USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > Centennial memorial of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts > Part 5
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Resolved, That we abhor and denounce the doctrine of South Carolina Nullification, and the awkward and unnatural attitude in which she has placed herself before the Union and the world.
Resolved, That we approve of the sentiments and principles spread before the public by the President in his late able Proc- lamation, and believe it to be the duty of all good citizens to support such sentiments and principles to the hazard of life and property.
Resolved, That in all cases in which the construction of the Federal Constitution is drawn in question, the Supreme Judicial Court of the United States is the sole interpreter.
Resolved, That no individual State or any individual of any State has a right to declare void or nullify a single act of the Con- gress of the United States; and that the several States, and cach and every citizen in them, owe allegiance to the United States, which cannot be dissolved, excepting by a majority of the voices of the people of the whole United States, constitutionally and legally expressed. And, further,
Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolu- tions be signed by the chairman and secretary, and transmitted to the President of the United States.
And then to come down to the days of the great SOUTHERN REBELLION, which was but the product of prin- ciples enunciated in nullification times. Where do we find Lyn at that stirring period ? In five hours after the requisition of President Lincoln arrived, she had two full companies armed and ready for duty. And in a forenoon railroad train on Tuesday, April 16, only four days from the attack on Fort Sumter, the first overt act of the Rebellion, these companies departed for the South. They formed part of the Eighth Massachusetts Regi- ment, afterward so conspicuous, and were commanded - the Lynn Light Infantry, Company D, by Capt. George T. Newhall, and the Lynn City Guards, Company F, by
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Capt. James Hudson, jr. The regimental officers be- longing to Lynn, were, Timothy Munroe, colonel ; Ed- ward W. Hinks, lieutenant colonel ; Ephraim _1. Ingalls, quartermaster ; Roland G. Usher, paymaster ; Bowman B. Breed, surgeon ; Warren Tapley, assistant surgeon ; IIorace E. Munroe, quartermaster sergeant. And it would be highly gratifying in this connection to give the name of every one who so promptly responded to the nation's call in that her hour of peril. But it is neces- sary to be frugal of our space ; and it is not, perhaps, a positive duty, as they may all be found on accessible records. Many more volunteers stood ready and would gladly have gone, had there been time for equipment. This is shown by the terse despatch sent to headquar- ters - " We have more men than uniforms - what shall we do?" Enthusiastic war meetings were immediately held, funds raised, and enlistments rapidly proceeded with. In short, no place in the whole country more promptly or energetically answered to the different calls for recruits. During the war Lynn furnished 3,274 men for the field - 230 more than her full quota.
On Sunday afternoon, August 31, 1862, services at the different churches were omitted, that the clergy and people might attend a great War Meeting on the Com- mon. A large gathering took place, and stirring speeches were made by ministers and others, interspersed by mar- tial music. But to describe all the moving incidents of those memorable days -the funeral honors paid to the remains of slain soldiers - the labors of the women as
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well as the men in the collection of clothing, of medi- cines, of bandages, and other supplies - the public re- joicings over the Union successes, with bonfires, music and processions - would require a volume. In one word, it may be said that Lynn cheerfully and promptly did her duty and her whole duty.
Monday, April 3, 1865, was a day of unfeigned re- joicing, the news being then received of the fall of Rich- mond, the last stronghold of the Rebellion. Hands grasped hands in fervid congratulation, bells were rung, cannons fired, flags raised and bonfires lighted. Many buildings were finely illuminated, although the news was not confirmed till toward night. Bonfires appeared on several elevations ; a very conspicuous one on Sadler's Rock burned the whole night, and having been composed largely of resinous material, remains of it appear at this Centennial Day. High Rock also had a fiery crown. One week after occurred the final day of those rejoicings, which could not have been otherwise than clouded some- what by doubts and misgivings, and mourning for the fallen. The tenth day of April was given up to exult- ation over the surrender of General Lee. The outward display was, however, somewhat checked by unfavorable weather.
News of the assassination of President Lincoln was received in Lynn on Saturday morning, April 15, 1865, and becoming insignia of sorrow immediately appeared. The Mayor issued a request that all places of business should be closed at noon, which was readily acceded to,
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and mourning drapery was freely displayed. The City Council was convened carly in the afternoon, and adopted resolutions expressive of a deep sense of the country's bereavement. On Sunday the churches appeared in mourning, and appropriate services were held.
