History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 211

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 211

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In the summer of 1815 steps were taken for build- ing a meeting-house, and it was finally voted to build a "two-story meeting-house " on a half-acre lot given by Bailey Davis, where the Baptist Church now stands. Several other lots were contemplated on which to build the house ; one, the " mill lot," embrac- ing a quarter of an acre near where the Town House now stands, and another ou "Liberty Hill," a little southwest of the stone church on the opposite side of the street. The house was built and publicly dedi- cated December 5, 1816. During the long pastorate of Mr. Kimball, the church seems to have been char- acterized by activity and zeal in its membership, and steadily increased in numbers and influence. For the first ten years all moneys for the support of preaching and other expenses connected therewith were raised by voluntary subscription; afterwards taxes were assessed on members of the society. Mr. Kimball closed his labors October 4, 1835. Rev. Ad- dison Parker, of Sturbridge, was the successor of Mr. Kimball, and was publicly installed February 3, 1836. The church seems to have prospered during his ministry, which closed May 1, 1839. Rev. Samuel W. Field was the next pastor, and was installed April 22, 1840. During the first year of his pastorate the old meeting-house was torn down and a new one built

To an historical discourse prepared by Rev. K. S. Hall, and delivered at the semi-centennial celebratiou of that church and society, October 18, 1865, we are indebted for much of what follows. For many years there had been persons of the Baptist faith scattered through the town, and Isaac Backus preached here as | on the old site, the congregation holding services in

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the Congregational Meeting-House until their vestry was ready for use. Mr. Field resigned August 2, 1846.

In June, 1847, Rev. Joseph M. Graves became pas- tor of the church, and remained until May 11, 1850, when he tendered his resignation. Rev. B. F. Bron- son was the successor of Mr. Graves, and after a pros- perous pastorate of seven years and a half, resigned May 30, 1858.

Rev. Howard M. Emerson was ordained pastor January 2, 1861, and continued in the office until his death, May 16, 1862. Rev. King S. Hall was install- ed December 23 of the same year, and resigned April 30, 1867. He was succeeded by Rev. N. M. Williams, who was settled February 13, 1868, and left March 31,1871.

Rev. Lyman Chase became pastor in May, 1871, and remained until the summer of 1876, He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas J. B. House, who com- menced his labors January 1, 1877, and left April 24, 1883. Rev. Simeon L. B. Chase became the next pastor August 19, 1883, and resigned May 29, 1887.

On Sunday. March 21, 1869, the meeting-house took fire during the morning service, and was totally de- stroyed. The society ereeted the house which is now standing in the following summer on the old spot, and it was dedicated January 13, 1870. This church is strong and prosperous, numbers about two hundred members, and is the only oue of its denomination in the town.

The Universalist Church and Society was organ- ized in 1824. At first religious services were held at irregular intervals in the different school-houses in town. As the church became stronger, meetings were held regularly in " Mckay's building," on Lowell Street, and later in "Wilson's Hall," Hampshire Street. The present Universalist meeting-house was built in 1835-36, and dedicated in July, 1836. Rev. John A. Gurley was the first settled minister, and was pastor at that time. He left about 1837. The next pastor was Rev. E. N. Harris, who did not re- main long. Rev. A. A. Miner was settled over the church in November, 1839, and remained until July, 1842, when he left to settle in Lowell. Rev. H. R. Nye was the next pastor, and remained about three years, leaving in 1845. Rev. Willard Spaulding suc- ceeded Mr. Nye, aud preached at this time two or three years. Rev. O. A. Tillotson succeeded Mr. Spauld- ing, and was followed by Rev. William H. Waggoner in 1851 and 1852. Rev. Willard Spaulding was pas- tor a second time in 1855 and 1856. Rev. Edwin Da- vis became pastor in the spring of 1861, and remained until 1863. Rev. John E. Davenport followed Mr. Davis, and continued in the pastoral office about two years. Rev. C. A. Bradley became pastor in 1869, and resigned March 22, 1871.

During the pastorate of Mr. Bradley the church and grounds were remodeled and much improved. Rev. W. W. Heywood became pastor in 1871, and his

resignation was accepted by the society March 29, 1875. Rev. R. T. Polk was installed as the next pas- tor March 21, 1877, and resigned August 31, 1879.

