USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Peabody > History Of Peabody Massachusetts > Part 10
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Luke Gilmartin 26
Austin A. Herrick
23
Joseph S. Ingalls ..
37
Eben N. Johnson. 24
Horace Manning. .. 43
John Manning.
.. 26
Joseph B. Maxfield
25
Gregory T. Morrill .. 35
Tyler Mudge. 35
David Mulcahy .23
Jeremiah Murphy. .26
Charles C. Woodman. 29
Andrew D. Murray. 21
Henry Parker 29
Alfred Hopkirk 24 Leather ...
Peter Twiss. 31
Joshua Very. 33
Caleb A. Webster. 24
Frederick Weeden. 15
William J. White, 32
George C. Whitney. 20
Samuel Wiley. 22
Charles M. Woodbury. 22
John K. Gibbs. 45
John Smith 18
James Crowley. .. 34
Henry H. Demeritt 25
John P. Dodge 31
John W. Boynton. 21
James H. Bryant 18
Philip O. Buxton. 20
Thomas Buxton .36
Patrick Scamell. 18
1028
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
come distinctively a manufacturing town. Large numbers of operatives, many of them of foreign birth, labor in the various factories, and the dwellings and buildings of the principal village extend constantly over a larger area. Many of the heads of families are occupied during the day in Boston, the facilities of railroad communication making the town a conven- ient place of residence for such as do not wish or can- not afford to live in the city. There have been many changes in social affairs, some of the families whose names are identified with the earlier history of the town having removed from it, while others have come in and brought elements of energy and business success. The general aspect of the town is suggestive of a thriving, active and successful business com- munity, with many evidences of cultivated taste and judgment in the dwellings on the principal streets, and manifestations of an enlightened public spirit seen in excellent streets, commodious and well kept public buildings and school-houses, a thoroughly equipped fire department, and effective police regu- lations.
The town has continued to take deep interest in educational matters, and has spared nothing to bring its schools to a high standard. Within the last twenty-five years, large sums of money have been ex- pended in building new school-houses, the Peabody High School has been furnished with largely in- creased facilities, now occupying the whole of the building formerly used in part as a town-house, and the number of schools and teachers has been increas- ed from time to time as the needs of the growing community have demanded. The town maintains a high reputation for the general efficiency of its school system.
The spirit of temperance reform, so early welcomed by the old town of Danvers, has been faithfully cherished. With the large increase of operatives, the liquor sellers were enabled to extend their pernicious social and political influence ; but by the vigorous and unremitting efforts of the friends of temperance, pub- lic opinion has been kept upon an enlightened plane, and a steady resistance has been made to the inroads of intemperance. The various temperance organiza- tions and movements for temperance reform have re- ceived warm and effective support from the churches and from individuals. At one time the liquor sellers appeared to be gaining in strength, and a large num- ber of saloons some of them of large extent and no- torious in character, were maintained to the great injury of the town, and with the result of placing large political influence in the hands of the leading liquor-sellers, and making the liquor party an offen- sive element in town affairs, and a serious menace to the welfare of the community. To check this evil, a Law and Order League was organized in Peabody in 1884, which received the support of the best citi- zens of all shades of opinion on temperance matters, and after a vigorous campaign the new organization
succeeded by the use of conservative methods, which received the approval of the community, in effectu- ally checking the violation of the law.
Among the temperance organizations in the town are the Father Matthew Catholic Total Abstinence Society, instituted March 3, 1881; the St. John's Catholic Total Abstinence Society, instituted March 3, 1882 ; the Women's Christian Temperance Union, formed December 10, 1875, and the Young Women's Christian Temperance Union, formed April 19, 1886.
There have been two extensive strikes among the men employed in the manufacture of leather in the town ; one in 1863, and another, lasting several months, in 1886. The relations between labor and capital seem to be well established at the present time.
In 1881 a soldiers' monument costing eight thous- and dollars, was erected in the square. It is a sub- stantial design of white granite, containing tablets inscribed with the names of the citizens of the town who died in the war, above which a circular shaft supports a figure of heroic size.
Shortly before the town of South Danvers was incorpo- rated, a Town House was built on Stevens Street, the upper story being used for High School rooms. The hall became entirely inadequate for the purposes for which it was designed, and the town offices were greatly cramped for room. In 1882 a new Town House was begun on land purchased for the purpose on the corner of Lowell and Chestnut Streets. It was finished in 1883, at a cost of one hundred and eight thousand dollars. It is a substantial building of brick and granite, with convenient and ample of- fices for the town officials; the lower hall, for or- dinary municipal gatherings, accommodates five hun- dred and twenty, and the large hall, one of the finest auditoriums in the county, seats fifteen hundred per- sons. A police station and justice's court-room are located in the basement.
