USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lowell > Hand book of business in Lowell : with a history of the city > Part 3
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VOX POPULI, (Established in 1841,) A FAMILY PAPER OF THE LARGEST SIZE, PUBLISHED WEEKLY, CONTAINING A LARGE VARIETY OF Stories, Poetry, Sketches, Anecdotes, Miscellany, General and Local News, Terms :--- $2.00 per Year ; $1.00 for Six Months.
We take much pleasure in saying that Vox POPULI has the largest circula- tion of any paper in the city of Lowell, and as a medium for advertisers, pre- sents a superior advantage over its cotemporaries.
I Advertisements inserted conspicuously on moderate terms.
32
HISTORY OF LOWELL:
In 1686, Jonathan Tyng and Thomas Hinchman made the famous " Wamesit Purchase," which embraced all the Indian lands west of Concord river. The Indians, however, reserved the right of hunting and fishing on these lands ; retained their title to other lands east of the Concord ; and continued for some years to occupy Fort Hill, which they enclosed with a trench. But their title to this, also, was extinguished in 1726, when the last of their " paternal acres" passed to the whites. The Indian capital was removed to Pennacook in New Hampshire ; but some families of Indians continued for some years to make this their most usual place of abode.
It is unnecessary here to discuss the question, whether the whites were morally justified in thus taking possession of the red man's home. Irving has settled that question to the entire sat- isfaction of the whites, by a very conclusive argument, in his satirical History of New York. But a man of sentiment may yet sympathize with the poor Indian, who, distracted with emo- tions too sad, " too deep for tears," turned his back upon the graves of his ancestors; took a last, melancholy look on the river, on whose waters the Great Spirit moved ; and feeling that he was now a stranger in a stranger's land, departed forever, and bade " Farewell to Bonny Bosby."
Subsequent to the " Wamesit Purchase" in 1686, the lands of the Indian reservation were sold in small parcels to a variety of purchasers. It never occured to them, that on settling on the Indian reservation they ceased to be citizens of Chelmsford. One of them, Samuel Pierce,-an ancestral relative of President Pierce,-was, in 1725, elected to represent Chelmsford in the General Court, but was refused a seat in that body, on the ground that he was not a legal resident in the town for which he was elected. All the squatters on the Indian reservation at once refused to pay taxes to Chelmsford ; and much confusion ensued. To remedy this mischief, in 1726, an act was passed annexing Wamesit to Chelmsford. From 1726, therefore, to 1826, the history of Lowell is identified with that of Chelmsford.
33
HAND -BOOK OF ITS BUSINESS.
SAM. LAWRENCE, SURGEON DENTIST,
Office No, 24 Central Street, Opp. Post Office,
LOWELL, MASS.
DR. L. tenders his grateful acknowledgements for the confidence and favors bestowed upon him during twelve years practice in this city, and trusts he may merit its continuance. Teeth will be inserted on fine Gold, and fill- ing done in a thorough manner. Also, Extracting and all other operations done with care, at reasonable prices, and WARRANTED.
Persons having bad work done by other Dentists, can have it reset at this office, in a finished manner, as all work is executed by himself.
Fancy work for Exhibitions, and other work of a difficult nature, made for dentists at reasonable rates.
Dr. L. was awarded the first premium at the fair of 1851, for the BEST TEETH, PLATE WORK AND FILLING.
N. B .- To avoid all mistakes in the person and locality, you should remem- ber the Name and Number,
NO. 24 CENTRAL SRTEET, Opposite the Post Office.
WILDER & DANA,
(Successors to David Dana )
JACKSON STREET, LOWELL, MASS., MANUFACTURERS OF
LOCOMOTIVE FLUES, COPPER DYE KETTLES, SET DO.,
CYLINDERS AND COPPER WORK GENERALLY; -ALSO-
Brass and Composition Castings, Spinning Drums, Ro- ving Cans, and all Kinds of Tin and Sheet Iron Work for Factory Use.