Rev. G. T. Flanders, of Lowell, supplied the pulpit for a year, beginning his labors February 29, 1880, was succeeded by Rev. Nathan S. Hill from Novem- ber 1, 1881, to March 1, 1883. In October, 1883, the society called Rev. Donald Fraser to the pastorate, and he remained until his resignation in November, 1885. Rev. A. F. Walch, the next minister, was in- stalled October 14, 1886, and is now in the pastoral office. The congregation numbers about one hundred and fifty.

We are informed that the Methodists first held meetings in Methuen in 1833 or '34. They occasion- ally occupied the Second Parish meeting-house, and held meetings in the school-honses, but after the in- stitution of regular religious services, they occupied " Wilson's Hall." The building now used as a school-house on Lowell Street was built by them for a meeting-house, and occupied for several years, un- til the establishment of a Methodist Church and so- ciety at the new city of Lawrence drew off a portion of the members, and so weakened the society in Methuen that it was thought advisable to sell the huilding. After the sale of the meeting-house no regular religious ser- vices were held in Methuen by that denomination until 1853 or 1854, when a reorganization was effected, and religious services were held in the library room in the town hall. As the society increased in num- bers, more commodious quarters were needed, and the society held their meetings in the town hall until 1871, when the present meeting-house was built at the junction of Lowell and Pelham Streets. John Barnes, of Lawrence, was the first pastor after the re- organization, and since then the pastors have been as follows :

Rev. Charles Young, from .Inne, 1856, to April, 1857. Rev. Elijah Mason, from April, 1857, to April, 1858. Rov. Nathaniel L. Chase, from April, 1858, to May, 1859. Rev. John L. Trefren, from May, 1859, to April, 1861. Rev. Charles R. Harding, from April, 1861, to April, 1862. Rev. Joshua B. Holman, frem April, 1862, to April, 1864. Rev. William HIewes, from April, 1864, to April, 1865. Rov. Nelson Green, from April, 1865, to April, 18GG. Rev. Larnard L. Eastman, from April, 1866, to April, 1869. Rev. James Noyes, from April, 1869, to April, 1872. Rev. Georgo I. Judkins, from April, 1872 to April, 1875. Rev. Charles A. Cressy, from April, 1875, to April, 1877. Rev. S. C. Farnham, from April, 1877, to April, 1879. Rev. J. W. Walker, from April, 1879, to April, 1881. Rev. O. S. Baketel, from April, 1881, to April, 1884. Rev. H. H. French, from April, 1884, to April, 1886. Rev. Alexander MeGregor, from April, 1886.

The church numbers one hundred and thirty-two members.

In 1833, or thereabout, there was an Episcopal Church formed in Methuen. It seems to have had a short existence as an organized body, and little can be learned about it, except that it held its meetings in " Wilson's Hall." In 1878 another Episcopal Church was organized under the name of St. Thomas'

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Church, and a church-building erected on Broadway near Lawrence line. The membership is largely com- posed of residents of Lawrence.

The first rector was Rev. Belno A. Brown, whose energy and zeal contributed much to the success of the new church. The present rector is Rev. Thomas De Learsy.

The Catholics have a large and prosperous branch of that church in Methuen. For many years there have been a large number of persons in the town, holding that faith, who attended church in Lawrence. In January, 1878, a movement was made by leading Catholics in Methuen, and approved by Father Gil- more, then Parish Priest in Lawrence, to establish religious services. The Town Hall was engaged, and has been occupied for that purpose on Sundays ever since. Father Marsden officiated from the beginning until his death nearly two years afterwards.

The pastors who succeeded him have been Father O'Farrell, about one year; Father Riley, abont two years ; Father O'Connell, about two years ; Father Rowan, about two years; and Father Murphy, who is the present pastor. The congregation numbers about four hundred persons.

Methuen has her full share of social and charitable organizations.

Grecian Lodge, F. A. A. M., was formed in Methuen December 14, 1825, and seems to have prospered until the Anti-Masonic excitement overspread the country. In consequence of this it surrendered its charter in 1838. The lodge reorganized in 1847 under the old charter, but within the limits of Lawrence. Methuen Masons associated themselves with the old lodge until 1860, when John Hancock Lodge was constituted. It holds its meetings in "Currier's Building," where it has a cosey well-furnished lodge-room, and num- bers about one hundred and fifty members.

