USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > Reminiscences of Salem, Massachusetts : embracing notices of its eminent men known to the author forty years ago > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 Sa32d 1774429
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01115 3563
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/fewreminiscences00derb
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REMINISCENCES OF SALEM.
MASSACHUSETTS :
EMBRACING
NOTICES OF ITS EMINENT MEN KNOWN TO THE AUTHOR FORTY YEARS AGO.
BY JOHN B. DERBY.
BOSTON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 1847.
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1774429
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DERBY, JOHN BARTON, 1792-1867.
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F 8448 A few reminiscences of Salem, Massachusetts: embracing notices of its eminent men known to the author forty years ago ... Boston, Printed for the author, 1847. 15p.
Binder's title: Salem, Massachusetts.
THE SALEMITES,
WHEREVER DISPERSED,
1 INSCRIBE THESE PAGES, AS A TESTIMONY OF .
FRATERNAL REGARD.
J. B. D. .
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·Kim. 96 .
REMINISCENCES OF SALEM.
THE glory of a city is its people. Palaces and temples are con- sumed by conflagrations, or moulder away by time : but the deeds of great men last forever. Genius lights a fire on earth which is never extinguished. The ingenious man dies, but his mind lives, not only in another world, but here, in the record of its labors and achievements,-and, his memory is treasured by all kindred spirits, and revered by all who have profited by his works. Salem may be washed away by the sea ; but the labors of BOWDITCH will be found in every vessel that sweeps over its surface. WORCESTER may be gathered to his fathers ; but many a soul confesses him, on earth, as the means of its salvation, and a great multitude of redeemed spirits will hail him in a future existence, with reverential joy, as their spir- itual father.
The enlightened mind of a good man, when he dies to the world, leaves, like the setting sun, a long train of light and glory, which serves both to console the afflicted, and to mark out the true path for those who come after. Virtue never lives in vain. However it may be disregarded by the many among whom shines its feeble, but clear beam, yet, when that light is extinguished, all join in attestations to its worth,-all assemble to scatter flowers upon its sepulchre. The inspiration of the Almighty is immortal !
And where may be found more numerous memorials of great men, than in Salem ? The works of many of them are conspicuous in the libraries of the learned : the deeds of many are inscribed in the public records of our State and country. Whether as states- men, orators, philosophers, warriors, lawyers, physicians, divines, . merchants, or navigators, the world acknowledges their merits and unites in their praises. I do not believe that any city, of equal pop-
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ulation, ever produced, in the same period of time, so many men worthy to be remembered ; so many, whom succeeding generations may remember for good-for benefits received. And this is true honor to a city. The slaughterers of mankind-the desolators of cities-may, for a while, excite the wonder of " stupid starers," and receive their " loud huzzas." But, time and improvement correct such vitiated taste ; and the conquerors of nations can find com- paratively few to do them honor-many to denounce. The last spectacle afforded of this great moral reform of vitiated public opinion, was the chief of the men of blood, musing in his island abode, on the illusions of glory ! That was a lesson which the world has not forgotten, and will not forget for centuries to come. The end of the greatest martial success and of sanguinary glory, a rock. in the sea !- and the last tones of the voice which shook the world, remonstrating about the quality and quantity of eatables and drinkables !
. Verily, such sort of glory is a soap-bubble : gorgeous, so long as the sun shines upon it, but an empty show, of only momentary. ex- istence,-" sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal." When we honor warlike deeds, let them be performed by defenders of their country, or assertors of her violated rights. The soldier is her avenger ; and if he performs his duty quickly and thoroughly, and then lays down his arms to be again a peaceful citizen, he deserves the applause of his countrymen. But the soldier of conquest, wars against the liberty of his country ; and every inch of territory snatched from the enemy, leavens the whole mass of affiliated States. They puff up with fermentation, and grow rancorous with acidity. The love of conquest is the first appearance of gangrene in a free State,-the beginning of the end.
Most of the distinguished men of Salem have been men of peace : benefactors of their kind, not their destroyers. I recall to memory the grave faces I used there to see and venerate in my youth. They come up before me like the ghost of Samuel to Saul.
