Eastern ground, 58; in the Old, or Western ground,
3; in the Friends", 5 — making a total of 694. But
the number of deaths during the year was 836, the
remains of 142 being taken out of town for interment.
In 1885 the number of deaths was 828, of which 148
were by consumption, 21 by diphtheria, 14 by typhoid
fever, 70 by pneumonia, 34 by cholera infantum, 9
by scarlet fever. Of children under five years, 278.
It may be added that the old burying-ground at
Lynnfield was opened about the year 1720, and that
at Saugus about 1732, both of those towns being then
a part of Lynn.
The interesting ceremony of strewing with flowers
the graves of soldiers who fell in the Civil War has
been devoutly observed in Lynn. Once a year — -on
the 30th of May, which has been established as a
legal holiday and called Memorial Day — under the
auspices of the local post of the Grand Army of the
Republic, the surviving comrades proceed in proces-
sion, with appropriate music, to the various burial-
places, and there, upon the graves of the departed
companions-in-arms, reverentially deposit their floral
offerings. The custom began here in 1868, in accord-
ance with the manifesto of General Logan, comman-
der-in-chief of the association, issued at Washington.
The occasion calls out crowds of people, old and
young. A patriotic address by a comrade, delivered
in some convenient place, follows the ceremony.
Did our limits allow, it would not be impertinent
to say a few words touching what may be called mod-
ern extravagances at funerals. The expenditures for
casket, floral decorations and carriages have become
really burdensome to persons of limited means.
Many seem to think it mean not to follow the fashion
in these matters, and mean also to question any
charge of those who furnish essentials or decorations.
Can ostentatious display relieve a truly grieving
heart? Can gairish pomp and glitter at the grave
give joy to the departed? It would, indeed, be heath-
LYNN.
305
enish to avoid a proper manifestation of respect and
affection for dccea<ed friends ; but is it not sometimes
the case tliHt respect and aflection arc marked by
over-wrought display? In early New England times
the dead were committed to their last resting-places
with very little ceremony beyond the procession of
mourning friends; the coflin was rude ; and seldom
was a prayer offered, an omission which it seems hard
to account for, excepting on the ground of anxiety to
avoid anything that approached the Ronli^h custom
of praying for the dead. Lechford, writing in 1641,
says, " At burials nothing is read, nor any funeral ser-
mon made, but all the neighborhood, or a good com-
pany of them, come together by tolling of the hell,
and carry the dead solemnly to his grave and there
stand by him while he is buried. The ministers are
most commonly present." As to prayers at funerals,
Drake, in his " History of Boston,"' in speaking of the
funeral of the wife of Judge Byfield, who was a
daughter of Governor Leverett, and died December
21, 1730, remarks: "At her funeral a prayer was
made, which was the first introduction of the practice
in the town." And a Boston paper, speaking of the
same funeral, says : "Before carrying out the corpse,
a funeral prayer wa? made by one of the pastors of
the old church, which, though a custom in country
towns, is a singular in.stance in this place." So much
for the religious exercises at burials. And now a
word touching some peculiar extravagances at times
indulged in.
Before the beginning of the last century some
strange customs began to appear, and expenditures
were made for purposes much more reprehensible
than any extravagance of the present day. Indeed,
funerals were sometimes made seasons of absolute
jollification. Spirituous liquors were provided in
abundance, and scarfs, gloves and rings presented.
The General Court, in 1724, prohibited the giving of
scarfs on such occasions, " because a burdensome cus-
tom." At the funeral of Rev. Mr. Gobbet, who
preached in Lynn nineteen years (1637-56), were
expended one barrel of wine, £6 Hs. ; two barrels of
cider, lis.; 82 pounds of sugar, £2 Is. ; half a cord
of wood, 4s. ; four dozen pairs of gloves, " for men
and women," £5 4s.; with "some spice and ginger
for the cider." It was not Lynn, however, that had
the honor of providing thus liberally for the obsequies
of Mr. Gobbet, for he had left here a number of years
before, and settled in Ipswich. But in 1711 Lynn
paid for half a barrel of cider for the Widow Dispaw's
funeral. It was generous of the town to see that
even a poor widow's remains should not be laid
away without some inducement for neighbors to at-
tend the last rites, if no feeling of bereavement ex-
isted. And there is a temptation to add the account
of expenditures at the funeral of Rev. Mr Brown, of
Reading, in 1733, partly for the purpose of showing
the cost of some things required in those days on
such mournful occasions :
20
£ >. d.
" To Thomas Eaton, for provisions 2 10
Nathaniel iilaton for fetcliiug up tlie wine 0 lf» 0
Lt. Nathaniel Parker for 5 qt»*. Rhoni, [rum] , ... 0 80
Samuel Pool for digging Mr. Brown's grave . ... 0 SO
Landlord Wesson, for Rhom. [rum] 0 10 6
Wm. Cowdry. for making the coflRn 0 I.t 0
Andrew Tyler, of Boston, 0 gold rings for fuiientl . Hi IS 0
Benj. Fitch, of Boston, Gloves, etc 17 0 0
Mrs. Slartha Brown, for wine furnished . . . . ct 0 0
Eben Storer, of Boston, sundries 8 0 0
Total 43 16 6."
The old burying-grounds embody a history of the
early settlements. The '' cemeteries " of modern
time exhibit the taste and wealth of later days. But
it would be unkind to assume that either is not the
bourn of true human sympathy and aflection. The
remains of high or low, rich or poor, wherever and
whenever committed to the keeping of mother earth,
occasion pangs of sorrow in some surviving breast;
there are none so poor or miserable as to be void of
this. To the indigent mourner there is substantial
consolation in the thought that at the grave all earth-
ly distinctions end ; but far greater consolation in the
conviction that for a virtuous life passed here a great
reward awaits upon the other side of the dark vale.
To the true duty-doer, as he draws near the bourn
that cannot be repassed, the w'ords of the great
poet of our own Essex come as a refreshing breath
from that other land, —
"0 stream of life, whose swifter flow
Is of the end forewarning.
Methinks thy sundown afterglow
Seems less of night than morning."
There is surely no place better fitted for sombre
reflection than that where lie the gathered dead of
generations. But why sombre ?
" All that tread
The globe are but a handful to the tribes
That slumber in its bosom."
And among them, in peaceful rest, are the good
and great, the beautiful and buoyant. What is there
doleful in such company? Meditations of the most
cheerful kind may well be entertained. And sooth-
ing would it be to many a tired sjjirit could it occa-
sionally respond to the poet's sentiment and say :
" At musing hour of twilight gray.
When silence reigns around,
I love to walk the churchyard way —
To me 'tis holy ground.
To me congenial is the place,
Where yew and cypress grow —
I love the moss-grown stone to trace,
That tells who lies below."
Yes, indeed, to a mind so touched, many a rough
p.assage of life would be made smooth, for step by
step more fiilly would be perceived the utter liollow-
ness of all mere earthly jiromises, and the emptiness
of earth's bubbles, wealth, honor and fame. The pur-
suit of wealth especially, which is with us so marked
a feature, would soon appear like senseless phantom-
306
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
chasing. Pausing at the merely rich man*3 grave,
the racy lines of Swift might well obtrude:
*'The sexton shall greeu soda on thee bestow ;
Alas, the sexton is thy banker now !
A dismal banker must that banker be,
Who gives no bills but of mortality."
And again :
" He that could once have half akingdom bought,
In half a minute is not worth a groat.
His coffers from the coffin could not save,
Nor all his interest keep him from the grave."
CHAPTER XIX.
LVNN— ( Continued).
OLD FAMILIES — PERSONAL NOTICES — POETS AND
PROSE WRITERS.
LisU of Settlers— Notices of Reiimrhible Fndifidttah, Eccentric and Othei-wise
— Lynn Writers in Poetical, Historical and other hepartmeitts.
"These flowery fields they loved to tread,
These rocky heights to scale.
The dells and tangled breaks to thread,
And BUuff the fragrant gale."
Realizing that the study of kinship, the tracing
out of lines of relationship, is peculiarly fascinating
and quite as profitable, perhaps, as many of the studies
to which attention is usually directed, there have been
introduced here and there in the different divisions
of this sketch notices, more or less extended, of repre-
sentative individuals who have appeared in the difier-
ent periods of our history ; enough to render all the
assistance that could in that way be afforded to those
who would trace out their genealogical lines. Such
studies frequently prove of unexpected value, by un-
earthing facts greatly beneficial to one or another. Very
few of the old New England families can be brought
to mind of which may not now be found representa-
tives whose virtues or achievements adorn the
parent name. "The records of families," remarks a
writer quoted by President Wilder, " constitute the
frame-work of history, and are auxiliaries to science,
religion and especially to civilization. The ties of
kindred are the golden links in the chain which ties
families, states and nations together in one great
bond of humanity. Everything, therefore, which per-
tains to the history of our families should be carefully
recorded and preserved for the benefit of those who
are to follow us. He who collects and preserves his
own family history is not only a benefactor in his
way, but will deserve and receive the grateful thanks
of all future generations. He confers a priceless boon
upon those whose names and achievements are thus
rescued from oblivion, and preserves the experience
and wisdom of ages for the emulation and admiration
of posterity." Yet there are multitudes of unreflect-
ing people who never think of these things, and other
multitudes who are so engrossed with money-making
plans that they can see no good in them. Why, a
while ago the writer had occasion to ask a man some-
thing about his grandfather, and got the abrupt reply,
"But I don't even know who my grandfather was,
and don't care ; there's no money in it ! "
And now as to Lynn : Though not able to boast of any
very eminent persons at present within her borders, ex-
cepting in the mere business relations of life, in which
she stands remarkably well, and excepting those who
are "great in their own eyes," she yet can point
to many living descendants of her earlier families
who have made a mark in their generation. Let us
give an example or two : George Bancroft, the
eminent historian, is a direct descendant from John
Bancroft, one of I^ynn's early settlers. George
William Curtis, of New York, so prominent in the
literary world, is a direct descendant from Ebenezer
Burrill, who, July 29, 1725, married Mary Mansfield,
and lived in the house that stood on Boston Street
near the northeast corner of North Federal. Mr.
Curtis's mother was a daughter of Hon. James Burrill,
chief justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island
and United States Senator, who died on Christmas
Day, 1820, and whose father, also named James, was
a son of Ebenezer, and born in the old Boston Street
mansion. Horace Gray, a judge of the Supreme
Court of the United States, and late chief justice of
the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, is a grandson
of William Gray, who was born in the two-story
gambrel-roof house, the most easterly on the south
side of Marion Street, formerly known as the Dr.
Flagg house. The bold and chivalrous John J. In-
GALLS, now a member of the United States Senate
from Kansas, and one of the " best dressed " members
of that body, is a lineal descendant from Edmund
Ingalls, one of the first five settlers of Lynn. The
catalogue need not be further extended, though many
other honorable names press upon the memory. And
then, if deceased ones should be brought to notice,
the list could not easily be limited. There was Tim-
othy Pickering, the friend of Washington, the
sagacious and prudent counselor and co-worker on
the foundation of the republic ; his grandmother was
a Burrill, of the same lineage from which Mr. Curtis
sprang. Theodore Parker, the learned theologian
and accomplished scholar, was a direct descendant
from the sober old Lynn settler, Thomas Parker.
The two Bishops Haven were lineal descendants
from Richard Haven, whose house was on Boston
Street, corner of North Federal, near that of the
Burrills, the ancestral home of Curtis and Pickering
just named. Then there was Rev. Samuel Kert-
land, who, by request of the Provincial Congress,
induced the Oneidas and some other Indians of the
Six Nations to espouse the American cause in the
dark, opening days of the Revolution ; he was a di-
rect descendant from Philip Kertland, the first Lynn
shoemaker. Then there was Nathaniel P.Willis,
LYNN.
307
or, as he preferred to write it, when that style was
fashionable, N. Parker Willis, the poet, a descenilant
of Thomas Willis, who was among the first Lynn
settlers, locating at what we now call Tower Hill.
He was a co-representative with Captain Nathaniel
Turner and Edward Tomlins in the first General
Court, 1634. And, being a man of consequence, he
had allotted him, in the land division of 1(538, "up-
land and medow, 500 acres, as it is estimated,'' while
many of his neighbors received not above si.xty. He
does not appear to have spent the remainder of his
days here, and it is not probable that descendants of
his remain. It is at least hoped that the line was not
tainted by "Old Willis,'' who, many years aso, kept
the famous dance-house at North Bend, though he
had the distinction of being a soldier of the Revolu-
tion. But this trail cannot be further pursued.
The narration of prominent events as they occurred
in one's own neighborhood is seldom without absorb-
ing interest. But when the actors in those events
are introduced, the interest is greatly enhanced. It
is the fashion with local historians and quasi histor-
ians to give chapters of biography ; and those chap-
ters are always interesting, at least to residents. But
in view of the fact that, as before remarked, many
sketches are scattered about elsewhere in these pages,
a different plan must be pursued here. A few of
those who have not been spoken of in other connec-
tions, but are thought entitled to special remembrance,
will here receive attention. It will, of course, be
borne in mind that it is not the i)urpose even to name
all who have contributed to the prosperity of Lynn,
for that would include a large portion of her popula-
tion. Genealogies of a number of the old fiimilies
have been published in one shape and another, and
the " History of Lynn " contains many pages of such
matter.
The following are the names of some of the settlers
who appeared here before the year 1700, and who
planted families which are still well represented
among us, though they were not of the first comers:
Allen, 1036.
AUe.v, 1(340.
Attwill, 1659.
Biichclor, 1632.
Bakur, llvW.
Basaett, 1640.
Beimett, 1630.
Bony, 1650 (?).
Breed. 1630.
Browi), 1030.
Burrill, 1630.
Chaciwell, 163u.
Clark. 164r).
Cyllins, 1635.
Davis, 1635.
Estes, 16S3(?).
Farrington. 1635.
Fuller, 1644.
Graves, 1030.
Hart, 1640.
Hawkes, 1630.
Hood, 1040.
Hudsou, 1630.
Ingalls, 1629.
IresoD, 1635.
Johuson, 1637.
King, 1647.
Lewis, 1639.
Mansfleld, 1640.
Newhall, 1630.
Oliver, 1692 (?).
Parker, 1035.
Phillips, 1050.
Pool, 1639.
Ramsdell, 1630.
Bhodes, 1040.
Richards, 1630.
Bichardson, 1679 (?).
Silsbee, 16.51.
Smith, lOiO.
Stacey, 1641.
Tarbox, 1640.
TownSBlid, 1636.
Waitt, 1650.
Alley. — John B. Alley, the first member of Con-
gress from Lynn (1858), descended from the 1G40 set-
tler of the name.
Baker. — Daniel C. Baker, the third mayor, was a
descendant of the 1030 settler.
Ba.s.sett. — William Bassett, the first city clerk,
came from the family planted here in l(i40. His
pedigree may be found further on.
Breed. — .Andrews Breed, our fifth mayor, and Hi-
ram N. Breed, our ninth, descended from the 1(330
settler.
Burrill. — The Burrill who came in lt>30 became
the head of what was once called " the royal family
of Lynn."
Davis. — The Davis named in the list was the an-
cestor of Edward S. Davis, our eighth mayor.
Fuller. — Joseph Fuller, the first president of the
first Lynn bank; and Maria Augusta Fuller, the poet-
ess, were descendants of the 1644 settler.
GRAVES.^From Mr. Graves, the 1630 settler, the
section known as Gravesend (now called Glenmere)
took its name.
Hart. — George D. Hart, our twentieth mayor, de-
scended from the early settler of the name.
Hawkes. — An account of the Hawkes family,
planted here in 1630, will appear on a subsequent
page.
Hood. — George Hood, the first mayorof Lynn, was
a representative of the old Hood family.
JOHNSOX. — William F. Johnson, our seventh mayor,
is of the old 1637 line.
Lewis. — Jacob M. Lewis, Lynn's fourteenth mayor,
and likewise Alonzo Lewis, the poet and historian,
are descendants from the settler of 1639.
Mansfield. — Andrew Mansfield, who came in 1640,
was, in 1660, made the first town clerk. To him we
are also indebted for the preservation of a record of
the land allotments of 1638, which, as he certifies, he
copied " out of the Town Book of Records of Lynn,"
March 10, 1660. Several of his descendants became
prominent, two or three in the military line.
NEWH.4.LL. — The Newhall family, planted here in
1630, and of which the first white child born within
our borders was a member, has, during our whole his-
tory, till within a year or two, maintained its rank
as first in numbers, if for nothing else. The name is
not now the most numerous, as, according to recent
directories, it is slightly led by that of Smith. They
are both old Lynn names, but it is evident that but
comparatively few of the present Smiths are of old
Lynn stock.
RiCH.iRDS. — Richard Richards, who died December
19, 1S51, was a descendant of the 1630 settler. He
has been ranked as the most inventive genius, in a
mechanical way, ever born here, some of his inven-
tions proving of great value in the local business.
A brief notice of the Tarbo-X family will appear a
little farther on.
In the sketch of Lynnfield a somewhat extended
notice of the Towssend family will be given.
A brief list of some of the subsequent families, that
is, those which appeared after the year 1700, and
made favorable marks which have from generation
to generation been continued, follows: Bubier, Bufl"-
308
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
um, Chase, Curtin, Kimball, Moulton, Mudge, Mun-
roe, Parrott, Pratt, Spinney, Stone, Tufts, Usher,
Walden, Woodbury.
This short list contains the names of five mayors,
to wit. : Bubier, Butfum, Mudge, Usher and Walden.
And all the families have presented substantial and
useful citizens.
It may be observed that several names, conspicu-
ous in former years, do not appear in these lists. In
some instances they are of those spoken of in other
connections, in other instances of those who left few
or no descendants, and in still other instances of those
who did little or nothing to promote the prosperity or
enhance the fame of this their chosen home, prefer-
ring rather to direct their life's labor to mere selfish
ends, — a career that too many of us of the present day
are prone to imitate-
Hawkes Family. — This family has ever main-
tained a respectable rank among the old Lynn fami-
lies. Adam Hawkes, the founder, was one of the
seventeen hundred Puritans who sailed with Endicott
from Southampton and landed at Salem in June, 1630.
He received large grants in the division of the com-
mon lands, and during his busy life acquired other
tracts. He was an excellent specimen of the hardy,
industrious and thrifty pioneer.
The doings of many of the early comers and their
successors are not matters of tradition, but of history
and record so clear that one can read their lives as if
they were contemporaries. Of this first Adam Hawkes,
for instance, we know the little knoll where he built
his house, we know of the burning of that house, of
the flight through the snow with his wife and infant
children; we know when his second house was erected
— a house which sheltered some of his descendants for
more than two hundred years. In 1872 the old house
was taken down, and on one of the bricks of the
chimney was found the date, 1601, evidently written
in the soft clay with the finger, when the brick was
made in England. These bricks, which were in the
first house, were relaid in the chimney of the fourth,
ou the same farm, by Richard Hawkes, of the
sixth generation from the original owner. It is
a matter of history that some of the ships of Win-
throp's fleet were ballasted with bricks, and it has
always been known in this family that the bricks in
the first chimney came from England. The farm
borders upon Saugus River, and the bricks must have
been carried up that stream in boats, as there was no
road. Another relic of the original chimney, which
has ornamented its successors, but which is now re-
garded as an heirloom, is an iron fireback, some two
feet square, and weighing about one hundred pounds,
on which is moulded what has been supposed to be
the British arnn, but which has since been thought
to be a coat of arms — perhaps that of the Hawkes
family. The " 8ui)porter3," though not distinct, seem
to be similar to those in the British arms, but instead
f)f the crown, this is surmounted by what appears to
be the visors and bars of a helmet and lion. This cast-
ing was evidently made to lay in masonry, as the edge
is depressed and rough. The fashion of ornamenting
the chimney-back above the fire with the family arms
or something national was common in early colonial
times, probably borrowed from home.
John Hawkes, a son of Adam, the first comer, was
a man of considerable local note in his time. His
descendants can trace their ancestry to one of the
group who signed the immortal compact in the cabin
of the " Mayflower." His wife was Rebecca, daugh-
ter of Moses Maverick, the founder and for many
years the only magistrate of Marblehead. The wife
of Mr. Maverick was a daughter of Isaac Allerton,
who was one of the " Mayflower " passengers, was
Lieutenant-Governor of Plymouth Colony, and for a
long time colonial agent. Isaac Allerton and Moses
Maverick were conspicuous in the early days, and
their blood mingled with that of the successors of
Thomas Hawkes, who was burned at the stake in the
reign of " Bloody Queen Mary," for his faithfulness
to his religious principles.
On the 28th and 29th days of July, 1880, there
took place a notable reunion on the grounds of Louis
P. Hawkes, who occupies the very place where the
father of the family established his abode in 1630.
Some three hundred were present, from all parts of
the country — representatives from all classes of so-
ciety, the learned, the diplomatic, the mercantile, the
laboring. The Hon. Nathan M. Hawkes, of Lyjin,
acted as master of ceremonies, and all the proceed-
ings began, continued and ended in the most satis-
factory manner. The literary exercises were of a
high order, eminently appropriate and interesting.
There were devotional exercises, poems, addresses,
genealogical sketchings, music, and, for the younger
portion, lighter diversions of various kinds. The
principal address was by Senator Hawkes, the master
of ceremonies, and its terse periods were enriched by
historic allusions and family incidents, such as proved
of absorbing interest to all present. The sentiments
expressed in the closing passages must have found a
response in the minds of the elder ones present; in
the minds of all not cankered by worldly ambition,
nor closed to the beautiful in nature and the concep-
tion of life's higher duties :
"This day is a mile-stone tliat marks our march of a quarter of a
thousaud years of American life- Individuals and generations lay down
the burdens, the faihires and the triumphs of life ; others stand ready to
go on with the duties that citizenship and family command. Let ua
signalize this occasion as a family by new reverence for the menioi^ of
our ancestors, and by new resolves to make our name a still better name
in the future than in the past- Let us sanctify the present by making it
worthy of the past, ever hopeful of the unseen, wonderful future.
" Within five niiles of the elib and flow of the Atlantic, whence civiliza-
tion took its westward course, this sylvan retreat has hitherto escaped
the rush and crush of busy mercantile pursuits; the snort of the loco-
motive is unheard ; the primitive solitude is undisturbed, save by the
peaceful pursuits of agriculture.
" The oratories of the Jews wore beneath the shadow of olive trees ; the
ancient Druids of Gaul, Britaiti and Germany were accustomed to per-
form their mystic rites and sacrifices in the recesses of the forest ; and
our Pilgrim Fathers worshipped God under a like canopy.
LYNN.
309
" We meet to-day under the shade of the walnut. May this spot be
spared frnui the sordid pursuits of husiness ; maj' tliis grove lie iinvexed
by the demands of utility fur another period of two hundred and fifty
years, that our successors may gather here in 'Nature's noblest sanctu-
ary ; * and may our kin in all coming time resort to this Mecca of the
llawkes family in .\nierica."
The family name, like all the surnames of colonial
da)'s, wiis spelled in a way to suit the user; but there
were not so many variations as in most of the familiar
n.ames. In England we find it spelled Hawkes, and
that has generally been followed here. Some branch-
es of the family in America, however, spell it Hawks.
This saves a letter, but does not make the word hand-
somer. No full genealogy of the family has yet been
arranged. The materials, however, are ample, and
space may be allowed for the tracing of one line as a
sample. For this purpose we will take our well-
known feMow-citizen, Hon. Nathan M. Hawkes, who
was master of ceremonies, as before mentioned, on the
occasion of the grc'it family gathering.
1. Adam Hawkes arrived in 1630, died 1671.
2. John Hawkes, son of Adam, married Rebecca
Maverick.
3. Moses', son of John, born 16.59, married Margaret
Cogswell.
4. Moses^, son of Moses', born 1699, married Susan-
nah Townsend.
5. Nathan', son of Moses^, born 1745, married Sarah
Hitch iugs.
6. Nathan^ son of Nathan', born 1775, married
Elizabeth Tarbell.
7. Njthau D., son of Nathan^, born ISll, married
Tacy P. Hawkes.
8. Nathan M., son of Nathan D., born 1843, mar-
ried Mary Buffum.
Johnson FA.MiLY.^The Johnson family has been
among the most prominent and respectable of the
Lynn families almost ever since the settlement com-
menced, and it would be agreeable to give the gene-
alogy somewhat at large, were it practicable. As the
next best thing, however, it may be well to trace the
line of a single individual, as a family representative,
from the first settler. Others, by their relationship to
him, may trace their own lines.
For this purpose, then, let us take the line down
to the late Otis Johnson, who died at his well-known
residence on Federal Street, February 17, 1870, at the
age of sixty-eight years.
Richard JoliMon^, the first of the family in Lynn,
was born in England in 1612. He came to America
with Sir Richard Saltonstall, in 1630, and after resid-
ing lor seven years in Watertown and for a short pe-
riod in Salem, settled in Lynn in 1637, being made a
freeman the same year. He was a thrifty farmer,
and owned a considerable tract of land at the eastern
end of the Common, including the site of the present
City Hall. His children were Samuel, Elizabeth,
Abigail and Daniel.
Samuel ' was known by the title of Lieutenant, and
was a cornet in the King Philip War, 1676. For his
services he received, in 1685, a grant of land from
the General Court. He died in 1723, at the age of
eighty two, and was buried in the old ground, where
his grave-stone may still be seen. He married Mary
Collins January 22, 1664, and had nine children.
Richard'', the sixth child of Samuel', was born
November 8, 1674; on July 3, 1705, he married Eliz-
abeth Newhall, and died September 26, 1754. He
was town clerk for several years onward from 1722,
was for three years a representative in the General
Court and a deacon in the old church at the time of
his decease. His sons were Samuel, known as Cap-
tain, Joseph and Benjamin.
Samuel-, Captain, the eldest son of Richard', was
born March 17, 1708, and married Ruth Holten, of
Lynn, in or about 1731. His will was probated Jan-
uary 7, 1772.
Richard ^ the eldest son of Captain Samuel, was
born September 2f', 1731, married Lydia Balchelor
March 21, 1756, and died September 27, 1765, from a
fever resulting from haymaking on the marsh. He
had sons, — Samuel, Enoch, Rufus, Timothy.
Enoch, son of Richard', was born January 16,
1761, married Elizabeth Newhall June 8, 1790, and
died March 17, 1815. He was a deputy sheritt". Sam-
uel, his son, was born April 30, 1793, married at Nas-
sau, N. P., and long resided there, dying July 11,
1841. George, his son, was born June 7, 1796, and
died October 17, 1849. He was a shoe manufacturer,
and married Eliza, a daughter of Dr. Aaron Lum-
mus.
Otis, the youngest son of Enoch, was born January
26, 1802, and died at his residence on Federal Street,
Lynn, on the 17th of February, 1870, at the age of
sixty-eight year.-, as before stated. He was married
in Savannah, Ga., March 18, 1824, to Miss Virginia
Taylor. They had nine children, only three of whom
are now (1887) living — namely, Enoch Staftbrd, Maria
Lillibridge and Elliott Clarke. The eldest son of
Mr. Johnson was William Otis, who died August 17,
1873, aged forty-eight. He was a graduate of Har-
vard College, and in due time became established as
a physician of more than ordinary reputation, having
studied under the venerable Dr. Jacob Bigelow. His
literary talents were also of a high order, his articles
in the North American Review attracting marked at-
tention.
BAS.SETT Family. — William Bassett, the first of
the name here, was a farmer and settled on Nahant
Street on laud still owned by his descendants. He
married Sarah, daughter of Hugh Burt, who died in
1661. He was an ensign in the company of Captain
Gardner, of Salem, in the Indian War, and was at
the "swamp fight." For his services the General
Court made him a grant of land. Captain Wil-
liam Bassett, supposed to be the same individual
was one of a council of war, with Major Benjamin
Church, at Scarborough, Me., November 11, 1689.
His name often appears in the oldest town records of
310
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Lynn, where, in 1691, he is called Quartermaster
Kassett. He died March 31, 1703. His daughter
Eliziilieth was the wife of John Proctor, of Danvers,
who was executed for witchcraft. She, too, was con-
demned, but pardoned. The wife of his son William
was likewise imprisoned seven months for witchcraft.
She had a child, when taken to prison, less than two
years old ; and the next child she had, after her re-
lease, she named Deliverance. The following gives
the line of descent down to the children of the late
William Bassett, our first city clerk, who was cashier
of the First National Bank, and had been for many
vears at the time of his sudden decease, June 21,
1871:
(2) William Bassett, son of William, the first Bassett
here, married Sarah Hood, October 25, 1675, and had
children, — Sarah, born 1676, who married Joseph
Griffin, for her first husband, and a Nevvbold for her
second ; William, born 1678, who married Rebecca
Berry in 1703 (his father's lands were divided be-
tween him and his brother John) ; Mary, born 1680,
who married a Hill ; John, born 1682, who married
Abigail Berry, of Boston ; Hannah, born 1685, who
married John Estes, of Salem ; Ruth, born 1689, who
married Abraham Allen, of Marblehead ; Joseph,
born 1692, lost at sea; Deliverance, born 1695, who,
in 1719, married Samuel Breed ; Abigail, who, in
1728, married Samuel Alley.
(3) William Bassett, son of (2) William, had chil-
dren,— Rebecca, born 1709; Miriam, born 1712, who
in 1732, married David Northey, of Salem ; Joseph,
born 1715, who inherited his father's lands and mar-
ried Eunice Hacker ; Elizabeth, who, in 1729, mar-
ried Benjamin Hood.
(4) Joseph Bassett, son of (3) William, had chil-
dren,— William, born 1738, who died young; Isaac,
born 1741, who, in 1769, married Mary, daughter of
Joshua Collins, was a farmer and shoemaker, and in-
herited one-half of the lands of his father, and died
in 1829; Nehemiah, born in 1749, who married Abi-
gail Fern; Rebecca, born 1754, who married James
Breed ; Sarah, born 1757, who married Abraham
Breed ; Eunice, born 1769 ; Hannah, born 1763, who
married William Breed, of Nahant.
(5) Isaac Ba^^sett, son of (4) Joseph, had children,
— Elizabeth; William, who died young; Eunice;
William again, who also died young ; Isaac, who
married Ruth Breed; Eunice again, who married
Ezra Collins ; Hannah, who married Samuel Neal.
(6) Isaac Bassett, son of (5) Isaac, resided on Na-
hant Street, on the site occupied by his forefathers,
and was long held in repute as a citizen of energy,
enterprise and wealth. He died May 24, 1867 ; had
children, — William, born March 4, 1803, died June 21,
1871; Jeremiah, who died young; Elizabeth, who
died young; Elizabeth again, who married Samuel
Boyce; Mary; Jeremiah again, who also died
young; Eunice, who married W. S. Boyce; Lydia,
who married James B. Kite, of Philadelphia ; Han-
nah ; Joseph, who died young ; Anna Green, who
died April 17, 1863.
(7) William Bassett, son of (6) Isaac, died June 21,
1871, aged sixty-eight. He was the first city clerk of
Lynn, and a man much respected; was prominent in
the early anti-slavery movements, and a co-worker
with those leading spirits, William Lloyd Garrison
and Wendell Phillips, both of whom were present at
his funeral. His children were Susanna Smith,
who married Cyrus M. Stimson ; Eliza; Mary Ann,
who married Thomas Herbert; William Herschell,
who died young; Joseph, who also died young;
Sarah, who married William W. Kellogg; William,
who died young ; William, again, born September 30,
1839; Edmund Quincy, who died young.
(8) William Basset, son of (7) William, now head
of the banking firm, Ba-set, Whitney & Co., of Bos-
ton, had children, — William ; Ruth ; Edith, who died
young.
Note. — The ancient speUing of tbo name was with one *' t ; " but in
later years the iinal letter was doubled ; recently, however, a desire bus
been manifested to return to the old orthography.
Tarbox Family. — John Tarbox. the first settler
of the name here, came as early as 1640. He was a
farmer, and among his landed possessions had seven
acres of upland on Water Hill, where he appears to
have lived, having an orchard near his house. And
upon the premises, before the coming of the whites,
there was probably an Indian settlement or encamp-
ment, as about there were found numerous arrow-
heads and other relics. He was evidently a re-
spected settler, active and thrifty. Though farming
was his principal occupation, he turned his attention
to other pursuits, and was a small proprietor in the
iron works. He died May 26, 1674. His will is
dated November 25, 1673, and to his son John says,
— " I bequeath my house and housing, with orchard
and all my land and meddow, with a greene rugg and
a great iron kettell, and a round joyned table." He
also says, — "I bequealh unto every one of my sonn,
John Tarbox, his children, and my son Samuel's
children, one ewe sheep apeece.'' The wife of his son
John was a daughter of Richard Haven, who lived
on Boston Street, corner of North Federal, the site
on which George O. Tarbox recently erected a dwell-
ing-house and store. Mr. Haven was ancestor of
the two Methodist Bishops, Gilbert and Erastus Otis,
and George O. Tarbox, just named, was a lineal de-
scendant from the early settler, John.
With a daughter of Mr. Tarbox the course of true
love does not seem to have run with uninterrupted
smoothness, for it is found that on the 11th of Sep-
tember, 1649, Matthew Stanley was tried for winning
her affections without the consent of her parents,
convicted and fined £5, with 2«. 6rf. fees, together with
an allowance of 6s. to the parents of the young lady
for their three days' attendance.
The son, Samuel, married Rebecca, a daughter of
Joseph Armitage, landlord of the famous Anchor
LYNN.
311
Tavern. He had eighteen cliildren, and died Sep-
tember 12, 1715, aged ninety-three years. He was
one of the fifteen Lynn men impressed by order of
court, November 13, 1674, for service in the King
Philip War. A detachment had i)reviously been sent
on the same service. In 1685 he joined in "the hum-
ble petition of several inhabitants of Lynn, who
were sold, impressed and sent forth for the service
of the country, tliat was with the Indians in the long
march in the Xipmugg country, and the fight at the
fort Narragansett, " which petition was signed by
twenty-five inhabitants of the town.
It can hardly be said that the Tarbox family be-
came very conspicuous beyond our own borders,
tliough of late years some shining lights of the name,
and presumably of the lineage, Iiave here and there
appeared. Xor has the family with us been con-
spicuous for numbers, notwithstanding the good ex-
ample set by Samuel, who, as just stated, was the
happy father of eighteen children. Still, there always
have been and yet are a fair number with us. The
name of Mr. George O. Tarbox, Ijefore mentioned, has
been favorably greeted throughout the land for his
late efl'ective manifesto touching the "boycott"
ordered upon him by the Knights of Labor.
But this class of personal notices cannot be ex-
tended here. And the reader may, if he please, con-
sider the foregoing merely as examples that might be
greatly multiplied.
And now, with notices of a few eccentric, or rather,
perhaps, we should say, abnormal, characters, of
which class Lynn has always had an abundant assort-
ment, this division of our sketch will close. Some of
those referred to have made an enduring mark and
done much to spread abroad the name of the place,
but to what advantage or disadvantage there will be
difterent estimates. There is, however, a sort of
worldly benefit in being talked about, even if what is
said is not quite so favorable. The term " eccentric"
is not intended to be applied in an offensive sense,
and it is feared that some reader may not see the
strict applicability of its use in every instance. In
the first notice, especially, it may be deemed hardly
appropriate, as matrimonial misunderstandings are
in these days so common as to seem " natural " rather
than " eccentric." The notices are not given merely
to amu-e, but for use by way of example or warning,
as the case may be.
MoxToWAMPATE, aliox Sauamore .Iames. — It is
fitting to begin with a sketch of the Indian Sagamore
James, who ruled over a considerable part of the sea-
board Line of Essex County at the time of the arrival
of the whites, though he was then quite a young man,
having been born in 1609. His Indian name was
Montowampate, but the settlers called him Sagamore
James. He was a son of Nanapashemet, whose juris-
diction extended over a large part of the territory be-
tween the Charles and Piscataqua Rivers. On the
death of Nanapa-^hemet his ' kingdom'' was divided.
the portion including Lynn falling to Montowampate,
his second >on.
The young Sagamore fixed his residence on the
delightful elevation still known as Sagamore Hill,
lying between Beach and Nahant Streets, and over-
looking the beach, Nahant and a considerable portion
of the bay. It ii now (1887) a thickly-settled part of
the city, though still retaining some of its picturesque
features. Its proximity to the sea was, perhaps, the
chief reason why this place was clio-en for the " royal
residence," though the lovely natural surroundings
may have added their attractions. Not much is known
of Montowampate, nor indeed individually of any of
the Indians found hereabout, though from the narra-
tives of the old writers glimpses of character some-
times occur. Dudley says Montowampate was "of a
far worse dispo-ition " than his brother Wonohaqua-
ham, or Sagamore John, as the English called him,
who, he .says, was " a handsome young man" . . .
" affecting Engli-h apparel and houses and speaking
well of our God."
The Lynn Sagamore seems to have had a high ap-
preciation of his own dignity, and not a very lively
sen-e of the courtesies due to the gentler sex. This
is shown by a matrimonial imbroglio, which Thomas
Morton thus recounts in his book entitled " The New
English Canaan," published in 1632 :
" The Sachem or Sagamore of Sagiis, made choice, when he came to
mau's estate, of a lady of Dobte descent, daughter of Papasiquinoo,
the Sacliem or Sagamore of tlie territories near Merrimack river ; a man
of the best note in all those parts, and, as my countryman, Mr. Wood,
declares, in his ' Prospect," a great nigromancer. This lady the young
Barhem, with the consent and good liking of her father, marries, and
takes for his wife. Great entertainment hee and his received in those
parts at her father's hands, wheare they were feasted in the best manner
that might be expected, according to the custome of their nation, with
reveling, and such other solemnities as is usual amongst them. The
soloninity being ended, Papa^iquineo caused a selected number of bis
men to waite on his daughter home into those parts that did properly
belong to her lord and husband, where the attendants had entertain-
ment by the sachem of Siigug and his countrymen. The solemnity be-
ing ended, the attendants were gratified.
" Not long after, the new married lady had a great desire to see her
father and Iier native countrj*, from whence she came. Her lord was
witling to pleasure her, and not deny her request, amongst them
thought to be reasonable, commanded a select number of his own men
to conduct his lady to her father, where with great respectthey brought
her; and having feasted there a while, returned to their own country
againe, leaving the lady to continue thereat herowiie pleasure amongst
her friends and old acquaintances, where she passed away the tmie for
a while, and in the end desired to returne to her lord againe. Her
father, the old Papasiquineo, having notice of her intent, sent some of
his men on ambassage to the young sachem, his sonne-in-law, to let him
understand that his daughter was not willing to absent herself from his
company any longer ; and therefore, as the messengers had in charge,
desired the young lord to send a convoy for her ; but he, stamling upon
tearmes of honor, and the maint;iining of his reputation, returned to
his father-in-law this answer ; ' That when she departed from hitu, hee
caused liis men to waite upon her to her father's territories as it did be-
come him ; but now she had an intent to returne, it did become her
father to send her back with a convoy of his own people : and that it
stood not with his reputation to make himself or his men so servile as to
fetch heragaine.'
"The old sachem Papasiquineo, having this message returned, was
iuraged to think that his young son-in-law did not esteem him at a
higher rate than to capitulate with him about the matter, and returned
him this sharp reply: 'That his daughter's blood and birth deserved
312
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
more respect than to be slighted, and therefore, if he would have her
company, lie were best to send or come for her.'
" The young sachem, not willing to undervalue himself, and being a
man of a stout spirit, did not stick to say, ' That he should either send
her by his own convoy or keope her ; for he was determined not to
Btoope so lowe.'
•' So much these two sachems stood upon tearmes of reputation with
each other, the one would not send for her, lest it should be any dimin-
ishing of honor on his part that should seeme to comply, that the lady,
when I came out of the country, remained still with her fatlier ; which
is a thing worth the noting, that salvage people should seek to maintain
their reputation so much as they doe."
She was, however, finally restored to his arras, but
how the recoQciliation was effected does not appear.
She soon after became a widow, as the death of
Montowampate took place in 1633. Her marital life
certainly had its troubles, for besides what has been
spoken of, she was taken captive by the Tarratines
and held a prisoner for two months. After the death
of her husband she returned to her father.
The resolute Montowampate is said to have visited
England in 1631, with a letter of introduction from
Governor Wiuthrop to Emanuel Downing, the emi-
nent London lawyer, and while there to liave received
the honors of an Indian king. His errand was to
procure redress for a fraud committed by an English-
man named Watts in a beaver-skin transaction.
On the 4th of September, 1632, the court ordered
that " Kichard Hojjkins shalbe severely whipt &
branded with a hott iron on one of his cheekes for
selling peeces & powder & shott to the Indians.
Hereupon it was propounded if this offence should not
be punished liereafter by death.'' One of the pur-
chasers of the proscribed articles, it appears by Mr.
Lewis, was the mettlesome Montowampate.
But this youthful Sagamore of Lynn soon ended
his career. Winthrop, in his journal under date De-
cember 5, 1633, says, — " John Sagamore [elder
brother of Montowampate] died of the small pox, and
almost all of his people.'' . . . " James Sagamore
[Montowompate], of Sagus, died also and most of h's
folks."
Mary Pitcher. — The stranger on arriving in
Lynn, and leaving the railroad train at the Central
Square Station, may observe towering up, a furlong
or so off, in a northeasterly direction, a huge porphyry
cliff, which he may be told is " High Rock." It is
not now, however, so readily discerned from the
Square as it was a few years since, for large business
buildings, recently erected, intervene. Seventy-five
years ago there was but little population in the
vicinity, and the whole of " Kecks Pasture," near the
southern border of which rises High Rock, was lonely
and wild enough, with its rocky outcroppings and
stunted growth of red cedar. The highway, indeed,
wound along the southerly bound, but it was rough
and little traveled. In pleasant weather, however,
charming views could be obtained of diversified land-
scape and the ever-changing sea.
Upon the southern declivity, and fronting towards
the sea, was a plain little cottage, seated a short dis-
tance in from the road, with a small, unkempt garden
in front, and broken rocks, thistles and nettles in the
rear. And that lonely cottage was the home of
"Moll Pitcher," the celebrated fortune-teller of
Lynn, for many years. It was here that she enter-
tained the numerom visitors of all classes and from
all places, who anxiously sought her aid to unveil the
mysteries of the life before them, never doubting
that —
"She could tell by tea-ground mark.
Fortune bright or fortune dark ;
And could give, 0 wondrous dame,
Loving swain's or maiden's name.
Showing by her mystic art
Whether true or false of heart ;
.\nd, by turning cardi, could show
Life's whole span, its weal or wo."
This remarkable woman was born in 1738, of rep-
utable pirents, in Marblehead. Her father was a
master mariner, and connected with some of the best
families in Essex County. And her own rei)utation
seems to have remained unsullied, unless her occult
pretensions are to be taken as a stain. Her maiden-
name was Mary Diamond, and Mr. Lewis says of
her, —
"She was of the medium height and size for a woman, with a good form
and agreeable manners. Her head, plirenologically consiilered, was
somewhat capacious, her forehead broad and full, her hair darlt brown,
her nose inclining to long, and her face pale and thin. There was
nothing gross or sensual in her appearance ; her countenance was
rather intellectual; and she had that contour efface and e-\pression
which, without being positively beautiful, is, nevertheless, decidedly in-
teresting; a thoughtful, pensive and sometimes downcast look, almost
approaching to melancholy ; an eye, when it looked at you, of calm and
keen penetration ; and an expression of intelligent discernment, half
mingled with a glance of shrewdness. She took a poor man for a hus-
band, and then adopted, what she doubtless thought, the harmless em
ployment of fortune-telling, in order to support her children. In this
she was probably more successful than she herself had anticipated ; and
she became celebrated, not only throughout America, but throughout
the world, for her skill. Tiiere was no port on either continent,
where floated the flag of an American ship, that had not heard the
fame of iloll Pitcher. . . . Many persons came from places far remote
to consult her on affairs of love or loss of property, or to obtain her sur-
mises respecting the vicissitudes of their future fortune. Every youth
who was not assured of the reciprocal affection of his fair one, and every
maid who was desirous of anticipating the hour of her highest felicity,
repaired at evening to her humble dwelling. . . . That she made no
pretension to anything supernatural is evident from her own admission,
when some one offered her a large sum if she would tell him what ticket
in the lottery would draw the highest prize. * Do you tbinl-,' said she,
* if I knew, I would not buy it myself? ' Several of the best autheuti-
cated anecdotes which are related of her seem to imply that she pos-
sessed, in some degree, the faculty which is now termed clairvoyance.
Indeed, there seems to be no other conclusion, unless we suppose that
persons of general veracity have told us absolute falsehoods. The pos-
session of this faculty, with her keen perception and shrewd judgment,
in connection with the ordinary art which she admitted to have used, to
detect the character and business of her visitors, will perhaps account
for all that is extraordinary in her intelligence. In so many thousand
instances also, of the exercise of her faculty, there is certainly no need
of calling in supernatural aid to account for her sometimes judging
right; and these favonahle instances were certainty be related to her
advantage, and insured her abundance of credibility."
It is stated that the celebrated "Lord Timothy
Dexter," of Newburyport, was accustomed to visit
her, and place implicit confidence in her utterances.
But whether his strange commercial speculations,
which appear to have been uniformly successful, were
LYNN.
313
attributable to her promptings, cannot be known.
She was married on the 2d of October, 1700, to Kobert
Pitcher, a shoemaker, and became the motherof oneson
and tliree daughters. And there, in the lonely home,
already described, she died on the 9th of April, 1813,
aged seventy-five years. Her remains were interred
in the old burying-ground, near the western end of
the common. The memory of such a person is not
likely to be much honored by those of her own gen-
eration, and her resting-place has remained unheeded
and almost unknown till the present time (1887) —
nearly three-quarters of a century — when two worthy
citizens — Isaac O. Guild and John T. Moulton — have
erected a neat head-stone to mark the spot, which
was some years since pointed out by an aged maa who
was [iresent at the burial. And to that spot, in future
years, many a sentimental maiden and swain will
doubtless repair — a class who always had her warm-
est sympathies.
Mrs. Pitcher was connected with the Silsbee family
of Lynn in this way: Lydia, a great-granddaughter of
Henry Silsbee, the first of the name in Lynn, in 173.5,
married Aholiab Diamond, a son of Captain John
Diamond, of Marblehead, and had two sons, Samuel
and Richard, and one daughter, Mary. This daughter
JIary was married, October 2, 1760, to Robert Pitcher,
of Lynn,asbelbrestated, thus becoming "Moll Pit-
cher." Descendants of hers still remain among us.
Henry Silsbee, the old settler just named, probably
located on Fayette Street not far from the corner of
Essex, in which vicinity he owned considerable land.
He was designated as a " shoemaker," though pro-
bably quite as much of a farmer. The family has
always been respectable, but not numerous, and several
eminent individuals have appeared in the line, Hon.
Nathaniel Silsbee, United States Senator, among
them. Silsbee Street perpetuates the name.
George Gray. — Near the close of the last century
there suddenly appeared iu Lynn a man seemingly
of an age somewhere between thirty and forty years.
He was physically well-conditioned, but in disposi-
tion unaccountably reserved. It was soon known that
he had come to make this his permanent home, for
he made himself possessor of a limited tract of wild
land in a lonely and dismal neighborhood, and there
erected a rude habitation which, for forty years, con-
tinued to be his hermitage, for there he lived "soli-
tary and alone" during that lung period.
This man was George Gray, the Lynn hermit. And
the hermitage was on Boston Street, nearl)' opposite
the entrance to Pine Grove Cemetery. He was by
birth a Scotchman, and died on the 28th of Febru-
ary, 1848, at the ageof seventy-eight years. Till pop-
ulation began to increase around him, which it did,
much to his annoyance, his home was secluded
enough for the most determined misanthrope. A high,
woody hill rose in the rear ; a tangled swamp on either
hand, with a weedy brook winding through ; while in
front, beyond a little area of brambles and rank vege-
20i
tation, wound the street just named. He persistently,
and often with a good deal of asperity, refused to
communicate to the many curious inquirers any
knowledge of his personal history or the causes which
induced the adoption of his comfortless and unnatural
mode of life. And that very secrecy gave rise to
numberless romantic surmises. Some believed that
an unfortunate atfair of the heart estranged him from
social intercourse ; others hinted th.at some great
crime rendered his flight and concealment necessary.
But he had the shrewdness to avoid entangling him-
self by contradicting or admitting the truth of any
report.
One of the latest circumstantial surmises related
to his connection with the fate of the French
Dauphin, Charles Louis, son of Louis XVI. and
Marie Antoinette. It gained currency by an article
in Putnam's Magazine, a monthly periodical of high
standing; the theory being that the Dauphin was
taken from the custody of Simon, the inhuman ruf-
fian in whose keeping he had been placed, brought to
the wilds of America and given in charge of a woman
of the St. Regis tribe, who reared him with affection,
though never claiming that he was her own child, and
probably never dreaming that he was not some poor,
friendless waif. It was further suggested that Rev.
Eleazer Williams, a missionary of the Episcopal
Church, laboring with the St. Regis Indians, was the
identical D.auphin. Then gained currency the belief
that Jlr. Gray was one of those who brought the Dau-
phin to America, it being declared that he was cer-
tainly in France, a red republican, at that period. It
is not certain, exactly, what threads were supposed to
be found connecting Gray with the tran.saction, unless
it was that Mr. Williams — who no doubt really be-
lieved himself to be the Dauphin — came to Lynn,
and, finding that Gray was dead, became very anx-
ious to procure a specimen of his hand-writing, for
which purpose he called on the writer. But these
surmises and rumors need not longer occupy our at-
tention.
At times the hermit was by no means averse to dis-
cussing aftairs with his neighbors, though very seldom
could one receive a welcome to his premises, and never
would an invitation to enter his dwelling be extended.
His calls were generally made at night. The writer
was occasionally fiivored with one, and usually found
him so forgetful of the jiassing time that it was neces-
sary to remind him of the lateness of the hour by a
hint like that of extinguishing the lights, nothing
short of some such rudeness being effectual. He was
a reflecting man, and of considerable literary and
scientific attainment; but the current story of his
carrying a Hebrew Bible about in his pocket was, no
doubt, a fiction. He took great pleasure in attending
lectures, and in studying works on the abstruse
sciences. But his fondness for the mechanic arts was,
perhaps, his most marked trait ; and he became very
skillful in some branches connected with machinery.
314
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Strangers would sometimes vex him with untimely
visits, and by unpalatable remarks induce sudden ex-
hibitions of temper; but if one assumed to bean
adept in any branch of mechanics, he was pretty sure
of a courteous hearing. He claimed several useful in-
ventions, and spent considerable money in establish-
ing his claims against those who infringed his
patents.
In religion he was probably a materialist most of
life. Perhaps a dozen years before his death he re-
marked that it was "ridiculous for any one to con-
tend that intelligence was not the result of physical or-
ganization." Butitvvasuiiderstood thathe subsequent-
ly abandoned his old views, and died in the Calvinistic
faith. He was eccentric in his habits, and had little
regard for personal appearance, oftentimes — especially
during the last few years of his life — appearing in a
grim and filthy condition. He was remarkable, even
in old age, for power of physical endurance. Many
a time has he walked to Boston, on a winter evening,
attended a lecture, and walked home after it had
closed, making a distance, in all, of full twenty miles,
most likely with no thicker covering to his head than
a dilapidated straw hat, and upon his feet coarse
shoes and no stockings. He sutfered much from dis-
ease during his last few years. And there, in his
forlorn habitation, without the sympathy of friends
or the common endearments of home, in solitude and
distress, his last days were passed.
Mr. Gray, at the time of his decease, possessed
property to the amount of about four thousand dollars.
He died intestate, and his debts were not large ; a con-
siderable portion, therefore, went into the treasury of
the commonwealth. His savings do not appear, how-
ever, to have accumulated from a miserly disposition,
but rather from habits of industry and a naturally
frugal turn, for the administrator remarked that from
the appearance of things he could hardly have taken
sufficient interest in his pecuniary affairs to have
known what he did possess. In some instances the
evidences of his money deposits were found thrown
among waste paper.
The death of the hermit was noticed in the news-
papers throughout the country, and several persons
appeared, claiming to be heirs ; but they fiiled to
substantiate their claims.
Hiram Marble. — This somewhat singular indi-
vidual appeared in Lynn in 1852, being then of the
age of forty-seven. He brought with him his wife,
a son of the age of twenty, and a young daughter.
He immediately petitioned the city to sell him the
fiimous Dungeon Rock, a greenstone cliff a mile or
two back in the woods, and very difficult of access,
on account of steep and tangled ascents, swamps and
quagmires. He succeeded in purchasing, at a low
price, the rock and about five acres of the surround-
ing woodland. In that lonely place he erected a rude
habitation, and soon set to work building a road down
towards the town. This was a severe piece of labor.
for gnarled old trees, huge boulders and ledge-crop-
pings were to be removed. But he persevered
heroically till a passable way was obtained. How a
man, evidently not very strong or in vigorous health,
could undertaTke such a piece of work was astonish-
ing. But the crowbar, pick and shovel were courag-
eously wielded, and resounding blasts awoke the
echoes during the hot days of summer, be feigning to
regard it as light labor, saying that he had been
seized by a weakening complaint, and found himself
unable to pursue the hard work he had commenced
on the rock, and so had changed to the light work of
road-building.
The hard work commenced on the rock was to ex-
cavate, in search of treasure, gold and jewels, im.igincd
to have been deposited somewhere down in its un-
known depths. He had come, as he alleged, by spir-
itual direction, and had full faith in the assurance of
the spirits, that they would watch his progress, give
directions and lead him to final success. By no
means deficient in intelligence, he yet was a credulous
enthusiast. In person he was of medium height, had
a bright, quick eye, and wore a flowing beard of
sandy hue, which did not always bear evidence of
having recently had the discipline of a comb. He
was communicative, and in his conversation ran a
pleasant vein of jocularity ; was usually ready to con-
verse on his plans, fears and hopes ; and with great
good nature, sometimes with an apparently keen
relish, alluded to the jeers and taunts of those who
were disposed to rank him as a lunatic. The writer
had occasional conversations with him, and was
sometimes struck by the freedom with which he dis-
cu-sed the pros and cons of spiritualism ; neverthe-
less, his faith and perseverance were refreshing. He
asserted that he had been a confirmed infidel, a be-
liever in nothing beyond the visible and temporal,
till he received communications that could have come
from none but intelligent, invisible beings, unre-
strained by any physical obstacle.
For about fifteen years Mr. Marble continued his
herculean labors at Dungeon Rock, in bodily weak-
ness much of the time, but buoyed up by the strong
hope and, as he believed, supernatural assurance that
his labor would not be in vain. But it was in vain,
and be died there, worn out and diseased, on the 10th
of November, 1868, aged sixty-five years. He re-
mained a spiritualist to the last, and the mediums of
the vicinity were invited to be present at the funeral
services, which were held at the Rock on the forenoon
of Wednesday, November 11th. He w.as a native of
Charlton, in Worcester County, and thither his re-
mains were taken for burial.
Edwin Marble, who at the time of his father's
death had attained the age of thirty-six years, and
had continued to participate in the arduous toil of
excavation, now succeeded to the direction of the
work, subject, of course, as he declared, to the en-
gineering of the spirits. His health, however, had
LYNN.
315
already become undermined, and he was soon obliged
to suspend active operations. He died on the 16th
of January, ISSO, aged forty-eight, and was buried
near the foot of the rock, on the southwestern slope,
it having been his expressed desire to be interred
near the scene of his hopeful, though fruitless, labors.
A considerable number of friends, perhaps fifty, most
of them of the spiritualistic faith, were present at the
burial service, which was simple and atl'ecting; and
held there, in the deep forest, amid the winter
scenery, was peculiarly touching. The hymn "In
the Sweet By and By " was sung at the close. He
was a man of good character and good disposition,
and a firm believer in spiritual manifestations.
Thus died these two worthy men — father and son —
their deaths no doubt hastened, if not occasioned, by
their operations in the dark, damp cavern their own
hands had formed in the bowels of the mysterious
Dungeon Rock, that unwholesome work-place, through
the ragged seams of which the water dripped, and
where the stifled air reverberated with sounds that
might well be taken for supernatural indications.
Their labors were in vain. No treasure was reached ;
but it need not be concluded that they suffered pangs
of disappointment, for, cheered on day by day, as
they believed, by guiding and unerring spirits, they
were hopeful to the last.
After this brief notice of the Messrs. Marble, it
would seem almost necessary to add something re-
garding the supposed deposit of treasure which had
induced them, as well as others before them, to waste
labor, strength and means at Dungeon Rock. The
floating and incoherent traditions on the subject were
gathered up by Mr. Lewis and published in the first
edition of his history. And, perhaps, it would be
most satisfactory to give his account in its original
shape:
" This year (1658) there was a great earthquake in
New England, connected with which is the following
story : Some time previous, on a pleasant evening, a
little after sunset, a small vessel was seen to anchor
near the mouth of Saugus River. A boat was pres-
ently lowered from her side, into which four men
descended, and moved up the river a considerable
distance, when they landed, and proceeded directly
into the woods. They had been noticed by only a
few individuals ; but in those early times, when the
people were surrounded by dangers, and susceptible
of alarm, such an incident wa.s well calculated to
awaken suspicion, and in the course of the evening
the intelligence was conveyed to many houses. In
the morning, the people naturally directed their eyes
towards the shore, in search of the strange vessel ;
but she was gone, and no trace could be found either
of her or her singular crew. It was afterward ascer-
tained that, on that morning, one of the men at the
Iron Works, on going into the foundry, discovered a
paper, on which was written, that if a quantity of
shackles, handcuffs, hatchets and other articles of
iron manufacture were made and deposited, with
secrecy, in a certain place in the woods, which was
particularly designated, an amount of silver, to their
full value, would be found in their place. The arti-
cles were made in a few days, and placed in conform-
ity with the directions. On the next morning they
were gone, and the money was found according to
the promise ; but though a watch had been kept, no
vessel wiis seen. Some months afterwards the
four men returned, and selected one of the most se-
cluded and romantic spots in the woods of Saugus
for their abode. The place of their retreat was a deep,
narrow valley, shut in on two sides by high hills and
craggy, precipitous rocks, and shrouded on the others
by thick pines, hemlocks and cedars, between which
there was only one small spot to which the rays of
the sun, at noon, could penetrate. On climbing up
the rude and almost perpendicular steps of the rock
on the eastern side, the eye could command a full
view of the bay on the south, and a prospect of a
considerable portion of the surrounding country. The
place of their retreat h.as ever since been called the
Pirates' Glen, and they could not have selected a
spot on the coast, for many miles, more favorable for
the purposes both of concealment and observation.
Even at this day, when the neighborhood has become
thickly peopled, it is still a lonely and desolate place,
and probably not one m a hundred of the inhabitants
has ever descended into its silent and gloomy recess.
There the pirates built a small hut, made a garden,
and dug a well, the appearance of which is still visi-
ble. It has been supposed that they buried money ;
but though people have dug there, and in several
other places, none has ever been found. After resid-
ing there some time, their retreat became known, and
one of the king's cruisers appeared on the coast.
They were traced to the glen, and three of them were
taken and carried to England, where it is probable
they were executed. The other, whose name was
Thomas Veal, escaped to a rock in the woods, about
two miles to the north, in which was a spacious
cavern, where the pirates had previously deposited
some of their plunder. There the fugitive fixed his
residence, and practiced the trade of a shoemaker,
occasionally coming down to the village to obtain
articles of sustenance. He continued his residence
till the great earthquake this year, when the top of
the rock was loosened, and crushed down into the
mouth of the cavern, inclosing the unfortunate in-
mate in its unyielding prison. It has ever since
been called the Pirate's Dungeon."
Now, it was this Thomas Veal, who is alleged to have
escaped from the Glen and concealed himself in the
Dungeon Rock, or Pirate's Dungeon, as Mr. Lewis
chooses to call it, who, together with a piratical com-
panion, spiritually ai)peared to the Marbles, time
after time, usually in jolly mood, and assured them of
the rich spoils of gold and jewels still in their keep-
intr, and seemed very willing to surrender them
316
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
whenever they could be reached by drills and gun-
powder. And Veal, moreover, added some touching
revelations concerning a Spanish princess and an-
other bright maiden who had been held captive there,
and were, with their grim warder, shut in forever by
the awful earthquake. Is it, then, to be wondered at
that the Marbles, firmly believing all this, and much
more, should have pursued their exhausting labors
with high hopes? It is not necessary to go into a
disquisition as to the authenticity of the traditions
here recounted, or an examination of the supposed
spiritual revelations. The intelligent reader will per-
ceive the utter absurdity of some and the improb-
ability of others. But yet it can hardly be said that
there is no foundation in truth ; and none of us would
willingly have one of our long-cherished legends
entirely fade away.
There is scarcely a place on the whole New Eng-
land coast that ha.s not traditions about buried treas-
ures of gold and silver, and where unsuccessful at-
tempts have not from time to time been made for
their recovery.
It is undoubtedly true that the old buccaneers, who
were desperadoes from every nation and kindred, did
for years, about the close of the seventeenth century,
pursue their neforious trade of indiscriminate piracy.
And, much to their discredit, the colonists were some-
times charged with connivance at the trafiic. Those
sanguinary sea-rovers were accustomed to rendezvous
in the West Indies, and thence fall upon the richly-
laden Spanish galleons as they pursued their way
homeward with the wealth of the mines of Mexico
and Peru. But their depredations were not confined
to these ; every other craft of value that they met fell
a prey, excepting in the few cases of successful re-
sistance. Then there were the noted pirates, Kidd
and Bellamy, who were known to be more or less on
the coast. And if all the accounts of the treasures
they buried are true, they must have secreted enough
to load half the British navy.
Whether theie was any connection between the
earlier sea-robbers and those who made famous the
Glen and Pirate's Dungeon at Lynn, may not now be
known, but damaging fancies will arise in suspicious
minds.
The following lines from a weird old chant, recit-
ing the ceremony at the burial of money by pirates,
are very striking:
I saw thorn bury their golden store at the root of the pirate tree ;
Bold Blackbeard cried, "Who Ml guard this wealth?" and 0, 'twas
merry to see
How even the wretch who fears not hell, turns pale at the thought of
death I
But one hold knave stood boldly out, and otfered himself for scath —
" I'll watch it," quoth he, "for these forty years I've wandered o'er land
and Eea,
And I'm tired of doing the devil's work— so bury me under the tree ;
And better I'll rest as I guard this wealth, than you, in the realms
below.
Where the soul cannot burst amid endless groans — where the pirate's
soul must go,"
So they shot bim dead with a charmed ball, and they laid a broad fiat
stone
Deep in the earth above the gold, and they stood the corpse thereon.
Now wo betide the daring fool who seeketh that gold to win.
Let mortals beware of the noble wretch who standetli that grave witliin.
There is enough of this old piratical literature to
form the basis of a countless number of dime novels,
and Lynn would naturally be expected to have her
share.
Lynn Writers. — It was a favorite idea of the
author of this sketch to prepare extended notices of
different Lynn writers, living and dead, who have
from time to time, by their works, contributed to the
edification or entertainment of their fellow-mortalsi
giving specimens of the productions. Among the
multitude of writers who have lived and still live
here, a score at least are deserving of most honorable
mention ; some having reveled in the delightsome
fields of poetry, some in the more sombre walks of
history, some in the elevating regions of science and
some in the dreamy walks of romance. Such a task
would be a delicate one, and in several respects diffi-
cult ; for, to say nothing of incompetency on the part
of the writer, it would be hard to determine what
names should be selected from the long catalogue. It
might appear invidious to choose only those who
were natives ; and then, as to those who were not na-
tives, puzzling doubts might arise as to where the
line should be drawn. Lynn has been the tempor-
ary abiding-place of quite a number of the greater
lights of literature and science, — of Longfellow, the
poet; of Prescott, the historian; of Agassiz, the
scientist, for example. But would it not be rather
assuming to claim them as Lynn authors? Their
reputation, however, being world-wide, may, per-
haps, be said to belong as much to Lynn as any other
place. Then there are others who, though natives,
turned their backs upon their good mother in early
life and afterwards became eminent as writers, but
never manifested any love for their deserted parent.
Are they deserving of specially honorable mention ?
Brief notices of a number of our writers, however, are
given elsewhere, and need not be repeated here.
Poets and philosophers may not be the most useful
citizens in the worldling's estimation, but the lights
they shed illumine many a dark passage and cheer
many a dismal hour in the tramp of life. Our rever-
ence for departed worth, it is hoped, will not be
measured by the length of notice ; for sometimes the
better one is known, the less need there is for extend-
ed details. And in no case is it our desire to pose as
critic.
William Wood, one of the earliest who settled
within our borders, should be first named, for as early
as 1634, in his " New Englaud's Prospect," he outlined
her physical features and drew terse word-pictures of
some of her pleasant and impressive localities. But
as he is several times brought into view in other parts
of this sketch, nothing further is demanded here.
LYNN.
317
Most of the old parish ministers, from Rev. Mr.
Whiting, who commenced liis labors here in 1B3G,
clown to Rev. Parsons Cooke, the last, whose ministry
here ended by his death, were learned men and skilled
in the use of the pen. Their published writings were
chiefly on theoloo;ical topics, and often tinctured by
the acrimony of the times. Their discourses on special
occasions were sometimes published, and the few
copies preserved in the antiquarian collections are
even now sought for with avidity, as developing the
peculiar religious views and tendencies of the times,
as much as for the genius and learning they display.
Since Mr. Cooke's day the controversial hatchet has
not been fiercely wielded by any of the settled pas-
tors. Indeed, the differing sentiments of most Chris-
tian bodies seem to have become more and more as-
similated. But it is hoped that the apparent drawing
together is to be attributed to the awakening of true
Christian love, rather than to indiflerence as to any
religion. But in the company of the clerical worthies
we may not long linger. Their fame is not local.
Rev. Enoch Mudge, 1776-18.50. — This good man
was a minister of the Methodist connection for a great
number of years, having been licensed at the early
age of seventeen. His poetical effusions were many,
and appeared in various periodical publications. His
longest production was " Lynn, a Poem." It was
written in 1820, comprised some six hundred and fifty
lines and was published in pamphlet form in 1820.
In the opening lines the muse takes a view from High
Rock, his eye ranging over the wonderful panorama
of the sublime and beautiful in nature, occasionally
pausing in view of some interesting fabric, and all the
way scattering didactic reflections and useful hints.
It was about this time that the famous sea serpent was
first seen in these waters. And in view of the fact
that he has this year, 1887, again made this coast his
sporting-place, and seemingly retains his early love
for our bay, the following quotation will not be
deemed inappropriate :
" Hard by the shore is seen, day after day,
Surprising sight ! the Serpens Marinus ;
A sight so wondrous strange upon our coasts,
That multitudes collect to feast their eyes ;
He with serpentine movements swiftly glides.
Though huge in bulk, and leaves his lengthened wake
Far in the smooth greeu sea. then darts liis head
Aloft in air, and seems with careless ease
To gaze around ; anon impetuous starts,
riunging his head, and ploughs the liipiid way ;
Sudden he stops and rests when on the waves.
As if to give the observer leave to count
The large protuberances upon his back,
And mark with leisure eye his wondrous frame.
Each eye beholds the varying scene diverse ;
Some see. or think they see, the serpent's eyes,
His mane and slender neck, and whiten'd breast ;
Some see his back all clad in rusty scales,
His flippers, or his smooth and velvet skin ;
His girth and length aa various they describe.
From fifty to thrice fifty feet in length,
From fifteen inches through to triple that.
Ho is a monstrous something, all agree,
But know not what — Sea-Serpent is the name
By which this nondescript is known by us.
The literati term him Halsydous,
By Kanius an<l Pontoppidam described,
And seen by many in the Greenland seas."
These lines are not given for the lirilliancy of their
poetic conception or felicity of expression, but they
are fairly descriptive. Some of his shorter poems,
however, were pronounced by intelligent critics w^orthy
of a place among the selected specimens of our ac-
knowledged poets.
Mr. Mudge was father of Hon. Enoch Redington
Mudge, the generous donor of the lieautiful St.
Stephen's Memorial Church, erected in Lynn in
1881.
Isaac Newhall, 1782-1858. — Mr. Newhall was
known in the literarj' world only by his letters on
Junius, a series addressed to Hon. John Pickering,in
which he endeavored to show that Earl Temple was
the author of those celebrated papers. The letters
were published in a duodecimo volume in 1831, and
showed the author to be well versed in British poli-
tics, with good knowledge of her history and litera-
ture. The chief business of his life was that of a
retail trader, at one time in Macon, Ga., and after-
wards in Salem, Mass. But he spent the evening of
his days in quiet and comfort at the old homestead
on the eastern side of Mall Street, Lynn — the same
house in which he was born on the 24th of August,
1782, and in which he died on the 6th of July,
1858.
Enoch Curtin, 1794-1842. — Mr. Curtin, for some
years, was a poetic and prose writer of much local re-
pute and of real ability. But his education was lim-
ited, and his ambition to .shine as a literary light so
small that his name has never become known to the
extent it deserved to be, and might have been. Plis
poetic eflbrts were chiefly confined to the production
of odes and verses for special occasions, public cele-
brations and so forth. And his prose articles were
largely on local and every-day topics — political, sani-
tary, gossiping. No collection of his writings ever
appeared in book-form. His residence was in the
easterly part of the town — Woodend, so called.
Alonzo Lewis, 1794-1861. — It must be conceded
that Mr. Lewis stands at the head of the writers Lynn
has thus far produced. He published volumes of
poetry and local history, besides contributing, during
many years, articles on almost every current topic,
for the newspapers and other periodicals. A more
extended notice of him appears elsewhere in these
pages.
Mauia Augusta Fuller, 1800-31.— Miss Fuller
was chiefly known by her poems, though her prose
writings were by no means without merit. No col-
lection of her effusions were ever presented to the
public in book-form, or, we feel quite sure, her fame
would have become far from local. Her father, Joseph
Fuller, was the first president of the first bank in
Lynn, and was our first State Senator. The house in
318
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
which he resided is still standing, at the junction of
Union and Broad Streets. Miss Fuller died at the
early age of" twenty-four years.
SoLOMOX MouLTON, 1808-27. — Of this young
man — for he died at the early age of nineteen years —
a word should be said, for while we realize the utter
futility of any attempt to rear upon the uncertain
foundation of what " might have been " any ideal
fame, it is yet natural to augur whither steps already
taken may fairly lead. Young Moulton certainly
made gome poetic contributions to the newspapers
that gave great promise for the future, besides con-
taining in themselves passages of striking thought,
touching pathos and felicitous expression. It will be
remembered that it was from the columns of newspa-
pers that our cherished poets — as Bryant, AVillis,
Longfellow and Whittier — first beamed. Mr. I^ewis
knew Moulton well, and often spoke highly of his
poetic ability. He was born in the house on Boston
Street, southeast corner of Moultim, but was adopted
by an uncle and lived most of his days in Market
Street. No collection of his writings was ever pub-
lished; indeed, he never wrote enough to make a book
of much size.
The writers of whom we have thus far spoken —
Wood, Mudge, Newhall, Curtin, Lewis, Fuller, Moul-
ton— have long since departed ; yet, though their
tongues are mute and their pens have dropped, with
them we may still commune through their works.
" They are silent ; Bilent forever ! Cold, cold are their breasts of
clay! Oil! from the rock on the hill, froui the top of the windy steep,
speak, ye ghosts of the dead ! "
Among her living writers Lynn can boast of
several who are worthy of far more extended notice
than can be allowed in this connection. Brief rec-
ognition, however, is better than entire silence. Fu-
gitive pieces without number have appeared in the
publications of the day, many of them worthy of be-
ing preserved in durable form. And it is hoped that
at some future time a discriminating gatherer may
arise to rescue them from oblivion. He may not re-
ceive the deserved pecuni.ary reward, but his labor of
love would be highly appreciated. In the present
enumeration it seems highly proper that mention be
first made of such as have, in one way and another,
contributed to the elucidation of our history. Of these
should be named :
Richard I. Attwill, who has contributed for the
newspapers transcripts of interesting documents
which he has here and there discovered, accompanied
by apt explanations and annotations from his own pen.
George E. Emery has furnished articles which,
by his well-trained descriptive powers and lively
sense of fitness, have done their share to quicken the
taste for historic reading.
Clarence W. Hobbs, by his "Lynn and Sur-
roundings," published at the close of 1886, has added
a work of much interest. Its mechanical execution
is attractive, and the matter worthy of its neat in-
vestment. It is well illustrated, and the name in-
dicates its general character.
David N. Johnson has done work worthy of
praise in his " Sketches of Lynn, or the Changes of
Fifty Years," published in 1880. He has also writ-
ten articles for the publications of the day, and hymns
and odes for special occasions.
John T. Moulton has done a great deal of pen
work, for which he will receive the thanks of future
generations. Among other things, he has had all the
inscriptions in the old burying-ground copied and
printed in durable form, with an introduction. He
is one of the most intelligent and accurate genealo-
gists among us. The Moulton family has not been
destitute of poetic representatives ; and he, true to
the family tendency, has produced some metrical
pieces of animating sentiment and easy flow.
Howard Mudge Newhall is yet a young man,
but has already written numerous articles of real
value on the business of Lynn, its history and present
condition. His illustrated article in Harper's Maga-
zine, January, 1885, entitled " A Pair of Shoes," at-
tracted marked attention. He has an eminently
practical turn of mind, skill in the arrangement of
topics, and clearness of expression.
It may not be overstepping the bounds of modesty
for the writer of the sketch now in hand to mention
that he has prepared for publication many pages per-
taining to the history of Lynn, its sombre and authen-
tic side, as well as its romantic and legendary.
Edwin Thompson has, from time to time, con-
tributed to the newspapers articles on local historical
matters that have always been received with favor.
Cyrus M. Tracy has for many years been an ac-
ceptable writer as a journalist, essayist and historiog-
rapher. Nor has he neglected science and the
muse. His historical sketches of several places in Es-
sex County were published in the ponderous volume
of C. F. Jewett & Co., in 1878. His " Studies of the
Essex Flora" were published in 1858, in pamphlet
form. He delivered the poem at the dedication of
the City Hall, November 30, 18(17, and the oration at
the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anni-
versary of the settlement of the town.
Gardiner Tufts, in 1883, contributed a series of
articles to the Lynn Transcript entitled "The Old
Choirs of Lynn," which, in fact, embodied the musical
history of the place for a long and interesting period.
They were worthy of the high commendation they
received. In the course of the series appeared bio-
graphical notices, anecdotes and terse descriptive
passages.
For a long series of years, too, our tuneful fellow-
citizens, J. Warren Newhall and Joseph W.
Nye, have, as occasion prompted, celebrated in verse
marked passages in our history, past and present.
It is hard to say what Lynn, for almost a generation,
would have done without their felicitous contributions
for celebrations, dedications and similar occasions.
I
LYNN.
319
As we proceed, still other names press upon the re-
collection. And some of those who do not come
within the categories named certainly deserve honor-
able mention ; among them James Berry Bensel,
who very recently forever laid aside his pen. He was
regarded by competent critics as a poetical writer of
more than ordinary promise. And there seems rea-
son to believe that had he lived he would have taken
liigli rank as a poet.
Edward P. Usher has acquired note as a legal
writer, and as a versifier his skill has long been recog-
nized. He delivered the poem at the dedication of
the Soldiers' Monument September 17, 1873.
Fraxk K. Whittex, who is still a young man, has
shown marked ability in the line of literary criticism,
as well as in other dei)artments. Favorable mention,
too, should be made of Eugexe Barry, Jo.siah F.
Kimball and Thomas F. Porter.
There are likewise other worthy pen-charmers,
whose names would be introduced here were they
not presented in other connections in these pages;
and some, too, there undoubtedly are whose names
have eluded busy memory's pursuit.
It must be admitted that few places can boast of a
larger relative number of writers than good old
Lynn. And it seems as if, among us all, something
considerable might be accomplished. The old pen-
wielders are passing off, but much is reasonably to be
expected from some of those now taking their places.
The writer, indeed, dares predict that certain of our
younger brethren and sisters of the pen will yet at-
tain most enviable renown. But he does not dare
record the names of those on whom the prediction
rests, as his opinion may not be verified; and were it
or were it not verified, his temerity would probably be
met by the retributive scorn of those not named as
within the horoscopic view.
Macpherson, in his preface to the poems of Ossian,
says: "The making of poetry, like any other handi-
craft, may be learned by industry." But the writer
can hardly subscribe, unconditionally, to that, having
in view quite a number who have striven for many a
day, with unflinching industry, to gain a seat on Par-
nassus, and have never been able to reach that allur-
ing height — -at least in the opinion of their envious
critics. However, they undoubtedly received pleas-
ure in picnicking by the way, and were constantly
stimulated by hope and expectation. The pleasures
of literature, derived from its own dear self, one
would think might be sufficient for all the care be-
stowed on its cultivation. Says Voltaire, " Litera-
ture nourishes the soul, rectifies it, consoles it." Such,
indeed, is its legitimate effect ; but in stalk the han-
kerings after fame and the jealousies which writers,
the more eminent as well as the more conceited, too
often allow to diffuse their subtile poison. Dean
Swift, in his pungent way, puts it thus :
'* What poet would not grieve to see
llis brother write as well as he ?
But, rather than they should excel,
Would wish his rivals all in ■ ?"
It cannot be denied that much of the versification
of the present day, notwithstanding its ■' mellifluous
flow," falls far below the standard of the French
writer just quoted, who, in his axiomatic way, re-
marks: "Verses that do not teach men new and
affecting truths little deserve to be read." One may
easily perceive that in much of the poetry of our days
many hollow and many turbid places are bridged over
and concealed by mellifluous versification. But, in
the authoritative words of Percival :
'* 'Tis not the chime and tlow of words that move
In measured file and metrical array ;
'Tis not the union of returning sounds.
Nor all the pleasing artifice of rhyme,
And quantity, and accent that can give
This all pervading spirit to the ear,
Or blend it with the moviugs of the soul.
'Tis not the noisy babbler who displays,
In studied phrase and ornate epithet
And rounded period, poor and vapid thoughts,
"Which peep from out the cumbrous ornaments
That overload their littleness."
An attempt to play the critic is very far from the
design of the writer, as, of cour.se, a critic should al-
ways be better informed than he on whom he sheds
his perfume. Is there any limit short of the extent
of the human mind, to the knowledge and ability of
even the magazine or newspaper reviewer of this
enlightened day? Where, then, is the poor writer
in one special department ? There is an anecdote
told of Rev. Mr. Parker, the first minister of New-
bury, to this effect : President Chauncey and some
scholastic brethren undertook to deal with him for
something he had written, which they considered too
liberal toward the Episcopacy. They addressed him
in English, and he replied in Latin ; into that lan-
guage they followed him ; he then charged in Greek
and in Greek they rejoined ; to Hebrew he then re-
sorted, and there again they met him. Finally, he
made a stand in Arabic, when, not being able to fol-
low him, they gave up the contest. He then inti-
mated that, as they were not his peers in knowledge,
it was presumption in them to undertake to criticise
him. This was an old-fashioned contest. But your
modern critic, being at the head of the class in all
human knowledge, heeds no obstacle. And the re-
flex brilliancy of the friendly commentator otten has,
as we all know, something to do with shaping his
periods. Indeed, he sometimes sees
"In Homer more than Homer knew."
But, unhappily for the yet unrecognized aspirant,
little of the reflected light shines on him.
Our busy community has no catalogue of exclu-
sively literary persons to exhibit. Her writers have
been those who exercised the pen at intervals unoc-
cupied by the daih* round in some vocation more
sure of securing a livelihood. As a general thing,
the physically infirm are more inclined to intellec-
320
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tiial pursuits than the strong and healthy, for the in-
valid is at a disadvantage where strength of arm and
bodily endurance are required ; and hence it is that
some of our best writings come from tlie retired room
of the invalid. Bodily infirmity has often done
much in malting the scholar, by disabling from phy-
sical activity. But the bodily health of the good
people of Lynn is not intended to be urged as a rea-
son for any deficiency in mental attainment. Sick or
well, let us remember that though finely-turned peri-
ods always possess a certain charm, they are of little
worth to the thoughtful if deficient in backing.
As has been seen, there is hardly a period in Lynn's
history when she has not had a bright company of
sons and daugliters curveting, pen in hand, over the
fields of poetry, sentiment and philosophy, and
gathering in a goodly store for the relief of the jaded
minds of those fellow-mortals destined to the more
ignoble pursuits of life. By their refreshing and
stimulating contributions, they have performed a good
part in keeping alive the vivacious tone that has al-
ways characterized our industrious home. And may
the prospects of a now promising future never be
darkened !
CHAPTER XX.
LYNN— {Continued).
TAVERNS — MODES OF TRAVEL.
Vhunickr of llir Old Houses oj Eiitertainmenf, atid Scenes EnacU'd in Them —
BUifjniphical tiliitclies of some Ftimims Landlords — Incidents of Travel —
Salem and Boston Ttirnpike — The Old Stage Lin£s — Opening of the East-
ern Railroad — Hotels of Later Times.
" Around tlie glowing evening fire,
Tlie farmer, woodeman, village 'squire,
With pointed finger, loosened tongue,
Shows right for every human wrong.
In kindling mood they sit and sip
The nectar called New England flip,
That late invented beverage,
Rare product of a guzzling age,
America's first evil gift
To help the world in toping thrift,
More sapid than old Englami's beer.
More potent in its vulgar cheer."
—Norton.
Next to the church and the school, the attention
of our fathers was directed to the establishment and
regulation of the ordinary, the inn, the tavern, or the
house of entertainment, as such places seem to have
been indiscriminately called. The accommodation
of travelers was, of course, the ostensible purpose ;
but other considerations had weight. In the old
country the settlers had been accustomed to visit such
resorts,
"... where nut-brown draughts inspired.
Where gray-beard mirth and smiling toil retired ;
Where village statesmen tiilked with looks profound,"
and where neighborhood scandal and tainted gossip
no doubt went round. What wonder, then, that the
settlers here, the socially high and low, the good and
bad, should, in the absence of other convenient meet-
ing-places, have felt the need of something of the
kind. There were no newspapers to float ofl' from
the press on the morning and evening wind, no
news-rooms, no mail, no telegraphs, no telephones.
Hither, then, all classes naturally resoi'ted
" To taUe a smack of politics and ale,"
There was, in the more legitimate way, to wit, the
accommodation of travelers, a real necessity for
houses of entertainment. But it was soon perceptible
that such establishments required careful watching,
lest their charges should become oppressive and their
influence deleterious in a moral way. The General
Court, therefore, found it necessary frequently to in-
terpose for their management.
It is true, however, that before population had so
far increased as to warrant the establishment of sepa-
rate ordinaries, every house was, to some extent, a
house of entertainment, and every householder a
host. This was the natural prompting of the hospita-
ble settler.
At first, ordinaries were established without license ;
but the court soon took them in hand and regulated
their management. As early as 163-1 it was " ordered
that noe person that keeps an ordinary shall take
above six pence a meale for a person and not above
one penny for an ale quarte of beare, out of meale
tyme, under the penalty of ten shillings for every of-
fence, either of dyot or beare." It was likewise or-
dered that " victualers or keepers of an ordinary,
shall not sufier any tobacco to be taken in their
bowses, under the penalty of v shillings for every of-
fence, to be paid by the vitulcr, and xii pence by the
party who takes it." And the court, in their horror
of tobacco, went much further, forbidding its use any-
where in public, and even invaded the domestic sanct-
uary, ordering that "noe person shall take tobacco pub-
liquely, under the penalty of 2s. and 6d. ; nor pri-
vately, in his owne howse, or in the howse of another,
before strangers, and that two or more shall not take
it togeather anywhere, vnder the aforesaid penalty
for every ofience." What would those worthy old legis-
lators think could they enter one of our offensive mod-
ern railroad attachments, the smoking-car? As late
as 1639 it was lawful for any person to entertain
strangers with " lodging and dyot, at reasonable
rates," on special occasions, such as an inflow of
strangers.
And at the same court it was enacted that " every
towne shall have liberty, from time to time, to choose
a fitt man to sell wine, the same to bee alowed by li-
cense . . . and that it shalbee lawfuU for such
persons alowed to retaile wine, to let wine bee drunke
in his house ; provided, that if any person shalbee
made drunke in any such house, or any imoderate
LYNN.
321
drinking suffered there, the master of the family shall
pay for every such offence five pounds." At the
same time it was " further declared and ordered, that
such a.s are alowed to keepe comor, ordinaries and
inns shall provide stables and hay for horses, and in-
closures for pii.sturing, where neede is; and it is fur-
ther declared, that if any shall take excessive prices
for their wines or dyeting, they shalbee deepely fined
for the same." So began the licensing system and
the temperance legislation of Ma.ssachusetts; and
how do we stand, after the lapse of two hundred and
fifty years?
The first tavern in Lynn was opened by JOSEPH
Armitage, though at what precise date does not
satisfactorily appear. But in 1643 he seems to have
been in the business long enough to run himself
ashore ; for in that year his wife, Jane, presented a
dolorous petition, reciting that her husband's labors
and endeavors had " beene blasted and his ames and
ends frustrated," that they were poor and had a family
to maintain ; that some of his creditors had, of their
" clemencie and gentle goodness," lent a helping
hand, with more of such pathetic pleading, and pray-
ing that she might be allowed to "continue in the
custodie of the said ordinary." The petition was
signed by about all of the best and most prominent
men of the town, among them the two ministers, Sam-
uel Whiting and Thomas Cobbet, and Robert Bridges,
the acting magistrate. It was successful, the concise
entry on the court records being "(Joody Armitage
is alowed to keepe the ordinary, but not to draw
wine."
There is ground for suspicion that some of the
causes of Mr. Arniitage's misfortunes lay in the dis-
regard of his license obligations; for, in addition to the
refusal of the court to allow his wife to sell spirits, it
is found that he was once fined for not informing the
constable of a person being found drunk in his com-
pany. He petitioned to have the fine remitted, but
the court replied that they saw " no cawse to abate the
petitioner any part of that fine."
Mr. Armitage, however, seems to have partially, at
least, recovered from his depressed condition, for in
1646 the courtsay : " In answere to y" petition of Joseph
Armitage, it is ordred, that whoever y" towne of
Linn shall choose at a legall towne meeting to draw
wine, he shall have liberty to drawe wine there till y''
next siting of this Cort, and y'' .same to be i)resented
hereunto." And subsequently comes this entry :
"Joseph Armitage is agreed with for this yeare for
liberty to sell wine for twenty nobles." The price of
his license, then, was about $32.20 of our present
money.
The ordinary of Mr. Armitage soon became known
as the Anchor Tavern, and under that name com-
menced a famous career. It was picturesquely situated
on a slight elevation west of Saugus River, almost
within a stone's throw of that eccentrically winding
stream, and commanded a romantic view of forest and
marsh land, with the ocean upon the south. It was
on the road leading from Sa'em to Boston and about
midway between those settlements. For more than a
century and a half it enjoyed a reputation attained by
few establishments of the kind in the colony. Its
name, however, was changed from time to time, as
political revolution or caprice of landlord suggested.
Being on one of the chief highways, it was of
course a stopping-place for the refreshment of travel-
ers of high and low degree, of official dignitaries and
rustic tramps, and one can readily conceive that
strangely-assorted groups must have sometimes as-
sembled there.
Mr. Armitage was among the very early settlers of
Lynn, having appeared here in 1630, and been ad-
mitt'd as a freeman in 1637. He was a tailor by trade,
but in those primitive times it was necessary for most
men to turn their attention to different pursuits as ihe
seasons varied. He was undoubtedly energetic and
industrious, but those good traits do not appear to
have saved him from disasters attributable to other
traits less valuable, for it is evident that he was of a
speculative turn, and unduly credulous when promis-
ing schemes were presented. And then, again, he ap-
pears to have been fond of lawsuits. Now these two
pernicious characteristics — fondness for speculation
and fondness for law-suits — are enough to ruin any
man, and in all but a few exceptional cases they do.
It may aho be fairly assumed that he ha<l sufficient
of a retaliatory spirit to defiantly meet the aggressive
approaches of his neighbors. At onetime he procured
a warrant against a number of persons, to whose in-
terference he probably attributed difficulties regarding
his license; but they, in returning the compliment,
had him presented " for procuring a warrant for seav-
enty persons to appear forthwithe before the Gover-
nor," a proceeding which, the court say, "we conceave
to be of dangerous consequence." Notwithstanding
these propensities, however, it may be said that he
was, on the whole, a useful as well as enterprising
settler.
Mr. Armitage ceased to be landlord of the Anchor
in or about 16-">2. And his harassed and laborious
life wa.s ended in reduced circumstances, though per-
haps not in absolute penury. lu 1669 he petitioned
for the payment of some small scores that Governors
Endicott and Bradstreet and other officials had run up
at his tavern during their journeyings. His petition
was presented to the court at Salem, the charges hav-
ing stood some twenty years, and reads as follows :
"To tlie Honered Court DOW sitting at Siillem. The liiiiiihli' pi-tifioii
of Josfph Armitage Humbly Sliewoth tliat in tlie timt- tliat I kept Oiill-
nary tiler was sum e.xpeuces at my Ho\v» Ijy some of the Honored mag-
istrates & Depetysof tliis County as apears by tiier bills charged oupon
Auditor Generall, wbicb I never Receaued. Tlierfor your Ilunibell pe-
ticioner doth Hundily request this Court tlial they would give me an
Order to the County Treasurer for my pay A so your pour petitioner sliall
ever pray for your prosperity.
One or two of the cluirg
be given as samolcs :
" JusiU'H ARMrrAoi:."
witli the Vouchers, may
322
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
"tho gouerners Expences from the Coart of election, 1651, till the end
of October, 16.')1 ; to bear & cacks [beer and cakes] 6d. ; bear and cacks
to himself and som other gentlleinen, Is. 2d. ; bear and cacks with Mr.
Downing, Is. Gd. ; bear & a cack, Gd. — 38. 8d.
*' to the Sargeuts from the end of the Coart of election, 1651, till the
end of October, 1651, bear & cacks, Is. 2d. ; for vi tails, beear & logen, 58. ;
to Benjamin Scarlet, the gouerners man, 8d. ; bear & vitells, 28. ; to the
Sargents, Is. Od. ; beear and cacks, Is. ; to a man that Caried a letter to
warne a Court about the duchman, Is. 6d. ; to the Sargents, Is. 2d. — 14s.
3d.
*' Mr. Auditor, I pray you give a note to Mr. Treasurer, for payment
of 17s. lid. according to these two bills of Joseph Armitage.
" Dated the 7th of the 11th mo. 1651. Jo. ENnECOTT."
" due to goodman .Armitage, for beare & wyne att seven-ill times as I
came by in the space of about 3 yeares, 4s. 3d. May 15th, '4il. More
for my man & horse, as bee returned home the last yeare when I was a
Commissioner, hee being deteyned a sabboath day, 6s. Sd,
"Sl.MON Br.\DSTREETE."
What does our present good Secretary of War
think of the expenses and fare of his worthy ancestor
as he took his official journeys ? Even President
Cleveland, with all his democratic proclivities, would
hardly hold to such economy.
After leaving the Anchor, Mr. Armit.nge lived in
comparative retirement till his death, in 1(380, at the
age of eighty years. In the administration account
filed in July, occur these items : " For coffin, vaile
and digging the grave, 14s. In wine and sider, for his
buriall, £2."
The immediate successor of Mr. Armitage as land-
lord of the Anchor Tavern was John Hathorne, who
certainly does not appear to have been a very merito-
rious character. At all events he became involved iu
one or two questionable transactions. It must have
been about the time that he took the tavern that he
was proceeded against on a charge of slander, forgery
and perjury, and was convicted. He became some-
what humbled by his sentence, and petitioned for the
remission or mitigation of the penalty, and the court
in its clemency ordered that in lieu of the prescribed
punishment he should " pay double damages, which
is twenty pounds, to the party wronged and ten pounds
to the commonwealth, to be forthwith levied ; and to
be disfranchised. If he doth not submitt to the sen-
tence, then the law that provides against fibrgery is to
take place in every particular.''
Mr. Hathorne kept the Anchor but a short time, and
nothing appears to indicate that the house did not
continue as prosperous as in the days of his prede-
cessor. But little concerning him appears on the
records, though the matters alluded to gave rise to
grave questions of jurisdiction between the civil and
ecclesiastical authorities, — questions that agitated the
community for a long time, occasioning some rasping
passages between church and state dignitaries.
This brings us to one of the most remarkable peri-
ods in the history of the famous Anchor : to wit., the
period during which the renowned Captain Thomas
Marshall managed its affairs. He was one of the most
jolly and hospitable of landlords, and during his ad-
ministration no wayside inn throughout the colonies
enjoyed a more enviable reputation.
Captain Marshall first appeared in Lynn in 16.35,
and was soon after admitted a freeman. But when
the great political agitations that led to the termina-
tion of the reign and the life of Charles the First had
reached the culminating point, his spirit was aroused
and he returned to England, where he joined the Par-
liamentary forces, and from Cromwell received a cap-
tain's commission. He served faithfully and was
honorably discharged, and returned hither full of
martial lustre and full of pride in the feats he had ac-
complished, some of which his envious neighbors
affected to believe were achievements of the imagina-
tion alone. Nevertheless, it is apparent that he had a
very good knowledge of military tactics and skill in
the disposition of affairs of the field. The simple fact
of his having continued to serve as a captain under
the great Parliamentary Leader so long and so satis-
factorily is sufficient evidence of his skill, fidelity and
efficiency. He indeed seems to have had an early in-
clination for the military profession, and was elected
a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company — or, as it was then called, the "Military
Company of the Massachusetts" — in 1640, two years
after the formation of that .august organization, being
then about twenty-four years of age.
After Captain Marshall's return from the war, his
fellow-townsmen six times elected him as their repre-
sentative in the General Court, first in 1659 and last
in 1668, and likewise called him to various posts of
municipal honor and responsibility.
On the ISth of October, 1659, Captain Marshall was
empowered by the General Court to join iu marriage
such persons in Lynn as had complied with the pre-
liminary legal requirements. In 1670, however, he
was discharged from " officyating in that imploy-
ment," probably much to his chagrin. The cause of
the revocation of his authority seems to have been
that, through his " overmuch credulity," parties had
imposed upon him and induced him to marry them
when their intention had not been properly published
or other legal requirements complied with. One or
two cases were presented against him, that ofAllin
and Deacon being perhaps the most conspicuous. It
occurred in May, 1670. Says the record : " Hope
Allin (fatherof the bride) and John Pease (a witness)
appeared in Court, and y' said John Pease acknoul-
edged that notwithstanding the counsell of the major
general (an acting magistrate of another jurisdiction),
who had declined y° marrying of M^ Deacon (the
bridegroom) to Hope Allin's daughter, he did accom-
pany them to Lynn to Capt. Marshall, and Hope
Allin declared he did give his consent that the said
M'. Deacon should have his daughter, and told Capt.
Marshall that he hoped they might be legally pub-
lished before that time. The Court judged it meet
to censure the said Hope Allin to pay ten pounds as
a fine to the country for his irregular proceedure, and
John Pease forty shillings." Perhaps Mr. Allin was
justly punished for his over-anxiety to get his daugh-
LYNN.
323
ter otThis hands, and Mr. Pease for standing by and
not disclosing the fact that another magistrate had
refused to tie the Icnot illegally. And as to Captain
Marshall, it was probably this case that induced the
court to promptly annul his commission, for that ap-
pears to have been done almost immediately after the
irregular transaction. At this time ministers were not
authorized to perform the marriage ceremony, yet the
conjugal relation was not regarded on the one hand
as a mere civil contract, nor on the other, in the high-
church sense, a sacrament. The idea seemed to be
that it should occupy a sort of middle ground. The
captain, however, did not probably pause to consider
as to the right or wrong of the cases that came before
him, or to theorize in any wa}', so long as it was in his
l>ower to consummate the happiness of loving hearts.
Captain Marshall commanded the military com-
pany of Lynn at the time the great King Philip War
commenced, 1675. There was no period in our whole
history when there seemed so much cause for alarm
within our own precincts, which had always been
singularly free from savage aggression, as now. and
the bravest and most experienced of the soldiery were
anxiously looked to for protection. Tlie court re-
ceived a letter from the major-general dated Lynn,
and in their answer say : " Sr : Wee received your
letter dated at Lynn 23th instant, and have perused
the particulars inclosed, which still present us with
sad tidings (the Lord have mercy on us) touching the
])erformance of yo'' promise to Major Pike in your de-
signe to raise what force you can to resist the enemy's
headquarters at Ausebee. Wee approove of it, only
wee presume your intelligence that the enemy is there
is upon good grounds. Wee cannot give yow particu-
lar orders, but leave the management of this aifayre
to yo' prudenc and assistance of Almighty God, not
doubting yo' care in leaving sufficient strength to se-
cure the frontier townes of Norfolke and Essex, least
the enemy should visit them when the fTorces are
abooard. Without doubt, if their squawes and pap-
pooses, &c., be at Assabee, and God be pleased to de-
liver them into our hands, it would be much for our
interest. As for your personal} marching, it will be
acceptable, if God inable to prosecute it." The action
recommended in regard to the squaws and pappooses
does not .sound very pleasantly in the ears of the
sympathetic people of this day, but the peculiar dan-
gers and threatenings of those dark times should be
taken into account in estimating the character of the
recommendation. Captain Marshall was at this time
about sixty years of age, but it cannot be doubted
that his martial spirit was at once aglow, and that he
became active in the military council, if not in the
field. A most creditable number of scddiers were im-
mediately on the march from Lynn.
A sad event occurred near the tavern on a dreary
night in February, l(j8L Samuel Worcester, a rep-
resentative to the General Court from Bradford, had
walked from that town to attend an adjourned ses-
sion. When he reached Captain Marshall's ever
hospitable door he was chilled and extremely weary,
and sought shelter and entertainment. But fnnn
some cause he could not be accommodated. Think-
ing that he might find lodging with a friend farther
on, he departed. In the morning he was found in a
kneeling posture, in the middle of the road, dead.
He was a son of Eev. William Worcester, and dis-
tinguished for his public spirit and his piety. No
doubt the event caused the Captain hours of keen re-
gret.
The worthy Captain dispensed the hospitalities of
the famous Anchor for forty years. He was a model
landlord, attentive to guests, well versed in the po-
litical and religious movements of the time, both here
and in old England, and able to intelligently discuss
all the stirring questions that then agitated the as-
sembly in the village tap-room as well as that in the
hall of legislation. And he seems to have had a
good share of that sort of suave underflow, so agree-
able to the temporary sojourner at the wayside inn.
That he had foibles is likewise apparent; but they
appear to have been rather attractive than displeas-
ing. John Dunton, the London bookseller, who
passed through Lynn in 1680, and who wa.s an uncle
to the celebrated John Wesley, thus remarks in his
journal: "About two of the clock I reached Capt.
Marshall's house, which is half way between Boston
and iSalem ; here I staid to refresh nature with a pint
of sack and a good fowl. Capt. Marshall is a hearty
old gentleman, formerly oneof Oliver's soldiers, upon
which he very much values himself. He had all the
history of the civil wars at his fingers' ends, and if
we may believe him, Oliver did hardly anything that
was considerable without his assistance ; and if I'd
have staid as long as he'd have talked, he'd have
spoiled my ramble to Salem." This genial old land-
lord died on the 23d of December, 1689, at the age of
seventy-three years.
It is not difficult to picture in the mind scenes such
as must have again and again taken place in and
about the Anchor during the administration of the
worthy captain. Being deeply interested in military
affairs he could highly enjoy the parades of the colo-
nial soldiery ; and when he was himself in command,
it cannot be doubted that, on many occasions, the
troops were summoned to perform their evolutions
upon the green that sloped from his h(juse down to-
wards the river bank. We can almost see him there,
with drawn sword and commanding voice, ordering
movements such as enabled him, with Oliver's assist-
ance, to win such victories in the civil wars. And
there we see him stationing here and there behind
some rock or in a forest confine mock Indian squads,
to show the modes of savage warfare and teach his
troops to meet the dusky warrior's strategy.
Again, on occasions when the Colonial Governor
undertook his eastern tour, as was customary once a
year, important was the day of his arrival at the
324
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Anchor. Early in the morning His Excellency
would appear, on horseback, with gilded trappings
glistening in the sun, accompanied by his secretary —
one who in this day might be called a reporter — and
perhaps two or three other dignitaries, the procession
flanked by half a score of halberdiers, preceded by a
mounted trumpeter, and perhaps followed by a
throng of amazed red men.
Arrived at the Anchor, after partaking of refresh-
ments, always the best that the cellar or the larder
afforded, the Governor, seated in the most capacious
chair, announced his readiness to receive all such
townsmen as desired to meet him for a free inter-
change of views on the condition of public aflairs,
especially as bearing on their own local well-being.
These discussions were dignified, and, no doubt, re-
sulted in much good to individual communities, and
possibly matters of private interest were sometimes
cunningly interwoven to personal advantage.
Another picture might discover an excited assem-
bly at the Anchor, perhaps in the stirring time of the
Andros administration, the discordant voices of the
blustering group in the common room rising above
the surly creaking of the signboard that sways in the
blast without. Some are urging to immediate and
determined acts of violence, clamorously declaring
their readiness to join in any uprising that shall hurl
every would-be oppressor from power, while the more
peacefully inclined and the village sages counsel pa-
tience and moderation.
The scene may shift to a winter night, dreary with-
out but cheerful within. Before the blazing oaken
logs and upon the rude benches that line the wall are
seated the worn farmer, the fisherman, the woodsman
and the laborer of every degree. Unambitious and
void of care, they sit drowsily gossiping, and occa-
sionally drawing forth from its concealment the
corn-cob pipe for a languid whiff, till the fire burns
low and the parting mug goes round.
But a prettier picture is that presented when the
bright moonbeams glisten on the crusted snow, and
the capacious ox-sled, with its boxed-in freight of
happy youth, drives up. Its approach had been her-
alded by the wave of maiden laughter that rippled
over the white fields, and the captain has donned his
best doublet and prepared his best cheer. The
sanded parlor is radiant with tallow dips, and savory
fumes fioat from the culinary precinct. It is a time
of rare enjoyment with the gallant captain. He is
young again, and cannot avoid frequently joining in
the merry sports. And then, as he retires to the
duties of the snug little banquet-room, behold him
beckon a young man aside and slyly and half by
signs intimate that up over those winding back-stairs,
in the attic hall, there is a bright fire and clean floor,
where a little private dance may be enjoyed.
It does not appear certain who the immediate suc-
cessor of Captain Marshall, as landlord of the Anchor,
was.
Zacheus Norwood, who died February 8, 1756, —
if the stone in the old burying-ground bearing the
name is erected to his meniory, — kept it for many
years, and it ceased to be called the Anchor. His
wife, Susanna, died January 2, 1747, but he married
again, and his widow succeeded him in the management
and afterwards became the wife of Josiah Martin.
The house was long famous as " Norwood's Tavern."
The matrimonial adventures of Mr. Norwood seem
to have been of a varied character. In the record of
intentions of marriage, as copied by Mr. John T.
Moulton, is to be found these entries, Mr. Moulton
remarking that a pen has been drawn across them:
"June 2,1734. This may certify that whereas the
intention of marriage betwixt Zacheus Norwood and
Mary Richards, both of Lynn, was posted by me the
above day; that on the 3d day of June, 1734, the
above said Mary Richards forbid the banns." . . .
"December 3, 1734. The above-named Mary Rich-
ards came to me and told me she had re-considered
her forbidding the banns of matrimony betwixt
Zacheus Norwood and herself, and desired me to give
him a certificate." Whatever the diflSculty was, it
appears to have been amicably settled, for on the 13th
of the next February they were married. She died
on the 6th of April, 1736. On the 27th of October,
1745, was published his intention of marriage with
Susannah Dunnell, of Topsfield. They were soon
after married, and she died January 2, 1747. His
third wife was Lydia Burrage, whom he married
April 19, 1750. It was she who survived him, kept
the tavern herself for some time, and then married
the wayward .Tosiah Martin.
In 1759 that laborious, worthy and much-suffering
frontier Church of England missionary, Rev. Jacob
Bailey, on the 13th of December, reached here on his
way to Boston, having walked all the way from Glou-
cester. He found a rough company, who much dis-
turbed his needed rest. " We had among us," he
said, "a soldier belonging to Captain Hazen's com-
pany of rangers, who declared that several Frenchmen
were barbariously murdered by them, after quarters
were given ; and the villain added, I suppose to show
his importance, that he split the head of one
asunder, after he had fell on his knees to implore
mercy." Captain Hazen never t.iught his men any
such savage ways, for he was one of the most humane
as well as brave commanders. He was a native of
Haverhill, and had a command in the Crown Point
and Louisburg expeditions in 1758 and '69. It was
in one of these, no doubt, that the villainous act of
the boastful soldier occurred. Captain Hazen also
distinguished himself under Wolfe, at Quebec, and
as a commander in the Revolution. He was finally
commissioned as a brigadier-general in the Continen-
tal forces. Dr. Jonathan Norwood, a graduate of
Harvard, was a son of Zacheus, the keeper of the
tavern.
It was somewhere about the year 1760 that there
LYNN.
325
drifted into Lynn a soldier ot fortune by the name of
JosiAH Martix. He was supposed to be an Eng-
lishman, but little, if anything, was known of his
previous life. He, however, found fovor in the eyes
of Widow Norwood, and she married him. He was
very eccentric, and by his waywardness of temper
and instability of character is believed to have led
her a very uncomfortable life. He evidently knew
how to behave much better than he did. for at times
he would act well the role of a polished gentleman.
At other times he would pretend to be a most humble
and devout Christian. Mrs. Martin seems to have
continued in the chief management of the tavern,
though he was ostensibly the keeper. Many anec-
dotes are told of his witty sallies, and he was by no
means destitute of humor. He was much given to
practical jokes, as well as witticisms. Rev. Mr.
Treadwell was minister of the old church at that time,
and himself fond of indulging in witty sallies. Mr.
Lewis says that on a certain Sunday, observing that
many of his audience had their heads in a reclining
posture, he paused in his sermon and exclaimed, " I
should guess that as many as two-thirds of you are
asleep !" Mr. Martin, raising his head, looked round
and replied, " If I were to guess, I should gue.ss there
are not more than one-half!" The ne.'it day Mr.
Martin was brought up for disturbing divine service,
but he contended " it was not the time of divine ser-
vice ; the minister had ceased to preach, and it was
guessing time." He was accordingly discharged. It
is said that he once rod.- two miles to attend meeting
on a warm June Sunday, in a double sleigh, with a span
of horses, the dust flying and the runners grating
horribly and striking fire at every step. And his
wife was a forced passenger by his side, wrapped in a
heavy bear- skin robe. However, she was not long
subjected to his harassing impositions, for on the
breaking out of the Revolution he enlisted in the
Continental army, marched off, and was never heard
fr.>ni afterward.
John Adams, subseriuently President of the United
States, but then a young lawyer traveling his circuit,
accompanied by his wife, mentions, under date of No-
vember 3, 17(it), having "oated" at Jlartin's, on his
way to attend ihe court at Salem. .\nd returning a
few days after, he again "oated" at Martin's, "where
we saw," he add-, "five boxes of dollars, containing,
as we were told, about eighteen thousand of them, go-
ing in a horse-cart from Salem Custom-House to Bos-
ton, in order to be shipped to England. A gu.ard of
armed men, with swords, hangers, pistols and muskets
attended."
This brings us to another important period in the
history of this famous tavern, to wit, the commence-
ment of the Revolution. It was now that Jacob
Newhall became landlord, and for many years on-
ward it was known as Newhall's Tavern, as is shown
by the new-spapers and other dingy publications of
the day. Mr. Newhall was a native of the town, and
a descendant from one of the first settlers, was then
about thirty-five years of age, and had ]ireviously pur-
sued the occupation of husbandman. Being an ardent
son of liberty, one of his first acts was to remove the
sign on which was pictured the British emblem of the
lion and unicorn, that had swayed for some years
from the post in front, and substitute the hopeful
emblem of a rising sun. He was a mo.st liberal pro-
vider, and unwearied in his endeavors to make his
house a real " traveler's home." During the war his en-
engies were often taxed to their utmost to make suit-
able provision for the unexpected descent of a squad
or even an entire company of hungry soldiers. So
vigilant was he that it is said he did not for some
years retire to bed, but obtained fitful rest in an arm-
chair. To be ready for emergencies, he kept on hand
fatted cattle that might be promptly slaughtered, and
their flesh ha-stily cooked in the great boilers he
had set. His kitchen garden comprised six acres,
and under his skillful management yielded an inex-
h.austible store for summer use, as well as a .surplus
to be added to his field crops for use at other seasons.
He was extremely benevolent toward his needy
neighbors, and especially to the families of soldiers
who had marched to the war. Even the vagrant
tramp was not sent empty away. Among other nota-
ble guests during the administration of Mr. Newhall
was President Washington, who paused here in Octo-
ber, 1788, as he was proceeding eastward. And four
years before, 178-1, Gen. Lafayette made a halt there,
Mr. Newhall continued landlord till 1S07, a period
of more than thirty years; and then, the infirmities
of age having somewhat impaired his physical powers,
he retired. But he still continued to labor to some
extent as a farmer till near the end of his life, which
took place on the 18th of June, 1816, at the age of sev-
enty-si.x. One of his generous disposition could
hardly be expected to accumulate much, and he ap-
pears to have died in rather reduced circumstances,
though not in penury.
It is evident from contemporary accounts that this
tavern was, during the Revolution, one of the most
notable in these parts. Being on the great road along
which flowed the travel from all places east of Boston,
and having established an unimpeachable name for
hospitality, it was never disregarded by the marching
soldier or the traveling civilian.
Under various names and difterent landlords for
some time after the retirement of Landlord Newhall
the house continued to dispense its hospitalities. But
a cloud came over its prospects. The turnpike from
Salem to Boston — the portion in Lynn being what is
now known as Western Avenue — was opened in 1803,
and rapidly diverted the travel from the old road.
As the " Anchor" was situated just within what is
now the town of Saugus, then a part of Lynn, its his-
tory will not be overlooked in the sketch of that town,
and doubtless many racy and captivating details will
be added to what is here given.
326
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
From quite early times there had been other houses
of entertainment in different parts of the town; but
none of them came to be of much account. There
was " Ward's Tavern " (which possibly may have been
the old "Anchor," bearing another name for a short
time before Mr. Norwood assumed the keepersbip).
It was in 1750 that a New York merchant stopped
here while traveling eastward. He remarks that he
put up at Mr. Ward's, in " Lyn, which is a small
country town of about two hundred houses, very
pleasantly situated, and affords a beautiful rural pros-
pect." He arrived at about one o'clock and " dyn'd
on fryd codd." After dinner, being refreshed by a
glass of wine, he pursued his journey to Salem,
" through a barren, rocky country," and the next day,
after visiting Marblehead, returned to Boston, stop-
ping again at Mr. Ward's, where he " dyned upon a
fine mongrel goose."
Timothy Tomlins was licensed in 1636 to "keepe a
house of intertainnient." He was a fanner and a
man of probity, but his house did not attain much
celebrity as a stopping-place for travelers, it being
somewhat remote from the great traveled road. He
was among those who commenced the settlement of
Southampton, L. I., in 1640, but did not remain
there. He was also one of the Cambridge land pro-
prietors. The extensive range of low forest land and
tangled bog lying a short distance northwest of
Dungeon Rock, in our Lynn woods, and still known
as Tomlins's Swamp, was a part of his estate. He was
thirteen times a representative in the General Court,
and in other positions faithfully served the town. In
1634 he was appointed overseer of the " powder and
shott and all other amunicon " of the plantation.
In 1664 Theophilus Bayley was licensed to keep a
public-house.
In the early part of the Revolution there was a tav-
ern kept in the old house at the corner of Federal and
Marion Streets. The landlord was Increase Newhall,
and it was used as an .alarm station — that is, a place
at which, when an alarm occurred, the enrolled men
in the district instantly reported for duty. At one
time, in 1776, there was a midnight alarm that the
English had landed at King's Beach. There was
presently gre.at commotion throughout the town, for
the meeting-house bell and the drums had .spread the
alarm to all quarters. At the tavern station here
spoken of the men promptly rallied, but the com-
mander was not visible. They, however, quickly
marched under other orders. It proved to be a false
alarm, and they all returned safe. And then, to their
amusement, the pusillanimous commander emerged
from an oven in which, panic-stricken, he had been
concealed. It was during this alarm that Frederick
Breed, who lived in the vicinity, displayed so much
courage and tact in rallying the men and marching
them to the supposed point of danger that he re-
ceived a commission in the army, and finally rose to
the rank of colonel.
We now come down to the time when the old
Lynn Hotel was erected. This establishment be-
came quite as famous as had been the Anchor in its
palmiest days.
It was in 1803 that the Turnpike leading from Sa-
lem to Boston was opened, making the shortest and
most direct route for the eastern travel to reach the
metropolis. Then old Boston Street, which had so
long been the chief highway through Lynn, was
doomed to lose its prestige, its honors and much of
its thrift. When the building of the Turnpike was
projected there was much croaking and head-
shaking, as there always is when great improvements
are proposed. One good man, for instance, testified
that at some point where the route lay over the salt
marshes, he had run a pole down twenty-five feet!
It was an expensive road, but was soon made a very
good one. By the charter it was to revert to the
commonwealth when the proprietors had received
the whole cost, with twelve per cent, interest. Ac-
cordingly, in 1869, legislative action being had, it be-
came a public highway. That part lying in Lynn is
now called Western Avenue, and aflbrds a fine, level
driveway of several mile.s, say from the hills of old
Chelsea to the Floating Bridge in Lynn, with the ex-
ception of Farrington's Hill. In the old days of
horse-racing, the portion lying over the marshes
southwest of the hotel was the scene of some famous
races. It was there that Major Standpole's " Old
Blue " won his vaunted victory, trotting three miles
in eight minutes and forty-two seconds. This was on
the 6th of September, 1816, and is said to have been
the first horse-trot in the country. Of late years
equine contests of a different sort are held in the por-
tion of the avenue lying immediately northeastward
from the hotel. On eveiy pleasant day in winter,
when there is good sleighing, numerous gay turn-
outs, drawn by the fleetest steeds of which the town
can boast, and many from other towns, may be seen
there in friendly trials of speed. And a merry time
have the excited spirits, young and old.
Immediately after the opening of the Turnpike the
post-office, which had been kept on Boston Street,
near the corner of North Federal, was removed to
the southern end of Federal Street, where it joined the
turnpike, as the mails would come that way, and
business began to gather in the same quarter.
Lynn Hotel was built during the year in which
the Turnpike was opened — 1803. The most exten-
sively known landlord was Andrew S. Breed, the elder.
He took the house in 1813, and under his supervision
it attained an enviable reputation, especially for the
excellence of its table and the promptness with which
the largest demands of guests would be met. He was
a very stirring man and recognized by every one in
the streets, as he sallied forth on his brawny roadster,
in his yellow top-boots and coat of sporting cut. In
addition to his large business at the hotel he did a
good deal of farming, and many of us can well re-
LYNN.
327
member the jolly husking-parties which in harvest-
time assembled at his bidding to divest the yellow
ears of their rustling robes, and at evening received
our reward in the banquet of baked beans and Indian
pudding, with relays of apples and cider. He was
not a man who could pass noiselessly through the
world, or who could yield much to what he deemed
tlie unreasonable demands of those about him ; in
short, he was of what is called an arbitrary disposition,
rather boi.sterous in language, and strict in his re-
quirements of th.ise in service under him. No lazy
man's excuses ever weighed with him. Mr. Breed
was father of the filth mayor of Lynn.
It was to this hotel that True Moody, the colored
out-door servant, so long and so well known to trav-
elers by his alert attentions, and so much esteemed
for his obliging disposition, was attached for some
forty years. In person he was stout, and possessed
in a well-developed form all the physical peculiarities
of the African race. His mouth was capacious and
answered the novel purpose of a temporary savings-
bank, for in it he was accustomed to deposit the
pecuniary gratuities that were sometimes lavishly be-
stowed by guests, till he could find time to remove
them to a more suitable place, or till he required his
mouth for a more legitimate purpose. And tliere is an
account of a wager by some young men as to the
amount of silver change in his mouth at a given
time. To determine the bet, he consented, wi<h his
usual good nature, to discharge the deposits into a
bowl, when they were foun<l to amount to a little
more than five dollars, the whole being in small pieces.
By his gains in this humble way he was enabled to
secure a comfortable home and respectably support a
family. By the failure of the Nahant Bank, in 1836,
he lost some hundreds of dollars. And by the East-
ern Railroad, which was built soon after, diverting
the travel from the hotel quarter, his income was
greatly reduced. It is said that at this depressing
period he was accustomed to retire to a corner of the
deserted stable and weep. He died on the 17th of
June, 18.55, at a rathei advanced age, though proba-
bly far below that of ninety-seven years, as some of
the newspapers asserted. It is not likely that he or
any one else knew his exact age.
The history of old Lynn Hotel, which remained so
long in such high repute, is, perhaps, more full of
stirring incident than that of almost any other es-
tablishment of the kind in thisquarter of the country.
The leading men of the nation — Presidents and
Governors — traveling statesmen, scholars and men of
leisure from other lands, were here entertained, as
well as the roving multitude of tradesmen and others
of every calling and profession. Many a great states-
men, military hero and orator has addressed the
assembled multitudes from the little balcony over the
southern door, and the writer of this sketch, by
memory's aid, plainly sees the commanding form of
President Jackson firmly poised, as he addresses the
enthusiastic throng, his sententious oratory more
than half drowned by the prolonged cheering. From
that modest balcony, too, has many and many a time
irradiated the choice eloijuence of the ambitious local
politician.
An idea of the extent of the travel by stage at
about this time may be gathered from the tact that
in 18.36 twenty-three stages left Lynn Hotel for Bos-
ton daily, and there were also usually several extras.
They belonged to the Salem and Eastern lines. These
were the brightest days of the old stage-coach, and
the gaudy ones of the Salem Line and the more lum-
bering ones from the east drew up at those hospita-
ble ])ortals at all hours, that the passengers might
alight for the relief of their cramped limbs, and, per-
haps, for a little convivial entertainment at the bar,
the jolly drivers shouting their brief orders with
diplomatic unction. Private carriages, baggage-
wagons and teams of all descriptions, too, were con-
stantly passing and pausing. And for baiting and
protection from inclement weather, an unbroken line
of horse-sheds extended along the whole eastern side
of Centre Street, from North Common to the Turn-
])ike, and sometimes every one of them was occu[iied,
with an overplus hitched to posts ou either side of
the house.
For about thirty-five years from the time the Turn-
pike was opened and the hotel built, incidents which
had drawn the tide of travel from old Boston Street,
there was a business activity and enterprise centering
thereabout such as one who has known Lynn for
only the last twenty years can hardly realize. The
post-othce was there, and so were the jirincipal stores,
the lawyers and many of the largest manufacturers.
The shoe manufacturers of those days, by the way,
did not congregate about a common centre, as they
now do, but were planted in every neighborhood.
The manner in which the business was then con-
ducted made it just as well and more economical.
The old-time shoemaker has disappeared, and shoe-
making machinery taken his place, so that now, as a
necessity, large numbers of workmen must assemble
together in huge factories. Combinations, such as
Lasters' Unions and Knights of Labor assemblies,
could hardly have been formed in the days when
only half a dozen worked together in the little shops
that, standing widely asunder, dotted our whole terri-
tory. Those were days of individual independence,
individual responsibility and uufettered elli>rt for in-
dividu.al advancement.
Foot-journeying was much more common in tliose
days than in these railroad times, when it is more
economical to ride. The cost of riding was then a
material item, especially as there was no considerable
saving of time, for a smart pedestrian would often
reach Boston aliout as soon as a " slow coach " or
sluggish lior.se. The turnpike on some great occa-
sions, like, for instance, a fiimous military parade or
au execution, swarmed with pedestrians, and there
328
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
were often good-natured trials of speed between
strangers as well as friends.
It need not be said tnat in the early days of the
Anchor, travel by horseback and sometimes even by
bullback was, in a great measure, necessary, for the
roads were stumpy, stony and gullied, so that wheeled
vehicles, if any had them, could be but little used.
When a journey could be accomplished by water,
however, that uuide was usually adopted, the light
Indian skiff proving remarkably serviceable where
the course lay near the shore. Jonathan Dickenson,
of Philadelphia, in a letter to William Smith, Febru-
ary, 1697, says " In 14 days we have an answer from
Boston, once a week from New York, once in three
weeks from Maryland, and once a month from Vir-
ginia." Then came various kinds of lumbering con-
veyances; but it was many years before regular lines
of any sort of conveyance were established. Mr.
Lewis says tliat the " stage " which John Stavers put
on to run from Portsmouth to Boston, in 1701, was
the first in New England. It was a curricle, drawn
by two horses, and had seats for three peisons. It
left Portsmouth on Monday morning, stopped the
first night at Ipswich, and reached Boston the next
alternoon. Returning, it left Boston on Thursday
and reached Portsmouth on Friday. The fare was
thirteen shillings and sixpence — somewhere between
three and four dollars of our present money — besides
the expenses by the way. President Quincy, who, in
the early part of the present century, was wooing the
fair lady of New York who afterward became his
wife, thus feelingly speaks of the difficulties that be-
set his way : "The carriages were old and shackling,
and much of the harness made of ropes. One pair
of horses carried us eighteen miles. We generally
reached our resting-place for the night, if no accident
intervened, at ten o'clock, and, after a frugal supper,
went to bed with a notice that we should be called at
three next morning — which generally proved to be
half-past two. Then, whether it snowed or rained,
the traveler must rise and make ready by the help of
a horn lantern and a farthing candle, and proceed on
his way, over bad roads, sometimes with a driver
showing no doubtful symptoms of drunkenness,
which good-hearted pa-sengers never failed to im-
prove at every stopping-place, by urging upon him
the comfort of another glass of toddy. Thus we
traveled eighteen miles a stnge, sometimes obliged to
get out and help the coachman lift the coach out of a
quagmire or rut, and arriving in New York after a
week's hard travelling [from Boston], wondering at
the ease as well as the expedition with which our
journey was effected.'' It was to difficulties like
these, too, that the Lynn shoe " bosses " were sub-
jected in their trips southward, (or at that period the
customers did not often come to Lynn to make their
purchases, but were sought for at their own homes.
And their reflections during the perilous journeys,
tinged, as they were, by business perplexities, must
have been very different from those that stimulated
the ardent Quincy.
The palmy days of the stage-coach were also the
palmy days of the Lynn Hotel. Both, too, were
thrown into the shade at the same time and by the
same means — to wit, the construction of the Eastern
Railroad. A good deal of romance clusters around
the old stage-i, and there is little wonder that even
now sometimes companies of aged men, remembering
the jolly rides of their ynuth, should wish to live
over some especially happy episode. So we occasion-
ally hear of a " tally-ho " expedition, with its old-
time turn-out, its yet merry driver, trembling under
the weight of ye.ars, and its resounding horn again
wakening the echoes of the hills. On the 12th of
June, 1878, a party of twelve gentlemen, mostly quite
afied, and all lovers of old-time customs, set out from
Newburyport to enjoy a ride to Boston in the old-
fashioned four-horse stage-coach of their boyhood.
The driver was a veteran of the road, and eighty-one
years of age. The start was propitious and the ride
enjoyable, till they reached Lynn, when, near the
junction of Western Avenue and Wa.shington Street,
an axle broke and the stage was overturned. Two or
three of the passengers were seriously injured, and
the aged driver received a severe shock to his system,
beside painful bruises.
It was in 1838 that Lynn was invaded by the East-
ern Railroad, which soon wrought very great altera-
tions ; business centres were changed, giving rise to
sectional jealousies, which festered for a number of
years. The field of operation for the young aspirant
for wealth seemed expanding, and there began to be
high hope and expectation ofreuewed and augmented
prosperity, though it was during one of the most
protracted periods of business depression through
which the country had ever passed.
As early as 1828 a proposition to construct a rail-
road from Boston to Salem began to be seriously con-
sidered, and a circular was sent out from the House
of Representatives to various towns in the vicinity,
seeking information from which a judgment could be
formed as to the expediency of undertaking so for-
midable an enterprise, either by individuals or the
State. The circular sent to Lynn was addressed to
the editor of the Mirror, and was responded to after
evidently careful investigation; and some of the
statements may properly be introduced, as showing
the then condition of things here, in several particu-
lars.
"The principal iiianiifiicture of Lynn is shoes. Of thesR it appeal's
that 1,' 38,180 pairs are annually made, whicli, at four shillings a pair,
will amount to $6112,126. These, as they are usually packed, will fill
11,535 boxes, the transportation of which, at one shilling a box, will
cost 81y22.oO. It is considered that about three-fourths of the above
amount returns to Lynn in sole leather and other articles for the manu-
facture of shoes, in English and West India goods and other merchan-
dise, tlie transportation of which may be fairly estimated at 857G8. The
article of flour alone, 2,50(J barrels, at S6.00 a barrel, would amount
to $15,0H(I, the transportation of which would cost ST.'iO. The transpor-
tation of the same amount in shoes would cost only $41.67. And juany
LYNN.
329
otber heavy articles will bear an equal proportion. The transportation
of a barrel of lluur from Boston to Lynn is 30 cents, about the sjtme as
the conveyance from Baltimore to Boston.
[Swanipscott anil Nahant were at that time parts of Lynn.] " There
have been about 100^) tons of fresh fish and 5l) tons of cured fish conveyed
on tile turnpike as far as Charlestown during the past year, the trans-
portation of which, at twenty shilling a ton, amounts to J3'>()(). Fifty
barrels of oil have also been extracted, the transportation of which, at
two shillings a barrel, cost SlG.tjG.
"The other articles transported on the Boston route are GO tons of
h.iy, 70 tons of chocolate, '2G tons of grain, 50 tons of cocoa, 20 tons of
rice, 30 tons of ginger, 16 tons of neat hides, 12 tons of leather, 27 tons
of goat and kid skins, 85 tons of sumac, 9 tons of iron. 3G tons of coal, 30
tons of barberry root and 200 tons of marble, — making in all G71 tons,
the transportation of which, at twenty shillings a ton, amounts to
^22iG.G7. Besides these, a large amount of goods is annually conveyed
to the dye-house and [silk] printing establishment.
* ' The average nvunber of pjissengers is about 11 each day, for 300
days of the year, the amount of whose conveyance, at 81.2.'i each, is
$412o. The amount paid by Lynn people for tolls is probably about
$2100.
" By this statement it appears that the annual e.Kpense to the town of
Lynn, on the Boston route is S19,6GS.33.
"The amount of property invested in baggage wagons is about
840110."
By the foregoing it will be seen how small au
amount Lynn could then promise for the support of
a railroad. And several interesting facts are dis-
closed by individual items. What most surprises
one, perhaps, is the small number of passengers — an
average of eleven, daily, and that with a thrifty popu-
lation of 6000. There was comparatively little
inducement for any excepting business men to visit
the city. The few retail "shopping" necessities
could be met at home, and the expense of the visit,
both in time and money, was to be looked at. Many
went to Boston but once or twice a year, and some
not more than twice in a lifetime.
The few leading business men went up once a week
in their own " teams," two sometimes joining, one fur-
nishing the conveyance and the other paying the tolls
and fur house-baiting. Such were the terms on which
two prominent townsmen — Samuel Mulliken and
Jeremiah Bulliiieh — on a chilly November day, set
out. Mr. Bulfinch furnished the conveyance, and
Mulliken was to pay the expenses. When they arrived
at Charlestown in the forenoon they found that an ad-
ditional toll or something of the sort, to the amount
of six cents, had been recently levied. It was what
neither had calculated on, and so Mr. M. contended
that each should pay half; but Mr. Bulfinch declared
that he would pay no part of the six cents. They were
equally matched for stubbornness, and sat there argu-
ing and disputing till the declining sun warned them
that it was time to turn the horse's head homeward.
And home they rode, each probably exulting in his
triumph. This incident was related to the writer by
one of the parties. " And," be added, his counte-
nance radiating with the rekindled fire within, though
he was then more than eighty years old, " I would have
set there till this time, before I would have paid it! "
Some of the small manufacturers were accustomed
to go to Boston on foot, do their buying and selling
and return in the same manner.
2 1 •'.
Another thing mentioned in the answer to the cir-
cular is the amount of coal brought hither at that
time — only thirty-six tons — and probably a consider-
able portion of even that was bituminous, or such as
blacksmiths use. Anthracite w-as then just coming
into use in New England, wood being still almost ex-
clusively used for fuel, excepting that in a few country
places peat afforded a partial supply. But enough of this.
Old Lynn Hotel has not yet closed its portals,
though its business has greatly decreased. During the
long period of more than eighty years, since it was
erected, its hospitable doors have remained invitingly
open for the traveler's entertainment. Other houses
in the vicinity have in the meantime been opened
and closed. Even the stately Boscobel has, within a
few months, retired from the field. But there the olil
hotel remains, ever and anon renewing its appoint-
ments and changing its administration as years
move on, becoming less and less an object of interest
as those who were familiar with the forms of the elder
Breed, of Deacon Field and of the vigilant " True "
pass away.
A few words regarding one or two others of the
earlier hotels, and matters connected with them, may
be given before we pass on to other to])ics.
It was in 1810 that the once famous Mineral Spring
Hotel was built. The situation was retired and ro-
mantic in the extreme. Almost surrounded by green
hills and wood.s, and having at its very feet a beauti-
ful lakelet, it was for years deemed a most charming
resort. It received its name from the mineral spring
which was early discovered near the border of the
pond, and stood on rising land about midway be-
tween the turnpike and the old Danvers road, just
upon the western border of Salem. The waters of the
spring are impregnated with iron and sulphur, and
were formerly much esteemed for their good elfects in
scorbutic and pulmonary diseases. Dr. John Casjiar
Eichter van Crowninscheldt, who was reputed to have
been educated at the University at Liepsic, and to
have fled from Germany on account of a duel, and
who, by the way, was an ancestor of the prominent
and respectable Crowninshield family of the present
day, purchased the adjacent lands and settled there
about the year 1090. The celebrated Cotton Mather
visited him in his picturesque retreat, partook of the
waters of the spring and in one of his works extols their
virtues. Earlier than this, however, the spring was
known, for in 1(569 a description of the boundary line
between Lynn and Salem speaks of it as a " noateil
spring."
But the hotel here has now for many years been
numbered with the things that were. In 1847 Mr.
Richard S. Fay purchased the estate, together with
many adjacent acres, and formed there a most attrac-
tive and salubrious summer retreat, repairing and re-
modeling the house and embellishing the grounds in
a manner to render it a fit residence for one of wealth
and refined taste.
330
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The Mineral Spring Hotel had one or two landlords
of high reputation, whose character assured the most
unobjectionable and liberal management. Among
them was Major Jabez W. Barton, afterwards, for
many years, host at the Albion, in Boston. But there
were one or two attempts to sully its fair fame ; nota-
bly, in 1833, Dr. Hazeltinc, a well-known and reputa-
ble physician, wrote a communication which was pub-
lished in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal,
speaking very slightingly of the waters of the spring,
and in highly derogatory terms of the management of
the hotel. This elicited several sharp replies, and it
seemed finally satisfactorily settled that the house,
with the exception of occasional disreputable epi-
sodes-such as all public-houses are liable to— had
maintained a fair character. A forcible writer in one
of the papers of the day said: " We know not which
most to condemn, the illiberal terms in which he
[Dr. Hazeltine] attempts to stigmatize one of the most
respectable, quiet and unobjectionable resorts of fami-
lies and parties in the summer season from Salem and
Boston, or the downright ignorance which he mani-
fests concerning the qualities of the spring water. We
have said before, and we repeat it, that we know of no
place, far or near, possessing so many natural attrac-
ticms and ofiering so many real comforts and conven-
iences to genteel, intelligent and moral people as this
summer retreat, nor one with a more upright and every
way worthy gentleman at its head, than are to be
found at the Lynn Mineral Spring Hotel." This was
written at the time Major Barton was landlord.
Perhaps it is incumbent to say something of the
great hotel and other public-liouses of Nahant, es-
peciallv those established while the peninsula re-
mained" a part of Lynn ; but as the writer of the sketch
of that town will no doubt say all that is necessary, it
might prove unneeded labor.
Nor is it necessary to speak individually of the
present hotels of Lynn. We have a considerable
number, and they are of various grades, from those
reckoned as high-class even down to those which, in
by-gone days, went by the name of " salt-hay " hos-
telries. Our business has been more especially with
the taverns of former times— the wayside monuments
of the past— around which cluster so much ot the true
history and the romance of our early days. The gen-
erations that knew them have nearly passed away ;
but their fame will survive in story long after their
crumbling walls have disappeared. They have ever
furnished for the historian, the poet and the dreamy
novelist many of their most jovial, touching and
tragic incidents, and long will they continue so to do.
And as to the modes of travel, what more need be
said?
" We have spanned the world with iron rails,
And the steam-king rules us now."
CHAPTER XXI.
LYNN— ( Continued).
MISCELLANEOU.S TOPICS.
Indian Deed fjf Lijim-Luun-s Colonies-Slavery mul iu AhoVUion-Hu,lor,j
of Free Masonry in Lynn— Drinking Cnetomt and Temperance More-
ments — Free Public Forest.
Sometimes the gleaner's quickened sight
A wealthy prize may spy,
Which in the reaper's duller light
Was piissed unheeded by.
-Old BuUad.
Indian Deed of Lynn.— The Indian deed of
Lynn, which may be found recorded in the registry at
Salem, bears the date September 4, 168G. It is
really a mere release of all the remaining interest, if
any existed, of the grantors, as heirs of Sagamore
Wenepawwekin or George No-Nose, so called, and
no doubt a precautionary measure, designed to show that
the Indian title had been fairly extinguished. It
was executed in the troublous times of the Andros ad-
ministration, a period when real estate titles were
greatly confused. Yet, though Andros had declared
that an Indian signature was of no more value than the
scratch of a bear's claw, he, in 1G89, asked Rev. Mr.
Higginson whether New England was the King's ter-
ritory, and received the reply that it belonged to the
colonists, because they held it by just occupation
and purchase from the Indians.
The grantors affirm in the deed that their ancestor,
the Chief Wenepawwekin, was the true and sole
owner of the territory of Lynn, notwithstanding the
possession of the English. And they also affirm that
there had been no legal dispossession. There were
many real and many colorable purchases and sales be-
fore this deed ; for, to say nothing of the cupidity of
the settlers, their red brethren, as a general thing,
would sell anything for which they could find a pur-
chaser, whether they had a title to it or not ; and they
would sell the same thing over and over again as long
as a purchaser appeared. Gross fraud was, no doubt,
in individual instances practiced, but the summary
exercise of authority by the General Court probably
rectified many wrongs. On the 6th of September,
1638, the General Court " agreed that the Court of
Assistants should take order for the Indians, that they
may have satisfaction for their right at Linn." The
" right " is not specified, but seems to relate to land.
The Indians were not an agricultural nor a pas-
toral people, and had no conception of the value of
land for the uses of civilized life. Poquanum, called
Duke William by Mr. Wood, in his " New England's
Prospect," and Black Will in certain depositions
among the Salem court files, was Sachem of Nahant.
And he could hardly have placed a speculative
value on his beautiful dukedom, to have sold it
to Mr. Dexter for a suit of clothes, though
LYNN.
331
possibly he indulged in a vagrant chuckle over his
bargain, as it was finally determined that he had no
title to the peninsula, which fact he probably knew
all along.
This Poquanura, or Black Will, by the way, was
quite a character in his time, andsomewhatof a rover.
It is supposed that h". was the same Indian who ap-
peared in a lull suit of English clothes, to welcome
Ciosnold, in 1(502. But where he obtained his outfit
does not seem to be known. His sale of Nahant and
the persistent claims of his grantee occa.sioned the
town much vexation and expense. The end of this
wily Indian was tragical. Some vessels had sailed
eastward in search of pirates who had been commit-
ting depredations and atrocities in various places
along the coast. At Scarborough, Me., they fell in
with Poquanum, and straightway hanged him, be-
cause some Indians had, more than a year before,
murdered one Bagnall, a pestilent fellow, whom
Winthrop says " had much wronged the Indians."
This was retaliating in a summary rather than a just
way, it being altogether improbable that Po(iuanum
had any hand in the murder. Indeed, Winthrop
says the killing was by "Sqnidraysett and his In-
dians."
The tragic death of Poquanum occurred in Janu-
ary, 1G33. He seems to have been intelligent, gener-
ous in disposition and friendly to the settlers. He
left a son who was also named Poquanum, who lived
to old age, and was well known in the colony. Gookin,
in 1686, says: "He is an Indian of good repute and
professeth the Christian religion." He, too, was
friendly to the whites, and rendered efficient service
during the great King Philip War.
Nothing further need be said regarding the Indian
deed of Lynn. But the general remark may be
added that there was a great deal of looseness about
Indian titles in this vicinity. It can almost be said
that heirship was sometimes asserted on no better
ground than that the claimant had slain a former
owner. Mr. Higgiuson, the first minister of Salem,
in a letter dated in 1629, says : " The Indians are not
able to make use of the one-fourth part of the land ;
neither have they any settled places as towns, to
dwell in, uor any grounds as they challenge for their
own possession, but change their habitation from
|ilace to place." But they soon began to Icaru from
the settlers something of the utility of reforming their
nomadic life ; and then followed a conception of the
value of land.
Lynn's Colonies. — Affairs in Lynn had hardly
become established in good running order when some
of the restless — or it might be more pleasing to say
enterprising — spirits began to look for new fields of
adventure. In less than a score of years from the
commencement of the settlement many families de-
parted and planted new towns, among which were
Sandwich and Yarmouth, in Ma.ssachusetts ; South-
ampton and Flushing, on Long Island ; and Stam-
ford, in Connecticut. New Haven, too, was indebted to
Lynn for one of her first and most efficient founders, —
Captain Nathaniel Turner, who is spoken of in another
connection in this sketch. He it was wdio purchased
from the Indians the territory forming the now beau-
tiful town of Stamford, on the New York and New
Haven Railroad, which purchase was brought about
in a rather curious way.
The captain's Lynn residence was on Nahant Street,
near that of his friend and superior officer, John
Humfrey. On the breaking out of the Pequot War,
1636, he took the field with the first expedition and
became so pleased with the territory invaded as to
determine at the close of hostilities to make a peace-
ful invitsion and form a settlement. He obtained the
tract including Stamford by fair purchase from the
Indian Sagamores, the recorded agreement being in
these words : " I, the said Nathaniel Turner, amm to
give and bring or send to the above said Sagamores,
within the space of one month, twelve coats, twelve
howes (hoes), twelve hatchets, twelve glasses, twelve
knives, four kettles, four f^ithoms of white wampum."
The most important of the colonies sent out from
Lynn at this period was that of Long Island. Thither
went some forty families, and with them, as minister,
the Rev. Abraham Pierson, a man of learning and
ability. He took with him his little son, Abraham,
who was born here. And tli.at son, in 1701, became
the first president of Yale C<dlege. They sailed in a
vessel commanded by Captain Daniel Howe, of Lynn,
who appears to have had considerable interest in the
expedition. They proceeded as far west as Scout's
Bay, landed and made lodgments at Flushing, Ja-
maica, Hempstead, Oyster Bay and thereabouts. But
the Dutch soon as-scrted their right to the territory
and a-sumed a decidedly hostile attitude. Kieft Wiis
then the Dutch Governor, and Captain Howe being
a man of determination, things presently began to
wear a threatening aspect. The settlers took down
the arms of the Prince of Orange which the Dutch
had erected, and in their place an Indian drew an
" unhandsome face," as Winthrop graphically says,
which act the Dutch took "in high displeasure."
They then began to rear habitations. Naturally
enough, this provoked the Dutch Governor, and to
such a degree did his ire attain that he had several
arrested and imprisoned. But he does not appear to
have been a really ill-natured or unreasonable man,
though Washington Irving does characterize liini as
"William the Testy."
On their promise to remove, the prisoners were
readily released. They did remove some eighty miles
eastward and commenced the permanent settlement
of Southampton, which name was given in commem-
oration of the port in England from which some of
them originally came.
Southampton, thus begun, still numbers among her
people many who descended from that good oUl Lynn
stock. In this colonization quite a number of the
332
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
leading residents of Lynn were concerned, though
some whose names were on the roll did not emigrate.
The colony grew apace, and from time to time sent
off other colonies that made lodgments in various
parts of the island, so that the Long Island of this
day owes much to the Lynn of that day.
These colonists evidently carried with them the
ideas of freedom and equality under which they had
prospered here, and in their new home continued to
be governed in a thoroughly democratic way, though
at one time, 1644, they placed themselves professedly
under the Hartford jurisdiction. "The government
of the town," says an intelligent native writer, "was
vested in the people. They assembled at their town-
meetings, had all power and all authority. They
elected town officers, constituted courts, allotted lands,
made laws, tried difficult and important cases, and
from their decision there was no appeal. The Town-
Meeting, or General Court, as it was sometimes called,
met once a month. Every freeholder was required to
be present at its meetings and take a part in the bur-
dens of government. All delinquents were fined for
non-attendance at each meeting.'
The Long Island enterprise thus inaugurated by
the people of Lynn was really of a good deal of im-
portance. It was with James Forrctt, as agent of
Lord Sterling, that the negotiations for the right to
occupy tlie land were made. Winthrop says, " Divers
of the inhabitants of Linne, finding themselves
straitened, looked out for a new plantation, and
going to Long Island, they agreed with the Lord Ster-
ling's agent there, one Mr. Forrett, for a parcel of the
isle near the west end, and agreed with the Indians
for their right." The emigrants, however, to begin
with, had a difficulty with Agent Forrett, the cause of
which does not exactly appear, and he entered a
strong protest against them at Boston as " intruders."
Then the troubles with the Dutch came, but by per-
sistence and fair dealing the settlers soon obtained
favor and a permanent foothold.
It is not necessary to occupy space in speaking fur-
ther of the colonies that early went out from Lynn.
What has been said of the Long Island enterprise in
a great degree characterized the others, their spirit
and purposes being much the same.
Slavery and its Abolition. — The beginning
of slavery in Massachusetts was in 1638, when some
of the captive Pequot Indians were sent to the West
Indies and sold for return cargoes of cotton, tobacco
and negroes, but in 1041 the court, in a loose and un-
certain way, set its face against such serviiude, enact-
ing that "There shall never be any bond slaverie,
villianage or captivitie amongst us, unless it be law-
full captives taken in just warres, and such strangers
as willingly selle themselves or are sold to us. This
exempts none from servitude who shall be judged
thereto by authoritie." What is there in this to pre-
vent negro or Indian slavery? Under the clause
"such strangers as willingly sell themselves or are
sold to us," a door seems to be widely opened.
Thomas Keyser, an early settler of Lynn, was a mar-
iner, and appears unscrupulously to have engaged in
the Guinea slave trade, conjointly with James Smith,
of Boston, a church member. Slaves were most nu-
merous in the province iu 1745. In 1754 there were
four hundred and thirty-nine slaves in Essex County,
and in all Ma'sachusetts forty-four hundred and
eighty-nine. In 1774 the General Court passed a bill
prohibiting the importation of slaves, but Governor
Gage refused his assent.
At the commencement of the Revolution there
were twenty-six slaves in Lynn, among them one be-
longing to Thomas Mansfield, named Pompey, a na-
tive prince born on the Gambia, and who continued
to be duly honored by all the negroes hereabout,
holding a holiday court once a year in a fragrant
glade, surrounded by his gayly-clad subjects, who had
been allowed their freedom for the day.
The State Constitution was established in 1780.
The first article of the Declaration of Rights asserts
that all men are born free and equal, and this was
generally supposed to have reference to slavery, but
it was a point on which there was by no means una-
nimity of opinion. In 1781, however, at a court in
Worcester, an indictment was found against a white
man for assaulting, beating and imprisoning a black.
The case finally, in 1783, went to the Supreme Court,
and there the defense was that the black was a slave,
and the beating the necessary and lawful correction
by the master; but the defense was declared invalid,
and this decision was the death-blow to slavery in
Massachusetts.
As to the later movements touching the abolition
of slavery in the United States, it may be remarked
that Lynn raised a strong and by no means uncertain
voice in behalf of the slaves, — a cause so much de-
rided and opposed in its incipient stages, but so much
applauded when it had become popular.
The "Lynn Colored People's Friend Society" was
formed in 1832, but it is thought that the members
really did more for the cause by individual than com-
bined action. Nevertheless, the organization was
useful in arousing and centralizing attention. Speak-
ers from abroad were occasionally here. The accom-
plished and piquant Grimkie ladies from the South
gave one or two stirring addresses. In the early part
of the summer of 1835 George Thompson, the promi-
nent English abolitionist, visited Lynn, and lectured
in several of the meetinghouses to large audiences.
In the latter part of the summer he again came to
Lynn to attend a meeting of the Essex County Anti-
Slavery Society, held in the First Methodist meeting-
house. Some hostility was now manifested by the
opponents of the movement. In the evening, while
Mr. Thompson was lecturing, a great crowd collected
about the house, and a stone was thrown through one
of the windows, causing great disturbance within.
A large number pressed into the entry and attempted
LYNN.
333
to burst in the inner doors, whicli liad been closed.
During the tumult Mr. ThompsDn ended his dis-
course, and passed out, unobserved by the crowd.
He was presently surrounded by a guard of ladies,
and conducted to a neighboring bouse, whence he
departed privately to bis temporary residence at
Wwampscott. Mr. Thompson was here again in 1850,
and then met with a cordial welcome. He had a
public reception by his Lynn friends at Lyceum
Hall, which stood on Market Street, at the corner of
Summer. Though the weather was stormy, the hall
was well filled, and Mr. Thompson delivered a felici-
tous address.
It was in 1850 that Congress passed the famous, or
as many regarded it, the infamous "Fugitive Slave
Law." The law intended to facilitate the rendition
of slaves escaping into the free States. Much hostil-
ity to the act was manifested in Lynn, and several
largely-attended meetings were held, at which it was
denounced in strong terms. On Saturday evening,
October 5th, a full and enthusiastic meeting took
place in Lyceum Hall, at which Mayor Hood presid-
ed, and at which resolutions were adopted reaching
to the very verge of loyalty. And, though one or
two of them savor strongly of the nullification doc-
trine, they may well be introduced here as indicative
of the aroused spirit of our people :
'* Rf-solved, That the Fugititive Slave Bill, recently enacted by Con-
gress, violates the plain intent and the strict letter of the United States
Constitution, which secures to everj- citizen, except in cases of martial
law, the right of trial by jury on all important (piestions ; further, said
bill outrages justice, since it does not secure to the fugitive, or to the
free man mistaken for a fugiti%'e, due notice beforehand of the charge
made against him, and opportunity for cross-examining the wit-
nesses against hira on their oath, gives him no time to set counsel or
gather testimony in his own behalf^rigbts which our fathers secured
by the struggle of two hundred years, and which are too dear to be sac-
riticed to the convenience of slave-hunters, afraid or ashamed to linger
amid a community whose institutions and moral sense they are out-
raging,
"Again, said bill tramples on the most sacred principles of the common
law, and even if men could be property, no property, however sacred,
can claim the right to be protected in such a way as endangers the rights
and safety of free men; therefore —
" Resolved, That we protest against it as grossly unconstitutional, as
fraught with danger to the safety of a large portion of our fellow-citi-
zens, and capable of being easily perverted to the ruin of any one, white
or black ; we denounce it as infamous, ayd we proclaim our determina-
tion that it shall not be executed.
"Resolved, That we rejoice to believe that there are not prisons
enough at the North to hold the men and women who stand ready to
succor and protect the panting fugitive slave, and baffle and resist the
slave-hunter who shall dare to pollute our soil.
"Resolved, That every man who voted for this atrocious bill, every
one who avows Lis readiness to execute it, and every one who justifies it
on any gronnd, is a traitor to the rights of the free States, and a crimi-
nal of the deepest die, at the head of whom stands Jlillard Fillmore, who
from i»arty or even baser motives, has set his name to a law, the pro-
visions of which, so far from being fitted for a Christian republic, re-
mind one only of the court of Jeffries or the camp of Haynau.
"Resolved, That Samuel A. Eliot, of Boston, in giving his vote for
thi3 blood-hound bill, dishonored and betniyed I»Iiiss.ichusetts ; and low
as is often the moral sense of a great city, cankered by wealth, we rejoice
to know that he misrepresented his innnediate constituents; and we de-
mand of them, in the name of our old commonwealth, to save us from
the infatuy of bis presence in another Congress.
"Resolved, That since God has coniniandE'd us to 'bewray not him
that waniiereth,' and since, our fathers being witnesses, every man's
right to liberty is self-evident, we see no way of avoiding the conclusion
of Senator Seward, that ' it is a violation of the divine law to surrender
the fugitive slave who takes refuge at our firesides from his relentless
pursuers ;' and in view of this, as well as of the notorious fact that the
slave power has constantly trampled under foot the Constitution of the
United States to secure its own extension or safety, and especially of the
open, undisguised and acknowledged contempt of that instrument with
which the slave States kidnap our colored citizens traveling South, and
imprison our colored seamen, we, in obedience to God's law, and in self-
defense, declare that, constitution or no constitution, law or no law,
with jury trial or without, the slave who has once breathed the air and
touched the soil of JIass;ichusetts, shall never be dragged back to bond-
age.
" Resolved, That Lewis Cass and Daniel Webster, Senator Foote and
Senator Clay, and each and every otie of the 'compromise committee
of thirteen,' who "reported and urged the passage of this bill, as well
as every one who voted for its pit8S,age, are unworthy the votes of a free
people for any office for which they may be hereafter named."
The execution of John Brown, atCharlestown, Va.,
adjudged guilty of treason for attempting by armed
force to free slaves, was signalized by the tolling of
church bells in Lynn at sunrise, noon and sunset on
Friday, December 2, 1859, the day of execution.
It would be pleasing to give the names of those
who long and valiantly fought in the abolition ranks,
those who, under reproach and sometimes personal
danger, never flinched in their loyalty to the great
principles of h'jman liberty. But the list would be
too long, and it might appear invidious to select a
few. James N. Bufiiim, however, should not be for-
gotten ; nor Frederic Douglass, who was for some time
a resident here, after his successful flight from the
South. Some of the more zealous of the early ones
lost much of their influence by denouncing the church
organizations for the alleged reason that their position
was not sufficiently aggressive on that and some
other reformatory questions. They were called Come-
outers, and in many instances their turbulent course
tended to retard rather than advance the cause they
really had at heart
To one who knew the prominent actors in the re-
formatory movements of this community, say forty-
five years ago, particularly the movements touching
slavery and intemperance, it is interesting, if not won-
derful, to observe the change of public opinion regard-
ing them. No better examples can be had of the zeal
and perseverance necessary to be exercised, of the
contumely and misconception to be endured, in such
a warfare.
But the end of slavery came in a manner not antici-
pated in those earlier days, and many of the pioneers
in the great cause lived to rejoice over the removal
of the national dis;;race. Little could that great ai)OS-
tle of freedom, William Lloyd Garrison, have dreamed
of the career that awaited him, and of the lasting
honors that would surround his name so long as
American principles should endure, when, in his
youthful days, he quietly pursued his humble labors
upon the shoemaker's bench, in the little seven by nine
shop on Market Street.
History of Free Masonry in Lynn. — .V brief
history of the ancient institution of Free Jla.-ionry
cannot be inappropriate in this sketch. It dates back
334
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to the commencement of the present century. Tra-
dition informs us that a number of Masonic brethren
frequently met for consultation, and concluded, in the
early summer of 1805, to form a lodge. These breth-
ren resided in the western part of the town and lo-
cated the lodge in the upper room of a small wooden
building on Boston Street, near the corner of North
Federal. The founders of the lodge were among the
foremost citizens, men of character and influence,
whose names to this day are revered by the fraternity.
The original records show that Amariah Childs, Ezra
Collins, Thomas C. Thatcher, William Frothingham,
Frederick Breed, William Ballard, Francis Moore, Jr.,
Aaron Breed, Aaron Learned, Samuel Brimblecom,
Thomas Witt, Joseph Johnson, Jonas W. Gleason,
Joshua Blanchard, David Crane and llichard John-
ton, being all master masons, assembled some time
about the 1st of June, 1805, and agreed to form them-
selves into a brotherhood by the name of Mount Car-
mel Lodf/e ; and after choosing Amariah Childs,
Master ; William Ballard, Senior Warden ; and Fran-
cis Moore, Jr., Junior Warden, they signed a petition
to the Grand Lodge for a charter, which was granted at
the quarterly communication in Jtine of the same
year.
The hall of Lynn Academy, then recently erected,
on South Common Street, was obtained, fitted up, all
necessary regalia procured and regular meetings com-
menced. The first candidate proposed for initiation
was Ezra Mudge, father of Ezra Warren Mudge, the
sixth mayor of Lynn. The first code of by-laws was
adopted November 1.3th, and the raembershij) limited
to fifty. The lodge so prospered that in 1807 an in-
vitation was extended to the Grand Lodge to publicly
install the officers. The use of the old parish meeting-
house was procured for the purpose, and there the
ceremonies took place, the Rev. Asa Eaton, D.D.,
rector of Christ Church, Boston, delivering the sermon.
The membership was, in 1818, limited to seventy-five,
by the new code of by-laws then adopted.
In 1821 the loilge erected for its use the two-story
frame building which long stood in Market Square, at
the corner of Elm Street, and was known as Masonic
Hall. The cost was $1,325.98. The corner-stone was
laid June 25th, with Masonic ceremonies. Rev. Chee-
ver Felch delivering the address, and the hall was
dedicated November 12th.
The lodge attended, by invitation, the laying of the
corner-stone of Bunker Hill Monument, June 17,1825.
On St. John's day, June 24, 1826, Brother Caleb
dishing, of Newburyport, delivered a learned and
eloquent address before the fraternity, in the First
Methodist meeting-house.
The last meeting of record, previous to surrender-
ing the chiirter of Mount Carmel Lodge, appears to
have been on the 16th of December, 1834. And from
that time until June 11, 1845, there is no record to
show that the lodge was called together.
During the decade from 18.35 to 1845 there is an
unwritten history of meetings on Long Beach and
High Rock held by faithful members during the
stormy and troublous anti-Masonic period.
The charter of the lodge was restored on the 11th
of June, 1845. A meeting was called July 19th, and
officers elected, who were installed July 23d. and from
that date commenced a season of prosperity which
has continued without interruption to the present
time. The first person to receive the degrees after the
revival of the charter was Bradford Williams, the
ceremony taking place September 15, 1845.
On the 17th of February, 1851, a fire destroyed
much of the property of the lodge, which was at Lib-
erty Hall, at the corner of Essex and Market Streets,
where the meetings were held. After this the regular
meetings of the fraternity were held at the house of
their Worthy Master, W. M. Phillips, until Dec. 16th,
when they met in a hall in which one or two other or-
ganizations occasionally assembled. In the winter of
lS54the ball in theSagamore Building was fitted up and
used for the regidar convocations of the lodge, and if
those old walls could speak, a recital of the history of
the meetings of Mount Carmel Lodge would greatly
interest the present members of the fraternity in our
city.
On the 29th of December, 1S55, the first book of
records was formally closed, having served the lodge
for half a century. And on September 7, 1857, a new
code of by-laws was adopted, to which is appended
the names of sixty-one members.
On the 8th of September, 1863, Sutton Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons was organized.
On the 14th of October, 1864, upon invitation of
the Grand Body, Mount Carmel Lodge assisted in
laying the corner-stone of the new Masonic Temple,
corner of Boylston and Tremont Streets, Boston.
On February 21, 1865, Golden Fleece Lodge was duly
organized, and had for its first three officers Timothy
G. Senter, W. M.; Alonzo C. Blethen, S. W. ; John
G. Dudley, J. W.
April 10, 1865, the ladies of Lynn presented a
beautiful banner to Mount Carmel Lodge.
July 4, 1865, the Masonic fraternity joined in the
celebration of the day.
November 13, 1865, an invitation was received from
Mayor Peter M. Neal to take part in the ceremonies
of laying the corner-stone of the City Hall; but on
December 11th a communication was received from
the R. W. Grand Master refusing to grant a dispensa-
tion for the lodges to appear in public to take part in
the ceremonies.
October 8, 1866. — A petition was received and con-
sent given for the formation of a lodge at Saugus.
June 24, 1867. — The Masonic fraternity of Lynn
participated in the dedicatory services of the new
Masonic Temple in Boston.
June 28, 1872. — Died, in Lynn, Jonathan Richard-
son, a native of the town, aged eighty-seven years.
He was one of the early members of Mount Carmel
LYNN.
335
Lodge, and tiler for more than forty years. He re-
mained a faithful adherent to the institution when so
many of the brethren withdrew, in the troublous
times of anti-Masonry. His burial took place from
the First Methodist meeting-house, and was attended
by a large number of the fraternity.
J"ebruary, 1873. — Olivet Cummandery of Knights
Templars was organized. October 22d there was a
grand parade, attracting much attention.
k^eptember 8, 1873. — Invitation received from the
city government of Lynn to take part in the dedica-
tion of the Soldiers' Monument. As an organization,
however, the fraternity did not join in the ceremo-
nies.
May 12, 1879. — Invitation received from Mayor
George P. Sanderson to participate in the celebration
of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the
settlement of Lynn. But the invitation was not ac-
cepted.
December 8, 1880. — A board of trustees elected to
take charge of the hall and of the property belonging
to the Masonic fraternity.
May 9, 18S1. — By-laws adopted granting life mem-
bership in Mount C'armel Lodge,
October 8, 1881.— Grand Master S. E. Lawrence
l)resent for the purpose of addressing the lodges on
the commutation of the Grand Lodge capitation
tax.
Fel)ruary 22, 1882. — Members from lodges in the
Fifth District hold a meeting at Masonic Hall in
Lynn, for exemplification of work and the lectures
connected therewith. Charles M. Avery, Grand Lec-
turer, present as instructor.
Mount Carmel Lodge, soon after the renewal of its
charter, in 1845, began steadily to increase in num-
bers and strength, and, from time to time, found it
necessary to seek more capacious accommodations.
Some years ago the hall in Tolman's Building, Mar-
ket Street, corner of Liberty, was leased and fitted up
in becoming style, the dedicatory ceremonies taking
place in July, 1872. But now, for a number of years,
the several Masonic organizations have occupied the
eligible quaiters in the building of the Young Men's
Christian Association, on Market Street.
For fifty-eight years Mount Carmel was the only
lodge in Lynn. But there are now, 1887, the follow-
ing Masonic bodies :
Orgaituiilioii. 3remberskip,
1S86.
Mount Carmel Lodge ISflo 193
Sutton Royal Arch Chapter 18(B 139
Golden Fleece Lodge 1865 178
Olivet Coniniandery Knights Templar . , 187:J 117
The trustees of the Masonic fraternity in Lynn, at
the present time, are : William D. Pool, president ;
George H. Allen, treiisurer ; William B. Phillips, sec-
retary ; Charles E. Parsons, Charles C. Fry.
Dkinkinc; Customs and Temperance Move-
Mi.N'TS. — Whether our predecessors, as occupants of
tliis soil, the Indians, were ever excessive drinkers is
not positively known. They did not have distilled
liquors, but may possibly have had some sort of herba-
ceous concoction that operated as a more or less ine-
briating stimulant. But they had nothing that in its
efi'ects would compare with the " fire water " brought
by their pale-faced supplanters. Their boisterous or-
gies, which led our fathers to call them " devil wor-
shippers," were of a character very different from
" drunken sprees." But when they got a taste of the
white man's fire water, having no restraining moral
sentiment, their lust for it was unquenchable. The
deplorable result need not be recounted. It has been
said that the first instance of Indian intoxication in
this part of North America took place in September,
1609, when the ship of the celebrated navigator,
Henry Hudson, was cruising about the river that still
bears his name. For the curious purjiose of ascer-
taining the natural disposition of the natives whom
they encountered, it is said the navigators resolved to
make some of the principal ones intoxicated. To
that end, ardent spirits, " as much as they would,"
were administered. Only one, however, became
really drunk, though all reached the merry stage.
The pranks of the drunken one greatly astonished
and alarmed the others, who imagined that an evil
spirit had entered into him. The next day, however,
everything having calmed down, some became clam-
orous for a renewal of the experiment. This, as re-
marked, is claimed to have been the first instance of
intoxication ever known among the Indians. Unhap-
pily, it was by no means the last. Many a tract of
valuable land has been bought of an Indian for a
quart of rum, notwithstanding the efforts of the colo-
nial authorities to prevent such nefiirious traffic.
During the colonial days there was much legislation
in regard to strong liquors, both on the score of their
proper use by individuals and their relation to the
public by way of revenue. But we must treat of our
own neighborhood.
It cannot be said that Lynn in her earlier days was
remarkable for abstinence from the use of intoxicat-
ing liquors. There were causes for the prevalence of
the evil habit here that in some places did not exist.
It was the custom of the times for all classes to use
intoxicants in season and out of season. Excepting
in rare instances, the ministers indulged; and
the doctors. The physical injury attending the use
was not so well understood ; nor the moral effect. At
ordinations, at weddings, at funerals, drink freely
flowed ; and at trainings and huskings ; indeed, at
all quasi social and public gatherings ; to say nothing
of sly indulgence at home. An illustrative anecdote
is told of the eccentric Lois Hart, who lived on the
north side of Boston Street, near Federal. During
her last sickness the good Doctor Gardner one day
remarked to her that, being so aged, she could not ex-
pect to long survive, and, in view of her approaching
end, asked if he should not invite the minister to
call. " Well, yes," she replied, in her rude way, " I
336
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
should like well enough to see him ; and when you
go up town, call into some of the grog-shops, and
when you see him ask him to call." The end of the
story is that he actually was found in one of the
drinking groceries, and blandly received the mes-
sage.
But especially as regards the youth of Lynn : The
crews, usually consisting of five or six, in the shoe-
maker's little shops thought it necessary to have their
forenoon and afternoon drams — in winter to brace up
against the cold, in summer to brace up against the
heat. It was customary to put boys into the shops at
the age of twelve, they having obtained their educa-
tion by that time, excepting, perhaps, the little they
might acquire by occasionally attending an evening
school. They were of just the age when character for
life was forming, and it was placing them in a most
perilous situation. The youngest boy in the shop was
usually the one sent out for liquor, and he was en-
titled, on his return, to the first drink, for the service,
if his breath did not betray a sly imbibition by the
way.
But it is not true that people were universally blind
to the evils of strong drink. From the earliest times
there were some wide awake on the subject. The
Lynn emigrants to Long Island, soon after getting well
established at Southampton, 1G55, ordained that no one
should sell strong liquors within the town bounds, ex-
cepting "our neighbor, John Cooper;" and he was not
to sell to any Indian, nor to any but those who would
use them properly. There was Dr. James Gardner,
just mentioned, who, before the present century,
pointed out the evils of so prevalent indulgence, and
often fearlessly warned his patients against habits
which were destroying their health, as well as ruining
their souls. A memorandum of his, under date May
31, 1796, is in these words: "One person died of
chronic illness, said to have been occasioned by gross
intemperance, or a brutal indulgence of the destroyer,
rum. . . . He was able to walk to a considerable
distance-to procure the poison only six days before
death closed the scene at one draught." Mr. Enoch
Mudge, from whom many of the name now among us
descended, was a rigid abstainer, never allowing spir-
its in his house or shop. He was grandfather of Hon.
E. R. Mudge, the munificent donor of St. Stephen's
Church.
When the general awakening on the subject of in-
temperance took place, more than half a century 'ago,
the voice of Lynn was loudly raised against the
evil. Sixty years ago, in 1826, a society was formed
here for the promotion of " Industry and Temper-
ance." It soon numbered more than four hundred
members, and embraced, with few exceptions, the
most conspicuous men of the town. The membership
in 1836, fifty years since, was five hundred and fifty.
Its president then was Thomas Bowler, for sixteen
years town clerk. The society was at that time com-
posed largely of middle-aged and elderly persons, as
in the meantime two other societies, embracing more
of the younger men, had been formed, namely, the
Lynn Young Men's Temperance Society, organized in
1833, and the Lynn Union Temperance Society, formed
in 1835. This latter was the first organization here
that proscribed wine, cider or strong beer, which
theretofore had not been popularly reckoned as intoxi-
cants. Of this society Josiah Newhall was the first
president, and George W. Keene the first secretary.
Lynn soon took rank among the most zealous tem-
perance communities. Rev. Edwin Thompson, so
well known for the last forty years as a lecturer on
temperance and anti-slavery, was living here, and,
though young, by his winning ways and strong argu-
ments, did much to advance the cause. Liquors soon
began to be banished from the workshops and the la-
beled casks from the stores. It was even facetiously
said of one or two zealots that they cut down their
apple trees, lest the fruit should be made into cider —
contrariwise from the unsophisticated old Indian who
is said to have told Mrs. Whiting, on smacking his
lips after swallowing the mug of cider she had given
him, that he thought Adam was rightly damned for
eating the apples in Eden, as he should have made
them into cider.
When the shoemakers' little shops were displaced
by the large factories, more stringent rules were neces-
sarily established, and, as a matter of course, the ma-
chinery was run without the oil of the still. One of
the former traps for the young was thus removed. At
the present time few, if any, places in sober New
England can boast of a more temperate population
than Lynn. It would be useless to attempt to give
details respecting the many temperance organizations,
male and female, adult and juvenile. Yet the cause
here, as elsewhere, requires vigilant and unremitted
watchlulness.
There are now some fifteen regular temperance or-
ganizations in Lynn, besides a numljer of other a.sso-
ciatiousthat make temperance a part of their object.
Free Public Foke.st. — A voluntary association
was formed in 1881, the object being, in brief, the
preservation of as large a portion as may be of the
extensive range of forest land yet remaining upon our
northern border, to be forever devoted to the free use
of the public as a woodland park. Thus far about
one hundred and ten acres have been secured, chiefly
by the gift of those who owned the lands. Twice a
year individuals most deeply interested, with invited
guests, assemble in some romantic spot, on hill-top or
in glen, which, with ceremonies reminding of the old
mythological days, they proceed to consecrate.
Sometimes it is in memory of a revered departed one,
and sometimes of a marked event. An "altar," in
the shape, perhaps, of a mossy boulder, is made to
bear the ceremonial fire, replenished by woodland
gatherings and the oil of incense. The participants,
enwreathed in sylvan spoils, gather around with
songs, readings and inspiring pageantry. The occa-
LYXN.
337
sion usually calls out some poem or address well
worthy of preservation. For instance, there were
written for the meeting on the 30th of May, 18&6,
four little poems, which, though untoward circum-
stances prevented iheir being sung, were published
in connection with the account of the proceedings.
One of the interesting features on this particular day
was the release of a " Messenger Dove." Let us
quote a stanza or two from each of the little poems,
as, besides their a])|iropriateness to the occasion, they
aftord a taste of the qualities of some of our local ver-
sitiers :
By RuTHiE Turner:
" Once more we meet at spring's return,
And lay aside each weight and care,
"While o'er us bend tlie leafy trees,
And round us breathes the balmy air. "
By Bessie Blaxd :
" To God's first temple we repair,
In fotcSt aisle to rest ;
Lo ! from the sacred altar there.
The flame uplifts its crest !
A symbol of the life so fair,
That glows ou nature's breast."
By Samuel W. Fos.s :
" Fly to the fields, thou white-winged dove.
Tell all their leafy bowers
That summer comes on wings of love
To storm the laud with flowers.
" Tell to the hearts bowed down with grief
That joy returns again ;
That suttinier comes with flower and leaf,
And hope renews her reign."
By Darius Barry :
*' The trees and rocks my brothers are.
There's freedom in the air.
The violet and the mossy stone
Send up a silent pr.ayer."
Whatever may be thought of the ceremonies of the
"camp days" the object of the associates is assured-
ly praiseworthy. And though the work undertaken
is of great and yet undefined proportion.s, and such as
in no probability can be fully accomplished during
the lifetime of the present participants, future gener-
ations will doubtless honor the efibrt. But setting
aside all other considerations, these spring and au-
tumn woodland gatherings are highly enjoyable, re-
solving themselves at suitable hours into picnic en-
tertainments, inspiring social intercourse of a refining
and educating character.
22
CHAPTER XXII.
LYNH -{Continued).
SHORT NOTES, CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
" ^limtte historical fact* are to history as the nerves and sinetrs, the veins
and arteries, are to the animated bodies ; they may not separately exhibit
much of H«?, elegant or just proportion, btU taken collectively, they furnish
strength, spirit and existence itself. An historian who hath neglectt-d to
study them knotos but the half of his profession, and like one who is
ignorant of anatomy, sinks into a mere manual operator.^^ — Lodge.
In an historical sketch of circumscribed limits there
are, of course, many topics on which it is impossible
to dwell at large, but which should not be passed
over in entire silence, and in some instances brief re-
capitulations seem necessary. In the hope, therefore,
of »ui)plying deficiencies the following summary is
introduced :
1004. Various accounts, derived chiefly from an-
cient Scandinavian manuscripts, have led to the belief
that certain adventurous navigators visited this coast
and made lodgments much earlier than any perma-
nent occupation was effected. For instance, Thor-
wald, the Northman, a son of Eric the Red, is claimed
to have been upon the New England coast in the
year 1004, and to have landed at one or two places.
At one landing-place he was so charmed by the
prospect that he exclaimed, — " Here it is beautiful !
and here I should like to fix my dwelling! '" And
there, indeed, was the blufi' old hero's everlasting
dwelling fixed, for in a hostile encounter with a
swarm of savages, that presently ensued, he received
an arrow wound that speedily proved fiital. As life
was fast closiug he said to his people, — " I now ad-
vise you to prejiare for your departure as soon as
possible; but me ye shall bring to the promoutory
where I thought it good to dwell. It may be that it
was a prophetic word which fell from my mouth,
about my abiding there for a season. There ye shall
bury me, and plant a cross at my head and also at
my feet, and call the place Krossanes (the Cape of
the Cross) in all time coming." He died, the record
adds, and they did as he had ordered. This was quite
sentimental for a rough sea I'over, but indicates
warmth of heart and imagination. But what makes
the incident interesting to the people of Lynn is the
supposition long since put forth that " Krossanes "
was Nahaut, so long a part of our own territory.
Possibly the supposition is correct, but those loose
Scandinavian records are hardly to be taken as con-
clusive evidence, especially as they fail to fix geo-
graphical lines with any certainty.
1602. The celebrated navigator, Bartholomew Gos-
nold, is said to have anchored in the waters of Lynn
this year. He seems, indeed, to have been the first
European certainly known to have visited Essex
County. He sailed from Falmouth, England, in
338
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
March, 1602, and reached Massachusetts Bay on the
14th of May. While coasting around it is highly
probable that he cast anchor here, and, perhaps,
landed for a prospecting tour. But he did not long
remain. While Gosnold was in the vicinity he was
greatly surprised by an Indian, dressed in English
clothes, coming on board and saluting him in fair
Englisli. And that Indian is believed to have been
Black Will, of Lynn, the Sagamore before alluded to.
He was smart, and not over-scrupulous, as his sell-
ing Nahant, to which he had no title, to Mr. Dexter,
for a suit of clothes, very well proves.
1614. There is little doubt that Captain John
Smith, whose lil'e was saved by the interposition of
the dusky heroine, Pocahontas — if the tale is not
mere romance — was here in 1C14, and was struck by
the grandeur of the Nahant cliff's, which he compared
to the " Pieramides of Egypt." And for the benefit
of the curious in such matters it may be remarked
that the redoubtable captain lived at one time in
Lynn Kegis, from which our own Lynn took its name.
He served in a counting-house there, but finally left,
with ten shillings in his pocket, which he says were
contributed by friends who desired to get rid of him.
He went to France and served in a military capacity
there and in other countries. In 1608 he was in Vir-
ginia, and became a master-spirit in its colonization.
But his propensity for roving was unconquerable,
and we find him, a few years later, drifting about
the New England coast. It appears to have been
Captain Smith who bestowed the name New England
upon our territory, it having previously been known
as North Virginia. Yet he was not, apparently, very
favorably impressed by the character of the country
or the climate, as he remarked that he was not so sim-
ple as to think that any other motive than wealth
would " ever erect a commonwealth or draw company
from their ease and humors at home " to occupy
here.
The foregoing visits, however, were of little impor-
tance so far as any direct benefit accrued, no surviv-
ing settlement being made hereabout if, indeed, any
was contemplated ; so let us come to the day of per-
manent settlement.
1629. Five families, chief among them Edmund
Ingalls and his brother Francis, arrive and commence
the settlement.
1630. Thomas Newhall born, being the first person
of European parentage born here. He died in March,
1687, aged fifty-seven. Wolves killed several swine
belonging to the settlers, September 30th. Fifty set-
tlers, chiefly farmers, and many of them with families,
arrive and locate in different neighborhootls.
1631. Governor Winthrop passed through the set-
tlement October 28th, and noted that the crops were
plentiful.
1632. First church — fifth in the colony — formed.
Steiiben Bachiler, minister. The court order that
" No person shall take any tobacco publiquely, under
pain of punishment, also that every one shall pay one
penny for every time he is convicted of taking tobacco
in any place."
1633. A corn-mill, the first in the settlement, built
on Strawberry Brook. Says Winthrop, under this
date, — " James Sagamore, of Sagus, died, and most of
his folks" (of small-pox).
1634. J<ihn Humfrey arrives and settles on Na-
hant Street. The settlement sends her first Repre-
sentatives to the General Court. William Wood, one
of the first comers, publishes " New England's Pros-
pect."
1635. Philip Kertland, the first shoemaker, arrives.
1637. Name of the settlement changed from Sau-
gus to Lynn. At this time there were thirty-seven
plows in the colony, most of them in Lynn. Settle-
ment of Sandwich commenced by emigrants from
Lynn. The General Court forbade the making of
cakes or buns, " except for burials, marriages and
such like special occasions." And also ordered that
corn should be received as legal tender, at five shil-
lings a bushel.
1638. First divison of lands among the inhabitants.
1639. Ferry across Saugus River established. First
bridge over Saugus River at Boston Street crossing
built.
1643. Iron-works near Saugus River commenced,
the first in America.
1644. Hugh Bert and Samuel Bennett, of Lynn,
presented to the grand jury as " common sleepers in
time of exercise." Both convicted and fined.
1646. Lynn made a market town — Tuesday, the
lecture day, being market day.
1656. Robert Bridges, one of the most active and
enterprising of the early settlers. Speaker of the
House of Representatives, and assistant, died this
year. He was a large proprietor in the iron-works.
1658. Dungeon Rock alleged to have been rent
by an earthquake, entombing alive Thomas Veal, the
pirate, with treasure.
1666. A year of disasters. Several die of small-
pox. "Divers are slain by lightning." Grasshoppers
and caterpillars do much mischief.
1669. Boniface Burton died, aged one hundred and
thirteen years.
1679. Rev. Samuel Whiting, for forty-three years
minister of the First Parish, died December 11th,
aged eighty-two years.
1680. Dr. Philip Reed, the first physician, com-
plained to the court of Mrs. Margaret Giffbrd as a
witch. Joseph Armitage, first keeper of the famous
Anchor Tavern, which continued as a public-house
for more than a hundred and fifty years, died June
27th, aged eighty. The great Newtonian comet ap-
peared in November, occasioning much alarm.
1682. Old Tunnel meeting-house built.
1688. Excitement about Edward Randolph's peti-
tion for a grant of Nahant.
1689. Sir Edmund Andros passed through Lynn on
LYNN.
339
liis way to Boston from the east, making a short stay,
not deigning, however, to confer with the people as to
their wrongs.
1692. Great witchcraft excitement. Six Lynn per-
sons were arrested and imprisoned ; some of them
were tried, and one condemned to death, but not
executed.
1694. A church-fast appointed by Rev. Mr. Shep-
ard. July Ulth, for the arrest of the "spiritual plague"
of tjuakerisni.
1697. Great alarm on account of the small-pox.
This was many years before vaccination was prac-
ticed.
1706. Second division of land among the inhabit-
ants.
1708. A public fast held on account of the ravages
of caterpillars and canker worms.
1719. Northern lights observed for the first time,
December 17th. Much alarm occasioned.
1720. Rev. Jeremiah Shepard, minister of the
First Parish for forty years, died June 3d, aged
seventy-two.
1721. John Burrill, a member of the House of
Representatives for twenty }'ears, ten of which he
was Speaker, died of small-pox, December 10th, aged
sixty-three.
1723. A terrific storm with raging sea, February
24th. First mill on Saugus River, at Boston Street
crossing, built.
1726. £13 15s. awarded to Nathaniel Potter for
linen manufactured in Lynn.
1745. Rev. Mr. Whitefield preaches on Lynn com-
mon, creating much excitement.
1750. John Adam Dagyr, an accomplished shoe-
maker, arrives.
1755. Greatest earthquake ever known in New
England, November 18th. It commenced a little
after four in the morning, and continued about four
minutes, being apparently the same convulsion that
destroyed Lisbon, sixty thousand persons perishing
there in six minutes, the sea rising fifty feet above
its usual level.
1759. A bear weighing four hundred pounds killed
in Lynn woods.
1761. Rev. Nathaniel Henchman, minister of the
First Parish for forty years, died December 23d, aged
sixty-one.
1770. Potato rot prevails and canker worms com-
mit great ravages.
1775. Battle of Lexington, April 19th; five Lynn
men killed.
1776. Declaration of Independence promulgated.
At this time twenty-six negro slaves were owned in
Lynn.
1780. Momoraljle dark day, May 19th. Houses
lighted as at night.
1784. (-•en. Lafayette passed through town, Octo-
ber 28th, receiving enthusiastic plaudits.
1788. Gen. Washington passed through town, in '
October, and was art'ectionately greeted by old and
young.
1793. Lynn post-office established, and first kept on
Boston Street, near Federal. Dr. John Flagg, an es-
teemed physician and Revolutionary patriot, member
of the Committee of Safety and commissioned as
colonel, died May 27th, aged fifty.
1795. Brig "Peggy'' wrecked on Long Beach, De-
cember 9th, and eleven lives lost.
1796. First fire-engine for public use purchased.
1800. Memory of Wiishington honored ; procession
and eulogy, January 13th. Morocco manufacture in-
troduced.
1803. Boston and Salem turnpike opened, and
Lynn Hotel built. Miles Shorey and wife both
killed by lightning, July 10th; she had an infant in
her arms who was unharmed, and lived to old age.
1804. First celebration of independence in Lynn.
1808. First law-oflice in Lynn opened by Benja-
min Merrill ; it was in a chamber of the dwelling
corner of North Common and Park Streets. Great
bull fight at Half- Way House ; bulls and bull-dogs
engaged. Lynn Artillery chartered November ISth,
and allowed two brass field-pieces. John Adam
Dagyr, the early shoemaker before named, who be-
came widely known for his uncommon taste and skill,
died in the almshouse.
1812. Lynn Light Infantry chartered June 30th.
1813. Moll Pitcher, the celebrated fortune-teller,
died, April 9th, aged seventy-five. Sketch of her on
previous page.
1814. Lynufield setoff from Lynn and incorporated
as a separate town. First Town House of Lynn built.
First Bank established — known as Lynn Mechanics'
Bank till its reorganization as the First National
Bank, in 1864. Battle between the "Chesapeake" and
"Shannon" fought, June 1st. Intense solicitude was
manifested by the people of Lynn, many of whom
witnessed the contest from heights and roofs. The
battle was anticipated, and multitudes came from
neighboring places. The greatest amount of travel
over the turnpike that ever took place in a single
day then occurred. One hundred and twenty
crowded stages passed, it is said, and an almost count-
less number of all sorts of vehicles, together with
equestrians and pedestrians innumerable.
1815. Saugus set ofl" from Lynn and incorporated
as a separate town. Terrific southeasterly gale, Sep-
tember 23d; ocean spray driven several miles inland.
Joseph Fuller, first president of first Lynn Bank, and
first State Senator from Lynn, died, aged forty-two.
1816. Great horse trot on the turnpike, in Lynn,
September Ist; said to have been the first in the
country ; Major Stackpole'a " Old Blue " trotted
three miles in eight minutes and forty-two seconds.
1817. President Monroe visited Lynn ; school chil-
dren arrayed on the Common.
1819. The wonderful sea-serpent appears ott" Long
Beach ; in the sketch of Swampscott a somewhat
340
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
detailed account of this supposed marine monster
will appear. Nahant Hotel built. Almshouse at
Tower Hill built.
1824. General Lafayette visits Lynn August .31st,
and is enthusiastically welcomed.
1825. First Lynn newspaper — the Weekly Mirror —
issued September 3d by Charles F. Lummus. It was
published six years.
1826. First savings bank — Lynn Institution for
Savings — incorporated.
1827. Micajah Collins, teacher of the Friends'
school and minister of the Friends' Society, died Jan-
uary 30th, aged sixty-two. Solomon Moulton, a youth-
ful writer of much promise, died M.ay 26th, aged
nineteen. Broad and brilliant night arch, August 28th.
1828. Flora, a negro woman, died October 1st, aged
one hundred and thirteen. Lynn Mutual Fire In-
surance Company organized.
1829. Splendid display of frosted trees, January
10th.
1830. Donald McDonald, a Scotchman, died in
Lynn almshouse October 4th, aged one hundred and
eight ; he was at Braddock's defeat and at the battle
of Quebec, when Wolfe fell.
1831. Maria Augusta Fuller, poetess and prose
writer, died January 19th, aged twenty-four. Dr.
James Gardner, a physician of high standing, died
December 26th, aged sixty-nine.
1832. First Lynn directory published by Charles
r. Lummus. Nahant Bank incorporated ; failed in
1836.
1833. Extraordinary shower of meteors, November
13th.
1836. Dr. Richard Hazeltine, a learned and suc-
cessful physician of the old school, died July 10th,
aged sixty-two.
1837. Surplus United States revenue distributed,
Lynn receiving fourteen thousand eight hundred and
seventy-nine dollars, and applying it to the payment
of the town debt.
1838. Charles F. Lummus, first Lynn printer, died
April 20th, aged thirty-seven. Eastern liailroad
opened for travel from Boston to Salem, August 28th.
1839. Ebenezer Breed — Uncle Eben, as he was
called — one of the "nursing fathers" of the shoe
business of Lynn — died in the almshouse, December
23d, aged seventy-four.
1841. The first picture by the new art known as
daguerreotype, or photography, ever taken in Lynn
was a landscape, taken this year by James R. New-
hall, by apparatus imported from France.
1842. Amos Blanchard, a musician of the Revolu-
tionary army, and for many years a teacher of a dis-
trict school, died May 25th, aged seventy-eight.
Enoch Curtin, a poet and prose writer, died May 28th,
aged forty-seven.
1843. Dr. Charles O. Barker, a reputable physician,
died January 8th, aged forty-one; his wife was a
daughter of Rembrant Peale, the celebrated painter.
The schooner "Thomas" was wrecked on Long
Beach March 17th, five men perishing.
1845. Dr. Edward L. Coffin, physician, scientist
and writer, died March 31st, aged fifty.
1846. Amariah Childs, manufacturer of a famous
kind of chocolate, died January 21st, aged eighty.
Mexican War commenced ; Lynn furnished twenty
volunteers. Destructive fire on Water Hill Street,
August 9th, destroying a large brick silk-printing es-
tablishment, spice and coftee-raill, and two or three
smaller buildings ; total loss, about seventy-five thou-
sand dollars.
1847. President Polk made a short visit to Lynn,
July 5th.
1848. George Gray, the Lynn hermit, died Feb-
ruary 28th, aged seventy-eight. Carriage-road over
harbor side of Long Beach built. Lynn Common
fenced.
1849. Lynn Police Court established. Large emi-
gration to California. Laighton Bank incorporated ;
reorganized as the Central National in 18G5.
1850. City form of government adopted. Samuel
Brimblecom, an early and enterprising shoe manu-
facturer, and colonel of militia during the War of
1812, died April 24th, aged eighty-one. Pine Grove
Cemetery consecrated July 24th. Thirteen persons of a
picnic party from Lynn drowned in Lynnfield Pond,
Augu.st 15th. Ten-hour system — that is, ten hours to
constitute a day's work — generally adopted. Church
bells ordered to be rung at six p.m. Previously there
was no limit to work hours.
1851. On March 18th and April 15th the tide,
during violent storms, swept entirely over Long
Beach, the storm of the 15th of April being that
during which Minot's Ledge light-house was carried
away. It was so severe as to force the salt water
from the sea to the Common, the wind, no doubt,
driving the water up the little brook that ran across
the Common in such quantities as to overflow and
form a sheet that was quite salt. Hiram Marble
commenced the excavation of Dungeon Rock, in
search of treasure, in the summer of this year.
1852. Swampscott set off from Lynn, and incor-
porated as a separate town. Louis Kossuth, the
Hungarian exile, was warmly received. May 6th ;
greeted by some ten thousand persons assembled on
the Common, and escorted through the streets by a
long procession to Lyceum Hall, where an enthusias-
tic reception took place.
1853. Nahant set ofl' from Lynn, and incorporated
as a separate town. Illuminating gas first lighted
here, January 13th. Cars commenced running over
Saugus Branch Railroad, February 1st.
1854. City Bank incorporated ; reorganized as
National City Bank, 1865.
1855. City charter so amended as to have the mu-
nicipal year commence on the first Monday of Jan-
uary, instead of the first Monday of April. Five
Cents Savings Bank incorporated.
LYNN.
341
1856. Two bald eagles appear on the ice in Lynn
harbor, January 17th. Ezra R. Tcbbets, of Lynn,
killed by a snow-slide from a building in Bromfield
Street, Uoston, P'ebruary 12th. Egg Rock light first
shown, September loth.
1857. Great snow-storm, with intense cold, January
18th, during which the bark ''Tedesco" was wrecked
ou Long Rock, Swampscott, all on board, twelve in
number, perishing. Goold Brown, a famous gram-
marian and author, died at his residence, South
Common Street, March 31st, aged sixty-five. He was
a native of Providence, R. I., and long taught a sem-
inary in New York, but spent his later years in Lynn.
1858. Telegraph communication between Lynn and
other places established. Impromptu Atlantic cable
celebration in Lynn, August 17th, on the arrival of
Queen Victoria's message — the first ever sent over an
Atlantic cable— to President Buchanan. St. Mary's
Catholic Cemetery consecrated, November 4th.
1859. British bark " Vernon," from Messina, driven
ashore on Long Beach, February 2d; crew saved by
life-boat. Isaiah Breed, active as a shoe manufac-
turer for nearly fifty years, and a State Senator, died
Jlay 23d, aged seventy-two. Roman Catholic Church
(St. Mary's), Ash Street, burned, May 28th. George
Hood, the first mayor of Lynn, died June 29th, aged
fifty-two. Brilliant display of northern lights, the
whole heavens being covered, August 28th. Union
Street Methodist meeting-house destroyed by fire,
November 20th. Church bells tolled at sunrise, noon
and sunset, December 2d, in observance of the execu-
tion of John Brown at Charlestown, Va.
1860. Harbor so frozen in January that persons
walked across to Bass Point. Shoemakers' great
strike commenced in February. Prince of Wales
passed through Lynn, October 20th, hardly stopping
to receive oflicial greetings. First horse railroad cars
in Lynn commenced running, November 29th. The
luck of a dory fisherman is well illustrated by the ex-
perience of Zachariah Phillips, of Lynn, during four
days in the latter part of November ; his first day's catch
sold for twenty-five cents; that of one other day for
twenty-one dollars; and, taking the four days to-
gether, he realized S40.50, the fish being chiefly
cod, and selling for three cents a pound. Market
Street first lighted by gas, December 7th.
1861. Alonzo Lewis, historian and poet, died Jan-
uary 21st, aged sixty-six. Lynn Light Infantry and
Lynn City Guards, two full companies, start for the
seat of the Southern Rebellion, April 16th, in five
hours after the arrival of President Lincoln's call for
troops. A splendid comet suddenly became visible,
July 2d, the tail having enveloped the earth three
days before, producing no disturbance and only a
slight apparently auroral light.
1862. Lynn Free Public Library opened. Soldiers'
burial lot in Pine Grove Cemetery laid out. Nathan
Breed, Jr., murdered in his store. Summer Street,
December 23d.
1863. Daniel C. Baker, third mayor of Lynn, died
July 19th, aged forty-six.
1864. Rev. Parsons Cooke, for twenty-eiglit years
minister of the First Church, died February 12th,
aged sixty-three. The thermometer rose to one hun-
dred and four degrees in shady places, June 25th,
indicating the warmest day here of which there had
been any record. Free delivery of post-office matter
begins. Great drought and extensive fires in the
woods during the summer. First steam fire-engine
owned by the city arrives, August 11th. Town-
House burned, October 6th. Schooner "Lion," from
Rockland, Me., wrecked on Long Beach, December
10th, and all on board, six in number, perish; their
cries were heard above the roaring of the wind and
sea. but succor could not reach them.
1865. News of the fall of Richmond received,
April 3d ; great rejoicing, church-bells rung, build-
ings illuminated, bonfires kindled. The surrender of
General Lee was celebrated, April 10th. News of the
assassination of President Lincoln received, April
loth ; mourning insignia displayed in public build-
ings and churches. Corner-stone of City Hall laid,
November 28th.
1866. Dr. Abraham Gould, a skillful physician of
extensive practice, died, February 27th, aged fifty-
eight. General Sherman passed through Lynn, July
ICth, and was cordially greeted byacrow'din Central
Square. A meteoric stone fell in Ocean Street, in
September.
1867. Thomas Bowler, for sixteen years town clerk,
died, July 22d, aged eighty-one. The present City
Hall dedicated with much ceremony, November
30th.
1888. Memorial Day — called also Decoration Day
— i>bserved. May 30th, being the day for decorating
the soldiers' graves with flowers ; in 1881 the day wa.s
made a legal holiday. Hiram Marble, excavator of
Dungeon Rock, died, November 10th, aged sixty-five,
having pursued his arduous and fruitless labors about
seventeen j'ears. His son, Edwin, succeeded him in
the work, and died at the Rock January 16, 1880,
aged forty-eight, without having reached the sup-
posed deposits of gold and jewels. Destructive fire
in Market Street, December 25th, Lyceum Building,
Frazier's and Bubier's brick blocks being destroyed,
the whole loss reaching about three hundred thou-
sand dollars.
1869. JIary J. Hood, a colored woman, died, Jan-
uary 8th, aged one hundred and four years and seven
months. Another destructive fire, on the night of
January 25th, commencing in the brick shoe manu-
factory of Edwin H. Johnson, in Monroe Street, de-
stroyed property to the amount of some one hundred
and seventy thousand dollars. Sidney B. Pratt, who*
left, by will, ten thousand dollars for the benefit of
the Free Public Library, died, January 29th, aged
fifty-four. On the evening of April 15th there was
a magnificent display of beautifully-tinted aurora-
342
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
borealis. Benjamin H. Jacobs, undertaker at the old
burying-ground for thirty years, died, June 16tb,
aged seventy-six. Jeremiah C. Stickney, for forty
years in successful practice here as a lawyer, and the
first city solicitor, died, August 3d, aged sixty-four.
Severe gale, on Wednesday afternoon, September
8th, destroying several small buildings and uprooting
more than four hundred shade-trees about the city.
The old Turnpike from Boston to Salem became a
public highway this year, the portion lying in Lynn
being now known as Western Avenue.
1870. Young Men's Christian Association incorpo-
rated, March 31st. Laud near Central Square sold at
five dollars per square foot, the highest rate known
in Lynn up to this time. Operations for public water
supply begun.
1871. Kev. Joseph Cook, at the time minister of
the First Church, gave a series of Sunday evening
lectures in Music Hall, early this year, creating con-
siderable excitement by his rather sensational denun-
ciations. William Bassett, the first city clerk, died,
June 21st, aged sixty-eight. Terrible railroad disas-
ter at Revere, August 26th, eleven Lynn persons be-
ing killed ; whole number of lives lost, thirty-three ;
number of wounded, sixty. Electric fire-alarm es-
tablished. William Vennar, alias Brown, murders
Mrs. Jones, is pursued, and in his further desperate
attempts is shot dead, December 16th.
1872. City Hall bell raised to its position in the
tower, March 2d. Meeting of the City Council com-
memorative of the recent death of Professor Morse,
inventor of the electric telegraph, April 16th. Dr.
James M. Nye, a reputable phj'sician and scientist,
died, April 21st, aged fifty-three. S. O. Breed's box-
factory, at the south end of Commercial Street, struck
by lightning and consumed, August 13th, this sum-
mer being remarkable for the frequency and severity
of its thunder-storms. Brick house of worship of
First Church, South Common Street, corner of Vine,
dedicated, August 29th. Ingalls and Cobbet school-
houses dedicated. Odd-Fellows' Hall, Market Street,
dedicated, October 7th. Brick and iron station of
Eastern Railroad, Central Square, built. Singular
disease, called epizootic, prevailed among horses dur-
ing the latter part of autumn. Wheel carriages al-
most ceased to run, excepting as drawn by oxen,
dogs or goats, and sometimes by men and boys. The
disease, though disabling and evidently painful, was
not often fatal. Much speculation in real estate dur-
ing the year; prices high and business active. Pine
Hill Public Water Reservoir built.
1873. Pumping-engine at Public Water-Works,
Walnut Street, first put in operation, January 14th.
English sparrows make their appearance in Lynn, no
doubt the progeny of those imported into Boston ;
but they were soon declared a nuisance. William S.
Boyce, president of the Firat National Bank, died,
August 27th, aged sixty-three. Soldiers' Monument,
City Hall Square, dedicated, September 17th. Birch
Pond formed.
1874. Lynn " Home for Aged Women " incorpo-
rated, Feb. 6th. Grand celebration in Lynn of St.
Patrick's Day, March 17th, by the Irish organizations
of Essex County. Benjamin Mudge, captain of the
old Lynn Artillery, postmaster, and a political writer
of spirit, died, March 21st, aged eighty -seven.
1875. Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad
opened for travel, July 22d. Great depression in bus-
iness affairs this year succeeded the late unhealthy
kind of prosperity. Some tradesmen failed, and real
estate fell greatly in price. On the 2d of November
a blackfish ten feet in length and weighing three
hundred and fifty pounds was stranded on Long
Beach, probably having pursued his retreating supper
the night before farther than was safe. An unusual
number of tramps — that is, homeless wanderers from
place to place — appeared in Lynn and received tem-
porary relief.
1876. A fire occurred on Market Street, July 26th,
destroying property to the amount of some ten thou-
sand dollars, the principal losers being R. A. Spalding
& Co., Mrs. Lancy and W. J. Bowers. The destructive
Colorado beetle, or potato bug, first appeared in Lynn
this year. The Centennial year of the Republic was
appropriately observed in Lynn, July 4th, and the
Centennial Memorial, giving an account of the pro-
ceedings, was published by order of the City Council.
Benjamin F. Doak, who by will bequeathed ten thou-
sand dollars for the benefit of the poor of the city, and
which bequest has since been known as the Doak
fund, died, Nov. 8th, aged fifty. Jacob Batchelder,
first teacher of the High School and first librarian of
the Public Library, died, Dec. 17th, aged seventy.
1877. Charles Merritt, for .some forty years deputy
sheriff, died, March 13th, aged seventy-two. Sweetser"s
four-story brick building. Central Avenue, with an
adjacent building, burned, April 7th. Loss, about one
hundred and fifteen thousand dollars. In September
there was an extraordinary phosphorescent glow along
the shores.
1878. Successful balloon ascension from City Hall
Square, July 4th — Alderman Aza A. Breed, City Mar-
shall Charles C. Fry and Charles F. Smith journal-
ist, accompanying the teronaut. Dennis Kearney,
radical agitator and Calitbrnia " sand lot orator," ad-
dresses a large crowd on the Common on the evening
of Aug. 12th. Ezra Warren Mudge, the sixth mayor
of Lynn, died, Sept. 20th, aged sixty-six. The tem-
perature in Lynn and vicinity at midnight, Dec. 2d,
was higher than in any other part of the United
States, — six degrees higher than in New Orleans, La.;
seven higher than in Savannah, Ga. ; nine higher
than in Charleston, S. C. ; and ten higher than in
Jacksonville, Fla. Gold was held at par Dec. 17th,
for the first time in sixteen years ; that is, one hun-
dred dollars in gold were worth just one hundred
in greenback government notes. The extreme of
LYNN.
3+3
variation was on July 11, 1864, at which time one
hundred dolhirs in gold were worth two hundred and
eighty-five dollars in tlie notes.
1879. The brick house of worship of the First
Methodist Society, City Hall Square, was dedicated
Feb. 27th. The newly-invented telephone now comes
into use in Lynn. The two hundred and fiftieth an-
niversary of the settlement of Lynn celebrated, June
17th. John A. Jackson, designer of the Soldiers'
Jlonunient, died, in Florence, Italy, in August, aged
fifty-four. St. Joseph's Cemetery (Catholic) conse-
crated, Oct. 16th. Extraordinary occurrence of a
perfectly clear sky all over the United States, from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, Nov. 4th, as reported by
the United States Signal Corps. Benjamin Franklin
Mudge, the second mayor of Lynn, died, in Manhat-
tan, Kansas, Nov. 21st, aged sixty-two.
1880. Tubular wells, Boston Street, sunk by order
of the city government to gain an additional water
supply ; first pumping from them, Sept. 4th. The
notorious " Morey Letter " appeared in the autumn,
creating much sensation throughout the country.
This letter made its appearance in a prominent news-
paper of New York City, and purported to have been
written by General Garfield, the Republican candi-
date for President of the United States, and addressed
to " Henry L. Morey,'' of the " Employers' Union,"
of Lynn. It was in the interest of cheap labor and in
favor of Chinese immigration. It created a great sen-
sation among the politicians, especialh' upon the Pa-
cific coast, in which quarter extreme indignation was
manifested. But the letter was soon proved to be a
base forgery, concocted to damage the prospects of
General Garfield, and it would, no doubt, have had a
serious effect had not timely evidence of the fraud
been discovered. It was satisfactorily shown that no
such person as Henry L. Morey and no such associa-
tion as the Employers' Union existed in Lynn. A
beautiful mirage appeared in the bay Nov. 22d.
1881. Young Men's Christian Association Building,
Market Street, dedicated January 17th. Dr. Daniel
Perley, a much-esteemed physician, died January 31st,
aged seventy-seven years. Government weather sig-
nals on High Rock first shown February 23d. National
Security Bank of Lynn organized. Lynn Hospital
incorporated. Andrews Breed, the fifth mayor of
Lynn, died April 21st, aged eighty-six. The " yellow
day," so-called, occurred September Gth, the land-
scape assuming a yellow tinge for some hours in the
afternoon, and the weird darkness being such that
lights were required in houses. President Garfield's
death announced by the tolling of church-bells at
midnight, September 19th. He was shot by C. J.Guit-
cau, July 2d. Memorial services were held September
2Gth. Hon. Enoch Redington Mudge, donor of Si,.
Stephen's Memorial Church, died October 1st. St.
Stephen's Memorial Church consecrated November
2d. Thomas Page Richardson, fourth mayor of Lynn,
died November 24th, aged sixty-five.
1882. On the night of February loth a building on
]\[onroe Street, owned by Charles G. Clark, together
with one or two others, partially burned ; loss, about
twenty thousand dollars. The Grand Army Coliseum,
on Summer Street, dedicated March 15th. On the
morning of March 15th, just before the time for work-
men to assemble, a terrific steam-boiler explosion
took place in the rear of the Goodwin last-factory, in
Spring Street. The engineer was killed and several
others badly wounded. One or two adjacent build-
ings were much damaged, and a piece of the boiler,
weighing about fifteen hundred pounds, was thrown
two hundred feet up into the air, and fell in Newhall
Street, seven hundred feet di-tant. A fire occurred on
the morning of April 22d at Houghton, Godfrey &
Dean's paper warehouse. Central Avenue, destroying
property to the amount of three thousand dollars.
Electric lights made their appearance here in the
spring. Barnum's "greatest show on earth " visited
Lynn July 22d. Some half a score of elephants ap-
peared in the street parade. The giant elephant
Jumbo and the nursing baby elephant were both
members of the caravan. Some twenty-five thousand
persons attended the exhibition, and the amount of
money received for admission reached nearly eleven
thousand dollars. The show consisted of a large col-
lection of animals, equestrian, acrobatic and other
circus and semi-dramatic performances. It was, no
doubt, the grandest and most costly show ever in
Lynn. An explosion of a part of the underground
equipment of the Citizens' Steam-Heating Company,
at the corner of Washington and Monroe Streets, took
place July 27th, injuring the street somewhat and
throwing up stones and gravel to the danger and
fright of persons in the vicinity. And subsequently
other explosions took place, inducing an appeal to
the city authorities for protection. An extraordinary
drought prevailed during the latter part of the sum-
mer. Most of the crops about Lynn were absolutely
ruined, the unripe fruit dropped from the trees, and
much of the shrubbery and many of the trees had the
appearance of having been exposed to fire-blasts. Y'et
the springs and wells did not indicate any very marked
deficiency of moisture somewhat below the surface.
We had an uncommonly long succession of very warm
days, with westerly winds and clear skies. And
the peculiar eSect on vegetation was, no doubt, at-
tributable rather to the burning sun than the lack of
moisture. The spring was backward by full two
weeks, and the weather was, on the whole, anonjalous,
most of the year. Railroad competition ran .so high
that in October the fare between Lynn and Boston
was, for a time, but five cents. The morning sky for
several weeks in October and November, was adorned
with a splendid comet, which rose in the southeast two
or three hours before the sun.
1883. Sweetser's building, corner of Central Avenue
andOxford St., burned January 2(itli ; lo.ss, eighty-one
thousand dollars. There were a large number of de-
344
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
structive fires in the woods during tlie dry months, all
along from Floating Bridge to Breed's Pond. Electric
Light Works established in Lyuu.
1884. A high tide swept over the beach road to
Nahaut, January 9th. Steamer " City of Columbus "
lost near Gay Head, January ISth, three Lynn persons
perishing. John B. Tolman, April 22d, gave to the
Young Men's Christian Association an estate on
Market Street, valued at thirty thousand dollars, in
trust, the income to be devoted to the suppression of
the sale of intoxicating liquors. The new organiza-
ti( n of religious enthusiasts, known as the Salvation
Army, appeared in our streets, June 4th, marching
about with their tambourines and other musical instru-
ments. Lightning struck in Chatham Street, June
5th, killing a lad twelve years of age and somewhat
injuring his two boy companions. Horse railroad ex-
tension to Marblehead opened for travel June 25th.
Inebriates' Home, New Ocean Street, established Oc-
tober 27th. A building of Quincy A. Towns, on
Beech Street, used for extracting grease and oil from
leather, by naphtha, destroyed by fire Novemlier 26th ;
loss twenty-five hundred dollars.
1885. Lyman F. Chase died January 3d, aged
forty-three years, leaving, among other liberal be-
quests, to Lynn Hospital, $5000, and to Lynn Public
Library $5000. Lynn National Bank organized. A
fire occurred in Henry A. Pevear's building, Wash-
ington Street, January 11th, destroying property to the
amount of thirty-three hundred dollars. Lucian New-
hall's building, Central Avenue, burned ; loss, fifty-six
thousand six hundred dollars. Lynn Associated
Charities organized March 19th. Trinity Church
(Methodist), near Tower Hill, dedicated June 4th.
Church of the Licarnation (Episcopal) formally or-
ganized June 9th. St. Josepli's Church (Roman
Catholic) consecrated June 21st. Church-bells tolled
July 2;5d, in observance of the death of ex-President
Grant, The City Council held a special meeting and
passed resolutions of respect, and on the 8th of August
commemorative services were held in the Coliseum,
business being generally suspended. The large brick
building owned by Lucius Beebe, and occupied as a
glove-kid and morocco manufactory, corner of Western
Avenue and Federal Street, destroyed by fire Septem-
ber 3d, the loss being seventy-five thousand five hun-
dred dollars. A heavy thunder-shower, October 3d,
flooded several business places on Monroe Street and
vicinity and delayed railroad trains.
1886. On Easter day, April 25th, Saint Stephen's
chimes rang for the first time. Terrific earthquake
at Charleston, S. C, August 31st; much suffering was
occasioned, and contributions for relief were sent
from all quarters; Lynn contributed $2060, and
Saint Stephen's Church sent a separate sum of
$77 towards rep-airing the shattered tower of the ven-
erable Saiut Michael's. President Arthur died No-
vember 18th, and on the day of his burial, November
22d, marks of respect were shown by closing the pub-
lic ofiices, tolling bells, raising flags at half-mast and
the performance of a dirge by Saint Stephen's chimes.
Society of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian)
formed. French Catholic Church organized.
1887. February 25th, President Cleveland sent to
the United States Senate a message vetoing the bill,
passed by Congress, appropriating $100,000 for the
erection of a post-oflice building in Lynn. Some in-
dignation was expressed, but business men generally
were disposed to view the President's reasoning with
candor, and the unlucky slip with resignation.
Henry A. Breed, a well-known citizen, died April
15th, aged eighty-six years and eleven months. He
was a native of Lynn, and commenced an active busi-
ness life about 1819, did a great deal in the building
line and was zealous in forwarding improvements of
almost every kind, endeavoring, in some notable in-
stances, to introduce new industries here. Being of
a sanguine and somewhat credulous turn, and withal
attracted by projects of a speculative character, he
had serious ups and downs during his whole business
career, always, however, maintaining a most respec-
table position, by his genial manners, his readiness to
aid the unfortunate and other excellent qualities.
His business prostrations were undoubtedly some-
times attributable to over-confidence in his own
ability to "read " the characters of those with whom
he dealt ; but more often to the shrewder reading, on
the other side, of those not half so honest as he. He
was one of the founders of the Unitarian Society, and
his connection was not severed till the hand of death
interposed. For many years he was a member of
Mount Carmel Lodge of Free Masons, and was like-
wise an accredited member of the fraternity of Odd
Fellows.
On Wednesday, June 1st, was opened, under the
auspices of the Grand Army, Post 5, at the Coliseum
in Summer Street, a novel and interesting exhibition
of the powers of electricity, especially as applied to
industrial mechanism. The Governor of the State
was present at the opening and many other prominent
persons. The exhibition continued a month, and gave
much satisfaction to the large numbers who attended.
James N. Buflfum, twelfth Mayor of Lynn, aged eighty,
died June 12th. On Saturday, June 18th, Robert E.
Lee Camp 1, Confederate Veterans, of Richmond, Va.,
visited Lynn by invitation of General Lander En-
campment, Post 5, of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic. The visiting party bad been spending a day or
two in Boston, and numbered nearly two hundred,
thirty of whom were ladies. About seventy-five of
the Veterans, with some ten of the ladies, arrived in
Lynn early in the day, and were cordially received by
the Lynn Post, which had some five hundred men in
line. The weather was pleasant and the day a notable
one, business being universally suspended, and the
streets thronged with all classes of people. There
was a grand procession, with military companies and
bands of music. The city authorities took part in the
LYNN.
345
proceedings, and there was a banquet on the Common.
Early in July a delegation of Post 5, numbering one
hundred and sixty, made a return visit to the Confed-
erate soldiers, and in Eichmond and other places re-
ceived enthusiastic grcetingi, with many tokens of
restored brotherhood. Edward S. Davis, eighth Mayor
of Lynn, died August 7, aged seveuty-niue. On the
11th of September a fire occurred in the stable of J.
B. & W. A. Lamper, foot of Pleasant Street, in which
nineteen horses perished. Dr. John A. McArthur,
much esteemed .as a man and phj'sician, died Septem-
ber 28, aged fifty-seven.
Lynn Regis. — It is within the knowledge of the
writer that some good people of the ancient borough
of King's Lynn now take a lively interest in what
pertains to our own Lynn, which, during its compara-
tively short life, has so far outstripped its prototyjie,
in population at least. They appear to regard us as
a sort of vigorous child, a little presumptuous, per-
haps, but one in whose prosperity they may delight,
as if in some mysterious way it contributed to their
honor. It is but a few years since they learned any-
thing of us. Less than fifteen years ago a lawyer
there assured the writer th.at to him our Lynn was
only known through Longfellow's " Bells of Lynn."
The celebration of our Two Hundred and Fiftieth
Anniversary, to which some of the authorities there
were invited, had much to do with rendering our
name familiar. And then the Christian sympathy
engendered by the giving and receiving of the stone
from the ancient wall of stately old Saint Margaret's,
to be wrought into the rising wall of Saint Stephen's,
was a significant occurrence.
It is true that not a Large number of our early set-
tlers came from that place ; but there were one or two
of more than ordinary family connection. It is not
necessary to here speak of the eminent Whiting,
through whose instrumentality the names of the
jilaces were made identical ; nor of some others else-
where named. But it may be interesting to note in
])assing, that Richard Hood, ancestor of George
Hood, our first mayor, who settled on Nahant Street,
was from Lynn Regis. Several old names common
in both places could be mentioned — a fact which,
though not conclusive evidence of near family connec-
tion, are yet strongly indicative of kinship. For in-
stance : There was a Thomas Laighton, mayor of
Lynn Regis in 1476 ; and one of our most active and
enterprising settlers was Thomas Laighton, who lo-
cated near Saugus River in 1635. Edward Baker
was mayor of the Ijorough in 1550 ; and from Edward
Baker, who came hither in 1630, Daniel C. Baker,
our third mayor, descended. Benjamin Keene (a
later name with us) was mayor of old Lynn in 1683.
In 1737 "Charles, Lord Viscount Townsend, was
Lord High Steward of Lynn Regis." He undoubt-
edly belonged to the same Tow-nsend family with
Thomas Townsend, who came from Norfolk and set-
tled as a farmer at an earlier date, and of whom many
22i
descendants remain here and elsewhere in New Eng-
land. And by the way, at that date, 1737, the chief
officials under Townsend were a recorder, thirteen
aldermen, eighteen Common Councilmen, atown clerk,
treasurer, chamberlain, sword-bearer, four sergeants
at mace and five musicians, with blue cloaks trimmed
with gold and badges, a jailer, two beadles and a
bellman. Our city government is not organized ex-
actly after that dignified model, which is here pre-
sented merely for comparison by the curious. Such
genealogical and municipal connections are really of
little importance, but the latent interest that all pos-
sess in such tracings give them a sort of charm. In
the case in hand, it is thought they are sufficient to
justify the occupation of space enough to recount a
few prominent facts in the history of our ancient pro-
totype.
Lynn Regis, King's Lynn, or, as it is commonly
called by its own people, simply Lynn, is an interest-
ing old place on the river Ouse, in Norfolk, a mari-
time county that has ever maintained its reputation
for loyalty and aristocratic pride. Many illustrious
Englishmen have been born there, and a long list of
distinguished men have represented her in Parlia-
ment— several of them statesmen of world-wide repu-
tations. Sir Robert Waljiole was elected for Lynn,
in 1702. He soon became Secretary of War, then
Secretary of the Navy, and finally, after a brief period
of eclipse, attained positions of still greater dignity ;
and, as hiis been remarked, for a series of years " his
life may be said to be the history of England." Can-
ning, too, sometimes called the most eloquent and
sagacious statesman of his day, was elected to repre-
sent Lynn. Lord George Bentinck was returned for
Lynn, in 1826, and continued her representative till
his death. The Catholic Emancipation and Reform
Bills had his support. He subsequently became the
acknowledged head of the Conservative party, and
was what we now call a protectionist. But he was
never an over-strict partisan. On the death of Lord
Bentinck, Stanley, Earl of Derby, was elected for
Lynn. To his great ability in the management of
public affairs is largely attributed the surrender of the
East India Company to the crown. During his colo-
nial secretaryship the great Sepoy revolt was brought
to a close. On the decease of his father, in 1869, he
entered the House of Lords. The able and accom-
plished Governor of Madras at the present time, 1886
was for many years Lynn's representative in Parlia-
ment. Other eminent representatives of old Lynn
might be named, but the list need not be extended.
What has been said may not be of great interest, but
it artbrds ground for the question. When will our own
Lynn be represented by such men in the councils of
the nation ? By the presentation of worthy examples
a spirit of noble emulation may be stimulated.
From this ancient borough and its vicinity came
some of the most valuable New England immigrants.
And descendants from old Norfolk families are now
346
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
found in every direction, though, as just remarked,
not a large number came to our own home. In Win-
throp's company, which arrived at Salem in 1630,
were a number of substantial Norfolk farmers. Says
the careful Mrs. Jones : " It is not alone the relations
of Coke and Roger Williams which have given to some
spots in New England and elsewhere a flavor of this
island's eastern shore. If it were sought to trace such
international links, Norfolk would be found to have
thrown out many threads across the water, which
have attached it invisibly but absolutely to American
ground."
Sandringham, the seat of the Prince of Wales, to
which he retires for needed rest, is in Norfolk, almost
within the territorial limits of Lynn. It consists of
something more than eight thousand acres, and is in
a high state of cultivation and adornment. It was in
this princely abode that the royal heir so long lay be-
tween life and death when stricken by typhoid, in the
dreary weeks of November, 1872. It was there, too,
that the joyous event of the arrival of his son, Albert
Victor, at the age of twenty-one, was recently so en-
thusiastically celebrated. There, likewise, was the
last Christmas, 1886, celebrated in right royal style.
The Prince and Princess were both present. To the
laborers and cottagers on the estate were prime joints
of beef distributed to the amount of nine hundred and
eighty pounds. How much English beer and other
usual Christmas adjuncts were added must be left for
the imagination, as nothing appears in the account at
hand of the entertainment.
A brief chronological statement of events during
an interesting portion of the history of our venerable
archetype must close the present record.
A. D. 1100. St. Margaret's Church founded by Her-
bert, the first Bishop of Norwich, in expiation of his
simony. It was from the wall of this ancient temple
that the stone which, with its friendly inscription,
now rests in the vestibule of our own St. Stephen's
was taken. It was presented by the authorities of
St. Margaret's when St. Stephen's was in process of
erecton, 1880, and brought over by Col. R. G.. Usher.
The inscription reads, "St. Margaret's Church, Lynn,
England, to St. Stephen's Church, Lynn, Mass.,
U. S. A., 28th June, 1880."
1204. Lynn made a borough town with burgesses,
in this, the sixth year of the reign of King John.
And in 1268 it was made a mayor-town.
1469. King Edward IV. came to Lynn with a great
retinue, took shipping and went to Flanders. One
of the most interesting relics now remaining in Lynn
is the ruin known as the Chapel of " Our Lady," pic-
turesquely situated on an elevation in the beautiful
" Public Walks." The visible parts, those above
ground, which were built under a license granted in
1482, form a superstructure to the lower, underground
parts, which were built at an unknown and much
earlier period. The structure is small, but bears evi-
dence of having originally been an elaborate and
richly-adorned shrine ; and was probably established
for the entertainment of wandering pilgrims, and as
a sacred asylum from all secular intrusion — a sanct-
uary. It was in this retreat that King Edward is said
to have lodged when he reached Lynn on his way to
Holland, in 1469, his retinue finding quarters else-
where. It will be remembered that these were the
times of the bloody strife between the houses of York
and Lancaster, and that he was son of the Duke of
York. While here, in the asylum of " Our Lady,"
he was safe.
1458. Mention is this year made of a boy choir in
St. Blargaret's Church.
1498. King Henry VII., his Queen and Arthur,
Prince of Wales, visited Lynn, and were entertained
by the Augustine Friars. He came in state, with a
numerous retinue. The Augustine Friars were a
mendicant order, much of the character of the Jesuits
of the present day ; were a learned body, and min-
gled more in society than most other orders. They
settled in Lynn about 1275, and continued till 1539.
1519. Cardinal Wolsey visited Lynn, attended by
many lords and gentlemen. It was now that the cel-
ebrated prelate was in the zenith of his glory, held
the Sees of Bath and Wells, of Worcester and Here-
ford, together with the rich Abbey of St. Alban's.
But disappointment in his ambitious yearnings soon
overtook him; his downfall came ; and in about ten
years after his visit to Lynn death closed his event-
ful career.
1531. A maid, for poisoning her mistress, is boiled
to death.
1535. A Dutchman is burnt in Lynn market-place
for heresy.
1536. The Carmelites, the Dominicans, the Augus-
tines and the Franciscans, four orders of friars, totally
suppressed in Lynn.
1546. All the streets of the town paved. The
guilds and chanteries all suppressed, and the lands
belonging to them forfeited to the King, Henry VIII.
1549. Several rebels executed at Lynn.
1553. Lady Jane Gray proclaimed Queen of Eng-
land, at Lynn, by Lord Audley.
1561. Popish relics and mass-books burnt in the
market-place at Lynn.
1566. The first chime of bells placed in the tower
of St. Margaret's Church. This seems to have been
a set of five bells, the largest of which could be
heard ten miles ott". Some years after the number was
increased to eight, and in 1887 to ten, the Mayor, on
the occasion of the Queen's jubilee presenting one,
naming it "Victoria," and the mayoress one, naming
it "Albert." They were first rung on the jubilee day,
June 21.
1567. A Dutch ship, then lying in the harbor of
Lynn, shot down the spire of St. Margaret's Church
and several crosses.
1568. Popish vestments, relics, crucifixes and
beads burnt in the Lynn market-place.
LVNN.
347
1574. The plague prevailed in Lynn.
1575. A severe earthquake felt in Lynn.
1576. Queen Elizabeth visited Norfolk in August.
The corporation of Lynn presented to her a beautiful
purse, wrought with pearl and gold, and containing
a hundred old angels, the whole value being two
hundred pounds. On the KJth of the month, in her
progress through the country, she dined at Bracon-
Ash Hall, being entertained there by Thomas Town-
send, Esq., who, no doubt, wa.s grandfather of Thomas
Townsend, who came over to our Lynn, in 1636, and
settled as a larnier, near the iron-works. He wa.«i a
cousin of (xoveruor Winthrop. The wife of Thomas,
the entertainer of the Queen, received from Her Ma-
jesty the gift of a beautiful gilt bowl in acknowledg-
ment of the hospitality she had received. Daniel
Townsend, one of the four Lynn men killed at the
battle of Lexington, was a lineal descendant. Some-
thing more relating to the Townsends may be found
in the sketch of Lynnfield.
1588. The " Feast of Reconciliation," so called, es-
tablished in Lynn. This was a meeting of the
mayor, aldermen, Common Council and ministers, " in
order to settle peace and quietness between man and
man, and to decide all manner of controversies." It
seems as if some such institution might in our day
settle more satisfactorily such controversies as fester
in our inferior courts. And perhaps labor troubles
might come in for adjustment.
1590. A woman named Margaret Read burnt at
Lynn for witchcraft. In 1598, Elizabeth Housage ;
in 1616, Mary Smith ; and iu 164J, Dorothy Lee and
Grace Wright were hanged tor the same oft'ense.
1605. A great fire occurred in High Street, Lynn,
a man, his wife and three children perishing iu the
flames.
1621. A man, while ringing the great bell of St.
Margaret's, wvas drawn up by the rope and killed.
1626. Lynn received from London several large
cannon for the defense of the town, and St. Ann's
fort was built.
1629. A stool for weighing children was this year
erected at the charge of the corporation.
1636. Fourteen vessels belonging to Lynn were
this year lost by the violence of storms. The plague
also prevailed, insomuch that no market was held.
Temporary erections were prepared for the afflicted
ones of the poorer classes under the town walls.
1642. Lynn received seven pieces of brass cannon
from London, for the more effectual armament of the
fortifications. In August the town was besieged by the
Parliamentary forces and suffered occasional bombard-
ment till September 16th, when it was surrendered
by agreement, only four having lost their lives and a
few being wounded. The town was required to pay
to tlie Earl of Manchester's army three thousand two
hundred pounds. It soon became a Parliamentary
garrison town, and so continued till 16.52.
1643. Puritanism having gained the ascendency,
the " curious painted glass " in St. Margaret's Church
was ordered to be taken out and plain glass substi-
tuted.
1654. Cromwell renewed and enlarged the charter
of Lynn. And in the churches the arms of the Com-
monwealth were substituted for the royal arms.
1655. Lynn again made a garrison town.
1660. The restoration celebrated. Three hundred
young maidens, tastily arrayed in white, parade the
streets. There was great rejoicing iu Lynn at the
restoration, for the place had always remained e-ssen-
tially loyal. The oaths of allegiance and supremacy
were readily taken by the leading citizens, and the
train-bands indulged in musters and military shows.
Many of the former customs and observances were
revived ; among them the early divine service at St.
Margaret's — five A. M. in summer and six in winter
— which had been suspended for ten years.
1682. Two new May-poles set up in Lynn.
1686. Great rejoicing in Lynn at the erection of a
statue of King James II.
1745. February 8th, Eugene Aram, that remarkable
individual who.se learning and fate have made him
historical, commits the murder for which he was finally
executed and his body hung in chains. He lived in
Lynn, was teacher in the academy there at the time
of his arrest, in 1759, and so much beloved by his pu-
pils that many tears were shed when the constables,
" Two stern-faced men set out from Lynn,
Through the cold and heavy mist.
And Eugt-ne Aram walked between.
With gyves upon his wrist."
The school is still flourishing. Upon the leads of
Gray Friars' Tower, which yet remains one of the
most conspicuous objects in Lynn, and which is near
the school, may yet be seen the name of Aram,
scratched, it is said, by his own hand. Biilwer's novel,
entitled " Eugene Aram," was probably suggested by
the familiarity of the author with the legends and
surroundings of Lynn, he having an aunt residing
there.
The foregoing will be sufficient for a glimpse at the
history of our ancient prototype, with some of the
vicissitudes to which she has been exposed and some
of her doings characteristic of the times. But to oc-
cupy space with events of later date would hardly be
justifiable.
Closing Remarks. — In bringing this imperfect
sketch of Lynn to a close, it may be remarked that
the several topics introduced have been as fully treated
as the allotted space would allow. And in the choice
of topics it has been the endeavor to select such as on
the whole would prove most interesting and best fitted
to illustrate the principal object in view.
Glimpses of its situation, its beautiful surroundings
and natur.al resources, have been given ; the labors,
sacrifices and sufferings of the people in its earliest
days, their leading chai-acteristics, hopes, enjoymenis
and expectations, have been touched upon ; and the
348
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
progress onward to the present day of comfort, thrift
and attainment in wealth, education and the higher
arts of life, has been traced — all according to the pre-
scribed limits and the ability of the writer.
Something of the character of the people in tlie
different periods is to be found in the numerous per-
sonal notices scattered tlirough the pages. And the
employments on which the prosperity of the place
has grown have not been overlooked. Considering
the condition in which we now find ourselves, a little
self-gratulation may be pardonable. The aspect of
things as they now exist may be called reasonably au-
spicious, and the prayer is that they may ever contin-
ue so, while generation succeeds generation as wave
succeeds wave upon our shore, ceasing only when
those waves cease to roll.
Could one of the old settlers arise — for instance the
intelligent Sadler, whose modest liabitation nestled
at the foot of the hill by which the writer is penning
these closing lines — what would be his astonishment !
The natural features of the surroundings, the rocky
ravines, the green liills, the meadows, the placid
river, the sunny isles have undergone but little
change. But the plain wliioh he then overlooked,
stretching from his feet to the sea, with the smoke of
its few rude structures curling upward among the trees,
now bears a wide-spread city. And the great waters
beyond, which then presented an unbroken field of
blue, are now traversed by floating craft of all de-
scriptions, from the huge steam-puffing leviathan that
bridges the watery way to his old home on a far-off
continent, to the tiny pleasure-boat. Over the then
silent hills and through the lonely valleys now echo
at early morning the awakening whistles summoning
to labor in the numerous factorie*, at evening repeat-
ing their shrill notes as the hours of labor close.
It can well be imagined that he often seated him-
self upon the mossy crest of the clifi' that still bears
his name, and which towered above his lonely habi-
tation, at evening twilight,
'* When every sound of day is mute
And all its vuices still,
And silence walks with velvet foot
O'er valley, town and hill,"
and when
' The music of the murmuring deep
Sooths e'en the weary earth to sleep,'
there to meditate till the darker hours of night drew
on, the primeval stillness disturbed only by the ru.st-
ling of the breeze in the leafy woods, or haply at in-
tervals by the bark of the fox, the howl of the wolf,
the hoot of the owl or the melancholy note of the
whip-poor-will. Could he then in dreamy forecast
have imagined a time like the present — a time when
" Over the marshes mournfully
Drifts the Bound of the restless sea,"
forming an eternal foundation harmony to the hum of
a busy city, the ceaseless rumbling of railroad trains
speeding along with fiery wake and echoing shriek.
and the many other then unknown sounds that now
succeed the feverish palpitations of bustling day? As
his eye scanned the dark horizon, then unrelieved
even by the glimmer of a coast light, could he have
imagined that a brightly-lighted city, with its central
electric illuminations and its outposts of lambent gas,
would ever appear within those murky borders?
But after all our boasted privileges, inventions, prog-
ress and attainment — after all the revelations in phil-
osophy, science and mechanics — after all our steam-
driven machinery, telegraphs, telephones, gas and
electric lights — are there better, wiser, nobler men
and women — better rulers, statesmen, philanthropists
— better fathers, mothers, children — than there were
in days of yore? Probably not. Mankind preserves
about the same old average, and very likely will, to
the end of time. While we look with compassion
upon what we call the unprogressive state of the races
below us, are we sure that those above us do not look
with pitying eye upon our own condition ? Yet to
come down to our own limited case, there appears
reason for congratulation in that the great rank and
file of the community are at this day in a physically
better condition than at any former period ; better fed,
clothed and sheltered ; better provided with the neces-
saries, conveniences and comforts of life. Some
pseudo-philosophers are wont to boast that this gen-
eration has reached a higher plane in all respects than
any before known. Let them take comfort in the be-
lief; but the true moralist may well maintain that the
plane of perfection is yet a great way off. So let us
heed the words of the old dramatist :
" Fascal. How, now, Sir Francis !
Kuowest thou not there is a niche,
A blessed niche, provided for each one ?
The virtuous and diligent will gain it ;
The vicious and the slothful, never ! "
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ALONZO LEWIS.^
The Lynn Bard was born at Lynn, Mass., on the
28th day of August, 1794, and the house in which he
was born is yet standing in Boston Street, on the
corner of Robinson. He was descended on his fath-
er's side from an old Welsh family, a family that
traces its lineage, through generation and generation,
back to the native princes of Wales, princes that
reigned years anterior to the conquests of the Angles
and Saxons, and even before the Romans made their
appearance in Britain. As the Angles and Saxons
absorbed the ancient Briton, so did they, in their
turn, become ab.sorbed by the later Normans, and the
old Welsh Llewellyn got, in the course of time, to be
translated into the more modern Lewis. The first of
1 By Ion Lewis.
(rTl^'2-O ,=><^ l^-2yZ^CfJ
i
LYNN.
349
the fiimily to appear in this country was William
Lewis, who came here from Glamorganshire, South
Wales, in IfiSlJ. There is more or less French — prob-
ably Norman French — influence in the modern family,
that undoubtedly crept in at the Norman invasion,
and is manifest in the family motto, " courage sans
peur." And the evidence of a participation in the
crusades under Richard is seen in their crest, a Sara-
cen's head. The Lewis coat of arms is a lion ram-
pant on a field azure. The descendants of this Wil-
liam Lewis are not very numerous, most of the name
in this country being of English descent. Governor
Morgan Lewis, of New York, son of Francis Lewis,
a signer of the Delcaration of Independence, was of
the same family, although the latter came to this
country a century later than William Lewis. In the
matter of genealogies, however, anything ante-dating
the Norman conquest, or even the fourteenth centu-
ry, is liable to dispute.
Mr. Lewis received a sound and thorough educa-
tion, but not content with the mere instruction of the
schools, he pursued his studies, and with vigor,
through the whole extent of his life. As a linguist
he acquired considerable proficiency in the commoner
modern and ancient languages. He had an evident
delight for study, and loved to teach, being at one
time head-master of Lynn Academy, and at others,
of one or two grammar schools in Lynn. In 1831 he
established a young ladies' school in Boston, but does
not seem to have continued it long. In 1835 he
abandoned the profession of teacher.
From his early youth he evidenced a strong poetic
temperament, and several of his poems were written
at an early age, some bearing the date of 1811, Mr.
Lewis being then but seventeen years of age. In
1823 he collected and printed his first volume of
poems, a book of two hundred pages, but, as he says
in the preface, more for private than for public circu-
lation. This volume contained many of his best
poems, including " Farewell to my Harp." In 1829
was published the first edition of the History of Lynn,
a work of immense labor. The work was the first in
the field of local histories, and is called to this day
by good authorities one of the best local histo-
ries ever written. Two years later, in 1831, appeared
another volume of poems, containing many of the
1823 edition and others written in the interval. An-
other edition of the history was published, and in
1834 appeared the last volume of poems, which im-
mediately became very popular and went through
fourteen editions, being most favorably received by
the critics both in this country and in England.
In addition to the above Mr. Lewis published a
small English grammar, and another small work on
geometry, beside a descriptive sketch called, " A
Picture of Nahant." During his whole life he wrote
much for the newspapers and magazines of (he time,
both in prose and poetry. He edited an anti-slavery
paper in Lynn before the appearance of the Libera-
tor, and was once, during the absence of Mr. Garri-
son, in editorial charge of that paper, as he was also
of the Boston Traveler, then the American Traveler.
He was a member of the jSIassachusetts Historical
Society, and a corresponding member of nuiuy other
historical bodies.
In 1851 he was requested by Ticknor & Co. to write
a history of Boston, but does not seem to have com-
plied with the request, as the only thing of the kind
of his that I have discovered is a sort of chronological
arrangement of the principal events in the history of
Boston, called " Annals of Boston." He evidently
contemplated another historical work, as a letter of
Mr. Whittier's to him in 1833, says: "I hope thee
will decide to go on with thy ' Witchcraft.' I cer-
tainly think it would be very popular."
That he was more happy in his prose than in his
poetry no one can gainsay, and had he written more
of the former, and that of a less local nature, his
fame would certainly have been less circumscribed.
Many of the descriptive parts of the " History of
Lynn " are very beautiful, and I know of people that
every now and again take up the history and read and
reread for the mere pleasure of reading. lu the mat-
ter of improvement of his native town he took great
interest, and many works of a local nature were con-
ceived and carried through, almost entirely by his
unaided eflx)rls. The construction of the break-
water and road along Lynn Beach are due to his
efforts, as was also the erection of the light-house on
Egg Rock.
In the anti-slavery movement Mr. Lewis took a
most active part, being second vice president of the
first Anti-Slavery Society, of which William Lloyd
Garrison was secretary, and furthering the cause by
his writings for the periodicals of the time.
He was naturally of a religious nature and lived a
consistent Christian life, often denying himself that
he might minister to the necessities of others ; and
exercising that grandest gift of charity that was lack-
ing in the treatment of him by others. He was for
many years the only churchman in Lynn, and walked
to St. Peter's, Salem, every Sunday for service. At
one time he applied to Bishop Grirwold to be ad-
mitted as a candidate for Holy Orders, but does not
seem to have carried out his first intention. He
continued a churchman for the greater part of his
life, being prominent in the establishment of St. Ste-
phen's Parish, Lynn, and was one of the first five in-
corporators. Before the establishment of St. Stephen's
he held services at Glenmere, himself acting as lay
reader.
Mr. Lewis was twice married, his first wife being
Frances Maria Swan, of Methuen, by whom he had
six children, of whom two, Llewellyn and Arthur,
are now living. For his second wife he married An-
nie Ilsley Hanson, of Portland, Maine, by whom he
had two children, Ina and Ion, the former dying
some months before her father. For the latter part
350
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of his life Mr. Lewis lived in the picturesque cottage
in Beach Street, close to the water's edge, a place
where he loved to sit and study, and where, on the
21st day of January, 1861, he passed away, at the
very beginning of that great struggle which resulted
in the accomplishment of an object for which he had
striven the greater part of his life.
I have here attempted no extended biography, and
would say to those who desire more minute par-
ticulars and personal reminiscences to consult " The
History of Lynn," as continued by Mr. Newhall
and published in 1804 ; and also, Mr. Johnson's
charming " Sketches of Lynn," published a year or
two ago.
JAMES ROBINSON NEWHALL.
The brief personal sketch of the individual whose
name is placed above, which appeared in the " Cen-
tennial Memorial " of Lynn, published by order of
the City Council, in 1876, is introduced in these
words: " It is a delicate task for one to write of him-
self, unless he has that in his history the worthiness
of which is patent and not to be questioned, it re-
quiring no poet to assure us that we seldom ' see our-
selves as others see us.' " That "delicate task," how-
ever, fell to his lot, and to a similar behest, in the
present case, he submits.
The name appeared in the "Centennial" at the
dictation of the Committee of the Council having the
matter in charge, who expressed a desire that sketches
of the " two historians," as they were pleased to call
them, should be inserted. The fitness of thus honor-
ing the memory of Mr. Lewis could not be questioned,
whatever might be said of the one whose name had
been so long associated with his in delineating the
progress of Lynn, the native and ancestral home of
both. The sketch referred to will form the basis of
the one now in hand. The supercilious autobiogra-
pher may magnify his virtues and the over-modest
his errors; but the charm lies in the mean, from
which, in the present case, there is little inducement
to stray.
The subject of this notice was born in Lynn on
Christmas day, 1809, in the old Hart house, that stood
on Boston Street, at the southwest corner of Federal,
the same which, on the Centennial Fourth of July , 1876,
disappeared in a patriotic blaze, amid the shouts and
cheers of Young America. All his genealogical lines
run back to early Lynn settlers. His father was Ben-
jamin Newhall, who was born in 1774 and died in
1857; Benjamin's father was James, born in 1731,
died in 1801 ; James' father was Benjamin, born in
1698, died in 176.3 ; Benjamin's father was Joseph,
born in 1658, died in 1706 ; Joseph's father was
Thomas, born in 1630, died in 1687 — the first white
child born in Lynn. His mother was Sarah, a
daughter of Joseph Hart, who descended from Sam-
uel, one of the first engaged at the ancient iron
works established near Saugus River in 1643, said to
be the first in America. Both his grandmothers were
granddaughters of Hon. Ebenezer Burrill, so con-
spicuous in colonial times as a Representative and
Crown Counselor, and who was a brother of John
Burrill, the eminent speaker whom Governor Hutch-
inson comi>ares with Sir Arthur Onslow, who was
considered the most able presiding officer the British
House of Commons ever had.
At the age of eleven the writer left the paternal
roof, with his worldly possessions in a bundle-hand-
kerchief, to make his way in the wide world, his
mother having died a year or two before and his
father having a large family to provide for.
But little worthy of mention occurred until the
summer of 1824, when, having worked daily and at-
tended various public schools, he entered the Salem
Gazette oflice to learn the art and mystery of printing.
And it is pleasing to remark that at the present time,
1887, may daily be seen in that venerable establish-
ment the Hon. Caleb Foote, who at that time, 1824, was
busy at the compositor's case. Mr. Foote, however,
soon after dropped the composing stick for the edito-
rial pen, an implement which he has wielded to this
day with rare ability and acceptance. Would that
all editors could realize, as he has, the dignity and
responsibility of their public relations. His consid-
erate suggestions and helpful directions to the typo-
grajjhical neophyte have, during these three-score
years and three, been gratefully remembered.
After serving in the Gazette office for a few years,
he felt desirous of gaining a better knowledge of book-
printing than could be done in Salem at that time,
and in furtherance of the desire procured a situation
in Boston. Things so prospered that before attaining
his majority he was installed foreman of one of the
principal book offices there, his duties in a general
way being to direct the work and read proofs. Of
this period many pleasant recollections are retained,
lu the office were printed a large number of classical
and scientific works, and some of the most eminent
men of the time frequently dropped in. Anecdotes
almost without number of such men as Dr. Channing,
Dr. Bowditch, Francis J. Grund, the Cambridge pro-
fessors, N. P. Willis, Samuel G. Goodrich, and shoals
of the less conspicuous, but not less ambitious literary
aspirants, could be related.
While still under age, in the roving spirit of young
printers, he drifted to New York, and soon after his
arrival found employment in the Conference office, the
largest then in the city ; and with perhaps a little
excusable, if not commendable pride, may refer to
his reputation there as being the fastest type-setter
in the establishment. This was in 1829. And he
has to the present day so indulged his early love for
the printer's case as for many years to keep a font or
two of type, wherewith to amuse or occupy a vacant
hour. Nearly two thousand stereotype pages can be
to-day shown as the fruit of these semi-recreative
odds and ends of time, nuich of the matter havinsr
-iJOiyiyL..
^^i-^/^^J\niZ<rL.t^M^
LYNN.
351
Iieen set up without having been previously written.
As to the quality of the literary products, he cannot,
of course, speak. It may, however, be admitted in
regard to some, at least, that if worth is to be meas-
ured by pecuniary return, it was not very great. Yet,
on the whole, there has been much reason to be sat-
isfied, looking at a " fair average." Exposure to the
undeserved adulation of sympathetic friends and the
equally undeserved severity of vindictive critics is
supposed to be the fate of all writers, great and small.
It is well remembered that once, on the eve of the
publication of a notable work, the writer overheard a
debate between two of the learned editors, of this
tenor: " Why, you have given nothing from ,"
said one, naming a writer by no means obscure.
" Well, I know that," was the reply, " but he never
wrote anything worth a place in our book." "That
is true," was the rejoinder ; " but the omission would
greatly ofi'end him and his friends, and might lead to
damaging reviews. We must have something." And
something was had, prefaced by a laudatory note. It
will, of course, be granted that the most ignorant
critic knows more than the most learned author.
At the age of twenty-two the writer returned to his
native place, and soon became engaged in the office
of the Mirror, the lir.st printing establishment in
Lynn, commeoced about five years before by Charles
F. Lummus, and at that time still owned and con-
ducted by him. It was very poorly supplied with
material. There was but little work and that not
well done, and it was not long before the proprietor
had succeeded in sinking the little means with which
he began. The writer purchased the office and com-
menced the publication of another paper, but was
soon satisfied that much labor would yield but a
scanty return, and was induced to let the new paper
speedily follow the fate of the old.
After busying himself for a few years in various
ways, chiefly in connection with printing and the
book business, and once or twice a year taking a lec-
turing tour, he again found himself in New York,
engaged in the editorial department of a daily jour-
nal and in writing for one or two weeklies. Of this
interval many agreeable recollections are retained,
among them pleasant ones of the genial young gen-
tleman, Walter Whitman, now the world-renowned
Walt Whitman, the poet, who was engaged on the
same daily ; and the friendly suggestions of the ven-
erable JIajor M. M. Noah, so long and so fitly called
the Nestor of the American press, will not be for-
gotten.
In 1854, meeting a friend who had for some time
been in practice as a member of the Essex bar, he
was kindly invited to take a student'.s seat in his
office. The invitation was accepted, and the study of
law commenced.
Completing a regular legal course, in May, 1847,
he was admitted to the bar in Boston, and forthwith
commenced a practice in Lynn, which soon became
quite satisfactory. He was presently commissioned
as justice of the peace and notary public, which
offices he still holds. On the 24th of August, ISIWJ,
he was commissioned as Judge of the Lynn Police
Court, with which he had been connected as special
justice from the time of its establishment, in 1849.
He was likewise appointed a trial justice of juvenile
offenders when that jurisdiction was established. The
judgeship he resigned August 24, 1879.
At the time he commenced practice there were but
three acting lawyers here, — namely, Jeremiah C.
Stickney, Thomas B. Newhall and Benjamin F. Mudge.
Mr. Stickney was one of the leading lawyers in the
county for many years. He died August 3, 18(59,
aged sixty-four years. Mr. T. B. Newh.all commenced
practice here in 1837, and now, 1887, after fifty years,
may still be found in his well-worn office chair. Of
him a personal sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Mudge opened his office in 1S42, removed to
Manhattan, Kansas, and died there November 21,
1879, aged sixty-two years. He was our second May-
or, inaugurated in 1852. The number of Lynn law-
yers has increased during these forty years (1847-87)
from three to about forty, while the population has
hardly quadrupled. Is this to be taken as evidence
that business has increased in a corresponding degree
or as evidence that there has been a remarkably in-
creasing love for litigation ?
To return from this divergence. Thesuliject of this
sketch has not been much in public office, excepting
as connected with the judicial department, though he
has served as chairman of the School Board and pres-
ident of the Common Council.
In the autumn of 1883, at the age of seventy-three
years, he took a tour of several months abroad, visit-
ing a number of famous cities and renowned places
in Eurojie, and extending his trip to interesting Lev-
antine points, to Algiers and Malta, on the Mediter-
ranean; to Alexandria, Cairo and the Pyramids in
Egypt. Though the tour was undertaken alone — for
if alone one can, without let or hindrance, go how,
when and where he pleases— he everywhere received
such gratifying civilities as could only lead to regrets
that he had not earlier in life thus experimentally
learned that, after all, men everywhere will, on the
whole, rather contribute to make others happy than
miserable. Such experience increases faith in human
nature, and ought to diminish self-conceit.
Being interested in historical researches, he |iub-
lishe<l, in 183fi, the "Essex Memorial;" in 18(J2,
"Lin, or Jewels of the Third Plantation ;" in ISfir),
" The History of Lynn." comprising the admirable
work of Alonzo Lewis, with a continuation embrac-
ing some twenty-one years; in 1883, an additional
volume of the "History of Lynn," with notices of
events down to the year of pul)lication and other
matter on various topics; in 1S7<), by desire of the
City Council, he prepared the "(Jcntennial Memorial
of Lynn," embracing an historical sketch an<l notices
352
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of the mayors, with their portraits; and in 1879, also
by desire of the City Council, he prepared the worlj
entitled " Proceedings in Lynn, June 17, 1879, being
the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the
Settlement." To these may not improperly be added
the sketches of Lynn, Lyunfield and Swarapscott,
which appear in this " History of Essex County."
If there is any achievement in a literary way with
which the writer fancies that he has reason to be sat-
isfied, it comes through his endeavor to contribute
something calculated to allure to habits of industry,
frugality, temperance and those concomitant virtues,
the sure foundation of prosperity, and the sure way
towards honorable position. A great many brief
biographies and personal sketches of individuals in
the various walks of life have appeared scattered
about his pages — whether poorly or skillfully drawn is
not the question here — sketches of individuals who
have acted well their part in promoting the prosper-
ity and extending the good fame of their home, as
well as advancing their individual interests. And
these personal sketches have a two-fold purpose:
first, to perpetuate the names of deserving ones, and,
second, to furnish, by their example, encouragement
for others to follow on in a like good way. Yet we
should all realize that the .attainment of mere worldly
fame, position or wealth is not the chief purpose of
life, and that at the end we sh.all find there was no
great gain in worshipping false gods all our lives.
One other thing has been attempted by the writer,
and tliat is, to illustrate to some extent the romantic
and legend.ary side of Lynn's history. There is a rich
store in that direction, and oftentimes it is difficult to
distinguish between truth and fiction or know exactly
where to draw the line. But the aim h.as always been
to clearly indicate the character of the matter in hand
and lead no one astray.
In October, 1837, the writer was united in marriage
with Miss Dorcas B. Brown, only daughter of Captain
William Brown, of Salem, and by her had one son,
who died at the age of ten, his mother having died
soon after his birth. In 1853 he was again mar-
ried, the second wife being Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell,
daughter of Hon. Josiah Newhall, of Lynn, and that
relation still, 1887, remains unsevered.
The writer trusts that nothing in the foregoing will
tend to place him in the category indicated by our
former townsman, Henry Clapp, when he said of Hor-
ace Greeley : " He is a self-made man and worships
his maker," for in his life, as has been seen, few stir-
ring incidents have occurred, no extraordinary ad-
ventures, no remarkable achievements. Whether any-
thing of value has been accomplished is a question
for others to decide. Nevertheless, it may be re-
marked in a general way that very few who are so
long in the world lead such barren lives that nothing
of usefulness or interest is found. And not unfre-
quently is it the case that the lessons to be drawn
from the lives of those in the less prominent walks
are the most widely useful, for the great multitude
are companions in those walks, and can the more
readily appreciate the obstacles and perceive the
snares that beset the way. Every one feels that he
has a hand in shaping his own destiny, though it does
seem as if
** Some were born to wealth or fame,
While others are mere Fortune's game."
But it is dutiful in all of us to follow the injunc-
tion of our rhyming old townsman, of eccentric mem-
ory:
"While traveling to the unknown land,
Let each lend each a helping hand,"
ever bearing in mind that
*' AVliiit might have been can not be known ;
What was we answer for alone."
[Note. — It was editorially suggested that this sketch and the accompa-
nying portrait would more appropriately appear among the lawyers uf
the County. The privilege of being placed in that august company is
fully appreciated, though the superior lustre there might be obscuring.
But inasmuch as the writer h,a6 had a considerable share in illustrating
Lynn's history and always earnestly desired her Godspeed, it seemed to
him that the more suitable place was in the company of those whose
enterprise, industry and dignity of character have bo advanced the
prosperity of their home and his.]
HON. GEORGE HOOD,
The first mayor of the city of Lynn, was a n.ative
of the town of Lynn, and was born on the 10th of
November, 1806.
The Hood family is among the earliest mentioned
in the annals of Lynn, being descended from Richard
Hood, who emigrated from Essex County, in Eng-
land, about 1640, and settled at Lynn. Dying in 1695,
he left three sons, — Richard, John and Nathaniel.
Rich.ard, the eldest of these, falling heir to the
" Nahant road " property — some thirty acres — now
bounded in part by Nahant Street, afterwards ex-
changed it with Jabez Breed for certain land on the
peninsula of Nahant, and went thither to live, and
there his descendants have ever since resided. This
Richard had a son Abner, who had a son Abner,
who married Mary Richardson, and they were the
parents of the subject of this sketch. While he was
an infant the family removed to Nahant, and there,
in the little village school, he received all his youth-
ful intellectual training. He learned the trade of
shoemaking, and at the age of twenty-two, in com-
pany with John C. Abbott, he went to the then far
West to seek his fortune. They directed their course
to St. Louis, Mo., at that time, in 1829, a small place.
In a few days they were established in business, and
within a month Mr. Hood, with a part of their stock,
wentdown to Natchez, Miss., and commenced a branch
establishment, which he continued to manage until
1835, the principal business, remaining, meanwhile,
at St. Louis. In the last-named year he returned to
Lynn and established a commission shoe and leather
business in Boston, retaining, however, an interest in
the western business till 1841. In his Boston busi-
ness he continued till the time of his decease.
>^/
>
M''^^/^/-^^.
354
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the hills with innumerable trees, many of which he
planted with his own hands. He imported larches,
maples, firs and pines in large quantities, planted
acorns constantly in liis walks about the estate, and
succeeded in converting a rough and somewhat unat-
tractive landscape into a variegated forest, through
which winds an avenue of great beauty, bordered by
deciduous and evergreen trees distributed with great
taste, and constituting a charming combination of
variety and luxuriance of foliage. The forest which
Mr. Fay planted has now become a profitable wood-
land. The bare hills which he covered with Scotch
larches, the rude stone walls and the waste pasture
where, originally, there was only a growth of red
cedars and huckleberry bushes, through which the
approach to the house led, have given way to shade-
trees of great variety, which now after forty years are
in magnificent beauty. Huge rocks were drawn out
of the barren soil, now verdant in lawn, grass-fields
and rich crops. The place is one of the most
picturesque in New England in natural beauty, and
in its present condition is a memorial of the taste and
genius of the man who developed and added to its
attractions.
In addition to this extensive forest and ornamental
tree-culture, Mr. Fay encouraged by precept and
practice many of the most important branches of
agriculture which belong especially to the practical
farmer. While in England he had observed the im-
portance attached to sheep- husbandry, for the pro-
duction of coarse and middle wools, and for the sup-
ply of mutton as a healthful and economical article
of food, at that time not in general use in this coun-
try. He selected from all the heavy and rapid-grow-
ing breeds in England the Oxford Downs, as larger
than the South Down, and finer than the Ootswold ;
and from his large flocks he made for a long time a
wide distribution throughout the country. In this
branch of agriculture he was considered as authority;
and in connection with it he encouraged the growing
of root-crops, the most improved Swedes and Man-
golds, which English flock-masters and cattle-breeders
consider indispensable to their calling.
To the establishment of market-days in Essex
County Mr. Fay gave early and earnest attention,
and contributed much instruction on this system of
trade, so common in England, through the agri-
cultural press of the country. His attendance at the
meeting of farmers was frequent. As a trustee of the
Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, in
which body, Eobert C. Winthrop, George W. Lyman,
Chief Justice Bigelow, George Peabody, of Salem,
Charles G. Loring, Stephen Salisbury, George B.
Loring, Leverett Saltou.stall and others were his asso-
ciates, he did good service, and edited the first issue
of the records of the society. As president of the
Essex Agricultural Society, he called around that as-
sociation the most eminent patrons of farming known
in the country, and did much to place it in the posi-
tion it now occupies. He had a sincere love of rural
life, and although connected from time to time with
inisiness enterprises, he never forgot that agriculture
is the foundation of all our prosperity, and that a
knowledge of its economies and a taste for its pursuits
add much to one's usefulness and happiness.
Mr. Fay was a man of great determination, strong
impulse and wide observation. His natural powers
were great. Highly favored by fortune, he never lost
sight of the eftbrts required for the development of
human enterprises, and was somewhat impatient of
those theories which disturbed society and endan-
gered its perpetuity and success. He lived in a time
of great transitions, in which, although occupying no
official position, he gave strong expression- to his
views and equal impress to his exertions. Early in
the breaking out of the Civil War he organized at
his own expense a company known as the Fay Guards,
which did brave and honorable service in the great
conflict. This company was attached to the Thirty-
eighth Massachusetts, and was in the following en-
gagements: Port Hudson, May 17 to July 9, 1863 ;
Cane River, La., April, 1864; Mansion Plains, La.,
May, 1864; Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864;
Fisher's Hill, Va., September 21, 1864: Cedar Creek,
Va., October 19, 1864. Mr. Fay lived to see the
glorious and happy termination of his country's trial.
Mr. Fay died in Liverpool July 6, 1865, leaving a
widow and four children.
HENRY NEWHAI.L.
Henry Newhall was descended from one of the
oldest and largest fanulies in Lynn, his earliest pater-
nal ancestor, Thomas N. (the son of Thomas, who
came from England and settled in 1630), having been
the first child born in the town. He was born March
10, 1797, and was the son of Winthrop and Elizabeth
(Farrington). Winthrop Newhall was a tanner.
Henry, having associated himself with his older
brother, Francis S., in the morocco trade and manu-
facture, became a prominent merchant, the business
of the firm being one of the largest in the town,
having its headquarters in Lynn and Boston, with a
branch house for a short period in New York. In
1850 ill health compelled him to retire from the firm,
and it was several year;, partly occupied in travel at
home and abroad, before he was sufficiently restored
to resume the responsibilities of business. Upon the
death of his brother Francis, president of the Laigh-
ton (now Central National) Bank, in 1858, he was
elected to the office and continued to hold it until his
retirement in 1876, at the advanced age of nearly]
eighty years.
Henry Newhall belonge<l to a family marked for
intelligence and capacity, and inherited those sterling
qualities of mind and character that always command
the respect and confidence of a community. His in-
tegrity, his quiet but penetrating insight into human
i
(/^e-^-^ ^Zc^JA^'^C(^'
0^ //(TcntA^
LYNN.
355
nature, his firmness of clKiracter, his careful and Intel -
ligent juilgmcnt, together with his kind and friendly
sijirit, made him a most useful citizen, especially
in husiness circles. He had, also, a broad and vigor-
ous mind, and if there were any deficiencies of early
education they were more than made up through his
large aud thoughtful reading, his keen appreciation
of the best things in thought and life and his
unabated interest in human affairs. Few business
men were so well-read in the literature of history,
politics, biography and fiction. He was never with-
out a book at hand, aud little of the current litera-
ture that was worth reading escaped his attention.
Then he was known for independent and positive
opinions, for which he had no lack of courageous and
positive expression ; at the same time he was most tol-
erant and considerate of others. He was a man of
great sincerity and pl.iin-spokenne.ss, and his convic-
tions had weight and influence with those with whom
he was associated. In business relations he was re-
markable for tact and discretion, and it was a matter
of common remark that he never obtruded himself
upon the interests of others.
One of his especial characteristics was a strong
patriotism. And from the first he believed in anti-
slavery, and, though prudent and conservative by
nature, was an ardent supporter of the cause of
humanit)' at a time when it was most unpopular. In-
deed, he was a patient listener to every reform, an ad-
mirer of fair play in the advocacy of opinions and
principles, and a believer in the honesty of human
nature and the progressive tendencies of society.
In religious matters his convictions were not so
much traditional as founded upon the dictates of con-
science and reason. Of Quaker extraction, he was
one of the leaders of the liberal movement in Lynn
which culminated in the formation of the Unitarian
Society, of which he was a constant and liberal sup-
porter. The mottoes of his life may be said to have
been sincerity, honor and fidelity, good-will and jus-
tice towards men, and there was nothing toward
which he expressed a severer repugnance than their
opposites.
He was a genial and companionableJfriend,and pos-
sessed unusually interesting powers of conversation.
He held few jmblic offices, but was identified with
most of the important business institutions of the
city, — the Lynn Institution for Savings, the Lynn
Gas-Light Company, the old Mechanics' Insurance
Company, was president of the Exchange and Lyceum
Hall Associations, held a number of oflSces under the
old town government, and was one of the first com-
missioners of the Lynn City Hall and City Debt
Sinking Funds, a benefactor of the Lynn Public Li-
brary in fact, a friend and adviser in all the business
interests of the city.
In his old age his mind was remarkable for its
vigor and clearness, while his warmth and kindliness,
his patience with sickness, his serenity and cheerful
temper drew around him a host of admiring friends.
To the young he was as companionable as to the old.
He died July 15, 1878, in his own home, situated
upon Nahant Street, upon land that had been occu-
pied by many generations of his ancestors, and was
buried in Pine Grove Cemetery.
He married Ann Atwell, who died in February,
186.3. His surviving children are Charles Henry and
Sarah Catharine, wife of Benjamin J. Berry.
ISAIAH BREED.
Isaiah Breed was born in Lynn October 21, 1786,
and was the son of James Breed, of that place. Like
his father, he entered into the shoe business and |)ur-
sued it successfully for nearly fifty years, becoming
one of the most extensive and w'ealthy manufacturers
in that busy aud thriving town. Mr. Breed was one
of the first directors of the Eastern Eailroad, and
president for more than thirty years of the Lynn
Mechanics' Bank. He was also, at one time, a Ecj)re-
sentative in the State Legislature, and in 1839 a State
Senator. He took an active interest in the weltare of
his native town, and was one of the organizers of the
Central Congregational Society, of which he was for
some years a deacon. He was a liberal, public-spir-
ited man, of great strength of character, and always
distinguished in all the relations of life, as not mere-
ly an honest man, but one of deep convictions of
duty and a high sense of honor. He was one of
those sterling men who gave life and spirit to Lynn
as a town, and so added to the wealth and population
as to finally e-stablish it as a city of enterprise aud
continuous growth.
D. C. BAKER.
The immediate ancestors of Daniel Collins Baker
lived in Dighton, Mass., and were engaged in farm-
ing. Elisha Baker left his father's farm at an early
age and went to Lynn, where he married Ruth,
daughter of Samuel Collins. Both Mr. aud Mrs.
Baker were members of the Society of Friends. He
had five children, of whom Daniel Collins, the oldest
son and the subject of this sketch, w;is born in Lynn
October 12, 1810. His early education was such as
the town school of his native town, under the care of
Master Hobbs, afiorded, and afterwards, for a year
and a half, he attended as pupil the Friends' Board-
ing School at Providence, K. I. At the age of thir-
teen he was apprenticed to the shoemaking trade, to
w'hich he applied himself with such an earnest de,sire
to master its details that while yet a young man he
established himself in the nmnufacture of shoes on
his own account, and by his industry and skill soon
built up a successful business.
From the manufacture of shoes he became inter-
ested in the leather and shoe finding trade, and be-
came a partner in the firm of F. S. Newhall & Co., of
Boston, in that business. In later years he resumed
356
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the manufacture of shoes, and at the time of his
death was doing business in the South, having a shoe
house established in New Orleans. He died in New
Orleans July 19, 1863, whither he had gone to gather
up something of the fortune which the war had scat-
tered and swept away. He married, December 19,
1838, Augusta, daughter of John B. Chase, of Lynn,
and had three children, — William E., who married
Lydia M. Marshall, and is an esteemed and successful
merchant in Lynn ; Helen A., who married A. Mitch-
el Collins, of Georgia; and Sarah E., who is unmar-
ried.
Mr. Baker, aside from his legitimate business,
always felt a deep interest in public affairs, and pos-
sessed qualities specially fitting him for their admin-
istration. In earlier times he was an active member
of the Whig party, and his services were acknowl-
edged by his nomination and election to various
prominent positions. As a member of the Whig
State Central Committee, which was always composed
of the most useful men in the different sections of the
State, he performed his full share in promoting the
interests of the political organization which it repre-
sented. In 1849 and 1850 he was a member of the
Massachusetts Senate, and in 1852 was a Presidential
elector, and cast his vote for Winfield Scott. He took
a leading part in the controversy, which resulted in
the adoption of the act incorporating the city of
Lynn, passed April 10, 1850, and as a friend of the
charter was chosen a member of the first Common
Council, and made its president. In 1853 be was
chosen mayor over John B. Alley, his opposing can-
didate. In both of these positions he exhibited the
highest qualities of an executive and presiding officer,
and won the confidence and respect of both political
friends and opponents.
As president of the Council his services were espe-
cially valuable in putting the wheels of municipal
machinery, in the first year of the life of the city,
successfully in motion. As a .speaker he was logical
and effective, and always ready without apparent
preparation. As an administrator of public affairs,
he was as prudent and economical as he was liberal
and free in his private life. The public schools of
the city reaped the advantages of the warm interest
he felt in their welfare ; perhaps all the warmer be-
cause his own opportunities for education in early
life were not such as he felt every youth should pos-
sess.
He was also a member of the Bunker Hill Associa-
tion, and his fondness for decorative gardening and
for the choicest fruits and flowers, led him to become
a member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
and enabled him to do a good work in developing
and cultivating higher tastes among those about
him.
As a wise and careful financial manager Mr. Baker
was recognized by those in charge of money institu-
tions, and his services were sought as director of the
Exchange Bank of Boston on its establishment in
1847, and as president of the Howard Banking Com-
pany of that city, when it went into operation in
1853.
Though many years have elapsed since his death,
he is remembered for his genial disposition, his gen-
erous impulses and his large benevolence, which en-
deared him to his neighbors and friends, and for the
faithful and competent service in the performance of
every public trust.
EZRA WAEEEN MUDGE.
Ezra Warren Mudge was born in Lynn Decem-
ber 5, 1811, and was the son of Ezra and Ruth (Chad-
well) Mudge, of that town. Ezra Mudge, the father,
was born in Lynn April 10, 1780. He was first a shoe
manufacturer, then a dealer in dry-goods in Lynn,
afterwards a wholesale and retail dealer in shoes in
New York City, and later a weigher and gager in
the Custom-House in Boston, where he died May 25
1855. He served the town of Lynn for sixteen years
as Eepresentative from 1807, was a member of the
Constitutional Convention of 1820, a member of the
Council, and was, in the War of 1812, the captain of
the Lynn Artillery Company, in the formation of
which he was specially active. He married, first,
June 28, 1801, Betsey, daughter of Captain John and
]\Iary Brewer, of Salem ; second, December 20, 1804,
Ruth, daughter of Harris and Ruth Chadwell ; and
third, November 1, 1819, Hannah Bartlett, daughter
of Lemuel and Sarah (Bartlett) Drew, of Plymouth.
By his second wife he had Ezra Alden, November
17, 1805; Eliza Brewer, November 5, 1806; Ruth
Chadwell, May 9, 1809; Ezra Warren, Decembers,
1811 ; Nathan and Hannah, twins, September 12,
1814; and Sarah Wiggin, March 2, 1819. By his
third wife he had Lemuel Drew, August 6, 1820 ;
William B., May 3, 1822 ; Hervey Mackay, October
3, 1823 ; Sarah Elizabeth, May 25, 1825; Sarah Caro-
line, January 1, 1827 ; Jane and Evelina, twins,
March 14, 1829; Mary Evelina, November 21, 1830;
Maria Augusta, March 2, 1833 ; and Robert Rich,
June 14, 1835.
The father of Ezra Mudge was Nathan Mudge,
who was born in Lyunfield September 21, 1756. He
was a Revolutionary soldier, and died in Lynn Feb-
ruary 8, 1831.
He married, first, September 2, 1776, Hannah,
daughter of John and Sarah lugalls, and had Nathan,
January 26, 1778; Ezra, April 10, 1780; John Park,
November 27, 1782; Mary, March 19, 1785 ; Samuel,
May 15, 1787 ; Joseph, November 15, 1788 ; and
Hannah, December 20, 1790. He married, second,
July 24, 1794, Elizabeth, widow of Shubael Burrell,
and had Joseph, June 17, 1795 ; Enoch, October 18,
1796 ; Hepsey, March 13, 1798 ; Simon, December 6,
1799; Hepsey B., August 19,1801; Lydia B., June
14, 1803 ; Shubael, July 14, 1805 ; Ann Alden, June
I
\
Cc-t/^-'-^
LYNN.
357
22, 180(J ; and Caroline, April 2, 1808. He died in
Lynn February 8, 183L
The father of Nathan was Jolin Mudge, who was
born in Maiden December 30, 1713. He was a farm-
er, and settled in Maiden, but afterwards removed to
Lynntield. He married, May 4, 1738, Mary, daugh-
ter of Samuel and Anna Waite, of Maiden, and bad
Samuel, March 22, 1739 ; Mary, April 20, 1740 ; Ly-
dia, February 28, 1742; John, December 3, 1743;
Simon, April 8,1748; Ezra, April 7, 1752; Enoch,
August 1, 1754; Nathan. September 21, 1756;
Samuel, February 1, 1759. He died in Lynntield
November 26, 1762.
The father of John was John Mudge, who was
born in Maiden November 21, 1686. He was a farm-
er, and always lived in Maiden. By a wife, Lydia,
he had John, December 30, 1713 ; Joseph, May 28,
1716 ; Lydia, January 7, 1718-19. He died in Mai-
den November 26, 1762.
The father of the last John was John Mudge, who
was born in Maiden in 1654. He was a farmer and
tanner, and always lived in Maiden. He married, in
1684, Ruth, daughter of Robert and Hannah Burditt,
of Maiden, and had John, October 15, 1685; John
again, November 21, 1686 ; and Martha, Decembt-r
25, 1691. He died in Maiden October 29, 1733.
The father of the last John was Thomas Mudge,
who was born in England about the year 1624, and
was in Maiden as early as 1654. By wife, Mary, he
had James; Mary, 1651 ; Thomas, 1653 ; John, 1654 ;
George, 1656 ; Samuel, 1658 ; Jonathan and Martha,
1662.
Ezra Warren Mudge, the subject of this sketch,
was educated in the public schools and the Lynn
Academy. He first partially learned the book-binder's
trade in Fall River, and in 1828 entered the dry -goods
store of Chase & Huse as clerk, where he remained
until 1838, when he took the business and conducted
it alone until 1842, at which time he became partner
in the house of William Chase & Co. In 1849, when
the Laighton Bank was incorporated, he was selected
as its cashier, and he continued to hold that office
until 1868, three years after the bank became the
Central National, when, on account of failing health,
he resigned.
Mr. Mudge was a selectman of Lynn in 1843 and
1844, a member of the school committee in 1843, '46,
'56 and '57, town treasurer, treasurer of the city for
six years after its incorporation, and in 1856 and '57
was mayor of the city. He was a member of the
Board of Aldermen in 1862, '63 and '64, a member of
the board of trustees at its organization in 1862, and
its president in 1865. His religious views were those
of the Universalists, and he was one of the founders
of the First aud Second Universalist Societies of
Lynn.
Notwithstanding the early training of Mr. Mudge
was purely a business one, he was by nature a man of
refinement, to whom habits of elevated thought
naturally came, and he early in life formed habits of
study, which moulded bim into a man of literary
taste and more than ordinary culture. His honora-
ble and thorough business methods, controlling the
routine of his active life, were sujtplemented by the
graces and pleasures which attach to a life of study.
He was a thoroughly rounded man, and when he died,
September 20, 1878, if it can ever be said of any one,
it can be said of him that death closed a finished
life.
Mr. Mudge married, January 23, 1836, Eliza R.,
daughter of John and Margaret Bray, of Salem, and
had Ezra Warren, April 18, 1837 ; William Ropes,
July 18, 1839; Mary Chadwell, August 13, 1841;
Hervey Mackay, October 6, 1843 ; Howard Murray,
December 9, 1845 ; Florence Howard, November 28,
1850 ; Arthur Bartlett, December 14, 1853 ; Benjamin
Gushing, February 10, 1856; and Kate Gertrude, June
30, 1857.
Mrs. Eliza R. Mudge, the widow of Mr. Mudge,
has since died, and the living children are Dr. Arthur
Bartlett Mudge and Benjamin Gushing Mudge, both
living in Lynn, and Florence Howard and Kate Ger-
trude, the latter of whom is a practicing physician in
Salem.
Benjamin Gushing Mudge was educated in the
common schools and graduated at the Lynn High
School. He afterwards entered the Institution of
Technology, Boston, and graduated in 1867, taking
the degree of S.B.
Mr. Gushing was four years assistant agent of the
Washington Mills, Lawrence, Mass., which are the
largest in the world. He started the selling agency
of the Dean Steam-Pump Company, Boston, and
built up a very large business, was then called to the
Boston office of the hydraulic works of Henry R.
Wortbington, becoming their New England sales-
agent, increasing their business five-fold, in addi-
tion, organizing and constructing from four to five
large water companies each year, and is now officiat-
ing as their treasurer. He has recently been elected
the president and director of Pascoag and Webster
Railway Company of Rhode Island.
ED^VARD S. DAVI.S.'
Mr. Davis was born in Lynn, on the 22d of June,
1808. His parents were Hugh and Elizabeth (Bache-
lor) Davis, the latter being a descendant from Rev.
Stephen Bachelor, first minister of the Lynn Church,
settled in 1632.
The subject of this sketch received his education
partly in the public schools of Lynn and partly in the
academy ; which latter he left in 1826. He w;is soon
after appointed clerk of Lynn Mechanics' Bank, and
in that position remained till he became of age. His
health being now such that a change of residence
seemed desirable, he removed to Philadelphia, and
1 By James R. Newhall.
358
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
commenced business as a commission merchant.
There he remained till 183.3, when Nahant Bank was
established; and being offered a position in that in-
stitution, accepted, and returned to his native place.
In the bank and in the Union Insurance Company he
continued till 1837, and then resigned.
Soon after leaving the bank he began business as a
shoe manufacturer, but relinquished that and returned
to the institution on being appointed cashier, and re-
mained till its affairs were finally closed up. He
then spent several years of enforced idleness on ac-
count of ill- health, though occupying a part of the
time as book-keeper. Subsequently he was appointed
to a place in the United States Bonded Warehouse,
in Boston. In 1861 he entered as a clerk in the
State Auditor's office, and from that time to the
present he has remained in the same department,
filling the offices of first and second clerk.
Mr. Davis was, in early manhood, something of a
military man ; was in 1835 elected major of the Regi-
ment of Light Infantry attached to the First Brigade
of Essex County, and remained in commission as
major and lieutenant-colonel, most of the time in
command, till 1843.
He was one of the early adherents to the anti-
slavery cause, and never deserted it. The " Lynn
Colored People's Friend Society " was organized in
1832, having "for its object the abolition of slavery in
the United States, the improvement of the character
and condition of the free blacks and the acquisition
to the Indians and blacks of the enjoyment of their
natural rights in an equal participation of civil privi-
leges with white men." In 1835 this society num-
bered one hundred and eighty-five members, and we
find Mr. Davis named as corresponding secretary.
In 1838, being an active member of the old Whig
party, Mr. Davis was elected Representative to the
General Court, and soon after the formation of our
city government was elected to the Council. In 1852,
'53, '56 and '57 he was president of the Common
Council. It was in 1859 and 1800 that he was called
to fill the mayor's chair, and down to the last date
had been six years ex-officio member of the school
committee. In 1834 he was commissioned as a notary
public, and in 1837 as a justice of the peace, which
last office he now fills.
In his religious views Mr. Davis has, from his youthj
been a consistent Episcopalian ; and that church is in-
debted to him, probably, more than to any other, for
its establishment in this place. From the organization
in 1834, until the present time, he has continued to
manifest his devotion to her by labor and by pecuniary
contribution, and in the parish of St. Stephen's still
continues in an important official position.
During his administration as mayor several pro-
jects of public interest were accomplished. The city
debt was iunded ; the first street railroad located ;
the more systematic grading of the public schools
commenced ; and the substitution of brick school-
houses for those of wood decided on— two of the
former material being erected while he was in office.
But perhaps the most notable, at least the most stir-
ring event, was the great shoemakers' strike, which
commenced in February, 1860. No occurrence of the
kind in this part of the country, probably, ever before
created such a sensation. The whole country seemed
to have their eyes momentarily turned on Lynn, and
through the daily journals and illustrated weeklies
her travail was magnified to an extent far beyond
what was dreamed of in her own borders. Neverthe-
less, it was a serious affair, and required the exercise
of prudence and coolness in its management. The
city was in a ferment for some seven weeks ; proces-
sions were frequently moving along the streets ; large
meetings were held; and the drum could be heard at
almost any hour. After all, however, there was little
actual violence committed. The object of the strikers
was the same that is common in all such movements,
namely, the obtaining of more adequate remunera-
tion for labor; and perhaps, on the whole, the occur-
rence was not injurious to the general interests of the
place. During this disturbance Mayor Davis, by his
prudence, foresight and forbearance, often exercised
against the strong urgency of those in favor of more
forcible measures, probably saved the city from the
odium of violence, and himself and friends from last-
ing regrets.
The habits of Mr. Davis were somewhat retiring,
and he may be said to lead the life of a thinker quite
as much as that of an actor. Having a taste for
literature, he has collected, doubtless, the largest and
most valuable private library in the city ; and among
his books he spends many pleasant and studious
hours. He has also collected a variety of interesting
objects of fine art. Agreeable manners, intelligence
and freedom from low prejudices mark his daily
walk ; and few can spend many hours in his society
and not feel improved.
In 1836 he married Elvira, daughter of Captain
Nathaniel and Martha (Chadwell) Newhall, both be-
longing to old Lynn families, but has no children.
Mr. Davis took great pride in the Lynn Public
Library, and rendered to it valuable service. He
was first elected trustee in 1878, and in 1880 became
chairman of the board, which position he held until
his death. He was a member of the Historic Genea-
logical Society, and of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, in both of which institutions he manifested
a lively interest. His acquaintance with public men,
authors, artists, clergymen and politicians, was quite
extended, and h's correspondence very large. It is
said he preserved a copy of every letter he has written
for half a century. His death, though not unexpected,
will be most sincerely regretted, not only in his native
city but by many in distant places. It may be said
of him that all his acquaintances were his friends, and
the death of such a man is felt as a loss by the whole
community.
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LYNN.
359
Mr. Davis died at his residence on Summer Street,
August 7, 1SS7, after a long and paiuful illness.
STEPHEN N. BREED.
The suhject of this memoir was one of Lynn's most
honest citizens. He was a man of sterling integrity
of eliaracter, independent in his habits of thought,
and fearless, though not ostentatious, in the utter-
ance of his ojiinions, whether those opinions had re-
ceived the stamp of public approval, or whether
their advocacy subjected him to the adverse criticism
of the majority.
He naturally, therefore, took kindly to the reforms
of the day, carefully discriminating between the nar-
row and visionary schemes of so-called reformers, and
those measures of social improvement that base their
demands upon the principles of justice that appeal to
man's uncorrupted moral sense. His wide reading
had taught him that majorities were often wrong, and
that of necessity reform must begin with the minor-
ity. Whatever such a view cost him, he was willing
to bear.
Accordingly he was found in the ranks of the
abolitionists when to be such made men sneer and
raise the cry of fanatic. While he well knew that
the world would not hear too much reform at once,
he realized that sucli an essential villainy as human
slavery struck at the fundamental rights of man.
Therefore he was a Garrisouian abolitionist, though
never standing on the extreme non-voting ground ;
being a decided Whig in his early years, and later an
earnest supporter of the Republican party. No com-
promise must be made with slavery, no toleration
must be given to it, nothing but its destruction would
meet the demands of justice.
Mr. Breed was a member of the old Silsbee Street
Debating Society, so famous in our local annals, and
occasionally took part in the debates ; but he usually
preferred to listen. He had a fine sense of humor,
and though undemonstrative in its manifestation, the
few who knew him well saw how clearly he perceived
the incongruities which lie at the root of man's hu-
morous instincts, and how keenly he appreciated any
demonstrations that presented the witty side of hu-
man nature. He was a genial, instructive compan-
ion. His tenacious memory furnished him with a
storehouse of facts and reminiscences running back
to the early years of the century.
Mr. Breed was born and bred in the Quaker com-
munion, but in early life became a regular attendant
at tlie Unitarian Church just then organized, until
the establishment of the Free Church, when he at-
tended the ministry of Samuel Johnson. In the later
years of his life he again attended the Unitarian
Church. He never dogmatized in matters of religion,
feeling assured that there were many things concern-
ing it which he did not know, and many more about
which there was more or less uncertaintv.
His prudent habits and sound judgment gave him
marked success in business. He took charge of the
lumber trade established by his father — an industry
then in its infancy — and laid the foundations of what
became in after years, with the aid of his sons, one of
the most extensive retail lumber establishments in
New England, yielding its owner an ample fortune.
He was a man of strict business integrity, and lie will
be long remembered by the multitude of his patrons,
for the unpretending kindness of his manners, and
for his leniency when misfortune made them his
debtors.
Mr. Breed was a son of James and Phebe (Nichols)
Breed, and was born in 1800. He married Elizabeth,
daughter of Frederick and Betsey Breed, and had
six children, viz. : Mary Elizabeth, James F., Albert
H., Harriet M., Stephen F. and Ella F. Of these
four are living, viz. : James F., Albert H., Stephen
F. and Harriet M., now Mrs. Walcott. Mr. Breed
died April 8, 188G.
ISAAC NEWHALL,
One of Lynn's prominent and widely-known citizens,
was born January 4, 1814, and died February 22,
1879. He was a native of Lynn and of Quaker par-
entage, his mother being one of the eminent preacli-
ers of that denomination.
Mr. Newhall was greatly instrumental in advanc-
ing the welfare and prosperity of the city, and was at
all times interested in the municipal allairs of the
city, beingamemberof the Board of Aldermen in 1851
and 1875 ; and the present success of many institu-
tions and enterprises in Lynn is due to his indefat-
igable eftbrts, particularly the building of the Lynn
City Street Railway, of which he was a director.
He was a man of indomitable will and persever-
ance. He was singularly constituted as a business
man, and pursued an independent course, apparently
regardless of public opinion. He had decided opin-
ions and was not inclined to court the good opinion
or the favor of only his intimate friends, apparently
courting opposition, and he seemed to take great
pleasure in combating public sentiment. In public
and local affairs he interested himself earnestly, hav-
ing filled various public positions, rarely going with
the current, at times advocating sentiments adverse
to those expected from a man of his comprehension
and intelligence.
He was unostentatious, while frugality and
abstemiousness characterized him through life,
and his faith in the future welcomed the end.
He early engaged in the shoe business and became
one of Lynn's largest and successful manufacturers.
Later still, after machinery became necessary, he
kept up with the progress of the age, until, becoming
largely interested in real estate operations, he gradu-
ally left the shoe business, occasioned, no doubt, by
failing health, sullcring intensely from neuralgia.
360
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
which no medical or surgical skill could alleviate.
The last few weeks of his life were weeks of intense
sutferinsi, which he bore with remarkable patience and
Christiai'i resignation. No complaint would fall from
his lips.
Mr. Newhall was twice married. He left a widow
and five children.
JAMES M. NYE, M.D.
The old town of Salisbury, one of the most historic
sections of the Commonwealth, has been prolific in
the number of her sons who have attained honorable
and leading positions among their fellow-men. Such
an one is the subject of this sketch— Dr. James M.
Nye.
Dr. Nye came to Lynn in 1841 and established him-
self in the practice of his profession, which he con-
tinued with marked success until his death. He was
ever alive to the interests of his adopted city, and all
measures tending to advance its welfare found in him
an earnest advocate. His genial disposition, large
sympathies and acknowledged skill in his profession,
soon gained him an extensive practice, and his be-
nevolence was plainly manifest in the large numbers
of poor people whom he attended professionally, re-
ceiving no compensation except that arising from the
inner consciousness of having performed a charily
pleasing to himself and in accordance with the divine
teachings of which he was, through life, a consistent
follower.
Dr. Nye manifested a deep interest in educational
matters and served for several years, with ability and
honor, upon the school-hoard of Lynn, resigning his
position only when compelled to by the pressure of
his professional duties. His interest in matters of
education was not alone confined to Lynn, but ex-
tended to the freedmen of the South, for whom he
supported several teachers during the last years of
his life.
Dr. Nye was a consistent Christian, and during his
residence of thirty one years in Lynn he was one of
the most prominent members of the First Baptist
Olnircli, and an earnest worker in its behalf. He was
superintendent of the Sunday-school and clerk of the
society for a long period. Modest and unassuming
in liis disposition, strictly moral in liis character, up-
riglit in his dealings with others, he left the exajiiple
of a true Christian gentleman, and died one of Lynn's
most esteemed and honored citizens.
Dr. Nye was born September 2G, 1818, and died
April 21, 1872. He married Hannah C. Peaslee, of
Newton, N. H., June 29, 1842, who still survives him.
JOHN U. ALLEY.
John B. Alley belongs to one of the oldest Essex
County families, and is descended from Hugh Alley,
who, with his brother John, settled in Lynn in 1(134.
Hugh Alley was a farmer, and exhibited the same
energy, activity and shrewdness which have cliarac-
teri/.ed his descendents. He is believed to have been
the first to take up land, and settle on it, in that part
of Lynn which is now Nahant. The grandfather and
great-grandfather of Mr. Alley inherited from their
ancestor a desire for the possession of land, and were
the largest owners of that kind of proi)erty in Lynn.
John Alley, the father of Mr. Alley, and son of Hugh
Alley, lived in Lynn, as did all his ancestors, and was
a thriving business man. He married Mercy, daughter
of Jonathan Buffum, of Salem, and sister of the late
Jonathan Buflum, of Lynn, who for many years was
one of its honored and distinguished citizens. Mr.
Alley was born in Lynn January 7, 1817, and at-
tended the public schools of that town. At the age
of fourteen he was apprenticed to a shoe manufac-
turer, and at nineteen received the gift of his time.
At this early age he displayed those habits of industry
and fidelity which have marked every step of his
successful career. Possessing by nature a clear head,
a cool temperament, a sound intellect and a good
judgment, he knew that to succeed in life, industry
and fidelity were the only remaining requisites for
success.
Immediately, or soon, after the close of his appren-
ticeship he went to Cincinnati, and there purchased
a flat-boat, which he loaded with merchandise and
carried to New Orleans. In so young a man the en-
terprise and skill essential to profitable results in
such an undertaking are unusual. But they were
possessed by Mr. Alley, and it m.iy be truly said that
the fruits of this expedition, with the lesson of self-
reliance which it taught him, laid the foundation of
the fortune, which he has since acquired.
At the age of twenty-one he returned to Lynn and
began the manufacture of shoes. In five years, at
the age of twenty-six, he was the owner of one of the
largest enterprises in a city full of active, bold,
shrewd men, with whom he had entered on a race for
wealth. In 1847 he established a house in Boston
for the sale of hides and leather, and was the ac-
knowledged peer of the most successful men in the
trade. At various times he has been the senior |)art-
ner in the firm of Alley, Choatc & Cumniings, the
firm of John B. Alley & Co., in which (iriflin I'lace,
an able and successful man, was the partner, and
more recently in the firm of Alley Bros. & I'lace, in
which the two sons of Mr. Alley and Mr. Place were
the partners. In 1886 this last firm was dissolved,
and after a business career of forty-eight years Mr.
Alley retired, leaving with his former partners a
special capital for the continuance of the business.
He is now absent on a European tour, enjoying his
first vacation in a life of seventy years, free from the
burdens and responsibilities of a business which re-
quired his constant and conscientious attention ami
care.
But Mr. Alley may be said to have led two lives.
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LYNN.
361
Aside from his legitimate career as a merchant, he
has always felt a deep interest in public affairs, and
in large operations involving heavy responsibilities,
requiring heroic courage, and promotive of the wel-
fare and growth of the country. In his earlier years,
before the birth of what was called the Free-Soil
party, in 1848, he was attached to the Liberty party,
imbibing as he did from the Society of Friends, with
which his father was associated, anti-slavery senti-
ments, which never abated until, by the proclamation
of President Lincoln, the slave was made free. At the
Presidential election in 1848, when Martin Van Buren
and Charles Francis Adams were the Free-Soil candi-
dates for President and Vice-President, he was one
of the candidates for electors on the Free-Soil ticket.
In 1851, during the administration of Governor Bout-
well, he was one of the Executive Council. In 1852
he was in the State Senate, serving as chairman of
the Committee on Railroads. In 1853 he was a mem-
ber of the Constitutional Convention, and for several
years was an active and influential member of the
Republican State Central Committee. In 1858 he
was chosen Representative to Congress, serving four
terms, during two of which he performed with indus-
try and ability the duties of chairman of the Commit-
tee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads. His service in
Congress covered the whole period of the war, and no
man of the Massachusetts delegation was more de-
voted and faithful to public duties. His speeches,
though not frequent, were well-timed and always
clear, well-expressed, strong and persuasive. Those
more worthy than others of mention were a speech
delivered on the 30th of April, 18i)0, vindicating the
Republican party, one delivered on the 2Gth of Janu-
ary, 1861, on public aflairs, one delivered January
23, 1862, on the State of the Union, and one on the
6th of February of the same year, on the Treasury
Note Bill.
Mr. Alley was one of the first to appreciate the re-
markable qualities of John A. Andrew. Mr. Andrew
had been a member of the House of Representative
of Massachusetts in the winter of 1860, and was little
known by the people at large until, in the latter part
of the session, Calel) Gushing, who was a member, took
occasion, in a sj)eech as remarkable for beauty of dic-
tion and powerful logic as for its peculiar spirit and
sentiment, to arraign the Repuljlican party for a want
of loyalty to the Union. As when Hayne delivered
his eloquent speech in the Senate of the United
States, and Massachusetts men wondered how and by
whom he would be answered, so the Republican mem-
bers of the Legislature listened with amazement to
this Democratic champion, and though they knew he
must be answered, they knew not from whose lips the
answer would come. But they were not doomed to
be disappointed. After the recess at the noonday
hour John A. Andrew rose, as Webster rose in the
Senate, with the assured air of defiance on his brow,
but with his clansmen full of doubt. But the power
I
and eloquence were in him, and the time had for the
first time come for their full display. It is sufficient
to s ly that with a triumphant oratory rarelv heard
Mr. dishing was answered, and the party of which
from that time John A. Andrew wa.s the champion
was nobly vindicated. In the autumn of that year
he was chosen Governor of the commonwealth, and
in defending from attacks made on the floor of Con-
gress, Mr. Alley said, in his speech of January, 1861:
" Massachusetts has had twenty-one Governors since
the adoption of her State Constitution, in 1780, all of
them able and distingui-hed, some of them illustrious,
but in everything which constitutes true greatness of
character and mind, not one among them all, in my
judgment, was the superior of John A.Andrew."
This encomium, as extravagant as it seemed at the
time, showed Mr. Alley to possess an insight into
character then shared by few, so far as Andrew was
concerned, and his words have been more than vindi-
cated in the universal judgment of men.
Since the retirement of Mr. Alley from Congress he
has been engaged with others iu large railroad enter-
prises in the West and South. His connection with
the Union Pacific is well known, and since the com-
pletion of that gigantic undertaking he has been
more especially interested in railroad extensions in
Iowa and Texas. Mr. Alley is one of that body of
courageous men to whose capital the country is in-
debted for the development of a vast section, which,
without facilities of travel and transportation, would
be still looking to the future for its prosperity and
wealth. Nor has the investment of his capital been
confined to railroads. He has become also largely
connected with land property in New Mexico, and is
to-day the largest owner in three ranches which to-
gether contain more than forty thousand head of
cattle. It is needless to say that he is a very wealthy
man, and that his wealth is exceeded by that of few
in ihe State.
EDWARD NEWHALL.
Edward Newhall, son of John and Delia (Breed)
Newhall, was born in Lynn, July 22, 1822. His
family belonged to the society of Friends, and his
early education was received at the Friends' Institute,
in Providence. In 1845 he began the study of medi-
cine under Dr. C. H. Nichols, since distinguished as
the superintendent of the Bloomingdale Lunatic
Asylum, in the city of New York. He afterwards
entered the Harvard Medical School, from which he
graduated iu 1848. The next two years he spent in
Europe attending lectures and walking the hospitals
in Paris and as a student in the famous Lying-in
Hospital of Dublin. In 1S50 ho returned home and
settled in Lynn, where his thorough medical educa-
tion and devotion to his profession soon secured to
him a wide rei)utation and practice. He is held in
no less esteem by his professional brethren than by
the cominunity in which he lives, aiul has been presi-
362
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
dent of both the Essex South Medical Society and
the Lynn Medical Association.
He married, October 23, 1853, Eliza F. Beaumont,
of Canton, Mass., who died in June, 1870, having
been the mother of three sons and one daughter.
In 1873 he married Mrs. M. A. (Field) Saunderson,
of Quincy, Mass., by whom he had two sons and a
daughter. Dr. Newhall, now sixty -five years of age,
is still possessed of a physical and mental vigor which
years have not impaired, and he neither seeks nor
needs any relaxation from his continuous and arduous
professional work.
His second son, Herbert William, A.M., M.D.
(Harv.), is associated with him in practice.
EDWARD WINSLOW HINCKS.
Edward Winslow Hincks was born in Bucksport,
Me., May 30, 1830. He was the son of Captain Eli-
sha Hincks, who was born in Provincetown, Mass.,
September 28, 1800, and who was lost at sea January
14, 1831. In 1802 the father of Elisha removed with
his family to Buckstown (now Bucksport), and there
Elisha was brought up, and married, October 9,
1824, Elizabeth Hopkins, daughter of Ephraim and
Hannah (Rich) Wentvvorth, of Orrington, Me., and
had the following children : Temperance Ann, April
23, 1826 ; Elisha Albert, May 1, 1828 ; Edward Wins-
low, May 30, 1830.
The father of Elisha was Elisha Hincks, who was
born in Truro, Mass., July 14, 1774, and died in
North Bucksport, Me., March 15, 1851. In early
life he followed the sea, but in April, 1802, he, with
his family and brothers, Winslow and Jesse, removed
from Provincetown, where they then lived, to Bucks-
town (now Bucksport), Me. There he bought wild
land, which he cleared and improved, and on which
he died. He married firot, in March, 1796, Temper-
ance, daughter of Sylvanus and Hannah (Cole)
Smith, of Eastham, Mass., and had Anna, born in
Provincetown January 11, 1797. He married second,
December 22, 1799, Mary, daughter of Nathaniel and
Anna (Rich) Treat, of Truro, and had Elisha, Septem-
ber 28, 1800 ; Temperance Smith, born in Bucksport
June 24, 1803; Mary, July 30, 1805; Sarah, January
30, 1807; William Treat, March 30, 1809; Sylvanus
Treat, November 21, 1810; Hannah, August 5, 1812;
Naomi, May 16, 1816 ; Ezekiel Franklin, August 10,
1820.
The father of the last Elisha was Samuel Hinckes,
who was born in Portsmouth, N. H., about 1728,
and shortly removed with his father to Boston, and
there lived until 1753. He afterwards taught school
in Truro, where he married, about 1756, Susanna,
daughter of Jonathan Dyer, of Truro, and where he
continued to live until 1795, when he removed to
Bucksport, and there died in 1S06.
The father of Samuel was Captain Samuel Hinckes,
who was born in Portsmoutli, N. 11., at an unknown
date, and graduated at Harvard in 1701. In 1716,
while a resident in Portsmouth, he was sent as a
Representative of the province of New Hampshire to
the Indians at the eastward, was a captain in the In-
dian wars and commanded Fort Mary, at Winter Har-
bor, from 1722 to 1727, when he removed lo Boston.
He died in Portsmouth shortly after 1753. He mar-
ried Elizabeth (Winslow) Scott, a widow, previous to
1715. Elizabeth Winslow was a daughter of Edward
and Elizabeth (Hutchinson) Winslow, and grand-
daughter of John Winslow, who married Mary Chil-
ton, one of the passengers in the '' Mayflower".
The father of the last Samuel was John Hinckes,
who came from England about 1670, who was Coun-
cilor for the province of New Hampshire and assis-
tant in the Court of Chancery from 1683 to May 25,
1686, when he became a Councilor in the govern-
ment of President Joseph Dudley, having been named
for the office by James the Second, in his commission
to Dudley, dated October 8, 1685. He was also chief
justice of the Court of Pleas and General Sessions in
New Hampshire from 1686 to 1689. In 1692 he was
named as Councilor of New Hampshire and made
president of the Council. In 1699 he was appointed
chief justice of the Superior Court, and remained in
office as Councilor and chief justice until 1708. He
was living in New Castle, N. H., in 1722, and had de-
ceased April 25, 1734. He married, at an unknown
date, Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel and Chris-
tian Fryer, and had Samuel, a daughter who married
a Gross, Christian, Barbara, Sarah and probably
Elizabeth.
Edward Winslow Hincks, the subject of this sketch,
having received the rudiments of his education in
the public schools of his native town, in 1845, at fif-
teen years of age, removed from Bucksport to Bangor,
Me., where he served as an apprentice in the office
of the Bangor Daily Whig and Courier until 1849,
when he removed to Boston, where he was engaged
in the printing and publishing business until 1856.
He was a Representative from the city of Boston in
the Legislature of 1855, and in the same year was a
member of the City Council from the Third Ward.
Early in 1856 he was appointed a clerk in the office
of the secretary of the commonwealth of Massachu-
setts, and prepared for publication the State census
of 1855. He remained in the secretary's office until
the firing upon Fort Sumter, employing his leisure
hours in the study of law, with the intention of mak-
ing that his profession, being encouraged and assisted
in his purpose by Hon. Anson Burlingame, of whom
he was an ardent friend and supporter. Having re-
moved to Lynn in 1856, he was chosen librarian of
the Lynn Library Association, and until the outbreak
of the war actively promoted the interests of that or-
ganization, whose collection of books subsequently
became the nucleus of the present Public Library in
that city. He was also prominently connected with
the Sabbatli-school of the First Baptist Church in
*.^^ ~
vA)\K)^A^m^
LYNN.
363
Lynn. On the IStli of Ausrust, 1S59, he was ajipointed
adjutant of the Eighth Kegiraent of Massachusetts
Militia, — the Essex County regiment.
This appointment, trivial as it no doubt seemed at
the time, proved the turning-point in his life, and
was the opening door to a military career in which
he won lasting fame.
At the outbreak of the war he was placed by this
appointment in a position whose duties he had per-
formed with enthusiasm, and from which he could
reasonably hope to receive advancement. On the
18th of December, 1860, he wrote to General Ander-
son, then stationed at Fort Moultrie, the following
letter, which shows him to have been the first volun-
teer of the war:
" Boston-, December IS, 18G0.
"Major Anderson, U. S. A.,
" CoyitiKiutUiig Fort lHotiltric :
*' SIa.ior : In case of attack upon your command by the State (or
would-be nation) of South Carolina, will yon be at liberty to accept vol-
unteers to aid in the defence of Fort Moultrie ?
*' I am confident that a large body of volunteers, from this vicinity,
can be put afloat at short notice to aid in the defence of the post en-
trusted to your cotumand, if necessity shall demand and the authorities
permit it.
'* Indeed, the men who have repeatedly responded to the call of the
iiuthorities to protect the officers of the law in their work of securing to
the owners, from whom it had escaped, the chattel property of the
South, will never hesitate to respond to a call to aid a meritorious officer
of our Federal Republic, who is engaged not only in protecting our na-
tional property, but in defending the honor of our country and the lives
of our countrymen.
" I have the honor to bo, sir, your oheilient servant to command.
"EDWAltn W. HiNKS,
" 1st LUiU. ami Adjt. Hh Reijt. Muss. Vul. Mil.^'
" Fort Moultrie, S. C, December 24, 18C0.
"LlErTEN.4NT EP. W. HiNKS.
" AdJt. Sth Begt. Mass. Ynl. MUUia :
"Sir : I thank you, not only for myself, but for the brave little band
that are under me, for your very welcome letter of the 18tli inst., ask-
ing whether, in case I am attacked, I would be at liberty to accept vol-
unteer aid in the defence of Furt Moultrie.
" When I inform you that my garri,son consists of only sixty effective
men ; that we are in a very inditTerent work, the walls of which are
only about fourteen feet high, and that we have within one hundred
and sixty yards of our walls sand hills which command our work, and
afford admirable sites for batteries and the finest covers for sharp-shoot-
ers ; and that, besides this, there are numerous houses, some of them
within pistol-shot, you will at once see that if attacked by a force headed
by any one but a simpleton, there is scarce a possibility of our being
able to hold out long enough to enable our friends to coine to our suc-
cor.
" Come tch'il may, I shall ever hear la grateful reftteinbrance your gallant,
your humajte offer.
" I am, very sincerely, youi^',
" Robert Anderson,
** Major 1st Artillery, V. S. A."
"21 St. Mark's Place, July 6, 1866.
"General E. W. Hinks :
"Dear Sir 1 «« «*,s««*»
'•Tour letter, which I received two days before I moved over to Fort
Sumter, was the first proffer of aid which was made nie whilst in
Charleston Harbor.
" Respectfully, your obedient servant,
" Robert .Anderson,
*' Major General U. S. i4."
On the ]5th of April, 1801, when the news was re-
ceived of the attack on Fort Sumter, he hastened to
Boston, and tendered his services to Governor An-
drew, and at the same time urged the acceptance of
the Eighth Regiment as a [lart of the contingent of
fifteen hundred men called for by the President. His
otl'er of service was accepted, and his request at once
complied with. Under orders promptly issued, he,
that evening, rode to Lynn, Salem, Beverly and
Marblehead, and despatched messenger to Newbury-
port and Gloucester, notifying the various companies
of his regiment to rendezvous in Boston for instant
duty. The next morning, April lOth, he man-hed
into Faneuil Hall with three companies from Mar-
blehead, the first troops in the country en route for
the seat of war.
On tlie 17th of April he was commissioned lieuten-
ant-colonel of the Eighth Regiment, which marched
on the 18th for Washington. At Annapolis, Md., on
the 21st of April, a detachment from the regiment,
under command of Colonel Hincks, boarded the frig-
ate " Constitution," then lying aground, and fir,st light-
ening her of her guns, floated her and worked her to
sea. Leaving the ship at midnight, he learned the
next morning from General Butler that Colonel Lef-
ferts, of the New York Seventh Regiment, had, after
consultation with his ofiicers, declined to advance his
command and take possession of the Baltimore and
Washington Railroad, through apprehension of an
overpowering rebel force. He at once said to General
Butler: "Give me the selection of two companies for
the purpose and I will perform the duty." He was
at once placed in command of a detachment consist-
ing of Captain Knott V.Martin's Marblehead com-
pany, Captain Geo. T. Newhall's I/ynn- company and
several picked men, engineers and mechanics from other
companies under command of Lieutenant Hodges, of
Newburyport, and marched to the station, of which
he took possession, with the rolling stock, materials,
books, pajjers, etc., there found. Without delay he
began the work of repair on the engines and track,
the former having been disabled and the latter seri-
ously broken up. During the first day an advance
of five miles was made, and after a night's bivouce
the work was resumed and continued until the road
was in running order. For this service the regiment
received the thanks of Congress iii tlie following re-
solve :
" Thirty-Seventh Congress, First Session.
"CoNiiRESS OF the UnITED StATES INTHE HoUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
"July 31, 1801.
"On motion of Mr. Lovejoy :
"Ilesolred. That the thanks of this House arc hereby presented to the
Eighth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, for their alacrity in re-
sponding to the call of the Presi<lent, and for the energy and patriotism
displayed by them ill surmonntiDg obstacles upon sea and land, which
traitors had interposed to impede their progress to the defence of the
National Capital.
"Galvsha a. Grow,
" Speaker of tlie House of lieprcsentatives,
"Attest :
" Km. Etheridoe,
" Clerk."
Reaching Washington on the 2t;th of April, Colonel
Hincks was that day aiipointed a second lieutenant
of cavalry in the regular army, the only rank in
which, at that time, an ofiicer could enter the regular
3G4
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
service. From the date of bis entrance into the
regular array his military history is borne on the
records of the office of the adjutant-general, as fol-
lows:
" Appointed second lieutenant Second Cavalry April 26,1861; colonel
Eighth Massachusetts Volunteers May 16, 1861 ; colonel Nineteenth
Massachusetts Volunteers August 3, 1S61 ; brigadier-general United
States Volunteers November 29, 1862 ; brevet major-general United States
Volunteers March 13, 18G5, for gallant and meritorious services during
the war ; resigned volunteer commission June 30, 18G5 ; appointed lieu-
tenant-colonel Fortieth United States Infantry J\ily 28, 1866 ; trans-
ferred to the Twenty-flfth United States Infantry March 15, 1809 ; bre-
veted colonel United States Army March 2, 1807, for gallant and meri-
torious services at the battle of Antietam, Md. ; and brigadier-general
United States Army for gallant and meritorious services in the assault
of Petersburg, Va. ; retired from active service for disability resulting
from wounds received in the line of duty December 15, 1870, upon the
full rank of colonel United Stjites Army.
"Service. — With Regiment Eighth Massachusetts in the State of
Maryland until August 1, 1801 ; with Regiment Nineteenth Massachu-
setts in the Army of the Potomac from August, 1861, to June 30, 1862,
when wounded in action at White Oak Swamp, Va. ; absent wnunded to
August 5, 1862 ; commanding Third Brigade, Sedgwick's division. Army
of the Potomac, to September 17, 1862, when twice severely wounded in
the battle of Antietam, Md. ; on leave of absence wounded to March 19,
1803 ; on court-martial duty as brigadier-general at Washington, D. C,
April 2 to June 9. 1803 ; and under orders of War Department to
July 4, 1863 ; commanding draft rendezvous at Concord, N. H. ; acting
assistant provost marshal, general and superintendent of the Volun-
teer Recruiting Service for the State of New Hampshire to March 29,
1864 ; commanding district of Sainr, Mary's and camp of prisoners of
war at Point Lookout, Md., April 3 to 20, 1804; commanding Tiiird
Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, to July, 1864, when wounded; on
court-martial duty to September 22, 1864 ; commanding draft depot
and camp of prisoners of war at Hart's Island, New York Harbor, to
February, 1865 ; on duty at New York City as acting assistant provost
marshal general, superintendent Volunteer Recruiting Service, and chief
mustering and disbui-sing officer for the Southern Division of New
York to March, 18C5 ; and on the same duty at Harrisburg, Pa., for the
"Western Division of Pennsylvania to June 30, 1805 ; governor of the
Military Asylum to March 6, 1807 ; en route to, and in command of.
Fort Macon, N. C, until April 13, 1S07 ; on special duty at headquar-
ters Second Military District at Charleston, S. C, to April 27, 1807;
provost marshal general Second Militiiry District North and South Caro-
lina to January 16, 1808 ; commanding Fortieth regiment and the
sub-di-^trict and port of Gold^boro', N. C, to July 13, 1808 ; on sick
leave of absence to December 4, 1868 ; commanding regiment in NortU
Carolina and Louisiana until April 20, 1869, when he assumed command
of the Twenty-fifth Infantry, and remained in command of that regi-
ment and the post of New Orleans, La., until August 14, 1809 ; on sick
leave of absence to December 4, 1809 ; and in command of regiment in
New Orleans and en route to and at Fort Clark, Texas, from that date to
December 15, 1870."
Such is the record borne on the pages of the army
books, and no narrative could set forth the military
life of General Hincks so clearly and eloquently as
these authoritative words. Aside from the leading
well-known generals of the war, few officers can boast
of a more varied and gallant and useful career.
In concluding the narrative of the war experience
of General Hiucks, while the repeated testimony of
his superior officers in their general orders to his gal-
lantry will be omitted, the list of battles in which he
was engaged must not fail to be mentioned.
Battle of Ball's Bluff, Va., October '.il, 1861 ; siege of Yorktown, Va.,
April, 1862 ; affair at West Point, May 7, 1862 ; Fair Oaks, June 1, 1802 ;
Oak Grove, June '25, 1802 ; Peach Orchard, June 29, 1802; Savage's Sta-
tion, June 29, 1802; White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1863; Glendale, June
30, 1802 ; Chantilly, .September 1, I8G2 ; South Mountain, September 14,
1862; Antietam, September 16 and 17, 1862; Baylor's Farm, June 15,
1864 ; assault on Petersburg, June 15, 1864."
The services of General Hincks after the war were
only less important than those during its continu-
ance. Under General Sickles and General Canby
the aid he rendered in perfecting and carrying out
the reconstruction measures of the government in
North and South Carolina, forming what was called ■
the Second Military District, was recognized by his ■'
superior officers as efficient and valuable.
On the 15th of December, 1870, the general was re-
tired from active service upon the full rank of colonel
in the United States Army on account of wounds re- ,
ceived in battle, and on the 7th of March, 1872, he I
was appointed, by the board of managers of the
National Homes, deputy-governor of the Southern
Branch of National Homes, at Hampton, Va. On
the 1st of January following he was transferred to
the Northwestern Branch, near Milwaukee, Wis., and
resigned October 1, 1880.
After the resignation of his position as deputy-
governor of the National Home at Milwaukee, Gen-
eral Hincks remained in that city until June, 1883,
and was largely influential in the organization of the
Milwaukee Industrial E.xposition, a corporation then
formed and still in existence, having for its object
the promotion of the industrial interests of Milwau-
kee and the State of Wisconsin. Since 1883 he has
lived in Cambridge, Mass., enjoying a period of well-
deserved peace and comfort. He occupies a stately
old mansion, said to be more than two hundred years
old ; and the books and pictures and quaint old
family china and furniture with which it is replete
reveal the culture and taste of its occupants.
In the autumn of 18G2, after having been severely
wounded in the battle of Antietam, General Hincks
was urgently requested by many independent Re-
publicans to run for Congress in the Sixth District,
then represented by Mr. John B. Alley, but he posi-
tively declined to be a candidate for any office that
would prevent his return to the field as soon as he
should sufficiently recover from his wounds. He was
sergeant-at-arms of the National Republican Conven-
tion at Philadelphia in 1872, when General Grant was
nominated for a second term; and again at Cincin-
nati, in 1876, when General Hayes was nominated
for President. In the Cincinnati Convention he was
nominated by the chairman of the Michigan delega-
tion " for his many wounds received in battle," and
was unanimously elected.
General Hincks is a Knight Templar in the Ma-
sonic order, a companion in the National Comman-
dery of the Loyal Legion and a member of the New
England Historical Genealogical Society.
General Hincks has been twice married, — first,
January 2.5, 1855, to Annie Rebecca, daughter of
Moody and Clarissa (Leach) Dow, of Lynn, who died
in Lynn August 21, 1862. Her only child was Anson
Burlingame, who was born in Lynn October 14, 1856,
and died in Rockville, Md., January 27, 1862.
He married second, September 3, 1863, Elizabeth
i
/yin/bn^
.^
'j. J (fi^Pi'layn-
LYNN.
365
Peirce, daughter of George and Susan (Treadwcll)
Nichols, of Cambridge, whose only child, Bessie
llincks, born in Cambridge April 11, 18G5, died in
Cambridge July 5, 1885.
The death of this daughter was peculiarly sad.
She had graduated in 1883 from the Milwaukee Col-
lege, and had entered the Harvard Annex full of
hope and promise. While walking in the street her
dress took fire from a burning cracker, and she was
burned to death. Her sweet and loving character,
blended with high literary attainments, lent a joy and
grace to her parents' home, since shadowed in perpet-
ual gloom. It is only necessary, before closing this
sketch, to add a word of explanation concerning the
family name of General Hincks.
The common ancestor of the Hincks family in this
country. Councilor and Chief Justice John, uniformly
wrote his name Hinckes, but when copied by clerks
it was usually written Hinks, and so frequently ap-
]>ears in the Council Records of Massachusetts and
the Archives of New Hampshire. Captain Samuel,
who graduated at Harvard in 1701, and his son Sam-
uel, Jr., the schoolmaster on the Cape, uniformly
wrote their names Hincks ; but Elisha and his son,
Captain Elisha, Jr., the father of the general, appear
to have dropped the p, and to have written their
names Hinks ; and in early life the general also wrote
his name without the c (Hinks), and it so appears in
the Army Register and the official records of the
war, although other branches of the family wrote
their names with a, c ; but in 1871, under authority of
law, the general restored the letter c to his name,
and has since written it Hincks, and all the branches
of the family descended from Chief Justice John now
conform to this style. It will be noted that all of
this family in this country bearing the name of
Hincks are descended through the Winslows from
Mary Chilton, who came in the " Mayflower," and
Anne Hutchinson, the Quakeress.
I
FRANCIS W. BREED.
Francis W. Breed, of Lynn, is one of the most
prominent shoe manufacturers, not only in that city,
but in New England. His extensive factories at
home and abroad give employment to large bodies of
workmen, and have a capacity, when in full running
order, of six or seven thousand pairs of shoes per
day. Mr. Breed's rise in business, while it has been
rapid, has been steady, conservative and safe. Pos-
sessing, in a marked degree, the quality of thorough-
ness in whatever he undertakes, he has achieved suc-
cess where competition is close and where slackness
or inattention might have caused disaster. His mar-
kets, both for purchase and sale, are extensive, and
both are watched with a careful eye. Mr. Breed has
traveled extensively, and with an elasticity of spirit
and a buoyancy of heart, he has always sustained a
weight of care and responsibility with calmness and
composure, and kept himself young under burdens,
which often cru-h and break down even less active
business men. His residence on Ocean Stieet in
Lynn has a beautiful outlook over the bay, and is one
of the most attractive and comfortable homes on the
shore.
JOHN BROAD TOLMAN.
Mr. Tolman was a lineal descendant from Thomas
Tolman, who was born in England in 1008 or IGOO,
and came over in the " Mary and John " in KiSO, be-
coming a settler of Dorchester, Mass. A grandson of
the early settler just named, whose name also was
Thomas, was a native of Lynn, and died here in 1716.
And this last Thomas was the great -great great-grand-
father of John B., the subject of this sketch, who
thus becomes connected with our Lynn families.
John B. Tolman was born in Barre, Worcester
County, Mass., on the 30th of December, 1806, and in
that town the first two years of his life were passed.
His parents then removed to Needham, in Norfolk
County, Mass., it being the native place of his pater-
nal grandfather, who was severely wounded at the
battle of Lexington, but on his recovery enlisted and
served through the Revolutionary War, rising from
the ranks to a field officer.
In this latter town most of Mr. Tolman's early life
was i)a.ssed and his education chiefly obtained at the
public schools there. And he had manual duties to
perform about the farm even at the tender age of
eight years, such as a boy of this period would be
thought entirely unequal to.
At the usual age for apprenticeship he was placed
in the office of H. & W. H. Maun, of Dedham,
Mass., to learn the printing business. It was a large
and well-appointed establishment for the time, and af-
forded fiicilities for acquiring a good knowledge of the
art. He faithfully served his full time and not long
after went to Boston, there to follow his trade. Says
the ComiiuiHivealth newspaper of April 9, 1881 : " In
1828 Mr. Tolman came to Boston as a journeyman in
the book-office of Isaac R. Butts, doing a full day's
work each day and filling the berth of an extra hand
two nights in the week on the Columbian Ceutinel,
' hanging out from twelve to three o'clock.' "
It was in February, 1830, that he became a resident
of Lynn, where he was at once engaged as printer of
the Lynn Record, a few numbers of which had then
been issued. After several years of service as man-
ager, not only mechanically but editorially, he pur-
chased the oflice and soon did a larger business than
had been done in any other Lynn office up to that
time. He introduced the first machine press here,
printed several papers at different times and had a
good run of job work.
By middle life he found himself in circumstances
where his accustomed unremitting application to me-
chanical labor was unnecessary. He then sold out
his printing materials and business, and turned his
366
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
attention to other and less wearing pursuits. Yet the
semi-intellectual employment of type-setting was al-
ways congenial to him, and he was sometimes, for
years after, seen as a volunteer compositor, for hours
together, in some printing-office, the sharp click of the
type and the bass rumbling of the press having the
old-time charm for his ear. He now engaged in real
estate and kindred operations, and here, too, success
generally attended him, so that his means were soon
augmented.
The Rev. Edwin Thompson, himself a man of re-
markable vitality, industry and perseverance, in a
communication to the Dedham Transcript of March
15, 1884, in allusion to the physical strain to which
Mr. Tolman was accustomed to subject himself in
early manhood, says : " Before the days of railroads
Mr. Tolman frequently walked from Lynn to Boston
on business and back the same day. Whenever he
wished to visit Dedham it required all day to go there
by stage, starting by Lynn stage at 8 a.m. for Boston,
and leaving Boston for Dedham by ' Mason's stage '
at 4 P.M. In order to save time, Mr. Tolman frequently
walked the whole distance, twenty miles, leaving
Dedham in the morning and arriving at Lynn in sea-
son to devote half a day to business."
Perhaps no trait is more conspicuous in Mr. Tolman
than his promptness in fulfilling engagements. So
rigid was he in this respect, while in the printing
business, that he appended to some of his advertise-
ments a notice that if a job of work was not ready for
delivery at the time agreed on, no pay would be re-
quired.
The career of Mr. Tolman furnishes a notable illus-
tration of the certainty wiih which industry, prompt-
ness, indomitable perseverance and frugality insure
competence.
Mr. Tolman is a strict disciplinarian and a man of
marked individuality and rigidly just in all his deal-
ings. Like a good many other thrifty men — more in
number than is generally supposed — he was never
addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors. Nor did
he acquire the habit of using tobacco in any form.
Mr. Thompson remarks : " Mr. Tolman thinks he has
saved, reckoning at compound interest, about eight
thousand dollars in not using tobacco, and by not
using rum much more." His abstinence from " rum
and tobacco," of course did much to increase his pe-
cuniary means. And then with his other good traits
of prudence in expenditure and carefulness in every
way, aided by superior business sagacity, he has been
enabled, during his latter years, to spare generous
sums for benevolent purposes. In ISSl, on the occa-
sion of the celebration of his golden wedding, he made
a donation to the Lynn Hospital of two thousand five
hundred dollars, to be held for the purposes thus ex-
pressed in his letter to the president of the corpora-
tion :
" .\3 I am interested in the project for a Hospital in this city, and as
the present effort to obtain a fund to establish one happens to be coinci-
dent H-ith the fiftieth anniversary of my weddiiip, I, to;iether witli my
wife, desire, on this day and occasion, to make it an offering expressive
of our interest in it and the city in which we have so Ions resided.
*' We also desire to devote the gift, in part, to tlie benefit of members
of tlie Printing Fraternity in Lynn, as they may be in need of liospital
treatment. We Ixith have a strong regard for Ihe occupation to wiiich
I was brought up. and in wliich my wife's father and four of her broth-
ers were long engaged.
" As we desire the hospital to be established on a lasting basis, even if
it shall commence in a small and prudent way, we wish the income of
the fund only to be used, and offer, through you, to give to the Ilospit.il
the symbolical sum of Fifty-times- Fifty Dollars, to be received and held
on the following terms :
"That the said Hospital shall hold and invest the said sura forever,
and devote the income arising therefrom to maintainabed, or beds, insaid
Hospital, for the benefit of all persons, under the rules and regulations
of the hospital ; that it shall devote said bed, or beds, to the extent of a
sum equal to the whole income received from said fund, to the use ot
Practical Letter-Press Printers residing in Lynn (and especially to any
person ever apprenticed to me), if the same shall be so required."
This donation was cordially received and duly ac-
knowledged. In 1884 he conveyed to the Young Men's
Christian Association, of Lynn, an estate on Market
Street valued at thirty thousand dollars, in trust " For
the suppression in said Lynn of intemperance in the
use of intoxicating liquors by the cultivation of pub-
lic opinion and the enforcement of laws prohibiting
and restraining the manufacture and sale of the same,
and by assisting in the reform of persons of intem-
perate habits. Also, for the education and instruction
of the public, and especially the young, in all practi-
cal ways by which they may be reached in regard to
the moral and physical injuries arising from the habit-
ual use of such liquors, and also of tobacco and other
stimulants." And as subordinate to this work it was
iurther stipulated that a part of said income, as op-
portunity afforded, should be expended for the sup-
pression of immoral literature, especially such as cir-
culates among the young, the donor summarily adding
that " his general intention is that of reform, rather
than that of the alleviation of the effects consequent
upon intemperance," and leaving the details of work
for those appointed to act under the trust. This do-
nation was also cordially accepted and duly acknowl-
edged, and will no doubt be faithfully applied. A
local paper, in speaking of this gift, says : " Mr. Tol-
mau was an ardent temperance advocate in early life;
he was also a radical and outspoken abolitionist, and
advocated all the moral reform movements at a time
when it required sound moral courage to do so," and
adds, in reference to the gift : " He feels that in this
act he has contributed to the relief of the poor and
needy as expressly, and more effectually, than if he
had ministered directly to their present necessities, as
he believes in the adage, ' An ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure.' "
The latest and one of the most useful of Mr. Tol-
nian's public donations was the munificent one of one
thousand dollars to the Home for Aged Women.
Mr. Tolman has not appeared much in public life,
having no political aspirations, and constantly avoid-
ing official position. It is here, perhaps, that he has
fallen short of his duty to the public, which, in return
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LYNN.
367
for the protection and benefits conferred, had a right
to place him, occasionally at least, in positions where
his fearless independence, caution and watchfulness
would be available and effectual. He, however, has
"held important and responsible positions in connec-
tion with private and corporate interests."
Mr. Tolman has been something of a traveler,
having made extensive tours in the Western and
Southern States and in Calilbruia. He has likewise
visited Europe, and, of course, with his inquiring
mind, gathered much unique and useful iuformation.
In March, 1831, Mr. Tolman was united in marriage
with Miss Lydia S. Mann, of Dedham, a daughter of
Herman Mann, of whom he had learned his trade,
and sister of Herman Mann, Jr., and their children
were two sons and a daughter, of whom the latter
only is now living, being the wife of Mr. Charles J.
Pickford, of Lvnn.
HIR.\M NICHOLS BREED.
In the "Centennial Memorial of Lynn," published
in 1S7(!, by order of the City Council, ai)peared a
biographical sketch of Mr. Breed, which was prepared
with care, and to which little need be added here ex-
cepting that now, 1887, after the lapse of another de-
cade of years, he still retains, in a remarkable degree,
that healthful vigor, both of body and mind, that has
characterized him through life; and that the commu-
nity still have the benefit of his mature judgment and
efficient services.
Mr. Breed, says the sketch referred to, was born in
Lynn, September 2, 1809, and was a son of Asa Breed,
born February 21, 1783, a direct descendant from
Allen Breed, who settled in Lynn in 1630. The Breed
familj' during our whole history has maintained the
highest rank, numerically, witli the exception of the
Newhall, which considerably outnumbers any other.
After receiving a district school education, Mr.
Breed was put to the common employment of the
youth of that period in this place, namely, the trade
of shoemaking. And that occupation he has pursued
for the greater portion of his life. The old-fashioned
shoemaker's shop was an unrivalled school in its way
— a school in which the free discussions on every topic
of public or private interest had a tendency to make
men intelligent in every way excejit, perhaps, in mere
book-learning. The discussions often led to reflection
and investigation, and whoever possessed ability was
pretty sure to have it recognized.
Mr. Breed was, at a comparatively early age, called
to take a part in the management of public affairs;
and for many years has held responsible offices. He
was in various positions in the old town government,
and the office of selectman when it expired. On the
adoption of the city form he was one of the first Board
of Aldermen, being likewise returned for the same po-
sition the next year. He was a member of the Legis-
lature in 18-18 and 1850, and a member of the Consti-
tutional Convention in 1803. By Governor 15outwell
he was appointed Coroner, and held the office twenty-
five years, until the duties were referred to the courts;
and he held the office of Justice of the Peace thirty-
four years. He w'as ten years a director in the old
Mutual Fire Insurance Company, likewise City Asses-
sor in 1858 and 1859, and Surveyor of Highways ten
years. In the latter capacity he rendered eminent
service, doing much to protect and beautify the pic-
turesque drives in the outskirts, as well as to render
safe, compact and cleanly the business streets. For
thirteen years he was Commissioner of Pine Grove
Cemetery, and for six years contractor to grade and
prepare the lots. Nor should it be forgotten, while
speaking of his many excellent labors, that he was
active and efficient in the establishment of the Home
for Aged Women. t
In 1861 Mr. Breed was elected to the office of Mayor.
That was a j'ear especially filled with unusual de-
mands, anxieties and perplexities, for it was the open-
ing year of the great Civil War. New duties and
responsibilities were then pressing, and untried mea-
sures were to be adopted. It required firmness to
withstand unreasonable demands, and judgment to
meet all legitimate claims. The success of his ad-
ministration, under the circumstances, entitles him to
much credit. It was a difficult task to shape and put
in operation the measures that resulted so favorably
to the soldiers and their families, while at the same
time other public interests were vigilantly guarded.
Something of the modest spirit with which he entered
upon liis duties as Mayor may be gathered from the
opening passage of his inaugural address: "Called
from a laborious but honorable occupation to fill the
position of Mayor of this city, and well acquainted
with my many deficiencies for this important trust, I
feel confident that, seeking to know ray duty, I shall
be able by assiduity and industry to discharge the
duties with a measure of satisfaction to myself and
my constituents." Perhaps his habit of careful in-
vestigation, before proceeding to action, in matters of
real importance, is one of his most prominent charac-
teristics— never too hasty, and never liable to be driven
on by the unadvised urgencj' of those who always
stand ready to press others while no responsibility
rests on themselves.
Mr. Breed belongs to one of the old families of the
eastern section of the town, though the first Breed
located in the western section, and has lived to see
great irai)roveraents in the vicinity of his birth-place.
Ocean Street, which is now reckoned one of the finest
avenues in the county, he has seen opened througli
lands, not indeed barren, but occupied only for pur-
poses of husbandry. He also had much to do with
the laying out of Breed, Foster and Nichols Streets,
now filled with a thrifty population. And to his en-
ergy and enteriirisc that whole section is indebted for
many of those improvements which have changed it
from its former quaint and rather ancient aspect to
one pleasant and attractive.
368
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
On the 4tli of July, 1830, Mr. Breed was united in
marriage witli Nancy, a daughter of Caleb Stone, a
well linown and much re.spected citizen, and by her
had ten children — four sous and six daughters. On
the 4th of July, 1880, the fiftieth anniversary of their
marriage, a large company of kindred and friends
assembled in a tasty pavilion, erected for the purpose,
and there offered their congratulations and good wishes
to the esteemed couple. It was an occasion of much
enjoyment, mingled with the touching reflection that
the day for final separation could not, in the common
course of nature, be far distant. And since then the
endeared companion with whom Mr. Breed had so
long journeyed, has been called to the better land. A
beloved and promising son, too, then in early man-
hood, has likewise passed the bourne whence none
return.
I.SAAC FEAHCIS GALLOUPE.
One of the most noted of the early settlers of New
England was John Gallop, of Strode, County Dorset,
England, who, at the age of forty, set sail for Amer-
ica in the "Mary and John," and arrived on the 30th
of May, 1630, at Watertown (now Boston). He was
a descendant, in the eighth generation, of John Gal-
lop, who, in 1405, came out of the North and settled
in Dorset, his heraldic shield bearing the mottoes,
" Be bold, be wyse."
Isaac Francis Galloupe, a descendant in the sev-
enth generation from John Gallop, the pioneer, was
born in Beverly, Ma-^s., June 27, 1823. His parents
were Isaac and Annis (Allen) Galloupe, both of
sturdy New England stock. After receiving a suita-
ble academical education he entered, as a student,
the oflice of Dr. A. S. Pierson, of Salem, with whom
he remained two years, at the end of which time he en-
tered the Tremont Street Medical School, in Boston,
and pursued his studies another year. He also at-
tended three full courses of lectures at the Medical
School of Harvard University, where he graduated
in 1849.
Thus thoroughly prepared, in the spring of 1849 he
settled in Lynn, where there were several physicians
of more than ordinary reputation, who, in view of
the favorable auspices under which he came, wel-
comed him with the utmost kindness. He was not
long in gaining practice, and has from that time to
the present enjoyed a reputation ever increasing, till
it may now with confidence be said that very few
physicians or surgeons in the county can be regarded
as his peers. He is an honored member of the
Massachusetts Medical Society and of the several
local associations, in all of which much deference is
paid to his ability and skill, and his suggestions are
received as authoritative. His writings on various
professional topics, which have from time to time ap-
peared in the medical journals, have uniformly com-
manded attention and received warm commenda-
tion.
As a citizen. Dr. Galloupe has always received the
highest respect, although the exactions of his pro-
fession have prevented his appearing much in public
office. He, however, has served several times as
city physician, and, as a member of the School Com-
mittee, has shown his interest in the cause of educa-
tion. But it was in the Union army, during the
great Rebellion, that his excellent professional at-
tainments became most conspicuous. He was com-
missioned as surgeon of the Seventeenth Massachu-
setts Regiment July 10, 1861. The next year he
served as acting brigade surgeon in North Carolina,
and then division surgeon on the staff of Major-
General J. G. Foster. Besides the foregoing he filled
several other important and difficult positions, among
them that of surgeon-in-charge of the United States
Army General Hospital, medical director, surgeon-in-
charge of the medical department in a number of
perilous expeditions, post-surgeon at Newbern, N. C,
surgeon-in-charge of rebel prisons and jails. In all
of them he proved himself so diligent and faithful as
to elicit the heartiest commendation of the command-
ing officers.
In the report of Colonel Amory, issued from the
headquarters at Newbern December 21, 1862, con-
cerning the actions of the 14th, IGth and 17th of that
month, appears the following: " When all did their
duty well, it seems unnecessary to mention names,
but I feel compelled in this place to testify to the
fidelity with which Dr. Galloupe, the senior surgeon
of my brigade, discharged his duties. His effi-
ciency at all times and his care of the wounded merit
the highest praise."
In 1868 Dr. Galloupe was commissioned by the
President, "for faithful and meritorious services dur-
ing the war," a lieutenant-colonel of volunteers by
brevet. This appointment was made in accordance
with the many and strong recommendations of those
best able to judge of his distinguished merits as a
surgeon and soldier. Among tho.se urgently advocat-
ing his appointment were Major-General J. G. Foster
and Surgeon-General Dale. General Foster wrote,
" I know Dr. Galloupe to be a most worthy and ex-
cellent officer, who, under all circumstances during
the war, performed his duty with marked ability;"
and Surgeon-General Dale wrote of him, " His rec-
ord during the war was honorable to himself and
creditable to the commonwealth." Many pa.ssages,
equally laudatory, from others, might be added, show-
ing the high estimation in which his services were
held by those most competent to judge. It may not
be amiss, however, to add the following letters of
those well-known commanders. General Burnside
and General Butler, to the Secretary of War :
•' State of Riiodk Island, Exkcutive Department,
*' PkOvidence, August 8, 18G8.
" General J. M. Sciiofield, Secretary of VViir :
"GeHer«?, — It gives rac great pleasure to bear testimony to the skill,
industry and and gallantry of Surgeon Isaac F. Galloupe, of the Seven-
teenth Massachusetts Volunteei-s, who served with me in North Carolina.
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LYNN.
369
On all occasions during tlie war when his services were needed he proved
himself a most etficieut surgeon and brave officer. In February, 1864,
he was captured by tlie enemy whilst operating upon the field. I be-
lieve his good services and reconl entitle him to a brevet, and I hope it
may be found for the interest of the public service to give him the pro-
motion.
" Tours truly,
" A. E. BuHNSIDE."
" Bayview. near Gl.or-CESTEH, Mass., August 10, 1868.
" To the Honrrahh Sfcrelanj of n'ar, —
"Surgeon Gailoupe served under my command at Newbern, N. C,
and was captured during an attack while engaged in the strict line of
his duty in remo\ing a musket-ball from a wounded officer. He waa
detained in Libby a month and then exchanged. His services were
more tlian those of surgeons of the line, and were specially mentioned.
His testimonials from other commanders under whom he served are of
the highest order. I urgently bespeak for him a brevet appointment as
fit recognition of his eflicieut and assiduous and meritorious services.
** I have the houor to be
" Your very obedient servant,
" Be\jamin F. Butlek."
The reference to Dr. Galloupe's being taken pris-
oner while attending a wounded officer on the field
may merit an explanatory word or two. The wounded
officer was Henry A. Cheever, adjutant of the Seven-
teenth Ma.ssachu.setts Volunteers, who says, in a letter
to the Secretary of War, dated August 8, 1868: " On
February 1, 1864, when the rebel General Pickett
made his demonstration against Newbern, N. C, it
was my misfortune to receive a dangerous wound in
the left side, and my very excessive good fortune to
be associated with Surgeon Gailoupe, who remained
with me on the field performing a surgical operation,
when to remain and do his duty to me (our small
force having been routed by overwhelming numbers)
was to fall into the hands of the enemy. I, as
well as some others belonging to the Department of
Xorth Carolina, owe our lives to the faithful manner
in which Surgeon Galloui)e discharged his every
duty. His humanity saved many lives and cheered
the dying hours of many others. As a companion
he was always of high moral character. I know of
nothing stronger that could be said in his behalf than
that he always, whether in camp or on the march,
met and faithfully discharged his every obligation,
and, in my opinion, is richly deserving of all the
honors that can be granted to one who served his
country well.''
Dr. Galloupe's army experience has enabled him
to make valuable contributions to the surgical literature
of war, and he has taken occasion, from time to time,
in his concise and lucid manner, to describe cases that
have come under his operating hand, much to the
benefit of his professional brethren, so that the period
of his public u.sefulne,ss by no means ended with the
close of the war. As an example of his intelligent
way of viewing professional duties and re.'^ponsibili-
ties the following extract from a publication of 1863
is introduced, for it contains suggestions likely to
jirove of benefit wherever the note of war is heard :
"•Ampvtatkin ox THE Battle-Fieid.— Surgeon Isaac F. Gailoupe, of
the Seventeenth Kegiment, hjis written an interesting letter to Surgeon-
General Dale, in which he speaks of amputations on the field of battle
24
from his experience in the service. He says that it is thought by many
that amputations on the battle-field are sometimes needlessly performed,
but this is an error in his opinion. The golden opportunity for the
operation is immediately on the reception of the injury, presuming, of
coui-se. that amputation is necessary. The severe shock and depreasion
of spirits which immediately follow a severe injury in civil life do not
appear often in those wounded in battle, but the men are in a high
stale of excitement and exhilaration, a condition highly favorable for
immediate operation, which, if performed at such time, produces no
shock to the system. This condition, however, soon passes off, and if not
improved, the opportunity is lost.
"Hesaysthiit during the three engagements upon the recent Golds-
boro" expedition, about one hundred and fifty wounded were brought
to him, and as ho could not attend to all theciises personally, heselected
the eight worst ones and pei-fornied amputation, leaving the rest to
' cx)nservative surgery," and in every case among these of gunslntt frac-
ture of the long bones, not including those of hands and feet, the pa-
tient finally lost his limb, and in some cases his life also, while those
who had niulergone primary amputation made rapid recovery.
*'Iu the eight c.tses in which Surgeon Gailoupe operated on the occa-
sion referred to, all but one lived and rapidly convalesced, the case ter-
minating fatally being that of Trivate Rand, who last his arm and leg,
and who died from surgical fever after his arm had entirely healed and
his leg was progressing very favorably."
Dr. Gailoupe was a liberal contributor of material
for the " Medical and Surgical History of the War of
the Rebellion," published by the War Department.
Dr. Gailoupe returned from the war with a com-
manding professional reputation, and quietly resumed
his practice in Lynn, where he still resides.
In 1854 Dr. Gailoupe was united in marriage with
Lydia D. Ellis, a daughter of the late David Ellis, of
Lynn, and is the father of two sons,— Francis Ellis,
a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology in 1876, now practicing mechanical engineer-
ing in Boston, and Charles William, a graduate of
Harvard College in 1879, and the Harvard Medical
School in 1883, who is now a successful practitioner
in Lviin.
JO.SIAH CHASE BENNETT.
Bennett is an old Lynn name, and as some of the
family left here at an early period and settled in Xew
Hampshire, it is perhaps fair to presume that the sub-
ject of this sketch, who was born in Sandwich, N. H.,
on the sixth of May, 1835, was a descendant from
Samuel Bennett, who came to Lynn during the first
decade of our history — no doubt as early as 1636. He
was a man in good circumstances, public-s])irited, and
withal possessed of much independence of character
— was a little wilful perhaps, but on the whole, such
a one as no descendant need he ashamed of.
He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable
Artillery as early as 1639. Mr. Bennett's father was
Simon Bennett a farmer, also l)orn in Sandwich, who
stood very high in the community for his integrity
and sterling Christian character. He was the son of
Stephen Bennett, and a grand.son of Stephen Bennett
who served as a drum-major during the entire jicriod
of the War of the Revolution, and who, at a very old
age, froze to death as the result of a fall on the ice of
Lake Wiunepesaukee.
Chase, the middle name of Mr. Bennett, was de-
370
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
rived from his maternal ancestors, his mother (Mary
Fogg Chase) having been of the New Hampshire
Chase family, which has always numbered many emi-
nent personages; among them two Bishops of the
Episcopal Churcli, namely, Philander Chase, Bishop
of Ohio, who acquired the title of " Father of Ohio,"
he having gone there in its infancy, and being largely
instrumental in shaping its early history ; the other
was Carlton Chase, Bishop of New Hampshire, he
who afterwards, on the fall of Bishop Onderdonk of
New York, discharged the episcopal duties of that
Diocese. In tliis family line, too, appeared the dis-
tinguished statesman and financial expert, Salmon
Portland Chase, who was Governor of Ohio, United
States Senator, Secretary of the Treasury under Presi-
dent Lincoln, and afterwards Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court of the United States.
In Mr. Bennett's business career we have a notable
example of the progress of a true New Englander,
one who from the more humble ranks, by industry,
perseverance, and enterprise has attained a command-
ing position in the community ; a position, however,
which could not have been reached and maintained
without the additional virtues of probity, fair dealing
and true manhood.
It may be well briefly to sketch his career, there
being abundant material furnished by the public
prints which have delighted, from time to time, to
speak approvingly of his characteristics and doings.
Says one writer: "He was the son of poor parents,
and from an early age was thrown upon his own re-
sources for support. When he was sixteen years of
age he left his native town and went to work on the
shoemaker's bench in Danvers. In those days a shoe-
maker made the whole shoe, and there were no large
factories as at present." In another article we are
informed that " From Danvers he went to Boston and
engaged in the business of manufacturing silk hats."
This business and that of photography engaged his
attention until 1865, when he became connected with
the American Shoe Tip Company of Boston, remain-
ing with them about five years. During this time he
traveled extensively, becoming acquainted with the
shoe trade all over the country.
The company rose from a very embarrassed condi-
tion to become a great financial success, a result al-
most wholly contributed to by his personal efforts.
At this time he resided in Lynn during the summer,
and in Boston during the winter. In 1870 betook up
his residence permanently in Lynn, and commenced
manufacturing shoes, in a small way, with George E.
Barnard, in Exchange Street, under the firm name of
J. C. Bennett & Co. Two years afterward the busi-
ness was removed to their new building in Central
Square.
In Central Square the business still continues, under
the firm name of J. C. Bennett & Barnard. They do
a very large business, and have attained a position
where no want of capital is felt, and rank among our
first-class manufacturers. They manufacture none
but the first grade of shoes, and put them on the
mai'ket in corresponding style. The products of their
factory are widely and favorably known throughout
the country, and have contributed largely to place
Lynn in the foremost rank in the production of fine
goods.
Mr. Bennett has always been a true friend of the
laboring classes and willing to consider their wants
and their rights, and hence, through all the agitations
that have of late years beset the trade here, he has
been remarkably free from difficulties that have been
encountered by such brother manufacturers as were
disposed to be more tenacious of their own opinions
and less considerate of those of others. If, however,
troubles have at any time arisen, he has always settled
them by arbitration, to the mutual satisfaction of
employer and employees.
Mr. Bennett served in the State Senate in 1884-85,
and in that position, by his prudence, good judgment
and moderation won the universal approval of his
constituents; and he likewise gained much applause
from the benevolent and sympathetic of all parties,
by giving to the Lynn Hospital, the entire amount of
his salary as Senator.
In 1865 Mr. Bennett was united in marriage with
Miss Nancy Louisa Richardson, of Rochester, N. H.,
and they have pursued an aflTectionate and Christian
walk together, these many years, both being members
of St. Stephen's Church, he having already served as
Parish Vestryman, for several years.
JOHN AMBRO.SE MfAETnUR.'
Very few of the adopted citizens of Lynn, and she
can number many worthy ones who have appeared
at different periods, have stood higher in general es-
teem than Dr. McArthur — esteem for skill in his pro-
fession, and for the high qualities that characterize
the true gentleman.
He was born near Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1831, and
of excellent ancestry, his grandfather having belonged
to the gentry of Lanarkshire, Scotland, and his father,
being a man of finished education, having graduated
from Dublin University. The latter became an offi-
cer in the Queen's Regiment, and was at the burial
of Sir John Moore, and at the battle of Waterloo.
His mother was a daughter of one of the Royali.sts
who emigrated to Halifax atthe close of the American
Revolution.
After coming to the States Dr. McArthur resided
for a time in Newburyport, where he married and
buried his first wife. He was subsequently in busi-
ness in Montreal, but returned to Newburyport,
where he was for a time in business.
Dr. McArthur pursued his medical studies in the
Harvard Medical School, where he took a full course,
and graduated in 1872, his previous good education
'By JUB. K. Newliall,
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LYNN.
371
furnishing a firm ground-work for i)rofessioual ac-
quirement.
After spending a short time in Charlestown, he
came to Lynn, and in a remarkably short time Ibund
himself in an extensive and lucrative practice. Soon
after coming to Lynn he was united in marriage with
Miss Annie E. Friend, of Gloucester. They had one
child, a daughter, and the mother and daughter sur-
vive him.
Dr. McArthur's genial manners, varied acquire-
ments, liberal views, and tender sympathies made
him esteemed by all classes. And his rapidly accu-
mulating means enabled him to indulge his naturally
benevolent inclinations. He diligently followed his
l)rofession till declining health required a slackening
of professional labors, and for the last two or three
years of his life he w;is compelled to withdraw as
much as po.ssible from active practice.
He was not much in )>ublic life, as premonitions of
declining health warned him to beware of exposure
and excitement. In the quiet duties of church work
and in the lodge-room he took delight ; was an ex-
emplary member of St. Stejihen's Church, in which
he served as vestryman some ten years, his earnest-
ness and good judgment having much influence with
his official associates. He was a charter member of
the fraternity of Odd Fellows, and first treasurer of
the Richard Drown Lodge ; likewise a member of Oli-
vet Commandery of Knight Templars, and passed
through all the chairs at Newburyport.
Dr. McArthur died at his residence on South Com-
mon Street on the 28th of September, 1887, and the
funeral services were held in St. Stephen's Church
on the morning of Saturday, October 1, 1887. The
remains were taken to Newburyport for burial in the
family lot, several of his official brethren, kindred
and friends, accompanying them to their final resting-
place.
JONATHAN WOOODWARD GOODELL.
Jonathan Woodward Goodell was born in Orange,
Mass., August 2, 1830. His father was Zina Good-
ell, and his mother was Polly, daughter of Amos
Woodward, of that town. He was educated in the
common schools of Orange, at the Melrose Seminary,
in West Brattleboro', Vt., and at Saxton's JRiver
Academy, in Rockingham, in the same State. He
afterwards studied medicine in the Berkshire Medical
College, and graduated from that institution at the
age of twenty -six. During the first ten years of his
professional life he practised in Greenwich, Ma.ss.,
and then removed to Lynn, where he has ever since
resided. Since his arrival in Lynn, in February,
1866, he has devoted himself with energy and skill to
the practice of medicine and surgery, in which he has
secured a large and eminently successful business.
He is a member of the American Medical Associa-
tion, and of the Massachusetts Medical Society, of
which latter orsanization he has been several times
chosen one of the counsellors. He has been, also.
President of the Essex South Medical Association, and
in these various honorable positions has always had the
confidence and respect of his professional brethren.
He has neither occupied nor sought public oflice, but
has given his time and energy to his chosen profes-
sion, indulging in the single avocation of the study of
horticulture as a relief from his legitimate occupa-
tion. To the promotion of this branch of science he
has lent freely his intelligentservice, and is now presi-
dent of the Houghton Horticultural A.s.sociation of his
adopted city. He is now, at the age of fifty-seven,
releasing himself somewhat from the burdens of his
profession, and seeking relaxation and pleasure
among the fruits and flowers, to whose culture his re-
fined tastes more and more incline. He married,
November 1, 1868, Martha Jane, daughter of Jason
Abbott, of Enfield, Mass., and has one daughter, now
sixteen years of age. He is still in the prime of vig-
orous manhood, and promises many years of useful-
ness, both in the pursuit of his profession and in the
promotion of a higher culture and taste in the com-
nuinitv, of which he is an honored member.
AUGUSTUS B. MARTIN.
Augustus B. Martin is the son of Newhall Martin,
of Charlestown, Mass., and he (Newhall Martin) was
born in Boston, 1802, commenced the shoe business
in what was then Charlestown, but is now part of
Boston, in 1822, and remained there till his death,
which occurred December 18, 1880, doing the same
business in one place fifty-eight years.
In 1823 he married Hannah Phillips, who was also
born in Boston, and had the following children : New-
hall, born 1825; James Pope, 1827; Edward F., 1829;
Augustus B., 1831 ; Francis A., 1833 ; Alphonso,
1835; Harriet, 1837. His wife dying May 19,
1839, he married a second wife, Widow Mercy (Hatch)
Leach.
Augustus B. Martin was educated in the public
schools in Charlestown, and at the age of fifteen
entered his father's establishment, where he remained
three years. He then learned the trade of morocco-
dre.ssing with James M. Waite, of Charlestown, and
after working at his trade three years, in Newton,
with Charles Packer, removed to Lynn at the age of
twenty-four. There he started in business with
Moses Norris, under the firm-name of Norris & Mar-
tin, in the manufacture of morocco. After remain-
ing three years and a half with Mr. Norris, with his
small means considerably increased, he established
himself alone in the same business, remaining alone
until 1S(;7, when he admitted his brother, Edward F.,
as partner.
In May, 1876, he opened a store in Boston for the
sale of his goods, and from the time of his arrival in
Lynn, in 1855, to the present time his career has been
one of uninterrupted success. Manufacturing at first
372
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
on a small scale, and selling to his neighbors in Lynn,
he now has customers wherever shoes are made in the
United States and Canada.
In 1881 his establishment in Lynn was burned, but
was at once replaced by one which is the largest and
best-appointed morocco factory in New England.
Their store, near the Revere Beach Railroad station, is
the most elegant and commodious store, in that line
of business, in the United States, and forms part of a
brick block owned by himself and built in 1884.
The goat-skins manufactured by the firm are im-
ported by them chiefly from South America, and it is
safe to say that no better product than theirs enters
the market. Mr. Martin is a Republican in politics,
and a Universalist in religion, and has taken an ac-
tive interest in the advancement of views represented
by the party and sect designated by those terms. He
is a man of public spirit, interested in the welfare of
his city, and the institutions which give it character.
He has been a member of the City Council and Board
of Aldermen, a director in the Mechanics', now the
First National Bank, and is now vice-president of the
Lynn National Bank.
He married, December 25, 1856, Elizabeth R.,
daughter of William S. Fretch, and has had the fol-
lowing children : Lizzie, May, Alice G., and Augus-
tus B. Augustus B., Jr., was admitted a member of
the firm January 1, 1887.
JOHN TODD MOULTON.'
Mr. Moulton was born in Lynn on the 7th of August,
1838. His father was Joseph Moulton, long known
among us as a successful tanner and morocco manufac-
turer; and his mother was Relief Todd, a Vermont
lady.
The ancestor of the family was Robert Moulton,
who was sent over by the London Company, in 1629,
to Governor Endicott, as master shipwright, with six
journeymen, to begin the shipbuilding business at
Salem. The large island off Beverly shore, called the
Misery, " receiving that name," says Felt, " on account
of a disastrous shipwreck there," but gives no partic-
ulars. Robert Moulton was quite prominent in the
early town and church affairs of Salem, and was
granted two hundred acres of land in Salem village,
now West Peabody, and was one of eight men dis-
armed at Salem for sympathizing with the wheel-
wright in his desire for liberty of conscience and free
speech.
Mr. Moulton, the subject of this sketch, graduated
from Lynn High School in 1855, having prepared for
college under Jacob Batchclder. But he relinquished
tlie idea of college-life on account of fiiiling health,
caused by too close application to study. He spent
several years in his father's nursery in attending to
the cultivation and propagation of fruit-trees, shrubs,
1 By James R. Newliall.
and plants, having a strong natural love for such em-
ployment.
The father of Mr. Moulton had served an appren-
ticeship of seven 3'ears at the leather manufacture, in
all its branches and under him the son became an adept,
so that in 1864 he was well qualified to succeed to the
then firmly-established business. In that business,
the manufacture of morocco leather, he still con-
tinues, employing at the present time some sixty or
seventy workmen. His factory stands on the spot
where one of the earliest tanneries was established,
by the Lewises. In the chapter on the industrial pur-
suits of Lynn more may be found in relation to the
business and the successive owners of the premises.
The factory is quite extensive, and is located on
Marion Street, opposite the foot of Centre.
Mr. Moulton was born in the old Mansfield house,
on the north side of Boston Street, nearly opposite the
termination of Marion. It was built in 1666 by Robt.
Mansfield, and still remains the jiroperty of descend-
ants of the builder, now of the eighth generation.
The grandmother of Mr. Moulton was a Mansfield,
and lineal descendant from Robert, just named.
The integrity, prudence and promptness of Mr.
Moulton have made his services much in requisition
for positions of peculiar trust. He has already served
twelve years as trustee of the public library, and has
recently been elected for a new three-years' term, being
likewise treasurer of the board of directors. He is
treasurer of the fraternities of Associated Charities,
treasurer of the Boston Street Methodist Society and
treasurer of the trustees of the Lynn Free Public
Forest. As mentioned elsewhere, he is a writer of
merit in both prose and poetry, and has been the poet
at several High School reunions.
But the most distinguishing trait of Mr. Moid ton, in
a literary way, is his love for historical research. He
is a member of the New England Historical and Gen-
ealogical Society, and likewise of the Methodist His-
torical Society.
The people of Lynn are greatly indebted to him for
the collection and preservation of much that is useful
as well as interesting in her history. He has prepared
copies of the earliest existing town records, and had
them published in the Historical Collections of the
Essex Institute. He has also collected and published
the inscriptions from the oldest grave-yards of Lynn,
Lynnfield and Saugus, and has prepared genealogies
of the Moulton and Mansfield families. A few months
since, as mentioned in another connection, he, with
Mr. Isaac O. Guild, was at the expense of erecting a
suitable stone to mark the resting-place of " Moll
Pitcher," the renowned fortune-teller of Lynn, per-
haps the most remarkable personage known in our
history, and of whom a somewhat extended account
may be found in the historical sketch of Lynn in the
present work.
Mr. Moulton, it is agreeable to add, is always ready
to contribute from his abundant store any informa-
1 'iL- ')AwM^ ,4^^
LYNN.
373
tion he may possess regarding our early families, and
the charaeteristies and doings of our fathers. And all
well-wishers of the eommunity will join in rejoicing
in the prosperity of one so worthy.
Mr. Moulton was united in marriage with Jliss 8.
Fannie Sweetser in December, 1867, and their chil-
dren are one son and two daughters.
JOHN' r. WOODBURY.
John P. Woodbury was born in Atkinson, N. H.,
on May 24, 1827. He traces his ancestry through
seven generations to one of the earliest settlers in
Salem (1624), John Woodbury, who held the first
official appointment mentioned in the old Colonial
records. Later he was sent to England with full
powers to settle some difficulties which had arisen be-
tween the colony and the mother country, and re-
turned to the colony in 1628, having executed his com-
mission satisfactorily. John Woodbury, the grand-
father of John P.. came to Lynn in 1820. He was a
skillful master shipwright and carpenter, and the first
in this part of the country to introduce the '"square
rule" in framing buildings. Fourofhis sons— Jep-
thah P., Seth D., Joseph P., and James A — became
prominent as business men in Lynn, the last two es-
pecially as inventors. His eldest son. Rev. John
Woodbury, the father of John P., was born at Beverly,
and was first settled as a Baptist clergyman at North-
field, Mass., and later, as was the custom at that
time, was changed from time to time to other New
England parishes. He was a man of liberal views
and earnest and devoted in his labors, but in 1850 his
health compelled him to retire from the ministry. He
was married to Myra Page of Atkinson, and .John P.
Woodbury, the subject of this sketch, was tlieir only
son. His early yeare were spent in various New Eng-
land towns where his father was settled. In addition
to a common school education he had the advantage
of three years' study at the Hancock (N. H.) Literary
and Scientific Institution, of which liis father was a
trustee. At the age of fifteen he was employed for six
months on one of the most sterile farms in New Eng-
land, at the foot of old Monadnock. Any one ac-
quainted with farm-life of thirty years ago will under-
stand how he welcomed a change of employment. He
entered the office of the Keene (N. H.) Sentinel, and
soon became a good compositor. The following yean
having a taste for mechanical employment, he wentto
Bangor. Me., and spent three years of hard work in
acquiring a thorough knowledge of various w-ood-
working trades. He then came to Lynn, and was
employed for a year as journeyman cabinet-maker in
the factory of Seth D. Woodbury, which stood on the
present site of the Boston Revere Beacli & Lynn Rail-
road station. The following year he became the con-
fidential clerk of Joseph P. Woodbury, and in 1849-
50 visited Buffalo and the principal cities of the West,
in connection with patent business. He was in
Washington in the spring of 1850, while the famous
compromise measures were before Congress, and heard
the questions which led to our civil war discussed by
Clay, Webster. Calhoun and many other distinguished
members of Congress. On his return he became a
partner of Jepthah P. Woodbury in the lumber and
building business, which was carried on at Commer-
cial wharf, at the foot of Commercial Street, iu Lynn.
In this same year (1850), he n\arried Sarali E. Silsbee,
a daughter of Nathan Silsbee, and a descendant of one
of the earliest settlers of Lynn. In 1854 he sold his
interest in the lumber business, and again visited the
West, with the intention of settling there, but in four
months he returned to Lynn and established himself
in the real estate and insurance business. He was the
pioneer in this line of business in Lynn. By steady
and close occupation he obtained the confidence of
his fellow-citizens, and succeeded in establishing the
largest business of the kind in Essex County ; indeed
for many years only two insurance offices in the
State made larger returns to the Insurance commis-
sioners.
Mr. Woodbury was a firm believer in the future
growth and improvement of Lynn. He was for a time a
memberof the Common Council of the city, but he was
too busy a man to continue long in public office.
His name is intimately connected with the progressof
his adopted city. He was treasurer of the Exchange
Hall, the Sagamore Hotel, the Lynn Market-House,
and the Lynn City Improvement Companies. It is to
his organization of this latter company that Lynn
owes the laying out of Central Avenue, the finest
and most substantial street in the city. Having
secured control of nearly all the land lying between
the Central station and the City Hall, he associated
with him many of Lynn's leading capitalists .and laid
out this wide avenue, which has proved to be one of
the greatest improvements ever made in Lynn. At the
time the project was started it met with violent oppo-
sition from the owners of land on Market Street, who
feared the depreciation of their property ; but time
has shown that the improvement has rather enhanced
the value of their land. Mr. Woodbury's firm belief
in the future of Lynn led him to invest all his sav-
ings in real estate, frequently at what were considered
high prices, but time has confirmed his judgment. In
1867, after twenty -five yeai-s of labor, he sold his busi-
ness, and, with his family, enjoyed a well-earned holi-
day in Europe. Seven months were spent in Paris at
the time when Napoleon III, then in the height of his
glory, was entertaining the crowned heads of the
world, and making Paris the most brilliant capital of
Europe. The remainder of a year was spent in visit-
ing the principal cities of the continent and in South-
ern Italy. On his return ilr. Woodbury accepted the
presidency of the Exchange Insurance Company, an
organization composed largely of Lynn cai)italists,but
in eighteen months resigned from the position, and
has not since been in active business. His leisure is
374
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
largely occupied in the collection of books and en-
gravings, and he is especially interested in extra
illustrated books, of which he has a considerable col-
lection. He still retains a summer residence in Lynn,
but spends the winter months in Boston or in travel-
ing. He is a member of the Bostonian Society, the
Boston Art Club, the Grolier Club of New York and
other kindred organizations.
Mr. Woodbury U a Unitarian, and was for many
years a trustee of the Second Congregational Church
of Lynn. In politics he was one of the original Free-
Soilers, voting for Martin Van Buren in 184S, and was
afterwards a steady Republican until 1883, when, dis-
satisfied with the nomination of James G. Blaine for
President, lie became an Independent voter. He has
two children, M.arcia E., wife of Edward P. Parsons,
and John, a lawyer, practising in Boston.
Mr. Woodbury's career illustrates the fact that in
this country every avenue to business success is open
through steady, unremitting effort, to an earnest and
reliable working man ; and, better still, that through
all his toil a man may carry tastes which will furnish
him with delightful occupation and keen enjoyment
in time of leisure.
WILLIAM F. MORGAN.
Mr. Morgan was born in Bellingham, Mass., Janu-
ary 2, 1839, and was a son of William F. Morgan, who
was a lineal descendant from Miles Morgan, one of
the early settlers of Springfield, Mass.
Miles Morgan with two brothers, James and John,
sailed from Bristol, England, in March, 1636, and ar-
rived at Boston in the following April. The family
removed to Bristol from Llandaff, in Wales, a few years
before the sons emigrated to New England. Miles,
the youngest of the three was born in 1615, and on
his arrival in Boston, or shortly after, he joined a
party of emigrants, mostly from Roxbury, of whom
Col. William Pynchon was the head, and settled in
Springfield. The land first occupied by the settlers
in that place is now traversed by the Main Street, and
was divided into shares and distributed among them
by lot. The tract allotted to Mr. Morgan extended
from Main Street to the river, on the south side of
what was once called Ferry Lane.
About the year 16-13 he married Prudence Gilbert
of Beverly, having made the acquaintance of the
family during the voyage from England, and the tra-
dition of the family invests the matrimonial alliance
with the romance of a courtship at sea, a separation
for years, an offer by letter carried by a messenger
through the wilderness, an acceptance of the ofler, a
journey to Beverly by the bridegroom and his compa-
nions armed with mu.skets, and a return with the bride
one hundred and twenty miles to Springfield their fu-
ture home.
The records bear the names of the following child-
ren : Mary, born February 14, 1644; Jonathan, No-
vember 16, 1646; David, September 23, 1648; Pela-
teah, July 17, 1650; Isaac, May 12, 1652; Lydia, April
8, 1654; Hannah, April 11, 165G; Mercy, July 18,
1658.
Tlie mother of these children died January 14,
1660, and Miles married February 15, 1669, Elizabeth
Bliss, and had one other child, Nathaniel, born June
14, 1671. His death is recorded as having occurred
May 28, 1699.
Nathaniel Morgan, son of Miles, married January
19, 1691, Hannah Bird, and settled on the west side
of the Connecticut River in West Springfield, where
he died August 30, 1752. His children were, Nathan-
iel, born February 16, 1692; Samuel, 1694; Elienezer,
1696; Hannah, 1698; Miles, 1700; Joseph, December
3, 1702; James, 1705; Isaac, 1708; and Elizabeth,
1710.
Joseph Morgan, son of Nathaniel, married in May,
1735, Mary, daughter of Benjamin Stebbins, and lived
and died in West Springfield. His death occurred
November 7, 1773. His children were, Joseph, born
February 19, 1736; Titus, who died in infancy; Titus
again, July 19, 1740; Lucas, February 26, 1743; Eli-
zabeth, December 23, 1745; Judah, March 22, 1749;
Jesse, twin of Judah, and Hannah, November 29,
1751.
Judah Morgan, son of Joseph, married April 12,
1775, Elizabeth Shivoy. His children were, Festus,
born January 12, 1776 ; Elijah, June 2, 1777 ; Richard,
March 4, 1779; Amos, November 7. 1780; Elizabeth,
June 23, 1787, all of whom were born in Northamp-
ton. He died November 13, 1827.
Festus Morgan, son of Judah, married 1799, Submit
French of Northamptcm, and had one child, a son,
William F. Morgan, who was born in Northampton,
October 6, 1800. He was the father of the subject of
this sketch. He learned the business of woolen manu-
facturing and established himself in that business in
Oxford, and a few years later in Bellingham. He
married, April 17, 1832, Eliza, daughter of Rufus Rus-
sell of New Braiutree. His children were, Julius,
born and died 183-1; William H., born 1836, died
1839; William F., 1839, all of whom were born in
Bellingham. He died in Bellingham, August 10,
1839.
William F. Morgan, the subject of this sketch, was
a son of the above William F., and was born in Bell-
ingham, January 2, 1839. After the death of his fa-
ther his mother removed with her family to South
Milford, where he attended the public schools until
he was ten years of age. He then went to live with a
relative on a farm in New Rraintree, and while there
attended the schools of the town and was later a pupil
in Day's Academy in Wreutham.
In 1856, at the age of seventeen, he commenced
what was in reality hia business career, it being then
that he entered a shoe store in Providence, R. I.
Here he soon developed such aptitude and business
capacity that at the age of twenty-one he was offered
the position of partner, which offer was accepted.
^^^^2^^^^.
e^^eL^o-
o^^
LYNN.
375
Lynn was at that time, as it still is, the centre of
the great New England shoe mauufiuture, autl per-
haps the most promising field for the development of
enterprise, the exercise of industry and the invest-
ment of capital, known to the trade. He was, there-
fore, induced to leave Providence and accept the offer
of a situation as salesman and hook-keeper in one of
the largest establishments here. Hither be came in
1861.
After remaining in the situation named till 18G4, he
commenced manufacturing on his own account, and
soon found himself in a prosperous business, which
continued so to flourish and increase, that in 1871 he
found it expedient to take a partner. The present
firm of Morgan & Dore was formed in 1871 and soon
became one of the largest, most reputable and success-
ful in the city. In addition to the factory in Lynn,
they have established factories in Pittsfield, N. H.>
and Richmond, Me., where their liberality and fair
dealing have won for them an honorable name, and
where the constant employment given to a large num-
ber of residents has proved a substantial and highly
appreciated benefit to the people.
On the second of June, 1863, Mr. Morgan was
united in marriage with Miss Emeline B. Nichols, of
Providence, and has two children, William F. (now a
student in Trinity College, Hartford, Class of 1888),
and Alice L.
Mr. Morgan has not been much in public office,
though he has served in the Council. His peculiar
fitness for other public service, however, could not re-
main unrecognized. In charitable enterprises he has
always been an active and efficient laborer. He is
president of the Board of Associated Charities and a
member of the Board of Hospital Managers. He is
likewise a trustee of the Five Cents Savings Bank.
In financial matters his skill and forecast have been
conspicuous. He was one of the founders of the Na-
tional Security Bank of Lynn, and has held the posi-
tion of director ever since its organization.
In 1879 he erected the beautiful residence in Nahant
Street, corner of West Baltimore, where he still re-
sides.
Few men ever in Lynn have furnished an example
more worthy of imitation than Mr. Morgan. His in-
dustrious habits, upright dealing, respect for religion,
liberal aid in the promotion of worthy object-s, and
courtesy of manners, have made him one of excep-
tionally high esteem. And no well-wisher of the
community can envy the prosperity of one who has
thus risen to rank as one of the foremost citizens.
CHARLES O. BEEDE.
Charles O. Beede,' the subject of this sketch, was
born in Lynn in 1840. He received his early educa-
tion in the public schools of that city and of Sand-
wich, N. H., and added to his store of knowledge by
1 By Bet^amin Pitman.
close study for a season at the New Hampton Insti-
tute.
Being thus equipped theoretically for a business
career, he returned to Lynn and entered one of the
large shi.e manufactories of that city, that he might
gain by practical experience the knowledge necess.iry
tor business success.
In 1865 he began business for himself, and by untir-
ing industry and honesty of purpose he soon began
to climb the rounds of fortune's ladder. His pro-
gress was rapid, but he was soon admonished that
close application and earnest attention to the cares
and responsibilities of an ever-increasing trade de-
manded in his case a penalty, and in 1872 he was
obliged to retire from active business and seek rest
and recreation amid the rugged hills and sunny dales
of his old New Hampshire home, and for a year
rested from his labors.
At the end of that period, being recuperated and
thirsting again for the bustle and stir of a busy life,
he returned to Lynn, and at once entered the lists,
setting the mark for his prize in the establishment of
a business that should be favorably known through-
out the country.
With a persistency that could not be abated and a
zeal that knew no tire, he pushed on until the firm of
C. O. Beede was known as the leading firm in New
England for the manufacture of boot and shoe sup-
plies, and his name recognized as the name of one
who carved his fortune out of the rough stone of op-
portunity.
Mr. Beede is one of those happy men who study
and understand the needs of their employees and
cultivates the most friendly relations with them.
He gives his entire force an outing once a year,
and joins with them in their annual games and din-
ner, and when the great feast day of the year comes,
the day of Thanksgiving, the table of every man in
his employ bespeaks the liberality and thoughtfulness
of the man they labor for.
Outside of his regular business he pays attention to
real estate matters, and shows the same good judg-
ment there, ranking as among the most prominent
and successful dealers in the city.
Mr. Beede, like all progressive men, takes a health-
ful interest in politics, and believes that that system
or party is the most right that does the most toward
advancing the material, the social and the moral inter-
ests of the people.
Being of a social nature it Is not to be wondered at
that he should make friends, and in answer to their
call he has repeatedly looked after the city's interest
by serving on the alderniauic board, and he always
carried into his public duties the same qualifications
that has made of him in his private life a man of
mark.
Honest, always earnest in every cause which he
knows to be right, a clear thinker and a progressive
man, with a mind broad and comprehensive enough
376
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to take in the possibilities of great enterprises, and
yet conservative enough to prevent any undue enthu-
siasm to control his judgment.
Mr. Beede stands in the community in which he
lives thoroughly equipped for every public and pri-
vate duty.
PATRICK LENNOX.'
Lynn has been fortunate in numbering, from time
to time, among her adopted citizens, those who by
their enterprise and other valuable traits, have added
to her prosperity and the extension of her good name.
And some of these have come from other and distant
lauds. Such individuals she has always welcomed,
and in their fidelity to her interests has secured am-
ple reward. Of this class, few now with us are more
worthy of honorable mention than the individual to
whom this sketch refers.
Mr. Lennox was born in Kildare, one of the east-
ern counties of Ireland, a short distance from the city
of Dublin, on the first day of August, 1828, and was
educated in the national schools. Not much need be
said of his boyhood, as it was passed very much like
that of other youth about him, with its pranks, its as-
pirations and its inci])ient loves. But his ambition
to "rise in the world," as he entered early manhood,
asserted itself, and led to such "prospecting" in re-
gard to the future, as induced him to turn his eye to
America, as the most promising field. He then left
his native land without a pang, excepting such as
naturally arose from the severance of youthful attach-
ments and home associations.
At the age of twenty he found himself in New
York, full of youthful ardor and buoyant hope. He
landed there in 1848, and wiihout unnecessary delay
came to Lynn. Here he immediately entered the
employ of Darius Barry, one of our energetic and
reputable morocco manufacturers, on Monroe Street.
After serving for three years in a modified sort of ap-
prenticeship, he was competent to accept employment
as a journeyman in the establishment of Smith &
Clark. Such was his skill, industry and enterprise,
and his ambition, too, it may be added, that within
two years he was able to commence business on his
own account.
The shoe business was at that time rapidly growing
in Lynn, as machinery was beginning to be intro-
duced in almost every department. This was a fortu-
nate circumstance, and Mr. Lennox had the shrewd-
ness to perceive the tendency of trade, and had
established such a reputation for good management,
and had, withal, accumulated such an amount of capi-
tal that he was able to take advantage of the tide of
prosperity. He soon became numbered among our
principal morocco manufacturers, and was not defi-
cient in ample means. His business rapidly extended,
and he has now about a hundred and twenty-five
1 By James R. Newhull.
workmen busily employed. He has a salesroom in
Boston, which was established in 1877; and at his
factory, in Market Street, Lynn, large sales are con-
stantly being made.
It was in 1871 that he built his fine business build-
ing in Market Street, opposite the station of the Nar-
row Gauge Railroad. It was one of the best buildings
in the city at the time of its erection, and is still an
ornament to the street which has now so many hand-
some structures. And in noticing this building a cor-
respondent of one of the journals of the day remarks
as follows :
" Every traveler on the Boston and Maine Railroad, while passing
through Market Street, Lynn, has doubtless observed the substantial
and handsome store and factory belonging to Patrick Lennox, who com-
menced business as a morocco dresser in early life, and has steadily
built up a business and trade, now ranking among the first in the State
with substantial tokens of his stability. His quiet, gentlemanly de-
meanor and carefully chosen words will not at first view impress one
that he is possessed of the vital force and energy of character that haa
placed him among the first of the business men of the city. His can-
dor, probity and intelligence makes him a marked man in the communi-
ty, and his countrymen take especial pride in noting his prosperity in
which they are joined by all the citizens. As his name indicates he is a
native of Ireland, but so Americanized that none would suspect it from
his speech and appearance. He is an honor to both his native and
adopted country, loyal and true to both, a self-made, successful business
man, deserving of his good fortune."
Mr. Lennox has usually avoided appearing much
in public life, having no aspirations for official jiosi-
tion. It would, no doubt, have been beneficial to the
interests of the city had he been less chary in this
respect, for his good judgment and pacific course
would many times have saved from indiscreet ex-
penditures, unprofitable discussions and mischievous
disagreements. He has, however, held otfice as di-
rector in the National City Bank of Lynn, from Jan-
uary, 1882.
Six years after he arrived in Lynn, that is, in 1854,
he was united in marriage with Miss Bridget Clark,
and they became the parents of eight children — two
sous and six daughters.
It will be seen that Mr. Lennox is not by any
means an old man, certainly not in business activity
and neighborly sympathies. But he has reached the
age when it has become experimentally certain that a
course like his, of industry, temperance and upright
dealing are, under all ordinary circumstances, sutfi-
cient to ensure wealth and honorable social standing.
And herein he furnishes an example worthy of imi-
tation by all youths who have the good of the com-
munity and themselves truly at heart.
GEORGE HARRISON ALLEN.
Mr. Allen belongs to one of the oldest families in
New England. His ancestor, William Allen, though
not one of the Plymouth colony, came to New Eng-
land not long after the arrival of the Pilgrims, and,
after a short residence at Nantasket, now Hull, re-
moved to Salem immedititely after the arrival of John
Endicott at that place, in 1629. At Salem he mar-
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LYNNFIELD.
377
ried, in 1629, Elizabeth Bradley, and had a son Samuel,
who married Sarah Luck. Samuel had a son Jona-
than, who married Mary Pierce, and Jonathan a son
Jacob, who married Sarah Lee. Jacob had a son
Isaac, who married Rebekah Tewksbury, and Isaac a
sou Jacob, who married Lucy Gallop, and was the
father of Jacob Alva Allen, the father of the subject
of this sketch. Jacob Alva Allen was born in Bev-
erly, March 5, 1810, and married Prudence, daughter
of Sliubel Hire, who came from Ireland and settled in
Middlebury, Vermont, where his daughter Prudence
was born, November 5, 1807. He afterwards removed
from Beverly to Manchester, Massachusetts, and there
George Harrison Allen \v:is born, June 21, 1840. In
1847 he removed from Manchester to Methuen, and in
1849 to Lawrence, and in the common schools of the
last two towns his son received his education.
At the age of seventeen George Harrison Allen
left school to learn the trade of boxmaking, planing
and mill-work on lumber, sawing logs and fitting
lumber for building. He began at the first rung in
the ladder, and learned the trade thoroughly from
shoveling shavings into the fire-room to the clerk's
chair in the counting-room. In 18G5 he removed
from Lawrence to Lynn, and entered into partnership
with Joseph A. Boyden, for the manufacture of paper
and wood packing-boxes. At the end of two years,
Joseph having died, he formed a new partnership
with William C. Boyden, of Beverly, under the firm-
name of Allen & Boyden, and has since carried on the
same business, manufdcturiug both at Lynn and Bev-
erly a product valued at about one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars per annum. Mr. Allen has always
devoted himself with energy and industry to his
chosen work, and, though he has shared with others
business losses and disasters by fire, he has by the dis-
play of a determined spirit overcome obstacles in his
way and won his full measure of success.
Mr. Allen, though often importuned and at times
strongly tempted, has always refused to accept or
seek public office. He has believed that the demands
of his business were entitled to all his time, and that
an entrance into the political arena and a participa-
tion in its contests would necessarily distract his
mind and divert his attention from the management
of his legitimate pursuits.
Mr. Allen has been placed in offices of responsibil-
ity and trust in various Masonic bodies, having been
at the head of the Golden Fleece Lodge, Sutton
Chapter, and Olivet Commandery. In the Grand
Commandery of Knights Templars, and appendant
order of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, he has
passed the chairs of Grand Captain General, Grand
General and Deputy Grand Commander, which office
he now holds. He has also piussed the chairs of the
Palestine Encampment of Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, having been its Chief Patriarch.
He married, December 26, 1864, Sarah Luella,
daughter of Eben and Temperance Mclntire, of Lan-
•2Ai
caster, N. H., and resides in Lynn, where his business
headquarters are located at 188 Broad Street. He is
iu the prime of life, and with health and strength his
continued prosperity and success are assured.
CHAPTER XXIII.
LYXXFIELD.
BY JAMES R. SEWHALL.
Early Grant — First StUlers — Satural Attractions — Pondt and Streams —
Flora — Fauna.
Lynxfield was for more than a century and a half
a territorial outpost of Lynn. It was on the 13th of
March, 1638-39, that " Linn was granted 6 miles into
the countrey,'' and a committee appointed to make a
territorial survey for the purpose of ascertaining the
character of the land beyond, and determining
whether it " bee fit for another plantation or no."
The court, while making the grant, seem to have had
some doubt as to the extent of colonial rights and
the security of titles, as they soon after enacted that
the Governor and assistants shall " take care that the
Indians have satisfaction for their right at Lynn."
The granted territory was long called Lynn End,
and occupied chiefly by farmers. It was set off as a
parish November 17, 1712, and the inhabitants were
to lie relieved from taxes in the old parish as soon as
they built a meeting-house and settled a minister;
this they accomplished in about eight years, the house
being built in 1715 and the minister settled in 1720.
In 1782 the parish became a separate district, and in
1814 the district was incorporated as a separate town.
The precise lime when the first settlers arrived or just
where they located is not certainly known. It is pre-
sumed, however, that they came from Lynn, some of
them, perhaps, before the grant was made. It is
manifest by the names found on the church records —
Aborn, Bancroft, Gowing, Mansfield, Newhall, Well-
man — that at least the principal ones were from
Lynn.
The Mansfields and Newhalls settled in the
southeastern part, the Bancrofts and Wellmans in the
northwestern and the Gowings somewhere between
the two.
The early history of Lynnfield is, of course, inter-
woven with that of Lynn, and their natural features
are in a large degree similar. Its woody hills form a
part of the e.xtensive range that sweeps up from old
Plymouth County, varying in lieiglit, but never reach-
ing an altitude that entitles them to the name of
mountains. They present irregularities of shape,
diversities of soil and modilications of geological
construction, and follow the line of the coast at dis-
378
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tances varying from half a mile to eiglit miles from
the shore, in many places bearing strong evidence of
having once been the boundary of the tide. An-
ciently, for the whole extent they were well wooded ;
but as population increased, the axe in many places
laid them bare, and orchards and arable fields began
to appear. At intervals the chain now seems much
broken, as most portions likely for the present to re-
pay the expense have been reclaimed. Some sections,
however, still retain much of their primeval aspect,
^a fact eminently true of several of the remoter parts
of Lynnfield.
But Lynnfield possesses many attractions for the
lover of nature, in her lonely glens and pleasant
heights, in her lakelets and busy streams. She has
good highways and romantic byways, green meadows
and sunny plains. But she has not the ocean views
that so charm, and the ocean breezes that so invigor-
ate. Many, however, come hither for temporary
homes during the vacation season, and in the quiet
enjoyment of rural sights and rural sounds, in the
breathing of uncontaminated airs, in the use of fresh
and simple food, and in freedom from the re-
straints of fashionable life, find a medicine that re-
vivifies their jaded energies, and enables them to re-
turn to their homes again to enter with zest the ac-
customed routine.
There can be nothing more pleasing to the wooer of
nature, especially one who contemplates her changes
with the eye of a true lover rather than that of a
scientist, than to view the glowing pageantry of the
woods hereabout in mid-autumn. The splendid col-
oring of the foliage takes place at different periods,
the swamp maple and white birch often beginning to
change in the latter part of August. Some seasons
present much greater brilliancy than others, early
frosts being quite certain to destroy the eflect. Yet
there is a strange belief with many that frost actually
produces the appearance. Even the poet Whittier
sings :
" .\utunin's earliest frost had given
To the woods below
Hues of beauty such as Heaven
Lendeth to its bow ;
And the soft breezes from the west
Scarcely broke their dreamy rest."
Frost comes as a destroyer, not as a beautifier.
And it is a little remarkable that one so observant,
who had spent his life in the theatre of such chang-
ing scenes, should have adopted the old error. But,
perhaps, the singer yielded to the poetical idea.
While the foli.ige is so inviting to the woodland
stroller, or sometimes after it has been loosened by
the frost and fallen, the Indian summer comes — those
few days of delicious languor, when all nature seems
to be wrapped in a mantle of haze and lying down to
dreamy repose. The natural cause of Indian sum-
mer, which, by the w.ay, occasionally fails to appear,
does not yet seem to be satisfactorily ascertained.
And perhaps, in the absence of anything more
reasonable, the red man's explanation may be
adopted — namely, that it is a period when a breath
from the hunting-grounds of heaven is permitted to
sweep down to earth.
The geology of Lynnfield is not very dissimilar to
that of Lynn, excepting that granite to a considerable
extent takes the place of porphyry and greenstone.
Quarries of the former have been long profitably
worked. Some years ago a quarry of serpentine was
opened. In various sections, in former years, peat
meadows yielded an abundance of fuel, it being in
some cases found fifteen feet in depth; but of late it
has not been so much used, partly, no doubt, on ac-
count of the increased expense of labor in the prep-
aration, and partly on account of the greater conve-
nience of other kinds of fuel better adapted to the
modern modes of heating.
Ponds and Streams. — There are several pic-
turesque lakelets or ponds in Lynnfield, and two or
three streams that not only add charms to the land-
scape, but are useful in various ways, though not
largely employed as manufacturing agents. Lynnfield
Pond, as it is usually called, though sometimes known
as "Suntaug Lake" or "Humphrey's Pond," being
the same " freshe pond with a little ileland " named
in the old grant of 1635 to John Humphrey, is the
chief of the still waters. It occupies about two hun-
dred and ten acres, and lies partly in Peabody, is a
beautiful sheet, with lovely surroundings. A melan-
choly accident occurred here on the loth of August,
1850. A company, connected for the most part with
the First Christian Society of Lynn, were holding a
picnic on the border. In the course of the afternoon
a party of twenty-five, chiefly ladies, rowed out in a
large, flat-bottomed boat about a hundred yards from
the shore. As some of them shifted from side to side,
the boat was made to careen, and several of them,
becoming alarmed, threw their weight in a manner to
completely capsize it. Before aid could reach them
thirteen were drowned. Filling's Pond is largely ar-
tificial and of no great depth. Nell's Pond is remark-
able for its elevation, being something like a hundred
feet above sea-level.
Along the northern border of Lynnfield flows the
main branch of Ipswich Piver, and the western is
j)artially traversed by the Sauyus. Haivkes' Brook
meanders leisurely along, and is now charged with the
useful duty of adding to Lynn's public water supply.
The ispring water of this vicinity is uncommonly
pure, for the stone through which it percolates is not
soluble ; and it forms a good sample of that which
William Wood, Lynn's first historian, as early as 1633,
thus enthusiastically celebrates: "It is farr different
from the waters of England, being not so sharp, but
of a fatter substance and of a more jettie color; it is
thought there can be no better water in the world, yet
dare I not prefer it before good beere, as some have
done ; but any man will choose it before bad beere,
whey or butter milk."
LYNNFIELD.
379
Flora. — The flora of LyanfieUl, as it was observed
by the first settlers, is no doubt well, though not fully,
described iu the following lines from Wood's " New
England's Prospect." And well might such a prom-
ising region be coveted, —
"Trees both in hillB and plaines in plenty be,
Tlie long Uv'd oalce, the mournful cypress tree,
Skie-towering pines, and chestnuts coated rough.
The lasting cedar, with the walnut tough ;
The rosin-dropping firr fur niastd in use ;
The boatmen seeke for oars, light, neat grown sprewse.
The brittle ash, the ever-trembling aspes.
The broad-spread elms, whose concave harbours waspes ;
The water-spongie alder, good tor naught.
Small elderne by th' Indian fletchers sought.
The knottio maple, pallid birtch, hawthornea.
The honibound tree that to be cloven scornes.
Which from the tender vine oft takes its spouse.
Who twines imbracing amies about his boughea.
Within this Indian Orchard fruits be some,
The ruddie cherrie and the jetty plnmbe,
Snake murthering h.asell with sweet sasaphrage.
Whose spurnes iu beer allays hot fever's rage.
The diars shumach, with more trees there bee
That are both good to use and rare to see."
Descending to the more lowly ijroduct.s, it may be
said that in the woods and ravines, in the swamps
and upon the rocky heights, are to be found shrubs
and flowers of great beauty, some varieties of which,
under the hand of cultivation, have become garden
favorites. And many plants of rare medicinal value
are to be found. But the long and persistent warfare
of our learned doctors against the use of " herbs "
has resulted in greatly reducing the esteem in which
they were once held. The old traffic of the semi-
mendicant wanderers, with their pyrola, sassafras,
gold-thread, rosemary, catnip, sweet flagroot and
countless other varieties of similar curative merchan-
dise, has become nearly extinct. And so has gone
all that class of irresponsible doctors, friends of the
poor, as they called themselves, and sometimes were,
who, for the fee of a meal, were ever ready to advise
and prescribe. It did not cost so much to be sick in
those primitive days as it now does.
Fauna. — As considerable is said in the sketch of
Lynn, of which Lynnfield so long remained a mem-
ber, regarding the fauna of the region, no elaboration
will be required here. Bears were not uncommon in
the woods ; moose, beaver and deer were seen ; foxes
and wolves abounded ; and so did raccoons, weasels
and woodchucks. Most of these, excepting the last
two, have become nearly extinct — the first three en-
tirely so. But no better idea of the animal life here-
about can be given than by quoting the concise,
though somewhat grotesque, metrical description
given by a quaint old writer. His was a style much
iu vogue in early times, and some of the important
facts in our history have been preserved in that now
seemingly irregular way. Those rhyming historians
had no thought of debauching history through poetic
license, but aimed at a straightforward delineation of
facts, perhaps using that form to aid the memory.
But to the quotation, which is from a more extended
description that appears in Lynn's Centennial Me-
morial,—
"Some of the nobler game erst found, within tilese forests wide,
The moose, the beaver and the deer no longer here abydo ;
Nor growling bear, nor catjimount, nor wolf do now abound,
lint raccoons, woodchucks, we-asels, skunks, antl foxes yet lurke round.
And in the broocks and ponds still rove the turtle and musk ratt.
The croaking paddock and leap-frog ; and in the air the batt.
Serpents there be, but poys'nous. few, save horrid rattlesnakes,
.\nd adders of bright rainbow hue, that coyl among the brakes.
And then of birds we have great store ; the eagle soaring high.
The owl, the hawk, the woodpecker, the crow of rasping cry,
Ttie ]Mirtridge, quail and wood-pigeon, the plover and wild-got«c,
And divers other smaller game are here for man, his use.
And many more of plumage fair in coo and songarc heard ;
The whippoorrt-ill, of mournful note, the merry humming-bird.
In bog and ponii the peeper pipes at close of springtide day,
And tire-flies daunce like little stars along the lover's way."
Upon the rocky hillsides, about the ledges, and in
the sequestered forest defiles, the hideous rattlesnake
is still occasionally met with, during the hottest
weather. Seldom, however, is there any injury and
almost never any fatal result from encounters with
these old-time terrifiers. Formerly they were nu-
merous, and occasioned much fear, but the numbers
and fears have greatly decreased. It is stated, how-
ever, that during the summer of 18G8 a Lynnfield
farmer killed the extraordinary number of thirteen,
of various sizes.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
First PARlSH.-^The First Church of Lynnfield
was formed August 17, 1720, though a meeting-house
ai>pears to have been built some five years before. It
had always been a hardship for worshippers of that
remote region to attend service at the First Parish
house, some living more than seven miles distant.
And as early as the time when the "Old Tunnel"
was built, 1682, on Lynn Common, much discussion
was had as to the expediency of building farther in-
land, in some place that would be most convenient
for the four sections, now Lynn, Lynnfield, Saugus
and Swampscott, separate parishes not then being
contemplated. But the desire of the people near the
site of the old house prevailed, and the new one was
placed on the Common, where it remained, a marked
object, till 1827. There does not appear to have been
any ill-feeling engendered, and thither the people of
Lynnfield went for worship till they became strong
enough to form a separate parish.
The Rev. Nathaxiel Sparhawk was installed
minister of the Lynnfield parish at the time the
church was formed, 1720, and his salary for the year
fixed at seventy pounds. He was born in Cambridge
in 1694; graduated at Harvard iu 1715; was dismissed
in July, 1731, and about one year thereafter. May 7,
1732, died, at the early age of thirty-eight years.
The reason for his dismission does not exactly appear.
Mr. Lewis says, " A part of his people had become
dissatisfied with him, and some, whom he considered
his friends, advised him to ask a dismission, in order
to produce tranquillity. He asked a dismission, and
380
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNT F, MASSACHUSETTS.
it was unexpectedly granted. A committee was then
chosen to wait on him, and receive the church rec-
ords; but he refused to deliver them. Soon after he
took to his bed, and is supposed to have died in con-
sequence of his disappointment." His wife was
Elizabeth Perkins, and he had four children, one of
whom was Edward Perkins Sparhawk, a man who
became somewhat noted. He was born July 10, 1728,
and graduated at Harvard College in 1753. His wife
was Mehitabel Putnam, whom he married in 1759.
Mr. Lewis says he was never ordained, though he
preached many times in the parishes of Essex. He
appears not to have approved of the settlement of
Mr. Adams, the third minister of the parish, having
himself been a candidate, and calls him "old Adams,
the reputed teacher of Lynnfield." The historian
adds, " He is the first person whom I found in our
records having three names. The custom of giving
an intermediate name seems not to have been com-
mon till more than one hundred years after the settle-
ment of New England." One son of Rev. Nathaniel,
the first minister, born October 24, 1730, named John,
was apprenticed to a shoemaker, and afterward be-
came a physician of Philadelphia. One of our Es-
sex County historians has strangely enough given the
Rev. Nathaniel as the one to whom we are indebted
for the series of interleaved almanacs which have
been so much quoted from. But he had been dead
fifty years before the almanacs were made. The
Sparhawk who made the almanac memoranda was
most likely Edward, son of the first minister, though
some have thought he was a brother or nephew.
The immediate successor of Rev. Nathaniel Spar-
hawk in the pastorate was the Rev. Stephen Chase,
who was settled in 1731. He was born in Newbury
in 1708, graduated at Harvard in 1728, resigned in
1755, and died in 1778. His salary, as fixed at the
time of his ordination, was one hundred pounds.
Mr. Chase was here during the exciting period of the
visit of Rev. George Whitefield, the celebrated Eng-
glish revivalist. Rev. Mr. Henchman was then min-
ister of the First Parish of Lynn, and while he per-
sonally treated the eminent stranger with great court-
esy, and even cordiality, strongly opposed his course
of ministration, and refused the use of his meeting-
house for one of his meetings. Mr. Henchman ad-
dressed a letter, printed in pamphlet form, to Mr.
Chase, giving reasons for his opposition to Mr.
Whitefield.
Some of these reasons, as clearly enumerated by
Mr. Lewis, were, that Mr. Whitefield had disregarded
and violated the most solemn vow, which he took
when he received orders in the Church of England,
and pledged himself to advocate and maintain her
discipline and doctrine — that he had intruded into
places where regular churches were established — that
he used vain boasting and theatrical gestures to gain
applause — that he countenanced screaming, trances
and epileptic fallings — that he had defamed the char-
acter of Bishop Tillotson, and slandered the colleges
of New England.
It does not appear that Mr. Chase publicly answered
the letter of Mr. Henchman, nor, indeed, what his
precise views regarding Mr. Whitefield were. The
letter was, however, answered by Rev. Mr. Hobby, of
Reading, who became a warm defender of Mr. White-
field. And to Mr. Hobby's answer Mr. Henchman
made a rejoinder. The controversy was protracted
and warm, and perhaps some good resulted.
The wife of Mr. Chase was Jane Winget, of Hamp-
ton, and they had five children. After leaving Lynn
he settled in Newcastle, N. H., remaining there till
his death.
The third minister of the Lynnfield Parish was
Rev. Benjamin Adams. He was born in Newbury
May 8, 1719; graduated at Harvard in 1738; settled
here November 5, 1755; died May 4, 1777. His
wife was Rebecca Nichols, and they had seven chil-
dren.
The fourth minister was Rev. Joseph Mottey.
He was born in Salem, May 14, 1756 ; gra-juated at
Dartmouth, 1778 ; settled here September 24, 1783 ;
died July 9, 1821. His long pastorate would indicate
that he was beloved by his people, though it was a
period when ministerial changes were not by any
means so frequent as now. He was of a retiring and
sensitive disposition, had marked eccentricities, and
withal a humorous vein. As a preacher he was mild
and persuasive; not given to "ecstasy and holy fren-
zy." At times he was subject to strange fancies and
singular apprehensions. The following instance is
related in Sprague's " Annals of the American Pul-
pit," where a notice of him appears : " One extremely
cold night, after going to bed, he came to the conclu-
sion that he should certainly die before morning.
While reflecting upon being found dead in his bed,
he bethought him that his appearance, as he then
was, would not be just what he should like ; so, get-
ting up in the cold, he put on clean linen and jumped
into bed again. Very soon he fell asleej), slept
soundly till morning, and on waking was quite aston-
ished to find that he was not dead." This certainly
indicates that he had little fear of death. But he was
a man of high character, and, notwithstanding his
eccentricities, or " oddities," as they were called, con-
tinued to enjoy the respect of his people, who seem
never to have doubted his piety and conscientious-
ness. His reply to one who called him "odd" was
witty as well as characteristic: "Yes," said he, "I
set out to be a very good man, and soon found that
I could not be without being very odd."
Mr. Mottey was not accustomed to exchange with
his brother clergy so often as did most of the minis-
ters of that period ; neither did he take anything like
so active a part in the temporal aflairs of his parish
as some of them, especially Mr. Treadwell and Mr.
Roby, of the other Lynn parishes. This trait was
sometimes commented on in a manner unfavorable to
LYNNFIELD.
381
him. But the fact was, no doubt, rather attributable
to his naturally shrinking disposition than to lack of
interest in public aflairs. That he was indus-
trious with his pen cannot be doubted, for it is
asserted that he wrote more than two tliousand, if not
fully three thousand, sermons, which, if they were of
the usual length of the sermons of that period, must
have covered many more sheets of paper than most of
the preachers of our day find it in their way to cover.
" In regard to doctrines," quotes Mr. Parsons, in a
paper read before the Essex Unitarian Conference,
September 8, 1S81, "Mr. Mottey, in the first years of
his ministry, was much inclined to what is now
termed orthodoxy. Afterwards, and until the end of
his life, there was a general coincidence in his opin-
ions with what is now termed liberal Christianity."
But "liberal Christianity" is a term so indefinite as
to cover a wide field. And it cannot be admitted
that Mr. Mottey ever became what is now known as a
Unitarian or Universalist ; nor was his successor,
Mr. Searl, of either of these denominations. There
are many shades of belief among the individuals of
all denominations. And no doubt some of the theo-
logians of Andoverand Princeton are quite as well en-
titled to be called liberal Christians as was Mr.
Mottey.
The fifth minister of Lynnfield Parish was Rev.
Joseph Seael. He was born in Rowley Decem-
ber 2,1789; graduated at Dartmouth in 1815; set-
tled here January 21, 1824; resigned September 27,
1S27. He removed to Stoneham. Mr. Searl was the
last preacher of the old orthodox faith in this, the
First Lynnfield Parish. Rev. Luther Walcott,
his successor, was of the Universalist persuasion. The
ministerial succession was as follows:
1720. Nathaniel Sparhawk.
1731. Stephen Chase.
1750. Benjamin Adams.
1783. Joso|)li Mottey.
1824. .Joseph Searl.
1854. Luther Walcott.
After Mr. Walcott left the society was supplied by
different ministers for a few years, and then services
w-ere discontinued.
It would be needless to repeat that this, the First
Church of Lynnfield, was originally of rigid Puritan-
ical stamp. And in its history appears another in-
stance of the tendency to swerve from that faith, and
by the force of a mere vote adopt one of a diflferent
character. Where no superior ecclesiastical authority
is acknowledged there seems nothing to prevent this.
This Lynnfield society changed its faith as an organ-
ization by voting to settle Mr. Walcott. The First
Church of Lynn is one of the three or four of the
early churches in Massachusetts that have preserved
their integrity, through good report and evil, to the
present day, they never having yet voted themselves
out of the old faith. The right of individual inter-
pretation may be very precious, but its tendency is to
instability.
The following are the other religious societies of
Lynnfield :
Orthodox Evangelical Society (Centre Vil-
lage). [Trinitarian Congregational, formed September
27, 1832.]
1833. Josiah Hill.
1837. Henry 9. Greene.
1S.50. UzalW. Condit.
185G. Edwin R. Hodgraan.
185!). William C. Whitcomh.
1803, M. Bradford Boardman.
1871. Oliver P. Emersun.
1874. Darius B. Scott.
1883. Henry L, Brickett.
South Village Congregational. [Trinitarian,
formed in 1849.]
I ,8„5.
1849. Ariel P. Chute.
1858. Allen Gannett.
Methodi.'^t. — A society of this order was formed
here in ISKi, and a house of worship erected, in the
Centre Village, in 1823. But regular meetings have
not been held for several years.
old families and biographical sketches.
Newhall FxiiihY.— Joseph Newhall was an early
settler of Lynnfield. He was a grandson of Thomas
Newhall, the first of the name in Lynn, and a son of
Thomas, the first white child born here. He was
born on the 22d of September, 1658, and married
Susanna, daughter of Thomas Farrar. He was a man
of considerable importance in his day, and was often
in places of public trust. He settled, as a farmer, in
Lynnfield, his homestead farm, as it was called, con-
sisting of some thirty-four acres. He also had
another estate, known as the Pond farm, consisting
of a hundred and seventy acres, lying on the west of
Humphrey's Pond, and being a part of the grant
made to Mr. Humphrey in 1635. Ii is thus seen that
Mr. Newhall possessed many "broad acres," com-
prehending woodland, tillage and meadow. But his
most valuable possession was a family of eleven chil-
dren— eight sons and three daughters. Just when he
took up his abode in Lynnfield does not distinctly
appear; but it was probably soon after he came of
age, his marriage taking place at about the same time.
He seems to have been a good man and a regular at-
tendant on public worship, for by the record, No-
vember 4, 1696, it appears that the town did grant
liberty for Joseph Newhall to " sett up a pewe in y'
east end of y" meeting house [the Old Tunnell] Be-
tween y" east dowre & the stares ; provided itt docs
nott prejudice the going up y' stares into y' gallery,
& maintains so much of the glas window as is against
s"* pewe." He was a member of the General Court,
and died while in office. And in this connection it
may be remarked that the pay of representatives, and
indeed of all public officers, was at a rate that did not
encourage that degree of hankering for official posi-
tion so lamentably prevalent in our time. Upon
the records is found this item : " Dec. 1706, to his
serving a Representative at the generall court in the
year 1705, until his death, 76 days at 3.? per day — 1 1.£
Ss 0(/." Mr. Newhall i)erished while on his way from
Boston to Lynn, in a great snow-storm, in January,
1705-'06. His grave-stone is in the old burying-
382
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ground, near the westerly end of the Common, Lynn,
and gives his age as forty-seven, and his title, en-
sign. All his eleven children survived him.
Elisha Newhall, tlie third son of Joseph, born
November 20, 1686, was a farmer in Lynniield, and
owned a tract on the northwest of Humphrey's Pond.
He also owned a tract on the southeast of the pond,
and on the latter his house stood. He was something
of a military man and attained the rank of captain.
His death took place on the 19th of March, 1773, at
the age of eighty-seven. He married, February 27,
1710-11, Jane, daughter of Joseph Breed. She was of
his own age and survived him but three days. They
had eight children — three sons and five daughters.
The church record says, "They lived very happily
together as man and wife, almost sixty-five if not
almost sixty-six years, then died, but three days dif-
ference between y' deaths. Thus were they lovely
and pleasant in their lives and in their death they
were not divided."
Daniel Newhall, a younger brother of Elisha,
just spoken of, was born February 5, 1690-91. His
wife was Mary, daughter of Allen Breed. His widow,
says Mr. Waters, died suddenly January 1, 1775, in
her eighty-fourth year. In a notice of her death
published in the Essex Gazette, she is said to have left
eleven children, sixty-six grandchildren, thirty-two
great-grandchildren — in all, one hundred and nine.
Benjamin Newhall, another son of Joseph, and
brother of Elisha and Daniel, was born Aj^ril 5, 1698.
He did not pursue farming, but engaged in shoemak-
ing, and located on Lynn Common. In 1729 he sold
his remaining interest in the Humfrey farm, evidently
intending not to return to Lynnfield. He seems to
have been successful in his vocation and was one of
the three mentioned as doing sufficient business
in 1750 to require the employment of journeymen.
He, like his brother Elisha, had military aspirations,
and in the French and Indian War was a captain.
He was a Eepresentative, first in 1748, and several
times thereafter. He married Elizabeth Fowle Jan-
uary 1, 1721, had fourteen children, and died June 5,
1763. His son Benjamin, born September 6, 1726,
was prob.ably the same who was town clerk at the
opening of the Revolution, and who died in 1777.
Samuel Newhall, tlfe youngest son of Joseph,
and brother of Elisha, Daniel and Benjamin, was born
March 9, 1700-1. He was adopted by his uncle,
Thomas Farrar, who was a farmer, lived on Nahant
Street, Lynn, and was a son of Thomas Farrar, known
as " Old Pharaoh," who was one of those accused of
witchcraft in 1692.
Asa Taebel Newhall was bom in Lynnfield
June 28, 1779 ; his father, Asa, was born August 5,
1732; his grandfather, Thom.<is, was born January 6,
1681 ; his great-grandfather, Joseph, was born Sep-
tember 22, 1658, and was the first of the Lynnfield
Newhalls; and his great-great-grandfather was
Thomas, the first white person born in Lynn.
Mr. Newhall was bred a farmer, and followed the
honorable occupation all his life. He was a close ob-
server of the operations of nature, and brought to
the notice of others divers facts of great benefit to
the husbandman. He delivered one or two addresses
at agricultural exhibitions, and published several
papers which secured marked attention and elicited
discussion. His mind was penetrating and possessed
a happy mingling of the practical and theoretical;
and he had sufficient energy and industry to insure
results. Such a person will always make himself
useful in the world, though he may be destitute of
that kind of ambition which would place him in con-
spicuous positions.
He was liberal in his views, courteous in his man-
ners ; and by his sound judgment and unswerving in-
tegrity secured universal respect. In his earlier man-
hood he was somewhat active as a politician, and was
judicious and trustworthy. He was a member of the
Constitutional Convention of 1820, and a Senator in
1826. He was also a Representative in 1828.
His wife was Judith Little, of Newbury ; and he
had nine children — Joshua L., Asa T., Thomas B.,
Sallie M., Eunice A., Judith B., Caroline E., Hiram
L. and Elizabeth B.
Mr. Newhall died at his residence, in the south-
eastern part of Lynnfield, on the 18th of December,
1850, aged seventy-one, and was buried with Masonic
honors.
General Josiah Newhall was born in Lynn-
field on the 6th of June, 1794, and was a lineal de-
scendant from Thomas, the early Lynn settler, his
nearer ancestor probably being Joseph, the first of
the family who jiitched his tent in Lynnfield.
The long and active life of General Newhall closed
on the 26th of December, 1879. During several
years of his earlier manhood he followed the profes-
sion of teaching, but, as time advanced, grew weary
of that exacting employment, and retired to the more
congenial one of agriculture. He however retained
his love for study, and became quite proficient iu
some branches, his attainments bearing his fame even
to the other side of the Atlantic, where, in 1876, he
received the honor of being elected a fellow of the
Royal Historical Society of Great Britain. He served
in the War of 1812, and was afterwards much inter-
ested in military affiiirs, attaining the rank of briga-
dier-general in the Ma.ssachusetts militia. When
General Lafayette reviewed the troops on Boston
Common, during his visit to America in 1824, he was
present in command of a regiment.
Lynnfield was incorporated as a separate town in
1814, and General Newhall was her first representa-
tive in the General Court. He served also in 1826-27
and again in 1848. During the administration of
President Jackson he held an office in the Boston
Custom-House. He also, at different times, filled im-
portant local offices. But his most congenial and sat-
isfying resort was the honorable occupation of farmer
LYNNFIELD.
383
anJ horticulturist. Tliere, the results of his experi-
iiionts and suggestions were often of much value. He
was kind-hearted, genial in manners and ever ready
to lend a helping hand to the deserving who needed
assistance. The last time the writer had the pleasure
of meeting him was on the occasion of the celebra-
tion of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary
of the Settlement of Lynn, June 17, 1879. He
seemed greatly to enjoy the proceedings, and as the
open carriage in which he sat moved along in the
procession, on that pleasant forenoon, was in fine
spirits and highly interested in observing the many
evidences of thrift and improvement.
His wife was Rachel C, a daughter of Timothy Ban-
croft. They were married October 28, 1824, and be-
came the parents of nine children, only two of whom
survived him. As has appeared, even from the little
that has been said here, the early fathers and mothers
of the Kewhall family of Lynn did their full share
to increase the native population. Perhaps no family
is deserving of higher praise than this in that direc-
tion. And it is found that the name .soon began to
prevail far and near as emigration kept pace with the
rolling tide of population, till at this day representa-
tives are to be found in every part of our broad land,
some in commanding positions ; but the great multi-
tude, as in all other families, plodding " along the
cool, sequestered vale of life." Henry F. Waters,
Esq., of Salem, has performed j)raiseworthy labor in
gathering so much genealogical information in his
little work entitled "The Newhall Family of Lynn,
Massachusetts," collating it so carefully and ))resent-
ing it in such intelligible form.
Doctor Johx Perkixb. — Among the residents of
JiVnnfield who have from time to time adorned her
history may be named Dr. John Perkins, who died in
1780, at the age of eighty-five. He was well educated,
having studied two years in London, and practiced
forty years in Boston. He was quite a scientist, and
proposed some theories that attracted considerable
attention among the savants of the day. The great-
est earthquake ever known in New England occurred
on the 18th of November, 1755, near the time when
Lisbon was destroyed. The same year Dr. Perkins
published a tract on earthquakes, probably induced
by the terrible commotions of that time. Other
writings of his received much commendation, espe-
cially an essay on the small-pox, published in the
London Maga~ine. Vaccination, it will be borne in
mind, was not then practiced. It is said he left a
manuscript of three hundred and sixty-eight pages,
containing an account of his life and experience. It
would, however, probably have long since been pub-
lished had it contained much of real value, as it was in
the custody of tlie American Antiquarian Society.
Among other things, it is alleged to have contained a
long and particular relation of a singular encounter
of wit between Jonathan Gowen, of Lynn, and Jo-
seph Emerson, of Reading. They met by appoint-
ment at the tavern, in Saugus, and so great was the
number of people that they removed to an adjacent
field. The Reading champion was foiled, and went
home in great chagrin. Dr. Perkins says that the
exercise of Gowen's wit " was beyond all human im-
agination." But he afterward fell into such stupidity
that the expression " You are its dull as Jonathan
Gowen " became proverbial. This intellectual en-
counter seems to have been enjoyed by the neighbors
of the champions almost as keenly as are the eleva-
ting yacht or even base-ball contests of our day.
The doctor appears to have been an interested ob-
server of passing events, active and cheerful as well
as prompt and efficient in the practice of his profes-
sion.
This Dr. Perkins has been mentioned in connection
with the invention of the " Jletallic Tracters," which
were so much ridiculed by the profession at the time
they were produced. But the inventor of them was
quite another man, a Dr. Elisha Perkins, of Connecti-
cut. He was a learned man, and one of much ability
and boldness in experimenting ; and proved his sin-
cerity by going to New York in 17i)9, when the yel-
low fever was prevalent there, to test the virtue of
a medicine he had prepared for its cure, and falling
himself a victim to the disease.
Daniel Townsend, of Lynnfield, who was killed
in the battle of Lexington, was a lineal descendant
of Thomas Townsend, or Townshend, as he and oth-
ers of the family sometimes spelled the name, who
came to Lynn as early as 1635, and in the records is
called a husbandman. He owned a lot of some seven
acres, on the southerly side of Boston Street, a short
distance west from Franklin ; and upon this lot his
dwelling is thought to have stood, though Mr. Lewis
says he lived near the iron works, in the present
bounds of Saugus. Perhaps he lived in both neigh-
borhoods, for he is known to have owned lands near
the southwesterly border of Lynnfield, and in other
places. He died December 22, 1677, at about the age
of seventy-seven years. His son John was a wheel-
wright, and belonged to the church in Reading,
though he seems always to have been called of Lynn.
Perhaps the Reading church was more convenient to
his home than that of Lynn. He died December 14,
1726, leaving a son, Daniel, born April 1, 1700. And
this Daniel was father of the Daniel who is the sub-
ject of this notice, and was one of the first to lay
down his life in the great struggle for American inde-
pendence.
The Townshends were an ancient and celebrated
family, whose seat had, from time immemorial, been
in Norfolk, England, near the town of King's Lynn,
from which our own Lynn received its name, through
Rev. Mr. Whiting, who at one time was chaplain to Sir
Roger Townshend. And for many generations they
maintained their lordly position.
On the 24th of May, 1728, Charles Townshend was
by writ, says Mackerell, " called up to the House of
384
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Peers by the style and title of the most Noble and
Eight Honorable Charles Townshend, Lord Lynn, of
Lynn Regis, in the County of Norfolk."
It would hardly be in place here to attempt an en-
umeration of the many statesmen and military heroes
who have made the name of Townsend illustrious, or
at least conspicuous, in the Old World. One or two,
however, whose names became connected with Amer-
ican affairs, may be named. There was Marquis
George Townsend, eldest son of the third viscount,
who commanded a division under Wolfe in the Cana-
da expedition, and after the death of Wolfe took
command, and received the capitulation. He subse-
quently rose to the highest rank in the British army,
was an active member of Parliament, and a Privy
Councillor. His younger brother, Charles, though a
statesman of acknowledged ability, was evidently
extremely fond of popularity ; insomuch that he
seems at times to have been on either side of the
American cause during the agitating times imme-
diately preceding our Revolution. It was he who in-
troduced the resolutions that did much to precipitate
the war, the resolutions imposing a duty on glass, tea,
paper and certain other articles. Macaulay says of
him : " He was a man of splendid talents, of lax
principles and of boundless vanity and presump-
tion."
But enough of the foreign pedigree. Although it may
be well to mention that in the ancient church of St.
Margaret, in King's Lynn, the stately edifice in which
devout worshippers have been accustomed to assem-
ble for almost eight hundred years, and from which was
taken the time-worn stone now in the vestibule of St.
Stephen's in our own Lynn, there is a black marble
in the north alley, bearing this inscription : " Here
lieth the Body of Mr. James Townshend, who was
Organist of this Church 36 Years, and died the 8th
of Jan. 1724. Aged 54 Years. Also Elizabeth, his
Mother, who died the 21st of April, 1733. Aged 84
Years."
The American branch of the Townsend family can
boast of a full share of such as became conspicuous
in various departments — of poets, scientists, legisla-
tors, and especially those who shone in the military
calling. And in the circumscribed sphere of village
life were many whose virtues might liave adorned any
po.sition. Of this latter class seems to have been
Daniel Townsend, whose memory has occasioned this
notice, and who met a patriot's death at Lexington
on that pregnant April day in 1775. His life was not
an ambitious or adventurous one, and not much can
be gathered of his history. He was born December
20, 1738, and consequently, at the time of his death,
was in the prime of life. He left a wife and five
young children; was sober and industrious, pious and
a consistent member of the Lynnfield church. He
was prompt at the call of duty on that memorable
morning, and with the company of minute-men
reached the scene of action soon after daylight. Mr.
Lewis says Townsend was with Timothy Munroe, an-
other Lynn man, standing behind a house "firing at
the British troops, as they were coming down the
road, in their retreat toward Boston. Townsend had
just fired, and exclaimed, ' There is another redcoat
down,' when Munroe, looking round, saw, to his as-
tonishment, that they were completely hemmed in by
the flank-guard of the British army, who were com-
ing down through the fields behind them. They im-
mediately ran into the house, and sought for the cel-
lar; but no cellar was there. They looked for a
closet, but there was none. All this time, which was
indeed but a moment, the balls were pouring through
the back windows, making havoc of the glass. Town-
send leaped through the end window, carrying the
sash and all with him, and instantly fell dead. Mun-
roe followed, and ran for his life. He passed for a
long distance between both parties, many of whom
discharged their guns at him. As he passed the last
soldier, who stopped to fire, he heard the redcoat ex-
claim, ' Damn the Yankee ! he is bullet-proof — let
him go!' Mr. Munroe had one ball through his leg,
and thirty-two bullet-holes through his clothes and
hat. Even the metal buttons of his waistcoat were
shot off." Townsend was found to have had seven
bullets through his body. His remains were taken to
Lynnfield, and " lay the next night," says Captain C.
H. Townsend, " in the Bancroft house, where the
blood- stains remain on the old oaken fioor to this
day " [1875]. The Essex Gazette, of May 2d, in a
brief obituary, speaks of him as having been a con-
stant and ready friend to the poor and afflicted ; a
good adviser in cases of difficulty ; a mild, sincere
and able reprover. In short, it adds, " he was a friend
to his country, a blessing to society, and an ornament
to the church of which he was a member." And
then are added, as original, the lines given below.
The notice and lines were written by some sympa-
thizing friend, the latter being transferred to the
stone when erected, some time after, at his grave :
" Lie, valiant Townsend, in tlie peaceful shades ; we trust.
Immortal honors mingle with thy dust.
What though thy hody struggled in its gore?
So did thy Saviour's body, long before ;
And as he raised his own, by power divine,
So the same power shall also quicken thine.
And in eternal glory mayst thou shine."
To show with what alacrity the rural population
responded to their country's call, it may be remarked
that thirty-one towns were represented on that dawn-
ing day of the Revolution. The loss upon the side of
the British was much greater than on the side of the
Americans, — a fact that may be accounted for in va-
rious ways, without supposing cowardice or remiss-
ness on either side. On the part of the British, sev-
enty-three were killed, one hundred and seventy-two
wounded and twenty-six missing. On the part of
the Americans, forty-nine were killed, thirty-six
wounded and five missing.
John P. Tow'iisend, of New York, and Cajitaiu
LYNNFIELD.
385
Charles H. Townseiid, of New Haven, have inililishcd
iinich vahiahU' matter pertainini; to tlie family histo-
rv, collected both here and in Eniilaiid, for which
labor of love they deserve nuuiy thanks. Whether
the family here have kept up a correspondence with
their English cousins is not known. Perhaps in some
future generation, one of those agitating dreams of
an immense fortune waiting in England for American
heirs may be entertained by some ambit ions one of the
line ; if so, it is to be hoped that it may not, like so
many similar dreams, prove but alluring ronumce.
Thomas Woodward. — Mr. Woodward was well
known by the shoemaking fraternity of fifty years
ago throughout this region by his famous awls. He
was born in Lynnfield in 1773, and died in IStld, at
the great age of eighty-seven years. His manufac-
tory was in that part of Reading now known a-
Wakefield. He was a remarkably ingenious mechanic
and has been credited with a number of u,seful inven-
tions. The Emerson razor-strop, which was so popu-
lar fifty years ago, when men generally kept their
faces closely shaved, is said to have been a device o!
his. But his ingenuity does not seem to have been
<lirected to any achievement of much magnitude, as
was that of his neighbor, Dixon. His awls, how-
ever, though not strictly an invention, gave him a
name and a substantial income, and probably, in a
negative way, had a saviug effect on the morals of
many an operative who, irritated by the brittlene-ss
or rough movement of other awls, might be led to
call in the aid of lubricating profanity. Jlr. Eaton,
in his " History of Keading," says of Jlr. Wood-
ward : " He was an honest, industrious and kind-
hearted man, but possessed some peculiarities of
character. He had an inquiring and rather credu-
lous mind ; any new idea, either in physic, physics
or ethics, he was ever ready to adopt, and if he
thought it valuable, he was disposed to pursue it with
great sincerity and pertinacity of purpose; hence we
find him ever trying some new experiment in manu-
facturing, using some newly-invented pills or cordial,
making a "tincture' that becomes, and still continues,
a popular medicine ; becoming an anti-Ma.son and
abolitionist of the most approved patterns, and an
honest and sincere believer in Millerism. He was,
however, a very useful citizen. He lived to be aged,
and his body outlived his mind."
MISCEI.LAXEOIS JIATTF.RR.
NEwmntYPORT Turnpike. — The turnpike from
Xewburyport to Boston w^as finished in 1806 at a cost
of four hundred and twenty thousand dollars. But
it <lid not jirove a successful enterprise pecuniarily.
A few stages ran over it, but not much of the travel
was diverted from the large seaboard settlements. It
ran through the southerly section of Lynnfield, and
was expected to bring great prosperity to the place.
Disappointment followed. Tlie capacious and well-
appointed hotel was built, and for many years, in-
25
deed excepting a few intervals of private occupancy,
till the present time, has furnished a pleasant resort
for summer visitors as well as winter parties. The
surroundings are picturesque, one of the most charm-
ing features being the beautiful pond near the border
of which it stands. The drives in all directions are
attractive, and the quiet all that the most retiring
can desire. Lynnfield Hotel (South Village) is four
miles and two hundred and eighty rods from Central
Square, Lynn.
Fires in the Woods. — During her whole history
Lynnfield has periodically been subjected to exten-
sive fires in her woods. Down to the present day
such fires occur, frequently in the most mysterious
way. .\nd it hits been suggested, perhaps with some
reason, that under peculiar circumstances the ]iitch
exuding from a pine may accumulate in such a man-
ner as to act as a lens, and in an excessively hot sun
so concentrate the rays as to produce fire. From the
earliest times the attention of the authorities has
been directed to this matter. But though legislation
has d(me something, it has never succeeded in sup-
pressing the dreaded evil, and never will while fric-
tion matches continue to be used, and careless boys,
heedless smokers and thoughtless gunners range the
woods. In November, HUCi, the General Court passed
this order concerning " kindlinge tires in wuds'':
" Whosoev' shall kindle any fires in y'' woods, before
y' 10'" day of y' first mo," [March] " or after y' last
day of y* 2"' mo., or on y° last day of the weeke, or
Lords day, shall pay all damages y' any pson
shall loose thereby, & halfe so much to y" comon
treasury." And the same year the court generously
allowed the use of "tobacko," under certain restric-
tions, s.iying, " It shalbe lawfnll for any man y' is on
his journey (remote from any house five miles) to take
tobacco, so that thereby hee sets not y" woods on fire
to y' damage of any man."
Duringthe severe drought which prevailed in ISii-l
very destructive forest fires raged. And also during
the severer drought of the next year, ISGo, which
continued from Jidy 5th to October loth. And al-
most every season many acres are Imrned over, de-
stroying not only standing wood, but that cut and
corded. The Massachusetts Legislature, in IS80-S6,
passed " An Act for the better protection of Forests
from Fires," and it is hoped that the provisions will
be energetically enforced ; if they are, some good may
result.
Old Currexcy. — About the close of the Revolu-
tion, the currency, what there was of it, was in a sad
state of confusion. The Continental money, so called,
the paper issued by Congress, had dejireciated to such
a degree that a thousand dollars of it were sold for
less than twenty dollars in silver. Mr. Lewis gives
the following description of different denominations
of these fiscal pledges, many of wdiich are still pre-
served among antiquarian collections. Doubtless
many specimens are to be found among the old Lynn-
386
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
field families. The pieces of paper were about two
inches square : " The one-dollar bills had an altar with
the words deprensa resurgit, the oppressed rises. Tlie
two-dollar bills bore a hand, making a circle with
compasses, with the motto, tribulaiio dital, trouble en-
riches. The device of the three-dollar bills was an
eagle pouncing upon a crane, who was biting the
eagle's neck, with the motto, exittis in duhio, the event
is doubtful. On the tive-dcdlar bills was a hand grasp-
ing a thorn bush, with the inscription su-itine vel ab-
stine, hold fast or tonrh not. The six-dollar bills rep-
resented a beaver felling a tree, with the word perse-
verando, by perseverance we prosper. Another emis-
sion bore an anchor, with the words. In te Domine
gperamus, In thee. Lord, have I trusted. The eight-
dollar bills displayed a harp, with the motto majora
minm-ihus consonant, the great harmonize with the
little. The thirty-dollar bills exhibited a wreath on
an altar, with the legend, si rede, fades, if you do
right you will succeed." In a few years, however, the
government succeeded in so regulating matters that
confidence began to be felt. And soon after Albert
Gallatin, who was perhaps the most able financier of
the age, was called to the Treasury Department, things
began to wear an encouraging aspect. But still there
remained for many years a great diversity in the mode
of reckoning, if not in real values, in ditferent sections
of the country ; and the coins in circulation were va-
' riously denominated. But little was as yet coined
here, and the chief silver in circulation, down to a
time quite within the recollection of multitudes now-
living, was Spanish. Who does not remember the
four-pence-halfpennies (6] cents), the nine-pences
(12} cents), the pistareens (at first 20 cents, and then
suddenly reduced to 17 cents) ?
Gold AND Paper Cdreency. — In thisconnection,
perhaps as appropriately as in any other, a word may
be said regarding the value changes in the currency
consequent on our late Civil War. On the 17th of
December, 1878, for the first time in sixteen years,
gold stood at par, — that is, $100 in gold were worth just
$100 in greenback government notes. The extreme of
variation was on July 11, 1864, when $100 in gold
were worth $285 in bank bills. From this last date
the ditference in values began slowly to fade away.
In the gold room of the New York Stock Exchange
there was much enthusiasm manifested on the day
when par was reached, and great cheering.
Siamese Twins. — During the warm season of 1831
the famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng, so mys-
teriously united in person, were for a short time rus-
ticating in Lynnfield. It was about the time that they
were first exhibited in this vicinity. They were one
day out on a gunning excursion, and becoming so
irritated by being followed and stared at by men and
boys, they committed a breach of the peace, were
taken before a magistrate and put under bonds. It
came near becoming a serious question how one could
be punished by imprisonment, should it come to that,
if the other were innocent. The difficulty vanished,
however, when it appeared that both were guilty.
They died in North Carolina in the winter of 1873,
within two hours of each other, aged sixty-three
years.
Prize-Fighters. — Edward O'Baldwin, known as
the Irish Giant, and Joseph Warmuld, an English-
man, noted prize-fighters, were arrested by the police
Just as they had commenced a battle in Lynnfield,
on the morning of October 29, 1868. A crowd of
those who delight in such demoralizing contests
had assembled from Boston and neighlioring places,
but they very suddenly dispersed in dismay when
the police ap])cared. O'Baldwin and Warmuld were
arraigned before the Lynn Police Court and bound
over for the action of the grand jury. The former was
finally sentenced to the House of Correction for two
years, but the latter escaped, forfeiting his bail.
Golden Spike. — May 10, 1869, was the day on
which the last spike was driven in completion of the
first continuous railroad line connecting the Atlantic
and Pacific. It was an eventful occasion, far away
there in the Rocky Mountain shadows, and drew to-
gether many prominent persons from different parts of
the C(juntry. The spike was of solid gold, and what
renders the occurrence of special interest to the people
(if Lynnfield is the fact that it was driven by David
Hewes, a native of the town, and a contractor on the
road. It was, however, soon withdrawn and deposited
in a museum in San Francisco, under the well-
grounded apprehension that if allowed to remain, some
straying traveler, curious or covetous, would appropri-
ate it.
Epizootic. — A strange disease called epizootic pre-
vailed among horses during the latter part of the
autumn of 1872 ; so many were disabled that such
wheel-vehicles as were drawn by horses almost ceased
to run. In Boston the United States mail was carried
to and from the post-office in ox-teams. Various ex-
pedients were resorted to. Goats and dogs, in many
instances, were harnessed for labor ; and sometimes
men and boys undertook the duties of the disabled
animals. The disease was not usually fatal, but such
as survived were left in a weakened condition.
Surplus Revenue. — In 1837 the surplus United
States revenue was distributed. The amount received
by Lynnfield was $1328.29, and it was approjiriated to
the payment of the town debt. Other towns, by vote,
devoted their shares to different purposes, some even
distributing it per capita. Saugus received $3500,
and appropriated it to the building of a town-hall.
Lynn received $11,879.00, and applied it to the pay-
ment of the town debt. Judging from present ap-
pearances, it will be a long time before the munici-
palities will receive another such dividend.
Forest Hill Cemetery. — This endeared resting-
place for the dead was consecrated on the 11th of (Oc-
tober, 1856. Addresses were delivered by Rev. Edwin
R. Hodgman, of the Trinitarian Congregational
LiNNFIELD.
587
Arii-I P. C'luite, of
t'liurch, Centre Village, and Re
the South ViUage Church.
Farm Products — Manufactures — Statistics.
— Lynufield is essentially a farming town, and cer-
tainly au industrious one, as the following items from
the latest returns show.
FARM PRODUCTS.
NiiiiilHTuf farms 55
Tons of hay raised 970
Gallons of milk 141,329
Ponniis of bntter 5,228
Dozens of eggs 18,48G
Busllels of potatoes (on ;ioHei'e8) .'i,r>22
Bnsliels of Indian corn (on 48 acieit) l,J^;i9
Total value of products 854,415
MAXUFACTVRES.
Averaffe number of employees (males, 41 ; females, 33) 74
Wages pai<l during the year S'25,!t00
Capital invested 12,300
Stock used 70,:i50
Value of products 120,500
BooU and Shoes. — Included in the ahove is that of
hoots and shoes, the productive value of which is
much larger than that of all the otlier manufactures
combined, and foots up as follows :
Average number of employees (males, 35 ; females 33). G8
Total wages paid during tJie year .- $23,800
Capital invested 0,300
Value of stock 07,0(H)
Value of products 112,500
Population. — The population at ditferent periods
is shown bv the following short table :
Yeai-s 1820.
Population 596
1850.
1723
1870.
818
1885.
706
Tn 188.') the number of families was 18.5 ; number
of ratable polls, 24'> ; number of voters, 180; number
of dwelling-hou-es, Hi/.
Schools. — There are three public schools, known
as Centre School, South Grammar School and South
Primary. Expenditures for schools during the year
emling March 1, 1887, $12.3o.20. Whole number of
scholars, May 1, ISSfJ, between the ages of tive and
fifteen, 11.3.
Town Expenses. — The town expenses for year
ending March 1, 1887, amounted to .■f79-19.42, divided
as follows: Highways, §142S.70 ; schtxds, §160.3.82;
town officers, $432.90; miscellaneous, $24.'i.0.>; State
and county tax, $1030.1.5 ; printing, $70.10 ; State aid.
$216; abatements, $42.32 ; interest and debt, $1710;
poor, $1044.56 ; discount on taxes, $123.82.
Valuation and Taxation.— The total valuation
for 1 886 was $545,964 ; real estate, $474,097 ; person-
al, $718,67; rate of taxation, $9 on $1000.
Births, Marriages .\ni> Deaths, 1886. — Births,
1 1 — 4 males, 7 females. Marriages, 17. Deaths, 15 —
5 males, 10 females; four were over 80 years old;
Rev. .Jacob Hood was 94 ami Sophia N. Hood 90,
lacking a mouth.
Ei^presetiUitives.
182C-
27. .losiah Nowball.
1844. Enoch Russell.
1828.
Asa T. Newhall.
1848. Josiah Newhall.
1829-
32. .John Upton, Jr.
1850-51. William Skinner, Jr.
1832.
Bownuin A'iles.
1852-53. John Danforth, .Ir.
1833.
John Upton, .Ir.
1856-57. David A Titcomb.
1834-3.'-.. .losbua Hewes.
1860. John Danforth,
183C.
.Tohn Perkins, Jr.
1865. George L, Hawkes.
1837.
William Perkins.
1869. James Hewe.s.
1838-41. David N. Swasey.
1874. Wni. 11, Koundy,
1841.
James Jackson.
1881. Andrew JlansBeld.
1843.
Joshua Hewes,
T'ttn,
Cteihs.
1814.
John Upton, Jr,
1S41, Andrew Mansfi.dd, Jr.
1818.
Andrew Mansfield.
1842. Joshua llewes.
1823.
Bowman Viles.
1843. Andrew Slausfield, Jr.
1832.
John Upton. Jr.
1844. John Perkins, Jr.
1833,
Bowman Viles,
18.57. John Danforth, Jr.
1834.
.■Vndrew Mansfield. Jr.
1878. Francis P. Hussell.
1837.
.loshua Hewes.
Postmasters.
[South Village.]
Office
establishe
d May 25, 1.S36.
1S3C.
Theron Palmer.
1855. Henry \V, Swasey.
l.<*30.
Charles Spinney.
l!S6'.t. Jame-s Jackson.
1852.
James W. Church,
[Centre
Village,]
Office eatablishet
August 1, 1848.
1848
Oeorge F. Whittredg
H.
1868. Levi H. Russell.
ls.-ii.
.Samuel \, NewcomI)
1874. Francis P. Russell.
1856, Jonathan Bryant,
RECAPITULATION AND HISTORICAL SU.MMARY.
1635. May 6th, the General Court grants to John
Humfrey five hundred acres of land, including what
is now called Lynntield Pond, or Humfrey 's Pond, or
Suntaug Lake.
1639. Miirch 13th, "Linn was granted six miles
into the country,'' by the court. This was the terri-
tory now forming Lynntield and parts of adjacent
towns, and was long called Lynn End.
1658. September 22d, Joseph Newhall, the first
settler in Lynnfield of the name of Newhall, is born
in Lynn. He was the father of eleven children, all
of whom survived him ; wa.s known as Ensign New-
ball ; was a Representative in the General Court ; and
in January, 1706, perished in a great snow-storm, on
his way from Boston.
1696. The winter of this year w.as the coldest for
more than fifty years, and occasioned much suffering.
1706. Division of public lands among the settlers.
1712. November 17th, Lynnfield set off' from Lynn
as a separate parish.
1715. Fir.st meeting-house in Lynnrteld built.
1719. December 17th, Northern lights observed
for the first time. People greatly alarmed, some de-
claring that they could hear a rustling.
1720. August 17th, First Church of Lynnfield
(the second of Lynn) formed, and Rev. Xfithaniel
Sparhawk installed.
1730. August 31st, Andrew Mansfield killed in a
well, by a stone falling on his head.
1731. November 24th, Rev. Stephen Chase, second
minister of Lynnfield Parish, settled.
1732. May 7th, Rev. Nathaniel Si.arhawk, first
minister, died, aged thirty-eight.
388
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1733. The following entry appears on the Lynn-
field Church records : " December 20, 1733, att a
chh meeting. Voted that every communicant of
this church shall pay three pence every sacrament
day, in order to make provision for the Lord's table."
1749. Hot summer. Great drought. Multitudes
of grasshoppers.
1755. November 5th, Rev. Benjamin Adams, third
minister of Lynnfield Parish, settled. The most se-
vere earthijuake ever felt in New England occurred
November 18th.
1759. Died in Lynnfield, June 4th, Margaret, wife
of John Briant, of "something supposed to breed in
her brain," as the church record says.
1764. On the public records of Lynn appears the
following. It no doubt refers to a marriage that took
place in Lynnfield Pariah, as the Rev. Mr. Adams
was minister thereat the time, and Go wing was an early
Lynnfield name: "Married, Daniel Gowing to Mary
Bowers, Dec. 25, 1764, by Rev. Mr. Adams." And it
is added that the bride was clothed only in a sheet
and undergarment, and those " she borrowed." Pro-
bably the bride appeared in that remarkable outfit un-
der the apprehension that if she brought nothing to her
husband he could not be held for any debt of hers. But
why might she not have borrowed a gown as well as
the other articles? Or could it have been a Christ-
mas frolic? Perhaps .she was a widow and that her
former husband died in debt, for it appears that by an
old "legal custom" the new husband could in such
case be held responsible for the liabilities of his
marital predecessor. At all events, such was the rea-
son given regarding a marriage that took place in
Salem, April 21, 1818, where the record says the bride
was even less clothed " while the ceremony was per-
formed."
1766. June 22d. Ensign Ebenezer Newhall, aged
seventy-three, died " of something supposed to breed
within him."
1772. Extraordinary amount of snow in March.
Storms on the 5t]i, 9th, 11th, 13th, Kith and 20th. In
sixteen days there fell about five feet on a level. On
the second Friday in April so violent a storm occur-
red that drifts twelve feet deep accumulated.
1775. April 19th. Battle of Lexington; Daniel
Townscnd, of Lynnfield, killed.
1780. May 19th. The memorable dark day, which
extended all over New England, creating great
alarm. The darkness was so great that at noon
houses were lighted as at night. And the succeeding
night was of indescribable darkness, many declaring
that it could be felt. The occurrence has never been
satisfactorily accounted for. The great astronomer,
Herschel, said of it : " The dark day in Northern
America was one of those wonderful phenomena of
nature which will always be read of with interest,
but which philosophy is at a loss to explain." Dr.
John Perkins, of Lynnfield, a learned physician and
author died, aged eighty-five.
1783. Lynnfield Parish made a district, September
24th. Rev. Joseph Mottey, fourth minister of Lynn-
field, settled.
1786. Certain memoranda by Mr. Sparhawk, of
Lynnfield, in an interleaved almanac of this year, are
of interest in various ways. The mode of reckoning
the currency is illustrated in this: " January y*^ 30th.
Bought two piggs by y" hand of Mr. Reed, the barrow
weighing 62 jjounds, at five pence per pound . . .
the other weighing 54 pounds att five pence per
pound ; " the whole amounting to " two pound, eight
shillings and two pence — which is eight dollars and
two pence." The following relates to the installation
of Rev. Obadiah Parsons over the First Parish of
Lynn : " Feb. y' 4th : Then was Installed att y' Old
Parish, in Lynn, Mr. Obadiah Parsons. Y" Revnd
mr Cleaveland of Ipswich began with prayer, y"
Revnd mr. Forbes of Cajian preached the sermon, y"
Revnd mr. Roby, of Lynn 3d parish, gave the charge,
y' Revnd mr. Payson, of Chelsea, made the conclud-
ing prayer, and the Revnd mr. Smith, of Middleton,
gave the right hand of fellowship. The gentleman
above mentioned was settled in peace, harmony, and
concord." Still another memorandum says: "From
y' 14th of June until the 13th of July, a very dry
time. And upon y'^ 1-lth of July, early in the morn-
ing, Jove thundered to the left and all Olympus
trembled att his nod. The sun about an hour high ;
a beautiful refreshing shower. Again, July y" 15th,
the latter part of y" night, Jove thundered to the
left, three times, and Olympus trembled. A shower
followed." It will be observed that these memoranda
were not made by Rev. Nathaniel Sparhawk, the first
minister of Lynnfield, as one or two historical writers
have stated, as he died more than fifty years before.
1788. John liiirnham chosen a delegate lo the con-
vention for ratifying tlie Constitution of tlie United
States.
1794. Early part of the winter unusually mild.
Thermometer on Christmas day reached eighty de-
grees in the open air. Water in the ponds sufficiently
warm foi- boys to bathe.
1800. June 1 1th, Samuel Dyer, a gentleman from
Boston, drowned in Humfrey's Pond.
1803. May. Snow-storm; fruit trees being in blos-
som.
1804. July. Snow fell this month.
1806. Newburyport and Boston Turnpike completed
at a cost of four hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
1814. Lynnfield incorporated as a separate town.
1815. September 23d, terrific southeasterly gale ;
ocean spray driven as far inland as Lynnfield.
1820. Asa T. Newhall elected a member of the
Convention for revising the State Constitution.
1824. January 21st, Rev. Joseph Searl, fifth minis-
ter of Lynnfield, settled. He was the last preacher
of the old Puritanical faith settled over the first so-
ciety, his successor. Rev. Luther Walcot, being a
Universalist.
LYNNFIELD.
389
1833. November 13th, extraordinary shower of
meteors. It occiirreil early in the moriiiiig, and con-
tinued several hours. As computed by Arago, not
less than two hundred and I'orty thousand, some of
great brilliancy, were at one time visible above the
horizon of Boston. They radiated from a point near
the zenith, an<l shot forth with great velocity, bend-
ing their course towanls the horizon ; were of various
sizes, with well-defined trains. Their bodies were
not very dense, and though some explosions were
heard, most of them rushed noiselessly onward. The
"shower," if so it should be called, extended all over
the Tfnite<l States; indeed, over the whole of North
America, if not over the whole world, invisible in
some places on account of sunlight or clouds. No
entirely satisfactory explanation has yet been given.
It has, however, been ascertained that similar occur-
rences take place periodically, though there is no
record of any that a])proached this in brilliancy.
1837. .Surplus United States revenue distributed.
Lynnfield received $l.'12.S.2;i, and applied it to pay-
ment of town debt.
1840. January 4th, the house of Widow Betsey
Newhall, in the South Village, burned.
1842. September 28d, the house of Warren New-
hall, in the Centre Village, l)urned.
1843. Splendid comet; iirst seen about noonilay,
February 1st.
1850. A son of Joseph Hamsdell, aged ten, killed
a rattlesnake in July, measuring five feet in length
and having eleven rattles. A tornado passed through
the westerly part of the town, about three in the af-
ternoon, August 1st, sweeping all in its path. Its
track was but a few rods in width, and fortunately
no buildings stood therein. August loth, thirteen
persons of a picnic party drowned in Lynnfield Pond.
August 31st, railroad through South Village opened.
December 18th, Asa T. Newhall died, aged seventy-
one, and was buried with Masonic honors.
1852. November 26th, first church-bell in Lynn-
field raised, on the South Village Church.
1853. James Hewes elected a member of the con-
vention for revising the State Constitution.
1854. Railroad through Lynnfield Centre opened
October 23d. Boundary line between Lynnfield and
Reading estalilishcd. There was a long and unusually j
beautiful period of Indian summer, ending ( )ctober
28th.
1856. < )ctober 4, Forest Hill Cemetery consecrated.
1857. Boundary line between Lynnfield and North
Ri'ading changed.
1858. Magnificent comet (Donati's) visible in the
northwest, at evening, for several weeks, in the au-
tumn. The tail was determined to be, on the 10th of
Octoljer, fifty-one millions of miles in length.
1859. August 28th, brilliant display of northern
lights ; whole heavens covered. November 18th,
large barn of .Tohn Mansfield, South Village, burned,
two yoke of oxen and two horses perishing.
1860. Thomas Woodward, a native of Lynnfield,
manufacturer of the celebrated Woodward awls, died,
aged eighty-seven years. June 20th, the meeting-
house in South Village was struck by lightning dur-
ing a severe thunder-storm of three honrs' duration.
July 18th, muster of Essex County fire companies in
Lynnfield.
1861. The great Civil War commenced early in
April. Lynnfield furnished sixty soldiers. John P.
Mead was mortally wounded at the battle of Bull
Run, July 21st. A military encampment was formed
in the South Village and a number of regiments there
drilled prei>aratory to leaving for the seat of war.
July 2d, a splendid comet suddenly apjieared. It was
a little west of north, extended from the horizon to
the zenith and moved with extraordinary rapidity ;
insomuch that it was visible but few nights.
1862. May 4th, Captain Henry Bancroft's barn
burned, together with carriage-house and other out-
buildings. A horse and several cows perished.
1865. January 17th, Dr. Thouuis Keenan, a skill-
ful i>hysician and much esteemed citizen, died, aged
sixty-one years. He was an Irishman by birth and
served as a surgeon in the British array before coming
here. The town, at their next annual meeting, passed
resolutions of respect for his memory. April .'id, news
of the fall of Richmond received. April l.">th, news
of the assa.ssination of President Lincoln received.
During September destructive fires raged in the woods,
the weather being very dry and warm.
1866. June 22d, bell on church in Centre Village
raised ; weight, eight hundred and thirty pounds.
1867. January 17th, a terrible snow-storm.
1868. During the summer a lAuntield farmer killed
thirteen rattlesnakes.
1869. April l.lth, in the evening there was a mag-
nificent display of beautifully tinted aurora borealis.
During the month of September Captain Henry Ban-
croft graded the common land belonging to the First
Congregational Society, and known ai the " Common,"
at the cost of about thirteen hundred dollars, bearing
all the expense himself. September 8th, severe gale
in the afternoon, next in violence to that of SeiJtem-
ber 23. 181'). X multitude of trees uprooted.
1870. October 20th, a very [)erceptible earthc|uake
shock felt at about half-past eleven in the forenoon.
1871. December 18th, old mill on Saugiis River,
near residence of George L. Hawkes, burned. Tra-
dition says the privilege was an ancient grant by the
King of England, to ensure the grinding of grain.
1872. The summer of this year was remarkable for
the l're(iuency and severity of its thunder-storms.
1873. English sparrows began to make their pres-
ence known hereabout this year — probably the
progeny of those imported into Boston. It was be-
lieved that they would benefit agriculturists by de-
stroying ravaging insects, but they did not fulfill ex-
pectations, and were soon declared worthless.
1874. March, a Lyunfield lady gives birth to three
390
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
children at one time, making up a family of four in-
fants, under the age of thirteen months, and eight
children, all under twelve years. The parents, not
being in very prosperous pecuniary circumstances,
were deservedly the recipients of many useful gifts.
1876. The destructive ))otato bug or Colorado beetle
first a])pears in this vicinity.
1879. December 2(;th, General Josiah Newhall died,
aged eighty-five years. He was Lynntield's first rep-
resentative in the General Court.
1881. September 6th, the yellow day, so called.
Early in the afternoon the air assumed a dim, brassy
hue. The obscuration was so great that common
newspaper print could not be easily read without ar-
tificial light; the faces of people were of a light saf-
fron hue, and the grass and foliage had a marked
golden tinge. The day was close and warm and the
smell of smoke very perceptible. September 20th,
news of the death of President Garfield received. He
was shot by C. J. Guiteau, July 2d.
1882. During the latter part of the summer an ex-
traordinary drought prevailed ; crops were almost
ruined, and in some places the landscape had a
scorched appearance. A splendid comet was visible
in the southeast for several weeks in October. It rose
two or three hours before the sun; its speed was al-
most inconceivable and the nucleus had the appear-
ance of partial disruption, as if it had met with some
violent collision.
1885. July 23d, President Grant dies. News of his
death received the same day.
1886. January 17th, Rev. Jacob Hood died, aged
ninetv-four vears.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
GENERAL .lOSIAH NEWHAI.L.
General Josiah Newhall was born in Lynnfield
June 6, 1794, and was a lineal descendant of Thomas
Newhall, the first white person born in Lynn, who
was himself the sou of Thomas Newhall, who came
from England iu IfiP.O, and w.as the progenitor of the
Newhalls of Lynn.
General Newhall's occupation was a farmer and
horticulturist, his interest in these pursuits leading
him to become one of the founders of the Massachu-
setts Horticultural Society. During the war of 1812
he served iu the American army. It was owing,
perhaps, to his early experience in bearing arms that
he became active in the State militia. In 1.S24 he
commanded a regiment of nine companies which was
among the forces reviewed on Boston Common by
General Lafiiyette, at the time of his visit to Boston
in 1824. Subsequently, he rose to the rank of Briga-
dier-general, and was six years in command of the
First Brigade. He was also active in civil atiiiirs.
Under the administration of General .lackson he was
several years connected with the Boston custom-
house. He was the first Representative elected to the
General Court from Lynnfield after the incorporation
of that town, and served in the Legislatures of 182lj,
1827 and 1848. He was prominent in town attiiirs
and served as chairman of school committee twenty-
two years.
In November, 1870, General Newhall was elected
a member of the Royal Historical Society of London
and Great Britain.
General Newhall died December 26, 1879.
JOHN PERKINS.
Captain Perkins was born in the northwesterly
part of Lynnfield, on the 18th of July, 1806. His
father and grandfather were respectable and thrifty
farmers; and farming has been his own life-occupa-
tion.
The Perkins family probably settled here some-
where about the year 1650. It is found that Luke
Perkins was a soldier in the King Philip War, and
marched against the Indians in 1675. He was a
pious man, and before departure requested Mr. Cob-
Ijet, then of Ipswich, but previously of Lynn, a min-
ister famed for his fervency in prayer, to pray for the
safety of the detachment. And it is added, " they
all returned in safety."
John Perkins, a later ancestor, married, August 29,
1695, Anna Hutchinson, and had five children, —
Anna, John, Elizabeth, Mary and William. Eliza-
beth became the wife of Rev. Nathaniel Sparhawk,
who graduated at Harvard in 1715, studied divinity
and was settled over the Lynnfield Parish, as its first
minister, August 17, 1720. He had four children, —
Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Edward Perkins and John.
Of these, Edward seems to have become somewhat
noted, and was the first per.son appearing on the
Lynn records with three names, the fashion of giv-
ing two baptismal name.s then just beginning. The
.son John became a phy.siciau in Philadelphia.
Another of the fiimily was Dr. John Perkins, who
was born in 1695, and lived to the age of eighty-
five, having spent much of his life in other homes.
He was a .skillful practitioner, but perhaps most
widely known by his literary and scientific writings.
He was well educated, having studied two years in
London. And many years practice in Bo.ston gave
him an e.xperience and reputation excelled by few
physicians of the period. Some further notice of
hiiii.apiiears in the historical sketch of Lynnfield.
It is sufficient, in this connection, to add that the
Perkins family of Lynnfield has all along maintained
a most respectable position. With few exceptions
they have been prosperous and highly regarded.
The present Captain John Perkins, whose portrait
accompanies this brief sketch, and who gained his
title many years since by being commander of a
'^'^ ^A HHi'-'
'OO^A-^cl^
■£^^%-Afl-K'JtoJi".
X.^. Oirr^
J
SAUGUS.
391
inililary company, has led a quift, unostentatious,
but useful lite. He has been a selectman, assessor
and overseer of the poor more than twenty years, and
for several years town clerk. He has likewise held
a commission as ,justice of the peace twenty-one
years, and represented the town in the (ieneral
Court. His good judgment and neighborly kindness
has always been much in requisition for the guidance
and assistance of his less (jualified neighbors. And
in the settlement of estates of deceased persons, and
as guardian of minors, his services and sympathies
have been highly appreciated.
Captain Perkins was joined in marriage April 22,
IS.^n, with Catharine S. Sweetser, of South Reading
(now Wakefield), and they became the jiarcnls of
five children, — Catherine E., born Jlay 10, 1S82 ;
John II., born Decemlier 8, ISo.! ; Mary F., born
.Vovember 14, 1887 ; Addia J , born September 18,
1840 ; andClara A., born July 17, 184;>. All the chil-
dren are now, 1887, living, exce|)ting Mary Frances,
the second daughter.
CHAPTER XXIV.
iSAUGUS.
r,Y WILIStTK F. NEWHAI.L, ES(J.
Siltuilioii—Bowul'irit'K—Art'ti—h'irer—S^ttU'niinl—Set off frmn Lijnn—V"i>-
ulation — Saiiytts Cetitri' — Cti/I'itidale — Eaut Smigtts — Xortli Saiiijits — 0<tk-
laudvale— Geology — Toi^ii Meetings— Toivii Hitiiae — Almsh'tise — Vtmetery
— AVifl Toicii Hall — Eiist Sttuyuit set off — Wttter-Pipes — Toivtt Clerkx —
Reprefetitativet — Valwili'm^ Taxation — Polls — Post- Offces.
Situation. — Saugus is situated in the very south-
ern corner of Essex County.
Should you open before you a map of the county,
you will notice that its general shape is a s(|nare of
about twenty-three miles on each side, with its oppo-
site corners or diagonals pointing north and .soutli
and east and west. At the very southern corner you
will find the township of Saugus. It is five and six-
tenths miles long north and south, with a trend some-
what west of north, and two and four-tenths ndles
average width.
BouND.^RlEs. — It is bounded northerly liy Lynn-
tield and Wakefield, easterly by the city of Lynn,
southerly by Revere and westerly by Revere. Melrose
and Wakefield.
Area. — Its area is about thirteen and one-half
square miles, of which about two and a quarter
square miles are salt marsh, occupying the very south-
ern end of the township, and only separated from
Massachusetts Bay by the narrow strip <if land kmiwn
as Revere Beach. Situated only nine miles from
Boston, you will see at once that the traffic and travel
to and with Boston of the whole county must largely
piiss over some portion of its territory. Before A.n., 1 800
Boston Street, or the old Boston road, so called, was
the only thoroughfare. Soon after this the Salcni
turnpike and the Newburyport turnjiike were built,
and in 1888 the Eastern Railroad was opened fur
travel ; and these now remain the only avenues of
communication, through our town, with Boston for
the county of Essex.
Saugus is an Indian name, and, as near as can be
now ascertained, signifies "extended," suggested, lU)
doubt, by its broad salt marshes.
The Indians applied this name to the whole terri-
tory lying between Boston on the south and Salem on
the north.
The Indian name of onr beautiful river was " AIjou-
sett,'' and it is to be regretted that this name was ever
dropped; bnt the white settlers fell into the custom
of calling it the river at Saugus, and finally, very
naturallv, Saugus River; thus it was we lost the
beautilul Indian name of our river.
Our river takes its rise in (^uannapowitt Lake, in
Wakefield, passes through the broad meadows of
Lynnfield and enters midway our northern boundary,
when, continuing its southerly course through North
Saugus to Saugus Centre, where just below Scott's fac-
tory, it meets the tide-water and thence flows in its
crooked course through the narrow s.ilt marshes south-
easterly one mile to East Saugus, where it reaches,
and thence becomes, the easterly bouinlary of the
tow-n for the remainder of its course to the sea.
Settlement. — The first political status of Saugus
is found, October 19, 1630, when .fohn Taylor was
admitted freeman to the General Court.
In lt>34 Xathanic^l Turner, Edward Tondins and
Thomas Willis were Representatives IVum Saugus to
the fir.-t Legislature.
In liiSti tow-ns were given authority to choose not
more than seven "prudential men" to manage town
business.
.\t that time Saugus not only comprised its present
territory, but also that which now forms the city of
Lynn and towns of Swampscult, Lynnlicld, Reading,
Wakefield and Nahant.
But the early settlers, evidently dissatisfied with
the Indian name of Saugus, very soon sought to find
some more familiar name, and very naturally recall-
ing the old English town of Lynn, iVom which, no
tloubt, some of them emigrated, it was decided to
change the name; and the Legislature granted their
petition, for, November lo, l(i87, we find on i(s rec-
ords an enactment, said to be the shurtest ever passed,
as fidlows: " Saugust is called Lin."
I'hus it was that our name was .set aside, so to con-
tinue until February 17, 181 'i, when, by a legislative
act, our prcsetit territory was set off from i.iynn and
received again its original name of Saugus. For
many years previously it had had a sejiarate ecclesi-
astical standing, and was known as the " West Parish."
Population. — The population of the town in 18ir)
392
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
was very near 700 persons. April 3, 1815, there were
150 votes ca.st for Governor. We find by the census
of 1820 the population was 748. In 1885 it was 2S55.
The iuteruiediate years show a pretty constant and
regular increase. And although up to 1815 our town
had been largely agricultural in its interests and pur-
suits, yet it was the approximate period of the in-
crease in our manufacturing industries, — shoes and
woolen goods in the centre of the town, tobacco in
Cliftondale and shoes in East Saugus.
Saugus Centre. — This brings us to the division of
the town into its several villages. Nature provided
for these by its isolated sections of territory, suitable
for farms and dwelling-houses, while separating these
sections were, and still are, rocky and wooded hills,
rising to no very considerable height and yet sufficient
to divert our connecting roads into fixed and almost
necessary locations.
Beginning with Saugus Centre, by far the largest
section of intervale in the town, we find it located
almost exactly in the geographical centre of the
town, being bounded on the north by Pranker's mill-
pond and on the east by the river. Few villages are
so beautifully situated as this, commanding as it does
from the top of Bound Hill, looking easterly towards
the ocean, one of the loveliest views of the river
valley.
Cliftondale. — Almost directly .south of the Cen-
tre, and about one mile distant, is Cliftondale, for-
merly known as Sweetser's Corner, reached directly
by Central Street alone. Recently this village has
taken a wonderful start in the erection of dwelling-
houses, there having been built within the past year
about forty, mostly by business men and mechanics
employed in Boston and Lynn, while some are built
by speculators who hope to sell. This section already
promises to be a populous portion of the town.
East Saugus. — Coming back to the Centre again,
we shall find southeasterly therefrom, about one mile
distant, the village of East Saugus, situated in the
river valley, and only reached by one road, now called
Winter Street, on the southerly side of the valley.
On account of the small area of eligible territory for
building purposes, this village is compactly built, and
consists principally of two streets — Chestnut Street
and Lincoln Avenue — leading up from the bridge to
the hill at the south of the village, where stands the
village church.
The crooked reach of the river, between the Centre
and the East Village, through the narrow strip of
salt marsh, is usually kept filled with water by the mill-
dam at the East Saugus Bridge, and so serves as a
mill-pond, replenished by successive Hood-tides and
receiving in addition thereto the fresh water from the
river flowage.
Almost directly west of East Saugus is Cliftondale,
one mile away, and only reached by Lincoln Avenue,
formerly called the old Boston road.
Thus we see that these three principal villages of
Saugus are respectively about one mile from each
other, occupying the points of an equilateral triangle,
across the interior of which no road passes.
It would almost seem that this triangular district,
although made up mostly of rocky hills and hereto-
fore neglected, will, some future day, be inter.^ected
by winding avenues and dotted with beautiful hillside
residences. It remains to mention two smaller villages
of our town.
NoETH Saugus. — Some more than two miles
from the Centre, and in the extreme northerly end
of our township, is the village of North Saugus,
a section of very excellent farming land. It is reached
by Central Street, passing Pranker's factory, and also
by the Newburyport turnpike. Saugus River flows
beside this village, and its two tributaries. Penny
Brook and Hawkes Brook, flow directly through the
vill ge. These two brooks have recently been taken
for a water supply by the city of Lynn; their waters
have been diverted by an artificial canal and carried
into Birch Pond, so called, on the eastern boundary
of our town.
Oaklaxdvalr. — The last village to be mentioned
is Oaklandvale. This is situated a mile and a half
.from the Centre, northwesterly, and is only reached
by the road leading to Wakefield and Melrose. This
is also an agriculUiral district, through which flows a
stream sometimes called Strawberry Brook, which
empties into Saugus River belo7,- North Saugus.
Geology. — The geology of Saugus is a continuation
of that of Lynn. The rock formations in both places
belong to the east and west system of Hitchcock, as
given in his reiiort of the geology of Massachusetts.
A]i|iroaching the town from the ocean side, we come
to a broad belt of alluvium, beneath which is a thin
stratum of sand or gravel, and underlying all is a bed
of tough blue clay of unknown depth.
Succeeding this is a broad belt of felsite, generally
known as porphyry. It is composed of the finely-
comminuted remains of older rocks hardened l>y heat
and pressure to a flint-like substance. It is known to
scientists as the Lower Laurentian series, or the rocks
that contain the remains of the earliest forms of life.
