USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Charlestown > Century of town life; a history of Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1775-1887 > Part 4
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In 1801 the Baptists 1 withdrew or organized, but their num- bers, at first only eleven, were for some time small, and no great general change at an early date occurred. They, however,
1 The ministers (1801-36) were the Rev. Thomas Waterman, ins. Oct. 7, 1802, to June, 1803; the Rev. Win. Collier, ins. May 3, 1804, resigned Aug. 20, 1819 ; the Rev. Henry Jackson, ord. Nov. 27, 1822, res. Oct., 1836.
25
RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 1783-1834.
increased, then decreased awhile, until, during the ministry of the Rev. Henry Jackson (1822-36), revivals were frequent, and there were large additions to the membership. Besides paying its expenses, the society raised annually " an average of more than a thousand dollars " for general religious and benevolent purposes. At the beginning of his ministry there were 79 members, and during it a net increase of 206. Under the auspices of the society, the Charlestown Female Seminary, long an excellent school, was instituted in 1831 (Hist. Ch., 1852).
The Congregationalists continued (at least until 1810) to include a very large part of the townspeople. Of church mem- bers there were in 1789, 135 (43 m., 92 f.) ; in 1800. 143 (28 m., 115 f.); in 1806 (June 10), 235 (64 m., 171 f.). Thence to the end of 1818 the admissions to' the First Church were 166 (36 m., 130 f.). Temporal, in distinction from religious, affairs were, before the Revolution, managed in the town-meetings, but not long after that time a separation of religious and secu- lar concerns took place. The former were acted on in the meeting-house, and for their better management the pew-holders were incorporated as the First Parish in 1803, when there were 238 members. To this arrangement there was opposition that expressed itself to the Legislature in 1812 by a remonstrance signed by 76 persons, and thus apparently formidable ; but of the names, 43 represented members of other societies, and 9 were of minors (Par. Rec., 168). A result was an additional and amendatory Act (1812), making the proprietors of pews solely voters, liable for parish taxes, to which right no member of another religious society was entitled.
Meanwhile the First Universalist Society 1 (the third promi- nent church in the town) was formed (1810) and incorporated (1811). Frothingham, Harris, Rand, Wood, and other names of old resident families were represented, yet the society in- eluded many of the increasing newer population of the town, and a noticeable proportion of the younger people. The meet- ing-house erected (1810) by this society (p. 56) shows to our
1 The ministers to 1836 were the Reverends Abner Kneeland, IS11-14; Edward Turner, 1814-25; Calvin Gardner, 1825-27 ; J. S. Thompson, 1827-22; L. S. Everett, 1829-36.
26
A CENTURY OF TOWN LIFE.
day (1887) that it had enterprise and a fair degree of wealth. Continuously, also, it has represented itself by some of the most distinguished ministers of its denomination, the Rev. Ed- ward Turner (1814-25), the Rev. E. H. Chapin, D. D. (1840- 46), the Rev. Thomas Starr King (1846-49), and the Rev. C. F. Lee (now pastor), all of whom have been well known offi- cially and as writers.
During the political agitation that prevailed through the coun- try in the latter part of the last century, and for some time into the present, the townspeople became divided. With simi- lar vigor differing religious opinions were held, and a memo- rable rupture among the Congregationalists ensued here, as in Boston and its vicinity. Long before the crisis, however, there was such a lack of harmony that Dr. Morse (Nov. 12, 1802), " after prayerful consideration," submitted to the church the question, " whether it be not expedient that the Pastoral rela- tion between us be dissolved ?" This was voted on, and unani- mously answered in the negative. He gave a fair opportunity to some who had known him for years, and who afterwards strongly opposed him. There was soon, notwithstanding, trouble about his salary, - then settled (1803) at $972 cash, 20 cords of wood, valued at $120, and rent of the parsonage at $300. It may be added that the salary of the organist at that time was 880. Still, it was stated (Jan. 6, 1804) that men of eminent " respectability, influence, and standing," refused to pay their part " unless compelled by Law." Indeed, there ap- pears reason for thinking that the Parish Committee knew what it was reporting when it declared (1812) that " disagree- ments and altercations had arisen to such a state " (1797) that "most of the business was disposed of in an unprecedented maner [sic], and happy would it have been" if any plan " could have destroyed the demon of discord." Even " time, the common antidote of contention," did not produce its " usual effect," and then (1812) "the embers of discord [were] again bursting to a flame." When in addition to such differences about temporal affairs, grave diversity of religious belief was developed, a separation occurred. A unity in faitlı, not seri- ously disturbed for a century and three quarters from the set-
27
RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 1783-1834.