Dealers in Copper, Block Tin, and Lead Water Pipe, Furnaces, Cooking Ranges, Copper and Brass Suction and Force Pumps.
PLUMBERS' WORK, IN ALL ITS BRANCHES, DONE TO ORDER, BY EXPERIENCED WORKMEN,
H. H. WILDER. GEO. E. DANA.
34
HISTORY OF LOWELL:
The Last Indian.
ABOUT seventy-five years ago, there lived near Pawtucket Falls an Indian named Simonds. He was very old, notching ninety or a hundred on " the tally-stick of time." He was the connect- ing link between the Indians to whom the Apostle Eliot preached and the early founders of Lowell. He belonged to the genera- tion immediately succeeding the Puritans. His wigwam stood on the north side of Pawtucket street, a little west of Fletcher street. He lived entirely alone, supporting himself by covering chair-bottoms for his white neighbors. He afterwards removed to Long-sought-for Pond in Westford, but made a brief visit to the Falls every spring for the purpose of fishing. All the tradi- tions agree that he was a well-behaved man. He was " never known to get drunk." The precise time of his decease is un- known; so meagre are the traditions of these Indians. But as he obeyed the ten precepts of Moses, and cultivated the seven graces of saintship,-as he received all the counsel of God, and performed the whole duty of man,-let us hope that this last rep- resentative of the Pawtuckets of Lowell, has since been "admit- ted to that equal sky," where distinctions of race are unknown.
Revolutionary Associations.
THROUGH this connection with Chelmsford, Lowell is associated with some of the most glorious memories of the Heroic Age of America. On the eve of the Revolution in 1773, the Chelms- ford men assembled in town meeting, and discussed their rights as British subjects. They then addressed a letter of instructions to Simeon Spaulding, their representative in the General Court of the Colony, counselling " the coolest reflection," and caution- ing him against " any rash and passionate measures."
In 1774, these remarkably cool politicians published a declara-
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HAND-BOOK OF ITS BUSINESS.
GREAT AMERICAN AND FOREIGN OFFICE
For Securing Patents for Inventions.
AGENCY FOR BUSINESS WITH THE U. S. PATENT OFFICE, WASHINGTON.
R. H. EDDY No. 76 STATE STREET, OPPOSITE KILBY STREET, BOSTON.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO INVENTORS.
The subscriber, (late Agent of the U. S. Patent Office, under the Act of 1837,) determined to present advantages, in applying for Patents, superior to those offered inventors by others, has made arrangements whereby on appli- cations prepared and conducted by him, THIRTY DOLLARS, (instead of twenty, as paid back by others,) will be remitted by him in case of a failure to obtain a patent, and the withdrawal through him within thirty days after the rejection.
This Agency is not only the largest in New England, but through it in- ventors have advantages for securing patents, or ascertaining the patentability of inventions, unsurpassed by, if not immeasurably superior to, any which can be offered elsewhere. The testimonials below given prove that none is MORE SUCCESSFUL AT THE PATENT OFFICE than the subscriber ; and as SUCCESS IS THE BEST PROOF OF ADVANTAGES AND ABILITY, he would add that he has abundant reason to believe, and can prove that at no other office of the kind are the charges for professional ser- vices so moderate. The immense practice of the subscriber during twenty years past, has enabled him to accumulate a vast collection of specifications and official decisions relative to patents. These, besides his extensive libra- ry of legal and mechanical works, and full accounts of patents granted in the United States and Europe, render him able, beyond question, to offer supe- rior facilities for obtaining patents.
Caveats, Specifications, Assignments, and all Papers and Drawings neces- sary to the procural of patents in this and foreign countries prepared, and advice rendered on legal and scientific matters, respecting inventions, or in- fringement of patents. All necessity of a journey to Washington to procure a patent, and the usual great delay there, are here saved inventors.
Copies of the claims of any patent furnished for one dollar. Assignments recorded at Washington. Patents secured in Great Britain, France, and other foreign countries, through Agents of the highest respectability.