On the northern side of the felsite the formation
has not been sufficiently studied. Much of it, how-
ever, is syenite, and the curved lamination in some
portions of the rock indicate gneiss. Trappean
dykes frequently occur in this rock and in the felsite.
The dividing line between the two formations is very
obscure, being generally covered by drift. On the
hill one-half mile east of Pranker's mills, and at the
railroad cut near the centre of the town, the junction
of the two formations may be noticed. Also near the
Lynn line, on Vinegar Hill, syenite is found obtrud-
ing through the felsite, which is here composed of
rounded felsite pebbles, cemented by a hardened
matrix of the same material.
The jasper bed, near Round Hill, in the Centre,
SAUGUS
393
is iindoubtolly a fine variety of felsite, the banded
variety of wliich furnishes very fine specimens.
Round Hill is a conspicuous object, and is of un-
doubted v(dianic origin. Hitchcock calls the com-
position of the rock which forms the liill ''Varioloid
Wackc." The base of the rock is of a pleasant green
color, and is filled in |)laces with rounded noilules of
i|Uartz, varying in size from that of an ordinary shot
to that of a pea. On the north side of the hill the
base of the rock is of achocobite color; this, together
with the white nodules of fpiartz, forms very pretty
specimens.
But few minerals or metals have been found in
Saugus. The jasper locality is well known and
many specimens have been taken from the bed.
E|iidote is common, but the crystals are too small
and imperfect to be valued. Good specimens of as-
bestos, associated with epidote, are tbund near East
Saugus, and calcite (nail-head spar) has been found
in the dee|) railroad cut near the Centre.
Hematite (specular) is found in the hill near the
railroad cut, also in bowlders in the northwest part of
the town. Pyrite ha.s been found near the head of
Birch Pond, but the specimens are poor.
Bog iron-ore w'as discovered soon after the first
settlement, in ditVerent parts of the town, but mostly
in North Saugus, where very good specimens can
now be found. This was the ore used by the old
Iron-Works from 1()43 to 1680.
As heretofore stated, Saugus was set off from Lynn
by act of Legislature passed February 17, 1815.
To\vn'-Meetix(;s. — The first town-meeting was
held in the parish church March 18, 181.5, and sub-
sefjuent ones continued to be held there until 1818,
after which time the school-house in the Centre gen-
erally served as the gatbering-place for the town, al-
though, occasionally, they were gathered at the Rock
Scliool-housc, so-called, in the South District.
TdWN-Hol'SE — In 1837 a town-hall was built, ar-
ranged for hall above and two school-rooms below.
This building is still standing, and since 1875, when
our new town-hall was built, it h:is been used for
school purposes.
It may be interesting to notice some of the circum-
stances of the building of this first hall.
Some two thousand dollars had been given to the
town as their portion of the United States revenue
surplus, distributed by General Jackson.
The question was, how this should be disposed of
Five town-meetings were held from May 12 to ,Tuly
8, 1837, and as may well be imagined, very stnmg
feelings swept the town. It was first voted to divide
it among the inhabitants; then this was reconsidered,
and it was voted to pay it over to the treasurer.
Then this was reconsidered, at a third meeting, and
finally voted again to pay to the town treasurer.
At a subsequent meeting it was voted not to build a
town-house ; and, at a still later meeting, it was voted
to build, — yeas, 90 ; nays, 74. Two thousand dollars
25 J
was appropriated, and a committee of seven chosen
by ballot, to obtain a location and contract for and
superintend the building of said town-house.
March 12, 1838, the town appropriated si.x hundred
dollars more to finish the town-house.
Almshouse. — In 1823 the present almshouse,
with farm formerly owned by Mr. Tudor, was pur-
chased.
Cemetery. — In 18-1-1 the town bought one acre of
Salmon Snow, for a new cemetery. This jiroving
too small was enlarged in 1858, by the purcha.se of
adjoining property of Hoswell Hitchings.
Again, in 1874, the two estates e:ist were purchased
of Henry Newhall and others, so a.s to further enlarge
the cemetery substantially as it is at present. Dur-
ing these years the town has taken excellent care of
the grounds, which have grown in attractiveness and
beauty, year by year, through the interest of our
townsmen and very much to their credit. Few
things speak louder of the tenderness, sympathy and
love of a people than its care for the resting-place of
the departed.
In the most eligible part of the cemetery is the
"Soldier's Lot," surrounded by hammered granite
border fence and entrance-steps, ornamented with
appropriate war emblems, all carved in scili<l granite.
This Wits built by the town.
Our cemetery is beautifully situated on the sloping
ground between Winter Street and Shute's Brook.
New Towx-Hall. — In 1875 the town built their
nen- town-hall, on the eastern side of Central Street,
purchasing of Mr. Samuel A. Parker a low, wet
piece of land, and at great expense filling up aud
grading the same. There was a great difference ot
opinion in the town in regard to the expediency of
erecting such a building.
A number of town-meetings were held, in which
adverse action was taken, but the building ))arty
finally prevailed, and the town was loaded with a
debt of fifty thousand dollars in consccpience. The
first story is occupied for rooms for town officers.
High School and public library, the second for as-
sembly room.
East SAUiJfs Set Off. — While the new hall was
building the inhabitants of East Saugus made a vig-
orous effort before the Legislature to be set oft' from
Saugus and annexed to the city of Lynn, but they
did not succeed iu getting a bill through both
branches of the Legislature. Soon after this, in def-
erence to the feelings and wishes of East Saugus, the
town voted an appropriation of five thousand dollars
lor the laying of water-pipes through the village of
East Saugus, connecting with the Lynn Water- Works
for a supply. This work was done, and .Vugust 10,
1 878, the water was let into the pipes and a public
celebration made of it by the citizens of Ea.st Sau-
gus.
Water-Pu'Es. — The town has just voted, .July 8,
1887, to extend this system of water-pipes through
394
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Cliftondale and the centre of the town, and for that
purpose made an appropriation of thirty-five thousand
dolhirs to lay seven miles of pipe, and chose Wilbur
F. Newhall, Edward Franker and Charles H. Bond,
water commissioners, to carry out the action of the
town, and said commissioners have just given the
contract to Messrs. Goodhue & Birnie, of Springfield,
for the laying of the cement pipes, the work to be
commenced forthwith and completed this season.
To\FN Clerks.— The following is a list of the town
clerks, with their terms of oftice :
1815-18. Richard MausfleM.
1819-27. Thomas JIansfii-lil, Jr.
1828-30. Zat'heiis Stocker.
1831-33. Isaac Childs.
1834-40. Win. W. Boardnian.
1841-47. Benj. F. Newhall.
1848-51. Harmon Hall.
1852-87 Wm. H. Newhall.
Representatives. — The following is a list of the
Saugus Representatives to the General Court. Until
about 1857 it required a majority of all the votes cast
to elect a Representative, and this explains why of-
tentimes no one was sent. In 1885 the town-meeting
adjourned twice and balloted six times without mak-
ing any choice :
1816, '17, '20. Joseph Cheever.
1821. Dr. Abijah Cheever.
1823. Jonathan Makepeace.
1826. John Shaw.
1827-28. Wm. Jackson.
182".i, '30, '31. Dr. Abijah Cheever.
1832-33. Zacheiw N. Stocker.
1834. Joseph Cheever.
1836-37. Wm. W. Boardman.
1838. Charles Sweetser.
1839. Francis Dizer.
1840. Benj. Hitchings, Jr.
In 1857 the district system went into operation,
and Saugus was united with Lyunfield, Middleton
and Topsfield. We give below the names of the Rep-
resentatives from Saugus alone :
1857. Jonathan Newhall.
1860. Harmon Hall.
1862. John Howleft.
1841. Stephen E. Hawkcs.
1842-43. Beiy. F. Newhall.
1844. Pickmore Jackson.
1840^7. Sewall Boardman.
1850. Charles Sweetser.
1851. George H. Sweetser.
1852. John B. Hitchings.
1853. Samuel Hawkes.
1854. Richard MansSeld.
1865. Wm. H. Newhall.
1856. Jacob B. Calley.
1863. Charles W. Newhall.
1866. S. S. Dunn.
1869. John Armitage.
1872. .lacob B. Calley.
1H7.0. Otis M. Hitchings.
1877. Joseph Whitehead.
187',l. J. Allston Newhall.
1882. Albert H. Sweetser.
1885-86. Chas. S. Hitchings.
Valuation and Taxation. — The valuation of
the town this year (1887) is :
Real Estate 81,906,061
Personal Property 202,835
Total valuation $2,108,896
Rate of taxation per thousand S13.50
Number of polls 8.52
Post-OfI'"ices. — -The first post-office was established
in the village of East Saugus in 1832. This remained
the only post-office in town until 1858, when two
others were established — one in Saugus Centre and
one in Cliftondale. The following are the names of
the postmasters of each office :
Ens; ,Sn"jus.— 1832, Henry Slade ; 1832, Ceorge Newhall ; 18.".(i, Her
bert B. Newhall ; 1863, Charlotte M. Hawkes ; 1S73, Charles Mills ;
1885, Heury J. Mills.
Saugus Centre, — 1858, Julian D. Lawrence ; 1870, John E. Stocker.
Cliftondale.— U5S, Wm. Williams ; 1860, Oeorge H. Sweetser, A. H.
Sweetser ; 1877, M. A. Putnam ; 1883, M. S. Fisk.
CHAPTER XXV.
SAVGVS— {Continued).
Early Settlers— ludiaus— Fish— Martliex— William B.i»rnrf'« Farm— Land-
ing Eoad — Edward Baiter — NichoUia lirown — Samuel Bennet — Tliomas
Dexter — Thomas Hiuhon— Captain Walker — Adam Hawkes — Sichard
Leader an<l Others — Apjdeton's Pnlpit.
Early Settlers. — Tlie year 1030 brought a great
many hundred people to our shores, and of this num-
ber some found their way to our town either through
the primeval forests or, more likely, by l)oats; and it
is not surprising that they should enter our river and
select along its banks favorable spots for their rude
houses, around which they were to commence their
clearings.
Indians. — Long years before this the Indians had
been attracted to this river, and upon its sunny banks
and in its sheltered vales had built their wigwams,
reared their families and cultivated their small fields
of corn and pumpkins.
On the south side of the hills, in East Saugus, on
both banks of the river, are found the relics of their
settlements, consisting of shell-heaps, pestles, hatch-
ets, arrow-heads and bones.
Fish. — Our river at that time abounded with fish
of many varieties, some of which, on account of our
mills and their obstructions, are now no longer found
in our waters ; but not the least attraction was the
abundance of clams tbund in the sandy shores of our
river, and, at low tide, accessible at all seasons of the
year.
Marshes. — Whatever mav be the changes in the
aspects of the country since those early days, in con-
sequence of the removal of forests and the incoming
of civilization, yet we have one feature of our land-
scape presenting substantially the same appearance
as then, namely, oiir salt marshes.
Our early settlers looked very kindly on these
marshes as furnishing a sure supply of food for their
horses and cattle, while they were toiling to bring
into arable condition the uplands then covered with
timber. These marshes certainly atibrded them
abundance of fodder. And even to-day they still
continue to yield their crops to our farmers, as shown
by the numerous stacks of hay annually gathered in
the summer, to be removed in the winter when the
marshes are covered with ice and snow.
William Bali^ard was one of our early settlers.
He was a farmer, and received sixty acres in the
allotment of lands in 1638. He was also admitted a
freeman iu 1638. His farm comprised what is now
the village of East Saugus. His first house stood in
the rear of the dwelling now ovviie<l by George Oli-
ver. His two sons, John and Nathaniel, divided the
farm in lti97.
It was sold to Dr. Oliver in 1710, and in 1720 to
Colonel Jacob Wendell, and about 1760 to Zaccheus
Norwood, who died about 1768, leaving a widow and
SAUGUS.
395
thiLf childron. On tliis farm i-tood the Anchor Tav-
ern, then kept by jMr. Norwood, and at his decease
by his widow, until 1773, when Landlurd Jacob New-
liall took charge.
About 1725 a town way was laid out by the select-
men through the farm from the old Boston road to
the Lower Landing, so called.
After almosta hundred years of alienation from the
r.alhird family, one-half of this farm was bought back
by William Ballard ; the other half continued in pos-
session of the heirs of Norwood until about ISbO, when
this was bought by .lolin Ballard, Esq., of Boston, who
then became the owner of the entire farm. In 1802
be built a new hotel a few rods south of the old tav-
ern, and from ISIO to 1822 he made this house his
residence.
During subsequent years the farm was partly cut
uj) into house-lot-s and sold, making the present vil-
lage (if East Saugus. — and it was not till a few years
ago that the remaining portion of the I'arni, on either
side of Ballard Street, was sold by the Ballanl family
to Mrs. John Pike and Henry W. Johnson.
Edward Baker was another early settler. In the
allotment of 1638 he was given forty acres. His
farm was on the south side of Baker's Hill, so called.
He was admitted a freeman in 1G38 and died in
U;87.
Nicholas Brown received in the allotment two
hundred acres. His farm was on the road to North
Saugus. He early removed to Reading.
Samuel Bennet, a carpenter and a member of the
Ancient Artillery (lompany in lt;39 ; he received in
the allotment twenty acres. His farm was in the
westerly part of the town.
Thomas Dexter, a farmer, was admitted a free-
nuin in 1631, and in the allotment was given three
hundred and fifty acres. He lived in the centre of
I he town, near the iron-works, and was generally
known as " Farmer De.xter." He was an active, stir-
ring man in the ]dantation, although frequently get-
ting into trouble with his neighbors, and even quar-
reling with the (iovernor of the colony. He must
have posse-ifed an irritable disposition as well as
fighting qualities.
He built a mill on the river, for the grinding of
corn, and akso a tish-weir in 1632, wherein were cap-
tured large quantities of alewives and bass; one hun-
dred and fifty barrels were cured the first year.
Thomas Hidsox lived on the westerly side of the
river, near the iron-works. He received sixty acres
in the allotment.
Captain Richard Walker, a farmer, was lo-
cated on the west side of the river, and in the allot-
ment received two hundred acres. Born in lo'J3, ad-
mitted a freeman in 1634 and died at the age of
ninety-five years.
Adam Hawkes, a farmer, settled in North Saugus
about 1634. He landed in 8alem with Endicott's
company in 1630, and probably soon after went to
Cbarlestown, as his wife Sarah's name is there found
on the church records. Undoubtedly he reached this
remote section of land by following up the river in his
boat, and his location was well selected.
In the allotment of 1638 he was given one hundred
acres, but before his death, which occurred in 1671,
he acquired a great deal more land, for in the division
of his property, March 27, 1()72, we find him possessed
of five hundred and fifty acres, one-half of which
was given to his sou John, and one-half to his grand-
son, Moses. A true inventory of his estate was made
by Thomas Newhall and Jeremiah Sweyen, March 18,
1672, which contains many curious and interesting
items, which we would like to give here, but for its
length. The total value of his property, real and ]ier-
sonal, was £817 lis.
Adam Hawkes had only two children, .lulin and
Susannah. John married Rebecca Maverick, daughter
of Moses Maverick, and what is very '.musiial, the
homestead farm has continued in the Hawkes family,
in an unbroken succession, down to the present time,
and is now owned and occupied by Samuel and Louis
P. Hawkes, and the family of Richard Hawkes.
Adam Hawkes built his first house on the hill, a
few hundred feet north of the present house of Louis
P. Hawkes ; this house was burned down soon after
it was built. Much of the iron-ore which was ob-
tained by the old iron works, in the centre of the
town, for forty years or more, was, without doubt, dug
in the meadows of Mr. Hawkes. And it seems he
was troubled with the flowage of his lands by the iron
works, the dam being raised much higher than the
present one. He obtained damages for this flowage
at several different times.
The above-mentioned early settlers were all farmers,
and it is to be regretted that there is not more defi-
nite knowledge of their locations and history. Could
sufficient time be given, undoubtedly much more
might be gleaned concerning them and others who have
escaped notice.
But there were also rhany men connected with the
iron works industry, in the Centre, some of whose
names we have preserved to us. Among these were
Richard Leader (general agent till 16.")!, after which
John Gilibrd was agent), Joseph Jenks, and .loseph
Jenks, Jr., Henry Leonard, Henry Styche (who lived
to the great age of one hundred and three), Arzbell
Anderson, MacCallum More Downing, John Turner,
John Vinton and Samuel Appleton, Jr., who owned
the works after 1677.
Appleton's Pulpit. —An interesting incident in
our early history is recorded on a bronze tablet fast-
ened to the perpendicular face of a rocky clifl'on Ap-
pleton Street, in the centre of the town, a few years
ago, by some of the descendants of the .\ppleton
family. The tablet is about two and a hall' feet
square, and tirmly bolted to the rock just beneath the
place where the stirring harangue is supposed to have
396
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
been made. This clifl' forms the abrupt side of a
prominent hill, known as Calemount or Catamount
Hill.
Tradition says that in those troublous times a watch
was stationed on the hill to give alarm of any ap-
proach of the Crown officers to arrest their man. The
watch was to signal their approach by crying, "Caleb,
mount !" and from this cry came the name of the hill.
The following is the inscription on the tablet :
' AITLETON S rUl.lMT.
" In .'ieptenibor, 168Y. from this roi-k, traJition asserts that, resisting
tlie tyranny of Sir Edniond Andros, Major .Samuel Appleton, of Ipswich,
spoke to the people in behalf of those principles which later were em-
bodied in the Doclaratiun of Independence."
CHAPTER XXVI.
SAUGUS—( ConJidwed).
FARMS, AC, A HUNnRED YEARS AGO.
EoBt Stmgus — Old Mill — Jlloore Fanii — Taveni — Mujor Parker's — Thomas
Florence — Amos Stocfcer — Leivis Pliire — Tlvmas Blocker Place — John
Stacker Farm — Boynton Fann — Jacob Eiistis Farm — Breeden Place —
Allen Place — Coloiwl Ahner Cheever — Dr. Cheever Place — Ezra Brown
Farm — Tador Farm — Josinh Rhodes Farm — Asa Rhodes Farm — Master
Ritchlnys Place — i<amnel lioardiuaii — Aaron Boardmaii — Jvortf ISoard-
nian Fann — John Uampiicy — Deacon Pratt Farm — Flkanah Haivkes
Farm — Hitchings Place.
It may be interesting to the reader to take a look at
some parts of the town, but more especially at the
farms as they appeared a hundred years ago or there-
abouts.
East Sauous. — Let us begin at the bridge in East
Sangus, now compactly built and covering the entire
slope from the hill to the river ; but, one hundred
years ago very few houses were standing here. In
1775 the old one-story shed-like mill building, then
used as a grist-mill, was standing on the west side of
the bridge, leaving a very narrow roadway over the
bridge. Adjoining the mill on the south was a two-
story dwelling-bouse, of good size, built by Joseph
Gould, who having died the year previous, the house
was then occupied by his widow.
Let us proceed southerly up the hill by the only
road, and a few rods will bring us to a two-story
dwelling, occupied by Colonel Ebenezer 8tocker, of
subsequent Kevolutionary fame. This house was torn
down in 1851 to give place to the present liouse, built
and owned by H. W. Brackett.
A few rods farther south we find an old-fashioned
two-story house, where now stands the house of Fales
Newhall. Jacob Newhall, the graiidfatlier of Fales
Newhall, then lived there and he wa.s a farmer and
shoemaker.
This house was torn down about 1825.
Continuing up the hill, and near the tcp, we come
to a two-story dwelling, which is still standing and
owned tiy the heirs of the late Frederick Stocker. In
1775 it was owned by a Mr. Jloore. His large barn
then stood on the present site of the Alethodist
Church.
The road soon comes to the rocky hill, where it
turns to the left, a'd a few rods bring us to the fa-
mous tavern kept by Landlord Jacob Newhall. It
stood on the left or northerly side of the road, facing
the south ; it was a two-story gambrel-roof house, with
a long sloping roof in the rear covering the kitchen.
From the bridge we have found only five houses, in-
cluding the tavern.
Should we continue along under the hill on the
Boston road southerly a few rods, we should pass
on the right, Major Parker's blacksmith-shop in full
blast, and just beyond this bis dwelling-house. This
house has recently been torn down and a large two-
story double dwelling built on the site.
Major David Parker came from Maiden to Saugus
when quite a young man — about 1760. Having mar-
ried a Miss Hunnewell, of Charlestown, he settled him-
self in a house which stood a few rods south of the
old tavern. A short distance north of the house he
built his long blacksmith-shop and carried on a brisk
business. He was industrious, capable and enterjiris-
ing. He held an honorable rank among the people
and was early honored with the office of captain of
the West Parish Militia, one of the largest companies
ill Lynn. This was previous to the Revolutionary
War, for we find that Captain David Parker mtistered
his company at an early hour on the day of the Con-
cord fight and marched them with all speed to the
scene of the confiict, where his company did gallant
service. The courage and bravery shown by Captain
Parker led immediately to his promotion as major.
He was a man of great benevolence of feeling, kind
and affable to strangers. He continued to work at
his blacksmith-shop up to the period of his death,
which occurred in the early part of this century.
The next house south of Major Parker's was Sam-
uel Oliver's, a blacksmith who worked for Major Par-
ker. In 1805 Solomon Brown purchased this house
of Mr. Oliver and lived in it until his death. It was
afterwards removed to the Centre.
Some rods still south we come to Thomas Florence's
small one-story house standing on the side of a ledge
to the right, just where it is to-day, in 1887.
Thomas Florence was a hero of the Revolutionary
War. He was a gardener by trade, working most of
the time for Landlord Newhall.
His great-grandson, Charles Florence, now lives in
the house.
A few rods south of the Florence house we reach a
large dwelling occupied by Amos Stocker, another
Revolutionary soldier, and by trade a cooper. This
house is .still standing.
Still going south a short distance, just where the
road turns to the west, on our right is a large two-
story dwelling, built as early as 1740 ; it was consid-
ered in that day one of the best houses. It was the
SAUGUS.
397
birth-place of John Ballard, Esq., he who built the
new hotel on the Ballard farm. This house is still
(1S87) standing, and is owned and (icciipied by Wil-
liam A. Trefethen, farmer.
Just opposite the last house there was a lane, some-
times ealled "Lewis Lane," leailin?^ south; some rods
down this lane there was an old dwelling-house, in
front of which were noble elms. This wa-s the " Lewis
Place," one of the earliest settled farms in this sec-
tion.
Tn 1800 it passed to the ownership of Landlord
Newhall.
The house was torn down a few years ago.
Coming back to the old Boston road and continu-
ing westerly from the Trefethen house, we soon come
to a dwelling known in the Revolutionary times as
the "Thomas Stocker Place," then occupied by him-
self. This house is still stamling, in 1887, and is
owned by Charlotte M. Mills. Some forty rods far-
ther on we find a large dwelling on the right hand
side. It stood where now, in 1887, the "Sunnyside
House" is found, and a part of the old house was un-
doubtedly used in the erection of the new one.
In coming thus far from the tavern we have found
nine dwellings, while from the liridge to the tavern
we found only five.
The large tract of land lying west of Lincoln Ave-
nue, in Cliftondale, extending down to the Revere
line, and intersected by the Saugus Branch Railroad,
and now very recently bought anil laid out into town
lots by C. H. Bond, Henry Wait and K. S. Kent,
was formerly a noted farm.
Previous to the War of 1812 John .Stocker owned
this farm, and built himself a house. Subsequently
it passed into the pos.session of Captain Daniel Bick-
fonl. In about 1826 Isaac (^arleton became the
owner. His native place was Amlover. He culti-
vated the farm until his death, in 1841.
Anthony Hatch became the owner in 1847, and
continued such up to his death, in 1879.
Mr. Hatch, formerly a ship carpenter in Medford,
did an extensive market gardening on his farm. A
man of great industry ; his broad well-tilled acres
always presented a pleasant sight to the passer-by.
About one-half mile south of Cliftondale, on the
old traveled road which bore to the east of Lincoln
Avenue as now traveled, was a famous farm of olden
time, being situated partly in Saugus (then Lynn)
and ]>artly in Chelsea. The road passed between the
barn and farm-house, which stood at the foot of the
hill then known as Boynton's Hill. This was the
hardest hill between Salem and Boston, and was
much dreaded by the drivers of heavy teams. Mr.
Boynton was often called upon for an extra lift, and
Landlord Xewhall often sent extra horses or oxen
to help teams which were to sto|) at his tavern.
Mr. Boynton lived to an advanced age, and the
farm passed to his son, Ellis Boynton. The farm
was soon sold to Eben F. Draper and John Edmunds,
who owned it for a few years and sold to Dr. Smith,
of Boston. A large part of this farm was utilizeii by
the Franklin Trotting Park some years ago, and is
still used somewhat for horse-racing.
Leaving Lincoln ."^ venue at Cliftondale, ami taking
Essex Street, a short distance brings us to a fine res-
idence on the right, facing the depot, now owned (in
1887)byPlinyNickerson. This dwelling-house has not
always presented the beautiful appearance of to-day,
for it has met with many changes since its first con-
struction, in 1807, by Jacob Eustis, of Boston, a
lirothcr of Governor Eustis. The land in front of
the house constituted his farm. Mr. Eustis was a
man of untiring iudustry, especially scrutinizing all
town expenses, and every irregularity received his
scathing rebuke.
About 18.S0 he sold to James Dennison. It then
passed to W. Turpin, and soon to Seth Heaton,
who occupied it until 185.3. INIr. Heaton sold to
Daniel P. Wise and others, who then applied the
name of Cliftondale to this section of the town, and
began a scheme of improvement. Subsequently John
T. Paine, E.sq., of Melrose, bought a portion of the
land, with the Eustis house. The location of the
old road, which ran nearer the house and inside of
the noble trees now standing, he caused to be re-
located outside of the trees, where we find it to-day.
Substantial stone walls were built around the place,
and the house itself remodeled.
Continuing our way beyond Mr. Nickerson's,
the road winding to the north, we ])ass soon on our
right a tract of land (now being rapidly built over
with houses) that was known seventy-five years ago
as the " Breeden Place " among the old farm settle-
ments of the town. Crossing the railroad, are fine
tillage fields on the left. A large part of this farm
was reclaimed from an extensive swam|) by Timothy
H. Brown, who settled here about lcS;^() and died in
18ril. This was known years ago by the name of the
"Allen Place," from its owner, Lemuel Allen, who
married the daughter of Parson Koby. Mr. George
N. Miller is the present owner, and may be reckoned
one of our prosperous farmers.
Still going westerly a short distance to the corner
of Felton Street, we come to an old house now owned
and occupied by Mr. Walter V. Hawkes. This was
the home and farm of Colonel .\bner Cheever, of
Revolutionary memory. The farm was one of the
best of that early day. Gn the death of the colonel,
about 1820, it passed into the hands of his son,
Major Henry Cheever, who oceupiecl it (ill his di'atb
in 1858.
About sixty rods to the north we come to the once
famous "Dr. Cheever Place," for many years con-
sidered the most elegant residence in Saugus. .\
broad high two-story verandah supporting the roof on
massive columns gave it at once an elegant and south-
ern air. It was built about 18K8. Noble shade-trees
surrounded the house, the grounds were kept neat and
398
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
trim, ponds were formed in the rear of the house for
fish, boats and bathing. He built a fine avenue,
bordered with shade-trees, leading direct from his
residence to the turnpike, protected by gates at either
end. Dr. Cheever was a surgeon in the Continental
army. In politics a Federalist, in religion a Unita-
rian, and for many years attended public worship with
that society at Lynn.
He died about 1842, leaving two children, — Dr.
Charles Cheever, of Portsmouth, N. H., and Eliza S.
Cheever, both now deceased. The doctor owned about
two hundred acres of land, forty acres being tillage.
About forty rods west of the Dr. Cheever place is
an old house, now somewhat modernized, and owned
by Mr. William H. Penny. It was formerly the
house of Ezra Brown, and in the Revolution days was
the abode of his father. More recently the farm was
owned by Stephen Hall, who lived there many years.
His daughter is the wife of Mr. William H. Penny.
About one hundred rods north of Mr. Penny's
house, on the Newburyport turnpike, is the farm now
owned by the town of Baiigus, and occupied for its
almshouse. This was one of the farms of the olden
time. It was formerly known as the " Tudor Place."
The old road from Sweetzer's Corner (nowCliftondale)
to South Reading passed through this farm for about
sixty rods south of the present house, substantially
where the turnpike was afterwards built and is now
traveled. Before the present house was built there
was a venerable old farm-house upon the same spot.
That old farm-house wa.s owned by William Tudor,
Esq., known as Judge Tudor. He inherited this
place from his father, John Tudor. The late Freder-
ick Tudor, Esq., of Nahant, was the son of William
Tudor, Esq. The improvements made by William
Tudor, Esq., upon this place began about the year
1800. The old house was not torn down entirely, but
was made the nucleus of the new house by doubling
the size of the old house and modernizing the whole
structure. Judge Tudor no doubt intended to make
it his permanent family residence. Its fine situation,
its rich fields around the dwelling, its picturesque
wooded hills, all afforded him the opportunity to dis-
play his taste. An artificial pond was formed south-
westerly of the house, and into it was conducted the
water from Long Pond by an artificial canal which he
excavated, partly through solid ledge, at great ex-
pense. This canal can now be seen, and through it
is now running a portion of the waters of Long Pond.
The magnitude of this work and its speedy comple-
tion testify to the energy of Mr. Tudor.
In 1807 the house was vacated by the Tudor family,
and for years was occupied by ditierent families. In
1818 it was leased to Robert Eames, who lived there
until 1822, when it was purchased of Henry I.Tudor
by the town of Saugus for a poor farm.
On Central Street, near the junction of Denver
Street, on what was then the traveled road to Reading,
were two very old farms, one on the south side of the
old road, owned by Josiah Rhodes, who died about
1794. This dwelling, which was a small one-story
house, stood upon the elevated ground east of the
house now standing and recently occupied by the late
Salmon Snow. Mr. Rhodes' barn was upon the op-
posite side of the old road. The widow of Josiah
Rhodes soon after her husband's death married Richard
Shute, who came from Maiden. He combined farm-
ing, mercantile business and school-teaching. He
bought the old school-bouse, attached it to the farm-
house as an ell and made of it a store. These build-
ings were all burnt one pleasant autumn afternoon,
about 1820, with all their contents. Mr. Shute was
an active man, and being lame, rode a great deal on
horseback, even sowing his grain from the back of
his bay mare. He was also tax collector for Lynn
for some three years. After his death the farm passed
into the possession of Benjamin Swain, and by him
was sold to Salmon Snow, about 1833.
The second farm above referred to was on the
northerly side of the Reading road and the westerly
side of the road leading to the meeting-house. This
farm was owned about eighty years ago by Deacon
Asa Rhodes.
More recently it was owned by the late Deacon
James Roots. The Deacon Asa Rhodes house was a
venerable relic of the olden time, two stories high,
with a chimney in the centre occupying a large part
of the house. A little east of the house stood his
small shoemaker's shop, where the deacon could al-
ways be found at his craft. The deacon was born in
the old house, March 1749, and lived there all his
days, dying at the age of ninety-three years. Though
a farmer, yet his principal business was shoeuuiking.
He worked his own stock and made shoes for the
Marblehead market. He would repair to Marble-
head with his saddle-bags, distribute their contents
among his customers, take other orders and return
home. His way of traveling was sometimes on
horseback, sometimes on foot with saddle-bags on his
shoulder, and sometimes, with leather-apron on, he
would wheel a barrow. The old house was torn
down soon alter his death, in 1842. Deacon James
Roots, who married a daughter of Deacon Rhodes,
owned and lived on the place until his death.
About eighty rods eastward of the Deacon Rhodes
place was what was known as the Master Hitchings
place. This place is now our cemetery. Thomas
Hitchings moved from Lynn to the West Parish,
about 1802, so as to lead the singing in the parish
church, and also to teach the singing-school ; hence
he was called "Master Hitchings." He lived in the
old homestead and reared a large family. This old
house is still standing, although removed many rods
towards East Saugus, on land known as the Bowler
Field.
In the westerly part of the town, now called Oak-
landvale, a little over a mile from the Town Hall, on
the road to Wakefield, were a number of old farms
SAUGUS.
399
deserving some mention. Just before the road de-
scends to the meadow and crosses the brook the loca-
tion of the old Reading way can be seen leading off
to the left or south, and making a wide sweep over
the meadow; the present new location across the
brook was laid out in ISIS. Just after cro.ssing the
meadow an old house is still seen to the north, and
some rods back from the road. This was in Revolu-
tionary days occupied by ^>amuel Boardman.
Just here a road branches off to the left, leading to
Melrose. A few rods on this road brings us to a ven-
erable dwelling-house on the right, a good specimen
of the old time house ; it is fully two hundred years
old. During the American Revolution it was occu-
pied by Aaron Boardman, and afterwards it became
his son's, .\bijah Boardnum's, who lived and died there.
When the county of SuH'olk extended up as far as
this farm, the line dividing the counties pitssed
through this house, and the court had to decide
where Mr. Boardman should pay his |)oll-tax. Chelsea
finally collected it, as his sleeping-room was in that
town.
Coming liack to the Reading or Wakefield road, and
continuing westerly, we come to some excellent inter-
vale, where were several very old farms. In the
Revolutionary days there were four farm-houses here,
one of which only is now standing. This is the
house on the south side of the road, the homestead of
the late Joseph Cheever, and more recently occupied
by his son, Cyrus Cheever. It was formerly Ivory
Boardman's house. Another of the old houses also
stood on the south side of the road, before reaching the
Joseph Cheever homestead. This was built about
1775 by John Dampney, formerly of Salem, grand-
father of the late Joseph Dampney, Esq., of Lynn.
Another of the old houses stood on the north side
of the road and west of the Joseph Cheever house. It
was occupied by Daniel I^loyd.
But another of these houses, and the most remark-
able, was the Deacon Pratt house. It stood about
one hundred rods east of the old road, upon a level
plot of ground. The remains of the old fruit-trees
can yet be seen.
Deacon Pratt was noted for his orderly habits, his
place being always in the best of shape. He was a
deacon in the West Parish Church, and a highly ex-
emplary man.
Let us now retrace our steps as far as the Oakland-
vale Kchool-house. Directly opposite this school-
house is a road leading northerly. We take this
road, and about forty rods brings us to a modern
two-story dwelling, built by Joseph Measury, Esq., in
1847. Subsequently he .sold it toG. W. Phillips, Esq.,
who recently died there, when it was sold to the
present owner, Mr. Ziegler.
A few rods beyond this house brings us to a gate on
the left ; through this gate, about twenty rods, stands
a venerable farm-house, now owned by Mr. Bostwick.
This was one of the ancient farm-sites of the West
Parish of Lynn. This farm then included all the
land extending to the Wakefield road.
In 1775 it wasowned by Elkanah Hawkes, who oc-
cupied it many years. He combined by occupation
the blacksmith and farmer. His shop stood near the
gate before-mentioned, wherein was executed what
smith-work the neighborhood needed. When out
gunning in the woods his hand was mutilated by an
accidental discharge of his gun, rendering amputa-
tion necessary. With the aid of his son, he con-
tinued his busine.ss several years. He had a daugh-
ter, Love Hawkes, who for several years taught
.school in the neighborhood.
During the beginning of the present century the
farm came into the possession of Nathan Hawkes,
son of Nathan of the West Parish, who owned it till
its sale to Mr. Saunders and Measury, in 184(3. After
the sale he moved to the old house, farther ea.st, near
where the old road crosses the brook. He died here
in 1862, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.
This old farm-house, where he died, was owned by
Daniel Hitchings early in this century, and after-
wards was owned by Ira Draper, Esq., until about
1840. It still stands and is occupied by Hannah
Hawkes.
About one hundred rods eastward of this last
farm, in a large field, stands an old farm-house, until
very recently owned and occupied by the late Lott
Edmunds. This farm, in the period of the Revolu-
tion, was called the '" Hitchings Place." Its site is
rather low, and all these fields and intervales, in the
period of the old " Iron- Works," must have been cov-
ered with water to the depth of three feet and more.
To the northwest of these last farms, and contig-
uous thereto, is that tract of rough, wild woodland,
long and still known as the " Six Hundred Acres."
This was the lot of public land distributed among the
settlers about 1706.
CHAPTER XXVII.
SAUGUS— ( Continued).
RELIGIOU.S SOCIETIES.
Parish Church : OrganUaiion — Edward Clieever—Peu'i^ in Vlitirch — Parmn
Hoby — Hi* t^nlnry — His De^tth and Epifaph — William Frnlhinghaui —
Other Pastors — Secession of tht' Cah-inisfic Wing — New Church Edijice —
Organization of Calviniftic Menihtrn — Firnl }*astort — f^rsl Church Eilifice
— A'tfir Church. First Methodist Chthch : Orgnnizalum — Rocli School-
Honse — Pioneerit — Paj*tnrs — First Church — Sunday-schcKit — yew Church.
Ci-iFTONDALE Methodist Churih : Forimttion, etc. Methodist Cri'rch
I.N Centre. St. John's Erisroi'AL Mission. Conoregational So-
ciety in Cliitondai.e.
Old Parish Church. — The first parish church in
Saugus, known as the Third Church of Lynn, or the
Church of the West Parish, dates its organization in
the year 1738. Previous to that time the people in
400
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the west part of Lynn attended meeting at the parish
church on Lynn Common.
The tir.st step was theunionofall the principal men
to huild a meeting-house. The union was named the
" Proprietor.^ of the Meeting-House." In 1736 the
work was commenced, and the best of oaiv timber was
cut for the frame. The work made considerable
progress during the year, although it was not proba-
bly finished till 1737. The finishing only extended
so far as to build a pulpit and cover the floor with
plain seats, one side called the "men's .seats," and the
other the "women's seats." At this state of atiairs
the parish records commence. The first book of rec-
ords was a present to the parish from Thos. Cheever.
It is a remarkable vellum-covered book, and served
the iiarish ninety years. On the first page of the
book is written : " This book is a gift to the Society
of Proprietors of the new meeting-house, in the west-
erly end of the town of Lynn, by Thomas Cheever."
On the 5th of March, 1738, a warrant was issued by
Ebenezer Burrill, Esq., of Lynn, addressed to Joshua
Haven, and requiring him to call the first meeting of
the Third Parish of Lynn for organization and the
choice of officers.
(The Second Parish had previously been organized
in that part of Lynn now called Lynnfield).
The meeting was held by adjournment at the meet-
ing-house, the 28th day of March, 1738, and William
Taylor was chosen parish clerk, and William Taylor,
Jonathan Wait and Josiah Rhodes parish committee.
After this organization the parish at once proceeded
to provide their first preacher. Edward Cheever, a
resident in the parish, an educated man and about
entering the ministry, was invited to preach for three
months.
It ajipears that the peo|)le were |)leased with the
preaching of Edward Cheever, and at a meeting held
June 18, 1738, they voted to settle him as their minis-
ter. For some reason which does not appear, Sir.
Cheever was not at once settled. In the following
October the parish voted to send letters for ordination,
although it docs not appear that he was ordained till
October, 1 73!l. What salary he was to have does not
appear from the records, although a certain gift of the
General Court was appropriated to assist the settle-
ment, and that forty members of the parish were each
to carry to the house of Edward Cheever a half-cord
of wo(k1 each year, and not fail. At the same time
with this settlement several things came up for the
decision of the parish. One was to accept the legacy
from Theophilus Burrill of one hundred pounds
(three hundred dollars, silver) "'to be expended in
furniture and vessels for the Lord's Table." It was
voted to accejit and appropriate. Another was to as-
sign a lot of land for " horse-stables,'' each one to
build his own stable. So about ten stables were built,
probably in front of the burying-ground.
We cannot sufficiently admire the zeal of our an-
cestors—then few in number and widely scattered— to
undertake a work of such magnitude as the building
of a church. It was forty-four feet long by thirty-
six wide, with about twenty-feet posts. It had upper
and lower windows all round, of common-sized glass.
On its front, or south side, was the front door, with a
large porch or vestibule, which was entered by three
doors. It had, besides, a door on each end opening
into the church. No doubt the model of this was
found in the "Old Tunnel," so-called, on Lynn Com-
mon. Let us go into the church. The pulpitisupon
the north side of the house, in the centre, raised high,
with a seat in front for the deacons. A gallery runs
around the front and two ends, the front gallery seats
being appropriated to the singers. The floor of the
church is seated with plain plank seats, divided into
two sections.
What a pattern of plain Puritan simplicity must
this church have presented, with its " men's seats "
on one side and its "women's seats" on the other;
and then the worshippers with their antique dresses !
The situation of this church was very plesisant. It
was in the centre of the town, on a small elevation of
land upon the westside of the road leading north to the
"Old Iron Works," on a part of the "Taylor Farm,"
so-called, on the triangular green where now (1887)
stands the flag stafl'. The road running westerly, now
called Main Street, was not then made. For some
years the peojile living on the old road to South
Reading probably passed through the fields, opening
bars, but afterwards a highway was built. This
church edifice continued to stand on the same spot,
although undergoing some alterations, until the year
1858, when it was moved about three rods north of its
old site, and is now occupied for a grocery-store by
Mr. Whitehead, with dwelling above. The elevated
knoll has been graded down and is now an open
square.
Let us now return to the old church in 174U. An-
other question was then brought up which proved in
the sequel an encroachment on the "free-seat" plan.
They voted to build a pew for the minister at the
east end of the pulpit. Poor, blind mortals! They
should have known enough of human nature to have
taught them that it never would be endured to have
the minister's family sit above the people. So, very
soon after, it was resolved that the new church should
have ])ews, in part at least. A committee was chosen
to make a plan for the pews. At a meeting held on
the 8th of December, 1740, the committee on pews
made the following rei)ort in substance : " We are of
opinion, there being room enough to erect twenty-
nine pews in said meeting-house, nineteen wall pews
and ten pews on the floor. All persons that make
choice of a wall pew, they maintaining the glass
against their own pews. The proprietors of the house
to have the choice of pews. That each ])erson having
a pew shall pay for erection of his own pew. That
the pews shall be taxed forty shillings per week as
apportioned."
SAUGUS.
401
The foregoing report was accepted and a larger
committee of seven of the best men was chosen to
superintend the whole matter, and after the pews
were built, to tax them.
This committee, finding that more pews were
needed, made a plan to increase the number to thirty-
four, by making five more. Their report read thus:
" By taking two seats of the men's, and two hinder-
most seats of the women's, with five feet of the
women's fore seat and second seat, will make room
for five pews more, making thirty-four in all."
The report was accepted.
From what can be gathered, it appears that the
Third Parish (now Saugus) was set oti' from the First
Parish (Old Tunnel) on condition that the parish tax
should be assessed and collected by the First Parish
till the General Court should incorporate the West
Parish. That during said time, the West or Third
Parish might have separate preaching, and draw from
the treasurer of the First Parish their ratable propor-
tion of the money raised. Their proportion was
thirty-five parts of every one hundred and eighty.
It is thus seen that Saugus was no small part of Lynn,
as to taxation at that day. The sum refunded, with
forty shillings per week tax on pews, was deemed suf-
ficient to meet the cash exjjenses of the new parish.
But the young parish found very soon the same difli-
culties that religious societies have always found — the
trouble of raising money. The people were remiss
in paying the weekly assessments upon the pews, and
also were negligent in supplying the yearly half-cord of
wood each. Various votes were passed threatening
to delinijuents.
On March 6, 1745, the parish chose a committee to
build the five additional pews on the lower floor, and
twenty pews in the gallery, ten in the front gallery and
five in each end gallery. They were also empowered
to let, tax and sell, as the}' might judge best.
It was voted that every pew occupier should sup-
ply a half-cord of wood yearly, and more or less as
tlie tax might be.
The course adopted by the West Parish aI)out the
construction of pews was an improvement on the
"Old Tunnel" method. In that house every one
made his pew to his own taste, but here the society
built the pews uniformly and the pew-owner paid the
cost.
In February, 1747, the parish again petitioned the
General Court for an act of incorporation.
The First Parish Church at Lynn stoutly opposed
all these petitions for separation ; but it was finally
obtained.
In February, 1740, Ebenezer Burrill issued a war-
rant for organization under the charter. The meeting
was held the 10th inst., and Jonathan Hawkes was
chosen as first parish clerk under the charter. (Rev.
Edw. Cheever was dismissed December, 1748.)
At this meeting it was voted that the parish con-
cur with the church in inviting Mr. Ji seph Roby to
26
become their minister. In this vote of concurrence
the parish voted all the particulars as to the pay-
ment of Mr. Roby. We here give the vote verbatim :
"Voted for the annual support uf Mr. Roby so long as lie shall carry
on the work of the ministry in said parish, the improvement of a suita-
ble house and barn. Pasturing and svilBcient winter meat for two cows
and one horse, and to put the hay, or winter meat into the barn— the
improvement of two acres of land suitable to plant, aud to bo kept well
fenced, and sixty pounds in lawful silver money at six shillings and eight
pence per ounce, and also the loose contribution."
On March 1, 1749, a committee was chosen '' to in-
form Mr. Joseph Roby that he was chosen to settle
in the ministry by the church and parish." .Soon
after this vote the subject of giving the meeting-
house to the parish was discussed by the proprietors,
and a meeting was held for that purpose, wherein it
was voted that said "meeting-house, with all privi-
leges and appurtenances, be given to the Third Parish,
excepting pew No. 23, and the place where it stands;
provided said parish wrong no person of their expense
in building the pews in said house."
For reasons which do not appear, Mr. Roby was not
settled on the foregoing vote, and at a meeting held
April 21, 1750, a committee was chosen to supply the
pulpit with "transient preaching." Also to see how
the jiarish could purchase a house and land suitable
for a parsonage.
From a subsequent vote it may be inferred that the
support voted to Mr. Roby was not entirely satisfac-
tory to him ; we give verbatim the second vote, July
2, 1750:
'• Voted, TIjat if 3Ir. Joseph Roby accepts our Invitation and settles in
the work of the ministry iu this parish, his whole Salery aa suport an-
nually to inuable bim to Carry on the work of the ministry in said
Parish shall be as followeth : The improveiuetit of a suitable House and
Barn standing in a suitable place, Pasturing and sufficient Winter Jleet
for two cows aud one Horse, the Winter Meet put iu hid Barn, the in >
provenient of two Acres of land suitable to plant, and to be kept well
fenced, Thirty Pounds in lawful Silver mouey at six shilling and eight
pence per ounce. Twenty cords at his Dore and the lose contribution.
And also the Following Articles or so much money as will purchase
them, viz.. Sixty Bushels of Indian Corn, Forty-one Bushels of Rye, Six
Hundred Pounds wait of Pork and Eight Hundred and Eighty-eight
Pounds wait of Beefe, and that the Salery or annua! Suport as above
expressed shall begin at the time of Sir. Roby's giving his answer of Ex-
ceptance, aud continues so long as he coutinueth iu the Work of the
ministry amongst us, Said Parish Reserving the Term of one year and
six months from the time of his giving his answer of Kxcejitaiice to
erect complete and finish the House and Barn above mentioned."
Mr. Joseph Roby finally concluded to cast his lot
with the resolute and benevolent little band which
constituted the AVest Parish of Lynn. Although a
Boston man by birth, he nevertheless met his hum-
ble and rustic friends with becoming dignity of char-
acter. We give his letter of acceptance :
" Boston, July 25th, IT.iO.
" Hon'd and lielured Brethren ;— I am obliged to you for the respect you
have shown me in the call you have given nie to settle with you in ilio
work of the ministry among you, and am extremely sorry that any rtitli-
culties have in time past prevented the accomplishing an affair so agree-
able to you as well as myself. It is with freedom and much satisfaction
that I now declare my acceptance of yur cull, hoping that an event so
important to you and me will bo overruled in great favor to each. I
presume you will always consider my circumstances, and kindly supply
my wants as there may be occasion. I hope we shall have an interest in
402
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
each other's affection, and that yonr love to me and mine to you may
abound— that we shall live together in peace, and that the God of love
and peace may dwell among us and bless us continually. I ask your
prayers to God for me, and God forbid that I should cease praying for
you, that the blessings of heaven may be your porlion and that of your
children after you, and that a preached gospel may be to you the power
of salvation. I am, honored and dear brethren,
" Yours affectionately,
" Joseph Robv.
" To the Third Church and Parish in Lynn."
Already in March, 1750, a house and barn, with
thirty-three acres of land, had been purchased of John
Hutchinson for three hundred pounds currency
(about nine hundred dollars), for a parsonage and
parsonage lands. In 1780 we find the first mention of
dollars and cents— as then written, " dolers and sents."
Pounds were fast becoming obsolete, their value hav-
ing so depreciated that in the latter part of their use
the parish voted eight hundred pounds, instead of the
less sum, which appears in the settlement stipulation.
Between the minister'.s salary, house and barn, til-
lage land and pasture, wood and hay, corn and rye,
beef and pork, which all had to have particular care
every year, to which may be added the care of the
church, the collections of rates, the building and
taking up of pews, the establishing oi horse-sheds,
the fencing of burying ground, the building and keep-
ing of pound, the establishing and providing for a
school, with almost everything else that appertains to
civilized life, it well may be judged that parish meet-
ings were no dull or stale affairs. An old and some-
what amusing practice prevailed of recording the
names of dissenters to a vote. For instance, Josiah
Rhodes might dissent about the providing pork for
the minister, and would at once request his name re-
corded as dissenting.
" Parson Roby," as he was familiarly called, had
now been settled over a half-century. Peace and love
had marked all his intercourse with his people. In
July, 1802, the loved pastor, who had always enjoyed
the best health, was suddenly attacked with disease
while in his pulpit. He was taken therefrom to his
home, never more to resume the duties so long and so
faithfully discharged. In August a meeting was held
on the matter, and Joseph Emerson was employed as
a substitute for a few weeks. Thus matters went on,
several ministers supplying till January 31, 1803,
when the aged pastor died. The record reads thus :
" January 81st, 1803, the Rev. Joseph Roby departed
this life, in the 80th year of his life and the 53d of his
ministry, and was buried the 4th day of February, at
the expense of the parish." The following is the in-
scription on his gravestone, still standing in the old
burying-ground :
" Sacred to the niemoiy of the Rev* Joseph Roby, who departed this
life Jauy. 31st, 18U3, in the 80th year of his age and 53d of his ministry
in this Parish.
" Through life a lover of learning and virtue, a sincere friend, a kind
and affectionate husband and parent, and a devoted Christian.
"By a constant practice of the Christian and sucial virtues, he ren-
dered himself greatly beloved and respected in the various walks of do-
mestic life. Reader, would'st thou be honored in life and lamented at
death, go and do likewise.
" No pain, no grief, no anxious fear
Invade these bounds ; no mortal woes
Can reach the peaceful sleeper here
Whilst angels watch his soft repose.
So Jesus sleeps, God's dying Son,
Past thro' the grave and bleat the bed.
Then rest, dear Saint, till from his thi-one
The morning break and pierce the shade."
In April, 1804, the church and parish gave a call
to Rev. William Frothingham — his letter of accept-
ance was dated June 2, 1804, from which we give an
extract:
"The office to which yon have called me is greatly important and sol-
emn. It is to be an embassador of Christ to men — to be entrusted with
the word of reconciliation — to be a guide and instructor in mattere of
eternal moment to you— to watch for your souls as one that must give an
account — to be your spiritual steward, appointed to give every one his
meat in due season — to be a worker together with Christ. How sacred
an office ! What peculiar talents, what spiritual graces are necessary to
the right discharge of it ! "
He was installed September 26, 1804. Mr. Froth-
ingham continued as minister for thirteen years, until
dismissed at his own request. May 7, 1817. The par-
ish had become weaker through the withdrawal of
several prominent members and other causes, and so
were unable to support Mr. Frothingham — he left his
charge with grief and the society parted with him
with deep regret.
The parish voted the pulpit free to ministers of any
denomination, no expenses being made to the parish.
This state of things existed for three or four years,
and very little was done to promote harmony of
action.
From 1821 to 1826 Rev. Joseph Emerson and Rev.
Hervey Wilbur, being principals of the Saugus Fe-
male Seminary, also generally supjilied the parish
pulpit.
This year, 1826, began that conflict of opinions
which finally resulted in dividing the society. The
Trinitarian and Unitarian elements could no longer
coalesce.
Through the great influence of Dr. Abijah Cheever,
the Rev. Ephraim Randall, a strict Unitarian, was in-
stalled minister October 3, 1826. His pastorate was
short-lived, lasting until the following autumn in
1827, when it was dissolved and the parish left again
destitute.
The controversy became bitter. From 1827 to 1832
very little was done,— occasional preaching in the old
church, rarely orthodox, but more frequently Univer-
salist and Unitarian.
In 1832 the Calvinistic members of the parish, see-
ing no prospect of ever gaining the ascendancy in the
parish again, formally withdrew and organized a new
society. This left the old parish in a crippled con-
dition, which lasted up to 1836.
In the winter of 1835-36 the members of the old
parish waked up and began a general repairing and
remodeling the inside of the old church, which had
now been built one hundred years.
The old high-backed latticed pews were removed,
also the venerable pulpit with the sounding board.
SAUGUS.
403
also the deacons' seat, and the galleries on the south
and east sides, leaving a small gallery on the west end
for the singers.
The broad south porch did not escape, but was torn
down and its doors closed, the only entrance now be-
ing on the west side. Such was the change that the
old church could scarcely be recognized.
The first minister after the renovation was Rev.
John Nichols. After Mr. Nichols the pulpit was sup-
l>lied from 1S3S to 1848 by Benjamin F. Newhall, Esq.,
James jM. Usher and others.
In ISoO Rev. Josiah Marvin was settled and con-
tinued till 1852.
From 1852 to 1857, preaching by Rev. Henry Eaton,
Sylvan us Cobb, D.D., Rev. J. W. Talbot and Hon.
James M. Usher.
From 1857 to 1859, supplied by Rev. J. H. Campbell
It was at this time that most of the parish property
was sold. In 1858 some movement was made for a
new church. Soon the old parish church was sold for
about two hundred and forty-two dollars to Miss Eliza
Townsend, who removed the church to the northerly
side of Main Street, near by, and made it into a store
with dwelling above. The site of the old church was
sold for five hundred and seventy dollars.
In 18G0 a new church was built and dedicated in the
autumn of the same year. It was located a few hun-
dred feet west of the old site, at the corner of Main and
Summer Streets, where it is now standing with its
modest spire. An outside clock on its tower gives the
time of day to observers.
Since 1860 the pulpit has been supplied as follows :
From 1860 to 1861 by Rev. Benjamin W. Atwill ;
1862 to 1865 by Rev. J. H. Campbell ; 1866 to 1873
by Rev. Thomas J. Greenwood ; 1875 to 1876 by Rev.
Albert \V. Whitney ; 1876 to 1878 by Rev. Thomas
W. Iliman ; 1878 to 1884 by Rev. Charles A. Skinner ;
1885 to April, 1887, Rev. J. H. Mclnerney. In June,
1887, Rev. Irving W. Tomlinson is engaged to supply
for one year.
Having brought the old parish history down to
the present time, let us return to that portion of the
old parishioners who, although claiming to be the
true successors in doctrine of the old parish church,
were yet by the laws of the State made the seceders.
being in, the minority.
In 1832 the Calvinistic members of the parish
formed a society and first held separate services in the
seminary building, which stood on ihe parish prop-
erty.
Law was resorted to by the old parish, and they
were finally driven out from this building and went
to the public school-house.
This rupture or secession from the old society was
led by Joseph Emes, David Newhall and George
Pearson. Their first pastor was Rev. Sidney Hol-
man, who was installed January 16, 1833, and dis-
missed December 31, 1834. From this time till May,
1836, there was not a settled minister.
Worship was regularly maintained however, the
lay brethren reading sermons and otherwise assisting
in the services.
On May 1, 1836, Rev. Moses Sawyer commenced to
supply the pulpit, and continued his ministry for six
years.
On April 19, 1843, Rev. Theophilus Sawin was or-
dained pastor, and was dismissed April 30, 1848.
Rev. Cyrus Stone, a returned missionary from
India, now supplied for a few years, and Rev. Levi
Brigham was installed May 7, 1851, and continued
until September, 1868.
On March 10, 1869, Rev. F. V. Tenney was installed,
and by his request was dismissed May 24, 1877.
On April 17, 1878, Rev. Samuel T. Kidder was or-
dained, and continued until October, 1879.
On July 21, 1880, Rev. Edw. L. Chute was installed
and continued until October, 1882.
Rev. C. H. Washburn supplied in 1885 until 1886.
when he was followed in June by Rev. M. S. Hemen-
way, who supplied the pulpit for one year, and at the
present time (1887) the society is without a settled
pastor.
This society built their first church in 1835,
Joseph Emes, Esq., being the chief planner and
manager. This was a stone church of very plain
appearance, and is still standing (1887), although
occupied as a grocery-store and post-office.
The society worshipped in this stone church until
1854, when they built a larger and more commodious
church edifice, which still stands, and is a command-
ing structure in this portion of the town. Originally,
as designed by Arthur Gilman, architect, it had no
vestry under the audience-room, but in 1871 the
society raised the whole building, with its tower, and
built under the same a vestry story.
While this gave the society better accommodations,
it most certainly injured its excellent proportions
and took much away from its former beauty.
The First Methodist Church. — Methodism first
gained a settlement in that part of the town now
known as East Saugus, but then as the South Ward.
Jesse Lee, the pioneer Methodist preacher from
the New York Conference, came to Lynn in Decem-
ber, 1790, and a church was built in Lynn in June,
1791.
Some of our inhabitants were attracted to these
Methodist services, which brought to their hearts an
earnestness and a consecration which they had not
found in the more formal and cold services of the
parish church.
Whole families were in the habit of walking down
to the Methodist services on Sabbath mornings, carry-
ing their luncheon with them, and returning at night.
We find that as early as 1810 members came up
from the Lynn Church and held prayer-meetings in
the old Rock School-house, so-called. This school-
house, which proved to be the cradle of Methodism
404
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
in Saugus, deserves rather more than a passing
notice.
The spot where this famous school-house stood is
plainly to be seen to-day, although the house has
long since disappeared.
It stood on the eastern brow of the rocky hill on
the old Boston road, now called Lincoln Avenue,
opposite to what was formerly the old Anchor Tav-
ern. The spot was many feet above the level of the
street, and being rocky and comparatively worthless,
it was thought just the place for a school-house, and
so here it was built in 1806.
Every one who entered must needs climb up a steep
ascent and then ascend the long flight of steps into
its side porch.
The building was about twenty-four feet square,
one story high, with hipped roof On the southerly
side was a porch about six feet square, from which
an aisle six feet wide ran through the middle of the
house north and south. At the north end of the aisle
stood the teacher's desk upon a raised platform : in
the middle of the aisle stood a large, capacious cast-
iron box-stove.
From this central aisle three narrow passages on
each side sloped up to the sides of the house; between
these passage ways ran long desks or forms for the
accommodation of the scholars, each tier being
higher than the one in front.
In 1838, a new school-house having been built, the
old Rock School-house was sold, and during the at-
tempt to remove it from its elevated plateau some
accident occurred by which it was precipitated into
the street below; this necessitated its demolition.
It was in this building that the Methodist services
were held for many years, beginning about 1810 and
continuing until their new church was built, in 1827.
Among the early converts were Solomon Brown,
John Shaw, Amos Stocker and Joseph S. Newhall —
men who proved themselves worthy to uphold the
banner of the cross amid the increasing opposition.
It was not long, in 1815, before Edward T. Taylor,
then an illiterate young man, traveling as an itinerant
peddler, found a place in this school-house to begin
his preaching, which afterwards became so famous.
About 1818 this occasional preaching-place was
joined to the Maiden Circuit, and among the preachers
were Orlando Hinds, Isaac Jennison, Aaron D. Sar-
gent, Frederick Uphani, Jotham Horton, Leonard
Frost, Eleazer Steel, Aaron Wait, Jr., and Warren
Emerson. As the converts increased they were
formed into a class and were first connected with the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Lynn Common. The
winter of 1819 and 1820 was a period of great reli-
gious interest ; hardly a family in this village but
shared in some measure in the work.
The first written church records begin in June,
1825, when Rev. Henry Mayo was the Conference
preacher in charge.
He was appointed by the Conference June 6,
1824. For this year there was a subscription for his
support of one hundred dollars, made up by forty-
eight subscriptions ranging from five dollars down
to forty-two cents.
Of this amount twenty-five dollars was contributed
by friends in Lynnfield ; also twelve dollars and twenty-
two cents by the " Honorable Mite Society." This
was a woman's society which met once a month at
different houses for conversation and prayer and pay-
ment of dues. This money was expended in the fol-
lowing manner :
Presiding elder's bill J8.92
Preacher's traveling expenses 2.50
The table expenses 18.75
Quarterage 69.83
Sioo.oo
The record of the names of the members of the
church, as made by Henry Mayo June 4, 1825, is
headed by Solomon Brown, and contains sixteen
males and thirty-seven females, with twenty-five on
probation. The First Quarterly Conference met in
the South School-house (also called the Rock School-
house), June 4, 1825.
The following official members were present: Ed-
ward Hyde, presiding elder ; Henry Mayo, preacher
in charge ; John Shaw and Joshua Howard, stewards ;
and Solomon Brown and Joseph S. Newhall, class-
leaders. At this meeting Jonathan Newhall and
Joseph G. Goldthwait were added to the stewards.
FORMATION- OF A PARISH.
" Saugus, June 30, 1825.
"At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lynn and Saugus convened in
said Saugus, it was voted first that we form ourselves into a society, to
be called the 'First Methodist Episcopal Society in Saugus.' Second,
that we petition William Jackson, Esq., a Justice of the Peace iu and
for the County of Essex, to grant a warrant calling a Legal meeting of
the members of said Society, for the purpose of choosing officers and
transacting such other business as may be found proper."
PETITION AT LARGE.
" Saugus, June 30, 1825.
" To William Jackson, Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace in and for
the Couitty of Essex :
" We, the undersigned Petitioners, at a meeting held in Sangus, Voted
to organize ourselves into a Society called the First Methodist Society in
Saugus, and we would therefore beg leave to request you to issue a war-
rant calling a legal meeting of the members of said Society, for the pur-
pose of choosing oflicers and transacting such other business as shall
come before the meeting.
" John Shaw. Benj. P. Oliver.
Benj. F. Newhall. Benj. B. Hitchings.
Jona. Newhall. Levi D. Waldron.
Jos. G. GoIdUnvait. G. W. Raddin.
Solomon Brown. James Howard.
Edmund Brown. Stephen Smith.
James Hall. Joshua Howard."
The warrant, as requested, was issued by William
Jackson, Esq., July 15, 1825, and the legal meeting
of the First Methodist Episcopal Society in Saugus
was held at the Kock School-house on July 25, 1825,
when John Shaw was chosen moderator, Benjamin F.
Newhall secretary and parish clerk, Joshua Howard
treasurer, and John Shaw, James Howard, Stephen
Smith, Jonathan Newhall and Joshua Howard a com-
SAUGUS.
405
niittee. The j'early meeting was to be held on the
first Wednesday in March, annually, at 7 o'clock,
P.M.
Tliis gave to the society a legal status.
Rev. Henry Mayo saw the church organized in all
its departments and well started in its long career of
service. That the church should have started at this
time with so much matured strength clearly indicates
that there had been for yeare previous a great deal of
labor put forth in the interest of Methodism. This
was the case, as has already been mentioned.
Many of our people had formed a congenial reli-
gious home with the Lynn Common Methodist
Church, had become members therein and had at-
tached themselves to a " class," which met in East
Saugus.
The following are the successive pastorates :
1^24. Rev. Henry Mayo.
1825. Rev. Leroy Sunderland.
1826-27. Rev. .4aron Joselyn.
1828, Rev. Nathan Paine.
1829. Rev. Ephraini K. Avery.
18.30. Rev, John J. Blisa.
1831. Rev. Hiram H. White.
1832. Rev. Ebenezcr Blake.
1833. Rev. Joel Steele.
1834. Rev. John Lord.
1835. Rev. Lewis Bates.
183G. Rev. Newell S. Spalding.
1837-38. Rev. Sanford S. Benton.
1839-40. Rev. Daniel K. Bannis-
ter.
1841-42. Rev. Jona. D, Bridge,
1843-44. Rev. William Rice.
184S-i(). Rev. Isaac A. Savage.
1847-48. Rev. Edward Cook.
1849. Rev. Wm. M. ]\Iann.
1850-,il. Rev. Daniel K. Bannis-
ter.
1852. Rev. J. A. Adams,
18,13-54, liev, Ralph W, Allen,
18i6-66. Rev, Wm, H, Hatch.
1857-58. Rev. Daniel Richards.
1859-60. Rev. Jonas M. Clark.
1SG1-G2. Rev. Cyrus L. Eastman.
1813-04. Rev, Daniel Richards,
1865. Rev, Thomas Marcy.
]866-i;S. Rev. Pliny Wood.
1809-71. Rev. Jesse Wagner,
1872-73. Rev. M. B, Chapman.
1874-70. Rev. Saml. Jackson.
1877-78. Rev. P. M. Vinton.
1879-81. Rev. Henry J. Fo.\, D.D.
1882-83. Rev. W. N. Richardson.
1884-86. Rev. David S. Coles.
1887, Rev, Geo, W, Mauslield,
At a meeting of the society held in the Rock
School-house April 17, 1827, it was unanimously voted
" to proceed immediately to erect a House of Wor-
ship for this society." Rev. Aaron Joselyn, George
Makepeace and John T. Bnrrill was a committee to
obtain subscriptions for the new church.
Accordingly, the work on their first church at once
commenced, and was carried forward to completion
with commendable dis[>atch, so that its dedication
took place November 22, 1827.
This church was of very modest appearance, forty-
six by forty feet, without spire or tower, bell or ves-
try. It contained forty pews and cost two thousand
dollars. Its pulpit was high above the pews and was
reached by two flights of stairs, at the head of which
were doors through which to enter the box pulpit.
The church stood on the same spot, where now
stands the second church.
This edifice served the society until 1842, when it
was lengthened by adding about twenty feet on the
back end and building a basement vestry under the
same. Twenty-two new pews were thus obtained, and
fifteen hundred dollars spent. Rev. Jonathan D.
Bridge was then pastor and much religious interest
prevailed.
In 1S54 the society sold their first church, and it
was removed to the corner of Lincoln Avenue and
Wendell Street, where it still stands under the name
of Waverly Hall.
Active measures were taken in building their sec-
ond church on the old spot, and in the meantime ser-
vices were held in the school-house and in the old
church.
The vestry of the new church was dedicated De-
cember 3, 18'')4, and public dedication services of the
entire church were held February 22, ]8o5. Sermon
by Rev. Bishop E. S. Janes.
In 1875 the exterior of the church edifice was thor-
oughly repaired, and the main roof and spire were
slated.
In 1880 the interior was improved by stained-glass
windows, new pulpit with enlarged platform and al-
tar, frescoing, carpets and upholstering.
In 1835 the society built a parsonage just north of
the church. It was a modest one-and-a-half-story
dwelling, which made a home for the successive pas-
tors until 1871, when the parsonage was sold and re-
moved, and a new one was erected on the old site.
This cost about four thousand five hundred dollars,
and is still standing. It was built during the pastor-
ate of Rev. Jesse Wagner, who raised sufficient
money among this people to pay for its erection.
A flourishing Sunday-school has always been con-
nected with this church, and even as early as 1819 we
find a Sunday-school formed. George Makepeace
was the first superintendent, succeeded by Harriet
Newhall, Miss Brigdon, James Bnrrill, Fales New-
hall, Martin W. Brown, George H. Sweetser, Joseph
C. Hill, James S. Oliver, Alvah Philbrook, Rufus A.
Johnson, Horace Lovering and Wilbur F. Newhall,
who is the present superintendent, having held the
same office since 1865, with the exception of two
intervening years.
This church continues to be the only one in East
Saugus.
Cliftondale Methodist Episcopal Church. —
The Methodist Episcopal Society of Cliftondale was
organized March 20, 1856. There had been preach-
ing, however, a part of each Sabbath by Rev. R. W.
Allen during 18.54 and every Sabbath by James Blod-
gett during 1855.
The new society at first held its services in the un-
finished room in the school- house, now the grammar
school room. In 1857 a chapel — a plain, but substan-
tial, structure — was built, and in December of the
same year was dedicated to the jiurposes of Christian
worship.
The first pastor was Rev. James Blodgett, a local
preacher, who died a few years since. He was fol-
lowed, in turn, by Revs. George F. Poole, who re-
mained as pastor from 1856 to 1859; Solomon Chapin,
1859-61 ; John S. Day, 1861-63 ; Daniel Waite, 1863-
406
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
66; Frank G. Morris, 1866-68; J. F. Bassett, 1868-
69; George E. Eeed, 1869-70; J. E. Richards, 1870-
71 ; Joshua Gill, 1871-72 ; Ralph W. Allen, 1872-75 ;
C. W. Wilder, 1875-77; A. 0. Hamilton, 1877-78 ;
C. M. Melden, 1878-80; W. P. Odell, 1880-83;
George A. Phinney, 1883-86, the latter being suc-
ceeded by Charles A. Littlefield, the present pastor
of the church.
This churcli is the daughter of the East Saugus
Methodist Episcopal Church, granddaughter of the
First Methodist Episcopal Church of Lynn, and
mother of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Saugus
Centre, which latter church, in 1877, formed a society
of their own, and a year later built and dedicated
their present place of worship.
The Sunday-school connected with the society was
formed in 1852 and organized in 1858. The superin-
tendents of the school have been S. S. Dunn, Hon.
George H. Swi etser, Horatio G. Herrick, Matthew
Rawson and Albert H. Sweetser, who holds the posi-
tion at the present time. The school is in a prosper-
ous condition, its present membership being one hun-
dred and eighty-six.
About the beginning of the year 1881 the pastor.
Rev. W. P. Odell, conceived the idea of building a
new church, in which plan he readily interested the
members of the society, displaying commendable
zeal and enterprise in the matter. The plan of build-
ing a new church was finally given up, and it was
decided to remodel the chapel. The effort to solicit
subscriptions met with such success that the building
committee, consisting of A. H. Sweetser, J. A. Rod-
din, C. H. Bond, S. P. Coates and E. S. Kent, feeling
assured of success, placed the matter in the hands of
Henry W. Rogers, of liynn, who submitted to the
committee the plan of the present edifice, which was
accepted, and work was commenced on remodeling
the chapel in July, and was finished the day before
its dedication.
The church is a very handsome one, giving entire
satisfaction to the people and being an ornament to
the community. Its seating capacity is about two
hundred and twenty-five. There are two entrances
in front by large double door.<, surmounted with neat
pitched roof hoods. The front gable is ornamented
with tracery of a pretty pattern. The exterior is
painted in shades of olive green, the spire, roofs and
belts of cut .shingles around the tower are painted
red. The vestibule, audience-room and tower-room
are lighted by beautiful stained-glass windows of a
new and attractive design. The audience-room on
the main floor is entered by two large doors, opening
into aisles three and a half feet wide, with rows of
ash pews, richly upholstered, on either side. The
walls and ceilings are tastily decorated with rich
frescoings of the Porapeiian style. Below the audi-
ence-room is a vestry, with a seating capacity of one
hundred and twenty-five, also store-rooms, library
and class-room.
The church is in a very prosperous condition. Both
church and Sunday-school are growing rapidly. The
present church membership (August, 1887) is one
hundred and thirty-eight.
The Methodist Episcopal Church in Saugus
Centee. — In 1875 a few Christian men invited Rev.
0. J. Pettegrew to assist in starting a Methodist
mission in the Centre. A Sunday-school was formed ;
also a Ladies' Sewing Circle, and preaching Sunday
afternoons.
The services were held in Flye's Hall at first, but
this proving too small to accommodate the people,
a removal was made in September to " Hitchings'
Hall," near the depot. Mr. Pettegrew continued his
labors with them until April, 1876, when Rev. J.
Thompson came for a short time.
In November, 1876, the society united themselves
with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Clifton-
dale, and in May, 1877, Rev. E. H. McKenney be-
gan his services with them, which continued three
years.
July 23, 1877, Rev. Daniel Dorchester, presiding
elder of the New England Conference, met with
thirty-eight members of the society and organized
them into a church. Rev. E. H. McKenney was
made pastor and all the usual church officers elected,
including a board of trustees. Steps were at once
taken towards the building of a chapel.
A lot of land on Main Street, nearly opposite Vine
Street, was given by William H. Penny, and during
the winter a church, thirty-two by fifty feet, was erec-
ted, so that April 24, 1878, it was dedicated by ap-
propriate services. Rev. V. A. Cooper, of Lynn,
preaching the .sermon.
The church was placed in the westerly portion of
the village, so as better to accommodate the people
living in the neighborhood, including Oaklandvale.
The following are the Conference ministers who
have had charge : April, 1880, Rev. Charles M. Mel-
den ; April, 1882, Rev. Samuel Plantz ; April, 1883,
Rev. Arthur W. Tirrill ; April, 1884, Rev. Webster
Miller; April, 1886, Rev. Daniel Richards; April,
1887, Rev. C. J. Mills.
St. John's Mission (Saugus Centre). — In the
spring of 1883 the diocesan Episcopal missionary,
Rev. John S. Beers, held a service in a private house
in Saugus Centre. A goodly number of churchmen
were present. Soon after this a modest beginning
was made by the establishment of a Sunday-school,
which, in a few months, numbered forty scholars, and
later on increased to seventy. Mr. Thomas Ashworth
was the first superintendent — an earnest Christian man
— but in less than two years he died, altera short and
painful illness. He was succeeded by Lyman F.
Merrill, a member of St. Paul's Church, Maiden, who
continued to hold this ofBce until a short time previ-
ous to his ordination as deacon in the Episcopal
SAUGUS.
407
Church. At present Mr. Frank Knight, of St. Ste-
phen's Church of Lynn, is acting as superintendent.
During the first year occasional services were held
in a hired hall, Rev. 5Ir. Beers and others officiating.
In the summer of 18S4 Rev. Thomas L. Fisher,
minister at St. Luke's Church, Linden, added to his
heavy labor in his own parish a regular Sunday after-
noon service for this mission, together with such pas-
toral care as his time would allow.
The hall on Central Street, near Mr. Five's, was
tastefully fitted up under his direction ; several gifts
of church furniture, books and other necess;iry things
were made, and the work continued to prosper under
the name of St. John's Mission.
Money is now being raised for the erection of a
church edifice, assistance having been received from
St. Stephen's Church, Lynn, so that the society hope,
in less than a year's time, to have a place of worship
of their own.
First Coxgeegatiosal Society of Clifton-
dale. — This religious society was organized Novem-
ber, 1886. About a year previous to its formation
services were held in Clifton Hall, preachers being ob-
tained as they could be from dift'erent denominations.
A Sunday-school was gathered in connection with
the society in April, 1886.
About the time of the organization of the society
Rev. Theodore Haven was called as pastor, but he re-
mained only about two months.
Very soon after Rev. Henry B. Miter was engaged
as pastor, and has remained with the society up to the
pre.-'ent time, September 1887.
The society continues to liold its services in Clifton
Hall, owned by Mr. Charles H. Bond, who has been
much interested in the formation of this societv.
CH.4PTER XXVIII.
SAXJGVS—iContiaued).
JIAKCFACTURING INTEREST.S, PAST AND PRESENT.
Iron Works—Mill Site at Emt Snni]ns— Franker' a MUh— Scott's i\tiUs—
A'orth Siiwjus—Tobocco Businegs at Cliftnntlale — Crockery— Slioe Bnfiness
— Grain Mill on Ballard Sirret — Brick Making — Sair Bu8ines$.
Iron Works. — Although iron ore was first discov-
ered in other sections of the country, the first succes-
ful iron works were established in New EngUmd and
in that portion of Massachusetts now embraced in
the township of Saugus. In 1632 mention is made
by Morton of the existence of" iron stone" in New
England, and in November, 1637, the General Court
of Massachusetts granted to Abraham Shaw one-half
of the benefit of any " coles or yron stone w"" shal be
found in any comon ground wch is in the countryes
disposeing."
Iron ore had been found in small ponds on the
western bank of the Saugus River soon after its set-
tlement in 1629, and in 1642 specimfens of it were
taken to London by Robert Bridges, in the liope that
a company might be formed for the manufacture of
iron.
Tills hope was realized in the formation of "The
Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works," con-
sisting of eleven English gentlemen, who advanced
£1000 to establish the works. John Winthrop, Jr.,
had previously gone to England, and he appears to
have assisted Mr. Bridges to secure the organization
of the company. He became a member of the com-
pany, as did others among the colonists. Thomas
Dexter and Robert Bridges, both of Lynn, were
among the original promoters of the enterprise.
Workmen were brought from England in 1643, and
the foundry was erected on the western bank of
Saugus River, just at the head of tide water, in what
is now called the Centre of Saugus, and still marked
by the old banks of scoria, which have bravely with-
stood all changes. The village at the foundry was
called " Hammersmith," from a place of that name
in England, whence came many of the workmen
In 1644 and subsequently the General Court granted
many special privileges to the company. On March
7, 1644, it was granted three miles square of land in
each of six places it might occupy in the prosecution
of its business.
On November 13, 1644, it was allowed three years
" for ye perfecting of their worke and furnishing of ye
country with all sorts of barr iron." The citizens
were granted liberty to take stock in the enterprise,
"if they would complete the finery and forge, as well
as the furnace, which is already set up."
On the 14th of May, 164.5, the general court passed
an order declaring that "' ye iron works is very suc-
cessful (both in ye richness of ye ore and ye goodness
of ye iron)," and that between £1200 and £1500 had
already been disbursed, " with which ye furnace is
built, with that which belongeth to it; and some tuns
of sowe iron cast in readiness for ye forge. There
will be neede of some £1500 to fini>h ye forge."
On the 14th of October, of the same year, the com-
pany was granted still further privileges by the Gener-
al Court, on the condition " that the inhabitants of
this jurisdiction be furnished with barr iron of all
sorts for their use, not exceeding twentye pounds per
tunn," and that the grants of land already made
should be used "for the building and seting up of six
forges or furnaces, and not blooinaries ouely." The
grant was confirmed to the company of the free use
of all materials "for making or moulding any man-
ner of gunnes, potts and otiier cast-iron ware."
On the 6th of May, 1646, Mr. Richard Leader, the
general agent of the company, who is described as a
man of superior ability, purchased "some of the
country's gunnes to melt over at the foundery." On
August 4, 1648, Governor Winthrop wrote from Bos-
408
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tou to his son, who had removed to Pequod, Conn.,
that "the iron work goeth on with more hope. It
yields now about seven tons per week." On Septem-
ber 30th he writes again : " The furnace runs eight
tons per week, and their bar iron is as good as Span-
ish."
Among the many workmen who came over from
England were Richard Leader, already mentioned,
Henry and James Leonard, Henry Styche, Archibald
Anderson and Joseph Jenks, who had come from
Hammersmith in England. He was a machinist and
a man of much skill and inventive genius. He pre-
pared the moulds for the first castings. A small iron
pot, holding about one quart, was the first article
cast, according to Lewis' History, and is still in the
possession of a lineal descendant of Thomas Hudson,
who was the original owner of the lands on which the
iron works were built, and who obtained possession
of the pot immediately after it was cast.
Joseph Jenks, who became the founder of an emi-
nent New England family, purchased from Richard
Leader on the 20th of January, 1647, the privilege
of building a forge at the iron works for the manu-
facture of scythes and other edge tools.
This enterprise was successful.
In 1652 he made at the iron works, for the mint
which was that year established at Boston, the dies
for the first silver pieces coined in New England. On
one side of these coins was the impression of a pine
tree. In 1654 he made for the city of Boston the
first fire engine made in America. In 165o the Gen-
eral Court granted him a patent for an improved
scythe. This scylhe we understand to be substan-
tially the one in present use, a great improvement
over the short wide-bladed scythe of English make.
He died in 1683.
Henry and James Leonard were also skilled work-
men at the iron works. They and their descendants
were afterwards connected with other colonial iron
enterprises.
They had a brother Philip, who does not appear to
have lived at Saugus.
Rev. Dr. Fobes, in referring to the Leonard family
in his book written in 1703, says that " the circum-
stance of a family attachment to the iron manufacture
is so well known as to render it a common observa-
tion in this part of the country (town of Raynham),
" where you can find iron works there you will find a
Leonard !"
Henry and James Leonard are said to have learned
their trade at Pontypool, in Monmouthshire. One or
both of them superintended the erection of iron-
works at Braintree, in 1648, and also at Taunton, in
L652, and at Rowley, in 1668.
Indeed, we read of many other iron enterprises by
ihese Leonards in many parts of our State. For a
hundred years after its settlement Massachusetts was
the chief seat of the iron manufacture on this conti-
aent. Most of its iron enterprises, during this hun-
dred years, were bloomeries ; but there were blast-fur-
naces also, although the latter, as a rule, produced
only hollow ware and other castings, and not pig-
iron. During the period mentioned the iron indus-
try of Massachusetts was confined to the eastern
counties of the colony, where bog or pond ores
formed almost the only kinds of ores obtainable.
But let us return to our own iron-works in Saugus.
The General Court granted many privileges to this
iron enterprise.
In 1644 all engaged therein were exempted from
taxes for ten years. The workmen also were not
liable to military service. They gave any of the in-
habitants liberty to share in the work, by " bringing
in within one year no less than £100 a person, with
allowance to the adventurers, &c., for £1000 already
disbursed," if they would complete the finery and
forge, as well as the furnace, which " is already set
up." Liberty was given " to make use of all yron
ston, or yron ore," to cut wood and to make ponds
and highways.
In 1646 arrangements were made with Thomas
Dexter for opening a new water-course and enlarging
the pond. Land was purchased of Dexter and a
new dam was erected higher up the river, and prob-
ably very near the present dam. The old canal,
which conveyed the water to the mills, can be dis-
tinctly seen in places, even at the present time.
This new dam raised the Sowings of the water and
caused damage to land of Adam Hawkes, in the
northerly part of the town.
In 1652 John Giftbrd was the new agent at the
iron-works. He seems to have increased the height
of the dam again, and also to have flowed more of
Mr. Hawkes' land.
In 1653 Thomas Savage and Henry Webb, of Bos-
ton, obtained judgment against the Iron Company for
£2245.
In 1660 Oliver Purchis succeeded Giflbrd as agent
of Iron- Works.
From this time onward an increased amount of
trouble and annoyance attended the Iron Comcany.
They had made great inroads into the forests in con-
sequence of the large quantities of charcoal needed,
— so much so, that fears were everywhere prevalent
that the wood would be exhausted and the country
impoverished.
Debts and law-suits increased.
In 1671, during the night the dam was cut away
and the great pond emptied of its water. This
caused much damage.
In 1678 Samuel Appleton, Jr., took possession of
the Iron Works, by a grant in the will of William
Payne, of Boston. It wa.s estimated there were three
thousand acres of iron mill land. Mr. Appleton then
owned three-fourths of the Iron Works, valued at
£1500, but, in 1683, the heirs of Major Thomas Sav-
age sold the remaining fourth to Mr. Appleton, who
thus owned the whole property.
SAUGUS.
409
In 16S8 Mr. Appleton sold the entire works to
James Taylor, of Boston, and it was about this time
that they probably ceased operations entirely. Vex-
atious law-suits had much to do with hastening its
cessation, but it would rather seem probable that the
supply of iron-ore had nearly become exhausted.
From the foregoing details it is plainly established
that the enterprise at Saugus embraced a blast-fur-
nace or " foundery," and a refining forge. The term
"foundery'' was long a synonyme for "furnace,"
castings being made directly from the furnace.
This practice continued in this country down to
almost the middle of the present century, and is still
followed in many European countries. That the fur-
nace was in operation in May, 1643, is certain, and
that the forge was in operation in September, 1648, is
equally certain.
These dates may be accepted as definitely deter-
mining the first successful attempts in this country to
make " sowe iron " and other castings in a blast-fur-
nace, and to make "barriron" in a refining forge
from "sowe iron."
Mill -Site in East Saugus. — In October, 1721,
certain citizens of Lynn, viz., Benjamin Potter, Ja-
cob Newhall and William Curtis, were granted a
right to build a tide-mill at East Saugus Bridge, but
these men failing to build, the right was given, in
1722, to Thomas Cheever and Ebenezer Merriam, and
they at once built a mill with two run of stones for
grinding corn. This mill was a small one-story
building built upon the west side of the river, and
likely upon the very spot now occupied by the south
end of the present mill.
Merriam sold to Cheever in 1729, and August 10,
1738 Cheever sold the proi)erty to Joseph Gould for
six hundred and twenty jHiunds.
Gould was a Quaker, but not a native of Lynn.
He was a prudent, energetic business man. Within
a few years after the purchase he built for himself,
adjoining the mill, a two-story dwelling-house, one
room of which he occupied for a small grocery-store.
This dwelling-house was taken down in 1S44. Joseph
Gould owned and occupied the mill till his death, in
1774. His widow continued in possession up to
about 1785, when, through neglect to make necessary
repairs, it became unserviceable. The flood-gates no
longer kept the water in the mill-pond, but it was
allowed to ebb and flow with the tide.
This state of things continued for seven years, un-
til 1792, when the Widow Gould died.
It was then, in 1792, that George Make|)eace, Esq.,
of Boston, bought the mill of the heirs for nine hun-
dred dollars. This was an important time for this
mill privilege. Mr. Makepeace had been a leading
importing merchant at Boston. He at once tore
down the old one-story mill, and in its place built a
good two-story building. This wiusbuiil in 1794, and
comprises about two-thirds of the present building,
26*
being the central part. In this mill he put two runs
of stones for grinding corn and in the northerly end
two mortars for grinding snuff. These snufl-mortars
were rimmed out of large buttonwood-logs in their
rude state with the bark on.
This was the beginning of the snuff business which
has made Saugus renowned.
It was through the advice of Samuel Fales th.at
Mr. Makepeace undertook the snuff business, which,
in 1798, he transferred to his nephew, Jonathan
Makepeace, who continued it fjr about fifty years, up
to 1844, making his snutt', known as "Makepeace's
snufi"" which obtained a reputation in all parts of the
country. He gave his constant personal attention to
the making of this snuff from the very best of leaf-
tobacco, cured in the most careful way; it was then
ground and scented and put up in small wooden kegs,
with his own autograph on each. He was a very
methodical man, upright in all his dealings, and gen-
erous to all worthy objects, for many years a consist-
ent member of the Methodist Church, and respected
by the entire community. He was more familiarly
known as Major Makepeace.
Chocolate Business.— About 1796 the chocolate
business had its beginning in this mill. Mr. Make-
peace at this time put on an addition to the northerly
end of the mill for a chocolate-factory. Another
w.iter-wheel was also put in.
The machinery for roasting, cracking and fanning
the cocoa was run by chains from horizontal shafts.
The noise and din of such machinery was indescriba-
ble. Benjamin Sweetser, Amos Rhodes and Deacon
John Wait were the first chocolate manufacturers,
and the business was continued for many years by
Mr. Amariah Childs.
The following extract is from the pen of my father,
Benjamin F. Newhall, Esq., as printed in the Lynn
Reporter in his sketches of Saugus :
He says in regard to the chocolate business here, —
** lu 1812 the last \v,ir with England conimencod, which gave a new
impetus to the chocolate business,
" Tile niiU was overwhelmed with work, so that it was carried on in
summer, and the cooling was done in cellars. Jlr. Childs, with others,
entered quite largely into the manufacture, which yielded, iu the be-
ginning of the war, a large profit.
" Very soon, with the large demand, coroa began to advance in price,
and continned to do so till it rose from eight cents per pound to thirty-
three cents, a rise of over three hundred per cent.
" .\fter this extreme, it soon receded, and finally settled into a healthy
trade.
"One of the most amusing things connected with this old chocolate
manufacture was the pretended art and skill indispenajible to a success-
ful issue. This art and skill was believed to be a secret possessed by
only here and ther<i an individual.
" Kven the persons who carried on the manufacture did not pretend to
any knowledge of the art.
" It seemed to be a general concession by the public that the science of
the manufacture was unknown, except to a very few, who had obtained
it, by great labor and expense, from Spain or South .\merica.
** This ackEiowIedgenient gave the pretenders a sniwriority, and placed
them in a position not only to be honored, but to ho well i>ai'l,
"The man who had bni^ enough (o carry the pretence through suc-
ccfi'ifidly, managed everything about to his own uiind.
*' In my early boyhood I need to work in this chocolate-mill, as consid-
410
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
eralile of the work could be done by boys better than by men. The
gnind magician of that early day was Josiah Rhodes, nicknamed ' Slim
Caesar.'
" He exercised the most unlimited control over the whole establish-
ment. So arbitrary was ho in the exercise of his pretended skill that
scarcely anyone dared to look at the chocolate in process of manufacture.
The roaslT and gtining-hUlc were objects forbidden by him to be exam-
ined by the ignorant world. I well remember with what veneration I
used to look upon this aged, cadaverou-^ veteran. The smoke of the
roaster could be seen curling up over the fire, but none bad the courage,
in hie presence, to smell of the forbidden odor.
" Occasionally a email, mysterious white powder, from a piece of clean
white paper, would be cast into the roaster, or the kettle, in a myster-
ious and magical manner, completely blinding the eyes of the unini-
tiated. Such was the dignity and haughtiness attendant upon the exer-
cise of his skill that he rarely ever smiled or spoke when engaged.
" Even his employers hardly ever dared to ask a question. Men who
labored years under him never dared to raise a pretence of knowing
anything. Such were the pretended mysteries of the trade in olden
times."
About 1800 George Makepeace built liiiuself a
dwelliug-house on the north side of the river, near
the mill. He also built a small building for a nail
factory, with uunhinery to cut nails by hand. This
busine.ss was carried on for five or six years very
vigorously.
A machine was also put in for picking oakum, but
this proved a failure.
Another unprofitable expenditure of Mr. Make-
peace was the erection of a saw-mill on the north side
of the river. To do this he had to dig a channel
across the highway. Long after the saw-mill had
ceased to be used this channel was filled up by the
town of Lynn in 1820.
About 1800 Mr. Makepeace leased the mill premises
to Amariah Childs, and in 1812 he sold the mill prop-
erty to said Childs.
In 1813 Mr. Makepeace removed to Charlestown,
where he died in 1820, about eighty years of age.
Mr. Childs continued the business at the mill from
1800 to 1840, and very early in this period he added
the business of grinding spices.
This spice-grinding was done for Boston merchants,
the spice being teamed out from Boston, and after
being ground and put into barrels, was teamed back
again.
It was not then put into small packages with showy
labels as we now see it on the grocers' shelves.
In 1844 Mr. Childs sold the whole mill property to
Charles Sweetser, Esq., for eight thousand dollars.
During all these years, with uninterrupted fidelity,
Mr. Jonathan Makepeace had continued the snuflf
business in the mill ; but now he gave up the busi-
ness to Mr. Sweetser, who took out the old snuft' ma-
chinery and put in nine new snuflf mortars and also
new water-wheels. He also removed the chocolate
machinery aud instead put in machinery for roasting
and grinding coflee.
Indeed, the whole mill was put into excellent order.
Mr. Sweetser, who lived in Cliftondale, where was his
business office, carried on the grinding of snuflf in the
mill, while he leased the rest of the mill to different
parties. First to Childs & Eaddin, then to Josiah
Starr for a short time, and finally, January 1, 1858, to
Herbert B. Newhall, who has continued the spice and
coffee business up to the present time.
Mr. Sweetser died in 1865, but some years before
this he relinquished the snuff business to his two sons,
Charles A. and George H. Sweetser, who did a very
large business.
The mill now, in 1887, is owned by Charles A.
Sweetser. About four years ago the snuff' machinery
was removed and the whole mill has since been occu-
pied by Mr. H. B. Newhall, he adding to his business
the grinding and preparation of herbs.
Almost while I am writing, a fire has occurred in
the above mill, which has caused its nearly total de-
struction. Very early Friday morning, .luly 8, 1887,
a fire was discovered in the southerly end of the mill
and such was its rapid spread that the whole mill was
instantly enveloped in flames.
The fire department from Lynn responded at once,
and were successful in preventing the further spread
of the fire.
But the mill was left a wreck ; only its charred
outer walls are standing. It was insured for six
thousand dollars.
Nothing was saved of the stock of H. B. New-
hall.
So closes the eventful history of this noted old
mill.
Pkanker's Mills. — The present dam is about five
rods above the locality of the old iron-works dam.
About 1770 Ebenezer Havvkes made a rude dam
upon the site of the present one, and excavated, in
part, the present canal. He built a grist-mill and
saw-mill.
In 1794 Benjamin Sweetser bought the mills and
property. He was a chocolate manufacturer, and had
carried the business on to some extent with horse
power, in a building near his residence, which stood
in what is now known as Cliftondale, on the Old
Boston Road, where now stands the public house
known as " Sunny Side House." This factory build-
ing was removed, in 1797, into the Village of East
Saugus, and Wiis afterwards owned and occupied for
many years by Jonathan Makepeace. It has subse-
quently been removed again into Lynn, and now
stands on Hawkes Hill, located one-quarter of a mile
east of the river. But to return again to the mill site.
About two years after buying, Major Sweetser built a
new building for a chocolate-mill about seventy feet
northwest of the grist-mill. From this period, 1790,
he enlarged and extended his business, and very soon
became one of the most renowned chocolate makers
in the country. The name of Benjamin Sweetser
stamped on every cake of the glossy chocolate gave it
a reputation that none other had. About 1800
Major Sweetser erected a dwelling-house north of the
factory, which is now standing ; here he lived until
his death, in 1819. From 1810 to 1820 the chocolate
SAUGUS.
411
manufacture was in a very prosperous condition, and
the mill was rented to William Smith, who manufac-
tured chocolate for Messrs. Ohase & Page, of Salem.
During this time the chocolate was made in exact
imitation of the Spanish, and I'ound a ready sale in
the New Orleans market and for export.
From 1815 to 1822 the grist and saw-mills were
leased to Robert Eames, who ground dye-woods,
principally cam-wood. A very large bu.-'iness was
done. About 1822, William Gray, of Boston, other-
wise familiarly known as " Billy Gray," removed his
manufacture of duck-cloth from Stoneham to Saugus.
He took the Stoneham factory building to pieces and
removed it to this locality, placing it between the
cliocolate-mill and the grist-mill, and formingbut one
building about one hundred and fifty feet in length.
The duck was made of flax and hemp. But this
business lasted only about one and a half years.
In 1824 tlie premises were leased to Brown & Bald-
win for the purpose of bleaching and printing calico.
John Haskins, of Boston, was soon a.ssociated with
them under the firm-name of Brown, Baldwin & Has-
kins. A large amount of money was expended in
new building and further improvements, followed by
business embarrassment and final suspension at the
end of 1825.
In 1826 the property passed to True & Brodhead,
who continued the business. They repaired and
raised the dam, which led to tedious lawsuits for
flowage damages. During the ownership of Messrs.
True & Brodhead, in 1829, the flannel manufacture
was begun by Messrs. Brierly tSt Whitehead, wlio
leased a portion of the old mill. This was the begin-
ning of a business which has since given to Saugus a
reputation as well as permanent prosperity.
In 1830 Mr. Brodhead withdrew, and Mr. Street
entered the firm as True & Street ; they continued
until 1832, when their failure suspended business. It
was during this time that they built a large brick fac-
tory, eighty-five by forty feet, and three stories high,
which is now standing, but in consequence of a fire,
in 186G, tlie upper story and roof were removed ; it is
now two stories high, with fiat roof lu 1834 Whit-
well, Bond «& Co. were the owners ; they introduced
the business of cleaning and assorting wool. In 1835
another change in ownership took place, and Messrs.
Livermore & Kendall, of Boston, became possessors
and managers — professedly by the New England Wool
Company, — the establishment was known asRockville.
In 1836 tliey removed to Framingham, and all busi-
ness at the mills ceased for about two years.
In 1838 Edward Franker, Esq., bought the property
and removed from Salem, N. H. The mill under-
went a thorough renovation and new machinery was
put in. Although a period of great financial depres-
sion, yet Mr. Franker showed energy and zeal in his
business, which prospered from the first.
In 1846, finding tlie old brick louilding too small
for his increasing business, he built another brick
factory adjoining the old one on the west, seventy
by fifty feet, three stories high. Botli factories were
complete, with six sets of cards, thirteen jacks and
forty looms. Each jack carried one hundred and
eighty spindles.
In 1857 Mr. Franker associated with himself in the
business his son, George Franker and John Armi-
tage, the new firm being Edward Franker & Co.
Frame buildings were built on the south side
of the road for wool-pulling and tanning sheepskin
pelts.
In 1860 Mr. Franker built a new brick building,
one hundred and twenty-five by sixty feet, and two
stories high, putting in four sets of woolen macliiucry.
This building was placed on the east side of the road,
nearly opposite the old brick mill, and extending
northerly almost to the river.
Mr. Edward Franker died in 1805. He was born
in VV^ilton, England, in 1792; by occupation he was a
weaver of woolen goods ; he came to America in
1820.
After Mr. Franker's death his son George and Mr.
John Farsous continued the business up to 1877, but
the death of Mr. George Franker brought a suspen-
sion of the business lor about two years.
In April, 1879, six grandchildren of Edward Fran-
ker associated themselves together under the name of
the " Franker Manufacturing Company," and have
continued the woolen-cloth business up to the
present time.
They have increased the busine-s each year, and
have constantly been adding new and imi)roved ma-
chinery. They now employ about one hundred oper-
atives. They manufactured thepast year goods valued
at three hundred thousand dollars, requiring about
four hundred and fifty thousand pounds of clean
wool.
The principal goods are all-wool shirtings and
ladies' dress-goods and sackings of all colors and
shades. Also plain and twilled flannels.
The fire, in February 1866, damaged the two brick
mills adjoining each other on the westerly side of the
road, and caused a change in their restoration ; the
older mill being lowered to two sturies, while the
newer mill, built in 1846, was raised to a four-story
building; flat roofs were placed on both. These two
buildings, together with the brick building on the
east side of the road, containing six sets of ma-
chinery, now make up the principal buildings in use
by this company, — in all ten sets of machinery. On the
east side of [the road, opjiosite the oldest mill, they
have a large brick steam boiler building, furnishing
steam for power and heat for all the mills, of about
two hundred horse-power. In 1884 they built
a round brick chimney, one hundred feet high and
ten feet diameter at the ba.se, adjoining the boiler
building.
Scott's Mills. — About 1810 Joseph Ernes, Esq.,
415
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
then a young man of twenty-three years of age,
bought this property, and in 1811 finished the dam
and erected a two-and-a-half-story brick building for
a morocco manufactory and other business. In 1813
Mr. Enies jjut in a grist-mill with one run of stones.
At this time Robert Ernes, Esq., his brother, united
with him in business. They did a prosperous busi-
ness.
In 1812 a fulling-mill for softening skins and hides
was added to the establishment.
In 1817 the grist-mill was changed into one for the
grinding of dye-stufls, principally camwood. This
business continued for about four years.
After 1821 Joseph Emes continued the business
himself, manufacturing kid and morocco, with the
grist and fulling-mills running as business could be
obtained.
In 1834 James Brierly leased a part of the brick
factory for the manufacture of hair and woolen rags.
In 1844 Mr. Emes erected a saw-mill upon the east-
ern bank of the river, which was operated for about
two years.
In the spring of 1847 the brick factory was burned,
with all the stock and machinery therein. This led
to the selling of the property by Mr. Emes to Francis
Scott, Esq., a merchant of Salem, in 1848. He at
once repaired the dam, and erected on the northwest
side of the river a large brick factory building, eighty-
five by fifty feet and four stories high, put in all
necessary machinery, and commenced the manufac-
ture of flannel. In 1857 his son, A. A. Scott, was
taken into the business as a partner, under the firm-
name of Francis Scott & Son. In 1862 Mr. Francis
Scott was thrown from a cart, severely injured and
died soon after his injury, since which time the busi-
ness has been carried on by his son, under the same
style of firm.
Mr. A. A. Scott now employsabout fifty workmen and
workwomen. He manufactures all-wool flannels and
dress goods. He makes eight hundred thousand yards
annually, both fine and coarse grades. Improved
machinery has been put in ; also a steam-engine of
eighty horse-power, with which the factory can be
run whenever the water power is insutticient.
North Saugu.s. — In 1814 the manufacture of linen
duck was started in North Saugus. A dam was built
across the river at a short distance west of the New-
buryport Turnpike, and about a hundred rods above
the bridge through which the river flows under the
Turnpike.
A company was formed under the name of the
Lynn Linen-Spinning Factory Company. The active
men in the enterprise were Joseph R. Newhall and
Amos Binney, of Boston. A large three-story frame
building, situated on the east, side of the river, was
built, but the peace of 1815, together with sundry
lawsuits forflowage damage, soon caused a suspension
of business.
In 1816 Joel Fox undertook to revive the droop-
ing energies of the concern by introducing machinery
for making fine linen cloth, and also shoe-thread.
After a trial of three years he sold out and removed.
The building was divided and set ofl' to different per-
sons to satisfy their judgments for damages. Thus
in five years arose, flourished and died the " Linen-
Factory," so-called.
Let us leave this spot and go perhaps a half a mile
to the north, into the present village of North Sau-
gus. Directly opposite to the school-house, on the
easterly side of the highway, where now are found
the artificial works of the city of Lynn for diverting
the water of Hawkes Brook for their own use ; it was
here, on the south slope of a bluff" of land that in 1816
Nathaniel Perry built a large frame building and put
in machinery for sjjinning and weaving linen, at the
same time building a dam across the brook close by.
In the same year (1816) John Clark and James Hew-
lett purchased land about ten rods northwest of Fer-
ry's mill, on Hawkes Brook, and built a dam and a
frame building, and began the manufacture of Rappee
snuff.
The effort of Mr. Perry to establish a linen-fjictory,
after about a year's labor, proved a failure. Mr. Per-
ry sold out to John Clark aud James Howlett, who at
once introduced the snuff' business into this building.
A canal was dug across the bluft'of land, about fifteen
rods long, so that the water of both streams could be
connected into one pond when necessary.
The snuff' business continued some two years, when
this ceased also.
In 1828 John Clark, Esq., put into the large build-
ing the necessary machinery for a grist and chocolate-
mill. This business continued for about three years,
when the whole was discontinued and the dams re-
moved. Hardly a vestige now remains to mark
either site.
There is left but one other point in North Saugus
for us to notice where business was early started.
About a half a mile westerly from the school-house,
on the Wakefield road, is situated an old mill-site, on
Saugus River. It is now owned by Byron S. Hone,
who has a saw-mill in operation.
In 1811 Dr. John Hart, David Pratt, E. 'Weston and
others were incorporated under the name of the
" Lynn Wire and Screw Manufacturing Company "
at this point; land was purchased, the dam was built
and a suitable building erected in 1812. Although
the business was commenced with vigor, yet misfor-
tune soon attended this company, and failure and sus-
pension followed. From 1816 to 1819 very little use
was made of the property, and in the latter year it
passed into the possession of John Clark, Esq., of
Boston, who at once changed its use into a snuff'-mill.
This purchase influenced, in part, the removal from
the two other snuff'-mills, before alluded to. Eight
large mortars were at once introduced into this new
mill, and arrangements made for a large business.
James Howlett h.ad charge and superintendence, but
SAUGUS.
413
afterwards bought the mill, and at his death his son,
John Howlett, bought out the other heirs, and con-
tinued tlie snutt'business, and the cutting of tobacco into
what was called " fine-cut." A few years before sell-
ing the mill to Mr. Hone, Mr. Howlett removed the
snufl-mortars and tobacco-cutter and put in instead a
saw and shingle-mill, which have continued in op-
eration to the present time.
In 1871 Mr. John Howlett sold the mill property
to Philip P. Hone. At his death it passed to his only
son, Byron S. Hone, who is the present owner.
Cliftondale Tobacco Business. — That portion
of the town now called Cliftondale was formerly for
many years known as Sweetser's Corner. The growth
and prosperity of this village is to be traced to its
manufacture of tobacco in its various forms, viz.,
snuft', chewing and smoking tobacco, and cigars, which
had its beginning at the very close of the last cen-
tury.
The pioneer in this business was William Sweetser,
known as William Sweetser, Jr. He manufactured
snuff in a hand-mill previous to this century and sold
his product principally in Salem and Marblehead.
Following close upon Mr. Sweetser was Samuel
Copp. He was a native of Boston, and his mother
was a sister of the wife of Landlord Newhall. Hav-
ing the misfortune to lose his father at an early age,
he was apprenticed to a tobacconist. During this
time his mother removed to Saugus and resided in the
family of Landlord Newhall, where she died before he
reached his majority.
On completing his apprenticeship he at once re-
paired to Saugus and commenced a very small busi-
ness, first in East Saugus, then in Lynn on Boston
Street near Federal Street, but after a very few years
he removed to Cliftondale built him a house and shop
and married for his second wife another daughter of
William Sweetser who lived close by. This was about
1807. Mr. Copp's house, with the shop a few feet
west, stood on the spot now occupied by the palatial
residence of Mr. Charles H. Bond.
His factory was a two-story frame building and the
business then consisted mainly in the manufacture of
'"Fig and Pig-tail," as they were then called. The
upper story was wholly devoted to hand labor and
spinning " pig-tail ; '' in the lower story were stout
wooden screws in strong oaken frames, where the man-
ufactured tobacco was pressed into boxes or kegs.
Previous to the establishment of Samuel Copp only
one house existed at the " Corner;" thisw-as the house
of W^illiam Sweetser, and it is now standing, having
been owned and occupied for many years past by the
late Charles M. Bond.
Mr. Copp continued the business till 1820, when he
sold out to Charles Sweetser, son of William Sweet-
ser, who added the manufacture of cigars known as
" short sixes " and " long nines," and also began the
manufacture of snuff, first grinding the snuff at Salem
until 1844, when, purchasing the mill-site at East
Saugus, he removed his snuff-grinding thereto. It
will be seen that Mr. Charles Sweetser greatly enlarged
the business, and a market was found all over the
United States and British provinces and to some ex-
tent in foreign countries.
In i860 Mr. Charles Sweetser gave up the business
to his two sons, Charles A. and George H. Sweetser,
who carried it on under the firm-name of Sweetser
Brothers.
During these years many others took up the same
business, viz., Charles Raddin, who was an extensive
manufacturer, also S. S. Dunn, Charles M. Bond, Silas
S. Trull, Thomas F. Downing, Hiram A. Raddin and
John M, Raddin.
At the beginning of the Rebellion, in 18G1, the cigar
manufacture practically ceased, on account of the
Southern market being lost and the heavy internal
revenue tax placed on these low-i)riced goods. Pipe-
smoking was resorted to.
The manufacture of snuff continued throughout
and since the war with little variation until the past
five years, when it began to decrease.
Now, in 1887, Joseph A. Raddin, under the firm-
name of F. L. & J. A. Raddin, conducts the business
of his father Charles, having also bought out the
Sweetser Brothers' business in November, 1885. Mr.
Raddin's business is largely in cut smoking tobacco,
some brands of which have become very popular.
The other manufacturers of to-day are S. S. Trull,
Edward O. Copp, grandson of Samuel Copp, M. S.
Fiske and Copp & Gibbons, all of whom, excepting
Copp & Gibbons, confine their business to cigars.
Crockery- WARE. — The road which now leads from
Cliftondale to Saugus Centre, called Central Street,
soon after leaving the village of Cliftondale, descends
a hill and crosses a swamp or peat meadow. This
was known as " Jackson's Meadow." It contains an
inexhaustible quantity of peat, which many years ago
was utilized by the inhabitants to a small extent.
LTnderlying this peat deposit is a deposit of very
fine blue clay.
In 1808, or thereabouts, William Jackson, an Eng-
lishman by birth and education, came to Saugus (then
Lynn), and bought a small fiirm at what is now Clif-
tondale, together with a part of the meadow before
mentioned.
He became aware of this deposit of fine clay and
its adaptability for crockery-ware.
The embargo and War of 1810 and 1812 coming on
rendered the importation of crockery very difficult.
Mr. Jackson at once built a large building and two
smaller ones. He procured the best machinery and
most skillful workmen {)ossible at that time, but he
soon found out that the clay was not adapted for the
finest kind of ware, and so his numufacture was con-
fined to a superior kind of brown and red earthen-
ware.
414
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
This factory was continuefl for about four years,
when, becoming unprofitable, it was totally aban-
doned.
Shoe BusiNEfss. — We will now rapidly sketch the
rise and progress of the shoe business in Saugus. Let
us go back to 1802, when our territory was included
in the town of Lynn. It was in this year that Eben-
ezer Oakman, Esq., a young man of active business
talents, began the manufacture of shoes on the north-
ern side of our river, about ten rods from the bridge,
in East Saugus. He built a small factory, which he
enlarged in 1807, and also built a new factory in the
same year, and again in 1810 he built a much larger
factory, connecting it with a large barn fifty feet
northerly by a lower building. At that time this was
undoubtedly the largest shoe factory in Lynn. Mr.
Oakman's market was found largely in Philadelphia,
whither his shoes were shipped by sailing-vessels
from Boston. His examjjle and zeal were contagious
in the community.
During the War of 1812, it being too dangerous to
send his shoes to Philadelphia by packet, he estab-
lished a line of large baggage-wagons, drawn by six
horses, with two skillful drivel's, making the transit
to Philadelphia and back in about six weeks' time.
This was continued during the war, although at great
expense. Among his teamsters were Captain Jacob
Newball, Jesse Rice and Captain Jacob Baird.
During this time Mr. Oakman was indefatigable in
his business, both at Lynn and Philadelphia, spend-
ing a part of his time at each place. He commenced,
to some extent, also the manufacture of gentlemen's
calf boots. After the peace of 1815 the business was
not prosecuted with so much vigor, although Mr.
Oakman continued it till about 1818. After that pe-
riod he closed his uusiness here and removed to Phil-
adelphia for a permanenfresidence.
This was a great detriment to Saugus, for soon the
factory buildings were cut up and removed to different
parts of the town and made into dwellings. In those
days shoes were manufactured very differently from
what they are at this time. The leather and kid
were brought to the factory and cut up in the rudest
manner. The uppers, binding, soles, thread, and
everything necessary was counted out to the work-
man, who took them away in a bag or basket to his
house or a small shop near the same, and while the
women folks bound the uppers, he put on the soles
and finished them entirely ready for market, after
which he carried them to the boss, and returned home
with a new week's work.
After Mr. Oakman's removal, the shoe business was
carried on in a very small way for a number of years,
until about 182.5. It was at this period that a number
of resolute and active young men, natives of our town,
took up the business and carried it on with uniform
success. These were Thomas Raddin, Jr., George W.
Raddin, Sewall Raddin, Jacob Newhall, Jr., Abel
Newhall and Benjamin F. Newhall. It was from this
time until 1838 that these manufacturers did a large
and prosperous business.
John W. Newhall began business in 1841 ; James
C. Lockwood, Levi D. Waldron and Pickmore Jack-
son in 1842 ; Charles W. Newhall in 1847 ; Harmon
Hall and Charles E. Raddin in 1850. Mr. Hall was
associated with John W. Newhall from 1852 to 1855,
but after this he continued the business himself for
many years. But from this time onward the shoe
business of Saugus began to decline.
This was caused by the entire revolution of the
manner of manufacturing shoes. Machinery was
taking the place of hand labor. The workmen were
congregated together in large factories instead of
being scattered about the town and country in their
little shops.
There was an advantage, as well as convenience, to
the manufacturers themselves to be in a narrow local-
ity. So our manufacturers, one by one, began to
leave us, removing their business into the centre of
the city of Lynn, or elsewhere, so that at this time
(1887) there is only one shoe manufacturer, L. Waldo
Collins, doing business in East Saugus. Our people,
men and women, find their employment in Lynn,
going down in the morning and returning in the
evening, either by horse-cars or steam railroad.
But we must not forget to speak of the shoe business
in the centre of the town.
Among the early shoe manufacturers in the centre
of the town we will mention Moses Mansfield, who
died in 1806; he lived in the Capen house. Also
his brother, Thomas Mansfield, who lived in the
Adam Ames house, now owned by Mr. Scott. Also
Richard Mansfield, who died in 1824; he lived on
Main Street, where Mr. Follett now lives. His shop
was opposite.
In 1818 Benjamin Hitchings moved into town and
commenced the shoe business, and continued in bus-
iness until about 1850. Latterly he took his two sons,
John B. and Otis M., into partnership.
Mr. Hitchings at first lived in the Davis house, on
the Cinder Banks, and manufactured there until he
removed to his house, and shop connected therewith,
on Main Street, near the turnpike, where he died.
Of the early shoe manufacturers Mr. Hitchings
was by far the largest, often employing from forty to
fifty hands.
David Newhall and W. W. Boardman manufactured
from 1830 to 1850.
Otis M. Hitchings manufactured from 1846 to 1872,
employing some years one hundred hands.
In 1852 Walton & Wilson commenced the shoe
business, and continued until 1879, when they sold
out to Charles S. Hitchings, who removed his business,
commenced in 1867, into the three-story factory on
Central Street, corner of Pearson, said factory having
been built by Walton & Wilson in 1872, and occupied
SAUGUS.
415
by (lieiii up to 1879. Messrs. Walton A Wiltfon did a
largo business, often employing us many as a hundred
hands, and manufacturing shoes to the amount of
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars yearly.
William T. Ash commenced in 1877. His business
increasing, he soon removed to O. M. Hitchings' fac-
tory, near the depot, where he continued until 1883,
when he removed his whole business to Lynn. Mr.
Ash at this time was doing a good business, employ-
ing some eighty hands.
Charles S. Hitchings, William F. Hitchings and
Otis M. Burrill are now the only shoe manufacturers
remaining in the Centre. Mr. Charles S. Hitchings,
the largest of the three, employs from forty to fifty
hands.
Grain-Mill. — In 1850 Benjamin F. Newhall pur-
ch.ased the lands on both .sides of Fox Hill Creek, so-
called, extending to the Salem turnjiike, for the pur-
pose of constructing a grain-mill, anil wharf adjoining
it on the northerly side. The wharf was built in
18.51, and the earth for filling was taken from the
southwe.st side of Ballard Street, making now a part
of the mill-pond. Ballard Street was built from the
old Boston road in East Saugus to the Salem turn-
pike in 1850. The grain-mill was built in 1852.
From the time of its erection to the present a very
large grain business has been done here. And until
very recenth' the grain has been landed in vessels
directly to the mill, being raised from the vessel by a
large elevator. From fifty to one hundred thousand
bushels of corn have been ground annually. Since
1801 Herbert B. Newhall, son of Benjamin F. New-
hall, has owned and run this mill. During a few
years last past Mr. Newhall has landed his grain by
railroad at Lynn Common Depot and carted it to the
mill, for the reason that it could be done more cheaply
than by vessel.
Brick-Makixg. — It is now forty-six years since
Mr. Frederick Stocker began brick-making in Eiist
.Saugus, with his yard between Winter Street and the
river. Mr. Stocker usually manufactured from one-
half million to a million bricks annually. About
nineteen years ago he gave up the business to his sou
Frederick, who continues up to the present time. He
makes about one million bricks annually, and con-
sumes thereby about four hundred cords of wood, and
gives employment to a dozen men.
As long ago as 1812 Mr. Thomas Raddin made
bricks in a yard on the northerly side of the river,
where Mr. T. H. Rhodes' house now stands.
Mr. Hatch also made bricks in the same place in
1S59 for .about two years.
From 1850 to I8G0 Willi.am .M. Newhall .ilso car-
ried on the brick business on the northerly side of the
river, not far above the bridge. He manufactured
about a million bricks annually, until the clay was
practically exhausted. From 18-58 to 1860 Mr. H.
Hurd had a yard adjoining Mr. Newhall's.
Curled Hair.— In 1848 Enoch T.Kentcommenced
the business of preparing hair for plastering. He
then lived on the place now occupied by William A.
Trefethen, in East Saugus.
In 1853 he removed to Cliftondale, and took as a
business partner S. R. Marvin, when they enlarged
their business, amounting to fifty thousand dollars
yearly. They dissolved partnership in 18G6, and in
1873 Mr. Kent built a large factory in the Centre, on
what is known as Shute's Brook near the railroad
de;)Ot. This factory was three stories, with basement,
and was furnished with steam-power, the brook af-
fording water for w;ishing and scouring purposes.
Here he has continued the business up to the present
time, not only furnishing hair for plastering, but for
spinning and saddlers' and upholsterers' use. He
employs about twenty men, and does about fifty
thousand dollars business annually. He ships his
hair to all parts of the country.
CHAPTER XXIX.
S.\.UQUS— ( Continued).
Anchor Tavern — Iloads and lii-uiges — Boston Road — Great Br'uhjc — Salem
Tnnijjike — Xetdntryport Turnpike — lUiiboads — Horse lia'droads.
Anchor T.^verx. — Very e.arly in the settlement
of the town, probably as early as lC-t3, a tavern was
established in that part of the town now called East
Saugus, on the road from Boston to Salem, and about
half-way between these two places. It was built on
the Ballard farm, under the brow of the hill, just
where the highway turned sharply to the south.
For about one hundred and seventy years it afforded
shelter for man and beast, and became, during its his-
tory, a famous hostelry, known far and wide.
Joseph Armitage was its first landlord, and from
him it received the name of '' The Anchor Tavern."
Governors Endicott and Bradstreet early found en-
tertainment here, as the court records, in lOOO, show
Mr. Armitage's petitions for payment of their ex-
penses for " bear and cacks" (beer and cakes), " vit-
alls, bear and logen, beare aud wyne att sevrall times."
Mr. xVrmitage died in 1080. But probably many
years before this he was succeeded by Captain Thomas
Marshall, who was the second landlord and continued
to keep the tavern until December 23, 1089, the time
of his death. Captain Marshall was a soldier under
Cromwell.
We are not informed of the landlords succeeding
Captain Marsh.all until we come to Zaccheus Nor-
wood, who bought the tavern-stand with the Ballard
farm in 17G0. The house now was very famous and
its patronage very large.
Mr. Norwood died in 1708, leaving a widow, who
continued to keep the public-house. She allerwaids
416
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
married an eccentric Englishman, named Josiah
Martin, who, by his hypocrisy, gained her affections
and afterwards led her a terrible life as landlord.
On May 3d, 1773, Landlord Jacob Newhall became
landlord at this tavern. The time of the Revolution
was now approaching, and it was not long before
Landlord Newhall took down the Anchor Tavern
sign, with the lion and unicorn, and substituted in its
place the " Rising Sun Tavern," with a painted rep-
resentation of the morning sun just appearing above
the horizon. Landlord Newhall was an ardent pa-
triot, and his means were freely spent for the coun-
try. No one was allowed to go hungry past his
house. He continued its landlord until about 1800,
and when he left it. carried away scarcely anything
but a good name to show for his many years' labor.
It was in 1800 that the tavern and the entire farm
came back into the possession of the Ballard family,
and in 1802 Mr. John Ballard built a new public-
house, about nine rods south of the eld tavern. This
was the time that the Salem turnpike was building.
Mr. Ballard had prevented the turnpike from being
built over his farm.
Disappointment was in store for him in regard to
his new public-house, for as soon as the turnpike was
opened the travel was diverted and thestand was ruined.
Joseph Palmer was the landlord of the new hotel ;
but he continued only until the opening of the turn-
pike, when he went to Lynn to take charge of the
Lynn Hotel.
From 1815 to 1822 Mr. Ballard made the hotel
building his own homestead.
After this it continued a checkered career as a pub-
lic-house until 1871, when it was purchased by Wilbur
F. Newhall, and removed a few hundred feet east,
so as to make room for a new dwelling.
The old Anchor Tavern building continued to stand
during these years of the new hotel, serving as a
farm-house, until 1836, when it was torn down to
make room for a new street — now Lincoln Avenue —
leading down to the bridge.
Roads and Bridges. — The old Boston road, for-
merly so called, running through East Saugus and
Cliftondale, was one of our earliest roads. It crossed
the river at East Saugus, where the upland on either
bank approached so near _to the river's edge as to
leave but little salt marsh. Here was a natural ford-
ing-place at low tide ; and it was here that the Gen-
eral Court, June 0, 1(539, ordered, " That those of
Lynn shall have £50 from the country towards the
building of a cart-bridge over the river there ; when
the bridge is finished, to be allowed them."
On petition of the town, October 27, 1648, the
court further ordered, " That there shall from
henceforth be allowed thirty shillings per annum out
of the treasury of the county towards the mainten-
ance of the said bridge, for which the inhabitants of
Lynn are forever to repair it."
This action was probably caused by a sad accident
which occurred at the bridge, March, 1648, to Ed-
mund Ingalls, one of the first settlers, then an old
man.
It would seem that the bridge must have been de-
cayed and out of repiir, for Mr. Ingalls, while cross-
ing on horseback, fell through and was drowned. His
heirs recovered from the State one hundred pounds.
The court appropriated at once twenty pounds more
for immediate repairs.
May 23, 1655, the court again ordered that a com-
mittee should rebuild the bridge, and the County
Court should apportion the expense among the towns
of the county. It so remained a county charge until
a joint committee of Lynn and Saugus, in 1815,
agreed that the two towns " shall support said bridge
equally, in conjunction with the county."
This bridge, sometimes called the " Great Bridge,"
with Boston Street, was an important avenue of com-
munication for the whole county, and indeed we
might say the only one until the building of the
Salem turnpike, in 1803. Before the bridge was
built it was necessary to make a long circuit to
the Centre, where was found the only safe fording-
place at the head of tide water. This circuit made at
least two and one-half miles extra travel up one side
of the river and down the other.
There has been some difference of opinion in re-
gard to the location of an ancient ferry. In 1639 the
General Court granted to Garrett Spencer " the ferry
at Linn for 2 years." The law also regulated the
tolls. It is generally thought that this ferry was
from Needham's Landing in Lynn, to what is now
called the Lower Landing, on Ballard Street, in East
Saugus. In those days it undoubtedly was a great
accommodation to travelers on foot or horseback, and
especially before the building of the bridge at E.
Saugus.
Another very early road w-as from Boston Street,
leaving the same near where the Methodist Church
now stands in East Saugus, and going up on the
southerly side of the river, substantially where Win-
ter Street is now located; but when reaching where
now is the New Cemetery it bore to the left, where
the old track is now seen and can be traveled, going
on westerly near where Denver Street now is to Vine
and Main Streets, and then on to the west part of
the town and to Reading.
Another road branched off this, going northerly,
near where Central Street now is, to the iron works,
and to the fording-place across the river.
The road from Lynn, now called Walnut Street,
passing Birch Brook, and on to North Saugus and
Lynnfield, is also a very old road.
It was near this road, on Choose Hill, so-called, that
it was proposed to build the Old Tunnel parish
church, so as to accommodate the parishioners from
SAUGUS.
417
Lvnn, Saugus and Lynnfield, this being near the geo-
graphical centre. But this project was soon aban-
doned, and three parishes was the result.
The road IVoni Lincoln Avenue, in Cliftondale, to
!*augus Centre, now called Central Street, was Ijuiltliy
the town in 1S37.
The road running from Lincoln Avenue, in East
Saugus, to the Salem turnpike, now called Kallard St.,
was built in 18.50. The expense of its construction
was borne by the town of Saugus, Essex County, the
turnpike corporation and the owners of the land. A
bridge was built across Fox Hill Creek. It gave a
very convenient and easy access to the public town
lan<ling.
Salem axi> Boston Turxpikk. — The charter for
the construction of the Salem turnpike wa.s obtained
in isiil . Very great opposition was made to this road
l)y the towns of Danvers and Maiden, and by the
Maiden Bridge corporation, who had, only nise years
before, built their bridge over the Mystic River, a
mile to the west of the proposed Chelsea Bridge.
This turn|iike was doomed to divert the great cur-
rent of travel from the old Boston road, in Saugus, to
a piussage over its lonely salt marshes.
But public utility triumphed over local interests,
and the turnpike was built and opened for travel from
Salem to Lynn, July o, 1803, and on September 22,
1803, over the entire length to Chelsea.
< tn September 22, 1807, the turnpike and bridges
were declared to be fully finished.
The traffic over the turnpike constantly increased
up to 1838, when, in consequence of the opening of
the Eastern Kailroad, the stage travel ceased, other
travel decreased, the tolls were reduced and the
stock of the corporation fell to almost or ijuite forty
dollars a share. This turnpike was made a pul)lic
highway in 18t)8.
The Newburyport Turnpike. — The charter for
the construction of this turnpike was obtained in 1802.
It was finished about 1805, and the cost was nearly
.W80,000.
About four miles of this turnpike is in Saugus,
passing through the town from north to south. At
the time this road was built Salem and Newburyport
were rival commercial towns. Salem was about build-
ing an air-line turnpike to Boston, and so .Newbury-
port could clo nothing less.
It was made straight, regardless alike of settlements
on either side, or of hills and swamps on the direct
line. And although the shrewdest men of Newbury-
port were its projectors, yet it proved from its comple-
tion not only to be a ruinous investment, but a stu-
)iendous folly. Grass soon overgrew its road-bed.
From 1840 to 1846 the tolls were discontinued, and
the turnpike became a public highway in the several
■27
towns through which it passed, making a heavy bur-
den to many towns, especially Saugus.
Kaii>roads. — The Eastern Railroad was chartered
in 183t> and was opened to travel in 1838. Although
its route passed through a portion of Saugus terri-
tory, over the salt marshes between Saugus and Chel-
sea Rivers, in the very southern extremity of the
township, yet the town was not recognized in its loca-
tion and charter.
But this railroad as located all'orded small accom-
modations to our citizens, who were still obliged for
many years to travel a distance of two and three
miles to Breed's Wharf Depot, in West Lynn. A
very small westerly portion of the town found the
Boston and Maine Railroad at Melrose nearer.
Our present railroad accommodations with Boston
and Lynn, in all thirty one daily trains both ways,
have not been obtained without long struggles and
many changes extending through years.
The earliest ertbrts for a railroad through Saugus
were made just previous to 1844.
Benjamin Goodrich and others petitioned for a
charter from Salem to Boston, passing through South
Danvers (now Peabody), West Lynn, East Saugus,
East Maiden (now Linden and Maplewood), Maiden
Centre and thence into Boston. This route was sur-
veyed over the Ballard farm and south of Baker's
hill.
After two or three years' fruitless trial for a char-
ter belbre the Legislature this project was abandoned.
The Eastern Railroad was the main opponent.
We wish to mention here the name of Joshua
Webster, Esq., as the man, among many others, to
whose untiring energy and zeal we finally obtained
railroad accommodations. Formerly of Lynn, he at
this early time bought a large farm in Jla]ilewood,
known as the " Wait Farm," and removed thither.
He Wiis determined to have a railroad through his
farm. In 1840 he projected a railroad from East
Saugus to JIaldeu, connecting with the Boston and
Maine Railroad. The route was through the centre
of Saugus, thence down the valley of the Newbury-
port turnpike through Majdewood to Maiden, a dis-
tance of over five miles. In 1847 a petition was
jiresented to the Legislature for a charter. To opjjose
this project, the Eastern Railroad brought forward a
scheme to build a branch railroad from Breed's
Wharf Depot in Lynn through East Saugus to Saugus
Centre. A survey was at once made and petitions
presented to the General Court.
The war for these rival routes first began in Saugus,
and then in all its warmth was carried to the Legis-
lature. The Legislature gave a charter to the Maiden
route. Among the leading men who favored this
route were Joshua Webster, Daniel P. Wise, G. G.
Hubbard, G. W. Raddin, George Peanson and Ed-
ward Pranker. The company was soon organized,
and Joshua Webster chosen president. This was in
the spring of 1848. In 1849 the charter was amended,
418
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
so as to change the location fmni the turnpike valley
and run through C'liftondale and Linden to Maiden.
Still another step remained. In IS.'iO a further
amendment to the charter was obtained to extend the
branch from East Saugus to Lynn Common ; thus,
by yearly advances, the Maiden branch party obtained
all they wished ; Lynn could be reached in the in-
terest of the Boston and Maine Railroad. This
amendment was obtained in spite of the greatest
opposition of the Eastern Railroad.
The difficult problem now was to get the stock
taken and to build the road.
It was publicly stated that if the residents along
the route would take half the stock, some one stood
ready to take the remainder. Who could this be?
Perhaps the Boston and Maine Railroad. It was now
July, 185L Something must be done at once or the
charter would be forfeited. A meeting of the share-
holders was called at the Saugus Town Hall. Mr.
Edward Crane rose and said he would take the re-
mainder of the stock. But another month brought
new fears and complications. In August it became
known that Mr. Crane had sold all his stock to the
Eastern Railroad. Was this to be a defeat to the
whole project? Not so; thanks to a few energetic
men, led by Mr. Joshua Webster of Maplewood.
Contracts for its construction were given out in No-
vember, IS.'il. and the ground was broken on Pearson's
Neck, so-called, in Saugus, February 1852.
In Oitober 1852, the following directors were
chosen : G. G. Hubbard, Joshua Webster, Benjamin
F. Newhall, Albert Thorndike, Isaiah Breed, B. T.
Reed and Samuel Hooper. G. G. Hubljard was
chosen president, and George Hood treasurer.
In February 1S54, the branch was so far completed
that an engine and two cars were provided for it,
and by the latter part of the month four trains each
way were run from Lynn Common Depot to Edge-
worth, in Maiden, there connecting with the Boston
and Maine Railroad.
Then one small car more than accommodated all
its patrons. The experiment of combining car and
locomotive was tried. It caused a great deal of mer-
riment and was nick-named the " tea-kettle ; ' this was
soon set aside.
The railroad barely paid its running ex])enses.
The Eastern Railroad now became its sole owner,
and they at once built the two connecting links neces-
sary to make the Branch a part of their railroad sys-
tem, viz., a link from Lynn Common Depot to Breed's
Wharf Depot, and the other link from Maiden Centre
to South Maiden (now Everett). Thus was estab-
lished, in 1854, our railroad facilities substantially as
they exist to-day, only instead of four trains we now
have sixteen trains each way daily.
Since the building of our railroad Maluen has be-
come a city; its territory is rapidly filling up with
residences, so that the overflow is now reaching our to wn
and everything bids fair for a rapid growth of Saugus.
Hone Railroads. — Our horse railroads began by the
granting of two charters to two rival companies in the
spring of 1859, requiring cars to be run on each by
November 20, 18<i0, on penalty of loss of I'barter.
One was the Lynn and Boston Railroad, which built
its track over the Salem turnpike, thus running across
the extreme southei'ly part of the town over the salt
marshes. So far as the accommodation to the people
of Saugus, this road was of very little moment; still,
after great difficulty, it was built so that regular trips
were commenced over the turn|>ike June 1, 1861, and
have continued up to the present time.
The other was the Cliftondale Horse Railroad.
James S. Stone, Esq., of Charlestown, was the princi-
pal manager. Ground was broken in October, 1800,
and the work was put forward with great rapidity, so
that by November 20th the cars commenced running.
It was the intention to have this horse railroad run
through to Lynn, but Lynn refused the location, so
that its starting-point was at the bridge in East Saugus,
and running to the Cliftondale Depot, thence through
the woods to the Newburyport turnpike, and so on to
Boston via JIalden Bridge and Charlestown. Had
this road been jiermitted to extend its track down to
the city of Lynn, it might have had a longer life.
The principal motive for its construction was the
development and sale of house-lots in Cliftondale,
called the " Homes."
This land speculation not proving a success, and
the passenger traffic being very light, it was only a
question of time when it would be obliged to stop its
running.
As it proved, it was only about three years when it
was abandoned and the rails taken up. It is now
very difficult to find any trace of its location.
But the time finally came when our town obtained
excellent horse railroad accommodationi, which it now
enjoys, very much to its benefit as well as to the ad-
vantage of the road.
The Lynn and Boston Railroad extended its tracks
from Lynn to East Saugus, Cliftondale and Saugus
Centre, and are now running half-hourly tri])S through-
out the day and evening.
The cars from Lynn to East Saugus commenced
running June 24, 1882; they then stopped at Ballard
Street, but the road was soon extended to Cliftondale,
and the cars commenced running June 17, 1885.
The next year a branch was built up Chestnut
Street and Winter Street to Saugus Centre, and the
cars commenced rnuning July 31, 1886.
We are thus provided with a horse railroad system
which will without doubt long continue.
Such is the union of the industrial pursuits and
business of Lynn and Saugus, that it is a necessity,
and will add greatly to the development of the town.
The Lynn and Boston Railroad is now building an-
other link from Cliftondale via Lincoln Avenue to
Linden to connect with the horse railroad from
Maiden to Revere Beach. This will give us another
SAUGUS.
419
connection with Boston, and also with Maiden, Med-
I'ord, Melrose, Stoneham and Woburn.
This route is now, September 15, 1887, just opened
for travel.
CHAPTER XXX.
S\VGVS—(Co>ilimie<J).
gtlutuh—West Pniish .S )/<«.;— /.iii(i<«' Seimii.irii— Public Seh<'<'U—Hii/h
Schuol—Priiaipiih — Ch/luinhik LU'runj— tYie Piililiij Uhniry— iruiiam
HuU«n Lodge —.ibi'iisett I'irisinti, S. of T. — Simnliine Lodge oj Good Tern-
I'hirB Sftuguf Mutuiil himtiaiive Co. — }-\inu» <ind Fortliers.
Schools. — West P(tri.sh Scliont. — The West Parish
very early felt their need of school privileges for their
Vliildren, and the people were not slow in providing
them.
At first a school was ojieiied in some private dwell-
ing, as accommodations could be obtained, but not
always in the same dwelling, and it was frequently
changed to different parts of the parish. This ar-
rangement obtained until Ml^t, when a small one-
story building was built in the Centre, on the south-
east end of the bnryijig-ground. This building
served for school uses until .Iidy 20, ISOl, wheu it
was sold for sixty-three dollars to Richard Shute,
who removed it and added it to his house for a gro-
cery-store, till its destruction by fire, in 1820.
In the year 1800 a great school-house fever pre-
vailed in the West Parish. No le.«s than five school-
houses were petitioned for in ISOl, — two of these to
be at the ''Centre," one at the "North End," one at
" Boardman's End " and t!ie other in the " South
part," now East Saugus.
The i^arish voted but one, and that to be in the
" Centre," southwest of the meeting-house.
It was soon built, and stood near to William W.
Boardman's house, on what is now Main Street.
This school-house was standing until very recently,
in the yard of William W . Boardman, and was used
by him for many years as a shoe manufactory. Within
a few years it has been torn down.
In 1787 th<' iiari^h voted that thirteen families at
the " North End" might withdraw and make a new
school di-itrict.
Thi-i was the first separation in school matters.
In 1806 a school-house (old Eock School-house)
was built in the " South part," now called East Sau-
gus.
It may be of interest to speak of a private acade-
my which was started in our town.
Ladies' Seminary. — In January, 1821, the Rev.
Joseph Emerson, of Beverly, projected the establish-
ment of a Female Seminary in Saugus.
The parish encouraged the project, and voted the
use of the parsonage, with land near by, for a school
building, which was built in the spring of 1822.
For two years its popularity was very great.
Such numbers of young ladies flocked to the institu-
tion that board accommodations could scarcely be
Ibuud.
While the seminary was in a successful tide of
prosperity, the old parish aflairs, now rapidly on the
wane, considerably revived.
Rev. Joseph Emerson was a very popular divine,
and supplied the pulpit for the greater part of the
time.
It unfortunately happened that the autumn of the
second year was a very sickly sea.son.
The typhoid fever prevailed in many towns, anil
among these was Saugus.
Several young ladies of the seminary died, causing
many of the pupils to lie withdrawu and deterring
others from coming, so that the school never recov-
ered from the effects of this unfortunate sickness.
Mr. Emerson's poor health obliged him to leave,
and in the autumn of 1824 he was succeeded by Rev.
Hervey Wilbur, wdro also supplied the parish pulpit.
But in spite of Mr. Wilbur's efforts to revive the
seminary he was obliged to give it up in the autuujn
of 1826.
Public Si-hmih. — Our town has always maintained
good public schools. If they have not been fully up
to the high standard of our neighboring cities, we
have spent for them a much larger proportion of our
valuation. I notice in the last State report that of
the thirty-five towns and cities in Esse.K County,
Saugus is the eighth in the percentage of valuation
expended for schools.
The whole number of children in our town between
five and fifteen years of age is five hundred and
twenty-four, divided as follows:
Wiird 1, North Saugus ".^6
" 2, Centre Saugus 175
" ?., Cliftondale HIT
" 4, East SaugU8 12S
" 6, Oaklandvale 28
Total 524
There are thirteen schools ; the two at X^orth Sau-
gus and Oaklandvale are mixed schools, but those in
the other wards are arranged into three and four
grades.
In these schools there are five hundred and twenty
pupils.
Our High School had its beginning in .\pril, 1872.
Since 1875 it has gathered in rooms fitted up for its
use in the new Town Hall. It has a three years'
course of study, including Latin and Ficiuh.
Diplomas are given to graduates.
There are [now about forty-five pupils in this
school.
It has had six principals since its conimcnccment.
Mrs. Frances H. Newhall served from 1872 to 1875;
Mr. James B. Atwood a few munths in 187o; Mr. F.
W. Eveleth from October, 1875 to 1879. He was fol-
lowed by Mr. Charles E. Lord for one year, then by
Mr. C. H. Smart for two years, up to 1881.
420
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The present principal, Mr. Wilbur F. Gillette, took
charge in April, 1881.
Cliftondat.e Library. — About two years ago a
library association was formed in Oliftomlale, and is
now in a prosperous condition. It has about seven
hundred volumes.
Free Public Library. — This last spring (1887)
a free jiublic library was started by private subcrip-
tions from all parts of the town.
The town has furnished and fitted up a room in
the Town Hall for its use.
About thirteen hundred volumes have already been
purchased and carefully catalogued.
It will be opened this autumn, and it is hoped that
it will form a worthy nucleus of a large and perma-
nent public library.
The William Sutton Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons was instituted in 18(16. Its lodge-
room is now in East Saugus, in Mr. Sisson's building,
on Franklin Square. It now has seventy-five mem-
bers.
The Abousett Division, No. 10, Sons of Tem-
perance, was organized in 1850. It now has forty
members, and holds its meetings at the Town Hall
every fortnight.
The Sunshine Lodge, No. Ill, of Good Tem-
plars was organized in 1879. It has about sixty
members, and meets at the Town Hall every week.
The Saugus Mutual Fire Insurance Company
was incorporated February, 1S.'52, and commenced
business the following April.
Benjamin F. Newhall, Esq., was the originator of
this company, and it was through his energy and re-
gard for the public welfare that the company h:ia had
so prosperous a career. The community at that time
was poorly provided with insurance, its cost being so
great from the heavy assessments of companies lo-
cated in other States particularly.
In forming this comp.iny Mr. Newhall determined
to provide purely mutual insurance, receiving no cash
premium in advance, but only notes to be assessed
sufficiently to pay the losses and expenses as they
occur.
He was chosen its secretary and treasurer, and Ed-
ward Franker its president.
Its office was, and continues to be, in East Sau-
gus.
On the resignation of Edward Franker, in 1.8.58,
Hon. Harmon Hall was elected its second president
and has continued to fill that ottice up to the present
time.
Mr. Newhall being severely afflicted with rheuma-
tism, was obliged to resign in the summer of 1861,
when his son, Wilbur F. Newhall, Esq., W.as chosen
secretary and treasurer, which offices he now fills.
On April 1, 18r)3, the company had $81'J,500 of
property insured. In 1863 it had $2,208,665. On
April 1, 1887, it had $2,889,300.
It has paid out for looses during these thirty-five
years $36,328.
By its prudent and conservative management it has
not only provided insurance at a very small cost to its
members, but at the same time has given them a
strong and reliable company, which has earned for
itself the confidence of the public.
Agricultural. — As our farming interests are con-
siderable, I will give a list of our farms, with a few
additional items.
North Saugus. — Louis P. Hawkes, 33 acres of tillage,
47 acres pasture, 21 cows and 4 horses. He also has
a large silo.
Samuel Hawkes, 13 acres of tillage and 10 acres of
cranberry meadow.
Heirs of Richard Hawkes, 26 acres tillage and 9
cows.
These three farms form a portion of the original
farm of Adam Hawkes, settled in 1634, and have con-
tinued down in an unbroken line from their ances-
tors.
Byron S. Hone, 50 acres tillage, 114 acres pasture,
42 cows and 4 horses.
Henry E. Hone, 4 acres tillage, 32 acres pasture,
7 cows and two horses.
Joshua H. Coburn, 20 acres tillage, 15 cows and 2
horses.
Heirs of George W. Butterfield, 10 acres tillage, 20
cows and 4 horses.
Elijah G. Wilson, 6 acres tillage and 23 pasture.
Francis M. Avery, 15 acres tillage and 9 cows.
These farms furnish chiefly milk and hay.
Oaklandrale. — Artemas Edmands, 9 acres tillage
and 5 cows.
Samuel Simmons, 60 acres and 13 horses ; this is tlie
Lott Edmonds farm, and is now used as a veteriiuiry
farm.
Heirs of Nathan Hawkes, 4 acres tillage and 3
cows.
E. W. Bostwick, 28 acres tillage.
J. M. Hall, farm owned by J. J. Zeigler, 16 acres;
this is a veterinary farm.
E. W. Saunders, 38 acres tillage, 17 acres pasture.
Mr. Saunders came here in 1850, cleared his land, built
him an elegant residence and has laid out his grounds
into lawns, tillage, shrubbery and forest, so as to re-
semble an English park, presenting to us an elegance
of landscape rarely found.
The long avenue, shut in on either side by tall
evergreen trees, is of wonderful beauty. Mr. Saun-
ders has expended more than fifty thousand dollars
on this place.
A ride through these grounds will well repay one.
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SAUGUS.
421
Lowell Howard, 5 acres tillage and 2 cows.
Elbridge 8. Upliani, 8 acres tillage, 8 cows and 2
horses.
Isaiah Longfellow, 10 acres tillage and 4 cows.
These last three (arniers give attention to straw-
berry culture, and furnish great quantities for the
market.
John Gillon, V^ acres tillage.
Arthur AVatson, 10 acres tillage, 20 acres pasture
and 9 cows.
J. Henry Howard, 8 acres tillage and 8 cows.
tSauyus Centre. — -The Town Farm, 40 acres tillage
and 18 cows.
William H. Penny, 20 acres tillage, 39 acres pas-
ture, 30 cows and 2 horses.
John ^L Berritt, 10 acres tillage, lo acres pasture
and 4 cows.
Lewis J. Austin, 7 acres tillage, 14 cows and 2
horses.
Charles M. Ame.s, 11 acres tillage and 5 cows.
Heirs of Samuel A. Parker, 12 acres tillage.
Harrison Wilson, 10 acres tillage, 7 rows and 2
horses.
William Fairchild, 9 acres tillage and 2 cows.
CliJ'tondale. — Walter V. Hawkcn, 10 acres tillage
and 2 green-houses.
George X. Miller, 24 acres tillage, 10 cows and 5
horses. He bought this farm in 1870.
A. & J. R. Hatch, 20 acres tillage, 10 cows and "i
horses.
George W. Winslow, 19 acres tillage, 7 cows and 2
horses.
These last four farms are largely for market-gar-
dening for Boston and Lynn.
Ead Saugus.—\W\\\\vim A. Trefethen, 9 acres til-
lage, l(j acres pasture, 2 cows and 2 horses.
John W. Blodgett, 31 acres tillage, 15 acres pas-
ture, 22 cows and 0 horses.
Mr. Blodgett runs his farm for market-gardening
almost entirely. He has owned it since 1854.
Charles H. Libbey, 7 acres tillage, 3 cows and 2
horses.
Frederick Stocker, 3o acres tillage, 3 cows ami 12
horses.
Henry W. & A. Dudley Johnson, 48 acres tillage,
34 acres pasture, 15 cows and 3 horses.
and sixty-three men enlisted, and of these, eight
served in the navy.
The larger number of these were in the Seventeenth
and Fortieth Massachusetts Regiments.
The following are the names of the soldiers:
CHAPTER XXXI.
^Pi.'lJGV^ -{Continued).
MILITARY RECORD.
In the late War of the Rebellion our town nobly
showed its patriotism by an early and prompt response
to the country's call for volunteers. One hundred
Biiiisley P. (iuilford.
.\bel Wilson.
-Tesse Hitcliings.
Willard EJiinimis.
I>iivi(l U. I'lieever.
Juhn H. H. WiUoii.
Cleorge H. Peunev.
Joseph W. Flye.
William Ghambere.
William Noble.
KJwin A. Reed.
John F. Carlton.
Nathan J. Thouis.
Charles A. Xewhall.
Thomas McDowell.
Edward Hitchings.
Williaia M. Stocker,
George H. McClaiy.
Warren P. Copp.
Ilii-aiu H. Xewhall.
Charles F. Pearson.
Joseph Newbull.
Europe R. Newhall.
Joseph Wiggio.
Henry Baker,
Thomas Twisden.
Isaac Perkins.
Daniel Kidder.
John W. Howlett.
Jittiie.s (^'harltou.
Oliver F. Childs.
Tlionias Gibbons.
Philip F. Floyd.
William H. Fidler.
William S. Copp.
Marcu8 M. Sullivan.
George A. .Mansfield.
Abijah S. Boardnian.
Elisha Bragg.
CharleH Ongood.
Luren/.o Man.stjeld.
William H. Ri.h.
E. Herbert Downing.
Francis H Dizer.
Edward A. Jeffera,
Isaac B. Schotield.
Robert Harrison.
John L. Andrew.-!,
Henry P. Nichois.
Thomaa Florence.
Theodoie Houghton.
Elliott W. Oliver.
Reuben B. Prince.
Jacob E. Newhall.
Benj. N. Trefethen.
Wesley Stocker.
David Brierley.
William Murray.
Cieorge W. Fairbanks.
William S. Copp.
William E. (labriel.
Cliarles II. Manafield.
Frederick Dearborn.
Benjamin Hoiiian.
Willard EdTnandn.
Ceorge V. (_'arleton.
William Halliday-
SHles F. Shernian.
Samuel A. Guilford.
Ntmh G. Harrnuan.
Charles A. Kidtter.
(.'harles W. Sweetser.
William T. Ash.
Bimslfy P. Guilford, Jr.
James Roots, Jr.
George Mc.\Ili9ter.
Daniel Flye.
William ],. Stocker.
Reuben R. l'uat«3.
John II, Copp,
Samuel T. Langley.
Walson J. Thonis.
■Pidin W, Seward.
Juhu H. Twisden.
y[. i'orter Xewhall.
John H. Hone.
John Powers.
Edward (-harltoii.
George Childs.
James Herk.
('harles H. Williams.
John .\. Whittemore.
Kenedy McElroy.
Augustus W. Bruce.
Benjamin E. Morgan.
John E. Stocker.
A. James Parker.
Otis A. Foster.
Edwin Mansfield.
James A. Parker.
Stephen Stack pole.
Charles Walwiik.
Charles A. Hobb.s.
George H. Xewhall.
Elbridge S. L'pham.
Thomas Twisden, Jr.
James Eaton.
Henry Kidder.
JohnTiniony.
William Cheney.
Hcii.ianiin P, ("oales.
William H. Amerige.
(iforge S. \\'illiains.
Frederick A. Trefethen
Tristam Goodale,
H. Clay Cros«,
James R. Goodwin
Jarnes Ilughetf.
William J. Luve.
Porter Newhall.
Walter E. Rhodes,
Alfred B. Roots.
William Fisk.
Frederick Lewis.
Marcus M. SnlliMin.
Moses Spoltiird,
Willard W. Bnrbank.
William Blan.Iiaid
CharlenS. Hick.s.
Mo.-4es E. McAIpine.
James L. Pike.
George Campbtdl.
Harrison E. Stocker.
William C. Richards.
William W. Brown.
LutliL-r Hairiman.
Charlea Maloney.
John A- Whittemore.
422
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Jilint'B H. Kent.
Willium E. Oliver.
Stimuel S. Woniistead.
George H. Oliver.
Williird L. Finite.
Heory A. Oliver.
George Kidder.
Frauk Peterson.
Albert Eaton.
George H. Brown.
Those whose names do not appear on the above
list were credited to some other town or State.
Among those soldiers, serving as they did in a
great many dirt'erent regiments and in almost every
arm of the service, .strange as it may seem, yet we
cannot certainly name any who were killed in battle,
although many were seriously wounded, some to die
from these wounds, and some from exposure and
disease in the service.
Some few were unaccounted for.
Their brave deeds and patriotic service are recorded
on a more enduring tablet than any earthly scroll,
and our town feels proud of the men who bore her
escutcheon through the War of the Southern Rebel-
lion.
The veterans of Suugus, in June, 18C9, organized
as the General E. W. Hiiiks Post 95, Grand Army of
the Bepublic, with Charles A. Newhall as their tirst
Commander.
The post held their meetings at first in the old
Town Hall, afterwards in Flye's Hall, and later in
the new Town Hall, until they moved into their own
new hall in ISSG.
Their new building i.s situated near the railroad
depot, and was purchased of William T. Ash in the
early part of 1886. The building was remodeled and
an assembly room for the Post provided in the second
story of ample dimensions, and elegantly furnished
throughout.
The Post is now is a very pros])erous condition,
having a membership of some si.xty, owning their
building and having nearly a thousand dollars in their
relief fund.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
BENJAMIN FRANKhIN NEWHAI.L.'
Benjamin Franklin Newhall was born April 29,
1802. His father was Jacob, son of Landlord Jacob
Newhall, His mother was Abigail, daughter of Wil-
liam and Ruth Makepeace, of Norton, Mass.
She was a woman of noble presence, of exemplary
Christian character, pious without ostentation, and
devoted to her family, which consisted of three sons
and five daughters, for whom she labored day and
night and lived to see her prayers answered in their
behalf.
Benjamin Franklin was her first-born child, and so
very naturally upon him fell early the burdens of the
family. Passionately devoted to his mother, he gave
1 Written bv his son, Wilbnr F. Newhall, Esq.
his whole energies to her assistance in the support of
the family, the father being of little help the greater
part of the time.
Brought up in a tavern in his earliast years, he was
exposed to great temptation. In his autobiograi)hy
he thus speaks of these days and experiences:
" What saved me God only knows. But I was
saved. I remember I always resisted, and often heard
the exclamation, ' What ails the child that he will not
drink ! ' Some spiritual guardian was about me to
watch my infantile footsteps and keep me in the path
of rectitude." After writing of the many beauties
of his birth-place, he speaks of his mother thus :
" And better still, the glowing vision of that angel
form, who every day supplied my infant wants, and
whose voice was sweeter to me than the sweetest
music."
He writes again, " How well do I remember, in the
late hours of the night, when her husband was away
and her dear ones were sleeping, that she would come
to my bedside and, kneeling with overflowing heart,
pour out her soul in prayer that God would preserve
her darling boy from the snares so thick around him.
She thought I was asleep, but I was awake and still,
and the silent tear moistened ray young cheek, and I
vowed before God that a mother's prayers should not
be in vain. How often she kneeled at my bedside
when I was asleep I know not, no doubt often."
Again he writes, "My mother, in her extreme anxiety
for my welfare, never tired in giving me good advice.
She felt that there was great danger of my giving
way to the use of the dreadful cup, and so there was."
Again he writes, "When about four years of age
my mother had bought me some picture books, and
she commenced learning me to read. About the same
time the school-house, afterwards called the "Rock,"
was in process of building. My mother took me into
it one pleasant summer's eve, and, pointing out to me
the smallest and lowest seat, saying at the same time,
' there, my son, is your seat.' This in a few days I
found to be literally true, for on my first entrance
into the school I was appointed to the little seat."
It was here that he attended school during its un-
certain sessions, until about fourteen years of age.
It was at this early age, in the autumn before he
was fourteen, that he commenced work for Mr.
Childs in the chocolate mill, often working day and
night.
He writes again in his autobiography, " I could
scarcely endure it. 1 sometimes declared, ' this shall
be my last night; ' but when the beautiful sun shone
in the morning I felt better and was encouraged to
go on. I hated shoemakingand was yet determined to
earn something for my mother. If I could earn eighty-
three cents a day for work night and day it was to
me a great sum. But with all the hard work and
suflering I got through my first winter in the mill.
How I bore the fatigue God only knows. Some un-
seen hand supported me, and when I was just on the
M
n^^^^y 0,/yz,^^^^
SAUGUS.
423
point of giving up several times some ittipulse ot
mine forbade it. God helped me.''
Such were his early labors that it might almost be
said he had no boyhood, so early was the yoke fitted
to his youthful shoulders. But he bore it with cour-
age. He writes, " When I had nothing to do T could
read, and used always to keep a book in the mill
always ready.'' He soon also engaged in teaming for
Mr. Childs. He writes of himself when eighteen years
old, " I had so much per day for driving the team
and twenty-five cents to buy me a dinner. I always
managed to carry my dinner, and thus save and lay
up twenty-five cents. This I continued for two years or
more. I generally took my book with me and studied
while I was driving; so I turned my labor into
amusement.'' Of this same period he writes, "This
season I found religious impressions growing more
and more in my mind. I felt more and more the
need of Divine strength to enable me to resist suc-
cessfully the evil temptations of the world. I read
the Bible, prayed often and frequently went to meet-
ing. I began to hear with new ears, because I felt an
interest in the subject preached. Xight and day re-
ligious matters were in my thoughts, and I was look-
ing forward to a period of church membership as a
kind of bulwark of defense.'"
He identified himself at once with the Methodists
and labored zealously with them. When twenty
years of age he was baptized by immersion in the
pond at Melrose.
He was now miking his plans for more schooling,
just as soon as he was twenty-one years of age, and for
this object he laid s(]ii]e money aside until he had one
hundred and seventy dollars. He reached liis free-
dom year, and away he went to New Market Academy,
in New Hampshire. We wish we had space to give
his account of his start in the stage. He says of his
studies: "I ])ored into the grammar with all my
energy, but it was all darkness to mo; I knew nothing
about it. My boyhood's studies of grammar were but
a parrot performance, as I now found by experience.
What would I not have given for some one to explain
to me the first principles, and know the meaning of
the Parts of Speech. But I had no one and so I
delved alone. I read and then thought, meditated
and then studied. One night, while I was trying to
penetrate its mysteries, I instantly saw it all clearly.
As the .sun suddenly bursts through the obscuring
clouds and shines u|ion the earth, so a knowledge of
English grammar burst suddenly on my mind. I saw
it all in a glance, simple as my A, B, C. I could pass
the most difficult pa,ssages instantly." He writes
again : " I s<jon procured some French books, and
commenced that language. I learned five thousand
words in about a week, and in two weeks could trans-
late the Xew Testament pretty well."
He remained at the Academy about six months. He
then returned home and immediately procured a
school in Sloneham and began teaching. As an in-
stance of his remarkable memory, he states that while
teaching this school he committed to memory the
whole New Testament in thirty-seven days. This was
in 1824. He taught this school six months. ,\pril
25, 1825, he married Dorothy .lewett, daughter of Da-
vid and Sarah Jewett, of Standstead, Lower Canada.
This explains why, soon after this, he, in company
with his brother-in-law, opened a .store in Canada.
But this business proved dis.i.strous and left him in
heavy debt. He then returned to Saugus for good,
wiser from experience, if poorer in purse.
We have thus dwelt upon his early life experiences
to show the difficulties, the privations, and the hard-
ships he met and subdued. He was stronger tlian all
of these, even making them his servants for discipline
and preparations for his remaining life's work. On
his return from Canada, already in debt, he borrowed
money and commenced the shoe business in earnest.
His untiring zeal, his strict businej^s rules, his stead-
fa.st integrity, his keen foresight, and his rigid econo-
my, brought him rapid success. He never swerved
from these paths, so early chosen. They brought him
competence, if not wealth; respect an<l honor from
those who knew him best.
The very poor privileges of the village school in his
early youth, ending at thirteen years of age, adding a
six months' term at New Market Academy when
twenty-one years of age, constitute his scholastic
equipment; but these were a small part of his endow-
ments. His mind was always itiquiring, extremely re-
ceptive, and, what was far more important, it grasped
with a tenacity never to be loosed and never to be
forgotten, everything that could be of value, benefit,
u.se, or help to him. He might be called a self-edu-
cated man, in the best sense of that term. His heart
and nature were sympathetic. Having had so many
difficulties in his youth, he knew how to sympathize
with young men, and many there are of these, to-day,
who will testify to his persoiuil assistance in their
time of need. What he espoused was with his whole
heart. Interested from his youth in the temperance
cause, having witnessed the direful effects of intem-
perance, he never relinquished his warfare against the
demon, but, with sledge-hammer blows, on the plat-
form, in the pulpit, as well as in busine.ss and social
walks of life, he lifted up his voice for total abstinence,
and labored in every way to save the youth from this
ilestroying vice, and to make of the inebriate a sober
and useful man.
He showed the same characteristics in politics. .Al-
ways an anti -slavery man, his home and heart were
ever open to the fugitive slave, who found a shelter at
his fireside, and a God-speed in his journey or mission.
He saw in the old Liberty and Free-Soil party the
cloud no bigger than a man's hand; he entered its
ranks, fought beside its standard, and lived long
enough to see the hydra-headed monster slain and
buried.
He very early united with the Methodist church in
424
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
East Saugus, to which his ardent, sincere nature ren-
dered no half-hearted service.
He had no place for hypocrisy in his heart,'and he
could brook nothing of the kind in others. He
became an e.xhortcr, and then a local preacher, in the
Methodist Church. We may well imagine that no
grass was allowed to grow under his feet. As wel!
bid the torrent cease its flow as to curb his powers of
mind and heart from progress and growth. His
warmth in moral reforms often led to some friction
with the stereotyped ideas of the Methodist clergy,
some of whom could not allow interference with their
denominational tenets and labors. The church did
not, at that time, stand where it does to-day in relation
to these movements. If it had, he probably would
never have severed his union with the people of his
early choice.
He entered the Universalist Church because he
found there a more congenial atmosphere, where he
could exercise more freedom of thought and action.
He became a very regular preacher for this denomi-
nation, and even amid his multiplied business labors
he found leisure nearly every Sabbath, for many
years, to supply gratuitously some pulpit either near
or far away.
He also served his native town of Saugus in nearly
every official capacity. As town clerk, selectman,
overseer of the poor, school committee and represen-
tative to the General Court. In the Legislature he
strongly opposed capital punishment. He was chosen
one of the commissioners of the county of Essex for
two terms, from 1844 to 1850, when the labors of that
office were as abundant and onerous as to-day, and,
perhaps, far more so.
He organized the Saugus JIutuiil Fire Insurance
Company in 18o2, and was its secretary and treasurer
until incajiacitated by disease, in IStil.
These were but a few of his labors. From his
awaking in the morning until his sleeping at night,
his fertile brain was always active. He gave himself
little rest or recreation. Like a locomotive, steam
was always on. His style was simple, chaste and
clear. He wrote much for the newspapers, among
which contrilintions were his interesting "Historical
Sketches of Saugus," which have furnished me much
material for my " History of Saugus" in this work.
He also wrote a great deal of ))oetry, indeed his
writings in both i)rose and verse would, if jirinted,
fill volumes.
The last ten years or more of his lite were lull of
pain and suffering. He was afflicted with chronic
rheumatism, which never loosed its grip upon him ;
his limbs became swollen, his joints distorted and
dislocated. When walking was difficult, he rode ;
then was wheeled about in his invalid chair; then
was confined to his house, then to his room, then to
his bed for two years, until his naturally iron consti-
tution gave way. During all these years he was busy
reading and writing, and his fortitude and cheerful-
ness never failed him. He died October 13, 1863,
aged sixty-one years.
His widow survived him twenty-three years, dying
October 7, 1886. They had seven children, two of
whom died in infancy ; Benjamin, their eldest, a
graduate of Harvard and a lawyer, died in Milwaukee,
Wis., at the aged of twenty-nine years; two sons and
two daughters still survive, and are residents of East
Saugus.
The following verses were written by him just
before his death, September 17, 1863:
Fur iiiauy years my prayer hath heeii,
Tliat I might end this mortal race
VVithuut severe anil torturing pain,
And, calm and eai^y, die in peace.
And now the Lord hath heard my prayer,
AssiKiged my pains, so oft severe,
And given my frail liody rest
The hole time that I am here.
I'll give llim praise while life and strength
Shall let me speak my gratitude,
And with my last expiring hreath
I'll calmly breathe, The Lord is good.
CHAPTER XXXII,
DANVERS.
BY ALDEN P. WHITE.
OLD SETTLERS OF SALEM VILLAGE — INCORPORA-
TION OF DANVERS.
In that part of the town which, a few years ago, be-
longed to Beverly, the most conspicufms feature of
the landscape is a long, high hill, known as Folly
Hill. On its summit once stood the lordly mansion
of a colonial grandee. The cellar is still distinctly
marked, and portions of the building are still in use
as residences a mile or two removed from the original
exalted situation. This building experiment, never
since repeateil, was known as " Browne's Folly ;"
hence the name of the hill. From its top the view
includes very much of the original limits of Old
Salem. Far beyond the islands of the harbor the
ocean fills a wide space of the eastern horizon, while
close in the western foreground lie the farms and
villages of Danvers.
Many years ago three boys were together on Folly
Hill. One of them is living still ; his name must be
often mentioned in any history of his native town,
and his portrait is presented by the engraver at the
close of this sketch. The second was one who
reached such an eminence in the science of botany
that his name will be found conspicuous in that
chapter of this book which treats of the natural his-
tory of the county. The third, not a Danvers but a
Salem boy, became known wherever English is read,
DANVERS.
425
for he wrote the "Scarlet Letter;" lie it was, indeed,
who, writing of this hill long after, described its out-
line as a whale's back rising from the calm sea, and
in one of those stories into which his wonderful pen
wove much of the history of our Puritan forefathers,
he told how John Endicott cut out the red cross from
the baner of England.
Not long afterwards there was a military muster at Salem. Every
able-bodied man in the town and neisrhhorliood was there. All were
well armed with steel caps upon their heads, plates of iron upon their
lireaats and at their hacks, and gorgets of steel around their necks.
Endicott was the captain of the company. lAHiile the soldiers were
expecting his orders to begin their exercise, they saw him take the
lianner in one hand, holding his di-awn sword in the other.
'* And now, fellow soldieii?, you see this old banner of England. Some
of you, I doubt not, may think it treason for a man to lay violent hands
upon it. But whether or no it be treason to man. I have good aiwnr-
ance in my conscience, that it is no treason to God. Wherefore, I have
resolved that we will rather be God's soldiera than soldiers of the I'ope
of Rome, and in that mind I now cut the Papal cross out of this
banner."
.\ud so he did. And thus in a province belonging to the crown of
England, a captain was found hold enough to deface the king's banner
with his sword.
Governor John Endicott was the pioneer of Dan-
vers. As he sailed from Cape Ann by the rocky hills
of the north shore and brought the "Abigail" to an-
chor off the few cabins of the '' old planters," near
Collin's Cove, doubtless his eyes followed the course of
the river far inland, where, in the midst of the prime-
val forest, he was in a few years to hew out a home
and found a town.
Endicott landed at Salem in September, 1628.
Nearly four years later the company, who by their
charter, claimed absolute disposal of all lands therein
conveyed, made him a grant in these words :
"16:i2, July 3. There is a necke of land lyeing aboute 3 myles from
Salem, cont. about 300 ac. of land graunted to Capt. .Jo: Endicott to
enioyto him and his heires forever called in the Indean tonge Wah
quaniesehcok, in English Birchwood, bounded on the south side with a
ryvere call in the Indean tonge Soewampenessett, comonly called the
Cowe howse ryver, bounded on the North side with a ryver called in the
Indean tonge Conamabsquooncant, comouly called the Ducko ryver,
bounded on the East with a ryver leadeingopp to the 2 ftirmer ryvers,
which is called in the Indean tonge Orkhussunt, otherwise knowen by
the name of Wooleston ryver, bounded on the West with the niaiiio
land."
Very soon the Governor entered with characteristic
energy upon the work of clearing his grant. He came
up in his shallop bringing men well equipped with
tools, of which the ax was all important. Within a
year seven thousand palisades were cut, and ground
was broken for Indian corn. Very early the grant
took the name of the " Orchard Farm," and the ex-
tent to which the Governor carried the raising of
fruit trees may be judged from the fact that some fif-
teen years after he began his attack on the wilderness
he gave five hundred of them to Captain Trask for
two hundred and fifty acres of land. For some years
the only neighbors were wolves and Indians, and
until his men opened roads there was no thoroughfare
to town except by water. Just where the Governor
is su|)po.sed to have made his original landing a high
railroad bridge spans the river, and on the slope be-
27 i
tween the river and the site of the homestead there
may be seen from the car windows the famous Endi-
cott pear tree. Just exactly how it came there, whether
from the seed or by transplanting, is not known,
but tradition clings with the firmest grip to the asser-
tion that the Governor's own hands in some way had
to do with this very living tree, which now for two
hundred and fifty years has each spring put on the
verdure of fresh youth. The Orchard Farm was a
sort of training school to which presently the sons
of well to do settlers were glad to come to learn the
Governor's methods of agriculture which they Later
applied to their own farms. The little army of de-
fence within the " palisadoes " received a supply of
equipments on the 27th of the fourth month, 10.30.
"This day \v.a6 brought into town and carried up to Mr. Etidicott's
these corslets following, viz. : eighteen back peices, eighteen belly
peices, eighteen peices of tassys, eighteen head peices of three sorts and
but seventeen Gorgets. Itim sixteen Pikes & nineteen swords."
On the 27th of the eleventh month, 10.30, John
Woodbury, Captain Trask and John Balch were di-
rected to "layout 200 acres for Mr. Endicott next
adjoining the land which was formerly granted him.''
This Wits a town grant — the simple but all important
act of March 3, 1635, giving jurisdiction to towns
over their own lands having then been passed — and
was called "The Governor's Plain." It is that which
lies at the foot of Hog Hill, — its more deserving
and euphonious name. Mount Pleasant, — and includes
Felton's Corner, the Collins House property and the
adjacent lands.
The river which makes up from the ocean to D.an-
versport there divides into three branches, much as
one may spread the first three fingers of the hand.
These rivers, beginning with the lowest, are known
as Water's, Crane and Porter's. The Orchard Farm
comprised the peninsula or neck between Waters and
Crane; that between Craneand Porter's, upon which
the principal village of Dan versport is, was granted
contemporaneously with the Orchard Farm, to the
Rev. Samuel Skelton, a minister of Salem, in these
words :
" There is another necke of land lyeing about 3 myles from Salem
cont. aboute '200 ac. graunted to Mr. Sam*l Skeltou to enioy to him and
his heires for ever, called by the Indeans Wahquack, bounded on the
South opon a little ryver, called by the Indeans Conanuihsquooncant,
opon the North abutting on another ryver called by the Indeans Pono-
menneuhcant, and on the East on the same ryver."
For a long time the land included in this grant was
known as Skelton's Neck, but it will be seen that un-
til the middle of the last century it remained utterly
unsettled.
The land next adjoining the Orchard Farm and
northerly of the Governor's Pi.ain, was thus disposed
of on the 11th of the eleventh month, 1035.
*' Granted by the freemen of Salem the day and year above writt<'n
unto Mr. Townaend Byshop of the same bis heirs and assigns forever ono
farm conteyning three hun<lred acres hutting uiion Mr. Eiidicott's
Farme on the East and four hundred poles in length and 8i.v sconi poles
in breadth, that is to say six score and four at tiie west end anil ono
hundred and sixteen at the East end, bounded by the water between tho
426
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
furine of the Executors of Mr. Skclton, an (?) him at the North eost
corner of liis fiirnu', nnd hath there allowcil from Mr. Eridicott's Famie
Eight acres for uii hishwiiy, is homidi'd again at tlie soutliwcst corner Ijy
the IJrooU, provided always that in case of sale, tlie Town of Salem to
have the firet proffer of it before any oilier.
Hogor Conant.
.Icdin Elidicott. .Tellrey Massey.
Thomas (Jardiuer. Kdni. Hatter."
This was the grant in the midst of which was the
famous Rebecca Nourse house, which is still standing.
The house was Bishop's mansion, built when he first
occupied the land. He wa.s one of the judges of the
local court and was otherwise honored, but he fell
from grace on the question of infant baptism, and
after a few years he concluded to sell out, perhaps to
seek a place where he could think as he pleased. He
sold to Henry Chickering, who held it from 1641 to
1048, and then .sold it to Governor Endicott who,
witli this purchase, owned about a thousand acres,
running from the iron foundry to beyond the Collins
Street station. The price was one hundred and
sixty pounds. The Governor settled the Bishop farm
upon his oldest son, John, when he was married, 1653
and gave him the deed in 1662. After the death of
the Governor, in 1665, there was a controversy over
the settlement of his estate regarding this property,
but the deed held, and instead of passing to Zerub-
babel, the surviving brother, when John died without
issue in 1668, it was adjudged to have been John's in
fee, and he, by will, left it to his widow. She
mourned from February to August, then married a
Boston minister. Rev. James Allen, and died in five
years, leaving the farm to him. Five years later Mr.
Allen sold out to Francis Nourse for four hundred
pounds. This was April 29, 1678 ; the real estate had
more than doubled since the Governor bought it.
Very likely the ])rice was governed somewhat by the
terras of the sale, which gave the grantee twenty-one
years in which to pay the whole purchase money.
During this time a series of long and bitter disputes
and law-suits arose as to the boundaries of the farm
which, though resulting favoral)ly to the Nourses and
adversely to the owner of the Orchard Farm, doubt-
less had its influence in the disaster which befel the
family when the aged mother was taken away to die
on the gallows, a condemned witch. In a little grove
just west of the historic house, where are other family
graves, a substantial monument marks her resting-
place. It was erected a few years ago as the result
of a movement began in lS7r), by which her descen-
dants organized the "Nourse Monument Association."
The inscription contains these lines written by Whit-
tier:
"OClin'stian Blartyr,
Who for Truth could <lie,
When all about tlice
Owned the hideous lie I
The world redeemed
From Superstition's sway
Is breftthlug freer
For thy sake to-day."
Just outside the northwestern corner of the Bishop-
Nourse farm, near the angle of Prince Street, at
" Muddy Boo," were to be seen, until quite recently,
certain de[)ression8 which were the remains of ancient
wolf-pits.
Having mentioned the two sons of Governor Endi-
cott, let here a word be said of his descendants. John
left no children. Zcrubbabel, who lived on the orch-
ard farm, was a physician. His second wife was a
daughterof Governor Wiiithrop,and he had five sons,
of whom John went to England and there followed
his father's profession ; Zcrubbabel and Benjamin
lived in Topsfield ; Joseph went to New Jersey, and
Samuel remained at home and married Hannah, a
daughter of Nathaniel Felton, of Felton's Hill. The
widow, Hannah Endicott, married Thorndike Proctor,
who in 1764 bought the little old building which was
the first meetiug-house of Salem, moved it to his land
near Boston Street, where it was used first as a tavern
and later as part of a tannery until 1865, when it was
restored and moved to the rear of Plummer Hall by
the Essex Institute, and has since been visited by
thousands. Samuel Endicott had four children, but
he died when thirty-five years old, leaving his only
son, Samuel, a boy of seven, the only representative
of the name in the vicinity of the home of his fathere.
But this boy lived to re-establish the family, and died
an old man and " captain " in 1766, and was buried in
that Endicott family burying-ground, which is plainly
in sight across the river from the Danversport rail-
road station. One of his sisters married Benjamin
Porter, the other Martin Herrick. Captain Samuel
had a dozen children ; of his sons John, the oldest,
kept the orchard farm ; and of his wife, Elizabeth
Jacobs, it is related that she was at the South Meet-
ing-house when Colonel Timothy Pickering halted
his men on the way to Bunker Hill, and cried out in
patriotic zeal : " Why on earth don't you march ;
don't you hear the guns at Charlestown ? " The farm
passed next to another John, oldest son of John and
Elizabeth, one of whose brothers, Robert, married a
daughter of Minister Holt, of South Parish, and es-
tablished an Endicott family in Beverly. The oldest
son of this last John was Samuel, who married Eliza-
beth, daughter of William Putnam, of Sterling, Mass.,
in 1704, and was the father of the wives of Francis
and George Pe:Uiody, of Salem, and of William Put-
nam Endicott, who was born in 1803, graduated at
Harvard in 1822, and is still living in Salem, and the
father of William C. Endicott, Secretary of War. The
orchard farm is retained in this branch of the family,
its present owner being William Endicott, of London,
England, and is this summer (1887) undergoing ex-
tensive improvements at his hands.
Ellas Endicott, son of Captain Samuel, was chris-
tened in 1729; married Eunice Andrews; died in
1779, was buried in the Plains burying-ground, and
left six children : Anna, married Israel Putnam, and
became the mother of Hon. Ellas Putnam; Elias
Endicott, Jr., who was one of the early shoe manufac-
DANVERS.
427
turers, and lived where his grandson, Elias Eudicott
Porter now lives; Israel, who was a mason, lived in
the brick house at the Port, which descended to his
son, William ; Mary was the wife of Zerubbabel Por-
ter, whose son Alfred was the father of Elias Endi-
cott Porter ; and Margaret (" Aunt Peggy ") died un-
married.
The tirst and most distinguished name in our early
annals has become, in the male line, utterly extinct.
In the Danvers directory the name of Endicott ap-
pears but once, — " Lydia W., widow of William."
The late AVilliam Eudicott was one of the early anti-
slavery men, was one of the last of the Danvers-
port sea-captains, often served as moderator of town-
meetings, and was otherwise prominent in local af-
fairs; his dausrhter, Mrs. H. G. Hyde, resides in
Danvers, and two sons in Haverhill.
Ante-dating the Bishops' grant by a month was one
of three hundred acres to Robert Cole. This covers
the region back of Hog Hill, including Proctor's cor-
ner and extending a mile or more towards West Pea-
body. After a short time Cole sold to Emanuel
Downing, a brother-in-law of Governor Winthrop, a
hiwyer, a man of such high repute and so desirable an
acquisition to the colonists that before he arrived a
grant of five hundred acres was given him by the
town. This he sold to John Porter; it included the
Bradstreet farm near the Topsfield line.
Downing's son George, who was one of the first
graduates of Harvard, became Sir George Downing,
a |irominent figure in the history of the Old Country
in Cromwell's time. The old Ipswich road, the first
highway counecting Lynn and Boston with the north-
ern settlements, was laid out through this land, and
in 1648 one of his tenants was allowed to keep an
"ordinary " to accommodate travelers. For a time
theDowningslettbe farm, and in 16G() it was occupied
by John Proctor, who subsequently bought a part
of it. Proctor, who came from Ipswich, was a strong
man in every sense, and he was one of the conspicu-
ous victims of the witchcraft delusion. Many of his
descendants have been prominent citizens of South
Danvers, where the family is still well represented.
The land uext ea.st of Downing's, in the midst of
which is the beautiful Rogers estate, was granted,
three hundred acres, to Thomas Read, who, with
others, went back to England to bear a hand in the
coming revolution. In 1701 it was sold to Daniel
Epps, the famous school-master, concerning whom it
was in Kul "Voated that the sele<-tmen shall take
care to provide a house for Mr. Epps to keep skoole
in." The honor of his name was preserved through
several generations by men distinguished in our local
annals.
The long, high hill south of the Governor's
plain was from the first the home of the Feltons.
The old homestead at the end of the road which runs
from the Ipswich road along the top of the hill was
built more than two hundred years ago, and the Na-
thaniel Felton who now owns and occupies it comes
near to being the seventh Nathaniel in direct line. A
Jonathan in the third generation is the only break.
Besides the inclosed burying-ground, where the Ips-
wich road makes its steep climb, in which old
stones and new contain the names of Proctor and
Felton, there are here and there on the hillside traces
of more ancient and unmarked graves.
The tract adjoining the Bishop-Nourse farm on the
north, covering the village of Tapleyville and ex-
tending from Ash Street to a little beyond the meet-
ing-house, at the Centre, was granted to Elias Stile-
man. The latter sold in l(i48to Richard Hutchinson,
who came over in 1634, with his infant son, Joseph.
Hutchinson was also one of the grantees of the large
tract which included Whipple's Hill, named for the
husband of his granddaughter, and in 1637 he was
granted twenty acres on the meadow back of the
meeting-house, on condition that he should "set up
plowing." He died in 1681 at the full age of four
score, " a vigorous and intelligent agriculturist and a
man of character." It will be seen presently how the
lower portion of his estate descended through his
son-in-law in an unbroken line of Putnams — the
Judge Putniuu farm. The upper portion fell to Jo-
seph Hutchinson, who was, like his father, a prominent
and influential man, of sound sense and plain words.
He it wiis who out of his homestead lauds gave one
acre for the first meeting-house and later contributed
several more towards a home for the first preacher.
The family name is still well represented in the
neighborhood. The most distinguished name in tlie
family history is that of Colonel Israel Hutchinson,
ef Revolutionary fame, of whom a notice appears
elsewhere. He was the son of Elisha, who died be-
fore 1730. Elisha was the son of Joseph, who out-
lived the son some twenty years; Joseph was the son
of that Joseph who was brought over from England
in his infancy. A brother to Colonel Israel's father
was Ebenezer; Ebenezer's son was Jeremy, who mar-
ried a daughter of Asa Putnam, and lived from 1738
to 1805 ; one of Jeremy's sous was Joseph, who was
born in 1770, married Phebe Upton, of North Read-
ing, and died in 1S32, leaving two sons to become
heads of families — Deacon Elijah Hutchinson and
Benjamin Hutchinson, both now deceased. The
home of Deacon Elijah was the house just west of
Nathaniel IngersoU's training-field, formerly " the
home of the widow Eunice Upton, inholder." Three
fine residences just beyond are those of Deacon
Elijah's sons, W^arren, Alfred and Edward.
Next west of the Stileman-Hutchinson land was
the grant of Francis Weston, which covered the land
extendiug westerly from the church towards the
turnjjike. Westou was such a man as to be chosen
one of the three Representatives of Salem in the first
House of Deputies, but like Bishop he was too toler-
ant for the age, and was invited to leave, in 1638, and
his wife was treated to an experience in the stocks.
428
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
Six years later it was sold by one John Pease to
Richard IngersoU and his son-in-law, Wm. Haynes.
Ingersoll had come over in 1629, and was granted
eighty acres at Eial Side. January 12, 1636-37,
" Richard InkersoU is to have Id. for every person he
may carry over the North Ferry, during the town's
pleasure." He was for a time lessee of the Bishop-
Nourse farm, and shortly after this purchase of the
Weston grant he died. He was another of the right
sort of men, and his son, Nathaniel, was one of the
brightest character.s of our early history.
Nathaniel was but eleven years old when his father
died. His mother married again, and soon the lad
found a home with Governor Endicott, not that he
was driven to this step, but probably only as other
boys and young men were glad to be educated in the
practical agricultural college at the Orchard Farm.
"I went to live with Governor Endicott as his servant
four years." He was nineteen when he went back to
the land which his father had left him, and near by
the present parsonage of the First Church, he built a
house of more generous proportions than were com-
mon. Here, to the end of his three-score and ten, he
was mine host of an open house, the resting-place of
weary travelers, the meeting-place on all sorts of oc-
casions of the villagers. Its ample public-room was
at once town-house, church and military headquarters,
and the whole-souled landlord was looked upon as
the natural arbiter of neighborhood quarrels. He
was a just man, whose guide of life was the golden
rule, and the love and respect universally accorded
him were but the natural tribute to his worth. There
is nothing out of harmony with such a chai-acter in the
following permit granted in 1673, though at present
men of his stamp are not found keeping bar: "Na-
thaniel Ingersoll is allowed to sell bear and syder by
the quart for the tyme whyle the farmers are a build-
ing of their meeting-house and on Lord's days after-
wards." When his only child, a little girl, died, he
and his wife took and brought up Benjamin, one of
the sons of his neighbor Joseph Hutchinson, who
was "an obedient son until he came of one and
twenty years of age." Ingersoll was not rich, but he
gave the young man a liberal marriage gift out of his
comparatively smuU farm. This was but one of a
series of gifts of land. AVhen the church was organ-
ized, as will hereafter appear, Nathaniel Ingersoll
and Edward Putnam were colleagues as first deacons.
It will be seen that Deacon Putnam's farm was on
the Middleton line two or three miles from the
church, and in 1714 he had reached a time when a
man sees old age approaching. Ingersoll desired his
dear friend to pass his declining years in the com-
fortable proximity to the church which he had him-
self ever enjoyed. Therefore, " for the good affec-
tion " which he bore to him, he freely gave Deacon
Putnam "a piece of land bounded northerly upon
the land of Joseph Green (the minister) next to his
orchard gate, westerly on the highway, and southerly
and easterly on ray land," and thither, it is thought,
Deacon Putnam came to dwell. When pipes were
laid for the water-works, an old well was dug into,
thought to have been his. Long before this he had
given four acres and a half to Rev. Samuel Parris.
By his will he gave the church fifty shillings " for the
more adorning the Lord's Table, to be laid out in
some silver cup." He gave a life estate in the lands
of which he died possessed to his wife, with remainder
to his adopted son, except one piece, " a small parcel
of land of .about two acres, that lyeth between Mrs.
Walcots and George Wyotts by the highway, which I
give to the inhabitants of Salem Village, for a train-
ing place forever." Forever ! What better monu-
ment can a man leave to his memory than a reserva-
tion of land for the use of the public, forever. The
pleasant common at Danvers Centre, bounded on one
side by a street which bears the giver's name, is the
old training-field of Nathaniel Ingersoll. These
words are Mr. Upham's : "Within its enclosure the
elements of the military art have been imparted to
a greater number of persons distinguished in their
day, and who have left an imperishable glory behind
them as the defenders of their country, a brave yeo-
manry in arms, than on any other spot. From the
slaughter of Bloody Brook, the storming of the Nar-
ragansett Fort and all the early Indian wars ; from
the Heights of Abraham, Lake George, Lexington,
Bunker Hill, Brandywine, Pea Ridge, and a hundred
other battle-fields, a lustre is reflected back upon this
village parade-ground. It is associated with all the
military traditions of the country, down to the late
Rebellion."
About a mile northwest of the training-field is the
high hill, upon which is situated the Danvers Luna-
tic Hospital, ten great buildings in one, whose roofs
and pinnacles and central tower are seen for miles
around, and form a landmark for fishermen far out in
the harbor. This hill was in the midst of a grant to
Captain William Hathorne, soldier, lawyer, judge,
legislator, whose " many imployments for towne and
countrie" were publicly recognized. A well-pre-
served old house in which Francis Dodge lived, when
he .sold the farm to the State, stood just south of the
main building. Two hundred years ago it was the
home of Joshua Rea. The hill retains the uame of
Hathorne.
Thus the line of original grants swept in ward from the
Orchard Farm. Still to the westward three hundred
acres near the crossing of the two turnpikes were
owned as early as 1650, by Job Swinerton, whose
brother was a physician in Salem town. Job Swiner-
ton had formerly lived on the place now owned by
Andrew Nichols, Jr. ; he sold this to John Martin,
and Martin to Dale. From the latter, who was the
ancestor of Surgeon General Dale and of those of the
name in Danvers, came the name "Dale's Hill."
Swinerton died in 1689, nearly ninety years old. One
of the old Swinerton homesteads stood where Daniel
DANVERS.
429
P. Pope lives, and some parts of the original estate
are still owned and occupied by Swinertons. The
tract between the Swinerton grant and the Ipswich
River, on both sides of the Andover turnpike, was
granted in lti48 to Captain George Corwin, a rich
merchant of Salem. William Cantlebury purchased
three-quarters of this laud. "Buxton's Lane" per-
petuates the name of John Buxton, a son-in-law of
Cantlebury, and a man whose name appears with
Nathaniel Ingersoll's and a few others, on a bond
which saved the Rev. George Burroughs from unjust
imprisonment. Some five hundred acres south of
(Jorwin's grant, and covering luuch of West Peai)ody,
came, by numerous conveyances, to be owned by
Robert Goodell, some of which is still owned by de-
scendants of the same name.
The present residence of Rev. Willard Spaulding,
in West Peabody, stands on the site of the first Pope
homestead. The land about it was first granted in
l(i40, to another man of the cloth, the Rev. Edward
Norris, pastor of the First Church of Salem. It was
bought by Joseph Pope in 1664, and his homestead,
which remained in the family until 1793, when it
w:us sold to Nathaniel Ropes, of Salem, was standing
thirtj' years ago.
Joseph Pope came over in the " JIary and John,"
in 1634. He and his wife Gertrude were both in sym-
pathy with the Quakers, and were excommunicated.
He died about 1667, leaving nine children. Three
sons founded families, — Joseph, Benjamin and Sam-
uel. Samuel married Exercise Smith, whose parents
were persecuted Quakers in Governor Endicott's
time. It is through Joseph that most of the Popes
in this vicinity trace their ancestry. Joseph's wife,
Abiah Folger, of Nantucket, was an aunt of Benja-
min Franklin. They had four sons to grow up.
Three of them, — Euos, "clothier;" Eleazer, "cord-
wainer;" and Nathaniel, "blacksmith," went to Sa-
lem. In 1S13 the third Enos, who followed the busi-
ness which the first began, died at the age of ninety-
two, the oldest man in Salem. Joseph, oldest of the
four sons of the second Joseph, was born in 1687,
married Mehitable Putnam, and died in 1755. While
he was in occupation of the homestead young Israel
Putnam, afterwards major general, came and married
his daughter Hannah. Israel Putnam went to Pom-
fret, Conn., and so did his wife's oldest brother, Jo-
seph. The sons of another brother, Ebenezer, were
of Salem, while Eleazer's descendants are found
principally in Vermont. Another brother, Na-
thaniel, kept alive the family name at the village.
He lived from about 17:24 to 1800, married first, a
daughter of Jasper Swinerton ; second, a daughter of
Peter Clark, the minister. Among his children were
Mehitable, wife of Caleb Oakes, and mother of the
distinguished botanist, William Oakes ; Amos Pope,
the father of Zephauiah ; and Elijah. Elijah died in
1846, eighty years old; the last of his sons. Jasper,
died while yet these notes are unfinished, .lunc, 1887,
having reached an age some five years greater than
his father's. Jasper leaves no children living. The
Popes now living here are the children and grand-
children of the late Nathaniel and of the late Eli-
jah.
Going back to Skelton's Neck, the territory just
north thereof, aptly called the Plain, or, more
commonly, the Plains, was originally granted to
Samuel Sharp, "the godly Mr. Sharp who was ruling
elder of the church of Salem." It will later appear
what became of this and other lands reaching toward
the Topsfield line. East of the Topsfield road, one
hundred and sixty acres, of which Augustus Fowler's
farm is a part, was granted to Daniel Rea, who first
came to Plymouth and then to Salem. He died in
1662, and his only son, Joshua, founded an influen-
tial and widely connected family, though the name
has passed out of the voting lists. Daniel Rea, son
of Joshua, was living in Mr. Fowler's house two hun-
dred years ago. To the eastward of the Reas, the
Birch Plain region, the Rev. Hugh Peters had a grant
of two hundred acres, which, after his execution, was
sold by Captain John Corwin's widow to "Henry
Brown, Jr., of Salisbury, yeoman." P)riiwns are still
living on a part of the estate. Far to the east, in
what is now North Beverly, the land including Cher-
ry Hill was one of the first grants. It was given to
William Alford in 1636, and the hill was long called
after his name. He sold to Henry Herrick, a younger
son of Sir William Herrick, of Beau Manor Park,
and the good blood of the ancestors showed itself in
the sterling character of many of the descendants.
Tlie land between Cherry Hill and the Burley Farm,
originally granted to John Holgrave, was later occu-
pied by two Reas, two Bishops, a Watts and Captain
Thomas Raymond. The latter was of a family of
military renown; Colonel J. W. Raymond, now one
of the County Commissioners, is a descendant. Three
Raymonds were in the Narragansett fight, and one,
John, was the first to enter the narrow pass to King
Phillip's redoubt, which proved fatal to so many who
went out from this vicinity, among others to Captain
Joseph Gardner, son-in-law of Emanuel Downing,
and to Charles Knight, Thomas Flint and Joseph
Houlton, Jr., members of his company.
Covering the Burley Farm, east of Frost fish Brook,
were some two hundred and fifty acres originally be-
longing to Charles Gott, Jeftrey Massey and others,
a neighborhood for some time called " Gott's Cor-
ner." To the southward of the Ipswicli road
were the farms of the Barneys and Leaches, through
which runs the road to Beverly town. Folly Hill
was then Leach's Hill, and its length was bisected by
the division line between the farms of the two fami-
lies. Both names have passed away from the
locality ; in the little burying-ground by the high-
way in which doubtless are nameless graves, one is
marked with the name of JIartha, wife of Richard
Leach, who died in 1756.
430
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
From the head of canoe navigation at Frostfish
Brook, by the way, there began a well-defined Indian
trail, leading, Mr. Nichols says, as far north as Cana-
da. A glance at the county map shows that the lo-
cation was well-chosen as a terminus of such a
trail.
All of this region from Beverly to Reading was
known in very early times as "Salcra Farms," and
the early settlers and their descendants were com-
monly called " the Farmers." The settlement which
grew up along the brooks, which come together near
Peabody Square, was at first called Brooksby, later
as the Middle Precinct, and became the South Parish
of Danvers. Since 1855 it has been a separate town,
and an account of its early settlers and growth be-
longs to the history of Peabody, and will there be
found.
Hints of the character of some of the Farmers have
been given. As a whole they were a sturdy, intelli-
gent set of men, with the energy and vigor requisite
to convert the wilderness into pleasant homes, jeal-
ous of their rights, too prone to lawsuits, fair types
of New England yeomanry.
Presently, children who had been born upon the
lands, intermarried, established themselves on farms,
carved out of the ancestral acres, and took the places
of the aged fathers. A feeling grew that they were
separated, alike by distance and by manner of life,
from the dwellers in the town. It was far to go to
church over rough roads and in all weathers, and the
church was the centre of all things. They wanted to
be a parish by themselves and provide their own
minister. In 1670 this desire was expressed in a pe-
tition to the town, and some two years later the
town's consent was ratified by an act of the General
Court. October 8, 1672, the parish known as Salem
Village was established ; October 8, 1872, the first
church of Danvers observed the two hundredth anni-
versary of that event.
" All farmer.s," so ran the vote of the town, "that
now are or hereafter shall be willing to join together
for providing a minister among themselves whose hab-
itations are above Ijiswich Highway, from the horse
bridge to the wooden bridge at the hither end of Mr.
Endicott's Plain, and from thence on a west line shall
have liberty to have a minister by themselves and
when they shall provide and pay him in a maintain-
ance, that then they shall be discharged from their
part of Salem minister's maintainance." The bounds
of Salem Village, though a source of grievous dispute,
e.specially between the farmers and " the Topsfield
men," sub-tantially included all of the present town
except the two necks of Danversport, a part of North
Beverly, considerable of West Peabody and much of
the town of Middleton.
This Middleton land was an original grant of seven
hundred acres to Governor Richard Bellingham, made
by the General Court in 16.39. It was bought for two
hundred and fifty pounds by two poor men, Bray
Wilkins and John Gingle, who paid down a ton of
iron and one pound in money, in all twenty-five
pounds, and gave a mortgage back for the balance.
They paid oflT the debt, Wilkins and his sons
bought up the Gingle interest, and, in 1702, Wilkins
died at great age, a patriarchal land-owner, in the
midst of the farms and homes of his descendants.
Though beyond the six mile limit, these lands were
by special act of the General Court, in 1661, made a
part of Salem.
There were wit'iiin the village, twenty years after
its establishment, some hundred and fifty houses.
Among the farmers not already mentioned were Dan-
iel Andrew, himself sometimes a school-master, and
founder of a family in which a number have followed
that calling ; the Flints, pome of whom remain
on the lands of their ancestors in West Peabody ;
Joseph Houlton, the honored head of a fine family,
most conspicuous among whom is Samuel Holten,
whose name will often appear in these annals ; the
Kettels, a name now extinct here ; the Needhams,
whose farms were divided by the village line, are still
represented in West Peabody by descendants of the
family name ; Robert Prince, of whom the late Moses
Prince was a descendant in the fifth generation, the
latter a man who was eminently distinguished for the
extent and accuracy of his knowledge of local history.
The Prince farm contained about one hundred and
fifty acres and the house which Robert occupied and
probably built, is still standing on the estate of J. E.
Spring. The widow of Robert married Alexander
Osborne, and under that name she was one of the
first three arrested for witchcraft, and was taken from
this very house to Boston jail, where she died May 10,
1692.
Lying partly within the Village limits and partly
in Topsfield, was the land of William Nichols, a
large farm which he had bought about 16.50, of Henry
Bartholemew. " Nichols Brook " which flows through
these lands perpetuates his name. He lived to be
very old and from his only son, John, came an exten-
sive family. One of the most prominent figures in our
local history during the first half of this century was
Dr. Andrew Nichols, a son of Andrew of the sixth
generation, and were it not for the fact that a notice
of his life from the pen of his son Andrew will be
found accompanying the engraving at the close of this
sketch, it would be fitting at this point to pay a trib-
ute to his worth. Andrew Nichols, civil engineer, son
of the doctor, whose home is not far south of the old
Nichols farm and whose land includes a part of the
Prince land, of which latter family he is a descendant
through the marriage of John Nichols and Elizabeth
Prince, has written a genealogy of the Nichols family
and has collected a rich store of material for local
history. Abel Nichols, a brother of the doctor, wa-s
the father of the late Abel Nichols, artist, father of
Mrs. William E. Putnam and Lewis A. Nichols, and
brother of the late Mrs. E. G. Berry.
DANVEES.
431
In the extreme southeastern corner of the town,
pleasantly situated on the southern bank of the river
below the confluence of its three branches, is a very
old anrl interesting house. It has always remained in
the Jacolis family, whose ancestor, George Jacobs,
was another of the victims of the witchcraft delusion,
and, according to tradition, was hung on an oak tree
on his own land and there also buried. It w.os his
great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Jacobs, who married
John Endicott and spoke out loud to Colonel Picker-
ing as before related. She lived to be over ninety
and died in 1809. Her ancestor had received from
Salem a grant of a few acres and six " cow leases," on
Rial Side, and it is recorded that the old lady used to
tell how, before her marriage, she used to paddle a
canoe across the river to milk the cows on this very
land, and when the tide was out she would go across
the flats on stepping-stones and wade the channel. It
must be explained that the channel was much less
deep then than now, and, although years ago it was
written that " the stones are to be seen to this day,"
they are out of sight now beneath the mud.
One of the sons-in-law of Francis Nourse was
Thomas Preston, the ancestor of a family which has
always had representatives prominent in local affairs.
Much more space deserves to be here given them
than can be afforded. The present Massey estate was
long in the Preston family. There, a hundred years
ago, lived Levi Preston, who married iMohitable
Nichols, and was the father of eleven children. One
of these, Levi, built the present meeting-house of
the First Church ; Slehitable married Ebenezer
Berry, inn-keeper ; Polly married Nathaniel Felton ;
Sukey and Eliza, the brothers Asa and Nathan Tap-
ley ; Daniel was the father of Major D. J. Preston,
deputy sheriff and tax collector, recently deceased ;
Abel, Hiram, William, .lohn and Samuel — not in the
order of their birth — all of these went out from the
house on the hill. John went not far. He married
Clarissa, the only daughter of Joseph Putnam, the
next neighbor, and building an addition to her
father's place, they lived there. John Preston died
May 28, 1876, in his eighty-sixth year. He was the
oldest Free-Mason in town ; was many years a select-
man; representative to the General Court; for many
years chorister at the First Church in the days of
'cello and double-bass ; was one of the early shoe
manufacturers, and, after he gave up that business, a
good farmer. His widow still survives, and her great
age is mentioned in connection with the Putnams.
His son, Charles P. Preston, resides on the site of the
old house in which his father and grandfather, it
might be carried farther, lived. According to the
Directory of 1887, but three men in Danvers to-day
bear this family name, two of whom are C. P. Pres-
ton, just mentioned, and his son.
Deacon Samuel Preston, brother of John, was one of
the most distinctive figures, especially in the history of
the First Church, of the past half-cenlury. In his later
years, as became regularly to the ancient place of wor-
ship, there was coupled with a venerable form and ap-
pearance a youthful, elastic step. "There was no good
service which he was not promjit, eager and faithful
to render. He was of robust mind, of pure ta-stes,
and he had a firm grasp of spiritual and eternal
things." He read much and the best books, and it is
not strange that in his family there is to be found a
highly developed taste for literature. Miss Harriet
W. Preston, the well-known authoress and magazine
contributor, is his daughter. Something more of
him in connection with the shoe businsss.
Present space permits only this brief and incom-
plete mention of the first settlers. Until 1752, when
the district of Danvers was incorporated, the history
of the parish of Salem Village is practically the his-
tory of that part of the town which still retains the
I name of Danvers, and its outline will be found in
the chapter of church history. In the mean time
some families thus far purposely omitted in the men-
tion of the early .settlers will here be somewhat more
fully noticed.
The Putxams.— One of the most beautiful estates
in Danvers is that known as Oak Kiioll, which owes
much of its .attractiveness to the taste of its former
owner, William A. Lander, Esq., of Salem. It is in
the midst of pleasant surroundings, a mile's drive
from the Plains, and pnssers-by peer through the trees
to the unostentatious but comfortable mansion which
will ever be memorable as the home of one who now
for a number of years has been a member of the fami-
ly of its present owners — the poet Whittier. But this
very estate is, in itself, of deeper historical interest.
It is the home of the first Putnam, the ancestor of that
family which not only is to-day the largest and most
distinctive of Danvers, but has its representatives far
and wide, and has illumin.ated our national history
with the names of many of its illustrious individuals.
John Putnam, this progenitor, came from Buck-
inghamshire, England, when well along in years. The
land upon which he settled lay just north of Elder
Sharpe's grant. Thislatter, resting on Skelton's Neck,
and covering the whole of the present central village
of the Plains, ran northwesterly to a point at the little
pond at Beaver Dam. Putnam's land, including his
own grant of a hundred acres, made in 1641, and
previous grants to Ralph Fogg, Thomas Lathrop and
Ann Scarlett spread out easterly from this |)oint, so
as to cover nearly the whole territory west of the Tops-
field road from Liudall Hill to beyond the Putnam-
ville school-house.
John Putnam had three sons, all born in the old
country. Thomas, the oldest, was a young man of
twenty-six at the time of his father's grant in Salem
farms; he seems to have first struck out for himself in
Lynn, where his character and good education f|uali-
fied him to act as magistrate, and where ho married
Ann Holyoke, sister to the grandfather of President
Holyoke of Harvard College. Nathaniel who was
432
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
just then arriving at iiis majority, and John, a lad of
lifteen, probably came with their father to the new
home at Beaver Dam. The father was one of the
most energetic and successful of the pioneers, and be-
came a very large land-owner. A few months before
he died he bought, in company with John Hathorne,
Richard Hutchinson and Daniel Rea, two very large
tracts, the one including Hathorne's Hill and the sur-
rounding territory ; the other Davenport's, afterwards
Putnam's Hill, and the surrounding territory. It
would seem as though the lion's share of these lands
fell to the Putnams.
John, the youngest son of the pioneer, married Re-
becca Prince, and remained on the father's home-
stead.
Thomas, who had moved from Lynn to Salem town
and married, some four years after his father's death,
for his second wife, the rich widow of Nathaniel
Veren, receiving as his double inheritance a portion
of the original grant to Captain William Hathorne,
built at the foot of the easterly slope of the hill which
perpetuates the grantees' name, a house which, with
subsequent additions, still remains, not only in per-
fect preservation, but in the hands and occupation of
Putnams, who are lineal descendants of the builder,
and who cherish, with fond interest, the history and
traditions of their family. This house is about a
mile due west from Oak Knoll, and, according to the
location of modern roads, is at the intersection of the
highway to Middleton and the Newburyport turn-
pike, and is directly opposite a fine avenue, which at
this point begins its winding climb of Hathorne's
Hill to the newjunatic hospital.
Nathaniel, the other son of the pioneer, married
Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Hutchinson, the man
who bought the original grant covering the whole re-
gion of Tapleyville, from Walnut Grove Cemetery to
the site of the first village church. It was on a part
of this tract which came to him by this marriage that
Nathaniel built his home. Though not itself standing,
another house of respectable age stands on or near its
site. Mr. Nichols thinks the origiiuxl house stood
near the town gravel-pit, on Hobart Street. Not-
withstanding the laying out of streets and house-lots
in the most thickly settled portion of the town, in-
cluding the grounds of the town-house, the Peabody
Institute and the cemetery, some of the original farm
remains about the house which, long the home of
Judge Samuel Putnam, a lineal descendant of Na-
thaniel, has of late years been owned by other Put-
nams collateral to the Judge, but running back to
the same ancestor. This Putnam estate, also very
familiar, is on the main thoroughfare from the Plains
to Tapleyville, something over a mile in a straight
line, nearly south of Oak Knoll. It is on the banks
of the stream which drains the meadows of Beaver
Dam, and a short distance below the house the stream
is met by another which drains the meadows far to
the west and south. This confluence takes place in a
natural basin easily and effectively dammed for water-
power, and from very ancient times these Putnams
have utilized this power for milling, just where Otis
F. Putnam is to-day sawing, grinding and storing ice
at the old stand.
From these three homes, then, — -of Thomas, near
Hathorne's hill ; of Nathaniel, near the mill-pond ;
of John, at Oak Knoll, — came the three great families
of Putnams.
a. Tlic family of Thomas. — Thomas had three
sons who became heads of families, — Sergeant
Thomas, Deacon Edward and Joseph. The two for-
mer pushed up a mile toward Middleton, and estab-
lished them.selves close together on what is now Day-
ton Street, near the railroad station at Howe's cross-
ing. Joseph remained on the home place.
No male descendants of Sergeant Thomas are left
here. A short time ago William Putnam, an old
man, died in his ninetieth year, in the old farm-house
on the lower hill, directly in front of the hospital.
He was the .son of Deacon Eben Putnam, and grand-
son with three " greats " of Deacon Edward ; and of
the two living sons of this old man, one, James War-
ren, keeps the place, and, rare in these days, has a
fine family of eight children, six of whom are boys,
to keep the good deacon's name alive at home. The
brother of William, Deacon Ebenezer, was the father
of Rev. Hiram B. Putnam, now at Derby, N. H.,
and of Harriet Putnam. One of Deacon Edward's
sons, Elisha, moved away to Sutton, Mass., and thus
Danvers claims some of the honor which belongs to
the name of General Rafus Putnam, son of Elisha,
and a native of that town.
No history of this town will be complete without a
full account of the part which Danvers took in the
settlement of the Northwest Territory. The earliest
wagon-train, under command of Captain Hatfield
White, a Danvers man, started on its long journey
from here. Invitations have just been received by
descendants of these pioneers to join in the great
centennial celebration, to take place at Marietta in
1888.
General Rufus Putnam, Washington's friend, a fa-
mous engineer of the Revolution, presided at the
convention in Boston, March 1, 1786, at which the
Ohio Company was formed, and April 7, 1788, he laid
out at Marietta the first permanent settlement in
Ohio. Major Ezra Putnam, his cousin, also a grand-
son of Deacon Edward, was another of the Ohio
pioneers. Nearer home, another descendant of Dea-
con Edward, Oliver Putnam, honored the family-
name by establishing at Newburyport the Putnam
Free School. Another descendant was the late la-
mented Professor John N. Putnam, of Dartmouth
College.
Both the second and third generations, and, indeed,
at least one of the fourth generation of Putnams,
played prominent parts, and some of them very unfor-
tunate ones, in the terrible witchcraft tragedy which
DANVEES.
433
spread over this neighborhood. Nearly alloftheni were
deluded. How otherwise, when one of the worst atilict-
ed of the "afflicted children" was the daughter of
Sergeant Thomas Putnam, recorder of the parish, and
oldest son of the richest man in the village? It
struck the proud and powerful family to the centre,
and they were not so superior to the unreason of the
age as to see that spanking was much more needed
than hanging. The sad, dark days of 1692! None
who have grasped from the wonderful monograph of
Mr. Upham anything of their reality will speak in
jest of Salem witches. They were taken, most of
them, from Danvers homes, homes still standing in
our midst, and, condemned by blind terror in the
name of Law, after mockeries of trial their necks were
broken on the gibbet. The Putnams had a hand in
this business, save one. Against the black back-
ground there stands one grand stirring picture. It is
of a young man twenty-two years of age standing at
his farm-house door, with loaded firelock and saddled
horse, ready to resist arrest or flee from overpowering
force. It is Joseph Putnam, youngest of the sous of the
first Thomas, who, in the face of brothers and uncles,
from the first denounced the proceedings through and
through. Such a course was almost sure death, and
for six months gun and horse had been ready day and
night. He had been married but a year to a young
bride of less than seventeen, a granddaughter both of
old John Porter and Major William Hathorne, and
she was a worthy wife of a noble husband. It was
this son who remained on his father's place, the one
opposite the entrance to the hospital.
They had three sons, this young couple, Joseph
and Elizabeth, whose names were William, David
and Israel. There is a little chamber in the oldest
part of the old house, which, through the kindness
of the occupants, is often visited with great interest.
Perhaps here all three of these boys were born, but,
alas for the heroes of peace, it is the heroes of war
whom men most idolize, and as one enters beneath
the oaken beams of the low ceiling, and sees in the
quiet room the ancient furniture, the fire-place and
other relics of long gone years, the mind strives only
to grasp the strange reality that in this very spot
that favorite hero of the Revolution, to whom tales
of bravery and courage seem as commonly attributed
as to the demi-gods of old, " Old Put,"' Major (ien-
eral Israel Putnam, Washington's " uncut diamond,"
actually kicked and cried just like any other baby.
The wolfs den, the rapid ride from the plow to the
Lexington alarm, the tender of the first commission
at Boston from the hands of Washington, the dashing
plunge at Horseneck, the long service of one of the
most trusted commanders, these and all other events
of his distinguished life, had a sort of potential exist-
ence in this same little room.
He was a little more than twenty-one years old
when the event happened to which this item found
in an old memorandum book refer.s: "July ye 19
28
1739 Israel Putnam and Hannah Pope were married
together." Immediately the young couple struck
out, took a farm at Pomfret, Conn., and returned
thither no more. The descendants of the general are
numerous in the State of his adoption, in New York,
and especially so, through his son. Colonel Israel, an
officer with his father in the Revolution, about Mari-
etta, O. ; and some also in Kentucky and other
Southern States.
William, the oldest brother of the general, had no
sons. David, the next son, remained on the home
place. It was a mistake to insinuate that Israel mo-
nopolized the military spirit of the family. David,
so Mr. Upham says, was a celebrated cavalry officer,
but, being much older than Israel, flourished in the
period anterior to the Revolution. Colonel Timothy
Pickering used to mention as one of the recollections
of his boyhood, that David Putnam " rode the best
horse in the province."
To follow briefly down the old house which may
now understandingly be identified by the name it
commonly bears, the " Old Put " house, David had
these sons, — William, Joseph, Israel and Jesse.
Joseph was "Deacon Joseph" of the Village Church,
for whom David built that other Putnam house a
short distance from his own, known as the "Colonel
Jesse house." Of Colonel Jesse and his children,
a few words farther on.
William, eldest son of David, moved to Sterling,
Mass. A daughter of his became the wife of Captain
Samuel Endicott, of Salem, and their son, William
P. Endicott, who married Miss Crowningshield, is the
father of Hon. William Crowningshield Endicott,
President Cleveland's Secretary of War. Another
descendant of William Putnam, of Sterling, was the
Rev. George Putnam, D.D., long and well known as
pastor of the First Church of Roxbury.
Jesse, the youngest son of David, was a graduate
of Harvard, and a well known merchant of Boston,
whose earlier residence was on Summer Street, near
Trinity Church. His daughter Catherine was that
lady of fine culture and patriotic spirit who, in her
eighty-fifth year, presented a silk banner to the Put-
nam Guards of Danvers as they went out to war.
Israel, the third son of David, the fourth in line of
ownership, remained on the old place, and from him
it descended to the only one of his three sons who
married, — Daniel. Daniel married the daughter of
another Putnam, Stephen, whom we shall meet in
the family branch of Nathaniel, and of his twelve
children, two. Miss Susan and her brother Ansel W.,
are the present occupants of the historic house. The
youngest daughter Julia, widow of Hon. John D.
Philbrick, of whom something is written in cotinec-
tion with our schools, resides nearly opposite. Allen,
the oldest, and Benjamin Wadsworth, the youngest
son, reside in Boston. Daniel and Ahira manufac-
tured shoes in a shop still standing within the yard
of the old house; the widow and a granddaughter of
434
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Daniel, who reside here, are his only living represen-
tutives; Ahira's son, Granville B., is a well known
teacher in Boston, and the name of his other s-^n,
Major Wallace A. Putnam, stands first on the monu-
ment erected to the Danvers men, who lost their
lives in the late war. Deacon William R. Putnam
tilled his ancestral acres some thirty years, removed,
to reside with his children at Redwing, Minn., in
1874, and there died in 1886. The male lineage of
the old General Putnam house runs back then thus,
— Ansel, Daniel, Israel, David, Joseph, Thomas.
There are now living but five grandsons of Daniel in
the male line, and none of them live in Danvers.
A few words concerning the family of Jesse, "Col.
Jesse" before alluded to. He was himself one of the
prominent and widely known citizens of his day, one
of the foremost advocates of the early temperance
reform and one of the strongest ojiponents of slavery.
In his manner he was somewhat brusque, and, like
his grandfather, he was fond of a good horse.
He died in 1860, but his widow, Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Dr. Silas Merriam, of Middleton, whom he
married in her twentieth year, still living, celebrated
November 14, 1884, her one hundredtli birthday. Rare
event ; fitly celebrated. The " tribe of Jesse " were
six .sons and six daughters, a family in all respects
to be proud of. Four of the surviving five were
present with their mother on the occasion just men-
tioned. These twelve children were, in order, Cathe-
rine, Andrew, Elizabeth, Francis P., Henry F., Cal-
vin, Mary J., Martha A., Sarah W., Charles, Emily
A. and John M. The latter lives on his father's
place, and in his family is another Jesse. The other
survivors are Calvin ; Sarah, widow of George W.
Fuller; and Emily, widow of Rev. Richard T. Searle.
Francis died at his home near by his father's a few
years ago, much respected. Henry and Charles died
in the West, the latter having been superintendent of
schools in St. Louis. (M^.^. Putnam died September
20, 1887, at the age of 102 years, 10 months, 6 days.)
b. Hie family of Nathaniel. — N?thaniel, " Lieuten-
' ant," — military titles were common in the family —
had two sons, Benjamin and Jolm. The latter went
beyond the westerly slope of Hathorne's hill and es-
tablished himself near the Log Bridge over the
Ipswich River, on the farm now owned by George H.
Peabody. He was known as "Carolina John," and
this name occurs on a rough diagram of a division of
land drawn in ink cm the parchment binding of one
of the old volumes of records in the registry of deeds
at Salem. The site of his home is marked by a very
old but well preserved house, situated beneath ancient
elms, where the high land begins to slope to the
river meadows. It was in the immediate neighbor-
hood of the other river farms upon which the broth-
ers Deacon Edward and Sergeant Thomas Putnam,
cousins of this John, were settled. John had these
sons, — Josiah, John, Amos, Samuel and Daniel. A
grandson, Daniel, was a deacoti of the village church
and lived close by his grandfather's place on one of
the Peabody farms, and died in 1801, aged sixty-three
years. Neither of the brothers, except John, leave
descendants of the male line in Danvers. A descend-
ant of Josiah, Hon. Harvey Putnam, born at Brattle-
boro, Vt., in 1793, was a prominent lawyer in Schenec-
tady, N. Y., a member of Congress, and his son, Hon.
James O. Putnam, of Buffalo, has long been one of
the most distinguished men of western New York.
John, brother of Josiah, had three sons, — John
Amos, Edmund. An eccentric old man well-known
some years ago, published a rambling autobiographi-
cal sketch called "The Life and times of Peter Put-
nam." Peter's grandfather was the brother of Amos
and Edmund, just mentioned, and their estate was on
the turnpike, south of Hathorne's hill.
Amos Putnam was a physician, and one ot the
active |)atriotic spirits of Revolutionary times. His
name often occurs in honorable connection on the
records of the town. His residence was the brick
house near Felton's corner, where afterwards the late
Daniel Tapley lived. A son of Dr. Amos, James,
also a physician, is to be remembered with his
estimable wife who long survived him, as the parents
of those two teachers " Hannah and Betsey," names
always spoken together because they always taught
together, and fondly cherished by many of our older
people. Recently a number of the survivors of their
old scholars met with Mrs. Harriet P. Fowler to con-
sider the erection of a memorial over their hitherto
unmarked graves. Something further of them will
be found in the chapter on schools.
Edmund Putnam, brother or rather half-brother
of Dr. Amos, was "Deacon Edmund," whose name
is revered by Universalists as the pioneer of the de-
parture of that denomination from the old faith. He
served as deacon in the village church from 1762 to
1785, and died in 1810, aged eighty-six years. He
lived in the old house standing between the Topsfield
road and the railroad, a well preserved relic of witch-
craft times, now owned by Augustus Fowler. Dea-
con Edmund's sons were Andrew, Israel and Ed-
mund. Israel was the father of Elias Putnam,
"Squire Lias," a name at which the pen halts to find
words of fitting tribute and then passes altogether, on
the announcement that a distinguished son. Rev. Dr.
Alfred P. Putnam, is to contribute a sketch of his
father's life, to ajipear in subsequent pages of this
book. In the number and character of descendants
the line of Edmund, Israel and Elias is well repre-
sented at home and abroad.
Poplar and Locust Streets cross each other a third
of a mile above the Square at the Plains. Both are
ancient roads; the former, the old "Dyson Road"
from Beverly to Andover; the other, the "Topsfield
Road." At this corner was the old homestead of
Judge Timothy Lindall. Speaking roughly, the roads
cross at right angles, the Topsfield road running
north, the Andover road running west. Another road,
DANVERS.
435
now callecl Summer Street, starts from the Andover
road about a half mile west i'rom the Lindall corner,
and runs north parallel to the Topsfield road, till it
meets a fourth road, now called North Street, which,
starting: from the To]>sfield road a mile and a half
above the Lindall corner, runs west, the " back road "
to Topsfield. About the sides of the parallelogram
which, still roughly speaking, is formed by these four
roads, are a number of old Putnam homes. Oak
Knoll, the family starting-point, is itself on the east-
erly side of Summer Street, about midway of its
length. The first Putnam to push much northward
was Benjamin, elder of the two sons of Nathaniel.
He was "Deacon Benjamin,'' who settled on the
place now owned and occupied by Miss Goodhue, the
very old house standing on or near the ancient
site, being on North Street, midway between Summer
Street and the Topsfield road. Deacon Benjamin
died in 1714, fifty years old. By will he gave his son
Daniel "one hundred and fifty pounds for his learn-
ing." Daniel went to Harvard, and among his col-
lege mates during the last year of his course was
Joseph Green, son of the village minister. Daniel
graduated in 1717, the first of a long list of subsequent
graduates of the same name. He became a minister
in North Reading, and died there, leaving descend-
ants.
Nathaniel, oldest son of Deacon Benjamin, moved
back south to his grandfather's, Nathaniel's, place
by the mill-pond. He, likewise, was a deacon, serv-
ing twenty-three years, dying in 1754, and he was the
father of still another deacon, Archelaus, who at one
time lived where the late Gilbert Tapley died, and of
whom the story is elsewhere told how he was the
pioneer of Danversport.
Tarrant Putnam, next son of Deacon Benjamin,
and the first of a number of other Putnams to bear
that peculiar name, was the father of Gideon, still
another deacon, who died in 1811, eighty-four years
old. Gideon was a store-keeper, who lived and car-
ried on his business at the well-known corner where
subsequently Jonas Warren, Daniel Richards, and
the sons of the latter, succeeded him. It was
Deacon Gideon who, by selling cheese in Revolu-
tionary times at nine shillings per pound, was declared
an enemy of his country, though he so far regained
popular favor as to be sent soon after to the General
Court. He will be remembered as the father of that
distinguished citizen whose name has been already
mentioned — Judge Samuel Putnam, who died about
thirty years ago on the homestead estate of the origi-
nal Nathaniel. He is remembered as an old gentle-
man courtly and refined, of the manners of the old
school, esteemed and respected by all who knew
him.
After a highly honorable and extensive practice at
the bar, in which his severe application showed itself
in the fruits of exact and comprehensive legal learn-
ing, he was appointed in 1814, on the death of Chief
Justice Sewall, to a seat on the bench of the Supreme
Court. This he held until January 26, 1842. The
late Alfred A. Abbott thus spokcof him at the celebra-
tion of the centennial of the town, 1852 : " For more
than a quarter of a century did he fulfill, ably and
faithfully, the duties of his high station, doing his
full part to sustain and elevate that reputation of our
Supreme bench which has made its decisions standard
and indisputable authority throughout the land. Our
reports contain a great number of his opinions, elab-
orate and rich, than which few are cited with more
frequency, or held in greater respect. At length,
when the weight of increasing years began to op-
press him, Judge Putnam voluntarily put olf the judi-
cial ermine, with a rare delicacy and commendable
good sense resigning his lofty trust while yet his men-
tal vigor was unabated, and retiring from his well-
earned and still fresh laurels to the joys and comforts
of private life. No one has illustrated the family
name with a purer life, higher virtues or juster fame."
He was the grantor of the lands of the Walnut Grove
Cemetery, Peabody Institute and surrounding es-
tates. He carried on the milling business before
alluded to, and numerous documents are on file in
the Town-House showing with what courteous firm-
ness he asserted and maintained his rights whenever
the mill privilege was in danger of being infringed,
as when Sylvan Street svas laid out in 1842 over his
dam. As early as 1820, so wrote an aged citizen a
few years ago. Judge Putnam was the only man in
Essex County who laid in ice for market. Then the
ice was cut from the pond with an axe, loaded upon
sleds without tools, stored in a cellar built for that
purpose and was delivered to consumers with the
naked hands. A load was driven twice a week to
Salem. This cellar held but a hundred tons; the
present harvest is more than five thousand tons. The
descendants of Judge Putnam reside chiefly in Bos-
ton. A son, Samuel R., married a sister of James
Russell Lowell, and their son. Lieutenant William
Lowell, fell bravely fighting at Ball's Blufi' in ISGl.
His mother was the writer of a remarkable series of
sketches on Hungary at the time of the struggle of
Kossuth and his compatriots for liberty. Dr. Charles
G. Putnam, second son of the judge, was an eminent
practitioner in Boston, president of the Massachu-
setts Medical Society, and through his generosity the
town possesses a substantial memorial of the family
in the reservation known as Pickering Park, at the
meeting of several streets laid out through the old
farm. This was presented to the town by Dr. Putnam
in 1875.
Deacon Tarrant Putnam, uncle to Judge Samuel,
was the father of Dr. Israel, of Bath, Me., and Tar-
rant, a New York merchant of great wealth. A son
of Dr. Israel is Hon. William L. Putnam, ex-mayor
of Portland and a leading lawyer there, at ])resent
prominent as representing the United States in the
fishery controversy with the Dominion.
436
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Just opposite the junction of Summer and North
Streets, situated on a high hill at the northwest cor-
ner of the parallelogram and looking directly south-
erly to Oak Knoll is a pleasant old farm-house known
as the Wallis farm. This was the home of Benjamin,
one of the seven sous of Deacon Benjamin and the
ancestor of Benjamin C. Putnam, now of Danvers,
the sixth Benjamin in line. The fourth son of Dea-
con Benjamin, and the last to be here mentioned, was
Stephen. He pushed around to the easterly side of a
long high hill which monopolizes much of the north-
erly portion of the land included by the roads spoken
of and which fittingly bears the name of Putnam's
Hill, and established himself on the site of the pres-
ent residence of Henry A. White. The descendants
of Stephen have been more conspicuous and are at
present more numerously represented than any others
of this branch of the family. The old house is still
remembered by some, standing under a great willow,
beneath which was a large horse-block. Here, as
well as on some other estates, slaves were kept ; one,
" old Rose," was bought in Jamaica by the pound.
The sons who grew up on this hill-side farm in-
cluded Timothy, a Tory, who went to Nova Scotia ;
Moses, a Harvard graduate of 1759, who went to Wil-
ton, N. H. ; Phinehas, Aaron and Stephen, Jr.
Phinehas went westward and established his home a
half a mile north of the " Old Put " house ; of
his five sons, Joseph remained at home, and Charles
P. Preston, a son of his only child Clarissa, widow of
John Preston, now in her ninety-fifth year, is the
present owner and occupant of the premises. Mat-
thew, another son of Phinehas, weut south to the
Rebecca Nourse homestead of witchcraft history,
which place has come down through another Matthew
and Orrin to the heirs of the latter. Timothy, an-
other son of Phinehas, came to the Plains and lived
long on the site of the present residence of his grand-
son, Otis F. Putnam; he was the father of Elbridge,
Willard, Adrian and Gustavus, of whom the latter
only survives, and through these sons, except Willard,
numerous descendants of " Uncle Timmy " are living
in the town.
Pushing south from his father's home, Stephen's
son Aarou went to the southern slope of Putnam's
hill and probably built the pleasant old house
which one can see through the leafy lane lead-
ing in from the Topsfield road near the residence
of Israel H. Putnam. Aaron had two sons to estab-
lish families, Simeon and Rufus. Simeon's sons were
Simeon, Aaron, Augustus, Edward B. and Israel H.,
the latter retaining the ownership of the old place ;
the well known face and figure of the former, "Uncle
Sim," for many years tax-collector, will be long re-
membered ; he died April 14, 1880, in his seventy-fifth
year. Rufus, soon after his marriage, struck out into
a new quarter for the Putnams, and bought one of
the old Leach homesteads, under the easterly sloj^e of
Folly Hill ; William, the survivor of his two sons, is
still living near the site of the old house in his eighty-
fourth year; the other son, Rufus Putnam, after a
long and honorable service as teacher in the higher
schools of Salem, built about thirty years ago on his
portion of his father's farm, the house in which he
died in November, 1875. He brought back to his
native town the ripe wisdom of mature years and the
benefit of his counsel was often sought, especially in
the settlement of estates. He was long pre^-ident of
the Savings Bank, and long on the school committee;
he was quiet in his life, of unspotted character, and
greatly respected.
To go back a step now to the farm of Stephen :
Stephen, Jr., the youngest brother of Phinehas, Aaron
and the others, just mentioned, remained at home.
Stephen, Jr., was a carpenter who built or helped to
build the village meeting-house of 1786, and he was
the father of these children, — Stephen, Moses, .lacob,
Susanna, Ruth, Samuel, Eben, Hannah and Sally.
The first and the last two died unmarried. Moses
and Samuel established themselves close by their
graudfather's home, and each built up a large and
successful shoe business in the neighborhood, which
as an involuntary tribute to the energy and worth of
these brothers has for some forty years borne the
name of Putnamville. The old name of this locality
to the Topsfield line was Blind-hole, after a swamp.
Jacob learned the tanner's trade at Elias Endicott's,
bought the old Frye"s Tavern, between Peabody and
Salem, and built up a successful business there. George
F. Putnam, of Salem and Boston, is his son. Eben,
the last survivor of the children, came early down to
Danvers Plains, in the days when there was no village
to speak of, where now is the business centre of the
town. Of the daughters, Susanna married Daniel
Putnam, lived in the " Old Put " house, and was
the mother of the present occupants. Ruth was the
wife of Andrew Batchelder, and lived in the old
Lindall house. A number of old clocks bear his im-
print as "clock-maker;" by a second wife his de-
scendants are likewise numerous and respectable.
The three sons who remained at home all lived to a
good old age, to be popularly known as "uncles'" —
Uncle Moses, Uncle Sam and Uncle Eben — and were
fathers of very large families. Uncle Moses was ac-
cording to the tax-list of 1847 the richest man in
town. Those next approaching him were Daniel P.,
Jonathan and Samuel King, Gilbert Tapley, Benja-
min Porter, Samuel Putnam and Elias Putnam. He
died September 10, 1860, in his eighty-fifth year.
Four of his children are living, — Harriet, the wife of
Deacon S. P. Fowler ; Susan, widow of Daniel F. Put-
nam ; Moses; and Emeline, wife of Charles A. Put-
nam, of Boston. Of Samuel's children, these, — Mary,
widow of Elbridge Trask ; Thomas, Albert, Charles
A. and Henry. Of Ebeu's children, these, — Edwin
F. ; Elizabeth, wife of William Cheever, of Staten
Island ; Margaret, widow of Joseph W. Ropes ; and
Mrs. Hannah Bomer, in the west.
DANVERS.
437
C. The family of John. It was "Lieutenant,"
afterwards" Captain " John, youngest of the tlirce sons
of the pioneer, who remained on the original Putnam
liomestead at Oak Knoll. He was impetuous, rough,
ever ready to stand by his rights if need be with force
and arms, but when the farmers realized that educa-
tion was lax among them, it was this same man whom
they selected " to take care that the law relating to
the catechising of children and youth be duly at-
tended,'' and to see " that all families do carefully
and constantly attend the due education of their
children and youth according to law." In his family
the minister, George Burroughs, and his wife lived
nine months in the year 1680, and on these beautiful
jiremises where the poet is passing his declining
years, the minister gave evidence of that great
strength which twelve years later was credited to the
devil and cost him his life.
John Putnam had four sons, — Jonathan, James,
Eleazer and John. Stretching eastward from Oak
Knoll a broad fertile jilain lies between Lindall Ilill
and Putnam's Hill. Skirting the northern limits of
this plain was an ancient road, traces of which are
yet visible, which coming from Wenham passed by
Oak Knoll and so on through a part of the pleasant
avenue which leads by the old Prince house, a relic
of witchcraft times, which is now the farm-house of
J. E. Spring's place, around Beaver Dam to the vil-
lage church, a road over which, without doubt, many
sad and anxious hearts passed to trial and condemna-
tion in the terrible days of 1602. Just ojjposite the
residence of the late Nathaniel Boardman, and in-
cluded within his estate, is an old well-preserved
house, the oldest in Putnamville. It marks the point
at which a traveler coming across the meadow from
Oak Knoll would strike the Topstield road, and
thither Jonathan Putnam pushed out and built, it is
thought at least a part of this very house. Jonathan's
son Jonathan is the ancestor of Nathan T. Putnam
and the descendants of his son David in town are the
Boardman family.
James, second son of John, seems to have taken
the homestead. Oak Knoll. To follow down this in-
teresting estate, it probably passed next to Jame.s'
son Jethro, at any rate Jethro's son Enoch lived there.
Colonel Enoch Putnam was one of the distinguished
men of his time. He was forty -three years old when the
Revolution broke out, and as a lieutenant in Colonel
Hutchinson's Minute-men went to Lexington ; by
good service in the war he won his higher title of
colonel. It was the two daughters of Colonel Enoch
whom two sons of Phinehas Putnam, Joseph and
Timothy, married, and as Mrs. Preston, the aged
lady before referred to is the daughter of Joseph,
she is likewise the granddaughter of Colonel Enoch,
and to a young lady, her own granddaugliter, has
passed a ]>lain gold ring, worn quite smooth, but with
this inscription legible, — " Eemember the giver. —
E. P." The giver was the colonel and the wearer
was the great-great-grandmother of the present
owner. The only son of Colonel Enoch, Jethro, mar-
ried a daughter of the distinguished Dr. Holten, and
of his family the representatives of his son Philemon
still live here. As Jethro went to live on the Holten
place it is probable that about that time the old
homestead went out of the Putnam family. Some
fifty years it was owned by Nathaniel Smith ami
wife, and was sold with sixty-five acres of land to
William A. Lander, April 9, 1841. By subseqiu-nt
purciuises Mr. Lander became owner of nearly as
much more adjoining land. The old house was al-
lowed to stand two or three years after the present
residence was built. It stood on the level field where
now is the pear orchard and not far from the old well
and the large elm which was dug and planted by
slave labor. Mr. Lander lived on the jdace which his
own taste has made so beautiful until 1875, when he
removed to Salem, and the place then piussed to its
present owners, the family of the late Colonel Ed-
mund Johnson, of Boston, who died in 1877. Mr.
Whittier is a relative of the family, and has spent
most of his time at Oak Knoll, a name which he him-
self gave the estate.
But another and later Putnam homestead, just this
side of Oak Knoll, remained in the family much
longer than the original homestead. It was probably
built by James Putnam, an uncle of Colonel Enoch,
and passed down through Archelaus to his son. Doc-
tor Archelaus, then to his son, James A., whose heirs
sold it to Mr. Lander..
John A. Putnam, of Danvers, is one of the children
of James A. Hon. James Putnam, of whom Chief
Justice Parsons said, " he was the best lawyer in
North America," an uncle of Dr. Archelaus, was un-
doubtedly born in this old house. He ])ractiscd in
Worcester, and among his students was .lohn Adams,
the second President; he succeeded Edmund Trow-
bridge as Attorney-General of the province, was raised
to the bench and held other high positions. But he
threw the weight of his powerful influence and char-
acter in favor of the Royalists and was proscribed as
a Tory.
Two (Jonathan and James) of the sons of Lieuten-
ant John have been thus mentioned. The next (Ele-
azer) went over to the site afterwards occupied by Phin-
ehas Putnam, of the branch of Nathaniel, and now-
owned by Charles P. Preston, Eleazer being of the
third generation and Phinehas of the fifth. One of
the sons of Eleazer, Henry went to Medford, and it
will be read elsewhere how he followed his sons to
Lexington and was killed. Samuel, another son, es-
tablished his home where the late Sylvanus B.
Swan died, which was long the home of Samuel's son,
Eleazer, " Squire Ely," pronouncing it with the "E "
long and the "ly" short, widely known and trusted
as magistrate, surveyor and conveyancer. Of the
'Squire's three sons, Ilev. Israel Warburton Putnam,
D.D., born in 1786, was a very distinguished clergy-
438
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
man, who was settled twenty years at Portsmouth,
N. H., and thirty years at Middleboro', Mass. ; Arche-
laus, a physician, practised in Windham, N. H. ; and
Samuel was for many years a distinguished teacher
of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Reference has been made to the fact that Henry,
son of Eleazer, son of Lieutenant John, was killed at
Lexington. One of his sons, also Henry, was wounded
in the same engagement. Allen Putnam, a young son
of this Henry, is said to have been the first to leap
ashore of the colonists who went out to found Ohio.
The Danvers home of Allen's grandfather seems to
have been the old Amos Wilde house, on Locust Street,
opposite Chestnut Street.
It was John, another son of Lieutenant John Put-
nam, who, in connection with his father, is supposed
to have built the "old Clark house," still standing,
not far north of Oak Knoll. Among his descendants
the name of Caleb often occurs; none are known
in Danvers.
At a gathering of the descendants of Deacon Benja-
min Putnam, held a few years ago, one of our oldest
citizens, as orator, recalled how, in his childhood he
sat in the old brick meeting house when the familiar
faces of the Putnams were in every part of the church,
their titles, positions and scriptural names all objects
of veneration. There were, he said, —
" Benjamin and Joseph, Timothy and Eleiizer,
Philemon and Hiram, James .and Ebenezer,
Amos and Stephen, Setlx and Simeon,
Israel and David, Peter and Gideon,
Pliinehasand Matthew, Ezra. and Nathaniel,
Moses and Samuel, Jesse and Daniel."
No genealogy of the family has been published,
though Dr. A. P. Putnam has collected a rich store of
material, of which, doubtless, he will some day gave
ttie public the benefit. For what is here given the
writer is indebted to certain members of the family
and others in Danvers, and to Dr. Putnam for a num-
ber of interesting notes which have been mainly in-
corporated in the manuscript.
The Porters. — Among the records of old deeds
at Salem is an agreement made the 10th day of the
Third Month, 1643, between Samuel Sharpe, of Sa-
lem, and John Porter, of Hingham :
** The sd Samuel doth hereby sell unto ye said Jno. his fearme lying
North ef Mr. Skelton's farme Deceased with ye meadow ground thereto
annexed & all appurtenances thereto belonging for ye summe of one
hundred & ton pounds to be paid in money Cattle & corne at such rates
as 2 or more indifferent men shall apprize them te be paid at 3 several
payments that is to say fifty pounds the 2nth of this present mouth be-
ing 3rd month l&i3 and thirty pounds of ye 3d mo ICM & other thirty
pounds on the first day of ye 3rd mo in 1645 In witness whereof the
parties above sd have hereunto set their hands the day and year above
written
" Samuel Shahpe
"John Porteh "
The deed, acknowledged before Governor Endicott,
conveyed all the land now covered by the central
village of Danvers, "the Plains." The purchaser,
John Porter, came from England and settled at
Hingham, where he was in 1G35. He was sent from
Hingham as a deputy to the General Court in 1644,
and that same year moved his family and his goods,
probably by water, to make a new home at Salem
Farms. According to the family tradition, he lived
in the old house which was standing in the field near
the present location of the Unitarian Church within
the memory of living persons. He was a tanner by
trade, and some remains of his tan-yard were discov-
ered many years ago near the old house. An ancient
well is still to be seen close by. John Porter was a
man of energy and influence ; he was well known
throughout the colony, held many official positions,
— selectman, deputy to General Court, etc., — and he
became probably the largest individual land-owner
in what is now the town of Danvers. He and John
Putnam stand together as prominent figures in our
earliest history. Both were the ancestors of a very
numerous and honorable line of descendants. If the
Porters at first owned the most acres, certainly the
Putnams came next, and the two families together
held fully two-thirds of the present town and ex-
tended beyond its limits. Their farms were adjacent,
inter-marriages, of course, occurred, and many now
living here and elsewhere trace back their ancestry,
often in more ways than one, through Porter-Putnam
unions to the two Johns.
John Porter's oldest son, John, was a distinguished
exception to the " honorable line " above referred to ;
he was a reprobate. He abused his parents till they
appealed to the law. He was punished condignly,
and were it not for his mother's forbearance would
probably have been hung. Later his case became
very conspicuous, because upon his appeal for redress
made to the four commissioners of Charles II., sent
over in 1664 to curb the liberties of the colonists,
occurred a memorable struggle, in which the General
Court had every advantage of position, and used it,
to the final rout of the royal emissaries. The elder
John refers in his will to his " sonne John Porter,
who, by his Rebellious & wicked practices, hath been
a great grief to his parents, & greatly wasted my es-
tate." The man left no descendants to be ashamed
of such an ancestor. Three other sons, like the three
sons of John Putnam, became the heads of great
families, — Samuel, Joseph and Israel.
Samuel, " mariner," settled in Wenham, on the
easterly shore of the lake, and a part of his original
farm is still occupied by his descendants. His only
son, John, did much to wipe out the dishonor with
which his uncle had stained his grandfather's name.
This John was of high respectability, representative
to the General Court and moderator of town meetings
during the first quarter of the last century, and he
married into another eminent family, the Herricks,
of Alford's — now Cherry Hill. From the single
thread of an only son the line now branched out in
the families of five sons, they being of a family of
eleven children, whose ages at death aggregated nine
hundred and fifty-five years. Of these five sons,
DANVERS.
439
Samuel, the oldest, lived on the hike-side homestead,
and he, too, married well, his wife being a grand-
daughter of Governor Simon Bradstreet. Samuel's
grandson Isaac was the father of Colonel Paul
Porter, commander of the Ipswich regiment of
militia in the war of 1812, and a very prominent
citizen of Wenham, through whose children to the
third and fourth generation the name is preserved in
that town. One of the younger of the five sons just
mentioned was Jonathan, an inn-holder of Wenham,
who was also sent to the General Court. His oldest
son was Benjamin, and with him the name returns to
Danvers, and adds to our list of military heroes one
of the most distinguished. On the pleasant southern
slope of the first hill which one meets in driving
from Danvers Plains to Topsfield is a well-preserved
gable-roofed house, once one of the Rea homes. In
a portion of this old honse Zerubbabel Rea lived, a
hundred and twenty-five years ago, more or less.
Through his marriage with Sarah, widow of Barthol-
omew Brown, and daughter of Zerubbabel Rea, the
place thenceforth became the home of Benjamin Por-
ter, who had four sons. Of these, Moses was the
oldest, — General Moses Porter, of whoni a sketch ap-
I)ears in what is written concerning the Revolution.
He was never married. The homestead passed to
the third son, Zerubbabel. He, too, was a tanner,
and certain stone door-steps in the vicinity are relics
of his bark-mill, which stood in the rear of Augustus
Fowler's residence, itself a well-preserved relic of
two centuries agi. Zerubbabel Porter was also the
very first shoe manufacturer of Danvers, the pioneer
of that industry lor which the town soon become
noted. Until within a few^ years ago the little square
shop was sitting in the angle between the highway
and the drive to the Rea-Porter house, hugging close
to the hill, which was the cradle of our shoe business.
Of the men who were there employed, and of the
growth of the business from the beginning, a few
words will be found elsewhere. Zerubbabel Porter
was one of the early Universalists, " was of rare in-
telligence, a ready si>eaker at town-meetings, wrote
much and well for the newspapers, especially upon
political subjects." The writer happened to come
across this letter in the files of old papers at the Town-
House:
" Gentlemen Assessors of Danvehs :
" I lately received my tax bill for lS:ia, find addition to my former
taxes for many years past about fifty percent. I think, gentlemen, you
must have wrong conceptions of my property and circumstances, I am
bordering on eighty years of age and feeble health, . . . as to prop-
erty, not five dollars has been added to my estate the year past ....
Perhaps you think I have stock itl the Village bank, by the advice of
friends I gave my note on Interest for five shares and have paid the in-
terest ever since, you of course will jvidge the value of such property.
. . . It has always been my fortune to labor hard, at the age of twen-
ty-one it was my fortune to loose one of my hands, of course it made
work extremely hard, now I am done, think tif these things and doo
what is right — if you can consistently with your feelings I think will
abate some of my tax— I am gentlemen myself some acquainted with as-
sestiiDgtaxee. I very well know it is a difficult office to jwrform, but
certainly we ought feel for the sick and feeble, for they are not in a
capacity to gain property.
" I am Gentlemen, your friend and Servant,
" Z, Porter."
Zerubb.abel Porter died November 11, 1845, in his
eighty-seventh year. He left two sons, Warren and
Alfred. The former was lieutenant in the War of 1812,
and afterwards was commissioned lieutenant-colonel.
Three males only of the next generation are living in
town, Elias Endicott Porter, son of Alfred ; and Dr.
Warren Porter and .lohn W. Porter, attorney, sons of
Colonel Warren, and upon one little boy, the son of the
latter, at present depends the preservation in Danvers
of this branch of the family name.
Of the male descendants of pioneer John Porter's
ne.xt son, Joseph, there are none at all left here.
They early scattered. One — Samuel, sou of Eleazer,
son of Samuel, son of Joseph — graduated at Harvard
in 1763, became an eminent lawyer in Salem, was
proscribed as a Tory, went to Loudon and died there,
after revisiting this country in 1798, — " a gentleman
of culture and refinement, who contributed greatly to
the enjoyment of the band of refugees at the weekly
meetings of the New England Club in London during
the war."
One of the purchases which the first John Por-
ter made, was that of the Emanuel Downing grant of
five hundred acres near the Toj)slield line. This farm
he gave to Joseph upon his marriage with Anna,
daughter of Major William Hathorne, and for many
years it remained in the family, probably longer than
any other in Danvers. It went down to the fourth
consecutive Joseph, who died in 1805, and then passed
to Captain Dudley Bradstreet, who married this last
Joseph's daughter Polly, from whom it descended to
his son, Major John Bradstreet. This is why this old
Porter farm is commonly called the "old Bradstreet
farm."
To Israel, who established the third and last branch
of the Porter family, his father by will bequeathed
" my new mansi<in-house, with all ye housings there-
upon, orchards and lands adjoining, so much as was
by me purchased of Mr. Sharpe, also I do give him
si.xty acres of Skelton's necke, i. e. that pt wh I pur-
chased of Mr. Skelton's daughters," also "my inter-
est iu the Saw-mill near Skelton's neck." By piur-
chase from his brother Benjamin, who was unmarried,
and otherwise, Israel retained all the southern portion
and, as now settled, by far the richest, of his father's
great landed property. One of these deeds from Ben-
jamin to Israel, dated January 23, 1700, conveys " a
certain parcel of land given unto me by will of my
dearest father, and by him ])urchased part of it of Mr.
Gott, part of Jacob Barney, Jelfry Masscy, William
Watson, John Pickard and Pasco Foot, all which ])ar-
cels are commonly called Gott's Corner." This"C;ott's
Corner " included a part of the beautiful estate which
is known as the Burley Farm, now owned by George
A. Peabody, Esq., and also the Proctor farm, and
I-IO
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
other lands eastward. It was on or near the site of
Mr. Peabody'a residence that Israel Porter himself
was living in witchcraft times. Israel died in 1706,
leaving by will to his oldest sons, John and Israel, all
of Sharpe's farm above the Ipswich Eoad. A deed of
partition was made between John and Israel in 1809.
John was a "mariner," and probably died in Boston.
By virtue of a power in his will his widow Elizabeth,
in consideration of twelve hundred and ten pounds,
" good bills of credit on the Province," sold to Timo-
thy Lyndall, of Boston, gentleman, four tracts em-
bracing about two hundred and fifteen acres, July,
1715. The old Lindall house, which stood at the cor-
ner of Locust and Poplar Streets, has been referred
to in what has been said of the Putnams.
Israel Porter's second son, Israel, one of the clerks
of the Village parish, was the father of Ginger, a
name now somehow gone out of fashion, who married
Elisha Hutchinson and became the mother of an-
other Danvers military hero, spoken of later. Colonel
Israel Hutchinson.
William, the third son to leave descendants, seems
to have lived east of Frost Fish Brook, then Bever-
ly, now East Danvers; but, April 19, 1750, he sold
his farm of two hundred and forty-six acres to
" King" Robert Hooper, and thus another great slice
of the Porter lands passed out of the family.
Benjamin, the fourth and last son of Israel to leave
descendants, was the father of John, an inn-holder,
and Benjamin, potter. One of the latter's sons was
Israel, who lived during the last half of the last cen-
tury, and was the father of Abijah and Benjamin.
Abijah lived and died in the old house, on High
Street, nearly opposite Aaron Warren's. This his
son Isaac inherited, and, in a little cottage close by,
the widow of Isaac, Eliza Jocelyn Porter, is living, in
her ninetieth year. Abijah's brother, Benjamin, was
well known as " Cap'n Ben," who made a fortune in
the fishing business at Marblehead, came back to
Danvers about 1835, and bought the Nathan Read
mansion, near the Iron-Works. His son, Benjamin
F. Porter, with his children, now live on the same
estate ; and it depends solely upon the young grand-
sons of Capt. Ben and the lawyer's little boy, before
alluded to, whether the family-name shall be longer
preserved where once it was so numerously and
powerfully represented. A few other Porters in town
are not of this stock.
The Mudges. — Though this family cannot be reck-
oned among the early settlers, they have been prom-
inent in town for more than a century. Their ances-
tor was Thomas Mudge, who was born in England,
about 1724, and came to Maiden, where he was in
1657. His oldest son was killed at Bloody Brook in
1675, and two others were in Captain Moseley's com-
pany. His son John was one of the grantees to whom
land was given for services in King Philip's War.
John's son was Deacon John, and the deacon was the
father of another John, who was a Maiden farmer
and died in 1762. This last John had a number of
sons, the eldest of whom was killed in his nineteenth
year in the French War, under General Amherst;
the youngest died from the effects of service in the
Revolution ; Simon, the fifth of a family of nine, is
of especial interest here.
Simon Mudge was born in Maiden, April 8, 1748.
He was a carpenter, and he came to Danvers to live
two years before the Revolution. The farm which he
bought is the one now owned by Amos Pratt, on Cen-
tre Street, Subsequently, his widow went to live
with her brother, William Whittredge, on the farm at
the corner of Dayton and Newbury Streets, where her
son Amos continued to live and bring up his family.
Simon Mudge also served in the Revolution, and, in
July, 1776, marched away with a Danvers company
for Ticouderoga. A diary which he kept of his march
is preserved in the family and extracts have been
printed. Very likely its custodian, who is one of
the most zealous of temperance men, fails of being
touched by this pitiful complaint:
"August the 6, 1776. Last niglit Ly in tentes the towu being so fuU
that we could neither get vituals nor Logelng till this morning there
and RnniBoIls for nine Shillings and fore Pence a gallon and the most
miserable stiiflf j ever Drank. Drawd for 02 men but uo sauce reed. Or-
ders to march to Ticouteroga to-morrow."
He was at Lexington in Captain Flint's company.
His wife was Elizabeth Whittredge, of Danvers, who
died in 1836, ninety years old; he died in 1799, in
his fifty-second year, leaving six children. Of these,
two were sons, — Simon and Amos, and but one daugh-
ter married, — Nancy, wife of Elijah Hutchinson, of
Middleton. Simon was like his father, a farmer and
carpenter, and lived and died, 1775-1853, on his
father's homestead. His wife was a daughter of
Silas Merriam, of Middleton, and the family of Amos
Pratt are their only descendants in town ; a son, Wil-
liam Whittredge, married a daughter of Jonathan
Perry, and moved to Bedford, Mass., in 1856.
Simon's son Amos, born in 1782, was also a car-
penter and farmer, and died April 7, 1853. His wife
was Sarah Wilson, and they had six children, four
sons and two daughters. Josiah, the oldest son, to
whom the double occupation descended, is repre-
sented by the families of his sou Albert H. Mudge
and by those of George H. Peabody and Walter T.
Martin. Otis, the next son of Amos, received a good
academy education, for several years was a success-
ful school teacher, and then began the manufacture
of shoes, a business in which he was successfully en-
gaged until the close of his life. He died in 1862
in his forty-ninth year, on the old homestead, leav-
ing no children. He was in the Legislature of 1851,
and helped to elect Sumner; was on the school com-
mittee and a selectman.
Edwin and Augustus Mudge sons of Amos, are
among the most respected and influential citizens of
the town. Both have represented their fellow-citi-
zens at th.e State House, the former in the House, the
latter in the Senate. Edwin Mudge's contribution of
DANVERS.
•Ul
his legislative salary towards the erection of the
Soldier's Monument is mentioned in the chapter on
the Civil War. Augustus is president of the savings-
bank. In 1849 the partnership of E. and A. Mudge,
shoe manufacturers, was formed, which, with the addi-
tion of Edward Hutcliiuson, in 1858, has remained
since unchanged. Of this business something further
appears in the sketch of the shoe industry of the
town.
The two daughters of Amos Mudge, — Nancy and
Caroline, married, respectively, Zephaniah Pope and
James Marsh.
IscoRPORATiox. — The municipal individuality of
Danvers begins January 25, 1752. For a consider-
able time previou.sly there had been a growing desire
for separation from Salem both at tlie Village and the
Middle Parish. During the preceding summer a spe-
cial committee, consisting on the part of the Village,
of Samuel Flint, Cornelius Tarball and James Prince,
and on the part of the parish, of Daniel Epes, Jr.,
Malachi Felton and John Proctor, considered the
matter, and in anticipation of securing their end
l)roposed that plan which, for more than a hundred
years, was substantially lived up to, namely, — " Ye
major part of ye selectmen and assessors shall be
Chosen one year in one parish, and ye next year in
ye other parish successively." The committee were
instructed at once " to labour," both at old Salem
and in the General Court, — a mild sort of lobby, per-
haps, which was successful in obtaining desired legis-
lation. The full text of the act of incorporation
is as follows :
" Anno Regui Regis Georgii Secundi Ac., Vicessimo Qninto.
" An act for erecting the Village parish and middle Parish so called, in
the Town of Salem into a Distinct and separate District hy the Name of
Danvers.
" Whereas, the Town of Salem is Very T,arge and the Inhabitants of
the Village and Middle parishes so called within ye same (many of them
at Least, ) live att a great Distance from that part of Salem where the
Puhlick affairs of the Town are Transacted and also from the Grammer
School which is kept in ye sd firet Parish.
" And Wherejis, most of the Inhahitants of the sd first Parish are
Either Slerchauts, Traders or Mechanicks & those of ye sd Village and
Middle parishes are chieiiy Husbandmen, by means whereof many Dis-
putes A Difhcultys have .\rriBsen and May hereaiter arise in the man-
ageing their public Aflairs Together, *fc, Espeacially tomhing ye Appor-
tioning the Public Taxes, For preventing of which Inconveniences for
the future.
" Be it Enacted by the Lieut. Governour, f\iuncil, and House of Rep-
resentatives, That that part of ye s'd Town of Salem which now consti-
tutes the village and middle parishes in sd Town according to their
boundaries and the Inhabitants therein, be Erected into a separate and
Distinct District by the Name of Danvers, and that Siiid Inhabitants
shall do the dutys that are Reijuired and Enjoyned on|other Towns, and
Enjoy all the Powers, Privileges and Immunities that Towns in this
province by Law Enjoy, except that of seperately chuscing and sending
one or more Representatives to Represent them att ye Genii Assembly,
&c.
" Jany ye 25, 1752."
A " district " differed from a "town " only in the
matter of sending representatives to the General
Court. A district could not do that ; it sent a " dele-
gate." And so jealous was the King of that body
28i
that the Governor was charged to consent to no di-
vision of territory which would add to its members.
The act was considerably more than half a loaf, and
the rest soon came. As to the origin of the name
" Danvers," there is yet some doubt. " D'Anvers " is
an old English family name, evidently of French
origin. In one of the numbers of the London Art
Journal an article on ancient street tablets gives a cut
of one in Chelsea with this inscription :
^Ll)i5 is Danucrs
Street.
1696.
The conclusion accepted by S. P. Fowler, who haa
made the subject a study, is that " in some way not
yet discovered the name came from Sir Danvers Os-
borne, Bart., the unfortunate Governor of New York,
in 1753." Mr. Rice has added : " I think it must
have been through Lieutenant-Governor Phipps,"
It is believed that there is but one other town of
the same name in the country, and that one, in Mc-
Lean County, Illinois, is a namesake of the first. The
western town was laid out about fifty years ago "and
it was agreed to call it Danvers, out of regard to Is-
rael W. Hall, who came from Danvers, Mass." A
speaking acquaintance is maintained between the
two towns through the medium of local papers.
It may be interesting to see the record of the first
meeting of the district, verbatim :
"At a Legall Meeting of y» Inhabitants of the District of Danvers,
Marchly 4th, 1752, in y« first Parish in b^ District —
*' Voted Daniel Epes, Esqr, Moderator for s'^ Meeting, Voted Daniel
Epes, Jun^, Esq""., Clerk, & &Ir. James Prince Treasurer.
" Voted to Chiise Seven Selectmen fnr this present year, viz. : four in
y* firet Parish & tliree in y^ Second Parish, &, to chuse by written Votes,
& chose fll'. Archelaus Dale, M'. John Andrew k M'. Henry Putnam, to
tell y* Votes Chosen Selectmen, Daniel Ejxis, Jun""., Esq''., Captain Sam-
uel Flint, Dea Cornelius Tarball, M'. Stephen Putnam, M'. Samuel King,
M'. Daniel Gardner, & M^, Joseph Putnam ; & the above Named Persons
were chosen Assessors and Overseers of y^ Poor.
" Voted to Chuse four Constables, viz. ; Two in y^ first and Two in y»
Second Parish ; & Chose M'. David Goodale for yo West Ward in y^ firet
Parish, &. M'. Samuel White for y Eiist Ward in sA first Parish, and
Chose M'. Roger Derby Constable in y East Ward, and M^ Jonathan
Twiss Constable in y^ West Ward in y* Second Parish.
" Voted to Chuse five Tithingmen, k Cliose M'. Samuel Putnam, Jnn'.,
and M'. Archelaus Putnam, Juu'^., for y* first Parish^ & Chose 31'. Sam-
uel Osbon, Jun^, M'. James Upton k M'. Timothy Upton, fory Second
Parish.
"Voted M"". John Andrew, M'. John Preston, M'. FrancisNurse, Lieut.
David Putnam, M^ Jacob Goodale, M'. George Goold, Surveyors of
High ways for the first Parish.
*' Voted Ens° John Procter, Mr. Andrew Mansfield, M'. Jaaper Need-
ham, Mr. Jonatiian Russell, M'. James Goold, M'. James Ituxton A" M^
John Southwick, Jun'., Survey" of High ways for y^ Second Parish.
**Voteii Mr. Jonathan Putnam and M'. John Oslion Haywards.
'* Vytwd Israel Chcever and M"". James Upton, Sealers of Leather.
" Voted M'. Samuel Holton, M'. Benjamin Pntnam, Mf. John Osbon
and Mf. Ebenezer Marsh, fence Viewei^.
442
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
" Voted Jonathan Putnam A M'. David Goldthawy t, Clerks of y"
Markctt.
"Voted M'. Daniel Kra to take Care that ye Laws llelating to y« Pre-
servation of Deer be ob'-erved,
" Voted M'. HeTiry Pulnani & M'. David Goldthawyt Surv of Lum-
ber.
" Voted M'. James Cliapnian, lyl^ Ebenezer King, Mf. John Brown &
M'. Oideon Foster, to Take care (hat y« Laws relating to y preservation
of alewives be observed.
"Voted M' Walter Smith, M'. John Viune, M', fTCorgo J Wiat, Jun'.
M'. Ixracl llntchinson, M'. John Oaks, M'. Elienezer Goldthawyt, M'
Daniel Ularble, Jun'., M'. Jonathan Osbon & M'. Jonathan Trask, Jun'.
Hog Keavee.
"Voted M'. Hugh Kelly, M'. David Tester & M'. Ebene'. Boyce,
Pound keepers.
*' Voted tb.it ye Selectmen be Hereby fTilly Tiupowcred to agree with
the Town of Salem concerning our proportion (tf the poor in the Alms
House, & Settle yo Number, and take c.<ire of them as they shall think
best, and make Report of their doings att the Adjournment of this meet-
ing.
" Voted To mend the High ways in b^ District by Days' works, and
tliat Surveyors he chosen in Different parts of y» Dist'., & that J« select-
men shall appoint y" surveyors their Itespective Wards, and the select-
men to Tax y» Polls .t Estates, and such persons as chuse to pay their 8<*
Tux in Labour, sbnll have free Liberty so to do ; and such persons as
will not pay their Ta.x in work on y^ s'^ High ways, shall be oblidged to
pay the same in mony, according as they are Taxed, and the Surveyors
are Hereby fully Authorized and Impovver'd to Collect and Gather the
b-i Taxes in there Respective Wards, & to be accountable for ye same, to
the Selectmen, & the Allowance shall be. Two Shillings and Eight pence
p. Day for a man, & that boys & Teams be Left to ye Surveyors to sett ye
Vallue, A ye Surveyors shall give Timely Notice to the Persons Taxed in
their Lists, not Less than three days and the High way work shall be
done, some time between the first day of April & ye first Day of Novem-
ber, and att no other Times, Except in Cases where it may Happen that
there may be Necessity.
'•Voted That this meeting be Adjourned to ye ISth Instant, att one of
the Clock in ye afternoon, to this Place.
'■Daniel Epes, Jun'., Dist*. Clerk."
"The Inhabitants met according to Adjournment.
"Voted to Excuse David Goodale from being Constable this year.
" Voted John Swinerton Constable in ye room of David Goodale.
" Voted Jonathan Twiss Surveyor of _high ways in ye room of James
Goold.
" Voted Samuel Osbon, Jun' , Surveyor of high ways in ye Room of
James Buxton.
"It being put to Vote whither ye Inhabitants will raise Two Hundred
Pounds LawfuU mony, to Defray y" Charges of ye District, & the County
Tax, Exclusive of high ways for this present year It passed in ye Af-
firmative.
" It being put to Vote whither ye Inhabitants will raise one Hundred
& Fifty pounds LawfuU mony, to Defray the High way charges. It
past in the .\fflrmative.
" Voted That y" Swine may go att Largo, provided that they are
yoaked & wringed, Ac, according to Law.
" Voted That Meeti ngs of the District shall be warned for ye future, by
posting attested eoppys of ye Warrants for Catling s^ Meetings, on the
Meeting-House in ye first parish, & on ye Meetiug-House in ye second
parish.
" Voted That ye Selectmen take ye Care of our Interest in ye Alms-
house in Salem.
" Voted That ye Selectmen be Hereby fully Impower.d to Settle with
ye Town of Salem, Relateing to y« School mony, & all other accounts,
and to Receive ye Mony that may be Due from s** Salem to us.
"Voted that ye Selectmen be Impowei-ed & Desired to .\gree with
Borne meet Person to keep a Gramer school in ye District as soon as may
be.
" Voted Ebenezer Jacobs Constable iu ye Room of Roger Derby.
" Daniel Epes, Jun^., Dist. t^erk."
Within two years boundaries were run between the
district and all the adjoining towns, and many other
measures taken, but the more the inhabitants acted
after the manner of towns, the more impatient they
grew to become a town. So on the 3d of February,
1755, they passed a vote " that it be the minds of the
Inhabitants that the said District be erected into a
seperate Town Ship, & that tlie said Daniel Epes,
Junr., Esq., be and hereby is desired and impowered
to prefer a Petition to the Great and General Court,
and to use bis Endeavours to get the same affected.-"
The act which conferred the full powers of a town
upon Danvers, was not, liowever, passed until June
9th, 1757, and then only after persistent demands and
against the protest of Thomas Hutchinson, Gov-
ernor.
The population of the town at its incorporation was
not far from 2000. The first State census, 1765, gives
it then 2133. Subsequent figures may, for conveni-
ence, be given here:
177C 2,284
1790 2,425
1800 2,(143
1810 3,127
1820 3,646
1830 4,228
1840 5,020
1850 8,106
18601 5,110
1865 5,114
1870 6,600
1880 6,.')98
In 1759 this memorandum was entered on the town
records :
" Reel of Daniel Epes, Jun'., a Province Note of twenty pound For
supporting the French Neutrals the year past, Being the Charge the
Town was at for the Same."
It recalls the melancholy event of Longfellow's
" Evangeline." The English expelled some thousand
of these inoffensive people from Acadia in 1755, and in
the scattering a few came to Danvers. The only other
mention of the unfortunate people is eight years later,
when, on the question of supply, "they being gooing
off," these voi.es were passed :
" Voted: to give the French Neutrals something.
" Voted: that the Overseers of the Poor shall allow the French people
what they shall think just, and to be drawn out of the Treasury, and
then the moderator dissolved the meeting."
It is common to find in the town records of a hun-
dred years ago assessors' returns of the " Number of
Coaches, Chaises, etc., in the Town of Danvers." There
is an air of aristocracy in these lists, containing the
names of those rich enough to "ride in chaises." But
twenty-three persons in the whole town owned these
vehicles in 1784. Those owning " fall back" chaises
were Hon. Samuel Holten, Israel Hutchinson, Esq-,
Nathaniel Pope, Arch. Rea, Colonel Jere. Page,
Joseph Flint, Widow Mercy Porter, Daniel Jacobs,
Jr., Samuel Gardner, Captain Timothy Orne, Widow
Elizabeth Poole Nathaniel Putnam owned two
"standing-top " chaises, and the following, one each :
Benj. Putnam, Zorub. Porter, Colonel Enoch Putnam,
Captain Wm. Shillaber, Jos. Southwick, Jr., John
Dodge, Ebenezer Dale, Arch. Putnam, Phinehas Put-
nam, Amos Putnam, Gideon Putnam.
Regiirding maps of the town, as early as 1794, the
selectmen were directed to take a plan of tlie town in
accordance with a Legislative act. No further action
was taken until 1830, when the same instructions
were repeated, and the next year the selectmen were
1 Town divided in 1855.
DANVERS.
443
authorized to publish a map if they should thiuk
proper. After some sixteen years, three lawyers,
Northeiid, Abbott and Proctor, were directed to make
a complete survey of the town for the correction of
the plate. The maps of the old town of Danvers,
now somewhat rare, embellished with cuts of "The
Naunikeag House, North Danvers, E. G. Berry,"
" Moses Black, Jr., Wood and Coal-Yard, Danvers-
port," "Third Congregational Church," and a few
scenes in South Danvers, are printed from this plate.
For about half a century, commencing with ISlti, it
was the custom of Danvers people to be reminded of
the dinner-hour and of bed-time by the ringing of
church-bells. In the year mentioned it was first
voted " that the Bells be rung at 12 o'clock at noon
and at 9 o'clock A. M. (P. M.), provided it docs not
cost more than S25 at each Meeting-House."
In 1832 Moses Black and others succeeded in add-
ing the music of "the Bell at the Neck." The prac-
tice has' been discontinued since 1863, except for a
single year (1874), when the sextons rang its final
knell. The dinner-hour seems likely to take care of
itself, but if the later alarm could shorten the average
"evening out" it might be well to bring it back
again.
There were at least two flourishing local military
companies a half a century ago. These were the
Artillery Company and the Danvers Light Infantry.
Doubtless much of interest might be written concern-
ing both. This reijuisition was found among the
old papers in the town-house.
"Dasvers Oct. 4th, ISie.
" Gentlemen :
'* Having been ordered to parade the conipnny which I command for
tlie purpose of inspection and review of arms on the l'>th day of the pres-
ent month, it is my duty to request you. Gentlemen, and I do lien-by re-
quest you. to provide a quantity of good powder sufficient for ItK) men
(tiiat lieing tlie number born on the company roll) agreeable to the 23d
section of Massachusetts Militia Law.
" Yours with respect,
" D.\MEL Prestos.
"Gentlemen Selectmen for Danvers."
Captain Felton presented a similar requisition for
blank cartridges for his company of forty-five ; and
Captain Asa Tapley, Jr., for seventy men.
By-laws respecting fires, "better to promote the
more populous part of the town " against danger,
were formulated as early as 1819.
At the annual meeting of 1840, the need of a more
complete system of by-laws was met by the election
of Dr. Andrew Nichols, J. W. Proctor, John Page,
Eben S. Upton and Elias Putnam as a committee of
revision and construction, which committee reported
to the meeting which elected them that " on examin-
ing the existing by-laws, they find them so imperfect
and incomplete as to demand an entire revision and
new arrangement. . . . They would^ recommend
that a committee of one from each school district,
together with the selectmen and clerk prepare such
a system of by-laws as in their judgment the interests
of the town require, etc.," and that the same be
printed, distributed and acted upon the next year.
This committee were: No. 1, John W. Proctor; No.
2, Moses Black, Jr. ; No. 3, Elias Putnam ; No. 4,
John Preston ; No. 5, Jeremy Hutchinson ; No. 6,
Nathaniel Felton; No. 7, Daniel P. King; No. 8,
Samuel Brown, Jr.; No. 9, John Mansfield; No. 10,
Elias Needham ; No. 11, Andrew Nichols; No. 12,
Henry Poor; No. 13, Samuel Preston.
Eight years afterwards the subject was revived, and
John W. Proctor. Dr. Nichols, Moses Black, Jr., A.
A. Abbott and Nathaniel Pope were appointed to
draft a new code. At the first annual meeting after
the division of the town, that is, in 1856, it became
necessary to take a fresh start, and Moses Black, Jr.,
Eilwin Mudge and Francis Dodge were appointed to
perfonu the duty. In 1874 important revisions wore
made at the suggestion of a committee chosen for the
purpose, namely. Rev. C. B. Rice, Israel W. Andrews
and Henry A. Perkins. The last revision, 1883, was
made by a committee consisting of Rev. C. B. Rice,
D. N. Crowley, I. W. Andrews and George Tapley.
The part which Danvers took in the Revolution
which came soon after the incori)oration of town has
been spoken of separately. During aud some time
after the Revolution the people of the town were con-
cerned about small-pox, which in October, 1773,
seemed "to spread in several of our neighboring
Towns," and Ebenezer Goodale and Dr. Joseph Os-
good were chosen to take preventive measures against
its appearing here. Though in some respects an un-
pleasant topic to write of or to read of, nevertheless
much may be learned from the records of these years,
before Jenner's great discovery, of the way in which
inoculation, which preceded vaccination, was regarded.
In the spring of 1777, Benjamin Porter and others pe-
titioned "to see if the town will grant Leave to inocu-
late for the Small-pox in that part of the Town called
the Neck from the house of Beuj". porter to the
Bridge By Abel Watterses, the Town inhabitants only
unless their should not so many of the inhabitants
appear to Be Inoculated as could be convend in that
case to take in persons From other towns ; also to
choose a committee to regulate the affair," and an-
other committee to apply to the General Court for
their approbation. The record of the meeting which
considered this petition is short and to the point :
"At a Leagel meeting of the inhabitants of Danvers, may lilth. 1777,
Voted. Dr. .\mo3 putnam moderator ; Voted not to Xi-t on the K.-quest
of Uenj". porter and others ; Voted to Desolvo sJ meeting, the mmlenitor
Declared s** meeting Desolved.*'
The next year, measures were taken for suitable
quarters " for the reception of those persons belonging
to this Town who shall be taken with tlie Small Pox
the natural way." Another move was also made for
"Liberty to Inoculate such persons ;i8 shall chuse to
take the Small Pox that way belonging to this town ; "
it had a momentary success :
"VoUd to Inoculate in the Town for the Small Pox.
"Voted to reconsider the vote respecting Inoculation.
"Voted to dismiss the clause in the warrant respecting Inoculation :
Voted that this meeting be Disolved."
444
HISTOEY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
In May, 1778, the advocates of inoculation gained
more substantial yet temporary success. It was then
voted "that Captain Derby's house be set apart for
the Inoculation in this Town," and three men, whose
names signify the interest taken in the matter. Cap-
tain Daniel Jacobs, Major Caleb Low and Major Sam-
uel Epes, were appointed "to regulate said affair."
In less than a fortnight Ezekiel Marsh and others
brought to the selectmen their petition to put a stop
to inoculation at the Derby farm, though when the
selectmen issued their warrant it contained also an-
other petition, of Benjamin Balch and others, for in-
oculation " in that part of the town called the Neck."
The former petition was granted ; the latter, refused.
Feeling ran high on the subject. This last meet-
ing, held on the 8th of June, set the seal of its con-
demnation unequivocally upon the new and absurd
idea. But it was not enough ; it should be killed and
buried beyond resurrection. Therefore, four days
later another warrant was posted at the meeting-
houses giving notice of a meeting on the 15th of June
to take into consideration the desire of Mr. Arch's
Dale and others for a final stop of the business, and
it seems worth while to quote at length from the rec-
ord of this meeting. Mr. Dale was himself modera-
tor.
" Voted to put a final Stop to the Small Pox by luoculation in Capt
Derby's House, that was allowed of by the Town dureing their Pleasure ;
voted that the Stop take place this Day ; voted no person be allowed to
enter into Said Derby's House after the I5il' of June, 1778, for Inocula-
tion ; voted if any Doctr or any other person after the Said 15th Day of
June, 1778, Shall Inoculate any Person whatever with the Small Pox in
si House or Teritoriee thereto belonging, Sha>U be liable to pay the Same
fine that they would have been liable to have paid had they Inoculated
without leave from the Town, and incur the Town's Displeasure ; voted
if any Person whatever Shall, after the Said 15 of June. 1778, Enter the
Said House or teritories thereunto belonging and be Inoculated contrary
to the True Meaning of the Town, Shall pay the Same Fines & Suffer
the Same Penaltye, which by Law they are liable to as those Persons
that Inoculate in their own Houses.
" Voted that all the votes and orders of the Town respecting the Stop-
ing of the Inoculation that have or Shall pass be fairly Copied of by the
Clerk and immediately Sent to the Docters and others Concerned ; voted
to Choose a Committee ; voted the Committee to Consist of three ; voted
Capt William Shillaber, Stephen Needliam and Anron Osborn be Said
Committee, whose business Shall be to duly Inspect into and See that
every vote and order of the Town respecting the Sloping of Said Inocu-
lation be faithfully Complied with, and to prosecute any and every Per-
son (if need be) that dotli not Comply with the Same. Voted to Disolve
this Meeting, and the Moderator declared the Meeting Disolved accord-
ingly.
"Attest: Stephen Needuam, TofcH Clerk."
Thus the matterremained for twelve years. Not till
1792 was any proposition bearing upon the subject
brought before the town, and then public opinion had
so far changed as to allow " persons to inoculate in
proper places," under the superintendence of another
committee of solid men.
At the annual meeting of 1793 the town was asked
to consider if any allowance should be made " to some
of the Persons that have had the Small pox that are
poor; " and three pounds were voted to Nathan Up-
ton, who was an unfortunate victim of the " natural
way."
More than twenty years later " vaccination '' was for
the first time the subject of public action. General
Gideon Foster's name was at the head of a petition
for a town-meeting, held in July, 1815, for the especial
purpose of considering the expediency of accepting
certain proposals oifered by one Dr. Fansher. They
were as follows :
"Dr. Fansher begs leave respectfnlly to propose to the Town of Dan-
vers that he will (in case it meets the approbation of the Town) Vacci-
nate at such places in the different Neighborhoods throughout the Town
as shall be designed by a Committee for the Children to assemble for
that purpose, and attend and examine his patients at the proper time
to see that each individual are secure from the danger of the small Pox
at 25 cents per head, and he believes that no person can possible do this
nice business and do it justice for a smaller fee and be the gainer."
These proposals were accepted with the provisions
reserved — there must be some Yankee to the trade —
that all above six hundred were to be treated gratis.
And if any one doubts that this Dr. Fansher was an
important man just at this time, let him read the names
of the committee chosen to inspect him, " two from each
district and three in the districts where the clergymen
reside:" No. 1, Rev. Samuel Walker, Squires Shove,
Fitch Pool ; 2, Rev. Jere. Chaplin, Nath'l Putnam ;
3, Zerub'l Porter, Eben Putnam, Jr. ; 4, Eleazer Put-
nam, Daniel Putnam; 5, Rev. Benj. Wadsworth, Jo-
seph Hutchinson ; fi, Nathan Felton, Jonathan Proc-
tor; 7, Jesse Upton, Asa Gardner; 8. John Marsh,
Amos King, 3d; 9, John Mansfield, John Douty ; 10,
Jona. Walcut, John Jacobs; 11, Gideon Foster, Eli-
jah C, Webster ; 12, Riuh'd Osborn, Nathan Poor.
The following resolutions passed also at this time
are well in advance of the times:
" Resolved, That this Town entertain a high opinion of Vaccination,
and consider it (when condncted by skilful and experienced hands) a
sure and certiiin substitute for the small Pox.
"Resolved, That this Meeting deems it the indispensable duty of a
community to make use of the means that Divine Providence has given
us to guard against every impending evil to which we are exposed, espe-
cially those which involve the health or the Lives of the Inhabitants."
CHAPTER XXXIII.
DANVERS {Continued).
REVOLUTIONARY HLSTORY.
Not long after the incorporation of Dan vers, began
the muttering of discontent all through the colonies
because of the hardness of heart of the Pharaoh
beyond the seas, and his oppression of his people.
Long, long years was the storm brewing, and only the
few saw with prophetic eye in the play of lightning
on the distant cloud the outlines of that fearful word,
Revolution. These years sifted out the hearts of men
with crucial test, and when from the nearing cloud
rolled out the thunder of war, patriotism had heroes
for leaders.
The " writs of assistance " were issued in 1761 ; the
DANVERS.
445
odious stamp act passed in 1765, when .Franklin
wrote, "The sun of liberty is set," and American
merchants agreed to non-importation until its repeal.
lu that year the Colonial Congress met in New
York at the invitation of jMassachusetts, which form-
ulated the rights of colonists, beginning " No taxation
without representation." New taxes and the act for
the enforced quartering of troops by citizens in 17()7;
tlie refusal of Boston to furnish quarters; the
order for the arrest and transmission to England of
leaders of the opposition ; three years of constant
irritation and a massacre in the streets of Boston,
March, 1770 ; the tea-party, December, 1773 ; the
Boston Port iiill ; the first Continental Congress;
John Hancock's Provincial Congress at Cambridge
and its measures for committees of safety and minute
men, 1774; then Lexington, war, independence, the
United States of America.
Danvers kept pace with these events. How well
its citizens grasped the situation of the times and how
forcibly and well they expressed themselves, it has
been left on the records for any to read who will.
They came together after the passage of the stamp
act ; Thomas Porter was their representative in the
General Court, and these are the words in which they
instructed him :
" S', we the Freeholders and Other InhabitAnts of said Town of Dan-
vyrs, in Town Meeting assembled the Twenty-Jirst of October, A. D.
1765, Professing the Greatest Loyalty to onr Most Gracions Sovereign
and our Sincere Regard and Reverence for the Brittish Parliament as
the Most Powerful] and Respectable Body of Men on Eartii, yet being
Deeply Sensible of the Difficidtys and Distresses to which that August
Assembly's Late Exertions of their Power in and by the Stamp Act, must
Necessarily Expose us, Thinks it Proper, in the Present Critical Con-
juncture of affairs, to give you the following Inetructiong, Viz : That you
Promote and Readily Joyn in yucli Dutifull Remonstrances and Humble
Petitions to the King and Parliament and Otlier Decent Measures as
may have a Tendency to Obtain a Repeal of the Stamp Act or aleviation
of the Heavy Burdens thereby Imposed on the Britlisli Colonies.
And in as Much as great Tunnilts Tending to the Subversion of Gov-
ernment have Latel.v Happened & Several Outrages Committed by some
Evil Minded People in the Capital Town of this Province, you are there-
fore Directed to Bear Testimony against and do all in your Power to
Seppress & prevent all Riortoss Assemblys and unlawfull Acts of "N'io-
lence upon the Persons or Substances of any of his ^lajesty's Subjects ;
And that yon Do not give your Assent to an.v Act of Assembly that shall
Imply the Willingness of your Constitmiuts to Submit to any Internal
Tax that are or shall be Imposed on us (Hherwise than by the tJreat and
General Court of this Province, according to the Constitution of this
Government, and that you be cavefull not to give your .\3sent to any
Extravigant Grants out of the Publick Treasurery.
"Other Matters wo leave to your Prudence, Trusting you will Ai-t
with Honour A Justice to your Constituanis and Due Regard to the
Publick Wellfair.
"Attest: Akc". Dale, T. Cler.
On the 20th of September, 17C8, a meeting was
held at the North Meeting-house to "see if the town
shall send one or more persons to joyn committies of
Boston and other towns in a convention to be holdeii
at Fanueil Hall on the 22nd instant," and by unani-
mous vote Mr. Samuel Holten, Jr., was desired to
represent the town in the convention. In December
following he was voted two pounds and fifteen shil-
lings for his service. Dr. Holten was charged " to
look well to the rights of the people," and so con-
spicuous was his service among the " Sons of Liberty"
that, as will be seen, they were in con^tant requisi-
tion wherever there was work for a mind ready f(jr
wise counsel and a heart full of untiring devotion.
Let a few words be here written of him, just as his
name first a[ij)ears, though it be partly in anticii>ation
of events which should follow later.
Samuel Holten was born June 9, 1738; he died
January 2, 1S16, in the seventy-eighth year of his
age, and is recalled as an old man by a few very old
citizens. He was of the third generation from Jo-
seph Houlton, an original settler of Salem Village,
and one of the honored heads, the line being Jose|>li,
Henry, Samuel, Samuel. Samuel, Jr., studied medi-
cine with Dr. Jonathan Prince, whose home was on
the southern slope of the Asylum hill. He began
practice w'hen quite young in Gloucester, but soon
returned here. In his thirtieth year he was chosen
representative to the General Court. His services in
the convention of 17(38 have been alluded to. He was
in the Provincial Congress of 1775, an active member
of the general Committee of Safety, a member of the
Executive Council under the provisional government,
and soon his profession and all other interests, save
those of his country, were abandoned. He was a
delegate in 1778 to the Congress which framed the
Articles of Confederation, being forty years old when
his sphere of usefulness so brt)adened, and at some
time he presided over the body, thus occupying tem-
porarily " the first seat of honor in his country." He
was five years in Congress under the confederation,
and two under the constitution. ril-he:ilth prevented
his longer acceptance of the willing suffrages of his
constituents. At home, he was five years in the Sen-
ate and twelve years in the Council. Though he
seems to have made no special study of law, his rep-
utation for probity and good sense was such that he
was appointed as early as 1776 a judge of Common
Pleas for Essex County, a po-ition which he held
about thirty-two years. From 179G to 1815 he was
judge of probate for Essex County. Duties to the
State and the country did not, however, alienate him
from the small afiairs of his own town. His name
will appear most conspicuously in the lists of town
officers, — selectman, town-clerk, moderator, treasurer
for twenty-four years, even hog-reeve. In the church
and parish he was equally useful, being often instru-
mental as an arbiter in matters of difference and del-
icacy to bring them to a happy issue. His home was
the somewhat ancient and stately house where the
street which bears his name makes, after passing
through Tapleyville, a sharp bend to the Village
church, — now owned by Thomas Palmer. A remi-
niscence of his early practice as a [ihysician has been
preserved, —
Mr. Jebemiaii Pace to Sam'i. IIoltkn, .Inn., Dr.
1703. ^ '■ ■'■
Jan 2ti to Keby 3d. To eleven visits & divere preparations of
medicines for your first child 1 17 10
446
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Feb 16 to March 7. To 15 visits & sundry medicines prepared
and exliibited for your last child
12 0
0 10
28th. By medicines returned 28. Sd.
March 14. By cosh to make cliaogo.
Errors Excep'd
S.iM'L HOLTEN Jr
four shillings and 13fi. gave in.
The Holten High-School and the Holteii Cemetery,
wherein he is buried, also bear his name. He was
one of the incorporators of the Massachusett-i Medi-
cal Society in 1781, and of the Massachusetts Society
for Promoting Agriculture in 1792. He is described
as majestic in form, yet graceful, of pleasing counte-
nance and engaging manners. " He was not a bril-
liant man, and perhaps not a great man in ability for
any one line of action ; but he was great in capacity
for general accomplishment, in balance of mind and
in the easy and regular and effective working of all
his faculties upon whatever service they might be
employed. He was faithful, too, in every (rust. All
things considered, he was the most remarkable man
the town has ever produced." He left two daughters,
one of whom married Dr. George Osgood, the other,
Jethro, son of Colonel Enoch Putnam, and the de-
scendants of Jethro's son, Philemon, are still livine
near the old homestead. Having in mind the tradi-
tional dignity and courtly appearance of the doctor,
it occasioned a smile to corae upon Gideon Putnam's
record of a certain very lively meeting over the Wa-
ter's River Bridge, when, "there being a Considerable
Noise, the moderator got up on his seat and Called
for order and made a Speech to the people." This
was the doctor.
The men of Danvers were warned to meet May 28,
1770, " to see what methods said inhabitants will
come into, in regard to the Publick Grievances the
Province Labours under at this Day, in Particular, In
regard to a Duty on Tea, etc., for the sole purpose of
Raising a Revenue out of America, and to Act upon
said affair what may be thought most proper." Dr.
Holten, Arch. Dale, Captain William Shillaber, Dr.
Amos Putnam and Gideon Putnam were instructed to
consider and report, and what they reported was thus
adopted :
" Voted tliat this Town Highly Approve of the Spirited Conduct of the
Merchants of our Metropolis, and the other Maritime Town in this Prov-
ince in an .\greement of Non importation well calculated to Restore our
Invaluable Rights and Liberties. Voted that we will not ourselves (to
our knowledge) or by any person for or under us. Directly or Indirectly
Purcliase of such Person or Persons any Goods whatsoever, and, as far as
we can effect it, will withdraw our connection from every Pei-son who
shall Import Goods from Great Britain Contrary to the agreement of the
Merclianis aforesaid.
*' Voted that we will not Drink any foreign Tea ourselves, and use our
best Endeavours to prevent our Families, and those Connected with them,
from the use thereof; from this Date until the Act imposing a Duty on
that Article be repealed, or a general Importation shall take place. Cases
of sickness Excepted.
" Voted, that the Town Choose a Committee of Twelve men to carry a
Copy of these votes to every Householder for him to sign, and in case
any Person refuse to sign ; as above said, he shall be Looked upon as an
Enemy to the Liberties of the people, and shall have their Name Regis-
ter'd in the Town Book.
" Voted, that a copy of these votes be printed in the Essex Gazette, that
the Publick may know the sentiments of this town. The foregoing re-
port being several times read, voted to accept the report by a unanimous
vote.
'* Voted, John Nichols, Archs. Dale, Benj'. Putnam, Dr. Amos Putnam,
Capt. Flint, Benj". Russell, Jun'., Samuel Gardner, Jona. Tarbel, Jesper
Needham, Wrn. Shillaber. Joseph Seccomb & Deacon Benj*. Sawyer ; Be
a Committee for the purposes mentioned in the foregoing report. Then
the Moderator Dissolved the Meeting.
" Attest: Sam'l Holten, Junr., T. Cler."
In this connection a story is told of the wife of a
distinguished patriot who, not quite able to forego the
luxury of enjoying with a few callers a sip of the for-
bidden beverage, kept within the agreement not to
drink a drop within the house, by entertaining them
on top of the house. The incident has been charm-
ingly told in the verse of Lucy Larcom. The old
house is a conspicuous figure on the Plains, and one
can easily imagine, within the low railing which still
surrounds the easy slope of the upper portion of the
gambrel roof, that little party enjoying their innocent
rebellion. A story is told, too, of the suspicion of
certain husbands of the south parish that a large
coffee-pot "several sizes smaller than a common light-
house," was surreptitiously used by their wives at
quiltings and such gatherings, for tea-drinking, and
the practice was effectively broken up by the discov-
ery, one night when the grounds were being concealed
as usual behind the back-log, of what remained of
one of those little creatures which inhabit gardens,
hop well and look ugly.
A number of years after, licenses to sell tea were
issued, in this form :
"Mrs. Mercy Porter is permitted to sell Bohea and other India Teas
by Retail for one year to commence from the Day of the Date hereof.
" Danvers, Feb'y 2U, 1782.
** Sylvester Proctor. | Selectmen
" Daniel Putnam. t of
"Stephen Needham. J Danvers."
Similar permits were at the same time granted to
Major Samuel Epes, John Dodge, Eben'r Sprague,
Captain Gideon Foster, Zach. King, David Foster,
Nathan Proctor and Captain Samuel Page.
In the middle of January, 1773, the worshippers
at the North Meeting-House and at the South Meet-
ing-House, found posted conspicuously a warrant
under the hand of Gideon Putnam, town clerk, calling
upon the freeholders and other inhabitants to assem-
ble in town-meeting at two o'clock on the afternoon
of the following day at the South Meeting-House " to
see what method said inhabitants will take in order
that our civil Privileges may be Restored and trans-
mitted Inviolate to the latest Posterity." At the
meeting so called Joseph Southwick was moderator.
A motion was carried to choose a committee to take
into consideration our civil privileges and to " Draw
up something proper for the town to act." It was
voted that Francis Symonds, Benjamin Proctor, Gid-
eon Putnam, Captain William Shillaber, Doc'r Amos
Putnam, Tarrant Putnam, Jun., and Wm. Pool be
this committee. In two weeks the committee pre-
sented this report :
DANVERS.
447
"Tho Freeholders & other Inhahitiiiita of tiio Town of Danveia Leg-
ally assembled, by adjourument y 1st Day of February, 1773, Taking
into Consideration the Fnhappy Situation of our Civil Privileges, — I'ro-
ceedeii to Vasa the Following Itesolves— (viz. :)
" I, that we will use our utmost Endcavoui's that all Constitutional
Law8 are Strictly adhearcd to. and Faithfully Executed, believing that
Next to our duty to Gud, Loyalty to our King (in a Constitutional way)
in Required in Order to the wellbeingof the Coniniunity.
** II. that when Government becomes Tyrannical & Oppresive we hold
oursi'lves bound in Puty to Ourselves, & Posterity, to uae every Lawful
Method to Check the Same, least it Deprive the Subject of Every Priv-
lepc that is Yaluable.
"Ill, that it is the Opinion of this Town, that the Eights of tho Col-
lonists in General, & this Province in Particular, have of lato been
ftreatly Infringed ui)on by the Mother Country by unconstitutional
Measurs which have been Adopted by tho Ministry, tending wholly to
Overthrow our Civil Privileges, Particularly in Assuming the Power of
Legislation for the Colonists, in Raising a Revenue in the Colonies
withouttheir Consent, in Creating a Number of officers Unknown in
the Charter, and investing such Officers with Powers wholly unconsti-
tutional, and Distnirtivo to the Liberties we have a right to Enjoy as
Engleshmen ; in Rendering the Governor Independent of the General
Assembly for his support, and by Instructions from the Court of Great
Brittain tho first Branch uf our Legislature has so far forgot his Duty to
the Province, as that he hath Refused his Consent to an Act imposing a
Tax for the Necessary support of Government, \inless Certain Persons
Pointed out by the Ministry were Exempted from Paying their just
Proportion of said Taxe-s. and hath Given up the Chief Fortress of the
Province (Oastle William) into the Hands of Troops, over whoom he
Declared he had no Controul ; in Extending the Power of the Courts of
Vice Admiralty to such a Degree as Deprives the People of the Collonies
{in Great Measure) of their inestimable Rights of Tryals by juries, &. in
that we have Reason to fear (from Information) the judges of the Supe-
rior Court & &c., are Rendered independent of the People fur their
Liberties.
"IIII, that an act of Parliament intitled an Act for the better Perser.
vation of his Majestifs dockyards & &c. (in consequence of which, Com
inissioners have been Appointed to inquire after the Persons, Concerned
in burning liis Majesties Schooner, the Gaspee, att Providence) haS
Greatly Alarmed us tlio we are very far from Pretending to justyfy tlie
Act, yet we Apprehend Such Methods very Extraordinary, as tho Con-
stitution has Made Provision fur the Punishment of Such Offenders—
by all which it appears to uh, that in Consequence of Some Unguarded
Conduct of Particular IVrwrns, the Colonies in General, and this Prov-
ince in Particular are, fi.r our Loyalty, Constantly receiving the Punish-
ment due to Rebellion Only.
"V, that we will use all Lawful Endeavours for Recovering, main-
taining & Preserving the invaluable rights & Privileges of this People
and Stand Ready (if need be) to Risque our Lives & fortunes iu De-
fence of those Liberties which our forefathers Purchased at so Dear a
Rate.
*'VI, that the Inhabitnnts of this Town do hereby Instruct their Rep.
resentative, that he use his Intlueuce, in tho Great A General Court, or
Assembly of this Province, & in a Constitutional way Earnestly Con.
tend for the just Rights & Privileges of the People that they may be
handed down inviolate to the Late t Posterity, and as this depends iu a
Great Measure on the Steady, firm and United Endeavours of all the
Provinces on the Continent, we further Instruct him to uae his influ-
ence that a Strict Union & Correspondence be Cultivated k Preserved
between the Same, and that they Unitedly Petition his Majesty A; Parli-
ment for the Redress of all our Publick grievancies ; we further In-
struct him, by no Means to ("onsent to give up any of our Privileges,
whether Derived from Nature or Charter whicli we has as just a Right
to Enjoy as any of the Inliabitants of Great Brittain ; also that lie use
his Endeavours that ample and Honorable Sallarios be Granted to his
Excellency, the Governor, and to the Iloueiablo judges of the Superior
Court & Ac, adequate to their Respective I)ignities.
"The foregoing was Put to vote Paragraph by Paragraph and they
all past in the aflRrmative.
"Fo/erf, that a Committee of three men be appointed to Correspond
with the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Boston and
Other Townsin this Province as Ocation shall or may Require.
**Vnted, Doctor Samuel Holten be one of Said Committee.
'*l'o(*'d, Tarrant Putnam, Jur., be one of Said Comniittee.
*^Voted^ Capt. William Shillaber be one of Said Connnitlee.
"Vvtcd, that the above Committee be Desiied to Send an attested Copy
of the Resolves of this Town to the Committee of CorrespondcTice of tlio
Town of lioston."
" Voted, Umi this meeting be Desolved A the moderator Dcsolved it
accordingly.
'* Attest, Gideon Putnam, T. Clerk."
Early in June, 1774, the Royal Governor, Ck'nenil
Thomas Gago, finding Boston too hot to be comfort-
able, came out ioto the country and made his resi-
dence in Danvers. The place thus distinguished, not
far from the present division line of Danvers and Pea-
body, called the *' Collins House," the residence of
Francis Peabody, has been kept in repair and pre-
served with fiue taste in colonial style, and with its
approach bordered by lines of ancient over-hanging
trees, is one of the finest old mansions to be seen
anywhere. It was built by Robert Hooper, a mag-
nate of literal " codfish aristocracy." He was the son
of a poor man but rose to great wealth, and for a
time nearly monopolized the fishing business of Mar-
blehead. Partly from the grandeur of his mode of
life and equipages, but more especially because of his
personal honor and integiity he was commonly
called "King Hooper." It is a tradition among the
fishermen that he, rare exception to men similarly
engaged, never cheated them or took advantage of
their ignorance. He built this house in Danvers
about 1770. While Governor Gage resided here he
was attended by a strong detaclnnent of the Sixty-
Fourth Royal Infantry, who were encamj)cd on the
opposite plain. The })resence of these soldiers was to
the growing hostility of the people, what the color of
their uniforms is to the animal typically representing
English character. They were under good discipline
and generally behaved themselves well. The grand-
mother of Deacon Fowler, a daughter of Archelaus
Putnam, remembers that one day two ollicers sur-
prised her in C»tlonel Hutchinson's, her stepfather's,
orchard at New Mills. To <uie who commenced to
climb the fence, the other said, *' Wait till the girl
goes away; do not frighten her." Mrs. Fowler used
to relate of Governor Gage that he often conversed
with Colonel Hu'chinson, was aft'able and courteous,
and once, while sitting on a log beibre the door, he
said, " We shall soon (|uell these feelings and govern
all this," sweeping out his arm with an expressive
ge-ture. The camp was watchful against surprise, re-
alizing how unwelcome was its presence, and of what
a lively spirit of rebellion tliey were in the midst.
"Part of the Sixty-Fourlh Regiment encamped near
the Governor's, we hear, were under arms all last
Friday," reads a contemporaneous newspaper item.
Some pranks were played on the troops; at the drum-
call to arms, a man so well disgtiised as to make his
identity uncertain, but said to have been Aaron
Cheever, dashed in on horseback shouting " Hurry to
Boston I the Devil is to pay !" Early in Se]>tcinbcr
the regiment departed. There was a large oak on the
plain which had been used for a whipping-post in the
camp. The timber of this tree was afterwards used in
448
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
building the frigate Essex at Salem. The iron-stajile
to which the British soldiers were .strung up for the
lash was found imbedded in the wood, which, by a
singular turn, became the stern-post of the frigate.
As oue passes the old Collins house it is common
to hear of a bullet-hole which has been preserved in
the door, and there are various stories as to where the
bullet came from. Hon. Daniel P. King stood
sponsor to one of which this is the substance: On
the gate-posts were large balls, ornamented with lead.
A party of patriots going to join the army helped
themselves to this precious material. The owner
came to the door and remonstrated with such abusive
epithets that a man hinted that his presence could
be dispensed with by firing pretty near where he
stood. " King Hooper" was supposed to be tainted
with toryism. At a town-meeting in May, 1775, "a
letter was read from Mr. Hooper, voted not satisfac-
tory to the inhabitants." Later he made, in Marble-
head, a more public recantation, and was received
again in public favor, but he died, in 1790, insolvent.
The house passed to the hands of Judge Benajah
Collins, whose name it commonly bears. At one
time it was in the Tapley family, and again owned
and occupied by Rev. P. S. Ten-Broeck, who kept a
girls' boarding-school there. It is said there were but
two native born Danvers tories, — Rev. William
Clark, sou of Rev. Peter Clark, who, in 1768, was an
Episcopal minister in Quincy, and was afterwards
confined in a prison-ship in Boston harbor; the other,
James Putnam, went to Halifax, became one of the
council and a judge of the Supreme Court, and died
at St. Johns in 1789.
In the winterof 1774-75 the clouds grew very black,
the mutterings more unmistakable. On the 21st of
November the town turned its back to England by
voting to adhere strictly to all the resolves and recom-
mendations of the Provincial Congress. Early in Jan-
uary each man was supplied with " an effective fire-arm,
bayonet, pouch, knapsack, thirty rounds of cartridges
and ball," and discipline was required three times a
week, and oftener as opportunity may ofi'er. Before
long something happened.
One of the characters of New Mills was Richard
Skidmore, a drummer at the siege of Louisburg, a
soldier and privateersman in the Revolution, and, as
will be noticed, a member of the alarm list of 1814.
At the head of the latter company, an old man, he
vigorously beat the same drum which he had used
at Louisburg. A barrel of rum once fell to his share
of a prize ; as long as it lasted, he said, he heard
" How do you do, Mr. Skidmore ? " but as soon as the
rum was gone, it was " How are you, old Skid ? "
again. Skidmore was a wheelwright, and had made
several vehicles of a pattern not commonly seen in
village shops, gun-carriages. The guns themselves
were concealed somewhere, it is supposed, at the North
Fields. Information of their existence reached Bos-
ton, and Colonel Leslie's regiment was sent to effect
their capture. Of the bloodless re])ulse at North
Bridge, the persistent yet prudent conduct of Colonel
Leslie, the valiant resistance of the men who blocked
the march, the story belongs to Salem, and will there
be found. Danvers men flew to the spot as the alarm
spread swiftly over the country. Had one shot been
fired, right there would have begun the war. This
was the 26th of February, 1775.
Some seven weeks later a similar search party
stealthily moved out from Charlestown to seize stores
rejiorted concealed at Concord. Paul Revere was out
that night. Then followed Lexington, and Liberty
entered upon her baptism of blood.
It was between five and six o'clock on the morn-
ing of April 19, that the engagement took place on
Lexington common. The British moved on and
arrived at Concord, some .six or seven miles beyond,
about nine o'clock. By that time the rapid alarm had
reached Danvers, sixteen miles away. It met with
instant response. Two companies of minute men and
three companies of militia, from one hundred and
fifty to two hundred men, hurried to the scene of ac-
tion. Learning of the retreat from Concord, the ob-
jective point was to reach Cambridge soon enough to
cut off the British from effecting a return. To do this
they went on a run, and in a few hours they were in
the midst of action. Few well men could be found
in Danvers that day ; at New Mills not one.
The women who were left alone at New Mills
gathered at the house of Col. Hutchinson to watch
and wait together. To their anxious vigil news ol
the fight came on the evening of the nineteenth.
Were the men safe? Most of them. Were any hurt?
Some. Were any ? Yes, young bride of a few
weeks, your husband, Jotham Webb, was one of the
first martyrs to Liberty. Six others, only one more
than twenty-five years old, lost their lives, of the men
who went out from Danvers, — Henry Jacobs, Samuel
Cook, Ebenezer Goldthwaite, George Southwick,
Benjamin Daland, Jr. and Perley Putnam. Nathan
Putnam and Dennison Wallace were wounded ; Jos.
Bell, missing.
On the evening of the twentieth, several men on
horseback drove up to the house where the women
waited, escorting a horse-cart which bore a precious
burden. On the kitchen floor of that house which is
still standing, the dead were unrolled from the bloody
sheets, and the next morning were taken away for
burial. Danvers suffered more than any other town
after Lexington. The corner-stone of the monument
at the corner of Main and Washington Streets, Pea-
bod}', was erected in commemoration of the dead,
April 20, 1835, the sixtieth anniversary of the fight.
Gen. Gideon Foster, who led the way to Lexington,
took part in the exercises, and a number of survivors
of the fight were present.
Of the five Danvers companies which took part in
the flight, two, commanded by Captains Samuel Epps
and Gideon Foster, were composed mostly of south
DANVERS.
449
parish men, and their master rolls will be found
under the history of Peabody. The three other com-
panies were composed of the following men, most of
them then living; within the present limits of Danvers :
HcTCTtiNsuN's Company. — Captain, Israel Hutchiunon ; Liattennnls,
Enoch Putnam, Aaron Cheever ; Enftiijn, Job Whipple ; Privates, Samuel
Goodrich, Kliphalet Perley, Nathaniel Cheever, Ki)en Andrew, James
Hurley, Samuel Ch;ise, Nathaniel nurtuu, Henry Pwiunels, John Fran-
cis, William Kreetoe, Nathan IMttnain, James Purtor, Tarrant Putnam,
Thoruas White, Samuel Baker. Samuel Fairfielrl, Benjamin Porter {8d),
Jonatlian Sawyer, William Towne, W. Warner, Perley Putnam, Benja-
min Shaw, William Batchelder, Jothain Webb. Also twenty-four men
from Beverly.
Page's Company. — Captain, Jeremiah Pac;e ; Lieutenants, Joseph Por-
ter, Henry Putnam; Emign, Richard Skidnmre; Privates, Samuel Stifk-
uey, James Putnam, Benjann'n Putnam, Sr.. Daniel Bootman, David
Bootman, JdIim Nichols, Jr., Julin Brown. Jethro Putnam, Jeremiah
Putnam, William Feiino, John Ward, Michael Webb, Benjamin Kim-
ball, Benjamin Kent, Stephen Putnam, Joseph Smith, Elisha Hutchin-
son, Benjamin Stickey, Mathew Whipple, Enoch Thurston, PhilUi
Nurse, Robert Endicott, David Felton, Daniel Verry, David Verry.
Archelaus Rca, Jr., James Goody, Nathan Porter, Samuel Whittemore,
Nathan Putnam, Peter Putnam, Samuel Fuwler, Samuel Dutch, Eben
Jacobs, Jr., Samuel Page.
Flint's Com i- aw, —Captain, Samuel Flint; Lieutenants^ Daniel Put-
nam, Joseph Putnam ; Ensign, Israel Putnam ; Privates, Asa TTpton,
Abel Nichols, Thomas Andrew, Amos Tapley, William Putnam, Joseph
Daniels, Joshua Dodge, Jonathan Sheldon, William Goodale, Benjamin
Russell, Siathew Putnam, John Hutchinson, Jr., Aaron Tapley, Levi
Preston, Peter Putnam, John Preston, Daniel Lakeman, Tsrael Cheever,
Eleazer Pope, Jr., Aaron Gilbert, Nathaniel Smith, Jonathan Russell,
Daniel Russell, Jethro Rnssell, John Hutchinson, Stephen Russell, Geo.
Small, Jr., Nathaniel Pope, Jr., Joseph Tapley, Simon Mudge, William
Whittredge, Josiah Whittredge. Eben ^Mclntyre, Jolm Kettel, Benjamin
Nnrse, Eh-a/.er Goodale, Amos Buxton, Jr., Reuben Barthirk, James
Burch, fliichael Cross, Israel Smith.
There was another Danvers man killed at Lexing-
ton, the only cue credited to Medford, — Henry Put-
nam. He was the youngest son of Deacon Eleazer
Putnam, and sold his fatiicr's homestead about 1740
to Phinehas Putnam, great-grandfather of Charles P.
Preston, the present occupant of the estate. Of this
Henry, it is related that, while on a journey from
Medford to Connecticut, he stopped over night at
Bolton, fell in love with his host's daughter, proposed
in the morning, was immediately married, and, with
his bride, drove back her dowry, consisting of two
cows and twelve sheep. He was captain of a company
at Louisburg, and was exempt by age from duty,
when he followed his five sons to Lexington.
The record of the next town-meeting after the bat-
tle, held on 1st day of May, is expressive of the
watchfulness of Danvers :
" Voted that there be two watches kept in the town of Danvers. Voted
that one watch be kept on the road near the new mills and the other
watch at the croch of the roads near Jlr. Francis Symonds. Voted that
each watch consist of 13 men every night. Votid, to choose a Commit-
tee of Seven to regulate thi: watches. Voted, John Nichols, Benjamin
Proctor, Benj. Porter, Capt. Shillahi-r, Nathaniel Brown, Stephen Need-
haniand Deacon Asa Putnam be wiid Committee. Voffd that if any per-
son refuse III watch if warned by the Committee (,or any one of them)
his name shall be returned to tliu Cummiltee of Inspection for this town,
and if his reasons are not judged sufficient he shall be posted in the
newspapers. Voted, to choose a Committee of three persttns to procure
teams to cart stones to Watertown. Mr. Arch Dale, Capt. .John Putnam
& P3r. Jonathan Tarble was chosen. X'otnl, to be concerned with the
nabouriug towns in establishing a post between the towns of Newbury
Port and Cambridge. Doctor Putnam, Mr. Stephen Needham & Capt.
Epea be a Committee to settle the aflair with the nabouring towns. Voted,
'29
as the sonso of this Body of people that we DisapproTe of Fireing any
Guns except hi cases of alarm or actual engagement.'*
A minute may here be made, that in 1850 Danvers
received a courteous invitation to be present at the
75th anniversary of the " Concord Fight," and the
delegation sent were John W. Proctor, John Page,
Robert S. Daniels, Samuel Preston, Henry Cook,
Moses Black, Dr. George Osborne, Daniel Putnam,
Jonathan King, .Samuel P. Fowler, Eben Sutton,
Elias Savage and Fitch Poole. At the centennial an-
niversary our selectmen added to the occasion the
dignity of their presence.
After Lexington the yeomanry suddenly found
themselves a besieging army about Boston. The sec-
ond Centennial Congress met May 10, 1775, recog-
nized the actual existence of war, appointed Washing-
ton commander-in-chief and commissioned four
major-generals ; but the only commission delivered,
and that by the hands of Washington, was to Israel
Putnam, a son of Danvers, whose biography is a mat-
ter of national history.
The watch, which had been maintained since
Lexington, was discontinued July 17, 1775, Congress
having provided a guard for sea-port towns. In Sep-
tember following, Colonel Benedict Arnold camped at
Danvers on his march to Quebec.
And now that which at first was the dream of only
the most daring of the leaders, became moulded into
a great popular idea — Independence. On the 7th of
June, 177*J, Lee, of Virginia, offered in Congress the
resolutions of freedom, which were not adopted until
the 2d of July. But two days after its introduction,
and irrespective of it, for news did not travel by
lightning, the citizens of Danvers were warned to
meet at the South meeting-house, June 18, to con-
sider a resolve of *' the late House of Representatives
passed on the 10th Day of May, 1776," to the effect
that each town should come together to instruct their
representatives in the next General Court whether,
in case of a declaration of independence, by Congress,
"they, the said inhabitants will Solemnly Engage
with their Lives and Fortunes to Support them in the
Measure."
Captain William Shillaber was moderator of the
meeting at which these votes were passed :
r<'/<'f/ that if the Hon''i« Congress for the Safety of thft Ignited Coloneys
Declare them Independent of the Kingdom of grt-at Britain, we the In-
habitants of this Town do Solemnly Engage with our live and Fortuens
to Support them in the Measure.
Voted that the Town Clark be, and hereby is directed Immediately to
Deliver an attesterl Copy of the Proceedings of this Town Resjiectins In-
dependentcy, to 5Iaj'. Samuel Ejies Representative of said Town, fnr his
Instructions how to Proceed in Case the Important (piestion of Indepen-
dentcy should come before the Hon**'" House of Uopresentativca of this
Colony.
The Town taking into Consideration the Paragraph in the Warrant
Respecting giveiug a bounty to their niinnto men voted to give a Bounty
to one quarter part of the militia that shall be Drafted out and stand at a
minutes warning Provided they March voted that the Htmnty or present
Given shall be one pound p' month to Each minute nmn so long as they
Continue in the Province Service, voted to disolve this meeting and the
moderator declared this meeting Disolved accordingly.
" Att STEniBN Needham, T Clark.
450
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
When, on the nation's birth-day the Declaration
was iinally adopted by Congress, it was eagerly wel-
comed in Danvers, adopted without a dissenting vote,
and spread for all to read upon the clerk's records.
The Articles of Confederation were likewise unani-
mously approved, February 9, 1778, but the Consti-
tution proposed for Massachusetts that year met an
unanimous vote the other way. From the summer of
1777 consideration was from time to time given to en-
forcing the " acts respecting the prices of goods and
all other articles in the Town." A meeting was called
July 5, 1779, '" to have the proceedings of Boston of
the 17th of June hist communicated, and to know the
minds of the Inhabitants of the Town respecting a
convention of Delegates from the several commit-
tees of correspondence, etc., in the State proposed to
be held at Concord on Wednesday, the 1 4th in-
stant."
On this it was resolved " that the town will do
all in their power to reduce all the Exorbitant prices
of the necessaries of Life, and Desire one of the
Committee of Correspondence, etc., to attend at the
said convention at Concord if they shall think pro-
per."
Dr. Amos Putnam was moderator of the meeting,
which, August 2, 1779, heard and considered the ac-
tion of the convention. Deacon Edmund Putnam,
Colonel Hutchinson, Archelaus Dale, John Epes,
and Dr. Putnam withdrew, and, after a short ad-
journment, reported " that the resolves and addresses
of the convention are well planned for the Public
Good," and on their recommendation this vote was
passed :
"(Viz.): Renoired, That wo will Exert ourselves jind do all in our
power to carry the Same with all the wholesome Laws heretofore made
for the Like Purpose into Execution, and in Testimony of our Sincerity
therein we recommend that the Inhabitants of this Town here unto Set
their hands by Subscribing their Names from Twenty one years old and
up\Vards and that the Conmiittee of Safty bo Directed to offer y« same to
the Inhabitants, aftoresaiiland deal with all that refuse to Sign the Same
{if any should be) as Directed in the Resolves affores>iid, and that the
Town Clerk be Directed to Give out Copies to the Several members of the
Committee afforesaid for the Like Purpose."
Dr. Putnam, Aaron Cheever, Captain jShillaberand
Archelaus Ilea were added to the Committee of
Safety. At a later time it was voted that " the prices
Set by the Selectmen and Committe of Saftie to the
Several Articles now read with Several resolves ac-
companing the Same be accepttable to the Town
Voted Saml. Epes be a Committe to git a Sefient
Number of the above Prices and resolves Printed."
There was one conspicuous instance of violation
of these regulations. In the record of a meeting,
13, 1779, appears this:
"Voted Mr. Gideon Putnam has violated the resolves of the Conven-
tion at Concord by selling cheese at nine shillings per lb., as by evidence
fnlly appeared.
" Voted Mr. Gideon Putnam be posted in one of the Public Newspapers
of this State for Breaking one of the resolves of the Convention at Con-
cord, as an enemy to his cuntrey.
"Voted not to excuse those persons who have not subscribed their
names to carry the resolves of Concord into Execution. Voted to Post
the Several Persons in the public prints for not complying with the vote
of the Town, as by a List from the Committee of Safety will appear."
Cheese at $1.50 per pound seems rather high, but
scarcity and inflated currency account for it. Rum
was quoted at from $20 to $25 per gallon ; molasses,
£3 19s.; Bohea tea, £5 6s. per lb.; iron, £30 per cwt.,
and other things in proportion. An idea of the pur-
chasing jiower of continental money may be had in
the appropriations made by the town in October,
1880, for " beef for the army." It was voted that the
sum of thirty thousand pounds be raised and assessed
upon the inhabitants for the purpose of procuring beef,
and Enoch Putnam, Jona. Sawyer and Timothy Patch
were appointed a committee to carry out the vote.
The vote to procure beef was then reconsidered, and,
instead, it was voted to send the money direct to the
county committee, of which Samuel Osgood, Esq., of
."Vndover, was one. The following January, 1781, it
was voteil to raise eighteen hundred pounds in silver
or an equivalent in pa[>er money " for the use of the
town to procure Contineutal soldiers." The recruiting
committee were Ezra Upton, John Dodge and Capt.
Samuel Page, who were instructed not to exceed one
hundred and eighty silver dollars for each man for
three years or the war, " exchange of paper money
for silver money at seventy-five for one." At the
same meeting these votes were passed :
" A'oted that this Town be formed into as Many Classes as there are
Soldiers to procure for the Town for three years or During the War
Voted that the Friends be Excused from being Classed with the rest of
the Town. Voted to reconsider the vote respecting not Classing the
Friends, and that the Friends be subject to be Classed with the other
Inhabitants of the Town,"
Thus all through the war those who remained at
home helped to uphold the government and supply
the army. There were brave patriots, then as ever,
who never fired a musket, but were none the less de-
voted and useful.
During the eight terrible years Danvers was repre-
sented at the front as well among the letidersas in the
ranks. On the roll of honor the names of some of her
sons are written very high. Ranking highest were
three Generals, Israel Putnam, Moses Porter, Gideon
Foster ; next, three Colonels, Jeremiah Page, Israel
Hutchinson, Enoch Putnam ; two Majors, Caleb
Lowe, Sylvester Osboru ; six Captains, Samuel Eppes,
Samuel Flint, Jeremiah Putnam, Samuel Page, Den-
nison Wallis, Levi Preston, Johnson Proctor.
Some of these men will bementioned in the history
of Peabody, and others are noticed in other connec-
tions in this sketch. Of two of them. Porter and
Hutchinson, something will here be said:
Moses Porter was an apprentice, eighteen
years old when the war broke out. He helped to
work one of the guns at Bunker Hill, and stuck to
his piece when most of the men had fled. His coun-
try never allowed him to quit it afterwards, says Mr.
Upham, whose words also are these: " From that day
he bore a commission in the army of the United
DANVERS.
451
States. He was retained on every peace establish-
ment always in the artillery, and at the head of that
arm for a great length, and until the day of his death.
No man who fought at Bunker Hill remained so long
a soldier of the United States. After the Revolution,
in which he was wounded, he served with Wayne in
the Indian campaign, and was at the head of the
artillery when the War of 1812 took place. He was
in active service on the Niagara frontier, and on the
luth of September, 1813, was breveted for distin-
guished services. He defended Norfolk, Va., in 1814,
with great ability and vigilance, and saved that most
vital point of coast defense. At successive periods
after the war he was at the head of each of the geo-
graphical military divisions of the country." He died
at Cambridge in 1822, and was buried on his father's
farm, from which his remains have been removed to
Walnut Grove Cemetery. A letter preserved from
Captain Simeon Brown to General (then Lieutenant)
Porter, 1781, says, "I went yesterday to Salem to get
a Dictionary, but there are none to be had, therefore
I cannot send one this time, l>ut .will try at Boston
the first opportunity, and if one can be obtained I
will send it on." Though a reflection on Salem as a
literary centre, the letter speaks well for the young
artillery officer who wanted a dictionary. Moses
Porter never married.
The house which Colonel Israel Hutchinson built,
the one in which the women gathered during that nine-
teenth of April and saw laid out on the floor the dead
heroes brought back from the fight, is still standing at
Danversport, close by the " new mills" which Arche-
laus Putnam built. Indeed, Hutchinson's second wife
was the widow of Archelaus Putnam. For many years
this house remained in the family as the residence of
Briggs T. Eeed, who married the colonel's grand-
daughter, Betsey; it is now owned by the Eastern, or
Boston and Maine Railroad Company, and before long
may give place to a much needed new station. Colo-
nel Hutchin.son was a descendant of the fifth genera-
tion from Richard Hutchinson, the emigrant, who came
from Arnold, England, in lt).j4, and with his wife Alice
and four children, settled near Hathorne's hill. He
was born in 1727 and was living on the Plains in
1762, moving soon after to New Mills, His long and
honorable military record began when he enlisted as
a scout in Captain Herrick's company, in 1757. The
next year, in the Lake George and Ticonderoga cam-
paign he was a lieutenant in Captain Andrew J'uller's
company; the next year a captain, he led a company,
under General Wolfe, up the Heights of Abraham.
A man with this experience was naturally enough
chosen as a leader of the minute-men of '7.">. Soon
after Lexington he was commissioned a lieutenant-
colonel in Colonel Mansfield's regiment, and soon was
promoted to full rank of colonel. He was at the
siege of Boston, and his regiment was one of those de-
tailed to fortify Dorchester Heights. He went to
New York, commanded Forts Washinuton and Lee,
and was with Washington throughout the memorable
retreat through New .lersey. On his return from the
war he was conspicuously honored by his fellow-citi-
zens, who sent him repeatedly to the General Court
and elected him to other offices, until politics entered
more into consideration, and Federalists carried the
day against the colonel and his fellow-Democrats.
In his old age he kept busily engaged at his business,
which had been interrupted by the war. He worked
in his saw-mill until he met there the accident which,
in his eighty-fifth year, caused his death, March 16,
1811. He is buried in the Plains Cemetery. His
son, Israel Hutchii\son, Jr., was a deacon of the Bap-
tist Church and long clerk of the society. The colo-
nel's orderly-book, from August 13, 177."), to July 8,
1776, is in possession of the Massachusetts Histori-
cal Society. It contains a "descriptive list of non-
commissioned officers and privates enlisted in the
county of Essex to serve in the army of the LTnited
States," comprising five hundred and twenty-two
names, including thirty from Danvers.
Colonel Hutchinson is recalled by Deacon Fowler,
wdio was a boy of eleven when he died, as a smart old
man, small in stature, clad in a white frock, working
in his saw-mill. He was accustomed to call the boys
in from the street to help him roll logs. He had not
himself a lazy bone, and he abhorred laziness in
others and despised loafers. His son, the deacon, en-
tertained visiting ministers, and when one of these
guests strolled in to look over the mill, the old man,
taking him for a loafer, threatened to throw him into
the pond.
How gladly the townspeople welcomed the close of
the war, and withal, how vigilant they were for the pre-
servation of the rights so dearly bought, may be judged
from instructions given Colonel Hutchinson, June 9,
1783. After alluding to his conspicuous services dur-
ing the war and at the General Court, the instruc-
tions proceed, — "The contest is over and a complete
Revolution is happily acomplished. This town, sir,
congratulates you on so glorious a period. . . .
As the Independence depends solely (under Divine
Providence) in the Union of these United States, you
are to consider the confederacy of the States as Sacred
and in no point to be violated. . . . You are to
use your endeavor that no Absentee or Conspirator
against the United States, wdiether they have taken
up arms against these States or not, be admitted to
return, and those persons that have returned, you are
not to sutler such persons to remain in this Common-
wealth. ... In any matters that turn up, which
you think militate against your Constituents, you
are to apply for further Instructions."
Danvers was represented in the inarch of Colonel
Wade's Essex County Regiment, to supjiress Shay's
Rebellion. An orderly-book, now in ]iossession of
Dr. A. P. Putnam, gives the names of sixty-eight
men of the company of Captain (afterwards Colonel)
John Francis, fourteen of whom were from this town.
452
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
including four officers, — Daniel Needham, lieuten-
ant; Daniel Bell, drummer; Josiah White, sergeant;
Moses Thomas, corporal.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
DANVERS— ( Continued).
ECCLESIASTICAL.
The First Church. — By the terms of the act al-
ready referred to, which constituted Salem Village,
all the farmers within the Village limits were to con-
tribute " to all charges referring to the maintenance
of a minister and erecting a meeting-house," and
five persons were to be appointed " among themselves
or town of Salem," to collect rates and levies, the
constable of Salem to have power to make distre.ss on
the goods of any neglecting to pay. At the first
meeting of the Farmers, about a month after the es-
tablishment of the Village, namely, November 11,
1672 (old style), five persons were chosen "to carry
along the affiiirs according to the court order," —
Lieutenant Thomas Putnam, Thomas Fuller, Joseph
Porter, Thomas Flint and Joshua Rea.
The first preacher at the Village was then also for-
mally engaged, — Rev. James Bayley. He was a
young man, but little over twenty-one years of age, a
native of Newbury, and a graduate of Harvard in
1669.
For some seventeen years there was no separate
and independent church. The condition of things
was anomalous. AVhile a considerable number of the
members of the church of Salem Town worshipped,
for convenience, at a place nearer home than former-
ly, but yet were not allowed to sever their connection
with the parent church, there was, on the other hand,
a complete parochial organization, corresponding
somewhat to the modern " society," in which, con-
trary to the usual Puritan polity, the franchise was
not confined to church members. From this half-
and-half state of tilings came, from the very first,
trouble. The householders far outnumbered the
church members. It can easily be imagined that
certain non-church members, from the natural incli-
nation to exercise newly acquired power, took too
prompt and vigorous a part to suit' those who had
hitherto not been obliged to consult them. However
that may have been, the young minister soon found
his congregation divided into very marked factions
for and against himself. A majority favored him,
but the other side was a good instance of a " strong-
working minority." Mr. Bayley was employed from
year to year, and each renewal of his engagement
added to the determination of the opposition. That
he had the courage to stay some seven years, as he
did, speaks better of his grit than of his wisdom.
But, after appeals to the parent church from both
sides, and a thorough investigation by the General
Court, out of which Bayley came triumphant, "or-
thodox and competently able, and of a blameless and
self-denying conversation," he at last, about the be-
ginning of 1680, gave up. He continued to remain
in the village for some time after his resignation on
land given him by certain parishioners, among whom
was his most conspicuous opponent, Nathaniel Put-
nam. The land consisted of about forty acres, situ-
ated in part on the meadow and hill east of the meet-
ing-house. The deed, though dated after his resig-
nation, seems to be in confirmation of a gift promised
or actually given soon after his engagement to preach.
The recitation that "the providence of God having
so ordered it, that the said Mr. Bayley doth not con-
tinue amongst us in the work of the ministry, yet,
considering the premises, and as a testimony of our
good attection to the said Mr. Bayley," goes far to
show that, after all, the spirit of fair play prevailed.
Mr. Bayley eventually studied medicine, practiced in
Roxbury, and died January 17, 1707.
In the latter part of 1672 it was determined to
build a meeting-house " of 34 foot in length, 28 foot
broad and 16 foot between joists." The first meeting-
house stood on the acre which Joseph Hutchinson
donated for that purpose ; its site is the northern side
of Hobart Street, a little east of the old Hook
house. Part of the meagre furnishings of this build-
ing consisted of the " old pulpit and deacons' seats "
taken from that very meeting-house preserved in Sa-
lem by the Essex Institute, the parent church having
about this time built a new meeting-house, and be-
stowed these things on the Farmers.
Mr. Bayley's successor was George Burroughs.
He was engaged in November, 1680, having then
been out of college ten years. He came from a rough
experience in the wild district about Casco, where
life was in peril from Indian assaults, but after three
years stay he went back among the woods and savages,
and, doubtless, preferred the certain dangers of the
frontier to the treatment he received at Salem Village.
The farmers voted sixty pounds for his first year's
support, one-third in money, the balance in provi-
sions at stated rates, but they neglected to fulfil their
agreement, and compelled him to run in debt to pay
his wife's funeral expenses. The unjust suit brought
against him by John Putnam, in whose family he had
boarded has been mentioned.
The third minister was one Deodat Lawson. Gift
of God, his name implied, but Mr. Rice j)ithily says
he could not have been divinely given to this peoi)le,
save in the way of bare allowance. He remained
from early in 1684, and left in the summer of 1688.
Daniel Epps, the famous school-master who lived on
the present Rogers estate, supplied the pulpit as a
layman before Lawson was finally settled.
On the 19th of November, old style, 1689, a church
was at length organized, and on that day began the
pastorate of a man whose name will ever stand out
DANVEKS.
453
most conspicuous in the blackest chapter of New
England history, the Reverend Samuel Parris. For
in his family broke out and by iiim was fostered to its
direful end, the Salem Witchcraft Delusion. In Mr.
llpham's book the events of the preceding years
which had a bearing in the accusations and trials, es-
pecially the divisions and animosities which, com-
mencing with the Bayley troubles, grew from bad to
worse through Burroughs' and Lawson's stay, are all
collected and told with the skill of a novelist unfold-
ing his plot to the climax of the catastrophe. Else-
where in this book appears a summary of the sad
story. Only here let it be said that to Danvers, this
very town, and nut to the present limits of the city of
Salem, belongs the melancholy distinction of being
tlie place in which the delusion had its origin. A
little back from the present parsonage there is a dis-
tinct depression which marks the cellar of Parson
Parris' house; here and there "witch houses" are
still standing and lived in; and about the present
meeting-house of the First Church, in some manner
as of lineal descent, centre those associations of the
scenes of 1G92 with which the whole region is filled.
The covenant "agreed upon and consented unto by
the Church of Christ at Salem Village, at their first
embodying on y" 19 Nov., 1869,'' was subscribed by
these twenty -seven persons:
Samuel ParriB, pastor.
Nathaniel PutTiaiu.
John Putnam.
Bray Wilkiud.
Joshua Rea.
Nathaniel IngersuU.
Peter Cloyea.
Thomas Putnam.
John Putnam, Jr.
Edward Putnam.
Jonathan Putnam.
Benjamin Putnam.
Ezekiel Cheever.
Henry Wilkius.
Benjamin Wilkius.
William Way.
Peter Prescott.
Parris rid the church of his ill-fated presence on
the last day of June, 1(590, having doggedly hung on
to a position where he served but to perpetuate and
keep alive the troubles for which he was so largely
responsible. It is human nature to feel one's blood
boil at the thought of the part this man, a minister
of God, took in the murder of innocent people, but
greater than he were not great enough to rise above
the accepted ideas of their time. Through these
poor instruments One that is greater than all was
working in a way they knew not of. Only such a
sacrifice could arouse mankind to the horror of their
own unreason. The rocky summit of Gallows Hill
bears witness that never again under civilization shall
human life be imperiled by such superstition.
With the departure of Parris, a leaf was turned on
the record of the dark days of the earliest history of
the pari.sh and church, and brighter days appeared,
Eliz. (wife to Sam.) Parris.
Kebek (wife to John) Putnam.
Anna (wife to Bray) Witkind.
Sarah (wife to Joshua) Rea.
Ilatinah (wife to John, Jr.) Putnam^
Sarah (wife to Benjamin) Putnam.
Sarah Putnam.
Deliverance Walcott.
Persis (wife to William) Way.
Mary (wife to Sam.) -\lphie.
when after much effort to fill the vacancy, an invi-
tation to Rev. Joseph Green was accepted. He was
a Harvard man, and was not quite twenty-three years
old when he was ordained, November 10, 1098. Be-
fore this he had preached many months, the people
had ample opportunity to know him and to become
settled in their ow'n minds. It was with unanimity
that he was called, and the response which he made
he entered in the church book : " I gave an answer to
the church and congregation to the efi'ect that if their
love to me continued, and was duly manifested, and
if they did all study to be quiet, I was then willing to
continue with you in the work of the ministry." As
an evidence of the new peace brought about by his
ministry, certain members who had had nothing to do
with the church since the witchcraft days, came to
communion February 5, 1099, a red-letter day in the
history of the church.
Two years later, and a day of thanksgiving was
observed for continued peace and prosperity. The
change, says Mr. Rice, was permanent. " Nothing,
scarcely, before the settlement of Mr. Green, had been
done by a united people. Nothing of importance,
scarcel_y, since, in the space of a century and three-
quarters, has been done in any other manner. No
minister has been settled except with a practical una-
nimity ; and in each case but one, I think, there has
been no dissenting vote in church or parish. Nor
has there been, in all that long period, a single seri-
ous and obstinate contention among the members of
this church and society."
With the beginning of a new century the people
determined to have a new meeting-house. Very like-
ly more room was needed, but there were plenty of
reasons why the old building should be abandoned.
It might well have been dragged where the gibbets
had stood and there burned to ashes, but with less
poetic justice it was taken down and set up again as
a barn on the opposite side of the road, where it stood,
Mr. Upham says, " until, in the memory of old per-
sons now living, it mouldered, crumbled into powder-
post and sunk to the ground." The new building
was erected on " Watch-house Hill," the site of
three succeeding meeting-houses, including that
now in use. The hill had been leveled considerably
and otherwise cleared ; it can easily be seen that the
spot was wisely chosen by the earliest settlers for the
location of a block-house defense against the Indians.
The meeting-house of 1701 fronted north, fiicing Dea-
con IngersoU's house. It was first occupied July 20,
1702. From the thirty-four by twenty-eight of the
first building the dimensions were increased to forty-
eight by forty-two. The building committee were
Captain Thomas Flint, Joseph Pope, Lieutenant Jona-
than Putnam, Joseph Herrick and Benjamin Putnam.
The cost was about three hundred and seventy pounds,
part of which was raised by subscription among per-
sons outside of the village limits. Mr. Green contrib-
uted liberally and the town people helped somewhat.
454
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
A diary kept by Mr. Green has been preserved and
printed by the Essex Institute, with notes by Deacon
Fowler. It reveals the lovable character of the
writer and gives many a glimpse of life in Salem
Village during his pastorate. On the 26th of No-
vember, 1715, haviug just reached the age of forty
years, and having completed eighteen years of minis-
try among his people, Joseph Green died, and was
buried in the old cemetery which bears the name of
one of his successors. Good and just man, the great-
ness of his work far exceeded the length of his life.
Deacon Edward Putnam made this minute in the
church-book.
"Then was the choyces flower and grenest olif tree in the garden of
our Lord hear cut down in its prime and flourishing estate at the age of
forty years and 2 days, who had ben a faithful ambasiudor from God to
us 18 years, tlien did that brite star seet and never more to apear her
among us: then did our sun go down, and now what darltness is com
upon us. Put away and pardon our Iniqutyes, o Lord, which have ben
the cause of the .Sore displeasure and return to us again iu marcy, and
provide yet again for this, thy flock, a pastor after thy one hearte as
thou hast promised to thy people in thy word, one which promise we
have hope, for we are called by thy name ; o leve us not."
June 5, 1717, a year and a half after Mr. Green's
death, the Rev. Peter Clark was ordained. He was
also a Harvard man, five years out, and about twenty-
five years old. Hobart Street is named for Peter
Hobart, the father of Mr. Clark's wife, who came
here to live about 1730. Mr. Clark's pastorate lasted
fifty-one years. Mr. Eice says of him : " Mr. Clark
was a man very unlike his predecessor, and yet well
fitted to serve the people among whom he came. He
had a sharp and vigorous mind, with a taste for theo-
logical discussions." A modern congregation would
find it hard to sit through a single sermon such
as the Rev. Peter's people had to endure every week. A
delegation once went to him to suggest that headminis-
terhis teaching in less heroic doses; but he said "No;
any could leave when they had heard enough, but the
sermons must go on to their appointed ends." Two
volumes of his works, as well as a number of scatter-
ing sermons have been published. One of these,
which Mr. Rice seems successfully to have analyzed
back to its original plan, presents a scheme of heads
and sub-heads, fearfully and wonderfully made — in
all, eighty-four separate divisions. No wonder he
was widely known as a stalwart preacher, and was
called upon to deliver choice specimens of his liter-
ary and oratorical skill on special occasions in Boston
and elsewhere. Once he had neglected for some rea-
son to join in the prayers of neighboring ministers
for the cessation of existing drought, but having
been formally requested so to do, he also the next
Sabbath prayed for rain, and it soon rained. His
negro man, who knew well his master's character,
said " he knew that when Massa Clark took hold,
something would have to come."
During Mr. Clark's pastorate the first church bell
was hung, in 1725; the town of Middleton was incor-
porated, 1728, and a church there organized in 1729 oc-
casioned the withdrawal of twenty-four members of
the Village Church; and in 1762 the Village was
separated from Salem and became a part of Danvers.
This entry in the church book, made by Deacon
Asa Putnam more than half a century after Deacon
Edward Putnam entered his touching obituary of Mr.
Green, tells its own story :
" Now, it has pleased God in his holy Providence to Take away from
us our Dear and Rev'd pastor by Death, Mr. Peter Clark, who departed
this Life .June ye 10, 1708 — iu ye Seventy-Sixth Year of his age, and on
ye 15th day was his funeral, ittwas attended by Great Solleninity ; his
Corps was Carried in to ye Meeting-house ; a prayer w.is made by ye
Rev'd ftlr. Diuian, of Salem ; a Searnian Delivered by the Rev'd Mr.
Barnard, of Salem, from Galatiaus, 3 Chap., 14 verse. Then Removed
to his Grave with ye Church walking before the Corps, a-ssisted by 12
Bears, with a great Concours of People following. . . . Now he is
gone. Never to see his face no more in this world, no more to hear the
Presious Instructions and Examples out of his moutb, in Publick or in
Private, any more ; that ye God of all grace would be pleased to sancti-
fee this great and Sore bereavement to this Church and Congregation for
good, and in his own Due Time Give us another Paatour after his own
heart to feed this People with Truth, Knowledge and Understanding,
that this Church may not be Left as Sheep without a Shepherd, &c."
It was not until after more than four years that the
vacancy occasioned by Mr. Clark's death was filled.
The church repeated its action of a half century be-
fore. It took to itself another young man fresh from
his studies, and relinquished the services of his life-
work only when death called him to the i'ullness of
his years. More than fifty-three years was Dr. Wads-
worth pastor of this people. Over more than a hun-
dred years the two pastorates of himself and his
predecessor extended. It was but twenty-five years
after the witchcraft times — they seem far back in our
annals — that Mr. Clark was settled. The Missouri
Compromise had been effected some years l^efore Dr.
Wadsworth's death. What chapters of history were
enacted while these two men preached at Salem Vil-
lage and the First Parish of Danvers.
Benjamin Wadsworth was born in Milton, July 18,
1750, graduated at Harvard iu 1769, and w.as licensed
to preach a few months before his ordination in Dan-
vers. This event occurred December 23, 1772, and it
was an especially great time for the parish. Certain
festivities incident thereto have been the subject of
local tradition which gives some hint of the nature of
the liquid refreshment dispensed by some of the villa-
gers to numerous guests from out of town. Judge
Holten made this minute:
" The utmost decency was preserved through the whole of the Solem-
nity and the Entertainmentconsequent, was generous and elegant, re-
flecting great Honour upon the Parish."
Among the items of the bill of costs for the " En-
tertainment," are :
" For Bisket, i.1 5s. Od. ; Pork, Beef. Salt (?) and Eye and Iiyun Meal,
f '20 17s. Od. ; about one Ton of Good Hay, £25 ; for Turkeys, SA 148. Od. ;
for Malt, f 0 7s. 6d. ; for Rum, .iO Ss. Od. : Syder about half a Barrel £0
15s. Od. ; New England Rum, £0 IGs. Od."
Mr. Wadsworth's salary was at first fixed at ninety
pounds. Not long after his coming, came the stirring
times of the Revolution. The young minister was
among the Danvers men who flew to the North Bridge
DANVERS.
455
at Salem to repel Colonel Leslie's march. About 1784,
by way of compromise for a new par-sonage, the par-
ish gave Mr. Wadswortb an acre of land on the road
west of the old parsonage lot, upon which he erected
the rather stately mansion which still bears his name.
At thistime, too, the square hip-roofed meeting-house
which had stood the use of some eighty-four years,
was considered too old and small, and in 17S(i-S7 a
new mecting-h.)use, the third in the history of the par-
ish, was erected. It was sixty feet long by forty-si.v
wide, twenty-seven feet post, with an ordinary pitch
roof. A square tower ran up in front, surmounted by
a belfry which in turn was surmounted by a tall and
slender conical .steeple. The old bell of 1725 was
hung in the belfry, but in 1802 a new bell was pro-
cured weighing six hundred and seventy four pounds
and costing $299.56.
This meeting-house wa.s burned on the morning of
September 24, 1805. " It was supposed to be .set on
rire by some incendiary." wrote the parish clerk. The
accused person was so evidently insane that he '' was
therefore sentenced to receive no punishment but that
of confinement as a lunatick." The greater part of
the plate was stolen and suspicions were strong and
well grounded that the real criminals were certain
persons who used the poor imbecile for a cats-paw,
hut through lack of evidence they escaped conviction.
The ruins had not ceased smoking when the standing
committee, — AmosTapley, Asa Tapley and Jonathan
Porter, Jr. — issued their warrant for a meeting to be
held the next week at the Upton Tavern, to consider
rebuilding. It was voted to rebuild, that the new-
building should be of brick, that it should have a
<lome. The dimensions of the " Brick Church " were
sixty-six feet by fifty-six feet, twenty-eighl feet to the
eaves, and the tower was " sixteen feet four inches
square, having two wings, covered with a cupola, and
terminated with a vane ninety -six feet from the foun-
dation,"—Dr. Wadsworth's words. The corner-stone
was laid May Hi, 1800, and the finished building was
dedicated November 20th of the same year. Dr.
Wadsworth's sermon, then delivered, was published.
Its rhetoric, especially in descriptions of the fire, is
sufficiently lurid to meet the demands of the occasion.
By an act of the Legislature, March 8, 1806, a num-
ber of Danversport people were transferred with their
estates, from the South Parish to this parish ; they had
for some time maintained a practical connection here,
though the territory of Danversport was never within
the original limits of Salem Village and its inhabi-
tants, belonged to the Middle Precinct or South
Parish. " Ten respectable characters with their fam-
ilies," Dr. Wadswortb calls them. They were Sam-
uel Page, John and Moses Endicott, Nathaniel Put-
nam, Samuel Fowler, Caleb Oakes, William Pindar,
Jasper Needham, John Gardner, Jr., and Amos Flint,
the last three being from what is now West Peabody.
A vote was passed in 1819 that the minister might
read a portion of the Scriptures at the opening of the
meeting on the Sabbath and on "all other Publick
Days, as in his opinion shall be to the advantage and
benefit of his hearers."
In March, 1825, Dr. Wadswortb felt the approach
of the end. Previous to that time he had scarcely
known sickness. On the 18th of .January, 1826, he
died, in the seventy-seventh year of his life and the
fifty-fourth year of his pastorate. In his last sick-
ness he bought the old burial-ground which bears his
name and gave it to the parish, and there is his own
grave. An outline of his character, as presented by
Mr. Rice, is here condensed:
"Dr. Wadswortb was a man of fine persoual apitearanc*^. ami with
the bearing of a thorough geiuleman of thogf days. He is desvrihed b>
the late Judge Samuel Putnam as 'of great bodily vigor, with limbs
finely proportioned ; about live feet ten inches in height, with a hand-
some and florid countenance.' But there are those of yoursel ves, with
whom the figure of this former p.-i8tor is still familiar. 'I can see him
now," says Dea. Samuel Preston, 'precisely atthe niinuteapiJointed, with
a dignified step passing up the broad aisle, die.'wed in surplice and hand,
cocked hat in hand, the curls of bis auburn wig gracefully waving over
his shoulders ; slightly recognizing the powdered dignitaries, such as
Judge Holten, Judge Collins and othei-s, ai he passed ; ascending with an
agile step, the stairs of his high pulpit, and taking his seat under the
huge canopy or sounding-board which hung susjieuded over his head.'
" The doctor was formal and ceremonious, but courteous without ex-
ception to all, and warm and kindly, withal, at heart. He kept his po-
sition, as the manner of those times was with ministers, a little apart
from his people. The children looked upon him with a kind of awe ;
and the feeling extended to his family and the house in which he lived.
The lad who drove his cows to their pasture was not exi)ected to enter
the yard by (lie front way. He could keep persons at a distance from
hini whenever he chose to do 60. with wonderful civility and ease. He
wa.s reckoned by many to bo reserved ; and he was so with many, but
not with his intimate friends. In his intercourse with his brother min-
isters he was often facetious and witty, which may be thought a singu-
lar circumstance, lint even with his brother ministers he was under-
stood to be a person of dignity. By one of them, ilr. Huntingturi. of
Topsfield, it used to be said that ' when any of the brethren chilled upon
Dr. Wadswortb, they were civil enough,' but when they came to bis
house 'they threw in their saddles at the front door.' The former part
of this only should be believed.
' He was conservative in all his tastes and liabits, and did not enter
readily into new methods. He introduced the observance of the numth-
ly concert near the end of his ministry, held in the afternoon of Mon-
day ; but there were at that time no other prayer-meetings.
"The weekly meeting on Friday evening dates from the settlement
of his successor. The service of public or social prayer by the brethren
of the church had fallen, indeed, considerably into disuse at this period,
so that at the establishment of the Sabbath-.school there was some diffi-
culty in finding pei-sons who were willing to oiTer the opening prayer.
"But, if Dr. Wadswortb bad the weakness of a conservative temper,
he bad also its strength. He was steady and judicious in his work. He
did little that ever needed to be undone, either by himself or by anj one
else. He was a lover of peace, ami had wisdom to iiuuntain it. He was
able in his own life to illustrate, in a good ilegrce, the principles of the
religion he taught. He exhibited remarkable patience and calmness in
the midst of difficulties, and resignation in time of trial. He had a
steadiness of devotion and of trust, the power of which was not lost upon
his people. And thus, if in its later years his ministry failerl somew hat
in general and marked popular effect, it did not lack in thoroughues»
and beauty of impression upon those that cherished its influences. It
w.as long afterwards to be noticed that amoTig those whose lives had
been moulded by his ministry, there was to he found a rare anil admir-
able type of Christian character."
In a little less than three numths after Doctor
Wadsworth's decease there was another ordination
in the village. Once again the church took unto
itself a young man who, in his turn was to grow old
in its service. The young man, Milton Palmer Bra-
456
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
man, had preached somewhat during Doctor Wads-
worth's sickness, and was speedily and unanimously
called to become his successor. The date of the ordi-
nation was April 12, 1826. He resigned March 31,
1851, after a pastorate of nearly thirty-five years.
Nearly one hundred and sixty three years before,
the revered young Joseph Green came to Salem
Village, and only four lives bridge the span between
his coming and Doctor Braman's resignation. A
single pastorate of half a century is here and there
met with in the history of other churches, but a
series of life pastorates like this, aggregating so
many years, will not be easily paralleled.
The present parsonage property was purchased
May 26, 18.32, and was first occupied by Mr. Bra-
man January 8, 1833. In 1835 a vestry or chapel
was built on Hobart Street, east of the parsonage,
where it stood until 1871, when it was bought and
removed by G. B. Martin. In 1838 an act of the
Legislature incoriKjrated Samuel Preston, Samuel P.
Fowler, Jesse Putnam and their associates uuder the
name of the First Religious Society in Danvers, and
a month later, April 18, 1838, this act was repealed,
and a new act passed, beginning, " The North
Parish in Danvers, of which the Rev. Milton P.
Braman is |)ast()r, is hereby made a corporation,"
etc., and slightly altering the provisions of the for-
mer act so that the society " may assess the pews
in any meeting-house hereafter erected by them or
conveyed to them.''
The new meeting-house to be " hereafter erected "
was not long in coming. Fears were entertained of
the safety of the brick meeting-house. " A certain
cracking and settling of the walls which had for
years been noticed, became too serious, it was thought,
to be longer neglected." There was a unanimous
vote to pull it down and build once more a new
house. The present meeting-house, the fifth
in line of succession, was finished and dedicated
November 21, 1839. Its cost was about twelve
thousand dollars. Jesse Putnam, Samuel Preston,
William Preston, Nathaniel Pope, Peter Cross,
Daniel F. Putnam (on his decease, Nathan Tapley),
and John Preston were the building committee ;
Levi Preston, master carpenter. Dimensions of the
building, eighty-four by sixty feet.
Early in Mr. Braman's ministry, 1832, a Benev-
olent Circle was formed among the ladies of the
parish. Mrs. Braman was its first president. Some
interesting reminiscences, written by Harriet P.
Fowler, are here condensed :
" Let 3'our renders come with me iu iin.^gination to some old-fasbioued
farm-house in the North Parish, now Dauvers Centre. It is fifty years
ago. From one to two in the afternoon the members are arriving, some
in chaises, some in wagons, while others ■wallc over the hills ami pas-
tures, not much impeded by stone walls or fences, as trains and pull-
baclis are not in vogue. At two o'clock quite a large company has as-
sembled, the President reads a chapter from the Bible, and business com-
mences. Some of the ladies have brought large bags and boxes. In one
corner a smart, energetic woman is dealing out shoes to bind ; a trying
ordeal for novices to sit by an old shoe-binder and try to turn off as many
as she does. In another part of the room a lady is giving out material
for stocks, tliose elaborate structures of hair-cloth, bombazine and Sjvtin,
in which men of that generation arrayed their necks. Wonder they
were not stiff-necked for life ! Press-hoards, holders and flat-irons show
that the ladies mean business.
" A group of elderly women are deftly plying their knitting-needles —
wise women, who know that cold hands and feet make cold hearts — so
they are providing warm mittens and stockings for fathers, husbands,
sons. There is a table where shirts and collars are being made for the
luckless wights who have neither mother nor wife to provide for them.
A bevy of young misses are tiistefully arranging patch-work for (luilts,
to he given to invalids, or sold to increase the funds of the society. .\t
twilight work is suspended, and after a cup of tea and simple refresh
inents, it is again resumed till nine o'clock. In the evening the men
drop in, making themselves useful by holding yarn for the young ladies
or perchance threading the needles for the older ones, and generously re-
sponding when the collection was taken at the close of the evening.
'■ With the money earned we relieved the wants of the poor, clothed
Sabbath school children, and bought them books ; we carpeted the
church and helped to build the chapel ; we gladdened the heart of the
ln>me missionary, and accumulated quite a little fund found useful in
subsequent eniergencies. In such a meeting in one of these old-fash-
ioned rooms could be seen the graceful and energetic Mrs. Braman, the
quiet but efficient Mrs. Kettelle, and many others whom we of the pres-
ent might be proud to claim as mothers or grandmothers."
At the fiftieth anniversary of this society, cele-
brated November 8, 1882, ten of the fourteen original
members then living were present.
In the year 1844 the church suffered the loss of those
of its members, who formed what is now the Maple
Street Church, at the Plains. This division occurred
chiefly through consideration of convenience. The
earlier losses, when Middleton was incorporated, and
when the South parish was established, were of the
same nature. But from time to time in the history
of the church, members have separated from it to ac-
cept the doctrines of other denominations. All of
the churches hereafter to be mentioned, except the
Catholics, have drawn for their organization in a
greater or less degree on the strength of the parent
church. Yet the numerical strength of the First
Church, in 1867, when there were two hundred and
two members, was greater than ever before. The
congregations were largest just before the withdrawal
of the Plains people, a fair attendance on a pleasant
Sabbath being about four hundred.
March 31, 1861, has been mentioned ;is the date of
Dr. Braman's resignation. He had a number of times
previously expressed a desire to be dismissed, but his
people would not let him go. This time he had de-
cided. " I have reached that time of life when I
wish to retire from the labors which the ministry im-
poses on me, and when it is usually better to give
place to younger men."
Dr. Braman was the son of a minister. Rev. Isaac
Braman, of Georgetown, and his mother was the
daughter of a minister. The father, in response to an
invitation to attend the George Peabody reception
in 1856, wrote: "If Barzillai, the Gileadite, when
only four score years old, could think himself excus-
able for not going up to Jerusalem with his King,
whom he highly esteemed and loved, much more may
one who is in his eighty-seventh year be excused from
M^^ri^o S^^/'h^^^^^^^^'-^t^
DANVERS.
457
going to South Dnnvers." The son, Milton Palmer
Rr:iman, second in a family of five children, went
from Phillips Academy to Harvard, graduated from
there in 1819, and after a year's teaching entered the
Andover Seminary. He preached his first sermon at
Dan vers, in December, 1825. He married Mary
Parker, of Georgetown, in November, 1826, seven
months after his settlement here. He moved to
Brookline f^hortly alter his resignation, then to Au-
burndale, where he died April 10, 1882, in his eighty-
third year. He was buried in the town of his birth
after a brief service at the home of his aged mother.
Dr. Bramau was a strong man. Some have placed
him at the head of eminent divines reared in Essex
County. He was greatly assisted by his wife, one of
the wiseS't and best of women, who relieved him of
family cares, so that he could devote his time to par-
ish duties, and in these she was ever a thoughtful
assistant. The son, grandson and great-grandson of
ministers, all of whom were exemplars in their gen-
eration in the discharge of the pastoral office, he like-
wise, by his earnest and faithful preaching, made a
deep impression upon his hearers, many being led
to a saving knowledge of the truth and a devoted
Christian life, of whom shining examples yet re-
main.
The present pastor of the church, Dr. Braman's
successor, Rev. Charles B. Kice, was installed Sep-
tember 2, 1863, and is approaching the twenty-fifth
anniversary of his settlement. Mr. Kice isa nativeof
Conway, Mass. His father, Colonel Austin Rice, who
died July 15, 1880, at eighty-six years of age, was for
fifty years one of the leading men of western Massa-
chusetts in religious and educational movements, but
a few years before his death was sent to the Legisla-
ture, was one of the founders of Mt. Holyoke Semi-
nary and a trustee of that institution at the time of
his death. Rev. Mr. Rice has always taken an active
interest in town affairs, has served on the school com-
mittee almost continuously since 1865, has represented
his fellow-citizens in both houses of the Legislature,
and has served on the State Board of Education. A
permanent monument to tlie memory of Mr. Rice is
the published " History of the First Parish in Dan-
vers," which is an amplification of the address deliv-
ered by him at the celebration of the two hundredth
anniversary of the parish. This book has been
chiefly followed in the preparation of this short sketch
of one of the oldest, most historic, and in all respects
most interesting churches to be found in thiscountry.
Many interesting details have been altogether omit-
ted for the reason that they are there easily accessible.
Doctor Bramau was living at the time of the anniver-
sary. Something more must here be said of him, and
from a sermon delivered by Mr. Rice, April 28, 1882,
these extracts are taken :
"His strength was in the pulpit. Preaching etood foremost with
him, and it was preiiLliing fit to stand in lluit ])liice uf furwardnosa.
His mind was logical, aud thus be went clear of &\\ uust and vagueueba,
and his tboiiKhts ran steadily toward Bomo point he meant to reach. Bvit
he was not dull and dry in reasoning. Along with his logical move-
ment there went a certain enlivening measure of imaginative and al-
most poetical fancy. Then he had a, cleiir, shnwd sense concerning
commnn life and common things, ho that his style was terse and direct
and struck sliarply on actual practice. And then, hiding behind this
shrewd j)rnctical sense, or in it, was a line of humor, ready to come into
play where it might, and not coming into sight where it ought not.
And then he had a gift of sarcasm at baud for use when it might be
called for. By all these means he held attention to what he said, and
bis bearei-s were intereated and entertained, and sometimes in a man-
ner fascinated, even while tliey might be severely smitten upon.
*'He was forcible, direct, clear and pungent. He laid bold on tlie
intellect and sensibilities of his hearers both together. To an unusual
degree bis sermons ran close to life. I think this was their most dis-
tinguished characteristic. They were apt to concern, in some manner
those that lieard them ; and thus they entered into their thoughts aud
cluug upon their memory. Tliey were not unifoi ni in strength, a thing
not to be expected ; but they were apt, all of them, to be in some part
thoughtful, and of a quality to move one to some tboughtfulneea for
himself.
'He preached upon all Christian doctrines, and with frequency upon
some. The doctrine of justification by faith was dear to him. Ho was
skilled in depicting the lives of men, and he called often into use the
great Scriptural biographies. The dead of those former ages rose up
here, with bones and flesh and breatli, and lived again uuder liishand.
Hedealt in this way with the good and the bad, with Moses and David
aud Pilate and Judas, and be may seem sometimes to have had a. cer-
tain grimnees of satisfaction in the work be might tlius make with the
bad.
"Dr. Braman drew great attention upon wliat are termed 'occa-
sional sermons,' discourses preached upon the occurrence of the Fourth
of July on a Sabbath day, or in connection with the death of promi-
nent men, as General Harrison or Daniel Webster, or upon the annual
days of Fasting or Thanksgiving. On these days this house was tilled.
reoi)le came sometimes in barges from the neighboring towns, and
strangers were here often from a greater distance.
"His sermons were always writti-n. He never spoke in the pulpit
without notes. Up m one occasion, as he went to preach at South
Dauvers, now Peabody, his manuscript was forgotten, and he was greatly
disturbed when he made the discovery, and unwilling to attempt to
preach ; but when the time, in the midst of the service, was come, and
while yet he scarcely knew upon what he should speak, he went down
to the platform before the pulpit, that he might not seem to preach,
and there he did preach and in a manner whicli seemed to those that
heard him to surpass bis visual powers. He preached also, though be
did not call it preaihing, in the prayer-meetings beheld in the chapel. It
is remembered thus that at the chapel praver-meeting, held on the eve-
uing of the day of Daniel Webster's burial, he spoke for a full hour,
dwelling upon the burial scenes of great men, and making emphatic as
be drew to a close, the insigniticance of all earthly honors to one who
had just entered into the presence ef the holy angels aud the Saviour
and Judge of men.
" He spoke usually with little* of gesture and nothing of oratorical
art. His ordinary manner could not be called graceful. He had a well-
known habit of rolling a strip of paper upon the fingers of his right
hand, and after a certain established order of procedure, and he might be
troubled if this resource failed. liut when be was once under way in the
pulpit upon a theme that stirred him, and was kindled with bia topic,
his ungraceful manner was either forgotten or it was changed, he ges-
ticulated often with force and freedom, and the spirit of an orator wf*e
upon him.
" Di\ Braman was faithful and utterly fearless in rebuking wherever
it seemed to liim rebukes were needful. He was a conservative num.
He was not changeable. He was not like the Apo*-tle Peter. He was
apt to stand for the cool side of things. But he stood for the cool side of
things sometimes, it must be admitted, in a hot way, that would uotbave
been unbefitting even to Peter.
"llewas a strong opponent of slavery. They have misjudged him
who from anything that occurred in his later j'earshave thought of him
differently. But in this matter his natural conservatism, and hi.** legal
habit of mind, had much force iu shaping the course he took. As
events moved rapidly forward, he himself advanced less rapidly, and in
his dislike of all that seemed revolutionary in its origin or nature, he
was led, wo may tliiuk, too far in di>itrust or opposition toward those
j great popular movements which were designed under the shining
458
HISTOBY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
providence of God, to bring the gigantic evil lie himself deplored—
tliongh by ways that did not please him — fearfully and gloriously to an
utter end.
" Dr. Braman was a member of the School Committee of the town for
twenty-tive years, and Chairman of the Board for a considerable portion
of that period.
" He was also a member from this town of the Convention held in
1853 for revising the Constitution of the State, and he bore an active
and influential part in its proceedings.
*'He went little into general society, and had not a liking for social
aaserablies."
Mr. Rice reached the twentieth anniversary of his
settlement, September 2, 1883. Even then his pas-
torate was longer than any other in the Essex South
Conference. In the twenty years, one hundred and
ninety-one had been added to the membership ; the
number of members was then two hundred and seven ;
largest number in the history of tlie church, two hun-
dred and twenty-three, in 1877. In 1882 the ratio of
church membership to the population of the parish,
was larger than ever before. Nearly one-quarter
part of all who had ever been members were then
still living. Mr. Rice had married one hundred and
twenty-six couples, one hundred being of the pariah,
had attended three hundred and iifty funerals,preached
five hundred and thirty-four written sermons and three
hundred and ninety-eight unwritten, of which he
says with characteristic humor "all ought to have
been better, and some ought not to have been at all."
Mr. Rice observed the anniversary by a discourse
from the pulpit from which the foregoing statistics
have been taken, and the following evening the
event was made the occasion of a gathering of his
own parii-hioners, friends from other parts of the
town, ministers from neighboring churches, and
others, for congratulations and social enjoyment.
Augustus Mudge presided, and after remarks review-
ing the period, he presented Mr. Rice an envelope
containing a very substantial token of the esteem of
his people. Among the letters read during the even-
ing was this :
"Oak Knoll, Danvers, 9th mo., 3d, 1883.
" Hon. Augustus Mudge :
" Dear Frie}id: — I very much regret that I am not able to be with you
at the gathering this evening. I am, ft is true, better acquainted with
the gentleman whom you so deservedly honor on thisoccasiou, as akiud
friend and neiglibor, as a pnblic-spirited citizen, than as a minister ; but
the fact that he has held his pulpit for twenty yeai-a is proof that he has
done good service in it. During this long period I have never heard
that his parish have been troubled by the bodily presence of that evil
and disreputable Personage with whom his predecessor, Pai-son Parris,
fought such a losing battle. As a consequence of this he has had no
occasion to spend his time in searching for witches among the elderly
ladies of his congregation ; and the sound theology of his people under
his ministrations has made heresy-hunting so unnecessary that the soli-
tary Quaker who has sojourned within the parish limits still remains
unchanged !
" Pleasantry apart, I beg leave to add my congratulations to yours,
and to express my beat wishes for my friend Rice and his family.
"Thine truly,
"John G. W^hittieb."
The Sabbath-school was organized in 1818, in Dr.
Wadsworth's pastorate. The names of an even hun-
dred of the first scholars are given by Mr. Rice, fifty-
six females, forty-four males. The largest number at
any time connected with the school was in 1867, four
hundred and four, with an average attendance of
nearly three hundred. The school had ils origin at a
meeting held at Dr. Wadsworth's house, July 30th of
the year mentioned. Those present were the first
teachers, — Samuel Preston, Edwin Joselyn, Edith
Swinerton, Betsey Pope, Eliza Preston, and Betsey,
Hannah, Harriet, Nancy, Eliza and Clarissa Putnam.
The latter, Mrs. Preston, now living, has been men-
tioned in another connection. The idea of having a
Sabbath-school seems first to have been entertained
by Miss Betsey F. Putnam, who had seen the working
of such a school in Beverly, started some years prev-
iously. The fiftieth anniversary of the Sabbath-school
was observed August 9, 1868. Mrs. Emma Putnam
Kettelle, who died the year before, had been a teacher
from the first year. The first superintendent was
Samuel Preston. His successors have been Porter
Kettelle, Nathan Tapley, Samuel B. Willis, John
Peabody, Ebenezer Putnam, George W. Endicott,
Ahira Putnam, Wm. R. Putnam, Moses W. Putnam,
Augustus Mudge, Edward Hutchinson, George W.
French, Samuel A. Tucker, William Siner.
A number of the above served several different
times. The longest consecutive term was that of Mr.
Mudge, from 1848 to 1868. There were in 1886, con-
nected with the school three hundred and four mem-
bers, with an average attendance of one hundred and
sixty -seven.
A LL'^T OF DEACONS.
1690-1719.
Nathaniel Ingertioll.
1802-18.
Joseph Putnam.
1690-1730.
Edward Putnam.
1807-19.
James Putnam.
1709-18.
Benjamin Putnam.
1818-31.
Jonathan Walcott.
1718-33.
Eleazer Putnam.
18^0-31.
Eben. Putnam.
1731-r)4.
Natlianiel Putnam, son
lS32-ei.
,Tohu Thomas.
of Benjamiu.
1832-44.
Frederick Howe.
1733-40.
Joseph Whipple.
1845-48.
Ebenezer Putnam, son
1741--G2.
Cornelius Tarbell.
of Eben.
1756-57,
Archelaus Putnam, son
1848-61.
Samuel Preston.
of Nathaniel.
1861-85.
Elijah Hutchinson.
1757-62.
Samuel Putnam, Jr.
18G1-74.
William R. Putnam.
17G2-95.
Asa Putnam.
1886.
Alfred Hutchinson, son
1762-85.
Edmund Putnam.
of Elijah.
1785-1804.
Gideon Putnam,
1886.
Edward A. H, Grover.
1795-1802.
Daniel Putnam.
STANDING COMMIT
rEEB (partia
list).
Ifi72.
1775.
Lieut.
Thomas Putnam.
Tarrant Putnam.
Thomas Fuller, Sr.
John Swinerton.
Josepl
Porter.
Come
ins Tarbell.
Thomas Flint.
Abel Nichols.
Joahua Rea.
John Preston.
1700.
1800.
Lieut.
Jonathan Putnam,
Jonathan Porter, Jr.
Benjamin Hutchinson.
Levi Preston.
JohnTarbeli.
Elijah Flint.
Benjamin Putnam.
1820.
Thomas Fuller, Jr.
Moses N. Putnam.
1725.
Jesse Putnam.
Samue
I Flint.
Amos
Pope.
Joseph
Fuller.
1840.
John Preston.
Jesse Putnam.
Nathaniel Putnam.
Samuel Preston.
Josepl)
Putnam.
Natha
n Tapley.
DANVERS.
459
Samuel Preston.
Augustus 5ludge.
Sylvauus B. Swau.
1S70.
Wni. R. Putnam.
W. B. Woodman.
Augustus Mudge.
1X74.
Augustus Mudge.
S. B. Swan.
S. Walter Nourse,
ISSO.
Augustus Mudge.
Alfred Hutchinson.
Samuel W. Nourse.
1HS7.
Augustus Mudge.
Alfred Hutcbiusun.
J. Peter Gardner.
CLERKS (partial list).
First clerk, unknown,
to 1699. Thos. Putnam.
nOU. Jonathan Putnam
1702. Daniel Rea.
1703. John Putnam.
17ori. Benj, Putnam.
170IJ. Jonathan Putnam.
1707. lianiel Rea.
1708. Edward Putnam.
17t'9. Samuel Andrew.
1710. Israel Porter.
1720. Joseph Portrr.
1731 Joseph Putnam,
17*1. Samuel Holten.
17."iM. John Preston.
17ti0. Asa Putnam.
1770. Archelaus Dale.
1781. Samuel Page.
1790. Ehenezer Brown.
1800. Hezekiah Flint.
Israel Andrews.
1820. Amos Pope.
1832. Daniel F. Putnam.
1836. Wm. R. Putnam.
1837. Franklin P. Putnam.
1838-65. Rufus Tapley.
1866-87. Augustus Sludge.
Baptist. — On the authority of a letter written in
1817 by Israel Hutchinson, cleric, the Baptist Society
was formed November 12, 1781. The first recorded
meeting was November 26, 1781. Captain Gideon
Foster was chosen Moderator; Dr. Nathaniel Gott,
cleric ; and Jere. Hutchinson, Israel Porter and
Natlianiel Pope, a committee to supply preaching.
On the 10th of December, Nathaniel Pope, Samuel
Fairfield and Captain Foster were chosen to procure
a spot of land to set a meeting-house upon ; later
they were directed to " go on the spot or spots and
see which is most comodose for the society and what
it can be purchased for." Ebenezer Moulton and
Benjamin Jacobs were added to the committee and
the dimensions of the building fixed, " sixty feet in
length and forty-five in wedth." January 9, 1782, it
was voted "to Build the Meeting-House on Hooper's
Plane, so called." In April this vote was reconsid-
ered, and at a meeting held in Mr. Aaron Cheever's
house it was voted to " chuse a committe to purchis
the Land for the Meting-House." Captain Foster
was retained on the new committee, and Aaron Chee-
ver and Ebenezer Dale were the others. They were
directed " to purchis a Land to Sett the meting-
House on, and agree for a fraim and Git the under-
pinning." Charles Hall, Brickmaker, conveyed to
this committee the land on which the building was
erected, twenty-nine poles, by deed dated September
20, 1783, the consideration being twenty -six pounds.
Early in November, 1783, " Voted to Except of
Mr. Henry putnams plan for the pews. Voted, that
the pews be Sold at Vandue. Voted to choose a
Committee to attend the Vandue and make sale of
the pews, and to Notify to attend the Sale in ways
and manner the Committee shall think proper.
Voted that this committee consist of Seven persons."
Colonel Israel Hutchinson, Nathaniel Webb, Jona.
Sawyer, Nath. Pope, Ebenezer Moulton, Joseph Os-
borne and Samuel Fairfield were this committee.
A meeting was called jus', before the following
Christmas at the house of the Rev. Benjamin Boltch,
to consider the method of settling the outstanding
accounts for work on the new meeting-house ; the
matter was entrusted to Colonel Hutchin.soii, Nathan-
iel Webb and John Felt. Jonathan Sawyer was here
appointed the first treasurer of the society ; he was
already "dark," Dr. Gott having early resigned.
The record of the sale of pews is in this form :
" Mr. Aaron Cheever, Vandue master, Vandue open Jonathan Sawyer
Clerk.
" Jona. Sawyer, bid of No. 8 at 82 dollars.
" .\nd sold to Colonel Israel Hutchinson.
"James Richardson, Bid of No. 35 at 81 dollars.
" Joseph Smith, Bid of No. 32 at 77 dollars."
And so on. Other bidders were James Richardson,
Henry Putnam, Captain Samuel Page, Nathaniel
Webb, Samuel Fairfield, Captain Jeremiah Putnam,
Captain Gideon Foster, Nathan Upton, Ebenezer
Dale, Samuel Fowler, Charles Hall, Aaron Cheever,
Simon Pinder, Richard Skidmore, Nathaniel Put-
nam, John Felt, John Gammell, Nathaniel Smith,
John Chapman, Benjamin Kent.
The first pastor really settled over the new society
was Rev. Benjamin Foster, and the society was re-
markably fortunate at having such a man at hand.
He knew his people and they knew him, for he had
grown up among them. His father was Gideon Fos-
ter, a native of Boxford ; his mother, Lydia Gold-
thwait, of Danvers. He was born in the house which
Ibrmerly stood on Lowell and Foster Streets, South
Danvers, June 12, 1750. His brother Gideon, about
a year and a half older, the hero of Lexington, was
one of the founders of the church. Benjamin at-
tended the town schools, and when about twenty
years old entered Yale College, from which he gradu-
ated in 177-1. In college he became a decided con-
vert to the belief that imme.'sion is the only valid
mode of administering the ordinance of baptism.
After gradtiatiiig he joined the First Baptist Church
in Bo.ston, under Rev. Dr. Stilliuaii, who directed his
theological studies. He was ordained pastor of a
Baptist Church in Leicester, Mass., October 23, 1776.
He evidently had preached somewhat at New Mills
as a supply during the latter part of 1783.
January 27, 1784, the society met " at the house
where they commonly met on the Sabb.ath days " to
see if they would agree with the Rev. Benjamin Fos-
ter to preach any longer. They voted to roriuest him
to fill the pulpit for the uextSabbath, adjourned over,
and then sent Joseph Osborne, Nathaniel Upton and
Thomas Stevens " to waight upon him " with a result
thus reported, — "the Rev'd. Mr. Foster will Stay with
the Society six months unless something extraordi-
nary prevents." When the six months were out, De-
cember 8, 1784, it voted to agree with Rev. Mr. Fos-
ter to preach till May next, and he, cautious as before,
agreed " if sickness don't prevent."
Mr. Foster remained here two years and then ac-
460
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
cepted a call to Newport. Another two years and he
was pastor of the First Baptist Church of New York.
In 1792 the College of Rhode Island (Brown Univer-
sity) conferred upon him the degree of "D.D.,'' pro-
bably because of the talent and learning displayed in
his work, " A Dissertation on the Seventy Weeks of
Daniel, the particular and exact fulfillment of which
Prophecy is considered and proved."
Dr. Foster was a tighter with arguments, and he
stood manfully by the guns of Pedo-baptisni. He had
a controversy with Rev. John Cleveland, of Ipswich,
on the baptism question, and his pamphlet, "Primi-
tive Baijtism Defended," published September 3,
1784, was widely noticed and a second edition called
for and published in 1788. The introduction to this
pamphlet, which is really a letter to Mr. Cleveland,
contains a passage revealing the character of the man,
which it would be well for every minister in the land
to adopt :
" May God grant that my pen be lUrected by truth, and governed by
candor and moderation, while I attempt to correct the niistalies of one
whom I trnat T sliall ever have reason to respect ! And the more we
imbibe of the happy temper of our divine Master, the greatercaution we
Bhall use to suppress language which is bitter and censorious towards
Christians who difler from us in those points of religion which are of
lesser importance."
In the year 1798, in his forty-ninth year, he died
in New York, the death of a hero. Not in that glory
of military renown, clothed with which his brother
Gideon lived to a very old age, but in a scourge of yel-
low fever. When panic was everywhere and people Hed
from the city, he remaiued at his post and fearlessly
visiting the sick and dying, lie took his life in his
hands and lost it. True heroism ! When the general
roll is called how these instances of unselfish devo-
tion, untrumpeted from the house-tops, will far out-
shine and outnumber the brave deeds of war.
Dr. Foster was buried in the Baptist Cemetery,
N. Y., and on the marble over his grave are these
words written by an eminent Presbyterian clergyman
of that city :
" He excelled :ts a preacher ; as a Christian he shone conspicuously;
in his piety he was fervent ; the church was comforted by his life, and
now laments his death."
At a meeting, early in 1780, Nathaniel Putnam,
Benjamin Kent and Simon Pindar were chosen to
provide preaching for that year. A similar committee
the next year weie Jonathan Sawyer, Aaron Cheever,
Nathaniel Webb; 1788, Nathaniel Upton, Nathaniel
Webb, Israel Hutchinson ; 1789, Messrs. Upton,
Hutchinson and Ebenezer Dale; 1790, Israel Porter,
Eleazer Wallis, Colonel Hutchins(m; 1791, the
same ; 1792, the latter two and Newall Wilson. But
little other business was transacted in these years. A
vote, of 1789, that the committee provide preaciiing
once a month and as much oftener as they can, is
significant. In 1792 the clerk, Israel Hutchinson, Jr.,
was directed to draft three subscription papers for
the committee to see " how much money they can
gitt sined for the support of the gauspill the present
year."
In the fall of 1792, we have a hint of a Law-suit in
which the Society was involved with the Second
Parish in Beverly. Richard Waitt had been repre-
senting the society and Joseph Batchelder, Israel
Porter and the clerk were chosen to help him fight.
March 26, 1798, the societj' met to see what measures
they would take " respecting the Rev. Thomas Green
preaching for the present year." Ebenezer Wallis,
Israel Porter, Josiah Swett, I. Hutchinson, Jr., and
Nathaniel Upton considered the matter, and their re-
port was accepted " Respecting giving the Revd.
Thos. Green all the monies that may be Subscribed on
the subscription papers, and that he shall Have all
the Light Contributions and all other advantages
witch may arise by sd society."
"a cofpev of the subscription paper.
Nathl. Webb 2 8
Israel porter 2 8
Israel Hutchinson, Jr 2 s
Timothy Fuller 1 0
.lohn Creafieyye2 0 12
Nathl. Upton 1 0
.\mos Sawyer 1 0
W'm. Johnson 0 Itj
Jos. Swett 1 111
Simon Dodge 1 lu
Asa Woodbury 3 0
K. Wallis 2 0
Charles Dennis 0 18
Wm. Trask 1 10
John Makentiar 1 4
Jou*. Wilson U 12
Samuel Dutch 1 4
Josiah Raymeut 0 10
Joseph Pcttengi 11 0 18
f 8. d.
John Busbby 0 12 0
Jona. Felton 0 12 0
Newall Wilson 1 4 0
Barnabas Conant 0 12 0
Peter Woodbury 1 4 0
Nathl. Prinse 1 0 0
Jona. Prince 0 12 0
0
0
0
0
0
n
8 0
c 0
12 0
16 0
10 0
lU 0
12 0
8 0
16 0
2 0
4 0
Wm. Trask ye 2 0 18 0
Jona. Waitt 0 6 8
Israel Hutchinson, Esq. ..2 10 0
Moses Eudicott 0 12 0
Edw. Dodge 1 10 0
Israel Putnam 2 0 0
Richard Waitt 0
Josiah Batchelder 1
Joshua Osborne 0
Gideon Batchelder 0
Seth Ricliardson 0
Samuel McKeutiar 0
Richard Skidmore, Jr 0
Wra. Hilbort, .Ir 0
Joseph Hilbort 0
Wm. Hilbort 0
Eph'm Smith 0
Ebenez'r Browne 1
Nicholas Browne I
Sam'I Cheever 0
Bartholomew Smith 0
Elias Eudicott 0
Edmond Putnam 0
John Hutchinson 0
Nath'l Batchelder 0 12
Auth. Buxton 0 18
Elisha Fuller 1 4
Abigail Broadstreet 0 0
Lemual Childs 1
Rich. Skidmore 0
Joshua Prinse 2
Daniel Usher 0
Jorem. W. Putmail 0
Nathl. Puiman 1
Aaron Chever 1
Saml. Fairfield 0
Jona. Uobbins 0
James Burch 0
Widow Fowler 0
Simon Piuder 1
Richard Elliott 0
John Eudicott 1
Thos. Putnam 1
John Welch 0
Gideon Foster 1
Deunisou Wallis 2 2 0 Ma 19
Benj. Jacobs 1
A proprietors' meeting was held in April, 1793, to
further consider the settlement of accounts and dis-
posal of unsold pews. The committee were directed
to hang the pew doors and make the end doors to the
house; James Richardson was given a certain time in
which "to cap his lot of pews." The next year a
subscription paper was again passed around, "to see
how much they can get ained for Rev. Thomas
Green;" and he was also given the light contribu-
tion. It mav have been from excessive lightness
DANVERS.
461
that Mr. Green resiarned, November 26, 17%. The
next March it was voted "to procure sum person
wlio possessetli a good Carrictor to preach for the So-
ciety this year, and the committee is to promise the
minister all the contribusian that arises by the So-
ciety or otherwise all the money that the committee
shall see proper." Nothing like having these little
financial matters between pastor and people plainly
understood. It is not shown in the society records
who first succeeded Mr. Green. There was no set-
tled minister for six years. Elder .Toshua Young
was supplying in the fall of ISOO. In December.
1802, the standing committee made a report on Lord's
Day evening, after the service that they have agreed
with Mr. Jeremiah Chaplin " to preach to the Society
one year Exclusive of Two Days the committee
agreed to give him; we are to pay 312 dollars, equal
to 6 dollars pr. day, wich the Society appeared to he
very well satisfied with, and also voted to pay tlie
same."
A minute has been preserved of certain donations
to Mr. Chaplin for the society :
"The above money was given by Rev. Samuel Stilmon'ri Church, Mr
Baldin's Church and the ebureb at Charleston, that is to sjiy,
From Doc. Stilmon'a 8">1.25
From Mr. Baldin'a lil «
From Charlston Ji.l"
813-J43
*" By a box of Glass Iw) f 8 by 10 Inches.
•'Given by Deacon Waitt, of D. Stilmon's
"Church cost 8ia.7.j cents.
"1814, Sept. 13, I Reel Eight Dollars of
*' Deacon wild, it being a ReiiiDont Not
"paid to Collector when Mr. Cbapliu reed
"Theabove money," 8.
!(14(J.43
Dr. Stillman was the pastor of the First Baptist
Church of Boston, with whom Benjamin Foster
studied. The society sent grateful acknowledgment
of the prompt and liberal a.ssistance thus afforded in
repairing the meeting-house.
In 1805 Mr. Chaplin's salary was raised to four hun-
dred dollars, but the ordinary formula of the annual
meetings was a vote for a subncription paper, " to sec
how much could be raised for the continuance of the
gospel, as the Revd. Jeremiah Chaplin's time is near-
ly expired." Contributions were taken, one year
every Sabbath ; again, by passing the box around
twice in every three months to collect the money of
the subscribers. To be impartial in this business, in
ISKJ Samuel Whipple, collector, wxs directed "to
carry Round the Book in the gallery at the time
they pass Round below to colect the Subscri])tion."
On the 17th and 18th days of September, 1817, the
Salem Baptist Association met with the New ^lills
people.
There were at this time fourteen churches within
the association, namely, the First Haverhill, the pio-
neer of Baptist Churches in this vicinity, founded in
1765 ; ;Chelmsford, 1771 ; Rowley, 1786 ; Danvers,
1793; Beverly, 1801; First Salem, 1S04; South Read-
ing, 1804; Nottingham West, 1805; Newbury, 1805;
Gloucester, 1807; Marblehead, 1810; Methuen, 1815;
Lynn, 1S16; Reading, 1817.
That the meeting was quite an event may be
judged from the preparations. A month before, there
was a special meeting of church and society, at which
there were appointed to act with the standing com-
mittee, a s|)ecia! committee of ten, — Dea. Isaac Por-
ter, Benjamin Kent, Captain Thomas Putnam, Wil-
liam Trask, Captain Thomas Cheever, Captain Eil-
ward Richardson, Major Joseph Stearns, James Carr.
William Johnson, Israel Hutchinson. They met at
Mr. Hutchinson's house, to perfect arrangements.
Major Black was made chairman. Messrs. Kent,
Porter and Hutchinson were detailed to see that pro-
vision was made for the care of horses; Captain Put-
nam, Major Black and D. Hardy — the latter not ot
the ten — were directed "to visit the Nabours to .see
what entertainments they will make both as to pro-
visions and Lodging for the ministers and messengers
who may attend the association ; " " to Seete the La-
dies"— there the ten passed around sly jokes, of
course, at the expense of each other, but they set-
tled down with commendable fitness on the three men
with handles to their names most suggestive of chiv-
alry,— Captain Putnam, Captain Cheever, Captain
Richardson; "to kc^p the Dores of the meeting-
house," Dea. Porter, Messrs. Kent and Hutchinson ;
" to attend in the galleries and place the people at
the best advantage to prevent Disorder," Major
Stearns, Mr. Allen Gould ; " to examine the meeting-
house and report what it will be necessary to do,"
Captain Putnam, Messrs. Trask and Kent. The gen-
eral committee met again and " maid a report what
they had Dun for the association, as it Respects vit-
ling & Lodging, & Likewise to the Keeping of horses.
Rev. Mr. Chaplin, Messrs. Kent and Hutchinson, were
appointed to make a division of the guests among
the people ; it was voted " that Mr. John Dock have
the Sole Care of the Singing, & that he may invite
what assistance he may think necessary, to as.sist
him." One more meeting the committee had ; Wil-
liam Trask and Major Black were appointed "to
keep good order round the meetinghouse in Divine
Sarvis." The only record which Mr. Hutchinson
made of the occasion, which presumably was carried
; out with [pleasure and profit, was in regard to the
j singing ; he himself was called upon to manage this
1 part of the service, owing to John Dock's previous
engagement. He employed, he writes, Mr, Kinne, ol
Salem. Mr. Carey, of Salem, Mr. Timothy Berry, ol
Beverly and many others attended with them.
" Kinne's bill, $14— Berry's bill, 4$.50— Mr. Carey
came with others gratis."
The Salem Association met with the New Mills
Church again in 1836 and again in 1854; in the latter
year it was comprised of twenty-four churches.
In April, 1818, Mr. Chaplin's salary was made five
462
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
hundred dollars, to be raised by tax assessed on the
polls and estates of those persons who are or who may
be petitioners for an incorporation act, and as if to
give comfort and encouragement to the minister, a
copy of the record of this action was sent to him.
But a month later he accepted a call to another po.si-
tion. For sixteen years he had lived and labored
among this people, how devotedly and with what mu-
tual atl'ection can be judged from the extracts of letters
which follow. The meagreness of his salary forced
his domestic economy into narrow straits ; it is said
that he often was seen fishing from Spite Bridge, and
whether or not he had a weakness for angling, doubt-
le^^s the catch was welcome to the frying-pan. It is a
pleasant thing to record that his reputation for ster-
ling manhood, conscientious work and scholarly at-
tainments brought to him an invitation to accept the
presidency of the institution .since known as Bates'
College.
May IS, 181.S, his release was reluctantly granted,
and the unfeigned thanks of the society were tendered
him for his long and faithful services. Further, three
persons were chosen " to form an address to be pre-
sented to him." Their names appear below :
"DANVEE8, May 30, 1818.
" Rev. Jerrmiah Chaplin :
" Rev. (£■ Dear Sir, — We are authorized l\v the unauimous vote of the
Baptist Society in Dan vers, in behalf of the same, to present you our un-
feigned thanks fur your long and faithful labors with us as a minister of
the Gospel and preacher of morality ; and to express our sincere wishes
that wherever you may in providence be called the aniiles of Heaven may
accompany you. You would deem it superfluous were we to enlarge
upon the high estimation which we have ever placed on your ministerial
performances or the love which we have ever borne toward you as a
citizen. The reluctance with which we have lately assented to your dis-
mission sufficiently bespeaks these sentiments. Nothing but a sense of
duty in consideration of your present feelings has drawn this assertion
from us. .Mthough your removal is to us not joyous, but grievous, yet
the LCcasiou of this retuoval and the circumstances under which you
leave us, afford us a very plea-sing reflection. We have the satisfaction
to believe that no want of attachment to us, love of honor, pecuniary
views nor sinister motives, of whatever nature, had any part in inducing
you to request a dismif.sion. And much as we regret the loss which we
must sustain by this separation, we are not disposed to complain of any
injustice on your part. No, Sir! We ai'e rather disposed to feel grateful
for the privileges which we have ali'eady enjoyed, and to hope that fhe
usefulness of your labours will be more extensive than it could be with
us. We should be crimiually contracted and selfish in our views were
we to wish the general good to be sacriticed to our particular interest.
That your removal will be for the general good we have not undertaken
to decide from our own knowledge, but have acted with defeience to
your superior judgment, and so far as self denial would admit have acted
with cheerfulness.
*' We request and trust we shall ever have an interest in your suppli-
cations at the throne of Him who gave and whotaketh away. Be assured
dear sir, we possess the most afiectionate feelings for yourself and family.
Wishing you may receive a hundred-ftdii in this time, and in the « orhl
to come eternal life.
" Fkederh'K Emerj
"Joseph Stearns,
"Thomas Putnam,
" Junel, 1818, Read in paris}i meeting and approved,
Israel Hutchinso,n, Clerk,
Many years after Mr. Chaplin's departure, one of
his successors wrote : " The parting scenes as they
still linger in the memories of the aged, and as re-
hearsed by tliein with tearful eye, show how deep a
hold he had upon his people."
I Addressing
Committee.
It was at the beginning of Mr. Chaplin's ministry
that the Beverly people withdrew to form a church of
their own, and by reason of their dismissal and from
other causes, the parent church was left in a low con-
dition, with but thirty-eight members. At the close
of Mr. Chaplin's ministry the membership was .seven-
ty-four.
On the 21st of June, 1818, the next Sabbath after
Mr. Chaplin left, Kev. James A. Boswell preached.
Three or four weeks later a meeting was held to see
if the society were so "satisfied with the gifts and
tallants " of this preacher as to wish to have him
supply longer. The meeting left it to the committee
and the committee engaged him for three-quarters of
a year. A well-known lady who was then a young
Miss attending Miss Martin's "Dame's School" at
New Mills, remembers being pre.sent at his installa-
tion, and that the new minister looked very young
and small when the old divines were talking to him.
Very likely any man would have felt .somewhat dim-
inutive on such an occasion.
On the 12th of February, 1819, the act was passed
which has been hinted at, incorporating the First
Baptist Society in Danvers. The original incorpora-
tors were, Andrew Batchelder, Martin Bates, Michael
Barry, Moses Black, James Carr, Benjamin Chaplin,
Thomas Cheever, Caleb Clarke, Parker Cross, John
Doak, George Ellis, Solomon Emerson, Israel Eudicot,
George Ervin, Levi Fish, Benjamin Foster, William
Francis, Elijah Fuller, Timothy Fuller, Daniel Good-
hue, Allen Gould, Andrew Gould, Daniel Hardy,
Stephen Haynes, Israel Hutchinson, Aaron Jacobs,
Ebenezer Jacobs, Henry Johnson, Wm. Johnson, Her-
cules H. Josselyn, John Kenny, Benj. Kent, Benj. Kent,
Jr., Jos. Kent, John Kent, Robert Lefavor, Nathaniel
Mayhew, Samuel Mclntire, Jonathan Mcliitire, John
Mitchell, William Morris, Amos Osborn, Jeremiah
Page, John Page, Benjamin Perry, Allen Peabody,
Samuel Pinder, John Porter, Jonathan Proctor, Amos
Putnam, Allen Putnam, Andrew Putnam, Jeremiah
Putnam, John Putnam, Thomas Putnam, Parker
Richardson, Briggs D. Reed, William Shillaber, Sam-
uel Slater, Ephraim Smith, Joseph Stearns, Seth
Stetson, Timothy Stevens, Asa Stickney, Thomas Sy-
monds, William Trask, Daniel Upham, Benjamin
Webb, Nathaniel Webb, Nathaniel Webb, Jr., Sam-
uel Whipple, Stephen Whipple, Amaziah Whitney,
Noah Whittier and Moses W. Wilson.
The first meeting under the new act was held at
School-house, No. 2, on Monday, March 29, 1819, at
six o'clock, P.M., to choose officers and levy a tax for
support of the Gospel and other expenses for the en-
suing year. Sixteen votes were cast for moderator,
all for Thomas Putnam ; twenty for clerk, all for
Israel Hutchinson. Thomas Putnam, Moses Black
and Benjamin Kent were elected assessors ; Joseph
Stearns, treasurer; Hercules H. Joslyn, collector.
The first votes of money under the new order were in
this wise : " Voted to Raise $400 for the Benefit of
DANVERS.
463
the Gospel ; Voted to Reconsider the Vote for $400 .
Voted to raise $3.'iO Dollars for the Benefit of the
Gospel ; Voted to Reconsider the Vote for $350 1
Voted unanimously to Raise $300 for the support of
the gospil in Said Society the present year." Evi-
dently a case of a strong working minority. The sum
finally voted was not, however, let it be hoped, the
limit of the minister's salary. The old subscription
was not abandoned, but the committee were directed
to present it to those persons who did not " come under
the incorporation act," or any others disposed to
help.
In April it was voted without, dissent - his "gifts
and tallants " had stood the test — to give Mr. Boswell
a call to settle. On his acceptance, it was voted
unanimously to give him an ordination on the second
Wednesday of .Tune, and that the Rev. Benjamin
Wadsworth and the Rev. Samuel Walker be invitcil
to attend. Ten dollars was subsequently voted to
Benjamin Chaplin to defray ex[ienses of singing on
the occasion.
At the beginning of the ne.xt church year, March,
1S20, there was not a unanimity in the invitation to
Mr. Boswell to continue, and after careful considera-
tion he asked to be dismissed. Dismission was
granted, but the fact that both a letter of recommen-
dation and — what was of much greater import, judg-
ing from the monetary votes of the society — a present
of one hundred dollars, were given him, goes far to
remove the idea that any ill-feeling existed between
]iastor and people.
Rev. Arthur Drinkwater jircachcd more or le?s dur-
ing the following spring and summer, and in August
the srciety met to consider his gifts and talents, and
requested him " to make them a visit and supply the
[lulpit for a certain term of time as the Society may
think proper.'' In September advice was received
from Dr. Chaplin, their old jiastor, " respecting Mr.
Drinkwater's character as being a good gospel minis-
ter," and he was invited to settle over the church.
December 7, 1821, was appointed for installation.
In November, 1822, there were certain votes passed
which must have had a meaning to somebody, —
"Voted that there be a committee chosen to wait on
the man who stole the wood from the Society. Voted
that the man that stole the wood be allowed 24 hours
to produce the man he bought the wood of, and if he
does not he nuist take the course of the law."
In 1S24 Abednego Rust and Nathaniel Tuttle were
chosen " thytbing men to keep the boys still ; " about
the time of Jlr. Drinkwater's in.^tallation William
Johnson had been emiiowered to present to the
grand jury any persons making any disturbance in
or about the meeting-house on the Sabbath ; in 1825
Daniel Hardy was deputed to take care of the boys
in the galleries, and the tything men chosen by the
town were requested "to take cognizance of the boys
that throng the porch before divine Service, to the
inconvenience of the females that are going into the
meeting-house." Does any grandfather wink slyly
to himself?
In January, 1826, Gideon Foster, Benjamin Kent
and Briggs R. Read were commissioned to draft a bill
and secure its passage by the Legislature, authorizing
the taxation of pews ; such a bill became a law in the
Ibllowing March. By its provisions a person must
own, in order to vole thencetbrth in the society meet-
ings, at least one-half a floor pew or the whole of a
gallery pew.
The year 1828 is conspicuous in the annals of
the Baptist Society as the year of a new house of wor-
ship. Though the first house was but forty-five years
old, suspicions were entertained as to its strength.
Xn association of subscribers, afterwards proprietors,
was formed to build a new house.
The proprietors of the new meeting-house, though
com]iosed, of course, of the leading Baptists, were
separate and distinct from the society. They held
their own meetings and kept their own records,
Samuel P. Fowler acting as clerk. At their first
meeting, in March, 1828, it was voted, "That if the
proprietors of the old meeting-house are willing to
dispose of their house and the land on which it
stands, for a reasonable consideration we purchase it
for the purpose of removing the house and erecting a
new one in its place, to be governed by the present
incorporation. The property in the house to belong
to the subscribers to the new meeting-house. It is
understood, in case we purchase the old meeting-
house, a new one will be erected on its site within
eighteen months." Eben Hunt, Arthur Drinkwater
and Moses W. Wilson were appointed to see if the
proprietors of the old meeting-house were willing to
dispose of their house under such conditions.
The .society held a series of meetings about the
same time, at which the standing committee were
empowered to sell the building " for four hundred
dollars and nothing less, and more if they can get it,"
the purchasers to remove the same before the follow-
ing June ; and the " subscribers " were permitted to
erect a new meeting-house on the old lot for the use
of the church and society, to be governed by the act
of incorporation already in force.
That old church is still in existence. It was bought
by John A. Learoyd and removed to the Plains, not
far from IJndall Hill, where its timbers grew, and
has ever since been used as a currier-shop. It was
thought, as has been said, old and unsafe when .sold,
but as Mr. Rice, with characteristic humor, remarks,
"it has ujion it at the present time a certain air of
breadth and settlement in configuration of such a
sort that the eye of the beholder may not readily dis-
cern to what end it should ever fall down."
The new building committee were Samuel Fowler,
Arthur Drinkwater, Daniel Hardy, Briggs R. Reed,
and p;benezer Hunt. The chairman was directed,
among other things, to ascertain whether any compen-
sation could be obtained for the land belonging to
464
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the meeting-house lot, but used as a highway since
the widening of the road in 1802, and he found that
the society had slept too long on their rights. The
proprietors held meetingsthroughthesuramerandfall,
and from time to time instalments of subscriptions
were paid in. In December, 1828, they wished to
know whether their subscription paper was an instru-
ment sufficiently binding to sue upon for non-pay-
ment, and Messrs. Fowler, Hunt and Reed were sent
to obtain advice from Rufus Choate, then at South
Parish, and 'Squire Benj. Merrill. The advice was
that the paper would hold.
On the 17th of March, 1829, the house was finished,
and the committee were directed to " inform the
Baptist Society at their annual meeting (when it is
understood that the house will have been accepted)
that the house is ready for their use, and that they be
desired to make arrangements for the opening of the
house with appropriate religious services."
May 1st, John Porter, Benj. Kent and Benj. Porter
were chosen to arrange for dedication. May 25th
Mr. Kent and Daniel Hardy were authorized to sell
the pews in the new church at public auction by bid-
ding for choice over and above the appraisal, the ap-
praisal to cover the cost of the house ; and they were
also directed "to obtain a legal title to the land un-
der a part and adjoining said meeting-house of the
family of the late Captain Thomas Putnam, de-
ceased." A summary statement of the cost of the
church is this ;
E. Felt, ?13.i.O0
NatbauielGalucia, , 110.80
E. Perry 20.03
Jona. Perry 20.0<l
Israel EuiJicotf • 58.24
EbenezerHunt 2.00
Edmund Needhatii, 18.no
M. Pulsifer lOO.CO
Sam'l Fowler 44.27
S. P. Fowler 3.00
Henry L.GouW,- iil ""
M. ■Wilson, J
W. Francis, I Carpenters, $4230.rin
J. Ross, '
Total 84825.14
At this time when the people moved out of the old
house into the new, the relations of pastor and peo-
ple and of the people to one another should have
been particularly harmonious. Mr. Drinkwater
closed his pastorate June 26, 1829. During the last
year of his service some very unpleasant diflerences
of opinion arose in the society which resulted in the
organization of the Universalist Society, weakening
not inconsiderably the society in which the division
occurred. Universalism had its beginnings in Dan-
vers much earlier than this, as will hereafter appear.
A hint at the feeling which existed in 1829 may be
found in a vote that the committee be instructed " to
inquire into the story that has gone abroad that the
Unitarians want to get the new meeting-house."
Mr. Drinkwater is remembered by certain old peo-
ple as one of the sort of men that Caesar liked to have
about him, not a bit " lean and hungry." He was of
a light, florid complexion, of talents not rising high
above the average ; he made many friends outside of
his own church.
In the spring of 1830 the Rev. James Barnabee was
by unanimous vote invited to fill the vacant juilpit.
He is remembered by old people as a man with a
very loud voice. Mr. Barnabee's year commenced on
the first of May, and six hundred dollars was voted
for his support and incidental charges. His pastorate
was short, ending in May, 1832, but very eventful ;
soon after he came the great revival all through the
churches was felt here with so great effect that the
membership was increased from ninety-three to one
hundred and thirty-nine. At the old church. Dr.
Braman's, there were added in the same period one
hundred and twelve members, increasing the member-
ship from about one hundred, in 1828, to one hundred
and ninety-five in 1833.
July 23, 1832, the society united with the church
in giving a call to the Rev. John Holroyd, at a salary
of five hundred dollars for the first year. Five years
later, November 8, 1837, Mr. Holroyd died while at
Providence, R. I.,— the only instance of a vacancy in
the pastorate caused by death. During his labors the
membership of the church reached its highest limit-
one hundred and fifty-five. He was about sixty
years old at his death ; a quiet, venerable apjiearing
man, greatly beloved and lamented by all who knew
him. He left a widow, but no children ; she was the
daughter of Dr. Benedict, of Providence, a somewhat
noted Baptist preacher and writer.
May 26, 1838, Rev. E. W. Dickinson accepted a
call of the church and society, at a salary of six hun-
dred dollars. His stay was short. He resigned in
October of the next year; in his letter of resignation
he wrote : " The causes which lead to this step, it is
presumed are already known, and their capitulation
at this time is not needed. The subject has long been
before our minds, and although the separation, to me
at least, is painful, still the feelings natural to such
an event are less poignant than if it had been sudden."
For more than a year after Mr. Dickinson's resig-
nation there was no settled pastor.
Rev. J. Humjihrey Avery supplied the pulpit some
of the time, and in January, 1841, he was invited to
become settled. In response he wrote that he would
come on the following conditions :
"TliatT receive the ninety dollars now due for supplying your pulpit,
before the close of the present week; that my salary commence the first
day of Fehiuary; that I have seven luindred dollars per annum, to be
paid quarterly ; that I have two Sabbaths during the year to dispose of
as I may think fit ; that the church and society have the rifjht to dis-
miss me at any time by giving me three months notice ; that duplicates
of this contract be signed by the committee of the church and society
and myself, in pi'eseuce of competent witnesses ; that one of the dupli-
cates be left with the clerk of the church or the clerk of the society and
the other with me. Should any apology be deemed proper, brethren,
for the formality of this statement, I have only to say that in mere bus-
iness transactions I have but one method "
DANVERS.
465
The business men at New Mills were evidently not
displeased with a business-like pastor; the conditions
were accepted. After seven or eight montlis he ad-
dressed another letter to the committee in equally
plain terms, giving them the choice of accepting his
resignation February 1, 1842, or of making his salary
six hundred dollars after that date and, in addition,
furnishing him " with a good room near the meeting-
house, to which he might remove his library," and of
giving him a regular installation as soon as might be
convenient. And the terms of the latter alternative
were promptly accepted. Jlr. .\very had been a Con-
gregationalist.
On the ."»th <if July. l.S4;5, the society voted unani-
mously to concur with the church in giving the Rev.
Joseph \V. Eaton a call, at a .salary of five hundred
dollars for the first year. His letter of acceptance is
dated July 17, 1843. The ne.Kt spring he wrote :
"The satififaction, which you havo befn iili^aseil to expross with my
poor services for the past year has heen particularly grateful to my feel-
itigB. . . . The union which I am infonued pervades your txidy gives nie
reason to hope that my lalnirs amouf; you may yet bo useful, and so long
as this state of things continues I shall be encouraged to exert myself for
your spiritual benetil."
But times were hard for the church and society
during Mr. Eaton's pastorate, .\mong the founders
of the church, it will be remembered, none w'ere more
prominent than Gideon Foster and certain other South
Parish men, and for a number of years the New Mills
Church was supported by all people of that denomi-
nation, far and wide in this vicinity. But we have
seen how, in 1801, the Beverly people withdrew to
form a church cif their own ; then, in 1804, the First
Baptist Church of t^alem was established, and, doubt-
less, a number of South Parish people who found
themselves more conveniently situated to Salem than
to New Mills, at once associated themselves with the
Salem Church. But in the meantime there had been
a growing desire among those parishioners of the New
Mills Church who lived in the southern part of the
town to have a church of their own. They began to
hold meetings in Armory Hall in 1843, settled a min-
ister and built a chapel that same year. This was
about the beginning of Mr. Eaton's pastorate at New
Mills, during which thirteen of his church-members
were clisMiissed to join the new church. These dis-
missals, though not great in number, came at a time
when the parent church could ill afford any loss of
strength. But a much more serious element of dis-
turbance was the storm of the anti-slavery movement
which centered on the old church and struck hard.
An account of the " Come-outers " appears elsewhere.
.\bout the only mention of anti-slavery which appears
on the society's records are these votes :
April 4, 1830. " Voted that the Lectors on Pees, Temperance and
antislavery be free of expense, after having the Concent of the Standing
Committee.
April 21. ISlf). " Voted it be left with the Standing Committee
whether there shall he lectures in the meeting-house on the subject of
slavery the ensuing year."
It was well understood that Mr. Eaton was to have '
30
si.\ hundred dollars after the first year, but it was not
easy to raise the money. They .asked him to take five
hundred dollars. " On listening," he replied, " to the
description you gave me of the financial concerns of
the society, I stated that T was at a loss to know ex-
actly what my circumstances were, but promised that
if I could do anything to help to extricate the society
from its embarrassments, I would cheerfully do it. On
looking over my accounts, however, I find myself much
more largely indebted to others than I supposed my-
self to be, and that my salary has been barely suffi-
cient to enable me to meet my expenses. 1 do not see
how they can be reduced. The idea of being in debt
without having the means to pay it, is to me distress-
ing, both from the sinfulness of the thing and from
its influence on the cause of religion. I have nothing
to depend upon for a supi)ort but the compensation 1
receive for my services, and must look therefore to the
people whom 1 serve for the means of a comfortable
maintenance. Still, I cannot endure the thought of
being a burden to the society ; hence, hoping we may
have health and strength, considering the dull state of
business, and desirous of aflbrding the society what
relief I can, I will try, though 1 know not how I shall
succeed, to do this year with five hundred and fifty
dollars."
To add to the difficulty of the situation, on the
morning of September i), 1847, the church and vestry
were destroyed by fire, and there was no insurance.
An adjoining dwelling, owneil by .\aron Eveleth, was
burned at the same time.
The staniling committee pluckily issued a warrant
before the close of the day, calling upon the society
to take action as to building a new house. In one
week from the date of the warrant, the shortest time
allowable, the society met and voted " that we feel it
our duty to make an eftbrt to erect a new house in
place of the one destroyed by fire," and apiiointed
twelve men to circidate a subscription paper tor the
purpose, — Daniel Goodhue, Jr., Tristram Woodbury,
Hiram Preston, David H. Caldwell, William Putnam,
Henry Johnson, Benj. Porter, Moses Black, Rev. J.
W. Eaton, Abijah Porter, Peter Waitt and Jacob F.
Perr}-. Both the Universalist Society and the new
society at the Plains promptly tendered the use of
their churches to the Baptists. Arrangements were
made with the former.
On the 20th of September, Benjamin Porter, Moses
Black and David H. Caldwell were instructed " to se-
lect such a model of a house as they think will best
suit the society."
On the 18th of October a building committee were
chosen to carry out the vote of its society to rebuild,
— Benjamin Porter, David H. Caldwell, Moses Black,
Henry Johnson and Josiah Ross. The third meeting-
house of the society was erected within the ne.vt year
and is the one now in use. The present church bell
was then purchased by certain " proprietors," and was
hung in the tower on the following conditions:
466
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
" That the bell be rung by the sexton of the Baptist Society on Sun-
days, the Universulist Society paying one-halt the expense ; that the bell
be rung at any other time by either Society, not interfering with our re-
ligious services, by each paying their own sexton ; the door to be locked
— one Key to be kept by the sexton, one to the care of the Fire depart-
ment. The remains of the bell, if ever burned, to ge to the proprietors
of the bell. The bell to be bung on a good substantial bell frame secured
to the deck."
The following clipping from an old newspaper is
interesting in tliis connection :
Notice.
The Ladies of the First Baptist Society in Danvers will give a Tea
Party on Wednesday, Oct. 4th, in Citizens' Hall, New Mills, to aid in
furnishing the new house of worship, now erected on the site of the one
destroyed by fire last year. Good music will be secured forthe occasion,
etc., etc.
On the 23d of April, 1849, Mr. Eaton addressed
to the society a letter of resignation. Like his other
commuuications it is full of Christian manliness and
forbearance ; and it gives an insight into the state of
things which, by reason of circumstances beyond his
control, made his pastorate not a bed of roses. " Just
before your former meeting-house burnt, I was led
to canvass the question wliether I ought not to resign
my office, but after the occurrence of that event I con-
cluded it was my duty at any rate to remain with you
and aid you in every way in my power until another
edifice should be erected." It was after the comple-
tion of the new church that he resigned. In explana-
tion he wrote: "I do this not because as great an
amount of success has not been realized as could have
been anticipated, considering the distracted state of
things when I came among you, the adverse influences
with which I have had to contend, the disaster you
experienced in the burning of your meeting-house,
the many removals of whole families from town, the
deaths that have occurred among you, some of whom
have been your prominent men, the formation of two
new societies at the Plains, the excitements of differ-
ent kinds that have existed in the place, and the low
state of religion. If I mistake not, this society is in
a far better condition than any one, acquainted with
the facts in the case, could reasonably expect it to be
in. I take this step not because, could a change be
effected which miglit easily be done, I could not labor
on with zeal and hope ; but because of the want of
that spirit, energy and co-operation, which character-
izes new enterprises ; which allows nothing to be un-
done which should be done, and which is essential to
success."
In March, 1850, a call was extended to Rev. Aaron
W. Chaffin. This was his first pastorate, and he re-
mained here fifteen years, an average preacher and an
excellent pastor, greatly beloved not only by his own
people but by his fellow-citizens generally, for he
took great interest in all that pertained to the good
of the town, and especially in the schools. Genial,
kind, witty, " everybody liked him." He acce|)ted a
call to Manchester, N. H., died at Lynn in 1874, and
was buried here in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Rev. Foster Henry succeeded Mr. Chaffin, and oc-
cupied the pulpit from December 5, 1862, to May 1,
1865. Then followed Rev. Charles H. Holbrook,
from November 14, 1865, to September 2, 1870; Rev.
J. A. Goodhue, from November 22, 1870, to May 1,
1872; Rev. G. W. McCullough, from June 20, 1873,
to April 1, 1876 ; Rev. Lucien Drury, from August 3,
1877, to April 29, 1883 ; Rev. Gideon Cole, from July
1, 1884, to the present time.
These notes have treated chiefly of the Society.
The Baptist Church was organized July, 1793, with
thirty-six members. The first deacons were Eleazer
Wallis and Israel Porter. Benjamin Kent was ap-
pointed 1823 ; Hercules Joselyn, 1832 ; John Hood,
1835; Parker Brown, 1838; Ichabod Sawyer, 1839;
Abijah Porter, 1845 ; Henry Johnson, 1855 ; James
Felton, 1855; Charles H. Whipple, 1855 ; Monroe B.
Brigham, 1859; Francis Bowen, 1874 ; Win. A. Jacobs,
1880. Deacons Whipple and .lacobs are the present
incumbents.
The committees appointed " to supply preaching "
in the earlier years of the society have already been
given. They were the precursors of the regular
standing committees. A complete list of the latter
cannot be given for lack of space, but the names
which appear at the beginning of each decade of this
century will give some idea of the prominent sup-
porters of the society from time to time :
18011. Deacon I. Porter.
Nathaniel Prince.
Nicholas Dodge.
Wm. Trask.
Amos Sawyer.
1810. Benj. Porter, Jr.
Beu.j. Kent.
Richard Elliot.
L. Leonard.
Wm. Trask.
1820. Benj. Kent.
Wm. Trask.
Stephen Whipple.
1830. Daniel Hardy.
Jacob F. Perry.
John Porter.
1840. Benj. Porter.
1840. Daniel Hardy.
Hiram Preston.
185(1. Benj. Porter.
James Holt.
Henry Johnson.
1860. John Burns
M. B. Brigham.
Eluathan iJodge.
1870. Wm. Putnam.
M. B. Brigham.
Wm. A. Jacobs.
1880. C. H. Whipple.
W. A. Jacobs.
Geo. H. Perkins.
1887. C. H. Whipple.
W. A. Jacobs.
Solomon Fuller.
The first clerk of the society, chosen November
26, 1781, was Dr. Nathaniel Gott, but he did not
serve through the successive adjournments of the first
meeting, and Jonathan Sawyer, chosen in his place,
held the office about five years, until 1786, when Na-
thaniel J^wler's name appears. Ebenezer Dale was
clerk in 1789, Israel Porter in 1790. On April 5,
1792, Israel Hutchinson, Jr., was chosen, and after
thirty years of continuous service, his neatly kept
records end with the oath administered by him to his
successor, Stephen Whipple, April 17, 1821.
Stephen Whipple served but one year.
Hercules H. Josselyn was chosen at the annual
meeting of 1822, and he served till April, 1841, nine-
teen years, when it was voted " that the Thanks ot
this Society be presented to Hercules Josselyn for his
long and faithful services as Clerk of the Society."
Parker B. Francis held the office to April 1843 :
DANVERS.
467
Hiram Preston, 1843-45; Charles E. Smith, 1845-
53; Maurice C. Oby, 1853-58; Isaac N. Roberts,
1858-62; M. H. Dorman, 1862-64; Josiah Ross,
1864-75; William H. Stetson, 1875-80; Charles A.
(jentlee, 1880, to the present, 1887.
Last April, 1887, the Sunday-school observed its
sixty-ninth anniversary. The original records, if
there were any, are not to be found. John Hood,
Peter Waitt and Captain Renjaniin Porter were sup-
erintendents before 1854, since which time, thirty-
three years. Deacon Charles H. Whipple, has been in
continuous service. There are now one hundred and
sixty connected with the school.
January 26, 1879, the standini; committee were in-
structed " to inquire into the cost of buying the land
adjoining that of the society on High Street, and of
building thereon such a building as the Society needs."
This vote was the beginning of the new chapel which
was dedicated this spring, 1887.
"Among the favorable causes under the blessing
of God," these were Mr. Chaffln's words thirty years
ago, " which have conspired to keep this somewhat
ancient church in existence, we should not fail to
notice the general unanimity of its members and
their steadfa.stness in sound doctrine and wholesome
discipline. Besides, there never has been a time when
there have not been some noble, self-denying brethren
and sisters whose faith in the darkest hour faltered
not. In the early, as well as the later history of this
church, especially will the names of Porter, Kent,
Richardson, Whitney and Hardy, with others of kin-
dred spirit, now at rest in Heaven, be held in long
and sacred remembrance. While living they were
known in the churches, and, though dead, their deeds
live."
Universalist. — The pioneer of Universalism in
Danvers was Edmund Putnam. He was born here in
1724, moved to Topstield in early Hie, returned when
about thirty-five, and occupied the well-preserved
old house off Locust Street, afterwards the home of
his distinguished grandson, Elias Putnam, and at
present owned by Augustus Fowler. Edmund Put-
nam was for twenty-three years, from 1762, a deacon
of the old Church. Probably his changed views ol
theology led to his resignation in 1785. Dr. Nichols
centennial poem contains this:
" StiU people would tliink, read their Biblea,
Embrace
Other doctrines than those we have named ;
Deacon Edmund, with new-fangled Tiewa of
Goal's grace,
Universal salvation proclaimed."
An item in the records of the old church is signiti-
cant in this connection, — '' In 1788 rates were abated
of Samuel Cheever, Jer. Hutchinson, James Smith,
John Swinerton, Henry Putnam, Xath'l Webb, Wm.
GifFord, and Mrs. Eunice Hutchinson, because they
entertained religious sentiments differing from those
professed by the church." Though, as has been seen,
this was about the time the Baptists organized their
church, some who were thus "dilfcring " are known
to have been early Universalists.
It was in the little community at Putnamville —
Deacon Putnam's neighborhood — that the new ideas
were most thought about and talked about, and
where they first assumed organic form.-
Rev. Henry P. Forbes delivered a historical ad-
dress of the society on the occasion of its fiftieth an-
niversary, October 19, 1879, which is here liberally
used in connection with the series of historical letters
written by Rev. Dr. Alfred P. Putnam, a great-
grandsun of Deacon Edmund. Mr. Forbes has thus
well and concisely spoken of those fanulies in Put-
namville in which Universalism was e-S2)ecially fos-
tered :
" In true Danvers fashion, they w-ere nearly all re-
lated to each other. Israel Putnam, 2d (Dea. Ed-
mund's son), married Anna, sister of Elias Endicott,
Jr. Zorobbabel Porter married JIary, another sis-
ter. Elias himself, when a young man, worked at
the currier's trade in Gloucester, where John Murray
was settled over the First Universalist Society organ-
ized in America. He returned to Danvers, and, hav-
ing married, came to live in the house where dwelt
his sister Anna. This family of families — Endicotts,
Porters, Putnams — seems to have been of one mind
in religious matters. They were all persons of
character and influence, and chiefly from them came
the impetus toward the formation of an Universalist
Society. But they were not alone. The Browns, the
Ricliardsons, the Bakers, and Woodburys of Wenham,
with vari<iU3 othere, had come to be more or less
earnest believers. In the year 1815 the fluid senti-
ment began to crystalize into an organization. On
the 22d of April a company of them assembled, or-
ganized themselves into a society, and drew up a
Declaration of Princi/jles."
At this first meeting, Israel Putnam, 2d, was cho-
sen moderator and treasurer; Colonel Warren Porter,
clerk ; John Baker, Joseph and Zorobbabel Porter,
committee. The committe were instructed "to in-
quire after a minister as soon as funds can be ob-
tained to pay him, and invite any suitable person
that may be willing to preach." The committee
found a very suit.able person in Rev. Hosea Ballon,
who came up to preach occasionally in the little
school-house and gave the new movement the im-
petus of his powerful help. For a number of years
there was slow and quiet progress, the number of
members recorded in 1823 being thirty-six ; in 1825,
forty-four. Besides Mr. Ballou many other ministers
came to preach in the school-house, among others
Rev. Charles Hudson, who, at the .semi-centennial
was living, in his eighty-fourth year, at Lexington,
Mass.
The last recorded meeting of the society at Put-
namville was Mav 28, 1827. " With this, the ccclesi-
468
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
astical stream sinks from the ledges of Blind-hole in-
to the sands of the Plain, and working its way south-
ward bubbles up ut the New Mills." This latter
place, the thriving commercial centre of quite an ex-
tensive territoiy, by all odds the liveliest portion of
the town, having but one church, and that of rigid
tenets, seems to have been good ground for the larger
growth of Universalism. It has been shown from the
records of the Baptist Society how about this time
defections were occurring, and how in 1829 a consid-
erable number of Baptists formally withdrew. This
withdrawal marked the occasion of the formation of
the Danvers Universal Society, which was brought
about by a simple agreement of a.ssociation in the
handwriting of Dr. Ebenezer Hunt, dated October
15, 1829, and signed by William Francis, Hathorne
Porter, Josiah Gray, John Ross, Moses W. Wilson,
Nathaniel Boardman, Joshua Silvester, B. C. Brick-
ett, William E. Kimball, Daniel Woodman, Ebenezer
Hunt, Benjamin Potter, Isaac Caldwell, William
Rogers. A petition was immediately issued to Dr.
George Osgood, justice of the peace, and by him a
warrant was issued for a first meeting for the legal
establishment of a new religious society. Upon this
petition are the additional names of John Hines,
Joseph Porter, Sylvanus Dodge and Simeon Pendar.
These eighteen men are regarded as the charter mem-
bers of the present societj' ; five were living at the
semi-centennial, 1879, and foui were present, but to-
day but one of all the number is surviving, Joshua
Silvester. (Since writing, he, too, has passed away).
For some months etlorts were made to form a union
with certain early Unitarians at New Jlills, of whom
Capt. Jeremiah Page, Jonas Warren and Maj. Moses
Black were leaders. A coalitiou committee were ap-
pointed to agree on a name, but no report was ever
made, and March 8, 1830, these efforts seem to have
been acknowledged fruitless, and it was voted " that
this society be called the First Universalist Society of
Danvers."
The first standing committee, William Francis,
Elisha Pratt and Joseph Porter, were at once in-
structed to consider the expediency of hiring the old
Baptist meeting-house, which had been removed in
1828, as has been noticed in the sketch of the Baptist
Society, to make room for a new house on the origi-
nal site. The committee hired the old house
at forty-five dollars for a year. No clergyman
was yet settled, and preaching was irregular ; but
the society grew, there being one hundred and
seventeen males at the beginning of the next year.
Though a vote was in the meantime taken "that
the contemplated meeting-house be located at or near
the. Plains so called," the old house was hired again,
but the contract was made not without bitterness.
Major Black and John Page now owned ll-16ths of
the building, and were willing enough to let their
part at forty-five dollars, but Deacons Kent and Har-
dy, of the Baptist Church, owners of the other
5-16ths, charged one hundred dollars for their share.
Evidently the latter did not wish the building used
by the society at all, and one of them made some re-
mark about wishing to feed pigs in his part, with, it
is alleged, a tinge of comparison not altogether com-
plimentary to the Universalists. The society simply
took the ll-lOths, and fenced off the remainder. It
is not difficult to imagine the feeling of which this
little episode is but a hint. It could not be otherwise.
Not even Baptist human nature could look with equa-
nimity on what, from their standpoint, was an upstart
and heretical body, which, having sapped the strength
of the old church by withdrawing a considerable
number of its members, had the audacity to set u[> in
their old building and, within ear-shot of their
sterner doctrine, to utter the alluring promise of uni-
versal salvation.
The first regular pastor of the new society was Rev.
F. Hodson, who remained from the spring of 1831 to
June of the following year. During this time the
old school-house in Putnamville was occasionally
used for services, as were also the school-houses at the
Centre and at the toll-gate.
The settled intent of the Universalists to have a
church of their own came to a head in September,
1832. Forty-eight shares at fifty dollars were taken
in a new house "to be erected between Berry's tavern
and the Baptist meeting-house," and the shareholders
became and remained a separate, corporate body until
1847, when they merged by mutual vote with the
society. A building committee, Nath'l Boardman, J.
Silvester, Hathorne P<irter and Joseph Porter, " fixed
on the piece owned by Mr. Israel Endicott as the
most eligible," and this lot was purchased. Moses
W. Wilson contracted October 29, 1832, to build a
house fifty-six by forty-two, twenty -two feet posts, for
twenty-five hundred dollars. With alterations and
additions the total cost reached thirty-one hundred
dollars. The building was dedicated Friday, June
28, 1833. Rev. Hosea Ballou, of Boston, made the
dedicatory prayer ; Rev. Hosea Ballou, 2d, of Rox-
bury, delivered the sermon ; Revs. L. Willis, of Salem,
and S. Streeter, of Boston, also old helpers in the
society's infancy, took other parts. An nriginal hymn
by Dr. Hunt was sung, beginning
" Eterniil Suurce uf Liglit iilni Love,
Of all we are or hope to be,
Dwelling in majesty above
M'e dedicate this bouse to Tbee."
Rev. D. D. Smith was at this time settled over the
society, though living in Boston. There were one
hundred and thirty-one male members, a number
which has since remained as high-water mark. Soon
after the dedication of the church. Dr. Braman, from
the citadel of his pulpit, preached a strong sermon
against Universalism and the danger of its incursions,
out of which grew the memorable debate between
Dr. Braman and Dr. Whittemore, November 6, 1833,
mentioned elsewheie, in which, of course, Danvers
DANVKRS.
469
Universalists lent their champion deeiiled aid and
comfort.
Rev. H. Knapp was installed as pa.stor of the so-
ciety, December 20, 1833. and remained until August
1(), 183G ; he died in Cambridge in 1878, aged sixty-
seven. Rev. S. Brimblecom, of Westbrook, Me., suc-
ceeded him here and remained until 1840; he was
an earnest anti-slavery man, was orator of the day,
July 4, 1837, at a meeting of the Danvers Anti-slavery
Society, and president of the Young Men's Anti-
slavery Society. He died in Haverhill, 1879, in his
eighty-first year. Soon after his resignation, on mo-
tion of Dr. Hunt, it was resolved that the committee
procure, if practicable, the services of laymen in con-
ducting Sulibath worship ; accordingly JMoses Black,
Jr., Joseph Merrill, John Hines, Dr. Hunt, and per-
liaps others othciated us occasion required. In .luly,
1840, Rev. A. A. Davis, then recently from Ohio, ac-
cepted a call and was settled at a salary of six hundred
dollars. He gave an impetus to all departments of the
society's work, and in his pastorate tlie church was
organized. The cliurch was first iiublicly recognized
October 21, 18-10 ; it numbered about sixty mem-
bers. John Hinea was chosen clerk; M. Bodge and
Eben Putnam, deacons. Mr. Davis' pastorate was
brief, closing in October, 1841, when he went to Ja-
maica for his health, but it was especially important,
happening in the height of the anti-slavery storm
which burst upon the community and the churches
at this period. Sometliing is said of anti-slavery
troubles elsewhere. Rev. D. P. Livermore supplied
during the following winter ; and in the spring of
1843, Rev. S. Bulkley, of New Market, N. H., was
chosen pastor. Rev. J. W. Hanson succeeded him
in 1840. Mr. Hanson was a young man of active
mind, a ready ilebater, inquiring and critical. Though
here but two years, he has left a memorial behind
him in Hanson's " History of Danvers," a book ac-
customed to be spoken of as containing many inaccu-
racies, but as the work of a stranger, on short prepar-
ation and with scarcely any previously printed material
to rely on, it is remarkable that the book is as valua-
ble as it is. Mr. Hanson resigned in 1848, went to
Norridgewock, then to Gardiner, Me., was editor of
Aiitjusta Gospel Biinner six years, then settled at
Haverhill, and was chaplain of the Sixth Massachu-
setts Regiment ; removed to Dubuijue, Iowa, and in
1870 to Chicago, where, in 1879, he was living, and
had then been D.D. for three years, editor of the yew
Covenant for nine yeara, and author or e<litor of some
thirteen volumes.
The next pastor here was Rev. J. W. Putnam, who
came in 1849, a pupil of Rev. Dr. Sawyer, at Clinton,
N. Y., and remained in this his only pastorate till his
lamented death, November 4, 1804. He left a widow
and two children, a daughter and a son, all living.
Throughout his pastorate " he grew in mental stature
and in favor among the people" to the end. His
townsmen honored him, his people loved him. He
would not leave his society ; his parish would not let
him go. In the noon of his manhood they gave him
to the messenger from whose call there is no api)eal.
As a scholar, thinker, writer, speaker, pastor, he
ranked high in his profession.
It was during Mr. Putnam's pastorate that, in isr)8,
it was decided that the " new church " was no longer
new, — in fact so old that another building was de-
manded. There was not, at first at lestst, a unani-
mous concurrence in this ojiinion, but after several
meetings it was decided to build nearer the Plains,
which had by this time usurped the former distinc-
tion of New Mills as being the principal village of
the town. A building committee was chosen, con-
sisting of Joshua Silvester, ,1. W. Ropes, W. J. C
Kenney, George Porter and Moses Black, Jr. A lot
of land was purchased of Eben G. Berry, and the
present house was erected under a contract with Jo-
siah Ross for four thousand three hundred and thirty-
seven dollars. The church was completed in July,
18-'J9, and was dedicated August 18th. From many of
the surrounding heights and from many of the ap-
proaches to the town, the twin Gothic towers of the
Universalist Church present one of the most promi-
nent and picturesque views of a landscape beautiful
in many respects. It is one of the many monuments
of Joshua Silvester. The society formally tendered
him their thanks " for the energy and a.ssiduity with
which he has labored in this work, — to him more
than any one else, perha[)S more than all else com-
bined, do we owe the valuable suggestions and services
resulting in this beautiful edifice."
The basement of the church was soon fitted up as
Gothic Hall, and until the day of the Peabody Institute
was the best hall in town and much used for lectures,
entertainments, and for the graduating exercises of
the High School.
The society bid farewell to the old meeting-house,
July 31, 1859, which was then sold at auction for
twenty-five hundred dollars, and soon was converted
to the use of the new Catholic Church, in whosi-
hands, much enlarged and remodeled, it still remains.
The vacancy in the pastorate cause<l by the ileath
of Mr. Putnam was filled by Rev. H. C. Delong, ol
Binghamton, N. Y., who served from 1805 three
years, and wa-s succeeded by Rev. G. J. Sanger, who,
as faithful pastor and eloquent preacher for six
years and business man for several more, was one of
our best known and worthiest citizens, upon whom
his fellow-citizens bestowed political honors with a
generous hand. A few years ago he decided to return
to the ministry, and accepted a call to Essex. Rev.
Henry P. Forbes was installed November 22, 1875, —
a man of scholarly tastes and fine literary ability, a
pastor much loved and respected, and a citizen espe-
cially useful on the school committee. He resigned
after five years to accept a [irofessorship in the St.
Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y. Rev. F. A.
Dillingham, his successor, was installed in the spring
470
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of 1881, and remained until February, 1885, when he
in turn was succeeded by Rev. Wintield S. Williams,
whose pastorate extended from June, ISS.'), to Octo-
ber, 188G. The church i.s at present (June, 1887)
without a settled pastor. (July 5th, a call was ex-
tended to Rev. C. B. Lynn, of Boston, accepted.)
In the old days of the Putnamville school-house, it
is said that Abijah Richardson su.stained the burden
of worship in song, singing four parts at once. A
permanent choir was organized after the societ)'
built a church of their own, of which William Black
was chorister. For twenty years he did not miss the
preaching service, and to his own and his brother
Moses' family the society were continually indebted for
important musical services. Among the earlier singers
were Henry and Augustus Fowler, Philip Smith, W.
J. C. Kenney, Moses Black, Jr., Mrs. Betijamin Os-
good, Mrs. Sawyer and Louisa Hines. Later, Mrs. S.
E. Howe led the soprano for twenty years. The
organ was purchased some time in the forties, over
which Miss Hattie Black first presided. Before that,
was the customary church orchestra, in which Mr.
H. Dwinell played the violin ; Aaron Putnam, viol ;
J. Sawyer, clarionet ; assisted sometimes by W. J.
Kenney and M. Black, Jr., on the clarionet and viol.
The Sunday-school was organized in 1830. Among
the earlier superintendents were I. W. Andrews,
Aaron Eveleth, Henry Fowler, Edwin F. Putnam
and Moses Black, ,Tr. In 1840 there were eighty-
eight members, incKiding nineteen teachers. Among
the later superintendents were John Hines, William
E. Putnam, William Rankin, Andrew W. Trask,
Edward Tyler, John H. Elliott, Ezra D. Hines, Rev.
George J. Sanger, and, at present, Howard R. Bur-
rington. The school now numbers about one hun-
dred and fifty. In December, 1880, a successful ef-
fort was made to raise a debt of two thousand five
hundred dollars against the society, and the event
was celebrated by a supper early in January.
Maple Street Church. — On the 15th day of March,
1844, Nathaniel Silvester, Moses J. Currier, Henry T.
Ropes, Benjamin Henderson, Aaron Bateman, (ius-
tavus Putnam, represented to George Osgood, a jus-
tice of the peace, that they were about to form them-
selves into a religious society for the worship of
Almighty God, and requested him to issue a warrant
for the calling of a meeting to be holden at the
school-house on Danvers Plains on Monday evening,
March 25th, to organize such a society under the
name of the Third Orthodox Congregational Society
of Danvers. Dr. Osgood issued his warrant accord-
ingly to Nathaniel Sylvester to warn a meeting ac-
cording to the terms of the petition. At this meeting
Henry T. Ropes was chosen the first clerk of the
society; Winthrop Andrews was chosen moderator;
Moses J. Currier collector; Benjamin Turner, Samuel
Brown, Nathaniel Silvester were the first pariah com-
mittee ; George Osgood, Henry T. Ropes, and Benja-
min Turner were appointed committee on by-laws ;
Nathaniel Silvester, Samuel Brown, and Henry T.
Ropes, to take into consideration a more suitable
place of worship ; M. J. Currier, W. Andrews and John
A. Learoyd, to solicit subscriptions for preaching.
At the adjiiurnment of this first meeting, by-laws
were presented and accepted ; the house committee
reported in favor of a subscription in shares of one
hundred dollars each, the cost not to exceed four
thousand dollars ; the same committee were instructed
to see what land could be obtained in several parts of
the plains ; Rev. Mr. Thayer was employed to preach
for six months at seven dollars per day ; Watts' Se-
lect Hymn Book was adopted ; John A. Learoyd
was " authorized to procure a Bass Vial." At a fur-
ther adjournment a building committee of eight were
chosen, as follows : Samuel Putnam, John A. Lea-
royd, Henry T. Ropes, Benjamin Turner, Joseph
Adams, Samuel Brown, Daniel Richards, Samuel P.
Fowler.
April 29th it was decided to purchase the
lot of land ofl'ered by Ezra Batchelder, " 8 Rood
front by Hi Roods deep, for $800." The committee
was instructed to build a basement story of rough
granite of suitable dimensions for a hall. The mater-
ial subsequently suggested the name, Granite Hall.
Rev. Loren Thayer was employed " to supply the
desk until the meeting-house is completed." Benja-
min Turner, Gustavus Putnam and Moses J. Cuirier
took into consideration the expediency of organizing
a choir of singers. Daniel Richards and Mr. Currier
were instructed to purchase a bell not to exceed
twelve hundred pounds. The new house was. dedi-
cated Wednesday, January 22, 1845, Mr. Thayer
preaching the dedication sermon. This year fifty
dollars was paid Parker B. Francis for singing, and
seventeen dollars was " paid Mr. Stanley for a flute ;"
later the society purchased " the Bass Vial of J. A.
Learoyd" for $30.75. Moses Putnam was thanked
for the handsome sofa and chairs he had furnished
the society, as were also the ladies for carpeting the
house. The first person called to settle as minister
was Rev. F. A. Barton, of Chicopee Falls, who de-
clined on account of ill health. Rev. Richard Tol-
man, of Dorchester, accepted a call, and was ordained
September 17, 1845, the first pastor of the new church
and society, — salary, six luindred dollars for the first
year, afterwards seven hundred dollars. The ordina-
tion sermon was preached by Rev. E. N. Kirk. Mr.
Tolraan remained until November, 1848. On April
3, 1849, this letter was sent to Rev. James Fletcher,
of Acton, then at Andover Theological Seminary :
"Dear Sir: We, the unilersigiieii, us a committee in behalf of the
Third Cong. Church and Society in Danvers hereby extend to you an
invitation to become our pafltor and teacher. The salary which the bo-
ciety oBer you is six hundred dollars.
Saml. p. Fowler,! Cmn. of
Benj. Turner, i Church.
Fred'k How, ( Cotri. of
JI. W. Putnam, ' the 5ocie((/."
DANVERS.
471
.Mr. Fletcher accepted and was ordained June 20,
1849, to a pastorship which lasted nearly fifteen
years.
The expense of the new church was about eight
thousand dollars, tor more than half of which sum
indebtedness had been incurred. Strenuous efforts
were made to liquidate this debt, and, February 1,
1847, eighteen men entered into a written obligation
to contribute, by way of loan or advancement, in
four annual payments a total of four thousand two
hundred and eighty rlullars; of this sum Moses Put-
nam subscribed eighteen hundred dollars, his brother
Samuel five hundred and twenty dollars, Nathan
Tapley and Jesse Putnam each three hundred dollars.
The other names which appear in autograph in the
records are Elbridge Trask, Joseph S. Black. Moses
W. Putnam, Samuel P. Fowler, Frederick How, F.
Howes, Ebeu G. Berry, Richard Tolman, Daniel Rich-
ards, Stephen Granville, Rebeckah Perry, .Tames M.
Perry, John A. Learoyd, Nathaniel Silvester. In May,
1850, but seven hundred dollars of the debt remained,
and " whereas Moses Putnam, Esquire, has generously
offered to pay the sum of $250," measures were taken
to meet the balance. Upon the very nest leaf to
that which records this happy state of things ajjpears
this memorandum of Deacon Prowler's :
*'BURM.NG OF THE MEETI»{r,-HOTJSE.
" On the night of July 10th, 1850, the nieetlug-house of the Third
Cong. Society was destroyed by fire. It broke out in the entry of the
Hall about 11 o'clock, and was the work of an incendiary. It wjis in-
sured at two mutual offices in Salem for the sum of $6,000.
*' The house was completely destroyed, but the waits of the basement
story were left standing, and by many persons supposed to be not much
injured. The sheds and fences around the house are but little injured,
in ronse'picnce of there being but little wind at the time of the fire.
The House, with its furniture. Church plute, and .Sabbath-school library,
wrt« consumed.
" The .Selectmen of the Town have offered a reward of .500 dollars for
the detection of the sacrilegious villian who burnt our beautiful House
and laid waate our pleasant things. The Sahbath evening after the tire,
\Vm. Duftee, a young man living on the Plains, was, on the complaint of
Geo. PerkinR. arrested and lodged in Salem jail, being accused of setting
fire to the Jleeting-Honse. He was carried before justice Rantoul, of
Beverly, and, pleading guilty of the charge, he was sent to the .Salem
jail to await his trial, Perkins being also sent with him as a witness.
Both effected their escape in November following. Duflee was retaken,
couvicted and sentenced to the StaU Prisun Jot lite. Perkins who was
suspected a« an accomplice with Duffee in the burning of the house, some
weeks after returned to Danvers, gave himself up, was cariied back to
jail, and, no one appearing against him. at the the term of court follow-
ing he was discharged,
" (In Sunday, Jidy 14th. public worship was held by the Society at the
Free Chapel, on the Plains, where an appropriate and interesting dis-
ctiur>4e was delivered by our pastor. The text was from the 14th chap-
ter of Exodus, 1,'ith verse, " .\nd the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore
crieet thou unto me? Speak unto the chiMren of Israel, that th^y go foi'
jc'irrf."
" In this discourse our Pastor, in a force^ible luanner, enjoined upon
us the imi>ortance of inimeiliately going forward in the work of rebuild-
ing our Meeting. House."
The very next day the standing committee issued
their warrant for a meeting to consider rebuilding.
It was voted " that we proceed immediately to rebuild
our meeting-house — the vote passed unanimously."
The offer of the use of the Free Chapel was accepted.
The new building committee were S. P. Fowler, Na-
than Tapley, Daniel Richards, Alfred Fellows, J. S.
Bl.ack, Elbridge Trask, J. ('. Butler, Nathaniel Sil-
vester and Stei>hen Granville. They went to work
with six thousand dollars insurance and trusted to
raise the balance. The contract was originally given
to Boston parties for six thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five dollars, but they ftiiled to meet their en-
gagements— "the winter came upon us with its snow
and rains with the building completely exposed."
The contractors were paid two thousand eight hun-
dred and fifty dollars to leave the job, and Abel
Preston's proposal to finish the building for four
thousand dollars was accepted. On Sunday, March
9, 1851, services were first held in the new Granite
Hall, and the church itself was ready for dedication
September 17, 1851. The total cost of the new or
|>resent church was S8485.l3t) ; the new bell cost two
hundred and thirteen dollars. The present organ was
purchased by subscription, as was also the clock in
the tower, and at a meeting of the subscribers to both,
.\ugust 15, 1854, both were " unconditionally present-
ed " to the society. About the same time certain jiews
were set apart to be sold for the benefit of the eigh-
teen subscribers who assumed the debt of the old
church, they suffering a loss of twenty-five per cent,
of their subscriptions — the proportional loss of pew-
holders over insurance. The new bell was not up to
the standard of orthodoxy, and cracked ; the jiresent
bell dates from 1856.
Moses Putnam, foremost of the friends and sup-
porters of the church and society, a few months be-
fore he died, which was September 10, I860, in his
eighty-fifth year, gave up .several notes amounting to
fourteen hundred dollars, which he held against the
society. A comniunicatiim was sent to him exjires-
sive of the heart-felt gratitude of the society for this
and former generous donations.
Rev. Mr. Fletcher tendered. May 21, 1864. a letter
of resignation.
A call was extended, February 1, 1866, to Rev. Wil-
liam Caruthers, of North Cambridge, who accepted,
and was installed April 18th. This call was not
nearly unanimous, and after a little more than two
years Mr. Caruthers tendered his resignation, to take
ettect July 31, 1868. On the 22d of February, 1869,
by a large and unanimous vote, Rev. .Tames Brand,
then a student at Andover, was invited to become
pastor, and he was ordained October 6, 1869. Shortly
after, December 5th, the church celebrated its twenty-
fifth anniversary. In the spring of 1872 the subject
of making extensive and radical changes in the house
was first brought up, and continued to be talked about
and voted upon for two years, when it was finally de-
cided to take the work in hand. Andrew M. Putnam,
Winthro]) .\ndrews, Charles H. Gould, .Tolin S. Lea-
royd and Daniel Richards were the supervising com-
mittee. An addition wa.s built on the rear of the
church, the interior was entirely remodeled, the old
472
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
galleries were abolished, the organ and choir-loft
moved behind the pulpit, modern black-walnut pews
were substituted for the old ones, which are now oc-
casionally seen adorning gardens and back piazzas.
With the change in the building came also a change
in the organization of the society. It was propo.sed
to abandon the system of individual pew-owuership
for a system of annual rental. By act of the Legis-
lature the existing corporation was dissolved March
24, 1874, and a new society was immediately organ-
ized under the general .statutes, the first meeting of
which was held the next day. Under the by-laws of
the new society all jjroperty was vested in a board of
five trustees, three at least to be members of the
church. Membership was open to any person renting
a sitting and receiving a majority vote at any regular
meeting. There have been but three elections of
trustees, —
1874.
Chester H. Gould.
Edward A. Lord.
Moses J. Currier.
John S. I.earoyd.
.Tohu A. Putnam.
IS79.
George W. Fiske.
John A. Putnam.
Moses J. Currier.
Charles H. Gould.
Jolin S. Learoyd.
1885.
C. H. Gould.
Samuel Ij. Sawyer.
G. \V. Fiske.
John A. Putnam.
J. S. Learoyd.
Before these changes, however, Mr. Brand resigned
his pastorate, to take efiect November 1, 1873. He
went to Oberlin, Ohio, " to accept a place where my
usefulness in the ministry, if I have any, can be more
than doubled." He went " with the kindest words to
say and the pleasantest memories to carry," and left
with his parishioners an abiding love and respect to-
wards himself He has not failed by reason of " the
greatness of the field and the urgency of the call."
After nearly two years Rev. Walter E. C. Wright ac-
cepted the invitation U> fill the vacancy, and was in-
stalled October 12, 1875, his brother, Rev. G. F.
Wright, of Audover, and Rev. James Fletcher, a for-
mer pastor, taking part in the exercises. During his
pastorate of seven years he not only endeared himself
to his own people, but won and merited the greatest
respect of his fellow-citizens by the many manifesta-
tions of his active public s])irit. Upon him fell most
of the responsibility of the re-arraugenient and new
catalogue of the Peabody Library, a work which
will remain a substantial monument to his mem-
ory. He was also largely instrumental in lifting
from the church a heavy load of debt. He was
an able debater, aud the occasion in Gothic Hall
when he stood alone against an array of advo-
cates of woman-suffrage will long be remembered.
His letter of resignation dated August 12, 1882,
contains this: "The experience of the past few
months has indicated the importance, for the health
of my wife and perhaps my own, of a change of resi-
dence to a milder climate." An urgent call to take
up a congenial and important religious and educa-
tional work at Berea College, Kentucky, was there-
fore accepted, and his resignation was tendered, to
take effect the last of September, 1882. Rev. Edward
P. Ewing, formerly of Enfield, Mass, his successor
:ind the present pastor, was installed November 1,
1883.
The first deacons of the church were Frederick
Howe and Samuel P. Fowler; subsequently elected:
.fohn S. IjCaroyd, Samuel P. Trask, Eben Peabody.
.Messrs. Fowler, Learoyd and Peabody survive in
office. The membership of the church at its organi-
zation was 42; at present, 1887, 30.5; total member-
ship since organization, 537.
The moderator of the first meeting of the .society,
1844, was Winthrop Andrews. Moderators of subse-
(|uent annual meetings have been as follows: — Samuel
P. Fowler, 1845, '47, '48, '49; Nathan Tapley, '46, '51,
•53, '54, '5;», '60; Joseph S. Black, '50, '58; Dr. D. A.
(Jrosvenor, '52; William L. Weston, '55, '56, '57, '61,
'68, '74; Rufus Putnam, '62, "63, '64, '65, '67 ; John A.
Putnam, '66, '75, '76, '77; John S. Learoyd, '6!); John
R. Langley, '70, '72, '73 ; Moses J. Currier, 71 ; Sam-
uel L. Sawyer, '78, '81 ; George W. Fiske, '79, '80, '88,
'84, '85, '86, '87.
Until 1882, the offices of treasurer and collector
were considered as one, and the persons holding the
office were as follows: — Moses J. Currier, 1844; Moses
\V. Putnam, '45-' 47, '61 ; Elbridge Trask, '48 ; John
(J. Butler, '49, '50; James M. Perry, '52-'70, eighteen
tonsecutive years; John A. Putnam, '71-'81. In 1882
the offices were divided. Webster F. Putnam was
elected treasurer, and served two years; George W.
b'iske, '84, '85 ; Charles H. Gould, '86, '87. Winthrop
.Andrews has held the office of collector from 1882 to
the present, 1887.
Henry T. Ropes was the first clerk of the society
and served for three years. Joseph S. Black succeed-
ed him and served three years. Deacon Samuel P.
Fowler began to keep the records in 1850 and has en-
tered on the thirty-seventh year of his service. Dur-
ing the whole period since the organization of the so-
ciety, the records have been kept admirably.
The list of standing committees is as follows :
1844.
Beuj. Turner.
Sanil. Brown.
Nathl. Silvester.
1843.
Sanil. Putnam.
Saml. P. Fowler.
Henry T. Ropes.
Nathl. Silvester.
1848.
Nathan Tapley.
Jesse Putnam.
Nathl. Silvester.
Henry T. Ropes.
Benj. Turner.
1847.
Nathan Tapley.
Jesse Putnam.
Moses J. Currier.
STANDING roMMITTEES.
Joseph S. Black.
Daniel Richards.
1848.
Nathan Tapley.
Joseph S. Black.
Daniel Richards.
Mosea J. Currier.
Samuel P. Fowler.
1S4».
.S. 1'. Fowler.
Joseph S. Black.
Moses J. Currier.
Francis 1*. I'utnam.
Samuel Pnlnam.
1850.
Saml. P. Fowler.
Joseph S. Black.
Moses J. Currier,
Frederic How.
Nathan Tapley.
DANVERS.
473
1851.
Nathan Tapley.
S. P. Fowler.
Moses J. Currier.
Joseph S. Black.
Daniel Richards.
IH5'2.
Nathan Tapley,
Job. S. Black.
Frederick Perley,
Francis P. Putnam.
Alfr^Ti Fellows.
1S53.I
N. Tapley.
F. P. Putnam.
S. P. Fowler.
Alfred Fellowe,
M. J. ("urrier,
IS54.
Nathan Tapley.
M. J. Currier.
F. P. I^utnani.
Wm. li. Weston.
Allen Knights.
1X55.
Nathan Tapley.
M. .1. Currier.
Allen Kaights.
W. L. Weeton.
D. A. Grosvenor.
Nathan Tapley,
F. P. Putnam.
Allen Knight.
M.J. Currier,
W. h. Weston.
I85T.
Nathan Tapley.
Moses J. f'urrier.
F. P. Putnam.
W. L. Weston.
Allen Knight.
IH5S.
Nathan Tapley.
M. J, Currier.
W. L. Westun.
F. P. Putnam.
Joseph S. Black.
i>*5i».
John A. Learojd.
Joe. S. Black.
M. J. Currier.
W. L. Weston.
F. P. PuHiani.
1 s»o.
Nathan Taplay.
W. L. Weston.
M. J. Currier.
F. P. Putnam.
J- S. Black.
ISHI.
Nathan Tapley.
W. L. Weston.
M. J. Currier.
John 0. Butler.
F. P. Putnam.
IHfi'i.
Nathan Tapley.
Rufus Putnam.
M. J. Currit^r,
F. P. Putnam.
J. C, Butler.
1 Silts.
Rufus Putnam.
3(H
Nathun Taplej.
F. P. Putnam.
J. C. Butlf r.
M. J. Currier.
I SKI.
Nathan Tapley.
Kufii^ Putnam.
J. r. Buder.
M- J. Currier.
.John R. Langley.
ISH.i.
Rnlus Putnam.
Nathan Tapley.
J. M. Perry.
Nathaniel Hills.
M. .T. Currier.
I SKA.
Natlian Tapley.
Rufus Putnam.
iVI. .J. t'nrrier.
.1. M. Perry.
J. R. Langley.
1S«7.
.1. R. Ijangley.
RiifuB Putnam.
John 8. Learo.vd.
M. .1. Currier.
Daniel Richardp.
ISBS.
Daniel Richards.
.1. S. Learoyd.
Rufus Putnam.
ISHH.
.T. S, Learoyd.
Rc.l.ert S. Perkins.
31. .1. Currier.
J. .\. Putnam.
J. M. Perry.
IS70.
Nathan Tapley.
.1. M . Perry.
R. S. Perkins.
Charles H. Gould.
M. J. Currier.
187J.
Nathan Tapley,
R. S. Perkins.
M. J. Currier.
C. H. Gould.
.7. R. Langley.
ISJ2.
J. S. Learoyd.
B. S. Perkins.
M. .1. Currier.
C. H. Gould.
J. R. Langley.
isn.
J. S. Learoyd.
George \V. Fiske.
Winthrop Andrews.
M. J. Carrier.
E. Warren Eaton.
I SIS.
John S. Learoyd.
M. .J. (Uirrier.
G. W. Fiske.
E. W. Eaton.
Winthrop .\ndrews.
IN7«.
Winthrop Andrews.
Addison P. Learoyd.
31. J. Cvirrier.
Samuel P. Trask.
Beverly S. Moulton.
IS77.
Winthrop Andrews.
B. S. Moulton.
■S. P. Trask.
A. P. Learoyd.
Samuel L. Sawyer.
IS7S.
Winthrop .\ndrew8.
B. S. Moulton.
S. L. Sawyer.
A, P. Learoyd.
Edward A. Lord.
1S7».
Winthrop .\ndrew6.
B. S. Moulton.
A. P. Learoyd.
Amos A. White.
S. L. Saw.ver.
issn.
Winthrop Andrews.
A. P. Learoyd.
A. A. White.
S. L. Sawyer.
B. S. Moulton.
I SSI.
W inthrop Andrews.
A. P. Learoyd.
.1. Frank Porter.
S. L, Sawyer.
B. S. Moulton.
ISS2.
A. P. Learoyd.
,T. F. Porter.
S. L, Sawyer.
Khen Pealxwly.
Wehsfer F. Putnam.
ISSS.
S. L. Sawyer.
J. F. Porter.
W. F. Putnam.
Allien P. White.
Eben Peahody.
ISSI.
J. F. Porter.
Eben Peabody,
W. F. Putnam.
W^allace F. Perry.
A. P. White.
ISS.i.
Leroy L. Abbott.
W. F. Putnam.
A. P. White.
W. P. Perry.
Eben Peabo<ly.
ISS«.
W. p. Perry.
W. F. Putnam.
A. P. White.
Abrani S. Real.
Dr. E. .\. Kemp,
IS87.
A. P. White.
W. P. Perry.
E. A. Kemp.
A. S. Beal.
Herbert M. Bradstreet.
The Sunday-school in connection with the Maple
Street Church was organized December 4, 1844. It
then consisted of one hundred and fourteen members
and twelve teachers. The first superintendent was
Francis P. Putnam. Succeeding superintendents have
been Moses W. Putnam, Joseph S. Black, Nathaniel
Hills and John S. Learoyd.
By far the longest term of office is that of the pre-
sent superintendent, Mr. Learoyd, who is now in his
twenty-second year of consecutive service. There are
at present connected with the school, four hundred
and thirty -si.v members, forty-two teacheis, two hun-
dred and seventy-eight scholars in main .school, ninety-
one primary, and twenty-five in the pastor's Bible-
class. The average attendance is three hundred and
six. Yearly collection for 1886, three hundred and
forty dollars. Number of library hooks, eight hun-
dred and si.\ty-five.
Catholic. — Before 1S50 there were very few na-
tives of Ireland residing in Danvers. Between 1850
and 1855, or even later, they came here in consider-
able numbers and made homes for themselves. The
first man of Irish birth to settle here, about 1840, was
the late Daniel Crowley, whose children are an honor
to his name. Another early settler was Edward
McKeigue. It was in the hitter's house, November 1,
1854, that the first Catholic service was held in Dan-
vers. Rev. Thomas H. Shahan, then of the Church
of Immaculate Conception in Salem, officiated. Af-
terwards regular services began to be held in Frank-
lin Hall, and then a chapel was erected south of the
High Street Cemetery. When the Universalists gave
474
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
up their church in 1859, the Catholics bought it. This
building, since altered and enlarged beyond recogni"
tion as to its original condition, is the present church
of this denomination. A fine new pastor's house has
been very recently erected on a pleasant site in the
rear of the church, overlooking the river. It is a fact
significant of the increase of the Catholic population
since the time above referred to, that in this church
worships a congregation by far the largest in town ;
and it is also significant that while many of the old
names, common a hundred or two years ago, have be-
come entirely extinct, and others are in danger of be-
coming so, the names of Sullivan, Collins, Gallivan,
McCarthy and others appear in increasing numbers in
each new directory and voting list, and indeed those
names mentioned seem already to be more numerous
than any other save one. The largest collective set-
tlement of the people of this church radiates from the
crossing of Hobart Street and the Eastern Railroad.
It used to be called after the capital of the old coun-
try. Much of the land was bought by Captain An-
drew M. Putnam, and by him was first opened up for
building purposes. At his death. May 6, 1881, the
family received a touching letter from a commit-
tee of Irish citizens, requesting permission to march
behind the funeral procession to the grave. Twenty-
eight of them did this, and some of their number
filled the grave with earth. " No pen can write," such
was the tribute, "nor mind describe the love, the
veneration, we have for him, who was 'a friend in
need and a friend indeed.' The name of Captain A.
M. Putnam shall be forever near and dear to us.
Many a heart has he made glad, by putting them in a
way of having a little home for themselves when
every one else seemed against them."
The first resident pastor of the church was Rev.
Charles Raioni, who also had charge of the church in
Marblehead. Thither he removed on the separation
of the parishes in 1872. He was a gentleman ad-
vanced in years, and greatly beloved. His successor.
Rev. Fr. O'Reilly, remained but one year. Rev. Pat-
rick Joseph Halley w-as appointed to Danvers in April,
1873, and his pastorate extended to September, 1882 ;
Rev. D. B. Kennedy's, from the last date to April, 1885,
when the present pastor, Thomas E. Power, was ap-
pointed.
Episcopal. — Calvary Parish was organized on the
14th of April, 1858. Joseph Adams and John S.
Pratt were the first wardens. Rev. Robt. F. Chase
entered upon his duties as rector. May 9th, 1858, ser-
vices being held at first in Bank Hall.
The corner-stone of the present church at the cor-
ner of Holten and Cherry Streets, was laid by Bishop
Eastburn, May 11, 1859, and the church was conse-
crated by him, May 25, 1860. Mr. Chase resigned in
1862, but was again rector from 1863 to 1865. His
successors were as follows: — Rev. George Horvill,
rector from 1865-66; Rev. William W. Silvester, dea-
con in charge of the parish, 1868; Rev. S. J. Evans,
rector, 1869-71 ; Rev. William I. Magill, 1872-77.
Rev. George Walker, the present rector, took charge
of the parish October, 1877.
Unitarian, — As was hinted in the sketch of the
Universalist Society, there were, many years ago, a
number of influential families who had accepted the
Unitarian faith. It was not, however, until 1865, that
the present society was organized and worship begun,
the first service being held in the Town Hall, and
conducted by Rev. A. P. Putnam, then of Roxbury.
Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Wentworth, with their fiimily
of children, had recently removed to Danvers from
Roxbury, where they had been parishioners of Mr.
Putnam, and it only needed their presence and ear-
nest zeal in the town, to insure success to the new
movement. One or more meetings of the friends were
held to consider the matter, previous to the first pub-
lic service, and arrangements were soon made for
regular Sunday worship in the Town Hall until more
suitable accommodations could be had. ' The desk was
supplied by different preachers until April 1st, 1867,
when Rev. Leonard J. Livermore became the pastor
of the infant church, and remained the minister until
his death, in the summer of 1886, having his residence
throughout at Cambridge, and being the guest of Mr.
and Mrs. Wentworth, on his weekly visits to Danvers.
The little church prospered, and in a few years erected
its present neat and commodious chapel, which is lo-
cated very near the site of the first house at Danvers
Plains, that of pioneer John Porter. The cost of land
and edifice was about $13,000. The buildiug tonk the
name of Unity Chapel, and was formally dedicated as
a house of worship on the evening of the 16th of
March, 1871. The opening prayer was by Rev. S. C.
Beane, of Salem; the reading of the Scriptures by
Rev. J. B. Moore, of Lawrence ; the sermon by Rev.
A. P. Putnam ; the act of dedication by the pastor
and people ; the prayer of dedication by Rev. J. T.