tlement of the town, was broken. Theological characteristics of the two parties thus existing are well known and need not be described here ; but it is of interest to observe how, at this important point, the people immediately and subsequently be- came grouped. As under the institutions of the country, the majority ruled. Possession of the ancient organization, of the meeting-house, and of other church property remained with the Trinitarians, who numbered at least seven out of eight, probably a larger proportion of the church members, and a conclusive majority of the parishioners.1 At first the old church lost about one quarter of its income by the departures to the newer, but in nine months it gained 83 communicants, five times as many as had thus gone.2 Through the period of the division there appears to have been temperate and honor- able action on both sides. The record of the First Church is
1 The Parish Committee at this period consisted (1815) of Timo Walker, Isaac Warren (1815-18), Amos Tufts (1815-18), Matthew Skilton (also 1818), David Stetson, John Soley, Thos. Osgood. In 1816-17, Asher Adams, Jas. Warren, and Sam! Kidder replaced four, and in 1817-18, Thos. Kettell and Oliver Jaquith re- placed the last two named. The Deacons, all of whom remained in the First Church, were Thos. Miller (chosen 1787, died 1832, aged 85), James Frothingham (do., 1793-1820, æ. 85), Anos Tufts (do., 1804-39, æ. 77).
2 The division extended to families, and social or other than theological causes had an effect, yet relationship or intimacies helped to keep some together. Politics were so strongly felt that they may have had some influence. It was a period of changes in most things. Many of the old resident families had gone or were les- sened in members. The Russells, for instance, were represented in name by one maiden lady, and the Gorhams by a single man (much of his life not a householder). Bradstreets, Devenses, Frothinghams, and others were on both sides; indeed, on both there were good and valuable people, and of them and their successors, in each faith, the writer has known and esteemed so many that he prefers to pleasantly re- member, rather than to analyze them. Yet it may be added that of the larger prop- erties, most of them then newly acquired, a good deal was represented in the newer church, as also was social prominence, and a good share of the moderate number of persons in town who had a collegiate education, or that acquired by any wide study of the world. In the older remained the two men of intellect since most widely known, and from it date two others, authors, Morse and Devens, whose works havo had by far the greatest eirenlation of any by residents or natives. While composerl as the second church was of all classes, and of older and newer residents, it was for years the more fashionable ; at the same time the first held by far the larger number of communicants. For perhaps twenty years the numbers of the two were nearly equal; afterwards the Trinitarians largely increased in this way as well as in expenditures (see p. 39).
28
A CENTURY OF TOWN LIFE.
dispassionate and dignified, and avoids partisan expressions. Neither side had a monopoly of the graces, or of liberality, and no history of the town, or of the good works done in it, is complete without an expression of the valuable labors of both branches of the Congregationalists.
More of the history of the First Church need not be given here, as it is sketched on pages 175 to 191, and an account of its meeting-houses appears in the section relating to such buildings.
In 1819 the Unitarians 1 erected a meeting-house (p. 56) that is to-day (1887)a proof of their early abilities and of their long devotion. Their organization, building, their good works in benevolence, and many of their efforts to animate social life around them have been honorable to themselves and to their denomination.
In 1833 a division occurred in organization, but not in faith, among the Trinitarians. The Winthrop Society, with 44 mem- bers, was incorporated, and the Rev. D. Crosby was installed August 14th as its pastor (dismissed May 18, 1842). While the older church did not at first recognize the necessity of the division, it proved an event that must have come in time, for not long after it, two meeting-houses were absolutely necessary to accommodate attendants. Almost simultaneously the two societies built brick meeting-houses (pp. 53, 58).
The Methodists,2 beginning with moderate numbers, and in- corporated in 1820, were also destined to increase very much in the next half-century. While their first minister, the Rev. Wilbur Fisk, was with them only a short time, as is usual in their organization, he was prominent in it, and was able to give them a good start. He afterwards became President (1830-39) of the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn.
In religious affairs the effect of the freedom obtained by the
1 The ministers were the Rev. Thomas Prentiss, ordained March 26, 1817, and the Rev. James Walker, D. D., ord. April 15, 1818, who resigned July 14, 1839.
