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1.1
RY
.Ilhertime, Forbes Co.
C'olling Photo.
VIEW IN LYNN, MASS., 1876. From Tower of City Hall, looking westerly.
CENTENNIAL
MEMORIAL OF LYNN,
ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
EMBRACING AN
HISTORICAL SKETCH,
1020-1876,
BY
James RNewhall. AND
NOTICES OF THE MAYORS,
WITH PORTRAITS.
LYNN : PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL. KIMBALL & COURTIS, PRINTERS. 1876.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877, by JAMES R. NEWIIALL,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
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PREFACE.
THE following Resolution of Congress is to be referred to as the occasion of the publication now in the reader's hand :
JOIST RESOLUTION ON THE CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENNIAL IN THE SEVERAL COUNTIES OR TOWNS.
Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That it be, and is hereby ree- ommended by the Senate and House of Representatives to the people of the several States that they assemble in their several counties or towns on the approaching Centennial Anniversary of our National Independ- ence, and that they cause to have delivered on sach day an Historical Sketch of said county or town from its formation, and that a copy of said sketch may be filed, in print or manuscript, in the Clerk's office of said county, and an additional copy, in print or manuscript, be filed in the office of the Librarian of Congress, to the intent that a complete record may thus be obtained of the progress of our institutions during the First Centennial of their existence. [Approved March 13, 1876.]
For reasons which need not be here recapitulated, Lynn did not engage in a formal celebration of the CENTENNIAL YEAR ; though the day was observed in various patriotic ways. An historical address was attempted, at the First Methodist Church ; but the time was so limited that few points could be satisfactorily pre- sented, and the City Council, deeming a neglect to comply with the Resolution an omission of duty, afterward took action in the matter, and requested the individual whose name appears in the title page to prepare the Sketch.
Hlaviag had an opportunity to examine several " Centennial Memorial " books, prepared by other cities, the writer has been surprised at the manner in which the Resolution of Congress was in some instances responded to, but has no disposition to assume that Lynn has done better than they. Few have given so many dates, facts, and statistical details, in connection with their de- seriptive and rhetorical chapters. But this laborious course has been pursued for the purpose, especially, of enabling those who, in the future, may desire to know something of our condition in
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PREFACE.
this Centennial Year, to gain at least a tolerably fair view. We say laborious course, for few people unacquainted with book- making can have any just conception of the amount of labor and really toilsome application required in the production of almost any work, but especially one of this kind. Dr. Livingstone, in the preface to his African Travels, says, " Those who have never carried a book through the press can form no idea of the amount of toil it involves. The process has increased my respect for anthors a thousand fold."
The following are the names of the joint special committee ap- pointed by the City Council to attend to the publication : Mayor Lewis, and Aldermen Alfred A. Mower and Nathan A. Ramsdell ; President George T. Newhall of the Council, and Councilmen Eben Beckford, of Ward Three, John Shaw, 2d, of Ward Five, and John A. Sanderson, of Ward Six. Mayor Lewis and Presi- dent Newhall formed the sub-committee of publication, and have done their duty faithfully. The latter gentleman took special charge in the preparation of the Portraits and other Illustrations, and in various ways rendered valuable service, besides writing the biographical sketch of the first Mayor.
Small as our volume is, upon its pages appear the names of many worthy sons and daughters who have labored faithfully in promoting the interest and extending the fame of our common home; and the purpose will not be accomplished if even the dullest and most fastidious does not find among them genial and profitable companions, examples fitted to stimulate the noblest ambition.
But here is our Offering ; sent forth in good faith, and in the ardent hope that when Father Time has completed another cen- tennial round, this generation may all he safe in Paradise ; and the one then occupying our place as far in advance of us on the high road of human progress as we claim to be in advance of those who a century ago occupied the heritage.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory Remarks-Commencement of Settlement-First Church-Names of First Comers-Early Ministers, with Notices of some of their Descendants-Early Lay-Settlers, with Family Notices-First Physicians-First Lawyers- Noted Women.
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CHAPTER II.
The Settlement receives its name of Lynn-Ancient and Hon- orable Artillery Company, with Notice of Lyun Members- Merrimac and Saugus Rivers-Iron Works-Lynn made a Market Town-Material and Moral Condition of the Set- tlors - Administration of Andros, with Notice of Ran- dolph's Petition for a Grant of Nahant, and the Town's Action thereon
CHAPTER III.