REPRESENTATIVES AND TOWN OFFICERS .- By the act of incorporation of South Danyers, the new town was to remain a part of Danvers for the purpose of electing State officers, Senators and Representa- tives to General Court, Representatives to Congress and Electors of President and Vice-President of the United States, until the next decennial census should be taken, or until another apportionment of Repre- sentatives to the General Court should be made. A new apportionment was made in 1857, and in that year the first election for State and Federal officers was held in South Danvers.
The following is a list of the' Representatives to the General Court from South Danvers and Peabody :
Richard Smith 1857
Robert S. Daniels 1868-70
Eben S. Poor. .1858
Charles V. Hanson .1871-72
John V. Stevens 1859-60
Stephen F. Blaney .. 1873-74
D. Webster King 1861
James E. T. Bartlett .. ...... 1875-77
William H. Little 1862-63
Henry Wardwell .1878
Caleb Warren Osborn 1864-65
Edward Trask .1879
Capt. John W. Stevens 1866-67
Henry Wardwell .1880
1029
PEABODY.
John Pinder. .. 1881
William H. Brown. .1884 Aaron F. Clark. 1882-83 Cyrus T. Batchelder ......... 1885-86
The following are lists of some of the principal town officers of South Danvers and Peabody since the incorporation of the town, those marked with an as- terisk (*) still holding office :
SELECTMEN.
Lewis Allen 1855-56
Nathan H. Poor* .. 1855-62, 171
Charles F. Goodrich. .. 1876 Daniel Taylor. .1855-58
Kendall Osborn 1857, '59
Otis Brown 1880
William Wolcott .1858-61
S. Aug. Southwick. .1881-86
Miles O. Stanley . 1860-62
John E. Herrick. 1881-86
Wyman B Richardson. .1881 Joseph Poor ...
.1863-70
Thomas J. Relihan ... .. 1882-86 Alpheus W. Bancroft. 1863-64
Dana Woodbury .1863-66
Geo. F. Sanger 1865, '73-75
Albert A. Messer* 1887
Amos Merrill 1866, '69-75
Philip H. Coleman* 1887
Warren A. Galencia* 1887 Levi Preston, .1876-85
ASSESSORS.
Same as selectmen through. .. 1855
John C. Herrick ... 188
Willard Spaulding* 1886
Thos. H. Jackman *. 1887
Lyman Osborn* .1886
Alonzo Raddin* .. 1887
Nicholas M. Quint* 1887
TOWN CLERK.
Nathan H. Poor*
1855
TREASURERS.
Francis Baker
1855-70 | Nathan H. Poor* 1871
COLLECTORS.
Wm. Wolcott
1855-77
Levi Preston .. 1878-86
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Wingate Merrill. ... 1855-64. '66-68
Alpheus W. Bancroft .. .1866-80
Henry A. Hardy . 1855-58
Amos Osborn, 2d. 1869-74 James P. King* .1855
Wm. Sutton ... 1859
Caleb F. Winchester .1876
Moses A. Shackley .1860
Samuel Swett. .1877-78 Stephen Blaney ... .1861-62, '65
Geo. F. Sanger* .1879 Mayhew S. Clark .1863, '65
James Fallon* .1881 Alerson Galencia 1864
SOCIETIES. AND ORGANIZATIONS .- There are many organizations now existing for social improvement, and for mutual care and protection of members.
The Holten Lodge of Odd Fellows, originally insti- tuted in January, 1846, was reinstituted February 22, 1878, and is now a flourishing and important lodge.
The Exchange News Room, instituted in 1855, and the Essex Club, instituted in 1860, are social clubs.
Among the societies for mutual insurance and be- nefit, are the American Legion of Honor, Fitch Poole Commandery, founded 1881; the Peabody Mutual Benefit Association, founded 1880 ; the Improved Or- der of Red Men; Masonomos Tribe No. 11, founded 1886 ; the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, Emerald Court No. 53, founded 1883; the Equitable Aid Union, founded 1879; the Ancient Order of United Workmen, George Peabody Lodge, No. 18, or- ganized 1879.
The Peabody Woman's Suffrage Club was organ- ized in 1879.
The American Hibernian Benevolent Association was organized in 1858, and reorganized in 1871.
The West Peabody Farmer's Club was instituted in 1881.
Among the literary and dramatic associations are the Brooksby Club, connected with the South society, the Peabody Dramatic Club, and the Cushing Debat- ing Society.
