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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
J
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 9088
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofbradfor00perr_0
HISTORY OF BRADFORD, MASS.,
FROM
THE EARLIEST PERIOD
TO THE CLOSE OF 1820,
BY
GARDNER B. PERRY, A. M. (As contained in his Historical Sermon delivered Dec. 20, 1820.)
HAVERHILL, MASS : C. C. MORSE & SON, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS.
1872.
Most of the facts contained in this discourse have been gathered by per- sonal enquiry. It is not improbable there may be a trifling inaccuracy in some of the dates, though I can hardly think after all that has been done to get to the truth, there will be found many very important errors on this subject. But as the memories of men are not always to be depended upon, it may be proper to observe, I have endeavored to state the truth, and be- lieve I have taken proper pains to ascertain it. With these observations, I now commit the discourse to my beloved people, for whose entertainment it was at first written, with my best wishes for their temporal and spirit- ual welfare. THE AUTHOR.
DISCOURSE.
2 KINGS XX. 20.
AND THE REST OF THE ACTS OF HEZEKIAH, AND ALL HIS MIGHT, AND HOW HE MADE A POOL, AND A CONDUIT, AND BROUGHT WATER INTO THE CITY, ARE THEY NOT WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS OF JUDAH ?
1164583
THE countenance afforded in this and many other pas- sages of scripture, to the habit of recording what men do, and the improvements they make in the various business of life, will be my support in calling your attention this day to some of the events connected with the history of this town.
It is well known to you, that two hundred years have now rolled away, since the first settlement was made in Plymouth by a company of men, whose object, as ex- pressed by themselves, was " to walk in all the ways of God made known or to be made known to them, accord- ing to their best endeavours." This prepared the way for others to come ; and in the year 1628, the proprietors of that section of this country, which constitutes the great- er part of this commonwealth, sent over Mr. Endicotte with about a hundred planters, who arrived at the place now called Salem, the 6th of September the same year, and laid the foundation of that town. The next summer, this new Colony received an accession of above three hundred planters more, and with them, two eminent di- vines, Mr. Francis Higginson and Samuel Skelton. Soon
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after their arrival, that is, on the 6th of August, the per- sons proposing to unite in church relation, gave their public assent to a confession of faith, and then solemnly convenanted with God and each other, to walk in the or- dinances of Christ. Messrs. Higginson and Skelton were then set apart as ministers of said church, the former as teacher, the latter as pastor, at which solemnity the church at Plymouth assisted by their delegate. This was the first church fully organized in New England ; that at Plymouth, the only one of an earlier date, had not a regular pastor till after this. On the 30th of July, 1636, Governor Winthrop, Lieutenant Governor Dudley, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Wilson, entered into a formal and solemn covenant of faith and practice, according to the gospel and laid the foundation of the first church in Charlestown, where on the 27th of August following, Mr. Wilson was ordained pastor, which was the first ordination in this state. In March, 1633, John Winthrop, son of the gov- ernor, with twelve men began a plantation at what is now called Ipswich, the next year a church was formed, and in April, the people being without a minister, the governor walked there on foot from Boston, spent the sabbath and exercised himself by way of Prophesying, that is in public teaching and exhortation. In 1634, Nathaniel Ward, from England, became their minister, and on the 20th of Feb- ruary, 1639, Mr. Nathaniel Rogers was settled in the same place as colleague with Mr. Norton, who succeeded Mr. Ward, and it was this last circumstance which led to the settlement of Rowley, of which this town formerly consti- tuted a part; for when Mr. Ezekiel Rogers, with about sixty industrious families came from Yorkshire, in England, to this country, he was influenced in his choice of a place of settlement, by a desire of being near and enjoying the company of Nathaniel Rogers, who we have mentioned as settled in Ipswich. Mr. Rogers arrived in this coun- try in the fall of 1628. He called the place of his settle- ment Rowley, after the place where he had formerly served in the gospel of Christ. As many of your ances-