Hewes, of Salem; chants and hymns were sung by a
quartette and by the congregation. The church suf-
fered a great loss in the death of Mr. Wentworth,
about the time of the decease of its first minister.
For a fuller notice of these two excellent men and
faithful friends, see Dr. Putnam's sketch of Mr. Went-
worth on a subsequent page. Mr. Livermore's suc-
cessor is Rev. J. C. Mitchell, who entered upon his
work here during the last winter (1886-87). having
previously been the minister of the Orthodox Con-
gregational Church in Wenham.
Methodist. — This is the only church located in
the village of Tapleyville, and draws its strength and
support largely from that neighborhood.
The first preaching service, preliminary to organiz-
ing a church, was held in Lincoln Hall, October 22,
1871. As a result of this and successive meetings it
was determined to build a meeting-house. G. A.
Tapley gave the lot of land, and he and his father
otherwise contributed liberally. The present build-
ing was dedicated early in 1873. It cost about fit-
BANVERS.
475
teen thousand dollars. The church was organized
March 17, 1872. The first pastor was Rev. Elias Hodge,
to whose enthusiastic work much of the first success
of the new church was due. He served until 1874,
the conference year beginning with April. His suc-
cessors have been Rev. R. H. Howard, 1S7'>-7G ; Rev.
Garrett Beeknian, 1877-79; Rev. W. J. Hambleton,
1880-82; Rev. W. M. Ayres, 1883-85; Rev. C. A.
Merrill, the present pastor, came in 1886.
The Sunday-school was organized November 5,
1871; its first superintendent, Oliver D. Hani.
Seventh Day Advent. — In the summer of 1877
a very large tent was pitched in the open lot on Ho-
bart Street, opposite the station, and large congre-
gations went nightly to hear Elder C'anright's exposi-
tions of the doctrines of the above sect. He succeeded
in making numerous converts, some from other
churches, more from those not previously in the habit of
attending church. Notwithstanding the practical in-
convenience of keeping Saturday as the Sabbath, a
considerable number hold firmly to that way. A
chapel was dedicated January 6, 1878. It stands very
near the site of the tent. The church was organized
December 11, 1877. There has been for some time
no settled pastor. Very recently there have been
quite a number of baptisms. Charles Hartman is
superintendent of the Sunday-school.
CHAPTER XXXV.
BkNVERS.— {Continued).
EDUCATIONAL.
One of the reasons why the Village and Middle
Parislies petitioned to be set off from Salem was be-
cause they were so far from the grammar-school. But
there were schools, probably of lower grade than
grammar, in both the Village and Middle Parishes
many years before the district of Danvers was incor-
porated. The first action taken towards a separate
school within the present limits of Danvers and Pea-
body was in 1701, under a vote entered in the village
parish records that " Mr. Joseph Herrick and Mr.
Joseph Putnam and John Putnam jun. are chosen
and empowered to agree with some suitable person to
be a school-master among us, in some convenient
time ; and make return therefor to the people." The
man instrumental in building the first school-house
was the minister of the Village church, Rev. Joseph
Green. Certain passages of his diary, March, 1708,
bear upon the subject:
"March 11. . . . I spoke to several about building a schoolhouse
aud determined to do it, &c.
"18. I rode to ye neighbor about a schooihouae and found them
generally willing to help.
"2'.i. Meeting of the Intiabitiints, I spoke with several about build-
ing a schoolhouse. I went into ye Town Sleeting {village meeting) and
said to this effect : Neighbors I am about building a schoolhouse for the
good education of our children . . . Some replyed that it was a new
thing to them and they desired to know where it sliouM etand, aud
what the design of it was. To them I answered that Deacon Ingereol!
would give land for it to stand on, at the upper end of the Training field,
and that I designed to have agood school-master to teach their children
to read and write and cypher and everything that is good. Many com-
men<led the design and none objected to it.
" 2.'). Began to get timber for schoolhouse."
The teacher firet mentioned by name is Katherine
Daland ; she taught before Mr. Green's house was
finished. In 1714 Samuel .\ndrew taught and is
the first mentioned master.
To pass now at once to the separate existence of the
town and the manner iu which it managed school af-
fairs. At first the schools were left to the selectmen.
The first school-committee, as a distinctive board,
were chosen in 1750, under the following votes:
" Voted, to chuse a com'tee to regulate ye Grammar School & to be
live men. Voted, Dan'l Gardner Dan'l Puringtou Dan'l Epes Jun'r
Nath'l Felton Sr. David Putnara voted, that the School Com'tee Draw
up Something and lay it before y« District on ye adjournment."
In the annual warrant for 170(5 there occurred for
the first time a proposition for the division of school
money between the parishes according to the propor-
tion of their taxes, but no action was then taken. The
next year the question of establishing other than
grammar-schools came up again. It was four years
since the same matter had been referred to the dis-
cretion of a committee, and now the growing need of
such schools seemed so imperative that it was directly
voted " that there be a number of schools provided
by the selectmen besides the Grammar Seool in the
winter Season in this Town as the Selectmen Shall
think proper. To be at Town Cost." The next year,
1768, " the claws in the warrant " relating to division
of the school money between the parishes was dis-
mi.ssed as before, and again the monopoly of public
education was restored to the grammar-school ; but
before winter set in the selectmen were instructed " to
set up what schools they shall think ]iro])er."
So matters went, at times only a grammar school,
at times " other schools set up," until, iu the midst of
the Revolution, December 1, 1777, on a petition
headed by Col. Jeremiah Page, a decidedly progres-
sive step was taken. At a meeting held in the North
Meeting-House, Archelaus Dale, Moderator, it was
voted that there be Ten Schoolsset up in the Town for
three months each, and that the selectmen regulate
the schools and provide proper persons for School-
masters.
In 1780 the expression " district schools " is first
used ; it was then voted '' that there be District
Schools set up tor three months to begin as soon as
may be."
In 1783 nine schools were " set up " for two months,
but whether or not nine schools were insufiicient to
meet the law, or the setting-up thereof was too large-
ly on paper merely, the inhabitants found them-
selves this year presented before the Court of General
Sessions for not keeping schools according to law,
476
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and Samuel Cheever was sent to Ipswich to answer
for the town on the first Tuesday of April, and he
was instructed " to use his influence, that the Town
be not fined for their neglect in not keeping schools."
The potency of Samuel's endeavors may be inferred
from the fact that there is no further mention of the
subject.
The lOlh of November, 1794, is the beginning of a
new epoch, it marks the first step towards the estab-
lishment of a systematic district system. It was then
voted that the selectmen "divide the town into as
many districts as will best accommodate the town ; "
and the next month the first distinct and separate ap-
pnjpriation of money for school purposes was made, —
j£90, exclusive of the grammar school. Gideon
Foster's record of the laying out of the school dis-
tricts must here be omitted. There were nine in all ;
number one including the present central village of
Peabody; two, the Port; three, Putnam ville; four,
Beaver Brook ; five, the Centre ; six, Felton's Corner;
seven and eight. West Danvers; nine, towards Hum-
phrey's Pond. The establishment of division lines
caused some uneasiness among those who lived on the
outskirts of the respective districts. For instance.
Col. Jethro and Dr. Archelaus Putnam, and the
dwellers on the Derby Farm, found themselves, by
the new dispensation in No. 3, wished to be in No.
4, and evidently succeeded in getting there ; for the
next year, Aaron Putnam and others of No. 3 peti-
tioned that the lost sheep be brought back again.
Daniel Taylor and others soon wanted a division of
No. 7 by a North and South line. In ISOO Amos
King wished to be set oft' from No. 8 to No. 6, but the
inhabitants said no.
Early in 1802 a special meeting was called, to see
if the town would make some general alterations in
district lines ; the only changes made were in num-
liers two, three and four, all within the present limits
of Danvers.
In 180B John Jacobs and others presented a peti-
tion for the division of No. 7 and, succeeding in ob-
taining it, the new district, number ten, was the result.
In the same year the subject of rules for the govern-
ment of schools was first considered, and the follow-
ing code drawn up by Parsons Wadsworth and Walk-
er, and Hon. Nathan Head, David Daniels and Capt.
Samuel Page, will prove interesting reading :
DK. WADSWOUTH'S cook.
"1. It is reoouiniemied that each lustructor open his School in tlio
morning and close it in tlio evening with a aliort prayer.
*' 2. On every School day except Saturday, each instructor shall em-
ploy at least six hours in the instruction of his pupils, and not less than
three on that day.
"3. The instructor of each School shall class his pupils in such man-
ner as ho shall judge most conducive to their improvement, not making
less than two Classes.
"4. To facilitate the acquii'ement of an accurate & uniform mode of
Spelling i pronunciation, Perry's Spelling-hook and Dictionary shall he
taught in all the Schools ; and the following shall he the Catalogue of
Books from which the Scholals shall he supplied at the discretion of the
Instructor, viz.- ' Murray's English Grammer Ahridged,' 'Morse's Ge-
ography, ahridged Constitution of the State of Massachusetts,' Ac,
' Wakefield mental improvement,' * Pikes Arithmatic ' A the ' holy Bi-
ble,' together with such Latin & Greek ClassicB as are usually taught in
Grammer Schools.
"5. To abridge the time commonly consumed by Children in learn-
ing to write, the plan discrihed in Jenkeu's 'Art of Writing' shall he
adopted in all the schools ; A Copper-plate copies furnished by the In-
structor shall be used by those Scholars who are able to write joining
hand.
"6. The Scholars shall be taught punctuation notes or nuirks, inter-
rogation, admiration, accent, emphasis & cadence.
" 7. Every Instructor shall establish A luaintaiu order & good Govern-
ment in his school, not by inflicting cruel & unusual punishment, but
by addressing the understanding A ingeniims feelings of the youtli com-
mitted to his care, & by endeavouring to excite a spirit of industry &
emulation stimulating them to their duty by the hope of reward rather
than by the fear of Punishment.
*'To carry these rules & orders (should the Town adopt them) into ef-
fect the Committee sensible that the improvement of Scholare depemis
greatly on the attention &. fidelity of instructors beg leave to recommend
a parlicuhtr ngartl to the moral «t literary quallificatious of those who
shall be employed in that capacity the iinmuil choice of a School commit-
tee, faithfully to discharge the important trust reposed in tliem by law,
& likewise tn direct the Toivn CJerk to furnish the Grammer School Mas-
ter at least with a written copy of the laws of this State respecting the
power & duty of the School conmiittee A instructors of Schools prefixed
to a copy of these regulations.
"ben.h. wadsworth, pr. order."
In 1808 another sub-division of districts occurred;
the people living in the western part of No. 1 were
set ofl' as No. 11 ; and within a few months Clark
Wilson and others secured a division of No. 11, and
a portion thereof was established as No. 12. At
the March meeting of 1816 another very important
advance towards system was made. Three persons —
Nathan Felton, Daniel Putnam and Dr. Andrew
Nichols were chosen "to define the powers and du-
ties of School Committee."
Ten years in advance of the law of the State
making it the duty of towns to choose a school com-
mittee, Danvers accepted the report of these men,
which contained, among other recommendations,
this, —
'* That it be proper and expedient to choose a School Committee,
whose powers and duties shall be the same aa is given to the ministers of
the gosjfel and the selectmen of the town by the laws of the Conmion-
wealth, excepting such as have or may be given to the school districts by
a special vote of the town."
And twenty-two years in advance of the State law
requiring school committees to make annual reports,
Danvers adopted tliis recommendation, —
" It shall be the duty of the School Committee to make a report of so
much of their doings and such other particulars l"especting the several
schools as they may deem worthy the consideration of the town at their
annual Mai'ch meeting."
At the same meeting at which this action was taken
it was voted " that District No. 2 be divided, agree-
ably to a Petition of John Page and others, dated
April 19th, ISKi, and is on Town files." A search
among the old papers in the town-house vault was
rewarded by the finding of this interesting autograph
petition, the origin of the present Plains District, now
No. 1,—
"To THE Selectmen of Danvers: —
" Gentlemf.n : We, the subecribere, iubabilanta uf Sdioul Dietrict
number twu, reijuest you to iiiBwrt a clauet iu yuur wairaut at the May
DANVERS.
No. 10 46
" U 116
•■ 12 120
ineuting for tlie choice of Representatives to this eflect ; to see if the
town will pass a vote to seperate that part of District number two. Be-
ginning at Frost lish brooli bridge, so called, and from thence following
the niill-pond down nntill you come to the point of land owned by John
Page, thence up a branch of said pond, untill yon come to the bridge
near bricl^ yards ; thence rnnning down by the Salem road untill you come
to tlie east corner of .Setii Stetson's pasture ; thence lunning as tlie fence
stands to the soutli corner of Kiid jiasture ; tiience soutlierly a^ tlie fence
runs to Crane river, so called ; tiience following said river to tlie Bridge
witli ail the land, polls and estates, to the norlliward ami westward said
line now belonging to District number two, \vi h all the powers and
priviledges belonging to otlier school Districts in the town of Danveis.
" Danvers, April li)th, 1816.
"JoH.N Paue.
"Oeori.e Osgood.
" EzKA Bati^heldf.r.
*' Eben^ Berry.
" Timothy Putnam.
" Eben Pctnam, Jr.
" .Andrew Batcheli)er.
" .\i,i.EN Peabody."
Very soon Benjamin Wellington and Jonathan
Perry, with their polls and estates, were set oti' from
No. 3 to the new district, No. 13, and the next year
'"the land of Wm. Burley, of Beverly, which lies in
Danvers " was subjected to the same transfer.
In 1820 the town directed the school committee to
return the number of children between five and
eighteen, with the following result:
No. 1 102 No 4 61 No. T l">a
" 2 184 " 5 104 " 8 8,5
" 8 53 " C 98 " 9 16
No. 13 66.
About this time it is apparent that the old "gram-
mar school " was being neglected. In the summer of
1821 Dr. Nichols and others petitioned for such a
school, and as cumulative evidence of its non-exist-
ence this vote appears on the record of the next an-
nual meeting, —
" Voted, To choose a committee to answer a commnnication received
b.v the selectmen from the count)' attorney, relating to Grunimer
Schools. Voted, that .loliu W. Proctor, John Page and Williani Sutton
be said committee."
The spirit of Samuel Cheever seems to have de-
scended on these men, for, as in the case of his mis-
sion to Ipswich forty years before, nothing was there-
after heard of this threatened indictment.
Since the code of IcSlti there had been annually
elected three committee-men at large, and each year
these three were the ministers of the three churches.
After seven years it seems that it was thought well to
give laymen a representation, and at a meeting called
for that purpose and no other, and on the petition of
the school committee themselves, it was voted then and
thereafter to add three to the committee at large ; and
those first added were Dr. Nichols, Nathan Felton
and John W. Proctor.
In lb27 the term "at large" was dropped. The
body which had been tlius distinguished now be-
came, with the addition of one more, simply the
School committee; while the committee, chosen as
formerly, one from each district, received the new
title of Prudential Committee. To further distinguish
the " upper house " from the latter, for several years
the phrase "Committee of Superintendence" was
applied to it.
Ill 1831, by vote of the town the Prudential (Vmi-
mittee were thenceforth to be elected by the several
districts at district meetings.
In 183.') just forty years had passed since the
original establishment of di-stricts. In the mean
time many alterations, only some of which have
here been noted, had taken place in the way of
changing individuals and their estates from one dis-
trict to another, until there might well have been more
or less uncertainty about the true dividing lines. They
were therefore caretiilly examined and re-located by
a committee of delegates from each existing district,
anil their report was recorded by Dr. Shed in a vol-
ume of school records.
In 1836 occurs the first mention of compensation to
the school committee. They were authorized to ap-
point three of their number to visit all the schools in
town, and these three were to receive for their ser-
vices the same rate per day as other town officers.
The next year, 1837, the Massachusetts School
Fund is first mentioned. The manner of dispo.sal of
the town's sliare was referred to the school com-
mittee.
The Legislature of 1838 passed an act, changing
the authority to employ teachers from the prudential
to the general committee unless towns should other-
wise order, and Danvers did so otherwise order.
But lest the district goverment should smack
too highly of one-man power, it was, the next
year, recommended to each district to choose two
other persons to act and advise with the prudential
man in supetintending the concerns of the district.
The year 1839 marks the beginning of our luinted
school reports. The first school report jiroper ever
made to the town was in 1817, and was committed to
the "files." Resurrected from its long repose, this
old document, somewhat blotted, scratched and inter-
lined, signed " B. Wadsworth, Chairman, pr. order,"
makes very interesting reading to-day, and shows that
.school-report literature has departed not far from tlie
standard thus early set, — the very small iron hantl in
the glove of well wadded velvet. There seems to be a
certain familiar sound about expressions such as
these :
"The Committee are enabled to report that the schools generally ap-
peared atlvantageously in comparison with their condition in past years.
. . . Xotwithstanding the respectable character of the schools gen-
erally, there is still room for improvement. In some districts the
committee did not tind the scholars had made so great proficiency in
their studiesas might have been reasonably expected. . . . In some
tlistricts many of the children have been sent very inconstantly to
school, and the efforts of the Instructors have not been met with that
zealous support from Parents which is essentially necessary tx> give the
desired effect. In some instances the committee did not tind that degree
of Silence and regular order wliich is necessary to enable schoilars (.\li.
Doctor !) to pursue their stuiiies most advantageously. . . . But the
committee with pleasure add that in no instance was there discovered
any marks of negligence, or want of constant and faitliful atten ion to
their laborious employment on the part of the Instructors. . . . The
committee would close their remarks respecting the several schools
478
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
by stating, that they deriveti the highest gratification iu witnesing the
regular older and highly respectable attainments of the schollars in the
school kept by Mr. Samuel Preston. District N. 4, in the North Parish,
and in the school kept by Mr. Amory Felton, District N. 11, in the
South Pariah.
The Committee conclude by earnestly exhorting all concerned to ex-
ert all their influence and abilities to improve their respective schools by
employing the best Instructorri, by sending the children and youth to
school as constantly and as many years as possible, and by affording
them all the aid and encouragement in their power to attain at least a
thorough acquaintance with the several branches, or, rather, rudiments
of science which are tiiught in English schools."
Following the custom thus set in 1817, reports were
for eighteen years annually read at town-meeting and
filed away. From 1835 to and including 1838 the re-
ports are recorded at length, together with many in-
teresting returns, in Dr. Shed's book of "School
Records."
At the annual meeting of 1839, after Rev. Allen
Putnam had read the report of the year then ended,
it was recommitted with authority to the committee
to cause as many copies of it to be printed as they
should think proper for the benefit of the inhabitants.
Israel H. Putnam appears in this earliest pi'iuted report
as a teacher in No. 7 ; subsequently he was given the
much larger .school in No. 5. One of his .successors
in No. 7 was John G. Walcott, and following Wal-
cott, in the winter of '42-43, was a young man from
the Village, Augustus Mudge. Of the latter the com-
mittee said, " the teacher seemed to feel an active in-
terest, and the appearance of the school justifies us in
saying that in his first attempt, he has succeeded in
imparting that interest to his scholars.'' In the
sequence of events, Mr. Putnam and Mr. Mudge are
now associated the one as treasurer and the other as
president of the Danvers Saving Bank.
Oliver A. Woodbury, who became a physician in
Nashua, N. H., deceased, taught in No. 10. Among
the lady teachers were Elizabeth P. Pope, Fidelia
Kettelle, Margaret Putnam, Harriott A. Pope, Emily
Gould and Hannah J. Putnam. The mention of the
then young men, Putnam, Walcott and Woodbury,
calls to mind the fact that just about this time they
were themselves attending school at Pembroke Aca-
demy. N. H. And this was a thing not uncommon
among the ambitious young fellows of Danvers, who
desired something more than the meagre education of
a few weeks each winter at the home schools. They
left their work and their wages not for the fun of a
term or two at boarding-school, but to get the most
out of it ; sometimes spurred on by a friendly word of
advice, but as often impelled merely by per.sonal deter-
mination. Quite a number went to Bradford, a few
to Atkinson, N. H., and perhaps elsewhere, but Pem-
broke seems to have been the favorite. In the few
catalogues which have been preserved the following
names appear of North Danvers young men and
women who were at Pembroke about 1840 : Israel H.
Putnam, Oliver A. Woodbury, Israel P. Boardman,
Francis Noyes, Charles A. Putnam, Albert Putnam,
Elias E. Putnam, Israel E. Putnam, Moses W. Put-
nam, Thomas M. Putnam, William Putnam, John G.
Walcott, Joseph S. Black, Charles P. Preston, Aaron
W. Warren, Charles H. Gould, Harrison O. Warren,
John H. Porter, John Reed, Caroline E. Page, Sarah
P. Page, Eniiline Putnam, Nancy Putnam, Mary O.
Black, Sarah A. Kent.
At Topsfield Academy there were, about 1830, these :
Ezra Batchelder, James I). Black, Thomas J. Brad-
street, Moses K. Cross, John C. Page, Charles Page,
Ebenezer Putnam, Francis Putnam, William R. Put-
nam, Henry F. Putn.ani, Charles H. Rhoades, Asa T.
Richards, Richard West, Lydia Bradstreet, Harriet
N. Page, Harriet Putnam, Clarissa Putnam, Elizabeth
A. Putnam.
A fellow-student with some of these Danvers young
people at Pembroke was a young man from Deerfield,
N. H., who went to Dartmouth College, and helped to
pay his way by teaching, winters. About Thanks-
giving time, during his first year, lie drove from his
home looking for a school, and spent a night in Dan-
vers with Oliver Woodbury, calling the next morning
on " Uncle Moses," father of Israel E. Putnam, a
young man of great promise who had died at Pem-
broke, and by Uncle Moses he was taken over to the
old General Putnam homestead to the shoe-factory of
Daniel and Ahira Putnam, to see in particular the
latter who was prudential committee-man, and to
Ahira the young man made application to teach the
district school. No. 4, the ensuing term and wii.s en-
gaged. Julia Putnam, a daughter of the homestead,
helping about the household work which by well-
established New England custom falls to Monday
morning, noticed the arrival of the young stranger,
and was interested in his errand for she was the
teacher of the summer school. The young man's
name was John D. Philbrick. It is a proud thing for
Danvers that a name since so widely and honorably
known should find itself connected with her annals.
Mr. Philbrick taught the No. 4 school three winters.
He became engaged to Miss Putnam, and was married
to her after his graduation, and after his great life-
work was accomplished came back to these scenes of
his early labors and of his early love to die. It is in-
teresting to read in the light of his subsequent career
what was said of the young student-teacher by the
committee of 1839 : "At the commencement of his
term we feared that Mr. Philbrick might fail to meet
the reasonable demands of the district ; but are happy
in being able to state that both he and his school
made progress that was highbj gratifying to the com-
mittee and creditable to themselves. We have seldom
found in school so general and thorough acquaint-
ance with the various marks of punctuation as was
possessed here ; and as a necessary consequence we
found some of the best readers here that we have lis-
tened to in town. The various recitations approached
to uniformity in character and were very fair."
John Dudley Philbrick was born in Deerfield,
N. H., May 27, 1818. He graduated from Dartmouth
DANVERS.
479
ill 1S42, having some weeks previous to graduation
entered upon the duties of a position in the Roxbury
Latin School. While at Roxbury he married, August
24, 1843, Julia A. Putnam, of Danvers. He next
went to the Boston English High School, was master
of the Mahew School in ]S4ri— It), and achieved great
reputation for his admirable work as master of the
Quincy School, 1847-52. For a few years his labors
were then transferred to Connecticut, first as princi-
pal of the State Normal School, and again as State
superintendent of common schools. In December.
185(i, he was recalled to Boston by his election as
superintendent of public schools, a position which,
except for an interim of a year and a half, he held
continuously until March, 1878. His published offi-
cial reports during this term are a part of the standard
literature of education. He was sent by the United
States to represent our educational department at the
Vienna Exposition in 1873, and again to Paris in
1878. From France he received the decoration of
Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and the Gold Palm
of the LTniversity of France. St. Andrew's Univer-
sity of Scotland conferred upon him, in 1879, the de-
gree of D. C. L. He was one of the original incor-
porators of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
and remained on the board as long as he lived ; was
ten years a member of the Massachusetts State Board
of Education, and ten years a trustee of Bates' College.
In his later years he was especially instriiniental in
the establishment of free evening schools and the
State Normal Art School, and in the enactment of the
truancy law and teachers' tenure of office act. He
died at Danvers, February 2, 1886. In a private
letter to John G. Whittier, I. E. Clark, of Washing-
ton, says : " I cannot express to you what a personal
grief to me was the news of the death of Mr. Phil-
brick. . . . He w.as a great educator, I think
worthy to stand beside Horace Mann in the memory
of his countrymen." The immediate successor of Mr.
Philbrick in this district school, of Danvers. was the
man who is now librarian of the Boston Public Lib-
rary, Hon. i\Iellen Chamberlain, who also married a
Putnam of the neighborhood, a daughter of Jesse.
Mrs. Philbrick has furnished these names of other
old teachers in No. 4: Asa Cummings, long editor of
the Portland Mirror; Samuel, William and Eliza
Preston (the latter Mrs. Nathan Tapley), Catherine,
Elizabeth, Susan, William R., Francis P. and Julia
A. Putnam, Dr. Joseph E. Fiske, Otis Mudge.
Dean Peabody, now clerk of E-^sex County Courts,
taught in PutiiamviUe, beginning in 1843-44.
In the winter of 184(5-47 a young man, now widely
known as Rev. Dr. Alfred P. Putnam, taught the "senior
department" of the Plains School. "This was Mr.
Putnam's first experiment in school-keeping. He
entered upon the work in his own district, and under
peculiar disadvantages. Yet the committee present
at the closing examination testified to the general good
appearance of the school and its decided improve-
ment during the year.' Charles A. Putnam, who
became superintendent of schools in St. Louis and
there died, taught at No, 4, in 1847-48. Freeman
N. Blake, who some years ago became a permanent
resident of Danvers, was teaching thirty-seven years
ago in No. 12. Harrison Gray taught at No. 7. Ru-
fus Sawyer at No. 10, in 1850. Arthur A. Putnam,
brother of Alfred, son of Elias, lawyer, of Uxbridge,
began his first experiment, 1852, where he grew up, in
No. 3. John W. Sawyer, who recently died at the
head of the Butler Insane Asylum, Rhode Island, was
teaching in 1852 at the " little border school," in No.
10.
Other well-known names than tho.se already given
which appear in the list of teachers from 1840 to
1845 are, — Hannah Pedrick. Sarah A. O.sgood, Han-
nah P. Bradstreet, Sophronia Fuller, Asenath P.
Pope, Sarah B. Pedrick, Almira A. Putnam, Eliza W.
Preston, Jlelicent P. Peabody, Matilda Peabody.
From 1845 to 1855, — Elizabeth Hopkinson, Clarissa
k. Preston, Mary P. Tapley, Eliza W. Preston, Nancy
Perry, Mary J. Sawyer, Adeline F. Bomer, Sophronia
E. Tapley, Mary E. Porter, Nancy E. Boardman,
Sarah E. Symonds, Susan Putnam, Julia A. Page
Lydia A. P. Tapley, Harriet Felton, Amanda B.
Hood, Hannah P. Pope, Harriet A. Putnam, Lvdia
A. Felton, Mary A. Richards, Sarah J. Putnam,
Harriet M. Putnam, S. A. Hyde. M. A. Wilkins,
Pamelia Needham, Sarah F. Emery, Ann .1. Eraerv,
Ellen F. Towns, Cornelia Putnam. Sojihia J. Richards.
In the year of the first printed report, 1830, the
subject of high schools was first brought up. Wil-
liam I). Joplin, John W. Proctor, Allen Putnam,
Samuel Preston, J. M. Austin, Daniel P. King and
Benjamin Porter were appointed to consider the
propriety of establishing one or more such schools
agreeably to the statutes. They reported that a ma-
jority at least felt that the credit and interest of the
town demanded better and higher schools than those
existing. In view of the scattered location of the
inhabitants, they said, it would not be practicable to
agree upon a site for the establishment of one school to
accommodate all, and, [lerhaps, it would be er(ually dif-
ficult to agree upon two. Although there were wise
men on this committee, the conchnling paragraph
of their report is a bit of that rare wisdom which
confesses its own limitations,- —
"They are satiefieii that sonjf-t lung oiij^ht lo be (iunc. and tliey hnpe
something will be ilone ; but it retjuires wiser heads than theirs to ileter-
mine how it shall be done in a manner that will prove Ratisfartorv."
In the face of such an avowal it is not surprising
that high schools remained in the realms of the ideal
for many years to come. After three years some
determined souls had the courage to bring up the
subject again, it was referred to the school committee
and that was the end of it. Then after one of the
periods of Jacob's coiirtshi[), in 1849, it was brought
up a third time, and again referred to the school
committee. The next year, for the third time in its
480
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
history, an indictment hung over the town. High-
schools were no longer a matter of choice, but of
necessity, and the citizens stirred themselves to get
at once out of the unpleasant situation. J. W. Proc-
tor, Samuel Preston, Moses Black, Jr., Andrew
Nichols and Fitch Poole were appointed to act in
concert with the school committee.
On Monday, the 8th of April, 1850, Rev. Thomas
P. Field of the South Church read the report of this
committee in town meeting. It was voted that he
read it over again. And after various attempts at
amendment, it was adopted.
The report begins, —
"It is obvious that the Town is under an absoliite necessity of estab-
lishing a High School The Law on this subject is imperative, and we
cannot neglect its requisitions, without Incurring a heavy penalty.
But so extensive is our Terrritory, and 60 scattered our population,
that One High School will by no means satisfy the desires or meet the
wants of our community. If we have One High School, we must have
two, in order that all the Inhabitants of the Town, may participate in
the benefits of Education, in the higher branches ttf knowledge. The
Committee have considered the subject of uniting the High Schools, iu
some way with one or more of the District Schools, in order, if possible,
toobivate the necessity of establishing Independent Schools. They have
come to the conclusion, however, that no satisfactory arrangement of
this kind can be made. It is uncertain whether any of the Districts
would consent to it, and if they would, it is thought by the Committee
that th« plan could not be made to work, in a manner advantageous
to the interests of either District or High School education."
The committee proposed certain votes, which by
the acceptance of the report, became the action of
the town :
"First, That it is expedient to establisli two High Schools, independ-
ent of the District Schools, — One in the North and one in the South part
of the Town, the said Schools to be free to all the Inhabitants, under
such uniform regulations for the admission of Puiiils as the school com-
mittee shall establish. . . . That the School Committee be in-
structed to provide two suitable school rooms, with Furniture and appa
I'atuB, and establish High Schools, according to Law, as early as the
first of May nest, or as soon after as practicable."
On the third day of June, 1850, the two high
schools were opened for the admission of such schol-
ars as should yiatin the examination. Thirty-eight
entered the south, thirty-one the north school. John
P. Marshall, now of the faculty of Tuft's College, was
the hrst principal of the north school. The building
in which the north school was inaugurated was situ-
ated on Conant Street, in a corner of the lot now oc-
cupied by the dwelling of Roswell D. Bates. It is
described by one of the original pupils as " a long,
narrow and low structure, a little back from the road,
with two large trees before it. The room was very
low studded, at one end the desk and at the other the
recitation platform ; between were only three rows of
double seats. The pupils were of good age and abil-
ity." The first examination was awaited with great
interest. " In consequence of the desire of so many
to be present at this time, it was deemed proper to
hold the examination in the new spacious school-
house at New Mills. The performances were of a
high order, and most gratifying to the committee and
the numerous visitors."
After a few months better quarters were found for
the school. On the present town-house lot was the
chapel of the Wesleyan Society and, being then little
or not at all in use, the real estate was sold to the
town, and the meeting-house became a school-house.
This chapel had been called the " Quail Trap," and
the name clung to it so long as it was used as a school-
house. When the town-house was built, the 'quail
trap' was moved to Essex Street, where, ever since, it
has been a residence in good and regular standing.
At the close of the second term of the second year
Mr. Marshall resigned to take a better position ; A.
P. S. Stuart succeeded him, and remained till the
close of the fall term, 18.53. Mr. Nathaniel Hills,
late principal of the high school at Great Falls, N.
H., was selected as Mr. Stuart's successor. Rev.
James Fletcher succeeded Jlr. Hills. The present
principal is H. R. Burrington ; Miss S. F. Richmond,
Miss Annette Sawyer, assistants.
By a letter dated London, 30th November, 1853,
addressed to the committee of the Holten and Pea-
body High Schools, George Peabody, in acknowledg-
ment of the compliment paid him in the name of the
south school, stated that he would transmit in the
autumn of 1854, and thenceforth annually during his
life, the sum of two hundred dollars for prizes as
rewards of merit to pupils of both high schools at
their yearly examinations, the entire amount to be
common to both, and distributed as among the jiupils
of one school. The school committee determined
"that a suitable medal shall be awarded and presented
to every pupil who shall pass three years — constitut-
ing the entire course — in either of these .schools, and
whose attendance, deportment and advancement shall
have been uniformly satisfactory to the teachers and
committee." Later, 18(i7, Mr. Peabody established a
fund of two thousand dollars, the income of which
has been annually devoted to the purchase of medals
and books for graduates.
The first graduates of the Holten High School to
receive the Peabodv Medal were the
Emily G. Berry.
Mary A. Black.
Harriet G. Bradstreet.
Susan E. Perley.
Mary F. Putnam.
Nancy W. Proctor.
Asenath A. Sawyer.
Elizabeth P. Swan.
CLASS OF 1855.
Addison P. Learoyd.
Charles Learoyd.
Clarence Fowler.
Samuel P. Fowler,
.lohn H. Parker.
Adrian L. Putnam.
Daniel "W. Proctor.
In the spring of 1849 a lively episode occurred in
No. 6. There the Rev. Daniel Foster, the preacher
at the Wesleyan Chapel, was teaching, and things did
not run smoothly between himself and the commit-
tee. Rev. Mr. Eaton, one of the committee, went in
to examine the school. He undertook to hear a class
in geography, but Foster remarked that the time was
up, and cut short the committee-man's questions by
sending the class to their seats. Mr. Eaton called a
meeting of the board and reported what had occurred,
and the board voted " that the whole committee jiro-
DANVEKS.
481
ceed this af'toniooii to examine the sclioul in Distiicl
No. 6 ;" and they all tiled into the school-house at halt-
past one. Foster gave them seats, and went on with
his business. In a few minutes the chairman, Mr.
Braman, said : " We have come here to examine this
school." "It was examined yesterday," said Foster,
with the inference that it wasn't to be examined
again. Then followed a scene. The committee or-
dered scholars to stand up and recite, and the teacher
told them to sit down. They were more in awe of
their teacher than of the committee and they sat still
and some cried. The committee finally withdrew as
gracefully as they could, leaving behind a note in
Foster's hands, informing him that he was forthwith
dismissed.
At the adjournment of the annual meeting the
matter was piping hot. The committee reail a long
report, covering nearly four newspaper columns, giv-
ing the facts of the ca.se and justifying their action.
On a motion to print twelve hundred copies, Foster
himself moved to strike out all concerning No. 6;
followeil his motion by a violent attack on the com-
mittee and carried his point. And further, at the
subsequent election, he was a successful candidate for
membership of the board which turned him out, and
the Rev. Mr. Eaton failed of re-election.
By an act of ISoO the Legislature gave towns the
option of abolishing the district system. There was
an immediate eftbrt in Danvers to take advantage of
this act. The larger expenses made necessary by the
establishment of the two high schools just at this
time gave a special incentive to the movement. In
response to instructions to consider the subject of a
radical change in the school district system with a
view to greater economy and more efficient manage-
ment, the school committee, through A. A. Abbott,
Esq., presented in 1851 a very strong and clear report
.setting forth the desirability of abolishing thesystem.
But Danvers never voted to abolish the system,
though a nundier of attempts were made to secure this
action. On March 24, 180;', the Legislature took the
matter into its own hands and broadly enacted that
" the school district system in the commonwealth is
hereby abolished."
At the annual meeting of 185:3 AVilliani L. Weston
made a motion that a superintendent of schools be
employed. Subsequently it was voted that the com-
mittee be instructed to hire Charles Northeud. Jlr.
Xorthend, a native of the northern part of the county,
had been long and fitvorably known as a teacher ;
his name appears in the first printed report, 1839, as
|)rinripal in No. 1. His salary as superintendent
was at first eight hundred and fifty dollars. The
great extent of territory to be covered, from the
" Rocks " to " Beaver Brook," from the " Devil's Dish-
ful" to "Blind-hole" must havemade theoccupation
.somewhat akin to that of a circuit-rider. Mr. North-
end served faithfully a number of years, and was the
first and only school superintendent of Danvers.
31
In April, 1841, a move was first made for the estab-
lishment of what is now the Ta|deyville district.
Gilbert Tapley presented a petition with his own sig-
nature and thirty others for a new district to be
carved out of Nos. 5 and 0; but inasmuch as his
brother, Asa, was on hand with a list of remonstrants
twice :vs long, the petitioners were respectfully given
leave to withdraw. They withdrew just five years,
and at the end of that time a division of No. (> was
effected on the petition of its own district committee,
and the northern part thereof set off as a new dis-
trict,— the last — No. 14. No record of a dividing line
was made further than to a<lopt the one described in
the i)etition, which has not been found.
With the division of the town it became expedient
to readjust the districts. 8ix districts, namely, Nos.
2 (Port), 3 (Putnamville), 4 (Beaver Brook), 5 (Cen-
tre), 13 (Plains) and 14 (Tai)leyville), together with a
part of No. Ij (Collins House), were left to Danvers.
One from each — S. P. Fowler, I. H. Putnam, Francis
Dodge, Augustus Mudge, Calvin Putnam, Orrin Put-
nam and Hix Richards — were appointed to renundjer
and relocate the districts. No alterations were made
in the lines of Nos. 2, 4 and 13. A portion of No. 14
was annexed to No. 5, and another portion to No. 6.
No. 5 previously had 141 scholars and lost 7; No. 14
had 193 and lost 49;' No. 6, having but 31 left in
Danvers after the division of the town, gained 6().
The districts numbered 13 and 14 in the ol<l town
became 1 and 7, other numbers remaining un-
changed.
A short time after the dissolution of the annual
meeting at which this report was accepted, dissatis-
faction was manifest in the calling of a special meet-
ing to alter the new lines of Nos. 5, 6 and 7. It was
then voted to annex all of No. 6 that remained in
Danvers to No. 7, and to call the consolidated dis-
trict No. 6, with the proviso that if a majority of
voters residing south of a certain line should within
thirty days express to the selectmen their wish to
form a district by themselves, they shoubl then be
allowed to organize as District No. 7.
The ])eople south of the given line did wish to re-
main a district by themselvee, and did not wish to be
deprived of the old number, which had been a fa-
miliar designation of their locality f<ir more than sixty
years, and in June the numbers were changed back,
— No. (3 to the old " Turkey Plain " District, and No.
7 to Tapleyville.
In the mean time the people of the old Village
district. No. 5, were having a hot little war. The
people in the immediate neighborhood of the church,
aTid so on to Tapleyville, wanted to be a sei>arate
district and have a school-house of their own. They
were outnumbered in the district, but succeeded in
obtaining a vote of the town for the division of No. 5
by a line crossing Centre Street four rods east of the
hon.se of John Roberts; and all that portion lying
east of the line was established as District No. 8. A
482
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY. MASSACHUSETTS.
nice large school-house was erected just opposite the
church ; but the triumph of the seceders was short.
Although they had fortified themselves with the
opinion of eminent counsel, the division was tested
by a suit at law and pronounced illegal. For a time
the disappointed divisionists held out, and m.any of
them actually let their places be sold under the ham-
mer for the taxes levied for No. 5, and one man re-
mained in Salem jail six months rather than pay
them. But better counsels soon prevailed, the sold
property was redeemed, and now only broad smiles
wreath the faces of certain town fathers when the
nearly-forgotten subject is mentioned.
The school-house stood for a number of years in
melancholy emptiness, and was finally moved to the
Plains, where it was used first as a shoe manufactory,
and was then changed to a fine-looking dwelling, as
innocent of anything like neighborhood quarrels as
is its respected owner and occupant, Deacon Ebeu
Peabody, of the Maple Street Church.
It was during the ephemeral existence of this No.
8, that the annexation of territory, east of Porter's
Kiver and Frost Fish Brook, from Beverly to Danvers
took place. This new territory wass, February 1,
1858, est.ablished as School-di.strict No. 'X But at
the March meeting of 1859, there being no longer a
District No. 8, it was voted to change the new terri-
tory from No. 9 to No. 8, and thus without further
change the districts have since remained : No. 1,
Plains; 2, Port; 3, Putnamville; 4, Centre; 5, Bea-
ver Brook; 6, Collin's House; 7, Tapleyville; 8, East
Danvers.
In 1795 the total appropriation made by the town
for schools was four hundred dollars ; the propor-
tion received by each district is interesting as .showing
their relative numerical importance : No. 1, $111.11 ;
2, $50.90; 5,146.92; 3, $43.95 ; 7, $43.90; 6, $43.85 ;
4, $33.33; 8, $15.50 ; 9, $10.64.
In 1810 the appropriation had increased to .$1250;
1820, $1800; 1830, $2500 ; 1835, $3000; 1840, $3500;
1845, $3 for each scholar between four and sixteen
years ; 1855, $5.50 for each scholar, four to sixteen,
$1 of which amount for each scholar was devoted to
high schools, — estimated, 2,400 scholars.
After South Danvers was set oft' the first appro-
priation of Danvers, 1856, for schools was $3S00 for
common schools, $1200 for the Holten High School.
In 1865, $5000 for common, $1300 for high ; in 1875,
$10,000 for common, $2100 for high ; in 1880, $10,-
000 for common, $1750 for high; in 1887, $15,600 in
all. The income on the Massachusetts School Fund
and the dog tax have been added, and are not in-
cluded in these figures.
At the annual election of 1880, next after the pass-
age of the law enabling women to vote for school com-
mittee, twenty-seven Danvers women availed them-
selves of the right. Mrs. Andrew Nichols was the
first woman to vote.
At the last annual meeting, 1887, the town voted
an appropriation for evening schools. Thefirst and only
previous instance of similar action was in 1850, when
some provision was made for evening schools for the
poor from the State school fund.
The first school-house at the Plains was brought
from Middlcton the first part of this century by priv-
ate enterprise, for the use of primary scholars. Older
scholars went to New Mills until the Plains district
was established, in 1816. The first district school-
house was a small building erected under contract by
Stephen Whipple, carpenter, near the spot occupied
by the bakery.
The present grammar-school building at the Port
was finished in 1849, and was dedicated July 25th,
with considerable ceremony. There were addresses
by the presiding ofllicer, S. P. Fowler, by Charles
Northend, then a teacher in Salem, by J. W. Proctor,
Rev. Messrs. Appleton, Fletcher and Braman, Mr.
Rust, commissioner of schools for New Hampshire, and
"Mr. R. Putnam, an experienced teacher of Salem."
The immediate predecessor of this building was the
" old brick school," situated on a part of the same lot
but much nearer the street. Hon. James D. Black
has furnished the writer with some reminiscences of
the brick house : " With my brothers and sisters my
school days were spent in the district school-house at
the Port till we attained the age of fifteen or sixteen
years. Andrew Wallace taught most of the time ol
my earlier school days. I recall among my school-
mates Henry and Augustus Fowler; Jeremiah and
Timothy Page; John, William and Parker B. Fran-
cis; Samuel and .losiah Pender; Warren M. and
John Jacobs; William B. and Augustus Read; Wil-
liam and Joseph Lamson ; Benjamin, Charles and
William B. Chaplin; William Cheever, Edward
Stimpson, William Endicott, George Kent, Philip
Smith and Seth Stetson. Our schools were not
graded ; all ages attended the same school, from
children in A B C to those in studies now confined to
the high school. Quills were used in writing, steel
pens came later. Most of Mr. Wallace's pupils made
good penmen. He was succeeded by Richard Phil-
lips, of Topsfleld."
There was another smaller building called the
"green door .school-house," near the present railroad
station, which was in use some eighty years ago, and
was long ago moved by Peter Wait's father to Ash
Street, where it has since been used as a dwelling ;
and of stiir earlier date was a .school-house, close by
the First Baptist Meeting-house.
The very first schoolmaster at the New Mills was
Caleb Clark, who kept his school in the house of
farmer Porter. His writing desks were boards laid
upon barrels. Of his discipline. Deacon Fowler has
written :
*' He was iu the Imbit of whittling a ebiugle in school and for small
offences compelling the disobedient to pile the whittlings in the middle
of the room ; when this was accomplished he would kick them over, to
be picked up again. He would sometimes require them to watch a wire,
suspended in the room, and inform him when a fly lighted on it. For
DANVERS.
483
greater offences he would sometimes attempt to frighten them into obe-
dience by putting bis shoulder under the mantel piece and threaten to
thri>w the house down upon them. It is said of the worthy pedagogue,
when deeply engaged in a mathematical problem that h« became so ab-
sorbed in the work as to be wholly unconscious of anything transpiring
around him, and the boys taking advantage of this habit would creep
out of school and skate and slide by the hour together."
At a meeting held in District No. 3, rutiianiville,
July 0, 1S12, a vote was passed to build a new sehool-
liouse after the plan of the brick house at the New
Mills and also " voted to purchase a piece of land of
Rufus and Simeon Putnam in this district, being on
the northwest corner of the school-house pasture, so
called, adjoining the road and Zadoc Wilkins land,
and the same land on which the old school-house
stood before the present school-house was built."
The" present school-house" was built in 1787, under
this vote passed at a meeting of '' School ward No.
3," at the house of Zerubable Porter, namely : " voted
that there be a school-house erected for the education
of children on or near the spot where the old one
formerly stood if the ground could be obtained."
Both the original building, the building of 1787,
and the brick building of 1812 stood farther up the
Topsfield road than the present Putnamville school-
house, namely, at the head of North Street.
The second one of these buildings is still in useful
existence, having been bought and moved, some
half a century ago, by Perley Tapley, to become part
and parcel of the little village which bears his name.
It forms a portion of the house next west of the late
residence of Gilbert Tapley. Among those who
taught in this building were Master Andrews, a
famous teacher college educated, Jonathan and Benja-
min Porter, Thomtis Savage, Charles Wheeler, Charles
Kimball, [jrobably Clarissa Endicott, and surely
Esther Forsaith, tosecure whom Jonathan Porter went
up to Chester, N. H. It was in this building, too,
that Universalist meetings were first held. Elias
Putnam taught the first winter school in the brick
house in 1812-13, and his youngest son, Arthur,
taught the last in 18;>l-o2. Between them were,
among others, Philemon Putnam, Oliver Woodbury,
Edwin Josselyn ; ladies, Clarissa Endicott (Porter),
Nancy Putnam (Boardman), Sarah Rea (Bradstreet),
Sally Shillaber.
The old school-house which preceded the present
one in No. 5, the Village, both being in the line of
succession to that first school-house of Parson Green,
has been thus described by a former pupil: "The old
brown house stood on a small barren, unfenced, un-
attractive triangle at the corner of Centre and Day-
ton Streets. There were three rows of benches on
each side of the house, one side for the girls, the
other tor the boys. At one end there was a large
open fire-place, and opposite it stood the master's
lofty desk, to which he ascended by two or three
steps. The windows were so high that scholars could
not look out from the seats, and outsiders could not
look in without climbing. No paint or ornament of
any kind was indulged in. My earliest recollection
goes back about sixty years, when Miss Edith Swi-
nerton (Mrs. Aaron Tapley) was the teacher.
" The only other lady teachers to whom I went
were Hannah and Betsey Putnam. They were sis-
ters, 'solemn sisters.' They always taught together.
Though very unlike in temper, they were devotedly
attached to each other, and would consent to no other
arrangement, no matter if they together received no
more than enough for one, as was generally the case.
Each had a chair and table, and sat facing each
other. Both were very pious. Betsey read the Bible ;
Hannah opened with prayer. Betsey heard the les-
son. She was of a very sweet and gentle spirit, and
much beloved by her scholars. Hannah was more
fiery and quick, and a terror to evil-doers. They al-
ways spoke with punctilious accuracy and dignity.
A little girl was sent one day into the clothes-room
to get the teacher's hose. Not knowing what was
meant, and yet not daring to ask, the messenger
brought in, perhaps, a shawl. 'I sent you for uiy
hose, not my shawl.' Again the timid messenger re-
tired and brought in a bonnet, when the exasperated
teacher, in a .sort of desperation, spoke, in unmistak-
able terms, ' Well, if I must ,so s[ieak, bring in my
stockings.'
" Betsey's way of showing her reg.-ird for a favorite
pupil was by calling him out occasionally to read for
her entertainment 'The Bears and the Bees,' 'The
Beggar's Petition,' ' Procrastination ' or some other
choice selection from the ' English Reader.' Han-
nah's attentions were commonly bestowed in a some-
what diti'erent way when correction was needed. A
reverend gentleman recalls an occasion of this sort,
when his young form bent, at an ungraceful angle,
over Hannah's knee, and the room reverberated more
or less with the emphatic correction applied to that
portion of a boy's body by nature designed to receive
it. Their prized 'rewards of merit' consisted of lit-
tle oblong bits of paper with yellow borders, and
mottoes written thereon iu their own hands. On
Saturdays hymns and Bible verses were repeated as a
sort of special exerci.se."
This present summer of 1887 a number of the sur-
vivors of the pupils of these estimable sisters have
taken steps to erect a memorial over their hitherto
unmarked graves in Wadsworth Cemetery.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
DANVERS— ( Continufd).
VILLAGES OF THE TOWN.
Danvers is notably a town of many villages.
There are in all eight railroad stations, not counting
the junction, within its limits and five post-offices.
484
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The first post-offices in Danvers, it may here be men-
tioned, were established as the result of a town-meet-
ing held in 1828, when Dr. Nichols, Jonathan Shove,
Nathaniel Putnam and Samuel and John Preston
were chosen " to devise or digest any scheme relative
to the Establishment of Post-offices in this Town."
The action of the meeting is tlius recorded :
^'Voted, That there be but one post-office in tbifl Town.
*^ Voted, That there be one more post-uffice added in this Town.
"Voted, To reconsider tlie Ia.=it, dS votes for and (i5 votes against, the
moderator decided the vote.'"
The committee's report was, however, adopted, in
which it was recommended that the town have two
post-offices, one between the old South Meeting-
house and Pool's Bridge, to be called the South Dan-
vers Post-office, and one at the New Mills, to be called
the North Danvers Post-office, and tliis action was
communicated to the Postmaster-General. For many
years this office at New Mills or Danversport re-
mained the only one within the present limits of the
town. Mail addressed " Danvers " now comes to the
Plains. The other offices are Danvers t!entre, Tap-
leyville and Asylum. The latter, establislied chiefly
for the convenience of the hospital, accommodates
that locality in the midst of which is the Genera!
Putnam homestead, the home of the Prestons, Nich-
ols, Verrys and other well-known names, commonly
spoken of as " Number Four." While there is no
central village there, the community has always
maintained a distinctive identity, and has borne an
enviable reputation for the character of its inhabit-
ants. The name Danvers Centre is misleading; its
only appropriateness is in the way of reminiscence
and lies in the fact that the locality to which it is
applied is the .seat of the church which was tlie relig-
ious and political center, not only of Salem Village,
but, for many years after the incorporation of the
town, of all the northern portion thereof.
It is often called " the Village," a name altogether
better, inasmuch as it is suggestive of the historic asso-
ciations with which the locality abounds. Though by
the destruction of the Mudge shoe-factory the Village
no longer has any manufacturing business of its own,
its people are full of life and public spirit. They
keep up their end in public affairs, turn out to cau-
cuses and town-meetings, and exercise a strong in-
fluence usually un the safe and conservative side of
things. The history of this community, most inter-
esting of all the villages of the town, has been given
somewhat in the sketch of the early settlers and in
that of its church.
Forty or fifty years ago, perhaps more, Putiiam-
ville, the name given to school district number
three, extending from Porter's Hill to the Topsfield
and Wenham lines, was the centre of much wealth
and culture; of its people. Rev. Dr. A. P. Putnam has
written in a series of very interesting letters. Con-
cerning the Plains, tlic Port and Tapleyville, some-
thing remains to be said here.
The Plain.s.— About the time Elder Sharpe sold
his grant, which included nearly all of this present
principal village of the town, to John Porter, the
General Court formally laid out, as a great highway
connecting the lower and upper settlements of the
Colony, " the Ipswich Road." It crossed Farmer
Porter's lands at their greatest width, — entering them
at some point on A.sh Street, and continuing through
Elm and Conant Streets to Frost-fish Brook, — and it
often served as a fixed boundary in the many subse-
quent divisions of the Porter estate. Almost exactly
midway between the limits of " Porter's Plains," so
these level lands were soon called, as measured on the
Ipswich Road, another road or path was at a very
early date opened northward, which, in due course,
became the highway to Topsfield along the line of
the present Ma]>le and Locust Streets. The point at
which the Topsfield road left the I|iswich road is the
present " Square."
This meeting of roads had no immediate effisct in
the formation of anything like a village. As late as
1692 there was but one house in all the region, and
that was the original Porter homestead, near the
Unitarian Church. More than a full century had
passed, when, in 1755, another road, High Street, was
pushed down to the embryo settlement at New Mills
and across the river to Salem, ami even then the Square
was scarcely more than a country cross-roads.
At the head of High Street there is standing a
well preserved gambrel-roofed house, which was
built about the time the street was laid out. It is
the homestead of a family which, though not numer-
ous, has been honorably prominent in the town's his-
tory. About the middle of the last century, an An-
drews, then living on the Shillaber farm at Putnam-
ville, wanted some bricks, and had to go to Medford
for them. Andrews told the brickmaker that there
was excellent clay in Danvers, and asked him to send
some one to commence working it. " Here's my son,"
the brickmaker said, "just turned twentj'-one, he can
go if he wants to." The son came, boarded with
Andrews, married his daughter, started the brick
business here and built the house just referred to.
His name was Jeremiah Page. He died June 8,
1806, in his eighty-fifth year, and is always spoken of
as Colonel Jeremiah. At the breaking out of the
Revolution he took a very active jiart, and commanded
a company of militia at the fiyht on the reti-eat from
Lexington, and throughout his useful life he was one
of the leaders in town aflfairs. He had twelvechildren,
three of whom were by a second marriage. His old-
est son, Samuel, went with his father to respond to
the Lexington alarm, and was where bullets were
thickest. Subsequently he joined Washington's
army about Boston, with a captain's commission.
He was at the crossing of the Delaware, at White
Plains and Monmouth, and shared the sufferings of
Valley Forge. He was with Wayne at the storming
of Stony Point, and to insure success to the bayonet
DANVERS.
485
charge his company were ordered to remove the
flints from their muskets. After the war lie became
a successful merchant at New Mills, I)anversi)ort. In
the following sketch of that village, which, for a half
century after the Revolution, was the commercial
centre of the town. Captain Page must be again
mentioned, and as a matter of convenience, some
further reference to the family will there be maiic.
Capt. Page died September 2, 1814, aged sixty-one,
and with his father is buried in the High Street
Cemetery. He held many public offices, and repre-
sented the town many years in the (ieneral Court.
At the beginning of this century there were but
twelve dwellings in all the Plains, including two
taverns, one store, one blacksmith's shop, one butch-
ery and two brick yards. Until 181t! there was no
public school here, and children had to go to New
Mills. That year, on the basis of sixteen houses and
one hundred and thirty inhabitants, a new school
district was formed, as told elsewhere.
Several years before this, however, an eti'ort had
been made to educate the smaller children near home,
and Deacon Gideon Putnam, Ezra Batchelder and
Timothy Putnam bought asmall school-house in Mid-
dleton and moved it here. Ezra P.atchelder's house
stood where the Maple Street School-house stands ;
"Uncle Timmy's" stood where his grandson, Otis
F. Putnam, now lives. Deacon Gideon kept tavern
and store at Richards' Corner. Deacon Gideon was
the father of the courtly Judge Putnam, as has been
said, and it is related that when the son was home
on a vacation from college, and was obliged to play
host to a stranger, he was chagrined at the meagre
fare — it was probably washing-day — and paiil the
price of the meal to the guest " for picking the
bones." In 1820 there were but twenty-one houses
from the square along the whole line of the Centre
horse-car route. The only house on the easterly
side of Maple Street between the store at the corner
of Conant Street and the Perry farm was the Captain
Eben Putnam's house, which was once a part of the
mansion on Folly Hill.
Thi' butchery stond on (_'onant Street beyond Al-
fred Trask's residence, and was carried on by .lames
Sleeper, who lived in a three-story brick building,
which stood on the corner of Maple and Elm Streets,
but projected far into the present widened location
of Ma])le Street. This brick building was where the
bank was tirst located. An "ell" fronting on Elm
Street was long since moved some distance west,
and is now owned by H. M. Merrill. In this " ell"
Porter Kettelle did a small store-keeping business.
The principal storekeepers then were Jonas Warren,
who ha<l bought out the Putnam's, but did not kee|i
tavern, and " Johnny Perley," at Perley's Corner.
Great was the rivalry of these two, and great was the
business they did. For fair and liberal dealing
Uncle Johnny's reputation suffered somewhat in
comparison with Mr. Warren's. The former was a
bachelor, of modest and soft speech, but sharp to
keep the half cents on his side of the bargain. Amus-
ing stories are told of the way war Wiis waged be-
tween the two corners. The amount of goods sold
and bartered was enormous. Heavy teams from far
back in the country came in loaded with produce,
as many as forty in a single day, and generally they
went no farther than Danvers Plains, but exchanged
their pr-oduce here for a long supply of fish, salt,
molasses and other staples, including, of course,
N'ew England rum. Clerks were soiuetimes busy till
midnight loailing for the return trips.
The old hotel on the site of the present one was
owned by Ebenezer Berry, who bought it of Jethro
and Timothy Putnam in 1804. Mr. Berry came from
.\ndover, and married a daughter of Captain Levi Pres-
ton. His two children, — Eben G. Berry and Mrs.
Sperry are living, a sketch and portrait of the former
appearing in subsequent i)ages. The building was
sold at auction in three sections, 1838, and these were
removed to make room for the erection of the pres-
ent hotel. One of these sections has long been the
home of Benjamin Henderson on Elm Street; a
sec(.)nd sojourned for a while on Cherry Street, and
was finally settled near the soap factory, while the
hall was removed to a lot on Maple Street, owned by
Amos Brown, was there occupied by Amos Proctor
Perley as a dry -goods store, and burned in the fire of
1845. This hall had been originally a part of the
mansion on Folly Hill, referred to in the opening
lines of this sketch. Its flour w;is painted to repre-
sent mosaic work and its finish was thorough and
costly. It was so annexed to the hotel that its
length ran parallel to High Street, and the uses to
which it was put were many and various. Here the
Danvers militia congregated, with their burnished
Hint-locks and the paraphernalia of destruction,
awaiting officers" in.spection. Here the North Dan-
vers Lyceum met, as chronicled where other literary
societies are spoken of Here the selectmen and as-
sessors met. Here was the lodge-room of Jordan
Loilge of Masons, and here, by no means last to be
mentioned, were held those dancing parties at the
mention of which old eyes kindle, and limbs, no
longer si)rightly, beat time to the echoes of the
darkey Harry's fiddle, which linger still in their ears.
At both Warren's and Perley's corners grocery bus-
iness is still carried on. Both are decidedly " old
stands." Samuel Preston succeeded " Uncle Johnny"
and kept store awhile in connection with the shoe
business, then Amos Proctor Perley took it, and sub-
sequently formed a partner.ship with his brother-in-
law, Moses J. Currier, under the name of Perley and
Currier. Mr. Currier survives; Mr. Perley, known
and respected far and wide ius " Uncle Proc," a man
of sterling integrity, died a few years ago ; his son,
Charles N. Perley, present post-master, carries on the
store.
Mr. Warren sold out his property at the Plains in
486
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1841, and thenceforth carried on a wholesale business
at the Port. Frederick I'erley was the purchaser,
perhaps a nominal one, for he very soon re-conveyed
the whole to Elias Putnam. There were nine acres
in all, on which Mr. Putnam built his shoe factory
and the house in which he died, and through which
he laid out Park Street. One acre on the corner, in-
cluding the old store buildings, he sold for three
thousand dollars to Daniel Richards. Mr. ^tichards
was a native of Atkinson, N. H., who came here as a
clerk to Mr. Warren in 1828, two months before he
was twenty-one. " It was hard work to be a grocery
clerk then," — these are his own words — "but I
weighed one hundred and seventy-five pounds and
was pretty strong."
In 183;^ the temperance-reform movement was
working. The old store-keepers were unwilling to be
" driven " to give up the time-honored custom of sell-
ing spirits and, as a consequence, Mr. Richards start-
ed a new "temperance store" in a building which
stood where Beal and Abbott's store now is, and was
well supported.
After Mr. Richards' purchase of the old corner, he
sold the buildings and built the present store. A
part of the old store-tavern is the Dougherty house
on School Street, and another part is the Abbott
house, corner of Elm and Park Streets. Mr. Rich-
ards died last November, 1886, in his eightieth year.
He was for thirty years president of the National
Bank, was a life trustee of Peabody Institute, and, in
addition to the grocery business which is still carried
on by his sons, he bought the Fowler mill proj)erty
at Liberty Bridge, and built the grist-mill, now used for
grinding rubber, using as many as one hundred thous-
and bushels of grain a year.
The open level land at the Plains made it a favor-
ite place for military musters. In 1809 the brigade
of General Eben Goodale formed a line nearly a mile
long, from Perley's corner to the old house owned by
Augustus Fowler. Twenty-five hundred troops, in-
fantry, cavalry, bands. Governor Christopher Gore, a
big dinner and a sham fight, — it was something of a
day.
In 1813, during the war, another brigade of three
thousand men mustered on the same ground, and
Lindall Hill was covered with spectators, who never-
theless took themselves out of the way when a fort,
which had been constructed on the hill, was stormed
and burned. The Plains, too, was the place of cele-
bration on " 'Lection Day," the last Wednesday in
May, when the Legislature used to first meet. "Who
does not remember," wrote Dr. Osgood in his little
pamphlet, "how thousands upon thousands congre-
gated on Danvers Plains to see the horses run, the
mountebanks tumble, the fandango whirl around and
the drinking of egg-pop, punch, and something a
little stronger? And then what lots of 'lection cake,
buns, and molasses ginger-bread, rolling marbles and
nine-pins, running and wrestling! " A colored man.
Milan Murphy, a veteran of the Revolution, and
called "Colonel," a chronic victim of all sorts of
pranks, was a prominent figure in these festivities.
He marched wearing his old three-cornered hat, a
blue coat with brass buttons, and accompanied his
voice to an old fiddle on which he played his one
tune, " sometimes on one string, sometimes on no
string at all." Colonel Milan was great at butting,
making nothing of going through the head of a mo-
lasses hogshead. He found his match one day in an
old ram, presently to be made, after the manner of
his kind, into " spring lamb," at the butchery already
mentioned. There was but one round, and the de-
tails have not been so well preserved as the conclu-
sive fact, that " the ram knocked Jlilan more'n a rod."
It was about 1830 that the Plains began to be some-
thing. Then Samuel Preston was manufacturing
shoes on the site of the present bank building; Eben
Putnam, in a shop near his house; and others before
long came in. Joshua Silvester moved his business
from the little shop at the foot of Porter's Hill, and
built a large factory and fine residence on the westerly
side of Maple Street, in 1837. No man deserves more
special mention in a history of Danvers than he, and
a word might as well be written here as elsewhere.
He was eighty-four years old, July 9, 1887, and is
able to be about, though his sight is failing. He was
born in Wiscasset, Me. ; his family moved to Andover,
Mass., when he was a child ; he came here when he
was eighteen to work at shoe-making; went with
Frederick Perley one term at Atkinson Academy ;
clerked a year or two at Jonas Warren's store ; began
shoe-manufacturing in the shop at Porter's Hill, with
a partner named Brickett, and remained after the dis-
solution of the partnership until the date of his le-
moval to the Plains, as above. The fire which de-
stroyed the new buildings at the Plains will be noticed.
His numerous trips to England in connection with
^ubsequent business enterprises, and his acquaintance
there with Mr. Peabody, are spoken of in connection
with the history of the Peabody Institute. He has
served the town as selectman, in the legislature, and
in other capacities, but what he is to be chiefly re-
membered for, is the far-sighted public spirit which
he has always shown in the matter of public improve,
ment, and especially in encouraging the setting out
of shade trees. He has lived long enough to see the
sticks which he set iu the ground by hundreds, years
ago, transformed into bowers of beauty, and children,
who have grown to manhood as the trees have grown,
and who realize the richness of their legacy, rise up
to ble.ss this benefactor. Last winter a public testi-
monial was made to him. (His death occurred, since
writing, July 29, 1887).
Mr. Silvester married a sister of Francis Noyes, who
had a large factory and dwelling just above Jlr. Sil-
vester's. Mr. Silvester's sister Mary married Thomas
Bowen, the first post-master at the Plains, and his
sister Sarah married John A. Learoyd. Mr. Learoyd
DANVERS.
487
learned the currying trade in Byfield, came here in
182y and worked as a journeyman for Brickett & Sil-
vester, at Porter's Hill, and boarded with Mr. Silves-
ter. He soon came down to the Plains, bought and
moved the Baptist meeting-house of 178;^, an<l began
in it the currying business, which he carried on
through life, and which one of his sons continues.
He was from the first a leader in the Maple Street
Church. His own house was planned for the conve-
nience of neighborhood prayer-meetings, when all
went to Dr. Braman"s church, and when the separation
took place the new church was formally organized in
his ]nirlors. He died February 1, 18SII, and his wife
survived him but three weeks. They left a family of
children trained after their own hearts, and strong in
church work. Among them one -son an Episcopal
minister; a daughter, the wife of a minister; another
son for nearly twenty-five years superintendent of a
model Sunday-school.
Amos Brown's wheelwright shop and house were
between Xoyes' fiictory and the place where Cherry St.
was soon laid out. He and his brother Samuel, mason,
came from North Beverly. If the life of wheels de-
pends on sound stock and honest work, every pair
which ever came out of Amos Brown's shop is run-
ning yet. Right across the street from Brown's shop
was Deacon Frederick Howe's house and blacksmith
shop. The Deacon was born in Methuen, in 171»3,
learned his trade of the Wilkinses, at the Centre, and
at length established himself here. He died July 2,
1880, eighty-seven years old. He was a deacon of the
First (,'hurch when he was made one of the first dea-
cons of the ]\Iaple Street Church. He entered from
the first into temperance reform, and early attached
himself to the anti-slavery movement, without for a
moment losing his interest, as many did, in the church.
His blacksmith shop was naturally a centre for dis-
cussion on such questions, and was one of the rallying-
points of the Liberty party. "It is remarkable that
a man so occupied and of so laborious a life found
time and strength to do so much in so many good
causes. Between his anvil-strokes rung out true words
that formed opinions of other men, and the tired hand
was never too weary to use the pen for the same pur-
pose." None of Deacon Howe's family remain here.
One of his sons, Joseph W., is a prominent member
of the New York bar, and had a hand in ihe convic-
tion of Tweed.
Frederick Perley, a brother of " Uncle Proc," lived
and manufactured shoes opposite Ezra Batchelder's.
Joseph W. Ropes came here fnmi Salem in 1838. and
engaged in the tinware and stove business, which his
son carries on. In subsequent pages will be found a
sketch of Alfred Trask, who came to the Plains about
1835, and built up a large and prosperous business as
a drover.
The establishment of the Village Hank here in 1836
was brought aboutbythe etlbrts of leading shoe manu-
facturers, Elias Putnam foremost, and tended very
much to the making of the Plains the business centre
of the town. The new church was organized in 18-14,
there were better and larger schools, lands which had
long been used only for farming were laid open for
liuilding, and the prosjierity of the place may l)e
Judged from this clii)ping from the Courier, ilay 18,
18-1."), a paper published for a few years at South Dan-
vers :
"Bui the greatest iDiproveiiifiits eeeni tu have been made in North
Danvers. New streets have been opened, old oliep built up, old hoUKetl
transformed to new, and the whole village presents a thrifty and go-
ahead appearance to the oerasioiial visitor— not appreciated liy the con-
stant resident. The beaulifid clmrth. the noble public hoiife, the large
shoe factories and long ranges ot handsome dwellinj^ seem to have arisen
by magic. High Street is so tilled up that wo can hardly tell where the
New Mills village leaves ofl' and where the 'IMains' begins. They are
fast joining hands, and when they come together they will have quite a
city-like appearance."
But a few months later a ditt'erent story appears in
the files of the same paper.
" DisASTROi's Fire in I).\.nvers !
" .\ very alarming tire took place in the Nortli rarisb, in I'anvers. at
the riains, last Tuesday afternoon (.lune It i, 1S4.'»), commencing at ■_'
o'clt)ck.
"It broke out in an outbuilding belonging to the dwelling house of
Mr. Joshua .Silvoster, and was said to have been occiieiuned by some chil-
dren playing with friction matches. The fire spread with great rapidity,
and seemed at one time beyond human control. The number of build-
ings of all sorts destroyed issaid to be eighteen.
"These con^sted of the dwelling, extensive store and barn of Joshua
.Silvester; the building occupied by John Ilayman, painter, and F. E.
Smith, tailor ; the large building occupied by Francis Noyes jis a shoe
manufactory, together with bis dwelling and stable ; the building occu-
pied by Amos Brown, wheelwright; and Collin ,t Co., painters ; two
dwelling houses, shoo manufactory, barn and store house of Sanmel
Prest'iu, who saved nothing but a couple boxes of shoes; Fran-
cis (Frederick) Howe's blacksmith shop ; liarn and store house belonging
to A. Proctor Perley; anew building occupied by the post-ollice, and
Clough's restorator. The Village Bank Building was a good deal in-
jured by tire and water, and most of the furniture of W. L. Wt^ston, the
cashier, was greatly injured ; but all Bank jiroperty was saved. The
goods of Henry T. Ropes, who occupied part of the building as a tailor's
shop, were saved. Mr. John Page's house Wiis completely emptied, but
uninjured by fire. The streets were filled with property taken from the
stores and houses. A. P. Perley &. Co.'s store wiis saved by unparalleled
exertions, though for a long time in imminent peril. The stock was
removed.
" There was a great scarcity of water, it being necessary to connect
eight engines to obtain a single stream of water upon the lire. The
nearest body of water was Frost Fish Brook, over a half a mile distant,
at the Beverly line.
" The alarm reached Salem about a quarter iiast two o'clock, and sev-
eral engines and lire companies immediately starteil, guided by the di-
rection of the smoke, although it was not then known where the tire
was, nor how imminent was the danger. Kxpress messengers arrived
some time afterwaids for assistance, when the alarm w as again sounded,
and several more engines were dcspatcbed, making seven in all from
Salem, preceded, accompanied and followed by great nuudiei^ of our
citizens. The progress over the length of dusty road was exceedingly
toilsouu', with the almost vertical sun beating down upon their unshel-
tered heads,.at a temperature of 1211 to l;!ll degrees. Some were very
much overcome by the exposure and fatigue. One man fell al the
brakes of No. t>, and when the engine, having exhausted the water at
the cistern where it was posted wan withdrawn, he was lying ujion the
grass insensible, under the care of .Ihe physicians belonging to the
company.
'• Tlie amount of loss is variously estiniat.^d, some going as high aa
180,000. There was insurance in various offices— mostly of mutual com-
panios -to the amount of over $30,000."
The work of rebuilding went speedily on, but, with
the exception of the new bank building, there was a
488
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
lamentable want of anything like architectural de-
sign, and it must be confessed that from this want of
foresight our main street presents a shambling and
irregular appearance, not worthy of the general ap-
pearance of the town. There is not space to speak of
the later development and prosperity of the Plains.
Suffice it to say that Farmer Porter's fields are so
well built up that few desirable house-lota remain
unutilized, and, generally .speaking, Danvers Plains
is a beautiful village, and its residents have many
rare advantages.
Danversport comprises two peninsulas, formed
by three divergent forks of tide water, into each of
which flow inland streams, known, commenting with
the most southerly, as Water's, Crane and Porter's
Rivers. As the highway across them runs, the main
road to Salem, these rivers are about a third of a mile
apart; at each bridge, tide-gates and mills. It is the
lower peninsula between Water's and Crane Kivers
that formed Covernor J^ndicott's orchard farm, the
first settled land in Danvers. The upper peninsula —
Skelton's Neck, wherein came to be much commer-
cial activity, and for many years the principal village
of the town — was for a long time wild and unsettled
It was quite a hundred and twenty years after the
Governor had broken gruund on his grant that Arch-
elaus Putnam went down through the woods and se-
lected as a site for a tide-mill the place where the out-
curving banks of the Crane River make the stream
quite narrow. From his father, Nathaniel's, farm
(the Judge Putnam place) he floated down the
stream, or moved down its frozen surface, a cooper-
shop, lauded it about where the railroad station now
is, moved it across the point made by the sharp bend
of the river, and near the present location of Aaron
Warren's brick store he made it into a dwelling,
wherein, with his wife Mehitable, he lived, the
pioneer of Danversport. Soon after the settlement ol
Archelaus, his brother John moved down, and to-
gether they built a grist-mill. Tradition is that the
whole district was covered by a dense thicket, in
which foxes abounded. This was a path through the
neck to the upper settlements, marked by blazed
trees, by which wood was taken to the water-side and
boated to Salem. A more respectable way, two rods
wide, was soon laid out from Porter's Plains to the
mills, the origin of High and Water Streets. In 17G0
this road was pushed on over Endicott's Neck, across
Water's River, and so on to Salem. It was welcomed
by land-owners on the lower side of that river, who
conveyed to Samuel Clark, Jeremiah Page, Benjamin
Porter and others for the benefit of the public " two
rods wide through our land in a straight line as may
be from the Bridge when built to North Field Pro-
prietors' way, so called, at the Gate going into said
Small's land." But there was almost no end of
trouble within the town. The road was strongly op-
posed. For one thing the New Mills, as the little
community soon came to be called, belonged terri-
torially to the south parish, and the people there
were unwilling to see the diversion of business and
interest which the short cut to Salem would render in-
evitable. This is what Colonel Israel Hutchinson
meant when he wrote in his private papers, "After
they found they could not get it discontinued, they
|)ropo8ed to make it a toll-bridge. We found that
would not by any ways do, as those people (of Salem
and Marblehead) who had assisted us in repairing
the way and building the bridges would be great suf-
ferers, and it would promote traveling that way,
which was what the leaders, who were sellers of rum,
tobacco, etc., wished to prevent.'' Application was
made to the North Parish "if they were willing to
take us with all ways and bridges, but they (the
South Parish) would not let us go. We then, after
contending in the law more than seven long years,
and although we had gained our cause in every case,
being almost ruined, were under the necessity of pro-
posing to the General Court that we would take all
ways and bridges on ourselves." And the General
Court looked on the proposition with favor, and in,
1772 passed "An Act for the subjecting the Inhab-
itants of a Part of the Town of Danvers, called the
Neck of Land hereafter described, to the charge of
maintaining and supporting certain Bridges and
Highways." After reciting the unhappy divisions
and controversies, and the final and amicable com-
promise in ratification of which the act was passed, it
was provided that the inhabitants of the Neck should
constitute an independent highway district to main-
tain exi.sting highways and bridges therein, and also
any others constructed at the special instance and re-
quest of the inhabitants. The district, containing
about three hundred acres, was bounded by a line
commencing at Crane River Bridge on the Ipswich
Road (Ash Street); thence following the river chan-
nel to Lieutenant Thomas Stevens' land (about at the
southerly end of the railroad bridge) ; then straight
across Fox Hill to the high-water mark on the south
side of Water's River, a little west of the bridge ;
thence across the further end of the bridge to
Porter's River, up the whole length of Porter's
River, to the Ipswich Road again at Frost-fish Brook
Bridge; and so on by the Ipswich Road (Conant, Elm
and Ash Streets) to the place of beginning. These
limits embraced a large tract now included in the
Plains. The act remained in force nearly seventy
years, until its repeal March 7, 1840. Evidently
matters, however, had not been conducted in strict
conformity to requirements, for in 1830 the Legisla-
ture confirmed tjie recorded proceedings, giving them
the same effect as if the officers had been proprietors
and all meetings called by competent authority.
From the beginning made by Archelaus Putnam,
other mills were in a few years established on Crane
River — wheat-mills in 17G4, and a saw-mill in 1768.
Associated with him in ownership were John Buxton,
DANVERS.
489
Samuel Clark, Jcjhii rickiiiaii ami I!^l■aol Hutihiii-
son.
lu the mean time (ither dwellinsrs were erected
along the new highway, the woods were cleared
away, and a little village speedily grew up at " Xew
Mills.'' On the banks of Porter's River sharp-eyed
men from the ship-building towns saw excellent
facilities for that business. The pioneer of ship-
building here was Timothy Stephens, of Newburv.
an enterprising and skillful builder. Presently a
Muniber of young men came down from the North,
worked with Stejihcns and learned his trade, and
permanently established themselves here. Some ol
these will be mentioned again.
For nearly half a century after the first mill on the
Crane River the tide-power on the other two rivers
remained unutilized. About 1708 Nathan Read en-
ters into the history of Danvers. He was a graduate
of Harvard, 1781, a tutor there of Harrison t!ray
Otis and John Quiucy Adams, and afterwards studied
medicine and kept an apothecary store in Salem.
There he married, October ■20, 1790, Elizabeth .latl'rey,
and built the house in which the historian Prescott
was born, on the |)resent site of Plumer Hall. Among
the achievements of his inventive mind was the first
machine for cutting nails. He purchased the water-
power on the Water's River, and with associates erected
the Salem and Dauvers Iron Works. At the same
time he purchased part of Governor Endicott's old
( )rchard Farm, and on a sightly eminence overlook-
ing the river built a mansion, which, after the suc-
cessive ownership of Captain Crowningshield, Cap-
tain Benjamin Porter and the heii-s of the latter, still
retains much of its original stateliness. When the
company were incorporated, March 4, ISOO, Nathan
Read is descrilied "of Danvers; " seventeen others,
of Salem. The corporation was authorized to hold
thirty thousand dollars of real and three hundred
thousand dollars of personal property, aud reference
is made in the act to the date of the original partner-
ship. May 5, 179(j.
lu the mill-pond, in front of his residence. Read
experimented by applying steam to the paddles of a
small boat long before the Hudson was the scene of
Fulton's larger results. He was the first man to ap-
l)ly to the government for a patent, and himself
framed the first patent law. He represented the dis-
trict in Congress, I sOO-03. A p(>]\tica] Jeii d' e.ytrit
was current at the time of his candidacy for re-elec-
tion to Congress, when his party, the Federalists,
were called '• Jacobins " by their opponents, the Re-
publicans, and the candidate of the latter jiarty was
the Hon. Jacob Crowningshield :
To TiiE Feus.
Witti dLsapiiointmeiit tiow ijntCd pout,
With jti}' Ijovv ire shontd Krin,
Shuuld we keep Federnl Nathan out,
And get a .Ia'-or iit.
Soon after his service in Congress he removed to
31 i
Maine, where he had purchased a large tract of land.
He was there appointed a .judge of Common Pleas.
He died in Belfast, Janiuiry 21, 1849, in his ninetieth
year, leaving a numerous family. Nathan Read's
pttition :
"To tile freeliolders ,& otlioi- iiiiiabitaiitfi of the Town of Danvere the
Petition of Nathan Heed respectfully slieweth that he h.ie it in conteni-
idatiou to build certiiin Mills near Water's bridge, so called, ou Wa-
tei-ses river, so called, Sc reipiests the Town to grant, convey A ipiit claim
to him. hit) heirs and aseigns forever its couseiit, license, right k permis-
sion to erect a dam or dams on & across said River ; to build mills, piers
i\iu\ wharves A to construct a lock A flood-gates any where nigh or ad-
joining said btiilge, A to do everything necessary for compleatingA
using s;iid mills without any let, hiiulranceor moiistatiou whatsoever of
said Town.
" Salem, March Oth, IV'J.i.
' Nathan REEn.
" At a legal meeting of the inliahitauts of the Town of Danvers,
March nth. I T'.C— voted that the prayer of above Petition of Nathan
Reed be gninted,
",\tt. : GiuEoN FosTEit, T. Clerk."
rhe busine-ss at the foundry brought up from the
towns of the south shore, nurseries of iron-workers,
several men who established families here. John
Joselyu was one of the earliest ofthe.se, among whose
children was Edwin Joselyn, who for thirty years was
a noted teacher in Salem, and among whose descend-
ents are the wife and children of Hon. Augustus
Mudge. John Bates who Ibllowed an older brother
here from Dedham a few months after he was twenty-
one, is still living within .sound of the machinery, and
on the 20th of this present month May, 1887, will be
ninety years old. Besides the foundry on the north
bank of the river there was a nail-shoi), aud al-so an
anchor-shop on the south bank. In the latter were
forged the anchors of the frigate " Essex," an occa-
sion celebrated by much punch. Work was steady at
the anchor-shop, the plan being to manufacture a
supply for some time ahead, mostly of a size for fisher-
men and coasters, and when the stock was too much
reduced, a gang of expert anchor-men were called up
from the south-shore who kept the one trip-hammer
and the two pairs of bellows busy until anchors were
sufficiently plenty again. One of these anchor-men,
John Silvester, after a progressively successful career
in the iron business, about 18')8 bought the works at
Danvers, and it is his son Benjamin Silvester who is
at present carrying on the business of rolling iron at
the old stand. The nail and anchor shops have long
since been removed, the former fulfilling a mission of
usefulness at Calvin Putnam's lumber yard, the latter
now a barn in the neighborhood. Before Mr. Silves-
ter's purchase the works were carried on by Matthew-
Hooper who built the large brick residence ou the
Salem side of the river. Within a few years a spur
track hius been laid from the railroad to accommodate
the works.
The old-time ferry between Salem aud Beverly,
some two miles down the river, gave place to the
Essex Bridge, now " Beverly Bridge," the proprietors
of which were incorporated November 17, 1787. The
people at New Mills were much opposed to the new
490
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
bridge for more reasons than one. It interfered
somewhat with free navigation, in compensation for
which the proprietors were required to pay itlO an-
nually to the town treasurer; then travel from Ryall
Side and the back country would naturally be more
diverted from New Mills, and for this, while there was
no compensation, the energetic inhabitants attempted
a remedy. They built a bridge of their own across
Porter's River in 1788. The land on the other side
of the river then was a part of Beverly. Later, some
three years after the incorporation of the iron works
at Water's River, Samuel Page, Thomas Putnam,
Caleb Oakes, Samuel Endicott, John Page and Heze-
kiah Flint were, June 23, 1803, incorporated as the
Danvers and Beverly Iron Works Company. They
were authorized to build a bridge of stone, thirty-two
feet wide, for which Captain Burley furnished the
material from his land on the Beverly side, to erect
and use foreveran iron manufactory and anyothermills
for useful manufacture, and to hold property to the
value of three hundred thousand dollars, in two hun-
dred shares. Option was given to Beverly to build
the bridge, but the committee of that town preferred
to relinquish the right of improving the river for a
mill-pond and to pay twenty dollars annually towards
the supjjort of the bridge. Both the original structure
and the stone bridge were for a long time called
"Spite Bridge." Those who built it gave the name
of " Liberty Bridge." By an act, February 8, 1811,
the company having " lately discontinued their oper-
ations," the Salem establishment was sold to the com-
pany at Water's River. Nathaniel Putnam was many
years agent and manager of the works. Subsequently
the works were changed into a grist-mill, were long
known as " Fowler's Mills, then " Richards' Mills,"
and within a few years have entered a new stage of
usefulness, that of grinding up old rubber.
A man without a handle to his name must have
been at a discount in New Mills. The busy little port
was thii.'k with " Cap'ns,'' with here a " Colonel,"
there a " Major." It was the home of a considerable
number of men who were masters of ships out of
Salem, of others who were prosperous ship-owners,
merchants and millers. Such families were not nu-
merous, and they naturally became connected and
inter-twisted by marriages in a way perplexing to
unravel.
Among the young men who were attracted by the
shipbuilding at the new settlement was Samuel Fow-
ler, of Ipswich, born there January 9, 1748-49. He
was but seventeen when he came. At that time a
young girl was just entering her teens who had the
distinction of being the tirst white child born at New
Mills. She was Sarah Putnam, daughter of Arche-
laus, the pioneer, and step-daughter of Colonel Israel
Hutchinson. Two years before the battle of Lexing-
ton Samuel Fowler and Sarah Putnam were married.
She is said to have been a very handsome woman,
" with a snowy complexion and black eyes and hair."
She lived to be over ninety-two years of age, and died
November 19, 1847, having survived her husband
nearly thirty-five years. Samuel Fowler, shipwright,
became a ship-owner, engaged in trade with the West
Indies, and is called on the records " merchant."
Ca[)tain Samuel Page, the oldest son of Colonel
Jeremiah, married Rebecca, daughter of that William
Putnam who went to Sterling, Mass, and he came
down from Porter's Plains to become one of the first
and leading citizens of New Mills.
Simon Pinder (sometimes Pindar, Pendar) was of
the same age as Samuel Fowler, and came also from
Ipswich. He married here Mehitable Dutch, and
probably built the old house on Fox Hill, in which he
lived and died, on the site of which is the new house
of Mr. Dennett's. He was engaged in the fishing
business and also kept a store near his house. He
died July 4, 1813. An older house than his, by the
way, on Fox Hill is the " Fairfield House," so called
for Samuel Fairfield, who married Anna, a daughter
of Colonel Hutchinson, and died November 26, 1810,
aged sixty -two.
Aaron Cheever, some seven years older than Fow-
ler and Pindar, was a blacksmith. He came early to
New Mills from Newburyport.
Nathaniel Putnam was a son of Archelaus and a
brother of Samuel Fowler's wife.
Moses Black, a full generation younger than those
just mentioned, was born in Haverhill in 1779, and
came here at the close of the last century. He was
a " wool-puller," and established a prosperous busi-
ness, was known as " Major Moses," and was the
founder of the Black family, than which few in town
have been more prominent and influential.
Nathaniel Putnam had a large family, among
whom were Nathaniel, known as " Cap'n Nat," Me-
hitable and Phebe. Aaron Cheever had two sons,
both sea-captains, — Thomas and William. Simon
Pinder had seven or eight children, among whom
were Samuel, Hitty, Hannah and Sally. Jere. Put-
nam, not previously mentioned, was the father of
two other sea-captains, "Captain Jerry" and "Cap-
tain Tom."
Captain Nathaniel Putnam married Hannah Pin-
dar ; Samuel Pindar married Mehitable Putnam ;
Moses Black married Phebe Putnam. Captain
Thomas Cheever married Sally Pindar ; William
Cheever married Betsey Waters, and at his death she
became the third wife of Captain Nathaniel. Hitty
Pindar became the wife of "Captain Jerry" Put-
nam.
One of Hannah Pindar Putnam's children, Na-
thaniel, married a daughter of " Captain Tom " Put-
nam, and subsequently moved to New York ; and
one of Betsey Waters (Cheever) Putnam's children,
Abby, was married to a son of Captain Tom's, Caj)-
tain Albert. Samuel Pindar lived in the " Mead
House" on Endicott Street — a part of his father's
estate — and worked at times for Major Black ; he
DANVERS.
491
ilied in 1.S38, was the only son who had a family
here, and the removal of his own sons leaves no one
now to represent the family name. A link between
the Pindars and Pages was the marriage of a daugh-
ter of John Pindar, of P>everly, son of Simon, to Cap-
tain Samuel Page's oldest sou, Jeremiah.
"Captain Tom'' Cheever and his wife, Sally Pin-
dar, lived with his brother, William, in that large
house on Water Street which has fallen to such decay
that the roof is tumbling in. Cai)tain Thomas sailed
forty years for Captain Joseph Peabody, of Salem.
Captain William died at Calcutta when but thirly-
tw'o years old, and left no children to grow up; his
widow re-married as noted. Of Captain Thomas's
children, tw-o daughters became wives of Dr. Eben-
ezer Hunt; William and his wife, Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Captain Eben Putnam, live at Staten Island,
N. Y. ; and George, Miss Hannah P. and Mary P.,
widow of William, son of Major Moses P>lack, live
here.
Captain Jerry Putnam, who married Hitty Pindar,
lived in the house which he built, now owned by
Charles Warren ; he was of the fraternity of sea-
captains, lived to be about seventy, and his oldest
daughter, Mehitable, married into another family,
not yet mentioned, well savored with salt — the John-
sons. The Johnson home was a small house which
stood near Dr. Frost's residence. The father, Wil-
liam, and three sons, William, Henry and Thomas,
were all sea-captains. The son William lived in
Salem ; Thomas lived in the house next north ol
Charles Warren's, and of his children, Thomas W., ol'
Salem, is the secretary of the Holyoke Insurance
Company, and George was lost at sea, leaving two
boys now in our schools. It was Captain Henry
Johnson who married Captain Jerry's daughter ; he
first went to sea when twelve years old as cabin-boy
for Captain Tom Cheever, and after he gave up the
sea, settled down on his father-in-law's place. His
son, the late James A. Johnson, was the last to fol-
low the traditional occupation of the family.
The family trees of the Pages and Fowlers inter-
twine in various w'ays. Samuel Fowler, the young
man who canu- from I|iswich, had four children to
grow up. Colonel Jeremiah Page was twice married,
and his eldest son, Captain Saniuel, was much older
than the children of the second wife. It is not,
strange, therefore, that while Samuel Fowler's son,
Samuel, married Captain Samuel Page's daughter,
Clarissa, that the younger son, ,Iohn Fowler, should
have married Captain Samuel's half sister, Martha,
and that Martha's brother, John, should have mar-
ried Mary, a sister to Samuel and John Fowler.
Sanuiel Fowler, Jr., born in 1776 and died in 1859,
lived in the square brick house on the corner of Lib-
erty and High Streets, and carried on an extensive
milling and tanning business about Liberty Bridge.
His tan yard, which remained in the family until a
few vears ago, is one of the longest established in
the country. Of his children three sons survive,—
Deacon S. P. Fowler, whose life runs parallel with the
century, and of whom a sketch follows this article,
Henry and Augustus. A daughter, Rebecca, married
Aaron Eveleth ; another, Sally Page, James D. Black,
a son of Major Moses. The latter and Miss Maria
L. are the surviving daughters. John Fowler built
the Bates house near the iron foundry, from whom it
passed to two sea captains, Ca]:itain Edward Richard-
son and Captain Stephen Brown, and from them to
John Bates, its present venerable owner. John Fow-
ler's oldest son, "master mariner," died in the Gull'
of Mexico in 1840 ; another, Jeremiah, was one of
the pioneers of California, established the first diary
in San Francisco, is still living, a successful old man,
in Placer. County, that State, and within a few years
his family has re-allied itself to Danvers, through the
marriage of one of his sons to a daughter of the late
Captain Andrew M. Putnam.
John Page and his wife, Mary Fowler, lived in
his father's homestead at the Plains. He saw the
growth of the Plains village from almost nothing to
the business centre of the town, and contributed to
this progress. The manner in which he carried on
his father's busine.'-s of brick-making will be noticed
when that industry is spoken of He was an hon-
ored and representative citizen of the town. His
widow long survived him, and died, lacking a month
of ninety years. Like her mother, Sarah Putnam,
.she was distinguished in her youth for the fine per-
.sonal ajipearance, which she retained in a remarkable
degree in her old age; she was of more than ordinary
intelligence, and read extensively to the latest period
of her life. The connection between Major Black's
family and the Powders has been noticed. A direct
Black-Page alliance was made by the marriage of the
Major's son, Moses, Jr., to Harriet N., daughter of
John and Mary Page. Mrs. Black and four sisters,
Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Edgerton, Mrs. Weston and Miss A.
L. Page are the surviving children of John Page.
It is unpleasant to know that in the male line this
name, which has been so conspicuous in our history,
is here extinct.
Beside the children of Major Moses Black already
mentioned were Mrs. Sarah L. Ilolroyd, Mrs. Mary
O. Smith, Archelus P. and Joseph S. The latter was
a son-in-law of Moses Putnam, and his partner; he
died in 1861. William, Moses, James D. and Joseph
S. Black were, each in his peculiar way, prominent
and leading citizens. James D., the only surviving
son, who lives at Harvard, Mass., has furnished the
writer with some interesting reminiscences which
have been used in the sketch of the schools.
These families here mentioned by no means in-
cluded all of the " first families " of New Mills. There
were Captain Crowningshield, anil later Captain Ben
Porter, at the Read mansion. Captain Israel Endicolt
and other Endicotts, Caleb Oakcs, Major Joseph
Stearns, Deacon Benjamin Kent, ship builder, Josiah
492
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Gray, Captain Jacob Perry, the Webbs and so on.
Much might be written of them were there plenty
of space and time. Some will be mentioned again in
connection with brick-making and other industries,
and other representative names than those already
mentioned will appear in the sketch of the local
church, the Baptist, in the account of the anti-slavery
excitement, and especially in the list of the company
formed during the war of 1812, an account of which
here immediately follows.
In the summer of 1814 nearly sixty men, mostly of
New Mills — the solid men of the place in more senses
than one, who were exempt from service — voluntarily
associated themselves into au iudeiiendent company
of defence. They met in the school-house July lijth,
organized by the choice of Captain Samuel Page as
moderator, and Captain Thomas Putnam, clerk, and
passed, among others, these votes:
" Voti'd, That till* Aliiriii post be the front yard of Capt. Saml. Page's
house. VoU:d, That the company meet at their Alarm Post on Saturday
next at 4 o'clock P. M., well equipped, including Knapsack, etc,
" Vi't^d, Tliat as we have pledged oui-selves on the points of Honor to
he Always Iteadti and willing to obey the commanding officer of said
company, therefore any member who does not at .all times (when ordered)
attentl at the Alarm Post in good season and well armed and cjuipited
shall be liable to be reprimanded for eacli neglect by the commanding
officer."
The muster-roll of the New Mills minute-men:
Samuel Page Captain.
Thomas Putnam Lieutenant.
Caleb Oakes Sargent.
■Tobn Endicott Sargent.
John Page Clerk.
Kichard Scidmore Drummer.
Stephen Whipple Fifer.
Ephraim Smith Fnglc-man.
Privates.
Thomas Cheever. Daniel Hardy.
Edward Richardson .lona. Slieldon.
Hooper Stimpson. Seth Stetson.
Stephen Brown. Michael Saunders.
Samuel Pindar. Ezra Batchelder.
John Fowler. Thos. Symonds.
Benjamin Kent. Ephraim Smith.
Moses Black. Hercules Jocelyn.
Daniel Putnam. Jeremiah Page.
Samuel Trickey. Benjamin Wellington.
William Francis. William Trask.
Samuel Fowler. Moses Putnam.
Joseph Stearns. Israel Andrew.
Jonas Warren. Nathl. Mahew.
Eben Dale. John Wheeler.
George Waitt. David Tarr.
Nathaniel Putnam. John Russell.
John W. Osgood. John Kenney.
Allen Gould. Jacob Allen.
Ebenezer Jacobs. Daniel Usher.
George Osgood. Israel Endicott.
Henry Brown. James A. Putnam.
Ebenezer Berry. Israel nutchinson.
William Cutler.
Of the personnel and appearance of this company
fortunately an interesting sketch has been written by
Deacon Fowler. Here were men whose age had added
breadth to shoulders and rotundity to forms, men who
held commissions in the Revolution, shipmasters who
had visited foreign climes, skippers and hook-and-
line men ; shipwrights, wealthy shoe manufacturers,
men who first pressed bricks l)y machinery and found
a mint in the clay-pit; tanners, merchants, farmers,
artisans, oiBcers of the town, county, church. State,
physicians, and — enough ! Truly a company extra-
ordinary in its make-up. They marched, a little
stiff in the knee-joints, from their Captain's down to
the woods in the lane (River Street) for practice in
firing, till "The Girl I Left Behind Me" quickened
their energies and warmed them up. Amid generous
plaudits it is to be presumed the veterans moved on with
taciturn dignity. The young men smiled, but only
some sour Federalist growled," There goes the old ring-
bone company." The weapons were of every sort —
the King's arm, good for a charge of ten fingers, two
balls and tive buck-shot ; the long heavy ducking
gun, requiring liberal allowance of ammunition ; the
large-calibre " refugee." The firing by platoons was
somewhat theoretical — there was too much individu-
ality al)out it. Blank cartridges being used there was
little danger in front. Not so in the ranks, for from
the vents of the old firelocks a generous discharge of
powder was at each shot diiected towards the exposed
ear of the man on the right, until the word was passed
down, " Turn up your guns when you fire." At one
of the numerous fiilse alarms that the British were
landing at Salem, the company marched at midnight
as far as Gardner's farm. It was noticed that tliey
were divided somewhat peculiarly. The well-fed,
heavy, short-legged and short-winded men held the
rear, under the lieutenant, while the front rank, com-
posed of the leaner and longer-legged, advanced
faster under the captain. The people of Salem were
in constant fear of naval attack, and jieople inland
were so alert that it is said a shot from a battery,
alarmed by some harmless fishermen, caused quick
commotion to the extreme limits of New Hampshire.
The escape of the "Constitution" from English ships
into Marblehead harbor was witnessed by Danvers men
from Folly Hill. Earthworks, mounting two iron four-
pounders, were thrown up at Water's River, and
several prize vessels laid off the ship-yards during the
war. The last survivor of the New Mills minute-men
was Jonas Warren.
A school-boy of sixty years ago recalls that then
Capt. Samuel Page was the leading merchant, and
that his mercantile business was not confined to coast-
ing, but foreign goods were largely imported. His
fine mansion, still standing, was regarded as the most
aristocratic residence of the village. He had years
before erected sever.al large warehouses to accommo-
date his business.
Capt. Nat Putnam and Capt. Tom Cheever were
partners in store-keeping in the brick building until
recently occupied by Aaron Warren. Capt. Nat
built as his residence the large brick building oppo-
site, known as the Bass River House, and a very fine
residence it must have been in those days. After
Capt. Page's death, Putnam and Cheever occasion-
DANVERS.
493
ally used the storehouses, and so also Major Black, to
store sheeps' pelts. Into one of them a cargo of
smuggled rum was surreptitiously unloaded in the
dead of night. Though a blacksmith, who had to be
aroused to mend the broken oaun-hooks, was let into
the secret, the vessel got away before daylight, and
nothing was for a long time known of the close pro.\-
imity of so much exhilarating fluid. But the stuft"
could not be sold, and remained an elephant in
somebody's h.ands until long after its advent some-
body else " peache<i,'' and a long line of government
trucks entered the village and confiscated the whole
stock.
The following list of the earliest Danversport vessels
was made by Mr. Crowley, of the 8alem Custom.
House, at the writer's request. The date is that of
register. The owner's name follow.s the name of the
vessel.
17S9. Schooner "Nancy" Samuel Pairc.
1792. Schooner "Sally" S;iniucl Pa^e.
1792. Schooner ".Mice" Ilafflelil Wliitc
1792. Brig " Lucy" Caleb Low.
1793. Scliooner "Hawk" Samuel Page.
1794. .Schooner "Clanssa" Samuel Page.
179.5. Schooner "Industry" Samuel Fowler.
1796. Schooner "Sally " Fowler & Piu.hir.
1798. Schooner " Esther" Samiu'l Fowler,
1799. Schooner" Eliza" Samuel Page.
1799. Schooner "Two Brothers" Sanuiel Pago.
180f). Schooner " Five Sisters" Samuel Page.
ISOI. Brig "William" .Samuel Page.
1802. Ship " Pnliuim" 200 tons Samuel Page and
others.
18(H. Schooner "Jel'eniiah" Samuel Page.
18(.)4. Scliooner "Rebecca," Samuel Page and Sol.
Ilid.lings.
( Will. Pindar, ThoB.
,„ , „ , , „. Putnam, Simon
1801. Schooner "William" J ...
Pindar, Cab-b .V'
t Oakes.
ISrif,. Bark "Wm. Gray" \Vm. Pindar .* Tlios.
Putnam.
1806. Schooner "Polly" lohn Fowler i .lolin
Page.
1807- Schooner " .\ugiista" Caleb Oakes.
("Samuel Page, .T. 11.
IHlo. Brig"Kebecca ' .{ .\ndre\vs, .Samuel
'[ Endicott.
One of Samuel Page's partners in the ship " Put-
nam " was the merchant, .\bel Lawrence, and her
master was Nathaniel Bowditch.
The sturdy ship-wriglits at New Mills helped out
their country in the times that tried men's souls.
Beside the smaller craft, thrt-e fine ships, — the
" Grand Turk," the ".Jupiter," the "Harlequin," —
were built here during the Revolution. Before the
war, Pindar, Kent and Fowler took a contract to
build a three hundred and filly ton ship for a London
house. Capt. John Lee was sent from England to
superintend her building. Impending hostilities
prevented the owners from rigging and fitting her,
and as long a.s she remained on the stocks the build-
ers could not, according to contract, demand their
pay. Cajit. Lee refused to allow her to be launclied,
but all the carpenters mustered one night and slid
her into the water. The builders might better have
thrown up the bargain and make the most of the
.ship, but they chose to bring a fruitless suit against
the American agent of the Knglishmen, and in the
meantime the good ship, utterly iincared for, floating
with the tides, rotted in the river.
Old newspapers which contain "arrivals" at the
" Port of Danvers " give an insight into the amount
and character of the business here transacted. A
few sample entries during the summer of 184S arc
here given, —
".Iune2d.— An. sell. '.Albert,' with frame of liuplist Meeting House.
";{d.— .\rr. sell. ' Ileniy Chase,' ct)rii and Hour, to J. Warren.
'■ Uh.— .\ri. sch. • New Packet,' lumber, to .1. W. Itoberts.
"otli. — .\rr. sch. ' Franklin,' liimbei, to .\sii Sawyer, .Ir.
"7th. — Sid. sch. 'Franklin.'
"stii. — Sltl. sch. ' Aurora."
"9th.— Sid. sch. 'New Packet.'
" Iltli.— Arr. sch. ' Pilgrim,' corn, to D. Iticharils.
" 'ioth.— Sid. sch. ' Minor,' bricks, from Nalban Tapley.
"22d.— Arr. Sloop 'Lady Temperance.' stone, to M. Black.
"27th.— Arr. Brig 'Ellen,' corn, to 1). Richards. .Schs. 'Franklin'
with liiiiiber, to .\. Sawyer, .Jr. ; ' Itegiilator,' wood and sleepers, to
E. K. B.
".lOlb.— Arr. schs. 'otter.' lime, lu A. W. Warren 4 Co.; 'Henry,'
lumber, to ( 'ahiii I'utiiaiti."
From April 1 to November ISO, 184,S, there were
172 arrivals including 58 cargoes of lumber, 31 wood
and bark, 43 flour and grain, 17 lime, 3 molasses, 2
salt, 4 coal, 12 in ballast, 2 unknown. Seventeen
vessels loaded for shipment to other ports, two car-
goes being sent to the coast of Africa. It is said
that the first cargo of coal ever landed here was
owned liy Parker Brown, but nearly as early a ven-
ture in this new combustible was that of ,T. W. Ropes.
His advertisement thus appeared in August, 1849. —
" (•,„■;.
" Now landed at Black's wli.ai f. and for .sale by the subscriber, a cargo
of very superior anthracite coal which will be sold at the wharf or de-
livered IIS cheap as can be purchased in Salem.
" .T'lsri'H \V. Koi-Es."
The following is the summary of the arrivals in
1 800:
.lonas Warren, lime, flour, grain, etc., 44
.foshua Silvester, iron, 12
Daniel Richards, grain, 16
II. O. Warren & Co., coal and wood 32
.losiali (Jray ,^ Son, wood, 5
Moses Black, .Ir., coal and wood 34
Samuel Low, wood, '■'... 1
Beckford, grain, ."J
Augustus Tafiiey, coal, 1
Calvin Piitnaui, lumber, '2.0
.1. Bragdon ,t (.'o., lumber 10
Aaron Evelelb, lumber, 12
n. Caiin, liiinlu'r, 1
Wliol.- nunilier of arrivals 198
The Legislature authorized the town to put down
channel poles in flic rivers in 1844. Recently the
draw-bridges at Beverly were widened to accommo-
date larger coal ves.sels than coulil otherwise come to
Danversport. Calvin Piitnani established the present
extensi\e lumber business, on the site of De.acon
Kent's ship-yard, about thirty-five years ago.
494
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The Tapleys and Tapleyville. — About the
first of this century au old man was driving a heavy
load of oak ship-timber, along one of the roads in the
western part of the town. There had recently been a
very heavy fall of snow, and the roads were so full
that turning out was a matter of great difficulty.
Suddenly out of thf drifts there appeared an ap|)roath-
ing sleigh, and behind the driver sat the magnate
of whom something has been said, "King" Hooper.
" Turn out," cried Hooper. " Can't do it, load's too
heavy," said the old man, " let your man take one of
these shovels and we'll soon make room." "'No, half
the road's mine, and I'll wait here till I get it." "All
right" was the complacent reply, and slipping out
the pin he went back home with his oxen, leavi.ng the
load of logs eflectually blocking the narrow path.
This was Gilbert or, as it more often appears "Gil-
bord " Tapley, ihe ancestor of the numerous family
of that name in Danvers, many of whom have borne
prominent and honorable parts in the quiet annals ol
the town. He was the brother of John Tapley, from
whom Tapley's Broook, in Peabody, derived its name.
Another brother located in Maine. Gilbord came up
to Salem Village and bought, in August, 1747, of
Joseph Sibley, a farm of sixty-seven acres, bounded
by Amos Buxton, Joshua Swinerlon and others, the
river-meadows, and a " way " now called Buxton's
Lane. His dwelling on this farm was standing until
within thirty to forty years on the Andover turnpike,
a few rods south of the Wm. Goodale place. He was
married three times; first, to Phebe, daughter of John,
and sister to Dr. Amos Putnam ; second, to Mary,
widow of Nathaniel Smith ; third, to Mrs. Sarah
Farrington. Phebe was the mother of Amos, Daniel,
Phebe, Joseph, Aaron, Asa, Elijah ; Mary w.as the
mother of Sally, eight children in all. Through only
two of these was the name preserved here, Amos and
Asa. Of the daughters, Phebe married Wm. Good-
ale, of Hog Hill ; Sally, Porter Putnam. Of the other
sons, Daniel married Mary Tarbell ; Joseph went to
Lynnfield and left very numerous descendants ; and
Elijah established a family at Wilton, N. H. Amos
Tapley's home was in near neighborhood to his
father'.s, the present Joel Kimball place. His wife
was Hannah, daughter of John Preston, who lived
where George H. Peabody does now, not far away.
They were the parents of twelve children, seven sons.
Of the sons, — David, Amos, Moses, Aaron, Daniel,
Philip and Rufus, — Moses and Daniel were among
the pioneers of Indiana; Amos went to Lynn and
was the father of Amos P. Tapley, one of the most
respected citizens of that city ; Philip died at sea,
young; and upon David, Aaron and Rufus depended
their father's branch of the family name at home.
David's son Alvin was the father of Joseph A. Tap-
ley, of Danveraport. Aaron lived close by his father,
on the James Goodale place, and left no son. Rufus
took his father's home, and later moved next south of
the First Church ; three of his children went to Saco,
Me., of whom Rufus P. was for seven years a judge of
Maine Supreme Court; none of the children are left
here. Thus the only lineal male representatives of
Gilbord's son Amos, now in town, are .Toseph A. Tap-
ley and his sons.
Now of Gilbord's son Asa. It was said that Gil-
bord's second wife was the Widow Smith ; she brought
three daughters into the family, two of whom quite
conveniently became wives of two of the sons, while
a third, Ruth, married Matthew Putnam, and thence-
forth presided over the old Nourse witchcraft home-
stead, and became next neighbor to her sister Eliza-
beth. For it was Elizabeth Smith whom Asa Tapley
married, and their home was the old house which was
sold to the late Elisha Hyde, and until within a few
years stood on the street which bears that man's name.
Asa came to own a great deal of land in that neigh-
borhood. His children were Daniel, Asa, Betsey,
John, Gilbert, Sally, Nathan, Perley, Jesse, Mary.
Daniel lived first in the brick house which was the
old home of Dr. Amos Putnam, near Felton's Corner ;
Nathan and Asa were brick-makers, the former liv-
ing first in the house which he built, now occupied
by his son-in-law, William H. Walcott ; Asa in the
house next south; while the house of Hix Richards,
who nnirried their sister Betsey, completed the trio of
adjoining Tapley houses. The son John settled in
Dover, N. H. Gilbert and Jesse established them-
selves near their father's home ; the former in the old
Tarbell house, which stood on the corner of Hyde
and Pine Streets, where he made shoes and money,
the latter at the other end of Hyde, on Collins Street.
Perley lived and died in the house into which Gilbert
afterwards moved and died, on the corner of Pine
and Holten Streets. Looking back at the character
and standing which these sons who remained in Dan-
vers maintained, it is using a very moderate expre-s-
ion to speak of them as a remarkable family. Some
of them died wealthy, all respected. None now sur-
vive. Gilbert reached the greatest age, eighty-five,
and was the last survivor, his death occurring Octo-
ber 10, 1878.
Perley Tapley was a famous mover of buildings,
and many are the feats which he and his long team
of oxen accomplished in this direction. About 1843
he moved a building in which Matthew Hooper had
manufactured boxes, near Felton's Corner, to the
brook at " Hadlock's Bridge," and in it Perley and
Gilbert Tapley began the manufacture of carpets.
This building was burned in June, 184.5, and another
was immediately built. Gilbert Tapley carried on
the business alone from 1847 to 18G4, when the Dan-
vers Carpet Company was formed. For many years
the industry thus established gave employment to
many people. In 187G there were .about one hundred
employees, who turned out one hundred and fifty
thousand yards of ingrain carpets.
About the time the carpet business was started
Perley Tapley began moving buildings from far and
DANVERS.
4!»5
near, and converting them into dwcHings. Many ol'
these remain, the original settlers of the village,
which, thus created, very properly took the name of
Tapleyville. A humorous squib which appeared in
the Danvrrs Eagle October 30, 1844, was concocted
on one of those trips which leading South Parish
men used to make to hear Dr. Braman preach Fast-
day and Thanksgiving sermons. It was headed
" Tapleyville in 1844." "There is one peculiarity,"
it says, " which we believe is not common to any
other place. By the city regulations it is provided
that no house or other l)uilding shall be erected
within the territory, and the city is entirely composed
of buildings which have been moved into it, and by
this means it is constantly increasing. Nothing is
more common than to see houses of all sizes and
shapes and of every quaint style of architecture trav-
eling into the pl.ace and seating themselves down in
some comfortable situation to rest Just so long as the
mayor will allow them to remain. . . . We had
the curiosity to look into the City Hall when the
( 'ouncil was not in session, and found it ornamented
with various agricultural implements. Like the rest
of the city, it looked like a traveling concern, and
was built of rough slabs. We understand it once
took a tour of observation through the streets of Sa-
lem, and afterwards returned to its native place."
The " mayor " was, of course, Perley Tapley. The
building last alluded to was a log cabin, which had
been conspicuous in the Harrison campaign [irocess-
ions. It was the great feature of a great procession
at Salem, when people gazed in admiration at Perley
Tapley's skill in managing the forty or fifty yoke ol
oxen attached to the cabin, especially in turning cor-
ners. A glee club sang from the balcony, and a halt
was made on Salem Common, where there was a great
dinner, and an able and elocjuent s|)ce(h l>y Daniel
Webster.
Mr. Tapley is said to have been the first to move a
brick building. Having a church-steeple on his
hands at one time, he cut it up sectionally into shoe-
makers' shops; one is to be seen near the Tapleyville
Station. He was moving a building on floats from
Boston to East Boston once, and being somewhat out
of his element on any other than a solid foundation,
was in danger of being blown out to sea ; in the crisis
he is said to have called vehemently to the pilot to
"gee." Wishing a new school-house for his village,
be iiid what he could to make the old Number l!
building "too small" by loading every child of school
age in his neighborhood into his ox-cart and filling
the room to overflowing. Many characteristic stories
of his energetic way of doing things might be col-
lected. He was not forty-eight years old when he
died. He leaves no sons, but two daughters in town.
In addition to the single family mentioned as the
representatives of old Gilbord's son Amos, there are
now in town but five other adult male Tapleys, —
George and his two sons, of the line of Daniel, son
of Asa, and (iilbert Augustus and his only son, of the
line of Gilbert, son of Asa.
Tapleyville is supplied with a post-otfice and a rail-
road station. As a school district it ranks among the
three largest ; as a business and manufacturing centre
it is one of the busiest in town. Within a few year.s
a large tract of land bounded by Holten, Pine and
Hobart Streets has been opened and is well taken up
by new dwellings. The new streets are named for
the pastors of the First Church, — Clarke, Wailsworth,
Braman, &c. Within the present year, 1887, a fine
three-story building has been erected by the .Vgawam
Tribe of Red Men for society and business purposes.
CHAPTER X X X ^' 1 1 .
D.VNVERS —(Continued).
MISfELL.iNEOUS.
TEJrPKR.^NTE. — It is a fact too well known for com-
ment that a typical New Englauder of a century ago
loved rum. It was potent at " raisings," it added to
hospitality, it lent wisdom to council, eloquence to
speech, strength to etibrt. It was as nece-ssary to set-
tle a minister as to swap a horse. It was the article
mo.st often charged on the grocer's day-book ; it was
absolutely commim. And it made men drunk. After
the revolution home production greatly increased, and
during the first part of this century intemperance be-
came a crying evil.
In the year 1812 a temperance society was formed.
It was the first in this State, perhaps the first in the
world, — The JIassachusetts Society for the Sui)pres-
sion of Intemperance. Three Danvers men were of
its members, — Hon. Samuel Holten, Rev. Dr. Wads-
worth and Joseph Torrey, at least two of them lead-
ers anywhere. And this accounts for the fact that so
early, two years after the parent society, a temper-
ance society was started here. It was called the Dan-
vers Moral Society, and had for its officers a fine set
of men who neither shrank from the work nor feared
the opprobrium of an unpopular reform, — Dr. Holten.
president; Rev. Messrs. Wadsworth and Walker,
vice-presidents; Drs. Torrey and Nichols, secretaries;
Fitch Pool, treasurer; Eleazer Putnam, Samuel Page,
John Endicott, Svlvester Osborne, .lames Osborne,
James Brown. William Sutton and Nathan Felton,
counsellors. Deacon Sanuiel Preston gave in his old
age some reminiscences of his early connection wi(h
the society, himself one of the early secretaries. The
board of managers, he .said, met once a month. " As
cii.scs one after another came up, to particular mem-
bers of the board was assigned theduty of visiting and
trying to jiersuade the fallen one to break off his
habits and to lead a sol)er ami useful life. This was
followed until reform was effected or the case became
hopeles.--, when his or her name was added to a list of
496
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
names which were to be handed to the selectmen of
the town to be ' posted ' as common drunkards, and
the dealers in intoxicating drinks were forbidden to
sell or give to any person whose name was so ' posted.'
Several lists of some eight or ten names were so made
out and posted in pul)lic places. The process created
so much bitter feeling that it was abandoned after
some years of trial. The binding principle of the
societies was not, in the beginning, total abstinence;
other methods had to be tried before." The Moral
Society at first went no farther than to declare against
the daily use of ardent spirits. It took nineteen years
of progress to strike out, in 1S33, the word " daily."
The first indication of the new reform upon the
records of the town is a vote passed at the annual
meeting of 1818, thanking the selectmen (Nathan
Felton. Jonathan Walcot, Sylvester Proctor, Daniel
Putnam, Nathaniel Putnam), for the measures by
them adopted " to prevent those given to intemper-
ance in drinking, from wasting their health, time, and
estates by the excessive use of ardent spirits ; and
that the present board be instructed to pursue the
system commenced by their predecessors."
Nine years later. May 27, 1827, Caleb Cakes carried
a motion for a committee of nine to enibrce the laws
and " to give notice to the selectmen of every licensed
person known to violate the laws that their approba-
tion of such person may hereafter be refused." This
committee consisted of Caleb Cakes, Fitch Pool,
Samuel Fowler, John Peabody, Samuel Preston, John
W. Proctor, Elijah lIj)ton, Nathan Poor and Samuel
Taylor. It was in this year, 1827, that the first pub-
lic address advocating total abstinence was delivered
in Danvers. The speaker was a young physician,
Ebenezer Hunt, who thus early took the advanced
stand upon this question, which throughout the
course of his well-roundeil life he fearlessly took on
other great questions which later agitated the country.
In 1830 the town were asked to take certain meas-
ures " agreeable to a request of the Danvers Moral
Society." The next year the overseers of the poor
were instructed not to furnish liquors at the almshouse,
except as recommended by the attending physician.
Two years later, and at a meeting held at the Brick
Meeting-House in the north parish March 4, 1833,
public sentiment had been so far affected that the first
no-license vote was passed. John W. Proctor, a
lineal descendant of the original settlers of that name,
a young lawyer whose name must appear often and
honorably in any chronicles of his native town, then
wrote in lead-pencil certain resolutions which were
offered to the meeting by a young man whose birth was
contenijioraneous with that of the century, and who
to-day is still with us, despite his advanced age main-
taining the active superintendence of the one of the
most important departments of town affairs, of whom
more may be learned in the biographical sketch
which follows, Samuel P. Fowler. The resolutions
were these :
" Voted that the following order be adopted :
" Whereas in couKequeuce ol the Change that has taken place in pub-
lic Opinion in regard to the nse of Spiritvious liquors, it is very generally
believed that the Public convenience does not require licenses to be
granted for the vending of Ardent Spirits.
"Antl trheretis it is desirable to discountenance the use of Ardent
Spirits in all reasonable and practicable ways, Therefore voted as the
sense of the town that it is not expedient to license the Sale of Ardent
Spirits within the town, and that the Selectmen be hereby instructed
and requested to withhold their Approbation of such licenses."'
Col. Jesse Putnam headed a petition for no-license
next year, and Daniel P. King, Alfred Putnam, Ab-
ner Sanger, Robert S. Daniels and Joshua H. Ward
were appointed to correspond with other towns on the
question. Women were in no ways backward in the
temperance movement. At the annual town-meeting
of 1836, this petition signed by about eight hundred
of them was presented :
" To the Citizens of Danvei-s in Town Jleeting assenibh'd : —
" We, the undersigned, your Mothers, wives, sisters and daughters,
ask your attention for one moment to the temiJerance cause, as it now
e.\istsin tiiis community. We are aware that yon are not nnniindful of
this cause, and that you have heretofore done much in support of it, and
the present year have instructed your Sidectmen not to approbate the
sale of Anient Spirits within tlie town. We are also aware that yon
were among the first pid)licly in town meeting to denounce the traffic in
ardent Spirits and to proclaim its evils. All this is well, hut still mu( h
remains to lie done. Notwithstanding all your efforts, there are many
still inti'niperate, and the means of gratifying their insiitialjle appetites
are still at Inind.
"Yes, and tiiey wlio furnish these means go nnpnnisheil and disre-
garded, of what are laws or resolutions in word only ? llettei Ijy far to
have no laws, than permit them to be violated with impunity. Have
you not again and again resolved that the sale and the n-e of ardent
spirits are ilestructive of the Peace and well-being of Society y Do you
not all feel and see that this is true? Then why Jierniit itV AVe he-
seech you delay no longer. Banish the evil from am^mg yiiu. Beseech
those who transgress, in kindness to desist. But if they will not, in
kiiidiu*s.s, compel them to do it. Never hesitate or falter in doing thut
yon know to be right. We your friends, your own consciences, and the
Ood of heaven, will sustain you in the path of duty. As you love us, as
you regard your own welfare, both here and hereafter, sutler not the
evil of drnnkenness to be any longer within your bordeis; and unite wilh
us in prayer that our neighboring Citizens may share the same
ble-ssiug."
At a special meeting held April 3, 1837, a commit-
tee, in the nature of a temperance vigilance commit-
tee, and the first of the sort, was ajqjointed ; it con-
sisted of John Peabody, Rufus Wynian, Jes.se Put-
nam, John B. Peirce and Samuel P. Fowler. At this
meeting a resolve was passed which reveals a state of
things unremedied to this day and which might with
greater pertinence than efticai-y be at any time re-
enacted :
*' WuEUKAs, this town for several years pjist, while endeavoring to
pieveut the sale and use of intoxicating litinors within it, has found its
elforts thwarted, and its citizens allured and enticed away to tlieii- in-
jury, by the Licensed shells and houses on its borders in the City of
Salem. Therefore
^^ Resolved^ That the Selectmen in behalf of the town be requested
respectfully to beseech the Authorities of the City (if such di-ani shops
shall still bethought necessary in the City) not to locate them imme-
diately upon oui- i'lorders ; but to remove them lus far off as possible."
There followed a period of inactivity for some seven
years. Then, in 1844, more resolutions were pa.ssed,
and another vigilance committee was appointed, on
which with others previously mentioned were Joseph
Csgood, Elias Putnaiu, William and Joseph S. Black,
DANVERS.
497
Samuel Tucker and Samuel Preston. Four years later
and another committee, another in 1849, several in the
fifties, and one, the last, as late as 1871, upon the
earlier of which appear as leading temperance men of
the day these additional names: Allen Knight, Israel
Adams, Deacon Frederick Howe, William Walcott,
Gilbert Tapley, Nathan Taplcy, \Vm. J. C. Kenney,
Eben Putnam, Israel W. Andrews, J^dward T. Wald-
ron and Moses Black. Jr. In 1841Mhese rather unique
votes were passed :
" Tlmt eacb iiiitiister, each Ijiiwyer and each Dortoi" be requested to
rteUver to the citizens t)f the Town, one Lecture at least, each, during
the year, on the subject of Temperance and (lantliling
** That the Town Clerk send a certitietl copy of tlie above vote to each
of the genth'men referred to and to publish it in the Dnuwrs Ct^iirUr.
"That tlie Gentlemen referred to have the liberty to make use of such
language as Ihey please on the evils of using tobacco."
About 1849, too, the subject of lotteries received
the attention of condemnation, aiitl committees were
especially instructed to prosecute violations of the
law.
Agreeable to the law of 18.'").5, the .selectmen ap-
pointed as the first liquor agent of the town, Needham
C. Millett. He was reipiired to keep pure and un-
adulterated liquors, for medicinal, chemical and me-
chanical purposes only, at his place of business on
Maple Street ; to sell for cash only at twenty-five per
cent, net profit ; to make quarterly returns to the town
treasurer; and his compensation was one hundred
dollars. His successors as liquor agents were: 18.'i6-
57, Olive Emery, High Street; 18.58-61, Hiram Pres-
ton, Maple Street; 18()2-(i5, Levi Merrill, Maple
Street ; 18t)6, Daniel Richards, corner High and Elm
Streets; 1867, A. Sumner Howard, Cherry Street;
1869-72, Abram Patch, Jr., Maple Street.
From the stand taken so early, when the resolutions
of 1883 were ado]ited, neither the old nor the present
town of Danvers has ever receded. Once only, in
1883, the vote went in favor of license, four hundred
and twenty-one to two hundred and eighty-three; but
by a singular coincidence, the proceedings of this
meeting w'ere technically illegal, through the omission
to use check lists in balloting for moderator, and on a
sul)sequent trial the result was reversed by a close vote,
four huntlred in favor of license, four hundred and
thirty-eight against. The first vote under the local
option law of 1868 was a negative answer, one hun-
dred and forty-nine to five, to the question "Shall li-
censes be grantetl for the sale, to be drunk on the
premises, of either distilled or fermented liquors?"
Late votes on the license question have been : 1884,
476 no, 275 yes; 1885, 391 no, 233 yes; 1886, 384 no^
183 yes.
Not always, however, has the real state of the tem-
perance iiue.stion been in harmony with this showing.
A dozen years ago the saloon element, for a time, suc-
cessfully defied the law, and endeavored, by terroriz-
ing prosecutors, to avoid prosecution. At least one
e.xtens've fire has been traced to such a source. But
the people at length aroused to meet the emergency,
and, under a police who deserve great credit for so
well performing their duty, have brought back the
town to a place essentially of law and order, where
liquor-selling timidly skulks and drunkenness is not
common.
Within recent years a number of temperance so-
cieties have been organized. Apparently the oldest is
the Catholic Total Abstinence Society, whose good
work cannot easily be over-estimated. It was organ-
ized November 19, 1871, and bought and fitted up its
present building some four years later. Its hall was
dedicated February 17, 1879. The Danvers Reform
Club was organized, January 21, 1876; the AVoman's
Christian Temperance Union of Danveisport, January
17, 1876 ; a similar Union at the Plains, February 6,
1876.
Fire Dep.\rtment. — The first action of the town
regarding fire-engines was in the fir.st year of this
century. On the 2-'>th of Augtbst, 180O, Robert Shilla-
ber, Israel Putnam and Edward Southwick were
chosen "to purchase two fire engines for the use of
the town, whenever a sum of money shall be raised
by subscription equal to one-half the cost of said en-
gines, and depositeil in the hands of the committee
aforesaid for that purpose."
" Vi'ltd : Said engines shall be kept in repair at the expense of the
town and one of fheni shall be placed near the house furnierly called
the Bell Tavern and tlie oilier <in the neck of land near the new mills
so called provided the inhabitants who may be likely (o receive the most
benefit therefrom will at their own expense erect suitable buildings to
receive them."
By a law of the Commonwealth, the selectmen of
towns owning fire-engines were empowered to nomi-
nate " engine-men." At the beginning of 1801, the
selectmen made these appointments:
T.
" rOR E.NOINE NO.
Edward Southwick.
Nathl. Storrs.
Henry Cook.
.Joseph ltn\Ion, .Ii.
Danl. Reed, Jr.
Isaac Frye,
Caleb Osliorn.
.bina. Osborn.
.lolinOshorn.
Amos Osborn,
George Stone,
.lohn Pierre.
Wm. Woods.
Wni. Reed.
David Osborn.
Sanil. Osborn, Jr."
" FOR ENGINE NO. 2.
Thomas Putnam.
Caleb Cakes.
Benj. Kent.
.lami'S CaiT, .Ir.
Joseph Kent.
Willebe Wells.
Nathl. Putnam.
Wm. Tra«k.
.lames Gruy.
Currier True.
Sanil. Pinder.
Wm. Pinder.
Sand. Mclutire.
Sanil. Fairtiold.
Joshua Coodftle.
.lanu'B Carr."
The names of Eclward Southwick, William and
Daniel Reed, Jr., Caleb Osborne, (ieorge Stone, John
Pierce and Samuel Mclntire were subsequently, for
some reason, erased.
Officers known as "fire-wards" were first chosen
at the annual meeting of 1801. The )iersons then
chosen were Ebenczcr Sprague, Samuel Page, Edward
Southwick, ICbenezer Shiilabcr, Simon Pindar and
Israel Hutchinson, Jr. Ten years later Page and
Southwick were both on the board, and w^ith them
498
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Samuel Fowler, Jr., Gideon Foster, Joseph and Syl-
ve.ster Osborne and Benj. Crowniushield.
Some records of the meetings of No. 2, about this
time, have been preserved. At Nathaniel Putnam's
store certain preparations were made one day in Feb-
ruary, 1S08, which show that charity went hand in
hand with festivity.
Voted, That the company have a supper to-morrow night, as per vote
the last meeting.
Voted, The committee be authorized to invite the minister and school-
master to sup with ns in free cost, and that tliey invite the tire ward in
said district to sup with us in club.
Voted, That tlie remaining part of the tines that may be had after
paying for said supper, Ac, be given to the most needy persons in said
district.
Voted, That there be a committee to distribute the same and inform
them what fund it came from.
Voted, That this committee consist of Mr. Caleb Cakes, Mr. Israel En-
dicott and Mr. Wm. Trusk.
Voted, That the clerk pay over to the committee last chosen the bal-
ance that may be in his hands after settling for the supper.
Voted, That the connuittee make a return of their doings at the ad-
journment.
At the adjournment the report was accepted and
the committee duly thanked. They received from the
clerk thirty dollars for distribution, and fourteen per-
sons received from one to four dollars each.
In 1810 the " Columbian Fire Club '' is first men-
tioned in the town records. The club petitioned for
an additional number of buckets to be placed under
it scare. Three good men and true considered the
subject, — Jona. Ingersoll, Jas. Foster and Samuel
Page ; but whether the club secured the buckets or
not is a question of distressing uncertainty. A sur-
vivor of this club relates that each member was re-
quired to keep a iire-bucket, a bed-key and a canvas
bag, hanging ready for use in the front entry.
In 1815 there were ten fire-wards, — Sylvester Os-
borne, Benj. Crowniushield, Caleb Oakes, Thomas
Putnam, Joseph G. Sprague, James Brown, Moses
Black, John Upton, Jr., Samuel Fowler and Ward
Pool. In that year the New Mills engine was thus
manned :
Thomas Cheever.
Wm. Francis.
Hercules H. Joselyn (gone
sea).
Allen Gould.
John W. Osgood.
Saml. W. Treaky.
Andrew Gould.
Jacob Jones.
Samuel Pindar.
Ebenzr. Jacobs.
Daniel Brady.
Benj. Chaplin.
ThoB. Symonds.
Nathaniel Putnam.
Jona. Mclntire.
Appropriations, by direct vote, for the fire depart-
ment were few and far between in the early years of
its existence. In 1837 the selectmen were authorized
" to furnish the new mill engine company with fire
Buckets, as they think proper, provided they do not
find those they lost at the late fire" and the only
other recorded appropriation for the first twenty
years was on a vote in 1S19, authorizing the repair of
the hook-and-ladders belonging to the town, and the
purchase of as many new hooks, ladders, pikes, not to
exceed fifteen, as the fire-wards should think proper.
In 1821 Oliver Saunders and others petitioned for
a new engine. The first thing was to inquire into
the status and condition of the old engines. It was
evidently an important matter. Notice the number
and character of the committee of inspection : Eben-
ezer Shillaber, Andrew Nichols, Natlil. Putnam,
John ITpton, Jr., John Page, Sylvester Osborne,
Caleb Oakes, John W. Proctor, Danl Putnam, Warren
Porter and Samuel Fowler. But the committee was
considered still lacking somewhat in w'eight and five
more were added, — Briggs R. Reed, Oliver Saunders,
Eben Putnam, Jr., Joseph Spaulding and Allen
Gould. All these were appointed by the moderator,
yet " the inhabitants " were not quite satisfied. They
voted " to add two more to the above Committee, the
Town to have the liberty of nominating them, and
Edward Southwick and Nathaniel Watson were
added." Verily, if the old engines were not thor-
oughly overhauled, it was not the fault of the town-
meeting. Subsequently it was voted to procure two
new engines and repair the old ones, provided half
the cost of the new ones be raised by subscription.
Squires Shove, Caleb Oakes, Nathaniel Putnam,
Ebenezer Shillaber and Wm. Sutton, were delegated
to pass around the hat.
In 1826 two sets of sail cloths were provided at an
expense of one hundred and fifty dollars, one set to
be located near the south meeting-house, the other at
New Mills. The men who ran with the machine this
latter year at New Mills were
John Ross. James Smith.
Josiah Gray. John Bates.
Jam<!S Smith. John Kent.
John Burns. Andrew Porter,
tliram Perley. Moses Wood.
Frederick A. Tufts. Daniel Woodman.
John T. May. Franklin Batchelder.
James Haynes. Daniel Caldwell.
Richard Elliot, Jr. Darid S. Barnard.
James Perry. Jesse P. UarrimaD.
John Herrick. Daniel Hartwell.
Benjamin Kent, Jr.
In 1830 another engine was purchased for the south
parish ; the same year an act of the Legislature was
passed " to establish a Fire Department in Danvers."
The act provided for the choice of twelve fire-wards ;
changed the power of appointment of engine-men
from the selectmen to the fire-wards ; limited the
number of engine-men to forty " for each hydrau-
lion or suction-engine, twenty-five to each common
engine, four to each hose-carriage, twenty to each
sail-carriage and twenty for a hook-and-ladder com-
pany ;" authorized the engine-men to organize them-
selves into distinct companies under the direction of
the fire-wards ; and made the fire-wards custodians of
all fire-apparatus. The first board chosen under
this act consisted of R. H. French, Lewis Allen, Ca-
leb Low, Richard Osborne, S. P. Fowler, Moses
Black, Calel) L. Frost, Benjamin Wheeler, Henry
Cook, Edward Upton, Enoch Poor and Jacob F.
Perry.
In 1835 the New Mills people petitioned for a new
DANVERS.
499
eugine-house, aud secured it. The same year "' John-
ny " Perley, the storekeeper at the little village which
was springing up at Porter's Plains, petitioned lor a
fire-engine, to be located near Berry's tavern, and the
next year Philip Osborn and others wanted a new
engine-house at the "Pine Tree Corner " (Wilson's
Corner), and secured an appropriation of three hun-
dred dollars for that purpose.
3Ir. Perley 's petition not having met with success,
another store-keeper, Daniel Richards, headed a peti-
tion in April, 1836, " for a good and sufficient fire-
engine to be located at the Plains, and to provide a
convenient building for the same." The fire-wards
at this meeting presented a report which, doubtless,
influenced favorable action, — "The engine Niagara,
No. 1, is not suitable or fit to work with the Salem
engine.s, they being suction . . . ; the Forrest,
No. 3, is in good order and well manned . . . ;
the Erie. No. 2, is in a bad condition and not maii'd.
wants repairing and altering . . . ; the ,
No. 4, a good, new engine, is wanted at the Plains,
with hose and a house for the same." A vote was
|iassed to raise two thousand three hundred dollars
for the purpose of purchasing two new engines, one
to replace the old " Niagara," the other for the Plains,
and for hose, etc., and the repairing of the '■Erie."
Richard Hood's bill " for finishing the eugine-house
at the neck" in 183() was .'plOi.SS.
But the new engine for the Plains was not imme-
diately forthcoming. At the March meeting of 1837
one of the articles was " To inquire of the Fire De-
partment what they have done towards obtaining a
Fire-Engine to be located at the Plains, agreeable to
the request of Eben Putnam." At an adjournment a
committee which had been appointed to consider the
report of the fire-wards reported " that it is expedient
to procure a middling-sized engine of good construc-
tion to be located at the Plains, provided an efficient
company of thirty men can be found in that vicinity
ready to take charge of the same ; that, in ca.se an
engine is procured, a suitable house should be built
for the accommodation of the same." These recom-
mendations were adopted, and eight hundred dollars
appropriated. But the committee added in their re-
port,— " It is worse than useless to expend a thousand
dollar.-, for an engine and to have it, when the alarm
of fire is given on a cold night, frozen up and unfit to
be used." Two hundred dollars was soon after added
to the appropriation of eight hundred dollars.
The election for fire-wards in 1840 resulted as
follows, the number of votes each received being
given :
Miles Osborne 297
Francis Baker 300
.\mo8 Osborne, .Ir 300
Jere L. KinibaU 297
Benjamin Wheeler 298
Edwin V Putnam 299
Henry Fowler 299
George Porter 29(1
Simeon Putnam 190
John Hart 190
William H. Little 189
Eben Sulton 186
E. F. Putnam and Simeon Putnam declined, and
Daniel Richards and Ezra Batchelder were chosen to
fill the vacancy.
In 1842 Otis Mudge and one hundred and twenty-
eight others petitioned for an engine and house, "to
be located near the North Parish Mecting-House
(Rev. Mr. Braman's) ; '' the matter was referred to
Mr. Mudge, Miles Osborne and W. J. C. Kenney,
but when a vote was taken — this wius a meeting held
in the South Parish — only 51 voted for the measure,
and 59 voted against it. It was " tried again." Mr.
Mudge and John W. Proctor were appointed tellers.
They reported 65 in the affirmative and 65 in the
negative. Then the house was polled, and the tell-
ers having reported "68 for locating an engine, and
78 against it," it was then voted that the subject bo
dismissed. In 1843 the engine at New Mills was re-
placed by a new machine, called the "Ocean," at a
cost not exceeding a thousand dollars ; and what be-
came of the old Niagara appears in this item of the
fire-wards' report for 1844 :
"No. 2. — This engine, with its apparatus, is iu good
order, it having been removed from the Neck to the
Tapley Village, and is now under the charge of Per-
ley Tapley, who has engaged to furnish a house for it
at his own expense."
In this report the story is told at length of the
great fire which swept through what is now Peabody
Square, burning the South Mceting-House, the old
E.ssex Cotfee-House and many other principal build-
ings in the vicinity. "The sun, this morning, rose
upon a scene of desolation never before witnessed in
our town, disclosing more fully to view crumbling
walls and smouldering ruins in the place of those
buildings which the devouring element had swept
from our view. The destruction of property was very
large." Further details will doubtless appear under
the sketch of the history of Peabody.
Perley Tapley soon requested the town to purchase
his engine-house, aud the fire-wards were directed to
buy it unless they could do better otherwise. In
1849 Tapleyville was given a new engine, and the
" Niagara " was finally disposed of.
The number and value of the several fire-engines,
houses and api>aratns belonging to the town at the
time South Danvers was set ofi' as a separate town,
will be found in the inventory of town property in
this sketch, where the history of the division of the
town is given. A few days alter the act was j)a.ssed
which incorporated South Danvers, the Legislature
amended the act of 1829, which established the Dan-
vers Fire Department, so that the town of Danvers
was required thenceforth to choose five fire-wards an-
nually instead of twelve.
The men elected as the first fire-wards of Danvers,
after the division of the town, were VV'inthrop .An-
drews, R. B. Hood, A. G. Allen, W. B. lilcliardsoii
and Josiah Ross.
The rising generation knows little of the glory
which once surrounded the country fire department.
500
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
Only certain grandfathers remember the halcyon
days. Now and then an item in old newspajjer
files recall them, days of reception or visitation, the
carefully polished machine, the well-drilled company
of choicest young manhood, rivalry not a little, ad-
miration unbounded. There was such a day in the
fall of 184!:i, when a great event happened in Wen-
ham, — its first new engine came. On the shore of
the big pond where Hugh Peters preached in the
wilderness of Enon, there was a grand exhibition of
prowess, and Danvers was there by her board of fire-
wards, and the " General Putnam, No. 4 ; " the com-
pany dressed in uniform of white frocks, dark pants
and glazed caps.
" They marched under the direction of that pattern
of directors, William J. C. Kenney, to the music of
Osgood's excellent band, and the way they performed
the military evolutions would have done honor to a
company of veteran soldiers."
The idea of having a " steamer " first came up in
town-meeting in 1866, on the petition of Henry F'.
Putnam and others. It was then referred and indefi-
nitely postponed. Two years later George W. Bell
headed a similar petition, and on the last day of
March, 1868, a series of votes were taken on the
motion, "that the town purchase a steam fire engine."
The first hand vote was declared lost ; it was then
voted to poll the house ; the motion was again put
and declared carried, eighty to forty; the minority,
not satisfied, doubted the count; the voters jiassed in
front of the moderator, and were counted as they
passed, and the motion was finally declared carried,
seventy-six to twenty-five. No money was immedi-
ately appropriated, but at the annual meeting of 1S69
it was voted, after another close fight, sixty-seven to
sixty-five, to appropriate five thousand dollars, and
the fire-wards, namely, Timothy Hawkes, George W.
Bell, Charles T. Stickney, Wyatt B. Woodman and
John C. Putnam, together with Winthrop Andrews,
William L. Weston, R. B. Hood, H. A. Perkins and
Nathan Tapley were entrusted with the weighty bus-
iness of buying the only "steamer" which the town
ever indulged in. Three thousand dollars more was
appropriated for apparatus for the new engine and
filteen hundred dollars for accommodations. And,
at a final adjournment, each of these votes were re-
considered, and the whole matter indefinitely post-
poned. Thus it is ever with town-meetings. But the
next year and the next the steamer agitation was re-
newed, three self-acting extinguishers, "soda foun-
tains," having been purchased in the meantime, and
so on until in 1873, the first and only steam fire
engine came to stay — but a short time. The fire
wards, who were entrusted with its purchase, were
G. W. Bell, George Kimball, J. C. Putnam, Thomas
Curtis and William J. Murphy. The basement of
the building known as Bells hall, on Maple Street,
was fitted up as a steamer-house.
But now for some time the ad\ ance guard of public
sentiment had been laboring to bring up the rank
and file to the belief that Danvers was ready to in-
dulge in the metropolitan luxury, nay, necessity, of a
water-supply system. It is now some eleven years
since the pure water of Middleton Pond first appeared
in our streets and kitchens. Who would part with
it? Yet it came only after much agitation and much
honest opposition. The matter of water supply was
first brought up in town-meeting in 1870, and was re-
ferred to S. P. Fowler, Daniel Richards, Oliver Rob-
erts, C. T. 8tickney and ^\'. L. Weston. They reported
next year, recommending acceptance of certain terms
oflTered by the city of Salem for supply for five years,
keeping an eye to Middleton and Swan's Ponds for
an ultimate supply. Nothing further until November
17, 1873, when another committee of consideration
was appointed. They reported at the annual meet-
ing of 1874 in favor of building a reservoir on Will's
Hill, in Middleton, at an estimated cost, with pipes,
etc., of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The
following April, 24th, the Legislature pa.ssed the
Danvers Water Act, authorizing the town to take
water from Middleton and Swan's Ponds, to issue
bonds to three hundred thousand dollars, payable in
not exceeding thirty years, to choose three water
commissioners, and to provide for a sinking fund.
The validity of the act depended upon its acceptance
by the town within two years. In the meantime
another factor entered into the water question. The
State needed a new insane asylum; sites were exam-
ined here and there; finally the summit of Hathorne
Hill, in Danver.s, was fixed upon as the most eligible.
The asylum commissioners wanted water and were
willing to co-operate with the town. Their hill lay
almost in a direct line from the square to Middleton
Pond and about midway. They offered the town a
part of the hill for a reservoir, thirty thousand dol-
lars towards the cost of works and one thousand
dollars annually for their supply. The proposition
gave new energy to the water men. A motion to raise
two hundred thousand dollars June 15, 1875, received
364 yeas to 314 nays, but, two days before, a law went
into effect requiring a two-thirds vote for such extra-
ordinary appropriations, and the proposition thus
failed of being carried. They tried again very soon,
July 2nd. Then the Water Act was accepted, 506 to
290, but a motion to proceed with construction still
failed of two-thirds,— 512 to 336.
George H. Norman, the great contractor, in Sep-
tember, 1875, made this ofl'er ; to put in the works,
including a five million gallon reservoir, twenty
miles of pipes and one hundred and fifty hydrants,
and keep them as a private speculation or sell them
to the town for two hundred thousand dollars. The
ofler was accepted September 13th. The first water
commissioners were elected September 21st; they
were John R. Langley, Otis F. Putnam, Harrison O.
Warren. Then the question arose as to the authority
of the town to transfer its rights under the act to
DANVERS.
501
Mr. Norinau, ami the matter was dropped. The
next month tlie town of Beverly made a proposition
to supply Danvers, and a vote was passed to take
water from this source provided a fair bargain eould
be made, but no bargain was made. In the mean-
time the asylum people would wait but little longer
for further action on their oiler. The cjuestion was
put to vote April 28, 1870, on proceeding to intro-
duce water, in connection with tlie State, at an ex-
pense to the town, not exceeding one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. Yeas, 409, nays, 230, — not
two-thirds. The water men kept at work. May 13,
1876, they were successful. Then, on the same ques
tion, the whole number of votes — the largest number
ever cast up to that time — were 983. Of these (!37
were yeas; 296 nays. Samuel Waitt, an old man of
eighty-four, threw the last vote, a yea.
Early in July following, the water commissioners
closed a contract with G. H. Norman for complete
works and twenty-one miles of street pipes for one
hundred and sixty-two thousand five hundred dollars.
The State built the reservoir, paid twelve thousand
five hundred dollars, and agreed to pay one thousand
dollars annually for twenty years. Thus the net first
cost of the water-works to the town was one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, which was met by the
issue of five per cent, bonds. The principal main
was completed to the square August 17, 1876, and
water first appeared, direct from the pond, the reser-
voir not being completed, Wednesday, November 8th.
Early in December the reservoir was ready for use,
and on Thursday, December 23d, the entire system
was in working order and opened by a formal trial.
The head was found to be strong enough to throw a
IJ-inch stream, not only over the highest buildings,
but well over the flag-stafi' to a hight of over one hun-
dred and twenty-five feet. Fire-engines were im-
mediately at a discount. At the annual meeting o'
1877 it was recommended that the steamer be sold,
and notices of its sale at auction were sent broadcast
to towns and cities. Hose companies have taken the
place of the engine companies. Nine of these com-
panies and one hook-and-ladder company comprise
the present fire department. Fires have happily
been comparatively infretiuent, but on more than one
occasion the ready presence of Miildleton waler has
prevented what otherwise threatened to the sciuare a
repetition of the ruin of '45. Two lamentable and
disastrous conflagrations have within a few years oc-
curred in spite of the water.
Benjamin E. Newhall was appointed superintend-
ent of the water-works in September, 187G, while they
were in process of construction, and held the office
efficiently to his resignation, July 1, 1883. The
duties of the office were then divided. Henry New-
hall was appointed registrar; David J. Harrigan,
superintendent of pipes, and no change has since
been made.
In December, 1880, the commissioners were obliged
to defend a suit brought by the Ipswich mills for
damages alleged to have been sustained by the diver-
sion of water from Ipswich Kiver by lowering Mid-
dleton and Swan's Ponds, they being tributary to
the river. The commissioners who heard the evi-
dence, Judge Choate of the Probate Court and
Messrs. Frances and Darrascott, engineers, reported
in favor of the mills, and awarded five thousand four
hundred and ninety-five dollars for the diversion of
water from Middleton Pond, and two thousand and
five dollars for Swan's Pond, " if in the latter case the
petitioners are entitled to an assessment under this
award." The Superior Court at the October term,
1881, ruled against the Swan Pond assessment. An-
other law-suit was the result of a ballot for water
commissioner at the annual meeting of 1881. Josiah
Ross was declared elected by one vote, five citizens
having been appointed to count the votes, and having
so reported to the moderator. A motion thereupon
made that the votes be recounted by a new committee
was carried. The new committee reported that the
opposing candidate, Otis F. Putnam, was elected by
one vote, and the moderator so declared the vote,
stating it so appeared on recount. These are all
the facts of record. But it seems that the moder-
ator and town clerk subsequently counted the ballots
which had been preserved, and their results coin-
cided with the original count. Under the circum-
stances the two members of the board recognized
Mr. Ross as having been elected. Presently Mr. Put-
nam brought a petition to the Supreme Court for a
writ of mandamus, compelling the two commissioners
to recognize him and to refrain from recognizing Mr.
Ro.ss. The cpiestion was practically the legality of the
recount, important and hitherto undecided. Judge
Endicott, before whom was the original hearing, dis-
missed the petition, but by request reported the case
to the full court. The case was argued at the bar in
November, 1881, and the judges present not agreeing,
the court afterwards directed it to be submitted on
briefs to all the judges. The final decision reported
in One Hundred and Thirty-third Ma.ssachusetts Re-
ports was ''by a majority of the court" in favor of
the petitioner, Mr. Putnam.
At the expiration of John R. Langley's term in
1882, resolutions were passeil in recognition of his
ellicient and valuable services as chairn)an of the
l)oard from its establishment. He was one of the
earliest and most zealous advocates of water. The
full list of water commissioners is, —
187J-s-.i. Ji,hii K. Laiiffli-y.
1S75-00. Otis F. PutiiJiin.
1875-^1. Ilrtrrisoii o. Wane
1880-8:1. Ilaiiid Rii-lmrds.
188:i-8."i. (.JeorgM H. Peiibody.
1883-86. <!. A. Tapley.
1885-88. C H. Gitea.
188G-89. C. S. Kirhanis.
Law-Suits. — The early records of the town give
evidence that the inhabitants in their corporate
capacity not infrequently indulged in lawsuits, and
as usual this species of entertainment seems to have
502
HISTOKY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
been rather expensive, especially as the town was
commonly at the unsuccessful end of the verdict.
In March, 1767, this action was taken, —
"Voted, Thomas Porter and Gideon Putnam be agents in behalf of the
Town and they or either of them be fully Impowered to defend and
settle the actions or Pleas of the Case which Benj. Sawyer & Gilbord
Tapley has brought against tlie Town as .Surveyors of Highways for the
year 17IJ6."
In the following May, this, —
" To see if the inhabitants will prosecute their appeal against Benja-
min Sawyer at the next Superior Court to be hoklen at Ipswich.
" Voted that the appeal shall he prosecuted."
The town was beaten, but in that prime fighting
condition when it hated to let go. An article was in-
serted in the warrant of 1768, " to see if it be the
minds of the Inhabitants to Petition the General
Court for a Rehearing at the Superior Court on the
case of Deacon Benja. Sawyer, and in another County
if it can be obtained." But moderation prevailed :
it was voted '"to dismiss the claws," and — perhaps
with no reflection on their efficiency — " also the
agents."
In March, 1769, Samuel Holten, Jr., and William
Shillaber were appointed agents " to answer at the
next Court of General Se.ssioiis of the Peace for the
County of Essex to a presentment carryed into said
Court against sd Town of Danvers."
Two years later the two men jusi named and Gid-
eon Putnam, Jona. Buxton, Benj. Porter, William
Putnam and Roliert Shillaber were chosen " to take
legal advice respecting Mess. Aaron and Enoch
Putnam with regard to their taking timber which the
town provided to repair the bridge over Water's
River and to prosecute them in their discretion."
They did prosecute, with what disastrous result the
following dociiiuent shows :
" Danvers, December 23, 1771.
"Then received of Mr. Gideon Putnam and Samuel Holten, .Tuu'r.
(two of the Select-men of Danvers), the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty-
eight pounds fourteen shillings and two pence Lawfull money in full of
a judgment of the Siiperior Court & costs in favour of Mr. Aarun Put-
nam and Enoch Putnam (two of the Surveyorsof Highways in the Town
of Dauvers for the present year), against the Inhabitants of the said
Town of Danvers.
" Witness : pr. us, Gideon Pvtnam,
"Jeeemiah Page, "Enoch Putnam,
"Isaac Dempsev."
For some time after this law-suits were at a dis-
count. When next the town was sued, by Archelaus
Dale, in 1781, he seems to have been satisfied by a
conference committee, and when, in 1783, the inhabit-
ants were asked what they would do re.-fpecting an action
commenced against them by Major Caleb Low, they
voted to pay the cost of the action upon his with-
drawing it.
Commencing in 1784 and extending over a period
of two years there was a long and obstinate series of
encounters at law and otherwise between the town
and Daniel Prince, on account of taxes collected by
him. Concerning the merits of the case it is diflBcult
now to understand. Prince was committed to Salem
gaol, where the town clerk was sent to desire him to
send proposals as to his release, but " no proposals
were sent by Mr. Daniel Prince in writing." His
real estate was taken on execution and agents were
appointed to bid oft' the same for the use of the town.
In 1814 the town was indicted for not being suffi-
ciently provided with powder. Several indictments
for not conforming to the school laws have been
mentioned in connection with the schools.
"The inhabitants of the town of Danvers" have
been parties to a number of cases which have gone to
the Supreme Court upon points of law. The first,
reported, 10 Mass., 514, was on a question of taxing
the Iron Foundry Company. In 6 Pickering, 20,
there was a question between the town and the county
commissioners on a highway matter; in the same
volume the case of Joseph Osborne against the town
to recover money paid for taxes is reported. A ques-
tion of a pauper's settlement which arose between
Danvers and Boston was decided in 10 Pickering,
^IS. Another case in which the town and the county
commissioners were parties arose on the laying out of
a new highway from Haverhill to Salem, through Box-
ford, Topsfield and Danvers, 2 Metcalf, 18.5. A case
in which John Page was plaintiff', 7 Metcalf, 326, on
a question of damages from the laying out of a road
over his land, involved the validity of the action of a
Topsfield town meeting in selecting a jury-list. In
1860 Gilbert Tapley was sued by School District, No.
6, for " taking and carrying away a school- house," a
case in which the real defendant was the new district,
No. 7 — 1 Allen, 49. The injunction to restrain the
payment of fifty thousand dollars, voted for bounty,
reported 8 Allen, 80, is spoken of in the war history ;
as the case of Gustin vs. School District No. 5, is
spoken of in the School History. Putnam vs. Langley
et. al., involving a disputed election, has been referred
to in connection with the water department.
Burying Grounds. — When Salem filled the North
River basin in the summer of 1885, gravel was taken
from West Danvers (West Peabody) and on the farm
which was owned in witchcraft times by the widow of
Joseph Pope, neighbor of old Giles Corey and of the
Flints, the steam shovel unearthed some ancient
graves, and before the work went on, the remains were
careftilly removed to a new re.sting-place. It was one
of the many family or neighborhood burying-grounds
which are to be seen here and there all over the town,
the time-worn head-stones relieved now and then by
a fresh marble, signifying that one of the later gene-
ration had gone to sleep with the fathers. Over on
the old " Boston path " is a lot in which the Popes
buried their dead from the earliest times. Here lies
Caleb Oakes, his wife, Mehitable Pope, and their
.son, William, the distinguished botanist; Sarah,
" relict of Nathaniel Pope & daughter of the Rev.
Peter Clarke, who was more than 50 years the worthy
minister of this Parish," 1802, and many others, — the
DANVEKS.
503
familiar " Jasper," of which the Popes have been
fond, several times appearing.
On the summit of Hoj^ Hill, well worthy of the
modern name of Jlount Pleasant, ihe Proctors and
Needharas, families from the first occupying the
heights, have a private ground. A short distance
back of Governor Endicotfs old residence, plainly to
be seen from the jiassing train, in a quiet, secluded
spot, rest the remains of many of the great pioneer's
early and late descendants.
Of the larger, more public burial-grounds, that on
Summer Street, known as the Wadsworth Cemetery,
is the oldest. It was an ancient burial-i)lace, origin-
ally set apart by the Putnam family and purchased
by Eev. Dr. Wadsworth of Jonathan Perry, and by
him conveyed to the Fir.<t Parish, to whom it still
belongs. The most interesting stone here is that of
Elizabeth, wife of Rev. Samuel Parris, the " witch
minister," who died July 14, IGilli. Judge Holten is
Viuried in the old ground on Holten Street, near his
home, as are many others who were honored in their
day and generation. The High Street Burying-
ground.at the Plains, contains stones a hundred years
old or more, many of which are of prominent citi-
zens of New Mills in the earlier part of the century,
the Pages, Captain Benjamin Porter, Deacon Benja-
min Kent and many (jthers.
These old grounds are now seldom used. By the
foresight of certain men whose names, hereafter ap-
pearing, are worthy of all honor, a large tract of
land, originally twelve acres, and subsequently much
increased, was purchased of Judge Samuel Putnam,
and laid out as Walnut Grove Cemetery. This tract,
extending from Sylvan to Ash Streets, embracing the
valley of the two brooks which liy their union make
Crane River, and the sloping hills on either side,
well wooded with walnut, beech and other trees, is
of rare natural beauty, and is prized inestimably by
the town. The movement for a new cemetery was
initiated at a meeting held May 5, 1843, at the Plains
school-house. Captain Eben Putnam was chosen
chairman ; Henry Fowler, secretary. Another meet-
ing was held October ITlli, P2lias Putnam, chairman.
A committee reported a form of organization with
by-laws, and recommended the names of fifteen men
as trustees: Elias Putnam, Gilbert Tapley, Moses
Black, Joshua Silvester, Henry Fowler, Nathaniel
Boanhnan, Thomas Cheever, F^ben G. Berry, William
J. C. Kenney, Daniel Richanls, Nathan Tapley,
Samuel P. Prowler, A. A. Edgerton, John Bates and
Samuel Preston. The tirst regular officers were
chosen at a meeting held the next day at Joshua
Silvester's shoe factory, and Elias Putnam was elected
president; Henry Fowler, clerk; Joshua Silvester,
treasurer. Samuel P. Fowler was chairman of this
meeting. He is now both president and treasurer,
and his brother, Henry, has been the clerk from the
beginning.
Incorporation was granted at this time. The
grounds were consecrated Sunday afternoon, June
23, 1844. The exercises, beginning at five o'clock,
were, —
I. Hymn, written for the occasion by Andrew Nichole, M.D. II.
[iitroductury Prayer by Rev. S C. Bnlkley. III. Hymn, written for
tlie occasion tiy Rev. Janiea Flint, D.D. lY. Address by Rev. .John
Brazcr, P.P. V. Hymn, written for the occasion by G. Forrester Bar-
stow, MI). VI. Concluding Prayer by Rev, J. AV. Eatjn. VII. Part-
ing Hymn. VIII. Benediction by Rev. T. F. Field.
The services were held in the grove, and were at-
tended by not less than two thousand persons. The
• dilresK of Dr. Frazer was said to have been a very
appropriate and beautiful discourse, and that it made
a deep impression on the many hearers. It remained
unpublished for nearly forty years, when, through
the eflForts of Dr. A. P. Putnam, the original manu-
script was traced to the possession of Mrs. Annie W.
Ellis, of Dorchester, who kindly furnished him a
cojjy, which was published in full in the Danvers
Mirror, December 31, 1881.
April 13, 1885, the corporation was empowered by
the Legislature to hold properly in tru.st for the im-
provement of lots, etc.
Up to quite recent times the town so far cared for
the burial of its deceased citizens as to own and pro-
vide hearses. They are tirst mentioned in ISl.s, when
this action was taken :
" I v./.-./ , to choose a committee of live persons to consider on the clause
I eepoctinf; procuring herses to make an estimate of the cost of one or
more and to make report at the ailji>urnment.
" Voted : that .Sylvester (Osborne, Doctor George ()sgood, .lesse Putnam,
t'aleb Oakes and Sylvester Proctor be of said committee.
" To^erf; that there be two herses and two houses for the wime pro-
vided within in this Town."
In 1842 Moses Black and thirty-five others peti-
tioned " for a Hearse and Hearse-house near the
Burying Ground on the Plains, near the house ol
Joseph Dan forth" The petition was referred to the
selectmen, with instructions to cause the things prayed
for "to be placed in such a location as will best ac-
commodate those who have occasion Uy use them."
Ill 18.">4similaraccoinmodationswere asked for, to be
located near Mr. Braman's church. A house was there
erected, and remained until 1871, when the selectmen
were instructed to sell it. In the appraisal, at tiie
division of the town, these items were charged to
North Danvers : house at cemetery, 10 by 15, ^45 ;
house at Braman's 12 by IS, 8120; two hearses, new,
$440 ; one o\&, *20.
The Anti-Slavery Movement. — A few slaves
were owned in Danvers before slavery was abolished
in the State. At the time of sejiaration from Salem
there were twenty five such chattels, sixteen of whom
were women. A number of documents .such as the
following have been preserved:
" liAN\r.R.<,.\piil I'lili, ITSti.
" Rec'd of Mr. .lereniiah Page Fifty Kighl pound Ihirtee?! shilliDgs and
four pence lawful money and a negr.. woman called Dinah which is in
full for a Negro girl calleil Curubo and a Negro girl called Cate and
a Negro child called Deliverance or Dill which I now Sell and Deliver to
ye said Jeremiah Page.
f JONA. BiSCKOFT. "Jl'HN T.IPLKV.
' Witness.
EZEK Maesu.'
504
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
A story has been told that Cudjo, owned by a neigh-
bor of General Israel Putnam, was of fierce and re-
vengeful temper, and having suffered some real or
fancied injury at the hands of his mistress, threatened
her life. To get rid of him his master sent him on a
play-day trip to deliver a load of potatoes on some
vessel at Salem. He took his fiddle and played to the
sailors, went below to "rosin his bow," and when he
reached deck again was far out at sea, consigned to
the same southern market as his potatoes.
During the struggle on the admission of Missouri,
Danvers addressed to Nathaniel Sillsbee, representa-
tive of the district in Congress, a very forcible letter
on the subject of slavery, signed by Edward South-
wick, William Sutton, Thomas Putnam, Andrew
Nichols and John W. Proctor, committee.
The history of Abolitionism is, to a great extent,
the biography of William Lloyd Garrison, a native
of this county of Essex. For some ten years after
the conflict over the admi.>^sion of Missouri, a sort of
lethargy prevailed over the country in regard to slav-
ery. On the 4th of July, 1829, Garrison, then not
quite twenty-five, delivered an address which excited
much attention from its bold and vigorous assault on
the peculiar institution of the South. That fall, as
joint editor of the (TCiiius of Universal Emancipation
with Quaker Benjamin Lundy, of Baltimore, he is-
sued over his initials his distinct avowal of the doc-
trine of immediate emancipation. He at the same
time attacked the colonization societies, and was
soon thrown into jail, convicted of libel for charac-
terizing as " domestic piracy " the transportation of a
cargo of slaves from Baltimore to Louisiana in a ship
owned in Newburyport. Coming North, he lectured
in the principal cities, finding all halls in Boston
closed against him save that offered by a society of
infidels. But to his mind Boston was the best centre
from which to arouse the public .sentiment of the
North to a revolution in favor of emancipation. He
issued the first number of the Liberator on the first
day of the year 183L " I am in earnest ; I will not
erpiivoca^e; I will not excuse; I will not retreat a
single inch, and I will be heard." He was heard.
In December the Georgia Legislature offered five
thousand dollars for his arrest and conviction under
the laws of that State. January 1, 1832, he and
eleven others organized the New England (afterward
jVIassachusetts ) Anti-Slavery Society, the first based
on the principle of immediate emancipation. He
continued to be heard to such effect that in October,
1835, to save his life from a mob who were dragging
him through the streets of Boston, the mayor jailed
him as a disturber of the peace. On the other hand,
his burning words kindled here and there sympa-
thetic hearts, and probably there were few earlier
and certainly no more ardent and enthusiastic sup-
porters of Garrison and his doctrines than a number
of young men of Danvers, chiefly residents of New
Mills, and the leading spirits of these young men —
James D. Black, Joseph Merrill, Jesse P. Harriman,
William Endicott, Richard Hood, John Hood and
John Cutler — came to be called " the Seven Stars."
Of these. Black and Harriman are the only sur-
vivors at the time of this writing. Mr Black, now of
Harvard, Mass., was a member of that family of
Moses Black, already spoken of as having filled prom-
inent and honorable parts in our town life. When
not more than twenty years old he took an advanced
position in favor of immediate and unconditional
emancipation as the only adequate remedy for the
evil of slavery. The occasion was at a meeting of a
Lyceum, the first established at New Mills, in 1833,
and he made such an impre.^siou that he was invited
to deliver a fuller address on the same subject on the
4th of July of that year, in the Baptist Church.
With the exception of a lecture by the distinguished
Oliver Johnson in Mr. Braman's church sometime in
1832, the words of this young man, uttered in the
face of such circumstances as only the courage of
strong convictions would have led him to oppose,
seem to have been the first public utterance of such
radical and unpopular views in Danvers. To the
position thus early taken he remained constant, fore-
most with his tongue and pen in the hot times which
were to follow. Others, who were quick to ally them-
selves with the Abolitionists, were Hathorne Porter,
Alfred R. Porter, William Francis, Dr. Eben Hunt,
Rev. .S. Brimblecom, Job Tyler, Hercules Jocelyn and
a number of ladies. The cause grew by continual
agitation. Local societies were formed, the Liberator
and Herald of Freedom went into the sho]is and the
homes. Eloquent and dauntless speakers spoke wher-
ever they could get a hearing, and the seed thoughts
grew by earnest talks over the anvil and cobble-stone
or by the formal debate of the Lyceum. Among the
earlier orators at New Mills was the Rev. C P. Gros-
venor of Salem, in whose parlor was organized the
Essex County Anti-Slavery Society. George Thomp-
son, of England, spoke in the Baptist Church in 1835,
after a fruitless attempt had been made to procure a
church or hall in Salem. The earliest organized so-
ciety in Danvers was among the women, chiefly of the
South Parish, in 1837. Very soon the men at the
North Parish, chiefly of JNew Mills, formed the Dan-
vers Anti-Slavery Society, and this society celebrated
the 4th of July, 1838. Alfred Porter wrote a hymn
for the occasion ; Rev. S. Brimblecom was the ora-
tor. A "Young Men's" Society was organized in
August following, at the Universalist Church. Jo-
seph Merrill, Thomas Bovven and John R. Langley
drafted the constitution. Rev. Samuel Brimblecom
was the first president.
The meetings were commonly held in the brick
school-house, or in the engine-house at New Mills.
Dr. Putnam, who has devoted much attention to
gathering up the details of this chapter of local his-
tory, has well said, of the records of these early meet-
ings, that they " all attest how these younger citizens
DANVEKS.
505
of the town were in the habit of debating and form-
ing opinions in relation to matters of great public
interest. Their organization opened to them a school
of no little importance, where they learned many
valuable lessons, and became fully imbued with the
sentiments and principles of Liberty. So it wiis that
the New Mills became in due time a well-known cen-
tre of Abolitionism. Thence the influence spread
through the town and beyond its limits." Early in
1839 a change was made in the name : " This society
shall be called the North l)anvei"s Anti-Slavery So-
ciety and shall be auxilliary to the Massachu.setts
State Society." These are the names of the members
at this time: William Endicott, Thomas Bowen, Jo-
seph Jlerrill, William Alley. .1. R. Langley, Samuel
Brimblecom, .Jonathan Richardson, J. F. Mclntire,
M. Black, Jr., Ellas Savage, J. D. Andrews, J. M.
Usher, C. P. Page, Hercules Jocelyn, J. D. Black,
.luhn Hines, Hawthorne Porter, Richard Hood, Jesse
P. Harriman, Wm. Francis, Oliver O. Waitt, James
Kelley, Archibald P. Black, John Hood, John Cut-
ler, Winthrop Andrews, George Kate, Eben Hunt,
.Joseph W. Legro, Benjamin I'otter, I. K. Mclntire,
Job Tyler, Daniel Woodbury, Henry A. Potter, Jo-
siah Ross, A. R. Porter (withdrew), Edward Stimp-
son, Jonathan Eveleth, Charles Benjamin, S. P. Fow-
ler, O. O. Brown, A. A. Leavitt, William Needham,
E. G. Little, J. R. Patten, Ira H. Clough, Abner
Mead and Joseph Porter.
Of these men and others, if any, like them, N. P.
Rogers at a later time wrote in his Herald of Freedom,
"The people of New Mills are mostly working peo-
jile, and therefore favorable material for the abolition
movement. They embrace it leadily and it has done
everything for them in the way of mental improve-
ment and moral strength. Young men bred to labor
and unbred to learning have risen up by intimacy
with the Anti-Slavery enterprise to an astonishing
degree of mental power and eloquence." From time
to time delegate.^ were sent to the State Society, often
traveling in the only way they could allbrd, on foot.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1839, the name was again
changed to the Danvers New Mills Society. It was
the custom of the members to express their feelings
in resolutions, a long series of which, more or less
spirited, have been preserved. A sample, selected
for its brevity, is this :
" He^olved, that it is iucoDsistent anil nuliet-ttniing in us as .\bolitioii-
iets to cek-brate the Foui-th of July as the Birth'lay of u free country
while nearly three millions of our countrymen are held in most abject
slavery. "
In a hasty review it is necessary t<i take long strides.
It was not for some ten years after Garrison began his
crusade that the excitement of the times reached its
extreme in Danvers, in the collision with the church&s.
In the meantime, the young men here more than kept
pace with the forward movement of the Abolitionists.
They talked, wrote, agitated. The files of abolition
pajiers abound in letters from Endicott, J. D. Black,
32J
the two Hoods, Harriman and others, sharp and caus-
tic, abounding in flings at the churches, enlivened now
and then by a controversy with some minister. Gar-
rison himself came, February 16, 1841. Of the meet-
ing he wrote in the /liberator :
" It was our privilege to lecture in lUnvers, New Mills, on Sabbath
evening last, to a densely crowded audience in the t^niversalist Meeting
House — a house to the praise of it^ proprietors lie it told— that has never
been shut against the advocacy of the anti-slavery cause, not even in the
troublous times of mobocracy in the Commonwealth."
Other 8[)eaker.s, especially Foster and Pillsbury,
showed no such courtesy to the churches, and, indeed,
about this time the trouble, which had long been
brewing, culminated. The old First Church, Dr,
Braman's, did not escape condemnation, but was out-
side the storm-line. On the Universalist and Baptist
churche,s the storm broke. At first both of these
churches ojiened their houses freely to the anti-slavery
meetings, but the speakers .so often immediately
turned to the open and violent denunciation of the
churches themselves, that considerations of self-res-
pect and self protection forced themselves upon the
churches. After sundry experiences of this kind the
committee having charge of the Universalist Church
called a meeting of the Society for instructions, and a
committee was appointed to consider and report upon
whether the further use of the church should be al-
lowed. Through the chairman, Elias Putnam, this
committee reviewed the state of things and concluded :
'' We think this Society should pursue a liberal p(dicy
in granting the use of their house for moral and reli-
gious purposes, but to say that we should give up the
house to every one who would please to occupy it,
would be in effect to surrender our claim to the house
and would leave the Society without the use of the
house for any speciflc purpose," and a resolve was re-
commended and adopted, allowing the use of the
church " on all suitable occasions for the promotion
of religion and morality, and that the committee
should refuse the house when they have reason to be-
lieve that it will not be used for the promotion of these
objects." This majority report was accepted, and in
a few instances the standing committee refused appli-
cations for the church. The sentiments of the more
radical reformers were expressed in a minority report
by Dr. Hunt. Upon premises of the great liberality
of Universalism, and the doctrine it has always taught
that truth has nothing to fear in conflict with error,
he said that "any action of the Society in closing
their meeting-house against the discussion of any
question deemed by any one of sufficient im|)ortance
to gain the attention of the public, and not incom-
patible with sound morality, would be a gross depart-
ure from those principles by which we as a denomi-
nation professed to be governed, anti-Republican and
anti-Christian."
About the middle of June, 1841, the anti-slavery
society passed a resolve " that it is the duty of the
Baptist and Universalist Societies to open their meet-
506
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ing-houses for the sacred purpose of pleading the
cause of our brethren and sisters in bonds on all
proper occasions free of expense to the Anti-Slavery
Society as such," and talk began to be common about
the duty of anti-slavery Christians to withdraw from
or come out of the churches to which they belonged.
Richard Hood had asked for and received letters of
dismissal and recommendation from the Baptist
Church to a church of the same denomination in
Wenham, buta private letter prevented his admission
to the Wenham Church. Mr. Hood turned upon the
home church in vigorous rebuke for its unfaithfulness
to the slave, and quoting the te.xt, " Come out from
among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you,"
asked that his name be erased from the church record.
Mr. Hood was only one of many who, by similar ac-
tion, received and were doubtless proud of the name
of " Come-outers." At a special meeting of the
Anti-Slavery Society August 19, 1841, it was " Re-
solved that nothing should be allowed to hinder the
progress of Abolitionists in their work of deliver-
ance to the slave. If they find themselves attached
to a pro-slavery political party or a pro-slavery relig-
ious church they should come out from them imme-
diately or we cannot consider them in any other light
than loving party and sect more than they love the
slave." A week later, Parker Pillsbury in the chair,
the church was characterized as " the stronghold of
slavery." No wonder that feeling between man and
man at New Mills was wrought to a very high pitch.
No wonder that conservatives retaliated by calling
the disturbers fanatics, " Gab-olitionists," " Long-
heels," "the school-house gang" and other epithets
even less expressive of endearment. So matters went
through the following winter and spring, and if in-
terest had in any respect flagged, a two days' conven-
tion of the Essex County Anti-Slavery Society, held
at New Mills in the latter part of June, 1842, rekin-
dled the fires to fiercer flames. Wendell Phillips was
there, and Rogers, Foster, Pillsbury, Thomas P.
Beach and others from abroad. There was no lack
of material for rousing meetings. The third Sunday
after the convention Rev. Mr. Mansfield, a Baptist
"supply," had closed the long prayer, and was pro-
ceeding with the service when a man, who was recog-
nized as Beach, one of the convention speakers, rose
from his place in the congregation and began an an-
ti-slavery appeal. He was temporarily choked off by
a hymn, but when the music ceased he was at it
again. Major Black and Captain Caldwell with
righteous indignation descended upon the intruder
and dragged him out of the house. Beach was ac-
customed to this sort of thing, was non-resistant,
limp as a wet rag, and while the guardians of the
churches were struggling to carry his dead weight, he
quoted to them texts, " Love your enemies," " If a
man smite thee, etc." Worship was broken off. The
congregation, or most of them, were thoroughly mad.
The minister called for a sheriff', and certain ones
jumped out of a window to run to the Universalist
Church for an officer. Something was said about
ducking Beach in the horse-trough near by, but the
plug was pulled out and no such attempt was made.
Service was resumed, but in came Beach at a side
door and again interrupted : " Come down from the
pulpit, and not stand there like a whited sepulchre."
In his own subsequent account, "the committee-man
took a vote of the meeting and they decided I should
not stay in the house. Whereupon they rushed upon
me like tigers and landed me in the street," After
church an officer went to arrest Beach at the house
of Jesse P. Harrimau. Beach assumed his putty
state. The officer was unable to handle his weight
alone, and commanded his host to keep him. Harri-
man, an ardent come-outer, refused in the name of
God. Dr. Hunt was commanded to assist, and in
terse English gruffly declined to obey. Somehow,
with the help of prominent Universalists, Beach was
put into Salem jail, but back he was at a meeting in
the Universalist Church at five o'clock, speaking to
a large audience, at which, he wrote, " the Spirit of
God was present, and several were convinced of the
truth and openly confessed Christ by identifying
themselves with the despised and hated Abolitionists."
Dr. Hunt was fined a hundred dollars for refusing to
assist the officer, and Harrimau went to jail for the
same offence. Later William Black renewed the
complaint, which had been withdrawn, against Beach
and united with the Quakers of Lynn in keeping him
for some time in the jail at Newbury port, to the freely
expressed indignation of his friends.
In September, 1842, Richard Hood was another
guest from Danvers in Salem jail. His offence was
attempting to sjieak on anti-slavery at a Friday even-
ing prayer-meeting in Amesbury, against the orders
of the minister to desist.
It was through such times as these that the people
finally emerged to a calmer consideration of the great
principles which soon organized the advocates of
universal freedom into a great political party. The
New Mills Society disbanded about 1S44. Much bit-
terness and personal feeling could not fail of being
engendered by the events of which only the merest
outline has been given, but these men were but the
skirmishers preceding the awful, inevitable conflict,
in which differences were merged in loyalty, and
Liberty, unthroned, was re-crowned with the blood of
heroes.
Out of this agitation came the beginnings of a great
political party, the principle of which was opposition
to slavery. These beginnings were v.-ry small and
the men who first stejiped out of the old parties
braved not a little unpopularity and opprobrium.
The names of some forty Danvers men who voted with
the "Liberty Party " in 1840, the first year of its ex-
istence, have been recalled. They are Frederick
Howe, Jesse Putnam, J. A. Learoyd, Jonathan Perry,
DANVERS.
507
Peter Cross, Elias (Savage, Peter Wait, Samuel Wait,
Samuel Harris, Jr., Warren Sheldon, Elijah Hutch-
inson, Otis Mudiie, Kimball Hutchinson, Nathan Tap-
ley, Allen Knight, Henry Dwinell, Joseph Danforth,
Eben Hunt, Winthrop Andrews, Joseph Veriy, Jr.,
Benjamin Hutchinson, Charles Page, Samuel Brown,
Edward Waldron, Amos Brown, Abel Nichols. Of
these, Dr. Hunt was perhaps the most active. From
interesting reminiscences furnished the writer by
James D. Black these extracts are made: "The Free
Soil party was not organized until some years subse-
quent to the earlier struggles of the Abolitiouists.
We used to vote at the State elections scattering votes
for Garrison for Governor, &c. At that time a ma-
jority of votes were required to elect, and our scatter-
ing votes counted against the regular tickets and
made pcditiciansmad, and jnany times as I approached
the ballot-box the epithet, " Long heel" would be
hurled at me. After the Free-Soil party got a foot-
hold the dominant party, the Whigs, were put to
their wits ends to retain control of elections."
It was the campaign of IS-iS, which consolidated
the anti-slavery elements. Throughout the summer
and fall of that year politics waxed hot. On the 4th
of July a social gathering of the Friends of Liberty
in Essex County was held in a beautiful grove in the
northern part of the town. The convention was at-
tended by from fifteen to twenty thousand persons
during the day. .Addresses were made by Rev. W.
B. Dodge, of Illinois, by clergymen from Salem,
Lynn and Boston, Dr. Hunt and Dr. Nichols repre-
senting home talent. The Kimball family, of Wo-
buru, .sang a number of liberty songs, and a glee club
and choir of singers from North Danvers, " by their
sweet music added greatly to the enjoyment of the
people." Letters were read from Hon. S. C. Phillips
and the Hon. D. P. King, breathing the spirit of lib-
erty, and Dr. Nichols' muse was inspired by the occa-
sion.
■ The voters in District No. 13 who were dissatisfied
with the nominations of both the Whig and the Dem-
ocratic Parties, and were in sympathy with the Con-
vention of Freemen held at Bull'alo in August, 1848,
at which the Free-Soil Party had its birth, immedi-
ately held weekly meetings for free and candid dis-
cussion of the candidates and principles of that con-
vention. Early in September they formed a Free-
Soil Club, and upwards of eighty out of the hundred
and fifty voters of I he district signed a
Co.VSTlTfTION OF THE NoRTU DaNVEKS FkeE-SoIL ClVB,
witli this Preamble : * We, the uudersigned, beholiHng with feelings of
deep regret, the disposition of tbp slave power of this Union, to sub-
vert the spirit of our Government by extending American Slavery
over territory now free, and ihe determination to control the policy and
interests of our country, and seeing, as we have seen, that spirit of
truckling to the slave power, on the part of the two great parties of
our country— the Whigs and the Democratic — as shown by their past
acts, but more recently and more clearly in their chosen leaders, we
feel called upon as Patriots, as lovers of Freedom, if we would be
true to our own interests and the interest of our nation to renounce
both these parties ; and
•• Wheseab, We behold in the Buffalo Platform, principles to which
every friend of free institutions should subscribe, and candidates wor-
thy our support, we do therefore endorse these principles, and that
we may act with greater ellicienry in the election of the candidates
do form ourselves into an organization to be called the Free-Soil
Club, and to be governed by the following constitution."
Under the articles which follow, these officers of
the club were chosen : President, Elias Putnam ;
Vice-Presidents, Nathan Tapley, John Hood, Augus-
tus Mudge, I. W. Andrews; Corresponding Secretary,
Daniel Foster ; Recording Secretary, Jeremiah Chap-
man ; Executive Committee, William Dodge, John
R. Langley, Allen Knight, Otis Mudge and William
J. C. Kenney.
Who managed the caucuses forty years ago ? was a
question put to Jlr. Black. " I can't tell," he writes,
" who ran the Whig and Democratic caucuses. The
Free-Soil caucuses had such young men as John A.
Putnam, J. R. Langley, Alfred Fellows, Winthroi)
and L W. Andrews, Ira Clough, E. F. Putnam, Rich-
ard and John Hood, E. T. Waldron and the writer."
A clipping from a newspaper of the day gives some
hint of the prominent Whigs :
NOTICE.
'■ The Whigs of Danvers are requested to meet in Union l{all_ on Mon-
day Evening, August 28tb, at ~J^ o'clock, for the purpose of forming a
Taylor Club, and to adopt such other measures as may be necessary for
the thorough organization of the party for the coming election ; and to
choose six delegates to the Whig Convention at Worcester, Sept. 13.
*' \ full atteu'lance of Whigs from all sections of the town is earnestly
requesteil.
" Wm. D. NoRlHENn, Henuv Fowleh,
"Samuel Preston, Joshua Silvestek,
"Eden S. Poor, a. A. Edgerton,
"George R. Carleton, Elijah W, Upton.
" Danvers, August 20, 1848."
At this meeting A. A. Edgerton was chosen secre-
tary ; George W. French and Joel Putnam, delegates
from the north parish ; town committee from No. 2,
H. Fowler, William Endicott; No. 3, LP. Board-
man, Joseph S. Black ; No. 4, Albert Bradstreet,
Charles P. Preston; No. 5, Nathaniel Pope, Edwin
Mudge ; No. 6, .\aron C. Proctor, Jesse Tapley ; No.
13, N. Silvester, Dr. Osgood ; No. 14, G. W. French,
Augustus Tapley. The vote of Danvers at the election
of 1848 resulted, 5(i0 for Taylor, 50.S for Van Buren,
146 for Cass.
With the formation of the Republican party Dan-
vers promptly wheeled into line. Out of a total vote
of 1382 cast in 1856, 1076 were for electors represent-
ing the candidates of that party. In 1800 .John G.
Whittier, elector for this district, received •')G4 out of
769 votes ; in 1864 Mr. Whittier received 502 votes
to 125 for S. Endicott Peabody, of Salem. Subse-
quent presidential elections have resulted as follows :
Republican. Democnitic.
1868 7211 (Grant.) 201
1872 64.'. (Grant.) 195
187C 701 (llaye.s) 335 (Tildon.)
1880 637 (Garfield.) 29.'; (Hancock.)
1884 665 (Blaine.) 276 (Cleveland.)
In 1 880 there were also 227 " Greenback votes ;"
in 1884, 254 Greenback and 34 Prohibition. The
508
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Greenback party held its first caucus in Danvers in
the fall of 1878, when a local committee and dele-
gates to conventions were elected. The party grew
with surprising rapidity, enlisting great numbers of
active and earne.st young men, who developed great
skill in political organization, and succeeded in
controlling the Legislative elections in 1879, '82 and
'83. See lists of Representatives. This party lost
much of its cohesive strength after the disappearance
of General Butler from politics, and a number of the
leaders openly returned to the Republican fold this
past spring, 1887.
Railroads. — One day in the summer of 1847 two
men might have been seen on the summit of the hill
which is now crowned by the asylum, eagerly scan-
ning the winding valleys to the south and to the
north. Presently they went on, and climbing one
of the high hills of Andover followed again the
course of the lowland to the great mills in the new
manufacturing town on the Merrimac. These two
men, Elias Putnam and Joshua Silvester, always pro-
gressive, were full of the new idea of steam and iron,
which had already begun to revolutionize travel.
Following closely the old stage route from Boston,
east, were laid the rails of the Eastern Railroad.
These men on the hill-tops saw in the valleys the
course of an iron highway, which uniting Lawrence
to the main line at Salem, would " bring the railroad
to Danvers."
And soon it came, but not while Mr. Putnam lived.
Cutting through the high ridge south of Water's
River, it crossed the stream almost at the little cove,
where Governor Endicott is said to have landed from
his shallop ; passed within a gun-shot of the ancient
pear-tree which the Governor planted; bridged the
river down which was brought, in a little shop, the
genesis of Danversport ; entered Parson Skelton's
grant close by the old home of the Revolutionary
Colonel Hutchinson ; pushed on across the old Ips-
wich road through Porter's Plains ; beyond Beaver
Dam, almost under the windows of that little room
where "Old Put" was born, and so on northward.
But the railroad did not come all at once. It seems
to have halted on the way. This letter which ap-
peared June 9, 1848, signed "North Danvers," is a
sample of other communications ;
" Why cauuot the inhabitanta of Nurth Danvers ))e accoQiuiudated with
two or three trains on the Essex Railroad i)er day ? The rails are laid
and seen; to be in good condition to run upon. The engine and cars
now have to remain at South Danvers doing nothing — waiting for time.
Cars have been running to accommodate South Danvers for a year and a
half while we have waited patiently until now. The people of this part
of Danvers labored and toiled, ami did what they could to have this road
built. The time has been designated repeatedly by one or more of the
directors when we should have this accommodation, but thus far we have
not seen It."
On the 1st day of July, 1848, the road was formally
declared open to Xorth Danvers. There were on the
first time-table three trains a day, each way, to and
from Salem. On the Fourth of July three thousand
persons passed over the road. Before the end of the
summer trains were running to Andover. On the
4th of September the whole line was opened and a
train of eight cars filled with stockholders and guests
took a trial-trip to Lawrence. It has been recorded
that during the pa^-sage up a canvass was taken for
presidential preferences. While General Taylor was
the choice of 401, Van Buren 62, and Cass 41, the in-
ference is somewhat amu.sing from the fact that on the
return-trip, after a first-rate dinner, the number of
Taylor's adherents was reduced by 51, while those of
his rivals were increased.
The first station-agent at the Plains was Samuel
W. Spaulding. He came here, a young man, from
Merrimac, N. H., and worked for John Grout, coach-
ing between Danvers and Salem. Spaulding bought
out Grout, and was running the line himself when
appointed on the railroad. Not being willing to re-
linquish the coaching business, he soon gave up the
other. About twenty years ago Parker Webber took a
half interest in the coach-line, and a few years later
Spaulding sold out his interest to Webber, who car-
ried on the business until the latest competitor for
public travel — the horse-car — made this business un-
profitable. In November, 1878, Benjamin Henderson
resigned the position of station-agent, which he had
then held twenty-eight years and more. He is still
living, approaching his ninetieth year; he was chorister
of the First Church, and a famous singer in days
gone by.
Danvers has long been provided with double rail-
road facilities to Boston. Both lines are, by the
recent consolidation of the Eastern with the Boston
and Maine, under the control of the latter company,
and the "know-nothing" has become an important
junction. Instead of the " Eastern " and the " Maine,"
it is now " the eastern division " and " the western
division." The latter was originally built and in-
corporated in several pieces : Haverhill to George-
town, Newburyport to Georgetown, Georgetown to
Danvers, Danvers to Wakefield, and the main line
of the present western division of the Boston and
Maine. Travel was opened through Danvers in
1854, and by successive changes and consolidations
the entire branch became the property of the Bos-
ton and Maine.
In 1841 the subject of town clocks was brought be-
fore the town. Petitions for clocks, one at South
Parish, and one on the Baptist Church at New Mills,
met with indefinite postponement.
About ten years later a subscription paper, which
had its origin in the grocery -store of Gould and Em -
erson, dated December 24, 1852, was circulated to
raise money " for the purpose of defraying the ex-
pense of placing a clock upon the meeting-house
(Rev. Mr. Fletcher's), at the plains." These items of
expense are summarized on the original paper :
Paid Perkins i Cressey S 83.73
Paid Putnam i Kenney's bill, freight 3.37
DANVERS.
509
November lyiL, paid Huwitni & Duvia, caali l.j.tK)
Eben Putnam's bill 2.00
Paid balance to Howard & Davis 150.0t)
$414.10
The town-clock thus establisheil was soon trans-
ferred to the Maple Street Society, and has ever since
been maintained by the society. Once only, 1801, a
petition was introduced for the town to keep the
clock in repair, but the subject was indefinitely post-
poned.
The " gold-fever " of '48-49 struck Essex County
and did not leave Danvers untouched. The local pa-
pers devoted much space to the subject, and many
heads were filled with dreams of sudden wealth.
" At present,'' so run a sample letter, credited to the
Alcalde of Monterey and copied into the Dancers
Courier," the people are running over the country
and picking gold out of the earth here and there,
just as a thousand hogs, let loose in the forrest,
root up ground-nuts." An item of January 1.3, 184M,
speaks of several young men of this town who will
leave for San Francisco in a day or two. About the
same time twenty-one members of the Naumkeag
Mining and Trading Company embarked in the ship
"Capitol," for San Francisco, among them two
Danvers men, tieorge K. Radclifte and Franklin
Ward. Early in March following, some thirty men
from Salem and vicinity, comprising the " Essex
Mining and Trading Company," left Boston for Cor-
pus Christi on the schooner " John W. Herbert,"
Of this number was Mr. Henry Fowler, whose remi-
niscences are of experiences far at variance from
those depicted by that alluring old Alcalde.
Those who paid the largest taxes forty years ago
in North Danvers may be found in the following list,
1848:
TAX OF OVEK
Slno
TAX OF OVER ioO
Wm. A. Lander
t 3^2.38
Nathaniel Boarduian
.« 59.74
Nancy Oaks
100.80
Ebenezer G. Berry
. 69.82
382.30
1>2.48
113.i;8
112.38
. 53.20
. 50.78
Est Eliad Putnam
. 71.50
John Page
James A. Putnam
. 75.98
Benj. Porter
Gilbert Taplev
176 22
Asa Taplev .
. 5414
194.U
Jonaa Warren
. 88.30
Gilbert Tapley, in trust...
84.00
Stephen Wilkins
. 57.50
Matthew Hooper....
119.66
John Bates
. 58.62
The Cente.nnial. — With the year 1852 a round
century had passed since the farmers of Salem Village
and the settlers of the Middle Precinct separated
from Salem and began their corporate existence as
the district of Danvers. Early in the previous fall
those spirits who never allow such anniversaries to
pass unforgotten were on the alert. At a town-meet-
ing held in Granite Hall, September 22, 1851, a com-
mittee of nineteen, — five at large and one from each
school district, — were chosen with full authority, to
make such arrangements and adopt such measures as
in their judgment should seem most appropriate to
the occasion. This centennial committee consisted of
the following persons :
Fitch Poole.
.Andrew Nichols.
Ebeuezer Himt.
AT LARGE.
I John W. Proctor.
Rev. Milton P. Bi-ameu.
FROM THE SCHOOL PISTRICTS,
1. Robert S. Daniels.
2. Samuel P. Fowler.
3. Aaron Putnam.
4. Albert G. Bradstreet.
8. Samuel Brown, Jr.
9. Joseph Brown.
10. Leonard Cross.
11. Frauds Baker.
5. Nathaniel Pope.
6. Moses Preston.
7. Fmncis Phelps.
12. Miles Osborne.
13. John Page.
14. Gilbert Tapley.
The day choseu for the celebration was Wednesday,
June lt3th. The scene of the festivities was the Mid-
dle Precinct, South Parish, through whose streets a
procession a mile and a half long moved amid a very
large and enthusiastic throng and beneath a very
warm sun. The committee had half a thousand dol-
lar at their disposal, and this, together with private
enterprise in the way of decorations, gave the town a
gala-like appearance. There are plenty of men still
in their prime who were in that procession ; but it
was thirty-five years ago; a new generation has sprung
up since then and the fathers will pardon a smile as
their children read of the pride and pomp of that
day. It was the day of days for the engine com-
panies. The choicest young manhood of Danvers
tugged at the ropes of their polished machines. Com-
ing at the very head of the line, after the escorting
military was General Scott, No. 2, of Tapley ville — ah.
Fame, where is the old tub now? — drawn by Captain
Calvin Upton's forty-eight men, dressed in fire hats,
plaided sacks and black pants. Next the Torrent,
and next General Putnam No. 4, of Danvers Plains,
Captain Albert G. Allen, with forty men, likewise in
plaided frocks and black pants, and carrying a ban-
ner on which was emblazoned ' General Putnam — 1
never surrender." This engine also appeared well,
says the record. Of course it did; it appeared well
on that little occasion already referred to, when Cap-
tain Kenney took it over to pump out Wenham pond,
and that occasion to this was but a candle to a
comet.
After the "Eagle" came the "Ocean," No. 0, of
Danversport, Captain Welch, whose thirty-five men,
clad in white shirts, black pants and Kossuth hats,
were assisted by a pair of roan horses. Seven com-
panies in all there were, nearly four hundred strong.
Then came the civic division headed by Chief Mar-
shall, Dr. S. A. Lord and his assistants. In a long
line of open barouches the people saw a live Governor
and many distinguished guests. Then came old
School Master Epps and other representatives of his
time. A " Blind Hole Shoe Shop of 1789," and an
ancient up-in-tbe-lane pottery were both in active
operation.
Next followed the schools. Sylvanus Dodge was
chief of this division, aided by Jeremiah Chapman,
510
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Edward W. Jacobs, Augustus Varney, Alden Deinp-
sey, James P. Hutchinson, Dr. J. VV. Snow, George
Tapley, Albert J. Silvester, Loring Dempsey, Abner
Mead and Gilbert A. Tapley. Fifteen hundred pu-
pils presented a most beautiful feature of the occasion,
but no adequate description — the record again — can
be given of the ingenious and admirable designs they
displayed. The Peabody High School came first,
then the Holteu High School, followed by the
schools from the ditl'erent districts.
The last division of the procession was a cavalcade
of three hundred horsemen. After great exertions ou
the part of the chief-marshal and his assistants the
streets were .so far cleared of the multitude of people
and vehicles that the procession was put in motion.
Moving down Main Street it countermarched at the
Salem line, near the Great Tree," but, alas, the
streets then spanned with arches and gay with ban-
ners and bunting are not now Danvers streets. At
noon the line reached the Square again. The schools
moved up Lowell Street to a large tent provided for
them, and the rest of the procession entered the Old
South, in which the following exercises had been ap-
pointed.
1. Voluntary By the orgau.
2. Invocation By Rev. James W. Putnam.
3. Antheh.
Readinq the Scriptubes By Rev. James Fletcher
Prayer by Rev. Israel P. Fntnam, of Middleborough.
Original Hymn By Fitch Poole.
Address By John W. Proctor.
Music By the band.
Poem By Andrew Nichols.
Psalm, selected from a collection in use one hundred years
ago, '' Faithfully trauslatedinto SEngllsli SHctre ; foi-
the Use, Edification and Comfort of the .Saints in J'ublick
and Private, especiaUy in New Englayul.'^
Psalm Ixvii.
To th( Mueiciaii, Neginoth. A Psalm- ofSoiuj.
Prayer By the Kev. F. A. Willard.
12. Old Hundred Snug by the whole congregation.
13. Benedictio.n.
11.
On account of the heat Mr. Proctor's address
was abridged, and Dr. Nichols' poem was entirely
omitted. At a full town-meeting held shortly
after, however, the Doctor was cordially invited to
read his poem on an occasion to be specially appoint-
ed, and such an arrangement was carried out.
Diuner was served after the exercises at the church
in a large canvas pavilion erected near Buxton's hill
on the Crowninshield estate. After the feast the
Chief Marshal introduced as President of the Day,
Rev. Milton P. Braman, and after the Doctor's own
remarks there was enough talking, both from men
prominent in local affairs and from others of wider
renown, to last perhaps another hundred years. The
Commonwealth was represented by its Governor,
.George S. Boutwell, and its vSecretary, Amasa Walker.
Salem, the mother-town, sent her mayor, Charles W.
Upham, afterwards author of " Salem Witchcraft ;"
Daniel A. White, Judge of Probate for Essex County ;
VViUiam D. Northend, Esq., who begun his practice
in South Danvers; and another young lawyer who
to-day aits in the Cabinet as Secretary of War, Wil-
liam C. Endicott. The historian of New England,
John G. Palfrey; the annalist of Salem, Rev. J. B.
Felt, at this time of Boston; Rev. Messrs. Thayer, of
Beverly; Stone, of Providence; Sewall, of Medfield;
and Putnam, of Middleboro'; Allen Putnam, of Rox-
bury ; Lilley Eaton, of South Reading; John Web-
ster, of Newmarket, N. H.; and George G. Smith, of
Boston, were nearly all present and delivered the
contributions which are credited to them. Alfred A,
Abbott, Esq., P. R. Southwick, R. S. Daniels, S. P.
Fowler, J. W. Proctor, Rev. F. P. Appleton and Dr.
Hunt were called upon as representative citizens of
the town. Letters were received from the Hon. Rob-
ert C. Winthrop, Rufus Choate, Robert Rantoul, Jr.,
Daniel Webster, Edward Everett, Jared Sparks and
others.
In the meantime the school children were enjoy-
ing themselves at a feast of their own, prepared
by a committee on which William L. Weston and
Henry Fowler represented the northern districts.
William R. Putnam, of the school committee, pre-
sided, and to his own remarks and those of the toast-
master, Augustus Mudge, were added addresses from
Charles Northend, then recently elected superintend-
ent of schools, and John D. Philbrick, then of the
Quincy School of Boston.
The printed volume of something over two hun-
dred pages, containing a full record of the Centennial
Celebration, forms an important contribution to the
material for local history.
These books are seen here and there in family
book-cases, but they are not popular reading. There
remain, however, as constant and conspicuous re-
minders of the day thus celebrated, certain memori-
als of another sort.
The biography of George Peabody properly belongs
to that part of old Danvers which now for nearly
twenty years has borne his honored name, and there
it will undoubtedly be found. Let a i'evi meagre facts
and dates appear here.
He was born February 18, 1795, in a house still
standing near the junction of Washington and Fos-
ter Streets, on the old Lynn Road, in Peabody. His
earliest business experience was as a store-boy for the
man whose friendship he cherished to the last, Capt.
Sylvester Proctor. At sixteen he became a clerk for
his oldest brother, David, in a dry-goods store at
Newburyport. Before he attained his majority he
was taken into partnership by Elisha Riggs, a wealthy
New York dry-goods merchant. In 1815 Riggs and
Peabody moved their business to Baltimore and sub-
sequently established branch houses in Philadelphia
and New York. In 1827 he made his first voyage to
Europe in furtherance of his business. During the
next ten years he often repeated the trip, and at
DANVERS.
511
times the United States Government, taking advan-
tage of his business sagacity, entrusted him with im-
portant fiuancial negotiations. He went to Enghiud
for a permanent residence in February, 1837, at the
age of forty-live. In 1843 he retired from the Amer-
ican house of Peabody, Riggs & Co., and thenceforth
was George Peabody, Banker and Merchant, of Lon-
don.
It was for fifteen years then, wben Danvers cele-
brated her Centennial, that her illustrious son had
been a stranger to his native land, and nearly twice
that time since the sixteen -year- old boy went away
from the place of his birth to seek and find his for-
tune.
An invitation had been sent to him. When John
\V. Proctor arose to respond to the toast in his honor,
it was somehow generally expected that something of
especial interest was about to be made known. Mr.
Proctor held up to the view of all a sealed envelope,
and, in explanation thereof, read a letter from Mr.
Peabody, regretting his inability to be i)resent, con-
cluding in these words, —
"I enclose a sentiment, which I ask may remain sealed till tliis letter
is read on the day of celebration, when it is to be opened according to
the direction on the envelope."
This direction was as follows, —
[" The Seal of this envelope is not to be broken till the toasts are be-
ing proposed by the Cbairnian at the dinner, 16th .Tune, at Danvers, in
rommemorution of the one htindredth year since its severance from Sa-
lem. It contains a sentiment fiir the oirasion from George Peabody,
of London."]
The seal was broken and the sentiment disclosed,
which has long since become as household words, —
■' Education, a debt due from present to future gener-
ations." It was followed by the announcement of a
gift of twenty thousand dollars for the purpose of
erecting and maintaining a public library and
lyceum.
Among the conditions anne.xeil to the gift was one
that the town should accept the gift and choose a
committee of not less than twelve to carry out its pur-
poses. Both of these things were done at a town-
meeting, June 28, 1852, the action of the town being
embodied in a series of resolutions submitted by Dr.
Andrew Nichols. The committee of twelve were
chosen on such tenure that two vacancies were to be
tilled by election each year. The committee thus
first chosen and their terms of office decided by lot
were as follows, — Eben King, Jo.seph S. Black, one
year, to 18o3 ; William L.Weston, Aaron F.Clark,
two years, to 1854 ; Francis Baker, Joseph Poor,
three years, to 1855; Elijah W. Upton, Miles Os-
borne, four years, to 1856; Joseph O.-^good, Eben Sut-
ton, five years, to 1857; Robert S. Daniels, Samuel P.
Fowler, six years, to 1,858. Subseipient elections for
terms of six years were as follows, — In 1853, Henry
Poor, Joel Putnam; 1854, Philemon Putnam, John
B. Peabody ; 1855, Francis Dane, Israel W. Andrews ;
1856, Franklin Osborne, Isaac Hardv, Jr.
Dr. Nichols' resolves provided also that the com-
mittee or trustees should themselves annually ap-
point a lyceum and library committee from the town
at large. The trustees made this latter committee
equal to their own number. The first appointees
were Dr. Andrew Nichols, who died during his first
year of service, Fitch Poole, George A. Osborne, Ben-
jamin C. Perkins, Ebenezer Hunt, John B. Peabody,
\V. N. Lord, Eben S. Poor, Wm. L. Weston, A. A.
Abbott, Philemon Putnam, Eugene B. Hinkley, Wra.
F. Poole. The latter is now widely known as the
author of " Poole's Index of Periodical Literature."
The corner-stone of the new building was laid
August 20, 1853, and after its comjilelion was dedi-
cated September 29. 18-54 — a substantial brick edifice,
eighty-two feet by fifty, bearing on its front the words
Pe.\body Ix-^TiTiTE, situate on the main street from
the South Meeting-house to Salem, on the opposite
side and a little northwest of the Lexington monu-
ment.
DiLHsidii tif the Town. — It is the intention to speak
particularly of the Peabody Institute, not of Peabody
but of Danvers. It is necessary, therefore, here, as
the sequence of events will show, to speak of no less
an important matter than the dismemberment of the
old town, which had celebrated its hundredth anni-
versary, and the .seiiaration of the southern half of its
territory into a new town, leaving to the upper half
alone the name of the old town. The separation was
no sudden movement. From the very first, the com-
munities north and south of Waters River and the
long chain of hills, .separated, as they were, by natu-
ral barriers, found themselves possessed of difterent
interests and associations." There was no common
centre. Town-meetings w-ere held, as has been seen,
one year at a meeting-house in the North Parish, the
next at the South Parish, and each parish made hay
for itself when the time came. A recent letter from
a former resident contains something of this sort :
" No. Danvers was rich in oratorical talents, while So.
Danvers was exceedingly deficient in that material.
They ha<l money and votes, but no orators, and when
the town-meetings were held at So. Danvers, there
all the appropriations in that part of the town could
easily pass the ordeal ; and when the town-meeting
was held at No. I-)anvers, that was the golden oppor-
tunity for appropriations for that part of the town."
Before division was finally accomitlished the anomaly
was presented of two town-houses in one town. The
history of the agitation which brought this about
goes back to 1772, when Ebenezer Goodale and others
prayed that the inhabitants might assemble and make
known their mindsasto whether mcetingsforthefuture
should be held alternately in the V'illage and Mid-
dle parishes according to the agreement made between
the parishes before incorporation, and ''also to see if it
be their minds to Erect a House near the Centre of
the Town, to hold their Town-Meetings ami other
Publick Meetings in,&c." "The question was put to
512
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
see whether the inhabitants would act anything re-
specting the holding the Town -Meetings for the fu-
ture, and, a Poll being demanded, it was determined
that way. Ninety-four for acting and Ninety-three
against. , Voted, not to act upon the paragraph in
the warrant respecting the erecting of a House near
tl*e Centre of the Town."
At the annual meeting of 1828 a committee was
chosen to consider the building of " one or more
Town Houses," but whatever their report may have
been, it was gently but effectively disposed of by a
motion that "the subject subside for the Preseut."
The matter next came up in 1834. Another large
and representative committee was appointed, who
were instructed to make estimates for " one or more,
designating the place of location of the same." But
their report met no better fate than the one of 1828.
It was " deferred, — " just twenty years.
In the warrant for the annual town-meeting of
1854 were two articles, — one for the erection of a
town-house " near the centre of the population and
business of Danvers South Parish," another for the
erection of " two school-houses for the accommoda-
tion of the Peabody and Holten High Schools."
After much discussion and several special meetings,
these two propositions were combined. The High
School buildings were a necessity. It was voted " to
construct them so as to make each building suitable
to convene the town-meetings," and twenty-two
thousand dollars was apjiropriated in all. The report
of the building committee was accepted in 18.56, and
ordered " placed on the file." From this oblivion a
partis here brought back to the light of day. It is
interesting to know what hands helped to build our
temple of democracy and how much it cost :
Net cost of land $1360 00
Bei^amin Moor'ei bill, contract and extras 7800 00
Architect's bill 85 00
John Rollin's biU for well 26 2S
Perkins ACressy, building fence, etc 11.5 63
Clark & Blether, stone gate-poits 18 50
Hezekiah Dwinell, gate 28 00
Smith & Wallis, chestnut rails for fence 42 09
WilliamH. Walcott, teaming 2 50
Simeon Putnam, freight 12 22
Benjamin Tnrner, buikiiug fence 49 84
E. T. Waidron, turning-posts and furnisbingsame 87 00
Calvin Putnam, lumber 43 70
Eben Putnam, painting 61 40
Eliot & Kimball, masons 8 85
Stephen firanville, furniture, curtains, etc 174 49
Joseph W, Ropes, furnace 380 00
Joseph L. Eo8s, furniture 445 00
William 0. Haskell, settees 125 47
Total »1],148 05
Total cost, South Danvers til, 803 48
The building committee were Fitch Poole, Joseph
Poor, Nathan Tapley, Calvin Putnam, E. T. Waidron,
Josiah Mudge. In the summer of 1883 the Danvers
town-house was enlarged to its present proportions.
Thus much of the town-house. To take up the
broken thread of the division of the town : in Feb-
ruary 16, 1855, a warrant was issued under the hands
of Lewis Allen, Leonard Poole and Nathan H. Poor —
the names of Benjamin F. Hutchinson and Joel Put-
nam, North Parish members of the board of select-
men, did not appear — warning the voters to meet at
Union Hall, in the South Parish, "to see what action
the Town will take on the order of Notice from the
Legislature on the petition of Benjamin Goodridge
and others, relstive to a division of the Town."
Lewis Allen was chosen moderator. Alfred A.
Abbott presented the following resolution :
" Resolved, That the time ha« arrived when the true interests of all
portions of the Town of Danvers, and the convenience and well-being of
its citizens imperatively demand a division of its extended territory and
numerous population into two separate and independent municipalities —
that an ecjuitable and convenient division would be made by a dividing-
line drawn from the mouth of Water's River on the East, thence westerly
through the centre of said River, to Pine Street, and thence straight, in
a northwesterly course, to the bend in Ipswich River, the point of inter-
section of the stream running from Phelp'fi Mill ; all remaining on one
side of said line to constitute a town b.y itself; and all remaining on the
other side of said line to constitute another and separate town ; and
that our Representatives in the Legislature be hereby requested, and a
committee of Ten to be appointed by this meeting be and they are hereby
instructed to nee all fair and honourable means in aid of the prayer
of the petition of Benjamin Goodridge and others, and to secure by an
Act 01 the Legislature, the ilivision of the Town substantially in ac-
cordance with the plan above indicated."
An adverse amendment offered by Samuel Preston
was voted upon four different times, and each lime the
amendment was declared lost.
Messrs. Hardy and Andrews ])olled the house, but
could not agree in their count.
The South people had the advantage of jiosition.
As the day wore away the northern farmers had to
think of the cows and the chores. Tcj take off the
keen edge of the contest, a motion was interpolated
that a committee of ten — five from each section — be
chosen " to take into consideration the subject as to
.see what names shall be applied should a division
take place, and report at the next annual meeting."
It would take a long time to choose ten men ; it was
getting really dark; the cows would be suffering, and
then the committee just elected were to report at the
next annual meeting. So .some went — enough to de-
cide the contest against the non-divisionists, for the
South people had no idea of deferring the matter.
They had come to stay. The main question was put,
and this time the work of the tellers was not difficult.
At five minutes past seven o'clock the moderator de-
clared the result : one hundred and forty-one opposed
to the resolution and two hundred and thirty-five in
favor.
By vote of the meeting the chairman nominated as
the committee called for by the resolution : Dr. George
Osborne, R. S. Daniels, Winthrop Andrews, Henry
Poor, Moses Black, Jr., Eben Sutton, Philemon Put-
nam, Joseph S. Needham, Amos Merrill and Francis
Dane.
Within a very short time, March 8, 1855, a special
meeting was held in the new town-hall in North
Parish, to vote by ballot on the tjuftstion : " Is it ex-
DANVEES.
513
pedient to have the Town divided agreeably to the
petition of Benjamin (ioodridge and otliers? "
Though the polls were kept open from nine o'clock
to five, the advocates of division, relying on the vote
already secured, wisely let the day go by default, and
the count showed but four yeas to four hundred and
thirty-six nays. The clerk was instructed to send to
the Legislature on the next day a copy of the record
of this meeting, and Kendall (Jsborne, Sanniel Pres-
ton, Andrew Torr, Daniel Richards, Joseph Poor and
Henry Fowler were appointed to remonstrate against
division. James D. Black was in theSenate, and Israel
W. Andrews was in the house. The latter was the
champion of the opposition to division, and by a
great effort he succeeded in obtaining an adverse vote
in one of the earlier stages of the bill; but on May
18, 1855, the Legislature finally passed "An Act to
Incorporate the Town of South Danvers." This act
established a division line, but provided that if a
majority of the voters of Danvers should by vote ex-
press within thirty days their desire to have the line
changed, that the (xovernor should appoint three
commissioners to consider, and finally determine the
same. The present line was in this manner estab-
lished by commissioners.
An examination of this line as shown on any good
map shows that instead of following the channel of
Water's River to the Salem line, it leaves the river
and turns southerly, so as to include about fifty acres
south of the bridge. Upon this territory is a part of
Hanson's Grain-Mill, the large brick-house built by
Matthew Hooper, a three-story brick tenement house
now owned by John Bates, the old witchcraft house
of the Jacobs' family ,jand several other dwellings. Mat-
thew Hooper and some, if not all, of his neighbors
petitioned the Legislature to be set oft" from Danvers
to South I )anvers, but Danvers wa.s unwilling to let
them go, and nothing came of their petition.
A special meeting of that part of the inhabitants of
the territory which still retained the name of Dan-
vers, was called (jn 28th of Jlay, to take such steps as
the new phase of their muncipal career demanded.
Certain vacancies in ottices formerly held by citizens
of the new town were filled. In the place of Francis
Baker, William L. Weston was chosen treasurer, a
position to which he was annually re-elected for
eighteen years. Samuel Preston and Zephauiah Pope
were elected overseers of the poor in the places of
Wingate Merrill and Andrew Torr. Daniel P. Pope
was added to the health committee; Aaron Putnam
was chosen auditor. There were already three Dan-
vers men on the old board of selectmen, and seven
out of twelve on the school committee, and in each
case it was voted "to dispense with choosing any
more." It was here voted that the chairmen of
the several boards and the clerk procure all the books
and records remaining in South Danvers, and that the
Danver.-> members of the town-hall building commit-
tee provide a suitable place for them.
Another very important subject was considered at
this first meeting of Danvers after division. It is
sufficiently explained in the vote pa.ssed, namely,
" that a committee of persons be chosen to con-
fer with a committee of the town of South Danvers
for the purpose of adjusting the division of town
paupers, town jiroperty, town debts, State and county
taxes, the government Of the Peabody Institute, the
expenses of the bridges now existing in the town of
Danvers, and any other matters arising from the divi-
sion of the town, and if the said committee shall dis-
agree they are directed to apply to the Court of Com-
mon Pleas for the County of Essex for the appoint-
ment of three disinterested persons to hear the parties
and award thereon." At an adjournment a week later
the blank in the vote was filled by tlie appointment
of one from each of the old school districts remaining
in Danvers, as follows: No. 13, William Dodge, Jr.;
No. 2, Henry Fowler; No. 3, Aaron Putnam ; No. 4,
Francis D^dge ; No. 5, Nathaniel Pope ; No. 6,
Nathan Tapley ; No. 14, George Tapley.
South Danvers was represented by George Osborne,
Henry Poor, Robert S. Daniels, Francis Baker, Ehen
King and Abel Preston.
The two committees, acting in conference, first met
on June 25, 1855, and proceeded then, and at suc-
cessive adjournments, to a very systematic appraisal
and adjustment of accounts between the two towns.
The report, which was accepted in all particulars save
that part which referred to the government of the
Peabody Institute, on March 2, 1857, and which was
finally accepted as a whole on February 1, 1858, covers
nearly twenty large-sized pages of record, and, though
very interesting reading, is too long to insert here. A
few general items may be culleil from the report, how-
ever. The footing of the appraisal of the projierty of
the old town, on May 18, 1855, the day of division,
exclusive of the two town hou.ses, the Surplus Revenue
and the Ma.ssachusetts School Fund, was .^539,1 84.50.
The assessors' valuation, 1854, of property north of
the division line was S1,444,'.IOO; south of the line,
82,732,tJ((0. Danvers was, therefore, entitled to 34.''oVii
per cent, of the corporate property, or the value of
$13,553.14, and South Danvers to 65rVs'ii per cent.,
125,(591.36.
To the town id Danvers was assigned property
scheduled as follows :
Engine (Jetn'ral Scult, fixtures and hose 8814 On
Engine Oonttral Putnam, fixtures and hose .'iSt'i .^0
Engine (tcean, fixtures and hose (;,'»7 (0
Sail car at Dativeraport l.^ (K)
Engine House No. •! 275 00
Engine House No. 4 rilHI Ol>
Engine House Nof. XI) (HI
Hearse House at Teuieterv 4.'> 00
Hearse House at Itranuin's \'lo ()o
Two new hearses, ^40 ; one old hears^', §20 4*''U (H>
Liquors and fixtures at. I. \V. Snows 100 ."iO
Iron 8.ifc, 14(K) Ihs. at Sc 112 00
Caae for weights and measures S (HJ
Bookcase. 7, Pound at Wliipple's Brook, 33 4o W
Five hallot boxes, 3, stereotype maps of Danvei-s, t 4 0<>
514
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Reservoir near E. Putnam's 89 25
Reservoir nearC. Putnam's 164 00
Reservoir near Villagfi Bank 89 25
Reservoir near Baptist Cliurch (interest in) 1 00
Hoolis-aod-ladders near Baptist Churcb 25 00
Hooks-and-ladders near Fox Hill 5 00
Hook-and-ladders near Berry's Stable 15 on
Hooks-and-ladders near P. Tapley's house 25 («
Total 8*297 60
The residue of town property, including the town
farm and almshouse (ap|)raised at $22,050, and per-
sonal property thereon, $5,519), the whole valued at
$34,887, was assigned to South Danvers.
The Surplus Revenue Fund ($10,000), by the terms
of the act was to be apportioned according to the
number of children between five and fifteen years of
age, on May 1, 1855, on either side of the line. The
number of children was ascertained to be as follows:
stric
. Danvers.
S. Danvers.
District
Danvers
S. Danvers
1
359
10
47
2
239
11
359
3
53
12
170
4
VI
13
228
5
126
14
181
6
32
44
7
51
Totals
.... 930
1170
8
125
9
22
firand Total
2107
To Danvers was, therefore, assigned $4,413.85 ; to
South Danvers, $5,586.15. The amount of the Mas-
sachusetts School Fund, $862.72, was, on the same
basis, apportioned, $383.45 to Danvers, and $485.27 to
South Danvers.
The cost of the two new town houses was found, as
has been already noticed, to be $22,951.53. The north
building cost $11,148.05. On the basis of valuation,
Danvers was entitled only to the 34fVV(j per cent, of
the value of both buildings, namely, $7,938.24; there-
fore, Danvers was indebted to South Danvers in this
matter, $3,209.81.
The total tax for 1855 was found to be $44,698, of
which $15,460.15 was due Danvers, and $29,237.85
South Danvers; and the balance of accounts showed
that Danvers owed South Danvers, $9,016.98.
The total indebtedness of the old town, on May 18,
1855, was .$65,167.38, of which $20,000 was held by
the Salem Savings Bank, about $19,000 by the Warren
Bank, $10,000 by the Trustees of the Surplus Revenue
Fund, and $3,-500 by the Danvers Savings Bank; and
the total assets, $4,829.18— leaving the balance of in-
debtedness, $60,338.20. Of this balance, Danvers was
holden to pay, according to the fixed ratio, $20,869.78;
South Danvers, $39,468.42. And it was decided that
South Danvers pay to Danvers this latter amount in
full discharge of its proportion of indebtedness, with
interest from May 15, 1855, and that Danvers, retain-
ing all the assets, continue liable for the whole amount
of indebtedness.
One point the joint committee could not agree up-
on. The Danvers men claimed that South Danvers
was liable to pay its proportion of two roads, Towo's
road and Endicott Street; the South Danvers men
refused to allow the claim, and the matter was passed
unsettled.
After a careful examination of all the bridges in
the old town, the committee awarded eight hundred
and seventy-five dollars to be paid by South Danvers
to Danvers as an indemnity to the latter for the
greater burden thenceforth to be borue by reason of
their maintenance.
The final balance of all accounts passed upon
showed that South Danvers was indebted to Danvers
in the sum of $33, '.t31. 86.
It was found that of the thirty-seven paupers at
the almshouse, seven had gained or derived a settle-
ment within the limits of Danvers, and the remainder
within the new town and mutual releases were re-
commended from each town to the other from liability
for support of those paupers not found to belong to
the respective towns.
The relative interests of the two towns in the gov-
ernment of the Peabody Institute were adjusted so
that South Danvers should have nine of the twelve
trustees, a lion's share and inasmuch as four of
the board were already residents of Danvers, it was
provided that the first vacancy occurring among
these four should be filled from South Danvers.
Finally, as a matter of courtesy, it was agreed that
Danvers should pay its proportional expense of the
cost (two hundred dollars), of copying the records for
South Danvers, and that the latter town should pay
its ])r<>porti()n of J. C Stickney's bill of one hundred
and fifty dollars, for services in behalf of the North
people before the Legislature.
And so, now for more than thirty years, there have
been two towns where there was but one. Those who
went out are richer and more populous than those
who are left; but to the latter, within narrowed
limits, belong the name and fame of the old town.
The question of division gave rise to much bitter feel-
ing, but the fact of division was sooner ot later one
of necessity. It is only strange that it did not come
earlier. Traces of this feeling, it must be acknowl-
edged, might still reward patient research, but the
younger generation know it not. While there is
little mutually attractive between the towns, but
each looks to Salem as a centre, there is nothing re-
pellant between them, and with increased traveling
facilities the people are learning to know each other
better to the end of a more perfect cordiality and
unity.
And, now, to return to the broken thread of the
story of George Peabody's benefactians. In the
latter part of the summer of 1856 it was known that
the man whose name had become so widely honored
intended presently to leave London for a visit to this
country. On the petition of the trustees of the insti-
tute the selectmen of South Danvers called a town-
meeting, August 21, 1856, at which resolutions of
BANVERS.
515
welcome were passed, ami a committee of twenty,
together witli tlie selectmen, were appointej to meet
Mr. Peabody on his arrival at New York "to invite
him to the home of his youth, and the seat of his
noble benefiictions; and, if he shall accept their in-
vitation, to adopt such measnres for his reception and
entertainment as, in their judgment, will best express
the love and honor which we bear him." An attested
copy of the action of South Danvers was sent to
Danvers, with an invitation to unite in the proposed
reception.
On September 10th a D.'invers town-meeting passed
a series of resolutions, thanking " our sister town of
South Danvers for the invitation to co-operate with
them in the reception and entertainment of Mr. Pea-
body," heartily concurring in the sentiments of I he res-
olutions adopted by them, and a committee of twenty-
one were chosen to act with the South Danvers com-
mittee. The gentlemen chosen were, —
Joabua Sihester, c-liainii;iii.
Samuel I'reston. I'hili-mun Putnam.
Ebenezer Hunt. Levi Merrill.
Saiuuel P. Fnwler. Cliuvles Page.
William L. Weston. • Keuben Wilkine.
Matthew Hooper. William Endicott.
Israel II. Putnam. William Green.
Augustus Miidge. Charles P. Preston.
Janie.'i I). Black. Benjamin F. llulehinsou.
John .\. Learoyd. Georjjje A. Tapley.
Nathan Tapley. Arthur ,\. Putuam, secretary.
The committees of the two towns henceforth acted
as a joint committee, and the general expenses of the
celebration were borne by the inhabitants of both
towns in due proportion, as if no division had taken
place. Delegations from the joint committee were
sent to New York to welcome Mr. Peabody on his ar-
rival, and, despite numerous invitations to accept of
metropolitan honors, he declined to accept any pub-
lic demonstration except from the hands of his own
townsmen. And so on the 9th of October, 1856, the
old town gave her son a royal welcome. Because of
Mr. Peabody'smodest refusal to be honored elsewhere,
those who wished to show him their respect were
obliged to come to him. "From being simply a vil-
lage festival, it became almost national in its char-
acter."
The day of the reception opened auspiciously —
one of the fine Indian summer days. Mr. Peabody
had come from Georgetown, driving over the road in
a private carriage with his two sisters and a nephew.
A salute of a hundred guns announced his arrival at
the Maple Street Church, Danvers Plains. Here he
was met by the committee, and was seated in an ele-
gant barouche, drawn by six horses, accompanied by
Robert S. Daniels, Joshua Silvester and Rev. Milton
P. Braman.
"The scene here was very beautiful. The spire of
the church and private buildings were gayly dressed
with Hags and streamers, and in full view was an ele-
gant three-fold arch spanning the wide street, the cen-
tre arch rising high above the others, and being
adorned with evergreens, wreaths, medalions, flowers
and flags." This arch ileserves more than passing
notice. One cannot easily imagine its imposing and
graceful proportions. It wiis designed and executed
by Jlr. Silvester, and coming first in the long series
of decorations with which the streets of both towns
were adorned, Mr. Peabody personally expressed his
surprise and grateful admiration to its designer at his
side.
Two cavalcades were drawn up just below the
arch; one wholly of ladies, added greatly to the at-
tractiveness of the escort. Each lady threw into Mr.
Peabody's carriage, as he passed, a bouquet of flowers.
The procession moved on through High Street to
Danversport, and so on to South Danvers, " through
streets lined with decorated houses and under wav-
ing flags and triumphal arches, attended by the boom-
ing of cannon and strains of martial music. The
shouts and salutations of the people were gracefully
acknowledged by Mr. Peabody as he bowed to the
throng on either side." The cavalcades and car-
riages forming as escort about half a mile long, pro-
ceeded thus through and out of Danvers and into
South Danvers.
At Wilson's Corner Mr. Peabody and bis escort
found drawn up to receive them the main body of a
large and notable procession.
It is unnecessary to enter into the details of the
day. The pageant of joy was ef|ualled only by the
pageant of sorrow, when through the same .streets the
great benefactor was years later borne to his grave.
On the day following the reception Mr. Peabody
went back in company with his sisters to George-
town. A large crowd was gathered in Danvers
Square, intent on having a last hand-shaking. Tired,
as he must have been, it was evidently his intention
to proceed with only a passing greeting, but he
found his way blocked by a barrier he could not re-
sist. A chain of little children stretched, hand in
hand, clear across the wide street. He stopjied, and
the informal reception held from the open carriage,
and his expression of pleasure at the enthusi;istic
welcome accorded him, made a pleasing close of the
great reception.
Branch Library and Peabody lN.STiTaTE. —
Reference has been made to the fact that Joshua
Silvester had partaken of Mr. Peabody's hospitalities
in London. Mr. Silvester went to England in the
latter part of 1846, the year after the disastrous lire
wdiich swept away his business on Danvers Plains.
He took with him his brother-in-law, J. M. C. Noyea,
and Jacob Cross, Samuel Knights, Chas. Wait, and
one Story, of Essex, and introduced the business of
making pegged shoes in Manchester. Mr. Silvester
came back within a year, the others soon following,
except Noyes, who remained and carried on the busi-
ness until his death, about ten years ago. P>ctwcen
1850 and 1855 Mr. Silvester made four other trips to
England. On one of these, in '53, he took letters to
516
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Mr. Peabody, was invited to attend his annual
Fourth of July dinner, and being the only Danvers
man in London, was asked much by him concerning
the progress of the Institute he had then recently
given. This acquaintance thus formed, ripened with
later visits.
It was to Mr. Silvester that, soon after the recep-
tion here in 18.56, Mr. Peabody wrote from George-
town, requesting a meeting on the arrival of a certain
train at the Danvers station. While walking to-
gether on the station platform, Mr. Peabody first
made known his intention to give ten thousand dol-
lars to establish a Branch Library for Danvers, so
that the citizens of this part of the old town would
not be obliged to depend on the Institute at South
Danvers. He asked ]Mr. Silvester to bring to him at
the Revere House, Boston, a list of suitable persons
to receive the gift. Mr. Silvester found him enjoying
buckwheat cakes at a late breakfast; and over an in-
formal cup of coffee the list was accepted, with Mr.
Silvester's name, which Mr. Peabody insisted upon
adding. This letter, soon written, is self explana-
tory.
"Revere House, Boston, Dec. 22, 1856.
" Gentlemen : — During my recent visit to the old town of Danvers, I
Lail opportunities of examining into and understanding tiie operations
of the Institute, and of ascertaining to some extent the comparative ad-
vantages derived from it by different portions of the town.
" In compliance with my original directions the Institute was located
within one-third of a mile of the site of the meeting house formerly un-
der the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Walker; and while thus the popula-
tion of South Danvers is within a reasonable distauce of the Institute,
the population of Danvers is mostly too remote therefrom, and cannot
very conveniently share fully in its privileges. It has occurred to me
that a Branch Library might be established in Danvers, in some central
position, probably the Plains, which would remedy the existing difficul-
ty and would secure to the inhabitants a more equal participation in the
benelits which it was my design to confer upon all.
*' I therefore propose to make a donation of Ten Thousand Dollars for
the purpose of establishing a Branch Library, to be located as before
mentioned provided the suggestions and conditions hereinafter stated
are satisfactory to all the parties interested.
" First, the Library shall be called aud known as the Bra.nch Library
of the Peabody Institute, and shall be under the direction and control
of the Trustees of the Institute, in the same manner and to the same ex-
tent as are the funds of the Institute and its library at South Danvers.
Second, Three Thousand Dollars of the amount to be expended at
once for the purchase of books, and the fitting up a room or rooms for
their reception ; the remainder, Seven Thousand Dollars, to be sjifely in-
vested by said Trustees, and the income thereof to be used by the Lyce-
um and Library Committee of the Institute for the increase of the Li-
brary, the payment of rent, and for defraying such other expenses as
may be incurred in the proper care and management of the same ; the
whole income to be used for the exclusive beuefit of the Branch Li-
brary.
"Third, the inhabitants of Danvers are to be still entitled to the full
enjoyment of all the privileges and advantages of the Parent Library
and of the Lyceum, and the inhabitants of South Panveis are to have
the right of participating equally in the privileges of the Branch Libra-
ry. If, however, it should be found hereafter that this arrangement
ought to be modified for the better accommodation and the greater ad-
vantage of all concerned, then this last provision, as also either of the
others, may be altered by general consent ; such alteratien being subject
to my approbation.
" It is my desire, gentlemen, that you will, as soon after the receipt
of this as convenient, confer with some of our friends in Danvers, in
which conference it is my wish that the Lyceum and Library Committee
of the Institute should take part, as in all proceedings relating to this
matter. "Very respectfully and truly yours,
"George Peabody."
Mr. Peabody designated Rev. Milton P. Braman,
Samuel Preston, Joshua Silvester, James D. Black,
Matthew Hooper and William L. Weston, to act in
the conference, suggested by the above letter, with
the trustees of the Institute and the Lyceum and Li-
brary Committee. Appropriate resolutions were
passed at a town-meeting held January 12, 1857 ; and
at the same time it was voted to otler to the trustees
for the use of the branch library certain rooms in the
Town-House over the selectmen's and town-clerk's
offices. And here the library was situated for about
a dozen years. The first delivery of books from the
branch library was September 5, 18.57. It then con-
tained two thousand three hundred and seventy vol-
umes.
But as early as the March meeting of 18.57, the
town took action towards securing a suitable lot
on which some time to erect a library building. The
matter was referred with full powers to a committee
consisting of the selectmen and JMatthew Hooper and
Wm. L. Weston at large ; and, !)y districts, Joshua
Silvester, Mo.ses Black, Jr., Aar.ai Putnam, Francis P.
Putnam, James Goodale, Israel W. Andrews, George
Tapley and Frederick A. Wilkins. This committee
purchased, for four thousand dollars, about four and
a half acres, fronting on Sylvan Street, of land
formerly a part of Judge Samuel Putnam's estate.
Mr. Silvester, Mr. Hooper and Augustus Mudge were
appointed to lay out the ground in a suitable manner.
This latter committee expended $.347.13 in grading,
laying out walks, etc., and they set out two hundred
and sixty-one rock-maple trees. In their report they
say:
"When Mr. George Peabody was riding through these grounds last
August, he seemed to inquire with much interest, what grounds they
were ; he wiis answered that it was Peabody Park, a lot purchased by
the Town for the Branch Library Building site, and as there is no name
sanctioned by the Town, the Committee would advise the adoption of
Peabody Park as the future name of this lot. . . . The committee
would also express their appreciation of the valuable services of one of
their number who has been removed by death, Mr. Matthew Hooper,
and add their testimony to his worth as a member of the committee and
the high estimation in which he was justly held by citizens of the
town."
Ten years passed, long, trying years ; and after the
war was over, in the spring of 18G6, it was known that
Mr. Peabody intended to visit this country again. At
a special town-meeting, April 2.'-!, l.SOO, Rev. Milton
P. Braman and Daniel Richards were sent to meet
Mr. Peabody at New York, and in concert with a
delegation from South Danvers to tender him a
cordial welcome in behalf of both towns.
This visit was especially auspicious to Danvers.
Not contented with the generous gilt of the branch
library, Mr. Peabody had come prepared to make a
far more notable donation. The endowment of ihe
Peabody Institute of Danvers is contained in the
following letter :
" To Rev. Milton P. Braman, Joshua Silvester, Francis Peabody,
Jr., Samuel P. Fowler, Daniel Richards, Israel W. Andrews, Jacob
DANVERS.
517
v. PeKKY, ChAKLES r. PRKSTUN lllul IsitVKL 11. IH^TNAM, Rsyits., nil ,il
I)anver8.
"Gentlemen; — In a letter to the Trvistees cif the Peabody Institute
at South Danvers, bearing date of the 2"Jd of hist month, T expressed to
thuni my purpose of giving, in a4^1ditiyu to the Ten Tbousiiiid liullara
lurmerly given by uie to tlicni lor the foumlation of the Branch Library
in your town, tbe sum of Forty Thousand Dullars, tiiaking in all Fitty
Thousand Dollars for the foundation of a separate ^nd distinct Institu-
tion in your town ; and with the understindiug that by the necestiary
nuincipal aition on the part of South Danvera and Danvers, each town
Bhouk: formally relimpiish all rights and privileges in the Library, Lec-
tures or other beuetlts of tlie other ; and I then also stated that it would
be necessary that the fund heretofore placed in the hands of the Trustees
uf the Institute at South Danvers fur the especial use of the Branch Lib-
rary should be transferred to those who should hereafter have it in
charge.
"The Town of South Danvers having taken the municipal action indi-
cated in the letter to which I have referred, I now, with the underatand-
ing that the Town of Danvers has taken or shall take like action, desig-
nate you, gentiemeu, as the persons to whom the funds heretofore held
by the said Trustees for the benefit of the Branch Library, shall now be
transferred, and give you in addition tlie sum uf Forty Thousand Dol-
lars; which with the amount thus transferred to you, shall be by you
held in trust, or expended under the provision of such Trust, for the
establishment of an Institute, for the promotion of knowledge and Mo-
rality, in the Town of Danvers, similar in its general character to that
which now exists at South Danvers.
" Of the amount, I direct that the sum of thirty thousaml ilollars be
and alwaj's remain permanently invested as a Fund, of which the
annual income shall be expended, under the direction of yourselves and
your successors for the maintenance, increase, and care of the Library,
and the delivery of such Lectures or courses of Lectures, aa shall be con-
ducive to the purpose proposed in the establishment of the institution.
" The remainder uf the amount I have placed in your hands as above,
shall be used for the erection of a suitable building for the Library and
other purposes of the said Institute, which shall be completed within
two yeaii* from the date hereof. In the event of any and all the vacan-
cies occurring in the number of you, my Trustees above nann-d, by resig-
nation, by death, or in what manner soever such vacancy shall occur, I
direct that such vacancy shall be filled by the choice of the luhabitants
of the Town of Danvers legally qualified to vote at Town-meetings, who
shall, at a Town-meeting to be called for the purpose as soon as conven-
iently may be after such vacancy occur?, make such choice ; and 1
further direct tliat my said Trustees shall annually make and print a
Report, which shall be made public and published setting forth the con-
dition of the Library and of the funds invested.
"And wishing as I do to promote both now. and fur all coming tinm a
spirit of Peace, unity and brotherly love, I enjoin upon you and your
successors forever the* same principles and directions for your guidance
in relation to party politics or sectarian theology, or any allusion to
theii! whatever in any of the lectures, meetings or transactions of the In-
stitute, which 1 have already enjoined upon the Trustees of the Peabody
Institute at Scnith Danvers, in my letter September 22, tsOO, and I beg
to refer you specially to that letter, for the rules to be observed in rela-
tion to your future course.
"I have further to ask, that you will communicate the contents of
this letter of trust to a town-meeting of the citizens of Danvers at aa
early a day as convenient.
"I am with high respect your humble servant,
"George PE.^Bol>K
"(Jakland, Md , October 30, 1866."
RULES REFERBED TO IN ME. PEABODV'S LETTER.
" My earnest wish to promote at all times a spirit of harmony and
good will in society, iny aversion to intolerance and party rancor and my
enduring respect and love for the happy institutionfj of our prosperous
republic, impel me to express the wish that the Institute I have pur-
posed to you shall always be strictly guarded against the possibility of
being made a theater for the dissemination ur discussion of sectarian
theology or party politics ; that it shall never minister in any manner
whatever to infidelity, to visionary theories of a pretended philosophy
which may be aimed at the subversion of the approved morals of society ;
that it shall never lend its aid or influence to the propagation of opin-
ions tending to create or encourage sectional jwalousiss in our happy
country, or which may lead to the alienation of the people of one state
er section of the Cnion from another.
" But that it shall be so conducted, throughout its whole career, aa to
teach political and leligions charity, toleration and beneficence, and
prove itself to be, in all conditions and contingencies, the true friend of
our inestimable Union, of the salutary institutions of our free govern-
ment, and of liberty regulated by law."
Some question arose as to the best location for the
New Institute. At the annual meeting of the town,
1867, the matter was referred to a committee, of
which \Vm. L. Weston was chairman, who reported,
" There are many considerations which would make
it de.sirahle that a Imilding such as is proposed should
he more centrally located ; but, after conferring with
the Trustees, they are nearly unanimous in the con-
clusion that the interests of the town will be best
promoted by its location on the spot originally se-
lected. They therefore recommend the passage of
the following vote : That the Selectmen of the town
be and they are hereby authorized to transfer to the
Trustees of the Peabody Institute the lot known as
Peabody Park, for the purpose of erecting thereon, at
such time as the Tru.stees may deem expedient, a Ly-
ceum and Library building.''
These recommendations were accepted. Time adds
each year to the beauty of the grounds and empha-
sizes the wisdom (if the choice.
Plans for a building were laid before Mr. Peabody
and approved by him. (_)n the 10th of February,
1868, a contract was made with Charles H. Smith, of
Newburyport, tor its construction, for the sum of
$18,500. The institute was completed in January,
1870, at a total cost of $29,2-11- It is a wooden build-
ing, inclined to the Gothic style of architecture,
eighty-six by fifty-two feet, and contains on the lower
rtoor the Peabody Public Library, and on the second
rioor a large lecture-hall.
Mr. Peabody was ag.iin expected from iMigland
during the summer of 1870. The formal opening of
the institute was deferred to the 14th of July, when
he, him-elf, was present. A permanent record of the
eventii of that memorable day was made by the gra-
phic pen of Dr. Braman.
A few months later, and the world received in sad-
ness the news that Ueorge Peabody was dead. He
died on the 4th of November, 1870, in London.
Once more he was borne across the Atlantic, and the
cannon of a noble ship of the Queen of England an-
nounced to his native land the arrival of his body-
According to his dying request he was buried from
the place where he was born, and tlie funeral ]>omp
was such as when a king dies.
The citizens of South Danvers had already lionored
and perpetuated his name by the acceptance of an
act passed bv the Legislature April l.i, 1868, that
** the town of South Danvers, in the l'i)unt.y of Kisex,
shall take the name of Peabody."
The people of Danvers hold Mr. Peabody's name
very dear. His gift to them wius especially generous,
for, were his only motive to remember his birth-place,
that might well have been satisfied by his original
gift to the old town. The Peabody Institute of Dan-
518
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY. MASSACHUSETTS.
vers is a potent influence for education, which, in the
words of tlie donor, " is a debt due from the present
to future generations."
Of the original life Trustees Francis Peabody,
Jr., Samuel P. Fowler, Israel W. Andrews and Is-
rael H. Putnam are still on the hoard.
The first vacancies occurred in 1871, when Mr.
Braman and Mr. Preston resigned. It was then voted
that the term of office of trustees elected by the town
should be four years; and Mr. Preston and Melvin B.
Putnam were elected. In 1875 Mr. Preston and Ezra
D. Hines were elected. In 1877 Mr. Perry resigned
and Dr. W. W. Eaton- was elected in his place. In
1879 Mr. Preston and Mr. Hines were re-elected. At
the expiration of Dr. Eaton's term, in 1881, J.Peter
Gardner was elected. In 1883 Lucius A. Mudge and
William T. Damon were elected. In 1886 Mr. Gard
ner was re-elected. In 1887 Mr. Mudge and Mr.
Damon were re-elected, and Joseph W. Woodman
was also elected to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Daniel Richards.
A course of free lectures, concerts, etc., have been
annually provided since the winter of 1867-68, at an
average expense of about |500.
By an act of the Legislature, March 16, 1882, the
trustees were incorporated to hold jiroperty to the ex-
tent of 1300,000.
The list of librarians since the opening of the
Branch Library, — April 1, 1857, Nathaniel Hills;
June 24, 1865, 8. P. Fowler, pro tern. ; October 9,
1865, Wm. Kankin, Jr.; January, 1867, A. iSumner
Howard; April, 1882, Lizzie M. Howard; January 3,
1885, Emilie K. Davis. A few summers ago the
library was closed and the books classified and cata-
logued according to modern scientific methods. The
special committee were Dr. W. W. Eaton and Rev.
W. E. C. Wright, of the Maple Street Church. A
contemporaneous report says that " upon the latter
rested the heaviest burden of gratuitous work which,
he has shouldered, although it was a labor of love,
and carried through almost without stopping to rest
for six months. With what assistance the doctor
could find time to give, Mr. Wright has directed and
superintended every detail of its preparation, and ])er
formed himself a large part of the most responsible
and difficult work."
The whole number of volumes now in the library,
12,024; number of borrowers' cards issued, 2300;
average number of books delivered each day, 185.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
D.\NVERS— ( Conlhined).
INDU.STRIAL PURSDIT.S1— SOCIETIES — PHYSICIANS, ETC.
Ageiciilture. — Farming has of necessity been
moat developed within recent years in the line of
market-gardening. Proliably nowhere in the counly
can finer cultivated fields be seen than in this town.
Sun and rain, bugs and worms, remain as ever uncer-
tain elements, but there has been a wonderful ad-
vance in the application of scientific principles.
Very much of that broad plain, up which swept the
tide of original settlement, is devoted to this sort of
farming. The land here is rich and level, and every
acre is worked for all it is worth. The Danvers
onion is famous everywhere. Hundreds of barrels
are raised within half a mile of the Collins House.
Much of this land is comparatively new, "Turkey
Plain," as it used to be called, having been covered
with bushes within the memory of some living, and
a hundred years ago thought to be the poorest land
in town. The older fann.s are generally under thor-
ough and enterprising management. Many of them
make a specialty of producing milk.
An article by the editor of the Massachusetts
Ploughman , in that jiaper November, 1880, is author-
ity lor the statement that the reputation of Danvers
exceeds that of Weathersfield, Conn., for the cultiva-
tion of the onion, and, further, that " no town in the
State is so distinguished for its superior orcharding."
This statement will not here be challenged. If it be
true, it is well, and fits well to the fact that here on
the "Orchard Farm" of Governor Endicott the first
fruit trees of any account in New England — perhaps
the whole country — were raised. A hundred years
ago pear-trees were to be seen near every fiirm-house.
Some had a few plum and peach-trees. These bore
abundantly. Most of the apple-trees were then of
natural fruit, and the apples were largely consumed
in the shape of cider. An old cider-mill which stood
on the General Putnam place was thus constructed.
A trench was dug, fifteen inches wide and fifty feet
in circumference, and flat stones were placed on the
bottom ; the sides were of brick, eighteen inches deep.
Apples were thrown in this circular trench, and a
heavy stone wheel, drawn by horse-power and re-
volving about a central upright, did the squeezing.
The apparatus was taken down about 1819. Deacon
Joseph Putnam, who owned and carried on this mill,
and Abram Dodge, of Wenham, were the first in the
county to plant apple orchards of improved varieties
for growing winter apples for market. This was soon
after the Revolution. At that time farms were val-
ued not so much for their location as for the amount
of stock they would keep. The Clark farm was then
considered the best farm in Danvers, so Wni. R. Put-
nam has written. Before the discovery of the uses of
coal relieved the fear of a scarcity of wood, every
well-appointed farm included one or more peat lots.
Here and there peat sheds are still seen in the mead-
ows, but it is not common, as formerly, to see about
the farm-buildings carefully piled blocks of this sort
of fuel. Its most general use was from about 1780 to
about 1830.
The Essex Agricultural Society has from the first
DANVERS.
519
lieeii wannly supported by the fiirmers of Danvers.
Among the iueorporators of the society, June 12,
1818, were Frederick Howes and Jesse Putnam. The
Danvers men have always taken a good share of
premiums at the annual exhibitions, and they now
stand at the head of membership. Charles P. Pres-
ton was for twenty-five years secretary of the society,
resigning in 1885. Some minutes of the exhibition of
1848 show that Elijah Pope received the first pre-
mium for ploughing with double team, and Francis
Dodge the second. For working oxen, Orrin Putnam,
fourth ; Francis Dodge, fifth. Working steers,
Elijah Pope, second. Fat oxen, Perley Goodale,
first. Bulls, Orrin Putnam, second. Milch heifers,
Eben Putnam, third. Yearlings, Francis Dodge,
first. Sheep, Elijah Pope, gratuity, no premiums
given. June butter, Charle.s P. Preston, first ; same,
second for September butter.
Jonathan Perry came to Danvers in 180.3, wheu he was
twenty-one years old. In 1815 he bought the Towne
farm of some fifty acres, which has remained in the
family since that time. Mr. Perry was the first farmer
in Essex County to raise strawberries and dandelions
for the market, and for over thirty years he drove a
vegetable wagon to Salem. His sons, Horatio and
.James, followed the same business, and will long be
remembered and missed. Shortly before the death of
the former, a few months ago, ho furnished the writer
with scmie information in regard to his father, who
was a most excellent citizen. In the cause of temper-
ance and liberty he was first and foremost; he was
one of the five who first signed the total abstinence
]iledge and stood alone for more than a year; he
labored earnestly to start the first temperance store in
town ; he was one of the twelve Liberty Party voters in
1840; was captain ot the militia company for a num-
ber of years.
Shoe Busine.-^s. — All over this part of the country,
outside of tlie thickly settled villages, a peculiar type
of building may be noticed. It has grown dingy
from lack of paint, and cob-webs and old hats have
not unccimmonly usur|ied the glazier's work. Here
a hospital for decrepit plows and rusty guns, there
converted into sleeping apartments for poultry, now
freshened up into quarters for a " hired help,'' again
abandoned altogether, sitting cozily by the roadside
and near liy the home, ec[uipped with a chimney and
well supplied with windows, the olisorving stranger —
and it must be considerable of a stranger not to know
all about it — struck by the number of its duplicates,
could not fail to conclude that it was originally de-
signed for some use to which it is not now put.
The little building is a monument to the departed
days of the industry here spoken of. It is a shoe-
maker's shop. Here, for many years, the "stock"'
was brought from some one of the manufacturers,
and in the intervals between farm chores was made
up. [t was a family work shop, the boys learning
early to use hammer and awl, and the girls "closing"
and " binding." It was, too, a sort of educational
and political exchange. While the jiegs flew in at
the swil't strokes or the hlack-liall stick coursed round
the freshly trimmed edge, ears were open to some one
who read aloud what Horace Greeley said in the last
rribujie about Kansas. Town topics and national
legislation were here freely discussed, and the forever
unsettled ipiestions, which no man will solve until
the mystery itself comes, were likewise earnestly and
thoughtfully del)ated. Pair by pair the finished shoes
went back into the stock box, and when the sixtieth
completed the "set," the hinged lid was fastened
down and the old horse took a triji to town for pay
and fresh work. Business was steady, pretty much
the year round, and there was always the little land
to fall back upon, — no fear of slack times between
trades, and no labor troubles.
Machinery has closed the little .sho|is. First a sim-
ple roller replaced the old lap-stone. That made no
difference. Even when the pegging-machine was
successfully intrdduced "gangs" were formed, and
for a time the shops struggled against steam. But
-team concjuered, and here, as elsewhere, shoes have
been nuule by the hands of many men and women,
from cutter to packer, all working under one roof,
and, so far as possible, by the aid of pcjwer machin-
ery.
Danvers was a rei)re.sentative shoe-town in the
days of the old regime, and much business is here
done in the modern way. The first shoe manufac-
turer in town was Zerubbabel Porter, and a little
shop at the foot of Porter's Hill, standing until with-
in a few years, was the cradle of the business. Mr.
Porter was a tanner by trade, and he cotnraenced
making shoes in order to wurk up leather unsaleable
for custom trade. This was about the time of the
Revolution. That little shop, which was raised from
its first condition so that tanning was carried on in
the basement and shoemaking above, became a sort
of normal school in the latter art, fnmi which nuiiiy
graduated to success. About the time young Elias
Endicolt married Nancy ('reasy, of Beverly, in 17iM,
he, likewise a tanner and currier by trade, built a
little shop for that business. That shop now forms
the parlor of the present residence of Elias Endicott
Porter, above Putnamville. The young man pres-
ently added a second story, moved into it, and kept
at his business beneath.
More additions were made, and about the i-om-
mencement of this century, in a small shoji still used
as a woodshed, hi' too, following the example of his
brother-in-law, began to manufacture shoes. Both
found nuirkets in lialtimorc and other southern ports,
packing their goods in barrels and shipping them
from Salt-m on hoard of coasters.
Jonathan Porter worked for his cousin Zerubbabel
as early as 178(i, and anujiig hisajiprentices was Caleb
Oakes, who commenced to manufacture in the little
shop, and later built up a large and prosperous busi-
520
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ness at Danversport. His widowed mother, who was
a Putnam, came here from Portsmouth when he was
hut two years old. He was brought up by Colonel
Enoch Putnam, married Mehitable, daughter of Na
thaniel Pope, and is buried with her in the old Pope
buryingground. He was the father of William
Oakes, the distinguished botanist.
About 1789 a young boy of fourteen went to Jona-
than Porter, to learn his trade, and when he became
of age he took out work a year for Caleb Oakes.
One day, when he returned a set of shoes and found
no stock ready for him, Mr. Oakes sold him a little
leather and told him he might cut it up himself.
The next set of shoes he made he put into saddle-
bags and took them to Boston on horseback. From
this beginning Moses Putnam continued with patient
industry and sagacity until he became, in the neigh-
borhood which bears his name, the chief shoe manu-
facturer of the town. He followed the business
steadily for fifty-seven years, surviving two sons and
a son-in-law, all of whom had been as.sociated with
him.
Among other early manufacturers were Samuel
Putnam, Nathaniel Boardman, Eben Putnam, Major
.Toseph Stearns, Daniel Putnam, Gilbert Tapley, the
Prestons, Elias Putnam and Joshua Silvester. Fifty
years ago the business was confined mostly to Put-
namville, the Plains and the Port. About that time
James Goodale and Otis Mudge began to manufacture
at the Centre. In 18.54 there were thirty-five firms,
making more than a million and a half pairs annu-
ally, and giving employment to about twenty-five
hundred men and women.
Samuel Preston and Joshua Silvester were carrying
on business on opposite sides of the square at the
time of the great fire of 1S45. About 1830 Mr.
Preston was also running a store at Perley's corner.
David Wilkins did his teaming, going into Boston
four times a week with a pair of horses. He would
load up with cases of brogans and start at one or two
o'clock in the morning, and deliver the shoes at the
various wharves along old Commercial Street. Then,
with a load of groceries previously ordered, — molas-
ses, great boxes »( sugar bound with raw hide, and
with a hundred sides of leather on top of all, — he
drove back. One Hartwell at the Port was, at the
same time teaming for the Putnamville people, and
did a good business. Eater Mr. Wilkins, still a fa-
miliar figure with his lumber-wagon in our streets,
formed a partnership with the late D. J. Preston,
and took all the Boston teaming. It was the grow-
ing importance of the shoe business and the need of
banking accommodation that led to the establishment
of the Village Bank in 183(i. During the financial
crisis of the next year Danvers men lost heavily with
others. For twenty years there was prosperity, and
then the crisis of 18.57 and the demoralization of
business occasioned by the breaking out of the war,
forced many to the wall. Those who pulled through
or rallied afresh, had prosperous times during the
war.
Among those who have contributed to the fame of
Danvers as a shoe town within the past twenty or
thirty years, and who have either retired, deceased or
engaged otherwise in business, are John Sears, Daniel
F. Putnam, J. C. Butler, C. H. Gould, Ira P. Pope,
Alfred Fellows, J. R. Langley, Amos A. and Henry
A. White, Joel Putnam, Aaron Putnam, I. H. Put-
nam, William E. Putnam, I. H. Boardman, Henry
F. Putnam, Phinehas Corning, J. M. Sawyer, G. B.
Martin, G. H. Peabody.
The oldest established firm still in business is that
of E. and A. Mudge & Co. Edwin Mudge, senior
partner, commenced manufacturing in 1837, when
nineteen years old. From 1840 to 1847 he was asso-
ciated with his brother Otis. In 1849 he formed the
partnership with his brother Augustus, which, with
the admission of Edward Hutchinson in 18.58, has
since remained without fiirther change. After a num-
ber of expedients to accommodate their extensive
business, the firm erected a large three-story factory,
well fitted with all modern conveniences. It was sit-
uated close by the residences of its owners, and was
the life of the Center, but at present the tall chimney
is the melancholy moiuiment of its former existence.
It was burned about the first of June, 1885. Its loss
has not proved so disastrous to the Center as was
feared, for it so happened that the firm were able to
move at once into the factory they now occupy at the
corner of Pine and Holten Streets, Tapley ville, taking
their old help with them, and the horse cars make the
two villages practically one. Upon the corner men-
tioned, George B. Martin manufactured shoes, and
built up a prosperous business in a factory which, by
successive additions, had grown to great size, and
was occupied by Martin, Clapp and French (W. T.
Martin, son of (x. B.), when, on the night of February
23, 1883, the whole establishment and five adjoining
dwellings were burned. The firm at once rebuilt, but
they had not hmg occupied their fine factory before
they experienced serious labor troubles and were in-
duced to move their business to Dover, N. H. Thus
the Mudges were enabled to move into it at once after
their fire. G. W. Clapp withdrew from the Martin
firm at the time of its removal, and with W. A. Tap-
ley commenced the business carried on near the old
carpet factory. Other large shoe manufacturers are
C. C. Farwell & Co., J. E. Farrar & Co., Glover & Co.
and Eaton & Sears ; numerous other firms do a smaller
business.
BElcK-MAKiNfi. — Danvers bricks rival l)anvers
onions in their reputation for sterling qualities. Far-
mer Andrews' trip to Medford and young Jeremiah
Page's return with him, the origin of the business
here, has been mentioned in the sketch of the Plains.
Mr. Page continued the business, of which he was the
pioneer, to the close of his life, 180G, and at his de-
cease his son, John Page, and son-in-law, John Fow-
DANVERS.
521
ler, carried it on a few years iu partnership. Mr.
Page then continued the business alone, and witli
such energy and success that Page's bricks were wide-
ly known and in great demand. He is said to have
made the first "clapped bricks," which were really
pressed bricks, made before the invention of machin-
ery facilitated this most important feature of brick-
making. For many years Sir. Page was a large con-
tractor for government work, and many of his bricks
were used in fortifications and light-houses. A verr
large number were sent to Forts Taylor and Jefferson
on the Florida coast. In fact Danvers bricks were
the government standard, specifications calling for
them or others as good. Mr. Page had yards on both
sides of High Street, that on the we-sterly side extend-
ing beyond the location of the railroad and others on
South Liberty Street near the Peabody line.
Deacon Joseph Putnam and Israel, his brother,
nei)hews of tieneral Israel, many years ago made
bricks near the driving-park on Conant Street. The
Webbs, too, were early brick-makers, Nathaniel
Webb, grandfather of Putnam Webb, now living at
the Port, having a yard near the horse-car stables on
High Street. Jotham Webb was just beginning busi-
ness below the box-mill at the Port, when at the
Lexington alarm, he hurriedly donned his wedding
suit, and was brought back to his young bride slain
by a British bullet.
Josiah Gray was born in Beverly, but bis jiarenls
moved to Bridgeton, Me., when he w;is a small boy.
He came thither when a young man and learned to
make bricks under John Page. He then worked
some fifteen years making nails and anchors at the
iron works, but on the occasion of a sharp cut in
wages he began to make bricks in East Danvers, then
Beverly. He virtually made Liberty Street what it
is to-day, erecting a number of dwellings and setting
out the first shade trees. He died in 1873 at an ad-
vanced age, having been a most excellent citizen. The
business which he began has continued prosperously iu
his family for more than fifty years. In 18S1 the old
yard off" Liberty Street, then carried on by S. F. and
J. A. Gray was bought by the New England Pressed
Brick Company. Expensive works proved, however,
a poor substitute for simpler jjrocesses and the com-
jiany failed. J. A. Gray went to Maine, and S. F.
Gray, is carrying on the yard olf High Street, former-
ly worked by W. H. Porter.
Asa and Nathan Tapley and Matthew Hooper
were early brickmakers iu District No. 0. William
H. Walcott succeeded Nathan Tapley, and William
T. Trask succeeding Mr. Walcott, at present carries
on that yard. Isaac Evans, Samuel Low and Moody
Elliott were also among the early nuikers. G. H.
Day commenced business in LSGl ; his sons, G. H.
and E. F. Day, later. Samuel Trask, who succeeded
Mr. Evans, W. H. Porter, Edward Carr and H. E.
Elliott, began about the same time. At some time,
John C. Page made bricks on Lefavour's Plain,
33 J
South of Water's River, near Kernwcjod ; and ('harles
I'age in the large pasture near Crane Kiver bridge ;
this latter yard was reopened by the Grays, and some
of the bricks for the Danvers Lunatic Hos|)ilal, for
which they had the contract, were made here.
Jtdin Grout had a yard in tlie rear of his residence
on High Street. It is estimated that about five mil-
lion bricks are now annually made here, divided as
follows :
I'.. H. Day I,6u<),nOO
S. K. Gray I,(K)0,OOU
Wwiird Ciirr 1,000,000
I". .\. Oiillivan 800,(100
Sumiifl Tnisk 600,000
Will. T. Trask 400,0(JO
Of these, at least, a fifth are of first quality front
brick, rated in the market as good as any made in
New England.
PnysiCTANS. — ^\'ith the exception of an uncertain
report of a Dr. Gregg, said to have lived at Salem
Village iu 1(11)2, there is no evidence that the town
had any settled physician until about 1725, but de-
pended for medical and surgical services upon the
Salem doctors.
Jonathan Prince was [)robably born in Danvers
and was certaiidy the first resident physician of whom
there is any clear account. He studied medicine
with Dr. Toothaker, of Billerica, and was the pre-
cejitor of Drs. Amos Putnam and Samuel Holten.
He lived on the southern slope of Hathorne Hill, at
a spot nuirked by a cluster of pines. The house was
long since removed to the corner of Hobart and For-
rest Streets, where it is known as the " Hook house."
Amos PuT^^A.^[ was bom in Danvers 1722. He
pursued his medical studies with Dr. Prince, and
practiced in the town till the opening of the French
War, when he entered the service as a surgeon. At
the close of the war he returned to Danvers, and fol-
lowed his profession until he was more than eighty
years of age. He was a justice of the peace for many
years, and one of the most influential citizens of the
town. His grave is in a small inclosure near the
Collins House, marked by a ])lain head-stone, on
which is the following inscription : " Sacred to the
memory of Doct. Amos Putnam and Hannah Pliil-
hps, the wife of A. P." He died July 26, 1807, aged
eighty-five. She died Oct. 2, 1758, aged thirty-three.
Samuel Holten was more distinguished in our
history in other respects thau as a physician. An
outline of his Iiiography has been already given-
A];rH?:LAUsPuTNA,M was born in Danvers in 17-14.
His birth-place and residence through life was the old
Putnam homestead, near Wadsworth Cemetery. He
graduated from Harvard College in 17(13, and soon
after commenced to practice his profession in town.
He w:us a skillful |ihysician and surgeon, and a man
of great inflnence among his fellow-citizens. His
death occurred in LSOO, and his remains are buried iu
Wadsworth Cemetery.
522
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
James Putnam, son of Dr. Amos Putnam, was
born in Danvers about 1760, studied medicine and
was associated in practice with his father.
Andrew Nichols was born November 2, 1785,
died 1853. See sketch of his life and portrait.
Dr. Shed was a druggist rather than a practicing
physician. He was long town clerk, and something is
said of him in connection with that office. He lived
in the South Parish.
During the first years of this century quite a num-
ber of physicians began business in town, but after a
brief period removed to other localities. Among
these may be mentioned, Drs. Clapp, Cilley, Gould,
Porter, Patten and Carleton.
Dr. Carleton located at the Port, and was famous
as a "singing-master." Dr. Patten lived in what is
now the Bijss River House.
George Osgood was born in North Andover,
March, 1784. After receiving his medical degree he
came to Danvers and commenced practice in 1808.
He also joined the Massachusetts Medical Society
the same year. His home was for a time near the
village bank building, and afterwards near the Essex
depot, in the Abbott House. He was in active prac-
tice more than half a century, and during this long
time he was one of the most familiar figures in the
town. He was a son-in-law of Dr. Holten, and is
buried near the grave of the latter in the Holten
Cemetery. The'headstone bears this inscription:
Georoe Osgood, M.D.
He practiced medicine in tliis town fifty-five years.
Beloved and respected by all who knew him.
He passed to bis rest, fliuy "JG, 1863,
Aged 79 years, 2 months.
Ebenezer Hunt, whose name has often appeared
in these pages, for more than half a century prac-
ticed in this town of his adoption. He was born in
Nashua, N.H., April 13, 1799; died at Danversport, Oc-
tober 27, 1874. He graduated at Dartmouth Medical
College in 1822, and the next year settled here. He
was among the earliest and foremost in the temper-
ance and anti-slavery movements, and so ardent was
his patriotism that when war came he enlisted as as-
sistant surgeon in the Eighth Regiment. Radical in
his views, grufl' in manner, he was warm of heart
and skillful in his profession, and will long be re-
membered as a useful citizen.
David A. Geosvenor, Jr., a son of Dr. Grosve-
uor, of North Reading, was born in Manchester,
Mass., 1812. He pursued his medical studies with
his father, and also with Dr. Mussey, of Hanover,
N. H. He received his diploma as Doctor of Medi-
cine from Dartmouth Medical School in 1835. He
commenced practice in Rutland, Mass., in 1836, but
three years later came to Danvers and settled. His resi-
dence is on Elm Street, near the Esjex depot. He
became a member of the Ma-ssachusetts Medical So-
ciety in 1840.
J W. Snow, born in Eastham, Mass., October 10,
1820. Studied medicine at Harvard Medical School
and Hospital. Graduated at Pittsfleld College ; com-
menced practice at Liverpool, Nova Scotia, in 1847 ;
settled in Danvers, January 1, 1850 ; removed to
Saco, Me., in 1867, and shortly after to Boston, where
he now resides.
Dr. p. M. Chase was born in Bradford, Mass., May
11, 1828; entered Phillips Academy, Andover, in
1847 ; attended a medical course at Woodstock, Vt.,
in 1853; was a pupil of Dr. H. B. Fowler, of Bristol,
N. H. ; entered the Medical Department at Dart-
mouth College in 1854, and in 1855 entered Harvard
Medical School, and graduated from Harvard Medi-
cal College in 1857 ; located at Danvers as practicing
physician in 1857;, was commissioned examining sur-
geon for recruits in the Rebellion in 1861 ; in 1874
was commissioned United States Examining Surgeon
for Pensions; in 1875 was commissioned surgeon in the
Eighth Regiment, M. V. M. ; was a Democratic can-
didate for State Senator in 1874-75. He died at his
residence, corner of Locust and Oak Streets, January
4, 1887.
Lewis AVhiting, homeopathist, was born in Han-
over, Mass., January 24, 1832; he graduated from the
Bridgewater Normal School, and taught school till his
health failed ; began the study of medicine at Belle-
vue Hospital, N. Y., in 1861 ; was afterwards two
years in the navy as surgeon's steward ; continued his
studies in 1864 at the College of Physicians and Sur-
geons, in New York, and graduated in 1865 at the
New York Homeopathic Medical College; settled in
Danvers August, 1865. Residence on Putnam
Street.
William Winslow Eaton, born in Webster, Me.,
May 20, 1836 ; graduated from Bowdoin College in
1861 ; began the study of medicine, in I860, with Dr.
Isaac Lincoln, of Brunswick ; took his first and second
course of lectures in 18(«1 and '02, at the Maine Medi-
cal School ; was a pui)il of Dr. Valentine Mott in the
winter of '63 and graduated at N.Y. University in 1864;
entered the military service as assistant surgeon of the
Sixteenth Regiment, Maine Infantry, in 1862 ; was
promoted to surgeon and served three years ; began
practice in South Reading, Mass., in 1865; removed to
Danvers in April, 1867; was elected a member of the
Maine Medical Association, and of the Massachu-
setts Medical Society in 1865. Residence on Holten
Street, near the Peabody Institute. Dr. P^aton has
served on the school committee, as trustee of Peabody
Institute, and in other public capacities, and has been
recently elected president of the Walnut Grove Ceme-
tery corporation.
D. Homee Batcheldee, born in Londonderry,
N. H., 1811, graduated at Berkshire Medical College
in 1840, practiced thirteen years in Londonderry,
then removed to Cranston, R. I., from which town he
came to Danvers in December, 1876. His residence
was at the Port, and after a few years he moved else-
where and was succeeded by Dr. Frost.
DANVERS.
523
Edgar O. Fowler was born in Bristol, N. H.,
May 7, 1S53 ; graduated at New Hampton Institute;
studied medicine with his father, Dr. H. B. Fowler,
of Bristol, N. H. ; was a student at Bellevue Medical
College and Long Island Hospital, N. Y., in 1872 and
1873 ; graduated at Dartmouth Medical School with
the degree of M.D. in 1873 ; commenced practice in
Danvers in 1874 ; joined the Massachusetts Medical
Society in 1875; died suddenly of heart disease, May
1, 1884.
Woodbury G. Frost wa-s born in Brunswick, Me. ;
graduated at Bowdoin College in 1800 ; taught school
before and after graduation ; received degree of A.M.
in 18()3, and the degree of M.D. in ISfili ; was acting
assistant surgeon under Farragut in the W. G. B.
Squadron ; practiced medicine twenty years in Free-
port and Portland, Me., and in Danvers, Mass. ;
served on school committees in Maine, and at pres-
ent is on the Danvers board.
Drs. F. a. Gardner and Cowles recently prac-
ticed here a short time.
Dr. H. F. Batchelder, horaeopathist, has lately
settled.
Lawyers. — At least three natives of North Dan-
vers have risen to high judicial positions, — Samuel
Holten, as probate judge of Essex County; Samuel
Putnam, as justice of the Su|)reme Ci>urt of Ma.ssa-
chusetts ; and Rufus Tajdey, a.s justice of the Supreme
Court of Maine. Hon. Nathan Read came also to
be a Maine judge. Arthur A. Putnam ha-s been, if he
is not still, judge of a local court in Worcester
County. Judge Cummings of the Massachusetts
Supreme Court ; Frederick Howes of the Burley
Farm ; Abner C. Goodell, long Register of Probate
at Salem ; and Mellen Chamberlain, ex-chief justice
of the Municipal Court of Boston, and now superin-
tendent of the Boston Public Library, have lived in
North Danvers. Wm. Oakes was a lawyer, and prac-
ticed somewhat in Ipswich, but devoted himself
chiefly to botany. Among those who have jiracticed
here and gone elsewhere are William (t. Choate, A.
A. Putnam and Horace L. Hadley. A few devoted
martyrs still remain to pour on oil when life's waters
are troubled. Their names, — J. W. Porter, E. L. Hill,
D. N. Crowley and A. P. White. Stephen H. Phil-
lips, at one time attorney-general of Massachusetts,
has within a few years taken up his residence on a
part of the estate which was formerly owned by his
father. A number of distinguished lawyers, includ-
ing Rufus Choate, practiced in that part of Danvers
which is now Peabody, and their names, here pur-
posely omitted, will be found in the sketch of that
town elsewhere in this book.
The Danvers Li'NATir Hospital. — That is the
official name, and though it doesn't slide so easily
from the tongue as insane asylum it doubtless is pro-
fessionally more correct. The act of 1873 author-
ized the Governor to appoint commissioners to select
and buy a site for a new hospital for the insane, to
be located in the northeastern part of the State.
S. C. Cobb, of Boston, C. C. Esty, of Framingham,
and Edwin Walden, of Lynn, were so appointed, and
they selected Hathorne Hill, in Danvers, then owned
by Francis Dodge, as the best location. From an
aesthetic and hygienic point of view, the situation of
the great institution is superb, and the beautifully
kept grounds on the summit of the sightly hill add
much to the attractiveness of Danvers, yet on prac-
tical grounds, the wisdom of placing the building so
high has beeu questioned.
Work was commenced on the hill May 1, 1874. The
hospital was ready for use in May, 1878. The cost
of buildings, land, etc., at the latter date was $1,599,-
287.49. The first superintendent was Calvin S. May,
M.D., who served from May 13, 1878, to August 9,
18S0. William B. Goldsmith, M.D., was appointed
superintendent March 1, 1881, and resigned Febru-
ary 1, 188t), to accept a similar position at the Butler
Hospital, Providence, R. I. During the year's ab-
sence of Dr. Goldsmith in Europe, July 15, 1883, to
July 15, 1884, Henry R. Stedman, M.D., was acting
superintendent. William A. Gorton, the present
su|)erintendent, was ajipointed on the date of Dr.
Goldsmith's resignation.
The first board of trustees were Charles P. Preston,
of Danvers, Daniel S. Richardson, of Lowell, Gard-
ner A. Churchill, of Boston, Samuel W. Hopkinson,
of Bradiord, James Sturgia, of Boston. The present
board, 18S7, include Messrs. Preston, Richardson and
Hopkinson, and also Harriet R. Lee, of Salem, Solon
Bancroft, of Reading, Dr. Orville F. Rogers, of Bos-
ton, Florence Lyman, of Boston.
Dr. May was treasurer as well as superintendent.
After his resignation the offices were separated, and
Stephen C. Rose, of Marblehead, was ajjpointed
treasurer. He served from August 9, 1880, to Sep-
tember 1, 1882, when his successor, Charles H. Gould,
of Danvers, who at present holds the office, was ap-
pointed. There are now, July, 1887, in the institu-
tion seven hundred and fifty patients. The receipts
for the past year were §151,598.95 ; payments, $149,-
887; balance in favor of the institution, $1711.95.
The coal bill was about $2500.
The officers at the hospital, 1887, are as follows:
superintendent, William A. fiorton ; lady physician,
Julia K. Carey ; first a.ssistant physician, Edward P.
Elliot; second assistant, Milo A. Jewott; third as-
sistant, Arthur H. Harrington; treasurer, Charles
H. Gould ; steward, Nathaniel W. Slarbird, Jr. ; clerk,
C. A. Reed; engineer, G. A. Lufkin ; farmer, S. S.
Pratt.
Literary Societies. — Probably the first was the
"New Mills Lyceum," organized December 24, 1832.
Its original members were Wm. Francis, Alfred Por-
ter, J. P. Harriman, Edward Stimpson, Hathorne
Porter, Samuel Mclntire, Jr., Benj. Porter, Aug.
Fowler, Jere. Page, Jr., Wm. Black, Wm. Endicott,
Wm. Cheever, Edward Perry, Wm. Chaplin, David
524
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Taylor, John Perkins, Samuel D. Pindar, H. G. Bix-
by, Moses W. Wilson, Edward D. Verry, Joseph
Merrill.
The meetings were held in the school-house or
Baptist vestry. Many of the young men who be-
came conspicuous in the anti-slavery movement
" learned to talk " in this debating club.
Nearly fifty years ago the North Danvers Lyceum
used to hold its meetings in the hall of the old tav-
ern, which hall was part of the mansion once stand-
ing on Folly Hill. On one side sat the ladies, on the
other the gentlemen. The dignitaries, chief among
whom were the ministers. Dr. Branian and others,
sat at the head of the hall. Just how long the Ly-
ceum continued its existence cannot be stated, but
that for a time its meetings were the scenes of many
vigorous and beneficial discussions on all sorts of
topics, and by men who were no mean gladiators in
sucli combats there is ample testimony. Mrs. Phil-
brick has preserved thi.s interesting notice :
"The question for debute on "Wednesday evening, December 25th,
provided there be no lecture is —
'* Will the present pressur(3 in business on the whole be a benefit to tiie
community ?
" PISPUTANTS.
I P Proctor, 1 to- ,■ 0. A. Woodbury',! ,, ,.
J. D. Pliilbrick, > Otis Mudge. J
" North Danvers, December 18, 1839.
" Mr. PiriLBBU'K :
" At a meeting of N. D. Lyceum you were chosen one of the Library
Committee for coming season.
" I. P. Proctor, Secretary."
The BowDlTCH CiAiB, which liad its origin among
the young men of Putnaniville, grew to a flourishing
and very useful existence, and lived far longer than
such societies usually do. Its first meetings were
held in the Putnamville school-house in 1857, and
one of its original members and most enthusiastic
supporters has informed the writer that so earnestly
were questions debated that after adjournment certain
members who lived at the Port would be accompanied
and argued with all the way home.
The club held its meetings at the Plains after 1858
or 1859, and in 1870 moved into very comfortable
quarters in the Bank Building. A halfa dozen years
later it died the inevitable slow death of its kind. It
has left a fine record, and was long an efficient agen-
cy in the promotion of culture. The club maintained
an annual lecture course, before the Peabody free
course, and brought here the best talent to be had.
Its own entertainments were of a high tone and al-
ways interesting. The " Bowditch Club Dinner"
was long a feature of each winter, and a " picnic "
was held each summer. It would be well, indeed,
for the town, were ju.st such another society in ex-
istence to-day.
The Holten Lyceum, Wadsworth Association, and
perhaps other societies, have had their day and ceased
to be, at the Centre. A number of other.s might be
mentioned, the Shakespeare Club, the Atlas Society,
etc., etc.
The Danvers Scientific Association was organized
September 27, 1882, and has held fortnightly meet-
ings at Peabody Institute. The Sawyer Club is an
active literary and social organization composed prin-
cipally of members of the Universalist Society.
The Danvers Women's Association. — On the
18th of April, 1882, a number of ladies met with Miss
A. L. Page, under a call to all interested in ibrming a
society among the women of Danvers for considera-
tion of matters of common interest, furtherance of
woman's work, general improvement and social en-
joyment. One week later, the first regular meeting
w.is held at Miss Shepherd's, where, also, officers
were elected and a code of by-laws adopted, under
the name of the " Danvers Women's Association ;"
and until November following, meetings were held in
private houses. Then the Grand Army Hall was
used until January 1, 1884, when the As.sociation took
and fitted rooms especially for its own use, in the
Ropes building. Upon the completion of the new
post-oflice building it moved into its present quar-
ters, comprising the whole of both upper floors. The
membership of the Association has been for some
time necessarily limited to one hundred and twenty,
and the number is always full. Meetings have been
regularly held on Tuesday afternoons, for seven
months each year, at which instructive papers or
talks have been given, usually by friends from out of
town. Three times each winter " social teas " have
been held, to which gentlemen have been invited.
To a renuvrkable degree the club has been success-
ful in its aim towards 'general improvement and
social enjoyment," and in tending to break down
whatever prejudices or exclusiveness naturally clung
to the several religious societies it has been a potent
influence in the right direction. Mrs. Harriet L.
Wentworth has been its president from its fiirmation.
The other officers at present (1887) are: Vice-Presi-
dents, Mrs. E. A. Spoflord, Mrs. C. E. Whijiple. Treas-
urer, Mrs. V. A. Burrington. Secretary, Miss Mary
W. Nichols. Directors, one year. Miss Maria L.
Fowler, Mrs. Sarah D. Merrill, Mrs. Abby Hutchin-
son, Mrs. Alice G. Richards. Two years, Mrs. Mary
L. Ewing, Mrs. Julia S. Spalding, Mrs. Hattie R.
Keith, Miss Isabel B. Tapley.
Secret Societies. — They are a small legion. Yet
let no man with a new " improved " or " ancient " or
otherwise peculiar " order " hesitate to come. There
are still plenty of "joiners."
Free Masonry goes back nearly a hundred and ten
years in Danvers, to the organization of the " United
States Lodge," May 1, 1778. It ante-dated the Essex
Lodge of Salem by one year. Among the members
of the "United States" were Samuel Page, Jethro
I'utnam, Daniel Squiers and the famous drummer
of New Mills, Richard Skidmore.
The latter was Tyler, and the jewels and regalia
were destroyed at the burning of his house in 1805.
The lodge had ceased to hold regular meetings be-
DANVERS.
525
fore this, ita decay being attributed to tlie eulistinent
of so inany of its members in tlie Revolution. A new
lodge — the Jordan Lodge — was established in ISOS, the
meetings of whicdi were held many years at Berry's
tavern, but during the anti-masonry excitement, from
1825 to lS3o, meetings were held in South Danvers,
and only often enough to preserve the charter. The
furniture, regalia, etc., were moved there, and
when regular meetings were resumed the lodge
kept and hiis since retained its establishment in South
Danvera (Peabody). Many North Danvers Masons
went thither until 1863, when Amity Lodge was es-
tablished here and provided itself with the comfort-
able quarters in the Bank buihling, which are ex-
clusively used for secret society purposes. The first
regular c<immunication of Amity Lodge was held
October 2tj, ]8()3. Seven years later thirty-three of
the members petitioned for a new lodge, and the
present Mosaic Lodge, which was chartered October
30, 1871, was the result.
The Holten Royal Arch Chapter was constituted
March 12, 1872.
There is but one lodge of t)dd Fellows, — Danvers
Lodge, Number 103. It was instituted September 13,
1870.
The following list of other societies is perhaps not
full ; the date is that of establishment :
Wnr.J Port 'in, G. A. R : lune S, 1M09
.4gawam Tribe, Imp. Onlw of lii-d Mcu Fob. 24, l«7o
Fraternity Lodge, Kniglits of Honor Mar. 14, 1877
Arcadian Council, No. '249, Royal Arcaunni Feb. 10, 1S79
Danvers Union Equihibln Aid, No. 2S Nov. W, 1879
Danvers Lodge, A. O. of Uniled Wor1<nieu May 28, 1881
Tuesday Evening Aid Society Oct,24. 1881
Hawtliornu t!ouucil, No. 7r».^., Legion of Honor Oct. 1881
State Grand I'nion Ecjuitable XUl May 1.5, 1882
Ward Relief Corps, No. 12 (Women) April 12,1883
Wauliewan Tribe, No. 10, Imp. Order of RedMen,... April 3, 1886
Daughtei-s of I'otabontaa 1887
CHARTER XXXIX.
B\nVERii— (Continued).
CIVIL HISTORY.
Olti Officeks. — Under the act of February 13,
17811, any town might "give liberty for swine to go
at large during the whole or part of the year," pro-
vided they were yoked throughout spring and summer,
and "constantly ringed in the nose," the legal yoke
to be " the full depth of the swine's neck, above
the neck, and half as much below the neck, and
the soal, or bottom of the yoke full three times as
long as the breadth or thickness of the swines." To
see that the laws were enforced, officers called "hog-
reeves " were regularly elected until 1827. Many
honorable and well-known men were incumbents of
this office, seeminglv not alluring to ambition. Israel
Hutchinson, Jonathan Osborn and Jonalhan Trask
were on the first board.
Daniel Rea was, in 1752, commissioned "to take
care that ye Laws Relating to ye Preservation of
Deer be observed." " Deer-reeves " were chosen from
1765 to 1797; the first, William Poole and George
Wiatt ; the last, Eleazer Putnam and Timothy
Fuller.
A Sealer of Weights and Measures was first chosen
in 175'.>, and but for the resignation of Francis Sy-
monds, of the Bell Tavern, hi.s posterity, instead of
the descendants of Joseph Pairpont, might now
claim the ancestral honor of having first adjusted
the pints and pecks of the town to legal standard.
Sealers of Leather were chosen from the very first,
and the office was not altogeiher discontinued
until within a few years. Israel Cheever and James
Upton were the first leather measurers. Deacon S.
P. Fowler has in his possession one of the old iron
seals mentioned in this memorandum :
" .Tune 18, 170.5. Two Sett of Maries or Seals, was Provided at tlie Cost
of tlie Town for Sealing of Leatber according to the Law of the Prov-
ince and the same delivered to ttie Sealel'S of Leatln?r for tlie Present
year, the Tees arc for Sealing of Tanned Leather, and tlie Cees for Cur-
ried Leatlier. Bv order of Selectmen.
" Auiii. IIMK. T. Clerk."
" Wardens " were elected from 1761 to 1790. The
first to hold that office were .leremiah Page, Bar-
tholomew Rea, (lideon Foster, and Joseph Osborne ;
and the la-st, Benjamin I'roctor and Oliver Putnam.
The last "clerks of the market," chosen in 1800,
were Joseph Osborn, Jr., Gideon Foster, Samuel
Page and Nathaniel Putnam, Jr.
Whether or not it was common for the selectmen to
appoint sextons, the only record of such appoint-
ments is in 1821, the appointees being Isaac Munro,
Bartholomew Dempsey and William Johuison.
From 1752 to 1791 "haywards" were annually
chosen. Jonathan Putnam and John Osbon were
the first ; Jno. Dodge and Gideon Putnam the last.
That hay-scales were not in existence here earlier
than 1770, witness the following interesting jie-
tition :
"The Petition of Francis Syiiicjiids to tlie Selectmen .if Iianvers for tlie
Present year 17711 .Signifieth that they grant hiin the following Request
on the following Conditions Namely that he may Erect a Convenient
pair of Sliails or Stilyards that will answer to way t!ait or Sleil Loails of
bay that are liongbt and Sold in our Marliets, and that .Said .Selectmen
Enter it in our Said Danvers Tt.wn Book.
'* That no other Person within two miles of the I'etitiuiier shall have
the Liberty or IJrant from us to Eiitercept him by Entering the liUr or
any Skails or Stilyards for said puipow for Twenty year provided and it
is understood that said Synionds hath this l.'rant allowed him by ns Ibe
said Select Men im those Conditions That he keep said Skails or Stilyards
in gooil order and see tliein well tended and that be tUnirges no more for
his waying hay or anyUiing Ells Then the Conion Price Now tleiitle-
men as I trust you will Observe the need we have of such a Convenience
and how Likely to Ilennefit our Nabonrwbod for wliicb Reson I trust
you will due it as well as this to oblige youi
Francis Symonds ItuMvers .liuie I7lli 1770.
hoinhnl Sarvent. Signed
Wil.r.!.\M SlIII.I.AllEK.
".loNATiiAN Buxton.
" .lOHN I'KKSro.N.
".loiiN Pi;tnam.
The four Persons Above named was Select Men of the Town of Han-
526
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
vers for the year 1770 : and I have Recorded the above in the Town
Book According to their order.
" Att: Sam : Holten Jun T. Cler.
Captain Jouathan Ingersoll, Benajah Collins and
Samuel Page were chosen in 1811 "to consider the
expediency of the Town erecting hay-scales," and
their report sets forth the need of such scales near
the south meeting-house, " and we also find that a
considerable quantity of hay is annually purchased
on the road leading from the plains (so-called) to
Salem, and that a hay-scale erected in some suitable
place on that road would make it very convenient for
the inhabitants of that part of the Town, and further,
we find from the best information we can obtain that
the expense of erecting one hay-scale with all the
apparatus thereto will amount to about one hundred
and seventy-five dollars."
The acceptance of this report was doubtless the
origin of certain massive arrangements of beams,
tackle and steel-yards, which, within the memory of
older citizens, stood nearly in front of the Baptist
Church at Danverspnrt, and which weighed whatever
was driven beneath by liftiug wagon and load bodily
from the ground. The selectmen were, in 1836, in-
structed to sell " the Hay Scales at the Neck."
Among those who were licensed to knock down
the goods and chattels of their friends and neighbors
under the auctioneer's hammer in the first quarter ot
this century were Sylvester Proctor, John Fowler,
Benjamin Porter, Captain Thomas Putnam, Eleazer
Putnam, Joseph Shed, Porter Kettell and Stephen
Upton. Dr. Shed was an auctioneer from 1818 near-
ly or quite all the time to his death, in 1853. Those
who began service in the second quarter were William
D. Joplin, Hathorne Porter, Edward Stimpson,
Squires Shove, Daniel P. Clough, Thomas Trask ;
since 1850, Richard Hood, William Dodge, S. D.
Shattuck, Alfred Porter, John A. Putnam, Charles
H. Rundlett, William B. Morgan, George Faxon, T.
P. Conway.
The tax collectors of the early years of the town
glad enough doubtless to meet with ready payment
in any sort of money, were nevertheless bothered to
reduce the several kinds of currency, silver and con-
tinental notes of old and new issues, to a common
standard. Distraining and tax sales were rare, and
abatements common. The assessors left sbort min-
utes of their reasons for abatement, such as " Gone,"
" Poor and dead," " G. P's dam gave way," " Under
captivity by the Indians," " Taxed twice," " Taxed
wrong," " Old and lost bis faculty," " Poor widow,"
" Being gone to sea fishing," " Being not well," " Broke
his leg," " Not 16 years old."
A move was made as early as 1813 towards the
creation of a Board of Health. At that time certain
persons asked the town to petition the Legislature
for authority to elect such officers. The proposition
was dismissed, however, and not till nearly twenty
years later, 1832, was the first board chosen. Its
members were Benjamin Jacobs, Oliver Saunders, J.
W. Proctor, Thomas Cheever, Samuel Preston, Jo.seph
Stearns, Jeremiah Putnam, Robert S. Daniels and
Richard Csborn. Since then a Board of Health have
been annually chosen.
Town Clerks and Records. — The records of
the town clerks have reached the thirteenth volume.
As a whole, they have been kept remarkably well.
A good recording oflicer must have continually in
mind the fact that the writing will outlive the writer
and must preserve in his records a full and clear
statement of events which shall be of use when they
can no longer be aided by the memory of any. Such
true quality was possessed by our earliest town clerks,
and the spirit has been, for the most part, transmitted
through the line. In one hundred and thirty-five
years of town life there have been twenty different
clerks, the average length of whose terms is about
six and a half years. Since 1800 there have been
but seven, the terms of three of whom comprise sev-
enty-three years. Here follows a complete list of
TOWN CLERKS.
1762-53. Daniel Epea, Jr.
1777. Sanuiel Flint.
1754-56. .lames Prince.
1778-86. Stephen Needham.
1757. Benjamin Prescott, Jr.
1787. Jonathan Sawyer.
1758-61). James Prince,
1788-9(1. James Porter.
1761. Benjamin Presrott, Jr.
1791-94. Gideon Foster.
1762. Gideon Putnam.
I79S-1SU(I. Joseph Oshorn, Jr
1763. Thoma<i Porter.
18U1-28, Nathan Felton.
1764-66. Archelaus Dale.
1829-34. Benj.Jacohs.
1767. Thomas Porter.
1835-53. Joseph Shed.
1768-71. Samuel Holten, Jr.
1864-65. Nathan H. Poor.
1772. Gideon Putnam.
1856. Edwin F. Putnam.
1773-75. Samuel HoUen, Jr.
1857-85. A. Sumner Howard.
1776. Stephen Needliam.
1886. Joseph E. Hood.
Mr. Howard's twenty-eight years is the longest ser-
vice, and was appropriately recognized by apprecia-
tive resolutions when he declined to serve longer.
Mr. Poor, who was clerk of the old town at the time
of division, has ever since been retained as clerk of
South Danvers and Peabody. Before the building of
the town-houses the records followed the abode of the
clerks. A small projection in front of ouq of the
houses where the old Ipswich Road crosses the An-
dover turnpike, and begins to climb Hog Hill, is re-
called by a few aged people as the headquarters of
Nathan Felton, whom they remember as an old man
dispensing the rude justice of a country squire.
Much of biographical interest might and ought to be
written of many of these town clerks, but space here
forbids. Perhaps the model clerk of all was Dr.
Shed, a man who evidently loved to make his records
clear and beautiful. He was a physician of the
South Parish, residing on the main street opposite
and a little below the old bank building, where he
also had an apothecary store. Dr. Shed was a justice
of the peace, and he drew and acknowledged most of
the deeds by which his fellow-citizens made their
real-estate conveyances. His death was formally an-
nounced at a meeting in Granite Hall April 11, 1853,
DANVERS.
5:^7
when Dr. Hunt presented resolutions of regret and
respect, and the selectmen and other town officers
were directed to attend, in official capacity, the fu-
neral.
Up to the annual meeting (if 1887, the town has held
nine hundred and forty meetings. Of this number,
309 were held in the several meeting-houses of the
First or North Church (of which number 25 were in
the " Brick Meeting-house," and 22 at " Village Hall,"
the basement of the present meeting-house), 293
were held in the South Meeting-house, 2 in school-
house No. 5, 17 at Liberty Hall, 2 at Chapman's
Tavern, 4 at the hall of Benjamin Goodridge, 96 at
Union Hall, 39 at Granite Hall (vestry of the Maple
Street Church), 172 in the Town-Hall, 6 at places not
named. One of the meetings at " Liberty Hall, in
the house occupied by Geo. Southwick, Jun., Inn
holder," was called there in 1828 by reason of the re-
fusal of the proprietors of the South Church to allow
the use of their house, and at this meeting a familiar
parliamentary form was slightly but pungently va-
ried ; it was voted " that the communication from the
Proprietors of the South Meeting-house pass under
the table."
The first attempt at a systematic index of the
records was made in 1832. Then the selectmen were
directed to have made a " digested index of the town
records from the commencement thereof in a book
specially for this purpose, with reference to the vol-
ume and page in which the subject may l)e found.''
They were to allow such compensation for the work
as when completed they should judge it worth.
Nine years later, on petition of J. W. Proctor and
others, the index was brought up to date, and it was
then made the duty of the clerk to make an annual
index. Measures were taken in 184(5 " for keeping
the records in one office, rather than in separate
places, as now kept." But the old indexes have been
found to be imperfect, and, with the accumulated
records of later years, need has been felt of a new in-
dex, based upon a thorough and systematic overhaul-
ing of the originals. A few years ago J. W. Porter,
J. A. Putnam and I. W. Andrews were appointed to
take the matter in hand. They consulted at first and
from time to time with William P. Upham, an expert
in such matters, and obtained the services of Miss
Helen Tapley to do the practical work. The town
clerk's records have all been thus indexed, and it is
safe to say that no other town can surpass the ac-
curacy and general excellence of this work, and but
few can equal it. A new vault has been constructed
for files and plans in the basement, and the old one
for ordinary use has been much enlarged.
Moderators. — From 1752 to 1887, inclusive,
thirty-five diflerent men have presided over the one
hundred and thirty-five annual town-meeting.s. A
list of these moderators arranged chronologically ac-
cording as their names first appear, with subsequent
vears of service, if any, given, is as follows, the right
hand column showing at a glance the total service of
each :
Years.
llanicl Epc«, Ksc|., n.i2, 'M 2
Cnpl TI"W. I'"r(i-r, 1754 1
Ilimiel Epc's, .Ir., Esi]., nSS, '66, 'itT, '59, '60, '65, '06, '67 8
Samuel Flint, 1758 1
ThulnaB Porter, 17(;l, '62, '6:i, '71, '72 5
Deaoon Maladli Felton, 1704 1
Saliiu.'l Hnlten, ,Ir., 1708, '81, '84, '86, '87, '89, '9(1, 1796-1812.. 24
Ciiieon I'ntiiani, 1709. '7'J, '83, '85, '9:i, '94, '95 7
Archelans Hale, 17711, '7:i, '76 3
Capl. Win Sliillalier, 1774, "75, '77, '78, '88, '91. "92 7
Aniiis Putiiniii, 1780, '82 2
Samuel Page, 1813, '14 2
Dr. Andrew Nichols, 181.i, '10, '17 3
I)r. Joseph Shed, 1818 1
Dr. George Osgood, ISl'.l, '21, '25, '35 4
Capt. Thos. Putnam. 1820...-. I
Nathan Poor, 1822, '23.i'24 3
Robert S. Daniels, 1826 1
Elias Putnam, 1837. '29, '31 3
Lewis Allen, 182S, '40, '48, '.lO, '62, '54 6
John W. Proctor, 18:i0, '32, '34, '36, '38, '40 6
John Preston, 183.3, S" 2
Samuel P. Fowler, 1839, '43 2
Abel Nichols, 1841 ■. 1
Daniel P. King, 1842 1
Jonathan Shove, 1844 1
Moses Black, Jr., 1845, '47, '51 3
Janu-s D. Black, 1849, '53, '66, '57, '05 5
Israel W. Andrews, 18.%, '7(1, '77 3
Wm. Endicott, 1868, '59, '02, '63, '66, '67, '68, '69 8
A. A. Putnam, 1800, '61 2
Charles P. Preston, 1804 1
George Tapley, 1871, '72, '74, '78, '79, '8U, '81 7
George J. .Sanger, 1873, '75, '70, •»>, '83, '84 6
Daniel N. Crowley, 1886, '86 2
Alden P. White, 1887 1
It may be noticed with what regularity honors al-
ternated from say, 1826, to division, 1856, the office
being held by north parish men odd years, and by
south parish men even years.
Treasurers. — There have been from 1752 to 1887,
inclusive, twenty-one treasurers of the town, as
follows :
Years.
James Prince, 1752, '.IS 2
Samuel King, 1754 1
.loseph Osborne, 17.'i.''i, 50 2
Cornet Samuel Holten, 1757, '68 2.
Joseph Southwick, 1769 1
James Smith, 1700-09 10
Thos. Porter, 177(3-72 3
Jeremiah Page, 177.3, '74 2
Stephen Proctor, 177.5-83 9
Gideon Putnam, 1784-88 5
Samuel Holten, 1789-1812 24
.Samuel Page, 1813, '14 2
Ward Pool, 181.1-18 4
Edward Southwick, 1819-24 0
Eheuczer Shilhiber, 1825-31 7
Robert S. Daniels, 1832, '41-48 9
Stephen rpt(Ui, 183.3-40 8
Abner Sanger, 1849 I
Francis Baker, 18.50-65 0
William L. Weston, 1850-82 27
,\. Frank Welch, 1882-87 '^
Rei'REsentativks.— The following men have rep-
resented Danvers in the <Tcneral Court, arranged by
consecutive years after 18(»2, when the town began to
send several representatives annually :
528
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
Daniel Epee, Jr., 1754, '56, '56, '57, '65, '67.
Daniel Gariiner, 175W.
Thomas I'ui-ter, 1760, '61, '62, 'C3, '65.
John Preston, 1764.
Samuel HoKen, Jr., 1768, '69, '70, '71, '7'2, '73, '75, '80, '87.
Wni. Shillaher, 1776.
Samuel Epes, 1776.
Jeremiah IIutchitiBon, 1777, '78, '70, '80-83, '85-88.
Gideon Putnam, 1784.
Israel Hutehinson, 1789, '91-'.)5, '97, '98.
t'aleh Low, 1790.
Gideon I"o.ster, 1796, '99, lS(Hl-2.
1804. — Gideon Foster, (_'apl. .Samuel Page, Dr. Nathan Read.
1805. — Gideon Foster, .Samuel Page, Nathan Felton.
180C. — Gideon Foster, Samuel Page, Nathan Felton.
1807.— Nathan Felton.
1808. — Samuel Page, Nathan Felton, Squiers Shove.
1809. — Samuel Page, Nathan Felton, ,Squlers Shove.
1810. — Samuel Page, Nathan Felton, Dennison Wallis.
1811. — Samuel Page, Nathan Felton, Dennison Wallis, Daniel Putnam.
1812. — Samuel Page, Nathan Felton, Dennison Wallis, James Foster.
1813.— Samuel Page, Nathau Felttni, Deunison Wailis, .lames Foster.
1S14. ^Samuel Page, Nathan Felton, Sylvester Osborn, Hezekiah
Flint.
1815.— Nathan Felton, Sylvester Osborn, Hezekiah Flint, William P
Page.
1816. — Nathau Felton, William P. Page, Frederick Howes, John
Swinertou, Jr.
1817. — Daniel Putnam, Sylvester Osborn, Frederick Howes, Thomas
Putnam.
1818.— Frederick Howes.
1819. — Nathan Felton, Dennison Wallis, Daniel Pntuam, Thouiiis
Putnam.
1820-21.— Nathan Felton.
1«2'2. — William Sutton.
1823. — Ehenezer Shillaher, John Page, Nathau Poor, Nathaniel Put-
nam.
1824.— Nathan Poor.
1825.— John Page, John Endicott.
1826. — Jonathan Shove, Kufus Choate.
1827. — Uufiis Choate, Jouathau Shove.
1828. — Jonathan Shove, Nathan Poor, Robert S. Daniels.
1829. — Jonathan Shove, Eliiis Putnam.
1830.— Elias Putnam, Jonathan Shove, Robei t S. Daniels, Nathan
Poor.
1831 (May).— Nathan Poor, John Page, William Sutton, John Pivston.
1831 (November). — .lohu Page, John Preston, Nathau Poor, Jonathan
Shove.
1832. — John Preston, John Pago, Ehenezer Shillaher, Jonathan
Shove.
1833. — Jonathan Shove, Henry Cook, John Preston, John Page.
1834. — John Preston, Iloury Cook, Andrew Lunt, Eheu Putnam,
Jacob F. Perry.
1836. — Jacob F. Perry, Andrew Luut, Daniel P. King, Allen Putnam,
Joshua H. Ward.
1836. — Joshua H. Ward, Jacob F. Perry, .\udrew Luut, Cjileb L, Frost.
1837.— Caleb L. Frost, Eben Putnam, .Samuel P. Fowler, Lewis Allen.
1S38.— Lewis Allen, Samuel I'. Fowler, Henry Poor, Abi-1 Nichols.
1839. — Joshua II. Ward, Henry Poor, Samuel P. Fowler, Allen
Putnam.
1840.— Allen Putiuim, Fitch Poole.
1841. — Fitch Poole, Samuel Preston,
1842. — Daniel P. King, Samuel Preston.
1843. — Frederick Morrill, Joshua Silvester.
1844. — Richard Osborn, Henry Fowler.
1S45. — Henry Fowder, Richard Osboru.
1846.— Henry Fowler, Elijah W. Upton.
1847. — Elijah W. Upton, Joshua Silvester.
1848.— William Walcott, William Dodge.
1K49.— A. A. Abbott, John Bines.
1850.- William Walcott, Otis JIudge, Henry A. Hary.
1851. — John nines, Philemon Putnam, Alfred A. Abbott.
1852.— William Walcott.
1853.— David Daniels, Philemon Putnam, James P. King,
1854. — Joseph Jacobs, Francis Dodge, Israel W. Andrews.
1865. — Israel W.Andrews, Eben S. Poor, Alonzo P. Phillips.
1856. — Arthur A. Putnam, Israel W, Andrews, Richard Smith.
1857-58.- Francis P. Putnam.
1859.— Arthur A. Putnam.
1860.- George Tapley.
1861-62. — James W. Putnam.
1863-64,— Charles P. Preston.
1865-56.— Simeon Putnam.
1867-68.— Edwin Mudge.
1869.— Abbott Johnson, of W'enham.
1870-71.— George U. Peabody.
1872.-73.— George J. Sanger.
1874. — John L. Ridiinson, of Wenham.
1875-76.- Chtirles B. Rice.
1877.— Israel W. Andrews.
1878.— Charles B. Rice.
1879.— Henry Hobbs, of Wenham.
1880-81.— Gilbert A. Tapley.
1882.— Alonzo J. Stetson.
1SS3.— Andrew H. Paton.
18S4.— N. Porter Perkins, of Wenham.
1885-86.— Malcolm Sillars.
To the great convention culled in 1820 to make the
first revision of the State Constitution, in which
Daniel Webster, Judge Story, Leverett Saltoustall,
Josiah Quincy and others were prominent figures,
Danvers sent Caleb Oakes, John Page, Ehenezer
Shillaher and Ehenezer King. At the gubernatorial
election of 1851 voters were called upon to decide
whether or no a convention should be called for
another revision of the Constitution. The citizens
of this town said "No," 681 to 5r)6. The ne.\t year
on the same question, "Yes," 038 to 630 ; in each
case the voice of the town was the voice of the State.
Delegates were chosen to meet at the State House,
May 4, 1853. In this convention were Rufus Choate,
Sidney Bartlett, Nathan Hale, George S. Hillard and
others from Boston. Robert Rantoul, Miircus Mor-
ton, Jr., Henry K. Oliver, John B. Alley, R. H. Dana,
Jr., A.sahel Huntington, Otis P. Lord, Charles VV.
Uphani and others from Essex County. John A.
Putnam, now of Danvers, represented Wenham. At
the election, March 7, 1853, the vote of Danvers was
as follows :
Whole number of votes 736
Noc.es-siiry to a choice 369
Milton P. Braman had 399
Samuel P. Fowler had 397
Alfred A. Abbott had 370
.\ndrew Nichols had 300
James D. Black hiul 297
Charles Estos had 289
Sixteen other candidates had from 1 to 39. Messrs.
Braman, Fowler and Abbott were elected delegates.
Each of the eight propositions submitted by the con-
vention to the ]ieoi)le were rejected by this town at
the fall electi(>n of 1853 by an average vote of jibout
715 nays to 515 yeas.
Selectmen. — The following is a complete list:
17.'-i2.-
Dauiel Epes.
Captain Samuel Flint.
Deacon Cornelius Tallin
Stephen Putnam.
Samuel King.
Daniel Gardner.
Joseph Putnam.
1753.- Daniel Epes, Jr.
Captain Thomas Flint.
Corntt. Samuel Holten.
Sanniel King.
Lieut. David Putnam.
Ens. .lohn Procter.
Jasper Needham.
-Datiiel Epes, Jr.
Jasper Needhalu.
DANVERS.
Samuel Putnam.
James Prince.
Ebenezer Goodale.
1755.— Daniel Epes, ,Jr.,
Ja^jier Needham.
Capt. John Proctor,
James Prince.
Capt. Samuel Flint.
1756— Daniel Epos, Jr.
Daniel Marble.
Capt. Thomas Flint.'
Deacon Cornelius Tarble
James Prince.
1757— John Preston.
Francis Nurse,
Daniel Gardner.
Benj. Prescott, Jr.
Joseph South wick.
1758. — James Prince.
Nathan Procter.
Jasper Needham.
Bartholomew Rea,
Benj, Upton.
1769.— James Prince.
Capt. .Samuel Flint.
John Epes.
Ezekiel Jlarsh, Jr.
Ebenezer Jacoljs.
1700. — Tames Prince.
Jasper Needham.
John Epes.
John Nichols,
John Preston.
1701.— Samuel Holten:
Nathaniel Pope.
Abel JMackintiro.
Lieut. .Sauil. King.
Benj. Prescott, Jr.
1762.— Abel Mclutire.
Benj. Ru.«sell, Jr.
Daniel Purrington.
Gideon Putnam.
Joseph Putnam.
1703.— Thos Porter.
Saml. Holton.
John Epes.
John Proctor, Jr.
John Preston.
1764.— Benj. Putnam.
Archalas Dale.
John Putnam.
Stephen Procter,
Benj. Moultr>n.
1705.— Benj. Moultou.
John Putnam.
Stephen Procter.
Jona. Buxton.
Arch. Dale.
1760.— Archelaus Dale.
Benj. Upton.
Jonathan Buxton.
John Swinerton. |
Jonathan Tarble.
1767. -Samuel Molten, Jr.
John Epes.
Jonathan Tarbell.
Jonathan Buxton.
Ebenezer Goodell.
1708.- Jonathan Buxton.
John Epes,
Samuel Holten, Jr,
Ebenezer Goodell.
Gideon Putnam.
1»C9.— Samuel Holten, Jr.
Ebenezer Goodale.
Samuel Gardner.
34
Wlliam .Shillaber.
Samuel King.
1770.— .Saml. Holten, Jr.
Lii'ut. John Preston,
John Putnam,
Jonathan Buxton.
Capt. Wm. Shillaber.
1771.— C!apt. Wm. Shillaber.
Jonathan Buxton.
Gideon Putnam,
Benj. Proctor.
Samuel Holton, Jr.
1772.— Samuel Flint.
Vt'm. Shillaber.
Gideon Putnam.
Jonathan Buxton.
Benj. Procter.
177.3,— Samuel Holten, Jr.
John Putnam.
Lieut. .\rch. Putnam.
Benj. Porter.
Stephen Needham.
1774 —Samuel Holten, Jr.
Lieut. Arch. Putnam.
Wm. Poole.
Stephen Needham.
Jonathan Buxton.
1775.- Dr. Saml. Holten.
Capt. Wm. Shillaber.
Ca;)t. Wm. Putnam.
Stephen Needham.
Ezra Upton.
1770. — John Epes.
Wm. Shillaber.
Stephen Needham.
Ezra Upton.
Edmund Putnam.
1777.— Capt. John Putnam.
Capt. .Samuel Flint.
Capt. Wm. Shillaber.
Stephen Needham.
Phineas Putnam.
1778.— Stephen Ngedham.
Capt. Wm, Shillaber,
Benj. Procter.
Capt. John Putnam.
Phinehas Putnam.
1779.— Colonel Enoch Putnam.
Ezra Upton.
Stephen Needham.
Major Sanmel Epes.
James Prince.
1780. — Jona. Sawyer.
Daniel Putnam.
Capt. Joseph Porter.
Ezra Upton.
1781.- Capt. Joseph Porter.
Daniel Putnam.
Stephen Needham.
Samuel White.
Major Sanmel Epes.
1782. — Stephen Needham.
Daniel Putnam,
Jonathan Sawyer,
Capt, Jos. Porter,
Capt. Gideon Foster.
178.3.- Capt. Gideon Foster.
Daniel Putnam.
John Walcut.
Aaron Putnam.
Stephen Needham,
1784.— Stephen Needham,
I^lajor Caleb Low,
Aaron Putnam.
Capt. Gideon Foster,
Daniel Putnam.
1785.— Jona. Sawyer.
David Prince.
Stephen Needham.
Daniel Putnam.
Col. Jeremiah Page.
1786.— Stephen Needham.
Stephen Putnam,
Daniel Putnam.
Capt. Jona. Procter,
Capt. Gideon Foster,
1787,— Jona, Sawyer,
Samuel Gardner.
Amos Tapley .
David Prince,
Timothy Leech.
1788. — David Prince.
Capt. Samuel Page.
Amos Tapley.
James Porter.
Stephen Needham.
1789.— David Prince,
Samuel Page,
John Kettell.
Amos Tapley.
James Porter.
1790,— David Prince.
Capt. Samuel Page.
John Kettell.
James Porter.
John Brown.
1791.— Stephen Needham.
Gideon Foster.
John Kettell.
David Prince.
Amos Tapley.
1792. — Gideon Foster.
David Prince.
Samuel Pago.
John Kettell.
Stephen Needham.
179.3.— Gideon Foster.
David Prince.
John Kettell.
Joseph Putnam.
Stephen Needham.
1794.- David Prince.
Stephen Needham.
Samuel Page.
John Kettell.
Gideon Foster.
1795.— Joseph Osborn, Jr.
Stephen Nee9ham.
David Prince.
John Kettell.
Zernbbabel Porter.
1790. — Joseph Osborn, Jr.
Samuel Page,
John Kettell.
Stephen Needham.
Daniel Putnam.
1797. — Joseph Osborn, Jr,
Nathl, Webb.
Zerobabell Porter.
Amos Tapley.
Elijah Flint.
1798.— Joseph Osborn, Jr.
Samuel Pago.
John Kettell.
Daniel Putnam.
Nathan Felton,
1799. — Nathan Felton.
Daniel Putnam,
John Kettell.
-Vmos Tapley.
Joseph Osborn, Jr.
1800,- Josejfh (Jsborn, Jr,
Daniel Putnam,
Samuel Pago.
John Kettell.
Nathan Felton.
1801. — Sanmel Page,
Joseph Putnam,
Nathan Felbm,
Zerobabell Portor.
Elijah Flint,
1802,— Nathan Felton,
Johnson Procter.
Sylvester Oslioru,
Jona. Walcut.
John Fowler.
1803.— Nathan Felton.
Sylvester Osborn.
John Preston.
Jona. Walcut.
John Fowler.
1804.— Nathan Felton.
Sylvester Osborn.
Jonathan Walcut.
Johnson Procter.
John Fowler.
1805.— Nathan Feltoo.
Amos Tapley.
Sylvester Osborn.
Jona. Walcut.
John Fowler.
1806.— Nathan Felton.
Sylvester Osborn.
Jonathan Walcut.
Thomas Putnam.
John Fowler.
1807.— Nathan Felton.
Sylvester Osbora.
Jonathan Walcut.
John Fowler.
Amos Tapley.
1808-— Thomas Putnam.
Nathan Felton.
Sylvester Procter.
Daniel Putnam.
.\mos Tapley.
1809.— Nathan Felton.
Amos Tapley.
Levi Preston.
Thos. Putnam.
Daniel Putnam.
1810.— Nathan Felton.
Nathaniel Putnam.
Sylvester Procter.
Daniel Putnam.
Peter Cross, Jr.
1811.— Nathan Felton.
Levi Preston.
Jona. Walcut.
Daniel Putnam.
Andrew Nichols, Jr.
1812.- Nathan Felton.
Jona. Walcut.
Richd. Osborn.
Daniel Putnam.
Nathl. Putnam.
1813.— Nathan Felton.
Jona. Walcut.
Daniel Putnam.
Nathl. Putnam.
Richd. Osborn.
^814.— Nathan Felton.
Jonathan Walcut.
Nathaniel Putnam.
James Brown.
,lohn Page.
815. — Nathan Felton.
Nathaniel Putnam,
530
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Jonathan Walcut.
John Page.
Sylvester Procter.
1816.— Nathan Felton.
Sylvester Procter.
Nathaniel Putnam.
Jonathan Walcut.
Daniel Putnam.
3817.— Nathan Ft-lton.
Jona. Walcut.
Sylvester Procter.
Daniel Putnam.
Nathaniel Pntnam.
1818.— Joseph Shed.
Israel Putnam, Jr.
Thomas Putnam.
Jesse Putnam.
Mosea Preston, Jr.
I819._Israel Putnam, Jr.
Thomas Putnam.
Jesse Putnam.
Joseph Shed.
Moses Preston, Jr.
1820.— Israel Putnam, Jr.
Thomas Putnam.
Jesse Putnam.
Joseph Shed.
Moses Preston, Jr.
1821.~Thoma3 Putnam.
Joseph Shod.
Jesse Putnam.
Moses Preston, Jr.
Elias Putnam.
1822. — Jesse Putnam.
Elias Putnam.
Nathan Felton.
Moses Preston, Jr.
Joseph Stearns.
1823. — Jesse Putnam.
Joseph Stearns.
Elias Putnam.
Moses Preston, Jr.
Jonathan Shove.
1824. — Jesse Putnam.
Joseph Stearns.
Elias Pntnam.
Moses Preston.
Jonathan Shove.
1825. — Jesse Putnam.
Elias Putnam.
Joseph Stearns.
Moaes Preston.
Jonathan Shovo.
1826. — Jesse Putnam.
Jonathan Shove.
Joseph Stearns.
Elias Putnam.
Moses Preston.
1827. — Jesse Putnam.
Elias Putnam.
Jonathan Shovo.
RohertS. Daniels.
Nathan Felton.
1828.— Jesse Putnam.
Jonathan Shove.
Robert S. Daniels.
Nathan Poor.
Elias Putnam.
1829. — Jesse Putnam.
Elias Putnam.
Jonathan Shovo.
Nathan Poor.
Daniel P. King.
1830.— Elias Putnam.
Jonatlian Shove.
Nathan Poor.
1833,
Jes.s6 Putnam.
Benjamin Jacobs.
— John Preston.
Benjamin Jacobs.
Jacob F. Perry.
Eben Putnam, Jr.
Joseph Shed.
— Benjamin Jacobs.
Kendall Osborn,
Lewis Allen.
John Preston.
Jacob F. Perry.
— John Preston.
Kendall Osborn.
Jacob F. Perry.
Benjamin Jacobs.
Nathaniel Pope.
—John Preston.
Joseph Tufts, Jr.
Benjamin Jacobs.
Nathl. Pope.
Kendall Osborn.
— Nathaniel Pope.
Samuel P. Fowler.
Eben Putnam.
Lewis Allen.
Henry Poor.
— Lewis Allen.
Nathaniel Pope.
Eben S. Upton.
Samuel P. Fowler.
Joseph Tufts, Jr.
, — Nathaniel Pope.
Abel Nichols.
San:iuel P. Fowler.
Joseph Tufts, Jr.
Ebenezer Sutton.
—Samuel P. Fowler.
Elijah Upton.
Joseph Tufts, Jr.
Eben Sutton.
Nathaniel Pope.
. — Elijah Upton,
Nathaniel Pope.
Samuel P. Fowler.
Joseph Tufte, Jr.
Abel Nichols.
. — Elijah Upton,
Nathaniel Pope.
Andrew Torr.
Andrew Lunt.
Samuel P. Fowler.
. — Henry Poor.
William Black.
Nathl. Pope.
Elijah Upton.
Joshua Silvester.
.—Elijah Upton.
Joshua Silvester.
William Black.
Joseph Poor, Jr.
Wingate Merrill.
.. — Wingate Merrill.
Joseph Poor, Jr.
Jo-hua Silvester.
William Black.
Perley Goodale.
. — Wingate Blerrill.
Jo.Hhua Silvester.
Joseph Poor, Jr.
Henry Fowler.
Eben King,
I. — Wingate Merrill.
Lewis Allen,
Henry Fowler.
Nathaniel Pope.
William Dodge, Jr.
1846.~Wingate Merrill.
Kendall Osborn.
Nathaniel Pope,
William Dodge, Jr.
Lewis Allen.
1847.— Lewis Allen.
Wingate Merrill.
Nathaniel Pope.
William Dodge, Jr.
Moses Black, Jr.
1848. —Nathaniel Pope.
Wingate Merrill.
Moses Black, Jr.
Lewis Allen.
Kendall Osborn.
1849.- Otis Mudge.
Elias Savage.
Abel Preston,
W^illiam Dodge, Jr.
Eben S. Upton.
1850.— Lewis Allen.
Kichard Osborn.
Samuel Preston.
Kendall Osborn,
Francis Dodge.
1851.— Kendall Osborn.
Francis Dodge.
William Endicott,
Daniel Emeraon.
Aarou F. Clark.
1852.— Kendall Osborn.
llichard Osborn.
William Endicott.
Aarou F. Clark.
Edwin Mudge.
1853.— Kendall Osborn.
Leonard Poole.
Edwin Mudge.
Aaron Putnam.
Eliaa Savage.
1854.— Lewis Allen.
Leonard Poole.
Jottl Putnam.
Benj. F. Hutchinson.
Nathan H. Poor.
1855.— Abel Preston.
William Walcott.
Nathaniel Bodge.
Mosea J. Currier.
Augustus Fowler.
1856.— William Dodge, Jr.
Augustus Fowler.
Charles P. Preston.
1867. — Augustus Fowler.
Charles P. Preston.
William Dodge, Jr.
1858. — Rufus Putnam.
Chas. P. Preston.
Otifl Mudge.
1859.— RufuB Putnam.
Chas. P. Preston.
William Dodge, Jr.
I860.— Rufus Putnam.
Chas. P. Preston.
.Tames HI. Perry.
1861.— Francis Dodge.
William Dodge, Jr.
Charles Chaplin.
1862.— William Dodge, Jr.
Charles Chaplin,
Augustus Fowler.
1863. —James M. Perry.
Jacob F, Perry.
John A. Putnam.
1874.-
1864.— Jacob F. Perry.
John A. Putnam.
William Dodge, Jr.
1865.— Jacob F. Perry.
William Dodge, Jr.
John A. Putnam.
18G6.-Jacob F. Perry.
William Dodge, Jr.
John A. Putnam.
1867.— William Dodge, Jr.
Simeon Putnam.
Henry A. Perkins.
1868.— William Dodge, Jr.
Simeon Putnam.
Henry A, Perkins.
1869.— William Dodge, Jr.
Simeon Putnam.
Henry A. Perkins.
1870.- William Dodge, Jr.
Henry A. Perkins.
Josiah Ross.
1871.— William Dodge, Jr.
Henry A. Perkins.
Josiah Ross.
1872.— William Dodge, Jr.
Henry A. Perkins.
Joshua Bragdon.
1873.— Henry A. Perkins.
Joshua Bragdoa.
Samuel W. Spaulding.
-Joshua Bragdon.
Henry A. Perkins.
Otis F. Putnam.
-Henry A. Perkins,
Joshua Bragdon.
Otis F. Putnam.
-Henry A. Perkins.
Joshua Bragdon.
Otis F. Putuam.
-Henry A. Perkins.
Joshua Bragdon.
Otis F. Putnam.
, — Charles H. Adams.
Otis F. Putnam.
Josiah Ross.
.—Henry A. Perkins.
Josiah Ross.
Harrison 0. Warren.
, — Henry A. Perkins.
Harrison 0. Warren.
Daniel P. Pope.
. — Henry A. Perkins.
Daniel P. Pope.
Josiah Ross.
.—Daniel P. Pope.
Otis F. Putnam.
Joshua Bragdon.
.—Daniel P. Pope.
Otis F. Putnam.
Joshua Bragdon.
.—Daniel P. Pope.
Joshua Bragdon.
Otis F. Putnam.
.—Daniel P. Pope.
Joshua Bragdon,
Otis F. Putnam.
, — Dauiel P. Pope.
Joshua Bragdon.
Otis F. Putnam.
. — Daniel P. Pope.
Joshua Bragdon.
Otis F. PutnaEu.
1877.-
1886,-
1887.-
DANVERS.
531
One of the propositions for disposing of the new
scliool building in tlie sliort-lived district No. 8 was
to convert it to :i lock-uii and tramp-station, but the
town then refused to believe itself sufficiently ad-
vanced in modern civilization to need a separate
building devoted to such uses. Soon, however, 1864,
accommodations for guests of the public, voluntary
and otherwise, were fitted in the basement of tlie
town-hall, and there for ten years some sin and vag-
rancy retired behind the bars. When in 1874, bet-
ter conveniences were demanded, a part of the base-
ment of Bell's Hall, on Maple Street, was fitted up.
This past year, 1886, a considerable addition was
made to the old brick school-house on Schofd Street
- the original building being now occupied by two
companies of tlie fire department— and ample and re-
spectable police headquarters have there been estab-
lished, with plenty of room above for a local court, —
when it comes. Michael J. Mead has been for some
years chief of the small police force, which is efficient
much beyond its numerical strength. William
O'Neil presides over the station and dispenses the
town's hospitality to certain of the traveling public.
CHAPTER XL.
DANVERS— ( Cuntinued).
THE CIVIL WAR.
At twenty minutes past four o'clock on the morn-
ing of April 12, 1861, a shell from Sullivan's Island
aimed at Fort Sumter announced the open defiance
of rebellion. The loyal cities and towns of the North
were alert for such tidings. About a week previously
two of the selectmen of Danvers, William Dodge, Jr.,
and Charles Chaplin, had issued their warrant for a
town meeting " to hear an act on tlie petition of A.
A. Putnam and others to see if the town will raise or
appropriate any money in aid of the families of such
citizens of the town as may enlist to serve in the
Volunteer Militia of the Commonwealth or take any
action thereon." This is the first intimation on the
town records of preparations for probable war. But
the news from Sumter brought the citizens together
sooner than the day appointed for town meeting. The
first "war meeting" was held in the town hall, April
16th, and was crowded with earnest and enthusiastic
men. Arthur A. Putnam, Esq., presided. In some
recently written reminiscences he says, " the meeting,
though stormy in applause and verbally bellicose,
was very aimless and likely to end in talk alone un-
til a modest and unfamiliar voice in the town hall
reminded the assemblage that the meeting was not
for eloquence, but enlistment." The voice was that of
Nchemiah P. Fuller, who stepped forward to sign the
company roll which Nathaniel A. Pope had received
permission from the State Department to recruit. At
least one other name preceded Fuller's, that of Ruel
B. Pray, who has the distinction of being the first re-
cruit in a Danvers company ; others followed that
night, and in six days the roll was full and ready for
organization. As the company was soon given the
name of the Danvers Light Infantry, it will be spoken
of by that name. Election of officers resulted as fol-
lows : Captain, Nchemiah P. Fuller; First Lieuten-
ant, William W. Smith ; Second Lieutenant, Kuel B.
Pray; Third Lieutenant, William W. Gould ; Fourth
Lieutenant, D. W. Hyde. Captain Fuller, who was
promoted during the war to major of the Second
Heavy Artillery, was a son of Putnam Fuller, of this
town, and a descendant of Lieutenant David, brother
of General Israel Putnam, being a grandson of Major
Ezra Putnam, one of the founders of Ohio. He had
seen service In the Mexican War, and was just the
man to command a company of willing but raw re-
cruits. After the war he removed to Mis.souri, but
returned here in broken health in the fall of 1880, and
died February 3, 1881.
Immediately after the meeting of April 16th, some
young men at the Plains took steps to organize
another company. In the course of a week the num-
ber, fifty, were recruited, and met in the unfinished
rooms of the Maple Street School-house, where the
first lessons in drill were given by Benjamin E. New-
hall. Organization was effected in due form, April
30th, in the B.ank Hall, where the following officers
were elected: Captain, Arthur A. Putnam ; Lieuten-
ants, Benjamin E. Newhall, Charles H. Adams, Jr.,
William J. Roome, George W. Kenney. Mr. New-
hall not qualifying, the other lieutenants were each
promoted one degree, and Elbridge W. Guilford was
added.
Captain Putnam, then a lawyer here, now of Ux-
bridge, Mass., was a native of Danvers, a son of Hon.
Elias Putnam. This year, 1887, he delivered thei
Memoiial Day Address before an audience which in-
cluded many survivors of his old comrades, and later
published in the Danvers Mirror a full and interest-
ing account of the history of his company up to the
time of leaving for the front. Mr. II. B. Pray had
previously printed a short sketch of Capt. Fuller's
Company. A newspaper clipping says of Capt. Put-
nam that he had no previous military training, " but
possessing that energy and spirit noted in the Puri-
tan blood, will soon make himself a proficient com-
mander."
No sooner had the two companies organized than
the ladies of the town devoted their energies to the
making of uniforms and other necessary clothing.
Gothic Hall was the busy scene of their labors. The
men who enlisted expected active service at once, and
were eager for it. But the time which ensued be-
tween organization and final acceptance by the State
authorities and assignment to a State camp extended
from days to long weeks, and made it serious business
532
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
keeping the men together. Many of them had fami-
lies to support, and while patriotism did not flag, the
hread and butter question at home was quite as vital
as the question of slavery a thousand miles away.
There were no bounties at this time; it was only by
constant and generous contributions of money and
provisions that the men were encouraged to hold out.
But by dint of much patient forbearance both com-
panies were kept intact, and maintained thorough
drill. Long practice marches were taken through
neighboring towns, and charges were occasionally
made at double-quick to dislodge an imaginary enemy
on the top of Folly Hill. For some time the Light
Infantry went into camp by themselves, at East Glou-
cester, such a move being deemed expedient. Cap-
tain Putnam's company used Berry's pasture, now the
Trotting Park, for a training-field. The local news-
papers of the day contain such items as these:
'* On Sunday morning, May 19tb, the two Danvers companies marched
with drum and fife to the Maple Street Church, and in the afternoon
they attended the Universalist Church.
"The appearance of the men, one company in grey, and one in blue,
is described as having been remarkably fine."
"Tuesday, May 28th. The Putnam Guards, a well ordered company
of 79 men, of an average age of 27 years, passed through our place this
afternoou, on tlieir way to Salem. Their motion was nimble, their ac-
tiou strong and their eye quick and piercing. They have been accus-
tomed to toil and moderate fare without luxuries, and will do the State
good service when summoned to the field."
Of the origin of the name of " Putnam Guards,"
Captaiu Putnam thus writes :
*' Of visitors at Gothic Hall while the ladies, as before mentioned,
were immersed in the manufacture of the uniforms, there came one day
Mrs. Julia A. Philbrick, of Boston, who, warmed at the sight of the
scene, went away carrying it as au hnpressive picture in mind. A few
days later she addressed an appreciative letter to one of the chief work-
ers, Miss Anne L. Page, and iti it embraced a proffer in these pleasant
words : —
" ' I have used my pen in your behalf, and to-day have the pleasure of
informing you that, if your Company is called the Putnam Guards, they
shall have a Banner worthy the name they bear. There is living in
Peterborough, N. H., a most noble and patriotic lady, who bears that
honored name, whose father^was born in Danvers, yes. beneath the very
roof with the old General (that dear old home, the home of my child-
hood)—to this lady, Miss Catheriue Putnam, you are indebted for this
proffered benefaction.'
"The proposition for the name was duly submitted to the Company,
unanimously adopted and the Flag at once became a matter of joyous
auiicipation."
The presentation of the flag, May 22, 1861, was an
event of great interest. A stand draped with the na-
tional colors was reared in front of the Bank Build-
ing, and during the exercises the Square and all the
surrounding buildings were densely crowded with
spectators. Mr. Nathaniel Hills, principal of the
High School presided, and Hon. John D. Philbrick,
then superintendent of schools in Boston, to whom this
honor had been assigned by the donor of the flag,
made the presentation speech. On the same occa-
sion Rev. A. P. Putnam, then of Roxbury, a brother
of the commander, presented each member of the
company with a Bible, accompanying the act with an
impressive address. The flag was of heavy silk, and
a silver plate upon its oaken stafl'was thus inscribed:
" PBESENTED
to the
PUTNAM GUARDS
of
DANVERS, MASS.,
BY
Miss Catherine Putnam,
Daughter of a Son
of
Danvers.
Our Birth-right is Freedom
and God is our Trust.
Mav, 1861."
It is now, and has been for many years, in the cus-
tody of John G. Weeden, one of the original mem-
bers of the Guards. The Danvers Light Infantry
were also given a reception before their departure for
the State camp, on which occasion Rev. J. W. Put-
nam presented them with a silk banner in behalf of
the citizens, and Allen Putnam, of Roxbury, in be-
half of Miss Putnam, presented an elegant sash and
sword to Captain Fuller. Side-arms were also pre-
sented to the officers by certain citizens.
It was nearly two months after the organization of
the companies that they were finally called for by
the State authorities. On June 11th, 1861, the Dan-
vers Light Infontry were ordered to report at Camp
Schouler, Lynnfield, and on June 24th the Putnam
Guards reported at Fort Warren. The Light Infan-
try were assigned to the Seventeenth Volunteer In-
fantry, three years' men, as Company C, were mus-
tered into the service of the United States July 22,
1861, and left for the front August 22d.
The Putnam Guards became Company I of the
Fourteenth Volunteer Infantry, were mustered into
service of the United States July 5, 1861, and left for
the seat of war August 7th. The regiment was
changed, January 1, 1862, to the First Massachusetts
Heavy Artillery. It saw hard service and partici-
pated in engagements at Spottsylvania, North Anna,
Tolopotoniy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry
Plains, Deep Bottom, Poplar Spring Church, Boydton
Road, Hatcher's Run, Vaughn Road. The original
members of both these Danvers companies may be
determined by inspection of the list of soldiers which
follow later on.
The first military funeral of the war, in Danvers,
was that of Thomas A. Musgrave, of Captain Ful-
ler's company, who died August 9, 1861, at the Lynn-
field camp hospital. The whole regiment marched to
the Universalist Church, where the services were
held. Private William F. Guilford, a member of the
Salem City Guards, was buried under arms a few
weeks later from Dr. Braman's Church.
At the town meeting of May 25, 1861, which had
been already called when news came of the attack on
Fort Sumter, A. A. Putnam presided and Dr.
Ebenezer Hunt presented a series of resolutions,
which were adopted, one hundred and eighteen to
three, in the following form, — the clergymen of the
DANVERS.
533
town having first been added to the committee therein
called for :
'* Whf.reas, War has been forced upon us without justifiable cause
by traitors whose avowed object is the subversion of the Government
and the dissolution of the Union by armed resistance to Law, and where-
as our Patriotic fellow-citizens have been barbarously slain while has-
tening to the defence of the Cajtitol at the call of the Chief MHgistrate
in pursuance of his solemn Oath of office, and whereas our flag has been
insulted, and our existence as a nation put in peril, therefore,
'^Kejolred, By the citizens of Danvers, in town-meeting assembled,
that we will co-operate, to the fullest extent in our power, with all the
good citizens throughout the whole country, in prosecuting the war
with such vigor as to bring it to a speedy close.
** liesolvedy That animated by the glorious memories of the past, our
duty to posterity, our love for the Union, our reliance upon a just God,
in a righteous cause, we will devote our whole energies in the ac-
complishment of the object, regardless of its cost in treasure or in
blood,
" Resolcedt That in this Contest there can be no neutrality ; whoever
is uot/'T us is agttinst us ; and that all bearing arms and not rauged
beneath the flag of the Union, wherever found, shall be dealt with as
traitors.
'* Resolved^ That the Treasurer of the town be authorized to borrow a
sum, not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars, for the uses of the town for
the above purposes, which shall be designated as a War Fund. In order
to carry out the above Resohttions it is further
"Resolved, That a committee consisting of the Selectmen of Danvers,
together with Daniel Richards, John R. Langley, C. P. Preston, E.
Hunt, S. P. Fowler (a committee appointed by the citizens to disburse
the fund raised by Voluntary Contribution), and five other gen-
tlemen be appointed to take into consideration all applications for aid
consequent upon our citizens being called upon to enlist in the service
of our Country, either during the time of Drilling in anticipation of
being enrolled, or wliile in actual service, and the 8;iid Committee are
hereby authorized and empowered to render such aid to the families of
any such citizens as in their judgment is needful, by a draft on the
Treasury of the Town, on the War Fund, signed hy such a sub-com-
mittee as said Committee shall select ; that said Committee shall hold
stated and regular meetings as often as once in two weeks, of which
due notice shall be given, and they may hold meetings at such other
times as they may deem necessary and may make all such rules and reg-
ulations in reference to the disbursing of the money appropriated aa a
War Fund as may from time to time be deemed expedient.
" They recommend to fill the blank in the committee, by selecting
the following gentlemen, who together with those above named will
distribute the Committee in the various parts of the town, viz.;
"Jesse W. Snow, Philemon Putnam, Nathan Tapley, Josiah Gray
and John A. Sears. All of which is respectfully submitted."
Seven month.s after the fir.st town meeting, another
was called fi^r December 19, 1861, to provide for aid
to the families of soldiers agreeable to an act of the
■special session of the Legislature. Information was
first desired as to the disbursement of the ten thou-
sand dollars raised in May, and the committee were
prepared with a report containing these items :
"There has been paid out for driiling 31901.37. There has also been
paid to one hundred and seventy-three families as aid in various sums of
from one dollar to five dollars and a half jKr week, making in the gross
amount 8801(5. .Ifi. There is now due to families and undrawn one
hundred and thirty-nine dollars, making the amount drawn from the
Treasury J9917 73. Of this sum your Committee estimate that the sum
of five thousand-eight hundred dollars will be received from the Common-
wealth."
"The Committee will also say that the number of families assisted at
the present time is one hundred and forty -three, the amount now jmid
each family is from one to four dollars per week. Your Committee
would further say, although the amount of money expended is a large
sum in the aggregate, yet. when we consider the condition of many of
the families of the Volunteers owing to thestHgna.tion of business and the
want of employment for several months previous to their enlistment, we
think the wonder is that so little hiLS answered for the Jturpose. If by
«ven a greater sacrifice of property the Government of the Country is
rescued from the unscrupulous attacks of a widespread and atrociouB
rebellion, which threatens our very existence as a Nation, we ought to
beexceedingly thankful:— at any rate, the tax -payers of the Town will
have reason to feel that the old Town of Danvers, by encouragement of
the enlistment of her patriotic sons, has not fallen from the reputation
acquired in the times of the Revolution.
" And may God grant us a speedy and honorable peace. All of which
is respectfully submitted. In behalf of the Committee.
** Edes Huxt."
At an adjournment of this meeting $5000 was ap-
propriated for soldiers' aid, in accordance with the
act of May, 1801, and $.100 additional to be e.\peuded
under the authority of the committee appointed
May 3d.
At the annual meeting, 1862, the finance commit-
tee recommendted the adoption of annexed votes pro-
posed liy the chairman of the relief committee, which
were, first, that a relief committee, like that of last
year, be chosen for the ensuing year to aid in the dis-
tribution of the War Fund ; second, that the sum of
$15,000 be raised and appropriated for aid to soldiers'
families, under the statutes ; and, third, that $500 be
placed at the dispos.al of the relief commit tee. These
measures were all passed and the committee re-
elected. $1000 was at the same time added to the
appropriation for the town's poor.
At a meeting held in midsummer, July 25, 1862,
the Governor's call for one hundred and four volun-
teers w.is considered, and, agreeable to the expressed
desire of a mass-meeting of citizens held ten days be-
fore, the matter of bounty w.is the chief object of
action. The first offer of bonnty here made by the
town was on the adoption of J. D. Black's motion,
96 to 1, to pay $125 "to whatever person may report
himself to the selectmen of Danvers, upon his being
or having been accepted into the United States ser-
vice, as furnishing a part of our quota."
On August 4, 1862, the first draft was ordered, for
300,000 nine months men. Early in that month a
town-meeting was held, at which it was first voted to
continue the payment of bounty until our quota of
volunteers was full, and to include also drafted men ;
but this action was reconsidered, and Henry Fowler,
Win. E. Putnam and the Selectmen were a|ipointeii
" to wait upon the Governor and to ascertain if our
quota can be reduced, to get further information in
regard to the draft, and to report at the next town-
meeting."
On the heels of this meeting came Lincoln's call
for 300,000 more men. Immediately another warrant
was posted, calling upon the citizens of Danvers to
meet on Monday, August 25th, to consider the call.
A motion that the selectmen open a recruiting
office and pay $100 bounty to each recruit volunteer-
ing and making one of the quota under the call, was
successfully amended to .$125.
The committee appointed August 12th, to attempt
to secure a reduction of the quota, presented a letter
to the Adjutant-General in the following forcible and
direct terms :
534
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
" To Hon. \Vm. Schouler, Adjutant-General.
" Dear Sir, — We, the undersigoed, would represent that the town of
Dauvtra has furniahed the following Tolunteers for the war :
3 months men 37
3 years men, to June 1st, 1862 285
Salem Cadets, Fort Warren 10
Salem Light Infantry, Co, B 6
Under General Order No. 26 70
398
3 months men re-enlistod 17
381
"The Town has paid to Volunteers under General Order No. 26 Eight
Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars (fi8750). By the Adjutant-
GeneraPs Report to the Leg. of 18G2 the town of Danvers had furnished
for the war Eight officers and Two hundred and fifty-six privates, giving
one Volunteer to fifteen inhabitants of the town, under the State census
of 1 855.
*' This proportion exceeds that of the towns of Beverly, Gloucester,
Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lynn, Marblehead, Newburyport, Salem
and South Danvers, from 9 to 57 percent.
" The ninety-nine Volunteera received and put into the service of the
United States since last December makes the same disproportion between
the town of Danvers and the towns above referred to, hold good.
'' The assessor* of 1861, in Danvers, mistaliiug the law on this matter,
returned aliens on the Militia Roll, which materially Increased our
number liable to do military duty.
"The town of Danvers does not shrink from any duty imposed on
her in this great crisis of our Country, neither will she fail to do her
part in furnishing men to crush out this rebellion, but knowing from the
above facts tliat the town has furnished more men in proportion to her
InhabitantH than the other large towns in the County, and feeling that
the payment of the bounty to the thirty-four Volunteers required to fill
the quota for Danvers of 104 men, will be burdensome beyond what
strict equality would require of ua, we ask, therefore, that the town, by
furnishing seventy men under General Order No. 26, may be considered
as having filled her quota,"
Respectfully submitted,
WiiJiAM Dodge, Jh. j Selectmen
CuAHLES Chaplin. r of
Augustus Fowleb. ' Danvera.
Danvers, August 14, 1862.
Approved,
Wm. Schouler,
Adjt.-General.
In seventeen days, another meeting to act on
propositions for more bounties, for three-years' men
and drafted men, principals or substitutes. A motion
made by Samuel Moore in the afternoon failed of
passing, because but fifty-four voted for it, less than
the by-laws required— it was hard work to get the
requisite number together, so many were away during
the war— but in the evening it passed, eighty to
twelve, namely to pay one hundred and twenty-five dol-
lars to each person, resident in town, who had en-
listed for three years of the war, and was not already
in receipt of a bounty, " provided said person has
served nine months, or has been earlier discharged
on account of injuries received in service; said bounty
to be payable at the end of said volunteer's service."
It was immediately voted to extend the bounty to
drafted men.
Busy times, these, for selectmen and voters. While
this meeting of the 11th was in session a warrant
for still another meeting had already been two days
posted, the special object being the consideration of
a matter, which was disposed of by the unanimous
adoption, eighty-six voting, of these resolutions pre-
sented by W. L. Weston :
" Whereas, at a legal meeting of the town on the 25th day of August
last, it was voted ' to pay a bounty of $125 to each recruit volunteering
in the service of the United States, and making one of the town's quotJi
under the call of the President for300,00u military for nine months
service,' and
*' Whereas, acting under the belief that the town might be called
upon for a considerable number of recruits to fill this requisition, a
Buccessftd effort has been made to raise a Company under Capt. A. G.
Allen — said Company having made arrangements by which it is to form
a part of the 8th Regt. now being recruited under Col. Coffin, and have
already placed themscdves in Camp, and
"Whereas, it now appears to be uncertain whether the men so
raised will be required as part of the town's quota, thus rendering said
vote inoperative,
"Therefore, in view of the patriotic action of the young men composing
said Company, and that the faith of ths town has been pledged to thom
and also in view of the fact that other calls for men may be made upon
the town, it is hereby
"Voted, that the town will pay a bounty of 125 dollars to each resi-
dent of Danvers who has volunteered, or may volunteer as a member of
Capt. A. G. Allen's Company, upon his having been accepted and sworn
into the United States service.
" Voted, that the town Treasurer be and ia hereby authorized to hire
a sum of money sufficient to pay the bounties mentioned in the above
vote."
The names of the company here referred to, Com-
pany K, Eighth Regiment, nine months' men, mus-
tered in October 1, 1862, and discharged August 7,
1863, will be found further on. The regiment sailed
from Boston November 7, 1862, under Colonel CoflSn,
of Newburyport, for Newbern, N. C, and in June,
1863, was transferred to Baltimore, thence to Mary-
land Heights and experienced hard service in the
pursuit of Lee after the battle of Gettysburg.
The adoption of the resolutions in regard to
Captain Allen's company was the only business this
meeting could in strictness consider. But there was
a man present with something in his pocket to read,
the man who in the first war town-meeting had
voiced the determination of his fellow-citizens to
stand by the government, who, long years before, had
stood up to strike the first blow for temperance, and
had been foremost in every reform and the uncom-
promising foe of wrong in whatever guise, and who,
with the courage of his convictions, entered active
service in the war despite his advancing years — Doc-
tor Ebenezer Hunt. There is a ring to his words
not unlike certain resolutions already quoted which
came from the ancestors of these very men, citizens of
Danvers in town-meeting assembled, in those other
days which tried men's souls :
"Whereas — The town of Danvers hag already furnished more than
her full quota of men, and is ready and willing to send more if neces-
sary, and to expend her last dollar in defence of the Common Country,
Therefore —
" Resolved, that the citizens have a right to ask and do ask the Gov-
ernment for a vigorous prosecution of the war and that nothing shall be
permitted to stand in the way of the progress of our armies in crushing
out the rebellion and restoring to our country a speedy and permanent
peace.
•' Resolved — That had there been no slavery, there would have been
no rebellion, and as the rebellion will continue so long as slavery exists,
we, the citizeus of Danvers, in town meeting assembled, ask, that the
war forced upon ua by the rebels in defence of slavery, shall be so prose-
cuted as to leave no vestige of that accursed institution."
The first of these resolutions was passed unanimously ;
three voters could not accept the second. At the fall
DANVEKS.
535
election, 1862, John A. Andrew received four hun-
dred and twenty-six votes to one hundred and fifty
for Charles Devens, Jr. February 9, 1863, five
thousand dollars was appropriated for military aid.
At the annual meeting of 1863 the relief committee
which had been at work during the previous year,
reported that they had assisted two hundred and fifty-
one families. "At the present time," they say, " the
number is reduced to one hundred and ninety fami-
lies receiving aid in various ways from one dollar per
week to twelve dollars per month." A relief commit-
tee for the ensuing year were chosen, — Drs. Hunt and
Chase, William Dodge, Jr., Nathan Tapley, John A.
Sears, C. H. Gould, Josiah Gray, C. P. Preston, S. P.
Fowler and Philemon Putnam.
At this time S. D. Shattuck and others petitioned
for the purchase by the town of a lot in Walnut
Grove Cemetery for the burial of deceased soldiers,
and the selectmen were instructed to purchase the
lot which has been used for this purpose.
The vote of September 11, 1862, as to bounty for
three years' men was prospective ; no appropriation was
then made. It became necessary to think about a large
appropriation. If at any time after nine months' ser-
vice the war should end, these bounties would be at
once payable. So in midsummer, 1863, a special meet-
ing was called toseeif the town would raise money to
defray the expenditure contemplated by the vote of Sep-
tember 11th. This meeting, held first July 3d, aftersev-
eral adjournments unanimously voted to ap])ro])riate
fifty thousand dollars for the jiurpose, a sum .so large that
Mr. Howard underlined the words when he entered
the vote on the permanent records of the town. This
amount was never paid nor raised, for the reason
that certain citizens petitioned for an injunction, on
the ground that such an appropriation was illegal,
prohibiting the borrowing or payment of money under
said vote. The case came before the Supreme Court
in January, 1864, and is reported in Massachusetts
Reports, 8 Allen 80, under the title "Samuel P. Fow-
ler and others vs. Selectmen and Treasurer of Dan-
vers." The decision turned on the interpretation of
the statute of 1863, ch. 38, entitled "An act to legalize
the doings of towns in aid of the war," and the court
held that the statute while covering appropriations
for bounties to induce enlistment, did not legalize a
vote to pay money to persons who had already en-
listed in the service of the United States.
There was a light vote for Governor in the fall of
1863, — Andrew receiving two hundred and seventy,
Henry W. Paine forty-seven. At the March meeting
of 1864, Dr. Hunt was again on hand with a report
from bis relief committee ; two hundred and forty-
five families, he said, had received State aid.
" Your commitlee propose to make no predirtion in reliitinii to a
speedy peace. This ^iul>ject is still ii question of time. We can only s.iy
the omens are anspicions, and tliat if tlie people of the Loyal States
stiall do their duty in snstiiining the Government in a vigorous prosecu-
tion of the war, ami in following the leadings of Providence in the path 1
of Justice and Humanity, and if the heads of the Departments and other
Politicians at the Capitol interest themselves as heartily in crtishing out
the Rebellion, as in making a new President, our honored Hag will at
length wave in triumph over a regenerated and glorious Union, inhab-
ited only by Freemen."
At this same March meeting of 1864, fifteen thous-
and dollars were appropriated " for families of volun-
teers who have enlisted or may enlist during the
present war." Once only in the summer of 1864 was
there a special meeting, occasioned by the President's
call for five hundred thousand more men, and at this
time an apjiropriation of eleven thousand two hun-
dred and fifty dollars was made for the purpose of fill-
ing our quota under this call.
At the presidential election in the fall of 1864, the
Lincoln electors received five hundred and ninety-two
Danvers votes against one hundred and twenty-five
for the McClellan electors; John G. Whittier, of
Amesbury, whom Danvers is now so proud to claim
among its residents, was chosen elector from the
Essex District over S. Endicott Peabody, of Salem.
For Governor, John A. Andrew received five hundred
and ninety-six votes; H. W. Paine, one hundred and
twenty-five.
December 19, 1864, another call. " We're coming,
Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more!"
On the day after Christmas men read a warrant, sum-
moning them to meet on the fourth day of the new
year to face a demand for still more money. Voters
were slow of coming forward, and, as on some other
occasions during the war, adjournmeuts and rallying-
committee tactics were necessary; but finally, by a
large vote, it was decided to pay another bounty of
^125 to each volunteer going to fill the town's quota
under the new call.
Before November the men whom the majority of
Massachusetts citizens had kept at the head of the
State Government in these years of trial, had done
with life. At the election of 1865 Danvers helped to
elect his successor, Alexander H. Bullock, of Worces-
ter, by a vote of 688, to 64 for Darius N. Couch, of
Taunton.
Recruiting was ordered to be discontinued on April
13, 1865. Danvers furnished in all seven hundred
and ninety-two men for the war, which was a surplus
of thirty-six over and above all demands. Forty-
four were comiuissioued officers. The total amount
of money raised on account of the war, exclusive of
State aid, was $36,596. The amount of State aid
raised during the war for soldiers' families, 1861-65,
amounted to $66,068.11. The appropriations for aid
made subsequently were, — 1871, iii5U00 ; 1872, $4000,
also $200 for special cases not within the law ; l.'<73,
$2000 and $200 sjiecial ; 1874, $4000, $200 special;
1875, $3500, also $1.5U special; 1S76, $2500, $150;
1877, $2500, $150; 1878, $150 ; 1879, $100; 1880,
$800; 1881, $1000; 1882, $1000; 1883, $800; 1884,
$600; 1885, $600; 1886, $700 ; 1887, $700.
Of the voluntary contributions all through the
years of the war, of money, materials, labor, amount-
536
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ing in value to perhaps thousands of dollars, and
cheerfully given, no record has been kept.
In the warrant for the annual meeting of 1868 ap-
peared this article : " To see what action the town
will take on the petition of S. P. Cummings and oth-
ers to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of
erecting a suitable monument or tablets whereon
shall be inscribed the names, age and date of death,
of all Danvers soldiers and sailors who fell in the
late war for the union." The matter, when reached,
was referred to a committee, one from each school
district: No. 1, William Dodge, Jr.; No. 2, E. T.
Waldron ; No. 3, J. F. Bly ; No. 4, William K. Put-
nam ; No. 5, Dean Kimball ; No. 6, George Andrews ;
No. 7, Timothy Hawkes ; No. 8, Kufus Putnam. S. P.
Cummings was added.
At an adjournment, this committee reported rec-
ommending the erection of a monument at a cost of
not less than three thousand dollars, that fifteen hun-
dred dollars be appropriated by the town and the
balance by subscription, through a committee of one
from each district. The committee already appointed
were made a subscription committee, to report at a
meeting specially called when they should have se-
cured the required sum.
At the March meeting the next year, 1869, the
committee reported th.at they " have attended to their
duty, and by the patriotism and generosity of our
citizens we have been enabled to raise the required
sum. The committee would, with the consent of the
Trustees of the Peabody Park, recommend that
place as the most appropriate for the erection of said
monument."
The old committee were elected for the ensuing
year, with the addition of the selectmen. But the
question of location was not easily settled. At the
next March meeting, 1870, a motion was introduced
to place the monument in front of the Town House,
but was withdrawn to give place to the proposition
that, at the adjourned meeting a ballot-box be so
placed that citizens might informally express in
writing their preferences for location. The result of
this ballot showed ninety-three votes for Peabody
Park, and sixty-six for the Town House yard.
May 2d, Simeon Putnam was added to the commit-
tee. On that same day it was reported that the
Trustees of the Peabody Institute had declined, on
account of some legal objection, to allow the monu-
ment to be erected in the park. In the meantime,
March 21st, an additional appropriation of sixteen
hundred dollars was voted.
In June a special meeting was called to consider
several important subjects, first of which was the re-
port of the monument committee. Those who
strongly favored the park as a location disliked to
accept the decree of the trustees as final. Some one,
to fame unknown, succeeded in getting recorded a
pithy motion "that the Monument be paid for and
stored until consent be obtained of the original
grantors and the Trustees," but not in getting it
passed.
Mr. Augustus Mudge moved that the committee be
instructed to place the monument on the Common at
Danvers Centre. The motion was declared carried,
was doubted, and on division was declared carried,
one hundred and thirty-five to eighty-five. To clinch
the matter, a vote was taken to re-consider, and
lost.
This seemed decisive. Doubtless the inhabitants
of the Centre, as they passed old Deacon IngersoU's
training field on some of those summer evenings,
saw with no great stretch of imagination certain
ghostly monumental outlines rising from the green
sod, where soon the substantial shaft would consecrate
anew the historic ground. But no. In just one week
a warrant was issued to act on a petition for the re-
location of the Soldiers' Monument. The meeting
was held July 11th. Dr. Hunt moved for a re-loca-
tion within half a mile of the flag-staff at the Plains.
On a large vote by ballot the motion was carried, —
yeas, 264; nays, 161. The definite location was then
left with the committee, who decided upon the Town
House yard. The monument was dedicated No-
vember 30, 1870. It is of Hallowell granite, thirty-
three and one quarter feet high, and seven and three-
quarters feet square at the base ; its total cost, $6298.-
20, towards which sum Edwin Mudge contributed the
larger part of his two years' salary as the Representa-
tive in the Legislature of the district composed of
Danvers and Wenham, the remainder being pre-
sented to the latter town for a similar object. The
names inscribed upon the monument are these:
Major Wallace A. Putnam,
Lt. James Hill.
Hector A. Aiken.
Henry F. Alien.
James Battye.
Edwin Beckford.
Isaac Bodwell.
Sylvester Brown.
James H. Burrows.
Lewis Britton.
John H. Bridges.
■William H. Croft.
Simeon CoiEn.
H. Cuthbertsoa.
Thomas Collins.
Wm. H. Channell.
Charles W. Dodge.
George H, Dwinell.
Moses Delaud.
William C. Dale.
George A. Ewell.
George W. Earl.
Reuben Ellis.
George A. Elliott.
William S. Evans.
Nathaniel P. Fish.
Beuj. M. Fuller.
Eph'm Gefchell.
E. I. Getchell.
William F. Gilford.
John Goodwin.
0. W. C. Goudy.
Alonzo Gray.
Daniel H. Gould.
Samuel S. Grout.
Amhrose Hinds.
Levi Howard.
James J. Hurley.
Thomaa Hartman.
Abiel \. Home.
James H. Ham.
Everson Hall.
Charles Hiller.
T. C. JefTs.
- William W. Jessup.
James W. Kelley.
Moses A. Kent.
James E, Lowell.
Samuel A. Letflau.
Joseph Leavitt.
Charles II. Lyons.
Cliarles E. Meader.
John fllerrill.
T. A. Musgrave.
James Morgan.
Michael McAulitf.
William Metzgar.
Allen Nonrse.
William H. Ogden.
William H. Parker.
George W. Peabody.
J. Frank Perkins.
George W. Porter.
Samuel M. Porter.
DANVERS.
537
Alfred Porter.
Robert W. Putuam.
Isaac N. Roberts.
S. P. Richardson.
S. A. Rodgers.
Israel Roach.
Daniel Smith.
Henry A- Smith.
Wm. E. Sheldon.
Charles W. Shelden.
John Shackley.
Frank Scampton.
Cornelius Sullivan.
Patrick F. Shea.
Joseph T. Smart.
Edward Splane.
Milford Tedford.
Patrick Trainer.
Wm. F. Twiss.
John N. Thompson.
Austin Upton.
Angus Wanl.
William Ward.
Joseph Woods.
C. E. tt. Welch.
George Woodman.
John Withey.
Nathan'l K. Wells.
George T. Whitney.
Joseph F, Wiggin.
Charles H. Young.
A special meeting was called a week before Deco-
ration Day, 1872, to see if the town would appropriate
a sum of money in aid of Post 90, G. A. R., for the
expenses of Memorial Day, and by a vote of eighty-
four to two, two hundred dollars was appropriated.
Each subsequent year at the annu;il meeting an
amount varying from one hundred and fifty to two
hundred dollars has been devoted to this jjurpose.
Ward Post, 90, G. A. R., was organized June 8, 1869.
The list of Danvers volunteers which follows is
made up chiefly from the official lists of Massachu-
setts volunteers compiled by Adjutant-General Sehou-
ler. These two large volumes contain a hundred and
fifty thousand names, more or less, arranged only ac-
cording to organization, and not according to towns,
and therefore a close scrutiny of the entire list has
been necessary to ascertain every Danvers volunteer
credited to the quota of the State. It is thought that
no omissions have been made. Some errors have
been noticed and corrected ; if others appear, the
responsibility must rest on the official authority,
referred to. The figures opposite the names give
the age of first enlistment.
The members of the Danvers Light Infantry and
of the Putnam Guards were not the first volunteers
from Danvers. A number enlisted in the two Salem
companies assigned to the Fifth Regiment, three
months' men, mustered in May 1, ISGl. In Company
A, known as the Salem Mechanic Light Infantry,
were these :
Age.
James H. Sleeper, corporal 32
Charles W. Allen 20
Edwin Bailey 25
Henry T. Briggs 21
William Burroughs 28
Jacob Burton 25
Lyman D. Crosby 23
George M. Crowell 29
George H. Fuller 25
John T. Gilman 19
Age.
James Hill 20
JohnH. Howard 19
William Lufkiu 2.'>
Joseph C Munscy 19
Janie« D. North 21
Chas. n.Phippen 22
Chas. W. Ricker 18
Henry Sloper 29
Robert Smith 20
Mendall S. Webber 23
In Company H of the same regiment, the Salem
City Guards, were these :
Age.
Wm. F. Bickford 23
Charles W. Chase 20
David A. Gilford 36
John M. Hines 21
Edward Kelley 26
James W. Lowe 19
Age.
Henry H. Richardson 20
Wm. H. Richardson 22
Edgar JI. Riggs 24
John N. Thompson 30
Herbert W. Very 22
George Webster 23
These men arrived at Annapolis April 24th, and
were mustered into L^nited States service as stated.
They bore an honored part in the disastrous battle of
Bull Run, July 21st, exactly three months after the
regiment left Faneuil Hall. Henry T. Briggs was
there taken prisoner, and was exchanged in 1862.
A list of Danvers volunteers in the three years'
regiments :
Second Eetfiment.
Age. I
David A. Fuller, Co. C 28
Levi E. Goodale, Co. C 19
John Stonehall, Co. C 20
Age.
John Smith, Co. 1 28
James Patterson, recruit 32
Xinth Iteginieid.
Age. I
John Fitzpatrick, Co. B 26
James Brown. <'o. D 23
Daniel Buckley, Co. E 18
Richard Bush, Co E 32
Abram Yates, Co. B
Jas. McLaughlin, corp , Co.F.
Ulick Burke, Co. F
Patrick Shea, Co. F
.Age.
... 21
2:1
24
20
Tetith Itegititent.
Age. I Age.
Wallace ■\. Putnam 1 24 1 George W. Bigelow, 2d lieut... 32
EU't-enth liegimaU.
Alexander Spinney, Co. C
Michael McAuliffe, Co D
Wm. Shackley, Co. G
Horace L. Hadley, Corp., Co. H.
Age.
. 29
30
21
Age.
George A. Ewell, Co. 1 28
Henry Beckett, recruit 22
James Finnerty, recruit 23
George A. Wilson, recruit 27
Fourteenth Jiegiment,
(See 1st Heavy .\rtilltry below.)
Seventeenth Regiment.
Age.
Robert W. Jessop, Co. A
Geo. Putnam, Jr., Corp., Co. B.
James Battye, Co. B
Patrick Carr, Co. B
Age-
Chaji. M. Goldthwaitt, Co. D.. 22
Doniiuick McDavitt, Co. D 31
Thomas J. Shea, Co. D 2G
.\rtenms Wilson, Co. D 34
Joseph H. Coley, Co. G 18
Nicholas Congdon, Co. G 25
Ephraim Getchell, Co. G 35
Wm. Ober, Co. G 27
Seward Sylvester, Go. G 18
Jas. Smith, sergt., 2d and 1st
lieut., Co. 1 30
36
18
43
33
David Coleman, Co. B 44
Lawrence Fox, Co. B 39
George H. Goss, Co. B 22
Thomas Hartmau, Co. B 42
James McCarty, Co. B 47
Andrew Pattou.Co.B 38
George Pitman, Co. B 34
Reuben H. CoHin, Co. D 29
Company C, Seventeenth Regiment. — Those
marked with a star were original members of the
Danvers Light Infantry.
Age.
*Nehemi.ah P. Fuller, capt., promoted major 2d H. Artillery 31
* Wm. W. Smith, Ist lieut., promoted capt., major, lieut. -colonel 23
*RueI B. Pray, 2d lieut., 1st lieut 24
*LewisCann, sergt. 2d lieut., 1st lieut., capt 23
* Henry G. Hyde, sergt, 2d lieut., Ist lieut 22
♦Uriah Robertson, sergt., 2d lieut., 1st lieut 30
Timothy Hawks, priv., 2d lieut., 1st lieut 44
* Robert Smith, sergt., 2d lieut., 1st lieut 31
*MalcolmSillar8, 2d lieut., Ist lieut 29
*.\ndrew Cook, sergt., 2d lieut 30
♦James Innian, sergt., 2d lieut 25
♦Joseph G. Martin, sergt., 2d lieut 35
* George H. Putney, sergt 28
♦Richard W. Fuller, pr., sergt 19
♦Timothy Hawks, Jr., Corp., sergt 26
•John B. Moores, pr., sergt 26
♦.\llen Nourse, sergt 21
♦William H. Ogden, pr., sergt 21
♦John F. Wells, pr., sergt 24
♦Isaac Bodwell, corp ^
* Charles F. Erown, corp 27
* James Cochrane, corp 23
1 Enlisted as Ist lieut., pronioted major 56th Infantry ; died of wounds.
34J
538
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
Age.
•David Cook, corp •IS
* David H. Ogdcu, corp 23
Patrick Sexton, pr., corp 20
George C. Wilson, musician 18
Charles Hartmau, musician IB
Fi-iuates.
Ago.
♦Lewis D. Moore 18
♦Archibald Morrison 25
♦George H. Moulton 28
Andrew Mullen 24
♦John Muudie 27
Martin Murray 20
Owen Murphy 23
Wm. J. Murphy 27
Edward North 19
♦David Pettingill 31
♦Richard Poor 19
♦Nathaniel W.Pope 23
James Prince 29
Charles H.Putnam 21
♦ George F. Putnam 23
♦Wm. Reynolds 23
♦Michael Riley 30
John A. Eoherts 18
Frank Scamptou 39
♦ George Scamptou 32
Joseph E. Shaw 18
♦John Shackley 33
♦Daniel Smith 28
♦Philip Sullivan 20
Jeremiah Tooiney 21
♦ Patrick Toomey 23
♦Patrick Trainer 19
•Ezra W. Watson 24
Charles F. Wells 18
Edwin G. Wells 18
Edwin F. Welsh 38
» Henry R. Wiggin 43
♦Joseph P. Wiggin 37
♦Frederick Wright 28
Age.
♦Samuel D.Benson 23
♦Charles H. Burcbstead 22
♦Joseph N. Burchstead 29
♦ James H. Burrows 25
Simeon Cofhn 21
♦Wm. R. Crawford 19
Wm. H. Croft 17
John L. Cunningham 31
♦James W.Dickey 19
♦George H. Dole 28
♦ Samuel W. Durgin 22
Joshua Gosa 43
♦ George W. Gos8 18
♦ Rufus Hart 20
♦Thomas Hartmau 19
James A. Holt 31
« Daniel A. Hyde 38
♦Thomaa Hyud 41
Andrew Kelly 40
John Kelly 35
♦Jackson Kennedy 31
♦Ezra D. Kimball 23
Michael Kirby 21
♦David P. Lang 24
Joseph Leavitt 42
♦James Lee 22
♦ James E. Lowell 23
♦Melville Maley 18
John McCreary 36
♦Alexander Mon 43
♦George E.Moore 24
♦John Moore 23
♦John B. Moores 26
John K. Moore 31
In the list of original membera of the Light Infan-
try Company are these names which do not appear
above :
Edward Murphy. Wm. W. Flyun.
Jonas S. Monroe. Jonjt Fogg.
Alden C. Shaw. Thos. A. Musgrave.
John P. Stiles. Peirce Butler.
Florence H. Crowley. Geo. R. Wentworlh.
Newell Durgiu. Wm. Sillars.
George W. Elliott. Geo. S. Lowe.
Ninetei'iith Reijimenl.
Age.
Edwin Starkey, Co. D..
John N. Thompson, Co. B 30 John Berry, Co. H
Robert W. Putnam, Co. F 18 Joshua Berry, Co. H..
Levi Trask, Co. H 44
l\ventieth Regiment.
Age. I
Robert McKenncy, Co. H 34 I John T. Brown,
Ticettty-second Regiment.
Age.
Daniel P. Clough,Co. A 18
John H. Moser, Co. D 19
Samuel F. Pray, Co. D 23
Twenty-third Regiment.
Age.
Isaac N. Roberts, hosp. stew,. 28
Joseph Blake, Corp., Co. A 22
William Webber, Co. A 18
Edward Blake, Co. A 20
Nathaniel W. Chaplin, Co. A. 23
Wm. A. Chaplin, Co. A 18
Albert T. Cressey, Co. A 18
Hpnj. M. TuUer, Co. A;. ...,,,,. 18
Age.
. 18
. 28
Co. K 33
Age.
... 15
Thomas Caldwell, Co. E 34
Age.
James Kelley, Co. A 45
James W. Kelley, Co. A 28
Thos. B. Kelley, Co. A 19
Moses A. Kent, Co. A 20
Albert Kimball, Co. A 18
Jeflerson Nichols, Co. A 35
Henry H. Richardson, Co. A.. 22
Wpi. H. Richardson, Co. A. .. 22
Age.
Matthew C. West, Co. A 32
Abel N. Tyler, Co. A 18
Daniel Fuller, col-p. Co. B 22
Geo. D. Choate, sgt. Co. C 28
Francis S. Dodge, corp. Co. F. 19
Francis S. Caird, Co. F 24
Jeremiah Cook, Co. F 35
Geo. H. S. Driver, Co. F 19
Charles H. Field, Co. F 46
George Newhall, Co. F 20
Twenty-fourth Rtginwnt.
David H. Cunningham, Co. E 18
Twenty-sixth Regiment.
George T. Welch, Co. B 20
Twenty-eighth Regiment.
Age.
Alonzo P. Dodge, sgt., Co. G.. 23
Tristram C. Jeffs, Corp., Go. G. 33
Jacob Bradbury, Co. G 41
Richard Hood, Co. G 58
Chas. P. Trask, Co. G 19
Chas. Annable, Co. K 34
Abraham North, Co. K 35
Isaac N. Roberts, Co. K 28
Richard B. Withey, Co.K 25
Jeremiah Murphy, Co. A..
John Dowdall, Co. E
Age.
.. 26
.. 20
Age.
Patrick R. O'Grady, Co. E 23
Twenty ninth Regiment.
Age. I Age.
Chas. D, Bedell, Co. D 21 I John Smith, Co. D 19
George W. Field, Co. D 21 !
Thirty-second Regiment.
Warren Thomas, Co. D 28
Thirty-third Regiment.
Age.
Jas. Hill, sgt, Co. C 22
Geo. 0. Smith, corp., Co. C... 40
James Hopkins, Co. C 18
James Reynolds, Co. C 18
Richard Landers, Co. E 22
Thirty-fifth
Age.
Daniel J. Preston,^ 45
Edgar M. Riggs, 2d Lieut 25
COMPANY F.
Jas. H. Ham, corp 24
Seth S. Stetson, corp 23
Wm. G. Colcord 20
Lewis W. Day 29
Henry G. Dockham 43
Chas. W. Dodge 25
John F. Eveleth 19
James A. Green 21
Thomas E, Green 22
George W. Hansun 19
Ambrose Hinds 26
Age.
John Smith, Co. E i8
Joseph McKenney, Co. F 23
John J. Smith, Co. F 22
Patrick Dunlay, Co. K 18
Regimtnt.
Age.
Joseph E. Hood 21
Samuel L. Knight 26
Charles P. Le Gro 25
Christopher Metzgar 19
Wm. .\. Peabody 21
Israel Roach 38
Jonas M. Rollins 32
Levi A. Trask 21
Lewis Verry 34
Chas. E. M. Welch 27
George T. Whitney 27
Jonathan E. Whitebouse 21
Oliver P. Wiggin 21
Joseph Wood 24
Wm. H. James, recruit 22
Thirty-eighth Regiment.
George W. Stanley, unassigued recruit 24
Thirty-ninth Regiment.
Age.
Chas.W. Hanson, sergt.-major. 26
Wm. S. Evans, Co. A 21
John H. Perkins, Co. X...
Fortieth Regiment.
Age.
Patrick Brannan, Corp., Co. B. 22
John Rosenthal, Corp., Co. B. 18
John Withey, corp., Co. B 44
Sam'l P. Withey, muc. , Co. B. 18
Joseph E. Annis, Co. B 32
Edwin Beckford, Co. B 19
Horace Beckford, Co. B 20
Chas. W. Benjamin, Co. B 27
Wm. H. Channell, Co. B 29
George H. Day, Jr., Co. B 18
Stephen S. Day, Co. B 37
Fifty-sixth Regiment.
Wallace A. Putnam. (See Tenth Regiment.)
1 Enlisted 1st Lieuteuant, aged 45, promoted Captain, and December
6, 1863, commissioned Major 36th U. S. Col. Inf.
Age.
.. 23
Age.
, 25
George H. Dwinell, Co. B
Henry Fish, Co. B 45
Wm. W. JeSBup, Co. B 18
Wm. H. Parker, Co. B 31
Samuel M. Porter, Co. B 411
Wm. F. Twiss, Co. B 31
George Woodman Co. B 35
Charles A. Young, Co. B 21
Charles E. Meader, Co. K 18
Lorenzo A. Quint, Co. K 33
DANVERS.
539
Fi/ttf-niulh liegiment.
Tlioniaa Carney, Co. I i'Z
FiHST Regiment Heavy Artillery (three
years). — Those marked with a star were original
members of the " Putnam GuarcLs."
Age.
» Elbridge W. Guilfoiil, sergt., 2d li.'ut., Lit lieut, Co. A MS
James Skene, Co. II 30
Frank W. Taggard, 2d lieut., 1st lieut., Co. D 2.5
Henry P. Fowler, eergt., 2d lieut., Co. D 22
Charles H. Masury, sergt., 2d lieut., Co. D 19
John P. Witliey, pr., sergt., Co. D 21
William F. Beclif(>rd, Corp., Co. D 24
Charles R. Brown, Corp., Co. D 21
James Murray, Corp., Co. D 24
George II. Chaplin, Co. D 21
William H. Dockham, Co. D 21
Charles W. C. Goudy, Co. D 21
EversoD Hall, Co. D 30
John M. nines, Co. D 21
Charles L. McGill, Co. D 21
George 0. Shattuck, Co. D 34
Daniel B. Usher, Co. D 23
Daniel Berry, Co. H 21
•Charles 11. Adams, Ist lieut., Co K 24
Edward Murphj', Co. L 22
Nathaniel K. Wells, Corp., Co. M 22
Samuel P. Richardson. Co. M 34
C^mpatiy I.
•Arthur A. Putnam, capt 30
•Jonathan U. Hanson, sergt., 2d lieut., Ist lieut., capt 32
•William J. Roome, 2d lieut., 1st lieut 22
•James Mack, sergt., 1st lieut 31
•George W. Kenney, 2d lieut
•Andrew O. Carter, sergt., 2d lieut 22
Charles F. Kelley, pr., sergt 24
•George G. Clark, pr., sergt
•Charles A. Shepard, pr., sergt
2(i
28
•William H. Shirley, pr., sergt 23
•George E. Smith, sergt 20
Edward Callahan, corp 21
William F. Davis, pr., corp 23
•Edward W. Thonia'^, pr., corp 27
•Sidney M. Pearson, corp 25
Benjamin D. fliiles, corp 30
•John G. Weeden, corp 32
PriviiUs.
Age.
• Hector A. Aiken 32
• Chas. G. .\nsenberger 25
•George D. Batchelder 19
•Chas. E. Brown 23
Giistavus Brown 23
•Henry T. Chalk 23
Frank B. Colby 21
Wm. Cunningliani 19
•Oscar F. Curtis 22
• William C. Dale 22
•James Drysdale 35
•George W. Earle 24
• Isaac O. Evans 18
•Nehemiah P. Fiske 20
George E. Fleet 32
• Edwin A. Fuller 40
• Edwin I. Getchell 22
•John Goodwin 37
• Warren F. Goodwin 18
Orlando C. Gui.py 2G
•James II. ILim 21
« Alljert Henderson 22
John V. Hennessey 22
Charles Ililler 22
••lohn Hobbs 20
• Levi H. Howard 42
•Cliarles Ilur.l 22
•George Ingraham 22
Age.
George H. Jones 18
• Frank S. Kittrcdge 23
• Samuel F. LelHau 24
George S. Low 19
Thomas Maloney 21
•John Merrill 26
• JohnMetzgar 27
• William H. Moser 44
•Simon Murray 25
• Elbridge G. Pearson 27
•Franklin Perkins 25
•George W.Perkins 29
George Peterson 21
•Oliver A. Plumnier 27
•Charles W.Sheldon 26
•William E.Sheldon 27
Daniel H.Smith 26
•David Smith 29
• James C. Smith 23
George W. Stevenson 25
•Milford Tedford IS
Angus Ward 23
•\villiam Ward 28
•Robert Weigand 26
•John Westcott 20
•James F. Whittier 21
• Carlton Woodward 21
Names of original members of the "Putnam
Guards" not given above, are Tluimas Turncy, corp.,
George Beard, Frank A. Burrill, .John F. Diiiliey,
Ezra S. Dudley, George A. Dodge, Eilwin K. Diidge,
George G. Esty, Charles M. Goodwin, Wm. .Johnson
Charles F. Jordan, Albert F. Putnam, Addison W.
Putnam, Kendall F. Richardson, Philemon R. Rus-
sell, Jr., Wm. Shackley, Ira T. Tra.sk, John K. Tiney,
drummer, John Wcsel.
SECOND EEGIMENT, HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Age.
Nehemiah P. Fuller, capt., major 33
Arthur A. Putnam, 1st lieut, capt 2.5
Charles H. Adams, 2d lieut 27
Arclielaus P. B. Kelly, Co. A 16
George A. Elliott, sergt., Co. B 25
.\braham North, sergt., Co. B 39
Albert D. Webber, Corp., Co. B 21
Richard P. Abbott, Co. B 25
Samuel D. Benson, Co. B 25
George H. Fuller, Co. B 26
James H. Kelle.v, Co. B 18
Edwin H.Marshall, Co. B 25
Henry Maud, Co. B 37
Stephen W. Roberts, Co. B 29
William H. Stetson, Corp., Co. C 29
GeorgeD. Goldthwalt, Co. D 32
Abraham North, Co. D .39
Wm. II. Southwick, Co. D 26
Joseph G. Whitehouse, Co. D 30
Addison W. Fowler, sergt., Co. E 22
John McCoy, Co. E .39
John Shackley, Co. E 44
Henry Sloper, Co. E 31
.loseph Leavitt, Co. F 43
Edward P. Mayhew, Co. F 18
Wm. Brown, Co. G 19
Compaiiti E,
Ag«.
Charles II. .\dams, Jr., sergt.... 26
Daniel P. Clough, sergt 19
Fredk. A. Wentworth, sergt.... 24
Wm. S.Forrest, corp 42
Ezra W. Watson, curp 26
Henry F. Allen 18
Orion W. Clough 18
James M. Collins 23
Albert A. Fowler 22
George A. Freeze 31
Andrew J. Goodwin 21
Eben J. Griffin 18
JohnC. Harris 23
Age.
Geo. W. Jellison 18
Franklin Johnson 18
Chas. T. Mosier 18
Allen Peabody 44
■loB. S. Peabody 18
Shepard Pierce 18
John F. Pillsbnry 22
Alonzo A. Rackliffe 18
Aniasa L. Ross 19
Albert Spaulding 18
Fredk. T. Stone 18
Robert Tough 20
Wm. H. Weeks 18
THIRD EEOI.MENT HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Edward Mitchell, 2d lieut.
William 0. Blake, Co. D
Edward Mitchell, sergt., Co. F..
Joseph Inman, Co. F.
Ago.
, 26
. 26
26
, 2;t
Benjamin F. Larrabee, Co. F 28
Frederick Marr, Co. F 20
Edwin F. Morrill, Co. F 18
Prince W. Nash, Co. F !«
Thonuia Nugent, t'o F 37
John 1". Thomas, Co. G 21
William H. Chadwick, corp., Co. H 27
Henry G. Abbott, Co H 22
Henry T. Briggs, Co. 11 2-'
James Finnekin, Co. II ■'■''
Joshua Goss, Co. 11 ''^
EzraD. Kimball, Co. H 25
Solomon B. Lane, Co. H ^I
Thomas McKe.ag, Co. II 21
John A. Roberts, Co. II •"
540
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Age.
Douglas R. Wilson, Co. H 18
Albert Woodbury, Co. H '26
Calvin F. Ricbiirdson, Co. M 21
John Shea, Co. M 40
Ansel C. Smart, Co. M 18-
John Stowoll, Co. M 26
William H. Mosier. Co. M 44
FOURTH REGIMENT HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Company A.
Ago.
John Ambrose 21
Thomas H. Bailey 25
Wallace Bailey 20
Elbridge Cothran 21
EbenF. Creesy 22
Florence H. Crowley 21
Timothy D. Crowley 18
Lewis W. Day 30
Stephen S. Day 41
Wm. G. Dickey 38
Thomas H.Dodge 19
John S.George 24
Thomas B. George 27
Two companies of sharpshooters, three years' men,
were recruited at Lynniield, and left for Washington
in December, 1861. In the first company, which was
ordered to report to General Lander near Maryland
Heights were the following Danvers men :
Age.
Joseph T. Smart 30
Alfred M. Trask 21
Austin Upton 35
Samuel A. Waitt 28
Age.
Edward F. Gourlcy 23
Benj, F. Grover 23
Charles A. Gnppy 23
John Kelly 22
Elbridge Kennedy 18
Charles Newhall 25
Albert Parry 36
Joseph F. Pitman 18
John W. Rollins 27
William B. Boss 28
Jacob C. Spauldiug 21
John Q. Welch 22
Douglass K. Wilson 22
Age.
Chae. N. Ingalls, sergt 40
Austin Upton, corp 37
David S. Huse 18
Horace Kimball 34
Joshua Severance 37
In the second company, attached to the Twenty-
second Regiment Infantry, were these :
Age.
Wm. I. Adams 34
George Beard 35
Moses Deland 22
Age.
Richard Goss 40
Hiram B. Kenuiston 36
In the Salem Cadets, which organization performed
garrison duty in Boston Harbor from May 26, 1862,
to October 11, 1862. were these Danvers men :
Age.
EbenF. Creesy 10
Florence H. Crowley 19
John G. Dervan 19
George F. Dockbam 18
Addison W. Fowler 21
Age.
Alonzo Gray 24
Samuel F. Gray 27
Arthur C. Kenney 23
John T. Ross ,'i2
Charles F. Sleeper 25
In Company B, of the Seventh Begiment Infantry
(six months), July 1, 1862, to December 31, 1862,
were :
Age.
Ale.\ander Caird 19
Warren P. Dodge 23
Richard Poor 19
The company of Danvers men previously referred
to as having been recruited in the summer of 1862,
was as follows:
CtJnyjany K. Eighth Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, Nine Months' men.
Geo. M. Crowell, sergt..
John H. Howard, Corp..
Henry Sloper, corp
Age.
.. 29
.. 20
.. 29
Albert G. Allen, capt 42
Edwin Baitey, 1st lieut 25
Benjamin E. Newhall, 2d lieut. 27
Charles W. Allen, Ist sergt.... 22
Thomas Baructt, sergt 37
Henry D. Wallace, sei'gt 22
James H. Sleeper, sergt 34
Samuel P. Fowler, sergt 24
Lorenzo C. Rogers, corp 43
Denis \V. Regan, corp 27
Alfred Porter, corp 36
Frederick N. Putnam, Corp.... 21
John Proctor, corp 34
Abiel A. Home, corp 32
Jacob Bradbury 44
William Brady 33
Age.
Thomas Carney 40
Orion W. Clough 18
Henry Collins 29
Patrick Collins 20
Thomas Collins 22
William Collins 18
Edward Darling 30
Judson W. Dodge 29
Henry F. English 27
William T. Fay 38
James L. Fish 18
William Fowle 41
Cyrus Fuller 30
Solomon Fuller 26
Charles W. Giddings 23
Charles A. GiUnan 19
Mark Glidden 43
Samuel Glover 53
Charles Goother 44
William W. Goodwin 31
Age.
Cleavcland Gould 29
Daniel H. Gould 17
James P. Margesod 35
John M. Martin 25
John Mc.\nliffe 30
William O'Neil 38
Albert Parry 34
Amos Peai-son 43
Charles W. Peart 22
Joel F. Phelps 40
Joseph M. Proctor 32
Albert F. Putnam 21
William Reynolds 47
John Russell 28
John H. Sears 19
Asa J. Spaulding 41
Alonzo J. Stetson, 24
Walter F. Tarleton 27
William Webber 18
Douglass R. Wilson 18
In the other nine months' regiments which left for
the front, in the latter part of 1862, were these :
Age.
Salmon B. Lane, Co. C, 42d 30
Jo.sepb N. Burchstead, Co. I, 47th 30
Michael Joyce, Co. E, 48th (deserted) 27
Wendell P. Hood, Co. F, 48th 22
Augustine Upton, Co. E, 50th 18
But four men are credited to Danvers in the cav-
alry. These are
George S. Osborne, asst. flurg., 1st Cav 24
Charles H. Lyons, Co. E, 1st Cav 21
Samuel W. Lewis, 1st sergt, 3d Cav 25
Reuben Leighton, Co. G, 5th Cav 18
But two are credited to the light artillery :
Daniel P. Avery, 2d Batt. , 3 years (deserted) 23
John L. Edwards, 4th Batt., 3 years 28
Fifth Eegiment, (100 days), mustered in .July
23, 1864:
William Metzgar, Co. C 18
Samuel W. Nourse, Co. C 23
Amos Pearson, Co. C 44
Gideon Kowell, Co. C 33
Samuel P. Trask, Co. C 19
Erdix T. Turner, Co. C 20
Sixth Regiment, (100 days) mustered in July
15, 1864:
George M, Crowell, 2d lieut., Co. 1 34
Warren P. Dodge, corp., Co. 1 25
Allen W. Bodwell, Co. 1 18
Daniel A. Caskin, Co. 1 20
Patrick Collins, Co. 1 20
William Collins, Co. 1 19
Thomas Hartman, Co. 1 22
Orris K. HufT, Co. 1 21
William S, Inman, Co. 1 18
Jeremiah Kirby, Co. 1 19
Frank B. Messer, Co. 1 19
Hugh Murphy, Co. 1 18
Edward North, Co. 1 21
Thaddeus Osgood, Co. 1 18
Richard Poor, Co. 1 21
Walter F. Tarlton, Co. 1 28
John Thompson, Co. 1 21
Joseph Thompson, Co. 1 18
Austin Towne, Co. 1 19
Frederick Wright, Co 1 33
Eighth Regiment, (100 days) Dr. Ebenezer Hunt,
aged 64, mustered in as assistant surgeon July 29,
1864 ; discharged November 10, 1864.
DANVERS.
541
Veteran Reserve Corps, July, 1S(J4:
Age. I Ago.
Thomas Caldwell 36 I Wni. Keynolds 28
Hiram S. Faje 33 I W. Sliackle.v 28
Julin McCreaiy « I KJwarii F. Welch 40
JohnO'Keefe 3'J 1
Thirteenth, Unattached Coihpan y, Infantry
(90 days), May, 18G4, William Francis, aged 45.
T\VENT\--NiNTH, Unattached Company, Heavy
Artillery' (1 year) George W. Keiiney, captain,
aged 34.
Regular Akmy, Louis E. Goodale, Signal Corps,
aged 21 ; John W. Wiley, Engineer Corps, aged 19.
BIOGEAPHICAL.
DR. ANDREW NICHOL.S.
Dr. Andrew Nichols was born in the northern
part of Danvers, on that ]>ortion of the "Prince
Farm" now owned by heirs of Philip H. Wentworth,
on the 22d of November, 1785. His father was
Major Andrew Nichols, an efficient and progressive
farmer. He introduced the Lombardy Poplar into
this section of the country, his farm being lined with
them. His mother was Eunice Nichols, the daugh-
ter of John Nichols and Elizabeth Prince. It was
Elizabeth Prince, granddaughter of Captain Robert
Prince, who set out the large elm tree now standing
near the main entrance to the Wentworth estate.
Sarah Warren, of Watertown, wife of Robert Prince,
and grandmother of said Elizabeth, who was after-
ward married to Alexander Osborne, was cried out
upon as a witch, and died in jail.
The first of his ancestors to settle in this country
was William Nichols, born about 1596, who took
grants of land in "Brooksby" (now Peabody), and
settled on them in 1638. In 1652, as by his deposi-
tion on record in the office of the clerk of courts, he
was living on his farm of about two hundred acres,
situated between Ipswich River and Salem line. The
farm in Middleton, now owned by Walter L. Harris,
of Salem, and adjoining lands bounded by Nichols
Brook, including the hill called " Ferncroft," were a
portion of it. His only son was John Nichols, who
married Lydia Wilkins, a daughter of Bray Wilkins,
of Wills I-iill, Middleton. Their son, John Nichols,
by hia second wife, had two sons, John Nichols, who
married Elizabeth Prince, before mentioned, and
Deacon Samuel Nichols, who married Abigail Elli-
ot, and they were the parents of Major Andrew
Nichols. They were all well-to-do farmers, an<l lived
within a mile and one half of Dr. Nichols' birth-
place.
After the completion of the course at Phillips Acad-
emy, in Andover, in 1804, he studied with Dr. Water-
house, at the famous "Cragie" or Longfellow Man-
sion at Cambridge, and attended the course of lectures
at the Harvard Medical School in 18()('> and 1807.
He commenced the practice of his profession in the
southern part of the town (now Peabody), in 1811 ; it
soon spread to every part of the old town, also to
Middleton, Lynnfield and a portion of Topslield and
Salem, where, as the beloved physician, he might
be seen early and late, either walking or riding. I
think it can well be said, that no practitioner had
more names of persons who were unable to pay upon
his books than he. He seldom asked twice for the
very moderate fee, and never asked for it where he
knew or mistrusted it was hard for them to pay. But
to rich or poor alike, he always responded cheerfully,
and was very sympathetic to all. I have seen him
performing surgical operations and appear to sutler
more than the patient.
He was admitted to the Massachusetts Medical So-
ciety in 1811, and was for many years president of
the Essex South District Medical Society. He was
always a diligent student, and in the advance guard
of his profession, delivering an essay on the irritation
of the nerves before the Massachusetts Society in
1836.
He was interested in all that was going on about
him. He was a charter member and first master of
Jordan Lodge of Masons, and during his whole life
an active member, of which his poem on " The Spir-
it of Free Masonry" in 1831, gave evidence.
He was a distinguished botanist, assisting Dr. Bige-
low in his well-known book. He gave the first course
of lectures ever delivered upon that subject in Salem
in 1818; his keen love of it led him to discover the
minute Arctic flower, the Draha Verna, on the
bleak hills of Peabody, upon the melting of the win-
ter snows. He was the first president of the Essex
County Natural History Society in 1836, which, with
the Essex Historical Society of 1821, formed the Es-
sex Institute of 1848.
Though in active practice and living in the .south-
ern part of the town, he showed a great interest in
agriculture. He was intensely interested in the man-
agement of his farm in Middleton, some seven miles
away next adjoining the old William Nichols farm of
1652, which fell to him through his first wife, Ruth
Nichols.
He was one of the founders of the Essex Agricul-
tural Society, and its treasurer for thirteen years. He
delivered the address at its first cattle show, held at
Topsfield, in 1820.
He was one of the old line Abolitionist.s, and at the
head of the Free Soil party in Danvers. I have seen
the poor fugitive slave at his house being fed and in-
structed on whom to call as he went northward. Ho
carried on the anti-slavery lectures in town, lecturing
and entertaining the lecturers of those days. Garrison,
Phillips, Pillsbury, Piorpoint, Henry (l5ox) Brown
and many others, and doing all in his power to ad-
vance the cause of the oppressed. He did nut live
542
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
long enough to witness the results. In this connec-
tion I would state that his brother, Abel Nichols,
cast the first vote in town in the anti-slavery cau.se,
and the only one at that particular election.
The reading and study of the poets, ancient and
modern, was a recreation which he thoroughly en-
joyed, and which gave him many happy hours. He
wrote many poems and hymns, some for special occa-
sions, that have been published, among them the
"Centennial" poem of Dan vers in 1852.
It was his regular habit to write one every Sab-
bath, many times quite late at night, as his profession-
al duties would give him no regular hour. Also
poems to his wife, mother, children, friends and self,
on their recurring birth-days.
He was active in the temperance cause, and as
early as 1819 lectured before the " Society for Sup-
pressing Intemperance and other Vices," of which he
was a member. He took an active part in the Wash-
ingtonian movement in 1840, and in his profession he
did all in his power to stay its evils.
He was very inventive, and constantly at work
with mind or hands upon something to the advance-
ment of science, as his improvement of Dr. Arnott's
Hydrostatic Bed, upon one of which he died. He
had, that very week, given instructions to a mechanic
for additional improvements to it. The rubber air
pillows and beds used at the present day take its
place. Tubes for the introduction of fresh air from
the window to the bed of the patient. The making
of zinc paint. The coupling of railroad cars while in
motion. Object cards and letters to place upon the
blackboard in our schools while upon the School
Committee, of which he was for many years a mem-
ber. In this connection it is proper to state that he
made the first move for the establishment of the High
School within the town.
He was one of the founders of the First Unitarian
Congregational Society of Danvers (now Peabody),
and was a sincere friend and helper to all of its pas-
tors from the first to the last. The Rev. Frank P.
Appleton truly said of him, " His heavenly
Father was a dear and sacred presence to him." In
all the brighter scenes of life he saw that Father's
love ; and he laid his soul meekly, cheerfully before
that infinite Friend . . . His was a guileless worship.
He was open-hearted to God, as he was to man. No
fear mingled in his communion ; his cheerful love
cast out all fear, or rather his unselfishness made fear
of God impo-ssible. ... To serve his Father and to
help his brethren, this was the aim of his life. He
never lost his love for his fellow-beings, — they were
always God's children ; and the deep interest in others
which rose uppermost in his heart during his last
sickness, the sacred counsel, "to live for man, to work
for humanity,'' which, with faltering lips, but unfal-
tering soul and faith he gave, were only simple repe-
titions of what his whole life had said.
His monument in the Monumental Cemetery in
Peabody has the expressive inscription, "Erected by
the friends of Humanity to Humanity's Friend."
An intimate friend of George Peabody from his
boyhood, in the apothecary shop, when he removed
the wen from his forehead, to his success as a London
banker, and corresponded with him until the time of
his death.
He married his cousin, Ruth Nichols, daughter of
Deacon John Nichols, of Middleton, and wife of
Sarah Fuller, the 1st of June, 1809; she died without
issue, March 31, 1832.
He married secondly, Mary Holyoke Ward, daugh-
ter of Joshua Ward, of Salem, and wife Susanna
Holyoke, daughter of Dr. Edward Augustus Holyoke,
the 3d of October, 1833.
He died the 30th of March, 1853, and his widow
the 15th of April, 1880.
He left two children, Andrew Nichols, civil engi-
neer, who now occupies the northwesterly corner of
the Robert Prince farm, which, to this time, has never
been out of the ownership of his descendants, though
for one hundred years in the name of Nichols, and
a daughter, Mary Ward Nichols.
Of the next generation four sons and three daugh-
ters are living children of Andrew Nichols and wife,
Elizabeth P. Stanley, of Salem. The eldest Andrew
inherits his grandfather's taste for Natural History.
HON. ELIAS PUTNAM.
Elias Putnam, son of Israel and Anna Putnam,
was born in Danvers, Mass., June 7, 1789, and was
descended from John and Priscilla Putnam, who, in
or about the year 1634, as stated in a previous page,
came from England to America with their three sons,
and settled in Salem village. The second of these
sons was Nathaniel, whose son John had a son, also
named John, the father of Edmund and grandfather
of the above mentioned Israel. Through the various
matrimonial alliances of this line of ancestors, Elias
might trace his pedigree back to many others of the
emigrant colonists whose history has more or less
been made known to us, and whose progeny is now
very numerous throughout the country. Edmund
Putnam dwelt for the greater part of his long life,
and died in the year 1810, at the old Daniel Rea
house, which still stands at the north of the Plains,
and at a little distance east of the direct road from
Salem to Topsfield, and which, having been the
property and home of four successive generations of
this branch of the Putnam family, passed many years
ago into the possession of Mr. Augustus Fowler, who
now occupies it. He was commonly known as
" Deacon Edmund," having served as deacon of the
First Church from 1762 until 1785, when he became
a Universalist. While holding this office, he was
unanimously chosen captain of a Danvers Alarm
List Company, March 6, 1775. In 1776 he was made
selectman and assessor, and in 1778 was appointed
^
DANVERS.
543
one of a committee of the town to consider and report
upon the New State Constitution then proposed for
adoption. Israel, the third of his five children, was
born November 20, 1754, at the old Rea place just
referred to, and his w'ife, Anna, was a daughter of
Elias Endicott, St., and lineal descendant of the old
Puritan Governor, John Endicott, whose " Orchard
Farm " was her father's native spot. Immediately
after their marriage, in 1788, they began houseljeep-
ing on another farm owned by the family, situated at
a point on the road two miles f^irther north and
about a third of a mile souih of the Topsfield line.
The house, which is still standing, was built during
the last century, and marks the site of one of the
earlier Porter homes, which was destroyed by fire.
There Elias, and also two of four other children,
were born, the family then removing for a time
to the Aeu; Mills (Danversport), and next to the
original homestead, where they might have a more
immediate care of the grandparents in their de-
clining years. It was here that Elias took his firet
real lesson in manual work, serving about the house
and in the field in such waysas New England lads were
then generally expected to learn and practice. Mean-
while, the short winter terms of the rural district
schools, located about midway between the upper and
lower farms, afforded him about all the opportunities
foreducation, which he enjoyed in his boyhood. Early
in 1812, in company with several other young men
of the neighborhood, he entered Bradford Academy,
but had not long been a student at that institution
before he gave much offence to its teachers and offi-
cers by a composition which he prepared and pre-
sented as one of the required exercises, and in which
he ably and boldly advanced views at variance with
the theology there dominant and almost everywhere
prevalent. Unwilling to remain where he found that
he could not enjoy full religious freedom, he with-
drew from the school and repaired to Topsfield for
private instruction under Mr. Israel Balch, and there
finished the one short term that was to end his
school-day life. His classmates or companions from
Danvers sympathized with him, approved his action,
and all joined him at once in his new scene of study
and endeavor. Their concurrent and life-long testi-
mony, as well as his own subsequent career, bore
abundant witness to the fidelity wilh which, at both
places, he improved his all too limited advantages,
and to the rapid progress he made in his work. De-
siring to qualify himself especially for the plain,
practical pursuits that engaged so many of his fel-
low townsmen, he devoted himself to the common
English branches, and gave particular attention to
the art of surveying, which he so mastered that he
subsequently made his proficiency in it, very useful
to many others as well as to himself. But however
much he might have been indebted to books and
schools, nature gave him a still better outfit in a
strong mind, in excellent judgment, good common
sense, a high moral purpose, indomitable energy and
a spirit of industry and activity that never seemed,
from first to last, to crave, or even need, relaxation or
rest.
He was now twenty-three years of age, and was
asked to teach the school of his native district for
the following winter of 1812-13, and this he did. The
old scbool-house had been condemned, and a new
brick one had just been erected, of whose long line
of " masters " he was to be the first, as a youngest
son was to be the last, about forty years later. Hav-
ing married Eunice Ross, d.aughter of Adam Ross, of
Ipswich (who had been a soldier at Bunker Hill and
in the Revolutionary War), he and his bride com-
menced housekeeping, like his parents before them,
at the upper farm. His father had otl'ered to send
him to college, or to deed to him this estate, as he
might choose. Too distrustful, perhaps, of his
chances of success in professional life, and fond of
agricultural pursuits, he decided to hold to his ances-
tral acres. Soon alter he had served out his single
term as a teacher, he concluded to unite with his occu-
pation as a farmer, the business of manufacturing
shoes. Amongst the intelligent and sturdy inhabit-
ants of the district and its vicinity, this industrial
interest, which was destined to be of prime import-
ance to the town, had already attracted the attention
and engaged the enterprising spirit of such men as
Caleb Oakes, Zerobbabel Porter, Moses Putnam,
Elias Endicott, Jr., and a few others of like charac-
ter. Elias Endicott, Jr., was a near neighbor as well
as an own uncle of the subject of our sketch. The
latter had learned not a little from him about the art
of the " gentle craft," and now wished to set up busi-
ness on his own account. He bought the old aban-
doned school-house, moved it up near his own home,
reconstructed and enlarged it, and began in it what
was to be the chief avocation of his life. Not, how-
ever, without serious discouragement at the very out-
set; for, through the insolvency of a Southern trades-
man to whom he had sold a large lot of g"ods, he lost
the first thousand dollars he had earned by hard and
patient work. But the misfortune only nerved him
to greater exertion, and his shop, as well as his laud,
became ere long still more the busy scene of labor.
In 1814, or about that time, "Deacon Edmund"
and his wife having died, Israel returned with his
household to the scene of his early married life to
sjieiid the remainder of his days with the son and his
family, enlarging the habitation with a northern " L,"
the future birth-place, it may be noted by the way, of
that distinguished soldier and civilian of the West,
Major-Geueral Granville M. Dodge. Israel, like his
father Edmund, was a Universalist, and soon began,
with -ome of his neighbors, to take the necessary steps
for the promulgation of the doctrine within ihedistrict.
He presided over a meeting, held at the school-house,
April 22, 1815, at which the friends of the new move-
ment presented a declaration of their principles and
544
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
made arrangements to secure preachers. Here was
the origin of the present Universalist Church of
Danvers. Israel and Elias, both, were among the
signers of the declaration, and the active participants
in the enterprise, and they subsequently welcomed to
their home many of the early apostles of the faith
who came from time to time to expouud it to such as
were willing to hear, Hosea Ballou, Charles Hudson,
the Streeters and many others. As the father was
prominent in the society in its infant history, so
the son was a staunch supporter of it in its more
prosperous years, both of them being identified with
its fortunes as long as they lived. Farmer Israel was
a deeply religious, as well as a very intelligent
man, and in his zeal for Universalism he wrote able
sermons in its advocacy and defence, several of which
were published in pamphlet form for circulati<m. He
died in the summer of 1820, at the age of sixty-five,
and the Essex Register, in announcing his decease,
referred to him as " a highly respected and worthy
citizen." His wife, who was characterized by a full
share of the traits and qualities of her race, died long
years afterward, at Dan versport, at the residence of her
only surviving daughter, Mrs. Mary P. Endicott.
In 1832 Elias, finding that shoe manufacturing was,
and was likely to be, a more lucrative calling than
farming, and that the prospective needs of his family
of ten children, to which one other was added in the
following year, required him to engage in it more ex-
tensively, let out his house and land and moved
down once more to the aucient homestead on the
lower and smaller farm, where he could be nearer the
heart of the town, and enjoy ample facilities and
opportunities for the end in view. Building for him-
self, out by the road-side, a more commodious fac-
tory than he had thus far occupied, he embarked
more and more largely in business, furnishing em-
ployment to increasing numbers of workmen in Dan-
vers and surrounding towns, and supplying with the
products of their labor the markets of still other
cities in the Middle, Southern and Western States.
The qualities of character which distinguished him
had a long time before fixed the attention of his fel-
low-citizens, and he had already received not a few
marks of their confidence and respect. He had
again and again been chosen moderator of the annual
town meetings, and had repeatedly been a member
and also a chairman of the Board of Selectmen, in
years when such offices were posts of honor more
than they are now. In 1829 and also in 1830 he was
elected as Representative to the General Court, and
served for the two years. In 1833 he was chosen
Senator and served for one term in that branch of
the State Legislature. Here he had the great pleasure
of renewing his former friendship with that sterling
man, Charles Hudson, who had been an inmate of
his home while preaching in Danvers ten or twelve
years previously, but who had now entered political
life, and was destined to high civic honors. The two
men were the members from the Senate of the joint
standing committee on railways and canals. It was
at an important juncture in the history of such inter-
nal improvements rn the old commonwealth. The
Boston and Lowell Railroad was the only one then
in existence in Massachusetts. The eastern com-
pany was now fighting, against much opposition and
under many ditficulties, for a charter. Mr. Putnam
was very earnest and active in his efforts in behalf
of the measure, and his zeal for it, taken in connec-
tion with his acknowledged ability to deal with such
matters as these, and his position as a leading mem-
ber of the committee, and the only member of it from
the county which he represented, and in which the
line was to have one of its immediate termini, and
with the interests and needs of which, so largely to
be affected by a successful issue, he was quite well
acquainted, enabled him to exert, as the late and
lamented Mr. Joshua Silvester and others testify that
he did, a very controlling influence towards the fav-
orable result that was finally reached. In like man-
ner he defended and supported other measures of
public utility while thus at the capitol.
More and more, as life went on, Mr. Putnam had
at heart the prosperity of his native town, and gave
to it, in no stinted degree, his thought and care, his
time and his means. With that object still in view,
he was, as Mr. Silvester again remarks, in a recent
biographical sketch of him, accompanied with some
personal reminiscences, the first to propose the es-
tablishment of a bank in North Danvers. The two
men were near neighbors, had already known each
other for some years, were both engaged in the same
kind of business, and were associated intimately in
political, religious and other relations, and were on
terms of mutual trust and friendship which con-
tinued to strengthen and ripen with each advancing
year. " During all this time," says the account or
tribute of the revered and veteran survivor of his
long since departed companion and co-worker,
" scarcely a day passed that we were not together. I
can safely say that I knew the man perfeetly. One
day he asked me if I did not think we needed a
bank in North Danvers? I told him, yes, I thought
we did. We then called a meeting of the business
men of the town at the old Berry Tavern to consider
the matter. It was unanimously voted that applica-
tion should be made for a charter, and that other
necessary steps should be taken." The end was at
length accomplished. The bank was duly incor-
porated in 1836, and Mr. Putnam was chosen the first
president, and held the office to the close of his life.
Mr. Silvester, who was made one of its directors,
adds, — " the bank immediately went into a success-
ful business, which was soon checked, however, by
the general crash of 1837. Nearly all the banks of
the country suspended specie payment, and well nigh
all the business houses failed or asked extensions, in
consequence of the embarrassments occasioned by the
DANVERS.
545
removal of the governmentdepositsand by the destruc-
tion of the N;ition;il bank. There followed the greatest
depression and stagnation ever known before or since
to the industry and trade of the people. But under
the management of Mr. Putnam, the village bank
was safely carried through it, and to the most perfect
satisfaction of the stockholders." And, notwith-
standing great personal losses, the business of his
own manufacturing establishment was conducted
with like wisdom and success.
In 1842, with the view of extending still more his
operations, he built in the village of the Plains, at a
distance of about a mile south from his home, a
dwelling-house, and a much larger factory than his
last one, on land he hadjust purchased of Mr. Jonas
Warren. Thither he moved his family in the follow-
ing January, and soon took into business with him
as a partner, his son, Elias E., giving to the firm
the name of '" Elias Putnam & Co.''
It was in the summer of 1S43 that he united with
others to promote the plan of purchasing and laying
out the beautiful grounds of the Walnut Grove
Cemetery as a new and fitting place for the burial
of the dead. In pursuance of the object, a suitable
organization was formed at successive meetings of
citizens, and on the 18th of October, the first regular
oflScers of the corporation were chosen, Mr. Putnam
being elected president. The consecration services
took place June 23, 1844.
He was a warm friend of the cause of education.
While in the Legislature he had made the acquain-
tance of Horace Mann, then and for a long time a
member from Dedham, and wa-s deeply interested in
the better system of common schools which the future
renowned philanthropist had already there advocated
and urged. He became a diligent reader of his
writings upon the subject, and especially of his long-
continued and most useful Common School Journal.
Some trace of this influence may perhaps be seen in
the part which he took in causing the large amount
of surjilus revenue that was apportioned to Danvers
in 1838, to be set apart as a permanent fund for the
benefit of her schools. The proposition encountered
much opposition, but it was finally carried a few
years later, and John W. Proctor, Esq., in his Cen-
tennial addre-ss of 1852, says, — "Considering the
many jealousies brought to bear on this topic, the
act whereby the investment was made will ever re-
main most creditable to the town. No man did
more to bring this about than the late Elias Put-
nam who, in this as in all his other public services,
showed himself a vigilant friend of Danvers." If,
in the same connection, Mr. Proctor, long after iMr.
Putnam's death, allowed himself to indulge so pub-
licly in a less just and generous word, those who were
then conversant with aflairs, were not slow or
mistaken in referring it to the old frequent contro-
versies between the northern and southern sections
of the town, in which these two men not seldom
35
stoutly and uncompromisingly antagonized each
other, and in which the able and distinguished law-
yer, as he could but remember, was not always suc-
cessful, even as he was not always in the right.
Mr. Putnam was also among the very first to de-
vise and agitate the project of a railroad that should
connect Danvers and other towns north of it with
the seaboard and more populous and commercial
places at the soutli. One of his sons-in-law recalls
a ride which he was early invited to take with him
through Middletou to Andover, and the pleased in-
terest with which the latter sought out and discovered
a feasible route for the proposed line. Along that
way the Essex Railroad, extending from Salem to
Lawrence, was constructed at length, but compara-
tively few to-day are aware what a protracted and
determined struggle it cost to give it that direction,
and thus to ensure to Danvers the increased facilities
and advantages for transportation and inter-commu-
nication which she has consequently so long en-
joyed. The road was chartered in 1846, though
not opened until 1848, and Mr. Putnam was one of
the several persons in whose names the grant of in-
corporation was vested, and subsequently, at the
organization of the Board, was made one of the direc-
tors, though he was not to live to see fully com-
pleted the enterprise which had commanded so much
of his interest and energy, and which he had done so
much to put into the way of success.
Among the numerous offices which he held at one
time or another, was that of county commissioner,
and on various occasions he was appointed a delegate
to county, State and National political conventions. He
was a member of the Whig party, and few felt more
keenly disappointed than himself at the defeat of
Henry Clay in 1844. As a personal friend, he had
often taken counsel and been much associated in
these relations, with such men as Daniel P. King,
Eufus Choate, Leverett Salstoustall, Stephen C. Phil-
lips and others of like repute in Danvers, Salem and
vicinity, sharing fully their Whig principles and
sympathies, and working with them to supplant the
Democracy. He had a deep and abiding interest in
political and naticmal aflairs, and kept himself well
informed in regard to what was going on at Wash-
ington, as well as to matters of legislation nearer
home. He had a natural and instinctive alihorrence
of the system of slavery, and greatly desired to see
it brought to an end, but he was opposed to all rash
and violent measures to compass the result, and was
persuaded that the best good of the country and the
higher interests of freedom itself, would most surely
be realized through tlie triumph and continued
supremacy of the party with which he was connected
and whose illustrious leaders and statesmen he sin-
cerely tru.sted and honored. He was fond of argument,
had debated similar questions long before in the old
Danvers Lyceum, and still liked to discuss subjects
of this kind with his friends and neighbors, and such
546
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
was the intelligence and candor of the man that they
were equally ready and glad to exchange views with
hira, however much they might differ with him in
opinion. Whatever his prepossessions, he was a lover
of the truth, had an inquiring mind, aimed to get at
the reasons of things, and was most conscientious
and deliberate in arriving at his convictions. We
quote again from Mr. Silvester, — " He had supreme
control of himself under all circumstances, and was
a deep thinker and reasoner. Every questi6n, or new
movement, presented to him he traced out in all its
bearings to the end, after which he was ready to ex-
press his feelings on the matter, and when you got
his opinion on any subject, you could rely on it as
his best candid judgment and most likely to be cor-
rect." Nor is it difficult to say where he would
have stood had he lived somewhat longer, only to see
his old party utterly recreant at last to its better
principles and high trusts, and men taking sides
anew for the momentous conflict at hand.
Mr. Putnam was, morever, a person of rare in-
ventive skill. As he was one of the early shoe-
manufacturers of the town, so he was one of the very
first in the country to invent machines to facilitate
the various processes of the art, and to economize, in
connection therewith, labor, time and material. It is
a curious circumstance that when, in 1833, his neigh-
bor, Mr. Samuel Preston who, like Mr. Silvester, was
engaged in the same business, had invented a ma-
chine for pegging shoes and had got out a patent for
it, Mr. Putnam had at the same time and in the same
quiet or secret way, been studying and toiling to ac-
complish a like result, and had actually constructed
a machine of his own that did the work. In a letter
which he addressed to a friend, and a copy of which,
in his own handwriting, lies before us, he manifests a
desire to know more fully the principle of Mr. Preston's
invention, having received an intimation that it was
essentially the same as that of his own, yet suspect-
ing his own might have certain merits which the
other had not. Doubtless the discovered resemblance
was such as to discourage him from applying for a
patent in his own case, since, as a matter of fact, the
two machines worked about equally well, though
poorly at best. But neither of these gentlemen fol-
lowed up his advantage so as to make his achieve-
ment practically useful to himself or others. It was
reserved to men of a later time to bring to wonderful
perfection what they had created as only humble be-
ginnings. Mr. Putnam turned his attention to other
contrivances, and a few years later obtained a patent
for a machine which he had invented for splitting
leather, and which was found to be of so much bene-
fit to the manufacturers, that it commanded a brisk
sale amongst them, far and near. Two others, of like
utility, were soon afterward invented and patented,
both ingenious, yet simple in plan. The inventor
had connected with his shop a private apartment to
which few were admitted, and in which, amidst a
promiscuous array of drawings, mouldings, castings
and patterns of great variety, he beguiled in such
studies or pursuits as these whatever hours he could
snatch from his busy and stirring life in the world
without. In such, as in so many other ways, he ad-
vanced the chief business of the town and wrought
for the general good.
It has always and justly been said of him by those
who knew him that he was one of the most public-
spirited of men, and he was not less disinterested and
benevolent in motive and feeling than he was honest
and upright in thought, word and deed. His worldly
possessions might have been abundant, indeed, had
he not given himself so constantly and freely to the
service of others. He was the helper and not the
hinderer of men around him, and many were those,
in Danvers and elsewhere, to whom he gave a good
start in life, or whom he assisted in their worthy
struggles by generous advances of money, or by other
not less valuable forms of encouragement and aid.
He was a prodigious worker himself, and he had a
decided liking for men who had in them the very
spirit of work, who were industrious and virtuous,
and showed signs of thriftiuess and prudent living,
and it was a genuine pleasure to him to extend to
them his sympathy and support whenever they
chanced to get into a hard place and needed a friendly
hand. In other words, he was ever quick to help
those who tried to help themselves, and also those
who were helpless, indeed, yet were really deserving.
He had small patience with the lazy and shiftless
ones, even as the vain, the double-minded and the
false-hearted found him an uncongenial i)resence. It
was pleasant to see what a wide re|)utation he had
in Essex County for wisdom, goodness and rectitude,
and in what varied and numerous ways the feeling of
absolute trust, on the part of families or private in-
dividuals in the region round about, was wont to
manifest itself. He was constantly called upon to
arbitrate between contentious parties, to compose
difficulties, to give advice, to settle estates, to read-
just boundary lines and to be himself a sort of sav-
ings-bank for widows and orphans and others at a
time when no legally incorporated institution of the
kind existed in the town. Such depositors felt that
their little all, principal and interest both, was safe
for them beyond all question in the hands of "Squire
Lias," as he was popularly called, and so it was. It was
often at no little inconvenience and sacrifice that he ren-
dered these different kinds of service to strangers and
acquaintance alike, but he never declined the request
if it was in his power to fullil it, and so to di-charge
an act of kindness. We can hardly refrain from
quoting once more from the simple and heartfelt
tribute of Mr. Silvester, — " His personal character,"
he says, " was the noblest." He was frank and gen-
erous, sincere in all he said and did, scorned a trick
or an unworthy act, and was incapable of either,
and he bore about with him wherever he went that
^2^1^ z"^'
DANVERS.
547
deportment and dignity which secured for him the
perfect confidence of every man with whom he came
in contact. He was one of those wlio ticlieve that
there is a pleasure beyond that of benefiting one's
self — the pleasure of doing good to others, and this
he practiced. Seliishness was the last trait which
the spirit of truth and goodness could have imputed
to him."
In person he was tall, large and well proportioned
of stature, was of reddish brown hair and fair florid
complexion, with full blue expressive eyes, and was
of great physical strength and of remarkably good
health through all his life until his last, lingering and
fatal sickness. He was generally of grave aspect,
yet was not without a native element of humor and
not seldom indulged in more hearty sportive moods,
was marked by a certain puritan simplicity of man-
ner, and was plain in his dress and frugal in his
habits. He was a member of one of the earliest
temperance societies in Essex County, and was a total
abstinence man all his life, even at a time when it
was well nigh a universal custom to make use, in
some form or another, of spirituous liquors. He was
an early riser, and was early to bed, filling the waking
hours with incessant work, aud while he was so faith-
ful to all the many interests which we have enumer-
ated he had a supreme and loving care of home and
kindred.
After months of severe suflering, occasioned by a
wrench or a strain of the side, which finally proved
the cause of his death, he passed peacefully away,
July 8, 1847, at his village home and in the pres-
ence of his family and other loving friends. The
trustees, or directors, and officers, of the various in-
stitutions with which he had been prominently con-
nected, such as the village bank, the E*sex Railroad
Company and the Walnut Grove Cemetery corpora-
tion at once met, passed resolutions expressive of
their respect for the memory of their deceased asso-
ciate, and of their deep sense of the great worth of
his character and services, and of their own private
as well as of the public lo.ss, and voted to attend,
each board as a body, his funeral obsequies. The local
and other papers contained just tributes in his honor,
voicing the general sorrow of the hour and the senti-
ments of high esteem and grateful regard entertained
towards him by all who had known him. We copy from
one or two of tliese journals the following extracts.
Said the Salem Gazette, of July 12, 1847, — "It is with-
sincere regret that we are called upon to chronicle the
decease of the Hon. Elias Putnam, of North Danvers,
a gentleman of great worth, and a highly influential
and useful member of the community where he dwelt.
Mr. Putnam was much respected wherever he was
known. Enterprising, sagacioas, of comprehensive
views and upright action he was foremost in all
schemes for the promotion of the general good with-
in the sphere where his influence could be felt,
and filled many otfices of public trust, from a State ■
Senator to those more immediately local, with un-
swerving fidelity and acknowledge<l usefulness. His
death cannot but be regarded as a public loss by hie
own community, and he will be sincerely mourned by
a very large circle of neighbors and friends." And
the Danvers Courier, of July 10th, said, — " For many
years he has been looked to as the counsellor and
friend of all around him. Ever ready to lend his aid
to all who asked it, ever cool and considerate in his
judgment, — the want of his judicious advice will be
deeply felt in the circle in which he moved. For
the last thirty years he had been repeatedly called to
the discharge of duties of trust and confidence by
his fellow-citizens, and uniformly met them to
their entire satisfaction. He never sought office, but
never refused it when he thought he could be useful
in the fulfilment of its duties. There are none among
us who have done more to promote the prosperity of
the town than Mr. Putnam. Discriminating in his
judgment, persevering in his industry and efficient
in his operations, the influence of his example will
long be remembered with admiration."
The funeral services were held at his residence,
July 10, and were attended by a large assemblage of
people, and the burial took place on the same day
at the grounds which he had been so much interested
in having set apart and consecrated as a receptacle
of the dead. Shortly after, Rev. Mr. Hanson, the
pastor of the Universalist Church, preached an elo-
quent sermon in which he bore touching testimony to
the virtues and usefulness of his departed friend and
parishioner, aud to the conspicuous exemplification
which his life and character had given of the value
and power of the faith he had cherished.
Mrs. Putnam survived her husband twenty-six
years. Of their eleven children, seven are still living.
Of the other four, Emily died in 1843, and Elias
Endicott, Israel Alden and Louisa Jane, in 1848.
REV. ALFRED P. PUTNAM, D.D.
Alfred Porter Putnam, the eighth child of Elias and
Eunice (Ross) Putnam, was born January 10, 1827,
in Danvers, Mass., in the house in which also his
father was born thirty-eight years before. He was
the lineal descendant of the famous John Putnam,
who immigrated to this country in 1C.34, and whose
death, eighteen years later, simultaneous with the
appearance of a great comet, was publicly pro-
claimed, by the clergymen of the time, as affording
this " very signal testimony that God had then re-
moved a bright star and shining light out of the
heaven of his church here into celestial glory above."'
In the female line he traces his pedigree to some of
the ablest founders of our New England civilization,
such as Governor John Endicott, Francis Peabody
and William Hawthorne, men who have made their
•See Morton's " Momorial," pp. 251, 252.
548
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
impress on every succeeding generation in Essex
Countj' to the present day. Educated in tlie common
schools of his native town, he first turned liis atten-
tion to mercantile pursuits. After a short appren-
ticeship in the village bank of which his father was
president, and, subsequently, a year's study at the
Literary Institute at Pembroke, N. H. he entered, as
book-keeper, a dry goods establishment in Boston,
where he at once discovered an uncommon aptitude
for a business career. The intellectual and reforma-
tory movements of the time, however, soon engrossed
his attention ; and seeking a wider field and a higher
aim for his life work, he determined to fit himself for
college, and thus acquire a mental equipment with
which, in the mighty contests then impending, he
might do some serv'ce in behalf of his fellow-men.
Accordingly, in 1848, at the age of twenty-one, he
began his preparatory studies at an academy in Ver-
mont, and the next year entered Dartmouth College.
Attracted by the new elective system under President
Wayland at Brown University, Providence, he trans-
ferred his membership to that institution in 1850,
where he was graduated with high honors in 1852,
delivering, at the spring exhibition, the valedictory
oration of his class on " Religion and Art." Thus,
in the brief period of four years after leaving his desk
in Boston, he had won his A. B.
During the following autumn, as in the preceding
winters, he was eng.aged in teaching, and then he en-
tered the Divinity School at Cambridge, under Drs.
Noyes and Francis. Approbated in due time to
preach by the Boston Association of Unitarian Min-
isters, he delivered his first sermon in the Unitarian
Church at Sterling, Mass., December 17, 1854. The
next year, and while yet a student he received unani-
mous calls to settle at Sterling, Bridgewater, Water-
town and Roxbury, the latter of which he accepted.
He was graduated at the Divinity School July 17,
1855, and was ordained to the ministry and installed
as pastor of the Mount Pleasant Congregational
(Unitarian) Church, Roxbury, December 19th, Rev.
Dr. George W. Briggs, of Salem, preaching the ser-
mon.
His ministrations at Roxbury continued, to the
great acceptance of his people, nearly nine years, in-
terrupted only by a visit to Europe, Egypt and the
Holy Land in 1862-63. Perhaps the most notable
incident, connected with his travels abroad, was the
speech made by him at the dinner of Americans in
London, on the Fourth of July, 1862. It was at one
of the darkest periods of the Civil War. Banks'
campaign in the valley of the Shenandoah had just
culminated in disaster, and the Army of the Potomac,
the focus of every loyal heart, seemed to hang ou the
perilous edge of annihilation, between the Chicka-
hominy and the James. Under these disheartening
circumstances and in the midst of a people flaming
with prejudices, the assemblage of Americans to cel-
ebrate the anniversary of their national independence
was an event that gained wide publicity on both sides
of the Atlantic. Called upon to respond to the toast,
"The Constitution of the United States,'' Dr. Put-
nam rose to the full height of the occasion. It was a
speech long to be remembered by those who heard it.
Of commanding form and with a voice of extraordi-
nary richness and power, he roused his audience to
the highest pitch of enthusiasm. The following ex-
tract (which we copy from a London journal), refer-
ring to our flag, may aflbrd some conception of the
speech and the effect it produced at that critical junc-
ture of our aftairs :
** And theb, sir, tbat old flag of the Union which so fittingly symbol-
izes what the constitution makes a reality — that, too, shall go down to
those who are to come after uB,moreprecious far than ever it has been
before — more significant in its meaning — glowing with brighter radiance
—not a single star erased from its field of blue — a thing of beauty and a
joy forever. Baptized anew into ten thousand deaths, that azure field
takes on a deeper blue for the faithfulness unto the end of all who have
fallen martyrs to the righteous cause — those crimson stains wear an in-
tenser red for the blood that has been shed so freely in our behalf — and
every line and star of light upon that banner of our love is whiter still
for the purity of the souls that have mounted from the battle-fields of
the Union up to God. Oh ! within these few past months, how many
brave men has that national emblem made braver ! How many a strug-
gling host it has inspired and led ou to victory ! How many a noble
fellow has been called upon to sleep his last sleep, enwrapped in its sa-
cred folds ! How many of our Southern brethren have wept like chil-
dren as they have caught once more a glimpse of its stars and stripes I
And what a promise it seems to give us of the hour when the great de-
liverance shall come to us all, freeing us not only from the hand that
has been lifted up against our country, but also from that evil and
scourge of our land which is the source of all our woo. Yes. sir, it is
the flag of our pride and our affections, growiug richer in associations
and more terrible in might with every passing day. As new Stars shall
beadded to itsalready splendid constellation, it shall continue its mis-
sion of beneficence and power. It shall mean peace and love forever to
all who befriend it — defiance and war to those only who insult it."
Returning home in 18U3, Dr. Putnam delivered be-
fore various Lyceums lectures on " The Nile," the
" World's Indebtedness to Egypt," and other topics
suggested by his tour abroad, all of which added to
his reputation and enlarged the sphere of his useftil-
ness.
From time to time, while in Roxbury, urgent calls
came to him to settle elsewhere, — from Salem, Boston
and Chicago churches, — all of which, however, were
declined. In the spring of 1864 the First Unitarian
Church of Brooklyn, N. Y., presented a strong claim
for his services. This was everywhere recognized as
one of the most important posts in the denomination.
To hold its ground in the City of Churches, it needed
an exceptionally able and vigorous champion of the
faith it professed. Considerations of duty, strongly
urged upon him by leading men of the denomination,
finally induced Dr. Putnam to sunder the peculiarly
tender and affectionate ties that bound him to the
hearts of his people in Roxbury. He accepted the
call, and on the 28th of September following he was
installed as pastor. Rev. E. S. Gannett, D.D., of Bos-
ton, preaching the sermon.
In the long and eventful pastorate that ensued. Dr.
Putnam made his pulpit a centre of wide influence in
the city.
DANVERS.
549
His own society testified their appreciation of his
pastoral work by the erection, in 1866, of a beautiful
chapel for the use of its Sunday-school, and, at the
same time, responded generously to his appeals for
the religious instruction of the children of the poor,
so many of whom he had observed spending the sa-
cred hours idly in the streets and alley-ways of the
crowded city.
For this class, accordingly, a Sunday-school was
immediately opened in a room over the Wall Street
Ferry-house, and after a time passed under the su-
perintendency of Mr. A. T. White an active member
and efficient co-worker in Dr. Putnam's Church.
Six children only attended the first session, but by
the persistent and indefatigable exertions of the
founder and his willing assistants, the numbers rap-
idly increased, until now [1887], it is a large and
flourishing institution, with a fine, commodious chap-
el, erected for its use, a permanently settled mission-
ary to carry on its beneficent work, and a constituen-
cy of about a hundred families to share its blessings
and send down the stream of its influence, it is to be
hoped, to many succeeding generations.
Another philanthropic enterprise, to which Dr.
Putnam directed his attention at this time, was the
founding of the Union for Christian work, since be-
come one of the most imiwrtant and influential char-
ities of Brooklyn. The first conferences of the pro-
jectors were held in his study. At a subsequent
meeting, already large and enthusiastic, he presented
the report, as chairman of the committee on consti-
tution and by-laws, which was adopted, and, by re-
quest, delivered an address on the love, pursuit and
practice of truth, striking the key-note of the organi-
zation and enlisting still broader sympathy in its be-
half From these beginnings, the Union has grown
to be a recognized power in the community. Nobly
endowed and established in a beautiful edifice of its
Own, with its library, reading and lecture rooms, its
labor bureau and schools of industrial art, it stands
to-day a worthy monument to those who, in the prov-
idence of God, laid its foundations deep in human
brotherhood aud love.
In 1867 Dr. Putnam again signalized his pastorate
by the establishment of the Third Unitarian Church,
in the suburbs of the city. The rapid growth of
Brooklyn toward the East, which he foresaw, has
abundantly justified the wisdom of the movement,
though, at the time it was undertaken, there were not
wanting among well-tried friends some misgivings of
the result. Sunday services were opened at first in a
small hall over a fish-market, and conducted there
regularly, with ever deepening interest, for about a
year, when Dr. Putnam, appealing to his people, se-
cured the sum of ten thousand dollars for a house of
worship. The building was dedicated December 9,
1868, Dr. Putnam preaching a powerful sermon on
the " Freedom and Largeness of the Christian Faith."
Latterly the society has again out-grown its accom-
modations, and has purchased and fitted up anew
the ample and attractive structure it now occupies.
Professor Foster, in his published sketch of the new
church, thus testifies to its paternity : " Above all
other human sympathy and aid, does it cherish the
friendship and services of Rev. Alfred P. Putnam.
It is simply just to affirm that the Third Unitarian
Society of Brooklyn is the ofl'spring of his hope and
zeal."
During his ministry in Brooklyn Dr. Putnam de-
livered, from time to time, to his people courses of
lectures on a variety of important subjects, such as
the Great Religions of the World, the History of the
Bible, the History of Sacred Song, the Doctrines ot
Liberal Christianity, the History of Unitarianism, the
History of Universalism, the Religious Aspects of
Europe, and on Egypt, Sinai and Palestine.
Two of these courses, on the Great Religions and
the History of Sacred Song, were subsequently re-
peated to the students of the Meadville (Pa.) Theo-
logical School. Out of the latter series grew Dr.
Putnam's ''Singers and Songs of the Liberal Faith,"
a work which required the finest taste and most ex-
tensive research, and which gives biographical
sketches of nearly one hundred Unitarian hymn-
writers, with selections from each, and copious illus-
trative notes. This work was published in 1874, and
received with high encomiums by the press, religious
and secular, and by critics and reviewers of every
sect. The late Dr. Ezra Abbott said of it : " It seems
to me in every respect admirably edited. I find un-
expected richness in the book every time I open it."
Indeed, that a work like this, avowedly denomina-
tional in its scope, should yet, by the sweetness of its
tone and the catholicity of its spirit, win universal
praise, is almost without a parallel in our litera-
ture.
The terrible conflagration at the Brooklyn Theatre
December 5, 1876, was an event that called forth the
profoundest sympathies of every class in the commu-
nity. In obedience to a common impulse, the citi-
zens at large promptly organized a Relief Association
for the benefit of the surviving sufferers and the fam-
ilies of the deceased. From this was formed an ex-
ecutive committee, and Dr. Putnam, who had deliv-
ered the address at the burial, in one common grave,
at Greenwood Cemetery, of the unrecognized dead,
was appointed a member to represent the churches
and charities of the city. His capacity for hard
work, combined with a practical knowledge of affairs,
brought him at once to the front. The special dis-
bursement of the fund among the beneficiaries for
whom it was intended largely devolved upon him.
The burden was cheerfully and faithfully borne. It
may afford some conception of the extent of his labors
in this cause, if it be stated that the sums disbursed,
mostly in small checks about once a week and cover-
ing a period of two years, amounted to nearly fifty
thousand dollars, and that the families receiving aid,
550
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
all of wbora required personal visitation, numbered
one hundred and eighty-eight. At the close of the
trust, Dr. Putnam was requested by bis associates to
draw up the final report. This he did ; and its pub-
lication in the daily papers and in pamphlet form
was followed by a popular verdict of approval as
spontaneous and hearty as it was well-deserved.
One of the most interesting events of his life in
Brooklyn was the celebration of the centennial anni-
versary of Dr. Channing's birth, April 7, 1880. It
may well be deemed a landmark in the history of the
Christian Church in America. Representatives of
every denomination took part in its impressive cere-
monies. To Dr. Putnam, who conceived, and, as
chairman of the committee, carried out the novel ar-
rangements for the occasion, it was truly a labor of
love, for Channing's spirit and teachings were greatly
instrumental in leading him into the ministry and
\are still very dear to his heart.
A memorial service in the evening, at the Academy
of Music, presided over by Mr. A. A. Low, brought
the exercises to a fitting close. It was a brilliant as-
semblage. Five thousand people, including men
eminent in every walk of life, filled the auditorium.
Henry Ward Beecher, George William Curtis, Rufus
Ellis, Robert Collyer and others made addresses, in
which the dawn of a new and better era of Christian
fellowship was confidently proclaimed. Dr. Putnam
published the unique proceedings in a volume, entitled
" The Brooklyn Channing Celebration,'' containing
the addresses and letters of sympathy from distin-
guished theologians and publicists in all parts of the
world.
He has also published during bis ministry a con-
siderable number of his sermons in pamphlet form,
such as those on the " Death of Rev. George Brad-
ford," 1859; the "Life to Come," delivered in 1865
at the Cooper Institute in New York and afterwards
printed as a tract by the American Unitarian Asso-
ciation ; "Edward Everett," 1865; the "Freedom
and Largeness of the Christian Faith," 1869 ; " Uni-
tarianism in Brooklyn," a liistorical address, preached
on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of
the First Church edifice, 1869; the " Unitarian De-
nomination, Past and Present," 1870 ; " Broken Pil-
lars," 1873 ; "Christianity, the Law of the Land,"
1876; a "Tribute to the Memory of Mrs. Elizabeth
Frothingham," 1877; "William Lloyd Garrison,"
1879; "The Whole Family of God," 1884. Also
biographical memorials of Mrs. Josiah O. Low and
Mr. Ethelbert M. Low, 1884 ; and of Mr. and Mrs.
Ephraim Buttrick, 1885.
For many years, and until he removed from Brook-
lyn, Dr. Putnam was a director of the Long Island
Historical Society, and much of the time chairman
of its executive committee, writing its annual reports
for publication during the period of 1876-81, and
giving to its interests, at all times and in full measure,
a firm and loving support. He was also correspond-
ing secretary and member of the invitation commit-
tee of the Brooklyn New England Society from the
date of its organization, and at one of the annual
dinners he gave an account of a visit made by him,
in 1883, to Scrooby, the original seat of the Pilgrims
in England.
In the line of historical investigation, which he
pursued in intervals of leisure, con amore, we owe to
his fruitful pen, strong articles, jmblished in denom-
inational and other magazines, on " Hosea Ballou,"
"A Visit to Haworth," "The Origin of Hymns,"
" Helen Maria Williams," " A Story of Some French
Liberal Protestants," and "Paul's Pout Great Epis-
tles and his Visits to Jerusalem," etc. He also con-
tributed one of the chapters in Judge Neilson's vol-
ume, " Memories of Rufus Choate."
Scores of extended articles in the Danvers Mirror
on local history and traditions, running through a
series of years, attest his fondness for this sort of lit-
erary work. Future historians will find in them a
rich thesaurus of materials, historical, biographical
and genealogical, carefully collated for their use.
In 1882, under the pressure of his long-continued
and laborious pastorate, Dr. Putnam's health began
to decline. His robust constitution could no longer
resist the strain to which his multifarious cares and
engagements subjected it. Promptly and aff'ection-
ately, his church voted to give him a year's leave of
absence, that he might revisit foreign shores, to con-
tinue to him his salary, and to supply his pulpit. He
was also generously supplied with funds to defray his
personal expenses abroad.
Removing his family for the year to Concord, Mass.,
the ancestral home of his wife, he sailed for Europe
on his birthday, January 10, 1883. After a delight-
ful winter in the south of France, where his restora-
tion to health and to the natural elasticity of his
spirits was, as he thought, assured, he visited London
in May, and was a welcome guest at the Unitarian
Conferences, then in session in the city. Here, be-
fore various bodies, he delivered several addresses,
one of which, by special request, was on the Aspects
of Unitarianism in America. Its decidedly conser-
vative tone awakened at once a profound interest
among his hearers, and at its close drew a running
fire of criticism, for and against the positions as-
sumed, from the eminent scholars and divines who
were present. Subsequently, the discussion was taken
up by the religious press, on both sides of the Atlan-
tic, Dr. Putnam publishing trenchant articles in his
own defence.
He sailed from Liverpool for home July 4, 1883.
With some misgivings, confirmed indeed by medical
advisers, he immediately returned to his pulpit, and
re-assumed all the burdens his versatile talents had
hitherto imposed upon him. The struggle, however,
was in vain. His enfeebled constitution soon admon-
ished him that a longer period of rest was impera-
tively necessary. Accordingly, early in April, 1886,
DANVEK8.
551
he resigned bis pastoral office, with regretful sympa-
thy on the part of the church he had so long and so
faithfully served, and heartfelt sorrow on his own. A
testimonial from his grateful parishioners, accompa-
nied by the munificent gift of fifteen thousand dol-
lars, fitly expressed their appreciation of his high
character, and the esteem and affection in which they
held him. Resolutions of similar import were passed
by the other organizations with which he was offi-
cially connected; and the papers of the city made
warm, eulogistic mention of his life and labors in
Brooklyn.
The Long Island Historical Society generously put
on record " the deep sense entertained by all its mem-
bers of the value of the service which Dr. Putnam
has cheerfully rendered it for many years, by his wise
counsels, by his faithful and intelligent participations
in its discussions, and his generous and efficient as-
sistance in accomplishing its plans," Kev. Dr. Storrs,
president, adding that "the highest regard and es-
teem of all the members of the board will follow Dr.
Putnam to his future home, wherever that may be,
with their best wishes for his speedy and complete
restoration to health, and for his continued enjoy-
ment and usefulness in the service which they do not
doubt he will render elsewhere, as he has so signally
rendered it here, to the cause of good letters, of his-
torical enquiry, and of the best social culture."
The opening words of a Brooldyn Eagle editorial
were as follows: "The resignation of the Rev. Dr.
Putnam, of the First Unitarian Church, will occasion
regret beyond the boundaries of the society. He has
been a faithful and devoted pastor, and this implies a
good deal in a term of service of twenty-two years,
including, as it does, not merely the delivery of ser-
mons, but the personal work which brings the minis-
ter into intimate relations with many people in the
sharp crisis of life and death. Dr. Putnam, during
that period, has been also an active and useful citi-
zen, bearing an interested part in those public enter-
prises which in Brooklyn know no denominational
lines. An unanimous expression of good will, with
hearty hope for his restoration to health and his
jirosperity everywhere and at all times, will accompa-
ny liim in his retirement."
The Brooklyn Union closed an article with this :
" His name has been connected with many benevo-
lent movements. He was an earnest worker for the
Union for Christian Work, the Mission School and
many other charitable enterprises. He was a con-
spicuous figure in helping to relieve the distress of
those who were made widows and orphans by the de-
struction by fire of the Brooklyn Theatre. He also
did much towards familiarizing people of all denom-
inations with the life of Dr. Channingin the services
which were held in his commemoration. Apart from
his ministerial work Dr. Putnam has filled a large
sjiace in the public mind by his untiring labor in for-
warding the great and growing interests of the city
in which, as pastor and citizen, he has spent the best
years of his life."
Rev. Almon Gunnison, D.D., jiastor of the All
Souls' (Universalist) Church, in Brooklyn, wrote to
the Chrintian Lender, of Boston, of which paper he
has long been the regular correspondent :
" \Vy record witli great sorrow tlie reeiglmtion of Tlev. Dr. A. P. Put-
nam, the pastor of the First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn. H« has
had a long and triumpliant pastorate of over twenty years, and gives up
a successful work on account of ill-bealtli. lie has gone South, and it
is expected tliat freedom from care and rest, will bring eoniplete restora-
tion. Dr. Putnam is well-known in our denomination, as he is of Uni-
Tersalist parentage, and has always been in thorough sympathy with
our faith and the genius of our church. He has been outspoken in his
utterances and fraternal in his fellowships. A preacher of large ability,
a gentleman of noble instincts, he has been identified with every good
work in the City of Churches, and his strong personality has counted for
much in educational, philanthropic, reformatory and religions work.
He has been tlie most helpful of yoke-fellows, ready always fur neigh-
borly service, quick in his sympathy in sickness, swift to speak the ap-
preciative word and to do the kind act. His resignation will be re-
gretted not only by his own people, but by all liberal believere, and, in
fact, by all of every faith, who can appreciate the influence of a strong,
sweet-souled, consecrated Christian worker."'
Of the various biographical sketches of him which
have appeared from time to time, aad to which we
have been greatly indebted for our materials here, we
copy the following extract from J. Alexander Pat-
ten's " Lives of the Clergy of New York and Brook-
lyn," as showing his character as a preacher and his
theological position :
"Dr. Putnam preaches with much effectiveness. There is great com-
prehension in his thought, and he is able to give expression to it in terms
of rare conciseness, and not le-s of beauty. All that he says has this
vigor of meaning and force of application, and much of it is delivered
in the most classic and glowing pictui-ings of eloquence. In his argu-
ment, he addresses himself to an elaborate and practical consideration of
his subject, and you are led along with him, without tediousness, but
rather allured by the attractive interweavings of a warm and chaste
fancy. And herein is it that this gifted preacher excels. Your atten-
tion is instantly riveted by the smoothness of his periofls and the ele-
gance of sentiment which usher you to profound discussion and lofty im-
agery. He belongsto the Channing school of Uoitarianism. Holding
to his particular tenets with all the strength of his intellect and his love,
he stands prominent among their ablest cxpoundels, and in a pure, con-
sistent life seeks their practical illustration before his fellow-men."
One of his sermons, delivered in Roxbiiry in 18(il,
at the outbreak of the civil war, on the Flag of our
Country, has become widely known, and is publislied
in text-books, as a model of fine diction and im-
passioned eloquence.
Dr. Putnam received his degree of D.D., from his
alma mater, Brown University, in 1871.
In 1877 he was invited to become the pastor of the
Unitarian Church in Quincy, Mass., but he declined
the call. While in Roxlury he was elected president
of the L'nitarian Sunday-school Society. After his
removal to Brooklyn he was made vice-president of
the New York and Hudson River Unitarian Confer-
ence, and was also elected as its president, but the
latter position he declined. For a time he edited the
Liberal Christian, a Unitarian weekly paper, pub-
lished in New York City. When, years ago, the
project was mi foot to reniove the Meadville (Ba.)
Theological School to Chicago, III., and there enlarge
552
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and endow it, the leading man of the denomination who
had charge of the enterprise asked Dr. Putnam to be-
come president of the new institution, but thefriendsat
Meadville could not be reconciled to the loss of the
school, and the plan was therefore abandoned. Dr.
Putnam was a member of the Century Club in New
York, and also of the similar organization, of later
origin, in Brooklyn, the Hamilton Club, as well as of
the Brooklyn Art Associatian. He is also a member
of the New England Historical and Genealogical So-
ciety, and of the American Historical Association.
In politics Dr. Putnam was an ardent Free-Soiler
in old anti-slaverj' days, and often preached from the
pulpit and spoke at political meetings in behalf of the
slave and the cause of liberty. While a student in
the Divinity School in 1854, he was sent, as a dele-
gate from his native town, to the convention at Wor-
cester that founded the Rejiublican party and gave it
its name. He has generally acted with that party
since, but not seldom has on occasion assumed a more
independent attitude.
In his pleasant retirement at Concord, whither he
lias again removed his family, he is now rapidly re-
gaining his health. Surrounded by his books, and by
many beautiful works of art which are the memen-
toes of loving friends, or which have been gathered by
him in his extensive travels at home and abroad, he
is devoting his leisure to favorite literary pursuits.
In person Dr. Putnam is tall and imjiosing. His
well-proportioned form, his cultivated bearing, his
classic, intellectual face in which strength and be-
nignity combine, make him always a marked man
among men.
His voice, sonorous and flexible in a high degree,
is also wonderfully sympathetic. It can touch the
tenderest chords of feeling, or express in thunder
tones, as so often wont to do, hatred of wrong and op-
pression. The courage of his convictions is invinci-
ble. No man has hurled more scathing anathemas
against intolerance, or held up to public scorn cor-
ruption in high places, more fearlessly than he.
Courteous, aflable, open-hearted, blessed with hosts
of friends, he has preserved in its freshness and in-
tegrity, through all the vicissitudes of a laborious
and useful life, the charming personality with which
nature so richly endowed him.
Dr. Putnam was married to Miss Louise P. Preston,
daughter of Mr. Samuel Preston, of Danvers, Janua-
ry 10, 1856. She died in June, 18G0. For his second
wife he married, in 1865, Eliza K. Buttrick, of Cam-
l)ridge, daughter of Ephraim Buttrick, Esq., long a
l)rominent member of the Middlesex bar. Their five
children are Endicott Greenwocd, Alfred Whitwell,
Helen Langley, Ralph Buttrick and Margaret Ross.
JONAS WARREN.
The man whose portrait accompanies this short
sketch, one of the best business men who ever lived
in Danvers, was not a native of the town. His an-
cestor, Joshua Warren, emigrated from Dover, Eng-
land, and settled in Watertown. Joshua's son, Dan-
iel, married Rebecca, daughter of Captain Benjamin
Church, the famous Indian lighter. Daniel had
fifteen children, and one of his sous, Phinehas had a
family of the same number, of whom five sons were in
the battle of Bunker Hill. Phinehas' youngest son,
Jonas, married, first, Apphia Stickney, and they were
the parents of the subject of this sketch, who was
born in North Beverly July 29, 1787. In his early
boyhood the family moved to Boxford, and there,
when he was still quite young, the mother died. He
was brought up by his uncle, Ancil Stickney, and
when he reached the age when young men struck out
for themselves, he came to Danvers, and soon found
a place of usefulness in the store kept by Deacon
Gideon Putnam in his old tavern, which stood at the
corner of High and Elm Streets. Before many years
he bought the whole establishment of the late Judge
Samuel Putnam, son of Deacon Gideon. "Jonas,''
said the judge, " here you will live and here you will
die." Though the prophecy was not fulfilled as to
his death, Mr. Warren did live many years, full of
activity and thrift, on the old corner, and he built up
there a busine.'^s more extensive than can be easily
appreciated at this time. Some days, a half a century
ago, as many as forty great teams came into Danvers
Plains from surrounding towns and far back into the
country, to dispose of their produce and take back a
season's load of staple groceries. It was chiefly Mr.
Warren's fair treatment and broad and far-sighted
manner of doing business that transformed a mere
country cross-roads into a busy commercial centre.
The amount of goods handled thus in the way of sale
and barter was enormous, and it was no rare thing for
clerks to be obliged to work till midnight, loading
these teams, so that customers could start away
bright and early in the morning. His policy was to
ofler such inducements vhat there was no object to
farmers to carry their produce four miles farther to
find a market in Salem, and, as a consequence, he
and "Uncle Johnnie" Perley, on the opposite cor-
ner, so controlled the situation that Salem dealers
often had to come to Danvers to buy at second-hand,
and, of course, at the seller's price. In all this there
was no trickery or meanness on the part of Mr. War-
ren. Mr. Joshua Silvester, just deceased, was in his
early days a clerk in the old store, and a few weeks
before his death he was speaking of Mr. Warren :
"For an up and down square dealer he had no
superior."
In 1841 Mr. Warren sold out at the Plains and re-
moved to the Port, where he became the pioneer of
the wholesale flour and grain business, entering into
the larger field with the same energy and sagacity
which had characterized his previous operations.
He was the first to bring grain to this port by water,
and from the cargoes of the many vessels in his em-
ployment he supplied a very extensive inland trade.
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DANVERS.
553
Mr. Warren was one of the earliest Unitarians of
Danvers, and was always a steadfiist supporter of that
denomination. Long before the establishment of the
church here, he regularly attended the church in
North Beverly. Rev. E. M. Stone, long the pa.stor of
that church, has written of Mr. Warren, — ■" He was
a parishioner whose con.stant attendance on public
worship greatly cheered my ministry. During the
thirteen years of my pastorate there I do not recol-
lect of his being absent from church for a single Sab-
bath, unless detained at home by sickness, and I do
remember of his being present after heavy snow
storms and before the roads were broken, when per-
sons living near the church excused themselves from
attendance for the same reason. He was an attentive
hearer, a devout worshipper, and an unostentatious
Christian believer." He was much interested in the
building of Unity Chapel in this town, and attended
there as long as advancing age would permit, con-
tributing always liberally towards its support.
He married Hannah, daughter of Enoch Kimball,
of Boxford. She died the year following Mr. War-
ren's removal to Dauversport. Mr. Warren was
himself nearly ninety years old when he died. The
date of his death was November 18, 1876, and the
place, the home which he built, now occupied by his
only daughter, on High Street. Besides his daughter,
two sons survived him — Aaron W. and the late Har-
rison O. Warren. Mr. Warren was a director of the
Naumkeag National Bank of Salem from its organiza-
tion to near the close of his life. He was the last
survivor of New Mills Alarm List of 181-1.
Though Mr. Warren kept aloof from politics, and
rarely, if ever, held office, his business relations were
such that scarcely any man was more widely known
in the county. His strict integrity secured the con-
fidence of all. He wronged no man intentionally, and
his word could always be depended upon. In his
family, too, he was just and kind, a true husband, a
wise father. He left to this community the priceless
example of the life of an honest man, and to his
fanuly the legacy of an unspotted name.
SAMUEL P. FOWLEK.
Samuel Page Fowler was born in Danvei-s New
Mills {now Danversport), April 22, 1800. His parents
were Samuel Fowler and Clarissa (Page) Fowler.
Among his ancestors are to be found the names of
men, who, by their patriotism, military genius, busi-
ness activity and enterprise commanded the respect of
their contemporaries, and left their impress upon the
times in which they lived.
The first of the name who came to this country was
Philip Fowler, born in Wiltshire, England, in 151)0,
settled in Ipswich, 1634. Joseph, his son, born in
1629, married Martha Kimball. Philip, their son,
born in Ipswich, December 25, 1648, was " a man of
superior ability, and as a merchant, deputy-marshal
35J
and attorney, left a good record. He strongly opposed
the witchcraft delusion, was employed as attorney by
the Village Parish in its lawsuit with Mr. Parris, and
in 1692 conducted the proceedings in Court against
the head and front of the witchcraft i)rosecution." He
married Elizabeth Herrick, daughter of Henry and
Editha (Laskin) Herrick, and died 1715. Their son
Joseph, born Augu'-t 7, 1683, married Sarah Bartlett,
died December 25, 1745. Joseph, born October 9,
1715, married Mary Prince, died February 1, 1807.
Samuel, their son, left Ipswich in 1765 and became
one of the pioneer settlers of "Danvers New Mills."
A shipwright by trade he assisted in building many
vessels, both before and after the Revolution, some of
which he partly owned ; he was a private in Captain
Jeremiah Page's company, at the battle of Lexington.
He married Sarah, daughter of Archelaus and Mehit-
able (Putnam) Putnam. Deacon Putnam, in the
spring of 1754 moved a small building used as a
cooper's shop from his father's farm, now known as
the "Judge Putnam farm,'' by floating it down Crane
River to the bank of the river at what is now Dan-
versport. He fitted it up as a home for his family,
and here his daughter Sar.ah was born, September 14,
1775. She was the first white child born in that part
of the town, which was then covered with woods,
where she was often lost when a child. She lived to
see the small hamlet a prosperous village, and died
in 1847, aged ninety-two years, having had six child-
ren, twenty-seven grand-children and sixty great-
grand-children. Deacon Putnam built grist and
chocolate mills near his house, which gave to this
section of the town its name of New Jlills.
Samuel Fowler, the son of Samuel and Sarah (Put-
nam) Fowler, was born in Danvers, September 15,
1776. He was a man of large enterprise and carried
on the business of his grandfather, having a grist
mill, a mill for pulverizing spices, as well as one for
grinding bark, besides pursuing the occupation of a
tanner. He died February 22, 1859. He married
Clarissa Page, the. daughter of Captain Samuel and
Rebecca (Putnam) Page. " She was greatly endeared
to a large circle of relatives and friends by her social
and domestic virtues." She died April 14, 1854.
Cajitain Samuel Page was the son of Colonel Jeremiah
Page and Sarah (Andrews) Page, born in Danvers,
August 1, 1753. "He enlisted in the cause of his
country at the breaking out of the Revolutionary
War, and was engaged in the battles of Lexington,
Monmouth, and Stony Point. He was with Washing-
ton at the crossing of the Delaware, and in the severe
winter of 1777 shared in the sufferings of the Ameri-
can army at.Valley Forge, and he, with his company,
wa.s {)resent when Wayne stormed Stony Point. After
the close of the war he successfully engaged in com-
mercial pursuits." He married Rebecca, the daughter
of William and Elizabeth (Putnam) Putnam. William
was a .son of Lieutenant David Putnam (brother of
General Israel Putnam) and Rebecca (Perley) Put-
554
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
nam. David was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth j
(Porter; Putnam. Joseph the son of Thomas Putnam |
and Mary Vcren. Thomas was the sou of John Put-
nam, 1st. Samuel Page's father, Colonel Jeremiah
Page, was an officer in the Revolutionary War, and
was the son of Samuel Page, who was the pioneer
settler of Fiteliburg, having been found there with his
wife and family by the surveyors, sent out by the
General Court, to lay out the town in 1719. Captain
Page died in Danvers, September 2, 1814.
Descended from so worthy and patriotic an ances-
try, we might reasonably expect that Mr. Fowler
would inherit their many virtues and worthy traits of
character, and in this we realize our expectations. In
boyhood he attended the district school, where he
read from the well-known books: " The Columbian
Orator," and "American Preceptor," also " Jedediah
Morse's Geography," then a popular reading book.
He learned the rudiments of grammar from the
"Young Ladies' Accidence," and mastered the diffi-
culties of " Walsh's Popular Arithmetic," but the best
advantages the town then furnished its children, were
meagre when compared with those enjoyed by the
youth of the. present day.
New Mills at that time was the home of ship-own-
ers and sea-captains, who, on their return from their
voyages, would tell their listening townsmen of the
lands they had visited, so that the boys of that period
were made familiar with foreign countries and the
characteristics of their inhabitants. Another factor
which helped to develop a desire for knowledge and
a taste for reading in the subject of this sketch, was
the New Mills Social Library, formed in 1808, with
the best books then to be found in the range of Eng-
lish literature, selected by Jeremiah Chaplin, D.D.,
pastor of the Baptist Church.
In the War of 1812 the inhabitants of Danvers
shared in the excitement and the patriotic spirit of
their more maritime neighbors, and Mr. Fowler, then
a lad of twelve years, readily imbibed that love of
country, and hatred of oppression, which he has
shown through a long life.
He has always manifested a deep interest in every-
thing pertaining to the welfare of the town, and has
often been chosen to fill important offices, and to re-
present his fellow-citizens in many ways. Before the
division of Danvers, he held the office of selectman
and assessor from the years 1835 to 1840, was auditor
in 1833, 1841 and 1842, moderator of town meeting in
1839, was a member of the school committee for seven
years, and one of the board of health for three years.
He was one of the fire-wards of the town upon the
first organization of the fire department, and continued
so for several years. He was elected representative to
the General Court in the years 1837-38-39, and with
the Eev. M. P. Braman and Hon. Alfred A. Abbott,
represented the town in the Constitutional Conven-
tion held at Boston in 1853. He was one of the com-
mittee appointed to make arrangements for the cele-
bration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of Dan-
vers, on the 16th of June, 1852, and at the dinner on
that occasion responded to the following toast: "The
Women of Danvers in Revolutionary Times — like the
staple manufacture of the town — firm, tough and well
tanned, but unlike it, as they were not to be irampled
upon."
He was, also, one of the trustees elected by the town
to hold the surplus revenue funds, and one of the
members of the first committee chosen to confer as to
the best methods of introducing water into the town.
