USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Danvers > Centennial celebration at Danvers, Mass., June 16, 1852 > Part 4
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The rival efforts of these gentlemen, (Messrs. Southwick and Shove,) to see which could out-do the other in saving for the town, and the suggestions made by them, from time to time, in their annual reports, will ever be interesting features for exami- nation. They were, in fact, a sort of Quaker duel, in which no blood was shed,-although occasionally one would say to the other, " Thee lies, thee knows thee lies, under a mistake." During their administration of this department, the State allowed twenty-one cents per day for the support of paupers, instead of seven, the present allowance ; which materially aided in bal- ancing their accounts.
ALMSHOUSE.
The present almshouse, with the farm and its appendages, cost $25,000. It was erected in 1844. The town was moved
38
to its erection, by the admonitions of Miss D. Dix, of Boston, whose generous philanthropy has done so much for suffering humanity. There were those who thought her oficious, mis- informed as to the facts she stated, and disposed to meddle with that which did not concern her. I know there were such. But even those will now cheerfully acknowledge, that she was actuated by good motives ; and that she did the town a service, for which she ought ever to be held in grateful remembrance. Noble soul ! that looks around and sees how many tears of suffering she has dried up, and how many pangs of distress she has alleviated. Her own reflections are a heavenly reward. May her shadow never be less.
There is no town in the Commonwealth where the unfortu- nate poor are regarded with more sympathy and kindness. Every rational movement for their benefit has always met a cheerful approval by the town. Care is taken to secure the services of intelligent and humane overseers, and the establish- ment entire is a model worthy of imitation.
A careful analysis of the concerns of this department for fifty years last past, will show, that at least three fourths of all those who have received relief at the almshouse, have been brought to this necessity by reason of intemperance, notwithstanding the unremitted efforts of the town to stay the devastations of this debasing vice,-this inexhaustible fountain of suffering and of crime. May God grant a safe deliverance from it, even though it should involve the total annihilation of all that intox .. icates.
TEMPERANCE.
In the efforts that have been made to advance the cause of temperance, for the last forty years, Danvers has taken no mean position. During all this period, many of her best citizens have been actively cooperating with the best friends of the cause.
As early as 1812, Samuel Holten, Benjamin Wadsworth, Edward Southwick, Fitch Poole, Caleb Oakes, and others, were pioneers in this enterprise. They dared to say, even then, when it was almost the universal practice to "take a little for the stomach's sake and often infirmities," that "the use of
39
intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, was an evil, and only evil continually." It is glorious to find these experienced, upright, and keen observers of human nature, putting forth the doctrine that total abstinence, from everything that intoxicates, is "the only sure guide," the only principle that can be depended upon. What the zealous friends of law (Massachusetts law, may I say?) have recently discovered, they seem to have known by instinct. They preached temperance, and they practised what they preached. Without which, on any subject, preaching is " a tinkling cymbal,"-an " empty show."
Danvers was the first town that took action, in its corporate capacity, against licensing the retail of intoxicating liquors. The motion, (to my certain knowledge,) was drafted in pencil, at the Village Church, and presented at the annual meeting, 1835, by S. P. Fowler, Esq. To the credit of the town, its authorities have constantly adhered to the faith then promul- gated. Not so with all the authorities in towns around,-and hence has flowed misery and crime. Since 1835, there has annually been appointed a committee, to watch the progress of the cause, and to advance its success. What Maine now is to other states, Danvers has been to other towns, a beacon light on the eminence of Temperance. May its effulgence be strength- ened, until the path of duty shall be, as illuminated by the noonday sun.
BUSINESS. FARMING.
Attention to business has ever been a prominent trait in the character of the people of Danvers. For many years, the cul- tivation of the land was their chief employment. Throughout the early records, they are spoken of as the farmers, in contrast with those engaged in commercial pursuits, for which Salem has been eminent from the beginning. Among the farmers best known, will be found the names of Putnam, Preston, Proc- tor, Felton, and King. Their fields have exhibited samples of cultivation that will compare with any in the Commonwealth. They have stirred their soil deep, and aimed to understand the reason for so doing. The town affords every variety of soil,
40
from very strong to very shallow. The lands require much labor, and unremitted attention to the application of invigorating substances. As the population has increased, their labors have been concentrated ; and it would not be difficult to point out those who raise as much, and live as well, from the products of ten acres, as did those before them from the products of one hundred acres. I forbear to dilate. The story of their farm- ing has often been told, and can be better told elsewhere.