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tors sat under his ministry, you will feel a special interest in him when you attend to a short account of his life. He was a man of considerable note, as is evident from his preaching the election sermon in 1643, only about four years after his arrival. He was abundant in his labours, and for several of the first years of his ministry enjoyed much peace and comfort with his people, saw the work of God flourish and grow among them. But after the settle- ment of a colleague, which happened about ten or twelve years after his arrival in this country, and which seemed to be necessary from the numerous calls he had to attend to, there arose jealousies and contentions among his people, which rendered the remainder of his life unhappy. He experienced also domestic affliction, buried two wives, all his children, and had his house and most of his papers burned on the night following his third marriage. This last circumstance renders our information concerning the early history of this town less perfect than it would other- wise have been. He lost also the use of his right arm by a fall from his horse, and was obliged, late in life, to learn to write with his left hand. But he seems, through the grace of God, to have been generally patient and submis- sive under these manifold tribulations, and to adopt what I suppose was his own expression on the subject, ' to have believed and expected after having made the voyage of this life over a troubled sea, he should reach the haven of ever- lasting rest.' His last sickness was of a lingering nature, which he bore with christian patience, and died January 22, 1668, aged 79. . He left his property, which was consid- erable, to the town of Rowley, for the support of the gos- pel. His will, which I have seen, is still in good preser- vation .*
Many of the inhabitants who came with Mr. Rogers, were weavers ; and soon after their arrival in this country they set up a fulling mill, employed their children in spin-
* A part of this property, in consequence of the towns not having com- plied with a condition contained in the Will, has fallen to Harvard College.
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ning cotton, and were the first who manufactured cloth in North America.
Just at what time this part of the town was settled I have not been able to ascertain. It was not however long after the first settlement in Rowley, and as it appears by some of the younger families who came to that place. The first house built in the town, was on the north of the road leading to Haverhill, and about 40 rods above Mr. Francis Kimball's, where the cellar may yet be seen. It was owned by a Mr. Jackson, whose christian name was probably William.
The first meeting for town affairs on record, was held the 20th of February, 1668. The name then given to this town was Merrimack. It was afterwards called Row- ley Village. At a meeting held January 7, 1672, the vote passed to call the town Bradford, and the town was incor- porated by this name in 1673. But though as we have said the first meeting on record was in 1668, it does not appear that this was, by any means, tho first time the peo- ple on this river, met by themselves in town affairs, for at that time they had a meeting house erected and also a parsonage. Many circumstances render it probable that almost from the first settlement, though connected with Rowley, and acting with them in many common concerns, yet living at such a distance, they held town meetings, among themselves, chose their own officers, and managed all those concerns which did not interfere with the in- terest of the other settlement in town, according to their own discretion. And among the circumstances which renders this opinion plausible, is that Bradford and Box- ford, though making but one town with Rowley, were not within the first patent granted to Mr. Rogers, but were the next year granted to him and to Mr. John Phil- lips, at the very earnest requestof Mr. Rogers.
Bradford is about 8 miles long and 3 wide, and contains about 10,000 acres, and 1650 inhabitants.
The soil is generally good and sufficiently various for
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the cultivation of most productions common to this lati- tude. The town is bounded on one side its whole length by the Merrimack, a most beautiful river, whose waters afford considerable quantities of salmon, shad, bass, stur- geon, alewives and a variety of other fish. And in the spring there is a vast number of seines employed in taking these inhabitants of the flood. The salmon caught here are esteemed the best of any taken in the waters of the northern states, and often fetch from 75 to 100 cents a pound in the market at Boston. The quantity of fish is at present much less than formerly. To an admirer of the . works and ways of God, hardly any thing can be more in- teresting than what is called the run of eels in this river. This generally takes place between the two run of shad. They go up the river the beginning of May, in a ribband or stream of about a foot wide upon the average, and three or four inches in depth, and every year in the same course. They are from two to six inches in length, move with con- siderable velocity, and continue to pass along without interruption for about four days ; almost an inconceivable number must pass during this time ; they are from the salt water, but how far they go up or what becomes of them I have not yet learned.