R. H. EDDY, Solicitor of Patents.
TESTIMONIALS.
"During the time I occupied the office of Commissioner of Patents, R. H. Eddy, Esq., of Boston, did business at the Patent Office, as solicitor for pro- curing Patents. There were few, if any, persons acting in that capacity who had so much business before the Patent Office ; and there were none who conducted it with more skill, fidelity and success. I regard Mr. Eddy as one of the best informed and most skilful Patent Solicitors in the United States, and have no hesitation in assuring inventors that they cannot employ a person more competent and trustworthy, and more capable of putting their applica- tions in a form to secure for them an early and favorable consideration at the Patent Office. EDMUND BURKE, Late Commissioner of l'atents.
FROM THE PRESENT COMMISSIONER.
"August 17, 1855 .- During the time I have held the office of Commission- er of Patents, R. H. Eddy, Esq., of Boston, has been extensively engaged in the transaction of business with the office as a Solicitor. He is thoroughly acquainted with the law, and the rules of practice of the office. I regard him as one of the most capable and successful practitioners with whom I have had official intercourse. CHAS. MASON, Commissioner of Patents.
36
HISTORY OF LOWELL:
tion of principles, which was posted on the town pump and other conspicuous places. It is set forth as the opinion of the town, " that the present is as dark and distressing a day as this coun- try ever experienced ;" and " that the notion of the right of Par- liament to tax the people without their consent, for the purpose of raising revenue, is unconstitutional." These rural statesmen had very correct ideas of politics. " We have no conception," say they, " of taxation without representation."
In spite of all our schools, colleges, books, newspapers, and other instruments of popular education, there are few men in the country, comparatively, who possess the knowledge of history and statesmanship, exhibited in the following reflections : " France was once free ; but in consequence of submitting to taxation with- out representation, their estates and lives are at the absolute dis- posal of the king. The Cortes of Spain had once the same rights as our Parliament ; but having allowed the king, on a particular occasion, to raise money without their interposition, they lost their authority, and the people their freedom."
The indignity, offered by Mr. Wedderburn to Dr. Franklin, in the House of Commons, was denounced by the people of Chelmsford, in this declaration, made in 1774, two years prior to the Declaration of Independence, in language as elegant and as dignified as any recently employed in any of our metropolitan cities, to denounce the assault of Mr. Brooks on Senator Sumner. To relieve the sufferings occasioned by the passage of the Boston Port Bill, a drove of sheep was collected in Chelmsford, and sent to Boston gratuitously. A company of Chelmsford Militia, under Capt. John Ford, were engaged in the battle of Bunker's Hill.
After the war had ended, when the Constitution of the State came before them for their approval, the people of Chelmsford approved and adopted the whole, article by article, except the third article. To this an amendment was moved and adopted ; ninety-two yeas, to eight nays. Instead of having the Governor profess the Christian religion, they proposed that he should pro- fess the Protestant religion. They deemed the word Christian exceptionable, because, as their historian says, it left " a door
37
HAND- BOOK OF ITS BUSINESS.
LOWELL ISLAND HOUSE
SALEM HARBOR.
THE HOTEL ON LOWELL ISLAND, SALEM HARBOR, IS NOW OPEN FOR THE SUMMER, UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF G. W. LARRABEE.
FAMILIES, PARTIES, AND INDIVIDUALS WISHING SEA-SHORE AMUSEMENTS AND OCEAN AIR, WILL FIND IT A QUIET PLACE OF RESORT FOR OCCA- SIONAL VISITS AND FOR PERMANENT SUMMER BOARD,
The dining-room of the house will seat 300 persons, and the sleeping rooms are numerous and airy. There are several large parlors for dancing, music and social gatherings. Hot and cold baths may be had, and there is safe open sea-bathing on the beach, and good bowling alleys are open for ex- ercise. There is fine fishing from the rocks on the shore-and near the Is- land are safe fishing grounds for cod, haddock, and hake, and fine sail boats in attendance, well equipped for sailing and fishing.