Lynn in Time of Indian Incursions and Wars-Glimpse of the Place in 1750-Dagyr, the Shoemaker, Comes-Charac- ter of the Early Shoe Business-Condition of Things in Revolutionary Times, and Patriotism of the People-New Life after the Revolution
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CHAPTER IV.
The Shoe Business, since the Revolution, its progress and Present Condition, with Notice of the Introduction of the Morocco Manufacture by Ebenezer Breed-Patriotic Action of Lynn in Time of Shays's Rebellion, in the Building of the United States fort in Boston Harbor, in 1812, and in the South Carolina Nullification, in 1832-Lyn, During the War of the Rebellion-Death of President Lincoln-Deco-
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CONTENTS.
ration Day-Soldiers' Monument-First Celebration of Independence, in Lynn-Centennial Observance, 1876- Social and Pecuniary Condition of the People. ... 59
CHAPTER V.
Territorial Situation of Lyun-Romantic Localities-Moll Pitcher-Geological Features-Flora-Ponds-Brooks and Springs-Shores and Beaches-Modern Household Con- veniences-Facilities for Travel-Exemption of Lynn from Destructive Visitations-Ilistory of Lym-Visits of In- dians
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CHAPTER VI.
Present Aspect of Lynn-Public Buildings-Business Struc- tures-Dwellings-Streets-Drives-Statistical Tables .... 93
CIIAPTER VII.
General Remarks-Biographical Sketches of Alonzo Lewis and James R. Newhall-Chronological Table of Impor- tant and Interesting Events since the First Settlement of Lynn 116
PART II.
Portraits of Mayors of Lynn, with Biographical Notices. ... 139
ILLUSTRATIONS.
VIEWS OF LYNN. Facing the title page, and between pages 92 and 93, are three pictures which perhaps give as fair an idea of the general appearance of the place as could be obtained from elevations. Of course the busy character of the streets, the stately proportions of the finer buildings, and points of landscape beauty, cannot appear in such illustrations, how- ever charming to the beholder the original views may be, with their diversity of coloring, and enlivened by moving ob- jects. These Views were taken in the absence of foliage, otherwise they would have appeared blurred, as Lynn is well supplied with beautiful trees.
CITY HALL. Facing page 139 is a View of the City Hall, erected at a cost of $312,000. The corner stone was laid Nov. 28, 1865, and the building was dedicated Nov. 30, 1867, with appropriate ceremonies, in the presence of a very large as- semblage. A full account of the proceedings on that inter- esting occasion may be found in a neat little volume published soon after, and hence it is not necessary to speak of them in the present work.
ANCIENT SHOEMAKER'S SHOP, between pages 60 and 61.
MODERN SHOE MANUFACTORY, between pages 60 and 61.
ANCIENT SCHOOL HOUSE-once on Lynn Common-between pages 104 and 105.
COBBET Schoot. HOUSE, built in 1972, between pages 104 and 105
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ILLUSTRATIONS.
PORTRAITS. No special allusion to the Portraits is necessary in this place, they being accompanied by Biographical Notices. They appear as follows :
Baker, Daniel C., faces page 151
Lewis, Jacob M., faces page 195
Breed, Andrews,
159
Mudge, Benj. F.,
147 /
Breed, Iliram N., "
175
Mudge, Ezra W.,
163
Buffum, James N., " 187 Neal, Peter M.,
179
Davis, Edward S.,
171 Newhall, James R., " 66 125
Ilood, George,
143v Richardson, T. P.,
155-
Johnson, Wm. F., 66 167
Usher, Roland G.,
183
Lewis, Alonzo,
121 Walden, Edwin,
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory Remarks - Commencement of Settlement - First Church-Names of First Comers-Early Ministers, with Notices of some of their Descendants-Early Lay-Settlers, with Family Notices-First Physicians-First Lawyers-Noted Women.
WHAT is true of an individual, in the attainment and security of material prosperity, is true of a community- integrity and sagacity being the foundation stones, enter- prise and prudence the constructive elements. And so by parity of reasoning we say, what is true of a single city, town, or village, is true of a nation. In an obscure individual or in an obscure scrap of territory may orig- inate the germ of a far-spreading and excellent growth.