I behold a man of small stature, but of energetic and rapid motion. . His white wig denotes one of a learned profession ; his gold-headed cane indicates that he is a pedestrian ; his vivacious manner, that he is contented. There are some seams of care on his benevolent countenance,-a few traces of grief, dried up,-a little tremulous- ness of the voice, as he speaks of the past ; but his whole visage be-
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tokens an unshaken confidence in himself, and in the hope that has enlightened his life. I remember him well, and gratefully. . He has stood by my bed-side when life was threatened by fever, and his voice spoke hope and comfort when shadows descended upon the future. That ancient man lived to one hundred years old-eminent as a physician, and venerated and beloved as a man. The name of Holyoke is the public property of Salem, and will be treasured so long as virtue and industry are respected.
I am seated in a church, and a tall and enthusiastic preacher is delivering his farewell sermon to a numerous society. There are sighs, tears, and groans all around me. The preacher labors as if the very judgment day was at hand. Earnest and enthusiastic, he is also eloquent : he feels himself, and his hearers catch his sensi- bility. The society to whom he ministers are divided ; and, stung by what he considers the ingratitude of the majority, he parts from them with bitterness, mingled with love,-with pity, giving way to indignation. He departs, followed by a faithful few, and in a short time resumes his pastoral care at another temple of Calvinistic wor- ship.
But, in the old house, one succeeds him whose countenance beams with affectionate solicitude-whose eyes express the meekness and mildness of the " disciple whom Jesus loved,"-whose eloquence is as the evening dew, gentle and fructifying ;- his mind trained · in the school of argument, and enriched with the lore of ages. Learned, mild, persuasive, no pastor ever held more securely the affections of his people, nor won more fully their confidence in his doctrines. He spoke as if he was himself firmly persuaded of their truth-and this, alone, often subdues the doubting. But, wheth- er his 'theology was sound or not, his life was the Christian's. Worcester, if forgotten in Salem, is well known in heaven! There, among the many seals of his ministry, the gentle affections of his spirit may luxuriate, and the fervor of his piety gather fresh ardor from the approving smile of his Master.
I could also speak of Prince, the philosopher ; Barnard, the con- scientious, and Bently, the ecceentric ; of Bolles, the fervid and persuasive, who established the Baptists in Salem,-all remarkable men, of superior ability ; but to speak of them as they deserve, would require a volume.
Let us take another look at the great men of Salem, in the temple
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of Law. I remember no lawyers of distinction, until the time of Prescott and Putnam. There were many such, but I was too young to know them, or to comprehend their merit. The two I have just named, I knew ; and have heard both in trials where the interest was intense. In both, the same virtue was conspicuous,-in- tegrity. Both seemed to consider truth as the choicest jewel of the lawyer. There was no attempt to deceive nor to delude. The true merits of a case were fairly stated and most eloquently urged. Both were men of spirit, and a nice sense of honor; and both had the blood of heroism flowing in their veins. They were remarkable, also, for suavity of manners, for gentlemanly condescension, for generous forbearance. Both were spared to a good old age, as if to show how great men may be and not lose their modesty. How amiable, and yet how resolute ! How cheerful, and yet how · unaffectedly pious ! I have seen both of them in command of the Salem regiment of militia, urging refractory steeds over the resounding field-showing that they minded the gallant stock from whence they sprang. If I was called upon to name two men, who, holding great power and influence, exerted both most suc- cessfully for the good of their fellow-men and the honor of God, I would name Prescott and Putnam.
There was another eminent lawyer, and most pure-hearted man, whom I knew, as a student for a short time in his office, and after- wards by his increasing fame. He has recently deceased, univer- sally lamented. I allude to the Hon. JOHN PICKERING, LL. D. The same amiability and integrity remarkable in the two last named law- yers, were conspicuous in him also. The nucleus of character in all of them was the same :- it was TRUTH. I do not mean truth in its common, limited acceptation merely ; but that ingrained bright- ness and magnanimity of soul, which constitutes the highest order of moral grandeur-which makes a man incapable of deceit or of a mean action, and brings him nearest to the throne of that God whose foundation is unadulterated truth.
When I was about fourteen years of age, I accompanied my fath- er in a pedestrian visit to Beverly. We returned late at night. As we came up the road leading to the Common from Beverly bridge, there was a light- gleaming from a window, whose shutters were partly closed. As we passed the window, the pale and thoughtful face of a student was visible, poring over an open volume. All oth-
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er lights in the neighborhood were extinguished. Said my father " Look there : that light may be seen every night in that room, until after twelve o'clock ! Now, mark me, my son : that student will be a great man. Such unremitting labor will, one day, produce a noble crop. You will, I hope, live to see the reward of such devotedness to his profession and his duty." My father was right. I did live to see it. The reward was most glorious. That student was the late Justice Story.