On the Salem and Lowell Railroad, a great reduction of fare from Lowell and back is made; and as the morning trains on the Stony Brook and Nashua and Upper Railroads connect at Lowell, passengers from all the towns above Lowell can avail themselves of this reduction ; and those who arrive at Wil- mington Junction by the Boston and Maine Railroad, or at any depot on the Salem and Lowell Railroad, may avail themselves of a proportionate reduc- tion on the latter road. On the railroads between Salem and Boston there are 33 trains of cars daily.
The House was established by an association of gentlemen, without any view to speculation or profit, and to furnish a healthy, comfortable, and well- ordered place of resort in the hot season ; and the prices, varying according to the rooms selected, will be as low, by the day or week, as they can be af- forded and allow the concern to support itself.
The Steamer ARGO will leave Phillips' Wharf, Salem, for the Island daily, at 6 1-4, 9, 101-2, A. M., and 12 1-2, 2 1-4, 5 3-4, P. M .; and returning, leaves the Island at 7, 9 3-4, 11 1-4, A. M., and 1 3-4, 5, 6 1-2, P. M.
Fare by Steamer 15 Cents Each Way.
SALEM, Mass., July 1, 1856.
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HISTORY OF LOWELL:
open for the admittance of a Papist into the chair of state." The same fear of Popery, which disturbs the dreams of so many ancient dames in our times, brooded like a spirit of darkness around the kitchen fires of Chelmsford
"In the brave days of old." .
During Shay's Rebellion, in 1786, Chelmsford espoused the cause of law and order. A detachment of her Militia served under General Lincoln in the western counties; and "on the memorable thirtieth of January," as the historian of Chelmsford writes, " performed a march of thirty miles, without refreshment, through deep snows, in a stormy and severely cold night ; a march that would have done honor to the veteran soldiers of Hannibal or Napoleon."
East Chelmsford.
DURING a full century, subsequent to the final retirement of the Indians, and the annexation of Wamesit to Chelmsford in 1726,-this place became a mere border-hamlet of that town. Its glory as an Indian capital had departed. Its glory as a city of the arts had not dawned. Portions of the Indian Ditch were filled up; only a few farm-houses, respectably occupied, remained ; and the place assumed the name of " Chelmsford Neck" or " East Chelmsford."
Fish still swarmed in the rivers. A thousand shad were some- times taken at a single haul. Allen, who wrote his History of Chelmsford in 1820, says that, in his time, the product of stur- geon, salmon, shad and alewives, was twenty-five hundred barrels a year, besides a large quantity of other fish. The numerous dams thrown across the river within a few years, have rendered its waters almost barren of fish. But measures are now being taken with the view to replenish these streams with the fish of the olden time.
In most respects, the history of Chelmsford corresponds with
39
HAND - BOOK OF ITS BUSINESS.
DR. WILLIAMS' VEGETABLE BITTERS,
PREPARED ONLY BY
DR. H. KELSEY, LOWELL, MASS.
This article will be found a sure cure for the following complaints-
Dyspepsia or Indigestion, Jaundice, Sour Stomach, Costive- ness, Headache, Bilious Complaints, Worms in Children, Loss of Appetite, Palpitation of the Heart, Heartburn, Eruptions on the Skin, Diarrhea, Drowsiness after Eating, Faintness, Sickness at the Stomach in the Morning, Wandering Pains in the Side, Back and Limbs, Liver Complaints and General Debility.