With perhaps excusable fondness for their genial home, the people of Lynn have sometimes felt that the position her name is fairly entitled to occupy among those of the more duteous children of our favored land has not been fully accorded - that the service she has rendered in the great onward march of the nation has too far been over- looked. But she is not jealous nor disheartened, and would not be boastful. It may be asked, however : What, indeed, has she done worthy of peculiar commend- ation? These pages, we trust, will afford evidence that she has, at least, not fallen short of her duty. She early
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HISTORICAL SKETCHI.
became the seat of a serviceable manufacture, which has done more to enrich New England, and possibly the whole country, than any other ; and has tenaciously adhered to it through prosperous and adverse times, till at this day she stands foremost of all places in the land in that branch of trade. Is not that something worthy of remembrance in this Centennial Year-some- thing worthy of commendation ?
In the preparation of this brief Historical Sketch of the City of LYNN, in the County of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, in accordance with the Resolution of Congress, it will be the simple aim to furnish an histori- cal outline, filling out, so far as space may permit, with such details as appear most aptly to illustrate the char- acter, progress, and condition of the little community, from the days of its infantile struggles and successes among the earliest New England settlements down to this National Centennial Year, 1876.
Well, then, let us revert to the far-off year 1629, and, on a genial day of early summer, behold a little band of settlers pausing upon the rocky heights that traverse the castern border of the beautiful plain on which the city stands- pausing for an initiatory view of the land which was to them a land of promise. Upon their left stretches out the ever-sounding sea - the sea whose blue bosom is now studded with white sails and lined with smoky trains; but then a solitary waste, or marked only by the tiny Indian craft. Before them lies the woody plain on which their rude habitations are about to be reared ;
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
and a score of miles beyond, illuminated by the morning sun, rise the lonely hills of Shawint, then overshadowed by the ancient forest, but soon to be crowned by the humble homes of the pioneer settlers of Boston.
They descend to the plain and rest a while beside a sedgy pond, refreshing themselves from the scanty store their traveling wallets contain and slaking their thirst from a running brook. But time with them is precious ; and soon, with stout heart and ready hand, they com- mence to rear a sheltering roof. The old woods resound with the noise of the ax and hammer, and the wary Indian and reposing beast are startled by the strange echoes. They toil on through mid-day's lustrous hours, and cease not till the sun goes down and the crescent of the new moon glows in the western sky. Then they wash in the cool. waters and partake of their humble evening meal. And lastly, in thankfulness and hope, they join in prayer and sacred song, and seek repose be- neath the roof they have so hastily reared. So passed, as we may well imagine, the first day in the settlement of Lynn-a day in the balmy month of June, 1629.
A settlement without a Christian church, and that of strict puritanical order, was a thing entirely inconsistent with the purposes of the New England fathers, and so, in 1632, though few in number and scattered over a large extent of territory, the Lym settlers determined to main- tain publie worship. The First Church was then estab- lished ; and the same ecclesiastical organization has
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
continued to this day, maintaining its integrity through all the periods of doctrinal change to which almost every one of the first twenty New England churches was sooner . or later subjected. The history of the early churches is so blended with the secular history of the settlements that the local historian who would attempt to carry forward either alone would encounter interminable perplexities. This arises chiefly, perhaps, from the semi-union of Church and State that long existed ; the ministers fre- quently having questions referred to them by the legis- lature and courts for determination on "christian," in distinction from " legal," principles. The Levitical law was about as often appealed to as are the reports or stat- utes at this day. Over the First Church, during its long history, more than one eminent divine has been settled- we need only mention Bachelor, Whiting, Cobbet, and Shepard, whose names will be recognized as among the most prominent, not only in ecclesiastical affairs, but political, during their times.
But before all others, clerical or lay, it is fitting that EDMUND INGALLS and his brother FRANCIS INGALLS should be named, they being the first white persons known to have had established habitations within our borders. The first located near what is now the picturesque little Gold Fish pon1; and the other, probably, within the limits of Swampscott. From these two pioneers have descended the numerous and respectable Ingalls family of the present day. They appear to have been well fitted for the enterprise they engaged in -hardy and deter-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
mined, prepared to face the dangers and endure the privations of a lonely wilderness life -cheered only by the high motives that induced their coming.