Hope Lodge of Odd-Fellows was instituted in 1844, and for a time held its meetings in " Currier's Build- ing." It surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge in 1855. The lodge was reinstated in 1869, and since that time has flourished. It has pleasant rooms, well- furnished, in Dodge's Building, and numbers about one hundred and forty members.

A branch of the Royal Arcanum was established here in December, 1877. It commenced with a mem- bership of twenty, and now has eighty-five. It holds its meetings in Corliss' Hall, and seems to be a pros- perous society-if we can call an Insurance Associa- tion of that size prosperous, which has had only one death among its members for ten years.

The United Order of the Pilgrim Fathers also have a strong organization in Methuen. It was formed March 15, 1879, and numbers abont one hundred members. They hold their meetings in the hall of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Wm. B. Green Post 100, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, was organized in February, 1877, and has seventy- four members. It has one of the finest Grand Army

halls in the region, tastefully finished and elegantly furnished. As the Grand Army is composed only of veterans in the late war, the post cannot expect to in- crease much in numbers, but the zeal and interest of its members seem in nowise to diminish as time goes on.

In 1873 Minerva Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, I. O. of O. F., was instituted. It numbers about ninety members.

The "Home Circle," numbering about fifty mem- bers, was organized in May, 1880. They hold their meetings in the hall of the Grand Army of the Re- public.

A branch of the " United Order of Workmen " was organized January 25, 1886, and has thirty-one mem- bers. They meet in the ball of the G. A. R.

The Knights of Labor have a strong and well or- ganized association in Methuen, and hold their meet- ings in Corliss' Hall.

Methuen does not appear to have been behind other towns of like population and wealth in efforts for literary culture and entertainment. About 1819 a society was formed called the "Addison Literary Society," for purposes of mental culture and improve- ment. We have been informed by Robert S. Rantoul, Esq., of Salem, that two or three years after, princi- pally through the efforts of Timothy Claxton, an English mechanic and machinist in the cotton mill, this society was transformed into what was afterwards known as a lyceum. And there is some reason to suppose that this was the beginning of the "lyceum" in this country. This society flourished nearly or quite twenty years, had a small library and erected a building in which to hold meetings on Broadway Street near Park Street. But after awhile, a sinfnl desire for dramatic entertainment entered into the minds of some of its members, and the acting of far- ces and short plays to some extent took the place of the sober discussions of great questions which formed the staple of the earlier exercises. The sober, sub- stantial people of the town looked on more in sorrow than in anger, and refused to countenance such loose and immoral practices. From this time on the socie- ty declined and fell, and utter ruin overtook it with the performance of Richard III by some of its mem- bers.

The building was sold and removed to the west side of the river and converted into a dwelling-house, now owned and occupied by Hon. James O. Parker. For many years courses of lectures were given almost ev- ery winter, and sometimes a debating club was organ- ized, until the easy access to Lawrence made it possi- ble for Methuen people to attend entertainments there almost as easily as at home.

In 1873, and every year thereafter until 1887, the town voted that the proceeds received from dog li- censes should be devoted to the purchase of a public library. From this small beginning the number of volumes increased year by year until in 1886 a library

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of about twenty-five hundred well selected volumes was collected, which was much used by the people of the town, until the Nevins Memorial Library was opened to the public-January 1, 1887.

There is nothing in Methuen in which the citizens take so much pride, and for which they are so grate- ful, as the Nevins Memorial. The design of this in- stitution is so well stated in the "Note by the Trus- tees," published in the catalogue of the library, that we quote it entire :

"The Nevins Memorial was founded in memory of the late David Nevins, who was born in Salem, N. H., Dec. 12, 1809, and was brought to Methuen by his parents at an early age, and passed here the years of his childhood. Io bis later years he assumed the duties of a citizen, and here at the family homestead he was seized with the illness which, on the 19th of March, 1881, noexpectedly closed his active and useful career.