Ever since the close of the war, the thirtieth of May has been known as Decoration Day - the day on which the graves of the soldiers are strewed with flowers, by their surviving comrades, and services held, commemo- rative of their deeds of valor.
In this connection it may be stated that the elegant and costly SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, in Park Square, de- signed by the accomplished sculptor, John A. Jackson, a native of Maine but now a resident of Florence, Italy, was dedicated on Wednesday, September 17, 1873. The day was pleasant, and Lynn perhaps never before witnessed a grander demonstration. A long procession, consisting of the city government, military organizations, secret societies, benevolent associations, the fire depart- ment and others, marched through the streets, along which many buildings were beautifully decorated, the City Hall especially being enrobed in flags, with streamers and various emblematic devices. The dedicatory ser- vices were held on a platform erected for the purpose, in front of the City IIall, and consisted of excellent music by the Lynn Choral Union, an earnest dedicatory prayer by Rev. Mr. Biddle of the First Universalist Church, an admirable address by Col. E. P. Nettleton, and a fine poem by Mr. Edward P. Usher, all of Lynn. This beau-
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tiful monument -beautiful not only in its classic con- ception but as a work of art -consists of a massive al- legorical group in bronze, on a ponderous granite base. The casting was executed at Munich, in Bavaria, and the whole cost was $30,000.
The FIRST CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE, in Lynn, of which we have any circumstantial account, took place in 1804. There was a procession, an oration, and the ever attractive adjunct of a good dinner. The little hall in the west wing of the once famous Lynn Hotel was the scene of the gastronomic entertainment, and wine and spirits freely flowed, for public opinion had not at that time become so chastened as to demand total abstinence from intoxicating drinks on such occasions. It would, however, be unreasonable to conclude that there was no celebration of any kind before this. The day must have been noticed in some way, if not by any stirring public display. Since that time celebrations have frequently taken place, though not always, especially of late years, with high-wrought demonstrations. The proximity of Lynn to Boston, and the facilities of reaching the metrop- olis to witness the celebrations there, has no doubt had the effect to qualify the observances here.
The great CENTENNIAL YEAR-1876- was not cel- ebrated in Lynn with any pomp or pageantry, though the day did not pass unobservedl. Before morning dawned, ardent youth were alert and engaged in the usual preparatory demonstrations ; bells rang, fire arms 10
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cracked and bonfires blazed. In the forenoon there was an assemblage in the First Methodist Meeting-house, at the east end of the Common, where a semi-religious cel- ebration took place under the general direction of Rev. Charles D. Hills, minister of the society, who com- menced the services by a pertinent address. An invoca- tion was then offered by Rev. John S. Holmes, of the East Baptist church. This was followed by the reading of a hymn, by Rev. Alonzo Sanderson, of Trinity Meth- odist church, and the singing of the same by a select choir. Rev. Charles W. Biddle, of the First Univer- salist church, then read the thirty-first Psalm. Prayer, by Rev. Albert H. Currier of the Central Congregational church, next followed. Then Rev. Louis DeCormis of St. Stephen's, Episcopal, church read a hymn which was sung by the choir. And following these exercises were a series of brief addresses, chiefly by laymen of the city, on various appropriate topics, viz :
Ex-Mayor Thomas P. Richardson, on " The Day we Celebrate."
Ex-Member of Congress, John B. Alley, on "The United States of America."
Rev. Daniel Steele, of St. Paul's, Methodist, church, on " Christianity and Our Country."
Nathaniel Hills, Principal of the High School, on " The American Public Schools."
Ex-Judge Thomas B. Newhall, on " The American Judiciary."
Ex-Postmaster George H. Chase, on " Massachusetts."
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James R. Newhall, on "The Centennial History of Lynn."
Capt. George T. Newhall, on " Our Army and Navy."