TANNING.
About one hundred years ago, friend Joseph Southwick com- menced the business of tanning, in a few tubs or half hogs- heads. This business has since so expanded, that it now occu- pies as many thousand vats. It is the staple business of the place. For many years, it was carried on chiefly by Messrs. Southwick, Shove, Wallis, Sutton, Poole, and a few others, who made fortunes in attending to it. The hide and leather business, in all its modifications, has probably done more to advance the wealth and resources of the town, than any other ; especially when the manufactures, of which leather is the prin- cipal component part, are taken into view. The annual amount of these manufactures is estimated at not less than $2,000,000 .*
EARTHEN WARE.
A class of coarse ware, known as Danvers crockery, has been coeval with the existence of the town. Forty years since, it was made much more extensively than of late. It is now thrown out of use by articles of more strength and beauty, pro- cured at less expense from abroad,-though for many purposes, it still finds favor with those accustomed to its use. The clay on the margin of Waters River has been found particularly well adapted to this manufacture.
The Osborns and Southwicks have done more at this work than any families within my knowledge. William Osborn, the first of the name, was spoken of as a potter. His descendants,
* See Appendix, for statistics of this business.
Bufford's Lith .
Elias Putnam
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for four generations certainly, have shown their regard for their ancestor by sticking to his employment.
OFFICIAL STATIONS.
The right to participate in the making of the laws has ever been esteemed one of the choicest privileges of a citizen of New England. As early as 1634, the settlers here had become so numerous, that they felt the necessity of delegating their au- thority to representatives of their own choice. It was the jeal- ousy of the infringement of this right that moved our fathers to resist the oppressive taxation by the mother country,-and not the amount of tax imposed. It was the interference with this right by Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson, under the special instructions of "Georgius Secundus," at the time of the incorporation of the town, that specially aroused the indignation of the people of Danvers .* Thus early awakened, it would have been extraordinary indeed if the citizens had not, at all times, been careful to be represented by "good men and true,"-by those understanding their duty, and ready to discharge it.
* Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson entered upon the Records of the Council his pro- test against the act, as follows, viz. :-
" I protest for the following reasons :
" First. Because it is the professed design of the bill to give the inhabitants who now join with the town of Salem in the choice of representatives, a power of choosing by themselves ; and the number of which the house of representa- tives may at present consist being full large, the increase must have a tendency to retard the proceedings of the General Court, and to increase the burdens which, by their long session every year, lies upon the people, and must like- wise give the house an undue proportion to the board of the legislature, where many affairs are determined by a joint ballot of the two houses.
" Second. Because there being no governor in the Province, it is most agree- able to his Majesty's commission to the late governor, to the message of this board to the house at the opening of the session, and in itself is most reasona- ble, that all matters of importance should be deferred until there be a governor in the chair.
" Third. Because the board, by passing this bill as the second branch of the legislature, necessarily bring it before themselves as the first branch for assent or refusal ; and such members as vote for the bill in one capacity, must give their assent to it in the other, directly against the royal instruction to the gov- ernor, when the case is no degree necessary to the public interest; otherwise, their doings will be inconsistent and absurd.
THOS. HUTCHINSON. Council Chamber, June 9, 1757."
6 ƒ
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REPRESENTATIVES.
Of those who have thus served the town, the following may be named, viz. :-
Samuel Holten, Jr., 9 years, from 1768 to 1780
Israel Hutchinson, 18
1777 to 1798
Gideon Foster, 9 66 1796 to 1806
Samuel Page, 12 66 1800 to 1814
Nathan Felton, 15
1805 to 1821
and many others, for periods of from one to eight years.
One remark naturally arises upon a view of this state of facts, comparing the past with the present. Then, when a man had been in office long enough to acquire useful experience, he was continued, while he was willing to serve ; and deemed none the less qualified because he had done his duty a few years, with good ability. Now, when he has acquired this experience, he is kindly reminded that there are those who want his place ; that rotation is the grand democratic principle, without regard to qualification ; and if he does not voluntarily abandon the hope, the probability is, the people will give him leave to with- draw.