"Desiring to promote the intellectual and moral well being of the cominuoity whose material interests had been so greatly advanced by bis husidess sagacity and energy, it was his expressed intention to found, during his lifetime, an institution similar in scope to that of this Memo- rial. His sudden decease prevented bis execution of this design, butthe purpose be had declared wasat once taken up by his widow and sons, and the Nevins Memorial Building was erected upon the site chosen and purcbesed for that use some years before his death. The building was planned and its construction supervised by Mr. Samuel J. F. Thayer, architect, of Boston ; ground for its erection being broken March 27, 1883, and the completed structure first opened to the public June 11, 1884. It contains a public hall, ample in size and beautiful in decora- tion, a library, waiting and reading rooms, well adapted to their respec- tive uses, and suitable rooms for the trustees and librarian. The gov- ernment of the Memorial is vested in a board of seven trustees, five of whom, Mrs. Eliza S. Nevins and Messra. David Nevins, Heory C. Nevins, Jacob Emerson and John H. Morse, were incorporated by the Massachu- setts legislature of 1885 as permanent members. The two additional members are chosen by the town of Methuen for the term of two years, Dr. George E. Woodbury and James Ingails being the present elective members.

"When experience shall have shown what amount is needed for the proper maintenance of the Memorial, it is the design of the founders to make an endowment sufficient to reader it entirely self-supporting. The library comprises nearly ten thousand volumes of standard works, care- fully selected, and covering a wide range of general literature and spe- cial topics. To Miss Ames was intrusted its entire organization, includ- ing the selection of the books, the details of classification and arrange- nient, and the preparation of the catalogue.

" We feel conbdent that the result of her labors will not only facili- tate the use of the library for general readers, but will be found of par- ticular advantage to those pursuing a systematic course of reading, or engaged in special studies. The end crowns the work."

The building is of brick, with freestone trimmings, of beautiful architectural design, and built in the most substantial manner. Every foundation wall and pier rests upon the solid rock, and the walls are ex- ceptionally strong and heavy.

The building is finished in oak throughout, and all the ornamentation, within and without, is in the most exquisite taste, No expense was spared to make it a perfect work, according to the designs of the found- ers. The library, selected and arranged by Miss Har- riet H. Ames, is admirahly well chosen, and the cata- logue, also arranged and prepared by her, is a well- nigh perfect specimen of the art of cataloguing. It is in two volumes, of nearly five hundred pages each, and is an encyclopedia in itself. The following in. scription on the front of the building explains the purpose of the founders :

" This Hall and Library erected aod endowed hy Eliza S. Nevins, his widow and by David and Henry C. Nevins, his children, is a memorial of David Nevina, Born 1809. Died 1881."

About three and a half acres of land surrounding the building have been set apart and tastefully laid out and ornamented with rare trees and shrubs. And all this beautiful and costly estate is placed in the hands of trustees, and is to be endowed with a fund to make it self-supporting, for the benefit of the in- habitants of Methuen in all coming time. Surely no more noble or lasting tribute could have been paid to the memory of a beloved husband and father, and no benevolence could have been made wider in its scope or more far-reaching in its influence. The in- tellectual growth and culture resulting from the use of this library and reading-room will only begin to be seen in this generation ; the best results can never be known to those who have established this noble beneficence.

The beautiful and well-kept grounds will be an educator of no small influence, and many a home will be made pleasanter and more attractive from the example there perpetually shown.

The interest already manifested by the young peo- ple of the town in the use of the library, and the average high character of the books most sought for, must be to the generous founders a most pleasing feature of the opening of the library to the public.

The first newspaper published in Methuen was the Iris, which was removed here from Haverhill in 1833. It was supposed to have been printed as a campaign paper in the interest of Caleb Cushing, and was soon discontinued. The next newspaper was the Methuen Falls Gazette, which was first issued January 2, 1835, by S. Jameson Varney. It was " neutral in politics " and not published many years.

The Methuen Transcript and Essex Farmer was es- tablished in 1876 by C. L. Houghton & Co., and edited by Charles E. Trow, who soon after hecame its proprietor, and continued to edit the paper until it passed into the hands of Fred. A. Lowell, Esq., its present editor and publisher. It is a weekly paper of excellent moral tone, published every Friday, and the only newspaper now published in Methuen.

The Methuen Enterprise was established by Daniel A. Rollins March 6, 1880, and published by him till his death, March 25, 1882, and was a bright, readable, spicy sheet.

After his death it was purchased by Sellers Bros., and published by them until September, 1883, when it was merged in the Lawrence Eagle.

In 1826 or '27 a small fire-engine, the " Tiger," was bought, one-half the cost being paid by the Methuen Company, and the other half by Major Osgood, John Davis, Thomas Thaxter, George A. Waldo and J. W.