To John F. Donohoe, a member of the City Council, was assigned the subject of " Our Adopted Citizens," but he was excused on account of the limited time. Mrs. Abbie L. Harris read the Declaration of Independ- ence. Hon. Jacob M. Lewis, Mayor of the City, was to have been present and deliver an address on topics con- nected with our municipal affairs, but was detained by family affliction. Ex-Mayor Roland G. Usher, who had also been invited to speak, was unable to be present, but sent a patriotic letter, which was read. The " Star Spangled Banner " and " America," those national hymns, so appropriate to the occasion and so dear to the patriot's heart, were sung, and the meeting closed by a benediction pronounced by Rev. George F. Eaton, of the South Street Methodist church.
At the close of the Revolution the POPULATION OF LYNN was just about 2,000 ; and from that time forward there has been a steady but not usually a rapid growth, as will be seen by the tabular statements on another page. The city is now, in point of population, the sixth in Mas- sachusetts, and the forty-ninth in the Union. Among the population, according to census details recently pub- lished, there are, in round numbers, 5,700 of foreign birth. In very few towns near the seaboard of New England has such an equality in the social and pecuniary
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condition of the people been preserved. We have had, at least till within a few years, hardly any wealthy people among us. Through our whole history, almost every one has depended upon his own exertions for maintenance, none being very rich, none very poor. In this respect there has been a marked difference between Lynn anl those sister settlements which early engaged in commer- cial pursuits ; and consequently there are not now to be found here any of the decaying remnants of old aristo- cratic families, as they are called, which formed a more pretentious class at home and gave a more extended name abroad. But ours, according to the pronounced opinion of political economists, has been the most happy if not the most distinguished condition. A change, how- ever, has taken place within a few years ; and such, in the natural course of events, was to be expected. Pop- ulation and trade increase, and wealth accumulates in in- dividual hands, giving means to gratify taste and the love of display, and humor the cravings and bewitch- ings of ambition.
CHAPTER V.
Territorial Situation of Lynn - Romantic Localities - Moll Pitcher - Geological Features - Flora - Ponds - Brooks and Springs - Shores and Beaches - Modern Household Con- voniences - Facilities for Travel- Exemption of Lynn from Destructive Visitations - History of Lynn - Visits of Indians.
LYNN is delightfully situated on the northern shore of Massachusetts Bay, some ten miles from Boston. Very few places in the whole land can furnish such variety and beauty of scenery, such exquisite views of ocean, of woodland, of "town, of village, dome and farm," as here abound. Among the hills and dales, too, are places of historic and romantic interest, points about which the student or the lover may linger in quiet enjoyment. The Pirate's Glen and Dungeon Rock have for generations attracted the steps of those who are lured by the myste- rious or wild. Around the latter, especially, have been woven dark legends of tragie deeds and buried treasure.
The Dungeon Rock has been for more than twenty years the scene of persevering labor with drills and gun- powder, supervised by supposed spiritual adepts, in the hope of reaching, somewhere in the bowels of the obdu- rato greenstone ledge, geld and jewels, deposited there
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by piratical hands, the pirate himself having been inhumed with his treasures by an earthquake, in 1658; the tena- cious operators paying no regard to the ancient witch- warning that runs :
" Now wo betide the daring fool who seeketh that gold to win ; Let mortals beware of the noble wretch who standeth that grave within."
Lynn has not only possessed much of the romantic in scenery, but something of the romantic in character. One personage, of world-wide reputation, is brought to mind in this connection - MOLL PITCHER, the fortune- teller. After practicing her occult profession here for some fifty years, she died in her lonely hill-side cot, on the ninth of April, 1813, at the age of seventy-five years. IIer maiden name was Mary Diamond, and she was connected with good families. She appears not to have possessed vicious tendencies, nor to have practiced her arts with a design to injure any one ; made no pretension to supernatural assistance, and was shrewd enough to avoid entangling explanations. She possessed marvellously keen perceptive and reflective faculties, but had not much education. Her wonderful success in her mysterious vocation, attracting as it did visitors from all parts of the country and even from foreign lands, one might suppose would have secured to her all the com- forts if not the luxuries of life. But she lived in a most humble way ; and though probably never in actual want, was often in an inconvenient emergency. Some were
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surprised at this ; others asserted that besides the sup- port of her family she had pensioners on her benevo- lence whose names remained unknown. That she had a heart easily touched by the sigh of bereavement or pov- erty, and a hand ready to do its utmost for the relief of suffering, cannot be doubted. Her blunt but honest and often witty replies to anxious inquirers the writer has heard quoted by those who knew her well ; for instance, her answer to the visitor who offered her an extra fee if she would tell him what ticket would draw a high prize in a certain lottery : "Do you think," said she, "if I knew I would not buy it myself?"
