History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 184

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 184

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Playing as a boy or helping in his father's bleachery he early became familiar with machinery, and readily understood the principles which govern its construc- tion. He, when a mere youth, showed a strong pre- dilection for mathematics, and even to this day has a strong love for them. He was bound as an appren- tice to John Atherly, of Arnold, with whom he re- mained until his " coming of age," and thoroughly learned the building of lace and woolen machinery. In July, 1827, he came to the United States, landing in New York city. That same month he journeyed to Ipswich, where he took up his residence, and has re- mained in this town ever since his first arrival. At this time the manufacture of lace was receiving much attention in this country, and at Ipswich were two factories wherein lace was manufactured, one situated on Hight Street and owned by the late Dr. Thomas Manning, and is the present mansion-house of Joseph Ross, Esq. ; the other was situated on what is now known as County Street, and is now used by S. F. Canney as a factory for the manufacture of boxes and as a planing mill. This latter was owned and oper- ated by the Heards. When James Peatfield came to Ipswich he at once entered the employ of the Heards, as machinist. He found the machinery then in use old and imperfect. All the machines had been brought from England and had been in use for a long time. Mr. Peatfieldl immediately went to work to re- pair these machines and to make improvements, and finally built a new machine, which was one of the | but he retained the part which he had planted as

first lace machines made in this country. This ma- chine did the work so much better than the old ma- chine, and with a large increase in its productive power that the business rapidly increased and bid fair to become one of the leading industries of the country. Afterwards a heavy tariff was laid on the raw material out of which the lace was manufactured, aud this industry began to languish and at length died out entirely. Mr. Peatfield then turned his attention to other fields of manufactures, and in 1839 he in- 'vented and built a warp machine, and begau the manufacture of woolen uuderclothing. This was the beginning of that immense business, the manufacture of woolens, which at the present time gives employ- ment to many thousands of workmen and millions of capital, and to James Peatfield belongs the honor of being the first person to manufacture woolen under- clothing in the United States. The goods were man- ufactured in the lace factory of the Heards', the lace machinery was removed and warp machines put in their place. The Ipswich River afforded ample water power to run the machinery, and the business was very successful. A ready sale was found for all the goods that could be manufactured. This mill continued to make woolen goods under the management of James Peatfield until the Heards moved into the stone mill farther up the river, where was greater water-power and increased facilities for manufactur- ing. Mr. Peatfield was transferred to this mill and continued here for several years, making, repairing and improving machinery. He devoted his time es- pecially to the loom department. In 1842, in com- pany with his brother Sandford, he built the brick mill on Washington Street, near the Boston and Maine Railroad Station, and continued the manufac- ture of woolen goods, hosiery and underclothing until 1877, when he retired from active labor in the mill to the quiet enjoyments of rural life. Mr. Peatfield always had a great fondness and aptness for mathe- matical studies, and has pursued them into the higher branches of pure mathematics, and even to this day, at the age of more than four-score years, nothing pleases him more than to find some difficult mathe- matical problem to solve or some mathematical puz- zle to unravel. He at one time constructed a very ingenious labyrinth, which was the wonder and de- light of all. He also made a most intricate puzzle which he calls the puzzle of the squares, which has proved a very difficult nut for mathematical scholars to crack. James Peatfield was always a great lover of horticulture. In 1846 he bought some seven acres more or less bounded by the Topsfield road and the Ipswich River, and planted a nursery in a part of this purchase. After leaving the building of machinery and the manufacture of woolens he devoted himself to the care of his nursery and the developing of his lands. He sold, from time to time, small portions of his original purchase to various parties for house lots,

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IPSWICH.

a nursery until 1885. Knowing almost every kind of fruit tree and plant, it has been liis great pleasure to cultivate his garden and his orchard, and in the pure enjoyment of watching them thrive and grow, his latter days have passed in peace and quiet. Since 1885 he has not been engaged in any active business. October 2, 1834, he was married to Susan Heard, of Ipswich. Two daughters,-Hannah Moore and Mar- garet Fox-were born to them, and they are living at the present time. Mr. Peatfield, at the age of eighty- three, has his mental faculties unimpaired. His memo- ry is wonderfully retentive. He remembers every in- cident of his life, and can give the most minute de- tails of every circumstance and event of his long life. He retains a strong interest in all the affairs of his adopt- ed town, and is interested in every effort to advance its prosperity.