From this pinnacle of honorable distinction, let us pass to a char- acter of humble virtue. There was a man whom my grandfather took into his family, when a boy. In that family he grew to man- hood. Mild, modest, faithful, all loved who knew him. After my grandfather's death, he came to live with my father. Here the same fidelity was remarkable. It extended not only over all the business with which he was entrusted, but to the children of his patron. Many a word of excellent advice did he give me : many a time has he interposed to shield me from punishment. He was, indeed, the most tender-hearted man I ever knew ;- so full of the milk of 'kind- ness, that he could believe in no religious faith but universal salva- tion. He felt that he could forgive every offence against himself, and he believed that the Deity was infinitely more benevolent than himself. The good man had his trials and sorrows; but they could never disturb his confidence in God. " It is all right," was his constant expression. He grew old in years and in virtues. Infir- mities of age came upon him. He felt that his end was nigh. One day, while on an errand, he became unusually indisposed. With faltering steps he went into the burying ground, and, reaching the tomb of his early friend and patron, he stretched himself out on the stone that covered his remains, and died ! It is writ, " Be ye faith- ful unto death, and ye shall receive a crown of everlasting life." Chandler wears that crown in the Redeemer's kingdom, as the re- ward of fidelity.
Speaking of benevolent individuals, I cannot forget the late Capt. George Crowninshield. Boys, of my time, were often entertained with glowing accounts of his intrepidity in the cause of humanity. I believe I remember at least a dozen persons rescued from immi- nent and deadly peril, by his timely aid. He seemed to live to do good on great occasions, and such frequently occurred. Hardly a month passed but we heard of some gallant act of Captain George.
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On several occasions, he left his bed at midnight, at the cry of dis- tress, and interposed, successfully, at the rescue. At one time, he snatches a drowning woman from the deep : at another, relieves a dozen men from a watery grave. They had landed, at low water, on a rock called "Misery," in Salem harbor ; and, in- tent on enjoyment, did not perceive that the advancing tide had come between them and their boat. None of them could swim, and the water was already too deep to allow them to wade to their boat. The rock on which they were, is covered to the depth of many feet, at high water. Death seemed inevitable. As they clung to the highest point of the rock, to protract, as long as possible, their lives, Captain George happened to sce them from his store, as he was run- ning over the harbor with a spy-glass. Instantly comprehending their danger, he ran out, jumped into his boat, summoned a few oth- ers to the rescue, and all the poor drowning creatures were saved -the water having already risen to their breasts. This most gal- lant and generous man died suddenly, universally regretted. He was a noble specimen of the bluff, warm-hearted, chivalrous seaman. He was, also, a man of sound understanding ; of lively fancy, and of excellent taste ;- a friend of his country, showing his pat- riotism by actions, more than by the tongue. It will be happy for Salem if she looks upon his like again. .
Let me, also, remember his brother, the Hon. B. W. Crownin- shield. Always moderate, just, conciliatory, honorable, in all things, he rose to a distinguished station in the government of his country. As Secretary of the Navy, he won the confidence and esteem of its officers and the gratitude of the seamen. That his virtues were real, is proved by the remarkable moral beauty of his old age-preserv- ing his intellect unimpaired, by a youth of temperance and industry ; and even growing brighter by time ; and presenting to the youth of our country a noble pattern of faithfulness in the cause of that country ; of sound morality, and honorable and manly dealing in all. the transactions of life. Long may he yet be spared, and peaceful and happy be his departure !- his memory, a theme of admired con- versation to the juniors of his native town, and his example the stan- dard of youthful ambition.
. It is not yet sunrise : but there is a man of business, walking in front of the post office, his hands full of letters and his countenance.