To the GEOLOGIST, Lynn furnishes an interesting field for research and contemplation. Almost with awe he gazes upon the bold porphyry cliffs that rear their frown- ing forms at intervals, as if stationed to guard against the assaults of the ocean. High Rock, near our terri- torial centre, is 170 feet in height, and affords compre- hensive views of the city and adjacent settlements, and a charming panorama of marine and landscape scenery. Then there are Forest Rock, Lover's Leap, Sadler's Rock, and many other hoary-headed buttresses, the last named reaching, within a few feet, the height of High Rock, all presenting varied and delightful views, and all seeming to be outcroppings of an immense body of porphyry underlying the frontal range of hills that trav- erse the inland border of the settled part of the city. A short distance back and adjoining this porphyrytic
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line, we find a granite region, which in the future will, doubtless, furnish much material for building. Collec- tions of granite boulders, some of many tons weight, lie here and there in such situations and profusion as to lead the imagination to conceive of a shower of enor- mous rocks passing over toward the sea, a concep- tion strengthened by the fact that along the shores and about Nahant are to be found great numbers of these erratic specimens. They were probably landed here during the far-off glacial period. The famous Dungeon Rock is of greenstone ; and of that extremely hard form- ation other examples are found among the hills - some detached portions having the ring of steel. Various other specimens of rock formation are to be found in Lynn, but further enumeration might prove tedious in a sketch like the present.
And now a word touching the FLORA of Lynn. In 1858, Mr. Cyrus M. Tracy, an old resident of the city, and one well qualified for the task, published a valuable work on the subject, containing abundant evidence that to the botanist a most interesting field for investigation is here presented. The variety of soil being very con- siderable, the productions of course are quite diversified. Many valuable medicinal plants are found in the woods and meadows, and many a hillside and rocky pass is adorned by the wild rose and her brightly blooming retinue. The old forests have in a great measure been swept away, but offspring of the original habitants of the
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soil still retain a foothold in divers sections ; and many acres of unreclaimed swamp and many a glen and stony recess is still flanked by almost impenetrable entangle- ments, where, even at this day, a hale old rattlesnake may occasionally be found disputing the woodman's right of way. The author of New England's Prospect thus discourses of the growth found here :
Trees both in hills and plaines, in plenty be, The long liv'd oake, and mournful cypris tree, Skie-towering pines, and chestnuts coated rough, The lasting cedar, with the walnut tough ; The rosin-dropping firr for masts in use ; The boatmen seeke for oares, light, neat grown sprewse, The brittle ash, the ever-trembling aspes, The broad-spread elme, whose concave harbors waspes ; The water-spongie alder, good for naught, Small elderne by th' Indian fletchers sought,
The knottie maple, pallid birtch, hawthornes, The hornbound tree that to be cloven scornes, Which, from the tender vine oft takes its spouse, Who twinds imbracing armes about his boughes. Within this Indian Orchard fruits be some, The ruddie cherrie and the jettie pluimbe, Snake muthering hazell, with sweet saxaphrage, Whose spurnes in beere allays hot fevers rage, The diars [dyer's] shumach, with more trees there be, That are both good to use and rare to see.
While rambling over these hills, clambering among the rocky passes, and pausing amid the old pines, the mind may well be excused for casting a glimpse forward and asking, in view of the rapid outspreading of popu- lation, if, in the progress of the century now just en- tered upon, these woody and rocky ranges will not be
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occupied by streets lined with habitations and clogged by busy traffic - their romance gone, their robes of ra- diant autumn foliage forever doffed, their far-off views obscured, save of the blue vault above.
The beautiful PONDS with which Lynn is so well pro- vided, not only adorn and enliven the landscape, but furnish an abundant supply for various uses in daily life. They likewise yield large quantities of excellent ice which is cut and stored for summer use ; and for winter sports they furnish most attractive fields.