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Carleton. Thomas Thaxter was the first foreman. There is no evidence that the town had auy concern in its management. This was the ouly protection against fire until 1846, when the selectmen were authorized to purchase a new fire-engine and hose, and erect a house. This engine (The Spiggot) was mauned by an active and efficient company, and did good service till 1870, when the steamer E. A. Straw, was purchased and the Spiggot laid aside.

Methuen now has an excellent fire department ; the E. A. Straw Company of seventeen men, and the Mystic Hose Company of ten meu, organized in 1878, all well trained and efficient.

In addition to this there are iron pipes laid through the principal streets, and connected with the power- ful engines of the Methuen Company, through which water can be forced, over the principal portion of the village, in case of fire.

One of the first things done by the old settlers was to lay ont a place to bury their dead. In 1828 the town voted "that there should be a graveyard pro- vided in the town, somewhere near the meeting- house," and chose William Whittier and Joshua Swan to measure and bound out the said graveyard.

Their report to the town describes the lot as fol- lows :- " Beginning with a small pine tree marked with the letter B, thence running southerly to a pine stump marked with B, twenty rods in length ; thence to a pine tree marked with a B, northeasterly about six or seven rods in width, and so to another pine tree marked with a B, northwesterly about twenty rods, and so to the bounds first mentioned." This was un- doubtedly the north end of the " old burying-ground" on Meeting-House Hill. In 1803 it was enlarged " on the south side," and a hearse was purchased " for the more convenient solemnization of funerals."

In 1772, the Selectmen were ordered to lay out a burying-ground in the west part of the town. They laid ont one-fourth of an acre, on land given for the purpose by Richard Whittier. The lot was after- wards enlarged, and, as the ground became occupied, it was again enlarged in 1876.

The burial-ground on Lawrence Street was por- chased and laid out about 1830.

These three burial-places comprise those owned by the town, and are now but little used.

Walnut Grove Cemetery was laid out by an asso- ciation of individuals, in 1853. It is situated on the high land overlooking the village on the west side, and is a place of much natural beauty, which has been greatly increased by tastefnl arrangement of the grounds, and beautiful memorials erected to the dead.

BUSINESS .- The Town of Methuen was at first almost exclusively an agrienltnral community. Still there is reason to believe that there was a variety of occupations in the town at an early day. There are traditions of 'coopers, tanners, hatters, shoemakers, morocco-dressers, and there is mention of "Iron

works" on the Spicket, in that part of Methuen now withiu the limits of Lawrence. Probably there were persons in the town to make almost everything required for use by the inhabitants. There was no village, and these mechanics were scattered over the town, and at first probably found small market for their products outside of the community immediately around them. The farmers were so far from market that their money incomes must have been very small. They depended on the city of Salem as a market for their produce, and their wood and timber was rafted to Newburyport. Hemp and flax perhaps found a market to some extent in Londonderry.

These places were the only outlets of importance for their surplus products, until after the city of Lowell was founded, when everything, except wood, was carried there, and the farmers found the new market greatly for their advantage. Lowell con- tinned to be the principal market for agricultural products, until the building of Lawrence furnished a more convenient and, in some respects, better market than Lowell, and gave the farmers of Methuen as good facilities for the successful cultivation of the land as can be found in any part of New England. Nevertheless, it is a curious fact that the population of Methuen, outside of the village, is no larger now than at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. It is even doubtful if there is a much greater acreage of cleared land now than at that time. It is not to be supposed, however, that there are no more farmers now than then, or that the value of the agriculture of the town is no greater than it was a century ago. The system of farming is entirely changed, and the product of a single acre now frequently has a greater value than the entire crop of a large farm in the olden time.

From the old traditions, we should jndge that the manufacture of hats has been carried on in Methuen from a very early date. There are several places pointed out in the east part of the town, as the site of ancient hatters' shops. The work was done entirely by hand, no doubt in a small way at first, and half a dozen men or less could carry on the whole business of a shop. Within the memory of many hatters now living, the manufacture was done entirely in this way. But, with the introduction of machinery, the business has been concentrated into a few factories, by which the production has largely increased. Nearly all the hats now made in the town, are manufactured at the factories of James Ingalls and J. Milton Tenney.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 211

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