And now when upon the subject of the river, I think it proper to observe, that though in various ways this town in common with others upon its brinks, derive great advantages from this noble stream, it is obvious to any person who will take the trouble to reflect upon the sub- ject, that these advantages are much less than they might, indeed ought to be. I will mention among other things, that while there is not probably a more convenient place in the county of Essex for the lumber trade, nor one where, from local circumstances enterprise and industry in that business, would with more certainty be crowned with suc- cess than is afforded upon its banks in this parish ; yet it is a fact, that for the want of such an establishment, the people, even in this town, to say nothing of Boxford,
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Rowley, West Newbury, Andover, &c. are often put to inconvenience for articles of this description. And the same observation may be extended to the heavy articles of foreign merchandize, such as salt, molasses, sugar, iron, &c. It would be easy to refer to other particulars. But it is hoped this observation will draw the attention of some enterprising person of our town, or of some other place, to the subject.
The principal business done in this town, for many years after its settlement, was the cultivation of the land. And from the productive nature of the soil, the inhabi- tants had much encouragement to do this. Many of them set out large orchards, some of the trees in which grew to a great size. Several are spoken of and remembered, which in bearing years, yielded apples from which six and seven barrels of cider were made, and a few from eight to ten barrels. One of the largest of these was on land now owned by Mr. Jonathan Balch, a grandson of the first pastor of this church, by whom cider of a very superior quality was made, familiarly called Arminian Cider, and which for many years bore the highest price in market of any made in the state. Formerly there were considerable quantities of peaches and plumbs produced in this town, but for several years past, trees of this description have not flourished. There is however at present an apparent change for the better, and the present appearance is, that persons may now cultivate these trees with the hope of enjoying the fruit of them.
There was a time between the years 1700 and 1790, when less attention was paid to the cultivation of fruit, than the real interest of the town required, the stately trees which the fathers had planted, yield in great abun- dance, and the inhabitants seem hardly to have thought these could ever fail, and were therefore less careful to provide for those that should come after them, than their fathers had been before. At the present there is an in- creased attention to this subject, several very fine young orchards of engrafted fruit now ornament our town.
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The winter pear, formerly, called the Warden pear, was introduced into this town by Mr. Wooster, brother to Francis Wooster, grandfather of Samuel Wor- cester, D. D. of Salem, a man who from his singular in- genuity, was familiarly called doctor. But whether he cultivated this pear from the Dummer trees in Byfield, or imported it, cannot be certainly ascertained, though the last is the most probable.
Trade and Manufactories. The first store of any con- siderable importance in this town was opened by Moses Parker, Esq. who for many years did business to a consid- erable extent, and whose store, it is said, was furnished with a very great variety of merchandize. There are now about seven or eight stores of greater or less extent in which may be had most of the articles required in com- mon life, and upon as good terms as in any other place in this part of the county.
Ship building has been and would still be, were it not for the present depressed state of commerce, a very im- portant branch of business here ; ships of rising four hun- dred tons may be safely launched. And with what is publicly known on the subject, it will not appear a matter of boasting, to say, our ship carpenters are well taught and skilful mechanics. The business was commenced by Mr. John Atwood, from Boston, in 1720.
The manufactory of leather is carried on to considerable extent, five tan yards are now in full operation. This bus- iness was first commenced by Shubel Walker, in the upper parish, in the early settlement of this town, but is now almost entirely confined to the east parish.
Large quantities of shoes are manufactured here, and sent to the southern and middle states, the West Indies, &c. About 150 men are constantly employed in this busi- ness, beside many who employ the winter in it, who it is supposed make 50,000 pairs of shoes and boots yearly. This business as a trade, furnishing shoes for market, was commenced by Daniel Hardy, now of Pelham, about sixty
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years since, who used to send his shoes to Portsmouth. He was followed by Thomas Savory, Esq. and Nathaniel Mitchell, who carried on the business extensively, sending their shoes to the southern states, and to the West Indies. About the time of the French revolution, Moses Savory and a Mr. Gage, went in the same business, from which time it has been one of the most important articles in the business of this town.