SENATORS AND COUNCILLORS.
In the Senate of the State, the town has often been repre- sented, and thereby been favored with a full share of the Honorables. Instance the
Hon. Samuel Holten,
Daniel P. King,
Jonathan Shove,
Elias Putnam,
Robert S. Daniels,
Henry Poor,
George Osborn, &c.,
varying in their terms of service from one to three years.
In the Executive Council, the town has been represented by the Hon. Samuel Holten,
Israel Hutchinson,
« Robert S. Daniels, &c.
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JUSTICES.
Of the County Courts, Hon. Timothy Pickering, Hon Sam- uel Holten, and John W. Proctor, have been Justices.
Of the Court of Probate, Hon. Samuel Holten was for many years a Judge.
Of the Supreme Judicial Court, Hon. Samuel Putnam was for many years an eminent Judge, as his well-digested legal opinions in the Reports bear testimony.
Of Judges Holten and Putnam, it can in truth be said, what rarely is true with men in office, that they were more ready to leave their offices, than to have their offices leave them,-they having both voluntarily resigned, when their services were highly appreciated. Judge Putnam still lives, at the green old age of eighty-five, beloved and respected by all who know him.
REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.
In Congress, the voice of Danvers has been heard, through the representatives of the second district of the State, for about one eighth part of the time since the organization of the gov- ernment.
Hon. Samuel Holten,
Nathan Reed,
Daniel P. King,
have occupied this station. Mr. King was the immediate suc- cessor of the lamented Saltonstall, of Salem. Few, very few districts in our land can boast of representatives so unexcep- tionable in all those qualities that best become a man. They will long be remembered as stars of the first magnitude in the constellation of worthies from Essex South District.
MUNICIPAL OFFICES. CLERKS.
In the management of the concerns of the town, there is no duty of more responsibility than that which devolves upon the clerk. On the correctness of his record rests the tenure of office, and essentially depends the character and reputation of the town.
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How else is he who caters for the intellectual part of the centennial entertainments to be advised of facts? What is now learned of time past one hundred years can be come at through the records alone. What those present at the next centennial will be able to present, must be drawn mainly from the clerks' records. Nothing else will have a character to be relied on ; unless perchance some floating leaf of this day's doings shall chance to be preserved by some careful antiquarian.
Fortunately the records of Danvers were commenced by Daniel Eppes, Jr., and kept for two years in a form highly exemplary. His chirography was plain, his knowledge of lan- guage good, so that he used the right words in the right place, neither more nor less ;- a qualification not sufficiently regarded by many of those who have come after him :- among these,
James Prince, 6 years,
Stephen Needham, 11
Gideon Foster, 4 66
Joseph Osborne, Jr., 6 66
Nathan Felton, 27 66
Benjamin Jacobs, 6
Joseph Shed, 17
and others from one to three years. Joseph Shed, Esq., the present clerk, has greatly improved upon the records of his predecessors by his mode of indexing and filing of papers. There still remains much to be done to make the records intel- ligible, without the explanation of those who made them. Let any one experience the inconveniences I have met in ascer- taining facts that should be readily understood, and I will guarantee that he will not come to any other conclusion. A town like this should have their own office for all their papers, and all their papers arranged in systematic order, under the care and keeping of the clerk,-and not otherwise.
MEDICAL PROFESSION.
No educated physician, to my knowledge, resided in town previous to the separation. Female attendants were at 'com- mand, without doubt, in cases of emergency, which often
45
occurred, as the increase of population fully demonstrates. A Dr. Gregg is mentioned, as early as the year 1692, as being consulted in the diseases that then prevailed ; but where he resided I know not.
Drs. Jonathan Prince, Archelaus Putnam, Samuel Holten, and Amos Putnam, are the first named physicians in the North Parish. Drs. Parker Cleveland, Joseph Osgood, and Joseph Torrey, are the first in the South Parish. All of these are believed to have been regularly educated physicians, of the old order.