James Peatfield is a man of nndoubted probity and honesty, liberal in every sense of the word and inter- ested in every good work. Temperate in all things, simple in his habits, amiable in his disposition, quiet in his manner, conscientious and upright in all his dealings, geuial and affectionate, his later years af- ford him the pleasant consciousness of a well-spent life.

DANIEL POTTER.

Daniel Potter, one of Salem's most respected and honored citizens, was the second of thirteen children of Daniel and Eunice Fellows Potter, of Ipswich, and was born in that historic town on the 24th of March, 1800.

His earlier years were passed in his native town, and here, in his school-boy days, by persevering in- dustry and attention to his studies, he laid the foun- dation for a life of usefulness and honor, worthy of emulation.

In April, 1815, he removed to Salem and became apprenticed as a blacksmith to David Safford, with whom he remained until he reached the age of twen- ty-two years, when he commenced in business for himself on Sewell Street, Salem, continuing until 1827, when he removed to Roxbury, Mass.

Two years later, on the 29th of November, 1829, he returned to the city of Salem and took a shop on West Place ; he there pursued his trade until 1852 and with marked success.

The industry and integrity of character with which he pursned his business commended itself to the peo- ple, and he was repeatedly called to positions of honor and responsibility.

He was chosen a member of the Common Council for the years 1842, '43, '44, '45, '46, '48, '54, '55, '69, and '70, receiving the additional honor of being se- lected as its presiding officer for the years 1854 and '55.

The ability, faithfulness and dignity which he brought to the discharge of the duties of this high position in these years when to be a member of the

government of a city was only attained by men of honesty and integrity, mark him as a man of worth and excellence.

In 1852 retiring from his trade lie was appointed to the very responsible position of deputy-sheriff of Es- sex Couuty by High Sheriff Robinson of Marblehead, which position he continued without interruption to hold, hy reappointments, until his resignation in Jan- uary, 1887, rounding up thirty-five years of almost nninterrupted official life.

In politics a recognized Republican. As a citizen, an upright man, as an official incorruptible. In so- cial life, jovial and witty, and in all those character- istics which go to make up a man to be honored, re- spected and beloved by his fellows, a man of note.

On the 10th day of March, 1824, he was married to Dolly Newell, daughter of John and Hannah B. Ferguson, of Salem, a union which has been happily continued for more than three-score years.

Of thirteen children born to them one son and three daughters remain to honor and cheer them in their declining years, viz .: Daniel, Jr., resides in South Braintree ; Dolly Ann, married to Nathaniel Jack- man, of Salem; Ellen, married to George H. Pous- land, of Salem ; and Margaret F., who resides at home with her parents in Salem.

WESLEY KENDALL BELL.

Wesley Kendall Bell was born in Albany, Oxford Connty, Me., Angust 10, 1827.

He was the second son of John and Betsey Kendall Bell, whose farm home was one of comfort and thrift, so that Wesley, after attending the Common District School was sent for one term to Wilbraham (Mass.) Academy, and thence to Greenwich, R. I., where he was fitted for college.

He came to Ipswich in 1850, where he received an appointment as teacher in the Grammar School, in which position be remained for sixteen years, giving eminent satisfaction by his close application to the duties of the position, and retaining the respect of all tbe pupils who were favored by being under his tui- tion.

In 185S he was appointed by his excellency, Gov - ernor Banks, a justice of the peace.

Mr. Bell married on the 24th of November, 1863, Kate B., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Noyes.

At the town-meeting, in the spring of 1865, he was chosen to the responsible position of town clerk, and the satisfactory manner in which he has performed his duties has assured his re-nomination and election in each succeeding year up to the present time.

In 1866 Mr. Bell was appointed an Assistant Asses- sor of United States Revenue (Internal), which posi- tion he retained for three years.

In the autumn of 1869 he was elected a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

during the term for which he was chosen did most excellent service as a member of the committee on education.