In 1798, William Tenny, Jr. commenced chaise mak- ing, since which time considerable has been done at that business, and is now doing, and perhaps never by more skilful and industrious mechanics than at present.
Thomas Carlton, about the year 1760, set up a fulling mill on Johnson's creek, above Aaron Parker's upper mill where he carried on the dressing of cloth. In this fac- tory Mr. Benjamin Morse partly learned the trade, who in connection with his sons, has for many years, and to a considerable extent, carried on the business, and in a man- ner creditable to themselves and much to the public satis- faction.
A small quantity of chocolate, was about thirty years since, manufactured by Jesse Atwood.
Brass and pewter buckles and sleigh bells, were to a considerable amount made here by Stephen Foster, and others for some years before and after the revolution. Nothing however is done at this business now.
Coopering business has been carried on in this town at different times to a greater or less extent, very little how- ever has been done at it for some years. This business is about to be revived by Jotham Hunt, who is making preparations for that purpose. During the revolutionary war, salt petre was made in this place by Deacon Samuel Tenny.
In 1800, was commenced the manufactory of Straw Bonnets, which is now carried on to a considerable ex- tent in this town, and much to the advantage of those who are employed in it.
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A considerable quantity of Tobacco is manufactured in this town. This business was commenced in 1770, by Moses Parker, Esq. a man excelled by few in real mechan- ical powers of mind. When he commenced this business, he was but about thirteen years of age, and never had enjoyed but one opportunity of seeing the machinery used in this work.
Mines, &c .- I have not learned that any other than iron mine has been known to exist in this place, of this there is apparently a large quantity in the east part of the town.
Clay of different qualities is found in many parts of the town, suitable for the common purposes for which it is used. There is one bed in the east part of the town, of a finer quality, which I have reason to believe might be worked to advantage in making the finer articles of the Potter.
There are two springs in the east parish, one on the land of Thomas Savory, Esq. the other on that of Isaiah Jewitt, the waters of which are empregnated with iron, and if properly improved and secured from other water, might no doubt be used to advantage by persons afflicted with disorders for which calybiate waters are prescribed.
It being the opinion of some who professed to have knowledge and experience on the subject, that there was mineral coal and lead in the hill between the east meet- ing house and the river, an attempt was made to ascer- tain the fact in 1808, and a considerable time and prop- erty expended, but without success. But I can hardly suppose any one acquainted with mining, would from look- ing at what was done, consider this failure as any very positive evidence that there is none there.
Mills, &c .- Johnson's creek affords the greatest and in- deed the only considerable means for water works in this town, and it has been considerably improved for this pur- pose, for on it have stood, or are now standing, four saw mills, five grist mills, three fulling mills, two bark mills.
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The first of these was a grist mill, standing below the road leading from Mr. Daniel Kimball's to deacon Thomas Morse's, and was set up by Edward Carlton, the first person born in Rowley, or his father, probably about the year 1670. This mill is not now standing, nor is the place where it stood occupied. In 1780, deacon Phin- eas Carlton, built a mill lower down the stream, just on the opposite side of the creek from that on which Mr. Aaron Parker's upper mill now stands, and had the sluice dug which is now in repair. This was done, by job for 70 dollars, by Cuff Dole, a person of color, of remark- able strength, steady habits, and who died in the com- fortable hope of a blessed immortality.
In 1750, Joseph Kimball and Eliphalet Hardy, set up the lower mill so called, and as it was a work of con- siderable magnitude to build the damn, and the mill great- ly needed, the inhabitants volunteered their services, some men only of common property, subscribing and afterwards performing from fifteen to twenty days labor.
In 1790, Retier Parker built a tanyard near the low- er mill, and contrived to have the stone with which the bark is ground, moved by water instead of horses, as was the practice at that time, certainly a useful improve- ment.