But it is as overseer of the poor, a position which he
still holds, that Mr. Fowler's tenure of office has been
the longest, extending over a period of forty-four
years, with only one year's exception, and a greater
part of the time he has been chairman of the board. His
knowledge of the poor-laws is complete and exhaus-
tive, and his decisions are undisputed in the settlement
of the many vexatious questions which arise in the
administration of these laws. His faithfulne.ss to the
interests of the town, and his kindness and consider-
ation to the poor have given liira for many years the
nomination of all parties. Although taking such an
active part in all town matters, Mr. Fowler has never
been a politician, was a member of the old Whig
party, and has been a supporter of the Republican
party since its formation.
He was one of the trustees of the Peabody Insti-
tute, appointed by Mr. George Peabody, served as a
member of the building committee, and upon the re-
signation of Rev. M. P. Braman, was chosen president
of the board of trustees, which office he held till
Jlarch, 1879. At the present time he is chairman of
the committee on buildings and grounds, and in con-
nection with Mr. Joshua Sylvester, has done much to-
ward the laying out and beautifying of the park about
the Institute, making it one of the most attractive
places in the town. He has also been chairman of
the lecture and library committee, and in the latter
capacity gave much time and thought to the selection
of those books which would instruct and elevate their
readers, and cultivate in them a desire for useful
knowledge, having the experience gained by many
years of reading and study, to help him in this work.
From his youth he has shown a great taste for natural
history, and during his long life has been a close ob-
server of nature, in all her varied forms. By constant
observation and study, he made himself thoroughly
conversant with the notes and habits of our native
birds, and contributed a series of most interesting and
instructive articles to the New England Farmer, on
"The Birds of New England." A lover of flowers,
he has always taken great pleasure in their cultiva-
tion, and has had equal success with plants from
widely separated localities, so that in his garden the
variously-tinted blossoms of our woods and fields
grow side by side with the more gorgeous flowers of
Cliina and Japan. Nor is he selfish in the enjoyment
of his garden, but freely gives its treasures to all —
DANVERS.
555
from the little child, who timidly asks for a few flow-
ers, to the learned liotanist, who solicits specimens for
analysis. It has boon his pleasure for many summers
to arrange a bouquet each week for the church, and
the ladies of the Parish showed their appreciation of
this work by presenting him with a beautiful engrav-
ing. He has not devoted his attention exclusively to
the cultivation of flowers, but has also studied the
characteristics of our native trees and shrubs. The
results of his close observation in this direction are
apparent in various articles written by him on our
" Native Trees and Shrubs," published in the New
Kngland Farmer, in which he shows himself a nice
and accurate observer in this department of nature.
He has carefully noted the habits of the various in-
sects injurious to vegetation, and in an essay read
before the Essex County Agricultural Society, gives
many valuable suggestions as to the best methods of
destroying the numerous insects, which infest the
orchards and gardens of the county. Possessing
these tastes it might be expected that when the Essex
County Natural History Society was formed, Mr.
Fowler would be one of its first members. He is now
the only one living of the founders of this organiza-
tion. At its fiftieth anniversary, held at Topsfield,
in June, 1884, he was present, and in an address de-
livered on that occasion, alluding to the first meeting
of the society, says : " After dinner a stroll was taken
in the woods and fields, and among the plants gath-
ered was a fine specimen of Blood Root {Sanguinaria
Canadensis) which was taken up with a spade, and
upon our return it was placed in the middle of the
table, with a newspaper under it, when we pledged
ourselves to sustain the Essex County Natural Histo-
ry Society, and promote its interests." When the
Essex Institute was formed by the Union of the
Essex Historical and Essex County Natural History
Societies in 1848, he was chosen curator of Natural
History, and vice-president in that department in
1861, and remained so for several years; he was also
on the Field committee as early as lSi'7.
Fond of historical research, the rich field of his
town, county and State has furnished him abundant
material, so that he has not his equal as a local his-
torian, and has given especial time and thought to
the study of the witchcraft delusion, and the causes
which led to its origin and continuance. He has
published an " Account of the Life and Character of
the Ilev. Samuel Parris, of Salem Village, and of his
Connection with the Witchcraft Delusion of 16i)2.''
and edited an edition of "Salem Witchcraft, by Rob-
ert Calef, published by H. P. Ives and A. A. Smith,
in 1861." He has also made a large manuscript col-
lection bearing upon this subject, copied from the
church and court records of that period. Upham,
in si)eaking of Philip Fowler, of Ipswich, and the
bold stand taken by him in 1692 against the decisions
of the clergy and magistrates, says : "It is an inter-
esting circumstance that one of the same name and
descent, in his reprint of the papers of Calef, and
other publications, has done as much as any other
person of our day to bring that whole transaction
under the light of truth and justice." It is largely
due to his research and interpretation of Mr. Parris'
conduct in the affair, that has led to a more fiivorable
construction of the motives which actuated him and
the neighboring clergy in their treatment of those
persons accused of practising witchcraft. Mr. Fow-
ler has published in the Historical Collections of the
Essex Institute the following articles: " .lournal of
Captain Samuel Page, in the Campaign of 1779, with
Notes ; " " Biographical Sketch and Diary of Rev.
Joseph Green, an Account of the Life of Rev. Peter
Clark and Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, Ministers of
Salem Village," (now Danvers Centre) ; " Records of
Overseers of the Poor of the Old Town of Danvers
for the years 1767 and 1768, by the Chairman of the
Board, Captain Elisha Flint, with Notes." " Craft's
Journal of the Siege of Boston, with Notes."
He is thoroughly conversant with the early history
of the town, and often contributes to the cohmins of
the local paper articles full of historical facts, which
will yield a rich harvest to the town's future historian.
He became a member of the New England Histo-
ric Genealogical Society, in Boston, in 1862. His
literary work has been performed in the midst of his
regular occupations, for Mr. Fowler learned the trade
of a tanner, and carried on the business in the same
establishment formerly owned and occupied by his
father, on Porters river.
He was one of the corporators of the Danvers
Savings Bank, incorporated in 1850, and one of its
first trustees; he was also actively engaged in the
formation of the First National Bank, and has been
one of its directors since 1863. He was admitted to
Jordan Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, March
26, 1823, and is at present an honorary member, and
one of the oldest masons in the State.
He has always shown a deep interest in the tem-
perance cause, more especially before it became so
intimately connected with the political questions of the
d.ay. At the annual meeting of the old town of Dan-
vers, on the 4th of March, 1833, the subject of intem-
perance in the town being under consideration, an
order and vote to be presented to the moderator was
drawn up by J. W. Proctor, Esq., instructing the
selectmen to jirohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors
in the town, which vote w:is presented to the meeting
by Mr. Fowler, who is now the only one living of
that band of temperance workers, who, in one of the
square pews in the brick meeting-house at the Cen-
tre, conferred together as to the best means to arrest
the drunkenness in their community. The passing of
this vote made Danvers tlie first town in the State
that took action in its corporate capacity against
licensing the sale of into.Kicating liquors, and it has
ever since maintained the same position. Before the
general awakening of the public mind to the subject.
556
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Mr. Fowler was keenly alive to the fact that our
burial-places were neglected aud unattractive, and it
was largely through his eflforts, and that of his bro-
ther, Mr. Henry Fowler, that a tract of land was
purchased to be laid out as a cemetery, and the Wal-
nut Grove Cemetery Corporation formed, of which he
has been president for many years.
In the year 1832, he joined the First Church dur-
ing the pastorate of the Eev. M. P. Braman. When
the Maple Street Church was organized in 1844, he
became one of the original members, was chosen one
of its first deacons, which office he still holds, and
has ever been mindful of all that concerned the tem-
poral and spiritual welfare of the church. He was a
member of the building committee to erect the first
meeting-house, and when this new and beautiful edi-
fice was destroyed by fire only a few years after its
completion, he was one of the members who bravely
took up the work of building the present house of
worship. He has been clerk of the parish for more
than thirty years, and the distinctly written pages of
this record will be a pleasure to the society's future
historian. Before his advanced years he was a con-
stant attendant upon the prayer-meetings of the
church, contributing to their interest by his words of
instruction and wisdom, and was for many years an
efficient Sunday-school teacher.
Although in his eighty-eighth year, Mr. Fowler
possesses the physical and mental activity of a man
of much younger years, filling with acceptance and
fidelity the various offices bestowed upon him by his
townsmen. The reading of his favorite books, the
cultivation of his garden are as great sources of pleas-
ure to him as they ever were, and his interest is un-
abated in whatever concern the public goods.
The record of such a life shows what a man can
accomplish for himself and others by habits of indus-
try and patient thought, combined with a desire for
the best good of those who are associated with him as
fellow-citizens. The public favors he has received
have not been obtained at the sacrifice of truth and
honor, for in all things he has shown himself an
honest 'man, just aud upright in his dealings with
others.
Mr. Fowler was married December 3, 1833, to Har-
riet Putnam (who was born in Danvers, May 11, 1806)
daughter of Moses and Betsey Putnam. Like her
husband, she retains in a remarkable degree her
youthful feelings, possessing those virtues which
make her a devoted wife, a good mother and an earn-
est Christian.
Their children are, (1) Clara Putnam, born March
20, 1836, married November 25, 1856, George E. Du-
Bois, of Kandolph, Mass., who died November 3,
1859; their child, Ellen Tucker, born December 16,
1857, married, April 22, 1886, Nathan Putnam Proc-
tor, of Danvers ; they have a son born June 7, 1887.
(2) Samuel Page, Jr., born December 6, 1838. (3)
Harriet Putnam, born July 25, 1842.
CHARLES LAWRENCE.
Mr. Lawrence was among the thirteen children of
Abel and Abigail (Page) Lawrence, of Salem, Mass.
He was descended in the seventh generation from
John Lawrence, of Wisset, England, who came to
this country and first settled at Watertown, but re-
moved to Groton in 1662, where he died.
The .subject of this notice was born October 7,
1795, and was graduated at Harvard University in
the class of 1815.
About 1833 he married Miss Lucy A. Ward, sister
of Thomas Ward, the banker of Boston. Delicate
health prevented him from studying a profession or
entering upon a business career. He made several
voyages to India in early life, and spent a winter or
two in the West Indies and Florida to combat dan-
gerous symptoms of lung disease.
With his brother and sisters he afterwards left Sa-
lem and established a home upon what was then
known as the Phillips Farm, Danvers. There for
nearly forty years Mr. Lawrence resided and found
occupation in open air pursuits, which no doubt were
the means of prolonging to eighty-four years a life
which was never robust. Gardening was a favorite
occupation, and he had a passion for flowers, which
always flourished under his care.
Combined with these pursuits was a love of litera-
ture, which did not fail him while life lasted.
Though mixing little with the world, he was always
acquainted with the best and newest books, and whol-
ly alive to the political questions of his time.
In November, 1820, he was made a member of the
Salem East India Marine Society, and was elected
corresponding secretary January, 1828, remaining in
that position till January, 1838. He was also an
original member of the Essex Institute, and through
life he felt a strong interest in the welfare and success
of that society.
A warm friend, a kind neighbor, a genial and pleas-
ant companion ; his charity to the unfortunate was
only fully known to the many recipients of his benev-
olence. He died December 21, 1879.
GENERAL GRENVILLE M. DODGE.'
Essex County has given birth to but few more
remarkable .men than General Grenville M. Dodge,
uow, and for many years, resident at Council Blulis,
Iowa. Perhaps no one of her sons has wrought a
wider, and more varied and important public service
than has he. He is not yet an old man, but is still
in his prime, and is as active and busy as ever. Yet,
as civil engineer, military commander, member of
Congress, projector of many of the great railroad
enterprises of the West and Southwest for the last
thirty years or more, and as president or director of
most of the companies established to forward and
I By Bev. A. P. Putnam.
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DANVERS.
557
complete these vast works of internal improvement
and national development, he has done quite enough
for fame, and quite enough to entitle him to the last-
ing gratitude and honor of his country. The storj'
of his career, however much it has to do with practi-
cal matters, is yet invested with a wonderfully roman-
tic interest, and we are glad to learn that a more
extensive biography of him than we can give here, or
than has ever been written of him, is in course of
preparation by Mr. N. E. Dawson, of Washington, for
a large, voluminous work to be entitled, " Iowa in the
War." To Mr. Dawson's kindness we are indebted
for some of the advance sheets of his full and excel-
lent sketch, from which we have culled many of the
facts of our hero's maturer life.
General Dodge is a native of Danvers, Slass., and
was born April 12, 1831, in a farm-house which was
situated a short distance south of the Topsfield line,
and which was then the home of the family of Elias
Putnam, who was himself born there more than forty
years before, as stated elsewhere in this volume.
Israel Putnam, the father of Elias, having removed
his household, about the beginning of the century,
several miles down the road, the premises were let to
Captain Solomon Dodge, who had lived in Rowley,
Mass., and was a descendant of one of the two brothers
of the name who early emigrated from England, and
settled in Essex County. There came with Solomon
a son, Sylvanus, who had been born. November 25,
1800, at the old Rowley home, in what has long been
knon-n as the " Old Dodge House." Not long after
the family had taken possession of their new quarters,
the mother of Sylvanus died, and by and by, it is said,
the surviving members returned to the ancestral seat
whence they came. The son was married, November
22, 1827, at New Rowley (now Georgetown), by Rev.
Dr. Isaac Rraman, to Julia T. Phillips, who was born
in that town January 23, 1802. The same evening
the nuptial pair rode to Danvers, to enter there upon
their early wedded life on the farm where the husband
had lived as a little child, and in an L which the
Putnams, who had themselves long before returned
to the place, had attached to the northern side of the
house. Their first child was born to them September
23, 1829, but died about two weeks afterward. The
second was born April 12, 1831, as we have said, and
received the name that had been given to the other,
Grenville M. Dodge. He first saw the light in the
chamber of the L to which reference has been made,
and which, many years later, was detached from the
main part of the building and removed to a point
about an eighth of a mile further south, on the other
side of the road, where it was enlarged, and has since
been tenanted by various families. The Dodges
remained on the farm about six years, and then went
to Rowley, where they lived for a year or two, at the
expiration of which time they returned to their
Danvers abode, which Mr. Putnam and family had
recently left to fix their home two miles below, in the
old house now occupied by Augustus Fowler. While
Sylvanus Dodge and his family came back to live
again in one part of the farm-house, there came from
Wenham, Benjamin Dodge and his family to dwell in
the other. Sylvanus was then a butcher, and many
of the present inhabitants of the town will recall his
regular visits at their doors, as, arrayed in his clean
white frock, he rode about in his well-covered and
amply-supplied wagon and ingratiated himself into
the favor of his patrons by his genial spirit and honest
dealing. The slaughter-house was a barn which stood
at the foot of the hill, a little distance north of the
house, where there is now, if there was not then, a
beautiful grove. Long afterward it was moved to the
plains, and then again outside of the village, where it
was finally burnt.
The .second sojourn of Jlr. Sylvanus Dodge and his
family upon the farm continued for only about one
year. Thence they proceeded to Salem, where also
they spent a couple of years, and next went to Lynn,
where they remained one year, living during the
twelve-month in three different houses. In April,
1837, they found a home in South Danvers, now Pea-
body, where, August 20, of the same year, was born a
third child, Nathan P. Dodge. In 1840 they removed
to the north part of the old town, and settled for a
time in Tapleyville, the native place of their fourth
and last child, Julia M. Dodge, now Jlrs. J. B. Beard,
born January 14, 1843. During their stay at Tai)ley-
ville, Mr- Dodge was made postmaster for South Dan-
vers, and accordingly returned thither with his wife
and children, and there continued to reside until they
all emigrated to the distant West. He held the office
to which he was thus appointed for ten years, and
through various changes in the national administra-
tion, securing the confidence and favor of both politi-
cal parties and of his fellow-citizens generally. In
politics he was a Democrat, and was an active and
earnest friend of such men as Robert Rantoul, Jr.,
N. P. Banks and George S Boutwell. In due time he
came to be much interested in the organization of the
Repuldican party, and was henceforth to the end of
his life its sincere and efficient supporter.
Grenville, the eldest of the three living children,
sought his fortunes in the West as early as 1851.
Between the ages of ten and sixteen he had worked
at gardening, had been employed as a clerk in a store,
had attended the common schools, and had also im-
proved his leisure hours in fitting himself for college.
He entered the Military University at Norwich, Vt., in
1847, and there completed his course of education
just before he set out to seek his fortunes in a m )re
distant part of the country. He first settled in Peru,
Illinois, as a civil engineer. He participated in the
construction of the Chicago and Rock Island, and
Peoria and Bureau Valley Railroads; and in 1853 he
was ajjpointed assistant engineer of the JNIississippi
and Missouri Railroad of Iowa, now the Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific Line. In the ^ame year,
558
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
having removed to Iowa City, he explored and exam-
ined the country west of the Missouri, and became
convinced that the great Paciiic Railway would have
its starting point where it now is, at Council Bluffs,
or Omaha, on the Missouri river. At Council Bluffs,
therefore, he decided to fix his permanent residence.
He had married Miss Annie Brown, of Peru, 111., at
Salem, Mass., May 29, 1854, and in the following
November he left Iowa City, where his brother
Nathan from the East had already joined him, for his
future home, accompanied by his wife. During the
same month he made a claim, and opened a farm in
the Territory of Nebraska, on the Elkhorn river,
occupying it in February, 1855, but staying there only
six months, the Indians driving him away, and
obliging him to return with his family to Council
Bluffs.
Early in 1855 his father, Sylvanus Dodge, went on
from South Danvers, followed in the autumn by the
mother. They lived, in the winter of 1855-56, at
Omaha, which the reader will remember is on the
western bank of the Missouri, directly opposite Coun-
cil Bluffs on the eastern ; and in May, 1856, they, too,
sought a home on the Elkhorn, but at the expiration
of eighteen mouths they returned to be with Gren-
ville, and Council Bluffs has been tlie home of the
family from then until now. The father had taken
an active part in .settling the territory and organizing
the government of Nebraska, and was subsequently
made the Register of the United States Land Office
for the district where he had lived. He died about
sixteen years ago, surrounded by his wile, children
and grandchildren, and greatly respected and beloved
by all wlio knew him, while his last days were ma<le
happy with the thought that, after all the toils and
struggles, changes and pilgrimages of seventy years,
his household was finally established in a secure home,
and had risen to prominence and prosperity.
Grenville, after his return fi'om the Elkhorn to
Council Bluff's, in 1855, busied himself for several
years in civil engineering, banking, real estate and
mercantile business. He was active and influential
in advancing the interests of the rising town, and
organized for it a military company, known as "The
Council Bluffs Guards." He was chosen its captain,
and at the breaking out of the war he tendered the
services of this com[)any to the Governor of the State,
as the nucleus of the First Iowa Infantry. The Gov-
ernor deemed it best that tliis organization should
remain where it was, in order to protect the exposed
western frontier border ; but accepted the individual
services of Captain Dodge himself, and sent liim to
Washington to arrange for the arming and equipping
of the Iowa troops. The result was that Captain
Dodge, gaining the confidence and favor of Mr. Cam-
eron, Secretary of War, was remarkably successful in
his mission, and at once returned to raii'e the Fourth
Iowa Infantry Regiment, of which he was duly com-
missioned as the colonel, and also the Second Iowa
Battery, whicli took his own name. With this com-
mand he marched, in July, 1861, to Northwestern
Missouri, and drove out thence a considerable force
of insurgents, who were under the lead of Poindexter.
During the next moutli he reported with his regiment
and battery to General Fremont at St. Louis, and, in
October, was ordered by him to the frontier post at
Rolla, Mo., where he was placed in command. At
the head of the Fourth Brigade of the Army of tlie
Southwest, he advanced upon Springfield, in the same
State, and captured it. Pursuing the enemy south-
ward, he led the advance, was in the engagements at
Cane and Sugar Creeks, in February, 1862, and on
the 27th of the same month, defeated Gates at Black-
burn's Mills, Ark. He bore a very prominent part,
and stubbornly met the very brunt of war, in the
famous battle of Pea Ridge, where the rebel power
was broken in Missouri and North Arkansas. Here
he had three horses shot under him, and was severely
wounded; and for his gallantry in this fight he was
made brigadier-general, at the request of Major-Gen-
eral Halieck, who had succeeded Fremont in charge
of the Western Department. After recovering from
his wounds he reported by telegraph to the War De-
partment, and was assigned to the command of the
District of Columbus, Ky. Soon after receiving this
appointment, he accomplished with great vigor and
success the rebuilding of the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road, which had been wholly destroyed by the rebels,
and then, in June, he had a sharp skirmish with a
body of the enemy, handling his forces with such
skill and effect as to call forth the hearty commenda-
tion of both Halieck and Quimby. In further recog-
nition of these services, he was honored with the
command of the Central Division of the Mississippi,
with headquarters at Trenton, Tenn. While here his
troops captured various towns, and defeated Villipigne
on the Hatchee river, after which his command was
enhirged, and his headquarters were again established
at Columbus. He signalized his return to this post
by another signal victory, capturing General Faulkner
and his forces near island No. 10, and taking many
prisoners.
In the autumn of 1862, immediately after the battle
of Corinth, he was charged with the Second Division
of the Army of the Tennessee, in the district organ-
ized and commanded by General Grant. Perhaps it
was here that began the strong friendship which, for so
many years, hiis subsisted between our hero and the
great chieftain. General Dodge was soon assigned
to the command of the District of Corinth. In the
spring of 1863 he defeated the Confederate forces
under Forrest and other conspicuous rebel officers.
He raised and equipped large numbers of colored
troops. His education and experience as a civil
engineer proved of invaluable service to him and the
cause in rebuilding the railroads destroyed by the
enemy. But he knew how to smash things as well as
to repair them, as when he shortly conducted the im-
DAN VERS.
559
portant campaign up the Tennessee Valley to the
neighborhood of Decatur, in the rearof Braprg's armv,
breaking up its connections and cutting off and wast-
ing its supplies, and aiding in the rout and destruc-
tion of that general's forces. The Confederate gov-
ernment estimated the stores and jiroperty of various
kinds which he thus destroyed at many millions of
dollars. On July 5, 18G3, he was appointed to com-
mand the left wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps,
with headquarters at Corinth, Miss. In connection
with a movement from Vickshurg, he made a raid on
Grenada, of that State, which drove the enemy south
of the place, and resulted in the capture of an immense
number of cars and locomotives. While at the head
of the Sixteenth Army Corps he joined General Sher-
man in his march to Chattanooga, and wintered with
his men on the line of the Nashville and Decatur
Railroad. "He is an able officer," wrote Grant to
Sherman, "one whom you can rely upon in an emer-
gency." And the reliance was to be on his skill and
energy as an engineer, as well as on his sagacity and
prowess as a warrior. Grant could not subsist his
forces at Chattanooga except as the Nashville and
Decatur Railroad should be rebuilt; and this hercu-
lean task was fulfilled by General Dodge with amazing
despatch and efficiency. Within about forty days he
reconstructed and completed the whole line, including
one hundred and eighty-three bridges, trestles and
other structures, while in the same period he captured
Decatur, Ala., with all its garrison, in a well-planned
night attack. In the spring of 1864 he was entrusted
with the advance of the Array of the Tennessee, one
of the three armies consolidated for the Atlanta cam-
paign. As the mighty host moved forward, Dodge
drove back the enemy on their railway at Resaca, and
jiarticipated in the battle at that place a few days
later. He repulsed a dangerous night attack of the
foe at Nickajack Creek, Dallas, and it was his men who
reached nearest the rebel lines on the crest of Kene-
saw Mountain. At Ruff's Mills he defeated a strong
force from General Hood's Corps, and shortly after-
ward constructed, with his usual lightning speed and
wonderful skill, a substantial double-track bridge
across the Chattahoochee, seventeen hundred feet
long and twelve feet high, over which the entire
Army of the Tennet-see, with all its trains and artil-
lery, marched with safety. For his brave and faithful
and effective services in this campaign he was made
major-general by the government at Washington.
When the Confederates under General Hood made
the fierce attack under which McPherson fell mortally
wounded. Dodge's corps bore the brunt of the encoun-
ter, and through his skill and intrepidity, rescued the
Army of the Tennessee and turned the tide of battle,
capturing eight flags and a very large number of
prisoners. Says a competent authority : " It was one
of the fiercest-fought contests of the whole war. It is
not too much to say that here, as at Pea Ridge, Gen-
eral Dodge saved the Union armv from terrible disas-
ter. Riding rapidly up and down his lines, he encour-
aged his men to hold their ground or die in the
attempt. This corps was in all the battles in the
march to Atlanta, and no one, in proportion to its
size, in the whole consolidated army, lost so many
killed and wounded.''
During the siege of Atlanta General Dodge was
himself again wounded, receiving a gun-shot in the
forehead while he was standing in the rifle-pit on the
skirmish line, superintending an advance. This was
on the 19th of August, 1864. The writer of this
sketch contributed some account of the hero and this
peril to his life, together with a narrative of occur-
rences that took place immediately afterward, to the
Darners Mirror, in 1877 ; and the following extract
from his communication may not be amiss here:
" The papers, I remember, reported him killed, and
some of them gave obituary notices of him, which the
general must have read some time afterward with a
lively interest. Our sorrow was, however, soon turned
to joy, for it was soon announced that he was not
dead, but was still living and would doubtless recover.
In his weakened condition he was granted a furlough,
and took the opportunity to visit his friends at the
East and there recruit his strength. I met him on
his way to Boston, on board one of the Sound steamers.
It had been many years since I had seen him, but I
readily recognized him among the passengers who
swarmed the deck, and we had a long chat about the
recent occurrences, and the great events of the war,
and about old personal friends and associations. I
told him that Edward Everett was to speak on the
afternoon of the next day at Faneuil Hall, in advo-
cacy of the re-election of Abraham Lincoln, and that
he ought certainly to be i)resent. He said he had
never heard Mr. Everett, and expressed a desire and
purpose to be there. On our arrival at the Parker
House early the next morning, I looked into the first-
issued papers and ascertained who were the commit-
tee of arrangements for the meeting. The notices
made mention of various distinguished men who were
expected to grace the occasion, but the name of Gen-
eral Dodge was not in the list, for none knew of his
coming. I immediately despatched a messenger to
one of the committee, and informed him that General
Dodge had just arrived in town. The general was
speedily waited upon and invited to a place on the
platform, with other eminent men, at the apjiroaching
meeting. The hour of assembling came at length,
and I was with the crowd on the floor. By and by
the long line of State and city officials, and of the
gifted sons of Massachusetts who usually surrounded
the matchless orator whenever he spoke in public
there in Boston, began to file up from below and to
appear upon the stage, where they seated themselves
as best tiiey could. The general was there, occupying
a place at the left of the speaker and near the front
of the platform, and arrayed, like certain other army
officers who were with him, in his military costume.
560
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Charles G. Loring presided, and in his opening and
well-pre])ared address, referred lo some of the renowned
heroes of the war and friends of the country. I doubt
whether he linew that General Dodge was close at
hand. Certainly the thousands before him did not.
But Mr. Everett did, and I shall never forget the
thrilling effect which his words and action produced,
when, on being presented to the vast multitude, he
came forward in his most spirited, yet ever graceful
manner, and said, with eloquent voice, that the chair-
man had given us the names of not a few who had
deserved well of the nation, and whom they all
delighted to honor, but he had forgotten to mention
one who was present with them, who was fresh from
the battle-fields, and who could tell us that all was
well at the seat of war — Major-General Duchje, of the
Army of the West. The enthusiasm was very great,
and cries immediately came from all parts of the hall
— "Dodge!'' "Dodge!" "Dodge!'' until the modest
soldier was obliged to rise and allow himself to be
seen of the assembled thousands. The applause that
greeted him was simply tremendous, and the scene
which was there witnessed, as the Western warrior
with his ghastly wound, and the polished and silver-
tongued orator of the East, stood side by side before
the excited multitude, only lacked one thing to make
it beggar all description. A master of the art like
Mr. Everett could not fail at such a moment. " Yes!
fellow-citizens," he exclaimed, with deepening emo-
tion and ringing tones, as he pointed his quivering
finger at the brow of the hero — "Yes, fellow-citizens,
and wearing upon his forehead honorable scars, which
he gained while imperiling his life in the defence of
the Union!" This was the needed climax, and it was
perfect. I think I do not say too much when I add
that what I have here described was the most interest-
ing and inspiring incident of the occasion, and I felt
quite satisfied with the success of my little plan, and
the reception which was extended to the Danvers sol-
dier boy. The honors which were showered upon
him a few days later, in his native town and its vicin-
ity, your readers all remember."
Concerning the terrible wound which the general
had received, a writer said : " The ball struck the
forehead at the upper edge over the left eye, tore off" a
portion of the scalp, and then, passing backwards,
tore a gutter two or three inches in length through
the scalp. The skull is not fractured, though it re-
ceived a severe stroke. He was immediately conveyed
to his quarters, where he now lies. He will be sent
North as soon as practicable."
As soon as he was again fit for duty. General Dodge
once more reported to General Sherman, who thought
he was still too weak to continue the great march to
the sea, and President Lincoln, at the instance of
General Grant, assigned him to the Department of
the Missouri, where he relieved General Rosecranz.
The national troops in Missouri had become quite
demoralized, and the State was run over by guerillas
and marauders. General Dodge brought order out of
anarchy, notwithstanding he had been called upon to
send the great body of his organized troops to Gen-
eral Thomas at Nashville, who, by this timely aid,
was all the more enabled to win the glorious victory
he gained immediately afterwards. At the same
time, Kansas and Utah were merged into his com-
mand, adding greatly to his cares and responsibil-
ties. Winter had come, and the States and Territo-
ries which were entrusted to him were vast in
extent ; yet he set in motion the fresh forces he had
raised from the loyal men in each county, broke up
the bands of guerillas and marauders, and compelled
the Indians, who were warring on the settlements
from the Red River of the North to the Red River of
Texas, to sue for peace. He received the surrender
of four thousand of Kirby Smith's army in Missouri
and of the Confederate General Jeff'erson Thompson,
with eight thousand officers and men in Arkansas.
His experience and observations in these parts of
the country led him to advocate the handing over of
the Indian tribes to the War Department, to be
treated as wards of the nation and as no longer inde-
pendent and treaty-making powers.
Of the military merit and the patriotic services of
this gallant and battle scarred soldier of the Union,
it is meet that we should here let those testify who
have been most competent to judge and from whose
words there is no appeal. Among them are the
greatest of the generals and not a few of the war
Governors and other illustrious leaders of the na-
tion's cause, to say nothing of the concurrent and
unanimous voice of subordinate officers and privates
in the armies which he commanded. He continu-
ously and abundantly shared the trust and admira-
tion of General Grant, through whose influence or
direct appointments he was repeatedly promoted to
higher positions and honors, as has already been suf-
ficiently indicated. Their strong friendship for each
other remained unbroken, and is a matter of history.
Ex-Governor Noyes, of Ohio, himself a maimed and
noble veteran of the war, says : " We all regarded
General Dodge as one of the best officers of the army,
— a man of great practical, common sense, of distin-
guished gallantry, of a patriotic spirit and of mili-
tary genius." General Sherman writes : " General
Dodge is one of the generals who actually fought
throughout the Civil War with great honor and great
skill, commanding a regiment, brigade, division, and
finally a corps d'armee, the highest rank command to
which any officer can attain." General Sheridan
acknowledges the timely and effective aid he received
from him while he himself was chief quartermaster
and chief commissary, and says that he " did sjden-
didly" at Pea Ridge, and was "spoken of by officers
and men of the army in the very highest terms."
Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa, writes: "General Dodge
is one of the very best military men from this State.
He is emphatically a fighting man. There is not a
DANVERS.
5G1
more galliint soldier in the army, nor one more
worthy or oa|iable." Said the excellent Senator
Grimes: "There are very few officers the erjual, and
none the superior, of General G. M. Dodge, of this
State, now and for a long time iu command at Cor-
inth, Miss. He has always been selected for the
most responsible posts, and has always filled the
highest expectations formed of him." Judge Dillon,
the eminent jurist, testifies: "No oflicer in the ser-
vice from Iowa has accjuired more just and deserved
distinction ; no one has been more faithful, and I
may and should add, more useful and efficient;" and
in the same connection he speaks of " his great expe-
rience, his sleepless vigilance, his unconquerable en-
ergy, an'd, above all, his solid judgment and great
practical talents." Major General Oglesby, anxious
to serve the country's best interests, urged on Pres-
ident Lincoln his nomination as major general, say-
ing: "I know of no officer at this time more deserving,
nor of any who seeks the honor less. I am willing to
be held reponsible for his official acts." But it is not
necessary to proceed further with such tributes, which
might easily be multiplied to whatever extent.
Another momentous service was entered upon by
General Dodge after the war was ended. Soon after
he fir.st went to the West, and while yet a youth, he
wrote to bis father a prophetic letter, which was pub-
lished in the local paper in his native town, and in
which he indicated a plan or route for a transconti-
nental railway. It was a cherished dream which one
day he was to see realized, and that, too, very largely
through his own instrumentality. To this end, ex-
tensive surveys and reconnoissances were made by
him as early as between the years 1853 and 1858.
The Union Pacific Railroad was chartered by the
United States Government, July 1, 18()2, and the
next year the first regular organization was effected.
General John A. Dix being elected President. Other
surveyors were in the field, and the work was in
process of construction during the war. When the
bloody conflict was well over. General Dodge was
unanimously cho.sen by the directory as the chief
engineer of the line. This was on the 1st of May,
1866. The service was most congenial to him, and
he readily accepted it. General Sherman, who was in
command of the vast department beyond the Missis-
sippi, yieliling liis consent as General Dodge resigned
for the purpose his commission in the army. The
latter entered upon his new undertaking with all his
accustomed courage and zeal, and "organized a sys-
tematic exploration of the countr}' from the Arkansas
River on the South to the Sweet Water on the North,
and developed the country with preliminary lines
from the mouth of the Lodge Pole through to the
Calilbrnia State line." His judgment, long years be-
fore, .IS to the best practicable route for the road, was
confirmed by these fresh and extensive surveys, and
the Union Pacific of to-day follows very nearly the
line which he himself was the first to mark out.
36
Scarcely had he begun thus to superintend this
colossal enterprise, when his grateful and admiring
fellow-citizens in Iowa, while he was absent from
home, nominated him, in July, 1866, as representa-
tive to Congress. Although he had been and still
was an ardent Republican, and had been a warm
friend and supporter of President Lincoln and other
great men of the party, it would have been strange if
his name should have failed to win tlie sympathy
and favor of men of other political associations.
Consenting to be a candidate, he was triumphantly
elected by about five thousand majority over a very
popular competitor; but after serving for a single
term at Washington, he declined to allow his name
to be used again in this connection, choosing rather
to return to a more uninterrujited, personal supervis-
ion of his responsible and gigantic interests and cares
in the West. As a member of the National House of
Representatives, he served on the Committee on Mil-
itary Affairs, secured the reimbur-sement of Iowa for
her expenses during the war, gave speci.al attention
to the re-organization of the army and to the defence
of the border against the Indians, and advocated the
claims of the Union Pacific Road upon the country's
favor and support. He was not a frequent speaker
on the floor; but wlienever he felt called upon to
address the house, his words were pertinent and
weighty, and were listened to with marked attention.
Yet his influence was more particularly exercised in
a practical direction, and his exceptionally large and
intimate acquaintance with military matters and with
the immense Territories of the West, with all their
native tribes and boundless resources and capabil-
ities, enabled him to be a most valuable counsellor
and helper in many important questions of legislative
or governmental action.
From May, 1866, until May, 1869, the corps of
engineers under the direction of General Dodge had
run not less than fifteen thousand miles of instru-
mental lines and made as many as twenty-five thou-
sand miles of reconnoissances, so as thoroughly to
develop the country and determine the location of
the road. Impressive or astonishing as njay seem
the bare statement, it yet fails to give any adequate
idea of the toil aud the hardships that were endured,
and ihe difficulties and perils that were overcome, in
this three years' service. The engineers were fre-
(piently exposed, not only to severe inclemencies of
the weather and to much scarcity of food and water,
but also and especially to the hostility of the Indians,
whose roving bands or more formidable organized
forces beset them and threatened them from begin-
ning to end. Nothing could be done without the
protection of troops; but even with this safeguard,
members of the corps were often killed, and their
parties dispersed. Again and again General Dodge
and his men were obliged to give battle to these wily
and savage foes, and rout them, and ])ursue tliem to
a distance, so that the work could go on. It was not
562
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
alone that his explorers and surveyors had to find
their hazardous way across streams, and through for-
ests, and along deep valleys, and over high moun-
tains, and amidst heavj' falls of rain or snow ; but at
every point the location of the line had to be deter-
mined, with the utmost scientific skill, with reference
to the extraordinary natural features of the territory,
its climatic influences and the grade and protection
necessary to guard the road against the eflects of
storms and floods. Not only was the general the
chief engineer of the road, but he was also the agent
and trustee of the company, to secure its right of
way, to receive and dispose of the lands granted to it
by the United States government and to lay out and
locate the towns and town sites along the route. If
he was brave to fight and strong to scatter the Indian
bands that molested him, he knew well how to treat
with them, dealing with them equitably and never
betraying their confidence. So far as his engineering
achievement was concerned, the chief diflBculty was
to be met in carrying the road over the Kocky Moun-
tain range. But this Titanic work was accomplished
at length. The tracks of the Central Pacific and the
Union Pacific finally met on Promontory, and as the
lightning flashed the intelligence to the nations,
"swiftly the telegrams of congratulation began to
pour in upon the then must conspicuous engineer in
the world." General Sherman sent word to him :
" All honor to you, to Durant, to Jack and Dan
Casement, to Reed and the thousands of brave fel-
lows who have wrought out this glorious problem
spite of changes, storms, and even the doubts of the
incredulous, and all the obstacles you have now hap-
pily surmounted." General Dodge was immediately
charged with the delicate task of adjusting the rela-
tions between the two roads, and this, too, after much
negotiation, was successfully done. And so another
great victory was won in the brilliant and eventful
career of this gifted and enterprising sou of old
Essex. In the prosecution of the undertaking, other
difficulties than those which have been particularly
referred to had to be met. There were unfriendly
criticisms, and unfounded accusations, and nameless
hindrances on the part of politicians and newspapers.
But the general knew what he was about. The gov-
ernment saw, as well as himself, the unspeakable
importance of this transcontinental railway to the
nation then and in all the future. While he was in
Congress and while he was out of it, he commanded
the entire confidence of Lincoln and Johnson, Grant
and Sherman, and all the leading men at Washing-
ton, as well as the officers of the company whose sal-
aried servant or agent he was. Such was his influ-
ence with them that, in connection with others whose
names will ever be honorably associated with the
work, he was instrumental in securing the constantly
favorable action of Congress, and so making sure the
end in view. More and more, as the years go on, the
vastness and beneficence of this service will be appa-
rent, and the approving words of the several succes-
sive committees appointed by Congress to examine,
investigate and report in relation to it will find a
still ampler justification.
While General Dodge still held the position as
chief engineer, the famous Chinese embassy, with
Anson Burlingame at its head, visited America,
passed over the Union Pacific Road, and made
known their desire to secure the services of some
one who should take charge of like public works in
their own vast empire. President Grant at once rec-
ommended to them General Dodge, who signified his
readiness to accept the position, willing to serve for
a limited time and desiring to see the country; but
Burlingame died shortly after, and the plan was
abandoned.
In 1868 General Dodge was elected a director of
the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and has since
remained in that relationship. The same year he
was delegate-at-larae from Iowa, and the chairman of
the Iowa delegation to the National Republican Con-
vention at Chicago, and was very influential ia deter-
mining the results of the proceedings of that occasion.
When, in 1870, the Iowa Legislature passed a law for
the erection of a new State-house, he was made a
member of the Board of Capitol Commissioners, and
was charged with the duty of supervising the work.
It was in 1870, also, that he tendered his resignation
as the chief engineer of the Union Pacific, and
received the " very hearty thanks " of the company
for his " eminent services," Oakes Ames, the presi-
dent, writing to him a letter in which he said, " When
we consider the great difficulties and dangers that
beset you on all sides while locating the road through
an uninhabited country, and the rapidity with which
the work was accomplished, we are gratified and sur-
prised that you should have finished this work in so per-
fect and acceptable a manner." Early in April, 1872, he
became the chief engineer of the company which had
contracted to build the Texas and Pacific Railway,
and has continued for ten years to develop the wild
regions, and bring to light the hidden resources of the
territory south of the Red River, as before he had
rendered a like, yet larger, service north of it. A
portion of the latter line was built by the Pacific
Railway Improvement Company, a corporation which
he organized, and of which he became the president.
Of other such companies he has also been president :
the American Railway Improvement Company, the
International Railway Improvement Company, the
Texas and Colorado Railway Improvement Company
and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Com-
pany, and he is, at present, the president of the Pan
Handle Construction Company and the Colorado and
Texas Railway Construction Company. These lines
have been projected with the view of connecting
together the most important and widely-separated
points in the West and Southwest, and of opening
the vast interiors to the tide of immigration and
--"■^ESet
"'!$'.''»>• AifHitcHte
MkS^
DANVERS.
563
travel, and to the commerce of river, gulf and ocean.
One has but to study a little the advancing railway
system that is spreading over all those immense tracts
of territory, to see what an inestimable service
General Dodge is still rendering to his country and
to the future.
Of all his pioneer life, and his explorations into
every part of this mighty domain ; his personal ven-
tures, perils and escapes; liis extensive banking and
stock operations and connections; his active partici-
pation in political conventions and campaigns, and in
reunions of military organizations; his repeated visits
abroad and tours in other lands ; his business interests
at Council Bluffs and vicinity, and his domestic rela-
tions, there is not space here for us to write as we
gladly would. In character he is modest, earnest,
faithful and true. He is quiet, but forcible in con-
versation, using no superfluous words, but expre.ssing
his thought in language that is simple and direct.
Possessed of a friendly spirit toward all, and most
affectionate in his relations to family and kindred, he
is an object of great regard and pride at home, and
amongst all who know him. In person he is of medium
height, of spare build and agile frame, with strongly
marked features, indicative, in every line, of the
patience and perseverance, the intelligence, courage
and energy, that have crowned his career with such
success.
The general's family consists of his wife and three
children. Again and again, when he was sick or
wounded during the war, Mrs. Dodge travelled great
distances to be at his side, and to tenderly and faith-
fully nurse him into health and strength once more
for his country's service. The children, who have
received their education abroad as well as at home,
are Lettie, Ella and Annie. The first is the wife of
Mr. E. E. Montgomery, a lawyer of Fort Worth,
Texas ; the second married Mr. Frank Pusey, son of
ex-Congressman Pusey, of Council Bluffs; the third
lives with her parents, and " has displayed considera-
ble literary talent, being an occasional contributor to
some of the magazines." The family mansion is one
of the finest and most attractive in the city, elegant
in its appointments and beautiful for its situation.
Nathan P. Dodge, the brother of the general, is a
banker, and a prominent and very highly esteemed
citizen of Council Bluffs. Julia, sister of the two
brothers, married, as previously stated, Mr. J. B.
Beard, and they also reside in the same place with
their two sons. Living amongst this circle of her
children and descendants of two or three generations
is the venerable mother, Mrs. Sylvanus Dodge herself,
now in her eighty-sixth year and much burdened
with the infirmities of old age. From this remarka-
ble woman the renowned engineer and soldier inher-
ited no small share of his fortitude, energy and deter-
mination. In all her changeful and checkered life,
and amidst all its manifold struggles and solicitations,
her devotion to her family, and her faith in their
brighter future, have never flagged or wavered. For
many years slie has seen her hopes for their prosper-
ity and usefulness pass into fulfillment, and she still
survives to receive the grateful care and undying
affection of the objects of her maternal love and ser-
PHIMP H. WENTWOKTH.
Philip Henry Wentworth, though not a native of
Danvens, was a valued citizen of the town during
many of the last years of his useful life, and there
ended his days. He was born in Boston, July 6,
1818, and was the son of Philip Wentworth, who
was born in the same city, in 1787. His mother's
name, previous to her marriage, was Eliza Orrok.
While yet very young he was sent to a boarding-
school in Dorchester, kept by a Mr. Vose, and after-
ward to school at South Hadley. Subsequently, he at-
tended the English High School in Boston. Attheage
of sixteen he entered the dry-goods commissLon house
ofSaylcs & Hitchcock, better known in later years
under the name of Sayles, Merriam & Co. Of this
firm he became a partner when but twenty-one. In
1841 he married Mary M. Loing, of Newburyport,
but formerly from the State of Maine. A twelve-
month or more afterward he went to New York and
accepted a partnership with Mr. C. Langley, in that
city ; but in 1848 returned to Boston, and thenceforth
was prominently known as of the house of Stanfield
& Wentworth, or, still later, Stanfield, Wentworth &
Co. He had been for some years a resident of Rox-
bury, when, his wife having died, he was again mar-
ried, June 4, 1856, to Miss Harriet Lucetta Daniell,
daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Daniell, also
of Roxbury, and both of blessed memory. Mr. Dan-
iell will be remembered as having long been at the
head of a large dry-goods establishment in Summer
Street, Boston, and all who ever dealt with him or
knew him, gratefully call to mind the purity, recti-
tude and loveliness of his character. Mrs. Daniell was
a worthy helpmeet of such a man ; possessing a singu-
larly sweet and beautiful spirit, and richly adorned
with the virtues and graces of Christian woman-
hood. The influence of such a parentage found a
new sphere for its exercise as the new bride entered
the home of the husband and his four motherless
children. Early in 1865, he removed, with his lamily,
to Danvers, and estal)lished himself on a large and
valuable estate which, with its elegant mansion and
charming grounds, continued to be the place of his
residence to the end of his life. It was after fbui
other children had been born to him under his second
marriage and while yet he was j)ursuing still his suc-
cessful business in Boston that the great fire which
devastated so extensive a portion of that city and
swept away in an hour the fortunes of so many of its
merchants visit(!d, with the rest, the house of Stan-
field, Wentworth & Co., with its destructive fury.
Like so manv others, Mr. Wentworth never quite re-
564
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
covered from the terrible effects of the calamity.
Says an obituary notice of him, which appeared in
the Commercial Bulletin, shortly after his death, —
"He met with heavy reverses at the time of the great
fire ; but, having the undiminished confidence of his
business connections soon reinstated himself, and was
for several years iu active business in the firm of
Wentworth & Case. Of late, he had withdrawn to a
large extent from active busiues?, spending much of
his time at his home in Danvers, retaining, however,
an office in Boston, where he was to be seen during
business hours."
Among the most marked features of Mr. Went-
worth's character were his indomitable courage, en-
ergy and perseverance. Not even the app.alling disas-
ter that had befallen him, and that has just been
referred to, had any efiect to frighten or paralyze
him. It only nerved him to more heroic exertions,
and it was quite touching to see with what manly
patience and determination he bravely strove, through
successive years and against fearful odds, to retrieve
his shattered fortunes. Thoroughly honest and just,
he could not bear to owe a debt which he could not
pay, and if ever one purposed and labored that none
should be losers by any mishap or calamity of his
own, it was he. It was quite wonderful what victory
he wrung from the jaws of such defeat. His losses
were great, but his gains were greater.
Whatever his discouragements, his cheerfulness
never forsook him. His fine face was always lighted
with its glow of good feeling and of the ioy that was
within and that was too deep to be much disturbed by
change of outward circumstances. He was habitu-
ally hearty and cordial. His welcomes were warm
and free, and his hospitality was genuine and boun-
tiful. He was one of the most generous of men and
was one of the truest of friends. He scorned things
that were false or base, and impressed all who knew
him or had to do with him with a sense of the noble-
ness of his nature. Nothing was more characteristic
of him than his straightforwardness and transpa-
rency of mind and conduct. It was an element that
revealed itself in every word, look and deed. He
was just what he seemed, and no one could for a
moment mistake his thought or motive, or misinter-
pret his action or life.
Full often the child is the father to the man, and
a pretty story is told of Mr. Wentworth as a lad, that
goes to show how the truthfulness and frankness
that marked him in all his mature years, was with
him even at the very first. It seems to us as good
as the story of young George Washington and his
hatchet, and we venture to say it is much more
authentic. The boys of the neighborhood where
" Phil," or " Harry," as he was also called, lived,
were once on a time at their winter play on the Com-
mon in the vicinity of Tremont Street. There was
then no fence, as now, between the mall and the
thoroughfare, and where to-day extends along the
eastern side a row of shops and stores, there was a
continuous line of handsome residences of princely
merchants, " Harry " threw a snow-ball that went
directly through a window of one of these fine man-
sions. The little urchins all knew very well that the
proprietor was a hot-tempered and violent man, and
at once cried out, "Run, Harry, run !" And run he
did ; not away, as doubtless many a boy would have
done, Imt straight up the steps to tell the family with-
in just what he had done. Before he had a chance to
ring the bell, the old gentleman of the house appeared
at the door in a furious state of mind, but at once
grew calm and gentle as the little fellow openly ac-
knowledged himself to be the ofl'ender and offered
a manly apology. The affair was instantly treated as
of no consequence, and "Phil's" companions were
quite amazed at the friendly consideration which was
accorded to him.
Very soon after their removal from Roxbury to
Danvers, Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth were foremost in
starting a new Unitarian Church in their adopted
town. The history of this enterprise is related else-
where in these pages, yet the briefest sketch of Mr.
Wentworth's life would be defective, indeed, without
a conspicuous reference to his agency and activity in
this work and to all which such a beneficent service
implies. It is no disparagement to the efforts and
zeal of others who were associated with them to say
that he and his wife were exceptionally prominent
in the movement, watching and guiding faithfully
the fortunes of the young society, and giving to it
their time, means, energy and constant sympathy and
presence for more than twenty years, and until their
common devotion to it was broken by death. It was
at their beautiful home that Rev. L. J. Livermore,
who was so long the pastor of the church, and the
many others who from time to time supplied its
desk, were most heartily welcomed as gue.sts and
there found strength and encouragement in the work
of the ministry. Both and all had the satisfaction of
seeing that their unselfish labors and care were not in
vain. A tasteful aud convenient hou.se of worship
wa-s ere long built and paid for, and it stands as no
unfit monument of the earnest and unfailing fidelity
of those who ensured its erection, but especially of
him who was the one main reliance in " the day of
small things," as also afterward in seasons of greater
prosperity. In such relations or interests Mr. Went-
worth was ever ready and prompt to discharge any
task or duty which seemed to be required of him, or
in which he might be useful to the cause. Nothing
here appeared to be menial or trivial. No matter what
theservice, it was tohim important, and he was glad to
do it, as unto the Lord. He made small pretensions
or professions, but he was a man of deeds, and his
whole soul was in what he wrought.
He died in the fulness of his manhood, April 10,
18S6. His funeral obsequies took place on the 14th,
at the church he had done so much to erect and in
%2
//i
Jt^'^
^o^>-A.
DANVERS.
565
which he had so often worshipped. The services,
consisting of the reading of the Scriptures, by Rev.
Mr. Hudson, of Peabody ; prayer by Rev. Mr. Israel,
of Salem, and an address by Rev. S.J. Barrows, editor
of the Christian BegiBter, were very appropriate and
impressive, and a memorial pamphlet has since been
published, giving just and eloquent tril>utcs, from
Mr. Barrows and others to the noble qualities of the
departed. One who knew him perfectly has written
of him, — "His spiritual and religious life grew and
deepened to the end. He so loved to think and talk
of the future life that, when the summons came, he
was only happy in the thought of exchanging his
faith in the unseen to the light of the glorious
reality. 1 1 was such an accustomed thought that the
change, though it came so suddenly, did not disturb
his peace more than a summons to take a day's jour-
ney would have done."
Mr. Livermore, his beloved pastor, survived him
just seven weeks. In death, as in life, they were not
divided. Their friendship for each other was pecu-
liarly strong and atlectionate, and the trust and ad-
miration which the minister is well known to have
cherished towards his parishioner could not have
been warmer or profounder than the same sentiments
entertained toward him by the writer of this sketch,
who knew him even longer, had sustained like rela-
tions with him, had seen him much in the church,
in the home and in society, and can only think of
him as one who was, indeed, a man, in the true sense
of the word.
ALFRED TEASK.
Alfred Trask was born in Newport, N. H., Decem-
ber 7, 1811, his father, John Trask,' having moved
from Beverly, Mass., the previous year. He was the
youngest of nine children, five sisters and three
brothers. Mrs. Benjamin Woodbury, Mrs. John
Moulton and Mrs. Andrew Boker resided in North
Beverly; Mrs. Timothy Endicott, Mrs. Nathaniel
Bachelder and a brother, John Trask, residents of
Newport and Sunapee, N. H. Another brother, Isra-
el Trask, settled in Gloucester, Mass.
From boyhood blest with perfect health and great
energy, he early displayed good judgment and e.xecu-
tive ability, developing in manhood sagacity in busi-
ness affairs. He was repeatedly urged to accept posi-
tions of honor and trust, thereby proving the confi-
dence and esteem reposed in him by his fellow-men,
but preferred, with his retiring disposition, to see
others enjoy the honor, and rely on his helping hand
to sustain them in keeping it. With equal generosity
is he ever interested in matters pertaining to the pub-
lic welfare of the town.
At twenty-one, with an extremely limited school
education, he started in life to make his own fortune
■John Trask was a major and fougbt at Bunker Hill, also used liis
own oxen, borees and teams to throw up the earth works at the building
of the entrenchments.
without a larthing. His mother gave him the making
of a freedom suit, the cloth being afterwards paid for
from his own earnings. For two summers he hired
out for ten dollars a month, and the rest of the season
logging and wood chopping engaged his attention.
His twenty-third year, in company with others, he
worked a farm on shares, clearing one luuKlred dol-
lars profit. At twenty-four, tired of farming he left
Newport and came to what was then called Danvers
Plains, resolved to try his hand in business as drover.
With the small amount of money saved he made
short trips into the country, buying pigs and cattle,
selling and trading them on his way home, where he
arrived after two weeks' absence, usually with a profit
that was an incentive to continue in this line of busi-
ness, the same in which his father before him had en-
His indomitable will and self-reliance gained for
him the encouragement he craved from business men
who recognized his ability, and an offer of money
to execute his plans was kindly tendered from an old
resident of his boyhood home. The indebtedness of
one hundred dollars was promptly paid and a contin-
uance of the favor politely declined, but, with an en-
ergy redoubled and a renewed will to do and dare, he
pluckily kept on. At twenty-eight years of age, on
the 5th of March, 1839, he married Mary J. Blackey,
of Sandwich, N. H. Of this union nine children
were born.
Alfred Moulton Trask, born June 25, 1840;
Julia Ann Trask, born December 15, 1841 ; Charles
Wesley Trask, born February 14, 1844; Mary Eliza-
beth Trask, born February 20, 184G ; George Edward
Trask, born February 6, 1848 ; Sarah Bachelder Trask,
born September 1,1850; Nancy Ellen Trask, born
.lanuary 18, 1853; Henry Woodbury Trask, born No-
vember 10, 1856 ; Frank Boker Trask, born February
12, 1859.
Realizing how much he lacked from his own limited
amount of schooling, it was his greatest desire that
his children should enjoy the advantages of a liberal
education, and to further the project no expense was
spared. After completing their education, with rare
forethought and generosity, he established each in a
good business and also purchased homes for those who
were married.
The eldest, Alfred M. Trask, .attended school at New
London Academy, N. H., and afterwards was started
in the stock business in Canada, and some years later
settled in Brocton. where a house was presented to
him.
The eldest daughter, Julia Ann, was graduated at
Tilton Academy, N. H., but died September 7, 1862,
in her twenty-first year.
Charles Wesley Trask, after graduating at the Dan-
vers High School, also attended school in Tilton, and
for a business was started in a fine market in Wal-
tham, but for several years has been living on an ex-
tensive farm given by his father in Sandwich, N. H.
566
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Mary Elizabeth Trask married quite young, but
(lied when only twenty years of age, leaving one son,
William Alfred Patch.
George Edward Trask was graduated from Danvers
High School and afterwards attended a Commercial
College in Boston. A house was given him in Wes-
tern, and ho started in the slaughtering business.
Sarah B. Trask attended school at the Female
Academy in Ipswich, Mass., and on her marriage with
Roswald D. Bates, was presented with a house on Co-
nant Street, Danvers.
Nancy Ellen Trask w:is a graduate from the High
School in Danvers and later from the Abbot Acad-
emy in Andover, and on her marriage with Henry W.
Swett, was given a house in Haverhill, Mass.
Henry W. Trask also graduated at the Danvers
High School and then attended the school of Tech-
nology in Worcester, Mass. At present he is unmar-
ried and living in the State of Colorado.
The youngest son, Frank B. Trask, is the only
member of the family residing in the old home. He
learned the upholstery trade, and has recently opened
an extensive furniture establishment on Maple Street.
Dan vers.
Aside from the benefits conferred on his own fami-
ly, to numerous others has his helping hand been ex-
tended. By some the confidence has been abused,
while others have pi'ofited by the aid rendered, to the
mutual pleasure of all concerned. It is well to note
the prominent characteristics that mark Alfred Trask
one of the most successful self-made men of Essex
County.
His business of drover was carried on for a period
of thirty years, then he changed it to a wholesale
butcher for ten ye;irs more, when he concluded to re-
tire from active business and attend to private atJiiirs
and the care of his spacious house and grounds, — the
realization of his boyhood's hopes, acquired by years
of constant toil, backed by energy and courage, which
the rising generation would do well to emulate.
June 8, 1872, he met with a great loss in the death
of his wife who, with marked energy and frugality,
had ever been a ready helper in amassing a compe-
tency for the future.
His second marriage occurred September 1, 1873)
to a very estimable woman, Dora T. Webster, of Law-
rence, Mass., who has made herself much beloved by
all those who enjoy her acquaintance, and for the
many Christian acts of unostentatious charity and
kindness. To do good for others is the one thought
ujipermost, having great sympathy for young and
old, and their good and welfare. The esteem in which
she is held by the little flock of grandchildren must
indeed be flattering to her, with her keen appreciation
of the beautiful in all things in life.
May the Angel of Peace and Contentment hover
for many years over the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred
Trask, is the hcirt-felt wish of their numerous friends
and acquaintances.
EBEN GARDNER BERRY.
For many years no man has been more familiarly
associated with Danvers Plains than Eben G. Berry,
and no portrait will be more generally recognized, not
only by Danvers people, but by many others through-
out the county, than that of him which here ap-
pears. For a period extending from 1808 the site of
the present Hotel Danvers has been sufficiently iden-
tified by the name of " Berry's Corner." In the year
named Ebenezer Berry, who had corae down from
Andover, bought out the old tavern and began inn-
keeping. He married Hitty Preston, a daughter of
Captain Levi Preston, of Danvers. The subject of
this sketch, the son of these parents, was born Feb-
ruary 19, 1809. He was the only son, and about the
time of his coming of age he succeeded to his father's
business. Since then, for nearly sixty years, both in
the old tavern and in the new hotel which he himself
built, he has either himself or by lessee entertained
such of the public as sought his hospitality.
The hall of the old tavern was the scene of many
events of great local historical interest, concerning
which Mr. Berry has contributed many reminiscences,
which have been incorporaied in the sketch of the
Plains in previous pages. These reminiscences, very
properly a part of his biography, Mr. Berry modestly
insists are suflicieut to accompany his portrait. He
has been twice married — first to Elizabeth J. Abbott
of Andover; second to Mrs. Sarah (Nichols) Page.
The latter died recently. He has but one survi-
ving child — Mrs. Emily B., wife of Deacon John
S. Learoyd. Another daughter was Caroline, wife of
the late Captain James A. Johnson, who left two
children, now living in Danvers. He has a sister,
Mehitable, widow of Henry Sperry, living in close
neighborhood to him. A few years ago he built
the fine dwelling in which he resides, on Conant
Street, next east of the hotel.
CHAPTER XLI.
IPSWICH.
BY M. V. B. PERLEY.
PRE-HISTOEIC.
DISCOVERIES.
1. PhcBiiicians and Norwegians. — This territory,
once the abode of the red man, and known to him by
the name of Agawam, was settled by our ancestors
some more than two hundred and fifty years ago. It
was, however, known to the white race, no doubt, at
a very much earlier period. The learned suspect
t
e77 fL/ //^^^H"'
IPSWICH.
567
that the Phrenicians visited our New Entrland shores
ill aniMent times, and tliat Norwegian adventurers
sojourned here about nine hundred years ago.
Certainly, their annals treat of voyages of adventure
and discovery, and it only remains to find the places
they describe. Their " vinland," Mr. Fewkes, a
summer sojourner with us, and an archicologist, de-
clares to be located here, citing the ocean beacon, the
changed channel, the cellars and foundations of nine
houses, and the remains of three wells, which evince
a greater antiquity than do any known works of a
similar nature of Puritan origin.
2. Mnps. — In the eagerness of navigators to find a
short northwest route to the East, Canada was well
and very accurately mapped, while New England's
" cartography," says Kohl, " remained very defective
through nearly the whole of the sixteenth century.
3. Champlain. — In 1G04 Champlain, who afterwards
attached his name to the beautiful lake at Vermont,
explored the coast from the St. Lawrence River to
Plymouth Bay, following the sinuosities of the shore.
At Saco Bay he oVjserved a marked change in Indian
habits, mode of life and language. The tribes at the
East were nomadic, living wholly by fishing and the
chase. At Saco and at the West they were sedentary,
and subsisted mainly on the products of the soil.
Around their settlements were fields of Indian corn,
gardens of squashes, beans and pumpkins, and a gen-
erous patch of tobacco. At the headland we call
Cape Ann, the land of Mascounomet, of whom we are
soon to speak, the natives were cordial and highly in-
telligent. Furnished with a crayon, they made an
accurate outline of Mass.achusetts Bay, and indicated
their six tribes and chiefs by as many pebbles.
4. Hardie et al. — In 1611 Captain Edward Hardie
and Nicholas Hobson were kindly received here. In
1(514 the famous adventurer, John Smith, found "a
multitude of people." He explored and mapped the
territory, naming it Southampton, at the suggestion
of Prince Charles, and thus described it, — " Here are
many rising hills, and on their tops and de.seents are
many corne fields and delightfuU groues. On the
east is an isle of two or three leagues in length, the
one halfe plaine marish ground, fit for pasture or salt
ponds, with many faire high groues of mulberry trees.
There are also okes, pines, walnuts and other wood
to make this place an excellent habitation." A mere
mention of these must suffice ; though they may have
left traces of their handiwork, they embalmed no
thought or feeling.
iNDIANiB.
1. Territory. — The Atlantic Ocean on the east,
Cochichawich (now Andover), on the west, the Mer-
rimack (Sturgeon) River on the north, and theNaum-
keag (now North) River, at Salem, on the south, en-
closed the beautiful territory of one hundred and
eighteen thousand five hundred acres, called Agawam.
The name signified " Resort for fish of passage," and
was eminently appro]iriato. With the spring came
the myriad-swarming alewife and the bone-burdened
shad, and river and brook and pond became an Eden
of new life. In late summer schools of mackerel
darkened the waters of the bay, as they migrated to
their southern sequestered home. Here the blue fish
sported and the doughty sturgeon pur.sued his prey.
2. Siigamore. — The name of the Sagamore of this
princely domain was Masconnomet, sometimes called
Masconnomo, or John. His exact relation to other
tribes is unknown. He may have been a sub- tribe of
the Massachusetts, or the Aberginians, a great na-
tion, the power of whose sachem is said to have ex-
tended from the Charles River to the Merriraac; but
he seems to have been under the leadership of the
powerful Pennacooks. His subjects are represented
as kind-hearted and tractable. Captain Hardie and
Nicholas Hobson, exploring the coast in 1611, testi-
fied to kinder treatment by these natives than by
others.
3. His Conversion. — After Governor Winthrop had
arrived in Salem harbor, 1629, Masconnomet and one
of his men went on board the Governor's ship, Sun-
day morning, June 13th, and remained all day. The
governor's object in coming to New England was to
Christianize the Indians. He so far succeeded here
that March 8, 1044, Masconnomet put himself, his
sul)jects, and his possessions under the government
protection of the Massachusetts Bay, and agreed to be
instructed in the Christian religion. The purpose of
this chief and a few of his friends is shown in the
following examination :
1. Wtll iiim Wf>rs}iip the onhj tnic God and not bUisphenie f Ane. "Wo
do desire to reverence the God of the English, aud to Hpealt well of him,
becaiiee we see He doth better to the Engliali than other gods do to oth-
ers. 2. Will yon cease from sweitrmy /iihehj f Ans. We know not what
swearing is. 3. Will you re/rain frotti lootkiiig on the Sabbath, especially
in Christian totcns f Ans. It ia ea^y for ns — we liave little to do any day,
andean well rest on tliatday. 4. Wiil you honor your parents and all
your superiors ? Ans. It is our custom to do so. 5. Will you refrain
from killing any man without cause and aitthority f Ans. It is good, and we
desire it. 6. Will you put away fornication, nduUery, incest, rape, sodomy
a7id beasiialityf Ans. Though some of our people do some of these
things, we count them naught, and do not allow tbein. 7. Will yon put
away stealing f Ans. We answer this as the sixth question. 8, Will you
allotv your children to read the word of God, so that they may know him
aright, and tvorship him in his own way f .Vns, We will allow this as
opportunity will permit, aud as the Knglish live among us, wo desire to
do so.
4. Fiiendly Tokens. — The examination was satisfac-
tory; they were "solemnly received," and were then
presented to the court. They gave the court twenty-
six fathoms of wampum, and the court gave to each
of them two yards of cloth, a dinner, and at their de-
parture a " cup of sac."
5. Depopulation.— At the date of Champlaiu's and
Hardie and Hobson's visits the tribe seemed numer-
ous and valiant, but the pestilence that prevailed
among the tribes generally, about 1G17, reduced their
number and greatly enfeebled the strength of this
tribe.
0. Suspicion. — In 1642 several tribes were suspected
568
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of an intention of rising against the English, and
were, therefore, deprived of their arms for several
mouths. But generally the English experienced no
trouble from the Agawams.
7. Tarratines. — At the north of Agawam lay the
imperial realm of the Pennacooks, and next to
them, as allies, were the Pawtuckets on the north
side of the Merrimack River, and the Penobscotts in
the vicinity of the Penobscott, or, as they called it,
Pentegoet River. Somewhere in that territory wig-
wamed the Tarratines, agile, warlike, blood-thirsty
and, as some say, cannibal. It is said that Ma-<con-
nomet had slain some of the tribe, and so had in-
curred the price of blood, and endangered the safety
of the English. Accordingly, July 5, 1631, he was
banished from the house of every Englishman for
one year, under penalty of ten beaver-skins for every
oB'ence. Of the Tarratines the Agawams had a mor-
tal dread. In 1629, and several times after, they ap-
plied to Governor Endicott for aid, and received it.
Sagamores James and John, of Saugust and Charles-
town, often assisted them. One instance of such al-
liance was August 8, 1631, when the Tarratines, to
the number of a hundred, in three canoes, surprised
the Agawams, slew seven men, wounded Sagamores
John and James and some others, and took, among
other captives, the wife of James, who, however, was
returned the following September with a demand of
wampum and ten beaver-skins for her ransom.
8. Indian Arts. — Their arts were simple and their
wants were few. Their wild dance and song were the
life of the wigwam ; tobacco was their solace ; they
delighted in smoking, or "drinking the pipe;" fish-
ing and hunting were their sustenance, and they ex-
ulted in the capture of a salmon, a shad, or a stur-
geon, of a fox, a bear, or a deer. In spring their food
was largely fish, in summer berries, in autumn har-
vest products, and in winter clams. They cultivated
only the Indian bean and corn, which was always
their staple food. Rude granite mortars and pestles
served to powder the corn ; their tomahawks were
stones about the length of a man's hand, with one
end fashioned for a handle and with the other end
beveled to an edge. Their arrow-heads were of slate,
and a lapidary for their manufacture has been discov-
ered near Prospect Hill. Abundance of clam-shells
have been found on high ground, which, doubtless,
mark the sites of their wigwams. These implements,
even now after the flight of two hundred and fifty
years, the plow-share sometimes discovers. Their
highest art was expended upon the bow and arrow;
their proudest skill was in throwing the tomahawk,
shooting the arrow and spearing the fish.
9. MasconnomeVs Death. — Masconnomet saw his
tribe fade away, as a summer cloud ; his rich domain
become the abode of the pale- face; his scepter broken
fall from his nerveless grasj). In 1655, 21st Febru-
ary, the selectmen granted him a life-interest in six
acres of planting ground. He died 6lh March, 1658.
The 18th of the following June, his widow was
granted the same ground during her widowhood.
Both were buried on Sagamore Hill in Hamilton.
With him were interred his gun, his tomahawk and
other implements of the chase. The tribe lived in
scattered wigwams, much at the town charge, till it
was practically extinct, about 1730.
PLANTERS.
1. Definition. — These were such a? obtained tracts
or parcels of land, and occupied them as fishing sta-
tions or for the purpose of traffic with the natives.
Two parties principally are concerned in this history,
John Mason and William JeflVey.
2. John Mason was a member of the Plymouth
Company, whose corporation was incident upon the
published maps and description of this section, by
Capt. John Smith, .about 1015. Sir Ferdinand Gorges
was president of the company. They held the land
between the Charles and Merrimac Rivers, and had
trading posts and fishing stations along the coast as
early as 1619. About 1621, Mason obtained from the
company the land between the Naumkeag and Merri-
mac Rivers. Perchance he never occupied the grant,
or if he did, he had abandoned it and removed all
trace of his occupancy, before the settlement by
Winthrop in 1633 ; for to his claim made, in 168tl, the
settlers replied : " We have subdued the wilderness
with great pains and cost; our lands have passed
through several hands; we were confirmed in our
rights by the law of 1657 for settling inheritances,
which was not designed against Robert Mason, of
whom and of whose claim we were then wholly ignor-
ant. So we continued till surprised by order of the
General Court, according to your letter of September
30th, requiring us to furnish agents and evidences, as
to our lands." Thus it was ; Ipswich had been set-
tled ; the lands bought, sold and improved ; houses
erected; and the bustle of business felt for nearly
half a century, when suddenly before the king ap-
peared Mason with his claim. He went before the
local court for justice. Litigation continued two
years and a half At last Mason won his case. "The
General Court allow John Wallace and Content
Mason, relict of John Tufton Mason, to give deeds as
her husband had done. Some paid a quit-rent of two
shillings a year for every house built on the land of
his grant, which was in their possession." Mason's
heirs hoped to establish their inheritance, name it
Mariana, and hold it " in fee and common socage."
Thus the decision, which was against the settlers,
was favorable.
3. William Jeffrey obtained his title to Jeflrey's
Neck of the Indians and presumably of Masconnomet.
His alleged right to the territory of our Ipswich may
have been derived from M.ason. He was here very
early. Winthrop called him " an old planter." He
was probably associated with John Burslin, Edward
Hilton and David Thomson, fishmonger of London, in
IPSWICH.
569
the employ of the Plymouth Company, and belonged
to Robert Gorges' party, who settled at Wessagusset,
in September, 1(523. Mr. Fewkes' old cellars and
wells, evincing to him traces of the Nor-semen, re-
ferred to above^ may have been Jeffrey's trading and
fishing station; and so to Jeffrey's diminutive city-
by-the-sea the Court of Assistants may have referred,
when, in lGo!\ by warrant, they " ordered those
planted at Agawam forthwith to come away." How-
ever this may be, William Jeffrey, in 1G60, to satisfy
his claim to Jeffrey's Xeck within the bounds of Ips-
wich, is granted five hundred acres of land on the
south side " of our patent, to be a final issue of all
claims by virtue of any grant heretofore made by
any Indians whatsoever."
4. Nofice. — Mr. Jeffrey is referred to in one of the
company's letters of instruction as " William Jeflries,
Gentleman." He was an Episcopalian ; was made
freeman May 18, 1637; was one of the proprietors of
Weymouth, in 16-tI— 12, where he was commissioned
to solemnize marriages. Very early he had property
rights at the Isles of Shoal*. He and his business
associates, — Hilton, Blackstone. Burslin and Thom-
son's widow contributed to meet the expense of the
expedition, that dislodged that '' merry, rollicking,
scholar, adventurer and scape-grace, Thomas Morton,
Gentleman," from Merry-Mount, about 1G28. In
163-1 Morton called him "My very good gossip." He
witnessed the will of William Waltham, of Wey-
mouth, in 10 12; and his daughter Mary was born
there "20 : 1 : " of the same year.
CHAPTER XLII.
MUXIClrAL.
SETTLEMENT.
1. Pioneers. — About twelve years after the Pilgrims
landed at Plymouth, four and a half years after Cap-
tain John Endicott colonized Salem, and three years
after Governor John Winthrop established the colony
of Massachusetts Bay, a rumor spread in Boston that
the Jesuits were about to establish a mission. This it
was a part of the Governor's duty to prevent, and he
immediately organized a company of thirteen men
with his son John as leader, to forestall the move-
ment. Accordingly Mr. John Winthrop, Jr., Mr.
John Thorndyke, Mr. William Clark, John Biggs,
Robert Cole, John Gage, Thomas Hardy, Thomas
Howlett, William PL-rkins, William Sergeant and
three others, in March, 1633, wooed and wed the
virgin soil of Agawam.
2. Incorporation. — " A Court holden att Newe
Towne, — Cambridge — August 5th, 1634, ordered that
36i
Aggawam shallbe called Ipswitch," wherefore Au-
gu-t 16th, new style, 1634, dates the beginning of our
corporate capacity. The name is derived from Ips-
wich, England, " in acknowledgment of the great
honor and kindness done to our people who took
shipping there.'' The House of Commons, in the
memorable resolve of the 10th of March, 1642, gave
New England the title of Kimjdom, and Wonder-tnork-
iiiij Providence, in consonance, calls Ipswich an Earl-
dome.
3. Deed. — The colonial records read that Masconno-
met sold his fee in Ipswich to John Winthrop, Jr.,
March 13, 1638, and that he expre-ssed himself .satis-
fied with the consideration, March 5, 1639. The fol-
lowing is the deed:
" I Masconnumet Sagamore of Agawam do by these presents ack nowi-
edge to have received of Mr. John W'iiithrop the siiui of £20, in full
satisfaction of all the right, property, and claim [ have or ought to liave,
unto all tlie land, lying and being in the Bay of Agawam, alias Ipswich,
beiu^ so called now by the English, as well as such land, as I formerly
reserved unto my own use at Chebacco, as also all other laud, belonging
to me in these parts, 3lr. Dummer's farm excepted only ; and I hereby
relinquish all the right and interest I have unto all the havens, rivers,
creeks, islands, huntings, and fishings, with all the woods, swamps, tim-
ber, and whatever else is, or may be, in or upon the s;iid ground to me
belonging ; and I do hereby acknowledge to have received full satisfac-
tion from the said John Winthrop for all former agreeiuents, touching
the premises and parts of them ; and I do hereby bind myself to make
good the aforesaid bargain and sale unto the said John Winthrop, his
heirs and assigns forever, and to secure him against the title and claim
of all other Indians and natives whatsoever.
Witness my hand, 28th of June, 1638.
Witnesss hereunto ;
John Joyliffo,
James Downing, his ^~ mark.
Thomas ('oytimore, ^^
Robert Harding.
Ipswich is ordered November, 5, 1639, by the
Court, to refund to John Winthrop, Jr., the twenty
pounds named in the above deed. The town voted
February 22, 170.3, " That Samuel Applcton, Esq.,
and our two representatives, Nehemiah Jewett and
Nathaniel Knowlton, treat with Hon. Wait Win-
throp about Masconnomet's deed of Agawam, made
to his father, deceased.
4. Extent. When the town was settled in 1633,
the boundary on the north and west was the boundary
of ancient Agawam ; on the east the ocean ; on the
southeast Cape Ann, (Gloucester) ; and on the south
Jeffrey's Creek, (Manchester) ; Enon, (Wenham); and
Salem Village, (Danvers), four hamlets then belong-
ing to Salem. Newbury, 12,300 acres, was set off in
1635, and contributed to the sisterhood Newbiiry-
port, 4575 acres, in 1764, and Parsons, 8072 acres, in
1810, which became West Newbury, June 14, 1820.
The court, in 1636, established our western limit six
miles in the country, the southern and eastern boun-
daries remaining the same. In 1639, Ipswich with
Newbury contributed Rowley, 10,310 acres, for which
the two towns received £80(1, and out of which
were cut the towns of Bradford, 4564 acres, in 1675,
of Boxford, 14,200 acres, in 1685, of Middleton, in
part, about 2500 acres, in 1728, of Georgetown, 7548
Masconnomet..
570
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
acres, in 1838, and of Groveland, 5230 acres, in 1850.
In 1650 Ipswich contributed the part of Topsfield,
north of the river, part of 7375 acres. The Hamlet
of Ipswich, 9440 acres, was incorporated Hamilton in
1793, and the Chebacco of Ipswich, 7839 acres, be-
came Essex in 1819. In 1774, certain families of
Ipswich were set off to Topsfield ; in 1784 certain
others to Rowley ; and in 1846 slill others to Boxford,
and there now remains 25,478 acres, the heart of
the grand old town, pulsating strong in her original
integrity and enterprise, and in her wealth and pleas-
ant memories.
5. First Settlers, These men were largely citizens
of wealth and learning, and some were merchants.
They were thoughtful, conscientious, heroic, righte-
ous. God-fearing ; thoughtful, for they had clear
views of the tenets of their religion and of civil life;
conscientious, for they could not brook known errors:
heroic, for they suffered for principle ; righteous,
for they made a righteous civil code ; God-fearing,
for it was their purpose in all things to serve Him.
The Wonder- Working Providence reads :
" The peopling of this towne is hy men of good ranke and quality,
many of them having the yearly revenue of large estates in England
before they came to this wildernesse." In Rev, Joseph Felt's history of
the town, we read: "A large proportion of the inhabitants possessed
intelligent minds, virtuous hearts, useful influence and remarkable char-
acter. They well understood how the elements of bociety should be for
the promotion of its welfare, and how such elements should be formed
and kept pure from ignorance and iireligion. They were careful of their
own example, and thereby gave force to their precepts. They attended
to the concerns of society as persons, who felt bound to consult the
benefit of posterity as well as their own immediate good."
6. Citizenship. The next month after the settle-
ment by Winthrop and his associates, April 1, 1633,
it was ordered by the Court of Assistants, that "noe
pson wtsoeuer shall goe to plant orinhabitt att Agga-
wam, without leave from the Court." This order
obtained for some time ; there for a considerable
period the rulf^ and practice obtained that no one
should be admitted as townsman without the consent
of the town's freemen. This practice served to preserve
the unity of their religious belief and the high stand-
ard of their civil and social life, by excluding the
immoral and the idle, the ignorant and the conten-
tious.
7. Names. The following catalogue has been
gleaned from the town records, and, probably, con-
tains nearly all the names of settlers in the town
during the first twenty years, arranged in the years
when they were first observed :
AVinthrop, John, Jr.
Thorndyke, John.
Clark, William,
Bigg", Jobn.
Carr, George.
Cole, Robert.
Gage, JohD.
I«ft3.
Hardy, Thomas.
Howlett, Thomas.
Perkins, AViltiam.
Sellman, Thomas.
Sergeant, William.
ShatBwell, John.
1634.
"Probably some from New Town, now Cambridge, since 'they sent
men to Agawam and Merrimack, and gave out that they would move '
to Connecticutt ; Rev. Thomas Parker and his company of about one
hundred, from Wiltshire, England, sojourned here about a year before
settling Newbury ; there were also, —
Currin, Matthias.
Dillingham, John.
Easton, Nicholas.
Elliot.
Fawne, John.
Franklin, William.
Fuller, Johu.
Manning, John.
Andrews, Robert.
Bartholomew, William.
Bracey, Thomas.
Bradstreet, Simon.
Bradstreet, Humphrey.
Bradstreet, Dudley.
Cogswell, John.
Covington, John,
Cross, John.
Denison, Daniel.
Dudley, Thomas.
Dudley, Samuel.
Firman, Thomas.
Foster, Reginald.
Fowler, Philip.
French, Thomas.
Fuller, William.
Gardner, Edmund.
Gidding, George.
Goodhue, William.
Haffield, Richard.
Hassell, John.
Hubbard, William.
Jackson, .John.
Jacob, Richard.
Johnson, John.
Jordan, Francis.
Kent, Richard.
Kinsman, Robert.
Knight, Alexander.
Bishop, Thomas.
Clark, Daniel.
Dorman, Thomas.
Hall, Samuel.
Harris, Thomas.
Hart, Nathaniel.
Jennings, Richard.
Lord, Robert.
Merriall, John.
Appletou, Samuel.
Archer, Henry.
Averill, William.
Bishop, Nathaniel.
Bixby, Nathaniel.
Boardman, Thomas.
Browning, Thomas.
Challis, Philip.
Clark, Thomas.
Colby, Arthur.
Comesone, Symond.
Cross, Robert.
French, Edward.
Hiiy^s, RoWrt.
Heldred, William,
Hovey, Daniel.
Jordan Stephen.
Kimbsill, Richard.
Ladd, Daniel.
LawBon, William.
Newman, John.
Parker, Thomas.
Perkins, Johu.
Robinson, John.
Sewell, Henry.
Spencer, John.
Symonds, Mark.
Ward, Nathaniel.
1635.
Lancton, Roger.
Metcalf, Joseph.
Moody, William.
Mussey, John.
MuBsey, Robert. '
Osgood, Christopher.
Perley, Allan.
Procter, John.
Saltonetall, Richard.
Saunders, John,
Sayward, Edmund.
Scott, Thomas.
Sherrat, Hugh.
Short, Anthony.
Short, Henry.
Symonds, William.
Treadwell, Edward.
Tuttle, John.
Varnum, George.
Wade, Jonathan.
Wainwright, Francis.
Webster, John.
Wells, Thomas.
White, William.
"WTiityear, Johu.
Williamson, Paul.
Woodmouse, Mr,
Wyatte, John.
Wythe, Humphrey.
YouDglove, Samuel.
1636.
Norton, John.
Norton, William.
Peabody, Francis.
Rogers, Nathaniel.
Sawyer, Edmund.
Seaverns, John.
Sherman, Samuel, l
Wilson, Theophilus.
1637.
Lord, Widow Katherine.
Morse, Joseph.
Northe, John.
Perkins, Isaac.
Pike, .
Furrier, William.
Quilter, Mark.
Rawlinsone, Thomas.
Reading, Josej)h.
Symonds, Joseph.
Thornton, John.
Turner, Capt.
Vincent, Humphrey.
Warren, William.
Wattles, Richard.
Wedgewood, John.
Whitred, William.
Whittingham, Jobn.
Williamson, Michael.
IPSWICH.
571
1638.
Baker, John.
BrowD, Edward.
Burnham, John,
Cochame, Henry.
Cartwright, Michael.
Commings, Isaac.
Cooley, John.
Crame, Robert.
Dane, John. ,
Dix, Widow.
Emerson, John.
Emerson, Joseph.
Emerson, Thomas.
English, William.
Eppes, Daniel.
Gibson, Thomaa
Graves, Robert.
Greenfield, Samuel.
Hancbet, John.
Kimball, Henry.
Kingsbury, Henry.
Andrews, John.
Belcher, Jeremiah.
Bellingham, Richard.
Bird, Jathnell.
Bird, Thomaa.
Boardman, Samuel.
Bosworth, Nathaniel.
Button, Matthias.
Cochame, Edward.
Castell, Robert.
Chute, Lionel!.
Davis, John.
Farnuni, Ralph.
Filbrich, Robert.
Firman, Dr. Giles.
Bachelor, Henry.
Lee, John.
Hart, Thomas.
Hoyt, John.
Adams, William,
Annable, John.
Beacham, Robert.
Bitgood, Richard.
Brown, Thomas.
Brown, John.
Cowley, John.
Dane, Francis.
Davis, Richard.
Day, Robert.
Douglass, William.
Fsllewe, William.
Green, Heurj-.
Howe, James.
Knight, Oleph.
Andrews, Richard.
Buckley, William.
Bridges, Edmund.
Chapman, Edward.
Chilson, Robert.
Burnham, Thomas.
Denison, John.
Heard, Luke.
Knight, William.
Lumkin, Richard.
Mitcalfe, Thomas.
Miller, William.
Morse, John.
Newmaroh, John.
Nichols, Richard.
Paine, William.
Scott, Robert.
Sherman, Thomas.
Silver, Thomns,
Stacy, Simon.
Swinder, William.
Taylor, Samuel.
Tredwell, John.
Tredwell, Thomas.
AVhipple, Matthew.
Whipple, John.
W'hitman, Robert.
Wilkinson, Henry.
1«»9.
Gilvin, Thomas.
Hadley, George.
Hodgea, Andrew.
Humphrey, .
Hattley, Richard.
Knowlton, John.
Mohey, Robert.
Newman, Thomas.
Pitney, James.
Preston, Roger.
Smith, Thomas.
Storey, Andrew.
Thompson, Simon.
Tingby, Palmer.
Wallis, Robert.
1640.
Paine, Robert.
Urann, .
1641.
Safford, Thomas.
1642.
Knowlton, William.
Knowlton, Thomas.
Lee, Thomas.
Lameon, Edward.
Lammas, Richard.
Perry, Thomas,
Pettis, John.
Pinder, Henry.
Pengry, Moses.
Podd, Daniel.
Redding, John.
Scofield, Richard.
Setchell, Theophilui.
Smith, Richard.
Waruer, Daniel.
1643.
1644.
Low, Thomas.
Windall, Thomas.
Roberts, Robert.
Wood, Daniel,
Whittingham, Thomas.
1647.
Appleton, John.
Ayers, John.
Belts, Richard.
Birdley, Gyles.
Bishop, Job.
Bosworth, Haniel.
Bragg, Edward.
Catchame, John.
Choate, John.
Cliute, James.
Clark, Malachi.
Cogswell, William.
Col burn, Robert.
Dix, Ralph.
Dutch, Robert.
French, John.
Gilbert, Humphrey.
Gillman, Edward.
Granger, Lancelot.
Green, Thomas.
Gutterson, William.
Harris, Anthony.
Harris. Thomas.
Heiphar, William.
Lancton, Joseph.
Leighton, John.
Long, Philip.
Bixby, Joseph.
Palmer, George.
Potter, Anthony.
Griffin, Humphrey.
Harinden, Edward.
164$.
Long, Samuel.
Pierpont, Robert.
Pendleton, Bryan.
Perkins, Jacob.
Pindar, John.
Pengry, Aaron.
Podd, Samuel.
Ringe, Dani«;l.
Koffc, Daniel.
Roffe, Ezra.
Salter, Theophilua.
Satchell, Richard.
Smith, George.
Smith, Robert.
Stacy, Richard.
Stone, Nathajiiel.
Story, William.
Walderne. .\braham.
Walderne, EMward,
Ward, Dr. John.
Warner, John.
Warren, Abraham.
West, John.
W'hitred, Thomas.
W<>oddam, John.
Woodman, John.
1649.
Priohard, William.
Wood, Obediah.
1651.
Leigh, Joseph.
Walker, Henry.
Hunter, Robert.
Lovell, Thomas.
Silsbee, Henry.
GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS.
1. Object and Origin.~The object of our early an-
cestors was religious freedom, and when they had
obtained the right and privilege to exercise it, they
established governments to protect, sustain and foster
it. The Bible was to them the Book of books : it
contained the principles of all municipal, moral and
religious governments, and was absolute authority in
all such matters. Here is the origin of our unique
town-government — a pure democracy — a government
of the people, by the people, and for the people,
which was confirmed and established by law, in 1636,
when the General Court conferred upon the towns the
power to grant lots of land, to make by-laws for their
own common weal, under colonial approval, to impose
and collect fines not above twenty shillings, and to
elect such officers as necessity required. But March
3, 1635-36, it was ordered that at the next term of the
General Court, Ipswich, with other towns, ** shall
have libertie to stay soe many of their fireemen att
home for the safety of their towne as they judge need-
ful, and that the saide ffreemeu that are appointed by
the town to stay att home shall have libertie for this
Court to send their voices by proxy." Thus, necessity
foreshadowed our present representative form, which
was afterwards inaugurated in place of the unwieldy
assemblies of the congregated towns. In 1631, it was
enacted that only church members could vote, a law
which was practically repealed in 1644. In 1692, a
voter for representative must be worth a realty of
forty shillings a year, or other estate of forty pounds,
yet it was practically a government of equal rights.
572
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
2. Sevenmen. — The highest office in the municipal
gift was the committee called The Sevenmen, a. title
suggested, doubtless, by such scriptures as these:
"Wisdom has hewn out her seven pillars," "Seven
men that can render a reason," "Look out seven men
of honest report to appoint over this business." The
Sevenmen are now called the Selectmen. They were
entrusted with the concerns of church and town, and
managed them; cardinal questions and general prin-
ciples being settled in town-meeting. The duty of
exercising this duplex order, civil and religious, was
a most important and responsible one; but notwith-
standing the weight of responsibility, the breadth of
trust, and the possibility of satisfaction, they, from
year to year, acquitted themselves so justly, that they
long since received, as a badge of honor, the title:
" The Town Fathers." They began their work when
the town began. In 1638 they were expanded to
eleven men. For 1723 the number was five. After
1740 the seven seems to have lost its power. In 1794
one man was selee/ed from the north side of the river,
one from the south side, and one from Chebacco. In
1798 it was voted to have five selectmen, at a salary
of nineteen dollars. Fifteen men were chosen, and
all declined to serve. Afterwards the salary was made
thirty-eight dollars, and the five were thereupon
elected. In 1791 their office was in the school-house
chamber. The present chairman of the Board,
Nathaniel Rogers Farley, Esq., was first elected in
1844, and this is his nineteenth year of service.
3. Clerks. — To be clerk of a town was then, as now,
a most important service. His records become his-
tory as time advances; they may be the basis of legal
investigation, and so be arbiter between man and
man ; they must approach absolute correctness, to be
trustful. It has been the practice of this town to
continue this officer for a series of years. Elder
Robert Paine and William Bartholomew are said to
have been the first elected to this office. Daniel
Denison was chosen in 1G35-36, and probably was
continued till 1039, when Samuel Symonds was
chosen. Mr. Symonds was successively chosen till
1645, when Robert Lord succeeded, and served till
his death, August 21, 1683. John Appleton appears
to have been his immediate successor till 1688.
Thomas Wade was clerk, 1688 to 1696-97; Francis
Wainwright, 1696-97 to 1699-1700; Daniel Rogers,
1699-1700; John Wainwright, 1719-20 to 1739;
Samuel Rogers, 1739 to 1773; Major John Baker, 1773
to 1785; Nathaniel Wade, 1785 to 1814; Joseph
Swazey, 1814 to 1816; Ebenezer Burnham, 1816 to
1843; Samuel Newman, one month ; Ebenezer Burn-
ham, 1843 to 1846; Alfred Kimball, 1846 to 1855;
John A. Newman, 1855; Alfred Kimball, 1856 to
1864; George R. Lord, 1864; Wesley K. Bell, 1865,
his twenty-third year to the present time. He has
been an obliging and efficient officer.
4. Constables. — The early duty of constables was
principally the collection of taxes. Their budge of
office was a staff, some five or six feet long, and
tipped with brass. A similar badge may now be seen
in the hand of the court-crier, an officer who an-
nounces the opening of a court. The officer, how-
ever, with all its insignia and distinction, often
sought the man, and not the man the office. In
1738 Robert Wallis was chosen, and paid a fine of
five pounds rather than serve. The records show
several such cases at earlier dates. This duty apper-
tains to the officer now if a collector is not chosen.
5. TUhin(jmert. — The General Court as early as
1677 ordered tithiugmen to be chosen in the several
towns, and Ipswich, December 20, 1677, chose twenty-
five. In 1681 thirteen were chosen for the north
side of the river, and twelve for the south side. Their
duty was to guard the public morals, to note infrac-
tions of laws, and cite oftenders to justice. But, in
the presence of a vigilant police, they were not
needed, and so they were not chosen after 1871.
6. Treasurer. — The duties of this office were the
same then as now. Most, if not all, of them were at
the same time county treasurers. The following are
confidently named as long time in office: Robert
Paine (1665-83), John Appleton, Nathaniel Apple-
ton, Aaron Porter ( 1766), Michael Farley
(1766 ), Nathaniel Wade, William Foster Wade,
Jeremiah Lord, and the present genial officer, Mr.
Jonathan Sargent, who has served since 1872 — six-
teen years.
7. Surveyors. — These were the guardians of the
king's highways — sometimes builders, but commonly
only repairers of roads and bridges. The town was
divided into districts for the purpose by the select-
men, pretty much as the business is conducted now.
8. Fireftnen. — In relation to fires, our ancestors
showed a characteristic caution and precaution.
Their houses had wooden chimneys, plastered with
clay, and thatched roofs — a condition which rendered
care particularly necessary. In 1642 it was voted
that "as much hurt hath been done by fire, through
neglect of having ladders in readiness at men's
houses, and also by the insufficiency of chimneys and
due cleaning of them, every householder shall have a
ladder in constant readiness, twenty feet long, at his
house." In 1649 the town adopted the following order:
" Whereas complaint hath been made of the great dan-
ger that may accrue to the inhabitants by reason of some
men'ssettingstacksof hay near their dwelling houses, if
fire should happen, ordered that whosoever hath any
hay, or English corn, or straw by their houses, or
hath set any hay-stacks within three rods of their
houses, shall remove it within six days after notice,
on fine of 20s." In 1681 it is ordered that every
house must be provided with a ladder, and the tith-
iugmen were instructed to note infractions of the
order. In 1804 smoking in the streets was consid-
ered dangerous to buildings, and the practice vs'hich
had become prevalent was prohibited, on pen-
alty of one dollar for each offence. In 1803 the
IPSWICH.
573
town, by siibsi-ription, raised money to purchase a
fire-engine, and January 3, 1804, the South Parish
voted to join with the North Parish and build a
house for it. In 1808 the town voted to have four
fire-ladders and four hooks with chains, two of each
to be kept in the body of the town, one of eacli to be
kept at Chebacco, and one of each at Linebrook."
lu March 13, 1821, the selectmen were ordered to
purchase a fire-engine and to build a house for it-
The cost of the engine was four hundred and fifty
dollars. The department now is in good, serviceable
condition, and is constituted of the Warren Engine
Company, a hand-machine, w-ith fifty-five men; the
Barnicoat Engine Company, another hand-machine,
with fifty-five men ; and the Hook-aud-Eadder Com-
pany, of twenty men. The fire apparatus is valued
at S5000; the cost of running the department is nearly
$800.
9. Commit sioner of Taxes. — Here is a long name for
a short service. The duty was to assist the selectmen
in assessing the tax. A commissioner was chosen
in 1G4G, and continued to be for several years there-
after.
10. Hog-reeves, Hog-Ringers, etc. — In the primitive
days of the town swine ran at large. How naturally
they would poke their noses in human affairs. As a
badge of their mischievousness, they wore a ring in
their snout. In 16-10 they should be yoked; in 1G61
they were liable to be arrested and impounded, and
in 1794 should not go at large at all. Deer-reeves are
mentioned in 1739. The woods between Chebacco
and Gloucester abounded in those animals.
11. Haywards. — This word found little favor with
us. Our forefathers brought it from England, but
seldom used it. It is from an obsolete word " hay,"
which meant hedge, and it signified persons whose
duty it was to guard the hedges, and hence to
keep cattle from breaking through them, and then to
impound cattle running at large. It seems to have
combined the duties of our field-driver and fence-
viewer.
12. Fence-viewer. — It was enjoined by the General
Court, October 31, 1653, that all farms of less than
one hundred acres be fenced "of pales well nayled or
pined, or of fine rayles well fitted, or of a stone wall
three foote and a halte high at least, or with a good
ditch between three and foure foot wyde, with a good
banke of two rayles or a good hedge upon the banke,
or such as is equivolante to these." As might be sup-
posed, this order was not complied with in haste. In
March, 16G3, the town ordered that all " fences gen-
eral and particular be made sufficient before April 4
next." Fence-viewers, or judges of legal fences, were
chosen as early as 1668, and are now annually chosen.
13. Town-crier. — This service, by law of the Colony,
began in 1642. The oflice was a walking advertise-
ment to announce sales by vendue, the lost, strayed
or stolen, or to give immediately any public notice.
The pay was two pence per article cried.
14. 6Ver/;o/rtf J/ar^-e^— In]637,byColonial order,
the purchase of venison was forbidden unless legal-
ized by the town. Buns and cakes must not be sold
except for funeral or marriage occasions. The In-
dians used to steal the town.-people"s swine and then
return them by way of sale ; and so, in 1672, the Eng-
lish were ordered to mark one ear of their swine.
The Indian mu.st not mark his at all, neither must he
offer for sale a swine without ears. The medium of
exchange in those days was largely the vital com-
modities. Taxes were paid in them and the minister
stipulated to receive a part of his salary in them.
The town in its corporate capacity bought and sold
them, and thus helped the poor and facilitated busi-
ness. In the latter part of the eighteenth century
there was also the Clerk of the Hay-Market. Other
officers, whose duties are obvious, were early men-
tioned in the records : Sealers of weights and meas-
ures, in 1677 ; Packers of fish, in 1678 ; and cullers of
fish, in 1715; cullers of boards and staves in 1686,
and of bricks in 1801 ; corders of wood in 168- ; gang-
ers of casks, in 1691 ; surveyors of boards and timber,
in 1760, and of leather in 1681 ; and measurers of
grain and salt in 1801.
15. Inference. — These various offices indicate some-
what the varied mechanical skill of our ancestors.
The town then plied quite all the practical arts that
now employ the county. The exchange, now by
transportation, was then between townsmen and
neighbors. They made their implements of hus-
bandry, converted the raw hide into wearable leather,
and the wool of the sheep and the flax of the field
into garments. Conspicuous among the common
trades were coopers, whitesmiths, cabinet-makers,
cloth and leather tailors, millers, mill-sawyers, tan-
ners, curriers, spinners, weavers, fullers.
WAYS AND JIEASS.
1. Roads. — The early roads were generally laid out
one and a half rods wide, but in practice were
hardly more than pathways, since walking and horse-
back riding were the common modes of travel-
ing. The earliest carriage-roads led to the marshes
and meadows, whence our ancestors derived hay for
their cattle and peat for fuel ; and the earliest of these
was the river road which led to the great meadow,
and over which Governor Winthrop passed in 1634.
In 1637, "all those who have planting-grounds by the
river side, beyond Mr. Appleton's, are to take the lot-
layers and lay out a highway most convenient for
them." The General Court, March 5, 1639, ordered
all roads to be laid out. This act gave all roads a
legal status and assured proper care of them. It re-
lieved travelers of trespass, and protected them in
their public rights. The position of the town laid
upon it a vigilant care of its own roads. The town is
in the direct communication between Boston and
Salem on the south and Newburyport, commercial
New Hampshire and Maine on the North ; so Haver-
574
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
hill and Andover on the west and Gloucester and
Cape Ann on the east.
In 163.5 a pathway to Newbury was opened ; in
1041 the road to Salem was determined ; in 1652 the
road to Andover. The present Andover road in town
was a footpath in 1692. The highway to Essex was
laid out about 16.51 ; that from Newbury to Topsfield
through Linebrook Parish, in 1717. The bridge in
the Salem road, at Mile Brook, was " broken up by
the flood " in 1665. In 1667 John, Nathaniel and
Samuel Adams, Joseph Saftbrd, Nicholas Wallis and
Thomas Stacey had built a bridge over the river and
were exempted from highway service " for seaven
years." In 1730 John Lamson, John Lamson, Jr.,
Joseph Cummings and Israel Cummings, Jr., ask for
an allowance, having built a bridge over the river,
and a way having been laid out from the old Lamson
house, on the south side, to Gravelly Brook. In
1832 the length of our roads was seventy-two miles.
Our public ways are pronounced by bicyclists the best
of country roads.
2. Turnpikes. — " The Ipswich Turnpike " was in-
corporated March 1, 1803. The corporators' names
were John Heard, Stephen Choate, Wm. Gray, Jr.,
Jacob Ashton, Asa Andrews, Joseph Swasey, Israel
Thorndyke, Nathan Dane, Wm. Bartlett and James
Prince. The road began at the blacksmith's shop
of Nathaniel " Batchelder" in Beverly, ran by Nathan
Brown's in Hamilton, over the "old road" to the
stone bridge in Ipswich ; thence through Kowley,
over the Parker bridge to Newburyport, — four rods
wide, with toll-gates. This road was built in the in-
terest of the town, and it served its purpose well.
How long it was a road with pikes, or if it paid well
we know not. It certainly was the great thorough-
fare for land transit between the east and south, and
its width and quality to-day attest the excellence of
its construction. The railroad robbed it of its pres-
tige and left it only a county road.
3. " The Newburyport Turnpike Corporation " was
incorporated March 8, 1803, and the corporators were
Michael Sawyer, William Coombs, Nicholas Pike,
Arnold Welles, Wm. Bartlett, John Pittingell, Wm.
Smith, John Codman and James Prince. This route
was to be the passenger express, the dispatch for
freight, the swift mail, — iu short, the rapid transit
from Newburyport to Boston. Perhaps it was de-
signed to favor Newburyport especially, by setting
Ipswich one side, but Ipswich enterprise was equal
to the emergency. The Ipswich road was incor-
porated a week earlier. This route was thirty-two
miles long, and so straight, that all the angles to-
gether in the first twenty miles increased the distance
only eighty-three feet. Many a strange story is told
of the drivers' skill, of short-time passages, of eques-
trian speed, of frightened passengers, and of the
fearful, headlong drives down the precipitous hills.
Tradition says, that the construction was done with
wheelbarrows, and not with dump-carts, as is the
practice in road-building at present. It is further
told that the road was ultimately to be straight and
level, condition consonant with absolute dispatch.
The task was herculean. It was the wonder of the
people, the glad era of the laborer, the joy of the
proprietors, the hesperian garden of the capitalist.
One thousand less five shares were sold. The con-
struction was begun August 23, 1803, completed in
1806, and cost nearly four hundred and twenty thou-
sand dollars. Many of the heaviest capitalists were
involved in it. As an enterprise it deserved a better
fate, and a generous remuneration ; but taste and the
exigencies of business led the traveling public over
the Ipswich road, through the shires of Ipswich and
Salem, and away from this, which is now only a costly
monument of the enterprise and perseverance of its
proprietors. That portion of the road lying in this
county was sold to the County Commissioners May
10, 1849, for two thousand two hundred dollars.
Ipswich's share of it was two miles less seven rods,
and the town was fortunate ; for one mile of it has
been very serviceable and none of it very expensive.
4. The Railroad. — This is a more satisfactory route
than its air-line predecessor. It runs where the peo-
ple want to go, where business and taste lead the
way. It introduced comfort and speed. "The East-
ern Railroad Company" was incorporated April 14,
1836. The iron-horse entered the town first in 1839.
It was thought to be the beginning of a golden era ;
general business would be urged forward by steam,
workshops enlarged, dwellings erected, wharves ex-
tended, vessels multiplied, the streets more populous,
manufactories more varied and extensive, farms more
remunerative, merchants busier and less exacting,
and the whole hive of industry' more alive by per-
petual endowment. But the corporation has not
cultivated our soil, nor built our houses, nor much
enlarged our factories, nor removed the river impedi-
ments, nor retained our courts, nor fostered our com-
merce, nor enlarged our fisheries. It has, however,
removed " the center " of the county to the extremes,
and clustered the various trades around other manu-
facturing and commercial points. Yet we must not
undervalue the road; it has uses peculiarly our own,
which the crowded city and summer heat, and our
taste and enterprise are developing year by year, and
which will bring full compensation.
5. The Choate Bridge. — This bridge deserves a par-
ticular notice, because it was the first of such con-
struction in these parts, and hence was so wonderful
during its construction and has been so serviceable
since. The Town and County built it in equal shares
of the expense. The width was to be not less than
twenty feet, the length between the abutments sixty-
eight feet, with one pier, twenty by eight feet, and a
water passage beneath each arch thirty feet. The
guards were to be three feet high, fifteen inches thick
at the bottom, and nine at the top. The building
committee were Hon. John Choate, Aaron Potter, Esq.,
IPSWICH.
575
and Joseph Appleton, Esq. It was completed in 1764,
at a cost of £996, 10s., 6rf., 3/. It was widened, as it
now is, in 1837.
6. The Canal— In 1G52, 22: 12, Tliomas Clark
and Reginal Foster were " to have ten pounds for
cutting a passage from this river to Chebacco river
of ten foot wide and soe deepe as a lighter laden
may pass, and making a forde and foote bridge over."
In 1669, the selectmen are "to take care that the
bargain concerning the cutting of the creek at Castle-
hill be forwarded." In 1681, February 7, any towns-
man has liberty to " perfect the cutting the Cut that
comes up to Mr. Eppes, his bridge." In 1694, who-
ever will cut the Cut through the marsh at Mr.
Eppes' shall have liberty, — who pays five shillings
towards it "shall have liberty forever to pa.ss as they
have occasion ; " others must pay three pence a cord
or a ton, in money. "The Proprietors of the Essex
Canal " were incorporated June 15, 1820. The cor-
porators' names were William Andrews, Jr., Adam
Boyd, Tristram Brown, Robert Crowell, John Dexter,
Moses Marshall, Parker, Jonathan, Benjamin, Samuel,
Francis, Jacob, Jr., Ebenezer, .Ir., and Nathan Burn-
ham : Dudley, George and Joseph Choate; Enoch,
Winthrop and Joshua Low; Jonathan 4th, Jacob,
Jonathan, Abel, Daniel, Perkins and Epes Story.
The canal was opened in 1821 ; was half a mile long
and cost one thousand, one hundred dollars. The
stock was twenty-seven shares at forty dollars each,
and paid nearly six per centum. It connected the
Merrimack River with Chebacco River and so let in
ship-timber at reduced rates. Late years it has been
of little use, and within a year its walls have fallen
in decay.
7. Carriages. — These were at first the rudest sort of
vehicles, a cumbersome hay-rack, or a pair of wheels.
Conveyance for business or to church was on horse-
back by saddle for a man, side-saddle for a female, or
saddle and pillion for both. The first kind of vehicle
for personal conveyance was introduced about 1725,
and consisted of the body of a chaise upon a pair of
wheels, and called a curricle. Richard Roger.s, Esq.,
had one in 1730. About 1750, a top was put to the
seat, which made it a full-grown chaise, one of which
a year or two latter was owned by Rev. Samuel Wig-
glesworth. Family conveyance to church or social
party was upon clean straw in the bottom of the cum-
bersome dray. In 1762 John Stavers began to run a
two-horse curricle between Portsmouth and Boston,
making the round trip in five days, and stopping two
nights at Ipswich. The advent of the stage with four
horses was as early as 1774. This welcome convey-
ance made two trips weekly between Newburyport
and Boston, passing through Ipswich both ways.
About 1800, horse-wagons began to be used. Mer-
chandise by horse had formerly been carried in sad-
dle-bags, wallets and panniers. The wagon-body at
first set firmly upon the axle-trees, next upon wooden-
springs, upon the principle of a spring-hole; then
upon long leather straps, or thorough-braces; and,
lastly, as now upon steel-springs. Rev. Felt re-
marked, in 1834: "Should the improvements in
journeying be as great for two centuries to come as
they have been in the two already elap.sed, posterity
will as much wonder that we are contented with the
present degree of such improvements, as we do, that
our ancestors were satisfied with their mode of trav-
elling." This remark was penned five years before
the steam-cars entered the town.
8. The Mail Service. — The earliest method of for-
warding letters was by such means as chance offered.
Thus William Jeffrey, " the old planter," brought a
letter to John Winthrop, Jr., from Merry Morton in
16.34, Jeffrey doubtless having been over to Morton's
on business. The earliest stated carrying of the mails
was on horseback, and during the early Indian Wars
the messengers were watched for with the greatest
anxiety and hailed with the greatest earnestness and
suspense. The Essex Gazette, established 1768, the
first newspaper published in Salem, was delivered to
the subscribers here and as far east as Newburyport.
by a post-rider for that express purpose. One of the
most active of the distributors of that paper was
Thomas Dimon, doubtless a descendant of our Mr.
Andrew Diamond, who died in 1708. Early in 1775,
our town chose five delegates to a convention of dele-
gates from the several towns concerned, to establish a
regular post between Newburyport and Cambridge.
The convention met May 4th in this town ; their action
was to be binding upon all alike. Immediately fol-
lowing this convention — before May 24th — a post-office
was established here by the Provincial Congress, and
Deacon James Foster was the post-master. The fol-
lowing is a list of the post-masters that have served
since Deacon Foster, with the dates of their respective
appointments: Daniel Noyes, October 5, 1775; Jo-
seph Lord, November 25, 1800 ; Isaac Smith, July 1,
1805; Nathan Jaques, September 14, 1807; Ammi
Smith, October 5,1818; James H. Kendall, August
10, 1829 ; Stephen Coburn, August 28, 1832 ; John H.
Varrell, April 18, 1861; Joseph L. Ackerman, July
20, 1865; John H. Cogswell, January 3, 1868; Ed-
ward P. Kimball, August 2, 1886.
9. Town-House. — About two years after the full
completion of the church edifice, the people began to
desire a town-house and a school-house. They pro-
posed a two-story building, with school-room on the
first floor and town-house above. Accordingly, May
11. 1704, the town voted to build " forthwith, if the
county would pay half, as it did for the town-house in
Salem." Thus their economy devised the triple ser-
vice of school, town and court-house in one. The
same year, December 28th, a committee was chosen
to contract for a building "about 32 feet long, about
28 feet wide and about 18 or 19 feet stud, with a flat
roof raised about 5 feet." Abraham Felton was the
contractor. A steeple was constructed upon it at a
cost of X29 78. 8(/., which was voted August 2, 1767.
576
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Another town-liouse was built about 1794-95. This
was also used for a court-house, and the county paid
half the cost. Its use as a town-house was discon-
tinued in 1841, when, October 12th, the town sold its
interest to the county for twelve hundred and fifty
dollars. From that time to 1843 they had no town-
house. In that year, January 23d, the town instruct-
ed a committee to purchase the unused Unitarian
church edifice, if it could be bought at two thousand
dollars or less. Early in that year the purchase was
made. The building has undergone considerable al-
teration and enlargement, and now is very serviceable
for all the purposes of the town, for which such
building is needed.
10. A List of Voters in town affairs, made by a
committee for the purpose, to be corrected at the next
town-meeting." Presented December 2, 1679: Maj.
Gen. Denison, Mr. Thomas Corbet, Mr. William Hub-
bard, Elder Paine, Mr. John Rogers, Capt. John Ap-
pleton. Maj. Samuel Appleton, Corp'. Jo: Andrews,
Corp'. Jo: Andrews, Nathaniel Adams, Nehemiah
Abbott, Arthur Abbott, Naniel Bosworth, John Brew-
er, Sen'., Tho: Borman, Edmund Bridges, Sergt. Bel-
cher, Henry Bennett, Ens. Tho: Burnam, Thomas
Burnam, Jr., Edward Bragg, Moses Bradstreet, John
Burnam, Sen., John Caldwell, Sergt. Clarke, Corp.
Tho: Clarke, Tho: Clarke, mill, Robert Cross, Sen.,
Mr. William Cogswell, John Choate, Mr. John Cogs-
well, Edw. Colburne, Rol)'t Day, John Denison, Sen'.,
John Dane, Sen'., Mr. Daniel Eppes, Nathaniel Em-
erson, Philip Fowler, Reuold Foster, Sen'., Renold
Foster, Jr., Jacob Foster, Joseph Fellows, Eus.
French, Tho: French, Abraham Fitts, Isaac Fellows,
Ephraim Fellows, Isaac Foster, Abraham Foster, Dea.
Goodhue, Wm. (?) Goodhue, Tho: Giddings, Joseph
Goodhue, Mr. Richards, Daniel Hovey, Sen., Daniel
Hovey, Jr., Sam: Hunt, George Hadley, Wm. (?) How-
lett, James How, Sen'., James How, Jr., Nehemiah
Jewett, John Jewett, Samuel Ingalls, Nathaniel Ja-
cobs, Tho: Jacobs, John Knowlton, Sen., John Kim-
ball, Dea. Knowlton, Rob't Kinsman, Daniel Killam,
Sen., Tho: Lull, Robert Lord, Sen., Robert Lord, Jr.,
John Layton, Thomas Lovell, Edwd. Luma.s, John
Lampson, Thomas Metcalf, John Newmarch, Sen.,
Dea. Pengrey, Aaron Pengry, Quart. — Mr. Perkins,
Sergt. Perkins, Jacob Perkins, Abraham Perkins,
Anthony Potter, Samuel Podd, Samuel Perley, Mr.
Samuel Rogers, Walter Roper, Mr. Smith, Richard
Smith, Wm. Story, Sen., Wm. Story, Jr., 8ymon
Stace, Wm. Smith, Simon Tuttle, Nathaniel Tread-
well, Thomas Varney, Mr. Jonathan Wade, Rob't
Whittman, Obediah Wood, Mr. Wainwright, Sen.,
Mr. John Wainwright, Daniel Warnex, Sen., Na-
thaniel Warner, Capt. John Whipple, Isaiah Wood,
James White, Wm. White, Nicholas Wallis, Corp'.
John Whipple, Twisford Westt, Nathaniel Wells,
Rich: Walker, Joseph Whipple, Samuel Younglove,
Sen., Samuel Younglove, Jr., Tho: Low, Mr. Jos:
Willson, Nath'l Rust, Simon Chapman, Mr. Wm.
Norton, Mr. Thomas Andrews, Joseph Quilter.
11. Vilta(/es.—The Town Village, with the First
Church as a centre, is about one mile from the sea in
latitude 42° 41' N. and longitude 70° 50' IF.,— or ex-
actly, according to the United States Coast Survey in
1850, the former runs along and crosses High Street
from the front of the Lord Mansion to Jlineral Street,
and the latter crosses Market Street into Union. It
is five and a half miles from the Linebrook Church ;
five and a quarter from Castle Neck or Patch's Beach,
and three from the Almshouse. It is 27.8 miles from
Boston, the State capital ; 11.5 from Salem, the county
capital ; and 9.5 from Newburyport. Other villages,
as reported by the United States Census of 1880, were
Argilla, Candlewood, Goose, Ipswich, Linebrook,
Mill, Peatfield, Turkeyshore and Willowdale.
12. Population. — The population about 1650, ac-
cording to Wonder-working Providence, was " about
one hundred and forty-families," which, we compute,
was about 700 inhabitants. In 1680 there were one
hundred and twenty-six voters, which, we presume,
represented about 825 people. The growth has been
slow, many decades making little increase, a few
slightly retrograding. The population in 1830 was
2951 ; in 1885, 4207, with a proportion of 47 males
to 53 females. The growth in fifty-five years has
been 42 per centum, making an average /)«?■ annum of
77-100 of 1 Tper centum. The growth of the last dec-
ade has been 12 per centum. There are at present, by
the Manual of the Legislature for 1887, 1,016 voters.
The census of 1880 reports 694 dwellings and 861
families, and a population of 3,699, of whom 3,257
are native-born and 442 are foreign-boru ; 219 being
Irish, 129 English, 54 Canadians, 16 Nova Scotians,
11 Scotch and 6 Germans. There were 25 colored
persons of African descent.
SCENERY.
1. Its Character. — Our town has no White Moun-
tains, nor Berkshire Hills, — nothing wild, awful, or
grand ; but our landscape aflfords an agreeable variety
and a peculiar beauty. The diversity of hill and
vale, of meadow and marsh, of woodland and field,
of river, and pond, and brook, — enhanced by the va-
riety of the seasons; verdure and flower, the cattle
upon the hillside and the husbandman in the field,
the fruit-setting and the waving grass, the ripening
apple and the purpling plum, the yellow corn
and the nodding grain, and the enchanting beauty of
our frost-painted forests, gratifies the eye, educates
the heart and sheds over the mind a soft radiance of
perennial joy.
2. Pond. — In the Linebrook District is a beautiful
sheet of water, called successively Baker's, Pritch-
ard's, Great and Hood's Pond, by which last name it
is now known. Its surface is eighty feet above Town
Hill, or one hundred and ninety-two feet above sea-
level. It might be made an excellent reservoir for
IPSWICH.
fire or other purpose, for the viUage of Topsfiekl, or
Ipswich, or perhaps botli. Rev. Jacob Hood, of
Lyunfield, who died, in 1885, at the age of ninety-
four years, surveyed it, in his youth, and computed
the area, at nearly eiglity acres. In the winter of
1861-(52, the writer surveyed it, and made, by tra-
verse-table, sixty-five and nine-tenths acres. A third
of the pond is in Topsfield, and a dozen years ago
that town stocked it witli percli and bhiclc b;xss, thus
availing itself of a State law, which, for that purpose,
gave that town exclusive control of the waters for
fifteen years. On its bosom blooms the fragrant,
white-jjetaled lily ; and boats for rowing and sailing
invite to healthful recreation ; and it lends a charm
to the surrounding hills. On the west, rising seven-
ty feet labove its surface, is a broad grazing field,
where General Israel Putnam, in his boyhood, when
in the tutelage of his stepfather, went to find and
" fetch " the cows ; and on the east is Burnham's
Hill, named from James Burnham, who, in 1717,
owned the land.
3. Streams. — The principal streams are Winthroji's,
Norton's, Howlefs, Mile and Bull Brooks, which used
to be good fishing for pickerel and trout. Other
streams are North, or Egypt River (now Bull Brook),
and Muddy and Ipswich Rivers, all of which have
been serviceable for fishing, for irrigation and for
mill-privileges. The Ipswich River rises in "Ma-
ple Meadow Brook," in the town of Burlington, and
meanders through Wilmington, North Reading, Mid-
dleton and Topsfield, entering our town upon the
southwest border. Upon its banks, throughout its
length, are saw, grist, paper, cotton and woolen-
mills, enhancing its incturescjueness by its utility.
4. Elevation. — The seeming discrepancy in the
area of the pond, above mentioned, and the subsi-
dence of Egypt River, serve to illu-trate the fact
of a general elevation of the territory. Old deeds
speak of ponds in the vicinity of the West Meadow,
which are unknown to the present generation ; yet
there are swamps which answer to the location and
size.
5. Hills. — We have two hills more than two hun-
dred and fifty feet high, three more than two hun-
dred, and nine more than a hundred and fifty. A
thoughtful view from either is delightful and in-
structive. It was Heartbreak Hill, one hundred and
ninety-six feet high, from which an ancient hunter's
fair daughter watched in vain for the return of her
sailor-lover, and died of a broken heart. Turner's
Hill, two hundred and fifty feet high, shows the
State Asylum at Danvers, and the nearer and mag-
nificent view of forest, and farm, and river. The
hill is upon the "Bracket Farm," in Willowdale. It
is surmounted by a commanding look-out; the grove
upon its slope has been prepared for picnic jjartics,
an artificial pond of an acre's extent, drawing its
supply from a generous spring above, is furnished
with boat for recreation, and a huckleberry field,
37
from which fifty bushels have been gathered in a
day, is near and free to all. Drive-ways, and sta-
bles, and pond, and boat, and spring, and field, in-
vite the weary to rest atid recuperation, and the
grounds which have recently been christened " Mount
Turner," are fast becoming a noted public resort for
peoples far and near. There is also Bartholomew's
Hill, two hundred and four feet high, at whose foot
once dwelt William Bartholomew, an early benefiic-
tor of the town ; Turkey, two hundred and forty feet
high ; Jewett's, or Muzzy's, two hundred and twelve
feet high ; Little Turner, one hundred and ninety-
seven feet high; Bush, one hundred and ninety-three
feet high; Scott's, one hundred and eighty feet high;
and Sagamore, one hundred and seventy-two feet
high, where, instead of Sagamore in Hamilton, should
rest the bones of our Masconnoraet. Prospect Hill is
two hundred and sixty feet above the sea-level, and
shows us the White Mountains, Old Monadnock and
Wachusett. Town, or Cemetery Hill, is one hundred
and eighty-four feet high, and shows the village and
surrounding farms, the Pow-wow Hill of Amesbury
and the white church spires of Newburyport. Castle
Hill, the grand old sentinel of " ye anciente tyme,"
located on the famous Ipswich Beach, at the mouths
of Ipswich and Plum-Island Rivers, rises onehundred
and sixty-eight feet, and embraces in her view the
winding stretch of the river, the busy mills, the cat-
tle-grazed hillsides, the cultivated fields, the bustling
village, far lonely Agamenticus, the island-bound
coast of Maine, the Isles of Shoals, the white crests
of the ocean, the spreading sails of commerce, the
headland and silvery beach and rolling surf of Cape
Ann, the villages of Lanesville, Bay View and Aunis-
quam, and the summer homes of Col. French and
Gen. Butl'er, depictingapanoramaof exquisite beauty
and rare interest. This is the native hill of Mr. John
B. Brown, of Chicago, who, after years of absence
and success, having never forgotten the haunts of his
boyhood, is now grading and terracing it, planting
upon it trees and laying out drive-ways, and other-
wise beautifying it and making it as attractive as the
view from the summit.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
1. Jokn Winthrop. Jr., the founder of this town,
was born in Groton, County Essex, England, Febru-
ary 12, IGOG. He was a son of Governor John Win-
thnqj of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He grad-
uated at Dublin University, at the age of nineteen ;
he became a barrister of the Inner Temple; he was
a member of the relief expedition to the Huguenots,
at Rochelle, in 1627; he came to this country in
l(i31, and to this town in 1(333. He had two houses
in town, one on the Essex Road, and one at Castle
Hill. Soon after the settlement of the town, his first
wife died ; he had a second wife, Elizabeth, youngest
daughter of Edmund Keade, of Wickford, County
Essex, England. She was the mother of all his chil-
578
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
dren. After her father's death, her mother married the
celebrated Hugh Peters. John visited England many
times, and while there was serviceable in many ways
to the colony. He was one of the founders of the
Royal Society, and so wore the honorable title F.E.S.
He was the founder of the Connecticut Colony, and
several years its Governor. He was efficient in all
his enterprises. He belonged to a highly esteemed
family. After the dissolution of the monasteries
almost the whole of the parish was given to them as
their future domain. Why they resigned their wealth
and distinction for the wilderness can hardly be con-
jectured. Governor Winthrop, the younger, ''appears
in history without a blemish. Highly educated and
accomplished, he was no less upright and generous.
In the bloom of life, he left all his brilliant prospects
in the old world to follow the fortunes of the new.
When his father had made himself poor in nourish-
ing the Massachusetts Bay Colony, this noble son
gave up voluntarily his own large inheritance to
further the good work." He died in Boston, April 5,
1676.
2. Governor Thomas Dudley wzs, born in Northampton,
England, in 1576. He settled in this town soon after
the settlement, and during or shortly after his first
term as Colonial-Governor. He owned land on the
north side of the town upon which he built a house,
all of which he afterwards sold to Mr. Hubbard. He
also owned land near Heartbreak Hill. He disposed
of most of his estate in the town about the time of his
second inauguration as Governor. He was a resident
here some nine or ten years. He was assistant six
years, Deputy-Governor thirteen years, and Governor
four years. He died July 27, 1653.
3. Governor Simon Bradstreef. was born in Holling,
Horbling, Lincolnshire, England, March, 1603. He
matriculated, July 9, 1618, as a sizer, Emmanuel Col-
lege, when he was fourteen years old. In two years
he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and, in 1624,
the Master's degree. When he was about twenty-
five years old, he married Anne Dudley, daughter of
Governor Dudley, who became the first New England
poetess. He came here in 1630. He was assistant
forty-eight years, colonial secretary thirteen years,
Deputy-Governor five years, and Governor ten years.
He was a resident of this town about twenty years.
In March, 1658, he was a resident of Andover. He
died in Salem, March 27, 1G97, at the great age of
ninety-four years.
4. Deputy- Governor Samuel Sijrnonds came from
Yieldham, County Essex, England, and settled here
in 1637-38. He was made fireman in 1638, was town
clerk from 1639 to 1645, was professor of the Gram-
mar School, deputy to the General Court from 1638
to 1643, then assistant to 1673, when he was elected
Deputy-Governor, an office which he held till his
death. He was long time a justice of the Quarter
Court. He was oue of the committee to draft a body
of laws in 1645. He addressed Governor Winthrop,
in 1646, urging more activity in the divine purpose in
the settlement of New England — Christianizing the
Indians. He was of the committee " to pass the arti-
cles of Confederation with the United Colonies," in
1643, and to examine the proceedings of the commis-
sioners in May 10, 1648. The Legislature granted
him five hundred acres of Pequod land, and in 1651
he was granted three hundred acres of the land
beyond the Merrimac. He was one of tliese seveial
committees: To visit and settle a government at
Piscataqua, 1652 ; to prepare the case of the United
Colonies against the Dutch and Indians, 1653 ; to
prepare and present the case of the Colony to Crom-
well, 1654; to receive the allegiance of the natives to
Colonial authority, July 13, 1658; to consider the
matter between the King's Commissioners and the
Assembly, in 1665 ; to revise certain laws annulled
by the King, one of which abolished the observance
of Christmas, as a relic of Episcoi)acy, 1667. He held
court in York County in 1672 ; and he often per-
formed such service outside the jurisdiction of the
Ipswich Court. He was away from home so much on
public business, and his house was so remote from
neighbors, that two men were appointed to guard it,
during the war, in 1675. In December the enemy
burned his mills at " Lamperee River."
He died in October, 1678. The Legislature as a
token of respect, voted £20 towards his funeral
charges. His first wife was daughter of Governor
Winthrop, and was living September 30, 1648. His
second wife was Rebecca, widow of Daniel Eppes,
and died July 21, 1695, aged seventy-eight years.
His estate was £2534 9s. His Argilla Farm is a noted
district in town at present.
5. Joseph Metcalfe was born about 1605 ; he died
August or September, 1665, aged sixty years. He
held various town offices ; he was deputy eight years
between 1635 and 1661. He was a committee to col-
lect gifts made by friends in England, in 1655, and
also one of the Essex committee for trade. He owned
an estate in the village, and lands in the Linebrook
district, which continued in the family name till
1829, when it was sold to Samuel Dane Dodge.
6. Nehemiah Jewett was son of Jeremiah, who died
in 1714. He was town officer in several capacities,
was deputy sixteen years, between 1689 and 1709,
three of which he was speaker. He was a justice of
the Court of Sessions. He was on a committee to
compensate for damages in the witchcraft trials. He
was esteemed and respected in every walk in life.
He died near the beginning of 1720.
7. Robert Paine was born in 1601. He was influ-
ential in town affairs. He was professor of the gram-
mar school, and contributed very largely of his estate
to its permanent establishment. He was a deputy
three years. He was one of the Esses Committee for
trade, in 1655 ; was county treasurer from 1665 to
1683, inclusive; was ruling elder of the First Church.
He was an exemplary man. Wonder-working Provi-
IPSWICH.
579
dence sayii: "Aright gndly man, and one whose es-
tate hath holpen on well with the work of this little
commonwealth."
8. Francis Wainwright lived with Alexander
Knight, inn-keeper in Chelmsford, England, and came
with him to Ipswich. He was a soldier in the Pe-
quod War, and was greatly applauded for his brave ex-
ploits. He became a wealthy merchant. He died
suddenly. May 19, 1692.
His son Francis was bom August 25, 1664 ; he
graduated at Harvard, 1686. His first wife, Sarah
Whipple, married March 12, 1686, died March 16,
1709, aged thirty-eight years. He made an engage-
ment with Mrs. Elizabeth Hirst, of Salem, but died
before married. He was engaged in commerce and
as merchant. He bequeathed five pounds to the
First Church. His estate was valued at nineteen
hundred and fourteen pounds. He was a member of
the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company; was
colonel, town clerk, representative, feoflee, general
sessions, justice, commissioner and collector of excise
for Essex. He died in the strength of ripe manhood,
August 3, 1711.
9. Among the early settlers was that Spartan com-
pany who met at the Appleton Mansion, the 23d of
August, 1687, and settled the question for themselves,
that Andros, the King appointed Governor, had no
right to tax the [leople without the consent of an
assembly, and who dared " render a reason." That
miniature Provincial Congress, who counseled for
righteousness, principle and honest government, were
Rev. John Wise, John Andrew, John Appleton,
Robert Kinsman, William (Toodhue, Samuel Apple-
ton and Thomas French. The first two were of Che-
bacco, the rest doubtless of Ipswich. Goodhue had
a house-lot in town in 1635, was afterwards large land
owner, was commoner, was a Denison subscriber, was
selectman, representative and a deacon. He was a
man of rank and influence. He died in 1700, at the
age of eighty-five. John Appleton was born about
1622, and came here with his father, Samuel, from
Waldringfield, England, in 1635. His parental home
in this town was a grant of six hundred acres of land,
bounded by the river and Mile Brook, a part of
which is still retained in the family name. He mar-
ried 1651, Priscilla, daughter of Rev. Jesse Glover.
She died February 18, 1697 ; he, November 4, 1699.
He had been selectman, militia captain, marine cap-
tain, county treasurer, representative to the General
Court sixteen years. Samuel Appleton, brother of
the above John, was born about 1626. He married,
first, Hannah, daughter of William Payne, and had
Samuel, born 1644 ; seCLud, Mary, daughter of John
Oliver, of Newbury, December 2, 1656, and had ten
children. She was born June 7, 1640, and died Feb-
ruary 15, 1697. He was selectman, lieutenant-major,
colonel, and with his regiment achieved distinction
in the war against King Philip, in 1676. He was as-
sistant six years, and was a member of the first coun-
cil under the charter of William and Mary, 1692. He
died May 15, 1696. Of his sisters, Sarah mar-
ried Rev. Samuel Phillips, of Rowley, and Judith,
Samuel Rogers, son of Rev. Samuel, April 8, 1657.
CHAPTER XLIII.
I ps\vich-(Co»<;h ««(?).
ECCLESIASTICAL.
THE FIRST CHURCH.
1. Oriyin and Methods. — The church at this time
was the object and end of government ; and there can
be no doubt that the organization of the government
here and an organization for religious instruction and
worship were practically simultaneous. Governor
Winthrop recorded in his journal, November 26, 1633,
that " Mr. Wilson (by leave of the congregation of
Boston, whereof he is pastor), went to Agawam to
teach the people of that plantation, because they have
yet no minister." Again, he wrote, April 3, 1634,
that himself " went on foot to Agawam, and because
the people wanted a minister, spent the Sabbath with
them, and exercised by way of prophecy, and returned
home on the 10th." There was, therefore, no church
organized at that time, but there must have been
shortly thereafter ; for Mr. Parker came the next
month and Mr. Ward the second month. According
to .lames Cudsworth, 1634, " a plantation was made
u]) this year, Mr. Ward P[astor] and Mr. Parker
T[eacher]." This was the ninth church in the colony
and the third in the county.
The teacher appears to have been an assistant who
might or might not be ordained. His service was
merged into the duty of the pastor about 1745,
though the idea still obtains in many parishes where
the minister is installed as pastor and teacher. The
Sabbath service ran thus : The pastor began it with
prayer; the teacher then read and expounded a chap-
ter; the ruling elders announced a Psalm, which was
sung; the pa.stor read a sermon, and sometimes fol-
lowed it with an extemporaneous address, consuming
frequently an hour or more ; singing followed ; then
a prayer and the benediction. In the afternoon ser-
vice, just before the benediction, the congregation re-
cited : " Blessed are they that hear the word of God
and keep it." The singing was peculiar. One of the
ruling elders read a single line of the Psalm, then
such of the congregation as could sing, rose in dif-
ferent parts of the house and sang it ; then other lines
were successively read and sung till the ('onclusion of
the Psalra. When elders were not chosen the dea-
cons performed their duty, which gave rise to the
phrase, " Deaconing the hymn." About 1790 the
whole stanza was read at once, and about three years
580
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
later the whole hymn was read at once by the pastor.
Singing choirs began to form as early as 1763, when
seats were assigned them, but they were not elevated
to the gallery till about 1781. A contribution every
Sabbath was the rule till some part of 1763. To de-
posit theofferings, the magistrates and chief men first
walked up to the deacon's seat, then the elders and
then the congregation. There was also weekly ser-
vice, which was as carefully observed as the service
of the Sabbath. It was called "The Lecture," and
was attended each week on Thursday, which was
known as " Lecture Day." It consumed the best
part of the day, beginning at eleven o'clock. It be-
came monthly, in 1753, and our weekly prayer-meet-
ing is its successor. The old churches had a practice
of holding a Fast just before and in reference to call-
ing a pastor. The practice has much fallen into dis-
use, much to our disadvantage and discredit, for if
prayer with fasting means anything, to discontinue it
is like cutting the telegraph wires when we need a
message of instruction from a friend. It is observable
that the various town offices, the status of eligibility
to them, the offices in the church, the church services
and requirements were a practical, business-like
method of securing a punctual observance of religion
and a highly moral and religious community. Cotton
Mather said, in 1638, that this " was a renouned
church, consisting mostly of such illuminated Chris-
tians, that their pastors in the exercise of the ministry
might, in the language of Jerome, perceive that they
had not disciples so much as judges."
The first to come among this people as pastor or
teacher was Kev. Thomas Parker. He came in May,
1634, with a colony of about one hundred, who sub-
sequently settled in Newbury. They sojourned here
about a year, and Mr. Parker meanwhile exercised
the office of teacher. He labored, says Mr. Sewell,
" preaching and proving, that the passengers came
over on good grounds, and that God would multiply
them as he did the children of Israel."
The following will treat the several church socie-
ties by pastorates ; for in all the work of the church
and society the pastor takes the lead, and as is the
pastor so are the people.
2. First Pastorate. — The first pastor of this church
was Rev. Nathaniel Ward. He was the son of
Kev. Joh" Ward, and was born in Haverhill, Eng-
land, about 1570. He was educated at Cambridge ;
he studied and practiced law, and he traveled on the
Continent. On his return to England, he was or-
dained a minister of the gospel, at Standon, where,
for the expression of his Puritan views, he was sus-
pended, till he made a public recantation. He be-
came a Puritan exile, and soon after his arrival here,
in June, 1634, became pastor of this church. The
early church records were destroyed by fire, and we
have no account of bim as undershepherd. His great
learning fitted him for any of the professions; his
want of health was the only impediment to a very
high distinction. His legal attainments fitted him
pre-eminently for the important civil and legal ser-
vice of the colony, wherein he received many appoint-
ments, and they served him well in expounding clearly
and cogently the immutable law of God, wherein he
exercised his gifts of prophecy even after his resigna-
tion of his pastorate, which took place February 20,
1637.
3. Church Edifice. — It is probable that during the
early p.irt of his ministry the first house of worship
was built. The earliest record referring to it is found
in the public laws of September 3, 1635, which reads
;hat "Noe dwelling house shallbe builte above halfe
a myle from the meeting-house," (except mill-houses
and farm-houses of such as have their dwelling
houses in town), in Ipswich, Newbury, Hingham and
Weymouth. It stood on the rise of ground where
the Wonder- Workintj Providence says it " was a very
good prospect to a great part of the town and was
beautifully built."
Mr. Ward was appointed March 12, 1638, on a
committee to draft a code of public laws. He was
the leader and learning of the committee. He handed
the result of their labors to the Crovernor in Septem-
ber, 1639.
About the middle of 1640 he, with assistance from
Newbury, formed a settlement at Haverhill, where
his son John became the minister. He was granted
six hundred acres of land near Haverhill, May 10,
1643, probably, as Mr. Felt expresses it, "for his
public services." He was chosen May 25, 1645, on a
committee to codify the laws for the consideration of
the next Legislature. The laws were printed in 1648.
The justice and foresight which the laws embodied,
are conspicuous in our present code. Soon after com-
pleting the work, he returned to England, and be-
came minister of Sheufield, in count)' Essex. He
once preached before the House of Commons. He
published, in New and Old England, several works of
a religious character, the most noticeable of which
were " The Simple Cobbler of Agawani," and " The
Simple Cobbler's Boy." He brought out the former
in 1647. It illustrates the length to which good peo-
ple could go in vindication of intolerance in days
when antinomian and aggressive views were troubling
many minds. '' It is a sparkling satire," says one,
" known and appreciated for its keenness and wit.
Its character and style were suited to the times, and
it served to encourage opposition to King and Parlia-
ment, and to moderate party excess."
He died in 1653, at the age of eighty-three years.
He was a man, says Mr. Felt, whose "talents, attain-
ments and piety were of a high order; and after an
examination of his public and religious service, and
with a good knowledge of the public's opinion of
him, — since he had probably then left the colony, the
Wonder-working Providence declared him, a judicious
man, a very able preacher, and much desired."
His son John was minister of Haverhill. James
IPSWICH.
581
went to England with his father, and became a phy-
sician, and Giles Firman married a daughter and fol-
lowed them over the sea.
Mr. Felt speaks of a Rev. THOJfAS Bracey, who
resided here in 1635. Cotton Mather did not know
him. He probably assisted Mr. Ward a short time,
and early returned to England.
4. Second Pastorate. — The second pastorate was be-
gun by Rev. John Norton. Rev. E. B. Palmer, of
the tenth pastorate, says that Mr. Norton " was set-
tled here in 1636, and continued in his relations to
the church till about the year 1653, when he removed
to Boston and became pastor of the old church of
that place." He was probably a colleague with Mr.
Ward, who resigned in 1637, and then became acting
pastor till the settlement of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers,
February 20, 1638, when he was ordained teacher.
Mr. Norton was born May 6, 1606, in Starford, county
Hertford, England. He entered Cambridge at four-
teen years of age, was a brilliant scholar, and took
his first degree. On account of parental pecuniary
embarrassment, he left college to become usher and
curate in his native place. His intellectual promise
attracted the attention of many. A prominent Cath-
olic sought to win him to Popery; his uncle oftered
him a " considerable benefice ; " he declined a fellow-
shin at Cambridge ; he served meanwhile as chaplain
to Sir William Masham. He could not subscribe to
the church conformity, and cast in his lot with the
Pilgrims.
He arrived at Plymouth October, 1635, and settled
here the next year. He expected friends to follow
him, and he asked for grants of land to be held in
reserve for them. Accordingly, lands were reserved
in several parts of the town. His friends did not
come, and the lands are now known as the " Norton
Reserves." He wis an influential member of the
Synod that heard the case of Mrs. Hutchinson in
1637; he composed, in 1645, the reply of the New
.England ministers to the questions on ecclesiastical
government, proposed by Rev. AVilliam Ap<jllonius,
of Middlebury, — a work in Latin, the first book in
that language printed in this country, — an able crposi
of the usages of the church fathers. He was influen-
tial in the formation of the Cambridge Platform in
1647 ; and in 1651 he made the reply before the Gen-
eral Court to the treatise of Mr. William Pynchion.
Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, who died in 1652, ad-
vised his church to call Mr. Norton. They did call
hira, and his friends and admirers here demurred.
The controversy was long and warm, but he, having
accepted the pastorate in 1653, was installed July 23,
16.56. While of Boston he published several works,
and was for two years in England as colonial agent.
He was twice married, but had no chiUlren. He died
A|iril 5, 1663, in his fifty-seventh year.
He is said to have been learned and eloquent, an
able disputant and a ready writer, a warm friend and
a pious man. If failing he had, it wiis a natural iras-
cibility, and a weakening under compliments, of
which few men received or merited more. In this
ordeal, among the most searching, his good sense and
sterling piety kept his mind and heart. When he
left England, a venerable minister remarked that " he
believed that there was not more grace and holiness
left in all Essex, than what Mr. Norton had carried
with him." Mr. Felt remarks, " He was, undoubtedly,
one of the greatest divines, who ever graced this or
any other country. He was emphatically 'diligent
in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.' As a
result of this, many souls were given him as the seals
of his ministry."
The pastor of the church at this time was Rev.
Nathaniel Rogers. He was the second son of
John, best known as minister of Dedham, in Eng-
land, and was born in 159S, while his father minis-
tered in Haverhill, England. He was a lineal de-
scendant of the Smithfield martyr. He had a pious
mother, and rewarded her Christian care and instruc-
tion with evidence of early piety. He entered
Emmanuel College, Cambridge, w'hen about fourteen
years old, and was eminently scholarly in his attain-
ments and Christian in his deportment. He began
his labors as chaplain, then he was curate, but con-
formity to the established church troubled him and
he must flee its power. He had married Margaret
Crane, of Coggshall, daughter of a gentleman of
wealth, who offered to maintain him and his family
if he would remain at home. His heart spoke bis con-
viction, and he declined the generous offer. He ar-
rived in Boston in November, 1636, " after a long and
tedious voyage."
In 1637 he was a member of the Synod convened
in reference to the antinomians; he received a call
to settle at Dorchester, but chose to fraternize with
Ward and Norton and Winthrop, and he was ordain-
ed here February 20, 1638. The same year he took
the oath of freeman. Mr. Palmer says that " seven-
teen male members of his church in England came
with him to this town," and that tradition names
them, — William Goodhue, Nathaniel Hart, Nathaniel
Dav, Robert Lord and Messrs. Warner, Quilter,
Waite, Scott, Littlefield, Lainbcrt, Lumax, Brad-
street, Dane and Noyes.
He was long in feeble health, and in consequence
was subjected to periods of despondency. Hemor-
rhage of the lungs was his boding trouble. He was
obliged to reduce his manual labors to their mini-
mum, and his later sermons were not written. He,
however, kept a diary ; but, as he requested, it was
burned after his death. He little realized how much
value for other days he thus destroyed. He left a
manuscript production, in fine, classical Latin, a jdea
for Congregational church government. He was
much exercised in mind and heart when Mr. Norton
went to Boston. He was burdened with his infirmity
and with cares, and an att.ack of an epidemical in-
fluenza proved fatal. With his latest breath, he ex-
582
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
claimed, — " My times are in Tliy hands." Tlius the
" reverend and holy man of God fell on sleep," July
3, 1655. During this pastorate, "this church, says
Wonder- Workintj Providence, consisted of about one
hundred and sixty souls, being exact in their con-
versation, and free from the epidemical diseases of
all reforming churches, which under Christ, is pro-
cured by their pious Learned and Orthodox min-
istry." It calls the pastor " a very sweet, heavenly-
miuded man, . . . whose mouth the Lord was
pleased to fill with many arguments for the defense
of his truth." Rev. William Hubbard, his son-in-
law, says of him, — " He had eminent learning, sin-
gular piety and holy zeal. His auditory was his
epistle, seen and read of all that knew him." He
left an estate of £1200. His widow died January
23, l(5f!(5. His children were John, Nathaniel, Sam-
uel, Timothy, Ezekiel and the wife of Mr. Hubbard.
The amount of all the salaries had been £140
previous to 1652, but was then changed to £160,
which in 1656 was paid "three parts in wheat and
barley and fourth part in Indian."
Third Pastorate. From the death of Mr. Rogers
till Mr. Cobbett's settlement, the church was without
a pastor. This wiis the Rev. Thomas Cobbett, who
was born in Newbury, England, in 1608. He studied
at Oxford, then with Dr. Twigs, of his native town,
and prepared for the ministry. Soon after his set-
tlement, he was confronted with conformity. He
came to this country, arriving June 26, 1637. He was
colleague at Lynn, till he was invited to succeed Mr.
Rogers. Mr. Palmer says he was settled in 1656.
5. Church Edifice. -During his pastorate a new
house of worship was built. Ezekiel Woodward and
Freegrace Norton contracted, June 10, 1667, to furnish
timber, and June 18, 1668, to furnish shingles for
a new meeting-house. The steeple was completed
October 22, 1667, when the committee was discharged
with thanks. In 1673 they voted to repair the house
" with speed." In 1674 seats were put in the gallery.
Early in 1677 a committee was to see about keeping
the house " tite." In 1681 it had a " pouder Roome."
It stood where the present First Church edifice
stands. In 1665 the salaries amounted to £210.
Mr. Cobbett was a noted public man, sought out
for his learning, his diligence, his readiness in de-
bate, the dexterous use of his pen and his stabil-
ity of purpose and action. Yet amid arduous public
labors he found time to attend carefully and dutifully
to his flock. In about four mouths, beginning in De-
cember, 1673, nearly ninety were added to the
church, some in full communion and some by
" taking the covenant." There were sixty-five males.
Twenty-four of the " young generation " took the
covenant. He conferred special privileges on the
children of his laity in full communion, thus enact-
ing in advance a half-way covenant, like that sanc-
tioned by the synod shortly after and drafted, doubt-
less, by his own hand ; a covenant so noble in purpose,
so mischievous in practice. He was watchful of the
needs of the pious poor, and promptly excommuni-
cated the scandalous. His ministry was noted for its
Christian fervor.
In 1643 his pen advocated a negative vote for the
Assistants; in 1644 he preached the Election Sermon ;
in 1657 was of a committee of thirteen to answer
ecclesiastical questions, proposed by the Legislature
of Connecticut ; in 1661 was one of a committee on
"our patent," our laws and privileges and duty to
His Majesty; in 1668 was one of six ministers to rea-
son several Baptists out of their peculiar views ; in
1676 was one of twenty-four to counsel in the case of
Gorges and Mason ; in 1677 he handed Increase
Mather " a Narrative of Striking Events." He pub-
lished, in 1645, " Defense of Infant Baptism,"
" Prayer," " First, Second and Fifth Command-
ments," "Toleration and Duties of Civil Magistrates;"
in 1653, " Vindication of the New England Govern-
ment, " " Civil Magistrates in Religious Matters ;"
in 1656, " Duties of Children to Parents and of
Parents to Children ;" and in 1666 an Election Ser-
mon. " He wrote more books than any man of hia
generation, yet not one has survived to this day."
He was a great man. The great and learned and
wise of his day regarded him as their noble peer. He
was equally at home in matters of Church and State.
No invective deterred him, no flattery swerved him ;
once planted on his judgment of duty and righteous-
ness, he remained firm and garnered success in the
end. Says Mr. Felt, "So far as human imperfections
permitted, he was a pastor after God's own heart."
He went to his reward November 5, 1685, at the age
of seventy-seven. Provisions for his funeral included
a barrel of wine, half a hundred weight of sugar,
men's and women's gloves, and spice and ginger for
"Syder.'' His widow, Elizabeth, died the next year.
Three children crossed the bound of life before he
did and three remained to mourn, — Samuel, Thomas,
John, who was located at Newbury at the time, and
Elizabeth. His estate was valued at £607. His epi-
taph, as conceived by the great Cotton Mather, ran
thus : " Stay, passenger, for here lies a treasure,
Thomas Cobbett, of whose availing prayers and most
approved manners, you, if an inhabitant of New Eng-
land, need not be told. If you cultivate piety, ad-
mire him ; if you wish for happiness, follow him."
This was the office of
KEV. WILLIAM HUBBARD,
Whose father was AVilliam and who was born in Eng-
land in 1621, and crossed the ocean with his father in
1630. He graduated at Harvard College in 1642, a
member of the first class. The same year, 4th July,
he was called as colleague with Mr. Cobbett, and,
says Mr. Palmer, was " probably settled as such in
1656," which statement seems corroborated by a vote
of the town, recorded in Mr. Cobbett's pastorate.
This pastorate he occupied till his death, September
14, 1704, when he was eighty-three.
IPSWICH.
583
In 1667 he testified against the " Old South, in Bos-
ton, in the settlement there of John Davenport ; in
1671 he and fourteen others memorialized the Legis-
lature against the censure of its committee for advis-
ing the formation of South Church Society in Boston ;
in 1675 he was of a council to advise in Mr. .Jeremiah
Shepard's case, as minister inRowle_v; in 1676 he
pre.ached the Election Sermon. About 1677 he
brought out his " Troubles with the Indians in 1676-
77," to which was appended " The War with the
Pequods " in 1637, and also " Troubles with the In-
dians from Piscataqua to Pemaqnid.'' The works are
now known as "' Hubbard's Indian Wars." In May,
16.S0, he had compiled a history of New England.
The Legislature voted him £50 for the work. It
was then much needed, was done in a commendable
manner and has proved to be of great value. He was
appointed to "manage" the Commencement of Har-
vard College, .July 1, 1684 ; and, in June, 1688, he
was appointed by Andros acting president at the fol-
lowing Commencement, a high honor which he jtrob-
ably did not accept. In 1699 he arraigned the Brattle
Street Church, in Boston, for irregularity in doctrine,
baptism and communion. In 1701 his decrepit age
was overburdensome and he asked for more assist-
ance ; and in 1702 gave up pastoral labors entirely,
when his people voted him a gift of £60, and in 1704
he rested from his toils.
6. Church Edifice. — In 1686 all the salaries paid
were £160, and in 1696 the salaries were paid, one-
third money and " the rest in pay." The same year
the church edifice was repaired, but November 4th,
two years later, Abraham Perkins contracted to build
a new house, for £900— £500 money and £400 as
money. The house was to be " 26 feet stud, 66 feet
long and 60 feet wide, with s gables on every side,
with one Teer of gallery round said house ; as far as
necessan,', having five seats in the gallery on every
side thereof, with as many windows or lights as the
committee or said Perkins can agree for." In 1700
Abraham Tilton agreed to finish the meeting-house,
and Abraham Perkins is relea-sed. The house stood
where the present First Church edifice stands. The
same year the old bell, the gift of " Hon. Richard
Saltonstall," was sold to Marblehead for £37}, and a
new one, weighing 200 pounds, was bought in Eng-
land for £72. In 1702 a clock was purchased.
Mr. Hubbard's first wife was Jlargaret Rogers, daugh-
terof Rev. Nathaniel, alady of raresociiil worth. Their
children were John and Nathaniel, and Margaret, the
wife of John Pynchon, of Springfield. His last wife
was Mary, widow of Samuel Pearce, who died in
1691. She was alive in 1710.
He was a judicious adviser, a faithful laborer in
the Master's vineyard and righteous in his inter-
course with men. John Dunton said of him: "The
benefit of nature and the fiitigue of study have
equally contributed to his eminence. He is learned
without ostentation or vanity, and gave all his pro-
ductions such a delicate turn and grace, that the
features and lineaments of the child make a clear
discovery and distinction of the father; yet he is a
man of singular modesty, of strict morals and has
done as much for the convertion of the Indians, as
most men in New England." He "certainly was, for
many years, the most eminent minister in Essex
County, equal to any in the Province for learning and
candor, and superior to all of his contemporaries as a
writer." For his great labors and his moral and
Christian worth, he is held in grateful remembrance.
Another minister of this pastorate was Rev. .John
RoGf;ES, M.D., the eldest son of Rev. Nathaniel, of
the second pastorate. He came to this country in
16.36, with his parents. He entered Harvard College
in his tenth year, and graduated in 1649. He studied
medicine and divinity. He wore the title " Rev.,"
though there does not appear to be any record of hi.s
ordination. He was called here to preach July 4,
1656, by Mr. Hubbard, and afterwards became assis-
tant to him and Mr. Cobbett. Tradition assigns to
him " The Lecture," as his particular service, and re-
fers to his small salary as commensurate with his
duty. He was the while, the principal physician in
town. Although his youth was marked with periods
of hereditary despondency, the business of active life
wore off the sharp angles of his temperament, and
made him one of the great men of his day. He was
invited to the presidency of Harvard College upon
the death of President Oakes. He accepted and en-
tered upon his office Augu.st 12, 1683. This was a
l)lace of honor and responsibility, for which his dig-
nity and firmness, his deportment and culture, his
wisdom and learning, particularly fitted him; but his
sun hardly rose above the morning's gray twilight.
Just before his first commencement he was prostrated
by a "sudden visitation of sickness." Mr. Hubbard,
of this pastorate, was appointed to "manage" the
commencement, and Mr. Rogers died on the regular
Commencement Day, .July 2, 1684.
His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Gen. Daniel
Denison, and died June 13, 1723, at the age of eiglity-
two years. His children were Elizabeth, Margaret,
John, Daniel, Nathaniel and Patience. His tomb is
in Cambridge, and his epitaph is as follows:
" There is committed to this earth and this tomb a depository of Itind-
nefs, a garner of divine linowledse, a library of ]ioliee literature, a sys-
tem of medicine, a residence of integrity, an ahoile of faith, an example
of Christian sincerity. .\ treasury of all these excellencies was the
earthly part of Rev. John Kogers, son of the very learneil Rogers, of
Ipswich, and grandson of the noted Rogers of Cedham, Old England,
the excellent and justly beloved president of Harvard Collego. His spir-
it suddenly taken fn.ni us .Inly 2, A. n., lr,84, and in the tlfty-fourth
year of his age. Precious is the part that remains with us even while n
corpse."
Another minister of this pastorate w.as Mr. John
Den-nison, whose father was John, who.se grand-
father was Gen. Daniel and whose mother was Jlar-
tha Symonds, daughter of the deputy-governor.
John fitted for college at the grammar school, and
584
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
graduated from Harvard in 1684. Mr. Palmer says
that, according to frenerally received testimony, he
became the actual pastor of this church iu 1686.
Other statements represent him to have been elected
to the pastoral office, but on account of tailing health,
he was not ordained. He was permitted, however,
to render pastoral service to this people for quite
three years. Mr. Felt says: "He engaged, April 5,
1686, to preach one-quarter of the time as helper to
Mr. Hubbard, and the next year one-third of the
time. The atfection of this people was strong to-
wards him, and their estimation of his merits un-
commonly high. They elected him for their pastor,
but he was not ordained." He was, no doubt, a
young man, of rare attainments and virtue; his ill-
health, however, crippled his activity, and finally
prostrated him. He slept in Jesus September 14,
1689, in his twenty-fourth year.
His wife was Elizabeth Saltonstall, daughter of
Hon. Nathaniel, of Haverhill. She survived him,
and married Rev. Rowland Cotton, of Sandwich, and
died in Boston July ;>, 1726. He left a son John, who
was born in 1689. Cotton Mather describes him as
" a gentleman of uncommon accomplishments and
e.xpectations," and " a pastor of whose fruit the church
in Ipswich tasted with an uncommon satisfaction."
7. Fourth Pastorate. — This was Rev. John Rogers',
son of Rev. John, president of Harvard College, a
native of this town, born July 7, 1666. He studied
in the grammar school and graduated at Harvard
College in 1684, when his father died and when he
was eighteen years old. He was called to this church
during the service of Messrs. Hubbard and Dennison,
March 9, 1686. He complied as early as 1688, and
December 24, 1689, was asked to settle. In relation
to his salary there was a diflerence of one hundred
acres of land, and for that reason he was not ordained
till October 12, 1692. In 1702 Mr. Hubbard was too
feeble to preach, and August 13th Mr. Rogers acceded
to the full ministerial duty, wherein he continued till
the next year, when Rev. JaOez Fitch came as col-
league.
During this pastorate, in 1712, the old diminutive
turret was removed to give place to a commodious
belfry. In 1743 there was a very extensive revival of
religion, as a result of the evangelical labors of Revs.
Whitefleld and Tennant, a full account of which was
published by Mr. Rogers iu the " Christian History."
In 1726, when he had served his people, he said,
"thirty-seven years," he had sold a part of his prop-
erty and mortgaged the rest to meet the requirements
of his family, his salary having depreciated through
a depreciated currency. Although depreciation was
a common burden, his people promptly lifted his
mortgage by a gift of a hundred pounds, and in 1733
they gave him forty pounds to repair his house. He
died December 28, 1745, and his society voted a fune-
ral benefit of two hundred pounds old tenor. His
(lortrait is with the Essex Historical Society.
His first wife was Martha Smith, whom he married
January 12, 1687. His second wife was Martha
Whittingham, daughter of William, whom he married
November 4, 1691, and who died March 9, 1759, at
the great age of eighty-nine years. His children were
John, Samuel, Nathaniel, Richard, Elizabeth (who
died an infimt), Martha, Mary, William and Daniel
and Elizabeth, twins.
Mr. Felt says of him : " Such was the strength of his
mind, the amount of his acquisitions in learning and
theology, the prominence of his piety and the perse-
vering labore of his ministry, that he held a high
rank in the estimation of his people and of the pub-
lic." Mr. Wigglesworth, of the Hamlet, January 5th,
the Sabbath after the funeral, thus referred to him :
" If the tree is to be known and judged by its fruits,
we have reason to think him as eminent for his piety
as learning; as great a Christian as a divine. There
are many living witnesses of the success of his minis-
terial labors, as was a multitude who went before him
to glory, both of whom shall be his crown when the
great Shepherd shall appear. His old age was not
infirm and decrepid, but robust, active and useful,
whereby he was enabled to labor in word and doctrine
to the last, and quit the stage of life in action."
Another minister of this pastorate was Rev. Jabez
Fitch, who was the son of Rev. James Fitch, of
Norwich, Conn. He graduated from Harvard College
in 1694, was tutor there 1697-1703, and was elected
Fellow in 1700. The town voted, October 5, 1702, to
call him to the office of assistant to Mr. Rogers. He
accepted December 11, 1702, and was ordained Octo-
ber 24, 1703. His settlement was .£150 current mon-
ey. His salary was £60 for the first year; £70 for the
second year ; and £80 for the third year, " and so to
continue." In 1724 he complained that his sup])ort
was not sufficient, and though the parish tried hard
to meet his demand, he began to preach at Ports-
mouth with a view to settle there, which he did the
next year. His claim upon this society was adjusted
by referees September 22, 1726.
He assisted Dr. Belknap in the preparation of the
"History of New Hampshire. The earthquake of
1727 called forth a sermon which was published. He
was a man of great learning, had a strong, clear mind,
a cheerful disposition, a benevolent spirit and a pious
heart. He was eminently useful during a long life,
falling asleep in his seventy-fifth year, November 22,
1746. His wife was Elizabeth Appleton, daughter of
Col. John, married June 10, 1704.
8. Fifth Pastorate. — This we must call Rev. Na-
thaniel Rogers' pastorate. He was son of Rev.
John, who then occupied the pulpit, and was born
March 4, 1702. He fitted for college at the Gramm.ar
School, and graduated from Harvard College in 1721.
He succeeded Mr. Fitch, and assisted his father for a
year or more, when August 16, 1726, the church gave
him a call to settle. In the call the society concurred
September 15th, and he was ordained October 18
IPSWICH.
585
1727, as colleague. His salary was £130 annually for
three years, and £150 annually tliereafter.
9. Church Edifice. — Mr. Rogers built a new meet-
ing-house. The frame was raised April 19, 1749. It
was twenty-six feet stud, forty-seven feet wide and
sixty-three feet long. On either side of the broad
aisle were seats instead of the old box-pews, one row
of seats for females, and the other for males. The
house was supplied with wood-stoves. Hitherto the
foot-stoves had furnished all the warmth. In 1743
there was a fine of fifteen shillings for leaving a foot-
stove in chtirch, and of five shillings for the careless
use of them. The weathercock surmounting the
steeple was one hundred and eighteen feet above the
base.
In 1739 Mr. Rogers preached a memorial of Col.
John Appleton ; in 1743 he made with others a
written statement " that there has been a happy and
remarkable revival of religion in many parts of this
land, through an uncommon divine influence, after a
long time of great decay and deadness." This was
the great awakening that was felt throughout New
England. This church invited Messrs. Tennant and
Whitefield, and engaged, heart and soul, in the work,
with these gratifying results: In the five years follow-
ing 1741, during the ministry of father and son, one
hundred and forty-four persons were added to the
church, cue hundred and twenty-three of whom are
said to have been the result of the Whitefield revival.
In 174G there were more than three hundred mem-
bers. The same year he refused the assistance of Mr.
,lohu Walley as colleague. Mr. Walley had declined
pulpit exchanges with a minister who had officiated
for a wevi church, in Boston, composed of members
from other orthodox churches. The stand taken by
Mr. Rogers caused a deep excitement, and the germi-
nation of the South Church. In 1747 he helped to or-
dain Mr. Cleaveland over a new church in Essex ; in
17(53 preached the sermon at the ordination of Mr.
John Treadwell, of Lynn, and a memorial of Deacon
Samuel Williams of his own church, which were
(printed. In 1765 he gave the right-hand of fellow-
ship to Rev. Joseph Dana of the South Parish ; in
1752 he asked for a colleague, and ofl'ered to relinquish
a third of his salary for that purpose. He had assist-
ance March 30, 1764, because of sickness. His
natural infirmities had been to him for many years a
cause of anxiety, and they fccemed to grow with his
years. He owned their power and peacefully submit-
ted May 10, 1775.
Mary Leverett Denison, daughter of President Lev-
erett of Harvard College, and widow of Col. John
Denison, was his first wife, married December 25,
1728. His second wife was widow Mary Stauiford,
married May 4, 1758, and died in 17811. His children
were Margaret, Sarah, Elizabeth, Martha, Lucy and
Nathaniel.
He was emphatically a strong-minded man ; he
could state exactly his reason for the hope within
37 J
him ; he could not brook irregularity in faith or prac-
tice. Clearly perceiving his way, he pursued it
without fear or favor and with few or many. His ob-
ject was a clear conscience. He was an industrious
man and charitable. The welfare of his church was
his pride, and deeds of kindness his solace. Read the
record upon the tomb :
" A mind profoundly great, a lieart that felt
Tlio ties of nature, friendship and Innnanity,
Distinguished wisdom, dignity of manners ;
Tliose marlied the man ; but witli suiwrior grace.
The Cliristian shone in faitli and heavenly zeal.
Sweet peace, true greatness, and prevailing prayer.
Dear Man of God ! with what strong agonies
He wrestled for his flock ami fur the world ;
And, like A polios, mighty in the Scriptures,
Opened the mysteries of love divine.
And the great name of Jesus !
\Varm from his lips the heavenly doctrine fell.
And numbers, rescued from the jaws of hell.
Shall hail him blest in realms of light unknown,
And add immortal lustre to his crown."
Mr. Rogers' assistant was Rev. Timothy Symmes,
who was born in Scituate, graduated from Harvard,
and ordained at East Haddam, Conn. He began his
work here in.l752, and labored in season and out of
season, in whatever his hands found to do, for the
stability of the church and the good of souls. He
was called to his reward in the midst of his useful-
ness, and the ripeness of his manhood. He died April
6, 1756, in his forty-first year. His wife was Eunice
Cogswell, daughter of Francis and Hannah. He left
two sons, — Ebenezer and William, born about 1755
and 1756 ; his widow married Richard Potter.
10. Sixth Pastorate. — This was held by Rev. Levi
Frisbie. Mr. Frisbie was born in April, 1748, at
Brantford, Conn. At the age of sixteen he joined
Dr. Wheclock's Indian Charity School, at Lebanon,
where he became seriously affected, and began a
preparation for college, which he completed with
Dr. liellaniy, of Bethlehem. He entered Yale Col-
lege and remained more than three years, but gradu-
ated at Dart'iiouth College, with the first class, in
1771. He was much attached to Dr. Wheelock, in-
terested in the permanency of the school, and was
devoted to the cause of Indian education. While a
senior at Dartmouth College, he sung the labors, the
anxieties and the remarkable occurrences attending
the removal of the school and college and their estab-
lishment at Hanover. His poem concludes as follows
"Thus Dartm'mth, Imppy in her sylvan seat.
Drinks the pure pleasures of her fair retreat ;
Her songs of praise in notes melodious rise,
Like clouds of incense to the listening skies ;
Her God protects her with paternal care
From ills distractive and each fatal snare ;
And may he still protect, and she adore.
Till Heaven and earth and time shall ije no more."'
To prosecute his desire to Christianize the Indians,
he and, at the same time, David McClure were or-
dained missionaries at Dartmouth College May 21,
1772, and the next month proceeded to occupy their
chosen field along the Muskingum. Hut the year
586
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
belonged to the decade of war, the country was exer-
cised with questions of statecraft, and agitated with
the precursors of war, and, more than all to him,
the Indian was inimical to the English. He aband-
oned his mission, traveled in Canada, labored awhile
in Maine, and visited the South. In March, 1775, he
became an assistant to Mr. Rogers, and after the
death of that venerable pastor, accepted a call to
settle, and was installed February 7, 1776. His sal-
ary was one hundred pounds. He was patriotically
devoted to his calling. His heart and hands were
warm and active for his countr}^ He labored for her
salvation, and hoped as he hoped for the salvation of
souls. As his heart succeeded in his country's wel-
fare, so the Blessed Spirit aided him in the church.
Especially was His power manifest in the years 1799
and 1800, when twenty-eight were added to the
church. During his ministry there were added
eighty of such as should be saved.
In 1781 be published an oration upon the an-
nouncement of peace; in 1784 a memorial of Rev.
Moses Parsons, of Newbury ; in 1799 two fast sermons
and a fellowship address at the ordination of Mr.
Josiah Webster; in 1800 a eulogy on tieorge Wash-
ington and a thanksgiving sermon ; and in 1804 a
sermon before the Society for Propagating the Gospel
among the Indians.
In 1805 his church contributed largely to the for-
mation of a Baptist society in town, which not a little
disturbed the well-earned quiet and the tender sensi-
bility of his age. His last official service was to ad-
minister the sacrament September 21, 1805. He
died February 25, 1806. His parish voted a funeral
benefit of one hundred dollars, and Rev. Asahel
Huntington, of Topsfield, preached at his interment
the 28tb.
His first wife was Zevirah Sprague, eldest daughter
of Captain Samuel Sprague, of Lebanon, Conn. She
was born March, 1747, and she died August 21, 1778, in
her thirty-second year. His second wife was Mehit-
able Hale, of Newburyport; married June 1, 1780,
and died April 6, 1828, aged niuety-six. His children
were Mary, Sarah, Levi, Nathaniel and Mehitable. In
his personal appearance he was, says Mr. Felt, " of
light complexion, above the common height, and ra-
ther large." Dr. Dana, of the South Church, pays the
following tribute to his memory: "His manner was
serious, his conception lively, his expre.ssion natural
and easy. He was interesting and profitable. He
read, thought and conversed much. His labors were
blessed. In his catechizing and visits he was affec-
tionate. He had great tenderness of conscience.
The loss to his family and flock was great. The
vicinity was greatly bereaved. The Society for Pro-
moting the Gospel have, in him, lost a worthy mem-
ber. Zion at large will mourn. But to him it is be-
lieved that death was a blessed release."
11. Seventh Pastorate. — Mr. Frisbie's successor was
Rev. David Tenney Kimball. He was born in
Bradford November 23, 1782, to Lieutenant Daniel
and Elizabeth-Tenney Kimball. He united with the
Bradford Church November 13, 1803, where his pa-
rents had consecrated him in baptism years before.
He dated his conversion from a period in his college
life. He graduated at Harvard College in 1803,
taught one year in Phillips Academy, Andover,
studied divinity, or theology, with Rev. Jonathan
French, of same place, and was approbated by the
Andover Association August 6, 1805. He was intro-
duced to this pulpit by Rev. Mr. Frisbie on the com-
munion Sabbath, September 22, 1805. He was called
to settle, without a dissenting voice, June 17, 1806,
was ordained October 8th following, and continued
in the ministry till 1851, when he withdrew from the
activities and responsibilities of pastor, retaining,
however, his relationship till his death, February 3,
1860. He had a settlement of six hundred dollars
and a salary of six hundred dollars.
Father Kimball's was a long and useful service.
He left nearly two thousand fairly written sermons,
and the Good Spirit crowned his labors with remark-
able success, as appears from his last pulpit utterance
— his semi-centennial address, October 8, 1856. At
the time of his settlement the membership of the
church was twelve males and forty-one females — a
total of fifty-three. He had admitted three hundred
and fifty — three hundred and twelve by profession,
and thirty-eight by letter. The address further states
that he had attended more than a thousand funerals,
nine hundred and seventy of which were in his own
parish ; he had united in marriage more than a thou-
sand persons ; and that only two of the members of
the church when he was ordained were then living.
He was an esteemed and useful member of the Es-
sex North Association of Ministers, was chosen
Scribe May 12, 1812, and continued in the office till
his death. He survived all who were members of the
association when he was settled, and all but two of
those who were clergymen in the couuty at that time.
He was a warm friend of the cause of education, a
member of the American Educational Society, whose
object it was to assist young men preparing for the
ministry, and did much to enlist the etforts of the
churches in its behalf, and his service for the schools
in his own town was valuable.
The following are among his publications : " A Fel-
lowship Address at the Ordination of Messrs. Cyrus
Kingsbury and Daniel Smith as Missionaries to the
West," in 1815; "Female Obligations and Disposi-
tion to Promote Christianity,'' in 1819 ; " Sermon be-
fore the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Chris-
tian Knowledge," "The Installation Sermon to Rev.
William Ritchie, of Needham," and "Ecclesiastical
History of Ipswich, in 1821; "The Fellowship Ad-
dress at the Ordination of Mr. Daniel Filz over the
South Church," in 1826; "An Address before the
Essex County Foreign Mission Society," in 1827
" An Address before the Essex County Auxiliary
IPSWICH.
587
Educational Society," in 1S28; "First Church Cen-
tennial Sermon," in 1834; "Sermon," in 1838; "Ser-
mon," in 1839; "Last Sermon in Old Meeting-
house," in 1846 ; " First Sermon in the New Meeting-
House, in 1847 : " " Semi-Centennial of his Ordina-
tion," in 1856 ; " Memorial of Rev. Isaac Braman, of
Georgetown," and " Memorial of Rev. Gardiner B.
Perry, D.D., of Groveland," — which he was preparing
for the press, when prostrated with his last sickness
— in 1860. He also contributed to various religious
publications.
He married October 20, 1807. Dolly Varnnm Co-
burn, daughter of Captain Peter and Elizabeth-Poor
Coburn, of Draent, and granddaughter of Deacon
Daniel Poor, of Andover. They had seven children
and one adopted child. See " Noted Natives" be-
low.
Mr. Kimball was a learned, laborious and eminent-
ly useful man ; he had a welcome and honored place
among the titled and learned men of his dav ; yet it
was not beneath his dignity to recite nightly, with
his worthy consort, their cradle hymn :
" Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray tlie Lord my soul to keep ;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take,"
— a practice which seldom outgrows childhood, but
which, if continued, would tend to banish dissipa-
tion and profanity, to polish speech, and to ennoble
character.
Says one who knew him : " The distinct impression
which he leaves on the memories of all who knew
him, is his fidelity and untiring industry. As the
old divines used to say, he was a painful preacher, a
painful pastor, a painful scholar, a painful man. This
mark pervaded all his performances. His voice was
confined in its compass and husky, and yet he con-
trived to impress on his audience the conclusion of
most of his sermons. He always disappointed you
on the right side, making a deeper impression than
you had anticipated. His sermons were very care-
fully written. He visited his people with uncommon
diligence. He was a respectable scholar in sacred
Greek, but began Hebrew after he was forty years
old, and by perseverance enabled himself to profit by
the exegetical commentaries of the times. O, departed
brother ! if we have something to forget, we have
much to remember ; and may thy activity and devo-
tion preach to us forever."
The remains of this worthy man repose in the
High Street Cemetery, where a monument is erected
to his memory. The sliaft is of Oak Hill granite, and
is fifteen feet high, surmounted with a cross and
crown. The inscription reads :
•' Rev. David Tenney Kimball, born in Bradford, JIass., Nov. 23, 1782:
graduated at Harvard College in 1803, ordained the eleventh Pastor
of the First Congregational Churc'i in Ipswich, Oct. 8, 1806, in which
relation he died, Feb. 3, 1860, aged 77 years,'
"A fine classical tcholar, a vigorous writer,a man of unsullied purity
and humble piety, akind husband and tender parent, a sincere friend, a
faithful pastor."
"When the summons came, catching a glimpse of heaven, he said,
'The gates of the New Jerusalem are open, I see within the city.' "
12, Eighth Pastorale. — Rev. Robert Southgate suc-
ceeded Father Kimball. Mr. Southgate wiis born in
Portland, Me.. January 28, 1808. His parents were
Horatio and Nabby-McLellan Southgate. He fitted
for college in his native city, and graduated at Bow-
doin College in 1826, when he was eighteen years old.
He dated his conversion from the week of prayer for
colleges; he unhesitatingly consecrated himself, as
four of his other brothers had done, to the Christian
ministry. He completed the prescribed course at the
Andover Theological Seminary, then studied a year
in the Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn. After
spending a year in various ministerial labors, he was
called to the Congregational Church, at Woodstock,
Vt., and he entered upon the duties January 4, 1832.
During the winter of 1834-3.5, he experienced a show-
er of divine grace, which brought into the churches
in the town more than two hundred persons, and the
greater part to the Congregational Church. In 1836,
his health failing, he resigned, and he was dismissed
October 26th. He was settled over the Congrega-
tional Church in Wethersfield, Conn., February 7,
1838, as colleague pastor with Rev. C. J. Tenney, D.
D., and became full pastor on the resignation of Dr.
Tenney, January 10, 1841. He had there three
marked seasons of religious interest. The church
membership was enlarged by one hundred and sev-
enty-three accessions. He requested a dismission,
which took place November 22, 1843. The church
keenly regretted his withdrawal. He was next settled
over a young and small Presbyterian Church, in
Monroe, Mich., in October, 184.5. In two years the
society built and furnished a beautiful and commo-
dious house of worship ; and while he was there, he
experienced many seasons of refreshing and many
accessions to the church. Malarial troubles in his
family forced him to relinquish the pleasant place
and goodly heritage for the green hills and healthful
air of New England.
In December, 1850, he was called unanimously
and urgently to this church, and was installed July
24th following. Here also his labors were blessed
with many tokens of divine favor, and one hundred
and twenty-five persons became members of the
church. In his seventeenth year he tendered his
resignation, which was not accepted. He renewed it,
and was dismissed March 31, 1867. He then preached
a year in Hartford, Conn., while the pastor of the
church was in Europe; then a year at Oxford, N. H.;
and then a year at Hartford, Vt., where he was called
to settle, and was installed December 20, 1871.
During his service there, the society repaired and
beautified the house of worship, and the churcli mem-
bership was enlarged. In that vineyard of the Lord,
"he was not for God took him." He died of apo-
588
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
plexy, Thursday, February 6, 1873, while visiting his
daughter at Woodstock, and passed
" In the wink of an eye, or the draught of a breath,
From the blosaom of health to the paleness of death."
Mr. Southgate contributed forty-two years of earn-
est Christian labor ; five churches were blessed and
strengthened by his efficient ministry, and left har-
monious and sorrowing at his departure. Says the
memorial of him : " He was a sensitive, modest, self-
distrustful man, whose full merit was slowly discov-
ered. He was a plain, direct, earnest preacher,
glorying in the cross of Christ. He had a tropical
exuberance of feeling and language through which he
always made Christian truth seem like a garden well-
sown and cultured, and bearing precious fruit in
abundance. He had an extraordinary gift in prayer,
that showed he dwelt in the prophet's own cham-
ber, whose windows looked out upon the glorious
heavens. He excelled as a pastor, his heart was
quick and sympathetic, and carried on it the burden
of his people." That " he was a good minuter of
Jesus Christ " was the people's verdict.
Mr. Southgate married, October, 1832, Miss Mary
Frances Swan, daughter of Benjamin Swan, Esq., of
Woodstock. She died October 2, 1867. There were
five children. One died young, the others are wor-
shippers with the people of God, one of whom is a
minister of the gospel ; another, a native of this town,
is noticed in "Noted Natives" below.
13. Mnth Pastorate. — Rev. Thomas Morong was
installed February 5, 1868. His pastorate continued
about eight years, closing January 12, 1876, which we
believe was a season of general prosperity.
14. Tenth Pastorate. — Rev. Edwin Beaman
Palmer was born in Belfast, Me., .September 25,
1833. He fitted for college at North Bridgeton,
1850-52; graduated at Bowdoin College August 6,
1856, and at the Bangor Theological Seminary in
1859. For a year, while studying in the Seminary,
he held the principalship of the high and grammar
schools in Brunswick. He was ordained, September
20, 1859, over the Second Congregational Church in
New Castle, which he resigned because of nervous ex-
haustion from over work, and from which he was dis-
missed, February 10, 1862. From October 10, 1862,
to March, 1863, he served in the field as chaplain of
the Nineteenth Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry,
and from March to October, 1864, the Pine Street
Church, Lewiston, when the pastor was temporarily
in the army. He was installed, December 26, 1864,
at Southbridge, Mass., and was dismissed. May 3,
1869, to accept a call to the Third Congregational
Church, Chieopee, where he was installed June 10,
following. That pastorate closed March 23, 1875, in
which year he was called to this church, where he was
installed January 12, 1876. He gave a devoted
Christian service, amid many untoward circumstances.
" His first year," said a friend, " seemed full of funer-
als ; it seemed as if he had been called to bury the
people." The same year the seminary closed, and
some fifty pupils were taken from his congregation.
He received eleven members by profession of faith
and seventeen by letter. There were two baptisms,
and strange enough there were, during the time, but
two births where both parents were in the church,
and only four where either parent was a member.
He soleminized seventy marriages, and attended two
hundred and three funerals, forty-one of which were
members of his church. He was dismissed, upon
his request, May 3, 1885, and June 17th, following,
was elected treasurer of the Massachusetts Home Mis-
sionary Society, where he now serves, with office in
Boston and residence in Winchester.
15. Eleventh Pastorate — Rev. Geoege H. Scott
is the present incumbent. He is a native of Bakers-
field, Vt, ; ho graduated at Williams College in 1865,
aud at the Andover Theological Seminary in 1873.
The same year he became pastor at Plymouth, N. H.,
where he continued with gratifying results till 1881,
when he returned to the Andover Seminary to pursue
a post-graduate course, during which he received a
call to settle over a church at Lawrence, Kansas.
There he labored and nourished a healthful growth
of the church for two years, when he was obliged to
resign and return East. He supplied one year at
Rockland, Me. Upon call he was installed here De-
cember 30, 1885.
The church and society are practically free from
debt, and meet their current expenses without diffi-
culty. The church is heartily united and enjoying a
healthful growth, there having been additions at each
communion season during the year. There is now,
Christmas, 1886, a membership of about one hundred
and seventy-three.
16. Deacons. — Rev. David T. Kimball has furnished
the following list of deacons, which, for want of suffi-
cient records, cannot be made satisfactory:
John Shatswell was a resident in 1634, and served
for some time. Deacon Whipple is recorded in 1651.
William Goodhue was called deacon in 1658, and his
son Joseph some time after. Moses Pingry served
1658 to 1683 ; Thomas Knowlton, 1667 to 1678 ; Dea-
con Jewett, 1677; Robert Lord, 1682 ; Thomas Low,
1696 ; Jacob Foster, 1697 to 1700 ; Nathaniel Knowl-
ton, 1700 to 1723; Deacon Abbott, 1710 to 1715;
John Staniford, 1721 ; Thomas Norton, 1727 to 1737 ;
Jonathan Fellows, 1727 to 1736 ; Aaron Potter, 1737 ;
Daniel Heard, Mark Haskell, Aaron Potter and
Samuel Williams (who died in 1763), 1746 ; Jeremiah
Perkins, 1763-90 ; Joseph Low, 1763 to 1782 ; John
Crocker, 1781 to 1790 ; William Story, Jr., 1781 to
1788; Caleb Lord, 1790 to 1804; Thomas Knowlton,
1801 to 1832 ; Mark Haskell, 1804 to 1S25 ; Moses
Lord, 1825 to 1832 ; Isaac Stanwood, 1832 to 1867.
The present incumbents are Zenas Gushing and
Aaron Cogswell, chosen April 2, 1866.
17. Conclusion. — This church has had fourteen pas-
tors, the present incumbent is the fifteenth. They
IPSWICH.
589
served during a period of more than two hundred
and fifty years, and during that time rendered a col-
league or double pastorate service of more than a
hundred years, making an aggregate service of three
hundred and fifty-five years. The longest pastorate
was Mr. Rogers', 1092-1745, fifty-three years ; the
average service has been twenty-five years. A double
pastorate in the early times seems to have been neces-
sary, because of the extent of territory covered by the
parish, including Essex and Hamilton, and the triple
labor of catechizing, lecturing and sermonizing.
There seems to have been very little colleague ser-
vice after 1745, about the time the Linebrook and
South Parishes were formed.
This church is said to have been, in early times,
the most flourishing and vigorous .in New England;
and probably no element contributed more to give
the town the prestige it enjoyed than this church,
holding forth such luminous names as Ward and
Norton, asCobbett and Hubbard and the Kogerses, au-
thorities in the church and molding influences in the
laud. Thus we conclude our notice of this mother of
churches.
SOUTH PARISH AND CHURCH.
1. First Pastorate. — This church came oft" from the
First Church, during the pastorate of Rev. Nathaniel
Rogers. The first effort in that direction was a peti-
tion dated November 17, 1745. Little or nothing was
done about the request at that time, because of the
death of Rev. John Rogers, that soon followed. The
petition was renewed the next year. The church
then had three hundred and four members, and the
edifice was crowded and unfit for its purpose. Rev.
Nathaniel Rogers, Rev. John's colleague and succes-
sor, opposed the movement. Then came the ques-
tion of pastoral succession, Rev. Nathaniel Rogers,
the late colleague, or Mr. John Walley, of Boston.
To effect a compromise, two houses of worship were
built, and each minister occupied his own pulpit in
the morning and exchanged in the afternoon. The
plan failed of its purpose, and December 2, 1746,
sixty-eight members of the Parish resolved to peti-
tion the Legislature for a new parish. Accordingly
a petition, dated December 24th, was sent in to the
General Court. The south part, however, made
further overtures of settlement January 6, 1747; and
again. May 27th, petitioned the Legislature. The
new parish was incorporated June 20th, following.
The act provided, however, that the parish was to
remain intact, if they took " eflectual care for build-
ing a new meeting-house " on the south side of the
river before July 20th, and settled another minister,
and supported the two churches out of the common
fund, as a joint-stock company, — which they did not
do, and so the new parish was established. The
church was embodied July 22d, of twenty-one or
twenty-two members from the First Church. The
following 7th of August, they voted unanimously to
call Mr. Jous Walley, at a salary of £150, and a
settlement of £1200, old tenor. Mr. Walley was a son
of Hon. John Walley, of Boston, and was born in
1716. He graduated at Harvard in 1734, and was a.
member of the South Church, Boston. In his letter
of acceptance he refers to his feeble health. He was
ordained November 4, 1747, the day on which the
frame of the church edifice was raised. He labored
faithfully more than sixteen years, and was dismissed
February 22, 1764, because of sickness.
The meeting-house was first occupied May 22,
1748. It was two-stories high, and sixty feet long
by forty feet wide. It was finished and furnished iu
the usual manner of that period. In 1819 two stoves
were added to the furniture, much to the good sense
and comfort of the people.
Mr. Walley was installed at Bolton, in May, 1773.
He was dismissed to that church in 1784. He died
in Roxbury, March 2, 1784. His wife, was Eliza-
beth Appleton. In his will he says: " I give, as a
token of my love, to the South Parish in Ipswich,
£13 6.V. 8(f., the yearly income Ut be given by them to
such persons in the Parish, as they shall judge to be
the fittest objects of such a charity." He wiis a man
of average height, and light complexion, of an aflfec-
tionate disposition and a pious hei\rt ; he held the
pen of a ready writer, and was an eloquent speaker,
and possessed a clear, able and learned mind.
2. Second Pastorate. — Rev. Joseph Dana, D.D. —
He was born in Pomfret, Conn., November 2, 1742, to
Joseph and Mary Dana. His father was an inn-
keeper. His boyhood eyes really looked upon Gen.
Putnam's historical wcjlf
He graduated at Yale College in 1760, studied di-
vinity with Rev. Dr. Hart, of Preston, Conn., and was
licensed to preach before he was twenty-one years
old. He preached here several months as candidate,
and was ordained November 7, 1765, at a salary of
£100 lawful money, and a settlement of £160. " No
man entered upon a duty with a more devoted inter-
est." During his pastorate was the struggle for In-
dependence, and in word and deed he displayed a
Christian patriotism. Many were added to his
church. His sixtieth anniversary sermon reads that
all who were heads of families when he was settled,
were dead except five; that he had followed about
nine hundred of his parishioners to the grave. He
was then eighty-three years old.
He was eminently worthy of the doctorate, which,
in 1801, Harvard College conferred upon him. Mr.
Felt says: In person, he was about the common
height and size, quick and active in his movement.
In his manner he was kind, accessible and gentle-
manly. In morals he was exact, being diligent in
business, punctual in his engagements, refined and
improving in his conversation and upriglit in his ac-
tions. His intellectual endowments were of a high
order, and richly improved with attainments in litera-
ture and theology. His style of wiiting was strong,
lucid and sententious. His piety was the same
590
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
everywhere, and at all times, bearing the impress of
the Holy Spirit and appearing as a sacrifice, accep-
table in the sight of Deity. He published twenty or
more sermons. He died of lung fever, after an ill-
ness of four days, November 16, 1827. His funeral
sermon was preached by Rev. Robert Crowell, of Es-
sex.
His first wife was Mary Staniford, daughter of Dan-
iel and Mary-Burnham Staniford, and daughter-in-
law of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, who died May 14'
1772, in her twenty-eighth year. His second wife
was Mary Turner, daughter of Samuel, of Boston,
and died April 13, 180.3, in her fifty-third year. His
third wife was Mrs. Elizabeth-Green Bradford, daugh-
ter of Rev. Jacob Green, of Hanover, N. J., and wid-
ow of Rev. Ebenezer Bradford, of Rowley, who was
married December, 1803, and who died 1824, aged
about seventy-five years. His children were Mary,
who married Major Thomas Burnbam ; Joseph and
Daniel by first wife ; Elizabeth, Samuel, Sarah, Abi-
gail and Anna, by the second. See "Noted Na-
tives."
3. Third Pastorate.— 'Kts.y. Daniel Fitz, D.D.—
He was born in Sandown, N. H., May 28, 1795. He
studied in the Perry and Atkinson Academies in
New Hampshire, and August 11, 1818, graduated at
Dartmouth College. He assisted in the Derry Acad-
emy one quarter, was principal of the Salisbury
Academy two years and being called to the Academy
at Marblehead, Mass., taught there one and a half
years. He became converted during a revival in
1819, while principal of the Salisbury Academy, and
united with the church in that place in 1820. He
then resolved upon a theological course, and gradu-
ated at the Andover Theological Seminary in 1825.
He was approbated to preach by the " Hopkiuton
(N. H.) Association," June 15th, the same year, and
the next year, June 28th, was ordained colleague pas-
tor with Dr. Dana, of this church, of which he be-
came the sole pastor upon the death of the doctor,
November 16, 1827.
He published the following sermons : Memorials of
Mrs. Hannah C. Crowell, wife of Rev. Dr. Robert
Crowell, of Essex, in 1837; of Dr. Crowell in 1855, of
Rev. David T. Kimball in 1860, and the thirtieth
anniversary of his settlement. The doctorate was
conferred on him by Dartmouth College in 1862. His
pastorate closed in 1866 ; he died September 2, 1869.
Dr. Fitz had a mild, gentle, sympathetic nature,
was socially agreeable and public-spirited, — an exem-
plary man. He was a man of prayer and piety, and
delighted in the service of the Master. He had a
long, peaceful and useful pastorate.
4. Fourth Pastorate. — Rev. William H. Pierson.
— Mr. Piersou succeeded to the pastorate January 1,
1868. He was born in Newburyport, June 12, 1839 ;
he graduated at Bowdoin College, Me., in 1864, and
at the Princeton Theological Seminary, N. J., in
April, 1867. This was his first pastoral charge, and
he held it four and a half years. A parsonage was
purchased during his service. At the beginning of
his ministry a marked revival occurred, which re-
sulted in some fifty accessions to the church. His
pastorate was dissolved July 15, 1872, and in the
August following he began to serve the church in
Somerville, where he remained nearly nine years.
During the latter pastorate he saw cause to change
his religious views and to become a Unitarian. He
accepted the charge of the First Parish, Fitchburg,
Mass., and was installed June 7, 1881, and is now
serving as pastor.
5. Fifth Pastor. — Rev. Marshall Ballard
Angier was born in Southborough, Mass., March
22, 1819. His father was Calvin Angier, a farmer,
and his mother, Anna-Parker Angier.
Mr. Angier fitted for college at Leicester Academy,
and graduated at Yale College in 1844. He gradu-
ated at the Union Theological Seminary, New York
City, in 1847. He was resident licentiate at the Theo-
logical Seminary, Princeton, N. J., 1847-48. He was
acting pastor atWorcester and Orange, Mass., 1848-52,
at Hopkinton, N. H., 1852-53, where he was ordained
and installed June 8, 1853. During the following
twenty years, till 1873, — in addition to his eight
years' ministry in Hopkinton— he filled pastorates
in Dorcbe-ter, Sturbridge and Haydeusville, Mass.
He preached the first time in this church in March,
1873, and filling the pulpit from time to time during
the year, he was installed pastor of the church Febru-
ary 4, 1874. His pastorate continued till August 1,
1878 — four and a half years. During the early part
of his ministry he enjoyed a refreshing from the
presence of the Lord, resulting in accessions to the
church, at one Communion, of fifty-three persons,
varying in their ages from thirteen to seventy-nine
years. The whole number uniting with the church
during his ministry was about sixty.
During the time, the sum of $1500 was raised and
expended f 'r repairs on the church and parsonage.
A debt of $3500 upon the property of the society was
lifted, being raised by voluntary subscrii)tion. Thes-e
make a grand total for repairs and debt of more than
$5000. He is now preaching at New York, with resi-
dence at No. 839 E. 168th Street.
He married, September 29, 1864, in Newburyport,
Miss Emma S. Brewster, daughter of Wm. H. Brew-
ster, of Newburyport. They have a daughter, born
in Plymouth, Mass., June 23, 1868. Mrs. Angier be-
longs to the tenth generation, in lineal descent, from
Elder Brewster, of the May Flower.
6. Sirth PaMorate. — ReV. Thomas Franklin
Waters is the present pastor. He was born in
Salem, to Thomas S. and Mary A. Waters, April 12,
1851, He graduated at Harvard College in 1872, at
Andover Theological Seminary in 1875, and the Aug-
ust following entered the pulpit service at Edgar-
town, Martha's Vineyard, where he was ordained Oc-
tober 23, 1876. He was installed here January 1,
IPSWICH.
591
1879. In 1885 the house of worship was entirely re-
modeled ; the galleries, pulpit and pews were re-
moved, and a portion of the auditorium was cut off hy
a partition, erected some fifteen feet in front of its
posterior walls. The smaller room thus made was
finished with a small vestry and a ladies' parlor on
the first floor, and a large vestry and a kitchen on the
second floor. The former rooms are both connected
with the main riidience-room, by sliding sashes, by
which the three rooms may be converted into one.
In the main audience-room, by a new arrangement of
pews, thus economizing the space, there are about
four hundred sittings, an alcove for an organ on the
left of the pulpit platform and a platform for the
choir. The windows were furnished with inside
blinds, the walls and ceiling were frescoed, gas was
fully supplied and the audience-room newly furnished
with pulpit-set, carpet and cushions. They have now
a verj- pretty, convenient and commodious house,
and a very pleasant and prosperous pastorate.
LINEBROOK PARISH ASD CHURCH.
1. Incorporalion. — This parish is centrally located
with reference to Topsfield, Boxford, Georgetown,
Eowley and Ipswich, and is distant from them re-
spectively, from church to church, from three to four
miles. It was originally constituted of the last two
towns.
Much inconvenience was felt as early as 1738-39 in
attending church service at the above places, and
thirteen of the freeholders of Ipswich, December 20,
1739, O.S., petitioned the First Church to be set off to
Topsfield. The petitioners, March 18th of the same
year, were denied the set-off, but were " discharged
from all parish rates for the future." Soon after they
began to employ a religious teacher. They again pe-
titioned the First Church, and were answered Decem-
ber 2, 1742, that "the West End do not become a
parish, but keep up preaching among them."
In 1743 they and freeholders of Eowley erected a
meeting-house; April 12, 1744, they all voted to be
set off as a distinct parish, and accordingly petitioned
the Great and General Court for incorporation. Fif-
teen Rowley men remonstrated. The committee of
court, to whom the matter was intrusted, reported
favoring the petition, March 21, 1745 o.s. The act
of incorporation is dated June 4, 1746. The first
meeting of the parish was held July 7, the same year.
The precinct was bounded on the south by Howlett's
Brook and Ipswich River, on the east by Gravelly,
Bull and Batchelder's Brooks, and on the west by
Strait Brook and was therefore by vote January 27,
174(3-47. called Linebrook Parish.
2. Meeting- House. — The church was finished in the
following manner, as the parish voted June 27, 1746-47:
First, the pulpit and deacon's seat; second, the body-
seats below; third, three fore-seats in each gallery ;
fourth, the galler\' stairs, and plaster under the gal-
lery; fifth, a pew for the parish. It was voted May
IS, 1747, that the meeting-house be finished by the
last of October. It was a two-story, square house,
was finished with box-pews, and was entered by a
front door and a door on each side. It stood in Row-
ley-Linebrook, perhaps an eighth of a mile across
the Ipswich-Rowley town-line, on the road leading
from the Ipswich-Linebrook school-house, a spot now
called " up in the woods." The house was removed
to the location of the present church, and rebuilt in
1828 by Daniel Searl and Mark K. Jewett, contrac-
tors, of Rowley, for six hundred dollars. Rev. David
Tullar was present at the raising, and offered prayer.
The rebuilding followed the old model. The site was
purchased of Miss Mehitable Foster, about a third of
an acre, for twenty dollars. May 24, 1828. The house
was dedicated January 1, 1829.
The present church edifice was built in 1848. In
1847 the First and South Parishes gave this parish a
bell, which was accepted June 23, 1847, when it be-
came a question whether the old house should receive
needed repairs and be remodeled to accommodate the
bell, or whether a new house should be built. The
parish determined, December 22, 1847, to build a new
house, and to set it on the site of the old one. The
necessary funds were raised by subscription at twenty-
five dollars per share. Eighty shares were sold,
amounting to two thousand dollars. Charles E.
Brackett, who died at Quincy on the night of Easter,
1885, was the contractor, at nineteen hundred and five
dollars and the old house, which did not include pay
for painting and pews. The whole cost, $2197.55, for
structure, painting, graining slips and hanging the
bell. The house was furnished by the Ladies' Sewing
Circle. A stockholders' or proprietors' meeting was
held December 2, 1848, when they voted not to relin-
quish any of their rights to the parish ; they voted
also to adopt the action taken by the parish in rela-
tion to the house, and to proceed in the sale of the
pews. Forty slips were sold for twenty-four hundred
and eleven dollars, one hundred and sixty more than
the appraisal. The seating capacity of the house is
about two hundred and fifty. It was dedicated No-
vember 22, 1848.
3. Parish Lands. — The parish leased for nine hun-
dred and ninety-nine years from July 5, 1753, a par-
cel of land for a cemetery. The land is a few rods
north of the site of the old meeting-house in Rowley-
Linebrook, and has long been abandoned. The town
granted ten acres in Bull-brook p.isture to this pastor-
ate November 15, 1790, which subse(iuently were ex-
changed for ten acres in Long-hill pasture, which the
parish now owns. The site of the old meeting-house
was sold to Mr. Joseph B. Perley for twenty dollars.
4. The Church. — The church was embodied with
twelve or thirteen male members November 15, 1749.
They then adopted the belief and polity of the Cam-
bridge platform made the year before. The following
is a list of the deacons :
.luhii .\bl«tt, chosen December 13, 174'.l ; died December 18, 1759.
592
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Jona. Burpee, chosen Pecember 13, 1749 ; Iransferred to N. B. May 6,
1764.
Mark Howe, chosen May 22, 1760 ; died February 17, 1770.
Moses Chaplin, chosen October \3, 1706 ; died October 18, 1811.
Anthony Potter, cliosen Januarys, 1771; died June 21, 1701.
Abraham Howe, Sen., chosen March 12, 1792 ; died November 5, 1797.
Isaac Potter, cliosen ; transferred to Rowley, October 1, 1809.
Joseph Chaplin, Sen., chosen October 1, 1809 ; transferred to Byfield
October 4, 1812.
Philemon Foster, Sen., chosen October 4, 1812 ; died May 10, 1818.
William Dickinson, chosen September 30, 1831 ; resigned November 2,
1844.
William Foster Conant, chosen September 30, 1831 ; died May 7, 1886,
Jacob Symonds Potter, chosen November 2, 1844 ; transferred to George-
town November 4, 1876.
John Harrison Tenney, chosen June 9, 1884.
James Davis and George Hibbert were elected
Elders December 19, 1749 ; the former died Marcli
11, 1752; tlie latter April 29, 1750. Deacon Joha
Abbott was chosen January 7, 1752, and subsequently
David Perley. Both declined to serve February 1,
1757. Amos Jewett and Jeremiah Burpee were
elected February 15, 1757, and were ordained April
19th. Elder Burpee was transferred to St. John, N. B.,
May 6. 1764, and Elder Jewett to Hamilton August
30, 1789. Abraham Howe was chosen June 11, 1787.
In 1773 "the tuners" of the hymns were Nathaniel
Howe and Joseph and Jonathan Chapman. In April,
1791, the singing-school was invited to assist Messrs.
Howe and Joseph Chapman in psalmody.
5. First Pastorate. — Rev. George Lesslie was
born in Scotland in 1728, and came to this country
when about two years old. His father was Rev.
James Lesslie. I spell the name as Rev. George
spelled it in legal documents. Our subject graduated
at Harvard College in 1748; at the age of twenty
years. He joined the Topsfield Church March 5,
1749, presumably upon profession of faith. He
studied for the ministry with his own pastor, Rev.
John Emerson. He began to preach for this parish,
in August, 1748, shortly after his graduation, and re-
ceived six pounds a Sabbath for his services. He
began to preach ;is candidate March 19, 1749, four-
teen d?ys after joining the Topsfield Church. His
transfer from that church was October 6, 1749. He
was ordained and installed here November 15, 1749,
the day of the organization of the church. His set-
tlement was £700 old tenor, or $311.08, and his salary
was £100 lawful money and twelve cords of wood.
The depreciation of paper money and the failure of
the parish to supply the deficiency, and an urgent
call to the new society of Washington, N. H., deter-
mined him to ask a dismission October 22, 1779. A
council convened November 4, 1779, and advised that
the pastorate be dissolved November 30th, the date
that had been mutually agreed upon by the church
and the pastor. His transfer by letter was December
10th. Mrs. Ruth Conant, daughter of Deacon Foster,
wife of Esquire William Conant, and mother of Dea-
con Conant, wrote: "The Church was embodied with
thirteen male members. In that year twenty-two
members were added. From 1749 to 1770 forty^six
members were added. There is no account of other
additions during Mr. Lesslie's pastorate."
Mr. Lesslie, one of the organizers of the Essex
North Association of Ministers, at New Rowley (now
Georgetown), September 8, 1761, signed the rules
of government. The fifth meeting of the association
was with him November 30, 1770. He was a learned
and serviceable member. About the time of his
removal from this place, he was invited to a profes-
sorship in Dartmouth College, which he declined,
probably because of his promising field at Washing-
ton. He preached the ordination sermon of his
divinity student, Mr. Samuel Perley, at North Hamp-
ton, N. H., January 13, 1765. The sermon was printed.
He has also left two sermons written in stenography,
preached in 1760. In July 2, 1778, he attended Ezra
Ross, at the gallows, in Worcester, and his church
kept the day with fixsting and prayer. Young Ross
was a member of his society, and Ross' parents were
members of his church.
He early adopted the following covenant:
" I take God, the Father, to he my chief good and highest end ; I take
God. the Son, to be my only Lord and Savior ; I take God, the Holy
Spirit, to bo my Sanctifier, Teacher, Guide and Comforter ; I take the
truth of God to be my rnle in all my actions; I take the people of God to
be my people in all conditions. I do likewise devote and dedicate unto
the Lord my whole self, all that 1 am, all that I have, and all that I
can do. This I do deliberately, sincerely, freely and forever."
He was not only a fine scholar, but, we may judge,
an apt teacher. Many students resorted to him for
instructions ; in modern phrase, his house was a
boarding-school. He had students learning the use-
ful sciences, fitting for college, and preparing for the
ministry. A few names of them between 1752 and
1759 are preserved : Symonds, son of Capt. Baker, and
Asa, son of Samuel Bradstreet; Timothy Andrews
and Daniel Fuller; Thomas Stickney, Samuel Per-
ley, Thomas Gowing, Moses Nichols and Samuel
Porter. In September, 1757, he went to Cambridge
with Asa Bradstreet. Mark Howe of his own parish
studied with him si.x months in 1757, and gave six
pounds in payment.
Mr. Lesslie was accustomed to write deeds, wills
and other legal documents. He had a wide range of
knowledge, and was practically useful to such of his
people as sought his service or advice.
In July, 1753, he exchanged land with his parish
for " land to set a house on." He built on it a few
rods west of his meeting-house a two-story house and
a barn. He sold his interest in the property Septem-
ber 13, 1780. The house was burned some dozen
years ago ; the barn is still standing.
He was a man of mental strength, of studious
habits, of correct sentiments, of strict integrity, of
con.scientious action, was a fine scholar and enjoyed
the confidence of the people. He had decided ortho-
dox views, and was a pious and learned minister.
He married, October 26, 1756, Hephzibah Burpee,
youngest daughter of his junior deacon. She joined
the church June 25, 1756. Their children were
IPSWICH.
593
George, David, James, Jonathan, William, Hephzi-
bah, Joseph and Jlehitable. This family left Line-
brook March 6, 1780, and was nine days making the
journey of eighty miles, there being at that time no
roads worthy the name. Their privations the fii'st
year were great, provisions were obtainable only at a
distance of thirty or forty miles. Their fir-st winter
was unusually long, a burden of snow la.sting from
October till late the next spring. Of the people's
cattle tw-enty-seven died of starvation. They lost
their only cow, and were the while without salt, a
bushel of which in the spring cost five dollars. The
society observed a day of fasting and prayer in view
of the di.smal prospect.
Mr. Lesslie was installed at Washington, July 12,
1780, in a barn belonging to John Sattbrd, his house
of worship not being completed till 1789. His salary
was fifty-five pounds, payable in eatables and wear-
ing apparel, and his settlement was two hundred
acres of land "to him and his heirs forever." He
died September 11, 1800, at the age of seventy-two
years.
6. Inter pastorate. — During this period of nine years
the records are very unsatisfactory. In 1780 Rev.
Joseph Motley supplied ; in 1783flev. Joshua Spauld-
ing who, by vote, Marcli 31st, was requested to
" draft rules for the government of the church on the
basis of the Cambridge i)latform ; in 17S5, Mr. Eben-
ezer Cleaves supplied. Each one was called to
settle.
7. Second Pastorate. — Rev. Gilbert Texxext
Williams was invited, December 23, 1788, to |ireacli
here six months, and February 18, 1789, the church
called him to the pastorate. He was ordained and
installed, August 5, 1789, when the membership was
nine males and fifteen females. His salary was one
hundred pounds law-ful money. He lived in the
house formerly owned and occupied by Mr. Lesslie.
Eight members were added during his pastorate. The
society was small and unable to give him adequate
support, and April 19, 1813, according to advice of
council, dismissed him from pastorate and member-
ship. His farewell discourse, which w^as printed, was
preached May 2, 1813.
He was well armed with " the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God ;" was a plain and easy
writer ; was a man of sound orthodoxy, of pure mo-
tives, of lovely temper, of sterling integrity, of deep
piety, and an earnest laborer for the common good.
He was son of Rev. Simon Williams, of Windham,
N. H., born at Fagg's Manor, Pa., October 8, 17G1.
He graduated at Dartmouth College, 1784, and
studied for the ministry with Rev. John Murray, of
Xewburyport.
He was installed at West Newbury First Church,
June 1, 1814, and labored till a paralytic shock un-
fitted him for parochial duties. He was dismissed
September 26, 1821, and died atFarmington, Septem-
ber 24, 1824.
38
His wife was Martha Morrison, of Windham, N. H.
She left this church. May 2.5, 1814, and in 1834 re-
sided in Boston. Their children's names and births
in Linebrook were: Simon Tennent, 1790; Martha,
1792; Samuel Morrison, 1794; John Adams. 1799;
Constant Floyd, 1802.
8. Inter-pastorate. — From this time to 1860 this
church was without a pastor. It was a period of de-
cay, darkness and trial resulting in a new lease of
life. From 1829 the society had pecuniary aid from
the Domestic Missionary Society. In 1814, when the
membership was only one male and three females,
an effort was made to establish a Baptist church. The
faction called a quasi parish meeting and voted to re-
linquish the church to the new society every alternate
Sabbath. The Congregational Society held to their
purpose. Rev. Joseph Emerson, of the Byfield Fe-
male Seminary, supplied, and the effort was baflled.
In 1819 the parish voted to occupy the church to the
exclusion of the Baptist brothers. This action aug-
mented the strife, deepened the bitterness, and
bandied threats ; but legal advice showed that " pos-
session was nine points of the law," and wisdom
brought in peace. Rev. Joseph Emerson, in the
kindness of his heart, was very serviceable to this so-
ciety during his four years at Byfield, from 1818.
During these years was the dark period. The so-
ciety had preaching but part of the time, till 1824,
when Rev. David Tullar became the stated sup-
ply. In 1818 Deacon Foster died, at the age of
eighty-two years; September 3, 1819, Mrs. Martha
Perley died, aged eighty years and ten months, and
Octobers (6), 1831, Mi-s. Mehitable Chapman died,
aged eighty-five years. Mrs. Chapman was lame and
unable to get about, so Mrs. Ruth Conant was prac-
tically alone in the churcli from 1819 to 1826, when
three males and two females joined. Between 1826
and 1831, when, by reason of age and infirmity, Mr.
Tullar retired, eight males and nine females became
members. The membership, January 1, 1829, was
fiuir males and five females. A particular notice of
this truly good man belongs to Rowley history, and
we will only remark that he was a judicious and
faithful undershepherd. He purchased half of the
Joseph Holt farm of William P. Kimball, December
14,1825, and sold it to Jeremiah Ellsworth, Decem-
ber 31, 1835.
Rev. Moses Welch took charge of this church
January 1, 1831, and labored with success. Four
males and five females were added in that year, two
males and four females the next year, and three fe-
males in 1833 and 1834. The membership in 1833
was thirty-four.
Mr. Welch was born in Plaistow, N. 11., in 1784,
and was son of Colonel Joseph Welch, a Revolution-
ary patriot. He was a member of the first class of
the Bangor Theological Seminary. While there he
was licensed a missionary in that State, where he lab-
ored several years. He thence came to Amesbury,
59-1
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
where he became a stated supply for five years. Then
he returned home to Plaistow, where he was installed
and continued five years more. His people were de-
votedly attached to him, but ill health forced his res-
ignation. Before coming here he preached awhile on
Cape Ann, that the climate might help his complaint.
His salary here was .$300. Our older people remem-
ber him with affection.
Rev. John P. Tyler came here probably in the
fall of 1834. He continued through the winter;
a schism resulted.
Rev. James W. Shepherd followed. He proved
a physician, indeed. After service. May 24, 1835, he
asked the church to remain. The question of the
schism was discussed, and the 30th instant was agreed
upon as a day of fasting and prayer. The day was
duly observed and the church voted a Public Confes-
sion, on the first Sabbath in June, when accordingly
all but two males and one female stood forth in and
made public confession." In 1835 three males and
four females became members.
Rev. Samuel Harri.s was the stated supply in
1836. In this year eight males and one female
joined. Mr. Harris' father, Deacon Jacob, was a na-
tive of this town and born in 1741. Samuel studied
divinity with Rev. Seth Payson, D.D. (1809), of
Ringe, N. H. He was ordained and installed at
Windham, N. H., in 1805. He lost the use of his
voice, and was dismissed in 1826, after a long and
useful pastorate. A partial recovery permitted a lim-
ited parochial service, and he preached in several
places, including this parish. He died at Windham
September 5, 1848, aged seventy-four years. He had
twelve children ; ten were learned, influential and
useful citizens ; five of the six sons were profession-
ally educated.
Rev. Moses Dow was born in Atkinson, N. H.,
February 4, 1771. He studied in part at the Atkin-
son Academy, and prepared to enter Dartmouth Col-
lege. He studied divinity with Rev. Jonathan
French, of Andover, He married Miss Hannah
Knight, of Atkinson, and had two daughters and one
son, who died at the ages of forty-one, forty and forty-
four respectively.
He was settled over the First Church, York,
Maine, November 9, 1815. Rev. Benjamin Wads-
worth, of Danvers, preached the installing sermon,
and said, — " We are not strangers to Mr. Dow. We
have long known him. We have loved and esteemed
him. We believe him to be an able and faithful, a
discreet and devoted minister of Christ." He was
di>missed in 1829, and he removed to Hampton
Falls, N. H., " where he supplied the pulpit, and also
in the adjoining town of Kensington." In the spring
of 1833 he removed to Plaistow, N. H., and preached
in Beveral pulpits, including this. He died at Plais-
tow, of paralysis. May 9, 1837.
Rev. Francis Welch was the stated supply from
1838 to 1842. He was son of Joseph Welch, a
farmer, of Hampstead, N. H., where he was born
March 30, 1805. Rev. Moses Welch above and Rev.
Francis Welch, of Amesbury, were his uncles, and
sons of Joseph Welch, of Pl.aistow, who was a colonel
in the Revolution. They were lineal descendants of
Philip Welch, who was kidnaiiped in Ireland, and
sold in Ipswich as a slave for twenty-nine pounds in
corn or cattle in 1654; and Samuel Welch, of Bow,
N. H., who was a grandson of Philip, and who died
at the age of one hundred and twelve years and
seven months, was Rev. Moses' great-uncle.
Francis studied at the Hampton Academy and in
Bowdoin College. He was approved a minister by
the Haverhill Association May 15, 1833. He preached
at Brentwood, N. H., where he was ordained, at
Perry, Maine, and in this pulpit. He has for many
years resided upon his farm in Topsfield. He mar-
ried, April 4, 1839, Miss Harriet Atwood Conant,
daughter of William, Esq., and Mrs. Ruth Conant,
of this parish. She was born March 9, 1818, and
died at Topsfield October 22, 1886. She had ten
children; nine survive her, one of whom is a lawyer
in St. Paul, Minn.
In 1838 and 1839 six males and four females became
members, which made the membership between forty
and fifty; from 1840 to 1843, inclusive, one male and
five females.
Rev. Jacob Coggin followed and continued till
1848. He preached the last sermon in the old meet-
ing-house, and also the dedicatory sermon in the new
house. Rev. Isaac Braman making the prayer.
Mr. Coggin was born in Woburn September 5,
1781, to Jacob Coggin, who graduated at Harvard
College in 1761, and became a teacher by profession,
though he sometimes preached. Jacob, the son,
graduated at Harvard College in 1803, studied divin-
ity with his pastor. Rev. Joseph Chickering, of Wo-
burn, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational
Church in Tewksbury October 22, 1806, and continued
in that relation till his death, serving the last years
as senior pastor.
He represented his town in the State Legislature
two successive years; he was a member of the con-
vention called to revise the State Constitution in
1853 ; he was a Presidential elector in 1852 ; was an
inspector of the State Almshouse from its institution,
and the chaplain there till his death, from congestion
of the lungs, December 12, 1854, at the age of sev-
enty-three.
Mr. Coggin was one of the acceptable preachers ot
his day, sound in doctrine and faithful in its presenta-
tion. He was a careful, wise, social and beloved
pastor. He was the author of the Ladies' Benevolent
Society here, the fruit of whose earnest, meritorious
work furnished the new church in 1848 — a society
which, after some years' relapse, was revived in the
acting pastorate of Rev. Joseph W. Healy. The
writer, then a mere lad, now well remembers the
tall, erect, manly form of that servant of God, as he
IPSWICH.
595
ascended the pulpit stairs, and his polite and genial
manner in his visits. His labors here covered a pe-
riod of some three or four years and were blessed.
In the years 1840 to 1843, inclusive, one male and
five females became members, and from 1844 to 1852,
inclusive, eight males and sixteen females.
Eev. Eliphalet BiRCHAEDwas the first minister
to occupy the new church edifice. He preached here
while an undergraduate at the Andover Theological
Seminary, and, after completing his course there, be-
came the .stated supply here. He was born in Leb-
anon, Conn., January 21, 1812, and died there Sep-
tember 20, 1854. He was always an invalid; he
called his atfliction rheumatism, but it ended in con-
sumption. He was a great sufi'erer, but patient and
hopeful. His parents were Arial and Abigail-]Met-
calf Birchard. He had a brother, Kev. William
Metcalf Birchard, born February 14, 1810, died
March 20, 1883, and a sister, Abbie Correlia. He
graduated at Harvard in 1843. This church .voted
February 24, 1849, to call him to settle on a «-alary of
four hundred dollars. He did not accept. He
drafted a government for the Church, which was
adopted May 28, 1849. In 1850 Rev. James Gala-
gher, a revivalist, labored with Mr. Birchard, and
there was a very general awakening. Many indulged
a hope; but only four joined the Church. In 1850
there was a membership of fifty-six. He remained
here about three years, and afterwards preached at
Andover, Conn. In the pulj)it he was serious, awak.
ening and effective, and left a very desirable im-
pression upon the people; he was excellent in visit-
ations, a reliable spiritual counselor and a firm
friend.
Eev. Willard Holbrook and his wife joined
this church April 14, 1851. He began to preach here
some time before, and remained about four years. A
sketch of him properly belongs to Rowley history.
He was one of those noble spiritual workers whom
this church must hold in grateful remembrance, —
Tullar, Holbrook, Kimball and Dana, — names to be
respected everywhere, but here to be revered for their
labors, advice and prayers.
Rev. Joseph Wareen Healy, M.D., D.D., LL.D.,
was, by this church, made a life-member of the For-
eign Missionary Society, April 10, 1850. He then
had been preaching here probably about six months.
He was at the time the enterprising, able and popular
principal of the Topsfield Academy. This church
under his guidance enjoyed a period of harmony and
prosperity, and grew in numbers and healthful
strength. He remained about three years.
He wa.s born in South Hero, Vt., April 11, 1827, to
Kathaniel and Jane-Tabor Healy. He fitted for col-
lege as Newbury Seminary and Bradford Academy,
Vt. He graduated at tlie University of Vermont in
1852. He was principal of the Bath Academy, N. H.,
and afterwards of the Tojisfield Academy. He at-
tended lectures at the Audover Theological Semi-
nary, and was licensed by the Salem Congregational
Association. After supplying this pulpit, he preached
at Royalston, Gardner and Walpole. Then removing to
the West, he preached six years in Milwaukee, and
four years in Chicago. While there he was called to
the pastorate and presidency of Straight University,
in New Orleans, La. There he attended medical
lectures and received the medical degree. In 1871,
Olivet College, Mich., conferred upon him the doctor-
ate of divinity. The same year he was delegated by the
American Missionary Association to visit Great Britain,
and organize an auxiliary to that society. He re-
sided in London as its secretary for three years.
While abroad, he visited the Continent and the East,
and lectured in the principal cities of Great Britain.
Returning home he was elected professor of English
literature and pastoral theology in Maryville College,
Tenn. Preferring an active pastorate to the routine
of professional life, he returned to Milwaukee in 1878.
The death of his wife prostrated him. Subsequently
he went to California for his health. In 1853 he was
a pastor in Oakland, Cal. Upon the incorporation of
Sierra-Madre College, at Passadena, in 1884, he was
selected as the president, a position which he now
holds.
The writer remembers him at the academy with
sentiments of high esteem. He excelled as a teacher,
and readily won the regard of his pupils. He was an
exemplary man — one of nature's noblemen. He was
magic to untie purse-strings. Several societies re-
gard him as their pecuniary savior. He has risen by
his own exertions, and achieved a grand success.
His titles are emblems of his character and attain-
ments.
He married, October S, 184S, Miss Jane Hibbard
Clark, who was born in Groton, Vt., May 12, 1830.
She studied in the Female Seminary, Burlington, Vt.,
taught with her husband at Bath and Topsfield, and
adorned the place of a pastor's wife wherever he
la!)ored. She died at her mother's home in Corinth,
Vt., Se])tember 12, 1880, beloved and lamented, a
pure and gentle spirit. Their children, — Jane Corinne,
born Marcli (ith, and died October 8, 1850 ; and Frank
Joseph, born March 4, 1857, studied at Olivet College
and London Universities, admitted to the bar, 1878,
and is now editor of The Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.
9. Third Pastorate. — Rev. Ezekiei, Do^v was set-
tled. He was born April 9, 1807. His father was
James, of Warren, X. H., and was liorn in Plaistow,
April 23, 1775 ; his mother was Hannah Merrill, and
was born in Warren, May 24, 1781. E/ekiel was the
second son of five children, four of whom were sons
and became farmers. He studied at the Academy,
Haverhill, X. H. He commenced preaching as a
Universalist, but early in his ministry clianged in liis
belief, and studied in the Theological Seminary,
Andover, I'or the Congregational jiulpit. He preached
in Massachusetts, at South Wellhet, Monument, Chil-
tonville, Linebrook, Huntington and Ikckel, where
596
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
he closed his labors in 1880. He was settled over this
society December 25, 1800, and dismissed November
14, 1866. He was a good-hearted man, socially pecu-
liar yet agreeable, took good care of his pastorate, had
a good mind, never overworked, and we may say
was fairly successful.
10. Fourth Pastorate. — Rev. Alvah Mills Kich-
AEDSON was born in Woburn — now Winchester —
April 30, 1833, to Gilbert and Hannah-Davis Rich-
ardson. He had four brothers — Gilbert Brainard,
who died February 20, 1883, and Martin Luther — who
were ministers, and two sisters. He fitted for college
at the Warren and Phillips Academies, Woburn and
Andover, and graduated at Amherst College in 1862.
He entered the service against the Rebellion for nine
months in September, 1802, a member of the band of
the Forty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment. He gradu-
ated at the Andover Theological Seminary in 1866.
He was ordained and installed here November 14th,
the same year. He tendered his resignation October
10, 1870, and his pastorate closed when his successor
was installed. May 3, 1871. (He left the church with
a membership of fifty-nine). Part of 1871 and 1872
he managed for the Lincoln County, Me., Bible Soci-
ety, and since then has superintended his widowed
mother's farm. He was a pious man, scrupulously
exact, conscientious, studious, a good writer, but an
unsuccessful preacher. He has never married.
11. Fifth Pastorate. — Rev. Benjamin Howe was
a native of this parish, and born November 4, 1807.
His parents were Joseph and Mehitable-Stickney
Howe. He was eighth in a family of ten children.
When a mere lad, he was thrown upon his own re-
sources. Any acquisition he made was wholly his.
He commenced his studies at the Tojisfield Academy,
shortly after the founding of that institution, in 1828,
and completed his preparatory course at the Meriden
Academy, N. H. He graduated at Amherst College
in 1838, and at the Theological Seminary, Hartford,
Conn., in 1841.
He married, May 31, 1842, Miss Waty Williams
Tyler, born August 27, 1814, a lady of excellent
worth, of a gentle and godly spirit. They h.ad two
children : Homer, who was born August 16, 1848, and
Cecil Putnam, who was born November 8, 1857, and
died February 13, 1866.
He joined the Topsfield Church November 7, 1830,
and was transferred to the Seminary August 80, 1839.
He was acting pastor at Coventry, Conn., 183.3-34,
and at Wells, Me., 1844, till he was ordained and in-
stalled there November 5, 1845. He was dismissed
November 5, 1849; was teacher and preacher at
Brooklyn, Conn., 1850-55; acting pastor at Meredith,
N. Y., 1855-60; without charge, N. H., 1860-66;
acting pastor at Hudson, N. H., 1806-67; at Lemp-
ster, N. H., 1807-70 ; and was settled here May 3,
1871. His death October 18, 1883, closed his pastor-
ate. His walk was exemplary. His service for the
Master was sincere ; he had an exalted and abiding
faith and an earnest love for souls committed to his
care. Frowning upon sin as such with the severest
rebuke, but charitable to the erring, he was a man of
noble and generous impulses. As a neighbor, he was
kind, obliging and discreet; as a citizen, intelligent
and declared; in his home, gentle and kind, loving
and loved. His life, as we knew it, was a perpetual
benediction. Taking into the account the severity of
his teacher. Experience, the quick impulses of [his
nature, his wise discretion and his godly life, he
stands before us a massive character, a grand and no-
ble manhood, commanding our respect and winning
our love. He rests in Harmony Cemetery, George-
town ; his widow is living at Hudson, N. H.
12. Sixth Pastorate. — Rev. Edward Holm an
Briggs was installed December 6, 1883. He was
born in Boston Highlands, March 8, 1851, to George
Washington and Anna Matilda-Ross Briggs. In the
autumn of 1857, after the death of his father, he went
to live in Columbus, Ga., with his paternal aunt, the
wife of John Johnson, Esq., Judge of Probate. His
preparatory studies were pursued with a private
teacher. He entered the Sophomore class, half-ad-
vanced, in June, 1869, in the University of Georgia,
at Athens, and graduated there in 1871. His scholar-
ship was excellent. He matriculated at the Presby-
terian Theological Seminary, Columbia, S. C, in
September, 1871, and completed the course in April,
1874. He was licensed to preach April 19, 1874, by
the Pre.sbyte.ry of Macon, Ga. He supplied at Whit-
ing and Newton several months, and at Mount Tabor
and Smyrna about two years. In January, 1877, he
went to Palatka, Fla.,'where he was in^talled July 8,
1877. The pastorate was dissolved in November,
1880. He then labored a few months at Memphis,
Tenn., a work he was forced to relinquish, being
stricken with malaria. In November, 1881, he re-
sumed his ministerial Labors, and served in Good-
Water, Hatchet-Creek, Hackneyville and Nixbury,
Ala., till the close of 1882. Early in 1883 he re-
turned to Miissachusetts, and had no regular minis-
terial work till his settlement here. In his labors he
appears to have been fairly successful. He began to
prfiach here in mid-summer. The circumstances of
his settlement were very favorable. The death of our
venerable pastor, Mr. Howe, and the memorial ser-
vice of him left a marked seriou-iness upon the minds
and hearts of all. An awakening among the young
was already observed, and in January following his
settlement, some fifteen, it was said, were ready for
church membership. Eleven joined the first Sab-
bath, and several others soon after. Such haste
against the wishes of older and official members was
not wise. From a remarkable unity in his favor at
first, he held till there was a remarkable unity against
him at last. The church was in a ferment for nearly
three years — from the Sabbath he administered the
sacrament, of which he did not partake, till he arbi-
trarily refused to administer it at all, — a usurpation,
IPSWICH.
597
which apparently forced his resignation November
7, 1S86, to take effect as soon as his successor could
be installed.
Mr. Briggs may purpose well, but he reads books
better than men, and he is wedded firmly to the
Presbyterian Church polity; he will, therefore, suc-
ceed better as a Presbyterian clergyman or as a busi-
ness man, than as a Congregational pastor.
13. Seventh Pastorate. — Rev. William Pexn Al-
COTT, the present incumbent, was born in Dorchester,
July 11, 1838. His parents were William A., M.D.
and lecturer, and Phebe L.-Bronson Alcott, who was
a student in the Ipswich Academy wlien Misses
Grant and Lyon taught. They are natives of Wol-
cott. Conn.
The son graduated at Williams' College in 18(il,
and at the Andover Theological Seminary in 186.5.
After his college graduation he taught in the Pitts-
burgh Female College, Pennsylvania, and in 1867 was
elected tutor in Williams" College, and taught chem-
istry and mineralogy. As minister, he was seven
years pastor of the Congregational Church, in North
Greenwich, Conn., and two years in the Fir.st Church
in Boxford. He preached for short periods at Barton
Landing, Vt., and at West Newbury, this State. In
1877, he traveled extensively with Dr. Philip Schaff,
in the Orient — Palestine, the Sinaitic region and
Egypt — and Southern Europe.
During his jiastorates, he was accustomed to make
scientific studies his relaxatiim. The practice grad-
ually conducted him into correspondence for the
press, and to authorship. His contributions to the
press have been principally upon temperance and
scientific subjects. He edited the Natural History
department of Dr. SchafTs Bible Dictionary, and, as
a member of the Lowell Hebrew Club, is interested
in the publication of a de novo translation of the
Book of Esther, with notes and excursuses, exhibit-
ing much careful and patient philological and scien-
tific research and study, — to which he was a liberal
contributor. He is now at work upon the Books of
Ezra and Nehemiah, to be presented uniform in mat-
ter and size with Esther.
He married, in 1868, Sarah Jane Merrill, daughter
of Rev. David Merrill, of Peacham, Vt. She died
in 1876, and he married, two years later, Lucy R.
Davis, daughter of Andrew Davis, Esq., of Boston.
He has three children in " the better land," and two,
a daughter by the first wife and a son by the second
wife, living.
His service began here the last Sabbath in Septem-
ber, 1886, and his installation took place May 4tii fol-
lowing.
The notice of this church would be very incom-
plete without reference to the society's liberal bene-
factor, JonK Perley, Esq. He died May 11, 1860,
and by will placed in trust seven tliousand dollars, as
a perpetual fund, " the income of which shall be paid
to the Orthodox Congregational Society, Linebrook
Parish in the towns of Ipswich and Rowley, for the
support of preaching and a Sabbath-school in said
society annually, while said society has a .-etlled min-
ister."
Mr. Perley was born September 3, 1782, in Rowley-
Linebrook. Becoming of age, he went to live with
his uncle (afterwards deacon) Philemon Foster, in
Ipswich-Linebrook, where he plied his trade as cord-
wainer. Upon "breaking ground " fortheNewbury-
port turnpike, he opened a shop in connection with
his tr.ade. The enterprise was a success, and he there
laid the foundation of his subsequent wealth. He
never married. He devoted most of his estate to
public benefactions, eleemosynary, educational and
religious, among which was an annuity fund of three
thousand five hundred dollars for the worthy poor of
Georgetown, another of seven thousand dollars for
the Orthodox Congregational Society, where he wor-
shipped, and another — the residue of his estate — to
found a free school in Georgetown.
This man's body has long since returned to its
mother earth, but he still lives. So long as wealth
has value, and learning is sought, and charity is kind,
his name will be mentioned with praise, and his life
will be fresh and fruitful as the dew, and redolent as
the lily upon the bosom of crystal waters.
THE BAPTIST SOCIETY.
"This society," says Mr. Felt, "was formed in Feb-
ruary, 1806. Their first preacher was Rev. H. Pot-
tle. They occupied the building formerly a woolen
factory. Their church contained sixty-eight commu-
nicants in 1813. A secession took place from the
church, because discipline was not exercised, June 4,
1816. This secession was justified by a council July
16th. The seceders formed themselves into a new
church August 27th, and met in a building on
High Street, opposite North Main. They were in-
corporated " The First Baptist Society in Ipswich,"
June 16, 1817.
The names of the corporators were Samuel, Samuel
G. and Timothy Appleton, Samuel and Robert Stone,
Josiah Syiuonds and Charles Simonds, William Den-
nis, Frederick Mitchell, Jacob M. Farnum, Daniel,
Jr., and Joseph L. Ross, James Caldwell, Moses
Graves, John Lord, Daniel W. Low, Nathan Perkins,
Major Woodbury, Simeon Spafibrd, Amos Jones,
Francis, John, Levi and Joseph Hovey. William
Taylor was their first minister. He continued with
them till August, 1818, and took his dismi.ssion, be-
cause his people were few and unable to support him.
When he left the church, it contained thirty mem-
bers. Thus, destitute of one to guide them, they
continued to hold meetings and have the sacrament
administered occasionally till August, 1823. In the
course of this year they dissolved. The original So-
ciety of Baptists continued, after the secession from
them, only one year."
598
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH AXD PARISH.
1. First Rectorship. — The Parish was organized in
1867. The service of the church had been regularly
maintained from 1861, and occasional services had
been held for some time before that date. Rev.
Henry Wall was the first rector, and occupied the
office about two months.
2. Second Rectorship. — Rev. Benjamin Rowley
Gifford, the second rector, was born in Falmouth,
Mass., October 18, 1819. His parents were Braddock
and Mary. He received his education at the Fal-
mouth Academy and Amherst College, leaving the
latter institution in 1840. He subsequently went to
St. Francesville, La., and pursued his theological
studies under the direction of the Rev. Daniel Lewis,
D.D., rector of the church in that town. He was or-
dained to the ministry of the Episcopal Church in
Davenport, Iowa, August 28, 1857, by the Right Rev.
Henry W. Lee, bishop of that diocese. He was rec-
tor of parishes in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Mount
Pleasant and Ottumwa, in Iowa, and in Kewanee, in
Illinois. Early in 1866, he returned to Massachu-
setts, and then traveled extensively in Europe and
the East, visiting Palestine, Egypt, Turkey, Greece
and other countries, returning the following spring.
He entered the rectorship of this church Novem-
ber 3d of the same year. The services were then
held in the Damon Hall ; subsequently they were
held in the Town Hall. In 1869, his second year
here, October 26th, the corner-stone of the present
church edifice was laid, by the Right Rev. Mant-on
Eastburn, bishop of the diocese of Massachusetts, in
the presence of a large audience of the people, the
bishop making the address.
In the spring of 1870, before the edifice was com-
pleted, Mr. Giflbrd resigned, and in June, 1871, enter-
ed the rectorship of Trinity Church, Bridgewater. In
1873 he visited England, and there, September 9th,
he rrfarried Miss Mary M. Hewett, in All-Saints'
Church, near Taunton, Somersetshire. The following
March he returned to America and resumed the
charge of the Parish of Bridgewater. His connection
with the church continued till the next spring, when
he went to Natick and became rector of St. Paul's
Church there. He continued in Natick five years,
when in May, 1880, mainly owing to ill-health, he re-
signed, deciding not to take regular charge of another
parish. In 1882 he and his wife spent the summer in
England, when he preached in various parts of the
country. Returning to America he took up his per-
manent residence in Wood's Holl, a famous summer
resort in his native town. In the meantime he has
quite frequently officiated in the local church and
the neighboring parishes. After Mr. Gifford's resig-
nation, there was a vacancy in the rectorship till 1873,
when Rev. B. F. Newton was elected.
3. TIdrd Rectorship. — Rev. Benjamin Franklin
Newton. He was born October 20th, 1846, in St.
Albans, Vt. He graduated at Hillsdale College,
Hillsdale, Mich., in 1870; at the Union Seminary,
New York, in 1873 ; and at the Episcopal Theological
School, Cambridge, Mass., in 1874.
This was his first rectorship, and he continued in it
till 1877, when he removed to St. James' Church,
Texarkana, Texas, whence, in 1881, he went to the
rectorship of the Church of the Good Shepherd, St.
Louis, Mo., where he is at present engaged.
While he was here the church made steady and
substantial progress, increasing in numbers and
efficiency, and doing a large amount of missionary
and benevolent work. Some progress was made upon
the church edifice.
4. Fourth Rectorship. — Rev. Reuben Kidner suc-
ceeded, and entered upon the duties of the office Jan-
uary 1, 1878. Mr. Kidner is a son of James Frederic
Kidner, merchant, of Bristol, England, and was born
March 18, 1848. He graduated at Harvard College
in 1875, and at the Episcopal Theological School,
Cambridge, in 1878. He resigned the rectorship Feb-
ruary 1, 1882, to become assistant minister of Trinity
Church, Boston, where he is in active service. He
married July 3, 1878, Miss Katharine Clinton Si-
monds, and has one son, Frederic Clinton. Mr. Kid-
ner's successor is the present iucumbeut.
5. Fifth Rectorship.— Uev. Juliu.s W. Atwood,
wlio entered upon the duties of this office in 1882,
was born in Salisbury, Vt., June 27th, 1857. He
graduated at Middlebury College in 1878, where in
course he took the Master's degree ; studied a year in
the General Theological Seminary in New York City
and in 1879 entered the middle class of the Episcopal
Theological School, Cambridge. In 1880-81 he spent
a year in study and travel in Europe and the East.
Returning in the latter year, he resumed his studies
in the Cambridge Theological School, where he grad-
uated in 1882 with the degree of B.D. Shortly after
graduation, the same year, he was elected to the rec-
torship of this church.
In 1883, during Mr. Atwood's rectorship, the church
edifice was completed, and was consecrated as the
Ascension Memorial Church, in memory of the gener-
ous contributions and personal efforts of the Rev,
John Cotton Smith, D.D., of New York City, who
was the principal donor of funds and who, from the
organization of the parish, was a warm and devoted
friend of the church. Dr. Smith and Joseph E. Bo-
mer, M.D., might be considered the founders of the
society and church. Some one has given a very just
and vivid description of the edifice :
"It stanfls forth in all its architectural beauty unadorned by tree or
paling. Within it has all the richness and refinemeut of the costly ca-
thedrals of the old world, which it resembles so much in raiuiature.
Nothing flashy or gaudy can be seen. Its very richness is softened to
harmonize with the spirituality of its creations. It has none of the un-
finished look which 80 often mars otherwise elegant church edifices. Its
very coloring seems to give a restful, quiet atmosphere to the place. It
contains two memorial windows, one given by the citizens of Ipswich to
the late Jose]>h E, Bomer, who did so much in creating and fostering the
Episcopal Churcli in Ipswich. On the lectern we noticed a large Bible
presented to the church by his wife, who plays the organ, and who takes
IPSWICH.
599
a deep interest in the church. The other memorial window is dedicated
to a little daughter of Dr. and Mrs. .lohn Cotton Smith, to whose gener-
osity Ipswich is indehted for one of the most heautifiil cliurch edifices
that we ever have seen in this country. The pulpit used hy the late Dr.
Smith in his church in New York was sent to the Ipswich Church after
his death. Over the door is a tablet stating that the church is dedicated
to the memory of Dr. Smith."
The cluircli organizations are : The Benefit, tlie
Church-Aid, the St. Agnes Societies, the St. Andrew's
Guild and the Children's Mission Circle. The officers,
teachers and scholars of the Sunday school number
about one hundred and twenty-five. The wardens are
E. H. Martin and C. S. Tuckerman, Esquires. The
society enjoys a harmony of sentiment and a unity of
jjurpose, aud has a hopeful future.
6. One of the founders of the church and society
was Joseph Edwakd Bomer, M.D. Dr. Bonier was
born in Beverly, March 14, 1819. His tYither, of
French descent, went, in early life, to Windham,
N. H. At the age of twenty-eight years, he removed
to Beverly, where he married Abigail Friend, who
was descended from the old Puritan stock. He was a
farmer and highly respected. He had a family of
nine children. Joseph E. was the fifth son. He had
a delicate constitution, was unetjual to farm labor,
was fond of books, and so was devoted to intellectual
pursuits. He was a Beverly scholar till he was i'our-
teen years old ; then he became a student in the
Topsfield Academy, under principal Edmund F.
Slafter, who became very much interested in him and
soon engaged him as assistant teacher. Leaving
Topsfield, he studied in the Phillips Academy, Exe-
ter, N. H., and afterwards in the Phillips Academy,
Andover. Having completed his course at Andover,
he entered Harvard Medical School, from which he
graduated in 1848. In February, 1849, he settled in
this town, a physician of the old-school of practice.
His oflice was next to the Agawam House, and near
the residence of Dr. Thomas Manning, then the
oldest and most skillful physician of the town,
through whose influence and kindness the young
physician soon secured a large and lucrative prac-
tice.
In October, 1850, Dr. Bomer married Miss Caroline
Elizabeth Hayes, of Gloucester. Soon after this
event, Dr. Manning, feeling the burden and cares of
business and professional life weighing upon him, and
wishing on that account to retire, invited our young
doctor to reside with him and assume his practice.
Dr. Bomer accepted and lived in reciprocal confi-
dence, till the death of his aged friend.
Dr. Bomer was physician to the House of Correc-
tion and the Insane Asylum from 1850 till his death.
He was examining surgeon, of the Eastern District,
of those who enlisted ibr the War of tlie Rebellion,
during which time he attended professionally the
families of the soldiers free of charge. He was placed
upon the school board and served while he lived. A
high school graduate gives the following estimate of
him : " I refer to him who was so respected and be-
loved among us. The physician who was always
welcome in the schools, and for his ready tact in ask-
ing questions and eliciting answers, as well as pleas-
ant manner, won the favor of the schools." In poli-
tics, in early life, he was a "Webster Whig." He
believed in freedom of thought, and was courteous
and liberal to all who differed from him in politics or
religion. In the latter he was a firm Episcopalian,
and an earnest w'orker. Some years before his dtiy,
the service of that church had been started, but failed
to succeed for' want of interest, and funds. Through
the doctor's influence and perseverance it was again
revived. Dr. Bomer and John F. Clothey, of Mar-
blehead, then a resident and merchant here, secured,
though the kindness of the trustees of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, the use of their church edifice, and
then invited the Rev. Robert F. Chase, of Danvers,
to ofiiciate. He preached to an audience of devout
listeners, and from that service spmng the present
church. The doctor continued a firm supporter of
the church and society through life. He was a
devout, genial, sympathetic and exemplary Christian.
He was, too, eminently a public-spirited citizen, aud
among the foremost in all works of public utility.
He Ijiire an unblemished reputation.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
Origin. — This denomination of Christians arose in
England, in 1729, aud derived their name from the
exact regularity ol their lives, a very pleasing com-
mentary upon theii character. In 1741 they divided
into two parties, under George Whitefield and John
Wesley. The former adopted the views of John Cal-
vin ; the latter of Arminius. The followers of Ar-
minius compose the great body of Methodists in this
country and Great Britain. In 1830 seceders from
the Wesleyan Methodists established a government
and discipline of their own and styled themselves
"The Methodist Protestant Church." This church
diflers from its parent church only in certain matters
of discipline, particularly those relating to Episco-
pacy and the manner of constituting the general con-
ference.
Methodism first came into this country with Rev.
George Whitefield in 1739, and was an important
factor in the deep and extensive revivals that soon
after followed. Its power was first felt in Ipswich
when that eloquent divine electrified the populace
from "the Whitefield-Pulpit" rock near the First
Church, and "Pulpit Rock," in Linebrook.
Methodism, as now taught, "was first introduced
in New England, in 1789," says Miss Archer, in her
excellent and serviceable sketch of this church, and
"in Ipswich in the year 1790, by Rev. Jesse Lee, who
was sent by the venerable Bishop J'rancis Asbury,
still active and ardent in the cause." The sketch
relates that the first convert, by the preaching of Mr.
Lee, was the mother of Gen. James Appleton. She
600
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
fixed the date August 12. IZiH, and ever after remem-
bered the day with adoring gratitude.
Mr. Felt, in 1834, wrote : " The remainder of the
first Baptist Society and some Methodists began to
have preaching of the Latter denomination in 1817 "
but Miss Archer, discriminating in the call and the
doctrine, says " no other Methodist preacher labored
in Ipswich till October, 1821, when Rev. Aaron
Wait (1821-25 or '26) came." His coming was for-
tuitous. Passing through the town on business, on
Saturday, the 6th, he stopped at the " Treadwell tav-
ern." He was invited to preach, and the next day
addressed three audiences in " the old woolen factory,''
in which the Baptists had worshipped, and which
stood north of and contiguous to the famous Choate
Bridge. In November, he came again and preached
three times. In four weeks he came again, and again
preached three times, and held a prayer-meeting,
when five inquirers came forward. On Christmas,
he preached twice, and held an inquiry-meeting.
Two weeks later he made a fourth visit, and found
the work he had done was " good." Soon after he
removed his family to Ipswich, but, like Paul, " cov-
eting no man's silver," he w'orked at shoe-making
during the week and preached on Sundays. Mr.
Charles Dodge was Mr. Wait's first convert.
The seed thus sown by Mr. Wait budded and blos-
somed in the spring of 1822, and was named The
Methodist Episcopal Society. The first class-
meeting was held in the dwelling of Mr. Aaron Wal-
lace, afterwards of Mr. Amos Jones, on South Main
Street. It had twenty-two members, eight of whom
came from the Baptists. Prayer-meetings were held
in various parts of the town. The first love-feast was
had with Capt. William Gould, in the Bobbins
house, on High Street, near the North Cemetery.
The Sunday-school was organized in the summer of
1824, with three classes and twenty members, and
Charles Dodge as Superintendent. The first meeting-
house was begun in September, 1824, and dedicated
the Christmas following, Rev. John Lindsey preach-
ing the sermon. It was built, fifty by forty feet,
with galleries, and cost, all finished, less than two
thousand dollars, including two hundred and fifty
dollars, the price of the land. It stood where now
stands the residence of Mr. Robert .Tordan. Within
six months after this time, the society was called to
mourn the deaths of Dr. John Manning, Aaron
Treadwell, Sr. and Judge Sutton, three ardently ac-
tive friends.
In 1825 Mr. Wait joined the New England Con-
ference. Ipswich and Gloucester were made a cir-
cuit, and Rev. Aaron Wait .and Rev. Aaron Josselyn
were appointed Circuit preachers. The first Quar-
terly Conference for this circuit w,as held Septeniber,
1825, and there were present Rev. E. Hyde, Presiding
Elder; Rev. Aaron Wait and Rev. Aaron Josselyn,
Pastors; and Charles Dodge and Daniel B. Lord, of
Ipswich, and Thomas Hillard, of Gloucester, Stewards.
Mr. Wait was a native of M.alden, and was born
September 24, 1799. He united with the church
when quite young, and with the Conference in his
twenty-sixth year. His appointments were to Ips-
wich, Gloucester, Wilbraham and Ludlow. About
1830 he retired, though he preached, more or less,
till his death, September 1, 1864. His personal pres-
ence was good ; he was an easy, pleasant s])eaker, had
a fair pulpit ability and an unblemished Christian
character.
Rev. Aaron Josselyn w.as born in Pembroke
Miiy 4, 1804. He entered the ministry August 9,
1825, and continued twenty years, but preached occa-
sionally till age and infirmity disqualified him for
pulpit labor. He was an ardent advocate of Anti-
slavery, was a member of the Legislature three years,
a justice of the peace fourteen years and held various
town offices. He was thirty years a resident of
Duxbury, but now resides with his daughter, in East
Cambridge. This church h.ad a steady growth dur-
ing his ministry, and among the number added w.as
Apollos Hale, afterwards Rev. The number re-
turned for this circuit this year was forty-six.
1826. Rev. Nathan Paine. — The number re-
turned this year for this church was twenty-eight
member.^. Mr. Paine was born in Burrellville, R. I.,
September 30, 1791. He was converted in his seven-
teenth year, and soon received a license to preach.
He joined the New England Conference in 1815, and
continued in active service till 1853, a period of
thirty-eight years. In 1853 he took a superannuated
relation, and removed to New Bedford, where he
lived with his children, till his death, September 9,
1863. Says Rev. Dr. Allen: "He was remarkably
cheerful, affectionate and unpretentious ; he was wise
in counsel, and of unswerving integrity. He was a
true, earnest and faithful minister, and accomplished
great good, though his pulpit ability was not of the
highest order. Few ministers have lived of purer
character, of nobler purpose, of more unselfish aims
and of greater devotedness to their work. He was a
noble specimen of ministerial purity and goodness.
The closing years of his life were full of Christian joy
and hope."
1828. Rev. John Thompson Bureell. — Mr.
BurrcU was born in Lynn December 25, 1799, and he
died in Chelsea September 20, 1885. He qualified
for membership in the Conference under direction of
pastors, while a local preacher, and entered when he
was twenty-eight years old. This was his first pulpit,
to which he was returned in 1833 and 1834. He
preached in the Methodist Episcopal Ministry till
1850, then in the Methodist Protestant Ministry. His
were among the best pulpits. Rev. J. L. Estey re-
cords him as a man " of fine presence, of gentlemanly
bearing, of eloquent oratory and faithful instruction.
He was, wherever he labored, beloved and success-
ful.'' He is said to have been one of the most pleas-
ing and talented men ever stationed here. The mem-
IPSWICH.
001
ber.s returned for his fli-st year number fifty-two, and
the number returned for the two years is twenty pro-
bationers.
1829. Rev. Johx J. Blis^.— Mr. Bliss united with
the Conference iu 1826 or '27, and for about seven
years was an earnest, active and successful minister.
In 1834 he was excluded from the church, upon
charges that may not have affected his character,
and, it is tliought, went West. He was a man of
considerable ability, and had been highly esteemed
by those who knew him.
His pastorate here was very successful. Rev.
John N. Maffitt assisted and preached sixty successive
nights. The religious interest was so great that for
an entire week business was suspended, most of the
stores were clo.sed, the cotton-mills shut down for
want of help, and people seemed bent on seeking
"first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.''
The number returned for this year is two hundred.
1830. Rev. Jacob Sanborn. — Mr. Sanborn en-
tered the ministry in 1812, and continued fifty-five
years. He died March 16, 1867, at the age of seven-
ty-nine. During his pastorate a parsonage was
built.
1831. Rev. Enoch Mudge. — This man was the
first native Methodist preacher in New England. He
was born in Lynn June 28, 1776. He entered the
New England Conference when seventeen, received
Deacon's orders when nineteen, and Elder's when
twenty. He continued in active service fifty-seven
years. His fields of labor were chiefly in Maine.
In Massachusetts he was a member of the convention
to revise the State Constitution, and was two years a
member of the Legislature.
He occujjied this pulpit ten months and was called
to the responsible charge of the Seaman's Chape),
New Bedford. He remained there as chaplain of the
Port Society, abundant in labors and honored by all,
till 1844, when failing health compelled him to seek
repose. He went to his kindred at Lynn, where he
died April 2, 1850. Enoch Redington Mudge, the
famous Boston mill-agent, recently deceased, was his
son.
1832. Rev. Epaphras Kibby. — He served the
church well, and there was a steady growth. He en-
tered the ministry in 1798, and after a service of
forty-three years, died, August 16, 1864, at the age of
sixty-six years.
1833-34. Rev. J. F. Bcrrell.— This jiastor is
noticed in 1828, above.
1835. Rev. Newell S. Spauldixg. — During this
pastorate there was quite an extensive work of grace,
and fifty probationers were received. Mr. Spaulding
began to preach in 1822, and after a ministry of sixty-
two years, died August 17, 1884, at the age of eighty-
four years.
1836-37. Rev. Edward Murphy Beebe.— Dur-
ing this pastorate the church edifice was enlarged at
a cost of one thousand and forty dollars, and a bell
38i
was purchased at a cost of three hundred dollars,
raised by subscription. Mr. Beebe was in the minis-
try sixteen years. He died March 10, 1845, aged
forty years.
1838-39. Rev. Joel Knight.— Mr. Knight con-
tinued in the ministry thirteen yeais. While here
forty probationers were received. He died August
13, 1843, at the age of thirty-nine years.
1840-41. Rev. Daniel Wise, D.D.— This cluirch
kept the 1st day of January, 1841, with fasting and
prayer. It was the beginning of a very gracious re-
vival. The following winter was also a season of re-
freshing. Eighty-eight were received on probation.
Because of failing health, he resia:ned in March,
1842.
The doctor was born in Portsmouth, England, June
10, 1813. He was educated in the Portsmouth Gram-
mar School, a classical institution, under the patron-
age of the dean and canons of Christ Church, Oxford.
He removed to America in the summer of 1833. He
received the Master's degree in 1849, and the doctor-
ate in 1859, from tiie Wesleyan University, Jliddle-
towu, Conn. He was licensed to preach in 1834, or-
dained deacon in 1839, and elder in 1843. He has
published two books, highly recommended : " Boy
Travelers in Arabia," and " Our Missionary Heroes
and Heroines." He resides in Englewood, N. J.
1842. Rev. Daniel Webb. — During this pastor-
ate a steady growth was maintained, and " a few
valuable members were added to the church."
" Twenty-five members withdrew and joined the
' Methodist Wesleyan Church in the United States.'
Some of them soon returned." Mr. Webb was sixty-
nine years in the ministry, and died March 19, 1867,
aged eighty-nine years.
1843-44. Rev. John S. Springer. — In this pas-
torate the church edifice was re-modeled, and a new
pulpit constructed. The expense was about two hun-
dred and fifty dollars. He joined the Conference in
1839, and for seven years was a very successful min-
ister. In 1847, while stationed at Lowell, he with-
drew from the church. It is thought he stood well
in his Christian and moral character. He was a man
of considerable ability, was popular, and filled some
of the best puipits in the Conference.
1845. Rev. Joseph Denison, D.D. — Though he
left no special vestige of his service here, he was an
able and learned man. He was born in Bernardstou
October 1, 1815. He entered Wesleyan Academy,
Wilbraham, in 1833, and the sophomore class of the
Wesleyan L'niversity, Middletown, Conn., in 1837,
graduating in 1840. He taught the languages in
Amenia Seminary, Dutchess County, N. Y., three
years; he spent about twelve years in the ministry,
and in 1855 went to Kansas. He was one of the
founders of the State Agricultural College, and was
its president from 1863 to 1873, and was president of
Baker University from 1874 to 1879. He received
the doctorate from McKendree College. He is an
602
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ardent and active Prohibitionist. He is now presid-
ing elder of the Atchison District (Kansas) Confer-
ence, and resides in Atcliison.
1846-47. Re\'. Lorenzo R. Thayer. — During
this time a vestry, fil'ty by forty feet, was built, in the
rear of the church, at a cost of four hundred dollars,
and about twenty probationers were received. He
preached at the dedication of the new church edifice
in 1860. He was born in Winchester, N. H., De-
cember 2, ] 814. He studied for college in the New-
bury Seminary, Vt., and in 1841 graduated at the
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn, He
joined the New England Conference the same year.
He was stationed at Lynn in 1848-49; is now in
Newtonville.
1848. Rev. Stephen Gushing. — This pastorate
was pleasant, and attended with much spiritual inter-
est. Fifteen were received into the church. Mr.
Cashing was born in Boston March 15, 1813. He
was two years at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham,
and took a partial course in the Wesleyan University,
Middletown, Conn., in 1832. He entered the New
England Conference in June, 1833. He now resides
in Boston.
1849. Rev. Charles Baker. — During this pas-
torate about thirty were received on trial, He was
born in Scituate, E. I., April 7, 1798. He did not
graduate. After a ministry of forty-three years, he
died at Sonierville, August 16, 1864, aged sixty-six
years.
1850-51. Rev. Jajies Shepherd. — During the
first year of this pastorate the meeting-house was
again enlarged, at a cost of seven hundred and fifty
dollars. He preached twenty-two years. He died
May 22, 185o, at the age of fifty-three years.
1852. Rev. Mo.ses A. Howe.— With Mr. Howe
the New England Conference held its annual session.
He died January 27, 1861, aged sixty-one years, after
a successful ministry of twenty-two years.
1853-54. Rev. John William Dadman. — This
was a period of great harmony, in the church and
out of it. Mr. Dadman and Mr. Southgate made the
first pulpit exchange between the Methodist and
Congregational Churches, and the event marked a
new era in Christian fellowship among the good peo-
ple of the town. Mr. Dadman was born in Hub-
bardston, December 20, 1819. He entered Wesleyan
Academy, Wilbraham, in 1840, and graduated in
1842. Indigent circumstances obliged him to forego
a collegiate course, and he at once entered the minis-
try. He was licensed April 10, 1841, joined the
Conference June 29, 1842, and was ordained elder
May 3, 1846. His fields of labor have been Boston,
Worcester, Lowell, Roxbury and the we-stern part of
the State. The last twenty- two years he has been chap-
lain and superintendent of schools in the city insti-
tutions. Deer Island, Boston. One of his children,
Luella Jane, was born here June 30, 1853.
1855-56. — Rev. Jeremiah L. Hanafoed. At
this time there was another great outpouring of the
Divine Spirit, and one hundred and fifty were re-
ceived on trial, and Rev. George S. Noyes and Rev.
F. G. Morris were among them. Mr. Hanaford was
born June 7, 1824, at Northfield, Vt.
1857-58.— Rev. William Carpenter High. Mr.
High took up the good work and labored earnestly
and well. He baptized about sixty. He was born in
Waitsfield, Vt., March 30, 1822. He was educated at
the Montpelier Academy and the Newbury Semi-
nary. His first appointment was at Danvers (now
Peabody). He took a supernumerary relation, and
has since resided in Somerville. Mr. High conducted
several large revivals, and was generally considered a
successful minister.
1859-60.— Rev. C. L. Eastman. At this time the
present house of worship was built, and, marvelous
to relate, not a dollar was pledged. The trustees be-
came personally responsible for it. Their names
were Joseph Wait, Ezekiel Peabody, Oliver Under-
bill, Daniel L. Hodgkins, Daniel P. Nourse, William
H. Graves, Abraham D. Wait, James M. Wellington,
Frederick Willcomb, ever worthy of remembrance.
The size of the house is eighty-four by sixty-two feet;
chancel, twenty-nine by eleven feet ; vestibule, eight
and a half feet wide; tower, eighteen feet square;
and several hundred sittings. Rev. George Bowler
was the architect, and our townsman, William H.
Smith, the contractor. The cost was twelve thousand
dollars, including the site. It was dedicated January
8, 1861, Rev. L. R. Thayer, noticed above, preaching
the sermon. Mr. Eastman was born in Weare, N. H.,
June 11, 1822. He joined the conference in 1844.
His pulpits have been among the most onerous and
best. He now resides in Chelsea.
1861-62.— Rev. Austin F. Heerick. Mr. Her-
rick was born in Otis, June 17, 1824. He entered
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1849 ;
but left before graduation, and entered the Biblical
Institute, Concord, N. H. (now the Theological
School of Boston University), graduating in 1852.
He joined the conference, at the session with this
church, April 27, 1853. He came here as pastor on
that memorable April 19, 1861. In two or three
months, Ipswich's first company for the war, in full
military dress, on the Sabbath before marching, wor-
shipped with his church. Those were years of
thrilling events, and of general prosperity to this
church ; some twenty were received on trial.
1863.— Rev. Joseph Chapman Cromack. This
clergyman was born in Boston, May 11, 1812, to
Joseph and Judith Millett Cromack, who were some-
time of Amesbury. He was educated at Wesleyan
Academy, Wilbraham, and was licensed to preach in
1835.
1864-65. — Rev. I. J. P. Collyer. This pastor was
in the ministry twenty-eight years. While stationed
here, twenty persons were received on trial. He died
May 7, 1872.
IPSWICH.
603
1866-68.— Rev. Jesse Wagnee. Mr. AVagner
was born in Williamsburg, Pa., August 14, 1835. He
graduated at the Methodist Biblical Institute, Con-
cord, N. H., iu 18()1, and entered the ministry the
following year. While here, by his personal eflbrts>
an organ was bought at an expense of two thousand
dollars, and twenty probationers were received.
1869-70. — Rev. Charles Atwood Merrill.
Tills pastor is a native of Woodstock, Me. He grad-
uated at the Biblical Institute, Concord, X. H. While
located here, twenty persons were received on proba-
tion.
1871-72.— Rev. Charles H. Haxafoed. Mr.
Hanaford was born at Northfield, N. H. He was
educated at the New Hampshire Conference Semi-
nary, without graduation. He entered the ministry
in 1858, and joined the New England Conference in
April, 1859. The semi-centennial of the establish-
ment of the church was celebrated in this pastorate>
when money enough was raised to liquidate the debt
of the society, and also a large part of the cost of the
present parsonage. Twenty-eight persons were re-
ceived on probation the first year.
1873-75.— Rev. E. A. Smith. Mr. Smith is a
native of Howard, Pa. He fitted for the Junior Class
of Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport. He afterwards
taught three years there, filling the chair of natural
sciences one year. In 1858 he joined the New Hamp-
shire Conference, and graduated at the Biblical Insti-
tute, Concord, in June, 1859. He preached in the
chief cities in the State, built the Main Street Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, at Nashua, had extensive re-
vivals in many of the churches, and bought and built
several parsonages. He entered the New England
Conference in 1873, and while stationed here, the
society built and furnished a parsonage, at an ex-
pense of nearly six thousand dollars; and, in Decem-
ber, 1873, a great revival began, whicli continued
nearly a year. More than three hundred persons
knelt at the altar, and persons of all ages, from seven
to eighty-five, were among the converts.
1876-^77.— Rev. Frederick Woods, D.D. Dr.
Woods is a native of St. John's, Newfoundland. He
studied in Sackville Academy, N. B., (Tcne-see Col-
lege, Lima, N. Y., and graduated in 1859, at AV'es-
leyan University, Middletown, Conn., where he re-
ceived the Master's degree in 1862. He joined the
New England Conference in 1859, and has done very
efficient pulpit service. He has published several
sermons and addresses. He preached the baccalaure-
ate sermon at Mount Alleston University, Sackville,
N. B., 1886, and received the doctorate. His service
in this pulpit was efficient and progressive.
1878. — Rev. Geouge Whitaker. This pastor
was born in Boston, May 14, 1836. His father w.as a
government official, son of Rev. Junathan Whitaker,
of Sharon and New Bedford, and nephew of Rev.
David T. Kimball, of the First Church. George pre-
pared for college at the Wesleyan Academy, Wil bra-
ham, graduated at Wesleyan University, Middletown,
Conn., in 1861, and entered the ministry the same
year. He was presiding elder of the Springfield Dis-
trict, 1874-77. His pastorate here was very satisfac-
tory. The church was repainted, frescoed and gener-
ally improved; the society debt of about three thous-
and three hundred dollars was canceled ; and a
gracious revival blessed the church.
1879-80.— Rev. P. M. Vinton.
1881-82.— Rev. Charles Nelson Smith. Mr.
Smith was born in Brookfield, Vt., December 14,
1816. He studied at Newbury Seminary, entered
college, but did not graduate. In 1865 he received
the Master's degree from W^esleyan University, Mid-
dletown. He joined the conference July, 1842, was
presiding elder in New Hampshire one year, and iu
Massachusetts one year; he has had nine two-year
pastorates, four three-year pastorates, and was a mem-
ber of the General Conference iu 1856. He has built
and repaired several churches, and by the blessing of
Heaven has had his full share of success. He re-
ported his full membership to be two hundred and
sixty-one.
1883-84.— Rev. Charles T. John.son. He was
born in Lynn — now Nahant — October 16, 1838. His
father was a grocer there nearly fifty years, and was
postmaster thirty-two years. He studied at Wesleyan
Academy, Wilbraham, and graduated at Wesleyan
University, Middletown, Conn., in 1863, and entered
the ministry the same year. His pastorate here was
blessed, the society prospered, several united with the
church. The membership reported was two hundred
and seventy-eight full members and thirty-two i)roba-
tioners.
1885.— Rev. John Galbraith, Pn. D. Dr. Gal-
braith is a graduate of Wesleyan University, Middle-
town, Conn., whence he received the Master's degree in
1882. He is also a o-raduate of Boston University,
whence he received the degree of Doctor of Philoso-
phy in 1886. The preseut church membership is two
hundred and thirty-six full members and forty-two
probationers.
the unitarian society.
A society of this belief was formed in 1830, the
several churches contributing to the membership.
Their services were held in the court-house till, at a
cost of three thousand dollars or more, they built a
church edifice, which was dedicated October 23, 1833.
They continued a worshiping congregation some six
or seven years, and then formally dissolved. A few
years later — 1843 — they sold their house of worship
to the town for a town-house, at a price not exceeding
two thousand dollars. The house, with alterations
and additions, is th'; present town-house, and the
pews are those of the Linebrook Church.
ST. JOSEPHS catholic SvCIETY.
This is a mission society. At first it belonged to
Rev. Father Teeling's parish in Newburyport, but in
604
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1871 was transferred to Rev. William H. Ryan's par-
ish in Beverly. They have a very pretty church edi-
fice, which was completed in 1872. The society con-
sists of about five hundred and fifty wor.-hipers.
Conclusion — The proportion of service, by the vari-
ous denominations, is about as follows : The First
Church, by its double pastorates and colleagues, 355
years; the South, 140 years; the Linebrook, 1.38
years; the Methodist, 65 years; the Episcopal, 26
years ; the Catholic, about 20 years ; the Baptist, 17
years; and the Unitarian, 7 years, making a total of
more than 750 years for one man, which is equivalent
to three pastorates for the actual time. The several
pastors and assistants have been, almost to a man,
liberally educated. They have brought an apparent
zeal to their work, and a good conception of their
duty therein. They have been watchi'ul, diligent, la-
borious, prayerful. A good proportion of them have
been dignified, trusty, efficient leaders. They have
been able to read the signs of the times, to under-
stand the needs of their people, and to utilize circum-
stances, as well as actual means. They have watched
the ripening grain in their respective fields of labor,
and gathered their gracious harvests ; their doctrines
have been a leaven that has permeated the whole
mass of the populace ; that has endowed the legisla-
tor, the justice, the mariner, the mechanic, the manu-
facturer, the farmer; that has impeded crime and
corrected the erring ; that has superinduced a nobler,
truer, more earnest and more efiijctive manhood ; and
has first, last and midst, been our people's enlighten-
ment and guide. Such is our hope of the future.
CHAPTER XLIV.
IPSWICH— ( Contmued).
EDUCATIONAL.
Initial Status. — It has been said that the Plymouth
Colony had only one University man, the Elder
Brewster, while the Massachusetts Bay Colony was
noted for its men of wealth, social position and edu-
cation. Ipswich, in this respect, was a representative
town — not a whit behind the metropolis in mental
and educational influence and ability. She under-
stood and appreciated the value of a varied learning
practical and polite, of a thorough knowledge of
home arts and .social culture, and of the acquisition
of ancieut history, literature and tongues; and to this
end she was willing to contribute, even to a sacrifice,
to obtain them.
Wliy Latin '? — It may be asked why our forefathers
so valued a knowledge of the ancient languages, es-
pecially the Latin, as to give them immediate at-
tention. Doubtless they studied them for the same
reasons we do to-day, but we apprehend that they did
then chiefly because they were intensely English ;
and on that ground anything that did not conflict
with or savor of religious tenets must be intensely
English also. The Latin language, at that time, was
in its old age, only dead in the sense that it had
passed the period of its growth. It may be said to
have been the language of the time, the English
tongue sharply vying with it for the supremacy. It
embodied the laws of the realm and Biblical ex-
egesis, and scientific essays and important documents
were presented in it. The learned addressed their
compeers in public assemblies, and statecraft was
orally discussed in its elegant phrases. Queen Eliza-
beth spoke it, and Lord Bacon, " the great glory of
literature," composed most of his writings in it. The
devotion, benefactions and labors of our emigrant
ancestors in the matter of schools excites not our
wonder so much as our gratitude. The kind and de-
gree of learning at their native lioraes must be the
kind and degree here, so far as practicable; and while
the exigences of the occasion made the family a
school in the rudiments, and the mother the teacher,
a grammar school, in the English sense, was early es-
tablished for preparing young men for college.
The Grammar School. — According to the records, a
grammar school was "set up'' in 1636, and Lionel
Chute appears to have been the teacher. The record
further states that the school did "not succeed." It
began some two years after the incorporation of the
town, and the young town doubtless made no appro-
priation for its support. Its success would have been
phenomenal. Mr. Chute died in 1G44 or '45.
The School Endowed. — This attempt of Master
Chute was followed by "several overtures and en-
deavors among the inhabitants for settling a Grammar
School," which failed to realize their object, as did
he. The spirit of education, however, had taken pos-
session of the public mind, and when about 1649,
Robert Paine, the leading spirit in the endeavor,
offered to " erect an edifice for the purpose, provided
the town or any particular inhabitant of the town
would devote, sett apart or give any land or other
annuity for the yearly maintenance of such one as
should be fitt to keep a Grammar School." The town
accordingly, January 11, 1650, granted to Robert
Paine, Mr. William Paine, Major Denison and Mr.
Bartholomew in trust " for the use of schools all that
neck beyond Chebacco River and the rest of the
ground (up to Gloucester line) adjoining to it."
Soon after this the land w'as leased to John Cogswell,
his heirs and assigns, for the space of one thousand
years, at an annual rental of fourteen pounds. The
tenants began to build upon the land as early as
1723, and a part of the village of Essex now occupies
a large portion of it, and the rent continues to be
paid.
The citizens are now i'ully awake to the occasion,
and give body, shape and ))urpose to the enterprise
by ordaining, January 26, 1651, the following:
IPSWICH.
605
" 'rite Feoffees. — For tlio better onlcring of the scliool and the affiiirs
thereof, Sir. Siiiioniis, Mr. Rofigers, Ulr. Norton, M.aj. Denison.SIr. liob-
ert Paine, 51r. William Paine, ]\lr. Hubbard, Ilea. Wliipple, BIr. Ilar-
tholoniew were chosen a committee to receive all sncli hums of money as
liave or shall be given toward the building or maintaining of a Gram-
mar School and school-master, and to disburse finA dispose .such sums as
are given to provide a school-house and scliool-master's house either in
building or purchasing the saiil house with all convenient speed. And
such sums of money, parcels of land, rents or annuities as are or shall
be given towards to the maintenance of a scliool-master they shall le-
ceive and dispose of to the school-master that they shall call or choose
to that office from time to time to his maintenance, which they have
power to enlarge by appointing from year to year what each scholar
shall yearly or quarterly pay or proportionately ; who shall also have
full power to regulate all matters concerning the school-master and
scholars, as in their wisdom they think meet from time to time ; who
shall also consider the best way to nuike i>rovisions for teaching to write
and cast accounts."
In 1652 Mr. Robert Paine purchased a house, witli
two acres of hxnd belonging to it, for the use of the
school-master, and in IG08, at his own expense, as
per agreement, erected an edifice upon the land for
the grammar school, and October 4, 1.683, he and his
wife gave the house and land to the town for the
school's use. About the same time Mr. William
Hubbard gave about an acre of land adjoining the
school-master's house. In 1650 Mr. John Cross "se-
cured" on his farm near Kowlcy a perpetual annuity
often shillings towards a free school in the town. In
1696 the town grants ten acres of marsh at Castle
Keck. These gifts were sold by order of the General
Court in 1836, and netted the feoffees about three
thousand two hundred dollars. In 166U Mr. William
Paine gave the land near the mouth of the river called
Little Neck. In 1661 "the barn erected by Ezekiel
Cheever and the orchard planted by him were, after
his removal to Charlestown, bought by the feotl'ees,''
as the trustees were then and have since been called,
and presented by them ibr the school-master's use or
for rent.
We can hardly say too much in praise of the exer-
tions, devotion, benefactions and leading spirit of the
original donor of this school. Me. Robert Paine.
He was timely, efficient, provident, public-spirited,
noble, wealthy, generous. Of a hundred and Hfty-
five subscriptions "to encourage Major Denison in
his military helpfulness," Mr. Paine's was the largest,
to be paid annually. He was a ruling elder in the
church, ranking next to the minister. He was repre-
sentative three years. He was county trca-urer from
1665 till his resignation in 1683, the year before he
died, at the age of eighty-three years.
William Paine, brother of the above, seems to
have been wealthy and active for the public good.
He removed to Boston about 1656, where he died
October 10, 1660. He was buried in the Granary
Cemetery, and his tombstone forms a part of the
basement wall of the Athenreum. Besides his liberal
bequest to our Grammar School, he gave twenty
pounds to Harvard College.
Mr. William Hubbard, another original bene-
factor of the school, came with the elder Winthroj> to
Boston in 1630, and settled in this town in 1635. He
was representative six years between 1638 and 1646.
In 1()51 he was commissioned to solcinnizp marriages,
clergymen at that time being denied such authority.
He removed to Boston in 1662, where he died in
1670. He left a large estate. Two of his children,
Richard and William, the historian and colleague of
Rev. Mr. Norton in our pulpit, were profes.sors of the
school.
The Board of Feoffees consisted originally of nine
members ; in 1662 the town voted that the number be
"increased to nine." In 1664 the number was ten,
but after the death of Robert Paine, Jr., the number
never appears greater than nine. The town by vote,
April 7, 1687, ordered the selectmen to obtain deeds
of all the school lands, tliat they may know the power
the feoflees have to order the schools; and J[ay 19th,
of the same year, voted that the former feoffees now
living (Rev. William Hubbard, Robert Paine and
Elder and Captain John Appleton) with the select-
men shall manage the schools till further action by
the town. If this vote was inoperative or eflective we
know not. Vacancies in the board seem to have been
filled by the remaining members without reference to
any action of the town. Their history for the colo-
nial period seems to have been only the routine work
of the school.
The First Master. — The first master of the school
was Ezekiel Cheever. He kept it ten years. He then
n^moved to Charlestown and afterwards to Boston,
where he was master of the Boston Latin School. He
was born in London, England, January 25, 1615, and
died in Boston August 25, 1708, at the great age of
ninety-three years and seven months, after seventy
years of tedious labor as school-master.
In six years from the opening of the school this
town had six students in Harvard College. They
were Robert Paine, son of the founder of the school ;
John Emerson, son of Thomas, and afterwards minis-
ter of Gloucester; Nathaniel Saltonstall, son of Rich-
ard, and afterwards minister of Haverhill; Ezekiel,
Rogers, son of Rev. Nathaniel; Samuel Cheever, son
of the master; Samuel Belcher, son of Jeremy, min-
ister of the Isle of Shoals and later of Newbury.
Other pupils of Master Cheever's, who were students
in Harvard, were William Wittingham, son of John ;
Samuel Cobbett, son of Rev. Thomas; and Samuel
Symonds, sou of the deputy-governor.
Mr. Cheever's successor was Thomas Andrews,
who began August 1, 1660, and kept it twenty-three
years. During this time Ipswich sent to Harvard
College Samuel Bishop; Samuel and Daniel Epcs,
sons of Daniel; John Norton, son of William and
nephew of Rev. John; John Rogers, son of President
John of Harvard; John Denison, son of John and
grandson of (General Daniel, and pastor-elect of this
church; Francis Wainwright; and Diiniel Rogers,
another son of the president, and many years master
of the school. Mr. Andrews died July 10, 1683, and
606
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
left a considerable property to his relatives, probably
never having married.
Mr. Noadiah Russell, of Cambridge, succeeded
Mr. Andrews, and took charge of the school October
31, 1683. He was a graduate of Harvard in 1681.
He continued master of the school till his resignation
February 23, 1686-87, when he was succeeded by Mr.
Daniel Rogers.
Mr. Rogers' mastership completed the colonial pe-
riod and began the provincial, probably from 1687 to
1715. It was during his service, also, that the old
school-house was abandoned, having been the subject
of extensive repairs several times, and the new rooms
in the court and town-house occupied, which change
was made abont 1704.
From Mr. Rogers' tuition fifteen pupils entered
Harvard College, among whom were John Wade, son
of Colonel Thomas; Francis Goodhue, son of Deacon
William; Jeremiah and Henry Wise, sons of Rev.
John ; John Perkins, son of Abraham ; William
Burnham, who became a minister; Benjamin Choate,
son of John ; Francis and John Wainwright; John
Denison, son of Rev. John ; Nathaniel Appleton, son
of Colonel John, and afterwards minister of Cam-
bridge; and Francis Cogswell, son of Jonathan.
Made a Free School. — The town and feoflees agreed
April 8, 1714, to make the Grammar School fur the
present year " absolutely free to all such scholars be-
longing to the town." The town appropriated twen-
ty-five pounds and chose a committee, who with the
feoffees, provided a master, who shall attend "con-
stantly in teaching grammar scholars and also Eng-
lish scholars, to perfect them in reading and instruct
them in writing and ciphering." Master Rogers is
sketched as registrar of probate.
Ebenezer Gay, who graduated at Harvard in
1714, was the next teacher for one year, and had a
salary of fifty-six pounds. He was afterwards the
celebrated Dr. Gay, of Hingham. He was followed
by Mr. Thomas Norton, who was master in 1716.
He was a deacon. His son, Thomas, graduated at
Harvard in 1725, and taught this school ten years,
1729-39, under the direction of the selectmen.
Benjamin Crocker took the school June 4, 1717,
at a salary of eighty pounds, old tenor, and left it
November, 1719 [1718?]. He taught afterwards two
years, 1746-47, at a salary of one hundred pounds,
old tenor, and again two years, 1759-60. He gradu-
ated at Harvard in 1713. He was feolTee 1749-64; he
occasionally preached. Deacon John, of the First
Church, was his son.
Revolution in School. — At this date began the period
of contention and revolution in the school. For the
encouragement of the school the town voted, May 8,
1718, to make up sixty pounds to the school, if neces-
sary, after the collection of rents and a tuition of
twenty shillings per scholar, for that year. The se-
lectmen, it was voted November 5, 1718, shall provide
" with all convenient speed " a master for the rest of
the present year. The town chose a committee Feb-
ruary 9, 1719, to eject the tenants of the great farm,
leased to John Cogswell, and release it for a period
not exceeding twenty-one years. Rev. John Rogers
and Rev. Jabez Fitch enter their protests. The dis-
satisfaction .seems to be "especially of the younger
sort." The town voted June 6, 1720, to hire a gram-
mar school teacher; and also chose a committee to
recover the great farm, and re-lease it for twenty-one
years. The town thus took control of the school and
the school property ; the feoffees entered their protest
in their records and retired. The tenants of the great
fartn. took advantage of the quarrel and refused to pay
the rent till it might be determined who was entitled
to receive it. The town January 4, 1720-21, consti-
tuted John Wainwright, Ens. George Hart and Mr.
Thomas Boardman trustees, to eject all persons in
possession of school lands, but failed in the Court of
Common Pleas March, 1722, to establish their claim.
An inadvertence of the clerk failed to enter their ap-
peal to the Superior Court, and Sarah, the widow of
John Cogswell, still held possession.
In 1721 the town brought an action at law against
the tenants of the school farm, and in 1729 Giffbrd
Cogswell is ordered to pay £100 in adjustment of the
claims, which sum was apportioned to the several
parts of the town according to their proportion of the
Province tax, whence dates the beginning of the dis-
trict school system.
Reading a7id Writing School. — The above appropri-
ation of £100 probably lasted about three years ; but
no other is recorded till after the town is required,
April 26, 1739, to answer to the Court of General
Sessions, for not maintaining a Reading and Writing
School according to law. Then, March 4, 1739-40,
the tow'n appropriated £150 for both the grammar
and the reading and writing schools, put them un-
der one teacher and began the practice of moving
them at the judgment of the selectmen. The appro-
priations were thus applied while the town had con-
trol of the school property.
Incorporation. — In 1749 Jonathan Wade was the
only survivor of the feoffees, and February 10th, of
that year, he filled the vacancies by appointments ;
but in 1756, the General Court incorporated Thomas
Berry, Daniel Appleton and Samuel Rogers, E-qs.,
with Mr. Benjamin Crocker, on the part of the pri-
vate persons who granted lands for the school, to-
gether with Francis Wash, Esq., Capt. Nathaniel
Treadwell and Mr. John Patch, Jr., three of the board
of selectmen of the town, a Joint Committee, or
Feoffees in Trust, with full power to grant leases, re-
cover rents and annuities, appoint masters, regulate
their salaries, appoint clerk and treasurer and if
necessary, impose a tuition. The act was limited to
ten years ; it was, at the end of the period, continued
twenty-one years ; and at the end of that period, or
February 14, 1787, it was made perpetual, the feoffees
representing private persons filling vacancies in their
IPSWICH.
607
number, while the three senior members nf the suc-
cessive Hoards ol' Selectmen represent the town.
Masters. — Mr. Henry Wisk was the first master
in the employ of the selectmen. He accepted the
trust June 20, 1720, and continued eight years. His
salary was £5.5. Tho:ma.s Norton, Jr., before men-
tioned, succeeded and continued ten years. After
him was D.\niel Staniford, a graduate of Harvard
in 1738, who continued five years, 1740— 1.5. He was
master of botii schools, at a salary of £80. He was
afterwards a successful merchant ; and also a Repre-
sentative three years. His successor was Benj,\.min
Crocker, above mentioned, who taught two years,
1746-47, at a salary of £150. John Dennis taught
in 1753, for the school rents. In 1754 the town
claimed to have conducted the affairs of the school
for more than twenty years ; yet she practically re-
lin(juished the school at the close of Mr. Crocker's
mastership.
Under the act of incorporation, the fir_st master was
8a>iuel Wiggleswouth, sou of Rev. Samuel of the
Hamlet. He graduated at Harvard in 1752, and
taught the school two years, 1757-58. His salary was
£40. He afterwards practiced medicine. Ben.jaj[IN
Crocker, before mentioned, tauglit two years, 1759-
00. Joseph How succeeded and taught one year,
17(51. His salary was £33 Gs. Sd. He graduated at
Harvard in 1758, married Elizabeth, daughter of
Hon. Thomas Berry and died March 2(>, 1762, at the
aee of twenty-five, and his wife May 6, 1759, at the
age of twenty-two years. Daniei, Noyes, who is
sketched in " Registrars of Probate," kept the school
thirteen yeans, 1762-73 and 1780, at a salary of £46
IM.f. 4(/. Thoma.s Burnham, a graduate of Harvard,
in 1722, kept the school five years from 1774, at a
salary of £50, and than entered the army, where he
attained the rank of major, .\fter the war he taught
six years, 1786-91 ; then one year, 1793; then eleven
years, 1807-17, when, in 1815, the income was .'S205.-
78, a total .service of twenty-three years. Nathan-
ii:l Dodge, a graduate of Harvard in 1777, taught
two years, 1779 and '84. Jacor Ki.mball, a gradu-
ate of Harvard in 1780, taught one year, 1781. Rev.
John Treadwei.]., a graduate of Harvard in 1758,
taught two years, 1783 and '85. Daniel and Joseph
Dana, graduates of Dartmouth College iu 1788,
taught two years, 1792 and '93 respectively, at a sal-
ary of £65. Sa.muei. Dana, a brother of the above
Daniel and Joseph, and son of Rev. Joseph, of the
South Parish, and a graduate of Harvard in 1796,
taught three years, 1797-99, when, in 1797, the in-
come was $139.66. Joseph JIcKean, a graduate of
Harvard in 1794, taught three years, 1794-96. His
salary was £80. He became a minister and a professor
in Harvard College. Amos Choate, a graduate of
Harvard in 1795, taught seven yeare, 1800-6. He
was afterwards registrar of deeds for the county.
Ui'.oRGE Choate, a graduate of Harvard in 1818,
taught four years, 1818-21. Richard Kimball
taught nine weeks in 1822, "for the income of the
school lands." Charles Cho.^te, son of Hon.
,lohu, taught in 182-3-24 on the same terms. Steph-
en CoBURN taught in 1825; Richard Ki.mball in
1826, when the income was$l65.23 ; Jame.s W. Ward
in 1827; Nathan Brown in 1828; Daniel Perley
in 1829; David Tenney Kimrall, Jr., in 1830;
Joseph Hale in 1831-33, when, in 1831, the income
was $163.61 ; Tolman Willey in 1834 ; Dan Weed,
Jr., in 1835-40 ; Ebenezer S. Stevens in !1841 ;
Dan Weed, Jr., in 1842-45; George W. Tewk.s-
BURY in 1846; Ezra W. Gale in 1847-48; Caleb*
Lamson in 1849. Arrangements were made with
Rev. John P. Cowles, of the Seminary, to instruct
the grammar scholars, at forty cents a week, per
capita, 1850 ; then with the town for a High School,
wherein Benjamin P. Chute taught, 1851-52; Jo-
seph A. Shores, 1853-56 ; Issachar Lefavour, of
Beverly, 1856-74. In 1874, when the present Man-
ning School was established, the feoffees arranged
with the trustees and town, to meet the obligation of
the enfeoffment, and pradicalhj have contributed since
then three hundred dollars annually.
Present TnJue of the Fund. — The condition of this
trust, March 28, 1887, according to the treasurer's re-
port, was as follows: "26f old rights in Jefi'rev's
Neck, 2 house-lots in Revere, school-farm in Esse.x,
Little Neck, deposit in Savings Bank, town notes,
Lynn water-bond and cash, valued at $11,514, and
yielding an income of about $500."
The school has been practically in the control of
the town from a very early period, by right, assump-
tion, or agreement, and since 1851 has been popular-
ly called the Ipswich High School. Along near the
close of the first century, and again near the close of
the second, it was less efficient than at other times;
and jierhaps, on the whole, has not attained to the
very high distinction hoped for by its founders, yet it
has been a permanent good always, and most of the
time of excellent worth. The trust is now ra|)idly
growing in pecuniary value, and wisely managed, as
now, will be in the future a large and efficient educa-
tional support.
THE manning school.
The Foiiiider. — This school was established in 1874.
Dr. Thomas Manning, from whom it took i(s name,
was the founder. He was son of Dr. John Manning,
who <lied in 1824, at the age of eighty-si.v years, after
a long, useful, public service, especially given — aside
from his professional service — to the cause of educa-
tion. Dr. Thomas inherited his father's sterling
i|Ualities, his generous public spirit, and |)erchance
excelled him. He was devoted to the prosperity of
the town, energetic in advancing her business inter-
ests, and, when in age he bethought him " to set his
house in order," as a crowning service of his life, he
devoted the greater part of his ample fortune to the
purpose of establishing "a High Schocd in the town of
Ipswich, which should be free to the youth of the
town of both sexes."
He was born February 7, 1774, and died Febriniry
3,1854. He gave the property to Richard H. Man-
ning, of Brooklyn, Francis C. Jlanning, of Boston —
brothers — and Francis H. Blanchard, of Wallham, in
trust, and provided that the school-house should lie
built and the school begun in the year of the one
hundredth anniversaiy of his birth, the cost not to ex-
ceed one-third of the devise.
The Trust. — The doctor's son, however, thought that
his father's long and serious illness in his old age had
608
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
improperly influenced the making his will, which
made what was thought by many an inadequate pro-
vision for liim, and he contested it, and it was disal-
lowed. The son tlien paid all the minor bequests, and,
to carry out the views of his father, generously gave
'the trustees, in 18.57, about one-third of the i-emain-
der, the sum of $10,000.
Here Mr. Blanchard declined to serve and Mr. Otis
Kimball was elected to the vacancy. The board thus
constituted made and declared the deed of trust. In
1869 Mr. F. C. Manning died, and Mr. Joseph Ross,
of Ipswich, was elected to his place; and in April,
1874, Dr. Y. G. Hurd was appointed a trustee in place
of Otis Kimball, who had then died. About thi>
time Otis Kimball, Jr., was elected.
Other BcqueUs. — When tlie century was nearly
completed and the house was to be built, and the
fund was found too small to meet the desired end,
providentially came to hand the generous bequest of
$4000 from Dr. Joseph Green Cogswell, of New
York and Cambridge, one of Ipswich's most distin-
guished sons and a gentleman of unusual scholarly
attainments. About this time, too, one of the trus-
tee, Mr. Richard H. Manning, contributed the
princely sum of $15,000. The present condition of
the trust, exclusive of the buildings and land, which
cost $32,000, is about $40,000.
The House and Appointments. — The school-house is
a two-story, square structure, with mansard roof, and
has rooms for cabinets, apparatus and recitations,
and, on the third floor, a spacious and .serviceable
hall. The architectural design was by Edward R.
Brown; the interior design, by George W. Archer;
the trustee supervision of the work, by Joseph Ross
and Dr. Y. G. Hurd ; and the design of the furniture,
by Joseph L. Ross — all Ipswich men.
The cabinets illustrative of natural history and
mineralogy, and the apparatus for chemical and
philosophical e.xperiments are excellent. In 1842
Mr. Abraham Hammatt donated to the school his pri
vate cabinet of minerals, which, with additions pre-
sented by friends of the school, is now large, choice
and weU arranged.
Its Dedication. — Thus the trustees were enabled to
meet the desire of the founder in establishing the
school. It was dedicated in the afternoon of Wed-
nesday, August 26, 1874. The exercises were con-
ducted by the trustees and the school committee of
the town, and consisted of addresses, the reading of
a paper on the Genealogy of the Manning Family,
and music. The president of the trustees, in his
opening addresses, remarked: "The noble legaties of
the dead and more noble gifts of the living have
completed and furnished a structure which the citi-
zens of Ipswich may look upon with grateful pride
and satisfaction."
Mr. R. H. Manning, secretary and treasurer of the
trustees, on the same occasion .said, that the equip-
ments of the school were ample to prepare students
for professional studies, but its special object was " to
lay the foundation, and do what time and opportunity
may allow towards the superstructure of a useful
education of a!l the children of the town." " The
school has but little to do with regularly organized
religious matters." It was open for " all who are
qualified to receive its instructions without distinc-
tion of sex, color, race or religion." " While, there-
fore, it will be quite within its province to do
much for those who intend to make literary pursuits
the business of their lives, its pur|)ose will rather be
to provide an education which, through its general
influence as well as by its special teaching, shall
tend to make all who receive it able to perform the
common duties and enjoy the common blessings of
life ; to make them better observers and thinkers,
and consequently better farmers, engineers and men
of business; and also, by laying a good foundation,
better lawyers and doctors and ministers and states-
men ; and above all, better neighbors and citizens ;
better and manlier men and bettor and more
womanly women."
T/ie Principals. — The teachers have been Martin
H. Fiske, 1874-80; George N. Cross, 1881-82; A. M.
O.sgood, 1883-84; and George M. Smith, the pi-esent
incumbent. The school has graduated one hundred
and twenty-three pupils, and is now, more than ever,
growing in popular tavor and influence.
The Trustees. — The Board of Trustees, as at present
constituted, is Dr. Yorick G. Hurd, president; Rich-
ard H. Manning, secretary and treasurer; Joseph
Ross, Otis Kimball and Theodore F. Cogswell.
Richard Henry Manning.^ — The subject of
this sketch was born in Ipswich, February 1, 1809.
His name at fir.st was Henry. It was after his
father's death, which occurred in 1815, that he as-
sumed his name. His mother, whose maiden-name
was Lydia Pearson, died when he was only a few
months old, and soon after he was taken home by his
grandfather, Dr. John Manning, and his wife, Lucy
BoUes, with whom his father also lived until his
death. The grandfathf-r was a leading pioneer of
woolen manufacturing in Massachusetts, if not the
first. The father also engaged in this business in the
old building which stood where the "Caldwell Block"
now stands. A good mathematician and surveyor, he
was, for one winter at least, master of the district
school, and his little son, six years old wlien liis
father died, was subject to his instruction. The death
of his grandmother, with whom his early years were
very happy, consigned him to the care of his paternal
aunts, whose good intentions sometimes failed of
meeting the requirements of the sensitive and grow-
ing boy. It was probably on this account that he
acceded to their plan for sending him to Diimmer
Academy, in Byfteld, where the preceptor was Nehe-
miah Cleaveland, who had married his cousin, Abby
P. Manning. But it was a heart-breaking business to
leave his grandfather, who had been very kind to
him and to whom he was very necessary, and he dared
not trust himself to say good-bye, but stole away early
in the morning. The experience entered on so pain-
fully was very beneficial, Mr. and Mrs. Cleaveland
proving admirable directors of his studies and help-
ing the formation of his character with affectionate
and judicious guidance of his habits and his tastes.
To a period of repression succeeded a period of
genial growth. " I have often thought," he wrote not
long before his death, " that if I had grown up from
> By Rev, Jobii W. Chadwick, Brooklyn, N.T.
^^m^
/S^y'Ml
/:lA-^^*-^-,
^
IPSWICH.
608a
early childliood with more sunshine and less wind, I
should not hiive. wrapped the cloak of reserve so
closely about me, and might have been less censo-
rious, of gentler and more considerate speech, and
altogether a more agreeable member of society." But
if he ever was censorious, harsh, or inconsiderate, it
must have been at a period to which the memory of
his later friends did not go bacl<.
In 1825, after about eighteen months at liyfield, his
school-days came to an end, and on the day l)efore tlie
laying of the corner stone of Bunker Hill Monument,
June 24th, he entered on his business life in Boston,
which continued with a single change of employers
till he removed to Philadel|)liia in 1831. At this
time his intellectual tendency of mind and earnest-
ness of character Inul already sensibly declared them-
selves. With no taste for dissipation, refusing the
summer evening punch and winter Sunday toddy
proffered by his employer, in whose family he lived,
he devoted his leisure hours to the reading of well-
cliosen books and to various literary exercises under
the auspices of the Mercantile Library Association, of
which he was a director. He was a lover of the poets
as well as of the historians and novelists, and could
"drop into poetry" himself upon occasion, once
keeping up for some time a tilt of verse, incrxjiiitn, with
Mrs. Frances Osgood, not unknown to fame; and he
never got to be so practical or scientific but that he
could revert to this early habit. He was fond of re-
vising the hymns sung at church in accordance with
his scientific predilections, and he often turned a
graceful rhyme to bless some birthday festival or
other happy anniversary of home and friends.
Within a year after his going to Philadelphia he be-
came a partner in the firm of Farnsworth & Manningi
and the confidence with which he had inspired his
employer in Boston was evidenced by his willingnesB
to go security for him to the amount of several
thousand dollars. In Boston he had not taken kindly
to the Unitarianism of his employer, but in Phila-
delphia, coining under the influence of Dr. Furness,
he became an ardent Unitarian, and with increasing
liberality and growing satisfaction in rationalistic and
scientific methods, he remained a Unitarian until his
death, connected for the last thirty-five years of his
life with the Second Unitarian Church in Brooklyn,
N. Y., of which he was a trustee for several terms,
and in which he was always greatly loved and honored
for the wisdom of his counsels and the goodness of his
heart. It was during his stay in Philadelphia that he
made the acquaintance of Frances Augusta Moore, who
became his wife Jan, 15, 1835, and died in March, 1839
leaving a daughter .Vdeline. Mr. Manning w-as again
married, >fov.7, 1840, to Sarah P. Swan, who died leav-
ing a daughter Sarah, Dec. 21, 1841. The domestic hap-
piness, twice laid in ruins, was again renewed June 29.
1843, when he married Mary D. Weeks, who remained
until his death the fit companion of his earnest purpose
and generous heart. They never wearied in " devising
liberal things" for tho.se of theirown household and for
many far and near who were in need of such encourage-
ment and help as they could give. The children of this
marriage were Henry Swan and Mary Channing, and
their children, with those of the daughter Sarah, were
the crowning happiness of Mr. Manning's later life.
Through all the vicissitudes of his domestic life, from
1835 until her death, in 1880, his sister Elizabeth was
a member of his family, with a mother-heart for all
liischildren and a helping hand for every needful work.
Mr. Manning's business life in New York had hardly
begun when the great fire of 1835 and the fiiianiial
crash of 1836 gave a sudden check to his incipient
prosperity. With a courageous heart he set out again,
this time alone, as a dry-goods jobber, and he re-
mained in the same business till 1851, with two or
three ditterent partners at different times. After a
year of leisure, he entered into partnership with Wil-
liam U. Squier, of the New Jersey Zinc Company. In
1855, with the same partner, he took the selling
■igency of the Passaic Zinc (Iom]>any, and made no
further change for the remainder of his active busi-
ness life, which terminated only lour years before
his death His partner testifies, that in the thirty-
two years of their connection, they never had one
hour's misunderstanding or one word of anger or re-
proach. His year of leisure, 1851, was marked by
one of the most agreeable and characteristic ei)isodes
of his career. For some years he had been deeply
interested in the teachings of Fourier and other
writers upon social reorganization. With others, he
had induced the Rev. William Henry Channing to
come to Brooklyn as minister of a society wholly free
from any conventional limitations. Mr. Channing
was profoundly interested in social questions and
stirred up a generous enthusiasm for them in the
minds of his hearers. For two or three years there
was a series of parlor meetings, at which the times
and the eternities were discusscl with equal warmth.
To these meetings came many able men and women —
Horace Greeley not the least among them, and Mar-
garet Fuller, in Mr. Manning's estimation, the great-
est; or, at any rate, the ablest talker. For several
months she was a member of his family, while on the
start of the Kew York Trihniie. In the summer of
1S50 Mr. Manning boarded at the North American
Phalanx, the New York "Brook Farm," with sev-
eral friends and their families. The doctrines of
social reorganization which he had been brooding
on so long, were thus ])ractically tested, and the result
wiis so assuring that in 1851 he built a cottage on the
Phalanx grounds and spent the summer there. This
was the episode to which we liave referred. .Mr.
Manning always maintained that the failure of the
movement was owing more to accitlental circum-
stances than to intrinsic causes, and held to the
necessity for changes in our present social order in
the direction of co-operative life.
Mr. Manning never forgot his native town and iiad
608b
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
at all times relations of kinship and affection with
many Ipswich folks ; but that which brought him
into the closest and most gratifying contact with his
former townsmen was his connection with the "Man-
ning School." His uncle, Dr. Thomas Manning,
dying in 1854, left nearly all his moderate fortune in
trust to liim, liis brother Francis and Francis H.
Blanchard, of Waltliani, for the establishment and
maintenance of a High School in Ipswich. The will
was contested by the only son of Dr. Manning and
it was disallowed by the Probate Court. But after the
son had paid all the minor bequests of the will, he gave
one-third of the sum remaining, about ten thousand
dollars, to the trustees named in the will, with which
to carry out his father's wishes. As only one-third
could be spent for the building, it seemed best not to
build until investmeut had considerably increased
the sum in hand. The investment was made by Mr.
R. H. Manning, and so successl'uUy, that in 1874 the
original sum had increased to more than forty thou-
sand dollars, and then the bonds representing ihe
whole amount were stolen by a thief, who had fol-
lowed Mr. Manning into his office. The loss of no
other money could have been so hard, but though his
cheek was for a moment blanched, the next morning
(New Year's day) he made his usual round of calls
with his habitual cheerfulness. Of the stolen money,
he at length recovered the larger part. What could
not be recovered, he made up ; adding to tnis a sum
which, with a bequest made in his will, constitutes
an amount more than double that originally in hand.
These were the benefactions of a man of moderate
means, of whom a I'riend has said that "he was wisely
economical, in order that he might be nobly gener-
ous." But he gave the school more and better than
money. He gave a well-selected library, into the
choice of which he put hundreds of thoughtful hours.
He gave his constant oversight and i)i-ivate counsel,
and several times some well-considered public word
in furtherance of the cause he had so much at heart.
Mr. Manning apprehended his position as a citizen
in the most serious manner. He was always deeply
interested in State and national politics and in ques-
tions of municipal reform. His anti-slavery senti-
ments dated from the beginning of the great debate.
Horace Greeley had no mure honored friend, and he
made him one of the administrators of his will. He
was a stanch Republican, and when the ordeal o(
battle succeeded to the strife of words, he was proud
to have a soldier-son, and with the co-operation of
his wife and sister, did what he could for the allevia-
tion of the suffering and sorrow of the time. His
connection with civil service reform was close and
earnest from the start, and the last public duty he
assumed (but did not live to i)crform) was that of an
examiner under the civil service rules. His last ill-
ness began October 25th and he died Nov. 2d, 18S7.
There was no more hospitable roof than his in all
the land. There was welcome under it not oulv for
the fortunate and happy who could bring their health
and cheer, but for those who had been bruised and
maimed in life's hard fray. Madame Zulavsky, an
exile from Hungary, the sister of Louis Kossuth, had
her last sickness here. The gravity of Mr. Manning's
mind and character attracted to him many wise and
noble spirits. He had a genius for friendship, and his
friends were olten persons of exceptional ability and
worth. Horace Crreeley and Margaret Fuller have
been already named. Samuel Johnson, the Salem
thinker and reformer, was another. Professor E. L.
Youmans, with whose scientific thought he was en-
tirely sympathetic, was perhaps the closest of them all
But he did not demand high culture and ability from
all his friends. To be simple and sincere and kind was
a sufficient claim on his regard ; or to be in need of any
help that he could give. He had a gift for doing
" Little kindnesses which most leave tindooe or despise."
An "advanced thinker" always, he never lost the
art of sweet, old-fashioned courtesy. He was remark-
able for the comprehensiveness and balance of his
powers. With great jiractical ability he united an
admirable gift for speculative thought, and while tlius
profoundly intellectual, he was pre-eminently a "man
of sentiment," without ever being sejitimental. His
feelings were extremely sensitive and warm. And so
it was that, however admirable in every wider sphere,
it was in his home-life that he revealed his most es-
sential character. He wrote such letters as men
used to write when as yet there was no penny post.
They were not often long, but they were always care-
fully considered and gracefully expressed. For other
forms of literary expression he was well equipped.
His printed speeches and addresses and the jiapers
that he published upon various subjects, though but
few, are evidence that if he had devoted himself ex-
clusively to a life of thought and literary expression,
he might have won an enviable fame. But there is
nothing to regret. He could have done no better
than to show by his example that a life of constant
and exacting business cares can be conjoined with
intellectual pursuits and noble charities and genial
fellowship, and such social usefulness as is still alive
and operative when the places that have known
us know us no more forever,
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS,
Origin. — This system has been the growth of years
and exigencies. In 1642 the town voted that there
be a free school. Such a school was to teach " read-
ing, writing and cyphering." In 1664 Mr. Andrews
was invited to teach. In 1695 N.vth.-v.miel Ru.st, ,Jr,,
taught at Chebacco, and the following year was in-
vited to settle as master. In 17(12 Chebacco was al-
lowed to erect a school-house on the common, and in
1713 William Giddikgs was master there. In 1714
the town voted to have a school in the watch-house,
and in 1719 it was used for the same purpose, Wil-
liam SoNE, a fisherman, by reason of sickness, was
granted a room in the Almshouse for a school. The
IPSWICH.
609
Hamlet voted March 10, 1730, to build a school-house
for their accommodation ; and on the 30th the town
appropriated one hundred pounds for three masters
for the First, Chebacco and Hamlet Parishes. Thi.s
was the sum paid by Gifiord Cogswell in scltlenient
of the Grammar School claim. The First Parish had
£41, the Hamlet committee £20, the Chebacco com-
mittee £20, Mark How for West Parish (afterwards
Liuebrook) £4 18s. 9rf., Moses Davis for his neighbor-
hood £6 Us. lOd., and Deacon Fellows for his neighbor-
hood £2 4s., thus outlining the present district system.
The selectmen, May 22, 1732, engaged Henry Spil-
LAR to teach, and granted him the use of one end of
the Almshouse for that purpose.
' Supervmon. — The committee of the First Parish
agreed with him to teach a quarter for eight pounds.
No further appropriation was made till ordered In'
the Court of General Sessions, when, 1740, the Gram-
mar School (which see) and the reading and writing
schools were served together. In 1742 eighteen
pounds of the school rents, old tenor, were "ad-
judged " to each Chebacco and Hamlet, and twenty-
eight pounds of said rents, old tenor, " to those parts
of the First Parish as have least benefit from the
Grammar School," and the same year the selectmen
were to visit the schools once a quarter, and invite
the minister to attend with them, the germ of our
present committee supervision.
In 1743 a committee of five were chosen to visit
the schools, as often as they thought proper, and in-
quire into the conduct of the master and the behavior
of the scholars, and report to the town. In 175(5 the
town appropriated two hundred and fifty pounds, old
tenor, for a master who was to be employed three
months and two weeks at Chebacco, three months
and two weeks at the Hamlet, two months at Line-
brook, and otherwise as directed l)v the selectmen.
This amount and plan of appropriation continued a
number of years.
In 1761 the General Court authorized the sale of
school rights in Birch Island, Bush Hill, Bartholo-
mew Hill and Chebacco Woods, and the next year
rejected pi-oposals to sell the school farm. A school
house was built at Linebrook, on land two rods front
and four rods deep, enfeofled by Jeremiah Smith
October 30, 1765, so long as used for the purpose of a
school. In 1783 the town employed two masters, and
raised one hundred and forty pounds for schooLs, and
granted land for a school-house near Joseph Fowler's
lane.
Approprialions. — The yearly appropriation, 1785-
94, was £160; 1795-96, £230 ; 1797-1801, $766.66 ;
1802, $900; 1810, $1200; 1816, $1500; 1840, $1600;
1854, S2000 ; 1861, $2500 ; 1866, $3000; 1868, $3500;
1871, $4000; 1886, $4400 and 12300 for High
School.
In 1791 the visiting committee consisted of forty
members ; eleven in the body of the town, seven at
Chebacco, nine at the Hamlet, five at Linebrook, two
39
at Candlewood, two at .\rgilla, two at Moses .Tcwett's
and two at John Patch's.
The Studies. — The variety, extent and relative im-
portance of the studies a century ago, may l)est be
learned from perusing the committee's instruction
from the town April 2, 1792, viz.: "To go with the
Latin scholars to the Grammar School, are tho.se who
study English grammar, those who are to be taught
in book-keeping and after them, the foremost in read-
ing and spelling, until the number in the Granunar
School shall rise to a third part of the whole existing
number in both. To read well in the Bible and s\w\\
should be necessary qualificatious for entering as stu-
dents in English grammar. To be taught in book-
keeping, the pupil must have gone through the four
first rules of arithmetic, simple and comjwund; Re-
ductions in both parts; the Rules of Proportion, di-
rect, inverse and compound ; and the rules of Prac-
tice. The master of the English school shall attend
upon all in Arithmetic except the Latin scholars and
those in book-keeping as aforesaid. In both schools
the Catechism of the Assembly of Divines with Dr.
Watts' explanatory Notes and the Catechi.sm by the
same author be constantly used as much as three or
four times a week according to the iliflerent grades of
the scholars, until the same are committed to memo-
ry." The practice of teaching the Catechism lasted
till 1826.
Committees Chosen. — In 1794 a committee of seven
was chosen to consider the subject of schooling. They
recommended a committee "to regulate and visit the
schools, as it is thought it would be an encourage-
ment to the masters and scholars, and consequently
would be beneficial to the education of the youth."
A committee of nine were chosen. In 1795 five were
chosen; in 1796, nine; in 1798, seven ; and the same
in 1800. The number now is three.
Districts. — Shortly after 1800 the school districts
were defined by metes and bounds. Some twenty-
five years later, prudential committees were em-
ployed. This plan was probably the remains of the
old system of parish committees respectively. Still
later, by some ten years, the prudential committees
were empowered to hire their respective teachers.
The prudential system was abolished in April, 1869,
when the district property w'as appraised and pur-
chased by the town.
Expense. — The present number of pujjils enrolled
is six hundred and eighty, distributed in .seven un-
graded schools, three primary, three intermediate and
one high. The total cost for the year is seventy-six
hundred dollars, making a per capita cost of eleven
and eightcen-one-hundredths dollars.
Oi/r Schools Free. — The existence and importance
of schools was inbred in our ancestors, and the first
and leading thought in relation to them was that they
should be free. Their first vote declared the senti-
ment, and along the years circumstances have been
made subservient, and pecuniary ability has been
GIO
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
pledged to hasten the grand consummation. With
free text-books in the hands of the scholars, as has
been the case for the last year or two, our schools are
absolutely free. If the spirits of the departed are
conversant with the aflairs of men, there is a multi-
tude of our citizen benefactors with the Paines, and
Hubbard, and Cross, and Burley, and Manning, and
Cogswell at their head, uniting with the generous
living in one glad acclaim for the fruition of their
hope — absolutely free schools for all our sons and
daughters.
THE IPSWICH FEMALE SEMINARY.
The Acadermj. — The institution now or lately known
by the above title was incorporated February 28,
1828, by the name of the Proprietors of Ipswich Acad-
emy. The incorporators' names were Nathaniel Lord,
Jr., Joseph Farley, Ammi E. Smith, George W. Hart
and Charles Kimball. They could hold a personal
estate of ten thousand dollars and a real of eight
thousand dollars. The building was completed early
in 1826, fifty-six feet long, thirty-five wide and two
stories high, at a cost of four thousand dollars. The
last Wednesday in the following April, Rev. Hervey
Wilbur opened the school and with a female assist-
ant taught one year. In his advertisement he called
the school a Classical Seminary for Young Ladies. In
May, 1827, James W. Ward began, and he continued
to March, 1828.
The Seminary. — In 1818 Eev. Joseph Emerson, a
descendant of Thomas, of Ipswich in 1642, opened in
Byfield the pioneer school for educating young ladies.
Two of his assistant pupils. Miss Grant and Miss
Lyon, went out and opened schools on the same plan.
These designs were not long in maturing; female
schools soon became a settled fact, and the proprietors
of the Ipswich Academy, imbibing the sentiment,
made their school a seminary, and, in the well-chosen
words of another,
"Ipswicli was favored for nearly half a century with a celebrated
school for young ladies. A large and commodious edifice, erected in
1826, was in April, 1828, placed without rent in the hands of Miss Z. I.
Grant, then already well and widely known as an instructor. Many of
her scholars followed her from the Adams Female Academy in Derry, N.
H., where she had taught with great success, and her Ipswich School
became at once the resort of young ladies from all parts of the country.
Her able associate, Mary Lyon, and other competent assistants helped
her to make it one of the best in the land. She arranged a coui-se of
study, liberal for the times, established regular classes— junior, middle
and senior— to which students were admitted on examination, and intro-
duced the custom of conferring diplomas on those who completed the
course. She made education the handmaid of religion, the Bible a daily
study, and the school a nursery of character and scholarehip. Her
schi^lars were in great demand as teachers, and so known and prized for
purity of intention and active usefulness that wherever they went their
presence was a recommendation and advertisement of the Seminary.
"Miss Grant's hope of founding a college for ladies at Ipswich was
frustl'ated more by the delicate state of her health than by the want of
funds, but her ideas were happily incorporated in the Mt. Holyoke Sem-
inary by her associate, Mary Lyon, its eminent founder. Miss Grant
resigned the charge of the school in 1839, having had during her eleven
years at Ipswich 1458 scholars, of whom 130 were full graduates, and to
that date twenty had become missionaries of the American Board, and
488 teachers in various parts of our own country.
*' In 1841 Miss Grant was married to Hon. Wni. B. Barrister, of New-
buryport ; she survived in honor and usefulness till 1874. Her memory
is preserved in an excellent volume, "The Use of a Life," printed by
the American Tract Society.
" In the spring of 1844 the trustees, after various changes and disap-
pointments, installed Rev. and Mrs John P. Cowles as principals. Mr.
Cowles was a graduate of Yale College, class of 1826, and has been pro-
fessor of Hebrew in the Oberliu Theological .Seminary, while Mrs.
Cowles, for ten years before her marriage, had been associated either as
pupil or teacher with Miss Grant or Bliss Lyon. They brought to their
work industry, energy and zeal, and with the aid of vigorous and accom-
plished assistants, mostly of their own training, they not only kept up
the previous moral and religious tone of the institution, but rai.sed its
classical and literary character to egual, if not surpass, the general ad-
vance in the country. Young ladies, from one to two hundred, according
to the accommodations for boarding in the village, soon gathered around
them, often continuing with them three, four or five years before grad-
uation.
" Although the stochholders had granted the use of thair property
rent free, yet, for the sake of much needed improvements, the principals
bought it and added to it the adjacent Dutch estate, thus extending the
grounds to the river, and by means of fencing, terracing, grading and
planting fruit and ornamentjil trees, shrubs and vines, they transformed
it into one of the fairest, as it had always been one of the airiest and
healthiest, sites of the village. For thirty-two years they continued
their onward and upward way, ever teaching and training minds in the
line of natural development, faithful study, careful investigation and un-
shackled freedom and independence of thought. Their students, no less
than Mrs. Barrister's, have enrolled themselves as thinkers, toilers,
teachers and writers, whose names their country-men and country-wo
men will not soon nor willingly let die."
The school was closed in 1870.
SuNDAY'-SoHOOLS. — One of the most powerful edu-
cational agencies of the present time is the Sunday-
school. Our schools enroll as many scholars as the
day schools and even more. They embrace all ages,
and although they have one grand central theme
there is a correlation of themes, which gives breadth
and scope to their work and enhances their influence
and importance. The youngest are taught to talk,
to read, to memorize ; others study geography, his-
tory, biography, and still others comparative ethics,
and the methods and principles of Christian living,
preparing the mind and heart and soul for an intelli-
gent reception of the gift of eternal life. As re-
ported, there are 8,034,478 scholars thus engaged in
the United States, seven millions of whom are child-
ren and youth. The same report estimates nine mil-
lion children and youth not yet reached — a glorious
work and opportunity. The schools here were or-
ganized in the First and South Churches in 1816,
and at Linebrook about 1818. In 1832 or 1833 the
•First Church school had two hundred scholars and
three hundred and eighty-four volumes in the library ;
the South Church school had two hundred scholars
and four hundred and fifty volumes ; the Methodist
Church school one hundred and thirty scholars and
three hundred and ninety volumes. The First Church
school now has two hundred scholars and three hun-
dred and fifty volumes. The Line Brook Church
school fifty scholars and two hundred and fifty
volumes. These teachers labor without pay ; they
give their time and exertions for the love they bear
the cause. Their influence upon the moral and social
condition of the town is great, and their office deserves
a more helpful public recognition.
IPSWICH.
611
LiBRAElES. — There were two libraries in towu in
1833. They were called the social and the religions,
and had each about three hundred volumes. They
are now out of remembrance. One was kept in the
town hou.se, and unpaid fines and dues excluded one
and another of the proprietors till only two or three
remained, when the books were divided to each, and
the library closed.
The present " Free Public Library " was founded
in 18(58 by the munificence of Captain Augustine
Heard. It was opened to the public, March 1, 18G9.
Captain Heard donated the building, three thousand
volumes, and an endowment fund of $10,000, nuiking
a grand total of about 840,000. This gift was sup-
plemented by Prof. Daniel Treadwell, of Harvard
College, who gave his private library, .some valuable
paintings and a fund of $20,000. These princely
gifts have made the lives of these gentlemen a per-
petual blessing. The trustees are Hon. George Has-
kell, Zenas Cushing, Joseph Ross and c.r oflicio, the
principal of the Manning High School and the pas-
tor of the First Congregational Church. Miss Lydia
Caldwell has been the librarian from the very first
and has proved herself very efficient. The library
contains some more than ten thousand volumes,
which have been selected with great care, especially
the works of fiction, which are scrupulously stand-
ard, and which constitute three-fourths of the books
loaned.
Books. — New England's first book of poetry was
by Mi"s. Anna Bradstreet, early of Ipswich. One of
the first histories of New England was by an Ips-
wich clergyman, William Hubbard. The first I^atin
book printed in America was by Rev. John Norton,
of Ipswich. The " Body of Liberties," containing
the essence of our civil rights to-day, and the " Sim-
ple Cobbler of Agawam," long to be remembered as
an old-time classic, were the work of the author,
)ireacher, jurist and scholar, Nathaniel Ward, of Ips-
wich. These are a few of the most illustrious names.
For two centuries, Ipswich clergymen and scholars
issued many publications ; but now the profession of
authorship precludes the double vocation that for-
merly obtained, and clergyman and scholar and
author have each his respetive province. A little
volume of poems, from the pen of Jlr. Edward G.
Hull, was issued in 188fi. Mr. John Patch has pub-
lished a volume of poems. He was a poet of very
high, if not the highest rank. He had genius of a
marked character. His compositions evince poetic
fervor and keen appreciation of both moral and physi-
cal beauty. He had warm partialities for the sea and
all that concerns it, and for nature in all her varying
moods. Many of his best poems are sea pictures and
descriptions of rural scenes. His versification is
noble, and his poems in general have worthy com-
pleteness. A tone of calm elevation and hopeful
contemplation is well sustained throughout. The
rhythm is well modulated, and in some of his shorter
|>oems inexpressibly pathetic. His poems are richly
ideal, and abound in detached images of exceeding
beauty and of high merit.
Newspapers. — One of the best popular educators is
a carefully edited family newspaper. Tiie first news-
paper started here was The I/mvich Journal. It was
issued weekly by John H. Harris, who began its|>ul>li-
cation in July, 1827, and discontinued it August, 1828.
The next venture was The Ipswich Reghter, edited
by Eugene F. W. Gray, and published by Gray &
Smith. It was a weekly ; it began June 1, lS37,and, we
presume, was issued last. May 25, 1838. The next was
The Ipswich Clarion, hegun February 23, 18o0, and is-
sued fortnightly by Timothy B. Ross. It w:is folio
and very newsy. The first Saturday in January,
1868, the Ipswich Bulletin first appeared. It continued
till about August 1st. The proprietor, Mr. Charles
W. Felt, of Salem, proposed to furnish a paper to
each of several towns, cheaply, by having local cor-
respondents who were to manage their respective
localities, and by changing the name of the print to
correspond. Thus the Rockport Quarry and the Ips-
wich Bulletin were the same with change of name.
The plan was new, an advance thought, and had
merits, besides being the first deviation from the old
method. Soon after came the " patent" sheets, then
sterotyped .stories and news. The next was The Ips-
wich Advance with Mr. Edward B. Putnam as editor
and proprietor. He began July 3, 1871, and con-
tinued till March 16, 1872, when Edward L. Daven-
port and Frederick W. Goodwin, having purchased
the establishment, began its publication as The Ips-
wich Chronicle. They ran it about ten months, and
Mr. Goodwin sold his interest to his partner, who
alone began January 4, 1873, and continued four
years, when Lyman H. Daniels bought it and began
its publication January 6, 1877. Mr. Daniels asso-
ciated with him, January 1, 1881, Mr. I. J. Potter,
who purchased Mr. Daniels' interest, June 4th, of the
same year, and September 9, 1882, changed the large,
unwieldy folio to the present neat quarto. Within a
year or two, Mr. Potter has associated himself with
his brother, J. M. Potter, and is now joint proprietor
of the Ipswich Chronicle, the Amesburij Villaijer, the
Lynn Reporter, the Lynn Bee, aiul the Yankee Blade,
Boston. Recently, September 10, 18SG, began The
Ipswich Independent, a sizable folio, edited by Mr.
Charles G. Hull.
The Bukley Fund.— Captain William Hurley
was a native of Ipswich, born January 6, 1750. He
died in Beverly December 22, 1822, and left to his na-
tive town a bequest of fifty dollars to be paid annu-
ally for ten years "for the sole pnrjiose of teaching
poor children to read and instructing them in the
principles of the Christian religion." The town
voted, April 7, 1823, "expressive of their respect to
his memory." The executors agreed with the town
that the equity should be liquidated in one payment.
Accordingly, an act of iucorp(jration, dated June 18,
612
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1825, was obtained, and "Nathaniel Lord, Jr., and
William Conant, Jr., Esquires, Josiah Brown and
John Kimball, gentlemen, and Daniel Cogswell, mer-
chant," became a " body politic " by the name of
"The Trustees of the Burley Educational Fund in
Ipswich." The amount of the trust was five hundred
dollars, but the Sunday-schools and the Bible socie-
ties, and our admiralile system of free schools and
school-books, are performing the mission of this be-
quest almost entirely, and the fund only labors to
grow. It is now seven thousancf five huudred dol-
lars. Some future Legislature may reappropriate it,
when, in a maturer growth and strength, it will per-
form a wider range of service, and the generous
tboughtfulness of the donor build wiser and better
than he planned.
Abraham Hammatt. — Among the men who have
fostered the educational growth of our town, and de-
serve a warm sentiment of regard, is Mr. Hammatt.
He was born in Plymouth in 1780 of Puritan ancestry,
and there learned the trade of rope-malcing. In 1800
he removed to Bath, Me., and began business for him-
self. Years of industry and frugality gave him a
competence. He then devoted his time and talents
to literature and science, for which he had a fine
taste. He was said to have been the best scholar in
Bath, not excepting the men of any of the learned
professions. He died August 9, 1854, aged seventy-
four years. About eighteen years before, he removed
to this town. He was a member of the New England
Historical-Genealogical Society, and was by them
considered a true antiquarian and an accurate gene-
alogist. In his death they sustained a severe loss.
He was for a long time feofl'ee of the grammar school
and member of the Town School Board. He was an
earnest and efiicient otficer, and his genial presence
was alwa)'s welcome in the school-room. In his
later years he prepared " Early Inhabitants of
Ipswich," copied the ancient inscriptions in the
High Street Cemetery, and wrote a bi-centennial his-
tory of the grammar school — all noble, serviceable
labors. His death closed a blameless, benevolent and
useful life.
Anne Beadsteeet was born in Northampton,
England, in 1612. She married at the age of sixteen,
and in 1630 came to this country. Her father was
Governor Thomas Dudley, her husband Governor
Simon Bradstreet. She resided in Ipswich about
twenty years, and then removed with her husband to
Andover. She was the earliest poet of New Eng-
land, and was noble and gifted. Rev. Cotton Matlier
wrote, — "Her poems, divers times printed, have af-
forded a grateful entertainment unto the ingenious,
and a monument for her memory, beyond the state-
liest marble." Rev. John Norton calls her "the mir-
ror of her age and the glory of her sex." The second
edition of her poems is said " to be the work of a
woman honored and esteemed where she lives for her
gracious demeanor, her eminent parts, her pious con-
versation, her courteous disposition, her exact dili-
gence in her place, and discreet managing of her
family occasions ; and, more than so, these poems are
the fruit of but some few hours curtailed from her
sleep and other refreshments." She was as much
loved for gentleness, discretion and domestic dili-
gence as she was admired for her genius, wit and love
of learning. Her death occurred September 16, 1672.
CHAPTER XLV.
IPSWICH {Contained).
MILITARY AND MARTIAL.
The Situation. — Although this town had a very
fortunate situation as regards the Indians, yet, in the
same manner, thougli not to the same extent, as the
frontier towns, our ancestors were obliged to be ever
on the alert, and ever ready to meet an active display
of the treachery, perfidy and jealousy of the red man.
As our later New England ancestors planted the
school-house by the church, very truly and wisely
our early ancestors planted a fort also. The Eastern
Indians were jealous, blood-thir.sty and cruel, and any
day or night their war canoes might float in our har-
bor. They were active, among other tribes, in plot-
ting mischief and instilling a spirit of dissatisfaction.
At the south — in Eastern Connecticut and Western
Rhode Island, and extending from the sea several
leagues to the north — were the Pequods, a race, the
quintessence of jealousy, cruel mischief and murder.
Their emissaries were in every camp ; they were a
scourge from the very first. Every hamlet, every
home, was in jeopardy and fear. The sudden rush
of attack and the startling war-whoop were their dec-
laration of war, and whoever was surprised thereby
paid the penalty with his blood and scalp.
Caution. — This condition of circumstances occa-
sioned a careful carriage, and an adequate protection
of some weapon of defence. The musket was the
white man's vade mecum upon the road, in the field
and workshop, and at church and home. To meet
this emergency the town's people maintained watches
and erected forts ; powder was kept in store under
penalty ; night signals and day signals of alarm were
established; companies were formed, and the entire
populace were minute-men.
Means. — In 1683 it was ordered that Saugus, Sa-
lem and Agawam assist Boston in building a fort.
The next year the Ipswich assistant is ordered to so-
licit funds for a movable fort at Boston ; every man
must be trained for service. Daniel Denison and
Nicholas Easton have charge of the powder here.
The town was to receive its proportion of muskets,
bandoleers and rests, just then imported, and to have
IPSWICH.
613
the use of two sakers, if they will provide carriages
for them.
In 1635 the company was ordered to maintain its
officers ; eight swords were added to their equipments.
In 1().36 the military force of the jurisdiction was di-
vided into three regiments — Saugus, Salem, Ipswich
and Newbury making one, with John Eudicott, Esq.,
of Salem, colonel; and John Winthrop, Jr., of Ips-
wich, lieutenant-colouel. The next year it was or-
dered that " no person shall travel above a mile from
his dwelling, except where other dwellings are near,
without some arms, upon pain of 12.s. for every de-
fault;" each town must have a watch-house, and
keep a watch ; eight annual trainings were ordered;
Daniel Denison was commissioned captain.
The Pequod War. — This year occurred the mem-
orable Pequod War, wherein I|>swich was repre-
sented by twenty-three soldiers and William Fuller
as gunsmith. History depicts the overwhelming dis-
aster of the Indians. Therein Francis Wainwright
attacked a knot of Pequods, expended his ammuni-
tion, broke his gun over them and brought in two
scalps. John Wedgewood was wounded and taken
prisoner, and John Sherman was wounded in the
neck. The following-named persons were granted
from two to ten acres of land tor their services:
John Andrews, John Burnum, Robert Castell, Rob-
ert Cross, Robert Filbrick, Edward Lumus, Andrew
Story, William Swynder, Palmer Tingley, Francis
Wainwright and William Whitred. In 1668 Edward
Thomas was granted six acres of land for services
rendered at some time, against the Indians.
Other Means. — In 1639 a reservation is made for
a fort on Castle Hill, where the land was granted
John Winthrop, Jr. The town has two barrels of
powder, and may .sell, on the county's account, at two
shillings per pound; and the following year the
meeting-house was used as a watch-house. In 1642
there was a general suspicion and alarm. It was
thought the various tribes of Indians had conspired
to annihilate the white man, and Ipswich, Rowley
and Newbury were ordered to disarm the Merrimac
sachem. Forty men went the next day, and not
finding the chief, they took away his son as a hostage.
The town record allows " twenty men \'ld. each per
day for three days." That year a retreat for wives
and children must be provided; twelve saker bullets
were allowed to the town ; the town must have spe-
cial alarms — sentinels who, going to the houses, shalb
in case of attack, cry : " Arm, Arm ! " This general
suspicion and alarm of the colonists was the pre-
cursor of the famous colonial league of March 19,
1643, and its earnest, unanswerable though silent ad-
vocate. In 1643 worshippers must go in arms to
meeting on Lord's day. In 1644 the counties of Es-
sex and Norfolk — which extended from the Merri-
mac River and included Exeter, Dover and Ports-
mouth in New Ham|)shire, while Essex then ex-
tended only to the Merrimac — form one regiment,
and Captain Daniel Denison was commissioned colo-
nel.
In 1645 all lads from ten to sixteen must be drilled
in the use of the musket, the half-pikes and of bo«s
and arrows. Thomas Whittingham was lieutenant,
and Thomas Howlett ensign of the Ipswich compa-
ny; every town must set a guard, a pike-man and a
musketeer, about sunset, and must keep a daily guard
on the outskirts and scour the woods for lurking foes;
each company was divided in two-third musketeers
and one-third pikemen, who were to wear corselets
and head-pieces.
In 1648 boys, allowed by their parents or guardians
on the training fields, were to be '"exercised " in mil-
itary discipline. In 1649 each town must provide
for each fifty soldiers, one barrel of powder, one
hundred and fifty pounds of musket bullets, and
twenty-eight pounds of matcii, which, for a long
time, subserved the use of flint.
In 1652 a company was to consi.st of sixty-four or
more privates, and to have at least two drums,
and the military affiurs of each town were to
be administered by a committee of magistrates
and three chief officers. In 1653 John Apple-
ton was commissioned lieutenant of the troop of
horse for the Essex regiment. General Daniel Den-
ison ordered a squad of twenty-seven men from Ips-
wich and Rowley, to "descry the distant foe, where
lodged, or whither fled ; or if for fight in motion or
in halt;" for it was reported, as ten years before,
that a general conspiracy had been formed to sweep
the white man from the soil. Each private was al-
lowed a shilling, the sergeant two shillings, and two
troopers two shillings, si.x pence a day for four days.
Officers. — In 1664 the following were confirmed as
the officers of the Ipswich Company: Thomas French,
ensign ; Thomas Burnani, Jacob Perkins and Thomas
Wait, sergeants; and Thomas Hart and Francis
Wainwright, corporals ; and in 1668, .lohn Appleton,
captain, and John Whipple, cornet, of the troop. In
1672 a new fort was built; Gen. Denison wrote the
Governor that great fear aud alarm prevailed ; that
the enemy had crossed the Merrimac, and that a
detachment of fifty men, under Capt. John Apple-
ton, was proceeding to Andover. The following year
Ipswich was required to furnish her quota of one hun-
dred men for service against the Dutch.
Philip's War. — The year 1675 is memorable for
the beginning of King Philip's War. It was a long,
agonizing struggle. Philip was .sagacious, crafty, of
great native mental strength, aud as chief of a civil-
ized people, would have been known as their patriot-
ic defender. He was, with all, a powerful monarch,
chief of thirty tribes and the powerful Passaconaway
was his ally. His eagle-eye scanned the encroach-
ments of the English upon his lands, their usurpa-
tion of his fruitful hunting-grounds, their growth in
numbers and power, and in all this and more, the
doom of his race, which he could no longer brook.
614
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Ffrther Means. — -"The Indians lurked in ev-
ery forest and covert ; tliey watched for the lonely
settler as he opened his door in the morning, as he
was husy at his work in the field, as he rode out on
business or followed the forest path to church." The
fearful war-whoop, the deadly tomahawk and the
treacherous ambuscade were a terror to every Eng-
li.'ih home. The soldiers of every town were ordered
to scour and ward to prevent the skulking and lurk-
ing of the enemy about it and give notice of danger;
the brush along the highway must be cut up ; and
the watch must not come in till sunrise, when the
scouts go out ; the inhabitants .shall flee to the garri-
sons for defense, if invaded.
Fearful Co.st of the War. — The war cost the
Colonial League a million of dollars and six hundred
lives, of which Ipswich's proportion must have been
about forty. Every eleventh house in the colony
was burned, and every eleventh soldier killed. Ips-
wich was represented in Capt. Prentice's troop, and
in the " Flower of Essex," that perished at Deerfield,
and she furnished her quota of the four hundred and
sixty men levied the next year and led by Maj. Sam-
uel Appleton ; of eighty men called for sixty days;
and of seventy for service in the East.
Fatalities. — In this war fell Edward Coburn,
Thomas Scott, Benjamin Tappau, Freegrace Norton,
sergeant John Pettis. John Cogswell was a prisoner.
In the great battle of the war,^ — with the Narragan-
setts, — three were killed and twenty-two were wound-
ed in the Ipswich Company. One of the saddest
events of the war was " the Deerfield Massacre." Of
a company of eighty men, known as the '" Flower of
Essex," forty perished by one fell swoop of the sav-
ages. Here Robert Dutch was prostrated by a ball
which wounded his head, was mauled with a hatchet,
stripped and left for dead. After several hours he
was discovered and restored to consciousness. In a
list of the names of the slain the following look like
Ipswich names : Thomas Manning, Caleb Kimball,
Jacob Wainwright, Samuel Whittridge, Josiah Dodge,
William Day, John and Thomas Hobbs.
Officers. — In 1680 Ipswich had three companies;
the year following a magazine is kept in the meeting-
house, and in 1(582 the companies' officers were: CajU.
Samuel Appleton, Lieut. Thomas Burnum, En. Simon
Stacey ; Capt. Daniel Eppes, Lieut. John Appleton, En.
Thomas Jacobs, Lieut. John Andrews and En. Wil-
liam Goodhue, Jr. In October, Thomas Wade was
cornet in place of John Whipple, promoted to lieu-
tenant in place of Lieut. Appleton, who as.sumed com-
mand of the troop upon the death of Capt. John
Whipple ; and in 1689 Thomas Wade was captain,
John Whipple lieutenant, John Whipple, Jr., quar-
ter-master; and under Maj. Samuel Appleton, Simon
Stacey was lieutenant and Nehemiah Jewett ensign.
That year wards were ordered to guard the church-
es, during service.
William's War. — This year began King Wil-
liam's War, which, by sympathy, extended to and
involved New England. Ipswich contributed her
proportion of three hundred soldiers to be raised iu
the county. The Ipswich troops rendezvoused at
Haverhill. The following year she furnished her
quota of sixty-live recruits from the Essex Middle
Regiment, composed of Ipswich, Rowley, Wenham,
Gloucester, Topsfield and Boxford, and her quota of
four hundred from the Province. Nathaniel Rust
was quarter-master in the expedition against Canada,
and in 1691 Samuel Ingalls was lieutenant, and Rob-
ert Kinsman quaner-master in Thomas Wade's
troop. About 1700 the town voted to purchase three
field-pieces; to supply themselves with powder and
flints; and to repair the watch-house and fort near
the meeting-house. The town's proportion of four-
teen men from the Essex Middle Regiment was
called for; Maj. Samuel Appleton led sixty men to
defend Gloucester ; Col. Symonds Eppes was ordered
to " empress " a man into the service at York in
place of Archelaus Adams, whose time had expired,
and the colonel was also to hold his regiment for im-
mediate service. The town furnished her quota of
ninety men ; she stored her powder in the meeting-
house ; her troops use carbines. In 1697 William
Wade wa.s killed and Abraham Foster was wounded.
These particulars, in which we have thus far in-
dulged, serve to show the small beginning, the inade-
quate means, the slow but steady growth and the pe-
culiar phases of primitive warfare.
Anjse's, George's and French Wars. — Queen
Anne's War followed ; it fell with merciless force
upon New England. Ipswich was true to English
instincts ; she honored every call for men with her
quota, i£nd gave a devoted and eSicient service. Ips-
wich was represented at Port Royal, in 1707, where
Samuel Appleton had a command. In 1710 William
Cogswell was killed, and ten years later Samuel
Clark was wounded. In 1737 John Hobbs was
wounded, and ten years later asked of the General
Court pay for his care of the sick at Cape Breton.
So in the Austrian succession, known as King
George's War, wherein Louisburg, the Gibraltar of
America, was reduced by four thousand fishermen
and farmers of New England, with whom served the
strength and support of Ipswich homes.
Peace returned in 1748, but it was of short duration ;
it served only for recuperation and preparation for an
intenser struggle. This was known as the French
and Indian War, and was waged for conquest ; for
long j'ears of conflict had demonstrated that the
French and English could not live contiguously in
peace. Five points of attack were agreed upon, and
Ipswich men served at three, Crown-point, Quebec and
Nova Scotia. In 1756 the town appropriated £50 for
powder and other military stores. Dr. John Caleft'e
was surgeon in the expedition to Quebec ; Abraham
Smith and Philemon How died at Louisburg. Mr.
Smith made his will about the time of enlisting, and
IPSWICH.
615
gave "the residue and remainder'' of his property to
Linebrook Parish. In 1760 the town voted that
"such private soldiers, as are in the war, exclusive of
tradesmen and carpenters, shall be excused from
their poll-tax." Besides the town's occasional indi-
vidual appropriations, she met with promptness every
provincial demand for men and tax.
This war solved an old and vexatious problem,
which is stated and illustrated in Longfellow's unique
and beautiful Evangeline, and is called The French
Neutriih. In the distribution of that people, Essex
County had about two hundred. Ipswich had the
families of Francis and John I/Sndrey and Paul
Breau, twenty persons. At the expense of the State,
the town rented them a house and furnished them
with provisions, in which were included, as the State
archives show, items of " Cyder and Rum," at a total
cost of about a shilling per week for each person. In
June, 1758, the General Court ordered that the '"sick,
infirm and aged" among them be maintained at the
expense of the government, but that others must earn
their living. In 1760 the province distributes its en-
tire ward among the various towns according to the
rate of taxation. Ipswich's proportion was twenty-
three. The original number of twenty had been
augmented at the time of the distribution by four
births, and there had been one death, or else one was
removed, to adjust the proportion. Our next notice
of them was August 18, 1766, when the town refused
to appropriate money to convey them to Canada, and
November 2-")th following, when £20 was voted for
their support for that year. They probably soon after
removed to Canada. They were apparently a clever,
sober, industrious people, and on the wliole desirable
citizens.
The Revolutiox. — Our narrative has now ad-
vanced a century and a quarter. Ipswich has as-
sisted, by her treasures and skill and bravery, in
silencing the fierce Tarratines, in annihilating the
Pequods, in forcing the Xarragansetts to sue for peace,
in burying King Philip and four thousand of his
brave warriors, in gathering scalps in the North for
the bounty, in keeping at bay the powerful Penna-
cooks. and lias fought the allied French and Indians,
to defend their homes, their religion and their coun-
trv. What a fearful cost. "The dear purchase of
our fathers." But that, appalling as it was, was only
part of the price. The war-whoop had hardly ceased
its terror, when the precursor of another ordeal
stalked througli the land and inaugurated the War
of The Revolution.
Though occasional irritations from the same source
had been felt from the early days of the colony, this
contest was unexpected. Our fathers had faithfully
labored and hoped; they had "fought and bled and
died" with only one purpose in reference to their
nationality, and that purpose was to be Englishmen
"lirst, last, midst and without end." But while they
were English the same spirit that made them true
and devoted patriots, gave them a deep sense of jus-
tice, so that they could not brook a scathing insult or
endure a flagrant wrong, though they be inflicted by
a brother.
For nearly a hundred years they had fought for
their homes and freedom to worship (rod, in the
wildest, most barbarous and bloodiest wars. They
had sued for no peace ; they had begged no quarter.
Their brothers across the sea had furnished few' troops,
little money, and perchance no sympathy; and when
the strife for territorial acquisition came, when the
valor of English arms was on trial, and the grand old
flag beckoned them by its waving folds to service and
duty, they stood shoulder to shoulder in the .serried
ranks with the confident regular; they fought while
he fought; conquered where he fled. Mainly by
their spirit and skill was English rule established
over these verdant hills and picturesque vales, and
Englisli arts and arms extended from the Great
River on the west to the ocean on the east, and from
frozen seas on the north to the delightful savannahs
of the south.
For all this devoted service and baptism of blood,
not a word of sympathy, nor an expression of thanks,
and only a pittance to reimburse an impoverished
treasury. The service and baptism only inflamed old
jealousies, fashioned new rigors and forged new
chains. History is replete with the mockery of
justice, the travesty of righteousness, by which
a jealous hatred sought to stamp our ancestors
as an inferior class and to bind them to perpetual de-
pendence. But the flinty jjurpose that brought our
forefathers to these shores struck fire upon the steel
rigors of the laws forged for their subjugation. Jlaga-
zines of indignation were fired from Maine to Georgia.
Subjugate ! Why, as well attempt to draw out levi-
athan with a hook or to turn back Niagara by com-
mand. The seed sown in the compact penned in the
cabin of the May Flower had its fruitage in the Dec-
laration of Independence ; and while John Adams
and Patrick Henry, in advocating the principles of
that immortal document, electrified the people, the
stout-hearted yeomanry, in town-meeting a.ssembled,
voted and recorded the sentiments, and by their votes
pledged money and life to the cause. Ipswich met
the issue r)n the threshold with no uncertain voice.
"No representation, no taxation," was a sentiment
indigenous to her very soul. She recorded her in-
structions to her representatives, October 21, 1705:
" We must maintain the Charter. When our fiithers
left their native land, they left its laws, its Constitu-
tion .and itspeculiar institutions and customs, — all but
what was secured by their Charter. Three things are
necessary to make this otherwise : first, the migra-
tions should have been authorized and regulated by
legal authority ; second, the expense of the coloniza-
tion should have been borne by the government ; and
third, the colony should have been sent to settle
some place or territory that the nation had before, in
616
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
some way or other, made their own, as was usual — if
not always — the case with the ancient Komans. But
neither of them obtained in this case. Our only hope
of Ireedom in religion and law, and our only ground
of patriotism and manliood, is the Charter." Again,
August 11, 1768, the town recorded a vote of thanks
to tlie ninety-two members of the House who stood
firm against rescinding the resolves of the last
House, and so declared anew the righteousness of the
cause and their determination. The town voted
Captain Michael Farley delegate to Convention at
Boston, to advise measures for the peace and safety
of the people. A meeting was " called for February
28, 1770, to determine upon some satisfactory method
to prevent the use of that pernicious weed called
Tea," to advise in the matter of withholding our cus-
tom from those merchants who traffic in it. A com-
mittee, to whom the questions involved were submit-
ted, reported, "That we retrench all extravagances;
and that we will, to the utmost of our power and abil-
ity, encourage our own manufactures; and that we
will not, by ourselves or any for or under us, di-
rectly or indirectly, purchase any goods of the per-
sons who have imported, or continued to import, or
of any person or trader who shall purchase any goods
of said importers, contrary to the agreement of the
merchants in Boston and the other trading towns in
this government and the neighboring colonies, until
they make a public retraction or ageneral importation
takes place." It was voted also, " that we will abstain
from the use of tea ourselves and recommend the
disuse of it in our families, until all the revenue acts
are repealed."
The Crisis Approaching. — Affairs grew in inter-
est and importance ; the situation became more try-
ing ; but their brave hearts grew braver and stronger.
Learning the action of Boston in the crisis, the town,
December 17, 1772, recounted the common grievances
at length, complimented the metropolis for the stand
she had taken, pledged her support and chose the fol-
lowing "Committee of Correspondence": Captain
Farley, Mr. Daniel Noyes and Major John Baker. In
December, 1773, the town was gratified with the ac-
tion taken by Boston and records resolutions of sym-
pathy and firmness of purpose. The people are now
fully aroused. June 29, 1774, Daniel Noyes, Deacon
Stephen Choate, Captain Michael Farley, John
Choate and Nathaniel Farley were voted a committee
to see what could be done " in the distressing state of
affairs." The same year a lot of land, fifty by twenty-
five feet, east of the town-house, was granted for mili-
tary discipline ; a committee was chosen to fix the
compensation of " Jlinute-Men ; " the proposals and
resolves of the Continental Congress were adopted ; a
committee of eleven members was chosen to see that
" said resolves are most punctually observed;" and
Colonel Michael P'arleyand Daniel Noyes were mem-
bers of the Great and General Court ordered to meet
at Salem, and, meeting in the absence of the Gover-
nor, resolved themselves into a Provincial Congress
and adjourned to Concord.
The next year was 1775, the ever-memorable one
in the annals of the province. In April Ipswich met
with other towns, by committee, to plan for coast de-
fences ; the town voted to hire money to pay " minute
men." Then came the clash of arms the 19th. In
May five men were chosen a committee of intelli-
gence; a watch was set on Ca«tle Hill, lest an armed
cutter come and take away cattle ; Michael Far-
ley and Dummer Jewett were chosen to represent the
town in the Provincial Congress at Watertown. It
was now time to put none but Americans on guard.
Congress ordered that committees of safety and cor-
respondence be sworn. Hence such committees were
dismissed, and these cho.sen and sworn in their stead,
— Daniel Noyes, Captain Daniel Rogers, Captain
Isaac Dodge, John Crocker, Samuel Lord, Captain
Ephraim Kindall, Major Jonathan Cogswell, Captain
Al)rahani Howe, Mr. John Patch, 3d.
The Alarm. — It was a beautiful moonlight even-
ing of the 18th of April, 1775, when Governor Gage
sent out Lieutenant-Colonel Smith and Major Pit-
cairn, with eight hundred regulars, to seize the stores
at Concord. It was Paul Revere and William Dawes
who simultaneously started and gave the alarm. The
ringing of bells and the firing of guns told the patri-
ots of their needed presence and valor. Early on the
19th, the day when the bloody die was cast, five
Ipswich companies of infantry and a troop of horse
left their homes for the scene of conflict. They were
led by Captains Thomas Burnham, Daniel Rogers,
Abraham Dodge, Elisha Whitney, Abraham Howe
and Nathaniel Wade, and Colonel John Baker. As
Putnam left his cattle yoked in the field, so no less, if
not the same, did Ipswich men. Nearly three hun-
dred stout-hearted yeomanry marched to the defence
of righteousness against tyranny, with banner stream-
ing and drums beating and hurried pace, " while
their zeal outran their footsteps."
The following rolls of Ipswich minute-men have
been gleaned from the State archives, and will doubt-
less gratify many a patriotic interest. They marched
upon the alarm of April 19th.
COMPANY ONE.
O'plain, ThoniM Burnbam. 1st Lieut., Charles Smith.
id Lieut, John Farley.
Bergeants.
Daniel Lord. John Potter.
Ebeuezer Lord. John Lakeman.
Privates.
Neheuiiah Abbott, Nicholas Babcock, Samuel Baker, Elijah Boynton,
John Brown, 4th, Isaac Burnham, Jr., Jeremiah Brown, Thomas Cald-
well, Thomas Chun, Benjamin Cross, Nathaniel Cross, Nehemiah
Choate, Nathaniel Dennis, Benjamin Emerson, Ephraim Fellows, John
Fellows, Isaac Fellows, Nathan Fellows, John Glazier, James Harris,
John Harris, Abraham Hodgkins, Nathaniel Heard, John Heard, Jr.,
Thoniiia Hodgkins, Amos Heard, Ebene/.er Kimball. Moses Kinsman,
William Kinsman, Abraham Lord, Aaron Lord, Caleb Lord, Samuel
Lord, John Manning, Elisha Newman, Samuel Newman, Nathan Par-
sons, William Goodhue, Francis Pickard, James Pickard, Jr., John Por-
ter Jeremiah Rose, Simeon Satford, Moses Smith. Jr., Henry Spellar,
IPSWICH.
617
Henry Sp'^Ilar, Benjamin Sweet, Daniel Lowe, Richard Sliutawell, Philip
Lord, Elisliii Treadwell, Samuel Wallis, Nathaniel Wells.
Total jiay was £2i>, ih, A:d. for thirty miles and three
days.
COMPANY TWO.
C'lpliiin, Nathiiniel Wadt;. 1st Lieut., Joseph Ilodgkins.
2d Lieut., William Denuis.
Serijeunt!!.
Aaron Perkins. Jabez Farley.
Michael Farley, Jr. Thomas Boardnuin.
Corporals.
Asa Barker. Francis SIcrrifield.
John Grave9. Joseph Appleton, Jr.
Prirates.
Thomas Appleton, Samuel Bnrnhani, Stephen Dutch, .Tonathau Fos-
ter, John Fowler, Jr., Jogi-ph Fowler, 3d, John Fitts, Jr., Isaac Gid-
dings, Daniel Goodhue, Jr.. William Goodhue, Ephraim Goodhue, Fran-
cis Ilovey, Benjamin Heard, John Harris, 5th, Nathaniel Jewett,
Abiah Knowlton, Nathaniel Lakeman, Nathaniel Lord, 3d, Charles
Lord, Samuel Lord. 5th, James Fuller Likemin, Nathaniel Ross, Ben-
jamin Ross, Nathaniel Rust, Jr., Jabez Ross, Jr., Kneeland Ross,
Thoniaa Hodgkins, 4th, Henry Spellar, Jabez Sweet, Jr., John Stan
wood, Isaac Stanwood, Daniel Stone, Nathaniel Souther, Edward Stacy,
James Smith, Nathaniel Treadwell, Ebenezer Lakemau, Nathaniel
March, John Peters, Nathaniel Brown.
This company Avas ia service as minute-men till
May lOth. The distance was eighty-eight miles and
their pay £101, Ids. 2d.
COMPANY THREE.
Captain Abraham How. Ist Lieut. Thomas Foster.
EiiA. Paul Lancaster.*
How.
Smith.
Fisk.
Potter.
Sergeants.
Corporals.
Dresser.*
Chapman.
Chaplin-*
Abbott.
Drumyner, Foster,
Privates. — Joremiah Smith, John Daniels,* Joseph Cliapmnn,* Caleb
Jackson,* Amos Jewett, Jr.,* John Perley, Jonathan Foster, Jr., Samuel
Woodbury,* David Chaplin,* Moses Chaplin, Jr ,* Moses Foster, Abra-
ham How, 3d, Allen Foster,* Charles Davis, John Fowler, Jr., Daniel
Kimball, Jr., Joshua Dickinson,* George Abbott,* James-Smith. Joseph
Nelson,* Philemon Foster, Timothy Morse, John Fowler, Elijah Foster,
Moses Chaplin,* Daniel Kimball. Allen Perley, Ezekiel Potter, Edmund
Tenney,* Mosea Conant, John Chapman.
The distance for most of this company was eighty
miles, and their total pay was £22 Qs. Sd. If. Those
marked with a star (*) belonged to Rowley-Line-
brook, and perhaps two or three others.
COMPANY FOUR.
Captain Daniel Rogers. \st Lient. Thomas Burnham.
2d LidU. Abraham Dodge.
Sergeants.
Martin. Wallis.
Wade. Treadwell.
Corporals.
Kimball. Pearson.
Lord. Appleton.
PWro/tfji.— John Andrews, William Baker, Pliilip Abbott, Jonathan
Appleton, Samuel Beal, Benjamin Brown, Thomas CaldweU, Abraham
Choate, John Cross, Aaron Day, Jeremiah Day, Thoma>i Day, Ebene/er
Caldwell, Joshua Fitts, Ebenezer Goodhue, Barnabas Dodge, Samuel
Henderson, Mark Haskell, John Hodgkins, Thomas Hodgkins, Jr.,
Cols. (?) Jewett, Richard Kimball, Jeremiah Kinsman, Israel Kinsman,
Ephraim Jewett, Nathaniel Grant, Ebenezer Hovey, Purch;iae Jewett,
John Lord, Daniel Lord, Jr., Gideon Parker, Nathaniel Perley, Daniel
Potter, Joshua Smith, Simon Smith, Robert Stocker, Richard Sutton,
Moses Treadwell, Asa Warner, William Warner.
39A
Their distance was sixty miles, their time was four
days, and their total pay was £28 12.?. Grf.
TEOOP OF HORSE.
Caplaiii Hlosfs Jewett. Liml. Robert I'lTkiim.
Cornet^ John Kiusuian. Quartcmt., Elisliii Brown.
Oirporah.
Natlmniol Smith Pelatiah Hiown.
Nchemiah Choate. Nehemiati Brown.
Trumpaler, John Brown. Clerti, John Tearson.
Prinitm. —Ebenezer Brown, John Brartslreot, Samnel Bnigg, Allen
Baker, Francis Brown, Joseph Brown, Jonathan Cnnnninfs, IVlatiah
Cuinniingii, William Conant, Abuer Day, John Einei-son, Joseph GooJ-
liue, Soth Goodhne, Mark Haakell, John Harris, Nohoniiali Jewett,
Aaron Jowott, Michael Kinsman, Joseph Metcalfe, Nehemiah Patch,
Thonuis Smith, Zebulon Smith, Nehemiah Jewett, Jr.
The distance was sixty miles, they served ninety-
nine days, and their total pay was £16 9.t. Sd. 2f.
Ipswich hamlet furnished thirty-eight minute-men,
under Captain Elisha Whitney. They were out three
days, and returned to Cambridge, 1st of May.
Captain Abraham Dodge's company did not go into
the conflict, except such as volunteered. They were
encamped in sight.
The War. — They, however, soon returned ; but
enlistments immediately began. Captain Abraham
Dodge enlisted forty men ; Captain Gideon Parker,
twenty-two; Captain Elisha Whitney, thirty-nine;
Captain Daniel Rogers, fifty-one; Captain Nathaniel
Wade, sixty-nine. Our st.atement is necessarily
short. Enlistments were constant. The only busi-
ness that received first attention was the war. The
citizens contributed of their service, their sympathy,
their kindness, their money, their prayers for the one
great end. They were represented in every depart-
ment. Our soldiers fought at Bunker Hill, and
helped drive Howe from Boston. They fought under
Gates at the North, on Long Island, in New Jersey
and Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. They helped
conquer Burgoyne, and they guarded his troops at
Prospect Hill, near Boston. They suffered in the
retreat through New Jersey and at Valley Forge.
Colonel Hodgkins wrote February 22, 1778: "What
our soldiers have suffered this winter is beyond ex-
pression, as one-half has been barefoot and all most
naked all winter; the other half very badly on it for
clothes of all sorts ; and to com Pleat our messery,
very shorte ont for provisions. Not long since our
brigade drue but an half days Lounce of meet in
eight days. But these defcttis the men bore with a
degree of fortitude becoming soldiers." The bloody
foot-track in the "Flight through Jersey" and the
extreme sufferings at Valley Forge are no myth.
"These benign institutions, the dear purchase of our
fathers, are ours," bought at a jirice unparalleled.
On ,Iune 10, 1776, " Voted that this Town instruct
their representatives that if the Continental Congress
should, for the safety of the said Colonies, declare
them independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain,
they, the said inhabitants, will solemnly engage with
their lives and fortunes to sujjjiort them in the meas-
ure." The town had expended November 28, 1777,
618
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
£1737 6s. That year was voted £1000 for recruits.
In February the town voted to pay, in addition to
Continental and State bounty, £18 for three years, or
during the war, or in lien of it, £6 for the first year,
£8 for the second, and £10 for the third, if detained
so long.
In May £1(1 was voted for eight months' men.
Voted in September that the selectmen supply the
families of soldiers, who were enlisted for three years,
or during the war. In November a committee was
chosen for that purpose according to law, and it was
voted to raise £100 for the purpose. In April, 1777,
at a very full meeting, the town approved the Gen-
eral Court's order to prevent monopoly and oppres-
sion, and instructed the selectmen " not to approbate
any innholder or retailer that does not strictly adhere
to it." In 1778 the town instructed her represent-
atives to vote for the " Articles of Confederation,"
and voted to hire £900 to supply the families of sol-
diers in the Continental Army. In 1779 voted to
raise £3000 for town charges and war services, and
£12,000 (old tenor) to pay men to be hired, if need be.
In 1780 the town's proportion of supplies is 106
shirts, 106 pairs of shoes and stockings, 33 blankets
and 31,800 pounds of beef. Voted £1200 for hire of
soldiers. In March, 1781, voted £1000 to pay inter-
est,— taxed for that purpose alone. In 1781 voted
£500 for soldiers' pay, £220 for Rhode Island service,
£400 for hiring four months' men, £200 for clothing,
and £300 for beef On January 1, 1782, the town
earnestly desires instruction to be given the Commis-
sion for negotiating peace, that they make " the right
of the United States to the fisheries an indispensable
article of treaty." The town voted £440 to pay ibur
men lately engaged, and old Continental soldiers.
These extracts exhibit the town as among the fore-
most in sustaining the cause and the most discerning
in the conditions of treaty. Our fathers hailed with
joy the return to the arts of peace and the amenities
of home.
Biographical. — Conspicuous in our Revolutionary
history is the name of Col. Nathaniel Wade. He
began as captain of" Minute-Men," in the town during
their "discipline" for service. He led his company
out on the memorable 19th of April, and commanded
them at Bunker Hill, where they rendered eflicient
service. He was afterwards in the siege of Boston,
and participated in the joyous acclamations of the
citizens, when Gen. Howe sailed with his army, navy
and tories for Halifax. He was in the campaign on
Long Island, participated in the dexterous manceuver-
ing of the troops through New York, and in the noble
stands at Harlem Heights and White Plains. He
suffered in the " Flight through New Jersey," where
" many of the patriots had no shoes and left their
blood-stained foot-prints on the frozen ground ; " and
at Valley Forge, where a paucity of provisions and
clothing severely tried their patience and endurance
and cemented their patriotism. He attained the
rank of colonel in the Continental Army. He was
actively engaged in the whole campaign in Rhode
Island. He was president of a court-martial there,
December 23, 1777. He was under Gen. Arnold at
West Point in 1780, and upon Arnold's defection suc-
ceeded to the coniQiand of the fort. On this occasion
Gen. Washington wrote him, uuder date of Septem-
ber 25, 1780 :
"Gen. ArnoUl baa gone to the Enemy. . , . The command of the
Fort for the present devolves upon you. I request you will be as vigi-
lant as possible, and as the Enemy may have it in contemplation to
attempt some enterprise even to-night, against those Posts, I wish yon
to make, immediately after receipt of this, the best disposition you can of
your force, so as to have a proportion of men in each work on the west
side of the River. You will hear from or see me to-morrow."
Col. Wade was suspicious for some time, that all
was not right about Gen. Arnold ; but the general
was so vigilant and adroit, that nothing could be ob-
tained upon which to base a charge.
The most tearfully joyous occasion of the colonel's
life was probably the greeting of Gen. Lafayette,
when the latter visited this country in 1824. At a
collation provided by Col. Treadwell in honor of the
town's distinguished guest at which were delegations
from Ipswich, Haverhill and Newburyport, Col. Wade
was presented to the general. Their embrace was
cordial and "affecting beyond description." They
had been companions in arms ; they had planned to-
gether for success in the noble cause; they had fought
for the same purpose ; they had hoped together for
the fullest realization ; and now they rejoiced together
in the grand consummation and the glorious fruition
of their hope. Their converse was earnest ; their
theme was familiar and involved points of the deepest
interest ; and their feelings at times bearing sway
" became too strong for utterance."
Col. Wade retired from the army near the close of
the war and returned home ; but upon the insurrec-
tion led by Captain Daniel Shays, he entered the ser-
vice under Gen. Lincoln and commanded the Middle
Essex Regiment. The winter campaign was particu-
larly severe, and he often afterwards spoke of his suf-
ferings. This campaign closed his martial career.
He enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fel-
low-citizens, and held many important civil trusts as
their gifts. He was town clerk from 1784 to 1814,
and Representative to the General Court from 1795 to
1816 inclusive, and was county treasurer twenty-five
years. He is said to have possessed a remarkable
equanimity and mildness of temper. Says one, ' He
did not have a blot on his character." He died Octo-
ber 26, 1826, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Another pleasant name of Revolutionary memory
is Col. Joseph Hodgkins. He was first a lieutenant
in Captain Wade's company of " Minute-Men." He
was one of the score or more who were voluntarily
led by Captain Wade into the battle of Bunker Hill.
He was in the siege of Boston, the campaign of Long
Island, the battles of Harlem Heights, White Plains
and Princeton. He witnessed the surrender of Bur-
IPSWICH.
619
goyne's army and guarded it on pnrole near Boston.
He wrote numerous letters to his family while he was
in arms, valuable mementos of his noble patriotism
and descriptive of his campaigns, his sentiments and
his sufferings, to which reference is made in the quo-
tation above. He succeeded Col. Wade as commander
of the Middle Essex Regiment, was Representative to
the General Court from 1810 to 1816 inclusive, and
held various town offices. It is needless to speak of
his exemplary character. He died September 25,
1829, eightj'-six years old.
Another illustrious man, the Gen. Denison of this
period, who deserves an extensive notice, was Gen.
Michael Farley. He was a man of commanding
influence, of varied ability and comprehensive views.
He was a tanner by trade. He excelled in State-
craft. He was elected for many years to tlie princi-
pal town offices. He was a long time town treasurer
and feoffee of the grammar school. During the
Revolutionary period he was vigilant, earnest, active,
efficient, in meeting, in behalf of the town, the de-
mands of the government, for men, clothing and
provisions. He was a member of the General Court
from 1775 to 1779 inclusive, and of the Provincial
Congress 1774 and 1775. The General Court accord-
ing to the Governor's warrant for the election was to
convene at Salem October 5th. Gen. Farley was
chosen a deputy. Meanwhile the Governor recalled
his warrants, but ninety deputies, including Gen.
Farley, ai)peared and after waiting a day for the
Governor, resolved themselves into a Provincial Con-
gress and adjourned to meet at Concord the 11th.
He was high sheriff, was a major-general of the mili-
tia, and a member of the executive council, that ad-
ministered the government from 1775 to 1780. When
Gen. Lafayette came to this country to offer his ser-
vices to this government, he came to Ipswich and
was the guest of Gen. Farley. The general was a
very polite man, and "remarkably hospitable." Rev.
Levi Frisbie wrote: " He was generou.s, public-spir-
ited, humane and impartial; a great loss to the town
and country." He died June 20, 1789, aged seventy
years.
Gexeral Daniel Dexisox. — These annals of the
wars would be very incomplete without some notice
of General Daniel Denison, the foremost man of the
times. He was born in England in 1612, and came
to this country with his parents when about nineteen
years old. He was at first a citizen of Roxbury, then
of Newton, now Cambridge. He married Patience,
daughter of Governor Thomas Dudley, and shortly
after chose a permanent liome in this town, then the
home of his wife's father. He entered upon public
life shortly after his majority, being elected depu'y
in 1635. He was dej)uty the five following years and
in 1G4S, 1649, 1651 and 1652. Three years he was
speaker. He was town clerk in 1636, and probably
held the office till Mr. Symonds was chosen in 1639.
In 1636 he was made captain. In 1638 he, with
others, began a plantation at Merrimack, now Salis-
bury. In 1641 he was one of a committee to advance
trade in the town. In 1643 he had a grant of two
hundred acres to encourage him to remain here.
Soon after the union of the colonies, March 19, 1643,
he was called as a military leader. In May of that
year he was one of five who were to organize and
equip an army and set up fortifications. He was
chosen the leader or drill master of the Ipswich
militia, and they agreed to pay him £24 7s. an-
nually. Wonder-workinri Providence calls him "a
good souldier, of quick capacity, not inferior to any
other of these chief officers."
He was one of three commissioners with full powers
to treat with D'Aulney in the La Tour-D'Alney
imbroglio. In 1647 he was made a justice in the In-
ferior Court. He assisted in organizing and estab-
lishing the grammar school and was one of the
feoffees. He was made major-general in 1653,
and was appointed several times afterwards.
In 1657 he was one of a committee to ad-
just the claims of Gorges to Kittery, York and other
places, which they did with satisfaction. In May,
1658, he was requested by the General Court
thoroughly to revise and codify the colonial laws, (or
which service he received half of Block Island, which
was sold in 1660 for four hundred pounds. In 1660
he joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery and
was chosen their commander. In June, 1664, him-
self, Bradstreet and Symonds, who were sometime
Ipswich men, prepared a "Narrative" defending the
course of Massachusetts in " the great confederacy of
colonial times,'' against the accusation of the other
colonies. He entered the Quaker controversy with
decided views, and advocated strenuous measures to
prevent their " mischief." He took an active part in
the controversy with the Dutch, and it was chiefly by
his advocacy that war was averted. He was one year
colonial secretary.
In the troubles between King and colony in 1660,
Denison and Bradstreet counseled "the golden
mean," b.asing their advocacy upon kingly preroga-
tive and law, a course which was wise and prevailed.
He was called to the front again wlien the Dutch took
possession of New York. He was the general command-
ing the Bay forces in the King Philip's War. His
general's commission for this war, dated June 26,
1675, is in the State Archives, 67: 206. This war
closed his military career. In 1680 he was chosen
assistant, an office which he held, by re-election, till
his death, September 20, 1682.
He was continually in the public service, and we
know nothing of his private life excejjt as it is mirrored
in that service. The fact that he was a deputy ten
years, assistant twenty-nine years, major-general
eleven years, inter-colonial commissioner eight years,
shows, after allowing for double service, that his
public career began soon after he attained his major-
ity ; that he was continually honored l)y his towns-
620
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
men shows his home life to have been exemplary,
and that jjublic honors crowned the service of his
youth, his manhood and his age, exhibits him a man
of varied talents and learning, of stout-hearted virtue,
of fullest integrity and unswerving purpose. He was
quick to adapt means to ends, was a persuasive advo-
cate, a faithful, judicious and wise counselor. He was
an earnest Christian man and defender of the faith.
He was one of the greatest men of his day.
A Painful Incident. — It is proper here to di-
gress a little and relate an incident of peculiar sad-
ness, the capital punishment of a youth of sixteen,
who was accidentally made partaker of a heinous
crime.
Jabez Ross was the father of seventeen children, of
whom nine were living in 1775 — six sons and three
daughters. Five of the sons were in the army of the
Revolution ; four fought at Bunker Hill ; one perished
in the army of the North ; three were enlisted for
three years, and one, Ezra, the youngest, for one year.
This son, only sixteen years of age, is the subject of
this narrative. He had served the term of his enlist-
ment and was returning to the home of his parents.
The toils, hardships and sufl'eriugs of the war had
been too much for his tender years, and he fell sick
at Brookfield. He was brought very low, and for a
time his life depended upon kind attention and
watchful care. Providence placed him in the home
of Mr. John Spooner, whose wife gave him " every
kind office and mark of attention that could endear
and make gratei'ul a child of sixteen, sick and desti-
tute." " After the evacuation of Ticouderoga, in his
march to reinforce the Northern army, gratitude for
past favors led him to call on his old benefactress,
who then added to the number of her kindnesses and
engaged a visit on his return."
The woman in question was Mrs. Bathsheba
Spooner; she was the sixth and favorite child of
Chief-justice Ruggles, a graduate of Harvard, a man
of wealth, honor and social distinction. She was
born February 17, 1745 ; was in the vigor of woman-
hood and well educated. She had inherited wealth
and social pride, and was haughty and imperious.
Mr, Spooner, her husband from 17G6, was a retired
trader, a weak character, and the marriage was not
happy. Dissension followed dissension, till she hated
him and flew to criminal indulgence. Ross had a
fine 7)%s((7?(e, and stature far beyond his years. He
was youthful, ruddy, active, social, handsome. His
youth and inexperience unconsciously became the
prey of the strong-minded, artful, seductive, profli-
gate woman. Once in her toils, his youth furnished
him with no power to extricate himself. He heard
her hellish proposals and her flattering promises, but
he " never attempted an execution of the detestable
crime, notwithstanding repeated solicitation and as
frequent opportunities, until on an accidental meet-
ing he became a party with those rufiians who, with-
out his privity, had fixed on the time and place."
The news of the deed spread far and wide ; the case
became famous as the crime was heinous. Its secret
could not long be kept ; the perpetrators were soon
ferretted out, and Mrs. Spooner, two vagabond sol-
diers and young Ross were arrested. The trial was
short, the evidence conclusive and the sentence
severe and condign. Much sympathy was felt for
the woman because of her delicate condition, and for
Ross because of his accidental knowledge of the deed,
hisyouth and inexperience; but several petitions for
executive clemency, in both cases, were of no avail.
The criminals met their fate upon the gallows, July
2, 1778. This history is a solemn warning to youth,
and will ever excite our sympathy and pity.
Shays' Rebellion. — The town was active in sup-
pressing the Shays' Rebellion in 1786-87. This grew
out of the scarcity of money, caused by the interrup-
tion of trade and the long, tedious di'ain upon the
energies and finances of the government by the late
war, and was led by Captain Daniel Shays, who him-
self participated in the Nation's struggle for freedom.
Ipswich furnished twenty-five men, who were out
sixty days, a winter campaign of great severity.
War of 1812.— In speaking of the War of 1812,
we must begin with the Embargo Act, or, as the op-
ponents of the administration, spelling it backwards,
called it "The 0-grah-me Act." England and France
were in a desperate struggle. Between the " Berlin "
and " Milan " decrees of Napoleon on the one hand
and the "Orders in Council" of England on the
other, the commerce of the United States sulfered in
the extreme. We reasoned, we remonstrated, we ex-
postulated— all in vain. England was haughty, mo-
rose, insulting. She vauntingly searched our vessels
and impressed our seamen, with apparent impunity.
This government retaliated by passing the "Embargo
Act," by which all American vessels were prohibited
from sailing for foreign ports, all foreign vessels from
taking out cargoes, and all coasting vessels were re-
qxiired to give bonds to discharge their cargoes in the
United States. The effect of this act was to embitter
political parties more deeply and to work disastrously
upon the remnant of our commerce. It fell particu-
larly heavy upon Boston and Essex County, of which
Ipswich was an important element and factor. The
feeling was so intense in Massachusetts — and Ipswich
representatives aided in expressing that feeling — that
the President was informed " that New England, if
the measure were persisted in, would separate from
the Union, at least until the obstacles to commerce
were removed ; that the plan had already been ad-
justed, and it would be supported by the people." In
1808 the obnoxious act was in part repealed.
But our difficulty with England continued. She
stirred up the Indians to prey upon our western bor-
der ; she searched our vessels upon the high seas ; she
stationed vessels at the entrances of our harbors, and
there searched our vessels and impressed our seamen
under the pretense that they were English born. In
IPSWICH.
621
eight years nine hundred American vessels were cap-
tured, and more than six thousand seamen had been
impressed. These wrongs had to be avenged. The
United States at last declared war June }'.), 1812. It
was a Democratic measure and was bitterly opposed
by the Federalists, and the seaports were particularly
bitter.
A short time before the declaration of war our town
held a convention to consider "the momentous sub-
ject of our national aflairs," to reply to communica-
tions from Boston and Salem and to ])ass upon ad-
dresses from Congress and the Legislature. They de-
clared "that the county of Essex has of late been
most grossly misrepresented to the agents of our
country by men in whom this town have no confi-
dence; they animadverted upon the administration;
they "were not convinced that any war in an 1/ ca.se
should be declared;" and they exclaimed, " Who is
not convinced that enlarging the power of the authors
and aiding the common enemy of free States was its
prime object!" They heartily approved the minority
address of Congress, and declared the address of the
State House of Representatives to be a true expression
of the will of the people. The records further declare
" We are, nevertheless, determined to do our duty to
bring our beloved and afilicted country to a better
state of things."
A company of " Sea Fencibles " was raised, and
commanded by Major Joseph Swasey, ca])tain ; Col-
onel Joseph Hodgkins, first lieutenant; Jabez Far-
ley, second lieutenant; and Colonel Thomas Wade,
orderly. Of the three hundred men raised in Essex
County, Ipswich furnished her quota, and October 3,
1814, voted to make the pay of drafted men seventeen
dollars per month for the time in actual service.
Ipswich commerce, however, never recovered from
the stroke.
The last of these war veterans to fall was Thomas
Smith. He died September 29th of last year, at the
great age of ninety-three years, three months and
twenty-six days. He was a hatter by trade, but had
not worked at it since the use of machinery in that
industry. He drew a pension for many years. He
was a good kind of man, always well posted in Dem-
ocratic measures and principles, was of a retiring dis-
])osition, generous and a good citizen. He never
married.
The Eebellion. — The spirit with which I)iswich
entered the war against the Rebellion was fervent
and active. It was a vital resurrection of the same
spirit that bearded the tyranny of Andros, and that
pledged life and treasure to support the Declaration
of Independence. She met the issue squarely and
effectively. At an initial meeting she voted three thou-
sand dollars in aid of the fiimilies of volunteers, which
she supplemented from time to time with ample sup-
ply. Her bounties were commensurate with those of
sister towns. She was instant in season and out of
season in providing comforts and delicacies for the
soldier upon the field and in the hospital. There
were committees of the town, of the societies, of the
churches, of the lodges and of the citizens, vying
with each other in "the labor of love." The town's
average enrollment during the war was about three
hundred and eighty. She furnished about three
hundred and seventy-five. She furnished her full
quota upon every call. Fifteen oi' her men were
commissioned officers. At the end of the war she
had furnished a surplus of thirty-three men. She ex-
pended f 52,692 ; $13,200 exclusively of State aid.
The JIonument. — When the cruel war was over,
in 18()9 the town selected a conspicuous and central
location, and erected upon the rock-ribbed earth, at a
cost of two thousand eight hundred dollars, a sightly
granite memorial, "a single shaft, simple and jdain,"
commemorative of her ]iatriot dead. The front
panel, which laces the north, is inscribed, —
"ERECIED
BY THE TOWN OF ITSWICH
IN MEMORY OF HER
BRAVE AND LAMENTED SONS
WHO OAVE THKin LIVES TO
THEIR COUNTRY IN THE WAR
FOR UNION AND LIRERTY
18C1-I805."
The other panels record their names. On the
plinth in front is the year " 1871," when the shaft
was erected ; on the west, " Their deeds we cher-
ish ; " on the south, " OuR patriot Dead ; " and
on the east, " Their record our ukios."
When the Ronum matron, Cornelia, was asked to
exhibit her jewels, she ndivehj turned towards her
boys and said, " These are my ornaments." These
arc our jewels.
The Roll of Honor. — [The roll includes the
names of those who died in the service, and have
their names upon the soldiers' monument. The first
semi-colon is the name; second, age ; third, com-
pany; fourth, branch of service; fifth, mustered in;
sixth, mustered out ; seventh, remarks. The abbre-
viations are: B., battalion ; Bat., battery ; Cav., cav-
alry ; d., died, or dead ; H. A., heavy artillery ; I.,
infantry ; ss., sharpshooters ; tr., transferred ; V. R. C,
veteran relief corps ; en., expiration of term of en-
listment.]
Anilrews, Lutlier B. ; 31 ; D ; 48 I.; 10 Oct.'l ; (1. 2 June, •■I.
Barker, John A. ; 42 ; I ; 2:! I.; 9 Oct.'! ; il. I'liiUi. :)0 Aug. '-I.
Batilii Idcr, Chas. P. ; 18 ; L ; 1 It. .\. ; L'S Fell, 'li ; U. of woiinda, WiibU-
iugton, 2;i Aug. '4.
Bridges, Gelois F. ; 23 ; I ; 23 I ; 10 Oct. '1 ; d. Ridiinond priaou, Va.,
10 Jluy, '4.
Bridges, John 0. ; 27 ; I ; 23 I.; 10 Oct. '1 ; d. Nowljern, N. 0., 21!
April, '2.
Brown, Henry A. ; 18 ; I ; 23 1.; 28 Sel)t. '1 ; d. NewI.ern, N. C, 21
April, '2.
Brown, Jeremiah W. ; lit ; — ; 4 Bat. H. A. : 21 Fell. '4 ; 14 Oct. '5.
Butler, Pierce L. ; 20 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; d. 2 Jan., '5.
Cash, William ; 33; L; 1 H. A. ; 20Jlch., '2; d. Andersonville, 20
Mch., '2.
Chainhcrs, Nathl. ; 20 ; A ; 1 II. A. ; ,'> July, '1 ; d. Patrick Station, li;
Feb.. '5.
Clarke, .InnicH A.; 61; I; 23 I.; 28 .Sept., '1; d. Uatteras Inlet, 7
May, '2.
622
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Cowlcs, Henry A. ; IS ; K ; 150 O.JSat. G'ds ; 15 April, '4 ; d. FortSara-
toga, 14 July, 'i.
Crowley, Peter ; 22 ; G ; 1 H. A. ; 4 Dec, '3 ; d. of wounds, near Peters-
burg, Va.
Dow, Chas. H. ; 18 ; I; 23 I ; 16 Oct., '1 ; kid. Cold Harlior, 3 .lune, '4.
Estes, William A. ; 19 ; I ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; made prisoner Ander-
sonvlHe, 22 June, '4.
Gordon, James ; — ; A; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; kid. Si)Ottsylvauia, 19
May, '4.
Gray, William ; 34 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 17 Feb., '2 ; kid. 21 June, "4.
Harris, Edward ; 27 ; I ; 19 I. ; 28 Aug., '1 ; d. Bolivar hosptl., 27
Oct.,- '2.
Harris, James.
Hayes, Nathaniel ; 34 ; 2 SS. ; 10 July, '3 ; d. Petersburg, Va., 2
July, '4.
Jewett, John H. ; 20; I; 231.; 28 Sept., '1 ; d. Getty's Station, 5
April, '4.
Jewett, John J. ; 31 ; K ; 2 I ; 8 Aug., '2 ; kid. Gettysburg, 2 July, '3.
Jewett, Lorenzo T. ; 19 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; d. Washington of
wounds at Spottsylvania, 20 May, '4.
Jewett, William H. ; 42; 0; 19,1.; 31 Dec, '1; 20 Oct., '2.
Johnson, Nathaniel A.; 43; C; 191.; 28 Aug., '1 ; d. Ipswich, 17
May, '4.
Lavalette, Philip C. ; 21 ; H ; 1 II. A ; 6 July, '1 ; d. Washington, 6
June, '4.
Lavalette, Pike N. ; 18; A; 14 1.; 6 July, '1 ; d. Andersonville, 24
Sept., '4.
Liuburg, Marcus; 42; D; 48 I.; 23 Dec, '2; kid. 15 Nov , '3.
Lord, Caleb H. ; 22 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; kid. by SS., 29 June, '4.
McGregor, Alex. B. ; 27 ; L ; 1 H. A. ; 11 Mch., '2 ; kid. New Haven,
Ct., 2(i Oct., '4.
McGregor, Parker ; 24 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; kid. 16 June, '4.
Morley, George W. ; 19 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; d. 19 July, '3 ;
wounded 13.
Morris, George ;.35 ; — ; Navy ; — ; drowned " Cumberlrind," 7 Mch. '2 ;
sailmaker's-mate.
Noyes, James W. ; 22 ; I ; 1 H. A. ; 20 Feb., '2 ; kid. Spottaylvania, 18
May, '4.
Otis, George W. ; 26 ; A; 1 B. H. A. ; 29 Feb., '2 ; d. Ipswich, 19
Nov., '3.
Patterson, William ; 35; A; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; d. 16 June, '4, of
wounds at Petersburg.
Peatfield, Joseph S. ; IS ; I ; 23 I. ; 4 June, '2 ; d. Nowbern, N. C, 31
July, '3.
Peatfield, William P. ; IS ; I ; 23 I. ; 5 Oct., '1 ; kid. Whitehall, N. C,
16 Dec, '4.
Pickard, Samuel R. ; — ; L; 4H. A; ; d. Alexandria, Va., 25
Feb., '5.
Potter, Daniel J. ; 21 ; A , 1 H. A. ; 6 July, '1 ; d. Fort Albany, 27
Nov.. '1.
Richardson, Alfred ; — ; D. ; 48 I. ; ; d. Baton Rouge, La., 8
Aug., '3.
SchankB, Daniel B. ; 25 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; d. of wounds at Baton
Eouge, 20 April, '3.
Schanks, John G. ; 25 ; — ; 4 N. Y. I. ; 1 Jul.y, '1 ; d. wounds at Antie-
tam, 20 Sept., '2.
Schofield, Cornelius ; 24 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 2 Aug., '2 ; d. of wounds, 13
Aug. '4.
Shattuck, W. William ; 21 ; I ; 23 I ; 16 Oct., '1 ; 2 Jan., '4 ; re-enlisted '•
kid. Petersburg.
Smith, Asa ; 31 ; — ; 10 Bat.'; 21 Sept., '2 ; kid. 28 Oct., '4.
Smith, Charles. D.; 28; E; 9 1.; 21 Aug., '3 ; kid. Spottsylvania, 8
May, '4.
Smith, J. Albert; 2.'i ; A ; 1 Cav. ; - Aug., '2 ; d. 24 Oct., '4.
Thurston, Timothy J., Jr. ; 40 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 7 Dec, '1 ; d. Alcxan
dria, 16 Oct., '4.
Tozer, John M. ; 19 ; I ; 23 I. ; 10 Oct., '3 ; d. Newport News, 20 Oct., '3
Turner, Joshua ; — ; I ; 1 H. A. ; ; d. Washington, D. C.
Wade, David L. ; 41 ; K ; 21.; 8 Aug., '2 ; d. 26 July, '3 ; wounded
Gettysburg, 2.
Wells, Samuel S. ; 20 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; d. Andersonville, 1
Nov., '4.
Whipple, Daniel M. ; 22 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; d. Washington, 26
Dec, '4.
Additions. — The following died in the war, and
seem to be connected with Ipswich, but are not upon
the monument. Conant and Howe, and perhaps
Others, were natives :
Bailey, George W. ; 35 ; L ; 1 H. A. ; 20 Mch., '2 ; d. Portsmouth Grove,
15 Aug., '4.
Conant, Alvin T. ; 36 ; K ; 40 I. ; 3 Sept., '2 ; d. 26 Oct., '3.
Fish, Charles W., 32 ; — ; 23 I. ; 15 Feb., '3 ; d. Salem 30 Sept., '6.
Guilford, Hiram; 34; D; 1 H. A. ; 17 Feb., '2; d. City Point, 17
Oct., '4.
Howe, Leonard; 21; H; 2 1.; 11 May, '1; d. Seneca Mills, 28
Nov., '1.
LefHan, Sanmel A. ; — ; I ; 1 H. A. ; ; kid. 19 May, '4.
Murray, Patrick ; — ; F ; 2 1.; . ; kid. North Bridgewater.
Shattuck, James ; 19 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; tr. V. K. C.
Those Relumed to Citizenship.
Akcrman, Joseph L. ; 41 ; K ; 2 I. ; 9 .\ug., '2 ; 4 Feb., '4 ; disability ;
d. 6 June, '70.
Andrews, Calvin ; 18 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Andrews, Charles 0. ; 22 ; C ; 2 I. ; 25 May, '1 ; 9 June, '3 ; disability.
Andrews, Daniel H. ; 29 ; H , 24 I. ; 27 Nov., '1 ; close of war ; d.
Andrews, Eben A. ; 24 ; I ; 1 H. A. ; 19 Mch., '2 ; 4 Oct., '4.
Andrews, George M. ; 24 ; I ; 16 I. ; 12 July, '1 ; 27 July, '4.
Andrews, Isaac M. ; 3S ; D; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Andrews, John J. ; 30 ; E ; 19 I. ; 23 Feb., '5 ; 30 June, '5.
Andrews, Luther B. ; 31 ; D ; 48 I. ; 10 Oct., '1 ; 2 June '4 ; d.
Andrews, Prince ; 19 ; F ; 2 I. ; 25 May, '1 ; 28 May, '4 ; d.
Atkinson, Samuel D. ; 29 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3; en.
Averill, Ephraim P. ; 25 ; D ; 12 I. ; 26 June, '1, for three years ; en.
Averill, William W. ; 20 ; — ; — ; 10 May, '4 ; 11 Aug., '4.
Bailey, Amasa P. ; 33 ; A ; 1 B. H. A. ; 25 Feb., '2 ; 27 Feb., '5 ; en.
Bailey, John ; 26 ; F ; 9 I. ; 22 Aug., '3 ; 19 June. '4 ; en.
Bailey, Oliver A. ; 29; C; Engr. Troop, Bat.,N. C. ;24 Sept., '1 ; 11
April, '2 ; en.
Baker, Charles H. ; 31 ; A ; 1 B. 11. A ; 21 Feb., '2 ; 27 Feb., '5.
Baker, Francis ; — ; Navy, master's mate.
Baker, George H. ; — ; — ; 43 N. Y. ; ; ; discharged for
wounds ; d.
Baker, George W. ; 23 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 26 Feb., '2 ; 16 Aug., '5 ; en.
Baker, John E. ; 27 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Baker, Samuel Hazen ; 24 ; E ; 12 N. H. I. ; 26 Aug., '2 ; 21 July, '5 ; en
Bamford, Charles W. ; 19 ; L ; 1 H. A. ; 28 Feb., '2 ; 16 Aug., '5 ; en.
Barker, George ; 34 ; I, ; 30 I. ; 17 Apr., '1 ; 18 July, '6 ; en.
Barker, George W. ; 23 ; A ; I H. A. ; 26 Feb., '2 ; 16 Aug., '5 ; en.
Barton, John F. ; 3) ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 28 May, '4 ; en.
Barton, William R. ; 26 ; A ; 1 B. H. A. ; 24 Feb., '2; 24 Feb., '5 ; en.
Batchelder, Hiram R.
Beck, Hardy M ; 21 ; — ; 1 H. A. ; 6 July, '1 ; 16 Aug., '6 ; en.
Blaisdell, Leander M. ; 20 ; L ; 1 H. A.
Vet. Corps.
Blake, Asher ; 55 ; L ; 1 H. A. ; 18 Mch.,
Bxiwell, John ; — ; — ; Navy.
Boyd, Neil ; 21 ; F ; 9 I. ; 27 Aug., '3 ;
29 Apl., '5, to Navy.
Boynton, Charles ; 27 ; A ; 1 B. H. A.
disability.
Boynton, Warren ; 25 ; A ; 1 B. H. A. ; 25 Feb., '2 ; 20 Oct., '5.
Bowen, George W. ; 16 ; A ; Navy and 3 H. A. ; 8 Dec, '2 ; 7 Dec, '5.
Bradstreet, George S.: 21 ; A; 1 B. H. A. ; 25 Feb., '2 ; 27 Feb., '5.
Bridges, Richard A. ; 22 ; D ; 48 I.; 29 Oct., '2; 12 Sept., '5 ; en.
Brocklebank. Lewis A. ; IS ; I ; 23 I. ; 28 Sept., '1 ; 13 Oct., '4 ; en.
Broderick, Dennis ; 30 ; F ; 9 I. ; 21 Aug., '3 ; ; tr Navy.
Brown, Benjamin ; 24 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en.
Brown, Edward ; 22 ; D ; 48 I. ; 29 Oct., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ;
Brown, George A. ; 23 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 15 Feb., '2 ; 16 Aug., '5 ; en.
Brown, Irving; 19; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en.
Brown, John B. ; 24 ; I ; 16 I ; 1 Aug., '1 ; 31 Oct. 3.
Brown, Jesse F. ; 22 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 27 Sept., '5 ; en.
Brown, Leverett; 21 ; D ; 48 I.; 24 Sept.' '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Brown, Luther O. ; 27 ; B ; 7 Cal. I. ; 12 Oct., '4 ; 29 April, '6.
Broivn, Tristram; 42; A; 1 H. A. ; IJan., '2; 13 Jan., '3 ;
bility ; d.
Brown, Walter. Jr. ; 20 ; D; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; en.
Burnham, Abraham ; 53; I; 23 I.; 28 Sept., '1 ; 21 July, '2 ;
bility.
Burnhani, Nathaniel ; 21 ; D ; 48 I ; 24 Sept., '2; 3 Sept., '3; en.
; 28 Feb., '2 ; 28 Dec, '4 ; tr.
'2 ; 7 Mch., '6 ; disability ; d
; tr. 10 June, '4, to 32 I. ;
20 Feb., '2 ; 9 Oct., '3 ;
disa.
disi
IPSWICH.
623
Burnham, William ; 22 ; D ; 1 H. A. ; 20 Feb., '2; 6 Jan., '3 ; (lisabilit.v.
Butler, .Monzo ; 21 ; F ; 2 I. ; 25 May, '1 ; 30 June, '5 ; on.
Butler, Johu F.; 27 ; A ; 1 B. H. A. ; 21 Feb., '2: 20 Oct.,'5; en.
Buzzell, George ; 19 ; I ; 4 Car. ; 31 Dec, '4 ; 14 Xov., '5 ; en.
Buzzell, Isaac ; 25 ; A; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 5 Xov., '5 ; en.
CofTery, Thomas; .'iS ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept , '2 ; 3 Sept., "3; en.
Caldwell, John G. ; 28 ; B ; 23 I.; 2s Sept., '1 ; 20 Mch., 2 ; disability ;
d. 12 Oct.. -81.
Callahan, William; 21 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; l(j .Aug., "5; en.
Capwell, James ; 42 ; A ; 1 H A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 20 Dec, '1 ; disability.
Carr, Patrick H. ; 24; F; 21.; 2oJIay,'l; 30 Dec, '3;en.
Channel, Jo.seph H. ; 24 ; I ; 23 1.; 28 Sept., 1 ; 3 Jan., '4 ; d.
Chaplin, William .\. ; 16 ; A ; 2:) I.; 28 Sept.. '1 ; 28 Sept., '4 ; en.
Chapman, Charles H. ; 21 ; .4. ; 3 U. A. ; 10 Jan., '3 ; 18 Sept , '.i ; en.
Chapman, Moses ; 27 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept , '3 ; en.
Chapman, ThomasT. ; 36; .\ ; 1 H. A. ; 8 Aug. '1; 8July'4; en.
Clarke, John F. G. ; 30 ; I ; 23 I ; 16 Oct., '1 ; 6 Jan., '2 ; disability.
Clarke, John W. ; 21 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 8 Aug.. >2 ; 5 April, '5 ; en.
Clarke, Philip E. ; 24 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 21 Feb., '2 ; 20 Oct , '5 ; en.
Coburn, Clarence ; — ; — ; 19 1 ; ; .
Cogswell, William ; 26; K; 2 1; 8 Aug., '2; 26 .\pril '3; disa-
bility; d.
Conant, Cyrus W. ; 25 ; K ; 40 I ; 3 Sept., '2 ; ; disibility.
Conant, George W. ; 33 ; K ; 40 I ; 3 Sept., '2 ; 6 Feb., '4 ; eu.
Condon, Patrick ; 56 ; — ; Navy ; 15 Sept., '1 ; 2n Sept., '3 ; en.
Condon, Thomas E. ; 10 ; D ; Navy, 48 I. ; April, '1 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; er. ;
wounded at Port Hudson, 17 June, '3.
Conlace, John ; 24 ; G ; 20 I. ; 12 July '3 ; 12 June, '5.
Coombs, Samuel ; 13 ; H. ; 31 Me. I. ; Apr., '4 ; 1 July, '5 ; en.
Cotton, Charles T. ; 22 ; D ; 48 1. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3(1 June, '5 ; en.
Cotton, John S. ; — ; — ; Navy ; ; .
Cotton, Moses ; — ; C ; 53 I. ; ; ; en.
CoughUn, Patrick; 41 ; I ; 23 I. ; 5 Oct., '1 ; 27 Oct., '2; disability; d.
Cressey, Alvin 0. ; 28 ; A ; 17 1. ; 21 July, '1 ; 3 Aug., '4 ; en.
Crane, Silas; 44 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 11 April, '4 ; disability; d.
Crane, William P. ; 43 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 6 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en. ; d.
Crane, William, Jr. ; 22; D ; 48 I. ; 14 Oct , '2; 3 Sept., '3; en.
Cross, William H. ; 23 ; C; 23 1.; 3 Dec, '3; 11 July, '6; discharged
by order War Dept.
Cummings, Cbas. S. ; 23 ; F ; 36 I. ; 27 Aug., '2 ; 19 Nov., '4 ; disability.
Cunimings, John ; — ; — ; — . ; ; d.
Dent, William ; — ; — ; Navy ; ; .
Dodge, James P. ; 25; A; 1 H. A. ; 7.\ug.,'2; 8 July, '4 ; en. ; of
Wenhalu.
Dodge, Jefferson ; — ; — ; — ; ; r ; of Wenhan);
Downes, Thomas J. ; 22 ; L ; 2 I. ; 25 May, '1 ; 12 Feb., '3 ; disability.
Duunels, Henry F. ; 25 ; — ; Navy; 22 April, '1 ; 7 Oct., '5 ; to reduce
naval officers ; disabled, -\ug., '4, at Deep Bottom, Va.
Dunnels, John M. ; 23 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 28 May, '4 ; en.
Ellsworth, Thomas ; F. ; 22 ; K ; 55 I. ; tr. 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 20 June
'4 ; en.
Ellsworth, William ; 19 ; D ; 1 Bat. ; 10 Ma.v, '4 ; 3(1 June, '5 ; en.
Ellwell, Alvin F. ; 38; B; 50 1. ; 15 Sept., '2; 24 Aug ,'3; on.
Estes, Charles W. ; 28 ; I ; 23 I. ; 9 Dec, '1 ; 13 Oct., '4 ; en.
Fall, Hamden A. ; 21 ; C ; 3 Me. I. ; 3 May, '1 ; 4 June, '4 ; en.
Fellows, Daniel H. ; 20 ; A ; 1 H. A ; 5 July, '1 ; 16 Aug., '5 ; en.
Fclton, Andrew P. ; 39 ; B ; 22 I. ; 26 Sept., '1 ; 9 .\pr. '3 ; wounded.
Fields, Chas. H. ; 39 ; A ; 6 Cav. ; 29 Jan., '4; 31 Oct., '5 ; en.
Fieke, William.
Flagg, Jo.ieph ; 21 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 Nov., '3 ; 16 Aug., '5.
Forbes, Henry ; 23 ; I ; 23 I ; 1 Oct., '1 ; 13 Oct., '4 ; en. ; d.
Foss, Jonathan ; 24 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, 1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en. ; d. 18
Oct., '77.
Foster, Cyrus ; 39 ; — ; 40 I. ; 3 Sept., '2 ; 25 Mch., '4 ; en.
Foster, Edwin K. ; 24 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Se|)t., '3 ; en.
Foster, Richard R. ; IS ; C ; 19 I. ; 20 July, '1; .30 June, '5 ; re-enlisted
20 Dec, '3.
Foster, Solomon L.; 26 ; F ; 48 I. ; 6 Nov., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Foster, Samuel P. ; 2G ; K ; 2 I ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 28 May, '4 ; eu.
Foster, Thomas E. ; 21 ; H ; 1 H. A ; , '1 ; , '4.
Foster, Walter C. ; 25 ; I ; 23 I ; 15 Oct., '1 ; .30 Sept., '2 ; disability.
Fowler, Eben E. ; 20 ; I ; 23 I. ; 28 Sept., '1 ; 13 Oct., '4 ; en. ; d. 24
Mch., 'S6.
Fowler, John J. ; 24 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 2 Jan. ,'5 ; eu.
Galbraith, Johu ; IS ; D ; 4s I. ; 1 Dec, '2 ; 3 Dec, '3 ; en.
Galbraith, Thomas ; 15 ; — ; Navy ; - July, '1 ; - July '4 ; en. ; d. 14
Apl., '79.
Goodhue, Nathaniel ; 23 ; D : 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en. ; d.
Goodwin, George W. ; 19 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 16 Aug., '5 ; en.
A ; 1 H. A.
1 a. A.
; 8 Aug.,
5 Jul}'
1 ; 9 Apr.,
tr. V. E. C.
pris-
Goodwin, Sylvester ; ,53 ;
3 July, '63; d.
Goss, James W, ; 35 ; H
oner.
Grant, George F. ; 18 ; — ; 3 H. .\. ; 10 Jan
Grant, James H. ; 28 ; D ; 48 I.; 23 Dec. '2
Grant, James O. ; 23 ; B ; 32 I. ; 21 Aug., '3
Guiltord, Samuel .1. ; 21 ; I ; 8 I. ; 15 Aug., '2 ; 7 Aug., '3 ; en.
Gwinn, William H. ; 26 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 23 Nov., '1 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; i
Hall, William H. ; 18 ; F ; 2 I.; 25 May, '1 ; 28 Sept., '5 ; eu.
Hardy, Charles A. ; 21 ; F ; 7 I. ; 15 June, '1 ; 27 June, '4 ; en,
Nov., '71.
Hardy, Clarendon B. ; 18 ; A : 1 H. A. ; 5 July, 1 ; 8 Jiuie, '4; en.
Hardy, Freeman ; 19; A; 1 H. A. ; 8July, '1; 30 June, '5 ; en.
drowned since.
Hardy, Josiah ; 45 ; M ; 3 Cav. ; 2 Nov., '1 ; - Juue, '2 ; disability.
Hardy, Joshua M. ; 20 ; L ; 1 H. A. ; 2 Feb., '2 ; 31 SIch., '4 ; en.
Hardy, Otis C. ; 16 ; A ; 3 H. A. ; 10 Jan., '2 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; en.
Harris, Aaron W. ; 18 ; B ; 44 I. ; 13 Oct., '2 ; 18 June, '3 ; en.
Harris, Gaorge ; 27 ; K ; 2 I ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 30 Dec, '3 ; en.
Harris, George W. ; 23 ; — : Signal Corps ; 29 Mch., '4 ; 18 Aug.
d. 5
; d. 30 Sept.,
17 Jan., '3 ; en ;
'Gli.
died
Harris, James L. ; — ; — ; Pegular ; ; ■
Harris, Maik; 21; A; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1;
since.
Hart, Andrew J. ; 24 ; H ; 24 I. ; 5 Nov., '1 ; 4 Nov., '4 ; en.
Haskell, Charles ; 21 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, 'I ; 5 Oct., '4 ; en.
Haskell, Henry ; 21; L; 1 H. A. ; 18 Mch., '2 ; 18 Mch., '5; en.
wounded ; d.
Hazeltine, Ira G. ; 19 : C ; 1 Vt. I. ; 2 Slay, '1 ; 15 .lug., '1 ; en.
Henderson, George ; — ; — ; Navy ; ; ; d. at sea.
Henderson, Moses K ; 18; — ; Regular Navy ; 23 Apr., '1 ; 27 Sept.,
'7() ; en.
Uenuesey, Peter ; 16 ; E ; 3 N. H. ; 10 July, '1 ; 15 Jul.v, '4 ; en.
Hills, Albert P ; 15 ; I ; 23 I. ; 28 .Sept., '1 ; 13 Oct., '4; on.
Hills, Albeit S. ; 40 ; I ; 23 I. ; 10 Oct., '1 ; 13 Oct., '4 ; en.
Hitchcock, Henry ; 18 ; A ; 3 H. A. ; 10 Jan., '3 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; en.
Hobbs, John ; 45 ; I ; 23 I ; 11 Oct., '1 ; 22 July, '2 ; en.
Hobbs, Valorus C ; 21 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 20 July, '5 ; disa-
bility; d.
Holland, Charles L. ; 27 ; — ; 1 Bat. ; 30 Dec, '4 ; 30 June '5 ; en.
Holmes, Otis S. ; 21 ; — ; 1 B. H. A. ; 25 Feb., '2 ; 27 Fefc., '5 ; en.
Holt, Augustus ; 26 ; A ; 1 U. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 7 July, '5 ; en. ; disa-
bility.
Horton, George ; 32: .^ ; 1 H. A. ; 6 .4ug., '2 ; 8 July, '4 ; en ; d.
Ilovey, J. Thomas ; 18 ; .\ ; 3 H. A. ; 26 .\pr., '3 ; 25 July, '4 ; en. ; tr.
Navy.
Howard, Frank ; 21; I ; 2J I. ; 10 Oct., '1 ; 8 July, '2 ; wounded at
Roanoke Island.
Howe, Charles H. ; 23 ; — ; 3 U. A. ; 12 Aug., '4 ; 14 June, '5 ; en.
Howe, Levi L. ; 29 ; A ; 1 B. H. A. ; 22 Feb., '2; 20 Oct., 'S ; en.
Howe, Theodore; 18 ; D ; 3 Cav. ; 7 Dec, '3 ; 6 Oct., "5; en.
Howe, Willard P. ; 38 ; H ; .50 I. ; 19 Sept., '2 ; 5 Aug., '5 ; en. ; tr. H,
59 I. 12 Mch., '4, and H.61 I.. 1 June, '5.
Howes, Edwin A. ; 26 ; — ; 2 1.; 25 May, 'I ; 24 May, '4 ; en.
Hubbard, John ; — ; H ; 16 I. ; 17 .\ug., '3 ; ; tr. Vet. Corps.
Hull, Edward G. ; 27; I; 231. ; 28 Sept., '1 ; 27 Sept., '2; en.
Hull, James ; 20 ; A ; 5 N. H. I. ; 20 Aug., '3 ; 14 June, '5 ; en.
Hull, John ; 30 J A ; 3 H. A. ; 28 Apr., '3 ; 12 June, '3 en.
llurd, Yorick G. ; 35 ; — ; 48 I ; 8 Dec, '2; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Irving, George W. ; 21; I ; 23 I. ; 17 Oct., 'I ; 2 Dec, "1 ; en.
Irving, Leander ; 19 ; G ; 3 H. A. ; 4 Dec. '3 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; en.
Irving, Washington ; 23; H ; 3 H. A. ; 4 Dec, '3; 18 Sept., '5 ; en.
Jewett, Henry B. ; 18 ; C ; 19 I. ; 25 July, '1 ; 28 Aug., '2 ; eu.
Jewett, Thomas L. Jr. ; 20 ; I ; 231. ; 28 Sept., '1 ; 26 Oct., '3 ; disa-
bility.
Johnson, Joseph ; 33 ; H ; 3 H. A. ; 20 Nov., "3; 18 Sept., '5 ; en.
Kimball, Daniel B. ; 26 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 28 May, '4 ; en.
Kimball, Joseph E. ; 21 ; B ; 1 I. ; 23 May, '1 ; 10 Jan., '4 ; en.
Kimball, John H. ; 18 ; A ; 1 H A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; eu.
Kinsman, Joseph F. ; 18 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3.
Knecland, .losiah ; 30; C ; 2 I. ; 25 May. '1 ; 30 Dec, '3.
Kno.x, James H. ; 17 ; — ; Navy ; 1 Jan., '3 ; 1 Jan., '4.
Knox. Kufiis ; 35 ; K ; 2 I ; IS Aug , '2 ; 11 May, '4.
Lakeinan, Asa ; 24 ; A ; 17 I. ; 21 July, 'I ; ; dropped 18 July, '2.
624
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Lakeman, Perloy B. ; « ; D ; i8 I. ; 24 Sept., '2; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Lang, Thomas ; — ; E ; 2 I. ; ; ; tr. to Navy.
Langclon, George W. ; 30; — ; Fort Warreu; 21 Feb., '00 ; 20 Oct.,
'o, en.
Lavalette, Cbarles C. ; 25 ; C ; 32 I. ; 12 Nov., '1 ; 29 June, '5 ; en. ;
re-enlisted 5 Jan., '4; d.
Lefflan, Jofan M. ; 26 ; — ; 3 H. A. ; 11 June '3 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; en. ; d.
Leonard, Isaac M. ; 3iJ ; A; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, ' 1 ; ; tr. Vet.
Corps ; d.
Lord, Charles W.; 28 ; A ; 1 H. A.; 6 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en.
Lord, Henry A ; 41 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 23 Nov., '3 ; 22 June, '5 ; en. ; from
Lowell.
Lord, James A. ; 21 ; D ; 28 I. ; 1.5 Mch., '4 ; 22 June, Vi ; en.
Lord, Moses G. ; 42 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; ; tr. Vet. Corps.
Lord, Nathaniel, 3d ; 44 ; K ; 2 I. j 8 Aug., '2 ; 9 May, '3 ; disa-
ability ; d.
Lord, Robert ; — ; ^ ; Navy ; ; ; en.
Lord, William, 4th ; 39 ; D ; 48 I ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Low, Winthrop; 31 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 : 22 Sept., '2 ; disability.
Lucy, Daniel ; 33 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 28 May, '4 ; en.
Maguire, John ; 27 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Mallard, Levi W. ; 31 ; G ; 2 I . ; 25 May, '1 : 17 June, '5 ; en.
Mann, Josiah H. ; 22 ; A ; 44 I. ; 12 Sept., '2; 18 June, '3 ; en.
Manning, Joseph S. ; 18; K; 29 I. ; 25 Nov., '1 ; 15 Aug., '4 ; en.
Manning, Thomas; 35 ; C; 2 I. ; 25 May, '1 ; 30 Aug., '4 ; en.
Marshall, John ; 35 ; M ; 3 H. A. ; 27 Aug., '4 ; 17 June, '6 ; on.
McDonal, William ; 20; H; 9 1.; 2 Aug., '3; 10 June, '5 ; en. ; disa-
bility.
McGregor, Alex., Jr. ; 18; A; 1 II. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 16 Aug., 'S ;
en. ; d.
McGuire. Thomas ; 44 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Mclntire, Cbarles W. ; 28 ; K ; 1 I. ; 12 Aug., '2 ; 25 May, '4. ; en.
31clntire, Dexter.
McNeil, James ; 23 ; I ; 9 I. ; 11 Aug., '3 ; 29 Juue, '5 ; en.
Merrill, Dennis ; 21 ; I ; 23 I. ; 9 Oct., '1 ; 10 Dec, '2 ; disability.
Merrill, Samuel H. ; 21 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en.
Mooar, Charles A. ; 23 ; G ; 2 I. ; 13 Aug., '2 ; 28 May, '4 ; en.
Montgomery, Jobu H. ; 27; I; 23 1.; 9 Nov., '1 ; 21 Apr., '3; disa-
bility ; d.
Moore, Richard ; 34; E ; 9 I. ; 1 Aug., '2 ; 10 Oct., '4 ; en.
Morns, Cbarles ; d.
Murbey, John ; ti ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en.
Murbey, Thomas ; 40 ; — ; 4 Div. Bridge Corps ; 2 Dec, '3 ; , '5.
Nason, Joseph A. ; 21; G; 3H. A.; 30 ,'3; 18 May, '4 ; disa-
bility.
Newman, Benj. D. ; 18; A; 3 H. A, ; 10 Jan., '3 ; 31 Mch., '3; disa-
bility ; d. 12 May, '72.
Nichols, AugvifituB ; 14 ; — ; Navy ; 15 Mch., '3 ; 14 Mch., '4 ; en.
Nichols, Albert N. ; 18 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July '4 ; en.
Nichols, Edward F. ; 22 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; S July, '4 ; en.
Nichols, William O. ; 23 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 2 Apr., '3 ; disability.
Noland, Malachi ; 30 ; H ; 1 H. A. ; 3 July, '2 ; 8 July, '4 ; en.
Norman, Alfred ; 22 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '- ; en.
Norwood, Samuel ; 22 ; F ; 35 I. ; 22 Aug., - ; 9 June, '5 ; en. ; d. '85.
Noyes, John W. ; 33 ; L ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; en.
O'Conuel, Cornelius, Jr. ; 23 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 7 Aug., '2 ; 28 July, '3 ;
disability.
O'Conuel, John ; 20 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; .31 July, '5 ; on.
O'Connel, Michael ; 18 ; — ; Regular Army ; 4 Mch., '4 ; .
Palmer, Rev. Edwin B. ; 29 ; — ; 19 Me. I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept.
'3 ; en.
Peabody, Thomas; 30; T ; 23 I. ; 9 Oct-, 1 ; 16 Aug., '3 ; disability.
Perkins, Charles N. ; 42 ; A ; 1 B. H. A. ; 7 Nov., '3 ; 2u Oct., '5 ; en ;
d. 23 Dec, '79.
Perkins, Josiah ; 29 ; I ; 23 I. ; 9 Mch., '4 ; 21 June '5 ; en.
Pickard, David ; 44 ; K ; 21.; 8 Aug., 2 ; 6 Jan., '4 ; en. ; disability.
Pickard, William G. ; 20 ; D ; Frontier Cav. ; 2 Jan., '6 ; 3 June,
'5 ; en.
Pickard, Washington P. ; 30 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en.
Pierce, George W. ; 21 ; K ; 40 I. ; 3 Sept., '2 ; 25 Feb., '4 ; disability.
Pike, Edwin T. ; 27 ; C ; 48 I. ; 23 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Pinder, Daniel F. ; 19; I; 23 1.; 10 Oct., '1 ; 13 Oct., '4; en. ; d. 11
June, '70.
Pingree, David M. ; 21 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4; en.
Plouff, Edward, Jr. ; 22 ; D ; 48 I. ; -Sept , 2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
riouff, John W. ; 24 ; D , 48 I. ; 23 Dec, '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Plummer, Hiram ; 19 ; M ; 3 Cav. ; 31 Do;;., '4 ; 28 Sept., '5 ; en.
Plummer, William ; 34 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept , '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; on.
Poor, Benjamin ; 26 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 16 Aug., '5 ; en. ;
Mch., '80.
Poor, David H. ; 32 ; A ; 1 B. H. A. ; 9 May, '3 ; 20 Oct., '5 ; en.
Poor, George ; 23 ; I ; 23 I ; 6 Oct., '1 ; 1 Dec, '1 ; d.
Poor, Thomas A. ; 20 ; A ; I H. A. ; 6 July, '1 ; ; d.
Porter, Ch.^rleB ; 18 ; A ; 3 H. A. ; 16 May, '3 ; 18 Sept., '3 ; en.
Porter, Thomas.
Potter, Asa T. ; 29 ; — ; 1 B. H. A. ; 21 Feb., '2 ; 29 Feb., '4 ; en.
Putnam, Jeremiah ; — ; — ; 40 I. ; ; .
Ready, Michael ; 30 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 7 Aug., '2 ; ; en.
Ready, Thomas ; 3(1 ; B ; 48 I. ; 24 Oct., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Reily, Edmund ; 38 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 7 Aug., '2 ; 16 Aug., '5 ; en.
Richards, Charles.
Riggs, Charles A .
Roherts, Charles.
Roberts, Edward T. ; 23 ;
L. T. Bat.
Roberts, George B. ; 27;
bility.
Roberts, John S. ; 19 ; C ; 19 I. ; 26 July, '1 ; 13 Oct., '3 ; en.
Robs, Edward ; 24 ; I ; 23 I. ; 9 Nov., '1 ; 25 Sept., '2 ; en.
Ross, William P. ; 19 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 27 Feb., '2 ; 22 Jan., '6 ; en.
Rowe, George ; 18 ; I ; 23 I. ; 1 Oct., '1 ; 25 May '2; en. ; disability.
Russell, Henry F. ; 32 ; — ; 3 H. A. ; 4 Dec, '3 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; en.
Russell. Edward W. ; 27 ; A ; I B. H. A. ; 21 Feb., '2 ; 20 Oct., '5 ; en.
Russell, John Ward ; 17 ; F ; 14 Me. I. ; 11 Jan., '2 ; 13 Jan., '5 ; en.
Russell, John W. ; 21 ; — ; 3 H. A. ; 4 Dec. '3; IS Sept., '6 ; en.
Sanderson, James H. ; 31 ; H ; 8 I. ; 19 Sept., '2 ; 7 Aug., '3 ; en.
.Sargent, George H. ; 38; I; 23 I. ; 5 Oct., '1; 8 Aug., '3 ; disa-
bility.
Sargent, Kendall; 42; A; 1 H. A. ; 5JuIy'l; - May, '2 ; disa-
bility.
Saunders, Moses ; 21 ; K ; 40 I. ; 3 Sept., '3 ; 10 Juue, '5 ; en.
— ; 2 1.; 31 July, '1 ; 10 Aug., '4; en.;
G ; II.; 23 May, '1 ; 20 Dec, '2 ; disa-
9 1.; 21 Aug., '3 ;
tr. 32 I., 10
Schaffer, William ; 23 ;
Jan., '4.
Schanks, Jacob ; 20 ; H ; 17 I. ; 22 July, '1 ; 11 July, '5 ; en.
Schanks, Jacob P. ; 44; D; 48 1.; 24 Sept., '2; 30 May, '5 ; disa-
bility ; d.
.Scott, James, .Ir. ; 18; F; 14 Me. 1. ; 25 Feb., '5; 28 Aug., '6; en.
.Scott, John ; '24 ; — ; Navy : - July, '2 ; , '7.
Seniple, John ; 29 ; — ; Navy ; - June, '1 ; -Aug., '1 ; disability.
Shatswell, Nathaniel ; 27 ; A ; 1 H. .\. ; 5 July, '1 ; 18 Mlg., '5 ; en.
Shattuck, Milton B. ; 32 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 6 July, '1 ; 20 Jan., '3 ; en. ; d.
24 May, '84.
Sherburne, George W. ; 25 ; D ; 48 L ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
Sherburne, John T. ; 34 ; I ; 23 I. ; 28 Sept., '1 ; , '3 ; disability.
Shirley, Reuben W. ; 18 ; A; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, "4 ; en.
Smith, Charles W. ; 20 : B ; 1 B. H. A. ; 8 Oct., '2 ; 29 June, '5 ; en.
Smith, Edwin F. ; 18 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1: 15 July, '6 ; en.
Smith, Edward P. ; 20 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, 1 ; 1 May, '2 ; disa-
bility.
Smith, George ; 22 ; I ; 23 I. ; 10 Oct., '1 ; 13 Oct., '4; en.
Smith, Henry R. ; 19 ; H ; 19 I. ; 10 Dec, 1 ; 31 Mch., '3 ; en.
Smith, .John Allen ; 22 ; D ; 1 Cav. ; 2 Jan., '5 ; 30 June, 'o ; en.
Smith, John H. ; 20 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July '1 ; 1 Jan., '4; disability ; d.
3 Aug., '5.
Smith, John J. ; 27 ; G ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 16 Aug., '5 ; en.
Smith, Thomas R. ; 24 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 8 July, 4 ; en. ; d. 11
Nov., '68.
Smith, William H. ; 23 ; A ; II. ; 7 Aug., '2 ; 31 July, '5 ; en.
Spoar, William M. ; — ; — ; 38 I. ; ; .
Spinney, J. F. ; 21 ; E ; 17 Ills. I. ; 25 May, '1 ; 2 Aug., '2 ; disa-
bility.
Spofford, William H. ; 30; — ; Fort Warren ; 7 Apr., '3 ; 18 Sept.,
'5 ; en.
Stacey, John R. ; 30; A; 2 1.; 12 Oct., '1 ; 16 Jan., '3; disa-
bility.
Stackpole, William .A. ; 10 ; C ; 5 I. ; 23 July, '4 ; 16 Nov., '4 ; en.
Stanley, Francis A. ; — ; — ; 38 I. ; ; .
Stateu, William H. ; 19 ; F ; 21. ; 25 May, '1 ; 14 July, '.5 ; en.
Steven,^ Henry L. ; 19 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 2 Aug., '2 ; tr. Navy, 2 April,
•4; d.
Stevens, William ; 44 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 22 June, '5 ; en.
Stevens, William, Jr ; 25 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3; en.
Stone, Daniel W. ; 23 ; D ; 1 B. H. A. , 30 Doc, '4 ; 30 June, '5 ; en.
Stone, Lorenzo R. ; 18 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; en.
IPSWICH.
625
stone, William L. ; 24 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en.
Swept, Elljridge ; 23 ; D; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 20 June, '4 ; en.
Taileton, Walter ; 27 ; K ; 8 I. ; 1 Oct., '2 ; 24 Oct., "4' en. ; d.
Ta.vlur, EJiuimd T. ; 21 ; E ; U I. ; 1.5 Aug., '3 ; 14 July, '4 ; ei
Taylor, Trowbridge C. ; — ; A ; 2.'i I. ; 1 Oct., "1 ; .
Tc.-ug.ie, Theodore P. ; 21 ; D ; 4 Cav. ; 31 Dec, '4 ; 14 Nov., '5
Tenney, .illjert ; 21 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 14 July, 5 ; en.
Tenney, John E. ; 20 ; H ; 3 H. A. ; 20 Nov., '3 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; <
Terhune, Henry; 33 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, "1 ; 16 Aug., '5; en.
Navy ; 12 Aug., '1 ; 20 Oct., '3 ; en.
21; I; 231
28 Sept.,
Aug., '1 ;
25 May, '1 ;
I ; 5 Oct., '2 ; disa-
28
23 Apr., '3 ; disa-
, '1 ; 7 Jan., '0 ; tr. Han-
Thomas, Ebon ; 26 ; -
Thompson, Charles H.
bility.
Tibbetts, John L. ; 39 ; C ; 19 I.
bility.
Todd, Thomas II. ; 22 ; F ; 2 1.
i'eb., '2.
Tonge, Henry F. ; 27 ; — ; 3 B. I.
cock's corps, 30 Dec, '4.
Towle, Jenness ; 39 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; eu.
Tozer, William H. ; 27 ; K ; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 28 May, '4 ; en.
Treadwell, Henry S. ; 20 ; C ; 53 I ; 6 Xot., '2 ; 2 Sept., '3 ; en.
Treadwell, Marcus M. ; 20 ; D ; 12 I. ; 26 June, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; (
Turner, John ; 29 ; L ; 1 H. A. ; 20 Feb., - ; . •.
Tyler, Colman J. ; IS ; F ; 2 I. ; 25 May, 1 ; 28 May, '4; en.
Waite, Charles W. ; 16 ; — ; Navy ; 4 Dec, '2 ; 15 Jan., '4 ; en.
Waite, Joseph, Jr. ; 19 ; D; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., '3 ; d.
Waite, Luther ; 19 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; .5 July, '1; 5 July, '5; .
9 May, '4.
Waite, Rogers ; 18 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept., 3 ;
April, '79.
Wallia, Henry ; — ; D ; 48 I. ; ; .
Watts, James W. ; 23; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 17 Feb., '.
d. 31 Jan., '71.
Webber, Moses; 32 ; K; 2 I. ; 8 Aug., '2 ; 28 May, 4.
West, John ; 44 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 8 July, '4 ; en.
Whedon, Edward M. ; 30 ; — ; 2 H. A. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 3 Sept.,
Whipple, John F. ; 20; L; 1 H. A. ; 20 Feb.,-; 3 July,
bility.
_ ; 1 Cav. ; ; .
21 ; I; 26 1. ; 7 Sept., '1
; tr. navy
n. ; d. 21.
disability ;
4 Jan.,
B ; 5 I. ; 19 Sept., '2
July, '3 ; en.
L ; 1 H. A. ; 2 Dec, '1 ; 31 Jan., '4 ; disa-
White, W. Charles ; —
AVillard, Benjamin D.
enlisted.
Willett, George A. ; 30
Winslow, James ; d.
Winslow, William H. ;
bility.
Wood, Francis L. ; 25 ; E ; 32 I. ; 10 July, '2 ; 2 June, '3 ; en.
Worcester, Leigh R ; 27 ; A ; 1 H. A. ; 5 July, '1 ; 18 Sept., '5 ; en.
Worcester, James T. ; 20 ; D ; 48 I. ; 24 Sept., '2 ; 2 Sept., '3 ; en.
Worsley, Pandon E. ; 19 ; L; 1 H. A. ; 26 Nov., '1 ; 15 Dec, '4; en.
Worth, William K. ; 19 ; I ; 23 I. ; 28 Sept., '1 ; ; en ; d.
A Noble Gift. — I cannot more fittingly close this
chapter than by quoting from the records, page 367,
the town's action of June 15, ISfiS, which is self-ex-
plaining and as follows :
"Whereas, 31r. Augustine Heard of this town, in conjunction with
his nephews, Mr. John Heard, Mr. Augustine Heard, Jr., Mr. .Alfred F.
Heard and Mr. George F. Heard, have placed in the hands of trustees
ten thous;ind dollars to be applied for the relief of such persons belong-
ing to this town as may suffer from sickness or wounds incurred in the
service of their country in the present civil war, and for the relief of
such persons a.s may be deprived of support by the loss of relations en-
gaged in the like service ; therefore,
"HeKolced, That the thanks of the citizens of Ipswich, assembled this
day in town-meeting, be tendered to the above named gentlemen, re-
spectively, for their munificent donation to so noble a cause, together
with our best wishes for their continued health and prosperity ; that we
receive with lively sensibility this token of their remembrance of the
place of their nativity, rejoice in the anticipation of the relief which in
future years will come to many of the suffering poor in Ipswich in con-
sequence of their generous gift.
^^liesoleed. That we sympathize with the gentlemen in their patriotic
devotion to the welfare of the country, and that we hope their generous
sacrifices will ajon be amply rewarded by the restoration of the Union
and the Cunstitntion more complete and vital than ever, with every root
40
of bitterness removed, with stable peace and enduring prosperity in all
our borders, and with the stars and fitripes floating with renewed and
increased splendor and power over every Amorican citizen by land and
by sea, at home and abroad."
CHAPTER XLVI.
IPSWICH— ( Continued).
LEGAL AND PENAL.
The Colonial Period. — Our legal policy was, in
general, based upon the laws of England, but it was
moulded by a wise and cautious e.\ercise of au-
thority, according to our exigencies and circum-
stances. The royal charter of March 4, 1628, which
Governor John Winthrop brought out with him,
created a corporation styled: "The Governor and
Company of Massachusett.s Bay in New England."
By this charter the seat of government was trans-
ferred to these shores, and the corporators were per-
mitted to make their own laws and to choose their
own rulers — to make " laws and ordinances not con-
trary or repugnant to the laws and statutes of the
realm." The charter held the company to be British
subjects, and was granted in the hope of increasing
the royal domain and of augmenting the national
wealth. It, then, conferred only such powers as
were necessary to the company's existence, business
and business prosperity, other matters being reserved
for adjustment at home.
The Great Court. — Our fathers, however, inter-
preted the instrument in its freest sense; for they
early felt an urgent need of a high and wide range of
authority, so great was the tide of emigration, and so
mauy and varied were the interests involved. Under
it the colonists turned their prow ocean-ward, and
spread their sails for a prosperous voyage upon an
untried sea. Their polity of church and State was
new and peculiar. Although they based their laws
upon the English code, the}' ignored its authority ;
in fact, in one instance at least, they denied it — they
disfranchised all but members of churches, and the
magistrates had power to determine or select what
churches. Their laws reached public and private
relations, and not only such crimes as were known to
common law, but many recognized in the Hebraic
code. They proposed a State dependent upon the
church, where the elders and clergy were at the head,
the reciprocal of their former relation, where the
church was dependent upon the State, and the king
the head. The entire administration of the govern-
ment was held or controlled by clergymen, who
sought to imitate the regal action of the supreme au-
thority of Israel. They made no distinction in courts
or court actions — civil or criminal, at law or in equity,
lay or ecclesiastical — all were held and determined
in one great and General Court.
626
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
This court was at once the great source of law
and justice. For the first few years, it consisted
of the Governor, Deputy-Governor, eighteen assist-
ants and the freemen, but in 1634 the number of
freemen so increased, and the inconvenience and
danger, from leaving their homes exposed to Indian
barbarities, during their absence, were so great, that
the town chose deputies to represent them in all
matters, but the choice of officers, wherein the free-
men sent their votes by proxy. The court was legis-
lative, judicial and executive. It held quarterly ses-
sions, and enacted the laws. The assistants were
chosen by the ireemen, and were the magistrates,
who with the Governor constituted the Onat Quarter
Court. The Governor and assistants, as council, were
the executive head. For about ten years the court
exercised discretionary powers, hearing and determin-
ing all cases, and "seems,'' says a writer, "to have
been more disposed to punish the religious than the
civil offender."
Ipswich's Influence. — During the decade, what-
ever may have been the methods or results, it cannot
be denied that Ipswich was an important factor.
Next to the metropolis, she was the seat of wealth
and learning, and, therefore, of power. Her voice
was potent in every department of the government.
There was Winthrop, the son of our Governor, the
founder of our municipality, a man of learning and
wealth, and a governor in embryo himself; Dudley,
who had already been Governor one term ; Bradstreet,
a man of vast executive and business ability ; Salton-
stall, a gentleman of business enterprise, of wealth
and culture, of pure and just sentiment, the first
American abolitionist; Denison, the man of war and
continually in the public service; and Ward, a man
of polished learning, pi-ofound in divinity and law,
the compiler of the Colonial Magna Charta. The
mere mention of these names was like " the sweet in-
fluence of the Pleiades," and the sentiment of Ips-
wich citizenship with such leaders worked like des-
tiny.
The Demands of Growth. — But the State grew
rapidly in population and business interests, and the
jurisdiction of the Court as largely and rapidly ex-
panded. The people at length became alarmed at
such exercise of courtly power, and cried for a legal
code resembling Magna Charta. The deputies feared
that "great damage to our State" mightaccrue, if the
magistrates should " proceed according to their dis-
cretion." Accordingly, committees were appointed
at various times to frame a code. They failed to
meet the approbation of the Court ; even the great
Cotton Mather, who reported a " copy of Moses his
judicials, compiled in an exact method," did not suc-
ceed. It remained for the committee, of which
Rev. Nathaniel Ward, of Ipswich, was the leading,
active and efficient member to perform the work.
The work, however, was not published till 1641. The
delay was occasioned by a desire to prepare a code
commensurate with the need and adapted to the public
temperament and our institutions. It was a herculean
task, but Mr. Ward performed a thorough work.
His great ability, his broad learning, his legal train-
ing and practice and his peculiar cast of mind, made
him the fittest, and his work shows it. He embodied
one hundred civil and criminal laws. The civil laws
were far in advance of English law at the time ; they
have been adopted in new codifications from time to
time since ; and some are in force at present, after a
period of nearly two centuries and a half. In the
criminal code he followed Moses in a great measure,
but he distanced England in mildness, and for scope
was far in advance of his time. He thus embodies
personal rights :
"No man's life shall ba taken away, no man's honor nor good name
shall be stained, no man's person shall be arrested, restrained or dis-
membered, nor any ways punished, no man shall be deprived of bis wife
or children, no man's goods or estate shall be taken away from liim nor
any ways endamaged under color of law or countenance of authority,
unless it be by virtue or equity of some express law of the country war-
ranting the same, established by a General Court and sufficiently pub-
lished, or in case of a defect in a law in any particular case, by the
Word of God. And in capital cases, or in cases concerning dismember-
ment or banishment, according to that word to be judged by the General
Court."
In his "Body of Liberties," it is said, there was "a
notable disregard of English law," which had sorely
discomforted the Puritan temper, and the work was
annotated with chapter and verse in the Bible — their
sure palladium of both civil and religious liberty.
Other Courts. — Moreover, as population, busi-
ness, personal complications and infelicities increased,
the necessity for other tribunals became apparent.
Accordingly, the General Court March 3, 1636, re-
lieved the Court of Assistants, or " Great Quarter
Court," by establishing an Inferior Quarter Court,
which held four terms annually — one term in each
of these places: Ipswich, Salem, Cambridge and Bos-
ton. The judge was such magistrate or assistant as
lived in or nearest the town where the Court was
lield, assisted by " Commissioners," as they were
called, who were appointed by the General Court
from a list of nominations by the several towns. The
judge and four commissioners constituted the lull
Court, and himself and two commissioners a quorum.
The jurisdiction of the Court extended to all matters
ecclesiastical, and sometimes to family infelicities —
divorces — and the settlements of estates; to civil con-
troversies, wherein the damage or debt was less than
ten shillings, and to criminal cases not involving life
or banishment.
Ipswich Court. — The original act establishing
this Court was changed June 2, 1641. Four Quarter
Courts were held in Ipswich and Salem for this
county by all the magistrates of both these places
sitting together. This Court exercised the jurisdic-
tion before exercised by the Oreat Quarter Court, ex-
cept trials for life, limb or banishment, and cases
whose damage exceeded one hundred pounds, wherein
the Great Quarter Court had concurrent jurisdiction.
IPSWICH.
627
To this Court was attached, September 9, 1639, a
recorder's otfice, and October 7th of the next year
Samuel Symonds, of Ipswich, was appointed for the
jurisdiction of the Ipswich Court. Previous to this
tlie records of deeds and the conveyances of real
estate were recorded in the records of the town. The
office of recorder was, after a while, blended with the
office of the clerk of the Court, and Robert Lord,
then, by virtue of his office as clerk, succeeded Mr.
Symonds. By the first act Xewbury was placed in
the jurisdicti(m of Ipswich ; by the second, Salisbury
and Hampton.
Court Offices. — The first court at Salem June 27,
1636 ; the first at Ipswich probably soon after,
though no records appear " till from the year 1646,"
when, March 31, Robert Lord, of Ipswich, was clerk.
The judges were appointed May 25, 1636, and those
for Ipswich were Messrs. Dudley, Duramer, Brad-
street, Saltonstall and Spencer. The sittings of the
court at Ipswich were twice a year, — March and
September, — till by Quo Warranto, 1684, the colonial
government was arrested and the courts suspended,
to be resumed 1689, after the removal of Andros, and
in 1692 superseded by authority of the province
charter with Sir William Phipps as Governor.
Jurisdiction. — These courts laid out highways,
licensed " taverns," guarded the orthodoxy of the
church, admitted freemen, probated ^states, recorded
deeds and adjudicated upon the most important con-
cerns in the county. During the period, Ipswich
enjoyed an eminence, advantage and influence second
to none but the metropolis, where the highest tribu-
nals always sat. She was a legal centre, and was the
home of lawyers, judges and the colonial law-giver.
Court-House. — During this period, it is probable,
there was no court-house, and that the meeting-
house was used instead. Their civil life was under
the patronage of their religion, was subservient to it,
and wore a sanctity that gave it a proper place in the
house of God. In that house they counseled
together "after lecture," they voted the minister's
salary, they elected church-officers, they chose the
seven-men, the clerk and the treasurer, they raised
moneys, and arranged the munici|)al concerns, they
counseled for war, they stored their muuitioi>s, they
worshipped in arms, they made it a watch-house,
they meted out justice and exposed the criminal for
punishment. The meeting-house to that practical
people was serviceable next to their homes ; it was
the emblem of righteousness, justice and e(iual rights
— God's proper peerage. They wore out their houses,
we remodel ours to conform to fashion.
Jail. — There was but one prison in the colony be-
fore 1652. That year. May 22d, the Court ordered
one to be built at Ipswich, and September 26ih, the
seven-men contracted with Henry Binder and Thomas
Rowell to construct it. It was to stand near the
watch-house, — a site near the First Church, — and
was to be of the " same hight and wyndcs." They
were to make three floors of joist thick set and well
bound with partition above and below the sides and
ends, stud and stud spaces, and to clap-board the house
round and shingle it, and to daub its whole wall, all but
the gable ends, and to underpin the house and make
doors and hinges, and hang the doors and lit on locks,
which said house shall be finished with all the appurte-
nances, drawings, iron-work for the doors and nails by
the loth of May next, at their own proper cost and
charges, without allowance for help or diet for their
reasing, in consideration of which they shall have for
their worth £40 out of country rate by the first of
the next March. Theophilus Wilson was keeper in
1656, and received a compensation of £3 a year, S.i. for
each prisoner, and further, each prisoner was to pay liis
board if he was able to do so ; if he was not able, he
was to be kept on bread and water. The prisoners
were required to work, and the seven-men were re-
quired by law to furnish hemp and fiax for that pur-
pose. Another prison, or house of correction, was
built about 1684. This was ordered to be built by
the Quarterly Court, and the expense was to be
borne by those towns that sent juries to Ipswich.
The Causes. — The causes determined in these
courts have already been indicated. These may be
noticed as illustrative : In 1633 a man was fined ten
pounds and to wear a badge marked "Drunkard"
during the discretion of the court, for drunkenness
and undue familiarity with his neighbor's wife, and
she was fined fifteen shillings for drunkenness. In 1637
William Schooler was examined by the magistrates
here on a charge of murder. After a year he was
convicted and hanged at Boston. In 1639 " lewd at-
tempts" were punished by whipping. In 1663 a wo-
man was sentenced, for perjury, to stand at the meet-
ing-house door on " lecture day," with "for taking a
false oath" conspicuous upon her garments. In 1665
a woman was tried for burning Gien. Daniel Denison's
house. She was acquitted of arson, but was fined for
theft and whipped for lying. In 1667 a man was
prosecuted for digging up Masconnomet's bones and
sjiorting with the skull on a pole. In 1677 a highway
robber was sentenced to be branded and fined. In
1684 a burglar was sentenced to be branded with B, to
pay treble damages and receive fifieen lashes. Dur-
ing this period there were several arraignments for
witchcraft, but no convictions. This glance of the
trials presents a picture not so pleasing to contcm|ilate
as we might wish, but still it is such as in the nature
of things we might expect.
Representative Mex. — Among the representa-
tive men of the Colony, upon whom we have more or
less claim, we note the following: —
Governors. — Simon Bradstreet and Thomas Dudley.
Deputij-Ooreriton. — Simon Bradstreet, Thomas Dud-
ley, Samuel Symonds, John Wintlirop, Jr. Governor's
0)««c(7.— Andros'.— Sanuiel Appleton, ten years be-
tween 1681 and 1692. Colonial Secretaries. — Simf.n
Bradstreet and Daniel Denison. Speaker of the
628
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Souse. — Daniel Denison. Commissioners of the Unit-
ed Colonies. — Thomas Dudley, Simon Bradstreet and
Daniel Denison. Assista7its. — Samuel Appleton, Si'
mon Brad.itreet, Daniel Deniaon, Thomas Dudley, Sir
Richard Saltonstall, Samuel Symonds, John Winthropi
Jr. Justices Inferior Quarter Court. — Samuel Apple-
ton, Simon Bradstreet, Daniel Denison, Thomas Dud-
ley, Sir Richard Saltonstall, John Spencer, Samuel
Symonds. Registrar of the Court. — Samuel Symonds.
Clerk of the Court. — Robert Lord. Deputies. — John
Appleton, fifteen years; Samuel Appleton, nine years;
William Bartholomew, iive years ; Thomas Bishop,
one year; Thomas Boreman, Sr., one year; Hum-
phrey Bradstreet, one year; Simon Bradstreet, one
year; Thomas Burnham, two years; Daniel Denison,
ten years: Daniel Epps, three years; George Gid-
dings, twelve years ; John Giddings, one year; John
Goodhue, one year; William Goodhue, eight years;
Thomas Howlett, one year; William Hubbard, eight
years ; Robert Lord, one year ; Richard Lumkin, two
years; Joseph Metcalfe, eight years; John Perkins,
one year; Moses Pingrey, one year; Robert Paine,
three years; Lyman Stace, three years; John Spen-
cer, one year; Samuel Symonds, six years; Jonathan
Wade, two years ; John Whipple, twelve years ; Sam-
uel Whinsley, one year.
BlOGEAPHlCAL. — Most of the parties named above
are sketched in Early Settlers; Daniel Denison in
Martial and Military ; Sir Richard Saltonstall in Bus-
iness ; here it is proper to speak briefly of Robert
Lord, John Appleton, Jr., and Thomas Wade, who
were the clerks of the Ipswich Courts for the Colonial
period.
No name is oftener met in the Colonial records for
this section than Me. Robert Lord's. His life was
occupied in the details of the courts. By virtue of
his office as clerk, he was also registrar ol probate.
His clerkship covered a period of forty-seven years —
from September, 1636, to August 21, 1683. He was
born about 1602 or '3, and appears to have been son
of widow Katherine, who came with her sons to Ips-
wich as early as 1635. He married, about 1630, Mary
Wait, who, with eight children, survived him. He
was made freeman March 3, 1635-36, deputy to the
General Court March 12, 1636-37, and was on a com-
mittee to raise fifteen hundred pounds for the Colony.
He fixed the boundaries of towns and private lands,
was clerk of court a year in Norfolk before the estab-
lishment of that county ; was clerk of the Salem
Court in June, 1658; in 1649 was town-sealer of
weights and measures; March 30, 1652, was empow-
ered by the magistrates to "issue all executions in
civil and criminal cases;" was "searcher of coins" in
1654; was sheriff of the Ipswich Court till March 27,
1660, when he was superseded by his son, Robert. He
was also clerk of writs, whose duty it was to issue at-
tachments, summons, replevin, etc. He made his last
entry July 13, 168B, and on or before August 21st
closed his mortal record. He was a good penman
and a faithful and correct ofiicial. His line has fur-
nished two rev istrars in the person of Nathaniel and
Nathaniel's sou George Robert.
Mr. Lord's successor was John Appleton, Jr.,
who received the appointment August 21, 1683. The
appointment was confirmed September 25th, and held
till April 18,1698. Mr. Appleton was born in Ips-
wich October 17, 1652. He married, November 23,
1681, Elizabeth Rogers, daughter of Rev. John, fifth
president of Harvard College. He was lieutenaut of
a company of foot-soldiers, and rose to colonel, and
was feoffee of the grammar school and clerk of writs.
He was clerk of the new court established by Presi-
dent Joseph Dudley, 1686, was town clerk. Represen-
tative to the General Court, member of the Governor's
Council from 1698 to 1722 inclusive, county treasurer
many years. Judge of Probate thirty-seven years from
October 23, 1702, and chief justice of the Court of
Common Pleas from 1702 to 1732. He wrote a bold,
legible hand, remarkably modern, and was a superior
clerk. He did much to reduce the former practice to
the modern and exact form, and was the first to use
printed blanks. He died September 11, 1739, wealthy,
respected, honored.
His successor as registrar was Thomas Wade, who
served from April 18, 1689, to June 18, 1692. Mr.
Wade was born in Ipswich in 1650 to Jonathan Wade,
one of the wealthiest men in the Colony. He mar-
ried Elizabeth Cogswell February 22, 1670, who, with
nine children, survived him. He was towu clerk
some nine years, was chosen clerk of writs July 29,
1684. After the Andros revolution, he was chosen,
March 25, 1690, " clerk of probate," was made mili-
tary captain in 1689, and in 1692 was a retailer of
liquor — a polite office at that time. He was a justice
in the Court of General Sessions of the Peace. His
last military service was to lead the Essex Middle
Regiment against the Indians in April, 1696. He
died October 4, 1696, at the age of forty-six. He was
an excellent penman, and a worthy man. "When
he fell," says Felt, "death had 'a shining mark.'"
Colonel Nathaniel Wade, of Revolutionary fame, is
supposed to be a descendant of his.
Resistance to Tyranny. — The Colonial period
would be very incomplete without a notice of those
noble patriots who " knew their rights and dared
maintain them," against the tyrannical measures of
Andros. Ipswich at that time was the foremost town
in the county ; she was wealthy and influential. She
could not brook the abolition of the people's govern-
ment and the usurpations of regal power. She was
outspoken and determined, and, therefore, incurred
the particular enmity of the regal vassal. Andros
and his subservient council ordered that the towns
choose "commissioners" who should aid the select-
men in laying a tax of " a penny on the pound — four
and a sixth dollars on the thousand. This order sapped
the vital principle of the Colonial Government, and
was, therefore, extremely obnoxious to the colonists.
IPSWICH.
629
They had hitherto paid no taxes but those ordered
by their own deputies; but now tlie House of Depu-
ties, or the General Court, was abolished, and men of
adverse tendencies ruled. Ipswich recognized the
violation of principle, aud sipunded the clarion note
of resistance. It was, not the amount of the tax nor
the purpose, in this case, to which it was to be ap-
plied— little or much the tax, wise or unwise the pur-
pose, it was all the same ; the principle was wrong
and must not obtain. Where there is no representa-
tion, there can be no just taxation."
A town-meeting was called for August 2.3, 1687,
and the evening before, a few leading men assembled
at the house of John Appleton, located on a site near
the depot, to counsel what was best to be done in the
trying emergency. Among them was Rev. John
Wise, patriotic, i)ious, learned and very able, who
used to assert " Democracy is Christ's government in
Church and State." That little Colonial Congress,
a prototype of the Provincial a hundred years later,
perceived the gravity of the situation ; they felt its
boding, but duty pressed thim more. The ancestral
lamp, whose light illumined their hearts and mindsi
burned brightly, their sacrifice in the Indian struggle,
their love of home and freedom and the hope of re.
alizing the former in the sunlight of the latter, nerved
them to action, strengthened their purpose and
armed them with pow-er. They planted; the fruit
was gathered in the Revolution, and we are partakers
of it. They counseled resistance to the unrighteous
demand, and Mr. Wise prepared the sentiment to be
presented to the town-meeting the next day. The
town voted as follows :
"That considering tlie saiil act dotb infringe tlieir liberties as free
born English subjects of his JLijesty, and by interfering witb tlie sta-
tute laws of tlie land, by which it was enacted that no taxes sliould be
levied upon the subjects vithout the consent of an Assembly chosen by
the freemen for assessing the same, they do, therefore, vote they were
not willing to choose a commissioner for such an end without such a
privilege ; and they, moreover, consent not that the selectmen do pro-
ceed to levy any such rate until it be appointed by a general assembly
concurring with the Governor and Council."
Immediately and heavily swept the besom of pow-
er. Samuel Appleton, sketched in Early Settlers of
this town, a member of Andros' Council, was already
under a £1000 bond for refusing to concur with the
council's action. Rev. John Wise, John Appleton,
brother of the above Samuel, John Andrew, Robert
Kinsman, William Goodhue and Thomas French,
were arrested, cast into prison in Boston and denied
the privilege of habeas corpus. They langui-hed
twenty-one days in prison after the trial, and were
fined from £50 to £15 each, including costs, which
the town afterwards, in justice and in honor, paid.
To that memorable town-meeting, Mr. Wise, coun-
seling resistance, said : "We have a good God and a
good King ; w'e shall do well to stand to our privi-
leges." When the patriots were on trial, a member
of the tyrannical council exclaimed, " You have no
privileges left you, but not to be sold as slaves." Two
years later the iniquitous Andros went home in dis-
grace.
At the Bi-Centennial Celebration of the town, Aug.
1(), 1S3-), Hon. Rufus Choate, the orator, in speaking
of this occasion, said:
" The latter and more stormy spectacles and brighter glories and visi-
ble results of the age of the Kevolution, have elsewhere c;ist into shade
and almost covered witli oblivion the actoi-s on that interesting day, and
the act itself, — its hazards, its intrepidity, its merits, its singularity and
consequences. But yoil will remember them and teach them to your
children."
The Provincial Period. — During the transition
period from colony to province, under both the Pres-
ident and Council and the Governor and Council, the
administration of justice was unstable in method.
The charter, creating "The Province of Ma-sachu-
setts Bay in New England," was signed October,
1691, and arrived with Sir William Phipps as Gov-
ernor in May, 1692. But hardly had the new Gov-
ernor entered upon his career, when occurred that
strangest of delusions, the Witchcraft tragedy, making
the wildest and saddest chapters in our Xew England
history.
Witchcraft. — For years before this date there
had been trials for witchcraft in Connecticut, Xew
York and Pennsylvania ; there were trials in Boston,
Charlestown and several before the Ipswich courts,
but the records of the latter show no convictions.
The Rowley ministers, Rev. John Wise, of Chebacco
Parish, and, we may presume, the Ipswich ministers
generally, opposed the proceedings. But at this
time it seems as if a tidal wave from all the seas at
once had rolled in upon our " stern and rock-bound
coast." It was a terrible culmination. The prisons
in Salem, Cambridge and Boston were crowded. It
seems as if "the principalities and powers and rulers
of darkness " had conspired to reign. The entire
populace was delirious and enthralled ; society
agonized and struggled to be free. Almost everybody
suspected his neighbor, and on the slightest provoca-
tion was likely to be accused.
At this time, when the delirium was wildest, Sun-
day, May 29, 1692, Ephraim Wildes, constable of
Topsfield, came to the home of James Howe, Jr.,
whose site was, or was near, the nativity of Rev.
Nathaniel Howe, the celebrated divine of Hopkinton,
and took into custody the wife and mother as a witch.
She was charged with sundry acts of witchcraft,
done or committed on the bodies of Mary Walcott
and Abigail Williams and others of Salem Village,
now Danvers. She was examined the next Tuesday
at the hou.se of Nathaniel Ingersoll, of that place.
She plead not guilty, denied all knowledge of the mat-
ter, and testified that she had never heard of the girls,
Mary and Abigail, till their names were read in the
warrant. But in the court they fell down, they cried
out, they were pinched and prickeil, and they accused
Jlrs. H<iwe. She was remanded to prison in Boston
to await the action of the jury of inquest. Her case was
630
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
called June 29th and 30th. The jury heard the testi-
mony of twenty -three persons — eleven for and twelve
against her. Of those against her, one quarreled
with Mr. Howe about some boards, and his cows, in
consequence, gave less milk ; three others gave the
history of a child that for several years had had
"fits," and in them would call "Goody Howe," and
cry out, "There she goes, there she goes, now she
goes into the oven, etc; '' another would not loan his
horse to Mr. Howe, and the horse strangely died ;
another, several years before, had some rails broken
by Goody Howe without her api^roach to them ;
another refused to attend upon her preliminary trial,
and his "pig jumped up and fell dead; " five others
opposed her admission to membership in the church,
and were concerned in the loss of two mares. Of
those for her, Rev. Samuel Phillips and Rev. Edward
Payson, gospel ministers of Rowley, had seen the in-
sane girl and the families concerned, and entirely
dissipated the theory of withcraft. Deborah Hadley
had been a neighbor to Mrs. Howe for twenty-four
years ; Daniel, John and Sarah Warner about twenty
years; Simon and Mary Chapman, and Joseph and
Mary Knowlton about ten years, and they each testi-
fied to her neighborly courtesy, to her conscientious
dealings, to the faithful observance of her promises,
to her Christian-like conversation and character.
Her father-in-law, then ninety-four years old, who
had known her for thirty years, testified to her
daughterly conduct in leading him in his feebleness
and blindness, and her loving attention to him, and
to her exemplary home character as wife and mother.
She was, nevertheless, condemned, and July 19th
following executed upon Gallows Hill, Salem. The
good Christian woman fell a victim to the prevailing,
wild infatuation.
These proceedings, to us who are removed two
hundred years, seem at first unaccountable, mortify-
ing and persuasive of disowning our fathers, and of
forgetting the jjeriod of their folly ; but the Hon.
Joseph Story, associate justice of the United States
Supreme Court, after surveying the field, considering
the circumstances, weighing the conditions and bal-
ancing the conclusions, wrote, — "Surely our ances-
tors had no special reason for shame in a belief which
had the universal sanction of their own and all
former ages, which counted in its train philosophers
as well as enthusiasts, which was graced by the learn-
ing of prelates as well as by the countenance of
kings, which the law supported by its mandates, and
the purest judges felt no compunctions in enforcing."
On September 9, 1710, Mrs. Howe's daughters,
Mary and Abigail, the only survivors of the family,
petitioned the General Court for indemnity, making
the cash expenses of the imprisonment £20, yet "yt
ye name may be Repayard, are content if your
honors shall allow us twelve pounds." The sum was
duly allowed and paid in 1712.
The First Court. — The first court provided for
in this period was the Probate, which the Governor,
by authority of His "Majesties Royal Charter" —
authority more implied than expressed and at the
time sharply questioned, but fully confirmed in 1760
— established for the counties June 18, 1692. Their
officers he appointed July 21st, following.
There were during this period eight judges, three
of whom were Ipswich men: John Appleton, Thomas
Berry and John Choate, and eight registrars, of
whom four were Ipswich men : Daniel Rogeis, Dan-
iel Appleton, Samuel Rogers and Daniel Noyes.
Judge Appleton is sketched in Colonial Courts.
Thomas Berry was Hon. Thomas Berry, M.D.
He was the fourth judge, and officiated from October
5, 1739, to September 14, 1756. He was born in
Ipswich in 1695. His father was a graduate of Har-
vard College, and came to this town in 1687; his
mother was Margaret Rogers, who was second daughter
of President Rogers, and after the death of her husband
about 1697, when Thomas was about three years old,
married Hon. John Leverett, F.R.S., President of
Harvard College. Thomas was a graduate of Har-
vard in the class of 1712. He married his cousin,
Martha Rogers, second child and oldest daughter of
Rev. John, of Ipswich, who was the eldest son of the
present. She died August 25, 1727, and he married
Elizabeth Turner, daughter of Major John, of Salem.
He rose to great distinction as medical doctor, and
"he was eminently distinguished for his energy and
activity in public affairs as well as his own." He
was colonel of militia, representative to the General
Court, justice of the Court of Common Pleas, judge
of Probate, and many years of the Executive Coun-
cil. In 1749 he was active in re-establishing the
grammar-school. It is said he kept a chariot, with
servants in livery, and made other display of wealth
and rank. He died August 10, 1756, at the age of
sixty-one years. The inscription on his tomb is, —
"Sic transit gloria mundi."
He lived at first near the site of the depot; after-
wards at his farm, now the home for the town's poor.
He was interred in Ijiswieh.
Hon. John Choate was son of Thomas, and born
in Chebacco Parish, July, 1G97. He was educated at
the Cxrammar School. He married March 3, 1717,
Miriam Pool, probably of Gloucester. He lost all
his children during the prevalence of throat distem-
per in 1735. He was a colonel of militia; a repre-
sentative to the General Court for fifteen years be-,
tween 1730 and 1761, inclusive; justice of the Court
of General Sessions from 1746 till his death ; justice
of the Court of Common Pleas, and for the last ten
years chief justice, successor to Judge Berry; judge
of Probate from September 14, 1756, to February 5,
1766. He was chairman of the committee that built
the Choate Bridge, which, because of his enterprise,
energy and usefulness to the town, was called by his
name. He died February 5, 1766. By his will he
IPSWICH.
631
emancipated two slaves, and gave £12 for a commu-
nion service for the South Church, of which he was
an honored and worthy member. His estate was
valued at quite £3000. He was a man of sound judg-
ment, enterprising, firm and energetic, and a faithful
public officer.
Hox. Daniel Rogers was registrar from October
23, 1702, to January 9, 1723. He was second son of
Rev. John Rogers, M.D., fifth President of Harvard
College, and was born September 25, 1007, fitted for
college under Master Thomas Andrew, of the Gram-
mar School, and graduated at Harvard, ItiSG. He
married S.;rah Appleton, daughter of Captain John
and sister of Hon. John. He was the fourth teacher
of the Grammar School, and succeeded Mjister An-
drew. He fitted fifteen young men for Harvard.
He was feoffee of the Grammar School, town clerk,
judge of the Court of Sessions of the Peace. He per-
ished on the marshes, in a snow-storm, returning
fr .m Xewbury, December 1, 1722.
Hon. Daxiel Appleton was registrar from Janu-
ary 9, 1723, to August 26, 1762. He was born in Ips-
wich, August 8, 1692, the fourth child of Judge Ap-
pleton, and nephew of Daniel Rogers, registrar. He
married Elizabeth Berry, daughter of Thomas Berry,
of Boston and Ipswich, and sister of Dr. Thomas, who
was judge of probate. He was a colonel, a feoffee
of the grammar school, was named in the act of its
corporation in 1756, was several years Representative
to the General Court, and was justice of the Court of
Ses.sions of the Peace. He died August 17, 1762.
Hon. Sami'el Rogees was the sixth registrar,
holding from August 26, 1762, to September 29, 1773.
He was born in Ipswich, August 31, 1709, the young-
est often children of Rev. John. He was nephew of
Daniel, the fourth, registrar, and grandson of Presi-
dent John, of Harvard. His mother was Martha
Whittingham, great great-granddaughter of William,
who married Katherine Calvin, sister of John the
Reformer, and who was a Puritan refugee and com-
piler of the fomous Geneva Bible.
He studied in the grammar school, and graduated
at Harvard, 1725, when he was sixteen years old.
He studied medicine and had a successful practice.
He was town clerk, colonel of militia, justice of the
Court of Sessions of the Peace, and Representative to
the General Court. His death occurred December
21, 1772, at the age of sixty-three. He employed
clerks; his office was well kept. His nephew, Hon.
Daniel Rogers, who was son of Richard, a captain in
the Revolutionary AVar, and also a justice of the
Court of Sessions of the Peace, was acting registrar,
during his last sickness and for some time after his
death.
Daniel Noyes, Esq., was the eighth registrar, and
occupied the office from September 29, 1775, to May
29, 181.5. He was born in Xewbury-Byfield, Janu-
ary 29, 1737, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Woodman)
Xoyes, and was fifth in lineal descent from Nicholas,
a brother of Rev. James, Newbury's first minister.
He graduated at Harvard in 1758, and adopted Ips-
wich as his home. He was master of the grammar
school from 1762 to 1774 inclusive, and again in 1780
and 1781. He was a delegate to the Continental
Congress, 1774-75; Representative to the General
Court, 1775; was postmaster, 1775, succeeding Dea-
con James Foster, and the last under the province
and the law of 1711 ; was on committees of corres-
pondence and safety, during the Revolutionary period ;
was grantor of permits under the non-importation
act I was feoffee of the grammar school ; was dele-
gate to the convention that ratified the State Consti-
tution, with Michael Farley, John Choate and John
Cogswell; and was justice of the peace and quorum
in 1797. He is said to have been '' methodical and
accurate," and " the faithfulness and ability with
which he discharged his various duties deservedly
gained for him high and extensive respect." He died
March 21, 1815.
Eakly Records. — The early probate records were
kept by the registrar in his private cu.-tody, and
usually in his dwelling-house, which was his office.
After 1722, the office was in the court-house, Ipswich,
but the records were kept at the registrar's home.
This practice obtained through this period and prac-
tically till 1817.