And the little BROOKS that flow hither and thither on their winding paths to the ocean, are daily reminders of the old times when they turned the mills that ground the corn that made the bread our fathers ate. The first mill was on Strawberry brook, and built in 1633. It was an important event in our history. The slow process of the Indian method of making meal by pounding the corn would never do in a community where there were such imperative demands for work involving something more of the intellectual. The services of the Indian in such purely physical labor, it is true, could be had, if had at all, at a cheap rate, but industry was not reckoned by him as a remunerative virtuc.
Lynn is likewise well provided with SPRINGS of excel- lent water, and the sweating toiler in woods and mead- ows may slake his thirst by as cold and pure a draught as can be desired. Our old friend William Wood speaks of the water in this rapturous style : " It is farr dif-
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ferent from the waters of England, being not so sharp but of a fatter substance, and of a more jettie colour ; it is thought there can be no better water in the world ; yet dare I not prefer it before good beere, as some have done ; but any man will choose it before bad beere, whey or buttermilk."
The most noted springs, historically, now within our borders, are Holyoke and Mineral. The former is in a meadow in the western section, in land granted to the worthy oll settler, Edward Holyoke, before spoken of, and is what is known as a boiling spring. It never freezes, nor does it ever fail. Mineral Spring is near our north-eastern border, on the margin of a lovely pond. It was early noted for its medicinal qualities, being im- pregnated with iron and sulphur. The waters were for- merly much esteemed for their good effects in scorbutic and pulmonary diseases. The celebrated Cotton Mather was led to extol their virtues from their benefit to himself.
And here may perhaps properly be introduced some noticeable individuals in the animate department of the natural history of this vicinage, a department which has not thus far, in these pages, received much attention. And this shall be done through an old writer who chooses the form of poetry in presenting his samples. The effi- sion seems to have proceeded from a frank and contented mind, and evidently relates to times much later than those in which Mr. Wood wrote. The style of verse in-
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dicates that. Indeed, it might apply to the beginning of the century the close of which we are now cele- brating ; and the surmise that it was intended so to apply is strengthened by the circumstances under which it was found. Verse was a favorite mode of expression with many descriptive writers, and usually had the merit of condensation, if void of poetic glow. At the present time there is very little in our woods to attract the sportsman ; but the sea still yields her treasures, and many a poor man draws a family meal thence, and from the clam-banks.
I'll tell of what hath bin and is, by God his wondrous grace, Of beast and bird, reptyle and fish, in this once barb'rous place. Some of the nobler game erst found, within these forests wide,
The moose, the beaver and the deer, no longer here abyde ; Nor growling bear, nor catamount, nor wolf, do now abound, But raccoons, woodchucks, weasels, skunks, and foxes yet lurke round.
And in the broocks and ponds still rove, the turtle and musk-ratt,
The croaking paddock and leap-frog ; and in the air, the batt.
Serpents there be, but poys'nous, few, save horrid rattlesnakes ;
And adders of bright rainbow hue, that coyl among the brakes.
And then of birds wee have great store ; the eagle soaring high,
The owl, the hawk, the woodpecker, the crow of rasping cry.
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The partridge, quail, and wood-pigeon, the plover and wild goose,
And divers other smaller game, are here for man his use. And many more of plumage fair, in coo and song are heard ;
The whippoorwill, of mournful note, the merry humming bird.
In bog and pond the peeper pipes, at close of springtide day ;
And fire-flies daunce like little stars along the lover's way.
Nor must wee from our list leave out the stores of savory fish,
That fill the ponds and fill the sea, and make the dainty dish.
The codd, the haddock, halibut, the cel and pickerell,
The alewife, perch, bass and tautog, the smelt and mackerell.
Lobsters and crabbs, too, so abound, 'T is marvelous to see ;
And mussels, clamms and great quahaugs Make up variety.
Then why should wee not love to cat, as well as eat to live,
And bless the Lord who gave the meat and pray Ilim c'er to give ?
The SHORES and BEACHES of Lynn, too, have been long famed among the lovers of natural scenery, whether visited amid the terrors of the tempest, when the bil- lows roar and dash against the trembling buttresses of rock, or in the calm sunshine, when the sands glitter like beds of gems. Nahant, which was set off from Lynn as a separate town, in 1853, remains territorially joined to its parent by a narrow neck of fine gray sand
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