Other names have appeared, at different periods, such as Drs. Chickering, Nutting, Hildreth, Bowers, Carlton, Clapp, Cilley, Little, Peabody, Gould, Southwick, Porter, Bush, Patten, &c. ; but they did not remain long enough to leave any distinct im- pression of themselves or their practice. Within my memory,
Drs. Andrew Nichols, George Osgood, Ebenezer Hunt, George Osborne, and Joseph Osgood,
have been the medical advisers chiefly consulted. All of these are well experienced in their profession.
Dr. James Putnam, son of Dr. Amos, accompanied his father many years.
Dr. Joseph Shed, a pupil of the celebrated Dr. B. Kittridge, also practised several years.
Drs. David A. Grosvenor, and Samuel A. Lord, have recently been added to the number of regular physicians.
How many there are, or have been, who have rested their fame on the new-modeled notions of cold water applications, hot pepper mixtures, and infinitesimal divisions, I will not presume to say ; but I will say I have good reason to believe that prescriptions of nauseous drugs have essentially diminished, and probably will continue to do so as people grow more en- lightened. There is no science in which so little is certainly known as that of medicine.
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LEGAL PROFESSION.
I am not aware that any one ever attempted to live by the law, in Danvers, previous to 1812; since then many have started here ; no one (except myself) has remained many years. The order of residence has been as follows, viz. :--
Ralph H. French,
Frederick Howes, Benjamin L. Oliver, Jr., George Lamson, John Walsh, John W. Proctor, Rufus Choate, Joshua H. Ward,
Frederick Morrill, William D. Northend,
Alfred A. Abbott,
Benjamin Tucker,
Edward Lander, Jr., Benj. C. Perkins.
No lawyer has ever died in town with his harness on; and no one, to my knowledge, has ever realized a living income from professional business. It is a poorly paid employment, and not worth having by those who can find anything else to do. The proximity to Salem, where such men as Prescott, Story, Pickering, Saltonstall, Cummings, Merrill, Huntington, and Lord, have ever been ready to aid those in want of justice, has taken the cream from the dish of the professional gentlemen of Danvers.
AFRICAN SLAVERY.
A glance at the last one hundred years of the history of the town, suggests a word upon the slavery of the African; a . topic that has agitated and still agitates our country to its centre. Do not fear that I am about to introduce party topics, for I am no partizan in this matter. True, I am opposed to slavery,
47
root and branch,-as I presume every genuine son of New England is,-and am ready to do all that can be done to extir- pate it from the land, consistent with the preservation of indi- vidual rights, and the obligations to regard the constitution.
At the time of the separation, there were, within the limits of the town, twenty-five slaves,-nine males, sixteen females. These became free by the abolition of slavery in the State, on the adoption of our constitution. Most of them remained, while they lived, in the service of their former owners. I am happy to know that some of them were valuable citizens, and left descendants much respected ; one of whom, Prince Former, son of Milo, slave of Mr. William Poole, lately deceased at Salem. Since the decease of these slaves, scarcely an individ- ual of this colored race has found a home in Danvers. I do not now know of any one in town. There are many citizens who say much about the rights of the oppressed African, and the wrongs they suffer, and profess great sympathy in their behalf. I have never known of any efforts of theirs to en- courage the residence of such persons among us. On the con- trary, I have known some of the most zealous to advise them to be off.
In 1819, the town expressed a very decided opinion against the further extension of slavery, in a communication made to the Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee, then representative from this dis- trict, in Congress, by a committee appointed for this purpose, consisting of Edward Southwick, and four others.
In 1847, when considering the expediency of the Mexican war, a resolve, prepared by myself, was unanimously adopted, "that the town would not, in any manner, countenance any- thing that shall have a tendency to extend that most disgraceful feature of our institutions,-domestic slavery." These opinions, deliberately adopted, I believe, express the feelings of a very large proportion of the citizens,-in fact, nearly all those who had given attention to the subject. It cannot be doubted, the anti-slavery feeling is constantly increasing ; and it would have been universal, had it not have been for the ill-advised move-
48
ments of some of its advocates. How can it be otherwise? Who will presume to contend "that man has a right to enslave his fellow man"? The laws of nature and of God forbid it. This is an axiom too clear to be illustrated by argument. He who thinks otherwise, is unworthy the place of his birth. Freedom, unqualified freedom, shall ever be our watchword.