The first minister was STEPHEN BACHELOR. He made some stir in the community, but it does not appear that any specially meritorious results followed his agitations. It is from him, however, that the Bachelor family, now so prominent in various parts of the country, descended.
The second minister was SAMUEL WHITING, who came from Lynn Regis, in England ; and it was in compliment to him that the settlement was called Lynn, it having been distinguished by its old Indian name of Saugus down to 1637. He was a man eminent for learning and serenity of character, and remained the revered spiritual guide of the people for the long period of forty-three years. Ilis conjugal companion, who cheerfully shared his privations and wearying labors in this then wilder- ness, had come from a home of refinement and luxury. She was a sister of Oliver St. John, who was Chief Justice of England during the Commonwealth, and could trace her lineage by several lines unmistakably to Wil- liam the Conqueror - yea, even to the renowned Danish sovereign Canute, the story of whose memorable rebuke to his courtiers at the seaside is so familiar to every school-boy.
To this venerable pair our whole nation is deeply in- debted, in that, through our entire history, descendants of theirs have appeared rendering excellent service in
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HISTORICAL SKETCII.
important national departments. Among them have arisen more than one eminent in literature, and in divin- ity ; more than one eminent as commanders in the mar- tial field; more than one eminent at the bar, on the bench, and in the councils of the nation : to say nothing of the multitude of sons and daughters who have honor- ably acquitted themselves in the less conspicuous but still important duties pertaining to the sweet quietude of domestic life. The name of Whiting is preserved in one of our pleasant streets, and in one of our principal schools. It would be gratifying, were it allowable, to formally notice a score of those who have, during the different periods of our history, rendered themselves especially deserving of remembrance. Three descend- ants took part in the battle of Lexington, namely, Tim- othy Whiting and his two sons, Timothy and John. The former of the sons became a Captain, and the latter a General, in the Continental army.
The Ilon. William Whiting, a distinguished solicitor of Boston, who died in 1870, and by whose filial hand the modest granite obelisk was erected in the Oll Burying Ground in Lynn to the memory of his revered ancestor, spent many agreeable hours in genealogical investi- gations, and published a volume tracing the various windings of the family line. His own life was a most usefal one, and he was conspicuous in various depart- ments of public concern-was Presidential Elector in 1868; Representative from Boston in the Forty-third Congress ; Solicitor of the War Department, at Wash-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
ington, three years, 1862-'65. His opportune writings during the critical times of the Rebellion created a pro- found impression. Soon after the commencement of hos- tilities he boldly advocated an essential change in the policy of the government in carrying on the contest ; and his " War Powers of the President," and papers on Military Arrests, Military Government, Reconstruction, or the Return of the Rebellious States to the Union, and War Claims against the United States, will long be referred to as able and sagacious expositions. In 1871, an edition, comprised in a volume of seven hundred and twenty-five pages, was issued.
Perhaps it is not our duty to add that Major-General Whiting, of the Confederate army, who ranked next to Beauregard as the ablest officer in the engineer depart- ment of the Southern service, was a son of Col. John Whiting and a direct descendant from our venerable minister. He graduated at the public Latin School in Boston, in 1839, and a few years after at West Point, where he took foremost rank in the engineer corps. He was taken prisoner while in command of the Confederate forces at the month of Cape Fear river, and died while a prisoner in New York harbor. He is represented to have been a man of rare accomplishments.
The celebrated THOMAS COBBET was installed as a colleague with Mr. Whiting over the Lynn church in 1637, and remained till 1656. He was one of the most prolific writers of all the early New England ministers, and exercised considerable political influence. His name
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
is perpetuated in the stately brick school-house in Frank- lin street, erected in 1871. He removed to Ipswich, after nearly twenty years' residence in Lynn, and died there in 1685. At his funeral were provided one barrel of wine, two barrels of cider, eighty-two pounds of sugar, half a cord of wood, four dozen pairs of gloves for men and women, and " some spice and ginger for the cider," -all indicating that he was a man of note.