This article has been tested by hundreds of thousands within the last nine years, and found to be all that it is recommended. These Bitters are prepared entirely of vegetables, and are free from aloes, and safe for man, woman or child to take. Those who are afflicted with any of these complaints, are re- quested to give it a trial before they condemn it. Many persons hesitate to use a medicine that has been advertised ; but perhaps if you would give this a fair trial you would find relief from it, as hosts of others have done. I can- not say by my medicine as is advertised by somc, that six bottles will cleanse and purify the blood, for I do not believe in the blood being made pure in so short a time ; but I do say that one good dose of it will stop the sick head- ache, and in fact, one bottle will cure it. I pretend to say that no family will be without it after trying it, or having properly tested its merits. Reader, if you have tried other medicines without good success, despair not, but try this. You may find relief from this yet. If you are suffering from Scrofula, you may be cured of it by this medicine ; but remember that it takes more than six bottles, or six months, to purify the blood of any person and cure them of a humor. I have certificates from good, reliable persons, where the blood has been made pure by this medicine. I will give one: -
Dr. Kelsey-Sir :- I feel it a duty I owe to you, and the public generally, to give you the following information : I have been troubled with the Scrofula and Salt Rheum humors for quite a number of years, and had it so bad on my head that my hair was all coming off, and most of the time my face and neck was a perfect scab; but luckily for me, I was induced to give Dr. Wil- liams' Bitters a trial. I took the Bitters and they drove the humors out very much. I then commenced using Dr. KELSEY's Pain Extractor on the out- side, to kill the humor as fast as it came out, and still kept taking the Bit- ters to drive it out ; and I can say with truth that in one year's time from the first of my using this medicine I was entirely cured, and my health was good, better than it had been for at least ten years before.
Yours. &c., MISS MARY J. LEAVITT.
13The above certificate was also signed by DR. J. A. TIBBETTS, DR. J. A. PERRY, DR. G. TUCKER and DR. GALE.
I have others that I could give as good as this, but I deem it unnecessary.
DR. KELSEY'S VEGETABLE PAIN EXTRACTOR.
This is good for Man or Beast, and is one of the best things to relieve pain in any form-it may be used internally or externally, with perfect safety ; full directions on each bottle. I will guarantee that any family after trying one bottle, will not be without it-it can be relied upon as being all it is recom- med to be, and the great and increasing demand for it from year to year is suf- ficient proof of its efficacy.
40
HISTORY OF LOWELL:
that of any other back town. It has little of incident, and but little to be noted in so general a sketch as the present. The peo- ple of Chelmsford made grants of land, and offered every induce- ment to mechanics and tradesmen, to establish themselves in their town
A bridge was constructed across the Concord River near its mouth, in 1774. The only mode of passing this river previously, had been by fording it. Another bridge across the same river, near the present Cemetery, was constructed soon afterwards. A lady, recently deceased, well remembered having forded Concord river to attend merry-makings in Tewksbury, eighty years ago. The only mode of crossing the Merrimac as yet, was by boat or by fording it. Chelmsford was distinguished among other towns for its saw-mills, grist-mills, mechanics' shops, and small manu- facturing establishments. Chelmsford Granite has long been in high repute all over the Union. In 1818, twenty-five thousand dollars worth of it was transported to Boston and other places by the Middlesex Canal. About that time, an elegant church was built of it in Savannah, Georgia.
Many will hear with surprise that Slavery ever existed in Low- ell. But such is the fact. While our territory was connected with Chelmsford, in the course of the last century, negroes were kept on what afterwards became the Moor Farm ; and they were also kept on what is now called the Livermore Place in Belvi- dere,-then a part of Tewksbury. It is not improbable that they were kept at the same time on other farms in this vicinity.
Pawtucket and Middlesex Canals.
TOWARDS the close of the last century, Lowell became the theatre of an active business in wood and lumber. The forests along the shores of the Merrimac, which had never before rung with the sound of the woodman's axe, afforded an exhaustless sup- ply of materials for rafts, which already commanded a good price in Newburyport and other towns on the sea-board. But the de-
HAND- BOOK OF ITS BUSINESS. 41
READY-MADE CLOTHING - AND -
FURNISHING GOODS,
No. 150 MERRIMACK STREET, WENTWORTH'S BUILDING.