BURIAL PLACES.
The numerous burial places scattered over the surface of the town, amounting to more than one hundred, is a feature so pe- culiar as to demand a moment's notice. Almost every ancient family had a deposit for their dead, on their own farm. Nearly one half the families that were here one hundred years ago, have run out or removed from town. The consequence is that their premises have passed to other names, and the deposits for their dead to those "who knew them not." If there could be any certainty of continued title, burial among friends would be a delightful thought ; but when we are constantly reminded that in the next generation the ashes of friends may be disturbed by the unfeeling operations of strangers, we are compelled to give preference to public over private cemeteries.
Even these are not quite secure. A few years since, in mak- ing a street to Harmony Grove the remains of hundreds of cit- izens were disinterred in what was understood to be the oldest burial ground in Salem. One stone marked "R. B. 1640," was found, supposed to indicate the grave of Robert Buffum, a gen- tleman of that age.
Near this, on Poole's Hill, is one of the oldest and most ex- tensive of the public cemeteries. Here rest the remains of Cook, Daland, and Goldthwait, patriots who fell at the Battle of Lexington, and of the reverend pastors, Holt and Walker, who alone, of the large number who have officiated as pastors in the South Parish, died with their harness on.
But what more than anything else excites the curiosity of strangers is the burial place of Miss Elizabeth Whitman, the original of Eliza Wharton, immortalized by a lady, wife of a
-
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clergyman at Brighton, as the American Coquette. A constant pilgrimage to her grave has been performed until the path is firmly beaten, and the monument which is of freestone is nearly crumbled in ruins. Tradition speaks of this lady as possessing superior charms, both mental and personal. She was of good family, and basely betrayed. While her deviations from the path of virtue may start the tear of pity, her follies should not be overlooked. A misapplied sympathy for her, may be used as an apology by others. When we witness the manner in which the populace of our own times are led captive by the at- tractions of those not less exceptionable, it is not surprising that there should be found many a sympathizing devotee at the shrine of this unfortunate lady. Here on the banks of this beautiful stream that flows in our midst, will be found the earli- est and latest graves of Old Salem. Who that has followed the mournful hearse, laden with the last remains of friends be- loved, slowly winding its way over marsh and dale to this " Harmonious Grove," will not involuntarily exclaim,
"From every grave a thousand virtues rise, In shapes of mercy, charity and love, To walk the world and bless it. Of every tear That sorrowing mortals shed on these green graves Some good is born, some gentler nature comes ?"
POPULATION.
There is no certain data to ascertain the number of inhabit- ants in the town at the time of the separation. The number of persons named in the first assessment of taxes, is 280, which, multiplied by five, will give 1400. The number did not ex- ceed this ; it may not have been more than 1200. It has in- creased as follows, viz. :-
1752,
1400,
1783,
·
1921,
1800,
2643,
1810,
3127,
1820,
·
3646,
1830,
4228,
1840,
.
5020,
7 g
50
1850,
8110,
1852,
8400,
being six times the number there were one hundred years be- fore. The number has actually doubled within the last twenty years, and is now going on, increasing as fast as at any other period. The improved facilities of communication have brought us within a half hour's time of the Capital.
RAILROADS.
For many years Danvers struggled hard for railroad accom- modation. She had to contend with the monied aristocracy of the Commonwealth. Through mistaken influences, the Eastern Railroad had been located across the water to East Boston, and through the tunnel at Salem, both of which were egregious .errors ; and a determination was formed to constrain the travel in that direction, but it was found no go ; the people were not to be driven where they did not incline to go. Finally a land route was opened from Salem, through Danvers, to Boston ; which, if the people of Danvers had been wise enough to keep within their own control, as they should have done, would have greatly benefited them, and equally annoyed the Eastern Road ; but they were outwitted, and the boon escaped their grasp, Two other roads have been laid through the town, towards the Merrimack, where but one was needed. A million of dollars has been laid out where half a million would have done better, if it had been judiciously expended. The conse- quence is, we have all the "noise and confusion " of railroad movement, with indifferent accommodations, under the direction of those who have hitherto shown very little disposition to . accommodate.
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