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expressing care and anxious meditation. But, his step is firm and elastic, and every movement denotes energy and decision. That is one of the most remarkable men of our country. Born in hum- ble life, his youth displayed extraordinary ability, and an invincible propensity for trade. He began business by some small adventures, and as his gains increased, purchased a vessel and became a mer- chant. Success, the most extraordinary, attended his enterprise. Where other merchants lost money, in the same voyages he made it. In a few years he was worth millions. Yet, there was no change in his plain and sincere manners. Wealth did not make him proud, nor overbearing, nor ambitious. Public honors were often offered, but declined. Some were forced upon him. But neither wealth nor honors could change the man or corrupt the patriot. No man suf- fered more severely the consequences of war than he. His vessels were captured by the enemy. Loss succeeded to loss. But his con- stant reply was, when taunted by the opponents of the war, " Never more prosperous !" That was the heart of the patriot, rising supe- rior to all sordid considerations. So long as the rights and interests of his country were defended, he forgot his own interests. He wil- lingly suffered losses-he shrank not even from poverty, if the hon- or of the United States was preserved untarnished. He submitted to insult, reproaches, ridicule, with entire equanimity, knowing that time would show who were right. And, he lived to see his opinions justified ; to hear the applause of all patriotic hearts, and to die uni- versally regretted. The name of William Gray, the patriot mer- chant, will ever be an illustrious example.
I remember another distinguished merchant, whose opinions were of like decided character. By the same indomitable perseverance and industry, he also amassed great wealth. His resolution was un- conquerable. In the decline of life he was afflicted with epileptic fits. Without any warning, he would be seized with a suspension of his faculties. On one occasion, while discussing a question of insurance, where his own opinion differed from the majority, confi- dent that he was correct, he entered into the argument with great zeal ; and while speaking, he was seized with a fit, which rendered him speechless. He revived gradually, and looking about, saw the merchants who had been listening to him, standing around, some proposing to call a carriage, some a physician. "Sit down, gentle- men !" said he ; " All take seats, if you please. There ! now we
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will resume the argument !" The presence of death itself, could not subdue or tame his unconquerable spirit.
There was another most amiable merchant, whom I knew in my youth. I think he was the most fortunate man in Salem. Every enterprise he engaged in, succeeded. He was remarkable for his unassuming deportment. One day, when a boy, I was fishing upon his wharf, and in some hours had caught nothing. Walking down the wharf from his store, he came up to me and inquired, " What luck ?" "None at all, sir," was my reply. He mused a few mo- ments, and then, walking a few feet from where I stood, he said, " Suppose you throw your line in here. I don't know that there are any fish here ; but let us see if my luck is better than yours." I threw in, and instantly feeling a strong bite, pulled up a frost fish, weighing over two pounds. "John," said he, "I must have that fish ! How much will you take for him ?" I thought I named a good price when I said " six cents." Pulling out half a dollar, " Take that," said he; " It is a fine fish, and worth, to me, all the money. The same ' good luck,' (as it is called,) attends all my ope- rations : I happen to win, when others, of better calculation, lose. But it requires much more care and trouble to keep than to win. Re- member that, my young lad." I am sorry to say I profited very little by his advice.
When some shallow people say, that money is made by " good luck," they do not look far enough for the cause. All the men of wealth I knew in Salem, made their fortunes by superior talent and constant diligence. The same talent directed to any other object, would have made them successful and distinguished. Like many others who have in later days shed a lustre on Salem, they were men of genius ; which, being directed to trade, produced the golden harvest so much desired and so seldom gathered.
The time of which I am speaking, was a remarkable period in the history of Salem. The town was growing, and the vigor of man- hood was displayed in all its enterprises. The sea was its mother, and nursed her child long after it had passed the infant state. The old race showed their origin. They had something of the roughness of the ocean when stirred by tempests, but also its placid beauty when lulled into a calm. And, although there were schools of.tom- cod and cunners, there could always be found, in deep water, hali- but of the largest size, and now and then a grampus.
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Among the distinguished men of Salem, I would not omit to men- tion the two Pickmans-Benjamin and William-both worthy to be eulogized by an abler pen than mine. The germ of character in both was the same-rectitude and benevolence. Both fine speci- mens of the true gentleman of the old school, when gentility did not consist in keeping a carriage, nor in giving extravagant entertain- ments. Both men of extensive information and useful talent. In disputes where a resort to the law was inexpedient, they were favor- ite arbitrators. One of them was the representative of his town and county, and always enjoyed the confidence of the people. The other was known for his retiring modesty, and declined public hon- ors ; but he won greater honor in the hearts of many grateful peo- ple, who had occasion to rejoice at his charitable deeds.