And here, perhaps, may properly be introduced a few words respecting one or two of the early lay-settlers and their meritorious descendants. It is interesting and profitable to trace ancestral lines ; and one who has no respect for his ancestors has no right to claim respect from his posterity. To the cultivated mind, especially, such study has a peculiar charm ; for one may thus withdraw from the distracting scenes around him, and enjoy com- munion with those who have been blessings to their race. He can thus, at least, choose such companions as may be congenial, free from the obtrusion of the disagreeable. " Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses," says Dr. Johnson ; "whatever makes the past, the dis- tant, or the future predominate over the present, ad- vances us in the dignity of thinking beings."
EDWARD HOLYOKE is found settled in Lynn as early as 1630. IIe came from Warwickshire, and his father is thought to have been the same "Edward Hollyocke " mentioned in the will of the father of Ann Hathaway, wife of Shakspeare. His name is perpetuated in IIol-
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HISTORICAL SKETCHI.
yoke street, and in the never-failing and never-freezing Holyoke spring, both in the western section of the city. HIe was a farmer, and in the allotment of lands, in 1638, received five hundred acres. He appears to have been a marked example of the rigid Puritan, and one in whose integrity and good judgment the utmost confidence was placed. For many years he represented the town in the General Court, and was also a member of the Essex Court.
Ilis son Elizur removed to Springfield, married into the conspicuous Pynchon family, and did eminent service for the settlers in that quarter. In 1652 the General Court appointed him one of the commissioners to govern the Springfield settlers "in all matters not extending to life and limb." The Colony Records afford abundant evidence of his having been a man of public spirit and excellent qualities. Mount Holyoke, in Hampshire county, is said to have derived its name from him. This Elizur died in 1676, leaving a son of the same name, who had settled in Boston, becoming prominent by his enterprise and wealth ; and whose fame will long survive from his association with the founders of the Old South church. President Edward Holyoke of Har- varl college, born in Boston, June 25, 1689, was a son of the last-named Elizur; he was a laborious student, distinguished as a classical scholar and mathematician : and the college, under his official charge, was remark- ably prosperous. Dr. Edward A. Holyoke, who died in Salem, March 31, 1829, at the age of a hundred years
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
and eight months, was a son of President Holyoke. The doctor had practiced medicine in that place for some- thing more than seventy years; was first president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, of which he was one of the founders, and prominent in various departments of learning. IIe remained intellectually vigorous even at the age of a hundred.
GEORGE BURRILL may be named as the American head of a most worthy family. IIe came to Lynn in 1630, and settled at Tower Hill. His descendants have left im- prints upon our nation's history which will not be effaced. A granddaughter of his was the mother of Hon. Timothy Pickering, the friend and adviser of Washington through some of the most trying scenes that ever perplexed that most noble of men. He was the patriot who, as colonel of militia, at the North Bridge in Salem, on the 26th of February, 1775, first offered armed resistance to the British forces. IIe was adjutant-general in the Revo- lutionary army, and in 1780 succeeded Greene as quar- termaster-general. When the alarms of war had ceased, he rendered efficient aid in the formation of the govern- ment ; was postmaster-general in 1791, secretary of war in 1794, and secretary of state in 1795. But after all these years of meritorious service he retired from office in 1800, so poor that with his family he sought a home in the wilds of Pennsylvania, making a log cabin his abode. And had not friendly hands inter- posed to restore him to his early home, he would prob- ably have met his final fate in that almost savage place.
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HISTORICAL SKETCII.
Was not here an example worthy of contemplation by some modern statesmen ?
Mr. Burrill had a son John, who was for many years one of the most active and useful men in the colony ; was a member of the king's council, a judge, and for some ten years speaker of the house of representatives, in which position he acquitted himself with such marked ability as to secure the highest commendation. Gov- ernor Hutchinson, in speaking of him, says, "I have often heard his cotemporaries applaud him for his great integrity, his acquaintance with parliamentary forms, the dignity and authority with which he filled the chair, the order and decorum he maintained in the debates of the house ;" and compares him with Sir Arthur Onslow, who had the reputation of being the most accomplished speaker who ever presided in the house of commons.
James Burrill, chief justice of the supreme court of Rhode Island, and United States senator in 1817-'20, was a lineal descendant of George, our colonist. He was strongly opposed to the memorable Missouri Com- promise, and bore a conspicuous part in the debates thercon.
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