DANIEL FARRINGTON,
Would invite the attention of purchasers to his LARGE STOCK OF
FASHIONABLE READY-MADE CLOTHING, GENT'S FURNISHING GOODS,
BOYS' CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS, GLOVES, UMBRELLAS, AND ALL ARTICLES USUALLY KEPT IN A FIRST CLASS CLOTHING STORE.
REMEMBER THE NUMBER,
AND GIVE THIS ESTABLISHMENT A TRIAL.
DANIEL FARRINGTON,
150 MERRIMACK STREET, WENTWORTH'S BUILDING,
FIRST DOOR EAST OF BOSTON & LOWELL RAILROAD DEFOT,
LOWELL, MASS.
4D
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HISTORY OF LOWELL:
scent of the river at Pawtucket Falls was so precipitous,-the current so violent, and the channel so rocky,-that great difficul- ty was experienced in passing rafts down the rapids. A canal round the falls for the transportation of rafts, was first suggested for the convenience of the lumbermen, thirty years before any one dreamed of using the waters for the purposes of manufactures.
Dudley A. Tyng, William Coombs, and others, were incorpor- ated as " The Proprietors of the Locks and Canals on Merrimac River," in 1792. By virtue of powers given in their charter, they at once proceeded to open a canal, one and a half miles long, connecting Merrimac River above the falls with the Concord be- low. The level of the water in the lower end of the canal, which is only a brief distance above the mouth of the Concord, is thirty- two feet lower than the level of the water at the upper end. The descent is accomplished by means of four sets of locks. The general direction of the canal is from east to west. It occupied less than five years in its construction, and cost fifty thousand dollars.
When the first boat passed down the canal in 1797, with the directors and other gentlemen on board, and hundreds of men, women and children as spectators on the banks, an incident oc- curred, of which Allen gives a very lively and graphic account. The sides of the boat gave way ; the water burst upon the people, and many were carried down the stream. "Infants were separated from their mothers,"-says Allen,-" children from their parents, wives from their husbands, young ladies from their gallants ; and men, women, timber, and broken boards and planks, were seen promiscuously floating in the water." Nantes-rari apparent in gurgite vasto. But no life was lost, and no serious injury incurred.
The stock of the Locks and Canals Company was divided into five hundred shares, owned by individuals in all parts of Middle- sex and Essex Counties. But the dividends declared were never considerable ; and the stock soon fell far below par in consequence of the successful competition of the Middlesex Canal with its business. In the same year that the Locks and Canals Company were incorporated, the first bridge across the Merrimac was constructed at Pawtucket Falls. It was entirely of wood.
43
HAND-BOOK OF ITS BUSINESS.
CARLETON & HOVEY,
APOTHECARIES,
(ESTABLISHED 1827.)
City Hall, 9
. . Lowell,
Are always supplied with .
MEDICINES OF EVERY KIND, and of the purest quality. Also,
SURGICAL AND DENTAL INSTRUMENTS,
Mineral Teeth, Gold Plate and Foil,
and all articles appertaining to Dentistry. Also, a great variety of
ARTISTS' MATERIALS,
including Oil and Water Colors, Brushes, &c.
We are proprietors of CARLETON & HOVEY'S
CHLORIDE O
-0-
which will, upon application, immediately destroy the most offensive odors, and arrest putrefaction and decay. It is especially recommended for the SICK ROOM; by its free use the comfort, both of patient and nurse, may be essentially promoted.
CORPSES may be preserved for months without decomposition or discol- oration.
Housekeepers will find it invaluable to sweeten their cellars, musty closets, vessels, &c. Also for preventing and driving away Cockroaches, Ants and other insects. It must be largely diluted to obtain its best effect.
DIRECTIONS ACCOMPANY EACH BOTTLE.
It is highly recommended by certificates from DR. JOHN C. DALTON, DR. JOHN O. GREEN, DR. ELISHA HUNTINGTON. Also by DR. SAMUEL L. DANA, Chemist.
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