Other Courts. — Other Province Courts were es-
tablished by act of November 25, 1692, — Higli Court
of Chancery, which did not receive regal sanction.
Superuir Court nf Judicature, or as it was commonly
called "Superior Court," having one chief-justice
and four associate justices, taking the place of the
Court of Assistant-", and exercising appellate jurisdic-
tion from Inferior Court, holding two sessions an-
nually, one at Salem in November, and the other at
Ipswich in May, a court which under the constitu-
tion became the Supreme Judicial. Inferior Court of
Commoii Pleas for Essex County, having original
jurisdiction in all actions of real title and all civil ac-
tions where the debt or damage was forty shillings or
more, an appellate jurisdiction from justices of the
peace in civil cases, andpresidedover by four justices,
a court which, in 1859, became the Sujierior; Court
of Quarter Sessions of the Peace which June 2(), 1699,
became General Sessions of the Peace, presided over b.y
justices of the peace for the county, "or so many of
{ them as are or shall be limited in commission of the
I peace," and having original jurisdiction in all cases
not given to the Superior Court, and not triable be-
fore single justices with appellate jurisdiction from
them. This court granted licenses and laid out high-
ways, etc. In 1804 its criminal jurisdiction was trans-
ferred to the Court of Common Pleas, and in 1827 it
became the County Commissioners' Court. Commis-
sioners of justices of the peace were authorized at the
same time.
The Courts of Common Picas and General .Sessions
were held simultaneously at Ipswich in March, at
632
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Newbury in September, and at Salem in December.
Tlius Ipswich during tliis period retained her courtly
prestige, as shown by the frequency of court sessions
and the supremacy of their jurisdiction, whereby she
was a peer among her sister towns and executed a
commanding influence.
Representative Men. — The representative men
of the town for this period were among the ablest
men of the times. We append as good a list as we
are able to obtain : Justices of the Superior Court :
Richard Salton.stall, twenty years from 1736, and
Wait Winthrop twenty-five years from 1692, nine of
which he was chief justice. Special, Dr. Thomas
Berry and Ezekiel Cheever, the famous Ipswich
Grammar-school master. Justices of the Inferior Court
of Common Fleas : John Appleton, Dr. Thomas
Berry, John Choate; Special: John W^ainwright,
David Appleton and Samuel Rogers. Justices of the
General Sessions : Samuel Appleton, Daniel Eppes,
Thomas Wade, John Wainwright, Francis Wain-
wright, Neheniiah Jewett, John Whipple, John Ap-
pleton, Ammi Ruhami Wise, Dr. Thomas Berry,
Andrew Burley, Daniel Appleton, John Choate,
Samuel Rogers, Joseph Appleton and John Baker.
Sheriffs: Major Francis Wainwright, Major Daniel
Denison, John Denison and Richard Saltonstall.
Councilors to the Governor : John Appleton, twenty-
six from 1698 ; Dr. Thomas Berry, seventeen years
from 1735, and John Choate, five years from 1761.
Simon Bradstreet, Richard Saltonstall, Ezekiel
Cheever and John Wainwright. Speakers of the
House : Nehemiah Jewett, three years, 1693, 1 694 and
1701. Clerk of the House : John Wainwright eight
years, beginning 1723. Provincial Congressmen:
Michael Farley and Daniel Noyes. Representatives:
Daniel Appleton, five years; John Appleton, one;
Dr. Thomas Berry, three; Andrew Burley, two ; John
Calefl'e, two ; Jnhu Choate, sixteen ; Stephen Choate,
four; Thomas Choate, four; Francis Cogswell, three;
Jonathan Cogswell, one; Benj. Crocker, three; John
Crocker, one; Daniel Eppes, one; Samuel Eppes, one;
Michael Farley, fourteen ; Thomas Hart, two ; Dum-
raer Jewett, two; Nehemiah Jewett, sixteen ; Nathaniel
Knowltou, nine ; Daniel Noyes, one ; Abraham Per-
kins, one; Richard Rogers, three; Samuel Rogers,
three ; Nathaniel Rust, one ; Simon Stacy, one ;
Daniel Staniibrd, three ; William Story, two ; Francis
Wainwright, one; John Wainwright, nineteen;
Nicholas Wallis, one; Ammi R. Wise, two; John
Whipple, one. Framers of the State (!imstilufion:
Daniel Noyes, Dummer Jewett, Stejihen Choate,
John Crocker and Jonathan Cogswell.
Jail. — In 1751 the town voted to petition the
Court of General Sessions " that the late prison be ef-
fectually repaired and established as heretofore as a
prison and a house of correction." In 1760 a com-
mittee reported that the town petition the same court
to have a house of correction built here, and to per-
mit the dissolute poor of the town to be put in the
jail till the house of correction shall be completed.
In 1771 a new jail was built on the site of the old
one.
It is needless to comment upon notable cases. Since
the arch fiend lied to Eve, our first parents stole the
forbidden fruit, and Cain killed his brother, neither
era nor people has been exempt from crime ; one
age exemplifies another. Our forefathers had a spe-
cific mission, a glorious cause, and they were true
to their calling. They wrought nobly and well; but
to err is human ; we embalm their purpose, their
deeds, their renown ; we bury their errors in oblivion.
The Constitutional Period. — The constitu-
tional period opens with the adoption of the State
Constitution in 1780. The representatives to 1817
were John Choate, five years ; John Crocker, one ;
John Heard, one , Joseph Hodgkins, of Revolution-
ary fame, seven years ; Dummer Jewett, one ; John
Manning, ten; John Patch, four; Jo.^ieph Swasey,
another of Revolutionary fame, eight; Jolin Tread-
well, two; and Nathaniel Wade, our most noted
officer in the Revolution, twenty-two. Speakers of the
House, — Joseph Story, 1811-12, and Otis P. Lord,
1854. Fresident of the Senate, Samuel Dana, 1811-13.
Justice of the Superior Court, Otis P. Lord, 1859-75,
and of the Supreme Court, from 1875 till his resigna-
tion in 1882.
County Buildings. — A new court-house was
completed in the early part of 1795. It cost $7000
of which the tow'n paid half. In 1794, May 1, a com-
mittee was empowered to confer with the county,
and sell the old court-house. The new court-house
served till 1855, when upon the removal of the
courts that year, it was sold to the Methodist So-
ciety, removed and converted into a chapel. After
the erection of their present beautiful and commo-
dious church edifice, they sold it in 1862 to Mr. Cur-
tis Damon, who removed it to Depot Square, where
it now stands, and converted it into a store.
A new stone jail was built here by the county in
1809-10, which was occupied February 2l8t, of the
latter year. It cost $27,000, and was a model lor
security and convenience. It stood on the premises
of the present " County-House " and " Hospital," as
they are called, and served its purpose w-ell till
1866, when it was sold to the Eastern Railroad
Company, who used it to arch a roadway just east of
the Merrimac River bridge, at Newburyport. The
" County-House," or house of correction, was occu-
pied in 1828, when the old one, at Norton's Bridge,
where Messrs. Stackpole's soap-manufactory stands,
was discontinued. The " Hospital," or the receptacle
for the chronic insane was erected about 1841 or
1842. Some two or three years ago in connection
with the reformatory, a workshop, one hundred by
thirty feet, was erected.
The first probate repository, as such, was occupied
December 15, 1817. It was built of brick and fire-
proof, forty feet long, twenty-eight wide and one
IPSWICH.
633
story high, .and cost $3700. During the e.arly part of
this period the records were kept in the registrar's
private dwelling, while his office was in the new
court-house. From 1795 to 1815 the repository was
also in the court-house. At the latter date both the
records and the office retired to the dwelling of Na-
thaniel Lord, the registrar, to come forth in 1817 to
occupy the safe repository till 1852 when by order of
the couuty commissioners they were removed to Sa-
lem. The building is now the property of the Odd
Fellows, and contains a drug-store, the post-office and
the Odd F-i'Uows' Hall in an added story.
Two of the registrars of this period have been Ips-
wich men, — Nathaniel Lord, 3d, and his son George
R')bert, whose biographical sketches close this chap-
ter.
The only court held here now is trial-justice Bell's.
The attorneys and counselors-at-law are Hon. Charles
A. Sayward, Edward P. Kimball, Esq., .John R. Baker,
Esq., James Brown Lord, Esq., who are natives here
and Hon. George Haskell, is a native of Newburyport.
This decadence is entirely attributable to the
couT)tr)-'s growth in population, the consequent ex-
tension of business and change of bu<iness centres-
Biographical. — Nathaniel Lord, 3d, was the
ninth registrar, and his service covered a period from
May 29, 1815, to June 12, 1851. He fitted for
college with Daniel Dana, D.D., son of Rev.
Joseph, his pastor, and he graduated at Harvard in
1798. His graduation exercise was a poem, and the
subject, "Astronomy." In his class were Dr. Chan -
ning, .Judges Story and Fay, Dr. Tuckerman and Rev.
Prof. Emerson, who may be considered the first to
devise and put in practice a curriculum of study and
discipline especially designed for and adapted to
female education and culture.
He married, at Ipswich, Eunice Kimball, daughter
of Jeremiah and Lois-Choate Kimball. His children
were Nathaniel James, born October 28, 1805 ; Mary,
born July 17, 1807, died March 11, 1846 ; Lois Choate,
born July 9, 1810 ; Otis Phillips, born July 11, 1812 ;
Isaac, born July 2, 1814, died April 1, 1816 ; George
Robert, born December 16, 1817, — three of whom were
lawyers, of whom one was an eminent judge. His
wife died April 9, 1837, and he married, September 6,
1S38, Mary Holt Adams, daughter of John Adams,
Esq., of Andover.
Mr. Lord was scholarly ; he never relinquished the
study of the classics. Hehad the habit of a student ; he
was mathematically exact, careful in verbal dis-
tinctions ; also methodical and accurate ; and
when in Judge White's tenure of office it was de-
termined to improve the old methods, to multiply
new and remodel old forms, Mr. Lord's taste, judg-
ment and learning were requisite, and the present
practice of the Court attests his good sense and fore-
sight.
Politically, Mr. Lord was a Conservative Whig,
and when, in the course of human events, the politics
40 i
of the appointing power changed, and democracy
rules the registrar must be a Democrat.
He had no taste for public life. He delivered a
Fourth-of-.July oration when a young man ; welcomed
General Lafayette to Ipswich in 1824 ; presided at
the town's bi-centennial celebration in 1834; he was
a justice of the peace and quorum; was one year,
1823, selectman and several years on the school
board.
He fell from his chair, .at home, and died October
16, 1852. His residence was on High Street ; his es-
tate is now known as the " Lord Mansion." The
house was built in 1728 by Rev. Nathaniel Rogers.
Geor(;e Robert Lord, Esq., was the eleventh
registrar. He is a son of the last mentioned registrar,
and was born as there stated. He was registrar from
February 14, 1853, to February 27, 1855, soon after the
advent of the American, or Know-Nothing, party to
power. He is an excellent penman and exemplary
recorder. He has spent most of his life in the service
of the courts. He is employed now where he has
for years been— in the office of the Clerk of Courts.
CHAPTER XL VII.
IPS WICH.— ( Continued).
The early and leading industries of the town were
farming, grazing and fishing. The various trades
met, with facility and skill, the demand of home
consumption, furnishing the house, and the farm,
equipping the mariner and manufacturing the cloth-
ing.
Farming. — This may be said to have been the lead-
ing industry, the first requisite of which is the soil.
The underlying rock of the town, and, of the coun-
ty, is syenite, or hornblendic granite, an excellent
building and flagging stone that has made Cape Ann
famous, but is not quarried here. The soil above is
light, consisting of gravel, sand, clay, and the pro-
duct of organic decay, not mixed in a favorable pro-
portion to make a strong, productive land. The soil
requires as constant care and judicious handling and
fertilizing .as the crops need cultivation. The best
soil is, of course, between the hills, and it rewards
the husbandman as a garden. The hill-sides and
plains, of which there are many, are not poor, but are
much worn in the lapse of two hundred and fifty
years. They were sought and valued by our ances-
tors. Well might the Woiiile.r-worl:in<j Providence
remark: " They have very good land for husbandry,
where rocks hinder not the course of the plow." This
land was adapted to the growth of the cereals, such as
corn, oats, barley, rye, wheat and fiax. "The potato
was cultivated," says Felt, " in 1733, but was not much
used. It was a delicacy, accompanying a ro:ist-beef
634
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
dinner and unusual occasions ; the turnip, then raised
in abundance, took its place on all common occasions."
Corn and rye were the principal bread-stuff of our
sires. Barley made a nutritive food, a palatable cofl'ee,
and a healthliil beer; flax was easily converted into
linen, which supplied various needs of the household ;
and hemp, which had been grown by the Indians, was
cultivated and converted into clothing and other uses.
Their pasturage, which consisted of more than seven
thousand five hundred acres, was good. The soil was
new and feed abundant, and the numerous large hills
were peculiarly serviceable; the best beef could be
produced simply at the expense of the herdsman's
time. The Wonder- Working Providence tells us, " the
Lord hath been pleased to increase them in Corne and
Cattell of late [1650] ; insomuch that they have many
hundred quarters to spare yearly, and feed, at the lat-
ter end of summer, the Town of Boston with good
beefe."
The Marshes. — The salt marshes and fresh mead-
ows were an important factor in the agricultural
economy. There are more than 3300 acres of the
former and some 500 acres of the latter. In the early
years of the town these were the only sources of food
for the cattle in winter. The grass of either is not
very valuable; but when properly mixed and fed out
with care it is fairly relished and served particularly
well to winter young stock. The fresh meadows
have served largely ibr fuel, furnishing an incipient
coal called peal. This is an accumulation of half-de-
composed vegetable substance formed under water,
without pressure, and contains fifty or more per
centum of carbon. It began to be used at a very early
period ; so long since was it dug, that some of the
ditches thus made had, fifty years ago, grown over
and become sufficiently solid to allow the picking of
cranberries growing thereon. A hundred and twenty-
four years ago it was in great demand. The land
sold from $75 to $100 per acre, or in family yearly
supplies, at about two dollars per square rod. Coal
began to be used about 1830, and has now supplanted
peat except in a few instances, in the rural districts,
where the families own peat meadow.
Where this formation of vegetable matter has prog-
ressed subject to atmospheric action, muck has been
formed, which has been much used as a fertilizer.
Some of these meadows are more or less valuable
for the production of cranberries, yielding from a few
bushels to forty or fifty ]:)er acre. The berry grows'
without cultivation, and with little attention.
Wood and Timber. — The woodlands have been
very productive ; oak and pine wood and timber be-
ing the staples. Since the introduction of coal, wood-
fuel has fallen in price nearly half; and the price of
timber has been greatly diminished since the easy
transportation of timber and lumber, by rail from the
North and the East. Timber and wood merchants,
with heavy teams of oxen or horses, used to do a
profitable business, but such teams now are not seen.
The CuLTlVATlON.^There are besides the above,
probably three thousand acres now under cultivation.
The leading productions are fruit, vegetables, corn
and milk. Much attention late years has been given
to garden productions, especially early vegetables.
Hay has been grown with much care, especially the
so-called English hay, since its introduction at the
first, by obtaining the seed from England. " Grayne
seed," — wheat, rye and barley, — was introduced from
England in 1029, with which probably, or soon after,
came our fine, English grass-seed. In 16G6 those who
had taken ground of the town, and agreed to sow four
bushels of good English grass-seed, were called to an
account for their neglect to do so. In 1694, for the pay-
ment of taxes, the town made the following prices :
barley, barley-malt and rye, four shillings per bushel ;
wheat, six shillings; Indian corn, three shillings; and
oats, two shillings.
Hay. — Hay merchants from fifty to a hundred
years ago made their toil remunerative by purchasing
hereabouts and selling in the Salem and Boston
markets. They employed teams of from four to six
horses, and carried from four to six tons to a load.
Hay is now pressed in the East and elsewhere, put up
in bales and transported by rail, so that the trade in
hay is hardly more than local.
Berries. — The prolific huckleberry and blueberry,
the attatash of the Indians, demands a notice. It is a
delicious little berry, and by its fine palatable quality
has ingratiated itself into public favor, and the mar-
ket demands it. In ripens in July and August, dur-
ing the long school vacation, and many a family of
children earns from twenty to thirty dollars in a sea-
son,— an essential help to the poor, and a profitable
recreation for the scholars. A hill in the Linebrook
District, written " Hurttlebery Hill " two hundred
years ago, is now visited from the towns about us, by
huckleberry-parties yearly, so plentiful the berry still
continues. One of the many market-men hereabouts
sold last year nearly three hundred bushels of them.
Fruits. — Apples and pears were introduced from
the mother-country. The houses of the settlers were
surrounded by " pleasant gardens and orchards," and
to-day if you find, in the woods or a pasture, an old
cellar that long since was abandoned, there you are
likely to find the old wall that enclosed its orchards,
and some of the old, old trees. So valuable were
the orchards to our ancestors, so late even as a cen-
tury ago, that the father divided his orchard, by will,
among his children, devising or bequeathing certain
trees to particular children, while one child only was
to possess the land. During the last fifty years or-
chards have been cultivated with profit in producing
the choicest varieties of apples and pears.
Tobacco. — Our early ancestors derived much profit
in the cultivation of tobacco. In the Virginia Colo-
ny, it was a source of large revenue. Our Legislature
frowned upon it as hurtful, and in 1634 attached a
fine of 2s. 6d. to every occasion of its public use, and
IPSWICH.
635
in 1635 prohibited traffic in it after September. But
in 1(582 tobacco-yards were common, and its cultiva-
tion was continued for a century, at least. Families
had their gardens of " the weed,'' and their peculiar
" mode of twisting it and curing it, with molasses and
rum, to make it palatable."
Sumach and sassafras were exported, the former as
a dye-stuff, the latter for medicine.
Statistics. — The United States Census of 1880
reported 153 farms, 357 persons engaged in farming
pursuits, of whom 4 were females, a production of
129,692 gallons of milk, 4806 tons of hay, 43,482
pounds of butter, 375 pounds of cheese, 28,511 dozen
of eggs, 17,940 bushels of potdtoes on 211 acres of
land and 11,355 bushels of corn on 266 acres of land,
having a total value of $98,413.
From the latest official statistics of the State we
make the following interesting comparison with the
State statistics of 1875.
Farms and Appurtenances 1875. 18S5.
No. of Farms 4S0 216
Value of Land SCMi),47'J 8.'iG9,640
Value of BuiWiiipi 305,"9U 480,202
A'alue of Fruit trees 62,296 51,6.iG
Value of Domestic Animals 90,440 lll.\7;iS
Value of Agricultural Implements 50,2i7 48,5l:t
Total value gl,lS4,i.il 81,201,815
Valw of PrmlneU.
Butter ?1»,179 812,842
Milli 35,276 .W,07.i
Corn, Indian 3,310 6,783
Potatoes 14,213 1«,S1S
Vegetables 2,908 9,8.'!3
Eggs 6,819 12,453
Apples 17,024 6,123
Hay 101,880 77,328
Other products 44,000 ,'J5,653
Total 8243,609 $243,905
The selectmen for 1886 report 495 horses, 845 cows,
312 other neat cattle, 162 sheep, and 744 dwelling-
houses.
This tabulated statement shows a decrease in the
value of farm lands, fruit-trees, and implements, and
of butter, potatoes, apples, and hay ; and an increase
in the value of buildings and animals, and of corn,
milk, eggs and vegetables, clearly setting up in fig-
ures the wise departure from the olden time, heavy
farming to the easy, more agreeable and profitable
traffic in milk and vegetable products. The alluvial
river-borders and the mountain districts, however
distant, may furnish us with potatoes, and hay, and
butter, and cheese; but the morning's milk, fresh
eggs and green stuffs from the garden must be pro-
duced nearer the place of sale.
Our Essex County Agricultural Society has done
a great good in years past, in stimulating a healthful
emulation among our farmers by premiums for best
farms, fruits, grass and methods ; but a greater prac-
tical good, in later years, h.is been done by our minia-
ture or local societies, where the farmers of the town
met for practical discussion U|ion live topics of
local interest. This makes a learned, intelligent,
practical, diligent, progressive f^irmer, and gives us
the best results with less labor and expense. So we
compliment the Ipswich Farmers' Club and the
' " Ipswich Fruit-Growers' Protective Association."
Fisheries. — There is no doubt that a fishing-station
had existed here for a number of years before March
1633. Gorges and his company had stations all along
this coast. Jeflrey, or Burslim, or both managed here.
The place was excellent in two respects: The Neck
furnished the wharfage, and Ipswich and Plum-Island
Rivers, with Plum-Island as a breakwater, the harbor;
the shallow water and the high bar forming no im-
pediment to the small crafts or boats then in use.
Second, the supply offish along the shore and in the
rivers was abundant. Cod and sturgeon and bass
then belonged to our shores and streams. The fishery
increased and became lucrative. The town took
measures to make the business inviting. In 1641 the
fishermen could enclose their fishing-stages, and each
crew could plant an acre of ground. In 1670 they
could take wood from the common for needed build-
ings and for fuel, and each crew could feed a cow
upon the common. In 1696 Jeffrey's Neck was well
covered with fish-flakes on the south side. A com-
mittee was chosen to regulate the flake.s, which were
"to run up and down the hill," so that one party
might not interfere with or hinder another. That
year there seems to have been an impetus given the
business from the fact, that "new flakes" were set
up. These were apparently to in\ite and accommo-
date new parties "to carry on the fishing design."
At this time there was a community of some seven or
eight hundred persons doing, in connection with other
industries and trades, a large and prosperous business,
and still, wise and generous, holding out inducements
and inviting co-operation. The business grew, and
with it grew its hazards, perils, sorrows, losses ; and
it was necessary to hedge it in with safeguards and
positive law. Accordingly, in 1729, the town pro-
vided that owners of vessels should register their
names and the names of the crew with the clerk, or
forfeit 20s. for each and every name omitted. But
with all the liberality of accommodation and assist-
ance, the industry waned ; better natural facilities
led the fishermen away, and only six schooners re-
mained to Ipswich in 1758. From that time Ipswich
managed to retain the remnant, so that in " 1797 a few
vessels were employed in the fishery."
Stream Fisiieuies. — The catches of sturgeon, blue-
fi-h, shad and alewives were of considerable import-
ance in the early days. They were a revenue to the
town, of sonic commercial importance in trade with
the West Indies, and "last though perhaps not le:ist"
they were 'of much value to the poorer families.
Their importance has been considered so great, that
the Legislature has, again and again, been petitioned
for fishways by the dams of the manufactories. The
636
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
petition of May 25, 1768, says : The Ipswich Kiver
has been reported "from age to age one of the best
fish streams, particularly for shad, bass and alewives,
in the county if not in the country." Within fifty
years, several barrels of alewives have been taken, in
a season, from a single brook. These fish are now
little if at all known in our streams.
Clam-digging, also, has, from the first, been of con-
siderable importance. Measures were early taken to
protect the flats. Fishermen and the poor, in early
years, had special privileges to them. In 1789 a
thousand barrels were dug. They sold for five or
six dollars per barrel, and were much used for bait.
It is a good paying industry now, the product finding
a ready sale in the city markets, and furnishing a
dainty relish for poor and rich alike. The Ipswich
clams rank in celebrity with the Providence Kiver or
Norfolk oyster. Even the shells pulverized find a
ready sale, in the country, among poulterers far and
near. Shore and stream fishing is all that is left to
us now. The dory, the seine and the fork are the
chief implements of the industry. In 1875 the capital
employed was nine thousand dollars, and the value of
fish caught was twenty thousand nine hundred and
forty-eight dollars ; while in 1885 the capital was
only two thousand two hundred dollars, yet the value
of the fish was twenty-one thousand seven hundred
and eighty-four dollars.
Commerce. — The Wonder- Working Providence sa,ys,
that Ipswich, in 1650, " was a very good Haven Town,
yet a little barr'd up at the mouth of the Eiver.
Some merchants are here." The maritime enterprise
of the town long kept up her merchant service,
though compared with Boston, it was small. There
is no source of information on this topic ; the cus-
tom-house files are barred bylaw; and inferences only
are left. Ipswich was a port of entry as early as June
28, 1701-2. The port establishments of 1692-93 did
not receive regal sanction. The building of wharves
began 1641, when William Paine had one for a ware-
house. A wharf was built in each of the following
years, 1660, '62 and '68. Again in each of these
years a wharf was built, 1682, '85, '86, '87 and '93.
In 1730 two wharves were built. In 1732 Joseph
Manning built one and the town agreed to have one,
as a landing-place at six pence a load. In 1750
Daniel and Thomas Staniford were granted liberty
for wharl'age for a warehouse. In 1756 William
Dodge had one, and in 1764 Nathaniel Farley an-
other. The coasting business is said to have begun
about 1768. Dr. Morse's Gazetteer says that Ipswich,
in 1779, " employed few vessels in the fisheries,
and a few traded in the West Indies." That year
thirteen vessels were enrolled at the Ipswich Custom-
House and registered at four hundred and fifty tons.
In 1807 twenty-three vessels were enrolled with thir-
teen hundred and sixty-two tons; in 1817 twelve
vessels and seventeen hundred and forty tons ; in
1827 twenty-five vessels and thirty-two hundred and
seventy-three tons ; in 1832 twenty-three vessels and
twenty-six hundred and nineteen tons. During the
first quarter of this century, Robert Farhy built a
vessel of three hundred tons, which was about three
times the average size. At present there are no ves-
sels belonging to Ipswich enrolled at the custom-
house, which compasses all of five tons or more
in the district. There are two or three coalers, which
supply the coal-wharves yearly with ten thousand
tons of the ''diamonds," and an occasional sloop,
bringing stone ibr building purposes; but they are
owned elsewhere. There is, however, Captain N.
Burnham's fine excursion steamer " Carlotta," which,
during the summer .season, runs her regular trips to
the Island, besides making occasional trips to points
of interest along the coast. Capt. Moses Treadwell,
I am told, owned the last vessel belonging here ; and
that she lay neglected, for many years in "The Cove,"
and went to pieces before 1824.
This was made a national customs collection dis-
trict by act of Congress approved May 7, 1796. By
this act a collector of customs was authorized, and
the surveyorship formerly existing and held by Jere-
miah Staniford was abolished. The first collector of
customs was Asa Andrews. The letter informing
him of his appointment was dated June 9, 1796. His
immediate successor, Timothy Souther, received no-
tice of his appointment, by a letter dated July 22,
1829. Mr. Souther was succeeded by Asahel Wildes,
August 2, 1840, who continued in office to and includ-
ing July 20, 1844, when the ofiice was merged in the
Newburyport ofiice, and Essex, which had been a part
of the Ipswich District, was joined to Gloucester, ac-
cording to an act of Congress approved June 15, 1844.
At this time Daniel L. Wilcomb was inspector and
Issachar Burnham occasional inspector, each at three
dollars a day when employed. Daniel Lakeman was
revenue boatman, at one dollar a day when employed.
Other inspectors have been Reuben Daniels, Philip
E. Clarke, James W. Bond. Mr. Andrews was born
in June, 1762, and he died January 13, 1856, in his
ninety-fourth year. He held the ofiice of collector
about thirty-three years. He was a very able man
and had honorable mention as candidate for Congress.
He had a son who graduated at Harvard, at the age
of eighteen years, and was rector at Bingham ton,
N. Y., for fifteen years.
MECHANICS AND MANUFACTURES.
Trades. — Herein particularly old Mother Necessity
exhibits her large family of inventions. The people
of those early days did not live to eat so much as eat
to live. Every day's labor, on the whole, must be a
positive advance. We of to-day have abundance out
of an abundance by means abundant; they lived fru-
gally and healthfully, cheerfully and hopefully, by a
poverty of means ; and however unpolished and rude
may have been the results of their workmanship, it
served their purpose, advanced thir State, and we
IPSWICH.
637
must accord their meed of praise. In 1638 Thomas
Emerson was a baker. Thomas Bridan was granted
six acres of land, on which to plant osiers, or wil-
lows, for basket-making, in 1639. Mr. Samuel .\pple-
ton had a malt-house in 1642. The " mault-kills"
may cut walnut trees for drying malt, in 1669; and
James Burnam was granted land for a malt-house in
1696 ; "John Low's," then discontinued, having been
beneficial to the neighborhood." John Paine was al-
lowed a brewery and warehouse in 1663, but there
has been none since 1800. Andrew Peters might cut
trees for a cider-mill in 1668. A disiillery for the
manufacture of rum from molasses was set up about
1750 ; the manufacture ceased in 1830. There were
two smiths in 1667. In 1682 Thomas Day had a place
granted for a brickyard, and Andrew Burley burned
bricks on Jefl'rey's Neck in 1687. Thomas Howlett
was carpenter in 1633 ; .Samuel Boreman, cooper in
1639; William Bulkley, cordwainer in 1664; Nath-
aniel Bishop, currier in 1638; and Henry Keerle was
admitted to citizenship and allowed to set up the
trade of currier in 1665. John Brown, Jr., was gla-
zier in 1664; Nathaniel Bust, glover in 1690; Wil-
liam Fuller, gunsmith in 1635 ; Samuel Wood, hatter
in 1692; Simon Tomson, ropemaker in 1648; Moses
Pingrey may set up salt-pans and works in 1651, and
in 16G9 the town voted £8 to James Hudson to set up
salt-works. In 1642 each town was to have a house
for the manufacture of saltpetre. Henry Russell, of
Ipswich, and Richard Woodey, of Boston, were pre-
paring for the manufacture of saltpetre and gunpow-
der in 1666 ; and in 1667 the town ordered that each
family should provide a hogshead of earth as a urinal,
auxiliary to the manufacture of gunpowder. Nath-
aniel Brown had a grant of land, whereon to make
ashes and soap. In 1691 there was an old " sope-
house." John Annable was a tailor in 1647 ; Nicholas
Easton was a tanner in 1634 ; Thomas ('larke, in
1641 ; Ens. Thomas Hart, in 1700 ; and Thomas
Brown's son, in 1734. In 1832 the tanneries
employed ten men, at 11.20 per day, used ninety
cords of bark, converted 10,000 hides into
leather, which was sold in the county for $25,2.50.
James How was a weaver in 1642, and John Denison
in 1G47. Richard Kimball, Jr., was a wheelwright in
1638 ; Thomas Fuller had land for a wheelwright-
shop in 16S5 ; in 1671 Freegrace Norton could cut
timber for " cogs and rounds and starts for the mill ;''
Deacon Pingrey built a small lighter; and, in 1691,
"Jacob Foster could cut timber for pails, measures,
etc." Thus the records record, but of course there
may have been other names at earlier dates.
Geist-Mill Machinery. — The first man to make
use of machinery was Richard Saltoustall, and, we
think, Sir Richard. Richard Saltoustall was a man of
liberal, advanced and pronounced ideas. He openly
and fearlessly denounced the African slave-trade.
This man set up a grist-mill in 1635, on the site of
Mr. Farley's stone mill. Jonathan Wade was allowed
to take timber for a wind-mill, which was built and
gave name to the hill where it stood. This kind of
motive power was not much resorted to in Ipswich,
because of the abundant water-power. Thomas
Bishop and Robert Lord might erect a grist-mill, in
1666. In 1671 the town declare one corn-mill insiii-
ficient for their use, and as if there were but one iu
town, a complaint was made against Mr. Saltoustall,
with a request that he erect another. In 1686-87
Sergt. Nicholas Wallis might dam the river, not ex-
ceeding three feet, and erect mills for the town's use.
In 1687 Nehemiah Jewctt might erect a mill on
Egypt River. In 1691-92 Thomas Boreman desired
to erect a tide grist-mill, on Labor-in-vain Creek. In
1695-96 Abraham Tilton, Jr., and Edmund and An-
thony Potter asked that they might erect a mill on
Mile Brook. In 1696-97 John Adams, Sr. and .fr.,
and Michael Farley might dam the river, against
Adams' land, and erect corn and fulling-mills.
Saw-Mill.s. — There seems to have been no early
saw-mills on the territory of the present Ipswich,
Several were at Chebacco. In 1656 sawyers might fell
trees in the woods three and a half miles or more
from the meeting-house, if they would allow the
town one-fifteenth and charge the inhaliitants no
more than four per centum.
FiiLLiNG-MiLLs. — The first fulling-mill seems to
have been built about 1675; another was attempted
in 1676, on Egypt river, but was not completed in
the prescribed three years, and the dam was after-
wards removed. Joseph Calefl'e might erect one
"where it will not prejudice others,'" if he will full
for the town's people " lor their pay sooner than for
other ' towns ' men for money," in 1692. Joseph
Caleffe and Thomas and Anthony Potter, in 1692-93,
might erect one on Mile Brook. These were mills
that received the cloth woven at home and cleansed,
scoured and pressed it, — that removed the dirt and
grease, and made the material more compact, firmer
and stronger, with a soft, glossy nap.
Cloth. — In 1641 children and servants were to be
taught the manufacture of cloth from wild hemp,
with which the country abounded. In 1645, wool
was scarce, and in 1654 no sheep might be trans-
ported, and none killed under two years of age. In
1656 the town was divided into classes of five, six
and ten, and taught the art of spinning. One per-
son shall spin three pounds of linen, cotton, wool,
monthly, for thirty weeks each year, or forfeit twelve
pence per month, for each ])Ound .short. Half and
quarter spinners were reciuirod to do tlie same propor-
tionally. Samuel Stacy was clothier in 1727. Those
were the days of the "independent farmer." All
his needs were supplied by his skill or care. Even
his clothes grew on his own field in the azure-hued
flax or the silvery fleece of his sheep. His fan)ily
converted these into fine, cool thread, or soft, warm
yarn, and these latter they wove into cloth from
which tbry made his and his family's garments. Our
638
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
childhood's lips delighted to cord with the hum of
the spinning-wheel. We have a vivid remembrance
of the little wheel for linen and the big wheel for
wool, but the clatter of the loom, that so deftly ar-
ranged the warp and woof was a home-thrummiug
hardly so late as our day. The weaver's thrums are
now supjjlanted by a noisy, profitless thrumming of
the piano.
Woolen-Mill — Dr. John Manning, in 1792, was
granted a lot of land, fifty by thirty feet, at the north-
west corner of Choate Bridge, for a woolen factory.
In 1794 he had a further grant for the same purpose,
and July 8, 1795, a full and complete title was given.
The mill went into operation in 1794, and manufac-
tured cloths and blankets. The enterprise was not a
success, and the business was closed in 1800. The
site was afterwards occupied by " Coburn's Block,"
the structure now there is called " Caldwell's Block."
Lace Manufacture. — This product was made in
families. The manufacture probably had a small
beginning, — was confined to a few families, but grew
till "almost every family'' was engaged in it. It
particularly suited the employment of women and
children, for profit and leisure. " The lace was
formed," says Mr. Felt, " on a lap-pillow, which had
a piece of parchment round it with the particular
figure, represented by pins stuck up straight, around
which the work was done and the lace wrought."
Black aud white laces, in silk and thread, and of all
widths and qualities, were made. It was considerably
exported in 1797. In 1790 nearly forty-two thou-
sand yards were made, and the ))usiness was then
rather increasing. It continued till about 1821 or
'22, when a Boston lace company removed to this
town and set up their machinery. They located on
South Main Street, near the Foot-bridge, and Feb-
ruary 4, 1824, were incorporated as the " Boston and
Ipswich Lace Company." Joseph Farley, William
H. Sumner, Augustine Heard and George W. Heard,
were the proprietors ; and could hold real estate to
the value of fifty thousand dollars, and personal to
the value of one hundred thousand dollars, and could
manufacture " lace and other articles made of linen,
silk, cotton and woolen material." The company, of
course, achieved success for a number of years; but
the deepest streams are not always smooth. It is
said the company "split," and occasioned the forma-
tion of another. " Thomas Manning, Ammi Smith,
John Clark, their associates, successors and assigns,
were incorporated the "New England Lace Com-
pany," January 17, 1827, and could hold thirty thou-
sand dollars in real estate, and fifty thousand dollars
in personal. The f\vctory was located on High Street,
on the site of Mr. Joseph Ross' residence. In some
way, by English competition or interference, the busi-
ness became unprofitable, and the factories closed, —
the former in 1828, and the latter soon after 1833.
Cotton Manufacture. — Joseph Farley had leave,
June 19, 1827, to close a town way, then used as a
watering-place, between the lace-factory and his saw-
mill, that he might construct a new dam and erect a
factory in the place of the saw-mill. In due time the
preparation was completed, and the fiictory was built
of stone in 1828 and '29. Augustine Heard, Joseph
Farley and George W. Heard, were incorporated the
" Ipswich Manufacturing Company," June 11, 1828,
with a capital of fifty thousand dollars in real, and
one hundred thousand dollars in personal estate, for
manufacturing from cotton and woolen materials.
The manufacture was begun in 1830. James H.
Oliver, of Boston, was the treasurer, and in 1834 Otis
Holmes was superintendent. Samuel Davis was
overseer of carding, Barnum Leonard of spinning,
Calvin Locke of weaving. Joseph Farley, Jr., was
clerk and paymaster, and Joseph Kendall was master-
mechanic. "The machinery of the mill," says a
correspondent of the American Journal of Fabrics,
" consisted of one conical willow for cleaning the cot-
ton ; one picker twenty-four inches wide, with two
beaters, without lapper ; fourteen breaker and four-
teen finisher cards, eighteen inches wide, with wooden
cylinders, thirty-six inches in diameter; four drawing
frames with tliree heads each; four Taunton tube
speeders. The most of the warp-spinning were the
Engli-h live spindle frames, — part of them had circu-
lar and some of them straight fronts. The flyers
were screwed to the top of the spindles, and must be
unscrewed at each doffing. There were two dead
spindle frames in the room, built by a Mr. Derby, of
Exeter, N. H. Two cradle warpers, two dressers,
two pairs of hand mules, sixty Scotch looms, with
the crank motion or sweep outside of the ends; speed
of the looms one hundred and twenty per minute,
speed of the front rollers on the live spindle running
fifty per minute, speed of the card cylinders one hun-
dred and twenty. The cotton was weighed and
spread on a cloth, about ten feet long by eighteen
inches wide, was rolled on a stick, placed on the
breaker card, the cloth dropping slowly to the floor,
while the cotton, as it was carded, passed on to a
light drum thirty inches in diameter, by twenty inch-
es wide. The thickness of one lap was the product
of one weighing. The lap was folded when taken
from the drum and placed in a box back of the finish-
er-card, and then fed to the card. The mill ran
nearly fourteen hours per day to ten hours of the pres-
ent time; but the speed of the spinning has been in-
creased about forty turns of the front roller, and
looms in many places are now running from one hun-
dred and sixty to one hundred and eighty picks per
minute on similar numbers of yarn. In place of
card cylinders, eighteen inches wide by thirty-six
inches in diameter, may be seen the colossal English
carding engine, forty-two by sixty; but cards thirty-
six by thirty-six and forty-two by forty-eight inches
are generally in use in this country. The doublings
of this mill were very limited, and were confined to
the drawing. The first head doubled four to one, the
IPSWICH.
639
second head the same and the third head two to one,
equal to sixty-four doublings. (A mill in Lowell to-
day on about the same number of yarn doubled
twenty-seven thousand six hundred and forty-eight
times.") The cloth they made sold for nine and one-
half and ten cents per yard ; the same quality to-day
wo\ild bring only three and one-half and four cents.
Notwithstanding this seeming disparity, the mill was
a peer in its day, and was run for many years with a
fair degree of success. It was an exponent of the en-
ergy and enterprise mainly of Cajitain Joseph Farley.
The ('ensus of 1880 reported three clothing, hosiery,
etc., manufactories, employing 452 operatives, 210
males, 241 females, and one child, at a yearly pay of
$147,466, and a capital of S254,.i00, and producing
goods valued at $441,312 from stock valued at $204,
890 ; two boot and shoe shops, employing 49 persons,
35 males and 14 males, and a capital of $21,000,
and producing goods valued at §77,900 ; one box fac-
tory, employing eight men and a capital of $2.5,000,
and yielding products valued at $12,000 ; and one
brickyard, employing 12 men and a capital of $5000,
and producing bricks worth S3000. No woven
fabrics were reported. None are reported in the
latest official returns. The principal manufactures, in
the order of their value, are knit goods (chiefly
hosiery), boots and shoes, buildings, isinglass, butcher-
ing, carriages and wagons, clothing, bread and pastry.
The manufactories use five steam engines, of
three hundred and fifty-five actual horse-power;
nine water-wheels of 162 nominal horse-power. Of the
631 employes in 1875, 444 were males and 187 were
iemales, of whom six males and five females were
under fifteen years of age. Of the nine hundred em-
ployees in 1885, 600 worked by the piece and 300 by
the day. This tabulation is self-explaining :
Iterm. 1875. 1885.
No. of manufactories 73 51
Employes ral 890
Wages for the year ?267,21i', S2l'.4,5il
Capital invested 42?.,i:k:j4 1,1i)7,1!(i3
Value of raw material 435,730 5|-2,173
Goods made 858,532 1,018,532
This table shows a decrease in the number of man-
factories of more than thirty per centum in ten years.
The disparity is due to various causes, but chiefly,
probably to the concentration of capital. It shows, on
the other hand, a greater number of employes by
more than forty-two per centum; but though they do,
per capita, the same amount of work, their per-eapifa
pay is much less. To be definitely instructed herein,
however, would require a complete statement, but the
general showing of growing industries, employing a
greater number of persons at fair remuneration is in-
teresting and gratifying.
Money. — For about twenty years the town had no
money. Trade was carried on mainly by way of
barter. The medium of exchange was musket-bul-
lets, wampum and latterly some Englisli coins. In
1652 silver was coined in Boston. Rogues soon be-
gan to clip and counterfeit the pieces, which occa-
sioned the appointments of "searchers of coins."
Massachusetts coined copper, silver and gold from
1786 to 1789, and the United States began to coin
them in 1793 and 1794. Paper money was issued as
early as 1690, and has continued meanwhile. The
bills at first were expedient to meet the great expense
of the government in prosecuting the wars and other
necessary expenses. Though serviceable at first, they
proved hurtful ultimately. The peoplelost confidence
in government paper, and great and wide-spread dis-
tress ensued. In 1781 seventy-five dollars in paper
would only equal one in silver. In 1794 a tax of £1
meant £1 17«. 6d., in new emission, and 12s. 6d. in
hard money. In this century, besides the national
coinage, a system of State banking obtained till the
war of the Rebellion. The banks facilitated local ex-
change. Their service was circumscribed, because
their ability was seldom known beyond their respec-
tive precincts. In many instances, on the other
hand, they continued to serve for the same reason.
An institution of this kind was chartered here
March 25, 1833, when Thomas Manning, Michael
Brown, Ephraim F. Miller, Charles Kimball, Samuel
N. Baker, and Samuel S. Farrington became "the
president, directors and company of the Ipswich
Bank," to continue till October 1, 1851. The capital
was one hundred thousand dollars. It continued a
number of years with indifferent .success. The bank-
ing-house stood nearly opposite the present new Sav-
ings Bank building.
".loseph Ross, Aaron Cogswell, Frederick Will-
comb and I heir associates and successors" were in-
cor[)orated March 20, 1869, the " Ipswich Savings
Bank." It began business in the following year, and
has proved very opportune and serviceable. Theo.
F. Cogswell is the clerk and the treasurer.
BENEFAOTIOXS .iND CHARITIES.
The Poor. — "The poor ye have always with you,"
said tlie Greatest of earth ; and in accordance with
the suggestion, the benefactions and amenities of
home and neighborhood are commended by the wise
and good always and everywhere. " Liberality of
disposition and conduct," says Cogan, "give the
highest zest and relish to social intercourse." To
tithe our incomes, and give as God has jirospered us,
is a fundamental law of all honest living. The man
who does not plan and work with both heart and head
is likely to learn in the end that he has ignored the
most ennobling zest of labor, and the most ennobling
joy of life. Beneficence and charity are business, and
a part of business is beneficence and charity. Our
ancestors early pnjvided for the needy. There was
one such in 1666. Twelve years later there was one,
—probably others. In 16S8the bill for doctoring the
poor was £2. 1«. In 1701-02, was voted some "con-
venient building for the entertainment of the widow
640
HISTOEY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Dent, or any of the poor of the town." In 1717 a con-
venient house for the poor was to be built of logs.
Its length was forty feet, width sixteen, stud six and
its roof " flat as may be suitable." In 1738 the town
paid £400 for the poor. In 1740 the poor were let
out. In 1742 a hundred bushels of corn were pur-
chased to be distributed among the poor, and there
was talk of building a " work-house." In 1760 there
was voted £(56. 13s. 4d. to purchase a house for two
men who had become reduced to poverty. In 1784
it was voted to sell the old almshouse, — that stood
near the county-house, and which in 1770 was much
decayed, — for the most it would bring. The same
year they talked of erecting an almshouse, and the
next year instructed a committee to furnish one. In
1786 the cost of the poor was £300, and in 1792 it
was more than £500. In 179-5 John Harris' farm
was purchased for a poor-farm, for £250. In 1796
the whole number of the poor was twenty-eight,
twenty of whom were supplied in part. The present
poor-farm, formerly the estate of Hon. Thomas Berry,
M. D., was purchased April 10, 1818, of Billy Emer-
son, of Topsfield, three hundred and twenty-one
acres for $9,500. There are fifty acres of marsh.
The soil is excellent for hay and grain, yielding one
hundred and fifty tons of the former, and six hundred
bushels of the latter in a year. The old farm was sold
in 1819, and the proceeds were expended in improve-
ments upon the new farm. The present almshouse of
brick was built in 1838 or '39.
The town September 3, 1766, instructed Captain
Farley, the representative, " to oppose paying money
out of the treasury to relieve the suffering occasioned
by the riot of the stamp-act, but to move that the
Governor call for subscriptions as in case of fire."
Such plan was adopted, and Ipswich promptly voted
to raise by subscription £100. To the sufierers by
fire at Portsmouth in 1803, she gave $100 ; and to
similar sufferer.s at Newburyport in 1811, she gave
$1,000. In 1825 she contributed $200 for the Bunker
Hill monument.
As early as about 1640, subscriptions from the pro-
vince towns were requested in aid of Harvard College.
The general court advised liberal contributions. De-
puties and elders were enlisted in the cause; grain
or money, or both would be gladly received. The
rates for Ipswich in 1664-65 were £7. 6«. 7rf., and in
1681 her contribution in grain was valued at £19|.
CojiMOMs. — The town lands were held and man-
aged by the freemen of the town, as if they were a
company for that purpose. lu 1644, moved by gene-
rosity and public spirit, they set apart a tract on the
north side of the river, containing by estimation
three thousand two hundred and Ibrty-four acres,
and gave and granted it " to the inhabitants of the
town with themselves, their heirs and successors for-
ever." In 1788 the commoners of Ipswich " make an
absolute grant of all their interest, both real and per-
sonal, lying within the town of Ipswich unto the in-
habitants of said town, to be sold to pay the town
debt." The grant yielded £600. 2s. 2d.
Societies. — The various societies have exerted a
powerful influence in collecting resources, assisting
the worthy and fostering social amenities. The Gen-
eral James Appleton Post, No. 128, of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and the Woman's Relief Corps,
connected with the posts, have exercised a watchful
and most beneficent care, exhibiting a mutual devo-
tion equal to their patriotism. They meet weekly.
The post has about one hundred members, and a fund
of some three hundred and fifty dollars. The Relief
Corps fund is some two hundred and fifty dollars.
Both expend about one hundred dollars a year in
money, besides oft-repeated personal attention and
assistance. Another earnest worker in the general
field is the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
It meets weekly, and conducts a temperance school.
Its work upon the pliant mind of our youth is wor-
thy the sincereat prayer of faith and a generous ma-
terial support. The object of the " Ipswich Mutual
Benefit Society " is to render monetary and personal
assistance in sickness and death. The society was
organized in March, 1879, and has about eighty-five
members in full benefit. About a year ago Bay- view
Lodge, No. 2, of the International Order of Odd Fel-
lows, was organized. The Masons were represented
here more than a hundred years ago. Unity Lodge
was organized March 9, 1779. It was the ninth char-
ter granted in the State. It held no meetings after
1829. The present John T. Heard Lodge was char-
tered August 26, 1864. It meets monthly, and has a
membership ( f about a hundred. It has a fund of a
few hundred dollars, and is otherwise a strong society.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is represented
by the Agawam Lodge, No. 52, and the Daughters of
Rebecca, who compose Martha Washington Lodge,
No. 5, and a Mutual Benefit Association. Agawam
has a membership of about one hundred and ten, a
fund of a few hundred dollars and is harmonious and
eflicacious in her peculiar work.
Here, too, we find the church. It is one of her
twin fields of labor, and with her powerful ally — the
Sunday-school — might crush out error with the force
of an avalanche. In seven years, about 1830, the
First Church gave $2100 to religious charities, and
the South Church more than $1500. The First
Church last year gave about $600.
EESULT OF BUSINESS.
Valuation. — The capital invested at the beginning
was determination, energy and perseverance. The
struggle has been long and vigorous ; it has not yet
ended and is not likely soon to end. In 1831 the
assessors valued the town property at $505,995; in
1886, at $2,120,017, of which $527,621 was personal
estate and $1,592,396 real, and $107,426, an increase
over the previous year's valuation. The following
table of Province taxation is interesting in showing
IPSWICH.
641
the increase of expense during the periods of war,
and the relative vaUiatioti and growth of several old
towns compared with this :
lC'.IM)o
10%
TC'JT
17(10-1
l-dS-fi
1710-11
1715-16
1718-19
1723-24
I72i-25
1725-2(;
1728-29
173.!-:i4
1734-15
173(3-37
1738-:i9
1740-41
1742-43
ii
854
290
215
207 1
950 1
1000
46-,!
299'
171
40(1
571
3' II
2llg
5C<
908
387
711
588
579
270
2ij0
239
814
814
378
209
Vi9
372
532
291
2119
656
924
391
702
(a2
589 ..
220,.,
1601.,
184;.,
098'.,
698 .
325'.,
232'.,
143 .,
334,.,
477'.,
224 .
177 .
418 .
741 .
354
04:i .
630 .
j
II
1
3 e>t:
1747-18...
1133
1204
1036
1748-49...
2660
27.9
2380
1752-53...
567
746
730
175 1-54...
28(1
»159
272
17.-)4-55 -,
426
305
572
175(i-57...
1249
887
1593
17.57-6S...
18.54
1308
2579
17.)9-0O...
2174
1642
2:137
1761-li2...
1406
142i
1937
1762-03...
1764-65...
141S
932
1439
948
1921
787;
6311
1770-71...
4S7
517
379!
3(i:i
1773-74..
368
(;75
35ii
331;
1776-76...
734
1372
681
7o'
1770-77...
1651
2985
14891
1544
1777-78...
4643
8391
42431
4331
1778-79...
3685
6884
3919
.351s
1779-80...
35573
40685
32530
3781ii
' Dtinvers, £30, set oft". Before 1765 Newbury included Newbur.v-
port.
The town grows as much in five years now as it grew
in the first two hundred ; and by opening streets along
the river margin and inviting the touri.sts and summer
residents to our lieaches, and coast, and mounts, unsur-
passed for picturesque beauty and interesting moun-
tain and ocean views, we may achieve still greater ad-
vances, instill a new and vigorous life, and so ennobh
and embalm the cherished, quaint, weird and hoarv
past.
AB.SENT NATIVES.
BioGRAPHKJAL. — " And what shall I say more ? fo;
the time would fail me to tell of the Gideons, thi
.Teiihthas, the Davids, the Samuels, who," having lefi
their nativity and engaged in other towns, and in cit-
ies and other States, " have wrought righteousness,
obtained promises, escaped the edge of the su-ord, oui
of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight,
turned to flight the armies of the aliens, and have
obtained a good report." The influence of Ipswich
homes is felt abroad for good in the professions and
every honorable vocation. We have had opportuni-
ties to gather but few names.
Rev. William Adams was son of William, of
this town, and born May 27, 16.50. For want of
funds he was obliged to make several attempts to en-
ter Harvard College, where he graduated August 8,
1671. The fir-it pastor of the Dedham Church died
the 26th of the same month, and the society at once
determined upon Mr. Adams as his successor. He
declined several calls, but at last acccepted, and was
ordained pastor December 3, 1673. He married,
first, JIary Manning, of Cambridge, in 167-4; second,
Alice Bradford, daughter of Major William Bradford,
of Plymouth. He was a devout and fervent man
and public-si)irited. He died August 17, 168.5, at the
age of thirty -six years, and after a pastorate of twelve
years.
Rev. Nathaniel Appleton was born December
9, 1693. He graduated at Harvard in 1712, was or-
dained pastor at Cambridge October 9, 1717, where
he died February 9, 1784, at the great age of ninety-
one years, and after a pastorate of sixty-two. His
daughters married, — Elizabeth, Rev. Jabez Fitch ;
Margaret, President Holoyke ; Priscilla, Rev. Robert
Ward, of Wenham, as his first wife.
John B. Brown was born December 10, 1837, in
Argilla District, Ipswich. His father, Manasseh
Brown, was a farmer, owning the Castle Hill— or
Governor Winthrop — Farm, and here young Brown
spent his early years, working u]iou the farm sum-
mers, attending the district school, and High School
winters. This, with a few terms at Phillips Acad-
emy, comprised his educational opportunities.
At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of
Blanchard, Converse & Co., Boston, who were at that
time the leading dry -goods merchants. Here, begin-
ning as a boy, he received his mercantile training,
and rose through the various departments. At the
opening of the war he entered the service, going into
the field with the Sixteenth Mas.sachusetts Volun-
teers, Colonel Powell T. Wyman, as first lieuten-
ant. He was appointed aide-de-camp to General
Cuvier Grover, of the regular army (at that time
commanding one of Hooker's brigades) while before
Richmciiid, and served upon the staff of that general
during the Seven Days' Battles of the " Peninsula
Campaign," ending at Malvern Hills; and later
through the " Virginia Campaign " under Pope, end-
ing at Second Bull Run ; afterwards in the battles of
the "Louisiana Campaign" under Banks. In order
that he might remain with General Grover, to whom
he was greatly attached, he declined all promotions,
and leaving the service with the same rank with
which he entered at the beginning of the war, he was
commended in general orders for gallant conduct in
the battles of Burker's Farm, Savage Station, Glen-
dale, Malvern Hills, (first and second battles), Bull
Run (second) Irish Bend (La.) and in the battles of
the siege of Port Hudson — being one of the officers
who volunteered to lead the storming party in the
preparation for the last grand assault on the date of
the capitulation.
On returning to civil life, he married Lucy, the
daughter of George J. Teuney, an extensive shoe
manufacturer in Georgetown, Massachusetts, and
entering the employ of ex-Governor Gardner, in
the dry-goods commission business, he shortly after-
wards became a partner with liis former eniplovcr,
James C. Converse, and removed to New York, re-
maining in charge of the New York branch of that
house till 1869.
The rapid growth of railroads in that period af-
fording such an attraction, he left mercantile life,
and, with his brother Leverett, was engaged in rail-
road construction for many years in the Western States.
The most im]iortant work accomplished by him
was the organizing and building of tin; Chicago and
Western Indiana Railroad (of which he was presi-
dent), a trunk line road into the city of Chicago,
which to-day gives entrance into that city to five or
six railways, among the most important of which
are the Grand Trunk, Wabash and the Erie.
Leaving railroad-building on tlie completion of
that work, he has since been engaged in the develop
ment of the Grape Creek coal-fields in Illinois, and
in the construction of an extensive system of docks
on the Calumet River, in Soutli Chicago. Though
actively engaged in the development of important
enterprises in tlie West, he .still retains his interest
and affection for his native place, and the Castle Hill
G42
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Farm, on which his boyhood years were spent,
claims much of his time and contributes mucli to his
pleasure in its improvement.
Children of Ezekiel Cheever. — Thomas was
born in Ipswich, was minister of Maiden from Feb-
ruary 1-1, 1679-SO, till dismissed in 1686. He was
then at Chelsea, where he settled October 19, 1715.
He graduated at Harvard College in 1677. He died
November 27, 1749, at the great age of ninety-one
years. Samuel was also born in Ipswich, did not
lose a single Sabbath in forty-eight years' preaching.
and " died without pain, with no disease but mere
age," in his eighty-fifth year and the fifty-sixth o(
his ministry. JNIr. Hamraatt says he was a student at
Harvard in 1656.
Dr. Joseph Green Cogswell. — John Cogswell,
the doctor's progenitor, a merchant in London, Eng-
land, sailed from ^Bristol May 23, les.*). The cargo,
mostly his own, was shipwrecked oft' the coast ol
Maine August 15th, and he lost in cash about five
thousand pounds. Chattering a bark, he brought
his family, furniture, silver-plate, etc., saved from the
wreck, to Ipswich. He left Engli.sh opidence for a
log hut, " that the ancient faith and true worship
might be found inseparable companions in their
practice, and that their posterity might be undefiled
in religion."
Dr. Cogswell was born in Ipswich Sept. 27, 1786.
He prepared for college at the Grammar School, and
in his twenty-first year graduated at Harvard.
He then made a voyage to India as supercargo.
Returning, he practiced law in Bangor, Me., with not
much success. He was then called to a tutorship in
Harvard. In 1816 he visited Europe with George
Ticknor. He was two years at the University ol
Gottingen a student in literature and bibliology,
wherein he ranked with the highest. He spent two
years more at various European capitals with the
same purpose. Returning in 1820, he was appointed
professor of geology and mineralogy in \ns alma mater
and librarian. He resigned in 1823, and with George
Bancroft, the historian, established the Round-Hill
School at Northampton, based upon the most ap-
proved English and German systems. Mr. Bancroft
retired from the school in 1830, and Mr. Cogswell
continued until 1835, when he went to Raleigh,
N. C, in a similar institution. He was next editor
of the New York Review, one of the ablest critical
journals of its period, a position he retained till
1842. Hi-i intimacy and friendship with John Jacob
Astor made him, with Fitz-Green Halleck and
Washington Irving, one of the projectors of the Astor
Library. He was also one of the trustees.
When Washington Irving was appointed minister
to Spain, he wished Mr. Cogswell to accompany him,
and accordingly wrote Washington to appoint him
as Secretary of Legation. Irving wrote: "He is a
gentleman with whom I am on confidential terms of
intimacy, and I know of no one who by his various
acquirements, his prompt sagacity, his knowledge of
the world, his habits of business and his obliging dis-
position is so calculated to give me that counsel, aid
and companionship so important in Madrid, where a
stranger is more isolated than in any other capital in
Europe"
He was appointed, and Astor finding he was to
lose him, made him librarian in embryo. He went
abroad to purchase books, and his selections are
marked with economy and discrimination.
He gave to the Astor Library his own valuable
works in literature, and he presented to Harvard a
valuable cabinet of minerals. He prepared, in a
series of eight volumes, a critical and analogical cat-
alogue of the Astor Library, wherein he exhibited
"an extraordinary knowledge of the history, compar-
ative value and significance of the books he had col-
lected." He served the library with industry and
fidelity. After 1862 he resided in Cambridge.
He is authority for the statement that Essex County
had "given birth to more literary people than any
other in the country," and he substantiated the re-
mark by naming a remarkably long list.
He married young, and his wife died young; he
never married again. He died November 26, 1872.
Children of Dr. .Ioseph Dana. — Joseph was
born .lune 10, 1769; graduated at Dartmouth College
in 1788; approbated a preacher June 9, 1795; taught
school in Newburyport and studied law ; removed to
Athens, Ohio, 1817; was Professor of Ancient Lan-
guages in Ohio University twelve years from 1822;
died November 18, 1849, at the ripe old age of eighty
years.
Daniel was born July 24, 1771 ; graduated at Dart-
mouth \n 1788; ajiprobated May 14, 1793; ordained
and installed over the First Presbyterian Church,
Newburyport, November 19, 1794; dismissed to take
the presidency of Dartmouth College, November 19,
1820 ; resigned the presidency in 1821 ; installed over
the Presbyterian Church, Londonderry, N. H., May
31, 1822, and was dismissed in April, 1826 ; installed
over the Second Presbyterian Charch, Newburyport,
May 31, 1826, and was dismissed October 29, 1845.
He died August 26, 1859.
Samuel was born May 7, 1778; graduated at Dart-
mouth in 1796 ; ordained at Marblehead, October 6,
1801, and installed.
Sarah was born May 6, 1780, and married Hon.
Israel Thorndyke, of Boston.
John C. Donovan, Esq., is yet a young man. He
was born in Ipswich Village, March 18, 1861. He
pursued his studies in the Ipswich public schools,
graduating from the academic department and rank-
ing high as a scholar. He then entered the law-
office of Hon. Charles A. Sayward as student. He
was examined October 1, 1885, for admission to the
Essex bar, and was admitted the 15th of the same
month. He is now practicing his profession in New-
buryport. In 1885 he was commissioned by Governor
Robinson a justice of the peace for the Common-
wealth. In connection with his other work, he has
taken an active interest in politics. He identified
himself with the Democratic party at an early age,
and has, by voice and action, aided in promoting its
welfare. Early in life he was forced to rely mainly
upon his own exertions and native ability, through
which he mu.st achieve success.
Prof. Levi Frisiue, son of Rev. Levi Frisbie, of
the F'irst Church, was born September 15, 1783. He
giadnated at Harvard in 1802; was tutor there from
1805 to 1811 ; professor of Latin language and litera-
IPSWICH.
643
ture from 1811 to 1817 ; Alford professor of natural
religion, moral [>hilosophy and civil polity from No-
vember 5, 1817. He died at Cambridge July 9, 1822,
at the age of thirty-eight.
Rev. Nathaniel Howe, third sou of Captain
Abraham and Lucy-Appleton Howe, was born in
Ipswieh, Linebrook, October G, 1764. In preparing
for college he studied at Duramer Academy, Byfield,
then with Rev. George Lesslie, of his native parish,
and later with Rev. Ebenezer Bradford, of Rowlej-.
While with Mr. Bradford he made a public profession
of faith in Christ, and joined Mr. Bradford's church.
In September, 1784, he entered the junior class of
Princeton College,New Jersey, a fact which si)eiks well
for his scholarship. He asked and obtained an hon-
orable dismission at the end of the year, and then
entered the senior class of Harvard College, where
he graduated with the usual honors.
He studied divinity with a Dr. Hart, of Connecti-
cut, and completed his course with Dr. Emmons, of
Franklin. He was licensed to preach by the Essex
North Association May 8, 1787. His was the first
license granted by that association. He preached at
Londonderry and Francistowu, N. H. ; at Hampton,
Conn. ; and at Grafton, Ma.ss,, where he received a
call to settle which he declined. In January, 1781,
he began to preach at Hopkinton as a candidate,
and was unanimously called in the May following.
He was settled for life, as was the custom in those days,
October 5, 1791, on a salary of £70 and the use of
ministerial land — one hundred acres — and a settle-
ment of £200. Rev. Ebenezer Bradford, his old in-
structor at Rowley, preached the installing sermon.
For more than thirty-eight years hf was the minister
at Hopkinton, and during the time added two hun-
dred and forty-five to the church. He was a preacher
of the Gospel for half a century ; he died February
15, 18.37.
Mr. Howe married, some three montlis after his
settlement, Mi.ss Olive Jones, the sixth daughter of
Colonel John Jones, of his parish. She proved a
very estimable lady, and adorned her station. One
who knew her well says, — " I ever viewed her as a
l>ersou of superior mind, quick perception, peculiar
energy, and an unconcjuerable fortitude and resolu-
tion. She was as distinguished as her husband for
unaffected aft'ability, unwavering and affectionate
friendship, as well as for correct thinking, keen pene-
tration and sound judgment." She was a careful
and judicious housewife, she was a praying mother,
and a lady of unostentatious piety. She died Decem-
ber 10, 184.3.
Their children were Appleton, born November 20,
1792, a distinguished physician of Weymoutli, State
Senator by two elections, major-general of militia, a
man who possessed a strong character resembling his
father's for manly independence, made fast friends
and commanded universal respect; Eliza, born June
4, 1794, and died of consumption, December 27, 1815;
Mary Jones, born February 2, 1802, married Rev.
Samuel Russell, of Boylston, and died November 26,
1836 ; Lucy Ann, born August 27, 1805, married John
Fitch, son of Deacon Elijah Fitch, and is thus honor-
ably mentioned in the Century Sermons. " Whose
descendants can vie with the descendants of Rev.
Elijah Fitch."
Soon after his marriage he purchased the messuage
and farm of Deacon 8. Kinsman, lying contiguous to
the ministerial lands and some half a mile from the
church. At that time his status was excellent and
his prospects bright. Says Rev. Elias Nason, to
whose memorial of Mr. Howe we are much in-
debted, —
"He had married into an influential family; Ijis pocuniarj' circum-
stances were easy, his health good and his church tlouristiing. His
prospects of usefulness were unclouded ; and huoyant with hope, he
dedicate(i all liis energies to the work before him. But iucreaaiag
family expenses and the decreasing value of his salary drove him from
his study to the field and the woods. He was obliged to adopt a rigid
economy ; but his economy was not parsimony, for by dint of hard labor
and by frugality he was enabled to educate his son libenilly. maintain his
respectability and keep out of debt. This was his oft repeated maxim, —
' The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt.' "
He frequently chided his people, because they
neglected to provide fully for his support. He felt
that the laborer was worthy of his hire, and that the
cause of God suffered from neglect. He chided though
" more in sorrow than in anger." His people under-
stood the justice of his demand and respccled him,
yet replied : " a bargan is a bargain." After j'ears,
the rise in real estate and legacies from relatives en-
abled him to store a few thousand dollars; neverthe-
less, his legacies at intere.st till his death would have
amounted to three times the value of his estate at
that time.
Mr. Howe was charitable and generous. He wanted
property for the good he could do with it. One day
noticing the need of a family of his ])arish, he went
to his woods, and drew out a load to the door of the
needy and offered it for sale. The lady replied, she
could not buy for she had no money ; he answered, I
ask only one cent, and exacting that unlo.aded the
wood. When his parish would settle a colleague, he
relinquished a good part of his salary, when with
propriety he could have replied, "a bargain is a bar-
gain." One winter he supplied a family with two loads
of wood, and left a third near the house and told the
family to use it if they had need. Later, noticing it
was not used, and perhaps hardly needed, he reloaded
it and left it at the door of another that needed it
more. Several young men, by his advice and pecun-
iary aid, obtained liberal educations, and some of
them became distinguished. He frequently visited
the widow, the fatherless, and the unfortunate and
usually took some substantial token of his symj)athy.
He often carried provisions to the poor by night,
that he might " not be seen of men."
He did much to encourage the youth. He always
noticed them with a cheering word. He was particu-
lar to visit all the schools in town several times each
644
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
year. He was very fond of children, and had a rare
faculty of interesting them in whatever he said and
of winning their respect.
In 1822 he was made a life-member of the Ameri-
can Bible Society; and in 1827 of the American
Educational Society.
There was no place in his theology for isms, new
measures, or innovations. Yet those of varying belief
from his, he treated with respect and tolerance. He
was no bigot ; the erroneous views of others he
claimed were not suppressed by calumny, but by
better action than theirs and by dint of merit.
Mr. Howe practiced in his reading that excellent
motto of the great Webster:
Legerc itniUum, ywn mvlta.
He read mvch, Baxter, Bunyan, Saurin, South,
Hopkins, Witherspoon and Emmons, and not many
others. He thought much, as the field, the woods
and the road offered him opportunity, and many of
his thoughts found expression in concise and pointed
language. He wrote :
Q. Who .are the wise?
A. None but Biich as are determined to be wiser still.
Q. What is the reason that man is so unhappy in his family ?
A. Because he keeps a bottle of rum in his house.
Q. What hurt does tliat do?
,■1. None at all if he let it alone.
Q. What has the rich man more than the poor?
A. Nothing but what God has given him.
Q. What reason, then, has he to exult over the poor?
A. None at all.
Q, Who are the rich ?
A. -Ml such as have health, peace and liberty and none to make them
afraid.
Q. W^hat is the reason that man is more prosperous than his neighbor?
.4. Because he always takes care of little things; he lets nothing be
lost ; strikes when the iron is hot ; and keeps his dish right-side up.
" To do nothing is to be nothing. Leisure is the time to do something
useful. The careless man is seldom fortunate. Would you have a faith-
ful servant and one that suits you, serve yourself. If you will not hear
reason, she will rap your knuckles. A dead tish can swim with the
stream, but a live one can swim against it. Great minds are always can-
did. Common sense is the best sense in the world. Who marries for
money buys money dear. Many thingscan be proved by facts that never
happened. Whoever does not feel himself to be a sinner cannot become
a Christian. We can enjoy nothing but what God is pleased to give us.
We can lose nothing but what He is pleased to take away. We can suf-
fer nothing but what He lays upon us."
He was a remarkable man. "The cast of his mind
was original and severe ; the bent of his genius, to be
useful. He was a man of sterling probity; bethought
correctly, and said what he thought. In politics he
advocated the leading measures of the Whig party.
He despised every kind of political artifice. As a
citizen he was public-spirited and liberal-minded.
As a husband and a father he was uniformly kind and
affectionate. He was constant in his friendships, so-
cial and amiable in disposition and a lover of good
men. His friends at his home have remarked his
cordial hospitality. The standard trait of his char-
acter was his regard for truth. He was indeed a Na-
thanacl.
His publications were, a sermon on the death of
three persons, 1808; a century sermon, delivered De-
cember 24,1815; a sermon on "John's Baptism,"
preached before the Mendon Association, and pub-
lished at their request, 1819; a defense of the same,
in reply to Rev. Dr. Baldwin, 1820 ; and a catechism
for the children under his pastoral care, 1834. The
century sermon was celebrated. It was noticed by
the North American Review, passed through several
editions, and was translated into foreign languages.
As a preacher he was unaffected, plain and impres-
sive. His sermons were often composed during the
toil of the day, and written after the family had re-
tired at night. He aspired not to be eloquent, but
useful. Perhaps no other man practiced more scru-
pulously what he taught; his life was a living epistle
of his doctrine.
Rev. David Tenney Kimball's Children. —
Father Kimball had seven children, two daughters
and five sons: —
David Tenney was born September 7, 1808. He
graduated at Middlebury College in 1829, at Andover
Theological Seminary in 1834, preached at Hartford,
Conn., and in the West, but was obliged to relinquish
preaching on account of bronchitis. He married,
October 10, 1837, Miss Harriet W. Welisler; he lived
the greater part of his life in Lowell, where for twen-
ty years he was a deacon in the John Street Congre-
gational Church, and where he died in 1886, much
respected.
Daniel was born May 25, 1810. He was educated
at jMiddlebury College, from which he received his
Master's degree in 1855. He has spent more than
ten years exclusively in the cause of temperance — a
part of which time as editor of the Midtllesex Wash-
ingtonian, Lowell, and the Massachusetts Temperance
Standard, Boston. He lectured in all the principal
towns in this State and in many in Rhode Island,
New Hampshire and Vermont with good results. He
excelled as a lecturer. The Salem. Observer said of his
lecture at Ipswich October 16, 1846, before the E-sex
County Teachers' Association, " It was not only well-
written, but in the manner of delivery it was supe-
rior. We have rarely listened to a lecture which gave
such evident satisfaction." Of a temperance address
at Shelburne Falls, July 4, 1847, the American Repub-
lic said, ■' It was of a very high character as a literary
composition, and very impressive from its matter and
manner of delivery. His appeal to young men was
full of energy, pathos and power." He was engaged
in teaching nine years, one as jirincipal of the Cen-
tral Grammar School at Woburn, and eight as pre-
ceptor of Williams Academy, Stockbridge, in both of
which places he was a member of the school boards.
He was an officer in the Boston Custora-House twelve
years. He resided at Lexington, 1876-82. He now
resides at Woburn.
Augustine Philli]is was born September 9, 1812.
He was a merchant in Boston many years, — a man of
enterprise, generous and public spirit. Prosperity at-
IPSWICH.
645
tended him in his business I'or a considerable period,
but, his health fiiiling him, he returned to Ipswich
and passed his later years in horticultural pursuits.
He died August 13, 1859.
Elizabeth, born July 9, 1814, married, August 8,
1839, Eugene F. W. Gray, son of Rev. Cyrus W.
Gray, of Staflbrd, Conn., and some time editor of the
Ipswich Register.
John Rogers was born August 23, 1816; was for
more than twenty years an enterprising and success-
ful merchant in Boston. He nuirried, May 30, 1.S44,
Lydia Ann Coburn, of Dracut. In 1866 he retired
with a competency and established his permanent
home in Woburn, where he soou became identified
with many public interests. He united with Rev.
Jonathan Edwards' church, and was afterwards one
of the deacons. He was an eificient worker in every
good cause : was one of the most prominent and use-
ful citizens. He represented his town in the Legis-
lature one year, during the period of the late war, and
did good service. In announcing his death, which
occurred in 1859, the Woburn Journal said, " Deacon
Kimball was a man of marked individuality, influen-
tial, of great integrity, commanding the respect of
every one. He was active in good works, set a good
examole — a real Christian, charitable, kind and
greatly beloved."
Levi Frisbie was born April 25, 1818, and died May
9, 1818.
Mary Sophia was born August 16, 1820, and, March
25, 1849, married John Dunning Coburn, merchant,
of Brunswick, Me. He diSd, and she married, sec-
ondly, John Quincy Peabody, of Ipswich. Both
daughters graduated at the Ipswich Female Semi-
nary.
Joseph E. Kimball, son of John Kimball, was
born in this town, June 12,1839. He enlisted in the
service of his country, for the war, in April, 1861, aud
was mustered in May 23d. He entered Company B,
First Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, Colonel Cow-
din commanding, who reported at Washington, D. C,
June 17th.
His brigade, under colonel, afterwards Major-Gen-
eral Richardson, who was killed at Antietam,
formed the advance of General McDowell's " on to
Richmond " army, and the first blood shed was in
the reconnoissance, known as the battle of Blackburn's
Ford, July 17th, three days before the main engage-
ment. They took no part in the panic, and so felt
no subsequent chagrin, remaining near Ceuterville
till after midnight, when they marched to Washing-
ton, covering the main army's retreat.
lu the autumn of 1861 he was in Hooker's brigade,
afterwards Hooker's division, which won the dis-
tinction of ■' Fighting Joe Hooker's Division." With
that, in the spring following, he participated in the
operations before Yorktown, the battles of Williams-
burg, Seven Pines, and Fair Oaks.
Immediately before the Seven-days Retreat he was
stricken down with " Chickahominy fever," yet left
his sick bed, joined his company, and engaged in all
the battles of that toilsome and distressing retreat. At
Harrison's Landing the fever returned, but an elfort to
join in the expedition, under Hooker, against Mal-
vern Hills, caused a relapse, and he was taken to the
hospital and thence to Fortress Monroe, where the
fever raged for several weeks.
He next joined his company near Alexandria, and
was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville
and (iettysburg. On this march his shoes gave out,
and he trod more than sixty miles of the mountain
roads and macadamized pike with swollen and bleed-
ing feet.
General Hooker, at Harrison's Landing, recom-
mended him to Governor Andrew for a commissioner,
and again at Gettysburg to the Secretary of War.
While in pursuit of Lee's army his regiment was
ordered to quell the drafl-rints in New York. While
there, 1863, he was commissioned second-lieutenant
and ordered to report to General E. A. Wild, at New-
bern. That done, he was enrolled in the Thirty-
seventh United States Colored Regiment.
In the following spring he joined the Army of the
James, which was afterward merged in the Army of
the Potomac, under General Grant.
In the September following he commanded a com-
pany in the successful assaults upon Deep Bottom
and New Market, and was commissioned first-lieuten-
ant in the One Hundred and Sixteenth LTuited States
Colored Regiment. Delaying to report to his new
command, he was a volunteer commander of a com-
pany in the fiasco against Fort Fisher. He then
joined his new regiment; was engaged in the oper-
ations about Petersburg ; was in the final assault that
precipitated Lee's flight, whence he was breveted
captain, followed by forced inarches and intercepted
his retreat, and witnessed the final triumph of our
arms.
Later in the spring he joined Sheridan's "army of
observation," of the Rio Grande, and served till the
overthrow of the Imperial Government of Mexico.
He was mustered out in February, 1867, having
served five years and ten months, the last campaign
being in the regular service. He bears upon his per-
son reminders of many a struggle, yet in all the time,
wonderful to relate, he received no disabling wound.
He entered the service when bounties and pensions
and pecuniary rewards were unsought, and gave a
singleness of purpose, a devotion of heart, and a pa-
triotism that found their full reward in the emanci-
pation and the final restoration of his country.
Mr. Kimball was in the rudiments of his trade when
the war broke out, and when he returned from the
conflict he returned to his trade, and associated him-
self with his brother in Abington, in the numufacture
of tack and nail machinery for boot and shoe manu-
facturing, and they were enabled so to improve them
that they gained an enviable reputation at home and
646
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
in foreign countries. Their reputation was such that
a powerful combination of tack manufacturers to
control these goods in the United States paid them a
con4derable sum in cash, with the sole right to man-
ufacture their machines and no others.
In 187(5 and 1877 Mr. Kimball perfected and pat-
ented a nailing machine. This aroused a powerful
antagonist, — the McKay Metalic Fastening Company.
A hard struggle ensued. His brother retired from
the firm. At last the McKay Company offered, on the
score of economy, to purchase the surrender of his
patents rather than expend more money in litigation.
Just then, very opportunely, Mr. James E. Mayna-
dier, a patent lawyer, took the case, cleared the
patents, and was instrumental in establishing a com-
pany with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars
to utilize them. The capital was soon increased to
fifty thousand dollars, then to one hundred thousand
dollars, and then to one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, which is now paying good dividends. Mr.
Kimball received twenty thousand dollars for his in-
vention and held stock in the company.
Ere long appeared a fastening called the " Estabrook
and Wire-clinching screw," which was cheap and pos-
sessed other merits, but had to be worked by hand.
Mr. Kimball invented machinery to make it a suc-
cess. He then removed to Milfoid.
Within the last two years he has invented an im-
proved metalic fastening and all the new machinery
for its manufacture. This is now his main product.
Lastly he has invented a machine for sole-fastening,
upon which is placed a simple coil of threaded wire
from which at each revolution of the machine a
clinching screw is completed, automatically g')verned
in length to conform exactly to the thickness of the
material to be fastened together at the exact point
necessary to be fastened, inserted in the material and
securely riveted. By this machine, within a period
of about fifteen seconds every fastening is made, in-
serted and riveted, necessary to fasten the sole to a
boot or shoe. The machine is on trial, with apparent
prospect of success.
Here is a lively epistle to young men, showing
what may be done by energy, perseverance and dili-
gence, and calling upon them to improve their minds,
be watchful of their opportunities, husband their
energies and work for a purpose. The world needs
such, and will amply reward them.
Rev. Samuel Perley was born in Ipswich-Line-
brook, August 11, 1742, son of Samuel and Ruth-
Howe Perley. He was twelve years old when his
father died, and Abraham Howe became his guardian.
He prepared for college under Rev. George Lesslie,
his pastor, and entered Harvard at the age of sevens
teen years, where he graduated in 1763. He was in-
vited to a professorship in his Alma Mater, which he
declined. He studied divinity with Rev. Mr. Lesslie,
his former instructor. At the age of twenty-two
years he received a call to settle over the Presbyte-
rian church at Hampton Falls, Js^. H., where he was
ordained and installed, January 31, 176-5. Rev. Mr.
Le-slie preached the ordaining sermon, which was
published.
He was preaching in Seabrook in 1771 and '74.
He led a company of soldiers to Bunker Hill, on that
ever memorable occasion, but they arrived too late to
participate in the action. He was next installed Oc-
tobers, 1778, at Groton, Stafford County, N. H., over
the church that had been gathered the year before.
He continued but a few months, and was next in-
stalled in Moultonborough October 20, 1780, over the
church which was organized the previous year. Plii
next and last pastorate was over the Congregational
Church, Gray, Me., where he resided till his death.
His installation, as their first minister, took place
September 8, 1784. He retired from the ministry
about 1791.
He was a delegate from Gray to the Convention in
Faneuil Hall, Boston, to consider the ratification of the
Federal Constitution in 1788. Upon the floor he ad-
vocated its adoption and with heartiness gave it his
vote. He was for many years the only physician in
Gray. For many years also he had an extensive
practice in probate law. He was three times com-
missioned a justice of the peace, covering a period of
twenty-one years. He was, then, in his time, the
minister, the physician and the lawyer of Gray, and
he filled each oflSce with credit, and left a name that
is now revered and honored.
Mr. Perley's manners were open and agreeable.
His dress was always tidy and plain ; he wore a ruf-
fle but once, when he took his diploma at college.
He was an easy and interesting talker, and was nota-
bly hospitable. As a preacher he has been highly
commended. He was a man of good-natured ability,
and he had acquired a store of learning. His library
was large, and embraced valuable works upon theo-
logy, law, medicine, literature and general knowledge.
He was tenacious of his opinions, and had just that
proportion of self-esteem to give his talents free scope,
and make them eminently useful. Preceding the
war of 1812, he held a long correspondence with
President John Adams, upon State polity, wherein
he disclosed a wide knowledge of history and of
practical state-craft.
A few months after his settlement at Hampton
Falls, May 21, 1765, he married Mi.ss Hephzibah,
daughter of John and Mercy-Howe Fowler, of his
native parish. She was mother of all his children, — •
eight in number, now a numerous and influential
progeny. She was baptized May 22, 1743, and died
Friday, August 28, 1818. Mr. Perley died Sunday,
November 28, 1830. A monument, costing from a
thousand to fifteen hundred dollars, marks the fam-
ily tomb. His children regard his memory with pride
and affection.
Frederick Chester Southgate, Esq. — Rev.
Robert Southgate, the twelfth pastor of the First
%
^ l^«
'^"f^AHfuuHte-
t^/f^cL. U^c"?^c:C-
IPSWICH.
C47
Church here, had five children, — Horatio died at
Wethersfield, Conn. A daughter is married and liv-
ing in Woodstock, Vt. ; Charles M. is a gospel minis-
ter in Worcester, Mass. ; and the subject of this
sketch is a lawyer in Woodstock. He is the only one
of the family native here, and was born January 28,
1852. He completed his preparatory studies at Phil-
lips Academy, Audover, in 1869, and graduated at
Dartmouth College, in 1874. He selected one of the
prettiest of New England villages ibr his future home.
He married, August 81, 1877, Miss Anna S. French,
of that town ; they have two children. He has ac-
quired a lucrative practice, and enjoys the fullest con-
fidence of his people, which is shown in their be-
stowal upon him of many public ofiBces and important
trusts. He has twice declined a candidacy (which as
a Kepublican in Vermont means electii n), to legisla-
tive distinction, preferring the practice of his pro-
fci-sion, and the quiet, social amenities of his people
and home.
Samuel Symoxds' Childeen. — There appears to
be two SamneJs, — one who was a graduate of Harvard,
in 1GG3, died in November, 16G9, and had a will pro-
bated Ninth month 30th, 1669; and another called
Junior, who died in 1654 ; William was freeman in
1670, a representative from Wells, Me., 1676, married
Mary Wade, daughter of Jonathan, and left no chil-
dren. He died May 22, 1679. His estate was £33.=i9.
'M. 3rf. ; Iliirlakendine ; Elizabeth married Daniel
Eppes; 3/iirtha, John Dennison, and afterwards
Richard Martyn, of Portsmouth ; liuih, Sev. John
Emeison, of Gloucester; Priscilla, Thomas Baker, of
Topsfield ; Mary, Peter Duncan, of Gloucester ; Re-
becca, Henry Bylie, of Salisbury, England, then John
Hall, of England, then Rev. William Worcester, of
Salisbury, Mass. ; Dorothy, Joseph Jacobs ; and
Susannah.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ASA LORD.
The subject of this sketch was one of six children
who were born to Asa and Margaret Lord. On the
25th day of September, 1797, young Asa first saw the
light in Ipswich, Mass.
In December of 1804 his father sailed from New-
buryport for the West Indies, but was lost at sea, and
two years later we find the boy, Asa, actuated by a
strong filial affection, eager to assist his widowed
mother, on a pleasant autumn day (the 9th of Octo-
ber, 1806), walking to Newburyport in search of em-
ployment.
At this early age of nine years commenced the
business life of Asa Lord, for here he obtained em-
ployment as errand boy in the family of William
Titcomb, with whom he remained seven years. Re-
turning to Ipswich he learned the shoemaker's trade
with Jlr. Jacob Stanwood, and continued in this bus-
iness several years.
In the spring of 1821, being in poor health, he took
a four months' trip to Mount Desert, and returned
improved and has been blessed with good health ever
since.
Being ambitious and anxious for a larger field for
his business talent, on the 16th of May, 1825, he
rented a small shop on High Street, Ipswich, for fif-
teen dollars per year, and purchased on credit a stock
of general merchandise at Salem, valued at two hun-
dred dollars.
He still worked at his bench, leaving his shoes to
attend to the calls of his few customers. By his fair
dealing, prompt payment of all obligations and his
pleasant, genial manner, he made firm friends in bus-
iness circles, and soon found his quarters too limited,
and accordingly built a new house and large store up-
on the site first occupied by him, and has continued
there for more than three-score years, and has been
successful in winning the respect and love of the
community, as well as in accumulating a comi)etency
which he has obtained not by dishonest gains, not by
failing in business and paying a percentage to bis
creditors, but by a devotion to business rarely equal-
ed, by an honesty of purpose never tarnished, by
making his word as good as his bond, he has steadily
gone on from little to much, from much to more, un-
til at life's eventide he reaps the success of a well
rounded life.
May he long live to enjoy the fruits of his ajiplica-
tion, honesty, energy and indomitable will!
On November 3, 1825, Mr. Lord was united in mar-
riage with Miss Abigail Hodgkins, of Ipswich, the
daughter of Captain John Hodgkins. Five children
blessed this union, as follows: Lucy A., Thomas H.,
Abbie B., Francis G. and Mary A.; of this number
but two survived, namely, Lucy A. and Thomas H.,
both of whom reside near the old home. Mary A.
married John A. Brown on December 8, 1872, and
died July 8, 1873, leaving one child, Hattie W.
Thomas H. married Lucretia Smith on November
13, 1859, and has all his life been associated with his
father in business, and for several years has had al-
most entire charge of the large trade established by
his father, which he conducts upon the same never-
failing principles of honesty and integrity.
DAVID TESXEY KI.MBALL.
Rev. David Tenney Kimball, born at Bradford No-
vember 23, 1782, died at Ipswich February 3, 1860,
aged seventy-seven ; married Dolly Varnum Coburn,
of Dracut, October 20, 1807, who died his widow De-
cember 12, 1873, aged ninety.
He was the seventh child of Lieutenant Daniel and
Mrs. Elisabeth Kimball. His mother had a brother,
David Tenney (H. C, 1768), a devoted minister of
much promise, who died a short time before the birth
648
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of the subject of our sketch, after whom she named
her young son. The home of his boyhood was emin-
ently Christian, and to its influence and that of these
parents may be traced the marked and prominent
features in the character of their children, ten of
•whom, all that lived to mature age, entered into
covenant with God. Two of the sons became ministers
of the gospel and two of the daughters married clergy-
men. His father was not only one of the best farmers
in the town, but one of its most influential citizens, —
a man of intelligence and sound integrity, faithful to
all his engagements. Born in 17-17, he was in early
manhood when our Revolutionary struggle com-
menced. In company with all ihe hardy, liberty-
loving yeomanry of New England, he espoused the
cause of the colonies and devoted himself to it, with
a courage that never failed and a constancy that
never faltered, till his country passed from impend-
ing servitude to acknowledged independence. The
land which he cultivated descended to him from Ben-
jamin Kimball, through Jonathan and Nathaniel,
and was greatly improved under his care; but alter
his decease, having been in possession of the family
more than two hundred years, it passed into other
hands.
The house in which he was born was situated in a
secluded spot, on a cross-road, more than a mile from
the public thoroughfare and a considerable distance
from any dwelling. Though retired, it was the abode
of intelligence, of manly virtue and gladsome child-
hood. Here it was that he learned to love his mother,
his father and his God. But our records of his child-
hood are brief From all we can learn it appears
that in every respect, — in character, temperament
and manner — the boy was father to the man. His
brothers and sisters all spoke of him as a boy of rare
seriousness and devotion to books, and of a most ami-
able and lovely disposition. Said his brother Samuel,
" I never knew him to utter a mean or profane word.
He was always pleasant in his intercourse with his
family and playmates, and beloved by all who knew
him. He was a great lover of the Bible, which he
read through aloud three times before he was eight
years old. His sister Jane wrote : " On the Sabbath
he would stand by a table and read the whole day
when he did not go to church, except to leave for
meals. This was his practice from the time he was
six years old till he was too tall to stand at a table
and read. I think that, as a child and a young man,
he had as many lovely traits of character as I ever
knew combined in one. He delighted in the memo-
ries and associations of his childhood and youth." In
the introduction to a discourse delivered in Bradford,
he said, " Everything relating to your town, rather let
me say to our town, interests me, — your hills, your
valleys, your brooks, your river, your ancient dwell-
ings,— your burial-places, these gray hairs; in short,
everything of yours excites in me the tenderest emo-
tions. Here rest my pious and beloved parents, who.
in my infancy, gave me up to God for His service in
general and for the work of the ministry in particu-
lar; and who watched over my youth with the
greatest solicitude for ray temporal and eternal wel-
fare ; and here I first entered into covenant with God.''
The education by which his boyhood was instructed
was such as could be obtained by attending, during
the winter months, the di-strict school, till he was
past fifteen. In May 1798, he became a student in
Atkinson Academy, an institution then much resorted
to by students preparing for college. That he was
regarded as one of the most promising scholars ap-
pears from the fiict that, when a request came to
Mr. Vose, preceptor, from the neighboring town of
Plaistow, for a Fourth-of-July speaker, he recom-
mended young Kimball, " whose oration, pronounced
in the presence of more than one thousand people,
was well received."
Leaving the academy August 14, 1799, he entered
Harvard College. He had now reached the position
in his academical career to which he had been looking
with fond desire, and in which his most sanguine ex-
pectations were to be full)' realized. In after years
he was wont to speak with admiration and enthusiasm
of college life and the friendships there formed, and
of the four years spent there as among the happiest
of his life. While here, he was remarkably free from
all youthful indiscretions, and was then, as ever after,
the decided friend of law and order, of obedience to
the powers that be. In sophomore year there was
trouble in his class, and one of their number was sus-
pended for insulting a college officer. The censure was
resented by his classmates as a great indignity, which
they manifested by raising the flag of rebel lion and es-
corting the criminal on the way to the place of his des-
tination. The whole class, with the exception of three,
were engaged in this rebellious movement. Among the
excepted was Kimball. The honorable course of this
trio was considered the result of principle, and not
of a desire to procure special favor from the college
government, and was subsequently approved by those
who were carried away by the excitement of the
moment.
As a student, he was noted for the accuracy of his
recitations in every department of study, and at once
took rank among the best scholars of his class. That
he sustained this position during his whole collegiate
course is evident from the fact, that in taking his de-
gree of A. M., in 1806, he pronounced the valedictory
oration in Latin. He was a member of the Phi Beta
Kappa Society, and active and prominent in various
other societies for literary and moral improvement.
His classmates and college acquaintances bear testi-
mony to his honorable standing. Says Samuel Greele
(H. C, 1802), for nearly fifty years deacon of the
Federal Street Church, Boston, in a letter to a son of
Mr. K., " I believe no one in his class surpassed
him as a belles-lettres scholar. His themes were re-
markable for their chaste and classic elegance. Pro-
-'■ny-'b^AH K-tchu
Ov
uiy J.
IPSWICH.
649
fessor Pearson, who had charge of that department,
used to distinguish compositions of superior excel-
lence by a double mark. Your father's themes usu-
ally had this distinction, and in one or two instances
he received a treble mark, a distinction which, I be-
lieve, was awarded to uo one else during my collegi-
ate life. In Andover we were fellow-students in div-
inity, and, as we were chums together for some
months, I became intimately acquainted with him. I
think I never knew one of our sex more remarkable
for amiability of disposition. To manline-s of char-
acter he united a loveliness of temperament that
seemed almost feminine. He pursued his studies
with conscientious fidelity and became popular as a
preacher. His settlement in one of the oldest and
most respectable parishes of tha commonwealth indi-
cates his professional standing. I take a melancholy
pleasure in planting this forget-me-not on the grave
of one whom I shall never cease to respect and love
as a Christian, a gentleman and a friend."
He took his iirst collegiate degree August 31, 1803,
and, a week from that day, became assistant for one
year in Phillips Academy, Andover, Mr. Mark New-
man, preceptor.
The time had now arrived when he was to enter
upon the study of that profession to which his mother
devoted him in her heart when he w-as a child, for
which he had a strong predilection, and upou which
he deliberately and prayerfully entered. He com-
menced his preparatory studies under the direction
offiev. Jonathan French, pastor of the South Church
in Andover. In theology he was an Andover stu-
dent, on what was then called the Abbot Foundation.
Mr. French, who was an orthodox minister in the
sense of the Assembly's Catechism, had several young
gentlemen as students in theology at that time, con-
stituting the Theological Seminary in embryo. On
Auguft 6, 1805, he was approbated by the Andover
Association for the work of the gospel ministry, in-
duced thus early to engage in preaching at the earn-
est desire of Mr. French, a step which he always re-
gretted, as it prevented him from prosecuting his
studies as he had intended. But from the time of his ap-
probation to that of his settlement he preached every
Sabbath but one or two. It was on September 22,
1805, that he preached for the first time in Ipswich,
and June 17, 180(1, that the First Church, without a
dissenting voice, made choice of him as pastor, in
which action the parish concurred with great unan-
imity, only one dissenting, and he a Baptist in prin-
ciple. On October 8, 1806, he was ordained pastor
of the First Church in Ipswich — the ninth in the
Massachusetts Colony. He was the eleventh pastor
in succession of predecessors, most of whom were
men of note in their day, and all of whom maintained
the doctrine of the Puritan Fathers. The young pas-
tor, then in his twenty-fourth year, felt no slight
degree of ditiidence and distrust in regard to meeting
the high expectations which he had awakened. But
4U
the doctrines which he professed, and the course he
had marked out at his ordination, he firmly main-
tained and steadily pursued during his public minis-
try. He devoted not only his ali'ections but his time
and talents to the service of his JIaster and the inter-
ests of His kingdom. He felt that Paul's charge to
Timothy, " Be instant in season and out of season,"
was addressed also to him; and he acted accordingly. In
his visits to the sick he was prompt, affectionate and
faithful. When called, at whatever hour of the night,
he instantly obeyed the summons, and he not unfre-
quently passed whole nights in the chamber of the
sick and by the b^ds of the dying. He made many
social calls and visits, the object of which was, in
part, to promote kind and friendly feelings and to in-
cite in his hearers a deeper interest in his public la-
bors. These visits, which averaged five hundred a
year, were in all more than twenty thousand.
In person Mr Kimball was well proportioned, six
feet in height, and in the prime of life weighed a
hundred and seventy-five pounds; hair and eyes
black, step firm and elastic. He had a pleasing
voice, his enunciation was distinct, his manner never
violent nor denunciatory, but calm and impressive.
In summer he generally appeared in the pulpit in
the canonicals presented to him at his ordination by
the ladies of the parish, and supplemented by them
as occasion demanded.
Though at the time of his settlement he was in deli-
cate health, and thought by some not sufficiently ro-
bust to warrant his engaging in the labors and respon-
sibilities of the ministerial office, and though for
years he suffered from headache, often for weeks in
succession, yet he lived to preach, in his own pulpit
and those of his brethren, more than five thousand
sermons, having had no vacation and having been
prevented from preaching but a few times, when he
supplied his place or the people worshipped with other
congregations.
He maintained pleasant pulpit exchanges with his
ministerial brethren and his labors were highly ac-
ceptable. These exchanges were not only with the
Congregational and Presbyterian ministers of the
county, but occasional'y with others more remote. It
is believed that his exchanges were never more fre-
quent or more acceptable to his clerical brethren and
their societies than at the time of closing his labors at
Ipswich, at which time more than sixty pulpits were
open to his ministrations.
As a monument of his industry he left above three
thousand sermons, written out with remarkable legi-
bility. Indeed, he took a pride in doing with clear-
ness whatever he attempted ; he never slighted any
trust which he assumed.
The following is a sketch of his more public ser-
vices :
His Labors amonr/ the Yotnif/ — His labors in be-
half of the lambs of his flock were abundant an<l in-
cessant. For eleven years, in the earlier period ot
650
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
his ministry, he instructed the children at the church
and in his house in the Assembly's Catechism, the
number varying from one hundred and fifty to more
than two hundred. At the establishment of the Sun-
day-school, June 18, 1818, he acted as super-
intendent and took part in its immediate instruc-
tion. In December of that year he formed a class
of young ladies in Wilbur's Catechism, which con-
tinued for a long time. He also taught the youth of
both sexes in Sacred History ; preached during his
ministry more than one hundred sermons exclusively
to the young; occupied fourteen Sabbath evenings in
one winter with lectures to young inen on the text,
" Is the young man Absalom safe?" For years the
Bible class, composed of the young people and others
more advanced, numbered from two hundred to three
hundred. With this exercise he went through most
of the Pentateuch, the whole of John's gospel, the
four evangelists in their connection and harmony,
and the Acts of the Apostles.
Education. — Impressed with the special importance
of knowledge to the citizens of a country, the stabil-
ity and permanence of whose institutions rest upon
intelligence and good morals, he had no sooner en-
tered on his pastoral duties than he visited the
schools, to encourage the children and youth by his
presence, hissympathy and friendly counsel. For more
than forty years he was a member of the school commit-
tee, and no small part of the time chairman, and accus-
tomed to examine the teachers and the eight schools
repeatedly every year, to pray with and examine the
same. In his fiftieth anniversary discourse he re-
marked that he had probably made more than
two thousand visits to these schools. He was ever
the advocate of the most liberal appropriation and of
the most complete organization, instruction and dis-
cipline of the common schools, and he did much by
pen and voice for their improvement. The school
board, in their annual report for the year ending
March, 1860, thus speak of his services : " As a mem-
ber of the feoffees of the grammar school for a period
of more than thirty years, and as one of the school
committee for forty years of bis useful life among us,
he has done much, both by precept and example, for
the moral improvement of our youth, and his active
exertions and untiring zeal in the cause of education
will long be held in grateful remembrance."
He always took special interest in scholars belong-
ing to the grammar-school, particularly in those con-
templating a collegiate course. By the term " gram-
mar-school," we do not mean the common, or public
school, as it now exists in our commonwealth, sup-
ported by a tax and free of charge, to rich and poor,
but a school where Greek and Latin were taught, and
where youth could be fitted for college. The Ipswich
grammar-school was established in 1650. In six
years from its opening there were six young men
from this town pursuing at the same time their stud-
ies at Harvard College; and all of them undoubtedly
pupils of this school. But the grammar-school no
longer exists as such ; it has been merged in the
Manning School, and its funds appropriated, in part,
to the support of its teachers. It was a grand old
school some sixty or seventy years ago, when Richard
Kimball, George Choate, Charles Choate and Stephen
Coburn reigned there. In it more than one hundred of
the natives of Ipswich, who have received collegiate
honors, acquired their elementary education.
Female Education and Ipswich Female Seminary. —
He was among the earliest and most earnest to call
attention, public and private, to the whole subject of
female education, and especially to the more exten-
sive employment of women as teachers. Of so great
importance did he regard this subject, that early in
his ministry he kept a private school in his own
house for several years, to which a goodly number of
the young ladies of his society and the town resorted.
The Ipswich Female Seminary was opened for the
reception of pupils, April 23, 1828, on which occasion
an address was delivered by Mr. Kimball. As presi-
dent of the board of trustees during the eleven years
in which Miss Grant was principal, he delivered the
diplomas with an address annually to the graduating
class. At no small sacrifice he received Miss Grant
and her associated teachers into his family, when she
made the so doing the sine qua wo?i of her establish-
ment in Ipswich.
His labors in education were not confined to his
place of residence. He frequently spoke on the sub-
ject by request in other towns. Soon after the or-
ganization of the Essex County Teachers' Association,
in 1829, the first of the kind in the United States,
" when," says one,' " few could be prevailed upon to
favor the enterprise, Mr. Kimball, who had himself
been an able and successful instructor, readily yielded
to the request of the society to lecture before it. This
he did with ability and peculiar acceptance."
Foreign Missions. — Through his whole ministry he
was the earnest advocate and efficient helper of the
American Board ; was present at its organization at
Bradford in 1810, frequently presented its claims to
his own people, and occasionally addressed audiences
in its behalf in other places. " Among the arguments
that the early friends of missions had constantly to
meet," says Rev. William Kiucaid, at the annual
meeting of the Board at Des Moines, October 6, 1886,
" was the complaint that the sending out of so much
money to the heathen would impoverish the country.
So wide-spread and persistent was this objection that
in 1826 two prominent ministers, of whom Dr. Lyman
Beecher was one" (and Rev. David Kimball the
other, see Proceedings of the Auxiliary Mission Society
of Essex County, A.'pxW 11, 1826), were appointed by
this board to prepare elaborate papers in answer to
it. The manner in which Mr. Kimball acquitted
himself may be seen in the following remarks which
1 E«T. Gardner B. Perry, D. D.
IPSWICH.
651
he oftered on that occasion : " Sir, the resources of
our country are not easily exhausted. When I look
around this country; when I consider its extent of
territory, fertility of soil and salubrity of climate, its
agricultural improvenieuts, its extensive and lucrative
commerce, the rapidly increasing growth of its manu-
factures ; when I consider the number, intelligence,
industry and enterprise of its husbandmen, mechanics
and merchants, and its favorable situation in respect
to every kind of business tending to the increase of
wealth ; when I survey the vast resources of my
country ; I feel as little apprehension that these re-
sources will be exhausted by its charities to the hea-
then, as that the waters of the Pacific Ocean will be
exhausted by natural exhalation. And I would as
soon accuse that ocean of a wanton waste of its waters,
for suffering them to ascend for the purpose of falling
on the pastures of the wilderness, and clothing them
with verdure, as charge the friends of missions with
profu.sion for collecting a portion of the riches of this
world, and causing it to descend in the dew of gospel
charity on the moral wilderness. Were I to surren-
der the point which I undertook to maintain, I would
still hold on to the object to which we are devoted,
and say, let the wealth of this world go, if on such
terms souls may be rescued from degradation, guilt
and death, and raised to that world where they will
be praising God, and advancing toward him by new
accessions of glory, forever and ever. But I do not
surrender the point which I undertook to maintain.
I do not believe that the property of the community
has been lessened by the interest in foreign missions,
nor that it would be lessened, if the object were to
interest our entire population, and the contributions
to it were increased a hundred-fold."
Anti-tSlavtry. — He was the uncompromising enemy
of oppression and tyranny in all their forms, and
early declared himself the friend of liberty, personal
and national. In an address in his native town, he
said : " I appear this evening, not as a member of any
anti-slavery organization, but as an anti-slavery man,
independent of all organizations. As to this cause
blame me not, my friends, for my love of it ; for here,
in the days of my childhood and youth, was that love
kindled. Yes, between those hills my father taught
me, and in these ancient houses, your fathers taught
me, and at the house of worship which recently stood
there, the pastor taught me, that slavery is a sin,
being a transgression of the law which says: 'Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself I received it as
true ; I believed it; and I proclaimed it in this house
of prayer, when at twenty-one our fathers called me
on the day of our nation's birth, to echo, as I could,
the just and noble sentiment, ' all men are created
free and equal.' From the first moment, that, as I
trust, I began to love God for what he is, for his
holiness, justice and mercy; I have felt that slavery
is a sin, and that like every other sin, it should be
immediately renounced; and I must think and feel
so, as long as God's law remains as it is, and as long
as God remains what he is."
As he believed he spoke, and unhesitatingly gave
utterance, on all suitable occasions, to the "sentiments
he entertained. Into the structure of his mind, — ■
which was conservative, judicious and catholic, —
ultraism, fanaticism and bigotry did not enter. He
had zeal, but according to knowledge ; he hated op-
pression, but his hatred was tempered with prudence;
he had opinions of his own to which he tenaciously
adhered, yet he allowed in others the same freedom
of expression that he claimed for himself. Early in
the agitation of this subject he took an open and de-
clared anti-slavery position ; took it, and held to it,
through evil report and good report, and though he
did not live to see the day of deliverance and triumph,
yet he believed it would come and gloriously too. He
identified himself with the enterprise at a time when,
through indifference, or cowardice, or selfishness the
voice of the pulpit and press was dumb, and few de-
sired to have the subject agitated in the community.
The American Colonization Society was then at the
liight of its popularity, and it was regarded as almost
impious to question the benevolence of its scheme.
That dark period of ignorance and apathy, delusion
and prejudice should be carefully pondered and pro-
perly estimated in order that the amount of moral
courage requisite to meet it should also be measured
and appreciated. Mr. Kimball though a diffident
man and one who shrank from contending with
an antagonist in open extemporaneous debate, was
yet firm, decided and earnest in the discussion of
any question in which he conscientiously believed,
whether popular or unpopular with the people.
The thing for him to decide was, whether the sen-
timents he entertained were in accordance with
the word of God. If they were he was bold in pro-
claiming them ; and undeterred by the fear of man
and the consequences, went straightforward in the
discharge of duty, sustained by the belief th.at, though
all men might be against him, the God in whom he
trusted would be with him. His name, which stood
at the head of the Massachusetts delegation, is among
the one hundred and fifty-four clergymen who came
before the public in 1834 as the advocates of imme-
diate emancipation, by signing a document giving a
decided expression of opinion on these two cardinal
points, viz. : 1. That colonization is not an adequate
remedy for slavery, and must therefore b& abandoned
for something else that is ; and 2. Th.at the scheme of
Immediate Emancipation is such a remedy, and is,
therefore, to be adopted and urged.
In the formation of the Essex County Anti-slavery
Society he took an active part. At a convention held
at Topsfield April 4, 1834, to consider the expediency
of forming said society, he was chosen, with others,
to prepare a constitution. When the New England
Anti-slavery Society met in Boylston Hall, Boston,
May 2(5, 1834, he was on the committee to report on
652
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the District of Columbia and the Territories; and in
June of the same year, when the Essex County Anti-
slavery Society was organized at Salem, he was one
of the vice-presidents. Thus early and openly did he
commit himself steadfastly and zealously to this great
enterprise.
Temperance. — His mother instilled early into his
mind and heart the great principle of brotherly love,
including in its wide embrace love of all humanity,
thus striking, with her heaven-inspired hand, the key-
note of philanthropy in his heart, and laying the
foundation of that spirit of benevolence which led
him to adopt and proclaim the great reformatory doc-
trines which in the last half century have so exten-
sively occupied the atti ntion of the more thoughtful
of our fellow-countrymen. Hence it was, that war
and slavery and intemperance had in him an uncom-
promising foe, ready on all proper occasions to em-
ploy against them " a sling and a smooth stone out of
the brook," weapons which, if not mighty, did good
service in the cause of humanity. The second ser-
mon which lie wrote was on temperance, and during
his ministry he frequently discoursed ujjon it on the
Sabbath, and always readily and cheerfully complied
with the invitations of his fellow-citizens and others
to speak on the subject, lending his influence and giv-
ing his labor to promote it at a period when, in popu-
lar feeling, attachment to the cause did not add to a
man's public reputation.
He was one of the original members of the first
State temperance society in the country, — " The
Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intem-
perance," instituted in 1813. In 182(5, when the
American Temperance Society was formed, on tlie
principle of total abstinence, he united with it, as he
did with the Washingtonian movement of 1840.
The American Education Society. — While he took a
deep interest in all the benevolent and religious en-
terprises of the day, the American Education Society
in particular, whose object was the education of pious
young men for the gospel ministry, occupied much of
his time and attention. In the preliminary work of
the Essex Auxiliary Education Society he bore a
prominent part. At its organization, October 30,
181(5, he was made secretary. As such he prepared,
in December of that year, a circular addressed to the
evangelical ministers of the county, inviting them to
recommend to their several churches an annual col-
lection for this object; and in 1828 he caused to be
printed five hundred copies of the constitution, with
a list of otBcers and an address prepared by himself.
Having acted as secretary for twenty-three years, in
1839 he resigned the oliice. His resignation not
being accepted, he continued the secretaryship, at-
tending the annual meetings and preparing the
yearly reports to the close of his life, a period of
forty-four years. During this time, says Rev. Dr. Perry,
"he never failed in an appointment, nor at the an-
nual meeting came unprepared with a report carefully
made out. His reports were often extended to a
considerable length, were directed to different bear-
ings and responsibilities of the society, and, if
brought together, would make a volume filled with
important truths and practical instruction ; and I
must regard it as no small loss to the religious world
that they should be hid in the depository of finished
business, comparatively unknown and unread."
Essex North Association. — Soon after his ordination
he united with this association. Having, as scribe
pro tempore, kept the minutes and conducted the cor-
respondence of the society for a year, he was chosen
permanent secretary, May 12, 1812, which office he
held till his death, a period of forty-eight years, dur-
ing all which time he was punctual in attendance at
the meetings, and always ready to contribute his full
share of time and labor to its interests. Three times
he was called upon to deliver the annual sermon
at the conference of the churches in Essex North.
He was unanimously chosen to preach the anniver-
sary sermon before the Massachusetts General Associ-
ation at Woburn in 1844, which discourse was pub-
licly commended as most appropriate and excellent.
He was one of four who formed a society separate
from the association for the purpose of studying the
Scriptures in their original languages, and for mak-
ing themselves better men and better ministers. " It
is a noble example, worthy to be put into tlie history
of our body," [The " Ecclesiastical History of Es-
sex County "], " that Father Kimball commenced
and prosecuted the study of Hebrew after he
was forty years old." Tlie distinct impression which
lie left on the memories of his associates was his
fidelity and untiring industry. His productions, says
Rev. Dr. Tike, were always scholarly and his heart
always true to the Redeemer's kingdom.
Church in Linehrook Parish. — This church, organ-
ized in 1749, but which in 1819 had been reduced in
member.<hip to two women, one of whom was very
aged and infirm, was watched over by him with a
fatherly eye. For several years he occasionally held
meetings for prayer among the people, and for a con-
siderable period conducted a Bible-class exercise one
evening a week ; visited their sick, buried their dead,
and, whenever a religious interest was manifest, how-
ever slight, he instantly hastened to their aid. Said
a member of that church, " I shall never forget the
expression of his countenance nor the tears I have
seen flow, when I have been telling him of persons in
our parish whom I knew to be anxicms about the sal-
vation of the soul." His labors for the church during
its struggle for existence knew no abatement. In this
he proved himself a wrestling Jacob and a prevailing
Israel. When at its lowest point and without a suitable
place of worship, the old meeting-house having gone
to decay, he urged the people to hold together and
make a united effort for the erection of a new house ;
and, when they had decided to build, he addressed the
secretary of the Massachusetts Missionary Society for
IPSWICH.
653
aid in support of a minister, and received from him
the assurance that the society would appropriate to
this object one hundred dollars annually. The con-
tinued interest of Mr. K. in this parish was shown by
the action of his society, in presenting to it, at his
suggestion, in 1848, for its present church edifice, the
bell which had formerly hung in the steeple of the
old meeting-bouse in Ipswich. In 1860 the church
bad increased from two in 1819 to seventy. A bequest
of S7000, by John Perley, Esq., of Georgetown, has
enabled it to secure the services of a regularly settled
minister, and it is in a prosperous condition.
Publications. — While the modesty of Mr. Kimball
was such as to prevent him committing to the press
the earlier productions of his pen, copies of which
had in several instances been requested, and
among them an oration delivered in Andover, July
4, 1804; an addresss on education in Bradford Acad-
emy, 1805; a sermon on peace in Ipswich, July 4,
1817; and while he declined similar requests in later
years, he was the author of sixteen published dis-
courses, which were regarded as valuable contribu-
tions to the religious literature of the day, — notice-
ably, a sermon before the Society for the Promotion
of Christian Knowledge, in Park Street Church,
Boston, 1821 ; a Sketch of the Ecclesiastical History
of Ipswich, 1821 ; a Centennial Discourse before the
First Church and Congregation in Ipswich, August
10, 1834, two hundred years after the gathering of
that church; a sermon on the Utility of a Permanent
Ministry, 1839; The Last Sermon in the Ancient
Mecting-House of the First Parish in Ipswich, Feb-
ruary 22, 1846 ; the First .Sermon in the New Meet-
ing-house of that Parish, February 4, 1847: a Dis-
course on the Fiftieth Anniversary of his Ordination,
October 8, 1856. He also furnished many miscel-
laneous articles to secular and religious magazines
and papers.
Hospitality. — His house was the seat of a generous
hospitality. He followed the injunction of St. Paul,
" Be not forgetful to entertain strangers," many of
whom he cordially received. For most of the time
from his settlement to the completion of the Eastern
Railroad, his company, in addition to that of particu-
lar friends, averaged not less than one person for the
whole time, and one horse in the stable. It was not
uncommon for strangers passing through the town by
stage to come directly to his house to dine, while
their companions were being entertained at the pub-
lic-house.
R';vivaU-—T\\6x6 were several interesting religious
awakenings during his ministry. As the fruit of
which there were received into the church in 1808,
16; in 1820, 13; in 1825-26, 35; in 1829, 88; in 1830,
22; in 1838, 16; in 1849-50, 45; an aggregate of
235. "In such sea.sons of merciful visitations," said
Rev. Mr. Fitz in his sermon at the funeral of
Mr. K., '■ he spared not himself, multiplying hi:; meet-
ings and g<iing from house to house to preach repent-
ance, to ofler to the inquiring sinner an Almighty
Saviour, and to implore, on behalf of every house-
hold, the influences of the Holy Spirit."
On July 24, 1851, he withdrew from the active du-
ties of the pastoral office, which he had filled with
distinguished ability and faithfulness, and became
pastor emeritus. After his retirement he preached
in various places, and continued to do so till the
time of his death, ''being never so happy," to use his
own words, as " when engaged in this delightful em-
ployment." As he drew near " the shining-shore,"
he must have found comfort in the thought, that by
God's blessing, the church, which at his ordination
consisted of but fifty-three members, had been quad-
rupled under his ministry.
The great aim which Mr. Kimball seems ever to
have had in view was usefulness. He lived to do
good ; and although it cannot be said <if him, or of
any man that ever lived, that he made no mistake in
the devising or the carrying out of his plans, yet no
one could question the purity of his motives or the
integrity of his acts. If he possessed little of what is
called genius, he had two of the greatest of all posses-
sions, diligence and perseverance; if not a man of
profound erudition, his requirements were more than
respectable. He was a careful and cautious thinker,
an accomplished writer, an accurate scholar, a forci-
ble and instructive preacher. In every department
of duty he was diligent, prompt and faithful, deeply
interested in all the ]diilanthropic movements of the
day, and zealous for the Lord of Hosts, — a consecrated
champion of Christian truth. And having lived a
life of faith and obedience, he died the death of the
righteous.
His la.st sickness, pneumonia, was short, but very
painful. As he drew near the river's brink, and
some thought he had passed over, he revived and ex-
claimed, " The gates of the New Jerusalem are
opening; " and after a pause, " I see within the city."
He then took affectionate leave of his family, and
breathing benedictions on his people, for whom his
last audible prayer was offered, he fell asleep. There
was no pang in the dying hour. At the moment of
the soul's dejiarture, according to the testimony of his
daughter, Mary, there came to his lips a smile of in-
effable beauty, and there it remained till he was bur-
ied out of sight, never more to be seen till the morn-
ing of the resurrection.
The citizens of the town exhibited the most pro-
found respect for the deceased pastor. A man of
spotless character, he was universally beloved. From
the time the intelligence of his illness spread through
the community till his burial the house was thronged.
Many children came to see the face of him they
loved. At twelve o'clock of the day following his
death, all the bells in the town tolled in concert. At
his funeral all classes pressed to* show their love and
express their grief. The people of Ipswich without
distinction of sect or party, formed a most honorable
654
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
procession and accompanied the remains to the ap-
pointed place of burial. He was greatly honored in
his death. Many clergymen and distinguished lay-
men from abroad were present at his funeral. Through
the kindness and generosity of his nearest neighbor
and ever constant friend. Deacon Aaron Cogswell, an
eligible burial spot was secured for him and his
family, near the centre of the ancient cemetery in
High Street, where he reposes in the midst of a thou-
sand of the people of his charge, and where the sun
smiles upon his rest as his Heavenly Father smiled
upon his departing spirit.
EDWARD p. KIJIBALL.
Edward P. Kimball, son of Hon. Charles Kimball,
was born March 22, 1836. Acquiring the rudiments
of his education at the common schools of the town
and at the old High School, he finished his course
there at a time when there sprang up among the
young men of the place quite an enthusiastic desire
to fit and enter college, and he was one of a class of
several who. with that end in view, recited their
Latin and Greek before breakfast at an early morn-
ing hour to Bev. John P. Cowles, then principal of
the IpsW'ich Female Seminary. Continuing under
Mr. Cowles' instruction for a year, he completed his
preparation for college at Thetford Academy, Thet-
ford, Vt., and at the Williston Seminary, Easthamp-
ton, Mass., and in the autumn of 1852 entered the
Freshman Class of Amherst College. Remaining
there two years, he was obliged to leave on account
of ill health, and staying out a year, entered the Ju-
nior Class at Williams College, where he graduated
in 1857. The late ex-President Garfield was then a
member of Williams, and rooming near him, he there
made his acquaintance, as well as that of other men
afterwards distinguished in public life and in the
various professions. After graduating, he taught in
the Shippensburg Collegiate Institute at Shippens-
burg, Pa., practically having charge of the school.
In 1858 he entered upon the study of the law in
the olfice of Hon. Otis P. Lord at Salem, remaining
there till Judge Lord took his seat upon the bench, and
then completing his studies in the olfice of his father,
he was, in 1861, admitted to the bar. He practiced
his profession in Ipswich for a few years, and after-
wards in Gloucester, and then associated himself
with his father in business at Salem, and continued
it after his father's decease until, in October, 1886, he
assumed the duties of postmaster of Ipswich under
appointment from President Cleveland. Mr. Kim-
ball has held various public ofiices, having served
upon the school committee of Ipswich for six years,
and as selectman of the town for two years, besides
being candidate for the House of Representatives
and State Senate, falKng of election only because his
party were in the minority. He has always taken a
great interest in music, is a fine bass singer, has
given instruction in vocal music, and was leader of
the South Church choir for eighteen years. Mr.
Kimball was married in 1867 to Sarah M. Kimball,
daughter of Rev. Reuben Kimball, of North Conway,
N. H., and has four children, — two sons and two
daughters. Mrs. Kimball is a lady of intelligence, of
a bright, cheerful and sunny disposition, remarkably
conscientious, interested in every good work, devoted
to her family and a leader in the affairs of church
and society which come within the sphere of wo-
man's activities.
It is interesting to notice in families the peculiar
traits that descend from father to sou, and in Mr.
Kimball's case they are especially noticeable.
He has inherited from his father, and possesses in
a remarkable degree, a spirit of thoroughness in
everything which he undertakes. There is nothing
so abhorrent to him as the disposition sometimes dis-
played of an arrogant, dogmatic assertion as facts of
thingsof which the speaker is profoundly ignorant.
Indeed, his exceeding caution in this respect may
have sometimes worked to his disadvantage in giving
him an appearance of hesitation, betokening ignor-
ance of subjects on which he was really better in-
formed than more flippant and showy, but at the
same time more superficial, thinkers.
He is of a kindly and genial disposition, thought-
ful of the feelings of others and considerate of the
rights of all.
In manner and deportment he is unassuming. His
natural reserve has sometimes given the impression
of haughtiness, but this is an erroneous view of his
temperament.
Though dignified in bearing, he is not distant. He
has a quick perception of the humorous. His opin-
ion and judgment are often sought in questions of
dispute.
In matters pertaining to the welfare of the town he
is deeply interested, and takes pride in her grand his-
toric past and its present growth and prosperity.
In the preparation of legal papers and in advising
upon legal subjects, this mental quality of his con-
spicuously appears, so that whatever is said or done
by him can be depended upon without hesitation,
subject only to such qualifications as he expressly
lays down. Weighing well a subject, and coming
slowly and carefully to a conclusion, we cannot won-
der that his opinions, once formed, are held with
great tenacity ; but no one, however much he may
ditier himself from his views, can but respect the de-
liberate and careful way in which his judgment is
made up or the conscientious fairness and candor
with which his views are entertained. At the same
time tolerant and deferential to those who are con-
strained to disagree with him, it is not strange that
he commands the undivided respect and esteem of
the entire comunity in which he dwells.
Cpdju^€vi-€L^ U, (Jtl^ri
^>if ^M'AIfRz^'^'^^^
.-t^ .A^^h^'
IPSWICH.
(535
REV. DANIEL FITZ, D.D.^
The Fitz fiimily ranks among tlie very early Puri-
tan families of New England. Its first Anglo-Ameri-
can ancestor was Robert Fitz. He was born in 1617,
and came to this country from Fitz Ford or its vicin-
ity, near Tavistock, in the county of Devonshire,
England, as early, certainly, as 1640. Mrs. Bray has
directed attention to this locality by making it the
scene of her novel entitled " Fitz of Fitz-Ford." She
says of it, in the introduction to her book :
"To the west of the town, by the side of the new road to Plymouth,
etand the mine of the gate-way of Fitz-ford. which, excejit an oM barn,
(b all that now remains of the mansion and offices of the family of Fitz.
This gate-way is spacious, and the label ornamenta of its architectnre
proclaim it to be a structure of the time of Henry the Seventh. .Such
portions of the carving as appear through the ivy, with which it is am-
ply hung, are well sculptured ; and the whole might form an interesting
-siubject for the pencil of a Harding or a Front, The ancient mansion of
Fitz-ford, that once stood in an open court beyond this gate-house, was
many years since pulled down, and the materials used to erect the pres-
ent market-house in the town."
There is a tradition that Robert Fitz was at Ips-
wich in 1635. The most prominent member of his
family at the time of his emigration was Sir John
Fitz, a London barrister of position and wealth, whose
country seat was upon the bank of the river Tavy on
the west side of Tavistock as above stated by Mrs.
Bray.
Robert Fitz is said to have been induced to leave
his native land by the discomforts to which he was
subjected on account of his Puritan principles.
Whether he was at Ipswich, in 1635, or not, it is cer-
tain that he and his wife Grace D. were among the
original settlers of Salisbury, in 1640. From that
time the genealogy of his descendants has been care-
fully preserved.
Rev. Daniel Fitz belonged to the seventh genera-
tion of his family in this country, and his ancestry
may be traced back in unbroken line through
Samuel Currier, of Derry, of the sixth generation ;
Daniel, of Sandown, N. H., of the fifth; Richard, of
South Hampton. N. H., of the fourth ; Richard, of
Salisbury, of the third; Abraham, of Ipswich, of the
second ; and Robert, of Salisbury, the Anglo-Ameri-
can head.
He was the second child and oldest son of Samuel
Currier Fitz, above named, and of Sarah George Fitz.
He was boru at Sandown, N. H., May 28, 1795, and
in early childhood accompanied his parents upon
their removal to Derry, where they ever afterwards
lived. He graduated in 1818 at Dartmouth College,
then under the presidency of Dr. Francis Brown, and
just emerging from its great controversy, finally set-
tled by the Supreme Court of the United States, and
since famous as the Dartmouth College case. His
class numbered twenty-eight, some of whom subse-
quently attained positions of eminence. Among these
were Prof. George Bush, D.D., of New York Univer-
1 By Joseph B. Walker.
sity, and Prof. Thomas C. Upham, of Bowdoiu Col-
lege. Not one of this class now survives.
Upon leaving college, Mr. Fitz devoted himself to
teaching for a while, as thousands of other New Eng-
land students before and since have done. By this
means he strengthened his resources, both mental
and financial, the first by a review of former studies,
and the latter by the moderate compensation then al-
lowed for such work. For a single term he was
a.ssistant teacher of Pinkerton Academy, established
but a few years before in his town of Derry. Soon
afterwards, Salisbury, N. H., Academy, then in its
palmy days, offered him its principalship, which he
accepted and continued to hold for some two years,
until he was called to assume that of the Academy at
Marblehead in which he continued for about a year
and a half.
The objects sought by teaching having been at-
tained, he entered Andover Theological Seminary in
1822, there to prosecute the studies which were to pre-
pare him for the work of his chosen profe.ssion, under a
corps of stalwart theologians, prominent among whom
were Dr. Leonard Woods and Dr. Moses Stuart. It
was near the clo.se of the period of the great warfare
waged by the theological Titans of New England ; a
fierce warfare in which no quarter was asked or given
by either party, but which, like most religious contro-
versies, was most effective in confirming the com-
batants in their own cherished views. As was most
natural, Mr. Fitz accepted the doctrines of his
teachers. These, with slight modifications, he held
throughout his whole subsequent life.
Mr. Fitz completed the prescribed course of study,
and graduated in 1825. At this time, the health of
the venerable Dr. Joseph Dana, who had been in
continuous service as pastor of the South Congrega-
tional Church, of Ipswich, for sixty-one years, had
become impaired by age, and he was wanting a col-
league. The position was offered by the church and
society to Mr. Fitz, and he accepted it. On the 26th
day of June of the next year he was ordained and in-
stalled as a.ssociate pastor.
The services of this occasion were held in the an-
cient meeting-house of the society, which stood near
the location of the present house, by which it was
superseded in the year 1837. The clergymen who
took part in the exercises were well known in their
day and have been favorably remembered ever since.
The ordination sermon was by the Rev. Daniel Dana,
D.D., of Newburyport, a son of the senior [)astor.
His text was the 26th verse of the 20th cha|)ter of
Acts. The installing prayer was by Rev. Robert
Crowell, of Essex; the pi'ayer of consecration by Rev.
Samuel Dana ; the concluding prayer by the Rev.
Joseph B. Felt, of Ipswich ; the address to the church
and society by the Rev. Edward L. Parker, of Lon-
donderry, N. H., the home pastor of .Mr. Fitz; the
right hand of fellowship by Rev. David T. Kimball
of the Fir.«t Congregational Church of Ipswich, and
656
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tlie charge to his young brother, by the senior pastor.
Tlie church had not had an ordination before for two
generations, and the occasion was as interesting as it
was solemn.
There occur in human life periods of intense inter-
est which exact approbation and move the heart. It
is a glorious hour when the soldier, in unselfish
defense of his country, buckles on his harness and
hies to scenes of peril. So is it when a venerable and
able statesman, as regardless of the opposition of
rank and numbers as of his own comfort, raises his
voice in the parliament house of his nation in aid of
the helpless, and spends his last strength in a desperate
struggle for right, conscious the while that his tongue
will be dumb in death when the piean of victory is
sounded. We follow with bated breath and admira-
tion the modest figure of a Florence Nightingale as
it moves noiselessly at midnight through dimly lighted
hospital wards, now pausing to moisten the parched
lips of the suftering, and anon to gently close the eye-
lids of the recent dead.
But a nobler than any of these is the sight of a
young man, of clean hands and a pure heart, coming
to God's altar for solemn consecration of himself to
bis chosen life-work of aiding his fellows in their
efforts for delivery from the curse of sin. The
warrior, the statesman, the philanthropist minister to
social and physical needs, which are temporal ; the
priest at God's altar to spiritual wants which ar%
eternal.
At the time of his ordination, Mr. Fitz was thirty-
one years of age, in vigorous health and possessed of
a sound mind in a sound body. His figure was of
medium height, compact and firm. His complexion
was dark, and his hair, which inclined to curl, was as
black as the raven's wing. His eyes of a hue similar
to that of his hair were .soft and gave to his face when
in repose a mild expression, which changed immedi-
ately to one of great earnestness when his mind was
roused. He was of graceful manners, and easily and
equally accessible to persons of all conditions. His
mind, which was strong and well-balanced, working
actively and incisively, reached correct conclusions,
partly by reason and partly by instinct. His imagina-
tion, which was quick and enhanced the interest of
his utterances, was kept in subjection to a calm
judgment which rarely led him wrong. His quick
sympathies made him appreciative of the real charac-
ter of the person with whom he had to do, and pro-
tected him from the impositions to which a minister
is often exposed. While naturally inclined to be
much guided in his opinion by an abounding charity,
he intuitively tempered these by a clear insight into
the motive which underlaid proffered professions.
By descent Mr. Fitz was a Puritan. As above
stated, the emigration of his Anglo-American ances-
tor, Robert Fitz, was due to his Puritan principles.
Spiritual constraints, rather than jibysicul discom-
forts, prompted this. In the latter respect he was no
gainer by leaving home. No part of England pos-
sessed greater attractions than the one he abandoned.
Devonshire, the " Emerald County,'' was a county of
small farms, of pastures and cattle and dairies ; of
numerous streams and water-powers and forests. It
possessed a fair soil and a good climate. It was near
to the sea, and ever open to the southwest winds which
floated over it continually, freighted with the mild
winds and moisture of the gulf stream just before it
loses itself in the Bay of Biscay — those winds which
are a benediction to some of the southern counties of
England ; securing to them perpetual mildness of
climate and a verdure 'unsurpassed.
The transition from which such a land to one upon
which the Arctic current breathed even in summer,
as yet in possession of savages and a wilderness, was
as disheartening as it was marked. But great moral
purposes afford a sustaining power which regards but
little, either, hardship or danger or even de.ath itself.
So the Puritan left his old home and religious con-
straint upon the Tavy for a new one and freedom,
three thousand miles away upon the bank of the
Merrimac.
All the way down the succeeding generations of his
family, we find apparent strong religious traits of
character. Sarah Thorne Fitz, the great-great-grand-
mother of the subject of this sketch, displayed tliese
in a very marked degree. She was a member of the
first Ipswich Church, but lived in Salisbury, sixteen
miles away. Tradition says that to enjoy its Sunday
worship, she was accustomed at times, to rise very
early in the morning, and, having milked her cows,
to paddle across the Merrimac River to Newbury,
whence she went on foot, to Ipswich, arriving in sea-
son for the morning service. This journey was re-
versed in the afternoon and finished in season for the
evening milking.
To anticipate a little, for the sake of convenience,
it may be here said in regard to some of the religious
opinions which he held in mature life, that Mr. Fitz
received bis theological training at Andover Theloogi-
cal Seminary, under the distinguished professors who
had raised it to an eminent power in the land. He
then accepted and ever held the doctrines there
taught, which were in full accord with the orthodox
branch of the Christian Church. But while he re-
ceived these and held them firmly, he held them
broadly. He had little sympathy with narrow inter-
pretations of great truths, and was free from the un-
charitableness which comes from the magnifj'ing of
minor points. While as a Calvinist he adopted Cal-
vin's views, he yet took them with such modifications
as more quiet times and a wider learning had sug-
gested. But the deep, underlying foundation of his
religious faith was the gospel of Jesus Christ. This
he read and pondered all his life, and upon this rested
his belief that the Son of God had made provi-
sion for the salvation of all and not for that of an
elect few only. Hence, he urged all men to repent,
IPSWICH.
657
inasmuch, as faith and repentance made salvation
jiosisible to all.
He had little taste for polemical divinity, not very
much for metaphysics, by which almost anything can
be proved, and no admiration whatever for hair-split-
ting theorists. As was usual in his day, he preached
doctrinal sermons from time to time for the instruc-
tion of his people, but with an unfeigned respect for
the views of others from whom he differed upon unes-
sential points. Both the conservative bent of his
mind and his wide knowledge of mankind, led him
naturally to this, as well as a native courtesy which
never for.sook him. But this was not the courtesy which
weakness or timidity engenders. Fear was an emo-
tion to which he was a stranger. If attacked, he was
always ready to encounter heavy blows, and return
them if necessary, not, however, from any love of con-
test, but from loyalty to what he deemed the right.
Consef|uentIy, like most peace-loving men of like
character, he was very rarely assailed.
Such was the ancestry, bent and religious training
of the young minister, who, on the 2(ith day of June,
1S26, stood upon the threshold of his career, gazing
into a future which his dark eye could not penetrate,
with faith and a hearty submission to the will of
him to whom he had consecrated his every power.
But, he was not to go on far alone. Protestantism
has never favored the celibacy of its clergy. It has
rather made prominent the injunction of the great
apostle that, "A bishop must be the husband of one
wife." Mr. Fitz's parishioners could not consent
that he should serve them unaided, and his own lov-
ing nature was in accord with their wishes.
The writer of this memorial sketch would be un-
worthy of his delicate trust, if he omitted a jia-ssing
tribute to the gifted woman who soon after the pas-
tor's installation became his wife. She was the
oldest daughter of the Rev. Moses Sawyer, of Hen-
niker, N. H.. who, for nearly twenty-four years, had
been the faithful pastor of the Congregational Ohurch
of that town, where she was born on the 8th day of
May, ]8<I4, and subsequently reared, amid the duties
of a country ministerial life.
We omit all record of her earlier years, e.\cept to
note that she received her higher edui-ation partly at
Byfield Academy, then in charge of Rev. Josejih
Emerson, and partly at Derry Female Academy, of
which Miss Grant and Mary Lyon were the in-
structors.
After her graduation, she was herself a teacher
until her marriage to Mr. Fitz, on the 5th day of
September, lS2tJ, transferred her from a New Hamp-
shire ScliDol to a Massachusetts parsonage.
Mrs. Fitz brought to her new home a thorough
knowledge of a New England pastor's wife. This
she had acquired in the best of all schools, that of ex-
perience; and, from the lips and lives of the best of
all teachers, those of her father and mother.
She possessed high mental endowments whiuh had
42
been enhanced in power by thorough training. She
naturally took broad views of a subject, and had a
ready insight to its vital points. Having the rare
power to divest herself of all personal predilections,
when her opinion was asked, and to look disinter-
estedly at the matter under consideration from all
sides, she almost uniformly reached correct con-
clusions. She had common sense — the gift of God —
in large measure. Courage she also had, and w-as
undaunted in the presence of obstacles. Possessing
executive and organizing ability, she was naturally
a leader in her husband's parish ; not from choice,
but from the demands of her position and of her as-
sociates. Skillful was she in dissipating the apathies
and in allaying the various frictions, not unfrcquently
present in society work ; mingling love with energy
and intuitively comprehending the various forces
operating to advance or retard its progress.
Besides these qualities, the power of which time
and experience greatly enhanced, to Mrs. Fitz was
given great sweetness of dis[)osition and marked come-
liness of person. Natural grace of manner, and a
charming affability, founded upon innate modesty
and brilliancy of intellect, combined to give her
presence an unusual attractiveness. Both at home
and in society, these marked characteristics secured
to her the popularity which usually attends upon the
gifted and the good.
She was always accessible to all who would ap-
proach her. To the burdened soul which, in its per-
plexity confidentially sought her advice, she gave
wise counsel mingled with the most delicate sym-
pathy. The giddy and the wayward were rebuked so
lovingly that they blessed in very gratitude the hand
which chiistened them. Her ministrations to the
sick were abundant, and in her presence there was
healing.
At the general assemblages at the parsonage from
time to time, she dispensed hospitality mingled with
grace and sea.soned with love. The kindly glances of
hor dark eyes and the graceful pose of her attractive
figure increased the fascination of her conversation.
It was natural for her to be agreeable, and she knew
not how to be otherwise. Indeed, Madame Recamier,
in her splendid salon, surrounded by the beauty and
talent of the French capital, never presided with
more grace and sweetness than did she on those sim-
ple occasions. We must not be surprised, therefore,
at the remark of one who knew her well, "She had
never a peer in Ipswich."
For nearly forty years Mrs. Fitz discharged with
great ability the double duties which she liad as-
sumed with her marriage ring. She was faithful to
her family, and faithful to her husband's peo])le,
and when, in January, 18(i2, her pure spirit rose to
companionship with ''the just made perfect," and her
mortal remains were lowered tenderly to their last
rest, hot tears fell upon the cold ground, and hearts
ached with a sorrow as lasting as li/e.
658
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
In about a year after his settlement, the death of
Dr. Dana left Mr. Fitz sole pastor of his church and
society. He accepted willingly the increase of labor
which this event devolved upon him. He was fortu-
nate in his people who were reasonable, peaceful and
intelligent. Part of them resided in the village, and
a part upon some of the hay farms for which Ipswich
is so celebrated. They were not rich, yet poverty
was unknown to them. They were blessed with that
golden mean of life's condition for which the Hebrew
sage so wisely besought his God.
With the acres of their forefathers, they had in-
herited the traditions of two hundred years or more.
These were influencing and moulding their characters
constantly. The generations of many of the families
of Mr. Fitz's parish went back in unbroken succes-
sion to the foundation of the town. They were good
old English stock, with hearts of oak; stock which
had been improved by transplanting, and grew better
continually. They were a people who feared God,
and respected every man entitled to respect. No
where outside of New England can such a commun-
ity be found, a happy society of villagers and farmers
wliich had flourished for two hundred years, without
deterioration, upon a fertile tract of coast land, with
three thousand miles of ocean in front of them, and
three thousand miles of continent behind them. The
ocean was, and had ever been, a blank. Over the
continent the waves of new populations had been ad-
vancing continually, a hundred miles each decade, to
meet ere long the great Pacific Sea, whose eastern
billows wash the Occident, and whose western breakers
dash upon the shore of the orient. Yet the Ipswich
farms were to change only to increased productiveness,
and the village to wider borders and greater beauty. .
Among this people Mr. Fitz went in and out, a
welcome visitor at every house. He had come among
them to stay. For better or worse they had taken
him and he them, and the bond which united both in
one was to endure as long as he lived. He soon
learned their habits of life and thought, and so ad-
justed his ways to theirs, that he came into their
sympathies and gained their confidence and love.
Indeed, one of the most beautiful characteristics of
his pastorate was the mutual affection and respect
which ever existed between him and the people of
his charge.
In labors for their good he abounded. He preached
a carefully-written sermon the forenoon and after-
noon of every Sunday, and conducted a less formal
meeting for conference and prayer in the evening.
Besides these, he held frequent week-day meetings in
the rural parts of his parish, and for many years, as
chaplain of the county almshouse, held there a Sun-
day morning service. Yet his strength failed not,
and he never grew weary in his work. He had
scarcely a vacation in all his life. His chief recrea-
tion was in the variation of his daily duties.
In his pulpit, his full figure clothed with scrupu-
lous neatness, his dark eye and fine face enhanced
the effect of his ministrations. His manner was
.simple and reverential. He never assumed familiarity
with the Deity, but seemed to feel that it was a sol-
emn thing to minister at God's altar, and to be deeply
sensible of the responsibility of standing between
Him and those he sought to aid.
His sermons were logical, lucid, earnest, practical.
He drew his illustrations largely from sacred history.
Whatever the subject discussed, the application was
close and personal to every heart. The commonest
individual could understand his message and retain
in mind the truths uttered in his hearing. He was
always animated, and at times eloquent. His prayers,
which were filial, earnest and expectant, were
prompted by his nice appreciation of the wants of
those for whom he plead. He had a strong, clear,
flexible voice, and so read the sacred scriptures that
his simple reading became a luminous commentary to
those who listened.
He could hardly be called a literary man ; yet a
perusal of some of his written sermons proves that he
wielded a pen of much ability, evidently writing with
fluency, and always with clearness and vigor. His
reading was more extensive than that of the average
minister of his time. Some of his discourses on spe-
cial occasions, which have been published, and are
models of their kind, aflbrd evidence of the possession
by their author of broad views and a well-trained
mind. But his regular clerical duties absorbed his
time, and to these he gave his strength.
Dr. Fitz understood perfectly the character of all
his people, and how to influence them for good. In-
deed, he measured their several capacities for excel-
lence, and was reasonable in his expectations and pa-
tient. He attempted the possible only, but never
sought the manifestly unattainable. Like all active
clergymen, his course was at times through channels
narrow and devious, with Scylla on one side and
Charybdis on the other ; yet he was never wrecked
on either shore. An amusing incident, which oc-
curred one Sunday morning during our late war, will
illustrate his skill on such occasions. His people
were divided in their sympathies for the two contend-
ing parties. As he was going out of church at the
close of the service, a good deacon of democratic pro-
clivities whispered sternly in his ear : " You were
altogether too outspoken, sir, in your prayer this
morning; your plainness of speech will give just
offense." Farther down tha aisle he encountered a
second oflicial of the same grade, who also whispered,
as he passed him, " Too lukewarm, sir, too lukewarm,
you didn't come come up to the mark." These con-
flicting assurances which offset one another, we:e
answered by a silent smile, and in a few days both
his friends were complaisant again.
Dr. Fitz mingled little in civil affairs, and probably
never held a political office in all his life. But he
took a deep interest in the general welfare, and with
'^;^^ o^^^^S^^::^
IPSWICH.
659
unostentatious independence exercised his rights of
citizenship. He rejoiced in the prosperity of his
townsmen, and was always ready to aid, as lie could,
in the promotion of their interests. He did much
for the improvement of the schools of Ipswich, and
to the furtherance of all useful local enterprises, he
never declined to lend a willing hand.
He possessed courage, and was rarely disheartened.
But his was a courage based upon knowledge, guided
by wisdom and sustained by activity. He believed
that the realization of faith came from persistent
effort, and that all hopes of success without this were
vain.
But the most marked trait in his character was his
abounding love for all mankind. It was the domin-
ant quality of his nature. His appeals in behalf of
the effete nations of the East manifested it, and this
prompted his earnest calls in aid of the missionaries
upon our Western frontier ; thus laboring to mould
into homogeneity and elevate to a higher manhood
the discordant populations which have come to us
from the nations beyond the sea. Everything which
promised highest good to his fellow-men commanded
at once his interest.
Particularly strong was his love for children, who,
apprized of this by their unerring instincts, returned
it in full measure. With their love they mingled
respect, but never fear. Sober Ipswich never enjoyed
a more charming sight than that of the sleigh of the
good doctor, when carrying his children to their
school, into which others had climbed, and piled one
upon another, until it was full, and more than full.
As he sped along as best he could, buried in this liv-
ing load of clamorous joy, no heart beat happier
than his own. Was all this a little thing and unim-
portant? It was a significant one, and thoughtful
observers saw more than the animated pile, and re-
membered that childhood would soon grow to youth,
and youth in a short time change to maturity, but,
that the love then engendered would never grow cold,
and the good counsels which it enfolded would never
be forgotten.
It was his invariable custom when driving upon
the road to invite any chance footman he might over-
take to a seat in his carriage. One of his daughters
has remarked that, when riding with her father, and
up almost to the time when she considered herself a
young lady, she had repeatedly been asked to sit in
his lap to make room for some wayfarer whom he had
never seen before and was most likely to never see
again.
The soiled tramp who called at his door, ragged
and redolent perhaps of whiskey, was always treated
with kindness. He bore God's image upon his face,
and that must be respected.
The ministry of Dr. Fitz was a successful one. His
active pastorate lasted forty-one years. He and his
predecessor, Dr. Joseph Dana, were the sole pastors
of the church for a continuous ijcriod of one hundred
and two years, a fact not easily' paralleled. The re-
cords show that at the time of his settlement, its
members numbered fifty-four and that three hundred
and thirteen joined it while he held the sacred office.
But the most important acts of his pastorate were not
recorded upon the register of the church, but the
hearts of his people, to be read only by the eye of
Omniscience.
It was impossible that such a life, identified with
all that was best in Ipswich, and flowing on for
nearly half a century in a channel ever widening and
ever deepening, should fail to be a power for good.
It was impossible that its beneficent fame and in-
fluence should be restricted to the scene of its own
labors. As the decades came in and went out,
one after another. Dr. Fitz became more and more
widely known. Neighboring parishes in their per-
plexities sought his counsel. To pulpits more im-
portant than his own, he was invited for exchanges
of ministrations. In 1862 his Alma Mater, in recog-
nition of his merit, conferred upon him a degree of
Doctor of Divinity. He rose into high esteem among
his brethren in the ministry, and became at length
an honored father in their midst.
But his heart of hearts remained where it had ever
been, and clung closest to the people he was ordained
to serve. His settlement had been for life. With
the union then formed both parties were satisfied,
and never wished it sundered. So it continued on
until his strong arm began to weaken, and physical
infirmity compelled a surrender of his sacred trust.
In 1867 he resigned the active duties of his ministry.
For two years longer, in declining health, he went
about among those he had loved so long, until, on
the second day of September, 1869, "he was not; for
God took him." His manly form was laid before the
altar at which he had ministered, and his friend. Dr.
Pike, of Rowley, comforted as well as he could the
sad hearts which had gathered around. From the
church it was borne to the cemetery near by, and
laid to sleep in the company of dear ones gone on
before, — there to rest until "this mortal. shall have
put on immortality, and Death is swallowed up iu
victory."
GESERAL JAMES APPLETON.
Among those who have done good and signal ser-
vice in the cause of temperance, the name of the
late James Appleton, of Massachusetts, should be
held most gratefully and most tenaciously in remem-
brance by all who have faith in the expediency and
the necessity of a prohibitory liquor law. It was he
who first publicly maintained — as most, if not all,
who believe in total abstinence now maintain is the
logical outcome of the temperance movement — that
legislation has nothing whatever to do with moral
evil except to aim at its complete suppression. If
this is to be the legislative policy of the future as to
660
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the traffic in intoxicating drinks, as it already is that
of several of the States, it is interesting to trace that
policy to its source, and to learn something of the
man who first promulgated it.
James Appleton was born in 1786 on the farm in
Ipswich, Mass., granted to his ancestor, Samuel Ap-
pleton, in 1636; to this home he returned in his old
age, when the work of his life was finished, and there
he died in 1862. For many years his home was in
the neighboring town of Marblehead, and for twenty
years, from 1833 to 1858, he resided in Portland, Me.
But wherever he lived he was known and esteemed
for his interest and energy in public affairs, and was
looked up to as a born leader of men. Though a
Federalist in politics, he gave his services, as a col-
onel of a regiment, to his country when it became in-
volved in a second war with England in 1812. Those
old enough to remember the earlier days of the anti-
slavery movement, if they know anything about it or
those engaged in it, will recall the name of General
Appleton as conspicuous in that little band of men
and women, who, like their great leader, would not
equivocate, who would not retreat a single inch, who
would be heard and who were not afraid. Nor was
he less earnest in upholding the saving grace of total
abstinence from all intoxicating drinks; but that
doctrine, even half a century ago, had so grown into
popular favor that the most zealous on its behalf were
not easily distinguished in the multitude of its
apostles, nor has the memory of them been so care-
fully preserved.
But it was James Appleton, as chairman of a legis-
lative committee to which had been referred a peti-
tion in regard to the license laws of Maine, made a
report, herewith published, which would in time be
recognized as the beginning of a new and auspicious
era in the temperance reform. Its argument was that
inasmuch as "it is now ascertained, not only that the
traffic is attended with most appalling evils to the
community, but that ardent spirit is entirely useless
— that it is an unmitigated evil," the committee, there-
fore, were "not only of opinion that the law giving
the right to sell ardent spirits should be repealed, but
that a law should be passed to prohibit the traffic in
them, except so far as the arts or the practice of
medicine may be concerned."
But the legislative report, though the most com-
plete, was not the earliest attempt made by General
Appleton for the suppression by law of all trafiic in
ardent spirits. It is remembered in his family that
he dated his convictions upon the subject from the
year 1831. It came to him — when listening to an
earnest debate in the Massachusetts Legislature, of
which body he had been a member — as a sudden rev-
elation, as a discovery in morals, that the way to stop
intemperance was to stop it. If the drinking of
spirits was always wrong and dangerous, and the
source of all the monstrous evils charged to it, then
it was not to be tolerated, nor dallied with bv licen.se
laws, but put an end to. If there was no liquor, there
would be no drunkenness ; if the sale was made ille-
gal, the traffic in it and the use of it would become
disgraceful as well as dangerous. It might not, in-
deed, be possible to suppress it altogether and at once
by act ot the Legislature; but, as an argument, this
was just as true of the laws against murder, arson,
forgery, theft, or an)' other acknowledged crime,
which bad men would still commit in defiance of the
law.
Though persuaded in his own mind that he had
discovered the true remedy for the monstrous evil,
the first application he proposed was tentative and
indirect ; not that he wanted faith in the perfect
efficacy of that remedy, but he doubted if the public
mind was yet ready for heroic treatment. Accord-
ingly, he prepared a petition to the Massachusetts
Legislature — this was before he removed to Portland,
and when he was residing at Marblehead — praying
that the sale of liquor in any quantity less than thirty
gallons be forbidden by law.
The proposition was clearly meant as the first step
toward absolute prohibition ; indeed there was no
pretence in the petition of concealing the hope of its
author that a limitation of the sale of ardent spirits
to a minimum of thirty gallons would take from the
large majority of drunkards all chance of getting
drunk. The purchase of rum in so large a quantity
would be beyond their means, while the moderate
drinker who could afford it would easily and almost
unconsciously abandon a habit, unless very firmly
fixed, which called for more forethought and larger
immediate outlay than the gratification was worth.
But even this compromise aroused more opposition
than probably General Appleton was prepared for.
The agent of the Massachusetts Temperance Society,
a Rev. Mr. Hildreth, pounced upon it at once as a
mischievous measure. His notion evidently was that
among the " inalienable rights " of man was the right
to rum. He fairly represented the timid public
opinion of that day, which in the temperance, as in
the anti-slavery, movement, shrunk from any denun-
ciation in "harsh language" of a popular wrong, and
from any proposed remedy that would be pronounced
"radical." Moral suasion " was the cant phrase of
the time, and if there were a few tender souls —
Mr. Hildreth may have been one of them — who used
the term in its true sense, with the multitude it only
meant that they would not tolerate any onslaught
upon evil which reflected upon respectable sinners,
was likely to open their eyes and bring them to re-
pentance.
The letter of Mr. Hildreth and that of another
writer, who signs himself " Dan vers," show the
spirit in which General Appleton's moderate pro-
posal was met. He was quick to reply whether to
argument or cavil, and in three clear and forcible
letters signed " Essex," to be found in the Sa/em Ga-
zette of February, 1832, he sets forth his reasons for
1
iViiAo VuvUilC
.i*?^'**^te5
IPSWICH.
661
the f'iiith that is in him, and tlie real (>l)jei-t he liad in
view in the petition. On one point, however, he ac-
knowledged his error, and accepted, in hi.s own way,
the rebuke of his opponents. He ought not, he con-
fessed, to have asked the Legislature for a limitation
in the traffic in ardent spirits, whether to thirty gal-
lons or any other quantity. The trade, it was plain
to him now, should be not regulated, but prohibited.
The opposition he had aroused was an evidence of
the foolishness of any proposed comiiroinise between
right and wrong. He meant prohibition, and ought
to have said so directly, rather than have conde-
scended to an expedient which pleased nobody and
would deceive but few. " I made a great mistake,"
he said to a member of his family — " a great mis-
take." And this he publicly reiterates, it will be ob-
served, in a postscript to his third and final letter, —
" We wish the prayer of the ])etitiou had been with-
out any qualification, for its authors, we believe, in-
tended the absolute prohibition of the traffic, as their
argument abundantly evinces." But here was the
end of the matter. Perhaps he had gained all he had
hoped for in provoking some discussion of the sub-
ject, and it is doubtful if the petition, which jirobably
nobody but himself would have signed, was ever pre-
sented to the Legislature.
Here for (he fint time prohihifurij legu/alion was pro-
posed, though with no other immediate result, appar-
ently, than to convince its author that the opposition
to it would be formidable, if not insurmountable. He
may have been for a time discouraged, but he was not
defeated. He knew he was right, and he had learned,
moreover, a lesson of practical value. If ever again
he could make an opportunity to urge his principles
upon any legislative body, there should be no mistake
of a want of directness in his method.
Meanwhile he had removed to Portland, and in
1836 he was elected a member to the Maine Legisla-
ture. The opportunity he had waited for came when
a petition on the license laws was referred to a Com-
mittee of which he was chairman. He could speak
now with a certain authority, and did not need, even
were he so minded, to appeal to public attention by
the suggestion of an indirect and experimental
measure. The whole subject was, no doubt, much
clearer in his mind than when he put forth his thirty
gallons petition, and he was ready to meet the unbe-
lieving or the timid at all possible points of difficulty
or objection. He covers the ground so completely,
presents his argument so frankly, confidently and
forcibly, that the report might go before any State
Legislature to-day as an exhaustive presentation of
the whole question of prohibition.
The report, of course, was laid upon the table, and
it is nst remembered whether it gave rise to any
debate. Very likely not; for doubtless to most, if
not all, of the honorable members, it seemed as pre-
posterous as it was novel, and not even worth talking
about. Nevertheless, "The Maine Law " was born
then and there, though it was not till nine years later
that the first tentative act was passed as the begin-
ning of prohibitory legislation. The years of agita-
tion and discussion which preceded and prepared the
way for legislation also had a beginning, and there is
neither record, nor tradition, nor memory of the old-
est inhabitant that can trace it beyond the Appleton
Report to the Maine Legislature of 1836-37, unless it
be to the Appleton petition to the Massachusetts
Legislature of 1832. But both came from the same
man, and together they leave nothing more to be
said as to the question of the origin of this special
temperance policy. James Appleton, as a private
citizen of Massachusetts, publicly suggested in 1832
the wi-'dom of a prohibitory liquor law, and in 1837
the same James Appleton, as a member of the Maine
Legislature, urged upon that body the enactment of
such a law. When at last, in 1S51, the " Maine
Law," as it now stands upon the statute-books of the
State, was passed, it was a fitting recognition of his
early devotion to the principle of prohibition that he,
among other.s, should have been called upon to aid in
the preparation of the act.
He lived to see ten years of the enforcement of the
perfected law in Maine and in other States. It was,
in spirit and purpose, of his own devising, and he
would sometimes speak at his own fireside with nat-
ural pride and profound thankfulness of the result of
his work. But he left it to others to show at some
future time how much was due to his foresight, his
keen moral sense and his courage.
The following is the inscription on the stone over
General Appleton's grave in Ipswich :
"A rhilantbropist, a Patriot and a Christian."
He served his fellow-men, his country and his God
by laboring for the emancipation of the American
slave.
HOX. rH.4RI.ES KIMBALL.
Charles Kimball was born in Ipswich, Mass., on
Decemiier 24, 1798. His ]iarents were Jeremiah and
Lois Kimball. Twelve children were born to them,
of whom he was the youngest. His mother was of
the Choate family, of Essex, made famous by the
"great Rufus." His father was a lineal descendant
of Richard Kimball, who came from Ipswich, Eng-
land, in 1634, the same year in which its namesake
on this side of the water began its existence as a body
corporate. This ancestor located in Watertown,
Mass., but three years later, 1637, removed to Ips-
wich, and there made a permanent settlement ; and
from that date to the present the male line in Ips-
wich has been unbroken. The father of Charles,
like his progenitors, was of sturdy mould, and " hon-
est, manly and efficient." Of the twelve children,
five of them attained the age of more than eighty
years, two of them the age of seventy-five or more,
one the age of ninety-one and another the afe of
662
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ninety-seven, a remarkable record of longevity for
one single family. In 1815, when Charles was sixteen
years old, he entered the office of Nathaniel Lord,
Jr. (who married his sister Eunice, and who was
the father of the late Judge Otis P. Lord), in
Ipswich, then register of probate, and at the same
time became a member ot his family. He began ac-
tive life with few educational privileges, but the head
of the family in which he made his home was a
graduate of Harvard College, a man of letters, of ex-
act knowledge and accurate business methods, and of
the advantages these afforded he fully availed him-
self. In 1827 he was elected colonel of one of the
militia regiments from the office of adjutant, the lat-
ter being equal, only in rank, to the modern lieuten-
ant, a very marked promotion, and the cause of many
heart-burnings at the time, but soon forgotten, as his
special fitness for the position became apparent. His
precision and promptness in the discharge of his du-
ties was readily acknowledged, and his dignified and
soldierly bearing and easy and graceful horsemanship
won many commendations. In 1830 he voluntarily
resigned this office, but the title followed him through
life. In 1829 he married Mary Ann Outein. Her
father was of French origin ; her mother of New Eng-
land birth. Three children were the fruit of this
union, two sons and one daughter. The elder son,
Charles A., was a lawyer, and died at the age of
thirty-eight ; and the daughter died at the age of
thirty-five. Both were unmarried. The surviving
son, Edward P., is a lawyer, and at present postmas-
ter, and resides at the homestead. The wife and
mother was a woman of great intelligence, of remark-
able simplicity of character, of earnest, sincere piety,
faithful in her conjugal relations and her filial duties,
and self-sacrificing to the last degree in her devotion
to her family. In 1836 he was elected to the State
Senate, and served therein till 1840, the Hon. Ed-
ward Everett being then Governor. This was also a
marked honor, as he bad had no previous legislative
experience. From 1841 to 1847 he was county com-
missioner, and perhaps the highest compliment ever
paid him was that of one of his associates on this
board who remarked that he " never saw a man so
anxious to know and do the right." In politics he
was a Whig, but upon the dissolution of that party,
he, like many other conservatives, associated himself
with the Democracy. In 1851 he was candidate for
State Treasurer. In politics, as in everything else,
he acted from conviction and principle. He held, at
different times, various town offices; was selectman
one year. School Committee man and clerk and treas-
urer of two boards of trustees of educational funds
for many yeare, and for thirty or more consecutive
years moderator of town meetings. In 1851, on the
retirement of Mr. Lord from the office of register of
probate, he established an office in Salem. He had
been all this time acquiring a knowledge of probate
law, and had become well known throughout tlie
county as a practitioner in the Probate C mrts of rare
skill and experience. In 1858, at the age of fifty-
nine, on the petition of Judge Perkins, Wm. C. En-
dicott, Wm. D. Northend and others of mark in the
profession, he was admitted to the bar, a very high
compliment to his ability, learning and personal
worth, and unique in itself. Hitherto in all his cases
before the courts, except the Probate Court, he had
been obliged to call to his aid some member of the
bar; but now a wider fiSld of practice was open to
him, and from that date to the close of his business
career, he devoted himself assiduously to his profes-
sion. On the 10th day of December, 1877, at the age of
seventy-nine, he suddenly lost, while in his office, all
capacity for business. In a moment the power of con-
nected thought was gone. Eveiything became one
confused mass in his mind, and in this condition he
remained to the day of his death, November 30, 1880.
It was not alone in business th.at he w.is active. In
1830 he united with the South Congregational Church,
in Ipswich, and to its spiritual welfare gave much of his
time and thought. He served on church and parish
committees, was superintendent of the Sabbath-
school for over forty-five years, and in 1868 was chosen
deacon. He understood the creed of his church, and
could and did stoutly maintain it against all antagon-
ism. He was versed in ecclesiastical law, and was
prominent in Ecclesiastical Councils, notably, the
famous one at Manchester, in the deliberations ol
which he took an active and leading part. He pre-
pared a paper on ecclesiastical law, which he read
before the Essex Congregational Club, and which was
regarded as a valuable contribution to this difficult
and occult branch of legal lore. On the occasion of
his funeral, which was largely attended by the people
of the town and many others, including members of
the bar, his pastor, the Rev. T. F. Waters, preached
a discourse which was a discriminating analysis of
his life and character, and a glowing tribute to his
sterling worth.
At the December Term of the Supreme Court, 1880,
resolutions in memoriam were offered by the Hon.
Wm. D. Northend, seconded by James Gillis, Esq.,
and responded to by his Honor, Judge Bacon, the
presiding judge, and by him ordered to be entered on
the records of the court.
Such is the mere outline of this long and useful
life. While the record speaks for itself, behind it
lies the secret of his success. Slow and patient toil,
close application and an absorbing interest in his
work, led him, step by step, thro' rugged paths to the
standing in his profession which he attained. Unlike
the majority of the profession, he entered upon his
work without any knowledge derived from the text-
books. He learned first in the school of experience,
and then he sought the books, and they accompanied
him in his laljors. Hi^' keen observation, quick per-
ception, logical acumen and retentive memory, en-
abled him to build on a sure basis and to .acquire an
IPSWICH.
663
■nurate and precise kiiowiedj^e ot' the I'l
ire routiue, the mere knowing liuw t'
i;id not satisfy him. He must know thr
underlying principle of every le?.".! rule, n:
deep till he found it. \Vi> •
estate, to trusts and mnrtc
picalities and fine diatin.
Miiliar. lu the drafti- ■
rtaining to probate
ed as authority. ITi^
in the county. For s
' licate and in( !
i [e became .in
practic" ir.
ii'. (grounded, arnl '^:~ n'^'l.ii- f.'.<, ■ v ,i, i ,
id, that they r^
' " 'od iijl' inc.;, iinii -
L>n. He went regui:.
eekly mt'' i
■i with inii :i-
ig the last week of his life his constant plea wa? to
,,'0 home." and thitiv '■ i ■• !'■■■' '"•"" !• ■" m'" behind
im a fragr.mt mem. c of fi-
'i.'i ■ ' and wj]-[a.
.lOHX MEHKILL KRADBCKY.
rii; Er:iabnrv, b...]. \u y,-s\ ■
n 0<-.,
II claim.
UiJo his business liiu fovcied a period u:ai,\iy-ihi
■ars, during which he never took a vacation, ai
his professional services were in constant denian
bf. v,t found time for other duties. He respond. J
' all of the church, the parish, the town oi
"'■iiunity. Whatever he did he r' ' ■
ire and exactness. His standard w
i I' allowed no opportunity for
.ncement to escape him. H.
'ious nature. As the Ci;
vil life, so were ti<« -■ .
tion. He wh
great i
rained
his cour^.
follow-merj
He was |
itizeng of la- 11..1 1 ,. ■ ••, .
icetings with efEciency, impn
'ty. His self-possession never foisuok him.
natural leader of men.
In temperament he was moderate and cautious.
Ms sense of bnmur was keen, ani 'nf ivt.,.. 1,,. n-.,^
u'ays reaii
[n disfii'^ IIS kindly arm synipuiiu';
rous and 1 .very good cause, and hi-
of charity were ; ind at the same time uij..
tentatious. He- lamiiy, his home and 1'
iwn.
In person, he was cf large stature, well prop
oned, erect figure, commanding presence and dig n
•d bearing.
Tn the clo.sine' years of his life, when the chain
and the aflairs of th'
bis TtU-ntion had bi
iVth to him, 1 nciple.'s ;
ra. in 1853 he wat .
■.1 the Constituti.j
of the Municipal Court in tl
" ' offices with w' ' '
: winning the c of
'1 \'':i,= a worthy son of such
"'cen promi-
" ■'-:iut un-
. Kn-r-
. - I 1) e
riting, pre-
udmired for
superior in
his de-
neul in
-ons for believing
-iry, was a son of
■ miial ^ri.-UlVc-
;iit3 there ha.s
punlic office." There are
I l,:il Tl,.,nio^ V.r .llinry, ^
'f Wicken Bonaot in Essex, .
Mi i;iiiiii_v ii* Sir Thomas BracTln
vas mayor of London, and that hi-
■ of Archbishop Whitgilt.
IViii^burv's youth was spent in his natiN
J a good English ;ind clas,Hii al (mUk-:
ii.i-lic
ii the adi
ution
. T.T. 1
' 'be Dummer
.1 bury, while
of Nihcm'ah
In Newbiirv-
of the capital of the countr> .
IPSWICH.
663
accurate and precise knowledge of the law. The
bare routine, the mere knowing how to do a thing,
did not satisfy him. He must know the theory, the
underlying principle of every legal rule, and he delved
deep till he found it. With the law relating to real
estate, to trusts and matters in equity, with theirtech-
nicalities and fine distinctions, he was specially fa-
miliar. In the drafting of wills and in all matters
pertaining to probate law and practice, he was regard-
ed as authority. His clientage included every town
in the county. For sound and judicious advice and
delicate and intricate business he was sought after.
He became an instructor of those who desired to
])ractice in the Probate Courts, and many are they
who owe all their knowledge of probate matters to his
tuition. His name was frequently mentioned in con-
nection with the judgeship of the Probate Court.
The late Judge White, of that court, said of him,
" No man was better fitted than Col. Kimball for
Judge of Probate." His qualifications for the posi-
tion were generally recognized, and he probably would
have been so appointed if he had urgently pressed
his own claim. This his sense of propriety forbade.
While his business life covered a period of sixty-three
years, during which he never took a vacation, and
his professional services were in constant demand
he yet found time for other duties. He responded to
every call of the church, the parish, the town or larger
community. Whatever he did he aimed to do with
care and exactness. His standard was of the highest.
He allowed no opportunity for mental or moral ad-
vancement to escape him. He was of an intense re-
ligious nature. As the Constitution was his guide in
civil life, so were the Scriptures his guide in moral
action. He was true to his convictions, possessed of
great moral courage, and when he had once deter-
mined upon the right nothing could swerve him from
his course of action. He had the confidence of his
fellow-men. They felt safe w-ith him.
He was prominent in every public gathering of the
citizens of his native town. He presided over their
meetings with efiiciency, impartiality, ease and dig-
nity. His self-possession never forsook him. He was
a natural leader of men.
In temperament he was moderate and cautious.
His sense of humor was keen, and in repartee he w-as
always ready.
In disposition he was kindly and sympathetic, gen-
erous and liberal in every good cause, and his deeds
of charity were numerous and at the same time unos-
tentatious. He loved his family, his home and the
town.
In person, he was of large stature, well propor-
tioned, erect figure, commanding presence and digni-
fied bearing.
In the closing years of his life, when the chain of
thought was broken, and the affairs of the world
which once engaged his attention had become a
myth to him. his religious principles had been so
firmly grounded, and his religious observances so
habitual, that they remained clear and distinct in his
otherwise clouded intellect, and still controlled his
thought and action. He went regularly to the sanctu-
ary and to the weekly meetings, and often spoke on
religious subjects with intelligence and force. Dur-
ing the last week of his life his constant plea was to
"go home," and thither he has gone, leaving behind
him a fragrant memory and a shining example of fi-
delity, integrity and worth.
JOHX JtERHILL BE.VDBUEY.
John Merrill Bradbury, born in Newburyport Octo-
ber 29, 1818, was son of Hon. Ebenezer and Mrs.
Nancy (Merrill) Bradbury. Major Bradbury, the fa-
ther, was one of the prominent men of the town for
many years, noted for his intelligence, public spirit
and genial temper, and lor his interest in the i)ublic
schools of the town. He was frequently entrusted
with public oftice, representing Newburyport in the
legislature in various years, from 1828 to 18-17, at
which time he was chosen speaker of the House of
Kepresentatives. In 1845 and 1846 he was a member
of the executive council, and in 1849 he was chosen
treasurer of the commonwealth, which office he held
for two years. In 1853 he was delegate fr(jm the tow^n
of Newton to the Constitutional Convention, and
was later judge of the Municipal Court in the town
of Milford, filling all the offices with which he was
entrusted with ability, and winning the confidence of
all who knew him.
The subject of this sketch was a worthy son of such
a father, and it was a family which had been promi-
nent in New England. The earliest immigrant an-
cestor w-as Thomas Bradbury, who came to New' Eng-
land in the year 1634 as the agent of Sir Ferdinando
Gorges, and after a few years' residence at Agamenti-
cus, now York, Maine, settled in Salisbury, Mass.,
where he was long prominent in the afl'airs of the
town, county and colony. " His hand-writing, pre-
served in the colony records, has been admired for
clearness, elegance and force, having no superior in
our colonial archives. In every generation of his de-
scendants there has been one or more prominent in
public office." There are strong reasons for believing
that Thomas Bradbury, of Salisbury, was a son of
Wymond Bradbury, of Wicken Bonant in Essex, of
the same family as Sir Thomas Bradbury, who, in
1500, was mayor of London, and that his mother was
a niece of Archbishop Whitgilt.
Mr. Bradbury's youth was spent in his native town,
where he received a good English and classical educa-
tion at the public schools, and also at the Diimmer
Academj' in the adjoining town of Newbury, while
this institution was under the charge of Nehcmiah
Cleveland, LL.D,, recently deceased. In Newbury-
port he was, at one time, a pu[)il of Albert Pike, tlie
poet, lawyer and confederate general, who, in his old
age, is a resident of the capital of the country.
664
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
One of his earliest schoolmates and most intimate
friends was Rev. George Wildes, D.D., who was in the
same class in the High School, in the Latin Depart-
ment of which, under Roger S. Howard, they occu-
pied neighboring desks and formed a life- long friend-
ship, and Dr. Wildes said of his friend that the sight
of a mathematical problem was to him an inspiration,
that he was well grounded in historical studies and
had a love for the English classics.
In April, 1835, in his seventeenth year, Mr. Brad-
bury entered Dickinson College at Carlisle, Penna.,
where he studied three years, leaving college in April
1838, after completing his junior year. On leaving
college he visited Philadelphia, but soon returned to
his native town, and engaged in teaching for several
years.
On the 28th of August, 1843, he was married at
Gloucester to Miss Sarah Ann Hayes, daughter of
Daniel and Abigail (Sargent) Hayes, a lady of culti-
vated tastes, who appreciated and encouraged his
studies, and made his home pleasant and attractive. .
In May, 1849, he went to Boston, and soon after
received an appointment to the second clerkship in
the State Treasury, and on the resignation of the chief
clerk, in December, 1850, he was advanced to fill the
vacancy. Very soon after this promotion, he engaged
with Messrs. Gilmore, Blake and Ward, hankers, as
their accountant, which position he held through va-
rious changes of the firm to the summer of the year
1868, when his interest in the house ceased, and he
retired with a competent fortune. Mr. Bradbury's
tastes and attainments fitted him for the banking busi-
ness, and he applied himself assiduously to its duties,
but during his leisure hours he cultivated his liter-
ary tastes, his favorite reading, his history and belles-
lettres.
Joseph E. Brown, Esq., of New York, who was in
the banking-house with him, wrote the following,
W'hich characterizes him in his business:
" Mr. Bradbury's mine was eniitreiitly of a miithornatioal and ana-
lytical cast ; and in almost every conversation and discussion, whetlier
upon literature, art, science, or religion, the tendency 'to analyze was
apparent. Mr. Blalie used to say frequently, tiiat Mr. Bradbury under-
stood the relations of figures better than any man he knew ; and the fa-
sility he displayed in mathematical calculation was surprising. The
following incident will illustrate. On one occasion, the State of Blassa-
chusetts. being about to issue a new loan, submitted, through the State
Treasurer, certain questions, the answers to which involved some very
nice calculations. ^In order to secure accuracy in the niatter, Mr. Blake
handed the questions to three clerks, Mr. Bradbury, Mr. Harris and my-
self, and requested that we work out the problems independently. The
following morning Mr. Harris and myself appeared each with a formid-
able bundle of paper containing our calculations. Mr. Bradbury, how-
ever, quietly took from his pocket two half sheets of note paper, on
which he had worked out, by the use of logarithms, the prob'euis which
had cost his junior clerks quires of paper and the midnight oil. He had
frequent recourse to algebraic solutions of problems.
** On one occasion, the examination of a foreign account, embracing
many hundreds of items, resulted in a discrepancy of just one penny. I
think Mr. Bradbury and myself devoted the greater part of ten days to
a vain search for the error, so that finally, utterly vexed and out of pa-
tience, I threw down the account declaring that I would pursue the
matter no further. I remember distinctly the unruftled manner of our
friend on taking up the account and saying, "Joseph, the error is some-
where, and can be found.*' He quietly, and I need hardly say success-
fully, continued the examinations."
In September, 1868, Mr. Bradbury, accompanied
by his wile, took passage for Europe. They travelled
in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, the Ty-
rol, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. In London
they met his friend and correspondent, the late Hor-
atio G. Somerby, Esq., like himself a native of New-"
buryport, who was of much assistance in directing
them to the points of interest to be visited, and in
whose society they spent many pleasant evenings
during their stay in that city. Soon after Mr. Brad-
bury's arrival, he obtained, through Mr. Somerby, a
reader's ticket at the British Museum, and, at a later
period, to the department of Literary Inquiry in the
principal registry of Her Majesty's Court of Probate,
commonly called Doctors' Commons. After he had
become weary with sight-seeing, he spent much time
in historical and genealogical research at these two
institutions.
While at London he made several excursions into
the country, especially to places where his ancestors
lived or which had a special interest to Americans, —
Boston, in Lincolnshire, and Wicken Bonant, in
Essex, where his emigrant ancestor is supposed to
have been born.
On the 18th of November, 1868, Mr. Bradbury left
London, and the same evening arrived in Paris,
where he remained till the following spring, and then
returned to London. On the 31st of August he again
left London on a brief tour. After travelling a few
weeks in Ireland and Scotland he returned to Eng-
land, arriving in York on the 23d of September.
As several of the early settlers of Essex County, from
whom he had descended, came from Yorkshire, he
remained there nearly a week, employing much of his
time in genealogical researches. From York he went
to Hull, and also visited other places in the country
of genealogical interest to an Essex man, and on his
way to London he spent one day in Oxford.
The following winter he visited the continent and
saw Rome and Naples, and ascended Vesuvius, re-
turning to England in the autumn. In the spring of
1870 a lameness came upon him which at first he did
not suppose to be serious, but it was more than the
sprain which he considered it, and resulted in the
necessity of amputating his foot.
He returned to this country in July, 1S71, and re-
sided in Boston till the next spring, when he pur-
chased an estate in Ipswich, where he resided till his
death. His residence was near the summit of Town
Hill, from which the fine view is obtained, which his
friend, the Rev. Mr. Nason, paints in such vivid
colors. Here he died on Tuesday morning, March
21, 1876, in his fifty-eighth year, leaving a widow but
no children.
In his will he left one thousand dollars to his na-
tive city, for the benefit of its public library, and two
thousand dollars and certain stock securities to the
'ff-^i^c^td ^'i
A
IPSWICH.
665
New England Historic Genealojfical Society. Both
these bequests have been funded ::nd named '"The
Bradbury Fund.'*
Mr. Bradbury was admitted a resident member of
the New England Historic Genealogical Society,
April 11, 1853, and in 1863 he made himself a life-
member. From 1863 to 1867 he served on the com-
mittee on finance, and from 1867 to 1870 was one of
the board of directors. In 1860 his eminent fitness
for the position induced the nominating committee to
tender him the office of treasurer, and he took the
matter into consideration, but finally decided that he
would not have the requisite leisure to perform the
duties of the office. He was also a member of the
Prince Society of Boston, and the Essex Institute of
Salem.
Mr, Bradbury published '* The Bennet Family of
Ipswich," and "The Whitgift-Bradbury Family,'*
"A Memoir of Horatio Gates Somerby," and a num-
ber of shorterarticles in the HUtoricnl afid Genealogical
Uegister. No better summing up of the character and
tjistes of Mr. Bradbury can be given than that of his
friend, Charles W. Tuttle, Esq., who has himself
since died, and who was a man of rare discrimina-
tion though ardent in his friendships. Mr. Tuttle
says :
"I became acquainted with the late Mr. Bradbury while I was living
*n Newburypoxt about twenty years ago. His intelligence, frankness,
anJ gentle manners attracted me to him at once ; and I saw much of
him after I came to Boston, where he whs then living.
"While he was familiar with a wide range of subjects, being a con-
stant reader, there were two on which he most frequently discoursed
with me. Of astronomy he had considerable knowledge, having been
drawn to that science by his early fondness for mathematics. He
watobed its progress with more than ordinary interest, and was ac-
quainted with the names and discoveries of the great observers through-
out the world.
" But his chief delight and interest were in the history and antiqui-
ties of New England. He had a keen relish for antiquarian research,
and never lost an opportunity to add to his stock of this kind of infor-
nmtiun. He was as familiar as one could well be with the local history
of both banks of the Slerrimac River where the early settlements were
made. His ancestors for six and seven generations had lived and died
there, and he knew the history of each generation with marvellous
accuracy and fullness. He had gathered local traditions and exam-
ined ancient records till he was master of the history and genealogy of
all, or nearly all, of the old families between Haverhill and Plumb
Island.
" In these researches he was careful and exact beyond any one I ever
knew. A result was carefully weighed, and only the highest degree of
probable evidence would satisfy him of its being true. This fastidious-
ness, the consequence of mathematical training, prevented his quickly
arriving at results satisfactory to him, and giving to the worhl many
things he had undertaken. A retentive and exact memory greatly facil-
itated his investigations.
"While in England, and suffering from severe lameness, he found
time to write several letters giving me information which he had copied
from ancient records, of persons of my surname who had died there in I
the fore part of the seventeenth century, and telling me of his wander-
ings in that merry land. These letters show how ardently he was pur-
suing his inquiries, and how thoroughly he M-as enjoying his rambles
among the venerable antiquities of England, especially any connected
with our Xew England forefathers.
*■ Mr. Bradbury was a man of large practical common sense. There
was no petty jealousy in his composition. He was serene under all
circumstances. He loved peace and minded his own aff.iirs. I remem-
ber, with mingled feelings of pleasure and sadness, how cheerfiil and
happy he Wiis in his pleasant home in Boston where he alwavswas
42.!
when not at his o£5ce ; how he made every one welcome there, and
how like a benediction his politeness and hospitality were. I am sure
all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance revere his memory."
RICHARD SUTTOX RUST, A.M., D.D., LL.D.'
Mr. Rust is one of the most energetic, enthusiastic
and successful ministers of the Methodist Episcopal
Church; and in the varied official positions to which
he has been called has rendered valuable service and
exhibited rare executive ability in the administration
of affairs intrusted to his care. He was born in Ips-
wich, Mass., September 12, 1815. His mother, from
whom he inherited many of his traits of character,
was a woman of deep piety and superior attainments,
the daughter of Richard Sutton, distinguished among
his townsmen for integrity, independence and intel-
ligence. He was left an orphan, his father dying
when he was eight years old, and his mother when
he was ten, leaving him no patrimony but a parent-
age spotle.ss and revered. One of his uncles, residing
in Portsmouth, N. H., gave him a year's schooling,
where he first formed a taste for study, which never
forsook him. Another uncle gave him a home till he
was fourteen, during which time he was compelled to
work hard upon a farm, with only three months'
schooling each winter. He was then apprenticed to
learn a cabinet-maker's trade, and at the end of three
years, yearning for school and more congenial pur-
suits, purchased the balance of the apprenticeship,
and entered Phillips' Academy, Andover, Mass., to
prepare for college.
While at Andover, the distinguished abolition lec-
turer, George Thompson, of England, visited Phil-
lips' Academy and lectured to the students on sla-
very. With his wonderful eloquence, wit and logic
the students were charmed, and a large number of
them became abolitionists and formed an anti-slavery
society. The teachers were displeased at this action,
and required the students to leave the anti-slavery
society or the academy. Nearly one hundred of
them, rather than to give up their principles and
rights, left the school; some went into the anti-sla-
very field as lecturers, and others to institutions
wliere freedom of thought and speech could be en-
joyed. Young Ru^t, with several others, went to
Cjnaan, N. H., where an academy had been estab-
lislied upon liberal principles, and where young men
and women of color were allowed to enter and enjoy
the advantages of culture. So bitter was the oppo-
sition to this school, because it extended its privi-
leges alike to all withcmt distinction of color, that
the mandate went forth that it mu^t be broken up,
and the farmers in the vicinity, with a hundred
yokes of oxen, drew the academy more than a mile
out of town into the woods and broke up the school!
Our young friend finished his preparatory studies
at the Wilbraham Academy, and in 1837 entered the
' From the Ohio Eucyclupjedia.
666
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn, where lie
was graduated in 1841, and received the degree of
Master of Arts in 1844. In 1859 he received the
honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Wes-
leyan University at Delaware, Ohio. While in col-
lege he paid his expenses by teaching and lecturing
winters. He was one of the first anti-slavery lec-
turers in Counectieut, and in New Haven County
was mobbed repeatedly while delivering lectures
against slavery. He aided the ladies in organizing
the First Anti-Slavery Fair at Hartford, Conn., and
published for that occasion "Freedom's Gift," an
annual of anti-slavery poems and prose. The great
anti-slavery struggle reached its height as he came
to his manhood, and he did valiant service in the
good cause, and was a pioneer in the Methodist
Episcopal Church in this grand conflict. In 1842 he
was principal of Ellington School, Connecticut; in
1843, principal of Middletown High School. In
1844'he joined the New England Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and was stationed at
Springfield, Mass.; in 1846 he was stationed at
Worcester, Mass.
During the next five years Mr. Rust passed
through one of the most interesting periods of his
life. He originated and published the "American
Pulpit," was transferred to the New Hampshire Con-
ference, was principal of the New Hampshire Con-
ference Seminary and Female College, and was
elected State Commissioner of Common Schools for
New Hampshire for three years. He delivered pop-
ular lectures on education all over the State, awa-
kened the deepest interest in the schools, assailed
with wit, sarcasm and invectives the miserable old
school-houses, and did a grand work in introducing
into New Hampshire good school-houses, teachers'
institutes and an improved system of common-school
education.
In 1859 Dr. Rust was transferred from the scenes
of his early struggles and triumphs to the Cincinnati
Conference. The name and character of the man
preceded him in the West, and he was at once wel-
comed to active service in the leading enterprises of
the church. He was four years president of the Wil-
berforce University, at Xenia, Ohio, after which he
became pastor of Morris Chapel, Cincinnati, where
he was elected president of the Wesleyan Female
College, Cincinnati, where he remained until the old
college was sold and vacated, and the school was
suspended until the new college could be erected.
He was corresponding secretary of the Western
Freedmen's Aid Commission, and in connection with
Bishops Clark and Walden, aided in the organiza-
tion of the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and for the last twenty years has
been its corresponding secretary, and has discharged
its duties with such marked efiiciency and ability as
to meet the highest commendation of the whole
church. The society under the administration of
Dr. Rust, has established and sustained in central
locations in the South thirty institutions of learning,
styled seminaries, colleges or universities, for the
training of teachers and preachers for the elevation
of this long-neglected race, so lately admitted to all
the rights and duties of American citizens. For the
successful management of this important educational
work, the subject of this sketch, by his deep, long,
life interest in this people, his attainments as a
scholar, his previous experience as an educator and
shrewd'business habits, was pre-eminently fitted, and
the results achieved by this society have exceeded
the highest anticipations of its friends.
Dr. Rust was successful as a pastor, a fine writer
and an impressive preacher ; pre-eminent as an edu-
cator, possessing great power over the young of awa-
kening them to high and noble purpose; and there
are but few men in this country who have aided in
educating so many of her youth who now fill impor-
tant positions in society and wield so great influence
for Christ and the right. In his boyhood he espoused
the cause of the slave, labored for his emancipation,
and his mature life, attainments and ample means
are consecrated to the preparation of this emanci-
pated people for the appropriate discharge of the
important duties imposed upon them by freedom, so
that liberty may prove a blessing rather than a curse
to them. As a Christian philanthropist, he has done
his noblest work, and for this by a grateful people
he will be held in remembrance.
The society is now, under the supervision of Dr.
Kust, establishing a system of schools for the benefit
of whites similar to what it has done for the colored
people. Little Rock and Chattanooga Universities
and ten seminaries as feeders have been established
and superintended by the Freedman's Aid Society,
and the venerable Dr. Rust still remains as the
efiicient administrator of its affairs.
COL. yOKICK G. HURD, M.D.
Col. Hurd was the eldest son of Col. Smith and
Mehitable (Emerson) Hurd, and was born in Lemps-
ter, Sullivan County, N. H., February 17, 1827.
In the early days of the settlement oi the town of
Lempster, Uzzel (or "Squire," as he was best known)
and his brother, Shubael Hurd, made settlement.
Shubael and his wife coming on horseback from
Connecticut to the farm, which is still retained in the
family. He was the first deacon of the First Congre-
gational Cluirch, organized November 13, 1781, and
was widely known as " Deacon Hurd."
As a fruit of the second marriage of Deacon Hurd
with Mrs. Smith [nee Ames, and one of the Fisher
Ames family), two sons were born, viz: Smith and
Justus (phvsician).
The former husband of Mrs. Hurd was Robert
Smith, of Pelerboro, N. H. (a brother of Judge Jere-
miah Smith), to whom were born three sons, viz:
Eobert, Stephen and Jesse (physician) Smith.
J
IPSWICH.
667
Col. Smith Hurd, son of Shubael, was born in
Lenipster, N. H., in 1804, and married Mehitable
Emerson.
Col. Hurd died in March, 1877, but his wife is still
living, at the age of eighty-three and in the enjoy-
ment of good health.
Col. Smith Hurd was very prominent in town
affairs, holding various offices of trust and responsi-
bility with marked fidelity. He was captain of a
Volunteer Rifle Company, which had quite a local
reputation, and he was subsequently colonel of the
Twenty-sevei)th Regiment, New Hampshire Militia.
Yorick G. Hurd, M.D.,the eldest son of Col. Smith
and Mehitable (Emerson) Hurd, was eminently a self-
made man, having in early life attended the District
School, when three months of winter teaching was
made to suffice for the year.
After one fall term at the academy, at the age of
seventeen he commenced school teaching, working
upon the farm when not engaged in study.
One term he attended the Hancock Literary and
Scientific Institution, and was then employed as a
teacher at Dublin, N. H., where he attracted the at-
tention of that ripe scholar. Rev. L. W. Leonard,
D.D., who invited him to his residence for study and
rendered him every possible assistance.
By the advice of Dr. Leonard Mr. Hurd com-
menced the study of medicine with Dr. Albert Smith,
of Peterboro, N. H., professor of Materia Medica
and Therapeutics in Dartmouth College March, 1850,
teaching the public Grammar School in the winter
and the Pine Grove Academy in the spring and au-
tumn for three years, attending one course of Medical
Lectures at Woodstock, Vt., and two courses at Dart-
mouth, graduating November, 1853, proceeding im-
meJiateiy to Amesbury, Essex County, Mass., where
he commenced the practice of medicine, soon secur-
ing a large and remunerative practice.
During his long residence here he was for several
years a member of the school committee, and by his
constant and untiring efforts materially aided in the
establishment of the present high state of efficiency
and success of the public schools of the town.
On the breaking out of the Civil War the military
spirit, inherited from his father, caused him to enter
fully into the spirit of the North, and in September,
1SG2, he was appointed post surgeon at Camp Lander,
Wenham, Mass., and in December 8th following, was
appointed surgeon of the Forty-eighth Regiment,
Massachusetts Volunteers, following its fortunes to
New Orleans, where he was assigned to the First Bri-
gade, First Division of the Nineteenth Army Corps,
where he remained until .June 20, 1863, when by order
of Gen. Auger, commanding the First Division, he
was detached and sent to Baton Rouge, La., in charge
of the division hospitals, and sick and wounded offi-
cers in quarters about Baton Rouge.
Returning home with the regiment at the expiration
of its term of service. Dr. Hurd was reported to Sur-
geon General Dale, of this State, as being the best
regimental surgeon in the division ; certain it is that
his regiment had the smallest sick-list and the fewest
deaths from disease of any in the corps to which it
was attached.
The practice of his profession was resumed imme-
diately on his return from the service of his country,
and the various and responsible official positions to
which he was successively chosen, attest to the high
esteem in which he was held by the community.
In 1865 and again in 1866 he was chosen a member
of the Massachusetts Senate, and in January, 1866,
while a member of the Senate, was appointed super-
intendent of the Essex County House of Correction
and Insane Asylum at Ipswich.
Immediately upon the assumption of the duties of
the responsible position of superintendent of' the
house of correction he instituted such reforms in its
management as secured a state of quiet and good order
among those placed in his charge as had never been
known in the previous history of the institution, which
by his even-tempered management he was able to
preserve so long as the institution was under his su-
pervision.
His management of the insane soon attracted at-
tention, and for many years he was the consulting
authority in all parts of the country, and was often
called in the courts as an expert in insane cases.
Dr. Hurd continued in the position of superintend-
ent of these institutions until January, 1887, resigning
his charge at the close of a service of twenty-one years
In 1867 he was appointed medical director of Divis-
ion Ma-sachusetts Volunteer Militia, with the rank of
colonel on the staff of Major General Benjamin F.
Butler, serving in that capacity eight years.
In 1877 Bowdoin College conferred upon him the
honorary degree of A. M.
In April, 1874, he was a[)pointed a memlier of the
board of trustees of the " Manning School Fund,"
and on the decease of its president, Otis Kimball, E.«q.
in 1878, he was chosen his successor, a position which
he still retains.
A gentleman whose knowledge of the care of this
fund is not to be questioned says of Dr. Hurd : " Dr.
Hurd brought to the councils of the board rare
advisory and executive abilities, and has ever since
discharged the duties of his trust with intelligence
and fidelity. Having in early years been a successful
teacher, he has by his experience and by his friendly
advice and co-operation, stimulated and encouraged
the teachers, contributing thereby very largely to the
success and usefulness of the school."
In 1879 he was appointed by his excellency, Gov-
ernor Long, as medical examiner for the Second Essex
District, resigning in 1883.
He is at the present time a trustee of the Ipswich
Savings Bank and adireccor of the Ipswich Gas-Light
Company — offices which he has held since the date
of the charter of these corriorations.
668
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Dr. Hurd was married to Mary Ann Twitchell, of
Lempsler, N. H., May 17, 1853, who died October 8,
185S, He was married aguin November 5, 1861, to
Ruth Ann Brown, of Salisbury, Mass. They have no
children as the result of marriage, but adopted one
who has since married H. K. Dodge, of the firm of
Dodge & Spiller, of Ipswich. «
WILLIAM G. BROWN.
Says an old philo.sopher : " All men, whatever their
condition, who have done anything of value, ought to
record the history of their lives." Eventful periods
occur at rare intervals in the lives of men the most
distinguished, but even in their more retired walks of
private life, there are few whose lives are not marked
by some vicissitudes of fortune, which, however triv-
ial they may seem, are yet sufficient to excite great
interest. The events which give the highest interest
to biography are of a volatile and evanescent nature,
and are soon forgotten. It is the part of the biogra-
pher to collect these passing events and fix them in-
delibly on the page of history, that succeeding gene-
rations may know how their predecessors lived, what
ideas governed them, what trials and difficulties they
encountered, and bow they overcame them, and even
their domestic relations ; for all these teach a lesson that
will be serviceable, by pointing out what paths lead
to success and what roads are to be avoided as lead-
ing to failure. There is none so humble that his life
can fail to be an object of interest when viewed in the
right light. How much more will this interest be en-
hanced when we contemplate the life of a man who,
by his own heroic struggles, has hewn out his own
pathway to success, and compelled the fates to grant
him his reward. Most certainly one, who, entirely
by his own efforts, has attained affluence and social
position, and through all the changing events of life
has preserved his integrity unimpaired, is well de-
serving of the pen of the historian.
William Gray Brown, son of Jacob and Frances
Quarles Brown, was born in Ipswich, January 27,
1830. His parents were both born in Ossipee, N. H.,
from which place they came to Ipswich, and made a
permanent home. They had six children, four sons
and two daughters. Three died in early childhood.
One daughter, Mary F., a young girl of lovely dispo-
sition and of bright promise, died in 1846 at the age
of fifteen years.
Jacob Franklin, the eldest, was educated in the
public schools of Ipswich, and graduated at the State
Normal School at Bridgewater, Mass. He had thus
fitted himself to be an instructor of youth, and de-
voted his whole after-life to that vocation. He
wrought well in this his chosen profession. His
knowledge was exact, his discipline strict, his mode
of imparting instruction clear and precise, and he soon
gained a reputation which placed him in the front
rank of able instructors. For a long series of years
he taught in Salem, Mass., and just prior to his de-
cease, April 26, 1877, he was head master of the Brown
School in that city.
Jacob Brown, the father, was a farmer, and in ad-
dition to his farming did considerable teaming
about the village. William G. lived with him and
worked for him, when not at school, and at an early
age learned the need of industry and frugality, a les-
son which he never forgot in after life. His educa-
tional privileges were limited to the schools of his
native town, but in them he became thoroughly
grounded in the elementary principles of a good Eng-
lish education.
In his fifteenth year he left school, and from that
time till the present he has been hard at work, either
for his father or for himself. At the time the first
church was erected, in 1846, William G. Brown, then
a mere youth, volunteered to assist in the work, and
to him was assigned the duty of drawing the lumber
from Salem, and for six consecutive days he drew
from that city to Ipswich an enormous load each day,
helping to load and unload, and taking the sole care
of his horses.
"I well remember," said the subject of this sketch,
"the fir.st money I ever earned. It was ten cents paid
me by Mr. James Fuller, for drawing home his grist
from mill, when I was nine years old. The next was
thirty cents earned in planting." These sums were
not spent for notions, so dear to the boyish heart, but
were deposited on interest, and have never been dis-
turbed. To this principle of economy and the habit
of saving and making money may be attributed much
of his subsequent success. Hard work, prudence and
foresight were the foundation-stones upon which he
reared the superstructure of a successful business
career. At the age of eleven years he commenced
the sale of pastry, made by his mother, to the passen-
gers on the trains that stopped near his father's house
for water. One-half the money he gave to his mother,
the other half was carefully saved and put away. At
the age of eighteen his father gave him "his time."
and he began life on hisownaccount, supporting him-
self and every year adding something to his store.
With some of the money he had earned in his various
youthful business ventures he purchased a pair of
horses and commenced, in a small way, the business
of teaming and the letting of horses.
With a steadfast resolution not to go beyond his
means, he worked until the increase of his business
obliged him to add to his facilities, by purchasing
more horses and by employing men to do what he
himself could not do. His father was a pioneer in
the ice business, and among the first who brought
coal (Anthracite) into Ipswich. Both the ice busi-
ness and coal business were then small, the markets
being limited.
For many years he was the sole dealer in ice and
coal. Jacob Brown died in 1863, and his son William
G. succeeded to the business, and since that time he
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IPSWICH.
(i69
has constantly and cpntinuously increased it. By
close application to the principles laid down and the
habits formed in early life, by constant and untiring
labor, and by prompt attention to the necessities of
the hour, he has established the most varied and the
most extensive business in his native town. He deals
in ice, cutting and storing annually about four thou-
sand tons. He deals extensively in coal, handling
from six to seven thousand tons every year, most of
which is sold at retail. He still retains the farm
where his father lived and where he was born, and
carries it on. He is the owner of the "Agawam
House,'' a famous Ipswich hostelry. This house he
has thoroughly repaired, renovated and enlarged, so
that to-day it is an ornament to the town and a con-
venient and agreeable stopping-place for its guests.
At the stable in the rear of this house he conducts
an extensive livery business. He employs many men
in his various business operations. He is a large
owner of real estate which brings him a good rental
every month, and is the largest individual tax-payer
in the town. By steady application, prompt decision,
sound judgment, and carefully looking after every-
thing personally, he has made all his business ventures
profitable. He married Elizabeth M. Cogswell,
daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth B., January 12,
1853.
Mrs. Brown proved a true help-meet to her hus-
band. She is a bright clear-headed woman. Pos-
se^sing both business tact and energy, she has ably as-
sisted her husband by her advice and counsel, and
with a capacity for business possessed by few women,
she has made herself familiar with the immense busi-
ness other husband, and thus has been able to advise
him intelligently. She is a woman of intellect, taste
and judgment, she is vivacious and sociable, fond of
her home, and a capital manager of her household.
William G. Brown has a generous, charitable dis-
position, free from every miserly taint. His hand is
ever ready, and his purse ever open to assist and aid
any one in suflFering or want. He is never a harsh
creditor, but always ready to extend to the deserving
all possible leniency. His manners are kind and af-
fable. He has never sought or accepted any oflBcial
position, although repeatedly urged so to do by his
fellow-townsmen, preferring to give his whole time to
the interests of his constantly increasing business.
He enjoys the confidence and respect of the com-
munity in which he dwells, and is recognized as a
representative business man and a prominent factor
in the growth and prosperity of his native town.
DAVID TULLAR PERLEY.
David Tullar Perley ' was born in Linebrook Par-
ish in Ipswich, January 17, 1824. He is of Puritan
.stock and a descendant in the seventh generation
from Allan Perley, who came from London in the
1 By C. A. Sayward.
ship " Planter," and settled in Ipswich in 1635, where
he died in 1675, aged sixty- five years. His youngest
son Timothy, born 1653 and died 1719, married Dor-
othy , by whom he had Patience, born
March 28, 1682; Stephen, born June 15, 1684; Allan,
born March 1, 1688 ; and Joseph, born June 3, 1695.
Stephen died 1725, leaving a son Allan, born 1718,
who died 1804, leaving a son Allan, born 1763, who
died 1843. He left a son Abraham, born 1793, who
died 1861, who was the father of David, the subject
of this sketch.
Abraham Perley was a farmer and dealer in cattle.
He lived in Linebrook Parish, where he owned a large
farm, and carried on an extensive business. David
was educated in the ])ublic schools and at Topsfield
and Dummer Academies. He succeeded to his fa-
ther's business, and owns the largest and best con-
ducted farms in the western part of the town.
He married first Sophronia O. Phimmer, of New-
bury, June 12,1851, by whom he had one child, Oscar
Wentworth, born March 3, 1853, who now resides in
Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. Perley's first wife died
March 14, 1853. His second wife was Abigail Kent
Stevens, of West Newbury, whom he married May
16, 1861. They had three children, namely :
David Sidney, born February 21, 1862. He married
Annie L. Hart, of Ipswich, February 21, 1887, and
resides on the old homestead with his father.
Roscoe Damon, born August 11, 1864. He fitted
for college at the Ipswich High School and Dummer
Academy, and entered Dartmouth College at the fall
term. 1887.
Carrie S., born October 18, 1865. She graduated
from the Ipswicb High School in the class of 1885.
The mother of these children died June 19, 1879,
aged fifty-three years. He married Lizzie, daughter
of Nathaniel H. Lavalette, of Ipswich, October 18,
1880, by whom he has had three children, viz: Ches-
ter G., born November 13, 1881 ; Mabel A., born Au-
gust 19, 1883; Bertha C, born December 18, 1886.
Mr. Perley has never sought or held any public
ofBce, but has devoted himself entirely to his business
and has been very successful, both as a farmer and
dealer in cattle.
COLONEL IfATHAXIEL SHAT.SWELL.
Colonel Nathaniel Shatswell was born in Ipswich,
Essex County, Mass., November 26, 1834. He was
the son of John Shatswell and Anne Shatswell 7iee
Lord. The name of his grandfather was Moses
Shatswell, that of his grandmother Sarah Lord. His
ancestors came from England in 1634, settling in Ips-
wich on High Street, building the old homestead,
still owned by him. Here they have always lived, a
sturdy race of thrifty farmers distinguished for their
pluck and indomitable energy. All seem to have
been imbued with a military spirit and each genera-
tion furnished its soldier. In all the campaigns and
wars which the earlier settlers waged against the In-
670
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
dians the name of Shatswell appears among the
troops. The great-grandfather of Colonel Shatswell
served with distinction in the American army during
the Revolution. John Shatswell, his father, was
captain of the Ipswich troop, a cavalry companj' at-
tached to General Low's brigade of the militia of
Essex County. The early life of Colonel Shatswell
was passed on his father's farm, and did not differ
from that of every farmer's son — working on the farm
in the summer, attending school in the winter. He
received the rudiments of his education at home
under the instruction of his mother and afterwards
was sent to "the old Puddirig Street School"
under the famous master, Jonathan Pressey. Sub-
sequently, he attended the Latin grammar school.
Leaving .school, he remained with his father at work
on the farm until the spring of 1855, when becoming
a little tired of farming life and with the resistless
curiosity of an energetic young man, wishing to see
something of the world beyond the limits of his native
village, he went to East Boston to live. Here he
found employment in a planing-mill and remained
two years. The old Shatswell military spirit began
to stir within him, and in December, 1855, he joined
the old Boston Fusiliers and continued his member-
ship with this company until the breaking out of the
War of the Rebellion. In the spring of 1857 he re-
turned to Ipswich and since that time has resided,
with the exception of the years spent in the service of
the United States, at the old homestead on High
Street. During the lifetime of his father he assisted
him in the management of the farm and since his
decease has had the exclusive control of it. When
in April, 1861, news came that Sumter had been fired
upon and war began the great tidal wave of patriot-
ism that swept over the country reached Ipswich, and
the historic old town not unmindful of her ancient
renown at once proceeded to enlist and organize a
company. Nathaniel Shatswell was one of the first
to enlist and was chosen first lieutenant and commis-
sioned May 14, 1861, by Governor John A. Andrew.
June 24th the company left Ipswich for Fort Warren,
Boston Harbor, to join the Fourteenth Regiment
Massachusetts Infantry. On July 5th the company
was mustered into the service of the United States,
and Lieutenant Shatswell was commissioned captain.
The regiment remained at Fort Warren, drilling and
learning the duties of a soldier, until August 4, 1861,
when it was transferred to Washington, and went
into camp at Kalorama. On the 12lh of August the
regiment was ordered to Fort Albany, across Long
Bridge on the south side of the Potomac. Here it
remained two years, doing duty in the fortifications
around Washington, and guarding Long Bridge and
other bridges across the Potomac. January 1, 1862,
the regiment, by orders from the War Department,
was changed from an infantry to a heavy artillery
regiment, two additional companies were enlisted and
the regiment was recruited to its maximum strength
and was known as the First Regiment Massachu-
setts Heavy Artillery. In August, 1862, when General
Banks was retreating down the Shenandoah Valley the
regiment was hurried to the front and at Fairfax Court-
House, Va., met the Union army in full rgtreat. Cap-
tain Shatswell led the advance. Halting his men across
the turnpike he affoi'ded an opportunity for the tired
Union troops to reform in his rear and boldly charging
with his own men he checked the advance of the
enemy, and after a sharp skirmish saved a battery
from capture which becoming demoralized early in
the day, deserted their guns as soon as halted by
the skirmish line. As a reward for these services the
guns were assigned to the companies under the com-
mand of Captain Shatswell. Captain Shatswell was
commissioned major December 31, 1862, and for
the next year he was with his regiment continu-
ously, building roads, guarding bridges, doing
picket duty, drilling and exercising his men and
making it one of the best disciplined and drilled
regiments in the army. Returning to the forti-
fications around Washington Major Shatswell re-
mained until May 15, 1864, when the regiment was
ordered to the front, and started at once from Alex-
andria, Va., for Belle Plain with its full complement
of twelve companies and each company with full
ranks, marching from Belle Plain by way of Frede-
ricksburg, May 18, 1864, it reported to General
Meade near Spotsylvania. General Meade assigned
the regiment to General R. O. Tyler's division of
heavy artillery, placing its Colonel, Thomas R. Fan-
nalt, in command of the brigade. May 19th the
brigade while supporting a battery on the extreme
right of the Union lines was exposed to a terrible fire
from the rebel troops. Leading the advance Major
Shatswell's regiment was engaged with Rhode's divi-
sion of General Ewell's Corps. At the first fire the
senior major of the regiment was killed and the com-
mand devolved upon Major Shatswell who, from that
time till the close of the war, commanded the regi-
ment. All through the terrible fight of that day
Major Shatswell held the enemy in check until they
were finalh' repulsed, and the supply train of Gene-
ral Grant, which was the objective point of General
Ewell, was saved. In this engagement the regiment
lost ninety-one killed and three hundred and four
wounded. Major Shatswell was severely wounded in
the head by a minnie ball which partially stunned
him. He was taken to the rear, and his wound was
dressed. Recovering consciousness he returned to
the command of his regiment and remained until the
retreat of the rebels at dark gave him an opportunity
for rest. On the 2d and 3d of June, the major was
engaged at Cold Harbor, successfully repelling five
attacks made by the rebels on the regimental line of
breast-works.
Crossing the James River on June 14th, Major
Shatswell arrived at Petersburg in time to engage in
the night attack on the rebel works June 16tb ;
IPSAVICH.
671
during this engagement his sword was shot away
from his side. On June 18th, the major was or-
dered to charge the rebel lines in front of him.
Driving in their picket-line he charged with his
whole regiment, the enemy drawn up behind a sunken
road, and succeeded in driving them from their posi-
tion. While leading this charge Major Shatswcll was
struck in the side by a minnie ball, which prostrated
him to the ground. Quickly regaining his horse, he
continued to lead his men. After the enemy had
been driven from his position the major examined
his side and discovered what a narrow escape he had
had. He found in the pocket of his blouse a small
book tilled with papers and orders through which the
ball had penetrated, lodging in the cover of the book
against his side. The colonel has the book, papers
and ball now in his posses'sion. June 22d, while
division officer of the day he was ordered to examine
carefully the ground in front of his lines and ascer-
tain if it was practicable to advance the picket line.
He reported that it was practicable to advance a
short distance. Receiving orders to advance five
hundred yards he endeavored to carry out the orders.
While doing this the rebels attacked his tlank with
three lines in echelon and drove him back. Many of
his men were captured and he himself was only saved
by the cover of a friendly thicket. At one time the
rebel line passed all around him and he was nearly
certain of being captured. Keeping clo.sely under
cover he remained concealed from nine o'clock in the
morning until dark, when he succeeded in gaining the
Union lines.
July 27th, the major led an attack at Deep Bottom,
charging across an open field and relieving a battery.
August l-")th and 16th he was engaged in another
battle at Deep Bottom. August 25th he wa.s fighting
on the Weldou Railroad. From that time till Octo-
ber he was in fort Alec Hays in front of Peters-
burg. He was at the battle of Poplar Spring Church,
October 2d, in which his regiment lost heavily in
killed and wounded. The battle at Boydton Plank
Road, October 27th, was one of the most desperate
of all the battles in which the colonel was engaged.
The whole corps was cut ofi' from the rest of the
army, and so near were the combatants to each other
that each side alternately drew men through the
fence that separated the two opposing forces, and
made prisoners of them. In this battle the colonel
performed one of the most difficult tactical move-
ments which is ever attempted, and then only under
the pressure of dire necessity, that is, to change front
in line of battle while under fire. The colonel with
keen military sagacity seized just the right moment
to i:-sue the necessary orders, which were promptly
executed, and the movement was a success, tlie rebel
assault repulsed and the day won. Until the'middle
of December the colonel, with his regiment, was in
the field continuously and constantly under fire.
January 27, 18G5, Major Shalswell was commissioned
lieutenant-colonel and the next day received his
commission as colonel.
In January, in consequence of a cold, contracted
in a raid on the Weldon Railroad, which brought on
a serious attack of rheumatism, Colouel Shatswell was
granted leave of absence for sixty days, and came to
Ipswich. He again reported for duty March, 5, 18Go,
and never left the regiment again until the expiration
of its term of service. The rebels charged the Union
lines for the last time March 25th. After that, until
the surrender of General Lee at Appomatox, Colonel
Shatswell was engaged in one continuous skirmish,
closely following the retreating forces of General
Lee, and was present when that general surrendered.
Major Shatswell was breveted lieutenant-colonel and
colonel for meritorious conduct on the field. Colonel
Shatswell was mustered out, with his regiment, at
Wa.shington, August 16, 1865, and soon after re-
turned to Ipswich, where he immediately resumed
the occupation of farming. In April, 1869, Colonel
Shatswell was appointed assistant superintendent of
insane at the county institution, situated in Ipswich,
and continues to hold that position at the present
time.
In 1883 he was elected a member of the board of
selectmen for the town of Ipswich and re-elected in
1884 and 1885. Colonel Shatswell is a member of
John T. Heard Lodge, of F. & A. M., of which lodge
he was W. M. five years. He is also a member of
Washington Royal Arch Chapter and Winslow
Lewis Commandery of Knight Templars, of Salem
He is an active member of General James Appleton
Post G. A. R. Colonel Shatswell was married, June
15, 1861, to Mary White Stone, and has two daughters,
Fannie W. and Annis L. Shatswell. Colonel Shats-
well is a man of indomitable will, cool, firm and with
a wonderful power of commanding men.
With steady courage, undismayed by repulse or
defeat, under fire he never faltered, but was as calm
and undisturbed as on dress parade. He carried
the same characteristics into civil life. In the admin-
istration of afi'airs of the town and in his position as
a.-sistaut superintendent of the county insane he was
and is an able executive officer, far-seeing, skillful
and well versed in the requirements of his position.
Steady in his private attachments, his att'ection is
warm and sincere ; open and social in his temper, his
generosity is limited only by his means; with a lively
and delicate sense of honor, neither public trust or
private interest was ever betrayed by him. Intel-
lectually strong and vigorous, he weighs carefully
every matter, and is firm and tenacious in his opinions
without obstinacy. He was a brilliant soldier, and
he is an exemplary private citizen. Modest, quiet
and unassuming in his demeanor, he has shown him-
self capable and efficient in every position he has
been called upon to fill. In politics he is a staunch
Republican without being a bitter partisan. lu
stature the colonel is rising six feet, his frame of
672
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
body is remarkably robust, and his physical strength
fully developed.
JAMES PEATFIELD.
James Peatfield was born in 1804, at Arnold, a
small town three miles from Nottingham, England.
He was the son of Joseph Peatfield, a man somewhat
remarkable in his day. He was a bleacher by occu-
pation, and carried on an extensive bleachery works
at Arnold, doing work for the Nottingham spinners.
Afterwards he came to the United States and was one
of the first to engage in buying coal lands in Penn-
sylvania, having firm faith in the enormous coal-fields
that were just then beginning to attract the attention
of miners and capitalists. Mr. Peatfield did not live
to realize the full extent of the immense resources of
the Pennsylvania mines, or to see this gigantic in-
dustry assume the controlling interest in the United
States. He did acquire a competency by his mining
operations, and died at a ripe old age in St. Clair,
Pennsylvania, where his remains now lie buried.
Joseph Peatfield married Jane Spenser. She bore
him five children, — James the subject of this sketch.
Mary afterwards married to Jabez Mann, Sandford,
Joseph and John, all of whom came to the United
States and settled at Ipswich. James Peatfield se-
cured his early educatiouathome, under his mother,
and afterwards in the schools at Bulwell and Three
Knights Bridge.
Playing as a boy or helping in his father's bleachery
he early became fimiliar with machinery, and readily
understood the principles which govern its construc-
tion. He, when a mere youth, showed a strong pre-
dilection for mathematics, and even to this day has
a strong love for them. He was bound as an appren-
tice to John Atherly, of Arnold, with whom he re-
mained until his " coming of age," and thoroughly
learned the building of lace and woolen machinery. In
July, 1827, he (jame to the United States, landing in
New York city. That same month he journeyed to
Ipswich, where he took up his residence, and has re-
mained in this town ever since his first arrival. At
this time the manufacture of lace was receiving much
attention in this country, and at Ipswich were two
factories wherein lace was manufactured, one situated
on Hight Street and owned by the late Dr. Thomas
Manning, and is the present mansion-house of Joseph
Ross, Esq. ; the other was situated on what Is now
known as County Street, and is now used by S. F.
Canney as a factory for the manuficture of boxes and
as a planing mill. This latter was owned and oper-
ated by the Heards. When James Peatfield came to
Ipswich he at once entered the employ of the Heards,
as machinist. He found the machinery then in
use old and imperfect. All the machines had been
brought from England and had been in use for a long
time. 5Ir. Peatfield immediately went to work to re-
pair these machines and to make improvements, and
finally built a new machine, which was one of the
first lace machines made in this country. This ma-
chine did the work so much better than the old ma-
chine, and with a large increase in its productive
power that the business rapidly increased and bid
fair to become one of the leading industries of the
country. Afterwards a heavy tariff' was liid on the raw
material out of which the lace was manufactured, and
this industry began to languish and at length died
out entirely. Mr. Peatfield then turned his attention
to other fields of manufactures, and in 1839 he in-
vented and built a warp machine, and began the
manufacture of woolen underclothing. This was the
beginning of that immense business, the manufacture
of woolens, which at the present time gives employ-
ment to many thousands of workmen and millions of
capital, and to James Peatfield belongs the honor of
being the first person to manufacture woolen under-
clothing in the United States. The goods were man-
ufactured in the lace factory of the Heards', the lace
machinery was removed and warp machines put in
their place. The Ipswich River afforded ample
water power to run the machinery, and the business
was very successful. A ready sale was found for all
the goods that could be manufactured. This mill
continued to make woolen goods under the management
of James Peatfield until the Heards moved into the
stone mill farther up the river, where was greater
water-power and increased facilities for manufactur-
ing. Mr. Peatfield was transferred to this mill and
continued here for several years, making, repairing
and improving machinery. He devoted his time es-
pecially to the loom department. In 1842, in com-
pany with his brother Sandford, he built the brick
mill on Washington Street, near the Bnston and
Maine Railroad Station, and continued the manufac-
ture of woolen goods, hosiery and underclothing until
1877, when he retired from active labor in the mill
to the quiet enjoyments of rural life. Mr. Peatfield
always had a great loudness and aptness lor mathe-
matical studies, and has pursued them into the higher
branches of pure mathematics, and even to this day,
at the age of more than four-score years, nothing
pleases him more than to find some difiicult mathe-
matical problem to solve or some mathematical puz-
zle to unravel. He at one time constructed a very
ingenious labyrinth, which was the wonder and de-
light of all. He also made a most intricate puzzle
which he calls the puzzle of the squares, which has
proved a very difficult nut for mathematical scholars
to crack. James Peatfield was always a great lover
of horticulture. In 1846 he bought some seven
acres more or less bounded by the Topsfield road and
the Ipswich River, and planted a nursery in a part of
this purchase. After leaving the building of machinery
and the manufacture of woolens he devoted himself
to the care of his nursery and the developing of his
lands. He sold, from time to time, small portions of
his original juirchase to various parties for house lots,
but he retained the part which he had planted as
IXUiXliy LTUlll/ «* AJ-^
■E"'^ ^byA F.Bit^^-^
S^^x<^9^^^
^eJie-
I
IPSWICH.
673
a nursery until 1885. Knowing almost every kind
of fruit tree and plant, it has been his great pleasure
to cultivate his garden and his orchard, and in the
jnire enjoyment of watching them thrive and grow,
his latter days have passed in peace and quiet. Since
1S8.J he has not been engaged in any active business.
October 2, 1834, he was married to Susan Heard, of
Ipswich. Two daughters, — Hannah Moore and Mar-
garet Fox — were born to them, and they are living at
the present time. Mr. Peatfield. at the age of eighty-
three, has his mental faculties unimpaired. His memo-
ry is wonderfully retentive. He remembers every in-
cident of his life, and can give the most minute de-
tailsofevery circumstance and eventof hislonglife. He
retains a strong interest in all the aft'airs of his adopt-
ed town, and is interested in every effort to advance
its prosperity.
James Peatfield is a man of undoubted prol)ity and
lionesty, liberal in every sense of the word and inter-
ested in every good work. Temperate in all things,
simple in his habits, amiable in his disposition, quiet
in his manner, conscientious and upright in all his
dealings, genial and affectionate, his later years af-
ford him the plea.sant consciousness of a well-spent
life.
DANIEL POTTER.
Daniel Potter, one of Salem's most respected and
honored citizens, was the second of thirteen children
of Daniel and Eunice Fellows Potter, of Ipswich,
and was born in that historic town on the 24:th of
]\Iarch, 1800.
His earlier years were passed in his native town,
and here, in his school-boy days, by persevering in-
dustry and attention to his studies, he laid the foun-
dation lor a life of usefulness anil honor, worthy .of
emulation.
In April, 1815, he removed to Salem and became
apprenticed as a blacksmith to David Sattbrd, with
whom he remained until he reached the age of twen-
ty-iwo years, when he commenced in business for
himself on Sewell Street, Salem, continuing until
1827, when he removed to Roxbury, Mass.
Two years later, on the 29th of November, 1829,
he returned to the city of Salem and took a shop on
West Place ; he there pursued his trade until 1852
and with marked success.
The industry and integrity of character with which
he pursued his business commended itself to the peo-
ple, and he was repeatedly called to positions of honor
and responsibility.
He was chosen a member of the Common Council
for the years 1842, '-13, '44, '45, '46, '48, '54, '55, '60,
and 70, receiving the additional honor of being se-
lected as its pi'esiding officer for the years 1854 and
'55.
The ability, faithfulne.ss and dignity which he
brought to the discharge of the duties of this high
position in these years when to be a member of the
43
government of a city was only attained by men of
honesty and integrity, mark him as a man of worth
and e.Kcelleuce.
In 1852 retiring from his trade he was appointed to
the very responsible position of deputy-sheriff of Es-
se.K County by High Sheriff' Robinson of Marblehead,
which position he continued without interruption to
hold, by reappointments, until his resignation in Jan-
uary, 1887, rounding up thirty-five years of almost
uninterrupted official life.
In politics a recognized Republican. As a citizen,
an upright man, as an official incorruptible. In so-
cial life, jovial and witty, and in all those character-
istics which go to make up a man to be honored, re-
spected and beloved by his fellows, a man of note.
On the 10th day of March, 1824, he was married to
Dolly New-ell, daughter of John and Hannah B.
Ferguson, of Salem, a union which has been happily
continued for more than three-score years.
Of thirteen children born to them one son and three
daughters remain to honor and cheer them in their
declining years, viz.: Daniel, Jr., resides in South
Braintree ; Dolly Ann, married to Nathaniel Jack-
man, of Salem; Ellen, married to George H. Pous-
land, of Salem ; and Margaret F., who resides at home
with her parents in Salem.
WESLEY KEXDALL BELL.
Wesley Kendall Bell was born in Albany, Oxford
County, Me., August 10, 1827.
He was the second son of John and Betsey Kendall
Bell, whose farm home was one of comfort and thrift,
so that Wesley, after attending the Common District
School was sent for one term to Wilbraham (Mass.)
Academy, and thence to Greenwich, R. I., where he
was fitted for college.
He came to Ipswich in 1850, where he received an
appointment as teacher in the Grammar School, in
which position he remained for sixteen years, giving
eminent satisfaction by his close application to the
duties of the position, and retaining the respect of all
the pupils who were favored by being under his tui-
tion.
In 1858 he was appointed by his excellency, Gov-
ernor Banks, a justice of the peace.
Mr. Bell married on the 24th of November, 1863,
Kate B., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Noyes.
At the town-meeting, in the spring of 1865, he was
chosen to the responsible position of town clerk, and
the satisfactory manner in which he has performed his
duties has a.ssured his re-nomination and election in
each succeeding year up to the present time.
In 1866 Mr. Bell was apjiointed an Assistant Asses-
sor of United States Revenue (Internal), which posi-
tion he retained for three years.
In the autumn of 1869 he was elected a member of
the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and
674
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
during the term for which he was chosen did most
excellent service as a member of the committee on
education.
In 1872 he was appointed by his excellency, Gov.
Washburn, as a trial justice for the trial of criminal
cases. The terms of appointment to this position are
for three years, and so ably has the dut}' been per-
formed that he has received four re-appointments to
this important office.
In 1878 he was chosen treasurer and clerk of the
Ijjswich Gas-Light Company, which position he con-
tinues to occupy with great credit to himself and to
the satisfaction of the corporation.
Mr. Bell is a cousin to the Hon. Charles H. Bell, of
Exeter, N. H., the genial ex -governor of that State,
and, like his relative, is in politics a positive Repub-
lican— reliable and true to his party — not the blind
]iartisan, but the well-read, thinking man, able to
defend and " give a reason for the faith which is within
him."
Mr. Bell has taken an active interest in the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and has held various
oflicial positions in the order. He is a member of
Agawam Lodge, No. 52, Naumkeag Encampment,
No. 13, and Canton Wildey, No. 2.
It would seem that Mr. Bell, while he has had the
fortune to be much in public life, has continued and
still continues to have the ftill confidence of the peo-
ple of our town.
Said a gentleman who had known of him from the
time he first came among us, " For the citizen of good,
sound, practical ability, of sterling integrity and un-
doubted character, his superior cannot be found."
Said another, " For a man who has been upwards of
thirty-six years in public life as a teacher, as a politi-
cian, as a judicial oflicer, while I am not of his polit-
ical faith, I believe him to be the same honest, upright
citizen as when he first made this place his home," —
and these are but the faint expressions of esteem and
confidence which are heard on every hand among the
townspeople.
In these days it is a pleasure to note cases where
after long terms of official life, the communities where
men live are still ready to endorse them as faithful
and honest in the discharge of responsibilities, and it
is to be hoped that examples like this will be appre-
ciated by the young and that his conduct may be em-
ulated bv them.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
BEVERLY.
BY FKEDERICK A. OBEK.
Its Physical Features. — The township of Bev-
erly is locally bounded on the north by Wenham,
east by Manchester, west by Danvers, south by the
waters of Massachusetts Bay, and the channel of its
own harbor, separating it from Salem.
The centre of this township (which has a length
of about six miles and an average breadth of three)
is in north latitude 42° 34' 38", and west longitude
70° 54' 5".
Within its boundaries are included surface, soil
and vegetation, in greater variety perhaps than with-
in the limits of any other section of equal area in
the State. Though greatly diversified, the general
aspect is hilly, with no elevation approaching the al-
titude of mountains, j'et without any considerable
tract of level land. The general trend of the surface
towards the ocean gives a southerly exposure to its
slopes and valley-lands, of material advantage to its
agriculturists.
Geologically considered, Beverly lies very close to
the primitive rock; diorite in the western portion,
and its eastern half the granite structure that forms
the hills of Cape Ann, beginning here and culminat-
ing in the headlands of Gloucester and Rockport.
Its geological structure, then, is granitic, with a few
shore strips of older and more thoroughly crystal-
line rocks.
Some of the numerous out-cropping ledges contain
rare specimens of columbite polymignite, green feld-
spar and ore of tin; but the mineralogical field is
necessarily a restricted one, though exceedingly in-
teresting, A peculiar feature of the scenery are
these denuded ledges, as well as the great superim-
posed boulders, giving character to the hills and
headlands. These furnish a coarse quality of gran-
ite, which has been extensively quarried and utilized
in the construction of the best buildings.
Although there is much rocky land, there is very
little absolutely sterile within the limits of the town.
Even the rocky pastures, though often discouraging
to an ambitious ruminant, are rich in multitudinous
examples of the indigenous flora.
The soil, in the main clayey, gravelly or sandy, is
strong and productive, yielding good returns when
fertilized.
Natural elements of fertility, such as peat and sea-
weed, were formerly found here in great abundance.
Valuable strata of clay give much material for
brick and pottery, while even the sand of the sea-
shore has been — anciently, at least — a source of profit
to those who engaged in shipping it to other parts.
On the beach near Hospital Point is a deposit of
"black sand," which was at one time much sought
after, for a purpose explained by one of the writers on
New England, two hundred years ago, the curious
Josselyn :
" There is likewise a sort of glittering Sand, which
is altogether as good as the glasse powder brought
from the Indies, to dry up Ink on paper newly writ-
ten."
The only ore which has been discovered in quan-
BEVERLY.
evs
tity sufficient for export is an inferior quality of bog
iron, wbitli was at one time worked in tiie primitive
foundries of Kowley and Lynn.
This deposit lies near the present railroad station
of Montserrat, and is to-day only indicated by a
chalybeate spring, locally famous as " Imn-Mine
Spring," whose waters are sufficiently impregnated to
be nauseous without being positively medicinal.
But one other mineral spring is known to occur in
Beverly, though the subterranean flow of water is
copious and pure, and can be reached by wells with
an average depth of thirty feet.
Beverly's woods and water are its chief attractions,
although its ponds and streams are few and small.
The largest body of water, lying partly within its
boundaries, is Wenham Lake, about one-third of
which pertains to this township. The purity of its
water and the crystal clearness of its ice, have made
this beautiful lake famous, even beyond the seas. It
is some three hundred and twenty acres in area, lies
at an elevation of thirty-four feet above the sea, and
supplies Beverly as well as the city of Salem with
water. It is known in the early chronicles as the
" Great Pond,'' and figures prominently in deeds and
grants. A lesser sheet of water, though in some re-
spects more interesting, is Beaver Pond of twenty
acres, which is still secluded within the embrace of
the pine woods, not far from the Wenham line.
Its outlet, a small stream, winding through the
woods, connects with Norwood Lake, a submerged
meadow-tract of some forty acres additional, which
gives a large head of available water-power at a point
formerly occuiiied by the old "Conant Mill." Both
Wenham and Beaver are stocked with fish, though
not to an extent to make them famous. Their shores
are in places well-wooded, delightfully adapted to
out-door recreation, and hence much frequented by
the inhabitants of the adjacent territory. Round
Pond, in North Beverly, and Little Pond, not far
from Beaver, are the only others, and scarce worthy
of mention.
To its abundant supply of pure water and to its
perfect surface and subterranean drainage, Beverly
owes much of its reputation for healthfulness. Its
streams, though neither numerous nor large, are ex-
cellently adapted for the carrying away of the surplus
water.
In the western part of the township is Bass River
Brook, which flows into the arm of the sea known as
Bass River. Another, which pursues a course nearly
parallel with the main line of the railroad, and empties
into Bass River, is Tan Yard Brook, while yet another
flows along the Gloucester Branch Railroad, and was
formerly known as Job's Pond Brook.
A region lying near the base of Brimble Hill, known
as Cat Sivamp, and adjacent territory, is drained by a
brook variously called Cedar Stand and Sallow's
Brook, which enters the extreme head of Mackerel
Cove; a meandering stream, forked and branched.
running through alder swamps and open meadows,
alternate, locally famous for their wild flowers. A
tradition of trout lurks about its deeper and gloomier
portions, and it was once a stream of importance
enough to su[)port a grist-mill at its mouth, though in
latter times it is prone to withdraw within itself and
disappear almost entirely from sight, duriug the heat-
ed months of midsummer. Farther to eastward is
Patches' or Thissell Brook, where one of the earliest
settlers, Nicholas Woodbury, had a grist-mill. Some
distance beyond is a streamlet, crossing Mingo's
Beach and another flowing into Plum Cove, while the
largest is near the eastern border of the town ; Saw-
mill Brook, where trout are said to have been caught
within the memory of people now living. No one of
these streams is of sufficient importance to claim the
attention of a stranger, yet, collectively, these water-
courses play an important part in giving the coast
that diversity of aspect which is its most attractive
feature.
Of the elements of the landscape those natural fea-
tures most prominent are, of course, the hills, which,
though of moderate elevation, afford the observer from
their summits views unsurpassed of their kind.
One of the finest water views, 2)erhaps, is that
spread below and beyond "Josh's Mountain," near
and to the west of the bridge connecting Beverly with
Salem ; from the summit of Brown's Hill (the crown
of which, however, is now in Danvers) the most ex-
tensive view is afforded, though equally good may be
obtained from the crests of Chipman and Brimble
Hills, especially from the latter. All, indeed, of the
numerous hill-tops favor a visitor with charming
scenes, such as are aft'orded by the contiguity of
wooded hills and valleys with the ocean.
Flora and Fauna. — To obtain an adequate con-
ception of this region as it existed prior to the visit
of the first settlei's, one should become acquainted
not only w-ith its geological and topographical feat-
ures, but with the leading types of its flora and
fauna. These are, to a great extent, interdependent,
and collectively throw light upon the subsequent
actions of the settlers themselves. It was not a bar-
ren country, this, when first seen by civilized man ;
for the primitive rock was covered with a rich soil
clothed in an attractive and exuberant vegetation.
Many plants and fruits were found here indigenous,
while nearly everything brought by the settlers from
their own country took root and flourished sponta-
neously.
The principal native trees and those which give
color to the woods and a distinctive tone to the
masses of foliage (esiiecially as seen from the sea) are
the pines, variously iutermixed with oaks, maples,
hemlocks and birches. These compose mainly the
masses or "bulks" of trees, while there are numerous
other natives, such as the elm, butternut, ash, cherry,
red and white cedar, and a host of shrubs and bushes
of lesser growth.
070
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The remarks of Captain John Smith upon the
coast productions of New England in general are
particularly applicable here: " First, the ground is so
fertill that, questionless, it is capable of producing
any Grain, Fruits or Seeds you will sow or plant,
growing in the region afore-named; but it may be
not eviry kinde to that perfection of delicacy, or
some tender plants may miscarie, because the sum-
mer is not so hot, and the winter is more cold, in
those parts wee have yet tryed neere the Seaside than
wee finde in the same height in Europe or Asia. . . .
The hearbes or fruits (native) are of many sorts and
kinds, as alkermes, currants, mulberries, raspices,
gooseberries, plummes, walnuts, chestnuts, punipions,
gourds, strawberries, beans, pease and mayze; a kind
or two of flax (wherewith they make nets, lines and
ropes, both small and great). Oke is their chief
wood ; firr, pine, walnut, chestnut, birch, ash, elme,
cedar and many other sorts."
Its diversity of surface gives to Beverly a flora
equally varied ; in the gloom of its mo.st secluded
dells and swamps grow plants rare in localities more
to the southward, while the southern exposure of its
coast slopes offers a congenial habitat for several
unknown much farther north. Its fragrant pasture
lands breathe the incense of spiciest bloom in the
season of inflorescence, and here are found those
plants of mystical and medicinal virtues so beloved
of the Indian medicine-man and the "yarb doctor"
of early times. Nowhere in the world is there a
greater variety of berries and native small fruits
than may be found in the coast country of New Eng-
land : such as blueberries, high and low, blackberries
of several varieties, barberries, cranberries, whortle
or huckleberries, elderberries, strawberries, raspber-
ries, wild currants and gooseberries, cherries, grapes,
etc., to which may be added many other kinds and
the nuts and fruits of various trees.
In this region, favored of nature, may be found
most of the flowering plants belonging to Massachu-
setts, many of brightest bloom being especially
abundant ; as the laurel {kalmia), occasionally the
magnolia [m. glauca), on the borders of Man-
chester ; the cardinal flower {lobelia cardinalis), the
bright rhodora, the fringed gentian {g. crinita), late in
autumn, the fragrant water lily {nymphcea odorala),
the choicest species of the violet family, the wild rose
and clematis; in fact, the entire range of flowering
plants peculiar to New Ei)gland. That early blooming
l)lant of adjacent regions, the mayflower (epigcea
ripens), is rarely found here, but almost cotemporary
with it are the saxifrage, dog-tooth violet, anemone
and Housatonia, close followed by the columbine
{aquilegia Canadensis), the " Solomon's seal," " ladies'
slijjper " {eypripedium jmbescens), the star flowers and
a constantly augmented troop of summer flowers.
Certain meadows, in June, are red with that delicate
orchid, the arethusa bulhosa, and white with the
buckbean, while along the water-courses, later, grow
the sagittaria (the arrow-heads), the thickets are
green with the parasitic dodder, and all the road-
sides, later yet, lined with the golden-rod. It would
be impossible to merely enumerate the species (in this
brief introductory), that till the months of spring,
summer and early autumn, with bloom and fragrance.
It was of this (Cape Ann) coast that the reverend
Higginson wrote, when on his voyage to Salem :
*' By noon we were within three leagnes of Cape Ann, and as we
sayled along the coast we saw every bill and dale, and every island, full
of gay woods and high trees.
"The nearer we came to the shore the more tlowers in abnndance,
Bometymes scattered abroad, sometimes joyned in sheets nine or ten
yards long, which we supposed to be brought from the low meadowes by
the lyde.
" Now, what with fine woods and greene trees by land, and these yel-
low flowers paynting the sea, made us all desirous to see our new para-
dise of Kew England, whence we saw such forerunning signals of
fertilitie affarre off."
There is in Beverly, growing wild in the fields, a
native grass, peculiarly fragrant ; and the odors from
these fragrant fields, mingled with the balsamic
breath of the pine woods, and borne to a sea-stranger
by an off-shore breeze, must, indeed, have seemed to
him like favored gales direct from paradise.
Having glanced at Beverly in its aspects topograph-
ical, geological and botanical, it only remains now
(in order to complete our picture of this region as it
existed prior to the European visitation^ to view it
in its aspect zoological. Its elementary features:
rocks, soils, water-courses, vegetation, — these have
been described ; from them — from their relative ar-
rangements and combinations — it may be deduced
that this section was eminently favored by nature,
and well fitted to support a numerous population.
Nor was that population lacking, although com-
posed principally of the humbler inhabitants of the
woods and meads, in fur and feather. With a few
exceptions, the animals found here by the early set-
tlers may be assumed to have existed here from time
immemorial. The knowledge acquired by the early
planters was necessarily imperfect, but they soon be-
came acquainted with the larger and more obtrusive
members of the lower animals that ranged the wil-
derness around them. Says the inquisitive Higgin-
son, writing at that time, and of it :
' ' For beastes, there are some beares, and they say lyons ; for they
have been seen at Cape Anne. Here are several sorts of dcers, also
wolves, foxes, beavers, otters, martins, great wild cats, and a great beast
called a niolke (moose) as biggo as an oxe."
Fifty years later, Josselyn writes :
*' There .are not many kinds of Beasts in New England; they may be
divided into Beasts of the chase of the stinking foot, as Roes, foxes,
Jaccals, Wolves, Wild-cats, Raccoons, Porcupines, Squncks, Musquashes,
Squirrels, Sables, and Mattrisses ; and Beasts of the chace of the sweet
foot : Buck, Bed Deer, Rain Deer Elk, Marouse, Bear, Maccarib, Beaver,
otter, Martin, Hare."
The larger quadrupeds, such as the bear, deer, bea-
ver, otter, martin, wolf and wild-cat, have long since
beeu exterminated here (tliough the locality known
as Cat Swamp derived its name from the abundance
of wild-cats once found there), but several of the
smaller yet remain. The fox yet haunts the hills ot
BEVERLY.
077
the northern part of the township, leading a preca-
rious existence, even though the feeling towards him
is friendly, rather than otherwise, as the survivor of
a race now nearly extinct.
The hunter instinct still remains in the hreasts of
our people, and many here would gladly reimburse
the farmers the loss of an occasional fowl raiher than
that reyuard should he exterminated, and the spark
that lingers from the frontier existence of our ances-
tors become extinguished. Scarce a clover-field on
the forest border that has not still a resident beneath
its surface, in the s^hape of the woodchuck — arctomys
monax — that gray hermit, indigenous to the soil.
This animal, likewise, would be sadly missed and
even lamented, though occasional!)' destructive to
clover and early vegetables.
There is another, however, whose presence would
be gladly dispensed with ; a small animal of inoffen-
sive habit, generally, but endowed by nature with
most pungent possibilities when thoroughly aroused.
"The Squnck," says Joselyn, referring to the skunk
(mephitis mepliitica), " is almost as big as a Kaccoon,
perfect black, white, or pye-bald, with a bush tail
like a Fox — an offensive carion." And, of a truth,
he is ofl'ensive when at his worst; yet, indirectly of
great benefit to our agriculturists as he is insectivo-
rous in his habit. "The Mu.squash,'' says the same
writer just quoted, "is a small Beast that lives in
shallow ponds." This is the Indian name for the
musk-rat {nndrata zibethicus), which still inhabits our
shallow ponds, and within a score of years was quite
numerously represented.
That the beaver once dwelt in our ponds and built
his dams in our waters there yet remain tradition and
ocular evidence ; yet none is found here to-day.
Another fur-bearing animal, the mink, is occasion-
ally seen, as also the weasel ; the other has long been
extinct. But Beverly, even to the present day,
constitutes with several adjoining towns, a fine range
for the unambitious fur hunter to trap in during the
winter months. In the larger swamps the hare is
still found, while the rabbit is a denizen of every
woodland, and moles, rats and field-mice are in
the fields in modern abundance. The squirrels, red
and gray, are quite numerous, especially the former;
occasionally the flying-pquirrel is seen, and the
striped squirrels, or "chipmonks," are everywhere in
the woods and pasture lands.
Birds of Beveely.— Although the number of fe-
rous quadrupeds is not large, the territory embraced
in this township contains nearly every representative
genus of the avifauna, or bird-life, of the Eastern
States. The first settlers, though not particularly ob-
servant of animated nature, could not avoid noticing
the numerous birds. Captain John Smith (1616),
mentioned some of the many birds seen in coasting
Cape Ann, as " Eagles,Gripes, divcrssorts of Hawkes,
Cranes, Geese, Brantz, Cormoj-ants, Ducks, Shel-
drakes, Teals, Mea«es, Guls, Turkies, Dive-hoppers,
etc., and divers sorts of vermin whose names I know
not."
Higginson, a decade later, speaks of wild ducks, pig-
eons, geese, and turkeys, partridges, eagles and hawks.
But their attention, though called to the coast species
and water birds, and such as from their size or habits
were conspicuous, was not drawn to the numerous
speciesresident within the woods and secluded meadow-
lands. The species resident in Beverly to-day, and those
found here at some season of the year as migrants,
number about two hundred, and these were (at least
conjecturally) identified with this region three hundred
years ago.
Our ancestors, those who first settled here and re-
claimed the country from its original wildness, gladly
welcomed the birds, especially those harbingers of
spring, forerunners of the coming of milder air, and
the relaxation of the rigors of winter. Our best lit-
erature has celebrated the softening infiuenee of the
birds and flowers upon those stern settlers who were
compelled to battle with nature for the mere elements
of subsistence. Without these free gifts of a benefi-
cient Providence there would be little to cheer them
at their toil. That they appreciated the coming of
the birds and looked forward anxiously to their pres-
ence among them, and encouraged it in every way, is
well-known. They drew from the ranks of their feath-
ered friends only such a.s were necessary for food, and
allowed the harmless and smaller members of the
fraternity to flit and warble unmolested. But even
the savage, the red Indian, equalled them in this,
never slaying except for sustenance and the simple de-
mands of ornamentation.
With a few .-light additions, perhaps through the
introduction of strangers — such as the English spar-
row— the avifauna of Beverly is essentially the same
as it was when the first settlers landed here. Assum-
ing this, then, they would have found, had they in-
vestigated and classified the re.«ults, nearly two hun-
dred species. Of the hawks, nine or ten, besides oc-
casional visitants in the bald-headed eagle and the
fish-hawk. Of owls, there are eight or nine species,
including the great Arctic owl (though rarely seen)
and the great-horned.
The cuckoos give us two species, the woodpeckers
six, while of the humming bird there is one spteciesasa
summer resident (the ruby-throat), whip-poor-will, one
night-hawk, and one kingfi?her.
The fly-catchers are represented by seven species,
which include the "king-bird," pewees, etc.
The thrushes, also, seven species, containing our
most delightful songsters: the brown, hermit and
wood-thrushes, and the cat-bird, as well as the robin.
There is one blue-bird, one gold-crested and one
ruby-crowned wren, one of the tit-mice, the chicka-
dee, two nut-liatchers, one creeper, three wrens (in-
cluding the house-wren), and one titlark. Of that
large family termed the warblers, we have at least
twenty species. They comprise a considerable num-
678
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ber of our migrants ; for not very many birds are
resident here throughout the yeai'.
Every season a host of birds may be noted winging
their way from woodland to woodland, copse to
thicket. This aerial army of invasion comes to us,
mainly, from the far South, making its long journey
of thousands of miles by progressive stages, never
fairly halting at any one place, except for food and
short intervals of rest, until its ultimate destination
is reached.
The advance pickets of this flying column arrive
early in March, their posts continually being occu-
pied by later visitants, and finally succeeded by the
army of occupation.
The black-birds, robins, song-sparrows, blue-birds,
are among the first arrivals, and these are followed
by others of their kind so obscure of coloration (some
of them — though others are of beautiful color), and
of such secluded habits, that they escape the obser-
vation of any but the trained eye of the ornithol
ogist.
These are the warblers, — quiet and unobtrusive
tree inhabitants. They take their places among.st
the ranks of the w'inter residents, such as the crows,
jays, snow-birds and chickadees, while some of these
latter retire yet I'urther north to make room for
them.
Thus it is that our fields and forests are occupied
by the feathered flocks. The shores are swept by
sand-pipers, plover, gulls and terns, while the so-
called birds of prey, the hawks, owls and eagles, cir-
cle in the ether of the upper air or lie in wait in the
dim recesses of the wood.
The interesting oven-bird, or golden-crowned
thrush, is included in the warbler group. In the
oak woods the scarlet tanager is found. Of the
swifts, swallows and martins, there are six species.
Of chatterers, one, the cedar-bird, one shrike (the
butcher-bird), five vireos and one skylark.
Four members of the finch family, two cross-bills
and two red-polls and snow-buntings, sparrows and
snow-birds give us twelve representatives; there is
one grosbeak (the rose-breasted), one indigo-bird and
one towhee-bunting, or "chewink." That most de-
lightful melodist, the bobolink, resides in our mead-
ows after the first week in May, and we are favored
with the presence of four species of blackbirds.
The meadow-lark is found occasionally, and two
orioles; one, the golden robin, builds its pensile nest
in the elms of our principal streets. One species of
crow resides here throughout the year; the blue jay,
also; and a specimen of the raven may occasionally
descend to this latitude.
The wild pigeon once visited our territory in im-
mense flocks, though now rarely found, since the
great wheat fields of the West ofler it food nearer
home. Within a score of years, however, it was very
abundant in the month of Sejitember, passing over
our woods in great flocks.
That it was equally numerous at the opening of
the seventeenth century, we have testimony from
Higginson, writing of Salem in 1631:
"Upon the eightll of March, from after it was fairs daylight until
about eight of the clock in the forenoon, there flew over all the towns
in our plautacons aoe many flocke of doues, each flock contayning many
thousands, and Boe many that they obscured the light, that pafseth
credit, if but the truth should be written."
One species of turtle-dove is a visitor here, " par-
tridges " (ruifed grouse) are found in every wood, and
quail in the pastures. Of herons and bitterns, five
species visit our meadows and marshes ; plover, five
species, on the shore ; one species of woodcock and
one of snipe. Ten .species of curlew and sandpipers
may be shot here, and three of rails and coots.
The Canada goose sometimes alights here, on its
way to the far north, and, in olden times, doubtless
bred here. Ducks and sheldrakes, to the number of
sixteen, swim along shore and sometimes penetrate
our creeks; now and then a few remain to breed.
Six species of gulls and terns visit the shore ; two
breed on the islands in the harbor. Two of the pe-
trels (or " Mother Gary's chickens "), may.be detected
by the more observant, in the winter. Of loons and
grebes five species, the most conspicuous being the
great northern diver. To end the list, mention should
be made of four sub- Arctic birds ; the auks and puf-
fins, which come down from hyperborean regions in
mid-winter. That species now extinct, the great auk
{aha impennis), doubtless existed here in the time of
our forefathers ; but the only representative of the
family to-day is the little auk, or dovekie, which is
sometimes blown ujion our coast during severe
storms.
In the preceding pages are enumerated nearly all
the higher forms of animal life indigenous here at
the time of which we write. Space will not permit
of a description in detail of these, nor even mention
of those still lower families, of the insect world,
which are numerous ; yet, with few noxious, or even
annoying, representatives.
Tradition has, perhaps, invested some reptiles with
fateful attributes, but it is not known that there are
many harmful here, unless they have been introduced
from other parts. In a word, then, this territory was
amply provided by the Creator with animals neces-
sary to man's subsistence, and even to minister to
his aesthetic tastes ; but with none noxious .so numer-
ous as to cause him excessive apprehension.
The A.BORIGINES. — Mention ought to be made,
before this general subject is dismissed, of the origi-
nal proprietors of this territory, at least, who were
found in possession when it was discovered by white
men.
There is abundant evidence that this region was
looked upon as a favored abiding-place by the red
men, the American aborigines. Not alone tradition
points to it as the ancient home of the Indian, but the
material evidence of his occupation, in the shape of
BEVEKLY.
679
remains of his feasts, his village sites and specimens
of his domestic utensils and implements of war and
the chase. Banks of shells, where the wigwam was
once pitched, and the refuse of the kitchen deposited,
are yet found here. The largest yet discovered was
near the head of Galley's Brook, doubtless an ancient
estuary, on the slope leading to the cemetery. These
ancient encampments were always at or near the
head or mouth of some stream contiguous to the sea ;
for almost the entire subsistence of the Indians,
during the summer months especially, was drawn
from the sea. "They hunted iu the winter," says an
ancient writer, " the moose, bear, etc. ; for this pur-
jiose making long excursions into the interior, but
their fishing follower iu the spring, summer and fall
of the leaf; first for Lobsters, Clammes, Flouke,
Lumps or Poddlers, and Alewives, and afterwards for
Bass, Cod, Rock, Bluefish, Salmon, etc."
" All these, and diverse other good things," says
Captain John Smith, " do heere, for want of use, in-
crease and decrease with little diminution ; whereby
they growe to that abundance that you shall scarce
find any Baye, or shallow Cove of sand, where you
may not take many Clampes (clams) or Lobsters, or
both, at your pleasure, and in many places lode your
boat, if you please ; nor iles where you finde not
fruites, birds, crabs, muskles, or all of them, for the
taking, at low water. And in the harbors we fre-
quented, a little boye might take of Cunners and
Pinacks and such delicate fish, at the ship's sterne,
more than sixe or tenne can eat in a daie."
They are not quite so plentiful to-day; but in the
season our forefathers (like the Indians) only had to
go forth with hook and line, or spade, or lobster spear,
to be assured of abundant material for a dinner. The
shell-heaps of Ipswich sand-hills have yielded many
a specimen of Indian relics, and the fields of Beverly,
likewise, though not so many as the former, where
numbers of the Aborigines were gathered together,
for many seasons, to feast upon the products of the
sea. Skeletons have been found here, in different
places, which were undoubtedly those of the red men,
sometimes with various articles of stone in the graves,
as arrow and spear heads, stone hammers, pestles and
gouges. This was undoubtedly a favorite resort of
theirs, but not held in so high estimation iis the sand-
hills of Ipswich. It was one of the outlying posses-
sions of the Sagamore of Agawam, Masconomo, some-
times known to the settlers as "Sagamore John." His
possessions extended from the Merrimac River south
to the Naumkeag, and from Cochicewick, or Andover,
to the coast of Massachusetts Bay. Being well dis-
posed toward the English who sought settlement here,
he freely granted them all the territory they desired.
But in the year 1700, when the descendants of the
Sagamore were very few in number and without pos-
sessions, a claim was set up by his grand-children to
the township territory. Although such a claim could
not be enforced, and the inhabitants of Beverly were
well aware of this fact, yet they exhibited the fair-
ness of their intentions towards the impoverished In-
dians by settling with them, giving them £6 6s 8rf.,
and taking a formal deed of the property.
The fate of the Agawanis, who were so closely con-
nected with our earliest history, furnishes an illus-
tration of that of all the Eastern tribes. They were
at enmity with the Tarrantiues, or wilder Indians of
Maine, in conflicts with whom they lost heavily ; but
appear to have wasted gradually away, even though
kindly treated by the English. In 1638 Masconomo,
who seems to have been high-minded and generous,
sold his fee in the soil of Ipswich to John Winthrop,
Jr., for £20. He died in 1658, and was buried on
Sagamore Hill, in Hamilton, still known by its orig-
inal name. His gun and valuables were buried with
him ; but a certain vandal, a few years later, dug up
his bones and paraded his skull through Ipswich
streets. For this act he was punished, but the ancient
home of the Agawams no longer afforded them more
than a mere tarrying-place ; the last record of the
survivors is in 1726-30, when a few were living at
Wigwam Hill, in the Hamlet, or Hamilton.
1626. E.\RLiE.-<T White Inhabitants. — A shore
so attractive as that subsequently called "Cape Ann
Side," could not long remain unnoticed by the first
arrivals, and it must have early drawn the attention
of those fishermen of Cape Ann itself: Roger Conant
and his associates in 1624.
When, in 1626, the fishing station there was aban-
doned, and these people removed to Xaumkeag, they
coasted the Manchester and Beverly shore, which
previously had seemed so beautiful to Capt. Smith,
that he called it "the paradise of all these parts,"
and subsequently won the admiration of Endicott
and Higginson. They pa.ssed by its numerous head-
lands and embayed beaches, seeking a site nearer the
head of navigation than these afl'orded, and landed
on a rock on the southwest side of Beverly Harbor.
1 "Near the extremity of North Point, or at Cape Ann, or Ipswich
Ferry, as it was variously called, now a little west of the junction of
Beverly Bridge, may be seen the outcropping of a meUimorpliic rock, as
it slopes its checkered surface to the sea, that, with its intersected dikes
and veins, fills the mind of the geologist with wondering interest, as he
counts the deeply-graven records of eleven of the old earth's eruptions."
To this description, by a sou of Salem, a one-time
resident of Beverly, adds :
2 " Well might we wish — and with no irreverence, surely — that the
.\lniighty Being, who, in His wonder-working caused them, had, as a
twelfth signature of His divine power, afBxed the very footprints of the
worthy company that first stepped nn that rock, to make here their per-
manent abode.
" Here on this spot, thus scored by the hand of Deity, we believe
Conant and his followers, the pilgrim band of Massachusetts, stayed
their wandering feet, and commenced their permanent abode ; and here,
too, we believe, they welcomed Endicott and his company to their wil-
derness home ; thereby tallying another epoch in the world's history;
for here it was that freedom, long confined in the mother country, burst
the crust of oppression that bound her and began to overflow the land
with its blessings, and spread out the solid foundations on which our
republic rests."
1 "Old Planters of Salem," G. D. Phippen, 1858.
= Rev. C. T. Thayer's Bi-Centennial Address, 1SD8.
680
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Their first settlement, where they began their
plantation, living in perfect amity with the resident
Indians, was on the peninsula lying between Collins
Cove and North River.
1 *• Here they took up (heir station, upon a pleasant and fruitful neck
of land, environed with an arm of the sea on each side, in either of
which vessels and ships of good burthen uiiglit easily anchor."
Nearly two years, they remained here, courageously
clinging to the soil they had won from the forest, and
portions of which they cultivated in common with
the Indians; then arrived the "Abigail," with Gov-
ernor Endicott and his colonists, who, at the same
time, furnished them succor and superseded their
leaders in authority.
The new arrivals were, in point of numerical strength,
double those of the original settlers ; but the latter
were of seasoned stock, and not desirous of yielding
up their hard-earned territory and freedom. A con-
troversy followed which, but for the "'prudent modera-
tion of Mr. Conant, agent before for the Dorchester
planters," might have proved a serious matter.
These good people, however, " who came so far to
provide a place where to live together in Christian
amity and concord," ' finally allowed reason to pre-
vail, and, in commemoration of this, changed the
name of the place from Naumkeag to Salem, City of
Pe.ace.
With the " Old Planters," however, this was but a
compromise, for sake of peace; they cast about for
another location, where they could be permitted to
exercise a portion at least of that freedom they had
previously enjoyed.
That they were highly respected by the promoters
of the new company, and that their assistance and
counsel were desired, is shown by their retention in
official capacity for many years, as also in a letter
from Matthew Craddock, governor of the company's
aftairs in London, to Governor Endicott, in April,
1G29 :
"As to the old planters themselves, . . . wee are content they
shall bo partakers of such privileges as wee, from his Majesty's espetial
grace, with great cost, favor of personages of note, and much labor, have
obtained, and tliat they shall be incorporated into this society, and enjoy
not only their lands, which formerly they have manured, but such a
further proportion as, by the advice and judgment of yourself and the
rest of the council, shall be thought fit for them or any of them," etc.
Certain privileges were also to be granted them, but
their leaders concluded to change their residence.
"The legal title was now in the new company, who, strong in wealth
and influence, were decidedly aggressive in spirit, and the only alterna-
tive for their leaders in the forlorn hope was dispersion, and an aban-
donment of the now ripening fruits of their labors. They submitted to
the lesser evil ; but historic impartiality, upon a survey of the facts,
will yield a verdict of exact justice, unvitiated by superior interests and
prejudices." -
We need not to seek for any other cause than this
feeling of insecurity and the desire to occupy the
fertile meadow lands about the bays of the opposite
coast.
1628. As early as 1628 the dwellers at Naumkeag
Bubbard.
" Thorntou.
were attracted by the fields of natural grass on Bev-
erly side. Says one of them, Richard Brackenbury,
in a deiJosition :
"The same yeare we came over, it was, that wee tooke a farther pos-
session on the north side of Salem Ferrye, commonly calrd ' Cape An
Side,' by cutting thatch for our houses; and suone after laid out lotts
for tillage, land on the said Cape An Side, and quickly after sundry
houses were built on the said Cape An Side."
' "The marshes where thatch grew were reserved for roofing ; in 1628,
one in Beverly was especially mentioned for that purpose." ^
Most of the dwellings of that period were cottages,
with thatched roofs and wooden or ''catted" (mixed
clay and stick) chimneys. The first house erected in
Salem was, probably, that of Roger Conant ; and one
he had occupied at Cape Ann was subsequently taken
down and removed to Salem, for Endicott's use.
The leaders of the Cape Ann plantation, and the
most prominent, men of the first Salem settlement
were, doubtless, the founders of the first permanent
colony of "Cape Ann Side," later incorporated as Bev-
erly.
Tradition points to a small colony of fishermen at
Tuck's Point as early as lG28-'30 ; but the first sub-
stantial house was probably erected farther down the
coast.
As nearly as can be determined, the first settlers
who came here to stay were the Woodburys. In the
spring of 1028, John Woodbury, who had come to
Naumkeag with Conant in 1626, returned from Eng-
land (whither he had been sent for assistance) with
his son Humphrey and his brother William. Hum-
phrey (probably with his father's aid), located at or
near the Cove, between two rocky points directly op-
posite the " Willows" of the Salem shore.
William Woodbury settled near the lower point of
the name (Woodbury), and here was built (tradition
states), the first dwelling, a large, double, oak-framed
structure, called the garrison house, about the year
1630. This was. says an old resident, built with
loopholes and scuttles, open underneath, and some of
its oak timbers are in the lower portion of the house
afterwards built there by John Prince. The first set-
tler.s were probably as above mentioned, the first
great house at William Woodbury's Point and the
first town-born child (accepting current tradition),
was of the name of Dixey ; a William Dixey, who
followed Conant to Bass River side, was admitted
freeman in 1634, and died, aged eighty-two, in 1690.
It will not fail to be noticed, that the settlement of
Cape Ann side, afterwards Beverly, virtually began
with the arrival of those sturdy pioneers, Roger Co-
nant and his associates. They were but temporarily
located at Naumkeag, the leaders of this band, styled
the " Old Planters ; " and removed hither as soon as
grants of land were secured, though retaining for a
while, in Naumkeag, their gardens and improved
lots.
1635. In the original "Book of Grants," yet to be
seen in Salem, is found the following entry:
s " Felt's Annals."
BEVERLY.
681
"On the 25th of the llth moneth, 1035." Voted that "Capn Trask,
Jno. Woodbery, Mr Conant, Peter Palfrey & John Dalcli are to have 5
fearmes, viz ; each 200 acres a piece, to form in all a thousand acres of
Land, togeathor lying, and being at the head of Bass River, 12-1 pole in
breadth and see rimno nortlierly to the River by the great pond
side,* and eoe in bredth making up the full quautitye of a thousiind
acres, These limits laid out and surveyed by vs.
John Woodbebv,
John Balch."
Of the same date :
"Mem. the limits of a fearme of ground granted to llenery Ilerrick,
between two and three acres of ground, lying oo the north Bide of Jeffry
Mercy's Cove, bounded by the Rock on one side and Woolytons (Porter's)
River on the other."
And on the " 8th of the twelfth month, 163.i."
" That Israel Burnet may have a tenne acre lott at the upp. end of
Bass River."
In 1639, " 23d day of the 10th moneth,"
"Granted to John Woodbery, Jobn Balch & Mr Connaught 5 acres of
medow a piece iu some convenient place."
The best lands were then found at the heads of
creeks and the margins of rivers, the higher sections
being, for the most part, covered with dense forest,
while these meadow-lands were open, or, in great
part, free from forest.
There were no roads in those days, there being, for
many years, but a single Indian trail between Boston
and Agawam, or Ipswich; hence all communication
between different settlements was by water.
It is related of the origin of the first road in Beverly
that it was laid out by a heifer, which, having been
driven from Woodbury's Point to the farms at the
head of bass River, by a circuitous trail along the
shore, escaped, and made her way back home directly
through the woods. This trail was followed, and
subsequently became a line of communication be-
tween the two places. " Two hundred years,'' says
the historian of Beverly (Stone), "still leave us in
possession of many highways whose numerous wind-
ings bear ample testimony to the same scientific
origin."
Regarding means of travel at that time, a contem-
porary,^ writing in 1634 of Salem, says: "Although
their land be none of the best, yet beyond the rivers
is a very good soyle, where they have their farmes
and get their Hay and plant their corne; there they
crosse these rivers with small cannowes (canoes),
which are made of whole pine trees, being about two
foot and a half over, and 20 foot long; in these like-
wise they goe a fowling sometimes two leagues to
sea; there be more cannowes in this town (Salem)
than in the whole Patent, every household having a
water-house or two."
Of the lives of the planters of that time, the same
writer gives us a glimpse: "For all New England
must be workers in some kinde; and wheresoer it
hath been reported that boyes of tenne or twelve
yeares of age might doe much more than get their
living: that cannot be, for he must have more than a
t Wenhara Xakd.
■ William Wood ;
43J
Jsew England's Prospect," London, 1C34.
boye's head, and no lesse than a man's strength, that
intends to live comfortably; and he that hath under-
standing and Industrie, with a stock of an hundred
pound, shall live better there than he shall doe here
(in England) of twenty pound per annum."
This pioneer life led by our forefathers, passed in
felling forests, clearing land and opening roads and
trails, is well described in several books treating of
that formative period of New England's history.
Of the "Old Planters" who received the thousand-
acre grant of land between Bass River and Wenham
Lake, three — Roger Conant, John Balch and John
Woodbury — soon settled on their respective tracts.
Captain Trask's grant went by exchange to Thomas
Scruggs, whose daughter, Rachel, married John Ray-
ment (Raymond), by a descendant of whom it is oc-
cupied (or a portion of it) to-day.
The two-hundred-acre grant to Peter Palfrey was
not occupied by him, but subsequently came by pur-
chase (1644) into the possession of William Dodge,
the founder, with his brother Richard, of this numer-
ous family in Wenhara and Hamilton. He was
known as Farmer Dodge ; his son. Captain William
Dodge, married a daughter of Conant, a portion of
whose grant was sold by one of his descendants, to
John C'hipman, the first minister of the Second So-
ciety, ordained December 28, 1715.
* " The grant of a thou.sand acres, comprising the five farms, was
always known as the 'Old Planters' Farms.' The fii-st proprietors of
them, and their immediate successors, appear to have arranged and
managed theui in concert — to have had homesteads near together between
the head of Bass River and the neighborhood of the 'Horse Bridge,'
where the meeting-house of the Second Congregational Society (or of the
Precinct of Salem and Beverly) now stands. Their woodlands and pas-
ture lands were farther to the north and east The dividing
line between Beverly and Salem Village, finally agreed upon in 1703, ran
through the 'Old Planters' Farms,' particularly the portions belonging
to the Dodges, Raymond, and Woodbury. It went through 'Capt. John
Dodge's dwelling-house, six feet to the eastward of his brick chimney as
it now stands.' At the time of the witchcraft delusion (16y2), the Ray-
monds and Dodges mostly belonged to the Salem Village parish and
church. They continued on the rate-list and connected -with the pro-
ceedings entered on the record-books until the meeting-house at the
horse-bridge was opened for worehip, in 171-5, when they transferred
their relations to the 'Precinct of Salem & Beverly.' "
It would, perhaps, be well to digress from the fol-
lowing of events in chronologic sequence to glance at
three of these "Old Planters," the fathers of Bev-
erly : — Conant, Balch and Woodbury. Roger Conant,
one time Governor of the Plantation at Cape Anne
and at Naumkeag, was born in Budleigh, England,
in Devonshire, in April, 1591. He came to New
England (Plymouth Colony) in 1G23, removing to
Nantasket. where he remained a while, and then went
to Cape Ann as superintendent of the Dorchester
(England) Company's venture there, being, in point
of fact, " the first Governor of the Colony of Massa-
chusetts." Removing to Naumkeag in 1626 (as al-
ready related), he was instrumental, through his
firmness and constancy of purpose, in keeping his
little band together until the arrival of Endicott, in
3 " Upham's Witchcraft," vol. i., ].p- l:!0, 131.
GS2
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1628. He proved himself, according to Cotton
Mather, "a most religious, prudent and worthy gen-
tleman, always maintaining an interest in the affairs
of the town to the last of his life." An original mem-
ber of the first church in Salem, he was also one of
the founders of that of Beverly, was made a freeman
in 1630, and represented Salem in the General
Court. In addition to the grant of lands in Beverly,
he received, in 1671, two hundred acres more, near
Dunstable, as a " very ancient planter." He died on
November 19, 1679, in his eighty-ninth year, leaving
seven children, — four sons and three daughters: Lot,
born 1624, died 1674; Roger, born 1626, died 1672;
Mary, married John Balch, and afterwards William
Dodge ; Sarah ; Exercise (son), baptized December
24, 1637, died April 28, 1722; Elizabeth; Joshua,
died 1659.
The ancestor of the Beverly branch of the family
was Lot, some of his descendants yet residing here.
The second son, Roger Conant, Jr., enjoyed the dis-
tinction of having been the first child born in Salem
(in 1626), and was granted twenty acres of land in
1G39 in recognition of this.
On the fly-leaf of an old Bible, once the property
of the Conants (according to Mr. G. D. Phippen, in
his memoir'), is this entry by the widow of Roger,
Jr., who lost both son and husband within the space
of si.x weeks :
"The 4 (lay of Mjiy, 1072, being Saturday, my dere littel sone Samuel
Conant dyed. The 15 of June 1072, heing Saturday, my dere, dere, dere
husband Koger Conant dyed."
A most pathetic chronicle of the old, sad story.
John Balch descended from a very ancient family of
Somersetshire, England, where he was born at or near
Bridgewater about 1579. He came to New England
in September, 1623, with Captain Robert Gorges and
settled at Salem with Conant. He was made a free-
man May 18, 1631, and was one of the original mem-
bers of the first church in Salem, also holding various
ofticcs of trust, — an " intelligent, exemplary and use-
ful citizen."
He removed to his Bass River grant in 1638, and
there resided until his death, in June, 1648. His will,
dated May 15, 1648, was witnessed by Peter Palfrey,
Nicholas Patch and Jeffrey Massey, and proved in
the same court a fortnight later.
It brings in a vivid manner before us the life of his
times to read in his inventory of the "great fruit
trees, the young apple-trees, the corn that is growing
upon the ground," and two of his cows "Reddie" and
" Cherrie." Even at that early time our first settlers
were firmly rooted in the soil of Beverly.
Batch's children were: Benjamin, born 1629; John,
drowned in 1662, June 16th, at Beverly Ferry during
a violent storm. It was his widow, daughter of Roger
Conant, who aiterwards married Capt. Wm. Dodge.
Freeborn (who, from his name, is believed to have
1 Essex Hist. Col., vol. i, No. 4.
been born the year his father was made freeman, in
1631) went to England and never returned.
The widow of Balch died in 1657.
The most numerous family in Beverly to-day is de-
scended Irom the Woodburys.
John Woodbury, ilie first of the name in America,
came from Somersetshire, England, to Cape Ann in
1624, afterward removing with Conant to Salem, in
1626. The year following he went to England for
supplies, returning in 1628, bringing with him his
son Humphrey. He and his wife, Agnes, were of the
original members of the first church in Salem, and he
was made a freeman May 18, 1631.
It is stated that John and his brother, William, went
over to Cape Ann Side about 1630, where the latter
settled at what is now called William Woodbury's
Point. From them, it is thought, are descended all
of the name in New England. After his grant at
Bass River, John, or " Father Woodbury " (as he is
called), removed thither and there died, " after a life
of energy and faithfulness to the colony," 1641, aged
about sixty years.
Humphrey, son of John, came to Naumkeag with
his father in 1628, and at that time was nineteen
years old, having been born in 1609. He was a mem-
ber of the Salem Church in 1648, and one of the
founders of the first church in Beverly, of which he
was chosen deacon in 1668.
Other children of John, whose names are recorded,
were Hannah, baptized 1636; Abigail, 1637; Peter,
1640. Humphrey is said to have reached the age of
three-score and ten, and his widow died about 1689.
Peter, son of John, was made freeman in 1668, a rep-
resentative to General Court in 1689, and died July 5,
1704.
William Woodbury, John's brother, had also grants
of land in Salem, and is mentioned in the records of
1639. His children: Nicholas (the oldest), William,
Andrew, Hugh, Isaac and Hannah. His will was
dated 1st Fourth month, 1663, and he died in 1676.
Nicholas died 1686, leaving a widow, who survived
till June 10, 1701. His daughter, Abigail, married
Richard Ober, and died 1727, aged eighty-six.
It is an honorable as well as ancient family of Bev-
erly. "Few enterprises of 'pith and moment' were
set on foot in the colony except a Woodbury was of
the party, and they seem to have been ready early
and late, whether in humble or consjjicuous station,
and whatever might betide, to bear a man's part.
Two Beverly Woodburys piloted the little fleet in
the capture of St. Johns and Port Royal, in the N. E.
expedition of 1654. And a full century later a Bev-
erly Woodbury stood by the side of Wolfe as he fell
in victory upon the plains of Abraham, and wore that
day a sword which is still an heirloom with his fam-
ily." -^
Two other names, equally honorable, and linked
2 Eobert S. Bantoul.
BEVERLY.
683
with those of the Old Planters, were those of Brack-
enbury anJ Lothrop. Richard Brackeubury came with
Endicott in 1628, was a member of the first church,
made freeman in 1630, and was granted seventy-five
acres of land in 1636.
He was an active member of the first church in
Beverly, where he lived till 1685, and died at the age
of eighty-five. The family long ago became extinct
here, though the name is perpetuated in one of our
streets, Brackenbury Lane, which runs through his
former farm.
Captain Thomas Lothrop was another man of force
and integrity who came early from England, and who
received a grant of land on Bass River Side in 1636,
in which year he became a member of the first church
of Salem. He was a representative to General Court
for several terms from Salem, assisted in founding the
church in Beverly, and was there elected selectman
for many years.
The more important events of his history will be
narrated in proper sequence, but it will be well to
keep in mind this eminent man as one of the leaders
of this young and struggling colony. His grant of
land was at the Cove, not far from Humphrey Wood-
bury's, where traces of his house-cellar were shown
until a very recent jteriod, and there he lived for forty
years, a model of fidelity to all his public and jjrivate
relations.
"Brave and gentle, penerous and jnat, confiding, yet cautions and
wise, of large estate for the time, bountifully as sliilfuUy administered,
never sparing of liis own exertions, hut always ready for every good
word or work, he had a rare and remarkable hold on the coufidenee and
affection of the community in which he lived, . . . His house was not
only the abode of a liberal hospitality, but an asylum for the orphan
and distressed. . , . Among those who shared his fostering care was a
Bister, Ellen, whom he brought with him on his return from a visit to
England. She became the second wife of the veteran schoolmaster^
Ezekiel Cheever, who taught for more than seventy years in New Haven,
Ijtswich, Charlestown and Boston."
Lothrop, in 16r>-t, was lieutenant under Captain
Hawthorn, and a captain under Major Sedgwick at the
capture of St. Johns and Port Royal. From the latter
place he brought home a bell, taken from the "New
Friary " there, for the use of the church in Beverly.
We will return now to the chronological narration :
1636. — " It is agreed, December 26, that John Stone
shall keep a ferry, to begin this day, betwixt his
house on the neck upon the north point and Cape
Ann side, and shall give diligent attention thereupon
dureing the space of three yeares, unless he shall
give just occation to the contrary; and in considera-
tion thereof he is to have twopence from a .stranger
and one penny from an inhabitant. Moreover, the
said John Stone doth engage to provide a convenient
boat for the said purpose, betwixt this and the first
month next coming after the date hereof."
In 1653 the profits of the ferry "towards Ipswich,''
were allowed to Richard Staekhouse's family provided
he find boats and men. He continued in charge till
16S6, when he was succeeded by John Massey, "the
oldest town-born child then residing in Salem." Two
years later, Massey had charge of the south side, and
Bogers Haskins of the north (or Beverly) side. In
1694 the latter was succeeded by Edmund Gale, and
he, in 1701, by the widow of Haskins, who, in 1708,
leased the ferry for a terra of twenty years. In 1742,
over one hundred years after the establishment of the
ferry, the rates for crossing were " 3rf. for a person,
9rf. for a horse and 31!. for a chair or chaise."
In 1749 it was leased by Robert Hale, of Beverly,
at three pounds sterling per annum for seven years.
In 1769 B. Waters, of Salem, and Ebenezer Ellin-
wood, of Beverly, hired the ferry for three years. The
rates then were, " Id. for an individual, 2 half-pence
for ahorse, 4 half-pence for man and horse, !jd. for a
chair, 7rf. for two-wheeled chaise, and 9t/. for a four-
wheeled."
The building of a bridge over the ferry was agi-
tated in 1787, the principal mover in the matter being
an eminent merchant of Beverly, George Cabot.
As the proposition gave rise to angry discussion, a
certain Mr. Blyth remarked, that he " never knew a
bridge to be built without a ' railing ' on both sides."
The following year, 1788, the bridge was built by a
distinguished contractor, Lemuel Cox. It rested
upon ninety-three piles, was thirty-two feet span,
fourteen hundred and eighty-four feet long, entirely
of wood. Its cost was about sixteen thousand dollars,
which sum was divided into two hundred shares,
worth, prior to 1830, five times the original value,
but steadily declining later, after the railroad was
built, and in view of its approaching reversion to the
commonwealth.
It was called Essex Bridge, as so beneficial to the
county, and its cost was to be remunerated by tolls
for a period of seventy years, after which it became
free to the public.
This, in brief, is the history of the Salem and Bev-
erly ferry and the Essex Bridge. In 1789 General
Washington, then on his famous tour, was so inter-
ested in it that he dismounted after he had crossed
the " draw," w hich was hoisted that he might examine
it.
1638. — John Winthrop, Jr., having settled at Aga-
wam (1633) has leave to set up salt-works at Ryal
Side — then part of Salem, now of Beverly — and to
have wood enough for carrying on his works, and
pasturage for his cows. The name of Salt-house, or
Salter's Point, remains to this day, Applied to the
jioint l)etween Danvers River and Duck Cove.
1639. — " At genall towne meeting, the 11th month.
Granted to Roger Conant. the sonne of Roger Co-
nant, being the first borne childo in Salem, 20 acres
of Land."
This individual was Roger Conant, .Tr., born 1626,
died June 15, 1672.
1642. — "At a particular meeting of the seven men,
Granted to Samuel Edson 25 acres of Land joyning
to Humphrey Wooilburys farme in Mackerel! Cove,
684
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
& 2 acres of medow where he can find yt there
about."
1643.— "8th moneth: John Balch, for the Basse
River, and William Woodbury for the Mackerell Cove,
were nominated to receive donations of corne for a
certain John Moore."
" It is ordered that all those that have land granted
them at the great pond, shall fence with the rest or
els leave theirre Lands. And all that have lotts at
Bass River are bound to the like conditions."
1644.— "The 29 of the 2d moneth,
" Ordered that Guydo Bayly .shall have soe much of
the swamp that lyeth along by his lott over at Cape
Ann side as he can ridd within 3 yeares next insu-
ing."
Bayly emigrated to Plymouth colony, and sold his
lands to Humphrey, the son of John Woodbury.
These extracts, from the Salem Book of Grants,
give us a glimpse of the toiling pioneers and enable
us to localize some of those hitherto in doubt.
1646.—" The 26 day of the 8th moneth,
" Ordered, that Willm Woodbury and Richd Brack-
enbury, Ensign dixie, Mr. Conant, Lieftenant Lo-
throp, Lawrence & Leech, shall forthwith Lay out a
way between the ferry at Salem & the head of Jef-
I'ryes creek, -and that it be such a way as men may
travell on horse back & drive cattle ; and if such a
way not be found, then to take a speedy course to sett
up a foote bridge at Mackrell Cove."
The original roads were merely tracks or trails, over
the beaches, and leading from one house or settlement
to another, not having a well-defined objective point;
hence their meandering courses at the present day.
From foot-paths and bridle-trails, those most in use
finally hardened into roads, which were ultimately
extended so as to connect distant points, or with the
great public highways, as between Boston and Ips-
wich.
Our forefathers came here, primarily, for religious
freedom ; they accepted the country and conditions
of life as they found them, striving hard and always
to improve both, They could not, like settlers at the
present day, project a town or city in advance, on pa-
per, laying out streets and highways, broad and
straight, and defining beforehand the position of
every public building, park and station.
A home, first of all, they sought; a farm, where the
land was most fertile and its surface most easily pre-
pared for the plough. They found no broad acres of
prairie land lying open to cultivation ; but were
obliged to labor, for many months, at the .surface-
work of preparation. There was at first a struggle
for mere existence ; their sustenance was to be drawn
from the soil, supplemented by the various products
of the sea. Theirs was not a high ambition, yet it
was the noblest man can conceive : to have a home
of their own for the possession of themselves and
their descendants.
This characteristic trait has descended to the pres-
ent generation : this desire to retain an ownership in
the soil; and perhaps explains the thrift and pros-
perity that has ever attended upon the town.
As the founding of homes was the main occupation
of the inhabitants during the first century or so, and
as this gave them little leisure for visiting, there was
not much attention paid to the means of intercom-
munication. Thus it was the original trails, with all
their sinuous traceries, became indurated, as it were,
into the roads of the present day. The cow path of
the " stray " from the Woodbury farm at the Cove to
the larger farms on the Bass River, is now crossed by
portions of Cross and Colon (or Cow Lane) Streets.
It may be well to note, in passing, that the right to
traverse the ancient bridle-trail along the shore is
still claimed by many inhabitants.
1647.— 27th October : The inhabitants of Mackerell
Cove (as the coast settlement was called), were re-
leased from watching in Salem, except in seasons of
danger. They had preaching soon after at Cape Ann
Side, and erected a house of worship. Twelve years
later, they built a parsonage, as appears from the cu-
rious deposition in the Salem Records :
1659.— 9th month, 29th :
" Wee whose nauies are heareunder written being desired to vew and
to take notice what work is yet to be done to the house which John
Norman built for the use of the Ministrie on Cape An Side, having
Tewed the same accordinge to our best vnderstandinge wee doe judge
that the worli yet to be donne is worth att least fiftie shillings, besides
the dividing of the rooms.
"The Tmark Cof Thomas Chubb.
*'TbeZ '* of Zachakiah Heet.ich.
" William Seabgent."
This house was built on the slope of the hill oppo-
site the (Bancroft) house at present standing, which
was built for the minister's use about 1690.
First Church of Beverly. -The records of the
First; Church contain a faithful description of the
first foundation in Beverly, as follows : " The Lord in
mercy alluring and bringing over into this wilder-
ness of New England, many of his faithfull serv-
ants from England, whose aymes were to worship
God ill purity according to his word; they, in pursu-
ance of that work, began to sett up particular
churches ; and the First Church gathered in Massa-
chusetts colony was in the town of Salem ; a gratious
beginning of that intended church reformation, which
hath beine farther prosecuted and prospered through
the Lord's mercy in divers parts of the land. This
church of Salem entered church covenant with pub-
lique fasting and prayer U])on the sixth day of the
sixth month, 1029 ; their number att the beginning
very small, was soon greatly increased and inriched
with divers worthy labourers in God's vineyard as
Pastors and Teachers successively, viz. : Mr. Samuel
Skelton, Mr. Francis Higginson, Mr. Hugh Peters,
Mr. Edw.ird Norris and Mr. John Higginson, their
present Pastor.
1650. "As their church increased, divers of the
members came over the Ferrv to live on Bass River
BEVERLY.
685
side, who, on the 10th of the 12th mo., 1649 (Mr.
Norris beinge teacher), presented their request to the
re.st of the church for some course to be taken for the
means of grace among themselves, because of tedious-
ness and ditficulties over the water and other incon-
veniences, which motion was renewed againe the 22d
of 1st mo., 1650, and on the 2d day of the <Sth mo.
they returned their answer, viz. : that we should look
out some able and approved teacher, to be eniploied
amongst us, wee still holding communion with them
as before.
" But upon farther experience wee, uppon the 23
of the first month, 1656, presented our desires to be a
church of ourselves, and after some agitation about
it, wherein our teacher stood for us, it was put to
voat and yielded unto, none appeering opposite, we
protesting there was no disunion in judgment or af-
fection intended but brotherly communion.
"Our desire being consented unto, wee proceeded
to build a meeting-house on Bass River Side, and we
called unto us successively to dispense the word of
life unto us, Mr. Joshua Hubbard, Mr. Jeremiah
Hubbard and Mr. John Hailes ; and after almost
three yeares experience of Mr. John Hailes, our mo-
tion was 'again renewed the 23d of 4th mo., 1667."
The petition follows of Mr. Roger Conant and some
eighty others, to be set off from the First Church in
Salem to form the Fir.^t Church of Beverly.
Rev. John Hale was ordained 1667, witli John
Higginson, pastor of the First Church, Salem, Thomas
Cobbett, of the Church of Ipswich and Antipas New-
man, of the Church in Wenham, officiating.
Tlie first fast day, or day of humiliation, entered on
the parish records is in 1667, Sth day of Tenth
month. On the 26th day of First month, 1668, " The
Councill of Magistrates apoynt a General Fast, to
mourne for prophainess, superstition & herisie, in
ceasing to pray for the encouragement of religion,
disapoynting of its Enemys, yt the great motions of
ye world bee overruled by God's glory. That He
would bless & direct ye King, Counsell & Parlament,
bless ye peace with Hollend, & sanctifie ye late war,
pestilence & burning of ye city of London, & contin-
ue to New England peace, liberty & ye gospel, & pre-
vent in ye ensuing yeare blasting mildew & caterpil-
lars, & convert the rising Generation."
1669, 17th day. Ninth month, was a day set apart
for Public Thanksgiving, " to bless ye Lord for stay-
ing ye immoderate raines wch thretened to destroy ye
harvests of corne & fresh hay, & for ye harvests the
Lord has given."
Let us now turn to the first records of the growing
settlement, still to be found in the custody of the
town clerk, and in excellent preservation :
1665. — lit month. — "A booke of such publicke con-
cernements as appertaine to the people of Bass river
or Cape An side, relating bothe to theire civill & min-
isteriall affairs, from the first of the first month, 1665.
" 3(/ mij. '65. — Wherecis, we doe, with one consent,
invite Mr. John Hayle to come amongst us, in order
to setling with us in the worke of the ministry; for
his due encouragement in the work of the Lord,
amongst us, according to 2 Chron. 31, 4; & that he
may attend upon the worke of the ministrie without
distraction, we doe promise & engage to pay unto him
£70 per annum, &. his fierwood raised amongst us by
a rate in equall portions, according to our former
custonie ; & for the manner and time of payment,
that he may not have to doe with particular men's
portions of allowance, the bill shall not be delivered
unto him, nor shall he be troubled with gathering of
it in ; but 2 men shall be chosen yeere by yeere, to
take the care of bringing it into his house, and to
make up the account at the time appointed. Also,
whereas we have built a house for the miniStrie,
wherein it is defective to be finished by us. And
there are 2 akers of home lot (to be fenced in by us)
& as much meadow land belonging to it as commonly
bears about fower load of hay ; we doe agree that he
shall have the use of that so long as he continues in
the worke of the ministrie with us; yet, because we
do acknowledge it his duty to provide for wife and
children, that he may leave behind him, and our
duty to have a care of him in that respect, we doe
therefore promise and engage that in case he die in
the ministrie with us, that either the house and two
aker house lot forementioned shall be his, or that
which is equivalent, to be paid (according to his last
will and testament) within the compass of one yeare
after his decease, and for the repaire of the house and
fenced home lot, to be done by him living thereon for
the time being.
" Also, it is agreed that Mr. Hayle shall have the
use and benefit of a pasturing, the time he lives with
us.
" [William] Dodge & Humphrey Woodbury be
chosen to gather the rates for the ministrie.
"May 15th. — There was chosen at a publick meet-
ing, for to make the rate for Mr. Hails maintenance
for this yeere ('65), as followeth : Captain Latbrop,
Mr. Thorndick, Roger Conant, Samuel Corning, Jo-
seph Rootes.
"Mr. John Haile his year begineth with us for his
allowance of £70 and his fierwood."
From this date on, through a long period, the his-
tory of the church is that of the community.
1667. — The first meeting-house was erected in 1656,
just easterly of the present building; but the first
church was organized in 1667, September 20, and the
Rev. John Hale ordained as pastor. The names of
original members are here given: John Hale, Rich-
ard Dodge, William Woodbury, Richard Bracken-
bury, John Stone, John Dodge, Roger Conant, Wil-
liam Dodge, Humphrey Woodbury, Nicholas Patch,
John Hill, Thomas Lothrop, Samuel Corning, Robert
Morgan, John Black, Lot Conant, Ralph EUingvvood,
William Dixey, Henry Herrick, Peter Woolfe, Josiah
Rootes, Exercise Conant, Edward Bishop, Elizabeth
686
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTy, MASSACHUSETTS.
Dodge, Mary Lovett, Elizabeth Haskell, Mary Wood-
bury, Sarah Leech, Freegraoe Black, Eliz. Corning,
Eliz. Woodbury, Ellen Brackenbury, Hannah Wood-
bury, Eliz. Patch, Hannah Sallows, Bethiah Lothrop,
Anna Dixey, Anna Woodbury, Eliz. Woodbury,
Martha Woolfe, Hannah Baker, Mary Herrick,
Bridget LufF, Mary Dodge, Anna Woodbury, Ede.
Herrick, Mary Dodge, Jr., Abigail Hill, Lydia Her-
rick. Mrs. Rebekah Hall was subsequently admitted
by letter from the Church at Salisbury, and a month
later Humphrey Woodbury's wife, Sarah, Humphrey
Jr., John Clark, Jr., Remember Stone and Sarah Conant,
were received into full communion. The first sacra-
ment was observed September 29th, and the first infant
baptized was Abigail, daughter of John and Hannah
Sallows.
1667. — " At a generell meeting of [the inhabytants
of Cape An side, the 11th of the 9th month, there is
chosen to make the rate for Mr. Hale for the year
Mr. [I.] Thorndike, Thomas Lowthropp, Robert Mor-
gan, Richard Brackenbury, Ensigne Corninge, Wil-
liam Ramond & John Dodge Sen., to see it brought
in."
Four men were appointed for ihe year, to see that
the cutting and hauling of wood were attended to,
viz.: "(1) Goodman West, from his house to Cedar
Stan (from West Beach to Sallow's Bridge) ; (2)
Humphrey Woodbury, from his house to the ferry
(probably from Humphrey Woodbury's point to
bridge), and soe to the meeting-house (and from the
ferry via Cabot street to the Old South); (3) Ensigne
Corning, from his house to Mr. Conant's bridge (or
from the Old South to Tan-yard brook) ; (4) Mr. Co-
nant is for all the rest" (probably all north of Tan-
yard brook to the Wenham line).
" Cart wayes. It is agreed that the waves to the
meeting-house & mill be laide out wheare it is most
convenient, & those that are damnified thereby shall
be satisfied by those that make use of the same."
The first mill was at the head of Bass River, near
Balch Street,
The Town Incoepoeated.— The Bass River peo-
ple were allowed by General Court to exercise some
of the powers of a town in 1665, a step preliminary to
final separation from the mother-settlement. They
were still subordinate to Salem until 1608, November
23d.
"Whereas, wee the inhabitants of Basse River and Cape Ann Bide,
after many agitations in publique meetings what might bo for our com-
fortable eettloing, made choise of gome amongst us to draw upp a writ-
ing specifying our desires and deputing messengers to the General Court
held att Boston the 29th of Aprill 1668, by petition to our Governor &
magistrates to invest them with power to choose yearly a fitt number of
persons, who might iiave power within themselves as Selectmen have in
other places, and so to act in the behalfe of the place by imploying
others, ofBcors or persons, as the affairs of the place may occasion.
"Att the next General Court att Boston the 14th of October 1668,
"Wee received thia answer ; that they judged meete that henceforth wee
ehould be a towneshij^p of oursolvea, nomanating itt Beverly."
The County (Essex) was iocorporatcd in 1643. The
eight original towns wereNaumkeag, 1626 ; Salem, set-
tled 1628; Lynn, 1629; Ipswich, 1633-34; Cochichew-
ic (Andover), 1634; Enon (Wenham), 1639; Row-
ley, 1639 ; Newbury (offshoot of Ipswich), 1635 ; Glou-
cester (Cape Ann, 1624). 1642; chronologically, the
settlements were: Cape Ann, 1624-25; Naumkeag,
1626; Salem, 1628; Lynn, 1629; Cape Ann Side
(Beverly), 1630 ; Ipswich, 1634, etc.
*'It was not long," says Cotton Mather, in his
Magnalia Christi Americana, " before the Massachu-
setts colony was become like an hive, overstocked
with bees; and many of the new inhabitants enter-
tained thoughts of swarming into plantations extended
further into the country."
Thus had "Cape Ann Side" and "Bass River"
grown from its small beginnings until strong enough
to set up a hive of its own, and, in turn, send out the
avani couriers of conquest and colonization. And re-
garding the name selected, '* As there are few of our
towns but what have their namesakes in England, so
the reason why most of our towns are called what
they are, is because the chief of the first inhabitants
would thus bear up the names of the particular
places there from whence they came." This may not
have been the case with Beverly, though the inhabi-
tants of Cape Ann Side were exceedingly fortunate in
the euphonious appellation bestowed by General Court.
The name may have been suggested by Beverley in Eng-
land, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, celebrated for
its beautiful minster and as the home of John de
Beverley, Archbishop of York, a thousand years ago.
The name also, may have been derived from " Beaver
Lea " or beaver meadow, as we have " Beaver Pond ; '*
and remains of beaver dams have been found here.
Notwithstanding the beauty of the name and its asso-
ciations, some of the settlers were dissatisfied, as ap-
pears in 1671 (May 28), in
"The umblo petition of Roger Conant, of Bass river, alias Beverly
who have bin a planter in Ni.nv England fortie-eight yeers and vpwards,
being one of the first, if not the very first, that resolved and made good
my settlement, vnder God, in matter of plantation with my family, in
this collony of the Masaacliusott. Bay, and bane bin inatrumentall, both
for the founding and carrying on of the same ; and when in the infancy
thereof, it was in great hassard of being deserted, I was a means, through
grace assisting me, to stop the flight of those few that then were heere
with me, and that my vtter deniall to goe away with them, who would
haue gon either for England or mostly for Virginia, but therevpon
stayed to tlie hassard of our Hues.
" Now my vmble snit and request is vnto this honorable Court, onlie
that the name of our town or plantation may be altred or changed from
Beuerly and be called Budleigh. I haue two reasons that haue moved
me vnto this request. The first is the great dislike and discontent for
this name of Beuerly, because, (wee being but a small place) it hath
caused ou vs a constant nickname of beggarly, being in the mouths of
many, and no order was giuen or consent by the people heere to their
agent for any name vntill they were shure of being a town granted in
the first place.
" Secondly, I being the first that had house in Salem (and neuer had
any hand in naming either that or any other towne) and myself with
those that were then with me, being all from the western part of Eng-
land, desire this western name of Budleigh, a market town in Deuon-
shier and neere vnto the sea as wee are heere in thia place, and where
myself was borne.
"Now in regard to our firstnesse and antiquity in this soe famous a
colony, we should umblie request this littell priuelidg with your fauors
and consent, to giue this name abouesaid vnto our town.
BEVERLY.
087
" I netier yet mode Bute or request vnto the Cenerall Court for the
Irast matter, tho' I thinks I might as well bauo done, as many others
haue, who haue obtained much without hassard of life or preferring the
publick pood before theire own interest, which, I praise God, I haue
done. If tills my snte may lind arceptation with your worships, I shall
rest vniMy tlmnUfnll and my praires shall not cease vnto the throne of
grace for tiod's guidance and his blessing to be on all your miglitie pro-
ceedings and that instice and righteousness may be eurie where adminis.
tered, and sound doctrine, truth, and holiness eurie where taught and
practised throughout the wilderness, to all posterity, which God grant.
Amen.
" Your worships vmble petitioner and servant,
" KOGER C'ONANT." *
His petition was not granted, fortunately, though
the General Court gave him, in recognition of his
services, two hundred acres of land, near Diinstahle.
This petition is inserted, at length, owing to its
great value in authenticating several facts in Beverly's
early history.
1668. — yovcmbei- 23. — "Att a gener.ill meeting of
the luhahitauts of Beverly, this 23d Nov., 1G(!8, se-
lectmen were nominated, & by vote 5 chosen, to or-
der the affaires & consernmenta of the town for this
yeare following, viz. : Capt. Thomas Lothropp, Wni.
Dixey, Wm. Dodge, sen., John West, Paule Thorn-
dike. . . .
" It is ordered, that the selectmen shall call in all
old accorapts & see them rectified.
'■ It is also agreed at this present meeting, that
Capt. Lothropp, Wm. Dodge, sen., John Rayment,
Edw'd Byshopp & Wm. Rayment, shall meet with our
neighbours of Salem, to divide the grounds between
us . . . in tyme convenient."
A little ])revions to this time, in 1G60, Salem had
applied to the Legislature for a grant of the islands
lying off her harbor, though nearer the Beverly shore,
Baker's Island and the Jliserys.
" Whereas there are certayne Hands neare our
towne commonly known by the names of the Miserys
and Baker's Hand, fit for fishing employments, etc."
In 16(32-()3 Thomas Tyler, then of Martha's Vine-
yard, son of Masconomo, the Ipswich sagamore, sold
his claim on these islands to Bartholomew Gale ; but
it was disallowed by Salem.
They were then covered with primitive forest.
The "Misery" was so called from a dis.astrous
shipwreck happening there.
Baker's Kland was so-called after one Robert Baker,
a ship-carpenter, ancestor of the present families of
the name in North Beverly and the Cove, who was
accidentally killed while felling timber there.
1669. — Jane 11. — "At a generall towne meeting,
legally warned by the Inhabitants of Beverly, it is
agreed upon that Mr. John Hailes shall have hold
and enjoy that i>arcell of land being within the gen-
erall fence of the field adjoyning unto his pasture
which he bought of Wm. Dodge, sen., for him and his
heirs forever, hee maintaining the side fence liing
against the Common without the field. (This land
probably lies along Essex St., adjoining Prospect
^ Mass. Hiat. Collections.
Hill, which was Hale's pasture). It is allso ordered
this present tyme by a generall vote that no man
shall fall any timber in the Commons without order,
except it be for his own use ; but he shall pay the
value of twenty shillings for each tree, to him or
them, that are deputed to receive it for the publique
good of the place."
1070. — 29th April. — Ordered and generally voted,
"that there shall not be any of the towne land liing
in the Commons disposed of uppon any accoumpt ;
but by the consent of the whole, att a Generall towne
meeting, legally warmed."
" March 24th. It ia ordered that all swyne above 3
month shall be sufficiently ringed and yoaked.''
1671. — It is ordered that the country highway
from Cederstand up to the meeting-house, as far as
the ferry, be made sufficient for horse and cart.
It is agreed with Jonathan Byles to make a pound
for the town. "And the said Jonathan is to have
for this pound aforesaid & to make a payre of stocks,
both to be brought in and sett up in ' Beverly, 50
shillings,' part of it in trees from the Commons.
17th Aug. "It is ordered that their shall be a rate
made to make provision for powder & shott & ammu-
nition, according as the law requires, by the select-
men.
\Zth Sept. " It was agreed that a place for buriall
should be provided, and an acre of ground to be got-
ten,— which was bought of Lieut. Wm. Dixey, lying
by the country highway on the one side, bounded on
the other side uppon Nathaniel Stone & Josias
Rootes." (This land extended from Milton to Wallis
st'eets, between Cabot street and Stephen's hill,) and
was not used for burial purposes, but exchanged for
land of John Lovett.
1672.— The town contributed (February 14th), £13
to Harvard College.
The bounds between Beverly and Manchester were
defined and settled about as they stand to-day. The
land bought for a cemetery was " exchanged with
John Lovett, Jun., for one acre of Land, on part
whereof the publique meeting-house standeth, begin-
ing at the bound tree on the northeast & so to make
u]) the acre compleat towards the house of the said
John Lovett." (This latter is the one first used as a
cemetery, on a portion of which the present Old
South chapel stands, and through which Abbott
Street now runs.)
1674. — "It was agreed upon and vote<l that there
shall as soon as conveniently may be, a school-house
built that shall likewise be for a watch-house ; and
that the said house shall be set upon the town's land
by the meeting-house." Its construction was de-
layed, and for a time the school continued to be held
in the church.
1675. — " It is agreed at a ])ublick towne meetinge,
in the two & twentie day of October, that they should
have forthwith a forte builte, about the meeting-
house, & one at Bass River, & one at Mackrill Cove
688
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
& another at John Dodge's, senior," near the Wen-
ham line.
The Narragansett War. — These preparations for
defense announce that the niutterings of war were be-
ginning to disturb tlie calm of their peaceful occupa-
tions. Philip of Pokanoket, the dreaded sachem of
the Wampanoags, broke the peace, which had existed
between his tribe and the settlers for fifty years, and
began the series of massacres that alarmed every resi-
dent in the colonies. No section felt safe from at-
tack; all the towns joined in sending soldiers to the
seat of operations in the Connecticut Valley. And
even Beverly, though remote from the field of active
warfare, felt the necessity for not only defensive, but
aggressive action.
Her favorite .son. Captain Lothrop, was appointed
to the command of a company of infantry in the
Massachusetts forces, and with them hastened to the
frontier. The town of Hadley was then the head-
quarters of the troops in that region, and at that
place Captain Lothrop was soon found, with his choice
company of young men, selected from the best fam-
ilies in the county, and styled the " Flower of
Essex."
The provisions and forage of Hadley ran short, but
in the near town of Deerfield was a large amount of
grain, estimated at 3000 bushels, stacked in the fields,
which had been abandoned by the farmers when
driven out by the Indians. To thresh this grain and
transport it to Hadley, Captain Lothrop and his com-
pany were detached, and set out for Deerfield with a
number of teams and drivers.
Having secured the grain, Lothrop began the re-
turn march to Hadley, on the 18th of September,
without apprehension of attack from Indians, as none
had been seen. But the wily Philip had marked him
for his prey. The following account,' published many
years ago, describes the terrible event :
" For the distance of about three miles, after leaving Deeriield mea-
dow, Lothrop's march lay through a very level country, closely wooded,
where he was every moment exposed to an attack on either tlank ; at
the termination of this distance, near the south point of Sugar-loaf hill,
the road approximated the Connecticut River, and the left wa.s in some
measure unprotected. At the village now called Muddy Brook, in the
southerly part of Deerfield, the road crossed a small stream, bordered by
a narrow morass, from which the village has its name ; though more
appropriately it should be denominated Bloodij Brook, by which it is
sometimes known. Before arriving at the point of intersection with the
brook, the road for about half a mile ran parallel with the morass, then,
crossing, it continued to the south point of .Sugar-loaf bill. On discov-
ering Lothrop's march, a body of upwards of seven hundred Indiana
planted themselves in ambuscade at the point of crossing, and lay in
waiting. Without scouring the woods in front and flank, or suspecting
the snare laid for him, Lothrop arrived at the fatal spot, crossed the
morass with the principal part of his force, and probably halted to allow
his teams to drag through their loads. The critical moment had arrived
— the Indians instantly poured a heavy and destructive fire upon the
column, and rushed furiously to the attack. Confusion and dismay
succeeded. The troops broke and scattered, liercely pursued by the
Indians, whose great superiority enabled tliera to attack at all points
Hopeless was the situation of the scattered troops, and they resolved to
sell their lives in a vigorous struggle. Covering themselves with trees,
the bloody conflict now became a trial of skill in sharpshooting, in which
1 Hoyt's " Indian Wara."
life was the stake. Difficult would it be to describe the havoc, barbarity
and misery that ensued. The dead, the dying, the wounded, strewed
the ground in all directions; the devoted force was soon reduced to a
small number, and resistance became faint. At length the unequal
struggle terminated in the annihilation of nearly the whole uf the Kn-
glish, only seven or eight escapiug to relate the dismal tale ; and the
wounded were indiscriminately butchered. Captain Lothrop fell in the
early part of the action."
The whole loss, including teamsters, amounted to
ninety, and among the slain were included, I'rom Bev-
erly, besides the lamented Lothrop, Josiah Dodge,
Peter Woodbury and John (Joseph)? Balch, John
Bennett,!?) Edward Trask, (?)Samuel Whitteridge. (?)
Unsuspicious of danger, it is said, the soldiers had
laid aside their arms and were gathering grapes by
the roadside when the destructive vollej's were poured
into their ranks.
- "This catastrophe sent a thrill of terror and dismay through all the
New England colonies. Especially did the news of it come with appall-
ing force to this county, from which its choicest flowers, all culled out
of its towns, and blooming so lately in manly beauty and strength, had
been thus suddenly cut down and withered as by untimely frost.
Throughout its length and breadth, scarcely was there a village or
hamlet left unscathed by this great calamity. More particularly, and
with stunning effect, did the blow fall here, where, besides several that
were deeply lamented, the fallen chief was best known, and for that
reason most respected, trusted and loved."
In the year 1835 the burial-place of Lothrop and
his thirty men was identified, and a monument erect-
ed (1838) in commemoration of the battle of Bloody
Brook. At the laying of its corner-stone, Edward
Everett delivered a memorable address, saying, in con-
clusion, "The ' Flower of Essex ' shall bloom in un-
dying remembrance, as the lapse of time shall con-
tinually develop, in richer abundance, the fruits of
what was done and suffered by our fathers." In order
that the descendants of such ' fathers ' should remem-
ber one of the most valiant of their deeds, we should
acquaint them with the story, and locality, of the
famous Bloody Brook. The monument erected may
be seen to-day, standing in South Deerfield, overshad-
owed by the towering mass of sandstone known as the
Sugar-loaf, where, beneath a shelving clifi" is shown
the hollowed rock known as King Philip's Seat,
whence he overlooked the surrounding country and
that day noted the movements of Captain Lothrop's
command.
The original list of the slain at " Muddy Brook,
being y" 18 of Sept.," is in the State-House, Boston :
"A List of Men slain in the county of Hamshire,
tho' we cannot gett y° names of all, yet as many as
wee can gett are here ynserted ; al.so, the time when
and place where they were slain." — Mass. Military
Records, v. 68, p. 33.
" Ah, gallant few I No generous foe
Had met them by that crimsoned tide ;
Vain even despair's resistless blow, —
As brave men do and die, — they died 1
Yet not in vain, — a cry that shook
The inmost forest's desert glooms.
Swelled o'er their graves, until it broke
In storm around the red man's homes !
2 Thayer's Memorial.
BEVERLY.
689
" But beating hearts, far, far away,
Broke at their story's fearful truth.
Ami inaidL'TlH sweet, for many a liay,
Wept o'er tlie vanished tiieains of youth ;
By the lilue distant ocean-tide.
Wept years, long yeai^t, to hear them tell
How by tlio wild wood's lonely side
The Flower of Essex fell."
In the same year, 1675, in the expedition against
the Narragaiisett Fort, when Philip met his Waterloo,
Beverly contributed her quota, nothing; dismayed at
■ her previous losses. We find, as the soldiers engaged
under the brave Captain Gardner, of Salem, who fell
December 19th, the following persons, townsmen of
ours : William Allen, William Balch, Wm. Bonner,
Joseph Bayley, Thomas Blashfield, Jonathan Biles,
Christopher Browne, Lot Conant, John Clark, Wm.
Dodge, John Dodge, John Ellingwood, Wm. Ferry-
man, Samuel Harris, Richard Hussband, Jloses Mor-
gan, Joa. Morgan, Ellas Picket, Thos. Raynient, Wm.
Rayment, Christopher Reed (wounded), John Trask.
At th& capture of Port Royal, in 1654, where
Lothrop served as captain, he had with him, from
Beverly, Lieut. Thomas Whittredge, Lieut. Elias
Rayment, Wm. Woodbury, Humphrey Woodbury and
Peter Wooden. From the very beginning of their
settlement, the people of Beverly furnished their
share of soldiers for the common defense and con-
quest.
In addition to these soldiers, engaged, there were
others, in a coinj)any on the eastern frontier, under
the command of Captain Frost. These were John
Ellingwood (who had the fore-finger of his right
hand shot away, for which he subsequently received
a pen-ion), Thomas Parlor and Samuel Colling.
Previous to the attack upon the Narragansett Fort,
when the soldiers were assembled on Dedham Plain,
they were jiromised a reward in land for their services
in addition to their ]>ay, provided they "played the
man, and drove the Narragansetts from the fort."
This promise was eventually fulfiled, but not until
nearly sixty years had passed away, when the soldiers
engaged in this campaign were granted several town-
ships of land, each six miles square, in the wild
region, now included in the States of Maine and New
Hampshire. The township shared in by the Beverly
soldiers or their heirs, was known then as Souhegan
West, at present Amherst, New Hampshire. The
names of the proprietors from Beverly, in 1741, when
they met to take pos.se.ssion, were '* Henry Bayley,
Henry ISlashfield and assigns, * Jonathan Byles, *Lott
Conant, Andrew Dodge for J. Ellinwood, ,loria. Dodge
for John Dodge, Wm. Dodge's heirs, * Ralph Ellin-
wood, Saml. Harris' heirs, Joseph Morgan for his
father, Joseph Picket for his father, Elias, * Thomas
Rayment, Wm. Rayment's heirs, and * Christopher
Read.
1676.— .Vt a public meeting, December 5th, it was
1 From " Hist, of Anihenit.'
the tiglit.
44
The stars denote the then survivors of
voted to employ two constables, in place of one, on
account of the extraordinary troubles of the times.
And " It is ordered by the selectmen th.at the hinder
site of the olders galery in the meeten house is to be
altered, and the Boise ar to seete there, and Robert
Hibberd, senior, is to hafe an Eie out for them, and
for the first ofense to aquaint thar parants or masters
of it, and if they do ofend again to aijuante the Select-
men with it, who shall dele with them according to
lawe."
1677. — May 12th, " It is agreed between the select-
men, in behalf of the towns, and Mr. Samuel Hardie,
that the said Mr. Hardie is to liegin to teach a scoole,
according to the utmost of his ability, . . . and
the said Hardie is to have the meeting-house to teach
scoole in during the somer tyme, and some other
place against winter." He was to receive £20; and
it is explained that " by ordinary learning is meant
reading, writing, arethmetick, and Latin according to
his ability."
Jime 2')th, "In obedians to a law of the honored
Jenerall Corte they made choise of ten men to in-
specte thar naibours to prevente as much as may be,
privet tipling and Druuckenness," whose names be
as followeth: Wm. Dodge, Robt. Bradford, Humph.
Woodbury, .losiah Root, Robert Heberd, Nath. Hay-
ward, Exsersis Conant, John Hill, Richard Ober,
John Dodge.
1679.— 2Sth April, " We whose names are under-
written beeing by the apointment of the selectmen of
our respective towns, mett to goe a perambulation in
the bonnds between our said towns from the Rock at
the head of Bass River to the pine stump in the
swamp that runneth out of Laurence Leach's meadow,
have acordingly gone the SHid preambulation, and
renewed the said bounds as neere as one could guess,"
etc.
Beverly. S.mem.
,Iohn Raiment. .Totin Corwin.
Paul Thorndike. Tliomas Putnam.
Jolin Iiodg. PliilJip Cromwell.
William Raiment. Richard Leach.
Andrew Elliott. John Putnam.
Peter Woodbery. Israeli I'orter.
1679.— 25i!A November, " Leftenent Thorndike and
William Rayment was chosen to manage the case in
ye behalf of ye towne of Beverly at the present
corte held at Salem, which controversy is between the
town of Beverly and Captaine Moore; al)out a bell."
(This was a controversy on the freight on the iiell
brought from Port Royal in 1654.)
1680. — December 10, The selectmen agreed with
William Hoar to . . . "sweep the mecting-liousc as is
necessary and usuall, keep and turn the (hour) glass,
& doe in all respects as Goodman Bayly hath done
before him ; and further, the said Goodman Hoar is
to ring the meeting-house bell at nine of the clock
every night a sufiicientsp.ace of time, and as is usuall
in other places. In consideration whereof the said
Hoar is to have for his i>aiiis as goodman Bayley had.
690
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
viz. : of every family in the towne one peck of come
per year."
It is said that the town was troubled by wolves, and
in 1678 John Edwards was allowed £3 for killing
three of them. These creatures were numerous and
troublesome in the neighboring village of Ipswich, so
late as 1750.
Beverly resisted the claims of the Mason heirs to
their portion of the territory between the Naumkeag
and the Merrimac, and memorialized the king.
After reciting their loyalty to King Charles, etc.
1681. — February 22<t, "So that we can produce
quires, yea Rheams of paper, which we conceive it
would be presumption for us to desire our dread sov-
ereign to bee diverted from the mighty affairs of
three kingdoms for the hearing of; for we had above
fifty years possession, & entered upon°_the place with
the good liking of the Indians, the ancient inhabit-
ants of this country. Wee have adventured our lives
and estates & worn out much time and strength in
the subduing a wilderness for the increasing his Maj-
esties dominions & customs ; and in the late wars with
the heathen have carried our lives in our hands to de-
fend our possessions, with the loss of about 12 English
lives of our towne, & and expended some hundreds of
pounds to maintain our lands, & in this time of above
fifty years neither Mr. Mason nor any for him did
either take possession or disburse estate, or make de-
mand of our lands or expended one penny to defend
them."
The testimony of the aged inhabitants of the town,
as Richard Brackenbery, William Dixy and Humphrey
Woodbury, to the effect that the Massachusetts Com-
pany had purchased of the Dorchester Company all
their rights and property at Cape Ann, before Gov.
Endicott arrived, was regarded as conclusive. They
further declared that they had " free lease to build
and plant " from the resident Indians, and that the
same year, or the next after they had come to Salem,
they had cut hay for their cattle on the Cape Ann, or
Beverly side, and " had been in; possession of Beverly
side ever since."
Although the occupants of ihe soil were never actu-
ally molested, it was not until 1746, after nearly a
century of agitation, that the Mason claimants aban-
doned this pretension and left the settlers in peaceful
possession.
1683. — Beverly became a lawful port of entry, this
year, annexed to the port of Salem.
1684. — September 1st, " At a meeting of the select-
men it was agreed with Andrew Elliott Sen., and
Samuel Hardie, to transcribe all that is necessary to
be transcribed out of the old town book into the new
one within two months after the date hereof; & that
when the work is completed then the selectmen in the
town's behalfe shall pay to .said Andrew Elliott ten
shillings in money, and unto Samuel Hardie five shil-
lings in money, besides ten already paid him on the
same account." The second volume of records begins :
" Third Nov. 1685, then this book was improved for the town of
Beverly, as a town book to record the town concerns by the selectmen
of said town succeesively," etc.
1686. — One of Beverly's aged and worthy citizens,
John Lovett, died this year; he was born 1610, and
was " one of the eight admitted inhabitants of Salem,''
July 25, 1639. At the "seven men's meeting," Nov.
3, 1666, he received a grant of two acres of marshland
lying near the old planter's meadow, near Wenham
Common. He owned much real estate, and his de-
scendants maintain the name in Beverly to this day.
1690. — The town had no regularly-appointed clerk
until 1690, hence the fragmentary character of the
records, which were begun in 1665, until, in April of
this year, Andrew Elliott was elected to the office at a
salary of 30 shillings in money and 40s. in " pay," or
produce. He was one of the five witnesses, in 1680,
taken from Beverly to attend at the execution of the
Indian deed of the town of Salem. He was town
clerk until his death, in 1703— i, when Robert Wood-
bury succeeded to the office. His entries in the rec-
ord were very circumstantial, as witness the follow-
ing :
"John Tovy, sometime of Winserd in Old England, near Bristow,
afterward apprentice with Andrew Elliott, shoemaker, of Beverly, ^ew
England, &, nextly, husband unto 3Iary Herrick (now widdow) was un-
fortunately drowned coming from Winter Island in a Cannoo unto said
Beverly, not to be forgotten, on the 24th day of August, in the year of
our Lord God 1686."
"Andrew Elliott, the dear and only son of ,\ndrew Elliott, (whose
mother's name was Grace) & was born in East Coker in the County of
Somerset in Old England, being on board ot a vessel appertaining unto
Phillip English of Salem, one Bavidge being master, said vessel being
then at Cape Sables, by an awful stroke was violently thrown into the
sea & there perished in the water, to the great grief of his said father,
the penman hereof ; being aged about 37 years on the 12th day of Sep-
tember, about 10 of the clock in the morning, according to the l)est in-
formation, in the year of onr Lord God 1088.
"Deep meditation surely, every man in his best estate is wholly
vanitie."
The year 1690 was signalized liy the unfortunate ex-
pedition against Quebec, under Sir William Phipps.
The town borrowed money ''to buy great guns and
ammunition," and a company was raised and sent with
the expedition, under Capt. William Rayment. This
adventure is said to have cost Massachusetts £.50,000,
besides many men, and was disastrous from the be-
ginning. Captain Rayment and his command were
subjected to great privations, for which they were
"subsequently rewarded by a grant of a township of
land."
1692. Witchcraft Proceedings. — It is on record
that the Rev. Mr. Hale served as chaplain in this cam-
paign, and that on his return he found the country
agitated over the witchcraft sensation. Although
none of Beverly's inhabitants perished in this diaboli-
cal cyclone, yet several were cried out against by the
"Salem wenches," the "afflicted" children, and nar-
rowly escaped with their lives. Four, at least: Dorcas
Ploar, Sarah Morell, Susanna Rootes and Job Tuckey,
were accused, arrested, condemned and imprisoned.
Sarah Morell and Dorcas Hoar were arrested by Mar-
BEVERLY.
691
shal Herrick,' May 2, 1692, on a warrant issued by
Capt. .lona. Walcot and Sergt. Thos. Putnam, of Salem
Village, which included the well-known merchant of
Salem, Philip English. So far as we may judge from
the records of the trials, Dorcas Hoar was the bravest
and most outspoken of any of that innocent band of
accused, penetrating through the transparent deceit
of the " wenches," and promptly characterizing the
proceedings as infamous. When she was brought into
court the aifiicted pretended to fall into fits at sight of
her. "After coming out of them they vied with each
other in heaping all sorts of accusations upon the
prisoner; Abigail Williams and Ann Putnam charg-
ing her with having choked a woman in Boston ; Eli-
zabeth Hubbard crying out that she was pinching her,
and showing the marks to the standers-by. The mag-
istrate, indignantly believing the whole, said : ' Dorcas
Hoar, why do you hurt these?' She answered, — 'I
never hurt any child in my life ! ' The girls then
charged her with having killed her husband, and with
various other crimes. Mary Walcot, Susanna Sheldon
and Abigail Williams said they saw a black man
whispering in her ear. The spirit of the prisoner was
raised, and she said: ' Oh, you are liars, and God will
stop the mouth of liars ! ' The anger of the magistrate
was roused by this bold outbreak. ' You are not to
speak after this manner in court.' 'I will speak the
truth as long as I live,' she fearlessly replied.''
Having ventured to oppose the bigoted and insen-
sate magistrate and those inspired idiots the " afflicted
children," she was, of course, sent to prison.*
Susanna Rootes was arrested the 21st of May, Job
Tookey on the 4th of June, iigainst Job it was de-
clared that he could "as freely discourse with the
devil"' as with his accuser, John Lander; that he had
afflicted three of the " children,'' and had caused the
death of Andrew Woodbury. Job Tookey is described
as a "laborer," and was charged with having said that
he would take Mr. Burroughs' (the accused minister's)
part, and that "he was not the devil's servant, but
that the devil was his." When charged that his shape
afflicted persons, he stoutly assumed that in that case
"it was not he, but the devil in his shape, that hurt
them." The three girls, Susanna Sheldon, Mary War-
ren and Ann Putnam, then cried out upon him and
then were struck dumb ; after which performance
Mary Warren recovered her speech and exclaimed :
" There are three men, and three women, and two
children, all in their winding sheets ; they look pale
upon us, but red upon Tookey — red as blood." Then
1 *' Marshal Herrick does not appear to have been connected %vith Joseph
Herrick, who lived on what is now called Cherry Hill, but was a man of
an entirely different stinip. He was thirty-four years of age, and had
not been long in the country." — Upham.
2 Dorcas Hoar was the wife of sexton "Goodman Hoar," and their
house was near the Hale parsonage, probably not far from West Dane
Street {as it now runs). She was a daughter of John Galley, free of
speech and independent in her bearing. A friend of hers had been ac-
cused of stealing by Mrs, Hale, and this fact may have led to the accusa-
tion of the latter by tlie afflicted children.
she saw "a young child under the table, crying out
for vengeance," and one of her confederates was struck
speechless, pointing in horror to the same shape under
the table.
Poor Job may well have been struck with amaze-
ment upon hearing himself accused of murdering
nearly all who had died at Eyal's Side for the year or
two past, and the magistrates — Bartholomew Gedney,
Jona. Corwin and John Hathorne — are represented as
having been highly incensed at his obduracy in deny-
ing the charges, and promptly committed him to jail.
That these people were eventually released does not
lessen the guilt of their accusers and of those who
lent themselves as accessories to their conviction.
Even the revered minister of Beverly, the Rev. John
Hale, countenanced the proceedings against the ac-
cused Bridget Bishop, at one time a communicant in
his church. About the year 1687 there resided at
Ryal's Side "A woman in the neighborhood, subject
to fits of insanity, who had, while passing into one of
them, brought an accusation of witchcraft against her;
but, on the return of her reason, solemnly recanted,
and deeply lamented the aspersion."'
Rev. Mr. Hale had examined into the case at the
time and exonerated Sifter Bishoj) from the charge,
yet " under the malign influence of his friend, the
Rev. Sam. Parrish," he went into court in 1692,
" without any pretence of new evidence touching the
facts of the case, and related them to the effect and
with the intent to make them bear against her."
Bridget Bishop, innocent of crime, was condemned
and soon after executed, June 10, 1692.
In October of the same year, Mr. Hale's own wife
was accused, and then his feelings underwent a
change. In a treatise, subsequently written against
the " delusion," he says : " I have had a deep sense
of the sad consequences of mistakes in matters capi-
tal, and their impossibility of recovering when com-
pleted ; and what grief of heart it brings to a tender
conscience to have been unwittingly encouraging of
the sufferings of the innocent."
The remarks of Cotton Mather may, not inaptly,
be quoted here : " They now saw that the more the
afflicted were hearkened unto the more the number
of the accused increased ; until at last many scores
were cried out upon, and among them some who by
the unblameableness, yea, and serviceableness, of
their whole conversation, had obtained the just repu-
tation of good people among all that were acquainted
with them. The character of the afflicted, also, added
unto the common distaste ; for though some of them,
too, were good people, yet others of them, and such
of them as were most tiippant at accusing, had a far
other character." Setting aside this labored apology
for the accusers, this admission of Mather's shows
that the " afflicted " had overreached themselves,
and had struck too high.
3 t'phain's Witchcraft, Vol. ii. pp. 2'>, et stq.
692
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUxNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
As the first victim executed, Bridget Bishop, was at
one time a resident within the present limits of
Beverly, and a member of the first church here; so
likewise, the last to be selected was a shining light
in this same cliurcb and community. But Mistress
Hale, of Beverly, was one whose piety and " uu-
blameableness" was known to all.
" The whole community became convinced that
the accusers, in crying out upon Mrs. Hale, had
perjured themselves, and from that moment their
power was destroyed ; the awi'ul delusion was dis-
pelled, and a close put to one of the most tremen-
dous tragedies in the history of real life." '
It is curious to note, in this connection, that one
of the four daughters of the ill-fated Giles Corey,
who was " pressed to death," was the wife of William
Cleeves, of Beverly. Two of the wretched man's
sons- in-law were among his accusers, but the other
two remained constant in their belief in his inno-
cence. To them he willed his entire property, and
(it is believed), in order not to invalidate their right
to it, endured the tortures of a horrible death; since,
if he had come to trial, his property would have been
confiscated. By refusing to plead, either guilty or
not guilty, he obliged the court to stay his trial ;
but, in order to force him to speak the magistrates
imposed upon him the terrible sentence, which he
suffered.
Returning to the town records, we find among the
entries of that same fateful year, one that will lend an
additional interest to investigation ; under the head
of " births " is recorded : " John, son of Rev. John
Hale, and Sarah his wife, December 24th, 3692."
Following along a little later, and without over-
stepping a strictly chronological record of events, we
may note: " Mrs. Sarah Hale, wife of Rev. John
Hale, pastor of the church in Beverly, departed this
life on the 20th day of May in the year 1695."
A loving tribute to departed worth, is the poem by
our townswoman, Lucy Larcom, entitled, "Mistress
Hale, of Beverly," in which the life of that troublous
witchcraft year, with its local color and environment,
is finely delineated. After a description of the pro-
ceedings and of the part taken in them by the minis-
ter from Beverly, comes the denouement, the ac-
cusation of his wife, as the pastor of the first parish
enters the court-house. *****
" ' Woe ! Mistress Ilale tormentoth me ! she came in like a bird,
Perched on her husband's shoulder ! ' Then silence fell ; no word
SpaUe either judge or minister, while with profound amaze
Each fixed upon the other's face his horror-stricken gaze.
" But, while the accuser writhed in wild contortlors on the floor,
One rose and said, ' Let all withdraw I the court is closed ! ' no more ;
For well the land knew Mistress Hale's rare loveliness and worth ;
Her Tirtues bloomed like flowers of heaven along the paths of earth.
"The minister of Beverly went homeward, riding fast,
His wife shrank back from his strange look, affrighted and aghast.
' Dear wife, thou ailest ! Shut thyself into thy room I' said he,
'Whoever comes, tht^ latch-string keep drawn in from all save me !'
1 Upham'8 Witchcraft, Vol. ii., p. 346.
" Nor hie life's treasure from close guard did he one moment lose,
Until across the ferry came a messenger with news
That the bewitched ones acted now vain mummeries of woe,
The judges looked and wondered still, but all the accused let go.
" The dark cloud rolled from off the land, the golden leavesdropped down
Along the winding wood-paths of the little sea-side town :
In Salem Village there was peace ; with witchcraft trials passed
The nightmare-terror from the vexed New England air at last.
" Again in natural tones men dared to laugh aloud and speak ;
From Naugus Head the fisher's shout rang back to Jeffry's Creek ;
The phantom soldiery withdrew, that haunted Gloucester shore ;
The teamster's voice through Wenbam Woods broke into psalms once
more.
*' The minister of Beverly thereafter sorely grieved
That be had inquisition held with counsellors deceived ;
Forsaking love's unerring light, and duty's solid ground,
And groping in the shadowy void, where truth is never found.
*******
■' Truth made transparent in a life, tried gold of character.
Were Mistress Hale's ; and this is all that history says of her ;
Their simple force, like sunlight, broke the hideous midnight spell,
And &igbt restored again to eyes obscured by films of bell.
*' The minister's long fields are still with dews of summer wet ;
The roof that sheltered Mistress Hale tradition points to yet.
Green be her memory ever kept all over Cape Ann Side,
Whose unobtrusive excellence awed back delusion's tide ! "
1700. To close the chapter of this eventful century,
the last decade of which had been so crowded with
sensations and horrors, it remains only to transcribe
here the last pathetic entry in the records pertaining
to the honored head of the church. " The Rev. Mr.
John Hale, Minister of the Gospel in Beverly, & Pas-
tor of the Church of Christ there, aged about sixty-
four years, departed this life on the 15th day of May,
Anno Domini, 1700." Thus went out with the cen-
tury a life of piety and broad humanity.
"The storms of fanatical excitement and of war
with savages and civilized men had subsided, when,
in May, 1700, the primeval epoch of this parish was
closed, and Hale, its first minister, sank peacefully — •
honored, beloved, deeply lamented — to his final earthly
rest." The last few years of his life must have been
full of sorrow, and, doubtless, the messenger that
summoned him hence to join the company of the be-
loved departed was welcomed and expected. Born in
Charlestown in 163(5, he graduated at Harvard in 1657,
and thus lived through the crucial period of New
England's existence. It is a matter of lasting regret,
that, with such great abilities as he possessed, with
such opportunities for observing the growth of our
town from its veriest inception, with such intercourse
as he had with the great men of his day, he had not
chronicled some of the pa.'^sing events and preserved
for us memoirs of his contemporaries.
In the family enclosure of the old cemetery stands
the grave-stone with this inscription :
*' Here lies the body of the
EEV. MR. JOHN HALE,
A pious and faithful minister of the Gospel,
And Pastor of the First Church of Christ in this town of Beverly,
Who rested from his labors on the 15th day of May,
Anno Domini, 1700,
In (he 64th year of his age."
BEVERLY.
693
In 1696 four soldiers, John Burt, Benj. Carrill, John
Pickwortli and Israel Wood, were serving in Captain
John Hill's c'impnny at Fort St. Mary, near Saco.
1700. A gjrammar school was established this year,
with Mr. Robert Hale as master; and the claim of
Sagamore John's grandchildren to the township terri-
tory was cancelled, by the payment to them of a sum
of money, and a deed taken.
Prior to 17(10 something had been done in the way
of ship-building and the fisheries, so that with the
opening of the new century Beverly was well em-
barked upon that career of maritime conquest and
adventure which su distinguished herduring the period
of the Kcvolulion. Upon the land, eng.aged in occu-
])ations mainly agricultural, was a steadily-growing
community of sturdy proprietors; on the sea, an
equally vigorous floating population, with rights in
the ships they sailed, as well as an attachment for the
soil of their fathers.
PiOXEEU Families of Beveely. — In reviewing
the eventlul epoch closed with the 17th century, we
should not lose sight of those men and women w'ho
labored for the welfare of the community. Theirs
was a struggle with elemental forces, from beginning
to end. They were sturdy, intense, giving their whole
strength to the overcoming of obstacles such as their
descendants are unacquainted with. They brought to
their administration of afl'airs the same good sense
that characterized their private life. Their object
was to live, and live in freedom, in this new land, giv-
ing to every man an opportunity equal to that of every
other. The excitements of those distracted times
they sometimes shared in, but of themselves they
provided no fuel for the baleful fires that burned so
long in Salem Village. They were ready, with men
and weapons, to respond to every call in defence of
the frontier towns, and joined every expedition under-
taken for the preservation of their territory.
Among the names mentioned in this connection
those accompanied by an asterisk (*) have descend-
ants bearing the same name still (1887) living in
Beverly.
The 'MJld Planters," Balch,* Conant,* Woodbury,*
and their associates (whose names, doubtless, have not
all been preserved), deserve first mention, as having
adventured first over at Cape Ann Side. The three
above-mentioned have already been noticed at length;
as also Brackenbury, Dixey, Palfrey, Trask,* Dodge *
and Scruggs.*
John Woodbury* (as already noticed) took posses-
sion of the farm granted him in 1()35, and from him
descended many of the name in Upper Beverly and
adjacent territory. William Woodbury,* his brother,
doubtless first built upon the headland now known as
Woodbury's Point, just east of Thissel's Brook and
Patch's Beach. William and his descendants gradu-
ally progressed eastwardly, obtaining possession of
lands on the shore as far as the Paine estate, at the
westerly head of West's Beach. His son, Nicholas,
succeeded to his estates, which later fell to the latter's
son, Benjamin, whose daughter, Anna, inherited the
property now known as the Paine place.
John Woodbury's son, Humphrey,* settled on land
extending from the seashore at or below Mackerel
Cove, to the region known as Snake Hill, back of the
school-house in that district. He probably built on
the slope lying between Ober Street and the headland
westerly from the light-house. In contradistinction
to that owned by his uncle, this should be called
Humphrey Woodbury's Point, in order to properly
localize these first settlers. Several families of the
name, descendants of Humphrey, are still living in
this locality, though retaining little, if any, of the
original grant made to their ancestor.
The first projection into Beverly harbor, easterly
from the bridge. Tuck's Point, bears the name of
another early settler in Beverly, Thomas Tuck,* who
owned estates in this vicinity. Ellingwood's Point,
the bold projection west of the bridges, bears the
name of Ralph Ellingwood,* who owned all the land
lying along B.iss River, westerly of the railroad, as it
now runs. The first ferryman, John Stone,* it is said,
kept an inn or " ordinary " near the junction of Cabot
and Front Streets; and a neighbor of his was William
Dixey (who was captain of a military company), and
who owned land extending from the present Bartlett
.and Lovett Streets to the sea.shore. The land granted
Captain Trask (one of the five farms, in ItiSo) went to
Thomas Scruggs, bs' exchange, but the name is early
identified with Beverly's history in the persons of Os-
man Trask * and his nephew, John. The Trask grant
came by marriage into the possession of John Ray-
ment,* whose brother, the distinguished military
leader of that period, located farther eastward towards
Brimble Hill.
Captain Thomas Lothrop, who fell in the massacre
at Bloody Brook, left no direct descendants.
Andrew Elliott * lived in the upper part of the
town; his connection with town att'airs has already
been mentioned. His descendants have made the
name distinguished, including a celebrated divine.
Rev. Dr. Andrew Elliot; an ex-mayor of Boston, Hon.
Samuel A. Elliot, and a president of Harvard College,
Charles W. Eliot.
The name of Blackleach occurs in the early annals ;
John Blackleach was made freeman in 1635, and had
a grant of three hundred acres and more at what is
now Beverly Farms.
John West,* who came from Ipswich about 1650,
bought the large property of Blackleach, extending
from the Woodbury (or Paine) estate westerly to .Jef-
frey's Creek, or Manchester line, and beyond; and
also a tract of land towards Wenham granted to
Gardner. From him the beautiful West's Beach de-
rived its name, as bordering his property.
Robert Woodbury,* who succeeded Andrew Elliot
as town clerk, in 1704, and who held the oifice many
years, married a daughter of farmer West (Thomas,
694
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
son of John), and the house he lived in is still stand-
ing, near West's Beach, and now occupied by Dr.
Curtis. He obtained a large farm by this marriage, as
also did Joseph Woodbury, who married another
daughter and settled on the Manchester property.
The origin of the Dodge* family has been already
adverted to, the first one of the name here being far-
mer William Dodge,* who purchased the grant to
Peter Palfrey, and resided on it during his life-time.
He was made freeman in 1637.
Captain William Dodge, son of William, St., had
an enviable military record ; and through him are
descended many of the name in Beverly.
A nephew of these brothers, William Dodge, mar-
ried a daughter of Koger Haskell * of Beverly. Wil-
liam Haskell * married a daughter of farmer West,
and settled at the Farms, where the old Haskell house
still stands, built about 1690.
An early immigrant into Beverly from the contem-
porary settlement of Ipswich, was John Thorndike,*
whose son, Paul, married Mary, daughter of James
Patch.* These two names are perpetuated by Paul's
Point and the contiguous Patch's Beach.
Another acquisition from Ipswich was Anthony
Wood,* who located in that part of the town known
as the " city," or " old haymarket," above the Glou-
cester crossing.
John Lovett * was the first of this name here, born
1610, died 1686, and who settled, it is said, near the
farm at present owned by General Pearsons.
John Lovett, Jr., who died 1727, aged about ninety-
one, married a daughter of Josiali and Susannah
Eootes, and owned a large lot of land extending from
opposite the present Milton Street to beyond Central,
and from Cabot Street to the sea.
Peter Pride,* it is said, received his house-lot at or
near the present Pride's Crossing, on condition that lie
direct travelers passing that way.
A group of settlers in that region lying between the
town proper and the Farms contained George Stanley,*
or Standley, Nicholas Patch,* Jonathan By les, Richard
Thissell,* and Richard Ober.* Joshua Bisson* (from
the Isle of Jersey) married the daughter of John
Black and grand-daughter of Peter Woolfe. Cornelius
Baker,* a blacksmith and grandson of Robert, married
Abigail Sallows and settled near or on property adja-
cent to Bisson. The name Sallows is no longer found
in Beverly and has been long extinct.
A name prominent at that time was that of Samuel
Corning,* made freeman 1641, whose estates once in-
cluded land in different parts of Beverly, at one time
near the meeting-house, and also near Bald Hill, where
his descendants still reside.
The first Wallis* was Nathaniel, from Cornwall,
England (who s-ettlsd first at Casco Bay, whence he
was driven by Indians), whose son, Caleb, married a
grand-daughter of Corning. A street of this name
extends from Cabot to Rantoul.
The names of Slackhouse and Hoskins, who owned
easterly of Ellingwood, are now believed to be extinct
in Beverly. Another which has shared the same fate
is that of Robert Briscoe, brother-in-law of Samuel
Stone, who came here between 1680-90, and who held
various important offices during thirty years. His
house stood nearly opposite the first church, and was
taken down in the latter part of the last century. He
is remembered for his numerous benefactions and
legacies, and the principal school-building of the town
now bears his name.
Richard Ober,* founder of the name in New Eug-
land, and collateral branches in other States, came
from " Absburg," Abbotsburg, England (where he
was baptized November 21, 1641), to these shores
about 1664. In 1671 he married Abigail, daughter of
Nicholas Woodbury, by whom he had five children :
John, Anna, Elizabeth, Hezekiah and Richard, Jr.
The Obers and the Thissells were from the same vil-
lage in old England, came to this place at about the
same time, and their estates joined each other. The
Obers' property was between Mingo's Beach and Plum
Cove River. In later times Jeflrey Thissell, a Revolu-
tionary pensioner, lived in a house west of the hill,
towards town from Mingo's Beach.
Robert Morgan* owned the estate north of and op-
posite the central fire station, extending thence to the
Bancroft estate and to the sea. Many descendants re-
side here and others are settled throughout the West.
The estate of Robert Briscoe fell to Thomas Steph-
ens* (who came here in 1700), on condition of his
paying several legacies. Lawrence Leach,* who died
1662, aged eighty-two, came to Salem in the fleet with
Higginson, was proposed for freeman 1630, and a
member of Salem church before 1636. The Leach
farm was at Eyal Side, and long remained in the
family.
Conspicuous among these first citizens was Henry
Hcrrick,* one of the thirty who founded the first
Church of Salem, 1629; and, with his sons, joined in
establishing the first church of Beverly. He purchased
several farms at Cherry Hill and Birch Plain, on
which he settled his sons, Zacharie, Ephraim, Joseph
and John. His wife was Edith, daughter of Hugh
Laskin. In the times of religious intolerance he and
his wife were fined by the authorities for entertaining
and comforting an excommunicated person. He died
in 1671.
The first of the Grover family was Nicholas Le
Grove; of the Smiths,* Hazadiah, a large property
owner, who came from the eastward, married a
daughter of Edmund Grover and settled near the old
haymarket.
Of these families of the 17th century, it is not pos-
sible to mwre than enumerate such as the imperfect
records have preserved to us ; but it is thought that
mere mention, even, may be of service to future his-
torian or antiquarian, seeking to trace home some an-
cestral name.
Of the dwellings erected during the first century of
BEVERLY.
695
the town's existence few remain in their entirety. Por-
tions of the original structures, as of the Old Planter's,
and of the garrison house on Woodbury's Point, still
stand, but incorporated with buildings of later date.
The oak frames of these buildings were well-nigh in-
destructible, but there are few houses in town typical
in their architecture of that of those early times. The
homestead of Rev. John Hale still remains in the
pos.session of the descendants, the Bancroft heirs;
another erected about that time (1690) is the house on
Essex Street, lately occupied by Wm. W. Baker, long
the Putnam property, and probably the ancient Pic-
ton house.
At the Cove, theEea house, on Hale Street, erected
by Thorndike, gives evidence of antiquity beyond any
other ; at the Farms are two of the past century, the
Haskell house and the Robert Woodbury, both dat-
ing from 1680-'90. In Montserrat are the Corning
and Morgan houses, the former, probably, next to the
Eea house in age. In North Beverly the "Dudley
Dodge " house, the Cleaver and the Woodbury house,
and also the Chipman parsonage (1715), residence of
the first minister of the second parish.
Near the town centre, several bearing evidences of
age, and having the halo of antiquity about them. At
the " city," or near the old Haymarket, are two or
three, as the Lovett, the Brown and the Davis houses.
Just beyond is the locality of a group of the Old
Planters ; William Dodge's, on the site of which is
the house of Lyman Mason ; farther on the house
lately owned by Azor Dodge perpetuates the old
Balch homestead, within a stone's throw of which was
the residence of Henry Herrick.
Houses of a later period, built by our famous
merchants of the Revolution, as the C.ibot mansions
(now owned by Edward Burley, and heirs of Seth
Norwood) stand on Cabot Street, fine specimens of
the architecture of that time.
That we have so few examples of colonial architec-
ture is because the citizens of Beverly have ever been
progressive, lending their efforts to further the aims
of advanced civilization, and thus aiding the march
of progress, which, while it creates the new, yet ef-
faces the old.
1701. Events of the Eighteenth Century. —
Succeeding Mr. Hale in the ministry came Thomas
Blowers, "who was highly esteemed for his learning
and virtue, and particularly for his devotedness to the
duties of his profession." He was born August 1,
1677, graduated at Harvard, 1695, and was ordained
here October 29, 1701 ; bis salary, eighty pounds per
annum, with an allowance of one hundred pounds for
a settlement. His residence was near Charnock
Street, which takes its name from that of his married
daughter, Emma Charnock. A new meeting-house
had been erected in 1682, fifty feet in length by forty
feet in width, with a tower in the centre from which
the bell-rope hung, at a cost of three hundred and
seventy pounds in silver.
1703-04. The town-clerk, Andrew Elliott, who was
the first to keep the records in a systematic manner,
died, aged seventy-six years. He was succeeded by
Robert Woodbury, who was equally faithful in the
discharge of his duties.
1705. The tract of land known as the training-field
or common, was deeded to the town March 13, 1705.
" The said town of Beverly are hereby obliged not to
convey, exchange, or dispose of the said land unto
any particular person or persons whatsoever, but it
shall lay and remain for the publick use Of said town,
especially for military exercise."
1707. A negro slave named Robin Mingo, the pro-
perty of Thomas Woodbury, was married to Deborah
Tailor, an Indian woman. Before the ceremony was
performed (says Stone) she agreed to live with her
husband's master and mistress during her life, "to be
then discharged with only two suits of clothes suitable
for such persons." This seems a hard bargain, but
the claims of slavery and servitude hung lightly upon
the servitors. Fifty years later, in 1754, the number
or slaves, so-called, was twenty-eight. On July 15,
1722, Mingo received the rite of baptism and was ad-
mitted a member of the church. He died in 1773,
by which time, at least by 1776, " public opinion had
virtually emancipated the slaves of Miussachusetts."
The little bay on our coast known as Mingo's
Beach, is supposed to have derived its name from
him. There is a tradition extant that his humble
cottage was near and above it, and it is also related
that his master promised him his freedom when the tide
should recede so far as to leave a dry passage between
the shore and " Becky's Hedge," lying oft" the beach
harbor. That event occurred, it is said, but once,
and that was the year of his death.
1708. The population this year is given at sixteen
hundred and eighty. Since the period of King
Philip's War, and with the exception of the witch-
year, very little had occurred to disturb the peaceful
growth of the population.
1710. — Peter Wooden, an able pilot, is sent from
Beverly to guide the expedition to Port Royal.
1711-12. — The Ryal's-Side people were allowed to
associate, as a religious society, with Beverly; but
were not united with them until September 11, 1753.
This year, two people of Beverly, Nihil Sallowes
and Joseph Gray, were killed by Indians at Winter
Harbor. At Cape Sable, three or four years later,
another native of the town, Benjamin Dike, was slain
by savages. A curious entry in the town records,
throwing a side light upon the customs of the day, is
the following: March 24, 1711-12. An order " to pay
unto Richard Ober, senr., 9 shilling.s, money, out of
ye town rate, yt being for half a barrel of sider, for
Laurence Davis his burial (6.?.) and for 50 feet of
bords for sd Davis his coffin (3s.)."
1713. — Land was granted by the town to the Farms,
on which to erect a school-house.
In October, the Second or North Pari-h was incor-
696
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
porated, and a meeting-house erected, fifty by forty
feet.
1715. — The Second Church was organized, Decem-
ber 28th, and the Rev. John Chipman ordained.
This good and learned man was born in Barnstable,
and graduated at Harvard in 1711. He resided here
nearly sixty years, and left a name and posterity yet
well-known in the town. The old parsonage in which
he resided still stands, not far distant from the church
at North Beverly.
The original members of this church, and signers
of the covenant, 28th December, 1716, were John
Chipman, Edward, Joseph, Jonathan, Elisha and
John Dodge, John Cressey, John Brown, Jacob
Griggs, Joseph Herrick, John Leach, Nehemiah
Wood, Josiah Woodbury, Jonathan Rayment and
Moses Fluant. A body of worshippers were after-
wards admitted from Beverly and AVenham. There
were appointed, to seat the worshippers, persons who
were " to show respect to ye aged people amongst us,
as allso to have a special! regard unto persons that
have don service for ye benefit of ye precinct, & have
contributed high in building of ye hous for ye pub-
lick worship of God, and purchasing land for ye use
of ye people of sd. precinct, and are likely to pay con-
siderable in ye charge of ye ministry amongst us ; as
allso not to seat above two-thirds so many persons in
any seat as ye seats will comfortably hold." March
29th, same year, it had been voted that the front seat
in the east gallery "be parted in ye middle" for the
accommodation of tlie young unmarried women.
1723. — The records of Ipswich, our near neighbor
remind us that wolves were so abundant there, and
even in the vicinity of the meeting-house, that
parents would not suffer their children to attend
worship without some grown person as company. A
bounty was offered for heads, and many were taken
by means of wolf-hooks. These were made by en-
closing four mackerel-hooks in brown bread, and dip-
ping them in melted tallow "(ill they be as big and
round as an egg." They were then exposed near
some dead carcass, where they were found and swal-
lowed by the wolves.
A noted resort ibr bears, at that period, was the
great swamp along Ipswich River, and one was killed
in the Hamlet (Hamilton) so late as 1757. Deer
were abundant in Chebacco woods up to the year
1790, but soon afterwards disaiipeared.
1727. — This year is memorable for the great earth-
quake, October 29th, which was felt throughout ihe
colonies and " made strong religious impressions on
the minds of many in this town and other places."
Twenty-five new members were added to the Second
Church, and the pastor. Rev. Mr. Chipman, gave
thanks to God who hath shaken, violently, the earth
and also poured out his Spirit upon the people. "Soli
Deo Laus, qui et terram molenler exagitavit et super
populam smtm spiriium sumn effudit."
The ancient record-book of the Second Parish may
yet be seen, at present (1887) in charge of Henry
Wilson, now, in his ninety-third year, the oldest male
resident of Beverly. Mr. Wil-ion came here in 1848,
from Gloucester ; his wife, who died in 18-14, was
then eighty-eight years of age. The following is the
first entry in the record-book : " This book belongs
to the Second Church of Christ in Beverly, gathered
out of Salem and Beverly, and embodyed into a dis-
tinct Society on the 28th day of December in the
year of our Lord, 1715. . . . That part of the
Precinct of Salem and Beverly which was a part of
Salem was by an Act of the Great and General Court
annexed to Beverly and incorporated in the one real
Town therewith upon the 12th day of Sept., A.D.
1752." A note is added by Rev. BIr. Stone: "In this
Book of Records, Salem usually signifies the territory
west of Maj. Conaut's brook, and embraced Ryal
Side, all of which was set off to Beverly in 1752."
1729. — The second minister of tlie First Parish,
Rev. Mr. Blowers, died June 17, and £50 were ap-
propriated for his funeral expenses. In December
of this year, the Rev. Joseph Champney was ordained,
whose period of service extended until 1773, when he
was followed by the Rev. Joseph Willard, who had
been his colleague for about a year.
1730. — Very little of public moment occurred to
disturb the serenity of the inhabitants at this period,
but in 1730, the members of the Second Parish were
agitated over the question of psalm-singing. The
older members wished to adhere to the practice of
''lining out" the hymnn, while the mire progressive
wished to sing by note. A compromise was at first
effected, but later on it was voted that they would in
future sing "at all times of singing in public worship
the psalm tunes by rule, according to the notes
pricked in our psalm-books."
1747. — "At a meeting of the proprietors of the Com-
mon Lands in Beverly, legally warned and assembled
at the First Parish meeting-house in said Beverly, on
Monday the Seventh day of September, 1747, Cap-
tain John Thorndike was chosen moderator of sd.
meeting; voted, Isaac Woodberry, clerk of the pro-
perty: voted C.iptain Henry Herrick and Isaac
Woodberry, two of the committee in the rume of Cap-
tain Robert Woodberry and Deacon William Dodge,
deceased; voted that the same meeting be adjourned
unto October 13, at 3 o'clock, afternoon.
" At the adjournment, Oct. 13, of the meeting of the
proprietors of the Common Lands in Beverly, ad-
journed the same meeting to Jno. Thorndike, Jun.,
and there drank two and a half Dubel Boles of punch,
and put it to vote if theay act any further and it
passed in tlie negative, and then Desol ved the meeting."
1752. — That section known as Ryal Side, though
of the first to receive permanent settlers, was not
united to Beverly till 1752. At the time Danvers was
made a town all that territory between Bass River
and Bass River Creek on the east, and Frost-Fish
brook on the west, was annexed to Beverly.
BEVEELY.
697
One hundred years, or so, later, in 1857, a portion
again was set off and joined to Danvers. Within this
section so recently detached from Beverly lies Browne's
Folly hill, named after William Browne, a native of
Salem, born 1709, and educated at Harvard College.
This gentleman, about 1750, selected the summit of
this high hill as the site for a noble mansion, which
he called Browne Hall, a costly structure, with every
ai)pointment the wealth of the owner could supply.
The great hall was often the scene of revelry on a
magnificent scale, and tradition states that on at
least one occasion an ox was roasted whole, for the
entertainment of the guests. Mr. Browne died in
1703, and the mansion was disposed of by the pur-
chaser of the estate, William Burley.
The exact shape of the great house may be traced
in its sunken cellar-walls to-day. The hill has ever
since been known as "Browne's Folly," yet the
view from its summit is one of the finest in the county.
1753. — An enumeration of the population gave
two thousand and twenty-three; an increase of about
four hundred in fifty years. Of this number twenty-
eight were negro slaves. Twenty years later, there
were sixty less.
The first half of the eighteenth century is pretty
well epitomized in the life of one of Beverly's fore-
most citizens, the physician of the town at this period,
Dr. Robert Hale, jr.
Born February 12th, 1702-3, he was at an early
age (when between fifteen and sixteen), employed to
teach the grammar-school, which was established in
1700. In 1721 he was graduated at Harvard, imme-
diately after which he began the study of medicine
with Dr. Manning, of Ipswich. He was married in
1723. and, his wife dying in 1736, leaving him with
three children, contracted a second marriage in 1737.
His medical practice soon brought him into notice in
the neighboring towns, even as early as 1723, and
with an estate of above £1000, (part of which was
left him by his parents), he was early possessed of
independent means. The energy of character, sound
judgment and business capacity of Dr. Hale, (says
Mr. Stone, from whose excellent history the materials
for this sketch are taken), were early appreciated by
his townsmen. He was successively chosen to fill the
various offices of surveyor, selectman, a.ssessor, town
clerk and treasurer ; besides the duties of which he
discharged those of justice of the peace, and collector
of excise for the county. As chairman of the school
committee, he took an active and efficient part in the
measures adopted to improve the school system of the
town. For thirteen years, he represented the town
in General Court, during which time he was chair-
man of several important committees.
In 1726 he united with the first church, and for
nearly twenty years was of infiuite service in ecclesi-
astical and parochial concerns.
In 1740, as one of the managers of the " land bank,"
a scheme for relieving the pecuniary embarrassments
4-ii
of the colony, he incurred the hostility of the famous
Governor Belcher, who persistently opposed him until
succeeded by Governor Shirley.
In 1745 Dr. Hale received the commission of colo-
nel, and commanded a regiment, in the expedition
projected by Governor Shirley against Louisburg.
The land force employed consisted of three thousand
two hundred men from Massachusetts, three hundred
from New Hampshire, three hundred from Rhode
Island and five hundred from Connecticut, all under
comm.and of General William Pepperell. The co-
operating naval force was from England, and coii.-
raanded by Commodore Warren. A company for
this enterprise was enlisted in Beverly under Captain
Benjamin Ives, Colonel Hale's son-in-law.
1744. — The soldiers and oflicers engaged in the ex-
pedition against Louisburg were fifty in number:
Capt., Benj. Ives, Jr. ; Lieut., Geo. Herrick ; Ensign, Josiab Batchel-
der; Sergts., Job Cressy and Samuel Woodbury; Clerk, Benj. Cleaver,
Jr. ; Corporals, Bartli. Browti, John Picket ; Drumniei-, Jo«. R,aymond ;
Privates, Chris. Bartlett, Wni. Badcock, Thos. Butiuan, Israel and Jona.
Byles, Edmund Clark, Samuel Chute, Benj. Clark, Sauniel Cole, Edward
and Ebenezer Cox, Benj. Dike, Francis and Joseph Elliot, Israel El well,
Eleazer Giles, John Grover, Ebenezer Hadley, Jona. Harris, Samuel
Harris, .\ndrew Herrick, Bery. Hervey, Benj, Howard, William James,
William Leach, John Morgan, Jona, Morgan, Richard Ober, Caleb Page,
EIi;is Picket, John Presson, Joshua liea, John Roundy, Benj. Smith,
Daniel Stephens, Ezra, Benjamin and James Trask, Israel and Josiah
Woodbury.
"There were not wanting those in influential stations who, moved
with an unworthy jealousy for British glory, sought, in public .and pri-
vate, to undervalue the services of the provincial troops, , . . Col.
Hale (who, with his regiment, took a conspicuous part in the dangers
and fatigues of Mie siege) was keenly alive to American honor: and this
ungenerous attempt to wrest from the provincial forces the tribute of
approbation justly their due, deeply wounded his sensibilities, lie re-
pelled the insinuations of the British, and pointed out (in a letter writteH
at the time) that the great error of the British government, in all their
provincial enterprises which failed of success, consisted in the appoint-
ment of foreign officers to the command of troops raised here, when
between the former and latter there was no reciprocity of respect or
confidence."
While at Louisburg Colonel Hale enclosed a piece
of ground which was long known (and may be still), to
our fishermen as " Col. Hale's garden."
" when the government of Massachusetts Bay, in lTo,'>, had detennined
on an expedition against the French, and the reduction of Crown Point,
Col, Hale was selected by Governor Shirley as a suitable agent to Liy the
subject before the government of New Hampshire and solicit their aid.
His commission hears date Feb. 22, 1755, and the same day he received
from the governor a series of instructions, by which he was to c rduct
the negotiation,"
These instructions, together with the correspond-
ence between Governors Shirley and Wentworth, are
given in the history above cited.
He was successful in his commission, and succeeded
in securing five hundred men as the quota from New
Hampshire, though, for some reason, he did not him-
self join'in the expedition.
In 1761 Colonel Hale received a commission of
sheriff for Essex County. In 1767, after holding near-
ly every office, civil and political, within the gift of
his townsmen, he died, full of honors and lamented
by all.
Among the curious memoranda left bv Colonel
698
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Hale are several of value to the local antiquarians,
as: "A list of deaths in Beverly, 1730-64;" "An
account of all the houses in Beverly," 1723-51 ; "Per-
sons now living in Beverly who have had the small-
pox ; " "A list of Widows and Widowers in ye First
Parish," which begins with the widow of Mingo (the
slave); and under date of February 12, 1747-48, is
this remark : " This day there are 7 Widows to one
Widower in this Parish — 63 W., 9 Widowers." '
1756. — For the Crown Point expedition, this year,
the Beverly soldiers enlisted, in Captain Andrew
Fuller's Company, were :
Benj. Balch, William Eborn, Daniel Gloyd, Corporal John Simonds,
Joseph Baker, John Clark, Daniel Butuian (again in 1759), Eliezer El-
lingwood, Robert Matthews, William Moneys, Azor Rouudy, Peter
Stokes, George Spence (re-enlisted 1759 and 1761), and Andrew Wood-
bury,
In another company at Fort Edward, Moses
Dodge.
1757. — In Captain Israel Herrick's company of
Eastern Rangers, are enrolled : Osman Baker, Robert
Baker (also in the Canada expedition 1759), Barth.
Peart, John Simonds, John Trask, Josiah Trow.
1758. — In Captain John Tapley's company : John
Clark (at the capture of Fort William Henry), Wil-
liam Herrick, Wells Stanley and Barth. Taylor.
In vai'ious other companies: John Smith, Samuel
Tuck, Jonathan Thorndike, Samuel Woodbury, Jo-
siah Woodbury, James Woodbury, Jonathan Corning
(seaman), Zebulon Putman, David Hill (drummer),
Jonathan Dodge, Nathaniel Woodbury, John Hub-
bard, Abraham Hix (again in 1761), William Dodge
(1761).
1759. — Robert Elliott, James Giles, Jonathan Lar-
com. Corporal Andrew Woodbury, Benjamin Brown,
William Presson, Richard Standley, Barebeel Wood-
bury, John Wallis, Samuel Bean, Josiah Cressy,
Aaron Crowell, Andrew Elliot, Amos Hilton, William
Morgan, Robert Picket, Nicholas Standley.
1761.— Benjiirain Presson, Ralph Tuck, Wilks
West, Robert Standley, Joseph Williams, Benjamin
Dike, Jonathan Dodge, Timothy Howard, Jacob Po-
land, Nathaniel Butman, Samuel Stickney.
1757. — Two families of Acadians, those unfortu-
nate people who were expelled from their homes in
Nova Scotia, were quartered upon the town, and a
house hired for them. They were partially self-sup-
porting, making wooden-ware and baskets ; but their
stay was brief, and they soon wandered on and were
lost to the view of their Beverly friends.
1765. Revolutionary Period. — Troublous times
were approaching, and the records of the day show
that the people of Beverly were alive to every fateful
prognostication from over the water.
They anticipated every movement of the home gov-
ernment, and while conditionally loyal to their dis-
tant sovereigns, made it appear, by their acts in town
meetings assembled, that they would suffer no infrac-
1 See FBsex Inst. Hist. Collections for details.
tion of their liberties. The odious stamp act was as
unpopular here as in Boston, and its repeal (1765)
was heralded by bonfires and celebrated by patriotic
speeches.
The proceedings of the " Boston Tea Party " were
promptly approved, and measures taken for the ex-
clusion of the obnoxious vehicle of taxation. The
men, as may be imagined, were more in favor of non-
importation than the women, and amusing stories are
told, in which some of the latter evaded the strict let-
ter of the law and joined together for private tea-
drinkings. Some of these meetings are said to have
taken place in the cellars of their respective resi-
dences, and, on at least one occasion, an aerial " tea-
drawing " was held on the roof-top of a house.
The story of a parallel occurrence, with all attendant
circumstances, is pleasantly told in Miss Larcora's
poem, " The Gambrel Roof."
" 111 this old house, even thea not new,
A Continental Coluuel true
Dwelt, with a blithe and wilful wife,
The Bpaiklo on his cup of life ;
A man of sober mood,
He felt the strife before it came
Within him, like a welding flame,
That nerve and sinew changed to steel ;
And, at the opening cannon peal,
Ready for fight ho stood.
" Cheap was the draught, beyond a doubt,
The mother country served ua out ;
And many a housewife raised a wail.
Hearing of fragrant chest and bale
To tliirstless mermaids poui'ed.
And Mistress Audrey's case was hard.
When her tall Colonel down the yard
Called, ' Wife, be sure you drink no teal
For best Imperial, prime Bohea,
Were in her cupboard stored.
" Young Hyson, too, the finest brand ;
And here the good wife made a stand ;
* Now, Colonel, well enough you know
Our tea was paid for long ago,
Before this cargo came,
With threepence duty on the pound ;
It wdn't be wasted, I'll be bound I
I've asked a friend or two to sup,
And not to offer them a cup
Would be a stingy shame.'
" Into his face the quick blood flew:
* Wife, I hare promised, so must you,
None shall drink tea inside my house ;
Your gossips elsewhere must carouse ; ' —
The lady curtsied low;
' Husband, yonr word is law,' she said;
But archly turned her well-set head
With roguish poise toward this old roof.
Soon as she heard bis martial hoof
Along the highway go.
' But lightly dined the dame that day ;
Her guests, in Sunday-best array.
Came, and not one arrived too soon,
In the first slant of afternoon ;
An hour or two they sat,
In the low-studded western room,
Where hollyhocks threw rosy bloom
On sampler framed, and quaint Dutch tile ;
BEVERLY.
699
They koit; they sewed long seams ; the while
Chatting of this and that : —
*' Of horrors scarcely died away
Fromjmemory of the heads grown gray
On neighboring farms; how wizard John
And Indian Tituba went on,
When sorcerers were believed ;
How Parson Parris tried to make
Poor Mary Sibley's conjuring cake
The leaven of that black witchcraft curse,
That grew and spread from bad to worse,
And even the elect deceived.
" Dame Audrey said ; ' The sun gets low ;
Good neighbors mine, before you go.
Come to the house-top, pray, with me !
A goodly prospect you shall see,
I promise, spread around.
If we must part, ere day decline,
And if no hospitable sign
Appear, of China's cheering drink.
Not niggardly your hostess think I
We all are patriots sound.'
'* They followed her with puzzled air ;
But saw, upon the topmost stair,
Out on the railed roof, dark-faced Dill,
Guai'ding the supper-board, as still
Au solid ebony.
* A goodly prospect, as I said,
Ton here may see before you spread ;
Upon a house is not iviOun it ;
But now we must not wjxste a minute ;
Neighbors, sit down to tea !' "
"The women were all liberty men," quaintly re-
marked a survivor of the Revolution, " and threatened
to scald the Tories; " yet they parted with their tea
with great reluctance.
A tale was current in town some years ago of an in-
terrupted tea-drinking, caused by the lord of the
house happening home unexpectedly and surrepti-
tiously dropping a quid of tobacco in the teapot ! But,
as a rule, the clandestine meetings for indulgence in
tlie fragrant beverage were winked at by the pa-
triots.
The right of women to hold office was, this year,
recognized by the appointment of Widow Priscilla
Trask as pound-keeper.
The eager patriotism of our forefathers was tempered
by commendable moderation, though tliey were the
very first to apprehend approaching dauger and pre-
pare for it.
1765. — October 21, The letter of introduction to their
representative, Col. Henry Herrick, amply defines
this position :
"We cannot" (they write), " without criminal injustice to those
glorious princes, King William and Queen Mary, or the memory of our
vonerahle fathers, nor without the highest injustice to ourselves and to
posterity, consent to yield obedience to any law whatsoever, which, by
its natural constitution or just construction, deprives us of the liberty of
trial by juries ; or of our choosing meet pi-rsons to represent us in the
assessing or taxing our estates for his Majesty's service. And we do
accordingly advise and instruct you, our representative, to refuse your
consent in any such case, and do all that in you lies to prevent any un-
constitutional drafts upon the public treasury."
1769. — May 22, In another letter to him, they re-
affirm these propositions:
" We apprehend that no iwwer on earth can jui^tly deprive us of our
essential rights, and that no man can be safe, either as to his life, liberty,
or property, if a contrary doctrine should pi-evail ; thcrefuro. we
recommend to you a firm but prudent opposition to all unconstitutional
measures."
A powder-house was erected on the south side of the
common in 1767, to contain the town ammunition,
which had heretofore been stored in the basement of
the first parish meeting-house. Increasing supplies
necessitated this.
1770. — The first parish meeting-house was taken
down and a new edifice erected at a cost of about £1300.
During its construction services were held near the
big elm on the common.
1772. — December 21, In town meeting assembled,
and in an adjournment of January 5, 1773, they again
assert that " the rights of the colonists in particular as
men, as Christians, and as subjects, are studiously,
rightly, and justly stated by the committee of corres-
pondence for the town of Boston; and Col. Herrick
is instructed to "endeavor, as much as possible, in a
legal and constitutional way, to effect the redress of
the intolerable grievances, and secure the rights, liber-
ties and privileges, both civil and sacred," guaranteed
them by the charter.
1773. — A " committee of correspondence and safety '*
was appointed the latter part of this year, consisting
of representative citizens as follows : John Leach,
Benjamin Jones, Henry Herrick, Joseph Rea, Samuel
Goodridge, Josiah Batchelder, J. Batchelder, Jr.,
William Taylor, Joshua Cleaves, Larkin Thorndike,
Joseph Wood, Isaac and Nicholas Thorndike, William
Bartlelt, Andrew Cabot, Joseph Orne, Benj. Lovett,
Jr.jNathanand Asa Leach, Caleb and William Dodsre,
Livermore Whitteredge, Benj. Smith. William Long-
dell, Thomas Stephens, Edmund Giles, John and
Jona. Grant, Isaac Chapman and John Lovett, 3d.
The following letter "to the committee of corres-
pondence for the town of Boston." January 11, 1773,
is referred to above, and illustrates their alert and ac-
tive interest.
"Gentlemen: Inclosed you have the li-ansactions of this town, in
consequence of the resolves of the metropolis of this province, and the
letter of correspondence herewith transmitted, whereby you will perceive
the sentiments of this town with regard to the common cause in which
we are all concerned. In the name of the town, we return thanks for
the early care taken by the town of Boston to communicate the most
early intelligence of any alarming circumstances that they have with
regard to any infringements on our rights, as Christians, subjects, or
Colonists.
"And, gentlemen, inasmuch as we are all concerned in one common
cause, we shall esteem it as a favor of a free correspi.indence. that wo
may have the most early intelligence of any interesting events of a public
nature, as you live in the metropolis, that we may concur with you in
any siilutary constitutional measures for the good of all ; and are, gen-
tlemen, with tho greatest regards.
"Your most humble servants,
" John Leach, Samuei, GoonRinaE,
Benj, Jones, Josiah Batcheldeb, Jr.,
Henry Herrick."
1774. — In the town-meeting, January 4, it w;is re-
solved :
"That the method of introducing tea into this province in the manner
pruposed by the British Ministry, for the benefit of the Kast India Co., is
roo
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
justly and fairly stated by the inlabitants of the town of Boston ; and
that it is the sentiment of this meeting, that they will always, in every
salutary method, cheerfully join with our brethren of the town of Boston^
and every other town in this province, in withstanding every unlawful
meas ;; o tending to enslave up, or to take our money from us, in any un-
constitutional manner."
At a county convention held in Ipswich September
6th and 7th, the town was represented by three of its
citizens: Benj. Lovett, Saml. Goodridge and Joseph
Wood, who subscribed to the report of the committee,
which, after asserting their continued loyalty to the
crowu, continued :
*' But though, above all things, slavery excepted, we deprecate the
evils of a civil war; though we are deeply anxious to restore and pre-
serve harmony with our brethren in Great Britain ; yet, if the despotism
and violence of our enemies should finally reduce us to the sad necessity,
we, undaunted, are ready to appeal to the last resort of States; and will,
in support of our rights, encounter even death, sensible that he can
never die too soon who lays down his life in support of the laws and
liberties of his country I "
Abundant assurances of their sincerity are found in
the minutes of the numerous meetings of citizens.
1775.— February 27th, Along with other articles in
the warrant for town-meeliug this year, are the
I'ollowing:
"To see if the town will have a watch kept for the preservation of
the town, and come into such measures relative thereto as may then be
thought best; and there was a warrant issued out to the several con*
stables to warn the same, as follows ; viz., to Samuel Woodberry 3d, to
warn Farms and Bald Hill Districts; to Joseph Woodberry to warn
Royal Side and Bass River Districts, and to Wm. Elliott to warn the
Feri-y District."
It was later voted that a watch, consisting of nine
persons, be posted at three different places ; and that
" if the watch discover that any Hoistilities are likely
to be made on the town or any of the inhabitants
thereof, they are to make an alarm, by the fireing of
three guns and the ringing of the bell."
Voted, also, " that the town will raise fifty-four
minute-men, including officers."
. oted, "to give the captain of the minute-men
three shillings and four pence for each half day ser-
vice in larning of the art military ; the lieutenants
two and eightpence, the en?ign two and sixpence, and
each private one shilling, eightpence."
Voted, "that the minute-men turn out two half
days in a week, and four hours each half day be
spent in larning the art military. Col. Henry Herrick
was empowered to hire £80, with interest, to pay off'
the minute-men."
'* Boston, Feby. 7th, 17V5.
" Received from the town of Beverly, by the hands of Mr. Henry
Herrick, a donation, consisting of the following ai'ticles, viz. : Two bar-
rels of sugar four hundred one quarter of sugar, one bbl. rum, five and
}'2 qtls. of fish, \05 lbs. of coifee, two cheeses, eight pair of womens and
five pair of mens leather boots, one hide upper leather, and thin calf
skins curried, sixteen pounds chocolate, ten pounds of pork, 25 lbs. fiax,
one bai rel tlower, &. one and 14 bush, corn ; for the relief and support of
the poor of the town of Boston, suffering by means of the Boston Port
Bill.
"Samuel Partridge,
"one of the committee of Donations."
These excerpts from the records of the town, show
that our people were ready, with money and musket,
to resent the first invasion of their rights. Thus it
was, the eventful nineteenth of April, 1775, found
them not unprepared. Though every householder
had gone forth to his daily occupation, and was
peacefully following his duty for the day, yet the ar-
rival of the breathless messenger, announcing the
departure of a British detachment from Boston to
seize the military stores at Concord, was a spark that
kindled into flames their smouldering fires of patriot-
ism. The business of the day was abandoned, each
man seized his musket and hastened to the appointed
place of rendezvous. The captains of the militia
companies, Joseph Rea, Caleb Dodge and others,
mounted their horses and posted to the Farms and
other districts, arousing the whole population along
their routes. By three o'clock that afternoon a large
proportion of the male inhabitants of Beverly capable
of service were armed and ready for the conflict. No
troops engaged in that memorable fight had so long a
distance to march, yet they arrived in season to par-
ticipate in the skirmishes that followed the battle of
Lexington, and assisted in driving the British back to
Boston. One of their number was killed, Reuben
Kennison ; and three wounded, Nathaniel Cleaves,
William Dodge (3d) and Samuel Woodbury.
These names are given in " George's Almanac " for
1776, though Kennison's name is spelled as Kinnym.
The widow of Kennison (it is stated by Stone in 1842)
retained in her possession till her death (which oc-
curred October 22, 1842, at the age of eighty-nine),
the shirt worn by her husband when killed.
The present historian, learning that a portion of
that .interesting relic was still in possession of con-
nections of the widow Kennison's family, was per-
mitted to see it, August, 1887, one hundred and
twelve years after the fatal bullet had pierced it that
deprived Reuben of his life. ' The fragment is about
a foot square, of striped homespun, with a jagged hole
in it that may have been made by the bullet. It was
wrapped in a >heet of blue paper of ancient manu-
facture on which was written : " Reuben Kenniston
of Beverly, killed at Lexington April 19, 1775. Part
of his shirt." It now belongs to Mrs. Huldah Her-
rick, whose mother was niece to Reuben's wife. Mrs.
Kennison was married a second time, to Uriah
Wright, and lived at Ryal Side. Reuben lived at
Ryal Side previous to 1775, and is said to be buried
in the old Leach burial-lot near Brown's Folly Hill.
The house he lived in has disappeared. Tradition
states that his body was brought to Ryal Side on an
ox-cart. An elm tree which was planted near Kenin-
son's house, April 19, 1775, was blown down a few
years ago.
1 At the seventy-fifth anniversary of the battle of Lexington (April
19, 1850) the president of the day said : "You may see on the table be-
fore me the powder-born of Isaac Parker, of Chelmsford, who wore It at
the North Bridge, and a fragment of the shirt in which Reuben Ken-
niston of Beverly, was killed, which wsig preserved with pious care by
his wife. The holes through it have decayed from the blood sUiiits, which
were left unefiaced."
BEVERLY.
701
A valuable lesson in history might be acquired by
tracing the route of our first Revolutionary soldiers,
as they so eagerly pressed on to join their brothers-in-
arms and that of their return, bearing with them their
slain and wounded comrades.
Nathaniel Cleaves, who was wounded in the fight,
having had his fingers cut off and ramrod carried
away by a bullet, is included in the "list of the names
of the provincials who were killed and wounded in the
late engagement with his Majesty's troops at Con-
cord." He seems soon to have recovered of his
wound, for he was in the Bunker Hill fight of June
17th, and with the troops at Cambridge within a mouth
of the Lexington engagement.
An extremely interesting relic of the times is the
journal of this same soldier, which is now in posses-
sion of one of our most estimable citizens. It com-
mences :
" Thursday, STay ye 25, 1775. Captain Low marched from Beverly to
Cambritipe ; took up our quarters at mister bloggets; the 27, Suturdai/
(forenoon), plesent ; at night a scurniig (skirmish) came on between the
regulars and our peopel on the island (?) ; burnt a house and barn,
killed — horses, burnt one schooner and took sum plunder, and lost no
lives on our side, but supposed that we killed a number of them. Sun-
day, 28, Some guns fired on our peopel that were getting sum guns out
of the racks, but no damage. Monday, the ^9, brought off the island 27
head of cattel, 20 od horses, 30IJ sheep and lams, and no damage. Tm-s-
day, (fte 30, great movement made with the troops in Boston, by which
means the country was alarmed, and no men to go out of the camp,
Wmn., 31, Capt. Cimbel's (Kimbal's (?) company came to Cambridge.
" Thursday, Jutie 1, 1775. Cloudy morning ; cleavetl of pleasant. Had
Blister Willard, Mr. Cutler and Mr. Ilichcock in the afternoon. [These
were the ministei-s of First Parish, Beverly, Hamilton, and Second
Parish, Beverly. These three also rode to Lexington iniinedialely on
receipt of the alarm.] A meeting concerning our field officers adjourned
to next day. Curnelos Jlaurice hanged hisself with bis hanchii-chrf.
The next day, pleasant morning; guns were fired, supposed to be at
Nodels islHnd (Ewst Bostonl, and so continued all day by spurts; sent a
party of about 2(i(), and 2 field peises, for Chelsea. The day ended with
the meeting of the officers ; had the mager before us and had a full
hearing; so that day ended. The same night a scout flent to Dear
J.-land, took of -lOO sheap, sum cattel, fore priseners.
" llie 3d day, Saturday, a plesent morning ; this day the whole army
was mustered on the common to see 2 theives whipped, one 20 stripes,
negro 10 ; one man drumed out of the army with 36 drums and 40 fifes,
with the rogues march. Sinidotj, (he 4tk day, fair whether ; went to
meeting, heard 2 sermons. Monday, the 5 day, fair wether ; nothing re-
markibel. The 1th day set out for Beverly, reached it about 12 o'clock,
and ret'd to Cambridge Saturday, the 10th.
*' Monday, the 72 day, a number of the priseners under the main gard
ris and abused the oaittain of the gard, and a gineral cort niarshel was
ordered to try the same ; the common report for this day is that their is
3 rigemeut and 3 company of horse ofl" in the Bay ; this day ended with-
out anything new.
" 15 day Monday, cool morning ; cort marsbel continued till Fryday ;
nothing new.
*Wfte 10 r>aj/, a pritty hot Fire, said to be at the effege of Hancock.
This day the nuse came to Cambridge that Philadelphia had taken a ship
\\\\\i 75(1 stand fire-arms and quantity of ammunition. This isgoodnuso
for which I am thankful. About 6 o'clock there was mustered about
1000 men to go and take possession of Bunker hill (!), which they did
the same night without any disturbance.
Battle of Bunkeh Hill.
" Till Saturday morning about sunrise the Lively fired on our men ;
killed Asa pollerd of Bilierica ; Orders for our rigement to parade at 5
o'clock with 3 other rigetnents to relieve those at Bunker hill, but was
alarmed at 12 when the troops began to land, which caused a hot fire on
both sides, which our side left the ground for want of field peices and
jiowder (!). Soon after the engagement began they set Charlestuwn on
fire ; our rigement returned at night to Prospect hill and intrenched all
night.
" Tii€ 18 day, Sunday, they fired upon our peupid but did no damage."
In this brief chronicle of the soldier's life in Cam-
bridge is given his share in the important battle of
Bunker Hill, which he treats merely as a skirmish of
little consequence. His point of view was not suffi-
ciently removed from the scene of conflict for him to
appreciate its magnitude. He wastes no words in ex-
cuses for their retreat, nor stops for gratulatioii :
" Tlie 24 day, Saturday, in the morning was alarmed by a great move-
ment of the regulars on Bunkers hill, sui>posed to be a coming (uit, but
did nut. 25, Sunday, in the forenoon stayed at our camp at Cambridge ;
about 12 o'clock went down to the hill and begun our brcstwork. There
was a packet of lettei-8 came to gineral Putnam from our prisenei-s in
Boston and say that they are treated vary wel. Mister Cleveland
preached on the hill, from John 20, 22; this day dug up the bones of a
man buiied about a foot under ground.
" Went up to see Capt. Francessis men Thursday ; went to breakfast
without butter or cheas ; had Capt. Batchelder to dine with iis, we bad
biled vittels and rost veal . . , the sargents went to supper on New
England grog, and then went to our logings in peace.
^^ Fry da — this day chool and clowdey ; gineral orders to be on the
parade at o o'clock, and william Anderson to receive 29 stripes and one
Russel 80, and one rid the wooden hors and then went down to Prospect
hill to work on the intrenchmenls. A whoonian was drumed of the
hill for playing the roge with a drummer, and bob Picket was as focksey
as the Divel. . . .
^^ July theS Day, this morning cloudy. There was four cannon fired
to Rocksbury and one hous sot on fire. General Washington came to
Cambridge about twelve o'clock and was atended with a great number
of gentlemen from nabering towns ! Captain Low went to Beverly this
morning; Ensign Henery Herrick went with him."
Leaves of absence to visit Beverly were frequently
obtained, and in one of them Lieutenant Cleaves
walked home on a Friday, stoppinc^ at Colonel Her-
ricks to " fix up," and " brought up '' at Mister Chip-
mans.
*' The next day, 'Saturday,' in the morning went down to Mister
Joshua Herricks ; in the afternoon to the Hatnlet (Hamilton), from there
over to Topsfit^ld, to David Perkinses, from there to Beverly, down to the
lower perrisb (parish). Sunday the 9, went to meaten in the forenoon,
Mister Hichcock preached ; ihen sot of for Cambridge."
The camp-life seems not to have been entirely with-
out its relaxations, as witness the following :
" Fvidny the 14 Day, Cap. and Capt. Low went to Watertown after
bords to finish our barnicks ; l.ad a very plesent time ; they fel in com-
pany with a very butiful Lady and took her into the shay with them ;
the recompense she gave them is not yet none (known) for carying of
her. . . . Tusday the IS. this morning warm and clear. I went
down to Chelsea with more ofisers and 130 men after a mast for a liberty-
pole ; had a fine prospect of the enemy, saw 83 horses paraded and near
40 more m the paster. I went into a house, got sum biled sider, and
kissed the old whoroans Daughter to pay for it, had a fine frolick ; at the
tavern drove a dog out of the windo, and sum other things worthy of
note. Coming back met the chief general aidecamp from Cambridge,
who said that there was a great movement with the troops at Uocksl ery
and had struck a number of tents, supposed to be going somewhere-
Arrived a little after sunset very much fatigued, went to bed at ten
o'clock, and was under arms by half-past two the next morning. Weuti-
dtiy the 19, Captain Low and Lieut. Herrick went to Watertown for
bagonets, and this afternoon I secured some powder and ball."
This excerpt gives a fair picture, probably, of the
soldier's life at that period, before the hardships of
war had begun. The brave fellow, whose diary we
have been permitted to glance at, was lost at sea in
1780, so he must have resigned his commission in the
army before the war was over.
702
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
In the great work of preparation for inevitable war
the women of Beverly ably assisted their husbands
and brothers — weaving cloth, knitting stockings,
making garments — :vnd dividing with the soldiers
their household supplies.
1775— April 22, "Col. Henry Herrick, Capt.
Benjamin Lovett and Capt. Wm. Bartlett chosen to be
a committee in behalf of this town to confer with the
committees of the several seaport towns of this county
what steps shall be most expedient for them to take
at this difficult time, and for to meet at the tavern
near Beverly meeting-house on Monday, the 24th
instant, at 9 o'clock in the morning."
"Also, Col. Henry Herrick, Capt. Ebenezer Francis,
Capt. Edward Giles, Capt. Benj. Lovett, Jr., Capt.
Nicolas Thorndike, Mr. Peter Pride, and Lieut.
Elisha Dodge, were chosen a committee of safety for
this town, for to act in that affair in the best manner
they can for the Publick good."
May 19, A town-meeting w.as warned "to elect and
depute as many members as to them shall seem neces-
sary and expedient to represent them in a Provential
Congress, to be held at the meeting-house in Water-
town, on the 31st of May inst., ... to consult, delib-
erate and resolve upon such further measures a«,
under God, shall be effectual to save this people
from imjiending ruin," etc.
Their representative, Capt. Josiah Batchelder, Jr.,
was instructed to lay before Congress the exposed
situation of the town and ask for soldiers to defend it,
as many of their men had enlisted in the army.
October 12, It was voted that the committee of cor-
respondence procure "six pe.ases of cannon ;" two six
and four four-pounders, mount them on carriages and
place in position ; to have two breastworks thrown up,
one at Woodbury's Point and the other at Paul's
Head. It was later voted to place one nine-pounder
and one four at AVoodbury's Point, the other nine and
one four-pounder at Paul's Head, and the two field-
pieces wherever the committee should judge best for
the public safety.
" After the collision, which extinguished the last lingering hope of
reconciliation, the County of Essex, essentially maritime in her habits,
launched her thiinderbolts on the deep, and trailed the flag, that for a
thousand years had braved the battle and the breeze, ignominiously on
many a conquered deck, whence went up the pine-tree fl.ag of the rebels
in token of victory. The first flag, untler the Coiilhmital milhorilij, that
ever jtouted tit an Americtm mast-head in defiance of British supremacy,
was hoisted on hoard the ' Hannah,' from Beverly ! The first comman-
der who, under Washington's commission, threw down the gauntlet of
maritime warfare, was Capt. Manly of Marblehead. . . . The har-
bors of Salem, Marblehead and Beverly swarmed with prizes. The
same hardy flshermon of the seaports of Essex, driven from the theatre
of their adventurous industry by the breaking out of hostilities, trod the
decks of these little wanderers of the sea, who afterwards manned the
* Constitution ' in the second War of Independence, when St. George's
Cross went down before the stars and stripes " i
A dramatic episode of the conflict was witnessed in
Beverly harbor, this same autumn of 1775, which is
graphically described in Stone's " History of Beverly."
- Rautoul's Oration at Concord, 19th April, 1850.
One pleasant morning a privateer schooner sailed out
of Beverly on a cruise. She had not been long out
when she was discovered by a British sloop-of-war,
the " Nautilus," of twenty guns, which immediately
bore down upon her. The superior force of the enemy
induced the captain of the privateer to jiut back ; but
in the confusion of the chase he grounded on the flats.
It being ebb tide, the " Nautilus " came to anchor
outside the bar, from which position she opened fire on
the town. The meeting-house being the most con-
spicuous object, several shots were aimed at it, one of
which penetrated the chaise-house of Thomas Steph-
ens, destroying the chaise, and another struck the
chimney of a house on the opposite side of the street.
The worthy man whose chaise was destroyed did
not rest an idle spectator, but seizing his musket he
hastened to the beach, returningthe fire of the enemy
in gallant style. Here he was joined by several other
patriotic inhabitants of the town, conspicuous among
them being Col. Henry Herrick, an active member of
the committee of correspondence, in full military cos-
tume. Their fire may not have been very effectual, but
it at least showed their good intentions, and warned
the commander of the sloop-of-war that he had stirred
up a veritable hornet's nest of rebel musketeers. The
receding tide soon left the "Nautilus" in an awk-
ward position aground, so that she careened and could
not use her guns. In this condition she lay till dark,
the target for the cannon of Hospital Point, on Salem
side, and of the small arms of the Beverly patriots.
The tide rising, after dark, the bafiJed commander
weighed anchor and stood for Boston, "carrying with
him no very pleasant recollections of his introduction
to the citizens of this town."
Between March and November, 1781, 52 vessels,
carrying 74G guns, with crews of 3940 men, were fitted
out and chiefly owned in Salem and Beverly.
Beverly has the honor of having sent out the first
commissioned privateer of the Revolution. This
vessel was the " Hannah," the papers for which were
issued September 3, 1775, and signed by General
Washington.
The first to commence operations against Great
Britain's mercantile marine, Beverly maintained her
privateers throughout the war. Our most noted and
most successful privateersman was Captain Hugh Hill,
who, as early as 1775, brought into port a valuable
prize, the British schooner " Industry," the cargo of
which was sold and the vessel turned over to the pub-
lic service. Captain Hill (the first of his family in
this town), commenced privateering in the " Pilgrim,"
of twenty guns, which was built under his superin-
tendence in Newburyport. He captured numerous
prizes, and nearly all were sent into Beverly, which
was then, as one writer has expressed it, the head-
quarters for our infant navy. More captured vessels
(it is said), were brought into this port than into any
other in New England. The first navy agent was
William Bartlett (after whom Bartlett Street was
BEVERLY.
703
named), who Lad charge of the captured cargoes, which
were of such material aid to tlie continental army in
their time of sorest need.
Many anecdotes are related of our great privateer
captain Hill, illustrating his sagacity, bravery and
humanity.
On one cruise, while sailing with the English en-
sign at mast-head, as a decoy, he was boarded by the
captain, of a British man-of-war, who, unsuspicious
of his host, remarked that he was in search of "that
notorious Hugh Hill." Captain Hill, at that mo-
ment unprepared for an engagement, answered that
he was on the lookout for the same individual, and
hoped soon to meet him. The officer departed, but
in a few days they met again ; the American flag was
run up, and an engagement followed, in which the
Englishman was captured, and the prize sent into
Beverly.
Captain Hill, who was own cousin to General An-
drew Jackson, proved himself such a terror to British
commerce, that his capture would have been looked
upon as a great achievement.
Several other townsmen shared with Captain Hill
the honor of successful commanders, among them
Captain Eleazer Giles, Elias Smith, John Tittle and
Benjamin Lovett. Captain Giles, in 1776, sailed from
the port of Beverly in a ten-gun brig, with which he
captured four merchantmen out of a large fleet, two
of his prizes being ships of four hundred and three
hundred tons, respectively, and the other two brigs
of lesser tonnage. He was, however, captured on a
later cruise by a British vessel of superior force, and
sent prisoner to Halifax.
Captain Elias Smith, commander of the ship " Mo-
hawk," of twenty guns, cruised mainly in the West
Indies, where, in 1781, he captured a Guineaman
fslaver) of sixteen guns, which was sent into Bev-
erly.
Captain John Tittle, when sailing in a letter of
marque, was attacked by two cruisers, being engaged
with them for three hours. All his canvas above the
lower yards was shot away, and his crew, looking u])on
their condition as hopeless, began to abandon their
guns, when the gallant captain drew his sword and
threatened to run the first man through who left his
quarters. A fortunate shot soon taking effect uiwn
one of the enemy and night coming on, he was en-
abled to escape.
These meagre gleanings from the annals of our town
indicate the spirit of this little community, w'hich sent
its citizens forth to battle for freedom, on land and sea.
1776. — In January of this year the town voted to
hire twenty-four men as night-watchers on the sea
coast, at West's beach and near Benjamin Smith's
house at Plum Cove, and one hundred pounds, to de-
fray these expenses. A watch at the fort was main-
tained by Colonel Glover, with the Fourteenth Regi-
ment of the Continental army.
At a town-meeting June 13, 1776, three weeks be-
fore the Declaration of Independence, it was voted
that, in event the Continental Congress declare the
independence of the colonies, they would " solemnly
pledge their lives and fortunes to support them in it."
This pledge was fulfilled on almost every battle-field
of the Eevolution ; yet, in 1779, a fine of five thousand
four hundred pounds was asses8e<l on the town, by
the General Court, for failing to furnish a prescribed
number of men for the militia.
In a petition for its remission in 1780 the towxi ap-
pealed to the records in evidence that {which was
strictly true) they had " furnished more men, and
been at greater expense to carry on the war, than al-
most any other town in proportion to their abilities."
1776. — Town-meetings were held with increasing
frequency, as the exigencies of the occasion de-
manded the building of breastworks, the purchase of
ammunition, instructions to their representatives and
protection of the harbor and coast. It was put to vote
(November 7th) if the town would stop up their har-
bor, and it passed in the negative. Voted that " the
selectmen be empowered to petition to General
Washington, or any other department, for ammuni-
tion and men for the safety of this town whenever
they shall think it necessary and expedient." They
were also empowered to procure two hundredweight
of powder, " in the best manner they can."
Interleaved in the volume of records for 1774-8.3,
opposite the entry for July 2, 1776, is a copy of the
original proclamation of independence (July 4,1776,)
in accordance with the order accompanying it, that a
" copy be sent to the ministers of each parish of every
denomination, who, after reading it to their congre-
gations, were to deliver it to the clerks of their re-
spective towns, who are hereby required to record
it in their respective town or district books, there to
remain, as a. perpetual memorial thereof."
The town records for 1776 show that the regular
business of the town went on uninterruptedly, but
their pages throughout indicate active preparation for
warfare and defense, and seem to smell of gunpow-
der and liristle with baj'onets.
1777. — Under date of February 17th is a list of men
paid for watching at night, comprising twenty-six
names. The chief bills of the town are for watching,
militia service, bounties to soldiers, etc., as "to time
spent in making Brestworks; procuring and hauling
cannon ; to hauling 500 cwt. of powder from Ando-
ver; to going to Dan vers to procure intrenching
tools ; " and finally, as war's bloody returns come in,
" to choose a committee to supply the soldiers' fami-
lies that are in the continental army ; " and, " or-
dered the treasurer to pay the several persons, soldiers
in the continental army, the sums annexed to each of
their names, they being extremely poor, and unable
to procure things of the committee of supply."
1777. The town voted to give fourteen pounds to
each non-oomtuissioned officer and private who would
enlist in the Continental army for three years, or dur-
704
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ingthe war, and four pounds additional to such as had
been in the army and would re-enlist. Pi'ovision
was made for barracks for the sea-coast men at Wood-
Imry's Point. Three hundred pounds was voted for
the relief of families of soldiers, and the next year
two hundred pounds additional.
In 1779 a "sum not exceeding twelve thousand
pounds " was voted for procuring men for the army,
and in succeeding years sums varying from five
thousand to fifty thousand pounds were provided for
the same purpose.
In 1780 the selectmen were authorized to procure
five horses for the public service, and a bounty was
offered to soldiers enlisting of 100 pounds sugar, 100
pounds coffee, 10 bushels corn, 100 pounds beef and
50 pounds cotton or £1370 in money, to which was later
added 67 pounds coffee, and the money bounty in-
creased to £1611. Price of labor on the highway was
then fixed at £12 per day. Salt sold for £50 per
bushel.
1777. A prominent man in military affairs at this
time was Colonel Ebenezer Francis, born at Medford,
in 1743, and removed to Beverly in 1764. He received
a captain's commission in the Continental Army,
July 1, 1775, the year following was colonel, and com-
manded a regiment on Dorchester Heights. By com-
mission of November 19, that year, he was authorized
to raise a regiment in Massachusetts, and at the head
of this regiment, the Eleventh Massachusetts, he
marched, in January, 1777, for Ticonderoga. His
death occurred July 7, 1777, at Hubbardston, N. Y.,
near Whitehall, where he was shot while leading his
troops to battle.
Previous to setting out on this march his company
was assembled in the first parish meeting-house, at
religious service, and " associated with him on that
perdous expedition into the wilderness, were many
brave and noble spirits, and some of them highly ed-
ucated."
His brother, John Francis, fought by his side, an ad-
jutant in his regiment when he fell, and was subse-
quently in several battles, was wounded at the cap-
ture of Burgoyne, and retired with honor. Later, in
1786, he raised a company in Beverly and Danvers,
and marched to suppress Shay's rebellion ; after his re-
turn was captain of the militia company of the
second parish, and commanded the Beverly regiment,
dying in 1822, aged sixty-nine years. Two other
brothers of Colonel Francis, Aaron and Thomas,
fought in the Revolution. As chaplain of Colonel
Francis' regiment went the minister of the second
parish. Rev. Enos Hitchcock, a graduate of Harvard
in 1767, colleague of Rev. Mr. Chipman in 1771,
whom he succeeded in 1775.
He had been preceded as chaplain in the regiment
by the Rev. Mamasseh Cutler, the celebrated minister
at Hamilton. Mr. Hitchcock was at Valley Forge,
and wrote of the condition of the army in 1778 :
"Numbers of our brigade are destitute, even of a
shirt, and have nothing but the ragged remains of
some loose garments as partial covering."
This brave chaplain survived the war; was dismiss-
ed from the Second Parish in 1780, and became pas-
tor of a church in Providence, in October, 1783. He
is remembered as aa eloquent preacher and as the
author of a work of fiction and several published dis-
courses.
In this regiment also was Henry Herrick, a gradu-
ate of Harvard, and a successful teacher in Beverly
after the war, and Moses Greenleaf, captain of a com-
pany, whose private journal contained incidents of
the e.xpedition.
1777. The women of Beverly " took a hand " in af-
fairs this year, a company of them gathering and
leading a raid upon the storehouse of one of the
merchants who had a stock of sugar on hand which
he refused to sell, on account of the depreciation of
the paper mone}'. With the assistance of some of the
men one cold November morning, about sixty of them
marched down Main (Cabot) and Bartlett Streets to
the wharves, where they broke open the warehouse
and loaded up two ox-carts with sugar. The foreman
of the establishment oflering resistance, he was
promptly charged upon by the ladies, one of whom
seized him by the hair, at which he fled, leaving his
wig in her grasp
The sugar was carted to the shop of the leader, who
retailed it at a fair price to customers, and rendered
her account faithfully to its owners.
1778. Out of a list of ten abatements for taxes, op-
posite five of the names is entered " on account of
being in captivity;" two others were " long absent
abroad," and one " dead and left nothing."
Out of seven such abatements in 1779, two were for
persons who had been "long in captivity;" one, An-
drew Ober, "long missing if alive;" and another,
Joseph Ober, second, " died in captivity."
1779. At the March town-meeting it was voted to
hire five hundred pounds, for the use of the commit-
tee for supplying the familes of soldiers.
Forty men were lost at sea this year, and in conse-
quence the town petitioned to be released from sup-
plying its quota.
As late as 1788, in a list of abatements of taxes,
fourteen were on account of the persons taxed then
being or having been in captivity.
The following names of soldiers have been mostly
copied from the original muster rolls in the State
House at Boston :
Captain Caleb Dodge's MIuster-Roll of Minute Men.
Captain — Caleb Dodge. First Lieutenant— Jona. Batclielder. Second
Lieutenant — Nathan Smith. Ensign— Benj. Shaw. Sergeants — .Ino.
Batchelder, Sanil. Woodbury, Peter Woodbury, Benj. Jones, Jona.
Perliina. Privates— Jacob Dodge, Benj. Cressy, Jr., Nathl Cressy, Wm.
Canimel. Jos. Raymond, Elisha Woodbury, Stepb. Felton, Dea. Wm,
Dodge, Wm. Woodbury 3d, Ebenr. Trask, Mark Dodge, Clias. Dodge,
Joshua Dodge, Saml. Conaut, Israel Greene, Barth. Trask, John Cressy,
Nathan Cressy, Aaron Salley t?J, Robert Dodge, Joshua Cleaves, Jona.
Dodge, Nathan Wyman.
BEVERLY.
705
'* These may certify that this list above is a true list of the commission
officers, non-commission officers and Privates in ye alarm list under my
command in y second Parish in Beverly, wi" went to assist at y« alarm at
Lexington & Concord, on ye I'Jth A 'iu'b of April last.
"Beverly, Deer, ye ifith, 1775.
"Caleb Dodgk, Capt."
Captain Dodj^e's eoiupany arrived In season to
overtake the British at Lexington, and materially re-
tarded their retreat.
A copy of the '* Muster Rail of the First Foot Company
of Beverly, at the alarm, of the Concord fights on the
VMk of April last."
Captain — Larkin Thorndike. First Lieutenant — Joseph Wood. Second
Lieutenant — John Dyson. Ensign — Theophilus Herrick. Sergeants —
Moses Brown, Henry Herrick, Benj. Leech. John Low. Corporal —
Sewal Tuck. Privates— Robert Roundy, Benj- Lovett, Jr., Sol. Loaf kin,
Benj. Corning, Jos. Larkin, Henry (?) Standley, Wm. Herrick, Benj.
Parsons, Andrew Smith, Elisha Woodbury, Josiah Ober, Jos. Lovett 2d,
Jos. Herrick, Josiah Woodbury. Steph. Cabot, Wm. Taylor, Joseph
Baker, Nathl. Lamson, Ezra F. Foster, Jos. Goodridge, Robert Stone,
J;is. Smith, Timothy Leech, Jolin Pickett, Benj. Briant, Heni-y Thorn-
dike, John Low 2d, Sanil. Dane, Richard Ober, John Morgan, Benj.
Beckford, Benj. Adams, Wm. Trask, Henery Herrick 3d, Jos. Wyer,
Bonj. B. Lovett, Hazadiah Smith, George Stephens.
"Then Capt. Larkin Thorn<like, aforesaid, personally appeared before
me and made solemn oath Jliat the foregoing muster-roll is true and
just. Before me,
"Benj. Jones, J. P."
In Captain John Low^s Company, August, 1775; in
Colonel Mutchinson's Hegirnent.
Captain — John Low. Lieutenant— Js'athl. Cleaves. Ensign — .Tos.
Herrick. Sergeants— Luke Roundy, Geo. Steavens, John Low, Henery
Herrick. Corporals— Gid. Batchelder, Arch. Dale, John Morgan, An-
drew Wood. Drummer— Samuel Cole. Fifer— Hale Hilton. Privates-
Benj. Adams, Saml. Arbuckell, Daid. Bunker, Benj. Buotman, Thos.
Butman, Jiis. Brazill, Jas IJiichman. Ji.hri Cleaves, Thos. H. Cule, Alex.
Calico, Thos. Carry, Sol. Cole, Mat. Furnesse, Jos. Foster, Edw. Foster,
Jona. Foster, Wm. Goodridge, Saml. Giles, Geo. Gross, Geo. Gallop, Wm.
Hales, Thos, Hogane. John Herrick, Jona. Knowlton, Jos. Lovett, Wm.
Lovett. Mark Morse (last survivor), Wm. Lewis (?), Ashael Moore, An-
drew Ober, Pickett, , Raymond, Robert Stone,
Staudley, Symmes, Sharley, Jona. Setchel, Eph. Smith, Israel
Nash, Mose^ Traek, Wm. Tuck. Wm. Woddel, Benj. Woodman, Caleb
Wallia, Benj. Woodbury, Corn. Woodbury, Jona. Young.
Captain Peter Shaw's Company ; sworii to before Henry
Herrick, J, P., January 16, 1776.
Captain— Peter Shaw. Lieutenant— Caleb Balch. Clerk- Joua. Co-
nant. Sergeant— Saml. Dudge. Privates— Joshua Coining, Simeon
Dodge, Josepii Poland, Israel Woodbury, James Dodge, John Cressy,
Abner Smith, Phineas Hovey, Benj. AVoodburj-, John Conant. Gideon
Rea, Jona. Leach, Saml. Conant, Jr., Ebeur. Waldron, Xathl. Raymond
Barnabas Trask, Jona. Raymond, Robt. Baker, Robert Canibel, Aaron
Putnam, Ebenz. Trask, Jr., Lot Conant, Wm. Trask ^d, Prise (?) Dodge,
Cornelius Dodge, Andrew Eliot, Israel I*erkins, Ebenr. Raymond, Benj.
Raymond, Win. Synis, Joseph Serls, Timotliy Batchelder, Sand. Nurse,
Nehemiah Dodge, Benj. Shaw, Jr., Edward Dodge, Juseph Foster,
William Pearce.
Muster-Poll of the Company under Captain Ebenezer
Francis, in Colonel Mansfield's Regiment, August,
1776.
Captain— El)enr. Francis. Sergeants— Nathl. Ob»r (Wenham) and
Benj. Shaw. Privates— Aaron Francis John Smith, Nathaniel Hyat (?),
Jos. Raymonil, Timothy Batchelder, Jno. Bowles, Wm. Cox, Wm. Cressy,
Job Cressy, E<lward, Nehemiah. Nathaniel. Richard (?) ami Cornelius
Dodge, Robert Edwanls, Jusiah Foster, Israel Greene, Joseph Larkin,
Stephen Miisury, Joseph Marble, .Saml. Nurse, Wm. Parice, Jos. Picket,
Jos. Potter, Beuj. Raymond, Benj. Shaw, Daniel Twist, William Wood-
bury, Gideon Woodbury.
45
From the Mileage- Roll of Captain John Gay's Company,
in C'-lonel Francis' Pegiment.
Lieutenant— Hen. Herrick. Sergeants— Edward Dodge, Cornelius
Dodge, Jos. Serle (?), Peter Trask, Jas. Thistle, John Austin, Joseph
Stand ley.
1776, — The following list of patriots in Captain
Moses Brown's company, raised in August, 1776, is
given by Historian Stone :
Richard Ober, Jona. Harris, Freeborn Tliorndike, Jona. Foster, Siim-
uel Stone, William Crowther, Cornelius, Luke and Andrew \N''oodberry,
John Cressy, Amos Cressy, Robert Lovett, Thos. Parker, Barth. Smith,
Blibill Woodberry, Thomas Cox, Nath. Batchelder, Nathaniel, Joseph
and .Tames Ober, Wm. Cook, Ahner Stone, Benj. Foster, James Patch,
Henry Peirce, Asa Larcom (Salem?), Robert Stone, Esup Hale, Herbert
Standley, John Biles, Josiah Woodberry, Jacob Poland, Andrew Elliot,
William Henick, Eben'r Rogei-s, John Stone, William Cressy. Israel
Greene, Benj. Porter, Thos. Slorse, Joseph Hall, William Kimball, Dan-
iel Carleton, William Gage, Jona. Gage, Caleb Wallis, Ebenezer Messer,
Joseph Cross, Elisha Webber, \\ illiam Harriman, John Berry, Joseph
Foster, John Swain. Officers: First LJeuteuant— Win. Grover. Second
Lieutenant-John WalHs. Ensign- John Clark. Sergeants— William
Bowles, Richard Ober and Samuel Cressy. Corporals— Wm. Dike,
Joshua Elliugwoud, Francis Ober and Ezra Ober.
Men enlisted November, 1776:
Sergeants— Richard Butman, Isaac Tliorndike. C<jri>onils— Simeon
Lovett, Bart. Wallis. Privates— Benj. Leach, Richard Ober (2d), Joha
Porter, Josiah Foster, Nathan Cressy, Benj. Ober, Nathl. Woodbury,
Jeffrey Tliissell, John Woodbury, Andrew Eliot (2d), George Standley,
Ebene/.er Rea, Joshua Ellingwood, Nichohis Woodbury, Edward Smith,
Obed Woodbury, Wm. Lovett, John Harmon, Ezra Lovett, Beuj . Blash-
field.
1779. — In Captain Billy Porter's company, and in
Colonel Tupper's regiment at West Point (Stone's
History) :
Lieutenants — Thos. Francis and William Burloy. Ensign — Benj.
Shaw. Sergeant— John Pickett. Corporal— Jer. Woodberry. Drum-
mer—B. B. Wood. Privates— Asa Batchelder, Jona. Conant, Benj.
Corning. Mathias Claxton, .Vlex. Carrico, Samuel Dcwige, Simeon Dodge,
George Grose, Andrew Herrick, Claton Jones, Nathan Jones, John
Kennedy, Abner Rjiyraond, Benj. Woodberry, Benj. Woodberry, Jr.,
Israel, Nathaniel and William Woodberry.
In Captain Page's company (of Danvers) ;
Lieutenant— Samuel Goodridge. Sergeant — Jos. Raymond. Privates
— Uobt. Edwards, Scipio Bartlett, James Harley, Joseph l^uliind and
Primas Green.
Jonathan Conant, Sr., was paymaster under Colonel
Francis, and was in the battle of Monmonth ; Joshua
Twist was in Gates' army at the surrender of Bur-
goyne ; William and Samuel Cressy were in the bat-
tle of Trenton ; Luke Roundy, a lieutenant in Cap-
tain Low's company, was wounded at Saratoga, and
died at Albany, and Nathaniel Cleaves was in the
same engagement (says Mr. Stone), who adds further
names of soldiers in the service, as:
William and Robert Goodridge, Israel Trask, Benj. Ellingwood, Thos.
Lovett, Benj. Bicktord, Benj. Bickford, Jr., John Bickford, Nath'l
Friend, Isjiac Smith, Jona. Woodberry, Zachariah Morgan and Benj.
Spriggs.
From the 'iniister roll:
Captain — Billy Porter (of Wenham). Thos. Francis, Jr., Luke
Roun<iy, Aaron Putnam, Jona. Buwles, Robert Twist, Jo-;eph Fosler,
Jos. .Searle, Abner Raymond, Benj. Shaw, .Iitna. Conant, Kdw. Sliaw,
Sam'l Dodge, Simeon Dodge, Benj. Corning, William Woodbury, Benj.
Woodburj', Benj. Wood, Wm. Clark, John Kandy, Job Cressy, Richard
Lee, .*\sa Batchelder, Dan'l Lampson, Philip Crush, Wm. Cook, Wm.
Collins, Francis Thompson, Matthias Claxton, John Paris, Peletiub War-
706
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ren, Matthew Tobin. Jona. Standly, Jere. "Woodbury, Israel Woodbury,
Alex. Carico, Joseph Picket, Jacob Keed, George York, Joseph Freethey
(?), Audrew Herrick, John Carter, "W'tu. Dodge, George Gross, Win.
Cutler, Wm, Webber.
1780. — Men who served for six months :
Wm. Clerk, Weeden Cole, Jona. Conant, Joseph Carr, Kichard Craft,
Asa Leach, .\bner Kaymond, RobH Standley, John Trask, Trask,
Joseph Wood, Benj. Woodbury.
Beverly's suflerers by sea were not few during the
Eevolution, and of those committed to Mill Prison
are the following :
Benj. Chipnian, of schooner "Warren," taken December 27, 1777.
Michael Down, of brig "Rambler," taken October 21, 1779.
Joseph Leach, taken and committed to Pembroke Prison in 1779.
Josepli Perkins, Levi ^ oodbnry, Kobert Kaymond, Matthew Cham-
bers and Andrew Peabody, of ship 'Essex," taken June 10, 1781 ; also
James Lovett and Benjamin Spragne.
William Haskell, Alexander Carrico and George Groce, of brig
"Eagle," taken June, 1780.
John Baker, of brig "Black Princess," taken October 11, 1781.
John Tuck, Thomas Hadden, Josiah Foster, Hezekiah Tliissell, Na-
thaniel Woodbury and Zebulon Ober, of snow " Diana," taken June 15,
1781, and committed January 23, 1783.
William Herrick was killed at sea, off Bermuda, in the snow "Diana,"
the year before ; Benj. Bickford was mate of the " Diana" when Her-
rick was killed.
The " Diana " was a letter of marque, and a
" snow " was a vessel half brig and half schooner.
1780. lu the annals of this period the " dark day "
(May 19th) held a conspicuous place. The sun, that
morning, rose clear, but "soon assumed a brassy
hue," and at two o'clock was totally obscured. Dur-
ing three hours time it was extremely dark, the
birds and fowls went to roost in silence, and every-
thing portended an awj'ul visitation. The alarm of
the people was universal, many supposing that the
judgment day was at hand, and one old gentleman, it
is said, dressed himself with great care, took his sil-
ver-headed cane with him into the field and calmly
awaited the event. The darkness became dispelled
during the afternoon, but the night succeeding was of
such intense gloom, until midnight, that even the
horses refused to go out into it from their stables. In
explanation of this event, it is said that the smoke
from great forest fires in the interior had settled over
this region, thus obscuring the .sun and necessitating
a resort to candle-light by the frightened inhabitants.
From the journal of a resident of Beverly came this
quaint record.
" Bevehiy, Friday, May 19, 1780.
" This day happened something very Remarkable. From 10 o'clock
in the forenoon till half after two in the afternoon, there was totale
Darkness. But about 1 o'clock the Darkest; the sky was as Red as
though the Element had been a Fire. This was Wrote by me in my
Bedchamber in the house of coll. Thorndike, where Joseph Baker
keeps Tavern."
The first town-meeting under the new constitution
was held September 4th, this year, for the election of
governor, lieutenant-governor and councillors, and
the first representatives, Larkin Thorndike and Jon-
athan Conant, were then chosen.
1781. The constables were instructed to receive, in
the payment of taxes, one silver dollar instead of
seventy-five dollars of the old continental paper, and
one dollar of the new emission instead of forty dol-
lars of the old.
1781.— The Rev. .Joseph Willard, who had been
for e'ght years pastor of the First Parish, was called
to the i)residency of Harvard College, a position he
held until his death, in 1804, " after the longest term
of service, but one, in the series of Harvard's presi-
dents." His loss was deeply felt in Beverly, where
he had the respect and love of «very inhabitant. It
was he, who, during the darkest hour of the dark
day, acted the part of the true philosopher, and in-
stead of giving way to fear, calmly made observations
of the attendant phenomena. As he was thus engaged,
he became surrounded by frightened citizens, whose
alarm was soon allayed by his own indifference.
When one of them rushed up, breathless, with the
announcement that the tide had done flowing, he
drew out his watch and quietly remarked : " So it
has, for it is just high-water."
It is not very generally known, perhaps, that Mr.
Willard was at one time custodian of the literary
treasure? of a privateer. In 1781, the famous priva-
teer. Captain Hugh Hill, brought a prize into port,
containing, among other things, the celebrated Kir-
wan library, consisting of more than one hundred
scientific works, ancient and modern, which, when
taken, was in transit from England to its proprietor
in Ireland. At the suggestion of Mr. Willard, the
owners of the prize generally relini|uished their title
to it, allowing it to be sold, in compliance with law,
to an association of gentlemen resident here and in
Salem, for a mere nominal price.
" To the honor of Richard Kirwan it should be mentioned that he
declined an offer of compensation for his property in it, preferring to
have it pass for an outright gift to the infant cause and scanty means of
scientific progress, in a country not yet emerged from the clouds of des-
perate strife with his own for separate national existence.
" The books, so fortunately secured, were first committed to Willard's
keeping, but upon his removal from Beverly they were transferred to
Salem, where they were united with other collections, first under the
name of the Philosophical Library, then that of the Salem Athen.-eum,
and finally of the Essex luatitute, of which flourisliing, richly-endoweil.
greatly-valued and useful institution it may be considered as the possible
germ. From that germ alone great advantage has, hy not a few, been
derived. Our famous mathematician, Nathaniel Bowditch, of world-
wide fame, availed himself extensively of the aid of the Kirwan books,
especially in the earlier portions of his remarkable career, when such
works were rare, and diiEcult (at least in this country) to be procured ;
and his sense of indebtedness was freely and gratefully acknowledged by
him while living, and testified at his decease by a liberal legacy to the
institution in which they are deposited, and of which they form a
part." 1
It will be seen from the above, that Beverly con-
tributed (though perhaps unwittingly yet, not un-
willingly), to swell the stream of knowledge that
flowed from the early founts.
1783. — French troops passed the night in the Sec-
ond Parish, on their way to Portsmouth to embark
for France.
Beverly received the news of assured peace, pro-
mulgated this year, with the greatest satisfaction.
1 Thuver's Bi-Centennial Address.
BEVERLY.
707
Having performed her whole duty in the perilous
times, throughout, having lost many of her noblest
citizens, and having freely expended of her substance
to bring about this consummation, it was with joyful
anticipations for the future that she entered upon the
era of peace. It was some time, however, before the
tangled web of debt and obligations, woven about her
by the war, could be unraveled, and her paralyzed
commerce regain its wonted activity.
In 1786, especially, the burden of debt and taxa-
tion, together with the weight of a depreciated cur-
rency, bore heavily upon Beverly, in common with
every town in the State. It was in this year that
Shay's rebellion occurred, to aid in suppressing which
soldiers from Beverly joined the Essex company, un-
der Colonel Wade, of Ipswich, an officer kuown and
trusted by General Washington.
1785. — Rev. Joseph McKean, who was born in
Londonderry, N. H., 1757, and graduated at Dart-
mouth College, was ordained over the First Parish
May 11th, on which occasion a large number of
churches were represented. His salary was fixed at
two hundred pounds and his settlement at three hun-
dred pounds, to which two hundred pounds was added
in 1801. He was a man of great piety and learning,
honored by all our citizens. In 1802 he received and
accepted a call to the presidency of Bowdoin College.
Among other papers published in the Rantoul Rem-
iniscences is the following bill, for entertaining the
council and delegates at Mr. McKean's ordination :
t s. d.
*' 30 Bowles of Punch before the people went to meeting .3 (1 0
80 People Eating in the nioroing GOO
10 bottles of Wine before they went to meeting ... 1100
68 Dinner>> 19 4 n
44 Bowles of punch while at dinner and after .... 480
18 hollies of Wine i; 14 0
G people drank tea 0 9 0
40 Horses 3 0 0
4 Horses two days and nights 0 IG 0
8 Bowles of Brandy 0 12 0
Cherry Rum 100
3 of the gentlemen's servants, 2 meals each and drink,
the day 0 12 0
43 5 0 "
1787. — Beverly cast one hundred and twenty-five
votes for Governor, of which seventy-seven were for
John Hancock, and forty-eight for James Bowdoin ;
George Cabot, Joseph Wood and Israel Thorndike
were this year chosen delegates to the convention in
Boston January, 1788, for considering the framing of
a constitution for the United States. For several
years later, it was difficult to find people willing to
serve the town in official capacity, and fines were
imposed upon those who refused offices.
1788. — The first fruits of peace were not long in
showing themselves, and the most important step
taken in the securing of independence of the mother
country was the establishment of a cotton factory.
This factory, the first in America, wa.s erected in the
Second Parish, near Baker's Corner, at the junction
of Cabot and Dodge streets. A company of proprie-
tors was incorporated February 3, 1789 • but, the enter-
prise proving unprofitable, it was afterwards aband-
oned. The factory attracted much attention at the
time, and was visited by General Washington when
on his tour through the country in 1789.
A contemporary periodical said of it : " An experi-
ment was made with a complete set of machines for
carding and spinning cotton, which answered the
warmest e.xpeetations of the j)roprietors. The spin-
ning jenny spins sixty threads at a time, and with the
carding machines forty pounds of cotton can be well
carded per day. The warping machines and the
other tools and machinery are complete, and promise
much benefit to the public, and emolument to the
patriotic adventurers."
The Salem Gazette, of 1790, says : " The wear of the
Beverly corduroys is already become very common ; "
yet the enterprise failed, and, after several other at-
tempts, the proprietors suspended operations.
For nearly thirty years preceding 1800, the town
was agitated over the spread of the small-pox, and in
1788, even threw fences across the roads, to prevent
the passing of persons infected with the disease,
erecting a hosiiital and smoke-houses for fumiga-
tion.
1788. — The Essex Bridge was built this year, one
thousand four hundred and eighty-four feet long and
thirty-two feet wide, at a cost of sixteen thousand
dollars. It was to be a toll-bridge for seventy years,
at the expiration of which period it reverted to the
State. Robert Rantoul states, iu his remini-sceiices,
th.at (then a Salem school-boy often), he walked over
the bridge the day it was opened, and again in his
eightieth year, in 18.i8, on the day its charter ex-
pired.
Town fire-wards were first chosen in the preceding
year : 1787, Moses Brown, Andrew Cabot, George Ca-
bot, Joseph Lee and Joseph Wood.
In October, 1787, the Rev. Daniel Oliver was or-
dained over the Second Church, continuing here for
ten years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Ste-
phen Dorr, who was ordained iu March, 1800.
Several of our inhalntants joined the famous expe-
dition of Dr. Cutler (of Hamilton), that initial migra-
tion to Ohio, which resulted in the settlement of our
vast Western prairies.
1789. — The event of this year was the visit of
Washington, on his tour of the North, when he called
on his friends, William Bartlett and George Caliot ;
the latter then occupying tlie mansion now owned by
Mrs. Seth Norwood. In the Book of Records of the
Second Parish is a note by Mr. Stone ofthe following
communication made to him by Isaac Babson March
13, 1835:
" ^Vhen General Washington ciiuie to visit the cottnn factory (near
Bakers Tavern corner), he rode from .Salem on huit-oback and was
greeted by a great number. As he passed the residence (jf ('ol. Francis
he bowed to Mr«. F., who was at the wiudow. In the factory a number
708
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of females were arranged, holdirg pieces of clotb in their laps for in-
spection. The General stopped opposite Miss Francis (afterwards Mrs.
Low) and examined the cloth in her lap. On leaving the factory he
entered his carriage (his servant riding iiis horse) and went on to Ips-
wich."
As recently as 1863 there died, one who was con-
versant with these details: Mrs. Beisey Grant (widow
of Joseph, and mother of Benjamin D. Grant), a
lineal descendant of John Balch, one of the first set-
tlers. She was horn in the " Tipper Parish," Febru-
ary 10, 1772, and was seventeen years old at the time
of Washington's visit, which she distinctly remem-
bered in 1861. Washington paused at her side and
asked her several questions about the work, '' little
realizing, perhaps, the reverent affection with which
he was regarded by her, and which would embalm his
sentences in her heart forever."
The last individual living in Beverly to whom
Washington then spoke was Captain Peter Homan
(it is said), who died in 1871, at the age of ninety-one.
He was then a boy of nine, at work in the factory.
As a child, Mrs. Grant " assisted in laboring for the
soldiers of freedom at that early day of our nation's
history ; when a woman, wife and mother, she
worked for the sous of America in 1812, and as an
aged grandmother, she kuit stockings for the soldiers
of the Union in 1861."
Her eldest sister was a participant in the famous
female riot of 1777, and the mother of Captain Ho-
man was also one of the company.
1791. — The town treasurer was directed to fund the
paper money on hand, and in 1793 it was voted that
all contracts should be paid in hard money, instead
of town orders.
1793. — The proclamation of neutrality, by the
President, was warmly approved by the merchants of
Beverly.
1795. — A petition was presented to Congress, drawn
up by the Eev. Mr. McKean, William Burley, Israel
Thorndike, Moses Brown and John Stephens, praying
for the immediate fulfilment of the treaty between
the United States and Great Britain.
1798, — A health officer was appointed, for the first
time, and in 1801 a small-pox hospital was built at
Paul's Head. This promontory, where the light-
house now stands, and where the breastworks, erected
during the Indian wars and the Revolution, may yet
be seen, was early the property of Paul Thorndike,
one of the first selectmen of the town.
The hospital, built here in 1801, costing four hun-
dred and fifty doHars, was destroyed by fire, and the
land is now included within the boundaries of the
light-house property. The residue of Paul's Point is
now occupied by some of the finest houses on the
coast.
1799. — This year, departed one of the least of Bev-
erly's population, in point of size, yet who had a
wide-spread provincial reputation, — Miss Emma
Leach, sixty-one years of age and but twenty-two
inches in height. She was the daughter of William
and Tryphosa (Herrick) Leach, and was born here
June 27, 1717. She measured nearly as much at the
age of two years as at her death, being then twenty-
two inches in height.
In the almanac for 1777, published by Nathaniel
Ames, on the cover of which is a wood-cut of the
" prodigy," is " A short description of the extraordi-
nary person that lately made her appearance in this
town (Boston), which may not be disagreeable to our
readers, although it may not be so particular as the
curious may desire, as she would not admit of an ac-
curate examination." From this it is learned that
"she was, at her birth, as well a shaped child as any
of the ten which the same mother bore. Her friends
early discovered her bones to be in a flexible state,
and unable to resist the action of the muscles, which
made it very difficult to support her in any other than
a horizontal position. After two years the bones ac-
quired some considerable degree of firmness ; but they
had been so long inflected, by the action of the mus-
cles, that they never recovered their proper figure or
function."
" She measured in a right line from the crown of
the head to the feet, twenty-two inches. The head
was as large as is usual for persons of a common
stature, and not at all deformed. The vertebrae of
the back were somewhat elevated. Her feet were
about the size of a child's of four or five years old,
and notat all deformed. She could never walk, but was
either carried by her friends, or moved herself about
with the assistance of a small chair and stick. She
enjoyed a tolerable share of health, free from most
complaints except indigestion. In her conversation
she discovers a vivacity which very much .surprises
all who hear her. She now enjoys herself very agree-
ably at her native place."
The Leach homestead, where she resided, has de-
scended to Benjamin Goldsbury, through the mar-
riage of his grandfather, Nicholas Goldsbury, to
Tryphosa Leach, daughter of Benjamin, brother to
Emma Leach.
In this, the last year of the century, a schooner of
Beverly, the " Alert," was set upon by three French
privateers, as she was entering the harbor of Santan-
der, and, after a desperate resistance, captured and
sent into Bayonne ; an outr;ige upon American neu-
trality deeply resented.
1800. — A review of the century past shows a con-
tinued advance, since the close of the " primeval
epoch," in every native industiy and all the elements
of prosperity.
The population of the town had doubled in the
century: from 1680 in 1708, to 3300 in 1800.
A large area of land had been brought under culti-
vation, remote districts connected by roads, six school
districts were now established, and two flourishing
churches ; the fleet of fishing- vessels, numbering thir-
ty-two, employed three hundred men, and foreign
commerce was in a flourishing condition.
BEVERLY.
r09
For a short period of the nineteenth century, prox-
imate, even while the inhabitants of Europe were
distracted by ware, employing four millions of their
fighting men, our people were to enjoy the blessings
of peace.
So.ME XoTABLE Namf.s OF THE Cextury. — Many
of those who contributed to the prosperity of Beverly,
either on land or sea, some who aided in shajiing its
destinies, and others who acted as the conservators of
the morals of the community, have been mentioned
in the pages preceding. Yet it is not claimed that
many may not have escaped mention, through the in-
complete chronicles of the times. A distinguished
merchant of the war peri<jd, was jl/wr.* Brown, born
in 1748, a graduate of Harvard in 1768, who began
business here in 1772. He took an active part in
military affairs, raised a company of soldiers in 1775,
and in 1776 joined the army as a captain in Glover's
regiment, serving in New York and Xew Jersey, and
being present at the battle of Trenton.
Resuming business in 1777, he retired in 1800 with
a fortune, and died in 1820, after a life of acknowl-
edged usefulness.
Associated with him in business at one time was
another famous merchant, larael Thorndike (born in
Beverly in 1755), who owned several large ships, and
through extensive trade with China and the East
Indies, ama.-sed a fortune (immense for those times),
of nearly a million and a half of dollars. He re-
moved to Boston in 1810, and expired in 18^2. He
subscribed five hundred dollars for the founding of
a professorship of Natural History in Harvard, and
the same sum for the library of the Theological
School. In 1818 he purchased, in Plamliurg, at a
cost of six thou.sand five hundred dollars, and pre-
sented to Harvard, a large library " thereby securing
to his country one of the most complete and valuable
collections of works extant in American history."
The Cabols, George, Andrew, and John, left an en-
during fame as great merchants; the first, who was
born in 1751, residing here nearly forty years. He
was one- of the most enlightened men of his time, a
delegate to the provincial Congress in ]77!i, the con-
fidential friend of Washington and adviser of Ham-
ilton. He removed to Boston in 1793, where he died
in 182.3 ; but the foundation of his fortune was laid,
and his most brilliant labors performed, while a citi-
zen of Beverly.
Joseph Lee, a brother-in-law of the Cabots, was also
associated with them in business. He was born in
Salem in 1744, and died in Boston in 18.31. During
his residence in Beverly, and throughout his life, he
gave great attention to the designing of vessels, being
of material aid to naval architecture. He gave twen-
ty thousand dollars to the Massachusetts general hos-
pital. His grandson, Henry Lee, who married a
granddaughter of Andrew Cabot, resides on a fine
estate at Beverly Farms.
In the year 1780, deceased in Beverly, Henry Her-
Wc^-, one of the most active and influential members
of the "Committee of Correspondence" in the Revo-
lution, a direct descendant of the first American an-
cestor of the same name. He was an active agent,
says the historian, in all the first Revolutionary move-
ments, and for many years (twenty-four) represented
the town in General Court.
From his relative, Joshua, have descended most of
the name still residing in Beverly, and others in
Maine, including Horatio G. Merrick, sheriff of Es-
sex County for many years past; and Joshua and
Benjamin Herrick, of Maine. The Herricks are inti-
mately connected, through marriage, with several of
the oldest families of Beverly.
In 1807 (March 27), Captain. George Raymond, de-
ceased, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years,
having been born December 21, 1707. This aged
citizen, whose life embraced the greater part of the
eighteenth century, was influential in town affairs,
and at one time in military, having taken part in the
Cape Breton expedition. From generation to genera-
tion, and from century to century, as in the Herrick
and Raymond families, the military prestige has been
kept alive.
Another eminent citizen, who died in 1809, was
Josiah Batchelder, Jr., whose father served in the
Port Royal expedition of 1707, His early years were
passed at sea, aud in 1761 he had the misfortune,
while in command of a vessel, to be captured by a
French privateer. He succeeded in having the ves-
sel relea-ed, but was detained for it^ ransom for some
time, in a prison at Martinique. His name appears
frequently in the Revolutionary correspondence, and
he was actively engaged in privateering; he was
several times elected a member of the Provincial
Congress, and during his declining years was sur-
veyor and inspector of the port of Salem and Bev-
erly.
William Jiurley, horn January 2, 1751, died Decem-
ber 22, 1822. Was a native of Ipswich, but gave
freely of his wealth to the poor of this town, leaving
legacies to Beverly and Ipswich to promote the in-
struction of poor children. He not only aided the
American cause, with advice, but took an active part,
enlisting as a soldier, and while a lieutenant, under
Colonel Thompson, in February, 1780, was taken pri-
soner near White Plains, remaining in ca])tivity a
year and nine months. His son, Edward Burley, is
living in Beverly, at the age (1887) of eighty-four, and
two grandchildren, Mrs. Cabot and Mrs. Susan Howes.
To the neighboring town of Ipswich, the town of
Beverly has been placed under deep obligations
for some of its most vigorous and brightest intellects.
Notable above all his professional brethren of that
i\m&ixas, Nathan Dane,hovn in Ipswich, December 29,
1752. He was of English ancestry, the first of the name
having settled in Andover, Ipswich and Gloucester. It
will benoticed,by one who will closely scan the chroni-
cles of our earlv settlements and note the achievements
710
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of our foremost citizens, that no Englishman became
fo truly great as when transplanted to America. All
the inherent nobility of character of long lines of an-
cestors, latent for generations, first finds expression
here.
The sou of a farmer, Mr. Dane worked on his fa-
ther's farm till he was twenty-one, acquiring that
physical stamina which supported him through the
unremitted labors of a long life. He graduated from
Harvard in 1778, immediately after which he taught
school in Beverly, where, in 1782, he began practic-
ing law. In this latter year, and the three years suc-
ceeding, he was a representative at the General Court
of Massachusetts ; after which for three years he was a
delegate to Congress, and for five years, beginning with
1790, a member of the Massachusetts Senate. He
was on a committee to revise the State laws, in 1795,
and a presidential elector in 1812. His enduring
monument is the celebrated " ordinance of 1787," of
which Daniel Webster said, in the United States
Senate, in 1830 :
" We are accustomed to praise the law-givers of antiquity ; we help
tu perpetuate tiie fame of Solon and Lycurgug ; but I doubt \vlietlier one
single law of any law-giver, ancient or modern, has produced elTects of
a more distinct and marked and lasting character than the ordinance of
'87. ... It fixed, forever, the character of the population in the
vast regions northwest of the Ohio, by excluding from them involuntary
servitude. It impressed upon the soil itself, while it was yet a wilder-
ness, an incapacity to bear up any other than freemen. It laid the in-
terdict against personal servitude, in original compact, not only deeper
than all local law, but deeper, also, than all local constitution."
The great labor of his life was " A General Abridge-
ment and Digest of American Law," publi-shed 1823-
'29, the material for which he began to gather as
early as 1782 ; the first general code of American law,
and of incalculable value to the country. The pri-
vate life of Mr. Dane was exemplary, his public life
every way to be admired. By his benefactions, as
well as by his literary jiroductions, he has cau.sed his
name to be remembered. By a donation of $15,000,
he established the " Dane Professorship of Law," at
Harvard, and was a donor to the Dane Law Lib-
rary, of Oliio, and other institutions.
His valuable life was prolonged to eighty-three
years, during sixty of which he pursued his studios.
Although surviving to 1835, well into the nineteenth
century, he yet belongs to the eighteenth, the forma-
tive period of our political history. His home was
opposite the old South Church, in the house (still
standing) built by Capt. Benjamin Ellingwood about
1784, one of the first (four) brick houses erected in
Beverly, the others being the dwellings of Andrew,
George and John Cabot. The monument to Mr.
Dane, in the Hale Street Cemetery, bears an inscrip-
tion by Judge Story.
In the year 1781, Robert Endicott, a descendant of
Governor John Endicott, removed from Danvers to
Beverly, where he died in 1819, aged sixty-two years.
He was born on the ancient Endicott farm, now be-
longing to William Endicott, of London. His son,
the venerable and well known William Endicott, the
only survivor in the seventh generation from Gov.
John Endicott, resides in Beverly, at the advanced
age of eighty-eight. He began business here as a
clerk with "Squire" Ilantoul,and for thirty-six years
owned and occupied the drug store at the corner of
Cabut and Washington Streets. He retired from act-
ive business twenty-five years ago, but still maintains
relations with several financial and charitable institu-
tions.
We have seen that our town was particularly favor-
ed in its ministers, such as Hale, Blowers, WiUard,
MclLcan andChipman. The medical profession also was
adorned with names whose lustre is yet undimmed.
The minister and the doctor of early times exerted a
greater influence than even the politician ; in truth,
he who attended to the spiritual welfare of the people,
as well as he who ministered to their physical well
being, was considered competent also to shape their
political atfairs.
The first school-master, 31r. Hardie, was also a dis-
penser of medicines, and succeeding him came the
Hales, Robert and Robert, Jr., the latter already no-
ticed. Robert Hale was son of the Rev. John Hale,
born November, 1668, died 1719.
A Dr. John Herrick was here in 1721, and a resi-
dent physician was Dr. Benj. Jones, a native of Bev-
erly in the second pariah, who had an extensive prac-
tice, and died in 1778. He was distiuguished for his
active interest in public afiairs and in the welfare of
the community.
Dr. Timothy Clement, who married a daughter of
Capt. William Dodge, had a promising practice, but
died at an early age. His successor was Dr. Israel
Woodbury, born 1734, died 1797, who resided on his
ancestral estate, and whose life was a blessing to the
parish. Dr. Isaac Spofford, who died 1786, at the
early age of thirty-five, was skilled alike in his pro-
fession and in music, and was very popular. His
gravestone in the old cemetery is conspicuous for its
Latin inscriptions and Masonic emblems. Dr. Larkin
Thorndike, another native of this town, who died at
Norfolk, Va., also practiced here, and was appointed
a surgeon in the navy under the administration of
President Adams. Dr. Tucker, Dr. Orne and Dr.
Lakeman (from Hamilton) all died without achieving
the great distinction promised in early life.
A man of prominence was Dr. Elisha Whitney, born
1747, graduated at Harvard, 1766, who began practice
in Ijjswich. After several voyages as surgeon on
board the privateers under Captains Hill and Giles,
he returned to his profession, removing to Beverly in
1792, where he resided till his death, in 1807, beloved
and highly respected.
Dr. Joshua Fisher, who was born in Dedham, 1749,
and graduated at Harvard in 1766, came to Beverly
in early manhood, after practising a while in Ipswich
and Salem. Like Dr. Whitney, he sailed as surgeon
in a privateer, but was unfortunate in his maritime
experiences, the vessel being driven ashore in the
BEVERLY.
ni
British Channel, and he with difficulty avoiding cap-
ture. Escaping from England to France, after a num-
ber of dangerous adventures, he embarked in another
|)rivateer for America, which he ultimately reached.
He was interested in that first cotton i'actory in 1788,
and his public spirit always led him into similar en-
ter|irises for the good of the people. Through his
great talent and active pursuit of his profession, he
amassed a large fortune, much of which he expended
in charitable works. He endowed the Fisher Pro-
fessorship of Natural History at Harvard, with twenty
thousand dollars, and founded the Beverly Charitable
Society, now known as the Fisher Charitable .Society,
which has been so benelicial in ameliorating the con-
dition of the poor.
Of the donation to this society one hundred dollars
was to be set aside to accumulate for one hundred
years, as an available fund at the expiration of that
period. Dr. Fisher died in 1835. aged eighty-four.
From this brief biographical excursion, let us re-
turn to the narration of events. It is a matter of re-
gret that we cannot much more than enumerate the
names of those departed worthies, whose many vir-
tues adorn the age in which they lived. The best
lessons of history are to be drawn from the lives of
great and good men and women, who worked with
singleness of purpose and high aims for the advance-
ment of their fellows. Many such — though, from the
limitations of their environment, unknown to the
world at large — we find living in the pages of our lo-
cal history. Their lives shine with devotion to prin-
ciple and religion ; they had faith in their God, iheir
country and the home of their adoption ; and the
torch they lighted at the fires of their primitive
hearth-stones they have handed down to us, their de-
scendants.
The Mother Churches.— As two new churches
were founded in the opening years of this century, and
imjiortant changes took i)lace in the first and second
parishes, at this point it would seem tilting to take a
survey of some matters ecclesiastical.
What was the origin of the First Church, has been
shown ; that its growth was identical with that of the
town, and their aflairs inseparably interwoven. Its
first ministers and officers were the leaders of the com-
munity, as the church, indeed, formed the nucleus of
the town.
Its ministers, mentioned in order, were: Hale,
Blowers, Champney, Willard, McKean, up to the close
of the eighteenth century, when the last-named was
called to the presidency of Bowdoin College, and was
succeeded, Dec. 13, 1803, by the Rev. Abiel Abbott.
The following biographical sketch of Dr. Abl)Ott
was prepared by the Rev. Dr. A. P. Peabody, a life-
long fi-iend of the family, and is entitled to the read-
er's thoughtful attention :
"Abiel Abbott, the youngest son of John and Abi-
gail Abbott, was born at Andover, August 17, 1771.
Two elder brothers — John, professor of ancient lan-
guages at Bowdoin College, and Benjamin, the so
widely-known, revered and beloved i)rincii)al of Phil-
lips' Exeter Academy — had already graduated at Har-
vard. Abiel was the pupil of Dr. Pemberton, at Phil-
lips' Academy, in Andover, whence he entered col-
lege, graduating the second scholar in his class, in
1792. He maintained ever afterw'ards a close connec-
tion with the college, where he was held in high re-
gard, as was evinced in his appointment as Phi Beta
Kappa orator in 1800, his being invited to deliver the
Dudleian Lecture in 1819 and his receiving the degree
of Doctor of Divinity in 1821. On graduating he re-
turned to Andover and became assistant teacher,
afterwards principal of the academy, at the same time
pursuing the study of theology under the direction of
his pastor. Rev. Jonathan French. In 1795 he was
ordained as minister of the First Church in Haverhill.
In the following year he married Eunice, daughter of
Eljenezer Wales, of Dorchester. His ministry at
Haverhill was eminently successful. Its precious
memory long survived him, and was lovingly recalled
by old people who had him for their pastor in their
childhood or youth. But his salary was inadequate
to the support of his family and he was, therefore, and
for that sole reason, compelled to resign his charge.
On his release from his engagement at Haverhill,
Mr. Abbott'sservices were eagerly sought by several va-
cant jjarishes. He preached with great acceptance at
the Brattle Square Church, in Boston, and, anticipat-
ing the probability of his being invited to its pastor-
ate, the First Church in Beverly chose him as its
minister, voting him as salary the sti[)end which (with
the addition, however, of a parsonage-house and fuel
for its fires, and the education of his sons) would have
been ottered him in Boston.
This salary throughout his lifetime was larger than
was paid by any parish in Massachusetts, except in
Boston. The Beverly parish was and continued to be,
during his entire ministry, very large, embracing a
population at the outset of twenty-three hundred, and
never less than tifteen hundred. The town was then
the fourth in the State, in point of wealth, with a
better harbor than that of Salem, with a great deal
of foreign commerce as well as with a large amount
of capital lucratively invested in the fisheries. It
was the residence of several merchants of distinc-
tion, who afterwards removed to Boston, and whose
ships sailed thence and brought thither their return
cargoes. It was also the home of several professional
men of the highest eminence, as Nathan Dane and
Joshua Fisher, and the parish comprised many fam-
ilies of wealth and culture. Hence, in a worldly
point of view, the place was especially desirable, while
its pulpit had been tilled by men of superior ability
and merit, his two nearest predecessors having been
called to the presidency — one of Harvard, the other
of Bowdoin College. Such a pastorate made great de-
mands on its incumbent, and in this case they were
more than fuUv met.
712
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
No ministry can ever have been more prosperous
than Dr. Abbott's, in the full attendance on its ser-
vices, in the undivided respect and affection of the
people, and in the tokens of religious interest and
spiritual edification. By those who knew Dr. Abbott
best it has been often said that they never knew
his like, or, for his peculiar life-work, his equal. His
personal endowments were of a rare order. His
countenance bore the impress of his character, at
once grave and gracious, commanding and winning,
with a benignity whose attractions none could re-
sist, yet with a dignity which would keep a flip-
pant tongue in silence. His maiiner.s were those of a
born gentleman, who could not be otherwise than
courteous, meek, considerate and kind. His conversa-
tional power was almost unique. In whatever society
he might be, without assuming the leadership, he
could not bear other than the chief part, and those
who were else the most ready to talk, in his pres-
ence subsided into greedy listeners. He was unsur-
passed in vivid and picturesque description and nar-
rative, and he possessed the rare and precious art of
giving religious admonition, counsel or consolation,
without seeming to give it— of virtually preaching
the gospel without unseasonably interlarding his con-
versation with conventionally sacred names and
{)hrases, so that all that he meant to say reached the
inward ear, only after, sometimes long after, his voice
had died upon the outward ear. Wheu Monroe, as
President of the United States, was making his
northern tour, he breakfasted with Israel Thorndike,
and Dr. Abbott was one of the guests. Some time
afterward the President said to a visitor that the
best talkir that he ever heard was a clergyman who
breakfasted with him at Mr. Thorndike'a. While
Dr. Abbott thus adorned the choicest society, he made
himself none the less welcome in the poorest homes,
and with persons of the lowest standard of intelli-
gence and culture. Without the wretched farce of
condescension, he so identiiied himself with all the
people under his charge that he felt, and therefore
always seemed, at his ease among them, as belonging
with them, and they had no experience of restraint or
awkwardness as with one who stooped to them from a
loftier plane than theirs. He was the most assiduous
of pastors. Of course, in so large a parish he would
not be a frequent visitor in every house, yet there was
not a family in his flock wliich he did not know
intimately, and in which there was not a correspond-
ing sense of intimacy with him ; nor was there a child
whom he did not know, or who was not made the hap-
pier by meeting him and having his unfailing smile
and kind word of recognition. A large part of his
time was devoted to the sick, infirm and afflicted, who
received his most tender ministries and always felt
that he came to them in their need and sorrow as
a messenger of divine support and comfort. Nor
was he less mindful of the poor, and while gener-
ous to them to the utmost of his means, he knew
how to stimulate and direct the charity of those
who had ability and leisure for the work of Chris-
tian love.
Dr. Abbott was, in an important sense, the minis-
ter of the town, no less than of his own parish.
There was no public occasion on which he did not
officiate, nor any public enterprise that tended to im-
provement or progress in which he did not bear a
foremost part. For many years he was chairman of
the school committee, and his reading of his annual
report was among the first items of business at the an-
nual town-meeting, which he always opened with an
impressive prayer. He presided at the school exami-
nations, and the pupils listened eagerly on those oc-
casions to the closing address which he always gave.
In the pulpit Dr. Abbott's manner was impressive
to the last degree. He was never impassioned, and
never cold ; but there was a calm, equable f rvor, iu-
dicating a full flow of devout feeling, without ebb or
ripple, sustaining the unflagging attention of the
audience, and adapted to make the entire service to
the serious hearer, as it manifestly was to the preach-
er, a continuous act of devotion. His voice was clear,
strong and flexible, and his utterance was perfectly
natural, with no pulpit tone, but as it might have been
in conver.sation on solemn themes. Nature shaped
him for an orator, and he remained unspoiled by art.
What he should say seemed his sole concern ; his un-
studied saying of it could have been only made worse
by the attempt to make it better. His sermons were
scriptural, evangelical, in the true sense of the word,
in a style elegant without being ornate, sufficiently
simple for the receptivity of any person of ordinary
intelligence, yet so thoughtful as to command the close
attention and strong interest of those of the most ad-
vanced culture. They were remarkable for so strict
an appropriateness to time and space that many of
the best of them could have been preached elsewhere
or at a later time only with large omissions or changes.
No phase ofthe passing day, or occasion of public inter-
est, or striking event in the larger or smaller circle,
was suflered to pass without being made to yield up
its fitting lesions of truth or duty. His sermons for
the Sunday service were always carefully written, and
such of them as admitted of it, especially his frequent
exijository sermons, bore the tokens of extended read-
ing and faithful study. He had at the same time a
great facility of extempore utterance, or rather, of
thorough preparation without writing ; and some of
his most appreciative hearers thought that he ap-
peared at his very best in the unwritten discourses^
sometimes in series lasting through several weeks or
months, which he was wont to deliver in a chapel
erected expressly for evening services.
Dr. Abbott's devotional services jhad an indelible
and cherished place in the memory of all who listened
to them. They were not preaching prayers, but com-
posed wholly of simple and lofty forms of praise and
supplication. It was the custom in his church, as in
BEVERLY.
713
the New England churches generally, to send in
' notes,' requesting public prayer, or thanksgiving, in
case of bereavement, severe illness, or recovery there-
from, the birth of a child, being ' bound to sea,' or re-
turn from a voyage.
Dr. .\bbott, without ever compromising the digni-
ty of the service, or entering into details unfit for the
sanctuary, would so make reference to every individ-
ual case, that he would seem to bear heavenward and
to lay upon the heavenly altar the burden or joy of
each soul in a form denuded of all earthliness, and
fully fit to be heard on high. The children of the
parish enjoyed his special care. The old institution
of 'catechizing' was with him a matter, not of form,
but of deep concern, and he made it such a service
that no child was ever willingly absent from it. He
not unfrequently addressed the children on Sundays,
and sometimes had special services for them in the
cha])ol, while they learned very early to listen to his
sermons, and many a dull child who carried home no
meagre report of one of his discourses, would com-
mand neither attention nor memory when any one else
filled the pulpit.
The earliest Sunday-school in New England, if not
in the United Slates, was opened in 1810, by two
ladies of his church, after the example and method of
Robert Raikes. This school, which had, from the
outset, their p:istor's approval and furtherance, was
never discontinued, but was, after a few years, re-
moved to the church, and was the nucleus of a still
flourishing Sunday-school, subsidized by a considera-
ble i'und, tiie legacy of one of its superintendents, who
was trained under Dr. Abbott's nurture and inliu-
ence.
Dr. Abbott added to his distinctively professional
gifts that of superior musical taste and talent. He
had the best voice in the congregation. The old
church had no space in which an organ could be
erected till it was remodelled alter his death, and
whenever the chorister was absent. Dr. Abbott led the
singing from the pulpit, as he did at the communion
service, at the monthly ante-communion lecture, and at
the chapel. Dr. Abbott was a Unitarian, of the
tvpe commonly, though incorrectly denoted under
the name of Arian. But while he explicitly de-
clared and defended his own opinions in the pulpit,
he was indisposed to controversy, sought peace among
the churches, was at many points in close sympathy
w ith clergymen of a difl'erent creed, and was associated
with not a few of them in intimate friendship and in
the interchange of professional services.
When the disruption of the Congregational body
took idace, probably no member of that body had so
much reason to regret it as he had, nor was there any
onew^ith whom his friends of the opposite party were
so sorry to part fellowship. In his family and in all the
relations and intercourse of society Dr. Abbott, by his
sweetness, gentleness, unselfishness of spirit, was con-
stantly ditiusing liapiiines.j.and in his cheertul, sunny
451
temperament received largely of the happiness which
he gave. His home was rich in all that can make life
beautiful, and that can render the Christian house-
hold at once a centre of refining and beautifying min-
istries and influences for this world, and a training
school for heaven.
In 1818 Dr. Abbott's health had become so far im-
paired by incessant labor as to make a rest aud change
of scene desirable, and he spent the winter in South
Carolina and Georgia. He performed the return jour-
ney alone, in a sulky, driving through regions where
he was warned of serious danger from the savageness
of the poor whites; but all along his way making
friends and receiving civilities and kindnesses.
In 1827 he was again an invalid, and spent the
winter principally in Cuba. He seemed in the spring
entirely restored, but on his passage homeward, in
the harbor of New York, he was seized with a sudden
and ])rofuse lieraorrhage from the lungs, which proved
almost instantlv fatal, leaving him but a few moments
for some last directions as to his worldly affairs, and
for the expression of his cheerful readiness to de-
part in the full assurance of a blessed immortality.
His death occurred on the 7th of June, 1828.
Dr. Abbott published a considerable number of
sermons and other pamphlets. The only volume that
he gave to the jjress was of ' Sermons to Seamen,'
which in its time was highly prized, especially by
shipmasters and sailors.
After his death his ' Letters from Cuba,' a charm-
ing record of travel and sojourn in an inland then lit-
tle known at the North, were edited, with a memoir of
the author, by his friend, Judge Story.
A volume of his sermons, edited with a memoir,
by his son-in-law. Rev. Stevens Everett, was also
published.
Dr. Abbott's excellent wife survived him only two
years. Of his nine children there remain: Emily,
widow of Rev. Stevens Everett, now resident at Cam-
bridge, Anne AYales, a member of her sister's family
aud Rev. William Ebenezer Abbott, formerly pastor
of the First Church in Billerica, now living in the
Dorchester district of Boston."
Dr. Abbott was everywhere welcomed in the town,
and his good offices as peacemaker were often sought.
He had one parishioner who frequently quarreled
with his wife, and who, disregarding the figurative
meaning of his pastor's advice, to " throw water on
the fire," obeyed it literally, drenching his wife with
a full bucket, the next time she scolded.
When the good parson chided him, telling him the
woman was the weaker vessel, and should be
cherished, he retorted: "The weaker vessel, is she;
then, blast her, let her carry less sail ! "
A gradual divergence from the tenets of the original
church took place during Dr. .Vbbott's ministry, and
his successor, the Rev. Christojilier T. Thayer, was
settled over the first parish as a Unitarian, by a vote
of two to one, January 27, 1830. .Mr. Thayer, though
714
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
coining to Beverly from Lancaster, was a descendant
of Andrew Elliot, our first town clerk. He was a
graduate of Harvard (1824), always interested in the
welfare of the town during his pastorate, and the
author of a valuable contribution to its history — a
"Bi-Centennial Address,'' on the two hundredth an-
niversary of the formation of the First Church. He
retired in 1859, followed by the best wishes of all his
townspeople, and passed his remaining days in Bos-
ton, where he died June 23, 1880, at his residence on
Beacon Street, and was buried in Mount Auburn Ceme-
tery. Mr. Thayer served as chairman of the School
Committee many years, and at his death left a legacy
of five thousand dollars to the church.
He was succeeded by the Rev. John C. Kimball, a
native of Ipswich, and graduate of Cambridge Theo-
logical School, the period of whose pastorate was
eleven years, and who has since preached in Oregon,
Newport, R. I. and Hartford, Conn.
In 1872 (March 7), Rev. Ellery Channing Butler
was settled over this church, the ninth in the line of dis-
tinguished ministers, beginning with Rev. John Hale.
Mr. Butler was born in Otego, N. Y., and is a grad-
uate of Meadville College, Pa. Under him the parish
continnes in a prosperous condition, the present con-
gregation numbering two hundred and eighty fami-
lies.
The First Meeting-house. — The first house of
worship was erected as early as 1656, a rude structure,
which answered the needs of the people until 1682,
when a new building was raised, fifty by forty feet,
which stood on the site of the present church. It was
used as a town-house also, and as no fires were allowed
in the meeting-houses of those days, it was considered
the safest depository for the town ammunition, a pow-
der-room in it having been built in 1727.
In 1770 a third meeting-house was erected, on the
site of the second, and is at present standing, having
been enlarged in 1785, remodeled in 1835 and again
some twenty years ago.
Its first bell was brought by Capt. Lothrop, from
Port Royal, in 1656 ; this was rejilaced by another in
1685, by yet a third in 1712, the gift of Robert Bris-
coe, and, by the fourth one, which remains, in 1808,
from the foundry of Paul Revere & Son.
The first town clock was obtained in 1796, and has
done good service for ninety years. The first parish
meeting-house, the " Old South," is one of the land-
marks of the town, and around it cluster associations
that should never be dispelled. From its bell-tower,
these many years, have rung the noon-day hour and
the vesper peals, proclaiming the hour of nine and
warning the youth of generation after generation of
the time for retiring.
The venerable sextons of the church have been,
at times, reckoned as personages of almost as much
importance as the ministers themselves. The first to be
mentioned (1665), is Goodman Bailey, who received
for his services a peck of corn annually from each
householder; and to the emoluments of this office, in
1680, succeeded Goodman Hoar, during whose term
the nine o'clock bell was introduced. An important
service of these early sextons was the turning of the
hour-glass, as a gentle reminder to the minister that
time was fleeting. In 1748 Josiah Woodbury held
the office, remaining its incumbent for forty-one
years, when he died. Wells Standley came next, in
1790, dying in office 1797, in which year Joshua
Wallis fell de.id while ringing the bell, and was suc-
ceeded by Thomas Barrett. This faithful servitor
held the position from June, 1797, to 1844, the year
he died. Ezra Woodbury was appointed his colleague,
in 1842, and for over thirty years attended to the va-
rious duties, dying in January, 1876.
The first meeting-house of the Second Parish was
erected 1713, with a turret, but no steeple or bell.
The Rev. Mr. Chipman was ordained 1715, and Janu-
ary 11, 1716, the church held its first meeting. As a
special mark of honor, in 1759, Lieut. Henry Herrick
was invited, when he attended worship there, to
" take the second seat on the floor before the pulpit."
In 1771 Mr. Enos Hitchcock was settled to succeed
Mr. Chipman, who died in 1775, and was buried in
the old cemetery of the parish.
In 1787 Mr. Daniel Oliver accepted a settlement
here, but resigned in 1797, dying in Roxbury in 1840,
at the age of eighty-nine. Mr. Moses Dow, of At-
kinson, N. H., was the next minister, called here in
October, 1800, ordained March, 1801, resigned 1818.
The Rev. Humphrey C. Perley was settled here in
1818, leaving in June, 1821, and in 1823 Mr. Ebenezer
Poor, who retired in March, 1827.
The Rev. Ebenezer Robinson succeeded Mr. Poor,
in October, 1830, but was dismissed in January, 1833.
Rev. Edwin M. Stone was pastor for thirteen years
succeeding. Rev. Mr. Stone is the author of the ex-
cellent " History of Beverly," published in 1842, a
book of reference to which all writers on the subject
must turn for exact information. Mr. Stone's pastor-
ate began March 21, 1834, and ended in 1847. For a
period of nearly twenty years, there was no settled
minister here, and the church dwindled to less than a
score of members. At the end of this time its history
was joined to that of the Fourth Congregational, in a
curious manner. This latter was organized 1834, and
the Rev. John Foote installed as first minister, 1836 ;
who was succeeded by Rev. Allen Gannet, installed
December 15, 1847, and dismissed April 26, 1853.
He was succeeded by J. W. Lounsbury, and he by
Eli W. Harrington, in 1860. Rev. Mr. Harrington
continued pastor until 1866, when the Fourth Con-
gregational was merged in the Second, taking the name
of the " Second Congregational Church." Rev. Mr.
Harrington continued to reside here till 1884, though
with no pastoral charge, active in educational work,
when he removed to another town. In 1865 the
church celebrated its one hundred and fiftieth anni-
versary by a re-dedication, and began its worship in
BEVERLY.
ri5
May, 1866, with Rev. Chas. S. Porter ofliciating.
This, the Second Congregational, continues to occupy
its original church, though the building has several
times been altered and improved.
Rev. Robert Southgate succeeded Mr. Porter, and
he was followed by Rev. Wm. Phipps in 1861), Rev.
T. D. P. Stone in 1870, the Rev. Alexander J. Ses-
sions, installed as acting pastor, in 1872, and, since
1876, various preachers have occupied the pulpit, it
being filled, at present, by Rev. William Merrill.
The church now numbers thirty-five persons, the
parish twenty, with one hundred in the Sunday-
school. The locality of the Second Parish (or Xorth
Beverly) is a historic one, with its old house, the par-
sonage of John Cliipnian (the first minister) erected
1715, still st;tnding in good preservation, and the old
cemetery with its ancient head-stones.
1801.— March 25th, the First Baptist Church of
Beverly was organized, and a meeting-house erected
the same year, on Cabot Street, nearly opposite
Elliot, with the Rev. Joshua Young as pa-stor. He
departed in 1802, and in 1803, in June, he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Elisha S. Williams, a graduate of
Yale College, who ministered until 1812, when he re-
signed. In early life, Mr. Williams had served under
Washington, on Long Island ; in his later years he
returned to Beverly, and died here in 184.5, at the
home of Mrs. Samuel S. Ober, his daughter, at the
age of eighty-seven years, four months.