NEWSPAPERS .- In 1859 The Wizard, a weekly newspaper edited by Fitch Poole, was established. Mr. Poole continued to be editor only for a few years. In 1869 the name was changed to "The Peabody Press." It was at first a folio sheet, but since 1877 has been an eight page paper.
The Peabody Reporter, originally published in 1876, and then wholly printed out of town, was print- ed partly in town about 1879, under the management of Mr. Thomas McGrath. Under its present man- agement, the paper is wholly printed in town, and contains generally two pages of original matter.
The rivalry between these two principal papers is probably for the benefit of the community, as each is incited to continually renewed enterprise and plans of improvement.
FIRE DEPARTMENT .- The first fire-engine in South Danvers was one of two purchased by the town of Danvers about 1800. It was kept at Eagle Corner, by the Bell Tavern. In 1822 the " Niagara" was bought, and it was kept in an engine-house on Main Street, where Sutton's Block is now located. In 1830 a Fire Department was organized in the town by legislative act, and the "Torrent " was bought. It was at first kept near the square, on Central Street; afterward at Wilson's corner. The "Torrent" was the first suction engine in town. In 1836 the " Eagle " was purchased, and it was kept at the same place as the "Niagara." In 1844, the year after the great fire, the "General Foster" was purchased; it was kept at first near the location of the present steam fire-engine house on Lowell Street, and afterward on Washington Street. Shortly afterward the "Volunteer " was bought, and kept at first on the corner of Main and Grove Streets, and afterward on Pierpont Street, The "Volunteer" was originally the private property of General William Sutton, and was manned by a private company.
At the separation of South Danvers in 1855, the fire engines which the new town owned were the Niagara, No. 1; the General Foster, No. 2; the Tor- rent, No. 3 ; the Volunteer, No. 4; and the Eagle, No. 5. These were all hand engines, and with the hose carriages belonging with them, a sail carriage, and with five hydrants connected with the Salem and Danvers Aqueduct, and a number of reservoirs and pumps, constituted the resources of the town in case of fire. The "Niagara" was placed in the western part of the town.
Nathan H. Poor .1886
Thos. J. Relihan 1886
Geo. W. Taylor ... .1876-78
Lyman Osborn 1879
John C. Burbeck 1862, '67-68
Willard Spaulding ... 1886
Charles H. Goulding *. .1887
Jas B. Foster 1867-72
Lyman Osborn ** ... 1886
John S. Walcott. .1875
1030
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
In 1865 the first steam fire engine was bought; it was a Button engine, and cost three thousand five hundred dollars.
In 1874 another steamer was bought, and both were placed in a new engine-house, near the Square on Lowell Street, built the same year. It was a But- ton engine.
In 1876 a new hand engine, the S. C. Bancroft, was bought for South Peabody ; it was also a Button ma- chine.
In 1882 the organization of the fire department was changed ; the increased head given to the water by the building of the stand-pipe made it possible to use the hydrants in many cases without an engine, and the old hand engine companies were organized as hose companies, occupying the same locations as the former companies. In 1887 a new steamer was bought from the La France Fire Engine Company.
The chief engineers have been as follows :-
1855
Stephen Osborne, Jr.
John V. Stevens 1856-57,59
Jonathan E. Osborne 1858
Wm. H. Little 1860-67
Geo. C. Pierce.
1868-70
D. S. Littlefield 1871-85
1 Wm. J. Roome 1885
John H. Tibbetts 1885
Samuel Buxton 1886
Daniel B. Lord
1887
BURIAL GROUNDS .- The oldest burial ground in the South parish was Gardner's Hill, which was situ- ated a little west of Grove Street. The remains of about one hundred and fifty persons were removed from thence to Harmony Grove, when the latter was established. Among the stones removed at that time is the oldest grave stone in Danvers. It bears the inscription :
1669. R. B.
It is probably the grave stone of Robert Buffum.
The old burying ground, or Old South burying ground, is on Poole's Hill, next to the Salem boun- dary. It was originally given by Lydia Trask, to the South Parish. The oldest stone, that of Thomas Pierpont, M.A., bears date of 1755. It contains a very large number of graves, including those of Rev. Nathan Holt, buried in 1792, and Rev. Samuel Walker, in 1826. Dennison Wallis is also buried here; and for many years the sentimental pilgrim visited the place to view the last resting-place of Eliza Wharton, the heroine of the famous old time novel, " The Coquette."
The Friends' burial ground, nearly opposite the old burying ground, was in Salem until the change of boundary. It took the place of a half acre of land on the "mill plain," acquired in 1713, and was obtained some years later.