In 1872 he was appointed by his excellency, Gov. Washburn, as a trial justice for the trial of criminal cases. The terms of appointment to this position are for three years, and so ably has the duty been per- formed that he has received four re-appointments to this important office.

In 1878 he was chosen treasurer and clerk of the Ipswich Gas-Light Company, which position he con- tinues to occupy with great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the corporation.

Mr. Bell is a cousin to the Hon. Charles H. Bell, of Exeter, N. H., the genial ex-governor of that State, and, like his relative, is in politics a positive Repub- lican-reliable and true to his party-not the blind partisan, but the well-read, thinking man, able to defend and "give a reason for the faith which is within him."

Mr. Bell has taken an active interest in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and has held various official positions in the order. He is a member of Agawam Lodge, No. 52, Naumkeag Encampment, No. 13, and Canton Wildey, No. 2.

It would seem that Mr. Bell, while he has had the fortnne to be much in public life, has continued and still continues to have the full confidence of the peo- ple of our town.

Said a gentleman who had known of him from the time he first came among us, " For the citizen of good, sound, practical ability, of sterling integrity and un- doubted character, his superior cannot be found." Said another, " For a man who has been npwards of thirty-six years in public life as a teacher, as a politi- cian, as a judicial officer, while I am not of his polit- ical faith, I believe him to be the same honest, upright citizen as when he first made this place his home," -- and these are but the faint expressions of esteem and confidence which are heard on every hand among the townspeople.

In these days it is a pleasure to note cases where after long terms of official life, the communities where men live are still ready to endorse them as faithful and honest in the discharge of responsibilities, and it is to be hoped that examples like this will be appre- ciated by the young and that his conduct may be em- ulated by them.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

BEVERLY.

BY FREDERICK A. OBER.

ITS PHYSICAL FEATURES .- The township of Bev- erly is locally bounded on the north by Wenham,

east by Manchester, west by Danvers, south by the waters of Massachusetts Bay, and the channel of its own harbor, separating it from Salem.

The centre of this township (which has a length of about six miles and an average breadth of three) is in north latitude 42º 34' 38", and west longitude 70° 54' 5''.

Within its boundaries are included surface, soil and vegetation, in greater variety perhaps than with- in the limits of any other section of equal area in the State. Though greatly diversified, the general aspect is hilly, with no elevation approaching the al- titude of mountains, yet without any considerable tract of level land. The general trend of the surface towards the ocean gives a southerly exposure to its słopes and valley-lands, of material advantage to its agriculturists.

Geologically considered, Beverly lies very close to the primitive rock; diorite in the western portiou, and its eastern half the granite structure that forms the hills of Cape Ann, beginning here and culminat- ing in the headlands of Gloucester and Rockport. Its geological structure, then, is granitic, with a few shore strips of older and more thoroughly crystal- line rocks.

Some of the numerous out-cropping ledges contain rare specimens of columbite polymignite, greeu feld- spar and ore of tin; but the mineralogical field is necessarily a restricted one, though exceedingly in- teresting. A peculiar feature of the scenery are these dennded ledges, as well as the great superim- posed boulders, giving character to the hills and headlands. These furnish a coarse quality of gran- ite, which has been extensively quarried and ntilized in the construction of the best buildings.

Although there is much rocky land, there is very little absolutely sterile within the limits of the town. Even the rocky pastures, though often discouraging to an ambitious ruminant, are rich in multitndinous examples of the indigenous flora.

The soil, in the main clayey, gravelly or sandy, is strong and productive, yielding good returns when fertilized.

Natural elements of fertility, such as peat and sea- weed, were formerly found here in great abundance.

Valnable strata of clay give much material for brick and pottery, while even the sand of the sea- shore has been-anciently, at least-a source of profit to those who engaged in shipping it to other parts. On the beach near Hospital Poiut is a deposit of "black sand," which was at one time mnch sought after, for a purpose explained by one of the writers on New England, two hundred years ago, the curious Josselyn :

" There is likewise a sort of glittering Sand, which is altogether as good as the glasse powder brought from the Indies, to dry np Ink ou paper newly writ- ten."

The only ore which has been discovered in quan-

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tity sufficient for export is an inferior quality of bog iron, which was at one time worked in the primitive foundries of Rowley and Lynn.