In 1814, the Rev. Harvey Jenks, of Hudson, N. Y.,
was called to the society, but died before settlement ;
and the next pastor ordained was Rev. Nathaniel W.
Williams, of Salem, whose ministry extended from
1816-24, when he resigned: in 1836 he accepted an-
other call to the church and continued till 1840.
His successor, in 182.5, was Rev. Francis G. Macomber,
a graduate of Waterville College, who suddenly ex-
pired July 1, 1827, and there was again no settled
pastor until 1830. Then the Rev. Jonathan Aldrich
was ordained and served till 1833, during which time
twenty-six members of the church were dismissed, to
form a new society at Wenham. 1834, September
10th, the Rev. John Jennings was ordained and
continued two years, followed by Rev. Nathaniel
W. Williams a second time, from 1836-40. On
November 11th, this year. Rev. Charles W. Flanders,
a graduate of Brown University, was ordained. He
remained ten years, but in 1850 resigned his pastor-
ate here and afterwards occupied pulpits at Con-
cord, N. H., Westboro', Mass., and Kennebnnk-
port, Me. Finally returning to Beverly, he built here
a home, doing occasional ministerial work, especially
at the Farms, in the Second Baptist, and expired here
AuguH 2, 1875, at the age of sixty -eight.
In 1852 the Rev. Edwin B. Eddy was ordained, re-
signing three years later, and in the year following,
August 7, 1856, Rev. Josei)h C. Foster was settled
over the church.
During Mr. Foster's pastorate of sixteen years,
which was a highly successful and memorable one,
the beautiful church was erected, now occupied by
the society, at the corner of Abbot and Cabot Streets.
In 1837 the original church building had been
taken down and a new one erected in a more eligible
locality on the same street. This was several times
enlarged and improved, and a chapel built, but the
needs of the society demanded better accommodations,
hence the spacious structure now in use. It is the
finest house of worship in the town, cost forty-five
thousand dollars, and its handsome spire is one hun-
dred and sixty-two feet in height.
It was built by a member of the society, master-
builder John Jleacom, who also rebuilt the older
structure in 1854, and who has followed his honorable
calling here for nearly sixty years.
Mr. Foster resigned in 1872, and was succeeded,
for one year, by Rev. E. B. Andrews, late president
of Denison University, Ohio, and now professor in
Brown University, Providence, R. I. The present
pastor, Rev. D. P. Morgan, gallantly served (as did
Mr. Andrews) in the Union army in the War of the
Rebellion.
1803. — The most important ofishoot of the First
Church was the Third Congregational, subsequently
called and now known as the Dane Street Society.
The church was organized November 9, 1802, incor-
porated March 7, 1803, present name adopted in 1837.
Their first meeting-house was raised in 1802, finished
in December, 1803, and dedicated by the Rev. Samuel
Worcester, of Salem. This building was altered and
improved in 1831, but destroyed by fire in December,
1832. In 1833 the present commodious building was
erected, since, from time to time, enlarged and beau-
tified in accordance with the demands of the times.
The first minister was Rev. Joseph Emerson, born
in Hollis, N. H., October 13, 1777, a graduate of Har-
vard, a teacher and preacher in several places prior
to his ordination here, September 21, 18U3. After
thirteen successful years he resigned, his health de-
manding a cessation of labor for awhile, and for some
time was engaged in educational work, occasionally
preaching in various places. He established a liter-
ary seminary in Byfield, removing thence to Saugus,
and later to Weatbersfield, Conn., where he died May
13, 1833. To Beverly, where he was highly honored
and esteemed, he frequently returned, delivering here
several courses of historical lectures, and writing a
memoir of Miss Fanny Woodbury, a missionary from
this town.
His successor was the Rev. David Oliphant, in-
stalled February 18, 1818, and dismissed, by mutual
council, 1833, after a long period of i)rofitable la-
bor. He died in St. Louis, Mo., in 1871. October
13, 1834, the Rev. Joseph Abbot was ordained, an
occasion which witnessed also the dedication of the
present house of n^orship. After a pastorate of thirty
years, during which his serene and beautiful life was
ever a beneficent presence to his people and the com-
716
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
munity, this beloved minister was dismissed in De-
cember, 1865. He was removed by death April 10,
1867, at the age of fifty-eight years, eight months.
Mr. Abbot was born in Philadelphia August 16,
1808, and graduated from Union College, N. Y. In
early life he studied medicine with Dr. McClellan,
father of Gen. George B. McClellan, but became con-
vinced that the ministry should be his calling, and
pursued his theological .studies at Andover. He early
became aware that he was subject to disease of the
heart, and considered himself in the light of a "min-
ute man," liable to call at any moment. This con-
sciousness served to restrict his labors somewhat, and
gave to his aspect that repose and serenity which were
his characteristics.
Of marked piety (says an obituary), of ripe and rare
scholarship and culture, of a peculiarly social, amia-
ble and genial nature, his companionship was a bene-
diction at all times, and our community have been
favored indeed in enjoying so much of the blessing
of his well-spent life and labors. Able as a writer,
and instructive and discriminating as a preacher, yet
he published but little, although there were but few
if any of his finished productions that would not
have well stood the test of severe criticism. Feeling
a deep interest in the cause of education, he aided
many in travelling those cherished walks of literature
in which he was so much at home, doing public serv-
ice also as chairman, and for about a quarter of a cen-
tury as member, of our school committee. He was,
said his friend, Rev. J. C. Foster, a <r«e wiara. "To
this, his whole life was a beautiful testimony. He
was genuine and sincere, and his artlessness and
truthfulness were uncommonly prominent. He was
as unselfish as unpretentious, and he shrank instinct-
ively from publicity. He did not appreciate his own
claims to be ranked high among the strong men in
the ministry, and his remarkably unobtrusive spirit
would not allow him to gain the reputation abroad
which he could have easily sustained with his supe-
rior abilities."
" Death did not take him by surprise ; but he had
been looking for the event which at length came un-
noticed by him in its actual coming, permitted as he
was ' to wake up in glory ' from the peaceful slumber
of the midnight hour."
It was with diliiculty — so attached to their life-long
teacher had become his parishioners — that an accept-
able successor was found.
In 1866 (February 15th) Rev. Eugene H. Titus was
ordained, but dismissed, after an active pastorate,
June 16, 1867. He died in Georgetown, Mass., July,
1876.
He was succeeded by Rev. Orpheus T. Lanphear,
who was installed October 23, 1867. Dr. Lanphear
was dismissed June 3, 1880, but fixed his residence in
Beverly, in whose prosperity he has always taken a
lively interest. In 1881 (July 7th) Rev. Samuel W.
Eddy, a graduate of Union College, N. Y., was or-
dained, but dismissed April 8, 1887, on accou'-t of ill
health, to the great regret not only of his own par-
ishioners, but the entire community as well.
The Dane Street Society now numbers about nine
hundred and fifty, with three hundred and forty-one
in the church, and has a large and constantly in-
creasing membership in its Sunday school. Its oldest
living member is Mrs. Adeline, the widow of Rev.
Francis Norwood, who united with the church in
1826.
CIVIL HISTORY CONTINUED.
1802. — Having thus outlined the history of the
four oldest churches in Beverly, and prepared the
way for mention of the others in sequence, attention
will now be given again to civil affairs. The Beverly
Bank, one of the most important of the town, was
incorporated 1802, with capital at $160,000, reduced
in 1815 to $100,000, but increased in 1836 to S125,000.
Under successive charters it has continued in corpor-
ate capacity to the present time, becoming the Bev-
erly National Bank in 1865, with a charter for twenty
years, renewed for twenty more in 1885, with a capi-
tal of $200,000. Its first president was Israel Thorn-
dike, succeeded by Moses Brown, Joshua Fisher,
William Leach, Pyam Lovett, Albert Thorndike,
Samuel Endicott and John Picket, names, all of
them, synonyms for integrity, and identified with
the town's highest interests.
In the course of its long existence, eighty-five
years, it has had but three cashiers: Josiah Gould,
Albert Thorndike and Robert G. Bennett. Mr. Ben-
nett succeeded Mr. Thorndike, when the latter was
elected president, in 1844, and held this position of
trust during forty-one years, when he was chosen
treasurer of the Savings' Bank. The present cashier,
Mr. Augustus Stevens, was connected with the bank
thirty-one years, as teller, when he succeeded Mr.
Bennett as cashier.
The bank, for a long time, occupied a portion of
the brick building at the corner of Cabot and Central
Streets, built by John Cabot in the latter year of the
last century, and now owned and occupied by Ed-
ward Burley. It was, for a period, located in the
Masonic building, but in 1885 entered into the beau-
tiful edifice, corner of Cabot and Thorndike Streets,
which it now occupies conjointly with the Beverly
Savings' Bank, which built it. This latter institution
was chartered in 1867, and has deposits to the amount
of about a million dollars. Its president is William
Endicott, who has held this position since 1867, as
also has its treasurer, R. G. Bennett. The bank
building, erected in 1885, at a cost of twenty-five
thousand dollars, is iu the Queen Anne and Colonial
style of architecture, of brick, with trimmings of
freestone and is con.^idered one of the finest and
most complete of its kind in the country. It occu-
pies the site of the former residence of Albert Thorn-
dike (long time cashier and president of the old
bank), a house built above one hundred years ago.
BEVERLY.
117
and once the home of Joshua Fisher, the third presi-
.lent.
1802. — January 20, a Soi-ial Lilirary was started,
by subscription, with thirty-two shares at five dollars
each, the money raised beiny; invested in valuable
1 looks. These were selected by Joshua Fisher, Na-
than Dane, Thomas Davis and Rev. Mr. McKean,
and the collection steadily augmented by purchase
and donation, amounted in 1842 to one thousand vol-
umes. Other libraries, later established, were those
of the Mechanics' Association and the "School Dis-
trict.'' In 1851 the Legislature authorized towns to
establish public libraries, and that year John I.Baker
introduced a petition for an appropriation in the
town-meeting, by which one hundred dollars was
voted. It was also voted that the library be located
in the Social Library room of the town hall. The
first library was in the Briscoe Hall.
Each succeeding year the town appropriated one
hundred dollars more towards the library, until 1860,
when the amount was increased to five hundred dol-
lars, and since 1870 to one thousand dollars, at which
figure it now stands. When the question was first
discussed, some of our best citizens raised two thou-
sand five hundred dollars by subscription ; donations
were later made, and the interest in the subject has
increased to the present day.
The first trustee*, who were al-o active in securing
the sub>criptions (aided by several ladies), were: Dr.
Chas. Haddock, Wm.Endicott, Jr.,Chas. W.Galloupe,
Benj. O. Peirce, Richard P. Waters. The present
trustees are: Wm. C. Boyden, president; Franklin
Leach, secretary ; Joseph D. Tuck, treasurer ; Edward
Giddings and Wm. R. Driver. A new trustee is
elected each year ; Mr. Tuck has been re-elected for
nearly thirty years, and Mr. Leach twenty-five. Un-
der the intelligent supervision of its trustees the li-
brary has prospered exceedingly, containing to-day
over ten thousand volumes and proving itself a ne-
cessity to all, only limited in its beneficent work by
the scantiness of the a])pro|iriations. It is open to
the public every week day afternoon, and Saturday
evenings.
1806. — Mi.ss Elizabeth Champney, daughter of the
third pastor of the First Churcti, and for many years
a successful teacher, died, April 2.3d, aged sixty-six.
1807. — The Beverly Charitable Society (already
mentioned), was incorporated. The town was called
to lament the death of Dr. Elisha Whitney. The
sons of Dr. Whitney became world-famous as mer-
chants and ship owners, and his descendants to-day
maintain in Beverly the honorable name of their dis-
tinguished ancestor.
An old soldier, in the person of Capt. George Ray-
mond, died this year, aged ninety-nine years, having
been born December 21, 1707. He was in the expe-
dition to Cape Breton, and in 1770, as ai)i)ears by the
records, was moderator of a town-meeting assembled
f ir the purpose of condtmtjing the use of tea by patriots.
1808. — Joseph Wood, who died this year, at the
age of sixty eight, was a survivor of the Committee
of Correspondence during the Revolution, in 1778 a
member of the convention for ratifying the United
States Constitution and from 1771 to the day of his
death held the office of town cleric, discharging every
public duty with conspicuous fidelity.
1809. — The Beverly Marine Insurance Company
was chartered, with a capital of (Uie hundred thou-
sand dollars. Its rooms were in the building then
occupied by the bank.
1809. — December 10, Josiah Batchelder, jr., expired,
aged seventy-three. From his tombstone standing
in the Second Cemetery, we learn that, "The whole
assemblage of associate virtues, which so superlatively
exalt the Christian and endear hira to society, his
friends and his God, conspired to portray in the liveli-
est colors the character to whose memory this stone
is sacred."
A curious oflicial paper is preserved by one of our
citizens, as follows :
"To Josiah Batchelder jr., Esqr. one of tlie Justices assigned to keep
the Peace in and for the County of Essex. — Ebenezer W'oodbury, of
Beverly, gentleman, in the county aforesaid, on oath informs the said
Justice, that on tlie first day of February, instant, and ou divers other
days, in the night time, the following Goods, viz : live poclts of Indian
Corn. & one canvas bag, two bushels & one half Bushel of meal, and two
Bags (one of said bags being of plain coarse Cloth and marked J. R.) all
which were stolen and carried away from the Grist Jlill then in the cai-e
& occupation of the said Ebenezer Woodbury — the first mentioned corn
and bag the property of Benj" Butman ; 5 pecks of llie meal A the bag,
marked E W'., is the property of Elizabeth Woodbury, widow; Si 5
j)ecUs of the meal and the bag inarkVI J. K. was tlie property of Joseph
Kea of s'd Beverly, Gentleman,— of the value of twenty-four shillings &
nine pence, the property of the said Benj* Rutman Eliz" Woodbury & J.
Ray— were feloniously stolen, taken and carried away from the Grist
Mill of the said Ebenezer, & others, now in the occupation of s'd Eben'r
at Beverly, as aforesaid, and that tlley, and he, hath jirobable cause to
suspect, aud doth suspect, that one Jl'i'lTER BlUNN, of Beverly, in the
county of Essex, labourer, "did steal, take, aud carry away, the same
goods, as aforesaid, and prays that he, the said Jupiter Buun, may be
apprehended, and held to answer to this complaint, and further dealt
with, relative to the same, according to law ; and the said Eben'r saith
that he hath cause to suspect, and doth suspect, that the aferesaid corn,
meal, etc., are secreted in the dwelling-house of one .-Vnthoney, aud
prays for a Warrant to search there for the sjinie."
" Received and sworn to on the seventeenth day of February, a. p. 1794,
before me, Josi. Batcheldbk, Jr.,
Justice of the Peace."
A nd the sherifl'of said County of Essex is instructed,
forthwith to apprehend said Ju|iiter Bunn, and bring
him l)efiire said Josi Batchekk-r ; from which it is in-
ferred that said Bunn was apprehended, and had good
cause to repent his misdeed.
There are some grounds for believing that Jupiter
Bunn was not the guilty party, since he was at one
time a trusted servant in one of the first families of
Beverly. In the possession of Mii-s Hannah Rantoul
is an antique chair, which once belonged to the fami-
ly referred to, and which was always called " Jupi-
ter's chair," because this individual .always insisted
upon occupying it, refusing to sit in any other.
In January, 1852, there died here a native of Africa
named Phyllis Cave, aged ninety, who was the sister
of Jupiter Bunn. She is remembered as a faithful
718
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and devoted servant, by Mr. Eantoul, in his " Eemi-
niscences," who states that she, when a child, was
sold to a Mr. Cave, of Middleton, who paid for her
in iron, and took her in his chaise from Salem to
Middleton.
She came to this town about the beginning of the
Revolutionary war, and maintained herself by labor.
"She resided upon that portion of the old Gloucester
road, now traversed by the railroad, between Pride's
Crossing and West's Beach, and habitually, within a
few years of her death, walked by starlight from this
point to the town, some four miles distant, whenever
she had a day's work to perform, that she might be
ready to begin her labors with the sun."
1810, — The Earliest Sunday- School in New
England. — At the close of the Revolutionary war,
that sturdy privateersman and patriot. Captain Hugh
Hill, then in the emplo)' of Messrs. John and An-
drew Cabot, sailed for Ireland, with the intention of
bringing to Beverly his brother James and family.
On the return voyage to Philadelphia, on board the
ship "Rambler," in the Delaware River, Hannah
Hill was born, September 17th, 1784. And this
daughter of James and Elizabeth Hill, in connection
with Miss Joanna B. Prince, established, in the year
1810, the first Sunday-school in America, for the reli-
gious instruction of the young. Misses Hill and
Prince both taught private schools during the week,
and in the summer of 1810, they gathered a company of
about thirty neglected children, who were accustomed
to play about the wharves on the Sabbath, in a cham-
ber of Miss Prince's house, corner of Davis and Front
streets, and taught them that knowledge which is be-
yond all price. Tliis later grew into a school for
children of all families. Miss Hill is described by a
person who knew her as a woman of great originality,
intellectual and scholarly, possessing a lively interest
in children. It was said by Dr. Peabody, at the fif-
tieth anniversary of the school, that he was a pupil
In her class in Sunday-school for several years, and
that later in life, at her earnest solicitation, he gave
her lessons in Greek, so that she had the satisfaction
of reading the New Testament in the very language
in which it was written. Miss Hill continued her
connection with Sunday school work until her death,
which occurred in 1838, at the age of fifty-three
years. She lies in the Dane Street Cemetery, where
her grave-stone may still be seen.
Miss Joanna B. Prince was born in Castine, Jle.,
February 23, 1789, and removed to Beverly, the na-
tive home other mother, with her parents during her
childhood. She was a person of entirely different
temperament from Miss Hill, but like her, delighted
in doing good. In 1819 she married Ebenezer Everett,
and removed to Brunswick, Me., where she died, Sep-
tember 5, 1859. Her son. Professor C. Carrol Everett,
is now Dean of Harvard Divinity School.
The school, after its formation, was removed to the
house of Colonel Abraham Edwards, thence to the
brick school-house in the south district, the Dane
Street Chapel, the Briscoe School-house, and finally,
about 1819, to the First Pariah Church. It is proba-
ble, says Robert R. Endicott, (from whose report as
superintendent of this school in 1885, this account is
mainly taken), that the children who attended the
school at the start had no church connection, but as
the school widened its sphere and increased its num-
bers it embraced scholars and teachers from the var-
ious parishes in town. In the year 1819, the Dane
Street and the First Baptist societies organized par-
ish schools, and from that time to the present the
various societies have formed schools under their own
organizations.
On the 4th of July, 1842, a union celebration was
held on the Town-Hall square, 1,123 scholars and
teachers being present ; and in 18fi0 occurred the
Fiftieth Anniversary, with large floral processions,
music, a collation on the common, under a mammoth
tent, and addresses by distinguished speakers. The
Eightieth Anniversary, doubtless, will find within
the limits of the United States, 100,000 Sunday-
schools, 10,000,000 scholars, and a million teachers.
1812. — The manufacture of Britannia ware was
begun here, the first in America, by Israel Trask.
Throughout the years 1809, '10, '12 and '14, the
citizens of Beverly entered frequent and eloquent
protests against the embargo, and restrictive laws of
that period, which eventually (as they had foreseen)
destroyed the commerce it had taken a hundred
years of self-sacrifice to found and maintain.
In the petition of 1812, it is stated: "They find
themselves totally deprived of their commerce, coast-
ing-trade and fisheries, even in their own bays and
harbors within the State, by the restrictive laws
of the Union, and another embargo, which, for sever-
ity and oppression, is without precedent."
But, though finding themselves plunged into a con-
flict they could not conscientiously approve, they yet
contributed soldiers for the manning of the ancient
breastworks and sailors for service by sea.
The surviving sailors, some of them, can be remem-
bered by the jiresent generation, the last having
passed away within the past decade.
Under act of Congress, March 9, 1878, pensions
were granted to those who had served in the war of
1812 ; and in June, 1879, the venerable Stephens
Baker wrote an account of the militia and the pen-
sioners, from which the following is an extract : In
this town, the first coast guard consisted of a ser-
geant's guard of fifteen men, with a sergeant and two
musicians. The place of meeting was in front of
the First Parish meeting-house. On the alarm being
given, their location was at Hospital Point.
There were three companies of militia in the time of
the war, in which were enrolled some three hundred
and fifty men. The North Beverly Company was
commanded by Abraham Lord, with I->rael Trask,
second lieutenant; the Cove and Farms Company by
BEVERLY.
(ID
Aaron Foster, with Jona. Foster, lieutenant. The
company in the centre of the town, in which were
nearly half of all the men enrolled, was commanded
by Capt. Nathaniel Lamson, John Davis, lieutenant;
.lames Hill, ensign, Isaac (iallop, .Jonathan Stickney,
Thomas Farris and Stephens Baker, sergeants, with
the latter recording clerk. Ebenezer Trask and Rob-
ert Cary were the musicians. This company attended
a regimental muster in Danvers numbering one hun-
dred and sixty-five muskets, three commissioned offi-
cers, four sergeants, four corporals and two musicians.
They were under excellent discipline and consid-
ered one of the best companies in the State. But
three of this company were known (by Mr. Baker) to
lie living in 1879,— Thos. Farris (died 1882, aged
ninety), S. P. Lovett (died recently), and Stephens
Baker (died 1883, aged ninety one years, ten months),
and four of the company commanded by Capt. Fos-
ter,— Eben Ray, Peter Corning, Joseph Russell and
.Jesse Woodbury. The following persons received
pensions under the act of 78: Stephens Baker, Peter
Corning, Samuel P. Lovett, Joseph Russell, Eben
Ray. Fourteen willows are enumerated as entitled to
pensions, several of whom died after application had
been made, and several other applications were pend-
ing. But two survive. Many sailors from Beverly
were taken prisoners in that war, John Bradshaw,
who died 1880, aged ninety-three ; and James Stone
died 1881, aged ninety-one, were both confined as
jirisoners at Bermuda, and both returned to lieverly
to live many years. I'eter Honian died 1871, aged
ninety-one, Jacob Grace died lS7ti, aged ninety-six,
.John Bradshaw in 1880, at ninety-three. Of the
widows of 1812 veterans but two are living. One of
these, Mrs. Nancy Trowt, who lives at the Farms, is
active and cheerful, at ninety years of age.
The Dartmoor prisoners surviving in 1866, from a
list furnished at that time by Mr. James Brazil :
James Brazil, died lS7'.i ; Joseph Robinson, died 181)8 ; James Bri;int,
died 181)7; NaUuiniel Rol)eit», died Feb. lOtli, 1871; lienj. Briant, died
Oct. 5, 1874 ; Dixey Woodbury, died 1861.
DECEASED.
John BridReg, Josluia Ellingwood, Joseph Givens, John Udson, Isaac
I.akenian, John Wyer, John Dempsey, Moses Green, Benj, Elliot, Asa
.\ndrew6, Jaa. Andrews, .Tedediah Stiles, William Young.t .loliu Ayers,
Sam'l Bartlett, Hodgdon, Edw. Pousland.l Capt. John tiiddings,
.\mo8 Stickney, Thos. Roberts, "Wm. Glover, Edw. Stone, Robert Clax-
ton, Josiah Pickett, Archibald Dale, Larry Osborne, James Burke, Scipio
Bartlett, Joa. "Wyer, Richard Vitkary, Robert Grimes.
There were many veterans and pensioners scattered
throughout the town, and of the local "characters,"
" Uncle " Peter Woodbury is one of the best remem-
bered. He was a sailor ou board the " Constitution,"
and lost his thumb while at the helm during a fight,
by having it struck by a splinter. Another veteran
was .John Crampsey, who had both arms shot oflT at
the shoulders, and who was yet an expert fisherman
in later life.
1814. — Of the momentous events ot tlie war-period,
1 Died in prison.
a large number of our aged citizens yet retain vivid
recollections. The battle between the Chesapeake
and .Shannon was witnessed from many house-tops,
and the excitement in town was intense. An inci-
dent that brought the vicissitudes of the war home
to our doors, was the chasing a>hore of a schooner
belonging to Manchester, by a barge load of sailors
from a British man-of-war, who destroyed her cargo
and set her on fire. The flames were extinguished
by the rallying inhabitants of the shore, but vessel
and cargo were a total loss. Great alarm spread
throughout the country, and a town meeting was
promptly called to provide for the protection of our
coast. This event is remembered and vividly narrated
by .several of our venerable citizens.
The arrival of the artillery company from Danvers
(which, with others from Haverhill and Methuen, was
stationed here for a period), and which he followed
to its station at Hospital Point, is distinctly remem-
bered by one. At the alarm, his grandfather hastily
entered the room in which he was sleeping, strapped
powder-horn and accoutrements, seized his musket
and ran out to join with his fellow-citizens in repell-
ing the anticipated inviision. He was followed by
the boy of seven, who, now a man of eighty years,
gives this narrative to the w'riter.
The affair is remembered also by William Endi-
cott, now eighty-eight years old, by Richard Clark,
eighty-six, and by several others. Mr. Clark was
working in a garden above the beach itself when the
schooner was driven ashore, and stayed to watch pro-
ceedings until the flying bullets drove him behind a
house. He saw one of the English sailors climb the
rigging and cut a strip of canvas out of the topsail,
and remembers that he thought him an excellent
mark for a bullet and wondered they had not shot
him.
Mr. Clark's father was in a priv.ateer in the Revo-
lutionary war commanded by Captain Herbert Wood-
bury. Their vessel was taken by an English brig of
fourteen guns, which they retook and brought safely
to an American port. The first American ancestor
of the Trowts — the widow of whose son, Mrs. Nancy,
over ninety years old, draws a pension for her hus-
band's services in the war of 1812 — came here as one
of the prisoners.
Richard Clark, Sr., who was then quite young, took
his share of the prize money and went to school. It
was just after the War of 1812, says Mr. Clark,
that the most money was made b_v the fishermen, as
for so long a period the embargo had kept their ves-
sels in port and prices were high. He went fishing
twenty-five summers, beginning when a mere boy,
and distinctly remembers landing at " Col. Hale's
garden," at Cape Breton.
In the procession on Memorial Day, 1874, walked
two veterans of 1812 — Thomas Farris and Thomas
Pickett, — who were once shopmates with .lohii Smith,
a survivor of the Chesapeake engagement, and known
720
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
as "Chesapeake John," who lived in Beverly and
worked at cabinet-making.
In consequence of this occurrence (at Mingo's
Beach), writes Robert Rantoul, in his " Reminis-
cences," " a town-meeting w\is held on Saturday,
June 11th, and measures were taken to procure from
the State field-pieces of cannon, ammunition, etc.,
for the defence of the town. A number of persons
were associated together as artillery men, and on the
17ih of June, at a meeting held for the purpose,
Nicholas Thorndike was chosen captain, I was chosen
first lieutenant, and Benj. Brown, Jr., 2d lieut. Fre-
quent meetings were held to exercise with the two
brass six-pounders, which the State had furnished.
The number of persons associated was fifty-four.
We turned out twice on alarms that the British were
landing, which proved to be groundless, and met
frequently for practice until February 13, 1815, when
information was received that a treaty of peace had
been signed at Ghent, 24th Dec, 1814. In the after-
noon of the day of the receipt of this news, the com-
pany assembled, and, dragging the cannon to the
Watch-house Hill, near Hale St., fired a salute of 18
gnns, under my command, Capt. Thorndike being out
of town."
1815. — Celebration of the peace, February 22,
1815 :
" The town of Beverly, tho' almost bent to the ground by the pressure
of the times, has not lost its elasticity. True to their principles, the in-
habitants have never engaged in a War which they believed to be ini-
pulitic and unjust. They have undergone their full share of suffering in
a variety of forms, from the interruption of business and loss of property,
to the alarms of threatened attack and actual aggressions on their shores
by the enemy. The intelligence of the Peace found them almost in de-
spondency, fur that blessing was supposed to be still distant. The change
from that despondency to excess of joy can only be described by an
appeal to the feelings of every patriotic bosom on the occasion. Indi-
vidual pleasure was expressed by congratulations, and countenances once
more illuminated with smiles, whilst reiterated huzzas were at once the
effect and btimulus of their united rejoicings. A large sled fancifully
dressed with the national colours was soon manned with a crew of gal-
lant seamen, and dispatched through the street with the intelligence.
" Tiie assembled people flew to the gun-house, dragged tlie heavy
artillery to the top of the highest hill, and, amidst the peals of bells, fired
salutes which proclaimed the pleasure they felt. lu the evening, the
destruction by fire of the dwelling-house of an unfortunate citizen, sus-
pended for a while the natural joy, which had begun to flow from the
domestic circle.
"On Wednesday, the 22d iust., when the memory of Washington was
again associated with peace, in conformity to previous arrangements, the
inhabitants, at an early hour, assembled at the Bank, where, after listen-
ing to the official declaration of Peace, read by the first Marshal, they
were escorted in procession to the South Meeting-house. A large con-
course of people was assembled. The Rev. Mr. Emerson read appropriate
scriptural selections, and then addressed the God of Peace with mingled
eff"usiun8 of patriotism and devotion. An elegant and interesting address
was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Abbot, with his characteristic energy and
propriety of manner, followed by a pertinent concluding pi-ayer by the
Rev. Mr. Whiting. Select pieces of music were well performed by an
uncommonly numerous choir under the direction of Mr. Isaac Flagg.
Tho bells were rung and salutes fired by the two artillery companies of
exempts, at sunrise and during the moving of the procession. The eseort
honors were handsomely performed by the Light Infantry company,
commanded by Capt, Wni. Thorndike, which on this occasion made its
first public appearance ; and all the proceedings were conducted with the
attention and decorum due to the day. After the public performances, a
large number of the citizens dined together in the town hall ; Moses
Brown Esq., was elected their President, and Nicholas Thorndike, Na-
thaniel Goodwin, and Josiah Gould, Esqrs., Vice-Presidenta. A large
number of patriotic toasts circulated with the glass, and the company
separated at a seasonable hour, after a temperate foretaste of the blessings
of Peace. In the evening, tho Bank and several conspicuous private
buildings were neatly illuminated."
Among the twenty " patriotic toasts circulated with
the glass," at this "temperate foretaste," are a few
which, like the above-quoted description, give us an
insight of the times, the motives for action, and the
prevailing condition of affairs.
"(1.) The Treaty of Ghent — The last seal to a universal Peace through-
out Christendom — Woe to its wanton disturbers !
"(4.) The Union of the States— May it be perpetuated by impartial
laws, and a comiuunion of rights, and undisturbed bj- local jealousies.
*'(5.) His Excellency, Caleb Strong — May we never forget, that
though we have felt the inconveniences of War, it is to him we o^e our
preservation from it3 horrors,
*'{G) The Nations of Europe— Our joy at Uieir emancipation is no
longer clouded liy fear for ourselves.
" (8.) The Fisheries : the Grand Bank — May its charter be perpetuated
and its capital unlimited.
" (9.) The American Navy — Its well-deserved glory points to the only
field where 'Sailors' Rights' should ever be defended,
" (10.) Our Army — Having gathered a full harvest of honor, in defence
of our own territory, may it never have occasion to glean in the field of
our neighbors."
Among the '' volunteers," we find:
" By Joshua Fisher : The Fisheries — ' Free-trade and sailors' rights ' —
IMay they not be abandoned by our Government, although forgotten by
our Envoys.
"By C(l. Francis: May party spirit subside, and true patriotism
revive.
"By Eben'r Everett, Esrj. : The Emperor of all Elba — We come to
bury Cffisar, not to praise him."
1818. — The town voted to purchase a hearse.
1820. — Four delegates were elected to attend the
convention of five hundred met for amending the con-
stitution,— Nathan Dane, Robert Rantoul, John Low
and Rev. Nathaniel W. Williams.
1824, August 31st. — The great event of this year
was the reception to General Lafayette, who passed
through the town (August 31st) on his grand tour
through the country. A salute of thirteen guns on
Ellingwood Point announced his approach; anarch
spanned the bridge, decorated with flowers and flags,
and inscribed: *' Welcome, Lafayette, the man whom
we delight to honor! "
He was welcomed in a brief but eloquent address by
the Hon. Robert Rantoul, to which he feelingly re-
plied, and then continued his journey. Many people
yet residing with us remember the visit of Lafayette,
and all allude to the day as having been exception-
ally rainy. The following is Mr. Rantoul's account
of the visit, taken from his *' Reminiscences," pub-
lished in the Essex Institute "Historical Collec-
tions : "
*' A committee of arrangements was constituted to prepare for his re-
ception. This committee invited me to make an address to him. Ha
was BO situated, in regard to his stopping at Salem and at Ipswich, that
ho could not alight here ; it was therefore arranged that he should stop
with the escort and cavalcade in front of the bank-house on (Jabot St.,
and receive the address in his coach. When he arrived at the proposed
place there was a heavy shower of rain ; his coach stopped abreast the
front door of the house, the door of his carriage was thrown open, and
I proceeded in the midst of the heavy rain from the door of the house to
BEVERLi'.
72]
the side of the coach, having first secured Xathaniel Lnmaon to hold an
umbrella over nie. I stood ip the watt-r with my hat uiiiler my arm, and
ri'a<i the address I had prepared, tu wliicti he made a reply ; but Ids for-
eign accent, the excitement of the occjiaion and my perturbation pre-
vented me from fully understanding it. This being accomplished, tho
cavalcade moved on for Ipswich, amidst the cheei-s of those assembled
around the bank, and the pelting of a drenching rain/'
In 182-1 was established the Liberty Lodge of Free-
mrt.soiis, with Coliinel Jesse Sheldon as its first master,
and Stephens Baker as secretary. This lodge has
flourished from the first, and now eintiraces many of
our leading citizens.
In 1867 the Masons erected a large brick building
at the corner of Cabot and Washington Streets,
which was then considered the finest of its class in
town, and cost over twenty thousand dollars. The
Amity Chiipter of Royal Arch Masons was chartered
subseijuently, and occupies the hall, while stores and
numerous offices absorb the space of the first and sec-
ond floors.
1826.— -May 15th the town lost a valued citizen by
the death of Dr. Abner Howe, who was born in .Taf-
frey, N. H., 1781, and graduated from Dartmouth in
1801. He wa.s eminently successful as a physician,
and interested in public and private charities and
the schools. The house he lived in, on Washington
Street, is now occupied by his son, Captain Octavius
Howe.
1827. — Captain John Low, a one-time resident of
Beverly, who died in Lyman, Maine, in his eighty-
second year, raised a company here for the Continen-
tal army at the commencement of the Revolution, and
at one time kept a public house near the ferry land-
ing.
1829. —At the Farms, this year, a church was or-
ganized, and the Rev. Benjamin Knight ordained
pastor, September 2d. It started as a '' Christian ''
Church, but afterwards became, under the lead of
Mr. Knight, united with the Baptist denomination in
1834. The cost of its first house of worship, which
was built of bricks from the old factory at North
Beverly, was one thousand six hundred dollars, and
it was dedicated February 23, 1830. In 1831 it was
presented, by the First Church, with a silver tankard,
as a token of its love and good-will. Mr. Knight
severed his pastoral relations with the church in 1831,
and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Gilbert, then by Rev.
P. P. Sanderson, March, 1840-42 ; Rev. Sumner
Hale, 1842-47; Rev. C. W. Redding, 1848-56; Rev.
Samuel Brooks, 1857-60 ; various " supply s"
from 1860-67; Rev. J. W. Lothrop, 1867-70 ; Rev.
Chas. W. Flanders, 1870-74; Rev. C. W. Redding.
1874-81, when he resigned, ou account of ill health,
but still resides at the Farms; Rev. E. M. Shaw, 1881
-84 ; Rev. J. D. Smith, 1885-86 ; Rev. T. R. Reed,
stated supply from October, 1886, to present date.
The present church was erected in 1843-44, at a cost
of five thousand dollars.
1829-30. — About this time, says the annalist of
Salem, the spirit for lyceums broke forth, and a con-
40
vention was held in Topsfield to found a county ly-
ceum. This most valuable method of disseminating
knowledge was publicly advocated in this town, and
the Beverly Lyceum was one of the very first estab-
lished, by independent etTort of its citizens. As
early as 1830, '31 and '32, Robert Rantoul, Sr., deliv-
ered before it his lectures on local history, which
formed the basis of Stone's work ou Beverly. During
the twenty years and more of its existence, it was
ably supported, and many famous names appear
among the lecturers on its platform. It is recorded
that Horace Greeley and Elihu Burritt each re-
ceived fifteen dollars for a lecture, and that the
former was very much surprised to receive an invita-
tion to appear a second time. George Bancroft,
Wendell Phillips, Chas. Sumner and Theodore Park-
er, received twelve dollars each. Ex-President
John Q. Adams lectured here, as also Miss Lucy
Stone, Wilson Flagg, Robert Rantoul, Jr., Mr. Thorn-
dike, Dr. W. C. Boyden, Dr. Augustus Torrey and
others of our townsmen.
Owing to the rise of rival a.ssociations, the old Ly-
ceum lo.st support, but the impulse toward this form
of intellectual recreation continued, and has been
sustained to the present day.
In the Athena;um course of 1860 lectured Nath'l
P. Banks, Josiah Quincy, Jr., Dr. R. H. Neale and
six others, while invitations were extended to Wen-
dell Phillips, Dr. T. D. Anderson and John G. Saxe.
Of late years, the most active promoter of lectures
here have been the oflBcers of the Royal Arcanum,
led by Austin D. Whitcomb.
The earliest lyceum lectures were held in the Bris-
coe Hall, and the later ones principally in the large
hall of the town-house.
1830-31. — The introduction of coal into this town
began about this time. In October, 1831, Messrs.
Pickett & Edwards carted two thousand seven hun-
dred and ninety pounds of coal to the hay-scales
near the Old South, to be weighed, and then to the
house of Jonathan Batchelder; and also other small
lots to a few other individuals. October, 1834, forty-
seven tons were landed here from a vessel, of which
Capt. Stephen Woodbury was master. This lot was
sold to forty-three different persons in the space of
eleven and one-half months. It came in large blocks,
and had to be broken up with the top-maul or a.xe,
to prepare it for the stove. JIany weary, fretful hours
(says Mr. Pickett), were spent in trying to make the
"strange stuff " burn ; some would finally give it up
in despair, but others persevered and made it a suc-
cess. At present, it is estimated, twelve thousand
tons are aunually consumed.
Fuel at first came (after the home supply became
diminished) from the forests of Maine; but even
these are now exhausted, and wood is brought from
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
1833. — The Beverly Academy, projected as a i)ri-
vate school by an association of gentlemen became.
722
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
although its existence was relatively brief, an impor-
tant factor in the intellectual development of the
town.
In May of this year, the association purchased
land on the northeasterly side of Washington Street,
and erected a building in which, June 17th, a school
was opened, with Abiel Abbott, of Wilton, N. H., as
principal, and Miss Mary R, Peabody assistant.
Chas. A. Peabody, of Tain worth, N. H. (since a
judge and a prominent citizen of New York City),
succeed Mr. Abbott for one term, next year, when Ed-
ward Bradstreet assumed the position, retaining it
till June 30, 1836.
A year previous, January 30, 1835, an act of incor-
poration had been obtained by Elliot Woodbury, Jo-
siah Lovett 2d, Michael Whitney and their associates
and successors, as the Beverly Academy.
The officers of the Institution elected February
18, 1835, as trustees, were : Robert Kantoul, Josiah
Lovett 2d, Elliott Woodbury, Albert Thorndike,
William Endicott, with Wm. Enrticott treasurer, and
Stephens Baker clerk.
Between the years 1836-41, Thos. B. Webb was
principal, followed by Edward Appleton, a Cam-
bridge graduate of 1835. Valued assistants under
Mr. West were: Miss Ann W. Abbott, Miss Mary
Williams and Miss Mary T. Weld.
After Mr. Appleton came John F. Nourse, from
January, 1844, to August, 1847, with exception of two
terms, taught by James W. Boyden.
From September, 1847, to November, 1854, Issachar
Lefavour was principal, with Miss Phojbe E. Abbott
as assistant. Mr. Lefavour, a graduate of Amherst
College, who began teaching in Beverly, in 1834. in
the old school-house at the Cove, purchased the
Academy building in 1848. The building was then
situated on the corner of Brown and Washington
Streets, but was removed thence, and is now occupied
as a shoe factory, on Park Street. Mr. Lefavour was
the last to maintain the Academy here, and in 1855
accepted a situation as principal of the Ipswich Gram-
mar School, where he taught without interruption
nineteen years. He always remained a citizen of
Beverly, however, and still maintains, after half a
century of valuable service, an undiminished interest
in the cause of education. A short-lived academical
school was opened previous to the above mentioned,
in a building on Washington Street, since removed to
Beckford Street, where it was used as the Ryal-Side
School-House, but now owned and occupied as a
dwelling-house.
1834.— February 21st, the Beverly Anti-Slavery
Society was formed. There died in Camden, Maine,
December 10, 1834, a native of Beverly, Mr. Robert
Thorndike, at the age of one hundred years and five
months.
1835. — On February 5th Nathan Dane departed
this life, who was born in Ipswich December 27, 1752.
Another lawver of local eminence, who at one time
studied in the office of Mr. Dane, closely followed
him at his departure, — William Thorndike, born in
Beverly January, 1795, died July 12, 1835. He fitted
for college at Phillips Academy in Exeter, and grad-
uated with distinction from Harvard in 1813. He
was admitted to the Essex bar in 1816, and com-
m enced the practice of law in Bath, Me., but in a
few years returned to his native town to engage in
mercantile pursuits. Here he was elected to fill posi-
tions of trust and honor; he pronounced the Fourth
of July oration of 1816, was a representative at Gen-
eral Court in 1826 and '27, and a senator in 1828 and
four years succeeding, during the last of which he
was president of the Senate. He was for several
years superintendent of the First Parish Sunday-
school, and at his death at the head of financial in-
stitutions in Boston.
A noteworthy celebration of America's independ-
ence was that of this year's anniversary, on the occa-
sion of which Edward Everett delivered the oration,
taking for his theme the early life of George Wash-
ington.
An immense audience greeted him in the Dane
Street Church meeting-house, where, for an hour and
a half, they had the enviable pleasure of listening to
this distinguished orator. After the intellectual feast
had concluded, the citizens of the town, with invited
guests, repaired to the Common, where a pavilion had
been erected, and there sat down to a substantial din-
ner. Robert Rantoul, Sr., presided, and among the as-
sembled participants were twelve Revolutionary sol-
diers, probably the last survivors of those gallant sons
of liberty our town had provided in such numbers.
Although many toasts were drunk, it is related that
the president of the occa-ion and many influential
citizens set a commendable example of total absti-
nence from intoxicants.
Among the toasts was one to the "orator of the
day," responded to by Mr. Everett in his happiest
vein: —
'* The orator of the day : The union of geniue, talents and industry,
regulated by virtuous principle, will always command respect and es-
teem from a free and enlightened community. The power of eloquence,
when employed to promote harmony, union and peace among friends
and neighbors, excites the most grateful feelings and merits the warm-
est praise."
Josiah Lovett, 2d, was chairman of the committee
of fourteen who so wisely conceived and ably elabor-
ated the plan of the celebration, and the Beverly
Light Infantry did escort duty on the occasion. There
is a tradition current now, at this date fifty years re-
moved from the event, that there was prospect of the
festivities being interrupted, early in the day, by the
appearance of a "suspicious-looking Southerner,"
armed with pistols. As this gentleman made earnest
enquiry for Mr. Everett, some zealous officials
promptly arrested him and took his pistols away from
him. But when he was permitted to send a note to
Mr. Everett, his identity was established as a reporter
for the New York Herald, at all events not an enemy
BEVERLY.
723
thirsting for his blood, and he was promptly discharg-
ed and invited to the dinner.
At a town meeting held August 20, 1835, a com-
mittee was appointed to secure the change of location
of the Eastern Railroad, from the east side of Essex
Bridge (as projected) to the west, and this was com-
plied with in 1837.
The old ways of traveling were now to give way to
the new method with propulsion by steam, and at
the advent of the iron horse came the edict of ban-
ishment for the antiquated coach and stage, with
their numerous and interesting retinues of attendants.
But various stage and transportation lines were kept
up until very recent times, the hist (or one of the
last) being Trask's stage to Gloucester, terminated
within the memory of many of the younger genera-
tion.
Even this solitary representative of the past, — this
lumbering stage with its four prancing horses and
jolly driver, making its daily trips between Salem and
Gloucester, awoke great interest all along the line,
and gave us a hint of what the stage-coach must have
been in the hey-day of its existence.
It is a tradition, firmly believed in by all who were
favored with a glimpse of Trask and his " turn-out,"
that the stage of ancient times was a most glorious
thing, bright with varnish, with gorgeous landscapes
painted on its panels, numerous straps dangling
temptingly just out of reach of the small boy, and
mysterious recesses within its sp.acious interior. And
the broad-visaged, rubicund driver, with his expansive
smile and hearty ways, his long-lashed whip that
could easily reach a " cut behind " — but rarely did —
he was a king on a throne, and, if he were conscious
of the envy and .admiration he e.xcited, would cer-
tainly have put on kingly airs.
The last stage coach has now been relegated to the
most neglected corner of shed and barn, its only
occupants the feathered bipeds of the farm-yard ; for,
even in regions remote, that were w-holly unknown
in the days of its glory, such as Texas, California
and the highlands of iMexico, it has been steadily
pursued and persistently demolished by the iron
monster — that first entered our territory as a humble
servitor, but now threatens to crush us beneath the
steel-shod hoofs of monoi)oly. The last of the old
stage-drivers of the Boston line was Woodbury Page,
who was also the first station agent here of the rail-
road company. His old stage, " The Rambler," was
for a long time stored in a barn on the Bancroft estate,
which was burned to the ground, with all its contents,
about 1850. Woodbury Page, though a native of New
Hampshire, was connected, through his mother, with
the Woodburys, of Beverly.
1836. — A body of its members retired from the
Dane Street Church, and organized as a distinct so-
ciety, February 8, 1837, by the name of the " Wash-
ington Street Church."
A house of worship was erected, and dedicated
March 29, 1837, on which occasion religious services
were performed by Rev. David Oliphant, formerly
pastor of the Third Congregational.
The first pastor was Rev. William Bushncll, in-
stalled January 3, 1838, and dismissed May 9, 1842.
Rev. George T. Dole was ordained October G, 1842,
and dismissed July 1, 1851.
Rev. Alonzo B. Rich, installed December 8, 1852,
was dismissed August 0, 1867. During his ministry
the greatest number (one hundred and fourteen) were
added to the church.
Rev. Charles Van Norden was installed March 18,
1868, and dismissed April 14, 1873.
Rev. Benson M. Frink was installed October 1, 1873,
and dismissed September 30, 187(3.
Rev. William H. Davis was ordained July 5, 1877,
and disrais.sed May 1, 1884.
Rev. William E. Strong was ordained July 15,1885,
and is the present pastor.
1840. — The first Universalist Society was organized
February 17, 1840, with Daniel Hildreth, Stephen
Homans, Jeremiah Wallis, Benjamin D. Grant and
William A. Foster as parish committee. Among its
early preachers were Revs. John Prince, Henry Ba-
con, William Hooper and Sylvanus Cobb, but the
first settled pastor was Rev. E. H. Webster, in
1843.
In 1846 a church was erected, which was enlarged
and beautified in 1863, and every demand anticipated
of the increasing needs of its congregation. After
Mr. Webster came Rev. W. G. Cambridge, for a
year and a half, followed by Rev. John L. Stephens,
who remained a year and then withdrew from the
ministry and entered political life. He was after-
wards editor of the Kennebec Journal and subsequent-
ly was appointed United States Minister to Uruguay
and Paraguay, and later to Norway and Sweden.
Rev. Mr. Washburn came to the pastorate in 1847,
and continued till May, 1851, when he resigned, on
account of ill-health, and died the same year. Rev.
Stillman Harden occupied the pulpit two years, re-
signed in 1853, and died in Rockport in 1865.
Rev. L. W. Coffin was pastor for two years, between
1853 and '55, tlien resigned ; died in Barnardston in
1879.
September 19, 1856, Rev. John Nichols was settled
over the church, and continued in service here for
eleven years, impre.ssing the entire community with
the purity of his life and sincerity of puriKjse. The
day of his valedictory sermon was al-so the day of his
death, as he was stricken with paralysis of the brain
that afternoon, and died the same evening.
Rev. G. W. Whitney was ordained July 24, 1867,
and resigned in April, 1872. In November, 1872,
the Kcv. J. N. Emery was installed, remaining here
until 1884, and is now at Bellows Falls, Vt. Like his
predecessors, he acquired the confidence of his fellow-
citizens and exerted an influence for good. From
1884-85 Rev. E. W. Prebble preached here, and Rev.
724
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Charles S. Nickerson in 1886; but at present (1887)
there is no settled pastor.
The present congregation numbers about three
hundred individuals. There is a well-attended Sun-
day-school, of whieh one of our influential citizens,
Samuel Porter, was (until 1880) superintendent for
thirty years.
1840. — In the great Whig campaign of this year
Beverly partook of the general excitement. The
population of the Farms and Cove marched to the
Centre in procession, with banners flying, and on the
day of the great convention at Charlestown the town
seemed almost entirely deserted, so universal was the
attendance.
1841. — All town-meetings, previous to 1798, had
been held in the First Parish meeting-house, but in
this year a building was erected as a town and school-
house combined. In town-meeting March 12, 1798,
" the committee appointed to view and report the dis-
position of the rooms in the new Grammar School-
house find the large chamber in the upper story in
said house (with another row of benches), will accom-
modate one hundred and forty persons, and therefore
recommend that this chamber in future be appropri-
ated to and occupied for tlie purposes of town-meet-
ings and town affaii's, and that the western room be
apiiropriated more immediately for the use of the
selectmen and assessors.
" N. B. — In case of a very full meeting it may be
adjourned to the meeting-house."
It was then voted that " All future town-meetings
shall be warned and holden in the chamber in the
new Grammar School-house, known by name of the
Town Hall, instead of the place they are now held.'
This old town hall stood on the hill back of the
present Briscoe school-house, was of two stories in
height, with a cu])ola and bell. In 1842 it was given
over to the exclusive use of the Grammar School, and
was thereafter known as Briscoe Hall, until 1874.
In 1841, with a portion of the United States surplus
assigned the town it purchased the Thorndike man-
sion, which was built by Andrew Cabot some si.xty
years previously, and fitted it up for the uses of the
town officials, with a large hall for public meetings.
This edifice was a beautiful example of the best
buildings of the period of its construction, and long
stood an ornament to the business centre of the
town.
It was opened to the pul)lic October 26, 1841, with
religious exercises and an address by Robert Rantoul,
Jr., who, though at first opposed to its purchase,
gracefully admitted his mistake. The work of alter-
ation was ably supervised by a committee of citizens,
of whom the only survivor is Augustus N. Clark, who
has, for nearly fifty years, been prominent in works
for the welfare of the town. This iiall, at various
times enlarged and improved, answered the needs of
the community for nearly thirty years. But the
growing demands for hall and library space, for rooms
in which to transact town affairs, and greater security
of property, necessitated its enlargement in 1874.
The lines of the original structure were obliterated,
but ample accomodations were secured for all the
purposes of town business. The cost of the later
alteration was about thirty thousand dollars.
The Thorndike propertj', which included a garden
of great attractiveness, and extended from Cabot to
Lovett Streets, was thrown open to occupation, at the
time of its purchase by the town, and is now covered
by some of our finest estates.
A grandson of Rev. Thomas Blowers (second minis-
ter of the First Parish) died at Halifax, N. S., in Oc-
tober, 1842, at the age of one hundred years. He was
the oldest surviving graduate of Harvard College, and
had long occupied an eminent judicial position.
1845-46. — The Mexican war was more unpopular
in Beverly than the War of 1812, and there were few
enlistments of our citizens. These, it is believed,
joined the ranks of the regular army : Thos. J. Pous-
land (who was among the missing in the last war ot
the rebellion) ; Joseph Bradshaw and Charles F.
Dodge. Mr. Bradshaw (now seventy-two years old,
and Mr. Dodge, who is about ten years his junior, re-
ceive pensions from the general government, under
the new law. Mr. Dodge, who is still hale and
hearty, and who diligently pursues his vocation, as a
builder, retains vivid recollections of the most event-
ful scenes of the Mexican invasion. He enlisted in
December, 1846, in the battery of mountain-howitzers
which became so famous as " Reno's Battery " in the
operations of the Valley of Mexico. As he was with
the troops under General Scott, he w.as at the bom-
bardment of Vera Cruz, where he first landed on
Mexican soil, and marched thence up the mountain
slopes to Cerro Gordo. In this famous pass of Cerro
Gordo the Mexicans, under Santa Anna, were strong-
ly posted, with a numerous force, and guns guarding
every possible approach. Contrary to the expecta-
tions of the enemy. General Scott did not march di-
rectly into the yawning jaws of the gorge, where cer-
tain destruction awaited him and his army, but spent
several days in opening a road along one of the high
and apparently inaccessible hills, in this manner
flanking the strongest batteries and forcing the Mexi-
cans to retreat in confusion.
This masterly move won the admiration of all the
old soldiers, man}' of whom had been with the dash-
ing Taylor at Monterey and Buena Vista, and were
disposed to murmur at Scott's slow advances. But
this was the. secret, perhaps of his success, for the
lives of his men were precious to him, not only for
their own sakes, but on account of the small force
with which he was making this invasion.
Mr. Dodge was detailed to go back to communicate
with the lieutenant of his company, and in doing so
saw the brave General Shields, who was lying on a
hillside desperately wounded. He had the pleasure
of meeting General Shields thirty years later, in 1878,
BEVERLY.
i'^a
on the occasion of a lecture delivered here by the lat-
ter, ■wlien they spent several hours in recounting the
scenes through which they had passed together, and
Mr. Dodge occupied a place on the platform, while
the General gave his lecture on the war. In the great
march up the slopes of the plateau to the table-land,
through Jalapa, Perote and Puebla, and in the strat-
egic operations about the Valley of Mexico, Mr.
Dodge was in constant service. In addition to Cerro
Gordo, he was in tlie battles of Contreras, Churubusco,
Chapultepec and the city of Mexico.
When the brave Reno was wounded the command
of the battery devolved upon Beauregard, for whom,
as well as Pillow and Scott, he had great admiration.
For Genera! Scott, indeed, he had that fervent admi-
ration undewtood only by one who participated in
the desperate conflicts on Mexican soil, when the
great general so successfully led that little army of
ten thousand against such overwhelming odds and
into the heart of a country swarming with enemies.
Our townsman was one of the first through the breach
in the western wall of Chapultepec, but declares that
General Scott was on the castle esplanade almost as
soon, looking about solicitously for the wounded and
complimenting the boys on their gallant and success-
ful charge.
-Vfter Chapultepec had been carried, the city of
Mexico was virtually in Scott's possession, for the
guns of the castle on its rock-ribbed hill commanded
every portion. But the enthusiastic soldiers da^^hed
down the sides of the hill and along the great aque-
duct away from Chapultepec to the city, charging in
and out its hundred arches, to the very gates of the
ancient Aztecstronghold. They carried the gates and
overcame some of the barricades, when night fell
about them and necessitated a halt; but they held
what they had captured, and completed the conquest
on the morrow. One of the guns of the battery to
which Mr. Dodge was attached was taken by General
(then Lieutenant) Grant into the tower of a church,
and this mountain howitzer figures conspicuously in
the account of the doings of Grant at that time. Dur-
ing the American occupation of Mexico Mr. Dodge
twice performed the journey between Vera Cruz and
the city of Jlexico and return; once in doing escort
duty after the Mexican surrender. This is but one
episode, briefly sketched, of a single soldier of Bever-
ly ; could the history of each one's adventures be
given, it would fill a volume.
1848-49.—" The California Fever."— Through
the acquisition of Texas, Kew Mexico and California,
a vast territory was thrown open to exploration, as
the outcome of the Mexican War. The great excite-
ment over the discovery of gold in California was felt
in Beverly as in few other places, the majority of its
male inhabitants being fishermen, or connected in
some way with maritime affairs.
It was at lea-st twenty years prior to this event that gold
was brouglit from the Pacific coast by Capt. Joliu Brad-
shaw, who got it of the Indians in trade. It was in
the form of gold-dust, of a coarser grain than the Af-
rican gold, and of a difierent color, ('apt. Bradshaw,
who cl.aimed to be the first to hoist the American flag
on the Northwest coast, traded there for many years ;
he used to refit in the Sandwich Islands, and is men-
tioned in Dana's "Two Years before the Mast." Mr.
.loseph D. Tuck was postmaster during this jieriod,
and says the great event of this time was the arrival of
the first mail acros- the Isthmus from California. The
rate for letter postage was forty cents per ounce, yet
some gold-dust and even grains of the precious metal
found its way through the mails to expectant friends
of the far-distant miners. Although the gold country
was on the other side of the continent and in a region
almost inaccessible, yet neither distance nor prospec-
tive danger deterred our hardy population from mak-
ing the venture. They had faced the dangers of the
seas for years, and a voyage around the Horn was to
them a matter of small moment.
Of those who had determined to seek the golden
country, many united in purchasing and fitting out
vessels. One party started on the overland journey
across Texas, but some of them died of cholera at
Corpus Christi, and the others were obliged to return
and seek a more practicable route.
There w-as then no railroad reaching out westwardly
across the Mississippi, and only the trail was known
across Texas and New Mexico opened by American
soldiers a year or two previously. Even this was lit-
tle known, the territory through which it led having
then but recently been acquired from Mexico. The
first vessel to fit for California, it is said, was the brig
"Sterling," Capt. Edmund Gallop, whose residence
was at the Cove.
The second party sailed from Salem in the " Eliza-
beth ; " in 1850 the " Metropoli-'," Capt. JohnC Ben-
nett. Various parties were fitted out, in fact, Bev-
erly's population being greatly depleted. If a man
could not go himself, he would, perhaps, invest in
another's venture, and sometimes two or more would
combine to fit out a man who had no capital other
than his brain and muscle. A frequent question of those
times was : " Don't you w-ant half a man ? " meaning
a half-interest in some miner's adventure.
The most important venture was made by forty men
of the county, thirty-six of whom belonged to Beverly,
who purchased and fitted for a long sea-voyage, the
new and fine barque " San Francisco," of 3l'IJ tons,
then just built in Portland.
They chose Capt. Thomas Remmonds as master,
.lohu G. Butman as chief mate, and Andrew Larcom
second mate. They set sail from Beverly, these later
Argonauts in search of the golden fleece, with as lit-
tle concern for the vast voyage aheail of them as now
we of the present generation would take palace-car
for " Frisco." They were five months on the voyage,
doubled the Horn, .coasted the western shore of the two
continents, and arrived at their destination without
726
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
mishap, for they were sailors all, and nearly every
man capable of taking charge of the vessel.
They landed first in San Francisco, and then went
up to Sacramento, where they shared out their provi-
sions, sold their vessel at a great sacrifice, and
went into the mines. The story of their adventures
has been practically repeated a thousand times ; in
fine, they did not find the golden treasure they had
dreamed of, and few of them returned with much to
show for their labors. They could have made more
in California at labor in the woods and fields, for wood
that any one might cut brought sixteen dollars a cord,
and labor was from ten to fifteen dollars per day.
Many of them remained two years ; some even stayed
from ten to twenty years ; but the homeward migra-
tion soon commenced. Most of them returned via
the Isthmus, and suffered terribly. One of our citi-
zens, Samuel O. Gallop, broke his leg on the Isthmus,
and died of the accident in New York.
Mr. Larcom and a companion came across Nicara-
gua, in an ox-cart, with two Indian guides, who
couldn't speak a word of English. As they spoke no
Spanish, their course was sometimes a difficult one
and their adventures amusing, as well as sometimes
dangerous. Mr. Larcom, who is now living at eighty
years of age, and who is one of our keenest sportsmen
yet, was on the coast of Sumatra, in 1831, when the
ship " Friendship " was taken by native pirates who
killed some of the crew and drove the rest overboard.
The crew of his ship, the " James Monroe," retook
the abandoned vessel after a lively fight with the
pirates and brought her home. Mr. Larcom is prob-
ably the only survivor who participated in this fight;
and there are but seven others, living in town, who
went in the "San Francisco" around the Horn;
Albert, Charles and Edward Perry, Charles Pickett,
Daniel Wallis, Thos. D. Davis and Josiah Bennett.
Many of the original " Forty-niners " died on the
voyage or at the mines, and but few are left of those
who returned.
1851. — Bass River Lodge of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, installed at Bell's Hall, February 21st,
by M. W. G. Master Usher. A hall built for its use in
1857 was destroyed by fire 1873, but in 1874-75, the
fine block now owned by the Order was erected, at a
cost of about sixty-five thousand dollars. It is sit-
uated opposite the town-hall, is of brick, with trim-
mings of granite, and contains, besides the halls used
by the lodge, some of the most eligible store-space in
town. The post-office occupies the entire rear half of
the lower floor, with entrances from Wallis and
Thorndike Streets.
The lodge now numbers about four hundred mem-
bers, its receipts during its existence have been large,
and its expenditures for benefits and charities on a
generous scale.
The auxiliary Friendship Lodge of the Daughters
of Rebecca was installed January 10, 1870, and the
Summit Encampment September 20, 1870.
1852. — August 7th, this year, Robert Rantoul, Jr.
died, in Washington, a biographical sketch of whom
is elsewhere given in this volume. It needs no mention,
perhaps, that the greatest in the land brought their
tributes here and laid them on Rantoul's grave. In
the United States Senate, Charles Sumner sketched
his career and pronounced his eulogy:
"Ho was bitrn August l:Uh, 180), at Beverly, the home of Nathan
Dane, author of the immortal ordinance by which freedom was made a
perpetu.al heirloom in tlie broad region of the Northwest. Here, under
happy auspices of famil3' and neighborhood, he commenced life. Here
his excellent f.ither, honored for his public services, venerable also with
years and flowing silver locks, yet lives to mourn his last surviving son .
"The bad fortune of Burke is renewed : he who should have been as
posterity is now to this father in the place of aucestor.
'•The death of sucli a man, so suddenly, in mid-career, is well calcu-
lated to arrest attention and to furnish admonition. From the love of
family, the attachment of friends and the regard of fellow-citizens he
has been removed. Leaving behind the cares of life, the concerns of
State and the wretched strifes of party, he has ascended to those man-
sions where there is no strife, or concern, or care. At last he stands face
to face in His presence whose service is perfect freedom. You and I, sir,
and all of us, must follow soon, God grant that we m.ay go witli equal
consciousness of duty well done."
The offering of Whittier has become a part of the
permanent literature of our country, familiar to every
reader of his poetry ; yet we must be pardoned if
we quote it here entire ; for it belongs to us, who
dwell,—
Here, "where his breezy hills of home
Look out upon his sail- white seas — "
this noble poem ; a joint legacy of the bard of free-
dom and its eloquent advocate.
" RANTOUL."
" One day, along the electric wire
Hia manly word for Freedom sped ;
We came next morn : that tongue of fire
Said only, " He who spake is dead ! "
Dead ! while his voice was living yet,
In echoes round the pillared dome !
Dead 1 while his hlolted page lay wet
With themes of state and loves of home I
Dead ! in that crowning grace of time,
That triumph of life's zenith hour !
Dead ! while we watched his manhood's prime
Break from the slow bud into flower I
Dead 1 he so great, and strong, and wise,
While the mean thousands yet drew breath ;
How deepened, through the dread surprise,
The mystery and the awe of death !
From the high place whereon our votes
Had borne him, clear, calm, earnest, fell
His first words, like the prelude notes
Of some great anthem yet to swell.
We seemed to see our flag unfurled,
Our champiou waiting in his place
For the last battle of the world, —
The Arnuigeddon of the race.
Through him we hoped to speak the word
Which wins the freedom of a land ;
And lift, for himian riglit, the sword
Which dropped from Hampden's dying hand.
For he had sat at Sidney's feet,
And walked with Pyiu and Vane apart ;
And, through the centuries, felt the beat
Of Freedom's march in Cromwell's heart.
I
BEVERLY.
r27
He knew the paths the worthies held,
M'herc Eugland's best and wisest trod ;
And, lingering, drank the springs thut welled
Beneath the touch of Milton's rod.
No wild enthusiast of the right,
Self-poised aud clear, he showed alway
The coolness of his northern night.
The ripe repose of autuum's day.
His steps were slow, yet forward still
He pressed where others jjaused or failed ;
The calm star rlomb with constant will, —
The restless meteor flashed and paled !
Skilled in its subtlest wile, be knew
And owned the higher ends of Law ;
Still rose majestic on his view
The awful 8hape the schoolman saw.
Her homa the heart of God ; her voice
The choral harmonies whereby
The stars, through all their spheres, rejoice.
The rhythmic rule of earth and sky !
We saw his great powers misapplied
To poor ambitions ; yet, through all,
, We saw him take the weaker side
And right the wronged, and free the tbrall.
Now, looking o'er the frozen North
For one like him in word and act.
To call her old, free spirit forth.
And give her faith the life of fact, — ■
To break her party bonds of shame.
And labor with the zeal of him
To make the Democratic name
Of Liberty the synonyrae, —
We sweep the land from hill to strand.
We seek the strong, the wise, the brave.
And, sad of heart, return to stand
In silence by a new-made grave !
There, where his breezy hills of homo
Look out upon his sail-white seas.
The sounds of winds and waters come,
Aud shape themselves to words tike these :
" Why, murmuring, mourn that he, whose power
Was lent to Party over-long.
Heard the still whisper at the hour
He set his foot on Party wrong ?
** The human life that closed so well
No lapse of folly now can stain ;
The lips whence Freedom's protest fell
No meaner thought can now profane.
*' Mightier than living voice his grave
That lofty protest utters o'er ;
Through roaring wind and smiting wave
It speaks his hate of wrong once more.
" Men of the North ! your weak regret
Is wasted here ; arise aud pay
To freedom and to him your debt
By following where he led the way !"
1853. — The Beverly Insurance Company was incor-
porated, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars.
Frederick W. Choate was president for many yeans.
About 1880 the stock was sold at par to gentlemen of
Boston, and the name changed to the Merchants' In-
surance Company, with Chas. H. Fuller, president,
and Eli-sha Whitney, secretary, doing business in
Boston till 1886.
The Last Suevivok of the Ef.volution. — In
the year 185-1 expired the last (as diligent inquiry,
and thorough examination of the records and muster-
rolls inform us) of Beverly's Revolutionary heroes.
Mark Morse, ■n'ho died March 18, 1804, at the great
age of ninety-six, was a private in Capt. John Low's
Company, in Col. Hutchinson's Regiment, August
1, 1775, according to the muster-roll of that date,
which is still preserved at the State House in Boston.
Sir. Morse was a respected resident of that part of
Beverly known as the Cove, and lived in the house
(still standing) on Ober Street, ju.st west of its junc-
tion with Woodbury Street. It is within a short dis-
tance of the spot on which Humphrey Woodbury
(about 1630) built one of the fir.st houses in Beverly;
a section rich in reminiscence, and the home of many
of the hardy fishermen that once materially contri-
buted to the wealth of Beverly.
It is, the historian is well aware, contrary to the
popular opinion that any survivor of the Revolution
abode with us beyond 1850. On the occasion of the
seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Lexington,
in 1850, but two survivors of that fight are mentioned
as among the living: Jonathan Harrington, of Lex-
ington, aged ninety-two, and Amos Baker, of Lincoln,
aged ninety-four. These honored men sat on the
platform, the chief guests of the occasion, aud were
feelingly alluded to by the speakers.
In the town records, between 1820-.30, are many al-
lusions to the demise of Revolutionary veterans, be-
coming less and less frequent beyond the thirties and
forties, and ceasing entirely within forty years of the
present time. In 1822 (to cite a few illustrious names)
Col. John Francis died, aged sixty-eight ; he was
wounded in the war and received a small pension.
Aaron Francis, his brother, died 1825, aged seventy-
four, an officer in the Revolution. The year follow-
ing died Peter Glover, aged eighty-five. In 1821 Asa
Herrick, aged seventy-nine. Capt. Hugh Hill, our
famous privateer, deceased 1829, at the ripe old age
of eighty-eight. The same year, Jeffrey Thissell, at
seventy-four.
Ill 1833, at the age of ninety-one, departed Sarah
Wyer, a sister of the brothers Francis. Sergt. William
Taylor Manning, a Virginian by birth, but long a
resident of Beverly, died in 1838, aged eighty-one.
Sergt. Manning served throughout the war, aud at the
close received an honorable discharge signed by
Washington, bespeaking his worth and merit. In
1842, the year Stone's " History of Beverly" was pub-
lished, casual mention is made of a Revolutionary
soldier, Ebenezer Rea. According to the muster-roll
of November, 1776, he was then enlisted. He died
November 11, 1843, aged eighty-three. Upon his
tomb-stone, to be seen in the second cemetery, is in-
scribed : " He was beloved and honoured all his life
and lamented in death as the true friend, the upright
and patriotic citizen, the enlightened and devoted
(Jhristian ; " but no mention is made of his war
record. He lived in the old house at the Cove, on
Hale Street, still known as the Rea-house, the oldest
728
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
in that neighborhood, perhaps in the town, built by
one of the first Thorndikes, and a fine example of
the colonial architecture. Ebenezer Rea's father
was Capt. Joseph Rea, who was one of the Revolu-
tionary committee of correspondence, and commanded
the company enlisted in Beverly and Lynn which
went to the aid of Washington in New Jersey. Capt.
Ebenezer was fifteen years old at the time of the bat-
tle of Lexington, and, it is said, used to relate man)'
anecdotes of events that transpired in town during
the war.
After serving in the army, he sailed for the West
Indies, in the " Resource," wilh Capt. Richard Ober,
when he was taken prisoner by the British and car-
ried into Jamaica. He was not confined closely, but
was transferred with other sailors to the "Pelican," a
British man-of-war which foundered at sea, four of
the crew being lost. He obtained his liberty in 1782,
and arrived safely home, to dwell with his neighbors
during sixty years of comparative peace.
Rev. Elisha S. Williams, at one time pastor of the
Baptist Church, and who died in Beverly in 1845,
aged eighty-seven years, four months, was a soldier
under Washington. The last of these patriots, prob-
ably, next to Mark Morse, was Josiah Foster, who
died, at the age of eighty-nine, in 1849. Mr. Foster
was one of the captured crew of the snow " Diana,"
imprisoned in Mill Prison, England, in 1781. By no
means complete, this scattering record of " Revolu-
tioners " is given merely, to indicate the probable
survivors, at different periods, of that most important
epoch of our history.
1858. — October 24th, Robert Rantoul, deceased, in
his eightieth year.
To the faithful portraiture following, from the
skilled and loving hand of Rev. Dr. A. P. Peabody, who
knew so intimately the departed, little may be added.
"Robert Rantoul was the son of Robert Rantoul (a
native of Scotland, who early became an American
citizen, was a shipmaster, and was lost at sea in 178.3),
and of Mary, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Lam-
bert) Preston, of Salem. The subject of this sketcli
was born in Salem, November 23, 1778. The eldest
child of a family left witli a scanty competence, it was
the ambition of his boyhood to relieve his mother's
bhrdens, and to minister to her support and comfort,
and after a short but thorough apprenticeship, at the
age of eighteen, he invested his small patrimony in
the establishment of a druggist's shop in Beverly.
He understood his business, was diligent, frugal and
enterprising, obtained the respect aud confidence of
his townsmen, and remained in his original calling
for more than twenty years, till forced to abandon it
by the pressure of various public trusts and duties
which demanded and filled his whole time, till, in a
late old age, he yielded to disabling infirmity. Mean-
while he had acquired not wealth, but property amply
sufficient for his comfortable living, and his never
stinted charities.
In 1801 he married Joanna, daughter of John and
Elizabeth (Herrick) Lovett, of Beverly, whose pre-
eminently lovely character gave grace and happiness
to his home for nearly half a century, and whose pre-
cious memory has an enduring place in the hearts of
all that knew her.
Shortly after his marriage he built, on a beautiful
site near the seashore, the house in which he lived for i
more than fifty years, and which is still in the posses- I
sion and occupancy of his only surviving daughter.
Of Mr. Rantoul's public life the following synopsis
is an authentic, and probably a full record. It would I
hardly permit of being fuller: He was an overseer of the '
poor of Beverly from 1804 to 1854, when he resigned,
having written fifty consecutive annual reports ; a
justice of the peace and acting trial justice for the
town from 1808 until his death in 1858, as well as
parish clerk of the First Parish for the same period,
and deacon of the First Church, for forty-six years
before his death ; an original and life-long member of
the Massachusetts Temperance Society from its incep-
tion in 1812; was, from 18.30 to 1851 inclusive, an
original trustee, on the part of the State, of the Insti-
tution for the Education of the Blind; represented
the town in the General Court for the years from
1809 to 1819, from 1823 to 1827 and from 1828 to 1833
inclusive, having been chosen a Senator from Essex
County for the years 1820, '21 and '22, — a total legis-
lative term of twenty-five years ; was captain of the
Light Infantry Company of Beverly from 1805 to
1809; and first lieutenant of the Coast-guard Artillery
Company in 1814-15; was for some years one of the
county commissioners of highways, and presented, at
the invitation of the town, August 31, 1824, an addre.ss
to Lafayette on his tour through Beverly ; was a mem-
ber of the school committee lor forty years ; a member
of two State Conventions which have been held
(1820 and 1853) for amending the Constitution of
Massachusetts, and called the latter to order; and,
after reaching his majority in 1799, attended every
annual town meeting but one, and nearly every town
meeting held in Beverly, until 1854, a period of fifty-
five years.
It may well be inferred from this list that his was a
pre-eminently busy life, especially as it was Iris uni-
form habit to do thoroughly to the full measure of his
ability whatever he undertook to do. For many
years, as justice of the peace, he had probably nine-
tenths of the business of Beverly and the smaller
adjacent towns, and his office became a well-known
and frequented court-room. At the same time, his
intimate knowledge of the laws actually in force made
him a safe and wise counsellor, and he was constantly
called upon for his opinion and advice, which was
always given gratuitously, and alway.i with the pur-
pose of settling disputes and superseding litigation.
During the greater part of his service in the Legisla-
ture he was chairman of the Committee on Accounts,
and in that capacity it was his wont to audit the
SAFTALT^
0^^(/iU^'^^-^Z^>t.^'
BEVERLY.
r29
entire accounts of the State, and to report against
every charge that wss not reasonably fair, fully author-
ized and legally due. In his care of the poor he kept
the almshouses under constant supervision, while the
merits, claims and needs of outside pensioners were
made the subject of careful enquiry. He took great
interest in the public schools, and the teachers and
pupils found in him a judge of their work equally dis-
criminating and kind. These various offices he bore,
not because he sought them, but because they sought
him. His public life lay chiefly within the period
when fitness was deemed the prime qualification for a
iniblic charge. He would not have lifted his finger
to obtain the highest place in the government of the
State or the nation, and had he been elected to the
humblest post of civic duty, he would have accepted
it. and have put into it the best work that could be
done for and in it. He belonged (as long as it existed)
to the Federalist party, and had the singleness and
tenacity of aim and purpose which constituted the
enduring praise of its leader, yet undoubtedly led to
its inevitable defeat and disorganization. In the lat-
ter years of his life he voted with the Democratic,
then with the Free Soil party, but took no active part
in the measures of either. In addition to his public
and official duties, Mr. Rantoul had a large and benefi-
cent life-work. Private trusts seemed to gravitate
spontaneously in his direction, and no man can have
had them in greater number or diversity than he, if
we except those who make the management of them
a profession. As executor, administrator, guardian or
trustee, he had in his hands a large proportion of the
estates in Beverly, especially when such a charge was
a charity. If there was a small or heavily-encum-
bered estate from which there was a possibility of
saving a pittance for a widow or children, he was
almost always solicited to assume its management,
and there were many instances in which a family that,
but for him, would have been left in utter penury,
had their slender means secured, invested and hus-
banded by him, without cost, and without ever being
reminded of their indebtedness to him. His widowed
sister and her children were hardly less under his
assiduous and generous charge than if they had lived
under his own roof. Of the two orphan children of a
brother-in-law, he adopted one as his own daughter,
and so managed the patrimony of both as to surrender
it on their majority with an incredibly large increase.
The late Rev. Dr. Anderson and his two brothers
were tlie step-sons of his sister-in-law, and the sons
of a clergyman who left them a very scanty inherit-
ance, which Mr. Rantoul, as their guardian, so admin-
istered as to make it suffice, so far as they were
informed, for their college and professional education.
Two of the brothers died young, but the venerable
survivor never ceased to speak with the warmest
gratitude and affection of his early care-taker and
benefactor.
Mr. Rantoul was among the pioneer reformers of
46J
his time. When, as a military officer, several years
before the existence of the earliest temperance society
in the world, he received the company under his
command at his own house, he omitted the usual
supply of intoxicating liquors, taking care to add to
the entertainment more than a full equivalent for
their cost. From that time — how long before we do
not know— he never tasted such liquors, or had them
in his house, and for a long time he found himself, at
public tables and on festive occasions, the only water-
drinker.
He was the first person in Massachusetts to stir the
question of capital punishment, which he kept con-
stantly before the Legislature, and toward the discus-
sion of which he contributed largely by legislative
reports and through the public press.
Always opposed to slavery, yet equally opposed to
philanthropy of the denunciatory type, he was in
full sympathy with the advanced opinions of wise and
patriotic men in favor of emancipation.
Of Mr. Rantoul's private character it is impossible
that any eulogy should exceed the truth. His firm
religious faith and principle were made manifest in a
rigid conscientiousness which could not neglect or
slight any known duty. His integrity was not only
strict and unswerving, but often transcended its own
proper measure, so that in what he meant as simple
justice he was not unapt to wrong himself, sometimes,
indeed, at a very serious loss and sacrifice, assuming
responsibilities which no one else would have regarded
as in anywise belonging to him. While always ready
to meet every legitimate call of charity, he was, in
fact, much more generous than he seemed. He obeyed
in full the evangelic precept of reticence as to his
good deeds, and there were many cases in which funds
inadequate for the needs which they were to meet
could have been made sufficient only as supplemented
by his unostentatious kindness
In his family, as a neighbor, as a friend, as a citizen,
no man could have been more trusted, honored and
revered than he was, or more deservedly.
Of church and State he was one of the strong pil-
lars, that are never replaced in the public esteem and
confidence till the generation that relied on their sup-
port has passed awa)-. Mr. Rantoul was never in
vigorous health, but seldom ill ; his mind retained its
unimpaired vigor till his last illnes-'.'
1859.— The first local paper, The Citizen, estab-
lished on a sure foundation was started this year, af-
ter several previous but unsuccessful attempts. The
first paper to bear this name was )iublished by An-
drew F. Wales, now deceased, the first number bear-
ing date of March 17, 1851, with Rev. Ira Wa.shburn
as editor.
The later Citizen was founded by John Batchelder
1 Fu tlier details of Mr. Rantoul's life, and his ronuection with town
afTnire, may be found in his " Reminiscences," published in the " His-
torical Collections of the Essex Institute."
730
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Cressy, who, during twenty-three years of ownership,
wisely maintained it as a valued depository of local
news and history. In 1882 it became the property of
Irving W. Allen, under whose management it has
been enlarged, but with the main features preserved
that conduced to its success.
1860. — In the presidential election of this year the
vote of Beverly is recorded : for Lincoln and Ham-
lin, 739; Bell and Everett, 120; Douglas, 72; Jef-
ferson Davis, 23 ; total, 954.
It must be admitted that the people of Beverly
were not unanimously in favor of the Anti-Slavery
movement, although its principles had won with the
majority. The struggles and triumjjhs of the friends
of the cause are a part of yet unwritten history.
One of them , Mr. A. N. Clark, kindly furnishes the fol-
lowing data regarding the formation of the Beverly
Anti-Slavery Society : Although the plan of coloniz-
ing Liberia, as a means of civilizing and Christianiz-
ing Africa, as well as helping to rid our own country
of the curse of slavery, had been earnestly presented
to the people of Beverly, in their churches, and con-
tributions sought in aid of that endeavor, it was not
till about the year 1832 that immediate emancipation
began to be advocated and the rights of the slave to
his freedom and citizenship upon the soil where he
was born.' Lectures were frequently delivered upon
this exciting theme and earnest debates held before
the Beverly Lyceum.
The universal sentiment was opposed to the exten-
sion of slavery, but very few, then, were in favor of
complete emancipation. The temper of the public
mind at that time is well known. By some, Garrison
and his immediate followers were denounced as dan-
gerous to the well-being of the nation ; while they, in
turn, accused the northern churches of being in fel-
lowship with the South — the "Bulwark of American
Slavery " — and declared the Constitution of the
United States a "covenant with hell."
There were other advocates who were listened to
with more of patience, and who did good service in
correcting and moulding public opinion : such men
as Pierpont, May, Staunton, Leavitt, Phelps and
Phillips.
The church doors, however, had become barred
against the Anti-Slavery advocates, and the Old
Town Hall became the battle-ground ; and this only
was secured by some of the citizens giving a bond for
its security against violence.
As early as 1833 an Anti-Slavery Society was
formed in Beverly, not numerous, for it required
courage to " stand up and be counted." The object
of the society was to educate public sentiment in re-
gard to the great evil of American slavery and the
safety to both races in its immediate overthrow. A
library was established for the circulation of tracts
1 See, also, Wilson's " Rise and Fall of the Slave Power," vol. i., p.
264. el., >eq.
and other literature on the question of slavery as was
then available. This library, as a matter of conve-
nience, was located at the drug-store of Augustus N.
Clark, on Cabot Street, the proprietor of the store
acting as librarian. The library case was made by
John Tuck, 2d, and by him presented to the society ;
it has been carefully preserved, while the library,
made up as it was mostly of pamphlets and unbound
books, has disappeared.
Of the original members of the society, Augustus
N. Clark, John I. Baker, Charles Moulton and Eben
H. Moulton, still survive.
The society continued during six years, when slav-
ery becoming (18-tO) an issue in politics, it ceased to
exist; but the impetus of the movement could not
be arrested ; the result the world knows.
BEVERLY IX THE CIVIL WAR.
It has been fully shown, in the pages preceding,
that the people of Beverly were ever animated by
highest principle, and were never wanting in military
spirit. A well-trained militia was always to be found
here at call; as early as 1662 there was a foot com-
pany under Captain Thomas Lothrop. After his
lamented death, at Bloody Brook, Lieutenant William
Dixey was appointed to the command, by the Gen-
eral Court, and he was succeeded by Paul Thorndike.
A company of horse had been organized previous to
1689, with William Rayment as captain, William
Dodge as lieutenant, John Dodge, Jr., cornet, and
Thomas West quartermaster.
They were on the point of being disbanded, by or-
der of General Court, in 1690, but at their earnest
request were allowed to continue, provided they could
furnish " forty able-bodied troopers, equipped accord-
ing to law," which they did. The services of our
soldiers in the various fights with the Indians, and
during the Revolution and the war of 1812, have
been detailed. Between the peace of 1783 and the
end of the eighteenth century the military spirit was
at an ebb, but rose promptly with the exigencies of
the occasion.
In 1800 (October 17th) the first voluntary associa-
tion of men as a light infantry company was formed,
but not organized Juuder the law till June 2, 1801.
They were then regularly enlisted under an order
from Lieutenant-Colonel James Burnham, of the
Third Regiment. Jonathan H. Lovett was chosen
captain, Josiah Gould lieutenant, and Robert Ran-
\,oul ensign.
This company was disbanded in 1814, but in 1815
another light infantry company was organized, which
has existed to the present time. Its first captain was
William Thorndike, and his successors various re-
spected citizens eminent in different walks of life.
This organization kept alive the spark that might
otherwise have become extinguished during the long
period of peace ; especially at the annual " May train-
ings" and "Fall musters."
BEVERLY.
731
During nearly fifty years of peaceful life, the Bev-
erly militia had fought its bloodless battles on the
training-field ; the monotony of its existence seemed
likely to continue unbroken during an equal period,
when suddenly there came the occasion for its ser-
vices.
1861. — It is significant, that, though there were
formerly three military companies in Beverly, these
had dwindled to one in 1860, and that one a volun-
tary association. But this one, Company E., Beverly
Light Infantry, was alert and prepared for action ;
its commander had his " ear to the ground '' for the
first premonitions of war.
In the Citizen for January 19th, 1861, is printed
the official order by Governor Andrew, for Beverly to
be ready at all times to furnish her quota of troops
upon any requisition of the President of the L^nited
States. The original of this order is now in posses-
sion of Colonel Francis E. Porter, then captain of
Company E. The paper adds : " In accordance with
this order. Captain Porter has notified Company E.
to meet at the armory on Monday nest, at seven
o'clock."
The sequel is thus stated : " Company E. at a spec-
ial meeting, in response to the order of Governor
Andrew, had a full and enthusiastic rally, and sixty-
seven readily volunteered for any service that might
be required of them by the government."
And two months later the following :
"The order for the meeting of the Eighth Keginient was received
here on Monday, April 16tli, and early on Tuesday morning the flag of
the Beverly Light Infantry was waving on their armory. The compa-
ny mustered in full ranks, and with music, marched to the station to
takf the 10 00 train for Boston, heing frequently greeted by the wavitlg
of handkerchiefs hy the young ladies in the shoe factories on Railroad
Avenue. Some time elapsed before the arrival of the train, during
which the company went through the drill exercise quite satisfactorily.
Before leaving, each officer was the recipient of a splendid sword and
revolver, gifts from friends here."
"After they had entered the train, and as it left, cheer after cheer
rose from the aasemhled multitude who had gathered to witness their
departure. The company is composed of youug men who are called
away from the scenes of home and cherished associations to serve the
land of their birth in the hour of need, and most cheerfully have they
responded to the call. The wishes of every loyal citizen and lover of his
country go with them.
" While the company were drilling at the station. Mr. William J.
Smith, not a member, but whose breast was filled with patriotism, and
who has experienced some of the hardships of Texan life, hearing the
sound of the drum, dropped his axe and hastened to respond to the call
to arms. He left with the company and his name appears on the roll.
" On arrival at Boston the company marched to Faneuil Hall, where
they quartered until Thursday, when they left for Washington at 6
P. M.'
The same paper announcing their departure con-
tained, also, the President's proclamation for 75,000
troops, dated Washington, April 15th, the .surrender
of Sumter, April 13th, the attack on the Sixth Regi-
ment by the Baltimore mob, and the additional in-
formation that the Eighth had safely reached Phila-
delphia and was quartered in the Continental hotel.
"On the 15th of April, ISfit, (says Schouler's ' Ma-ssachusetts in the
Kebellion ') Governor .\ndrew received a telegram from Washington to
send forw.ird at once 15,000 men. The drum-beat of the long roll had
been struck.
"On the morning of the IGth the companies began to arrive in Bos-
ton, and before nightfall every company that had received its order in
time reported at headquarters for duty."
Company E. was the first in Massachusetts to re-
port for duty ; Captain Porter received his orders at
five p. M., April 15th, when he immediately notified
his men in person, reporting ready for duty that
night. It was the second to arrive in Boston, and
could have been the first, had not Adjutant-General
Hinks sent word that the company was not needed
before twelve o'clock.
Subscriptions were started for a relief fund for sol-
diers' families in town, and had reached the amount
of two thousand eight hundred dollars on the morn-
ing of their departure.
April 20th, a mass meeting was held in the town-
hall, and patriotic speeches were made by many citi-
zens. The relief fund, at the clo.se of the meeting
amounted to three thousand dollars.
The ladies of Beverly organized a society for the
furnishing of clothing and other necessaries to the
militia of the State. One "hundred and thirteen la-
dies attended the first meeting ; Miss Hannah Ran-
toul was chosen president, with an able corps of as-
sistants.
Military companies, formed in various parts of the
town, received over one hundred members during the
first week.
Following Schouler's " ilassachusetts in the Civil
War," we find that the Eighth Regiment, which had
arrived in Boston on the 16th, did not leave the city
till the 18th, when it marched to the State-House and
was presented with a set of regimental colors by Gov-
ernor Andrews, who also addressed the soldiers in
spirited terms. The regiment left Boston at four
o'clock that afternoon, greeted everywhere along the
route to Philadelphia " with the same unbounded
enthusiasm the Sixth had received. General Butler
accompanied it as commander of the Massachusetts
brigade. The regiment reached Ivew York on the
morning of the eventful 19th of April, — when the
soldiers of the Sixth were attacked by the Baltimore
mob, — and marched down Broadway amid the con-
gratulations of the vast multitude. This was the
second Massachusetts regiment that had marched
through that city in advance of all others, while two
other regiments were on the seas for Fortress Monroe."
It was in Philadelphia, where they arrived that
evening, that they received details of the attack upon
the Sixth, that day, in Baltimore.
" This intelligence gave new energy and enthusiasm
to the men, and made them more eager to jiress for-
ward to AVashington. They had expected to reach
the capital by way of Baltimore; but that route was
now closed, and a new one had to be opened, which
served as the military highway to Washington for
Eastern troops, until sedition was suppressed in Bal-
timore, and that city assumed a loyal attitude. The
new route was by the Su.squehanna and Chesapeake
732
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS^
Bay to Annapolis, the capital of Maryland. A branch
railroad of seventeen miles connected Annapolis
with the Baltimore and Washington Railroad. By
this route, Washington could be reached without
touching Baltimore The lailroad from An-
napolis to the Junction, where it connects with the
Baltimore and Washington Railroad, had in part been
destroyed, and the engines and cars partially dis-
abled. After considerable delay, the track was re-
laid and the engines and cars put in order by the men
of the Eighth. To the Eighth Regiment will ever be
the honor of having opened the route to Washington
by the way of Annapolis, and of having saved from
possible loss the frigate ' Constitution,' the ' Old Iron-
sides' of the War of 1812."
The regiment arrived in Washington on the after-
noon of Friday, April 26th, eight days after its de-
parture from Boston.
Referring to the achievements of this regiment at
Annapolis, the Naiional Intelligencer of the next
morning remarked :
"We doubt whether any other single regiment in the country could
furnish such a ready contingent to reconstruct a steam engine, lay a
railroad track and bend the sails of a man-of-war."
One of the company wrote home that week, that
President Lincoln appeared on their arrival in Wash-
ington, and said :
"Three cheers for the Eighth Kegimerit of Slassachusetts, who can
build locomotives, lay railroad tracks and re-take the Constitution."
On the arrival of the Eighth Massachusetts Regi-
ment at Annapolis, General Butler found the rail-
road engine-house locked up. He broke it open,
and discovered the engine all in pieces. "Who
knows anything about an engine ? " was tlie ques-
tion.
One man stepped out of the ranks and said : " I do,
General, I made that locomotive, and can repair her
in two hours," — and he did.
This was Chas. S. Horaans, a native of Beverly.
When in Wa.shington he was visited and congratula-
ted in person by President Lincoln.
A member of the New York Seventh writing of
this event at the time, said that Charles S. Homans,
of the Beverly Light Infantry, was the deus ex ma-
china, who found his mark written on the disabled
locomotive at Annapolis, and superintended its con-
struction.
Mr. William Isaac Smith, who volunteered as fire-
man on this occasion, was the gentleman who left his
labors to join the company in the depot at Beverly.
He is now living at Ryal Side, and Mr. Homans is
still living, though an invalid.
A letter from Capt. Porter, dated May 8, 1861, des-
cribes the regiment as in good condition, undergoing
thorough drill and quartered in the House of Repre-
sentatives.
The Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers, he adds,
were the first to reach Washington, and the Eighth
opened the military route from Annapolis. " We
should have been the next, had we not received a
despatch from General Scott to stop at Annapolis,
and guard that post until the arrival of another regi-
ment."
The first man of the regiment injured was Lieut.
Moses S. Herrick, of the Beverly Company, who was,
shot in the foot by the accidental discharge of a mus-
ket, in the rotunda of the Capitol. The muskets,
loaded with ball cartridges, were stacked around
near the wall, and as some men were bringing in
mattresses, they knocked a stand down, one of the
guns being discharged into Lieut. Herrick's foot,
mutilating it terribly. The limb was amputated by
the surgeon of the Sixth, and Lieut. Herrick bore his
great misfortune bravely, only lamenting that he
could not have received the wound while fighting in
the field. Attentions of every sort were showered
upon him as he lay in hospital, and also en route
home and in Beverly. He is residing in Beverly to-
day, in the Upper Parish, the house of the Chipmans
and Herricks.
1861. — May 15, At a town-meeting in aid of the
Beverly soldiers, the following resolutions were unani-
mously adopted:
" liesolved. That we tender to the officers and soldiers now absent in the
service of the country, our warmest meed of praise for their noble and
manly self sacrifice, in bo readily responding to the national call, and for
the skill, energy, perseverance, courage and ability which they so faith-
fully evinced in their triumphal progress and march to the nation's
capital.
** Resolved, That we tender to the fur-famed Seventh Regiment of New
York, our heart-felt thanks for their many kindnesses to our Eighth
Massachusetts Regiment, and especially for their liberality towards our
wounded fellow-citizen, Lietit. Moses S. Herrick.
"fl^fioZt'erf, That our warmest sympathies be tendered to Lieut, Her-
rick in his misfortune, and that we l"ledge ourselves to him and to all
his associates in our Beverly company, and our other Beverly soldiers,
and to their respective families, to render all the material aid and com-
fort that we can legitimately bestow."
The last of August, 1861, Lieut. John W. Raymond,
who had returned with the Eighth, proposed to re-
cruit a company in Beverly, to be attached to the old
regiment, if revived, otherwise to some other Massa-
chusetts regiment.
In less than a month he had raised over sixty men,
who were encamped under his command on the com-
mon. The name proposed for the company was the
" Rantoul Guard." The first of October the company
chose as officers : Captain, John W.Raymond; First
Lieutenant, Henry P. Woodbury ; Second Lieutenant,
Dduiel W. Hammond.
On the Sunday succeeding (October 5lh), they at-
tended, in a body, divine services at the Washington
Street Church, in the morning, and at the Bapti-l in
the afternoon.
October 1.5th the gallant captain, with nearly his
full complement of one hundred of the picked men ot
the town, went into camp at Lynnfield. Before they
had fairly departed from the town a new movement
was on foot for the recruiting of another company,
with the promise of more than members enough to help
fill it at the outset.
BEVEKLY.
733
This Company G was attached to the Twenty-third
Kegiment, Col. Kurtz, and in November we find them
encamped at Annapolis.
The interdependence of soldiers and citizens is well
shown in one little incident of this period. A request
was sent from Capt. Raymond to Capt. F. E. Porter,
at home, for a supply of such shirts as the Ladies' Aid
Society had furnished them. The letter arrived on
Monday, on Tuesday the ladies were industriously at
work, and on Friday they packed and forwarded over
one hundred of the reijuired garments to their brave
brothers at the front.
The history of the Twenty-third Regiment has
been carefully written by Dr. James A. Eramerton, of
Salem: " A Record of the Twenty-third Regiment,"
Boston, 1886.
" Hardly had the year (1862) opened, says the his-
torian, "when these new made soldiers found them-
selves amid the dangers and privations of Hatteras,
and in early February they took a prominent part in
the battle of Roanoke Island — one of the completc.-'t
as it was one of the first of Union victories.
" The capture of Xewbern soon followed, and, after
that, the regiment, though by no means inactive, saw
little of pitched battle for two years.
"In the Virginia campaign of 18G4, it was in the
forefront of the almost uninterrupted fighting which
followed the landing at Bermuda Hundred, and cul-
minated in the stubborn and bloody vepulse of Beau-
regird at Drury's Bluff; it g;;ined the foremost ground
reached and held by the Eighteenth Corps at Cohl
Harbor, and bore its full share of the dangers and pri-
vations of the early days of ihe siege of Petersburg. A
remnant of its veterans and recruits was employed in
picket and outpost duty till the campaign of 1885,
when they shared the fortunes of the column which
opened communication with Gen. Sherman."
The first week in May, 1864, the Beverly boys of
the Twenty-third lost heavily in killed and wounded.
Captains Raymond and Woodbury, of Companies G
and F, were captured and wounded, but the former
effected his escape by cutting his captor nearly in
twain with his sword, while the latter shot his assail-
ant with his revolver. Officers and privates all sus-
tained ihe honor of their native town at the i)eril,and
many with the sacrifice, of ihcir lives.
An episode of the Drury's Bluff battle (May 16, '64)
in which Captain Raymtnd was a participant, is nar-
rated in the "Record of the Regiment."
" Captain Raymond, of ' G,' following the retreat-
ing regiment, stopped to help a wounded man. Bray,
of his company. Concluding, from the bloody torrent
gushing from his breast, that he could do no good, he
rose to leave him, and found the rebel line, with col-
ors, close upon him. His contemptuous refusal to
surrender brought a volley upon him which tore his
clothes, carried away his sword-belt and almost blinded
him with the dust and bits of bark torn from ueigh-
boring trees. Yielding to first impulse, he opened a
return fire from his revolver, but speedily recognizing
the odds against him, he left the field in the hands of
the enemy and escaped into the favoring fog."
And again, of the fighting before Petersburg, the
regiment historian says:
" .About the 1st of July, Captain Raymond, of " G," who, since we had
lost Colonel Clianibei-B, and Major Brewster was disabled by liis wound,
was, practically, in command of the regiment, had another, and perhaps
the closest of his escapes from serious injury. I do not forget that the
bullet wliicli, liittiug him in the head at Drury's BlufT, left him for a
time uuconscious, or the missile which passed just below his lii^ilt arm-
pit, grazing his thorax and arm, at Cold Harbor, came very near his
life. This time the immediate disability wjis more lasting, and the re-
mote effects have never disappeared. He was sitting on a trench, read-
ing a letter, when a shot or shell from some rebel gun plunged through
the heaped earth, struck the log on which the captain's shoulder rested,
and threw him against the sharp-angled abutment of the stairs. Exam-
ination showed a rib broken, another bent, and a third bruised ; but
Captain Raymond would not go to the hospital, insisting that he could
not be spared, and th,at his cure would progress as well in the trenches
as anywhere else."
Letters from the front, from our brothers encamped
before the enemy throughout the South, from on
board men-of-war and gunboats, were for three years
prominent in our local papers. They all breathe the
same spirit, of fervent patriotism, disregard of danger
and high devotion to principle, that infused their an-
cestors under similar circumstances a hundred years
before.
Until the latter part of '61, Beverly had been for-
tunately exempt from grave casualties, but as the
next year opened began the list of dead and wounded
that soon lengthened portentously.
Tlie fir-t Beverly soldier who died during the Re-
bellion, private Levi F. Larcom, was buried with mil-
itary honors.
The religious services were held in the First Baptist
Church by Rev. J. C. Foster, Rev. Dr. Abbott pro-
nouncing the benediction.
1862. — The first soldier killed in conflict with the
enemy was private William Wallia, who was fatally
wounded in the battle of Kewbern, on the 14th of
March, and died on the 16th. As a specimen of the
thousands of .soldiers' letters n(W speeding back to
the north with their sad tidings, the following is
quoted ; written by a comrade of the deceased to his
widow.
"Dear Friend : — I now take up my pencil, with a sad heart, to inform
you of the death of your beloved husband. I was close by him when he
fell. I carried him back to the rear, out of the range of the shot, and
left him in the care of tiie doctor. He was willing to die, but you aud
the children were all that seemed to trouble him. He gave me your
likeness and his Bible, and asked me, if I lived through the battle, tu
write to you and let you know all about it. I then had to leave him, as
the battle was raging with fury. We drove the rebels out of their dens,
and took possession of the city. It was then night ; the next morning I
made enquiries for him, but ho had jiassed away, with a good faith in
God, He gave bis life for his country's cause, and he now lies in his
silent grave, far from home. May God, in liis tender mercy, watch
over the little ones he has left behind ! I shall send the likeness and
Bible to you a.s soon as I can.
"No more at present, from your friend,
" Wm. F. Early."
The chaplain of his regiment, and also his captain,
pausing in the heat of contlict, sent home loving
tributes to his worth.
734
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
On the 19th of April, just a year from the Balti-
more massacre, died, private James Williams, an-
other of the soldiers wounded in the Newbern fight.
He, with two other comrades, James Dodge and John
Glidden, had been badly wounded, he in the leg, by
a ball which passed through the knee and dropped
into his boot ; Glidden was shot thr<iugh the thigh,
and Dodge through the shoukh^r. Funeral services
were held in the Dane Street Church, Bev. Dr. Abbott
preaching an impressive sermon. The coffin was de-
posited in the church, and upon its lid the fatal
bullet.
Thus were we reminded of the terrible consequences
of war. Scarce a week passed, now, that some name
was not added to the death-roll, or that did not wit-
ness the return of some disabled patriot. Williams
was the first man, as Dr. Abbott said, who had died
among us from a wound received on the field of
battle.
At a town-meeting, July 10th, which was a full and
enthusiastic one, it was voted :
"That the eelectnien of this town be authorizeii to allow and pay, in
Addition to tlie customary allowance for the benefit of the families of
Tolunteers, the sum of one hundred dollars to each person who, as a
part of the quota of this Commonwealth, shall within twenty days be
duly enlisted in this town into the volunteer service of the U. S. ; paya-
ble when mustered into service. The selectmen are ai.thorized to use
the credit of the town fully to carry this into effect."
At the same time, recruiting was going on vigor-
ously, with the prospect of a full company of one
hundred and one men being raised in a short time.
The Beverly company raised at this time, Company
K, was attached to the Fortieth Massachusetts, with
Edward L. Giddings as captain, John F. Piper, first
lieutenant, Leonard G. Dennis, second lieutenant,
and left for the seat of war September 4, 1862.
Company E, of the Eighth, was mustered out
August 1, 18G1. The next call was made May 26,
1862. Banks having been driven back into the
Shenandoah Valley, the government called for more
men. Ninety men responded in two hours after
orders were received. They proceeded to Boston
where, after remaining two days, they found they
were not wanted at that time and returned home.
On the 19th of September, Company E was again
mustered in for nine months, with three officers and
ninety-eight men. They departed for Newbern, the
day before Thanksgiving, and arrived there on the
4th of December. The next day, before the company
received its arms and equipments, it was ordered with
Company A of Newburyport to Roanoke Island
where it remained till June 28th. It then received
orders to join the regiment at Newbern. On reach-
ing Newbern, the company found that the regiment
had been ordered to Baltimore and followed on, ar-
riving there July 12th, only to learn that the regi-
ment had gone to Maryland Heights where the com-
pany found it finally. The same day, the company
started with the regiment for Funkstown Md., where
it arrived on the afternoon of the ne.xt day, just in
season to see the rear of Lee's army across the Poto-
mac. After following it down the Potomac to Beal-
ton's Station on the Rappahannock, the company was
ordered to report at Massachusetts, its term of service
having expired, arriving about the first of August.
1864. — April 28fk, another call was made on Com-
pany E, this time for garrison duty at forts in
Massachusetts. It proceeded at once to Readville.
It was mustered into service with three officers and
eighty-eight men who served ninety days and were
then mustered out and re-enlisted for one hundred
days' service. At the expiration of that time they
were mustered out and nearly all the men re-enlisted
again, for a year, in the Second Unattached Com-
pany, Massachusetts Volunteers. The company was
reorganized at once in Beverly with three officers and
one hundred men and was ready for service during
the winter of 18G4-65.
On the 21st September, 1887, Company E held a
reunion of its surviving members, at which were
present many who had served during the Rebellion.
With the field music marched drummer George M.
Tucker, beating the old drum which he brought from
Washington in the summer of '61, with the same
sticks which sounded the calls and the long roll, not
only for Company E, but for three years in the First
Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.
The following is the original roll of the company,
stars indicating those who have since died :
Captain, Francis E. Porter.
1st Lieut., John W. Raymond.
3d Lieut., «.\lhert Wallis.
IstSerg., *Uenry P. Woodbury.
3d Serg., Benjamin F. Herrick.
1st Corp , *SaiiiueI Bell.
3d Corp., *tieorge R. Sands.
'2d Lieut., *Eleazer Giles.
4th Lieut., Moses S. Herrick.
2d Serg., *Reuben Heirick, Jr.
4thSerg, Alfred Porter.
2d Corp., Hugh J. Munsey.
4th Corp., *John Low.
Dnimmer, George BI. Tucker.
Charles B. .\llen.
*W. A. Andrews.
Jess* .\. Blake.
*A. J. Blanohard.
James Brown.
Thomas D. Brown.
William E. Choate.
*William A. Cleaves.
Fred. A. Currier.
*John H. Chipman.
Charles L. Darling.
♦John Dean.
John H. Dennis.
♦Leonard G. Dennis.
Alonzo P. Dodge.
Chas. H. Ferguson.
■William A. Friend.
Thomas Gavin.
»Ezra A. Glidden.
Priiala.
*George H. Goodridge.
*Saniuel Goodridge.
Samuel Gordon.
* William E Grant.
Daniel W. Hammond.
*Henry A. Hale.
Francis P. Haskell.
*Josiah T. Hitchings.
George C. Holden.
Charles S. Homans.
*Henry P. Larcom.
Samuel 0. Lee.
Charles .\. Lord.
John W. Masury.
Arthur Meldram.
Chr.s. W. Mitchell.
John E. Moses.
George A. Mowatt.
John Neville.
Edward H. Ober.
*Mo8es A. Pedrick.
George H. Pickett.
John F. Piper.
*George W. Pevier.
Wm. H. B. Poland.
*J. S S. Rogers.
♦Godfrey Scott.
Thomas J. Smith.
William I. Smith.
♦Joseph G, Stone.
Charles Story.
Edwin Southwick.
♦William A. Teague.
Amos B. Ti-ask.
Ehen Trask.
Fred. A. Wallis.
W^illiam H. Warren.
William W. Warren.
♦Sheribiah S. Webber.
1864.— On the 26th of April, the Fifty-ninth Regi-
ment left the State, to join the command of General
Burnside. In this regiment were thirty-one soldiers
from Beverly, in Companies A, B, C, G and H. Com-
pany C was commanded by Captain John H. Chip-
man, who had returned to recruit fur the rogiineiit.
BEVERLY.
735
The Fifty-ninth went into active service at once, and
within a month were coming back the sad returns of
killed, wounded and missing.
Beverly Men in Company E, 2Scl Eeyiment,
Captain, John W. Raymond.
1st Lieut., Henry P. Wo.idl>ury. 'Z<\ Lieut., Daniel W. Hanmioud.
Sergeants.
Wm. E. Choate. Williatn G. Mnnsey. William F. Karley.
Samuel Goodridge, Jr. Joseph H. BitUer. Charles Friend, 'id.
Charles W. Mitchell. Charles R. Dennis.
Charles R. Allen.
Dennis Carney.
John W, Clayton,
John J. Dalton.i
Al.bott, Stephen W.*
A^ent, Joseph F.*
Allen, Joseph C.
All-n, SI**phen B.
Arnold, JuDiee H.
Ayers, Jacob E.
Barry, Patrick, Jr.
Bassett. Thaddeus.
Batchelder, Ira D.
Berrv, Thomas.
Edward B. Perry.
George H. Pickett.
Thomas J. Smith, Jr.
Joseph P. Wallis.!
Corporah.
Thomas D. Davis.
James Dudge.i
Charles G. Fernald.i
Austin Glidden.
Jlusiciaus, Alfred J. Uall and Charles H. Webber,
Wagoner, George F.Bragdon.
Privates.
Dennis, Charles R.*
Dow, John E.
Dtipft;, .\iitiiine.*
Elliott, Charles, id.*
Elliott. Israt-l, Jr.*
Furguson, Alfred W,
Floyd, Joseph M.
Gavin, Tbomai*.
Goodwin, Joseph D.
Glidden, Austin.*
Blanchard, Andrew J. Glidden, John.
Roden, James W.
Bray, Benjamin.*
Bradbury, Jacob.
Bieudon, Robert.*
Brown, Robert W.
Burke, Edward K.*
Burke, Thomas.*
Caldwell, Augustus.
Caldwell, Jacob.
Carrico, Charles.
Carey, Robert, Jr.
Caswell, Joseph W.
Clark, Nathaniel W.*
Clark, William T.
Crainpsey, Israel.
Cressy, Benj., 3d.
Crombie, Enoch.
G'over, Charles F.
Grush, Addison E.
Handley, 5Iichael.*
Maxcy, William.
HIcGnith, Lewie.
Morgan, Edmund C.
Ober, Edward H.
Parker, Charles F
Pickett, George A.*
Randall, Lewis J.
Reed, Perrin W.*
Sands, Stephen B.
Soiithwick, Lakeman.
Stocker, Charles H.
Taylor, Charles W.*
Taylor, William K.*
Thissell, Ebenezer.
Higginbottoni, Joseph. Thissell, Levi A.
Holdeu, Charles.
Jewett, George S.
Johnson, Joseph H.
Jones, Charles W.
Kennison, Benjamin,
Lefavuur, James A.
Leach, John.
Liffiu, John.
Lufkin, William H.
Lull, John
Marshall, John D.
Maeury, George, lid.
* Deceased.
Trask, Albert.^
Trask, Amos B.
Trust, Peter.
Vickery, Joseph F.
Wallis, AVilliaro, 2d.*
Webber, Eleazer A.*
Weeks. Stephen L.
Whidden, David.*
Williams, James E.*
Williams, Oscar P.
Woodbury, Levi J.
Yuung, Isaac T.*
Beverly Men in Company K, 4.0th Regiment.
Captain, Edward L. Giddings.
1st Lieut., John F. Piper. 2d Lieut., Leonard G. Dennis.
Sergeants.
Reuben Herrick, Jr.* William H. Brown.* J. Francis Jenness.
Joseph W Stocker. David M. Carter. Yaruum S. Pedrick.
John M. Brown.*
Alfred Corning.*
Benjamin F. Cressy.
De-xter H. Fawcett.
George W. GUdden.*
Albert W. Haskell.
Corporals.
Samuel W. Greer.*
Eph Hathaway, Ji'.
Chas. H. Henderson.*
J. Lewis Preston.*
George W, Howard.
Edmund G. Josephs.
George J. Nutter.
Musician, Addison A. Center.*
Andrews, Asa,
Blanchard, Henry J.
Blanchard, Wm. H.
Bryant, George W.
Burchstead, John.
Butman, William A.
Crampsey, Isaac.
Crafts, Samuel 0.*
Donegan, Thomas J.
Ferguson. Jere. W.
Grush, Joseph.*
Hall, Benjamin D.
Iliirw'ood, Francis.
Haskell, George E.
Vrivates.
Holden, Elbridge J.
Howe, George F.*
Jenness, Charles H.
Lord, Charles W.*
Lovett, Francis S.
Lovett, Josiah W.
Marshall, George W.
Pickett, Charles H.
Pierce, George W.
Pierce, George W., 2d.
Pierce, Thoma.s L.
Poland, William H. B.
Poor, WilliiiTu H.*
Porter, Nathaniel, Jr.*
* Deceased.
Prince, George W.
Selfe, William A.*
Seeley, George S.
Stickney, Charles.*
Taylor, John M.
Teague, William A.
Thissell, Jonas.*
Thissell, Nicholas S.
Tuttle, C. Frank.*
Webber, Timothy R.
AVebber, Tristam L.
Wentworth, Charles A.
Wilbur, Henry.*
Woodbury, Benjamin.*
' Holding this rank on their return.
Beverly's War Record.^ — The whole number of
men lurnished to the army during the Civil War, un-
der the various calls, was as follows:
April 16, 1861 — Three months' men 75
June 17, ISGl.^Three years' men (rec. us bounty 817,lU0)... 172
July 4, 18ti2. — Three years' men (rec. as bounty 89,000) H«
August 4. 1.SG2. — Nine months' men (rec. ns bouii'y 8lO<}00) 101
March 14, July SandDecemberl'J, 1864. — Three years' men
and one two years (received as bounty 524,0^0) 127
Also three years, including re-eulisted, who received no
bounty lis
In addition to the above we have furnished, for ninety days %Q
For one hundred days 77
Making a total of 896 men, and $61,120 in bounties, of which
the State refunded $18,600.
Besides the foregoing, some hundred at least of the
Beverly men have served in the army for other pla-
ces, and nearly as many more have served in the
navy.
The whole number of Beverly men who have died
in the army and navy is about ninety, or ten per cent,
of the whole number enlisted, — a much less percent-
age than that of our early California emigration.
A reception to our esteemed veterans was given
August 4, 1865. when the day was observed as a gen-
eral holiday. Soldiers and citizens marched in pro-
cession to Standley's Grove (where the tables were
spread), marshalled by Col. John W. Raymond, of
the military veterans, and Masters' Mates George P.
Abbott and George Woodbury, of the navy.
Recapitulation.— The number of enlistments
from Beverly in the United States army during the
Rebellion was 608; in the navy, 74 ; total, 682. The
wliole number of enlistments, counting re-enlistments
for nine months, one hundred days and three years,
was 988. The several calls of the government for
men were promptly met, and at the close of the war
Beverly stood credited with a surplus of 90 men, suf-
ticieut to meet her quota on a call of 300,000 men,
had it been given. Beverly furnished 32 com-
missioned officers from the army, most of whom were
promoted from the ranks. A large number in the
uaval service also received commissions as volunteer
othcers.
Three military organizations represented our town
in the army: Companies E, of the Eighth Regiment;
G, of the Twenty-third; and K, of the Fortieth,
while the rolls of almost every regiment from the
eastern part of the State bore the names of Beverly
men.
The efiects of the war did not cease with the sur-
render of Lee ; indeed, they may be traced to-day in
the battle-scarred and maimed veterans yet in our
midst.
1863. — The street railway lines of Salem, introduced
there in 1SG2, were extended through the business
portions of Beverly.
In July, a mission service of the Episcopal Church
was opened at Union Hall, under the charge of the
- From the Citizen, of August 5, 1863.
T36
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
rector of St. Peter's, of Salem, the Eev. Wm. E.
Pickman. The following year Rev. S. H. Hilliard
had it in charge, and in 1865 the church was erected
at the corner of Cabot and Bow Streets, with Rev.
Mr. Pickman as rector, until his removal to IMicliigan
about a year later. Rev. F. M. Cookson was rector
till 1870, and Rev. George Denham till Easter, 1872.
From May 13, 1873, to 1878, the Rev. William G.
Wells, succeeded by Rev. J. C. Wellwood. In 1885,
Rev. Roland C. Smith.
1866. — June 15th, Capt. John H. Chipman died of
disease contracted in the service of his country,
through exposure, wounds, and the cruelties of the
infamous Libby prison. He was scarcely twenty-
eight years old at the time of his death, yet had won
for himself and the place of his birth the highest
honors. He was a descendant in the third generation
from the Rev. John Chipman, pastor of the Second
Parish Church, 1715-75.
Captain Chipman volunteered with the Eighth at
three hours' notice and left behind him a bride of but
two months. He participated in the march to the
capital, but was prostrated by hemorrhage from the
lungs, and returned home. Rapidly recovering, he
once more enlisted for nine months, serving which he
returned, but was soon commissioned a captain in
the Fifty-ninth Regiment, raising a company, and
was assigned to Burnside's corps. At Cold Harbor
he was accidentally wounded in the hand, came home
on a furlough, but soon recovered, resumed his com-
mand, and entered the rifle-pits before Petersburg.
Soon after he was taken prisoner, and confined in sev-
eral of the horrible pens in which the rebels kept
their captives, and was not released until February,
1865. His constitution was now undermined by sick-
ness, but he reported to his regiment as soon as re-
covered sutficient'y, only to be honorably discharged.
A year later he .sank beneath his infirmities and soon
was carried to the grave, having been preceded there-
to, two months before, by his young and devoted
wife.
The school district system was abolished, and an
improved order of things educational inaugurated.
The first steam fire-engine was purchased this year.
1867. — The first Methodist Church was organized
April, 1867, with Rev. Allen J. Hall as pastor. Ser-
vices were held in the town-hall at first, but a church
and parsonage were built on Railroad Avenue in 1869,
during the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Bailey. The
church building was enlarged to its present dimen-
sions in 1886, and is a conspicuous feature of the sec-
tion in which it stands. In 1870 Rev. C. S. Rogers
was settled here ; in 1872, Rev. S. C. Jackson ; in
1874, Rev. M. E. Wright ; in 1877, Rev. A. P. Adams;
in 1878, Rev. Daniel Waite; in 1881, Rev. Seth C.
Cary; in 1883, Rev. John Capen ; in 1885, Rev.
James W. Barter.
1867.— Ancient and Modeen Cemeteries. —
An important addition was made to our cemetery
grounds in the purchase by the selectmen of about
ten acres of the Bancroft estate, known as Walnut
Hill. This hill, which commands one of the finest
prospects in town, lies immediately east of Galley s
Bridge.
Fifty years ago there were eight burial places
in the township, — two near the second parish church,
one in Dodge's Row, one at Ryal Side, one at the
Farms and the three in the town proper. The oldest
of which mention is made in the records is that near
the vestry of the First Parish and intersected by Ab-
bott Street, in which lie the remains of the first three
ministers of Beverly, — Hale, Blowers and Cbampney.
This was the only burial-place within the limits of
the First Parish until 1790.
The earliest decipherable dates on stones in the an-
cient burial-place are 1678, 1686, 1683, the last of
which is at the grave of Rebecca, wife of Rev. John
Hale.
The old graveyard of the Second Parish shows as
its most ancient stone that at the grave of Joseph
Herrick, bearing date 1717. It was opened ni.'i, and
the first occupants were a child of John Dodge, Jr.,
and the wife of John Trask. The second cemetery
here was laid out, near the meeting-house, in 1803.
In the old Leach burial-lot at Ryal Side, is the un-
marked grave of Reuben Kennison, the first Beverly
soldier killed at the battle of Lexington.
In 1788 a lot of land was purchased near the com-
mon, and the first grave there was that of Mary Allen,
widow of Caj)t. Barnabas Allen, in January, 1790.
Other stones here indicate the last resting-places id'
many famous in the eighteenth century and first part
of the nineteenth.
An extension of the second cemetery was made in
1829, easterly towards the beautiful Walnut Hill,
with which it was joined in 1867, forming one contin-
uous tract of about forty acres.
Longevity. — It may be interesting, in this connec-
tion, to note some of the examples of longevity in the
past, as shown by the grave-stones and the records of
the town. On one stone in the Dane Street ceme-
tery are the names of five members of the Appleton
family, whose combined ages reach four hundred and
four years, among them one who died at one hundred
and three.
Beverly has had a good many nonogenarians,
among those of the past half century being :
Huldah Davis, who died in 1843, aped 'Jfi yeai-s ; Lydia Appleton, 184.5,
101) yearg, 8 months, 4 days ; Amos Trask, 1846, 91 ; Mre. Judith Pick-
ett, 1846, 92 ; Lncy Gage, 1846, 98 ; MoUie Dodge, 1846, 91 ; Elizabeth
Trask, 1849, 92 ; Anna Woodbury, 1849, 91 ; Anna Miller, 1851, 93 ;
Sarah Traak, 1851, 95 ; Abigail Tarbell, 1851, 96 ; Phyllis Cane (colored).
1852, 90 ; Elizabeth Lowe, 1853, 96 ; Rose Larcom, 1853, 94 ; Mark
Morse, 1854, 96 ; Susanna Standley, 1855, 93 ; Joanna Prince, 1856, 90 ;
Asa Osier, 1857, 91 ; Molly Trask, 1858, 90 ; Elizabeth Prince, 1858, 90 ■
Miss Judith Pickett, 185S, 93 ; Chloe Turner, 1859, 95 ; Susanna Stone,
1859, 91 ; Hannah Moulton, 1859, 91 ; Charity Glover, 18C3, 93 ; Betsey
Grant (who saw Washington on his visit to Beverly), 1863, 91 ; Eliza-
beth Standley, 1864, 92 ; Moses Howard, 1866,91; Mary Pierce, 1867,
93 ; John Falls, 1867, 92 ; David Tarbo.\, 1868, 90 ; John Cressy. 1809,
94 ; Samuel Thissell, 1870, 92; Catherine Lane, 1870, 94 ; Peter Homan
BEVEKLY.
737
(who also 8iw Wnshington), 1871, 91; Sally Adams, 1873, 9U ; Jacob
Croco, 187C, OG ; Xalicy Ri-yiiol.ls, 1870, ul ; Mary UcarJ, 1877, 91 ;
William Dudgf, 1877,92; .I"1iu Coleinnli, 1878, ill; Klizabetli Page,
IS7S, 96 ; Itetwy Mul-sp, 1S7S, 9:i ; Lyilia Stone, 1878, 90 ; Klizahi-th
Vooilbiiry, 1879, 90; Nancy Slockor, 1879, 91); John Bnulsliaw, 1880,
9:i ; Jesse Woodlniry, 1881. 94 ; James Stone, 1881, 91 ; JIary Connolly,
1882, 9U; Thomas Ferris, 1882, 90; Charlotte Smith, lS8:i, Oi; Jndith
Sands, 1883, 90 ; Margnret Brady, 1883,94; Stephens Dalier, 1883,91;
Margaret noundy, 1884, 90 ; Elilalieth Wilkinson, 1884, 93; Nancy
Morgan, 1885, 90 ; Joseph K. Russell, 1886, nearly 93 ; Abigail Young,
1S8G, 93 ; Lucinda Howard, 1886, 90 ; Jace Hill, 1880, 90.
There iii-e nearly sixty residents of Beverly, eighty
vears old and npwitrds, as follows:
Age.
Daniel Foster 80
Andrew Larcom 80
Mrs. Louisa foster 80
Mrs. KIsie Kent 80
John Picket 80
SIi-s. Lucy K. Shaw 80
Sirs. Johanna P. Foster 80
Mrs. Adaline A. Wallis 80
Isr,ielTrask 80
Paul H. Obcr SO
John Clark 81
Mrs. Ebeu Smith 81
Blrs. Serena IngersoU 82
David P. Roberts 81
Mrs. Robert Goodwin 81
Sullivan Brown 81
Francis A. Smith 81
Mrs. Abigail Prince 81
John 0. Standley 82
William Ferguson 82
Mrs. JMary Preston 82
Oliver D. Kinsman 82
Samuel Odell 82
Franklin Haven 82
Mrs. Nancy Webb 82
Lyman Mason 82
Mrs. Betsey Lefavour 82
llirani Preston 83
Mrs. Emeline Caldwell 83
Israel Elliott 84
Mr. ('orson 84
5Irs. Nabby Sheldon 84
Edward Hurley 84
George Babcocb 81
Mrs. Blary Vickery 84
Ebenezer Rogers 84
Mrs. Theresa Haskell 84
Mrs Sarah 0. Perry 84
Mrs, .Uiby Pcdrick 84
Charles Marshall 85
Mrs Mary Glidiien 85
John Porter (died September 7, 1887) 85
Mrs. Sarah C. Tracy 86
Rcibert Goodwill 85
Mrs. .\ugusta Goodrich 80
Richard Clark SO
Ben.jamin Lnddeu 80
Benjamin Preston (born the last day of the last
month of the last centurj') 87
Blrs 3Iary Kendall 87
Sirs. Nancy Sargent 87
William Endicott 88
Mrs Hannah Leach 89
Mrs. Nancy Woodbury 90
Mrs. Nancy Trowt 90
Tliom?sIIanners 90
Hannah Batchelder 91
Henry Wilson 93
Mrs. Lydia Elliott nearly 93
1868. — Miss Joanna Quiner, who was born August
17, 179C, and died September 20, 1868, acquired more
47
than local fame as a sculiitor. ;ifter she was forty years
of age. Said the editor of the Xoiih Aniericnn Jie-
vieiB, July, 1843 :
" In a town more remarkable for the sober good sense and unostenta-
tious mannei-s of its inhabitants than for their tjistes in the fine arts, the
discovery of an undoubteil genius is a remarkable event and deserving
of record. Miss Quiner, of Beverl.v, with proper i)atronage and advan-
tages, would take uo mean rank among .'Vmerican artists. Without in-
struction or cultivation of any sort, her talent for modeling in clay has
already attracted much notice."
iShe died in poverty without having secured that
recognition of her genius it so richly deserved. Her
portrait, painted by Frothingham, was presented to
the public library, and a highly appreciative sketch
of her life and work appeared in the Citizen of about
the date of her death.
Memorial Day, 1868, Post 89, G. A. R., i)laced iron
" markers " at the head of every soldier's grave. They
then identified one hundred and filty in all ; a list of
names is given in the Citizen of November 2, 1868.
1869. — The Roman Catholic Church, organized this
year, purchased and remodeled the house of worship
formerly occupied by the First Baptist Society, and
built a parsonage adjoining. It w:is dedicated in 1870 '
by the Very Rev. P. F. Lyndon, Vicar General of the
Diocese of Boston, as.-iisted by Rev. Fr. Singer, of St.
Patrick's, Montreal, Rev. Fr. Haskins, of Boston,
Rev. Fr. Delehanty, Rev. Fr. Higgins and Rev. J. J.
Gray, of Salem. The first pastor was Rev. Fr. Sha-
han, who was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Keiley, he by
Rev. W. J. J. Denvir and he by Rev. W. H. Ryan.
At the F^arms, in 1887, a handsome church was
built for the Roman Catholics in that section, at a cost
of eleven thousand dollars. It is one hundred and
ten feet long, sixty-five in width, with seats for five
hundred people.
It was dedicated October 9, 1887, by the Very Rev.
Archbisho]) John J. Williams, assisted by several
others, and is known as St. Margaret's.
1870.— January 14th. This date died Charles Da-
vis, at the age of seventy-four, a prominent and
wealthy citizen who, at his death, left bequests to the
Essex Institute, of Salem, and to the First Parish
Sunday School, five thousand dollars e.ach. He pass-
ed ffiost of his life on the homestead farm, inherited
through his mother, near the head of Bass River.
The old house here has a connection with witchcraft
times, as having been the residence, in 1692, of
Thomas Gage, who made deposition against one Dr.
Toothaker. It is related that during the War of 1812
a brick oven containing rows of bean-pots stored full
of Spanish dollars was bricked up, and the treasure
there secreted was not disclosed till many years had
passed. Kot far away lies the homestead farm of
Roger Conant, who came here in KJH.'J, one of the
'• Old Planters."
1871. — Israel Whitney, a son of Dr. Elisha Whit-
ney, died November 12th, aged seventy-four years;
one of Boston's most respected merchants, and of
Beverly's cherished sons. As a shipmaster, he was
738
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
for many years in the employ of Israel Thorndike.
His adventures as merchant captain were sometimes
perilous, as when his ship "Beverly" was burned at
sea, despite his heroic eflbrts to save her, and when
he was exposed to great suffering in an open boat, for
several days. Leaving the sea, he became interested
in manufacturing, was for thirty-four years director
in the Massachusetts Bank and for thirty years a di-
rector in the National Insurance Company, besides
having other interests in Boston.
He left nine children, six sons and three daugh-
ters. His appreciation of the natural beauties of his
native place was emphasized by early residence here,
after his retirement from maritime life, in one of the
most delightful retreats on the shore, near the mouth
of Sallow's Brook.
1872. — On the 28th January, died an old and
highly-respected shipmaster of Beverly, Capt. Samuel
Endicott, for a long time president of the Bank, and
for forty years one of its directors.
Capt. Endicott was the seventh in the line of di-
rect descent, from Gov. John Endicott, who came to
Salem from England in 1629, as follows:
(1) Gov. John Endicott, (2) Samuel, (3) Samuel,
(4) Samuel, (5) John, (6) Robert, (7) Samuel. He
was born July 18. 1793, and was the son of Robert
and Mary (Holt) Endicott,his mother being a daugh-
ter of Eev. Nathan Holt, of Danvers. Capt. Endi-
cott was a fine specimen of the shipmasters of the
old school, and sailed for many years in the employ
of that eminent Salem merchant, Joseph Peabody_
He was for several years in command of the famous
ship " George," whose arrival from Calcutta in the
spring was as regularly looked for and realized as the
recurrence of the months, and which was largely
manned by Beverly sailors.
Two worthy citizens, whose lives of probity and
industry as mechanics endeared them to all, passed
away in January ; Deacon Joseph Wallis, at the age
of sixty-five, long connected with the First Baptist
Church and Sunday-school, and Reuben Herrick, at
the age of sixty-seven years. Deacon Wallis lived in
the honse of Mr. Herrick, who had three sons in the
Civil War : Reuben, Jr., who lost his life, and two
others, Benjamin T., and Frank S., who served in the
Union Army.
The new almshouse was finished in February,
which is located on the side of the cedar-covered hill
near Essex Street, commanding delightful prospects
by sea and land. The main structure is fifty by
sixty feet, with three stories, mansard roof and base-
ment. It contains every convenience of the times,
thirty-six furnished rooms for inmates, offices, etc.
The town owns real estate adjoining, to the extent
of twenty-seven acres, the cost of which, with the
buildings, was about twenty-five thousand dollars.
Owing to its eligible location, and its natural ad-
vantages, this property could, probably, be sold at
any time at a price exceeding its total cost.
The town early gave attention to the condition of
its poor, and the few paupers lived well, "boarding
around" after the manner in which teachers of coun-
try schools are even yet entertained. One of the con-
ditions of contract with a pauper, in 1723, was that
he should be " kept as a Christian ought to be kept,"
and doubtless he was. The name of a certain Joshua
Turlaud frequently appears in the town records as
the first supported at the town charge, being enter-
tained first by one substantial citizen, and then by
another. The first almshouse was huilt in 1803,
though the town voted to provide one nearly a cen-
tury earlier. This was situated in Ciiarity Court,
near Essex Bridge, and during the latter years of
its existence its hospitalities were severely taxed by
numerous representatives of the genus " tramp." It
was a comfortable old house, and gave a pleasant
home to the poor and friendless, who had acquired a
right of residence.
A notable character deceased January 17, 1872, in
the person of a life-time inmate of the almshouse, — ■
Hector Ross. This "child of natural and unbiased
affection '' was born in the poor-house, October 9,
1809; his mother, Joanna Stoutly, and his father, a
French West Indian of color, reported of fabulous
strength. Hector himself was of great strength (im-
agining himself a Hercules), and though a little "off
color," and in intellect a " little below the average,"
he was yet a great favorite with the children. Two
or three generations have been amused by his vagar-
ies, his droll stories and his comic songs. He had a
quick wit and retentive memory, but his hallucina-
tions possessed him completely. He claimed to re-
semble the great Bonaparte (and his profile was in-
deed markedly Napoleonic), although his color was
that of rich mahogany. He firmly believed himself
the rightful heir to immense wealth, which various
citizens of the town, now one individual and now an-
other, retained from him in their possession.
Schools and Education. — There is nothing on
record in regard to the education of the young prior
to 1656, when a meeting-house was built and used as
a school-room, which arrangement continued for
eighteen years. In 1674 a school-house was built on
the town's land near the meeting-house, twenty by
sixteen feet and nine foot stud, which was also used
for a watch-house. Samuel Hardie was the first
school-master, at a salary of twenty pounds. He kept
the school several years.
In 1686 an agreement was made with Corporal Per-
kins to furnish a school-room, with a fire-room in it,
for the space of six months, for ten shillings, and
John Perley was engaged for the term ensuing ; his
salary, twenty pounds " in pay" or ten pounds in
money per year.
In 1700 a Grammar School was established, and
Robert Hale, son of the first minister, appointed
teacher at a salary of ten pounds. In 1701 Daniel
Dodge was the teacher, and in 1704 James Hale,
BEVERLY.
739
brother of Robert, taught writing, reading, casting
accounts, Latin and Greek grammar, at a sahiry of
thirty pounds.
In 1720 this school was kept by Pyam Blowers, .sou
of the second minister.
In 1782 the Grammar School was discontinued, for
wliich the towu was presented to the Court of Ses-
sions, when it was resumed and kept till 1825. It was
held in tarious places till 1798, when it was estab-
lished in a new house on Watch Hill, the second
story being fitted up for town purposes.
About the middle of the century the teacher was
required to return a list to the selectmen of the
names of parents and masters and the number of
children and servants instructed by him. The select-
men were to tax the parents and masters for the sup-
port of the schools, and the children and servants of
]iersons refusing to pay tlieir proportion of fuel
were not allowed to warm them.selves by the school-
house fire.
In 1749 the sum of thirty-two pounds, old tenor,
was granted to the inhabitants of the eastern part of
the town, towards a school, iluring four months, and
in 1752 a Grammar School was kept there a time pro-
portionate to the amount of taxes paid. From 1754-
1825 various changes were made, uutil the Grammar
School was abolished, and it was voted to divide the
school money raised among the ten school dis-
tricts.
In 1836 these school regulations were revised, and
a list of books for study jirescribed.
In 1797, "considering the populous and increasing
state of the town, and the decayed state of the school-
house on the common, the town voted it expedient to
build a new Grammar School-house, 43x32J feet, of
two stories, each about ten feet stud, with room below
of about thirty-one feet square for the school, and the
same above for town-meetings and other purposes,
with room convenient for selectmen and assessors,
with one below for a library and with a convenient
entry and stairway.''
The site on Watch Hill was bought of the heirs of
Larkin Thorndike, liy tlie liuilding committee, and
the next year, 1798, school was opened here under the
tuition (it is believed) of Andrew Peabody, father of
the Rev. Dr. Peabody, whose 8ucces.sor was Silas
Stickney, who was succeeded by Isaac Flagg.
Until 1841, when the town, having bought the
Thorndike mansion and fitted it for a town-house, the
hall in this building was used for municipal pur-
poses.
Then the district bought the school-house and land
and gave it the name of Briscoe, in honor of Robert
Briscoe. In 1873 the school-grounds were enlarged
by the addition, by purchase, of the lands of several
adjoining estates, and the old school-house removed
to the lot on the common, where it now stands, but
little distant from the site of the original school
building of 1674.
In 1875 the Central Grammar School was opened
in this building, the name of which was changed to
the Hardie School, in lienor of the first school-mas-
ter, Samuel Hardie.
Just after the Revolution a school was established
by a few of the citizens in Dike's Lane (now Elm
Square). It was in a small, plain building, heated by
a large open fire-place, and about forty scholars was
the maximum attendance. The price of tuition was
four dollars per quarter, and none of the teachers, all
of them college graduates, received over five hundred
dollars salary. There was a class in Latin and Greek,
and the English scholars were divided into three
classes. The sexes were about equally represented.
This school lasted about thirty years, Isaac Flagg
being the last teacher, who, when this was discon-
tinued, took charge of the Grammar School in Bris-
coe Hall.
Among the early teachers of this school was Wil-
liam Prescott, a son of Colonel Prescott, of Bunker
Hill fame, afterwards a distinguished judge, who
came to Beverly to study law with Hon. Nathan
Dane. He established his first law-office in Beverly ;
his daughter, Mrs. Franklin Dexter, is one of the
oldest sea-shore residents.
The High School was not established until after a
conflict of several years, the opposition being not so
much against the establishment of the school itself
as from a fear that the money devoted to its support
would be proportionately taken from the various
district schools, all of them being popular local in -
stitutions, and each with its special neighborhood at-
tractions.
The towns had become large enough to be liable in
law to support a High School, and some of its friends
got so far out of patience in waiting for the town to
establish it that they had it indicted. This but in-
tensified the opposition, which was then a decided
majority, and they at first attempted to defend the
town ; but eventually yielded, though the school was
at first established at the W"st Farms, at some dis-
tance from the centre of po|iulation.
It was established in October, 1857, under John R.
Baker as master, the scholars mostly going to it by
railroad.
In 1860 it was voted to discontinue the school, but
in 1861 the subject was referred to a committee of one
from each school district, who reported in favor of
locating it in Odd Fellows' Hall, then on Railroad
Avenue. Afterwards the town bought the present
armory building on Cabot Street, where the school
was held until the completion of the Briscoe Build-
ing, in which excellent accommodations had been
provided for it. The principals have been John R.
Baker, Joseph Hale Abbott, Leroy N. Griffin, Wil-
lard G. Sperry, Edwin C. Colcord, Enoch C. Adams,
Benjamin S. Hurd, who have alw.ays had the services
of valuable assistant teachers.
Within the past twenty years the greatest improve-
740
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ment has been made in the schools and buildings.
Anticii)ating for several years the abolition of the
district sy.stem in 1866, the school-houses throughout
the town had fallen into decay; and this condition
of things necessitated vigorous measures when the
town took charge. New buildings were erected in
every district save one (at the Cove), where the house
was enlarged and beautified.
1875. — In January of this year the finest school
building in town was dedicated, standing in tlie place
of the Hardie school-house, and known as the Bris-
coe. The total cost of this brick structure, the arch-
itect of wliich w.'is J. Foster Obcr, a son of Beverly,
was about seventy-five thousand dollars.
The school census of Beverly recently completed,
shows sixteen hundred and eighty-four children be-
tween the ages of five and fifteen years — an increase
of twenty-eight over last year, —
In the South District about 470
In tlie Briscoe District about 417
In the Washington District about 3G4
In the Cove District about 142
In the Farms District about 130
In the Bass River District about (>5
In the Centreville District about ^2
In the Dodge's How District about 35
In 1873, at the age of seventy years, Joseph Hale
Abbot deceased, in Cambridge. Mr. Abbot was
well known to the people of this town through his
long connection with the High School, and his mar-
riage with the only daughter of a prominent citizen,
Captain Henry Larcom. He was a descendant of the
first minister of Beverly, Eev. John Hale, and a rela-
tive of Kev. Abiel Abbott. He left a widow, who sur-
vived him but a short time, and several children.
One of his sons, Edward S. Abbot, is buried here,
having died in his country's service.
Of Beverly's place in literature, it is yet early to
write. Of the published productions of the earlier
writers — Hale (tract on witchcraft, and 'sermons),
Champney, Hitchcock, Willard, McKean (published
sermons), Dr. Abiel Abbott and Rev. Joseph Emerson
(sermons by the former, and " Letters from Cuba ;"
scientific and educational essaj's by the latter) — men-
tion has been made. The greatest contribution to legal
lore was by Hon. Nathan Dane, in his " Digest of
American Laws," etc.
A daughter of Dr. Abbott, Miss Anne W. Abbott
(still living, at nearly eighty years of age), wrote
many charming story-books for children, as: "Kate
and Lizzie," 1845; "The Tamed and the Untamed,"
" The Olneys," etc. ; and a popular game of her
invention forty years ago, "Dr. Busby," is still pub-
lished for the delight of the youth of to-day.
One of the first books descriptive of the islands of
the South Sea was written by a Beverly lady, Mrs. M.
D. Wallis, under the title of " Life in Fejee."
One who wrote throughout a long life was Wilson
Flagg, whose delightful descriptions of nature are
unsurpassed. His first observations were conducted
in Beverly, and his first literary productions ema-
nated hence. The books that have made his reputa-
tion, as a poetic and thoughtlul student of nature,
are " Birds and Seasons," and " Woods and By-ways
of New England." Besides these, he published other
books and contributed for many years to the maga-
zines and papers.
Another eminent author, whom we may claim as a
native of Beverly by right of birth, is Rev. Dr. A.
P. Peabody, whose valued works on Christianity and
Ethics are familiar to all readers. His most popular-
ly-known books, perhaps, are " Conversation" and
" Reminiscences of European Travel."
Of America's distinguished women, one who has
modestly won an enviable position in the world of
letters, is Miss Lucy Larcom, another descendant of
Beverly's pioneer families. Miss Larcom began to
write verses while running about the fields and hills
of Beverly, as a child, and continued to do so during
her earlier years, while a mill-girl at Lowell. She
was, perhaps, the youngest contributor to the Lowell
Offering, published by the working-girls of that city,
many years ago. She continued to write for publica-
tion during the years that followed, while studying
and teaching in young ladies' schools.
Her first volume of poems was publisbed by Fields,
Osgood & Co., about 1868. This was followed by
other volumes of verses : " An Idyl of Work," " Child-
hood Songs" and "Wild Roses of Cape Ann." A
complete collection of her poems has recently been
added to their "Household Edition," by Houghton.
Miifiin & Co. She has also compiled several works,
as, " Breathings of a Better Life," " Roadside Poems
for Summer Travelers," " Hillside and Seaside in
Poetry," etc.
To travel and history, Frederick A. Ober, a native
of Beverly, has contributed " Camps in the Carib-
bees," a personal narrative of adventure in the West
Indian forests, " Travels in Mexico," a " History of
Mexico," the " Silver City," and other stories of ad-
venture.
Yet another descendant of the first of his name in
Beverly, is George E. Woodberry, author of a " His-
tory of Wood Engraving," a " Life of Edgar A. Poe,"
of a threnody entitled, "The North-Shore Watch,"
and of other poems, which have won the admiration
of scholars and critics.
In 1849 deceased, at West Needham, William B.
Tappan, who was born in Beverly, the author of that
beautiful hymn, " There is an Hour of Peaceful Rest."
Of other writers, mention maybe found in the pages
preceding; but it is not claimed that the list is an ex-
haustive one, and the historian craves the reader's in-
dulgence.
In January, 1875, Rev. George Tr^isk, the anti-to-
bacco philanthropist, died in Fitchburg, at the age
of seventy-seven. Mr. Trask did battle for principle
throughout a long and active life, and was an honor
to Beverly, the town of his birth.
BEVEKLY.
741
1876. — The oldest inhabitant of Beverly died April
20th, this year — Jacob Groce, who was born February
12, 1780. In early life he followed the sea, making
many trips to the West Indies, Europe and elsewhere.
In 1800 or 1801, while on a passage to the West
Indies in the schooner "Sally," with Capt. Gideon
Ray, his vessel was cliased by a French privateer,
captured and taken into Guadaloupe ; sailing thence,
on board the privateer, they were again captured, by
a British man-of-war, and afterwards sent home on
an eastern lumber vessel, after remaining a while in
Martinique. In 1812 he was taken prisoner by a
Briti.sh sloop-of-war, carried into Bermuda and thence
to Halifax, where he and his companions were nearly
starved. Mr. Groce's life was unambitious though
serene in his Latter years, and his example was one of
goodness and charity to liis fellow-men.
1878. — March \~tli passed away the then oldest in-
habitant, in the person of Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney
Page, at the age of ninety-five years and three months.
Her husband was Josiah Page, who was drowned olf
the coast of Sumatra, 1810; and she was a daughter
of Dr. Elisha Whitney, whose wife, Eunice, was
daughter of General Michael Farley, of Ipswich, a
descendant of the Farley who came from England in
1075.
1879. — Dr. Wyatt C. Boyden deceased, after a long
residence in Beverly, at the age of eighty-seven. He
was born in Gardner, Mass., in 1794, but reared in
Tamworth, X. H., where his early life was passed on
a farm. He graduated from Dartmouth in 1811), a
class-mate with Rufus Choate, and he was the last
survivor of his class. Dr. Boyden came to Beverly
Farms in 1823, where he first taught school, and
there married and began practice as physician. In
182.') he removed to the centre of the town, and in
182(> succeeded to the practice of Dr. Abner Howe.
As citizen and phj'sician he was held in high esteem;
he took a lively interest in local affairs, and especially
in the cause of education ; was a trustee of the Fisher
Charitable Society for fifty-one years.
\i%Q.— November \^t, Dr. Augustus Torrey, son of
Dr. Joseph Torrey, a well-known physician of Salem,
and in his later years of Beverly, and a grandson of
the famous Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of Hamilton, died,
this date, in his seventy-sixth year. He graduated at
Harvard in 1824, and from its medical school in
1827. He married a niece of Nathan Dane, and left
a family of five sons and two daughters. He is re-
membered as a worthy citizen, a man of fiue literary
tastes and a skilled practitioner. In the same profes-
sion a-s his father and grandfather is Dr. Samuel Tor-
rey, son of Dr. Augustus Torrey, who maintains the
prestige of the family to-day.
Two physicians long identified with the town were
the Drs. Kitteredge, father and son, who are men-
tioned elsewhere in this volume.
1881.— There died in Philadelphia, March 31st,
where he had resided since 18(57, Dr. Isaac Ilea, at
the age of seventy-four. He was a son of Beverlyi
educated at Phillips Academy and Bowdoin College,
and studying medicine at the Harvard Medical Col-
lege. He practiced medicine in Portland and East-
port, Me., and was appointed superintendent of the
Maine State Lunatic Hospital in 1841, and of the
Butler Hospital for Insane, at Providence, R. I., in
18-16, where he remained till 1867. He won high
recognition for his practice and theory of the medical
treatment of insanity, and published many valuable
books on the sutijcct, which are recognized as author-
ities. The physicians practicing in Beverly to-day
maintain the reputation of their predecessors. The
oldest practitioner is Dr. Chaa. Haddock, who has
had thirty-five years of service here, and with svhora
is now .associated his son. Dr. Chas. W., the next
lieing Dr. Oscar F. Swazey, with thirty years of prac-
tice in our midst.
September 2S/h, James Stone, long prominent in
maritime oft'airs. and a prisoner of 1812, deceased, at
the age of ninety -two years.
1882. — October loth, the soldiers' monument w-as
dedicated, which stands on the triangular lot of latid
at the junction of Abbot and Endicott Streets. It
was erected by the comrades of "John H. Chipman "
Post 89, G. A. R., from the proceeds of various fairs,
during several years, and subscriptions by our towns-
people. Four years previously, after advertising for
designs for a soldiers' and sailors' monument, the
])ost accepted the design submitted by the Hallowell
Granite Company, of Maine, at the price of f(mr
thousand eight hundred dollars.
The corner-stone was laid October 10, 1882, and a
box deposited beneath it contaiuiug, among other
papers, a brief sketch of each full company furnished
by Beverly for the war: Company E, Eighth Regiment,
Capt. F. E. Porter; Company G, Twenty-third Regi-
ment, Capt. John W. Raymond; and Company K,
Fortieth Regiment, Capt. E. L. Giddings, as also their
memorable battles, etc.
The dedicatory exercises were held on the 13th, and
called to Beverly many distinguished peoj)le as par-
tici[>ants, among them the Governor, John B. Long,
and statf, and veterans from other Grand Army of
the Republic organizations.
The procession formed was the largest the town had
ever witnessed within its limits, containing twenty-
six hundred, with delegates from all the county posts,
members of the entire Fire Dc|)artment of Beverly,
and no less than fourteen bands of music and drum
corps. A section of Battery C, of Melrose, fired the
salutes of the day, opening with seventeen guns for
the Governor, and closing with a national salute of
thirty-eight guns, at the end of the exercises at the
monument.
The chief marshal was Col. John W. Raymond, of
Beverly, with Col. H. P. Woodl)Ury as chief of staft',
and Dr. Chas. Haddock surgeon-general. Col. F. E.
Porter commanded the First Brigade, which con-
742
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tained Post 89 with Its one hundred and fifty mem-
bers, led by Wra. H. Morgan, commander. The mon-
ument was dedicated by Post Commander Wm. H.
Morgan ; prayer was offered by Wm. Staflbrd, chap-
lain of the post, and an address by Rev. J. F. Lover-
ing, of Worcester. Owing to an accident, by which
the platform on which were the invited guests, seventy-
five in number, was thrown to the ground and several
people injured, the exercises here were interrupted
and the procession moved to the common, where a
dinner was served in the mammoth tent, and toasts
were responded to by the eminent guests of the oc-
casion.
Many buildings along the route of the procession
were handsomely decorated. At one point was sta-
tioned an old war-horse, thirty-four years of age,
from whose back was killed Col. Wells, of the Thirt}'-
fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, and in whose body
were several bullets received in battle.
The monument was cut from fine white granite, is
thirty-six feet in height, with a square base, twelve
by twelve feet. The plinth is six feet six inches
square, and on the dies, five feet four inches square,
are the inscriptions :
" To the soldiers and sailors of Beverly ;
*' Erected in behalf ot the citizens of the town by Post 89,
' Department of Massachusetts, Grand .\rmy of the Republic, 1882 ;
" Embalmed in the memories of the succeeding generatioue, the heroic
dead will live on in immortal youth ;
"Teaching iu eloquent silence the lesson of the Citizen's duty to the
State."
The corners of the dies are ornamented with carved
cannon. The shaft is surmounted by the figure of a
soldier loading at will.
Post 89, Beverly, G. A. R., was organized June 6,
1869, and took its name from John H. Chipman, who
went out a second time to the war as captain of Com-
pany C, Fifty-ninth Regiment Miissachusetts Volun-
teers, which was recruited in town and composed in
part of Beverly men.
The Post has a membership of 200, and has paid
out, for the benefit of comrades and families of de-
ceased members, in the past six years, over $G,000. On
the 1st of November, 1S82, the monument was for-
mally presented by the Poat to the town, with public
exercises in the town hall, presented by Commander
Morgan, and accepted by John I. Baker in behalf of
the town, and a list was published of the soldiers and
sailors who had died in service since the war.'
In April, of this year, died Capt. Jona. H. Lovett,a
retired sea-captain, and David Lefavour, at the age of
seventy-six, one of the first shoe manufacturers of the
town.
The Beverly Times, a valuable local paper, was es-
tablished this year by Messrs Morgan & Bates.
1883. — The Rev. Edwin M. Stone, formerly minis-
ter of the Second Parish Church, 1834-47, representa-
tive 1842 and 1844, and the author of a " History of
1 Pub. in Citizen of Nov. 4, 1884.
Beverly," died in Providence December 22d, aged
seventy-eight years. The latter part of his life was
passed in Providence, R. I., where for some years he
was a city missionary. He had done much literary
work in the course of his life, his latest and most val-
uable publication being "Our French Allies in the
Revolution."
Miss Elizabeth Manning Hawthorne, the last sur-
viving sister of Nathaniel Hawthorne, died January
1st, aged eighty years and nine months. For the
thirty years then past she had lived a very retired life
in a farm-house at Monserrat, almost unknown to her
neighbors. She was two years the senior of her gifted
brother, who, it is said, often declared that she could
attain fame if she would devote herself to literary pur-
suits. Hawthorne's grandmother, daughter of Jona-
than and Lydia (Cox) Phelps, was born in Beverly,
June 1, 1734, in the house that stood on or near the
site occupied by the Roman Catholic par.sonage.
In excavating for the ibundation of the Lawrence
Pottery, to replace the one destroyed by fire, an an-
cient brick kiln was unearthed. The bricks were
somewhat longer and wider than those now in use, and
thinner.
November 17, Benjamin 0. Pierce, aged seventy-one,
died in Beverly, well known as a public educator.
1884. — January 9, Lieut.-Col. Henry P. Woodbury
died at the age of forty-eight years. One of the first
to respond to the call for three months' men, in 1861,
as first sergeant, under Col. Porter, he re-enlisted at
the expiration of this term of service as first lieu-
tenant under Capt. Raymond, in Company G, Twenty-
third Regiment. He ibught gallantly to the end of
the war in 1865, sustaining injuries from which he
never recovered. He left a widow and two sons, and
an aged mother, Mrs. Nancy Woodbury, who is now
living (1887), in excellent health, at ninety years of
age. Colonel Woodbury represented the town in the
Legislature in 1877.
May 6, at Cambridge, died Wilson Flagg, aged
seventy-eight years and six months. Mr. Flagg was
an ardent lover of nature, and the author of several
books on birds and trees: "Studies in Field and
Forest," 1857 ; " Woods and Byways of New Eng-
land," 1872, and other books, as well as many arti-
cles in the Atlantic Magazine. His rare musical
talent he inherited from his father, Isaac Flagg, the
school-master and choir-leader of the old South for
many years. '' One of his most wonderful feats in the
musical line was his arrangement of the songs and
notes of the birds to music, as given in their grand
anthems of May and June, particularly the song of
the vesper bird, the peculiar trilling notes of the
' veery ' and the solemn tones of the wood-thrush
with its strange cadence. One can say, in the words
of Emerson, as he wrote of Thoreau ; 'His soul
was made for the noblest society ; wherever there is
knowledge, wherever there is virtue, wherever there
is beauty, he will find a home.' "
BEVERLY.
743
In December, 1884, the South School-house was
ilestroyed by fire with a loss to the town of 12,000.
A new building was erected in 1885 at a cost of
$2.'i,000.
1885. — In June this year the old mill at the head
of Bass Biver was burned. It is about two hundred
and fifty years since the first mill was erected in
Beverly, probably by John Friend, who had a grant
of land (ten acres) in 1()37, and one hundred more
in 1638. In 1665, after Friend's death, his heirs
granted and confirmed to ,Tohn Leach, son of Law-
rence, "the mill and mill-house standing in Bass
River, with all the appurtenances, with two acres
of land adjoining and twenty acres a little dis-
tance oiT, all on Ryall's Neck side. " This was re-
ognized as the property of Lawrence Leach by
the town of Salem, in 1627, when it decided that
the way from the meeting-house to said mill shall
be directly in the country way to Edmund Grover's
(near the present corner of Cabot and Beckford),
etc., substantially as Mill Street to-day, but crossing
the mill-pond farther up the stream than the present
road over the dam. Relics of the old dam and gate-
way may still be seen, and the course of the ancient
roadway may yet be traced.
The original mill was probably much nearer the
head of the stream than the last one. At the point
where Bass River Brook meets the tide-water is a
high embankment, which once served as a dam and
another still farther up. One of these dams was
used to confine the water for the cotton-mill erected
there in the last century.
The oak frame of the old mill, or a portion of it, is
in one of the Isarns formerly owned by Aaron Dodge,
near the mill-dam. In 1669, John Leach, miller, sold
to .lohn Dodge, Jr. for two hundred and fifty pounds,
all the lands, dwelling-house, mills and privileges.
This Capt. John Dodge, Jr., was a son of William
Dodge, the first of the name here. In 1702 he deeds
to his .son-in-law, Ebenezer Woodbury, for two hun-
dred pounds in silver, "all my grist-mill, alias corn-
mill, in Salem, with 2 acres of land in Salem & IJ
acres in Beverly, with all streams, water tools, imple-
ments, etc."
Bass River was then a boundary between Salem
and Beverly. The heirs of Ebenezer Woodbury, in
1798, sold the mill property to Thomas Davis, Jr.,
who had married a daughter of Israel Woodbury.
This property was purchased in 1848 by Aaron
Dodge, who in 1851 enlarged it and added the eleva-
tor and tower, said to be the first in the State.
This well-known mill was run by tide-water as a
grist-mill until 1882, when it was purchased by a Bos-
ton man and used for grinding rubber.
In 1882-83 a son of Mr. Dodge, Israel W., and as-
sociates, erected the large structure known as the
Eastern Elevator and Mills, four stories in height,
surmounted by a tower three stories higher, or ninety
feet from summit to basement. This is one of the
best establishments of its kind, and is furnished with
every known appliance for discharging and loading
cars, grinding grain, etc.
In 1885 there were in Beverly nine claimants en-
titled to reparation for French spoliation, on account
of the losses to brig "Nancy" in 1798, and to the
schooner "Esther" in 1799.
The oldest person in Beverly, Joseph K. Russell,
died at the age of ninety-four year.j, seven months.
He was a soldier and pensioner of 1812, and had
lived for seventy years in the same house in Black
Swamp, from which he had not been absent a month.
In August one of the most promising of Beverly's
daughters. Miss Alice L. Moulton, died in Steeleu-
bosch. South Africa, whither she had gone as a teach-
er in February, 1884. Miss Moulton was a graduate
of Wellesley College, where she had won high honors
Her ideals and aspirations were pure and elevated,
and her young life was consecrated to the cause of
Christianity.
Fire Dei>artmext and Watek-Works. — In
August and September, 1885, the town voted to accept
the act of Legislature giving it permission to erect
water-works and maintain an indepeiident water sup-
ply, at a cost, exclusive of land damages, not to ex-
ceed one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
A committee of sixteen was appointed, who made
a rejiort in November, recommending a pumjiing sta-
tion at Wenham Lake, with two pumps, each of two
million gallons daily capacity, a reservoir on Brimble
Hill capable of holding three million gallons, an
eighteen-ineh main to connect with the street pipes
already laid, and a twelve-inch main to the Farms.
Brimble Hill is one hundred and seventy seven feet
above sea-level, and is thirty higher than the Salem
reservoir.
Ground was broken for the reservoir on Brimble
Hill, the highest elevation in town, in May, 1886,
land having been bought here and on the shore of
Wenham Lake, where a pumping-station and a cot-
tage for the engineer have since been erected. The
sy-tem was completed within the ajipropriation, and
went into full operation on the 1st day of October,
1887, and the town is abundantly supplied with water,
both highlands and lowlands, having over fifty miles
of pipes extending throughout its length and breadth.
Beverly had been served with water from the Salem
system of supply, which was established in 1807, its
reservoir and pumi)ing-station being within the town-
ship limits.
Wenham Lake, from which Beverly and Salem ob-
tain their water supply, is from forty to fifty feet in
depth, and is fed by springs beneath the surface. The
bottom of the lake is composed of white quartz or
sand, and the water, from analysis by our best chem-
ists, has been pronounced remarkably pure. The ice
formed here is so clear that it has been used success-
fully as a lens in igniting powder by the sun's rays.
The pond was once famous among the Indians as
744
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the local fishing-ground of the Naumkeags, a stream
flowiug from it being a tributary of the Ipswich
Eiver, on the banks of which their principal settle-
ment was located.
The first murder committed in colonial times, of
which we have any record, was near its shore, on the
main road from Salem to Ipswich, and the famous
Hugh Peters (who was afterwards executed by Arch-
bishop Laud) preached here from the summit of a
conical hill (now removed) from the text, "At Enon,
near Salim, for there was mucli water there."
At a town-meeting in 1774 it was voted that if a
number of men, not exceeding thirty-five, would pur-
chase a good fire apparatus and engine, and contract
to improve the same for extinguishing fires, they
should be exempt from serving in any town ofiicc, or
as jurymen. This vote was carried into effect, a com-
pany formed and engine purchased. The company,
in 1705, gave up their apparatus to the town, and in
1805 it was voted to raise SI ,000 and purchase a new
fire-engine, and in 1828 another.
The fire apparatus, in 1843, consisted of three en-
gines, with hose, buckets, axes, etc., one company in
the North Parish and two in the centre of the town.
Fire hooks-and-ladders were placed convenient for
use. In addition to these, the Union Fire Society,
formed in 1804, had Udders, fire-hooks, sails and axes,
each member being provided with two leather buck-
ets, a two-bushel bag, a bed-key and a screw-driver.
For furnishing a supply of water for fires, four cis-
terns had been built. The Union Fire Society had a
fund of $4,000, which was divided among its members
when they disbanded, their services becoming of less
importance as public facilities increased.
The first steam fire-engine was purchased by the
town in 186(5, and on the introduction of VVenham
water int > the town, hydrants were established exten-
sively, hose-houses were built and efficiently equipped,
and the most approved system of apparatus purchased.
In all six hose-houses were erected, so that every sec-
tion, no matter how remote from the town-centre,
was thoroughly protected. In addition to these
was the steam fire-engine at the central station ; and
in November, 188.3, the building known as the Cen-
tral Fire Station was dedicated, which cost nearly
$20,000, and is provided with a tower, with perfect ap-
paratus, two engines, trained horses and etficient en-
gineers.
At the Farms, in addition to the hose-house, is a
new building containing a fine steamer and appoint-
ments equally good with those in the central dis-
trict.
1886. — An electric fire-alarm was established in
February, beginning in the manufacturing district,
and extending thence into the outlying sections of the
town. It started with ten boxes, two in the manufac-
turing centre, two on Cabot Street, and one each in
the South, Washington, Cove, Montserrat, North
Beverly and Farms Districts.
An indicator and a two-circuit repeater was put
into the Central Station, a striker attached to the
First Baptist bell, and a whistle-blower on one of the
factories.
In July, 1886, electric lights were introduced into
the town, under the management of the parties con-
trolling the gas company, su])erseding gas for street
lights in the most densely-populated parts.
The Beverly Gas-Light Company was incorporated
in 1859, furnishing gas to light the streets and to pri-
vate consumers.
The street railway system was extended in one di-
rection to Chapman's Corner, at the Cove; in another,
through North Beverly, to Wenham.
Temperance andothee Societies. — We may say
of Beverly to-day, as was said of her by the historian
of forty years ago, that, " on the subject of temper-
ance she has kept in the van of enlightened public
sentiment."
The customs of early times prescribed "drinks"
upon nearly all public occasions, but this town was
one of the first to abolish that custom. By a vote of
March 9th, 1807, the selectmen were requested " not
to approbate or recommend for the renewal of their
license any person, in the future, as an innholder, who
was not provided with accommodations for entertain-
ing travelers."
Such popular educators as Rev. Joseph Emerson
and Dr. Abiel Abbott used their influence in promot-
ing the cause of temperance ; but the first temperance
society was not formed until about 1880, up to which
time nearly every grocer in town was licensed to sell
intoxicating liquors.
The Beverly Baptist Temperance Society was or-
ganized in 18.32, as also was a similar association at
the Farms. A Temperance Association was formed
in the Second Parish in 1833, the Union Temperance
Society in 1835, and a Total Abstinence Society in
1838. In 1840 the Washingtonian movement swept
over the land, the beneficial influence of which Bev-
erly experienced.
In 1844 the Sons of Temperance, Franklin Division,
organized and contained a large and influential mem-
bership, which, alter many years of valued service,
finally disbanded ; the new division of the same name
in 1882.
The Young Men's Catholic Temperance Society was
organized in 1872, the Woman's Christian Total
Abstinence Union organized in 1875, and the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, at the Farms, in 1885.
The Crystal Fountain Lodge of Good Templars was
organized in 1882.
Other societies of various kinds, which illustrate
the intellectual and industrial life of the town, are
numerous, as follows:
The Female Charitable Society was incorporated
1836; Beverly Fuel Society, already mentioned ; Sea-
man's Widows' and Orphans' Friend Society, organ-
ized 1833 ; Fisher Charitable, organized 1810 ; Old
BEVERLY,
745
Ladies' Home Society, organized 1886 ; New England
Industrial Schaol for DeafMutes (on a farm of fifty-six
acres, at Ryal Side), organized 187(1 ; Woman's Re-
lief Corps, ,Tolin H, Chipman, Jr., No. 30, organized
1883; Knights of Honor, organized 1877 ; American
Legion of Honor, Reuben Kennison Council, organ-
ized 1881 ; Beverly Gas-Light Company, capital
stock, $40,000, par value $100 ; Light Infantry Com-
pany, organized 1814 ; Beverly Co-operative Associa-
tion, organized 1879; Grand Army Post, organized
18ii9 ; Shoe Manufacturers' Association, organized
18G5 ; Lasters' Protective Union, organized 1882;
United Order American Mechanics, organized 1883 ;
Independent Order of Red Men, Chicataubut Tribe,
organized 1886; Royal Arcanum, Roger Conant
Council, organized 1879; Sons of Veterans, Camp
John Low, organized 1882 ; Thorndike Bicycle Club,
organized 1881 ; Daughters of Liberty, Mayflower
Council, organized 1885; Golden Rule Alliance, or-
ganized, 1885 ; Beverly Fireman's Relief Association
has a fund of $4,500.
The Post-Office. — Owing to its contiguity to Sa-
lem, Beverly did not possess distinct postal facilities
so early as some other towns in the county. The
first postmaster was Asa Leech, before the building
of Essex bridge, who also had charge of the ferry and
kept a public-house at the corner of Cabot and Davis
Streets. He was postmaster for many years. Previous
to the establishment of the office here our citizens,
as well as those of some other towns, obtained their
mail from the Salem office.
Dr. Josiah Batchelder succeeded Mr. Leech, at his
death, and kept the ofBce in a house on the corner of
Davi.s and Front Streets. On his removal to Maine,
John Burley was appointed, who resigned, and was
succeeded by John Lemon, he by Farnham Plum-
mer, who removed the office to a building next to the
Thorndike mansion, now the town-hall, Jonathan
Smith was the next postmaster, who held the office
nine years, until Stephens Baker was appointed, in
1833. Mr. Baker held office sixteen years, at first in
his store, where the Hinkley Block now stands, and
during his last ten years in the building he erected
on the corner of Cabot and Milton Streets. Joseph
D. Tuck, who succeeded him, kept the office in the
same place, until another change of administration
gave it in charge of Gilbert T. Hawes, who established
it at the corner of Cabot Street and Railroad Avenue.
Thomas A. Morgan succeeded him, under whom the
office was opened in the Masonic Block, where his
successor, Thomas D. Davis, continued it. Mr. Davis
was a soldier of the late war, whose health was seri-
ously shattered by barbarous treatment in the pris-
ons of Richmond and Andersonville, His successor
wiis another veteran of the war. Colonel Francis E.
Porter. Under him and his predecessor the office had
been brought into a high state of efliciency ; but the
accession to power of a Democratic ailministration
caused the removal of Colonel Porter, and the appoint-
47 i
ment of the present incumbent, Jeremiah Murphy.
Within the year past the post-office was removed to
the Odd-Fellows' Block, at the instance of the inspec-
tor from Washington, and fitted with every ap-
pointment, so that it is now second to none of its
class in the State.
Beverly's Representatives. — Of the early lead-
ing settlers of Beverly, Roger Conant was one of the
Representatives for Salem to the first General Court
in 1634; John Woodbury in 1635, '38 and '39; John
Blackleach and Thomas Scruggs in 1636 ; Captain
Thomas Lothrop in 1653, '62 and '64, and from
Beverly in 1672, '73, '74 and '75. The other Repre-
sentatives from Beverly have been Lieutenant John
Dodge, son of Richard Dodge, in 1676, '78, '79, '80,
'81, '83, '89 and '90 ; John AVest, 1677 ; William Dodge,
Sr., 1680 ; Lieutenant Paul Thorndike, 1681 ; Exercise
Conant, 1682, 'S3 and '84 ; Captain William Raymond,
1683, '85 and '86 ; Thomas West, 1687 (he was also the
first Representative from Manchester) ; Sergeant Peter
Woodbury, 1690 ; Lieutenant Andrew Elliott, 1691,
'92, '94, '95 and '97; Captain John Dodge, son of
William, Sr., 1693, '96 and 1702; Deacon Samuel
Balch, 1698, '99, 1700, '01, '05, '06, '07, 09, '10, '13, '14,
'15, '16, '19; Isaac Woodbury, 1703, '04; Robert Hale,
Sr., 1708; Lieutenant John Balch, 1711, '12, '27;
Captain Joseph Herrick, 1717, '18, '20, '21 ; Lieutenant
Robert Briscoe, 1721, '22 ; Lieutenant John Thorn-
dike, 1723; Deacon Jonathan Payment, 1724, '25;
Captain Robert Woodbury, 1726, '30 ; Andrew Dodge,
1728, '29; Lieutenant (afterwards colonel) Robert
Hale, 1731, '32, '33, '34, '35, '38, '40, '41, '42, '43, '44,
'45, '46, '47, '48, '54, "56, '57 ; Captain Henry Herrick
(of the French and Indian War), 1736, '37, '39, '51,
'52, '53 ; Lieutenant Daniel Conant, 1749, '50 ; Captain
John Leach, 1755 (who had been Representative from
Salem in 1750 and '51, before Ryall's Side was annexed
to Beverly); Lieutenant (afterwards colonel) Henry
Herrick, son of Captain Henry, 1758, '59, '60, '61, '62,
'63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71, '72, '73 ; Captain
Josiah Batchelder, 1774, '75, '76, '77, '78, '79 (and in
the Provincial Congress for three of those years) ;
Jonathan Conant, 1779, '81 ; Colonel Larkin Thorn-
dike, 1780, '82, '86, '87, '90, '91, '92; Nathan Dane,
1782, '83, '84, '85 (also Senator, 1790, '94, '96, '97, '98.
Representative to Congress, 1785, '86, '87; Presidential
elector, 1812, in Constitutional Convention, 1820);
Joseph Wood, 1786, '87, '88, '89, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96,
'97, '98, 1802, '03, '04, '05, '06; Captain (afterwards
colonel) Israel Thorndike, 1788, 1802, '03, '04, '05, '06,
'08 (also Senator, 1807, '08, '10, and in State Conven-
tion, 1788, to consider the Federal Constitution) ; John
Cabot, 1792; Captain Moses Brown, 1799, 1800, '01
(and elector of President, 1808) ; John Stephens, 1800,
'01 ; James Burnham, 1800, '01 ; Abner Chapman,
1804, '05. "06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14, '15;
Thomas Davis, 1805, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13,
'14, '15, '16, '17, '19, '20, '22, '23; Thomas Stephens,
1808, '09, '10 (and Senator, 1811, '12, '13, '14, '15);
746
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Eobert Rantoul, 1809, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14, '15, '16,
'17, '18, '19, '23, '24, '25, '26, '28, '29, '30, '31, '32, '33
(Senator, 1821, '22, 23, and in Constitutional Conven-
tions of 1820 and 1853); Isaac Rea, 1809, '10, '11, '12,
13; Nathaniel Goodwin, 1811, '12, '13, '14, '15, '16,
17; Nicholas Thonulike, 1814, '15, '16, '17; Josiah
Lovett, 1816, '20, '21 ; Oliver Ohear, 1823, '24, '25, '26 ;
William Thorndike, 1824, '25, '26 (in the Senate, 1828,
'29, '30, and its President in 1831) ; Pyam Lovett, 1823,
'37 ; Henry Larcom, 1827, '28, '29, '30 ; Thomas Ste-
phens, Jr., 1829, '30; Josiah Lovett 2d, 1829 (Senator
1852); Amos Sheldon, 1829, '30; John Safford, 1833,
'34, '35, '36, '38, '39 (and in Senate, 1842, '44) ; Charles
Stephens, 1833, '57; Jesse Sheldon, 1833, '34; Cotton
Bennett, 1834, '35, '36; Nehemiah Roundy, 1834, '35,
'36; Stephen Nourse, 1835, '36 ; John Conant, 1835,
'36; David Larcom, 1837; Ezra Dodge, 1837; Daniel
Cross, 1837 ; Jonathan Batchelder, 1836, '38 ; Andrew
Ober, 1838; Edwin M. Stone, 1839, '42, '44; Thomas
B. Smith, 1839, '40; William Lanison, 1840, '41 ; Ed-
ward Stone, 1841; John Pickett, 1842. '44; Albert
Thorndike, 1845, '46, '47 (and Senator, 1850, '51);
John I. Baker, 1840, '45, '46, '47, '52, '56, '65, '66, '69,
'71, '75, '78, '79, '80, '81, '82, '83, '84 (Councillor, 1860,
'61, Senator, 1863, '64); William H. Lovett, 1848, '49,
'50; Paul Hildreth, 1848, '49, '50 ; Levi A. Abbott,
1852, '54; William Endicott and Joseph E. Ober, and
the latter in the Constitutional Convention ; John B.
Hill, 1855, '74, '76; Richard P. Waters, 1856 (and in
the Peace Congress of 1861) ; Jolm Knowlton, 1857 •
Robert S. Rantoul, 1858; Thomas A. Morgan ami
James Hill, 1859; Andrew F. Wales, 1860 ; Augustus
N. Clark, 1861 (and Presidential elector, 1880); Elijah
E. Lumraus, 1861; John Meacora, 1862; Robert R.
Endicott and Robert S. Foster, 1863 ; Benjamin D.
Grant, 1864; Charles H. Odell, 1865; John W. Ray-
mond, 1866, '67 ; Joseph Wilson, 1868 ; Freeborn W.
Cressy, 1869. '72; Henry P. Moulton, 1870; Nathan
H. Webb, 1870, '71, '72; Francis E. Porter, 1873, '74;
John H. Woodbury, 1875 ; David A. Preston, 1876;
Henry P. Woodbury, 1877 ; Charles L. Dodge, 1885,
'86, '87. Senators who have not been Representatives :
Joshua Fisher, 1805 ; Warren Tilton, 1859, '60; Fred-
erick W. Choate, 1866, '67 ; Francis Norwood, 1881, '82.
Beveely's Industries. — The Fisheries. — The ear-
liest industries of Beverly were farming and fishing.
From the sea came the principal subsistence, until
the meadows and forests were cleared and planted.
The first settlements in Beverly were located with
special reference to their contiguity to the fishing-
grounds, as the houses erected by William and Hum-
phrey Woodbury and their people. After the fish-
eries were established nearly every male inliabitant
old enough, and not too old, went off for the sum-
mer's fishing. Few were left at home, except the
old men and young boys, women and girls. Even
the boys were taken away at a very early age, some
at eleven, and nearly all of them at fourteen or fif-
teen.
At the outset the voyages were greatly prolonged
by the custom, then prevailing, of drying the fish be-
fore the return of the vessel to port, on the Mag-
dalen or the coast of Labrador, which they after-
wards took, in the same vessels, to the West Indies,
etc. Later on, and for the past hundred years or so,
the fish were salted in tlie hold and brought home to
be " cured." Then it was possible to make two voy-
ages each season, sailing on the 1st of March or
April, and returning about the 4th of July, — this
was the " first fare ; " the " second fare " would keep
them out till cold weather had commenced, into No-
vember, and sometimes even December. In all,
from six to eight months were taken for the two
fares ; sometimes three fares were made. Every avail-
able headland on the coast, from Tuck's Point to
Paine's Head, was covered with fish-flakes, where, in
the summer and autumn months, thousands of tons
of fish were cured for market.
These fish-drying places have now become too valu-
able as real estate to be used for this purpose, and
but a few fish-flakes can be seen on our shores. Most
of the fishermen resided on the coast, between the
Old South and the Manchester line. When the cod
fishery was at its best, which was probably between
the years 1840-50, there were seventy or eighty vessels
engaged, and all manned by natives of this town.
Each vessel carried from six to nine men, and rarely
exceeded eighty or ninety tons burthen. The prin-
cipal vessel-owners were Thorndike & Endicott,
Stephen Nourse, Foster & Lovett, Pickett & Ed-
wards, James Stone, (Japt. Bradshaw, Ezra Batchel-
der, Samuel Ober, John Morgan ; and some vessels
were owned by the crews.
But the co-operative system did not work very
well, as all the "combined powers" wanted to be
skippers, and could hot agree.
The average cost of a new schooner was about four
thousand dollars. A good season's receipts, even for
the "skippers," was five hundred dollars, and an av-
erage of two hundred quintals of fish was considered
a "great catch." The fishermen did remarkably well
immediately after the withdrawal of the embargo, in
1815, and during the period of the Civil War, as
prices were very high in the first instance, and crews
scarce in the second.
The fishermen led a hard life at the best, and in
tlie early times lacked the many conveniences that
their .-uccessors enjoy, some even being subject to
piracy. Until within a comparatively recent period
they carried no stove.", but in each vessel was a capa-
cious fire-place, in cabin as well as in forecastle. In
de-cending into the fo'castle the sailors were obliged
to go "down the chimney," as they expressed it,
there being no other aperture for the esca|)e of the
smoke than that by which their quarters were reached.
But they had " lots of comfort" with theirgreat wood-
fires, especially in the autumn months, even though
the smoke was annoying. At first, every man was
BEVERLY.
747
his own cook, and it is likely tluit the tare was
hard.
With the advent of a special cook, or a man drafted
from the crew for that purpose, the "grnh" was im-
proved a little, the staple articles of diet being beef,
salt pork, beans twice a week, potatoes, bacon, fish,
" dufl'," doughnuts and pics. Dufl' and doughnuts
were great luxuries, however, and " duif day" was
always looked forward to with pleasurable anticipa-
tions Although the distance travei-sed by the fish-
ing schooners was not vast, yet the length of the voy-
age made it wearisome, especially as land was rarely
sighted after Cape Ann had been left astern until it
hove in sight again four months later; on the return
the government gave a bounty of four dollars per
ton for each voyage of tour months and over, and
even if a full fare was secured in half that time, the
requisite numbers of days must be passed at sea be-
fore port could be entered. The great event of the
voyage was " washing out day,"' when the fish had
been landed and the crew were given a royal dinner.
As winter came on, the vessels were hauled up at the
wharves and the crews dispersed to seek employment
at shoe-making, or to spend their hard-earned money
in completing their education. Many a boy, taken
from home at an early age, returned to the vilhige
school on successive winters, to acquire what learn-
ing he could in the time at his command. It was a
wholesome discipline they got at sea. and a school
in which were reared many who afterwards served
faithfully their country when volunteers were needed
for the navy.
At the present day our fisheries are of little im-
portance. The great fieet of schooners has disap-
jieared, and scarcely half a dozen vessels sail from
our port for the Banks each season ; and these are
manned by strangers. How far the policy of the Na-
tional Government has contributed to this result is
one of the debated questions.
Between the years 1828-40 there were two full-
rigged ships, the '"Shamrock" and "Malabar," and
nine brigs, making a total of eleven "square-riggers,"
owned in Beverly, besides one hundred and twenty
schooners. In 1859 the schooner " Dove " was sold to
Eastern parties. This vessel was built in 1817, and was
the last of her class, of half-deck vessels, in Beverly.
In 186U, just prior to the Civil War, fifty-four ves-
sels from Bev.rly were engaged in the fisheries, with
4072 tonnage, a valuation of SltJ(J,800, carrying 4^7
men, and u»ing 5366 bushels of salt and 1172 bush-
els of bait. In 1861 the amount of fish bounty paid
w:is $15,000. In 1863, when the greatest number of
our fishermen were away, serving in the navy, but
thirty-seven vessels were engaged. The value of fish
and oil obtained that year was about $200,000. The
" catch " was large, but fishermen were scarce. In
1875 some twenty-tour vessels were fitted out here;
in 1877 twenty-two, besides smaller craft, carrying
about 300 men.
But even this small number has been reduced in
the past ten years, so that the present year finds but
tour fishing-vessels employed at the Banks, and one
of these is supposed to have been lost, with all on
board. A hundred years ago, in 1786, Beverly
owned sixty vessels, manned by 492 men ; nineteen
of these were in the West Indian trade. In 1788
thirty-two vessels, with 271 men.
Shoe.i and ShoemaJcing. — For nearly two centuries
the industries of Beverly were essentially agricultural
and maritime ; farming, fishing, coastwise and for-
eign commerce engaged the attention of its inhabit-
ants, with an occasional digression to repel the In-
dians or beat off' foreign invaders. It has been
already shown that the town took active part in
every affair of national importance from the Pequod
War in 1637 to the Rebellion of 1861. The growth
of the town was slow, and resulted more from the nat-
ural increase of its native population than from alien
accessions. The early industries were few in number,
and newer forms of occupation were adopted
cautiously. Unlike Lynn, which seems to have been
predestined to traffic in leather from earliest times,
Beverly did not choose deliberately that which has
now become its chiefest industry. Resident shoe-
makers were scarce within its borders before the close
of the seventeenth century. One of the first re-
corded cordwainers is Andrew Elliot, who was also
our first town clerk, who lived in that part of the
town known as the "Haymarket" or "City," where
also resided another shoemaker — John Smith, son of
James, born in 1662. He probably worked upon the
low bench, having the "kit" — knives, hammer, lap-
stone, awls, etc. — on one end and the seat at the
other, and with the shoe held by a strap over the
knee.
Of those who first carried on shoemaking as a busi-
ness, Joseph Foster, who removed hither from Ips-
wich just before the Revolution, is most conspicuous.
He supplied shoes to the Continental army and to
the various grocery-stores of this town and others,
and later shipped shoes to the Southern States and
the West Indies. Descendants of shoemaker Foster
are still engaged in the business here, in which they
were prominent for nearly a century. Others who
learned their trade of Joseph Foster's son, Daniel,
may be remembered by our citizens as Captain Dan-
iel Cross, Olphert Tuttle and Osman Gage.
A leading manufacturer of a later period was Dea-
con Nehemiah Roundy, whose three sons assisted
him, and who supplied shoes to the trade in Boston
and shipped to Africa and other countries. Captain
Thomas B. Smith in 1829 built a factory in which lie
manufactured large numbers of heavy boots and
shoes. In 1830 Daniel Lcfavour began the manu-
facture of women's shoes at the Cove, in which also his
brother John engaged some fifteen years later. The
business established by them has since been contin-
ued rcsiiectively by their sons. .Another raanufac-
748
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
turer of that period was Ebenezer Moses, who, it is
said, first introduced the sj'stem of division of labor,
and first used tin patterns for the shajHng of the soles
of shoes. The Herricks and Trasks, fathers and sons,
Wm. D. Crossfield, Wm. Larrabee, the Wallises (de-
scended from the first deacon) and the Norwoods, are
names prominent in the history of shoe manufacture
here. One of the last century Wallises was the aged
shoemaker Henry Wallis, well remembered by the
middle-aged of our community, who worked at his
trade for nearly seventy years in the same shop,
which was over two hundred years old when it was
removed from its location at the corner of Cabot and
Bow Streets.
Jieal Estate and Improvements. — The era of progress
may be said to date from the advent of the railroad,
and the largest and most important transaction in
real estate took place at the time the railroad station
was removed I'rora its original site toils present location
on Park Street, about 1852. Nearly all the large sec-
tion between Cabot Street and Bass River, and ex-
tending from the Gloucester cros-ing to the southerly
junction of Cabot and Rantoul Streets, was open
field, without house or factory. To-day hundreds of
dwellings are seen here, and the numerous shoe facto-
ries, in which are conducted the leading industry of the
town. An impulse was given to business that has been
continued to the present day.
Twenty years ago, or in 1868, a section of territory
lyingbetweenLovett,Lothrop and Washington Streets
which had, for more than a hundred years, lain unde-
veloped, and used as fish-yards, was purchased by Israel
Lefavour, and thrown open for building purposes. Mr.
Lefavour, then quite a young man, divided the property
into lots, some of which he sold, and upon others
erected houses, and to-day it is covered with some of
the most attractive residences in town. He also pur-
chased and improved, more recently, the Wilson land
and Pickett fish-yards, on Lothrop Street, and has
built thereon houses commanding beautiful outlooks
over the sea.
In the past twenty years Cabot Street, which was
formerly lined mainly with dwellings, has undergone
most radical changes, nearly forty stores and places
of business having been erected there.
In 1867 the Masonic Association erected the fine
three-story brick block at the corner of Washington
and Cabot Streets ; in 1875 the Odd Fellows built, at
the corner of Cabot and Broadway, the finest block in
town ; in 1877 Israel Lefavour purchased the Little
estate, corner of Cabot and Vestry Streets, and en-
larged and altered the house there into a three-story
block, with a commodious Opera House more lately
added ; in 1883 Rich and Newcomb built a very large
and convenient wooden block on the property ad-
joining and extending to Railroad Avenue, and in
1885 Webbi'r Brothers erected a fine brick building
of three stories adjacent to the Masonic structure.
In 1881 Augustus N. Clark altered the store and
house of the Smith estate, owned by him, on the
corner of Cabot and Broadway, into a large block for
stores and dwellings, and added much to the beauty
of Broadway.
In 1885 the Savings Bank built its beautiful struc-
ture at the corner of Cabot and Thorndike; in 1886
Robert R. Endieott reconstructed and enlarged the
buildings corner of Cabot and Washington Streets.
George Butman erected a large building of three
stories on Cabot, near Essex Street. A dozen years
before, Messrs. Lee and Cressy, George H. Southwick
and William W. Hinkley had put up fine business
blocks. These fects but indicate a steady and rapid
growth in the business of Beverly.
Beyond the more densely populated portion also
important improvements have been wrought within
twenty years and less.
The extension of Central and Abbot Streets, and
others, was followed by active building of houses,
until nearly all were lined with comfortable and ele-
gant dwellings. The extension of Lothrop Street to
Cross Lane, the extension of Ober and Corning
Streets, the improving of Common Lane, etc., gave
an impetus to building, even in remote places.
In 1874 Andrew K. Ober purchased a portion of
the woodland known as Snake Hill, laying out drives
and walks, and building there a stone mansion, which
improvements were followed by the construction of
Lake-shore Avenue, and the elegant station-building
at Montserrat. Within ten years past radical changes
have been made at Hospital Point, so that this bleak
and once desolate promontory is now the abode of
some of our wealthiest citizens.
One of the largest land-owners, whose purchases
have been made mainly within a few years past, is
Henry W. Peabody, who owns about one hundred J
and fifty acres, principally near the Montserrat Sta- I
tion, and including such fine property as Hibbert
and Laurel Pastures, Turtle and Prospect Hills. At
the Farms, after the shore margin had been absorbed,
summer residents purchased much of the hill prop-
erty in the interior, especially wherever commanding
views were afforded of the sea. Hence it is that,
with Beverly's unrivaled possession of hillside and
seaside, it is not necessary that land should be of
great fertility to command high prices. In truth,
the poorest laud as to production is often that which
is held the dearest.
What is known as the "shore movement," when
the manifold attractions of the Beverly coast drew
hither an appreciative population, began nearly fifty
years ago.
About this time Beverly began to receive acces-
sions in people who came, at first, merely for a sum-
mer's stay, but who eventually purchased property
here and obtained a foothold as owners of real estate.
Attracted by the beauties of the shore, several resi-
dents of Salem and Boston sought and obtained board
with the farmers of the eastern part of the town, in
BEVERLY.
749
the section known as Beverly Farms. This region
was always a rural one, and thinly populated, though
early settled: the Wests, Woodburys, Haskells, This-
sells, Obers and Larcoms being among the first; the
Woodburys especially numerous, descendants of the
original William and Humjdirey, who located at
Woodburys' Points about 1030. By direct inherit-
ance, by grants and by intermarriage, they had ac-
quired a great deal of the coast property.
Throughout several generations these farmers and
fishermen of Beverly had contentedly tilled the soil
and ploughed the sea, leaving their ancestral homes
only to participate in the business affairs of the town,
or when summoned by the imperative calls of war.
By intermarriage, by the ties of constant association,
and by family tradition, they were one with the peo-
ple at the Centre. During the first century of its
corporate existence the town relied upon them as
upon those who lived in the shadow of the First
Parish meeting-house, and they were prominent mem-
bers of the church itself. The short distance that
separated them from the business centre of the town
did not prevent a frequent interchange of visits ou
Sundays, when all gathered at the Old South, and
on training days and town-meetings.
"A town becomes a true home for men through its
history, not less than by reason of its physical and
social features." Every family native to the Farms
had historical traditions in common with every other
at the Centre, and thus, though in a measure territori-
ally distinct, the people resident hero were individu-
ally members of one and the same great family ; their
interests and their traditions were identical. But the
time had come when a new element was to be intro-
duced, and thisw'aswhen the first "summer-boarder"
appeared, about the year 1840. It does not appear
that our ancestors were heedless of the attractions
nature had so lavishly spread aiouud them; but, in
the stress of their life of toil, these may have seemed
of secondary importance. At all events, though the
superlative beauty of their environment may have
as-erted itself, and they may have unconsciously
imbibed that love for nature now inherent in their
descendants, yet they did not, perhaps, attach the
importance to it that should have prevented them
from parting with their priceless heritage. The
consequent hardships of successive wars, and the
perpetual struggle for existence, inevitably the lot
of the pioneer, had impressed upon them rather the
value of substantial gain, than that of a lieautiful
landscape. In a word, this " fatal gift of beauty,"
which was to them a thing imponderable, attracted
strangers to their birthright, and it passed from their
possession.
The first, or one of the first, who took up residence
at the Farms fur the summer season was John CJ.
King, as early as 1840, who bought, in 1844, the
John 51. Thissell place at Mingo's Cove. He boarded
with Isaac Prince, then occupying the farm now
known as the " Paine Place." Early in the eighteenth
century, this one hundred-acre farm was inherited
by Anna Woodbury, daughter of Benjamin Wood-
bury, who married Rev. John Barnard, of Mar-
blehead She willed it to the chddren of her kins-
woman, Anna Woodbury, wife of Samuel Swett, who
sold it to Josiah Ober, whose heirs sold it to Isaac
Prince, and he to Cha-". C. Paine, whose wife was one
of the Swett family above mentioned. Mr. Paine
subsequently bought the entire property, paying six
thousand dollars for it. From this farm, it is said,
have been sold estates to the amount of two hundred
thousand dollars, and with a portion of perhaps e(pial
value still remaining.
Nearly cotemporary with Mr. Paine was Charles
G. Loring, who bought the farm of Benjamin Smith,
and built the first house thereon for summer resi-
dence.
Patrick T. Jackson and Franklin Dexter were
other early visitors who purchased shore estates about
this time, and in 1846 Messrs. Haven, Neal, Cabot
and Lee. A little later the Suhiers, Lowells, Pick-
mans, Lawrences and Burgesses became dwellers here.
Thus the Beverly shore, says a recent writer, " was
probably the fir.it in New England to be sought I'or
summer homes. Its southerly exposure, the coast
line trending nearly east and west, gives it a matchless
summer climate. The prevailing winds of the warm
months — those from the southwest — elsewhere bearing
a parching heat, are here wafted across the salt floods
of Salem Bay, filled with a delicious and invigorating
freshness.
The hills and woods, rising directly from the shore,
also break the force of the harsh winds from the
northerly quarters. In consequence, many of the
summer residents come as early as possible in the sea-
son and often linger late in the fall, enjoying the quiet
drives amidst the autumnal glories of the Essex
woods, until even the rich hues of the oaks have
changed to a uniform dry brown, under the blighting
touch of the frost.
Sailing along the coast on a pleasant summer day,
one sees a moderately high reach of hills slo|)ing
gracefully back from the sea. The deep water per-
mits a near approach to the land, so that in the dense
foliage masses which often come close down to the
water's edge and give to this shore a luxuriant aspect
quite exceptional in New England coast scenery .south
of the spruce-clad capes of Maine, may be distin-
guished the intermingling hues of pines and oaks and
the other decidutms trees, whose light leafage relieves
the sombreness of the evergreen masses. Bold pro-
montories jut out into the water, the waves ceaselessly
tossing up white greetings at their feet, and between
the cliffs stretch intervals of glittering beach, with
smooth, green lawns reaching far back into the shad-
owy recesses of forest glades. All along this shore
stand the beautiful villas; not huddled in vulgar
promiscuousness, as at popular shore resorts, nor
750
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
drawn up ia showy dress parade, as at Newport ; but
disposed in the easy attitudes of a high-bred com-
pany, thoroughly assured of its place in the world, and
neither eager for prominence nor solicitous about
privacy. Embowered in the woodlands, occupying
castle-like heights, or standing out amid sunny lawns
with the dignified repose surrounding them of broad
verandas, there are few of these houses that are not
in admirable keeping with their surroundings.
A drive over the beautiful roads that meander in
easy grades over the diversified region has a charm
equally great with sailing the shore. Not so much is
seen of the villas themselves as from the water, for
they mostly stand retired from the highways, and
only approached by pleasant avenues.
Few places could be found affording such a multi-
plicity of romantic sites; there might be almost a
surfeit of picturesqueness, were not the variety so
great that every turn, every new view, reveals a fresh
charm. In short, the lavish disp(»sition of nature
and the costly efforts of art have together made of
the Beverly shore a region that approaches the ideal
of an earthly paradise as nearly as is possible in this
part of the world.
One rolls over the smooth roads among blooming
gardens and wide lawns, with broad reaches of the
bay visible between splendid houses. A turn of the
way, and the natural forest incloses the scene, and
the air, just redolent with the fragrance of blossoming
shrubs, is now filled with the tonic breath of the
pines. Again, reaching a slight elevation, the sea
comes into sight, framed by a wild margin of rocks
and trees.
And so the enchanting picture continues in scores
of lovely glimpses, until it seems as if nature's port-
folio would be exhausted of its novelties. Life on the
Beverly shore during the season has a character quite
distinctive, and very different from that of the usual
summer resort, as may be inferred from the character
of its population. This is composed chiefly of lead-
ing Boston families, with a few from neighboring
Salem, and some permanent residents of Beverly —
whose ancestry, like that of the Endicotts, is identi-
fied with ihe founding of the town — nearly all more
eminent for social position and culture than for
wealth ; which, however, needs be considerable to en-
able residence in such a place."
Census of Town of Beverly for 1885.^
(Courteously furnished in advance of publication by the Chief of the
Bureau of Statiatics.)
Occupations. Number.
Males.
Government 32
Professional 53
Clergymen 14
Other 'professional " 39
1 This table shows the arrangement by "Classified Occupations" (in
italics), with detail for certain classes by principal lines of occupation.
Also, the "Explanatory Note," defining the distribution of the people
into classes of occupations, that is, those having related occupations, as,
for Census purposes, all pei-sous are supposed to be "occupied."
Occupations. Number.
Domestic Service 64
Coachmen and servants (in families) 53
Other "domestic service " 11
Personal Service 44
Trade 356
Merchants and dealers 141
Salesmen 43
Book-keepers and clerks 114
Other " trade " 58
Transportation 2US
Drivers of delivery wagons 25
Livery stable keepers and employes 29
Officials and employes of express companies 26
Teamsters 32
Steam railroad employees 61
Mariners (sailing) 23
Other "transportation" 12
Agriculture 355
Farmers 122
Farm laborers. 174
Florists 10
Gardeners and garden laborers 47
Other "agriculture" 2
Fisheries 57
Fishermen 65
Other "fisheries" 2
Manufaclni-ea 1,569
Shoe-factory operatives l,ii(il
Carpenters Ifil
Masons 62
Masons and plasterers 13
Painters 49
Bakers 22
Morocco Workers 3U
Blacksmiths 24
Other "manufactures " 207
Mining 2
Laborers 153
Apprentices 7
adldrni >it Work 4
Scholars and Sludent$ 798
Retired 136
Afflicted, etc 20
Unemploijed (12 mojiths) 19
Dependents 32
At Home 420
Not Given 20
Total males 4,349
Females.
Government 1
Professional 64
Teachers 55
Other "professional" 9
Domestic Service 2,751
Housekeepers 39
Housewives 2,009
Housework 475
Servants (in families) 214
Other " domestic service" 14
Personal Service 37
Trade 32
Book-keepers and clerks 25
Other "trade" 7
Transportation 1
Manufactures 514
Shoe-factory operatives 4(il
Dressmakers 47
Milliners 9
Oil-clothing makers 20
Seamstresses 12
Tailoresses 9
Other '■ manufactures" 16
Children at Work 1
Scholars awl Students 797
BEVEKLY.
751
OCCUPATIOXS.
Number.
24
29
38
436
Xot Given 112
Retired
A_^icted, etc..
Dependent
At Home
Tutul females..
Explanatory Xote.
Government. — Persous eogagetj in Ihe service of the national, state and
city governments, or in the U. S. army and navy,
Pro/eMional. — Pereons connected uith religion, law, medicine, litera-
ture, art, music, amusements, education a,nd science.
Donttstic Servi<e. — Persons concerned or employed in the hotel, board-
ing and lodging service, house^Nives, pei-sons engaged in house work
(without i-emuneration, generally in own family), housekeepers and do-
mestic servants.
Pei$ >n'il Service. —Versons who render personal service, as barbers,
boot-blacks, carpet-cleaners, companions, jauitora, matrons, nurses, stew-
ards, ui^hers, valets, washer-women, watchers, watchmen, etc.
Troile. — Merchants and dfalei-s, salesmen, book-keepers, clerks, agents,
bankers, brukL-rs, messengers, porters, etc.
Tratispitrlalion. — Carriers on roads, steam railroacls, seas and rivers.
Agriculture.— Y-Arai^rs^ farm laborers, gardenei-s., persons engaged in
the care of animals, etc.
flaherifrs. — Persons engaged in the fisheries.
Mann/acUires. — As specified.
Mining. — Persons employed in mines, riuarries, pits, etc.
Laborers. — General day laborers.
Apprtnitici's — Learning tradfS.
Children at Work. — Children of legal school age (^ten to thirteen) who
both work and go to school or work only.
Scholars and Students. — Public and private school scholars, persons at
college, or studying special branches, as law, deulistiy, medicine, etc.
Hetirtd — Persona retired from active bubiness.
A^licted, etc. — Persons suffering with acute or chronic diseases, blind,
deaf, dumb, maimed, lame, insane, idiotic, and other alHioted persons and
paupers and homeless children.
Ciieiiii>loytd {VZvioidks). — Persona not employtd at their accustomed
occupation at all during the census jear.
Dependents {in Private Families). — Kelatives or other pers'ms more or
less dependent for support.
At Home — Children too young to go to school.
Xot tfiiTtt— Young persons or adults, of working age, who, for some
reason, have no occupation.
Manufactures of Beverlv, from Census of 1885.
Capital invested (value) 51,327,218
Stock or material used (value) 2,401,8u7
Goods made and work done (value) 4,412,647
Males employed (number) 1,727
Females employed (number) 987
Total
Average houi-s, day's work, adult male..
Average yearly working time (days)
Day hands (number) ,
Piece hands (number)
Salaries paid (auiouut)
Wages paid (amount)
Machinery (value)
LIBRARIES.
Number and value of books and circulation.
1,
. S:i4,
.$1,174,
122,
,714
lU.l
293 J^
842
,779
,954
539
540
Kind or Libraries.
Beverly
Secular
Town public
Private ciruulatiu;
Religious
Sunday-school
number of books.
Bound
Books
16,649
11,017
1",017
1,000
5,632
5,632
16,076
11,017
10,U17
1,000
5,659
0,659
Value jCircula-
of I tion.
Books. I
16,354
12,4001
12,000 1
400 1
3,954 1
3,954!
64,-.i2o
25,000
22,000
3,U00
29, 20
29,220
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
School Buildings.
Number
of
' Buildgs
Value.
Buildings. Pmperly.
Beverly
9
S 100,000
S1,000
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Number of School
Buildings.
Value.
Kind of School.
Build'gs
Owned.
Total.
Own'd
Hired.
School
prnpt^rty
1
1
1
1
5,100
5,100
110
Unincorporated
100
1 One w hool kept in a hired room.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
By name and dates of establishment and incorporation.
^'ame of School.
Date of
Establishment.
Dfite of
Incorporation.
Kindergartfu (Faunie R. Kilham)...
New England Industrial School for
18J-1
1870
MARRIED WOMEN AND MOTHERS: CHILDREN, ETC.
= I Married Women having Children.
Native and 3. =-5
Total Number of—
ATerageUo.of
Foreign Born. z ^ ^
1 1^
El
z
1 1
Cliililrcn
not living
g 5f'=i
Beverly I 2,319 398
Native born..' 1,845 306
Foreign born 474 92
1,9 ■!
1,639
3«2
7,211 .5.013
6.553 3,837
1,668 1,176
2,198
1.71G
481!
3.75 2.61 1.14
3.i;l 2.49! 112
4.34 3.U8 1.26
TOTAL ILLITERACY.
Six.
PoprLATlON :
Ten years of age and over.
Illiterates.
Native.
Foreign.
Total.
Number Per cent
Beverlv
0,4111
3,IJS2
3,319
1,3112
527
7-5
7, 71 '3
3,609
4,094
211 2.74
73 2.02
138 3.37
Mules
DE(iREE OF ILLITERACY, ETC.
AUE Periolis.
Born in
jMassachu-
I setts.
Beverly
Cannot write ,
20 to 29 years ,
30 to49yeare
5 I yeai-8 and over
Neither read ncr write]
10 ty l:iyeai-s
14 to 19 years
20 to 29 years
30 to 49 years
50 year:i and over
M
F
T
14
21
3i
.1
0
2
2
1
1
2
3
11
IS
28
2
a
3
6
1
2
3
1
•2
5
10
16
Other
Native
Born.
Foreign
Born.
55 112
81 271
...I 31
0 14
% li.i
47
1
1
9
16
20
Aggregates
85
I32|
61
"2
3'
4
8
17 10
37
53 19
38
58;
26
138 211
31 1 43
3 6
16 22
12> 15
107 168
2 4
5 9
10 20
39. 68
511 77
752
HISTOEY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND PROPERTY.
pnoDUCTS.
Q,uantity. Value.
Auimitl Products. 813,076
Beeswax (nse) pouuds, 5 1
Calf-skins 10 8
Hides 9 W
Honey pojinds, 371 ',l4
Manure cords, 1,671>^ 12,055
Pelts 5 4
Clotliing, Needh-work, ete. $7,513
Boots (including "work on") pairs, 9,070 3,lil2
Crocheted goods (sale) — 5
Mats (sale) 2 1
Mittens (sale) pairs, 15 8
Shoes (including "work on") pairs, 9,950 3,887
JDairi) Products. $67,729
Butter (sale) pounds, 2,665 999
Butter (use) pounds, 2,476 910
Cheese pounds, 40 4
Cream gallons, 332 934
Milk gallons, 303,719 54,882
Food Products. $2,888
Canned fruit (sale) pounds, 50 ' 8
Canned fruit (use) pounds, 49 8
Ice tons, 500 2,500
Pickles (use) barrels, ]4 5
Vinegar (sales) , gallons, 1,530 330
Vinegar (use) gallons, 175 37
Greenhouse Products. $3,900
Flowers, leaves, and vines, cut ... 700
Plants, flowering and other ... 3,200
Hothouse and Sotbed Products. $435
Cabbage plants 31,400 191
Tomato plants 733 244
Luiuors and Beverages. ^54
Cider (sale) , gallons, 3,848 40fi
Cider (use) gallons, 4,017 44S
Nursery Products. $27
Trees, fruit 2 2
Trees, ornamental 100 25
Poultry Products. $12,291
Eggs dozen, 37,299 9,115
Egg8,fancy dozen, 400 400
Feathers pounds, 14 4
Manure, hen and bird bushels, l,r.07 607
Poultry, dressed: chickens pouuds, 8,841 2,143
Poultry, dressed : other than chickens, geese, and tur-
keys pounds, 95 22
iroo(i ProJucta. $2,930
Ashes (sales) bushels, 20 5
Ashes (use) bushels, 431 20'J
Firewood (sale) cords, 214 l,l(i6
Firewood (use) cords, 325 1,559
Hoop poles (use) 200 2
Lumber (use) thousand feet 2 30
Posts, fence (sale) 25 15
Pi'Sts, fence (use) 40 4
Wooden Goods. 8f.
A.\e handles (use) 14 4
Ox-yokes (use) 1 2
Other Pi-oducts. $951
Hops pounds, 5 1
Hotbed mats (sale) 6 6
Hotbed mats (use) 90 95
Manure, sea cords, 370j^ 790
Seeds, garden, field, and flower pounds, 62 59
Cereals. $2,046
Barley : bushels, 87 72
Corn, Indian bushels, 2,502 1,510
Corn, pop bushels, 229^ 305
Oats bushels, 127 83
Itye bushels, 96 76
Fruits^ Berries arid Nttts. $6,164
Apples bushels, 7,401 2,314
Barberries bushels, 1}^ 3
Blackberries quarts, 1,139 174
Blueberries quarts, 3,300 295
Cherries bushels, 12}^ 23
Citron pounds, 150 15
Crab-apples bushels, 7 11
Cranberries barrels, 52J^ 225
Currants quarts, 916 87
Grapes bushels, •. 48J/^ 54
Grapes pounds, J 2,025 487
Huckleberries quarts, 671 63
Melons 5,312 601
Peaches : bushels, 5 7
Pears bushels, 772J^ 658
Plums bushels, 3 5
Quinces bushels, 15^ 35
Raspberries qiiarts, 4 0 81
Shellharks bushels, 2 4
Strawberries quarts, 8,270 1,012
Hay, Straw and Fodder. $33,751
Hay, clover tons, 24 419
Hay, English tons, 1,308 24,856
Hay, meadow tons, 139ji 1,690
Hay, millet tons, 64 669
Hay, salt tons, 43J^ 401
Hay, not classified tons, 4 76
Straw tons, 4 82
Fodder, barley tons, 34 303
Fodder, corn tons, 674 2,871
Fodder, dry tons, 26 274
Fodder, oat tons, 122% 1,115
Fodder, rye tons, 13>^ 172
Beets (for stock) bushels, 2,li52 481
Turnips (forstock) bushels, 1,693 443
Meats and Game. $3,603
Beef. pounds, 8,395 647
Pork pounds, 29,055 2,896
Veal pounds, 785 51
Game, wild pounds, 25 10
Vegetables. $57,917
Asparagus bunches, 4,130 471
Beans bushels, 166 406
Beans, string and shell bushels, 566 536
Beet greens bushels, 25 60
Beets bushels, 1,630 786
Cabbage greens bushels, 20 10
Cabbage heads, 379,680 25,061
Carrots bushels, 3,672 1,122
Cauliflower heads, 560 116
Celery bunches, 8,710 714
Corn, green bushels, 4,382 2,382
Cucumbers bushels, ■. 86 84
J 20,400 388
Dandelions .bushels, 548 418
Lettuce heads, 1,904 137
Onions bushels, 3,989 3,638
Parsley bushels, 37 37
Parsnips bushels, 293 207
Pease bushels, 66 72
Pease, green bushels, 726 684
Peppers bushels, 30 14
Potatoes bushels, 21,351 11,364
Pumpkins pounds, 6,400 29
Radishes bunches, 100 4
Rhubarb pouuds, 690 40
Spinach bushels, 336 83
Squaslies pouuds, 437,920 4,081
Tomatoes bushels, 1,109 574
Turnips, table bushels, 964 445
Not classified 3,381
BEVERLY.
753
PEOPEETY.
Cultivated : Laud. acres, 5,512} $585,991
Hay (used tor) acres, 1,405}^ 199,635
Princii>al crops (used for) acres, 41-*J^ 57,189
Market gardens acres, iW/e 32,3G6
Nurmries acres, 1 150
Orchards acres, 99 15,950
I'ther cultivated acres, 96% 17,485
I'ncultivated ;
Pernianeut pasture acres, 1,581 107,093
tHIit-r unimproved acres, 401J^8 37,444
Unimprovable acres, 53J4 2,700
Mines, quarries, pits, etc acnis, \^ 25
Woodland ;
Over thirty years' growth acres, 308 32,300
Of thirty years or leas acres, 927 83,655
BuiUtings. 1563,866
Dwelling-houses 184 395,850
liarus 174 124,037
Carriage-houses 34 9,085
Granaries *. 15 720
Greenhouses 9 7,550
llou-houscs 12it 4,011
Outhuildings 113 3,105
Sheds 65 6,765
Shops 42 4,135
Stables 15 5,535
Storehouses 12 1,885
Other huildings ... 288
Machine*, Implements, etc. S.35,479
Carts, wagous. harnesses, etc ... 26,190
Cultivators 104 645
Feed cutters 2.3 179
Harrows 115 1,120
Hay-cutters 54 267
Hay tedders 12 384
Horse hoes 20 207
Hor^e poweis 4 220
Horse rakes 62 868
Implements ... 1,699
Slanure spreaders 4 225
Mowing machines .57 1,920
Plows 208 1,208
Seed sowers 23 164
Other machines ... 357
Domestic Ariimals, etc. 866,516
Bees (swarnisof) 39 208
Bulls 11 605
Calves 54 445
Dogs 64 498
Ducks Ill 73
Guinea fowls 16 8
Heifers 98 1,936
Hens and chickens 9,174 7,014
Hogs 131 1,858
Horses 250 25,595
Milch cows 580 26,230
Oxen 9 760
Pigeons 250 48
Pigs 168 507
Turkeys 12 25
Other animals ... 806
Frnil Trees and Vinen. 526,208
Apple 4,865 10,092
Apricot 1 5
Butternut 6 47
Cherry 136 639
Chestnut 2 6
Crab-apple 54 116
Fig 14 140
Hickory 159 161
Mulb.-rry 4 4
Peach 459 496
Pear 2,040 6,954
48
Plum 102 ' *2
Quince 169 sen
Sbellbark 2 5
Walnut 10 23
Grape vines 672 938
AGGKEti.\TES.
Products. 8206,10*
Animal products 1£^07<6
CHotbiug, needle-work, etc fr.513'
Dairy products 5X^29
Food products 2,388
Greenlieuse products 13,900
Hothouse and hotbed products 435
liiquors and beverages 854
Nursery products 27
Poultry products 12,291
Wo id products 2,930
Woollen goods 6
Other products 951
Cereals 2,046
Fruits, berries and nuts - 6,164
Hay, straw and fodder 3:1,751
Meats and game 3,603
Vegetables 57,947
Properli/. $1,278,060
Land 585,991
Buildings 563,886
Machines, implements, etc 35,479
Domestic animals, etc 66,516
Fruit trees and vines 26,208
PoPCLATiox — VALi;.\TiON. — A resume of popula-
tion gives, —
In 1776,2754; 1790,3290; IfiiKi, :'.sk| ; l.Mii, 4605; 1520,4285; 1830,
4033 ; 1840, 4689 ; 1860, 6376 ; 1860, 6154 ; 1866, 6942 ; 1870, 6507 ; 1875,
7271 ; 1880, 8456 ; 1885, 9186.
The assessors' valuation of the public property of
the town in May, 1S87, was as follows ;
School-houses $145,000
Public library 10,000
other public buildings 115,000
Public grounds 25,000
Cemeteries 20,000
Other real estate 4,900
Water -works 565,451.85
Fire apparattis 25,000
Trust funds 4,300
Sinking fund 215,947.16
Other assets 25.000
Total gl,11.3,.';99.01
Aggregates for 1887, —
Number of persons assessed 3495
Number paying poll-tax only 1662
Paying property tax 1833
Polls assessed 2725
Total value of personal estate $5,269,325
Total value of bank stock 144,375
Total value of buildings, excluding land 3,856,645
Total value of land, excluding buiUUngs 5,016,775
Total valuation $14,287,100
The tax on personal estate $69,295.36
The tax on real estate 113,.579.62
The tax on polls 5,4.50.00
Total tax $188,324.88
Kate of taxation S12iiJV
754
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ISRAEL THORNDIKE.
Israel Thorndike was born in Beverly, Mass., in
1755. He was fifth in descent from John Thorndike,
who came to this country in 1633, and returned in
1668 on a visit to his brother, Herbert Thorndike, in
England, where he soon after died, and was buried on
November 3d of that year in the Cloisters of West-
minster Abbey. The Rev. Herbert Thorndike, above
referred to, was prebendary of Westminster and a
profound scholar and theologian. He wrote many
ecclesiastical works in English and Latin, some of
which are still of so much interest that they have
been recently republished. He died in 1672 and was
buried in Westminster Abbey. In his will he left
property to his nieces, Martha and Alice, daughters
of John, who had accompanied their father on his
visit to England, on condition, however, " that they
should neither return to New England, their birth-
place, nor yet, remaining in England, marry with any
who went to mass or to the new Licensed Con-
venticles."
These brothers, John and Herbert, were sons of
Francis Thorndike, who in 1634 signed the pedigree
for the first visitation of Heralds recorded in the
family, and were fifth in descent from William
Thorndike, who lived at Little Carlton, County of
Lincoln, in the reign of Henry VII., and died in
1539. The arms borne by the family were "Argent,
six guttees, three, two and one, gules, on a chief of
the last three leopards' faces, gold."
President Quincy, in his " History of Harvard
University," speaks of Israel Thorndike as follows ;
" He had in youth no advantages of education, ex-
cept those which the public schools of his native
town afforded, but he possessed, in the vigor of his
own mind, a never-failing spring of self-advancement.
The war of the American Revolution was an event
adapted to call into activity his powers and spirit of
enterprise. Embracing with zeal the cause of his
country, he became i)art-owner and captain of an
armed ship, and the judgment with which he planned
his cruises, and the intrepidity and diligence with
which he conducted them, were rewarded with dis-
tinguished success. Having entered into partnership
with his brother-in-law, the late Moses Brown, he
engaged, after the peace of 1783, in an extensive and
most profitable commerce with the East Indies and
China.^ Sagacity, judgment, industry, strict at-
tention to business, and thorough acquaintance with
the details of every commercial enterprise in which
he engaged, were the chief causes of his success. He
was also an early patron of manufactures, and in-
1 This partnership began during the W^ar of the Revolution, and ap-
parently continued till the close of the century. See also the biography
of MoHes Brown in this work.
vested, it was said, a greater amount of capital in
them than any otlier individual in New England.
" Mr. Thorndike was at different periods of his life a
member of the convention called for the adoption of
the Constitution of the United States, and a Repre-
sentative and Senator in the Legislature of his native
State. He was a generous contributor to all patriotic
and charitable objects, and often gave an active
agency in their support. In 1806 he subscribed five
hundred dollars for the foundation of the Natural
History Professorship in the University, and also the
same amount in 1818 for the library of the theological
school. In the same year, being informed that the
library of Professor Ebeling, of Hamburg, w'as for
sale, and that an agent of the King of Prussia was
negotiating for it, Mr. Thorndike ordered it to be
purchased at the cost of six thousand five hundred
dollars, and presented it to Harvard University,
thereby securing to his country one of the most com-
plete and valuable collections of works extant on
American history."
In 1810 Mr. Thorndike removed to Boston for the
greater convenience of carrying on his now immense
business in all parts of the world, and until his death
resided in Summer Street, in that city. " He was
eminently social in his feelings, and none more than he
delighted in dispensing a princely hospitality." But
he still retained his mansion in Beverly, afterwards
the Town Hall, passing a considerable portion of his
time there, ever manifesting a warm interest in the
welfare of his native town, and the first parish of
Beverly received from his estate an addition to its
funds of about twenty-six hundred dollars.
Mr. Thorndike died in May, 1832., He retained to
the last his great energy and activity, and left a large
fortune. Mr. Quincy, in allusion to an obituaiy no-
tice of Mr. Thorndike in the Boston Daily Advertiser
in May, 1832, after referring to his remarkable men-
tal powers, says that " when their influence is united,
as was his, with high moral powers, and exerted
during a long life on the side of virtue, and in pro-
moting the best interests of society, it is enduring,
and serves to give a character to the age in which
they live."
Mr. Thorndike was married three times. His first
wife was Mercy, daughter of Osmyn Trask, of Beverly.
By her he had one son, who died in infancy, and a
daughter, wife of Ebenezer Francis, an eminent mer-
chant in Boston. Mr. Thorndike's second wife, the
mother of his twelve other children, was Anna,
daughter of George Dodge, of Salem. He married
thirdly, in 1818, Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Joseph
Dana, of Newburyport. She survived him, and died
in 1845.
The accompanying engraving of the portrait of Mr.
Thorndike was made from the oil painting by Gilbert
Stuart, taken towards the end of his life.^
2 For most of the above see " Quincy's History of Harvard University,"
and " Stone's History of Beverly."
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3
BEVERLY.
755
MOSES BKOWS.
Moses Brown, of
Beverly, was born in
Wallhani, former!)- a
part of Watertowu,
Massachusetts, April
4, 1748. He was the
eldest surviving son of
Isaac Brown, a very
active business man,
who resided on Wal-
tham Phiin, and who
descended in the fifth
generation from Ab-
raham Browne, one of
the original settlers of
^ Watertown. Abraham
" I herebv certify that the above Arms and
Crist are those of Christopher BrpKTie. of jyas admitted freeman
Staiitford, Co, Lincoln, and of Tolethorpe,
Co Rutland, and of li is descendants. ^f Uf « c a Q f Vi 11 <lp 1" t «
tVidcc. 23, folio -r, and Grams U.,62r.)' "I M aS S a C n U SC [ l S
March 6, 1631-2, and
soon became promi-
nent in the place of
his adoption, receiv-
ing, as is manifest
from the early records
of the town, "import-
MeyroMa Csibi-Y- '^^v^J^jv,
" ant appointments and trusts more numerous than
" were conferred upon any other person." He was
descended, in the fifth generation, through the
Brownes of Swan Hall, Hawkedon, in Suffolk, Eng-
land, from Christopher Browne of Stamford, in Lin-
colnshire, and of Tolethorpe, Rutlandshire, who,
again, was descended, in the fifth generation, from
John Browne, a merchant of Stamford, and Alderman,
or chief magistrate, of that town in 1376, the office of
Mavor not having been created till 1663. Several
mortuary brasses of the fitmily, called by Fuller, in
his Worthies, "the ancient family of Brownes of Toll-
Thorp," still remain on the walls of the Church of All
Saints in Stamford, and on the floor of a chapel of the
same " proper to the family ", and also in the church
at Little Casterton, near Tolethorpe. The church of
All Saints, itself, was in great part rebuilt about the
year 1465 at the expense of John Browne, father of
Christopher Browne, above named ; and its beautiful
steeple was erected by Vv'illiara Browne, uncle of
Christopher. This William Browne, under a charter
dated 1485, also founded the "Browne Hospital or
Bead House " for the support of " twelve poor men,"
and endowed it liberally by grants of lands. This
institution still flourishes in Stamford, and, by the
large increase in the value of its land, the scope of
its charities has been greatly extended. The Manor
of Tolethorpe, near the village of Little Casterton, in
Rutlandshire, about three miles from Stamford, w'as
purchased by Christopher Browne, above named, of
the Burton family towards the end of the 15th centu-
ry, and thenceforth continued to be the seat of the head
of the family until into the present century, a period of
nearly four hundred years. About thirty years ago it
was sold, and the ancient stone manor house is now
owned and occupied by Charles Ormston Eaton,
Esq., a prominent banker of Stamford, who kindly en-
tertained there the writer of this article in the sum-
mer of 1886. Mr. Eaton has added wings to the
5^-)§rlSf' f^W
SIAXSIOX OF MOSES BKOWX, iJKVERl.Y, MASS.
756
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
original mansion, but has otherwise carefully pre-
served this venerable structure, as nearly as possi-
ble, in the condition in which ;he found it. A
wood-cut copied from a photograph of the house,
before its recent alterations, is inserted; together
with wood-cuts fi-om photographs of the church of
All Saints, and of the Bead House. The two large
wiudows, at the further end of the latter building,
are those of the little chapel in which the "twelve
poor men" are required to attend daily services.
The rest of the building is occupied by two large
halls, the whole structure forming one side of an
interior quadrangle on which are the residences of
the beneficiaries.
The three mascles, in the coat of arms given at
the beginning of this article, were granted, together
with the crest and motto, to Christopher Browne, above
mentioned, July ^0, 1480 ; but are here combined
with a still earlier grant to the family of the three
mallets with a slightly different crest, which latter
coat and crest are cut in stone on the walls of the
Bead House. The original parchment grant to Chris-
topher still exists, and is in the possession of Freder-
ick Sayres Browne of Norwich, England. It is a curi-
ous bit of old French, and is printed in full in the
Heraldic Journal, Vol. IV., page 146. The herald,
Mr. Alfred Scott Gatty, of the Heralds" College,
London, stated to the writer that he knew of but
one other instance where two grants of arms had
been made to the same family.
Moses Brown, the subject of this memoir, was fitted
for Harvard College by his maternal uncle, the Rev.
Thomas Balch of Dedham, and graduated in 1768.
He taught school for three or four years in Framing-
ham, Lexington and Lincoln, and then settled in
Beverly as a merchant, in the autumn of 1772. The
cause of American Independence was warmly es-
poused by him, and a commission, dated August 7,
1775, signed by James Warren, President of the Pro-
vincial Congress, appointed him Captain of a com-
pany enlisted by him in Beverly, under a commission
dated July 11th of the same year. In January 1770
he joined the line of the American army as Captain in
the fourteenth regiment, Colonel John Glover, under
a commission dated January 1, 1776, and signed by
John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress^
This regiment, of which many of the privates were
seamen, and which is accordingly called the "Am-
phibious Regiment " by Irving in his Life of Wash-
ington, did good service at Brooklyn in ferrying over
the army to New York when it was obliged to evacu-
ate Brooklyn Heights. It also performed similar ser-
vice for the army on its crossing the Delaware, pre-
liminary to the battle of Trenton, in which it took a
prominent part. Captain Brown's Orderly Book '
1 The followiug extmct. from this hook, in commendation of Col.
Glover's command for its gallant attack upon Sir William Howe Oct. IS,
177fi, on his march to New Rochelle, ina.v be of interest, as showing the
beginning in January 1776, kept with his characteris-
tic neatness and exactness, is still preserved by his
descendants, together with his sword, field-glass and
commissions. At the expiration of the term of enlist-
ment of his company he returned to Beverly, where he
resumed his business with his partner and brother in
law, Israel Thorndike, and some of the vessels of
" Brown and Thorndike," transformed from their
peaceful character as merchantmen into armed ships,
continued the patriotic work which Captain Brown
had begun in the field, and did good service to his
country.
After the close of the war, Mr. Brown continued to
be energetically and successfully engaged in com-
merce until the year 1800, when he retired from ac-
tive business with what was, for those days, an am-
ple fortune. His house on the main street of Bev-
erly, in which, together with Mr. Thorndike, he
resided for several years, and until the latter erected
a separate mansion, afterwards the Town Hall, is still
standing, is a good specimen of the Colonial resi-
dences of the better class. Of this also, a wood-cut,
taken from a photograph, is inserted. Here, for many
years, Mr. Brown dispensed a generous hospitality, J
and paid much attention to the cultivation of fruit |
and flowers in the ample garden belonging to his
house. The noble elms, which still adorn the main
street of Beverly, were also set out by him. He was
largely instrumental in the construction of Essex
Bridge, between Beverly and Salem, and also of the
Salem and Boston Turnpike, the latter having been
constructed under his personal supervision. In both
of these enterprises he was among the largest orig-
inal proprietors. He was a Federalist of the Wash-
ington school, was a member of the Massachusetts
Legislature, and one of the Presidential Electors in
1808. " His nuinuers were dignified and courteous.
He always took an important j)art in public enterpri- J
ses." President Quincy, in his History of Harvard 1
University, says ofhim that " Pie united integrity with
benevolence, was exemplary in all social and domestic
character anil nsefiilness of the Essex troops and the esteem in which
they were held.
" Orders for Gen. Lee's Division, Mile Sqnare, Oct. 10, 177G. Gen. Lee
"returns his warmest thanks to Col. Glover and the Brigade under his
" command, not only for their gallant behavior yesterday, but, for their
" prudent, cool, orderly and soldierlike conduct in all respects, he as-
" Bures these brave men that he shall omit no opportunit.v of shewing his
" gratitude. All the wotLnded to be sent immediately to Valentine's hill
"at the second Liberty Pole, where surgeons should repair to dress tbem.
'• They are afterwards to be forwarded to Fott Washington." And, two
"days later, Washington issued general orders as follows, "Headquar-
" ters 21 Oct. 177C. The hurried sitnatii)n of the Genel'al for the last two
" days, having prevented him from paying that attention to Col. Glover
"and the officei-8 and soldiers who were with him in the skirmish on
" Friday last that their merit and good behavior deserved, he flatters
" himself that his thanks, tho' delayed, will nevertheless be acceptable
" to them, as they are offered with great sincerity and cordiality. .\t
" the same time he hopes that every other part of the ariny will do
" their duty with equal bravery and zeal whenever called upon; and
'* neither dangers, nor difliculties nor hardships will discourage soldiers
"engaged in the cause of liberty, anrl while we are conteiidin.g for all
" that freemen hold dear and valuable."
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BEVERLY.
757
relations, ami a generous contributor to public and
private eharities and associations." [n his will he
bequeathed two thousand dollars to the Theological
School at Cambridge connected with the College, to
be applied in any way that " will best promote the
cause of Christianity, and the design and utility of
this religious establishment." He deceased June loth,
1820, and his funeral sermon was preached by his
friend and pastor, the Rev. Abiel Abbott of Beverly,
lie married first Oct. IG, 177-t, Elizabeth, daughter of
Osniyn Trask of Beverly. >^he died without issue,
and he married secondly, May 3d, 1789, Mary, daugh-
ter of the Rev. Matthew Bridge of Framingham, Har-
vard College 1741, and grand-daughter of the Rev.
Daniel Perkins of Bridgewater, Harvard College 1717.
His children were first, Charles, born in Beverly, May
24, 1793, who graduated at Harvard College in 1S12.
He then studied law and was admitted to the bar, but
never practised his profession. He .soon removed to
Boston, where, for some years, he was engaged in busi-
ness. During the latter part of his life he was much
interested in genealogical jmrsuits, and was largely
instrumental in tracing his ancestors in this country
to their origin in England. He returned to the for-
mer spelling of the name by resuming the final c. He
married Dec. 14, 1825, Elizabeth Isabella Tilden, and
died in Boston, July 21, lSo6, leaving three children,
Harriet Tilden, Francis Perkins and Edward Inger-
soll Browne (Harvard College 18o5) all now living.
The name of the old firm has, of late years, been re-
vived by the association of Edward Ingersoll Browne
with Charles Thorndike, grandson of Israel, as part-
ners in the law business, under the name of Browne
and Thorndike of Boston, in which city they have
long been established.
The second and only other child of Moses Brown,
except one who died in infancy, was George, born
Nov. 24, 1799. For several years he was a captain in
the merchant service. In 1843 he was appointed Com-
missioner to the Sandwich Islands, and, with his eld-
est son, was lost at sea on a voyage to fUiina in August,
1846. He married, Dec. 9, 1821, his cousin, Harriet
Bridge by whom he had several children, all of wliom
have deceased, his two sons Samuel and Moses alone
leaving issue.'
ANDREW PRESTON PEABODY, D.D., LL.D.
Dr. Peabody is descended from Lieutenant Francis
Peabody, who was born in 1614 in St. Albans, Hert-
fordshire, England, and came to New England in tlie
ship '"Planter'' in 1635, settling in Lynn, and later,
in 1638, in Hampton, Old Norfolk County, subse-
1 See Uond's Oenealogies .and Histor.v of Watertown ; Stone's "ITistoi-y
of Beverly " ; Qnincy's "Hiatoryof Harvard University"; tlie New
England Hist, and Genealogical Register for January 18S.^) ; ttie Heraldic
Journai, Boatun 1S65 ; Wright's " History of RntlandBhire " ; Blore's
" History of Riitlandsbire ;" and Drakard's " Hiatory of Stamford."*
* By Edward I. Browne.
quently to which time he became an inhabitant of
Topsfield, where, in 1657, he married Mary Foster,
dying February 19, 1697-98. He is the American
ancestor of a numerous and honorable posterity in
Essex County and elsewhere, among whom the dis-
tinguished philanthropist, George Peabody of London,
is e.specially to be named.
Lieutenant 'Francis Peabody's son Joseph, born in
1644, who lived in Boxford, was the father of ^Zeru-
babel, born February 26, 1707, who lived in Middle-
ton, married Lydia Fuller February 21, 1733, and was
the father of ^Andrew, born July 21, 1745, married
Ruth Curtis December 13, 1769, lived in Middleton,
and died October 14, 1813. His son ^Andrew, born
February 29, 1772, married Mary Rantoul, sister of ^
Hon. Robert Rantoul, Sr., of Beverly, at Salem, "
May 30, 1808, lived in Beverly, where he kept the
grammar school and was a teacher of repute, and died
December 19,1813. The subject of this sketch was
born in Beverly March 19, 1811. In a reminiscence
contributed to a series of autobiographical articles by
eminent men (published in the Formn for July, 1887)
he has himself unconsciously disclosed the dominant
chord in his own character, while describing the
Spartan educational methods of tlie earlier years in
this century : —
" J learned to read before I was three years old, and foremost among
the hooks that have helped nie I must put Webster's 'Sjielling-book.' I
knew the old lexicographer. He was a good man, but hard, dry, unsen-
timental. I do imt suppose that in his earliest reading-lessons for cliil-
dren he had any ulterior purpose beyond shaping sentences composed of
words consisting of three letters and less. But while I believe in the
inspiration of propheta and apostles, I agree with the ("hristian fathers
of tlie .\lexantlrian school in extending the theory of inspiration far
beyond the (_so called) canon of Scripture, and I cannot but think that a
divine aftlatns breathed upon the soul of Noah Webster wlien he framed,
as the first sentence on which the infant mind shoidd concentrate its
nascent capacity of ct>nibining letters into words, and which thus by
long study and endless repetition must needs deposit itself in umlying
memory, ' No man can put ofl" the law of God.' When I toiled day after
day on tliis sentence, I probably had no idea of ita meaning ; but there
is nothing better for a child than to learn by rote and to fix in enduring
remembrance words which thus sown deep, will blossom into fruitful
meaning with growing years. Since I began to think and feel oti sub-
jects within the province of ethics, this maxim has never been out uf my
mind. I have employed it as a text for my experience and obseivatioEi.
It is a fundamental truth in my theology. It underlies my moral phi-
lofiopby. It has nmlded my ethical teaching in the pulpit iuid the rlass-
rooni, in utterance aud print."
From his si.xth year until lie entered college, he
sujiplied himself " with books from a library ot sev-
eral hundred very good books, the proprietors of
which were assessed fifty cents a year."' His earliest
teacher, to whom he owed much, was Miss Joanna "
Prince, who later married Ebenezer Everett, of Bruns-
wick, Me., and was the mother of Prof. Charles Car-
roll Everett. He was also a pupil of Miss Hannah
Hill in the first Sunday-school in the United States,
which these two ladies had gathered in Beverly, and
had the satisfaction later of teaching Miss Hill Greek
in her <dd age, in fulfillment of her desire to read the
New Testament in the original tongue. A child of
\ precocions promise, he wiis on the point of being sent
758
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to Exeter Academy, when the wise minister, Dr.
Abbot, persuaded his mother to have him prepared
for college at home under the teaching of Mr. Bernard
Whitman, who was then pursuing his studies for the
Unitarian ministry with that distinguished clergy-
man, and he was fitted for college in a year, passing
the examinations for the Freslmian class in 1823, and
returning to live in Beverly under the same teaching
another twelvemonth, in which he went over the
studies of the first two years of the college course,
returning again to (Jambridge to join the Junior class
in August, 1824, and graduating in 1826, in the same
class with his cousin, Hon. Robert Rantoul, Jr. No
less than fourteen members of this class entered the
Christian ministry, among them the theologian Oliver
Stearns, the eloquent preacher George Putnam, and
Neheraiah Adams, the Calvinistic divine. His father
had set him apart for the ministry, as far as it could
be done, by a request on his death-bed, but the boy
wlio had graduated at fifteen, finishing his academic
course at an earlier age than any other graduate of
Harvard College, with the possible exception of Paul
Dudley and Cotton Mather, was too young to begin
his theological studies, and the following three years
were spent, the fir.st in study at Beverly, teaching in
the winter the same district school in Middleton
where his father had first taught, the second as private
tutor in the family of Mr. Huidekoper, of Meadville,
Pa., where not a few eminent men have both given
and received much, in a home of patriarclial simplic-
ity and manorial beauty, and the third in teaching in
the academy at Portsmouth, N. H. In 1829 he en-
tered the Cambridge Divinity School, graduating from
it in 1832. The next year was spent as college tutor of
Hebrew and mathematics at Cambridge. At this time
his first publication appeared, "Address on Taxation,"
being No. 1, Vol. 1, of the " Workingmen's Library."
President Quincy desired to secure Mr. Peabody
for permanent academic service. He had, however,
been preaching in various places during the year, be-
ing called to settle over churches in Fall Elver and
Framingham, and accepted an invitation to become
minister of the South Parish in Portsmouth, N. H.,
as colleague with the Rev. Nathan Parker, D.D., one
of the most honored clergymen of his time in New-
England, whose lofty character, distinguished alike
for wisdom and for goodness, has left an abiding mark
upon that intelligent Christian community. Mr.
Peabody took charge of that pulpit September 1,
1833. His previous year spent in Portsmouth as a
teacher had brought him into such personal relations
with Dr. Parker as to make him appreciate, as a spe-
cial privilege, the opportunity of laboring in such
companionship, but the hope was sadly disappointed,
as Dr. Parker's rapidly failing health did not even
permit him to take part in the ordination of his col-
league and successor in October, 1833, and his death
a few days later left the young clergyman alone in
charge of a most important parish.
The South Church, which was the second in Ports-
mouth, had its origin, as was the case in many of the
older parishes in New England, in a dissension about
the best locality for a new meeting-house. It early
leaned to Arminianism, while the North Church, long
under the ministry of the elder Buckminster, held
fast to the more strict theology ; and at the separation
of the Congregational body in the earlier years of
this century, the former had become a leading parish
in the " Unitarian movement." Under the serious
evangelical preaching of Dr. Parker, it had been
strengthened and increased in numbers till not long
before his death it had built one of the most beautiful
and costly stone churches of the time in New Eng-
land, which was filled with worshipers. This respons-
ible charge was borne by the young minister, and
prospered in his hands. The further increase of the
congregation, to the number of two hundred and fifty
families, made it necessary to enlarge the church ; a
handsome chapel was built for the large and flourish-
ing Sunday school, and all the signs of professional
success in a high degree were evident.
On September 12, 1836, Mr. Peabody was married
to Catherine Whipple, daughter of Edmund Roberts,
of Portsmouth, who, as Envoy of the United States
Government, negotiated the first treaty between this
country and Siam and Cochin China, the journal of
whose travels in I'emote Eastern lands, at that time
almost unvisited, was published after his death, which
took place in 1837, while abroad on public business.
Of the eight children of this marriage, two sons and
two daughters died in early childhood, and four
daughters are living. Mrs. Peabody died in Novem-
ber, 18C9.
The Portsmouth pulpit, as filled by Mr. Peabody,
was metropolitan to New Hampshire. While the
most important part of a faithful minister's labors is
silent and hidden in the endless round of pastoral
duty, the calls to public services outside his parish
multiplied upon him in the educational and charita-
ble duties which fall in such a community to the
minister of a prosperous and influential congregation.
He early became a trustee of Exeter Academy, hold-
ing that position for forty-three years. One of the
earliest of the many addres-es which he gave on aca-
demic occasions, that on "Conversation: its faults
and its graces," delivered before the Newburyport
Female High School, and first printed in 1846, be-
came a classic on the subject. Meantime, in the re-
ligious discussions which were being earnestly carried
on in the Unitarian Church, Mr. Peabody soon be-
came a recognized leader, in 1845 giving the address
before the Senior class in the Cambridge Divinity
School on " Anti-Supernaturalism," and being widely ^
known as a preacher of positive spiritual Christianity.
In 1844 he published " Lectures on Christian Doc-
trine," which became a handbook of the belief of the
evangelical portion of the religious body to which he
belonged, while a wider congregation than his Ports-
BEVEKLY.
759
mouth parish \v:is addressed by his " Christian Con-
solations: sermons designed to furnish comfort and
strength to the afflicted," of which the first of many
editions was published in 1846, and by his "Sermons
to Children," published in 1807. He also was an ed-
itor of the Chrisfian Register for two years.
In 18.52 he received from Harvard College the de-
gree of Doctor of Divinity. During all this period
he was a frequent contril)Utor to the C'hrix/ian Exam-
iner and the Niirth American Review, and in 1852 he
became proprietor and editor of the latter publica-
tion, which duties he retained till 1863, when he
was succeeded by Professors Lowell and Nortim.
The invitation to the IMuninier professorship of the
heart and of Christian morals in Harvard College
found Dr. Peabody in a happy and successful ministry
at Portsmouth, over a parish to whom he was bound
by ties of mutual attachment, such as no other call
could have been strong enough to break. He had
seen the first generation of his people pass away and
give place to children and grandchildren, who.se feel-
ing toward him was not lessened by his removal to
the large sphere of duties which Cambridge offered.
On September 1, 1860, he assumed the Plumnier pro-
fessorshij), and when, after a generation had inter-
vened, on September 1, 1883, the fiftieth anniversary
of his settlement at Portsmouth was celelirated by his
former parish, it was with a joy and sympathy not
dimmed by the lapse of time.
The new work on which Dr. Peabody now entered,
as successor to the Rev. Frederick Dan. Hunting-
ton, D.D., was waiting to be shaped by him into a
large and unicpie o{)portunity of service and influ-
ence. The wise munificence of Miss Caroline Plum-
mer, of Salem, had been led to endow the "Professor-
ship of the Heart and of Christian Morals," by the
conviction that the " dry light" and unsympathetic
methods of college training needed to be sufl'nsed
with the warmth and glow of a personal influence,
exerted by a Christian minister of wide and ready
sympathy, hearty interest in young men and belief
in them, not a teacher only nor a preacher only,
though both of these he was to be, but one who
should find what po.ssibilities existed in Harvard Col-
lege for the function of pastor to the most ditticult
class of persons in the world to reach, — youths of the
student age. It had been the conviction of this ex-
cellent lady that such a place could be created and
filled by a wise, devout scholar, in whom the weight
of genuine character and the persuasiveness and charm
of Christian faith should be a "living epistle, known
and read of all men," but no one could have ventured
to anticipate the way in which Dr. Peabody was to
grow into the place and the place to grow round him,
or the degree in which his influence was destined to
]iervade the Cambridge atmosphere like sunshine, do-
ing more perhaps than any other single cause to sof-
ten arul change the temjier of mutual antagonism and
mutual distrust which largely aflected the relations of
the faculty and the students. This condition of
things was, of course, not without shining exceptions
on both sides, and as a survival from the semi-me-
devial conditions of the college in Puritan times.
The years of Dr. Peabody's incumbency of the one
position which was created to be mediatorial between
the two elements, witnessed a change for the better
greater than had been wrought in the two previous
centuries. This process went on side by side with the
great enlargement of the college on all sides, trans-
forming it into a veritable university, with the free-
dom and opportunity of the elective system ; and it is
not too much to say that Dr. Peabody's presence and
influence at Cambridge did more than any other
thing to inspire confidence in the whole community
that these changes would only give opportunity for
growth in Christian manhood, and leave the college
freer to become a training-school in virtue and good-
ness and faith. The proper official work of the Plum-
raer profe.-sorship had included the duties of preacher
to the university and some slight teaching of each
class at the beginning of the Freshman and at the
end of the Senior year, while the pulpit services were
lightened by being assumed by the president (when
he was a clergyman) on one Sunday of each nuinth.
E.xcept during the presidency of Dr. Hill, however,
the burden of the University pulpit now fell wholly
upon Dr. Peabody, and for twenty-one years was so
borne as to keep that distinguished place at the
height of its reputation, as the voice in sacred things
of the mother and chief of American colleges.
The degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon
Dr. Peabody bj' the University of Rochester in 1863.
The publications of Dr. Peabody during the period
after his removal to Cambridge may be in part noted
here. In 1861 he delivered and published a course of
lectures before the Lowell Institute, entitled " Chris-
tianity the Religion of Nature," and in 1873 a
volume of sermons on "Christian Belief and Life."
Besides a multitude of single sermons, lectures, ora-
tions, discussions in the influential reviews of great
questions of public interest and memoirs of distin-
guished persons, the following volumes have also been
given to the public by him: "Manual of Moral
Philosophy," 1872; "Christianity and Science," a
serios of lectures delivered in New York, in 1874, on
the Ely fouudation of the Union Theological Semi-
nary, 1874. The Baccalaureate sermons which he
preached to successive classes on the Sunday before
commencement, and which were long a marked fea-
ture of the academic life, were gathered up in a vol-
ume embracing those preached in successive years,
from 1861 to 1883, when the emeritus professor might
well have supposed that his long service in the inter-
esting duty wiis ended, but in 1885 and 1886 the grad-
uating classes still felt that from no other could they
ask the farewell word in behalf of their alma mater. A
part of the fruit of his ethical instruction in the divinity
school and in the college appeared in his translations
760
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of Cicero's De Officiis, De Senectute, De Amicitia,
and the Tusculan Disputations, published in 1883,
1884 and 1886, and of Phitarch's De Sera Numinis
Vindicta, published in 1885. In 1887 he published
further fruits of liis college teaching in the valuable
work on Moral Pliilosophy, which embodies a portion
of the lectures given by him to the senior class in col-
lege and in the Divinity School at Meadville, Pa.
The Cambridge life devolved upon Dr. Peabody, be-
yond the duties of his professorship, not a few sucli
obligations as seek a public-spirited citizen with
heavy demand upon his time. On the school com-
mittee he gave many years of service, and in other
matters which furthered the cause of good govern-
ment of the city, he was never backward. Only an
exceptional eudowraeiit of health and a bodily frame
strong as iron which was able to bear h.abitnal labor
ftir into the small hours of the night, could have en-
dured the toil.
As a teacher, the work which fell into his strong
and willing hands naturally broadened more and
more. The subject of ethics belonged strictly to his
department as religious teacher to the university, but
in addition he taught logic, political economy until
the appointment of Professor Dunbar, and had the
care of the senior forensics for some years, also filling
gaps when they occurred in the college and in the
divinity school. A portion of this labor bore fruit in
several of his printed works.
Meantime, the friendly and fatherly relation in
which he stood to tlie students had beneficent re-
sults. When the wise generosity of Mr. Nathaniel
Thayer provided the means for reviving in a better
form the old " Commons," furnishing good food to
the great mass of the students for a moderate sum,
the task of organizing this large enterprise and of its
supervision for a considerable time was undertaken
by Dr. Peabody until he had proved that it was a
wise experiment and had established it on a perma-
nent basis at the public tables of Memorial Hall. The
thoughtful and abounding private chariiies which
sought his aid as almoner in finding and relieving
needy students who deserved such aid, a form of col-
lege benefit which escapes all public record, were
very great in amount and were alone sulficient to oc-
cupy much of the time of a busy man. It would be
impossible to overstate the quantity and quality of his
service in personal and private relations as adviser
and confidential friend to the multitude of young men
who sought his help in any kind of trouble and never
sought in vain. For all this the unsolicited reward
of a love and veneration, such as it is the privilege of
few to win, was poured fortli upon him. No one can
have heard without a thrill the cheers, ringing witli
the enthusiasm of youth and of personal affection and
rising again and again as if they would never cease,
which greeted the mention of his name or welcomed
his presence on all public occasions of the university.
The Plummer professorship also offered an oppor-
tunity to bring the university into religious relations
with the whole community by making its pulpit not
the j)roperty of a single sect, but hospitable to all
branches of the Protestant Church, which Dr. Pea-
body's large and sympathetic C'hristian temper ful-
filled to tlie utmost. While himself recognized as a
leader in his own denomination, he had the gift of
winning the Christian fellowship and conciliating by
his own reconciling spirit the friendly respect of
churchmen of all names, welcoming them to the col-
lege chapel and being welcomed as a preacher in
their pulpits, while he was sought to give addresses on
the public days of the theological schools of Newton,
Bangor and Andover, representing various Christian
bodies; and the catholic system of administration ol
religion in Harvard University, introduced in 1885,
in which a group of the ablest preachers of ditferent
churches are associated in the care of spiritual interests
which are recognized to be so large and various as to
demand their united care, is the legitimate outgrowth
of the spirit in which Dr. Peabody admitted this great
religious opportunity.
The most important part of Dr. Peabody's i)ublic
services at Cambridge still remains to be mentioned.
The death of President Felton, in February, 1862, not
only removed his closest personal friend in the col-
lege, but devolved upon him most laborious and re-
sponsible duties as head of the university, being ap-
pointed by the corporation acting president, and dis-
charging the duties of that office until the installation
of President Hill late in the following autumn. On
the resignation of Dr. Hill, in September, 1868, he
was again called to the same responsibility, and con-
tinued to preside over the university until the inaug-
uration of President Eliot. His administration as
acting president thus covered two periods, amounting
in all to about two years, while he was specially as-
sociated with the counsels of his immediate prede-
cessors in the office, and in the plans which marked
their administrations and which resulted in the aboli-
tion of the old " hazing " system and the introduction
of a healthier spirit of mutual regard in tlie instruc-
tors and students, and the fir^t broadening out of the
college curriculum beyond its narrow limit by intro-
ducing the elective system. The success of Dr. Pea-
body as an administrator was marked, and it seemed
natural that he should have been elected to the per-
manent ineuml>ency of the office which he adorned ;
the strong secular tendency in college affairs had,
however, predetermined that the office should not be
held in any event by a clergyman.
In tliese very important duties Dr. Peabody re-
mained at his post for twenty-one years, with an in-
terval of travel in Europe from June, 1867, to March,
1868, which he accomplished by compressing the
work of two terms into that of a single one after his
return, and of which he published, in 1868, a record
in his "Reminiscences of European Travel." A
briefer visit to Russia, and the neighboring countries
iyAN.RitCii^-
.^fc^_
I
BEVERLY.
761
in which he shared the hospitalities enjoyed by Gen-
eral Grant, was made by him in the summer of 1876,
and a longer sojourn in Europe with his family after
rosi.sning the Plummer professorship, from June,
1881, to September, 18.82. His resignation had gone
into effect after the commencement of 1881, but he
was at once appointed professor emeritus, retiring
from the burdens of his official position, but in no
sense from his place in the heart of the college nor
from the opportunities of service which awaited him.
The key-note of Dr. Peabody's public services is
given in the paper already quoted, where he men-
tions three biographies to which he has been specially
indebted. The first is that of Xiebuhr :
" If I have been able, in things secular and sacred, as to reports of cur-
rent and records of past events, to steer a safe way between credulity
and skepticism, I owe it in great part, not to Niebuhr's ' History of
Rome.' but to the virtual autobiography that gives shape and vividness
to his ' Memoir.' If I remember aright, bo expressed his contldence in
the .substantial authenticity of our canonical gospels, and, however this
may be, I owe largely to him my tirm faith and trust in them,
" I would next name the ' Life of Thomas .\rnold.' When I read it I
was pastor of a large parish, with many young persons under my charge
and iutluence, and I was at the same time chairman of a school-board.
I liad no need of .\rnold to awaken my sympathy with young life, hut
iie has helped me to understand it better, alul to minister more intelli-
gently and etficiently to its needs and cravings. His ' Rugby Sermons'
have a great charm for mc, and while I have not been guilty of the ab-
surd and vain attempt to imitate them, I have felt their inspiration both
in the pulpit and in the lecture-room. I have also, in a large and diver-
sified experience in educational trusts and offices, felt myself constantly
instructed, energized and encouraged by .\rnold.
"My third biography is that of Dr. Chalmers, fruitful of beneficent
example in more directions than could be easily specified, but to me of
peculiar service in his relation to poverty in Glasgow, with its attendant
evils and vices In his mode of relieving want in person and in kind,
of bringing preventive measures to bear on the potential nurseries of
crime, and of enlisting the stronger in the aid and comfort of the feebler
members of the community, I found many valuable suggestions for the
local charities which came under my direction while I was a parish
minister."'
It is allotted to few men to fulfil with conspicuous
ability so many and various kinds of public service as
have fallen to the lot of Dr. Peabody. As a parish
minister, building up his church in the prosperity of
numbers and in the better welfare of a spiritual growth,
never stronger in his hold on the affections of his
people than when he parted from them, and always
remaining the pastor of their affectionate regard ; as
a preacher, devout, earnest, persuasive, a powerful
expounder of the truth of the gospel, and never more
eflective or listened to with more interest than in the
years after he had passed threescore and ten; as a
theologian, strong in his grasp and luminous in his
statement of the central verities of Christianity ; as an
ethical and moral teacher, lucid, eloquent and con-
vincing; as the incumbent of the most difficult posi-
tion in Harvard College, turning its difficulties into
unrivalled opportunities and creating an exceptional
work ; as a successful administrator, numbered among
the honored heads of the university ; it has been his
to win the love and reverence of the successive gen-
erations among whom his work has been wrou.ht
from youth to age.
WILLIAM AND ALBERT THORXDIKE.
The Thorndikes of America are descended from a
Lincolnshire family, at one time lords of the manor
of Little Carlton. The first recorded signature of
pedigree was made at the visitation of Heralds, in
the year 1634; but the pedigree itself is traced at least
a hundred and fifty years earlier, to the middle or
end of the fifteenth century. The ancestor of the
American family was John Thorndike, who was one
of the twelve associates of John Winthrop, Jr., by
whom the first permanent settlement at Ipswich was
commenced, in 1633. John Thorndike was the
brother of Herbert Thorndike, Prebendary of West-
minster, a distinguished clergyman of the Church of
England. It is not probable that John Thorndike's
emigration proceeded from religious motives. He
never joined a New England Church, he sent his
only son to England, to be baptized by his uncle, the
prebendary, and he himself went back to England to
die, and was buried by the side of liis brother, in the
cloisters of Westminster. He had passed thirty-
years in America. From Ipswich he went to
" Brooksby " (now Peabody), where he is mentioned
in 1636 as a grantee of a hundred acres of land. This
grant he relinquished the same year for one of a
hundred acres in Beverly, then a part of Salem, and
in the following year his holding was enlarged to a
hundred and eighty-five acres, extending back from
the shore at the point afterwards called " Paul's
Head," from his son Paul.
Paul Thorndike was prominent in the town affairs
of Beverly, and discharged the various offices of se-
lectman, captain of the military company, deputy to
the General Court and the like. But he, like his
father, never became a member of a New England
Church, and not until ten years after his death did
his oldest son, John, the first Puritan in the fiimily,
make " public profession." Paul's three sons, John,
Paul and Herbert, probably lived upon the land
which had come to them through their father from
their grandfather. But they all had numerous chil-
dren, and the parental acres gradually departed from
the family under a series of petty subdivisions and
alienations. Nothing now remains to indicate the
original ownership but the mere name "Paul's
Head."
Of the generations which followed the first two in
Beverly, most of the members were sailors. As Haw-
thorne picturesquely says of his own ancestors,
" From father to son for above a hundred years
they followed the sea; a grey-headed shipmaster in
each generation retiring from the quarter deck to the
home.'-tead, while a boy of fourteen took the heredi-
tary place before the mast, confronting the salt spray
and the gale which had blustered against his sire and
grandsire. The boy also, in due time, passed from
the forecastle to the cabin, spent a tempestuous man-
hood and returned from his world-wanderings to grow
ohl and die and mingle his du^t with his natal earth."
762
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Nicholas Thornilike, the father of the subjects of
the present sketch, was born in 1764. He began his
seafaring life early enough to be captured in the
Revolution by a British cruiser, and to have a short
experience of the Jersey Prison Ship. He passed his
youth as a sailor and shipmaster, retired in middle
life with a moderate competency and spent the re-
mainder of his days in mercantile pursuits in Bever-
ly. Except that he commanded a volunteer company
of artillery during the War of 1812, and that he occa-
sionally represented Beverly in the General Court, he
held uo public office. He was a man whose strong
sense and sound judgment in affairs commanded the
respect of the community. He was, moreover, like
many shipmasters of his day, not without a smack of
literary cultivation. The deck of a ship in the trade
winds gives great opportunity for general or special
reading, and one is sometimes astonished at discover-
ing the sort of books which accompanied our sailors
on their voyage.
Captain Thorndike's wife was Mehetabel Rea,
whom he married in 1789. She was the daughter of
Captain Joseph Rea, a man of some local note in the
Revolution, an efficient member of the Committee of
Correspondence and the commander of a company
from Beverly and Lynn, sent to the aid of Washing-
ton in New Jersey. Mrs. Thorndike passed the quiet,
uneventful life of a sailor's wife, occupied at home
with the care and education of her children, while
her husband was employed abroad. She lived until
her youngest son was nine years old, and died at the
early age of forty. She was little known beyond her
own family, but the remembrance of her pure relig-
ious character, her love and her many virtues, con-
stantly appears in the affectionate allusions of her
children. Of this marriage there were four children,
of whom two were daughters ; Hitty, who married
Thomas Stephens, Jr. (Harvard 1810), a well-known
lawyer and town officer of Beverly, and Clara, the
wife of Asa Rand (Dartmouth 1806), a clergyman of
some prominence as a preacher and editor, and of
more as an early Abolitionist and friend of Garrison
and George Thompson.
William Thorndike, the oldest son of Nicholas and
Mehetabel, was born in Beverly January 22, 1795.
His earliest book learning was obtained in the excel-
lent schools of his native town. In the formation of
his character, kindly and manly, and at the same
time of a certain strictness which sat upon him not
ungracefully in after life, one may trace the precepts
and example of his excellent mother. From Beverly
he passed to Phillips Exeter Academy in 1807, where
he spent three years under the tuition of the famous
teacher. Dr. Benjamin Abbot. He entered Harvard
College as a Sophomore in 1810, and was graduated
in 1813. He was faithful in his studies as in all
things, took an excellent rank in his class and was a
member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, whose rib-
bon was then, as now, a badge of scholarship. But he
was also of social disposition, and his name appears
on the rolls of several of the clubs devoted to good
fellowship and conviviality. On leaving college he
entered his name as a student in the office of the emi-
nent jurist, Nathan Dane, and was admitted to the
Essex Bar in 1816. While a law student he gave
some attention to military art, and was Ihe first cap-
tain of the Light Infantry Company, which succeeded
in 1814, the Artillery Company, commanded by his
father during the war. In 1816, the year of his ad-
mission to the bar, he delivered in Beverly, the
Fourth of July oration. In the autumn of that year
he opened an office in Bath, Me., and commenced the
practice, so often discouraging, of a young lawyer.
Maine was not a wealthy State, commerce was dull
and there were more lawyers than business. But he
persevered, and probably had a fair share of what
business there was. He also applied himself to the
study of politics, history and political economy, wrote
articles for the newspapers, delivered, in 1818, the
Fourth of July oration at Brunswick and published
a series of essays upon the constitutional struggles in
the Pyreniean Peninsula and Italy. The death of
his father in 1821 left him in comfortable pecuniary
circumstances, and in the autumn of that year he
married Nancy Stephens, a sister of his brother-in-
law, Thomas Stephens.
His wife, a most lovely person, to whom he was de-
votedly attached, died in less than two years from
their marriage. Her death was followed by a period
of depression, during which he was completely un-
fit for active life. He abandoned his profession,
never to resume it, and in the autumn of 1823 re-
turned to his old home in Beverly.
Here his interest in affairs gradually revived. With
the means inherited from his father, he pursued wdth
success various mercantile enterprises. He was upon
the board of the banking and insurance corporations
of the place and active in its charities. He also gave
much time to town affairs, as selectman, overseer of
the poor, moderator of town-meetings and the like.
In matters of education he was especially earnest, did
much good work upon the School Committee and was
one of the early promoters of the Debating Society
and Lyceum, before which he delivered several care-
fully prepared lectures.
In 1826 and 1827 he represented the town in the
General Court. In the House he rarely spoke, but
his intelligence, clear judgment and familiarity with
business, made him valuable as an adviser aud as a
member of committees. In 1828 he was chosen Sena-
tor for Essex, and was re-elected in the four following
years. His popularity in the County, as in his own
town, was very groat, though he was by no means a
good politician in the way of strict party allegiance.
In the Senate he joined in debate oftener than in the
House, and always spoke and voted from his own
judgment and conscience, rather than from regard to
the expectations of his friends or his constituents. In
BEVERLY.
763
short, as his distinguished coutemporarj', Mr. Choate,
once said of him, "He was not able enough to
agree with any set of men to .succeed in politics."
But his steadfast integrity and purity of motive cer-
tainly carried him a great way towards success. In
National afiairs, which got into the debates and reso-
lutions of the Legislature more frequently than now,
he probably would have called himself a Federalist,
but still he was heretical upon some of the old Fed-
eralist articles of faith. His name was upon the Na-
tion.al Republican ticket after that party was formed,
but he refused to subscribe to the tenet of protection,
which was its criterion of orthodoxy, and remained a
free trader to the end. And upon the question of re-
moval of the Cherokees beyond the Mississippi, he
drawdown upon himself a storm of indignation be-
cause he believed, as afterwards proved true, that
their removal was not only for the good of the coun-
try, but for their own good. In 1830 there was talk
in the County of sending him to Congress, but he was
too poor a politician for this, and the contest fell be-
tween Mr. Choate and Mr. Crowningshield, the for-
mer being triumphantly elected and beginning at this
time his brilliant public career. In 1832 he was elec-
ted president of the Senate, and filled the chair with
great ability, dignity and impartiality. His public
life ended here. In the same year he was made presi-
dent of two Boston corporations, the Hamilton Bank
and the National Insurance Company, and to the du-
ties of these offices he devoted with his wonted faith-
fulness and industry the brief remainder of his life.
He died of consumption on July 12, 1835, at thetarly
age of forty.
It remains only to speak of his religious character
and relations. Brought up by a mother who was a
Puritan of the Puritans, he retained through life a
certain spirit of that stern faith. Ilis mind always
tended towards independence in things spiritual of
all liuman authority, implicit reliance upon Divine
Revelation, constant regard for moral and religious
principle and the reference of every daily action to
the tribunal of conscience. Further than this he was
no Puritan, or rather he carried the Puritan spirit to
its logical outcome, and threw off the authority of
that church in matters of dogma, as that had rejected
the authority of its predecessors. On his return to
Beverly betook prominent and active j^art in the af-
fairs of the First Parish, and spent much time and
pains in bringing those aflairs into a satisfactory fi-
nancial condition. His interest in the church be-
longing to that parish was constant and unflagging,
and he heartily sympathized with its tendency to-
wards Unitarianism under the pastorate of Dr. Ab-
bot, and its open profession of the Unitarian faith at
the settlement of Mr. Thayer. The Sunday-school of
that church he found a most congenial sphere of la-
bor and usefuluess. His zealous services as teacher
and superintendent are gratefully acknowledged in
the appreciative memoir of his life, contributed by
Mr. Thayer to Reverend Mr. Stone's History of Bev-
erly.
All)ert Thorndike, the younger brother of William,
was born March 18, 1800. He, like his brother, re-
ceived his early education at home, and afterwards,
in 1813, went to E.xetcr. He had a desire to go to
college, but did not wisli to become afterwards either
a lawyer, a doctor or a minister. His father liad the
old notion that college is a place to learn Latin and
Greek, and that Latin and Greek are of little use except
in the three so-called learned professions. The idea
that a college education has less to do with earning a
living than with the true life which lies beyond and
apart from getting means to live, is of later growth.
So Albert spent his three years under Dr. Abbot, and
then returned home to commence a business life. At
first he assisted his father and kept his books. In
1819 he took a clerk.ship in the Beverly Bank, and
was promoted, in 1822, to the office of cashier, which
he retained for twenty-four years. During this time
he did many things beside, at first in connection with
his brother William and afterwards with the late
Samuel Endicott. They owned shares in coasting
and fishing craft and in larger vessels -for foreign
trade, sent adventures to Indiaandthe Mediterranean
and engaged in the manifold enterprises open to the
inhabitants of a thriving sea-port town; for Beverly,
as a part of the port of Salem, had then much more
to do with the world beyond the ocean than now.
In 1823 he married Joanna Batchelder Lovett,
daughter of John and Hannah (Batchelder) Lovett.
Her parents had died in her infiincy, and she had
grown to womanhood in the home and under the pa-
ternal care of her uncle, the late Robert Rantoul. Of
this marriage there were born nine children, of whom
two are still living, Samuel Lothrop Thorndike, of
Cambridge, and Charles Francis Thorndike, of Bev-
erly. Tliere are also living tliree sons of another
child, the late Dr. William Thorndike, of Milwaukee.
Jlrs. Thorndike survived her husband sixteen year.s,
and died in 1874.
In 184(1 Mr. Thorndike took the presidency of the
Bank, which he kept until 1853. In addition to its
local transactions, the Bank did a considerable busi-
ness with Boston, of which, during his cashiership
and presidency, he had entire charge. This carried
him often to the city, and after the Railroad made
communication easy, he spent niu<-h of his time
there.
For the routine of the affairs of the town Mr. Thorn-
dike was too busy a man, but ho always found time
for its charities and for its higher interests. lie was
an early officer of the Lyceum, and always an active
member of the Fisher Charitable Society.
From 1845 to 1847 he represented Beverly in the
General Court, and in 1850 was a member of the Sen-
ate. He seldom took the floor, except to make a re-
port or a motion. Oratory was not one of his gifts.
But his familiarity with commerce and with financial
764
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
matters in general, made him an important member
of tlie Mercantile Committee, as well as of the State
Valuation Committee of 1850.
During this period he was a director of the Eastern
Railroad, and spent much time upon its affairs; and
in 18.52 he was elected to the presidency. In the du-
ties of this office, which he held until 1855, and that
of auditor, to which he was afterwards appointed, he
passed the rest of his vigorous business life. Into
these duties he put, as was his wont, his whole ener-
gy, not content to be simply the head of a board, but
familiarizing himself with, and actively directing, all
the operations of the road. More than one important
reform in railway management was either originated
by him or received early adoption upon his line. He
was esteemed and beloved by those under him, and
with his associates he formed warm and lasting friend-
ships. But a shadow fell upon his term of office from
the crime of a trusted subordinate. Honest himself,
as a matter of course, and beyond the conception of be-
ing otherwise, he had little suspicion of the possibility
of dishonesty in another; and the blow which he re-
ceived saddened the whole remainder of his life.
Mr. Thorndike's religions feelings were strong, his
faith liberal, his charity universal. He succeeded his
brother William as superintendent of the Parish Sun-
day-school in 183.3, and for several years carried on
the good work his brother had begun. From 1842
until his death he was one of the deacons of the
church.
His favorite recreation was music. He was a sing-
er from boyhood, and kept his fine bass voice to the
end. A pupil of Keller, one of the first German in-
structors who came to this country, he was no mean
proficient upon the organ and piano. He attended
all the concerts far and wide, was a member of the
various musical societies of the neighborhood and led
the parish choir for thirty years.
If space jiermitted, it would be pleasant to speak at
length upon Mr. Thorndike"s disposition and tastes,
as they showed themselves at home, — his fondness for
children, his love of books and pictures, his admira-
tion of the beauties of nature, his skill in horticul-
ture, his deft handiness as an amateur mechanic. But
with all this a brief public record lia.s little concern.
He died after a half year's illness, which he bore
with patience and fortitude, June 14, 1858, mourned
by all who knew him, and affectionately remembered
by those who knew him best,
CAPTAIN JOHN E. GIDDINGS.
John Endicott Giddings was born in Danvers,
Mass., October 6, 1794. His father w.as Solomon
Giddings, bora in Ipswich in 1767, a descendant of
George Giddings, who settled in Ipswich in 1635;
and his mother was Anna Endicott, born in Danvers
in 1769, and a descendant of Gov. John Endicott.
His family removed to Beverly when he was about
eleven years of age, and he soon after commenced
sea life, accompanying his father to the West Indies.
During the War of 1812 he enlisted in a privateer,
and was captured by an English sloop of war, off
Halifax, and he was taken to Dartmoor Prison, in
England, where he was confined for nearly two years.
After his release he entered the employ of the Hon.
Wm. Gray, of Salem, and soon rose to the po-ition of
captain. Entering the employ of Joseph Peabody,
of Salem, he had command of the noted ships, " Car-
thage'' and "Augustus," making voyages to China
and Bombay. After the death of Mr. Peabody he
commanded the ship "Duxbury," owned by Mr.
John L. Gardner, of Boston, in the Cuba and Russia
business until he retired from active sea service.
As a shipmaster he was prudent and skilful, never
meeting in his long sea life with any disaster entail-
ing loss upon the Insurance Companies; and he was
a worthy representative of that remarkable class of
men justly termed "merchant captains."
He married, in April, 1824, Martha Thorndike
Leach, descended from Lawrence Leach, one of the
first settlers of Beverly. He had five sons, — two of
whom died in infancy. His oldest son, Charles
Stephens, died February 9, 1856.
Two sons, John E. and Edward L., are still living.
Capt. Giddings died April 28, 1849, and is buried at
Beverly.
DR. XN(;AI.LS kittredge, sr.
Ingalls Kittredge, who was born at Amherst, N. H.,
on the 10th of December, 1769, and died at Beverly
June 17, 1856, was one of the sixth generation in
descent from John Kittredge, of Billerica, who re-
ceived grants of land in 1660, and in 1663 in Biller-
ica, and in 1661 in Tewksbury, where his descendants
were located.
He was the son of Solomon and Tabitha (Ingalls, of
Andover), who removed about 1766, to Amherst, N.
H. (now called Mount Vernon), and was one of
twelve children. He married Sarah Conant, daugh-
ter of Jonathan and Mary Conant, who was in direct
descent (of the sixth generation), from Roger Cunant,
the first settler and founder of Salem, which at that
period (.1626) was called Naumkeag, and included the
territory between Portsmouth and Salem.
Their children were Ingalls, who was born at
Townsend May 30, 1798, and Sarah, born at Town-
send October 1, 1800. Ingalls, Jr., who folhiwed the
profession of his father, was a graduate of Harvard
College of the class of 1820, and studied medicine (in
company with Dr. D. Humphreys Storer), with the
celebrated Dr. John C. Warren. His children were
seven in number (all daus:hters), the eldest of whom,
Sarah, married Charles W. Galloupe, Esq., of Boston
(a native of Beverly), and another, Susan, married
Captain Edward L. Giddings, of Beverly.
Dr. Kittrodge's opportunities of an early education
were exceedingly limited, but a hereditary genius for
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BEVERLY.
765
the practice of medicine seems to have existed in the
Kittredges for generations, and the tendency is still a
remarkahle one in the family, the nHme of Kittredge
being almost synonymous with doctor.
Dr. Benjamin Kittrcdse, of Tewksbury, had eight
sons who were doctors, and Ingalls had four brothers
who practiced the liealing art, the eldest of whom.
Dr. Zephaniah, who lived in Mount Vernon, was a
man of famous skill, and with him, no doubt, Ingalls
studied.
The name of Ingalls Kittredge first appears in the
tax list of 1808, but as no i^oll tax was included, he
probably did not become a resident until August 6,
lcS04, when his first poll ta.K was asse-sed, indicating
him at that date a citizen of Beverly. It is said that
he occupied the so-called " Asa Woodbury" house,
lately demolished, which stood upon the site of the
house since built, and now owned and occupied by
Mr. Mark B. Avery.
In April, 1803, in consideration of the sum of four-
teen hundred and fifty dollars, he purchased of "Si-
meon Brown, Gent," a tract of land consisting of nine
acres, bounded by the county road, a portion of the
grant of two hundred acres, made by the Colonial
Government to the " Old planter," Roger Conant
(Mrs. Kittredge's paternal ancestor), upon which he
erected a large mansion house, with suitable outbuild-
ings for agricultural purposes. It is a portion of the
well-known " Kittredge F«rm," and through the
present proprietor. Mr. Charles W. Galloupe, still re-
mains in the family.
In the deed of purchase of the nine acres, he is
mentioned as ''a physician of Townsend, Middlesex
Co.," and his superior intelligence and ability soon
gained for him in his new home a large and successful
practice, particularly in surgery, which extended
widely to the surrounding towns, where he was well
known, as the most skilful surgeon of the vicinity.
His early visits were made on horseback, but a largely
increasing practice, soon compelled a more convenient
means of communication, and he adopted the so-
called " Sulky," a narrow, high-hung, old-fashioned
" Chaise," barely two feet in width and only capable
of holding one person, furnishing scanty enough
accommodation for even a single person of ordinary
size. The quaint old vehicle was known as the
" Doctor's Sulky," and was soon as familiar to the
people of the surrounding towns as was the face of the
sturdy doctor himself. After his death the vehicle
speedily fell intodisuse, and but few of the present day
are aware that it ever had an existence.
In his practice Dr. Kittredge did not hesitate to de-
part from the established regulations of the " Facul-
ty," whenever, in his judgment, the condition of his
patients could be improved by such treatment. This
course subjected him to the unfavorable, and often un-
kind criticism of his contemporaries, but his remark-
able successes sustained and secured to him the public
confidence, which during his whole lifetime, he never
forfeited. He was often urged to accei>t membership
in the " Medical Faculty," but his independent na-
ture could brook no rules inconsistent with his own
conclusions, and during the length of his active pro-
fessional life, he declined associating himself with any
society. Later in life, however, after repeated solici-
tations, he consented to permit his name to be pre-
sented for membership.
The death of his esteemed wife, which occurred
October 7, 1833, and his marriage in April, 1836,. in-
duced him to change his residence from the upper
part of the town to a more central location, and he
purch.ased the "Chapman Estate," one of the finest
and most elegant of the old Colonial mansions, which
was situated at the corner of Federal and Cabot
Streets. Here, with a constantly increasing practice,
he lived until the month of June, 1844, when a most
disastrous fire occurred, which reduced the beautiful
building to ashes, entailing a heavy and discouraging
loss upon its proprietor; but under his indomitable
will and perseverance, the ashes were hardly cold be-
fore he commenced the erection of the sightly and ele-
gant mansion which still stands upon the same site,
one of the finest and best residences within the limits
of the town, and a fitting monument to his energy
and cnterpri-e.
Dr. Kittredge was a man of ideas greatly in ad-
vance of the times in which he lived. A man of
deep and penetrating thought, with clear convictions
ba-ed upon reasonable deductions, upon which he
acted so frequently without consulting the opinion of
others, that, as a natural consequence, he was often
upon the unpopular side of the public is.sues.
As a temperance man he advocated total abstinence
from the first, and devoted his best energies to recov-
er society from the abuses of unlimited liquor selling,
which in th.at day required no small amount of moral
courage.
In politics he was an outspoken adherent of the
" Anti-Slavery " party, a companion of Sumner, Gar-
rison, Phillips, Whittier and other notable men, and,
though not an active public advocate, he was always
ready with his purse, and an ever generous contributor
to its treasury. He was an indefatigable manager in
the so-called " under-ground railroad," and his house
as well as his purse, were always open to the unfortu-
nate refugees, in their attempts to escape from the
servitude of the South to the freedom of the North.
The well-known escaped slaves, George Latimer
and the since famous Fred. Douglas, were both aided
by him, and by him introduced to a public audience
in Beverly very soon after their escape from slavery.
George Thompson, the noted English philanthropist.
Member of Parliament and Abolitionist, found in him
a friend, who, without fear or favor, espoused his then
unpopular cause and gave him sub.stantial support
and etticient aid. Actuated by a desire that the citi-
zens of Beverly should hear the distinguished man
speak, the doctor applied to a religious society of which
766
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
he was a prominent member, for llie use of their edi-
fice for a public lecture. The favor was refused.
Later on the society had a meeting, and, anticipating
some trouble from the doctor, in order to propitiate
him, chose him moderator of the meeting. He never
failed to improve his opportunities, and before the
adjournment he had secured the adoption of a series
of Anti-Slavery resolutions, which, much to the cha-
grin of the officers, but greatly to the satisfaction of
the. members of the audience, committed the society
to the support of the unpopular "Anti-Slavery
party."
A descendant of two eminent families, he was a
vigorous representative of New England character.
Quick in his decisions and as quick to act, fearless in
the discharge of all his duties, prompt and punctual
in all his professional engagements, exact in his
dealings, somewhat imperious in his manner, he
quickly decided between the good and the evil, al-
ways extending a hearty encouragement to the right,
and administering to the wrong a deserving rebuke.
He was a man of activity in the pursuits of human
life, and reverent in his relations to the Deity. The
citizens of the town heartily accord to him an emi-
nent place in their history.
JOHN I. BAKER.
John I. Baker wrs born in Beverly August 16,
1812. He left school at twelve years of age, and af-
ter store-keeping in Salem and Beverly for two years,
served a fourteen months' apprenticeship at the trade
of shoeniaking, and worked thereat for several years
thereafter, with a large shop's crew, and did more or
less manufacturing on his own account. He was af-
terwards engaged in rubber manufacturing, and in
store trade, and did much as land surveyor, scrivener
and in the settlement of estates. His business of
late years has been in real estate. He has, during all
these years, been much in public life. Chosen town
clerk in 1836, he continued in that position for nearly
twenty years, serving also nearly half of that time as
selectman. He was Representative in 1840, and in
seventeen other years between that and 1884 ; Sena-
tor in 1863 and '64; councillor with Governor Banks
and Governor Andrew ; County Commissioner from
1847 to 1855. He has also held several appointments
from different Governors of the commonwealth, serv-
ing now as a harbor and land commissioner, to which
he was appointed by Governor Butler in 1883, and
reappointed in 1886, by Governor Robinson. When,
in 1868, the town entered upon the project of build-
ing its water works, in connection with Salem, he was
again chosen on the Board of Selectmen, and its
chairman for seven years continuously, and when, at
the abolition of the school district system, it was-
found necessary to provide new school-house accom-
modations throughout the town, he was chosen chair-
man of the committee to carry out this purpose, and
was also chosen on the school committee (a service he
had repeatedly declined), and has been chairman of
that board to this time. In 1884 he was again chosen
on the Board of Selectmen, and made its chairman,
and co-operated with others in securing the Legisla-
tive right to secure an independent water supply, and
is chairman of the large committee that has now
those works substantially and successfully completed
He has also co-operated in carrying forward other of
the important public works in town, and has
done something himself to demonstrate the capacity
of the town for growth and improvement. He is
president of Liberty Masonic As<ociation, which
built Masonic Block ; was president during its active
existence, of Bass River Association, which built
Odd Fellows' Block. He is likewise president of the
Beverly Gas Light Company, and of Beverly Co-op-
erative Store : vice-president of the Beverly Savings
Bank, whose charter he obtained in 1867, and which
now has deposits amounting to one million dollars.
He was an early Abolitionist and teetotaller, and re-
ported the platform of the first jireliminary Republi-
can State Convention in favor of "equal rights" and
of " the right and duty of the people to prohibit by
law the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage."
He was an active worker in the Republican party till
1870, when, dissatisfied with the uncertain course
of that party on the liquor question, he united in an
Independent Temperance Convention, which nomi-
nated a full State ticket, on which he was a candidate
for State Treasurer, receiving about eight thousand
votes. He again united in conventions in 1875 and
'76, which put his name at the head of the ticket for
Governor, receiving the first year over nine thousand
votes, and the second year over twelve thousand
votes. In 1877 Hon. Robert C. Pitman, whom Mr.
Baker supported, received over sixteen thousand
votes. The election of Governor Talbot that year
divided the Temperance forces, and this movement
was retarded thereby. Since then Mr. Baker has oc-
cupied somewhat of an independent position in poli-
tics, but has frequently been elected Representative
during that time by very flattering votes.
In the Legislature he has served on some of the
most important coiuniittees, often as chairman, and
has always given faithful attention to the work of the
sessions. It has been his fortune for eight different
years, as the oldest member who had served there be-
fore, to call the House to order, and to preside until
an organization was effected. He is connected with
the First Baptist Society, and was chairman of the
committee that had charge of building the spacious
and elegant house of worship of that society, and
was also actively instrumental in budding the former
neat chapel of said society now occupied by the Bev-
erly Light Infantry, one of the neatest and best pro-
portioned buildings in town. He was many years
connected with the Beverly Light Infantry and with
the Beverly Fire Department, and has actively co-oji-
TT^ J. ^5^>€-^
>/:^, &, . ^^z!7
^y,^ /^c^-ay^^^s^fr
BEVERLY.
767
erated with the latter in securing its modern advanced
equipment throughout the town, and retains his in-
terest in the military, continuing a member of the
Veteran Associates. During the war of the rebellion
he was not only in active work with Governor An-
drew at the State House, but also did much of home
work in co-operation with the Union Committee and
all other loyal helpers in the service of their country.
And he constantly insists upon the public duty of
fulfilling the promises then made, " that as those who
went into the perilous service of that war were loyal
to the country in their service, so would we be faith-
ful to them and those dependent upon them for all
time to come."
EEV. WILLIAM E. .\BBOT.
Rev. William E. Abbot, seventh child of Rev. Dr.
Abiel and Eunice Abbot, was born in Beverly, Mass.,
May 2, ISIO.
He was prepaied ibr college at Phillips Exeter
Academy, Exeter, N. H., under Benjamin Abbot,
brother of Dr. Abiel Abbot. He entered the sopho-
more class of Bowdoin College in 1827, and graduated
in 1830. In September of the latter year he entered
the Cambridge Theological School, where he gradu-
ated in 18.33.
Mr. Abbot was settled as pastor over the First
Church in Billerica, Mass., in 1837, where he re-
mained until 1839, when he resigned and went to
Dorchester, Mass.
April 20, 1837, Mr. Abbot united in mariage with
Ann S. Wales, daughter of Joseph and Betsey W^ales,
who still survives.
JOHN PICKETT.
Mr. John Pickett was born on Central Street, in
Beverly, November 9, 1807. His father, Thomas, was
born in Beverly December 10, 1775, and died at St.
Pierre in the West Indies, when master of the brig
"Alice '■ of Beverly, January 4, 1817. He was son of
Thomas of Marblehead, born 1720, and lost at sea
1750; and he a son of John, born in Marblehead
about 1680, who died in May, 1763, a fisherman and
shoreman. The father of John was Nicholas who
was of Marblehead, and forty-three years old in 1692.
The mother of the subject of this sketch, was Annis,
daughter of Benjamin and Thankful (Larcom) Pres-
ton : said Benjamin, a son of Nehemiah and Annis
(Bradford) Preston; .said Nehemiah, a son of Nehe-
miah and Abigail (Allen) Preston ; this Nehemiah, a
son of William and Priscilla ( ) Preston, who.se
early home was at Preston Place at Beverly Farms,
where some of their descendants still live. One son
of theirs was Randall Preston, who married a Stone,
and was the ancestor of the Rantouls ajid other
honored posterity. Thankful Larcom was daughter
of David and Lucy (Downing) Larcom ; he, a son of
Cornelius and Abigail (Balch) Larcom; said Cor-
nelius, a son of Mordecai Larcom, who came from
Ipswich with John West, when the latter bought his
great farm extending from near the present Pride's
crossing into Manchester; a portion of which was
bought by said Cornelius, who built a home, where F.
Cordon Dexter's summer place now is. Annis Brad-
ford was daughter of John and Annis (Lovett) Brad-
ford, whose home was by Esse.x Street, at the present
site of the Hardie School- House. He was a son of
William and Rachel (Raymond) Bradford, whose
home was at North Beverly, where her parents, John
and Rachel (Scruggs) Raymond, resided on the origi-
nal grant to her father Thomas Scruggs, a leading
citizen who had the courage of his theological opin-
ions, and was among those disarmed, therefor, in 1637.
This last named Annis was daughter of Simon and
Agnes (Sw-etland) Lovett, whose homestead was on
Cabot Street, extending northerly from Franklin
Place. He was son of John and Bethiah (Rootes)
Lovelt, whose home was on Cabot Street, next
northerly of Simon's, extending to about opposite
Milton Street, and a part of the great estate of her
father Josiah Rootes, who owned from the sea, on
both sides of Cabot Street, nearly down to Bartlett
Street. His wife, Susanna, was one of thftse accused
of witchcraft and lodged in Boston gaol in 1692, where
as her grandson, John Lovett testifies, he visited her.
After some months her innocence was acknowledged
by her discharge from prison. She was manifestly a
person of independent character, who would not con-
form her opinions to those of some of her more illib-
eral neighbors, and hence came the false accusations
against her ; but her excellent and numerous poster-
ity may well honor her memory. Her husband, John
Lovett, was son of John and Mary ( ) Lovett,
whose early home was near where now is General
Piersou's farm on Boyles Street, and where their son
Josejih succeeded to that homestead, which continued
to his posterity for many years. Of other ancestry
named it is believed that Abigail Allen was of Man-
chester stock; Lucy Downing, of Ipswich; Abigail
Balch, a daughter of Deacon Benjamin, who was son
of John Balch, the ancient planter who.se home was at
the southerly corner of Cabot and Balch Streets. Agnes
Swetland may have been of the Swetland family who
owned the estate at the corner of Cabot and Hele
Streets, now the home of Peter E. Clark.
After the death of his father, John Pickett lived
with his uncle Richard Pickett, and before he was
thirteen years old began his a]iprenticeship at sail
making, in the sail-loft of the old Bartlett-Haskett
store, where his grandfather, Thomas, first established
the business, and where, at twenty-one years of age,
John joined in partnership with his uncle, who be-
came also largely interested in the coasting and fish-
ing trade, and their partnership ultimately extended
so as to include this, as well as the grocery and fuel
trade. More or less of anthracite coal was consumed
here experimentally, down to 1834, when the first
768
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
cargo brought to Beverly of about forty-eight tons
was landed on the Whittredge wharf, and distributed
to forty-three diflereut persons, of whom there now
survive, only Edward Burley, Augustus N. Clark,
William Lord and Calvin Tuck. The price was eight
dollars a ton on the wharf, and all of it had to be
carted to the public hay-scales, by the old South
Church, to be weighed. At the death of his uucle^
Capt. Eichard Pickett, in 1865, Mr. John Pickett
succeeded to the large business of the firm, and while
the coasting and fishing trade, in which he has been
owner in twenty-eight different vessels, has been re-
duced to a pretty small factor, the coal trade has been
steadily growing, and the facilities, therefor, have
been largely increased. The Whittredge wharf and
the old sail-loft wharf have been consolidated into
one, And large buildings erected there for the storage
of Cumberland coal, the demand for which, for steam,
purposes constantly increases. In 185.5, the present
coal wharf, by the junction of Water, Front and Cabot
Streets, was built, and enlarged to its present propor-
tions in 1875.
During all these years, the confidence and respect
of his business contemporaries and fellow-townsmen,
has been toanife.sted in his election as assessor in
1838 and '39, as Representative in 1842 and '44,
selectman in 1845 and '46, and in the war period of
1861 and '62, director of Beverly Bank since 1851, and
its president since 1872, and vice-president of the
Beverly Savings Bank from its start in 1867, to the
present time. He has always been interested in mat-
ters de.-igned to promote the public welfare, serving
as a fireman with Engine No. 2, when eighteen years
old, and many years thereafter, and afterwards of the
board of firewards. He was early a member of the
Beverly Light Infantry, and in its ranks, in its escort
service at the independence celebration in 1835, when
Edward Everett delivered the oration in the Dane
Street Church. He was a member of the Beverly
Young Men's Temperance Society in 1835, and always
on the side of good morals and good conduct. Early
a member of the First Baptist Society, he took an ac-
tive interest in its progress, especially in the enlarge-
ment of its meeting-house in 1830, and serving upon
the committee who purchased the present site of the
Catholic Church, and took down the old church, and
rebuilding it somewhat enlarged in 1837, and still
farther interested in its enlargement. After this,
Mr. Pickett connected himself with the Dane Street
Society, where he has continued his interest in good
works. His memory of the waning days of the an-
cient commerce of Beverly, is quite interesting, and
gives glimpses of what was once a great business.
Among the historic events of his day, which he recalls
with interest, are his presence when Eobert Rantoul,
Sr., welcomed Lafayette to Beverly on his journey
through the town in 1824 ; and also being at Bunker
Hill when Daniel Webster delivered ihe oration at
the laying of the corner-stone of the monument.
December 13, 1832, he married Martha, daughter
of John and Rachel Fornis, who died in 1834, leaving
an infant daughter, Martha Preston, who survived
her mother only about a month. Mr. Fornis was a
builder, whose father was David Fornis, also from
Marblehead, who built by himself and his sons a
large number of the noted Fornis houses, with their
three rooms to a floor, which have made so many of
the pleasant homes of Beverly. In 1838 Mr. Pickett
married Susan, daughter of Seth Clark, a leading
citizen of Salisbury, whose record may be found in
that portion of the county history relating to that
town. After nearly half a century of happy married
life, she passed away in 1882. Mr. Pickett, despite
his four-score years, gives his constant attention to
his many responsibilities, with the same courtesy,
diligence and intelligence which has characterized all
of his career.
SETH KOEWOOD.
Seth Norwood was born in Kockport, Mass., June
23, 1815, a son of Major Francis Norwood, a deacon
of the Congregational Church, and a man of good
standing in the community, and of his wife Lucy
(daughter of Caleb Pool), whose services in the cause
of religion and morality entitle her to remembrance
as a "Mother in Israel." She was a descendant of
John Pool, a carpenter, who, before 1690, worked
near Corning Street at Beverly Cove, with Richard
Woodbury, who died that year in returning from the
Canada military expedition, and whose widow, oarah
(Haskell) Woodbury married said Pool, and emigrated
to Sandy Bay (now Rockport). Major Francis, hus-
band of said Lucy, was descended in part from Ed-
mund Grover, whose early home was in Beverly, near
the junction of Cabot and Beckford Streets. When
Seth Norwood was five years old, his father died, and
two years later he went to live with the family of J.
O. Drown, a shoe manufacturer at Rockport, learn-
ing of him a shoemaker's trade, and attending school
at intervals. At the age of twenty, having mastered
the trade, he opened a shoe-shop at Rockport on his
own account and secured a moderate success. Here
he continued till 1839, when he sold out his interest
there, and removed to the wider field of Beverly,
where he obtained employment as a journeyman
shoemaker, and continued therein for about five years.
About 1844, with the small capital thus fiir acquired,
he began the manufacture of American Isinglass, at
Warner's Mills, in Ipswich, which business he carried
on there until 1855, when he sold it out to the Rock-
port Isinglass Company. In 1856 he bought out the
factory and business of Friend & Lord, shoe manu-
facturers in Beverly, at the corner of Rantoul Street
and Railroad Avenue, where the Norwood family now
have their large factory ; and here he continued the
shoe business, taking in as partner, in 1857, Joshua
W. Carrier, who retired from the firm after .about two
years connection therewith, and Mr. Norwood con-
768
j-t-f- r^rw
MASSACF^^
c t^rrfro
r whom there jiow
-\ugustus N. Clark,
The price was eight
ill of it had to be
by the old South
death of his uncle
Mr. John Pickett
the firm, and while
:.^e wharf and !
. ..usolid.'ii-'l M,!,,
here for t
.:i:i'.i for which, iiir .-.icnii!,
In 185d, the prt^ent ]
Water, Front and Cabot ;
■d to its present pn>por- i
'44,
d of
and
the
< the
i'lat-
aii infant daughter, Martha Preston, wh
her mother only about a month. Mr. Foim .
builder, whose father was David Fornis, also
M;i ■ V who built by himself and his sr
lar_ of the noted Fornis houses, witii
three roonm to a floor, which have madesoin<. .1
the pleasant homes of Beverly. In 183S Mr. Pu :., :
married Susan, daughter of Seth Clark, a leadint
citizen of Salisbury, whose record may be found in
that portion of the county history relating to thai
town. After nearly half a century of happy mairicd
life, she passed away in 1882. Mr. Pickett, despite
his four-score years, gives his constant attention to
1.:^ ,>l■M.^- ■'•■ . ■n-'ibilities, with the same courtesy,
ligence which has characterized all
ui lii* career.
morals a 1
SETH ^■0KWOOD.
Seth Norwood was born in Rockport, Mass., June
23, 1815, a son of Major Francis Norwood, a deacon
of the Congregational Church, and a man of good
standing in the community, and of his wife Lucy
(daughter of' " 1), whose services . the cause
of religiou a. ,;y entitle her to remembrance
as a " Mother in Israel." She was a descendant ol
John Pool, a carpente.- \\),,> before 1690, worked
near Corning Street a Cove, with Richard
Woodbury, v,-ho died thai year u returning Trom the
Canada military expedition, and whose widow, Sarah
') Woodbury married said Pool, and emigrated
y Bay (now Rockport). Major Francis, hu.<-
band of said Lucy, was descended in part from Ed-
mund Grover, whose early home was in Beverly, near
the junction of Cabot and Beckford Streets. When
Seth Norwood was five years old, his father died,' and
two years Later he went to live with the family of J.
Drown, a shoe manufacturer at Rockport, learn-
u of him a shoemaker's trade, and attending school
intervals. At the age of twenty, having mastered
trade, he opened a shoe-shop at Rockport on his
11 account and secured a moderate success. Here
, iiiitinued till 1839, when he sold out his interest
re, and removed to the wider field of Beverly,
•re he obtained employment as a journeyman
'■• ker, and continued therein for about five years.
: ■*44, with the small capital thus far acquired,
. the manufacture of American Isinglass, at
- Mills, in Ipswich, which business he carried
' 1855, when he sold it out to the Rock-
f'Atnpany. In 1856 he bought out the
factory ess of Friend & Lord, shoe raanu-
'urer;- lu i . ly, at the corner of Rantoul Street
: Railroad Avenue, where the Norwood family now
eir large 1aci"ry; and here he continued the
'iness, taking in as partner, in 1857, Joshua
' ho retired from the firm after about two
'ion therewith, and Mr. Norwood con-
METIIUEN.
769
tinned the business in bis own name until 18(>5, when
his eldest son Frauds became a partner, and the firm
name became Seth Norwood & Co. This name is
still retained by his sons, who have continued and
much increased the business, the factory having been
fjuadrupled in size to supply the necessary room for
their trade. A portion of the factory was burned in
1873, but soon restored and enlarged.
Soon after he came to Beverly, Mr. Norwood be-
came interested in real estate, and many marked im-
provements grew out of his operations therein. He
became a prominent citizen of Beverly ; was on the
board of selectmen for three years when the water-
works were built aud other important public improve-
ments were made. He was also a director in Beverly
National Bank, a trustee of Beverly Savings Bank, a
leading member of the Dane Street Congregational
Society, and interested in other good works. Having
just about completed sixty years of an honored and
useful life, he died of consumption, June 20, 1875, at
his home on Cabot Street in Beverly, the former his-
toric homestead of Hon. George Cabot ; a mansion
hallowed by the belief that George Washington had
there sought and obtained rest and refreshment from
his trusted friend, Mr. Cabot.
CHAPTER XLIX.
METHUEN.
BY JOSEPH S. HOWE.
The town of Methuen is situated in the westerly
part of Essex County, bordering on New Hampsiiire,
and contains within its limits alrout twenty-two
square miles.
Before the incorporation of the City of Lawrence,
it was a section of land on the north bank of the
Merrimack River, about nine miles long and three
miles wide, following the curves of the river. The
north part of the City of Lawrence was taken out of
Methuen, on the side next the river, near the middle
of the town, thus leaving the two ends three miles
wide, and the middle of the town little more than a
mile at its narrowest part.
The towns surrounding Methuen are the Citj- of
Lawrence and the town of Andover on the South,
Dracut and Salem, N. H., on the West, Salem, N.
H., and Haverhill, on the North and Haverhill and
Bradford on the East. The Spicket River, a narrow
and crooked stream, flows from Island Pond, in
Derry, N. H., through Methuen, into Lawrence, and
empties into the Merrimack in the lower part of the
City. The village of Methuen is situated upon both
sides of the Spicket, between Lawrence and the New
Hampshire line, thus dividing the farming portions
49
of the town into two not unequal sections. The sur-
face of the town is uneven, somewhat hilly and pic-
turesque, though not ledgy and abrupt. The soil in
the main is strong, and good for ordinary agricul-
ture, but like most New England land, more or less
rocky, requiring much labor to insure agricultural
success, but capable of producing excellent crops un-
der judicious management.
There is a strip of intervale land of varying width
on the bank of the Merrimack, free from stone, easy
to cultivate and excellent for farming purposes.
Leaving this level intervale, the land rises into ridge.';
and hills, much of it covered with a growth of wood.
There are extensive peat meadows in both sections of
the town, which not only contain large quantities of
alleged fuel, but when drained and cultivated, prove
to be the most valuable lands for the production of
man)' crops.
The hill formerly known as " Bare Hill," near the
house of Joel Foster, is the highest elevation in the
east part of the town, and aflbrds a magnificent view
of the country in every direction for miles around.
As many as fifteen towns and cities may be seen
from its summit. It overlooks Lawrence on the
South, with the two Andovers beyond, and the spires
of Haverhill and Bradford may be seen on the East.
Far oft' to the North can be seen the Nottingham
Hills, and in the West the Uncanoonucks, the Peter-
boro' Hills, Monadnock and Wachuset, " Like giant
emeralds in the Western sky." The view, besides
being extensive, is one of the most beautiful to be
found. In the west part of the town, the highest
land is the hill on which is the residence of Stephen
W. Williams, Esq.
The view from its top is nearly as extensive, aud
quite as beautiful, as that from Bare Hill, and it is a
favorite resort for lovers of fine scenery.
The ponds in Methuen are few in number.
Harris Pond, in the extreme west part of the town,
contains .about fifty acres, and drains through " Lon-
don Meadow " into Spicket River. Mystic Pond, a
little west of Methuen village, drains into Spicket
River. Worlds End Pond, a mile or more north of
Methuen village, lies mostly in Salem, N. H., although
a very small part of it is within the limits of Methuen,
and drains into the Spicket.
There is also a small pond in Strong Water Mead-
ow, known as " Strong Water Pond," which is un-
doubtedly a small remnant of what was once a large
body of water. Bloody Brook runs from Strong Wa-
ter Meadow southerly into Lawrence, and empties
into the Spicket. Hawkes Brook is in the extreme
northerly part of the town, rising near Ayers village.
in Haverhill, and emptying into the Merrimack,
where Methuen and Haverhill join. Bartlett Brook,
in the west part of Methuen, runs from Mud Pond in
Dracut, into Methuen, and empties into the Merri-
mack.
There are no stone quarries or ledges that are
770
HISTOEY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
worked iu the town. A bed of secondary rock for
the most part underlies the town a short distance be-
low the surface, and crops out in a few places, par-
ticularly in the neighborhood of the village, but the
quality of the stone is not such as to make it specially
valuable for building purposes. The rocks found in
the soil, and on the surface of the land, are mainly
boulders, many of them primary rock, and nearly all
of a different kind of stone from the underlying ledge,
indicating that the mass of gravel and stones, resting
iipon the ledge, has been brought there from a dis-
tance by glacial action.
There are in Methuen some very marked examples
of glacial action in the ridges known to geologists as
"Kames," and to the unscientific as "Hogbacks."
One of these ridges extends from Tower Hill, in Law-
rence, through the west part of Methuen village into
New Hampshire, and is a continuation of the series
of " Kames " running through Andover and Beading,
and known in Andover as " Indian Ridge." There is
also another line of " Kames," extending from the
easterly part of the City of Lawrence through ''Ger-
mantown " northward. In the early times these
ridges were thought by many to be the remains of
ancient fortifications, but the investigations of ge-
ologists have determined, beyond question, that they
were deposits formed in the great ice age, from ac-
cumulations of gravel in the melting ice. Methuen
contains few natural objects of special interest, Spick-
et Falls being perhaps the most prominent. The
Nevins Memorial, and grounds of Henry C. Nevins,
near by, and the extensive grounds of Chas. H. Ten-
ney, are beautifully laid out and kept, contain many
rare and costly trees and shrubs, and are all places
which would attract attention anywhere.
It is not now known who the first white man was
who settled within the limits of what is now Methuen,
nor exactly when or where he settled. We have no
historic record of what occurred here previous to that
time. LTndoubtedly the land was inhabited for cen-
turies by the red men, who were as familiar with all
its natural aspects, and as strongly attached to their
favorite haunts, as the native children of the town
are now.
When the country first became known to the white
race, the hills and uplands were mainly covered by a
heavy growth of timber. The meadows were mostly
cleared and covered with a thick, heavy growth of
grass, which the Indians were accustomed to burn in
the autumn. These meadows were favorite haunts of
deer, who came there to feed on the young grass in
the spring, and could easily be killed by the Indians
from their hiding-places on the wooded bushy edges.
It is said that some of the hills were bare, and others
had only a growth of .small wood. This would natur-
ally result from the fires set by the Indians in dry
weather, which might spread from the meadows to
the upland, and kill the standing wood and timber.
It would also appear that the Indians cultivated corn
to some extent, and for that purpose selected the
lands free from stones, easily worked, on the river
Intervales or sandy plains. We can easily imagine
the appearance of this town as the earliest settlers
saw it:
The meadows on Hawke's Brook, in the east part of
the town. Bare meadow, Strong-water meadow. Mystic
meadows, London meadows, and the meadows on the
banks of the Spicket, mostly bare, and producing a
heavy crop of grass ; the intervale land on the Mer-
rimack, more or less cleared, and a few spots of plain
land here and there, bare of trees and grass, and bear-
ing marks of the rude Indian agriculture, the rest of
the lands covered with wood and timber. The only
2)aths traversing this wilderness were Indian trails, of
whose location we have now no knowledge, though it
is not unlikely that some of our oldest roads were
developed from an Indian path.
The earliest settlers found very few Indians living
in this vicinity. Some years before the first settle-
ment of this country, a violent war broke out among
thi! Indians living iu what is now New England,
which resulted in the destruction of a large number.
This war was followed b}' a pestilence which carried
off' many more, and was e.specially fatal in the eastern
part of New England. This destruction of the
Indians was particularly favorable to the occupation
of the country by the white settlers. The native
inhabitants of the valley of the Merrimack, so far as
we know, were the Pennacooks or Pawtucket Indians.
These were subdivided into smaller tribes or families.
The Agawams had their home on the coast from the
Merrimack to Cape Ann ; the Wamesits, at the junc-
tion of the Cimcord and Merrimack Rivers, where
Lowell now stands ; the Pawtuckets, at the mouth of
Little River in Haverhill.
No historic evidence appears that any Indian tribe
had a permanent home in Methuen, but it is known
that Bodwell's Falls (at the Lawrence dam), the region
around the mouth of Bartlett's Brook, and the shores
of the Spicket, as far as Spicket Falls, were favorite
resorts of the Indians, especially during the fishing
season. There are also strong indications that there
were once permanent Indian settlements near Spicket
Falls and near the mouth of London Brook. The
stone fire-places or hearths of their wigwams were
found years ago, before the ground was disturbed, on
the hillside where the east part of Methuen village is
now built. Arrow-points, spear-heads and other In-
dian relics were found while digging the cellars of
Woodbury's BJock, the hotel stable and in other
places. A large stone pot was discovered while exca-
vating for the foundation of Tenney's hat-shop and
an Indian grave was found in the fall of 1886, while
digging on Union Street, which contained eight very
fine spear-heads, besides arrow-heads and pottery, in-
dicating that the occupant of the grave was a person
of distinction. The early records of Haverhill speak
of an old wigwam near the " foot of far west meadow,"
MDTHUEN.
771
which was probably what is now known as " London
Meadow.'' The Indian fire-places can be found there
now, where the land has not been cultivated and the
stones disturbed. These old hearths and graves would
seem to show that the spots where they are found
were at some time the sites of permanent Indian vil-
lages, and not merely a transient place of abode for a
few weeks while fishing.
The rivers in those early times swarmed with ale-
wives, shad, salmon, bass and sturgeon. The salmon
was the principal fish used as food, and the shad and
alewives were used by the Indians to manure their
corn. These fish were caught by them around the
fiills and rapids in the rivers. It would be natural,
therefore, for them to settle about such a spot as
Spicket Falls, which must have afforded an excellent
fishing-place, while the land south and east of the
falls was easy for them to cultivate for corn. The
neighborhood of London Brook and Policy Brook —
up which the alewives and suckers must have run in
great numbers — would also have been an excellent
place for an Indian village, particularly as there was
plenty of land easy to work near by.
Probably the white man first set foot in Methuen
about two hundred and fifty years ago. The settlers
at Ipswich and other towns along the coast explored
the country before its settlement to find the most de-
sirable places to locate. In 1640 about a dozen colo-
nists from Newbury, headed by Mr. Nathaniel Ward,
settled at Haverhill, where the city proper now stands.
Two years later they purchased from the Indians a
tract of land embracing the greater part of what is
now Methuen. The original deed is now in posses-
sion of the city of Haverhill, and reads as follows:
*' Know all Men by these Presents, that we, Passaquo and Sagga-
hew, with ye consent of Pjuisaconnaway : have sold unto ye iuhahitanta
of Pentuikett all ye lands we have in Pentuckett ; that is eyght miles in
length front ye little Rivver in Pentu«kett Westward ; Six niyles in
length from ye aforesaid Rivver northward ; And si,\ niyles in length
from ye foresaid Rivver Eastward, with ye Ileand and ye rivver that ye
ileand stanil in as far in length ;is ye land lyes by as formerly expressed :
that is fourteen myles in length ;
".\nd wee ye said P.a-ssaqno and Sagga Hew with ye consent of Passa-
connaway, liave sold nnto y© said inhabitants all ye right that wee or
any of us have in ye said ground and Ileand and River.
"And we warrant it against all or any other Indians whatsoever unto
ye s.'\id Inhabitants of Pentuckett, and to their heirs and assigns forever.
Dated ye fifteenth day of november .\nD Dom 1154:;.
" Witness our hands and sealeB to this bargayne of SJtle ye day and year
above written (in ye presents of us) we ye said P.assaqtio & Hagga IIcw
have received in hand, for & in consideration of ye same three pounds &
ten shillinj^s.
'* John W,4Rn,
" RoijERT Clements, ye marke of
" Tristram Coffin, Passaquo (a bow and arrow)
" Hf<:il SuERRATT, Passaquo. [Seat.]
" William White,
ye sign of ( 1 ) ye marke of
Sagga Hew (a bow and arrow)
"Thomas Davis. Sagga Ilew. [Seal] "
It is not easy to determine exactly what the In-
dians intended to convey by this deed, nor docs it ap-
pear to have been clear to the early settlers. No reg-
ular survey was made until 1666, when a committee
was appointed by the General Court to "run the
bounds of the Town of Haverhill." They began at
the meeting-house which was situated about half a
mile east of Little Kiver, near the cemeteries in the
eastern part of the present city of Haverhill, and ran
due west eight miles, and " reared a heap of stones."
Then they ran from that heap of stones due south
until they reached the Merriniac River, and due
n..rth from the heap of stones until they struck the
northern line of the town. The shape of Haverhill,
as finally determined, was triangular. Starting from
Holt's Rock (Rocks Village), the line ran due north-
west until it met the north and south line from Mer-
rimac River, as mentioned above. There is an old
plan in the County Records, made previously to 1700,
and probably as early as 1675, from which it appears
that the Haverhill line started from the little island
in the Merrimac, situated nearly opposite the junc-
tion of Lowell and North Lowell Streets. From
thence the line ran due north, very near the house of
A. W. Pinney, across Policy Pond, and struck the
Haverhill north line, northwest of Lsland Pond, in-
cluding most, if not all, of that fine sheet of water
within the limits of Haverhill. Thus it appears that
the title to all that portion of Methuen east of the
above-described line, came directly from the aborigi-
nal owners.
It is noticeable that the Indian deed conveyed the
river and the islands in it, and thus that Haverhill
and Methuen are bounded by the opposite shore of
the Merrimac, instead of tlie centre or channel. It
will also be noticed that this land was conveyed to
"ye inhabitants of Pentuckett," and consequently
was owned by the inhabitants of the town or colony
in common. Here w;is an example of the common
ownership of land by a community, the practical
working of which is interesting to follow now, when
so many reformers (?) are holding forth the idea that
such ownership of the land would be the chief rem-
edy for the evils of modern civilization. But the
early settlers were evidently not possessed with the
idea that this would be good for them, and did not
long cultivate the land in this way, but took steps to
let every man have his own land in severalty. The
records of the town of Haverhill show that no one
was admitted to the rights and jjrivileges of the colo-
ny unless first voted in by the town.
In 1643 it was voted that " there shall bee three
hundred acres laid out for house lotts and no more ;
and that he that was worth two hundred pounds
should have twenty acres to his house lott, and none
to exceed that number; and so every one under that
sum, to have acres proportionable to his house lott,
together with meadow, and common and planting
ground, proportionably."
The site of these " house lotts" was where the city
proper of Haverhill now stands, a short distance east
from Little River. Here all the colonists had their
houses, from which, as a centre, they sought out the
772
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
meadows and planting grounds in the more distant
part of the town. The meadow-lands seem to have
been the most highly valued, and sought after on ac-
count of the grass, which was the principal subsist-
ence for their cattle. They cut and stacked the hay
in the summer, and in the winter drew it home on
sleds. The planting grounds were probably patches
of upland which had been cultivated by the Indians,
and were free from trees. An early writer says of
Haverhill : " the people are wholly bent to improve
their labor in tilling the earth and keeping of cattel
whose yearly increase encourages them to spend their
days in those remote parts. The constant penetrat-
ing further into this Wilderness hath caused the wild
and uncouth woods to be filled with frequented
wayes, and the large rivers to be overlaid with Bridges
passeable both for horse and foot; this Town is of
large extent, supposed to be ten mil&s in length, there
being an overweaning desire in most men after Mead-
ow-land, which hath caused many towns to grasp
more into their hands than they could afterward pos-
sibly hold."
Lot layers were chosen by the town to divide the
meadows and planting-grounds among the inhabit-
ants, from time to time, as these lands became access-
ible and in a condition to cultivate. The records of
these divisions show that the lots set off at first were
small, often not more than two or three acres in a
lot, and the meadow-land seems to have been taken
up first. So it happened that a man would own lots
in the eastern part of Haverhill, and on Spicket
River and might be obliged to travel several miles to
his planting-ground in another direction. The dis-
tribution of land went on from year to year, and the
natural result was that land-owners desiring to have
their lands as much as possible in one body, traded
with each other until they became possessed of a
compact body of land sufficient lor a farm. The next
step was to build and settle on the farm for greater
economy and convenience in cultivation of the land,
and so the settlers gradually scattered from the first
compact settlements out over the town. The descrip-
tions of the lots as set off by the lot layers are re-
corded in the Haverhill ri'cords, but it is very difficult
to exactly locate them now, because the bounds were
usually marked trees, stumps or other perishable
monuments.
These old descriptions show, however, that some of
our local names are of very ancient date. In 1658
five acres of meadow were laid ofi in "Strongwater,"
near a little pond. In 1666 a parcel of meadow was
laid out to M.atthias Button, on the south side of
" Spicket Hill." In 1659 there was a division of the
land west of the Spicket Eiver, with a provision that
" if more than two acres meadow be found on any
one lot, it shall remain to the town." In the same
year we find a record of the laying off three acres of
land in " Mistake Meadow " in the western part of
Haverhill, whence we may fairly conclude that our
present name " Mystic," was once " Mistake." In 1678
" eleven score acres of upland" were laid off to James
Davis, Sr., bounded on the west by Spicket River,
Spicket Falls being the southwest bound. In 1683
we find that a lot adjoining, on the southerly side,
running from Spicket Falls to " Bloody Brook " on
the east was taken up by James Davis, Jr.
These two lots included the land now occupied by
the east part of Methuen village. The family of Mr.
David Nevins have in their possession a grant from
the " proprietors " of the Islands in the Spicket above
the falls, to Asa and Robert Swan, for two pounds ten
shillings, and bearing the date of 1731. The di-tri-
bution of the common lauds was continued from time
to time, until finally, after much contention between
the town, and the original settlers and their heirs,
the "proprietors" or owners of the common land
organized separately from the town, and disposed of
the remaining land as they saw fit. Thus it appears
that the titles to the land in Methuen, east of the old
Haverhill line, have all come from the Indians, Pas-
saquo and Saggahew, through the " proprietors." The
strip of land in Methuen, perhaps a mile and a half
in width, between Haverhill line and " Drawcut" or
Dracut line, seems to have been granted by the Gen-
eral Court to individuals. Major Denison, who had a
grant of six hundred acres from the General Court in
1660, owned more than a thousand acres on the river
above the Haverhill line, including what is now
known as the Bartlett farm, and lands south and
west. West of that was Colonel Higginson's farm of
over three hundred acres. A little north of these was
Marshall Nicholson's tract of three hundred acres.
Printer Green had three hundred acres lying on each
side of the brook, which runs from " White's Pond,
then called " North Pond."
As we have already stated, we can find no record
showing when the first settlement was made within
the present limits of Methuen, or who made it.
It is certain that the east and south parts of the
town near the river, were first occupied, doubtless
because they were nearer the villages of Haverhill
and Andover. It is said that when repairing the old
"Bodwell House," now in Lawrence, some years ago,
a brick was found bearing the date 1660, which had
been marked upon it before the brick was burnt.
This would seem to indicate that a house was built in
the neighborhood near that date. It seems doubtful
whether there were many settlers in Methuen until near
the time it was set off from Haverhill. The Indian
troubles which extended over many years previous to
1700, must have seriously checked, if they did not
entirely prevent, the settlement on farms. Andover
and Haverhill were both made frontier towns by act
of General Court, and both towns suffered severely
during the Indian War. But we have never seen a
record of an Indian attack on settlers living upon
territory which afterwards became Methuen. There
were many attacks on the scattered settlers in West
METHUEN.
773
Haverhill and in Andover, and if there had been
many inhabitants in Methuen, it is hardly probable
that the Indians would have passed them by. The
incursions of the Indians seem to have come sometimes
from the North, by way of Dover and Saco, and
sometimes from the West, down the Merrimack val-
ley, as was the case when Hannah Duston was taken
captive, and sometimes the depredations were com-
mitted by small parties of Indians who had lived
among the whites and were acquainted with their
victims. In February, 1()9S, Jonathan Haynes and
Samuel Ladd, with their sons, had been to Loudon
Meadow from their homes in West Haverhill for hay,
each with a team consisting of a pair of oxen and a
horse. The path lay along between World's End
Pond and what is now Howe Street. When returning
home, just northeast of the pond, they were suddenly
attacked by a party of Indians who had concealed
themselves in the bushes on each side of the path.
These Indians, fourteen in number, were returning
from Andover, where they had killed and citptured
several persons. They killed Haynes and Ladd with
their hatchets, took one of the boys prisoner and kept
him for some years ; the other boy cut one of the
horses loose, jumped on his back and got away. The
Indians then killed the oxen, took out the tongues
and best pieces and went on their way. This is the
only authentic instance we can find of an Indian out-
rage happening on Methuen soil.
In 1712 nine persons living in that part of Haver-
hill which is now Methuen, petitioned the town to
abate their rates for the support of the ministry and
the schools, "on account of the great distance they
lived from the town, and the difficulty they met with
in coming," and the town voted to abate one-half the
ministry rates.
The names of these persons were Henr)' Bodwell,
John Gutterson, Thomas Austin, Joshua Stephens,
Robert Swan, John Cross, William Cross, Robert
Swan, Jr., Joshua Swan.
In July, 1719, a petition was presented the Town of
Haverhill by Stephen Barker, Henry Bodwell and
others " to grant oi set them off a certain tract of land
lying in the township of Haverhill, that so they might
be a township or parish," but this request was de-
nied.
At the next March meeting the following petition
was presented : " Whereas there is a certain tract of
land in the west end of Haverhill containing fifty or
sixty acres, lying on the south and southwest of a
meadow commonly called bare meadow, which land,
together with a piece of land lying on a hill called
meeting-house hill, in times passed reserved by our
forefathers for the use of the ministry, might in hard
times make a convenient parsonage ; if by the blessing
of God, the gospel might so flourish amongst us, and
we grow so populous as to be able to carry on the gos-
pel ministry amongst us. We therefore humbly pray
that vou would take into consideration the circum-
stances we are in, and the difficulty we may here-
after meet with in procuring a privilege for the min-
istry; and that you would grant and settle and record
the above said lands in your Town book, for the above
said use, and you will gratify your humble petitioners
and oblige us and our posterity to serve you hereafter
in what we may." This petition was signed by Joshua
Swan and twenty-six others, " was granted according
to the proposals therein made," and in July following
a committee was chosen to layout the land.
It seems, from this petition, that the proprietors of
the common land had sometime previously "reserved
for the use of the ministry " two tracts of land in what
was afterwards Methuen, but that this land had not
been formally laid out. In 1724 Lieutenant Stephen
Barker and other inhabitants of the western part of
Haverhill, petitioned the General Court for a new
town, to be formed by setting off that part of Hav-
erhill above Hawke's Jleadow Brook.
The town of Haverhill voted to oppose the petition,
and chose Captain John AVhite agent for that pur-
pose. Opposition, however, was unavailing, and the
act was passed December 8, 1725, and was as fol-
lows :
*' An act far Dividing the Town of Ilaverliill and erecting ji new Town
tbereand in parts adjacent, liy file name of Metliuen. Wliereas ttie W^est
part of the Town of Haverliill within tlie County of Essex, and parta ad-
jacent not included witliin any Towni^liip is (Competently filled with In-
habitants, who labor under great Difficulties by their remoteness from
the place of Pnblick Worship, Ac, and they having made their applica-
tion to this Court that they may he set oflf a distinct and separate Town
and be vested with all the Powers and Privileges of a Town. Be it there-
fore enacted by the Lieutenant Governor, Council and Kepresentatives
in General Court assembled and by the authority of the same. That the
West part of the said Town of TTaverhill with the land adjoining, be and
hereby aresetotf and constituted a separate Township by the name of Me-
thuen, the bounds of the Siiid Township to be as follows, viz; — Begin-
ning at the mouth of Hawke's Meadow Brook, so called, in Merrimack
River, and from thence to run half a point to the northward of the
northwest to an heap of stones, or till it intersect Haverhill line ; from
thence upon a straight course to tlie head of Dunstable line, and so upon
Dracut line about four miles to a pine southeast, from thence six miles or
thereabouts npon Dracut line, South to Merrimack River, and from
thence to run down said river ten mile and forty pole till it come to th**
first mentioned bounds. And that the inhabitants of the said lands as
before described and bounded, be and hereby are investeci with the Pow-
ers, Privileges and Immunities that the Inhabitants of any of the towns
of this Province by law are or ought to be vested with.
" Provided, That the Inhabitauts of the said Town of Slethuen, do
within the space of Three Years from tlie Publication of this Act, erect
and finish a suit.ahle house for the Publick Worship of God, and procure
and settle a Learned, Orthodox minister of good conversation and make
provision tor his comfortable and honorable support, and that they
set apart a lot of Two Huudred acres of land in some convenient Place
in the saiil Town, for the use of the ministry, and a lot of fifty acres for
the use of a School. And that thereupon they be discharged from any
further payments for the maintenance of the ministry in Haverhill.
And be it further enacted liy the authority aforesaid, That the Inhab-
itants of the said Town of Metliuen, be and hereby are empowered to
assess all the lands of Nou Residents lying within the saiii town. Two
pence per acre towards the building of the Sleeting House, and settling
of a minister there. Provided, nevertheless that there be and hereby is
made a Reservation or Saving of the Right and property of the Province
Lands (if any there be) within the bounds aforesaid, to this Province.'*
So far as we can learn, no other town in the country
bears the name of " Miflmen." How ibis name orig-
inated has been a matter of considerable speculation.
774
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Some have thought tliat it took its name from a town
in Scotland called "Methven," and others have sup-
posed that this town was named in honor of Lord
Methven of Scotland. But Meihuen was not settled
by Scotch, nor does there appear any reason why the
town should have received its name from a Scotch
town or nobleman. A. C. Goodell, Esq., of Salem,
who is engaged in preparing the Provincial Laws for
publication, suggests a theory which seems most
likely to be the true one. It was a common thing
in those days, when a new town was iucorporated, for
the Governor to give it a name. The act of incorpo-
ration was passed by the Legislature, engrossed on
parchment and sent to the Governor for his signature,
with a space for the name of the new town in blank.
When he signed the act, he gave the town its name
and inserted it in the proper place. The original act
of incorporation of the Town of Methuen, in the
office of the Secretary of State, clearly shows that
the name was inserted by a hand different from the
one that engrossed the bill. The act is written upon
the parchment in a large, full hand, while the name
" Methuen" is written in a small, running hand, and
with ink of a different color, but similar to that used
by Governor Duramer, in writing his signature.
Had the name been suggested by the petitioners for
the act of incorporation, it would have been likely to
be inserted in the bill and so copied by the engrossing
clerk. But a careful examination of the writing
leaves little doubt that Governor Dummer wrote the
name with his own hand, when he attached his sig-
nature. Of course it is now impossible to ascertain
with certainty the reason which suggested the name
to him. But at that time there was one Lord Paul
Methuen, who was Privy Councillor to the King, and
who was for some years prominent in the English
Government. It is very likely that Governor Dum-
mer was a personal or political friend and admirer
of this nobleman, and so named the town in his
honor.
The town of Jlethuen, as originally set off, must
have included more than double the territory now
within its limits. St.arting from the mouth of Hawke's
Meadow Brook, the line ran where it now does,
through Ayers Village, and continued on until it met
the west line of Haverhill, which must have been
somewhere southwest of North Salem Village ; thence
it ran straight to the " head of Dunstable line,"
which was in Pelham, " in sight of Beaver Brook,"
and a little to the west of it; tlience it ran southeast
about four miles to Dracut line, at a point about six
miles from Merrimack River. The easterly line of
Dracut has not been materially changed, and there-
fore the present line, prolonged to six miles, would
indicate the old corner of that town. The old plan
in the County Records, already referred to, shows that
this corner was west of Policy Pond, and must have
been in the vicinity of "Spear Hill," almost between
the most southern parts of Policy and Cobbett's
Ponds. From this, it would seem that Methuen, as
originally incorporated, included nearly all of Salem,
Windham village and perhaps two-thirds of that
town, and a little of Pelham. Cobbett's Pond and
Policy Pond were both in Methuen. The old plan
referred to gives the name of Policy Pond as " Poliss'
Pond," which fact may possibly furnish a clue to the
origin of the name " Policy." The lands in the
westerly part of Methuen were evidently disputed
territory.
Londonderry, settled by the "Scotch-Irish," was
incorporated, in 1722, by the General Court of New
Hampshire, and the act incorporating that town
included quite a .slice of land set off to Methuen by
the Massachusetts General Court. It is probable,
however, that the territory claimed under both acts
was not much settled upon, or considered of much
value, until after the line between Massachusetts and
New Hampshire was established in 1740.
To organize the new town, it was ordered by the
Court " that Mr. Stephen Barker, a principal inhab-
itant of the Town of Methuen, be and hereby is em-
powered and directed to notifie and summons the
inhabitants of the said town, dul}' qualified for voters,
to assemble and meet sometime in the month of
March next, to choose town officers according to law,
to stand for the year." In compliance with this order,
a meeting was appointed for the 9th of March, 1726.
The following is a copy of the record of the first
town meeting held in Methuen :
" Att our fii-st animal meeting in tlie town of inetluien, march ye Otli
1725,6 Lieutenant Steplien Barlter was leaguly clioson moderator for ye
meeting,
*' Att the same meeting williara wliittier was chosen town clerli &
sworn for ye yerinsewing.
*' Att the same meeting selectmen were leaguly chosen for ye yer.
1 JoHw Bailey,
2 Ebenzrr Barker
3 AsiE Swan
4 Dantel Bodwel,
5 TUOMAS Whittier.
1 Selectmen sworn
I to the faithful discharg
V of the oties of aseesere
I august ye second 1726
J before me William
town dark.
" att ye same meeting Tlichard Swan is leaguly chosen cunstable for
the year insewing.
" voted that the cunstablo or colector shall be paid one shilling for
each twenty shillings of money that he shall colect or gather of the
Taxes which shall be laied upon the nonrazedance or people which
belong to other towns. March ye 9th 1720,0 the toun voated that
Thomas silver should be expected to serve cunstablo or colector instead
of Richard Bwan for ye year insewing and ye same day thotnas silver
was sworn to tiie faithfull discharge of the office of a cunstable by the
selectmen of Jlcthuen. Robert swan is leaguly chosen town treasurer
att the same meeting march ye nth for ye year insewing. town treasu-
rer sworn.
1 Robert Swan.
Serveirs of 2 Ephraim Clark,
high ways. 3 Benzamin Stephens,
2 Thomas Masser.
] ofhigliwaye
I serveirs all sworn.
I
J
fence vewers John Cross,
Samuel Stephens. 2 Both sworn.
Tithen men 1 James How,
2 William Gutteeson. Both titben sworn.
field drivers 1 John Hastiwos,
2 ZEBADIAH AUSTING.
METHUEN.
775
att the same meeting Slarch ye 9 17'i5,fl
huge riefs was leaguly choeeu
Samuel Smith
hog riefa
Thomas Austini;
Botli sworn.
"Att ye sanio meeting march ye 9 voted yt hogs should go att large
according to law.
" Att a town meeting march ye 9 1725,6.
"Voted that the select men should have power to a gree with an
atliadoxt minester to serve in the work of the niintstry for ye year in.
sewing and not to exceed five and forty pownds and find the minester
bis diat.
The records of the town-meetings held since that
time appear to be complete, and the early records
quite as full as such records usually are. The first
business done by the new Board of Selectmen was to
lay out a road *' three rods wide, beginning at a white
oak tree marked, near Ephraim Clark's land; from
thence acro-s Thomas Eaton's, and by tiie west side of
Hamuel Clark's cellar; thence by the west side of a
white oak tree marked with H, by Hawks' meadow,
and so along said meadow, as near as is convenient, to
the lower end, crossing the brook between two maple
trees marked; from thence, as the trees are marked,
to a white oak by Haverhill path, running from the
east side of the tree in the path until we come to a
stake by James How's well, and thence to a white oak
marked with H, the way being to the east." This was
undoubtedly the road north of the Taylor farm, on
Howe Street, and the above description is a good ex-
ample of the recorded descriptions of the ancient
ways. The records of the town of Haverhill show
that previous to this time a large number of town-ways
had been laid out in the west part of the town, prob-
ably for convenience in reaching the meadows and
woodland. At this distance of time it is almost im-
possible to trace them unless they happen to touch
some well-known point. They generally commence
at a marked tree by some path, thence to some other
tree, thence to a stump marked, and finally come out
at another path, and are almost invariably two rods
wide.
The roads of those days were probably little better
than an ordinary cart-path in the woods. Occasion-
ally we find a record of money paid to the owners of
land over which a public way passed, but no money
appears to have been paid by the town for building.
In fact, scarcely more than a path was necessary,
for there were no vehicles but ox-carts and sleds.
People traveled on horseback, and went to market
with their goods in saddle-bags. Persons are now liv-
ing in the town who say they can remember when there
were no w^agons of any kind, or pleasure carriafres,
except a few chaises, which were introduced about
the beginning of the century.
On the 14th of June, 1726, the second town-meet-
ing was called at the house of Asie Swan, '* to prefix
a place whereon to build a meeting-house" and make
other necessary arrangements for religious service.
At this meeting a bitter controversy began about the
location of the meeting-house. Votes being called
for, the following persons voted for "a place between
James Davis* and Ssmuel Smith's liouse," supposed
to be on what is now known as " Powder-House Hill :"
John Hastings.
Samuel Clark.
John Messer,
Daniel Lancaster.
Thomas Messer.
Robert Corgill.
Samuel Smith.
John Cross.
W'illiam Cross.
John Bailey.
Richard Messer.
Thomas Silver.
Nathaniel Messer.
Thomas Eaton.
Thomas Whittier.
Samuel Currier.
RulM-rt Swan.
Ephraim Clark,
.laineti Emery.
Joseph Pudney.
John Hue.
Asio Swan.
JameB How.
Abraham Masters.
James Wilson-.
Abiel Messer.
Duniel Peaslee.
Richard Swan.
The following persons entered their dissent against
the meeting-house being carried from the meeting-
house land or hill, —
Stephen Barker.
Henry Bodwell.
John Guttereon,
Joseph Morse.
Henry Bodwell, Jr.
Daniel Bodwell.
Samuel Huse.
James Bodwell.
John Harris.
John Gutterson.
William Gutterson.
Benjamin Stevens.
James Barker.
Sanmel Stevens.
Zebcdiah .\ustin.
Joseph Guttoreon.
Zehediah Barker.
Thomas Austin.
Thomas Richardson.
Abel Merrill.
Ehenczor Barker.
Joshua Swan.
It is likely that these two lists comprise the names
of about all the persons entitled to vote then living in
Methuen. We infer also that this dispute was one
concerning convenience of access to the meeting-
house, and that the voters cast their ballots for the
location that was nearest or would best accommodate
them.
On the 26th of August another meeting was called
to perfect the arrangements for building the new
meeting-house. It was voted that the meeting-house
should be built forty feet long, thirty-five feet in
width and twenty feet stud.
It was also voted to choose a committee to procure
land to set the meeting house on, to provide timber,
and hire a carpenter and other workmen, and provide
for the raising, *'all upon the town's cost and
charge." The meeting then adjourned to meet Sep-
tember 6th. At this meeting the dissenters above
named presented the following quaint and vigorous
protest, —
" We, the subscriben-, dissent against the proceedings pursuant to sun-
dry of the particulars as mentioned in the warrant for this meeting,
first, for that in the warrant, the day being prefixed, but tlie year is not.
2. For the bigness of the meeting-house according to the warrant, to
this we dissent, for the bigness cannot be known until a committee be
chosen and bound out the laud, for tlie particulars being placed in the
warrant agreeably to the old saying 'the cart before the Iiorse,* there-
fore irregular. 3. To choose a committee to procure so much land as
they shall think convenient for to set the meeting-house on, to this we
dissent, for that there is no land to be purchased. Our fathers in time
past, whilst we belonged to Haverhill, voted and granted a piece of land
for a parsonage for the west end of said town, which since by an act
of incorpoi'ation of the General Court, is constituted by the name of
Methuen a township; and the aforesjiid parsonage being most suitable
and convenient for the inhabitants to build the meeting-house on,
although in a former meeting of this town, as may be seen by the town
776
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
book, anii a number of freeholtJers and other inhabitants, did, by a jjre-
tended vote, contrary to law, or rather by a petition, carry the meeting-
house to another place, which we then {;ave our dissent against, and do
now dissent against the proceedings consequent upon said vote or peti-
tion. For a Committee to have tlie disposal of our estates after the
manner as is set forth in the warrant to purchase any land is unreason-
able, for that by the warrant they are invested with a power too great.
Our estates ought not to lie at their will and doom. The great Charter
of England lately confirmed to ns by our sovereign lord, king George,
wherein is contained liberty, right and property, reference thereto be-
ing had, gives us the disposal and ordering of our estates, all debts and
demands to our sovereign lord the king being paid firet. What commit-
tee then shall assess our lands by tax to pay for tlie purchase of land
without our free consent? i. That the said committee may procureone
acre of land in some convenient place for a burying-place, — to this we
dissent. Our right and property that we have in voting and procuring
mich a place, we deny the giving of it into the hands of a coniTuittee in
the manner as is expressed in the warrant. For that it is every man's
right and property that belongs to the town to have his vote in the
choice of a committee, or rather to vote the place where, and not to have
them appointed by the Selectmen. 5. The said committee are to provide
timber and to draw it to the place, or hire it drawn ; we dissent ; for that
there is no need of making a land tax for such a thing, when every
man by consent may draw his own proportion of timber, carting, Ac.
6. To see whether the town will agree that every man in this town
shall have an equal proportion of the common land within this town,
according to what rates he shall pay in the town ; we dissent first, for it
is unreasonable that an hired servant, who is rated only fur his head,
and hath no freehold, shall have an interest in our right and property ;
and, farther, the Province law provides that all persons that reside in
any town for the space of twenty days, if they trade, shall be rated. By
this you will give our right .and land to strangers. To the particulars
as above, and for the reasons annexed, we offer our dissent as freeborn
subjects to the Crown of Great Britain having an interest in the whole-
some laws and liberties by and from which we expect to be protected."
It seem.s, however, that this protest failed to con-
vince the obstinate uiajority of their injustice, but
worli: on the meeting-liousewent on, and the building
was raised on Powder House Hill. As a last resort,
the minority then appealed to the " Great and Gen-
eral Court," in a petition that the town be ordered to
set the meeting-house on Meeting-House Hill. It
seems that a committee of the Legislature was then
commissioned to visit Methuen to examine the im-
portant question. The only record we find of their
visit is, that Richard Swan was afterwards allowed by
the town one pound, ten shillings for the entertain-
ment of the visiting statesmen. But the result of it
all was, that the town was ordered by the General
Court to set the meeting-house on Meeting-House
Hill, and, accordingly, in 1727 the town voted to re-
move the frame to that spot, and the minority tri-
umphed. We find from the town records that nine
town-meetings were held during the first year, and
that the principal business was locating the meeting-
house, and perfecting the necessary arrangements for
religious service. At that time, and for many years
after, the minister and meeting-house were supported
by a town tax, as schools and highwaj's'are now. The
town records show that the Sunday services, as well
as the town-meetings were held at the house of Asie
Swan until the meeting-house was ready for occu-
pancy. Asie Swan seems to have been one of the
men prominent in town afliiirs, and his house is said
to have been situated a little east of Prospect Hill.
The meeting-house frame was moved in the fall of
1727, and raised on " Meeting-House Hill '' on the
common, a little south of the " Frye place," where it
stood for nearly seventy years. It was finished in the
spring of 1728, and it appears from the town records
that a town-meeting was held in the new meeting-
house on Wednesday, August 28, 1728, among other
purposes, "To see if the Town will order that the
public worship of God should be exercised in said
meeting-house," and it was voted "that the meeting
for public worship should be removed from the house
of Asie Swan, and held at the meeting-house next
Sabbath." It strikes one now as a little strange that
a community so devout should have begun to use
their house of worship without any dedicatory exer-
cises.
The next business of the town was to get a minister
To that end a town-meeting was called December
16, 1728, of which the first business was to "appoint
a day of fasting and prayer to spread our united sup-
plication before the Lord, for his gracious assistance
and conduct in our endeavors to settle a minister
amongst us, and to act such things as may be neces-
sary in order thereunto," and Wednesday, January
2d, was appointed for that purpose. A committee
was also appointed to agree with the neighboring
ministers concerning keeping this fast. The records
do not tell us how the fast was kept, but Robert Swan
was paid twelve shillings for providing for the minis-
ters on the day set apart for fasting and prayer.
On the third of March, 172y, it was voted " That a
committee be chosen to discourse with Mr. Christo-
pher Sargent in order to his settlement with us in the
work of the ministry." Mr. Sargent was a young
man, then twenty-six years of age, a graduate of Har-
vard, and had been acting pastor of the congregation
for some time.
It is a fact of interest showing how permanent the
pastoral oflice was regarded in those days, that at the
annual town meeting, held on March 12th, it was
voted to give Mr. Sargent eighty pounds a year for
the first four years, ninety pounds a year for the next
four years and after that one hundred pounds a year.
Mr. Sargent's proposal was, that they should pay
eighty pounds a year for the first two years, ninety
pounds a year for the next two years and one
hundred pounds a year, and also thirty cords of wood
yearly from the time he began to keep house. After
considerable discussion between Mr. Sargent and the
people, the terms of settlement were agreed upon,
and he was ordained pastor over the church Novem-
ber 5, 1729. Of the I'estivities which attended that
occasion we have no record, but there is no doubt
that the day was celebrated according to the customs
of the time, with great rejoicing, and by all the peo-
ple round about.
The new town now seems to have fairly started on
its career, and little is to be found in the records
worthy of notice. The town meetings were frequent,
and the business ti'ansacted in those meetings in the
different years much the same. The oflicers of the
METHUEN.
777
town were chosen then, as now, in the month of
March.
The officers were about the same as now, with the
addition of tithing men and the excejition of 8cliool
Committee.
Persons were annually chosen " to clear the fish-
ways " and " to take care that the fish have a con-
venient course over IMr. Huse's Mill Dam that is in
Spicket River."
Two persons called deer reeves were also chosen
annually for many years, to take care of the deer, and
a reward was generally offered each year for the
killing of a grown wolf, and a smaller one for "a
bitch wolfs whelj).''
Each bill against the town, however small, seems
to liave been presented to the town meeting for al-
lowance ; and there was, nearly every year, one or
more roads laid out l)y the selectmen and accepted
by the town.
The amount of money annually appropriated for
town charges, outside of the minister rate, for the
first fifty years, ranged from forty to one hundred and
seventy pounds. This does not include the highway
tax, which was paid in labor, and of which we find the
first record in 173().
In 17;i5 Henry .Saunders and twenty-eight others
living in the north part of tlie town, — probably most
of them in what is now Salem, N. H., presented a \>e-
tition to the town setting forth that
" It'/icrr.ifl we, till" suhtscritnTS, liie at so great a ilistanrc fmiii tlu' [nii)-
lir worship of <J'>il in tliis place, tliat \v** cannot afteml upon it witti onr
families witlioiit a great tipal of diflicnlty, we liave tliL-reforc been at the
f Iiargo to Iiire a (ninister to preacti to ns in a int)r(> convenient place,
wtiicti we tliinlv is Imnl for ns to ilo, .so long iia we are oliliged to pay onr
fnll proportion towards tin- support of the piitjiic worsliip uf (Jod in this
phn-e ; and althougli we have of late made onr application to this town
for sonn- iielp under our diiticiilt circnnistances, we have been denied
any. We therefore pray that yon would set ns off a distinct precinit i>y
inirselves. . .''
This petition was presented to the town December
16, 1736, and the record says:
"That the t<jwn, by a majority vote, manile.sted tiierr wiltingne.ss to
set off the north part of this town for a precinct by themselves, viz.:
Beginning at the north side of the World's Etid Ponil, so running easter-
ly to the south side of Peter .irerrill's laud, and so to Haverhill line, and
from World's Kml Pond, to a wading place in SpicUet Kiver by .Jonathan
Corliss', ami so running with a straight line to a pine tree standing in
the line between Dracut and Sletbuen, on the south side of Porcujiine
Ilrook."
The territory north of this Hue formed what was
afterwards known as the North Parish of Methueii,anil
most of it .soon after fell within the limits of New
Hampshire.
The relative number of inhabitants in the two
parishes at that time cannot be exactly determined.
The nearest approach to a correct estimate may
perhaps be made from the statement that the number
of highway tax payers in 1736, iu the whole town,
was one hundred and thirty-six. The number of tax
payers of the minister rate in the First Parish in that
year was ninety-eight, leaving thirty-eight in the
North Parish.
49 J
The next important event in the history of the
town occurred in 1741, when the State line was run,
thereby depriving Methuen of a larne part other ter-
ritory. Previous to 1740 there seems to have been
much controversy between the Province of Massachu-
setts and New Hampshire about the boundary line
between them. The charter first given to the Jlassa-
chusetts colony granted "all that part of New Eng-
land lying between three miles to the north of the
Merrimack and three miles to the south of the Charles
river, and of every part thereof in the Massachusetts
Bay ; and in length between the described breadth
from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea." Under
the charter the Massachusetts colony claimed that
their northern boundary was three miles to the north
of the northernmost point of the Merrimtick, and they
fixed upon a rock near the outlet of Lake Winnipis-
seogee, as the most northern part of the river. This
would have given to Massachusetts a large part of
Vermont and New Hampshire, and a large section in
Maine. The New Hampshire grantees claimed that
under the Jfassachusetts charter the line could not
extend in any place more than three miles from the
river. The territory between these lines became dis-
puted ground concerning which there was constant
contention.
In 1720 the New Hampshire colonists modified their
claim, so far as to propose that the line should begin
at a point three miles north from the mouth of the
Merrimack, and thence run due west to the South
Sea. The Massachusetts colony refused to agree to
this, and the contention became more violent, until
finally the Legislatures of the two colonies met — the
New Hampshire Legislature at Hampton Falls and
the Massachusetts at Salisbury — for the juirpose of
settling the diftieulty. They appointed committees
of conference, but were unable to agree, and after
several weeks of angry discussion by agreement of both
parties the whole subject was referred to the King of
England for decision. The matter was decided by
the king in council in 1740, and it was decreed that
the northern boundary of the Province of Massachu-
setts Bay " is and be a similar curved line, pursuing
the curve of Merrimack River at three miles distance,
on the north side thereof and beginning at the Atlantic
Ocean." The king also decreed that the line should
be run and established by the two Provinces, but if
either should refuse to act the other might fix and
establish it.
Massachusetts was dissatisfied with this decision,
and refused to have anything to do about running the
new line. New Hampshire appointed George Mitchell
to run the line from the ocean to a point three miles
north of Pawtucket Falls, and the line was thus es-
tablished by New Hampshire as it has been recog-
nized by the border towns on both sides of the line
ever since. Massachusetts has never formally agreed
to this line, and the old controversy has been recently
revived. Commissioners were appointed by both
778
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
States in 1885 to settle this question, if possiljle, and
they have not yet completed their work. Tradition
says that this decision was brought about by sharp
practice on the part of the agent appointed by New
Hampshire to lay the subject before the king ; and it
gave to New Hampshire seven liuudred square miles
more than she asked for. It cut off a large slice of the
original territory of the town of Methuen, and nearly
a third of the population. The northern and western
boundaries of the town have remained unchanged
from that time to the present. From 1740 to 1775 we
find record of very few important events.
There was no census until 17<)5, but we judge from
the increase in the number of tax-payers, that the
growth was simply the slow and steady increase of an
exclusively agricultural population. As the land grad-
ually became cleared, it became more thickly dotted
with dwellings. The produce raised upon the farms,
and food taken from the river supplied nearly all the
wants of the inhabitants. The money necessary for
their few purchases, and the payment of taxes, was
obtained partly by the sale of wood and timber which
was rafted to Newburyport, i)artly by the production
of flax which was sold to the inhabitants of London-
derry, and partly, probably, by tlie sale of some pro-
ducts, such as they could carry on horseback to Salem.
We find little information of the part Methuen had
in the French and Indian Wars. Two or three extra
appropriations for powder and flints, some taxes
abated to those who were in the service, and pay-
ments of money by the town for " taking care of the
French " seem to be all that shows action on the
part of the town. Tradition has it that Methuen
sent her share of soldiers at that time, but whether
there was a company from the town, or whether the
soldiers were scattered among ditfereut comjjanies
i'rom neighboring towns we have no means of know-
ing.
There seems to have been at this time a remarkable
reluctance to hold oflice, as is shown by the fact that
Methuen was fined in 1770, '72 and '73, for not
choosing a Representative to the Legislature. Possi-
bly, however, this may have resulted more from a dis-
inclination on the part of the tax-payers to pay for
the service, than from a disinclination to serve on the
part of the possible candidates. In 1774 the inhabi-
tants of the west part of Methuen petitioned to be set
oif with the easterly part of Dracut to make a new
township, " so that both the above said towns may be
better accommodated to attend public worship." The
division line of the proposed new town commenced
" on the bank of the Merrimack River about four
poles to the east of Mr. Daniel Bodwell's ferry (at
the foot of Tower Hill), thence running northwesterly
to the province line, about one hundred and fifty-six
poles to the west of Spicket River, including all to
the west of said line," thus cutting ofia large portion
of the town. There was a strong opposition on the
part of Methuen, and the scheme failed. About this
time we begin to find indications of the coming con-
test. The first record we find of any action by the
town in relation to the questions then stirring the pub-
lic mind, is a vote passed in August, 1774, to pay one
pound, sixteen shillings and seven pence, lawful
money to defray the charges of the Congress held at
Philadelphia. In December, 1774, it was voted that
Mr. Enoch Merrill, former constable should pay the
remainder of the province money to Henry Gardner,
and also " that the Selectmen should conduct them-
selves respecting the Constable's warrants according
to the Provincial Congress instructions." At that
time the constables collected the taxes, and paid them
liver under instructions of the selectmen, and the
meaning of these votes probably was. that the prov-
ince tax was to be paid under the instructions of the
Provincial Congress rather than the English Govern-
ment.
No other record of action at that time appears in
the regular records of the town, but on one of the last
leaves of the book of records then in use, we find
tlie following :
"At a loggel meeting uf the freehulclcrs and utlicr inhabitants i>f tlio
Town of Methuen lieid by adjuurnnieni liom the ninth uf August, 1774,
to the 20th of September, 1774. Talcing into serious ronsiderutivm tlie
State of public affairs, A'oteil, that a t'onimittee be cliusen to consult aiiii
Advise with Each other. Likewise witll Comniittees of otiier Towns, and
if need be to communicate to any other Town any measure that may ap-
pear to be conducive to the publieli Benefite, more Especlay to be
Watch-full that no Encroachments are not made on our Constitutional
Rights and Liberties, that we may enjoy the Blessing we have Left in
peace and not be Deprived of them from any (inarter but may Devise
prosecute the most vigorous and reselnle mesures as far as Lyes in our
sphere, retrieve our iuvaluabl privileges. Voted that this Committee
consist of fifteen persons.
"Stephen llarlvcr, Esq. ,lohn Hiise.
,lohn Bodwell. .lames Malloon.
Nathaniel I'etteugill. .lohn Pettcngill.
Samuel Bodwell. Lieut. ,IoIin Sargent.
Cutting Marsh. Richard Whittier.
David 'Whittier. Ebenezer CoUen.
Jonathan Swan. John Masten.
James Jones.
" Voted, that the above should be entered In the Tov/n Clerk's othce."
That the people began to contemplate the possibil-
ity of war with Great Britain is indicated by the fol-
lowing, which is ail exact copy of the original now in
possession of A. C. Goodell, Esq., of Salem.
" Whkueas, niilartrary Exercise hath been much nelicked We the.
Subscrbers being th« first comptrey in Methuen Do ("ovenant ami En-
gage to form our sevels in to aBoday in order to Laru the manual Ex-
ercise, To be Subegat To Such officers as the Comptrey shall chuse by
Voat in all constutenal marsher according to our Chattaers.
' Methuen ye fith of octr. 1774
* James .Tones.
Ichabod Perkins.
James Wilson.
Timothy Eaton.
Ebenezer Calton.
Thomas Runnels.
Henry Morss.
Samuel Messer.
Daniel Messer.
Natlil Hascltiuo.
Richard Hall
Samuel Parker.
AVilliam Runnels.
Asa Cnrriei'.
Natlianiel Slesser.
Ebenezer Messer.
Nathan Perley.
John Keley.
.\sa Messer.
.lohn Eaton.
John Davison.
William .Stevens.
Silas Brown.
William Whittier.
METHUEN.
779
John Marsten, Jr.
Niitlmuiel Smith Messier.
.Iiimes Silver, Jim.
A hi el How.
Tiiiiolhy Eiiiersiiii.
Joshua KnuM-son, Jr.
Oliver Emei-suii.
Tiiiiotiiy How.
Isaac Barker.
Simeon Cross.
Francis Swan, Juiu-
Jarues Davison.
.Iaci.ih ilow.
Klijati Curlloii.
Joseph Huw.
Jonathan How.
Asa Moi-s*s.
Nath'l. Clark.
Juliii Merrill.
Ahiel Cruss.
Stephen Webster, Jr.
.Jacob Messer.
Daniel U. Wliittier.
Samuel Wehher.
Jacob Hall.
Amos Gage.
John Cross.
Nathan Russ.
Jlichard Jaipies.
Kobert Hastings.
James Chase.
Nath. Herrick,
Joseph Ha-stiiii^s.
Kimhi.ll Caltou.
Ricbanl Currier.
Khenezer Raton.
Simeon Hasttens.
John How, Jr.
Farmiin Hall.
Kphraim Clark.
Theu.lore Kmer.'<ori.
" the fei-st Conipyney in Methuen meat att Mr, Ehen. Carlton's in
urder tuchnse officers, uTul thay Chose Lieut. Benj'ni. Hall Muilerator.
they chose Mr. James Jones for tbar Capt. Mr. Ichohied Perkins furst
Leut. IMr. James Wilson Soncnt Lent. Mr. Saiu' Messer Kns. Mr.
Nath" Mesjser Jr. (.'lark fur sai<l (.'oniiivneV-
Clark
" Wii.i.i,\M P\i;E fur sil,
Metteii.
'■ :\lethuen ye T, of Orlc.r I77-L"
In January. 177'>, the town vote'l to give to the
poor ot'the town of Boston by sukscription, and chose
a committee to receive donations. At the same meet-
ing it was voted th:it tlie miniite-men " drawn out or
exposed to train, shonhi have eight pence per day tor
their trouble to tlie last of March,"
Mr. John Bodwell was also chosen at that meeting
to meet the Provincial Congress on the first day of
February at Cambri<lge. At the annual meeting in
March it was voted to provide bayonets, " which
should be brought to Captain J(din Davis, and after
the service was over said Davis is to return said bayo-
nets unto the selectmen of said town." It was also
voted that the committee of safety or correspondence
should continue a committee for the same purpose,
and also that John Masters and Jonathan Barker be
a committee to make up the ** cartrages " for those
persons who were not able to provide for themselves,
out of the town stock. Soon after, the town voted U>
provide guns for all minute men unable to furnish
themselves; also to provide blankets and cartridges.
Another interesting document, dated about this
time, is also found out of place on one of the last
leaves of the book of records, as follows : —
"We, Uie subscribei-s, being appointed a committee by the town of
Methuen to give some instructions to a certain ( .'ommittee of Safety and
Correspondence, that was chosen by this town in September la.st or may
hereafter be chosen iis above, that it is reconiinended that the ahovo
Committee do strictly observe and conform to the iiistruetions hen-attt-r
mentioned.
'* First. That you will be vigilant in this tiniy of public distress ; that
no infractions, violations be made on the good and whulesome law.-j of
ihia province, whereby the morals of the people are endangered of being
corrupted, and in case y«)U should be nnsuccetisful in your endeavors in
all pmper ways, then to publish their names that the public may see and
know them to be enemies of their ii>untry inid the piivileges of the
same.
"Secondly. That you correspond with ronimittees of other towns, if
yuu see it needful, as may be necessary on all important uccasionH.
Thirdly. As a Committee of Inspection we recommend to you that you
will not buy or purchase any British manufactures or superfluities in
your families hut such as are of absolute necessity, and likewise that
you recommend to others to do the same, for we think that a reforma-
tion of this will greatly tend to lessen our private expense and the better
enable us to bear the publick charges and prevent those mischiefs that
may ensue thereupon.
" Fourthly. That you will suppress as much as possible those persons,
if any such there be, who travel as pedlers to introduce British goods
and impose on the inconsiderate, which may impoverish us. And where-
as, it is said that our enemies are sending out spies in order to get infor-
mation of our schemes and plans which are contrived for our defence so
as they may frustrate them, it is recommended that you take care that
they receive that resentment due to their deeds.
" Fiftlily. If any trader or other person within this town shall take
the advantage of liie present distressed circumstances in America and by
an avaricious thiret after gain shall raise the price of any commodity
whatsoever beyond their usual reasonable price, or shall use their influ-
ence by words or actions to weaken the measures advised by the (Jraud
Continental Congress when made to appear to you (hat he or they persist
in the same, you are to publifiih their names that they may be publirkly
known and treated as enemies to their country.
James In«;am,s, ]
JoN.\TH.\N Swan >. CinumUtv.
John Hisk,
MF.TniKN, Ain-il Aih, 177.'>.'"
It will be noticed that this paper was dated aliont
two weeks before the battle of Lexington. It shows
the resohite, deep-seated earnestness with which our
fathers entered the contest, aiul that the men of Me-
thuen were as fully imbued with the spirit of resist-
ance to tyranny as the more widely known men of
the time. As might be expected, the town records
are silent in regard to the events at Lexington and
Bunker Hill. There was no reason why the town
as a body should take action in reference to those
battles. Nevertheless the men of ]\Ieihuen had an
active share in those great events, and we are not
without an official record of the jiart they took.
The archives at the State House contain the names
of those who went from Methuen on the memorable
loth of April, and also the names of the Methuen
Company who fought at the battle of Bunker Hill.
There were four Methuen conii»anies at the battle
of Lexington, and the following is a lull list of the
names ju.st as they are found on the original muster
rolls now on file in the (dlice (tf the Secretary of
v^tate :
('(ij)f(ihi JoJtn Davis Covipamj hi Colonel Fryt's Re</1-
iiient^ enluted Feb. 14///, 1775.
Captain, John Davis.
I'lr.sl L!,rnt>-itu)il, N;Uhl. Herrick. Second Lonlnnuif, Kliphalel li..(iw^ll.
Senjeants.
Klea/ei' (^arleton,
Francis Swan.
Jonathan Baxter
John Davison
James Campbell.
Silas Brown.
Enos Kings.
Asa Moi-se.
Kbenr. Pingrief.
Simeon Tyler.
Amos Harrinion.
Co,-pn,u,l-i.
llichard Hall.
,b.iia. ParKer.
William Stevens.
Jtishua Kmerson.
s.
Daniel Jennings.
Wm. Whiteher.
Nathan Swan.
Peter Barker.
Joseph .lacksiin.
Aaron Noyes
Parker Bodwull.
780
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Daniel Morse.
James Ortlway.
Ebeuezer Henick.
Daniel Messer.
Nathan Rues.
James Ingalla.
James Davison.
Amos Gage (ilrnmmor).
Joseph Moi'se.
Dudley NoyeM.
Joseph Hibbanl.
Prince Johnnot.
This muster roll made for seven days,
Solomon JenningH.
Joshua Budwell.
Dudley Bailey.
James Silver.
Pett*r Webster.
John Swan.
Daniel Bailey.
Thomas Bace.
Jeremiah Stevens.
Ebenezer Sargent.
John Merrill.
Samuel Barker (fifer).
from April llith. Sworn to
John Davis.
Muster roll of the following number or party of
men that belonged to Methuen, in the county of
Essex, on the alarm on the 19th of April, 1775, and
never joined to any particular commanding officer:
Captain.
James Mallon.
Abner Monill.
Isaac Austin.
Isaac Austiu, Jr.
Benj. Herrick.
Peter Harris.
Joseph Griffin.
Francis Richardson.
Elisha Parker.
John Parker, Jr.
Isaac Ilnghs.
Timothy Chellis.
Total, 22.
Bodwell, 2d.
AuBtin, Jr.
Parker, Jr.
Obadiah Moi-se.
W'm. Runs, Jr.
Wm. Mcf'leary.
Hezekiah Parkt-r.
Jesse Barker.
Moses Morse.
James Dennis.
The pay roll of the company under the command of
Major Samuel Bodwell, exhibited in consequence of
the alarm on the li»th of April :
1»(. Lieut., David Whittier. 2(1 Lieut, Nathl. Pettengill.
Eiisig)!, Enoch Merrill. Clerk, John Hughs.
Serijeaul, John Mansur.
Pi-ivates.
Wm. Guttei-aon.
Nathl. Pettengill.
Thomas Pettengill.
Dudley Pettengill.
Daniel Tyler.
John Pettengill, Jr.
Saml. Cross.
John Bodwell.
Parker Richardson.
Thomas Dow.
M'm. Bodwell.
Wm. Morse.
John Barker.
Simtion Dow.
Samuel Cole.
Samuel Hughs.
John Pettengill.
John Webber.
Benj. Mastin.
Elijah Sargent.
Total 45.
Joshua Stevens.
John AVliittier, .Ir.
Abel Merrill.
Joseph Morrill.
John Richardson.
Wm. Richardson.
Nathl. Ilil.bard.
James llibbard.
Bodwell Ladd.
John Ladd.
Stephen Barker.
Mitchell Davis.
Ebenr. Barker.
Nehemiali Barker.
Saml. Richardson.
Enoch Cheney.
Jona. Barker, Jr.
Bonj. Stevens, Jr.
John Uibbard.
Wm. Uibbard.
Captain James Jones' pay roil for the campaign in
the defence of the country at the battle of Concord,
made at the rate of twenty-eight days per month, four
days' service.
Captain, James Jones.
LieiitenmU, Irhabod Perkins.
hergei
Timothy Eaton.
Ephraim Clark.
Nathan Perley.
Jacob JVIesser.
Nathl. Hflzeltine.
John Kelly (drummer).
Aidel Cross.
William Page.
Moses Sargent.
James Fry.
Thomas Herrick.
Joseph Granger.
Isaac Barker.
Day Emerson.
Joseph Perkins.
Jona. How.
Nathl. S. Clark.
Corjoorals.
Elijah Carlton.
Simeon Cross,
John Tippets, 3d.
Oliver Emerson.
James Mesier.
Henry Mors.
Stephen Webstor, Jr.
Elisha Perkins.
Job Pingrey.
Joaeph Cross.
Asa Cross.
John Morris.
Kimball Carleton.
/// fhe Company of Captain Charles Furbush.
Pnvatts.
James Silver.
John Hancock.
Neliemiah Ktdah.
Daniel Pettengill.
Theodore Emerson.
Isaac Maloou.
Jos. Pettengill.
Abraham P. Silver.
Total 8.
Grand Total 150.
The number of inhabitants in Methuen in 1776, ac-
cording to the colonial census, was thirteen hundred
and twenty -six.
The tax book of that year gives the names of two
hundred and fifty-two poll-taxpayers. It is surprising
that a town of so small population could have sent so
many men at the first call to meet the British. Noth-
ing could more forcibly impress us with the universal,
deep-seated determination of our fathers to protect
their rights at all hazards, than this simple list of
names. When we consider that they were not called
out by any order of the authorities, that their enthu-
siasm had not been stirred by appeals from the daily
press or by public speakers, that they only knew from
the signal guns and fires on the hills that the British
were in motion, and that the war had actually begun,
and that nearly every able bodied man in town, more
than half the poll-taxpayers, must, of their own ac-
cord, have shouldered their muskets and marched at
a moment's warning to meet the foe, those of us who
claim descent from those men cannot help feeling the
blood tingle in our veins with an honest pride in such
an ancestry. Such facts show better than anything
else can, the quality of the Revolutionary spirit, and
how it was that the colonies were finally successful.
The next important event was the battle of Bunker
Hill, on the 17th of June following, in which it is
certain that a Methuen company bore an important
part. The following is a copy of the original muster-
roll on file at the State House.
"CAMHRIDfJF, Oct. 5, 1775.
•'Return of the men's names, when they enlisted and where they be-
longed. Belonging to Captain John Davis' Company, in Colonel Frye's
Regiment :
Captain^ John Davis.
Pirnt Lieutenant, Nathl. Herrick. Second Lieutenant, Eliphalet Budwell.
ilfiy'fjr, Jonathan Barker.
Sergeutits.
Ebenezer Carllton. Francia Swan.
Richard Hall. Peter Barker.
METHUEN.
781
Corpt'fah.
Jonathan Baxter.
William Stevens,
Alpraiiani Anness,
John Asten.
Silaa lliowii.
I'arkpi- B.jd«.-ll
David Bailey.
Dudley Bailey.
TiiN.itliy Cheliia.
David Corlifis.
James ih'dway.
Jereniiab Stevens.
James Silver.
Siineun Tyler.
Amos Gage (drummer).
Samuel Barker (fifer).
James Campbell.
James Davison.
Mitehol Davis.
Ainos Ilarriiitan.
Joshua Emerson.
John Davison.
Lazarus Huhbard.
Ebeliozer HerrirU.*
•Joseph Hibbard.-
James Ingalls.'
Dudley Noyes.
Aaron Noyea.
Peter Webster.
James Woodbury.
Ebenezer Sargent.
Samuel Parkei-.
Thomas Pace.
Nathan Iluss.
.lolin Swan.
Nathan .Swan.
Kbene/.er Pingrief.
Joshua lioiiwell.^
Solomon .Tenriiugs.-'
It is by no means certain that this list includes the
names ofall Methuen men engaged in the battle ; there
may have been some in companies from the neigh-
boring towns. It is known that the Methuen company
was in the thickest of the fight, that it was stationed
in the riMloiibt, and was among the last to leave it. It
is said that it came near being surrounded towards
the end of the battle, and that as the enemy came up
on each hand a British soldier ran up to Captain
Davis, saying, "You are my pri.soner."
Ca|itain Davis, who was a resolute, powerful man,
replied, " I guess not," at the same time running the
soldier through with his sword. The blood spurted
over his breeches as he drew back the sword, but he
made his escajie. It is also said that Captain Davis
took one of his wounded men upon his back just after
escaping from the redoubt, and carried him ont of the
reach of ilanger. As he was crossing the hollow be-
tween the hills, which was swept by the fire from a
British vessel, he saw before him a board fence. Cap-
tain Davis, tired by excitement and the weight of his
comrade, said : " I don't see how we can get over that
fence." But in an instant after, a cannon ball
knocked it in pieces and left the way clear.
Mr. Asa M. Bodwell tells a story of James Ordway,
who afterwards lived on the west side of Tower Hill.
Mr. Ordway was in poor circumstances in his old age,
and had a bad ulcer on his leg. Mr. Bodwell says
that his father sent him one day to Mr. Orilwaj- with
a gallon of rum to bathe his lame leg, antl with it
a message saying that the rum was sent to |)ay for
throwing stones at the battle of Bunker Hill. The
story being, that when the ammunition gave out, at
the close of the battle, Ordway laiddowu his gun and
threw stones at the British until driven out. Methuen
lost three men at the battle of Bunker Hill. Ebenezer
Herrick was killed in the battle, .Foseph Hibbard
was wounded and died June 20th, James Ingalls was
wounded and died July 8th. It is impossible to as-
' Died Jime ITtli.
2 Died June 2Uth.
'Died July Stli.
*Iu train June 17th.
6 in train June 17th.
certain the exact number of soldiers Methuen had in
the Revolutionary War. The town records give us
no information on this point, and the State records
are imperfect, but there is no doubt that Methuen
kept her quota in the field. After the evacuation of
Boston by the British, the seat of war was so far away,
that ])robal)ly few of the soldiers from this town
were at'tively engaged with the enemy.
There are stories told of Methuen men who went
to fight Burgoyne, and helped to conduct the captured
soldiers to Cambridge, and guard them while there ;
other soldiers from this town were stationed at dif-
ferent points on the coast exposed to attack.
During those years, the town business went on as
usual. A Committee of Safety and Correspondence
was appointed each year, and in February, 1778, the
town voted that the Selectmen should supply the
families of soldiers in the Continental Army with the
necessaries of life. At the same meeting the town
was called upon to see what instructions it would
give to their Kepresentative, relative to a resolve of
the Continental Congress for all the United States of
America to join in a perpetual union with one
another. The subject was referred to a committee,
consisting of Major Bodwell, Captain James Jones,
Colonel Thomas Poor, Lieutenant John Huse anil
Mr. Enoch IMerrill. At an adjourned meeting, the
([uestion was put whether the town would receive
and accept the Articles of Confederation and per-
))etual union, and "voted in the atiirmative."
The currency question seems to have been as trou-
blesome in those days as it has been later. At a
meeting held April 2, 1778, there was an article in
the warrant "To see whtit the town will do with those
persons who refuse to take our paper currency, — iind
passed a resolve to treat them as enemies to their
country, and voted to publish the same in the Boston
newspaper." The ra]iid decrease in value of this
currency is shown by the fact, that while, in 1777, .CoO
was raised for the ordinary repairs of the highways,
in 1781 .£6000 was raised for the same purpose.
In 1779, Lieut. John Sargent was chosen delegate
to represent the town in the convention to be held tit
Cambridge, to form a new constitution. In 1780, the
new Constitution of the State of Massachusetts took
ertect, and in that year y/e find the first record of ii
vote for Governor and Senators. It is evident that
party feeling did not run very high, from the fact that
for the ofBce of Governor, John Hancock had sixty-
four votes and James Bowdoin two.
In that year the town furnished 87S0 pounds of
beef for the army, and hired sixteen men. The next
year they fiirnished 6957 pounds of beef, and raised
twelve men to serve as soldiers.
We find nothing in the town records to indicate the
end of the war, except a vote to sell the entrenching
tools belonging to the town, and the frequency of
military titles, indicating that the .soldiers were at
home and active in town matters.
782
HISTOEY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
From the close of the Revolutionary War, there is
little of interest to be gleaned from the town records
for many years. About this time we find that the
toivn voted " not to give liberty for inoculation for
small-pox," and to " choose a committee of five to
take care of those persons lately inoculated with the
small-pox, and prosecute them, and take ett'ectual
care that the distemper spread no further."
In 1793, a company was organized to build a bridge
over the Merrimack at Bodwell's Falls. Up to that
time ferries had furnished the only means of crossing
this river. We find mention of five ditlerent ferries,
as follows:
Gage's Ferry, near the end of Pleasant Valley
Street.
Swan's Ferry, at Wingate's farm.
Marston's Ferry, at the Alms-house, Lawrence.
Bodwell's Ferry, at the Pumping Station, Lawrence.
Harris' Ferry, a little east of Dracut line.
The early inhabitants did not dream that a bridge
could be built across so broad a stream, and a coinmon
way of expressing the impossibility of doing a thing
was to say, " ft is as impossible as to build a bridge
over the Merrimack River." It seems, too, that some
of the inhabitants did not take kindly to the new
project, probably deeming it a base scheme on the
part of the proprietors to make money out of the
public ; for a meeting was held soon after to see if the
town would send a remonstrance to the General
Court against its erection. This proposition was
decided in the negative. The ojiponents of the
bridge then called a meeting to see if the town would
petition the General Court to order the proprietors to
pay the cost of the town roads leading to the bridge.
This also was voted down, and the town decided to
repair the road over Currant's Hill to the New
Ham|)sliire line.
The bridge was built shortly after, and for some
years the travel from thence to New Hampshire
passed over Currant's Hill, curving around over the
old road — now discontinued — on the hill in the rear
of the house of James Ingalls.
The "Turnpike" (now Broadway) was built in
1805-6, by an incorporated comjiany. A system of
toll was established, but it caused such dissatisfaction
that in a few years the ".Turnpike" was made a
public highway by the County Commissioners.
The town first voted for a Representative to Con-
gress and for a Presidential Elector, December 18,
1788, the highest candidate voted for receiving
twenty-three votes. It seems that at the first Presi-
dential elections, the town voted for only one elector;
but in 1804 votes were cast for nineteen electors.
The change from the use of English money to
Federal currency took place about 1795-110. The
last time we find "pounds" used in making up the
towu records was in 1795.
In 1805, the town voted that the Annual Town
Meeting should be held on the first Monday in
March, for the future ; and, at the same meeting, for
the first time voted that swine should not go at large.
Previous to that time, the town had always voted the
largest liberty to swine, except that for a few years
this liberty had been coupled with the condition that
they should be '' yoaked and ringed."
In the War of 1812 Methuen sent her proportion of
men to meet the old enemy. The only reference to that
war in the town records, is a vote passed '' to give the
detached soldiers a sum to make them up twelve dollars
a month while in active service with what Govern-
ment gives them." We have been told by veterans
of that war, now dead, that the number of men called
for from Methuen was not large. They were mostly
stationed to defend the forts along the coast. It is
said, however, that a small number of soldiers went
from Methuen to meet the British in Canada, and
that they were present at the surrender of Hull. It
appears from the census returns and the tax lists that
Methuen grew but little in wealth and population,
during the forty years subsequent to the Revolution-
ary War. In 1776 the population of the town num-
ber one thousand three hundred and twenty-six, and
in 1820 one thousand three hundred and seventy-
one.
There was no village in the town at that time, and
no neighboring markets to induce growth. At the
beginning of this century, there were only six houses
in the now thickly settled part of Methuen Village.
The Miller Cross house, corner of Hampshire and
Lowell Streets ; Sargent house, where Exchange
Hotel stands ; Deacon Fry house, Butters farm ;
Swan place, Nevins farm ; Jonathan Clufl' house,
Mill-yard; John Sargent house, at elm tree by mill-
yard.
There was then one grist-mill, a little south of
Fisher's grocery store, another on the opposite side ot
the river, and a fulling-mill just below the foot-bridge
at the falls. From 1820 to 1840 the town gained
about seventy per cent, in population, with a corre-
sponding increase in wealth. This was in consequence
of the building of the cotton-mills, anil increase in
the manufacture of shoes and hats. During that time
there were few events of special interest to this gen-
eration. In 1837 it appears that a new town-house
was talked about, and a committee was chosen at the
March meeting to select a location and prepare esti-
niates. The committee reported at an adjourned
meeting, and the town voted to build. A week or
two afterwards another meeting was called, the vote
reconsidered and committee discharged. The same
year the selectmen were authorized to hire the vestry
of the Baptist meeting-house for holding town-meet-
ings, and that house continued to be the place for
town-meetings until the present town-house was built
in 1853. In 1844 rumors began to circulate of a pro-
ject to dam the Merrimack, and build factories at
Bodwell's Falls. The town voted to give Daniel
Saunders and his associates a refusal of the town-
METFIUEN.
783
fHrm, which was situated on Broadway, the buildings
being on the east side, south of Haverhill Street, at its
cost, with an addition of thirty-three per cent.
The terms on which the Essex (Jompany bonded
the land now occupied Ijy the principal parts of the
city of Lawrence were, a fair cash value, with an ad-
dition of thirty-three per cent. The land was bought
in (lue time, and the "New City" as it was then
called, grew with wonderful rapidity. When opera-
tions first began there were only nine or ten houses
standing on what is now the thickly settled part of
North Lawrence. There was a paper-mill, operated
bv ,\d(il[ihus Durant, on the Spicket, a little above
its niiiuth. Li 1847 Chas. S. Storrow and others peti-
tioned for an act of incor|)oration of a new town to be
called Lawrence. There was a strong ojiposition to
this scheme on the part ot Jlethuen, a towu-meeling
was called, ami .hdm Tenney and (ieorge A. Waldo
were chosen to oppose the ])etiti<ui before the com-
mittee of the Legislature. They were unsuccessful in
this opposition ; Lawrence obtained an act of incor-
poration, and Methnen lost a large section of her ter-
ritory. .\iiother small slice was subsecpiently taken
IVdmi Metluun and added to Lawrence, since which
time the boundaries of Methuen have remained un-
changed. Doubtless old residents of the town will
recall many matters of much interest in their day,
such as the bickerings about the enforcement of tlie
licimir laws, the efi'orts made to suppress the lii|unr
trathe in 8aleni, the contests over the dividing lines of
school districts, and the disputes over the building of
new roads, but they would hardly be of general inter-
est now. From 1850 to IStiO there was little change
in population, and few events of general interest. In
18(il came the war which laid its hand so heavily on
the whole land. When the first note of war was
sounded, and President Lincoln called for seventy-
five thousand troops to protect Washington in April,
18(51, Governor Andrew ordered the Si.Kth Massa-
chusetts Regiment, with others, to start at once.
Company F of that Regiment, Capt, Chadbourne, had
its armory in Lawrence, and eight members of that
company belonged in Methuen as follows:
Henry ('uiiiiiiii)gs.
.\lbfrt 1.. Dame.
.\mos G. Jones.
George Kent.
Frank Santturn.
George Thnrlow.
.James Troy.
Henry Tnrkington.
They were notified of the call late in the afternoon,
and immediately reported for duty, and the next
morning they all left Lawrence for Washington. On
the lOtli they made the memorable passage through
Baltimore where they met the first resistance to the
Federal troops. Thus Slethuen has had the honor of
seeing her sons foremost in the fight in both of our
great wars ; for as Lexington and Concord were the
initial events in the Revolutionary War, so was Bal-
timore in the Civil War.
The first action taken by the town was inmiediately
afterwards on April 30th, when a town-meeting was
held, and the sum of five thousand dollars voted for
the purpose of arming, ei|uip[iiug and furnishing vol-
unteers. A committee, consisting of the selectmen,
Ebeu. Sawyer, J. I'. Flint, John C. Webster and
Daniel Currier was appointed " to disburse the
money." A company was at once formed, all of vol-
unteers from Methnen and vicinity, and most of them
from Methuen, and they were uniformed, eipiipped
and drilled, so as to be ready for action. This com-
pany became Company B, Fourteenth Massachusetts
Infantry, and for some time were stationed at Fort
Warren, and went to Washington in the latter part
of the summer of 18G1. In August of that year, the
town voted to pay State aid to the families of volun-
teers according to law.
In July, 18')2, forty-seven men were called for, an<l
the town voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dol-
lars to each volunteer when mustered into the United
States service. On the 2d of August the town held
another meeting, in which it was voted to pay two
hundred didlars in addition to the sum already
voted, making three hundred in all, to vidunteers when
mustered into the service. Immediately after came an-
other from the President lor three hundred thousand
nine months' men. A meeting was at once called to
adopt measures to obtain the number required from
.Methuen. It was voted to pay one hundred and
fifty dollars to each nine months' man when mus-
tered in and credited to the town.
The next call for recruits came in November, 181)3,
and the town voted " to fill its cpiota under the call
for three hundred thousand men." A vote also passed
to pay the families of drafted men the same State aid
that was paid to families of volunteers.
In May, 18(i4, the selectmen were authorized to
pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars bounty to
volunteers in anticipation of a call from the Presi-
dent for more men. After this time, however, few re-
cruits were mustered in. The volunteers from Me-
thuen were scattered through several dift'erent regi-
ments, but the largest number was iu Company B,
First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, which was
noted as a remarkably well-drilled and discii)lined
body of men. When the regiments were detailed for
the defence of Washington, the Fourteenth Massa-
chusetts Infantry was selected after a competitive
inspection with other regiments, for their excellent
discipline, well-regulated camp, good appearance and
reliable men.
The name of the regiment was changed from the
Fourteenth Massachusetts Infantry to the First .Mas-
sachusetts Heavy Artillery, and the men remained on
duty in the forts in front of Washington, on .\rlingt(Hi
Heights, until towards the end of the war, when they
were ordered to the front, and |)erformed distin-
guished service. They were engaged in sixteen to
twenty different battles, and at Spoltsylvania they oc-
cupied an important position in the centre of Grant's
army, and held at bay Ewell's force of more than
784
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
four times their miinber, until reinforcemeuts ar-
rived from a distance of five miles, thus preventing
Grant's army from being cut in two. For their heroic
behavior on that occasion they received the unusual
distinction of a special commendation from General
Grant. The Methuen men received their heaviest
blow in this battle, where fifteen were killed and
many more wounded. The news that the company
from Methuen had sufl'ered heavily iu this battle
caused great excitement throughout the town, and a
meeting of the citizens was immediately held. Reso-
lutions expressive of sympathy and condolence were
passed, and it was voted to send an agent to look
after the wounded.
It ought to be mentioned also that the Methuen
company held au h(morable position in this regiment
of eighteen hundred men. At the battle of June 16
the regimental color-bearer was twice shot down.
Our well-known townsman, Albert L. Dame, was then
given this honorable and dangerous place in the reg-
iment, and had the honor of carrying the colors to
the end of the war, and delivering them up to the
State. The number of men lost from Methuen during
the war was fifty-two, exclusive of those serving in
the navy. According to General Schouler, the town
furnished three huu<lreil and twenty-five men for
the war, which was a surplus of fifty-one over and
above all demands. Fifteen were commissioned offi-
cers. The whole amount of money appropriated and
expended by the town on account of the war, exclu-
sive of State aid, was .i?38,G.51 fW.
In addition to this amount seven thousand five
hundred dollars were gratuitously given by individu-
al citizens to aid soldiers' families and to encourage re-
cruiting. The total amount of State aid, which has
been paid to soldiers and their families in Methuen,
up to January 1, 1887, is $56,747.03. There were
about a thousand dollars in money raised by fairs and
levees, and the ladies of Jlethuen devoted a great
deal of time to work for the soldiers.
There were two societies, the Sanitary Commission
and Christian Commission, which performed a vast
amovint of work whose value cannot be measured in
dollars and cents. Thus it appears that there must
have been paid out in Methuen, directly on account
of the war, considerably more than $100,000.
As we look back over the record of Methuen in the
Civil War, on the readiness with which her men
mustered in the field, and the heartiness with which
they were supported by those left at home, we cannot
deny that this generation has proved itself worthy its
Kevolutiouary ancestry.
On the 7th of September, 1876, Methuen celebrated
the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its in-
corporation as a town. The day was fine, and the
event was observed with great enthusiasm. The
booming of cannon in tlu early moruing aroused the
slumberers in the valley of the Spicket, and gave the
signal for the festivities of the day to begin.
The Town-House and most private dwellings were
tastefully decorated, business was suspended and the
busy town took on a holiday appearance (luite un-
usual. The exercises of the day began with a pro-
cession, composed of a cavalcade of horsemen, a
military company improvised for the occasion, — part
equii)ped in the old style and part in the new, — the
fire department, carriages representing the different
trades and business of the town, school children, dis-
tinguished visitors and citizens in carriages, making
quite an impositig display. Governor Rice, Surgeon
Gen. Dale, Hon. Allen W. Dodge and Hon. Carroll
D. Wright, were among the visitors. The president
of the day was Hon. Jacob Emerson, orator, Hon.
John K. Tarbox, chief marshal, Adjutant James
Ingalls, chaplain. Rev. Lyman H. Blake.
The procession, with bands of music, passed through
the principal streets of the town to the " Barker
Lot," near the corner of Lowell and Barker Streets,
where a stand had been erected. Here an eloquent
oration was delivered before a large audience, by
Hon. John K. Tarbox, a son of Methuen. After the
oration a banquet was served under a large tent near
by, at the conclusion of which speeches were made by
the orator of the day, Hon. Allen W. Dodge, treasur-
er, of Essex County, Rev. Dr. A. A. Miner, once pas-
tor of a church in Jlethucn, Hon. Carroll D. Wright,
Hon. J. C. Blaisdell, of Fall River, Hon. J. K. Jen-
ners, mayor of Haverhill, Major George S. Merrill, of
Lawrence, Rev. Moses How, of New Bedford and sev-
eral others.
Rev. Moses How was a resident of Methuen in his
youthful days, and at this time, though eighty-seven
years of age, a hale and vigorous man. After giving
his audience many interesting reminiscences of old
Methuen, he stated that he had preached eight
thousand sermons, attended two thousand two hun-
dred and sixty-five funerals, married one thousand
nine hundred and four couples and had distributed
five thousand two hundred and eleven Bibles and
fifteen thousand Testaments to seamen. The day
closed with social and family reunions at the homes of
citizens of the town.
The occasion will be long remembered by those
who participated in it, for the good fellowship which
characterized the day, and the greetings of the sons
and daughters of the old town, who had come back
to revisit the old homestead, revive the memories of
early days and take once more by the hand the com-
panions of their youth.
From the close of the Civil War to the present
time, the town has [lassed through the most prosper-
ous period of its history. The population has in-
creased from two thousand five hundred and seventy-
six in 1865, to four thousand five hundred and seven
in 1885, and the wealth of the town has gained in
like proportion.
The territorial limits have not been changed, al-
though there has been a desire on the part of some
METHUEN.
ibb
to annex Methuen to Lawrence. The gain has been
almost entirely in the thickly settled portions and has
been due partly to proximity to Lawrence, but prin-
cipally to an increase in manufacturing enterprises.
Schools. — The founders of Methuen seem to have
provided for the educational interests of the town at
an early date. In 1729 it was voted to lay out a school
lot and a parsonage lot north of World's End Pond.
These were undoubtedly tracts of woodland, whose
income should be devoted to the purposes for which
they were respectively laid out. In 1731 it was voted
to keep school one month in Ebenezer Barker's house,
one month in Thomas Eaton's house and a month at
Joshua Swan's. In 1738 we find that Ebenezer Bar-
ker, Zebediah Barker and Thomas Eaton were each
paid £2 10s. for keeping school. In 1735 the town
voted to build a school-house eighteen by twenty feet
near the meeting-house, school to be kept two months
at the school-house and one month at Spicket Hill.
The school appears to have been kept at the school-
house part of the time, but chiefly at private houses
until 1792. Reading and writing and a little arith-
metic were the principal branches taught, and the
latter study was not reijuired. The schools appear to
have been taught by male teachers only until 1749,
when it was voted " to choose school-mistresses to in-
struct children in their reading." Also voted "to
choose James How, Nathaniel Messer, James Ord-
way and Ebenezer Hibbard a committee to agree
with school-mistresses and appoint convenient places
for them to be kept in. . ." In 1775 the town was
divided into seven school districts, each of which
was to have its proportions of the school money, pro-
vided it built a comfortable school-house. It appears
from the return made by the committee whose duty
it was to build the school-houses, that the building
of them was let out at auction to the lowest bidder,
and that the houses cost about £29 each. The town
also appropriated in the same year £30 for schools,
and continued to appropriate that amount each year
until 1792. £G0 a year was afterwards appropriated
for three years, or until 1795, when the first mention
of " dollars " appears in the town records. A pound
at that time appears to have been equivalent to $3.33.
In 1797, $300 was appropriated, and the amount was
increased from time to time, until in 1823 the sum
appropriated for schools was $600. From that time
to the present the increase in the annual school ap-
propriation has mure than kept pace with the growth
in population until the present year, when the
amount appropriated for school purposes was about
$11,000.
Up to the year 1775 the selectmen seem to have
had usually the sole care of the schools, and from
that time to 179S there was no school committee reg-
ularly chosen. It was considered a part of the min-
ister's duty to visit the schools and look after the
moral instruction, which in those days formed an im-
portant part of the training, as well as to see that the
50
literary instruction did not fall below the pro2>er
standard. But in 179S the town chose a committee
of one from each school district, " to inspect the
schools in the town the present year." This way of
managing the schools seems to have been followed
until 1804, when a committee of three was chosen by
the town from each of the nine school districts, mak-
ing twenty-seven in all. It was also voted " that each
committee with the minister visit their respective
schools." There seems to have been about this time
an unusual interest taken in school matters, for we
find among the records of 1800, a system of School
Regulations adopted by the town, which show what
the duties of School Committees and teachers were
then supposed to be, as follows :
"Section I.
" ColiL-eniing the duty of the School Committee.
^^ Art. 1. It shall be the duty of the school committee to vieit the
several town schools, in each district twice every year and more if nec-
essary, giving seasonable notice to the Master or Mistress.
" Art. 2. It shall be the duty of the Committee to eucjuire into the
regulations, the mode of government, and the method of instruction
practised in the school, and it shall be the duty of the committee to use
their best endcavoi-s to correct any deficiency in the mode of govern-
ment, the manner of instruction, or the discipline of the schools.
" .4r(. 3. Should any Master or Mistress appearso essentially deficient
in the mode of government, the method of instruction, or the discipline
of the school as not to he useful, it shall be the duty of the Connuittee
and Selectmen, a majority of them concurring, to dismiss him or her
from the school, and the Committee or the Selectmen, shall provide
another who may be more useful.
" Art. 4. It shall be the duty of the Committee to close each visit to
the school with addressing themselves to the Scholars upon the duty of
order, the necessity, respectability and advantages of good educa-
tion."
*' Section II.
" Concerning the duty of School Masters.
" Art. 1. It shall be the duty of every School Miister to open his school
in the morning, and close it in the evening with prayer.
*^Art. "2. It shall be the duty of the muster or mistress to adopt such
general regulations as will have a tendency to operate uniformly
throughout the whole school, that every one may have an equal chance
to pulque and improve in his particular brunch of study and be subject
to the same rules of government.
"Art 3. The instructor shall endeavor to govern his respective school
by the skilfullnesa of his hand, and the integrity of his heart, with
using as little severity as he shall judge will be for the best good of the
school, bnt when mild measures will not subject the idle to the good or-
der and regulations of the school the instructor shall have a right to
inflict reasonable and decent corporal punishment."
The system of management above outlined con-
tinued until 1822, when the town adopted the plan
usually followed throughout the State until the abol-
ishment of the School District system, in 1869. This
consisted of a superintending school committee of
three, chosen by the town, to look after the qualifica-
tions of teachers and the management of the schools,
and a prudential committee chosen by the district to
hire the teachers, furnish supplies and manage the fi-
nances.
The school districts were abolished by statute in
1869. In the winter of that year the High School
was organized, and has since been in successful oper-
ation. There are eighteen schools in town besides
the High School, all kept open nine months in the
vear.
786
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Churches. — The fact that strikes oue most forci-
bly in reading over tlie early town records is the
prominence given to religious observances. The chief
and only reason given for setting oft' the new town
was that the people might more easily attend the pub-
lic worship of God. The first business done was to
provide themselves a minister and a place of public
worship. The principal money tax was for the sup-
port of these objects. Nothing could show more
plainly that the hardy pioneers of Methuen were of
genuine Puritan stock. Whatever we may think of
Puritan austerity and fanaticism and intolerance, we
cannot help admiring the indomitable energy, the
iron will and lofty purpose of those men who braved
the dangers of hostile Indians and sufi'ered the priva-
tions of the wilderness, that they might worship God
in their own way.
The old papers which have been j'reserved, the
town records, and the old traditions all show that the
first settlers in Methuen were men of rugged, vigor-
ous intellect, accustomed to think for themselves, and
not afraid to express their opinions.
The early history of the town was almost identical
with the history of the church and society for many
years. We have already related some of the inci-
dents connected with the building of the meeting-house
and settlement of a pastor, and it remains to give
some account of the organization and history of the
church since.
From the " Church Records," which were kept by
Rev. Christopher Sargent during his ministry, we find
that " the first church in Methuen was founded by
Rev. Samuel Phillips, of Andover, October 29, 1729."
On that day a fast, preparatory to the ordination of
Mr. Sargent was kept, a sermon was preached. Rev.
Mr. Phillips gathered the church, and the covenant
was consented to by twenty-four persons, and within
a month thirty-five others joined.
A week afterwards Rev. Mr. Sargent was ordained
pastor, and continued in the pastoral office until 1783,
when the town consented to release him from the
active duties of the ministry. Mr. Sargent was born
in Amesbury, Mass., in 170-1 and graduated from Har-
vard College in 1725. Although he must ha^•e had
a large influence in moulding the religious and intel-
lectual character of the people of Methuen, there is
now very little to be found to show exactly what
manner of man he was. He was evidently a man of
strong common sense, good talents, a moderate man,
and one who could unite and harmonize the church.
We should also infer that he was a more broad-minded
man than the average Congregational minister of his
(lay, from the fact that he was several times called
ui)on by some of his hearers to defend his orthodoxy,
and that his Calvinism was not extreme enough to
suit them. The church jirospered under his minis-
trations, and during his pastorate five hundred and
nine members were received into it. He died March
20, 1790, and was buried in the old grave-yard on
Meeting House Hill, close to the church where he had
ministered so long. One of his sons, born in Methuen,
Nathaniel Peaslee Sargent, became a prominent
law'yer, and in 1790 w-as appointed chief justice of the
Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. The only
evidence we find in church or town records of serious
trouble in the church during Mr. Sargent's long min-
istry of fifty-three years, was in 1766, when the
"Second Church in Methuen" was formed. This
church was composed of those persons, who, to use
their own language, " were dissatisfied with the Rev.
Mr. Sargent's doctrine and manner of discipline or
church government." The records show that church
meetings for business were frequent during these
times, the discipline strict, and the members closely
looked after. It must be admitted, however, judging
from some of the entries, that there was need of vigi-
lance, and even then that sin was not always pre-
vented.
After the retirement of Mr. Sargent it was nearly
five years before another minister was settled.
The next pastor was Simon Finley Williams, of
Windham, N. H., who was ordained December 13,
1786. He was dismissed in 1791, under suspicion of
misconduct. The next pastor was Humphrey C.
Perley, of Boxford, who was ordained December 2,
1795. The church w'as not prosperous during his
ministry, although he was a man of good repute, and
continued in the pastoral oflice until May 24, 1815,
when he was dismissed at his own request.
Jacob Weed Eastman, of Sandwich, N. H., was the
next pastor, was ordained December 13, 1815, and re-
mained till July 4, 1828. He was succeeded by Spen-
cer F. Beard, of West Brookfield, who was installed
January 21, 1829, and dismissed April 29, 1832.
He was followed by Sylvester G. Pierce, of Wil-
mington, Vt., who was installed June 27, 1832, and
continued in the pastoral office, greatly beloved by
his people, until his death. May 8, 1839. John
Charles Phillips, of Boston, was installed as the next
pastor December 25, 1839.
He was a broad-minded and cultured man, of fine
talents, and his pastorate was characterized by peace
and harmony in the church. On account of failing
health he resigned, in July, 1860, and gave up active
work in the ministry. Edward H. Greely, of Hop-
kinton, N. H., was the next pastor, and was installed
over the church in 1861, and dismissed in September,
1866. The next pastor was Thomas G. Grassie, born
in Scotland, and installed in Methuen September 10,
1867. He was dismissed August 7, 1873. Lyman H.
Blake, of Cornwall, Vt., was settled in Methuen
June 25, 1874, and was dismissed Sei)tember 4, 1877.
Zephaniah S. ITolbrook, of Berea, 0., was the next
pastor. He was installed December 4, 1878, and dis-
missed June 29, 1881. He was succeeded by Joseph
Henry Selden, of Hadlyme, Conn., who was settled
May 10, 1882, and dismissed May 16, 1884. Charles
H. Oliphant, of Boston, the present pastor, was set-
METHUEN.
787
I
tied October 29, 1885, having acted as pastor of the
church for a year previous to his installation.
The church now numbers about two hundred and
fifty members.
In 1796 the old "athadoxt" meeting-house, first
built, was torn down, and a new one built on or near
the same spot, the congregation worshipping in the
meanwhile in the house of the Second Parish. The
building of this house seems to have excited much
interest through the town, and it is a curious fact, il-
lustrating the habits of the time, that it was voted
" That the spectators be given a drink of grog apiece
at the raising." As the village sprung up around
Spicket Falls, " Meeting-House Hill " ceased to be
the most central place, and to better accommodate
the congregation, it was decided iu 1832, to remove
the house to the spot now occupied by the stone
meeting-house. It stood there until 1855, when the
wooden house was torn down and the present stone
house erected. In 1880 the parish received generous
contributiiins from the family of Rev. John C. Phil-
lips, and also from the family of Mr. David Xevins,
for the purpose of erecting a chapel. The stone chap-
el now on the grounds was built shortly after. "The
grounds have since been tastefully laid out and
adorned by Henry C. Nevins, Esq., and the church
property of the First Parish, Methuen, is now unsur-
passed in beauty by any in the County.
In 17(JG, April 16, a second church was organized,
and Rev. Eliphaz Chapman was installed as its pas-
tor in November, 1772.
About this time the " Second Parish " was formed
by act of the Legislature. Under this arrangement
every taxable jierson in town was taxed for the sup-
port of the minister, but he paid to the parish to
which he belonged, instead of to the town. The
meeting-house of the Second Parish stood on the
north side of Pelham Street, a little west of the house
formerly occupied by Leonard Wheeler. It was af-
terwards removed to the hill, near the house of Ste-
]ihen W. Williams, whence it was removed to Law-
rence, and afterwards destroyed by fire. We have
found no record of the termination of the ministry of
Mr. Chapman, but wo find that Rev. J. H. Stevens
was ordained May 18, 1791, and was dismissed March
10, 1795. Rev. Josiah Hill was settled April 9, 1832,
and retired April 9, 1833. The Second Parish exis-
ted for half a century, — until 1816, — when it was
united with the First Parish. In 1830 it was again
organized, but was again united with the old church
and parish. At present there is but one Congrega-
tional Church in the town.
The next church iu point of age is the Baptist.
To an historical discourse prepared by Rev. K. S.
Hall, and delivered at the semi-centennial celebration
of that church and society, October 18, 1865, we are
indebted for much of what follows. For many years
there had been persons of the Baptist faith scattered
through the town, and Isaac Backus preached here as
early as March .30, 1756. It is also known that Bap-
tist sentiments were held by the Messer family in
Methuen a century and a half ago, and that Jacob
Whittier, of Methuen, was chosen one of the deacons
of the Baptist Church in Haverhill May 9, 1765.
Sometime during the last century a Baptist Church
was constituted iu the west part of Methuen, but no
record is in existence of its formation or subsequent
proceedings. A meeting-house was built about the
year 1778, near the burying-ground west of the Bart-
lett Farm, and simply boarded and supplied with a
floor. Services were held in it occasionally for some
years, but some of the leading families removed from
town, and the church ceased to exist. Religious
meetings continued to be held occasionally at private
houses, and baptisms were administered at diflerent
times, until the formation of the Baptist Society in
Methuen, March 1, 1815, when a number of the in-
habitants met at the house of " Mr. Ebeuezer Whit-
tier, innliolder," and chose a committee to draft ar-
ticles of signature, which were signed by seventy-one
members during the first year. The Baptist Church
was constituted March 8, 1815, and the recognition
services were held in the house of Daniel Frye, now
the " Butters Place." During the first year of its or-
ganization the church held religious meetings in dif-
ferent parts of the town, the church meetings being
usually held at the house of Daniel Frye, afterwards
chosen deacon. Charles O. Kimball, a licentiate of
the Haverhill Church, commenced preaching June
25, 1815, and was ordained pastor of the church and
society May 8, 1816.
In the summer of 1815 steps were taken for build-
ing a meeting-house, and it was finally voted to build
a "two-story meeting-house" on a half-acre lot given
by Bailey Davis, where the Bajitist Church now
stands. Several other lots were contemplated on
which to build the house ; one, the " mill lot," embrac-
ing a quarter of an acre near where the Town House
now stands, and another on " Liberty Hill," a little
southwest of the stone church on the opposite side of
the street. The house was built and publicly dedi-
cated December 5, 1816. During the long pastorate
of Mr. Kimball, the church seems to have been char-
acterized by activity and zeal in its membership, and
steadily increased in numbers and influence. For
the first ten years all moneys for the support of
preaching and other expenses connected therewith
were raised by voluntary subscription ; afterwards
taxes were assessed on members of the society, Mr.
Kimball closed his labors October 4, 1835. Rev. Ad-
dison Parker, of Sturbridge, was the successor of
Mr. Kimball, and was publiclv installed February 3
1836. The church seems to have prospered during
his ministry, which closed May 1, 1839. Rev. Samuel
W. Field was the next pastor, and was installed April
22, 1840. During the first year of his pastorate the
old meeting-house was torn down and a new one built
on the old site, the congregation holding services in
788
- HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the Congregational Meeting-House until their vestry-
was ready for use. Mr. Field resigned August 2,
1846.
In June, 1847, Rev. Joseph M. Graves became pas-
tor of the church, and remained until May 11, 1850,
when he tendered his resignation. Rev. B. F. Bron-
son was the successor of Mr. Graves, and after a pros-
perous pastorate of seven years and a half, resigned
May 30, 1858.
Rev. Howard M. Emerson was ordained pastor
.fanuary 2, 1861, and continued in the office until his
death, May 16, 1862. Rev. King S. Hall was install-
ed December 23 of the same year, and resigned April
30, 1867. He was succeeded by Rev. N. M. Williams,
who was settled February 13, 1868, and left March
81, 1871.
Rev. Lyman Chase became pastor in May, 1871,
and remained until the summer of 1876, He was
succeeded by Rev. Thomas J. B. House, who com-
menced his labors January 1, 1877, and left April 24,
1883. Rev. Simeon L. B. Chase became the next
pastor August 19, 1883, and resigned May 29, 1887.
On Sunday. March 21, 1869, the meeting-house took
fire during the morning service, and was totally de-
stroyed. The society erected the house which is now
standing in the following summer on the old spot,
and it was dedicated January 13, 1870. This church
is strong and prosperous, numbers about two hundred
members, and is the only one of its denomination in
the town.
The Universalis! Church and Society was organ-
ized in 1824. At first religious services were held at
irregular intervals in the different school-houses in
town. As the church became stronger, meetings were
held regularly in " McKay's building," on Lowell
Street, and later in " Wilson's Hall," Hampshire
Street. The present Universalist meeting-house was
built in 1835-36, and dedicated in July, 1836. Rev.
John A. Gurley was the first settled minister, and
was pastor at that time. He left about 1837. The
next pastor was Rev. E. N. Harris, who did not re-
main long. Rev. A. A. Miner was settled over the
church in November, 1839, and remained until July,
1842, when he left to settle in Lowell. Rev. H. R.
Nye was the next pastor, and remained about three
years, leaving in 1845. Rev. Willard Spaulding suc-
ceeded Mr. Nye, and preached at this time two or three
years. Rev. O. A. Tillotson succeeded Mr. Spauld-
ing, and was followed by Rev. William H. Waggoner
in 1851 and 1852. Rev. Willard Spaulding was pas-
tor a second time in 1855 and 1856. Rev. Edwin Da-
vis became pastor in the spring of 1861, and remained
until 1863. Rev. John E. Davenport followed Mr.
Davis, and continued in the pastoral office about two
years. Rev. C. A. Bradley became pastor in 1869,
and resigned March 22, 1871.
During the pastorate of Mr. Bradley the church
and grounds were remodeled and much improved.
Rev. VV. W. Heywood became pastor in 1871, and his
resignation was accepted by the society March 29,
1876. Rev. R. T. Polk was installed as the next pas-
tor March 21, 1877, and resigned August 31, 1879.
Rev. G. T. Flanders, of Lowell, supplied the pulpit
for a year, beginning his labors February 29, 1880,
was succeeded by Rev. Nathan S. Hill from Novem-
ber 1, 1881, to March 1, 1883. In October, 1883, the
society called Rev. Donald Eraser to the pastorate,
and he remained until his resignation in November,
1885. Rev. A. F. Walch, the next minister, was in-
stalled October 14, 1886, and is now in the pastoral
office. The congregation numbers about one hundred
and fifty.
We are informed that the Methodists first held
meetings in Methuen in 1833 or '34. They occasion-
ally occupied the Second Parish meeting-house, and
held meetings in the school-houses, but after the in-
stitution of regular religious services, they occupied
" Wilson's Hall." The building now used as a
school-house on Lowell Street was built by them for
a meeting-house, and occupied for several years, un-
til the establishment of a Methodist Church and so-
ciety at the new city of Lawrence drew off a portion of
the members, and so weakened the society in Methuen
that it was thought advisable to sell the building. After
the sale of the meeting-house no regular religious ser-
vices were held in Methuen by that denomination
until 1853 or 1854, when a reorganization was effected,
and religious .services were held in the library room
in the town hall. As the society increased in num-
bers, more commodious quarters were needed, and
the society held their meetings in the town hall until
1871, when the present meeting-house was built at
the junction of Lowell and Pelham Streets. John
Barnes, of Lawrence, was the first pastor after the re-
organization, and since then the pastors have been as
follows :
Rev. Charles Youug, from June, 1856, to April, 1857.
Rev. Elijah Mason, from April, 1B57, to April, 1858.
Rev. Nathaniel L. Chase, from April, 1858, to May, 1859.
Rev. John L. Trefren, from May, 1859, to April, ISCl.
Rev. Charles R. Harding, from April, 1861, to April, 1802.
Rev. Joshua B. Holman, frem April, I8(j2, to April, 1864.
Rev. "William Hewes, from April, 1864, to April, 1805.
Rev. Nelson Green, from April, 1805, to April, 1866.
Rev. Larnard L. Eastman, from April, 1860, to April, 1809.
Rev. James Nuyes, from April, 1869, ti> April, 1872.
Rev. George I. Judkins, from April, 1872 to April, 1875.
Rev. Charles A. Cressy, from April, 1875, to April, 1877.
Rev. S. C. Farnham, from April, 1877, to April, 1879.
Rev. J. W. Walker, from April, 1879, to April, 1881.
Rev. O. S. Baketel, from April, 18sl, to April, 1884.
Rev. H. II. French, from April, 1884, to April, 1880.
Rev. Alexander McGregor, from April, 1886.
The church numbers one hundred and thirty-two
members.
In 1833, or thereabout, there was an Episcopal
Church formed in Methuen. It seems to have had a
short existence as an organized body, and little can
be learned about it, except that it held its meetings
in " Wilson's Hall." In 1878 another Episcopal
Church was organized under the name of St. Thomas'
METHUEN.
789
Church, and a church-building erected on Broadwa.y
near Lawrence line. The membership is largely com-
posed of residents of Lawrence.
The first rector was Rev. Belno A. Brown, whose
energy and zeal contributed much to the success of
the new cliurch. The present rector is Rev. Thomas
De Learsy.
The Catholics have a large and prosperous branch
of that church in Methuen. For many years there
have been a large number of persons in the town,
holding that faith, who attended church in Lawrence.
In January, 1878, a movement was made by leading
Catholics in Jlethuen, and apjjroved by Father Gil-
more, then Parish Priest in Lawrence, to establish
religious services. The Town Hall was engaged, and
has been occupied for that purpose on Sundays ever
since. Father Marsden officiated from the beginning
until his death nearly two years afterwards.
The pastors who succeeded him have been Father
O'Farrell, about one year; Father Riley, about two
years; Father O'Connell, about two years; Father
Rowan, about two years ; and Father JIurphy, who
is the present pastor. The congregation numbers
about four hundred ])ersons.
Methuen has her full share of social and charitable
organizations.
Grecian Lodge, F. A. A. M., was formed in Methuen
December 14, 1825, and seems to have prospered until
the Anti-Masonic excitement overspread the country.
In consequence of this it surrendered its charter in
1838. The lodge reorganized in 1847 under the old
charter, but witliin the limits of Lawrence. Methuen
Masons associated themselves with the old lodge until
1860, when John Hancock Lodge was constituted.
It holds its meetings in "Currier's Building," where
it has a cosey well-furnished lodge-room, and num-
bers about one hundred and fifty members.
Hope Lodge of Odd-Fellows was instituied in 1844,
and for a time held its meetings in " Currier's Build-
ing."' It surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge
in 1855. The lodge was reinstated in 1869, and since
that time has flourished. It has pleasant rooms, well-
furnished, in Dodge's Building, and numbers about
one hundred and Ibrty members.
A branch of the Royal Arcanum was established
here in December, 1877. It commenced with a mem-
bership of twenty, and now has eighty-five. It holds
its meetings in Corliss' Hall, and seems to be a pros-
perous societj' — if we can call an Insurance Associa-
tion of that size prosperous, which has had only one
death among its members for ten years.
The United Order of the Pilgrim Fathers also have
a strong organization in Methuen. It was formed
March 15, 1879, and numbers about one hundred
meniber.s. They hold their meetings in the hall of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Wm. B. Green Post 100, Grand .\rmy of the Rejiub-
lic, was organized in February, 1877, and has seventy-
four members. It has one of the finest Grand Army
halls in the region, tastefully finished and elegantly
furnished. As the Grand .\rmy is composed only of
veterans in the late war, the post cannot expect to in-
crease much in numbers, but the zeal and interest of
its members seem in nowise to diminish as time
goes on.
In 1873 Minerva Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca,
I. O. of O. F., was instituted. It numbers about
ninety members.
The "Home Circle," numbering about fifty mem-
bers, was organized in May, 1880. They hold their
meetings in the hall of the Grand Army of the Re-
public.
A branch of the " United Order of Workmen " was
organized January 25, 1886, and has thirty-one mem-
bers. They meet in the hall of the G. A. R.
The Knights of Labor have a strong and well or-
ganized association in Methuen, and hold their meet-
ings in Corliss' Hall.
Methuen does not apjiear to have been behind
other towns of like population and wealth in efforts
for literary culture and entertainment. About 1819
a society was formed called the "Addison Literary
Society," for purposes of mental culture and improve-
ment. We have been informed by Robert S. Rantoul,
Esq., of Salem, that two or three years after, princi-
pally through the efforts of Timothy Claxton, an
English mechanic and machinist in the cotton mill,
this society was transformed into what was afterwards
known as a lyceum. And there is some reason to
sup[)ose that this was the beginning of the "lyceum"
in this country. This society tluurished nearly or
quite twenty years, had a small library and erected u
building in which to hold meetings on Broadway
Street near Park Street. But after awhile, a sinful
desire for dramatic entertainment entered into the
minds of some of its members, and the acting of far-
ces and short plays to some extent took the place of
the sober discussions of great questions which formed
the staple of the earlier exercises. The sober, sub-
stantial people of the town looked on more in sorrow
than in anger, and refused to countenance such loose
and immoral practices. From this time on the socie-
ty declined and fell, and utter ruin overtook it with
the performance of Richard III by some of its mem-
bers.
The building was sold and removed to the west side
of the river and converted into a dwelling-house, now
owned and occupied by Hon. James O. Parker. For
many years courses of lectures were given almost ev-
ery winter, and sometimes a debating club was organ-
ized, until the easy access to Lawrence made it possi-
ble for Methuen people to attend entertainments
there almost as easily as at home.
In 1873, and every year thereafter until 1887, the
town voted that the proceeds received from dog li-
censes should be devoted to the purchase of a public
library. From this small beginning the number of
volumes increased year by yearuutil in 18SG a library
790
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of about twenty-five hundred well selected volumes
was collected, which was much used by the people of
the town, until the Nevins Memorial Library was
opened to the public — January 1, 1887.
There is nothing in Methuen in which the citizens
take so much pride, and for which they are so grate-
ful, as the Nevins Memorial. The design of this in-
stitution is so well stated in the " Note by the Trus-
tees," published in the catalogue of the library, that
we quote it entire :
" The Nevina Memorial was founded in memory of the late David
Nevius, who was born in Salem, N. II., Dec. 12, 1809, and was brought
tu Methuen by hie parents at an early age, and passed here the years of
his childhood. In bis later years Ije assumed the duties of a citizen, and
hero at the family homestead be was seized with the illness which, on the
lllth of March, 1881, une.xpectedly closed his active and useful career.
"Desiring to promote the intellectual and moral well being of the
community whose material interests had been so greatly advanced by his
business sagacity and energy, it was his expressed intention to found,
during his lifetime, an institution similar in scope to that of this Memo-
rial. His sudden decease prevented his execution of this design, but the
purpose he had declared was at once t^ilien up by his widow and sons, and
tlie Nevins Memorial Building was erected upon the site chosen and
purchased for that use some years before his death. The building was
planned and its construction supervised by BIr. Samuel J, F. Thayer,
architect, of Boston ; ground for its erection being broken March 27,
1883, and the completed structure first opened to the public June 11,
1S84. It contains a public ball, ample in size and beautiful in decora-
lion, a library, waiting and reading rooms, well adapted tu their respec-
tive uses, and suitable rooms for the trustees and librarian. The gov-
ernment of the Memorial is vested in a board of seven trustees, five of
whom, Mrs. Eliza S. Nevins and Messrs. David Nevins, Henry C Nevins,
Jacob Emerson and John H. Morse, were incorporated by the Massachu-
setts legislature of 1885 as permanent members. The two additional
members are chosen by the town of Methuen for the term of two years,
r>r. George E. W'oodbury and James Ingalls being the present elective
members.
" When experience shall have shown what amount is needed for the
proper maintenance of the Memorial, it is the design of the founders to
malle an endowment sufficient to render it entirely self-supporting. The
library comprises nearly ten thousand volumes of standard works, care-
fully selected, and covering a wide range of general litei'ature and spe-
cial topics. To Miss Ames was intrusted its entire organization, includ-
ing the selection of the books, the details of classification and arrange-
ment, and the preparation of the catalogue.
'* We feel confident that the result of her labors will not only facili-
tate the use of the library for general readers, but will be found of par-
ticular advantage to those pursuing a systematic course of reading, or
engaged in special studies. The end crowns the work."
The building is of brick, with freestone trimmings,
of beautiful architectural design, anil built in the
most substantial manner. Every foundation wall and
pier rests upon the solid ruck, tmd the walls are ex-
ceptionally strong and heavy.
The building is finished in oak throughout, and all
the ornamentation, within and without, is in the most
exquisite taste, No expense was spared to make it a
perfect work, according to the designs of the found-
ers. The library, selected and arranged by Miss Har-
riet H. Ames, is admirably well chosen, and the cata-
logue, also arranged and prepared by her, is a well-
nigh perfect specimen of the art of cataloguing. It is
in two volumes, of nearly five hundred pages each,
and is an encyclopedia in itself. The following in-
scription on the front of the building explains the
purpose of the founders :
" This Hall and Library
erected and endowed by
EliBa S- Nevins, his widow
and by David and HeTiry C.
Nevins, his children,
is a memorial of
David Nevins,
Born 1809. Died 1881."
About three and a half acres of land surrounding
the building have been set apart and tastefully laid
out and ornamented with rare trees and shrubs. And
all this beautiful and costly estate is placed in the
hands of trustees, and is to be endowed with a fund
to make it self-supporting, for the benefit of the in-
habitants of Methuen in all coming time. Surely
no more noble or lasting tribute could have been paid
to the memory of a beloved husband and father, and
no benevolence could have been made wider in its
scope or more far-reaching in its influence. The in-
tellectual growth and culture resulting from the use
of this library and reading-room will only begin to
be seen in this generation; the best results can never
be known to those who have established this noble
beneficence.
The beautiful and well-kept grounds will be an
educator of no small influence, and many a home
will be made jileasanter and more attractive from the
example there perpetually shown.
The interest already manifested by the young peo-
ple of the town in the use of the library, and the
average high character of the books most sought for,
must be to the generous founders a most pleasing
feature of the opening of the library to the public.
The first newspaper published in Methuen was the
Iris, which was removed here from Haverhill in 1833.
It was supposed to have been printed as a campaign
paper in the interest of Caleb Gushing, and was soon
discontinued. The next newspaper was the Methtien
Falls Gazette, which was first issued January 2, 1835,
by S. Jameson Varney. It was " neutral in politics"
and not published many years.
The Methuen Transcript and Essex Farmer was es-
tablished in 1876 by C. L. Houghton & Co., and
edited by Charles E. Trow, who soon after became its
proprietor, and continued to edit the paper until it
passed into the hands of Fred. A. Lowell, Esq., its
present editor and publisher. It is a weekly paper ot
excellent moral tone, published every Friday, and
the only newspaper now published in Methuen.
The Methuen Enterprise was established by Daniel
A. Rollins March 6, 1880, and published by him till
his death, March 25, 1882, and was a bright, readable,
spicy sheet.
After his death it was purchased by Sellers Bros.,
and published by them until September, 1883, when
it was merged in the Lavirence Eagle.
In 1826 or '27 a small fire-engine, the " Tiger," was
bought, one-half the cost being paid by the Methuen
Company, and the other half by Major Osgood, John
Davis, Thomas Thaxter, George A. Waldo and J. W.
METHUEN.
791
Carleton. Thomas Thaxter was the first foreman.
There is no evidence that the town liad any concern
in its management. This was the only protection
against fire until 1846, when the selectmen were
authorized to purchase a new fire-engine and hose,
and erect a house. This engine (The Spiggot) was
manned by an active and efficient company, and did
good service till 1870, when the steamer E. A. Straw,
was purchased aud the Spiggot laid aside.
Methuen now has an excellent fire department ; the
E. A. Straw Company of seventeen men, and the
Mystic Hose Company of ten men, organized in 1878,
all well trained and efficient.
In addition to this there are iron pipes laid through
the principal streets, and connected with the power-
ful engines of the Methuen Company, throngh which
water can be forced, over the principal portion of the
village, in case of fire.
One of the first things done by the old settlers was
to lay out a place to bury their dead. In 1828 the
town voted "that there should be a graveyard pro-
vided in the town, somewhere near the meeting-
house," and chose William Whittier and Joshua
Swan to measure and bound out the said graveyard.
Their report to the town describes the lot as fol-
lows:— "Beginning with a small pine tree marked
with the letter B, thence running southerly to a pine
stump marked with B, twenty rods in length ; thence
to a pine tree marked with a B, northeasterly about
six or seven rods iu width, and so to another pine tree
marked with a B, northwesterly about twenty rods,
and so to the bounds first mentioned." This was un-
doubtedly the north end of the " old burying-ground"
on Meeting-House Hill. In 1803 it was enlarged "on
the south side," and a hearse was purchased " for the
more convenient solemnization of funerals."
In 1772, the Selectmen were ordered to lay out a
burying-ground in the west part of the town. They
laid out one-fourth of an acre, on land given for the
jnirpose by Richard Whittier. The lot was after-
wards enlarged, and, as the ground became occupied,
it was again enlarged in 187G.
The burial-ground on Lawrence Street was ]iur-
chasod and laid out about 1830.
These three burial-places comprise those owned by
the town, and are now but little used.
Walnut Grove Cemetery was laid out by an asso-
ciation of individuals, in 1853. It is situated on the
high land overlooking the village on the west side,
and is a place of much natural beauty, which has
been greatly increased by tasteful arrangement of the
grounds; and beautiful memorials erected to the
dead.
Business. — The Town of Methuen was at first
almost exclusively an agricultural community. Still
there is reason to believe that there was a variety of
occupations in the town at an early day. There are
traditions of coopers, tanners, hatters, shoemakers,
morocco-dressers, and there is mention of "Iron
works" on the Spicket, in that part of Methuen now
within the limits of Lawrence. Probably there were
persons in the town to make almost everything
required for use by the inhabitants. There was no
village, and these mechanics were scattered over the
town, and at first probably found small market for
their products outside of the community immediately
around them. The farmers were so far from market
that their money incomes must have been very small.
They depended on the city of Salem as a market for
their produce, and their wood and timber was rafted
to Newburyport. Hemp and fiax perhaps found a
market to some extent in Londonderry.
These places were the only outlets of importance
for their surplus products, until after the city of
Lowell was founded, when everything, except wood,
was carried there, and the farmers found the new
market greatly for their advantage. Lowell con-
tinued to be the principal market for agricultural
products, until the building of Lawrence furnislied a
more convenient and, in some respects, better market
than Lowell, and gave the farmers of Methuen as
good facilities for the .successful cultivation of the
land as can be found in any part of New England.
Nevertheless, it is a curious fact that the population
of Methuen, outside of the village, is no larger now
than at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. It
is even doubtful if there is a much greater acreage
of cleared land now than at that time. It is not to be
supposed, however, that there are no more farmers
now than then, or that the value of the agriculture of
the town is no greater than it was a century ago.
The system of farming is entirely changed, and the
product of a single acre now frequently has a greater
value than the entire crop of a large farm in the
olden time.
From the old traditions, we should judge that the
manufacture of hats has been carried on in Methuen
from a very early date. There are several places
pointed out in the east part of the town, as the site of
ancient hatters" shops. The work was done entirely
by hand, no doubt in a small way at first, and half a
dozen men or less could carry on the whole business
of a shop. Within the memory of many hatters now
living, the manufacture was done entirely in this way.
But, with the introduction of machinery, the business
has been concentrated into a few factories, by which
the production has largely increased. Nearly all the
hats now made in the town, are manufactured at the
factories of James Ingalls and J. Milton Tenney.
A similar statement would perhaps be true of the
shoe business, which for many years has been an im-
portant industry in Methuen. In the early days shoe-
making was not carried on to so great an extent as
hatting. But within the recollection of many now
living, there was a shoemaker's shop in every neigh-
borhood and at almost every house.
Shoes were all made by hand, and the workmen
took out the stock, all cut, from the shop of their em-
792
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ployer, and carried it home to make up. In those
days to be a shoemaker was to know how to make an
entire shoe. Farmers' and shoemakers' wives and
daughters " bound " shoes, and the board of the shoe-
makers formed an important part of the income in
many families. It would have been hard to find a
spot in Methuen, where in the still summer days, the
sound of the shoemaker's hammer did not penetrate.
But after the war came on, and labor became scarce,
machinery was devised to do the work which had
been performed by hand, and the husiness began to
centre into factories, like hatting, where, by the use
of machinery, the production is largely increased.
In past times it is probable that more persons in
Methuen have been dependent on the shoe business
for a livelihood, than on the manufacture of hats. At
[)re.sent the shoe factory of Tenney & Co., is the only
one in operation in Methuen.
The first store in town was opened by Abial Howe,
at a building on Howe Street, nearly opposite the
liouse of Charles L. Tozier. The exact date is un-
known,but it is within the recollection of persons now
living. Later, Esquire Russ opened another store a
little south of the Russ place, but it does not appear
that either of them had an extensive business.
It is not known precisely when Spicket Falls was
first utilized as a water-power. A deed is in existence
from the widow of John Morrill, dated December,
1709, in which she conveys to Robert Swan, for the
sum of thirty pounds, one-fourth of a saw-mill and
land " on Spicket River Falls, the mill that was built
by and belonged to and amongst Robert Swan, John
Morrill and Elisha Davis " Without doubt this was
the first mill built. Afterwards a grist-mill was built
on each side of the river, and as there was not busi-
ness enough to keep them both running, it was agreed
between them that they should run on alternate weeks.
This arrangement was kept up until the cotton factory
was built. The first cotton factory was built some-
where near 1812, by Stephen Minot, Esq., of Haver-
hill, on the north side of the river.
This was burned in 1818, and soon after rebuilt.
In July, 1821, the whole privilege and lands con-
nected therewith were purchased by the Methuen
Company. The old carding or fulling-mill, which
had stood on the south side of the Falls, was moved
away and converted into a dwelling-house, which now
stands on the north side of Pelham Street. In 1826-
27 the brick mill was built as it now stands. In 1864
the property came into the possession of David
Nevins, Esq., by whom it was largely increased in ca-
pacity and value, and to whose enterprise the town
is greatly indebted for its prosperity in recent years.
He erected a large addition to the brick mill, and in-
troduced the manufacture of jute, which was contin-
ued until his death in 1881. The mill has since been
kept in operation by his family. The principal man-
ufacture of the Methuen Company has been cotton
goods. "Methuen duck " has been for many years a
well-known article in the market, and " Methuen
ticking " has always been a principal article of man-
ufacture. After the death of Mr. Nevins the jute
machinery was removed, and, in addition to duck and
ticking, the Methuen Company now manufacture
awning material and light and heavy cotton flannels.
In 1824 a saw-mill and grist-mill were built where
the Methuen woolen-mill stands. They came into
the jjossession of Samuel A. Harvey, Esq., by whom
the business of the respective mills was carried on for
some years. In 1864 the Methuen Woolen Company
bought out the privilege, and erected a fiictory where
the manufacture of woolen goods has been since car-
ried on. The Arlington Mills have a large factory in
Methuen, near the Lawrence line, built in 1881, de-
voted to the manufacture of fine cotton yarn. The
other mills of this enterprising and prosperous cor-
poration are situated a little below on the Spicket,
but within the limit of Lawrence.
The extensive chemical works of Lee, Blackburn
& Co. are also situated in Methuen. They produce
commercial fertilizers and chemicals used in manu-
facturing processes.
The variety of manufacturing interests in the town,
the nearness to Lawrence, and close connection by the
horse-railroad, which has been in operation since
1867, have combined in times of business depression
to prevent that utter stagnation in business, which
has been so severely felt in isolated manufacturing
towns having only one important industry.
We have thus jiresented such of the principal
features in the history of Methuen, past and present,
as space will permit. Many details have been omit-
ted, and some subjects altogether neglected, which
would doubtless be of interest to those acquainted with
the town, but the limits assigned to this paper will
not admit of an exhaustive history.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
DAVID NEVINS.
David Nevins was born in Salem, New Hampshire,
December 12, 1809. His parents were John Nevins
and Achsah Swan, who removed to Methuen, the
native place of his mother, while David was quite
young. He received such education as could be ac-
quired at the public schools, and in 1824, at the
age of fourteen was, apprenticed to Hall J. Howe
& Co., of Boston, a dry goods commission house,
and selling agents of the Methuen Company, then
just beginning business. He remained with this
firm until he reached the age of twenty-one years,
and there laid the foundation of those business habits
and methods which contributed so largely to his sub-
.sequent success. Immediately after coming of age he
entered into partnership with Philip Anthony, of New
y^^-^Tm^^^
METHUEN.
793
Bedford, and carried on a flourishing business, fitting
out whuling vessels and merchantmen for long voy-
ages. During several years of his life he kept up his
interest in shipping, in connection with his firm, and
managed this branch of his extensive business so
skillfully as to make it also one of his most profitable
ventures. In 1838 he married Miss Eliza S. Coffin,
of Nantucket, an estimable lady who still survives
him. After remaining in New licdford eight years,
he left, and formed a partnership with George Baty
Blake, in the dry-goods importing business, under the
firm name of " George B. Blake & Co.," in Boston,
and " Nevins & Co.," in New York.
While a member of this firm, he occasionally visited
Europe, where he made the purchases for the house,
and thus acquired an extensive acquaintance with the
manufacturers of England and the Continent. Mr.
Blake retired from the firm in 1845, and the New
York house continued business under its old name.
Soon after, Mr. Nevins re-established the Boston
house under the name of "Nevins & Co." In 1846
he first became engaged in manufacturing, when with
E. K. Mudge and others, he built the Victory Mills,
at Schuyierville, New York, in which he was always
a large owner. After the financial crash in 1857, he,
with George Howe purchased the Pemberton Mills,
in Lawrence, which had been built and i)roved a
financial failure. Under the new management, the
mills were run with great success until their fall on
the evening of January 10, ISGO. Mr. Nevins then
purchased the ruins, formed a new company, and re-
built the mills, getting them ready for operation
early in the spring of 1861, and continued to operate
them as president of the corporation and selling
ageut, successfully and continuously until his death.
In 1864 he purchased the entire plant of the Methuen
Company, which liad suspended operations at the be-
ginning of the war. The mill was not put in opera-
tion, however, until the succeeding year.
In 1870 the mill was greatly enlarged, and in 1871
he introduced the manufacture of fine and coarse jute
fabrics. Wheu he bought the mills, they furnished
employment to about one hundred and fifty persons;
when he died they required six hundred and fifty
operatives, and his enterprise had been instrumental
in largely increasing the population and business of
the town. About 1868, the .Stevens' Linen Works, of
Webster, Ma~s., came into his hands through the
failure of the former proprietors, and by his energy
and ability it soon became a successful business en-
terprise, and continued so until his death. About
1874 he purchased the mills of the India Bagging-
Company, at Salem, Mass., and two years later, the
entire plant of the Bengal Bagging Company, of
Salem, both of which had been unsuccessful business
ventures. He soon made a success of both, and so
increased the production of jute fabrics at these and
his other mills, that at the time of his death lie was
the largest manufacturer of this staple in the United
States. His manufacture was not confined to one
article, but embraced the four great staples of cotton,
wool, jute and flax, and with marked success in all.
He carried on his business so successfully that he ac-,
cumulated a large fortune, and directly employed at
his death, probably two thousand people, and in-
directly afforded employment to many more.
His extraordinary business capacity was shown in
nothing more clearly, than in his ability to take up a
broken down business enterprise, infuse into it new
life, and make it profitable for himself and the com-
munity in which it happened to be located. He was
an excellent judge of men, and rarely made a mistake
in the selection of those whom he was obliged to
[ilace in important positions. So systematically and
perfectly hail he organized his immense business, tliat
at the time of his death all parts continued to run,
like a perfect machine, without a jar or break, a
splendid tribute to his foresight and ability, and the
capacity and faithfulness of those to whom the details
of his business were entrusted. Endowed with an
iron constitution he was accustomed from early boy-
hood to his latest day.s, to severe and long continued
labor, and no task was too difficult for him to under-
take. His business career was characterized from the
first by an indomitable energy, far-sighted policy and
an unvarying attention to all the details. Thnmgh
all the financial revulsions of over half a century his
busine.-s credit remained untarnished, and an unvary-
ing success rewarded his strict adherence to rules of
probity and honor. In addition to his extraordinary
mental powers, keen, quick and accurate in solving
the intricate questions presented to him, was a rare
taste and love for fine literature which amidst all his
cares and duties he found time to gratify and cultivate.
He was a devoted student of Sliakspeare, Milton and
the old English cla-ssics, and withal was remarkably
well informed on all questions of the time. He de-
lighted in nature, and whether driving his horses over
his favorite country roads, or interesting himself in
the details of his farm, he manifested a fondness for
her beauty and works. He took great delight in
the management of his farms, always keeping them
in a high state of cultivation, and giving personal
supervision to the details. He had a strong affection
for the home of his boyhood, and always took an ac-
tive interest in the affairs of the town. He seldom
failed to be present at the town-meetings, and partici-
pate in the clebates over town matters. Within two
weeks of his death he attended the annual town-
meeting, and as usual took an active interest in the
proceedings. Mr. Nevins was of a social, genial
nature, generous in his instincts and liked to enter-
tain his friends. In personal apjioarance he was
nearly six feet in stature, had a .superb figure and a
remarkably handsome, refined and intellectual head
and face, and presented a commanding and patrician
bearing.
A few days before his death, he took a severe cold.
794
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
which gradually grew worse, and developed heart
difficulty, causing his death in the midst of his ex-
tremely active and useful career, on the 19th of
March, 1881.
He left two sons, — David Nevins and Henry C.
Nevins, who with their mother have continued his
extensive and varied business enterprises.
CHAPTER L.
GEORGETOWN.
BY HENRY M. NELSON.
INTRODUCTORY AND TOPOGRAPHICAL.
The town of Georgetown, the twenty-seventh in
the sisterhood of Essex County, and numbering three
hundred and three in the line of date of incorpora
tion of the towns then existing within the limits of
the State, has for its natal day April 21, 1838. Two
municipalities besides Georgetown were at that ses-
sion of the General Court granted permission "to be."
One, a poor, feeble child of the commonwealth, on
the extreme western border, w.as, just a week before,
in exquisite raillery it would seem, ushered into the
family as Boston Corner, and then, after a few brief
years, with its square mile of territory and seventy-
three inhabitants, was quietly or otherwise disposed
of to our New York neighbors. The other, known
originally as " Erving's Grant," became the town of
Erving, in Franklin County. That town has had a
moderate growth in a fairly, fertile agricultural dis-
trict, and to-day continues with but slight increase
from one census point to another. Georgetown is lo-
cated about six miles northerly of the geographical
centre of the county, and on the southern border of
the Merrimac towns. It has an outline of five sides
known as quinquangular, having that number of
rather unequal sides, but bounded, however, by four
towns only, viz : Boxford, extending along the west
and south; Rowley on the southeast; Newbury on
the east; Groveland along the entire north; and
without any marked change of boundary line, exists
to-day as when set off from Rowley, the mother-terri-
tory, nearly a half-century ago. Its greatest length
is from west-northwest to east-southeast, nearly five
and three-fourths miles. This is from the angle north
of the house of Mrs. Edward Poor, on West Street, to
a point about one-half mile southeast of the new
cemetery in Byfield, and its extreme width, three and
one-half nules, is from just north pf the Thurlow es-
tate, on Thurlow Street, to the noted boundary-mark
where Rowley, Boxford and Georgetown lines diverge
a large red oak tree of which the charred stump now
remains, known from early times as the " Three Sis-
ters." A Sunday raccoon hunt by some of our local
sportsmen is understood to tell the story of its de-
struction, a score or more of years ago.
The seventy-first dej'ree west, Greenwich, at the
Boxford boundary is just west of the B. & M. R. R.,
across which the railroad diverges to the west of the
line near the residence of H. P. Chaplin, Esq., cross-
ing Georgetown village very nearly where the First
Congregational Church stands and Main Street a few
rods northwest of the centre, having the eastern cor-
ner of Groveland and the villages of West Newbury
and Merrim.ac on the same line at the north. Direct-
ly south is the most westerly section of Lynn, East
Saugus, West Peabody, Middleton and Boxford vil-
lage. Located within the latitude of 42° 42' to 45',
this town has exactly on the western line the city of
Lawrence, the denser part of Methuen, the river side
of North Andover, West Boxford, and eastwardly the
entire town of Rowley, the Great Neck district of
Ipswich, and along the ocean all that part of Plum
Island within Rowley and Ipswich. The nearest
point to the open Atlantic, from the village centre on
the air line, is across Hog Island and just south of
the division on Plum Island between Rowley and
Ipswich, about ten and one-half miles. The entrance
to Ipswich River, the same distance. In favoring
conditions of wind and .atmosphere, the beating of the
surf on Plum Island, after or during a gale, and Ips-
wich beach before the storm is upon us, is distinctly
heard in this town. The nearest point to Merrimac
river, is at the boundary between Bradford and Grove-
land, distance three and one-fifth miles. Direct line
to Haverhill bridge railroad station five and one-half
miles. Nearest point ti State line, a point about
midway of Plaistow, N. H., just north of Kenoza
Lake, six and three- fourths miles. City of Lawrence
eight and one-half miles ; and the factory bells are
heard frequently and very clearly. The tide-water .at
Byfield not quite four miles distant.
The topographical features of the town are first, the
Baldpate as the most prominent elevation, extending
in its foot hills nearly to Central Street on its western
side, and includes the entire southwestern section of
the town. It attains at its highest altitude about four
hundred feet above the sea, with a broad, level tract
at its northeast base, terminating sharply at Rock
Pond. This hill was known as Baldpate (or including
the hill in Boxford near by, known as Shaven-crown)
as the Bald hills from early times. The divisional
line between Baldpate and its neighbor is distinctly
defined, extending over the town limits just beyond
the boundary line. This is a well-watered country.
Lake Raynorand a small pond at the head of Raynor
with a swampy margin, both in Boxford, absorbing
all of the sever.al streams, coursing down the southern
slope. The eastern water-shed is into the westerly
branch of Pen Brook, while the northwestern flowing
into Half-Moon Meadow reaches Parker River just
GEORGETOWN.
795
westerly of Scrag Pond. The Uptake district, in the
northwest, has its southern side only in Georgetown,
quite precipitous and ragged. This district is princi-
pally in Groveland. Another hilly section west of
Pen Brook and east of Elm Street, separated from the
Baldpate district by the plain at South Georgetown
called in early times Fair-face, extends from a gentle
upland at the northern end of this section, three-
fourths of a mile southerly, to an abrupt and peculiar
termin.ation, just in the rear of the residence of S. K.
Herrick, anciently the home of Capt. Benj. Adams,
designated formerly as " Tanner Adams." This is the
" Red Shanks " locality, and lias been known as such
for at least one hundred and sixty years; why it bears
this name is difficult to conjecture, although it may
have been from the color of the rock formation. East
Street traverses a natural notch up the western slope
of this district. This tract at its highest point is not
far from two hundred feet above the ocean, and has
such singular features, that ex])erienced travellers
and scientists as Profs. C. H. Hitchcock and J. H.
Huntington have noticed and remarked its peculiari-
ties.
Old Californians have claimed, that this, with the
moraines and broken country on the oj:>posite side of
Fair-face Plains, had striking resemblances to the min-
eral districts, with which they were familiar, and as
evidences are apparent, mineral deposits have been
sought for. The water-shed is toward Pen Brook on
the one side, and the branch of Pen Brook which flows
west of Elm Street, on the other. Still another ele-
vated locality in this town was designated as the
Rocky Hills, from the earliest period, showing that
familiarity with the peculiar natural features of the
place, which results in a characteristic name. Along
the base of this rocky front, may have been an In-
dian trail, travelled by them while on their inland
journeys, and from the southern margin of this
ragged ledge, our fathers no doubt first saw the coun-
try beyond. From this point, just in the rear of the
house of E. S. Sherburne, begins an extended tract of
upland of varied character, moderate elevation and
of peculiar features, u'-like any others in town, more
especially in the northern section, or in that part
known in modern times as Atwood's Hill. Here is a
sharp ascent of perhaps one hundred feet, rising quite
abruptly from the narrow intervale of Pen Brook be-
low. The country eastwardly is broken and undulat-
ing, rising, however, on the south at the Searl place,
to a sufficient height to give an attractive prospect.
This upland region extends to Tenney Street on the
southeast, with a descent on the northeast, to the in-
dentation known as Spruce swamp, encircling a di-
minutive pond of the .same name. The water-shed
from this tract, embracing the country from North
Street to Marlborough, oi Elders Plain, as formerly
called, and Tenney Street, is into Pen Brook along
the southwest to the northwest side, and on the north-
ern side into Parker River and also into the brook,
which, flowing from Spruce Pond by a northerly course,
runs into Parker river.
In the east the waters take a new channel, seeking
their level at a branch of Muddy Brook, one of the
main feeders of Mill River, that prominent feature
in the topography and history of the mother town of
Rowley. This same brook also receives the waters
of the southerly slope of Long Hill, an elevation hav-
ing an altitude of two hundred and thirty-three feet,
the summit of which is in Georgetown, with its easter-
ly side in Rowley. Here again the water fall of the
north is into Parker River, through Wheeler's Brook,
and one or two of its branches ; but further to the
eastward into Great Swamp Brook, another of the
numerous feeders of Mill River. Between the eastern
branch of Wheeler's Brook (a stream which enters
Parker River in Newbury, about one-half mile from
the town boundary) and Great Swamp Brook, is a
considerable part of the Byfield district, of slight ele-
vation, most of the area being a plain of light soil,
known on its eastern side as " Bye Plain," from a
very early date.
In tracing the brooks and streams of the town,
Parker River naturally becomes the central object.
It flows along the northern boundary, at some points
so near, as if with an eagerness to cross, and at none
of its windings, hardly three-fourths of a mile within
the town. Its head waters are but a short distance
from Great Pond in Amlover, fed by a small pond,
and a few streams in West Boxford. Entering George-
town its first course is through Haselltine's meadow,
absorbing the brook from Half-moon meadow, then
taking Scrag Pond in its course, now a mere quag-
mire of bushes, it reaches Rock Pond, a fine sheet ot
pure water of forty or more acres, and hurrying on by
the outlet at its northern end, it enters by a northerly
curve, at about eighty rods distance. Lake Pentucket,
of perhajis one hundred acres, and passes out at its
southeastern margin. At this point, in volume, it
begins to show its powers as the servant of the com-
ing man. The Englishman who, on his return home,
wrote such a glowing account of Parker River, which
he claimed to have explored a score or two of miles
into the interior, enlarging upon its great width, mak-
ing it in resource almost a rival to the Thames, drew
on his imagination like a true Munchausen or a mod-
ern speculator in Western and Florida lands, and no
doubt had a satisfactory sale, for a history so marvel-
ous and entertaining.
One-half mile beyond the outlet, a vigorous brook,
it receives through Pen Brook, all the surplus of
Lake Raynor and the adjacent country, the water-
shed of an area of not less than two thousand acres;
this grand tribute added, after receiving aslight stream
from the north, and the Spruce Pond Brook near the
Hilliard tannery, at a mile beyond, it reaches the ter-
ritory of our northern neighbor.
While at an early period both of onr ponds were re-
corded with the names they now bear; the stream be-
796
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tween Scrag Pond and Rock Pond was named " the
brook that runneth from Scrag Pond," simply, that
part of Parker River which connects Rock and Pen-
tuckets Ponds was " Rock Pond Brook," and "that
which issueth out of Pentucket Pond " was, when des-
ignated, recorded as Crane Brook.
Aside from the limited Long Hill section, which
is a supply through Muddy Brook for Mill River,
wholly a Rowley stream, until in the salt marshes
northeast of the ox-pasture it unites with the Parker,
and together they journey to the sea; the whole rain-
fall of this town, besides that which falls on two or
three thousand acres of land in West Boxford and
North Andover with that along Lake Raynor, seeking
its natural level, enters Parker River, either before
crossing into Groveland or even after reaching New-
bury.
These brooks and streams — seven in number, and
their branches, which are of themselves permanent
brooks — are bounded by meadows of varying width,
in places a mere fringe of intervale, but mostly of a
width of many rods, of peaty soil, aggregating not
less than five hundred acress. This meadow-land of
itself was a prize in the eyes of the first settlers.
These brooks, bordered by such extensive natural
clearings, had a value then that to-day we can
-scarcely realize. Rowley had none of these fresh
meadows at or near the town. The " large accommo-
dations" offered by the General Court of Massachu-
setts Bay to Mr. Ezckiel Rogers and his company in
the winter of 1638 included these especially valuable
lands in the territory now known as Georgetown.
The location was accepted, however, without any
definite knowledge of the land of the interior. Neigh-
bors near enough for aid and assistance when needed,
with land sufficient for the support of the jdantation,
was one requisite; another was water communication
with Boston. Both were included in the offered
grant. All the seaboard in the vicinity of Boston
had been already occupied.
Between Newbury, a compact little village of four
or five years' growth, not far from the entrance to the
river Parker, and Ipswich, already a plant of strength
and vigor, having watchful friends at court, was a
nearly level tract of three or more miles in width, and
at Boston was probably not under-tood to be included
in the privileges of the already-established towns.
So near the doors of both towns this pleasant locality
became familiar to those who journeyed from Ipswich
to Newbury to and fro ; and as the limits of the two
towns may not have been very carefully drawn, a
few settlers, more adventurous or selfish than their
associates, had opened up their little clearings, and
it is probable had settled here.
The winter of 1638 and 1639, the first winter of
Mr. Rogers and his twenty families in New England,
was spent in Salem, and was one of suspense and un-
certainty. The original company numbered perhaps
one hundred persons. One hundred and twenty pas-
sengers was the limit at this time by colonial law for
a ve.ssel of two hundred tons burden.
Mr. Rogers, according to Johnson, had given
Messrs. Eaton and Davenport encouragement, and
perhaps a partial promise, that he would join them in
the Connecticut colony, and some of the company
having relatives there, as Matthew Boyes it is known
had, a party were sent around to investigate and
report.
A disturbed feeling having for some time existed in
the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, at the widespread
movement toward emigration to Connecticut, by
planters already settled in Watertown and other
places, the officials were led to make strenuous efforts
to retain the new arrivals, and special inducements
were offered.
Mr. Rogers was well know'n to the Puritans, both
here and in England, as a man of marked ability and
high moral worth, and to secure him and his company,
some of whom were men of education and perhaps of
fortune, and all of the best material for the building
of the State, was a work which promised good returns.
Those who were already settled in these infant colo-
nies were anxiously looking for emigrants. Men and
women of any rank or station were welcomed, who, to
maintain a pure faith, were ready to forswear all that
England, with the ease and pomp of the State Church,
could oft'er. More than once had the General Court
ordered public thanksgiving for the "arrival of per-
sons of special use and quality," and for "safe arrival
of ships and many passengers." No mere adventurers
were wanted; no schismatics; these were returned
from whence they came, and shipmasters warned,
under penalty, not to repeat the offence.
Some rivalry is manifest toward Connecticut, prob-
ably of a fairly friendly nature; but as regards Mr.
Rogers and his company with that colony, the
inducements to remain were presented so forcibly
that on the return of the party sent for investigation,
a definite settlement was made, and the location for
the plantation fixed. Another moving cau^e for the
intense i)re,ssure used to keep them within the limits
of the JIassachusetts Colony, was the knowledge that
this little company were but the pioneers of a grand
exodus of "many persons of quality in England, who
depended on Mr. Rogers to choose a fit place for
them." The privations of the earlier settlers had in
a degree passed ; the country in the vicinity of Bos-
ton, as has been said, was occupied and gradually
becoming cleared; roads opened from one town to
another ; the foundations of a college laid, and a per-
manent occupation of the country assured. Mr. Ro-
gers had confidential relations with families of influ-
ence in England ; he came here as their trusted agent,
and, in consequence, these especially " large accom-
modations" were granted him, with the fond antici-
pation that at an early day many others would follow.
These families of wealth and quality, whoever they
were, will perhaps never be known by us, and their
GEOKGETOWN.
797
names are now locked in oblivion. Late researches
in England by Mr. Waters, of Salem, however, show
intimate personal relations between the family of
Oliver Cromwell and the immediate I'amily of Mr.
Rogers, and possibly they might be traced from this
distinguished point.
The conflict between the Cavalier and Roundhead
soon raged madly, and thoughts of a voluntary exile
to Xew England, for peace of conscience, gave place
to hymns of triumph at home. The rise of the Com-
mons.— the people; a change of a kind such as the
world never saw before ; a king at the tribunal of the
people. Like the image seen in vision by the Eastern
monarch, unfortunately part was of iron and part
clay ; yet truly a mighty work was accomplished,
which the world will never forget. All this stopped
emigration, as in a moment; and "Mr. Ezekiel Ro-
gers' plantation" is believed to have closed the period
by which emigrants came here for settlement, as an
organized body, before leaving England.
In the spring of 1639, Mr. Rogers and the new
planters, their pinnace laden with the household
beginnings of a new republic, anchored at the place
designated for the plantation. Kight hundred pounds
were expended to buy the claims of the few who had
preceded them. Thomiis Nelson, the deputy, sur-
veyor, road locator, and the agent of the Colonial
government in settling boundary lines, gave of his
wealth to establish the plantation, and in his will,
nine years later, dated in England, where he was at
the time, perhaps there to receive the estate of an
elder brother, killed at Marston Moor, refers to
" goodman Seatchwell" (Shatswell of Ipswich), to
whom he " payd eleven pounds & seventeen pounds"
for " his tferme," probably one of the settlers who
preceded them.
Clearing land, seed-sowing, the erection of a meet-
ing-house, and also several common houses for shelter,
occupied their tirst year. These common houses were
the homes of the two hundred or more settlers for
perhaps three years. The lands were held and culti-
vated in commonalty, for at least that length of time.
Now begins the struggle for the means of living.
The dependence on the yearly harvest for existence,
until the crops of the next season were gathered, is
an impressive feature, both of colonial and town
legislation. Rarely any surplus carried over, the
pressing need of husbanding all their resources, is
seen from the beginning of the history of this planta-
tion ; and this was but a type of every other.
The General Court passed a law requiring the
inspection of corn, to see that none of a quality tit for
human food is heedlessly fed to animals. Here at
the outset, with a wise foresight, a community-system
was established, where careful watch-care could be
had, the true spirit of socialism made imperative, and
all waste and selfishness prevented.
Here was a true paternalgovernment, and the result
was a most symmetrical system. Streets were located
and lot-laying, with a care and exactness such as but
few, if any, other town in New England had. With-
out change or alteration, those streets exist to-day.
and the same careful system of lot-laying was inher-
ited by the descendants of the first settlers, as will be
seen in all town action on the division of lots, down
to a late day.
In the fall of 1039, the plantation was incorporated,
and "M'. Ezechi: Rogers' plantation shalbee called
Rowley." No controversy or war of words, as in this
day ; but positive, immediate action. Having a lim-
ited harvest that year, the General Court granted ex-
emption from taxation in 1640, because, says the
statute, "of their hindrance in planting."
When they forsook their common houses, it was to
occupy humble family homes, but located so near
each other that close communal relations must for
some time have continued to prevail.
With roofs covered with thatch, there was at all
times great danger from fire, and one early town
ordinance called for ladders of a certain length for
every house. But it is with the backwoods with
which we have to do.
When the first explorations of their territory in
the interior took place, it is of course impossible to
tell. Naturally, on arrival, curiosity would be
awakened to know what the country eight miles
from the settlement had that was of immediate
value to them. It was theirs, of that they were
assured by a satisfactory title, a grant from the
Government of Englishmen. No sagamore had as yet
asserted his claim, as was done at a later day. The
Indians who were here were evidently a dwindling
race, and so little regarded that probably because
of the annoyance, at about this time, the sagamore
of Agawam was forbidden by Colonial law, to en-
ter a white man's house. Curiosity would, of course,
be excited by a tramp through the dense wood-
growth up the hill now called Prospect, and from
the summit of that hill, on seeing the delightful and
unlooked-for view, one would then very naturally give
to the hill the name it has always borne, and then
looking westward, see our Georgetown hill, with its
top cleared and barren of trees. Conspicuous as it
must have been, encircled everywhere by forest,
how naturally would the word Baldpate spring to the
lips, and ever after this hill bear this peculiar
name.
Besides these first attempts to get a clue to the
secrets of the wilderness came eager questionings of
their Newbury and Ipswich neighbors. Dummer and
Spencer, of Newbury, had gone up Parker River to
the falls in 1635, and had the right granted to erect a
mill. Two years later the attention at Boston was
turned toward " Shaweshin, to see whether or not
it be a fitt place for a plantacon." This settlement
was not granted, however, until ]()41, and then to
the town of Cambridge on certain conditions.
As soon as settlements were contemplated, there
798
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
may have been those who were bound to know for
themselves whether " Shaweshin was fitt for liabita-
tion," and Newbury men crossed what is now George-
town. The opening of roads is always an important
work in new countries. Most of the towns were
summoned by the General Court, once and again,
for their delinquencies in the neglect of the high-
ways.
The f5rst roads for Rowley to attend to were with
Newbury and Ipswich, and the law required highways
to be opened, of six, eight and ten rods width, to avoid
marsh and miry spots. Early in the year 1(540 the
need of accurate knowledge of their grant led to a
sufficiently careful survey of the western boundary,
now the Bradford and Boxford lines, to show that
the eight miles in a direct line from the meeting-
house in Rowley would not reach for two or more
miles, the boundary line between Rowley and Cochi-
tawick, that Mr. Rogers claimed he and his planta-
tion were entitled to. Mr. Rogers pressed his claim
for this land ," upon Merrimack, near Cochitawick,"
with such tenacity, that, after some hesitation, his
wishes were granted, and the first step was taken for
a corrected line between Rowley and Audover, that
fixed the boundary quite eleven miles from the cen-
tre of the village at Rowley. This action of the court
was at the October session of that year.
The survey and running of the eight mile direct
line from the meeting-house towards the western
bounds, if carefully done, must have led directly
across the central part of the tract now Georgetown.
The experience of Thomas Nelson would probably
designate him for the work, and yet inaccurate, per-
haps, at the best, for complaints of defects in the run-
ning of town lines were constantly coming before the
General Court. These defects are explained when we
consider that the lines ran through forest and bog
rough and untraveled. Compensation for a prior
grant of five hundred and fifty acres to Governor En-
dicott, and found to be within the limits of the grant
to Mr. Rogers, was one cause of a change of boundary,
beyond the eight mile limit into the interior. Besides,
the original grant of May 13, 1G40, declared the
bounds in the other direction to be a ''cross-line diam-
eter from Ipswich Ryver to Merrimack Ryver."
Had this been adhered to it would have included
most of the New Meadows, now Topsfield, and per-
haps also the country of the Wills-hill men, in Mid-
dleton, a district which seems to have been conceded
to these settlements without controversy, at an early
date. Perhaps, with Eadicott, they could also lay
claim to prior grants. The concession of all this tract,
bordering on the " Ipswich Ryver," when the boun-
daries of the grant were so definitely and clearly
stated, was also compensated for by this extension
westward.
Most of the grants of that day, private or corporate,
were loosely drawn, with but a vague and indefinite
idea of the geographical situation of the locality, and
disputes in consequence were rife for a long time
afterward. Salem had as its grant all the country, from
Ipswich River to the sea on one side, Rowley, all be-
tween this river and Merrimack on the other. In
1639 these were adjoining towns by Colonial action,
but how few in Essex Countj' realize it to-day. This
Rowley territory, thus parting Ipswich and Newbury,
turned both at the right and left, a few miles from the
sea, effectually closing to both towns any exten-
sion of growth in the interior, and doubled in area
both of those towns combined. At the rapidity with
which emigrants had been flocking here for years, and
towns becoming incorporated at that time, such " large
accommodations " were unquestionably given to the
Rowley grantees, to be held in reserve for the large
number who were expected to follow Mr. Rogers.
CHAPTER LI.
GEORGETOWN — ( Continued) .
KAELIEST LAND-GRANTS AND PIONEER SETTLEMENTS.
TwELA'E years after the readjustment of the western
boundary, Francis Parrot, the town clerk of Rowley,
entered in the book of recoi'ds, under date 1652, this
town action, viz. : Thomas Mighill has granted
" twenty-three Akers at the place called the pen,
where young cattell were formerly kept." The land
was said to adjoin Mr. Humphrey Rainers' land, per-
haps not attached, but near by. This was stated,
evidently to make the record clear. Also laid out
" Fifteen Akers meadow commonly called Spruce
meadow, and formerly in the possession of John
Brocklebank."
The above is the first record on the town books,
having a reference to the territory, now the town of
Georgetown.
Thomas Mighill, who began at this early day, to
show his intentions of making a permanent settle-
ment in this part of the town, was very prominent in
the affairs of the church and the town of Rowley
from the beginning, and was elected deacon in De-
cember, 1639. He was a man of considerable wealth
for the time, had many household furnishings brought
from England, of which one heavy, leather-seated
chair, now owned by some of his descendants in
the family of the writer, is said to be a part. Mr.
Mighill in everything jiertaining to the interests of
the town, was active and useful. His death w-as un-
timely, occurring March 14, 1664-65. Had he lived,
he would probably have made an extensive clearing
here at an early day. His will in the possession of
Chas. P. Mighill, of Rowley, is an interesting docu-
ment. Mr. C. P. Mighill and brother, who are direct
descendants through Stephen, the youngest son of
Thomas (as are all of the name or lineage in this
GEORGETOWN.
r99
vicinity), own and reside, upon the original lot on
Wetbersfield Street in Eowley, laid out to Mighill in
1643, nearly two hundred and fifty years ago. An-
other tact worthy of mention, is, that this lot in
Georgetown at the pen land, has been in the family
of the present owner, Mr. Humphrey Nelson (a lineal
descendant through a great-granddaughter of Stephen),
for many years. Not long after it was laid out, a
part of it was fenced, and styled a field. This was
done either by the first grantee, or Thomas, the
eldest son. In this record, is the first mention of the
herding of the young cattle on this comracm land.
Pen Brook constantly referred to, in the land convey-
ances and allotments of the first hundred years, was
the westerly bounds of one piece of meadow, laid out
at this time. Tliis is near Union Cemetery. The
pasturing of the young stock in these upper commons,
began, no doubt, some years before, and had become
the established practice. Herdsmen were sent to give
the care necessary for the protection of the cattle and
sheep. A little later, in a descriptive record, is this,
Kjol : "Adjoyning vnto the s"" Land at the end where
the pen house stood."
There was, it is probable, good pasturage here, for
while the country generally wiis heavily timbered, no
doubt, much of the area was free from shrub growth
and underbrush, the result of the fires set by the In-
dians, when grasses, of course, would start up abund-
antly. This firing of the weeds and valueless growth
continued later on.
In the list of the charges for the town of Rowley
for the year 1666, is this : " Left. Siamuel Brocklebank
for burning ye young cattle walk, 5 shillings." This
is the first record for town labor in Georgetown.
The pen house had been moved further up. The
land spoken of was sold in 1661, "to John Brockle-
bank, by the men appointed to sell Land, to pay the
Legacy to Ipswich Rogers," the record rather curtly
says. One of the conditions of Mr. Ezekiel Roger's
will was, that the church and town of Rowley, on the
receipt of the bulk of his property, were to pay eight-
score pounds in country pay, to his nephew, Ezekiel
Rogers, of Ipswich, two years after the testator's
death. Mr. Rogers died January 23, 1661, and this
land was by order of the town sold soon after. This
same John Brocklebank, was the youngest son of
Jane, a widow, who with her two sons, Samuel the
eldest being a boy of eight, were among the original
Rowley company.
The Spruce meadow may have been at what is now
known as such, south of the Hilliard place on North
Street, and yet it seems a question whether at that
early period, any land in that locality had been en-
tered.
One fact seems apparent, that the earliest move-
ment for a settlement of Georgetown, was east of Pen
Brook, on Mr. Humphrey Nelson's farm, and in that
locality on East Main Street. The ujjland along the
Rocky hills, with the meadows southerly, was the
first to be laid out. That extensive tract of meadow
along Pen Brook to its source, had been explored at as
early a date as cattle had been herded, and at some time
prior to 1652, a grant was made to Elder Humphrey
Rainer, of at least, most of the laud from Lake
Raynor for some distance down, and possibly nearly
to the pen-land. All the deeds given in what is now
South Georgetown as late as seventy-five years after-
wards, which have as a boundary these meadows along
Pen Brook, describe these pieces of meadow as the
"Elder's," or "Elder Rainer" meadow. It can be
safely said that this worthy member of a family, noted
in the early church annals of New England, was the
first landholder in South Georgetown, and probably
in the town.