2 The ministers were the Reverends Wilbur Fisk, D.D., 1820-21; Daniel Fil- more, 1822-23; Bartholomew Otheman, 1824; E. Ireson, 1825; Orange Scott, 1826-27; T. C. Pierce, 1828; S. W. Wilson, IS29-30 ; J. C. Bontecue, 1831-32 ; Rufus Spaulding, 1833 ; John Lord, 1834.
29
RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 1783-1834.
country is clearly shown during its first half-century. The old practical unity disappeared, great diversity ensued, during the earlier stages of which there was strong feeling, but out of all this the new institutions of the country developed good in cach group that was formed. Perhaps it might be broadly stated that the adherents to the old order of thought were chiefly in the First and Winthrop churches ; that those who felt most its restrictions were with the Universalists ; that those longest re- pressed but who experienced fully the new liberty were with the Baptists and the Catholics, of which latter the earlier open appearance was towards the end of the period ; that the more fashionable, as well as the more anti-Calvinistic, were with the Unitarians ; that there was a very general attendance at some form of church service, and material as well as other help given it; and that the results proved that each group of Americans, each in its own way, could do, and did do, credit to itself and good in the community.
A Sunday school is supported by each of these churches. Although the pioneer school in this country, it is said, was be- gun as early as 1790, at Philadelphia, and that in Massachusetts by 1810, the first in Boston was opened sometime later. In Charlestown the Baptists had a school taught on Saturday afternoons, and outside the meeting-house, by the minister. This (about 1813) became a Sunday school, still continued. On a larger scale, the First Church established (Oct., 1816) a Sun- day school, said to have been the first among the Congregation- alists, and also still continued. Connected with its carly work and history were several men whose reputation was, or grew to be, national, and ladies whose family names are well known in the town, - Adams, Evarts, Edes, Harris, Kettell, Payson, and Tufts. Soon after its organization the Winthrop Society began a second Trinitarian school. In 1822 the Methodists formed theirs, that has had twenty or more superintendents, and, since about 1841, an infant department. The Unitarian school was gathered in March, 1828, and the Universalist in May, 1829, and, it may be added here, the Monument Square in 1847. All, or nearly all of these schools now contain as many members as the congregations with which they are connected.
30
A CENTURY OF TOWN LIFE.
POLITICS. 1783-1834.
While old forms of organization and management of local public affairs continued, the new national life supplied a far greater variety of subjects for political opinions and actions of wider scope. As independence differed from subjection, so, naturally, would the results of nationality from those of pro- vincialism. Parties with different policies of course in time arose. It is pleasant to notice that the patriotic town voted for the great signer of the Declaration, John Hancock, that from it went to the Constitutional Convention its distinguished resident, Nathaniel Gorham, and that it was united under Washington until 1795. Then "unhappy divisions" are said to have fol- lowed.
The national administration was Federalist under President John Adams (1797-1801), and then Republican, that is, Democratic, under the three succeeding administrations (1801-25), varying from intensity through the earlier part of the time to moderation at the close. The State meanwhile was Federalist. Between the two parties the town was not very unequally divided, so that there seems to have been a constant struggle, but most of the time the Democrats "exclusively ruled " in local polities and government, except in 1809 and 1812, when a Union ticket prevailed (Dr. B.). The figures of the votes for Governor (Scc. State's records) in years of Presi- dential elections give their evidence of the feeling of the people, and also of their numbers, in the following table where the names of candidates elected are shown by italics : -
Federalist.
Democratic.
Scattering. Total. 6 187
1797. Increase Sumner, 31
Moses Gill, 150
Elbridge Gerry, 289
15
477
1805. Caleb Strong, 262
James Sullivan, 483
5 750
1809. Christopher Gore, 265
Levi Lincoln, 441
709
1813. Caleb Strong, 388
Joseph B. Varnum, 425
8
821
1817. John Brooks, 404
Henry Dearborn, 376
780
1821. Gov. Brooks, 290
WVm. Eustis,
341
631
1825. (Return imperfect.)
Levi Lincoln,
325
16
1829. Levi Lincoln, 210
Marcus Morton,
205
11 420
1834. John Davis, 250
Marcus Morton, 173
(Sam. C. Allen, 276
John Q. Adams,
106)
2
807
1801. Caleb Strong, 173
31
BUSINESS. 1783-1834.
In 1817 appears to have been the one victory of the Federal- ists, who in the latter part of this period were succeeded by the Whigs as the opponents of the Democrats. Local subjects and political contests are sometimes exciting, but as time goes on they generally leave slight show of special or personal distinc- tions. As is apt to be the American result, here the general work of fair or good government was accomplished ; a large number of men filled offices and did their part in their day or generation, and the institutions of the people were served and perpetuated. The little world here moved and proved itself a good American town, and that was enough.