All these, with the exception of a part of the lower mill, have become the property of Aaron Parker, Esq. a man of ingenuity and enterprise, who has improved them in a manner highly creditable to himself, and to the advantage and convenience of the public. He has also attached a rolling and fulling mill, to his upper grist mill, and has a bark mill running with such perfection, that it will grind as much bark in two hours, as could be ground in a whole day by the former mill, though as we observed, that was a great improvement upon the gen- eral practice of the day.
In 1684, this town received proposals from Richard Whomes, of Rowley, and John Perle, of Marblehead,
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Johnsons Irmale
to set up a corn mill upon this creek, a little above the mill built by the first Mr. Carlton, which proposals were well received by the town, and considerable subscriptions were made to forward the design, upon condition, that said Whomes and Perle would set up a good and suffi- cient mill, and that the people in this town should be served in their turn, in preference to those from out of town, and also that sufficient passage be left for fish, which conditions were agreed to, and the mill accordingly set up. This mill is not standing at present.
The first saw mill was owned by the Carlton family, but when built I have not learned. It must have been in the early settlement of the town. It stood across the road above the place of the first grist mill. And it is a fact worthy of notice, that the mud sills of the three first mills are still remaining, and can be seen, though it must be about 150 years, perhaps more, since they were put down.
1n 1784, Mr. Francis Kimball built a saw mill, and Mr. Benjamin Morse a fulling mill near the mouth of the creek, the latter of which is now standing and in full operation.
Besides these, there have been five or six saw mills in different parts of the town, and one grist mill, upon temporary streams. One of the saw mills on the farm of David How, has recently been put in good repair.
I shall take this opportunity to observe, that though much use is made of the water of Johnson's creek, yet a much more considerable advantage might be derived from it. Several mills more might with perfect conven- ience stand upon it. The convenience of the public does certainly call for the erection of a carding mill. Another saw mill would find full employ, indeed it would be easy to show how enterprising individuals might get wealth, and the community be better served, by enlist- ing in their service, the force of this water which God in his goodness causes to flow down this stream for the use of men.
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Rouds, &c. The first committee upon record, for lay- ing out highway in this town, were sergeant John Gage, Joseph Pike, John Griffin, who were appointed in the year 1668. How far these persons were concerned in laying out our roads, it is impossible for us now to say. It is certain, whoever were the agents in this business, they committed an error in making them so narrow ; an inconvenience greatly felt, but which I am happy to observe, the town is taking measures, as far as may be, to remedy. Several have already been widened in part, and have been given orders for the widening others. Though this measure will be attended with considerable . expense and labor, it will, beyond doubt, be ultimately found a measure of economy as well as beauty and con- venience. Our roads, though narrow, are, in general, well made, and the bridges all in good repair. And I cannot but think that a stranger passing through this town, will from the state of the roads, the good order in our public houses, the appearance of our fields, and the beauty of the river, find as much to entertain the mind and please their fancy, as in most towns in this county.
It was the early policy of this town, and a good policy it is, to restrain cattle, &c. In order to carry this reg- ulation into effect, as well as for other obvious pur- poses, they voted the 5th of January, 1685, to build a pound, with gate, lock and key, to be set up the next spring, on such part of the meeting-house land, as the selectmen should judge most convenient, which order was carried into effect. The present pound occupies a different place, and was built after the west parish built their present meeting.house, who seem, for some reason unknown to me, to have had the expense of this to defray.
At the same meeting in which the vote passed to call this town Bradford, instructions were given to the se- lectmen, to provide a burying-ground, who, it seems,
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were furnished with the land now improved for that purpose, in the west parish, by the liberality of John Haseltine, Jr. of Haverhill, upon condition the town would keep it fenced, which condition was however, the same year given up by his son Samuel, of Bradford ; so the town now holds it without condition.
The burying ground in this part of the town, is a present to the parish, from Mr. Samuel Jewitt, and the first person buried there was Mrs. Martha Hale, in 1723. As we learn from the inscription on the stone at the foot,
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