In describing the land laid out to Mighill, it seems
to have been well understood at the time where the
Rainer meadows were. It was comparatively easy to
secure pasturage and protection for the farmer's
herds through the summer, but with so little un-
cleared land and the entire human food-supply of all
dependent on the harvest from the land they had
slowly and laboriously cleared, the hay from the
Rainer meadows was carefully secured and carted to
Rowley. The improvement of their highways began
to be nece-ssary ; in 1661, says the record, of a ten
acre lot of land laid out to John Brocklebank ; that,
" The Town hath secured a sufficient and convenient
highway for driving cattle and carts, as they may
have occasion to make use of it." The value of the
hay from the salt marshes, tradition says was not un-
derstood by the Rowley people, until a bull lost from
the settlement in the autumn was caught in the
spring after a winter of grazing on the marsh grasses
in such fine condition, that ever after, these lands
were regarded as their most valuable treasure.
The land, both upland and meadow, now owned by
S. K. Herrick, has by the elderly people until lately,
been called the Rainer land or meadow. The pond
in Boxford, at the foot of Baldpate Hill, had the
name of" Elders" in the documents of the early period,
but later as " Elders, or Baldpate," finally as "Baldpate."
It seems, however, like nothing mure than justice to
an hcmored name in the early history of Rowley, one
who served as deputy in 1649, and especially in the
fact, that he was the original owner of the lands bor-
dering this brook, so noted a locality in the early
history of Georgetown, to perpetuate his name here
by giving this pond the permanent name of Lake
Raynor. The earliest name the plain now known as
" Marlborough " had, was " Elders Plain," named for
this same Humphrey Rainer. It disappears as a Row-
ley name early in the eighteenth century, and except
to a few who make local history a study, has become
unknown and as though it had never existed there.
A very sad and pathetic story is revealed, where Jachin
R.ayner, a nephew, about the year 17ii0, petitions for
right to convey land in the interest of a son, who as
a confirmed invalid, needed support. This land thus
800
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
deeded was in the middle commons, at some point
west of Muddy Brook. Jachin was a Rowley tanner
and figures prominently for a time. Kev. John Ray-
ner, a brother of Elder Humphrey, educated at Cam-
bridge, England, was the second minister of Ply-
mouth, Mass., dying in Dover, N. H. He and Mat-
thew Boyes, of Rowley, married sisters. They were
ladies from a family of distinction in England.
From a grant of land to Samuel Brocklebank of
seventy-five acres in 1661, there were fifty, the record
states, which was purchased of William Hobson's
widow, who before marriage was Anne Eaiiier, a
daughter of Humphrey Rainer; the balance was his
own lot and land previously belonging to Matthew
Boyes, who was as we have seen also connected with
the Raiuor family.
These records show the influence of the Rainers
in the earliest times, and the intimate connection,
which the family in its various branches had with
the earliest history of Georgetown.
This piece of upland so early secured by Samuel
Brooklebank, was situated easterly of Elm Street, ex-
tending southerly nearly to South Georgetown, the
locality known at a later day as Fairface plain. The
record says this land was bounded on the north by a
highway, where cattle used to go over the brook to
the pen land, laid out to Thomas Mighill ; the west-
erly side of the tract adjoined a highway leading to
Andover; Pen Brook along the east, and extending
unto Mr. H. Rainer's land. This Andover road was
unquestionably at that time the way for Newbury
and Rowley settlers to visit the Rowley Village (now
Boxford) people, also the settlement on the Shawshin,
then Andover.
Several families had already settled in Boxford ; a
road by order of the General Court, had been opened
from Ipswich to Andover several years before, and to
connect with that along Elm Street, the earliest
road opened through what is now part of Georgetown.
East Main Street, from Marlborough Village to Elm
Street, was as at present. There was some change at Elm
Street, the record referring to a highway now in use,
and where it is to run, but probably essentially the
same. Leaving Elm, this old way passed along Brook
Street, crossing Central, into Chaplin's Court, and over
Fairface plain to Mrs. W. M. Shutes' on Nelson Street
(known years after as Fairface highway), and along
Nelson Street, to the residence of Messrs. Patton and
Metcalf, in Boxford. About thirty years later Thom-
as Palmer, had land set off to him, described as
extending on one side, from " Elders pond to ye old
high way from Andover to Newbury, on ye south
side of ye bald hills ; which was a continuation of
this ancient road, and crossed the Patton and Met-
calf farm to connect with the Ipswich and Andover
road. This seventy-five acres of land of Samuel
Brocklebank's, also included the present homestead of
Melvin G. Spofford, upon which a house was built soon
after.
The present mansion-like dwelling-house of Mr.
Spofford is, in part, at least, unquestionably very, an-
cient, and tradition has it that some portion of the
original house, probably the westerly front, is in-
cluded in this.
In Humphrey Rainer, Thomas Mighill, Samuel
and John Brocklebank, we have the pioneers who
opened for settlement, tlie town of Georgetown. At
about this time, the country west of the Pen Brook,
including all that territory which in 1685 was incor-
porated as Boxford, was known as "Village lands." Not
long before, in 1649, measures had been taken for a
settlement, in that part of Rowley situated on the
Merrimac River. These lands became at once known
.as " Merrimac lands," and the division made between
what was later known as the Village lands. The set-
tlement had the name of " Rowley Village on the
Merrimac," for a time, but in 1675, was incorporated
as Bradford.
Boxford for some time had been known simply as
Rowley Village, and so continued, even after it had
received its corporate name. Zaccheus Gould, of
Topsfield, the ancestor of all the Goulds originating
in this locality, comes prominently before us in con-
nection with Georgetown's early history, at a period
soon after 1650. From the vast land grants which he
held, it would seem as if he had something of the
spirit of a land speculator and grabber. By some un-
known parties he had been employed as an agent to
purchase lands, and an extensive tract of not less than
three thousand acres, including nearly all of George-
town west of Pen Brook, was for some consideration,
secured to him. Circumstances preventing its dis-
posal, to the parties for whom it was intended, it was
sold to Joseph Jewett, of Rowley, as a deed on record
says, " for eighty od pounds." It further says, that
this was " one sixt part of village land belonging to
Rowley, which the sayd Gould bought of Jewett."
Carelessly estimated, this evidently was the tract pre-
viously named. Gould adds to the above, " As alsoe,
the one half of village land, which I, the sayd Zac-
cheus Gould, bought of M'. Ezekiel Rogers & Mat-
thew Boyes." This was dated July 2, 1661, and Mr.
Jewett had died February 26th of the same year.
Jewett had doubtless been the representative of the
town of Rowley, in confirming the grants of Village
lands.
There are several deeds on record, of these original
grants to Peabody, Bigsbye, Stiles, Gould, Dorman
and others, bearing dates from May to July, 1661,
and in each the grantors are Philip Nelson and oth-
ers, as the executors of Mr. Jewett, who probably died
suddenly, as the wording of each is, 'he having de-
parted this life before a legal assurance was made."
It was necessary that this claim, which Gould had
upon what is now Georgetown, should be closed, and on
the same date, July 2, 1661, we find Jewett's execu-
tors, doubtless by authority of the town of Rowley,
selling Gould two-sixths parts village land in Box-
GEORGETOWN.
801
ford; the previous clay Stiles antl Reddington having
had their hiuds conveyed. From the action of the
town of Rowley Decendjer 20, IGoS, more than two
years before, it would seem that .Tewctt had a claim
upon this three thousand acre tract at that time.
As a persuasive to yield his claim,
" It was Agreetl aud Voated at a general and In^agiili tuwin- nifetinf^,
tliat nlf. .losepli .Tewit, Should have a thousand Acres of Land in ye
Nortti, heyuml ye Ha.seltiues partufye thuiisand, in exehanjie of Three
thousanii .\cresof L.^nd, whichis tobo laid uiit as conveniently as ean
bee, for ye Town of Kowley, in ye village land about ye bald hiils, and
he to have forty .\cre8 of Mcdow, as conveniently as can bee with yo
towns laiul."
This town action towards li(iuidating Mr. Jewett's
claim (however his claim was fouuded), began to
look like an attempt for a settlement. It is doubtful
whether this jiroposition was acce|>ted at the time; il
it was, then the action of Gotihl with the e.\ccutors,
the July alter .Tewett's death, was in tiie form of aL
acquittance to any claim he had on this famous tract,
so tossed about in shuttlecock fashion. Perhap.i, in
tho-e early days, having hopes that a more speedy
settlement of the wilderness would follow, special
privileges were grante<l to such as .Jewett and Gould,
that they might be encouraged to stimulate and has-
ten emigration. In the villages along the sea, there
was doubtless a fixed timorousness, from fear of prowl-
ing Indians ; and settlers in the interior gave a .sense
of protection, and were, to a certain extent, a safe-
guard.
The colonial laws forbidding persons journeying
alone, receiving Indians into the houses of the colo-
nists, and similar enactments, whether from a troubled
conscience, because of known wrong in dealing witli
the Indian, or whatever the cause, all show a sense
of lurking danger. To the herdsmen in their loneli-
ness at the pen-hou.se on the rocky hills, there must
have been fear in a special manner continually with
them, not probably from their aboriginal neighbors
of Pcntucket and Agawara, but from the unsubjectcd
tribes of the wilderness beyond. Wild and ferocifms
beasts, and possibly savage men, ma<lc every .sense
alert, and their life here certainly was no holiday task.
The nights may not have altogether been s]icnt here,
but the days most assuredly were.
While harvesting the hay on the Rainer meadow
one can imagine their watchfulness and their thoughts
of probalile danger. The frequent stories of frontier
life are of death from the Indian arrow or bullet,
while at work haying in the meadows. When the men
of every household were ordered to have their mus-
kets with them while in the meeting-house on the
Lord's or lecture days, there was fear of a subtle
enemy, and how numerous and powerful they had no
])ossible means of knowing. We, to-day, know that
they were but comparatively few in number, but their
methods of warfare were such that imagination vastly
magnified the numbers of the foe and greatly in-
creased the timorousness and alarm. Besides, in spite
of continual colonial restriction against supplying
5()i
the Indians with arms or ammunition, there were
from the first, those who withdrawing from the set-
tlements, defied the law, and living ai)art from the
white man, fraternized with the Indian to the
Englishman's fear and often injury.
At the time the young cattle of the Rowley [ilaitters
were first herded above Pen Brook, on this tract, which
was sometimes called the " Upper Commons," only
the few families which were then located at each of
the plantations, Pcntucket and Gochicowick (Haver-
hill and Audover), shut off the frontier. All beyond,
both north and west, was an untraversed wilderness.
At a later day both of these towns were raided, once
and again by Indians, bringing dismay and death to
many a peaceful home. The locality, now George-
town, was doubtless a favorite rn<liaii fishing ground,
often visited. Many of the rude Indian household
utensils have been turned up by the plough near the
brooks and Parker River, and also at a distance
from them ; by the shores of the jionds ; and in By-
field, near Warren Street, quite a large storehouse of
cutting instruments and stone points has been un-
covered. Perhaps more prolific fields for these coveted
relics of a buried past than any other arc Parker
River, in the vicinity of the woolen-mill, and the
southeasterly slope of the foot-hills of Baldpatu.
On the warm sunny hillsides near Baldpate, which
are sheltered from the driving blasts of winter, the
race who got the start and came before us had their
frequent camping-ground.
The Indian became extinct in this immediate lo-
cality about a century ago ; the last representatives
were Papahana, a man who died in Groveland, and
another who died at Captain George . I ewett's, in Row-
ley.
When our fathers first saw them they were shrunken
from their former condition; perhaps they would have
rallied and evolved a partial civilization like their
New York neighbors, but it was not to be. Another
race doubtless preceded them, leaving only faint traces
behind.
Profes.sor Putnam, the anthropologist and archaeol-
ogist, if we mistake not, places the jieriod of the
stone age, to which the triangular stones found buried
deeply in the gravel belong, as pre-historic and the
work of a prior race; the labor of man just begin-
ning to realize his position, his relations to the ani-
mal world around him, and his undeveloped power.
These peculiar stones are occasionally found here, and
of various sizes, but having similar outlines. A furore
for collecting Indian curios was awakened here some
years ago, and intensified by the Georgrtawit Advocate,
through its junior editor, H. N. Harriman, Esq., who
is himself an ardent investigator and enthusiastic col-
lector.
Returning to the early land grants, it is recorded
that March 23, 1651, Anthony Orosbie had seven hun-
dred acres laid out; the deed says near Elder's Pond,
whether in Georgetown or Boxford it is impossible to
802
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, IMASSACHUSETTS.
say ; but in 1672 he had seventy acres laid out in
Georgetown, located somewhere between North
Street and Marlborough, and recorded in the Rowley
book as " Crosbie's farm," adjoining land of Francis
Parrot, also Reedy Meadow, and Deacon Thomas Mig-
hill's land. A part of this land was in the right of
Philip Nelson.
This Crosbie was the first physician in Rowley and
probably a son of Cushins Crosbie, one of the first
settlers of Rowley. Perh;ips his death or the Indian
war of three or four years later prevented his settle-
ment, as there is no record of any occupancy.
In 1661, besides the Brocklebank grant oa.st of
Pen Brook, was an allotment of land, near and on
the west side of Pentucket Pond, to Mary, the widow
of Mr. Ezekiel Rogers. This lot was bounded on the
east end by a highway leading to Andover, and as
this highway was probably the Andover Street of to-
day, the lot must have reached the town centre, and
included the land between the two ponds, eastward to
the centre. Tliose who settled on Mrs. Rogers' land,
more than half a century afterward, had farms at sev-
eral points on this very tract, from above Pond Street
westward to beyond Main Street. On the south and
west it was bounded by common land. This was a
grant in the interest of Thomas Barker (the first hus-
band of Mrs. Rogers), who died in 1650. It was to
make his lot proportionable to the lower lots, and a
large lot at this distance from the town would not ex-
ceed in value a small area there.
January 22, 1663-64, another tract, containing three
hundred and seventy acres, was hud out to Mrs.
Rogers, also in the right of Thomas Barker. This
was situated on the north side of the pond known as
Pentucket, and also on the north side of the brook
running iu and out of the pond, westerly to the great
rock, and extending easterly to a marked tree, to
the brook which " issueth out of the pond runneth
into the Crane meadow, so-called."
At this early day these meadows and Parker River
were known as Crane Meadows and Crane Brook.
Probably the lot previously laid out extended to
the south side of Rock Pond Brook.
In 1666 or 1667 the "Three thousand acre" tract,
made public domain once more by the clearance of
all private claims, was laid out to the town of Rowley.
John Pickard and Ezekiel Northend, appointed by
Rowley for this important work, also laid out, as
carefully as their appliances and the wilduess of the
territory traversed permitted, the balance of the Vil-
lage land to citizens of Rowley and Rowley Village.
This covered all of the town of Boxford, excepting
the land already settled upon. The system of divi-
sional grants to individuals was based on the size of
the house lots as laid out to the first settlers at Row-
ley. In this village land allotment some of the
larger grants covered land previously laid out to in-
dividuals, as, for instance, Mr. Philip Nelson's two
thousand acres included the meadow previously
granted to Joseph Jewett, which had been allowed in
extinguishment of his claim on the Georgetown three
thousand acres.
As Mr. Nelson's first wife was of the Jewett
family, perhaps no difficulty arose. Gould received a
large tract in one corner of the territory, and any
special claims he may have had were, no doubt, satis-
factorily cancelled. The action by the executors of
Joseph Jewett in 1661, as shown by the deeds on
record at Salem, were of at least one-half of the entire
territory, confirmed to Francis Peabody, Thomas
Dorraan, Robert Stiles, Joseph Bigsbye, Abraham
Reddington, William P\ister and Zaccheus Gould.
That these deeds were recogni/.ed as having at least a
partial validity can be seen by examining the list of
grantees at this final division, for each of these parties
are recorded as having a large grant. These parties
had probably been buying for years the rights that
families at Rowley had in the village lands; so that
when the time came to grant private ownership of
what the Henry Georges of to-day contend should
never be held as private property — the land, all there
was for them to do was to show that they had pur-
chased these rights, and these large allotments were
secured. There is no other way to account for the
striking disparity in these divisions.
One thing to-day is beginning to be recognized,
that as from the land all existence is principally
maintained, monopoly in land should be condemned,
and no man or family, even in the infancy of a settle-
ment, be permitted to mark off or fence in more than
may be cultivated or cared for. A part of a lot
south of Lake Raynor, laid out by Ezekiel Northend
for himself at that time, was through one of his female
descendants, owned by the family for about two hun-
dred years.
At about this period the permanent settlement of
Georgetown begins. This westerly part of the town,
from the centre across Baklpate Hill, to where,
twenty years afterwards, the boundary line between
Rowley and Boxford was run, was at last unincum-
bered, and the Rowley people were discussing earnestly
the wisest course to take in the encouragement of a
settlement.
Northend and Pickard having com|deted their work,
probably in 1667 (a thankless task no doubt, as for
many years afterward it was ditficult to get men to
serve as lot-layers, many positively refusing to serve),
a meeting of the town of Rowley was therefore ac-
cordingly called for February 23d, 1667-68. At
this date " It was agreed and voted that there should
be a small farme laide out in the three thousand
Acres of Land that was exchanged for the land at
the necke, and the rent of the saide farme it is agreed
that it shall be for ever for the use of the ministry or
the towne's use." Directly beneath this record, ap-
parently written by another hnnd, and at a later date,
is found this, — "Samuell Brocklebank that no line
convenient will give Leas on." The principal busi-
GEORGETOWN.
803
uessot'the meeting seems to have been matters pertain-
ing to this " farine," as the next record is "Chose
■lolm l'ick:inl, Jciliri jtearson and Ezekiel Northend,
to bee Added to tlie select men, to make a bargon
with any who should appeare to take the saide
ferme, provided that they Let not above thirty Acres
of nieddow, or halt'e of the mcddow bidonging to the
thre Thousand Acres, provided allso that they put
the towne to uo charges, provide<l allso that they lay
not out above thre-score Akres of upland to the saide
farme." The same parties were made the committee,
to lay out the "saide farme," which was done that
year.
A partial " bargou " had been made with John Spaf-
ford, an original .settler in the town of Rowley. He
was a Yorkshireman, whose family was one of the
twenty who were among the first comers, having a
house-lot on Bradford, near Wethersfield Street, and
not long before his acceptance of the agreement with
the town, had leased and occupied the farm of Sam-
uel Bellingliam, of Boston, styled gent; and was liv-
ing on it at the time of its sale to Joseph Jewett,
clothier. This farm in Rowley was a legacy to Sam-
uel from William Bellingham, and probably incliideil
the house-lot on Holmes Street, adjoining Mr.
Thomas Nelson's. March 17th, 1608, is this rec-
ord : " Seventeenth day of March, in the year one
Thousand six hundred sixty-eight, it was agreed and
voated, that John Spofforth, if he would goe to the
farme that was granted to be laide out in tlie thre
Thou.sand Akers, that he should have the benefit
of penninge the cattell, for the terme of seven years,
he keepinge tlie herde of the younger cattel as care-
fully and as cheape, as any other should doe."
So carefully had the surveyors .supposed they had
examined and classified the land, that the thirty
acres of meadow was said to be one-half of this clas.--
of land, found within the three thousand acre tract.
Their meadow land was our bog of to-day, and thirty
years ago was free from trees and bushy growth, but
much that was at that time familiar to us as cleared
meadow, was in ihe early days, covered no doubt, in
patches at least, with a dense growth of maple,
birch, pine and other trees. "March 19, IGGS-G'.I,
John Spollbrth took a Lease of this farm, laid out for
the vse of the ministry," in a specific document
drawn up at considerable length, and signed in the
presence of witnes.ses by " John Spofard, his mark."
" Twenty and one yeares it extended, without rent
or rates for the first five, cxceptings three hundred ol
good white oake two inch jdanke, some time within
two yeares, to be delivered at the meeting-house,"
the secular as well as the religious centre of the town,
and "after five years, ten pounds yearly for the saide
land and meddow, and thirty shillings for all stocke
and land that he shall improve yearly," not in money
payment, either, but with a tenderness which might
sometimes be extended to the farmer in our day, its
value iu farm commodities, as "one-halfe in English
corue at price currant, the other half in fat cattell or
leane; if he pay iu leane cattell, they are not to ex-
ceede above seven yeares of age, or in Indian corne
if he pleas," however, "what he doth pay in fat cat-
tell, he is to pay at or before Mihilmas " (September
29th). He was restricted to the use of " timber for
buildings and other neceessaryes for farmiuge," and
• no saile of tiudjer but to the town of Rowley, and,
no hay exceeding above five loads yearly." "All
dunge to be laide upon the saide land, none to be
given or soulde." "And what buildings he shall
erect, he is to uphold them, and leave them tenant-
able at the end of his lease, and allsoe all fences that
he shall make, and he is to pay yearly cuntry rates,
at the last yeare to live in the house untill May day,
that so he may spend his fotherupon the saide land."
The mark of Spofard thus attached is the letter o,
horizontally placed.
In locating the land in the preamble to the lease, it is
said to be " at the pen where the young cattell of the
towne have beene herded this last yeare, called by the
name of gravelle plain."
The cabin or log-hut, known as the pen-house, was
near by, and the res|ionsible ptjsition of the herdsmen
was now to pass into the hands of theSpotlord family.
John Spotlbrd and his sons may have previously been
entrusted with the serious duties of seeing that no
harm befell this valuable property of the Rowley
farmers seven miles away. Mr. Spofibrd had charges
against Rowley the year before, of £3, 13s. for
overseeing fences, and of £2, 10s. for killing a wolfe.
Perhaps this wolfe was killed here, and, accust(jmed to
live in the wilderness, he readily accepted the offer of
the town, and, building his home, became a perma-
nent settler. Soon after this date the town of Rowley
required Boxford to pay the bounty on all wolves
killed in this part of the town.
This family had a love for border life, or they would
not so readily have come here. While there was
heroism and daring, one can also conceive that
thoughts of the Indian nuist have stalked like a spec-
tre before their cottage as the nightfall gathered, and
that the howling of the fierce winter wind brought
vividly to memory stories of Indian cruelty, listened to
shiveringly, around the fireside at their old home, to
which their loneliness here added a tenfold terror. Es-
pecially to the wife and mother the danger doubtless
clung, with but little to make life buoyant or cheer-
ful. Besides, with all of that day, they firmly be-
lieved and looked for the malice of the prince of evil
on every hand.
This darkened their lives, and could this family
have looked ahead a century or more, and heard and
seen the visible manifestations of an invisible and oc-
cult force beneath the roof of some to come after them
as bone of their bone, but scarcely an arrow's Might
from where they then were, they would all have fied
from their wilderness home, back to the village fi'om
whence they came. They did remain, however, with
804
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
nothing to disturb them, beyond the ordinary difficul-
ties that await those who in a new country sow the
seed and gather the harvest. At a period some years
before a path of blazed trees had probably been
opened toward Andover, but for years at least in the
long, wearisome winter, as they looked abroad from
this elevated country, not a column of smoke from a
neighbor's chimney could be seen curling upward as a
Iriendly sign and beacon. Their nearest neighbors
were three miles away, witli the old primitive forest
between. From tlie records at Rowley it is probable,
however, that before the Spoftbrds came Captain
Samuel Brocklebank had a house at his farm on
Pen Brook, wliich he occupied during the farm-season,
spending the winters in Rowley.
This was an occasional occurrence, and tlie Colonial
laws exempted the farmers or their servants from cer-
tain duties wliile living on the farms at a distance from
the villages. The road which passed this Spoflbrd
cottage connected with the highway, laid out at the
same time, from Topsfield to Haverhill, leading from
tlie old Ipswicli and Andover road, southwest of
Baldpate hill, just east of Shaven Crown, past the
present Thwing farm, and across wliat is now the
Andover road, over tlie " Haselltine brook (says the
record) where they of Rowley Village have made a
bridge over it, near the lower end of Robert Hasill-
tine's meadow, and soe along as the highway now
goeth, to A place commonly called the aptake." This
aptakeor uptake, was evidently tlien known, and the
path from this point was already a highway. It had
been used as such for some time, as trees were said to
have been marked at various points, but the road had
not been definitely laid out. Now changes were made,
and the work was final. A report to that eftect was
made March 16, 16()8-()9. Two who signed the re-
port were Samuel Brocklebank and Ezekiel Northend.
The connection with this ancient Salem and Haver-
hill road was by the three-fourths mile of highway, at
the northwest foot of Baldpate Street, known now as
Spofford Street. For more than a century and a half
this was the great central thoroughfare between
Northern and Southern Essex, until the rapid growth
of " Georgetown corner" turned the course of travel,
and attracted it two miles to the eastward. In later
years there were many farm-houses scattered along at
frequent intervals, where entertainment for man and
beast was provided, and " the sounds of revelry " and
tales of good cheer had these old inns but a tongue to
reveal them, would fill many a volume.
In March, 1662, Rowley appointed Lieut. Samuel
Brocklebank and Richard Swan to join with the
selectmen of Haverhill to decide where the road from
Haverhill to Rowley should be. The preceding year
Lieut. Brocklebank had his seventy-two acre farm
laid out by Pen Brook, and as his evident intentions
were, at that day, to make this his home, performing
this duty for the town, he had more than official duty,
for by opening up this road he was making his own
property accessible to the Merrimac River settle-
ments, and his own settlement here seemingly an as-
sured thing. The record from the Rowley 1st book,
as previously given, is good evidence that this partial
settlement actually occurred. Tlie lamented ending
of his useful life, may as well be told here.
June 24, 1675, was ever memorable in New Eng-
land history as the date of the opening tragedy, in
that calamity known as King Philip's War. This was
followed by an alliance of several tribes, of which
some had previously been friendly. This action of
the Indians awakened general alarm throughout both
Massachusetts and Plymouth Colonies. Soldiere were
ordered to be raised, and Samuel Brocklebank, now
captain, reports on the 29th of November, 1675, to
Governor John Leverett that " This may certify, that
we have impressid twelve men according to our war-
rant, and have given them charge to fit themsellves
well with warm clothing, and we hope they will, and
doe endeavour to fixe themsellves as well as they can ;
only some of them are men that but latly come to
town, and want arms, the which to provide for them
we must press other men's arms, which is very griev-
ous (except they can be provided for upon the coun-
try's account, which would be very acceptable if it
could be.) "
Writing this kindly note, in behalf of this little
company of distressed townsmen, he bids farewell to
all those useful labors for the town of his adoption,
where, in the forest, he had fixed the highways, since
traveled by myriad feet ; a lingering look up the long
extent of hill and plain, along what is now Elm
Street, which he had fondly expected to redeem from
the wild reign of Nature, then controlling it; a final
farewell to his wilderness home, with the peaceful
sound of Pen Brook the only break upon the stillness,
and to his village friends, now agitated with many an
unwonted fear, and to Boston, and then from Marl-
borough he makes his report, as a soldier ready for
service, if his duty calls.
He wrote to Major Denison, of Ipswich, March 27,
11)76, from the place last named. Asks to be dismissed
with his men, saying that they can do nothing of ad-
vantage where tliey are. Impatient to escape from
this idle waiting, says also " that they have been in
the country's service ever since the first of January
at Narriganset, and within one week after their return
were sent out again, having neither time or money,
save a fortnight's pay, upon the march to recruit
themselves." The previous day he wrote the Council
an interesting letter, with a graphic account of the
burning of many houses and barns in Marlborough,
ending with a prediction of greater havoc soon to be
made.
His premonitions were more than realized. On the
21st of the following April Captain Brocklebank, Cap-
tain Wadsworth of Milton, Lieutenant Sharp of
Brookline, with about one hundred men, were drawn
into ambush bv the Indians in the town of Sudbury,
GEORGETOWN.
805
and the three officers and probably upwards of fifty of
the men were killed. They were all buried in one
grave, in the forest near where they fell. About 1730
President Benjamin Wadsworth, of Harvard College,
a son of the captain, erected a jilain slab over the
burial-place of these men, which, in 1840, was in a
good state of preservation. A granite monument was
also erected by the State of Massachusetts and the
town of Sudbury in 1852, and dedicated November
23d of that year, with an a<klre.s8 by Governor Bout-
well. The former headstone is placed directly in front
of it. Two centuries later, on the anniversary of this
sad event, a general ob.servance of the day was had,
many visiting Sudbury from the surrounding country.
The writer, as a lineal descendant of Ca)itain Brockle-
bank and as a representative of the town, was invited
by the committee of arrangements to be present.
This was the sad ending of the career of a brave
and useful man. He had been a deacon of the church
in Rowley, probaldy from the death of Thomas Mig-
hill. His age was but forty-six. Had he lived, un-
doubtedly his energies and enthusiasm would have
been strongly felt in the early history of Georgetown.
Ninety-nine years later, and that same locality was
the theatre of events equally bloody, and the descend-
ants of Captain Bmcklebank's Rowley neighbors were
there by forced marches, too late, however, to join the
" embattled farmers as they stood, and tired the shot
heard round the world." Coming here a lad of eight,
growing up w'ith the Rowley settlement, his tragic
ending gives a gleam of story to our history in the
seventeenth century such as we get from no other
source. But t^ieorgetown in an especial manner can
claim his career as her own, for here was his farm,
cleared to some e.\tent by him, and here was, we be-
lieve, bis first habitation looking toward a permanent
home. His inventory has this item: " faruie toward
Bradford, l-")0 lbs." With house in Rowley is .added
"kilne." Whole estate, £442 11«. His eldest son,
Samuel, born November 28, lGr)3, occujjied the farm
ill 1()8.5, and umiuestionably lived here.
November 20, 108(3, a committee met at Samuel
Brocklebank's house to consider his claim for danuige
by a highway opened through his farm. This may
have been the Kim Street road, now formally opened,
and perhaps by a more direct route to the Ipswicdi
and Andover road than before — crossing Nelson Street
at the foot of Adams Hill, near Mrs. W. M. Shute's,
and so easterly and close beside the sharp range of
hills, parallel with the railroad, until we pass Oak
Dell Grove and reach the wooden bridge across Pen
Brook, just below Lake Raynor. This ancient way,
the direct way to Thomas Hazen's, who, two years be-
fore, had settled about midway of a large tract south
of and adjoining Lake Raynor, and also to Daniel
Wood's was opened probably at this time. In 1712
Hazen sold his three hundred acre farm, all lying in
one body and south of the lake, with his dwelling-
house in what is now the Samuel Perley lot, and re-
moved to Connecticut. Two hundred and fifty acres
were deeded to Jacob Perley, and the balance of sixty
acres to Timothy Perkins, of Topsfteld. This was a
Boxford farm, but the connections of Thomas Hazen
were so identified with South Georgetown for nearly
acentnry after that a brief mention does not seem amiss.
Sixteen acres of land were granted Brocklebank for
damage because of highway. This land given him
was on the west side of his farm, with one corner on
" Widdow Lambert's farrae," who was probably the
widow of Francis Lambert, of Rowley. This was the
same tract which, nearly twenty-five years before, had
been laid out to Mrs. Rogers, but at this time, prob-
ably, all of Mrs. Rogers' land had come into the pos-
session of the Lambert family.
Returning to our pioneers on the hill, we find John
Spoftbrd continuing his labors from year to year.
Without any competitors to cheapen the price of his
labor, watching over the young cattle, penning them
by night, with freedom to roam where they might by
day, generally, however, up the slopes and on the
summit of Baldpate, where, from some cause, there
was a natural clearing, an entire want of the old tim-
bered growth which covered all the upland beside.
With the regularity of the seasons he gathers the
hay-harvest from "Half-moon Meadow," still called
by the same expressive name. Only at long intervals,
and then in settled weather, would a traveler be seen
on foot or horse, journeying along the " old path that
goeth toward Andover." Eight years passed, and on
the lOth of March, 1G77, the lease was transferred by
Mr. Spottord to his sons John and Samuel, and ex-
tended to the new lessees sixty years from date. Per-
haps the father thought the town had driven a hard
" bargon " with him, or the " gravelle plain " was not
as productive as was expected, or, possil)ly, further
encouragement was needed to keep the young men
from returning to Rowley village, but from some cause
there was an abatement of the rent. Unlike the hard
fate of the Irish peasant, who sees his rent rise with
every slight improvement on his acre of bog, their
rent was reduced to eight pounds, with the results of
eight years' labor added to its original value.
Ministry rates to be paid "for what stocke they
keep upon the saide land, and for all brokeup land
and unbroke land, as the inhabitants of the town
doe pay." " AUso they have liberty to pay in porke
their rent if they .see cause." Acorns and all species
of mast (walnuts of every kind) were especially abun-
dant in all the country south of this parish farm, and
swine must have been grown at a nominal cost.
To this day the same district south and east of
Baldp.ate Hill is noted for the abundance of its croi)
of walnuts, making quite an item in the aggregated
products of the farms. Included in this supplemen-
tary lease is this clause, "And duringe the times of
the Indian wars there rent is to be abated accordinge
to the iudgment of inditterent men, if they be hin-
dered in carrying on the saide farme.'' A strong
806
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
probability that they might have to return to Rowley
with at least pecuniary loss.
This anticipated clanger from the Indian fighter,
with the fever for blood raging in him just at this
time, reveals the cause which had prevented, more
than anything else, that rapid settlement of the three
thousand acres expected by the town fathers eight
years before. One of the most valued citizens ol the
town, and to a certain extent their only neighbor,
had, but a few years before, given up his life to pro-
tect such as they and theirs from the bullet and the
torch. In Captain Brocklebank's death the realities
of Indian war came home to them with a force never
felt before. The conclusion of the lease, showing but
a faint conception of the opulence which a century
later would surround some branches of the family, is
this, " At the end of there lease they are to be allow-
ed for all buildings on the .saide farme, to be vallued
by indifferent men, provided they are not to exceede
above twenty pounds." At the date of the lease John
Spottbrd was twenty-nine and his brother Samuel
twenty-five years of age. The father probably returned
to Rowley village.
The will of John Spoflbrd is on record at the regis-
ter of deeds' office in Salem. A few bequests are
given. He bequeaths a portion to son Francis, and
that it may be at his wife's disposal until he become
of the age of one and twenty years, and that he may
be helpful to her to carry on her husbandry work.
Francis to have the small gnu and rapier. The long
fowling-piece to go to son John. Four acres toward
great meadow to go to Francis, and son Thomas his
village land. Sons Samuel and .John the lease of the
farm. Two cows to wife, one cow to each of his
daughters. To Francis, two young oxen, one mare
and one cart. The gray horse to Thomas. Three
sheep to each of his daughters and to sons John and
Thomas. One sheep to his wife and one heifer or
calf to wife and each of his dauglitei's. The date of
this death is not known. Was not living in 1691.
His name does not appear in the tax list of that year.
Probably owned property in Rowley, on which Fran-
cis and the widow lived for a time.
His inventory as valued is recorded as £223 9s.
Another of the first settlers of Rowley, whose name
figures somewhat prominently in the land transfers
of the seventeenth century in this section of the town,
now Georgetown, was Richard Swan. It is not
thought that he lived here, but he had land bounded
by Fen Brook, and partly by ye farme granted to
Mr. Sanuiel Shepard, of Rowley, on the northwest, on
the southeast by land of Mr. Edward Payson, on the
southwest by land in possession of Ebenezer Boyn-
ton and partly by land of Samuel Broeklebank, and
on the northeast by Benjamin Plumer's land. This
was centrally located, between what is now North
Street and Main Street, toward the Marlborough dis-
trict extending from Pen Brook on the west, over or
near the land of John Preston eastwardly, to an un-
known distance. The bounds of this tract were the
same as those recorded in the deed of June 5, 1712,
from Hannah Swan, the widow, then of Haverhill, to
Joseph Bointon, who was doubtless a son-in-law. Swan
having died in 1678. That deed conveyed all the lands
and meadows with>n the town of Rowley, which the
said Boynton deeded to her late husband, of date May
27, 1678. These lands were seemingly held by Swan
but for a few months only, having been bought of
Bointon, who held the oflice of town clerk of Rowley
for thirteen years, from 1679 to '91, and who was the
original owner. In 1672 these lands were again in
Boynton's hands, and that deed was probably a (piit-
claim by the widow.
Mrs. Swan was then evidently quite aged and prob-
ably living with a son, whose house and family dur-
ing the Indian attack on Haverhill four years before,
were saved. Tradition says that several Indians were
about to force an entrance into the Swan house
through the partially open door, when the wife with
Amazonian courage, seizing her spit, which was near-
ly three feet in length, collected all the strength she
possessed, and drove it through the body of the fore-
most Indian. This was a resistance they little ex-
pected, and thus repulsed they retreated and molested
them no further.
This land grant adds the names of Boynton and
Swan to the list of early land owners, the Brockle-
banks (Samuel and John), Humphrey Rainer and
Thomas Mighill, having taken much of the hind at the
south of this.
Besides the above, there was of the Swan land a
piece of meadow at the eastward near Stony Brook so
called, perhaps the Billiard Brook. This was owned
by Boynton, and sold by him to Benj. Plumer in
1708. "
In May, 1714, Joseph Bointon deeded to Richard
Bointon one-half of this land, said to have belonged
to Richard's grandfather Swan, Richard not being
satisfied with previous gifts, and Joseph also agreed
"to defend from Benoni Boynton, who aims to cut
off Richard from what my father hath given him."
This Joseph was said to be a brother of Richard, but
there is some mistake, for he must have been a brother
of Richard's father. Swan was deputy for several
years, and prominent in town affairs.
In town expenses for 1667-68 we find Richard Swan
paid for deputyship £3 9s.6rf. In those days the towns
bore the expense of deputies. Also " for lainge out
land and goinge to Salem and horse hire, 13s." Swan,
with others, was selected for locating highways (a very
responsible work), also, " to agree with the sons of
John Sportord about ye farm," and was appointed, with
Lieut. Broeklebank and Ezekiel Northend, February
21, 1672, to lay out the farm of one hundred acres
near Crane Meadows, voted to be laid out to the child
of Mr. Samuel Shepard at the meeting on the jjrevi-
ous January. This Mr. Shepard, the third minister
in Rowley, was a colleague with Rev. Mr. Phillips from
GEORGETOWN.
Rn7
November, 1665, to his death, April 7, 1668, at the
early age of tweuty-seven years. He left one son, an
orphan, the mother dying about two months before
the father. The town voted in January, 1672, the
before-named grant to the tShepanl boy, then ])a.st
three years old, provided " it did live unto the age of
twenty-one years," but March 13th, on re-considera-
tion, it was granted without conditions, jirobably on
the remonstrance of the boy's grandmother, Mrs.
Margery Hoar, widow of Rev. Henry Flint, first
minister of the old church in Quincy, then in Brain-
tree. Mrs. Flint, then sole executor of the will of her
son-in-law, Mr. Shepard, and the education of young
Samuel IShepard, the son of her daughter Dorothy,
devolving upon her, wrote, like a strong-minded wo-
man, a sharp letter to the town of Rowley, which no
doubt brought about definite action. The tomb-
stone of Mrs. Flint informs us that for many years
she was noted as an instructress of young gentlewo-
men, many being sent to her, especially from Boston.
This "Shepard farm," as it was named, for many
years wiw quite noted as a boundary point in deeds.
Young Shepard was graduated from Harvar<l College
in 1685, at the age of eighteen, and this land con-
tinued to be held by him until 1694. August 2Sth, of
that year, he, while living in Lynn, probably with his
uncle Jeremiah Shepard, pastor of the first church in
that town, sold his " ferme" to Joseph and Jonathan
Plummer.
This famous Shepard land was doubtless located on
the southerly side of North Street, but, perhaps, in-
cluded both sides of the street, from Pen Brook at the
present causeway, to the residence of S. S. Hardy,
then eiistwardly for some distance at the south of the
street, including what was afterwards known as the
" Baptist Parsonage Farm." It is said in the deed to
be " on the south side of ye old path called Andover
path." At about the same time as this Shepard
grant, land was laid out to Mr. Francis Parrot, in the
vicinity of what is now known as the Searl place, on
the hill. This Parrot was town clerk of Rowley for
several years, and is said to have returned to Eng-
land, and died there. If this is correct, this grant
was a freehold to his heirs. It adjoined .\nthony
Crosbies' land, and was near Reedy meadow and also
the Shepard farm. In the farm purchase is the first
mention of the Plumer name in Georgetown. Origi-
nally a Newbury family, the name of Benjamin Plumer
first appears as a Rowley resident in 167<S.
Returning to 1665, we find from all the records of
the town of Rowley, an eagerness for land-grants in
the commons. There were, at least, three divisions
prior to the year 1700, the first division being made
soon after the establishment of the settlement. In
the year 16i)7 the three thousand acres were surveyed.
This tract seems to have been nearly preserved intact,
the only diminishing of the town commons being
the setting oft' of the parish farm the following year.
Dec. 30th of the same year, with perhaps accusation of
favoritism, and complaints of an assumi)tiou of author-
ity floating about " the Lot-layers were ordered by the
town not to Lay out any Lands with in the Township
of Rowley, but by notis of some Express grant in
writing, both for jilan and cpiantity." Knvy and de-
traction were doing its work, and as has been pre-
viously said, it was becoming difficult to find men
who would perform the duty with the certainty that
fault-finding was sure to follow.
The death of King Philip giving a relief from the
anxiety of the two years preceding, and renewed
courage in back-woods life, it was vi.ted by the town,
January 22, 1677 :
"Ttiat ttioseappoynted to Rem i in- T.ainl i.r 'ages, to wit. liip nlil S*>1pi t
jiien, and tlie I>tttlayers of iiotli ends of the tewne. Slionldp also Kxatnilie
the right tliat lueu have to freeholds they lay claim to, that they may be
Recorded."
Human nature is alike grasping, within the nar-
row limits of Rowley, as on the broad jtrairies of the
West. In 1679 the town went further and chose a
committee at the meeting March 27th, t<i consider the
situation, and endeavor to reconcile energy and am-
bition, with equity and fair-dealing, a jtroblcm equally
difficult to solve, then, as well as now.
It is to be hoped that they partially succeeded, for
the " men chosen to joyne with the Select men, to
consider of questions that may arise about the Divi-
sion of the Comons, and are to Returne their thoughts
about them," were men of the prominence of " thomas
lambert, John pickard, Mr. (Philip) Nelson, leonard
harriman, John tod and thomas leaver. Junior."
May 20, 1685, "At a Leaguel Towne meeting, it was
.\greed and voted, that corporal northend, daniel
wicam, Ezekiel Mighill, John pickard and John-
son, be a committee to fixe the bounds of the three
thousand akers, comouly so-called." Considerable
interest began to be felt in roads and other improve-
ments here, and some were considering a possible
settlement. It seems to have been feared that this
tract might be encroached upon, it having been evi-
dently reserved for a general and careful distribution,
and, therefore, this renewed survey was ordered.
For years, the hay on the meadow land, where ac-
cessible, had been cut, being the only pioduct of
this common land, but at the time of this survey
Rock Pond Meadow had been granted temporarily.
The meadows were still appreciated so highly, that
when Bradford appealed to Rowley in a pathetic let-
ter, dated March, 16S0-S1 (now in the Row ley records),
for an additional grant of land, or aid of some kind,
Rowley, a few days later replies, that they cannot
grant more territory, but will 'give Kev. Mr. Symmes
Liberty for Six or Siven Loads of Hay yearly, of that
meddow called Rock Pond Meddow, till the towne
Shall Se Cause to order it otherwise." It was poor
satisfaction for Bradford to ask for a change of bound-
ary, and only get a few loads of meadow hay, with the
privilege of cutting it themselves.
But to again continue the earlier land grants.
808
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Before 1687, land was laid out on Long Hill, to John
Acie, probably a son of William, who was an original
settler of Rowley. This land was inherited by a
daughter, who married a Burbank. Acie continued
to have land there, as late as 1701. This name seems
to \>e an anomaly among Esse.x County names. In
1691 Sarah, the widow of John Brocklebank, sold
land to a Boynton, probably Joseph. She had been
a widow for more than twenty-five years, her husband
dying a few years after his grant near Pen Brook, in
1661, perhaps in 166.3. The heirs bought some of the
Thomas Mighill land. This Brocklebank family had
all this land east of the brook, extending to Marl-
borough, and it is thought, only held it for one gen-
eration, when it was probably sold to the Boyntons,
perhaps to Ebenezer. What became of them is not
known ; all of the name in this vicinity are descend-
ants of Capt. Samuel's, eldest and youngest sous.
Another name of an early dale, is that of David
Wheeler, found on a deed of date 1691, on a transfer
of laud to Nathaniel Browne. He was probably the
first to settle in the vicinity of the Goodrich house on
Nortli Street. Was the father of Jonathan Wheeler,
who a few years later rose to especial prominence.
David Wheeler had removed, or was not living in town
in 1701, a.s his name is not found on the list of Rowley
men in that locality, petitioning for an abatement of
minister rates. He sold June 6, 1693, thirty acres of
land to John Spofford, said to adjoin Benj. Goodrich's
land.
In 1707 Jonathan Wheeler deeded all the undivided
lands in Newbury, belonging to his father, David
Wheeler, to a Mr. Coffin.
In 1697 Jonathan Wheeler was said to be of Row-
ley, and was perhaps living in the town four years be-
fore.
August 24, 1698, he deeded about twenty acres of
upland and meadow, lying near Crane Pond, said to
have been bought previously of Philip Nelson, to the
next heirs of the late Benjamin Guttridge (Goodrich),
the former deed supposed to have been burnt in the
house. This land was granted to Wheeler by the
town of Rowley.
" John Spawford's " land was on the northwest ;
bought the same year of the Brownes. Nathaniel
Browne sold Spo fiord fifty- four acres, his brother, Eben-
ezer twelve, making with that sold Spoflbrd by Wheeler
a tract of ninety-six acres. This land was on or near
Thurlow Street, then known as Bradford highway,
by whicli it was bounded, also by the brook (Parker
River), and owners of Ox-pasture Hill. The house
and land of John Brown is mentioned in David
Wheeler's deed ; where it was, it is not possible per-
haps to tell at this day.
Cornet Parsons' land is said to be on the southwest
of the land deeded by Jonathan Wheeler to the
Goodrich heirs, and " Three logg bridge " named, was
the bridge over Parker River, on Thurlow Street.
These three Brownes, John, Ebenezer and Nathaniel,
were on thelistof parish petitioners in 1701. Nathaniel
soon after removed to Grotou, Conn. While there,
January 8, 1708, he sold for four pounds a freehold in
Rowlev to Daniel Wood, of Boxford. Ebenezer
[irobably remained ; twenty years later land was
known by his name. The mention in Wheeler's deed
of the former deed being burned in the house of
Cioodrich, reveals of itself nothing but a barren fact.
We have the story, however. It was the year
previous to this just act of Wheeler's when the tragedy
we are now to relate occurred.
October 2:?, 1692, was the Lord's day. Mr. Good-
rich living in this locality, in a house of small dimen-
sions, doubtless such as were common on the frontier
at that time, was at evening prayer with his family,
when the house wassuddenly attacked by a small band
of Indians, and Mr. Goodrich, his wife and several
children were killed. One daughter, a girl of seven,
is said to have been carrieil oHa cajitive, but redeem-
ed at the ex|)ense of the Province the spring fol-
lowing.
The house, after being sacked, was at least partially
burned. It was a common occurrence for the Indians
to destroy iu wantone.ss what plunder they could not
carry away, and if time would warrant also, to burn
the house raided. This family were living here iji
fancied security, but for some time before there had
been frequent Indian raids on the frontier, especially
at the eastward. In 1688 the former enmity iuciteil
l)y the French in Canada was renewed, and the ex-
pedition of Sir William Phipps against Canada, in
1690, having proved the most disa-strous failure New
Emrland had ever known, the Indians became daring,
and for two years after were busy with carnage.
Thi.s tragedy seems to have been an unpremeditated
act by a roving band, and tradition says they were so
angered at not accomplishing the object of their raid,
the death of some one in Newbury, against whom
they had a long standing grudge, that accidentally
approaching this house, the unprotected inmates were
made the mark for their malice and wrath. As one
thinks of it the incident seems hardly credible, and
that it could have occurred miles from the border and
the raiders escape with their captives and booty. We
can imagine the horror felt by the Brownes on the
Bradford road, by the Wheelers, Plumers, Poors,
and especially so by Deacon Brocklebank's family up
by Pen Brook, and the Sjiotfords on the hill, as
guided b)' the burning house, they hastene<l, only to
find a family silent in death, mangled and bloody,
with their house-dog howling his agony over his
slain friends and playmates. Whether the house was
entirely or partially burned may be a matter of con-
troversy and an ojien question. In 1840, when Gage's
"History of Rowley " was written, a wood-cut of the
Lull house, then standing a few rods west of the resi-
dence of G. D. Tenney, Esq., was inserted as the
house where the massacre occurred, and the window
pointed out through which the Indians fired. That
GEORGETOWN.
809
the burning was at least partially accomplisliefl, per-
haps all the interior, is from the deed of Wheeler
made almost a certainty, and that by the efforts of the
neighbors the fire was extinguished and a part of tlie
honse saved. From this saved part, east of the front
door, extensions were made at different times nntil
the spacious mansion we knew as the old Lull liouse
was the result. It seems that such an event would
have been so impressed upon the occupants of the
Lull house, from one generation to another, that they
could not possibly have been entirely in error when
the story was brought down from sire to son, that in
tliis room and through that window the Goodrich
family were shot. The one grave in which they were
buried is near by, unmarked, however, by any memo-
rial. It should be a pleasing duty for tliose bearing
the name to place something there in recognition ol
their sad fate. It is doubtful whether they had lived
there above a year or two.
From this date to 17110 every movement looking to-
ward a settlement was in this locality or just eiist-
ward.
December 1, 1(593, Henry Poor bought twenty-eight
acres of land of John Pierson, of Rowley. " Miller''
Pierson owned the old Xelson Mill on Mill River.
This was a part of Pier.son's common land in the third
division. John Bay ley, probably of Boston, owned land
near by. The other boundary points named in tlie
deed were " tlie meadow laid out to Samuel Shepard
(not the Shepard farm), Bradfonl highway, also south-
west of Wherler's and (ioodrich land.'' Perhaps P(jor
built on the north side of Thurlow Street. The land
extended to "' Three logg bridge brinik,'' which must
then have been the name of Parker River, at the point
where Thurlow Street crosses it.
About thirty years later, Henry Poor and his son
Benjamin, in a deed to Benjamin Plumer, sold a
corner of the land on which (the deed states), "we
now dwell," indicating a change of residence in the
meantime. Poor was Newbury born. Benjamin,
the eldest son, was married about the time of the
change of house.
In 1707 Jonathan Wheeler sold to Nathaniel Cof-
fin, one-half of Poor's interest in the undivided lands
of Newbury.
Very early deeds imply that Crane Pond was, for
some years after the incorporation of Bradford, in-
cluded in Rowley. Crane Pond, and the meadows
near, were known by the present name, as early, it is
thought, as 1670. Many of the earlier grauts and
transfers were of Crane Pond lands, and the records
of the locality refer to an idd grant, and a new grant ;
the former line is supposed to have run north and the
latter south of the pond. There are deeds on rec-
ord from John Wallingford, to his brother-in-law,
Jonathan Look, of land near Pond Brook (this pond
must have been Crane Pond, for Pentucket and Rock
were always design.ated by their names), also Jona-
than Wheeler is said to have had a division with the
51
above on the south side of the pond in Rowdey.
VVithout the pond being named, it seems to show an
apparent knowledge of but one pond, and from the
names of the parties, Wallingford, Look and Wheel-
er, it is conclusive that the pond was Crane Pond,
and was then (1694), within the limits of Rowley.
Look probably lived in the neighborhood of these
Crane meadows. Seven years later he signed the
parish petition with the others. His name disap-
peared from Rowley history soon after.
These owners of lands in Rowley were under the
old grant. The new grant was made not long after.
It will be recalled that in KiSl, a request came to
Rowley from Bradford, for an enlargement of their
territory, and perhaps after many appeals, the town
of Rowley, April 7, 1G99, api)ointed a committee, "to
meet with the Bradford Committee, when there may
be a convenient opportunity, to settle thelinebetween
Rowley and Bradford, and what they shall do (says
the record), shall be a valid act.'' Probably the con-
venient time did not arrive, for in 1701, nothing ap-
parently having been done, Bradford petitioned the
General Court to interfere. Rowley, then forced to
definite action, chose on September 22, 1701, a com-
mittee " to meet a Bradford committee, at the house of
Samuel Hale, and to come to some agreement if pos-
sible, but if they could not agree, then to refer it for
a settlement by arbitration."
Doubtless a satisfactory agreement was reached at
that meeting, and the new line run at the south ol
Crane Pond, as before stated, making it essentially the
line Vjetweeu Georgetown and Ciroveland, as it exists
to this day. About the ti me that the Wheelei-s, Browues,
Goodrich, Look, Plumer and Henry Poor were taking
the first steps toward clearing the land and establish-
ing homes along what is now Thurlow, North and
.Tewett Streets, complaints were rife of trespassing
on the undivided land, to the injury of those who
might follow them.
We have seen Goodrich and his family, by one
sharp blow taken from this little band of hardy axe-
men and pioneers, but this did not deter the others ;
they held the ground gained, but sometimes, no doubt,
entertained bitter thoughts against the Rowley men at
the village, that they should fret and fume, over the
cutting of a little wood and fencing stuff. These
were braving all the danger of opening up the wil-
derness, while their Rowley neighbors were living in
peace and security, and one can imagine that a sense of
injustice, sometimes im|)elled them to a degree of
lawlessness. However, in spite of any consciousness
of freedom, these few families may have felt, the town
saw fit to vote, January 14, 169-1-95, for an appoint-
ment " of a Committee to prosecute any persons, and
especially Benjamin Plumer and Henry Poor, that
have tresjiassed b}' falling or carting away timber."
The forest was preserved with jealous care from the
first, one town ordinance following another in quick
succession, and making the laws operative over the
810
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, IMASSACHTJSETTS.
whole territory, from Merrimac to the sea. The
peat-bogs were as yet unopened, although right at
their feet. The coal-fields were waiting for the trans-
portation by steam as the motive power, and the
vast lumber districts, were practically almost as far
away as if in the moon.
This severe ordinance not proving effectual, and
the clamors of some of the people still demanding ac-
tion, an evidently annoyed citizen, at a meeting
March 19, 1G99-1700, moved, and it was
'* Agreed A Voated, that if any person or persons ehall fall, top, or
Carry away auy tree or trees, or part of any of sd tree, from of any part
of the Town's Comon, caUed the three Thousand Acres, for any use
whatsoever, without liberty from the Select men, being mett together,
k in writing under liands, they Shall pay for every tree fallen, lopped,
or Tarried away, nineteen Shillings, Six pounds Si tree (threepence), the
one-halfe of sd penalty to the Informer, the other half to the use of the
Towns."
This seemes like a kind of half-waggery, and yet
it may be that there was a desperation at seeing one
of their dearest laws set at naught, "ffeb. 6, 1694-5,
Committee chosen to Issue a Controversie Between
the Town and Beniamin Plumer," about some land
that it was thought Plumer had fenced in, supposed
to belong to the town.
He rebutted the charges of encroachment, by call-
ing the attention of the town to a highway through
his farm. Plumer declared himself ready to submit
his case to the committee named. There seems to
have been no definite settlement reached for many
years, for the next record informs us, of date January
2, 1712-13, that Benjamin Plumer is .satisfied about the
road across his farm. Probably the question of the
land encroachment was also settled.
The roads in this locality were becoming more of a
question to consider at the meetings of the town.
April 12, 1699, the importance of one road at the
northwestern corner of the town resulted in this ac-
tion : " Rock brook meddow to be leased to Robert
Haseltine, Thomas Carleton, Joua.Platts {all perhaps,
of Bradford) and John Spoftbrd, of Rowley, for seven
years, they to maintain the bridge called Haseltines,
and in addition, to pay three shillings yearly. This
was the bridge near the Edward Poor place, on West
Street. Nothing looking toward a settlement in
South Georgetown had as yet been done. There
were a few land grants, however."
At about 1683 or '84, Thomas Palmer had fifty-six
acres laid out near Lake Raynor, and at the westerly
end, bounded by the old Newbury and Andover road,
on the southerly side of the Bald hills. Others, with
acreage not stated, were Deacon William Tenney,
Thomas Stickuey, John Burbank and Samuel Cooper.
Some of these lots, as laid out, are said to have bor-
dered " on the path now used fi-om Samuel SpofFord
to Jacob Pearly." Spofibrd was then married, and
may have built the house that very anciently was
built, on what is now the northwesterly limits of the
farm on Baldpate Street, now owned by Henry Keu-
nett. It is possible, however, that this house was
built at a later day by Richard Dole.
Not far from this time, Thomas Nelson, of Rowley,
and John Rolfe, of Newbury, sold this Samuel Spof-
ford two hundred and fifty acres near Shaving Crown
hill, which was one-fourth part of Mrs. Rogers' one
thousand acre grant. This immense tract came into
the hands of Gershom Lambert, as a gift from Jlrs.
Rogers. Lambert was a brother of Thomas Nelson's
first wife, and uncle of the wife of Rolfe, and pre-
sented this land to Mrs. Rolfe with the other children
of Thomas Nelson, that it might be sold for their
benefit.
In 1712 another fourth i)art was sold to Moses Tyler.
Gershom Lambert was a resident of Salem for some
time, but as early as 1691 had removed to New Lou-
don, Conn.
Cooper, Stickney, and Palmer probably about to
be dispossessed of their grants for some unknown
cause, perhaps because they were laid out on the re-
served tract, petitioned the town of Rowley, March 18,
1700-01, to relieve them, and find them some common
laud, belonging to the town, on the southerly side of
the line, between Rowley and Boxford. All these
lots had evidently been laid out north of and near
Lake Raynor. Cooper seems finally to have secured
his grant, for in 1727 a long narrow tract in Boxford,
north of the lake, from the shore to the town line,
was sold by a Samuel Cooper, to Nathaniel Perkins
and Jacob Pearley. May 22, 1704, Captain John
Spotford, had sixty acres laid out to him, also on this
north shore of the lake. This was a grant to his father,
John Spofford, then deceased. It adjoined Palmer's
land.
To return for a brief space to another part of the
Byfield district, from that already described, we find
just as the seventeenth century was closing the name
of Benjamin Stickney, as another of the earliersettlers,
and who was a brother of Andrew Stickney, who is
supposed to have lived near the Rowley line by the
Ewell place. This Benjamin is said to have built a
log house on the summit of Long Hill, at as early a
date as 1699.
In 1700 a framed house was erected by him, which
as late as 1870 was occupied by Mayor Ira Stickney,
a direct descendant in the sixth generation. Some
few years later it was accidentally burned to the ground.
In 1713 the road over Long Hill and past his house
was opened. In the great snow of 1717 he kept a
path ojieu by drawing a log every day. A bear is
said to have once taken a pig from his pen in the
night; he arose, caught a whip and chasing the ani-
mal, lashed him until he dropped the pig, when he
secured it and returned to the house. Mr. Stickney
was never known to be sick until he had passed his
eightieth birthday.
GEORGETOWN.
811
CHAPTER LII.
GEORGETOWN— (Co»(in»f(0.
PARISH PETITIONERS AND OTHERS WHO SETTLED
PRIOR TO 1730.
At the dawning of the eighteenth century, tlie
question of the validity of the Indian title, to the
territory within the original limits of Rowley, began
to cause something of a ferment. About 1700 three
Indians, wlio claimed to begrandsonsof Jlusquonomo-
net, the former Sagamore of Agawam, and were then
probably living in this or some town near by, were
encouraged by parties, to assert their claim to the
territory, on the ground that the aboriginal title had
never been extingiiislied. This claim, if based on
precedents, was undoubtedly correct. Many towns
had apparently recognized at an early period of their
settlement the Indian ownership, and by the payment
of some trifle in money or goods, had gone through
the farce of a purchase. Rowley, unlike many of her
neighbors, had done nothing, however, simply from
neglect. At that time, after seventy years of settle-
ment, the claim was made by these Indians, with
many precedents in their favor. Late in the year
1700, a committee was appointed by the town, "to
treat with the Gentlom Improved and Impowered as
Attorneys for the Indians, which make a Demand of
our Lands, & Labour to cleare up our Title to s'
Lands."
Soon after, by the payment of nine pounds to 8ain-
uel English, Joseph English and John Umpee, the
title to the territory now included in the towns ol
Georgetown and Rowley, was made good, to the ac-
knowledged satisfaction of these three claimants.
These upper commons were still but a slight remove
from the ancient solitude.
In 1705 John Holmes, then of Newbury, and con-
nected in some way with Bartholomew Pearson, deeded
fifteen acres west of Rock Pond, to Eldad Cheney, ol
Bradford, and Nicholas Cheney, of Newbury. The
highway now known as Bailey Lane was crossed, and
the lot touched on Crag (Scrag) and Rock Pond
Brooks. Holmes perhaps permanently settled near
the Bradford line about 1731. It is thought that he
was living in Byfield in 1730, as his name was not on
the list of parish petitioners, but it appears in 1732,
as dismissed from the church in Byfield, to the church
in the west )iarish in November of that year. We
find him in 1722 deeding land to Jonathan Harriman,
and again to Harriman in 1725 several lots on range
H, in the vicinity of Rock Pond, and at the same
time one-eighth part of the iron works, said to be on
the south side of Rock Brook, and the deed adds,
" with what provision is now made, and the privilege
of the yard and stream, for nineteen years from date."
These iron works had jirobably been opened but a
few years at the longest. Gage records that they
were worked in 1739, and that a Samuel Barrett lived
near by, who it is thought carried them on. Besides
the bog ore which was dug near the yard, the farmers
carted the ore to be worked at the yard from other
bogs in the town.
Dr. Jeremiah Spofford, of Groveland, at a late day,
could show places on his father's farm on West Street,
where this iron ore had been dug. The remains of
these iron works, not far from the embankment of the
Georgetown and Haverhill Railroad, were plainly
traceable a few years ago.
In 1707, Benjamin P/iiiiier, styled clothier in 1718,
who had made so much trouble for the town by his
trespassing some years before, bought of Mark Prime
one-half of the Mrs. Rogers or Lambert farm, for two
hundred pounds. Plumer had regained the confi-
dence of the town, for in 1702-3, he was made over-
seer (the English term ) of all the high waj's in Rowley,
above and including " Ry plain bridge" (the bridge
near the Georgetown Town farm). This Lambert
farm was to a slight e.xtent improved by him, while
he is supposed to have been living at the time in the
vicinity of Thurlow or Jewett Street, for, in 1713, he
b(mght forty-two acres of land of Jonathan Spoftbrd,
where, the deed states, " my house now is." This
land, John Spoftbrd, the father of Jonathan, bought
of the Brownes in 1G93. Joseph and Jonathan
Plumer, who had purchased the Shepard farm in
1(J94, were perhaps brothers of Benjamin, but probably
never lived here.
The name of Jonnfhan Bradslreet is seen on the
record at about this date, appearing first as an owner
of land near Crane pond and brook. This land in
Rowley was held in partnershii) with David Wheeler,
John and Ebenezer Browne. Nathaniel Browne, the
former owner, had removed to Connecticut. About
1710 or '11, Bradstreet bought of Jonathan Wheeler
sixty acres, or a part of the Payson farm. This farm
was a special grant of the town of Rowley to Rev.
Edward Payson, their fourth minister, and was in
harmony with the land-allotment to all the previous
ministers. Wheeler had bought this farm not long
before this partial sale. The word farm, as used at
that time, was misleading, it being in anticipation.
The farming operations of the Rowley ministers did
not contemplate agriculture in the wilderness, and
this grant to Mr. Payson was the last of its class.
This land w.as located near Elder's plain (now Marl-
boro' district), but on the hilly tract at the north and
northeast.
The Bradstreet house may have been that which,
for three-fourths of a century, was known as the
Kezar hou.se, and was demolished by Dr. David Mig-
hill about 1850. The material was used in enlarge-
ment of the Mighill house on Baldpate. The family,
in 1739, removed to Lunenburg, iM;iss. Jonathan
Bradstreet, then known as Captain, with his wife,
Sarah, and Dorcas Spoftbrd, the wife of his son Sam-
812
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
uel, were dismissed to the church in Lunenburg.
April 15th of that year.
At tlie same period when Bradstreet settled, the
names of several Boyntons frequently occur. Men-
tion has already been made of Captain Joseph and
Richard Boynton, as owners of the Swan lands, ex-
tending from Pen Brook north and east of Pen Brook
avenue.
Ebenezer Bot/ii/oii, who may have been a cousin or
brother of Joseph, was an early landholder, and
owned the house in " Marlboro'," now the property of
Mrs. Jacob F. Jewett. The name of this Boynton is
found as early as 1714, as the owner of land near that
belonging to Samuel Brocklebank.
In 1725, he sold his house and thirty acres of land
situated on Elder's plain, to Joseph Nelson, for one
hundred and forty-three pounds. This farm was a
part of the original Elder Humphrey Raynor grant,
from which the plain took its name. By inheritance
it came to Humphrey Hobson, a grandson, who
deeded, in 1709, sixty-two acres to Edward Hazen,
said to be an exchange. Hazen, who sold to Boynton,
may have built here, intending it for his home. It
is supposed, however, that, after selling here, he was
the builder and occupant for many years of the an-
cient house in Boxford, on the Salem road, lately de-
molished by Thomas B. Masury, upon the site of which
the present house stands.
Joseph Nelson, the first of this surname to locate in
Georgetown, bought in 1707, the year after his mar-
riage to Hannah, the daughter of Deacon Samuel
Brocklebank, the Jonathan Harriman place on Brad-
ford Street, Rowley, and probably lived there until
his removal here. There is reason to believe that a
part of this house was built by Boynton or Hazen, as
early as 1715. Boynton, perhaps, intended after sell-
ing to build for himself more to the westward, but was
prevented, for we hnd him selling, the next year,
thirty acres more to Mr. Nelson, with a barn upon it.
This tract adjoined land he had previously sold to
John, the eldest son of Deacon Brocklebank. He also
sold Richard Boynton nine lots on range T, in the
"Three thousand acres." Nelson had been an owner
of land for years in this same Elders plain, buying oi
Jonathan Boynton and his father-in-law, Deacon
Brocklebank.
This Jonathan Boynion was, we think, a son of Cap-
tain Joseph, and figures prominently in our early his-
tory. In 1710 or 1711 Joseph deeds to Jonathan one
hundred and twenty acres, located on the east side of
the above-named tract of land, then belonging to Ha-
zen. This ran back to the south, reaching the town
commons. Doubtless he built on this land ; perhaps
it included the Tenney estate, on Tenney Street, and
that the house occupied by three generations of that
name was built by him. Boynton was the first parish
clerk, and in office until 1740. A Boynton family re-
moved toTewksbury from this town about 1738, and a
Jonathan Boynton to Lunenburg in 1758. Jonathan
Boynton and wife, Elizabeth, were dismissed in June
to the church in that town. It is not known whether
this was the parish clerk, or a Jonathan Boynton of
a later generation. Others of this surname who were
not residents, were Caleb, a land-holder in South
Georgetown, and Benoni, who married a sister of
Nathaniel Mighill, and ha<l a freehold in this part of
the town. It is a cui'ious fact, not generally known,
that Sir William Phips at one time bought or rented
a Boynton house in Rowley and perhaps resided there.
In the spring of 1714 Deacon Humuid lirocklehank,
the son of the captain, who was killed by the Indians
deeded to his son John for t'GO, to be paid to his
eldest son, Samuel S., (then probably deceased), three
daughters £20 to each when they come of age, or
marriage, which may come first, all the land " then
belonging to this farm, west of the brook, which runs
midway of the present Elm and Central Streets,
known to the present generation as the Brocklebank
house, recently taken down by Mrs. G. W. Boynton,
and upon the site of which her present house stands.
Its demolition removed a distinguishing time-mark
from the central village.
At the time this land wa.s deeded to John Brockle-
bank, Main Street, from his father's house, now M. G.
Spoflbrd's, to the present centre, was not opened.
There is no reference to a highway or a path even,
and the land as deeded beginning in the rear of the
Chajdin shoe factories, had the brook for a boundary
until it came " unto ye great brook " with that for a
bounds until the angle is reached, and from that bend
across the wooded upland to the " Andover road,"
now North Street, at some point east of the Baptist
Church. The land of Richard Boynton bounded on
the east. The course was then westward, with Ando-
ver road as the bounds, until near tlie house of Miss
M. A. Sawyer, on Andover Street. " It (says the
deed), come to Land that I had allowed for my high-
way Through my farm." This old proprietors' way,
the westerly bounds of this ancient farm, not far from
the railroad, is visible to this day, a lane south of the
residence of D. C. Smith, on Central Street, being,
perhaps, its southern terminus. This road was used
by the farmers on Spotlbrds' hill, until the opening of
Central Street from the Brocklebank house to Chaplin-
ville, which was laid out about midway of this farm.
The sandy knoll, now Harmony Cemetery, had for
some years a watch or blockhouse on its highest
point, built to guard against raids from the Indians.
Inl720 Deacon Brocklebank deeded theremaininghalf
of his farm (''where I now dwell," says the deed) to his
youngest son Francis Brocklebank. The conditions
were specified sums, to daughters Elizabeth (Pingry)
and Hannah (Nelson), and several granddaughters,
with care for himself and wife through life, and Chris-
tian burial. The father was living in 1722, and aided
in correcting the boundary line west of Baldpate hill.
In January, 1715, Jonathan Harriman, the same,
who several years before had sold his homestead in
GEORGETOWN.
813
Rowley to Josepli Nelson, bought of Thomas Lam-
bert, one-half of the Rogers or Lambert farm, near
IVntiicket Pond. The other half, it will be remem-
bered, Benjamin Plumer, had been in pos.session of,
since 1707. This extensive tract of six hundred acres
or more, not having been divided, a division was then
made by Harriman and Plumer. One Bayley had land
near this farm. Perhaps the Bailey road was named
for jiini. On the southwesterly side of the pond, it
was agreed, that Plarriman should have the easterly,
and Plumer the westerly part of the farm.
On the northeasterly side, a line was run at some
distance from the pond, Harriman to have the land at
north of this line, and T/himus I'lumrr, a son of Ben-
jamin, on the southerly side, or nearest the pond.
This part of the Harriman land, must have crossed the
boundary into Bradford, but when granted to Mrs.
Rogers, before the new line between Rowley and
Bradford was run, was all within Rowley limits.
Such a division seems to have been i>hilosophical
and harmonious. Li its primitive aspects, it reminds
one of the ()rient, and recalls the story of Abram and
Lot.
The brook above Pentucket was equally divided
between Benjamin Plumer and H.-irriman, both hav-
ing seen a mill privilege on the brook, and Harriman
included in the division agreement, liberty to " Oigg
rocks and (xravel to make a Damni, .and a conven-
ient yard for a Mill."
This deeil to Thomas Plumer from fJenjamin, was
given on the same day as Harriman's from Lambert,
and was for one hundred and fovty acres. At .about
this date (1715), was doubtless the erection of the
Plumer house on Mill Street, now occupied by Mrs.
J. O. Hoyt and Wm. Day. This house on the end
toward the lake, has a facing of brick, and is said to
have been so built, as a protection .against Imlians,
and on this end only, because of its nearness to the
hike, and (hat in approaching the house for attack,
the builders supposed, the Indi.ans would come along
the lake in their canoes. This land of Thomas
Plumer, all lay at the left of Parker River, as one
descends the stream.
No higliways are mentioned, therefore i\[ill Street,
the .(acobs Road and North Street, to its junction with
Thurlow Street, at Hale's corner in (iroveland, were
as yet, unoi)ened. Jonathan Harriman, in 1721, then
styled Sergt., deeds to his son Leonard, forty acres of
the Lambert farm, and one-eighteenth part of the
saw-mill. Afterwards, perhaps on the same day, an
e<iual area, with an eighteenth part of the saw-mill to
his son Nathaniel. J(din Harriman, another son it
is suppo.sed, built the house now owned by Flint
Weston. He was the ancestor of H. N. Harriman,
town clerk and publisher of the Georgetown Advocate.
At a later date a son of his of the same name, built
near by. The house of the father, is said to have been
on the north side of the upper end of Pentucket Pond.
This land given to Nathaniel Harriman was bounded
on the south by land of John Adams. This land of
Adams had been bought of Benjamin Plumer, the year
before the Harriman purchase, and included, what has
been known, since about 1800, as the Jacobs farm. The
last of the name to occupy the Jacobs house, supposed
to have been built by .Tohu Adiims, was Israel Adams,
known in the parish as " Pond Israel." Mr. Benja-
min Jacoljs, of Maine, then became the purchaser and
lived here. Moses Tenney, the father of State Treas-
urer Tenney, ouce lived here.
Nearly a half century ago, the house, a one story
building, was removed, and is a part of the Aaron
Pillsbury house on North Street.
The deed to Plumer from Prime, in 1707, h.as no
reference to the Bradford road, now Main Street, but
this to Adams, iu 1714, has and it is so-called. An-
other of the name of Adams, who bought thirty- five
acres of land of Plumer in 171G, was Isaac, who as
well as John, was previously of Rowley. This was
situated .at the southerly end of Pentucket Pond, on
both sides of what is now Main Street, and was just
one mile in length, on Harriman's line. The deed
concludes, that " Whereas there is a road or way laid
out over Sd. land, and whereas no Satisfaction has
been made for it, Sd. Plumer doth by these Presents,
Consign over to Sd. Adams, all that ye towne Shall
Allow for it."
This road was Main Street, and the Clark house,
now owned by Mrs. Laura Ham, was probably built
by him, or William Adam.i, who was doubtless a son,
not many years afterwards. This William was living
in the parish iu 1730. There was an Liaac Adams, who,
in 1729, bought the homestead of .Tonathan L<iok, in
Byfield parish, of forty-five acres, with dwelling-
house and barn. This was on the borders of Newbury,
and near the brook, called Andover Spring Brook
(Parker River), and was in the vicinity of the old
I'earson house if not that house itself The last of
the name to live in the Clark house was Capt. Benja-
min Adams, known as " Lawyer Ben.'' He won the
title from his pugnacity and fondnes.s for litigation.
Capt. "Mirabeau" was another familiar name. He
obtained this from a fancied resemblance to the famous
French advocate. A family likeness to Isaac, who
was probably his grandfather, is seen in the complaint
of neglect, and the demand ibr settlement, of land
damages, in the original deed from Plumer. He was
captain of infantry in several campaigns during the
Revolutionary War, was on duty in Rhode Island,
and in New York in 1777. Representative to (Teneral
Court in 1778 and 1780. He removed to Ohio about
1812, and aged citizens can recall the aii]>earance of
the wagons loaded with his household goods as they
left the town for the long journey westward. Some
years afterwards, a Kon, who was a physician, returned
on a visit, driving a superb pair of horses which
created quite a sensation in the town.
Abraham Adams, of Newl)ury, style«l mariner in
many deeds of laud, began to buy freeholds iu 1715.
814
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
In 1721, and later, he purchased twenty-eight lots,
mostly on Range G, in the " Three thousand acres."
He had not leas than two hundred acres of land, but
whether he ever settled here or not is uncertain. He
doubtless had that intention, but, as a mariner, may
have been lost at sea. From the name, it is probable
that he was the father of Abraham AJnms, whose
name first appears on the ])arish records in \l!'^!'i, and
who bought the original Chaplin house, which was
built about 1723, just front of the present residence
of Mi's. W. M. Shute, on the early-named Fairface
Plain (now South Georgetown) and Nelson Street.
This house was bought of Jeremiah Chaplin or his
heirs not far from 1750, and was occupied during the
building of the present house, which was erected about
1812. The original building was removed to King
Street near Groveland Village and is still occupied.
This was a building of two stories, having but one
room in width, without a kitchen in the rear.
Rev. Phineas Adams, pastor of Third Church
(West Haverhill), was from this house. He had the
title of A.M. in 1766, was probably a collegiate grad-
uate, and ordained in 1771. During the investment
of Boston by General Washington, after the battle of
Bunker Hill, the patriotism of this colonial pastor was
shown by a contribution of his entire herd of cattle,
numbering twenty or more head, which were driven
to Cambridge to be slaughtered for the army. Pre-
vious to 1720 there were several other families, set-
tling or buying land preparatory to settlement.
Jonathan Wheeler, a son of Jonathan, then styled
merchant, bought in 171-5 the balance of the Payson
land. This tract was on the southeast of the Shepard
farm, and probably included what is now known as
the Searl farm, so that Wheeler, as well as Bradstreet,
lived near, or on Searl Street. This Captain Jonathan
Wheeler and fiimily removed to West Haverhill in
1738, and were dismissed to the Third Church ; selling
their farm to Samuel Harriman, who was the direct
ancestor of Governor Walter Harriman, of Warner,
N. H., for Samuel, it has been said, for a time lived
in that neighborhood. This Samuel was one of the
sons of Jonathan Harriman.
John Hazen, carpenter, son of Edward, of Boxford,
built in 1717 a house in South Georgetown on East
Street. He was the first to build in that afterwards
(for the time) populous locality. He married, in
1715, Sarah, the twin sister of the third Philip Nel-
son. His house is supposed to have stood on the
south side of the street, not far from tlie Dry
Bridge road, and on the road known as the Red
Shanks highway. This highway began at what is now
Elm Street, near the Deacon Haskell Perley house, and
extended along the height of the land, over the
farm now owned by John S. Kimball, past the an-
cient Merrill house .at the corner, and southerly to
this Hazen house. From this point it crossed the
upland to the present Salem road, near Mr. Buck-
minister's, and then westerly, until it made a junc-
tion with the early-opened Salem road, on the plain
near Timothy Perkins' in Boxford, not far from the
house of Francis Marden. The Salem road, past Ed-
ward Hazen's (now T. B. Masury), was not opened,
and some one living there had often said that he
hoped not to live long enough to see a highway past
this house. His wish was realized, for at about the
time this road was opened, tradition tells us, his
death occurred. There was also a road over the hills
to the westward, leading to the SpoiTords', probably
the path now used by Sherman Nelson, to the hill
known as the Vineyard lands. Where the bridge
over Pen Brook, on East Street, now is, was tlien the
fording-place. Edward Hazen having used this path
in going to Deacon Brocklebank's and beyond, it be-
came the road. John Hazen's land was south of the
fording-place or bridge. On meadow bought of Ja-
cob Perley at this time a dam is mentioned in the deed.
Samuel Hazen had land in 172.'') below Pen Brook,
and in 1729 had settled, or was about to settle, in this
locality. He was, it is thought, the first owner of the
farm now owned by John S. Kimball. Until 1717,
any land sold in this part of Beverly was somewhat
indefinitely located. From the date of the third
division of common land, which was made at about
1700, any lots disposed of were in the form of free-
holds, but in 1717 the '' Three Thousand Acres " was
laid out in ranges, not, however, beginning at one
boundary line of the town and continuing in regular
alphabetical order, but on a method understood at the
time. It seems to have been attempted to make a
higliway, or at least a proprietors' way; a boundary
on one or both of the sides of these ranges. A and B
were located in the Red Shanks Hill district. L was
south of Nelson Street. C and D south of and along
Baldjjate Street. Around Rock Pond the land was
laid out as H. South of Andover Street over the
Thurston land (now a part of the Samuel Little farm)
was range R, with S and T opposite, on the present
Samuel Noyes' place, and beyond westwardly. Land
grants were often made before this careful mapping
of the territory, and afterwards it would be found that
the lot was already included in a previous grant or
purchase, as, for instance, eleven years alter Isaac
Adams bought his farm near Pentui-ket Pond of
Plumer, he found that the town had given John
Hazen two acres within the same farm. This was
made satisfactory by a deed from Hazen. After John
Hazen had built his house on East Street, his father
was obliged to get his title to the farm, which he had
given John, confirmed by the town. Something of
the irritation which resulted can be conceived, and
yet one can imagine that at an early period a little of
the squatter-sovereignty feeling prevailed, and that
possession and improvement were at least considered
as nine points in the law. After 1717, the disposal by
the town of both the upper and the middle commons
was by a methodical system of ranges and lots. It
will be remembered that the Brocklebank farms, all
GEOKGETOWN.
815
the Elder Eeyuer lands, which had come to the Hob-
sons, ;ind by them sold to other parties, and the Lam-
bert farm, at this time owned by the I'lumers, Harri-
mans. Holmes and Adams, were by special grants, and
already, in some cases, private deeds had been given,
not once bnt twice, at ditferent dates for the same
land. This disposal in 1717 was the balance of the
common land above and below Pen Brook, and Wiis
by lots, and each lot recorded when drawn. The
record of the names, as drawn, is missing from the
collection of books at the Clerk's office iu Rowley.
In the deeds of these lots, given by individuals at a
later day, this record was called the Book of Com-
moners. The diagrams of these ranges, of different
lengths, with the lots, from two to forty in luimber,
are on record, carefully executed by fiome draughts-
man before the lots were drawn.
The original titles to all the lands in the " Three
Thousand Acres" not previously granted, and much
of ihe intervening middle commons, bear date at this
important jioint, 1717. The community, the corporate
l)ody, the town, had the ]iower thus delegated to it by
the Ciilonial Covernmcnt to grant personal titles to
all land included within its domain.^, and the same
power that granted, it would seem, could comjiel a
surrender if needful for the public good.
The lots on these ranges were generally of about
five acres in extent, long and (|uite narrow, a minute
subdivision which is seen in the numerous division-
lences, the stone foundations of which are still visible
all over this tract. This division into such small lots
led to many purchases by those intending to settle, so
as to have acreage equal to the needs of a farm.
Perhaps the first of the early settlers to buy free-
holds extensively in the three thousand acre tract was
Richard Dole, cordwainer, of Rowley. He secured
several, and after the division into lots, obtained from
one and another by purchase or exchange, lots to the
number of twenty-one. His first intentions were per-
haps to locate on Red (Shanks highway, buying land
there in 17:i2. In 172li, however, he purchased
largely south of Baldpate Street, and doubtless built
a liouse there soon after. This house was probably
built on land now owned by G. S. Weston, and which
had for its last occupant the widow of Captain IMoses
Dole. CutTee Dole, an African of ebon blackness,
was the servant of this family until the death (jf the
aged widow. It is said, that when but an infant, he
was bought by Captain Dole, in Dauvers, for about
ten pounds. A death-bed confession of the woman
who sold him, wiis, that he was free-born and had been
placed in her care by his mother living in Boston.
Cuffee, by diligent search, after years of servitude,
lound the story was true. Still he clung to his old
home, until at the demolition of the old mansion,
early in the present century, he became a member of
the family of Rev. Mr. Braman, where he died. For
many years, any invasion of his prerogatives, as care-
taker at funerals and other public occasions, met with
his wrath and scorn. His grave in Union Cemetery
is marked with this, " A respectable man of color."
His estate, of one thousand d(dlars, was left to Mr.
Braman.
There was another house, which was probably built
on the Dole lands, not far from Baldpate Street, on
land now owned by Henry Kennett. It has been
thought that this was an early Spoflbrd house, but
possibly it was the original house of Richard Dole.
It had the reputation for many years of being "a
haunted house." Mr. Nathan I'erley, John Bettis
and others, watching with sick [leoplc, told strange
stories of what they heard and saw. It was removed
hefore this century and re-built in Sherman Nelson's
house on Elm Street. No person now living can
give any definite clue as to who, at any time, lived
in it when on its former site.
Rirkard Boi/ntun, perhaps the same, whose land
adjoine<l the farm of John Brocklebank, near Pen
Brook, bought thirteen lots on ranges S and T in
1724-2.'}, on the north side of Andover Street, and
built there. The house on the summit of Spofford's
Hill, now ow-ned by Samuel Noyes, is in part at least
quite ancient, and doubtless is the original house.
Moses Boynton, carpenter and bridge-builder, was
living there less than three-fourths of a century ago.
Another family of some prominence who settled
about a mile to the south, was that of Bnrpee. From
the fact that Thomas Burpee, the west parish settler,
sold his dwelling-house at the east end of the Ox-
pasture in Rowley, in the winter of 1724, it is proba-
ble that he came here soon afterwards. He built on
the southerly slope, of what was .soon known as Vine-
yard Hill, on land now owned by Clias. Iv Chaplin,
and just about midway of Bald])ate and Nelson
Streets. From its sunny location, and the abund-
ance of choice fruit grown on this sixty acre farm, it
obtained the name of the Vineyard. On the height of
the hill, just in the rear of the site of the house, on
land that is now owned by Sherman Nelson (then
Dole lands), .stands the walruit tree, which has been a
conspicuous mark for sailors, on our eastern coast, per-
hujis from the time that Thomas Burpiee first came
here, and it is still fresh and vigorous. There was a
cross-way from the parish farm, occupied by the
Spoffords, past this house, reaching Nelsnn Street,
near the ancient Elm, at the foot of the hill, by Mrs.
\\ . M. Shute's. From thence it connected with the
Salem road past Oak Dell and over Pen Brook. Al-
though this path has not been travelled for nearly a
century, it shows in places the marks of the travel of
former times. About 1787, this farm was sold, and a
part of the house re-built, in the house of L. L. Dole
on Elm Street. Amos Nelson who built abnut 1767,
the house of C. E. Chaplin, on Nelson Street, bought
the land surrounding this Burpee house, and used a
part as a kitchen for his own dwelling. Ebenezer Bur-
pee, who lived here, a carpenter, was probably a son
of Thomas, and was parish clerk for tweuty-five years.
816
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Nathaniel Perkins, a son-iu-law of Edward Hazen,
about 1722, began to buy lots on range L, extending
from Nelson Street (Fairface highway, then called) to
Boxford Line, north of Lake Raynor. Afterwards
buying the Cooper land, south of the town boundary,
it carried his laud to the shore of the lake. He also
owned the Raynor meadow, just below and adjoin-
ing the lake. His house was about midway between
Nelson Street and the lake, and was erected about
1725. This farm was owned by himself and heirs
until 1788, when it was sold to Major Asa Nelson,
who lived on Nelson Street. Mr. Perkins was not
connected with the west parish, and in no wise iden-
tified with its interests. In 1766, he aided in the en-
largement of the cemetery, near B. S. Barnes' house,
in Boxford. In the winter of 1778, there were several
sick with the small-pox in the Perkins house and
vicinity, the sickness finally became epidemic, and
this house being isolated from other habitations
was used as the hospital or pest house. Several vic-
tims were buried near the foot-path leading to the
lake, about forty rods from the house. It was claimed
that the smoke, from the chimneys of houses where
the sick were, carried the disease from one house to
another in this locality. The families of Amos and
Asa Nelson, Mr. Perkins' neighbors on Nelson Street,
removed, the one to the Burjiee, the other to the
Brocklebank house, the men only daily returning to
care for the barns and farm-stock. This Perkins
family, like many others at that time, are said to have
removed to New Hampshire. On a little knoll just
southeast from Edward U. Nelson's house, w'ho with
his sister are owners of this I'arm, is a hollow, said to
have been dug by a member of the Perkins family, as
the cellar for an intended house. It is said the death
of this young man, during the war of the Revolution,
whether abroad or at home, is not known, left this
hollow as the only memorial of the house that was to
be. This Perkins house had a chequered history,
much more than the average New England farm-
house. It was taken down in 1856, the material being
used in building the house of W. M. Dorgan, on
Pond Street.
WiUiam Fiske was settled in this town as early
as 1727. His lather, Samuel Fiske, of Wenliam,
bought property in Boxford late in the seven-
teenth century. In 1716 he deeded to his son Willi.Tm
the dwelling-house he was then in possession of. In
the spring of 1727 William bfiught of Abraham How,
of Ipswich, a lot on range H below Pen Brook. In
October of that year, he was in Rowley. It is said
that his house was built east of the house of Mrs.
Sylvanus Merrill, near the lower end of the garden.
He was a constituent member of the First Congrega-
tional Church in Georgetown, being one of the eigh-
teen males dismissed from Byfield, and was at once
elected deacon. The family seems to have become
extinct at his death.
William Searle was an early settler on the Raynor
Plain (Marlborough). His father, William, came to
Rowley perhaps from Ipswich between 1680 and '90,
and doubtless died as a member of Captain Philip
Nelson's company, in Governor Phips' expedition
against Quebec. William Searle, of the west parish,
married Jane, a granddaughter of Captain Philip
Nelson, about 1722, and settled here soon afterward.
The ancient house, supposed to be built by him, was
demolished by Deacon John Platts more than a half-
century ago. The house now owned by Mrs. Sylva-
nus Merrill was built on the same .site. Mr. Searle
was, like his neighbor Deacon Fiske, a constituent
member of the First Church, and was also made a
deacon at the organization.
Another house, thought to have been built prior to
1730, and still standing, is on Chaplin's Court, and
the property of Miss Jane Edmonds. This was per-
haps built by Jonathan, a brother or son of Jeremiah
Chap/in. Here lived Elder Asa, and here was born,
in 1776, or early resided, his son Jeremiah Chaplin,
D.D., the first president of Colby University, Water-
ville. Me., and who continued in office fifteen years. It
is said that Gen. B. F. Butler was under his instruction
for several years. Descendants noted as educators
and in the world of letters are his son Jeremiah, a
Ba[itist clergyman and writer, the husband of Jane
Dunbar, and the father of Heman L., a lawyer in
Boston ; Mrs. Hannah, wife of Prof. George Conant,
of Hamilton, N. Y., in whose family his last years
were spent, and other daughters, who married Baptist
ministers. Dr. Chaplin united with the Baptist
Church in Georgetown before his eleventh year. He
was a graduate of Brown University, 1799. An item
in the account book of Benjamin Adams, of South
Georgetown, is, " Dr., June, 1799, Elder Asa Chaplin
for use of chaise to go to Providence to see Jeremiah
graduate."
A name of distinction tor about three-fourths ol a
century was that of Thurston. Sergt. Daniel Thurs-
ton, of Newbury, bought freeholds west of Pen Brook
as early as 1714.
After the division into ranges and lots, he acquired
several lots by purchase or exchange ou Range R,
south of Andover Street, upon which a house was built.
It is not known whether he setltled here, but Jonathan
Thurston, probably a son, was living here doubtle-s in
1731. He and wife Lydia were original members of
the First Church, and may have been settled here a
year or two prior to 1730. Mr. Thurston was the first
parish clerk, holding the office eight years. The house,
a spacious mansion with eight s(|uare rooms, was sold
in 1800, with the farm of forty or more acres to Rev.
Isaac Braman. Much of the material of this vener-
ated mansion when demolished was used by George J.
Tenney in the erection of Tenney's Hall, now the
residence of Mr. H. N. Harriman. Three generations
of the Thurston family had dwelt under its roof, Daniel
and Stephen finally removing, the one to Ipswich the
other to Andover. The descendants who visit with
GEORGETOWN.
817
reverence the spot where the house ouce stood are
numerous and influential.
The southerly slope of Baldpate Hill was partially
cleared by Nathaniel Mighill, of Rowley, who was
a grandson of Deacon Thomas Migliiil (the first who
cleared land in Georgetown), at an early date. In 171fi
Nathaniel began his extensive purchase of land. Later,
perhaps in 1724 or '2.5, having bought lots on ranges
D and E, he built the easterly front of the present Mig-
hill house, on Baldpate Street. It is a family tradition
that it was not permanently occupied for some years.
Some of the family, it is said, spent the summer
months here, returning to Rowley in the autumn, and
that one son and then another would attempt to set-
tle, only to go back to the old homestead. Finally,
Stephen Mighill, the eldest, about 1733 or '34 removed
here, was elected deacon in 1747, and was quite active
in parish affairs. In all deeds he was styled " maltster."
This was the partial occupation of the family in Row-
ley; the malt-house of Deacon Thomas of date 1650,
was located just east of the barn of his descendants,
the present owners of the estate. The malt-house at
their Georgetown estate was standing and continued
to bear this name until within the past twenty years.
The family of Deacon Stephen Mighill were quite
aristocratic, and had negro servants. One by the name
of Sabina was afterwards in Rev. Mr. Chandler's family,
and was remembered by him in his will. Chloe was
another, and is said to have been purchased by Mr.
Amos Nelson. He gave her the freedom she coveted.
Another of Mr. Nelson's colored friends lived for many
years in Boxford, and annually presented her bene-
factor with stockings and mittens of her own knit-
ting.
David Mighill, a grandson of the Deacon, graduated
at Dartmouth in 1809, and was a town physician for
about forty years. He had conferred upon him the
degree of LL.D. as well as that of M.D. He first
practiced in Dunbarton, N. H., where he married
Betsy Mills and where his eldest son John (Mills) was
born, who now resides on the old farm. He had quite
an inventive gift, and one of his devices, a pump,
proved very valuable to the party who obtained the
patent. Stephen, a sou of the above, was in medical
practice for several years in Roxbury and Boston. His
sister Irene married Dr. Moses Spoftbrd, who for many
years divided the practice of the town and parish with
Dr. Mighill, his brother-in-law.
Solomon Nelson was another early settler. Soon
after his marriage to Mercy, the daughter of Jeremiah
Chaplin in 172.5, he and his cousins followed their uncle
Gershom to what was then the town of Mendon, now
Hopedale, where he bought land in the wilderness, and
remained there until 1729. Returning to Rowley in
April, he bought a lot of five acres on range M, and
probably built that year on the spot upon which the
house of the writer stands, now occupied by Leon S.
Gifibrd. The original house, with its additions, be-
came quite extensive, and was taken down in 1838.
I 51 i
Mr. Nelson was highly esteemed by the parish, was
frequently an assessor, and was treasurer and collector
for perhaps twenty years.
His descendants of special prominence are Hon.
Jeremiah Nelson, late of Newburyport, who was a
member of Congress from the Essex North district
for several terms; Rev. William B. Dodge, who for
years was noted as an educator and philanthropist,
the " Master Dodge," of Salem, Mass., and General
G. M. Dodge, chief engineer of the Central Pacific
Railroad, who was urged by President Grant, it has
been said, to take the position of Secretary of War in
his first cabinet, but declined the honor. A daughter,
Huldah, who married Elder Samuel Harriman, died
in March, 1848, aged one hundred years and nearly
six months. In native vigor of mind and mental
acumen, and although comparatively uneducated, hav-
ing much of the masculine force of the historian Han-
nah Adams, she perhaps exceeded any other person of
her sex ever born in the town.
CHAPTER LIII.
GEORGETOWN.— Co«(/nHc<Z.
PARISH OROANIZATION — FIE8T COXCiKEGATIOXAL
AXD BYFIELD.
At the beginning of the year 1700 there were about
twenty families settled within the limits of the terri-
tory now known as Georgetown. Of this number
four-fifths at least were in the easterly or Byfield sec-
tion of the town. With two possible exceptions, that
of John and Samuel Spoflbrd, who went to Bradford
meeting, all attended religious services at Rowley.
Not less than one hundred and twenty families, with
a population of over six hundred, were residents ot
Rowley at that time. They were liberal toward their
ministers. The estate of Mr. Rogers was appraised
at fifteen hundred jjounds, perhaps equ-al to twenty-
five thousand dollars in our day, while Mr. Shepard,
after a pastorate of only about three years died, leav-
ing an estate equal by our standard to nearly ten
thousand dollars.
The Rowley farmers wereprosperous, and in view of
their prosperity there should have been a readiness to
aid the weak parishes in the interior. Instead, the
people of Rowley village (afterwards Boxford), were
to pay 0He-/i(/// of their minister-rates to Topsfield.
The Topsfield meeting was the one they attemled, and
why not have granted them authority to pay all their
rates to Topsfield and aid that slow-growing settle-
ment. Communities were isolated, wrapped up in
their own local interests, and there was very often
manifest, a marked want of breadth and generous
feeling. One peculiar feature, shown in documents
of the time, bearing on the alliance between church
818
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and State, was that the church preceded the State,
the organization of the State being aj^parently to
maintain and perpetuate the church, and therefore
we find it made the basis of appeals from commu-
nities for incorporation as towns. Under that system
the civil law was the source of the strength of the
church, and the Boxford petitioners then said to the
General Court, when asking for town rights, " now
we have no way to compel any person to do his duty,
if he will not doe itof himself" and to have the power
to compel a person, they asked for separate sovereignty,
and it was granted. When town incorporation was
not thought advisable parishes were established. This
word ha])pily becoming obsolete in the New England
signification, and probably in its primal meaning
(that of the source of a benefice or supply), was first
considered as feasible in what is now Georgetown in
1701.
December IGth, of that year, a religious service hav-
ing been established, perhaps for a year or more
westerly of Eye Plain Bridge, the families located
there a.sked Rowley to have their rates abated. This
was partially granted, the vote being to abate one-
half of the minisler-rates of Jonathan Wheeler, Ben-
jamin Plumer, Samuel Brocklebank, John Browne,
Nathaniel Browne, Jonathan Look, James Chute,
Andrew Stickney, Henry Poor, Duncan Stewart,
Ebenezer Browne, Ebenezer Stewart, John Lull,
James Tenney, John Plumer, Richard Boynton and
Josiah Wood.
This petition and the partial response implies some
action already taken, perhaps a meeting-house raised
and covered, in which services were held, and on the
completion of it the vote of the town, March 16,
1702-3, was passed, whiph verbatim i.s this : " The
Inhabitants of ye Rowley living on the Northwest
side of the bridge called Rye plain bridg, and on the
North west side of the hill called Long hill, and
Joyned with the farmers of Newbury that doth
border on us, in building a new meeting house for the
worship of God, Shall be Abatted their Rattes in the
ministry Rate in the Towue of Rowley, if they do
maintain with the help of our neighbors of Newbury,
an Otthoxdoxs ministry to belong and teach, in that
meeting-house that they have built, until Such time
as it is judged that their is asufishant Number, to
maintain a minister in the North west part of our
Towne, without the help of our neighbors of Newbury,
that doth border upon us, whose names are as fol-
loweth : " (The seventeen as above, with Lionel
Chute added.) When the population would warrant,
another parish was to be formed, exclusively of Rowley
families. The fir.-<t meeting-house in this parish was
near where the present house stands. This part of
Newbury was the "Falls," and this part of Rowley
was '■ Rowlbery."
In the records of the Rowley church the parish was
called Byfield in 170G, and yet that year it was incor-
porated "as "The Falls." Hon. Nathaniel Byfield, of
Boston, perhaps connected with some of the families
in the parish, may have aided in building the meet-
ing-house, and some proposed giving it his name.
After his gift of a bell, it was decided to call it Byfield
in his honor. An endeared name to multitudes living
and dead.
Rev. Moses Hale, of Newbury, was ordained No-
vember 17, 1706, as the first minister. A graduate of
Harvard in 1699. Died January 16, 1744-45.
The records of the Church, to the death of Mr.
Hale, are lost. Perhaps a search might be successful.
In 1707 the parish lines were established. This in-
cluded from Rye Plain bridge, up an ancient way
near Francis Nelson's house, over Long Hill, across
Elder's Plain, by Deacon Brocklebank's (now M. G.
Spofford's), and to the Bradford line, including within
its limits allot the Lambert farm, near Pentucket Pond,
being in all one-half of the area now Georgetown. It
probably being "judged that there is asufishent Num-
ber to maintaine a minister in the Northwest part of
our Town," in the language of the Rowley records,
steps were taken, perhaps as early as 1727, prepara-
tory to petitioning for incorporation as a separate
parish. Since 1700, and especially since 1725, as is
seen in Chapter LI, a rapid settlement had gone for-
ward. We can imagine John Spofibrd and the Plum-
ers, in earnest conversation with their near neighbors
on the question, and some strong assertions that the
time had come to build a meeting-house here.
There is no doubt such important action was dis-
cussed for at least one or two winters around the broad
hearth and in the light of their hickory fires, some
confident, others doubting, until at a meeting in some
one of the old-time kitchens, it was decided that in
the coming winter of 1728-29, they would sled to the
Harriman & Plumer mill on Rock Pond Brook, logs
for the lumber needed for the house. The Brockle-
banks were interested, suggested the lot below Pen
Brook on Main Street, at the corner of the early
opened road, near where David Brocklebanks' hou-e
stands, and the heavy oak frame was provided, squared,
and in June 1729 was raised, soon boarded in, and the
first rude meeting-house completed. This was a pro-
prietors' building; some in the vicinity were not then
interested, and the erection of this first meeting-house
was not a general affair. There were no dedication
ceremonies, that is an innovation of much later times.
The name was properly meeting-house, and at that
day it meant nothing more. There was no sacredness
in the building itself, for that savored of the Episco-
pacy they abhorred. In most cases there was no burial
of their departed friends in the shadow of these New
England houses for meetings.
To be nearly central as possible was one thing, to
have it open to the public highway for convenience,
seems to have been another.
May 27th, 1730, a petition for a distinct parish was
signed by forty-two persons and presented to the
General Court.
GEORGETOWN.
819
October 1, 1731, it was ordered " That Mr. Beujamiii
Plummer, a Principal Inhabitant of the precinct
Lately set ofT from the town of Rowley, and parish of
Byfield, is Authorized to Notiiie the Inhabitants to
convene in some publick Place, to Choose precinct
officers, to stand until the Anniversary meeting in
March next." J. Quincy was speaker and Jonathan
Belcher, governor (later a friend of Whitefield), who
approved. The names of Captain John SpofTbrd,
Benjamin Plummer and Jonathan Thurston do not
appear on the petition. They were, doubtlers, origi-
nally not favorable to the movement.
" By Virtue of the above Precept the Inhabitants
of the New precinct assembled togather on the fifth
of October, 1781."
Lieutenant John SpaiTord was elected moderatorand
Jonathan Boynton clerk, to serve until the meeting in
March. Lieutenant John Spaftbrd, Elder Jeremiah
Chaplin, Ensign Benjamin Plummer, Mr. William
Searl and Mr. Aaron Pengry were elected assessors,
and Jonathan Thurston and Samuel John,son, collect-
ors. These were the first legal officers of most of the
territory now known as Georgetown.
Nearly a year before the church was organized, on
October 25, 1731, the parish voted " to call Mr. Daniel
Rogers, that bath preached with us, to be our minys-
ter." " Nov. 9, 1731, voated that Lieut. John Spafford
Should build the Galery Stairs, and Joyce for the
Galery flore, and Lay the said flore with Yalow pine
boards, and to make three Seats in the fruut Galery,
and two Seats on each Side Galierys."
This describes the house in part, a plain building,
without steeple or spire, and at this date still unfin-
ished.
" Jan. 4, 1731-32, It was a Greed & Voated to call
Mr. Chandler of Andover, the Gentleman that hath
preached with us of Late, to be our Minister, and it
was Voated by every man then Assembled." Salary
to be " one hundred and ten pounds pr. year, to be
Stated by the Standard, acording as mony Should
Grow better or wor.je," ivid " three hundred pounds
for Settlement." Five parish meetings had been
held.
March 27, 1731-32, First annual meeting " voated
Mr. Chandler twenty cords of wood a year." August
8, 1732, voted " By the major part of the Builders of
the Meeting-House, that the Rest of the people in
said parish should have an Ecjual prevelige with us,
in s"". meeting-house, so Long as it stands in the place
where it now is." John Harriman dissented. Some
were not satisfied with the location, and the same dis-
satisfaction continued for several generations.
Mr. Chandler accepted this purely parish call, and
it was voted by the parish, September 20, 1732, for the
ordination, October 18, 1732. The minister was in
this particular instance selected by the parish, which
virtually represented the town of to-day.
Three-fourths of a century of independent churches
makes it somewhat difficult to have a clear compre-
hension of the conditions of Church and State, as
then existed. The law of the colony recognized but
one religious organization, and that equally with all
other public interests, was sustained and perpetuated
by the "law's strong arm." The church was organ-
ized just two weeks before the ordination, for whicli
preparations were going on among the thirty or more
families with harmony and enthusiasm.
Perfectly united as the parish was in Mr. Chandler, as
Jonathan Boynton informs us in his careful record, we
can believe that every housewife did her best to make
the important affair something to recall with pride,
long afterward. Ten pounds was voted to Jeremiah
Harriman to make provision for ministers and mes-
sengers and "some other Gentlemen that wateson the
ministers," colored servants, probably.
The lofty airs common to their class at this period,
on occasions of the importance of an ordination, have
often been de.scribed. The ministers and their attend-
ants, doubtless assembled at the Deacon Brocklebank
house, where his son Francis then lived. It was voted
that " William Fiske have ten pounds, to jirovide for
Scholars and other Gentlemen." The churches of
Byfield, Bradford, Boxford, Andover, Rowley, and the
Second of Newbury were represented. The sermon
was by Mr. Rogers of Boxford, from John 21 : V>, 10,
17; and the services \vere concluded by singing part
of the 132d Psalm.
At the church organization, two weeks previously,
Mr. Hale of Byfield constituted and Mr. Balch of
second Bradford (now Grovelaiul), preached a sermon,
afterwards printed.
The records of the church from this date are in the
minute and delicate penmanship of Mr. Chandler.
"Nov., 1732, a Desent Seat for Deacons and a Com-
munion table ordered to be built." " Mar., 1732-33,
Ebenezer Burpee instructed to put up two rails, bools
and banistei's at the end of the pulpit stairs." "July
17, 1733, voted to Joseph Nelson, twelve pounds, to
provide for the raising of Mr. Chandler's house and
barn." The house was built just west of the church,
on the site of which the house of Humphrey Nelson
now stands. This house, built in 1733, was burned
on Town Meeting day, April 4, 1825. The cause was
a defective chimney. Most of the adult males of the
I)arish were in Rowley at the time.
At this date, 1733, the line between Byfield and this
parish was settled "with Leonard Harriman 's widow
and David pearsons to belong to the west parish of
Rowley, and so Jedediah pearsons' Land to belong to
Byfield." " Dea. Searl was chosen to go down to the
Generall Court, to see what may be gotten of the town
rents." December, 1735, the same was chosen to re-
ceive the money that the parish is to have of the
town, and also the rent of the thatch-bank. This
land in Rowley, marsh and upland, was often ditched,
leased by the parish every three years, and finally, in
1856, was leased for nine hundred and ninety-nine
years. The railroad near the Rowley station wiis laid
820
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
out over it for a considerable distance, and land dam-
age awarded in 1839.
Pews in the meeting-linuse were not made as yet,
but in December, 1736, Mr. Chandler had the " Lib-
erty of a pew at the west end of the pulpit." It was
also voted " to lease that part of Spofford's farm that
has been set off to the west parish." This division of
the parish land had been made in July, 1735.
The northerly side of the farm, then occupied by
Samuel Spoffbrd, had come to the west parish, one-
half of Half-moon meadow, four lots of land in the
upper commons, or two freeholds, and the thatch-
bank at Oyster Point. John and Jonathau Spofford,
nephews of Samuel, occupied the southerly half
March, 1737, the parish voted to lease the wood Iota,
and voted again to lease their SpofiTord farm. The
Parish farm at that time had been improved by the
Spofford family for nearly seventy years. Samuel was
nearly ninety years of age and an extensive land-
holder, especially in Boxford. He had seen this farm
reclaimed from the wilderness by his father, himself
and brothers, and now it was, like the parish, to be
divided in twain. He had lived to see a meeting-
house, with the houses of energetic farmers, scattered
all along the easterly slope below him, and forming in
themselves and families the west parish of Eowley.
At their first coming this family expected others
would soon follow, and no doubt, as the years moved
wearily on, with a monotonous tread, and they were
still nearly alone, it seemed as if Elders and Fairface
plains, the Lambert farm, Red Shanks, the Rocky
hills and Baldpate would never have the clearings
they so longed to see. He had heard from many a
lip the thrilling story of Mrs. Dustin and her Indian
captors ; saw, perhaps, the murdered Goodrich family
buried near where they were slain ; the smoke from
the burning homes of his Haverhill neighbors had
spoken a tale of horror on that fateful October morn-
ing, 1706 — and still he and his kindred had been
nearly alone, doubtless only the Brocklebanks to re-
lieve the solitude. Father and brothers, the only
companions of his youth and earlier manhood, had
long before passed from this wilderness into the
"pleasant land," and still he had lived on, and when
an aged patriarch, as the last decade in his life draws
near, all at once, as it were, there is the stir of human
life on every hand. The sound of the axe and the
crash of the giants of the forest is heard, and land
grants, transfers and allotments is the animated de-
bate that makes it seem like a new world upon which
he has entered. This venerable pioneer, soon after
the organization of the West Parish Church, was re-
ceived into membership, being dismissed from the
Rowley Church. He died January 1, 1743, aged ninety-
one years.
The fiirm was leased February 22, 1737-38, for nine
hundred and ninety-nine years. Five members of the
parish objected.
The divisional parts of the meeting-house were
early called pens, and in the year 1741 the parish
voted " to' sell the penes in the gallery to D.ivid Nel-
son, also to lay out the Rome for the penes, and sell
the Rome for the penes at the hiest bider." In 1742
an addition to the house of thirteen feet four inches
was vo'ed, and Richard Thurston was engaged to
build this extension.
In 1744 it was voted that the builders of the house
should have the two hind seats of the men and the
women's below, they giving a bill of sale of the meet-
ing-house. Until then, the proprietors had the house
under their control. The pulpit was to be painted,
and Samuel Harriman had twenty pounds for "Red-
ing the meeting-house." A few buildings painted
that peculiar shade of red, were to be seen thirty
years ago. About that date, the Ipswich farmers
(afterwards known as Linebrook), petitioned for some
families to be set off to them. The Linebrook parish
probably asked for a part of what is now Dodgeville,
as the west parish ran easterly of what at present is
known as the Phillips' place. To illustrate the spirit
of the New England minister at this period, while an
improvement was shown in the outward work of the
parish, Mr. Chandler suggested, in May, 1747, to
prevent profanation of the Lord's Day, and as many
live at considerable distance, to have a sermon read
between public service, through the summer season.
This custom was continued for half a century.
A severe drought in 1749, was a cause for alarm,
and a church fast was voted June 4th. The hay crop
is said to have been so short, that weeds and almost
every imaginable green thing was cured for substi-
tutes. The meeting-house needed repairs, and a vote
so passed in 1758. The question of removal to the
"senter of the parish," was agitated. "Mr. John
Brocklebank's corner, near his house," was suggested,
the expense to be raised by subscription. In 1759 a
motion was made " to get an artice to mesure and
draw a plan, to know where the senter of sd parish is."
The above motion was promptly negatived. In 1760
the controversy was such, tljat as some were for re-
pairs and others for removal, or a new house, that
arbitration was voted. The committee were Caleb
Gushing, Samuel Phillips and Captain Thomas Den-
nis. Their decision was to continue the house where
it then stood. Dudley Tyler, who then owned the
Brocklebank house near the meeting-house, was Inn-
keeper, and provided for the committee. Only some
limited repairs voted, while a pediment over the front
door and other attractive improvements had been
suggested.
In 1762 it was voted that " those that have taken
pains to Learn the art of Singing," may set in the
front gallery. The first reference to singing, is in the
church records for 1736, viz.: "Mr. Burpee continued
to tune the Psalm in Publick Worship."
In 1763 an innovation was made, which was " to
admit Dr. Watts' Imitation of David Psalms, but
not wholly to exclude ye old Version." In 1765 Mr.
GEORGETOWN.
821
John Cleveland (then of Ipswich, Chaplain at Fort
William Henry, in 1767), " and other gospel minis-
ters, not intending on Mr. Chandler's ministry," are
invited to "Freeh Lectors." About twenty years be-
fore, Whitefield had crossed parish lines, and itine-
rated in the open air if the meeting-houses were de-
nied him. but before this, whatever the opposition to
the multitude of others, that were busy in religious
service in an irregular way, Whitefield's abilities
were recognized, and his special work seemingly ap-
proved. Still, at this late date, there were many
ministers and churches, so trammelled by the fetters
of the period, that their recognition of Whitefield was
but half-hearted.
Tradition says that Jlr. Chandler was earnest in
persuading Elder Asa Chaplin to attend a service in
Georgetown where Whitefield was to preach, and that
the elder objected, saying that he had no fault to find
with his own minister. " But," said Mr. Chandler,
with an emphatic gesture, " Mr. Whitefield does not
preach as I do ; he preaches with power."
As early as 17t54 Mr. Timothy Symmes began to
preach in private houses, and his perhaps intemper-
ate remarks, had produced a feeling, which at about
that time, in this church, was something more than
an annoyance. In 17G8 again the old debate came up
on re])airing the old house, or building a new house,
with a more satisfactory location.
April 8, 1708, another meeting, to see whether they
would build on the southeasterly end of Mr. Solomon
Nelson Juna house, as near as may be, with conven-
ieucy." Voted in the afiirmative. Later in April,
met again, to see if the parish would build at Brock-
lebank's or Burbank's corner, but the former site had
the preference. Meetings were frequently called
during the haying season that summer, but the party
in favor of building, and of building on Mr. Nelson's
land, were always successful. In 1769 the parish or-
dered to be purchased and a deed taken. At this date,
with a new meeting-house assured, we close the chap-
ter.
CHAPTER LIV.
GEORGETOWN— ( Continued).
EDUCATION — SCHOOLS, LIBRABIE.S AND LECTUEES.
The establishing of schools was of colonial action
at an early date. In 1637 the college was located ; in
1642 legislation for local schools, and in 1647 it was
ordered that every township of fifty families should
have a school to teach children to write and read, be-
cause, says the act, " It being one chiefe prect of ye
ould deluder Satan, to keepe men from the knowledge
of ye Scriptures," and "j' learning may not be buried in
y' grave of o' fath", in ye church & commonwealth."
With few evasions, this law was obeyed. One hun-
dred householders required a Grammar-school, and
churches were also urged, to aid any " pore scholler "
to get a collegiate education. Under this system, the
schools were essentially parochial, the teachers serv-
ing in that ofiice and as ministers' assistants. When
Mr. Rogers, of Rowley, added as one of the condi-
tions in his will, that the church should alwaj's have
two ruling elders, or pastor and teacher, his intention
may have been to bring the secular instruction of the
young, within church limits. The residents of the
West Parish, or Georgetown, March 20, 1737, voted
to " Bould a Schoal House, & to set it between the
Brook by Capt. Bradstreets, and M' ffrancis Brockle-
bank's Brook."
The dimen.sions of this first building erected for
schools, was twenty feet long, sixteen wide, with a
height of eight feet. The proportions were similar,
in all buildings for the same purpose, for a century
afterwards. This school-house was on the hill near
the Searl place, and was placed there to accommodate
Byfield, as well as the West Parish. Later, a vote
was passed, "to allow seven shillings and a piney for
Rhum, at the Raising of the School House." In-
struction on the injurious effects of alcohol on the
human constitution would seem rather inconsistent
in that school-room.
November 6th Samuel Payson was invited to serve
as teacher. Mr. Payson, our first " master," was a
son of the Rowley minister, a graduate of Harvard in
1716, and taught in the various sections of the town
from 1722 to 1756. Ebenezer Burpee, the carpenter,
made the furniture at his house in the Chajjlin field,
under Vineyard hill, for this primitive school-room,
where the sires of our grandparents had their first in-
sight into the mysteries of the three " It's." The vote
on the bill to jjay Burpee, is novel, and w-as for
" meching forms and tables, for said school-house."
The above vote was passed November 3, 1740, and
the house was doubtless read)' for the boys that month.
In November or December was the time for this school
to begin, and eight weeks' schooling in winter was
the rule for more than a century. Doubtless the meth-
ods of Pedagogue Payson were strict discipline as the
suminum bonum, and his Bible as a leading text-book.
This was a boys' school ; the daughters in those days
did not learn the art of writing, and to learn how to
read the Bible and catechism merely, could be taught
as well at home. One can imagine the Spotford boys
coming down from the hill, David Nelson and the
Chaplins from Nelson Street, the Harrinians, Stick-
neys and others, with a few from Byfield, all perhaps
eager to get the benefit, of this first school.
December 30, 174.5, the i>arish voted another school-
house, and to set it at the south end of Francis
Brocklebank's Hill, between Mr. Chandler's house
and the brook. This was where Edward E. Sher-
burne's house now stands, and may partly have been
known to the present generation, in the "Poole
house," burned many years ago, on the site of which.
822
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Mr. Sherburn built liis house. This school-house was
to cost forty pounds, and to be completed by May Ist.
A relative of the writer, Aunt Huldah Harriman,
taught the girls and children of the parish, in this
building, the useful lessons of knitting and plain
sewing, with the equally useful reading and spelling,
in their rudiments. After her hundredth year, she
would tell the story of the gigantic black snake, sud-
denly uncoiling itself from the rafters of that same
school-house, and dropping into her little company of
pupils below. This was known as the "Parish," and
the first one built, as the " Upper School- House'' for
years afterwards.
For several years there was an attempt made to
have a school kejjt in this Parish-Hou.se, and in No-
vember, 1750, it was voted " that the winter, or writ-
ing and Reading School, Should be kept only one-
third part of the time at the uper School-House," or
the first house. After the parish had employed Mr.
Payson as teacher, for some years the town took ac-
tion, and Mr. Benjamin Adams taught in 1742 and
again in 174(5, four months the first year, and six the
second, half of the time in Byfield and half in the
West Parish.
This is the first mention of a school in the Byfield
part of Georgetown, and as a geographical centre,
was the first point to be considered, it might be pos-
sible to locate it. Perhaps it was near the present
location of what might properly be called Cleaveland
School or No. 7, possibly, however, in a private
house. At a later date, early in the century, this
school-house was located not far from Stickney's
Corner, opposite the Pike House. The peculiar site
of the first house on Searl Street, was, as a probable
centre, of the west part of Rowley. This teacher was
doubtless from one of the Adams families, of Rowley
or Newbury. He was evidently not a professional in-
structor. March, 1753, the parish again took up the
question of schools, and voted that the school be kept
one-third of the time each, at the Parish, at the Up-
per House and at the house at the easterly end and
northerly part of the parish. The last named house
was built about this time, at some point near the
Parker River Woolen Mills.
In 1749 the town voted that each parish have a
sum granted for the support of schools, in accordance
with the county ta.\es paid by each, and this appor-
tionment continued down to modern times, only with
the difference of a division among the school districts,
instead of parishes.
October .30, 1770, a committee was chosen to find
suitable persons to keep school, and as was done sev-
enteen years before, the pariah voted that the time
for the school be equally divided between the parish,
upper and easterly end. Mr. Moses Johnson, of
Rowley, was offered the school at the easterly end for
three months, at seven dollars per month. William
Chandler was engaged to keep the parish school.
Master Chandler was a cousin of Rev. James
Chandler, somewhat bookish, and may have kept a
fairly good school. Not long after this he removed
to Salem, Mass., where he died. At that time the se-
lectmen were requested to set up this Second, or Par-
ish School, " ye Monday after Thanksgiving." In
the calendar of the New England farm-house, what
possibilities have hung on the issues of that day? the
beginning of the winter term of the district school.
A few weeks of study under the guidance of a skilful
teacher has changed the after-life of many a country
boy, and made him a man, valuable to himself and
the world around him.
November 9, 1773, Mr. Greenleaf Dole was em-
ployed as master, for two pounds thirteen shillings
per month. Graduated at Harvard 1771, and George-
town born. Master Dole achieved such greatness as
an instructor that his fame has come down to us.
His discipline was severe, and it has been said that
one swing of his muscular arm, has sent a whole class
ignominiously to the floor. We imagine from all ac-
counts that his severity was sometimes scarcely tem-
pered with mercy. He has, however, left behind
him a record in the memories of his pupils, such as
no other teacher of that age did, and a picture, that
needs no fancy to make complete.
March 26, 177(5, an attempt was made, to allow the
Grammar School to be kept at the South School-
House, their proportion of time. This, the first
school-building in South Georgetown, was on the
corner of Brook and Central Streets, where the brick
house of Lowell G. Wilson now stands. The request
does not seem to have been acted upon, the war then
bursting upon the country with all its uncertainty,
drove all other thoughts from their minds. In 1777
the teacher divided his services for the year, with the
school at the North, that on Searl Street, the South
School and the ea-^terly end of the parish, but not
further down than Mr. Phinehas Dodge's house, and
that each family signify, what school-house they
choose.
The Parish School-House needed repairs, and a
year later it was attempted to repair, or sell. Also
voted that the school at the easterly part of the parish
be kept at Mr. Sanders, or at Mr. Jeremiah Searl's.
Three days afterward, agreed to build a school-house on
Spotford's Hill, near Benj. Thurston's house. If we
are not mistaken, this stood at the right of the road,
not far from Nathaniel Marble's. The southeasterly
part of the parish seems to have been complaining at
this time, of unfair treatment in the school appropria-
tion, and December 17, 1778, it was voted that all
below Muddy Brook (now Dodge ville), and also
Abraham Foster, Samuel Kezer, Jedediah Kilborn,
Nathaniel Kezer and Samuel Johnson, draw their
part of the town's money for schools, and for no
other use.
In November, 1779, " Master Dole " was engaged,
and all below Muddy Brook were, probably by the
vote allowed to hire whom they pleased. February
GEORGETOWN.
823
3, 1785. Ihe importfint vote was passed, to build a
school-house "Somewhere near the Couture," but
Feliruary 8th, the vote was re-considered, and that is
the last reference to the noted Centre t-chool-House,
in the records of the parish. The last record relating
to schools was December 4, 1792, when John Brockle-
baiik had twelve shillings allowed, for the use of his
house for a school in 1791. This scliool-room was at
the east end of the house, and until the building of
the red "centre school-house, served a good purpose."
This same old house opened its doors for a popular
singing school, and was a sort of a parish centre. On
that December day, the record says, " from nine of
the clock in the morning, to nine in the evening,
under the direction of the school committee, the as-
sessors are directed to order the several <listricts or
part districts in the parish, their i>roportion in money
or wood."
Before 1795 this red school -house was, by order of
the town, built on what was then Andover Street,
where the soldiers' monument now stands. It soon
became the educational centre of the parish, and
teachers like Dr. Jeremiah Spotford, of Groveland,
Colonel Edward Todd, of Rowley {a good mathema-
tician) and others, for many years afterwards, would
talk with animation about their pupils in this famous
old house. In later days, neglected and dilapidated,
strolling Indians made it their abode, and with un-
latched door it was the temporary home of any passer-
by. Finally, becoming an eyesore to some enterpris-
ing unknowns of the town, on the night of April 20,
1840, it was mysteriously demolished.
Text-books for schools were almost unknown jirior
to 1800. Bailey's and Johnson's dictionaries, one or
two geographies, an arithmetic or two, with an acci-
dence, covered about the list of popular aids to knowl-
edge, at least in the country towns, and these books
were of English make. Lindley Murray's grammar,
and Walsh's arithmetic did a good work, and the
models of eloquence in the English Reader were as a
new inspiration to the young, early in the present
century.
In 1789 towns were authorized by law to locate
school districts. In 1840, by subdivisions of the orig-
inal districts, Georgetown had seven, and the same
number, when by the law district lines were abolished.
Could a truthful history of the action of some of
these school-district meetings, from 1830 to 1850, be
made a part of the annals of the town, it would give
a better picture of the times than could be drawn from
any other source. The prudential committee-man
during his term of office, was the most important man
in the district. He employed the teachers, cared for
the house and the property of the district. Withoui
compensation lie served wholly with an eye to the pub-
lic good.
For some years the town of Rowley appointed a
committee to secure teachers, as under the parish law,
but from 1830, or earlier, this was left to the district.
The supervisors, in the person of Father Braman and
perhaps Dr. David Mighill, served without pay,
because of their interest in the future of the town.
Rev. Mr. Pond was paid a small amount in 1843 for
school-committee service, and since with butoneor two
exceptions, the general supervision of the schools has
been a part of the expense of the town. The build-
ing of school-houses, under the old law, giving dis-
tricts control, sometimes rent local communities, as
with an earthquake. This was the eflect in South
Georgetown in 1843 or 1844. Frequent meetings were
called, and sharp personalities were used. One prom-
inent citizen denounced all who favored the new
house as " foreigners," because it happened that those
who had just moved into the district were especially
prominent in advocating a new house. The present
house in District 2 (wiiich it would be well to call the
Chaplin District), was built, however, in the summer
of 1844, and modelled after the school-house on Tops-
field common. Mr. Montgomery, of Londonderry,
N. H., was the first teacher. The house in District 5
(which should be called Plumer), was built in 1851,
and, if we are correct, was not until after considerable
of a contest. The school-house in the central district
was situated nearly opposite the Clark house, on Main
Street, and began to be inconvenient and at a dis-
tance from the centre of population. After much de-
lay and many district meetings, some declared illegal,
a vote was secured in 1854 for a brick building. Tris-
tram Brown was a committee. When half built the
contractor failed, and the work placed in new hands
for completion. The present house, in District 6, (which
might properly be called Tenney) was enlarged and
improved in 1861, making it almost a new building,
and the same work was done, to some extent, in Dis-
trict 1 in 1865. The old house in this district was
near the house of Moses Merrill. For this district the
name of Chandler is appropriate.
The town High-school, after much opposition and
persi^tent obstruction, was established at the close of
the year 1856, in the Town-house (then recently
erected), with Wm. Reed as teacher. He is still living,
and if we mistake not is the father of Senator Reed,
of Taunton, who was a lad at the time, and attended
this first term. One or more of the scholars were
twenty-two years of .age. Dr. D. M. Crafts succeeded
Mr. Reed the following year. In 1858 Edwin Parker,
of Charlestown, a graduate of Bowdoin, was engaged,
and held the position until 1860, when A. .1. Dutton
was employed, who taught the school until 1862, when
the services of S. C. Cotton, of Sandown, N. H., were
secured as a teacher. Mr. Cotton taught until 1866,
when Edward S. Fickctt was engaged, and, as princi-
pal, still holds the position. In the year 1868,
assistants were employed, Jlrs. M. R. Holmes, M. E.
Choate and Sarah R. Barnes, serving in that position
and the last named part of the following year. Miss
Choate was also assistant for 1870 and 1871.
In 1872therewasachangeof assistants each term. In
824
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1873 Miss Lizzie N.Bateman, of this town, was engaged
and continued as assistant until 1886, wlien ill health
compelled her retirement, and Miss Alfreda Noyes
was appointed.
Some years ago an association of graduates and
past and present pupils of the High-school was or-
ganized, the annual reunion occurring on the evening
of graduation day.
Perhaps the teaching of Miss Sarah E. Horner, in
her long term of service, has been more productive of
good th.an that of any other teacher in town. Her in-
fluence has been felt in every district and about every
school-room has been witness to her industry and
tact.
One of the teachers of the private schools, J. C.
Phillips, of Lawrence, who about 1847 kept a good
school in Tenney's Hall, a room on the second floor
of what is now the residence of H. N. Harriman,
Central Street, was very successful in impressing some
love for study on the dullest of his pupils. The hall
on the third flobr was for years the exhibition room
for panoramas and the like. Mr. Thompson, after-
wards a physician, also taught a school of a high
grade about 1850. Besides, there were two teachers of
■select schools in the vestry, on the second floor of
what is now W. B. Hammond's house, on Elm Street.
Miss M. A. Nelson, of Worcester, a direct descendant
from the Rowley family of this name, taught there
several years, perhaps from 1840 to 1846.
The advantages of a town Libi'ary were advocated
by Dr. Jeremiah Spoftbrd, then a teacher in the town,
in 1806, and a small collection of theological and other
books was made, known as the New Rowley Social
Library. There were thirty or more shareholders.
In 1860 an Agricultural Library was purchased by
seventy-flveof the citizens of the town, and including
with it what remained of the former collection, there
had accumulated volumes to the number of about
eleven hundred, owned by one hundred and seventeen
shareholders, at the time George Peabody, of London,
in 1868, made his gift of the Library and building,
now known by his name, to the town of Georgetown.
The former Library was then by vote given to the
town, to be added to the Peabody gift, and the two
combined at the opening of the Peabody Library, were
about three thousand five hundred volumes. At
present there are about sixty-four hundred volumes,
excluding duplicates.
The Trustees, by condition of the gift, are the
pastors of the churches ex-officio, and six others,
elected at the annual towu meeting in March. This
Town or Peabody Library was first opened July 3,
1869, and fifty-five books delivered, with O. B. Tenney,
Librarian, who was in office until his resignation, in
December of that year. Richard Tenney was Libra-
rian until 1880, when the writer was elected, holding
the position until the spring of 1887, when Mrs. S. A.
Holt assumed the duties. During the incumbency of
the writer, J. Henry Scales was assistant. For the
eighteen years since the opening, the combined de-
livery aggregates two hundred and fifty thousand
volumes. The corner-stone of the Library building
was laid September 9, 1866, by Cbas. Northend, of
Connecticut. The hall was added in 1872, and an
extension to the hall some years afterward.
The First Congregational Church have a small
Library, which was a bequest from Rev. Mr. Chandler.
Some of the ancient works are in Latin, and the
collection is unquestionably of great value.
About 18.30 there was awakened an ardent longing
for knowledge and solid reading in many country
villages in New England, and to meet this demand in
part the Lyceum was founded. Lecture courses were
frequent and well patronized. A periodical, called
The Lyceum, was published in Boston or Salem, illus-
trative of the Natural Sciences, as shown in practical
every-day life, and many of the lectures given were in
that field of thought. A familiar talk on the Electric
Telegraph, by Pi'ofessor Morse (then but comparatively
little known), in 1843 or 1844, given in Savory's (of
late known as Grand Army Hall), was well attended.
This oral instruction, so popular at that day, in the
elements of Astronomy and Geology (by Dr. Boynton),
Chemistry and the like by others, was supjilemented
by the School District Libraries, which were edited by
Alexander Everett, a cousin of Edward Everett. The
State of Massachusetts, because of its importance, as
urged by Horace Mann, aided in the work by bring-
ing the cost of these standard volumes, which made
the bulk of the Libraries, to an extremely low figure.
One of the school district officers, annually elected,
was the Librarian, and the library was often changed
from one house to another.
Most of the districts in Georgetown had these libra-
ries. It was " knowledge under difBculties," but
knowledge highly prized. The school district at that
time was a little democracy in itself. It was a period
of intellectual awakening, and the mental faculties
were aroused to grasp at every new feature in mental
or physical phenomena. Mesmerism excited more
than a nine days' wonder, and Phrenology, as pre-
sented by Prof Fowler, was an accejJted truth to
many, and his charts Gospel verities.
In 1841, O. S. Fowler was at the house of Benjamin
Adams, in South Georgetown, receiving the curious
and believers. A general examination of heads, by
those who were his disciples and who studied his
numerous works, was made, and character and the
true path of life mapped out.
These are some of the mental features of the period.
They seem contracted to us, who, with the daily pa-
per, have the world at our doors. Mr. John Knapp,
now almost a nonogenarian, began the delivery of
Boston daily papers in this town about thirty years
ago. In his rounds from house to house, the sales
from his basket at first were perhaps hardly a score
of copies. To-day the sales must average four hun-
dred copies daily.
GEORGETOWN.
825
Before ISoO, a Boston daily paper was a rare sight
to many. A copy of the Boston Atlas or Times was
occasionally seen. After the erection of Library
Hall, the town was annually favored for several years
with a course of lectures and concerts of a high
standard of merit. Among the lecturers were Chapin
and Philliiis, whose "Lost Arts" was delivered in the
afternoon, also Charles Kingsley, whose only public
appearance, with one exception, while in this coun-
try, was in this hall. In a letter, included in the
volume containing his " Life and Works," is a refer-
ence to (Jeorgetown, its inn (Pentucket house), and a
pleasant anecdote of George E. Poor, the son of the
landlord. Chas. Bradlaugh, Wm. Parsons and other.-*
of note, also lectured in this hall, and concerts by the
leading musical talent of Boston were frequently en-
joyed.
These varied courses were at an annual cost of five
hundred dollars. While the town has no gifts as
formerly for entertainments of thi.s class, there is in-
cluded in the gift of Mr. Peabody and his sLster, Mrs.
Daniels, a fund for the purchase of books, another for
e.Kpenses of library, and a building fund of about ten
thousand dollars, which by the provisions of the gift,
can be used at the discretion of the town, in the erec-
tion of a new library building, in any location and at
any time, after 1889. Georgetown also has in the inter-
est of education, a prospective free school, of a stand-
ard above the average high school in country towns,
the funds for which, from about thirty-one thousand
dollars, at the first report of the trustees in 18(;.5, has
now reached nearly ninety thousand dollars. The
original sum was the bequest of John Perley and the
school when established will be known as the "Perley
Free School. Of the original trustees, but one, Geo.
W. Chaplin, is now living. The location of thisschool
is not as yet decided upon. To conclude this chapter
we record one thing that is noticeable, in the history
of the schools of thirty years ago, and that was
the frequent change of teachers. Formerly, many
were young men from New Hampshire, seeking the
means to get a collegiate course. Now permanency
in the position, is the rule in this town, rather than
Ibe exception. Then the amount of schooling varied,
ranging from twenty to thirty weeks in the difierenl
districts, now a gradation of classes, and a school year,
gives a beautiful system, but whether all the mechan-
ism of to-day, is of especial advantage to the young,
is to some minds questionable.
CHAPTER LV.
GEORGETOWN— ( Conlinued).
PARISH AND KELIQIOUS MOVEMENTS CONTINUED
TO ABOUT 1830.
In March, 1769, it was decided that the new meet-
ing-house should be set on the southerly side of the
52
road, and on Mr. Nelson's land ; that the front should
be to the south, leaving sufficient room on the north
for a roadway ; a porch eleven feet square was voted
for the east end, with one door and window ; and
this, says the record, " to be all finished in good work-
manship, with good stairs up the Galliery, and well
painted, all to be Done in workmanship, answering
with the new house." This and more is recorded by
Jeremiah Searl, with some pride in his new oflSce,
and enthusiam over the prospects of a new meeting-
house.
In .June, at a meeting of the parish, a committee
was chosen to make ready for the raising and provide
for the workmen. The stores were to be kept in the
school-house, and John Tenncy, William Chandler
and Jeremiah Hazen were to look after them. A
committee was necessary to watch some of the stores
and .see that they were handled i)roperly. The wise
fathers of the parish knew from e.Kperience, the dan-
ger of carele-ss handling, of that part of the stores
which doubtless flowed freely. To conclude the
meeting with a climax, all votes for repairing the old
house were reconsidered. There was some positive
opposition, and ten names were recorded, princi[)ally
from mend.iers living at the north part of the [larish
as dissenting.
Rev. Mr. Braman in his "Centennial Discourse,"
December 6, 1832, refers to three of those who are
named on the record, a-s declaring that they would
never cross the thre.shold of the new house. Tradi-
tion says that they never did, and that before the
house was finished, the following year, death had
come to each of them. Whether an "ower true tale"
we know not; such tales of divine judgment seem
frequent at that period. This prospective change
from the red barn-like building was so exhilarating
that we find the record of the raising given in this
precise manner: "Upon the fifth day of July, Anno
Domini, One Thousand Seven-hundred Sixty & nine,
the Parish Raised their New Meeting- House Fraime
& Compleatly raised it in one Day." The expense
for refreshment was upwards of twenty pounds, but
what the families provided was only told around many
a fireside afterwards. The rigging for raising the
building was brought from Newburyport by Abraham
Foster, and spars were provided by Capt. Jloses Dole.
Eightpence was allowed John Tenney for two lost
mugs.
In October the room was divided, and a committee
appointed to " Dignify it, and to sell not below the
Dignity, which dignity shall amount to twenty-five
pounds old tenor." Family pride and distinction
had its votaries here at that time, but better than a
flaunting vulgar pride in dollars merely, it had, at
least, a certain foundation. Square pews in the gal-
lery and on the floor, twenty-five pews at the right,
and twenty-three at the left of the pulpit. On the
east end six, and on the west end seven i)ew3. In the
old house there were but two or three pews, and these
826
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
few, besides plain seats on the men's side and tlie
women's side of tlie house. The pews in the new
house were to be family, and were sold January, 1770,
from a plan shown at Mr. Solomon Nelson's house.
Two diagrams of these family pews, neatly drawn, are
in the ancient book of parish records. They are
valuable, as giving us an accurate knowledge of the
residents of the parish, in 1770. An eight-square
tower and spire was voted, and later a " Wether Cock
on ye tops of ye Spindle of ye Spire."
This, the crowning glory, was at one hundred and
two feet from the ground, and had an attraction all
its own, to successive generations. As it became
tarnished, battling with the warring elements, twice,
at least, it was regilded. This emblem of courage
cost Deacon Thurston four pounds sixteen shillings.
Mr. Whitefield made a final visit to this parish, but a
short time before his death, and while here preached
what the people were pleased to call the dedica-
tion sermon. Had it been considered such at the
time, with the fame of the speaker, some record,
either by the church or parish, would have been made
of it, but as there is none, it appears as if it was a lit-
tle questionable, even then, to recognize Whitefield
as exactly regular. The te.xt selected was 1 Kings
8: 11. "The glory of the Lord hath filled the house
of the Lord." The meeting-house was unfinished,
with unplastered walls, unbuilt galleries and without
pews or pulpit. The hearers, however, were many,
seated on the timbers, blocks and rough boards scat-
tered through the edifice. It is said the service was
in the morning, and probably, either on September
12th or 13th, as he was in Rowley both of those days.
A journey of miles seems to have been at any time, but
a holiday jaunt for him.
During one of Whitefield's visits to Newburyport,
he attended a meeting in west parish, accompanied
by a daughter of Deacon Noyes, and dined with
"Aunt Jenny Hazen," who lived on East Street,
nearly opposite John Hazen's. The cellar of her
house is still visible. Her fame as a theologian was
widespread. Mr. Whitefield had heard of her, and at
this time he came to hear from her. After a pleasant
interview with her and the neighbors, he departed,
leaving in the memories of those who were present
this incident of dining with Whitefield as the most
noted event of their lives. During the fatal epi-
demic among children in 1736, Aunt Jenny lost by
death thirteen nephews .and nieces in the Hazen
neighborhood. About 1770 she removed to New
Hampshire, where she died.
Returning to parish action in 1770, a right to erect
horse-stables was granted. None were built at that
time, and when built were for those coming to meet-
ing on horse-back, but not large enough for vehicles.
There were no pleasure-carriages in town in 1771, or
even ten years later. Originally, there were two
stone horse-blocks, one near the wall on the north of
the meeting-house, which was removed at the widen-
ing of the road ; the other, similar to it, near the east
door, for lady riders coming on side-saddles or pillions.
In 1780 the singing question came up, and Jona-
than Chaplin was chosen to assist Colonel Daniel
Spafibrd in "Raising the Tune," and, in addition.
Lieutenant Moody Spatlurd, Phinehas Dodge, John
Tenney and John Palmer were appointed to invite
persons to fill up the singer's seats whom they think
best qualified.
The wise system of payment in goods as legal tender
not having become obsolete, Mr. Chandler at that
time was to have three bushels of Indian corn for
taking care of the meeting-house that year. Although
the minister was highly resj)ected, a young man as
assistant for Mr. Chandler, who was now quite in-
firm, began to be suggested. Mr. William Bradford
was oft'ered as salary ninety pounds yearly, the money
to be as good as any year from 1770 to 1775. Continen-
tal currency was circulating ; it had been issued for a
noble purpose, but the government not being strong
enough to compel obedience to its fiat, distrust was
engendered, and depreciation followed. Mr. Brad-
ford was called elsewhere. The next year the parl.sh
agreed to carry on Mr. Chandler's "Husbandry in
good Husbandry manner." During the increasing
infirmity of the pastor there was some dissatisfaction,
and frequent attempts made to have an assistant, but
nothing was done. The singing became more popu-
lar, and in 178.5 women singers were invited to sit in
the gallery, and the singing to be performed once
on the Lord's day, without the deacons reading the
line for one year. It seemed to the deacons as if the
world was out of joint. Could they have seen, as was
seen about sixty years later, the pupils of Allison
Palmer, under the grand leadershij) of Lowell Mason,
in those same galleries, they would have said that the
invitation to the women singers had been perma-
nently accepted. A history of the musical conven-
tions which have been held in this grand old house,
and the musical talent, both vocal and instrumental,
that seems to be a special gift to the citizens of this
town, and never more so than at present, or more care-
fully cultivated, would, if written in detail, make ma-
terial for a volume.
Sunday morning, April 19, 1789, Rev. James
Chandler died in his eighty-third year. He was a
native of Andover and a graduate of Harvard, 1728.
His wife was Mary, daughter of Rev. Mr. Hale, of
Byfield, vv-ho survived him. The parish was at the
expense of his funeral. The memorial over his grave
in Union Cemetery was erected in 1791. The parish
ordered a "Decent Monument." Mr. Chandler left
his estate to the parish, on condition that his widow
and colored servant, Sabiua, should be the wards of
the parish until the decease of each. Perhaps there
were other conditions, but these were the most im-
portant. John Tenney, who lived opposite Union
Cemetery, was executor of the will. Some difficulty
arose between him and the parish, and the conditions
GEORGETOWN.
827
not being satisfactory, a vote was passed to relinquish
the gift. Mr. Solomon Nelson accepted the condi-
tions, and the Chamllcr farm, now in part owned by
his grandson, Huui]ihrey Xelson, came into his pos-
session. While "Madam Chandler" lived the parish
abated all taxes.
Mr. Tenney had oversight of the property, and was
frequently brought in conflict with the parish. At a
later date he removed to Northwood, N. H. From
Mr. Chandler's death until 1797, when Mr. Isaac
Braman, of Norton, Mass., was called as pastor,
sixty-four candidates and pulpit supplies made their
gifts known to the pari-sh. Samuel Tomb, afterwards
of West Newbury, was one of them and popular.
Mr. Braman was " voted eighty pounds and ten cords
of good merchantable wood, to be delivered at his
door, as his yearly salary, and adde<l ten pounds
yearly ; when corn shall be more than four shillings
per Bushel, with two hundred pounds; one-half to be
paid in one year; the other half to be paid within
two years. Provided he should not remain twenty
years, then a part to be refunded ; or, if he prefers.
one hundred and fifty pounds without conditions;
then one-half in one year; the other in two years."
Mr. Braman accepted the last amount. Committees
were appointed to provide for the council, to shore
the meeting-house, to see good order kept, and to
kee|) the parsonage and elders' pews, deacons' and
other seats clear for the council and singers. The or-
dination took place June 7, 17117. It is said to have
l)een a great event ; the parish kept open house, and
many booths and refreshment wagons supplied the
multitude with food. Mr. Palmer, of Needham,
preached from Luke xiv. 23. Dr. Dana, of Ipswich,
gave the charge; other parts wereby Messrs. Cleve-
land, of Chebaco (now Essex); Clark, of Boston;
Bradford, ot Rowley ; and Pbineas Adams, of West
Haverhill. The parish were not perfectly united in
Jlr. Braman. Eighteen members signed a remonstrance
on the ground of suspected Arminianism as under-
stood in the theological terms of that day. One
would have seemed wild to have suspected it at a later
period. Rev. Mr. Branian's first service in this town
was November 13, 1796 ; the text at the morning ser-
vice was from 2 Cor. xiii. 5, and in the afternoon from
Lam. iii. 27. Soon after his settlement, the question
was agitated, whether the parish ha<l a title to the lot
on wliicli the meeting-house stood, which le<l to some-
thing of a controversy and litigation at much expense.
No deed could be found, and what the result was is
not known. There were extensive made repairs on
the house in 1816. There is an itemized statement of
the cost in the hand-writing of Samuel Adams, in the
second book of parish records. There was a bell pur-
chased at that time which was hung in the tower. It
was cast at Paul Revere's foundry. Its weight was
eight hundred pounds, and its cost about four hundred
and fifty dollars. The names of the donors of the bell
are on record in the second book of the parish and
were seventy-five in number. Capt. Benjamin Adams,
father of the parish clerk, headed the list, and Cuflee
Dole, with his single dollar, ended it. It is remem-
bered as worthy of note that two men lifted the bell ;
not a remarkable feat. This same bell now swings in
the tower of the new church on Clark Street.
In 1817 there was an attempt to introduce instru-
mental music into the choir. A bass-viol, bassoon
and clarionet were suggested. That year it was neg-
atived ; the next year, however, the parish voted that
either of the Crombie brothers — Aaron, Benjamin or
Nathaniel — were to have five dollars for one year's
performance on either of the above-named instru-
ments. In 1819 the parish bought a has.s-viol.
At about this time some method of warming the
meeting-house was debated, and in 1822 a stove, then
just coming into use, was set up, and in 1828 another,
on an improved pattern (a gift fnmi Paul Spoftbrd, of
New York), was placed in its stead. In 1832 a com-
plete change of the interior was made. The square
pews, so familiar for more than sixty years, were all
removed, and narrow slips of the modern style built
in their room. The pulpit was also removed from the
side to the easterly end of the building, and the door
where formerly the ladies of the parish had been as-
sisted to dismount from their pillions was boarded up.
Leaving at this point the (Congregational Parish in
what was then generally called New Rowley in their
remodeled house for worship, to commemorate which
and the first century of their existence Rev. Mr. Bra-
man, on December 6, 1832, delivered his historical
discourse, we return to Byfield, and briefly trace the
leading events in the history of that parish, which
was apparently of Newbury origin, and yet around
which the dearest interests of very many Rowley
families have always centred. The pastorate of Mr.
Hale was doubtless successful. Rev. Moses Par.sons,
of Gloucester, the second minister was a graduate
of Harvard in 1736, and was ordained in Byfield June
20, 1744. His eminent sons — Eben, the merchant, and
Theophilus, chief justice of the Supreme Court of the
State — have made Byfield widely known.
In 1746 the second meetingdiouse, fifty-six by forty-
five feet, with .steeple and spire, was built. The bell
was the gift of Ebenezer Parsons. Its weight was
eight hundred and eighty-five pounds. This church
and parish were much agitated by the religious ex-
citement that resulted from Whitefiebl's preaching.
A complaint of Benjamin Plumer against Mr. Par-
sons was that he had never given " Thanks for such
an unspeakable favor to the World as Mr. Whitefield."
In October, 1768, "the difiicult, perplexed State of
our public affairs" called I'or a church fast. Another
fa.st day w.as calle<l for in Nov., 1773, "on account of
the severe sickness." This sickness was said to have
been a malignant fever, perhaps of a typhoid type.
Throat distemper was very fatal here in 1735 and '36.
From October of one year to the same month in the
following year one hundred and tour died — said to
828
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
have been one-seveuth of the population. Nearly
one-half of the number are thought to have been from
the Rowley families in the parish. Again there was
a day of fasting in June, 1774, "That God would in-
terpose for our help, and save this Province and land
in this day of perplexity and distress."
Late in Mr. Parsons' life charges were made against
him by Deacon Coleman, with Garrisonian vehe-
mence, that he had attempted to sell hi.s colored ser-
vant Violet. Coffin, in his " History of Newbury,"
gives a minute account of this controversy. The
third pastor was Rev. Elijah Parish, of Lebanon,
Conn., a graduate of Dartmouth in nS."} (Hanover,
N. H., then was but little changed from a wilderness)
aud ordained December 20, 1787. He was remark-
able for untiring industry and mental endowments of
no ordinary kind. Jointly with Dr. Morse, he pub-
lished "The Gazetteer of the Eastern Continent" and
the " History of New England." " Modern Geogra-
phy " and the " Bible Gazetteer" are his own works.
They were all useful books, and were highly appreci-
ated. At many an American fireside these books were
read with deep interest, conveying that information
about their own country and the great world without
which was never forgotten. After the death of Dr.
Parish, which occurred Oct. 25, 1825, a volume of his
sermons was published, — a remarkable collection, to
have been delivered to a small country congregation.
His people strongly objected to his being absent from
his own pulpit, and he but rarely exchanged with
other ministers. It has been intimated that, to some
extent, he was thought to have sympathize<l with the
Unitarian wing of the Congregational body, but his
published discourses show that any such ideas were
purely imaginary, and born of the agitation of the
times.
During the early part of the century, when political
spirit ran high. Dr. Parish took an uncompromising
stand for the Federalist doctrine, and, in consequence
had some bitter enemies, especially in the Rowley
part of the parish. These feuds all died out, how-
ever, and this truly noble man left the world lamented
by all who knew him. In the religious history of the
town we have now to consider the entering wedge of
separation from the only legally-recognized, ecclesias-
tical body of the eighteenth century in New England,
viz., the Congregational Church. The thought of
any divergence was probably never conceived among
the illiterate members of Mr. Chandler's congregation
until the awakening caused by the preaching of Mr.
Whitefield. Many impulsive men were soon stirred
to enthusiasm by his work, and the Middle and East-
ern States were alive with itinerants.
The first record of any such irregular work in what
is now Georgetown, was, as has been previously
stated, early in 1754, when Timothy Symmes was
accused of sharp and (as some of the brethren called
it) impious criticisms on the preaching of Mr. Chand-
ler at an evening meeting conducted by Mr. Symmes at
Ensign John Plumer's on February 10th. These
meetings, held perhaps on Sunday evenings, had evi-
dently been going on for some time, and had been
opposed by Mr. Chandler, who in his sermon, Febru-
ary 10th, becoming alarmed at the strength or spirit
of the movement, openly condemned it. In 1755 so
many had withdrawn that the absentees are referred
to as in a way of separation (or in a partial state of
organization). The families of Brocklebank, Plumerj
Adams and Boynton seem to have been the most
prominent.
Their meetings were held in the school-house, which
stood near the house of Mr. Wood, now James Gor-
don's. This movement, originally, perhaps, only the
result of a dislike to Mr. Chandler for lack of zeal,
finally became so positive that those interested de-
clared themselves Separatists, and in 1757 were so
named by the parent Church, and the result was they
then withdrew from the Church and congregation
permanently. After the new meeting-house was
built, the old house was sold to the Separatists, taken
down and rebuilt at Hale's Corner, in what is now
Groveland. At this time, however, probably through
the influence of Rev. Mr. Smith and the Baptist
Church in Haverhill, organized in 1765, they began
to be called Anabaptists.
January 13, 1709, the parish voted, "to abate the
People called Anuabaptists their Parish rates the year
|)ast, those of them that had tendered their Sertificats
To the Assessors of said Parish, thereby signifying
the Baptist method to be their Purswaision." In the
meeting-house thus rebuilt they held meetings for
several years, Mr. Eliphaz Ch.apman, afterwards of
Maine, preaching for them more than any other min-
ister. Rowley, Bradford and Newbury were repre-
sented in the congregation. The critics of Rev. Mr.
Parsons, of Byfield, were perhaps among them. Mr.
Smith, of Haverhill, doul)tless had preached here
before 1709, and in so satisfactory a manner that even
at that early day the Separatists began popularly to
be known as Anabaptists. Samuel Harriman, after-
wards elder in New Rowley, is thought to have been the
first Separatist to unite with the Baptists, he being a
constituent member of the Haverhill Church. On
May 4, 1781, eight males, three of whom were resi-
dents of Boxford, who had been baptized, but were
not as yet members of any church, petitioned the
Baptist Churcli in Haverhill to become a branch of
that church. Some Baptist churches like Newton,
N. H., and this of Haverhill, had several branch
churches soon after this time. The old meeting-house
having come into their possession, was again taken
down, and this time was rebuilt within the old parish
limits, to the chagrin, it has been said, of some who
twelve years before had been highly gratified to see it
removed, and those who worshipped in it, across the
parish borders. It was set directly in front of the
saw-mill then or soon after owned by John Wood.
On August 19, 1785, this branch was established as a
GEORGETOWN.
829
distinct church, with twenty-eight members. Rev.
Mr. Smith, of Haverhill, preached on the occasion
In Jlay of that year Elder William Ewing, of Shutes-
bury, became the first minister of this church, and was
dismissed to Jledfield in March, 1789. Dr. Jeremiah
Chaplin became a member at the age of ten years,
during Mr. Ewing's ministry. Rev. Charles Wheeler,
a few years later, when a mere boy, also became a mem-
ber. He was afterwards President of Washington Col-
lege in Virginia. Both of these were from what is now
South Georgetown. In July, 17S9, Abishai Crossman,
of Chelmsford, was called to the pastorate, and was
dismissed in 17113. The membership of the church at
this time included Salem, Beverly, Wenham and
Danvers. In 1793 forty living in these four towns
were dismissed to form the church in Danversport.
In June, 1797, Shubael Lovell, of Barnstable, was
settled as the minister. At this time the Congrega-
tional Treasurer required to be shown a receipt from
the Baptists that their parish tax had been paid to
their own minister, and that all who had signed the
Baptist books, so doing, should then have their tax
abated. For several years after Mr. Lovell came,
rather inharmonious relations between the old parish
and the Baptists existed, finally followed by a civil
suit entered against the Congregational parish by Mr.
Lovell. The law in 1798 required that any public
teachers of piety, religion and morality shoulil be en-
titled to legal support, and the Baptists, under this
law, claimed what was due them. In 1S02 the diffi-
culties seem to have come to a settlement. Mr.
Lovell's pastorate continued until 1810. He was a
man highly esteemed. Josiah Converse, of Portland,
came in 1810 and remained until 1818. Mr. Con-
verse was deeply interested in improved agriculture,
and is saiil to have introduced the first merino orfine-
wooled sheep into town. June 21, 1811, the Eirst
Baptist Society in Rowley (now Georgetown) was in-
corporated, with forty-eight members. Among them
were the Pearsons, Larkins, Dumniers and Eloyds, of
Newbury ; Harrimans, Hales and Hardys, of Brad-
ford (now Groveland) ; Perley and Emerson, of Box-
ford; Smiths, of West Newbury; and Poors, Thnr-
lows, Tenneya, Chaplins, Nelsons, Jacobs and Morse,
of Rowley. The amended law gave any property-
holders the right of choice as to the religious organi-
zation they would support. Some, perhaps partly
from a mercenary motive, chose the Baptist Society at
that time, because the expense or tax would be less ;
others because they were believers in the doctrines of
Thomas Jefferson, as the friend of religious liberty ;
and all, because more or less opposed to the spirit
which had wholly in theory, if not in practice, ruleil
in Massachusetts from the first settlement, of com-
pulsion in matters of conscience. First meeting of
the society held on February 13, 1812. Solomon Nel-
son, afterwards deacon, joined the society in 1812, the
church in 1816, and soon after was conceded by all to
be the chief adviser and wise couuselor of the Bap-
tists. His house on Nelson Street was the journeying
ministers' home. One of the last nights that George
Dana Boardman, the Karen apostle, spent in this
country was under his roof First annual meeting
was held April 7, 1812, with Captain Moses Tenney
moderator and Timothy Morse, Jr., clerk. From this
date to 1823 committees were appointed annually to
fill out certificates of membership, signed by the min-
ister and clerk, as the legal method of exemption from
paying parish tax to the Cimgregational collector.
After 1823 the law was changed or became obsolete.
January 7, 1823, sixty acres of the old "Shepard
farm," then owned by Samuel and Benjamin Plumer,
was deeded to this society, for the support of a Cal-
vinistic Baptist Gospel ministry, and the society was
to come into possession at the decease of the grantors.
Not long after it came under the control of the society.
It had been occupied and improved as the parsonage
farm from the time of Mr. Lovell, and perhaps from
a much earlier date. The fifth minister was Simeon
C!haud:ierlain, of Westmoreland, N. H., who continued
from July, 1819 to September, 1825, followed by Ezra
Wilmarth, of Wilmot, N. H., who came in 1826, re-
maining until June, 1834. The old meeting-house
which had been twice removed and entirely rebuilt,
was in January, 1829, by forty yeas to eight nays voted
to be too far gone for repairs. Orin Weston bought
this relic of the past at auction in 1830 for eighty-nine
dollars. It had seen a century of existence, and was
from all accounts but a shell. The birds had nested
in its interior above, and mice had played on the floor
below ; and it has been said that one of Mr. John
Woods' hens once "stole her nest " under the pulpit,
and would come out cackling in service time.
The sounding-board which had echoed the reson-
ant voice of Whitefield, that wonderful voice, which
could be heard a mile, might until recently, be seen
near the roadside at the house of Mr. Weston's family
on Main Street.
In 1829 a new meeting-house, forty-five by thirty-
five feet, was built near the old house on the parson-
age grounds, at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars.
As early as about 1800, and perhaps earlier, another
class of irregular meetings in the line of the Separa-
tists of a half-century before began to Ije held to the
annoyance of the Congregation alist [leople and as these
meetings lessened the Baptist audiences, when services
were held on Sunday, perhaps partly to their annoy-
ance also. These school-house preachers, as Mr. Bra-
man called them, were fluent, possibly vituperative,
not bound by formal rules or customs, and were at-
tractive to those eager for novelty. A Mr. Foster
wa.s one of the first, although Elias Smith was doubt-
less the first to speak here, and meetings were held at
the Pillsbury-house, near Edwin Brown's, on Pills-
bury Street, then the home of Jonathan Harriman
and family. Many traveling preachers, of both sexes
followed, all glorying in the name of " free-will " as
typical of their faith.
830
HISTOKY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Nancy Toles, not claiming niiioh gift of argument,
but abundant veliemence and zeal ; Clarissa Dan-
forth, keen and energetic; Harriet Livermore, a rare
genius, later a pilgrim to the Holy Land, and other
women were active in proclaiming the truth. Scores
of converts were baptized in Pentueket pond. Mr.
Moses Howe, of Haverliill, a Methodist in belief, but
independent of church regulations, often preached, as
did all the others' in the Centre school-house ; a man
of superior natural gifts, enriched by thought and
reading. He lived to a great age. " Christian "
itinerants, creedless, and with but that one name, but
Baptists in practice, were frequently here in the inter-
ests of their sect ; among them. Rev. Kenjamin^Knight,
afterwards a Baptist, who died as the (Salem city mis-
sionary. Unitarians, as Rev. Mr. Loring, of North
Andover, (the father of Hon. G. B. Loring) and Dr.
Flint, of Salem, both of whom as anotlier class of
Separatists, proclaimed the cardinal principles of their
faith in that same school-house.
Mr. Nathaniel Nelson, who built in 1797, the at-
tractive old mansion on Elm Street, now owned liy
his son, William Nelson, was perhaps more continu-
ously active in sustaining these varied religious move-
ments, than any other of the residents of New Row-
ley. From some cause, they all found a congenial field
here, especially the sects which made immersion tlie
baptismal rite. At a later day a meeting-house was
in contemplation for the Christians or Freewill be-
lievers, and some material purchased, of which the
windows can still be seen in the shoe-shop of Joshua
How, on Elm Street. The LTniversalist doctrine was
perhaps first announced in town in the school-house
at South Georgetown, by a Mr. Flagg, and Mr. Farns-
worth at the Centre school-house, succeeded about
1818. It early took a tenacious' hold, presented as it
was by the leading spirits of the denomination, such
as Hosea Ballou, Whittemore, Otis Skinner and
others, who often spoke at the same school-house.
Gradually the movement developed, until on March
13th, 1829, at a meeting held at the house of Moses
Nelson, now Chas. E. Chaplin's on Nelson Street, ten
males signed a call for a meeting, to form a religious
society to be called the First Univer.salist Society in
Rowley. On March 2C>, 18211, they met at the Centre
School-house, with Captain John Killani, moderator,
and Sylvanus Nelson, clerk. Had preaching five times
that year, and six the year following.
In 1830, fifty-two males became members of the
Society by signing the Constitution. The Lows,
Nelsons, Harrinians, Spoftbrds and Killanis were ac-
tive and especially Colonel John Kimball, the wealthy
tanner and farmer, who then owned the Captain
Benjamin Adams' place on the Salem road, and who
was afterwards regarded, at home and abroad, as the
Universalist leader.
In 1831, the Society had services nine times, and
probably all held in the school-house, but in Feb-
ruary, 1832, at a meeting at Colonel Savory's hotel,
it was decided to build a meeting-house, forty-five by
thirty-five feet, which was erected that year at a cost
of about twenty-one hundred dollars. The site was
on the knoll, much more elevated than at present,
where the Town-house now is, and was a part of the
old Brocklebank farm. Two stoves were given to the
Society, one a gift from John Kimball, the other from
David Pingree, Esq., of Salem.
CHAPTER LVI.
GEORGETOWN- (Co»«iimecZ).
GENERAL TOWN HI.STORY TO DATE OF INCOR-
PORATION.
From 1730 to 1770, there are a few surnames to be
added to those which are already given as residents
in the west parish of Rowley. One was that of
Daniel Woodbunj, who had doubtless removed here
from Beverly, just after the first-named date. Mr.
Woodbury, was one of the constituent members of
the church in October, 1732, but was not a parish
])etitioner in 1730. In November, 1732, Richard
Woodbury was received to church membership from
the second church in Beverly. In November, 1734,
Daniel Woodbury was dismissed to the church in
Townsend. This family while here probably lived in
Marlboro'. Early in 1731, Elizabeth, the wife ot
Richard, was admitted to the church. They must
have left this locality .soon after this date.
The names of Moses Cooper and Phebe his wife, ap-
pear on the record in 1735. Several of this surname
are buried in Union Cemetery. As the ancestor of this
family in Rowlej' bore the name of Peter, it has
been thought that the celebrated Peter Cooper of New
York might be a descendant, and attempts have been
made to trace the connection, but letters of inquiry
were unanswered.
ThePingreesof thisdate(as did " widow Anne," who
was the mother of Job Pingry, a petitioner), lived in
the limits of what is now Rowley, on the Blooming-
dale road, which was a travelled way as early as 1720.
In 1736, the names of Robert Grog and his wife
Hannah, were recorded. They lived near Spofford
Street, in the vicinity of Lieut. Abel Spoflbrd's house.
In 1737, Samuel Iluzeu, supposed to have settled on
the John F. Kimball place on East Street, removed
to Groton, Mass. This was afterwards the home of
Jeremiah and Moses Hazen. Here on Pen Brook a
saw-mill wa-s built about 1750, and was in use as late
as 1800. This was the homestead of one of the num-
erous Hazen families perhaps, until its purchase by
Captain William Perley about 1700. About one mile
southerly, on land then partially cleared but now
forest, was the home of another family of this name,
and fifty years ago the barn was still standing.
GEORGETOWN.
831
It is said that in tlie same locality, in a wood-tract
now owned by heirs of W. B. Harriman, there were
anciently one or two small houses, one of them occu-
pied by a Crorabie family. John and Hebccca Smith
were living in this parish in 17.';!6, .supposed to be on
^Vest Street, not far from Mrs. Edward Poor's. They
removed to Haverhill in 173S. Of this family was
perhaps the John Smith who lived iu a West Street
house, kept an inn or what was so-called, by trade
a cooper, and by virtue of a warning of the town of
Rowley, si.xty years before, w;i.s removed to Newbury
poor-house about ISOU. The house was then demol-
ished.
The Kilbourne family were residents f<ir many
years. The name oi Daniel is found in 1730, Jrdediah
and Samuel in 1735, and David in 1737. Their house
or houses must have beeu on or near Searl Street.
Rirhard Eastij was living here in ]73(i.
Robert Moors troubled the parish in the spring of
1738. After the death of /^amuel Sjiafford he rented
the west-parish half of the farm and cut wood con-
trary to the provisions of the lease, and other delin-
quencies. Prosecution was threatened.
Before 1740 Amos Pilkbury was here. He is su|)-
]Hised to have built the house on the plain near Rlr.
Humphrey Nelson's. He appears in 1740 as parish
clerk and John Pillsbiiry appears iu 1743. These two
carried on blacksmithing. The buildings were re-
moved, some by Mr. Nathaniel Nelson, to what is now
Chestnut Street, and the shop to Bo.xford more than
sixty years ago by Daniel Davis, the father of Mrs.
Francis Marden, who converted it into his dv/elling.
In 1742 John Baykij and Mary, his wife, admitted
to church. The name of Stephen Buyley recorded in
1746. Supposed to have lived on Bailey lane.
In 1747 Mr. Moses Hale was treasurer of parish ami
quite prominent for some years. The constant use of
the title of Mr., indicates a man of importance.
Samuel Johnson's name, in 1730, recorded. This
family lived on Searl Street, on the Benjamin JNIerrill
place. His son Samuel sold, about 1800, to Dudley
Stickney, who again sold to Merrill Johnson, remov-
ing to Winthrop, Me.
The first mention of Crombies is iu 1742, when /iV-
hecca, the wife of Benjamin, and Peter, a negro serv-
ant of Jeremiah Harriman, iu Christian equality,
owned the covenant (the half-way covenant, so-called)
the same day.
On the church records in 1704, the name of David
Tenney is recorded as a " Student of ye College, aged
fifteen years and almost seven months." Jonathan
Searl, also a student, received to church same year.
In 1760, the name of Benjamin WalWigford first
seen. He, and a sou of the same name, lived on Au-
dover Street, where John Pickett's house now is. The
Wallingford house was demolished about 1825 by
Benjamin S., father of John Pickett. The junior
Mr. Wallingford was a lame man, a maker of saddle
bags, etc.
About 1760 Captain Benjamin Adams' house on
Central Street, now owned by S. K. Merrick, was
built. Was the first house in the parish to be painted
white, and was considered rather aristocratic. Capt.
Adams was a large land-holder, both in this town
and Box ford.
Other surnames found are as folhiws: — Mary Blais-
ilell was received from the Bytield church in Decem-
ber, 1732, and Elijah Blaisdell was admitted to church
in 1736. Dr. Fowler and Margaret, his wife, were
doubtless of Ijinebrook, Ipswich. Joseph Dickinson,
Caleb Foster and his wife I'riscilla, James Foster and
his wife Anna, in 1737. Ste|>hen Cro.ss, Thomas Cross
and his wife Mary, in 1742, and Abigail .lackson, in
1743, were of families living within Rowley or Ijiswich
limits of to-day.
In 1746 Eleazer Burbani, who doubtless built the
Burbank house of sixty years ago, which stood where
the Samuel Little shoe factory now is, removed into
this town from East Bradford, now (Jroveland. The
yard in front of the house at a later day extended
into the road and enclosed the corner of the street
where the pump is now seen.
Moses Tyler built his house about 1700 on land given
to Thomas Nelson's children by (iershom Lamljert,
of Connecticut. This house was taken down about 171)2,
and Mrs. Edward Poor's house on West Street liuilt
on the same site.
The house of Lieutenant Abel Spoflbrd was on Spof
ford Street, and built about 1745. Here was born, in
17'.'2, Paul Spoft'ord, a grandson, afterwards of the
firm of SpoH'ord and Tilcston, New York city. Mr.
Sportbrd, now deceased, was for more than half a cen-
tury a leading merchant, and amassed a large fortune.
He supplied the government with vessels for trans-
|>ortation of troops during the Rebellion. He bought
shoes for many years of the manufacturers in this
town. His son, Paul Nelson Spofl()rd, is the owner
of the summit and much of Baldpate Hill. This
house, removed about 1830, is now the original part
of Little's shoe factory. The house on West Street,
now owned by James McLain, the birth-place of Dr.
Jeremiah Sportbrd, was built about the commence-
ment of this jieriod. The Escjuire Moody Spottord
house on the same street, was burned about 1780, and
the house now owned by James (trimes was built
on the same site. The present or the original house,
doubtless the original, has associated with it a veritable
witch story, in the noted meal-chest which, without
hands and apparently possessed with occult jiower,
travelled about the attic of the house, to the horror
of all beholders. The " Esquire "' was away from
home at the time the excitement began, engaged in
meeting-house building, and was hurriedly sent for
by the alarmed family. Nothing unusual occurring,
with some misgivings, perhaps, he started on his jour-
ney to complete his unfinished work, and had only
reached his brother William's house when a messen-
ger came to inform him that this humble but erratic
832
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
chest was again in motion. There wa.s an immediate
necessity then for some check to be placed on such
Satanic action, and, it is said, that it was only by the
prayers of Mr. Chandler that this chest was restored
to its normal condition. The story is often ridiculed,
biit good authority states that the " Esquire," Major
Asa Nelson, the great-grandfather of the writer, and
another townsman, two of whom were" men of unusual
weight, placed themselves upon it, and yet, in utter
disregard of all known laws of natural philosophy,
this chest still continued those gliding, sinuous move-
ments along that attic floor. However, quiet finally
came, and the cause, if possible, was then to be un-
raveled. This, the witnesses and investigators of these
uncanny acts, attributed to a young girl living in the
family by the name of Hazen who, it was said, had
been daring enough to exjieriment with the black
art. To-day, with many, a search for the cause would
be in the direction of abnormal, electric or magnetic
power. It is claimed that this veritable chest is still
in existence, and in the possession of a relative of the
original owner. In Mr. Spofford's shop who, besides
a carpenter, was a noted bridge-builder, Timothy
Palmer, also noted in this same work, aided in construc-
ing the model of the first bridge that spanned the Mer-
rimac, Piscataqua, Kenneliec, Schuylkill and Poto-
mac Rivers. The latest mention by tradition of a
wild bear in this town was in 1791, when one of the
sons of Esquire Spofford is said to have seen one in
the forest, not far from his father's house. Wolves,
down to a century ago, during some winters were
quite numerous. Mrs. Huldah Harriman, who lived
on Nelson Street, had known them, as late as 1770, to
prowl around her father's barn at night. The swamp
easterly of the house was a lair for them, and was
then and still is known iis "Wolf Swamp." There
were several other Spoflbrd dwellings built early in
the "Spoflbrd hill" district; some are still occu-
pied and in good condition. Col. Daniel Spofford's,
now owned by Charles S. Spofl!brd, a great-grandson,
is the most ancient. The venerable-looking cottage
where the first Spofliird families dwelt, near the Colo-
nel Spofford house, was taken down about 1866. It is
said that Dr. Amos Spoflbrd, the first physician to
practice in New Eowley, who was a son of " Colonel
Daniel," occupied this place, and once, as was an oc-
casional occurrence among farmers, exchanged farms
for a time with his brother William, who lived a short
distance at the westward. At one time there were
ten or twelve .houses, occupied by Spoflbrd families,
almost in sight of each other. The house of Dr.
Moses D. Spofford, a son of Dr. Amos, now owned by
J. E. Johnson, was owned a century ago by David
Thurston, who sold and removed to Maine.
In Bailey lane there may have been two or three
houses built at an early d.ay and demolished before
the present century. Weird tales anciently clustered
around this locality. One of a dismal nature was told
of a negro boy, who was seen in company with several
strange men to enter the shadows of the woods near
Rock Pond, but was not with them when they again
appeared, and from the cries of terror which were
heard, it was feared that a foul murder had been com-
mitted, and other equally dark and mysterious stories
of a later day. A house built on this road by Dr.
Amos Spofford, was removed about 1800 by
Joseph Nelson to Baldpate Street, and is now owned
by Henry K. Kennett.
The Dodge house, where the mother of George Pea-
body was born, was northerly of the house above
named. The mansion of Silas Dole, for many years
the home of Major Paul Dole, the millwright, and his
brother, Edmund, the inventive genius, almost a re-
cluse, who devised a machine for making shoe pegs,
which he kept secluded from mercenary eyes, must
have been built, in part at least, prior to 1770. It was
taken down with timber still sound by Samuel Little
some ten or twelve years ago.
There were doubtless one or more houses built in
"Hampshire," or "Federal City," at an early period.
About 1800 Stephen Hardy lived there, who removed
to Henniker, N. H. This locality has had more than a
town fame, rather, has had a .sortof immortality confer-
red upon it by the genius of our native Burdette, the
lamented Solomon Nelson. He had the talent which
gives prominence in certain fields of literary labor.
His descriptive record of war experience when in the
southwest with the Fiftieth Massachusetts Volunteer
Militia, [lublished in the Advocate as a serial was a
rare picture. Wit and pathos, with exact fact, were
delightfully commingled. Many of the roads were, in
1770, but partially opened. West Street to the old
Salem road had lour gates as late as 1797. Nel-
son Street as late as 1770 had its cross fences, and also
North Street near the Plumer House. The farmer-boys
had many a penny given them by travelers for opening
the gates.
The Sherman Nelson house, on Elm Street, was
early occupied by William Chandler, who doubtless
made it in part what it now is from another house,
about 1770. The .Sylvanus Nelson house now owned
by L. P. Tidd, was built before 1747, by Joseph Nel-
son, the great-grandfather of the late owner.
Other ancient houses are that of James Gordon, on
North Street, known as the Wood house, but perhaps
originally a Pearson house, and another upon the site
on which Eben Poor's small house was built. This
was owned early in the century by Paul Stickney,
previously by Benjamin Chaplin, and had the reputa-
tion in those days of being occasionally haunted. Next
was the Peter Clouglin house, now owned by Mr.
Virgin. This "Clouglin," from the name, was evi-
dently of the Irish race. Near by was a Cheney
house, and beyond was a Pearson house, probably
Jedediah's, the parish i)etitioner. This was owned
about 1800 by Henry Hilliard, and was accidentally
burned in 1806. Still further eastward, on Jewett
Street, there were two or three houses in 1800, built
GEORGETOWN.
833
before 1750, owned by members of the Poor fiimily.
The Jonatlian Harriman house, on Pillsburv Street,
was built by Leonard Harriman, the great-grandfather
of Mrs. O. B. Tenney of this town and Jesse P. Har
riman, now an octogenarian in his western home
Nathaniel, the ancestor of Charles A. Harriman, set-
tled on Pond Street.
In 1713 a road had been granted l>y Rowley to ac-
commodate the " Weelers and Brownes," and "other
inhabitants there about," which is thought to have
been North Street, from No. 6 school-house (or Ten-
ney's as it would be fitting to call it), to some point
near Newbury line. Some years before Jonathan
Look's house had been the only one named. Some
of the earlier built houses on Warren Street, and in
that part of Byfield near the Jackson and Cheney
neighborhood, must have been built l>efore 1750-
Several have been leveled within twenty years. The
Paul Pillsbury house, with the jutting second story,
the only building of this architecture in the town, is
unquestionaldy very ancient. Jlr. Pillsbury, nearly
related to Parker Pill.^bury, until recently the owner
was very ingenious. He made the fii'st shoe pegs ever
used in the town.
The Massachusetts Legislature ottered, thirty
or more years ago, ten thousand dollars to any one
jiroducing an infallible remedy for the potato disease.
Mr. Pillsbury claimed that he had found it, in the
planting of an oyster shell in each hill. For a second
wife he married a widow, the mother of the gifted
poet and Confederate general of Arkansas, Albert
Pike, who visited his old home a few years ago. In
17-14, among the surnames in this locality, were
Joseph and Josiah Smith. Their home was on War-
ren Street. Some of this family removed to Hopkin-
ton, N. H., in 1768. An ancient Chute house, per-
haps that of James or Lionel, his son, was -situated
west of the church. The venerable trees which over-
shadowed it have been felled, and desolation reigns.
Ariel P. Chute, a teacher and clergyman, was liorn
here about 1805. One other house of this family, on
Chute Street, still exists, with marks of age and the
wasting tooth of time. James Chute Peabody, a
native of this town, is another in this honorable line
of descent. The author of a volume of poetry with the
title " Keynotes," which is to be fourul in the Peabody
lilirary in this town, and as a translator of Dante, he
is said to have produced a work of rare merit. Dr.
Parker Cleaveland occupied, as early as 1775, a house
on Warren Street which is supposed to have been
built long before that time. Parker, a son, was a
graduate of Harvard in 1799, and became a professor
of mineralogy in Bowdoin College. He was also an
author in his favorite science. A brother, John P.,
was a Congregational minister of prominence. The
descendants of Maximillian Jewett of Rowley have
been in this neighborhood since about 1700. A house
of considerable age which bears the Jewett name is
still standing.
53
The Pike family, originally of Salisbury, Mass., or
Newbury, were in the Rowley part of Byfleld, as early
as 1750; "they were prominent in military and civil
afl'airs. Nicolas Cheney, Timoth}' Jackman, Jona-
than Thurlow, Nathan and Moses Wheeler, Abraham
Brown, Joseph Searl, Daniel Chute, Thomas Lull, Jr.,
Jedediah, Jonathan and David Pearson, and Amos
Pillsbury are supposed to have been all Byfield house-
holders in 1744, in what is now (ieorgetown.
On East Street the Pingree house built about a
century ago, was the birth-place of the Pingree
brothers, David, Asa and Thomas, who were the heirs
of their opulent uncle. Captain Perkins, of Topsfield.
David, who lived in Salem, was rated as the only mil-
lionaire in the State, and perhaps in New England,
forty years ago. He owned immense tracts of wild
laud in upper New Hampshire, and the Aroostook,
Maine, of which some is being surveyed at present.
Very costly agricultural improvements were made by
jMr. Pingree on the old homestead, forty years ago,
but through neglect everything has relapsed to more
than its original wildness. Twenty years ago about
five hundred acres of forest, belonging to this estate,
were cleared of its wood and timber by Lamprey and
Eaton, of Haverhill, employing in the work a large
force of French Canadians.
Several houses, then standing, were occupied by the
workmen. Now all the houses, excepting the farm-
house, are gone, almost dropped piecemeal, and it is
indeed a solitude. Here were the Hazen clearings,
and here were Nathaniel Burpee, the drummer of the
Revolution, returned to New Rowley in the dead of
winter, from Lunenburg, about 1795, with an ox sled
and his family upon it, a cottage w^as built, and here
they found a home.
At the corner of that part of East Street leading
past the school-house, which road was opened in 1829
at a cost of three hundred dollars, was a wide, low
house, which crumbled to a ruin one-third of a cen-
tury ago. This, for many years, was known as a
Merrill house, but perhaps built by a Hazen. Here
Charles Wheeler lived in boyhood, and went from
here South, to the presidency of a college. The house
on Nelson Street, owned by Henry C. Perley, was
built about 1780 by Nathan Perley, the maternal
grandfather of Sherman Nelson. The Dea. Solomon
Nelson house was built in 1803. The south roof is
still covered with the original shingles laid eighty-
four years ago. About 1740 the .section of Main
Street from the " Corner " to M. G. Spofibrd's, began to
be traveled. Previously the circuit is supjiosed to
have been made over Pillsburys' plain, and the high-
lands at the east of the village. Where the Pentucket
house now stands, and some portion of the hotel, may
be of this original house, one of the brothers of John
Brocklebank, by whom the Brocklebank house on
Central Street was then owned, built a house about
1765. Job Brocklebank lived there for some time
and John Pillsbury was living there before 1800, and
834
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
blacksmithing near by. His widow kept a tavern
there for many years, which became somewhat noted
as a halting-place for travelers.
From about 1780 the " Corner," a point of land
largely composed of loose sand, and in its subsoil for-
mation the base of the Baldpate district, and but
slightly elevated above the adjoining meadows,
then in many places covered with a dense growth of
maple trees, began to show its probable future, as the
centre of the village. Several other localities for a
time had the start, like Elm Street, near the meeting-
house, but circumstances unthought of, soon turned
the tide in the direction of " Burbank Corner." Some
years later, it has been said, that Mr. Bartlett, ol
Newburyport, while contemplating the founding ol
the theological seminary looked with especial favor on
the extended tract of Spoffbrd's hill as well adapted
for the site, but the owner could not be induced to sell.
Had Georgetown been selected instead of Andover
how difterent our surroundings might have been from
what they now are.
David Tenney was living before 1800 in a cottage on
Main St. He was the grandfather of Hon. O.B. Tenney,
of this town, and of D. B. Tenney, city clerk of Haver-
hill. This house was doubtless built by him. It was
removed some fifteen years ago to the court not far
from the Clark house, on Main Street.
Others living at the village in 1800 were Daniel
Clark and Samuel Norris, tailor. The house occu-
pied by Mr. T. J. Elliott, and removed in 184.3 or
1844, to a site near the corner of Library and Cen-
tral Streets was then standing at the corner, upon
the site of ^which Mr. EUiiott built his present house.
The Dresser house has for a part of it the building
occupied from about 1770 to 1800, by Major Asa
Nelson, on Nelson Street, as a grocery, and was
situated in front of Deacon Solomon Nelson's house.
This, was, perhaps the first grocery store in the west
parish. The New Hampshire farmers of those days
would make trips in the winter to the sea-board at
Salem and elsewhere, with loads of pork, poultry
and other farm products, and return with West
India goods and other necessaries. Ezekiel, the
father of Daniel Webster, made it his stopping-
place with Major Nelson when on those journeys,
who would often buy his load of meats and sell him
other goods in return. Mr. Webster would freqently
speak of his boys, and would say, "Ezekiel is smart
and I think will be somebody, but of Daniel I am a
little doubtful."
An Adams house, owned by "Newtown Ben," was
situated at the entrance of what is now Nelson
Avenue, and was destroyed by fire under rather mys-
terious circumstances about 1800. Other surnames in
town at aV)out this time were those of Lincoln, and a
few years later that of Lowe. At about this date,
and for half a century afterwards, many of the farm-
ers owned large tracts of pasturage in New Hamp-
shire, and other land in the northern part of Worces-
ter County. Nathaniel and Jonathan Nelson, in
partnership with Captain Chaplin, owned a large
pasture in Warren, N. H. ; Moses Nelson was an exten-
sive owner in Danbury, N. H. ; Deacon Asa Nelson, at a
later day, owner in Dunbarton, N. H. Annually, in
the middle of May, with a large drove of their own and
their neighbors' cattle and sheared sheep, parties would
start as drovers on their journey of seventy-five or
one hundred miles. In October the fall trip would
be made, and the stock returned, often half-wild, but
in good condition. The Mighills were possessors of
many acres in Lunenburg, Mass., on which Samuel
C, the father of L. P. Tidd, who married Ruth Mig-
hill, lived for some years. On returning, he built
about 1810 the house on Baldpate Street, now owned
by J. A. Hoyt. This land in Luuenburg became in late
years very valuable, and sales have been made from
it in the aggregate to the amount of forty thousand
dollars. The tide of emigration prior to the Revolu-
tion was generally to Northern Middlesex and Wor-
cester. The writer has found the names of several
West Parish or Georgetown natives, at dates of emi-
gration from 1730 to 1750, recorded in the register of
deeds ofiice in the city of Worcester. Sterling, with
its Nelson Hill, named for a New Rowley Nelson,
Leominster and Lunenburg, in Worcester County,
Groton, Townsend and Templeton in Middlesex,
and other towns near by, are the localities to trace
many of the families of this town. Some at one
time, howevei-, removed to Killingly, Conn.
From 1800 to 1810 there was but little change. At
about the last-named date, Benjamin and Joseph
Little moved into town from West Nevvbury. They
opened a store and shoe factory in a long extension,
built eastwardly from the old tavern stand of Dudley
Tyler and Solomon Nelson, near the meeting-house,
and began, by various devices, one of which was to
have the roads opened as soon as possible after a
snow-storm, to attract the travel from the old Haver-
hill road over Uptake to this central road. They
kept an extensive stock of salable goods ; were ready
to barter, taking in exchange odd lots of coarse shoes
by the dozen pairs, which the farmers brought from
Newbury and other places, .some coming a long dis-
tance on loot, with the shoes under their arms, the
work of their ofl-hours, rainy days and evenings ; they
were ready to encourage young men to start business,
and made the parish generally lively.
With good roads, better both in summer and winter
than in Boxford, and fewer hills to climb, the travel
was soon turned toward the centre of New Rowley.
We can hardly realize the serious loss the change
must have caused to the tavern-stands of Capt. Batch-
elder, now the summer residence of Mr. Ballon, and
of Dea. Spofford's, burned some years ago.
Solomon Nelson, the father of Nathaniel Nelson,
who was to a marked extent a central fiirure in the
growth and general life of this community, died in
1821, just as the energy of the people was assuming a
GEORGETOWN.
835
new phase. His second son, Jeremiah, was a member
of Congre.ss, and ek^cted as a Federalist, and his father
was so unflinching a Repuhlican that he always voted
for his son's political opponent.
Everything indicated that the junction of the roads
would be the village centre, and a removal was made
by the brothers Little from their first locality to this
centre, where they built, about 1814, the store build-
ing which wa.s used for that purjiose about sixty years,
and upon the site of which the Odd Fellows' Block
was erected in 1871. The house now owned by W. K.
Lambert was also built at this time. They carried on
a large trade, and continued the manufacture of shoes
in a building in the rear.
Three or four years later, Benjamin Winter and
William Perley opened a store in a building which
was situated near where the new business block now
is. This building, which was removed across the
street, is thought to be that now occupied by John W.
Bailey as a stove store. Mr. Perley went to Virginia,
where he died many years ago.
Where now is the Main Street extension of Little's
shoe factory, Robert McQuestion kept a store for some
years, from about 1820. The whole community was
astir. The industries of New Rowley were all sus-
tained, rapidly advancing, and general prosperity
prevailed. About 1830, several of the houses on
Elm Street, near the meeting-house, were built. In
1836, a bank of issue was established, with a capital
of one hundred thousand dollars, with Benjamin
Little, President, and George Foot, Ca.shier. It was
styled the Manufacturers' Bank of Rowley. The
rapid growth after 1830 gave anticipation of a more
rapid increase, and se]ianition from Rowley began to
be discussed.
Not very many years after the young and rising
business men (who, coming here as strangers, were in-
different to the sentiment that made an attachment to
the name of Rowley and all connected therewith, a
sacred thing), began to demand and even clamor for a
sejiaration. The distance between the two parishes
disturbed their business interests. Letters intended
for New Rowley were addressed to Rowley, and were
delayed in the delivery, often resulting in trouble and
difficulty. A meeting in 1837 was called to consider
the ([uestion and arrange for a division. This was the
prelude for a succession of meetings, the we.^t parish
demanding a division along the parish line, east of
the Phillips' house in Dodgeville, and the first parish
declaring that if a division must take place it shall be
west of Phineas Dodge's house.
A partial compromise was finally made; Muddy
Brook being made the ea,sterly bounds of the proposed
new town at one point and Rye Plain bridge, near
Newbury line, as a prominent bound at another point.
The west parish strove hard to include what is now
known as Dodgeville in the new town, but failed, and
Warren Street, with three-fourths of the Rowlev part
of Bylield parish, was allowed instead. (About thirty
years afterward Dodgeville petitioned the legislature
to be annexed to Georgetown, but their request was
not granted).
A remonstrance against the division was signed by
about three hundred citizens, headed by Dr. David
Mighill. It was only after considerable debate, that
the decision was reached, to call the new town George-
t<jwn. There were those who, for a long time, felt
that the name had too pretentious a sound, and were
shy about repeating it. There were several names
proposed, as Howard, Littleton, Nelson, and Mrs. La-
vinia Spofford Weston suggested Lagrange. In the
heat of the controversy and perhaps the babel of
voices, one facetious individual proposed the name of
Babylon. There has always been a conflict of opinion
as to the honorable citizen who first suggested the
name finally decided upon. By some it has been said
to have been Mrs. Judith Daniels, then Mrs. J. Rus-
sell, and that it was named in honor of her brother,
George Peabody. Others have claimed that they were
the sponsors, and, doubtle.ss, at this day it never will
be definitely known, from what source, or why it was
so called.
The erection of buildings was going on at a rapid
rate. Two churches had been built in the village, the
old parish meeting-house modernized in its interior,
and the church in Byfielil, which is within George-
town limits, also built. In 18-10 an outside observer,
in a sketch of the town as it appeared at that date,
stated that " Georgetown is a pleasant and very flour-
ishing place. Its growth has been more rapid than
that of any village in the county. The greater part
of it has been built since 1827. Real estate has more
than doubled in value during the last twelve years.
More than fifty buildings, including shops, were
erected in 1839. The inhabitants are probably more
extensively engaged in the manufacturing of boots
and shoes than those of any place of the same popu-
lation in the United States." At that date, Spencer,
.Mass., and Georgetown, with similar industries, were
nearly alike in population, with Georgetown, however,
slightly ahead in value of manufactured products,
having twenty-seven manufactories of boots and shoes :
product, $221,900; invested capital, .§99,000. Nine
tanneries: product about SGO,000 ; invested capital,
5^10, 3<KI. Carriages: product, .S2,.">00. The aggregate
product of boots and shoes in 1880 was about one-half
million dollars.
CHAPTER LVII.
GEORGETOWN— (C'oniliHHcd).
COiNCLUSION OF PARI.SH AND RELIGIOUS HISTORY —
UNION AND HARMONY CEMETERIES.
After the re-opening of the Congregationalist
meeting-house in 1832, the parish voted the following
836
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
April that the town-meeting should no longer be
held there. With the rapidly increasing population,
had the town not been divided as was done five years
later, a commodious hall would at an early day have
been necessary. Town-meetings began to be held in
Savory's Hall. In 1836 a church vestry was sug-
gested. The building which is now the dwelling-
house of W. B. Hammond, was then owned by Benja-
min Winter, the second floor of which had been used
for vestry purposes and social meetings for some
years. In August, 1840, under the influence of the
exciting questions of the day, which were then in-
tensely agitating this community, several members of
the parish, with one exception now all deceased, peti-
tioned for the use of the meeting-house for discussions
and lectures upon the great moral questions of the
day. This request was not granted at the time, the
meeting adjourning without any action upon the call.
A similar petition signed by twenty citizens asking
for the use of the house for debates on slavery was
approved at a meeting of the parish in February,
1841, and conditionally granted. At this meeting a
colleague pastor was voted, and George Prime Smith,
of Salem, Mass., who had assisted Mr. Braman, and
with marked acceptance was invited, but declined the
call. Mr. Smith, who died in early manhood, was of
Kowley ancestry, and on the maternal side by the
Primes, was a direct descendant of Solomon Nelson,
who settled on Nelson Street, in 1729. In February,
1842, a vote was passed to leave it discretionary with
Mr. Braman as to the speakers, who, on the slavery
question, are to be admitted to the desk. December
8, 1842, Enoch Pond, Jr., was ordained as colleague,
his father. Prof. Pond, of Bangor Seminary, deliver-
ing the sermon. Rev. Mr. Pond was a young man of
much promise, deeply beloved by the church and peo-
ple and highly esteemed by the whole community.
The zeal and energy he displayed, wa.sted a perhaps
not naturally robust constitution. March 15, 1846,
he preached his last sermon and returned to Maine,
where at Bucksport he died December 17th, of that
year, at the age of twenty-six years. One week later
his remains were conveyed to this town and Iniried
in Harmony cemetery. The church and parish
erected a monument. During the ministry of Mr.
Pond in the autumn of 1844, the meeting-house was
widened eleven feet on each side by an extension the
entire length of the audience-room, of one story in
height. Furnaces were added, and in the early part
of 1845 a new pulpit, with furnishings, the gift of
Greorge Peabody, and a clock, the gift of Mrs. A|)pliia
S. Tenney. In the evening of February 3, 1847, .John
M. Prince, Jr., was ordained as colleague, the succes-
sor of Rev. Mr. Pond ; sermon by Rev. Uriah Balk-
ham, of Wiscasset, Maine; Rev. Isaac Braman gave
the charge to the candidate. The venerable pastor
was nearing the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination,
and on Monday, June 7th of thatyear, the jubilee was
observed with a discourse by the aged man, then
almost an octogenarian. The services were held in the
afternoon, with assistance from Rev. Messrs. Hartshorn,
of the Georgetown Baptist Church, Milton P. Braman,
of Danvers (son of the pastor), and Prince, the junior
pastor, and original hymns by Mrs. L. S. Weston, of
this town, and W. B. Tappan, of Newburyport. A
[irocession was then formed with Dr. William Cogs-
well as chief-marshal, which marched from the meet-
ing-house to Tenney's Hall, where a collation was
served.
There were present as guests, — Drs. Dana of New-
buryport, Perry of Groveland, Pierce of Brookline,
Cogswell of Boston, Rev. Messrs. Braman of Danvers,
Phelps of Groton, Withington of Newbury, Judge
Cummings of Boston and A. Huntington of Salem.
C. S. Tenney presided.
Several hymns, written by the talented Mrs. Weston,
were sung, and a song with music composed by D. B.
Tenney, was sung by Messrs. Tenney, Palmer and
Holmes, and gifts were presented at the house of the
pastor, among them the easy chair from the young
men of the parish, so familiar for many years after-
wards. The need of a vestry had been felt for years,
and during the pastorate of Mr. Pond, the ladies of
the church and society were actively engaged in
furtherance of the movement. This was especially
the work of the " New Rowley Female Benevolent
Society," an organization which was begun in No-
vember, 1834, with Mrs. Hannah Braman and Miss
Susan Nelson (now Mrs. G. J. Tenney), as the first
president and secretary. In March, 1849, a commit-
tee previously appointed to purchase or build a ves-
try, I'eported favorably on the j)urchase of Adams
Hall, now the residence of Jophanas Adams. This
building, erected about 1835 by Josiah Adams, had
originally a hall used for social purposes on the
second floor, a store below, and was bought that year
for eight hundfed dollars, and used for a vestry until
August 25, 1852, when it was sold, becoming the resi-
dence of Rev. Mr. Prince, and later the home of Hon.
Moses Tenney, the State Treasurer at the time. The
chapel, now the Catholic Church, was built in the
antumn of 1852, and on completion was at once occu-
pied for vestry meetings. The society under whose
aus])ices this property had been purchased, and held,
accepted July 20, 1852, the act of the Legislature of
April 23, 1852, incorporating it as the " Woman's
Benevolent Society.'' Rev. Mr. Prince resigned Feb-
ruary 8, 1857, and removed to Bridgewater in 1858,
where he died the following year. He was born in
Portland, June, 1820; graduate of Bowdoin, 1841;
Bangor Seminary, 1845.
Rev. Charles Beecher was installed November 19,
1857, as the third colleague pastor with sermons by
Professor Calvin Stowe. Other clergymen assisting
were Doctors Withington, J. P. Cleveland and Pike,
E. B. and Revs. D. W. Foster, McCollum and Willcox.
December 26, 1858, Rev. Isaac Braman died at the
advanced age of eighty-eight years. Rev. D. T.
GEORGETOWN.
837
Kimball, of Ipswich, preached the funeral sermon.
A suggestive memorial in Union Cemetery marks the
grave of the venerated second pastor of this church.
Rev. Mr. Beecher continued in active service as pas-
tor until 1870, and nominally for some years after-
wards. He is now pastor of a church in Pennsylvania.
A daughter, the wife of Mr. G. W. Noyes, still resides
in this town, whom he often visits. Mr. Beecher is
much beloved by his former charge, and highly es-
teemed by the community. His presence is ever a
benison of peace to many, and the gift of music which
God has given him, had its birth in a nobler world
than ours. January 30th, 1873, Thomas R. Beeber,
now of Pennsylvania, was ordained with sermon by
Rev. T. T. Munger, of Lawrence. Ordaining prayer
by Rev. Dr. John L. Taylor, of Andover. Doctors
Campbell and Fiske, of Xewburyport, Rev. Messrs.
Marsh, of Georgetown, Yoorhees, of North Wey-
mouth, Ecob, of Augusta, Me., and Coggin, of Box-
ford, aided in the service.
The erection of a new house of worship soon be-
gan to be contemplated, and May 16, 1873, the society
voted to purchase and build on a lot, then owned by
Messrs. Moulton, Chaplin and Noyes, at the left of a
court then extending from Central to Middle Streets.
Since the erection of the church building this court
has been opened beyond to School Street, and to com-
memorate the Daniel Clark house, which was ancient-
ly near by, has been named Clark Street.
December 13, 1874, the final service was held in the
old meeting-house, Rev. Mr. Beeber preaching an
historical sermon. December 17, 1874, the new
church was dedicated, with sermon by Rev. J. H.
Ecob, of Maine. Prayer of dedication by Rev. Dr.
Seelye. The old house was demolished the following
year. August 30, 1876, Rev. Alfred F. Marsh was in-
stalled, with a sermon by Rev. Dr. Campbell, of New-
buryport. Other parts of the service were by Rev.
Messrs. Fulsom, Boyd, Kimball, Childs, Spauldingand
Marsh.
The present pastor. Rev. Levi Rodgers, was in-
stalled May 4, 1881. The sermon by Professor Smythe,
of Andover. Other parts by Doctors Seelye and
Spaulding, Rev. Mes.srs. Kingsbury, Hubbard, Marsh
and Barnes. The Sunday-school of this church was
begun about 1816. For many years before, exercises
in the catechism were sustained on Saturday after-
noons by the pastor. This parish have a ministerial
fund of seven thousand dollars, a bequest from John
Perley.
Should the society cease to have a settled minister,
or be dissolved, then the income is to revert to the
Perley Free School. This society has a flourishing
mission circle. Miss Theodora Crosby, a mend^er, is
a missionary in the Pacific Islands.
In the settlement of Mr. Beecher as pastor of the
Congregational Church, some positive opposition was
manifested by a prominent minority of the parish.
The objections, openly expressed at the outset, gath-
ered force, and finally culminated in a public council
of ministers and churches, on the ground that the
doctrines advocated by Jlr. Beecher were not in ac-
cordance with the accepted theology of the Orthodox
Congregational Church. The result of the council
was eventually the withdrawal Lf those not in har-
mony with Mr. Beecher, and the establishing by them
of a separate religious service in the chapel, as a ma-
jority of the members of the society, controlling this
chapel property, are said to have lieen among the la-
dies who withdrew. They were organized into a dis-
tinct church Januaiy 27, 1864, Dr. Pike, of Rowley,
preaching the sermon on the occasion from Phil. 1 :
27. Rev. Mr. McCullom, of Bradford, gave the fel-
lowship of the churches ; Rev. Mr. Thompson, of
Amesbury, the consecrating prayer; Rev. Mr. Dog^
get, of Groveland, read the Scripture lesson ; and
Rev. Mr. Edgell, of West Newbury, administered the
sacrament. This church had the pulpit service of
several clergymen, most of them young men, and
some of rare gifts.
Rev. Eugene Titus, afterwards settled in (torham,
X. H., and Beverly, JIass., a son-in-law of Mr. George
W. Chaplin, of this town, a longer period than any
other. Mr. Titus, born November, 1834, died July
21, 1876, and i« buried in Harmony Cemetery. During
the visit of George Peabody, of London, to this
country in 1866, he conferred with his sister, Mrs.
Daniels, formerly the wife of Jeremiah Russell, Esq.
ithe first attorney to settle in this town), who was a
member of this church, and the result was the erec-
tion of the Memorial Church building, which was
made a joint gitt from the brother and sister, to this
new religious organization. The corner-stone of this
attractive brick edifice was laid by Dr. Jeremiah
Spottbrd, of Groveland, in the afternoon of Septem-
ber 9, 1866, the ceremonies preceding those at the Li-
brary Building on the same day.
This building, the cost of which, including the
grounds adjoining, was not less than one hundred
thousand dollars, is a memorial to Judith Dodge
Peabody, the daughter of Jeremiah Dodge, who re-
moved with his family from his home on the Bailey
Lane road, about 1793, to South Danvers (now Pea-
body), and who was the mother of George Peabody
and Mrs. Daniels. The house was dedicated .lanuary
8, 1868, M. P. Braman, D.D., of Danvers, delivering
the sermon, and a dedication hymn by John G. Whit-
tier, with an additional service in the evening, and
sermon by Mr. Richardson, of Newburyport. Two
tablets in the rear of the desk are memorials, one of
Jlrs. Peabody, the mother of George Peabody, who
while living in New Rowley, was a member of the
Congregational Church, and the other of Rev. Isaac
Braman.
Rev. David Dana Marsh, the first and present pas-
tor, was ordained September 12, 1868 ; Rev. Mr. Bar-
bour, of Peabody, delivering the sermon. Ordaining
prayer was by Rev. Dr. Pike, of Rowley. Other exer-
838
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
cises were by Messrs. Tolman, of Wilmington, Kings-
bury, of Br.idford, and Mct'uUom, of Medford. The
Sunday-school connected with this church was estab-
lished where public services were begun, and has
John F. Jackson as present superintendent, and
Henry Hilliard as Librarian.
There is also a society of Christian Endeavor, or-
ganized at an early period in the formation of these
societies, and a flourishing branch of the " Woman's
Missionary Society." The original benevolent socie-
ty, dating back to 1834, of which this church is re-
garded as the direct sequence still exists with regular
meetings, and annual meeting in November. The
fine house adjoining, formerly the home of Mrs.
Daniels, and a place that in its quiet had more attrac-
tions to Mr. Peabody, when in this country, than any
other, is now the permanent residence of the pastor.
This church is in no wise allied to a parochial, secu-
lar body or society, but is incorporated, and controls
all its property in its own name.
The Bytield parish were afflicted March 1, 1833, by
the loss of the meeting-house by fire. Their third
and present house was built the same year, and dedi-
cated November 7th, with a sermon by Rev. Dr. J.
P. Cleveland, then of Salem, IMass. Rev. Henry
Durant, the fourth pastor, was ordained December
25, 1S38. He continued in the pastorate until
March 31, 1849. About two years previously, the
Trustees of Dummer Academy had urged his accep-
tance as princi]>al of that institution, but his Byfield
parish were decided in retaining him as pastor. Rev.
Francis V. Tenney was installed March ], 18.50, and
was the pastor until April 22, 1857.
June 16, 1858, Rev. Charles Brooks was settled.
Other pastors who followed, are Rev. .James H.
Childs, who was ordained October 7, 1875, and dis-
missed December 22, 1880. The present incumbent.
Rev. Geo. L. Gleason, of Manchester, Mass., was in-
stalled September 20, 1882. The cemeteries of this
parish are near, and adjoining the church. The first
interment, was that of Mrs. Mehetable Moody, a
daughter of Henry Sewall, in 1702. The new ceme-
tery was opened some years ago, and already many
have been buried there. All the surroundings of
this church are peculiar and English-like, and the
parish, in its entire history, is unique and attractive.
This history in Chapter LV. left the Baptists in
possession of their new meeting-house. Rev. Ezra
Wilmarth, after his dismission from the pastorate in
1834, remained in the town, as several of his daugh-
ters were married here, residing here until his death,
which occurred November 28, 1840. He was born
January 19, 1772. He was buried in Harmony
Cemetery. For eighteen months the church was
without a pastor, and the pulpit supply for much of
the time was Rev. Daniel F. Richardson, afterwards
a tutor in Wake Poorest College, N. C, and later, for
many years, the postmaster of Hanover, N. H., where
he died a few years ago.
February 4, 1836, John Burden, of Hampstead,
N. H., was ordained the pastor, with sermon by Rev.
John Holroyd, of Danvers ; Dr. Jeremiah Chaplin,
who had not long before resigned his position as
president of the college at Waterville, Me., was then
the pastor of the Bapti-st Church at Old Rowley, and
counselled the young candidate of this church, into
whose fellowship he had been baptized about a half
century before. Late in 1837, or early in 1838, the
meeting-house was removed from its site near the
mill, now the woolen-factory, to where it now is.
This removal was in the face of much opposition,
largely from the Thurlows, Pearsons and other mem-
bers of the society, living in the vicinity of Bytield.
The founding of the Jlethodist interest at Byfield
Mills can largely be attributed to the removal. Rev.
Mr. Burden continued as pastor until the autumn of
1840. He was a warm anti-slavery advocate, and
during his ministry much of the moral atmos|)here
wit.s seething hot with reform movement, and he was
not backward about entering the lists. The Grimke
sisters spoke from the Baptist pulpit, with Deacon
Solomon Nelson, although a Henry Clay moderate,
willing listener until Angcline denounced Washing-
ton as a man-stenler, then he could listen no longer.
I'he appeal had been made to the Congregational
Parish for a recognition of the importance of this
slavery question, but at first without a hearing.
The community at large had already become one of
the most active in the propagation of the new ideas.
The Baptists did not wholly indorse the views of
Garrison and his associates on the issue of southern
slavery, woman's rights and kindred topics, but were
ready to grant them a candid hearing. The Liberator
was read approvingly by seme of them, the abolition
almanac was cherished as almost a sacred thing, as
the writer well remembers he so regarded it in his
boyhood, and many of the most active of the women,
who met to pr.ay for the emancipation of the slaves
were of the Baptist people. The Liberator, that fire-
brand, was excluded from the United States mails in
the South, but the writer and his brother with boyish
enthusiasm were agents in sending several copies to
Charleston, S. C, in the packing of their father's shoes,
for which they received a severe reprimand, when
complaints came as they soon did from the Southern
consignee. The Moral Reform Society, an oi-ganiza-
tion of ladies, for the lifting up of their unfortunate
sisters, was active from 1835 and onward, and was
largely under Baptist auspices. For some years after
the resignation of Mr. Burden, the Baptist church ex-
cept tor a brief period, when Rev. L. E. Caswell was
pastor (afterwards for many years a popular city mis-
sionary in Boston, was pastor, was without a settled
minister. They had, however, the services of some
men of fine talent, especially Rev. Mr. Moody, of Eng-
land, who not long after he preached here returned
home.
Others who supplied wei'e Mr. Freeman, who went
GEOllGETOWN.
839
South; Horace Richardson, later noted as an educa-
tor in California ; Isaac Sawyer, of Deerlield ; Steplieii
H. Mirick, George Keely and his son, Josiah ]'>., of
Haverhill. October 9, 1844, Joseph C. Hartshorn of
Chelsea, was ordained the pastor, with sermon by Dr.
Rarnas Sears, the .successor of Horace Mann as Super-
intendent of State Board Education. Rev. Mr. Harts-
horn was scholarly, had a very successful pastorate,
and much esteemed in the community. His resigna-
tion occurred August 29, 1848. He soon after retired
from the ministry, entered into business as a manu-
facturer of gas-fixtures in Providence, R. I., and ac-
i]uired an ample fortune. He is now a resident ol'
Newton, Mass., retired, but perhaps retaining an in-
terest in his former business.
The public gifts of Mr. Hartshorn, expressive of his
peculiar character, are ten thousand dollars to Dr.
CuUis's Consumptives' Home, for a ward which i.s
known by his name, and a very large sum in 1S84 to
found and endow the Hartshorn Memorial College for
females only at Richmond, Va., a gift in memory ol
his wife Racliel Tliurl^er Hartshorn, who was a sister
of one of the leading members of the Gorhani Silver
Ware Company in Providence, and who died very
suddenly, a few years ago. In the summer of 1844,
the mecling-house was lengthened, by the addition ol
about fifteen feet at the easterly end,'the pulpit removed
from the west, between the entrance doors, to the east
end, and the slips reversed, to front the pulpit in its
new position. A bell was also hung in the belfry.
In December, 1848, Rev. Arlow M. Swain, of New
Hamj)shire, became the tenth pastcjr. While he was
with the church, a vestry for social meetings was fin-
ished in the basement of the house. In .luly, ISoO,
Rev. Paul S. Adams, of Newburyport, became the
eleventh settled pastor. The rightfulness of capital
punishment, was under general debate at the time. Mr.
Adams taking the affirmative, had a sharp controversy
with Rev. iMr. Baker, the Universalist minister. IMr.
Adams was chaplain of a New Hampshire Regiment
during the Rebellion, and died not long since in
Newport, N. H.
In September, 1850, the Salem Association met with
this church. In November, 1851, Rev. Philemon R.
Russell, ordained a minister of the Unitarians, and
later a Universalist Restorationist, became the pastor,
and continued until May, 185.3. In the summer of
that year he was residing in the Baptist parsonage,
where his wife, one Sunday afternoon, ju.st after re-
turning from church, was seated with an infant in her
arms, during a violent shower, and was instantly
killed by lightning. The child escaped unharmed.
In November, 1855, Rev. William Read, of Kayn-
ham, was settled, resigning in March, 1857. Both
Mr. Read and wife were of literary tastes, a gift which
is inherited by their children. Rev. Joseph H. Seaver,
of Salem, Mass., was settled in November, 1858, re-
signing in April, 18(32. Rev. Joseph M. Burtt suc-
ceeded, as.suming the pastoral office in March, 1803,
resigning in March, 1871. During his pastorate the
meeting-house was modernized in tbe interior, with
other improvements, at an expense of about one
thousand dollars.
The parsonage property was, by permit of the leg-
islature, sold, and valuable pro[)erty opposite the
church building, for some years the residence of Dr.
H. N. Couch, bought for a parsonage with the pro-
ceeds. Mr. Burtt removed to Buxton Center, Me. He
was chaplain of the State Almshouse in Tewksbury
for some years previously, was also founder and sole
proprietor of the Christian Era, a Baptist weekly jia-
per, now merged in the Wnlchnmn. Rev. R. G. Far-
ley was installed in tbe evening of May 31, 1871, with
sermon by Dr. Bosworth of Havcrbill. Mr. Farley
was superintendent of tbe public schools one year
during his pastorate. He removed to Maine.
In May, 1874, Rev. E. T. Lyford, of Rowley, was
settled an<l was pastor until May, 1878, when he re-
moved to Billerica, Mass. Mr. Lyford was cba[)lain
of the Eleventh Regiment, New Hampshire Volun-
teers (Colonel Harriman), during the Rebellion. In
March, 1879, Rev. N. B. Wilson, a city missionary in
East Boston, succeeded, but resigned, and in the fol-
lowing January removed to Newton, N. H. He was
much esteemed in town, and Ibund a congenial tield
in the active temperance work of the time.
In 1880, Rev. J. M. Burtt again assumed jiastoral
duties, remaining until the spring of 1881, when he
returned to Buxton, Me. W. D. Athearn, a student
of Newton Seminary, was pulpit supply until 1883,
when he became the pastor of the Baptist Church in
Spencer, Mass. Other students followed, among them
Robert MacDonald of Boston, who on graduation ac-
cepted the call of the church and was ordained pastor,
early in June, 1885, Rev. 5Ir. Braislin, of Newton,
Mass., preaching the sermon. Other parts by Rev.
Messrs. Gardner, Stetson and Tilson. Extensive im-
provements on the church buililing began November
9, 1886.
The Sunday-school was founded in June, 1820, and
Deacon Solomon Nelson and wife were especially in-
terested in its organization. The Sunday-school Con-
vention of the Merrimac River Association, with
George S. Merrill, of Lawrence, secretary, met with
this church in June, 1870, to commemorate the fiftieth
anniversary of their school. For numy years prior to
1840 the ladies of this church had a mission organiza-
tion known as the Female Mite Society.
The Universalist Society held services about one-
fourth of the time, as speakers could be obtained,
until the spring of 1835, when Rev. Jt>seph B. Morse
was engaged for one-half of the time, and this en-
gagement was renewed for 183(i. The three following
years their meeting-house was opened about one-half
of the Sundays of the year, with a frequent change of
ministers, until 1840, when Rev. D. P. Livermore,
afterwards the husband of the now famous Mrs. Mary
A. Livermore, was engaged and the Society had his
840
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
services regularly for that year. The uext year he
preached one half of the time. In 1842 some im-
provementa in the meeting-house and various speak-
ers as before. In 1843 Rev. George Hastings supplied
regularly for that year, but the next year but one half
of the Sundays. Mr. Hastings was a practical ma-
chinist, working at his trade when not employed in
pastoral duty. He also served as school committee.
James T. Dunbar, then the hotel-keeper in the
house now the residence of Dr. R. C. Huse, was quite
active in the affairs of this Society at this date, and
for several years afterwards. After Mr. Hastings,
who had married a daughter of .Jonathan Harriman,
left town, services were not held regularly, and Mr.
Dunbar, who was the financial representative of the
Society, had authority to hire whom he pleased. In
December, 1849, Rev. Henry H. Baker, from Essex,
Mass., was engaged for three months, and the engage-
ment successively renewed for the two following years,
retiring in the sj)ring of 1852. He was the represent-
ative of the town in the legislature in 1852.
Charles H. Webster, whose name was changed from
Kent, born in the Merrill House on East Street, was
from 1840 one of the active and talented young men
of this Society. He became a Universalist minister,
had several pastorates in this State, was ouce pastor
at Dedhara, was a chaplain in a Massachusetts regi-
ment during the Rebellion, and died some years ago
in Maryland.
Samuel Chase was another Universalist niinisler
who attended service here. So did his brothers, John
K. and James Chase, for a time; both afterwards be-
came Baptist ministers of considerable note, of whom
John K. is still living. These young men were all
shoemakers, working in the cozy home shops and in
the old-fashioned manner, debating and studying
while their hands were employed. After Mr. Baker
left, and Spiritualism making inroads into this So-
ciety, the intere.st in sustaining religious meetings of
the denomination gradually lessened, until the Pro-
prietors decided to sell their property.
March 27, 1855, a committee reported the sale of
the meeting-house and lot to the town of Georgetown,
for two thousand dollars. The church building was sold
by the town for about three hundred dollars, removed
to land owned by William Boynton, made into a dwel-
ling-house, is at present occupied in part by Edward
S. Fickett, Principal of the High School. The So-
ciety held an occasional preaching service, and much
of the time a Sunday-school. W. H. Harriman, the
successor of Sylvanns Nelson as Society clerk, was
more prominent than any other person in sustaining
the school. After the sale of the meeting-house and
erection of the Town Hall on the site, all meetings
held were in the hall and those supplying were gen-
erally of high denominational talent, as Drs. Patter-
son, Miner, St. .John Chambre, Rev. Willard Spaul-
ding and others equally noted. This appointment of
Mr. Fickett as teacher of the High School, with his
known religious views, encouraged the members of
the school to renewed efforts, and for a time while he
was superintendent there was a large membership, but
since about 1872 or 73, all meetings of the denomina-
tion have been discontinued.
This Society never had a church organization, al-
though at times the question was under favorable
consideration. There was fine musical talent among
them and the services of the choir were always of a
high order. Their observance of Christmas, with
decorated house, sermons, songs and choruses, now
general in all denominations, was then regarded as a
dangerous innovation, almost heathenish even, by the
other churches. Perhaps the last service of local im-
portance, held in the church, was that of the funeral
of Mr. Nathaniel Nelson, in March, 1853.
The first Roman Catholic service held in this town
was in 1849, in Mr. Nathaniel Nelson's house on An-
dover Street, now the residence of J. P. Jones, Esq.,
with Rev. Mr. Lannen of Newburyport, as ofiiciating
priest. The Newburyport parish included at that
time all Northern Essex. This celebration of mass
was in the part of the house then occupied by James
McLain, now living on West Street. Several Irish
emigrant families, antedate Mr. McLain by many
years. Mr. Delaney, a Connaught-man, Mr. Dorney,
the harness-maker, who it is said began a course of
study for the priesthood, Timothy O'Brien, and per-
haps two or three others, were in town as early as
1842 or 43, but Nicholas Reynolds, who returned to
Ireland and whom L. H. Bateman afterwards visited,
was perhaps the first Irish born resident of this town.
From 1840 to 60, Mr. Nathaniel Nelson had several
farm laborers of Irish birth transiently employed.
In 1850, Father Lannen officiated in the service of
the mass several times in the Brocklebank house on
Central Street, then occupied by James Molloy. The
opening of the Newburyport Railroad, led to the
permanent location of several Catholics in town, who
had been employed, among them Michael and Dennis
Buckley. Three brothers of the same name of Mol-
loy, cousins of James, one of whom had arrived in
1849, were settled here 1S52. The families of Hughes,
Haley, Barry, with Gauley, O'Doyle, Jlonaghan, ap-
pear at about this date, some before and others a
little later, most of whom remained and are per-
manent residents. Several young men also arrived
and located, as Donaghue, Moan, Kane and others,
and but little time elapsed before the Catholic popu-
lation was sufficiently numerous to require a frequent
service of their church.
The attic hall, known as Tammany, in the Boyn-
ton building, burned in the October fire of 1874, was
temporarily engaged, afterwards an upper room in the
Masonic building, and at a later date, the Town
Hall. Haverhill was then a parish centre, and
Georgetown was attached to it, with Rev. John Mc-
Donald in charge of the service here, continuing to
about 1870. The next appointment was that of Rev.
(iEOmiETOWN.
841
Richard Cummings, who wus recalled from the pa-
rochial oversight in 1871, and Rev. John Cunnuings
appointed, who soon located here, living at first in
the family of Dennis Donaghue, afterwards renting
the house at the head of Clark Street, near the
carriage factory. In 1870 the Congregational Chai)cl
which the Memorial Cliurch had vacated four year>
before, was purchased for tlio Catholics, of Jlr. G. J.
Tenney, by Mr. Donaghue, at a cost of one thousand
dollars. It was soon made ready for occupancy, and
the first mass was celebrated in what was then known
as St. Mary's Church, in October of that year. In ad-
dition to tlie original cost, there has been expended
on improvements, before and since entering, an esti-
mated sum of not less than another thousand ol'dol-
lars. Rev. John Cummings was removed about
1S76, and Rev. Thonuis 0'15ricn, of Somerviile, wa>
the priest, until about 1878, when Rev. Edward L.
McClure, who had been very successful in general
parochial work in W'obiirn, Mass., was assigned the
care of this parish.
About 1881 the very attractive dwelling-house and
grounds of Mrs. (J. W. Boynton, on Central Street,
was purchased for a parochial residence, at a cost ol
about four thousand dollars. About one-fifth of the
Catholic population at jnesent, are of French Cana-
dian descent. For many years there were but two
families of this race in the l(jwii, and not until six or
seven years ago, were tliey sutiicicntly numerous t<i
be noticeable.
Most of the prominent <livisions of the religions
world have had their representatives in this town.
The Mormon faith, while strongly entrenched in
Grovelaud, had an outpost here on Main Street, and
some converts. In 18-l(j Elder Nathaniel Holmes
was a firm believer and zealous worker for the doc-
trines of that church, as preached by the pioneers,
but a strong opposer of the spiritual wifehood or
polygamy views, as was then advocated. It has been
said that they had a church organizatiou for a time.
The opinions of Win. Miller, and the excitement of
1843, were not jiopiilar here. As far as is known,
there was but one person in town, who practically ac-
knowledged faith in the speedy closing of all things
earthly.
Late in December, 184(*, a movement toward
Church Union, led to the founding of an organiza-
tion, composed of some previously connected with
both the Congregationalist and Baptist churches, and
the engaging of the Universalist meeting-house for
services, when it was not wanted by the Universalists.
These were known as "' Christian Unionists, " and
regular services were hold in Savory's Hall, when the
meeting-house could not be had. Their minister
who was an "Oberliu Perfectionist," founded a
church, and claimed that all the true element in town
would eventually rally under their name.
After lS-11 or 42, they suspended all meetings. The
" Coineouterism " which soon rocked the churches here
53 V
like a whirlwind, was to some extent the outgrowth
of this union movement, and was also the result of
the abolition agitation of the preceding year. Shut
out from the meeting-houses, as Ueiuy C. Wright,
Parker Pillsbury, S. S. Foster, Abby Kelly, Rev. Mr.
Beach and the other earnest enthusiasts claimed they
began to gather audiences in the open air. Their
cry was " come out from the churches, '' and from
this they derived their name. Addresses were made
in this town from the Central Street front of Little's
shoe factory, the barn belonging to T. J. Elliott, iu
Little's grove, and elsewhere. The Sun<lay question
was soon brought in, and that all days were alike
holy, and that there was no especially holy time.
The believers claimed that this Gospel of Liberty,
was taught by .lesus, when he plucked the ears of
corn on the Sabbath day, and for a sign to their en-
slaved neighbors, they conspicuously performed un-
necessary labor on Sunday, seeking persecution in
so doing. One sister carried her knitting to the
Baptist Church, the click of her needles, keeping
lime with the exhortations of the speaker. Practi-
cal non-resistant as she was (and as they all were),
and refusing voluntarily to leave the meeting-house,
she was forcibly carried out, the next day. She
was carried up the narrow stair-way at Savory's
Hall lor trial on the charge of disturbing religious
worship. Immensely corpulent as she was she gave
another severe burden to the officers, in carrying her
to the vehicle which conveyed her to the Ipswich
House of Correction.
Physical reforms were also made a religious duty,
and a vegetarian and Graham diet with daily ablu-
tions and shower baths were supplemented by open
discussions on the delicate questions of Heredity,
Marriages aud congenital topics.
At one of the grove meetings, while a speaker was
fluently denouncing the eating of meat and ajiplaud-
ing the use of Graham flour, the audience were elec-
trified by a facetious listener shouting, as a poser,
" Peter was commanded to slay and eat. Could he
slay bri-ddf" It was a queer period, and Georgetown
more than most towns in the county was a sort of a
battle-ground. There was but little persecution here,
only legal correction, when some of the most earnest
persi-sted in invading the churches and interrupting
meetings, but much undisguised dislike and scorn.
Their radical crusade against Southern Slavery is now
endorsed, aud the statue of Garrison, their grand pio-
neer, is one of the glories to-day of that mammon-
worshii)ping Boston, that sought his death. Spiritu-
alism had many disciples in this town at an early pe-
riod of the manifestations, but while ]>nblic services
are rarely held, there are many who still hold to this
belief embraced a score or more of years ago. Frank
Baxter has spoken in town, as have several others
equally celebrated, and until recently jirivate seances
were occasionally held. A Methodist class-meeting
was established some twenty years ago, in the hope
842
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
that it would result in a permanent interest of that
denomination, but it soon died out. The Seventh-day
Adventists held a series of tent-meetings in the sum-
mer of 1877 or '78, at the easterly end of Lincoln
Park. Elder Haskell, prominent in the denomina-
tion, was the active spirit. For a time there were a
few persons who adhered lo the distinctive tenets of
their faith and observed Saturday as the Sabbath, but
with but one or two exceptions, they returned to their
former views. About 1881-82 Episcopal services were
held in town ; at first in Grand Army Hall in the ho-
tel building and afterwards in Library Hall. These
services were the result of the etforts of the Misses
De Wolf, young ladies residing in the town. The
rectors of South Groveland and Trinity Church, Hav-
erhill, officiated, and the diocesan missionary was here
several times, but there was not sufficient interest
aroused to give permanency to the movement, and,
after a few weeks, meetings were suspended. The
Bible-readings of Mr. Charles in 1877 and '78 were
popular at Byfield depot village, and several families
living on North Street, near the Newbury line, became
believers. Dwelling-house services are still held in
that locality. A few open-air meetings were beld at
Georgetown Corner, with but little encouragement.
The Salvationists, with Haverhill as headquarters,
are the latest attempt of a new religious organization
to secure a hold in this town. Two or three short
campaigns have already seemed abortive. The ]»res-
ent may be more of a success than any that have pre-
ceded it.
Cemeteries. — Union Cemetery, for more than one
hundred years the only public burial-ground, is loca-
cated in the Marlboro' district. The original part,
at the extreme easterly end, of one-fourth acre, was
purchased of Joseph Nelson, March 6, 17.32-33. Mr.
Nelson's wife, Hannah, who was the grand-daughter
of Captain Brocklebank, killed, as has been said,
many years before, by the Indians at Sudbury, had
been already buried there, dying in June of the pre-
vious year, and during the following autumn and
winter, several others who had also died in the
parish, had been buried beside her. In 1755 the first
enlargement was made, and the following year, the
ground was enclosed by a close board fence, colored
with " Spanish brown " (as reads the record) in front,
and a substantial stone wall, four feet in height, in
the rear. In 1769 a stone wall was built along the
road, replacing the fence of some years before. The
entire fence was rebuilt in 1783. A further enlarge-
ment in 1805, of laud bought of Job Brocklebank.
Dr. Amos Spofford, one of the committee chosen by
the parish to purchase this land, was the first person
who died in the parish after it was made. His death
occurred December 20, 1805, and he was buried in the
new ground. The following year a faced wall was
built along the front, which continued until the erec-
tion of the present iron fence, which was set upwards
of forty years ago, and was a gift to the town by David
Pingree, of Salem. A burial-cloth was purchased by
the parish in 1836, another in 1800, and a hearse in
1819. Mrs. Huldah Harriman was the oldest person
ever buried there. She died March 5, 1848, aged one
hundred years, five months and twenty-six days. By
the last enlargement, now many years ago, this upland
knoll was then entirely enclosed for the purpose for
which the first quarter of an acre was selected more
than a century and a half ago, and no further increase
of suitable land was possible, consequently, nearly
a half century ago, the selection of another locality
for a cemetery began to be agitated. In 1845, the
opening of the " New Yard," as it was at first called,
awakened an intense interest throughout the commu-
nity.
The first interment in the new yard, now known a.s
Harmontj Cemeterii was that of a lady named Mrs. Cram.
The father of J. M. Clark was the second person
buried. As we think of some who are buried there,
we recall events peculiarly painful in the history of
the town, as that of the Beecher sisters, Esther and
Hattie, younger daughters of Eev. Charles Beecher,
who, with their cousin, a sun of Rev. Edward Beech-
er, were drowned by the capsizing of a boat on Lake
Peutucket, at noon-day, August 27, 1867. Lieuten-
ant Frederick Beecher, who was killed with General
Custer, is also remembered by a stone near by. Here
were also laid, during the Christmas season of 1885,
George A. Chase and Joseph A. lUsey, the two young
men who were almost instantly killed in the service of
the town, while battling against theincijjient tire that
then raged, threatening to destroy the village, and a
few weeks later their comrade, Clarence M. Clark,
who was spared for but a few weeks of suffering.
Captain George ^V. Boynton, chief constable of the
State, who died March 23, 1877, is also buried here.
John Perley, who bequeathed the fund for the Pros-
pective Free School, has a memorial of Italian mar-
ble, said to have cost upwards of three thousand dol-
lars, an exact copy of that erected to the memory of
Sir Walter Scott. This in a central position, and on
the highest part of the ground, probably covers the
spot upon which the ancient watch-house stood.
The burial of the Catholic dead of the town is in the
cemetery at Haverhill. Twice, at least, some steps
have been taken by some of that faith towards the pur-
chasing of ground for a Catholic cemetery in this
town. At one time the lot at the corner of Mill and
North Streets wits suggested, and at a later day land
of Sylvanus Nelson's, on Elm Street, but nothing re-
sulted, and for some years the matter has not been
considered.
The only family burial ground ever in the town was
many years ago on North Street. This was used for
the interuient of several persons. The removal of
those buried there to the public cemeteries, was in
harmony with the almost universal sentiment in North-
ern Essex, as regards the burial of the dead.
GEORGETOWN.
843
CHAPTER LVHI.
GEORGETOWN—! Continued).
THE MASIFACTUEIMG INDUSTRIES.
The colonists, at their first settlement in New Eng-
land, were .ilive to the importance of encouraging
home industries. Burr-stones, for milling use, were
shipped here as early as 1628, and the emigration of
coopers, millers and all artisans, was especially urged.
In 1639, millers, ship-carpenters and others, were ex-
empted from the burden of training-day. As soon as
Thomas Nelson had taken a survey of the out-lands
around the vill.ige of Rowley, he found a good loca-
tion for a mill ; and but a year or two elapsed before
a grist-mill was in oper.ition. A fulling-mill and
clothiers' works soon followed. Many of the early
settlers of Rowley were skilful cloth-makers, having a
celebrity throughout the colony for skill in this par-
ticular industry.
One of the tirst mills built to accommodate what
was afterwards the west parish, was by Sergt. Jere-
miah Pearson. The town granted him authority in
1697, to build a mill, provided a convenient place
could be found. In January, 1699-1700, a lot of land,
which had been granted to Samuel Platts, Jr., was
returned to the town, Platts receiving other land in
exchange ; and on this convenient site Pearson erected
a grist-mill, which was in u.se about one hundred
years. This was situated near the afterwards some-
what famous Stickney mills. IIow long a time the
Harriman mill on Rock Brook was run is not known,
but, whatever the length of time, it was unques-
tionably the first to be built within the limits of
Georgetown.
Some, if not all, the earlier-built lionses in this
west parish, were of logs. Pine trees were scarce
down to a late day in this locality. A severe penalty
was imposed by special statute, in Massachusetts, for
unnecessary injury to pine trees, as Late as 1790 ; and
this species were so rare where now they are almost
the exclusive growth, that Capt. Solomon Dodge has
been known to say that, when a boy. a pine tree was
something of which but few could be seen for a long
distance around his home in Dodgeville. The board-
ing of the houses was of oak, as well as the frames,
until past the middle of the last century ; and whether
originally the boards were saw-ed or split, with a
shaved surface afterward, is uncertain. There was a
class of mechanics known as sawyers at a very early
day, and ])erhaps the boards may have been worked
out by hand with pit-saws. The shingles were sj^lit,
and the durable opes are said to have been from
trees killed by burning, while in a growing, vigorous
condition.
The Harriman mill w.as doubtless a saw as well as
grist-mill, for, at the time it was first projected, there
were several houses in contemplation, and evidently
much enterprise in the eighteen mill-owners. Deacon
Abner Spotlbrd had a saw-mill in operation, in 1734,
on the stream whicli finds its outlet at Parker River,
above Scrag Pond. Forty years afterward, his half-
brother, Col. Daniel SpofFord and his sons, run a
grist-mill at the same site, and three thousand
bushels of grain, grown in the neighborhood, have
been ground there in a single year. The same mill-
stones, no doubt, had been previously used in another
grist-mill, a sort of an improvised affair, on a dry spot
originally, the only power being what water was con-
veyed by several uncertain streams. This mill was in
the rear of William B. Howe's house, and was run by
John Spofibrd, another of this Spofibrd family.
About 1740 Daniel Pierce, perhaps the grandfather
of the late Major Daniel Pierce, commenced digging
a canal below Pentucket Pond, preparatory to the
erection, or possible enlargement, of a mill already
in operation, and at the site now occupied by the
Parker Woolen Mills. The interest that Pierce had
was soon sold by him, the purchaser running a grist-
mill, which, for a century, was in use from the mid-
dle of October to the middle of April of each year.
In 1807 John Wood, who lived near by, was the
owner, and added a saw-mill. Paul Stickney was at
one time the proprietor, and also Major Paul Dole,
for more than twenty years. About 18.51 or '52,
money was raised by subscription, land damage paid;
the meadow around Pentucket Pond tlowed through
the year, and the mill was run constantly during the
summer months. This made a precedent ; the result
of which has been the permanent fiowage of these
lands, or sutficieutly so, as to make them valueless.
About 1863 Hon. Moses Tenney bought and en-
larged the mills, adding improved machinery at a
large expense. Many were hoping when the pur-
chase was made, that the intentions were to remove
the entire structure, and thus give unobstructed pas-
sage to tlie vast bod\' of water which flowed, or
would flow, if unchecked, through the central and
southern part of the town; but their hopes were
doomed to disappointment. About five years ago,
the piroperty changed owners, and the manufacture
of blankets was liegun, with an enlargement of the
buildings. Under the present competent manage-
ment, the production is largely cassimeres. There are
about fifty employees, with Edward C. Aldrich as
superintendent, and the corporation name is the
"Parker River Mills." Returning to the last cen-
tury, we find other industries. The iron works have
been referred to, and the Hazen Saw-mill at J. S.
Kimball's place. All the little streams, only available
for one-half of the year, were utilized.
Eleazar Spofibrd, the son of De.acon Abner, began
about 1775 the work of wire-drawing near his father's
saw-mill. Jonathan Chaplin, the father fif Captain
Eliphalet, built a rope- walk wlicre the road now is,
just north of Wilfred S. Chaplin's house. Deacon
Stephen Mighill, like his predecessors, manufactured
malt. The Burpy family dammed a swift-running
844
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
little brook thiit coursed through their land, and
made a rude mill for breaking flax. Jeremiah, the
father of Dr. Jeremiah Spofl'ord, had a mill for the
making of snuff in operation during the devolution.
Molasses was made from Indian corn-stalks and water-
melons during this war. Saltpetre was made ft-om
the dried earth found under old buildings. A part
of the house of the late Deacon Moses Merrill was
the workshop of Deacon Thomas Merrill, in which
his eldest sons were employed during the Revolution-
ary War in making nails with forge and hammer.
Benjamin Wallingford, Sr., and son of the same
name, manufactured, in a humble way, articles from
leather, as saddle-bags, harness and horse-collars in
their house on Andover Street. Mr. Rurbank, who
lived at the "Corner," was a chaise-maker before ISOO.
One of the chaises of that period — perhap.s of his
make — was called the "Ark;" doubtless the name
was appropriate.
The old gambrel-roofed shop of Burbank, which
stood in front of where Mr. Pettengill's brick black-
smith shop now stands, was on the same site at the
" Corner " some years after his death. There were
several cooper-shops in the parish. One was where
L. G. Wilson's house now is.
Charcoal-burning was common as late as seventj'-
five years ago. The farmers often find the remains
of the charcoal pits turned up by the plough. Philip
Nelson had a blacksmith shop near the " Pound "
in '1750. He afterwards removed to Haverhill.
Several fishing-vessels of eighteen or twenty tons
burden were built near the meeting-house by Solo-
mon Nelson and his sons, nearly one hundred years
ago. These were for Chebaco (now Essex) partie-",
and were hauled to the water, either at Rowley or
Byfield, to be floated around. Up to about 1860
there have been those at diflerent periods who did
considerable business in cutting and roughing ship-
timber and plank for the Kssex and Newburyi)ort
builders.
At one time, when repairs were being made on
the frigate "Constitution," some valuable timber
cut on Baldpate Hill was used. Captain Eliphalet
Chaplin, who kept several pairs of oxen, and em-
ployed a number of men, was, in the first quarter
of this century, largely engaged in this ship-stock
industry, also Mr. William and Ensign Daniel Spof-
ford, and, in after years, Mighill Nelson, father of
the writer. The clipper-ship building of forty years
ago, drew heavily on the primitive timber-growth,
which had been spared up to that time.
Captain Benjamin Adams began the tanning and
currying of leather at his home on the Salem road,
now Central Street, about 1780. The next to begin
this important industry was Captain William Perley,
at the Hazen, now Kimball place, where he for some
time ground bark by water-power. Deacon Solomon
Nelson, on Nelson Street, and perhaps Daniel Clark,
on North Street, where Henry Hilliard afterwards
carried on the business, continued by a son and a
grandson, both of the same name, which at present
is the only manufacture of the kind in town. Some
domestic or slaughter hides (the skins of cattle killed
in the vicinity) with the dressing of skins of some
unusual kind, is now the only work performed, and
the business is more from pleasure, as one of the
past customs of the family, than from necessity or
special profit. Another yard opened was that of Noycs
Pearson, on a little romantic stream which crosses
North Street, near the Newbury line, having its out-
let eastwardly, at Wheeler's brook. Others, estab-
lished at an early day were the Westen and Phineas
Hardy yards, on "Rock Brook," or Parker River, very
near the site of the Harriman mill of nearly a centu-
ry before. At about the same period Nathaniel Nelson
began the same industry near the meeting-house.
In 1815, or near that date. Deacon Asa Nelson,
who had served his three years' apprenticeship with
his relative. Deacon Solomon Nelson, and had
worked at the business for two or three years at the
Pearson tannery, on North Street, began operations
at his home on Elm St., now owned by his son, Sher-
man Nelson. He conducted a large business. About
1824 or '25 Major Jeremiah Nelson, a son of Stephen
M., who had also learned the trade of Deacon Nel-
son, began the same business near the meeting-
house, and about 1835 was the first to introduce
steam as a motive power into town. This engine,
with the buildings, was the property of a corporation.
Nathaniel IMorse had also a yard near by. Most of
the young men who learned this trade in New Row-
ley from 1810 to 1830 served their apprenticeship to
Deacon Solomon Nelson. The privileges of the ap-
prentice were to dress for himself two dozen calf-skins,
one-half dozen sides of leather, and as many sheep-
skins as the apprentice pleased. These were not
statutes from the law-books, but were recognized as
having equal authority. Colonel .Tohn Kindiall,
about 1825, began an extensive manufacture of
leather at the Captain Adams tannery, then owned
by him. One year he tanned and curried four thou-
sand South American horse-hides. Many of the im-
ported skins of those days were of Russian red cattle.
Besides thf)se in town who had yards and were em-
ployers of tabor, there were those who, like Amos
Nelson, had the use of pits and carried on an inde-
(lendent business of their own, and Benjamin Low,
who was a currier, and worked in his own shop for
many years. Patented leather splitting-machines,
worked by hand, were an awkward thing, but only
one could be u.scd in a town. New Rowley manu-
facturer.s, to evade the law, had -one in Gideon Ba-
ker's barn, just beyond the Boxford line. An exten-
sive business in the slaughtering of cattle was carried
on in town early in the present century and during
the war with England. This was conducted princi-
pally by Deacon Solomon Nelson and his cousin, Na-
thaniel Nelson. Droves of fiftv or more head were often
GEORGETOWN.
845
purcliased at one time. Cattle were frequently
bought of Governor Colby, of New Hampshire. The
deacon was also State inspector of beef. The cellar-
floor under his house has at times licen completely
covered with barrel.*! of beef awaiting shipment. The
hides were converted into leather, and both in-
dustries carried on simultaneously. The shoe busi-
ness, in its manufacture outside of family use. is
thought to have been begun by l)eacon Thomas Mer-
rill, father of I. Newton Merrill, at his home in Marl-
boro". He used to carry in his horse-cart the shoes
which he had made, to (iloucestcr, Marblehead and
Salem, for sale, as four-wbedcd vehicles had not then
become common.
There were cordwainers from an early day who had
their jiatrous, and going from house to house would,
in the corner of the farmer's kitchen, make the shoes
needed for the family. ■I(din Bridges, in 177'"), worked
in this way through the west parish. After the shoe
industry was started, there were many who had much
of the cutting, making, dressing and other parts of
the work done in their dwelling-house. It was with
most a mixed industry, c<nnbined with farming or
some other employment. The Brothers Little were at
Solomon Nelson's, near the meeting-house, manufac-
turing in 1810, and were aiterwards at the " Corner,''
but in both places couibined the business with trade
in general merchandise. Richard Ten ney and his son,
Amos J. Tenney, began early at their home on Tenney
Street. Deacon Nelson on Nelson Street, and Nath-
aniel Nelson at his home, were both engaged in shoe-
manufacturing before 1812. To have, as it were,
"many irons in the Are" was the rule with these
business men nf tliat day. Benj.amin Winter followed
a few years later, and is said to have made the first
boy.s' briigans ever made in town. Stephen Little
claimed to have made the first pegged shoes; Paul
Pillsbury, as has been said, the first shoe pegs. Paul
Spoftbrd was the consignee or purchaser of many
goods shipped at that early period. A bill of lading
before the writer while penning this, is for shoes
shipped to Spofford, Tileston & Co., New York City.
Deacon Asa Nelson soon added the .shoe manufacture
to his tanning business. D. M. Winter began a limited
business about 18;50. Amos J. Tenney and his son
George J., built at the Corner the dwelling-house and
factory in 1829, which were burned in the first exten-
sive fire in 1874. The boots made by the Tenneys
soon became generally known in the boot and shoe
towns of the State as a standard make both in style
and (piality, and the firm became known as a leading
firm in the business centres of the country. Samuel
Little began the same business in 1831, establishing a
trade with Pittsburgh, and, as the population spread
westward, with points beyond Western Pennsylvania,
and finally, under the firm name of Little & Noyes
(Hiram N.), afterwards Little & Moulton, became the
leading business house of the town.
It is a fact worthy of record that Daniel Wood, of
Box ford, who worked for Deacon Solomon Nelson as
early .as 1813, carrying home his stock and returning
with his saddle-bag of shoes on horseback, as Mr.
Amos Nelson, now an octogenarian, well remembers
seeing him, is at ninety-five years of age, still at work
on his shoemaker's bench. The business was managed
loosely, as it would be thought to-day, the shoemaker
sometimes taking the uncut leather, and cut, as well
as made, the shoes. About every farm-house by 1830
had its shop near by. The trade was largely with
Baltimore, Norfolk and Charleston, as well as with New
York City. At first goods were carried over the road
to Boston in medium-sized wagons, but as the business
became extensive, large baggage-wagons, drawn by six
horses, were in use for carrying shoes, with a return
load of West India goods for the several stores. After
the opening of the Eastern Railroad boots and shoes
were sometimes carted to Rowley, and shipped by rail
from there. By 1840 thirty or more persons in the
south partof the town had been, or were to some extent,
engaged in the shoe industry. Besides those already
named, there were the brothers C. G. it John Baker,
Benjamin Adams, John A. Lovering (continued re-
cently by his son, John H. Lovering), George W.
Chaplin, Mighill, Asa and Harrison Nelson, Ignatius
Sargent (a partner of the last-named) and many oth-
ers. There were several in Byfield, as James Peabody,
near the Newbury line, the Jackmans and perhaps
others. Nathaniel and Major Jeremiah Nelson did
an extensive business, and something was done in
Marlboro'. Somewhat later there were M. A. Tidd
(who removed to Iowa), in what is now C. G. Baker's
shop; Henry P. Chaplin, in what is now Mrs. Allen
G. Hood's home ; G. M. Nelson and Coleman Platts,
where A. B. Noyes now is, and where David Holmes,
G. H. Carleton and others have carried on business in
(he past; W. B. Harriman, on Elm Street, continued
by his son, Horace E. Harriman, .Tohn P. Coker and
others. Moses Spofibrd did a small business in a
building where G. S. Harnden's house now stands.
Perhaps the first light work made in town was by Al-
fred Hale, in the building, on Main Street, formerly
the residence and private school of the MLsses Cross.
Besides these there have been Charles M. Stocker,
(ieorge B. Miller, one or two Haverhill firms, who
have had for a time the third floor of Odd Fellows'
Block in recent years, and, in a limited way, one or
two others. In addition to those named, there are at
[iresent using steam-power W. M. Brewster, on Park
Street, who makes a specialty of b<iots, many of high
grade, and has had from seventy-five to ninety em-
ployed ; A. B. Noyes & Co., on Main Street, largely
engaged in miners' wear, and George W. Chaplin &
Co., on Central Street, who make a varied stock,
some miners' goods, and of late are manufacturing
new styles. Those not using power are the lioot and
Shoe Corporation, with E. S. Daniels, superintendent,
in the Samuel Little fictory, and tciok at their organ-
i/atiiin, 1881, the trade Mr. Little had when business
846
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
was suspended by him, H. P. Chaplin, on Central
Street ; J. B. Giles, who occupies the D. M. Winter
factory on Elm Street; H. E. Harriman, also on Elm
Street, makes boots for Essex County and home trade
generally, and C. G. Baker with a similar product.
Mr. George W. Chaplin, now the veteran of this in-
dustry, can recall more than fifty persons in this town,
mostly in South Georgetown, who have at one time
or another manufactured boots and shoes. From
1830 to 1850, there were two harness-shops in town,
with several journeymen and apjirentices ; Robert
Savory had one of the estaldishnients. Later thi.s
work was limited to one or two persons. At present
T. F. Hill conducts a successful business of this kind.
Perhaps about 1843 or 1844, Moses Atwood began
the manufacture of " Atwood's Bitters." This has
become one of the standard patent medicines of the
country. Moses Carter and Lewis H. Bateman after-
wards individually continued this same manufacture.
These three persons became to some extent manufac-
ing druggists, of which the business of Jlr. Carter is
continued in that of Luther F. Carter, his son. Mr.
Atwood removed West, and the widely known " Bit-
ters," are now it is believed, the product of a New
York city firm. A deposit of ochreous earth was dis-
covered by Mr. Atwood at the base of the hill known
by his name about 1846 or 1847, and from it many
buildings in town were painted. The newspaper
printing business and job work were begun in June,
184C, in Little's shoe factory, or the " Pheuix Build-
ing," as the advertisement reads, and the Watelilnwer,
a semi-religious weekly, issued. This paper was also
published and mailed from Newburyport; Rev. Allen
Garnett was editor, and William Cogswell, proprietor.
Volume ten began March, 1848 ; this was sustained
for about three years, when after a brief interim the
Gcorr/tfowit liqiortcr, another weekly or semi-monthly
published by a Mr. Green, became the village paper,
but of a lower standard than the Watchtower. This
paper was continued until about 1853 or 1854. In
1867 the town had occasional newspaper ventures
in the Evangelist, published by Major Moses Tenney
& Son, partially for trade purposes, and in 1871 the
Star, which was issued monthly throughout the year by
Calvin E. Howe, and another trade sheet, the Qran-
ger, in 1874.
September 23, 1874, W. B. Hammond, of Peabody,
who had been running a job printing office in Odd
Fellows Block for about two years, issued the first
number of the Georgetown Advocate. The following
year he entered into partnership with the present
town clerk, H. N. Harriman, who for some time pre-
viously had been a member of the State Constabulary,
and located at Salem, the firm greatly enlarging the
size of the paper. They print a weekly edition of
about twelve hundred copies, have a well-appointed
office, issue a sheet deservedly popular, from its ty-
pography and general make-up, the files of which
will, to the future local historian, be invaluable. A
steam-power press is used. The making of men's
clothing was anciently done by itinerating tailors
going from family to family, as women tailors did half
a century ago. " Tailor Thurlow " was perhaps the
most noted in this town.
Samuel Plumer, of Rowley, who had been living
in Haverhill for a year or two, began the manufac-
ture of clothing in town in 1838. Was in partnership
with Stephen Osgood for some years, but later with
H. L. Perkins. He is still in business, and after some
removals, again occupies his old stand of nearly fifty
years ago. Mr. Blodgett was in the same industry,
from about 184;2, for some years. Had some twenty
or more employees. Was of an inventive turn and
devised the first sewing-machines, but it was only by
the aid of a Boston machinist that it was made prac-
tical. Afterwards took out patents in England ; lo-
cated in Philadelphia and became wealthy. David
Haskell, an ingenious carpenter of this town, invent-
ed an attachment to the sewing machine, now in uni-
versal use, but others secured the money-value. Ste-
phen O.sgood began the clothing business in 1848 ;
afterwards a "Forty-niner'' in the early California
furore, and for many years has been extensively en-
gaged as a merchant-tailor, having forstyleand finish
of garments a very wide celebrity. He was a member
of the Massachusetts Senate. H. L. Perkins, for some
years in partnership with Mr. Plumer, but of late
in business in Odd Fellows' Building, recently re-
moved to Haverhill. He makes a specialty of par-
ticular lines of gentlemen's wear. L. H. Bateman
twenty years ago manufactured cigars in the second
story of the store which formerly was near Dr. Huse's
residence. Shoe-pegs were made by Charles Coburn
forty years ago, in a building on Chestnut Street. The
tannery of Deacon Solomon Nelson was improved by
the father of the writer about 1843, a bark mill, cir-
cular .saws and lathe added. Shuttle stock for the
Lowell mills, carriage, laths and tencing stuff' manu-
factured, grinding bark for the tanneries, then doing
business and threshing grain, nearly every farmer
growing the small grains at that time.
The fir-^t use of steam for manufiicturing purposes,
was on Chestnut Street, about 1835, as has been sta-
ted. Since that time, an engine was run for about
two years, uear the Pingree farm-house, to saw the
timber into lumber, at the time of the extensive
clearing of the forest; another, about twenty years
ago, on West Street, by Patrick Grimes, in a
wool-cleaning business, in a building just in the rear
of the James Grimes (formerly the Esquire Spofford
place), also one in the building on Main Street, near
Pen Brook Avenue, where, a few years ago, parties
from Haverhill extracted oil from leather waste and
still another in an apple-evaporating business, about
five years ago, in the building on Main Street, former-
ly the residence of the Misses Cross, upon the site of
which ihe Bailey block of stores and tenements now
stands. The carriage manufacture was introduced
GBORCtETOVS'N.
847
sdine years ago, by a brother of iStephen 0:igoo<l, in
the hirge and convenient buibliug erected for the pur-
[>ose, at the head of School Street, but unfortunately
did not prove remunerative. Here steam power was
also used. George S. Weston has steam power in a
cider factory, erected some ten or twelve years ago,
near his residence on Main Street. Mr. Weston and
his cousin Charles, run in the winter season, the old
Spotl'tird saw-mill on Andover Street. Henry I'etten-
gill, has in his old blacksmith shop, the engine for-
merly used in the Batcheldor peg-mill, in Boxford,
which was burned about 1848. In 1860 a company
of capitalists in Newburyport, began the manufacture
of peat at the Raynor meadows, on the west side of
Central .Street, not far from the Boxford boundary.
A building of three stories was erected, machinery
and steam power put in, upland graded for drying
ground and much expense incurred. The result
was not satisfactory, and after a few months, work
was suspended. This locality, now owned by ISoston
parties, is locally known as " Peatville."
During the silver mining e.xcitemeiit, in 1875 and
'76, a shaft was sunk by a Dr. Taylor, on Hilliard
land, near the Parker River Mills, and nuich experi-
menting and hmd-bonding in that locality, and along
Red Shanks and on Nelson Street, was the result.
Some gahma and silver was found. Recently, furtluM'
mining o|)erations have been made near C. V.. Cha|i-
lin's, on JMelsou Street, on land then owned by parties
in Providence, R. I.
The business of a machinist was carried on for sev-
eral years by Manly iMorse, son of Nathaniel Mor.se,
and by George Hasting, the Universalist minister.
The first wind-mill erected was that of Robert
Boyes, about thirty-five years ago, for wheelwright
purposes, on the building in the rear of Little's shoe
factory, now occiipied by J. E. Messenger. Lately
modern wind-mills have been in use for stabling pur-
poses by Jojihanas .Vdams aud G. H. Carlton.
Soap manufacture has been carried on for some
years by Charles Smith, on North Street, and .bilin
T. Hilliard, on Thurlow Street. Elisha Hood, ol
South Georgetown, was at one time in this business.
The shoe-box industry, at present carried on by M.
F. Carter at the steam factory near the railroad sta-
tion, was begun twenty or more years ago on Pond
Street, by J. P. Folsom, and continued liy William
Sawyer, who removed here from Boxford.
The cutting of ice from Lake Pentucket was begun
as early as 1853 or 1854, by Messrs. Little and Tenney,
and soon after the buildings were erected. This
Pentucket ice industry was afterwards the property of
Sherman Nelson, but at present, and for some years
past, is controlled by John A. Hoyt & Sous.
A few years ago two brothers by the name of Ab-
bott, who are in the business elsewhere, began cutting
ice from Rock Pond. They cut and store wholly for
shipment, while much of the Pentucket product is for
local consumption. Besides the blacksmith shops
named there was, as early as 1740, that of Amos
Pillsbury, on Pillsbury Plain, near Humphrey Nel-
son's, later, another Dresser shop near Library Street,
afterwards occupied by Captain .\sa Bradstreet and
D W. Perkins. Fifty years ago South Georgetown
had Goodrich and Richards in this ihdustry, and dur-
ing work on the road-bed of the Danvers Railroad, a
sho|) was built at the corner of Chaplin Ciiurt, after-
wards burned. Byfield had one or two on Warren
Street, and has at present, on North Street, a very en-
terprising establishment, in the carriage and smith shop
of Morse & Poor. At the village there have been the
shops of J. A. Illsley, James Cogswell, now Charles
Holmes, also that of McKenney, Morrill and the vet-
eran Henry Pettengill, now of nearly sixty years
labor in this town. One curious feature of the early
times was, that before the use of "slings'' when oxen
were to be shod they were turucil upon their backs, a
custom still in use in Syria.
Many of the earlier house-builders have been al-
ready named, as several of the Spotlbrds, eminent in
this especially honorable avocation, also two or three
of the Hazens, and others. Captain .lohn Kilham
was, for about half a century, a skillful artisan, and
many of the dwellings in town are the results of his
steady and painstaking industry. Isaac Wilson,
residing on Spofl'ord hill, William George, who died
recently at the age of ninety-six, Sylvanus Nelson,
S. Eustace Clark and others, now gone to join the
silent majority, were always busy in the duties of
their calling.
The Kimball brothers, of which ,Iohn, survives,
were active for many years in their chosen work, and
is now repeated in their sons also; also ,lohn W. Pin-
gree in South (xeorgetown, Chauncey (). Noyes, Caleb
S. Chaplin, in Bjfield, (ieorge B. Poor and James E.
Jlessenger, of whom the last-named has a business var-
ied with carriage repair (assuming the work laid aside
by .Joseph Currier and Robert Boyce) are, with per-
haps others not named, the active members of the
fraternity in the town to-day. A few contractors
have, at times, resided here, but in most cases their
labor was not as jn-oductive of good to the community,
as was anticipated.
One industry to be added to Ihc foregoing is that
of heel-making, which is connected naturally with the
shoe and leather interests. This business isof consi'l-
erable importance in lnwns near by, but from some
cau.se has not been successful in this town. Recently
an attempt was made to conduct this industry on a
large scale, liut all work, after several mouths of trial,
has been suspended. Previously the Cokers, father
and son, for a time did a moderate business. Another
quite important industry to be added is the manufac-
ture of lasts by Oyrus Dornian, who conducted this
business at the head of Metdiaiiics' Court for several
years.
A bakery was established by John Hale in a build-
iug erected for the purpose, near Peabody Library,
848
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ten years or more ago. The public demand hardly
warranted the outlay, and the busine.ss was not a suc-
cess. Later J. S. Hilliard carried on the same busi-
ness in Little's Block, selling out some three years ago
to S. D. Bean. Nearly, or quite, forty-five years ago
AVilliam Boynton, now of Melrose, conducted quite a
trade in, and some manufacture of, furniture on
Central Street. He was also undertaker for the town.
The Farmers' Mutual Company, of Georgetown, or-
ganized about forty years ago, had its office under his
roof, au institution of which he was treasurer. This
company has been extinct for about twenty years.
CHAPTER LIX.
GEORGETOWN—! Coniit, uerl).
THE MILITARY HISTORY.
In examining the early history of New England
towns for their military records, one fact impressed on
the mind by all investigators is the frequent use of
military titles in the records both of the parish and
town, and especially from about 1700 down to 1850,
while with us some of the captains, majors and
colonels are still living, and are familiarly so called.
A pride in military duty parade seems to have
been a trait in some families, and in this vicin-
ity, for a century or more, in the Spofford family,
more than in any other. Perhaps the first names
found in active service as Indian fighters, are those
of the Stickneys on Long Hill, one of whom was
called out for a short campaign against the Indians at
the eastward about 1707. Jonathan Wheeler was on
duty at Fort Independence, Boston harbor (then
Castle William), at some date not later than 173r).
He was probably the Marlboro' resident. Lieutenant
Benjamin Plumer, perhaps Ensign Benjamin, who
was prominent in parish work, was on the eastern
frontier in 1754. Two or three from this part of Row.
ley were at Lake George in 1755 with the Rowley
Company. At this early period of the French war,
our soldiers wore their homespun clothing, and car-
ried their own muskets, blankets only provided. The
militia was organized, and, in the prospect of a pro-
longed war, were frequently drilled. In 1757 Ebenezer
Burpee, the parish clerk, was lieutenant, and Deacon
Stephen Mighill was clerk of Capt. Pearsons' company
of cavalry. In the return of militia for 1757 Cap-
tain Richard Thurston's train-baud, or West Parisli
Infantry, had fifty-four men. The crisis in our
country's history, when the French were victorious in
every important encounter, brought the realities of
war to the homes of these West parish farmers. The
contest at this time had jieculiar features all its own.
The Fort William Henry massacre soon followed, and
as the wearied and disheartened soldier returned
after the campaign, it was to tell the story of tor-
tured prisoners and cannibalism, and of a French
and Indian alliance, which it seemed the colonies
were almost powerless to meet. The alarm list at this
period was headed by Mr. Chandler, the pastor, aud
others on the list were Thomas Merrill, who, about
1750, had removed from what is now the Eldred Par-
ker place in Groveland, and had bought the Joseph
Nelson house in Marlboro' district, now the Jacob
F. Jewett house; also Dudley Tyler, the inn-keeper,
at that time, the owner of the Francis Brocklebank
place, near the meeting-house, and seventeen others,
equally prominent. Dudley, a son of Mr. Tyler, was
in active service in 1757, again in 1759, and perhaps
in later campaigns. He was a public charge for the
last ten or fifteen years of his life, making it his
home most of the time, with Moses Nelson, on Nelson
Street.
At Mr. Solomon Nelson's request, the town at the
annual meeting, in view of Mr. Tyler's military record,
both in this and the Revolutionary war, always granted
him liberty of choice (with much opposition, how-
ever,) as to the family where he wished to live. The
Tyler family becoming embarrassed, Mr. Nelson had
bought, about 17G5, their place, now owned by M. G.
Spotford. This place descended from Mr. Solomon
Nelson to his sou. Major Paul Nelson, i'rom whose heirs
it was bought by Rev. Charles Beecher, and by him
sold to the present owner. The sign which swung
before this ancient tavern for many a year, with its
painted soldier, in the uniform of King George's
army, is now the property of Sir. Humphrey Nelson,
of this town. During the French, and part of the
subsequent war, the enlistments were for a short ser-
vice or for the campaign, the .soldiers usually entering
the army in the spring, and returning home in the
early winter of the same year.
In 1759, Francis Nelson, who lived near the Long
Hill road, was a soldier under Captain Herrick, of
Boxford. Amos Nelson, who afterwards built the
Charles E. Chaplin house on Nelson Street, was in
service in 1757, and was in Colonel Appleton's regi-
ment, in 1759, and Benjamin Winter, the grand-iiither
of Benjamin and D. M. Winter, was in the army the
same year, and also in 17(50. Other names, in different
campaigns, from the West parish aud Byfield families,
were Richard Easty, Robert Gragg, Abner Moores,
Thomas Pike, Ezra Burbank, David Plumer, John
Plumer, Jonathan Gragg, Abner Burbank, Moses
Harriman, John Jackman, Mark Thurlow, Abel
Dodge, Ruf'us Wheeler, Peter Hardy, John Crorabie,
and doubtless many others.
In 1756, the Province of Massachusetts called for
volunteers, and if there was not the requisite number
at the given time, then a conscription was to be or-
dered. A bounty of six dollars was offered, and pay
for privates of one pound, six shillings a month. If
the volunteer brought his own gun, a bounty of two
dollars extra. Their powder-horns, with figures and
GEORGETOWN.
849
ornamentations on them, the work of these men in
their idle hours, are now heir-looms in families, an<l
curios in cabinets.
The Province, as " the combat deepened, "' in-
creased the supplies, providing in 1756, biillet-])oucli,
blanket, knapsack and wooden bottle, besides the
powdi'r-horn and musket. Latera uniform of brcecho
of blue and red was added. This forced travel
from home by the stern demands of war to the novel
sights at distant Louisburg, in Acadia, along Lake
George, Oswego and elsewhere, gave an impetus to
the peaceful emigration to New Hampshire, Vermont,
and New York, which took pla e at the close of thr
contest.
In 17i>4, the West Parish Militia wa.s organizeil into
one company, with Daniel the great-grandfather ol
Charles Sewall Spofford, as Captain. Dudley Tyler,
who married a daughter of Dea. .Vbner Spolford, was
Lieutenant and Eliphalet 8portord, the grandfather ol
the late Dea. Jeremiah Spoflbrd, was Ensign. Some ol
this company had survived the dangers of one con-
flict, with personal experiences of Indian ambuscade,
pestilence and all that made the seven years French
war, a trial which tested the strength of the country,
apparently to the utmost, but another, and a more
terrible test of the abilities of the colonies was coming.
In 1770, papers were in circulation, pledging the
suViscribers to non-intercourse with Great Britain.
This Whig covenant was an agreement not to use iji
their families, any goods of English manufacture or
any imported from England, while tea was especially
named. The paper which circulated in Bytield had the
names of such patriots, as Reuben, iloses, Jeremiah,
Enoch, Daniel, Jacob and Noyes Pearson, Jeremiah
and Henry Poor, John, Samuel and John Searl, Jr.,
Benjamin and Amos Stickney, Mark, Jonathan and
John Tburlow, Nathaniel and John Tenney, Samuel
Northend, William Longfellow, Oliver Dickinson,
Amos .lewett, Abraham Sawyer, Israel Adams,
Moses Lull, Benjamin Jackman, Samuel Pike,
Moses Smith and Abraham Colby. A few of these
were, perhaps, not residents of the Georgetown part of
the parish. Special enlistments as minute men were
voted by the town, as early a.s January, 1775, and a
weekly one-half day's drill was begun. The West
Parish voted February 9, 1775, that minute men
should be raised according to the advice of the
Provincial Congress.
In March military drill, of two half-days in each
week, was begun. Daniel SpotFord, then colonel, led
his regiment to Cambridge, on the report of the Lex-
ington light. Who were engaged in the battle at
Bunker Hill from this part of Rowley, except Dud-
ley Tyler and James Boynton, who was killed (a
brother of Jloses), it seems to be difficult to ascer-
tain.
The firing of the artillery was distinctly heard here,
as we have often learned from aged citizens, and the
alarm and anxiety must have been intense. Captain
54
Eliphalet, the grandfather of Dr. Jeremiah Spofford,
commanded a company in his brother Daniel's regi-
ment, in which the doctor's father was a private, and
some of these Spoflbrds may have been at Bunker Hill.
Jeremiah and William Chandler, the only children of
William, the schoolmaster, were in the army in 1775,
and again in 177S ; one of them never returned to his
wife, whom he left behind him, but at the e.xpirution
of his term of service, remained in Pennsylvania,
and, it is said, married there. Twice, at least, the
town was divided into classes, intermixing the poor
with the rich, and each class was called upon to
procure a soldier.
One of the classes had Lieutenant Benjamin Stick-
ney at the head, .\mong those who were in this war,
was one captain,— Benjamin Adams, — at least five
lieutenants, viz. : Thomas Pike, who lived early in
this century in the Sherman Nelson house, on Elm
Street, and who was a pioneer advocate of Universal-
ism, removed to New London, N. H.; Moody Spoflbrd,
the bridge and church builder, who was at Ticonder-
oga, and commonly known as " Esquire Spoflbrd ; "
John Tenney, Benjamin Stickney and Rufus Wheel-
er. Nathaniel Burpee was drummer. David Poor
was a corporal. A few names of privates are Abel
Dodge, the cooper, who occupied, and perhaps built,
the house on Main Street, until recently the Daniel
W. Perkins house ; Paul Stickney, William Searle,
Joseph Nelson, who removed to Wallingford, Me.,
soon after the war; Jeremiah Dodge, maternal grand-
father of George Peabody ; Samuel Plumer, supposed
to be the father of the Plumer brothers, who gave the
parsonage farm to the Baptist Society; Francis Nel-
son, afterwards drowned in Rowley River; Aaron
Crombie, father of the well-known Crombie brothers;
John Crombie, probably a brother, who died of small-
pox in New York State ; Silas Dole, and many others.
Some of these were living when the pensioning of
aged soldiers, and the Revolutionary veterans in par-
ticular, began, which, it is said, was Hrst suggested by
President Monroe, because of tinding, when on his
tour through the North, an army chum, by the name
of Barnes, in the Waltham Almshouse, who was a
fellow-officer with him in the Revolutionary War.
Doubtless the last worn survivor of that war in
this town was John Phips, a native of (iloucester,
who died in the family of Dr. David Mighill about
1843.
During the Shay insurrection, Joseph Pike of By-
field enlisted for thirty days, the time called for.
Militia organization was maintained by careful legis-
lation, after the formation of the new government.
The death of Washington in 1799, caused a general
outburst of sorrow and a special recognition from the
militia. The writer has an order of Januarj' 1800,
requiring all the members of the company of cavalry
(a company composed of Topsfield and Boxford, as
well as Rowley men) then living in the West Parish,
to attend religious service in uuilbrm and mourning
850
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
emblems for six months. This order came to Ste-
phen M. Nelson, who was sergeant. In 1807 troubles
were threatened because of the embargo and other
disturbing acts, and volunteers were enlisted.
At that time what is now Georgetown began to be
called New Rowley, and from the place were enrolle<l
Joseph Adams, Robert Bettis, John Bridges, Jr.,
Richard and James Chute, Jr., Andrew Horner, Ste-
phen W. and Moses Nelson, Benj. S. Picket, Paul
Stickney, Jr., and Samuel C. Tidd.
In the second war with England, there w-ere but few
in service from this town, and these in the sea-coast de-
fence for one month only. From New Rowley were
John Bridges, Jr., David Brocklebank, Edmund Dole,
Paul Dole, Jr., Ralph Dole, Phineas Hardy, Thomas
Merrill, Jr., Daniel Palmer, Paul Stickney, Jr., and
Mighill Spofibrd. During the contest party spirit
ran so high and opposition to the measures of the
National Governn)ent was so general in Massachu-
setts, that the position assumed was but little re-
moved from an armed neutrality. It has been said
that the English naval forces on our coast, received
supplies by boats from Rowley River. This may seem
to have been rather unpatriotic, but perhaps not more
so than supplying the Southern Confederacy with
shoes, by the blockade runners, via St. John, New
Brunswick. Fears of British invasion were so rife
at one time, that specie and other valuables were
taken for safety into the interior. Several thousand
silver dollars, the property of a Rowley man, were
secreted for several months in Deacon Solomon Nel-
son's house.
In the Florida War only one person who was living
in Georgetown is known to have enlisted : this was
Samuel C. Hood, a native of Topsfield. The north-
eastern boundary difficulty, known as the Aroostook
War, looked threatening for a time, and it was ex-
pected that troops would be ordered from this State.
These were happily not called for. Charles E. Chap-
lin, of this town, then living in Alaine, was in the
detachment of State Militia ordered out, and was in
service about three months in the early spring of
1840, at Fort Fairfield, below Houlton.
Before leaving the frontiers, these hastily, half-
equipped troops were reviewed and complimented by
that stern old martinet, Winfield Scott. At least three
residents or natives of Georgetown were in the Mexi-
can War. Laban S. Keyes, who recently died in
New Hampshire, was one ; also Edward Currier ; and
a resident of Byfield, was, if we mistake not, another.
To many now living, the excitement and attractions
of the " training field " of their earlier days is ever
pleasant to recall. Twice the Brigade of Northern
Essex mustered on Pillsbury's Plain, near Mr. Hum-
phrey Nelson's house ; the first time about 1820, and
again in 1822. Several thousand of the militia were
present, with General Solomon Lowe, of Boxford,
commanding. These October gatherings were made
a general holiday, and the principal one of the year.
The observance of Independence Day, until 1835 or
1836, was of a quiet, reflective, semi-religious char-
acter, very different from what followed for thirty
years or more, when it became the chief holiday of
the year, and enthusiastic public demonstrations were
made everywhere. Until the date named, an occa-
sional address like that of Mr. Braman's or Caleb
Cushing's, with possibly the formality of a military
escort to the old meeting-house, and calm thought-
fulness on the part of the people, made the day but a
slight remove from a Sunday service. They were too
near the actual events to encourage the noisy demon-
strations of a later day. For this middle period, the
Fourth of July, as a public holiday, had the pre-
eminence, but later, under the shadows of our last
and greatest conflict, this has been transferred to
Memorial Day. Under the old militia law, three
seasons for drilling, besides the October muster, were
required. Many parades were, for convenience, by
detachments or battalions. On the farm of De Witt
C. Mighill, in Boxford, about 1814, the New Rowley
and the Boxford Militia drilled in companies, having
a sham fight, and, as a special feature, a sham ambus-
cade of fifty or more soldiers dressed as Indians.
About 1815, at a brigade training on the Dole or
" Esquire Gage " Farm in Byfield, now the Town
Farm, Governor Brooks was present, and it was a
great day generally for Northern Essex.
When Governor Everett began to express his dis-
ajjprobation of the general militia system, and the
demoralizing influences of muster days, the law soon
became obnoxious, and intentionally was made ridi-
culous by those liable to do duty. Men came to the
parade-ground in their working clothes, and these
Falstaffian soldiers, in derision, had the expressive
name of Stringbeaners flung at them, by the .stylish,
independent companies, which began to be popular.
Georgetown had, at that time, the La Fayette
Guards, a company of infantry highly commended
for drill and discipline. By 1843 or '44 most of these
military organizations had disbanded.
About 1858 or '59 an independent company, com-
maude<l by Capt. Joseph Hervey, known as the " Citi-
zens Guard," was organized, largely through the in-
fluence of the gentleman afterwards elected comman-
der, and was in regular drill-practice, when the War
of the Rebellion opened. When Company " K," of
the Fiftieth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers went
into camp at Boxford, this independent corps per-
formed escort duty. This Company K was recruited
largely from this town, and several of the recruits
were previously members of the Citizens (Juard. On
the morning in August, or early September, before
they entered camp, a public testimonial, in the form
of a breakfast, at the Town Hall, was tendered them
There was a reception, at a later day, with a parade
of the regiment through our streets.
Of this company several never returned to the
home of their birth. At Baton Rouge, Island No.
GEORGETOWN.
851
1(1, aud at other points near the broiul Mississip-
pi, they lie, far from their friends and Icindred. Much
indignation was felt that the survivors, while returning
from their service of nearly a year in the defence of
their country, had in the rude provision made for their
journey across the country, only coarse box-cars, tilthy
from use in the transportation of cattle. Jfany of the
Georgetown soldiers were prostrated by the malarial
influences of the Lower Mississippi, and the rough
ride still further reduced their strength, so that sev-
eral crossed the home threshold, but to die. Others
lived, but recovery was only after a long and tedious
illness.
The funeral services of Spofl'ord. Pickett, Sherburne
and others followed in quick succession. With C.
W. Tenney, the expressman, S. S. Jewelt and others,
it seemed for a time, that in an unfavorable moment,
they also would be swept on to join their comrades.
In March, 1S6.5, Capt. G. W. Boynton'visited Louisi-
ana, exhumini; the bodies of bis son George, and
comrades R. 1). Merrill and Amos Spoflbrd. On his
return a joint funeral service was held in the Town
Hall, with a sermon by Rev. Chas. Beecher, from the
Scripture which refers to the three mighty men, who
drew the water from the well at Bethlehem, for David
to drink. The little hamlet at " Marlboro','' sent
five of its young men to an early grave in the first
years of the war, four of whom were of this company.
The names of Amos G. Dole, Charles A. Spofl'ord, M.
F. Jewett, R. D. Merrill and Leonard Howe, will
ever be held in tender remembrance. The first town
action in reference to the War wa.s on April 30, 1861.
The meeting was called seven days earlier. It was
voted to appropriate the sum of five thousand dol-
lars, to aid enlistments, and further voted, a commit-
tee of one from each school district, to see what sup-
plies may be needed by volunteers or their families.
Many of the recruits in Company " C," Nineteenth
Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, were from this
town.
D. Web.ster Spoflbrd, of Boxford, now a resident of
the town, wa.s a private in Company " A," same regi-
ment, and saw four years of service in this hard-
fighting body of volunteers.
The first death in the service from Georgetown, is
supposed to be that of Isaac V. Bickford, of Company
A., Seventeenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers,
who died in Baltimore, Md., January 29, 1862. He
enlisted December 24, 1861.
TheSeventeenth Company Unattached Infantry went
into camp at Readville, in August, 1864, expecting to
do service in the forts around Washington. This com-
pany was afterwards a.ssigned to duty in Salem har-
bor. This was a one hundred-day service, and at the
expiration of their term of enlistment many of the men
re-enlisted for one year. John G. Barnes, who com-
manded, had served as captain of Company " K," Fif-
tieth Regiment, in the South in 1862-63. Many of
this unattached company were from Georgetown. The
Fourth Regiment of Heavy Artillery had several men
from this town. Several of our musicians belonging
to the band of the Seventeenth Regiment Massachu-
setts Volunteers were also from this place. One soldier,
M. W. Follansbee, suffered in Salisbury, N. C, prison,
and returned home but to die. Another, Ariel Pea-
body, was a prisoner in Andersonville. A fev,- were
in the navy. John Spoflbrd and Lewis M. Perley
were two of the number. More than two hundred in
the different arms of the service enlisted from the
town. Memorial day was first observed May 30,
1867. The school children were in the procession, and
for many years afterwards, the Fire Department also
joined in the observance of the day.
In 1872-'73 the erection of a soldiers' monument
began to be discussed, and an aged lady is reported
to have offered the sum of one hundred dollars as a
basis of subscriptions for the purpose. Finally town
action was taken, and after much earnest and per-
haps acrimonious debate, the locality was decided
upon, and the granite memorial, which very nearly
occupies the site of the "Old Red School-house,"
was erected. The dedication took place May -30, 1874,
with an address by W. H. Cudworth, D.D. Thou-
sands of spectators were present. The names of fifty
soldiers, dying in the service, are inscribed upon it.
The entire cost was about thirty-five hundred dollars.
Post 108, G. A. R., was organized August 18, 1869,
by George S. Merrill, of Lawrence, Mass.; Count L.
B. Schwabe was largely instrumental in the work.
Charter members were C. 0. Noyes, E. P. Wildes, G.
H. Spoflbrd, J. G. Scates, Solomon Nelson, Isaac
Wilson, R. C. Huse, F. M. Edgell, H. N. Harriman
and J. O. Berry. The Post was named for Everett
Peabody, of Springfield, a son of W. B. O. Peabody.
Born June, 1830, he graduated at Harvard University,
and w.as a civil and railroad engineer at the West.
While colonel of the Twenty-fifth Missouri Regiment,
he was killed at Pittsburgh Landing, April 6, 1862.
The Peabody family annually remember this Post by
gifts of value.
Past Commanders, C. O. Noyes, F. M. Edgell, J. G.
.Scates. E. P. Wildes, Cleveland Gould, H. N. Harri-
man, Patrick Cole, W. E. Day, Charles Smith, D. N.
Bridges, C. W. Tenney; present Commander, John
Muuroe. Other officers are Walter Brown, Plummer
Falls, I. S. Dodge, H. N. Harriman, Allen Robinson,
Colonius Morse, R. C. Huse, M.D.; chaplain. Rev. C.
L. Hubbard ; L. G. Wilson, J. F. Harvey.
Relief Corps No. 4 organized April 2, 1883, with
Sarah S. Harriman, Emma M. Howe, Emily A. Wad-
leigh, Jane T. Merrill, Naomi C. Dodge, Susan S.
Bickford, Lizzie C. Putnam and others, charter mem-
bers. The presidents have been Susan S. Bickford,
Sarah S. Harriman, Emma M. Howe, Lizzie A. Put-
nam, Emily A. Wadleigh.
General Burnside Camp, No. 12, S. of V., was or-
ganized December 1, 1881, with James R. Smith,
captain ; relinquished its charter in 1884.
852
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
CHAPTER LX.
GEORGETOWN— ( Continued).
THE LATER HISTORY AND CONCLUSION.
In the general history of the town there were but
few events of a marked character, aside from the
opening of railway commnnication with Newburyport,
Haverhill and Boston direct via Danvera, during the
two decades from 1840 to 1860. The first road to be
opened was that to Newburyport, about 1849. Pre-
vious to the final decision to run this line where it
now is, a movement was projected in 1847 to connect
Newburyport with Haverhill, nearer tlie Merrimac
River, passing through West Newbury and East Brad-
ford, now Groveland, and later a movementto connect
with the Eastern Railroad, at Rowley instead of New-
buryport.
At a meeting of the town, when but few voters were
present, the town's proportion of the "surplus reve-
nue," the income of whicli had been used for school
purposes, was voted in aid of the railroad. At a later
day this fifteen hundred dollars in the town assets was
recorded by ciphers. In the early history of the road
two accidents, resulting in death, occurred. Both of
the killed were citizens of this town. One was Ben-
jamin Hilliard, for some years a stage driver and ex-
pressman, who was, while conductor, crushed beneath
an overturned car, July 16, 1851 ; the other was Leander
Spoftbrd, killed September 7, 1853, by the bursting of
the boiler of the locomotive " Baldpate," at Grove-
land.
The stage-coaches, with the veterans Pinkham and
Carter as the presiding genius of each, one of them
making Lowell and Newburyport the termini, had
reached the acme of their fame, although the first-
named still continued his Salem and Haverhill jour-
neys until the opening of the Georgetown and Dauvers
Railroad, in October, 1854. The Haverhill branch
some time previously had been opened for travel.
George Spofford, an expressman between this town
and Boston, was appointed the first ticket agent, and
the passenger station was the westerly half of the
building at the east of Main Street, which was after-
ward removed to the site of the present station, and
was used as the station until the erection of the pres-
ent building. The easterly part of the original depot
remained, and is now the freight house.
The California fevei', in 1849, drew a number of the
citizens into its vortex. Among them were Messrs.
Osgood, Elliott, Hosmer, and perhaps others at the
village, and the brothers Marshall, Nelson, McLaugh-
lin and Follansbee, from South Georgetown.
In the early part of this period the Derry Fair, an
assemblage peculiar to some localities, was in active
operation in this town, once and again. The Essex
Agricultural Society held here its earlier annual exhi-
bitions, several times previous to 1840, and again in
1841 or 1842, and not again until 1862, when, amidst
the throes of the War of the Rebellion, this Society
continued, under difficulties, to carry forward its
chosen work.
The temperance movement began in this town as
early as 1815, and was continued in an organized
form, as the New Rowley Temperance Society in
1829, with a large membership of both sexes, and
Rev. Isaac Braman, president. This broadened and
deepened until the Washingtonian movement stirred
the country. That in its turn started the Cadets of I
Temperance, a juvenile body, which existed here
about 1844, and the Cold Water Army. The Band
of Hope was of later origin, and in the next decade
the Good Templars were active for a time.
The Reform Club some years ago did good service
here, and Floral Division, Sons of Temperance, al-
though its fortunes have varied, still exists, with a
record of much good done.
The stores during the period named did a thriv-
ing business. One of the best was that of C G. Tyler
in South Georgetown, who was a skillful buyer, and
whose goods were in great variety. This building,
now the shoe-factory of C. G. Baker, has had as gro-
cers in trade, Leverett S. Crombie, 0. H. Adams, and
later John A. Hoyt, M. N. Boardman and T. B.
Masury.
Moses Carter in the old establishment, previously
kept by his relatives the Bros. Little, did a large busi-
ness. He made a purchase at one time of one hun-
dred hogsheads of molasses for retail trade, an article
used to a nuich greater extent forty years ago than at
present.
Other dealers were Jos. P. Stickney in the Phenix
Building. George Spofford, J. Gove Low, and later Na-
thaniel Lambert, were all in the old store which stood
near where Geo. J. Tenney's house now is. Wiconi
Savory and William Boynton & Son occupied at
different times a building further westward, since
burned.
The names of Lake, Hathaway, Wilson, Nelson,
Tenney, Haley, one can recall in this connection.
William E. Wheeler, on North Street, is one of the
traders of to-day, as are S. T. Poor, Dennis Donaghue
and M. N. Boardman. As a druggist, the name of
Bateraan has descended from father to son. Wm.
B. DormaTi had the corner drug-store in Little's Block
(now occupied by L. H. Bateman) for some years. He
also manufactured colognes and other articles in I
variety. The telegraph-office is in the drug-store,
with Mr. Bateman as operator.
On Jewett Street, at Stickney's corner, the father
of Joseph P. Stickney had a grocery in a building
opposite his dwelling-house ; the latter is now the
home of Daniel Dawkins. This store was for many
years quite a village centre, for Warren and Jewett
Street residents.
This town has never had a celebrity for special
agricultural work.
Samuel Little, about 1854, bought the Silas Dole
GEORGETOWN.
853
estate, including the ancient Tliurston place, and at
once began extensive improvements. He built a
barn of an octagonal form, at an expense of not less
than ten thousand dollars, the most costly at the time
in the county, and ex))ended, it is thought, in varied
work, not less than sixty th(nisaud dollars. Since the
decease of the owner, and the destruction of this im-
mense barn by fire, in July, 1885, with a succession of
peculiar events, much of the expense incurred has to
the outward appearance become wasted, and the
stimulus to the agricultural interests of the town lost.
Byfield at pre.sent shows a spirit of advancement and
sustains a Farmers' Club. C. W. Nelson, the Super-
intendent of the Georgetown Town Farm, is president.
They meet frequently and are doing a good work. In
harmony with this work, was the A'illage Improvement
Society of Georgetown, which existed several yeaiis
ago, accomplishing as its work an improved condi-
tion of East Main Street, in the enclosed square, etc.,
and the building of several sidewalks in diti'erent
parts of the town. Deacon Asa Nelson was perhaps
in advance of any other farmer at one time, in prac-
tically encouraging new and improved farming.
Marked changes in methods of farming are, however,
taking place. The time was when not less than live
hundred tons of .salt-hay was carted annually from
Byfield and Rowley, for use in this town, while now,
perhaps, one hundred tons would be the entire
amount. Eight silos have been built, and ensilage
is, with a few, a popular food for stock.
Rev. O. S. Butler, of this town, has become quite
noted for his public advocacy of the silo, as a neces-
sary adjunct to successful farming.
In July, ISGO, the Essex Agricultural Society took
the initiative, it is believed, among the kindred socie-
ties of the State, in suggesting ''Fairs'" for the sale
and exchange of farm stock and other products, on the
English system. A trial day was had in Georgetown,
and what is now Lincoln Park, was alive with a
practical exhibit of the working of the mowing-ma-
chine, then a new invention. The result was very
unsatisfactory in the use of the machine, as the grass
was wet, and the whole atl'air was an experiment, not
again repeated.
The two lakes, Rock and Pentucket, just on the
borders of the "Gorner" village, give a peculiar
attractiveness to this town, that it seems might be
made of advantage to the future growth of the town.
This feature in the natural surroundings of George-
town is what but few places in the county can show,
as most of the ponds and lakes are at an inconvenient
distance from the village centres. Both lakes were par-
tially stocked with black bass some ten years ago, but
with inditferent success. Experienced anglers .say that
on the removal of the prohibition against fishing,
which was enforced for several years, the "luck" of
former times has never returned. Both of the bodies
of water are very pure. Rock nestles at the foot of
gravelly and grassy knolls, and Pentucket for nearly
one-fourth of a mile, has on Pond Street a pebbly
beach, as its eastern limit. The maximum depth is
doubtless in Rock, and perhaps forty or more feet,
while Lake Raynor (although within the limits of
Biixford, with South Georgetown so near at hand
as to be practically claimed by it as their pond), has
at one point at least seventy-two feet depth of water.
This lake, three-fourths of a mile in length, has
about eighty acres area, is largely fed by springs and
nearly enclosed by uplan<l ; has a pebbly bottom and
water clear as crystal.
From Baldpate Hill near by, with its four hundred
feet altitude, and said to exceed in height any land
between it and the "Blue Hills" of Jlilton, al-
most exactly south, a wide extent of country is visi-
ble; reaching from the White Mountain district on
the north to Bunker Hill Monument at the south,
old ocean and Southeastern Maine on the east to
Mounts Wachusett and Holyoke beyond at the west.
The present year, Boston and New York capitalists
have had in contemplation the erecting of a boarding
house or private residence upon the summit, at some
future day.
Little's Grove, a part of the Sihus IJole farm, situ-
ated just west of the B. & M. R. R., was, tor Boston
parties and for people from other places, a popular
picnic resort from about 1850 to 'liO. The citizens
of this town have had several P\jurth of July gath-
erings in this Grove; the last being in 1858, with
music by tiilmore's band. A fine Horal procession
by the public schools, was arranged and partly carried
out, but a torrent of rain marred the beauty of the
affair. Abolition, Coraeouter and Moral Reform ga-
therings, as has been said, frequently met here on Sun-
days and public holidays. In August, 1854, a Know
Nothing Convention attracted many ; but the day of
days was October 10, ISoii, when the " Fremont Mass
Convention" brought together the masses, who formed
a procession of one mile or more in length. This Con-
vention was attended by ten thousand persons. All
northern and eastern Essex were well represented.
In the political divisions of the past, this parish
was largely of the Federal faith, while Old Rowley
had many Republicans. The Rt-publicans, or Jefferson
party, gradually gaineil in numbers in New Rowley,
absorbing the attendants at the Baptist meeting-house.
Anti-Masonry was not organized, although wordy en-
counters were frequent with Dr. Mighill and others of
the craft. After Jack.son and \'an Buren, Democracy
got a small but tenacious foothold, with Major Paul
Dole as an active partisan. Harrison and the Whig
party, however, swept the town. The great September
mass meeting in Boston, in 1840, was never forgotten
by the participants. Those living speak of it now
with pride.
The Birney party had a few disciples, departing
from Garrison's teachings in part. These were mostly
young and ardent men. H. N. and his brother A. B.
Noves earlv embraced this faith, as did Asa Nelson,
854
HISTOEY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Jr., J. P. (.!oker. Deacon Moses Merrill and others.
In 1845, the Native American faith was accepted
by several, and the Tocsin read. The "Free Soil"
stir of 1848 aroused this town, and the third party
began to show noticeable strength. Still it was a
Whig town, with Colonel John Kimball especially
prominent. The State " Know Nothing" movement,
as elsewhere, however, left both of the old parties
stranded.
The " Republican " party of 185G embraced all but
half a hundred sturdy Democrats, as J. P. Jones,
Esq., the brothers J. K. and W. H. Harriraan, Dr. H.
N. Couch, Seth Hall and others ; and a few voters
still firm in the ''Know Nothing" faith. That year,
Hon. Moses Tenney, who had been in the Senate, was
elected State Treasurer, and continued in office the
constitutional term, until 1861. The Republicans
were the powerful majority until 1864, when a slight
increase of their opponents began to be seen in the
McClellau vote.
The Irish strength now began to be felt as a new
factor on the Democratic side, and continued until
the Labor Reform, followed by the Greenback party,
checked the rapid Democratic growth.
The Greenback ideas were at once embi-aced by
Captain Moses Wright, who, as an abolitionist and a
personal friend of Garrison and all the early reformers,
remained steadfast to the faith. He died suddenly,
September 18, 1887, at the age of eighty-one years.
At the last anti-slavery convention ever held in
this town, which was of three days' continuance, Cap-
tain Wright presided. It was held in the town hall
in the summer of 1860, and was addressed by J. Ford
Douglas, C. C. Burleigh, Remond, of Salem, and
others.
Oak Dell, a grove in South Georgetown, was origi-
nally opened, for a Greenback convention, September
8, 1881, with addresses by J. N. Buffum, of Lynn,
Wm. Weaver, of Nashua, N. H., and several others.
July 4, 1882, at another convention of this party, the
fall campaign was opened, in the same grove, with an
address by E. Moody Boyntou, which was immediately
circulated as a key-note by the press of the country.
This party for several years, had in this town a large
following both in State and legislative action, but of
late has become reduced in numbers.
At a few elections in recent years, some members
of the leading parties have, on personal grounds,
voted independently, and the result has been the
partial success of the Democratic ticket ; but, on
general principles, the Re]mblicans are still in the
ascendant. The distinctive temperance vote is usually
a very small minority. Besides the groves already
alluded to as noted for public occasions, there was
held in 1860 a celebration of the 4th of July, in a
grove near the Paul Pillsbury place in Byfleld, with
Rev. J. C. Fletcher as orator, and also a series of re-
igious meetings in the summer of 1868, in a grove
on Nelson Street, near the residence of Henry E.
Perley. The various clergymen of the town con-
ducted the services.
The town-house, begun in 1855, was completed the
following year at a cost of twelve thousand dollars.
The cupola, a somewhat unsightly addition, was taken
down .some years ago, which gave an improved ap-
pearance to the building. The engine-house on Mid-
dle Street, was built in 1875, at a cost including fur-
nishings, of about five thousand dollars. In this
building are rooms for the selectmen and the fire de-
partment. Little's Block, at the corner of North and
West Main Streets, was erected by a stock company
in 1871, at a cost of about forty thousand dollars.
This elegant structure for business purposes, has its
fourth floor exclusively occupied by Protection
Lodge, I. O. 0. F. The building covers the site of
the humble store and shoe-shop, built and occupied
by the brothers Joseph and Benjamin Little, about
seventy-five years ago. The Masonic block, a wooden
structure, stood near the site where the business block
liuilt in 1886 stands, and was erected in 1867. Captain
G. W. Boyntou was a large owner of stock. This val-
uable property was always rented, and was of three full
stories, besides hall-room above. This block was par-
tially burned in 1874, and completely destroyed by
the fire of 1885.
The skating rink on Park Street, opposite the shoe
factory of W. M. Brewster, was built in 1883, removed
in 1886 to North Street, near the mills, and has been
converted into a double tenement dwelling-house.
It is understood to have been originally the property
of members of the Georgetown Cornet Band. This
musical organization, with E. A. Cliaplin, leader, is
the successor of several similarly organized bodies,
but, unlike those preceding it, shows a determination
to " stick,'' and reap the reward due to energy and
perseverance. Their efficiency is recognized beyond
this iramedi.'ite locality. The talent of several of the
members is such that special engagements are of con-
stant occurrence.
The brick blocks of four and five stories, with the
narrow space between them bridged, of which the one
fronting on Main Street was destroyed in the fire in
1885, were built in 3 875. Steam-power in the Main
Street building was supplied to both. These blocks
extended from Main, nearly to the corner of Park and
Maple Street.
The Pentucket House, as it now is, was built and
occupied by Col. J. B. Savory in 1825. For hotel and
boarding purposes it was first erected, and has so con-
tinued as " Savory's tavern," and under its present
name, to this day. The original Brocklebank house,
afterwards Pillsbury tavern, a one-and-a-half story
structure, was removed to the rear, and converted, it
is thought, into the "L." Here was located for many
years the Manufacturers Bank, into the vaults of which
the noted bank burglar, " Bristol Bill," once arranged
to enter, but was deterred from his design. On the
second floor of the " L" is the hall, which has been
GEORGETOWN.
855
known at various times as Savory's, Mechanics', and
Grand Array hall, where, for many years, Panoramas,
Indian shows, learned pigs, etc., were exhibited, atl
infinitum. This hall was the head-quarters o( the
Good Templars and Sons of Temperance for a long
time.
The town farm was bought of Thomas Gage, Esi]..
in March. 1822, and, including the outlands, cost
three thousand dollars. In the division of the town,
this farm was included within the limits of George-
town. The " pound," an important institution in early
times, was voted by the parish, March, 1740. .Tosei)h
Xelson gave the land to " set the pound on.''
The parish were to have it for the purpose as " long
as said pound shall stand." Estrays were common,
and early colonial action was intense against wan-
dering swine, goats, asses and other domestic animals.
The pound-keeper's office, now a sinecure, was, until
recently, a position of trust, and the " Field driver"
had the authority of an English beadle. Personal
piques were sometimes taken advantage of by the
tield-driver, and the frequent result, here as well as
elsewhere, has beeu neighborhood quarrels.
At the present time there are no public flag-
staffs, or " Liberty poles,'' in town. The Everett Pea-
body Post, G. A. R., have recently taken such action,
that the national flag will float from their headquarters
in future on public occasions. One in the .square
where the Soldier's Monument now stands was blown
down in a violent gale, July 4, IStu. This w-as prob-
ably set about 1845. There have also been one or two
others placed in front of one of the early engine houses,
which stood where the grocery of Dennis Donaghue
now stands. The first flag-statt" referred to, was in
front of the Tenney building, now the residence of
H. N. Harriman.
On the ground floor of this building were kept the
first machines of the fire department of (hat town,
viz., the Watchman and Pentucket.
The annual firemen's parade, forty-five or more
years ago, was always quite animated and enthusias-
tic. The engine-house on Main Street, just above
Little's block, w;is removed to North Street, near the
Mills, and changed into a tenement-house. Another
engine-house on Main, very near Library Street, is
now owned by J. E. Bailey. This, for about twenty
years, was occupied by Empire or No. 2 Company. In
1875, Washington No. 3 house was removed to South
Georgetown. For some years from 18(53 or before,
Warren Street was provided with an engine, w-hich
was then known as No. 3 ; and North Street also,
where Erie (^'ompauy No. 4 is still located; this com-
pany now has horses ready at a moment's warning,
and has reached, it is conceded, marked efliciency.
The Pentucket Hook and Ladder Company was or-
ganized in 1872. The Steamer No. 1 Company was
organized in 1875. Two or three fall parades, with a
visiting company, have been held, the last one in (Oc-
tober, 1884.
Since the incorporation of the town, the first fire
which occurred was March 4, 1840, when the barn of
S. P. (!heney was destroyed by lightning. The second
was the house of Nath. Sawyer, in 1841 or '42, then
just completed, upon the site of which the brick
house now owned by L. G. Wilson wa.s at once built.
This was an incendiary fire, and was set by John Saw-
yer, an in.sane person. On the night following the 4tli
of July, 1859 or '(50, there was a partial destruction of
the stable adjoining, and the rear portion of the store
building, then occupied by Nathaniel Lambert's gro-
cery. The Dunbar Hotel, which is now the residence
of Dr. R. C. Huse, was in great danger, but escaped
hartn. The next fire of magnittnle, was a stal)le on
the same site, Fast morning, some eight or nine years
later. The building and several horses were burned.
(Jctober 26, 1874, a fire occurred in the stable of Ct. J.
Tenney, soon became uncontrollable, aud raged from
seven in the morning until about noon, destroying
property to the value of about one hundred thousand
dollars. It was only by aid from other places that
the fire was stayed. The residence and shoe-factory
of G. J. Tenney, wdth the store building in danger in the
former fire, were entirely consumed. Stables and other
store buildings, the old Boyntou among them, met the
common tate, and only held in check at the Masonic
Block and Pentucket House on the one side, and, as
before, the present Dr. Huse house on the other. The
fourth and latest fire in that same locality, was on the
night following December 25, 1885. Two members
of the Steamer Company, Messrs. Chase and Illsley,
met their sad fate at the outset, the brick wall of
Adams Block falling, and crushing them instantly,
and injuring several others, one of whom was E. A.
Yeaton, who was after a time restored to health,
while another, CM. Clark, a member of Empire Com-
panv, died after amputation aud weeks of sutTering.
This calamity was followed by a conflagration much
exceeding the former, twelve years before. The fine
brick residence of G. J. Tenney went in a nioraenl,
after the burning of the Main Street business block,
which had the Banks, National and Savings, Post
Office, law office of W. A. Butler and boot and shoe
factories of A. B. Noyes antl (r. J. Tenney. Steam
power, su()plying the Brewster block on the rear, was
also destroyed. Again the Dr. Huse residence was
the terminus eastward, and the Pentucket House
westward. This fire exceeded in loss the former. In
August, 1882, the buildings of Amos Ridley, on An-
dover Street, were burned from lightning. Other fires
have been mostly of barns and out-buildings.
The opening of Teuney's field, now Lincoln Park,
for the erection of houses, was in 18f>8. At about that
period, and a few years later, Nelson Avenue was ex-
tended and other streets opened. Since 1880 nothing
of special note in town enlargement has lieen
attempted.
The Georgetown Savings Bank was incorporated in
1868, with J. P. Jones, president, and W. H. Harriman,
856
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
treasurer. The office was at Harriman's drug store,
on Central Street, which is now owned by G. L. Met-
calf. It was removed about ten years later to the Ten-
ney Block, on Main Street, (_). B. Tenney, Esq., elected
treasurer, who is still iu office. Mr. Tenney is also Triai
Justice, has been a member of the Massachusetts Sen-
ate, a special commissioner for Essex County, and was
for many years one of the selectmen of the town. The
Georgetown National Bank has been in existence some
fourteen or more years. It had originally a capital
of one hundred thousand dollars, with H. P. Chaplin
as president, and George H. Carlton, cashier. Lewis
H. Giles is cashier at present. Both of these institu-
tions found quarters iu Little's Block after they were
burned out in the late fire, and are now in Union Block.
Of the fraternal societies the Free Masons are first,
in point of seniority. The petition of thirty-four
craftsmen was approved, and a Dispensation granted
April 5, 1867, to constitute a lodge. This was signed
by C. C. Dame, then Grand Master, whose name the
lodge afterward assumed. The first officers were
elected April 15, 1867, at a meeting in Empire Hall.
December 26th of the same year the Masonic building
and elegant lodge-rooms having been completed, the
lodge was constituted, the officers installed and the hall
dedicated. Among the members occupying the chair,
have been Stephen Osgood, Sherman Nelson, H. N.
Harriman, G. H. Tenney, Isaac Wilson, W. A. Ham-
den, E. A. Chaplin, M. F. Carter, and others.
The headquarters of the earlier Masons, sixty years
ago, was at the old Spoftbrd homestead on Andover
Street. Twice Charles C. Dame Lodge, because ol
being burned out, found in the hall of the Odd Fel-
lows a place for meeting. During Christmas week,
1879, this fraternity had a very successful Fair.
Protection Lodge, I. O. of O. F., was instituted Oc-
tober 7, 1868, by Levi F. Warren, Grand Master ol
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, with Paul R. Picker-
ing, N. G. Most of the earlier members had been
previously connected with the order in Newburyport.
Since the founding, the brothers elected to the position
of N. G. have been W. H. Harriman, Jos. E, Bailey,
D. E. Moulton, J. P. Stickney, J. G. Scates, H. L.
Perkins, E. S. Daniels, G. H. Carleton, W.H.Illsley.
Fred. M. Edgell, M. D. Chase, Perley Bunker, John
Munroe, H. A. Bixby, W. G. Wadleigh, I. S. V.
Perley, G. E. Dawkins (Groveland) S. R. White,
Henry Hilliard, J. H. Scates, G. L. Metcalf, J. T
Jackson, A. B. Hull, B. A. Hilliard, W. S. Symonds.
Clarence Stetson (Groveland), Charles H. Pingree.
Present term, G. L. Mighill. They occupy an elegant
hall in Little's Block, with the furnishings and all the
summndings in perfect completeness. This hall was
dedicated November 15, 1871, by the Grand Master, A.
B. Plympton. The number of charter members, nine
teen. Present number, one hundred and sixty-nine.
This lodge had a successftil Fair the last week in Feb-
ruary, 1874. A Rebekah Degree Lodge existed at one
time.
Good Will Assembly, 2229 K. of L., was organized
in Grand Army Hall, September ,13, 1882, by A. A.
Carlton, of Lynn, now of the General Executive
Board of the Order, with thirteen charter members.
This order has had as meeting-places, the hall where
they were organized; also Empire Hall, a hall in
Masonic building, where they were burned out in
1885, and have met frequently in Town Hall. At
present they have rooms in Union Block.
The latest secret order of the town is the A. O. of
U. W., organized by Clarence E. Embree, and insti-
tuted December 20, 1886. Present officers are P. M.
W., S. T. Peakes ; M. W., S. K. White. Other posi-
tions are held by W. Urquhart, F. V. Noyes, A. B.
Comins, E. S. Daniels, F. M. Vining, L. H. Giles, A.
C. Hall, M. L. Hoyt, L. F. Carter, T. F. Hill, and M.
N. Boardman.
One or two other organizations of a local character
have existed here in the jiast, and perhaps do at
present. At the outset of the organization of Patrons
of Husbandry, when there were but five Granges in
existence — two in New York State, two in Illinois
and one in Washington, D. C. — the writer labored to
start a Grange in this town. He entered into corres-
pondence with an officer of the National Grange (just
organized) then living in Ansonia, N. Y., and hoped to
awaken an interest here, but could not arouse suffi-
cient to warrant the founding officers visiting us.
Among the officers of the town, one or two names
havespecial prominence. One is that of Sherman Nel-
son, who for nearly twenty years was a member of the
Board of Selectmen. Another, which may have been
already stated, is that of J. P. Jones, Esq., for years
deeply interested in the schools and prominent on the
school committee; and still another to be named in
this connection is Gorham P. Tenney, who, as visit-
ing committee, was greatly beloved by the young peo-
ple of the town.
The first election of town officers was April 28,
1838. Robert Savory was elected moderator; George
Foote, town clerk ; John A. Lovering, Sewall Spof-
ford and G. D. Tenney, selectmen and assessors;
James Peabody, Moses Thurlow and .Jeremiah Clark,
overseers of the poor ; Robert Savory, Moody Cheney
and Charles Boynton, constables ; Benjamin Winter,
treasurer and collector; Joseph Little, .Tohn B. Sa-
vory and Amos J. Tenney, fire wardens; Rev. Isaac
Braman, Rev. John Burden and Moody Cheney,
school committee. George Foote's term of office as
town clerk was until 1841; J. P. Stickney, 1841-45;
H. N. Noyes, 1845-47; Thomas A. Merrill, 1847-49;
J. P. Jones, 1849-50; L. S. Crombie, 1850-51, and
died in office; Otis Thompson, pro teiii., 1851; L. H.
Bateman, 1852-55; J. P. Stickney, 185.5-59; C. G.
Tyler, 1859-60, and died in office; Chaplin G. Tyler,
pro tern., 1860 ; C. E. Jewett, 1860-71 ; O. B. Tenney,
1871-73, and resigned the office; J. E. Bailey, 1873-
76 ; Fred. M. Edgell, 1876-77, and died in office; H.
N. Harriman, pro fern., 1877-78; J. E. Bailey, 1878-
GEORGETOWN.
857
84; H. X. Harriman, 1884, and also present incum-
bent.
The post-office in Georgetown, formerly called
" New Rowley Post-office," was established in 1824,
with Benjamin Little as postmaster, who continued to
formally discharge the duties in the old corner gro-
cery until his death, in 1851. The original case of
boxes is now preserved in the gallery of Peabody Li-
brary. J. P. Stickney, who for some time had per-
formed the principal work, with the office in his store
at Little & Noyes' shoe factory, was his successor.
Samuel Wilson, who lived in the house now G. L.
Jletcalf's, was the next incumbent, with the office in
what is now the store. This was during the Pierce
administration. Captain Joseph Hervey was the
official for a time, during Pierce's term, in the corner
grocery. During liuchanan's term, J. P. Jones, Esq.,
was the official, with his brother Cyrus as clerk. The
election of Lincoln placed Richard Tenney, Esq., in
the office and in a building which was located in what
is now the yard of the Memorial Church. The erec-
tion of the church caused the removal of this build-
ing to North Street, filling a spot now covered by the
extreme northerly end of Little's Block. Here C. E.
Jewett for a time had the office on the lower floor,
and with Johnson as President, C. W. Tenney assum-
ed the duties. Dr. R. C. Huse rented the upper floor
on his settlement as physician in town. The next
incumbent was Rev. O. S. Butler, holding the office
for sixteen years and more, or during the Grant,
Hayes, Garfield and Arthur terms. The location of
the office under the care of this official was in several
places, twice at least in different parts of Masonic
Block, and after the 1874 fire temporarily in the Pen-
tucket House. During several later years a conve-
nient room in the Tenney Block on Main Street was
j)rovided, which continued as the office under the ad-
ministration of the present official, S. A. Donoghue,
until burned out in the late fire. The office wa.s then
hastily set up in the grocery of Dennis Donaghue,
and from there removed to the room of the express-
man, C. W. Tenney, and but recently has been estab-
lished ill the new (Union) block.
Of the professions, and partially allied thereto, the
ministers have been already named. Jeremiah Rus-
sell, from New Hampshire, was the first lawyer. He
built and occupied what is now the Memorial parson-
age. J. P. Jones, who began practice about 1842 or
'4.3, was also from New Hampshire. He married the
youngest daughter of Nathaniel Nelson, and resides
in the old Nelson home. His eldest son, Boyd B., now
of Haverhill, resided in town for some years after his
marriage. The office of father and son is in Haver-
hill. Benjamin Poole had an office in town .some forty
years ago. W. A. Butler, son of the late postmaster,
who studied at Boston University, also practices here.
Of physicians, besides the Spofford.s — father and
son — and David Mighill, already named, there have
been Stephen Mighill, who had at one time an office
54i
on the second floor of the South Georgetown grocery,
afterwards removed to Boston; William Cogswell,
now of Haverhill ; George Moody, on Elm Street ;
H. N. Couch, on North Street (at one time taught
the winter school in South Georgetown) ; Dr.
Grosvenor, on Main Street; Martin Root, in By-
field; De Wolf, with an office in the Baptist parson-
age, who went West; Spalding, now located near
Boston, and Drs. R. C. Huse and R. B. Root, the two
last-named having been in practice here since 18(56.
Others in the past were Roger.<, Branian and Perley.
The only j>ractitioners of dentistry ever permanent-
ly settled in town were Dr. Reed, about 1856, for a
short time, and Thomas Whittle, who removed here
from Ipswich several years ago, and is regarded as
very successful in his profession. Dr. Howard, how-
ever, has for a long time resided in town, but has an
office in Haverhill.
Photography was for ten years or more the partial
employment of W. H. Harriman, on Central Street, in
the rooms of his residence, now occupied by Mrs.
Hoyt. About 1872 or '7-3 S. C. Reed, of Newbury-
port, an artist of genius, took the rooms of Mr. Har-
riman, and resided here for two or three years. The
first daguerreotypes ever taken in town were by a
Mr. Atwood, brother of Mrs. David Haskell. This
was in the autumn and early winter of 1847, in the
house of T. J. Elliott, and in the room at the corner
of Central and Main Streets. It is very easy to recall
the mystery that most felt at the report of this new
discovery, and the peculiar solemnity experienced in
sitting for a picture.
If space permitted, some reference to the changes
in country life on the farm, and in the country home
generally, might be of interest.
It is said that the first cook-stove used in town was
in 1815, and in the house of Thomas Nelson, formerly
the Perkins house, near Lake Raynor. This was of
the old James pattern, and manufactured in New York
State. John AVood, who lived in James Gordon's
house, near the mills, was the next to buy this help
in the farmer's kitchen. Much fear had been felt that
the fuel supply would fail, from the great consump-
tion of wood in the New England States, as popula-
tion increased, and this invention, greatlj' lessening
the quantity needed, was by many at once taken ad-
vantage of. The discovery of peat early in the cen-
tury, for use as fuel, was much appreciated, and was
constantly used in many families.
The first carpet ever brought into the town was of
English make ; was bought by Deacon Solomon Nel-
son and wife in 1816, they taking a special journey to
Boston for the purpose. This carpet is still in use and
in good condition. Those journeys by horse and
chaise to Boston, and on visits in New Hampshire,
were not then considered at all wearisome by those
making them. In 1804, the partiesjust named, accom-
panied by friends from Spoffbrd's Hill, journeyed with
horse and chaise to the springs at Saratoga, then just
858
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
becoming known. At many of the stopping-places in
New Hampshire and Vermont, they found relatives
of their own or other Rowley families, and an ac-
quaintance was easily made.
As we are about closing this sketch, we will refer
briefly to a few .special agricultural features, and nat-
ural productions of the town.
Apples and pears were formerly largely grown
here. A few of those original fruit-trees still remain.
Their vigorous growth marks a century from the seed.
The temperance reform of fift}' years ago checked
the manufacture and use of cider, and the old trees
which had borne abundant crops of natural fruit, were
levelled to the ground. Every fiirmer, in former days,
stored from twenty to a hundred barrels of eider, and
some also manufactured many barrels of perry. One
hundred barrel.? of winter pears have annually been
grown on a single farm on Nelson Street. There were
not less than a dozen cider-mills in town.
Of forest trees of special size there are several in
town worthy of mention. The Pickett Elm on And-
over Street, and the Chaplin or Shute Elm on Nelson
Street, must have attained some growth at the first
settlement of the town. Of the last named, Mrs.
Huldah Harrirnan, whose memory went back to about
1750, frequently said that it was as large in her child-
hood, as in the last years of her life. There is a but-
tonwood, on Nelson Street, in front of the site of the
old Nelson house, which was planted one hundred and
thirty-seven years ago by David, the great-grand-
father of Sherman Nelson. At Henry E. Perley's
there are two immense pasture oaks well worthy of
note. There are trees near Humphrey Nelson's said
to have been set by Rev. Mr. Chandler, and a very
large elm in front of the house of Mrs. Sylvanus Mer-
rill, known as the Searl elm.
Some sections of the town, and especially South
Georgetown, are rich in botanical treasures. At the
last field meeting of the Essex Institute, held in this
town, which was at Oak Dell, June 17, 1883, Mrs. C. M.
Horner, a resident of this town, and favorably known
to students of nature throughout the State as an en-
thusiastic botanist, said that more than three hundred
species of plants had been collected by her in that
locality alone.
A brief mention of several persons who are natives
of Georgetown, in addition to those previously named,
having more than local celebrity, would not be amiss.
Mrs. A. W. H. Howard is a regular or occasional
contributor to the press of Providence, R. I., and
Philadelphia, Pa. She and her sister, Mi.ss Sarah E.
Horner, have been unwavering advocates for woman
suffrage for years, and have invariably voted for school
committee at the March meeting, since the suffrage
was extended to women.
The Searl and Merrill families, in the village of
"Marlboro'," gave to the Baptist and Congregational
ministry, early in the present century, six of their
sons — three from each family.
George Peabody Russell, a native of the town, was
a favorite nephew of the banker George Peabody.
He resides in England, and has, it has been reported,
a home in the Isle of Wight. He was bequeathed a
large fortune by his uncle, and was appointed one of
the trustees of the Southern Educational Fund. This
mention of Mr. Peabody recalls the famous public re-
ception given to him at the old meeting-house in April,
1867, when, seemingly, the entire iwpiilation of the
town were present with their cordial greetings. Old
and young entered heartily into the spirit of the oc-
casion, and none more so than Mr. Peabody himself.
J. P. Jones, Esq., gave the address of welcome, and
Hon. O. B. Tenney was master of ceremonies and in-
troduced the people to the honored guest.
Augustus M. Cheney, of Byfield, is connected with
a leading publishing house in the West. He has re-
cently visited the old homestead on Jackman Street.
Mrs. Lavinia SpofTord Weston, having considerable
local fame as a poetess, was born in the last month of
the last century. Is active!)' engaged in composition,
equaling in vigor the production of her early years.
Milton P. Braman, D.D., a prominent theologian
and a close student of history, the son of Rev. Isaac
Braman, was a clergyman in Danvers many years.
To alleviate the infirmities of her husband in his loss
of sight and declining age, Mrs. Braman, whose
maiden-name was Parker, and born, as was her hus-
band, on Andover Street, acquired, after she had
reached her seventieth year, sufficient knowledge of
the Greek language to read it to him with readiness
and appreciatingly.
Lyman G. Elliott is a lawyer in California, who is
highly esteemed as a citizen in his adopted State, and
has achieved success in his chosen profession.
In recent years several teachers of prominence have
gone out from this town. F. E. Merrill, now of Utah,
was lately nominated as superintendent of schools for
the Territory. B. H. Weston recently had charge of an
Indian school in the West, and was at one time prin-
cipal of Atkinson Academy. B. C. Noyes has been
for many years principal of the high school in Dayton,
Ohio. N. Marshman Hazen is prominently connected
with the publishing-house of the Appletous, As a
romantic adventurer, Nathaniel Savory, said to have
been born in the lately demolished "Brook house" on
Thurlow Street, achieved a fame that but few Ameri-
cans ever equaled. His career as an island king,
and his projected confederacy of the Pacific Islands
make a unique chapter in a sailor's life.
As we have already given the list of the first officers
of the town, we will here record the names of those
who are at present in office, at the close of its first
half-century : Moderator, O. B. Ter:ney ; Town Clerk,
H. N. Harriman; Selectmen and Assessors, J. E.
Bailey, James Donavan, C. E. Tyler; Treasurer and
Collector, J. E. Bailey ; Overseers of the Poor, John
A. Hoyt, James Donavan, A. A. Howe ; School Com-
mittee, G. D. Tenney, O. S. Butler, D. D. Marsh ;
' r I 'Vin
^«ir'
jWCclunm
'^^OYildcrufl' L 7^7 ( ^j .
DrCii^nai
GEORGETOWx\.
859
Constables, D. M. Bridges, A. B. Hull, Leon S. Clif-
ford, Frank Riley, C. W. Xelson, S. S. Hardy.
The half-centennial of this town and the two hundred
and fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of John SpofFord
with the Rowley emigrants, can each with propriety be
celebrated next year by the SpofTord family at their
proposed gathering, so prominent as the family have
been in the early history of the tow'u, and the fore-
going historical sketch, written just at this time,
seems to be appropriate and in harmony with this
event.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
EEV. ISAAC BEAJIAS.'
Rev. Isaac Braman was born of God-fearing par-
ents in Norton, Bristol County, Mass., July 5, 1770.
His father died when he was twelve years of age. He
always dwelt with peculiar satisfaction upon the fact
that his mother continued family worship as long as
her children remained with her, and he often ex-
pressed gratitude to that Providence that, upon their
separation after her second marriage, cast his lot in a
family where the voice of daily prayer was heard.
The date of his birth, being but five years before
the beginning of the Revolutionary War, his memory
was full of the struggles and hardships preceding
and following this contest, of which he gave many
interesting anecdotes in his jubilee sermon. He had
a great desire, in early life, for a collegiate education,
but, his guardian refusing, the matter was deferred.
At length he says, " I was determined to break
through all obstacles, and accomplish my object. I
commenced my studies near the close of my eigh-
teenth year, entered Harvard University in the year
1790, graduated in 170-1, being, of course, twenty-four
years old." Mr. Braman's modesty prevented any
allusion to his scholarship and social standing which
were so remarkable that the senior class considered it
an honor to associate with him while he was still a
junior.
" Having, with prayerful consideration," continued
Mr. Braman, in his jubilee discourse, "chosen the
Gospel ministry for my profession, though sensible of
great unworthinpss, I did not long neglect to seek a
place where I might study to prepare myself for the
work. It is doubtless known to most of my hearers
that there were no theological institutions, at that
day, in which young men might be educated for the
ministry. Those who sought the employment were
necessitated to put themselves under the tuition of
some individual minister for the purpose. There were
several clergymen in the vicinity of my residence,
who were in the habit of taking pupils. But there
was no small difficulty in making a choice. Some
1 By Apphia Horner Howard.
were called Hopkinsian<, some Calvinists, some mod-
erate Calvinists and some Arminians. Between the
last two of these, moderate Calvinistsand Arminians,
there was no essential difl'erence. They both held
that men were to be saved by their virtuous deeds
without any radical change except wh.it they could
effect in their own strength. The other two sects —
Hopkinsians and real Calvinists — held to what are
called the doctrines of grace, though there were some
shades of difference in their manner of explaining
them. But against Hopkinsianism there was a strong
prejudice .... I freely confess that I partook of
the prejudices of the time and place in which I lived,
though I am now convinced that the more intelligent
part of the Hopkinsian order understood the doc-
trines of the Gospel as well as did the most who op-
posed them."
These are noble words of strength and liberality.
" In memory's sunset air," the points over which
there had been such angry contention, seemed to the
good old man only the " prejudices of the time and
place " in which he lived. " I did not," Mr. Bramau
continued, " study with a Hopkinsian, but with sev-
eral distinguished men who did not harmonize in all
things with that denomination."
Mr. Braman was ordained and married the same
year, in Georgetown, June 7, 1797, in a new meeting-
house, which had the honor, before it was finished, of
a dedication sermon by the great Whitefield, from the
text, " The glory of the Lord hath filled the house of
the Lord." 1 Kings 8 : 11. It was delivered less than
a month before his death at Newburyport. It was
probably one of his latest etibrts, and singularly
enough it was preached the very year the future pas-
tor was born. The church was organized in 17-32
without a creed, but with a beautiful covenant of du-
ties Godward and manward. This identical covenant
is still in use at the present day. The church had
but one p.istor. Rev. James Chandler, before Mr.
Braman's settlement. But in the six years' interval,
between Mr. Chandler's death and that event there
were sixty-four candidates, Mr. Bramau being the
last and the final choice of the majority of a divided
people.
"Do you inquire," said Mr. Braman, "what got
this people into this divided state and led them to
think so differently on the subject of religion? I
will mention one thing which tended greatly to pro-
duce this unhappy effect. There was in the vicinity
a theological controversy between two divines of dis-
tinction, the one called a Calvinist, the other a Hop-
kinsian. The dispute w.is somewhat warm, and the
people here, as well as in other places, took sides.
Some were Hopkinsians, and some were Calvinists.
None of the people were willing to be thought de-
serving a lower name than one of these ; and, having
no minister, each party was determined to obtain one
of their own stamp. As for myself, I had not studied
divinity systematically, and consequently was not
860
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
particularly well versed in the issues which prevailed
here, nor in any other theological ism of the day. My
object was to exhibit the Gospel in its purity without
considering whom it might please or displease. The
consequence was that they knew not on which side to
place me, and some of the more prominent persons
of both sexes favored my settlement, and some of
both were opposed. Among the latter, as well as the
former, were respect.able men and women also."
This candid statement gives a hint of the troubles
that met the young minister at the beginning of his
career. Indeed, he said in his jubilee sermon that he
had "waded through a sea of troubles." Yet they
were only the troubles incident to human nature.
He survived them all, celebrated his jubilee with
honor, lived harmoniously with three successive col-
leagues, retained his ofiice sixty-one years and died
still the senior pastor of the church he loved so
well.
There stands in the old cemetery in Georgetown a
marble desk, on which rests a Bible open at the words
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a
crown of life." On one side are the dates of Mr-
Braman's birth, collegiate course, settlement and
death, December 26, 1858, and the statement that the
monument is erected by his parishioners and friends.
On the other side are words which tell the story of
his success in the ministry as follows :
"Rev. Mr. Braman was a man of decided piety, of
great amiability and much beloved. He possessed a
strong mind, sound judgment, uncommon moral cour-
age and remarkable discretion. He was well versed
in theological learning, a firm believer in the entire
inspiration of the Scriptures, and an able and stren-
uous advocate of the primitive orthodox institutions
and general principles of the New England churches.
In his preaching he presented divine truth with clear-
ness and a close application to the consciences of his
hearers. In giving counsel, both public and private^
lie was conspicuous for integrity and wisdom. His
love for his people, his friends, his country and the
whole church of Christ was strong and sincere."
" In the pangs of his last sickness he was patient
and submissive to the divine will, and if not in tri-
umph yet in hope he peacefully yielded up his soul
to the God who gave it."
I gained an intimate knowledge of Mr. Braman's
blameless and consistent life from the fact that I was
born and lived twenty-two years in the house next to
the home of his later years, in such close neighborhood
that the two families could speak across the small sep-
arating yards. Punctually at 2 o'clock every Monday
afternoon Mr. Braman, in long flowing gown, left the
side door of his house, crossed the yards and appeai-ed
at the side door of our house for an informal call on
my mother. Great was the awe of the young children
on these occasions, often repeated though they were,
especially when he was asked to offer prayer.
The engraving accompanying this sketch is a strik-
ingly exact likeness of Mr. Braman, who was a per-
son of very imposing presence, though his clear blue
eye always had a kindly gleam for children and young
people.
His reticent manner was the result of a shy and
sensitive temperament. Those who knew him well
found beneath it a fund of wit, humor, appreciation,
and all engaging attributes, while his sarcasm, when
he considered it merited, was of a fine and keen qual-
ity. It obtained for him in college the name of" Ra-
zor."
Mr. Braman's punctuality in a neighborly call, to
which I have referred, was the habit of his life in all
things. It was developed in a severe school.
For many years after his settlement he was without
a time-piece. The rigid economy that he was obliged
to practice to meet the demands of an increasing fam-
ily and the hospitality exi)ected in his profession, for-
bade the possession of such a luxury. Living theu
as he said, " a large mile " from his church, he was
guided by the movements of a neighbor, who was al-
ways in season, as to the time of starting, and he was
never known to be late at church or on any other oc-
casion. His promptness in opening and closing
meetings established a precedent that is still followed
in the town, while the tradition of his brevity at wed-
dings and funerals has descended from parents to
children.
Mr. Braman was a true conservative. He walked
in the safe and beaten paths of the fathers of the
church. He disliked controversy. He did not favor
speculation. His answer to questions from those who
had projected their imagination beyond the written
word was. " The Scriptures are silent upon those
points." Their silence was to his reverent nature as
impressive as were their affirmations.
He shrank from changes. Yet when a new enter-
prise commended itself to his mind as in the order of
Gospel progress he welcomed it. Among the changes
of this description in his time was the awakening of
interest in foreign missions and the formation of the
American Board. The first copy of The Missionary
Herald was taken in Georgetown. Women, in their
zeal, saved money for the cause of missions by deny-
ing themselves sugar in their tea and coffee, while
little children, before they could speak plainly, were
taught to save their pennies for the help of heathen
babes.
Mr. Braman, on a farm of about forty acres and on
a salary of about three hundred and fifty dollars (then
reckoned in British currency) and ten cords of wood,
kept his carriage, his cow and other domestic ani-
mals.
He gave the three survivors of his five children the
best education of the period, and they did ample
credit to his care.
One son, James Chandler, named by Mr. Braman
with a pleasant bit of sentiment for the predecessor
whom he never saw, died in his youth. His father
LAWRENCE.
861
coulil never mention his name witliont emotion. One
daughter died in early womaiiliood. Two sons, Milton
P. and Isaac G., became eminent in their respective
professions of divinity and medicine. A daughter,
the widow of Rev. John Boardman, of Ea-st Douglas,
returned to her native town, where she beiame, for
many years, an efficient helper in the church, and joined
with her step-mother, to whom she was tenderly united
by sympathy in the care of her father, whom she sur-
vived twenty years. She inherited her mother's beau-
tiful voice and her father's discretion. She was noted
for fine conversational powers, and was an ornament
to every circle in which she moved.
Mr. Braman was verj' fortunate in his domestic re-
lations. The wife of his youth, Hannah Palmer, of
his native town of Norton, was a woman of beauty,
energy, demonstrative manners and great executive
ability. She had a high sense of the importance of
the iiastoral office and gladly assumed all family bur-
dens to allow Mr. Braman time for the preparation of
the two sermons a week which were then demanded.
Mr. Braman wrote his sermons carefully, and wasclose-
ly confined to his notes in their delivery, which was
with rapid but distinct utterance.
Mrs. Braman's domestic generalship enabled her
husband to accomplish in the pulpit, the fiimily, the
parish and at his hospitable table great results with
small means.
She died in 1835, and in tender appreciation of her
worth, Mr. Braman placed on her burial stone the
tribute Proverbs .31 : 10, 11, from King Solomon's de-
scription of "the virtuous woman," in whom the
" heart of her husband doth safely trust."
Mr. Braman married, in 1S37, Miss Sarah Bakh, a
lady of wealth, gentle birth and breeding, from the
liistoric old city of Newburyport. She was as well
adapted to the emergencies of his declining powers,
when the burdens of life began to fall heavily upon
him, as was her predecessor for the pioneer period of
his ministry. She was many years his junior, and
still lives, after a residence in the town of fifty years,
during which her course has been so wise, winning
and beneficent, that no person was ever known to
criticise her. This unprecedented record makes her
jubilee of residence in the town as noteworthy as was
Mr. Braman's jubilee of service in the sanctuary.
Her face retains much of the comeliness of her prime
when she came to the people. It has also the added
charm of that beauty which sometimes conies to the
aged. It never passes away, for it is the result of a
life of sweetness and purity. It reminds one of the
heavenly peace which Tiemer has made to rest ujion
the brow of the "Lady Abbess," in his exquisite pic-
ture of " The Last Hours."
CHAPTER L X I .
L.WVRENCE.
BY JOHN R. ROLLINS.
In the autobiography of Hon. Daniel A. White,
prepared for his children in 18oli, he writes of his
early home as follows :
*'TheBituatiun is upona broad plain, nearly equidistant from the
Merriniac and Spicket Rivera. .My father's farm wag bounded BOUtli
on the furlner. and north on the latter river— a noMe farm of nearly
three hundred acres, abounding in wood and rural scenery, in fruits,
such as strawberries, blackberries, etc., with a tine orchard of apples at
that time in the great pasture, now wholly gone. The prospect all
arountl us was far more picturesque and beautiful than since the woods
have been cleared aw ay.
•*Tlie rural beauty of the farm, especially that part of it lying between
the main road and the Merrimack, consisting of almost every variety of
meadow and upland, pasture, mowing and woodland, with running
brooks, can hardly be imagined by one who sees it now, stripped bare
of its grandest folliage, cut up by turnpikes and made a public thorough-
fare by the roads passing throngli it, andtho bridge over tho Merrimack,
which was first built the year I entered college (1773)."
Ten years after this was written, not only the
woodland and running brooks had disappeared, but
all the concomitants of the farm had given place to
large manufacturing establishments and the numer-
ous streets of a bustling town. It was this farm of
which Judge White thus pleasantly wrote, which
covered what is at the present day a considerable part
of the very heart of the city of Lawrence.
The city is situated on both sides of Merrimac
River, embracing within its limits somewhat more
than four thousand acres taken in nearly equal parts
from the towns of .\ndoverand Metluien. The north-
erly portion, which is the most densely peopled, is
very pleasantly situated on a gently sloping plain,
partially surrounded by hills of considerable eleva-
tion—Tower Hill, on th(! west, Clover Hill, formerly
called Graves' Hill, on the north, and Prospect Hill,
on the east — all of which are dotted with pleasant
residences and from which are fine views of the town,
the river and the adjacent towns. The southerly
portion, which is quite rapidly increasing iu popula-
tion, of more level character, was originally covered
with pines, and was, in its early days, known as the
" moose country." The early settlers seem to have
taken pleasure in bandying epithets, the northern
people giving to the portion of Andover lying near
the river the title of "Sodom," while in turn the
north side was " Gomorrah," and as far east as New-
buryport Methuen was known as " The End of the
World," one of its ponds still bearing the name of
World's End Pond.
The town is about twenty-three miles from the
mouth of the river, twenty-six miles from Boston, tea
miles northerly from Lowell and eight miles west of
Haverhill. The Merrimack River passes through it,
the opicket through its northerly portion, entering
the Merrimac from the north, witliin the bountls of
the city, and the Shawshean River falls into the Mcr-
862
HISTOKY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
rimack from the south, forming a part of the south-
eastern boundary. The hist named furnishes no
power within the limits of Lawrence. The Spicljet
furnishes water to establishments in Methuen, and to
the Arlington Mills, Stuart's Dye House, the Wame-
sit Mill and the Globe Worsted Mill in Lawrence.
The Merrimack is the principal source of power, sup-
plemented in seasons of drought by Lake Winnipisi-
ogee, whose waters, as well as those of its many tribu-
tary streams, are retained as a reserve.
The total length of the Merrimack, from its origin,
at Franklin, N. H., to its mouth, at Newburyport,
is about one hundred and ten miles, and the total
area drained is about four thousand nine hundred and
sixteen square miles, of which three thousand seven
hundred and eighty are in New Hampshire and one
thousand one hundred and thirty-six in Massachu-
setts. The average fall of the stream is two hundred
and forty-five feet per mile, or two hundred and sixty-
nine feet between Franklin and the sea.
Before the river was harnessed to the cars of indus-
try along its banks, it was well stocked with fish.
Shad, salmon, alewives and sturgeon abounded in their
season, and immense quantities of lamprey eels were
to be found — in fact the latter were so abundant that
they were sold by the wagon-load instead of the
pound.
Hon. R. H. Tewksbury, in his history of Andover
Bridge, relates the following story of one of the di-
rectors, who was a large farmer and fond of experi-
ments,— "A spring freshet brought up great quanti-
ties of eels, and subsiding, left them high and dry in
pools and hollows. He considered the idea of boiling
them and feeding to swine, of which he had many.
Hia ' hired man ' remonstrated, telling him ' 'twas
agin natur to try to fatten pork with fish ; ' 'besides,
Deacon,' he said, 'if you succeed, we sha'n't know
what we're eatin', pork or lamper eels.' But the
deacon had a cart load of eels drawn up to the barn,
and filled the great kettles in the back kitchen with
eels, Indian meal and water, kindled the fire, and
laid down for a doze. But animals that squirm
in the frying-pan would not submit to boiling with-
out protest ; the hot water revived them, and each
one became an agonizing serpent. They covered the
floor of the old room, writhing in their agony and
knocking the fire brands about the floor. The dea-
con nerved himself for the contest and commenced
the slaughter of the innocents. An old negro, a new-
comer, who lived with a neighbor, and knew nothing
of live eels, heard the racket, and, looking in, saw the
sea of serpents and fire brands, and the good man
' laying about ' him. He ran howling home, saying
that more than a thousand devils had the deacon
penned up in the kitchen, but he was fighting and
prevailing against them, calling mightily on the Lord
for help. The deacon owned that though they were
not Satanic foes, it was the hardest job of his life to
subdue these eels, maintain his standing as a deacon.
and at the same time express himself in language suf-
ficiently emphatic."
The eels, however, were not usually given to
swine; they formed a staple article of food for the
farmers and others all along the river and adjacent
territory,
William Stark, in a poem delivered at the Centen-
nial celebration at Manchester, thus speaks of them, —
" The fiitliers treasured the slimy prize.
They loved the eel as their very eyes.
And of one 'tis said, with a slander rife,
For a string of eels he sold his wife.
From eels they formed their food in chief,
And eels were called the Derrj'field beef ;
Ami the marlis of eels were Bo plain to trace.
That the children looked like eels in the face.
And before they walked, it is well confirmed,
That the children never crept, bvit squirmed.
Such mighty power did the squirmers wield
O'er the goodly men of Old Derryfield,
It was often said that their only care.
And their only wish and their only prayer.
For the present world and the world to come.
Was a string of eels and a jug of rum."
That the territory now embraced in the limits of
Lawrence was once occupied either permanently or
temporarily by the native Americans (Indians), we
have abundant proof, in the multitudes of Indian
implements of almost every variety, which have been
found in several localities, and of which some fine
collections have been made. One, perhaps the
largest of these, in possession of Mr. Charles Wingate,
includes arrow and spear heads, stone axes, gouges,
pestles and other implements, some rudely and others
beautifully finished.
One burial-ground of the red men was within the
city limits, in the westerly part of South Lawrence,
and quite an extensive one was further up the river in
Andover. It is quite probable tliat the land near the
river was occupied in many places as a summer en-
cimpment, to which year by year the natives re-
tiirnedon account of the abundance offish and game.
Most of the stone implements found, and the chips
made in fashioning them, are of material not found
in this locality.
While the parent towns, Andover and Haverhijl,
suffered considerably from Indian raids, Lawrence is
not historic ground in that regard. It ts said that
the Indians once made a foray along the banks of
the river, and a man named Peters, who lived about a
mile above the dam, refusing to flee with his
neighbors, was murdered at his home.
In 167G a party of savages crossed the river at Bod-
well's Ferry (about a mile above the dam), chased
the people of Andover, killed a young man named
Abbott, and took his brother captive. There is a tradi-
tion that old Mr. Bodwell, while standing near the pres-
ent site of Mr. Davis' foundry, saw one day an Indian
prowling upon the other side of the river, evidently
bent on mischief Mr. Bodwell instantly suspected
that he was a spy sent to examine the settlement for
the purpose of destroying it. Fortunately, the old
LAWRENCE.
863
man had a gun of extraordinary length and range,
and he resolved to let the Indian report go no
further. As soon as the savage discovered Mr. Bod-
\^•ell he made an insulting gesture, thinking himself
fairly out of the range of the enemy's gun. Mr. Bod-
well immediately fired, and the Indian fell. At dusk
the same day Bodwell took a boat, crossed the river
carefully, and found the Indian dead, lying in the
grass. He rolled the body into the river, having
first secured a valuable beaver-skin robe.
Possibly another instance of savage hostility may
have occurred here. It is related in "Chase's His-
tory of Haverhill."
"■Feb. 22, 1G9S, ou return from an attack Tipon Antlover the Irnliiins
killed Jonafbau Haynes and Saml. Ladd of Ilaverhill and captured a son
of each. Haynes and Ladil who lived in the eastern part of the town,
had started that morning with their teams consisting of a yoke of oxen
and a horae, each accompanied by their, eldest sons Josei)h A Daniel
to bring home 8um« of their hay which had been cut and stacked the
preceding Summer in their meadow, in the e^rlretne irmtfrii part of the
town. While they were slowly returning, little dreaming of present
danger, they suddenly found themselves between two files of Indians
who had concealed themselves in the bushes on each side of the path.
.Seeing no hope of escape they begged for quarter. Young Ladd who
did not relish the idea of being quietly taken prisoner, cut his father's
horse loose, and giving him the lash, started off at full speed, tho re-
peatedly fired upon, and succeeded in reaching here and giving an
innnediate and general alarm. Ilayues was killed because he was too
old and infirm to travel, and Ladd who was a fierce stern looking man
because, as the Indians said ' he so sour.' "
Young Haynes was carried prisoner to Canada,
where he remained several years, and was at last re-
deemed by his relatives. A cane given him by his
Indian master, came into possession of Guy C.
Haynes, of East Boston, and is now in the rooms of
the New England Historico-Genealogical .Society. As
Haynes resided in the western part of Haverhill, and
his meadow was in the extreme western part, this
must have occurred either within our limits or in
Methuen, which was set oft' from Haverhill and in-
corporated in 1725.
Nearly a hundred years had rolled on after the in-
corporation of Methueu, and this territory had been
converted into peaceful farms, occupied by less than
two hundred people. Dams had been built upon the
Spicket Kiver, and small paper mills and the mill of
the Messrs. Stevens, for the manufacture of piano-forte
cases, now the site of the Arlington mills, had been
erected, but the Merrimack River flowed in its natural
channel unvexed by the arts of man, from its source
to the sea.
At this time dwelling-houses were not numerous,
and, as in other farming towns, were somewhat remote
from each other. Most of those on the north side
were located on the road leading from Lowell to
Haverhill (now known as Haverhill and East Haver-
hill Sts), and on the " Londonderry Turnpike " (now
Broadway). One of the oldest houses known to have
been built within the city limits was situated ou the
spot which is now the corner of Newbury and Essex
Streets. Oue of the old houses was removed to make
room for the High School building ; another was de-
stroyed to make room for the dwelling which is now
115 Haverhill Street; this was the house in which
Hon. Daniel A. White was born. Anotherstoodon the
cornerof Haverhill and Amesbury Streets. Another
was near the spot where No. 264 Haverhill Street now
stands. No. 129 Bradford Street, at the corner of
Bradford and Broadway, was originally the farm-house
of the Methuen town farm. The oldest of all is No.
o4 East Haverhill Street, the old house of the Bod-
well family, though not their first residence. This
house is more than one hundred and thirty-three
years old, perhaps more than one hundred and fifty,
and i.s the only monument of early days that Lawrence
can boast. "The building has been much changed
by successive repairs and alterations, but the founda-
tions are made as if to last forever. The chimney is
of immense proportions, measuring twenty by thirteen
feet at the base ; a modern chimney in the city, one
hundred feet high, measures at the base only seven
by seven feet." ' There stands in the front yard of
this house a noble old elm tree, which lias braved the
storms of over a hundred years, and is to day ap-
parently vigorous. It is said that Mrs. Bodwell em-
ployed a man to bring the tree, then a sapling, from
the woods, and plant it in front of her door. The man
was a soldier of the French War, and had just re-
turned from the capture of Quebec. In return for
his service Mrs. Bodwell rewarded him with a quart
of molasses. The ancient house was occupied in
recent years by the late William B. Gallison, and is
perhaps better known to the present generation as the
Gallison House, and it is at present the residence of
Miss Emily G. Wetherbee, who pleasantly commemo-
rates the ancient tree in verse :
" I love thee, Oh ! thou grand old tree,
Tby towering branches rise.
As if they held, in majesty.
Beep converse with tlie skies.
Could'st thou but speak, how stninge a tale
Would be tliy theme to-day.
About the many vanished years
That God has rolled away.
" The hand that planted thee is dust, —
Thy nurture was its pride, —
And many generations since
Have played their parts and died.
The peltings of unnumbered storms.
Unnumbered years thou'st bravetl ;
And still we see tliee hale and green.
Majestic and unscathed.
'* From out your antiquated door.
The children oft have strayed.
And trooped along in merriment.
To gambol in tby sliade ;
When years had tlown, and womanhood
And manhood, brougiit its care,
Again they came with burdened hearts.
Thy sweet relief to share.
*' A trysting place for lovers, too.
Thy arching branches made ;
When night was silvered by the moon,
.\nd dew shone o'er tho glade,
1 Rev. W. E. Park.
864
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
And often, when yun brilliant queen
Bid thee and them goud-niglit ;
Thou'st heard the parting liiss they gave,
And shared in their delight.
" A bride, with flowing rubes of white,
And garlands in her hair,
Came forth to leave the dear old home,
Another's lot to share.
In purity and innocence,
She chose another life,
Aud beautiful thatsuunner morn,
Appeared the youthful wife.
" The morning fresh and sweet, and clear,
Began the quiet day.
The birds among the swaying leaves.
Trilled out their roundelay.
And gladdened by the glorious sight,
(Tliy branches low did bend ;)
Her heart leaped out in ecstacy.
To thee, her childhood's friend.
" From infancy her radiant eyes, —
The reflex of her glee, —
Had scanned each bough and branch and leaf,
Of her familiar tree ;
And now like one who sighs to think
That separation's near,
She turned her saddened face away,
Aud shed a silent tear.
** Alluring scenes of other climes.
And nature's grand displays.
But made her yearning heart still more
Exultant in thy praise.
Excitement lent its glowing whirl,
AVlierever she might roam ;
But with a longing heart she sighed
For thee, and dear old home.
*' The aged sire and matron too.
When life was nearly o'er,
Have leaned against thy trunk, and talked
Of memories of yore.
And watched the same old sun go down.
In splendor in the west.
Nor thought bow fast the fleeting hours.
Were bringing them to rest.
** Oft have I stretched me here and seen,
AVith faith's far-seeing eye,
Thy very counterpart old tree,
Implanted in the sky,
And wished, when f:ame the silent voice
From dread eternity.
My failing sight miglit rest at last
Complacently on thee.
" I love thee, Oh ! thou grand old tree,
Thy towering branches rise.
As if they held, in majesty,
Deep converse with the skies.
Could'st ttiou but speak, how strange a fale
Would be thy theme to-day,
Abotit the many vanished years.
That God has rolled away."
Roads were Still less nutnerous than the buildings.
The prominent ones were the old Haverhill road, be-
fore named, the road at the west jiart of the town
leading to Bodwell's ferry, near the pumping station,
the road at the easterly end leading to Marston Ferry,
near the present gas works, and on the construction
of Andover Bridge, a road leading from the bridge to
the corner of Amesbury and Haverhill Streets. On
the south side of the river were the Salem turnpike
and the old road to Lowell. Here was a more com-
pact settlement — the Shawsheeu House, the Essex
House, converted into a dwelling, the old pioneer
store and the brick building occupied by the late
Daniel Saunders and a few others yet remaining.
Prior to 1793 communication between the two
towns was by means of the ferries. In that year the
Legislature passed an act incorporating Samuel Ab-
bott, John White, Joseph Stevens, Ebenezer Poor and
associates as a body politic, under the name of "The
Proprietors of Andover Bridge," and the act was ap-
proved by John Hancock, Governor, March 19th,
The charter provided that the building should be
completed within three years. It was, opened for
travel November 19th, just eight months from the
date of the charter, and the opening was celebrated
with great rejoicing — the clergy of the two towns, the
stockholders and the prominent men of Essex and
Rockingham Counties being invited, and an enter-
tainment furnished by the directors — the militia, in-
fantry and cavalry j)arading in honor of the event;
it was celebrated still further by killing a boy, who
was bayonetted by one of the soldiers for attempting
to pass the guard. The bridge was a wooden struct-
ure, resting on wooden piers, and after a short life of
nine years, went down in ruins during tlie passage of
a drove of cattle. It was rebuilt in 1802-0.3 ; again
travel was interrupted by the fall of the large central
span. This was promptly repaired ; but four years
later, in 1807, a heavy freshet again destroyed it.
The discouraged proprietors petitioned the Legisla-
ture for leave to raise money by a lottery, but were
refused.
The bridge was rebuilt upon stone piers, and moved
further up the river, having previously spanned the
river where the railroad bridge now stands. In 1837
it was rebuilt by the late John Wilson, of Methuea.
It was rebuilt again by the Essex Company in 1848,
into whose hands the franchise had then passed, and
was raised to its present level by Stone and Harris,
contractors, and the piers were thoroughly repaired
by Stephen P. Simmons.
In 18.52 a great freshet carried away the toll-house,
south abutment and fishway at the dam. In 18.58 it
was again thoroughly ' reconstructed by Morris
Knowles. In 1868, by an act of the Legislature, it
became part of the public highway. The bridge was
in a peculiarly unfavorable location for durability.
Situated near the dam where it was alternately ex-
posed to a dry and then a moist atmosphere, the tim-
bers were constantly decaying, and after many more
repairs and partial rebuilding, it was destroyed by fire
July, 1881, and a fine new iron-bridge marks the rest-
ing-place of almost the only historic structure in the
town.
To add to the troubles of the early proprietors, in
1822 other parties petitioned the Legislature for
another bridge a litlle further up the river. In op-
LAWRENCE.
865
posing this petition the proprietors made a formal
statement that the bridge cost originally twelve thou-
sand dollars. In twentj'-eight years the cost had
been tnenty-nine thousand dollars more, with only
fifteen thousand dollars of income from tolls ; added
to this was the loss of interest and their property
consisted of an old bridge just damaged by a freshet
to the amount of six thousand dollars.
Had the nld bridge been charged from the start
with accumulations, interest and expense, and cred-
ited with income, the actual cost at the time Lawrence
was formed would have been upwards of half a mil-
lion dollars — a practical illustration of the rare econ-
omy of building bridges of wood.
The first toll-gatherer was Asa Pettengill, with the
enormous salary of iJS.S.y.S. He was required to give
a bond of £400, and both he and his wife were sworn
to the faithful performance of their duty. After
thirty years, the salary was raised to $9.00 and a
gallon of oil per month, and the use of the proprie-
tors' cooking-stove for 63.00 rental yearly. Under
the Essex Company, .Tames D. Herrick was collector
for twenty-two years, until the bridge became I'ree.
Among the officers and directors of the old corpora-
tion were Loarami Baldwin, the first President, a
noted engineer; P>eiijamin Osgood, of Methuen ;
Gayton P. Osgood, of Andover ; Abbott Lawrence,
and Charles S. Sl<<rrow. The Treasurers, after 1845,
were Nathan W. Harmon, .Fno. K. Rollins and Henry
H. Hall.
Lawrence Bridce. — In 18.54, for the purpose of
better accommodating North Andover and Lawrence,
and also for avoiding the railroad crossing, at grade,
near the Andover Bridge, a charter was granted for
another bridge, at the east end of the city, to George
D. Cabot and others. This bridge was built in 1854-
5.5, and remained a toll-bridge till 1868, when this
also, with the other bridges across the Merrimac,
became free. George D. Cabot was Treasurer, and
Nicholas Chapman, toll gatherer, from the beginning.
This bridge was destroyed by fire in 1887, and will be
replaced by an iron bridge, now under contract with
the Boston Bridge Company.
As early as 1820, the Merrimac Canal Company
was incorporated for the purpose of building a canal,
to extend navigation from tide-water at Haverhill to
the new town then forming at Pawtucket Falls
(Lowell); their charter was extended, but nothing
was done toward carrying the plan into execution.
An attempt was made a few years since to render the
river itself navigable from Lawrence to Haverhill,
and much money was expended by the LTnited States
Government in removing boulders and deepening
the channel at the rapids between the two cities. The
Pentucket Navigation Company was formed ostensi-
bly for the purpose of supplying the Merrimac valley
with coal, it being claimed that water transportation
could be conducted at much cheaper rates, and con-
sequently that great benefit would ensue to the people
55
from the diminished price of fuel. By the use of
light-draught steamboats coal w-as brought up the
river, and a depot for its sale was established in Law-
rence ; but from the fact that the river remains frozen
for four or five months in the year, and that in sum-
mer droughts it could not be made navigable without
enormous expense, the enterprise was abandoned.
The amount of coal actually transported was not
sufficient in an entire season to supply the single
corporation, the Pacific Mills, which consumes twenty-
three thousand tons per year, or little over seventy-
five tons per day. It was thought by many that the
whole scheme was inaugurated rather for political
purposes than with any hope or exjiectation of bene-
fiting the public.
Nothing had been done toward utilizing the power
of Merrimac River, until Mr. Daniel Saunders, then
a resident of Andover, believing that valuable power
could be attained at this point, took steps to interest
capitalists in a new enterprise here.
Mr. Saunders, who " had learned the business of
cloth-dressing and wood-carding in his native town,
Salem, N. H., removed to Andover in 1817, and after
working on a farm, entered the mill of Messrs. Abel
and Paschal Abbott, where he ultimately obtained an
interest in the busin&ss, taking a lease and managing
the mill, — subsequently returned to his native town
and started a woolen-mill there, but returned to An-
dover in 1825, settling in the North Parish, for a
time leasing the Stone Mill, erected by Dr. Kittredgc,
and afterward building a mill on a small stream that
flows into the Cochichewick. In 18,31) or '40 he pur-
chased a mill in Concord, N. 11., and carried on
manufacturing there, retaining his home in North
Andover. About 1842 he relinquished the woolen-
mill at N. Andover, sold his house to Mr. Sutton and
removed to the West Parish, now South Lawrence,
nearly opposite the Shawsheen House.' " Here he
passed the remainder of his days, ceasing from the
labors of a busy life (Jctober 8, 1872, ret. seventy-six.
It was quite natural that having thus been engaged
in manufactures, that the falls in the Merrimac so
near to his residence should suggest to him the pos-
sibilities and capabilities of the river. To him, there-
iVire, must be credited the foresight and sagacity of
securing quietly in his own right the talis above the
present dam, — known as Peter's Falls, — which virtu-
ally gave him control of the water-power of the river
at this point. The development of this power would
require a large outlay of money, and further progress
must depend upon the willingness of capitalists to
embark in such an onterpri.se. Messrs. .1. (r. Abbott,
a nephew of Mr. Saunders, Samuel Lawrence and
John Nesmith, of Lowell, to whom Mr. .Saunders had
communicated what he had done, readily undertook
to interest others, and in 1843 Samuel Lawrence, J.
G. Abbott, John Nesmith, Judge Thomas Hopkin-
1 Sarah L. Bailey, History of Andover.
866
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
son, Jonathan Tyler, Chas. W. Saunders, of Lowell,
Daniel Saunders, Daniel Saunders, Jr., Gayton P.
Osgood, Nathaniel Stevens, Joseph Kittredge, of Au-
dover, Edmund Bartlett, of Newliuryport, John
Wright, Josiah G. White, Joseph H. Billings and
Henry Poor (perhaps others), formed the Merrimac
Water-Power Association, of which Samuel Lawrence
was chosen president and treasurer, and Daniel Saun-
ders agent.
At the winter session of the Legislature of 1844-45
this company petitioned for a charter, which was
granted, and the act was approved by Gov. Briggs in
March, 1845.
" Charter 1844.
" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Gener-
al Court assembled, and by the authority of the Same as follows :
"Sect. I. Samuel Lawrence, John Nesmith, Daniel Saunders and
Edmund Bartlett, their Associates and Successors, are hereby made a
corporation, by the name of the Essex Conjpany, for the purpose of
constructing a dam across Merrimack river, and constructing one or
more locks and canals in connection with said dam, to remove ob
structions in said river by falls and rapids, from Hunt's Falls to the
mouth of Shawsheen river, and to create a water-power to use, or sell,
or lease to other persons or Corporations, to use for manufacturing and
mechanical purposes ; and for these purposes, shall have all the powers
and privileges, and be subject to ail the duties and liabiUties and re-
strictions set forth in the 38th and 44th Chapters of the Revised Sta-
tutes.
"Sect. II. Said Corporation may hold real estate notexceeding, exclu-
sive of the expenditure for the dam & Canals, three hundred thousand
dollars. And the whole capital stock of said corporation shall not ex-
ceed one million dollars, and said stock shall be divided into shares not
exceeding one hundred dollars each.
"Sect. III. The said corporation is hereby authorized and empowt-red
to construct and maintain a dam across said river, either at Deer Jump
Falls, or Bodwell's Falls, or some point in said river between said falls,
and all such canals and locks as may be necessary fur the purposes
aforesaid ; and for the purpose of making said dam. and constructing the
main canal for navigation or transports, may take, occupy and iuclost-
any of the lands adjoining said .canals and locks, or dam, which may be
necessary for building or repairing the same, for towing paths and other
necessary purposes, not exceeding twenty feet on each side of said canal
or locks, and may blow up and remove any rocks in said river, and dig
in any of the lands near the said river, through which it may be neces-
sary to pass said main Qana\, provided that said corporation shall not
obstruct the passage of rafts, masts, or floats of timber down ssiid river,
earlier than the tirst day of June, in building said dam, nor keep the
same obstructed for a longer time than five months before the opening
of said canal for the passage thereof.
"Sect. IV. If there shall be occasion, in the prosecution of the pow-
ers and purposes aforesaid, to make a canal across any public highway,
or if highways shall hereafter be laid outacrosssuchcanal.it shall be
the duty of said corporation to make sufficient bridges across said canal,
and to keep them in good repair.
"Sect. V. The said corporation shall make and maintain in the dam
60 built by them across said river, suitable and reasonable fishways, to be
kept open at such seasons as are necessary and usual for the passage of
fish.
" Sect. YI. The said corporation shall erect, and forever maintain such
canal and locks as shall be necessary around any dam constructed by
them ; the lock to be not less than twenty feet in width, and ninety feet
in length ; and said canal shall be so constmcted, that there shall be
easy, safe and convenient access to, and egress from, the same, with
fastenings and moorings fer the reconstruction of rafts or floats, after
the egress ; and sliall be free, and not subject to any charges whatever
for the passage of rafts of wood and lumber, masts and floats of timber,
and bo tended by a keeper employed by said corporation, and opened at
all reasonable times, promptly, for such passage.
Sect. VII. The fishways in said dam, and the entrance and exit of said
canal, and the moorings and fastenings at the exit, shall he made to the
satisfaction of the County Commissioners of the County of Essex, who
shall, on application to them by said corporation, after due notice, in
such manner as they shall deem reasonable, to all persons interested
therein, and a hearing of the parties, prescribe the mode of cnnetructing
the same ; and any person who shall be dissatisfied with the construction
thereof, when the same are completed, may make complaint to said
County Commiasioners, setting forth that the same, or either of them,
are not constructed according to the prescription of said commissioners :
and said commissionere, after due notice as aforesaid, shall proceed to
examine the same, and shall accept the same, if they shall be of opinion
that they are luilt and made according to such prescriptions ; or if they
shall be of opinion that the same are not made according to the pre-
scription, may require the same to be further made and completed
till they shall be satisfied to accept the same : and the expenses of said
commissioners, in such examination shall be paid by said corporation.
"Sect. VIII. Any person who shall be damaged in his property by
said corporation, in cutting or making canals through his land, or by
flowing the same, or in any other way in carrying into effect the powers
hereby granted, unless said corporation shall, within thirty days after re-
quest in writing, pay or tender to said person a reasonable satisfaction
therefor, shall have the same remedies as are provided by law for persons
damaged by railroad corporations, in the 3!>th Chap, of the Revised
Statutes.
"Sect. IX. For the purpose of reimbursing said corporation in part
for thf; cost and expense of keeping said locks and canals in repair, and
in tending the same, and in clearing the passages necessary for the
transit of boats and merchandise, and other articles through said canal,
the following toll is hereby established and granted to said corporation,
on all goods, boats and merchandise, except rafts of wood and lumber
masts and floats of timber passing down said canal, and on all goods car-
ried up through said canal, namely : on salt, lime, plaster, bar iron, pig
iron, iron castings, anthracite coal, stone and hay, eight cents per ton of
twenty-two hundred and forty pounds ; on bituminous coal, twelve cents
per chaldron of thirty-six bushels ; on brick, sixteen cents per thousand •
on manure, fifty cents per load ; on oak timber, thirty-five cents per ton
of forty cubic feet ; on pine plank and boards, thirty cents per thousand,
board measure ; on ash and other hard stuff, forty cents per thousand,
board measure; on posts and rails, fifteen cents per bundled; on tree
nails, thirty cents per thousand ; on hop poles, twenty cents per thou-
sand ; on hard wood, twenty cents per cord ; on pine wood, sixteen cents
per cord ; on bark, twenty cents per cord ; on white oak pipe staves, one
dollar per thousand ; on red oak pipe staves, sixty-seven cents per thou-
sand; on white oak hogshead staves, sixty cents per thousand ; on red
oak hogshead staves, forty cents per thousand ; on white oak barrel
staves, twenty cents per thousand ; on hogshead hoojis, sixteen cents per
thousand; on barrel hoops, twelve cents per thousand; on hogshead
hoop-poles, thirty i-ents per thousand ; on barrel hoop poles, twenty cents
per thousand ; on all articles of merchandise not enumerated, ten cents
per ton of twenty-two hundred and forty pounds ; provided that the rates
of toll aforesaid shall be subject to the direction of the Legislature.
"Sect. X. The said dam shall not be built to flnw the water in said
river higher than the foot of Hnnfs Falls in tlie ordinary run and
amount of water in the river, and a commission of three competent per-
sons, to be appointed, one by the said corporation, and one by the pro-
prietors of the locks and canals of Merrimac River ; and a third by the
two thus appointed, shall, upon the application of either party, fix and
determine, by permanent monuments, the point in said river, which is
the foot of Hunt's Falls ; and shall also, upon the like application, fix
and determine the height of the dam of this corporation, and of the flash -
hoards to he used thereon, whose award and determination shall be fina]
and binding upon all parties forever. And if either party shall refuse,
after request in writing by the other, for the space of thirty days, to
name such commissioner, or in case of a vacancy in such commission, for
any cause, either party may apply to the Governor of this Common-
wealth, who is hereby empowered to fill such vacancy. And the said
point of the foot of Hunt's Falls shall be fixed within sixty days after
such application to the commissioners, and the height of the permanent
dam shall be fixed and determined within one year after such applica-
tion.
Sect. XI. This act shall take efifect from and after its passage. (Ap-
proved by the Governor March 20, 1845.) "
On the same day that the act received the approval
of the Governor, a party of gentlemen, the pioneers
in the establishment of American manufactures, vis-
ited the Falls at Andover, and before the close of the
day had purchased of the Water-Power Association
LAWRENCE.
867
all their right and interests in the Falls for the stipu-
lated sum of $30,000. This party included Abbott
Lawrence, William Lawrence, Samuel Lawrence,
John A. Lowell, George W. Lyman, Nathan Apple-
ton, Theodore Lyman, Patrick T. Jackson, William
Sturgis, John Xesmith, Jonathan Tyler, and the
engineers, .Tames B. Francis and Charles S. Storrow.
Ou the 22d (two days later), subscriptions were
received to the stock of the new company, Mr. Abbott
Lawrence heading the list by a subscription to one
thousand shares of one hundred dollars each ; others
followed in varying sums — fifty, forty, thirty, twenty
and ten thousand dollars each, and less, until the
whole amount of stock, one million dollars, was
taken, and with little delay, for on the IGth of April
following the company organized by the choice of
Abbott Lawrence, Nathan Appleton, Patrick T. Jack-
son, John A. Lowell, Ignatius Sargent, William
Sturgis and Charles S. Storrow as Directors.
At the first meeting of the Directors, Abbott Law-
rence was elected President, and remained in office
till his decease, with the exception of the time when
he was the American Minister to England, when J.
Wiley Edmands occupied the position. Mr. Storrow
was the Treasurer and General Agent of the Company
till 1882, when he was succeeded by the present
Treasurer, How-ard Stockton.
A very cursory glance at the history of these men
will suffice to show that they were eminently qualified
for the task they had undertaken of founding a new
town.
Patrick Tracy Jackson, the youngest son of Hon.
Jonathan Jackson, of Newburj^iort, was born August
14, 1780; received his early education in the public
schools of his native town, and afterward at Dummer
Academy, Byfield. When about fifteen, he was appren-
ticed to Mr. William Bartlett, a merchant of New-
huryport. At the age of twenty-eight, he engaged in
mercantile business in Boston, his acquaintance with
the East India trade (he had made several voyages
to India) specially fitting him for that branch of
bu.siness ; and he continued in the East and West
Indies trade till the breaking out of the War of 1812.
At this time, his brother-in-law, Francis C. Lowell,
who had returned from a long visit to England and
Scotland, conceived the idea that the cotton manu-
facture, then almost monopolized by Great Britain,
might be advantageously prosecuted at home. We
had the raw material ; and the character of our popu-
lation— educated, moral, enterprising — could not fail,
he thought, to secure success, though England had
the advantage of cheap labor, imi^roved machinery,
and reputation.' Most of us, at the present day, sur-
rounded as we are with manufacturing establishments,
are not apt to realize the boldness of this undertaking,
or the obstacles to be overcome. Neither machinerv,
patterns, nor drawings could be had from England,
* Mrs. E. Yale Smith's History of Xewbur\'port.
for we were then at war ; and even in time of peace, it
would not have been an easy task, since it was but a
few years before (1809) that William Hewitt was fined
at the Middlesex Sessions in the sum of £500 and
imprisoned for three months, for enticing an English
artificer, John Hutchinson, a dyer, to emigrate with
him to the United States, to be employed in a cotton
manufactory ; and Hutchinson himself was put under
bonds to remain at home. Messrs. Knapp & Baldwin,
attorneys at law, in writing of this case, proceed to
say : " This is an offence against the law, of which
few are aware of the consequences, or of the national
loss arising from its infraction ; yet it is a statute
which — as a nation of trade and agriculture, of the
arts and sciences — is highly necessary to the welfare
of our country. To have the secrets of our inventions
clandestinely carried into foreign countries, must cer-
tainly rob us of a part of the fruit of our ingenuity,
and co)ise<juentli/ reduce the price of labor,'' &c.^
At this time there was not a power loom in the
United States — mills for spinning were in operation —
but weaving was performed by hand-looms. Mr.
Lowell associating with himself his brother-in-law,
Mr. Jackson, in the enterprise which he proposed to
undertake, gave his first attention to the invention of
a power-loom. Partially successful in this, he called
to his aid Mr. Paul Moody, an ingenious mechanic of
Newburyport, subsequently eminent at Lowell. The
loom, after some alterations, was brought to comple-
tion, other machinery invented, and in 1813 the
"Boston JIanufacturing Company," at Waltham, was
chartered, and erected the fir.st mill, complete in
itself, which converted the raw cotton into finished
cloth.-* Of this company Mr. Jackson became Presi-
dent. In 1817, after Mr. Lowell's death, Mr. Jackson
relinquished mercantile pursuits and devoted his
attention to manufacturing. In 1821 he purchased
the Pawtucket Canal, and secured the water-power of
the Merrimack at Chelmsford, and thus laid the foun-
dation for the town, which was incorporated in 1825,
under the name of Lowell, in honor of his friend and
co-worker, Francis C. Lowell. On the completion of
the Jlerriniack Manufacturing Company's mills, Mr.
.Tackson became a director. He was Treasurer of the
Hamilton Mills, Lowell, 1829 to 1832; also Treasurer
of the Proprietors of Locks and Canals, 1838 to 184.5.
In 1830, better facilities being needed for trans-
porting the products of the new mills to the seaboard
than were offered by the old-time canal and baggage-
wagon, Mr. Jackson, in connection with Mr. Kirk
Boott, determined upon the new project of a Railway.
They had watched with much interest the proceedings
of Mr. Stephenson in England, and the apparent suc-
- See *' Newgate Calendar," vol. 5, LoDdoti.
^ The first mill for producing yarn by machinery was built at Beverly,
I78'j, the members of that corporation being John, George, Andrew and
Deborah Cabot, Joshua Fisher, Henry Higginson, Moses Browu, Israel
Thurudike and Isaac Chapman. This was a brick mill, driven by horse-
power, and was assisted by the State.
868
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
cess of Stephenson's experiments encouraged the
Legislature to grant a charter for the purpose of car-
rying out the project. Engineers were consulted here
and abroad, and the first passenger railroad in New
England, the Boston and Lowell, was opened for
travel in 1835.
Nathan Appleton was a son of Deacon Isaac Ap-
pleton, of New Ipswich, N. H., and a descendant of
Captain Samuel Appleton, of Ipswich, who com-
manded the Massachusetts troops in the Indian war
known as King Philip's war, 1075. He was born in
1779, and, after fitting himself at the New Ipswich
Academy, entered Dartmouth College at the age of
fifteen. He changed his plans and went into mer-
cantile business with his brother Samuel in Boston.
In 1810 he made a visit to Europe for the purpose of
extending his business relations ; and while there met
with Francis C. Lowell, and became interested in his
plans of introducing manufactures in the United
States, and on his return was associated with Messrs.
Lowell & Jackson as one of the proprietors of the
Waltham Factory. He was also associated with Mr.
Jackson and Kirk Boott in the purchase of the
water-power at Pawtucket Falls, and was the pro-
jector and largest proprietor of the Hamilton Com-
pany at Lowell.
Mr. Appleton was in the Massachusetts Legislature
in 1815, and served till 1827, and three years later
(1830) was elected to the House of Representatives in
the United States Congress.
On the expiration of his term he declined a re-
election, but in 1842 was again elected to supply the
vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Winthrop.
He was the author of several pamphlets on currency,
banking and the tariff'.
Robert C. Winthrop wrote a memorial of him, in
which he says, —
"Pei-siatent courage and inflexible integrity' were indeed tbe two
leading elements of Mr. Appleton's character, and coiiHtitiited the se-
crets of his great success. To tliese, more than to any thing else, he
owed his fortune and his fame. He displayed his boldness by embarking
in untried enterprises, by advocating unpopular doctrines, by resisting
popular prejudices, by confronting tbe most powerful and accomplished
opponents in oral or written arguments, and by shrinking from no con-
trovei-sy into which the independent expression of his opinions might
lead him. His integrity was manifested where all the world might read
it, in the daily doings of a long mercantile career, and in the principles
which he inculcated in so many forms of moral, commercial and linau-
eial discussion."
And in 18G1 Mr. Winthrop again writes, —
*' Not many men, indeed, have exercised a more important influence
among us during the last half-century than the late Hon. Nathan Apple-
ton ; not many men have done more than be has done in promoting the
interests and sustaining the institutions to which New England has
owed so nuich of its prosperity and welfare. No man bas done more
by example and by precept to elevate the standard of mercantile
character, and to exhibit the pureuits of commerce in proud association
with the highest integrity, liberality and ability." i
A street in Lawrence bears his name, on which are
located two of the public buildings, the city hall and
court-house.
1 See " History of New Ipswich," N. E. H. G. Society Biographies.
John Amory Lowell was son of John Lowell and
grandson of Judge Lowell of the United States Cir-
cuit Court. He graduated (Harvard College 1815) at
the age of sixteen, and commenced his business edu-
cation at the house of Kirk Boott & Sons, to whose
business he succeeded in partnership with the eldest
son, Mr. John Wright Boott.
In 1827 he was treasurer of the Boston Manufactur-
ing Company at Waltham, succeeding Patrick T.
Jackson, and held that position till 1844. In 1835 he
built the Boot mill at Lowell, and was treasurer of
the Boott Company thirteen years, and, as president
and director till his death, contributed largely
to its success.
In 1839 he built the Massachusetts Mills, of which
he was also the treasurer till 1848 and a director
through life ; was also a director in the Lake Com-
pany and the Lowell machine-shop. He was asso-
ciated with Abbott Lawrence and others in the crea-
tion of the Essex Company at Lawrence and a di-
rector of the Pacific Mills until age compelled him to
relinquish some of his cares.
Mr. Lowell was also for fifty-nine years a director
of the Suflolk Bank, Boston, and in 1824 originated
the system of redemption of country bank notes. He
was also one of the fellows of Harvard College for
forty years, and for a longer period trustee of the
Lowell Institute. He was an accomplished classical
scholar, an eminent mathematician, an able botanist
and a rare linguist. (Tenerous in his impulse's, he
delighted in aiding younger men, and was always
ready to give to any cause that appealed to his gen-
erosity. Such a union of business capacitj', literary
and scientific attainments, unsullied integrity and un-
ostentatious generosity, formed a rare combination,
and enabled him in a long life of untiring industry to
do much for the advancement of his generation, and
to add a lustre to the honored name he bore. Born
November 11, 1798, he died October 31, 1881.-'
Hon. Charles S. Storrow graduated from Harvard
College 182it, and subsequently pursued his studies
three years in the School of Engineers and Jlines,
at Paris, France. He was one of the engineers en-
gaged in building our first New England Railway,
and on its completion, became its general manager
for several years, and until the new enterprise at
Lawrence was commenced, when he was appointed
agent and treasurer of the new company, and at first
its engineer. The first step to be taken was the con-
struction of the dam, and this was planned and its
construction commenced under his direction ; and if
nothing else remained, this alone would be an endur-
ing memento of his thorough and .skilful work. On
the completion of the Atlantic Cotton Mills, which
were built by the Essex Company, Mr. Storrow be-
came the treasurer. On the establishment of the
first Bank (the Bay State), he was its first president.
1 From " Records of Old Residents' Association," Lowell.
LAWRENCE.
869
And when the town adopted a City charter, he was
very appropriately elected its first mayor. In the
multifarious duties devolving upon him in the prose-
cution of the plans of the company, in 1840 he
called to his aid as engineer Capt. Charles H. Bige-
low, a graduate of West Point Military Academy,
who had lieeu captain in the Corps of United States
Engineer.^, and was then employed on the forts in
Boston Harbor, and Mr. Storrow gave his attention
mainly to the financial and general affairs of the
company. Having seen the City grow to its present
proportions, and the company fully and successfully
established, he removed to Boston. He resigned his
office as treasurer and agent in 18S2, and was suc-
ceeded by Howard Stockton, but retains his interest
in the company, being its president at the present
time. He was, for a short time, one of the Park
Commissioners of the City of Boston, and also con-
sulting engineer at one time of the Hoosac Tunnel,
and in 1862, at the request of the Commissioners,
made a visit to Europe, to examine the European
tunnels, — upon which he made au extremely inter-
esting and elaborate report, which was published, and
furnished much valuable information in the prosecu-
tion of the work.
Abbott Lawrence, born in Groton December Iti,
1792, received his education at the district scIkioI and
academy in that town, now known in consequence
of the benefactions of the family as Lawrence Acade-
my. At the age of sixteen he went to Boston as an
apprentice to his elder brother, Amos, and six years
later, 1814, at the age of twenty-one, he became a
partner in the house of A. and A. Lawrence, which,
for a long series of years, deservedly held a very high
place in the mercantile community of that City.
Under the influence of the War of 1812 the manu-
facture of cotton goods in New England had largely
increa.sed, but the methods of manufacture were im-
perfect. The return of peace gave the movement a
severe check. It took a fresh start in connection witii
improved machinery, and made a prosperous advance
under the tariff of 181U, which Messrs. Calhoun and
Lowndes, of South Carolina, were so prominent in
framing into law, and in connection with which Mr.
Clay first appeared as the advocate of " a thorough
and decided protection to home manufactures by
ample duties.'' The tarifl'of 1824 still further pro-
moted the manufacture of both cotton and woolen
fabrics.
Originally importers of foreign goods, the Messrs.
Lawrence engaged early, in the sale of cotton and
woolen goods of American manufacture, and became
large proprietors in the Lowell Mills, ceasing to im-
port, and beconnng for a long period the leading
house for the sale of American fabrics. When the
new enterprise at Lawrence was projected, Mr. Law-
rence, as has been previously stated, took a promi-
nent part, and on the completion of the Atlantic
Cotton Mills, in which he was a large stockholder,
he became president of that company, and later, in
1853, he was president of the Pacific Mills Company,
in which office he continued till the close of his life.
During the year following the organization of the
comjjany, and many years afterward, the territory
was a scene of intense and phenomenal activity.
The dam and canal were constructed, boarding-
houses and a hotel erected (the Franklin House), the
large machine-shop constructed, saw and planing-mills
built, and the entire region cut, gashed and seamed
in the laying out of streets, the construction of sewers,
building gas-works and water-works, and in sales of
land and in planting trees, which now furnish a
grateful shade and add so much to the beauty of
many of the principal streets.
Their first and most important work was the dam.
This was designed by the agent of the company (Mr.
Storrow), and at the time of its construction, was the
longest of its kind in the world. The whole length
is one thousand six hundred and twenty-nine feet ;
distance between the wing walls nine hundred feet.
It is thirty-five feet thick at the base and three
or three and one-half feet at the top ; built of
granite, laid in cement, arching toward the stream
fifteen feet ; the lower course of stone bolted to the
ledge at the bottom of the river. Greatest height
forty and one-half feet, mean height thirty-two feet,
average fall of water twenty-six feet. Three years
were occupied in the construction, and it is, and will
remain, an enduring monument of skill, firm as the
natural ledges upon which it is constructed.
A serious accident happene<l during its construc-
tion, by the partial destruction of the cofier dam.
Two men were killed and t\\e injured by the acci-
dent, and the engineer, Capt. Bigelow, barely escaped
with his life. He was temporarily disabled, and the
cotter dam was repaired by Capt. Phineas Stevens.
The first stone of the dam was laid on the lyth of
September, 1845, at five o'clock p.m., near the centre
of the river, by John A. Carpenter, of the firm of
Gilmore & Carpenter, the contractors, and the last
stone was placed on the 19th of September, 1848, at
0 P.M.
The canal on the north side of the river, a little
more than one mile in length, runs parallel with the
river and four hundred feet distant, and on the space
thus enclosed are constructed the large mills which
occupy the entire territory as far as Union Street ;
while below are the Lawrence Woolen-Mills, Law-
rence Machine Company, Davis' Foundry, Webster's
Grist-Mills, the Wright Braid Company, Duslin &
Webster's machine-shop and others. The Everett
Mills receive their water from the canal and dis-
charge into the Spicket, as does the Russell Paper
Company in part, while below the terminus of the
canal other establishments receive water by a penstock
carried across the Spicket River, discharging into the
Merrimac.
The total cost of the dam and canal, including in-
870
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
terest, damages, detention to fisheries and naviga-
tion, engineering and general expenses was $525,-
773.76. The canal is one hundred feet wide at its com-
mencement, narrowing to sixty feet at the waste
weir, and 12 feet deep, and is connected with the
Merriraac by gnard-locks, made of hammered stone
laid in cement, ninety-five feet by twenty-one feet
each.
A smaller canal on the south side of the river, pro-
jected to extend as far as Union Street, has been
more recently built, which is sixty feet wide and ten
feet deep, furnishing power to the Lawrence Bleach-
ery, the Prospect Worsted Mills, paper-mills, leather
board mills and other establishments.
Other larger enterprises of the company were the
building of the machine-shop and foundry, the first
stone for the foundry being laid July 10, 1846. The
main building was four hundred by sixty, and four
stories high, built of stone ; and the foundry, also of
stone, was one hundred and fifty by eighty-six,
two stories in height, the two giving employment to
six hundred or eight hundred men.
The company also commenced building the Atlan-
tic mills and boarding-house-, in 184G, and have since
built the Pemberton, Duck and Pacific Hills. They
also excavated a lumber-dock, established the lumber-
yard, with saw and planing-mills, which they owned
and operated till they ceased building mills, when
this property was sjld.
Among those who were employed by the Essex
Company to execute their plans were Hiram P. Cur-
tis and Joseph Bennett, Benjamin and Thomas B.
Coolidge, James K. Barker, among the early en-
gineers, and in 1846 Captain Charles H. Bigelow be-
came chief engineer, with the Messrs. Coolidge as
assi.^tants. Deacon William M. Kimball had charge
of the company's lumber-yard, with Luther Ladd as
foreman, the latter of whom after the sale of the yard
became agent and treasurer of the Lawrence Lumber
Company. The late Abiel R. Chandler had for
twenty years the care of the dam and guard-locks
(died M.ay 28, 1887), and George Sanborn had charge
of the company's repairs from the beginning and is
still in service. Among those who as contractors or
otherwise were engaged in building were John A.
Carpenter, one of the contractors for building the
dam, Morris Knowles, Harrison D. Clement and his
partner. William H. Page, Levi Sprague, Isaac
Fletcher, Williani H. Boardraan, Stephen P. Sim-
mons, William Sullivan and John Hart.
Of these Isaac Fletcher, born in Maine, 1809, was
in partnership with William H. Boardmau in Bangor
till 1846, when they came to Lawrence and engaged
in the quarries of the Essex Company, furnishing
large amounts of stone for the dam, and continued in
that business together or separately during most of
the time of their residence. In 1846 Mr. Fletcher es-
tablished the Monumental Marble Works, now con-
ducted by John Leonard, was one of the building
committee of the First Baptist Churcli, and superin-
tended its construction, and was one of the selectmen
of the town in 1849. He died August 20, 1885.
Harrison D. Clement was born in Warner, N. H.,
May 17, 1809, a lineal descendant of Robert Clement,
one of the earliest settlers of Haverhill, Mass. At
the age of eighteen he learned the trade of carpenter
and joiner at Peterboro', N. H., and in 1830 com-
menced work on the old town-house on Merrimack
Stre^, Lowell, and at the Merrimac Mills and Lowell
Machine-shop. In 1831 he went to Baltimore, and
thence to Washington, where he was employed on
the old post-office, then being fitted up. Finding the
moral atmosphere uncongenial he returned to Lowell
in 1832, where he remained five years, assisting in
building the Suftblk, Tremont and Lawrence corpora-
tions, and ten years longer in repairs on the Lawrence
corporation : removed to Lawrence in 1846, where he
built for the Essex Company the fifty tenements
forming the square bounded by Union, Orchard, Gar-
den and Newbury Streets, fend in partnershi]> with
Wm. R. Page (who died in Kansas October 19, 1879).
also from Lowell, fitted up the shop over the Essex
Company's Phming Mill. He continued in partner-
ship with Mr. Page four years, engaged in building
principally for the Essex Company, boarding-house
blocks, also mechanics" tenements for the Atlantic cor-
poration, the First Baptist Church and dwelling-
houses. In 1851 the partnership was dissolved, and
for five years Mr. Clement was engaged in building
the boarding-house blocks and overseers' tenements
for the Pacific, Pemberton and other corporations, a
portion of the Oliver School-House, and private
dwelling-houses in Lawrence and elsewhere. In 1856
he entered into partnership with Leonard F. Creasy,
and continued and extended the building of board-
ing-houses and tenements for the Everett and Wash-
ington corporations, store-houses and tenements for
the paper-mills, etc. They also extended their oper-
ations beyond Lawrence, building the larger class of
buildings, such as churches, school-houses, court-
houses, hotels and bank buildings, and government
buildings in the navy yards at Kittery, Charlestown
and Norfolk, \'a. The partnership with Mr. Creasy
continued for twenty years, from 1856 to 1876. He
remained, however, a silent partner in the firm of
Creasy & Noyes, who built the Insane Asylum at
Danvers, and a cotton-mill at Dover, N. H. After
the dissolution of this late partnership, Jlr. Clement
engaged in rebuilding a portion of the Old Catholic
Cathedral at Cape Haytien, for the Republic of Hayti,
which had been in ruins for many years.
He had neither time nor ambition for practical
honors, but served one year as an assessor of taxes,
and represented the city in the Legislature in 1861
and 1862. Mr. Clement died 1886.
Hon. James K. Barker was born in Londonderry,
May, 1817, removed to Methuen, 1838, where he was
employed as a teacher in the public schools (and as
LAWRENCE.
871
master in one of the earliest terms of the grammar-
school in Lawrence), studied engineering and archi-
tecture, and in 1845 removed to Lawrence and entered
the service of the Essex Company, and after remain-
ing with the company several years, opened an office
on his own account. Most of the street.s and building
lots and sewers up to the time of his decease were
surveyed and laid out by him, and he was the archi-
tect of the Courthouse and Central Block. He wa.s
several years a member of the school committee, and
in 1860 was elected mayor, serving during the first
year of the war. Died January 1.3, 1868.
Morris Knowles, born in Northwood, N. H., came
hither, also from Lowell, where he had been employedi
and superintended all the wood-work of the large
machine-shop buildings, and of all the large mills
except the Bay State, and during the past year has
been actively at work for the Arlington Company.
Stephen P. Simmons, a native of Rhode Island,
came to Lawrence in 1847. He a.ssisted in work on
the dam, built the stone chimney of the Lawrence
Machine-Shop Company, and other large amounts ol
stone-work for the Essex Company. He also con-
structed Grace Episcopal Church, the stone church at
Methuen and the foundations of the Lawrence jail.
William Sullivan was contractor for most of the ex-
cavation and tilling during the construction of the
large mills and boarding-houses.
Levi Sprague constructed the brick-work of the At-
lantic mills and boarding-houses, and of the fifty
brick tenements of the machine-shop, and was largely
engaged otherwise in early building.
The first ca.shier of the company during its earliest
and busiest years was (ieo. P. Cabot, who resigned in
January, 18.53, and after a short period of rest became
agent of the Lawrence Gas Company. He was suc-
ceeded by John R. Rollins who remained somewhat
more than eleven years till the summer of 1864, when
Henry H. Hall became cashier, succeeded by Hon.
Robert H. Tewksbury. Present organization, — Hon.
Chas. S. Storrow, president; Howard Stockton, treas-
urer; Hiram F. Mills, chief engineer.
The first dwelling-houses erected after the incorpor-
ation of the company, were built by them on the
westerl}- side of Broadway — one of wliich was occu-
pied by Mr. and Mrs. Timothy O.sgood, who for many
years, there and later in another part of the city, kepi
an exceedingly good and popular boarding-house.
The first sale of laud was made in April, 1846, to
Samuel T. Merrill, w'ho came from CTCorgetown, and
on this he erected the first <lwelling-house in town
after tliose built by the Essex Company — others fol-
lowed rapidly. But many came without pecuniary
means, among them many Irish laborers, who must
in some way be provided for — for them the Essex
Company furnished a large tract on the south side of
the river near the dam on which they might erect
shanties, only on condition that liquors should not be
sold on the premises. And the settlement thus
formed with its quaint narrow avenues and rustic
division fences was one of the most interesting spots
in Lawrence, one which visiting strangers were al-
ways pleased to see.
These shanties were originally erected cm the north
side, but as the water was raised by the construction
of the dam, and the territory west of the railroad was
occasionally overflowed, the occupants removed to
the south side to higher and dryer ground.
The writer has plea.sant recollections of one of these
men who was among the earliest to build a tasteful
cottage, about which he arranged a pretty flower
garden, and surrounded the premises with a neat,
well-paiuted fence; the interior was as well arranged
as the exterior, and he took much pride in this ef-
fort ; some of hi.s neighbors, however, thought he was
'■ putting on too many airs," and annoyed him at first
by defacing his work. This did not long continue;
their own ambition was stimulated, other-, purchased,
new streets laid out, and the original shanties in a
few years gave place entirely to sub.stantial buildings.
The first brick store buildings were erected by J.
N. Gage on the south side near the bridge in Septem-
ber, 1846.
The first on the north side by Albert and .Joseph
Smith and Daniel Floyd, on Common Street, below
Xewbury.
Among the pioneers was Amos 1). Pillsbury, of
(ieorgetown, who came to procure a shop for the
manufacture and repair of boots and shoes ; but find-
ing no place wherein to commence work, he went to
Newburyport, purchased a gondola, thirty-two by
twelve feet, on which he built a "State-room," put in
a stock of boots and shoes, leather, tools, cooking ap-
paratus and i)rovisions, arrived at the "New City"
just before the first land sale, anchored in the river
below the bridge, threw out his plank and commenced
work. Here he continued till cold weather, when he
removed to a store on Essex Street, which was then
ready for his occupancy.
He built, in 1847, a liuilding near the lower end of
Common Street, and while J[r. 11. D. Clement was
l)uilding a house for his own use near by, he boarded
with him for a .short time. In a paper read before the
Old Re.sideut.s' Association, Mr. ('lenient thus speaks
of him : " By persistent interviews with the proprie-
tor 1 learned that the building was ititended for the
|>romotion of the arts and sciences, and for the physi-
cal, mental and moral im]>rovement of wayfaring men,
and was to be called the Montezuma House. The
builder himself was a )>rob!em past finding out. From
his knowledge of ancient lore, and his love of the fine
arts, he might have been a pupil of some of the old
masters. From his apt quotations of Scripture, his
fluency of speech and his broad philosophy, he might
have been mistaken for a clergyman, while from his
good looks, his pleasing manners and his generous
sympathy for all man and womankind, he might have
been taken for one of our pioneer physicians; and
872
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
from his knowledge of law and politics, and his skill
in mystifying the truth, he might have heen taken
for one of our early Lawrence lawyers. He must
have been intended by nature for one of our greatest
men, with some unaccountable mistake made in fin-
ishing. As the building progressed, I noticed the ab-
sence of plan or system, and the eccentric oddity of its
owner, conspicuous in all its parts. The frame from
its odd appearance, might have done service at some
remote age in the past; the usual order of proceed-
ing was reversed by commencing at the top and leav-
ing off at the cellar, it being raised and the roof cov-
ered before the cellar was dug, and although I could
not understand the principle of gravitation and cohe-
sion that was to keep it up and together, yet he could
explain it in the most satisfactory way. After a slight
application of Spanish brown paint, and the word
Montezuma in large letters somewhere, though not
where one would expect to see it, the building was
completed.
"I sought shelter there late one night, was kindly
received by the proprietor, who seemed to combine
within himself the offices of usher, steward, male and
female waiters, and .sometimes hostler, wan shown to
a very small room, and was soon asleep, without ex-
amining the surroundings. On waking the next
morning I found the room had been newly plastered
the day previous, the bed clothes wet and slightly
frozen, and myself with a cold in the head, but
thought myself fortunate in being able to obtain such
accommodations, and secured them until my own
house should be finished.
'• The furniture was of unique style and of ancient
date, each piece having a history of its own. The
ornaments were numerous and varied, consisting
largely of mottoes and emblems, both sacred and pro-
fane, usually a mixture of both which none could ex-
plain or interpret so well as the host himself He had
also in and about the premises a good supply of cats,
dogs, fowls of various kinds, also several kinds of
wild animals, whose habits he could explain ad-
mirably when he chose to do so, which was not often.
The tables were an important part of the domestic
arrangements, as all seemed to be hungry at that time,
though there were not so many thirsty ones as ap-
peared later, and although it was a mystery sometimes
hard to solve whether our food was flesh, fish or fowl,
and harder yet to learn how it was cooked, and
though we could find no fault with the tea or coffee,
not knowing the name of the liquid set before us, it
all served an excellent purpose and was sure to find
a ready market.
There was a furnished room in the basement front,
but for what purposes it was used were beyond my
ability to discover. Some inquiries were made if
liquor was not sold there, but I think there could not
be, as liquor selling and liquor drinking seemed to be
the special abhorrence of the proprietor, and I looked
in several times without seeing any signs of the traffic;
besides there was an smblem hanging on the wall
which forbade such a conclusion: it was a painted
circle with a black dot near the lower edge, which by
his interpretation signified departed spirits. From
some of the religious mottoes on the wall, and the
free quotations of Scripture by the proprietor, the
company might sometimes be taken for a religious
class-meeting; from the pictures of fast hor.ses and
rare animals, and the appearance of the company at
other times they might have been considered sporting
characters ; while from the mysterious emblems
around, and in connection with remarks and expla-
nations thereon by the owner, they might have been
mistaken for a branch of the Concord School of Phil-
osophy.
Horace Greeley visited the new city about this time,
and on inquiring for the first class hotel was referred
by the hackman to the Shawsheen house, and asking if
they sold liquor there was answered " yes." On in-
quiring for the second class hotel he was referred
to the Oak Street House, and repeating his inquiry
was again answered in the aflirmative, and on inquir-
ing for the next house was referred to the Montezuma,
and asking the same question was answered in the
negative, and the coachman was ordered to drive him
there. I did not witness his reception, but it must
have been interesting if the host knew his guest. If
this original genius did not know how to keep a hotel
he certainly knew many other things, and I feel sure
we shall never look upon his like again. After leav-
ing Lawrence he purchased an island near where
Rowley River enters Plum Island Sound, where he
spends his later days with some congenial spirits and
calls it the Isle of Patmos.
The first dry goods dealer on the ground was Arte-
nias W. Stearns (born in Hill, N. H.), who opened a
store on Amcsbury Street in 184fi. Mr. Stearns erected
the building on Essex Street in 1854, which he still
occupies, actively engaged in business. The building
was enlarged in 1877, and is being still further en-
larged and improved, 1887, presenting one of the
finest fronts on the street.
The oldest clothing dealer in the city is Captain
William R. Spalding (born in Milton, N. H.), who
came also in 1840, and still continues in the business.
Another early trader was John C. Dow, who opened
and conducted for several years a book and stationery
store. John Colby opened one a few months pre-
viously. Mr. Dow subsequently (1872) changed to
his present business, a dealer in crockery and gla.ss-
ware.
Among the early physicians and surgeons the first
to settle here was Dr. Moses L. Atkinson, born in New-
bury, Mass., July 14, 1814, graduated at Dartmouth
College, 18.38, and Harvard Medical School, 1844;
commenced practice in Lawrence, 184(5, and died July
13, 18.52, aged thirty-eight. Others early on the
ground were J. S. Curtis, E. W. Morse, G. W. San-
born, J. Brown, Charles Murch, E. B. Allen, A. D.
LAWRENCE.
873
Blanchard. who relinquished practice for other busi-
ness; William D. Lamb, who has retired from prac-
tice and removed to Southbridge ; Julius 11. JMorse,
deceased ; Seneca Sargent, born 1803, commenced
practice 182G, one of the first settlers of Lawrence,
where he died August 7, 1873 ; Isaac Tewksbury, born
179/), studied with Dr. Robinson, of West Newbury,
and Kittredge, of Andover, commenced practice in
New Hampshire, 1817, came to Lawrence 1847, was in
continuous practice between sixty and seventy years;
Aaron Ordway, born 1814, came to Lawrence, 1847,
as an apothecary and botanic physician, and con-
tinued in the business for about twenty-five years, re-
tiring and devoting himself to other pursuits; David
Dana graduated from Harvard Medical School 1847,
and after practicing a year in public institutions in
Boston came to Lawrence, and is the only one re-
maining of the early physicians now in active prac-
tice. He served in the Civil War two years as sur-
geon of the First JIassachusetts Heavy Artillery ; he
was the first city physician of Lawrence, and also the
first appointed ibr the jail and house of correction.
Among the early attorneys were Daniel Saunders,
Jr., who was on the ground before the Essex Com-
pany was formed, mayor in ISGO ; Joseph Couch, the
first trial justice; Henry Flanders, afterwards some-
what prominent in Philadelphia; Charles Stark
Newell, who removed to New York City; Dan.
Weed, who removed to Washington, where he died
September 5, 1884 ; Perley S. Chase ; Joseph F. Clark;
Thomas A. Parsons, retired to a fiirm in Derry, N. H. ;
David J. Clark, graduated at Dartmouth College
1836, came to Lawrence 1847, removed to Manchester,
N. H., 1850, in partnership with his brother, Hon.
Daniel Clark, was postmaster at Manchester 1866,
deceased ; Ivan Stevens, graduated at Dartmouth
College 1842, read law with Hon. James Bell and Hon.
Amos Tuck, commenced practice in Lawrence 1846,
died April, 1880 ; Thomas Wright, born in Lowell,
educated at Harvard University, studied law with his
father, a very prominent lawyer in Lowell, came to
Lawrence 1846, represented the city in the Massachu-
setts House of Representatives, and the district four
times in the Senate; Wm. H. P. Wright, brother of
the preceding, educated at Cambridge, came to Law-
rence 1847, continued his studies with Hon. Daniel
Saunders and with Wright & Flanders, was in partner-
ship with his brother till 1861, when he was elected
mayor and served with earnestness and marked abil-
ity during two years of the war, represented the city
in the Legislature 1867-68, and was one of the asso-
ciate justices of the Police Court; Benjamin Board-
man; Benjamin W. Ball; Nathan W. Harmon.'
None of the preceding now remain in Lawrence
except Mr. Saunders and Judge Wright.
The first grocery store was opened in 1845, on the
south side of the river, b^' Josiah Crosby, of Billerica.
55J
1 See Chapter II. Bench and Bar.
This was the only stoi-e of its kind for nearly six
months, and its ledger contained upwards of six hun-
dred names before another store was opened. In ad-
dition to groceries Mr. Crosby appears to have been
the first ice dealer, offering to supply ice from his two
ice houses, one situated on the south side of the river
below his store, the other at his farm in North An-
dover, filled with " lake ice." This store and stock
was purchased in 1850 by Joseph Shattuck, who, with
his brother, Charles W. Shattuck, have conducted
the business since, first at South Lawrence, and later
in a new brick building built by them on Essex;
Street, till 1887, when they retired, and were suc-
ceeded by Henry A. Buell & Co., who had elsewhere
in the city been long engaged.
Another early dealer was Charles Smith, who came
early from Lowell and yet remains here, having also
retired after a very active and bu.sy life.
The first lumber dealer, Mr. Hezckiah Plummer,
born in that part of Andover now included in Law-
rence. He was engaged in the manufacture of sashes
and blinds, &c., in 1846, but soon erected asteam mill
in South Lawrence for supplying lumber for the
growing wants of the new town. Besides those not
elsewhere mentioned many others have been promi-
nent, many of them residents for a long period and
actively engaged in business, contributing their share
to its material growth and prosperity. Among them
may be named one of the earliest dealers in dry goods,
Joseph O'Hea Cantillon, born in Ireland, 1810, came
to Lawrence, 1846, was a leading spirit among
his countrymen and popular with all classes ; he was
a very active man in temperance work and public af-
fairs, and was one of the board of as.5essors in 1854.
He removed to the West, was at one time mayor of the
city of Dubuque, Iowa, died in 1879. John J. Do-
land, born in Derry, N. H., August 29, 1826, came to
Lawrence, 1849, from Manchester, where he had been
employed in the Amoskeag Mills. He was an over-
seer in the Atlantic Mills till 1871. Mr. Doland was
a descendant of patriotic ancestors, and is the oldest
lineal descendant of one who fought in the Revolu-
tionary War. He was a member of the distinguished
military order of the Cincinnati. Eben L. Chapman,
J. Merrill Currier, Milton Bonney* (mayor in 1865),
William P. Clark, Peter Holihan, Patrick Sweeney,
Jordan Bros., Henry M. Whitney, J. P. Kent,* Wil-
liam H. Bridgman,* Dana Sargent (afterward mayor
of Nashua, died November 23, 1884), John Beetle
(died June 20, 1879), John F. Bingham, George B.
Smart, John Kiley,* John B. Atkinson,* Alonzo
Briggs (deputy sheriff'), Martin Bros., Albin Yeaw,
Charles R. Mason, E. J. Mason (died December 4,
1880), David S. Swan,* James A. Treat (died April
24, 1886), Henry Barton, Byron Truell (House of
Representatives 1875, 1876, Senator 1877, 1878),
Simpson & Oswald, Rufus Reed (died 1886), Charles
874
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
A. Brown (now of Portland), Joseph Norris,* Carney
Bros., William A. Kimball* (died March 6, 1880), J.
Smith Field, Horatio Smith,* Amasa Bryant,* John
Gale,* A. A. Lamprey, James E. Simpson (mayor
1878, '79, '80, '85), J. G. Abbott, J. Clinton White,
M. P. Merrill* (many years an assessor, died June 14,
1886), Levi Emery,* George W. Hills, John F. Cogs-
well, William E. Gowing, Lawson Rice, Robert R.
Whittier, Robert M. Bailey, N. B. Gordon. Another
of the oldest residents is Samuel M.Davis, who was
an engineer on the Boston and Maine Rail-
road, came to Lawrence in 1847, and ran the first lo-
comotive into town over the new railroad bridge.
Captain John Smith, one of the earliest, who came in
1845, died September 19, 1879, aged eighty-seven.
Ford Bros., Joseph Stowell, Albert Emerson, G. W.
Chandler, Walker* and Freeman Flanders, H. J.
Couch, Alonzo Winkley, John Daly, Henry A. Pres-
cott and Moses Wingate.
The first marriage in town took place May 15, 1847.
The parties were Mr. James M. Currier of Lawrence
and Miss Mary E. Libbey of Conway, N. H. Rev.
John C. Phillips was the otficiating clergyman. The
first public marriage occurred October 17, 1847, at the
Baptist Chapel. Mr. Edwin R. Gage of Lawrence
and Mrs. Abby B. Richardson of Methuen were mar-
ried by Rev. John G. Richardson of the Baptist
Church.
Mr. William W. Dean of the firm of Dean & Haz-
eltine, on Broadway, is the first child born of Ameri-
can parents in Lawrence, having been born in April,
1847. Mr. A. Joplin of Hampton comes next, who
was born in February, 1848.
To go further into details, or to name even the vari-
ous merchants and mechanics who have grown with
the growth of the town and city would be making a
directory, which would be foreign to the purpose of
the present article.
During the first years, communication with the
outside world was by means of the old-fashioned stage-
coaches.
*' ST.4GE Registeii FOE 1847.
" For Manchester, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 8^ A. M., L.
W. Currier, Driver.
'* For Salem, every day except Sunday at 2% P. M., Shaclsley & Cle-
ment, Proprietors.
" For Lowell, every day 6 and 10 A. M., 2?,^ and 4 P. M., and on Sun-
day 8 A. BI., Currier & Abbey, Proprietors, Chamberlain & Charles,
Drivers.
"For Andover, 634, 8, 10 A. M. ; 2]^, 5'^ P. M., Morrison & Lougee,
Proprietors & Drivel's."
Boston and Maine Railroad was extended into
Lawrence early in 1848. Lowell and Lawrence Rail-
road was opened July 2, 1848, and extended to North
Lawrence in 1879. Essex Railroad to Salem opened
September 4, 1848. Manchester and Lawrence com-
pleted October, 1849. The Merrimack Valley Horse
Railroad was incorporated in 18G3, charter renewed
1866. The incorporators were George D. Cabot, Wm.
H. P. Wright and Wm. R. Spalding, and the road
was opened for travel from the Paper-Mills to Me-
thuen, 1867; extended to North Andover, 1868; and
to South Lawrence, 1876. Additional facilities for
travel have been furnished by further extensions in
1887. The enterprise of doubtful issue at first has
proved remunerative, and the stock has advanced
materially in value. Wm. A. Russell has been presi-
dent and James H. Eaton treasurer from the begin-
ning.
Hotels. — Before operations commenced by the
Essex Company, there were two hotels, the Shawsheen
House (now called Revere) and the Essex House,
since converted into a dwelling-house, situated in
South Lawrence, on the old Londonderry turnpike
(now Broadway). The first hotel built by the com-
pany, the Franklin House, was opened November 1,
1847, by Major T. J. Coburn, previously of the Eastern
Exchange Hotel, Boston. It has been since kept by J.
L. Huntress, Charles B. Melvin, Jeflbrd M. Decker,
Col. Larrabee (formerly of the Merrimack House,
Lowell), Thomas W. Huse and is now conducted by
Mrs. C. E. Huse.
The Merrimack House was built about the same
time at the corner of Broadway and Tremont Street ;
this was burned in 1849 and was not rebuilt. The United
States, another large building in Essex Street, nearly
completed but not occupied, was also burned in 1859.
It was somewhat imposing in its external appearance,
but very cheaply built, and almost as soon as touched
by fire fell in ruins, as it deserved, but unfortunately
causing the loss of life of three persons.' Hotels have
since multiplied, and we have now on the main busi-
ness street the Essex, Central and Brunswick, besides
many others of less prominence in other parts of the
city.
The Lawrence post-office was opened for the first
time September 7, 1846, by George A. Waldo, post-
master. He remained in office three years. William
Pierce, of Andover, followed for six months, when
Nathaniel Wilson followed and served four years.
Mr. Wilson was the first druggist in town, and was for
eight years city treasurer. By a change of adminis-
tration Major B. F. Watson became postmaster, and
held the office eight years. He was succeeded by
Major George S. Merrill, who retained the position
twenty-six years, from 1861 to 1887, when Patrick
Murphy, who had been city treasurer from 1883, was
appointed to the place.
From the first sale of lands, April 28, 1846, to Oc-
tober 10, 1846, the growth of the new settlement had
been so rapid that the population had increased from
less than two hundred to .about twenty-five hundred,
and there had been erected one hundred and thirty-
five stores, shops and dwelling-houses. The obvious
inconvenience of taxation, education, etc., in two sep-
1 George Stanley, a printer ; Frank Henry, auctioneer ; Lyman H.
Larkin, mill-hand.
LAWRENCE.
STo
arate townships led to a petition to the Legislature
for a charter for a new town ; this petitiou was opposed
hy the town of Methuen.
As early as February, 1S47, a town-meeting was
called to see what action the town would take on the
petition of Chas. S. Storrow and others to be set off
in a new town by the name of Lawrence. The meet-
ing was well attended, from two hundred to three
hundred being present. John Davis was chosen to
preside, and the meeting was addresi^ed by George A.
Waldo, J. W. Carlton and John Teuney, all in oppo-
sition to the proposed division. Messrs. Waldo and
Tenney were chosen a committee to take all honora-
ble and legal measures to thwart the design of the pe-
titioners, and to employ counsel if neces-^ary.
The opposition was unavailing, and on the 17th of
April, 1847, the Legislature of Massachusetts granted
a charter to the town of Lawrence, of which the
following is a copy: {Other names had been sug-
gested, such as Essex and Merrimack, but Lawrence
was adopted in honor of the original founders.)
" SncTioN I. AU the territory now within the towns of Metliuen and
Andover, in the County of Essex, comprised within the fnilowing limits :
that is to 8a.y, by a line beginning at the month of Sbawsheen River, at
its Easterly bank, thence running Southerly by Said Easterly bank t»> a
Stake at the bend in Said River, a few rods westerly uf the bridge where
it is crossed by the Salem Turnpike, thence in a straight line westerly to
a marked stone in the wall at the Easterly corner of the intersection of
roads by Jacob Barnard's house; thence Nortlierly in a straight line
across Merrimack R.iver, passing between the house of .\sa Barker and
that of Ebenezer Barker, on the Tower Hill road, leading from Me-
thiien to Lowell, to a stake about 2l-i0 feet Northerly from where the
line crosses said road : thence Northeasterly to a monument on the
Easterly side of Londonderry Turnpike, psissing a little northerly of
the house of Abiel Stevens: thence Easterly in a straight line to a
monument at the intersection of Lawrence Street with the old road
which runs easterly from Stevens' factory toward Haverhill ; thence
in a straight line, easterly, passing north of William Swan's house
through a monument about 400 feet south of the intersfctinii of (he
roads near said Swan's house, to the line of the town of Andover
ill Merrimack River: thence running by the said line of Andover
westerly to the easterly bank of the Shawsheen River at the point
of starting: is hereby incorporated into a town by the name of Law-
rence : and the said town of Lawrence is herebj' invested with all the
privileges, powers, rights and immunities, and subject to all the du-
ties and retpiisitions to which other towns are entitled and subject,
by the constitution and laws of this Commonwealth.
" Section 2. The town of Lawrence shall make and maintain all
bridges for public highways over the Shawsheen River, so far as the
easterly bank of sjiid river is a boundary of the said town, including
the masonry of said bridges on the easterly bank thereof.
"Section 3. The inhabitants of the said town of Lawrence shall be
holden to pay all arrears of taxes which have been legally assessed
upon them by the towns of Methuen and Andover respectively : and
all taxes heretofore assessed, and not collected, shall bo collected and
paid to the treasurer of the towns of Methuen and Andover respec-
tively, in the s;tme manner as if the act had not been passed : and
alstt their proportion of all County and State taxes that may be as-
sessed upon them previously to the next State valuation — that is to
Biiy, two-thirds of the State and county taxes that may be assessed
upon the town of Methuen, and one-eighth of the State and County
taxes that may be assessed on the town of Andover, till the next
State valuation.
"Section 4. The parts of the said town of Lawrence now belonging
to the towns of Jlethuen and Andover, respectively, shall remain parts
of the said towns of Methuen and Andover, for the purpose of elect*
ing State officers, senators, representatives to Congress, and electors of
president and vice-president of the United States until the next decen*
nial census shall be taken in pursuance of tiie i;tth Article of
Amendment to the Constitution : and the meetings for the choice of
&uch representatives and other officers aforesaid, shall be called by
the eclecfmen of said towns, respectively: the selectmen of Lawrencu
shall make a true list of persons belonging to the territory of oacli
of said towns hereby incorporated into the town of Lawrence, quali-
fied to vote at every such election, and the same sliall be taken and
used by the selectmen of said respective towns fur such elections, in
the same manner as if prepared by themselves.
Sections. The said towns of Methuen, Andover and Lawrence shall
be respectively liable for the support of all who now do or shall here-
afterstand in need of relief as paupers, whose settlement was gained by, or
derived from a residence within their respective limits; and the said
town of Lawrence shall, within one year from the time of its organiza-
tion under this act, pay to the town of Methuen one thousand dol-
lars as and for their just proportion of the debts of the town of Me-
thuen, owing at the time of the piissage of this Act, exclusive of the
amount of the surplus revenue of the United States in the treasury of
the town of Methuen : and the town of Lawrence shall also pay two-
thirds of the amount of said surplus revenue whenever its repayment
shall be demanded by the United States according to law: and shall
also pay to the town of Methuen the amount that said town shall
pay for building Haverhill Street, so called, within the limits of the
said town of Lawrence, as ordered by the County Commissioners for
the County of Essex.
"Section 6. Any justice of the peace in the County of Essex is
hereby authorized to issue his warrant to any princijial inhabitant
of the town of Lawrence, requiring him to notify and warn the in-
habitants thereof, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the
time and place therein appointed, for the purpose of choosing all
such town officers as towns are by law authorized and required to
choose at their annual meetings: and such justice, or, in his absence,
such principal inhabitant, shall preside till the choice of a moderator
in said meeting.
" Section 7. This act shall take effect from and after its pixs-
sage."
TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1847 TO 1853.
1847, .Se?fe/v«eH:— William Swan, Chas. F. Abbott, Natlian Wells,
James Stevens, Lorenzo D. Brown. School OmimUUe : — James D. Her-
rick, I'r. William D, Lamb, Dan. Weed. Town Clerks antl Tyeamirers: —
E. W. Morse, clerk, Daniel Saunders, treasurer, Bailey Bartlett, collect-
or, Ivan Stevens, auditor.
1S4S. &^'c(men .-—David J. Clark, Chan. F. Abbott, Wm. D. Joi>Iin,
Levi Sprague, John M. Smith. School Committee: — Rev. George Pack-
ard, Rev. Lyman Whiting, Rev, Henry F. Harrington, Nathan W. Har-
mon, James D. Herrick. Town Clerls and Treasmers: — E. W. Morse,
clerk, Nathaniel White, treasurer, Parker Smilb, collector, Ivan Ste-
vens, auditor.
18411. Selecl7nen:—Chds. F. Abbott, Levi Sprague, Isaac Fletcher.
School Committee: — Rev. George Packard, Rev. Lyman Whiting, Rev.
Henry F. Harrington, Henry K. Oliver, James D. Herrick. Toicn
Clerks and Treasurers: — E. W. Moi-se, clerk, Daniel Saunders, treasurer,
N. G. White, collector, Ivan Stevens, auditor.
1550. Stlec! men :— Artemis Parker, Jr., Wm. Gile, Wm. R. Page.
School Committee : — Rev. George Packard, Rev. Lyman Whiting, Rev.
H. F. Haniugton, Rev. Geo. H. Clark, Rev. J. G. Richardson. Tuwu
Clerks and Treasurers :—G*iO. W. Benson, clerk, Geo. \V. Sanborn, treas-
urer, N. G. White, collector, Ivan Stevens, auditor.
1551. Selectmen :—V,'m. R. Page, Levi Sprague, Joseph Norris.
School Commitlee :~-Chsi8. S. Storrow, Nathan W. Harmon, Rev. Geo.
Packard, James D. Herrick, Dr. Moses L. Atkinson. Town Clerks and
rmiscrers;— Geo. W. Benson, clerk, Geo. W. Sanborn, treasurer and
collector, Ivan Stevens, auditor.
1552. Selectmen :—Wm. R. Page, Levi Sprague, Joseph Norris,
School Committef^: — Rev. Geo. Packard, A. D. Blanchani, Rev. Samuel
Kelley, Nathan W. Harmon, John A. Goodwin. Town Clerks and
rrci/sitrers.-— Geo. W. Benson, clerk, Geo. W. Sanborn, treasurer and
collector, Ivan Stevens, auditor,
Durir.g the continuance of the town government
the population increased from six thousand in 1848
to nearly thirteen thousand in 1858. And to any one
familiar with the routine of town government, it will
be apparent that the officers of the new town had plenty-
of employment,— constant meetings in the early years,
for organization, to provide for schools, cemetery, po-
876
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
lice and the usual concomitants of advancing civili-
zation, lockups or prisons for the turbulent and un-
ruly, erection of public buildings, building of roads,
etc., all expenditures of the public money being
voted upon by the people in town-meeting assembled.
The inconvenience of this method of conducting
affairs led the people to apply for a city charter,
which was granted, and the act signed by Governor
Clifford March 21, 1853.
Besides the inconvenience of attending frequent
meetings, vexatious delays were liable to occur, in
consequence of the rancor of party spirit, and the old
saying, "in the multitude of counselors there is wis-
dom," proved not always true. This was amusingly
and provokingly illustrated in the attempt to fix the
location of the town hall, and in the refusal to accept
from the Essex Company the gift of the common.
But no meeting of the people was perhaps more ex-
citing than the meeting of 1852 (the last under town
government). Mr. Hayes, in his " Sketches of Law-
rence," printed in 1868, gives the following account
of the meeting : " Early in the day Mr. B. F. Wat-
son, the leader of the Democrats, made some motion
intended to give advantage to his party, and was de-
clared out of order. Exasperated at his f:iilure, he
planted himself in the way to the polls, and in a loud
voice announced, 'There shall be no voting here to-
day,' and called upon his friends to block the passage
to the ballot-box. The hall was filled with excited
men, who rushed to the point where Watson was
standing. A party fight on an extended scale seemed
almost unavoidable, when above the din of the angry
tumult the clear, calm voice of William R. Page
(chairman of the selectmen) echoed through the hall,
'Gentlemen will bring in their votes.' Instantly
General Oliver started for the ballot-box, and, after a
severe struggle, finally arrived at the object of his
aim, but minus his coat-tail.
"The incident operated like magic in allaying the
disturbance. All parties regarded it as a joke worth
laughing at, and as the two emotions — laughter and
anger — cannot exist together, order was far more
easily restored than the coat-tail. Probably not a
man in Lawrence, who esteemed order as a law of
heaven, felt any regret that a town organization,
which drew together in one hall all the voters of the
place, was to give way to a division of these voters
into wards under a city organization."
The first election of city officers was held April 18,
1853, and the new government was inaugurated May
10th. Three parties presented candidates for mayor,
Charles S. Storrow, treasurer of the Essex Company,
being the candidate of the Whig party, Enoch Bart-
lett of the Democratic, and James K. Barker of the
Free Soil or Anti-Slavery party. Mr. Storrow was
elected, and associated with him in the Board of Al-
dermen were George D. Cabot, Albert Warren, E. B.
Herrick, Alvah Bennett, Walker Flanders and S. S.
Valpey ; and in the Common Council were Josiah
Osgood (president), Nathaniel G. White (many years
president of the Boston and Maine Railroad), Dana
Sargent (subsequently mayor of Nashua), William R.
Spalding, Elkanah F. Bean, Daniel Hardy, Isaac K.
Gage and others, the members of both boards being
selected by the people more with a view to their busi-
ness capacity than to their political activity, and
forming an exceptionally capable government for
starting the machinery of the new city.
In 1848 the classification of the population was :
Born in America 3766 CuloreJ, 16.
Ireland i!139
Englund 28
France 3
Wales 2
Scotland 9
Italy 1
Germany 1
6949
In 1885, according to the State Census:
Born in United States 21,Y('5 Colored, 84.
Ii'clalid 7, ('43
England 3,9.'8
S.otland S32
(.Serniany 1,499
Wales 31
France 31
Canada (English) 969
Canada (French) 1,921
China 9
Other Countries 234
3R,863
Male population, 45{'g5per cent. Female population, SljYo r^r
cent.
CHANGES IN POPULATION, VALUATION AND TAXA-
TION.
18451
1847
1848
1849
1851)
1861
1S52
1853
1864
1855
1856
1S57
1858
1859
1860
1861
1S62
1863
1864
1865
1806
1867
1868
1869
1S70
1871
1872
1873
1874
1870
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
lf.S3
1884
1885
1886
1887
POPULA-
SCHOOL
Tax per
LATION.
CHILDEEN.
$1000.
160
3,577
51
403
33
497
81,719,240
83 50
5,919
3,814,426
620
1,321
4 20
7,225
.5,730,710
1,089
2,318
3 90
8,282
5,902,741
1,308
2,249
4 90
«,UOU
6,407,926
1,.593
2, .542
5 ilO
10,600
6,374,3' 6
1,660
2,514
5 30
12,147
6,9;)7,10ll
1,869
3,066
7 00
14,951
8,842 915
2,167
3,366
7 00
16,081
9,954,041
2,51 8
3,659
7 80
16,800
10,483,726
2,792
3,525
7 60
17.800
10,228,400
3,021
3,898
8 20
15,300
10,249,009
2,010
2,902
8 40
16,000
10,022,947
2,702
3,0-.T
7 20
17,639
10,584,023
3,171
3,609
8 40
18,400
lll,769,(il5
3,210
3,900
8 80
18,500
10,777,920
.3,.310
3,378
9 00
19,750
10,939,460
3,384
3,282
11 20
20,500
11, "74,430
3,495
3,092
11 60
21,098
12,783,273
3,013
4,147
13 50
23,750
13,74 8,285
4,026
6,2.50
13 50
20,ll''O
11,684,1100
4,403
5,714
17 20
2H,50J
15,670,000
4,359
6,960
13 60
28.000
10,617,000
4,605
6,336
13 50
28,921
17,912.507
4.840
0,600
17 20
29,OnO
18,552,0 0
4,856
6,625
16 SO
31,000
20,763,693
4,847
7,'00
15 80
33,000
21,687.732
5,141
7, .5.57
10 00
33,800
22,918,775
5,385
7,728
10 20
34,'.16
24,117,373
5,048
8,120
17 60
35,000
23,903,508
5,031
8,026
19 00
36,000
23,902,537
6,088
8,139
16 60
37,6110
23,744,017
6,668
8,542
16 00
38,600
23,088,897
6,830
8,707
16 40
39,1512
21,142,724
6,865
9,024
16 80
25 348,620
7,143
6,698
10,023
10,435
10 00
26,277,223
16 60
20,932.660
6,896
10,7.35
16 60
27,309,095
27,144,050
7,177
6,947
10 6:j8
16 80
38,802 »
9,981
10 60
27 165 590
7,277
9,967
16 40
39, 299 »
28,324,373
10,129
17 SO
1 A part of Methuen and Audover. 2 Assessor's estimate.
3U. S. Census. * State Censua.
LAWRENCE.
877
CITY OFFICERS,
1853,
TO THE PRESENT TIME.
MAVons.
CITV CLERKS.
TRF..\8. ± COLLECTORS.
1853.
Chas S. Storiow
Geo.
W
Benson
Braekett 11. Clark.
ISot.
Kii..ch liartli-tt
Benjamin Boardman...
Niehidas Cliapnnin.
18.'w.
All>ert WiiiTi-u
Wid
.im i>Iors4:
Nathaniel Wilsi.li.
ISD.i.
.\ll>i-lt \V:ilri-Il
Wid
am Morse
Nathaniel Wilsnii.
lSo7.
.lolin It. R.illilis
(3ei).
R
Rowe
Nathaniel Wilson.
ISiS.
.lol.n K. Iti.llhi.s
Ceo.
K.
Rowe
Nathaniel Wilson.^
]85!l.
Hriiry K. lUivcr
•ieo.
li.
Uuwe
Nathaniel Wilson.*
im>.
Dan. .'^uiilulcls, .Jr....
tM-O.
H.
Rowe
Nalllaniel Wilson.
isni.
.liiiiit'S K. IJHlkcr
Ceo.
K.
Rowe
Nalhalii. 1 Wilson.
]sr.2.
Wm. ir. I'. WriKlit
Ceo.
K.
Rowe
Natlianiel \Vils„n.
11*63.
Win. H. P. WiiihI.
Ceo.
K
Rowe
Nathaniel Wilson,
]8«»
Alfred .1. FrciK li
(Jeo.
K
Rowe
Robert H. Tewkaburv.
180.i.
^Ijltun Iiiiiiiii.y
Ceo.
R
Rowe
RobiTl 11. TewUsbiiiV.
IRGC.
I'iinloii .\riniii-.itui)..
N. I'. H. Milviii
N. P. H. JMviii
Ceo.
(ieo.
Ceo.
It
K.
R
Rowe
Robert II. Tewksbury.
180T.
ISGS.
Howe
RMberl H.Tewksbnrv.
Rowe
liobeil II.TewksbnrV.
18G!).
Frank Daviis
X. P. II. Mflviii
Geo.
Geo.
R
R
Howe
Robert H. Tewksbury.
RolK-rt 11 Tewkshnry.
1S7II.
Rowe
1871.
S. I!. \V. D.ivi8
Geo
R
Uowe
Robert II. Tewksl.uiv.
1872.
S. B. \V. Davis
(ieo.
R
Rowe
Robert 11. 'lewksbory.
187:t.
.r,.Iin K.Tartmx
Geo
R
Rowe
Hubert lI.Tewksbury.
1R74.
John K. Tarhox
<;eo
R
Rowe
Klihn W Colcoid.
187.1.
Hiib. U. Tinvksbnrv..
Waller K. Rowe
Albeit V. Bushes.
lS7li.
E(lninn<) U. Haydt^n.
Waller
R. Rowe
Albert V. Biisbee.
1877
Caleb Saunders
.lames
K. Slie|Mtnl
Albert V. Biiiibee.
1878.
James R. Simpson...
Jam
es
!•:. She|)ard
Albert V. BiiRbeo.
187!>.
.Tames It. Sinii'son...
■lam
es
E. Shepard
Albert V. Bnchee.
l,«8li.
James R. Simpson...
.lam
es
E. Shepard
Albert V. Bnsbee.
18-1.
Henry K. \Vel>bter...
.lames
!■;. Shepard
Albert V. Bnuliee.
18,«.'.
John Itreen
.lam
es
E Sheparil
Albert V. Bngbee.
1883.
.John Rreen...
James
Timoli
Williai
E. Shepanl
y Kane
Patrick Murphy.
Patrick :\lnrpby.
Patrick .Min].by.
1884.
.John Breen
188.'i.
James K. Simpson...
'i T. Kindiall...
ISSG.
Ale.valliler B. Bruce
Tnn
ill
y Kane
Patrick Murphy.
1887.
Alexander B. Brure.
Wil
iam T. Kimball...
Kdwaril P. Poor.
Two of the citizens of Lawrence have represented
the district in the United States Congress — Hon.
John K. Tarbox in the Forty-fourth Congress, and
Hon. Win. A. Russell in the Forty-sixth.
In the Massachusetts Senate the city and Senatorial
d'.strict has been represented by Daniel Saunders, Jr.,
Thomas Wright (four terms), Ben. Osgood, N. W.
Harmon, John K. Tarbox, Horace C. Bacon, Byron
Tiuell, Edward F. O'Sullivan. Members of the
House of Representatives, — Wm. A. Russell, Fred.
Butler, George E. Davis, John K. Tarbox, Robert
Bower, Patrick Sweeny, Henry J. Couch, William S.
Knox, Patrick Murphy, Horace C. Bacon, Byron
Trucll, Edwin Ayer, Melvin Beal, Morris Knowles,
George D. Lund, James K. Barber, Thomas Wright,
Charles Stark Newell, Josiah Osgood, E. B. Currier,
Enoch Bartlett, David Wentworth, Enoch Pratt,
Aniasa Bryant, Thomas A. Parsons, John A. Good-
win, Timothy V. Coburn, Benjamin Harding, John
Gale, Rev. J. R. Johnson, Thomas W. Floyd, Walker
Flanders, Wni. Hardy, X. W. Harmon, Cyrus Wil-
liams, Levi Emery, John C. Sanborn, ilichael Rinn,
Abel Webster, Jesse Moulton, John C. Hoadley, A.
J. French, Geo. W. Benson, H. D. Clement, John J.
Doland, L. A. Bishop, E, J. Sherman, W. H. P.
Wright, Albert Blood, Henry M. Mclntire, John J.
Nichols.
Hon. John Kimball Tarbox was born in that part
of Methucn now within the limits of Lawrence May
6, 1838. In his boyhood he resided for a time in
North Andover, and later entered the drug-store of
Henry M. Whitney in Lawrence. His tastes led him
to the study of law, whieh he read in the office of
Colonel B. F. W'atson, and while thus engaged he
contributed largely to the eilitorial columns of the
L'lwre/ice Seitlintl, and was for a considerable i)eriod
its editor. He was admitted to tiie E-'.sex bar in
1860, and entered into partnership with Mr. Watson,
and conducted the business of the firm while the
senior partner w.as in service in the first campaign of
the Sixth Regiment in ISfil. In the fall of 1861
Colonel Watson was appointed paymaster in the
army, and Mr. Tarbox went with him as clerk, and
was engaged in that and the following year in pay-
ment in the field of the armies of the Potomac and
Gulf Department,
In the summer of 1861 he united with Eben T,
Colby and George S. Merrill in raising a company un-
der the call of ihe President for nine months' troops.
A call for volunteers was issued, which api)eared on
the bulletin boards one Sunday morning, and Tues-
day night following one hundred and sixteen men
were enrolled. Mr. Colby was chosen captain, Mr.
Merrill first and Mr. Tarbox second lieutenants.
This company and one other, raised immediately
after by John R. Rollins, James G. Abbott and Hi-
ram Robinson, went into camp at W'enham, were at-
tached to the Forty-eighth Regiment, from which
they were detached, owing to the exigencies of tlie
service, and sent to complete the Fourth Regiment,
whieh had for the second time volunteered its ser-
vices to the government. The regiment served about
a year in the army in Louisiana, at Hrashear (now
Morgan) City, at the battle of Franklin and in the
siege of Port Hudson, and was among the first to en-
ter the captured works. Mr. Tarbox during this time
was once acting adjutant of the regiment, and com-
manded the company at the battle of Bisland (or
Franklin), while Captain Jlerrill was in hospital
with malarial fever.
After the return of his regiment Mr. Tarbox re-
sumed the practice of law, but his taste for political
affairs and his .ability as a writer and speaker brought
him prominently before the public, and he was chosen
representative to the Legislature in 18G8 and again
in 1870. In 1872 he was a member of the Senate,
elected mayor of Lawrence in 1873, and re-elected in
1874, and in 1875, '76, '77 he was a member of the
House of Representatives in the United States Con-
gress. In 1882 and 1883 he was city solicitor of
Lawrence, and in April, 1883, was appointed by Gov-
ernor Butler insurance commissioner of the com-
monwealth, and re-appointed by Governor Robinson
— a position in which he displayed marked ability,
and conducted the affairs of the office so a-s to win the
commendation of all parties.
In public, political life Mr. Tarbox was an earnest
partisan; in his business transactions he was a man
of strictest integrity and honorable dealing, and in
his social relations warm-hearted and genial. Edu-
cated only in the common schools of New England,
but possessing a refined taste and poetic tempera-
ment, he cultivated and improved his powers by ex-
878
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tended reading of the best in literature. Tlie key-
note of his short life may be found in his own words
in an address delivered before the Old Residents'
Association. In speaking of Lawrence, his remarks
were as follows: "Lawrence has no conspicuous his-
tory to point at for the world's marvel. It came not
out from some mystic past of romance and tradition.
It had no Theseus or Romulus of divine progeny for
its founder. But it is nobler to make a history than
to inherit one, to begin than to end an ancestral line,
to set up a beacon of fame than to shine in its re-
flected beam."
Lieutenant Tarbox never recovered from the ma-
larial effects of the Louisiana swamps, and died in
Boston May 27, 1887.
Public Buildings and Parks. — In 1848, the year
following the incorporation of the town, steps were
taken for the construction of a town hall, and the
foresight of its projectors was manifested in the con-
struction of a building which should be adapted not
merely to the necessities of a township, but the wants
of a future city. The plan of the present city hall
was prepared by Ammi B. Young, of Boston, and the
committee appointed to take charge of the construc-
tion was Hezekiah Plummer, Wm. M. Kimball, Capt.
Charles H. Bigelow and J. M. Stone. There was an
angry controversy in regard to the location, some
desiring to place the building at the corner of Law-
rence and Common Streets, some on Jackson Terrace,
others, who finally prevailed, in its present compara-
tively central and convenient place. Had it been
built on Jackson Terrace our citizens would have
been deprived of one of the most quiet and beautiful
spots for private residences; the other location would
have been a desirable one, but only a few feet farther
west, and at this day it is dilBcult to understand how
so much controversy could have taken place respect-
ing the difference 'twixt tweedle-dum and tweedle-
dee. The building, which is a very substantial one,
of brick, with a basement story of granite, reflects
credit upon the architect and builders. It is sur-
mounted by a wooden tower of pleasing style, in which
a fine-toned bell for many years summoned the peo-
ple to church and school, and to fires until the intro-
duction of the fire-alarm telegraph. The tower is
crowned with a gilt eagle which is worthy of mention
for its symmetry, designed and carved by Mr. John
M. Smith, a member of the Board of Selectmen for
that year. The eagle measures seventeen and a half
feet from tip to tip of the outspread wings, and ten
feet two inche.s from the beak to the end of the tail.
A great defect was found in the acoustic properties
of the large hall, rendering il very annoying to public
speakers. This was partially remedied in 1858 by
hanging the walls with drapery. In 1872 the hall
was entirely remodeled by building galleries, and the
erection of stage scenery, and now, for its size, it is
a pleasant hall for speakers as for other purposes;
second only to the opera-house, a private establish-
ment owned by the Lowell Railroad Company, and
located over their station-house.
Laiurence Jail w.as built in 1853 on the southerly
bank of the Spicket River, on land purchased by
the town, a substantial building of stone in a good
location, and as well arranged in sanitary respects for
its unfortunate inmates as the dictates of humanity
can suggest, while the front portion, occupied by the
keeper, opens upon spacious ground and has an out-
look upon a public park of an acre in extent. The
building has been severally in charge of Sheriffs
Thomas E. Payson, James Carey, and the present
sheriff, Horatio G. Herrick.
Lawrence Cotirf- House. — For several years the peo-
ple of Lawrence in civil and criminal cases were
obliged, at considerable inconvenience, to attend
courts either in Newbury port or Salem ; a term of the
courts was established here for a time, and the ses-
sions were held for a few years in Lawrence Hall,
fitted up for the purpose by the city. The building
was not suitable for the purpose, and after considera-
ble opposition from the older parts of the county, a
board of county commissioners was formed, who deter-
mined that Lawrence furnished a sufficient amount
of business to the courts to entitle it to some degree
of consideration. Accordingly, in 1858, by united
efforts, a court-house was built, the Essex Company
giving the land, and the city building a foundation
acceptable to the commissioners, and the commis-
sioners erecting the building. The architect was
James K. Barber (then city engineer). To two of the
commissioners at the time — Mr. Wilson, of Marble-
head, and Ebenezer B. Currier, of Lawrence (a major-
ity of the board) — Lawrence is indebted for its con-
struction. A term of court for civil cases is held here
in March, and a term for criminal cases in October.
The Probate Court also has sessions in January,
March, May, June, July, September and November.
The court-house was but just finished, when a de-
structive fire, originating in the new United States
Hotel, 1859, destroyed it completely. It was rebuilt
in 1860.
Police Station. — The building now occupied by the
Police Court and police offices was built in 1867.
Prior to this the headquarters of the police was at ihe
city hall, and prisoners were confined in two lock-ups,
miserable wooden buildings, confinement in which,
before trial, was greater punishment than the guilty
suffered subsequent to trial in the vastly better quar-
ters to which they were sentenced. This building is
well arranged, having cells in the basement, offices
on the first floor, a court-room and offices on the
second floor, and a hall which was at one time occu-
pied as an armory ; now, convenient for many pur-
poses.
Parks. — The largest of these is the Common, a fine
tract of more than seventeen acres in the centre of
the city, reserved by the Essex Company while mak-
ing their plan of streets, and offered to the town, with
LAWRENCE.
879
tho simple restrictions that it shoulil not be diverted
from its purpose, or built upon, that the town should
expend a small sum, not less than two hundred dol-
lars, annually for its improvement, and that it should
be under the care of a committee consisting of the
chairman of the selectmen or mayor, the agents of
the Essex Company, the Atlantic and Hay Stale Jlills.
At a town-meeting in September, 1848, the town, on
motion of some scheming politicians, voted not to ac-
cept the gift ! At a subsequent meeting in October
the people, awake to the ridiculous position in which
the town had been placed, reversed the decision, for
which action all who have since resided here have
been grateful. The several committees have taken
much interest in improving and beautifying it, and
much larger sums of money have been appropriated
for the purpose than were required by the terms of
the gift. Perhaps no one in the earlier days devoted
more time and attention to the planting and rearing
of the noble trees which now sliade its broad avenues
than Levi Sprague, one of the selectmen in 1848, '49,
and Gen. H. K. Oliver, then agent of the Atlantic
Mills; though others have in various ways contrib-
uted their share. The trees around the pond were
planted under the direction of Mayor W. H. P.
AVright. The unsightly wooden fence was removed
during the mayoralty of Hon. John K. Tarbox, and
the present curbstone substituted. For the pond on
the Common the citizens are indebted to the exertions
of the late Dr. J. H. Morse, who obtained by sub-
scription half of the cost, the city appropriating the
balance in 1857.
Another tract of ten acres, Storrow Park, on Pros-
pect Hill, was deeded by the Essex Company to the
city in 18.o3. This is in part shaded by trees, young
oaks of native growth, is on high land, and commands
pleasant views of the busy town below.
"The Amphitheatre," so-called, sometimes named
Happy Valley, was dedicated to public use in 1873,
by the company. This is a beautifully located tract
in the western part of the city, inclosed on three
sides by a ridge of hills giving it the resemblance
from which it was named. This tract embraces seven
acres, and forms a pleasant and quiet retreat for the
citizens of that region.
Another park, the finest of all except the Common,
now owned by the Essex Company in South Law-
rence, comprises eleven and a quarter acres, and is
named Union Park ; bounded by South Union, Os-
good. Salem and Market Streets.
Cemetery. — In 1847 the town purchased five acres
of land in the western part of the city for burial pur-
poses. This has been gradually enlarged until Belle-
vue Cemetery has, by judicious management and con-
stant, but continued, improvement by the city and
the good taste of the citizens, become a very beautiful
resting-place for the dead, a spot where the grave is
robbed of half its horrors by the beauty of the sur-
roundings, and where one, in the language of Bryant,
might feel that he " could wrap the drapery of his
couch around him and lie down to pleasant dreams."
West of this is St. Mary's Cemetery, and still further
west, partly in Methuen is the cemetery of the
Church of the Immaculate Conception, both of which
have much improved.
The city also, in anticipation of prospective wants,
has purchased in North Andover about ninety
acres, at a spot known in the vicinity as Den Rock.
This is somewhat difficult of access, but capable of
becoming in the future an appropriate place, and
from its natural scenery may be made, by the aid of
art, a beautiful ground for the purjiose intended.
Baxks. — The first bank, the Bay State, incorpor-
ated February 10, 1847, was located at a point very
nearly corresponding with the geographical centre of
the city, the junction of Law'rence and Essex Streets.
Its capital was originally two hundred thousand dol-
lars, increased to five hundred thousand dollars, and
subsequently reduced to three hundred and seventy-five
thousand dollars, the par value of the shares being at
present seventy-five dollars each. The first president
was Hon. Charles S. Storrow, who resigned after
twenty years of service, and was succeeded in 1867 by
Hon. George L. Davis. Nathaniel White, the first
cashier, was previous to this cashier of the Powow
River Bank at Salisbury, to which office he was ap-
pointed on the organization of the bank in 1836.
He was succeeded by Charles A. Colby, who had been
several years teller of the bank, and on Mr. Colby's
resignation and removal to New York City, Mr.
Samuel White, then of Haverhill, was elected cashier
and is still in service.
Intimately connected with this bank was the first
institution for savings in Lawrence, the Essex Sav-
ings Bank. This bank was incorporated in March,
and organized September, 1847, and for a long period
its business was managed by the president and cash-
ier of the Bay State Bank at their rooms. James H.
Eaton was appointed assistant trea.surer in 1855, and
on the decease of Mr. White he became treasurer, 1866.
George D. Cabot succeeded Mr. Storrow in the presi-
dency, and after faithful service of about tw-enty-five
years, including eleven years as president, he re-
signed, and was succeeded by Joseph Shattuck, who
has since remained in office. This savings bank is
the oldest in the city, its deposits amount to more
than four millions of dollars, and it has never omit-
ted a dividend.
The National Pemberton Bank was organized in
1854, Levi Sprague being the president from the be-
ginning to the i>resent time. The first cashier was
Samuel C. Woodward, who was succeeded by Wil-
liam H. .laquith. James M. Coburn followed Mr.
Jaquith, and remained till 1879, when he went to a
more promising field in the West, and J. A. Perkins
has been cashier since that date. The capital of this
bank is one hundred and fifty thou.>^and <liill:ns.
Number of shares, fifteen hundred.
880
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The Lawrence National Bank was organized in Feb-
ruary, 1872. Dr. A. J. French was president till
1878, when he was succeeded by Artemas W. Stearns,
who yet retains the office. P. G. Pillsbury was cash-
ier till 1879, when, having been turned from the path
of duty by the glittering allurements of Western min-
ing schemes, his connection with the bank ceased.
No loss was incurred by the bank, however, as the
directors paid per.sonally all remaining deficiencies.
John R. Rollins, who had been thirteen years cashier
at the Pacific Mills, succeeded Pillsbury, and after a
service of nearly eight years was succeeded in 1887 by
H. Leslie Sherman. The ca[)it.al stock of this bank is
three hundred thousand dollars, in three thousand
shares.
The Pacific National Bank was organized January,
1877. President, James H. Kidder ; Cashier, William
H. Jaquith, formerly of the Pemberton. Fifteen
hundred shares, one hundred dollars each.
Lawrence Savings Bank, organized 18(j8. Milton
Bonney was its first president. Mr. Bonney died,
and Hezekiah Plummer has since been president,
while William R. Spalding has been the treasurer
from the beginning.
The Broadway Savings Bank commenced business
in 1872. John Fallon, then agent of the Pacific
Mills, was chosen president, and so remains. The
treasurers have been James Payne, John L. Brewster
and the present treasurer, Gilbert E. Hood.
All these banks have in the main been judiciously
managed, and have met with a reasonable share of
success.
Fire Depaetment.^ — Before the organization of
the town the Essex Company tcjok early steps to
protect themselves against fire by purchasing the
engine " Esse.x," which was manned by persons in
the employ of the company. As soon as the town
government was fairly s'arted fire-wards were ap-
pointed, viz. : William M. Kimball, Josiah Johnson,
Nathaniel Wilson, Charles Smith and Samuel I.
Thompson ; and a committee consisting of William
M. Kimball, Nathaniel Wilson and Caleb M. Marvel
was appointed to purchase engine and apparatus, and
erect a house for the same.
In 1848 the Legislature passed an act establishing
the Fire Department of Lawrence. In November,
1847, the committee above named purchased two en-
gines—" Rough and Ready," located on Newbury
Street, afterward removed to Garden Street (and .at a
still later date the name was changed to " Niagara "),
and "Syphon," located on Oak Street. In 1850 a
fourth engine, "Tiger," was placed in South Law-
rence.
In 1851 the Essex Company, the Atlantic and Bay
State Mills, for still further protection, built a reser-
voir on Prospect Hill, holding one million gallons,
and connected it by proper pipes with pumps oper-
ated by the mills ; a company wassubsequcntly formed
under the name of the Lawrence Reservoir Associa-
tion, and operated by associated corporations. The
reservoir w'as designed for the benefit of the corpora-
tion solely, not being of suflicient capacity for general
use; but the company generously allowed pipes and
hydrants in several of the principal streets to be used
exclusively in case of fire, and they also allowed the
use of water without charge for the pond on the Com-
mon. Edward B. Herrick, of tlie Bay State Mills,
was agent for the company from the beginning till
his death, November, 1878 ; he was succeeded by
Mr. Rollins, who served till June, 1879, when the
care of the reservoir was placed in the hands of Mr.
Rogers, the agent of the City Water Works.
' The first chief of engineers was William M. Kim-
ball,— others have been James D. Herrick, Samuel I.
Thompson, Luther Ladd (who had been connected
with the Fire Department from the beginning, and
served in all seventeen years as chief). Colonel L. D.
Sargent, Benjivmin Booth, George K. Wiggin, Albert
R. Brewster, Colonel Melvin Beal, Michael F. Col-
lins, Dennis WhoUey and William E. Heald. The
present chief is Z. Taylor Merrill.
Under the former organization, with the hand en-
gines, about two hundred and fifty men were em-
ployed, and in their trials of skill, as well as at fires,
there was a friendly rivalry among the companies,
each striving to be first on the ground and earnest to
get the first stream upon the tire, plenty of noise and
fun, not only among the firemen, but from their ad-
herents, who, proud of the " machine" from their
own district, usually accompanied in crowds to cheer
them on, so that, whether by night or day, with bells
ringing and the cheers of crowds, pandemonium
seemed to have broken loose.
After the invention and introduction of steam fire-
engines, " those fleshless arms whose pulses beat with
floods of living fire," all this was changed, and while
by no means depreciating the promptitude and effi-
ciency of the older department, fires are now managed
with much less confusion, with far greater efficiency,
and with less than half the number of men.
The department now embraces five powerful steam-
engines (the first purchased in 1860, two more in
1862, the fourth in 18G4, fifth in 1871), one chemical
engine with double tanks of seventy-five gallons each,
built in 1880, two hook-and-ladder companies; — four
engines and one hook-and-ladder company in active
service, the others held in reserve. The fire-alarm
telegraph was introduced in 1859, and the apparatus
was put up by Mr. J. H. Stevens, under contract with
the Gamewell Fire-Alarm Company, at a cost to the
city of eight thousand dollars. This has been grad-
ually extended, until now fifty alarm-boxes warn the
department of the locality of a fire, and avoid many
fatal delays.
Water-woeks. — As early as 1848 a plan was
formed for supplying the town with water, and a
charter w'as granted that year to John Tenney, of
Methuen, Alfred Kittredge, of Haverhill, Daniel
LAWRENCE.
881
Saunders, of Lawrence, and others, under the name
of the Lawrence Aqueduct Company. The plan of
introducing water from Haggett's Pond was found
impracticable and the enterprise abandoned. In
1858 a petition from prominent citizens was laid be-
fore the city government, requesting that steps be
taken for a supply of water. The formidable ex-
pense that would be incurred led the government to
consider the petition as premature, and nothing was
done.
In 1871-72 the subject was again agitated, and
with good reason ; in twenty-five years of rapid
growth large numbers of the wells had become mere
cesspools, and the water unfit for drinking or culina-
ry purposes, especially in the compact portions of the
city. A petition to the Legislature resulted in an
" Act to supply the city of Lawrence with water " was
passed and approved by the Governor March 8, 1872.
This act was accepted by the legal voters, twelve hun-
dred and ninety-eightvoting in favor and eight hundred
and thirty in opposition. In June a joint committee,
consisting of Aldermen James Payne and James A.
Treat, and L. D. Sargent, Henry J. Couch and
George W. Russell, of the Common Council, was ap-
pointed to obtain estimates of cost, etc. An engineer,
L. Frederick Rice, of Boston, was consulted, the com-
mittee made an elaborate report, and in April, 1873,
an ordinance was passed providing for the election of
water commissioners, and in May the Board of Com-
missioners was organized, with William Barbour
chairman, Patrick Murphy clerk and Morris
Knowles.
Walter F. McConnell, of Boston, was appointed
chief engineer and James P. Kirkwood, of Brooklyn,
N. Y., consulting engineer.
The water is taken from the Merrimac River at a
point about three-quarters of a mile above the dam,
where, in a building of brick, are placed two pump-
ing engines, built by I. P. Morris & Co., of Philadel-
phia (Leavitt's patent), capable of forcing two hun-
dred thousand gallons per hour each, from the river
to the reservoir on Bodwell's Hill, about a mile from
the centre of the city, the water being conveyed in
a pipe thirty inches in diameter and about five thou-
sand feet in length.
The reservoir is constructed in two divisions, either
of which may be used indejiendently of the other —
both having a capacity of thirty-nine million gallons.
From this reservoir cast-iron pipes convey the water
to the various parts of the city, on both sides of the
river.
In 1875 an ordinance was passed establishing rates
and providing for the permanent management of the
works ; and a Water Board was appointed, consisting
of Milton Bonney, Robert H. Tewksbury, N. P. H.
Melvin, William Barbour and James Payne — one
member retiring each year.
The total cost of the water-works was not far from
one million five hundred thousand dollars. The
56
works have proved of great value to the city in fur-
nishing an abundant sup|)ly of water for domestic
purposes, and in the protection afforded against fire.
On January 4, 1886, nearly five hundred hydrants
had been placed (Lowry pattern), seventeen drinking
fountains established, fifty-two miles of main pipe
laid, and a supply of water furnished to about thir-
ty-five thousand persons in families and boarding-
houses.
Sanitary Arrangements. — Early provision was
made by the corporation for the cleanliness of their
premises and the sanitary condition of dwelling-
houses. In the construction of sewers the Bay State
Mills expended thirty thousand dollars ; and in the
construction of other blocks, the first thing was to
build beneath the cellars a sewer, through which a
swift current of water flows, carrying away at once
all waste into the Merrimac River. In the construc-
tion of sewers, however, some mistakes were made by
the different city governments. Several sewers and
many drains opened into the Spicket River; this
being a sluggish stream, especially between the dams,
and oftentimes low, became in time an open sewer,
rendering the valley in its neighborhood not only of-
fensive, but dangerous to health. One of our local
poets (truly not a very poetical subject) thus wrote of
it:
"it is not e]airnGflth:it power divine
Did wash Culogne's foul rivor, Rhine ;
Nor will benign Supernal powei»
Conspire to cleanse tliif* Khine of ours,
Whose sickening tides, it ie well known,
Are foul as ever washed Cologne. —
They scored but two and seventy stenches there,
J>u the old rhynister in the canto tells ;
We count a hundred, with enough to spare
To hold high carnival of extra smells !
******
Saints dwelling on the river's bank
Blaephenie its flood like impious Thugs !
With smelling all it3 impious scents
Our noses all are turned to pugs.
Surely the witches of Macbeth
Ne'er told of caldron's mixture worse,
For blind-worm's sting, and adder's bieath
Combined, would prove a lighter curse."
A large sewer now receives all these drains, and the
river has resumed its nearly normal condition.
For several years the selectmen and Board of Al-
dermen were the health officers, Witli all their other
dutiesj proper attention could not be given to sanitary
matters. Since the organization of a special Board
of Health much more time has been devoted to this
subject, and the city will compare favorably in this
regard with other municipalities.
Police Department.— In the early years of Law-
rence every one was too busy to be engaged in roguery^
and in subsequent years a vigilant and efficient police
has preserved good order, seldom disturbed i^y any
very notable events. Que of the earliest attempts
at burglary was an effort to rob the Essex Co.'s safe.
The company at that time occupied the one-story
882
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
building near tlie guard locks. The plan was frus-
trated by Marshal Tukey, of Boston, and two notori-
ous burglars, who for a considerable period had
baffled the marshal's efforts, were captured.
In the second year of the city government (1854) a
disturbance occurred which came near proving a seri-
ous riot. A flag had been discovered, Union down,
on a building on Oak Street, supposed to have been
raised purposely by an Irishman (really by an Amer-
ican) as an insult to the flag. A crowd soon assem-
bled composed of the more excitable element of the
Know-Nothings (literal know-nothings, since they
had not taken the trouble to ascertain truth) ; collision
ensued, and on Common Street the i'ront of one
building (Bangor Block so-called) was considerably
damaged. Stones were freely used, and some shots
were exchanged ; the riot act was read by Mayor
Bartlett and the crowd dispersed. Fearing further
trouble, about three hundred extra policemen were
sworn in, but no further disturbance occurred, and
the skies once more shone benignantly over a blood-
less field.
Again, in 1875 a small body of Orangemen, return-
ing from a picnic, were assaulted by a crowd of the
thoughtless and reckless portiou of the people, for-
getting (if it ever occurred to them) that it is a free
country, where all have equal rights. Seeking pro-
tection at the police station, the mayor, K. H. Tewks-
bury, and some policeman escorted them to their des-
tination. Stones and other missiles were pretty free-
ly used and some pistol-shots discharged. Some were
slightly wounded, but nothing of a serious nature re-
sulted.
These items are mentioned merely as incidents in
history and not as possessing any serious import. In
both instances the collisions were the natural results
from the impulses of unthinking and unreasoning men.
When serious trouble came in 1861 men of all nation-
alities— American born and foreign born. Catholics
and Orangemen— vied with each other in maintaining
the honor of our national banner by land and sea.
The city has been the scene of one deliberate mur-
der. Albert D. Swan was shot by Henry K. Good-
win August 27, 1885. There had been between the
two men a dispute of long standing in regard to the
use of some invention connected with the telephone
in which both were interested, and for the use
of which Goodwin claimed that Swan was indebted
to him in a considerable amount. Swan claimed that
he owed him nothing. On the day above named
Goodwin borrowed a pistol, and, going to the count-
ing-room where Swan was seated at a desk, he renew-
ed his demand, and as it was not responded to satis-
factorily, be fired with fatal eflect.
Mr. Swan was born in Tewksbury May 10, 1845,
and came with his father, the late David S. Swan, to
Lawrence in 1848. He was educated in the schools
of Lawrence and at Comers' Commercial College,
Boston; commenced life as a clerk in the banking-
house of Hallgarten & Herzfield, New York, and was
afterwards gold paying teller and attorney for the
firm in the New York Stock Board ; entered into
partnership with his father under the name of D. S.
Swan & Son in Lawrence, 1866, in fire insurance bus-
iness. The father died 1874, and the business was
continued by the son, who was also at the time of his
death a director in the Bay State Bank.
Police Cotjkt. — In April, 1848, the Police Court
was established by act of Legislature. Prior to this,
justice had been dispensed by Trial Justice Joseph
Couch. The first judge appointed was William Ste-
vens, who, after a service of thirty years, resigned,
and was succeeded by Hon. Nathan W. Harmon in
1878. After a service of nine years Judge Harmon
resigned on account of impaired health, and was fol-
lowed by the present judge, Hon. Andrew C. Stone.
Associate justices have been Hon.Wm. H. P. Wright,
W. Fiske Gile, Charles U. Bell, Gilbert E. Hood.
Among those who have held the ottice of clerk, for-
merly appointed by the mayor and more recently
elected by the people, have been Wm. H. Parsons,
W. H. P. Wright, Edgar J. Sherman, Henry L. Sher-
man, Charles E. Briggs, Jesse G. Gould and the pres-
ent incumbent, Henry F. Hopkins.
At the first town-meeting ten constables were ap-
jjointed, who were also field-drivers — Gilman P. San-
born, Bailey Bartlett, J. N. Gage, Phineas M. Gage,
C. N. Souther, H. T. Nichols, E. Bartlett, N. Hazel-
ton, Nath'l Ambrose, W. A. Goodwin.
Of these, three — Gilman F. Sanborn, Nathan-
iel Ambrose, and James D. Herrick — were successive-
ly at the head of the town police. Phineas M. Gage
was the owner of a fine farm in the easterly portion
of the town, embracing what is now Jackson Court
and a portion of the Common, — On hard Street tak-
ing its name from his orchard, and Garden Street
from his garden.
The venerable Bailey Bartlett (a sou of Hon. Bailey
Bartlett, of Haverhill, who was appointed sherifl' of
Essex County by Gov. John Hancock) resided for
several years in Newburyport, afterward in Salem and
came thence to Lawrence. He was, as above stated,
one of the first constables chosen in Lawrence, and
on the decease of Joshua Buswell (the first deputy
here), he was appointed deputy-sheriff, an ottice which
he filled acceptably for many years. After this he
was appointed a constable for civil service by success-
ive city governments, and was remarkably active till
a year or two before his decease, which occurred 1887,
at the advanced age of ninety-two. James D. Her-
rick, educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, entered
Dartmouth College, but did not continue a college
course ; was a teacher till 1846, when he came to Law-
rence, and for twenty-two years was in the employ of
the Essex Company as toll-keeper at Andover Bridge.
He was one of the first members of the school com-
mittee and served on the committee at different peri-
ods for ten years; was at one time chief engineer of
LAWKENCE.
883
the Fire Department and a member of the Board of
Aldermen.
Under the city government, the various marshals
(chiefs of police) have been Harvey L. Fuller, Chan-
dler Bailey, Leonard Stoddard, Joseph H. Keyes, John
8. Perkins, George W. Potter, John W. Porter, Ed-
mund K. Hayden (afterward mayor), Noah Parkman,
Col. Chase Philbrick, Capt. James E. Shepard, Ly-
man Prescott, James M. Currier, Moulton Batchelder
and James T. O'SuUivan.
IxDtTsTRiAi, School. — This school was established
in 1875, to provide a place for boys " who are growing
up without salutary control, or no control at all ; who
either have no homes or homes merely in name; who
lead idle lives and are habitual truants; who may
indeed -have been guilty of petty oflences, but who
mav be reformed by kind treatment — a place where
they may receive useful instruction in books and
manual labor." The school opened with two boys
July 3, 187o, under the direction of Captain H. G.
Herrick, Kev. George Packard, Hon. Milton Bonney,
Rev. John P. Gilmore and Frederick E. Clarke as
trustees. The school has proved a very wise and use-
ful establishment, and has accomplished much good.
iNIany boys, who would otherwise have grown up to
become pests of society, have gone from this school
to become useful and industrious citizens. It is
really a home, and by no.means a prison, and is and
has been for several years under the charge of Mr.
and Mrs. Robert B. Risk.
Of the original trustees, Messrs. Packard and Bon-
ney have died, and Rev. J. P. Gilmore has left the
city. Messrs. Herrick and Clarke have from the be-
ginning devoted much time to the interests of the
school.