Monumental Cemetery, on Wallis Street, was laid
out in 1833. It is divided into one hundred and twenty-two lots, thirty-two feet by sixteen, with regu- lar avenues, and is owned by proprietors. The old- est stone, removed from another place, bears the date of 1805. The grave of Schoolmaster Benjamin Gile, above which is inscribed "I taught little children to read," is one of the most noteworthy of the early interments. The cemetery is well kept, and contains many fine stones and monuments.
Harmony Grove Cemetery, though now in Salem, is largely owned in Peabody. It was purchased in 1839, for about six thousand dollars, and then con- tained thirty-five acres. It has since been consider- ably enlarged. The proprietors were incorporated in 1840. Its extensive grounds are finely kept, and it contains a great variety of monumental stones, some of them exceedingly artistic and impressive.
Emerson Cemetery, in South Peabody, on the corner of Washington Street and Allen's Lane, has been in use about fifty years.
Cedar Grove Cemetery, in South Peabody, contains one hundred and thirty-three acres. It was pur- chased by the town in March, 1869, when five thou- sand dollars was appropriated for the purpose. It is held for the town by seven trustees, chosen for five years. Lots are sold to individuals, and the grounds have been greatly improved, and the location is fine. It is reached by a road from Lynn Street.
Oak Grove Cemetery, in West Peabody, near the school-house, contains about ten acres. It was bought in 1886, by the town, and is held by a board of trustees similarly constituted to that of Cedar Grove Cemetery.
There are many private burial grounds in the town, some of them of a very early date. The King family have a cemetery of this kind on Lowell Street, which contains a number of finely built tombs.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES,
SOUTH PARISH (SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH) .- The early history of the " Middle Pre- cinct " has been embodied in another part of this historical sketch.
The Rev. Benjamin Prescott, a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1709, was settled as the first min- ister of the parish in February, 1712, at a salary of £80 "in Province bills or in silver money as it passes from man to man So long as he continues to be our minis- ter." Afterward it was agreed to give him one-half of the money contributed by strangers. In consider- ation of repeated deaths and extraordinary changes in Mr. Prescott's family, his salary was increased £20 in 1723. Besides his regular salary and the " strangers money " he was allowed all the proceeds of voluntary quarterly contributions.
About 1727, there began to be difficulty between Mr. Prescott and the parish on account of his salary. The growing depreciation of the paper currency of
1 Removed from town during the year.
1031
PEABODY.
the province made the sum given him less and less adequate to his needs. From time to time an in- crease of salary was voted him, but the increase was hardly sufficient to keep pace with the deterioration of the paper money, and, moreover, even the pay- ments voted him seem to have been always in arrears. In 1735 his salary was increased to £150, and in 1738 it became £200, old tenor. In 1741 it was voted to cart for Mr. Prescott twenty-five cords of firewood for his year's use from Hart's farm or nearer, " Mr. Prescott finding the wood ready cut." It would seem that the carting was the larger part of the ex- pense of firewood in those days, for this act of the parish, continued for several years, is spoken of as " finding Mr. Prescott's firewood."
In 1742 he was voted £240, old tenor, and in 1743 £270; these sums did not represent more than the original salary granted him.
The long controversy with Mr. Prescott, extending over more than twenty-five years, is interesting chiefly as showing the different and more lasting nature of the tie that bound together pastor and peo- ple in those days. It seems to be assumed through- out all this unfortunate affair that the relation was one which was made for life, and which was so far mutual that it could not be broken except by consent of both parties.
In 1747 the parish upon the question whether they would dismiss Mr. Prescott if he would not give the parish a discharge, voted no. In 1748 they increased his salary to £500 old tenor, and in 1749 to £640 old tenor.
In September, 1749, Mr. Prescott addressed a letter to his parish, in which he sets forth the loss that he has suffered by his payments falling short in value of the original grant-to him, and offers to accept two- thirds of the actual amount found due to him since 1727 in full satisfaction. If this offer should be ac- cepted, he goes on to say " it shall be in your Power (when you please) to call or settle another minister of sound knowledge and a good Life among you, and the Day his Salary shall begin, mine shall cease, and upon your Discharging me of my Obligation to Min- ister to you in holy things, I will discharge you of all Obligations thenceforward to Minister any thing to me for my support." This language clearly shows what his view of the pastoral relation was. This offer was declined, and three men were deputed to treat with Mr. Prescott; but negotiations failed, and in 1750 he brought a law-suit against the parish for his arrears. The parish met and appropriated £20 to de- fend the suit. This suit appears to have been dropped, and a new one was begun in December, 1751, which came to trial in September, 1752, and resulted in a judgment for Mr. Prescott in the sum of £594 198. 9d. At a meeting in December an effort was made to in- duce Mr. Prescott to settle for a less sum, without success; and it was voted to pay Mr. Prescott no salary and to dismiss him. Up to this time the
parish had regularly voted a salary to the pastor every year. In January, 1752-53, they voted him his salary for the past year, and in accordance with the order of court they proceeded to tax the parish for the large amount of the judgment against it. But it was not easy to make up the amount; Mr. Prescott still insisted on performing the duties of the minis- try, and in 1754 they tried to settle with him for £100, which he refused.