BUSINESS. 1783-1834.
An intelligent and thrifty community, intent on business, and availing itself of the new opportunities that came along with new national life, would show an important part of its history in private and public undertakings for material gain and im- provement. Besides what could be done in its particular sphere, it would also show what would be thought of, tried, and accomplished in an American town of its period. Streets (1783, etc.), roads, and bridges (1785-87), the simplest forms of public improvement in communications, had been opened, and then what had been, and were, the chief and best means for reaching distant places were sought. In 1793, the Propri- etors of the Middlesex Canal were incorporated, and if its connection with Charlestown was simply that it started there, and a few of its corporators or stockholders lived in the place, the work was an important one to the town. It was one of the very earliest undertakings of the kind in the country, and was to connect tide-water with the upper Merrimac. Progress was slow. Not until Aug. 2, 1794, was the survey completed, and only in 1803 was the canal opened. Even slower was the operation of making the work profitable. Between January, 1794, and Sept. 1, 1819, a hundred assessments were laid, so that the net cost of each share was then 81,455, " and no divi- dend could be or was declared until Feb. 1," in the latter year. Even when income was really obtained it was very small, the
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A CENTURY OF TOWN LIFE.
average for the twenty-four years during which it was paid being only 1100 39 per cent. Finally the railroad ended the business, the charter was forfeited (1860), and the canal de- stroyed. Surveying appears to have been such a very inexact science with the builders that remarkable mistakes were made in determining water levels (Eddy, Hfist., 4), and the banks and other parts were so imperfectly built that incessant repairs were for a long while required. Furthermore, Mr. Sullivan's first report (1809) as agent, stated (p. 6) that "scarcely any corporate property depends more on the commerce of our country than the canal," and that this one had been " almost wholly deprived of income from carrying a main article, lum- ber; consequently " that tolls for the year had been only $7,237.93. Whatever were the pecuniary results of the work, the enterprise of the proprietors was shown, and their business sagacity should not be impeached, for they did their best under the circumstances.
Turnpikes were another public improvement, long tried in England, and then built in America ; and although the geog- raphy of Charlestown did not admit any great development of them there, one for Salem started (1802) from the Square, and another for Medford crossed (1803) more of the town. Besides these, connections were also made with similar roads beyond its territory.
Meanwhile, and for years later, private enterprise was en- gaged in buying and selling real estate, and in reconstructing and enlarging the town. Indeed, for a considerable time these operations were like what is now going on in many a new place in the country. At and after the rebuilding, both natives and new-comers were thus occupied, some of them on quite an ex- tensive scale. Of the former, or of the older inhabitants, Nathaniel Austin was active (to 1814) in all, but chiefly the central, parts of the town ; Eben! Breed (do.), largely towards the Point ; Dea. David Goodwin, a builder and of the Baptist church, for about thirty years, on Town Hill, and Bow and Washington streets ; Dea. John Larkin, First Church (to 1803), in sundry parts and on Breed's Hill ; John Hay (to 1800). chiefly on Main Street (Plan IV.); Caleb Swan (1783-
33
BUSINESS. 1783-1834.
1810), on Main, Bow, and Back streets, as well as in other places ; David Wood (to 1796), on Main Street (Plan IV.), on the mainland, and (do.) D. Wood, Jr. (to 1806) on Main Street. Joseph Hurd, and Dr. Isaac Rand also did considera- ble after the war. Of other prominent old names it may be noted that the Russells owned chiefly outside the Neck, and that of the once large possessions of the Bunkers, little re- mained with them at this time other than the pasture that made their name historic. Of new comers or owners, Giles Alexan- der (from Roxbury) was active chiefly (1800-15) on the Hill ; Matthew Bridge (from Lexington, 1785), on the Square, Town Hill, the Dock, and Green Street (to 1814) ; Thos. Brooks, a brickmaker (1792, and the next thirty years), at the Point and the N. and E. parts of the town ; Isaac Carlton, a mason, in sundry parts (1799-1805) ; Jonª Carlton, a builder (from New York), on Cordis, Main, Austin, streets, etc. (1801-08) ; Capt. Jos. Cordis (1780 and over 20 years after), near the town dock, and over a large area from Maine to High Street (Plan IV.) ; John Harris (1783-1803), and Capt. Thos. Ilarris (1784-1814), along the river front, largely in Bow Street ; Oliver Holden (from Pepperell, February, 1788), in many parts of the town, especially on Salem Hill (1788, and many years after) ; and Capt. Archª MeNiel (New York ?), on Union, and all Washington Street (1794 to about 1820).