The only man in this country who has ever been in Jeddo, the capital of Japan, was a Salemite,-one of those men who are won to deeds of enterprise by the difficulty of accomplishing them ; and he looked as if nothing could arrest or daunt his adventurous spirit. I think he was the most lively man, in disposition, I ever knew ;- always in good humor, always the life of the social circle. He lived to a good old age, universally respected. Had he lived in the age of Queen Elizabeth, he would have been knighted for his gallantry. I speak of S. G. Derby.
Of the same enterprising and honorable character were West, Barton, and Knight ; Forrester, Dodge, and the Ornes-and a mul- titude of others. It is rare now to find anywhere even one of the sort of men who built up Salem, unless they are to be found in the same place. As I said before, they were a peculiar race ; and the people of Salem should raise, in the centre of their Common, a pil- lar of granite, and inscribe upon it, in letters of time-resisting zinc, the names of their illustrious dead.
The Salem Artillery was the best company of artillery in the State. And I think the two finest companies [ ever saw of infantry, were the Salem Cadets and Salem Light Infantry. They were rival companies, and both attained an exact discipline, equal to regular troops in service. The Cadets used to assemble at the Court House, near my father's, where I could see them to advantage. They wore a scarlet coat, with waistcoat and pantaloons of white. The rivalry between the companies was productive of good. It called out Hart, the musician. I remember when he began to practice on the clar.
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ionet. As the shades of summer evening came down, and his daily labors were suspended, Hart would seat himself on the top of a shed, and pour through the clarionet " his pensive soul." In a few years, he became the finest clarionet player in the country,-softest in tone, most brilliant in execution. His taste was exquisite; and I have often seen bright eyes and tender hearts overflowving at his me- lodious and melancholy music. Turner, on the same instrument, in martial strains, and in music requiring rapidity of execution, was the best performer of his. time.
There was a man by the name of Cliff, a white-smith-a very ingenious mechanic ; though his appearance. was not very prepos- sessing, and not at all indicative of genius. He came to my father's to look at an air-gun, brought by my uncle Richard, from England. Within a week after he had seen it, he was discharging another, · made by himself,-not so polished as the pattern, but quite equal to it in all other respects. This native talent was common among the mechanics of Salem. Specimens of ingenuity were found in almost every work-shop ; and I recollect hearing my uncle Hasket say, (and he was himself a very ingenious man,) that he believed there was no piece of mechanism, however complicated, but a Salem mechanic would make as good, and very likely invent an improvement.
No Salem man as old as myself, can have forgotten Constable Fabens. With only one arm, he yet performed an arrest with aston- ishing dexterity. His strength was herculean. Once in his grasp, the hold could not be broken. I saw him seize an offender on one occasion, a very athletic seaman, who made most vigorous efforts to escape ; but the grasp of Fabens was like a blacksmith's vice-in- e.xorable.
As a contrast to this character, was William Dean, the Quaker. Were I to enlarge on the virtues of Dean, I should only be describ- ing those of all his sect. All the Quakers of Salem and Danvers, were of uniform character-amiable, peaceable and excellent people. Their religious belief and mode of worship are peculiar ; but, if it is correct to judge a tree by its fruit, I must say that the Quakers have seemed to me to act in the true spirit of the gospel of peace, and of " good will to man." They have more of the spirit of John than of Peter : but John was " the disciple whom Jesus loved."
There was an originality even in the amusements of Salem. The anniversary of the East India Company, was celebrated with great
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pomp. The members (men who had been round the Cape of Good Hope,) appeared in the gorgeous dresses and costume of the East. The procession looked like an East Indian army, returning in tri- umph. The boy who was so fortunate as to be selected to personate a native Indian of high caste, seated in his palankin, and borne aloft by four blacks, turbaned and mustachoed, was viewed with awe for a year after by his companions. Celebrations of this kind keep alive the spirit of adventure, and made the trade, which built up Salem, a favorite pursuit of the rising generation. The spirit of ad- venture could not languish while its trophies were annually displayed to the admiring gaze of the people. The "Father" of that trade was the senior Elias Hasket Derby, and the " Grand Turk" the first vessel which rounded the Cape of Good Hope. Perhaps that . is the reason why his eldest grandson, of the same name, has so much of hope in his composition-never having despaired of himself, although sometimes given over by men less sanguine !
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