Judge William Stevens was born in North Andover,
Mass., 1799 ; entered Harvard College at the age of
sixteen, graduating in 1819; went to Nashville,
Ten n., where he commenced the study of law; was
admitted to the bar and practiced law in that city till
1826, when he removed to Belfast, Me., and became
the law partner of John Wilson. The co|)artnership
was dissolved in 1829, at which time he was elected
to represent Belfast in the Legislature of Maine,
nine years after the separation of Maine from Massa-
chusetts. During his residence in Belfast he was ac-
tive in public affairs, and is mentioned in the history
of that town as a "distinguished and prominent"
citizen ; was a leader in the Debating Society, presi-
dent of the Belfast Lyceum, editor of the Maine
Farmer and Political Register, and a leading member
of the Fire Department. Mr. Stevens removed subse-
quently to his native town, and soon after was elected
to the Massachusetts Legislature, and served several
terms. In 183G he was appointed cashier of the Es-
sex Bank in Andover, a position which he held till
November 20, 1847, when the business of that bank
was closed, and the cashier was ordered to dispose of
the notes and other property. He removed to Law-
rence July 3, 1848, at which time he was appointed
by Governor Briggs judge of the Lawrence Police
Court.
This position he held till May, 1877, and during
this period was for three years a member of the
School Committee. Failing health, loss of eye-sight,
compelled his resignation, and on the 4th of June,
1878, he was stricken with apoplexy and died in a few
hours.
Judge Stevens was a gentleman of the olden time,
very urbane in manner, kind to a fault to the unfor-
nate and erring; as a judge, sometimas deciding rases
according to equity, rather than strict law ; a public-
spirited citizen and a sterling patriot. Two of his
sons, fully imbued with the father's devotion to
country, gave their lives to its service in the Civil
War.
Newspapers. — The first newspaper in Lawrence
was issued in October, 1846, by J. F. C. Hayes, and
was called the Merrimack Courier. It continued un-
der the editorial management of Mr. Hayes, John A.
Goodwin (subsequently of Lowell), Homer A. Cook,
Rev. Henry I. Harrington and Nathaniel Ambrose
till 1802. In 1848 a Democratic paper, entitled the
Vanguard, was j)ublished by Fabyan & Douglas.
The name was subsequently changed to Tke Sentinel.
This paper has been edited in the course of its exist-
ence by Harrison Douglass, Colonel B. F. Watson,
Geo. A. Gordon, Benjamin Bordman, John Ryan,
Hon. John K. Tarbox and Abiel Morrison, and is yet
issued as a weekly paper.
In 1855 the Laivrence American was commenced by
George W. Sargent and A. S. Bunker ; it was con-
tinued by Mr. Sargent alone, and then Major Geo. S.
Merrill became associated with him, and has since
been the editor. This paper is Republican in pol-
itics, and is issued daily under the title of iMwrencc
American, an evening paper, and weekly as the Law-
rence American and Andover Review. This is be-
lieved to be the first newspaper and printing-office in
the world where the prebses are all run by electric
power, introduced in 1884.
In 18(;7 ihe Essc.r Eagle v.'as commenced by Mer-
rill & Wadsworth ; now published by H. A. Wads-
worth. This paper has two editions — a weekly and
morning daily.
The Lawrence Journal, another well-conducted pa-
per, was commenced by Robert Bower as the organ
of workingmen. It was purcha.sed in 1877 by Mr.
Patrick Sweeney, one of the earliest residents of the
town , Democratic in politics, with a good share of
independence.
The Sunday Telegram has been more recently es-
tablished. Several other papers have had an ephem-
eral existence.
CHARITABLE AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
Masonic. — Grecian Lodge, the oldest in the city,
was chartered in Methuen December 10, 1825, but in
884
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
consequence of the opposition to secret societies in
anti-Masonic times, the meetings were practically
abandoned. December 14, 1846, the first Masonic
meeting v\as held in Lawrence, and at an adjourned
meeting, one week later, it was determined to petition
the Grand Lodge for a charter under the name of
Grecian Lodge, in which it was hoped the Methuen
Masons would join, and it was proposed that they
should. meet weekly from the 28th of December. Ben-
jamin Boardman was proposed for M., Geo. E. Tyler
for S. W., and J. F. C. Hayes for J. W., and a com-
mittee was appointed to take steps for procuring a
charter, which was granted in February, 1848.
Tuscan Lodge was chartered December 10,1863;
Phcenician Lodge November 5, 1870.
Mount Sinai Eoyal Arch Chapter was chartered Oc-
tober 1, 1861.
Bethany Commandery, Knights Templar, was char-
tered December 29, 1864.
Lawrence Council, R. and S. M., was chartered De-
cember 9, 1868.
Lawrence Masonic Association was formed November,
1871.
Lawrence Masonic Mutual Relief Association was
chartered July 20, 1874.
Odd FELLOW.S.— The first lodge of the I. O. 0. F.
was organized May 10, 1847, and the order is repre-
sented in Lawrence by the following : United Broth-
ers Lodge, formed in 1847 ; Monadnock Lodge,^o. 150,
organized 1867 ; Ixiwrence Lodge, in 1869; Kearsarge
Encampment, No. 36, September 11, 1868 ; Lawrence
Encampment, No. 31, in 1852, and re-instituted 1874-
The Lawrence Odd Felloius' Building Association,
formed in 1874-75, erected the fine brick building at
the corner of Essex and Lawrence Streets ; the lower
floors of this building are occupied by stores; the
second floor has been, for several years, occupied by
the Lawrence Public Library, and the upper stories
have been finely fitted and furnished for meetings
and banquet halls of the various associations of the
order.
Among the Benefit Insurance Societies are
The Knights of Honor ; Knights and Ladies of Honor , ■
United Order of Pilgrim. Fathers, ^ye divisions; The
Royal Arcanum; The Home Circle; The American
fjegion of Honor ; The Northern Mutual Relief Associ-
ation ; Ruth Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca; all of
which are recognized by the State, and their financial
standing reported in the Insurance Reports.
Other benevolent societies are the Knights of Pythias
(a secret order) ; the Order of United Friends, repre-
sented by two organizations, — ^Alpha Council, No. 7,
and Bay State Council, No. 162 ; Knights of St. John;
Knights and Ladies of the Golden Rule ; the Golden
Rule Alliance ; United Order of the Golden Cross, in
three divisions, — the Olive, Eastern Star and Loyalty
Commanderies ; the Ancient Order of Foresters ; all
having for their object mutual assistance to sick and
dis^tressed members.
The Ladies' Union Charitable Society, incorporated
1875, has the charge of the hospital for the care of
acute cases of sickness and accident ; nursery for day
care of small children ; training-school for nurses.
The German population has two associations of the
Order of Hanigari, known as Scliilhr Lodge and Frei-
heii Lodge, with Masonic features and benefits ; also
an Aid Society, a Sick Relief Association, and the
St. Aloysius Aid Society (Catholic).
The benevolent societies of the French population
are L' Union St. Joseph and La Societe St. Jean Bap-
tist e.
Other large benevolent societies are The Irish Cath-
olic Benevolent Society, organized Ocloher, 1863; Two
lodges Ancient Order of Hibernians ; The Protectory
of Mary Immaculate, better known as the .Orphan
Asylum, as its name implies, an orphan asylum and
home for invalids, the first institution ever erected in
the city for charitable purposes ; and the Conference
of St. Vincent de Paul.
There are in Lawrence also several social and liter-
ary clubs, among which are the Home Club, with
handsomely furnished rooms, centrally located on
Essex Street ; the Caledonian Society (Scotch) ; Sons
of St. George (English); Le Cercle Montcalm
(French) ; the Turn-Verein (German) ; the Knights
of St. Patrick and the Old Residents' Association, to
which all are eligible who l^ave resided in Lawrence
twenty-five years or more. Miss E. G. Wetheibee,
president.
A Natural History and Archjeological Society, em-
bracing nearly one hundred members, has recently
been formed, R. H. Tewksbury, president; John P.
Langshaw, .secretary ; G. R. Sanborn, treasurer.
Needham Post (No. 39) of the Grand Army of the
Republic combines the two objects of good-fellowship
and benevolence to needy and sick comrades.
The post was named after Sumner Henry Need-
ham, a member of the old Sixth Regiment, and who
was among the first martyrs of the Rebellion. He
was killed at Baltimore on the 19th of April, 1861.
His remains were brought to Lawrejice and interred
in Bellevue Cemetery with public honors. Business
was sus])ended throughout the city, and flags at half-
mast, with other demonstrations of grief, marked the
public respect ibr his memory.
He was born at Bethel, Me., and had been twelve
years in Lawrence when the war broke out. With
the name of such a hero as its patron. Post 89 could
not help but increase in numbers and usefulness. To-
day its membership is one of the largest of any post
in the State outside of Boston. Its roll represents
over three hundred members in good standing, with
fresh accessions coming in at every meeting. It has
disbursed for charitable purposes during the last ten
years from seven hundred dollars to twelve hundred
dollars annually.
The first commander was Major George S. Merrill,
and such soldiers as Col. L. D. Sargent, Col. E. J.
LAWRENCE.
885
Sherman, Major E. A. Fiske, Col. Chase Philbriek,
Major L. N. Duchesney, .\djutant Frank O. Kendall,
Ex-Mayor Davis, Stephen C. Par.sons, James Noonan,
Daniel F. Kiley, David Johnson, William H. Coan,
Hon. A. C. Stone, John F. Hogan, James J. Stanley,
George H. Flagg and Charles H. Couillard were his
successors. Of the above, Mr. F. O. Kendall has been
appointed and served as adjutant under eleven com-
manders, this being a longer period than can be said
of any other member of a G. A. E. Post in the State.
The charter members of Needham Post were Melvin
Beal, Jame.s G. Abbott, Frank Davis, E. L. Noyes,
Chase Philbriek, A. A. Currier, George S. Merrill, E.
J. Merriam and S. M. Decker. The charter is dated
December 10, 1S67. The present commander of
Needham Post is Charles U. Bell, Esq.
Musical Association. — The Oldest Musical Asso-
ciation in the city is the Lawrence Brass Band,
formed in February, 1849, a very patriotic association,
which in the Rebellion sent twelve of its eighteen
members into the Union army.' For many years it
was under the leadership of D. Frank Robinson. The
present leader is Mr. E. T. Collins.
The Lawrence Cornet Band, F. J. O'Reilly, leader;
La Bande Canadienne, J. R. Lafricaine, leader; the
Lyra and Glocke Singing Societies (German) ; the
Ladies' Clioral Union, under the direction of Mr.
Reuben Merrill ; two Orchestral Associations, one
directed by E. T. Collins, the other by C. J. A.
Marier.
Yoi'NG Men's Christian Association. — Organ-
ized October 12, lS7ti ; incorporated January 14,
1880; reorganized February (5, 18S3. The associa-
tion has pleasant and convenient rooms, which are
open daily from 8 a.m. to 9J v.yi. The following
privileges are free to all persons : Reading-room well
supplied with papers and periodicals, parlor games
boarding-house register, employment bureau, song
service and facilities for letter-writing. In addition
to the above, members of the association are entitled
to the use of the gymnasium, bath-rooms, members'
parlor and admission for member and lady to the
annual course of entertainments. Any young man
of good moral character, regardless of religious belief,
may become a member on payment of an annual
fee of two dollars. Fee for memberslii[i, with use of
the gymnasium, five dollars.
The building occupied by them was built for and
occupied by the Eliot Church. This was sold when
the Eliot and Central Churches united, and was pur-
chased by Hon. Wm. .\. Russell, who conveyed it to the
association, generously deducting from the payment
the sum of ten thousand dollars of the actual cost.
Lawkence City Mission. — In the great influx
of population naturally attendant upon founding of
the new town many came with limited means, who,
either from want of immediate employment or illness,
' Tewksbury.
needed assistance. Poor, but not by any means
paupers, a little aid from those more fortunate would
help them on in their struggle for success. Among
the first to recognize the importance of system in the
distribution of aid was Rev. Henry F. Harrington,
then pastor of the Unitarian Church, who said to his
people : " If you will place your charity money in
my hands, and send your applicants for aid to me, I
will look up the cases and help as I shall see help is
needed."
December, 18.54, seven gentlemen met for the pur-
pose of forming a "Relief Society." These men were
Rev. George Packard, John C. Hoadley, William D.
Joplin, James K. Barker, Rev. Richard S. Rust, Ebe-
nezer B. Currier and Rev. H. F. Harrington. At a
subsequent meeting John C. Hoadley was chosen
president, the city was divided in six districts, a divi-
sion committee of three persons from each ward of
the city was appointed, and to each section was as-
signed a visitor. The first general agent was Wm.
D. Joplin (who died August, 1870). Mr. Joplin
served one year, and following him Henry Witbing-
ton, who served more than two years, both devoted to
the work without compensation, the last-named giv-
ing his entire time during the winter months. The
society continued four years, and rendered important
aid, particular during the stagnation of business in
1857. In February, 18.59, the society voted that a
committee of two from each religious society be invited
meet in convention with a committee of two from the
association to consider the establishment of a city
mission. The first meeting was held March ,3, 18.59,
in which twelve religious societies were represented.
The meeting unanimously decided in favor of form-
ing a mission, and a committee was appointed with
Hon. Chas. Storrow as chairman, who reported that
the proposed measure " promises results of a most
beneficial character, not only to those who are to be
more particularly the object of the labors of the mis-
sion, but also to those who, by joining in its sujiport,
whatever be their peculiarities of religious opinion,
thereby ci'eate and strengthen within themselves that
bond of truly Christian fellowship which unites all
who co-operate in good work," They also reported
that Geo. P. Wilson (of the Methodist Church) was
a person containing in an unusual degree the qualifi-
cations and experience requisite for the proper dis-
charge of the duties of city missionary. The report
was unanimously adopted, and the wisdom of their
choice was fully proved, — beloved and trusted by all,
Mr. Wilson devoted all the energies of his benevo-
lent and unselfish nature to the wants of the unfortu-
nate and suffering, and during thirteen years of ser-
vice, in the trying times that succeeded the fall of the
Pemberton mill, and during the four years of war, in
counsel as chaplain' at the jail, and in every way in
which he could, he was always found ready to do all
in his power for the benefit of sufl'ering humanity,
and in all his charitable work he had the full sympathy
886
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and aid of his equally devoted wife. He resigned in
1872 and went to Boston in the service of the Boston
Missionary and Church Extension Society. A plain
monument in Bellevue Cemetery, erected by the citi-
zens of Lawrence, marks his resting-place ; it bears
this simple inscription :
" To the memory of
Geo. p. Wilson
City MisBionary of Lawrence for thirteen years
Born Jany 29, 1830
Died July 10, 1873
He lived for others."
April 1, 1872, Rev. Charles U. Dunning was ap-
pointed to succeed Mr. Wilson, and for about thir-
teen years, with the earnest co-operation of Mrs.
Dunning, faithfully and judiciously carried on the
work so auspiciously commenced, and was succeeded
by Francis S. Longworth, the present missionary.
The mission is sustained by voluntary contributions,
and the salary of the missionary is paid by the differ-
ent manufacturing corporations, divided in proportion
to their capital. The president of the society. Rev.
George Packard, died, after eighteen years of devoted
service, November 30, 1877, and Gilbert E. Hood was
chosen to succeed him.
The mission has from the beginning accomplished
much, and by its usefulness in various ways has com-
mended itself fully to the people. In 1885, in the
hope of making it still more systematically useful, it
became a bureau of charities on tte basis of associated
charity, having for its objects, "to secure harmonious
co-operation between the different churches, charities
and charitable individuals of Lawrence, in order to
assist the deserving poor, prevent begging and im-
position, and diminish pauperism ; to encourage thrift
and self-dependence, through friendly intercourse,
advice and sympathy ; to aid the poor to help them-
selves, and to prevent children from growing up as
paupers." Such have ever been the aims of the mis-
sion, but whether all the societies will co-operate is a
problem for the future.
Independently of the city mission, yet as an auxil-
iary to it, several benevolently disposed young ladies
had for several years maintained a
Flower Mission, the object of which has been to
brighten the homes of the sick with flowers, and
otherwise distributing among them fruits and delica-
cies suitable for invalids, and in this work they have
been generously aided by the people of Andover and
North Andover, Early in October, 1875, at the invi-
tation of the City Missionary, a number of ladies met
at the mission rooins to take into consideration the
formation of a Day Nursery, for the care of chil-
dren whose mothers were employed in the mills, and
for such hospital work as might be found at hand.
And on the 8th of October the Ladies' Union Charit-
able Society was formed, and orgifnized by the choice
of Mrs. Alfred P. Clark, president ; Mi's. Wm. A. Rus-
sell, secretary and treasurer. The other officers rep-
resenting the different churches were:
Mra J. Morrison Grace Church
Mrs. N. G. White Lawrence Street Church
Mrs. Wm. SbacUford Second Methodist Church
Mrs. Joseph Shattuclc Unitarian Church
Mrs. G. I), .\rm3trong First Baptist Church
Mi-s. L. Beach, Jr First Methodist Church
Mrs. S. Webster Parlier Street Methodist Church
Sirs. H. F. Mills Swedenborgian Cliurch
Mrs. A. McFarlin Universalist Church
Mrs. S. W. Wilder First Baptist Church
Mrs. Fred. Butler.. St. John's Church
Mrs. C. Payson, Second Baptist Church
Mrs. A. C. Clark Central Church
Mrs. J. Hogg Presbyterian Church
Mrs. Clark Carter South Congregational Church
A public meeting was held at City Hall on the
19th, and at this meeting sufficient encouragement
was given to warrant the society in commencing
work. A building was purchased, completely fur-
nished, and opened to receive children in November.
January 4, 1876, the society was incorporated, and
the building was removed to land of the Washington
Mills, and enlarged by the addition of three rooms in
the rear ; but as there was no room to be spared for
the care of the sick, an invalid's home was opened on
Montgomery Street. A few years later the Washing-
ton Mills having other u.se for their land, removal be-
came necessary. It was also essential that the nursery
building should be in the vicinity of the mills, and it
was determined to purchase a lot of land for the pur-
poses required. This was accomplished, and money
raised by subscription for erecting a larger building
where the nursery and home should be combined.
The diti'erent numufacturing companies gave three
thousand dollar.^. Other sums were obtained from
citizens, and the front of the building, now used as a
hospital, was erected and dedicated February 9, 1882,
the old buildings being placed in the rear and used
for culinary purposes. The physicians soon began to
urge upon the society the neces.sity of opening the
hospital department to men as well as women, as most
of the accidents in the mills occurred among the men,
and there was no place in town for the care of many
of these cases, and, heretofore, it had been customary
to send to hospitals in Boston. This movement
created the need of a larger building, and the society
immediately gave their attention to increasing their
accommodations. May, 1885, they succeeded in
purchasing a lotadjoiningthe hospital from Mr. Chas.
A. Brown, which was enlarged by the gift of an un-
known friend of twenty-five feet front additional,
thus giving them a lot of one hundred and thirty-five
by seventy-eight feet. In 1885 the home for children
was finished, free from debt, and in March, 1886, the
hospital ell was completed and dedicated. The hos-
pital, which will accommodate twenty patients, and
the day nursery are both still under the charge of the
society, and both have proved of great utility.
Not yet satisfied with their earnest and successful ef-
forts, the society, in October, 1882, established a
training-school for nurses, which is yet in successful
operation. Eight nurses are in constant attendance,
LAWRENCE.
887
graduating after having passed a successful examina-
tion and two years' ti'aining in the hospital. A di-
rectory for nurses was opened in 1885, aiming to as-
sist persons requiring a nurse, and to aid nurses de-
siring work in their chosen profession. In these va-
rious works the ladies have been materially aided by
the physicians of the city, who have cordially co-
operated in nuK-h gratituoua service, and by lectures
and aid in the training-school. One pleasant custom
has grown up in connection with this enterprise which
is worthy of mention. For the purpose of raising
funds ill support of the nursery and hospital, some
one (it is believed Mr. and Mrs. Dunning) suggested
having a public breakfast ou the 1st day of May ; this
has grown gradually in favor, and seems to have be-
come a permanent institution, the City Hall being
usually filled from early morning till the middle of the
forenoon, where the citizens meet in social inter-
course, and no inconsiderable sums are realized from
the entertainment.
The present president of the society is Mrs. Wm. E.
Gowing, and for the past four years Jliss A. E. An-
drews has been the efficient head of the hospital.
Public; Schools. — Forty years ago, 1846, there
were within the present limits of Lawrence three of
those small one-story buildings known as school-
houses, wliere, as in other district schools throughout
New England, the children had the benefit of a few
weeks' instruction in the common branches of educa-
tion in the two terms of summer and winter. They
were, no doubt, like their prototypes, plain, rude and
neglected, with cold floors, a uniform pattern of desks
for pupils of all sizes, and these unpainted, on which,
even if not instructed in the art, the male portion of
the pupils were self-educated in the rudiments of
sculpture.
In 184G another building was prepared by the Es-
sex Company, and under the direction of the Meth-
uen school committee — Dr. Stephen Huse, James D.
Ilerrick and Rev. Willard Spalding — was opened for
pupils, with Nathaniel Ambrose' as teacher. This
school soon increased in numbers from twenty-five to
one hundred and fifty, and was continued till after
the acceptance of the town charter.
At the first town-meeting Dr. William D. Lamb,
James D. Herrick and Dan Weed were elected mem-
bers of the school committee. In their report they give
the record of five schools, located on Tower Hill,
Hampshire Street, Jackson Street, Prospect Street
and " Andover side." The rapid influx of scholars
rendered active measures necessary, and as future
success depends largely on rightbeginnings, the agent
of the Essex Company, Mr. Storrow, requested Hon.
Horace Mann (then the best authority in educational
affairs) to meet the committee and devise with them
1 Mr. Ambrose died September 30, 1878, at the age of sixty-eeven. He
was cliosen annually during the continuance of the town a ronatablo
and part of the time inspector of police and ca]itain of the watch.
some systematic plan adapted to the growing wants of
of the city.
The plan then adopted contemplated the establish-
ment of primary and intermediate schools scattered
over the territory of the town, one grammar scliool
upon the north side of the river, one grammar school
upon the south side and one high school for the town.
At the town-meeting of 1848 five persons were
chosen members of the committee, — Rev. Henry F.
Harrington (now superintendent of schools in New
Bedford), ^ Nathan W. Harmon (since judge of the
Police Court), ^James D. Herrick, Rev. Lyman Whit-
ing and Rev. George Packard.
The plan matured and carried into execution at
that early day, and which has continued to the pres-
ent time, of dividing the schools into primary, mid-
dle, grammar and high grades, has proved by time to
be the best and most economical. The government,
the people and the non-resident owners of our large
manufacturing establishments were liberal in the ex-
penditure for schools, as, in fact, they have ever been
since. The manufacturing coiupauies paying at that
time sixty-five per cent, of all the taxes, expressed their
feelings in the language of one of their representa-
tives, " Let the schools be the best that can be made
at any cost," fully realizing the importance of early
discipline in habits of method and order, of those
who are ultimately to be the sovereigns of the State.
This same year the committee called the attention
of the town government to the requirements of the
statute for a building for a high school ; twelve thou-
sand five hundred dollars was promptly ajjpropriated
for the purpose, and the building now occupied by
the Oliver Grammar School was erected, and named
the Oliver School.
Lawrence Hiuh School. — In January, 1849, T.
W. Curtis was elected principal of this school, to
which seventeen pupils were admitted that month.
In September twenty-two more were admitted, and
Miss Sarah B. Hooker was elected assistant teacher.
Mr. Curtis resigned in 1851, and for the remainder ot
the term Rev. H. F. Plarrington, of tlie committee,
was the instructor. In 1851 Mr. C. J. Pennell be-
came principal. Miss Hooker resigned in January,
1852, and was succeeded by Miss Jane S. Gerrish, of
Newburyport, who remained in service till June, 1873.
In 185.3 Mr. Pennell resigned to accept a profei^sorship
in Antioch College, Ohio.
He was succeeded by Mr. Samuel John Pike, then
a tutor in Bowdoin College. After a service of three
years he removed to Somerville. For a few months
the position was filled by Mr. Wm. H. Farrar, and, in
May, 1857, Mr. Wm. J. Rolfe was elected principal.
Mr. Rolfe remained four and a half years, and re-
moved to Boston, where he became associate editor of
the Boston Journal of Chemhtnj, and is widely known
as the author of several valuable works. For three
2 Now deceased.
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
months after the withdrawal of Mr. Rolfe, Mr. Thom-
as G. Valpey, an instructor in another in.stitution,
spent his vacation as principal of the High School,
and in December, 1861, Mr. Henry L. Boltwood be-
came principal. He was succeeded in 1863 by Albert
C. Perkins. Mr. Perkins remained till 1873, and re-
signed to become principal of Phillips Academy, Exe-
ter (and is now principal of the Adelphi Academy,
Brooklyn, N. Y.). The subsequent teachers have
been Charles T. Lazelle, 1873 to '75 ; Horace E. Bart-
lett, 1875 to 79 ; Edward H. Kice, 1879 to '80 ; Ed-
win H. Lord, 1880 to '84 (recently elected principal
of the new Brewster Academy at Wolfboro'), and the
present principal, Frank P. McGregor.
A second assistant, Miss Harriet C. Hovey, was
elected in 1856, and, after a faithful service of seven
years, was succeeded in 1863 by Miss Marcia Packard,
who left the service in 1881. Other assistants have
been Miss Alice E. Birtwell, 1873 till her decease, in
1883; Miss Emily G. Wetherbee, Mary A. Newell,
Ada Lear, Katharine A. O'Keefe, Louisa S. Halley
and Julia J. Underbill, the six last mentioned being
still in service.
A sub-mastership was created in 1872, and the po-
sition has been held by Herbert S. Eice, 1872 to '77 ;
Parker P. Simmons, to 1879 ; Anson M. Richardson,
1879 to '85 ; Edward ,J. Sartelle, and Edwin H. Lord,
Edward H. Gulick.
The Oliver Grammar School commenced with a
little over one hundred and forty scholars in the
spring of 1848, in a wooden building where the
Unitarian Church now stands, under the direction
of Mr. Geo. A. Walton (now of the State Board
of Education). It was supposed that this house
would accommodate the grammar school on the
north side of the river for an indefinite period ; but
before the walls of the High School building were
up it was found necessary to alter the plan, and
as soon as finished the grammar school vs-as placed
in the upper story, with scats for one hundred and
eighty-four scholars. This soon proved too small,
and in 1851 the three-story transverse section
was built; again in 1867 the front portion of the
original building was raised to its present height.
Its name, Oliver Grammar School, was given in hon-
or of the late General Oliver. In 1865 Hon. Milton
Bonney, then mayor, who had been a member of
the school committee for three years previous, and
foresaw that the increasing growth of the grammar
school would soon demand the use of the whole
building, called the attention of the government to
the necessity of providing a new building for the
High School, and land was secured for the purpose,
on which, iu 1866, the new High School building
was erected ; but before its completion the sessions
of the High School were held in the vestry of Trinity
Church, and the entire original building was given
up to the Oliver Grammar School.
During this time twelve other school-houses had
been built or enlarged in different parts of the
city.
The committee were quite fortunate in securing
the services of Blr. Walton, as he served as an able
coadjutor in carrying into effect the plan adopted,
and being zealous in his chosen profession, he
brought the school to a high state of excellence.
The Quincy School of Boston was the model on
which the grammar school was built, then the only
one of its kind in New England. Mr. Walton con-
tinued in the mastership of the school from April,
1848, for sixteen years, till the summer of 1864; was
succeeded by James H. Eaton, who had been assistant
teacher (now treasurer of the Essex Savings Bank),
Mr. with Albert F. Scruton as assistant. After Mr.
Eaton's resignation, Mr. John L. Brewster was elect-
ed (who was subsequently superintendent of schools
form 1880 to 1887). Successiveprincipals were James
Barrell, Park S. Warren, Barrett B. Russel and the
present principal, Benjamin F. Dame.
The school, commencing with two classes in 1848,
has now eight grades under sixteen female teachers,
with one head master and i-eveu hundred pupils;
the building will accommodate eight hundred and
forty.
Packard School. — This is at the present time the
grammar school of South Lawrence. The building
was originally a brick building of eight rooms and
was first occupied 1872. In March, 1885, it was
destroyed by fire, but has since been rebuilt and con-
tains ten rooms and a hall. The other buildings, the
Lawrence and Union Street School buildings, on the
south side of the river, are occupied by the primary
schools.
The grammar school has been successively under
the charge of Isaiah W. Ayer, Jonathan Tenney, John
B. Fairfield, Wilbur Fiske Gile, John Orne, Jr., J.
Henry Root, Jetterson K. Cole, Edward P. Shute
and Albert P. Doe.
It would be impracticable in the limits of this article
to give a more extended sketch of the growth of
the schools of Lawrence, and mention the various
faithful teachers who have been here employed.
Suffice it to say that, in addition to the three pre-
viously named, Lawrence has seventeen public
schools, employing seventy-two teachers, the total
number of teachers being one hundred and eight in
active employ; the average number of pupils for
the year 18S6 being nearly five thousand; average
attendance, 96.42 per cent.
Free evening schools were established in 1859^
for the benefit of those who are unable to attend
school during the day — taught at first by volunteer
teachers. The evening school started as an experi-
ment, under the direction of Mr. George P. Wilson,
the city missionary, in the old Odd Fellows' Hall. It
was removed later to the basement of the City Hall.
The school gradually grew in favor, has become a
part of the public-school system, and the expense
LAWRENCE.
889
is assumed by the city. There are now maintained
one school in tlie westerly part of the city, one
on the south side of the river, and a large one in
the Oliver building for ordinary English branches
of study, and a High School for instruction in
algebra, chemistry and drawing.
Sewing has also become a permanent addition to
the work of the middle or intermediate schools, and
very creditable work of the pupils has beeu exhib-
ited.
A sewing-school had been established in April,
1859, by the city missionary, and for twenty-five
years was sustained under the care of the mission,
charitable and competent ladies volunteering their
services as instructors from year to year.
TRAixiNG-SfHOOL. — Auioug the schools a very
valuable addition was made in 18ti9 by the establish-
ment of a training-school for teachers, in which per-
sons who could not perhaps incur the expense of ab-
sence from home in the normal schools of the State
may have an opportunity to educate themselves for
the business of instruction. The object of the school
is to fit teachers for the work of organizing, govern-
ing and teaching in the public schools. Tlie school
has been under able management, and has proved of
great value. The first instructors were Misses L. J.
Faulkner and Fannie A. Reed, the latter of whom
continued in the school for about ten years. In 1879
Miss Lily P. Shepard, a graduate of the Westfield
Normal School, a teacher of experience in the train-
ing-school at Springfield, was placed at the head of
the school, and has continued till the present. Her
first assistant was Miss Clara Lear, who served one
year, and was relieved at her own request, succeeded
by Miss Clara T. Wing. Miss Wing resigned, and
was followed by Miss Janet G. Hutchins, who, in 1887,
accepted another position in Lewiston, Me.
Private Schools. — In 1847 several private schools
supplied the wants of the people, in addition to those
under charge of the town. Among these was a school
opened near the commencement of 1847 by a Mr.
Ward, assisted by Misses Proctor and Chapman,
commencing with twenty-four scholars, which in its
fourth term numbered forty.
Messrs. Twomb'y and Judkins had also a flourish-
ing school ; another was taught by Messrs. O'Connell
and Bresnahan ; and still another was oi)ened in Feb -
ruary, 1848, by Mr. and Mrs. Silas Blaisdell. This
latter school continued for several years and was well
patronized.
At the present time the St. Mary's parochial, a pri-
vate school, embraces about twelve hundred pupils.
The French population also maintain a jirivate
school, and the German population also have a small
school of sixty pupils. A successful private school
is also under the charge of Misses Marcia Packard
and Cornelia Harmon. Gordon C. Cannon has for
several years conducted a flourishing commercial
school.
MAXrFACTURIXG.
The Laweesce Machine Shop was built and
owned by the Essex Company, the main building, foun-
dry and chimney being very substantial structures of
stone, commenced in 1846 and finished in 1848. The
works were operated by the Essex Company until 1852,
Caleb M. Marvel being the superintendent. The
machine-shop played an important part in the early
days of Lawrence, was supplied with every variety of
valuable tools and machines, and gave employment
to a large number of skillful mechanics. Some of
these still remained in Lawrence, though a large
number, on the closing of the shop, sought other
fields, and other places in various parts of the Union
have had the benefit of their skill. Many locomotive
engines were built here, the first of which was the
" Essex," which was used on the railroad between
Lawrence and Boston. Others were the"Welland"
and the " Trent," which went to Ogdensburg ; others
went to the Erie Railroad, and many others later to
other roads.
The Hoadley Portable Engine, which acquired ex-
tended celebrity, was first built here by John C.
Hoadley, who subsequently established his works on the
North Canal, whence large numbers of the engines
went to the West and California. Here also the
steam fire-engine, which, with modifications, is now
in so general use, was first brought out by Thomas
Scott and N. S. Bean. The first engine built, named
the " Lawrence," was purchased by the city of Bos-
ton. Mr. Bean subsequently removed to Manches-
ter, where the manufacture of these engines has since
been carried forward. Considerable amounts of cot-
ton machinery were also built here.
In 18.52 the property of the machine-shop was
transferred to a new company — the "Lawrence Ma-
chine-Shop Company," having a capital of seven hun-
dred and fifty thousand dollars, the value of -shares
being fiity dollars each. The officers were Samuel
Batchelder, president; J. H. W. Paige, treasurer;
( iordon McKay, agent ; and John C. Hoadley, super-
intendent, who, on the resignation of Colonel McKay,
became agent.
The company suffered in common with others in
the general depression of business in 1857, remained
idle two years, and the property was sold to the Ever-
ett Mills Company.
The following just tribute to the memory of Mr.
Hoadley, written by a gentleman in Boston, appeared
in the Advertiser soon after his decease :
Johu Chipman Hoadly, born in Turin, N. Y.,
1818, the son and grandson of formers, passed his
youth in L'tica, N. Y. At the age of eighteen he was
employed in preliminary surveys for the enlargement
of the Erie Canal, and his ability as a draughtsman
brought him quick promotion and more responsible
work. In 1844 he went to assist Horatio N. and
Erastus B. Bigelow in the foundation and develop-
ment of the manufactories and town of Lancaster (now
890
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Clinton, Mass.). Four years later he, with Gordon
McKay, fornied a partnership for the manufacture
of engines and other machinery in Pittsfield. In
1852 he was called to the position of superintendent
of the Lawrence Maehine-Shop, and soon after re-
luctantly accepted the position of agent, well knowing
that the failure of the company was only a question
of time.
After the closing of that company he engaged in
the manufacture of portable engines, then but little
used in this country. Their skillful design and hon-
est construction soon gained a name and a large
market for them all over the country, especially in
California. After a number of very prosperous years
the crisis of 1873, with its shrinkage of value and bad
debts, forced the company to close its affairs. During
a part of this time Mr. Hoadley was also interested in
the organization of the Clinton Wire-Cloth Company,
agent of the New Bedford Copper Company and the
McKay Sewing-Machine Association, and was one of
the founders and president of the Archibald Wheel
Company. Since 1876 he engaged in various interests,
especially as an expert in mechanical and engineering
questions, serving in important cases in the courts
and in responsible positions in the great mechanical
exhibitions.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, of
which he was one of the original trustees, claimed for
many years a part of his interest, and as a member of
the State Board of Health during more than seven
years, he did his part in this most useful work, be-
sides filling other positions, as alderman in Lawrence,
a member of the Legislature in 1858, and Presidential
elector in 18C2. Commi.-sioned by the State during
the Rebellion, he visited England to inspect ordnance
for harbor defense.
This brief summary comprises, however, only a
fraction of Mr. Hoadley 's real interest. The unique
feature of his life was his intense enthusiasm in many
paths of literature and in the higher lines of thought.
If mechanics was his pleasure, literature was his de-
light; no pressure of business could draw him wholly
away from his books.
At the age of nineteen supporting a mother and six
sisters, in the following year earning a reputation and
a fortune, he kept out of the rut of a mere business
man ; studied French, German, Latin and Greek,
and was as familiar with Homer's Odyssey and its
translations as with the designs of his engines. Col-
lecting about him a rich and choice library, reading
in curious and out-of-the-way lines, as well as in the
English classics; of marvelous memory, which
seemed to retain everything he ever read, he be-
came a centre around whom a group of inquirers
would easily gather, and from whom they could
always draw facts most correctly stated and poetry
most musically spoken.
But beyond the intelligence and learning of the
man, it was the character of Mr. Hoadley that im-
pressed all with whom he came in contact. He was
more than honest ; there was a touch of ancient chiv-
alry in his sense of honor. He trusted men, and he
expected and always acted as if he expected the same
honorable sense in others that was found in him ; and
though at times sadly disappointed and cruelly
treated, he never lost his confidence in man.
Many civil and mech.anical engineers throughout
the country owe to Mr. Hoadley their early enthu-
siasm, their free lessons in drawing and their present
positions.
Politically he was one of the founders of the Ee-
publican party in Lawrence, and on the breaking out
of the war none were more earnest to sustain the gov-
ment, furnishing time and money to the cause of the
Union, and had it not been for the unfortunate physi-
cal defect of deafness, he would, without doubt, have
taken a still more active part in the military service.
Back of all else was the deep religious faith which
supported his principles, and was revealed in every
word and deed. He was a devout member of the
Episcopal Church, and for many years was warden of
Grace Church, Lawrence. He died in Boston at the
age of sixty -seven years and ten months.
Bay State Mills. — The Legislature .of 1845 and
'46 granted charters to the Bay State, with one mil-
lion dollars capital, and Atlantic Mills, with two mil-
lion dollars capital, the Union Mills, with one mil-
lion dollars capital, and the Bleaching and Dyeing
Company, with live hundred thousand dollars capital.
The two latter never went into operation. The Bay
State was the first of the manufacturing corporations,
commencing in April, 1846, and the buildings were
so far completed that the wheel of the River Mills
was first set in motion February, 1848, and the man-
ufacture of cloth commenced in June following. The
buildings of this company were planned upon a large
scale, consisting of three buildings, each of them, in-
cluding the attics, nine stories in height ; and the
River Mill, with its wings, from three to five sto-
ries high, and fourteen hundred and eighty feet in
length ; all erected under the superintendence of
Captain Phineas Stevens, of Nashua, an experienced
engineer. These mills manufactured many varieties
of woolen goods, new to American manufacture, and
at one time were especially well known as manufac-
turers of the " Bay State Shawls," made of wool and
at a moderate cost, of varied patterns, making in a
single year, 1850, three hundred and fifteen thousand.
They attracted much attention and commendation at
ihe International Exposition of 1852, and at the
Paris Exposition, 1867.
The first treasurer and general manager was Sam-
uel Lawrence, who, as well as his brothers, Amos and
Abbott Lawrence, had taken so deep an interest in
the development of American manufactures, and had
previously acquired much experience from their con-
nection with the mills at Lowell. The first resident
agent was M. D. Ross. Samuel Webber was agent
LAWRENCE.
8'Jl
for a short time, and was succeeded by Captain Oliver
H. Perry. After a long service he was succeeded by
Captain Gustavus V. Fox, the efficient Assistant Sec-
retary of the Navy during the Civil War.
In the general depression of trade these mills failed
in 1857, remained idle two years, and the entire prop-
erty passed into the hands of a new company, formed
largely from the creditors of the former one, and took
the name of
WA.3HISGT0X Mills. — Chartered in 185.8 and or-
ganized with a capital of one million six hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. They introduced several va-
rieties of worsted goods, worsted coatings made of
combed wool, heretofore imported and introduced in-
to American mills by Plon. E. R. Mudge ; twilled
blue flannel coatings and opera flannels. Joseph h>.
Fay was first treasurer of these mills, succeeded by
Joshua Stetson, who was followed by Henry F. Coe.
This corporation was the second in size in Law-
rence, furnishing employment for about twenty-five
hundred persons. The i)lant consisted of one cotton
mill, 19,000 spindles, (55 sets of cards, .320 broad
looms ; one worsted mill, 86-10 spindles, 885 looms ;
five woolen mills, weekly product, 100,000 yards cot-
tons, 120,000 yards dress goods, 20,000 yards worsted,
40,000 yards woolens and 1000 shawls. Motive-pow-
er, seven water-wheels of 1025 horse-power, and two
engines of 1000 horse-power.
The resident agents have been Gustavus V. Fox,
previously agent of the Bay State Mills ; Edward D.
Thayer, William H. Salisbury, who engaged in other
business in Chicago ; Parker C. Kirk and John H.
Needham, who yet remains in Lawrence engaged in
trade. Mr. Granville M. Stoddard, for a long time
superintendent of the worsted department, removed
to Worcester. These mills furnished employment to
about twenty-five hundred people, were well equipped
with machinery and employed persons skilled in man-
ufacturing, and produced goods of excellent quality ;
but they, as well as their predecessors, failed of ulti-
mate financial success, and are now in liquidation.
The mill jiroperty and water-rights have been trans-
ferred in 1886 to a new organization.
The Washington Mills Co.mpany. — This com-
pany is now making a radical change. They have
taken down the old buildings and replaced them with
buildings of more modern style. Gne of the old mills
took fire and was burned to the ground in 1887, but
the new mills were so far advanced that but little de-
lay ensued in continuing the operations of the com-
pany. The treasurer of the new company in Fred-
erick Ayer, of Lowell ; Manager, Thomas Sampson,
of Lawrence ; Clerk of the corporation, Sidney W.
Thurlow ; Paymaster, Alfred P. Clark, of Lawrence,
who has been in this position through the various
vicissitudes of the Bay State and Washington Mills.
Thf Atlantic Cotton Mills Company was
incorporated in February, 1846. Their original plan
was to occupy the entire territory between the Bay
State and Pacific Mills. The westerly and easterly
wings of the present building were built indepen-
dently, and at a later date the two were connected by
the large central structure ; and, as this gave all the
room required, the lower part of the territory was re-
linquished to the Essex Company, and subsequently
sold to the Pacific Company for the Lower Pacific
Mills in 1864. The first cotton arrived January,
1849, and was manufactured by the Atlantic in May
following. Their second mill was manufacturing
cloth in October of the same year. The Central Mill
was commenced in February, 1850. These mills were
built by the Essex Company, under the direction and
in accordance with the plans of Captain Charles H.
Bigelow, the company's engineer. The brick-work
was under the direction of Levi Sprague and the
wood-work under the supervision of Morris Knowles.
The E.ssex Company also built at their machine-shop
the machinery for the middle building.
These mills were constructed, as was the custom in
the earlier days of manufacturing, more with a view
to their practical utility than with regard to beauty,
and the addition of the central structure, with its flat-
roof and little wooden bell-tower in the centre, gave
to the passer-by the idea of an enormous square brick
bottle with short neck and stopper. The buildings
were subsequently raised by the addition of mansard
roofs, thereby giving additional working room, and
contributing largely to the architectural appearance
of the building, further improved by the removal ot
the old central bell-tower, and the construction of a
handsome brick tower at one of the angles.
Financially, the Atlantic Mills have had their
trials, as well as the others. This company, in com-
mon with all others, felt seriously the depression of
1857, and in 1S7<) tlie company was reorganized; the
capital stock, which was originally one million five
hundred thousand dollars, was reduced to one million
dollars, the stockholders surrendering five shares of
old stock for one of new and contributing seven hun-
dred thousand dollars in cash, to make up the new
caiiital — looking to a future of promise and hope.
In 1886 they were again somewhat embarrassed by
the crooked proceedings of their treasurer, Wm.
Gray, Jr., and are at the present time moving forward
successfully, it is believed, under new auspices. The
mills are well-built, substantial buildings, have al-
ways been kept in thorough repair, and under the
management of local agents have been models of
neatness and order. The number of spindles is over
100,000 ; the number of looms is 1921 ; the number
of persons employed, about 1100; product, 500,000
yards per week of sheetings and shirtings; motive-
power, 4 turbine wheels and 1 double Corliss engine,
1000 horse-power.
The president was Abbott Lawrence, and the
Treasurer, Charles S. Storrow. Mr. William Gray
succeeded Mr. Storrow as treasurer, and held that
position for thirty years, resigning in 1877. Henry
892
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Saltonstall served as treasurer for a short period, and
was followed by William Gray, Jr., who, by the be-
trayal of his trust, added one more honored name to
the list of criminals that has disgraced American
annals.
For the first ten years the resident agent was the
late Gen. Henry K. Oliver, well-known and esteemed
by all who knew him for his social qualities and for
his active interest in whatever pertained to the inter-
est and welfare of the city. He was succeeded by
Joseph P. Battles, who had been previously cashier,
who served the company with marked fidelity for
twenty-nine years, till his resignation in 1887.
The present organization is as follows : President,
Chas. H. Dalton, of Boston ; Treasurer, William
Hooper, of Boston ; Agent, William A. Sherman, of
Lavtrence ; Paymaster, J. C. Bowker, who has been
in the employ of the company since 1856, succeeding
Mr. Battles as paymaster in 1858.
Pacific Mills. — Incorporated 1853, with a capi-
tal of two million dollars, increased, since, to two
million five hundred thousand dollars. The mills
and print-works buildings were built by the Essex
Company under the direction and superintendence
of Capt. Charles H. Bigelow. Large additions have
since been made, and another mill for the Pacific is
now in process of construction. This corporation is
one of the largest textile establishments in the world,
manufacturing, printing and dyeing ladies' cotton,
worsted and wool dress fabrics.
The number of cotton spindles is 120,000; the num-
ber of worsted spindles, 30,000 ; the number of looms,
4600 ; the number of jirinting-machines, 25 ; the
number of mills and buildings, 23, covering 44 acres
of floor space, independently of a new large mill in
process of erection. For motive-power and other pur-
poses, there are in use in the^e mills: 11 turbine
wheels of 5000 horse-power, 4 large steam-engines of
3500 horse-power, 42 small steam-engines, 50 steam
boilers. The annual consumption of coal, 23,000
tons; the annual consumption of gas in 9000 burners,
cost $30,000; the annual consumption of cotton,
15,600 bales ; the annual consumption of wool,
4,000,000 pounds. The annual capacity of the mills:
Cottons printed and dyed, 70,000,000 yards ; worsted
goods, 30,000,000 yards; to make this cloth nearly
200,000,000 miles of yarn are required; the pay-roll
for the year ending May, 1886, was $1,790,000 ; the
average earnings per day were for men and boys,
$1.26 ; for women and girls, 90 cents.
The Pacific Mills Library (connected with wdiich is
a reading-room containing daily papers) contains
9000 volumes, and has a fund of over $13,000.
The relief society has expended annually for several
years five thousand dollars for the relief of the sick
and disabled. The society has been maintained by a
contribution of two cents per week from the people
employed, and a weekly contribution of $2.50 from
the corporation. The establishment of the Lawrence
Hospital has rendered this society less needful, and
it has been dissolved.
The library was started by contributions of Mr.
Lawrence and other directors, and a donation of one
thousand dollars made by the Pacific Mills, and was
maintained by a contribution of one cent per week
from the people employed. The further increase of
this library has also been relinquished, the much
larger public library, open to all the citizens, affording
larger and more varied opportunities for reading.
There was also a savings bank connected with the
mills, the deposits amounting at one time to nearly
one hundred thousand dollars. The city having now
three chartered savings banks, the company have
ceased receiving deposits, and all the accounts have
been closed.
Of ten prizes (of ten thousand francs each) given
by the Emperor Napoleon III., at the Paris Exposi-
tion of 1867, for the care of the material, intellectual
and moral welfare of employees, the Pacific Mills re-
ceived the second prize, out of five hundred appli-
cants; and this was the only prize awarded to the
United States or Great Britain.
The first treasurer and agent of these mills was
Jeremiah S. Young, who was the lessee and manager
of the Ballardvale Mills, at Andover. He brought
with him to this new enterprise many skilled work-
men, and devoted himself intensely to its develop-
ment. The immense cost of so large an establish-
ment, and of the expensive machinery necessary for
its equipment, exhausted the capital and embarrassed
its progress ; and the stock, the par value of which
was one thousand dollars per share, .sold at one time at
as low a price as one hundred dollars and less. Mr.
Lawrence, the president, resolute and enterprising,
had no idea of seeing the word " Fail" inscribed upon
its banner. In his own name he raised the amount
necessary to carry the enterprise forward, and was
actively and earnestly engaged in its interest till his
death, in 1855.
The treasurer, Mr. Young, died in 1857, and after
a short interval, when the duties of treasurer were
performed by Mr. George H. Kuhn, J. Wiley Ed-
mands was chosen treasurer and manager. Mr. Ed-
mands received his mercantile education in the firm
of A. & A. Lawrence, and his thorough mercantile
knowledge contributed not a little to the subsequent
success. Associated with him, William C. Chapin
came in 1853 from Providence to superintend the
print-works, and subsequently became resident agent,
while the selling agents of the manufactured goods,
who also furnished the designs and patterns, were
Messrs. Jas. L. Little & Co., of Boston, thus combining
rare financial ability, excellent power of organization
and skill in manufacture and taste in adapting manu-
factured goods to the wants of the public, combined
with forecast and sagacity in sales.
Under this combination the mills enjoyed a period
of unusual success, the market value of the stock
LAWRENCE.
893
more than doubling in value. Mr. Chapin resigned
in 1871, having been agent eighteen years, and re-
turned to Providence, and Mr. John Fallen, who was
his successor as chemist and superintendent of the
print-works, became acting agent. Mr. Edmands
died in 1877, and was succeeded by Mr. James L. Lit-
tle as treasurer. After Mr. Little's resignation and re-
tirement from active business Mr. Henry Saltonstall
was chosen treasurer; Mr. Joseph Stone, superin-
tendent of the Lower or new Pacific Mills, and Mr.
Walter E. Parker, superintendent of the Upper or old
mills.
Thepresent organization is as below,^Henry .Salton-
stall, treasurer and general manager; Henry Daven-
port, clerk of the corporation ; Walter E. Parker,
superintendent ol mills; Charles T. Main, assistant
superintendent of Lower Pacific ; Francis H. Silsbee,
assistant superintendent of Upper Pacific ; Samuel
Barlow, superintendent of print-works.
The cashiers resident in Lawrence have been suc-
cessively Rev. Alexander H. Clapp, D.D., now treas-
urer of the American Home Missionary Society, Xew
York; Ebenezer T. Colby, who enlisted in 1862 in
the Union Army, — captain and later lieutenant-colo-
nel of his regiment, and since the war in the Custom
House at Boston ; Benjamin T. Bourne from 1862 to
1866, now of Providence, R. I. ; John R. Rollins
from 1866 to 1879; and the present ca.shier, William
P. Anderson. Within the past few years extensive
repairs have been made, new buildings erected, and
new machinery of the most modern and improved
kinds furnished, to adapt the mills to the demands of
the time, and the mills are in a high state of efficien-
cy and prosperity.
Hon. J. Wiley Edmands w;is born in Boston March
], 1809, received his education at a Boston grammar
school and entered the High School when it was
founded, in 1821. On leaving school he entered the
employ of Messrs. A. & A. Lawrence, was gradually pro-
moted and in 1830 became a member of the firm. In
1843 he retired from the firm and for several years
was interested in the Maverick Woolen Mills at Ded-
ham. In the fall election of 1852 he was elected to
the House of Representatives in Congress and served
one term of two years, declining a re-election. He
was not politically ambitious, and though often
sought for poliiical positions, the only one which he
accepted was that of Presidential elector in the elec-
tion of 1868. In 1855, when the Pacific Mills -stock
was at its lowest ebb, Mr. Edmands, whose well-
known energy and capacity were fully appreciated
by Mr. Lawrence and the other owners, was requested
to take the treasurership of these mills, and under
his management, aided cordially by others associated
with him, the value of the stock had advanced, until
at the time of his decesise it had more than doubled
in value.
His counsel was sought by many institutions aside
from the Pacific Mills. He was a director ^in the
Arkwright Mutual Fire Insurance Company ; the
Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company ;
and of the Suffolk Bank ; vice-president of the Prov-
ident Institution for Savings in Boston, and director
and at one time treasurer of the Ogdensburg Railroad.
His position also for several years as president of the
National Association of Wool Manufacturers brought
his knowledge into requisition and enabled him to
exert a powerful influence ujion national legislation.
Moderate and conservative, he believed that the least
protective duties should be imposed that would suffice
to make our national industry independent, and it
was in consequence of his advocacy of equal protec-
tion to agricultural and manufacturing interests that
he was as well known in other parts of the country
as in New England.
Mr. Edmands was a sterling patriot at the com-
mencement of the Civil War. He gave his time, in-
fluence and money to the support of the government,
and on the successful termination of the war he w.as
president of the convention at Boston which nomi-
nated (ieneral Grant for the Presidency.
Resolute and determined, he bore beneath a some-
what stern exterior a very kind and benevolent heart.
This was manifest in his management of the people
in his employ, all of whom not only respected his
great ability, but had equal confidence in his justice,
and there were no more sincere mourners at his fu-
neral than in the large delegation from the Pacific
Mills.
To the city of Newton, where he resided, he gave
toward the founding of a public library ten thousand
dollars for the building and five thousand dollars for
books, and an annual contribution of five thousand
dollars subsequently.
Mr. Edmands died in the midst of usefulness, but
not unexpectedly, of heart-disease, January 31st, 1877.
His funeral, which took place February 3d, was largely
attended by ofiicial delegations of all the organiza-
tions with which he was connected, and a detachment
of the Grand Army Post of Newton ; the flags of
Newton were placed at half-mast, the bells tolled
during the funeral and business was generally sus-
pended,— while at Lawrence the bells of the Atlantic,
Pacific and Washington Mills were tolled from one to
two o'clock.
Lawrence Duck Company. — This company was
incorporated in 1852, with a capital of three hundred
thousand ; par value of the shares, one thousand dol-
lars. The original owners were Albert Fearing, Isaac
Thatcher and David Whiton.
For more than twenty-five years the mill was man-
aged by Isaac Tliatcher, the treasurer, and Isaac Hay-
den as local agent, the latter-named being a man of
considerable inventive genius, to whom the company
are indebted for improvements and inventions in the
machinery used. The company manufactures cotton
duck of several varieties, and sail twine, the duck
manufiictured being of superior quality and finding
894
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ready sale. The quality of the cluck for sails has been
well tested on some of the favorite yachts, — "Astor's,"
the "Coronet" and others, — and large amounts of min-
ing duck manufactured here have been used in Cali-
fornia and Australia. Harvesting duck for our Wes-
tern harvesting machines, paper-makers' cotton felts
and tent duck are also manufactured.
Treasurer, Aaron Hobart; agent, William A. Bar-
rell ; paymaster, W. L. S. Gilchrist.
The Everett Mills Company was incorporated in
1860, and commenced operations in the summer of
18(51, having purchased the large stone building for.
merly owned by the Lawrence Machine-Shop Co.
The company was formed through the efforts of Mr.
Samuel Batchelder, one of the pioneers in the Lowell
enterprise, and who, in the early days of Lowell, was
the first agent of the Hamilton Manufacturing Com-
pany at Lowell, 182.5 to 1831. The capital stock of
the company is $800,000 ; the number of employees,
10-50 (male, 400 ; female, G50); goods manufactured,
ginghams and a general variety of colored fabrics of
cotton, cottonade, cheviots, denims and dress goods.
The agents have been Daniel D. Crombie, who was
subsequently treasurer, 1871-78; John E. Perry; Da-
vid M. Ayer, who has retired to the independent life
of a farmer; Charles D. McDuffie, now in Manchester;
and his son, the present agent, Fred. C. McDuffie.
The paymaster for a long period was William A. Bar-
rell, who resigned in 1880 to accept the agency of the
Lawrence Duck Company. The mill has 83,280 spin-
dles, 1014 looms, 1050 employees, and the product
amounts to over 10,000,000 yards per annum, using
upwards of 3,000,000 pounds of cotton. Incorpora-
tors, James Dana, Samuel Bab and Charles W. Cart-
wright.
The power is furnished by three turbine wheels
driven by water from the Essex Company's canal, the
raceway discharging into the Spicket River near its
entrance into the Merrimack. The present manage-
ment,— Eugene H. Sampson, treasurer; Fred'k C.
McDuffie, agent; Isaac Wynn, superintendent;
George M. Doe, paymaster.
Mr. Samuel Batchelder, a native of Jaffrey, N. H.,
was born June 8, 1784, died February, 1879, at the
age of ninety-four years, seven months and twenty-
eight days. For a large part of his life he had been
connected with cotton manufacturing interests as a
proprietor and inventor. As early as 1807 he helped
to establish and took charge of a cotton-spinning mill
of five hundred spindles in New Ipswich, N. H., and
soon became known as a skillful manufacturer, eager
to discover and apply improved methods in what was
at that time the infancy of manufacturing in America.
In 1825 he was called upon to assist in the establish-
ment of the second factory, on the site of the present
city of Lowell, the Hamilton Manufacturing Compa-
ny, and was agent of the same until 1831. In 1837
he united with gentlemen in Boston in the purchase
of the water-power and in laying the foundations of
another manufacturing city at Saco, Me. He resign-
ed in 1846 and retired to his home in Cambridge, but
not for the quiet retirement that he anticipated. He
soon became interested as one of the proprietors in
the new enterprise at Lawrence in 1847, and in 1855
again took charge of the York Mills at Saco, and
continued treasurer and manager of these mills and
of the Everett at Lawrence as long as he was able to
attend to active business, after he had passed his
eightieth year.
The Pemberton Mill Company was incorpor-
ated in 1853, and the mill was built the same year.
The architecture of the mill varied from the old style
of mill-buildings, and on its completion was consid-
ered a model of beauty for a building of that charac-
ter; it was built, however, at an unfortunate period,
and owing to the growing depression in manufactur-
ing interests, which culminated in 1857, its early years
were unsuccessful, and it remained idle from 1857 to
1859, when Mr. David Nevins and George Howe pur-
chased the entire property for three hundred and
twenty-five thousand dollars, and operated the new
organization under the name of the
Pemberton Manufacturing Company. It con-
tinued under the new owners until the 10th of Janu-
ary, 1860, when, without a moment's warning, the
main building fell, l)urying beneath its ruins about
six hundred persons, of which a fuller account is else-
where given.
The Pemberton Company, of which David Nev-
ins,' George Blackburn and Eben Sutton ' were con-
trolling owners, rebuilt the mill upon the old founda-
tions in 1860, and commenced operations in 1861.
The capital stock of this company is four hundred
and fifty thousand dollars.
The resident agent of the original company was
John E. Chase, who continued in the service of the
company until after the fall of the mill, and was suc-
ceeded by the present agent, Frederick 12. Clarke,
who vi'as the first paymaster. Mr. ('larke was followed
as paymaster by Samuel M. Newhall, who died in the
service. The present company has been quite suc-
cessful, interrupted only by a fire, which destnjyed
the dye-house in 1886.
This mill manufactures a large variety of cotton
goods, running twenty-eight thousand spindles, eight
hundred and twenty-five looms and employs about
eight hundred and fifty persons.
Present organization, — Henry S. Shaw, treasurer ;
Frederick E. Clarke, agent; Miss E. L. Gleason,
cashier.
January 10, 1860, is memorable in the annals of
Lawrence for one of the most appalling calamities
that had ever occurred in New England — the fall of
the Pemberton mill. There were in the employ of
the company at this time nine hundred and eighteen
persons. In the main mill about six huudred were
1 Deceased.
LAWRENCE.
895
industriously employed attlieir work, when, at about
5 o'clock p. M., in less time than it takes to record the
fact, the entire mill was a mass of ruins, with the six
hundred buried in the wreck. But very few moments
elapsed before the whole city was in commotion ;
crowds rushing to the scene in an agony of fear and
suspense to learn the fate of friends and relatives, and
the ruins were as rapidly covered with volunteers
equally anxious and earnest to rescue. Many suc-
ceeded in working their way out unaided. Others
were saved by herculean efforts. As darkness closed
in, lanterns and bonfires became necessary (fortunately
the gas-lights were all extinguished by the fall of the
mill) and the work continued far into the night, and
the larger number had either escaped or had been
rescued, when the cry of fire in the ruins sent a thrill
of horror through all, as it was known that several
yet remained, unable to escape. Determined and al-
most superhuman eflbrts were made in their behalf;
a deluge of water was poured into the ruins from the
Washington ilills, the Fire Department and a steam
fire-engine from Manchester, even the women taking
turns at the brakes to relieve the wearied firemen, but
all eftbrts were unavailing. Fourteen perished in the
flames. Eighty-seven in all were killed or died from
injuries, forty-three others were severely injured, and
of these, two were disabled for life. The remainder
escaped unhurt, or with slight wounds.
The City Hall was immediately opened for the re-
ception of the dead and wounded, and not only the
physicians of the city, but tho>e of neighboring
towns, and others passing through in the cars, volun-
teered their services and worked with unceasing
energy for the relief of the sufferers.
Ecpially prompt were the tokens of sympathy and
pecuniary aid that began to pour in from all quarters.
The very next morning the New England Society of
Manufacturers started a subscription, and before night
two thousand dollars were placed by J. Wiley Ed-
raands in the hands of the mayor, on the next day
three thousand dollars more came, and the society
continued to send till their donation amounted to over
nineteen thousand dollars. Other clubs and citizens
of Boston increased the amount to nearly twenty-eight
thousand dollars ; the chords of sympathy were touched
throughout the land, and from many neighboring
towns and cities, not only in Massachusetts, but m the
New England States, from New York and Phila-
delphia, and from the distant States of Indiana, Ala-
bama, Georgia, North Carolina and Kentucky, from
old and young, from Jew and Gentile, came words of
sympathy and contributions of monej', until, the
thirteenth day after the event, the mayor and trus-
tees issued a circular requesting that no more should
be sent. The total amount of gifts sent amounted to
$65,579.29.
The committee in charge of the funds were the
mayor, Hon. Chas. S. Storrow, Henry K. Oliver, Wm.
C. Chapin and John C. Hoadley. They organized on
the loth, with the mayor, Hon. Daniel Saunders, Jr.,
as chairman ; Chas. S. Storrow, treasurer ; and Pardon
Armington, clerk, appointed an inspector for each
ward of the city, who should devote his entire time to
looking after the wants of the sufl'erers in his district,
— Sylvester A. Furbusli for Ward 1, J. Q. A. Batchel-
der for Ward 2, Wm. D. Joplin for Ward 3, Henry
Withington for Ward 4, Elbridge Weston for
Ward 5, and Daniel Saunders for Ward (i.
On the liith of January the committee requested of
the Pemberton Company the use of one of their
boarding-houses for a hospital for those who could not
be properly cared for at their own lodgings. While
they were debating the method of managing this, a
letter was received from Mr. James M. Barnard, a
Boston merchant, proposing to come with a corps of
nurses and physicians at his own expense, and to ap-
ply his aid wherever it would be most efficient. Mr.
Barnard conducted the " Home " for more than three
months, assisted by Dr. J. H. Morse as attending phy-
sician, and ladies from Boston and Lawrence, at an
expense to himself of nearly one thousand dollars.
In regard to the cause of the fire, but for which
fourteen more lives could have been saved, it should
be stated, as it has not been, that, at the thoughtful
suggestion of the mayor (Mr. Saunders), the kerosene
lanterns in use on the ruins had all been carried off
and exchanged for sperm-oil lanterns, as less liable
to cause accident. Notuithstanding this, a lantern
was subsequently broken and ])robably ignited readily
the floating cotton dust, and with fatal results.
An inquest was held, commencing Thursday morn-
ing, January 12th, over the bodies of those killed by
the catastrophe, and a large amount of evidence was
taken, occupying the time of ten days. Much contra-
dictory testimony was brought forward, almost every
witness having a theory of his own. Some thought
the foundations were not sufliciently strong and that
they were not deep enough ; but an examination by
experts showed that the foundations were in perfect
condition and undisturbed, and the mill was subse-
quently rebuilt upon them. One or two masons
testified that the mortar in the walls was not good
and that it had too large a proportion of sand ; three
other practical builders of great experience stated an
entirely contrary opinion ; others thought the walls
were not thick enough, but one of the ablest engi-
neers, who stands at the head of his profession, and
who has had a life-time of practical experience, testi-
fied that, in his judgment, if the columns had been
good, the walls would have been safe, and that the
perfect running of the lines (of shafting) (and it ap-
peared in evidence that the machinery had never
been running more perfectly during the six years
it had been in operation than it was running at
the time of the fall) would give him additional con-
fidence, if he felt any apprehension, while it would
be a powerful argument that the trouble did not
originate in the walls. And still another experienced
896
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
engineer testified that if the floors should fall, they
would bring down the walls if they were twice as
thick.
A large number of witnesses testified to the imper-
fect character of the cast-iron pillars, the remains of
which were found in the ruins ; and, in fact, the
broken columns exhibited to the jury were the best
witnesses of all — very many of them showing great
inequality of thickness, some being on one side no
more than one-eighth of an inch in thickness. The
question was asked, " Why was not as much care
taken in the selection of the columns as in the other
parts of the mill ?" The answer to this may be found
in the testimony.
Mr. Geo. W. Smith testified that he was a dealer in
general wrought-iron works for store-fronts, &c., and
had had a great deal of experience in erecting cast-
iron pillars ; he never applied any tests.
Mr. Joslyn, superintendent of a foundry in Law-
rence and previously at Lowell, testified that the
casting must have been badly done : " one so bad as
the one exhibited we could have discovered and
should have broken it up ; all our pillars are tested "
{i. e., before they leave the foundry).
Mr. Hoadley, superintendent of the Lawrence Ma-
chine-Shop, testified that he had visited the ruiiis and
seen three pillars, which, if properly tested, should
have been rejected. " I should not willinfjly send out
such columns myself."
Mr. Hinchley, superintendent of the Merrimac
Manufacturing Company, at Lowell, described the
pillars used at the Merrimac — they were tested at the
machine-shop ; " we never used any test ourselves."
Mr. Burke, superintendent of the Lowell Machine-
Shop, testified, " No test is employed for pillars, ex-
cept such as they receive when the core is extracted,
the casting being slung up and rapped to loosen the
core. The pillar from the Pemberton hasthe appear-
ance of being defective from want of care in securing
the core; never knew of any pillars from our foundry
broken after they were set up ; have had some
returned because they were crooked, caused probably
by inequality of thickness of the opposite sides."
Mr. James B. Francis testified, " As far as I know,
there has been no method, in Lowell, of testing col-
umns ; this is the first time I ever heard or read of an
iron column breaking."
From all the above testimony it is very evident that
columns of cast-iron receive whatever test is given
them at the foundry. The columns used in the Pem-
berton received the ordinary inspection ; no crooked
ones were used ; they were received in good faith
from what was presumed to be a reliable foundry ;
the result proved far otherwise, notwithstanding the
agent's letter to Mr. Putman given in the evidence,
stating that they were first-rate columns ; and a very
significant fact in connection with them is, that the
founders could not be found, to be summoned before
the jury.
The jury found, in their verdict, that the cause
of the fall of the mill was found in the defective
columns, and then, notwithstanding the preceding
evidence, laid the responsibility of the fall of the
building upon the engineer, Capt. Bigelow, for not
doing what no one else had ever thought of doing
before.
On the strength of that verdict (presumably) Mr.
Nason, in his "Gazetteer of Massachusetts," published
1874, speaking of the Pemberton Mill, says the
" original structure was built by an incompetent archi-
tect," and then, in speaking of the Pacific Mills, says,
" Tbey occupy a vast area and present a very impos-
ing appearance, and taken together exhibit much
architectural beauty and in their colossal proportions
indicate the vast design, &c.'' He does not, however,
seem to be aware that these colossal mills, as well as
the Atlantic Mills, the Lawrence Machine-Shop and
the duck-mill, were all built by the same "incom-
petent architect."
Of the killed by the fall of the Pemberton Mill,
thirteen were mutilated past recognition. For these
a burial-lot was purchased in Bellevue Cemetery, and
they were buried Sunday, March 4, 1860, Rev.
Messrs. Packard and Fisher conducting the services.
A plain granite monument marks their resting-
place, bearing the following inscription :
" In memory of the
Unrecognized dead,
Who were killed by the fall of the Pemberton Mill,
January 10, 1860."
For the two persons who were permanently dis-
abled annuities in trust were purchased by a deposit
of 814,000 with the Massachusetts Hospital Life In-
surance Company, in two separate sums of 8G500 and
S7500, to create these annuities of §350 and $400, to
be paid in quarterly payments to the annuitants for
the remainder of their lives. The provisions of this
trust are best shown in Mr. Storrow's own words in
his final report, —
" For persons in the enjoyment of ordinary health, the purchase of au
annuity is a very simple matter. The tables of mortality show with suf-
ficient accuracy their chance of life according to their age, and the pay-
ment once for all of a certain sum purchases for them an annuity of a
stipulated amount to be paid to them for life. But what human sagacity
could calculate the chance of life of these two young persons in our
charge 1 Would it be one year or fifty ? How could we balance on the
one hand the effect of w«unded limbs, of consequent disease, of long-con-
tinued Buffering, and, on the other, the restoring power of youth, of pa-
tience and of comfortable homes? It was evidently impossible to pur-
chase outright these annuities, because it was evidently impossible to es-
timate their duration or calculate their value. The only mode to pro-
vide for these persons was by annuities in trust— that is, by deposits, the
income of which should be paid to them as long as they live.
"But a dilBculty here arose. Upon the death of an annuitant in
trust, the sum deposited reverts to the person who placed it originally,
or to such persons as he may direct in the deed of trust. This event may
not happen for fifty years, and where will the committee be then ? The
poor patients may outlive us all. To provide for this contingency, it was
determined that upon the decMse of either of the two annuitants, the
principal sum should be paid to the members of the committee, or the
survivors or survivor of them, or to the executors or administrators of
the last survivor, and by them be appropriated to such charitable pur-
pose or purposes as shall be appointed in writing by the actuary of
LAWRENCE.
897
the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, the mayor of tlie
rity of LawTence for tlif tinte being, and the president of the Esi*e\
Savings Rtnlc, or any two of tlieni, in such manner as they ?luill deem
most conformalile to the original cliarity for which tlie moneys wen-
contributed.
" By this arrangement we secure to our annuitants what is necessary
for their comfort as long as they live, without paying at the outset an
exorbitant price. We provide that upon their decease the amount no
longer needed for their benefit ttball again be applied to the charitable
purposes for which it Wiis iuteuded. and that this shall be done uudei
the direction of three persons who must all be in existence, whatevei
may be the uncertainty of human life, two of whom, from the offices
tliey hold, must inevitably be persons especially fit to discharge the
duties of a trust, and the third of wluuii is the principal representative
of the city whose people were the objects of the original charity. Be-
yond all this, the Supreme Judicial Court has power to regulate and en-
force the execution of this trust if it should ever hereafter become neces-
sary to do so."'
The Lawrence Wooi.em-Mill, known farailiarl\
as Perrv"s Jlill, was projected by Cuiitaiii Oliver H.
PeiTV, and the company was incorporated in 1864 witli
a capital stock of one hundred and fifty thousand dollar.s.
This mill contained altout three thousand two hun-
dred and twenty spindles and forty-seven looms, and
furnished employment to one hundred and twenty-
five persons. The i>roduet was a variety of fancx
woolens, especially cloakings and shawls. Captain
Perry, its founder, was a son of Commodore Oliver
Hazard Perry, and for a considerable time followed
the profession of his father, being an officer in the
United States Navy, hi the Mexican War he com-
manded a naval battery at the storming and capture
of Vera Cruz. He re-signed his p(isition in the nav\
in 1S47, and gave his attention to the peaceful pur-
suits of industry. In 1848 he accepted the agency ol
the Middlesex Mills at Lowell, where he remained
till he became agent of the Bay State Mills at Law-
rence in 18o0. In 18.")6 he became a partner in the
house of Lawrence, Stone & Co., the selling agents ol
the Middlesex and Bay Slate Mills. On the failure
of that firm in the depressed times of 1857, he was re-
tained as manfacturing and purchasing agent of the
JLddlesex, and in connection with Mr. R. Wendell
as selling agent. In 18li2 the firm of Perry & Wen-
dell was formed, enlarged by the addition of Mr. S.
W. Fay in 1869. Captain Perry continued to operate
the Lawrence Woolen-Mill until his death, August
3i>, 1878. The paymaster and book-keeper was
Augustus J. Shove, who continued in the employ of
the company till his decease, June 17, 1885. The
original company has been dissolved, and it is now a
private enterprise, organized 1886, owned by Messrs.
Phillips & Ivuuhardt, of New York. Mr. George E.
Kunhardt is the local manager, and the goods are
sold in New York by Mr. F. Stanhope Phillips, also
the financial manager. Frank E. King, pay-master.
The Aulixgtox Mills, the youngest of the large
corporations of Lawrence, is located on the Spicket
River, occupying the site of the Stevens Piano-Forte
Factory.
The power of the river at this point was used
nearly si.xty years since by Mr. Aldel Stevens, and a
mill built for the construction of piano-forte cases.
57
After the sale of the property by Mr. Stevens the
buildings were used successively for the manufacture
of hats, then for the manufacture of fiax and for other
purposes until 1865, when the Arlington Woolen-
Mills were incorporated, the stockholders and incor-
porators being Robert M. Bailey (formerly in busi-
ness in Lawrence), Charles A. Lombard, Joseph
Nickerson and George C. Bosson.
The original capital of the mills was two hundred
thousand dollars. The following year, 1866, the
buildings were entirely destroyed by fire. A new mill
was built in 1867, and the capital stock was increased
to two hundred and forty thousand dollars. In 1869,
the company having sulfered severe losses, the stock-
holders paid in the whole amount of two hundred
and forty thousand dollars of the then existing capi-
tal stock, and changed the management of the mills
by the election of Joseph Nickerson for president,
and William Whitman treasurer and manager, under
whose management the company has made great ad-
vances, additional buildings have been erected, and
the corporation at the present time is one of the mosi
flourishing in the city. The cajiital stock has been
increased to one million five hundred thousand dol-
lars.
The articles now made by this company are fine
cotton and fine worsted yarns for manufacturers' uses,
women's wi-rsted and ctjtton dre.ss-goods, flue all-
wool dre.^s-goods and worsted suitings, also black and
colored alpacas and mohairs, for all of which the
company has established an enviable reputation.
Mr. Joseph Nickerson died February 29, 1880, and
was succeeded as president by his eldest son, Albert
W. Nickerson, who now fills this office. The other
executive officers are: William Whitman, treasurer;
William U. Hartshorne, worsted superintendent ;
Charles Wainwright, paymaster; Robert Redford,
superintendent cotton department ; James M. Beeley,
paymaster.
Lawrence Gas Company. — The works of this
com|)auy were built by the Essex Company, the Bay
State Mills and the Atlantic Cotton-Mills, at their
joint exi>ense, for the purpose of supplying themselves
with light, each company paying towards the expense
of their erection in proportion to the amount of their
paiti capital stock. The company was afterward in-
corporated in 1849, with a cajiital of forty thousand
dollars; this has been increased from time to time,
with the growth and increasing demands of the city,
to four hundred thousand dollars, and the works have
been proportionately extended. The first agent was
Henry G. ^Vebber, succeeded in 185.3 by George D.
Cabot, to whose thorough and efficient supervision
are due the improvements and extension of the origi-
nal plant. The company has now thirty miles of
mains, seventeen miles of service pipe, and two
thousand five hundred meters. The retort-house
contains one hundred and tliirty-seven retorts, capa ■
ble of producing seven hundred thousand cubic feet
898
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of gas in twenty-four hours, and holders of a capacity
of seven hundred thousand feet for storing gas. The
amount of coal used per annum is ten thousand tons,
and in purifying the gas ten thousand bushels of lime
and three thousand bushels of oxide of iron are used.
Mr. Cabot resigned the agency in 1884, after a service
of thirty-one years, and was succeeded by C. J. E.
Humphreys, the present agent.
Lawrence had two electric light companies, one of
which, the Lawrence Electric Light Company, has
been absorbed by the gas company, who will here-
after furnish the electric light to those who desire it ;
and the Edison Electric Light Company, by whom all
the streets and many private establishments are at
present lighted.
The Wright Manufacturing Company. — This
company originated in 1864, when Algernon S.
Wright, then head mechanic of the Atlantic Mills,
proposed to Mr. A. W. Stearns and Dr. A. J. French
to become partners in the manufacture of woolen
yarn, and a copartnership was formed under the
name of the Wright Manufacturing Company, and
a mill was leased. The idea of making yarn was
abandoned, and instead, at the suggestion of Mr.
Stearns, the mill was equipped with machinery for
making braids. The building now owned by the
company is one hundred and fifty feet long and
three stories high, and has increased from fifty
braiding machines to eight hundred.
The company was incorporated in 1874, with a
capital of sixty thousand dollars, and organized by the
choice of Dr. French president, Blr. W^right super-
intendent, and Mr. Stearns treasurer and selling
agent, who continues in that office to the present
time. A large variety of braids is manufactured,
especially mohair trimming braid, made at first on
imported English machinery, but recently by de-
vices which adapt the common braiding machinery to
the production of the mohair. These devices have
been perfected and patented by the company.
Number of people employed, one hujidred and fifty.
Goods manufactured, five hundred thousand dollars
annually. A. S. Wright, president ; A. AV. Stearns,
treasurer and selling agent ; William L. Warden,
clerk.
The Merrimac Braid JIii.l. has more re-
cently been established, and is under the direction
of E. W. Pierce.
The Globe Worsted Mills, taking their power
from the Spicket River, manufacture worsted carpet
yarns of all description, and employ about one hun-
dred persons — Thomas Clegg, treasurer ; Samuel
Robinson, agent; Herbert Robinson, superintend-
ent.
The Prospect Worsted Mills, owned by
Frederick Butler and Samuel Robinson, formerly
located on the Lower Canal, and later on the Spick-
et River, now grown to larger proportions, occupy
a fine mill on the South Canal, employ two hundred
hands, and their monthly product amounts to forty
thousand dollars; manufacture fine worsted yarns,
using about eight hundred thousand to one million
pounds of wool per annum.
The Butler File Company, originated by James
and Frederick Butler in 1844, and introduced in
Lawrence in earlier days, is now owned and operat-
ed by G. M. Murray & Co., and manufiictures
hand-cut files and rasps of every variety. They
employ fifteen men, manufacture monthly three
hundred dozen files, using for this purpose forty-five
tons of steel per annum.
Lawrence Flyer and Spindle Works are
situated on the North Canal, and commenced work
in 1862, as a private enterprise ; organized as a
stock company in 1867, with a capital of fifty
thousand d(dlars. They were at first engaged main-
ly in the manufacture of flyers and spindles, the in-
vention of Oliver Pearl, of the Atlantic Cotton Mills,
in addition to which they now manufacture skein
winders, card strippers, Jacquard and shedding
engines for fancy weaving, and other cotton ma-
chinery— Treasurer, Joseph P. Battles ; Superintend-
ent, George F. Barker.
The Lawrence Coffee and Spice Mills, G.
H. Hadfey & Co., proprietors, have been in success-
ful operation for several years.
Downing Rubber Company, L. H. Downing
manager, manufactures gossamer clothing, estab-
lished 1882 ; monthly product, twelve hundred gar-
ments ; employing twelve hands.
Stanley Manufacturing Company. — The
buildings owned by this company were built by Gor-
don McKay, for the manufacture of the well-known
McKay sewing-machines. The Stanley Manufactur-
ing Company was incorporated 1882, with a capital of
one hundred thousand dollars. A. P. Tapley, presi-
dent; F. F.Stanley, treasurer; men employed, onehun-
dred and eighty. They manufacture McKay sewing-
machines, the McKay and Bigelow liceling-ma-
chines, and the McKay and Copeland lasting-ma-
chines, also screw-machines, and a general line of
shoe machinery. The agent resident in Lawrence
is Mr. M. V. B.Paige; Paymaster, Charles E. Hardy.
Card Clothing. — D. Frank Robinson commenced
business in 1857, occupying for many years a wood-
en building on Broadway near Essex Street. He
has recently built a fine brick building in the same
street, where are einployed eighty-two machines
operated by twenty persons. The product of these
machines is eighty thousand square feet of clothing
per annum. Leather used annually, twelve thou-
sand sides; cloth rubber, two thousand square yards;
wire, thirty-six tons. Mr. Albert Warren (mayor
1866) was at one time associated with Mr. Robin-
son. Card clothing was also manufactured here for
many years by Messrs. Stedman & Fuller. The
partnership was dissolved, and the business was
conducted by the Stedman & Fuller Manufac-
LAWRENCE.
899
turiiig Company, since removed to Providence,
Rhode Island.
Beside the Lawrence Flyer and Sjjindle Works,
named above, there were other work-s for similar
purposes — J.\MES McCoRMlcK & Co., manufac-
turing six to eight hundred flyers and pressers
for cotton flyers per mouth, and employing six men ;
and Thom.\s Hall, manufacturer of flyers, spin-
dles and caps, to which are added some specialties
and iniproveracnt.s of his own invention.
L.wvRENCE Bleac-hery, established 1877, by
Nathaniel W. Farwell & Sou. The bleachery and
dye works are located on the South Canal, employ
one hundred men, and have a monthly product of
one million five hundred thousaud yards of bleached
goods, and Ave hundred thousand yards of colored
goods — Kirk W. Moses, superintendent.
Spicket Mill, operated by John W. Barlow,
manufactures belt-lacing, picker straps, rawhide
baskets, worsted aprons and worsted rolls.
Wamesit Mill, situated on the Spicket River,
was formerly used for the manufacture of leather
board by George Ed. Davis, who removed to Maine,
and was succeeded by W. B. Hayden & Co., who
carried on similar business. It is now used as a
shoddy mill operated by Tower, Wing & Co.
The Lawrence Machine Compaxy was incor-
porated 1882. Their works are located on the
North Canal, where are manufactured printing
presses, dynamometers, centrifugal pumps, etc.
Eighty persons are employed here, and the monthly
product is about fifty thousand ]>ounds of machinery.
Treasurer, A. A.Brooks; Superintendent, William
O. Webber:
The Merrimac Machine-Shop is a private en-
terprise; Albert Blood, proprietor; commenced busi-
ness in 18-53. From twelve to twenty persons are
employed here in the manufacture of heavy iron-
work, dye-house machinery, steam-engines, steam
fire pumps, etc. This is an outgrowth of the old
Lawrence Machine Shop, Mr. Blood being formerly
in charge of the building of woolen machinery in
that establishment.
Other private establishments for the manufacture
and repair of machinery are those of, —
Stedmax & Smith, established 1S82, uuinufactur-
ing worsted maidiinery and employing twenty men ;
monthly production, twenty-five hundred dollars.
Webster & Dustin, located on the North Canal,
manufacture shafting and gearing and all varieties of
mill work.
Joseph E. Watts, machinist and brass finisher and
manufacturer of steam and water-pressure regulators
of his own invention, which are extensively used.
Edward McCabe, boiler-maker and manufacturer
of bleachers and oil tanks, employing twenty men.
Williams & Smith manufacture many varieties of
mill and other machinery.
John H. Horxe & Sons, have recently erected
a large shop in South Lawrence for the manufacture
of paper-mill machinery, in which they have been en-
gaged many years.
Lawrence Line Co., manufacturers of braided
and laid cotton lines, and silk fish-lines; bleached and
unbleached chalk-lines. Established 1881 ; employ
twenty hands. Hiram F. Mills, president ; L.S.Mills,
treasurer; J. Marstou, clerk.
Archibald Wheel Co. manufactures iron-hubbed
wheels by Archibald's patent process. Nine-tenths of
the wheels in use on steam fire-engines in the United
States are of this manufacture, and havebeeu adopted
to a certain extent after severe tests by the United
States government. D. Arthur Brown, president;
Hezekiah Plummer, treasurer ; E. A. Archibald, sup-
erintendent. Capital, $60,000.
Lawrence has three iron foundries, — the Merrimac
Iron Foundry, founded early by Elbridge Joslyn and
Alvah Bennett, at present managed by William H.
Joslyn ; the foundry of Edmund Davis & Sou on the
North Canal, now managed by George E. Davis, and
the foundry of Webster & Joslyn, located on the
Spicket Eiver.
Here are also two brass foundries, one established
by James Byrom and one of more recent date by E.
T. Davis.
The L. Spragfe Shuttle Co., established by Levi
Sprague & Co. (1864), for the purpose of making
bobbins and spools for textile manufacturing pur-
poses. The business was commenced in a small wooden
building, which has given way to a two-story brick
building, one hundred by fifty feet, in which shuttle
manufacturing has been added to the other business.
From one hundred and fifty to two hundred men
are employed.
The Union Shuttle Co. manufacture power-loom
shuttles of every description, also bobbins and spools
and patent expanding cop-spindles. F. G. Page,
agent; George F. Barber, treasurer.
Other manufacturers of bobbins are Samuel E. Bass,
William E. Bass and Messrs. T. J. Hale & Co. ; the
latter, established 1881, employs twenty to thirty
hands and manufactures from one hundred thousand
to three hundred thousand bobbins monthly.
Loom harness is also manufactured here by Thomas
Clegg, employing fourteen hands and with a monthly
product of two thousand dollars; Emmons Loom
Harness Co. (T. A. Emmons, treiisurer), employing
sixty men ; and Joseph Sladdin.
Leather belting is manufactured by Charles L. Place
and by E. F. Page & Co.
Roll covering is also carried on by F. W. McLaua-
than, who employs thirty men, and by Robert P. Burn-
haui.
The car-shop of the Boston & Maine Railroad em-
ploys one hundred and forty men in the manufacture
of freight and passenger cars.
Lawrence has one brewery, owned and operated by
Messrs. Stanley & Co., for the manufacture of ale,
900
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
porter and laajer beer, and has a capacity of three
hundred and fifty barrels per day.
Several cracker bakeries, the largest that of Kent &
Bruce, sending out four thousand barrels of crackers
per month.
The brush factory of John H. Stafford produces
twenty gross of brushes per month.
A broom and basket factory is operated by Collins
Brothers (T. F. and J. H. Collins).
Beach Soap Co. (Lurandus Beach, proprietor) is
one of the oldest establishments in Lawrence, furnish-
ing employment to twenty men, manufacturing family
and toilet soaps, also scouring and fulling soaps. The
monthly product amounting to twelve thousand dol-
lars monthly. This business was originally established
by Beach & Varney.
Briggs & Allyn Manufacturing Co. manufac-
ture doors, sashes, blinds, mouldings, frames and all
descriptions of house finishings, also counters, tablesi
furniture, etc. The company is thoroughly provided
with tools for the manufacture of every variety of
wood-work, employing from forty to seventy men, and
turns out monthly about seventy-five hundred dollars
worth of finished work.
Lawrence Lumber Co.— The territory occupied
by this company was originally owned and the mills
operated by the Essex Company. After the company
ceased building mills the property was sold to George
W. Ela and others, and by them sold to others who
organized a company for furnishing lumber and manu-
facturing packing cases for the large mills. The
monthly sales of the company are a million and a half
feet of manufactured lumber and half a million feet
made into packing cases. They employ ninety men-
While owned by the Essex Company, William M.
Kimball (afterward of Minneapolis) was the super-
intendent. When the new company was organized
Luther Ladd, who had had long experience with the
Essex Company, became agent and treasurer. The
present treasurer is Alfred A. Lamprey. The other
lumber yards are those of Hezekiah Plummer (one of
the earliest settlers in Lawrence), J. H. Prescott &
Co., and Luther Ladd, who, since his retirement from
the Lawrence Lumber Co., has established a yard of
his own in South Lawrence.
The Lawrence Flour Mill, situated in South
Lawrence, was built by Davis & Taylor, and had ma-
chinery for producing two thousand barrels of flour
and one hundred thousand bushels of corn meal per
month, and was operated for several years. Lnproved
methods of manufacturing flour have rendered the
old machinery useless. The mill has passed into the
hands of Frank E. Chandler, of Medford, and is now
fitted entirely for the production of corn meal, with
Joseph Chandler as superintendent. One other grain
mill (built in 18(58) is situated on the North Canal
and is owned and operated by Henry K. Webster &
Co., who conduct an extensive business.
The earliest grain and flour mill in Lawrence was
located near the mouth of Spicket River, built and
owned by Messrs. Furness & C4iles. This mill later
passed into the hands of the Russell Paper Co., and
Mr. Giles was subsequently foreman of Davis & Tay-
lor's flour mill.
Besides the various dye-houses connected with the
large mills, there are in I^awrence — Trees' Dye House
established by .John Trees, Spicket River, Lawrence
Street; The Essex Dye House, by William Stuart &
Co., Spicket River, Vine Street; The Lawrence Dye
Works, by L. Sjorstrom & Son and .1. H. Melledge,
South Canal.
Paper making is one of the most important branch-
es of industry in Lawrence and has grown to large
proportions. By Tewksbury's " History of Lawrence,"
published in 1878, it appears that " soon after the
Essex Company's Machine Shop started, experiments
were made in the building of paper machinery under
the superintendence of John L. Seaverns ; a building
was erected by the Essex Com]iany in the machine
shop yard, and the Charter Paper Company was
organized, several directors of the Essex Company
forming the Association. The company did not
manufacture but printed and embossed papers. Will-
iam B. Hurd was the local agent; the principal
direction being in the hands of Samuel H. Gregory.
The capital was fifty thousand dollars. The mill
furnished fancy velvet, cloth, gold-leaf, bronze and
silver-leaf papers — paper hangings from six and a
quarter cents to seven dollars per roll, and bordering
of every grade; the enterprise proved unprofitable
and was abandoned." Several persons have at dif-
ferent times operated paper mills for the manufacture
of paper. Among them A. & A. Norton commenc-
ing in 1853; Samuels. Crocker, Salmon P. Wilder,
Joseph L. Partridge, Daniel P. Crocker and others.
Prior to all these and before the incor|>oration of the
Essex Company the late Adolphus Durant operated
a small mill for the manufacture of paper — the mill
being located on the Spicket River.
The Merrimac Paper Company, in South Law-
rence, was organized in May, 1881, the incorporators
being A. N. jNIayo, Charles S. Mayo, of Springfield,
and S. I. Stebbins, of Holyoke (deceased). The
company employs two hundred hands and manufac-
tures engine sized cap paper, book and envelope
paper, producing about eleven tons daily. The
monthly pay roll is four thousand dollars. Agent,
Charles S. Mayo; Sujierintendent, W. G. Finlay ;
Paymaster, G. E. Miller.
The Bacon Paper Company, founded by Jerome
A. Bacon, is located on Marstou Street, receiving
water from the North Canal. Manufactures machine
and super calendered flat cap and book paper. No.
one newspaper and colored paper. Daily product
about six tons. Jerome A. Ripley, Superintendent;
George S. Sherman, Paymaster.
The Monroe Felt and Paper Company. — This
company is located in South Lawrence ; was incor-
^^^.4^
LAWRENCE.
901
porated 1881 with a capital of sixty thousand dollars.
They manufacture ingrain wall-papers of their own
invention, which have found an extensive sale ; car-
jiet, manilla and roofing jiajier — turning out twelve
tons daily. William T. McAlpine, Agent; Henry
T. Hall, Treasurer and Paymaster.
At the present time, by far the largest paper mak-
ing establishments are those of the Messrs. Russell.
William Russell, the oldest living pa|ier maker in the
United States, nearly thirty years ago was comjielled
by ill health to retire from active business: but he
had laid the foundation of the paper manufacturing
establishment, whose principal mills are at Lawrence,
and which, under the ownsliip and management of
his son, Hon. William A. Russell, has become one of
the most extensive manufactories of the kind in the
United States.
William Russell was the son of a farmer, and was
born in Cabot, Vt., in 1805. He received his educa-
tion in the district school of his native town. When
quite young he went to Wells River to learn the
trade of paper manufacturing and served an appren-
ticeship of .seven years. He was then employed as a
journeyman in Wells River and Franklin, N. H.,
until 1S4S, when he removed to Exeter, N. H., and
engaged in business for himself, operating two mills
until IS.'il. At this time, his son, William A. Rus-
sell, having attained his majority, leased one of the
nulls, operating it on his own sejiarale account. In
1853 they formed a co|)artnership, purchased grounds
and power, and built a one-machine mill in Law-
rence, removing thither their entire business. Short-
ly after this Mr. Russell withdrew from active busi-
ness and retired to a farm which he had purchased
in North .\ndiiver, retaining however a small interest
in the establishment which was thenceforth carried
on by his son, William A. Russell. The elder Mr.
Russell from early life was characterized by untiring
industry and acquired a thorough knowledge of his
chosen pursuit. Thrriughout his business career he
was esteemed for integrity and uprightness in all his
transactions.
After the retirement of his father, William A. Rus-
sell purchased the mills of Curtis & Partridge on
Marston Street, and subsequently the A. & A. Norton
Mill and Hoyt Mill on Canal Street, and later on the
Crocker Mill. The-e mills are all operated by the
Russell Paper Company, a corjioration organized in
1864. W. A. Russell, President and Treasurer, and
George W. Russell, Superintendent. The company
employs some three hundred hands and produce
about twenty tons per day of book, news and blotting
paper. Connected with the paper mills is a large
plant for the pro<luction of chemical wood pulp both
by the soda and sulphite processes.
Hox. WiLLiA.M A. Russell was born in Wells
River, Vt., April 22, US."?!. His education was regu-
larlv pursued in the public schools of that town, and
at the Academy at Franklin, N. H., applying himself
a-ssiduously to his studies and acquitting himself with
credit. He occupied his vacation with labor in the
paper-mills in Franklin.
Sub.scquently some time was spent at a private
.school in Lowell, Mass., where his education was com-
pleted. In 1848 he commenced work in his father's
mill, and remained thereuntil 1852, when he attained
his majority.
I'y diligence and marked forethought he at once
established his reputation as a successful manufac-
turer. Two years later the father and son formed a
copartnership, an<l moved their works to Lawrence,
Mass.
The senior Mr. Russell's health soon failed, and he
was then compelled to retire from active life, leaving
the entire business in the hands of his son.
After the retirement of his father from the business
he found it necessary to enlarge his tacilities for man-
facture in order to meet the demand for his products.
With this view he leased and put in operation two
mills in Belfast, Me., and subsequently purchased
another, in the same city.
During the ensuing five years the business was suc-
cessful, and in 1861 he purchased a mill contiguous to
his former one in Lawrence, from parties who had
failed in business as manufacturers, and the same
year received his brother, George W. Russell into
partnership.
A year later two other mills in Lawrence had
stopped for the same reason, and, though business was
to some extent prostrated on account of the Civil
War, Mr. Rus-ell, looking to the fiiture, availed him-
self of the opportunity to purchase them. His confi-
dence proved well founded, and after a short period
the business received a fresh impetus and continued
to increase each year in importance.
In 1860 he established a w<i(id-pul|i mill in Frank-
lin Vt., with the view of supplying the manufactur-
ers; but they, fearing the prejudice against paper
manufactui-ed from wood-fiber, shrank from the
undertaking. Finding it iin]>ossible to sell the pulp,
and believing that the |)rejudice could be overcome,
the following year he bought what was known as the
Fisher & Aiken mill, in Franklin, for the purpose of
manufacturing the paper himself
His expectations were fully realized, and the same
year he )iurchased the Peabody it Daniel mill, the
oldest in the country, and eniploye<l it for the same
purpose, the manufacture of ]iaper for printing, es-
pecially of newspapers. In the same year, to secure
better attention and more sure success for this depart-
ment of the business, he organized the Winipiseogee
Paper Company, of Franklin, being himself its treas-
urer and principal owner. It now employs about 250
hands and produces about twenty-five tons of news
paper per day.
The same year he extended his interest to Bellows
Falls, building there, also, a wood-pulp mill. The
water-power was held at that place by a " lock & canal
902
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Co." In the winter of 1870 the dam which had been
built some eighty years previously, suffered serious in-
jury, and Mr. Russell availed himself of the oportu-
nity to secure a controlling interest in the entire
water-power. Since that time he has been president
of the company and let power to others.
In 1872 he built and put in operation a large paper-
mill himself. In these various establishments in Ver-
mont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and others in
Maine, are employed an aggreg.ate of upwards of 1400
hands, producing no less than eighty-five tons of
paper per day ; book paper, printing paper, for news-
papers, manilla and blotting paper.
Mr. Russell, during his residence in Lawrence, has
been a very active and public-spirited citizen, was a
member and very large contributor to the Eliot
Church, and when the society united with the Cen-
tral to form what is now Trinity Church, he pur-
chased the building and conveyed it to the Young
Men's Christian Association.
In politics an earnest Republican. In 1S6S was a
member of the city government ; inlSG9 represented
the city in the Legislature. He was sent, in 18G8, as
one of the delegates from Massachusetts to the Na-
tional Republican Convention at ^Cincinnati. In
1878 he was elected Representative of the Seventh
District, to the Forty-sixth United States Congress.
He was appointed a member of the committee on
commerce, and became chairman of the sub-commit-
tee to investigate the causes of the decline of Ameri-
can commerce, with the view to investigate some
plan to restore the same and bring about closer com-
mercial relations and more extensive trade witli other
countries.
His report showed a thorough investigation of the
subject. It set forth clearly the difficulties to be
overcome, and through the presentation of these facts
Massachusetts led off in removing one of the greatest
obstacles to incorporated maritime investments by
the change of the laws in relation to the taxation of
property in ships.
He was renominated by acclamation and elected to
the Forty-seventh Congress, and promoted to service
on the Ways and Means Committee, a position which
he was so well qualified to fill through his long and
careful observation of and experience in the indus-
trial interests of the country.
The tariff question being prominently before Con-
gress, he gave to the liouse and country one of the
most carefully prepared and exhaustive presentations
of this subject that was submitted from the protective
standpoint. Mr. Russell's interest in and close appli-
cation to business have characterized his political
life.
His well established and well organized business
he confided to others, giving his whole time and
energies to new duties. Yielding to a very general de-
mand of his constituents, he accepted a third nomina-
tion which was made by acclamation, and he was
elected to the Forty-eighth Congress. Though earnestly
solicited by his constituents to accept a renomination
to the Forty-ninth Congress, he felt compelled to de-
cline, and up(fn the close of his three terms of Con-
gressional life turned his attention to improving and
enlarging the various paper-mills in which he is in-
terested, necessitated by the increasing demand for
their products, and to developing the water powers at
Bellows Falls, Vt., and Franklin, N. H.
Another manufacture, operated by machinery simi-
lar in character to that of paper mills, has been suc-
cessfully conducted here, the manufacture of leather-
board. Messrs. Clegg & Fisher, employing twenty
men and producing monthly fifty tons. Seth F. Daw-
son, employing about the same number of men and
producing eighteen to twenty tons per week.
Public Library. — The history of the library
dates, in one sense, from the beginning of the town
of Lawrence.
The Franklin Library Association was chartered
by the Legislature of Massachusetts April, 1847, and
the following letter to Captain Charles H. Bigelow,
its first president, gives in very concise terms not only
the wishes and motives of the donor of the first val-
uable gifi- to the library, but is also a key to the mo-
tives which inspired its founders ■
" Boston, July 5, 1847.
" My Dear Sir. — I was gratified to notice an act paesefl by tlie last
General Court incorporating the Franklin Library Association in the
new Town. Subseiinently I have seen in the newspapers an account of
its organization, and that you were elected President. 1 am happy in the
knowledge that there exists among the people a just appreciation of the
value and importance of early attention being given to schools, churches
and public libraries. It is no less the duty than the privilege of those
who possess an influence in creating towns and cities, to lay their foun-
dations deep and strong. Let the standard be high in religious, moral
and intellectual culture, and there can be no well-grounded fears for the
results.
" There will soon gather around you a large number of mechanics and
others, who will desire to obtain a knowledge of the iiigher mechanical
arta. You will probably receive into your large machine-shop (now un-
der construction) a number of apprentices, who are to be trained to the
use of tools. The more thorough the education you give them , the more
skilfully the tools will be used when placed in their hands.
" If you possess a well-furnished library, containing books, drawings,
etc., with the mechanical and scientific periodicals of the day, to which
the whole body of those engaged in all the varieties of mechanics have
access, you will, I am ijuite certain, at an early day send forth into the
comniunify a class of well-educated machinists, whose labors and influ-
ence will be felt throughout the country.
" I feel a deep interest in this question of educating men who can
take care of themselves and do something to develop the mental re-
sources of the present and future generations, as well as to make con-
tributions to the common stock of practical knowledge and national re-
sources of this great Union.
" The supply of well-educated, scicntiiic mechanics in our community
is entirely inadequate to its wants.
" 1 wish to live long enough to see the e.xperiment fairly tried, wheth-
er this deficiency may not be remedied, and am therefoz'e in favor of
placing in the handsof those who are or may be residents in the new
town, all the appliances to obtain such an object.
" In furtherance of the plan proposed by your society, I ofter, through
you, for the acceptance of the Franklin Library Association, the sum of
one thousand dollars, which the government of the institution will
please invest in such scientific and other works as will tend to create
good mechanics, good Christians and good patriots.
" Accept the assurances with which I remain
" Your friend, Abbott L.^wkence.
"ToCapt. Chas. H. Bigelow."
LAWRENCE.
903
Eight years Inter, in 1855, Mr. Lawrence " rested
I'roni hi.s labors,'' but he had not lost his intere-st in
the new city to which so much of his attention had
been given; nor did he forget his protege, the Frank-
lin Library, leaving by his will the generous sura of
five thousand dollars for the purpose of increasing its
value and utility.
Other gentlemen had made some valuable presents
of books, but these gifts of money to be invested in
books were, it is believed, the only ones received.
The expenses, rent, librarian's salary, etc., must, of
course, be defrayed from the income received from the
sale of shares and from annual assessments. The
price of shares was at lirst fixed at ten dollars each,
the annual assessment at two dollars per annum,
and the library was open to any person willing
to unite with the society and purchase a share. As
the price of a share proved a bar to many, iu ISod
the association amended the constitution, so that the
use of the library might be granted to persons not
members of the association, subject to the regula-
tions thereof, on payment of an annual definite sum,
not less than the annual assessment of members.
The membership and the number of readers still
remaining comjjaratively small, and the a.ssociation
being still desirous of enlisting the public more fully,
early in 1853 the value of the shares was reduced to
five dollars and the assessment to one dollar per an-
num. In 1857 a vote was passed, authorizing the
government to open the library to any persons not
members for the nominal sum of one dollar per
year.
Other eftbrts had been made, from time to time, by
organizing courses of public lectures, by popular lec-
turers, at low rates, for the purpose of attracting at-
tention to the library and reading-room, with indiffer-
ent success, — the association in some instances sus-
taining pecuniary loss.
The library had increased to nearly four thousand
volumes; the reading-room connected with it con-
tained several of the newspapei's of the time and
many of the valuable scientific, mechanical and lit-
erary periodicals ; f)ut the main object of the original
founders was not attained.
Th'e number of members and readers was still small,
and the annual income only sufficient to ]iay the cur-
rent expenses.
In 1867 it was thought advisalde, for the purpose
of extending the useftilness of the library, to ofl'er
the property to the city, under .suitable conditions,
for a free library. A proposition was made to the
city government of 1868, but it was not accepted, a
difference of opinion among the members of the gov-
ernment at that time existing as to the c.Kpediency of
the step.
Four years later aid came from an unexpected
quarter. Hon. Daniel A. White, of Salem, i)laced
certain property in Lawrence in the hands of trus-
tees, the income from which should be appropriated to
maintaining a course of lectures, free " to the indus-
trial classes" of Lawrence, and for the purposes of a
library.
The income from that fund had furnished a course
of lectures for several years, from the best talent of the
land, and had reaclu'd a point where it was more than
sufficient to defray this expense and could furnish a
considerable sum annually for books.
In 1872 the Franklin Library Association appointed
a committee consisting of George S. Merrill, John K.
Rollins and John ('. Dow to confer with the city gov-
ernment, and also with the trustees of the White
Fund, and this conference (the necessary authority to
surrender their trust having been previously obtained
from the Legislature) resulted in a renewed offer to
transferthe property, consisting of over four thousand
volumes and nearly three tliousand dollars in money,
to the city. The trustees of the White Fund proposed
to contribute the first year the sum of one thousand
dollars for the purchase of books, and to make an an-
nual contribution thereafter. These propositions were
accepted, and an ordinance was passed, 1872, estab-
lishing the Free Library of the city.
Soon after the transfer of the property the Agricul-
tural Library, numbering one hundred and fifty-seven
volumes, and owned by an association residing in
Lawrence and Methuen, was also jilaced at the dis-
posal of the city, and the circulating library of
Messrs. Whitford & Rice, twenty-two hundred and
fifty-seven volumes, was also purchased and trans-
ferred.
At a meeting of the board of trustees, held August
20, 1872, Mr. William I. Fletcher, whose exi>erience
in the Boston Athenanim and in the Bronson Library,
of Waterbury, Ot., rendered him peculiarly fitted for
the position, was unanimously elected librarian.
Mr. Fletcher remained with the library, arranging
it for public use, and prejiaring a catalogue, till 1874,
when he resigned to accept a more favorable position
in Hartford, Ct., and he was succeeded by Frederick
H. Hedge, Jr., of Cambridge, the present librarian.
The library now embraces twenty-five thousand five
hundred volumes, or, including duplicates, twenty-
eight thousand seven hundred volumes. Connected
with the liljrary is a reading-room, where may be
found many i>f the leading newspajiers, and a room for
books of reference, where the people may freely study
upon almost any subject which they desire to investi-
gate.
The various boards of trustees have ever kept in
mind the object of the founders, considering the lib-
rary an educatioiKil institution "rather than a me-
dium for the circulation of light literature."
The mayor and president of the Common Council,
together with the trustees of the White Fund, are
])ermaneut members of the board.
The librarv now occupies the entire second floor of
the Odd Fellows' buibliiig. It needs more space and
greater security against fire.
904
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Daniel Appleton White (LL.P., Harvard, 1837)
was of tlie sixth generation in descent from William
White, who emigrated from Norfolk, England, one of
the leading men in the colony at Ipswich, and of the
founders of the ancient town of Newbury. He re-
moved to Haverhill in 16-11). .Judge White was born
in 1776, in that part ofMethuen (now Lawrence) edu-
cated at Atkinson Academy and graduated from Hur-
vard College 1797. He returned to Cambridge in
1799, and pursued the study of law, remaining foui'
years, during which time he was tutor in the college ;
finished his legal studies in .Salem ; was admitted to
the Essex bar in 1804; opened an oilice in Newbury-
port, soon became successful in his profession and ad-
vanced to honors ; was Senator in the Massachusetts
Senate from 1810 to 1815 ; Presidential elector, 1816;
was elected to Congress by an almost unanimous vote
in 1814, but having been offered by Governor Strong
the position of judge of Probate, he resigned and ac-
cepted the more quiet path, which was more congen-
ial to his tast« and feelings ; this otiice he held for
thirty-eight years, resigning in 1S.")3. He died at
Salem in 1861, having removed to that city in 1817.
An excellent account of his lite may be found in a
memorial by Rev. Henry W. Foote, of Boston, |iub-
lished by the New England Historico-Genealngical
Society in their series of memorial biographies, wlm
concludes his sketch in these words: "To those who,
in the city which was his home for forty-four years, use
the treasures of his library, or who, in the other
city which covers his native fields, shall receive the
benefit of his noble foundation, the value of his gift
would be enhanced if the memory of the giver, as he
was, could be impressed indelibly upon it, and it would
be his best gift if his character could be transmitted.
He was a patriot of the lofty type of the founders ol
the Republic ; a Christian in the deepest spirit of the
New Testament ; a man ruled by justice, tempered
with meicy, generous, high-minded, true, with a
Puritan conscience and a heart of love, the faith of a
disciple and the trusting soul, simple and pure as a
little child."
Another and fuller memoir nuiy be found in the
Historical Collections of the Essex Institute, Vol. VI.
Nos. 1 and 2.
As the history of the White Fund is misapprehended
by many, the following account is repeated here, taken
from Tewksbury's " History of Lawrence," which was
obtained from the original sources of information:
The first conveyance by Judge White embraced
the whole of his lauds without restrictions. He soon
after became aware that provisions in old deeds re-
tained a portion of the lauds for a family burial-
ground, and to preserve the graves of his ancestors
from any possible future desecration, at his earnest
request, the associates, in taking their absolute deed,
March 28, 1845, relinquished all claim to a lot of
about six acres nearly in the centre of the tract they had
purchased. It was provided, however, that the six
acres accepted and reserved should be restricted as to
use, or reserved as a public or private burial-
grounds, a reservoir or some other public work.
Immediately after the organization of the Essex
Company the associates conveyed to that company all
lands they had purcluised ; consequently their deed
contained the reservations and restrictions.
Judge White seems to have bad little enjoyment of
this property, yet being in possession ; constantly in-
creasing taxes became a burden ; there was no in-
come from the |)roperty ; sanitary considerations pre-
vented its use for a cemetery ; no one could purchase
any part of it in the condition in which it then stood,
and it became evident that the lands could only be
utilized by the jolnf action of hoi h Jiidije White and
the Essex Company.
There were upon the land liut three graves (now un-
disturbed and surrounded by dwellings), occupying
together a space not larger than an ordinary burial-
lot. This left nearly six acres of unoccupied hind in
the heart of the city.
Joint action of the two parties might give this land
a value of many thousand dollars to be divided be-
tween them. Happily, at the suggestion of Judge
White, conlially acceded to by the Essex Com-
pany, both joined in devoting Ibis property to a pur-
pose which would benefit not a class or a single gener-
ation, but all who might dwell here in time to eome.
The indenture conveying the land to trustees, with
power to sell, and invest proceeds in a fund for a pur-
pose clearly defined, is a model of precise wording
and clearness of detail. So far as it relates to the
character of the lectures and use of the fund for that
purpose, the language is that of Judge White.
The original proposition of Mr. White, as explain-
ed in his letter to Mr. Storrow, June 19, 1852, which
first (qiened the subject, proposed simply the estab-
lishment of an annual course of lectures, the special
subjects being specified in the deed of trust. These
subjects were: 1st. "The importance of good character
to success in life;" 2d. "On the unsurpassable
value of the rich<'s of character to the young of both
sexes ; " 3d. " On the virtues, habits and principles
most essential to good character ; " 4th. " On the best
means of intellectual and moral improvement." '
Being confident that the value of the lands and the
sum eventually derived from them would far exceed
the expectations of Mr. White, Mr. Storrow suggested
that while the original object which he had in mind
should first be fully provided for, precisely as Mr.
White intended, it might be well to allow the trustees
to select other modes for promoting morality and ed-
ucation, especially to authorize liberal appropriations
from the income, in aid of a free library, and provide
for the gift of a building-site for sudi an institution.
Judge White readily assented to this, and the in-
denture of August 23, 1852, is intended to carry into
effect the original and enlarged purposes of the trust.
This indenture was signed by Daniel A. White, of the
LAWRENCE.
905
first part, the Essex Company of the second part, and
Charles 8. Storrow, Nathaniel G. White and Henry
K. Oliver as trustees accepting the trust. Messrs.
Storrow and Oliver removed !rom the city, and
George D. Cabot and James H. Eaton, the present
trustees, succeeded them.
RELIGIOUS DEXOMIXATIOXS.
In the beginning of Lawrence the directors
of the Essex Company, true to the policy of
the early settlers of the country, gave their attention
to the moral condition of the new town, as might be
expected from their well-known character. The pres-
ideut, Mr. Liwrence, writing on one occasion to W.
C. Rives, of Virgiuia, said: "All intellectual culture
should be founded on our Holy Religion. The pure
precepts of the Gosoel are the only safe source from
which we can freely draw our morality ; " and in the
letter which accompanied his gift to the library, — ''it
is no less the duty than the privilege of those
who possess influence in creating towns and cities,
to lay the foundations deep and strong. Let the
standard be high in religious, moral and intellectual
culture, and there can be no well-grounded fear for
the result."
Accordingly, governed by no sectarian bias, they
gave to the first churches of several denominations a
lot of land on which to erect their building, and to
others later they made a discount of one-quarter from
regular established prices.
The first building devoted to public worship was
the Episcopal Chapel ; this stood on the ground now
occupied by Grace Church, and was so far completed
that services were held there on the second Sunday of
October, 1846. By the quarter-centennial address of
Rev. George Packard, who was the founder of the
church and its rector till his lamented decease, No-
vember 30, 187G, it appears the first building, a tempo-
rary structure of wood, was completed and consecrated
November 19, 1846. The cost of the building was
estimated to be one thousand three hundred and fifty
dollars, of which sum Mr. Samuel Lawrence contrib-
uted one thousand dollars, and the balance was ob-
tained from friends in Boston, the proprietors of the
different manufacturing companies who were inter-
ested in the moral welfare of the new town. A lot of
land, one hundred feet square, was presented to the
church by the Essex Company, on condition that in
five years from the time it was given, a church of
stone or brick should be built upon it. At the close
of the first year the number of families worshipping
was twenty-five, the number of communicants twen-
ty-six; in 1849 the number of communicants fifty-
three; in 1850, seventy-eight; and in 1857 the growth
of the church had increased so much as to require
better accommodations, and the substantial stone
building which now occupies the ground was erected,
one-half the amount of the cost being pledged by the
members of the parish, and the other half by friends
57J
in Boston, Andover, Lowell and Salem. The build-
ing committee were C'apt. Oliver H. Perry, Caleb
Marvel and Geo. D. Lund. M.ay 5, 1852, this build-
ing was consecrated by Rev. Mauton Eastburu,
bishop of the diocese.
In 1864 the Sunday-school statistics were, — super-
intendent, librarian and assistant; teachers — male,
ten; female, nineteen; scholars, two hundred and
seventy. The chapel, the first place of worship re-
moved to Garden Street, was crowded, and in Octo-
ber of that year a mission Sunday-school and service
were commenced in the westera part of the city,
under the charge of Rev. A. V. G. Allen, then a can-
didate for orders, pursuing his studies at Andover.
In I860 the parish school-teachers numbered twenty-
four; scholars, one hundred and eighty; missirn
school-teachers, twenty-two; scholars, one hundred
and seventy-five. The success of this mission work
led to the establishment of a Second Parish, under
the name of St. John's, which, in 1867, was admitted
to union with the convention.
Dr. Packard, who was so long the rector of the
church and devoted to its welf^ire with untiring zeal,
was also during his useful life interested and active
in every enterprise conducive to the general good of
the town and city. Early and for twenty years a
member of the school committee and superintendent
of schools, his eiibrts did much to the establishment
of our present system of schools and the promoting
of their usefulness. He was, besides, an earnest
worker in the City Mission for the relief of the poor
and unfortunate, and his wise counsel was alwaj's
valued. He, as well as three of his brothers, were
graduates from Bowdoin College, — one brother, the
late Rev. Charles Packard, a Congregational clergy-
man at Lancaster, Mass.; and the Rev. Alpheus
Packard, many years professor and later president of
Bowdoin College; and Rev. Joseph Packard, for fifty
years professor at the Theological School of Virginia, at
Alexandria, one of the American members of the
commission for the recent revision of the Bible, who
survives them. During the later years of Dr. Pack-
ard's residence here, owing to failing healtb, Rev.
William Lawrence, of Boston, was appointed tj assist
in parochial duties, and succeeded as rector in 1876.
Mr. Lawrence remained here till December, 1883,
when he resigned to accept a professorship in Har-
vard Universily, followed by the love and respect, not
only of his own people, but of the entire community,
and was succeeded by Rev. Augustine H. Amory, of
Boston, the present rector.
The Lawkexce Street Coxgregatioxal
Church was formed April 9, 1847. A society called
the Merriniac Congregational Society was organized
August, 1846, previously, at the house of Nathaniel
B. Gordon, its founders being Dr. Moses L. Atkinson
(formerly of Newburyport), W. S. Annis, Nathan
Wells, Hiram Merrill, Timothy 0:^good, Joshua Bus-
well (deputy sheriff), A. Dickey, Phineas M. Gage
906
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and E. C. Bartlett. The society commenced building,
October, 1846, a small chapel in the rear of the pres-
ent church building. The cost of the building was
one thousand dollars, Mr. Abbott Lawrence contrib-
uting one hundred dollars, other friends in Boston
three hundred and thirty-five dollars. This building
was dedicated in January, 1847, and seated two hun-
dred and seventy-five persons. After the organiza-
tion of the church Rev. Lyman Whiting, who had
preached to the society, was invited to become the
pastor. He remained here from June 16, 1847, till
January 16, 185u. During his ministry the present
edifice was completed, and dedicated October 11,
1848. The church remained without a settled pastor
till January, 1852, when Eev. Henry M. Storrs was
ordained. He remained till March 1, 1855, and, re-
signing, went to Cincinnati. The pulpit was then
supplied by Eev. Alexander H. Clapp, D.D. (now
treasurer of American Plome Missionary Society), and
Eev. Charles Beecher. The former of these declined an
invitation to become their pastor, and Eev. George B.
Wilcox, of Fitchburg, was installed in September,
1856. He resigned in 1859, and was succeeded by
Eev. Caleb E. Fisher, a very sincere and earnest man,
of warm sympathies, devoted not only to the spirit-
ual welfare of bis parish, but interested in all that
pertained to the welfare of the city, especially in edu-
cational affairs. Mr. Fisher's pastorate continued
more than fourteen years, till October, 1873. Eev.
Joshua Coit was installed May 13, 1874, remained
till February 25, 1885, when, after repeated solicita-
tions, he accepted the position of secretary of the
Massachusetts Home Missionary Society, and was
succeeded in February, 1885, by the present pastor,
Eev. William E. Wolcott.
The Central Congregational Church (now
known as Trinity Congregational Church) was or-
ganized December 25, 1849, commencing their public
services in the City Hall, which they continued to
occupy till August, 1854; removed to their new build-
ing, a substantial brick building, at the corner of Es-
sex and Appleton Streets, the second story being oc-
cupied for religious service and the lower story for
stores, — a union of sacred and secular matters, which,
happily, does not at present exist in the city. A sim-
ilar structure once existed in the neighboring city of
Lowell, and it is said that some wag chalked the fol-
lowing couplet upon the door:
** A spirit above and a spirit below,
A spirit of weal and a spirit of woe ;
The spirit above is the spirit divine,
Theepirit below is the spirit of wine."
On the 12th of August, 1859, the Central Church
building was destroyed by fire, and the society re-
turned to the City Hall, where they remained a few
months, evening services being held in the chapel of
Grace Church, on Garden Street. On the second
Sabbath in January, 1860, the congregation met for
worship in the basement of the new stone building
erected on Haverhill Street. The building was fin-
ished and dedicated June 8, 1860.
From March to November, 1850, Eev. Lyman
Whiting, previously of Lawrence Street Church, sup-
plied the pulpit, and Eev. E. C. Whittlesey, after-
wards prominent in military affairs and the Freed-
men's Bureau, from February to October, 1851. The
first pastor was Eev. William C. Foster, installed
January 16, 1852, a very earnest preacher, and well
remembered for his fearless and bold advocacy of
anti-slavery sentiments. His successor was Rev.
Daniel Tenney, installed September 2, 1857. After a
service of five years Mr. Tenney removed to the
Springfield Street Church, Boston, and Eev. Christo-
pher M. Cordley became pastor, and remained with
the church till his death, June 26, 1866.
The next pastor was Rev. William E. Park ; after
a service of nine years, — 1866 to '75, — he resigned,
and removed to Gloversville, N. Y., and was suc-
ceeded by George M. Ide.
Eliot Congregational Church was formed
September 28, 1865. Services were held at first in
the City Hall and in Grace Church chapel. The
formation of this church resulted from a joint meet-
ing of the Lawrence Street and Central Churches
held in August, at which meeting it was unanimously
resolved that a third church was needed ; and a com-
mittee, consisting of William C. Chapin, George A.
Fuller, Benjamin T. Bourne, Benjamin Coolidge and
William A. Russell, was appointed to consider the
matter and report. Thirty-two persons constituted
the original organization of the society, — twelve from
Lawrence Street, sixteen from the Central Church
and four from other towns. The church and society
immediately took steps for the erection of the build-
ing located on Appleton Street, near Essex. This
building, erected at a cost of thirty-five thousand
dollars, is very conveniently arranged, and,
architecturally considered, it would be an ornament
to the city, but, unfortunately, it is surrounded by
tall brick buildings, among which it is hidden. It
was dedicated September 6, 1866.
The first pastor was Eev. William Franklin Snow,
born in Boston in 1838 ; at the age of nine he went with
his father's i'amily to the Hawaiian Islands, was there
fitted for Harvard College at the Eoyal School and the
Oahu College, of Honolulu; entered Harvard in 1857
and was distinguished as a classical scholar ; gradu-
ated with high rank in 1861. In August, 1862, he
enlisted as a private soldier in the Fifth Massachu-
setts Eegiment, was elected captain and served one
year. After the expiration of his service in the army
he made a visit to his father's family in the islands.
In May, 1864, he became acting pastor of the Con-
gregational Church in Grass Valley, Cal., returned to
Andover in 1865 to complete his studies and was in-
stalled pastor of the Eliot Church September 13,
1866. Mr. Snow was a thorough scholar, an indefati-
gable student and thoroughly devoted to the work of
LAWRENCE.
907
tlic Cliristian ministry, and during his five years of ser-
vice in tlie Eliot Church the number of its members
increased from thirty-two to one hundred and twenty-
nine. He died in the midst of his usefulness, at the
age of thirty-three, January 11, 1871.
On the 14th of June, 1871, Rev. Theodore T. Hun-
ger, of Haverhill, Mass., was in.stallcd pastor. He
resigned his charge January 20, 1875, on account of
ill health of himself and family, and removed to the
western part of the State. His resignation was a
source of regret to his people and many others, who
prized his companionship for his intellectual power
and attainments. He has become widely known by
several volumes which have issued from his scholarly
pen.
March 14, 1875, Rev. John H. Barrows commenced
his work at the Eliot, and was ordained April 29th;
remained with the church till September 12, 1880.
Rev. Edward P. Hooker was installed January 12,
1881, and resigned, after a short residence, to become
president of Rollins College, In Florida. The Eliot
and Central Churches united to form Trinity Congre-
gational Church in the summer of 1883. The Eliot
Church building was sold to Hon. Wm. A. Russell,
who afterward conveyed it to the Young Men's
Christian Association. The present pastor of Trinity
Church is Rev. John L. R. Trask.
The Methodlsts. — The first preaching was in
June, 184(), at Boarding- House No. 5, kept by Mr.
Charles Barnes, who built on his own account, about
twenty years before, the meeting-house on the
corner of Lowell and Suffolk Streets, Lowell. Their
house of worship, at the corner of Haverhill and
Hampshire Streets, wa? dedicated in the spring of
1848. Their first pastor was Rev. James L. Glca.son.
Since the erection of the church building the pastors
have been Rev. L. D. Barrows, D.D., 1847-48 ; Rev.
James Pike, D.D., 1849; Rev. Moses Howe, 1850;
Rev. Samuel Kelley, 18.il-52; Rev. R. S. Rust, D.D.,
1853 and '54; Rev. Jonathan Hall, 1855 and '56;
Rev. W. A. McDonald, 1857; Rev. F. A. Hughes,
1858; Rev. J. H. McCarthy, D.D., 1859 and '60; Rev.
S. Holman, 1861 and '62; Rev. R. S. Stubbs, 1863;
Rev. George Dearborn, 1864; Rev. L. J. Hall, 1865-
06; Rev. D. C. Knowles, 1867-69; Rev. F. Pitcher,
1870 and '71; Rev. L. D. Barrows, D.D., 1872-74;
Rev. D. Stevenson, D.D., 1875-77; Rev. D. C.
Knowles again, 1878, who was succeeded in April,
1881, by Rev. E.G. Bass, who served three years;
Rev. followed from April, 1884, to April, 18S6,
when the present pastor, Rev. Madison A. Richards,
commenced bis labors. The church is in a flourish-
ing condition, and the Sabbath-school contains about
two hundred scholars. Rev. D. C. Knowles has been
for several years principal of the New Hampshire
Conference Seminary at Tilton, N. H., and Rev.
Daniel Stevenson is principal of a seminary at
Augusta, Kentucky.
The Garden Street Methodist Episcopal Church wa.s
organized in 1853 by young men and women residing
in the easterly part of the town. Meetings were at
first held in a school-hou.se and then in Pantheon
Hall, but in 1855 the brick church at the corner of
Newbury and Garden Streets was erected. The
members were few, and the task they had undertaken
was a difficult one to complete, and no doubt ultimate
succe.ss depended largely on the efi'orts of George P.
Wilson, then a layman, a man of indefatigable en-
ergy, who was f' r many years the beloved and de-
voted city missionary. The first settled minister
was Rev. Albert C. Mansur, 1853. Since that the
church has been under the pastoral care of Rev.
John McLaughlin, 1854 and '55; Rev. Calvin Hol-
man, 1856 and '57; Rev. Warren F. Evans, 1858;
Rev. Henry H. Hartwell, 1859 and '60 ; Rev. Cadford
M. Dinsmore, 1861 ; Rev. Albert C. Mansur, 1862 ;
Rev. Andrew J. Church, 1863 and '64 ; Rev. A. P.
Hatch, 1865; Rev. Charles U. Dunning in 1866, '67
and '68 (who, after an absence of three years, returned
to Lawrence and succeeded Mr. Wilson as city mis-
sionary, resigning that service on his appointment as
one of the presiding elders of the New Hampshire
Annu.al Conference); Rev. Truman Carter, 1869 and
'70 ; Rev. Lewis P. Cushman, 1871-73 ; Rev. George
W. Norris, 1874-75, and again 1880-82 ; Rev. William
E. Bennett, 1876 ; Rev. A. E. Drew, 1877-79 ; Rev.
Charles Parkhurst, 188.3-85 ; Rev. Jesse M. Durrell,
1886-87.
First Baptist Society. — The First Baptist So-
ciety was formed in 1847. Their first temporary
house of worship was a small building in the rear of
the present one on Haverhill Street, and was occupied
the first time in April, 1847, although meetings had
been previously held at private houses and in an old
school building near the present First Methodist
Church. In November following the building was
enlarged to accommodate the increasing number of
members. The increase of numbers was so great that
it was soon found necessary to build a larger and
more permanent building. Consequently, in 1849,
the construction of the present edifice on Haverhill
Street was commenced, and so far completed that ser-
vices were held iu the basement in January, 1850.
The first pastor of this church and society was Rev.
John G. Richardson, who remained with them till
1853; he was succeeded in December by Rev. Arte-
mas W. Sawyer. In 1856 Rev. Frank Remington fol-
lowed, resigning in 1859, and subsequently was in-
stalled over the Second Baptist Church. For several
months the pulpit was supplied by Rev. J. Sella Mar-
tin, formerly a slave. Rev. Henry F. Lane was the
ne.xt pastor, who remained but a short time, leaving
in 1862 to accept the chaplaincy of the Forty-first
Massachusetts Regiment. Rev. George Knox was next
installed, but the same year became chaplain of the
Twenty-ninth Maine Regiment. He was killed in
Washington by being thrown from his horse. In
September, 1865, Rev. George W. Bosworth, D.D., be-
908
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
came the pastor. Dr. Bosworth remained tbree and
a half ye.nrs; removed to Haverhill.
Rev. John B. Gough Piilge was ordained in Sep-
tember, 1SC9. After laboring with marked ability
and popularity for about ten years, he accepted an in-
vitation to Philadelphia, and was succeeded by Eev.
Richard Montague, now of the Central Congrega-
tional Church, Providence, R. L, who was followed
by the present pastor. Rev. O. C. S. Wallace.
Feee Baptist Society. — This was one of the
early societies formed in Lawrence. A small number
held a meeting in the first boarding-hou?e erected by
the Essex Company, on Broadway, in the fall of 1846,
at which meeting Rev. Silas Curtis conducted relig-
ious service. In January, 1847, twelve persons were
duly organized as the Free- Will Baptist Church of
Lawrence, with Rev. Jairus E. Davis as pastor. Their
services were conducted in public halls and private
houses, until a small plain building was erected at the
corner of Haverhill and White Streets, on land given
them by the Essex Company. Money was not abun-
dant among the members of this society, and for
many years they had a hard and patient struggle
against adverse circumstances, sustained only by
Christian ftiith and determined perseverance. It was
not till 1857 that their new church of brick, at the
corner of Common and Pemberton Streets, was dedi-
cated. During the ministry of the first pastor, who
remained with them three years, sixty-four members
were added to the church. October 1, 1849, Rev.
Jonathan Woodman, sometimes known as " Father
Woodman," a prominent and influential man in that
denomination, became pastor, remaining three years,
during which time the church had an accession of
sixty-six members. The succeeding pastors were
Rev. G. P. Ramsey, two and a half years ; addition
to the church during his time, sixty-seven ; Rev. A,
D. Williams, remained two and a half years, fromtlie
sirring of 1855, and during this time one hundred and
eighty members were added to the membership. Mr.
Williams resigned in consequence of failing health,
and Rev. E. M. Tappan succeeded him in 1857, and
died in service, December 12, 1860. In May, 18G1,
Rev. J. Burnhara Davis became pastor, and closed his
connection with the church January 1, 1866, one hun-
dred and twenty-four members having been added to
the church during his ministry. The next pastor was
Rev. E. G. Chaddock.
Other pastors of this church have been Rev. John
A. Lowell and Rev. Alphonso L. Houghton.
The Parker Street Methodist Church is lo-
lated in South Lawrence. This has grown gradually
from a Sunday-school or Bible-class formed in 1869,
through the instrumentality of Rev. D. C. Knowles,
of the First Methodist Church. The class commenced
with five members, but as the number increased a
society was organized September 16, 1870, and on the
20th a small lot was purchased on Bianchard Street,
and a building twenty-two by forty feet was erected —
Rev. Messrs. Tilton, of Derry ; Keyes, of Wobnrn ; and
Sargent, of Maiden, supplying the desk. The first pas-
tor was Rev. W. J. Parkinson, 1873. July 9th ofthat
year the corner-stone of the churcli on Parker Street
was laid. Rev. Mark Trafton and Rev. D. C. Knowles
delivered addresses on the occasion. Succeeding
pastors of the church were Rev. Garrett Beekman,
Rev. Allen J. Hall, Rev. Converse L. McCurdy, Rev.
J. T. Abbott, Rev. W. A. Braman,Rev. Hamble-
ton, one year. Rev. C. M. Melden, three years, fol-
lowed in 1887 by Rev. Lewis P. Cushman.
First Unitarian Church. — This church was or-
ganized August 30, 1847. They met at first in Odd
Fellows' Hall, but soon erected a small chapel, in
which services were held till May, 1860, when the
present church building was dedicated. This build-
ing had originally a tall and graceful spire, but in the
fire of 1859 it was set on fire by sparks carried across
the Common from the fire which consumed the United
States Hotel and court-house, and damaged to such
an extent that it was taken down and the tower fin-
ished in its present form.
The first pastor of this church was Rev. Henry F.
Harrington, the present superintendent of schools in
New Bedford. Mr. Harrington remained seven years
devoted not only to his pastoral duties to the church
but active in the early history of the schools of the
city and in philanthropic service among the poor.
He resigned in 1854. Rev. William L. Jenkins was
pastor from 1855 to 1865 ; then Rev. James H. Wig-
gin, who, after one year of service, was succeeded by
Rev. James B. Moore, a gentleman of much forensic
ability, who remained for several years until his de-
cease, from disease contracted in the military service.
Rev. Charles A. Hayden wa^ settled here from 1873
to 1876. Rev. Edmund R. Sanborn was the next
pastor, and after his resignation the pulpit was sup-
plied from time to time until the present year, when,
on its fortieth anniversary. Rev. Eiiwin C. Abbott
was installed.
The First Univeesalist Society (now known as
the Church of the Good Shepherd) was formed Novem-
ber 15, 1848. Some of the gentlemen active in its for-
mation were George Littlefield, Sullivan Symonds,
William D. Joplin, Heaton Bailey and Fairfield
White. Meetings were held for public worship for
four or five years in various halls, until 1853, when
services were held in the vestry of the new church
which was erected on Haverhill Street and dedicated
June 30th of that year. The first pastor was Rev.
George H. Clark, of Lockport, N. Y., who died in
Lawrence, December, 1851. The succeeding pastors
were Rev. J. R. Johnson, 1852-55 ; Rev. J. J.Brayton,
1855-58 ; Rev. Martin J. Steere, 1858-60 ; Rev. George
S. Weaver, 1861-73; Rev. George W. Perry, 1873-77;
Rev. A. E. White, 1877-86; followed by the present
pastor. Rev. W. E. Gibba. The church building was
remodeled in 1866 and dedicated 1867.
The South Congregational Church. — This
LAWRENCE.
909
church originated from a Sunday-school convened in
a schciol-linuse on Andovcr Street, hy M. C. Andrews
and J. n. Fairtiehl, in 1852. The scho<d was con-
tinued by its Ibunders till 1857. At that time
George A. Fuller became interested in it, and it was
removed to the engine-house and Boston and Maine
passenger station until friends, prominent among
whom were Mr. Fuller, Deacon Benjamin Cnolridge
and others, erected a small chapel in 1859, en-
larged 18(51. In 1SG9 the present building w-as
erected and dedicated, the ceremony occurring on
Christmas day. Regular services were held in Oc-
tober, 18G5, and the pulpit was supplied for three
years by Professor E. X. Park, of Andover. This
church was organized Slay IS, 1SG8, but thus far there
was no settled minister. Kev. James G. Dougherty
supplied the pulpit one year, October, 18G9, to March,
1870, and Rev. L. Z. Ferris two years.
January 30, 1873, the present pastor, Rev. Clark
Carter, was installed. The church comprises about
one hundred members, and the Sunday-school one
hundred and forty-five.
Presbyterian Church. — In June, 1854, Rev. A.
McWilliams, of the Presbytery of Boston, organized
a church in Lawrence of forty-seven members. Ser-
vices were held at first in a .school-house, but in 1856
a church was built on Oak Street, and Mr. McWil-
liams continued with ihc church till 1857. The
general depression of business at that time and the
stoppage of mills, weakened the congregation, and
for a time the church was left without a pastor. In
1859 Rev. James Dinsmore was installed, and re-
mained till 18(52. Meetings was suspended and the
building was rented to the city for a school-house. In
18(57 the building was re-dedicated, and Rev. John
Hogg became the pastor, remaining eight years, and
during his ministry the present church building on
Concord Street was built. Rev. John A. Burns suc-
ceeded him, and he in turn was succeeded by the
present pastor. Rev. Robert A. McAyeal, D.D., from
Ohio.
St. Johx's EnscopAL Church. — The first meet-
ings of this church were held in Essex Engine-House,
on Morton Street, while building a church on land
adjoining. The building was first opened for service
in May, 1866, and was capable of holding four hun-
dred and fifty persons ; three years later it was re-
moved to Bradford Street. The rectors have succes-
sively been Rev. A. V. G. Allen, Rev. James H. Lee,
Rev. Charles C. Harris, Rev. Belno A. Brown, Rev.
William G. Wells.
The Second Baptist Church was organized in
1860 by sixty-seven members from the First Baptist
Church, a natural outgrowth from the parent stock.
Their first pastor was Rev. Frank Remington, who had
been previously settled over the original church.
Services were held for a time in the City Hall, then
in the wooden building erected by the " Christian "
Society, on Common Street, west of Lawrence, which
the society purchased in 18G1. 'I'his was removed
and enlarged in 1865, rebuilt and I'lirtlier enbirged
1874, and is on the south side of ('Oninion Street, a
little east of Lawrence Street. The pastors of this
church have been, in succession, Rev. Cyrus F. Tol-
man. Rev. Henry A. Cooke (1865, afterward settled
in Boston), Rev. L. L. Wood (1870, since pastor of a
Boston church). Rev. George W. Gile (who, after a
pastorate of over six years, was called to the Baptist
Church in Pittsfield), Rev. R. B. Moody (from Janu-
ary 1, 1880, who remained nearly ibur years), and the
present pastor, Rev. Frederick M. Gardner (settled in
April, 1884). D. Frank Robinson was superinten-
dent of the Sunday-school for twenty-four years, suc-
ceeded in 1887 by Deacon S. F. Snell.
The Riverside Congreg.^tioxal Church was
organized March 9, 1878. This church has grown
from a Mission Sunday-school, established in April,
18G2, with thirty-eight scholars. In June, 1875, a
church was formed under the name of the Union
Evangelical Church, and recognized by a council
representing Congregational, Metho<list and Presby-
terian Churches. This church continued as a Union
Evangelical body for nearly three years, the church
and mission-school being independent of each other
in organization and government. In February, 1878,
at a meeting called for the purpose, the members
voted that the church should take cliarge of the Sun-
day-school, and that itshould become Congregational,
and in March, 1878, it was formally recognized as the
Riverside Congregational. The acting pastors of the
Union Church were Mr. F. H. Foster, J. H. Fowle
and C. A. Dickenson, and of the Congregational,
Mr. F. S. Adams, D. H. Colcord, William E. Wolcott.
Bodwell Street Methodlst Church. — After
the dissolution of the Union Evangelical Church the
Methodists, who had formed a part of that body, with
others increasing their number, formed, in 1880, this
new church. This was tbrmed mainly through the
instrumentality of Mr. Seth F. Dawson, who had been
previously a superintendent of the mission-school
and of the Union Church. Present pastor. Rev. Wil-
liam C. Bartlett.
A little prior to 1872 the German population who
had found their home in Lawrence had increased so
much that it was thoiight desirable to have a church
of their own, in which services could be held in their
own language, and a school for teaching the children
in the elementary branches ; and to this end the
German Catholics, as well as Protestants, had plan-
ned a building for this purpose ; but, as might have
been expected, the plan of union of two conflicting
beliefs did not succeed. In May, 1872, a meeting of
German Protestants was held in what was then the
Free Evening School Room, in the City Hall, and at
the meeting a resolution was adopted establishing a
church and school. Mr. F. M. Vietor was chosen
chairman of the society, Mr. Herman Bruckmann sec-
retary, and Mr. William Wiesner treasurer. The
910
HISTORY OF ESSEX COU-VTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Eliot Chapel was rented, and Rev. Mr. Schwartz,
of Boston, preached, June 23, 1872, for the first time
to a Lawrence audience in German. A preacher was
engaged and held services every second Sabbath, and
taught the school twice a week till the close of the
year.
June 5, 1873, the society was incorporated as a
German Church and School Society. The society
met at first in Scott & Victor's Hall, and services
were conducted by Rev. M. Schwartz, of Boston,
monthly, till May, 1874, when services were discon-
tinued for want of a suitable building. In August
following a lot was purchased on East Haverhill
Street, a church building erected, which wns dedica-
ted December 12, 1875. Here regular Sunday ser-
vices was conducted by Mr. Victor till April, 1876,
when the Methodist Conference designated Rev. F.
F. Hoppmann as pastor, who remained till April, 1878,
when a meeting was held by the society, and it was
voted thereafter to dispense with the services of a min-
ister sent by the Methodist Conference.
November, 1878, Rev. A. Herman Hager, of Chi-
cago, was invited to become the pastor of the church,
and he was installed January, 1879. The church
building was enlarged in the summer of 1881, and re-
opened for worship December 4th.
Mr. Hagerresigned June 15th ( became pastorof Nor-
folk Street Church, New York City), and died in New
York City, October 21, 1884, and was succeeded by Rev.
Ferdinand O. Zesch, of Uarlstadt, N. J., who was in-
stalled October 24, 1883; the intermediate time the
pulpit being sujiplied by a gentleman from the The-
ological School of Bloomfield, N. J., and Rev. Fred.
Erhardt, of Manchester. Mr. Zesch resigned in Au-
gust, 1885, to take charge of a German Reformed
Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was succeeded by
the present pastor. Rev. Frederick C. Saure. Num-
ber of Sunday-school scholars, one hundred and
eighty.
Gekman Methodists. — The Methodists, who up
to this time had associated with the other Protestants iu
the Kirchenverein, formed aseparate congregation, and
services were held with Mr. John Lutz as preacher,
the society numbering eighteen members at the end
of nine months. Mr. August Wallon (student)
preached two years, and the third was settled as pas-
tor, and the society commenced the erection of a
church on Vine Street. The building was dedicated
December 11, 1881, and at this date there were si.xty-
eight members. Mr. Wallon was followed by Rev.
G. Hauler, two years; Rev. Aldin Wolft', two years ;
Rev. Philip Stahl, the present pastor, who commenced
his service in April, 1886. The church has now one
hundred members.
St. Thoma.s (Episcopal) Church is located in
Metliuen, though its members are mainly from Law-
rence. Their first pastor was Rev. Belno A. Brown.
There are also in Lawrence several smaller socie-
ties.
The United Congregational Church organized
1877, Rev. John T. Whalley.
The Primitive Methodid, the Olive Baptist, the Sec-
ond Advent, a small Swedenborgian Society and a
Society of " Friends."
Roman Catholics. — In 1846 Rev. Charles D.
French came to Lawrence, conducting his religious
services in private houses at first, but very soon after
iu a small wooden church building, thought to be
sutficiently large for the purpose, but which, in 1848,
would hardly contain half of those who sought en-
trance. From a valuable work, entitled "Catholicity
in Lawrence," written by Miss Katharine A.O'Keefe,
and published 1882, the information which follows is
compiled. Father French was the son of a Protestant
clergyman, in the county of Galway, Ireland; shortly
after his father's death he came to this country, early
in the present century, and after laboring more than
forty years in organizing congregations and building
churches, in various places, came to Lawrence in
1846. He died in 1851, having, during his short resi-
dence, established the First Church and organized a
school, the church being known as the "Church of
the Immaculate Conception."
Father French was succeeded in the ministry by
Rev. James H. D. Taaffe, born about 1800, in the
county of Mayo, Ireland. When ten years of age he
went with an uncle, who was an officer of high rank
in the British Army, to India, where he remained sev-
eral years. Before his return to Ireland he entered
upon a collegiate course of study at Mauritius, in the
Isle of France. At the age of twenty-seven he again
took up his studies in the Jesuit College at Carlow.
Here he remained a short time, when he went to
Tuam, and was ordained a Dominican friar; was
superior of a monastery in that neighborhood eight
years, came to America in 1849, and in October,
1850, to Lawrence.
During Father Taaffe's ministry the wooden church
building gave place to the large brick church of the
same name. He also built the " Protectory of Mary
Immaculate," an orphan asylum and home for inva-
lids, being aided in this latter work by the "Catholic
Friends' Society," a society organized by him in 1856.
This asylum was completed and dedicated February
9, 1868, and on its completion it was placed under
the charge of the Sisters of Charity, or "The Grey
Nuns."
On the 29th of March following. Father Taaff"e
closed his earnest life after a service here of eighteen
years.
Some time before the death of Father French, and
two years before the arrival of Father Taaffe, the
Catholic population had so far increased that another
priest was needed, and in 1848 the want was supplied
by the advent of Rev. James O'Donnell. Father
O'Donnell was born in Cashel, Tipperary County,
Ireland, April 13, 1806, was ordained to the priest-
hood in New York, 1837, was soon after stationed at
ST. MaRY'S R. C. CHQRCH,
LAWRENCE, MASS.
REV. JAMES T. O'REILLY, RECTOR
LAWRENCE.
911
St. Augustine's Church. Philadelphia, which was
burned by a fanatical mob in 1844, and Father
O'Donuell was obliged to flee for his life. He went,
for a time, to Europe, visited France and Italy, re-
turned, after a short absence, to America, and was lo-
cated in Lawrence.
On the first Sunday in .Tanuary, 1840, services were
held iti a wooden building (unfinished), which gave
])lace later to the old St. Mary's Church, a stone
structure on Haverhill Street, commenced in 1851
and finished in 1853 ; this building was subsequently
enlarged sufficiently to contain one thousand more
persons, and was dedicated January 10, 1861.
Father O'Donnell was a very active and zealous
man in the discharge of his duties to his church, es-
tablishing schools for the education of the children,
and encouraging associations for intellectual improve-
ment. The Catholic Literary and Benevolent Society
was formed in August, 1853, with the following offi-
cers: President, John Ryan; Vice-President, J. T.
Tancred ; Treasurer, John Kiley, Sr.; Secretary, Pat-
rick Foster; Librarian, Dan'l C. O'Sullivan.
A second society of similar nature w.as formed in
1858, the St. Mary's Young Men's Society. The first
year's officers of this society were John Hayes, Presi-
dent; Patrick Goodwin, Vice-President; James T.
O'Sullivan, Secretary; Michael O'Callaghan, Treas-
urer ; James Kiley, Librarian. To this society Father
O'Donnell made a donation of one hundred volumes,
— the nucleus of what became a fine library.
The societies continued for several years.
Father O'Donuell also introduced the Sisters of
Notre Dame in August, 1859, who, in September fol-
lowing, o|iened their school for girls (yet in existence),
where, independently of religious teaching, they
have, no doubt, in a quiet, unostentatious manner,
exerted a favorable influence over the moral charac-
ter of the girls committed to their charge and in
charitable work among the needy and unfortunate.
But it was not alone in his religious works that
Father O'Donnell was conspicuous ; he was a public-
spirited citizen and an excellent man of business,
interested in whatever pertained to the welfare and
good order of the city, of a benevolent disposition
and ever ready to help the deserving poor; he had
no sympathy for the drunken and lazy. He was a
liberal friend to the Lawrence City Mission, contrib-
uting to its relief fund and aiding its investigations
in behalf of the poor; especially was this the case in
the W'inter of 1857, when the mills were idle and
thousands of people were unemployed. At this time
Father O'Donnell and Father Taafle were both earn-
estly engaged in collecting funds and personally dis-
bursing the necessaries of life; and at this time also
the former rendered very valuable service in stopping
a senseless run upon one of the city savings banks.
Father O'Donnell died April 7, 1861, aged fifty-
five, much lamented, not only by his own people, but
by those of all denominations, and bearing with him
to bis long home the respect and esteem of the en-
tire community. The successor of Father O'Donnell
was Rev. Ambrose JluUen, who remained four years,
assisted, at dift'erent times, by his brother. Rev. Edward
Mullen, and Fathers Gallagher and Daley. He left
in 1865 to assume the presidency of Villanova Col-
lege, near Philadelphia, where he remained till 1869,
when failing health compelled his retirement from
its active duties, and in August of the same year, on
the death of Father Gallagher, he was sent to St.
Augustine's Church in Andover, where he spent the
remainder of his life. He died July 7, 1876.
Father Mullen was succeeded at St. Mary's by
Rev. Louis M. Edge, assisted by Fathers William
Hartnett, John P. Gilmore and M. F. Gallagher.
Under his administration the corner-stone of the
new St. Mary's Church was laid and the building,
which is an ornament to the city, and one of the fin-
est buildings in the country, was partially completed.
Father Edge was born in 1825, came to America at the
age of twenty-two and, shortly after his arrival, joined
the Franciscans at Loretto, Pa., and was five years
professor in the Catholic College there; went thence
to Philadelphia and entered the order of St. Augus-
tine and spent two years at Villanova College in the
study of theology and qualifying himself for the
priesthood. Being particularly fond of mathematics,
he was retained at Villanova as professor of mathe-
matics for six years, and then went to Mechanicsville
and Schaghticoke, N. Y., at which latter place he built
fine church, coming to Lawrence in 1865. He was
interested in the cause of general education, and at
the time of his decease was a member of the school
committee of Lawrence. He went to Phihidel])hia to
make arrangements lor raising the cross on St. JIary's
on the following July 4th, and there was thrown from
his carriage, receiving injuries which resulted in his
death February 24, 1870.
Very Rev. Father Galberry, superior of the Augus-
tiniau Order, and later Right Rev. Bishop of Hart-
ford, was the successor of Father Edge ; and under
him the church (St. Mary's) was com[)leted, and dedi-
cated September 3, 1871. The length of the building
is two hundred and ten feet; width, eighty feet, ex-
cept at the transept, where it is one hundred and two
feet. The steeple is two hundred and twenty-five
feet high and the top of the cross is two hundred and
thirty-five feet from the ground, which makes the
building fifteen feet higher than Bunker Hill Monu-
ment. It is in Gothic style and built of light granite
from Westford (Mass.), Salem (N. H.) and Hallowell
(Me.), and is capable of seating over three thousand
persons.
On the departure of Father Galberry Rev. John P.
Gilmore become pastor, during whose administration
a fine chime of sixteen bells (from the foundry of
William Blake & Co.) was placed in the tower and
consecrated with imposing ceremonies on Sun-
day, December 13th. The co--t of the chime was
912
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ten thousand dollars — three thousand of the amount
having been bequeathed by the will of the late Hugh
Bafferty and the remainder raised by contributions
from the members of the church.
Returning to the first church, the successors of
Father Taaffe in this church were Rev. M. J. L. Do-
herty and C. T. McGrath, the former of whom re-
moved to Millbury in 1859 and Rev. AVilliam Orr
took his place. Father McGrath removed to Somer-
ville in 1839 and his successor was Rev. Father
McShane. During Father Orr's pastorate St. Pat-
rick's Church, in Souih Lawrence, was built and ded-
icated March 17, 1870, and St. Lawrence's Church,
at the corner of Union and Essex Streets ; this
church was dedicated by Archbishop Williams in
July, 1873.
The French Catholics began agitating the subject
of gathering a church in 1871, holding meetings at
first in Essex Hall and soon after in a small building
purchased on Lowell Street. They commenced build-
ing the present church on Haverhill Street in 1872-73,
but it was delayed until 1875, when, under the pas-
torate of Rev. Oliver Boucher, it was sufficiently com-
pleted to be used for divine service, and received the
name of St. Anne's.
The limits of this article will not admit of sketches
of the many able and earnest clergymen who
have been active in the different churches. A full
record may be found in Miss O'Keefe's work, above
referred to. The various Catholic Churches in 1875
were committed by the Most Rev. Archbishop to the
spiritual care and direction of the Augustinian Order,
and Rev. D. D. Regan, who had been stationed at St.
Mary's since his ordination in 1874, became pastor of
the Immaculate Conception Church, succeeded in
1877 by Rev. John H. Devir.
The present head of the Augustinian Order here is
Rev. James T. O'Reilly.
Lawrence in the Great Rebellion. — From a
Lawrence newspaper, published in the early days of
Lawrence, 1846, is the following extract: "If the enor-
mity of a man's sin is just cause for an equal enor-
mity of punishment, the monster who, for the pay of
a common soldier, will consent to turn 'human
butcher' deserves the punishment in its fullest and
broadest extent."
This sentiment did not, however, seem to be very
deeply seated in the minds of the people, for no
sooner had the echoes of the first guns fired upon
Fort Sumter reached their ears, than Lawrence was
ready to respond. The Sixth Massachusetts Regi-
ment, of which two companies belonged in Lawrence,
was at this time commanded by Col. Edward F. Jones,
of Pepperell ; the lieutenant-colonel was Walter G.
Shattuck, of Groton, who resigned because of age
and infirmity; and the major was Benjamin F. Wat-
son, then of Lawrence, now of New York City.
Major Watson was elected lieutenant-colonel on the
17th May, 1861, and was promoted to the command
of the regiment, and held that position till the close
of the campaign, Capt. Josiah A. Sawtelle, of Lowell,
being elected major.
The President's first call for troops to defend Wash-
ington was issued on the 15th of April, 1881, reached
Boston on the 16th, and the entire regiment, scattered
through the towns of Stoneham, Lawrence, Lowell,
Acton, Groton, Worcester and adjoining towns, re-
ported in Boston on the 17th, the larger portion of
the regiment having arrived there before sunset of
the 16fch ; arrived in New York on the morning of
the 18th, at Philadelphia in the evening of the same
day ; on the 19th made their memorable passage
through Baltimore, having lost four k.lled and thirty-
six wounded ; but not without inflicting a heavy lo^s
upon the opposing force; and arrived in Washington
on the afternoon of the 19th. Company I, of Law-
rence, was under the command of Capt. John Picker-
ing, and Company F, under Capt. B^'njamin F.Chad-
bourne and, subsequently, C.ipt. Melvin Beal.
Of the four killel in Baltimore, Sumner H. Need-
ham, of Lawrence, was, aecording to Hanson's "His-
tory of the Sixth Regiment," the first to fall mortally
wounded. He was born in Bethel, Me., March 2,
1828, and had resided in lyawrence about twelve
years, was corporal in Company I, having been a
member of the company about five years. His body
was brought to Boston on the 2d of May, and con-
veyed to Lawrence May 3d, by a committee of the
city government, and placed in the city hall, where
funeral service was held. The hall was appropriately
draped, and every inch of room occupied. On the
rostrum were the clergy of the city, and an eloquent
sermon was preached by the pastor of the deceased.
Rev. G. S. Weaver, of the Universalist Church— as-
sisted by Rev. Caleb E. Fisher, of Lawrence Street
Congregational Church ; Rev. W. L. Jenkins, of the
Unitarian Church ; Rev. Henry F. Lane, of the First
Baptist Church ; Rev. C. M. Dinsmore, of the Garden
Street Methodist Church; Rev. Daniel Tenney, of
the Central Congregational Church; and Rev. George
Packard, of the Episcopal Church, in the devotional
exercises.
The text was in Hebrews xi. 4: "-He being dead, yet
■ipeaketh."
" He speaks from that scene of conflict, with a silent yet teirible elo-
quence, which is heard all over our great country, and which stirs the
moral indignation of twenty milliuus of freemen at home, and ten times
that nnmber ahroad. That blow that broke in upon his brain struck
upon the conscience of a nation. That wound has a tongue, speaking
witli a trumpet of thunder among the Northern hills and along the
western prairies. The blood spilt from it js the seed of a mighty har-
vest of patriots, who will pour upon rebels the indignation of their out-
raged souls. His shattered form calls from its coffin upon an outraged
country, to arouse in its might and crush out the reckless and imperious
spirit of treason which has reared itself against our prosperous l.ind
and our benignant form of Government. Yes, being dead, our brother
calls upon us, his neighbors and friends, to stand up in our patriotism
and manhood, and maintain and defend the honor of tliat country for
which he gave his life. He calls upon our State to prove that her sons
are worthy descendants of the blood of Plymouth Rock and Lexington ;
upon our country to prove that her people are worthy of the institutions
under which they live."
LAWRENCE.
913
A granite monument in Bellevue Cemetery marks
his restiug-pUiL'e, and Ijears the following inscription:
" By the City Government this monument is erected, to endear to
posterity the memory of Suniuer H. Needham, of Co. I, Gth Regt.
M. V. M., who fi-'II a victim to tiie passions of a Secession mob during the
passage of the Regiment through the Streets of Baltimore, marching to
the defence of the Xatioli's Capital on the memorable 19th of April,
A.D. 18iil, Aet. :i3. A loyal north in common with his widow and an
only child, mourn his loss.
A.I). 1802."
On the base of the monument is this word
" XfiEDHAM."
At a later period of the war the Sixth Regiment
was again among tlie first to respond to the call for
nine months' troops, and in this campaign Lawrence
furni.shed one company (Company I); Company F was
partially recruited (many of the members having en-
listed in other organizations for three years), and
consolidated with Company I, under the command of
Capt. Augustine L. Hamilton.
Again, between the expiration of service of the
first three years' regiments and the organization of
new^, the government called for regiments for one
hundred days' service. A third time the Sixth re-
sponded, and Lawrence again furnished one company
(Company K), under command of Capt. Edgar J.
Sherman, who had previously served in the nine
months' campaign.
Prior, however, to the commencement of actual
war, when General Anderson, in consequence of the
hostile attitude of South Carolina, had removed his
small force of sixty men from Fort Moultrie to Fort
Sumter, in January, 1861, Captain Gustavus V. Fox
who had been an officer in the navy, but was then
resident in Lawrence, originated a plan for carrying
provisions to the beleaguered garrison ; this was rejected
by President Buchanan, renewed and carried into ef-
fect by President Lincoln, but failed of accomplish-
ment for reasons too well known to be related here.
Captain Fox gave himself thenceforward to the cause
of the Union and became the Assistant Secretary of
the Navy, where, by his energy and thorough knowl-
edge of naval affairs, he rendered most valuable ser-
vice to the end of the war.
While the three months' troops (the Third, Fourth,
Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Regiments, Deven's Rifles
and Cook's Battery) were in the field, it becaiiie appa-
rent to the government that greater effort and a longer
struggle were before them, and on the 3d of May_
1861, a call for troops for three years' service was is-
sued. Under this call Lawrence had representatives
in the First, Second, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thir-
teenth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Nine-
teenth, Twentieth, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth^
Twenty-sixth, Twenty-eighth, Thirtieth, Thirty-sec-
ond, Thirty-third, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth,
Forty-first, Fifty-sixth, Fifty-seventh and Fifty-ninth
Massachusetts Infantry.
Of the ten men enlisted in the Second, three were
killed in battle or died in service. Of the forty men
58
enlisted in the Ninth, five were killed or died of
wounds. In the Tenth Regiment we were represented
by Lieutenant-colonel JefTord M. Decker. In the
Fourteenth Regiment, which became the First Heavy
Artillery, were more than three hundred from Law-
rence; of these forty-seven were killed or died in the
service. In the Seventeenth Liw-rence had sixty men,
Company I being largely recruited from Lawrence,
and of these nine did not return. In the Twenty-
sixth, Companies F and I were mainly composed of
Lawrence men ; the loss in this regiment being twenty-
one. To the Thirtieth Regiment Lawrence furnished
sixty -seven men, the majority of Company G ; of
these twenty-two were killed or died in service. To
the Fortieth Regiment Lawrence furnished a full com-
pany (C) of one hundred men, of whom nineteen were
killed or died in service. In the Forty-fii-st, which
became the Third Cavalry, Company B was largely
composed of Lawrence men, ninety-five in all, with a
loss of sixteen, nine of whom were killed in action.
In the Fortieth New York (Mozart Regiment), one
company was recruited by Captain William Sullivan,
of Lawrence. This regiment sutt'ered severe loss and
Captain Sullivan was killed at Fredericksburg.
In the nine months' troops Lawrence was again re-
presented by two companies in the Fourth Massachu-
setts, one in the Forty-eighth, and a few in the Fif-
tieth and in the Sixtieth Infantry, one hundred days'
service; also in the First, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh,
Ninth and Fifteenth Light Artillery, in the Second
and Third Heavy Artillery, three years' service; in
the Fourth Heavy Artillery, one year's service, fifty
men ; in the First Battalion Heavy Artillery, three
years; in the First and Second Cavalry ; in the Fifth
Cavalry (colored) by one representative bearing the
honored name of George Washington ; and in the
First Battalion of Frontier Cavalry attached to the
Twenty-sixth New York Cavalrj' for service on the
i Northern frontier. Besides these, one hundred and
seventeen men "enlisted in the regular army and a
considerable number in the navy, and some in other
State organizations, supplying to the Union force
twenty-four hundred and ninety-seven men, or two
hundred and twenty-four more than were required by
all demands of the government.
While men were eager and earnest to do their duty
to their country the ladies were no less patriotic.
Meetings were immediately formed for supplying the
wants of those who had sprung to arms at the shortest
notice, and who had sacrificed all the comforts of
peaceful homes for the uncertaiu and unaccustomed
life of the so'dier.
Some regular associations had been formed on the
day that the President issued his first call for seventy-
five thousand men. Sewing circles were formed all
over the Northern States to prepare clothing, band-
ages, lint, havelocks, &c., and to furnish delicacies for
the hospitals. Lawrence was not behind others in
these patriotic efforts. But, as the armies increased
914
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
in numbers and the war assumed its gigantic propor-
tions, system became necessary. Tlie ladies of New
York City early formed the Woman's Central Relief
Society, which was the germ of the Sanitary Commis-
sion. Then branches of this association were formed
in different parts of the country, the New England
Branch having headquarters in Boston with Miss Abby
W. May as chairman, and it was as an adjunct to this
society that the Lawrence Soldiers' Aid Society was
formed. Early in 1862 some Boston friends applied
to Mrs. George D. Cabot to inaugurate the movement
here, a work which she would have been glad to un-
dertake but for physical inability. Mrs. Cabot called
to lier aid Mrs. George A. Walton, a lady full-cliarged
with the feeling of the time, and of marked executive
power. Alter consultation with Mrs. Daniel Saunders
a call was issued for a meeting of ladies at the City
Hall Council Room ; the room was filled and an or-
ganization at once effected with Mr-*. Walton for presi-
dent, Mrs. Saunders for vice-president and Miss Annie
Garland (now Mrs. C. N. Chamberlain), secretary and
treasurer. Mrs. Walton and Mrs. Saunders served
till the end of the war; Miss Garland till October,
when she was succeeded by Miss Ella Payne, who
continued in office till the disbanding of the society.
Their first act was to levy an assessment on each
member of twenty-five cents; in this way fifty-two dol-
lars was raised with which to purchase materials and to
commence work. Contributions from individuals fol-
lowed, contributions from the various churches and con-
tributions from people employed in the mills. A public
entei'tainment and a Union Fair yielded good results.
Without going into minute details, the results of the
society may be summed up as follows : Forwarded to
the Commission, 2G30 articles of clothing, 964 hand-
kerchiefs, 774 articles of bedding, 54 boxes of lint and
bandages, 2 boxes of books, besides canned fruit, jel-
lies, old cotton and linen, sponges, soap, &c. Finan-
cial statement: received from churches, $359.26; from
individuals, $414.28 ; proceeds of entertainment, $227.-
45 ; proceeds of Union Fair, $6293.32 ; ten cent con-
tributions, $795.64; total, $8089.95. Of this amount,
$2447.32 was expended for materials, $3500 was given
to the Sanitary Commission, $500 was given to the
Christian Commission, and the balance to Rev. George
P. Wilson, the city missionary for soldiers or their
families in Lawrence.
The finance committee of the Union Fair were Dr.
William D. Lamb, Rufus Reed and William R. Ped-
rick. The executive committee consisted of the above-
named, with George P. Wilson (city missionary), Pat-
rick Murjihy, Mrs. Daniel Saunders, Mrs. George R.
Kowe, Mrs. George A. Walton and Mrs. A. J. French.
The city government was prompt in appropriating
money to meet all necessary demands, expending dur-
ing its continuance, exclusive of State aid, over $115,-
000, and for State aid to the families of volunteers,
afterward repaid by the State, more than $192,000.
It would be invidious to attempt an account of the
services of individuals or companies, of their bravery
in battle, or the hardships endured in the prisons of
the South. These alone would make a volume, inter-
esting as a novel, and which would prove the saying
that " truth is stranger than fiction."
It may be pardonable, however, to mention one
regiment which, for the extent of its travels and the
number of its engagements, was somewhat notable.
The Forty-first Infantry was mustered in November
1, 1862, and served under General Banks in Louisiana.
In April, 1863, at Opelousas, they were converted into
mounted riflemen, drawing their horses from the sur-
rounding country. June 17, 1863, they were joined
by three unattached companies of Massaehui^etts cav-
alry, and tlie whole body of thirteen hundi'ed were or-
ganized as the Third Cavalry and served in the Red
River campaign. June 24, 1864, they were dismounted
by special order, armed as infantry again, left Lcmisi-
ana July 15th with orders to report to General Grant
at Fort Monroe, Va., serving six months as infantry
in Virginia. February 15, 1865, remounted as cavalry,
and May 23d went to Washington and took part in
the grand review of the army by the President. June
14th were sent to St. Louis and thence to Fort Leaven-
worth, Kansas, on account of the Indian troubles on
the Western plains, and on the 25th turned over their
horses to the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. On the 21st
of July the regiment was consolidated into six com-
panies, Captain Charles Stone, of Lawrence, com-
manding Company D. On the 23d horses were drawn
for the regiment and orders were received to report at
Fort Kearney, Nebraska. August 23d received si.x
months' pay and on the 24th were ordered to report
to Major-General Connor, at Julesburg, Colorado,
reaching Cottonwood Springs August 28th. They re-
turned and were mustered out of service October 8,
1865, having marched fifteen thousand miles and hav-
ing fought in more than thirty engagements.
Roll of Lawrence Volunteers in the Army and Navy,
who tcere killed in battle or died while in service in the
Civil War :
Adams, Walter T killed Nov. 9, ISC:), White Plains, La.
Adams, James died April 4, lsr.3, Baton Rouge, La.
Alison, Charles dieil April 10, ISC'i, Baton Rouge, La.
Ames, Thonias C killed June IG, 18G4, Petersburg, Va.
Archiliald, William died February :il, 1863.
Armstrong, Thomas died October 3, 1803, Baton Rouge, La.
Atkiuson, Robert J killed May 19, 1SG4, Spottsylvania.
Aylward, William died Dec. 12, 18G2, Philadelphia.
Baker, Edward died Aug. 12, 18G3, Baton Rouge.
Barr, Robert G killed Dec. 12, 1802, Tanner's Ford, Va.
Barker, Asa killed May 19, 1804, Spottsylvania.
Barry, Michael S died in prison at Danville, Va.
Batenian, Samuel diedAug. 22, 1862, Carrollton, La.
Bean, Chas. T died May 22, 1864, Richmond. Va.
Berry, Charles died Nov. 14, 1863, New York.
Berry, Horace S died Oct. 28, 1SC2, Miner's Hill, Va.
Bingham, James died April 2,5, 1863, Baton Rouge.
Blood, Milton H missing in battle May 16, 1804.
Bodwell, Leonard died Dec. 20, 18C2.
Branch, Geo. L. F died Jan. 14, 1864, Beaufort, S. C.
Breen, Timothy died iu the hands of the enemy.
Brown, Moses died March 12, 1863, New Orleans.
LAWRENCE.
915
Brown, Stephen died Nov. 26, 1803, Folly Islaiul, S. C.
Buckley, James died of wounds Jvily 2"), 18*32.
Bums, Jjimt'S F killed September 1, 18r)2, Clmutilly, Va.
BulU*n, .losoph W difd Oct. 26, 18H4, Aiidi-rsunviUe.
Bushel, Fniucis A kille.i Miiy 11, ISOI, Ashland, Vii.
Crtrlton, Edwnrd killed Juno :i, 18G4, Cold Harbor, Va.
Carr, Goo. W died Fob. 19, 1864, Richmond, Ya.
Chandler, Guslavus A. ..drowned July 3, lSti4, Uliesissippi River.
Clarendon, Edw. n..died of wounds Oct. 17, l8fU, Winchester, Va.
Clark, Miles died Oct. 3, 186:i. Franklin, La.
Clifford, l.ucius died May 2, ISCi.
Clines, Patrick killed Dec. 13, 1862, Frederickahurff, Va.
Cogger, John killed May lU, lSf.4, Spottaylvania.
Collins, Wui.H. ..died of wounds June 17, lSi;4, Washington, D. C.
Connor, Thomas ....died
Connors, John. ..died of wounds June 17, 1864, Washingtcm, D. C.
Cook, George died Aug. 24, 1863, Fort Monroe, Va.
Cooper. Thomas H died Dec. .% 1862, New Orleans.
Crawshaw, Richard killed June 14, 1H(;;!, Port Hudson, La.
Creaden, John missing in action July 2, 1«63, Gettysburg.
CrafTy, Chas. H died Aug. 8. 1862, New Orleans.
Crosby, Robert killed May 10, 1864, Spottsyhania.
Cunimings, Geo. P..died of wounds Sept. 9, 18G4, Alexandria, Va.
Cune, Thomas missing in action Dec. 13, 18G2.
Curry, John died July 14, 1862, Baltimore.
Curran, Patrick .killed Jime 27, 1862, Gaines' Mill.^, Va.
Gushing, William died of wounds July 16, 1864.
Cutter, Chas. H died May 3n, 1864.
Cutter, Geo. S killed June 16, 1864, Petersburg, Va.
Dacey, Jeremiah killed April 8, 1864, Sabine Cross Roads, La.
Dauahy, Patrick died Jan. 2(1, 1863, New Orleans.
Davis, Albert A died of wounds June 21, 18li4, Washington.
Davis, Tlionuu* B died May 31, 1861, Andersonville.
Davis, Benjamin killed May 10, 1864, Laurel Mill, Va.
Davis, George died Oct. 4, 1862.
Donovan, John died of wounds Sept. 17, 1SG2, Antietam.
Donnelly, Patrick died Jan. 20, 1863, New Orleans.
Dow, Wesley W died Aug. 11, 18G3, Port Hudson, La.
Doyle, Jehu killed May, 1864, Yellow Hayou, La.
Drew, Israel L died ?»ov. 6, ISGl, Annapolis, Md.
Driscoll, John died June 12, ISGo, New Orleans.
Duffy, Owen died
Durgin, Alexander died May 21, 1863, New Orleans.
Durgiu, Geo. C killed May I'J, 1864, Spottsylvauia.
Edmundson, James died Aug. IS, 1863, Cleveland, Ohio.
Emmons, Charles L died
Farrington, Geo killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvauia, Va.
Farren, Joseph died Aug. 16, 1863, Baton Rouge, La.
Finnessey, Thomas died Alexandria, Va.
Foye, John C died June 12, 186l', New Orleans.
French, Chase C died Aug. 1, 1863, Port Hudson, La.
Frazier, Geo. G killed June 1, 1864, Cold Harbor, Va.
Freeman, John B died
Gallagher, Hugh. ..died of wounds June 13, 1862, South Carolina.
Gallison, Jnhu B died Jan. 6, 1865, Lawreuce.
Garland, James S died Jan. 20, 1862, Fort Albany, Va.
Garrity, John killed June 27, 1862.
Gauffy, Charles M died Aug. 18. 1862, New Orleans.
Gilleland, James died Oct. lii, 1S64, in rebel prison,
Glidden, Jasper F killed Sept. 19, 18t)4, Winchester, Va.
Golden, Michael died Nov. 17,1863.
Golden, James died
Goodall, George died Jan. 6, 186,% Philadelphia.
Gooilwin, Chas missing inaction.
Gray, Timothy, Jr died Dec. 2, 1862, Sharj^hurg, Md.
Gray, Alonzo died July 16, 1862, New Orleans.
Greenwood, Paul killed June 27, 1S62, Gaines' Mills, Va.
Griffin, Jae. R..went down with his vessel before Vicksburg, Miss.
Gunning, Thomas. ..ship "Congress;" killed in action with the
"Merrimack," Hampton, Va.
Hale, John died Oct. 18, 1864, AndersonviUe Prison.
Hall, Chas. A died Feb. 12, I860, Fort Reno, D. C.
Hall, Wni. S died Sept. 30, 1864, AndersonviUe.
Hall, Cornelius killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvauia.
Ham, Timothy died Feb. 11, 1865, Salisbury Prison, N. C.
Harding, Dennis missing in the battle of Chattanooga, 1864.
Harding, Michael died of wounds July 3, 1863, Gettysburg.
Haskell, f'harles died of wounds June 19, 1864.
Hayes, William died Marcli I, 186.'), Lawrence.
Hayes, Patrick killed June i:>, lSt32, John's Island, S. C.
Hayes, John F.
Helmer, .John died of wounds, Lawrence.
Henderson, Roderick died Aug. 16, 1SG4.
Hickey, John ^ killed 1862, Bull Run.
Hill, Patrick died May 5, 18G5, Morehead City, N. C.
Hinman, Frank died June 17, 1863. Aldie, Va.
Hogle, Wm. H died Sept. \ 1803, Fort Albany, Va.
Holland, Thonuis died June 15, 1864, in rebel prison.
Holt, .Mfred A killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvauia.
Holt, Wm. T...died of wounds July 12, 1SG3, in the hands of the
enemy.
Horton, Goo died May 9, 1863, New Orleans.
Houghton, Geo died July .30. ls62, Baton Rouge, La.
Howard, Chas W died Oct., lS.j2, Davis Island, N. Y.
Hughes, Michael.
Huntington, Stephen D died July 28, 1862, New Orleans.
Hutchins, John M died June 30, 1862, Savage Station, Va.
Irish, Chas. S killed March 25, 1865, Petersburg, Va,
Jackman, Frank D killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvauia.
Johnson, Elisha B died May 17, 1862.
Jones, Fred. 0 .died May 10, 1864, Davis Island, K. Y.
Joy, William H.
Joy, Henry G.
Jones, Irwin W died Mar. 2, 1865, Annapolis, Md.
Jones, Thomas died Mar. 18,186'', Philadelphia.
Kelley, Timothy killed in action.
Kelley, Edward J killed June 3, 18G4, Cold Harbor, Va.
Keefe, John died in prismi, AndersonviUe, Ga.
Kenny, Edward killed Oct. 19, 1861, Cedar Creek, Va.
Kenny, John killed Dec. 13, 1S62, Freilericksburg, Va.
Kenny, M. B killed in the battle of the Wilderness, Va.
Kent, Geo. G killed June 16, 1864, Petersburg, Va.
Killoran, Michael died Apr 2, ISG4, AndersonviUe.
Kimball, J«#seph W killed June 22,1864, Petoraburg, Va.
Knux, James R died Nov.. 1864, Florence, S. C.
La Bounty, Franklin killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvauia.
Lamphere, Wm. N died Oct. 13, 1863, F.dly Island, S. C.
Lane, Wm. A died May IG, I8G3, Fort Monroe, Va.
Langley, Geo. W died July 4, 18G4, I^altimore, Md.
Lavally, Joseph died Newbern, N. C., June 24.
Learned, Jonas G died Sept. 2, 1864, AndersonviUe.
Learry, Simon died May 22, 1862.
Lovering, John killed July 3, ls63, tiettysburg.
Lovpjoy, James K killed Sept. 19, 1864, Winchester, Va.
Makin, Thomas.
McBride, Felix died Nov, 8, ls63, New Orleans.
McCi.be, James died Oct. 8, 1863, New Orleans.
McCarthy, Dennis, accidentally killed Jan. 27, 1863, Suffolk,
Va.
McCarthy, Timothy died Oct., 1862, Philadelphia.
McCormick, Patrick.
McDonald, Michael died Sept 29, 1S63, Port Hudson, La.
McDonald, John died Aug. 19, 1862, New Orleans.
McGowan, Alden T killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvauia.
McKean, Wm. J died Nov. 28, 1863, St. Augustine, Fla.
McNaniara, Jeremiah. ...died of wounds Nov. 28, 1864, at home.
McNamara, Patrick died Apr. 13, ISGJ, in rebel prison.
McFee, Angus died Oct., 1864, Fort Delaware.
McQuade, John killed Juno 27, iSGi, Gaim-a' Mills, Va.
Melvin, John H died Oct. 13, 18G3, Fort Albany, Va.
Melviu, Samuel died Sept. 20, 1864, Andei-stnivillo.
Jferrill, Geo. W died Apr. 29, 1862, New Orleans.
Merrill, Frank H killed May 16, 1864, Drury's Bluff, Va.
Merrow, Geo. W died of wounds May 24, 1864, Spottsylvauia.
Merrow, George 0 died June 28, 1862, New Orleans.
Mills, James H died June 16, 186.3, Brashear City, La.
Minnehan, Michael died Nov., 1862.
Moore, Joseph W killed June 16, 1N64, Petersburg, Va.
Morgan, William died Aug. 24, 1863.
Morgan, Geo. W killed Apr. 8, 18C.4, Sabine Cross-Iioads, La.
Moriarty, Daniel killed July 13, 186.3, Donaldsonville, La.
Morrison, Alexander died May 11, 18154, New Orleans.
Morse, Rosvvell E., died of wounds July 9, 1864, Faiifax Semi-
nary, Va.
!)16
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Munger, Fred died Mar. 0, 186), Hilton Head, S C.
Murdock, Buchanan killed Oft. 19, '804, Cedar Creek, Va.
lUurrliy, Stephen killed May 19, 18M, Spottsylvania.
Murphy, Jeremiah died May 9, 1865, Ealeigh, X. C.
Murphy, James died Oct. IS, 1863, New Orleans.
Murphy, Philip.
Nason, Hiram P., died of wounds Aug. 12, 1864, at New Haven,
Ct.
Needham, Sumner H killed in Baltimore, April 19, 1861.
Newton, Edwin E. ...killed Apr. 8, 1864, Sabine Cross-Roads, La.
Nichols, Wm. W died Oct. 26, 1863, New Orleans.
Noonan, Patrick killed May 27, 1863, Port Hudson, La.
O'Brien, James died Oct. 8, 1864, Winchester, Va.
O'Biien, Henry died Dec. 6, 1863, Baton Kouge, La.
O'Brien, Thomas killed July 2, 1863, Gettyshurg.
O'Learry, John killed May 12, 1862, Newbern, N. C.
O'Doyle, Michael killed June 17, 18E5.
Packard, Henry died Jan. 29, 1862, o9 Warsaw Island, Ga.
Page, Herman L died of wounds July 7. 1864, Washington.
Parker, Dennis M died Oct. 10, 1862, New Orleans.
Parks, John died Oct. 30, 1864, Newbern, N. 0.
Parshley, Joseph K died at sea Jan 20, 18G3.
Peaslee, Alphens, died of wounds Sept. 18, 1862, Gaines' Mills.
Va.
Phelp.s, S. G died July 22, 1864, Andersonville.
IHerce, Turner E died Oct 21, 1863.
Pike, Wm. H died of wounds June 5, 1863, Baton Rouge.
Pray, Oliver L died July 5, 1S62, New Orleans.
Quimby, Chas. W drowned Apr. 2, 1862, Ship Island, Miss.
Quimby, Orin J died Apr. 25, 1865, Baltimore.
Quinn, Thomas.
Eafferty, Frank killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvania.
Rawson, Orlando died Aug. 16, 1863, Indianapolis.
Reed, John died of wounds May 18, 1864.
Reed, William killed May 16, 1864, Drury's BlutT, Va.
Reniick, C. H killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvania.
Reno, Cbas. J died at sea, Jan. 22, 1863.
Richardson, J. Milton missing in action May 16, 1864.
Richer, Geo. W died Dec. 8, 1862, New Orleans.
Richer, Noah C died Feb. 6, 1863, .\cquia Creek, Va.
Kiddcl I, Walter 9., drowned Dec. 27, 1862, Long Island Sound.
Ripley, Thomas K,
Roaf, Thomas died Nov. 17, 1862, Fort Warren, Boston.
Eolfe, Frank A killed May 19, 1864. Spottsylvania.
Kowe, Asa died Aug. 10, 1864, Andersonville.
Russell, Ziba H killed May 16, 1664, Fort Darling, Va.
Kyder, Stanley died of wounds June 12, l.«64, Washington.
Searles, Warren P.
Shea, Thomas died May 31, 1865, Portsmouth Grove, R. I.
Shepard, Augustus died Aug. 3, 186^, Port Hudson, La.
Short, James killed Sept. 1, 1662, Chantilly, Va.
Simonds, Benjamin W died Jan. 29, 1863, Harper's Ferry, Va.
Slattery, John.
Slattery, Jeremiah died of wounds July 15, 1863, Gettysburg.
Small, John F died of wounds June 29, 1864.
Smith, Stewart killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvania.
Smith, C. Allen killed in action Aug. 3, 186^, Jackson, La.
Smith, Geo. W died July 18, 1862, New Orleans.
Smith, Michael S died Julyl7,1862, New Orleans.
Smith, Charles W died Oct. 18, 1863, Folly Island, S. C.
Spaulding, Wm. H killed June 16, 1864, Petersburg. Va.
Stafford, Geo. W died Nov. 10,1862, Washington.
Stead, James died Jnne4, 1863, Baton Rouge.
Steele, Wm. H.
Stevens, Geo. F died at sea Sept. 16,1866.
Stevens, Gorham P., died of wounds received at Chancellorsville,
prisoner.
Steveus, William 0.
Stoddard, Haverly A killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvania.
Strong, Henry G died at sea Mar., 1864.
Sullivan, Wm killed Dec. 13, 1862, Fredericksburg, Va.
Sullivan, John died of wound May 22, 1864.
Sullivan, George died Aug. 30, 1864, Andersonville.
Sullivan, Michael, died of wounds June 29, 1862, Savage Station,
Va.
Sullivan, John died Oct. 20, 1862, New Orleans.
Tainter, William H killed June 16, 1864, Petersburg, Va.
Taylor, James H died Oct. 22, 1863, Beaufort, S. C.
Thomiison, Andrew G died Oct. 30, 186.', at home.
Thompson, John B killed June .3, 1864.
Thome, Francis R died June 28, 1861, New Orleans.
Tliyng, Daniel G died Aug. 19, 1863, Laconia, N. H.
Varnum. Isaac S died Mar. 5, 1863, Carrollton, La.
Wallace, Webster W., died of wounds Ju!y26, 1864, at Ashburn-
ham, Mass.
Walsh, Martin died Oct. 1, 1861, Danville, Va.
Walsh, Michael.
W'ashburn, Eleazer killed May 19, 1864, Spottsylvania.
Webb, James killed May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville.
Webster, Justus W killed June 16, 1864, Petersburg, Va.
Welsh, Patrick killed Aug. 29, lf62. Bull Uun, Va.
Wheeler, Geo. W died July 25, 1862, New Orleans.
White, Thomas died Dec. 12, 1862, New Orleans.
White, Calvin M died Aug. 27,1862, New Orleans.
Whittemore, Daniel died June 8, 186!, Philadelphia.
Whitten, Joseph L died Aug. 10, 1863, Baton Ronge.
Wiggiu, Mayhew C died Nov. 8, 1864, Andersonville.
Wing, Thomas A died June 2, 1863, Brashear City, La.
Withingtoii, James killed in action May 15, 1864.
Ycaton, Daniel S died Nov. 28 1862, New Orleans.
Yeaw, Leonard died Aug. 25, 1862, New Orleans.
Yore, Patrick diwd Sept. 13, 1862, New Orleans.
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. — A monu-
ment to the memory of the soldiers and sailors of
Lawrence was erected on the Common in 1881. The
initiatory steps for this purpose were taken by Post
39, of the Grand Army of the Republic, in Septem'-
ber, 1879, and five hundred dollars were contributed
by the members; but it was early evident that the
government or the citizens must be enlisted in the
enterprise, in order to build a structure that should
be appropriate and worthy of the city. At a meeting
of citizens held November 13, 1879, a committee of
eleven, consisting of Hon. William A. Russell,
Charles D. McDuffie, Emily G. Wetherbee, Corp. J.
Clinton White, David C. Richardson, Thomas Corne-
lie, Robert H. Tewksbury, Frederick T. Lane, H.
Francis Dunning, Everard H. Kelley and Captain
Daniel F. Dolan, was appointed to consider the sub-
ject and report. This committee reported to a largely
attended meeting of citizens November 24th that a
monument of granite to be placed in some central po-
sition on Lawrence Common was the only memorial
structure for which funds could be readily obtained,
and the only form that would not involve questions of
location and future management. Their report was
very generally endorsed, and it was further decided
that it would be desirable to ask for contributions in
very small sums, that the monument might be liter-
ally the people's monument to the memory of their
dead. The committee were authorized to add to their
number the names of other citizens, and an associa-
tion was at once formed under the name of " The
Monument Association;" President, Robert H.
Tewksbury; Vice-Presidents, John R. Rollins and
Thomas Cornelie; Secretary, Frank O. Kendall;
Treasurer, Henry F. Hopkins; Trustees to receive
and invest the funds, Hon. James R. Simpson, Heze-
kiah Plummer, Waldo L. Abbott, Joseph Shattuck,
Frederick E. Clarke, James S. Hutchinson, Byron
Trueli, John Hart, Hon. Edmund R. Hayden.
LAWRENCE.
917
General Committee, consisting of the original elev-
en members and Major Edward A. Fiske, Major
George S. Merrill, Hun. John K. Tarbox, Joseph
Walworth, Dr. David Dana, Rev. John P. Gilmore,
Granville M. Stoddard, John Fallon, Joseph P. Bat-
tles, Robert Scott, James A. Treat, William R.
Spaulding, Colonel Chase Philbrick, James H.
Eaton, William R. Pcdrick, Hon. Henry K. Webster,
J. C. Bowker, John L. Rover, Colonel J. D. Drew,
John H. Gilman, Hon. Caleb Saunders, Captain Ho-
ratio G. Herrick, Dyer S. Hall, James E. Shepard,
Adolph Vorholz, Rev. E. R. Sanborn, David C.
Crockett, James Lane, Patrick Donahue, R. A. Har-
mon, Lewis G. Holt, D. F. Riley, Albert Emerson,
Michael Carney, James Noonan, Colonel L. D. Sar-
gent, W. H. Coan, D. F. Robinson, Hon. John
Breen, Miss Brassil, Mrs. C. U. Dunning, Mrs. E. P.
Poor, M. B. Townsend, John Shehan, R. H. Seaver
and E. J. Leonard.
Subsequently a society of ladies was organized in
aid of the association, with the following officers:
President, Mrs. A. J. French; Vice-President, Mrs.
E. P. Poor ; Treasurer, Mrs. J. D. Drew ; Secretary,
Mrs. J. E. Shepard ; and active work was at once
commenced. The several corporations, by their
agents and treasurers, generously contributed three
thousand dollars. The school children, through the
efforts of Captain Herrick, by a penny and dime
contribution, raised over two hundred dollars. A
concert by the Ladies' Choral Union, under the direc-
tion of Mr. Reuben Merrill, added about two hun-
dred dollars more, and the remainder was contributed
by the citizens generally, in the mills, workshops,
stores, and in the post-office, police and other depart-
ments of the city, the Grand Army members rais-
ing their donation to seven hundred dollars. The
total cost of the monument was $11,11L75, — the to-
tal number of subscribers being nine thousand one
hundred and thirty-six, and in this list may be found
the names of three of the Chinese residents.
The sub-committee finally appointed, to select the
design of a monument and carry out the work were
Major George S. Merrill, Major E, A. Fiske, Hon. R.
H. Tewksbury, Hon. E. R. Hayden, Dr. David Dana,
Colonel Chase Philbrick and Captain John R. Rol-
lins.
The sub-committee received many plans from some
of our best builders and artists, many of them beau-
tiful, but far exceeding the means at the disposal of
the committee. Three important matters were con-
sidered: 1st, To select good and durable material;
2d, To agree upon a design acceptable in itself,
proper for the locality and not exceeding in cost the
amount of funds actually at their dispo.'*al ; 3d, To
place the work in reliable and responsible hands.
The contract for the stone was finally awarded to
Messrs. Frederick & Field, of Quincy, Mass., and
for the bronze to Maurice J. Power, of New York
City, and both parties executed their work in a very
prompt and satisfactory manner. The crowning fig-
ure of the monument representing " Union " was de-
signed by David Richards and modeled at the foun-
dry of Judge Power. The figure was cut from Con-
cord granite by Mr. Theodore M. Perry at the granite
works in Quincy, who also executed the carved work
on the capital. The shield bears the legend of the
Lawrence municipal seal, " Industria," and the em-
blematic bee.
On the buttresses, at the base of the column stand
three figures in bronze ; the first, representing an in-
fantry soldier, is nearly a duplicate of one in Albany,
N. Y., was designed and modeled by Henry Ellicott,
of New York. Two others, one representing a sailor,
the other a dismounted cavalry ofiicer, were modeled
by "William R. O'Donovan, at the foundry of Mr.
Power, where all were cast.
Ihe monument was dedicated and transferred to
the city on the evening of November 2d, amid a
brilliant display of fire-works and calcium lights,
and was accepted by the mayor, Hon. Henry K.
Webster, in a short but very appropriate address.
The monument hears the following inscriptions :
" Erected in 1S81 l>.v the ppoiile of La^Y^ence
in Iionoruf Soldiers & Sailin's
who fought for Liberty & Uuion.
lSi-.I-lSB.5."
The northeasterly space has the tbilowing lettering
in bronze :
" Time brightens the record of patriotiara
Establif^llee jiiS'lice
And honors sacrifiee."
The easterly tablet bears the following:
" In meniorj' of brave men
Whose sacrifice and death
preserved the Union."
Three bronze tablets contain the names of those
who died in service or were killed in battle.
918
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
LIST OF LAWRENCE SOLDIERS, (as compiled from the Adjutant General's Reports).
AbercromWe, John Co. C 50tli
Abbott, James G Lt. Co. H 4th
Abbott, Geo. A Co. C 41h H. A,
Abbott, Wni. H 2d H. A.
Adams, John R Co. K Gtb & .3d Cav.
Adams, Walter T., Co. B .'id Cav,; killed Nov.
9, l.SliS, White rlttins. La.
Adams, James, Co. B 4tli ; d. Ajir. 4, 1863, Ba-
ton Rouge.
Adler, Christian Co. I f.th
Aikon, Danl. C unassigned
Ahearn, Wm 8th Uuat Co.
Ail-good, John .*. V. K.C.
Alison, Charles, Co. H 4th ; d. Apr. 10, 1863,
Baton Rouge.
Aldred, .James Co. B4th
Allen, Henry H Co. FBth
Allen, Wm Co. F 2Gth
Ames, Charles J Co. K 1st H. A.
Ames, Thomas C, Co. K Ist H. A.; killed
June 10, 1864, Petersburg.
Ambrose, David Co. B 3d Cav.; dead
Annan, Frank Ist Lt. Co. K 1st H. A.
Anderson, Currie Co. B 4th
Archer, Geo. N., 1st Sergt. Co. K 6th & 8th
Inf.
Archibald, Wm d. Feb. 21, 1863, Lawrence
Armstrong, Thos., Co. D 3nth ; d. Oct. 3, 1803,
Baton Rouge.
Ashworth, Thos 8th Unat. Co.
Ashworth, Chas Sergt. Co. K Ist H. A.
Ashworth, Ralph, Co. C 40th ; d. Sept. 29, 1872.
Asklanrt, James A 3d U. S. Inf.
Aspell, Patrick K let U. S. A.
Atkinson, Robt. J., Co. K Ist U. A.; killed May
19, 1864, Si'Ottsytvania.
Atkinson, Saml. W 8th Uuat Co.
Aylwood, Martin Sth Unat. Co.
Aycr, Augustus S Co. I i6th
Aylward, Wm., Co. K 40th N. Y.; d. Dec. 12,
1S62, Philadelphia.
Babb, Joseph A Co. K 6th & Co. H 4th
Bailey, Geo. F Co. F 6th & Co. D 1st Cav.
Bailey, Romanzo Co. F 6tU
Bailey, Wm. A Co. F 6th & Co. B 3d Cav.
Bailey, Marcus M Co. G 11th
Bailey, Warren Sth Cnat. Co.
Bailey, Ambrose Co. I 26th
Bailey, Geo. B Co. C 40th
Bagley, Thomas Co. K 6th
Bagley, Wm. M Co. C 40th
Baker, Edward, Co. B 3d Cav.; d. .Vug. 12, "63,
Baton Rouge.
Baker, John A 2d Lt. Cth L. Bat.
Ballard, Geo. W Sth Unat. Co.
Barrie, Alexander Co. B 3d Cav.
Barr, Robert G., 2d Lt. Co. I 6th ; killed Dec.
12 1802, Tanner's Ford, Va.
Barr, Danl. A Sth Unat. Co.
Bardsley, Wm. E Co.I 6th
Barber, Asa, Co. B 1st H. A.; killed May 19,
1S64, Spottsylvania.
Barry, Joseph Co. I 9th
Barry, Dennis Co. F 26th
Barry, James Co. H 4th
Barry, Michael, Co. F 57th ; d. in prison, Dan-
ville, A'a.
Barry, James Co. K 40th N. Y.
Barry, Thos Co. F 48th
Barrett, Robt Co. K 40th N. Y.
Barlow, Alfred Co. CSOth
Barnes, Timothy P Co. F 26th
Barnes, James E Co. F 26th
Barnes, Wm Co. B 4th
Bartlett, Alonzo M Co. ]) let H. A.
Bartlett, Marcus M Co. K 1st H. A.
Bartlett, Geo. A Q. M. S. Ist H. A.
Bates, Henry C Co. C 4th H. A.
Batchelder, Moulton W., Ist Lt. Co. K 6th & 2d
Lt. Co. C 40th.
Batchelder, Henry W Co. C 40th
Bateman, Sauil., Co. G 30th ; d. Aug. 22, 1862,
Carrollton, La.
Baxter, Johu Co. B 4th
Beadle, Bodwell D Co. H 4th
Beat, Henry Co. F 6th
Beal, Melvin, 2d Lt. Co. F 6th, Capt., Lt. CoL
& Col.
Bean, Josiah Co. K 1st H. A.
Bean, John Co. B 3d Cav.
Bean, Jeremiah R Co. B 22d
Bean, Charles T., Co. C 40th ; d. May 22, '64,
Richmoml, Va.
Beardsley, John B., 2d & 1st Lt. & Capt. Ist H.
A.
Besttie, Wm Co.ESd H. A.
Belrose, Geo Co. K 3d U. A.
Bell, Anderson Co. 1 11th
Bell, Thos Co. B 3d Cav.
Benson, John F Ist Sergt. Co. H 4th
Bennett, Geo Co. H 4th
Begloy, Wm. B V. R. C.
Begor, Lewis Sergt. Co. K 1st H. A.
Belcher, Chas. I. ...Co. F Cth & Co. K let H. A.
Berry, Chas., Co. K Ist H. A.; d. Nov. 14, '63,
N. Y.
Berry, Chas., Jr Co. K 1st H. A.
Berry, Horace S Co. 16th
Berry, Horace S , Co. C 40th ; d. Oct. 28, 18612,
Miner's Hill, Va.
Bessuer, .\lbcrt 3d U. S. Inf.
Bethel, Joseph, Jr Co. C 40th
Bethel, Joseph Co. B 3d Cav.; dead
Binns, Cyrus Co. M Ist H. A.
Bingham, James, Co. H 4th ; d. .\pr. 25, 1S63,
Baton Rouge, La.
Birch, Thos Co. F 48th
Blaisdell, Ralph 9th Lt. Bat.
Blake, Uriah Co. K ;id H. A.
Blake, Richard Co. K 40th N. Y.
Blake, Johu Co. K 40th N. Y.
Blanchard, Geo Co. I 6th
Blood, Milton H., Co, I 6tb & Co. C 40th; misa-
iug in batile May IG, '64.
Blyth, DaviU H 8th Unat. Co_
Blyth, Wm Co. K 6th
Blyth, Jonathan Co. F 48th
Boardman, E. K Sergt. Co. K Ist H. A.
Boardmau, James Co. B 4th
Bodwell, Stephen B., Co. C 6uth & Co. F Ist H.
A.
Bodwell, Leonard, Co. B 48th ; d. Dec. 26, '62.
Bodwell, Geo. A Co.G 30th
Bohonnon, Michael Co. F 16th
Booreman, Fredk Co. K 40th N. Y.
Boston, Gurham P Co. F 26th
Boyle, John (3o. K 6th & Co. B 4th
Bower, Robert Co. C 60th
Bonney, Darius V. B. C.
Boswell, James 1st D. C. Inf.
Brachett, Darius G Co. A Frontier Cav.
Bradley, Geo. V Co. I Ist H. A.
Brachett, Danl. G Co. I 6th
Brady, Frank Co. 1 17th
Biudy, James Co. I I7th
Brady, Hugh 3d U.S. Inf.
Bradbury, James Co. C 40th
Bradshaw, Enoch Co. B 4th
Branch, Geo. L. F...Co. C. 40th ; died Jan. 14,
1864, Beaufort, S. C.
Brannon, Hugh Co. C40th.
Branuon, John Co. K 6th and Co. B 4th
Breen, Timothy. ..Co. G 2d H. A.; died in the
hands of the enemy.
Brigham, Stephen H Co. K 1st II. A.
Briggs, Solou Co. B 22d.
Briggs, Simeon 7th Lt. B.
Brierly, John B Co. K 6th
Brisbois, Gabriel A 2d U. S. Cav.
Brennan, Kyron Sth U. S. Cav.
Brennan, James Co. F 26th
Brock, Leonard Co. C 40th
Brown, Ambrose A Co. K 1st H. A.
Brown, Otis D Co. K Ist H. A.
Brown, John B Co. B 3d Cav.
Brown, Moses. ..Co. B 3d Cav.; died March 12,
1863, New Orleans.
Brown, Francis E Co. A ICth
Brown, James H Co. I 17th
Brown, John Co. D 20th
Brown, John Co. C 40th & V. R. C.
Brown, Frank Co. K 4oth N. Y.
Brown, James P Co. H 4th
Brown, Chas. S Co. F 48th
Brown, Joseph R 9th Lt. B.
Brown, Stephen. ..Co. C 40th; died Nov. 26,
1863, Folly Island, S. C.
Brown, Elias V. K. C.
Brulon, Robert Co. K 40th N. Y.
Bryant, Danl V. B. C.
Bryant, Henry Co.I 17th
Bryant, James L Sth Unattached
Buckley, James. ..Co. D 20th ; died of wounds
July 25, 1862.
Broughton, Sam'I...Co. K 6th, Co. C 40th, Sergt.
Co. D Frontier Cav.
Buckley, James Co. B 4tU
Buckley, Robert Co. F Ist H. A.
Buckley, Joseph Co. K 6th
Buuby, Joseph Co. K 40th N. Y.
Burbank, Goo. W Co. G 12th
Burbank, Nathan V. B. C.
Burnham, Edw'd F Sth Unattached
Buruham, Joseph A Co. C 4th H. A.
Buniham, Wm. H Co. C Fr. Cav.
Burke, Philip Co. F 26th
Burke, John Co. F 28th & V. E. C.
Burke, David Co. B 67th
Burke, Edward Co. K 40th N. Y.
Burke, Patrick Co. F 48th & Co. B Fr. Cav.
Burns, James C Co. C 4th H. A.
Burns, Peter Co. C 4th H. A.
Burns, Wm Co. I 9th & V. R. C.
Burns, Michael Ist Lt. 17th
Burns, James F...Co. K 40th N. Y.; killed Sept.
I, 1862, Chantilly, Va.
Burns, Patrick Co. K 40th N. Y.
Burns, Patrick. Ist U. S. Cav.
Burns, Patrick Sth U. S. Cav.
Bullon, Joseph W...Co. C 40th; died Oct. 26,
1804, .4ndersonville Prison.
Burbank, Nathan V. E. C.
Burrill, Augustus Co. F 6th & Co. F 20th
Bushee, Francis A. ..Co. F 1st Cav.; killed May
II, 1864, Ashland, Va.
LAWRENCE.
919
Buswfll, James C.Co. F Ist II. A., 2(1 Lt., Ist
Lt. & t'iipt.
Butler, Geo. I'".., Co. K Ist 11. A., Sergt., l8t i
2il Lt.
Butler, Edwar.i Co. A let H. A,
Butler, Tinii.tli.v Co. K 2d H. A.
Butler, Au^tin S...Co. U 4th, Co. I GOtU & Co.
r Fr. Cav.
Butler, Henry Co. B 4th
Butler, Thonias M Co. B 4th
Butler, CIms. W Sergt. Co. H. 4th
Butler, Ccileumu Co. H 4th
Butl.rHolil, A.J l8t Sergt. Co. F Cth
Butternorlh, Will Co. C .iOth
B.vliiell, Win C Ist U. S. Cuv.
CailniUB, V.m. B Co. F 2d H. A.
Cahaliin, Dan'l Co. K 1st H. A.
Cnhill, Maurice Co H Utli
Cain, John Co. I i;th
Caiii, Michael 1st U. S. Cav,
Cullahau, Patrick Co. K 1st H. A.
Cullalmu, Th08 Co. H 4th
Callahan, Thos Co. G 59th i 57th
Callahan, Beruard Co. K 40th N. T.
Caffre.v, Daii'l Co F 48th
Cainpliell, Joseph Co. K 1st H. A.
('alupbell, Dliucau Co. H 4th
Caiuphell, .Solc.mon, Jr Co. G .IOth
Canfield, Michael Co. K lltb
CarKill, Thomas M 3d Lt. B.
Carlton, Edward Co. F 6th
Carlton, Edward. ..lat Lt. Co. I 40th; killed
June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Va.
Carlton, Frank C Co. K 6th
Carlisle-, Oriu S Co. I Cth
Carpenter, (ieo. B Co. E 1st H. A.
Carpenter, George Co. K 1st H. A.
Can-, John 8th U. S. Cav.
Carr, Charles 8th Unattached & K 1st H. A.
Carr, Goo. W...Co. B ;id Cav.; died Feb. 19,
1864, BichuKUid, Va.
Carrawa.v, Tallas F Co. C 41h II. A
Carroll, I'atrick Co. 1 >ith
Carroll, James Co. I 17lh
Carroll, John J Co. I 6th
CanuthoiT, John Co. B 3d Cav.
Carter. Austin F Co. F 1st H. A.
Garter, Levi H...Co. K 1st II. A.; died August
1, 188(1.
Carter, Wm. S Co, K 1st H. A. i 8th Unat.
Carter, Saiu'l Co. F 26lh
Casey, John Co. C 4th H. A.
Casey, John Co. B 4th
Casey, John. .-Co. II 4th, re-enlisted {'tli Maine,
served through the war.
Casey, Wm Co. I 6th
Casey, Wm. E Co. F Ist H. A.
Cassidy, Peter Co. D 9th
Cass, Michael Ist U. S. Cav.
Cate, T. J. ...2d Lt. Co. F r.th & Lt. U. S. Army.
Cauify, Edward Co. F 6th
Cavalmugh, James Co. F 1st H. A.
Oavanau(;h, Slichael Co. I 17th
Cavauaugh, Joseph Co. I I7th
Chadbourue, B. F Capt. Co. F 6th
Chadwick, Fitz Henry Co. H. 4th
Chaffin, Willard Co. F 6th & Ist Lt. B.
Chamberlain, Forest B Co. I 6th
Chandler, Gustavus A...Co. B3d Cav.; drowned
July 3, 1864, Mississippi River.
Charlu'Ck, Thomas Co. A 1st H. X^
Chard, John Co. K 1st H. A.
Chard, Edw. F Co. F 26th, tr. 1st U. S. Art.
Charlesworth, Emanuel Co. C 50th
Chapin, Milo J Co. H 4th
Chapman, Wm. H Co. C 2d H. A.
Chapman, Adclbert O V. E. C.
Chase, Silas .M Co. F Ist H. A.
Chase, Kdwin E Co. B 3d Cav.
Chelly, John Co. K 6th
Cheney, Bradford Co. GSlith
Chinook, Wm. W Co. F. 26tl]
Clarendon, James A Co. B 8th
Claren.lon, Edw. II..C0. H. 4th and Co. I 26th ;
d. of wounds Oct. 17, 1SG4, Winchester,
Va.
Clark, Alvin S 8th Unat.
Clark, Herbert T Co. C 4th H. A.
Clark, John Co. 117th
Clark, Enoch G Co. G 30th
Clark Miles Co. G 30th ; d. Oct. 3, 1863,
Franklin, La.
Clark, Wm Co. F. 35th
Clark, Alonzo B Co. C 4lith
Claik, Selh F Co. I 6th
Clark, Rufus B Co. C 40th
Clark, Edw.ird Co. F. 4nth
Clark (ieo. H 4th Lt. Bat.
Clair, Robert Co. D 20th
Chiry, James 3d U. S. Inf.
Cleary, Timothy Co. B 4th
Cleworth, Aaron 7th Lt. Bat.
Clifford, Wm Co. D 66th
Clifford, Lucius Co. I 1st H. A. ; d. May 2,
1865.
Clifford, Alonzo...Co. I 16th W^isconsin ; killed
April 6, 1802, Shiloh, Tenn.
Cline, Patrick Co. F Ist H. A.
Cliue, Patrick Co. H 4th
Cliucs. I'atrick Co. K 40th N. Y. ; killed
I)ec. 13, 1802, Fredericksburg, Va.
Clough, Wm. H Co. 0. 12th ; trans, to V.
E. C.
Clough, Wm. II. ..Co. C40th ; d. Aug. 21, 1882
Cohert, Richard 1st U. S. Cav,
Coburn, Wm. A Co. C 4th H. A.
Cochrane, Thomas Co. I 6lh
Cochrane, Dauiel B Co. K Ist H. A.
Cocanech Charles Co. H. 4th
0)gger, Eugene 8(h Unat.
Cogger, John. ..Co. K 0th ; billed May 8, 1864,
Spottsylvania.
Colcord, Daniel CoF. IstH. A.
Collins, Wm. H..C0. K Ist II. \. ; d. of wounds
June 17, 1864, Washington, 1). C.
Collins, Timothy H Co. C 4th H. A.
Collins, Timothy Co. H. 4th
Collins, John W Co. A 33d
Collins, Timothy Co. K 40th N. Y.
Colby, Steplieu M Co. I. Cth and 8th Unat.
Colby, Edwin H Sth Unat.
Colby, Eben. T Capt. Co. B4th and Lt.-Col.
Colby, Wm. K 2d and 1st Lt., and Capt. Co.
C 40th
Colbert, Edward Co. 1 2d H. A.
Colby, Stephen J D. 1st N. H. H. A.
Colburu, Geo. W Co. I. 6th
Coleman, Thomas Co. B 4th
Collopy Michael Co. I 10th
Condon, James Co. K IstH. A.
Condon, John , Co. H. 4th
Couant, James H Co. I 2d
Conaut, James 11 Co. H 4th
Couant, Albert G Co. I 26th
Connor, Ohas. G Co. I 2d H. A.
Connor, Jeremiah Co. H 1st Cav.
Connor, Timothy Co. G let
Connor, John Co. G 30th
Connor, Chas. G Co. I 6th
Connors, John. ..Co. K Ist II. A. ; d. of wounds,
June 17, 1.864, Washington, D. C.
Connors, Matthew Co. I 6th
Connors, Thomas 8tli Unat.
Connolly, Jidin Sth I'liat.
Constable, W. M Ist U. S. Cav.
Converse, Gilbert P Co. F Cth
Connelly, Michael Co. C 9th
Cook, Beiij. C Co. H 4th -
Cook, Thomas N Co. I 26th
Cook, George.. ..Co. K 40th N. Y. ; d. Aug. 24,
18n3, Ft. Monroe, Va.
CooliJge, B:ihhvin Co, K 6th
Cooney, Dennis 1st U. S. Cav.
Cooper, Tlios. H....C0. G 30th ; d. Dec. 6, 1862,
New Orleans.
Copp, Joseph F.Co. C4nth ; trans, to V. R. C.
Copp, Geo. E Co. K Ist H. A.
Corey, Chas Sth Unat.
Corcoran, .lames..Co. II 9th; trans, to V. R. C.
Corning, Samuel Co. B3dCav.
Corrigan, .\udrew Co D. 28th
Coughlin, James Co. I 9th
Coupe, Theophilus t'o. G30th
Cowdrey, Oliver W Co. F 6th
Coyne, Patrick Co E. .VJth and .'i7lli
Crawford, Geo. W V. K. C.
Crane, Peter Sth Unat. and Co. I 6th
Crawshaw, Richard Co. B 4th ; killed .tune
14, 1863, Port Hudson, La.
Creaden, John Slissing in action, July 2,
186.3, Gettysburg.
Creaden, John Co. F 20th
Craffy, Chas. M Co. G 30th ; d. Aug. 8, 1862,
New Orleans.
Creighan, John Co. K 6th
Crocker, Frank T Co. 1 6th
Crocker, Fred. W Co. 1 61h
Crockett, Nelson D Co. F 2i:th
Crockett, Geo. E Co. B ;id Cav.
Crockett, Leander F Co. C 4th H. A.
Crosby, Robert Co. KIst U. A. ; killed May
19, 1864, Spottsylvania.
Crosby, AI011/.0 Sth Unat.
Crosby, Patrick Co. B 3d (.:av.
Crosby, James C\>. G 2d H. A.
Crosdale, Patrick Co. 1 3otb
Cronse, Wm. E 2d Lt. 1st H. A
Crouse, John F Co. K 1st H. A.
Crowell, Daniel D Co. K Ist H. A.
Crowley, Dennis Co. I 2d H. A.
Crowley, John Co. E loth
Crowther, Wm Co. D 20th
Cruickshanks, Thomas Co. H 4th
CummingB Geo. P Co. K Ist H. A ; d. of
wounds Sept. 9, 1864, Alexandria, Va.
Cumming.s, Chas. E 1st Lt. Bat.
Cumnock, John Co. B 4th
Cune, Thomas (.'o. K 4(lth N. Y. ; missing in
action Dec. 13, 1862.
Cunningham, Michael B Co. C 4th U. A.
Cunningham, .John Co. I 17th
Cunningham, Edw Co K 4ilth N. Y.
Curry, Patrick Co. K 6th
Curry,.Iohn Co. I I7th ; d. July 14, 1862,
Baltimore.
Curtin, Patrick Co. I 6th
Curtin, John Co. K 40tli N. Y.
Curran, Patrick Co. I 9th ; killed .lune 27,
1862, Gaines' Mills, Va.
Currier, .\aron ,\ Co. B 4th
Cushing, William Co. K 40th N. Y. ; d. of
wounds July 16, 1804, Mt. PleiLsant Hosp.
Cutler, Chas. H....C0. M Ist H. A. ; d. May 30
I81.4.
Cutter, Geo. S Co. F 1st H. A. ; killed June
16, 1804, Petersburg, Va.
Cutter, James >! (?o. K 6th
930
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Cutting, Chandler Co. C Jtli H. A.
Cutting, SiUa H Co. B 3d Cav.
racey. Jeremiah Co B 3d Cav. ; killed .ipr.
8, 1SG4, Sabine Cfos-* Roads, La.
Dacey, Timothy 1st Lt. (^. I 9tli ; d. Dec.
Ill, 1880.
Dacey, Cornelius Co. 1 0th
Dame, Albeit L Co. B. 1st H. A.
D.iley, Maurice Co. 1 17th
Daley, John Co. F 2iith
Da'ey, Patriclt C Co. K 41)th N. Y.
Dane, Sylvanus W Co. K 1st H. A.
Dane, liicbard G Co. P 20tU
Danforth, Vespasian Co. C 40th
Dauahy, Patrick, Co. F 20th ; died Jan. 2 ',
1SG:3, New Orleans.
Dana, David, M.D Surgeon
Darrell, Geo. G Co. C 4th H. A.
Darlislo, Timothy Co. F 48th
Daulton, John H Co. K 2d H. A.
Davis, Albert A., 2d Lt. and Capt. Co. K 1st H.
A. ; died of wounds June 21, 1804, Wash-
ington.
Davis, Daniel Co. F Ist H. A.
Davis, Eichard H Co. F Isf H A.
Davis, Thomas B., Co. U Ist Cav.; died May
31, 1804, Anderaonville.
Davis, W. H. H Co. K fith
Davis, Solomon S Co. K 0th
Davis, Win. F Co. C. llith
Davis, James L Co U4th
Davis, Isaacs Co. H 4th
Davis, Frank., Sergt. to Capt. Co. K 1st H. A.
and Major ; died May 19, 1875.
Davis, John F Co. G 3 ith
Davis, Benjamin, Capt. Co. B 22d Uegt. ; killed
May III, 1804, Laurel Hill, Va.
Davis, George Co. B 22d ; died Oct. 4, 1802
Dawson, Firth Co. H 4th
Decker, Daniel V. R. C.
Decker, Peter Co. H Ist H. A.
Decker, Jefford M Lt.-Col. IDth
Decker, Smith M Capt. and Col. Co. K (ith
Dean, Simeon P Co. I Oth
Degnan, .Matthew Co. G 00th
Dearborn, La Roy Co. I Gth
Delaney, Dennis Co. F 30th
Dennett Ira B Co. G 30th
Dennis, John Co. B 4th
Devoy, Lawrence Co. B 1st Cav.
Deforce, John V. B. C.
Denton, Alfred M V. B C.
Dill, Knowles 3d U. S. Inf.
Dmingbain, Perloy L Co. F 1st H. A.
Dilworth, John 8th Unattached
Dilley, David Co. 1 17th
Diniieen, John Co. G 3:id
Dinueen, Patrick Co. H 4th
Dinnecn, .leremiah Co I 0th
Dionne, Remi Co. K fith
Dixon, Alanson Co. C 40th
Dodds, Henry Ist Dist. Columbia Inf.
Dodge, Joseph W 8th Unattached
Dolliver, Thornaa H Co. M 1st H. A,
Doeffler, John Co. I 2d
Dodge, John A Co. B 11th
Dolau. Barnard Co. F 20th and Co. G 30th
Dolan, James Co. E 30th
Dolloff, David C Co. B 4th
Dogali, Meusar B Co. C40lh
Douellan, Michael 1st U. S. Cav.
Donovan, Jerry F Co. F 1st H. A.
Donovan, John .8th Unattached
Donovan, John, Co. H 2d ; died of wounds
Sept. 17, 1862, Aulietam.
Donovan, Florence Co. I 17th
Don ivaii, John Co. I 17th
Donnelly, Tliomiis..Co. 0 Fr. Cav. and Co, K 0th
Donnelly, Patrick, Co. F 20th ; died Jan. 20,
1803, New Orleans.
Donnelly. Frank Co. K 40th N. Y.
Donahue, Thomas Co. K 40th N. Y.
Dooley, Morris Co. G 28th
Dorsey Michael Co. H 4th
Dougherty, John 3d U. S. Inf.
Dougherty, Patrick Co. I 0th
Dougherty, John Co. I 20tli
Dow, John M .. 2d Lt. Co. K Ist H. A.
Dow, Charles E 8tll Unattached
Dow, Wesley W., Co. B3cl Cav. ; died Aug. 11,
1803, Port Hudson, La.
Dow, Albert 1 2d Lt. Co. B 4th
Dow, Albert Co. C 40th
Dowd, Dominick Co. I 17th
Doyen, Franklin E Co. K 6th
Doyle, Wm, M Co. F. Otii
Doyle, Michael 8th Unattaclied
Doyle, John Co. I 17th
Doyle, Michael O., Co. H 5'.lth ; killed June
17, 1805.
Doyle, John, Co. B 3d Cav. ■, killed May, 1864,
Yellow Bayou, La.
Drew, Israel, lat Lt. Co. H 4th N, H. ; died
Nov. 0, 1801, Annapolis.
Drew, Edgar -Co. 11 4th N. H.
Drew, Clarence E Co. B 4th
Drew, Jeremiah D Lt.-Col. 4th N. H.
Drew, James W Co. B 3d Cav.
Drew, Charles B Co. I 6th
Drew, George A Co. I 6th
Driscoll, John Co. I 3d Cav.
Driscoll, John, Navy ; cied June 12, 1805, New
Orleans,
Drummey, Patrick Co. F 20th
Drummond, James Co. K 40th N. Y.
Duchesney, Lawrence N., Co. F 0th ; Sergt., 2d
and 1st Lt, Co. U 1st Cav, ; in Libby; Capt,
2Ctli N. Y, Cav, ; Capt. 1st Batt'n Frontier
Cav,
Duchesney, Felix Co. K 40th N. Y.
Duffy, Owen
Duffy, Wm Co. D 26th
Duffv, Patrick 3d U.S. Inf.
Duffln Eichard Co. D 20th
Dufresne, Edward Co. B 4th
Dngal, Cliarles E 1st U, S, Cav.
Dugan, Dennis, Co, D 9th
Dugan, Jeremiah V. R, C.
Dunby, Cyrus F Co. C 4th H. A.
Duncan, James Co, B 11th
Duncan, Edward 8th Unattached
Duncan, James 8th Unattached
Duncan, Wm Co. B 4th
Dunn, John M :W U. S. Inf.
Dunn, John 8th U. S. Inf.
Dunn, Edward Co, I 6th
Duputrine, Calvin W Co, M Ist H, A,
Durgan, Jacob E Co. H 4th N, H.
Durgin, Geo. C, Co, A 1st H, A, ; killed May
19, 1804, Spottsylvania.
Durgin, Charles C : Co. F Ist H. A.
Duiging, Chase C Co. F 1st H. A.
Durgin, A. E Co. K 6th
Durgin, Alexander, Co. H 4th ; died May 21,
1863, New Orleans.
Durrell, Geo. 6 Co. I 6th
Dwyer, Thomas Co. I !)th
Dw.ver, Patrick Co D 28th
Dyer, Wm, H Co, F 0th
Dyer, Lewis K Co. D 12th
Dyer, Joseph Co. B 4th
Dyson, Thomas Co, K 6th
Eaniea, James Co, K 1st 11. A.
Earl, Robert B Co. K 40th N. Y.
Eastman, John F., Co. M 32d, from 2d Co,
Sharpshooters,
Eaton, J, Frank Co, B, 4th & Co, K 6th
Eaton, Wm. C Co, E 8th
Eaton, Willis G 7th Bat,
Eddy, David Co. I Qlh
Edgerly, Chas, A Co, C 4th H, A
Edgecomb, James,.8th Unattached & Co F 48th
Edmonds, John Co, A 3d H, A,
Edmundson, James, Co. B 4th ; died Aug. 18,
lS6.i, Cleveland, 0,
Edson, Calvin H, N Co, B 3d Cav.
Edwards, Wm Co. K 40th N, Y,
Edwards, Frank A Co. K 6th
Eldridge, Hezekiah Co H 4th
Eldridge, James 8th U. S. Cav,
Eliot, Alvin D Co. B 3d Cav,
Eliot, Russell C Co, B .3d Cav.
Ellenwood, Eben H,, 3d Lieut, Co, 6th (3
months) ; 1st Lieut, Co, I oth (9 raontba) ;
lat Lieut, 8th Unattached.
Ellenwood, Chas, T Co, I 6th
Ellis, Oliver Co. IlSith
Ellis, James Co, B 4th
Ellsworth, Wm, M 8th Unaltjiched
Elmerwold, Dearich 8th U.S. Cav.
Emerson, Horace Co. C 4th H, A.
Emerson, Walter F Co. C 4th H. A.
Emerson, John D,.Co. I Oth ; 2d Lieut, Co, K Oth
Emerson, Moses W Co, D, 47th
Emery, Solomon D Co, M "d Cav,
Emory, David N Co, K 1st H. A.
Emory, John W Co. I 2Gth
Emiuona, Wm Co. K 40th N. Y.
Ennis, Win Co, F 26th
Ephraim, Joseph H Co, K 31st
Ewings, Samuel 8th Unattached
Eylward, William see Aylward
Fahey, Nicholas 8th Unattached
Tales, Henry C Co. F let H.A.
Fagan, Lawrence Co. C 4th H. A.
Fagan, Christopher, Co, I 17th ; also 10th N. H.
and Navy,
Fannon, John K Co, M 3J
Fails, Allen C Co, I 20tU
Farrell, James Co, F 26th
Farrow, llobt Co, F 48th
Farriugton, Geo , Co. B 1st H. A. ; killed May
19, 1864, Spottsylvania.
Farmer, Joseph B Co. K IstH. A.
Farquhar, James, Co. B 4th ; died Feb. 25, 1882.
Farwell, Fred. M Co. I Oth
Favor, Joseph W 8th Unattached
Faul, Herman U. S. Heg. Band
Fearnley, John U, S, Reg, Band
Ferns, Frank Co, K 40th N, Y,
Ferren, Joseph, Co, H. 4th ; died Aug, 16,
1863, Baton Rouge, La.
Fernald, Edward I Co. D 22d
Finn, John 3d U. S. Inf.
Fineral, Patrick Co. K 40th N, Y.
Finnessy, Thoinae, Co. K 40th N. Y. ; died Al-
exandria, Va,
Fish, John Co, F Ist H. A
Fisher, James A Co, B 3d Cav.
Fish, Clias Co. B 4th ; died Nov. 15, 1884
Fisher, John M Co. K 6th
Fitts, James W Co. I 6th
Fitzgerald, John Co. H 4th
Fitzgerald, Chas Co, M 4th Cav,
Flagg, Charles H Co, F Ist H, A.
LAWRENCE.
921
Fhinclers, Geo. F., Co. F 26th ; trans, to Ist U.
S. Art.
FlHiKlen., Chas. W Co. C 40th
Fletcher, Wm. F 3ii U. S. Inf.
Fliivin, Thomas Co. B 1st II. A.
Flemming, James Co. I 0th
Fl.vnn, John Co. H 4th
Flyun, Thomas Co. H 4th
Flynn. James, L'd Co. D 12th
Fl.vnn, Henry Co. K 4nih N. Y.
Flynn, Patriek Co. K 40th S. Y-
Foster, Kdward U. S. Ordnance Corps
Forlies, \Vm, W Co. I2Cith
FoUanshee, Geo. S 2d Lient 1st H. A.
Fnlsoui, Chas. H Co. K Ist H. A.
Foran, John Co FlstH. A.
Forth, Morris Co. K Ist 11. A.
Forsyth, John Co. K 1st H. A.
Ford, Martin Co. D 2d Cav.
Foster, Chae. H Co. H 1st H. A.
Foster, Maurice Co. R Ist H. X.
Foster, Wm. K Co. O. 3d H. A.
Foster, Chas. H Co. B 3d Cav.
Foster, II. Willard Co. B 3d Cav.
Foster, John D Co. C 30th
Foster, Richard H Co. F 20th
Foster, Charles Co. K 40th N. Y.
Foss, Oilman P Co. K Ut II. A.
Foy, John, Co. G 30th ; died Juno 12, 1802,
New Orleans.
Fox, Henry L Co. C 4th H, A
Frederick, Chas 3d U. S. Inf.
French, Allen T Co. B 4th
French, Horace E Co. F 1st H. A,
French, Chase C, C,>. II 4th ; diod Aug. 1.
1803, Port Hudson, La.
French, Henry F Co. B 3d Cav.
French, Geo. W Co. E 19th
Fredericks, Theodore Co. K 40th N. Y.
Fremmer, Geo Co. H 4th
Fremmer, Jacob Co. H 4th
Freeman, Timothy Co. F 26th
Froora, Mark Co B 4th
Frost, Orin P 8th Unattached
Frazier, Geo., Co. C 40th ; killed June 1, 1861,
Cold Harbor, Va.
Frye, Ira Co. I Gth
Frye, Geo Co. K Ist H. A.
Furhur, Lyman V. B., Co. D Ist Cav. ; died
Oct. 10, 1802.
Furbush, Chas. H., Co. F Gth and navy, the
"Brooklyn."
Gallagher, Patrick Co. I 0th
Gallagher, Felix Co. C 4()th
Gallagher, Hugh, Co. D 28th ; died of wounds
June 13, 1862, South Carolina.
Gallagher, Patrick 8th U. S. Inf.
Gallagher, John Co. B 50th
Gamon, Archibald, Co. B 60th ; trans, to V. K. C.
Gallison, John B., Co. C 40th ; died Jan. 6,
1805, Lawrence.
Gardner, Joseph W Ci). K Ist H. A.
Garland; James S., Co F 1st U. A. ; died Jan.
20, 1802, Fort Albany, Va.
Garrity, John Co I 9th ; killed June 27, 1802
Garrity, Peter M Co I 20th
Garvin, Michael Co. K 40th N. Y.
Gatley, Wm. A U. S. hospital steward
Gauffy, Chas. M., C.). G .30th ; died Aug. 18,
1802, Kew Orleans.
Gearin, Wm. F... Co. B 4th ; died March, 1887.
Geary, John 3d U. S. Inf.
George, John H C(». D 1st Cav.
George, Daniel D., Co. D Ist Cav. ; trans, to
Navy.
58i
Ge8.sing, Win E Co I 2d H. A.
Genreaux, Edward Co. C4th U. A.
Giddiugs, James U Co. K 2d Cav.
Giles. Geo Co. C 4th H. A.
Geluk, Martin V. R. C.
Giles, Geo Co. D 9th
Giles, Chas. II Co. F20lh
Gilgan, James Co F26th
Gilleland, James, Co. D 17th ; died Oct. 19,
1804, in Confederate prison.
Gilford, Henry Co. K Ist H. A.
Gilmore, Robert Co. K 2d H. A.
Gilman, John H Co. B 4th
Gilmore, Peter Co. Doth
Gllson, Alpheus L Co. F 26th
Gilloran, P.-itrick Co. I 17th
Gingros Victor G., Co. I 0th ; wounded in Bal-
niore April I'J, 1801.
Gleason Michael, Co. A 3d H. A. ; trans to
Navy.
Glover, John H Ist Lt. 1st H. A.
Glidden, .laspor F., Co. B. 3d Cav. ; killed in
action Sept 19, 1804, Winchester, Va.
Golden, James Co. C. 1st Bat. 11. A.
Golden, Michael, Co. D 17th N. Y. ; died Nov.
17,1863.
Goldsmith, Melvin H Co. I Ist II. A
Goldsmith, Chas 8th U. S. Inf.
Goodrich, Stephen W Co. F let H. A-
Goodrich, Edward Co. B30th
Goodall, George, Co. F. 26th ; died Jan. 6,
1805, Philadelphia.
Goodwin, Thomas Co. C 50th
Goodwin, John J Co. B 30th
Goodwin, Edward Co. K 40th N. Y.
Goodwin, Chas., Ist H. A. ; missing in action
Goodwin, Ephraim L Co. F 48th
Gordon, Frank A Co. I 6th
Gordon, Asa C Co. H 4th
Gouhling, Daniel Co. F Ist H. A.
Gould, Isaac W Co. K Ist H. A.
Gould, Erastus Co. H. 3d Cav.
Gould, Israel Co. C4th H. A.
Gower, John W Co. E 3d H. A,
Grady, James 3d U.S. Inf.
Graffnm, Samuel Co. L 3d Cav.
Graham, William Co. 1 6th
Graham, William Co K 40th N. Y.
Grant, Albert H Co. Blst H. A.
Grant, Lewis Co. I 6th
Gray, Timothy, Jr., Co. A 2d; died Dec. 2,
1802. Sharpsburg, Md.
Gray, Alonzo, Co. D 20 ; died July 10, 1862,
New Orleans.
Gray, William Co. F 30th
Gray, Otis W Co. C .57th
Greenlaw, Chas. E., Co. F Otli, and Co. H 4th
Green, Michael, Co. I 6th ; wounded in Balti-
more.
Green, Michael J Co. I 20th
Green, M 8th U. S. Cav.
Greenough, Wm. S Co. B. 4th
Greenwood, Paul, Co. I 22d ; killed June 27,
1802; Gaines' Mill, Va.
Greichen, William Unassigned
Griffin, James R., Navy ; went down with his
vessel before Vicltsburg, Miss.
Grimshaw, John Co. B4th
Grogan, James 1st U. S. Cav,
Gurney, Horace M Co. K 1st H. A.
Gurney, John Co I) Ist Cav.
Gurney, JamesM Co. I) Ist Cav.
Gunning, Thomas, Navy ; (ship "Congress"),
killed in action with the Merrimack, Hamp-
ton Roads, Va.
Gustin, AlmonD 8th Unattached
Hackett, Jeremiah Co. C4thH. A.
Hackett. Jeremiah Co. E 1st Cav.
Ilager, John Ist U. S. Cav.
Haggcrty, John Co. C 40th
Haggerty, Wm Co. F ;!,5th
Hal», John, Co. F Ist H. A. ; died Oct. 18,
1804, Andersonville.
Hale, Joseph F Co. G 30th
Hall, Chas. A.. Co. B let N. H. H. A. ; died
Feb. 12, 1805, Fort Reno, D. C.
Hall, Wm. S., Co. B 1st N. H. H. A. ; died
Sept. 30, 1864, Andersonvilla.
Hall, Abraham Co. F let H. A.
Hall, Gilson A.
Hall, Cornelius Co. K 1st H. A. ; killed 3Iay
19, ISOl, Spottsylvnnia.
Hall, Samuel A Co. I 2Gth
Hall, Wm. 0 V. R. C.
Halton, Wm Co. I Olh
Ham, Johu F Sth Unattached
Ham, Federal B Co. B4th
Ham, Timothy, Co. I 20th ; died Feb. 11, 1865,
in prison, Salisbury, N. C.
Hamilton, John Co K 40th N. Y.
Hamilton, Wm Co. K 40th N. Y.
Hamilton, A Lawrence ; 2d Lt Co. I 6th ; and
Capt ; also Capt. Sth Unattached ; died.
Hamilton, Oliver B Co. F IstH. A.
Hammond, Frank E Co. C40th
Hanks, John Sth U. S. Inf.
Hannegan, John Co. D 2Sth
Hannegan, John Lt. Co. K 40th Inf.
Banning, Obadiah V. 11. C.
Hanuon, Elias Co. G 33d
Hannon, Itoht. A Co. F36th
Hanscomb, Wm. A Co. C 40th
Hanscomb, Ivory P Co. I 26th
Hanson, James W 2d Lt. Ist H. A.
Hardacre, Aaron Co. C50th
Harding, Dennis, Co. H 33d ; missing at the
battle of Chattanooga, 1864.
Harding, Jlichael Co. K40th N. Y
Harding, Michael Co. H 3:id
Harding, Michael (2d), Co. K 40th N. Y. ; died
July 3, 1803, of wounds, Gettysburg.
Harkins, Daniel Co. I 0th
Harmon, John M.,Co. I 6th, 3 months, and Co.
I 0th, 9 months.
Harmon, Bollin E Co. B 4th
Harmon, Edward Co. I ITth
Harper, Charles Co. K 1st H. A. ; colored
Harper, Roht., Co. H 19th, and Co. E 2cl H. A.
Harper, James Co. B llth
Harper, James Co. E 69th
Harper, James Co. K 40th N. Y.
Harriman, John E Co. I 0th
Harriman, Chas. M Sth Unattached
Harrinton, Daniel Co. Blst II. A.
Harrington, Thomas Co. E 2d H. A.
Harris, Henry A Co. H 13th
Harrison, Wm Go. I 6th
Harrison, John Co. F 1st H. A.
Hart, Jeremiah Co. G 28th
Hart, Michael Co. G 2Sth
Hart, Daniel Co. H 4th
Hathaway, Chas. C Co. B 2d H. A.
Haskell, ('has., Co. C Ist H. A. ; died of wounds
Juno 19, 1804.
Haskell, John G Co. B 4th
Haskins, John Cos. B and 1 17tli
Hayes, Chas. H., 1st Scrgt. Co. K Ist H. A. ;
2d and Ist Lt. Capt. and Miyor.
Hayes, Gustavus D Co. K 1st H. .\.
Hayes, William, Co. H 1st Cav. ; died Mar. i,
1865, Lawrence.
Hayes, John F Co. B4th
922
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Hayes, Patrick, Co. H 1st Cav.; killed June 15,
18G->, John's Wand, S. C.
Hayes, Rolielt S Co. 11 4th
Hayes, James L Co. C 40th
Hayes, Jlichael Co. K 4Uth N. Y.
Hayivorlh, Robt Co. F 2Cth
He.ap, William Co. B 4tU and Co. K Cth |
Heath, Edwin C Co. I 6th
Heath, Caleb W Co. T 35th
Heavy, J 3d U. S. Inf
Helnier, John. ..16th N. Y.; died of wounds;
buried in Lawrence.
Heenan, John C Co. D 9th
Henderson, Robert 2d Lt. Co. F 1st H. A.
Henilerson, David Co. K 6th
Henderson, Roderlck...Co. F 24th ; died Aug.
16,1884.
Henderson, Wni. V Co. H 4th
Henderson, Fredk Co. F28tli
Henderson, Wnr Co. F 2Sth, tr. to loth V.R.C.
Heffernan James F Co. B Fr. Cav.
Henthorns, Clias Co. B 3d Cav.
Herliliy, Uan'l Co. G 3Uth
Hernon, Thomas Co. K Cth
HersoTn. Isaac L 4th Lt. Battery
Hewes, Robert Co. H Ist Cav.
Hicliey, Edward Co. K 1st H. A.
Hiekey, Richard 8lh Unattached-
Hickey, Simon P Co. D 9th
Hiekey, Thomas Co. F 26th
Hickey, Simeon P Co. A 32d
Hickey, Michael J Co. B 32d
Hickey, Jolin.-Co. K 40th N. Y.; killed 1862,
Bull Run.
Higgins, Abner Co. K let H. A
Higt'ins, Sylvester Co. B 3d Cav
Higgins, Patrick Co. I 26th
Hildreth, Seth C.Co. B 4th, Co. K Cth and
Co. B Fr. Cav.
Hill, EuOB T Co. F 6th and Co. G 30th
Hill, Joseph Co. M 2d H. A.
Hill, Nelson Co. B4th
Hill, Patrick ...Co. 1 17th, died May 5, 1865,
Slorehead City, N. C.
Hill, Thomas Co. I 26th
Hinnian, Frauk...Co. F Cth & Co. D 1st Cuv.;
died June 17, 1863, Aldie, Va.
Hinman, David M 8th U. S. Inf.
HobUs. Augustus R Co. K 1st H. A.
Hoar, Thomas Co. H 22d
Hoar, Maurice ; Co. H 22d
Huilgc. .\ndrew L Co. I 6th
Hoilgdon, Benj. F Co. K Cth
Uodidon, John M Co. B 3d Cav.
Hogle, Win. H...Co. K 1st II. A.; died Sept. 5
1863, Fort Albany, Va.
Hogle, Lucius E 8th Unattached
Hogle, James R Co. I 6th
Hohendal, Joseph 1st U. S. Cav.
Hoit, Martin D 8th U. S. Cav.
Holland, Thomas. ..Co. I 17th ; died June 15,
1864, in rebel prison.
Holland, William Co. H 4th
Holden, Wm. G Co. B 3uth
Holmes, Wm Co. F 1st H. A.
Holmes, Stephen Co. M Ist H. A.
Holroyd, Henry Co. I 6th
Homans, Arthur L Co. B 4th
Hommelsburg, Wm Ist U. S. Cav.
Holt, Sam'l Co. A 1st H. A.
Holt, Amos L Co. F Ist H. A.
Holt, Sam'l A Co. K 1st H. A.
Holt, Altred A...CO. K 1st H. A.; killed Aug.
19, 1864, Spottsylvania.
Holt, Wm. T...Co. I 26th ; died of wounds July
12, 1863, in the hands of the enemy.
Holt, Arthur M Co. B 3d Cav.
Holt, Jeremiah Co. 03 Ih
Holt, Albert E Co. F 48th,
Ilolton, Wm. M Co. A 3d H, A.
Home, Damon G Co. C 4llth
Home, Joseph Co. I 6th
Home, Geo. F 8th Unattached.
Home, Paul 8th Unattached.
Horner, John 3d U. S. Inf.
Homer, Wm. S Co. C 4uth
Horton, Geo... Co. B 4th ; died May 9, 1863
New Orleans.
Horrocks, Thomas Co. B 4th
Hosnier. Elbridge E Co. H 4th
Houghton, John W 8th Unattached.
Houghton, Geo...Co.G 30th ; died July 30, 1862,
Baton Rouge, La.
Howe, Dennis W Co. F Ist H. A.
Howard, Richard Co. F Ist H. A
Howard, Chas. E Co. K Ist H. A"
Howard, Charles W Co. G 12th
Howard, Charles W...Co. B 2d U. S. Artillery ;
died Oct., 1862, Davis Island, N. Y.
Howard, Eli Co. I Cth
Howard, Bernard Co. C 60th
Howard, Leander F Ist Battery Lt. A.
Hudson, James F Co. D 2Cth
Hughes, Patrick Co. M 1st H. A.
Hughes, Thomas 4th H. A.
Hughes, Michael
Hulford, John H Co. F 1st H. A.
Humphrey, Henry Co. K 1st H. A.
Hunt, John 3d U. S. Inf.
Hunter, Joseph 'V. R. C.
Hunter, Wm Co. B 3d Cav.
Hunter, Wm. A. ..Co. B 3d Cav.; tr. to V. R. C.
Huntington, Wm. A...CO. I 6th & Co. I 26lh .
tr. to V. R. C.
Huntington, James N Co. B 3d Cav.
Huntington, Stephen D...Co. I '26th ; died July
28, 1862, New Orleans.
Huntington, David Co. G 30th
Hurley, Wm. H Co. B 40th
Hussey, Woodbury Co. C 40th
Hussey, Walter Co. C 40th
Hutchins, John M...Co. I 22d ; died June 30,
1862, Savage Station, Va.
Hyde, Wallace Co. C 50th
lies, Wm Co. K 40th N. Y.
Irish, Chas. S...Capt. Co. F 1st U. A.; killed
Mar. 25, 1865, Petersburg, Va.
Ivory, John Co. 1 17th
Ivory, William Co. K 40th N. Y.
Jackman, Frank. ..Co. B Ist H. A.; killed May
19, 1SG4, Spottsylvania.
Jackson, Joseph Co. B 4th
Jackson, Samuel Co. B 4th
Jackson, William Co. C 50th
Jager, Edward 3d U. S. Inf.
Jenkins, Edmund P Co. C Fr. Cav.
Jerald, Chas. H Co. C 40th
Jerald, .\lbert Unassigned, 22d Regt.
Jewell, Harry J Co. I 6th
Johnson, Elisha B...Co. F 1st H. A.; died May
17, 1862.
Johnson, Augustus Co. F 2Cth
Johnson, Samuel Co. B 4th
Johnson, Alfred Co. F 1st H. A.
Jones, Lorenzo Co. F 1st H. A.
Jones, David Co. K Ist H. A.
Jones, Irviug Co. C 4th H. A.
Jones, Charles Co. A 2d Cav.
Jones, Charles 0 Co. B 22d
Jones, Amos G Co. F •26th
Jones, Josiah N Co. F 6th
Jones, Fred. O.. Co. B 3nth & Co. L 3d Cav.;
died May in, 1S64, Davis Island, N. Y.
Jones, Irwin W., Co. D 30th ; d. March 2, 1865,
.\nnapolis, 5Id.
Jones, Edward.. ..Co. C 4''th ; trans, to V. R. C.
Jones, Thomas, Co. C 40th ; d. March 18, 1866,
Philadelphia.
Jordan, Wm. G Co. C 40th
Joslyn, Elbridge N. B Co. B 3d Cav.
Josselyn, Wm. N 8th Unat.
Joy, Alonzo Co. I 6th, Ist Serg't Co. G 3Uth
Joy, William H.
Joy, Henry G.
Joyce, James W Co. I Cth
Judge, Bernard Co. I 2d H. A.
Judge, James 8lh Unat.
Judge, Mark Co. K Cth
Keating, Mortimer Co. F 26th
Kearuen, Michael Co. K 401h N. T.
Kearns, Thomas Co. I 22d
Keely, Michael J 1st V. S. Car.
Keeny, Patrick 8th U. S. Inf.
Kellett, Francis 8th U. S. luf.
Kelley, Wm. B Co. B 2d Cav.
Kolley, Henry Co. H 2d
Kelley, Timothy, Co. I 9th ; killed in battle—
the first to fall in his regiment.
Kelley, Edward Co. G 33d
Kelley, Edward J., Co. C 40th ; killed June 3,
1864, Cold Harbor.
Kelley, William Co. E 1st H. A.
Keefe, John, Navy, "The Preble;" d. Ander-
sonville, Ga.
Kennedy, Timothy Co. — 4th H. A.
Kennedy, Michael Co. H 2d
Kennedy, James Co. D 201h
Kennedy, James Co. K 3(ith
Kennedy M Co. K 4l'th N. Y.
Kennedy, James .Co. K 40th N. Y.
Kennedy, Timothy Co. K 40th N. Y.
Kenny, Thomas Co. F 2Cth
Kenny, Edward, Co. E 3jth ; killed Oct. 19,
1864, Cedar Creek, Va.
Kenny, Matthew Co. K 40th N. Y^.
Kenny, John, Co. K 40th N. Y. ; killed Dec.
13, 1862, Fredericksburg, Va.
Kenny, M. B., Co. K 40th N. Y. ; killed in
battle of the Wilderness, Va.
Kenny, Stephen Co. G 6th
Kent. Geo. E Co. B 1st H. A. and Co. F 6th
Kent, Geo. S , Co. F H. A. ; killed June 16,
1864, Petersburg, Va.
Kent, Justin H Co. B 3d Cav. and Co. F Gth
Kent, Charles E 8th Unat.
Kemp, Thomas P Co. U 4ih
Kennison, Geo. W Co. B Ist H. A.
Kerin, John Co. F 26th
Kerr, Peter Co. H 4th
Kerrigan, Henry let Lieut. Co. G 2d Cav.
Kerton, Levi, Co. F Ist N. Y". Cav. and Navy,
"The Sabine."
Keyes, Maurice 3d U. S. Inf.
Keyser, Charles W Co. D 6th
Kiley, Dan'l F Co. B 4th
Killen, .\rthnr J 8th Unat.
Killoran, Michael, Serg't Co. 1 17th ; d. April
2, 1864, Andersonville.
Killoran, Patrick Co. I 17th
Kimball, Joseph W., Captain Co. F 1st H. A. ;
killed June 22, 1864, Petersburg, Va.
Kimball, Stephen P Co. B 4th
Kimball, Charles G Co. H 4th
King, Oliver Co. C Fr. Cav.
King, Walter S Navy, " The Sassacus."
LAWRENCE.
923
King, Patrick 8th TJ. S. Cav.
Kiiipston, Jerfliniah 1st D. C. Inf"
Kirk, .lanien E Co. B Fr. Cav.
Kiisch, Pan'l 3d U.S. Inf.
Kittreiige, David Co. I Gtli
Klem, .\nlhon.v M V. S. Inf.
Knowles, Geo. F Co. F 1st ri. A.
Knowles, Janips \V Co. K Ist H. A.
Knowles, Charlus E Co. G 12th
Knowles, Geo. H 8th Unat. & Co. I 0th
Knott, Win. G Co. F 26th
Knott, Wm 'to. lOth
Knuwilon, Wi-jle.v W Co. F 6th
Knowlton, .las Sth Unat. Co.
Knox, .Tames R., Co. C 40th ; died Nov., 1SG4,
Florence, S. C.
Knights. Jaa. S Co. I 0th ; 3 mos. &9 nios.
Kcihlor, I.CO .M V. S. Inf.
Kraiislich, Fred Sth 0. S. Inf.
Krenier, Adam 3d U.S. Inf.
La Bounty, Franklin, Co. K 1st II. A.; killed
May 19, 1804, Spottsylvania.
Laffin, John 8th Unat. C«.
Lahan, Michael Co. I 59th 4 .iVIh
Lahlan, John Co I ITth
Lahlan, Patrick Co. C40th
LaUej-, Benj Co. B 4th
Lalley, Thos Co. Fist H. A.
Lalor, Frank Co. C 9th ; Sergt. &. 2J Lt.
Lamphere, Wm. N., Co. 0 40th ; d. Oct. 13,'0:1,
Folly Island, S. C.
Lamprey, Geo. H....(.'o. K 1st II. A. & Q. M. S.
Lamson, Iia P <'o. C 4tli II. A.
Lane, Wm. A., Mo. C 40th ; d. May 1(1, 1SII3,
Fort Monroe.
Lane, Jesse P Co. H 4th
Lane, Parker W Co. K Ist H. A.
Langley. Geo. W., Co. I 59th ; d. July 4, 1801,
Baltimore.
Langnuiid, Samuel Capt. Co. — 1st H. A
Lannt-gan, -\ndrew Co. I 6th
Lanuon, Walter Co. B 3d Cav.
Lapp, Wm 3d U. S. Inf.
Larrabee, Jas. H Co. I 6th ; d. Aug. 31, '73.
Larson, Carl P 3d U. S. Inf.
Lavally, Joseph, Co. I I7th ; d. Newborn, N. C,
June 24th.
Lavcny, Andrew 3d U. S. Inf.
Lawler, Joseph Co. F5 4th
Lawlor, Jaa ^^^'Jy "The Marion."
Lawless, Nicholas 3d U. S, Inf.
Lawrence, Wm Ist U. S. Cav.
Lawry, Uranus Co. I 6th
Lazello, Albert E Co. K 0th
Leach, Jas Co. K 6th
Learned, Jas. N Co. K let 11. A.
Learned, Jonas G., Co. K 1st H. A.; d. Sept. 2.
1864, Andersonville.
Learry, Daniel Sth Unat. Co.
Learry, Simon Co. I 17th ; d. May22,'ti2.
Leavens, Geo. H 8lh Unat Co_
Leavitt, Lorenzo S., 23d Maine Regt. & Co. K
6th.
Leech, Daniel Co. K 40th N. T.
Lever, Jas Co. H 4th
Levoch, Danl Co. F Ist H. A.
Lewis, Geo. W Co. F. IstH. A.
Leighton.Geo. P Co.FOth
Lihbey, Jos Sth Unat. Co.
Lindsay, Thos. L Co. F 28th
Linn, Hugh Co. C 40th
Lithgow, John Co. I2d H. A.
Littletield, Chas. U Ist Sergt. Co, F 48th
Livingstone, ilbas Co. K 40th N. T.
Locke, Chas. E Co. I 6th & Co. D 3d H. A.
Logan, John 3d U. S. Inf.
Long Richard Sth Unat. Co.
Looby, Edward Co, D 11th
Louley, John Co. F 48th Jr Co. G 2d H. A.
Looney, Patrick .Co. K 40th
Lorenzo, Golfried 3d U. S. Inf.
Lord, Win Co. C 4llth
Lord, Benjamin E Co. C 40th
Loid, Eben Sth Unat. Co.
Lord, llirani F Co. B 4th
Lord, John C Co. A 3d H. A.
Lovering, John, Co. D 20th ; killed July .3,'G3,
Gettysburg.
Lovejoy. Jas. H., Co. B 3d Cav.; killed Sept. 19,
1864, Winchester, Va.
Lowe, Geo Co. G 9th
Lowe, John Co. G 9th
Lowe, Henry Co. F 26th
Lowe, Jas Co. C4 th
Lowe, Edward Co. E 3d H. A.
Lownc, .Jas sth U. S. Cav.
Lundy, Mark Co. I 0th
Lunney, John Co. I 17th
Lyle, Wm. H Co. K Ist H. A.
Lyie, Win. C Co. H4th ; d. Feb. 12, 1876.
Lynch, John 8th U.S. Inf.
Lynch, Patrick Ist U. S. Cav
Lynch, Timothy Co. K 40th N. Y.
Lyons, Chas. A Co. B 4lh
Lyons, Patrick Co. K4llth N. Y.
Lyons, Jas Co. K40th N. Y.
Mace, Geo Co. K Ist H. A.
Madden, Michael Co. H 4th
Madden, Cornelius Co. C 28th
Madilen, Dennis Co. A 32d
Madden, John Co. G 30th
Mahoney, Thos Co. K 48th
Mahoney, Michael Co. F 48th
Mahoney, Thos Co. I2dH. A.
Maken, Tluis Co. C 40th
jSLikinson, Wm. O Co, C 11th
Malone, John Sth U. S. Cav.
Maloue, Danl Co. 0 28th
Maloney. Danl Co. B Ist H. A
Maloney, .John Co. B 1st H. A.
Maloney, John F Co. B 3d Cav.
Mallen,Ja.s. E Lt. Co. K 4tith N. Y.
Jlaragan, Michael Co. B 4th
Manning, Thos Co. I 6th
Mansfield, Wm Co. H 11th
Marliu, Wm. T Co. C 40th
Marchamer, John J V. B. C.
Marron, Philip Co. K IstH. A.
Mareh, Aaron B Co. F 1st H. A.
Marehall, Robt Co. K 1st H. A.
Marshall, John Co. K 1st H. A.
Martin, John W Lt. Co. II 1st Cav.
Mason, Cyrus V. R. C.
Mason, Eugene J., Lt. 40th & Lt. Co. I 6th ;
dead.
Masterson, Thos .3d U. S. Inf.
Masterson, Wm Co. F 26th
Marston, Henry W Co. I 26th
Mathes, Isaac Co. H 4th
Matthews, John D Co. C 40th
May, Alonzo Co. A 1st H. A.
May, Wm. W Co. G 3d H. A.
May, Henry Co. K 40th N. Y.
Maynard, Geo. H Co. K 1st H. A.
Maynard, Foster Co. D Fr. Cav.
Maynard, AniosF Co. I 6th
Maynard, Frank W Co. 0 12tb
Maxwell, Loamnii. .. Co. B 1st II. A. i Co. A 28th
McAlpinc, Fred Co. K 40lh N. Y.
McAloon, James Co. I 0th
McAlear, Patrick Co. I 6th
McAlear, John Co. I 17th
MclSrido, l''eliX-..Co. F l6th ; died Nov. 8, 1803,
New Orleans.
McBurke, Edward 3d U. S. Inf.
McCabe, James. ..Co. F 26th ; died Oct. 8, 1S6J,
New Orleans.
McCaffrey, John F Co. 0 9th
McCalthy, Charles Sth Unat.
.McCarthy, Patrick...Co. G 3d 11. A. & Co. I 6th
McCarthy, Dennis. ..Co. I 6th ; accideutally
killed Jan. 27, 1863, Suffolk, Va.
McCarthy, John Co. I 6th
McCarthy, John Co. F 29th
McCarthy, John Co. G. 19th
McCarthy, Timothy. ..Co. K 40th N. Y. ; died
Oct., 1862, Philadelphia.
McCarthy, Patrick 1st U. S. Art.
McCarthy, Patrick 3d U. S. Inf.
McCarthy, Charles Co. K 40th N. Y.
McClary, James S Co. U 4th
McCnigiu, Joliu U...Co. C. Ist B. H. A., tr. to
Navy.
McCracken, John II 2d Co. Sharpshooters
McCragin, Johu A t,'o. C 40th
McCriUis, Calvin Co. I 6th
McCormick, Patrick.
McCullough, Michael Co. B4th
McCulIough, Johu Co. B 3d Cav.
McCune Co. E 2d U. A.
McDade, John Co. C 50th
McDonald, Kobt Co. K 1st H. A.
McDonald, &Iichael...Oo. B 3d Cav.; died Sept.
29, 1863, l*ort Hudson.
McDuuald, Michael Co. I 9th, tr. to Navy
McDonald, Johu. ..Co. G 30th; died Aug. 19,
1802, Now Orleans.
McDonald, James Co. K 40th N. Y.
McDougal, Archibald Co. I 2d 11. A.
McDullie, Henry C Co. K 1st H. A.
McEliruy, John Co. K. 32d ; tr. to Navy
McFarlin, Geo. H 8tb Unat.; dead.
McGoIdrick, James Co. K 4uth N. Y.
McGuvern, Lawrence. ..Co. U 4th & Co. M 2d
H. A.
McGoveru, John Co. F 26th
McGowan, John A. S Co. I 6th Jt Sth Unat.
McGowan, Aldeu T...Co. K 1st U. A.; killed
May 19, 1801, .Spotlsylvania.
McGowau, Thomas Co. K 40th N. Y.
McGuire, Edward Co. B 4th
JIcGuire, Francis Co. F 26th
McGuire, Daniel Co. G 30th
McGuire, John Ist U. S. Cav.
McGuire, Joseph Co. C 4th II. A.
Mclntyre, Henry M Lt. Co. K 1st H. A.
McKean, Wm. J ..Co. I 24th ; died Nov. 28,
1863, St. Augustine, Fla.
McKay, Geo Co. CoOlh
McKay, Edwd Co. K 1st H. A.
McKenzie, M. M Co. K 6th
McKeriug, John Co. H 4th
McKnight, John Co. A 1st H. A.
McLaughlin, John Co. C Ist
McLaughlin, James Co. G l9th
McLellan Co. H 4th & Co. G 3d H. A.
McMalian, Thos Co. I 17th
McMullen, Warren. ..Co. K 40th N. Y., tr. to
V. B. C.
McMurray, James Co. F 20th
McNamara, Jeremiah. ..Co. F Ist H. A.; died of
wounds Nov. 28, 1864, Lawrence.
McNamara, Patrick. ..Co. I 17th; died .\pr. 13,
1804, in rebel prison.
McNaughton, Alexander.
McParlin, Robt Co. F 20th
924
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
McPliec, Angu8...Co. K Ctli ; died Oct., 1864,
Fort Delaware.
McPolaluI, Wm Co. I 9th
McPoland, Bernard Co. E 9lh
McQnade, .Iohu...Oo. B 9th; killed June 27,
1862, Gaines' Mills, Va.
McQuade, James Co. I 6th
McQueeny, John Co. B3d Cav.
Meadowcroft, Jos... Co. U 4th & Co. K 2d H. A.
Hears, Peter C Co. F 20th
Meagher, John Co. F 26th
Meaney, James Co. F 28th
Melvin, John H...Co. K Ist H. A.; died Oct.
1.3, 1863, Fort .\lhauy, Va.
Melvin, Saml...Co. K Ist H. A.; died Sept. 20,
1864, AndersonviUe.
Merrill, \Vm. F Co. F 1st H. A.
Merrill, Chas. G Co. F 6th
Merrill, Carletoa E Co. K 1st H. A.
Merrill, Geo. S Capt. Co. B 4th
Merrill, Wm Co. B lid Cav.
Merrill, Geo. W...6th Lt. B ; died Apr. 29, 1862,
New Orleans.
Merrill, Frank H...Co. C 40th ; killed May 16,
1804, Drury's Bluff, Va.
Merrill, Albert W Co. C 40th
Merrow, Wm. H...Capt. Co. K Ist H. A. i Q.
M.S.
Merrow, Geo. W...Co. K 1st H. A.; died of
wounds May 19, 1864, Spottsylvania, May
24, 1804, Bel I Plain, Va.
Merrow, Joshua C Co. H 4th
Merrow, George O...C0. G 30tli ; died June 29,
1862, New Orleans.
Messer, Chas. F 8th Unat.
Miller, Wm 3d U. S. Inf.
Miller, Joseph Ist Dist. Columbia Inf.
Miller, Geo. L Co. F Ist H. A.
Miller, Thos Co. Fist H. A.
Miller, Patrick Co. F 1st H. A.
Wilier, Wm Co. I 6th; dead
Miller, Conrad Co. B 4th
Miller, Wm. S Co. A Fr. Cav.; dead
Miller, John Co. K 40th N. T.
Miles, Chas. H Co. C let Bat. H. A.
Mills, John A Co. F 6th
Mills, James n...Co. B4th ; died June 16, 1863,
Brashear City, La.
Mitchell, Michael Co. C 50th
Miunehan, Michael ... Co. B 30th ; died at Law-
rence Nov., 1862.
Moegel, Christian Co. C 20th
Monroe, Jesse Co. C 40th N.Y.
Moore, John 0 1st Diat. Col. Inf.
Moore, Wm. H Co. K Ist H. A.
Moore, John Co. K 40th N. Y.
Moore, Joseph W...C0. F Ist H. A.; killed June
16, 1864, Petersburg, Va.
Moracho, Joseph Co. C 4th H. A.
Morache, Omer Co. 0 4th H. A.
Moran, Patrick...Co. K let H. A., tr. to V. R. 0.
Moran, Francis Co. F 26th
Morgan, Joseph H Co. B 4th
Morgan, James Co. E 2d H. A.
Morgan, Henry Co. B 4th
Morgan, Wm...Co. B 4th ; died .\ng. 24, 1803,
Lawrence.
Morgan, Geo. W...C0. B 3d Car. & Co. F 6th ;
killed Apr. 8, 1864, Sabine Cross Eoads, La.
Morgan, John P Co. B 3d Cav.
Morgan, Zachariah Co. H 4th
Morgan, Wm Co. G 11th
Morgan, Robt Co. C 40th
Morey, S. S Co. F 1st H. A.
Moriarty, John, Jr ....Co. B 3d Cav.
Moriarty, Danl.. Co. F 30th; killed July 13,
181.3, Donaldsonville, La.
Morrill, Kranklin H Co. I 26th 4 8th Unat.
Morrill, Nathaniel H Co. C 1st H. A.
Morrill, Kalph H Co. ClstH.A.
Morrill, Oliver E Co. C 40th
Moi-ris, William Co. C 2d Cav.
Morris, John Co. K 40th N.Y.
Morrissey, James Co. C 59th & 57th
Morrison, Samuel L Co. K 1st H. A.
Morrison, Hiram S Co. B 3d Cav.
Morrison, Alexander, Co. I 20th ; died May 11,
1804, New Orleans.
Morrow, Wm Co. K 40th N, Y.
Morse, Benj. G Co. F 6th
Morse, James A Co. F 6th & Co. A 3d Cav.
Morse, Roswell E., Co. K 1st II. A. ; died of
wounds July 9, 1804, Fairfax Seminary,
Va,
Morse, Charles E Co. C 4th H. X.
Morse, Geo. W..Co. B 4th ; trans, to 48th Co. E
Morse, Wm. H. H Co. B 3d Cav.
Morse. B. U Co. K 11th
Morse, Wm. M Co. C 40th
Morse, Julius H,, M.D Surgeon San. Com.
Mojlau, Philip Co. I 0th
Moynahan, Michael Co. K 40th N. Y.
Mudgett, Horatio K Co. H 4th
Mudgett, Thomas Co. H 4th
Mudgett, Geo. C Co. H 4th
Mudgett, Wm. H Co. F 22d
Mulcare, John .Co. B 3d Cav.
Mulbare, Joseph H Co. H 4th
MuUer, Albert 8th U. S. Cav.
Mulineaux, Patrick Co. B Ist H. A.
MuUowney, Michael 1st U. S. Cav.
Mulqueeny, Patrick V. R. C.
Mullaney, Doniinich Co. C. 40th N. Y.
Munger, Fred., Co. C 40th ; died March 9, 1864,
Hilton Head, S. C.
Munsey, Jacob W V. R. C.
Murdock, Bucban, Co. E 30th ; killed Oct. 19,
1864, Cedar Creek. Vt.
Murphy, Patrick 0th Regt
Murphy, Stephen, Co. K 1st H. A. ; killed May
19, 1804, Spottsylvania.
Murphy, Dennis Co. F 2d H. A.
Murphy, Daniel Co. L 2d H. A.
Murphy, James Co. I 9th
Murphy, Jeremiah, Co. H 17th ; died May 9,
18G5, Raleigh, N. C.
Murphy, James, Co. F 26th ; died Oct. 18, 1863,
New Orleans.
Murphy, Patrick Co, A 28th
Murphy, Philip
Murphy, Hugh Co. K 40th N.Y.
Murray, James 3d U. S. Inf.
Murray, Patrick 3d U. S. Inf.
Murray, James Co. D 9th
Murray, John Band 9th
Mutbarb, Casper 8th U. S. Cav.
Nason, Hiram P., Co. F 28th ; died of wounds
Aug. 12, 1864, at New Haven, Ct.
Needham, Sumner H., Co. I 6th ; killed in Bal-
timore April 19, 1861,
Newbert, Charles H Co. I 6th
Newton, Edwin E , Co B 3d Cav. ; killed April
8, 1804, Sabine Cross Roads, La.
Nichols, Wm. W., Co. F 26th ; died Oct. 26,
1803, New Orleans.
Nichols, Jiseph T Co C 40th
Nichols, James Co. H 4th
Nicholson, James Co. K 4th N.Y.
Noble, Herbert A Capt. Co. F 1st H. A.
Noble, George H Co. K let H. A.
Noble, James A Co. G 30th
Nolan, Thomas Co. Cist Batt'n II. A.
Noland, Charles Co. I 26th
Noonan, Patrick, Co. F 48th ; killed May 27,
1863, Port Hudson, La.
Norris, Alonzo S Co. E 16th & Co. E Ilth
Norris, Joseph H Co. A 17th
Norris, William Co. B cS I 17th
Norris, Thomas , Co. K 6th
North, James D Co. D 02d
Norton, John H Co. I Otb
Norwood, John K 9th Light Battery
Noyes, Edward L Co. A 8th
Oakes, Edward P,..Co. F 48th & Co. D 3d H. A.
O'Brien, Jeremiah Co. B 1st H. A.
O'Brien, Patiick Co. B 1st H. A.
O'Brien, Cornelius Co. C4th H. A.
O'Brien, Dennis Co. B, 3d Cav.
O'Brien, Thomas Co. B 3d Cav.
O'Brien, James, Co. I 26th ; died Oct. 8, 1804,
Winchester, Va.
O'Brien, Henry, Co. G 30th ; died Dec. 6, 1863,
Baton Rouge, La,
O'Brien, Thomas, Co. K 40th N, Y. ; killed July
2, 1863, Gettysburg.
O'Connell, Daniel 3d U. S. Inf.
O'Connor, William B Co. I 17th
O'Connor, John Co. I 6th
O'Connor, Daniel 3d U. S. Inf.
O'Donald, Thomas Co. K. 40th N. Y.
O'Donnell, John Co. M 1st H. A.
O'Donnell, John Co. I 17th
O'Donnell, John Co. D 28th
O'Donnell, Patrick 3d O. S. Inf.
O'Learry, John, Co. I 17tb ; killed May 12,
1802, Newbern, N. C.
O'Shea, Michael Co. C 5nth
O'Neil, Charles Co. H 4th
O'Neil, Michael J 8th, Unattached
Oliver, John Co. I Oth, and Co, B 4th
Ordway, Aaron P. ..Co. H 4th N. H. anil Co. K
Oth.
Osgood, Eldridge B...C0. H 4th trans, to Co. E
48th
Packard, Henry, Navy, "Isaac Smith ;" died
May 29, 1863, off Warsaw Island, Ga.
Paddock, James V. B. C.
Page, Herman L., Co. K 1st H. A. ; died of
wounds July 7, 1S64, Washington, D. C.
Page, Frank,,.. 8th Uu.attached
Page, John A., 4th Lt. Bat. and 2d Lt. ist
Louisiana Native Guard.
Page, Warren Co. C 40th, trans, to V. K. C.
Parant, Peter Ed Co. M2d H. A.
Parant, Daniel M Co. D 3d H. A.
Paiiie, Albert H 8th, Unattached
Parker, Warren Co. C 9th, tr. to 3>d Co. H.
Parker, Dennis M., Co. B 30th ; died Oct. 10,
1862, New Orleans.
Parkman, Noah Co. B 4th
Parr, Charles J l»t U. S. Cav.
Parks, John, Co. I 2d H. A. ; died Oct. 30,
1804, Newbern, N. C, and Co. I Oth.
Palmer, William A Co. I nth
Parrish, Thomas D Co. F 26th
Parnieter, La Forest Co. I 6th
Partington, James Co. H 4th and Co. K Oth
Parton, James Co. I Oth
Parshley, Joseph, (^. F 48th ; died at sea
Jan. 20, 1863.
Parsons, Philemon C Co. B 4th
Pareons, Thomas A Co. B 4th
Parsons, Stephen C Co. 0 40th
Patch, Albia Co. C 4th H. A.
LAWRENCE.
925
Patriik, James O Co. L 3(1 Cav.
ri.tlcisuli, Diivid Co. 51 211 H. A.
Piittcreon, Win. J., Co. F 6th 3 aud 9 mos. Co.
I and Co. G 3d H. A. Died Nov. 24, '70.
Payson, John C Slh Unattached
Peabody, Sehvin W Co. C 4(ith
Peaslee, Alpheus, Co. I 22d, died of wounds
Sept. 18, 1862, Gaines' Mills, Va.
Peasner, Wni Ist U. S. Cav.
Pearl, Lloyd W 8th Unattached
Pearsons, Edwd. G., Co. B 3d Cav., died Oct.
4, 1876.
Pendiz, John Co. I 17th
Perham, Leander Ck) C 4lh J£. A.
Perkins, Wm....Co. A 3d H. A., trans, to Navy
Perkins, Elbert G Co. D 61sl
Peters, Christopher 8th U. S. Inf.
Perry, Franklin V. R. C.
Psttigrew, Jno. S Co. B 3d Cav.
Pfeiffer, John Ist D. C. Inf.
Phelps, S. G., Ist Conn. Cav. died July 22,
ISG4, Andersonville.
Phillips, Horace M Co. C 4th H. A.
Pickles, John Co. F 2nth
Pickles, Robert Co. B 4th
Pickering, John. ..Captain Co. I, 6th and 2Gth.
Pierce, Frank B Co. K Ist H A.
Pierce, Sanil. B Co. I 0th and Co. F 26th.
Pierce, Turner E., Navy, Ship Preble, died
Oct. 21, 1802, Lawrence.
Pierson, Joseph N Iflt Lt. Battery
Piko, Wm. H., Co. G 30th, died of wounds June
0, 1803, Baton Rouge.
Pilling, Chas. A Co. A Ilth
Place, J. Frank Co. B 4th
Plummer, Geo. W Co. F Ist H. A.
Plununer, Walter S., Co. K Ist H. A. and Co.
M 2rt II. A.
Pond, .\aron B Co. K let H. A.
Poor, Benj. I Co. B 2d U. A.
Poor, Geo. W., Co.L 4th Cav. Ist Lt. & Q. M. S.
Poor, Thos. G Co. A nth
Poor, Alonzo B Co. B 'ZM
Powell, Alfred G Co. K 40th N. Y.
Powers, James Co. F I9th
Powers, Wm. H Co. I 17th
Powers, Frank Co. I 17tb
Powers, Thomas Co. B 3d Cav.
Powers, James H 8th Unattached
Pratt, Edgar G Co. B 4th
Pray, Oliver L., Co. I 20th ; died July 5, 1862,
New Orleans.
Preston, Wm., Captain Ist H. A.
Priest, Freeman H Co. F Ist H. A.
Pnlverman, John Co. K 40th X. T.
Purcell, Patrick Co. C llth
Purcell, Patrick Co. 6 30th
Putnam, Hezekiah L Sth Unattached
Putnam, John C Co B 1st II. A.
Quarrell, Geo V. K. C.
Quinn, Wm 1st U. S. Cav.
Quinn, Wm 3d U. S. Infantry
Quinn, Daniel Co. H 4th
Quinn, John Co. I Sth
Quinn, Patrick Co. K 40th N. Y.
Quinn, Thomas, Co. K 40th N. T. ; died June
9, I86I.
Quiuiby, Charles W., Co. G 30th; drowned
April 2, ISG2, Ship Island, Miss.
Quimby, Orin J., Co. F 33d Maine ; died April
25, 1805, Baltimore.
Rachel, Michael Co. F 20th
Bafferty, John Sth U. S. Infantry
Ramsdcn, Joshua C Co. F 6th
Katferty, Frank, Co. K 1st H A. ; killed May
19, ISOI, Spottsylvania.
Bankin, Peleg L Co. C 40th
Raw-son, Orliindo, Co. B 4th; died .\ug. 16,
1863. Indianapolis.
Bea, William Sth U. S. Inf.
Reagan, Timothy Co. F 20th
Reagan, John 3d U. S. Inf.
Reardon, Timothy Co. F 26th
Redman, James Co. B 3d Cav.
Reeii, Win. H Co. C 4th H. A.
Reed, John, Co. D 9th ; died of wonmls May
18, 1804.
Reed, Wm., Co. C 40th ; killed May 16, 1864,
Drury's Bluff, Vii.
Regan, Matthew Co. K 40lh N. Y.
Reniick, C. H., Co. B 1st H. A. ; killed May 19,
1804, Spottsylvania.
Reno, Chas. J., Co. F 48th ; died at sea Jan. 22,
1863.
Reynolds, John F Co. I 5tb
Reynolds, Wm. B 2d Regt. U.S. Sharpshooters ;
promoted to surgeon.
Bice, Perry M Co B 4th
Rice, Warren E Navy
Richards, John A Co H 4th
Richards, SiuLeou W Co. C 40th
Richards, Charles Co. B 1st H. A.
Richardson, Morton W Co. F 6th
Richardson, Ahi-aham Sth Unattached
Richardson, J. Milton., Co. C 4uth ; missing in
action Slay 10, 1S64.
Richardson, Samuel Co. B 3d Cav.
Ricker, Geo. W., Co. G 30th ; died i'ec. 8, 1862,
New Orleans.
Ricker. Noah C, Co. G 33d ; died Feb. 0, 1S63,
Acquia Cleek, Va.
Ricker, Oliver A., Co. C 30th ; died Aug. 2, 16SI
Ricker, Geo. A Slh Unattached
Riddcll, Walter S., Co. B 4th ; drowned Dec.
27, 1862, Long Island Sound.
Rines, .John G Co K Cth
Rines, Geo. W Co. C 4th H. A.
Riuner, Johan Co. C 20th
Riley, Wm Ist U. S. Cav.
Riley, Patrick Co. B 3d Cav.
Riley, John Sth Unattached
Riley, Judson Ist li. A. hospital steward
Kiley, Charles Co. K 40th N. Y.
Riley, James Ist Dis. Col. Inf.
Ripley, Thomas K., Co. A 20th ; died April 9,
1864.
Roach, P.atrick Co. I I7th
Roaf, Thomas, Co. B Ist Bat. H. A. ; died Nov.
17, IS02, Fort Warren, Boston.
Roberts, James S. Co. I 6th and Sth Unattached
Roberts, Thomas Co. K 4oth N. Y.
Roberts, John Co. H 4th
Robinson, Horatio G., Co. B 3d Cav.; died
April 13, 1S74.
Robinson, Alexander Co F 10th
Robinson, John G., Sth Unattached and Co. 1 6th
Robinson, Nathaniel D 2d Co Sharpshooters
Robinson, Leander A Co. KOth
Robinson, Hiram 2d Lieut. Co. H 4th
Rogers, Geo. A Co. F Ist H. A.
Rogers, Saml. D., Co. D 1st Cav. and Co. F 6th
Rogers, Peter Co. I 17th
Roddy, Edward Co. F 48th
Rolfe, Henry A Co. I 6th and Co. F 26th
Rolfe, Frank A., Capt. and M:y. 1st H. A. ;
killed May 19, 1861, Spottsylvania.
Rollins, John K Capt. Co. H 4th
Rose, Wm Sth U. S. Inf.
Ross, James Ist U. S. Cav.
RoBsiter, Patrick Co. I 6th
Rostron, John Co. B3d Cav.
Rostron, Samuel Co. H. 4th
Rowe, John Co. B 4th
Rowe, Daufoilh M Co. C 40th
Rowe, Asis Co. K Ist II. A. ; d. Aug. 10, 1804,
Andersonville.
Rowell, James H Co. K 6lh
Howton, John W, Co. M 2d II. A.
Rudloff, George Sth U. S. Cav.
Runck. George 1st U. S. Cav.
Rn.*i, Frank W Co. B4th
Rushworth, Wm Co. K 6th
Russell,' Frank Co. F 0th
Russell, Ziba H., Co. C 40th ; killed May 16,
1804, Fort Darling, Va.
Russell, Edward J Ist Lt. Co. B Ist Cav.
Rutherford, Allen, Co. H 4th ; died Nov. 9,
1S.S3.
Rush, Louis Band U. S. A.
Ryan, John Sth U. S. Inf.
Ryan, James Sth Unattached.
Ryan, Patrick 20th Regt.
Ryan, W'illiam Co. K 40th N. Y.
Ryder, Stanley, Co. F Ist H. A.; d. of wounds
June 12, 1804, Washington, D. C.
Rynies, Albert J Sth Unattached
Safford Joseph H..Co. I 6th, 3 mos. and 9 mos.
Sampson, Patrick _ Co. B oOth
Sanborn, Silas M. ; Co. G 30th and Co. F. 2d
H. A.
Sanderson, Robt Sth U. S. Inf.
Sanderson, Joseph A Co. F. 1st H. A.
Sands, Edward Co. I 17th
Sands, Janus Co. H. 30th
Sandquist, .\ndrew ...Co. F 20th
Sauford, Joseph \ Co. F 1st H. A.
Sargent, Albert V. R. C.
Sargent, Cuas. F Sth Unattached
•Sargent, Geo. W., M.D Surgeon Co. K 0th
Sargent, George I Co. K 6th
Sargent, Warren Co. B 4th
Saunders, Geo Co. B 59 and 57th
Saundeis, Caleb Co. I Olh Si Lt. Istil. A.
Sawyer, Chas. H Co. C 4(lth
Sawyer, Frank J Co. C40th
Sauft, .lolin 1st U. S Cav.
Schejler, Arthur T Co. C 54th
Scholield, Joseph Co. H 4th
Schofield. Henry Co. K 4lith N. Y.
Scott, Henry Co. H 4th
Searles, Caleb S., Co. F 1st H. A.; died Feb.
3, 1878.
Searles, Warren P Co. C 40th
Seifert, Hermann Co. C 4ath
Seavcr, D. Owen Lt. Co. C 40th
Scanlan, Matthew 3d U. S. Inf.
Scanlan, John Navy
Scully, Wni Navy
Shackford, Wni Co. H 4th
Shackleton, Roger Co. K Isl II. A.
Shannahan, Joseph Co. Fist H. A.
Sharkey, Chas Co F 19th, traus. to U. S. A.
Sharkey, Barnard Co. F •20th
Sharrock, Wm Co. FlstH. A.
Shattuck, Chas. M Co F 0th
Shavers, John 1st U. S. Cav.
Shaw, Charles Co. B 4th
Shaw, John Co. B 4th
Shea, Thomas, Co. K Ist H. A.; d. May 31,
1865. Portsmouth Grove, R. I.
Shea, James Co. D 9th, trans. to32d
Shea, Daniel Co. K 40th N. Y.
Shchan, J.din Co. K 40th N. Y.
Shehan, John Co G 30th
Sbehau, John Co. K Ist II. A.
926
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Shbhan, John E Co. K 1st H. A.
SlieUlon, Moses Co. EM H. A.
Sheparil, Auj;iistiia, Co. B 4tU ; d. Aug. 3,
18G3, Port Iliidaon, La.
Slierraau, Carlos D 8th Unattached
Sherman, Edgar J., Capt. Co. K 6th & Co. F
48th.
Sherman, George W Co. H Ist Car.
Sherrcn, Patrick V. R. 0.
Sherwood. Wm Co. B l.st H. A.
Shevenall, Wm. H Co. C inth
Shorey, Geo. W Co. I 6th & Co. I 26th
Short, James, Co. H iiSth; killed Sept. 1, 1862,
Chantilly, Va.
Shields, John V.K. C; dead
Sibley, Kneeland Co. I 6th
Simmons, Stephen A., Co. B4th; died Dec. 16,
1883.
Simunds, Benj. VV., Co. B 1st H. A.; d. Jan.
:i9, 1863, Harper's Ferry, Va.
Simonds, Solomon Co. B 1st H. A.
Simouds, Richard 8th Unattached
Simpaon, John V. B. C.
Simpson, Danl. L Co. I 6th
Siner, Wra. H., Co. A 36tli; wounded and
discharged, re-in, Co. K. 6th.
Sisson, John J V. B. 0.
Slattery, Jeremiah, Co. K 40th N. Y.; d. of
wounds July 15, 1865, Gettysburg.
Slattery, John Co. C 40th Mass.
Slavin, Win Co. H 4th
Sline. Richard Co. H 2uth
Smadley, Valentine Co. K40th N. Y.
Small, John F., Co. B l8t H. A.; d. of wounds
June 29, 1864.
Smart, Geo. H Co. B 26th
Smith, Henry 1st U. S. Cav.
-Smith, James B 8th U. S. Cav.
Smith, lliram H V. R. C.
Smith, John Co. F Ist H. A.
Smith, Robert I Co. F 6th
Smith, Geo. W 8th Unattached
Smith, Chas. F. G Co. K Ist H. A.
Smith, Stewart, Co. K 1st PI. A.; killed May
19, 1864, Spottsylvauia.
Smith, Charles Co. F 2d H. A.
Smith. Charles Co. G 2d H. A. & Co I 6th
Smith, William Co. .\ 1st Cav
Smith, Wm. C 8th Unattached
Smith, Wm. P 8th Unattached
Smith, Wm. P. Jr 8th Unattached
Smith, Melvin E Co. K. 6th
Smith, C. Allen, Co. B 3d Cav.; killed in ac-
tion Aug. 3, 1863, Jackson, La,
Smith. Jason Co. B 3d Cav.
Smith, Patrick Co. I 2d; transfd. to V. R,C.
Smith, William Co. F 19th
Smith, Geo. W., Co. I 26th; died July 18, 1862,
N. Orleans
Smith, Michaels., Co. 1 26th; d. July 17, 1863,
N. Orleans.
Smith, Russell Co. I 26th
Smith, Frank L Co. I 6th
Smith, Barney Co. G 30th
Smith, Charles W., Co. C40th; d. Oct. 18, 1863,
Folly Island, S. C.
Smith, Austins Co. F 48th
Smith, James Co. F 481h
Smith, John Co. F 48th
Smith, Thomas Co. C 6uth
Smith, Geo. R Ist Lt. Battery
Smith, David Co. D Gist
Sm-ll, Henry L Co. H 4th
Snell, Smardus F Co. H 4th
Super, Edmund H Co. F 26th
Sorton, Wra Co. K6th
I
Soule, John Co. K 6th
Southwick, Amott (.'o. KlstH. A.
Spaulding, Wm. H., Co.F 1st H. A.; killed June
16, 18ii4, Petersburg, Va.
Spicer, Christian, Co. H 20th trans, to V. R. C.
Spilane, John Co. I 9th
Spofford, Edwin F., Co. I 6th 4 19th Regt.
Band & Lt. Co. M Ist H. A.
Sprague, Edwin D Co. I 6th
Spring, Pichard Co. I IVth
Springer, Saml. B Co. G 12th
Springer, Chas. S Co. K 1st II. A.
Spruch, Ralph Co. K 40th N. T.
Stackpole, Tobias, Co. K 1st H. A.; trans, to
Navy.
Stafford, Geo. W., 9th Lt. Batt.; d. Nov. 10,'62,
Washington.
Standing, Geo Co. F 28th
Stanley, James 8th Uuat. Co.
Stanton, .Tohu Co. D oOth & 57th
Staples, Herbert T., Co. H 32d & Co. D 3d II. A.
Stead, James, Co. H 48th ; d, June 4, 1863, Ba-
ton Rouge, La.
Stebbines, John 8th U.S. Cav.
Stearns, Elbridge G 6th Lt. Batt,
Stearns, Hiram A Co. B4th & Co. I 6th
Steele, Geo Co. H 4th
Steele, Wm. H.
Sterling, Jas Co.B3d Cav.
Stevens, Gilbert Co. C 4th H. A.
Stevens, G. Frank Capt. Co. B :id Cav.
Stevens, Isi\ac, Jr , Co. B 4th
Stevens, Joseph B Co. I 6th
Stevens, Chad Co. Ciuth
Stevens, Anthony Co. F44th
Stevens, Geo. F. , Co. B 3d Cav. ; died at sea
Sept. 16, 1SC6.
Stevens, Gorham P., Co. C 70th N. Y.: d. in the
hands of the enemy from wounds at Chan-
cellorsville.
Stevens, Wm 73d N. T.
Stewart, Chas Co, 1 17th
Stokes, Stephen D., Co. I 6th & Capt. 40th ;
dead.
Stoddard, Ilaverly A., Co. K 1st U. A.; killed
May 19, 1864, Spottsylvauia.
Stoddard, Alphonso Co. K Ist H. A.
Stone, Joel F Co. F Ist II. A.; Co. F 48th
Stone, Chas Co. F 6th
Stone, Hood A Co. B 3d Cav.
Stott, Geo. H Co. I 17th
Stout, Jas Ist U. S. Cav.
Stratford, Wm P Co. B Ist H. A.
Straw, Danl Co. F zeth
Strong, Henry G., Navy, ** Cambridge ; " d.
Mar., 1864, at sea.
Sullivan, W'm., Capt. Co. K 40th N. Y.; killed
Dec. 13, 1862, Fredericksburg, Va.
Sullivan. John, Co. M 1st H. A.; d. of wounds
May 2.', 1864.
SulHvan. Geo., 2d Co. G 2d H. A.; d. Aug. 30,
1864, .\ndersouville.
Sullivan, Michael, Co. E 9th ; d, of wounds
June 29, 186.', Savage Sta., Va.
Sullivan, Michael F Co. B 4th
Sullivan, John S Co. F 26th
Sullivan, John, Co. I 2Gth ; d. Oct. 20, 1862, N.
Orleans.
Sullivan, Simon Co. F 48th
Sullivan, Jerome Co. K 40tli N, Y.
Sullivan, Jeremiah Co. K 40th N. Y.
Sullivan, Leonard Co. K 1st H. A.
Summers, John Co. K 6th
Swaino, Chas. M Co. I 6th & Co. I 2'ith
Sweeney, Edward Co. K 40th N. Y.
Tainter, Willard H., Co. A Ist H, A. ; killed
June 16, 1S64, Petersburg, Va.
Tarbo.\, Walter S Co. C 6th H. A.
Tarbox, John K Lt. Co. B 4th
Tarrant, Peter .\ 1st U. S. Cav.
Tasker, George W. Co. G 3;ith
Taylor, John Co. C 50th
Taylor, Isaac L Lt. Co. K 4iith N, Y,
Taylor, James H.,.Co. C 4l)th Mass.; died Oct.
22, 1863, Beaufort, S. C.
Taylor, Abraham Co. K 11th
Taylor, Edwd. B Co. K 6th
TeiTio, Ale.\ander...Co. B 3d Cav.; tr. to V. R.
C.
Terrio, Edwd Co. B4th
Tetler, James Co. D 2l)th
Thayer, Richard F Co. C .30th
Thomas, James Co. K Ist H, A.
Thomas, Richard Co. B 3d Cav.
Thomas, John Co. F 26th
Thomas, John Co. K 69th & 67th
Thompson, Robert Co. I Ist H. A.
Thompson, Andrew G...Co. B 3d Cav.; died
Oct. 30, 1862, Lawrence,
Thompson, John B...Lt. Co. F 19th ; killed
June 3, 1864.
Thompson, Sumner... Co. H 4th ; died March,
1880.
Thompson, Wm. L...l8t Lt. Co. C 5th (previ-
ously same Co, So. Danvers),
Thompson, James V. R, C.
Thome, Francis R...Co. I 26th ; died June 28,
1804, New Orleans.
Thornton, Geo V. R. C.
Thornton, Thos. V...Co. F let H. A., tr. to V.
R. C.
Thyng, Dan, G-..Co. B 4th; died Aug. 19, 1863,
Laconia, N. H.
Tibbetts, Edw'd Co. H 60th
Tibbetts, Sewall F Co. A 1st
Tiernay, Wm Co. D 3d H. A.; dead
Tiernay, John Co.K 2d Cav,
Tilton, Jonathan D V. R. 0.
Tobey, Austin B Co. H 4th
Towey, Thos Co. C 30th
Towey, Geo Co. B 3()th
Towey, Lewis Co. B Sdth
Towle, John VV Co. H 4th
Towne, John A Co. E .'.Oth
Tiavilla, Robert Ist D. 0. Inf.
Travis, Sam'l Co. C 40th, tr. to V. R. C.
Tredick, Chas. E Co. G 30th 4 8th Unat.
Trees, Fred. G Co. H 4th 4 8th Tlnat.
Trombly, Cyprine...Co. G 2d H. A., tr. to 21lth
Inf.
Trueworthy, Chas. H Co. I 6th
Tuck, Chas... Co, F Ist II. A.
Tufts, David,., Co. F 6th (3 mos,), Co, K Gth (100
days).
Tuthill, Geo. H Hosp. Stew. U. S. A.
Tuttle, Thos. P Co. F 6th
Twomey, Dan'l 8th U. C.
Tyler, Fred. G...Co. I 6th (3 mos.), Lt. Co. I
6th (i) mos,), Lt. 8th Unat.
Tyrrell, Elias Co. K 40th N. Y.
Ure, Dan'l Co. H 6th N. H.
Valery, Jas Co. K 40th N. Y.
Vallencourt, Jules Co. C 32d
Varnum, Chas. 0 Co. C 4 th
Varnum, Jos, C 8th Unat.
Varnum, Isaac S.,.Co. B 4th ; died March 5,
1863, Carrollton, La.
Varnum, Ralph Co. B 4th
Vogel, Henry Co. C 20th
LAWRENCE.
927
Vaughn, Smith. .Co. I Cth 4 Cu. G .Mth 4 5"th
Vaiiglin, .lohn Co. F -iSth
Vatter, Hem }■ Cu. I 2Cth
Waddington, .Tames Co. K Gth
Wndhn, Gardner E Co. B 4th
Walker, Warren G Co. K 1st H. A
Walker, Hobert 8th Unat.
Walker, Wm. G Co. B3d Cav.
Walker, Edwd. K Co. I Gtb
Wagnei-, .\ugustii8 Co. I 6th
Wagner, P>riest Co. I 6th
Wagner, Ferdinand Co. I Gth
Wallace, Webster W.. Sergt. Co. K Ist H. A. I
d. of wounds July 2li, lgli4, Asbbunham,
Mass.
Walsli, Wm. 51., Co. K 1st H. A.; trans, to V.
B.C.
Walsh, Joseph :...Co. B 4th
Walsh, John Co. B 3d Cav.
Walsh, Martin, Co. B .Wth ; d. Oct. 1, 1S6),
Danville, Va.
Walsh, James Co. I Cth
Ward, Peter Co. I2mh
Ward, Peter Co. K 40th N. T.
Warner, Alex Co. F '2Gth
Warner, Frank Co. K 1st H. A.
Warren, .\ndrew Co. C 4th H. A.
Washburn, Eleazer, Co. F 1st U. A.; killed
May 19, 1S64, Spottsylvania.
Washburn, Alden....lst H. A. Band & 2d H. A.
Washington, Geo Co. H 5th Cav. (Col )
Waterman, .\rthurO Co. I Gth
Watson, Benj. F Lt. Col. Gth Regt.
Watts, Francis 8th U. S. Cav.
Weare, John F Capt. 40lh
Webb. Saml Co. F 4Sth
Webb, James, Co. I 2d ; killed May 3, 1863,
Cbancellorsville.
Webster, Justus W., Co. K 1st H. A.; killed
June 10, 1804, Petersburg, Va.
Webster, Cbas. 0 Co. B4th
Webster, Henry A., Co. H 4th & Co. B Front
Cav.
Webster, Walden W., Co. B 3d Cav,; trans. V.
K. C.
Webster, Henry K., Co. B 12th ; trans. Co. E
38th.
Webster, Geo Co. T 2Gth
Wermers, Frank Co. U 4th
Welch, Geo Co. FlstH.A-
Welch, Wm Co. G3d H. A.
Welch, Patrick, Co. K4Cllh N. Y.; killed Aug.
20, 1802, Bull Bun, Va.
Welch, Michael Co. K 40th N. T.
Wells, Wm. H Co. H 4th 4 Co. C 4th H. A.
Wcutworth, Horace Co. FCth 4 Co. G 3ttb
Wentworth, Edwin H. C, Co. I Olh 4 Co. F
22d.
Wenlworlh Busscll Co. K 0th
Wenlworlh, Geo. F Co. E 2d H A.
Wentworlli, David Co. B3d Cav.
Wentworth, Merrill Co. i. 3d Cav.
West, Edward Co. C 40th
West, Geo. W Co. F 2Hth
West, Chas. E Co. H 1st Cav.
Westall, Solomon Co. F 1st H. A.
Weston, Geo Co. K 1st H. A.
Weston, Chas. H Co. H latt.av.
Weston, John G Co. C 4Cth
Weston, Justus P Band U. S. A.
Weymouth, chas. J., Co. I Gtb & Co. I 2Gth 4
Lt. 14th l.B. Vol.
Whatmore, Robert Co. B 4th
Wheeler, Fredk .'.Co. G 2d H. A.
Wheeler, Austin E Sergt. Co. I 2d
Wheeler, Geo. W., Co. I 2Cth ; d. July 25, 'G2,
N. Orleans.
Wheeler, Leonardo Co. I 2Gth
White, Josiah C, Sergt. Co. G 30th 4 Lt. U. S.
C. T.
White, Thos., Co. F 2Gth ; d. Dec. 12, 1SC2, N.
Orleans.
White, Calvin M., Co. F 2Cth ; d. Aug 27, '62,
N. Orleans.
White, Henry L Co. F 2Gth
White, Clarence 8th U. S. Inf.
White, Patrick 81h U. S. Inf.
Wbitehill, John F (to. K 6th
Whitfield, Angus...Co. A 3rd H. A. tr. to Navy
Whitley, John Co. F 1st H. A.
Whitney, Charles C 8th, Unattached
Whittaker, Sanjuel G., Co. C 4th H. A. and
Co. E 30th.
Whittemore, William Co. B 4th
Whittemore, William F Co. C 3d H. A.
Whittenioie, Daniel, Co. K 1st H. A. ; died
June S, 1S04, Philadelphia.
Whitten, Joseph L Co. H 4th
Whittier, Charles Co. I 7th
Wholla, Christian 3d U. S. Inf.
Wholla, James Co. E oOth
Wicks, James Co. H 7th
Wiggin, Mayhew C, Co. K let H. A.; died
Nov. 8, 16G4, .\ndersonville.
Wiggin, Gilman P Co. H 4th
Wilde, Joseph B Co. H 4th
Wilde, E. Allen Co. K 40th Mass
Wilder, Henry A Co. B 1st H. A.
Wiley, John W Co. C 40th
Wilkin, Joseph A Co. 0 40th
Willard, Benj.amin D Co. I 2Gth
Willey, Eben Co. C 40th
Willey, CelestineG Co. F Ist Bat. H. A.
Williams, John T Co. F Cth, and Co. F 26th
Williams, Elias 1st .\. J.
Williams, Albert M Co. K 1st H. A.
Williams, George H Co. F 2Cth
Williams, Charles S Co. B ,32a
Williams, William 0 V. U. C.
Willoughby, Lamont C Co. K Sth
Wills, Thomas P Co. B. 4lh
WMlson, William J Co. B 3a Cav.
Wilson, Charles Co. FlGth
Wilson, William Co. I 17th
Willson.Jobn Co. E 3d H. A.
Wing, Thomas A., Co. II 4tli ; died June 2,
1S03, Brasbear City, La.
Winn, William B Co. B, F. Cav.
Winn, Ambrose S Co. F 1st H. A.
Winuiiig, James, Co. B 4th ; died Nov 1, 1885.
Winslow, Almon M Ist U. S. ('av.
Withington, James, Co. B 3d Cav. , killed in
action May 15, 1864.
Wolfe, John Co. I Gth
Wolfe, Richard Co. E 59th
Wood, William Co. Fist H. A.
Wood, Duncan Co K 0th
Wood, Philander Co. G 3Ulh
Wood, Henry.. ..Co. I Gth, and Co. H Ist H. A.
Woods, Peter Co, K 2.1 II. A.
Woodbury, Charles Co. I Gth
W'oodhonse, James Co. K 40th N. Y.
Worthing, John B., Co. A 1st H. A., tr. to V.
K. C.
Worthley, Daniel E Co. I 2Gth
Wright, Levi P Col. Ist H A.
Wright, De.\ter Co. F Ist H. A.
Wright, William H Co. K H. A.
Wright, David Co. B 3d Cav.
Wright, George A Co. B 3d Cav.
Wright, Clinton M Co. H 4th
Wright, Kathaniel Co. C 4Uh
Yates, Eugene S., Sth Unattached, and Co. D ;
Fr. Cav. ; died July 28, ItSO,
Yeatnn, Daniel S., Capt. Co. I 0th ; died Not.
28, 1862, New Orleans, and Capt. Co. G.
30th.
Yeaw, Leonard, Co. G 30th ; died August 25,
1802, New Orleans.
Yerrington, George E., Co. I 6th and 26th and
Major 13th corps J> 'Afrique.
Yore, Patrick, Co. G 30th ; died Sept 13, 1862,
New Orleans.
Young, Nicholas Co. D 9th
Y'oung, James L Co. D 22nd tr. to V. R. C.
Young, William Co. K 40th N. Y.
Zeitter, John F 1st U. S. Cav.
928
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ARTEMAS W. STEARNS.
Artemas W. Stearns was born in Hill, N. H., March
11, 1816. He was left fatherless at a tender age, and
supported by his widowed mother, who was the vil-
lage milliner.
When, at the age of six, his mother married again,
he still remained at home until the death of his step-
father, who was accidentally drowned. Mr. Stearns
was now ten years of age. His mother, being left
with two other children, was unable longer to sup-
port all her family with her needle, and he was bound
out to a prosperous farmer in Bridgewater until he
became of age. At the expiration of the time he
was to have one hundred dollars and a freedom suit.
He was treated by the farmer as one of his familyi
attending the district school during tlie winter months.
Mornings and evenings he chopped firewood and took
care of the stock of cattle. Being a trustworthy boy,
the farmer often sent him to market from Bridgewater
to Bristol, a distance of six miles, with an ox-team,
carrying butter, cheese and sometimes ashes, which
were used in the manufacture of potash. Finally,
becoming dissatisfied with his occupation, he bought
the remainder of his time, paying five dollars, for
which he still carries the receipt.
In August, 1833, in his eighteenth year, he went to
Nashua, N. H., and entered the cotton factory, re-
maining there and in Lowell, Mass., for several
years. This occupation not being suited to him,
he decided to get a better education, and to this end
he attended the academy at Newmarket, N. H., dur-
ing the fall months, washing dishes and ringing the
academy bell for his board. When he left the acade-
my he taught in tbe district schools of Dracut and
Andover, Mass., and Windham and Salem, N. H. In
Windham he had a class in algebra, a branch which
he had not yet taken in his course of studies, and he
was on this account in a dilemma, but his will came
to the rescue, and he determined to conquer by study-
ing evenings and keeping ahead of his class, which
he did, and no one ever mistrusting that he was not
a thorough master of the higher mathematics. Thus
it has been all through iiie by hard labor and close
application he has overcome obstacles, and success
has crowned his efforts.
In 1840 he began peddling through the country,
selling silverware, spectacles, razors, dress silks, &c.,
from two tin trunks. He always carried the finest
goods to be found in the market, and would also take
orders for shawls or anything the buyer wanted, and
bring it with him on his next trip. He also did the
engraving on all the silverware which he sold, doing
it evenings, denying himself all pleasure until his
work was done.
March 5, 1843, he married Lydia, daughter of James
and Abi (Duren) Searles, of Nashua, N. H., and set-
tled in Methuen, Mass., continuing his peddling until
the (all when, after buying his stock for the fall trade,
he was taken with lung fever and his physician fi.r-
bade him travelling during the winter. He then put
his goods in a small shop quite near his house and
hung out his sign. Success attended this venture and
his small store soon became the scene of so much
activity that the village people gave it the name of
the Bee Hive. Here he remained about eighteen,
mouths, when, finding his business had outgrown his
accommodations, he sought a larger place for it.
In 1846 he started a branch store in the new city of
Lawrence, remaining in a store on Amesbury Street
two years, when he removed to Essex Street to get
more room. In three years he was forced to move
into a still larger store, and another three years found
his business so much increased as to require still lar-
ger accommodations.
He now resolved to buy land and build for himself
which he did on his present site. In 1877-78 he en-
larged and beautified his store, and the present year
he has again remodeled and enlarged his building,
which is unquestionably the finest business structure
in Essex County. It is thirty feet wide, ninety feet
deep, four stories and basement, the whole being oc-
cupied by hira. The new building has a massive
front of brown stone, with heavy plate glass windows.
Mr. Stearns is justly proud of this building, which
stands as a monullient to crown the long years of un-
tiring devotion to business.
When a young man Mr. Stearns united with the
Orthodox Church in Methuen, Eev. John C. Phillips
pastor. On coming to Lawrence he formed one
of a new church, called the Central Congregational
(now Trinity), and has always been one of its most
liberal supporters. He has been chairman of the
Board of Assessors for many years, but has never
sought public office, being of a retiring nature. He
was, however, in the Board of Aldermen in 1861, and
has been very generous in donations for public en-
terprises.
In 1864 A. S. Wright, the head mechanic of the
Atlantic Mills, proposed to Mr. Stearns and A. J.
French to become partners in the manufacture of
woollen yarns. At Mr. Stearns' suggestion the ma-
chinery for yarn was sold, and the mill equipped
with machinery for making braid; and a co-partner-
ship formed under the firm-name of the Wright
Manufacturing Company. At first fifty braiders were
used. In 1874 the company was incorporated with
A. J. French, president; A. S. Wright, superinten-
dent; Mr. Stearns, treasurer and selling agent. The
company are now running more than one thousand
machines, being one of the largest and most com-
plete works of the kind in the United States, a large
proportion of their product being goods of high class,
heretofore imported. But for Mr. Stearns' pluck and
eflbrt this venture would not have been a success.
Mr. Stearns was chosen one of the directors of the
^■^z^^-^z^
^x^r-t^^^-^i^ (^^^ (^^/i^^J^^^/yy^
MIDDLETON.
929
Lawrence National Bank, upon its organization in
1872, and in 1S7S he was elected its president, and
still holds the position. He is also one of the trus-
tees and first vice-president of the Broadway Savings
Bank.
He is one of the original stockholders of the
Merrimack Valley Horse Railroad, and has been one
of its directors since its organization, and is at pres-
ent the largest stockholder.
AAROX OEDWAY.
Among men who, during a long residence in Law-
rence, have exliibited strongly marked individuality
and intense activity in business and in general af-
fairs. Dr. Aaron Ordway is a prominent veteran. A
powerful ally in any cause he espoused, he has been,
also, a wily and determined enemy to schemes and
plans that he found well-grounded reason to oppose.
He came to the city in 1847, having previously
been a trader in general merchandise at Springfield,
Mass., and a practicing physician in Rumney, N. H.
For twenty years, after coming, he was one of the
busiest physicians of the city, and, for a long time,
added to professional duties a thriving retail drug
business. Faithful care of these interests called for
uninterrupted action, and the doctor's temperament
and physique fitted him to throw a vast amount of
energy into the conduct of his private businei^s, and
yet continue active in matters of public concern, as
a private citizen and as an alderman during two terms
of service. So active was his life that his fellow-citi-
zens wondered when he slept and rested, for he was
the last man seen on the street or at business at night
and the first abroad in the morning. Later in life he
became financially interested in timber-lands and in
the manufacture of lumber, and was at onetime pres-
ident of Brown's Lumber Company, of Whitefield,in
Northern New Hampshire, and also of the White-
field and Jefferson Railroad, in the same locality.
In religious matters Dr. Ordway has never been
committed to any form of doctrine or wording of
creeds, because of others' declaration, having
well-grounded faith and opinion of his own, but he
has liberally assisted many a struggling church and
society in time of financial strait. He has also been
a persistent and unswerving friend of the City Hos-
pital.
In politics Dr. Ordway has been a party man of the
intensest kind when he believed his party right, hold-
ing that right cannot be too boldly asserted or vigor-
ously advocated; nevertheless, he could see a party
desert its principles without joining in the stampede.
He was a pioneer among early Abolitionists and an
active sympathizer with the boldest reformers, wheth-
er in the anti-slavery or woman's suffrage cause.
Long-continued intensity of action has undermined
and broken a strong constitution and hardy physicjue,
and, at the the age of seventy-four, he is an invalid,
yet his courage is unabated and his mind unclouded.
59
In his active days his favor was much courted and
his opposition feared by aspirants for political hon-
ors. Never on the fence or slow to declare himself,
he was, in politic*, as in all else, a determined oppo-
nent and a fast friend. It was said by some, that,
when he appeared in a political contest as a cavalry-
man with a sorrel charger there was terror in the host
he opposed.
He was born in Hebron, N. H., May 4, 1814. His
father, Stephen Ordway, went from Amesbury, Mass.,
in childhood, to Dunbarton, N. H. From thence, at
nineteen years, he removed to the northern planta-
tion of " Cockamouth " (afterwards called Hebron),
there founding a home, where he lived to the age of
ninety-three years. John Ordway, brother of Ste-
phen and uncle of the subject of this sketch, w\as the
clerk and historian of the Lewis and Clark Explor-
ing Expedition, an enterprise that opened up hitherto
unknown regions of the West in the early years of
the century and made the participants therein famous
in American History.
Dr. Ordway married, for his first wife, Mary M.
Kelley, of New Hampton, N. H., and four children
survive her; for his second wife, he married Mary
Ann Kelley, of Franklin, N. II., and with her he is
enjoying as much of rest and quiet as bi'oken health
allows.
CHAPTER LXIL
MIDDLETON.
BY DAVID STILES.
FROM THE FIRST GRANT OF LAND BY THE GOVERN-
MENT TO RICHARD BELLINGHAM, ESQ., IN
NOVEMBER, 1639 TO 1887.
In compiling this work (for I do not cl.tim to hp author), I have se-
lectcJ material accmdinE to my best judgment. If no fault is found I
eliall accomplish tliat which no other one to my knowledgo has ever
done liefure in a town history. Nearly every town in the county haa a
published history by some qualified author, but nothing worthy of such
a title has ever been produced of this town, therefore I am left without
any help, and your charitable judgment I implore.
In making up chapters some repetitions occur of persons and places,
which are unavoidable ; some mistakes in dates no doubt have been made,
though not very far away from the truth. In many ca-ses it has been
almost impossible to find the esact times and places of even some of th«
most important events. — • •
This town is about five miles long from north to
south, and about three miles wide, bounded north by
Andover and North Andover, west by North Read-
ing, south by Danvers and east by Topsfield and Box-
ford. The larger part of the town is on the left bank
of Ipswich River, which runs from southwest to north-
east. Another principal stream is Beech Brook,
named from the original beech trees along its bank.
Its rise is in Andover, and its mouth is near the box-
mill of J. B. Thomas, into Ipswich River. Pout
930
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Pond Brook is an outlet of Swan Pond, in North
Beading; its moutli is near the knife-factory build-
ings, into Ipswich River ; and there are other small
streams of less note.
The large.st body of water has always been called
Middleton Pond, which now supplies Danversas well
as our village, with the best of water. Pout Pond is
on Pout Pond Brook, a sunken hole said to be the
centre of the town. There are also other small bod-
ies of water.
The most elevated land. Will's Hill, named from
the last Indian inhabitant, who lived and died upon
its summit, and whose squaw survived till after the
town was incorporated, — and Bear Hill, near Tops-
field line.
The town is well diversified by hills and valleys,
and has many productive farms.
In population the village has largely increased
within the last fifty years, while other portions have
remained nearly the same, and in some parts gone
back.
The wild beasts of the early years have disap-
peared. A few of the smaller varieties still remain.
This town was settled sixty-eight years before the
act of incorporation. After passing those years,
both the civil and ecclesiastical history commence.
We then take up the latter and pursue it up to the
present time, and then resume the civil history, after
which, items of interest.
1639. This town was an unbroken wilderness, save
an Indian plantation near the great pond. Righard
Bellingham's grant, dated November 5, 1639, says:
"in it is a pond' and an Indian plantation." This
grant contained seven hundred acres. Some years
previous to this time it is supposed that there were
two other large Indian plantations, one at the east
side on the plains, and one east of the house of H.
A. Stiles; at these locations many Indian imple-
ments from time to time have been found.
Other grants followed that of Bellingham's; of
Major General Daniel Dennison, of Ipswich, east of
Bellingham's, running north, followed by Henry
Bartholomew, near New Meadows, now Topsfield.
These grants from General Court covered the larger
portion of the present town.
The very first settler within the present limits of
the town was AVilliam Nichols, in 1651, near William
Peabody's, then New Meadows, from whom came two
of our church officers; and all, so far as we know,
by that name, many of whom have blessed the
world and bear an honor to the name.
This William Nichols bought two hundred acres of
Henry Bartholomew, mostly beyond the " six-mile
extent " (meaning the circuit or swing-round bounds
of Salem, which reached a half-mile south of our
present village). William Nichols lived to the age
iThis pond wns subsequently called Wilkina' Pond, and may now
rigbtfully belong to Bray Wilkina' heire.
of one hundred and two, and for many years his
posterity were quite numerous iu town; all of that
name have now left town.
Bray Wilkins came from Wales and was among
the first to land in this State. He was a very
enterprising man, and of great vigor of constitution,
and for many years was licensed as boatman on
Naponset River, and to charge a penny a person.
He subsequently moved to Lynn, Mass., and was en-
gaged in some way in the iron business. Then, in
1659, he entered upon the bold operation (with his
brother-in-law, John Gingle), of buying out the
claim of Bellingham, amounting to seven hundred
acres, paying therefore two hundred and fifty pounds
and a ton of bar-iron. But with a strong constitu-
tion and six stout sons, with the help of Gingle, a
tailor by trade, and two trusty kinsmen, Aaron
Way and William Ireland, conveyed to them good
farms. Aaron Way's houses were on the site of the
old Estys tavern, now standing; subsequently Mr.
Wilkins purchased more than he had sold, and yet,
in 1676, the mortgage given to Bellingham was dis-
charged, and his sons had bought out Gingle, and
the work was done, says Upham.
It is curious to note that Bellingham inserted in
Wilkins' deed that if minerals were found on this
claim he was to pay him, or his heirs, ten pounds
per year more.
Bray Wilkins' father was Lord John Wilkins, of
Wales, and the family had borne many honorable
titles and is traced back to 1090, or nearly eight
centuries. Wilkins died 1702, aged ninety-seven.
On Dennison's claim was found iron-ore, and a
mill was erected on the site of the knife-factory ;
and Thomas Fuller, an Englishman, who came over
about 1638, and had resided in Cambridge, was en-
gaged by Dennison to run the mill, and subsequently
became owner in 1663, and erected bis dwelling on
the site of the house now owned by Charles O. Frost ;
and his little blacksmith-shop stood across the brook,
called Piercies Brook, near the present tomb — the
foundation can be now seen.
This iron-puddling mill remained in the Fuller
family, in company with the Cave family, who lived
on the farm now owned by Mr. O. L. Carleton for
many years, and was subsequently set on fire, as is
supposed, and de^troyed by one of the parties to the
ownership, then in a quarrel.
The wealth of this Thomas Fuller and his enter-
prising spirit and sound judgment gave to his pos-
terity good positions in society, which have been
sustained wherever they have been scattered over the
world.
He had three wives. He died June 3, 1698. He
came to this country on a tour of observation, in-
tending to return in one year, but was converted
under the preaching of Rev. Thomas Shepard, of
Cambridge, Mass., on account of which he wrote some
verses, the last of which is as follows :
MIDDLETOX.
931
"Christ cast his gamienls over me,
And all m3' sins did cover ;
More precious to my soul was Ho
Than dearest friend and lover."
Aucrustus Shepard, of this town, is a descendant of
this Rev. Thomas Shepard. This information was
obtained in Boston.
The farms of the earlier settlers for some years were
but imperfectly fenced and their cattle and flocks
were watched by herdsmen, assisted by boys and girls.
The court decreed that in every town the chosen men
are to take care of such "as are sett to keep cattle
that they sett some other employment withall, as
spinning upon the rock, knitting & weaving tape, &c.,
that boyes and girls be not suffered to convers to-
gether."
Thus the watchers had to be watched.
Before the incorporation of this town, which
was sixty-eight years after Wilkins bought Belling-
ham's claim, several occurrences took place which we
shall mention. Wilkins, and those owning under
him, were, in IGGl, annexed to Salem Village, which
gives the long and peculiar shape to the village boun-
daries, and there, where the witchcraft delusion began,
they attended church and were identified with that
people.
The families of Wilkins and Fuller increased rap-
idly, and with others who had moved in, it is suppos-
ed that in 1G92 the population had increased to nearly
three hundred. At the above date Francis Elliott
lived a little west of the red house near the cemetery,
and William Way who, with his wife Percy, united
with the church at Salem Village May 12, 1G80, lived
in a house, the remnant of the cellar of which is seen
just opposite the house of the late Addison Tylor.
These houses, however, came within the bounds of
Rowley Village, now Boxford, but nearly all the set-
tlers as far away as William Nichols' farm came under
the name of Will's Hill men. The line of Rowley
crossed the river forty rods above Indian Bridge on a
northwest course, passed in front of William Way's
house, thence by Pout Pond to Beech Brook, where
two brooks meet below the house of Mr. Ogden.
This little settlement became greatly disturbed by
the witchcraft delusion, and one man of no little note
was selected as a victim and hung on Gallows Hill,
Salem, and here we insert the proceedings from Up-
ham's work as a part of our own history : —
THIAL OF JOHN WILLARD.
"May 10, 1602, a warrant was issued against John Willard, 'husband-
man ' to bo brought to Thomas Beadle's house in Salem. On the 12th
John Putnam. Jr., constable, made return that bo had been 'to the
house of the usual abode of John Willard and made seardi for him, and
in several olher places and houses, but could not find him,' and that his
relations and friends said ' that to their best knowledge he was fled.' Ou
the 15th a warrant was issued to the marshal of Essex, and the constable
or constables within this their majesty's colony or territory of Ma-^sa-
chusetts, in New England, requiring them to apprehend said Willard
' if be may be fuund in your precimts, who stands charged witli sundry
HCt.s of wicbcraft, by him done or conmiitted on the bodies of Hray Wil-
kins and Samuel Wilkins, the son of Henry Wilkins, and others, upon
complaint made by Thomas Fuller, Jr., and Benjamin Wilkins, Sr.,
yeoman, who, being found, you are to convey from town to town,
from constable to constable. ... to be prosocuted according to the di-
rection of Constable .John Putnam, of Saloni Village, wlio goes with the
same.' On the 18th of Slay Constable Putnam brought in Willnnl, and
delivered him to the niigistrates. He was seized in Groton. There is
no record of his examination, but we gather from the papers on tile the
following facts relating to this interesting case : It is said that Willard
had been called upon to aid in the arrest, custody and bringing in of
persons accused, in acting as deputy-cons'able; and from his observation
of the deportment of the prisoners, and from all he heard and saw, his
sympathies became excited in their behalf, and he expressed in more or
leas terms his disapprobation of the proceedings. He seems to have con-
sidered all hands concerned in the business— accusers, accused, magis-
trates and people — as alike bewitched. One of the witnesses against him
deposed that he said in a ' discourse ' at the house of a relative, — ' Hang
them ; they are all witches.' In consequence of this kind of talk, in
which he indulged as early as April, he incurred the ill-will of the par-
tics engaged in the prosecutions, and it wa^ whispered about that he was
himself in the diabolii-al confed>-racy. lie was a grandson of Bray Wil-
kins, and the mind of the old man becauie prejudiced against him, and
most of his family connections and neighbors partook of the feeling.
When Willard discovered that such rumors were in circulation against
him, he went to his grandfather for counsel and the aid of bis prayers.
He met wi'h a cold reception, as appeared by the deposition of the old
man, as follows : ' When John Willard was first complained of by the
afflicted persons for afflicting of them, he came to my house, greatly
troubled, desirod nie, with some other neigtibors, to prsty f.T him. I
told him I was tlien going from home and could not stay, but if I could
come home before night, I should not be willing. But it was near night
before I came home and so I did not answer his desire, but I heard no
more of him upon that account. Whether my not answering bis desire
did not oflfdud him, I cannot tell, but I was jealous afterwards that it
did." Willard soon after made an engagemetit to go to Boston on
election week with Henry Wilkins, Jr. A son of said Henry Wilkins,
named Daniel, a youth of seventeen years of age, who ha<l heard the
stories against Willard, and believed them all, remon&tnited with his
father against going to Boston with Willard, and seemed much distiessed
at the thought, saying, among other things, — *It were well if the said
W'illard were hanged.' Old Bray Wilkins must go to election, too, and
so started off ou horseback — the only mode of travel then practicable, from
W'iU's Hill to Winnesimit Ferry— with his wife on a pillion behind him.
He Mas eighty -two years of age, and slie probably not much Ie.ss ; for she
had been the wife of his youth. The old couple undoubtedly had an ac-
tive time that week in Boston. It was a great ovation, and the whole
country flocked in to partake in the ceremonies and services of the anni-
vei-sary. On Election day, with his Mife, he rode out to Dorchester to
dine at the house of his brother. Lieutenant Itichard Way. Deodat
Lawsou and bis new wife, and several more, join them at the table.
Before sitting down Henry Wilkins and John Willard also came in.
Willard, perhaps, did not feel very agreeably towards his grandfather at
the time for having shown an unwillingness to pray with him. The old
man saw, or imagined he saw, a vei-y unpleasnnt expression in Willanra
countenance. To my apprehension, he looked after such a sort upon ino
as I never before discerned in any. The long and hard travel, tho fa-
tigues and e.xcitenients of election week, were too much for tlie old man,
tough and rugged as he was; and a severe attack of a complaint, to which
persons of his age aie often subject, came on. He experienced groat
sufferings, and, as he expressed it, ' was like a man on a rack.'
"I told my wife immediately that I was afraid that Willard had done
wrong ; ray pain continuing, and finding no relief, my jealousy contin-
ued. Mr. Lawson and others there were all amazed, and knew not
what to do for me. There wa.-? a woman accounted skilful came, hoping
to help me, and after she h.ad used means, she asked me whether none
of those evil persons had done me damage. I said I could not say they
had, but I was sore afraid they had She answered she di<i fear so,
too. As near as I can remember, ' I biy in this case three or four days
at Boston, and afterward, with the jeopardy of my life (as 1 thought), I
came home.' On his return he found bis grandson, the same Daniel
who had warned Henry Wilkins against going to Boston with John
Willard, on his death-bed, in great suffering. Another attack of his own
malady came on. There was gr^at consternation in the neighborhood,
and throughout the village. The devil and his confederates, it was
tliougbt, were making an awful onshiught upon the people at Will's
Hill. Parris and others rushed to the scene. Mercy liBwis and Mary
Walcot were carried up to tell who it was that waa bowitcbing old
Bray, and young Daniel, and others of the Wilkinses who bad cauglit
932
HISTOKY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the contagion and were experiencing or imagining all sorts of bodily
ails. Tlu'.v were taken to the room where Daniel was approacliing his
death agonies ; and they both allirmed that they 5;iw the spectres of old
Mrs. Buckley and .lohn Willaid npon his throat and upon his breast,
and pressed him and choked him ; and the cruel operation, they insisted
upon it, continued until the lioy died. Tlie girls were carried to the bed-
room of the old man, who was in great suffering; and, when they en-
tered, the queition was put by the anxious and excited friends in the
chamber to Mercy Lewis, whether she saw anything. She said, yes ;
' they are looking for Jolin Willard.' Presently she pretended to have
canght sight of his apparition, and exclaimed, ' there he is upon his
grandfather's belley.' This was thought wonderful, indeed, for, as the
old man says in a deposition he drew up afterwards, 'At that time I was
in grevions pain in the small of my belly.' Mrs. Ann Putnam had her
story to tell about .John Willard. Its substance is seen in a deposition
drawn up about the same time, and is in the same vein as her testimony
in otlier cases, presenting a problem to be solved by those who can draw
the line between semi-insane hallucination and downright fabrication.
" Her deposition is as follows :
" ' The shape of Samuel Fuller and Lydia WilUins this day told me at
my own house by the bedside who ai>peared in a winding-sheet, that if
I did not go and tell Mr. Hathorne that John Willard had murdered
them, they would tenr'nie to pieces. I knew them when they were liv-
ing, and it was exactly th.-ir resemblance and shape. And, at the same
time, the apparition of John Willard told me that he had killed Samue'
Fuller, Lydia Wilkins, Goody Shaw and Fuller's second wife, and .\aron
Way's child, and Ben Fullers child, and this deponant's child S.arah, six
weeks old, and Phihp Knight's child, with the help of William llobbs,
and .Jonathan Knight's child and two of Ezekiel Cheevers children with
the help of William Hobbs ; Anne Eliot and Isaac Nichols with the help
of Williitm Hobbs ; and if Mr. Hathorne would not believe them,— tha'
is, Samuel Fuller and Lydia Wilkins, perhaps they would appear to the
magistrates. Joseph Fuller's apparition the same day also came to me,
and told me that Goody Covey had killed him. The spectre aforesaid
told me that vengeance, vengeance, was cried by said Fuller. Tliis re-
lation is true. .\nn Piitn.^m.'
"It appears by such papers as are to be found relating to W'illard's
case, that a coroner's jury was held over the body of Daniel Wilkins, o'
which Nathaniel Putnam was foreman.
"It is much to be regretted that the iinding of that jnrj* is lost. It
■would be a real curiosity. That it was very decisive to the point, af_
firmed by Mercy Lewis and 3Iary Walcot. That Daniel was choaked
and strangled by the spectres of John Willard and Goody Buckley is ap
parent from the nianner in which Bray Wilkins speaks of it. In an ar"
gument between him and gome persons vho were expressing their con.
fidejice in that John Willaid was an innocent n:an he sought to relieve
himself from refponsibility for Willard's conviclion by saying, 'It wag
not T, nor my son Benjamin Wilkins, but the the testimony of the af_
tiicted persons, and the jury concerning the murder of my grandson,
Daniel Wilkins, that would take away his life, if anything did.'
"Mr. Parris, of course, was in the midst of these proceedings at
"Will's Hill ; attended the visits of the afflicted girles when they went to
ascertain who were the witches murdering young Daniel Wilkins and
torturing the old man ; was present, no doubt, at the solemn examination
and investigations of the sages who sat as a jury of inquest over the
former, and, in all likelihood, nuide, as usual, a written report of the
same. As soon as he got back to his house he discharged his mind and
indorsed the verdict of the coroner's jury by this characteristic inser-
tion in his church records : 'Dan Wilkins, bewitched todeath.' Thevery
next entry relates to a case of which this obituaiy line in Mr. Parris'
cliurch book is the only intimation that has come down to us. ' Daugh-
ter to Anne Douglas by witchraft I doubt not.' Willard's examination
was at Beadle's, on the 18th. Willi this deluge of accusations and tempest
of indignalit'li beating upon him, he had but little chance, and was com-
mitted. While the marshals and constables were in pursuit of Willard,
the time was well improved by the prosecutors."— Uph.\m.
This is a part of our town historj', and gives a very
good idea of the prevailing sentiment on the public
mind in regard to withcraft at that time.
John Willard appears to have been an honest and
amiable person, an industrious farmer, having a com-
fortable estate, with a wife and three young children.
He was called grandson of Bray Wilkins, but whether
by marriage or blood relation we know not. He
came from Groton ; and whether he was a brother or
relative of Rev. Samuel Willard, of Boston, it is for
the local antiquaries to discover. If so it would add
still greater intere.'^t to this narrative. Margaret, the
widow of John Willard, married William Towne.
1700. - Ebenezer Stiles (son of Robert, who married
Elizabeth Fry October 4, 1660, came from Yorkshire,
England, with Rev. Ezekiel Rogers), came from Box-
ford (born on the site of Deacon Cowles' house), and
bought a tract of land of "Lawrence Lacy, of Ando-
ver, and in the township of Andover, four-score rods
long and three-score rods wide." Lacy, in deeding
it to Stiles, says it is the same that I had of the town
of Andover for " quality." Duality, a state of being
two, most of the land is still owned by his dscendants.
He was the first of the name settled here (his house
stood on the left bank of Beech Brook, cellar now
seen), and with his son Ebenezer, Jr., helped form
the church here in the new town in 17'29, his house
just coming within its bound-!. This son Ebenezer
married Sarah Howe April 23, 1733, and built the
house now standing, owned by H. A. Stiles, brother
of the writer.
In this same neighborhood, soon after, was Timo-
thy Perkins, now G. H. Tufts' place (this house per-
haps the oldest in town), and further down that of
Joseph Fuller, grandson of Thomas — house now
standing called the old Fuller farm-house, and quite
ancient.
As this town belonged in four parts to other towns
before incorporated, it is only by great labor that
these far away days' doings c:in be brought to light,
mixed as they are, with the records of other places
and people. The house of Bray Wilkins stood near
the end of the walk, as it comes down the hill near
the Emerson house, on Pond Road. An old house
was taken down by Maj. Solomon Wilkins (near the
Weston place), supposed to have been very old, and
for many generations the home of Bray Wilkins' de-
scendants, also the Thomas house, near by, belonged
to this Wilkins family, and is very ancient.
The house in which Mr. George A. Currier now
lives was built about 1710, by a son or grandson of
the first Thomas Fuller ; also the gambrel-roof house
near by was the home of Timothy Fuller's son, and
is older than the town. There was an old house a
little south of the Esq. Daniel Fuller house, occu-
pied by the Fuller's descendants of the first Robert.
The Peabodies and Symonds families resided in the
east part of the town. Three brothers (Peabody's),
as follows: Samuel M. Peabody place, Augustus
Curtis place and John Averillplace. Samuel Symonds
was on the box-factory place many years before the
town was incorporated, and remained in the family
till within forty years. Samuel H. Wilkins' house
belonged to the Elliot family, and east of thi.s was
John Willard's, the victim of witchcraft.
The Asa Howe farm has long been in the family,
and the house was the residence of John Howe,
MIUDLETON.
933
father of Esquire Asa Howe, who was the grand-
father of said Asa, now upon the phice. Just be-
yond this place (the cellar is now seen) was the
residence of Isaac Berry, brother of Nathaniel Berry,
grandfather of the late Deacon Allen Berry.
On the cross-road, a little east of the farm of
David Richardson, (whose house and building were
recently burned), was a farm owned by a Berry
family, all of whom died of small-pox; the build-
ings tumbled down; no one cared to go near the
place. Their remains were buried in the corner of
the field on the other side of the road. The disease
was conveyed to them by their dog from Andover,
at the house of Peter Towne, (the house is now
standing), whose wife died with the small-pox, which
is supposed to have lieen given her in a pinch of
snuff by a rejected lover. The Berrys owned a
wood-lot a little beyond this house and the dog, in
company with the team, rolled as is supposed,
on some of the waste thrown out at the back-door.
This occurred more than a century ago.
The original home of the Esty family was across
the railroad, east of the house of Mr. Walden
Batchelder.
The town records of Topsfield, July 2d, 1728. To
see what the town will do concerning the families
that have petitioned not to be set ofl" to Will's Hill,
(their names), Thomas Robinson, J( b Averill, John
Cummings and Daniel Towne (the latter probably
was the one chosen for schoolmaster), which might
have a good influence at that time, to bring them
into the town limits, though for some years Tops-
field pretended to claim to the foot of the hill, by
the road below the house of Jlr. George P. Wilkins.
All these families resided in the ne'ghborhood of
Nichols' Brook. There are quite a number of cellar
holes now seen in this portion of the town.
North and west of this Nichols Brook settlement,
was Boxford, which lost by the setting off of Mid-
dletori, six hundred acres of land, and one hundred
of their population. Incori^oration of Middleton, June
20th, 1728.
The original charter has recently been found,
though in three pieces, can yet be read ; it is written
in a bold and elegant hand. After briefly staling
the boundary lines, two years are allowed "to pro-
cure a suitable place for the worship of God, and
likewise to settle a learned orthodox minister, and
hire a scho )l-master to instruct their young."
The town met (as they then had a suitable place),
at the house of Dr. Daniel Felch, (cellar now seen
opposite house of the late Addison Tyler). (Formerly
this pl.ice was owned by William Way).
This charter was presented to the people by
Jonathan Fuller (a grandson of Thomas). Two
years previous to this time the bounds of the town
had been contemplated, aud probably made for the
action of the court to grant their prayer for to be
organized into a town, and had mutually engaged
in putting up an oak frame building for a place
of worship forty feet square and about twenty-two
feet post ; the frame stood several years before being
covered, as the location did not give entire satis-
fiiction, but subsequently " voted to finish our meet-
ing-house where it now stands," yet it was in bad
condition till 1731, and even up to 1802, the house
was in the form of a barn with only a few windows, with
no inner doors, or porche-*, or plasterinsr, save the
walls, which were plastered to the gable-ends, with
no plastering over-head, till the latter date. During
this time the great braces of oak timber remained,
which went from the floor to the posts about mid-
way up, then another bmg brace from the same
mortice in the post up to the great beam overhead,
and these beams or plates were only eight feet dis-
tance apart, which with all the^e braces must have
caused the interior of the house to look like a dense
wood lot. Doubtless a small boy could lay close upon
one of these braces undiscovered by the tithing man
through the service. The wall pews were sold when
the house was first occupied, and the seats in the
body of the house gave way to pews in 1802, when
there were added, the porches, new windows and
a sounding-board or canopy, and all was newly
painted, even the roof, after which it went to decay,
and was bought by the writer forty years ago, and
taken down.
The First Minister. — A meeting was called
Tuesday, the IGth day of November, 1729. Lieuten-
ant Thomas Fuller was chosen moderator, and the
answer of Rev. Andrew Peters to the town accepted,
and the second Wednesday in November ai>pointed
for ordination. A committee was chosen to join wiih
Mr. Peters in the choice of some neighboring elders
to assist in the ordination.
Mr. John Berry, Lieutenant Thomas Fuller and
Joseph Wright composed the committee.
" Voted, to support the charges of oniination by a free contribution.
Voted, to raise seven shillings upon single votes to a hundred-pound vote.
3Ir. Petens' salary was a hundred pounds per year in province bills ur
passable money so long as he should continue his work among us, aud
that his salary shall rise or fall as money shall."
The town met again the 23d of October (1729), and
chose David Kcnney moderator; Francis Eliott, Sar-
geant Jonathan Fuller, Isaac Wilkins and Daniel
Kenney to receive both money and provisions for the
ordination ; the house of .Jonathan Fuller appointed
for entertainment of ministers and messengers, and
the house of Francis Eliott for the scholars.
The next thing in order was to form a church.
This took place October 22, 1729, with fifty-two
members; eleven more were added the following
year. From this we judge the population to have
been about four hundred or four hundred and fifty.
The November 26th following. Rev. Andrew Peters,
a graduate of Harvard College, and son of Samuel
Peters, of Andover, was settled as minister, and Dan-
iel Towne as schoolmaster.
934
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Of those who formed the church, twenty-five came
from Salem Village, niue from Topsfield and eleven
from Box ford.
The ordination of a minister, which was for life,
was a great event in those days. From all the towns
around they flocked to Middleton for a feast ; all
doors were opened, and tables loaded with the best of
frood things, and it was not an uncommon thing for
individuals to boast that they had called at every
hou'^e on the way home, and took something to eat or
drink at each, and in some cases they rested on the
way till their stomachs were relieved of its unwonted
burden.
As near as can be ascertained, the ordination took
place on the 26th day of November, 1729. Mr. Pe-
ters was then twenty-nine years of age. He remained
twenty -seven years. He was a devoted minister, and
the church prospered under his ministry. He died
October 6, 1756, aged fifty-five years. His remains
were interred in the Fuller burying-ground, and a
stone marks his last resting-place- For nearly five
years before his death he was unable to supply the
puli)it from sickness. What his complaints were we
have not learned. Very little is recorded of hi.s wife
Hannah ; her name is not found on the church
records. Mr. Peters was of a very social nature, and
perhaps a little eccentric.
It is said that Mr. Peters had a negro servant that
drove his muster's cows to pasture up by the pond,
and at that time the road went round by the old
Timothy Fuller house (now standing by the grave-
yard). Fuller was rather a lawless man, and often
loved to bother people, especially those whom he
could intimidate. The negro complained to his mas-
ter of these insults, and forthwith Mr. Peters uuder-
took to drive the cows, and he found the hectorer of
his negro and expostulated with him, but without sat-
isfaction. Then Mr. Peters took off his coat and laid
it upon a stump, saying, " Lay there divinity, while I
whip a rascal," and gave him a sound thrashing. At
another time, when looking after his cattle near
Will's Hill, he entered the hut of old Willis, the In-
dian (the last of his race in town), and his squaw
asked him to take dinner with her. He first asked
what she had; she answered, "Skunk." Well, he
thought he would not stop then, but perhaps some
other time would. Not long after he again found
himself under the cover of her tent or shanty, and,
knowing that he loved eels, she had prepared a most
tempting dish, which he did not decline, and ate
heartily ; after which the old, cunning squaw came to
his side and said, — " You say you no eat skunk, but
you eat rattlesnake," and so he had, but without any
harm, as all Indians know they are good eating.
Mr. Peters was born near the old North meeting-
house, and the cellar of his old home is now visible,
and still in the Peters possession up to a late death.
Mr. Peters bought the Dr. Daniel Felch place, took
down the house, and built a new one back of the
meeting-house, which was taken down about fifty years
since; cellar now seen.
We will now follow the succession of pastors and
the ecclesiastical history up to the present time.
After the death of Mr. Peters, for nearly three
years several votes were passed by the town to supply
the pulpit with some young gentleman from month to
month (Dana, Brown and others preached in turns);
and finally gave a call to Rev. Elias Smith (I think
he was from Baintree; not sure). Mr. Smith was
then thirty years of age, and was a graduate of Har-
vard College and a successful pastor. He was settled
January 10, 1759.
We notice a vote passed to give Mr. Smith one
hundred and sixty pounds lawful money for his settle-
ment (a sort of bonus in those days), and then voted
sixty-five pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence
for his salary ; and at a subsequent meeting the town
voted thirteen shillings, and another meeting soon
after thirteen shillings more; and, to add more at-
tractiveness to the old meeting-house, voted two
pounds for repairs, and this clinched the bargain, and
the ordination went on, and money was voted to be
taken out of the town treasury to pay its expenses.
Mr. Smith once had a call from Marblehead, which
he refused, saying, — "I would not leave my little
flock in Middleton for all Marblehead." He was one
of the trustees of Philips Academy, and so remained
till his death, which took place October 17, 1791,
aged sixty-one years. His was a mini-try of nearly
thirty-three years. His remains w^ere placed in the
tomb near his house.' Two of his daughters were
school-teachers, and one of them taught in the old
Fuller house, which stood a little south of the house
now occupied by Jeremiah Fuller, referred to before.
Rev. Elias Smith owned the farm which belonged
to the late Abijah Fuller, but his house was moved
about sixty years ago to the turnpike road, and now
owned by George A. Currier. This, however, is but
half of the house; the other half was the same size,
and stood at right angles with the other, one facing
south, the other west. Timothy Fuller owned a mill
just below Smith's farm (the old dam is yet visible),
which flowed the meadow in front of his house. Few
men dared to tackle Fuller in the law, as he was
almost always successful, and he was very often in
the law, in which he had plenty of money to spend to
gratify his overbearing spirit. But Mr. Smith beat
him this time, to the great satisfaction of the people.
Smith employed as counsel John Adams. Probably
this trial took place before Adams was President of
the United States.
Perhaps it would be well here to state that it was
the practice in those early times in New England to
seat the meeting-house (so-called) once in a year ; or
1 This tomb was built about a century ago by Captain Jose^jb Peabody,
of Salem (tbe millionaire), and Mr. Smith in company. Peabody mar-
ried two of Smitb'B daugliters, whose remains rest in the tomb with their
father.
MIDDLETON.
035
twice, at most. While the wall pews extended all
around the house, and were sold to some of the first
families in town (and occupied by their descendants
till since the remembrance of the w-riter), the bodj-
of the house contained seats, and a committee was
chosen to seat the meeting-house. First, regard was
had for old age, and they were probably seated up
towards the pulpit. Next in order were those who
paid the highest rates. The question as to who was
the richest, and, by good rights, deserved the higher
seat, when so little care was taken in assessing taxes,
for which no compensation was made (till within six-
ty years), was a most difheult question, and many
were dissatisfied : and on some dark and stormy night
the seats were all torn down, and so found on the fol-
lowing Sabbath morning. Says an old lady (who first
entered the church on Sunday morning and the first
to discover the wanton act), " If judgment begin at
the house of God what will the end be ? " The town
met and voted to build them up ; again they came
down : now they voted to build them up, and if they
come down again, each man should build up his own
seat. After this ihey stood till 1802.
After the death of Mr. Smith, the town hired, from
month to month, preachers till October 23, 1793,
when they settled Rev. Solomon Adams, a graduate
of Harvard College, who remained twenty years. He
died September 4, 1813, aged fifty-two years. His
remains rest in the tomb with his predecessor, and
the last of our ministers, whose remains are found
among the people of their charge.
The health of Mr. Adams failed some few years be-
fore he gave up preaching, and with great difficulty
he ascended the high pulpit, by reason of a palsy
shock, and an extra rail was spiked on to the great
protruding timbers near the pulpit to raise himself up
step by step. He would often forget the order of ex-
ercises, and put the singing in where it did not be-
long. During this time Deacon Benjamin Peabody
(brother of old Captain Joseph, the millionaire of
Salem) would read a sermon while Mr. Adams would
offer the prayers and, with the help of Peabody,
would conduct the other exercises.
Adams owned the farm of his predecessor, which,
with school-teaching and his little salary, gave him a
comfortable support.
" There is an intention of marriage, entered with me, hetvreen the
Rev. Solomon .\*lamB, of Sliddleton, and Miss .\bigiil Fiske, of Walt-
ham, July 14th, 1794.
" Benjamin Peabody, Toicn Clerk/'
Mrs. Adams and her young family the writer well
remembers ; their pew in the church was the first at
the foot of the pulpit stairs, which was at its right-
hand side. Some ten years after Mr. Adams' death
the widow sold the farm to Mr. Abijah Fuller (a de-
scendant of the first Thomas who had located on this
very site one hundred and sixty-one years before),
who took down half of the old house and sold the
other half to be moved to the turnpike, as before
mentioned, and built the house now standing, owned
by Charles O. Frost. Mrs. Adams, in conveving the
house and farm to Fuller, sold also the old eight-day
clock, supposed to have been bought by Adams soon
after his marriage. This clock remained in the f;im-
ily till after Mr. Fuller's death, when Mr. Edward
Page, of Boston (who married a daughter of Rev.
Solomon Adams, of Boston, and granddaughter of
the old minister), and moved the clock to Boston,
where it now gives the correct time, as it did nearly a
a century ago.
Then again the town was without a minister about
three years, when Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard was set-
tled November 27, 1816, and dismissed April 80, 1828,
— he remained twelve years. His salary was five
hundred dollars. He owned a farm near the church,
now the Richardson place. Mr. Hubbard was a very
pleasant speaker, and gave great .satislaction, espe-
cially to those who liked liberal views of Christian
doctrines. Long sermons were listened to by a full
house, discontented ones who had signed to other
jilaces of worship out of town (for, by the law then, all
all must pay a minister tax somewhere), came back,
and there was a great show of prosperity outwardly,
but soon the storm came, by the unwise speeches and
words dropped by Mr. Hubbard, a meeting was
called, and, as Mr. Hubbard was settled for life (and
the last of our ministers so settled), they voted him
five hundred dollars to relinquish the bargain between
them.
We well remember his farewell discourse, in which
he said " you would have plucked out your own eyes
and have given them to me, but now you are oflended
because I have told you the truth."
Mr. Hubbard was born in Marblehead, and a grad-
uate of Harvard College of the class of 180.5. He
resided for some time in Ipswich, had a call from
Boxford in 1808, which he relused on account of in-
sufficient salary being offered, and subsequently set-
tled in West Newbury in 1811. After leaving Mid-
dleton he was settled in Lunenburgh, Mass., and re-
mained but a few years. He made the last call on us
in Middieton in the spring of 1885. He had an in-
teresting wife and family. While here he lost a son
about fourteen years of age, whose remains were laid
in the old tomb, with the consent of old Captain
Peabody ; and when the latter's widow died, a few
years ago, at an advanced age, and. by her son
George, her remains were brought to this tomb as the
last to be laid therein (before the last great slab was
to cover it forever), the body of Mr. Hubbard's
child was discovered, and great inquiry was made as
to who it was, this inquiry was soon settled by the
writer, as this young man was an intimate friend of
his.
Then for the fourth time the three years again
elapsed before the call was given to Rev. Forrest
Jeflerds, in 1831. Meanwhile, students from An-
dover, and a Rev. Mr. Farley and others, had sup-
936
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
plied the pulpit, and but little interest was taken in
religious matters, except by a few who had, with the
Andover students, re-established the Sabbath-school,
we say re-established, because Solomon Adams, son of
the old minister, had started the school as early as
1819, but it was soon run down when he and David
Russell, its main supports, left town.
This call, however, was subsequently voted down
by one majority (after one or two meetings of tie
votes) of those who desired unevangelical preaching.
When the last vote was made known. Deacon Joseph
Peabody said, "Those of you who approve of such
preaching as we have had for the last four Sab-
baths, pl'ease to withdraw to the southeast corner
of the house," and leading the way, they then and
there resolved to leave the house of worship occupied
by them and their fathers a hundred years. Till
within a few years the house had no warming appar-
atus; now the stove. Sabbath-school library, church
furniture and the old tankards and cups, together with
the church funds and even the church records must
be given up. The records were subsequently return-
ed, though not for twenty years, and after the death
of one of the two male members who did not go with
the church. There were only four of the church
members left behind. Such fidelity in bearing testi-
mony to the truth, as shown by these now outcasts,
was a wonder after such unevangelical doctrines had
been preached by the two last settled pastors. Such
occurrences, however, took place in a large number of
towns in New England about the same time.
Those few left behind soon died ; none were even
added to their number ; the parish held now and
then a meeting on the Sabbath ; never organized a
Sabbath-school, or held a meeting, and subsequently
passed a vote calling themselves the First Universal-
ist Society, by which name they now are known. The
old house stood some fifteen years longer and became
very dilapidated, and was sold to the writer for sixty
dollars and taken down and sold for tire-wood. A few
of its boards and timbers are still preserved as relics.
This was the saddest day the Church had ever
seen. They hired the Centre school-house for a place
of worship. Mr. Jefferds cast in his lot with
them, and was settled May 2d, 1832. The same
year the new meeting-house was built ; the builder
was Jacob Dodge Wenhani, (which is now occupied
as a dwelling-house by Mr. Samuel Peabody, son of
Joseph, before mentioned), costing two thousand
dollars, of which only about seven hundred dollars
could be raised on account of the poverty of the
people. The balance was given by outside parties,
through the intercession of Mr. Washington Berry,
(God bless their memories), whose sympathies were
enlisted in our behalf, and for many years the Home
Missionary Society aided us in the sura of two hun-
dred and fifty dollars per year. In twenty-eight years
the society had not only become self-supporting, but
had out-grown their house of worship, purchased
the land on which the ancient church had stood, and
erected the present beautiful place of worship, and
thus, alter an exile of twenty-eight years returned to
the spot once dedicated by their ancestors to the
wor-ihip of God.
Mr. Jefferds was dismissed May 15th, 1844, and
died a few years since, in South Boston, about 75
years of age. Mr. Jefferds was a most faithful pastor,
proclaiming the doctrine of evangelical truth with-
out fear of man and church discipline was kept up
by him, without which, little good can be expected
of its influence. Mr. Jefferds spent the best of his
days here and laid well the foundations under which
we have prospered. His memory should ever be held
by this people in grateful remembrance.
Mr. Jefferds was settled in Epping, N. H., before
coming to Middleton. He married President William
Stearns' sister, by whom he had a very large family
of children.
Rev. Thurston Searle settled May 8, 1845 ; dis-
missed December 23, 1846. Mr. Searle married a
daughter of Colonel Jesse Putnam, of Danvers,
Mass., and died in that town a few years since.
Rev. J. Augustin Hood, ordained January 2, 1850 ;
dismissed May 17, 1854. Mr. Hood was son of Rev.
Jacob Hood, who died a few weeks since in Lynn-
field, Mass., aged ninety-four years.
Rev. A. H. Johnson, ordained January 1, 1857 ; dis-
missed April 5, 1865. Mr. Johnson is now a prac-
ticing physician in Salem, Mass.
Rev. James M. Hubbard, installed April 8, 1865 ;
resigned December 28, 1868. The same council that
dismissed Mr. Johnson settled Mr. Hubbard.
Rev. Lucien H. Frary, ordained October 7,1869;
dismissed March 16, 1875. Mr. Frary went from
here to Weymouth, and is now settled over a large
and flourishing society. Mr. Frary is a very interest-
ing preacher, and commanded a larger salary than
this people could pay. The church and society pros-
pered under his ministry.
A sad event took place just before Mr. Frary left,
which was the partial burning of the church by an
incendiary. A fire was kindled, as is supposed, in a
cabinet organ standing at the right of the pulpit,
which spread to the adjoining pews, twelve of which
were consumed ; and if it had not been for the woolen
carpet, the fire would have spread all over the house.
When discovered the blaze reached the plastering
overhead, and so great was the heat that all the paint,
even to the entry, was blistered, and the desk, table,
chairs and the organ in the gallery, that cost some
five hundred dollars, was destroyed. The damage
was about two thousand dollars.
This fire was discovered Saturday morning after
Thanksgiving, 1873, about half-past six o'clock, by
Benjamin Parker, who was at that time on his way to
work at- J. B. Thomas' box-mill. It is thought that
in less than ten minutes more the heat was so
great that the flames would have flashed all over the
MIDDLETON.
937
house. The house was closed tight ; otherwise it
would cert;iinly have been burned.
After Mr. Frary left several candidates preached,
among them Kingsly F. Norris, of New York, who
received a call which he declined, it being his inten-
tion to go West.
Rev. A. H. Tyler was settled October 24, 1877 ; dis-
mi-sed April 29, 1S80.
For the last three years the puljiit has been sup-
plied by Rev. S. K. B. Perkins, who is a scholarly
preacher and faithful, devoted pastor. Mr. Perkins '
was born in Braintree, Mass., where his father, Rev.
Jonas Perkins, was pastor for more than forty-five
years over the same church where Mr. Frary is now
settled.
The present house of worship was erected in 18-59
by Abel Preston, of Peabody, Mass. ; cost about five
thousand dollars. Building committee, Wm. A.
Phelps, David Stiles and Francis P. Merriam.
1720. .lohn Berry.
Samuel Synionds,
1738. Edward Putnam, Jr.
1749. Sanuiel Nichols.
1756. Fl-ancis Peabody, .Tr.
1778. .lohn Flint.
1780. Samuel Symonde.
ll'M. Benjamin Peabody.
John Nichols.
LIST OF DEACONS.
1820. Joseph f^ymonds.
1S21. Joseph Peabody.
1823. David S. VVilkins.
18.')!. David .Stiles, Sr.
1840. Allen Berry.
1850. William A. Phelps.
ISCS. James N. ISIerriani.
1K74. Edward VV. Wilkius.
About eight years since a Methodist Society started
here, built a neat chapel, and are now in a flourishing
condition. A new house of worship has alsci beeu
erected by the Universalist Society.
We will now resume the civil history. The first
tow'u clerk was Mr. Edward Putnam, son of first
deacon of Salem village, and lived near the Craw-
ford house, the site of which was his father's house.
This son Edward's house came within the new town,
which stood just a little down the hill, south of Mr.
J. J. H. Gregory's present farm-house.
The first selectmen w-ere, Thomas Fuller, Thomas
Robinson, John Nichols, Samuel Symonds and
Edward Putnam.
The second pew from the front door on the west
side, was sold to Joseph Fuller, for ten pounds more
than what he hath recently done, (this Joseph was
the grandson of Thomas), and his descendants
occupied this pew, so long as it was used as a place
of worship.
Soon after incorporation the town was fined for
not maintaining a public-school.
"SPECIHE.V OP TOWN ORDKRS.
**3Ir. Robert Bradford (Bradford lived on the Maj. Eiias Wilkius
place, east side). Sir, pies to pay unto .Tuseph Symonds two pounds eight
shilliugs, it being for Sliss Betsey Bisby, keeping School three weeks,
and charge the same to the town.
"MiDDi.F.TON, January ye third day, 1772.
"Andrew Fuller, Joseph Symonds, Archlaus Fuller, Selectmen. An.
drew Fuller was called Capt., and built the house near the church in
1775 and also the same year built the Porter Gould house, for his 8on>
i The home of the Perkins family was Ipswich, Mass.
5<>i
David. Archlaus Fuller, grandfither of -leremiah Fuller now occu-
pies the old house of his ancestors,"'
1732. — There was a long and bitter contest in
regard to the common lauds with Salem village peo-
ple, and General Court was appealed to. These
lands lay along Nichols Brook, called Stickey
meadows, (a proper name certainly). Afterwards this
territory was called the disputed lands between
Topsfield and Middleton, and so laid down in maps.
Notwithstanding our charter laid the bounds by the
northerly branch of said brook, yet as it could not
be found, and that the other branches had been cut
out as a nearer course to the river, to drain the
me idows, jnany years before, had caused the
northerly branch to grow over in bushes and nearly
obliterated ; but finally traced out, and the heap
of stones found on the meadow completely covered
with soil, that was placed there by those who run
the line probably two years before the act of incor-
poration w'as passed.
In the early settlement of this place, the high-
ways were not fenced, and gates or bars to be opened
or taken away and again replaced on going through
every man's farm. They however were to be in good
condition. The roads were not only crooked, but
in many places dangerous to travel, and so narrow
in raised places that it was often with great difii-
culty that teams passed each other.
Soon after incorporation, alewives were taken
from Cochitwick Brook, Andover, and placed in
Middleton pond ; then again in 1764, and at several
times subsequently till within a few years, all to little
purpose ; and black-bass at last, of which few of the
people who paid for the operation have ever seen
one.
A clerk of market for many years was annually
chosen, and a vote passed each year, whether the
hogs should go at large, if well yoked and ringed ;
this vote came up at March meeting till 1814.
Also " the chooseing of a man to take care of ye
Deer, and see that they were not killed in an impro-
per time." Mark Howe filled this ofiice several
years. He was the father of Esquire Asa, who was
grandtiither of Mr. Asa Howe, now living on the
same farm, and in the same house.
1736. — Another specimen showing the condition
of the old church.
"To seee if the town will grant ye petition of Hannah Nichols, wife
of Joseph Nichols, and .\bigail Burton, wife of John Burton, Jr., to
build a ba<-k pew over the womans stairs from ye womans back sect in
the front gallery to ye east corner of ye nieeting-liouse and from tlienco
to ye womans sets in the east gallery" (same meeting), " 3d to see if ye
town will gi-ant the petition of Joseph Wilkins and Ebenezer Nichols
for their two daughters, viz.: Mary Wilkius, and Keziah Nichols, and
others with them to build a hack seat in ye east gallery of our meeting-
house."
1739. — Two men w^re sent to Boston to present
a petition to General Court, to get a grant passed
to abate a fine imposed for not sending a repre-
sentative.
938
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Till within alaiost eighty years the expense of a
representative to General Court was borne by the
towns, and for eleven years after incorporation voted
not to send every year, and only five times in the
first sixty years. Timothy Fuller three times, and
Archalaus Fuller twice. Subsequently Dr. David
Fuller offered his services gratuitous at an informal
town meeting, the Court refused him a seat, and
afterwards the town called a meeting and disowned
him as its representative. Dr. Fuller lived on the
B. P. Richardson farm.
1740. — "To see if ye town will vote Land-Bank
money, to pay town rates," and was unanimously
passed, "that Land-Bank money or _ manufactory
bills should pay the town rates for time to come,"
was also passed.
In the scarcity of money in those days, this scheme
to make paper money was devised by leading
wealthy men in nearly all parts of the State, one
of whom lived in Worcester. Cornet Francis Pea-
body of this town, a wealthy man, and of much
influence in the county, entered deeply into it,
and pledged his property to defend it, and the
scheme went so far that Parliament had to take
notice of it and pronounced the scheme unlawful,
and in the name of the Crown they were all pro-
secuted, were heavily fined, and made to redeem
every particle of it.
" Cornet " stood for " Captain of the troop of
Horse ;" for the county, and the original commis-
sion issued by the officers of the Crown of England
are .still in existence.
1744. — " futed Kev, Andrew Peters fifty-three
pounds, six shillings and eight pence lawful money
for his salary this present year."
1745. — " Isaac Wilkins and Timothy Fuller chosen
to keep the way clear for fish to pass to the great
pond."
1749. — Ezra Putnam was given liberty to cut a
window in the back part of his pew on his own charge
and cost.
1750. — " Voted to pay Asa Foster, of Andover,
twenty pounds lawful money if he would keep the
long cassway in good repair, that it may be good
passing at all times in the year for twenty years to
come." This was Foster's ofl'er, because, in his route
to Salem, he had either to turn ofl' and go by Emer-
sen's Mill, or turn to the left and pass over at the
outlet of Pout Pond, and go out by the Eoger
Eliott's place, thence over to John King's place and
thence to Indian Bridge. Four years before the town
had voted to discontinue this crossing, and an appeal
had been made to the county for help, and even a
lottery scheme was asked for from the State, to raise
funds to fill up this sunken vale, and not till 1808
was it safe at " all times of the year" for public trav-
el. In building the railroad across these meadows
one morning it was found that during the night the
road, which \vas nearly fitted for the rails, had gone
down out of sight. As early as 1688 the people of
Andover had petitioned court to fill up this swamp
as the diverging roads, before named, were hilly and
rocky at that time, and for many years subsequently
the crossway hill was avoided by a road east of it
now seen.
1752. — " Isaac Kenney and Andrew Fuller were
chosen to go to ye General Court held at Concord
with a petition to get ye town in a regular way or
method by reason of the warrants granted by the se-
lectmen have been deficient in time past."
1755. — " Voted to raise forty pounds lawful money
in raising the long cassway with timber and gravel.''
1756. — " Toted to supply the pulpits of those min-
isters who were bearers at Mr. Peters' funeral."
1757. — " Rev. Mr. Ames preached part of the year
also Mr. Dana one month, and tried to settle him on
a salary of sixty pounds a year."
1758. — December 7th " Voted to pay charges of or-
dination, also charges for ministers, messengers and
gentlemen to dine " (Mr. Smith's ordination).
1759. — " To see if the town will vote to have Mr.
Nathaniel Peabody's rates abated, that is to say, what
he was rated for his negro servant."
*' To tJw toum of Middleton.
" Brethren — By your committee I am infonned of your desire tliat I
miglit begin my salary tlie first of January, wbicli I now tell you is
very agreeable to me, and tben tbere c»n be no difficulty in after time
relating thereunto, aud if you comply I expect you to give me an order
upon the treasurer for eighty two pound?, old tenor, which is what will
be due to that time. So, brethren, T wish you pe.ice and happiness and
tliat you will not forget to pray for your unworthy pastor,
" Elias Smith.
" Middleton, March 20, 1759."
1762. — " Voted to repair the school-house that
stands by the meeting-house, provided proper papers
be given of the house to the town." Said house was
moved to Danvers in 1819 by John Fuller.
The schools were often kept in private houses or
buildings erected by individuals, for which they re-
ceived a small income besides accommodating their
own children near home, and do some work while
being instructed, as at an early age they were required
to be almost self-supporting.
^764. — " At a vendue at John Estys' tavern the
town sold vacant places for pews in the west end of
the meeting-house to Captain Andrew Fuller for ten
pounds and ten shillings."
1769. — Jonathan Knight, Benjamin Peabody, Jo-
seph Symonds, Eunice Hobbs, Elizabeth Hobbs, Sa-
rah Fuller, Phebe Peabody, Margaret Peabody, Sarah
Russell, Elizabeth Peabody, Mercy Knight, Susannah
Wilkins, Mary Wilkins, Rebecca Holt and Lucy
Kenney were appointed to s.ay how the seats should
be moved to build the pew as mentioned in the peti-
tion of Jonathan Knight and others, and met March
13, 1770, and agreed that the seats should be moved
to the pew built in the same manner as they are done
in the men's gallery.
1771. — " Voted to give liberty tosundre persons be-
MIDDLETON.
939
longing in towne to set in our school-house on Sun-
days between meetings."
1775. — " Captain Archealus Fuller was chosen to
represent the town in the Provincial Congress to be
holden at Cambridge Feb. ye first day, 1775."
Same year, on account of the oppressive Post Bill
to the peoi^leof Boston, the people met at Estys' Tav-
ern and subsci'ibed for their relief. Then follows the
names of one hundred and four who contributed from
four pounds ten shillings to three shillings nine
pence. The sum total exceeded five hundred and
sixty pounds. This was headed by Rev. Elias Smith,
and among them were the names of several promi-
nent ladies.
The killing of those volunteer farmers, the 19th of
April, by the order of the British commander, pro-
duced a thrilling effect all over the United States.
The blood of the patriots was stirred as never before;
all rushed to the rescue with guns or no guns, and
with whatever weapon or by whatever means they
were intent upon driving the invaders from the soil.
As the news reached this town, old Tim Fuller with
his characteristic energy and bold spirit started on
his old white horse for the scene of action ; he over-
took the army on the retreat, and with his gun blazed
away at their rear; returning a short distance was
furnished with a fresh loaded gun, then, again, put-
ting spurs to his horse would overtake the fast re-
treating army, and at each shot would produce a
startling effect in their ranks. They called him
death upon the while horse. But the long ride and
the chafing he received in such active exhibitions,
when cooled off caused such a soreness that he walked
home, and a boy from Danvers, who was there by
the name of Daniel Brown, was induced to take the
horse home.
Again, at the battle of Bunker Hill, the old man's
blood was stirred up, aud mounting his old mare rode
to the scene of action, pushed his way in among his
countrymen to aid them in the fight. How many
" red-coats " he killed or wounded will never be
known. One creature, however, bit the dust, and this
time it was his old mare.
Mr. Fuller's widow died in 1824 ; she was many
years younger than her husband. As the story goes
Jlr. Fuller when at work on his land, near where the
old road crosses the turnpike at Danvers Centre,
went into an ordinary (Tavern) and called for a drink
of cider. Mrs. Smith said " you rock the cradle while I
draw the cider." When she returned Fuller asked for
the gift of the child ; this request was granted, pro-
vided he would wait till she was eighteen years
old. True to his promise he appeared at the expira-
tion of the time, and took her to Middleton and ex-
hibited her before his forty negroes which he then
owned, little and great, and in all conditions, and
said "you are mistress of them all." " What can I do
with such a black, dirty-looking company ? " The an-
swer came quick as lightning.
another." These slave-s were domiciled in the house
now owned by Mr. George A. Currier, and was built
in 1710. Fuller lived in the gambrel-roof house, now
standing near the burying-ground. We have no
reason to doubt the above statement. The dates
upon their grave stones show the disparity of their
ages.
1776. — A company of Minute-Men were immed-
iately formed, and the town voted unanimously "if
the Continental Congress declares Independence upon
the Kingdom of Great Britain, that we the inhabitants
of Middleton solemnly engage with our lives and
fortunes to support the measure so far as we are
able."
Colonel Benjamin Peabody was in command of his
compauy at \\'est Point, and assisted in laying the
second cable, the first having been broken. This
second cable was made in the form of a clevis instead
of welded links as before.
Col. Peabody was a leading man in the county, and
caused the widening and straightening of the road
between the present village and Danvers Plains, in
1811. He was a brother of Joseph, the merchant of
Salem and the older of a large family; he was the
son of Francis, and born August 9, 1741.
Dr. Silas Merriam, of Middleton, married his sis-
ter.
Captain Andrew Fuller was an officer, and his son,
John Fuller, also served in the war of the Revolution.
We can give only a few names of those patriots, in
the absence of the muster rolls which' cannot be
found, and these mostly come from those, now living,
who have heard of their serving from their own lips.
Samuel Gould, Robert Picket, Abner Wilkins, Jona-
than Lemons, David Fuller (sons of Andrew) were
taken prisoners, carried to England, and remained
some time in prison ; Capt. Andrew died in the year
1802.
One man when he heard of the battle of Lexing-
ton, was on his way to Salem with a load of wood ;
he immediately threw ofl'his wood and, with his team
started for home in great haste, stopped on his way
at Joshua Wright's blacksmith shop, (in our pre-
sent village, which stood just north of Grothe's
blacksmith shop), and ordered a spear and hook
combined, made to use against the invaders. This
circumstance indicated the scarcity of fire-arms. This
man lived on a farm now owned by H. A. Stiles.
When he arrived home his wife told him that he
had more courage than conduct, and bid him wait
till he was called for. Wh.-it became of the savage
weapon he had ordered we never knew. Certainly
if it had ever been seen in his home, tradition would
have made it known to us, as it was, the fact that
two of his family went to the war and had died,
and when the procession with his remains were
near the burying-ground just below the captain
Ephraim Fuller house they met the other soldier
on his way home upou a litter borne on the should-
940
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ers of men. He lived for some years, but had so
long slept on the ground and floors, that for a long
time he would not sleep on a feuther-bed.' This
story was related to the writer more than sixty-
five years since by an aged aunt. An old French
gun of the best make was a few years since in the
family, and had been for many years, the history
of which if known, we think would be very inter-
esting.
1777.— In June
"The town made prices for grain of all kinds, produce aDd merchan-
dise of every kind, for days' work, prices for shoeing horses, tapping
boots and shoes, for dinners, supper and breakfast. For liquor not over
one-fourth part water.
" JJy ordei- of the Selectmen.
" Asa Stiles, Town Clerk.
"Stiles lived on the Upton farm."
In war time, Washington took a large number
of prisoners, and eight of them were boarded in
this town as their portion. By some reason or other
one of them by the name of Joshua Daniels, a
Frenchman, was never exchanged, became a resident,
lived in a hut a little east of the house of John
Smith ; in the pasture the cellar hole is now seen.
Daniels was a weaver, and wove twilled cloth.
The art was then unknown by the girls here, and
as a good recommendation for house-keepers they
must be good weavers, and young girls eagerly
sought to acquire all they could in this line of
business.
1779. — " Voted to raise Sogers if any are called for,
and provisions if any are called for."
1780. — Now they vote " to see if the town will
procure the Beef called for by the great and Genera.
Court, or pay the money in Lieu of said Beef
Fourth to see if the town will make good to the
committee that was chosen to procure the Beef that
was called for by the Court, the money that was
condemned to be counterfit."
Among the state papers of New Hampshire on
the muster rolls of those who served, in 1776, are
found thirty-eight pages of highly interesting diaries
and memoranda of Lieutenant Jonathan Burton, of
Wilton.
Lewis Burton was born in Middleton, September
18th, 1741, a third of a mile south of William Pea-
body's, near Topsfield line. He married Hulda
Nichols, (a near neighbor as is supposed), February
29tb, 1764, by whom he had nine children. He
was appointed Captain in 1786, by president John
Sullivan, and Brigade-Major August 5th, 1798. Mr.
Burton filled all the important offices in Wilton, and
often represented the town in General Court. He
died April 30th, 1811.
In 1764, Mrs. Burton united with the church in
Middleton, just before she and her husband left for
1 These soldiers might have served in the French and Indian Wars,
iubtead of the Revolution, which took place some twenty years before.
New Hampshire, (under the ministry of Mr. Smith).
The late Kev. Warren Burton, once chaplain of the
Senate in Massachusetts, and a grandson of this
Jonathan Burton, informed us of this fact himself,
more than forty years since. The father of Jonathan
Burton was the adopted son of William Nichols,
and the land on which this Jonathan was born, was
given by said Nicholas to his father, which was a
part of the large claim from Henry Bartholomew.
1779. — The town voted to choose a committee to
take under consideration the frame of government
agreed upon by the delegates of the people of the
State of Massachusetts Bay, in convention began and
held at Cambridge the first day of September, 1779,
and continued by adjournment lo the second of March,
1780. This committee were Rev. Elias Smith, Lieut.
Isaac Kinney, Lieut. Amos Curtis, Mr. Israel Kinney,
and Lieut. Jonathan Lemon.
The above committee subsequently laid before the
town the doings of this convention or in other words
our State Constitution, and each article voted on with
the following results : First article, 35 for, 12 against ;
second article, 42 for, 5 against ; third article, 36 for,
9 against ; fourth article, 32 for, 6 against ; fifth arti-
cle, 35 for, 5 against. Then all the articles from the
fifth to the thirtieth stood 31 for, 7 against. Then all
the articles together 33 for, 7 against.
This meeting was held May 30, 1780. Benjamin
Peabody was moderator; selectmen, — Asa Stiles,
Samuel Wilkins, Andrew Eliott, Asa Howe.
1780. "To see if the town will pay the school-mas-
ter to learn the youth the rules of Psalmody."
1781. " Voted to raise nineteen thousand pounds in
old Continental currency to procure beef now called
for by the Great and General Court." We find that
Stephen Richardson paid a marriage fee of one hun-
dred and seventy-five dollars in this currency about
this time.
A week's board then cost $105, but in gold $2-
People were greatly in debt ; there was but little coin
in circulation ; those taking this emission money in
payment for sales were ruined. Asa Stiles sold
his farm (the Upton place) and took his pay in this
money, and lost it all. Said Stiles was the father of
the late David Stiles, Esq., of New Hampshire.
At the close of the Revolutionary War, the
muskets that were brought home, that were furnished
by the town, were sold at auction to the towns peo-
ple.
1783. Whoever took in people without knowing
their financial standing were required to have their
names recorded on the town-books, that the town offi-
cers might, at their discretion, warn them out, so as
to prevent their gaining a residence.
" Middleton, May 13th, 1783.
" Mr. Benjamin Berry and his wife, Sarah, with
tlie following children, came from Andover to live in
the house of the Rev Andrew Peters, late of Middle-
MIDDLETON.
941
ton, — Mehitiible, Timothy, Phebe, Peabody, Lucy,
Betsey and Nancy Robinson Berry.
" Benjamin Peabody.
" One of the Selectmen.
" Middleton Blay 9th."
" Nov. 13.
1787. " To the selectmen, Gentlemen this is to inform
you that on the second day of November, Instant, I
hired Frank Francis into my house as a labor, and he
came last from Danvers, his circumstances I am un-
acquainted with.
" Rebecca Hobbs. " Benjamin Peabody.
" One of the Selectmen.
1787. The town "voted to joine in a petition with
George Cabot and others that a Bridge be Bult over
the River near Beverly Ferry, if done without cost to
this town." This, we think, must be beween Salem
and Beverly, near railroad bridge.
1791, " yoted to allow on the highways a team of
three good creatures, Four Shillings per day, and a
greater or le.'s team in proportion, and a man two
shillings per day." Same meeting, " Voted to keep
the school at the schoolhouse by the meetinghouse
this season, and voted to repair said house."
This school-house stood a little east of the church,
on the site of Mrs. Gillingham's house, and from
the first had been the princijial school in town.
Schools had been kept in other parts of the town in
private houses.
1792. Not till this year was the town divided into
districts. Even after that date private individualsfor
some time iurnished places for the schools. At the
Dean Fuller place, on the North Road, was a school-
house afterwards used by said Fuller for a carriage-
house, and now said building is used for a dwelling-
house by Mr. Coleman, near the depot.
The few opportunities atforded the children of a
century ago to obtain an education, were well im-
proved by some of them. Self-education was more
practiced then by those who really desired an educa-
tion than now.
1793. " Voted to supply the pulpit, Mr. Smith being
unable by sickness. Subsequently " voted to be at the
cost of burying Mr. Smith and find mourning for Mrs.
Smith."
1798. " Voted to sell the common lands. A great
]iart ot these lands was in the southwest corner of
the town, near the old Hutchinson house, and part
on Nichols Brook (Stickey Meadows).
1786. Up to this date the red deer were still in our
forests, and were protected by law so as not to be
killed in an improper time, a deer rief being chosen
annually with all other town officers.
"Middleton, Sept. 10th 178G.
"Mr. Timothy Farnuni of Andover made applica-
tion to be cryed to Miss Susannah Berry, of Middle-
ton, and was cryed." '
' This couple were the graiulimreiits of the writer.
The method of crying was to pass round the meet-
ing-house, outside on Sunday, three times, stop and
ring the hand-bell and declare the intention of mar-
riage, and make a record of that fact.
1796. The town voted unanimously that it is the
opinion of the inhabitants of this town that the
treaty negotiated between Great Britain and the
United States is for the honor and interest of our
country.
1798. " Voted to allow Capt. Solomon Wilkins for
powder at sixty cents per pound for General Muster."
1802. — About thirty persons petitioned for a town-
meeting to choose an agent or agents to confer with
the petitioners for the turnpike road leading from
Newburyport to Boston, and use their endeavors to
have said road lead through this town by or near the
meeting-house. Same meeting voted to paint the
pulpit and canopy or sounding-board. Voted that
the negroes shall have the north end of the second
seat in each end gallery. (These seats were occupied
by colored people till since the writer's remem-
brance).
1803. — New road by Asa Howe's. The road for-
merly went a third of a mile west of this place.
■' Voted to pay for the powder used by Captain
Roger Flint's company at the regimental muster (date
ISOf))."
The long crosswaj^was made safe at all times of
the year 1808, when about seventy men from Anilover
and Middleton gave from one to three days' work
each to build it up. Those who did not choose to
work themselves were to give seventy-five cents,
which would then secure a good day's work.-
1800. — Theodore Iiigalls moderator. " 2d, Voted to
take notice of the 22d of February agreeable to the
recommendation of Congress and our General Court
which was the birthday of General George Washing-
ton." " 3d, Voted that it be the desire of the towne
that our reverend pasture, Solomon Adams, deliver
an ortition on the 22d Feb. Instant, Beginning the
exercises at eleven o'clock on said day." "4th, Voted
that it be the desire of the town that the melitia of
said town meet at half past ten o'clock at the ' pas-
ture's house with their badges of mourning & escort
him to the meeting-house & back a gain after the so-
Imnity of the day.' " " olh, Voted that the melitia
take the body seats in the said meeting-house." "6th,
Voted that the solemnity of the day should be opened
by prayer & musick, then an oration and close with
prayer and musick suitable for the oration." " 7th,
Voted to choose a committee to require the Rev. Sol-
omon Adauis to deliver an oration and also desire the
melitia to attend a grcable to the vote of the town."
" Fo/c':? Samuel Small, Lieu. .John Fliut and C'hai>lain
Joseph Symonds a committee to arange musick on
said day."
1802. — The meeting-house was thoroughly repaired,
2 Never Iieard of any one of llieni (Striking for higher wa^es.
942
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
porches added, new windows, pews took the place of
seats in the body of the house and hewed stones for
underpinning instead of rough stone, which were re-
moved and the ground lowered about the sides of the
house, leaving the floor upon the timbers that lay
upon the ground. Stumps of a heavy forest were cut
away to lay down these timbers, and still sound above
ground when the house was taken down more than a
century afterward.
A committee was chosen to repair the house, and
tradition says that John Fuller undertook the job
without specifications, and before he was able to sat-
isfy the committee had expended more than the ap-
propriation, and lost money. Subsequently his farm
was sold to Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard.
1806. — The Essex Turnpike was built through
town ; toll-gates were placed, according to law, at
each end of the town — one stood near the house of
Daniel G. Berry, Andover, the other below Ipswich
River, on the hill. This road, we think, never paid
a dividend. After trying to keep it in good repair for
a little over twenty years, the stockholders asked the
town through which it jjassed to take it off their
hands. This town voted to take the gift of it, but
some voted against it. Daniel Fuller, Esq., was a
director and had the management of the section in
this vicinity. It was intended to take the principal
part of the travel from Canada, Jind along its route
to the great markets of Salem and Boston. At the
former town were the heavy merchants and a large
foreign trade, and this market had a wide reputation.
The small crafts of that day could land their cargoes
at their wharves with ease ; subsequently larger ves-
sels were employed, and they were obliged to seek
ports with deeper water.
1811. — " Fated to build a powder-house." It was
built of brick by John Fuller, and on his land, on a
hill southeast of the present church.
" Sold the right to take Alewives for the season to
Samuel Wilkins for one dollar and seventy-five
cents," also " the right to take shad in Ipswich Eiver
for three dollars and fifty cents."
1811. — " Voted that the commanding ofiicer shall
provide for the company when called out of town on
muster days at the expense of the town, not to ex-
ceed two shillings each." At this date there were a
few over one hundred voters.
1812. — " Voted to give soldiers 35 cts. a piece on
muster days when called out of town to ' git ' dinner,
and one dollar and a half to drafted men if they train
more than the other part of the company, and when
in actual service fifteen dollars per month more than
the continental pay."
1812. — William Estey was chosen clerk of market.
War of 1812-14.— In 1814 some British men-of-
war lay off Salem harbor and old Parson Stone, of
North Reading, preached one Sabbath. He drawled
out his words (a habit of many preachers in the early
days, aud talked a little through his nose) and is said
to have used in his prayer these words, " We pray.
Lord, that there may come a storm and sink them all
in the deep." It is said that soon a storm did come,
and they moved off, and many thought Stone's
prayer was answered. This old divine was the father of
Deacon Giles, of Deacon Giles' distillery of Salem.
The presence of these men-of-war was the cause of
an alarm (the firing of three cannon in succession at
Montserrat), which thrilled this whole community.
The alarm came about by a little misunderstanding
and bickerings between Colonel Jesse Putnam of
Danvers, and Captain Jedediah Farnham of Ando-
ver. When the news reached this town the minute-men
rushed to arms. Captain Samuel Wilkins (father of
S. H. Wilkins) was in command, but was a long time,
it is said, in putting his company in marching order;
it was at last accomplished, and the command given
" forward march." Just at that moment had come
" fals alarm."
At this time politics ran very high, and the town
was about equally divided between Republicans and
Federals ; the latter, in a close vote, secured an old
Republican, a negro by the name of Charles Snow,
and kept him secreted till election, in the cellar
at the house of John Fuller, near the meeting-house.
The Federal party was what is now called the Demo-
crat party, and were opposed to the war. When the
alarm took place before-mentioned, many of the en-
rolled militia did not appear, and when the word
came that it was a false alarm the soldiers were jub-
lant, and felt like accomplishing something, and it
being then in the evening, but probably moonlight,
as Ezra Bradstreet, a soldier that did not respond,
though living close by, and in the house now stand-
ing, occupied by Mr. Benjamin McGlaughlin, was
seen to run into the swamp in his night dress as a
soldier came into his yard, which very much fright-
ened him, not knowing but that he was about to be
dragged before the British muskets and cannon.
However, his mother, an old woman, came to the
door and asked what the matter was, when a rather
excited soldier, by name of James Wilkins, said : " I
will let you know," and then fired off his gun near
her feet, at which she screamed and ran into the
house; how long her son (whom we well remember)
remained in a nearly ntide state in the swamp was not
told.
Others of these soldiers started for some who did
not respond that lived in the east part of the town ;
but George Drakes (a colored man), had been sent by
John Fidler (before named), to warn them of the
jjroposed raid by the soldiers; they, however, caught
Drakes, and while some held him, others went on
and gave them an awful fright, broke in some win-
dows by firing off guns close to the houses and so
spent nearly the whole night in this kind of sport.
These facts were told the writer by one of these
raiders, whose word was never doubted.
1813. — " To see if the town will defray the funeral
JIIDDLETON.
943
expenses of JJev. Solomou Adams." "Voted to con-
tinue the salary of Rev. Solomon .Vilanis untill the
first of January, aduiittiug Mrs. Adams will supply
the Desk."
About this time an intention of marriage was
posted on the meeting-house, and if one of the par-
ties lived in another town, a duplicate had to be pa-t-
ed in that town. These notices had to be pasted a
specified number of days before the marriage was to
take place.
In the early history of New England it was the du-
ty of the sexton to ring the bell at noon and at nine
o'clock iu the evening, and keep and " turn the
glass," meaning the hour glass, that stood on or near
the pulpit, and it was understood that the sermon was
to be one hour long. Whether the glass was used or
not in this town we are Ufit informed, but certainly
there were but few clocks and watches among the first
settlers, and the glass and sun dials were their de-
pendence, the former iu stormy weather, the latter as
a regulator when the sun shone. This town was with-
out a bell till 1835, when the writer drew np a sub-
scription paper and obtained about two hundred dol-
lars, with which a bell was purchased, of the Holl-
brook make, weighing five hundred and twenty-seven
pounds. After the present church was erected the
present bell was purchased (and the former broken up
and sold for old metal). Present bell was bought in
Westboro, Mass., where it had done service on a
Unitarian Church, w'hich had become weak, and to
strengthen themselves, oH'ered their house of worship
to the orthodox society (then without a place of wor-
ship), provided they would repair the house. This
offer was accepted, and the bell was taken down and
put upon the cars, to be transported to Boston, to
have the wooden yokes removed and replaced with
one of cast-iron. The former society being in debt, a
few of its leading men depended on the sale of the
bell to discharge the same, but the orthodox claimed
the bell with the church, and a dispute arose, which
threatened a suit and disruption, whereupon a delega-
tion of the Unitarians, with a good team, boarded the
cars, and by force, removed the bell and secreted it
in an old shoemaker's shop ; then, after the other
society had purchased a new bell, and peace pre-
served, the old bell was advertised for sale in the
Plowman, and the writer being employed to go and
see the bell, found it, as before-mentioned ; it was
raised up a few inches, and sounded, and found to be
perfect ; the price paid was the same as for old metal.
The bell is one of Henry N. Hooper's, of Boston, best
make, and they claim that it would injure the tone of
the bell to have a cast-iron yoke placed upon it, and
the old yoke of wood still remains upon it.
The bell weigbs about twelve hundred and fifty
pounds, and the people of Westboro claimed that the
bell was the best of the six bells that had been hung
in that town. Its present location is unfavorable on
account of the falling away of the ground near the
church, causing the sound to rise in the air, and
therefore is not heard at so great a distance.
1814. — "Let out the care of the meeting-house; to
be swept twelve times a year; to be unlocked and
locked on all occasions, both public and private;
shovel snow from the doors when necessary. Set up
and struck off to John Fuller, Jr., for seventy-five
cents." The usual price i)aid was about if2.o0.
Probably there w.as a little steam on at this tiuje.
Trouble began about religious matters, and large
numbers flowed into a new society, called the Chris-
tian Society. Others joined themselves to neighbor-
ing societies in Danvers aiul other places, as the law
at that lime compelled all to pay minister rates some-
where. Asa Howe, Esq., signed to Danvers under
the ministry of Rev. Jeremiah Chaplin (Baptist) ;
Dr. David Fuller to St. Peter's Church, Salem. But
in ISIG, when Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard commenced
preaching here, he was liked, and they all came
back, and things went on very smoothly till near the
close of his ministry.
1817. — All the poor were put up at auction at the
annual meeting in March, and struck off at the low-
est bidder, none of which received over $1.50 per
week. Some of the most feeble, who were nearly
helpless, were bid in by their relatives for seventy-
five cents per week, rather than have them go into
the hands of unfeeling strangers. However, this was
the custom in all towns where there was no poor-
farm. A century ago there were a smalller number
of poor people here than before or since ; also more
independent farmers according to the population.
The lands had not begun to be exhausted, and they
had large flocks and herds, and everywhere these
families were distinguished, not only by their social
acquirements, but by their dress and daily deport-
ment, from the poor and unfortunate.
1832. — The first manufactory started here (except
the little grist and saw-mills, of which there were a
number) was the paper-mill on Ipswich River by
Colonel Francis Peabody, of Salem, Mass. (and son
of Captain Joseph Peabody, a man who was born
here, and married first and second daughters of Rev.
Ellas Smith), and has continued iu operation since
by other proprietors. A few years later the shoe
business was started by Ellas T. Ingalls (father of
Senator John James Ingalls, of Kansas), who soon
after removed to Haverhill, the home of his wife, and
continued in the business with success.
About 1835 Francis P. Merriam began the shoe
business here, and has continued the same. At the
present time, under the firm of Merriam & Tyler,
employing at times more than a hundred hands.
Other smaller manufacturers have done business
here, and are now employed in other business. A
knife- factory was started here a few years ago by
S. A. Cumraings on the site of the old iron-works,
which was started by Major-General Daniel Denni-
son, of Ipswich, about 1GG5, who employed Thomas
944
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Fuller as foreman, who afterward bought Dennison's
claim, which was bounded south by Pierce's Brook,
and near this brook, on the site of the house of
Charles O. Frost, was his dwelling, and just over the
stream is seen the foundation of his blacksmith-shop.
The box-mill of J. B. Thomas was started a few
years since, and has done a large business, employing
quite a number of men and teams.
With the business of the firm of Merriani & Tyler,
which gives employment to a large number of hand.s,
the village has grown up and many tasteful dwellings
erected, and bears favorable comparison with many
other places. Churches and schools are well main-
tained, and prosperity seems to pervade the whole
community ; and peace follows the wars, privations
and contentions that have troubled past generations.
If those who complain of low wages would look
over the pages of history written by past generations,
they would not only feel contented, but thank God
that their lines had fallen to them in so pleasant
places. As I cast my eyes upon the portraits of
those long since passed away, who sacrificed so much
to lay the foundations of religious and civil society, I
cannot l)ut feel to maintain and perpetuate these
blessings.
Graduates of Colleges. — This town compared
with others about the same size in the county, has
produced as many distinguished men as any. Little
or no labor has been employed to bring their names
and deeds to notice, and we feel that we shall fail
to do them justice.
Rev. Daniel Wilkins, the first minister of Amherst,
New Hampshire, was born here, (and the house is
now standing in which he was born). His labors in
that then frontier town are beyond calculation. Once
or twice the people were about to abandon the set-
tlement on account of the depredations of the In-
dians, but Wilkins with true courage, again and
again rallied the people in calling on the govern-
ment to sustain them, and finally lived to see the
town in a flourishing condition, (grandson of Henry
Wilkins).
Rev. Daniel Fuller born here was settled over the
second church in Gloucester, Massachusetts, more
than a century ago. His wife was a member of the
church here in 1770.
When Phillips' academy was established a century
ago, fourteen young men from this place entered
and their names stand upon this catalogue. All but
one left town in early life to bless other places.
Among this number was Andrew Peabody, born here,
father of Rev. Andrew P. Peabody, LL. D., graduate
of Harvard College, class of 1826, editor of the
North American Review from 1853, to 1863 ; Plum-
mer, professor of Christian morals. Also sons of Ben-
jamin P. Richardson, — Hazen K. and Benjamin Rich-
ardson.
Margaret Fuller, the noted authoress, whose ten-
antless grave is now seen in Mount Auburn, (she
was lost at sea, having refused to be saved unless
with her husband and child), sprang from this Fuller
family we have so often mentioned.
The father of Dr. Andrew Peabody was born
here, and many of this distinguished family of Pea-
body's are still among us. "Cornet" Francis Pea-
body and Col. Benjamin Peabody, afterwards chosen
deacon, (and died since my remembrance), a leading
man in the county who took an active part in the Revo-
lutionary War. Other names deserve honorable men-
tion, for which space cannot be had. But I would not
forget the matrons and maidens of that early day, who
spun and wove to clothe the family, but the skilled
weavers went further, and made cloth for the market.
These were the pioneers in manufacturing industries
of the country And the beautiful maidens who
were not afraid of work. Hear what the poet says.
"Then as he opened the door, he beheld the form of the miiiden
Seated beside her wheel, and the carded wool like snow-drift
Piled at her knee, her white hands feeding the ravenous spindle.
While with her foot on the treadle she guided the wheel in its motion.
She rose as he entered, and gave him her hand in asignal of welcome,
Saying, I knew it Wiis yon, when I heard your foot-step in the passage
For I was thinking of you as I sat here singing and spinning."
Charles L. Flint, late Secretary of the State Board
of Agriculture, and a large contributor to the Flint
library was born here.
Honorable John Haskell Butler of Somerville, was
in the state legislature, is a lawyer, and was born in
Middleton, August 31st, 1841; a graduate at Yale
College in 1863 ; in 1880 and 1881 was a member of
the House of Representatives, and in 1884, was
elected by the Legislature to fill a vacancy in the
Council, caused by the death of Honorable Charles
R. McLean of Boston. He was elected in the dis-
trict at the ensuing election.
Benjamin Peters Hutchinson, now a Chicago
grain dealer, estimated to be worth twelve million
dollars, was born here in 1829.
Dean Peabody^ lawyer, now Clerk of Courts in this
county, was born here, his father having filled the
office of deacon here for many years.
Franklin O. Stiles, graduate of Amherst College,
cla.ss of 1866, died the same year.
Rev. Henry J. Richardson, graduate of Amherst
College, now in his twenty-fifth year of pastorate
at Lincoln, Massachusetts. Rev. Daniel W. Rich-
ardson, brother of the above graduate at Union
College, New York, late pastor of the Congregational
Church in Derry, New Hampshire.
Jesse Fuller, graduate of Amherst College, now
residing in the west.
Rev. Jesse Wilkins now residing in Connecticut.
Rev. Solomon Adams, son of Rev. Solomon Adamg
was born here ; died in Boston a few years since.
Dr. Archelaus Fuller, a college graduate, son of
Daniel Fuller, Esquire, died a few years since in the
State of Maine, aged about eighty j'ears.
Edwin Berry, son of Jonathan Berry, now a law-
yer in New York city, was born here.
31IDI)LET0N.
945
William Weston, son of Samuel W. Weston, gradu-
ated at Amherst College about 18ti8, and is now in the
employ of the United States government.
Sumner B. Stiles, born January 13th, 1851, gradu-
ated at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts,
in 1872, at Harvard University in 1876, and at the
Harvard Law school in 1881 ; admitted to the New
York Bar, in May, 18S3 ; married September 10th,
1884.
James H. Flint born 1852, graduated at Philli])s
Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, 1871, at Harvard
University in 1876, at Boston University Law School
in 1881, admitted to Suffolk Bar, Boston in 1882.
Andrew Preston Averill, a graduate of Harvard
College class of 1882.
Scholars at Phillips Academy. — The follow-
ing is a list of the first scholars at Phillips Academy,
Andover :
1778. Benjamin Fuller, aged twelve years. Died
in Norway, Maine, son of Archelaus ; Elias Smith,
aged twelve, son of the minister Smith.
1779. Andrew Fuller, aged thirteen.
1780. Samuel Synionds, aged twenty-four, son of
the deacon ; David Putnam, aged ten.
1785. Daniel Fuller, aged fourteen, son of Archelaus ;
Silas Merriam, aged fifteen, son of Dr. Silas, died in
Norway, Maine, at a great age.
1786. John Lamon, aged twenty, moved to and mar-
ried in Danvers, Mass.
1790. Andrew Peabody, aged sixteen, father of Dr.
Andrew P. Peabody, of Harvard College.
1791. Benjamin Smith, aged fourteen, son of the
minister.
1792. Simon Kenney, aged twenty-five, moved to
Milford, N. H.
1795. Israel Fuller, aged seventeen, son of Tim-
othy.
1812. Solomon Adams, aged fifteen, son of the
minister.
1820. William Johnson Curtis Kenney, aged
eleven, now superintendent of the freights on the
Boston and Maine Railroad.
This list might be continued up to the present
time, but space is not allowed.
Po.st-Office. — It is now only a little more than
fifty years since a post-office was kept in this town.
Now we receive and discharge two mails per day.
AVhen Abraham wished to send a message to Lot he
put a man upon a running horse and it was conveyed
with a speed of twelve miles an hour, and since the
writer's remembrance we could do no better than that ;
and this mode of sending letters was the only way
practiced by the early settlers of New England. At
a later day stage routes carried the mail bags to the
principal cities and towns, for which they received
large pay, while the small out of the way towns had
no post-offices, and this town was one of them. As
a sample, while in Hallowell, Me., in 1834, we sent a
letter to Middleton ; after a week or two it was found
60
in the South Danvers (now Peabody) post-office,
and the one who took it out paid twenty-five cents
po.stage ; another from the same place arrived at
Danvers Plains, and some one informed the one to
whom it was directed that a letter iu one of the
grocery stores was waiting for him. The postage on
that letter was eighteen cents.
It seems that all the improvements for two thousand
years have been crowded into the last half century.
In the late rebellion, this town did more than its
full share, more than one-tenth part of the whole po-
pulation {one hundred and four) enlisted in the army
for a longer or shorter time, and fifteen of their num-
ber either fell in battle or died of disease contracted
in the war.
Justin Flint, died of disease; Henry A. Smith, died
of disease; Joseph M. Richardson, died of disease;
Lemuel F. Esty, died of disease; George W. Peabody,
died of disease; Asa W. Brooks, killed in skirmish
near Richmond ; George S. Esty, died of disease ;
Charles Manning, killed in battle at White Hall,
N. C. ; Joseph A. Guilford, killed in battle at Freder-
icksburg, Va. ; Jeremiah Peabody, died of disease;
Charles H. Guilford, killed in battle of Gettysburg ;
Solomon Richardson 2d, killed in battle in front of
Petersburg, Va. ; George J. Danforth, died at Ander-
sonville Prison ; Abishai A. Higgins, died at Ander-
sonville Prison; Samuel 0. Wilkins, died at An-
dersonville Prison. And many others returned with
disease, and were soon laid in a soldier's grave like
their fallen comrades. Others still now linger among
us, unable by reason of impaired health (due to ex-
posure in the war) to enjoy the blessings their labors
have helped to purchase.
Public-Houses and Stores. — The old tavern
stand was purchased from a man by the name of
Goodale by John Estey, about 1760 ; how long this
Goodale had been in possession is not known; but
eighty years previously was in possession of Aaron
Way, and bought by him of Bray Wilkins, Sr.
Estey was jiroprietor till 1816, when his son-in-law,
Daniel Fuller, with others, bought him out and sold
about 1824, to Capt. Joseph Batchelder, of Topsfield
(grandfather of our postmaster, Joseph A. Batchelder,
Esq.), who subsequently let it, among whom was
William Goodhue ; afterwards Mr. Batchelder's son
Joseph was proprietor for a few years, and then his
son Amos, and since his death it has ceased to be a
public house.
After Mr. Estey sold out, his son William erected
across the way what is now the Fuller house, which
was used as tavern and store for a few years only,
and, subsequently, this place was purchased by
Ejjhraim Fuller, who lived in it for many years and
kept a store in a building, now standing south of the
house where now a little store is kept.
1795. — About this time, a tavern was kept in an
old house taken down some years ago by Samuel F.
Estey, a little south of his present dwelling. This
:U6
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
was then owned by John Stiles, who also kept a lit-
tle store across the vyay under the hill, the foundation
of which is now seen.
Francis Peabody kept a few grocerie.s in the house,
now occupied by Mr. Witham, in the east part of the
town ; this was a century ago.
Daniel Fuller, Esq., when a young man (nearly a
century ago) kept a little store in his mother's house,
or rather the lean-to, now occupied by his daughter,
Sophronia Fuller.
1780. — Dr. Silas Merriam, about the same time,
kept groceries for sale, as well as corn-meal and rye,
and run the grist-mill the year round to accommo-
date the people, so say the town records as they gave
liim liberty to put on flash boards for this purpose.
1821. — Mr. Daniel Richardson built a grocery store,
and continued in the business about twelve years.
This building is now standing and is a part of the
dwelling-house of the writer.
1838.— Capt. Stephen Wilkins, Amos Batchelder
and Francis P. Merriam & Co. kept groceries for sale
ill the Ephraim Fuller store, but only a few years.
1845. — Daniel Emerson and Hiram Moore carried
on the store business in a building, since burned, that
stood on the site of the present Merriam & Tyler's
shoe-factory.
1848.— Elisha Wilkins bought out the above store,
and it took lire and consumed the following year.
1850. — A large store and shoe-factory was run by
F. P. and James N. Merriam for several years, and
then sold to W. A. Merriam, who continued the gro-
cery-store. The building was enlarged, and the
previous firm of Merriam & Co. continued the shoe
business exclusively, which was nearly the first shoe-
factory in town, and subsequently W. A. Merriam
moved to the new building which was erected by
Joseph and John A. Batchelder for a grocery and shoe
manufactory (and occupied by them for a short time),
and continued the general store business for about
twenty-five years, and then sold to M. E. Tyler, who
soon after sold out to Capt. Thomas Hoyt and John
Beckford. Beckford soon died, and the business was
continued by Hoyt for some years, and for the last
eight years the building has stood unoccupied.
After selling out to Hoyt & Co., M. E. Tyler
erected a new building at East Middleton, and con-
tinued the grocery business there a few years, and
subsequently turned the building into a dwelling-
house, and put up another store building near the
old grist-mill in the village (which building has re-
cently been moved to near the piirsonage), and built
a little store near his present stable, and continues
both the store business and livery stable.
1856. — Henry Wilkins and Euel Phelps carried on
the shoe business and grocery store in the same
building, now occupied by Wilkins & Sons.
1812. — A store was kept by John Fuller, Jr., lo-
cated on the site of the carriage house of the late
Daniel Richardson. A dance hall in the upper story.
and in 1812 a school was kept for a short time by the
Rev. Jacob Hood in this hall. (Mr. Hood died a year
since, aged ninety-four years.) This building was
moved across the way about 1820, and was used for a
dwelling-house. The last owner was Richard Green,
and the house was burned about 1872.
Some fifteen or twenty years since there were
several small manufactories of shoes here. Edward
and A. A. Averill, near the town hall ; Wm. H.
Hutchinson, in the village; and Augustus Hutch-
inson, near Howe Station.
In the early days there were no butchers in town ;
each farmer killed and -salted his own meat, and when
fresh meat was wanted a neighbor killed and lent it
around, to be paid for in the same way. The first
butcher to set up here was Abraham Shelden, about
18.30 ; and six years subsequently he carried on a
larger business and extending into other towns. He
had several good double teams and a large number of
men employed. He owned the farm now owned by
Jesse W. Peabody, and built the large barn now on
the place. Subsequently J. Augustus Estey carried
on the business in the same place. Since, the busi-
ness has been carried on by Jesse F. Hayward and A.
W. Peabody.
Cemetery. — The land was bought and laid out by
the town about 1858, at which time several lots were
sold.
Subsequently the remains from many of the old
burying-lots in town were removed to the new ceme-
tery, and stone monuments erected or the old stones
reset. There are yet known to be not less than forty-
five old family burying-lots in town, many of which
are indistinguishable, being hid in the forests and
jungles. Among these now unknown graves must be
those who when alive, were the leading men in our
early history.
Public Libraries. — A social library was formed
here in 1772 (just forty years after the first library in
the city of Philadelphia). The Constitution was
drawn up by Rev. Elias Smith, and contained twen-
ty-two articles. The officers were chosen animally
and the committee were required to meet once a
quarter. Library to be kept within a mile of the
meeting-house. No book to be kept out more than
three months, after which time a fine was imposed.
The library at first contained seventy-one volumes ;
some of these were given. These volumes were most-
ly sermons of old divines, Morse's Geography, His-
tory of South America and other histories. Mason
on "Self-knowledge and Family Instruction," etc.
Elias Smith, librarian ; Archelaus Fuller, Silas Mer-
riam and Elias Smith, committee. Admission fee,
six dollars, according to the value of money of that
day. Proprietors could sell or give away their right,
but all were, if able, required to be present at the
annual meeting, or not allowed to take out a book for
three months. All through the years from 1772 to
1826 this library was run with remarkable success.
MIDDLETON.
!)47
The last records were made by Rev. Ebenezer Hub-
bard, who left town two years subsequently, and the
library was put into the hands of Daniel Fuller, Escj.,
and a few years ago handed over to the Flint Library.
A few of these old volumes are still well preserved.
In 1838 Dr. E. S. Phelps started a social library or-
ganization with forty six members and eighty-four
volumes of books, which had only a short run, as but
little interest was taken in it.
In 181)0 an association was formed, of which John
M. Peabody was president. Three dollars was re-
quired to become a member, and one dollar annually.
This gained in importance till 1879, when it was
given to the town and valued at upwards of one thou-
sand dollars, at which time Charles L. Flint made a
donation lof about one thousand dollars and four hun-
dred volumes of books, and the library was made free
and called the Flint Library. Since that time Mr.
Flint has made other donations, aggregating more
than fifteen hundred dollars. Many other individuals
have contributed valuable volumes to this library,
which is now in a very prosperous condition, and
numbers three thousand one hundred and thirty-sev-
en volumes, and supported by the town. By the will
of Benjamin Franklin Emerson, who died in Boston
April 5, 1887. the Flint Library receives the interest
of ten thousand dollars after the decease of his moth-
er. This sum is to remain in a fund to be called the
B. F. Emerson Trust Fund, witli six trustees. Mr.
Emerson was the son of Stephen and Sarah Emerson,
born in this town, received his early education here,
and subsequently in Oxford and Townsend (Vt.),
academies. For fifteen years he was superintendent
of the Copper Falls Mining Company, Mich. His
death was caused by falling from a coal bridge while
giving directions for extinguishing a forest fire that
was fast approaching their (juarters. In this fall he
received a fracture of the spine, after which he lived
seven months, some of the time in terrible agony.
His age was forty-nine, unmarried and highly es-
teemed by all who knew him.
N. B. — Since writing the above, Mrs. Emer.son, the
mother, has died.
Schools. — A century ago there was but one school-
house owned by the town, and that stood by the
church, and was moved to Danvers in 1810 by John
Fuller. Subsequeutly the town owned three, and
they were located at the east side, on the north road
and iu the centre, or present village. For a short
time private enter])rise maintained, in part, a school
at the Paper Mill Village. This same state of things
prevailed before the three districts were set off as be-
fore mentioned, at which time the east side of the
town was the most thickly settled, and the school
there and at the North District had double the schol-
ars of the present day. The manufacturing of shoes
at the village and the accommodation of the railroad,
stores, churches and a higher grade of teaching in the
schools had caused many to abandon the farm and
move to the village ; and the people have spent their
money freely to make these schools at the centre
what they should be. while the others have not been
neglected, and the advantages to gain an education
here are as good as in any town in the county of the
same size.
The following are the physicians of the town, with
the date of their practicing as near as can be ascer-
tained: Dr. Daniel Felch, 1728; Dr. Silas Merriam '
came from Lexington, Mass. (his birth-place still
standing in that town), about 1759 ; Dr. David Ful-
ler, an old resident, 1815; Dr. Smith, 181G; Dr. Wal-
lis, 1818 ; Dr. Ezra Nichols came here about 1830,
left about 1837 ; Dr. E. S. Phelps came here about
1837, died 1882; Dr. Odlin, 1870 ; Dr. Metcalf, 1874;
Dr. Knight, 1880; Dr. Henry T. Batchelder came
here 1884.
The following are a few persons known to have
held the office of Justice of the Peace: Captain Eph-
raira Fuller, 1777 ; Asa Howe, 1815 ; Daniel Fuller,
1825 ; Ezra Nichols, 1835 ; E. S. Phelps, 1850 ; W.
A. Phelps, 1880 ; Joseph A. Batchelder, 1880.
The following are the blacksmiths, with date and
place of location : Thomas Fuller, shoj) between
Pierce's Brook and the tomb, 1663 ; Joshua Wright,
shop on the street just north of Grothe's shop,
1760 ; Kenney and his brother's shop on the John B.
King farm, 1780 ; Asa Stiles, shop on west side of the
road at Upton place, moved to New Hampshire 1785 ;
Eben Putnam, grandfather of Mrs. Henry Wilkins,
his shop on the corner by the house of Mr. Augustus
Hutchinson, 1790 ; Theodore Ingalls, shop at Ingalls'
place, 1798 ; Silas Lake, of Topsfield, shop at shoe
factory corner, 1824; Hammond Berry, from North
Andover (same f<hop as the latter), 1825; Moody In-
galls, son of the above T. Ingalls, shop moved down
to front of Captain Hoyt's house 1829, and subse-
quently sold to Timothy Sanders, who left town 1833 ;
John Richardson, shop in the Bush Corner (so called),
1820 ; George W. Winslow, shop as above stated,
1834; David Stiles, shop of the above, 1835; George
Webb, shop now the house of Mrs. Timothy Wilkins,
1837 ; Gushing, the same shop, 1839 ; followed by
Whitney, Shaugnessy and Grothe, 1875.
Roads. — The oldest road entered town over the hill
by the Allen Porter place, thence near William Pea-
body's and Nichols' house to the corner east of Box
factory, thence to the corner, as the road now trav-
eled, below Samuel H. Wilkins', and so on to North
Andover, by Asa Howe's. This road is supposed to
have been traveled by Richard Bellingham, Esq., and
the first settlers on the Cochichawicke (Andover) in
1639 ; some writers put it five years earlier.
The next road through town is the old nortli road,
as now traveled till it came to the sunken hole called
the long causeway, then it diverged, part of the travel
' Dr. Siltia Merriam was born in Lexington, Miiss., and the house in
which he whs horn is still staniling. Ho came to tliis town about 1759,
died suddt-nly in 181-2.
048
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
going to the left, by what is called Black Pole, com-
ing out at the Roger Eliott place, thence across the
road and by John B. King's to the Indian Bridge ;
the other to the right, going by Emerson's Mill and
across Andover road towards the great pond, and
coming out by the William Berry place. In 1802
this road was straightened above William Berry's
place, and not till 1808 was the long crossway made
perfectly safe for travel. As the country began to be
settled further in the interior the South Andover
road (so-called) was opened, and settlements along its
route made. The Essex turnpike in 180(5. It may
be well to state that the west branch of the old
North road, in its earliest travel, passed the present
village to the house of Benjamin P. Richardson,
where it turned a short angle to the left and forded
Ipswich River, coming out at J. J. H. Gregory's Seed
Farm, and thence over the hills, on nearly a straight
line, by Mr. Gregory's two other farms, to the road
first mentioned by the Allen Porter place. This old
ford-way and the entire route is now visible.
The road from the village to Danvers Plains was
widened and straightened in 1811, and took most of
the travel to Salem ; before this time the most trav-
eled was by the old log bridge and Danvers Centre,
and strike the great traveled at Felton's corner and
avoid the toll gate on the turnpike just over Ipswich
River.
The first town road was laid out, beginning at the
Symonds' place and Averill's, thence across Beech
Brook at Wilkins' mill and knife factory, coming out
by the house of John Gage. The Paper Mill road is
much older than the town, and was used by the first
settlers. No records are anywhere to be found of its
being laid out. Probably it went through the com-
mon lands, and for its commerce, no one cared to dis-
turb the public title.
A town way was laid out in 1744 for Joseph Foy,
then living in Charles Mason's house across the
woods to come out on the Andover road by ye saw-
mill lately erected. This mill was near the Dempsey
place. Subsequently a road was laid out through the
land of Ezekiel Stiles to the old highway to North
Andover, by Asa Howe's. Many such cart ways were
laid out by the early settlers to shorten distance from
house to house, all the roads being mere cart paths.
The Paper Mill road to North Reading, as now
traveled is much older than the incorporation of the
town.
The Essex Railroad was opened September 5,
1848.
Mills. — There has been but one mill on Ips-
wich River, though it runs nearly the length of
the town, and that is where the paper-mill now
stands, and for several generations a saw and grist-
mill was owned by the Flint family, and must date
back further than the mills at North Reading, as the
latter were obliged to hoist their gate when short of
water at the former. A mill once stood near the wood-
i-hed of Mr. Sylvanus Flint's. On thestream from Mid-
dleton Pond two mills were erected, one owned by
Silas Merriam and the other a little below the
Abijah Fuller place, owned by Timothy Fuller. Dr.
Merriam's was a grist-mill, and highly valued by
the towns people to purchase grain for food, and
about 1770 the town voted that " Dr. jNIerriam be al-
lowed to put on flash boards and raise the pond three
feet that he might be able to grind throughout the
year to accommodate ye people."
M.J. Emerson's mill stands on Swan Pond Brook and
the privilege is an old one and formerly belonged to
John Estey, and subsequently to his son-in-law, Daniel
Fuller, Esq. On the same stream was the Nichols
grist-mill, and last owned by Stephen Nichols in
1820, and soon after taken down. On the same
stream a little below stood the ancient iron-works
owned by Major Daniel Dennison, of Ipswich, of
which Thomas Fuller was foreman and subsequently
owner.
A saw-mill was erected in 1740, on a little stream
that empties into Beech Brook near the Dempsey
place, owned by Timothy Perkins, who lived on G.
H. Tuft's place.
Only one mill on Beech Brook, and that on the
site of E. W. Wilkins' mill, and was owned by a
Peabody family ; here more than a century ago two
brothers quarrelled and one lost his life ; the survivor
said he threw him a crow-bar which his brother
failed to catch, and it struck him in the head and
killed him ; they were alone, but soon it is said that
the women folks appeared upon the scene, but too
late ; they feared there would be trouble between
them ; tradition says the survivor hastened to the
brook and filled his hat with water and threw in his
brother's face, but without effect.
A man by the name of Gray set up a carding-mill
about 1810, near Dr. Merriam's grist-mill, but other
mills in larger places, with better machinery, took
the business. Mrs. Sarah Conlan's house was former-
ly a saw-mill which had been moved from Bald Hill
woods.
Earthquakes. — On June 1, 16.38, about two
o'clock P. M., was an earthquake throughout New
England, which caused the pewter in many places to
be thrown off the shelves, and tops of chimneys in
some places to be shaken down.
Sabbath day, October 29, 1727, a little more than
half past ten o'clock in the evening, the first and
great shock was felt, when the heavens were must
serene and the atmosphere perfectly calm, and it was
repeated several times that night, and afterwards
to January 6th, next following, when about two
o'clock in the afternoon there was a very gi'eat shock,
which exceeded any other since the first night. This
day was warm and calm. This has been denominated
the great earthquake in New England. The tops of
many chimneys were thrown down.
On November 18, 1755, was another great earth-
MIDDLETOX.
940
quake, doing much damage to property. On March
12, 17G1, between the hours of two and three P. M.
there was a slight shock. On Salibatli, March 1,
1801, about half past three o'clock, P.M., was a slight
shock, resembling a coach passing over frozen ground.
(Gage's " History of Rowley.")
The dark day took place May 19, 1780, accounted
for by a peculiar state of the atmosphere and passing
clouds.
The rude appliances for the performance of female
labor in generations pa.st severely taxed their ener-
gies and patience, yet their loveliness still remained to
bless their households and hand down to us the fruits
of virtuous lives.
" From the early history of New England up to
W'ithin a little more than half a century, the wearing
apparel for the iamily was manufactured by the fe-
males. The daughters were early taught to run the
spinning wheel, and as years and strength increased
mounted the loom and drove the cloth together with
the great swinging beam ; such exercise produced a
muscular frame and was transmited to their posterity.
They enjoyed the labor and ate the fruit thereof with
joy; nor were these active beings content only with
household work and manufacturing, but were often
seen in the field doing the most rugged work with a
cheerfulness that made life all about them most
pleasant ; the gentle cow was still more gentle when
the young maiden sat by her side."
All good farmers kept sheep, sufficient to produce
wool for clothing and bedding, raised beef, mutton and
poultry, with plenty of grain for subsistence. The
cordwaiuer once a year came round with his bench
and tools, sat down in the kitchen, took the measure
of the feet of not only the little ones but the stalwart
sons and daughters, and made shoes which were
supposed to last from November to November, from
leather either tanned from the hides of their own cat-
tle or purchased from the leather store, and should they
not last a whole year, even the great girls often went
barefoot till the time when the shoemaker again ap-
jieared on his yearly rounds. The sandy floor of
that day was no friend to shoe leather, but many a
maiden had rather go barefoot a part of the year than
to lose the chance of a good dance now and then.
People of Color. — A few wealthy farmers owned
servants, of which Timothy Fuller, Sr., had the
largest number (about forty); other families, number-
ing perhaps half a dozen, had from one to five each,
all of which were liberated when the State Constitu-
tion was adopted, a little more than a century ago.
By a vote of the town, the second seat on the east
gallery was set apart for the colored people. This
was a long seat that would accommodate perhaps ten
or twelve persons. The last of this old stock of
colored people, by the name of Snow, lived in a hut
on the spot now occupied by the house of Isaac Gates.
It was no unusual occurrence seventy years ago to
see an Indian tramp on the road, begging bread in
oroken English language, and pre.^enting by no
means a i)lcasant appearance.
Bi'Ki.vL GRorND.s.— The oldest in town is near the
box-tactory of J. B. Thomas, which was a part of
I Rowley Village (now Boxford), and contains the
remains of those who lived beyond the Ipswich
River. The latter town was incorporated fully forty-
three years before Middleton. The one known as
the "Granny Tim's," named from Timothy Fuller's
widow, is near the centre of the town, and contains
the remains of many of this an-.ient family, and also
of the first minister — Rev. Andrew Peters. There are
forty-flve places where the dead have been deposited,
at least. Almost every old farm has its burying-
ground. About ISIJO the present cemetery was laid
out, and very few are now buried elsewhere. The
tomb near the residence of Charles O. Frost was built
a little more than a century ago by Rev. Elias Smith
and his son-in-law, .Joseph Peabody, of Salem, who
married two of Smith's daughters, both of whom were
interred in this tomb. This tomb also contains the
remains of Rev. Mr. Smith, Rev. Solomon Adams and
several others. This tomb was finally closed about
fifteen years since.
These partial genealogies are inserted to give
the different names of families who have resided in
this town. A full genealogy of a single family would
fill a larger volume than we have now written.
AvERlLL. — Of the Averill family there appears to
have been two brothers — Paul and Samuel. Paul
had a family of eight children, and was the ancestor
of the family by that name now living in town. His
oldest child was born in 1738, and the oldest child of
Samuel was born about the same time, and his
children numbered seven, and we think that this
family soon left town. Joseph, born 1757 (son of
Paul) ; Benjamin, born 1781 ; Hannah, 1808. This
family doubtless settled here about the time the town
was incorporated, while the Wilkins and Fuller
family were here sixty-eight years before that date.
The Averill family does not appear to be so numerous
as many others found on the town records.
Adams. — Rev. Solomon Adams and Abigail, his
wife, had six children ; the oldest was born in the year
1795.
Berry. — Joseph Berry and Sarah, his wife, had
eight children. His oldest son, John, was born in
1721; Bartholomew, born 1734, whose daughter
Betty married Oliver Perkins 179G. Samuel Berry
appears to have been a brother of this Jo.seph, as his
oldest daughter was born in 1721, whose children num-
bered eight, and among them was Nathaniel, who was
the grandfather of the late Deacon Allen Berry. AVho
their father was is not known, but Joseph names his
oldest son John, and perhaps was named for his
grandfather John, who was the first deacon chosen
when the church was formed eight years after. Bar-
tholomew Berry lived in a house now standing
on the turnpike, near Andover line, now owned by
950
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Mr. Charles Mason. This house vviis built by Joseph
Fry in 1742, and sold to Joseph Berry in 1750.
Nehemiah Berry, son of Bartholomew, was drowned
March 5, 1811, by falling from a stringer (the bridge
being gone) on going in the night acr.i.ss Beech
Brook, just above the mill-poiid of Wilkins' saw-mill,
and near the James Wilkins' house. Mr. Berry's son
Nehemiah, a well-known citizen of Lynn, Mass., died
there two years since, eighty-four years of age, and
of his children was A. Hun Berry, late of the Gov-
ernor's staff.
BuRTOX. — John Burton lived in the east part of
the town, on the side of the large hill near Topsfield
line, and a little west of Conant's house in that town.
This family were here when the town was incor-
porated, but left for New Hampshire about 1750.
The late Rev. Warren Burton, chaplain of the >^en-
ate, was a descendant. One of the family is referred
to in another part of this history as filling an import-
ant position at the time of the Revolutionary War
from New Hampshire.
Batchelder. — Captain Joseph Batchelder, of
Topsfield, bought the old tavern-stand here about
1824, which was subsequently owned by his son. Col-
onel Amos, father of Joseph A. Batchelder, Esq., who
for many years has been postmaster here, and contin-
ues to occupy the old tavern house.
Carroll — Crowe. —John and James Carroll,
brothers, as we suppose, wei'e here before the incor-
poration of the town, both of whom had families.
The last was born in 1745, and all records of them
cease. Also about the same time John Crowe and
his wife Mary had three children. The parents were
members of the church here, and that is all we know
of the family.
CuMMlNGS — -John Cummings, and Mary, his wife,
had eight children ; the oldest was born in 1717.
His son, John Cummings, Jr., had a small family,
but all the family left town before 1740.
Curtis. — Israel Curtis, and Abigail, his wife, eight
children, the oldest born in 1744; some of their de-
scendants are still living here.
Cod. — William Cod, and Abigail, his wife, had two
children, date, 1743 and 1745, a name long forgotten.
Case. — Humphrey Case (he was born November
17, 1753), and his wife, Elizabeth, had five children ;
the first was born in 1781, and named Elijah, and
was with Nehemiah Berry when he was drowned, near
Wilkins Mill, before named, but was unable to save
him. (Case married Berry's sioter.)
Crispan. — Richard Crispan, and Seviah, his wife,
had four children ; the last was born in 1809. He
moved to Derry, N. H., more than fifty years since.
John W. Dempsey is a grandson (now of this town).
Crane. — The Crane family lived here in 1834, and
run the paper-mill.
DwiNEL. — In 1786 Jonathan Dwinel had three
children, and subsequently William Dwinel, having
four children, in 1818 to 1828.
Demsey. — Samuel Demsey and his wife had five
children, of whom John Wyman Demsey is now in
town.
Daniels. — Lucy Daniels had si.t children from
1820 to 1832. Her father was a Frenchman, and
taken by Washington in time of war, and never re-
turned to his country.
Dale. — Osgood Dale, and Susannah, his wife, had
two children, 1831 and 1832.
EsTEY. — Jonathan Estey was the son of John Es-
tey, who was the son of Isaac, whose wife, Mary, was
hung for witchcraft, in 1(592. This John came here
from Topsfield, a few years after the execution of his
mother. The blood of the fitmily has been quite
generally diffused throughout this town, and they
are well known as a long-lived race. The larger part
of the family moved to Framingham after the execu-
tion of the wife and mother, hoping they had escaped
the laws of Ma.ssachusetts, but subsequently found
that they were still in the hated State ; but they had
cleared away too many fields to take up stakes again,
and have remained, some of them, there to the
present day. (This also has been referred to else-
where).
Eliott. — Francis Eliott was one of the original
purchasers of land here, and the birth of his eldest
son dates 1717, and though the name does not appear
now upon our town records, yet the blood of the
family is still here; the family was once quite nu-
merous.
Stephen Emerson, father of Stephen, Daniel, and
Darius, and others, seven in all, died many years ago;
a grandson now owns the saw-mill above the present
village. Stephen, Jr., died some two years since,
aged seventy-five years.
The Fuller fiimily have always been quite numer-
ous here, and among the leading people in town, and
it would be quite interesting to trace them down to
1663.
Felton. — Amos Felton and Sarah, his wife, had
eight children from 1790 to 1804. Felton lived on the
old Samuel Gould farm, now owned by Mr. Gre-
gory.
Fuller. — In the early history of this town this
family were quite numerous, and held important
trusts in society. All of this name in town can be
traced to Thomas Fuller, who was the second man
to settle in this village. The Abijah Fuller family
sprang from a son or grandson of Thomas, named
Joseph, and the family of Daniel Fuller sprang from
Benjamin, grandfather of Daniel Fuller, Esq.
Flint. — Stephen Flint and Hannah, his wife, had
five children, the youngest of whom was Hannah,
born in 1727, married John Estey about 1773, whose
family of ten children averaged eighty-three years
of age. This Flint family were first known in Salem
Village ; the original one known there built the first
church at Salem Village, and of his descendants
several large families were residents here in our
MIDDLETON.
951
early history, of whom quite a Tiuraber still live in
the neigbborhood of the paper-mill, where Charles
L. Flint, late secretary of the State Board of Agri-
culture was born.
Fairfield. —Moses Fairfield married Polly Rus-
sell, had ten children, married about 1828 or '29.
He and his wife died some years since in Kansas.
Feaxcis. — Charles Francis (a man of color) and
his wife, Betsy, had ten children, the youngest of
whom was Edmund, who was born in 1811 ; he wore
a fourteen size shoe, and is remembered b}' some now
living. All the family have i)asi>ed away.
Eames. — John Fames, 1820, had three children to
1826 ; moved away.
Fish. — Levi Fish married Nancy Wilkins, had two
children born in 1839 and 1840 ; moved to Danvers.
GooDEL. — Thomas Goodel and Hannah, his wife,
had one child born here (Joseph) in 1745.
Gage. — Abraham Gage and Mary, his wife, had
four children ; oldest born 1707.
GiDDiXGS. — Zaccheus Giddings and his wife, Han-
nah, had ten children ; oldest born in 1783. He
built the red house, so called, near the cemetery.
Gray. — William Gray and his wife, Sarah, had five
children ; oldest born 1791. He built acarding-mill
near the Merriam grist-mill. A son of this man came
here in 1845, and erected stones at his parents' graves
in the Fuller lot.
GoiTLD. — Naihaniel Gould and I,ydia, his wife, had
three children, oldest born 1796, one of whom was
Henry Lawrence Gould, born in 1798. The home
of this family was on Bear Hill, now owned by Mr.
Gregory.
Andrew Gould and Pamela, his wife had seven
children, one of whom was born 1805, and is now
living in Topsfield, viz., Andrew Gould, now eighty-
two years of age, and is yet quite a smart man. Two
other families by the name have lived in this place
since this Nathaniel's day, supposed to be distant
connections.
Gouldthwait. — Benjamin Gouldthwait and Lucy,
his wife, had three children — date of the birth of the
oldest 1824 — none of the family now are in town.
Goodhue — Hadlock. — William Goodhue and
Sally, his wife, had one child born here 1829; none by
this name are here now. Samuel Hadlock and Pru-
dence, his wife, had one child born 1731.
HoBBS. — Joseph, Benjamin, William and Hum-
phrey Hobbs had resjiectively four, four, seven and
four children, all born from 1735 to 1750. William
built the house now standing, owned by John Wallis
Peabody. They were probably brothers ; all the fam-
ily left more than a century ago.
Howe. — The Howe family sprang from James
Howe, of Ipswich, JIass. He married Elizabeth Dane,
1637; John Howe (1st), John Howe (2d) and Mary,
his wife, (the oldest child born 1737,) seven in all ;
Joseph Howe and Sarah, his wife, had also seven
children about the same ages, and must have been a
brother ; aUo Mark Howe and Dorothy, his wife, had
eleven children, and all born from 1732 to 1756.
From this family we have those of that name now
in town. These families lived in the north part of
the town, house of Mark, now standing. Joseph and
Hannah Hutchinson had five children from 1747-57.
HoppiN. — John Hoppin and Abigail, his wife,
one son, John, born in 1797.
HuTCHixsox. — Joseph and Hannah, his wife, had
four children, the oldest born in 1781. This family
lived in a house now standing in the south part of
the town, and came from Danvers Centre. The well-
known singers by that name, the sons and daughters
of "Jesse" sprang from this family.
Holt. — Timothy Holt and his wife had one child
1804. Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard and Charlotte, his
wife, had four children, — Charles Augustus Peabody,
born 1818; William McKean, 1820; Catharine Eliz-
abeth, 1823; Ebenezer Augustus, 1825.
Haskel. — Daniel Haskel and his wife had two
children born here in 1824 and 1826.
Hayward. — Octavius Hayward and his wife had
two children born here in 1831 and 1833.
Irox.sox. — John Ironsou and Tabitha had two
children, 1767 and 1769; same name by wife Sarah,
seven children from 1790 to 1800.
IXGALLS. — Edman Ingalls was born in 1627, and
died 1719, aged ninety-two years. He was a tanner
by trade. His son Henry Ingalls, of Lynn, moved to
Andover in 1653, married Mary Osgood, and in 1689
married again, the widow of George Abbot, and died
at the age of eighty-three. (These wives were And-
over women.) His descendants owned a large tract
of land in the neighborhood of the Farnham District,
and not far from the residence of the late Jonathan
Ingalls, whose brother, Theodore Ingalls, commenced
blacksniithing at this place, Middleton, and continued
business here till his death about 1814. In the early
days of manufacturing edged tools Mr. Ingalls stood
very high ; his axes were sent to Maine to cut down
those great forests ; his scythes also were very good,
though clumsy, compared with those made at the
present time. The writer's father well remembered
these scythes. Mr. Ingalls also made hoes and shov-
els, etc.. and these tools were made in a common
blacksmith-shop which stood on the north side of the
long crossway.
This Theodore Ingalls was the grandfather of
Senator John James Ingalls. He was married three
times. His first wife was a Berry, by whom he
had two sons, and subsequently married two sisters
of Deacon Addison Flint, of North Reading, the lat-
ter of which was the grandmother of the Senator.
The home of the Ingalls family was Lynn, from
whence they scattered over the land, some remaining
still in Lynn. In early history they were tanners,
and a few years since an old tan vat (in Lynn) was
unearthed, belonging to them, containing a few hides,
which were still somewhat preserved.
952
HISTORY OP ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Jefferds. — Rev. Forrest Jefferds and Sarah Caro-
line had eight -children from 1828 to 1839.
Jonathan Knight, and Phoebe, his wife, had seven
children from 1751 to 1777. But Benjamin Knight,
and his wife, Ruth, appear to have been here before
the act of incorporation ; we find him with a family
of seven children born from 1720 to 1734. Though the
name has passed fi-om our books, yet some of their
descendants remain.
Kenney. — The Kenney family date 1735. They
lived on the left bank of Ipswich River, known now
as the King place. The family of Simeon numbered
nine from 1767 to 1789. Moved to Milford, N. H.
Mebeiam. — Dr. Silas Merriam, by his first wife,
who was a Deal, or Dale, had four children from
1767 to 1772 ; and by his wife Peabody, sister of
Capt. Joseph, the millionaire of Salem, eight children,
born from 1776 to 1790. The Merriam house is still
standing.
McIntire. — The Mclntire or Mackintire family
lived in the northwest part of the town. Benjamin
and his wife, Experience, had three children born
from 1751 to 1755.
Moore. — Thomas Moore and Betsy, one son, born
here, Hiram, 1811.
Nichols. — William Nichols and Elizabeth had four
children, from 1704 to 1714. The origin of the
Nichols family dates from this William or his father
of the same name, who settled in the east part of
the town, near Nichols' Brook, as early as 1652, then
known as New Meadows, Topsfield ; none of this
family now in town.
Perkins. — Timothy Perkins and Phebe, his wife,
had five children, from 1744 to 1754. This man lived
on the Tufts place, where the house still stands, one of
the oldest in town. Timothy, Jr., had ten children,
from 1760 to 1782 ; the family not numerous here.
Putnam. — Ezra and Lucy had six children from
1761 to 1757; lived in the southeast part of the town.
Perky. — Jonathan Perry and Mehitable three
children, from 1836 to 1840.
Peabopy. — This family has always remained one
of the largest since the town was incorporated.
Francis Peabody, of St. Albans, Hertfordshire,
England, born 1614, who came to New England 1635,
and traced as follows: from his second son, Joseph,
born 1644; Samuel, born 1678; Moses, born 1708;
Samuel, born 1741 ; Joseph, born Aug. 3, 1770 ; the
last named was the deacon here for some years, and
father of Samuel J. Flint, Ann, Joseph and Dean, the
latter now clerk of court.
All the others bearing the name of Peabody in this
town can be traced to the first named Francis.
The original name was Boadie, who made a raid
upon the tyrant emperor Nero, of Rome, in the year
of our Lord 61, in defence of the Queen of the Britons,
who had been publicly w'hipped before her grown up
daughters, by the order of this noted ruler, and for this
exploit and others of like character the Pea, which
means the big hill, or mountain, was added, " Big
man, or mountain man — Peabodie." In the expedi-
tion named above Boadie entered the emperor's palace
and carried away a miniature picture of Nero's
wife, which was retained in the family till the
eleventh century.
Robinson. — Daniel Robinson and Elizabeth had
six children born from 1730 to 1747.
Rolf. — The families of Daniel and Jesse Rolf had
respectively one and two children from 1726 to
1756.
Richardson. — Solomon Richardson and Elizabeth
had three children from 1730 to 1735. The Richard-
son family have lived mostly in the southeast part of
the town. Several of them had large families.
Russell. — Joseph Russell and Mary, his wife, had
thirteen children born from 1793 to 1821, one of
whom was David, born in 1795, late of Amherst, N.
H.
Ray'. — Fry Ray and Mary had four children from
1801 to 1810.
Stiles. — The Stiles family came from Rowley
Village (Boxford) in 1700; commenced settlement in
the north part of the town on land now owned by
John Brown. The cellar of the house is now seen
across the meadows east of the Demsey place.
Symonds. — First settled in Boxford, subsequently
near the box factory in this town (then a part of Box-
ford). There were several families from first settle-
ments till the commencement of the present cen-
tury.
Smith. — Rev. Elias Smith and Catharine, his wife,
had nine children from 1760 to 1777.
Smith. — Aaron Smith and Mary had eight chil-
dren from 1766 to 1781.
Stearns. — Samuel Stearns and Dorothy, his wife,
had fourteen children from 1739 to 1757 ; moved to
Salem, Mass.
Saunders. — Timothy Saunders and Rhoda, his
wife, had two children from 1831 to 1832.
Shelden. — Herman Shelden and Angeline, his
wife, had four children from 1836 to 1841.
TovTN. — Daniel Town and Dorothy, his wife, had
eight children from 1722 to 1739 ; he lived in the
east part of the town once belonging to Topsfield, and
was chosen schoolmaster when the town was incor-
porated. He opposed the annexation to Middleton.
Thomas. — Rowland Thomas, and Margaret, his
wife, had eight children from 1708 to 1731.
Town. — Richard Town, and Margery, his wife, had
three children from 1752 to 1756.
Lewis Tyler, and Sally, his wife, had three
children from 1834 to 1837.
Upton. — Jeremiah Upton, and Elizabeth, had six
children from 1788 to 1804.
AViLKiNS. — This family has always flourished here
from the first. The children of Joseph and Mar-
garet date from 1710 to 1728. This man was doubt-
less a son of the original Bray Wilkins, whose pos-
Jro (m an St c asijil) eH .Til n t
-:iKiiRiH!;liia4 1 Iji^mni^ Cd UcvrTsilr.
MIDDLETON.
953
terity exceed in numbers any families found on our
town books.
Woodman.— Moses Woodman, and Olive, bis wife,
one son, Moses, ISll.
White. — Perley White, and Eliza, bis wife, had
three children from 1S27 to 1886.
Wright. — Hiram Wright, and Lydia, bis wife,
had five children from 1S30 to 1838.
WIXSLOW. — Washington W. Winslow and Phcebe
Ann, bi.s wife, two children from 1S33 to 1835 ; since
moved away.
Westox. — Samuel W. Weston and Polly, bis wife,
four children from 1836 to 1842.
Wakeham. — Samuel G. AVakeham and Lucy, bi^^
wife, three children from 1837 to 1S40.
"Trio," a negro servant to Jonathan Wilkins, and
" Cute," servant to Benjamin Fuller, of Middleton,
married by Rev. Peter Clarke (of Salem village), No-
vember 22, 1757.
The number of deaths since the first settlement,
and that have been buried here, is estimated at about
two thousand. The average for the last sixty-five
years has been a little over eleven a year, or about
seven hundred and fifty. During the last named
period the death rate remained about the same, while
the population nearly doubled.
Copied from Account Book of Col. Benjamin Peabodv.
"March 2^, 1785.— Lent Brother Joseph have 12 lbs." (Tliis JosepJi
vrna subsequently the millionaire of Salem, Mass.)
"Feb. 8">, 1793. — Lieu Joseph Wright took the Jack (mulo we sup-
pose)."
*'Apr, 16'*"^ 178S. — Archelus Kenney took a cow for a year atone
pound."
"Andrew Peaboiiy, Dr., to two days' work at the sawiiiiU, 8 shillings,
killing a calf S pence.''
" 17Sy. — Killing cow for Mr. Robert Bradford 1 lb. 4 shillings."
" No%'. 2>>t's, 179S. — Making a coffin for Mr. Robert Bradford that day
he died, 3 shillings, G pence."
" Nov. 22*1. — To a quarter of tea & 2 lbs. shui,Mr. 8aiiie day oiio shill-
ing's worth of bread and two quarts Kuni."
" Nov. 19tt> & 22<i, 17it2.— To killed two cows and two hogs, three shill-
ings, 6 pence."
" 1789, — Bought 2 bushels Rie, gave S shillings."
" 1789. — Bought one bushel corn, gave G shillings."
"William Wright to mend plow share, one lb."
" 1797. — Hoeping cyder Barrels, 4 shillings."
" 178G, — Went two days to Salem after sherif, did not find liim ; my
two days 10 shiliings ; expenses 9 pence. To one day setting glass in
Meeting house and making Old Debory's coffin."
"Joseph Symonds, Dr , to making Coffing 8 shillings; to putting in
axle and drafts 3 shillings."
"1799. — Making small coffing 3 shillings ; also his making cyder at
my mill."
*' Dr. Silas Merriam, Dr. a long account for work at the Dr. grist
mill embracing almost every part of the machinery."
"Nov., 1790. — To Bittiug on arbitration three times and expenses 7
shillings & G pence "
" My oxen 4 hours & )^ 8 pence."
"Sinicon Kenney to killing a lamb 3 pence."
" To building back to chimney 3 shillings."
"Tu putting uosle to pump for Amos Feltou 33 cts."
" liimsely Peabody, Dr., 1799. To lialf bushel apples and running
four spoons, one shilling U pence." (We find a long account against the
town, some of the charges for impt>rtant bueineas. Through his influ-
ence tht! road between this village and Danvers' Plain was widened and
straightened in 1811.)
"Oct. 28, 1799. — M'irk Aviill borrowed my wheelbarrow, brote it
borne, one shilling.
60 A
Asa Ilowe to putting in 4 felloes & 4 spokes in cart wheel, 4 shillinas."
"1797. — To a day a shoeing oxen at Kimbal's.'' (This was Moses
Kimball ; his shop was Howe road.)
"1797. — Collering chimney A other tbingi* 4s. Gp,"
" Dec. 12'*", 1809. — Laying hearth in his oven and plastering, one
pound (account with David Poahody)."
"May 8"', 1800. — Archelus Kenney, Dr , to 2t spok-s in cart wheel,
Ssliillings."
"Feb. 2m\ 1802— To making coffin for W-i. Jerusha Nichols ?2. CO
cts., also wrighting hor wi 1 G6 cts."
" Oct. 17tb, 1S02 — Dr. John Merriam, Dr , to one and half days work
on his barn 9 shillings ; to a eannow (b tat we suppose) 6 shillings "
" 1802. — Building stages round the meetinghouse for Jolin Fuller
81.'>o ; Sept. 25"' making coffin for his father $3.7o."
" 1804. — Dr. Silas Merriam, three days on his new house, $3.00 ; one
day and half stoning sellar, Si. 50.
" 1805.— Bloading and Roweling his horse, 3:1 cts. Aug. 19 & 20,
going to see his cow that was shot, and another journey, &. taking
of her hide A my boys coming to SyuioTnls for me SlOO.
("This cow was accidentally sliot by Hi.? Doctei-s son Jonas, who was
driving his father's cows on the pond road to pasture tradition says.)
"May 10th, going to his piggs, 25 cts. Sick one, we suppose.
" Oct. ir>. 1S<J4. — Anne Jane and Martha Nickson came to board with
me 19, the horse and curt to move their goods 50 cts. These children
and their parents came from Ireland about this time in consequence of
the Rebellion. Anne subsequently became the wife of Dr. Merriam's
son, Andrew, and now their posterity, are among our most honored peo-
ple.
" Dr. Merriam married Col. Benjamin Peabody's sister, whose daugh-
ter is now 102 years old, living in Danvers.
" 1801. — Paid $4.75 and cost in Mr. Capt. Thomas Cushens office to
Mr. Appletons for the .'^alem Gazette and discontinued the paper."
This most wonderful old account book and memorandum runs through
about thirty years, and is full of historical events, to say nothing of
what this man undertook, as a jack of all trades, and in filling impor-
tant offices. He must liave made nearly all the coffins, repaired and
built buildings, mill machinery, blacksmith, wheelwright, mason, cow,
and boi"se doctor, etc. He was an honest and just man. He died since
our remembrance, at an advanced age. His height was full six feet (we
should judge), and walked very erect. Had a long queue that reached
half way down his back.
Till within sixty yeare the sexton chosen must be a carpenter, at least
enough to make a coffin, for which and digging the grave and attend-
ing the funeral, he received a fee of five dollars.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHARLES L. FLINT.
Charles Louis Flint, born in Middleton on the 8tli
of May 1824, was the second son of Jeremiah and
Mary (Howard) Flint. His father was a farmer, and
occupied a part of the estate tha^ had been the ances-
tral inheritance for several generations.
The tirst American ancestor of this branch of the
Flint family, Thomas Flint, is reported to have come
from Wales about the year 1640, and to have settled
soon after in what was then known as Salem viUage,
now called Peabody. The farm he then acquired by
purchase was held till recently by one of his lineal
descendants. Charles L. is of the seventh genera-
tion by direct descent from this agricultural
colonist.
Like most farmer.s' sons, his early years were spent
on the farm anil in the district school, and were, of
course, quite uneventful, given to acquiring the first
rudiments of an education, and to the innumeralile
chores and lighter kinds of farm work which usually
954
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
full to the lot of country boys. These occupations,
though often irksome and gladly shunned asd-stasteful
by most boys on the farm, really constitute by farthe
best foundation for the practical education of life.
The influences of the farm are healthful, mentally,
morally and physically. Other things being equal,
that is with equal natural gifts, equal advantages for
education, and equal opportunities for advancement
and mental discipline, the boy on the farm will in
the long run come out ahead of the boy in the city.
At the age of twelve, when scarcely able to realize
the loss, came the great misfortune of his life — the
death of a devoted mother. This led to some change
in the family, and at the age of fourteen he went to
live with an uncle, who was a large farmer, in
the town of Norway, Oxford County, in Maine.
There too, he enjoyed a few weeks of schooling in the
winter, and for the rest of the year worked diligently
on the farm. The experience then acquired enabled
him to speak and write with clearness audiutelligence
on the practical as well as the scientific elements of agri-
culture in subsequent years of public and official toil.
Among the few judicious friends with whom he
there came in contact, and who inspired him with a
desire to obtain a liberal education, was an excellent
teacher, who had been unable to realize his own
wishes in that direction, and by his advice, at the age
of seventeen, young Flint repaired to Phillips Acad-
emy at Andover, a town adjoining hia native town of
Middleton, to prepare for college. Here, almost un-
aided, and in the midst of many obstacles arising
from the want of means, and the necessity of relying
wholly upon his own resources, he fitted for college
in little over three years, and entered Harvard in
1S45. It required a brave heart, a clear brain, a
strong will and a high hope and trust in the future,
with a stubborn determination to enter upon the ac-
tivities of life with all the advantages of a thorough
intellectual training, to lead a young man wholly de-
pendent upon his own energy to enter upon a long and
expensive course of education like that at Harvard
College, but with native vigor, self-reliance and in-
domitable persistence, obstacles are apt to vanish as
we approach them, and it is a question whether the
very effort required to triumph over them does not
result in a firmer, more compact and more complete
manhood. " Where there's a will there's a way," and
the energy that finds it has much to do in moulding
the character, and gives increasing self-confidence to
meet and overcome future difficulties which lie in the
way of success in life. A busy brain can devise many
ways to meet emergencies, and to work one's way
through college, though hard and unpleasant enough
at times, is not without its compensations. By writ-
ing for the press, by utilizing the vacations in fram-
ing essays, stories, poems, anything that the reading
public was willing to pay for, the object was accom-
plished and he graduated, not without honor and free
from debt, in 1849.
In 1850 Mr. Flint entered the Dane Law School at
Cambridge, and spent two years there in preparing
for the profession of the law. Previous to this time
he had competed for the Bowdoin prize of forty dol-
lars for the best dissertation, open to the senior class
in college, and had won it triumphantly against the
sirongest competition in his class, the subject as-
signed being " The Different Representations of the
Character of Socrates, by Plato, Xenophon and
Aristophanes." This essay, prepared under difficul-
ties, gained for the earnest student the highest
commendations from a wide circle of friends.
About the same time in his senior year in college,
he had competed for the Boylston prize in declama-
tion, and in this eflbrt had come off second best, re-
ceiving a second prize. While connected with the
Law School he also competed for the post-graduate
prize of fifty dollars for the best essay upon the " Rep-
resentative System at different Times and in different
Countries," and won it.
At the end of two years in the Law School, a part
of which time he was connected as computer with the
American Nautical Almanac oflSce, then located at
Cambridge, under the superintendence of Commodore,
afterwards Rear Admiral Charles Henry Davis, he
entered the office of a lawyer in New York City,
studied the New York code of practice, and was ad-
mitted to the New York bar on examination in Octo-
ber, 1852.
The Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture was
organized as a department of State government by
the Legis'ature of 1852. It was designed as a repre-
sentative body, but ultimately connected with the
civil government, having the Governor, the Lieuten-
ant Governor and the Secretary of the Commonwealth
as members ex nfficiis, three members to be appointed
by the Executive for the purpose of bringing, so far
as possible, a scientific element into the Board, and
one delegate elected by each of the County Agricul-
tural Societies, each member, when elected, to hold
his office for three years. Since the original organi-
zation of the Board, the members ex offi.ciis have been
increased by the addition of the president of the Mas-
sachusetts Agricultural College, and the State In-
spector of Fertilizers, both which positions were cre-
ated subsequently to the establishment of the State
Board of Agriculture.
After the organization of the Board, the first effort
was to secure the services of a competent secretary.
The position was thought to be of great importance,
as the character, reputation and usefulness of the de-
partment would depend very largely upon its execu-
tive officer.
Mr. Flint had previously become somewhat identi-
fied with agriculture, and had gained some reputation
from having written for and received two prizes for
" Essays from the Essex County Agricultural Socie-
ty," a diploma and a silver medal from the New York
State Agricultural Society, etc., and the attention of
3IIDDLET0N.
055
the Board was thus naturally turned to him. A mem-
ber of the Board havino; written to ask for his opinion
as to what the duties of such a position ought to be, he
replied at considerable length, without having the
slightest idea that he bad been thought of as a candi-
date. He was asked, soon after, to become a candi-
date, when he promptly and positively declined, on
the ground that it would involve a complete and rad-
ical change of his plan for life, and that his educa-
tion had not been designed iis a preparation for such
a life's work as its acceptance would involve, and that
his prospects in his position were too flattering to be
given up for any salaried position. These objections
were finally overcome by the committee appointed to
consider and report upon a candidate, and after much
persuasion and a full consultation of many judicious
friends, he finally accepted the responsibility, and
entered upon the performance of his duties as secre-
tary on the 14th of February, 1S53, spending the first
few months, however, in the laboratory of the Shef-
field Scientific School at New Haven, Conn.
Agricultural science and literature were then, as
they always had been, in comparative neglect. Few
agricultural works had been published in this coun-
try at ihat time, and most of those were reprints of
English works, with little pretension to finish or
beauty of style. The literature of the farm was highly
discreditable as compared with what it is at the pres-
ent time, and as compared with what it was in other
departments of labor and of thought, and Mr. Flint
determined to bring both the science and the litera-
ture of the subject into due prominence.
To accomplish this he planned a series of consecu-
tive reports, with some special subject to be developed
in each, and the scheme was carried out with only
such modifications as were necessary to keep the re-
ports within proi)er limits.
The fourih Keport, for example, contained a prac-
tical treatise upon " Grasses and Forage Plants,"
which was subsequently made the basis of a separate
work, which has passed through several editions, and
had a wide distribution throughotit the c->untry. Hon.
P. A. Chadbourne, President of the Massachusetts
Agricultural College, said of it: " Mr. Flint's treatise
embodies the most practical and scientific information
on the history, culture and nutritive value of the
grasses and the grains. His style of writing is plain,
simple, forcible and judiciou.sly adapted to the ends
he has in view. The large number of illustrations of
the different species of grasses are drawn with great
care and accuracy, and greatly facilitate the study
and identification of unknown specimens." A re-
vised edition of the work appeared in 1887.
His next publication was a work of over 4o0 i)ages
on " Milch Cows and Dairy Farming," which also
passed through many editions and received the most
intelligent praise for its practical and .scientific value.
At the request of the State Board of Agriculture he,
with George B. Emerson, prepared a "Manual of Ag-
riculture for the use of Schools and Colleges," each
writing one-half of the work. This has also passed
through several editions.
In ISoli, pursuant to a Resolve of the Legislature,
he issued a new edition of Dr. Harris's admirable
treatise on "Insects Injurious to Vegetation," with
very numerous additions and illustrations. Neither
pains nor labor was spared to secure the nearest possi-
ble approach to perfection, and the work commanded
universal admiration as the finest specimen of printing
and word-engraving ever produced in this country.
All the illustrations were prepared under Mr. Flint's
careful supervision.
In 1878, after holding the office for twenty-five
years, Jlr. Flint thought it desirable to tender his
resignation, and, thanking the Board for the entire
cordiality, confidence and unanimity with which the
members had always eo-operated with him, he did so.
The resignation was referred to a committee consist-
ing of Hon. P. A. Chadbourne, president of Williams
College; Hon. William S. Clark, president of the
Massachusetts Agricultural College ; and Messrs.
Moore, of Concord and Phinney, of Barnstable, and
Wakefield, of Palmer; who, after full consideration,
submitted the following preamble and resolution :
'* Whereas, Hon. Charles L. Flint has presented to the Board a state-
ment concerning his connection with the same during the past twenty-
five years, and has offered his resignation as secretary :
" Uesolred, That the Board desires to express its high appreciation of
the valuable services of Secretary Flint, and hereby earnestly requests
him to withdraw his resignation and continue the good work in behalf
of the agricultural interests of the commonwealth, in which he has
achieved 60 enviable a reputation."'
Hon. Marshall P. Wilder also submitted the fol-
lowing resolutions :
^^ Resolved, That the thanks and gratitude of the Massachusetts State
Board of .Agriculture are eminently due to the Hon. Charles L. Flint for
the ability aud fidelity with which ho has dit-charged the duties of secre-
tary for the last twenty-five years in a manner alike honorable to the
commonwealth and beneficial to its i)eopIe.
'^ Besolvedy That we tender to Mr. Flint our persona! acknowledgment
for the courtesy and kindness which have ever characterized his inter-
course with the Board, with the sincere desire that the remainder of his
days may l>e as happy and proet>erous as the past have been honorable
and useful.'"
The resolutions, after a full expre.ssion of opinion,
were unanimously adopted, and Mr. Flint withdrew
his resignation.
In May, 1879, Jlr. Flint was unanimously elected
president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College
at Amherst, but without relinquishing his duties as
secretary of the Board. He held the ottice one year,
during which the college was freed from a burdensome
debt.
But the annual reports to the Legislature, twenty-
seven of which Mr. Flint prepared, constituted an
essential pari of the work of the oflice. They were
necessarily written and prejiared out of regular oflice
hours, aud were chiefly the result of night-work, the
constant calls at the oftit'e and the very extensive
correspondence making it impracticable to do any
connected literarv work in oflice hours. Of these re-
936
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
porta Col. Marshall P. Wilder, in a History of the
Progress of the State Board, said :
" Thfr80 anDiial voliiines, embnicinR in all an ifwuo of more than two
IjiiTKjrcd and fifty thousand copies, have gone forth not only to the far-
jnerH of this coniinonwcalth, but have been distributed throughout our
own and foreifin lands. They constitnto a coniiirehensive library in
tbeniselvers, enibraciug essays, reports and discussions on almost every
subject in agriculture, and are eagerly sought for with every issue.
Tluiso reports have greatly promoted the objects for which the Board was
estJihlislied, and extended its influence far and wide. No sinular publi-
cation within my knowledge contains more practical and useful informa-
tion for farmers. Complete sets have already become veiy valuable, and
are more and uujro appreciated. By these reports young men have been
stimulated to become farmers and by the example of the Hoard and the
corrcspondonco of its meuibors, other States have been led to establish
State Hoards of Agriculture on the plan of ours."
Twelve thousand copies of the.se reports were pub-
lished anmuiUy for niany years and distributed
throughout the State, while by a system of exchange
with other States and countries, they have reached
nearly every farm-house in New England, and found
their way to almost every part of the civilized globe.
A few years ago the Chilian Government, in con-
nection with an International Exposition held at
Santiago, awarded and sent Mr. Flint a magnificent
diploma and a beautiful bronze medal, in recognition
of the high quality and value of his reports.
The salary attached to the office was never liberal.
For the labor required and the resi>onsil)ility of the
]io^itiou it was extremely meagre. In 1880, having
had a much "louder call," Mr. Flint resigned the
office to assume the presidency of the New England
Mortgage Security Company, a business corporation
established to loan money upon real estate securities
at the west anil south.
Mr. Flint was married on the 14th of February,
1857, to Ellen Elizabeth, daughter of .Joseph and
Charlotte (Merriam) Leland, of Grafton, Mass. His
children are, — 1, a daughter, Charlotte Leland, born
December 1, 1858; 2, a son, Charles Louis-, born
March 9, 1861 ; 3, a second son, Eilward llawson, born
Sc|.tember 8, 1804.
Mrs. Flint died on the 25th of September, 1875.
She was a direct descendant of Edward Rawson, sec-
retary of the colony of Massachusetts Bay from 1650
to 1686, a period of thirty-six years.
DANIEL FULLER.
Daniel Fuller, son of Col. Archelaus and Betty
Dale (Putnam) Fuller, and grandson of Benjamin
and Mary Fuller, great-grandson of Benjamin and
Sarah (Bacon) Fuller, gresit-great-grandson of Thomas
Fuller, who came to this country in 1638, was born
November 14, 1771 ; died April 5, 1855. He was a
man of superior natural abilities, honest, upright and
conscientious in his dealings. He was a farmer and
or many years a town ofliccr, and ever manifested a
lively interest in its welfare. From time to time he
held every office of importance which a town can
confer on a citizen.
In 1820 he was constituted and appointed to be one
of the justices of the peace, within and for the county
of Essex, for the term of seven years, by Gov. Brooks,
by and with the advice and consent of the Council.
Commifsion renewed by Gov. Levi Lincoln, by and
with the consent of the Council in 1833. Commis-
sion renewed by Gov. Marcus Morton, by and with
the advice and consent of the Council in 1840. Com-
mission renewed by Gov. George N. Briggs, by and
with the advice and consent of the Council in 1847.
In politics he had been a Whig — died a Republi-
can. He was a firm believer in the final restoration
of all mankind to holiness and happiness.
At the age of fourteen he was a student at Phillips'
Academy in Andover. His opportunity for a more
full development of his mental energies was lost by
the sudden death of his father, who was born May 4,
1727, in that part of Salem which was incorporated
as a town and called Middleton in 1728.
His father (Archelaus) was a member of the first,
second and third Provincial Congress. From the
journal of the Provincial Congress it appears that be
was a member of a committee over sixty times. In
the Revolutionary War he served in the capacity of
colonel, and while connected with the army was at-
tacked by a disease of which he died, and was buried
at a place in Cheshire County, N. H., called Charles-
town No. 4, through which at that time the road from
Boston to Quebec passed. Pie had been much hon-
ored and was much lamented. His earthly mission
was comparatively short, ending in forty-nine years,
three months and twenty-one days.
Daniel Fuller married Sally Estey, daughter of
John and Hannah (Flint) Estey, and granddaughter
of Samuel Flint and Lydia (Andrews) Flint.
Their children were, — Archelaus, born February 12,
17il9, received a medical education, settled as a physi-
cian in the town of Fairfield, Me., practiced in several
towns in Kennebeck County. He married Elizabeth
A. Craig, of Fayette, Me. She died May 6, 1874.
They had seven children, all of whom died before the
close of the year 1863. None were married. He
passed away October 6, 1880; was buried in Albion,
Me. Daniel, born February 2, 1801 ; died May 19,
1801. Nancy, born March 29, 1802; married Joseph
W. Batchelder, of Topsfield, Mass. ; died August 6,
1842. He died May 19, 1887, in Topsfield. Sophronia,
born December 19, 1803. Thomas, born November
29, 1805 ; was offered the command of a ship about to
sail from Boston, Mass., but declined the oflice, and
sailed in the capacity of mate for Rio Janeiro, De-
cember 4, 1830 ; since then his relatives have never
heard from the ship nor from any who were on board ;
he was unmarried. George W., born October 4, 1807 ;
removed to Galena, Illinois, and became a wholesale
grocer. Pie married, first, Emeline Fowler, of Guil-
ford, Ct. All their children died in infancy; married,
second, Sarah W. Putnam, of Danvers. Their child,
Jessie P., is totally blind. He died February 1, 1884.
^■f %'An Rixc'Ai^
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BOXFORD.
957
Jeremiah, born Jime 17, 1809, cultivates the home-
stead acres which have descended througli a long line
of Fullers to him and his sister, Sophronia. He
married Eunice L. Pike, of Ossipee, N. H., who died
June 30, 1880. Sarah P., born August 23, 1811, mar-
ried Nathaniel H. Johnson, of Haverhill, Mass., Oc-
tober 6, 1836; died August 6, 1838. He died July
29, 1864. Samuel, born November 25,1814; died
August 16, 1848. His integrity and kindness en-
deared him to those who made his acquaintance; un-
married. Caroline, born May 17, 1817 ; died Octo-
ber 8,1821. Elbridge, born August 11,1816; died
February 12, .1847; unmarried. Beloved and re-
spected, he gave promise of a useful life.
Sisters and brother of Daniel Fuller. Betty, born
February 6, 1760, married, first, Xehemiah Putnam,
born October 14, 1753 ; died December 14, 1702. She
next married Samuel Wilkins, November 13, 1796 ;
he died September 11,1803. She died August 25,
1838. Sarah, born February 27, 1762; married
Eleazer Putnam, Esq., who died May 31, 1836; she
died December 21, 1802. Mary, born January 6,
1764; married William Symonds, son of Joseph Sy-
monds and Lucy Kimball ; she died September, 1833.
Benjamin, born September 13, 1767 ; married Abigail,
daughter of Dr. Silas Merriam, of Middleton. They
removed to Norway, Me., and both ended their days
there, she in March, 1838 ; he in March, 1850. In
1794 no roads had been located, but settlers cut down
trees so that they could get from one to another.
They went with an ox-wagon, one yoke of oxen and
two horses.
Mr. Fuller built a house twenty by thirty-eight feet.
and a story and a half high, and a barn thirty-two by
fifty feet. His was the largest establishment in that
jilace.
DAVID STILES.
David Stiles, son of the deacon of the same name,
was born in Middleton, Massachusetts, June 19th,
1813. He received a common school education, and
afterwards chose the profession of farrier, which
he has pursued for fifty-three years in his native
town. He has lectured on the subject in various
places in Essex County, and once before the New
England Agricultural Society in Boston. He has
also written for the press on various subjects for
more than fifty years, many of his articles being
marked with originality of thought, and the one on
"The Decay of Iron" being extensively copied.
He has been especially interested in genealogical,
historical and agricultural matters. In 1850 he ob-
tained a United States patent on a hay and stalk
cutter. He married Miss Rebecca Perry, of Dan-
vers, by whom he had five children. He passed his
golden wedding, April 21, 1886, and his wife
died February 2, 1887. Mr. Stiles is more than
ordinarily well acquainted with the history and in-
terests of Essex County, and especially of the town
of Middleton. He is a man of firm convictions, has
always maintained a lively interest in public and
church affairs, and is a good representative of our
steady. New England country life.
In December, 1887, Mr. Stiles was appointed a Jus-
tice of the Peace by His Exellency, Oliver Ames,
(lOvernor of Massachusetts.
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