This deposit lies near the present railroad station of Montserrat, and is to-day only indicated by a chalybeate spring, locally famous as "Iron-Mine Spring," whose waters are sufficiently impregnated to be nauseous without being positively medicinal.

But one other mineral spring is kuown to occur in Beverly, though the subterranean flow of water is copious and pure, and can be reached by wells with an average depth of thirty feet.

· Beverly's woods and water are its chief attractions, although its ponds and streams are few and small. The largest body of water, lying partly within its boundaries, is Wenham Lake, abont one-third of which pertains to this township. The purity of its water and the crystal clearness of its ice, have made this beautiful lake famous, even beyond the seas. It is some three hundred and twenty acres in area, lies at an elevation of thirty-four feet above the sea, and supplies Beverly as well as the city of Salem with water. It is known in the early chronicles as the "Great Pond," and figures prominently in deeds and grants. A lesser sheet of water, though in some re- spects more interesting, is Beaver Pond of twenty acres, which is still secluded within the embrace of the pine woods, not far from the Wenham line.

Its outlet, a small stream, winding through the woods, connects with Norwood Lake, a submerged meadow-tract of some forty acres additional, which gives a large head of available water-power at a point formerly occupied by the old "Conant Mill." Both Wenham and Beaver are stocked with fish, though not to an extent to make them famous. Their shores are in places well-wooded, delightfully adapted to out-door recreation, and hence mnch frequented by the inhabitants of the adjacent territory. Round Pond, in North Beverly, and Little Pond, not far from Beaver, are the only others, and scarce worthy of mention.

To its abundant supply of pure water and to its perfect surface and subterranean drainage, Beverly owes much of its reputation for healthfulness. Its streams, though neither numerous nor large, are ex- cellently adapted for the carrying away of the surplus water.

In the western part of the township is Bass River Brook, which flows into the arm of the sea known as Bass River. Another, which pursues a course nearly parallel with the main line of the railroad, and empties into Bass River, is Tan Yard Brook, while yet another flows along the Gloucester Branch Railroad, and was formerly known as Job's Pond Brook.

A region lying near the base of Brimble Hill, known as Cat Swamp, and adjacent territory, is drained by a brook variously called Cedar Stand and Sallow's Brook, which enters the extreme head of Mackerel Cove; a meandering stream, forked and branched,

running through alder swamps aud open meadows, alternate, locally famous for their wild flowers. A tradition of trout lurks about its deeper and gloomier portions, and it was once a stream of importance enough to support a grist-mill at its mouth, though in latter times it is prone to withdraw within itself and disappear almost entirely from sight, during the heat- ed months of midsummer. Farther to eastward is Patches' or Thissell Brook, where one of the earliest settlers, Nicholas Woodbury, had a grist-mill. Some distance beyond is a streamlet, crossing Mingo's Beach and another flowing into Plum Cove, while the largest is near the easteru border of the town; Saw- mill Brook, where trout are said to have been caught within the memory of people now living. No one of these streams is of sufficient importance to claim the attention of a stranger, yet, collectively, these water- courses play an important part in giving the coast that diversity of aspect which is its most attractive feature.

Of the elements of the landscape those natural fea- tures most prominent are, of course, the hills, which, though of moderate elevation, afford the observer from their summits views unsurpassed of their kind.

One of the finest water views, perhaps, is that spread below and beyond "Josh's Mountain," near and to the west of the bridge connecting Beverly with Salem; from the summit of Brown's Hill (the crown of which, however, is now in Danvers) the most ex- tensive view is afforded, though equally good may be obtained from the crests of Chipman and Brimble Hills, especially from the latter. All, indeed, of the numerous hill-tops favor a visitor with charming scenes, such as are afforded by the contiguity of wooded hills and valleys with the ocean.

FLORA AND FAUNA .- To obtain an adequate cou- ception of this region as it existed prior to the visit of the first settlers, one should become acquainted not only with its geological and topographical feat- ures, but with the leading types of its flora and fauna. These are, to a great extent, interdependent, and collectively throw light upon the subsequent actions of the settlers themselves. It was not a bar- ren country, this, when first seen by civilized man; for the primitive rock was covered with a rich soil clothed in an attractive and exuberant vegetation. Many plants and fruits were found here indigenous, while nearly everything brought by the settlers from their own country took root and flourished sponta- neously.