Before the end of the last century, business in real estate began to extend in a way since immensely increased. Tracts of land were bought and new homes were made in what were then distant regions, on or near the frontiers. In this move- ment, Charlestown was notably represented by Nathaniel Gor- ham, who, acting with Oliver Phelps, of Windsor, Conn., and others, bought (1788) a large area in New York, to which Massachusetts had acquired a right. They were to pay in State paper, then worth about half of its nominal value ; but as it rose to par, they could only take a part of the purchase that bore their names. To it the son of Mr. Gordon went (1789), as also did his connection, Wm. Wood. One of the carlier and larger American maps is one of this tract, en- graved by A. Doolittle, New Haven. It is a curious demon-
3
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A CENTURY OF TOWN LIFE.
stration of the thinly scattered settlements, or grist and saw mills, then existing in what is now a populous region in the western part of the Empire State.
In local manufacturing there was also enterprise shown. We are told by a historical writer of the time, and a resident (Dr. Morse, 1805), that at the beginning of the present cen- tury the activity and diversity was such that "pot and pearl ashes, rum, ships, and leather in all its branches," were made, as were articles of "silver, tin, brass, and pewter." There were " three rope-walks" lately built, and " trade and naviga- tion " had recently greatly increased. Eight years afterwards, another resident (Dr. Bartlett) printed statistics made by Timothy Thompson, Jr., showing that the annual value of the manufactures was $1,231,663, a little over half of which con- sisted of eighteen millions of bricks ($650,000). Morocco was the next article in amount ($225,000) ; cordage was the third ($106,000) ; soap and candles followed ($89,000) ; and " common weaving " was last ($2,113). Within three years the making of "chaises, cordage, morocco, plated ware, and cabinet work " had " greatly lessened." Six years later it was stated (Dr. Morse, 1819) that "the manufactures of morocco leather, and of bricks," were "carried on here on a larger scale, probably, than in any other town in the State." Large quantities of "soal leather " were also made. Clay for the bricks was taken from lands subsequently (1842) in Somer- ville. The shipbuilding and ropemaking (except in the Navy Yard) ceased years ago, but some of the other kinds of busi- ness mentioned are still (1887) continued.
Banking facilities appear to have been near enough at hand in Boston until 1825, when the Bunker Hill Bank1 was incor- porated with a capital of $150,000. This amount has been increased, and now is $500,000. Continuously, although in two buildings on one spot (p. 121) this institution has been very successful. In 1832, the Charlestown Bank,2 and the
1 The Presidents have been, Tino. Walker, David Devens, Edward Lawrence, and T. T. Sawyer.
2 The Presidents were, E. D. Clark (1832-39 ?), and then Paul Willard.
35
CONDITION, 1834.
Phoenix BankI were incorporated. The capital of the former ($150,000) was soon reduced (1840), and then operations ceased. The latter was twice as large, but failed in 1842, and the charter was repealed (1845). A Savings Bank was begun in a small way in 1829, by the incorporation of the Warren Institution for Savings.2 At the end of the first year's busi- ness the amount on deposit was only $6,145, but so great has been the constant increase that it is now fully four and a quarter millions of dollars. For five and twenty years this was the only bank of the kind in the town.
Business in insurance was started by a local company, the Charlestown Fire and Marine, in 1830, but a year afterwards it was moved to Boston and its name changed to the Neptune, subsequently well known and successful. The Charlestown Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorporated in 1836, but it had not a very long carcer.
CONDITION, 1834.
At the end of the first half-century after the rebuilding of the town was fairly begun, there were (as may be counted in the second Directory, 1834) 52 streets, 14 courts, 5 lanes, 3 places, and 23 wharves. On them lived about 10,000 people, for whose use there were 8 meeting-houses, 9 primary and 3 reading and writing schools (the whole cost of which was only $11,079), 5 engine-houses, and 2 burial-grounds. Names of 8 ministers, 2 doctors, and 6 lawyers are found. There were a brewery, convent, library (the Union), a newsroom, marine railway, pottery, tannery, seminary, and shipyard (at the cor- ner of Austin and Washington streets). For seven years a permanent newspaper had been published. Local government was carried on by 73 town officers, including 2 constables, a pound-keeper, and 5 tything-men. The military element was
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