In December, 1752, Mr. Prescott made an offer on condition of a satisfactory settlement for the years 1749-51, to leave the pulpit for three months, and if in that time a minister was settled, he would relinquish his pastorate. "Tho," as he says, "Quitting my min- istry over you is not so light a matter in my under- standing as perhaps it may be in some of yours." This offer was renewed in March, 1754, and accepted.
In July, 1754, a call was given to Rev. Aaron Put- nam to settle over the parish, but he declined, probably on account of the difficulties prevailing. In September another attempt was made-this time by the parish-to arbitrate the matter, but without suc- cess. Mr. Prescott still continued as minister, until in September, 1756, an ecclesiastical council consid- ered the whole matter, and decided that the parish ought to pay Mr. Prescott £405, besides, as Hanson says, the costs of the council, amounting to £118, 148. The parish voted to accept the advice of the council, provided Mr. Prescott would immediately ask a dis- mission from his pastoral office of the church and the council, and give a full discharge. But the money was not forthcoming, and it was not till November, 1756, that Mr. Prescott, on receiving a bond for the balance due him, signed by six of the responsible men of the parish, finally discharged the parish and ceased to be its pastor. Agreeably to the advice of the council, he was excused from all parish dues for life.
So ended this unhappy controversy, which greatly hindered the Christian work of the parish for a long time, and gave rise to much bitterness of feeling.
Mr. Prescott, who was born September 16, 1687, married, as his first wife, in 1715, Elizabeth, daughter of John Higginson. His second wife, married in 1732, was Mercy Gibbs, and his third wife, married in 1748, was Mary, sister of Sir William Pepperell, who built a house for Mr. Prescott. He lived on the road to the village (now Central Street), near Elm Street. He was a man of ability, and faithful and conscientious in the performance of his pastoral du- ties. Among other pamphlets, he published a "Let- ter to the First Church in Salem in 1735, and " Right Hand of Fellowship," delivered at the ordination of Rev. J. Sparhawk, in 1736. In 1768, at the age of eighty-one, he published " A free and calm consider- ation of the unhappy misunderstanding and debates between Great Britain and the American colonies." He died May 28, 1777.
The Rev. Josiah Stearns was called as pastor in the fall of 1757, by the church on September 27th, and
1032
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the society on October 18th. He was offered £80 in lawful money, a parsonage with land and barn. He desired more, and finally declined.
On August 4, 1758, the church called the Rev. Na- than Holt as pastor, which was concurred in by the parish, on the 13th. He was offered a salary of £80 and a settlement of £150, payable £50 a year for the first three years ; also a house and garden. He was ordained January 3, 1759.
There is no record of any difficulty with Mr. Holt, who was greatly beloved, and was prominent for his patriotism during the Revolution.
In June, 1763, it was voted " that there be two seats on the easterly side of ye broad ally in the meeting- house be sett apart for a Number of persons to sett in for the better accommodating singing in ye Meeting- house, and that the same be under the regulation of the Parish Committee from time to time as there shall be occasion for carrying on that part of divine service." In October, 1765, the singers were given a place in the front gallery. In May, 1784, the front seat in the women's gallery, on the eastern end of the house, was given to the singers.
In 1764 some difference arose between the North and South Parishes in reference to the inhabitants of New Mills, who wished to be set off to the North Par- ish. The Legislature decided that the boundary of the Village Parish established in 1700 must be adhered to. This left the New Mills in the South Parish. Some of the inhabitants of New Mills petitioned the South Parish to be set off, but their petition was re- fused, "because we think yt ye North Parish is as able, if not abler, to maintain their minister without said petitioner's assistance, as we are in ye South Par- ish with sª Petitioners' assistance, Because we have a considerable Number of the People called Quakers, some Churchmen and some Baptists, &c."
In 1764 certain members of the parish were author- ized to increase the size of the house lengthwise, in order to make more room for floor pews. In April, 1771, John Procter, Jr., Robt. Shillaber and others were authorized to widen the house fifteen feet, by moving out the back side, "the wall pews to be wall pews still." The persons who made the addition were to have the additional floor space for pews. The increased width added three seats on each side to the galleries.
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