The principal native trees and those which give color to the woods and a distinctive tone to the masses of foliage (especially as seen from the sea) are the pines, variously intermixed with oaks, maples, hemlocks and birches. These compose mainly the masses or "bulks" of trees, while there are numerous other natives, such as the elm, butternut, ash, cherry, red and white cedar, and a host of shrubs and bushes of lesser growth.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The remarks of Captain John Smith upon the coast productions of New England in general are particularly applicable here: "First, the ground is so fertill that, questionless, it is capable of producing any Grain, Fruits or Seeds you will sow or plant, growing in the region afore-named; but it may be not eviry kinde to that perfection of delicacy, or some tender plants may miscarie, because the snm- mer is not so hot, and the winter is more cold, in those parts wee have yet tryed neere the Seaside than wee finde in the same height in Europe or Asia. .. . The hearbes or fruits (native) are of many sorts and kinds, as alkermes, currants, mulberries, raspices, gooseberries, plummes, walnuts, chestnuts, pumpions, gourds, strawberries, beans, pease and mayze; a kind or two of flax (wherewith they make nets, lines and ropes, both small and great). Oke is their chief wood ; firr, pine, walnut, chestnut, birch, ash, elme, cedar and many other sorts."

Its diversity of surface gives to Beverly a flora equally varied; in the gloom of its most secluded dells and swamps grow plants rare in localities more to the southward, while the southern exposure of its coast slopes offers a congenial habitat for several nnknown much farther north. Its fragrant pasture lands breathe the incense of spiciest bloom in the season of inflorescence, and here are found those plants of mystical and medicinal virtues so beloved of the Indian medicine-man and the "yarb doctor" of early times. Nowhere in the world is there a greater variety of berries and native small fruits than may be found in the coast country of New Eng- land : such as blueberries, high and low, blackberries of several varieties, barberries, cranberries, whortle or huckleberries, elderberries, strawberries, raspber- ries, wild currants and gooseberries, cherries, grapes, etc., to which may be added many other kinds and the nuts and fruits of various trees.

In this region, favored of nature, may be found most of the flowering plants belonging to Massachu- setts, many of brightest bloom being especially abundant; as the laurel (kalmia), occasionally the magnolia (m. glauca), on the borders of Man- chester ; the cardinal flower (lobelia cardinalis), the bright rhodora, the fringed gentian (g. crinita), late in autumn, the fragrant water lily (nymphoca odorata), the choicest species of the violet family, the wild rose and clematis; in fact, the entire range of flowering plants peculiar to New England. That early blooming plant of adjacent regions, the mayflower (epigœa repens), is rarely found here, but almost cotemporary with it are the saxifrage, dog-tooth violet, anemone and Housatonia, close followed by the columbine (aquilegia Canadensis), the " Solomon's seal," "ladies' slipper " (cypripedium pubescens), the star flowers and a constantly augmented troop of summer flowers. Certain meadows, in June, are red with that delicate orchid, the arethusa bulbosa, and white with the buckbean, while along the water-courses, later, grow

the sagittaria (the arrow-heads), the thickets are green with the parasitic dodder, and all the road- sides, later yet, lined with the golden-rod. It would be impossible to merely enumerate the species (in this brief introductory), that fill the months of spring, summer and early autumn, with bloom and fragrance. It was of this (Cape Ann) coast that the reverend Higginson wrote, when on his voyage to Salem :

"By noon we were within three leagues of Cape Ann, and as we sayled along the coast we saw every hill and dale, and every island, full of gay woods and high trees.

" The nearer we came to the shore the more flowers in abundance, sometymes scattered abroad, sometimes joyned in sheets nine or ten yards long, which we supposed to be brought from the low meadowes by the tyde.

" Now, what with fine woods and greene trees by land, and these yel- low flowers paynting the sea, made us all desirous to see our new para- dise of New England, whence we saw such forerunning siguals of fertilitie affarre off."

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 184

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538