History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 23

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 23

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

idiosyncrasies. The Nantucket Lyceum, one of the very earliest, incorporated by a special charter ap- proved February 12, 1827, at once took steps for the gathering of a museum of local industry, by issuing a printed call to whalemen, urging them to neglect no opportunity for bringing home specimens illustrative of their venturesome and romantic calling and giving them directions as to the best known means of secur- ing and preserving them. The Worcester Lyceum made the common law of business a special topic for instruction, and organized classes in chemistry, his- tory, geography and practical mechanics. Many of the Lyceums anticipated the functions of village im- provement clubs, embellishing, with shade-trees, the roads and lanes, beautifying the borders of lakes and streams, opening vistas and caring for the village green. And one at Williamstown, if the journals of the day may be trusted, attempted the introduction of a new industry and undertook the planting, in the spring of 1830, of twelve thousand white mulberry trees at its own cost.

Such were the early Lyceums of Massachusetts, and Essex County contained between a fourth and a third of the whole number, when, in February, 1831, Mr. Secretary Vose, of Topsfield, presented the best re- port made by any county to the first gathering of the Massachusetts Lyceum at the State House in Boston. With a brief review of the doings of the State and National Lyceums this paper may fitly close.

The first movement looking towards the organiza- tion of a State Lyceum in Massachusetts took place at the Exchange Coffee-House in Boston, November 7, 1828. Daniel Webster filled the chair and en- dorsed the scheme, and George B, Emerson was secre- tary. Josiah Holbrook reported progress. Edward Everett pledged his support and urged that books and apparatus quite beyond the reach of single per- sons, could be owned and made of general use by Ly- ceums. The meeting adjourned for one week, and met again at the same place for the report of its com- mittee on the present condition and needs of the Lyceum system, when Edward Everett was called to the chair, and after, discussion, another adjournment for one week was had. At the last meeting Dr. Charles Lowell took the chair and an elaborate re- port was submitted and adopted after debate, and laid before the people of the State, setting forth very forci- bly and plainly the purposes and advantages of the Lyceum and urging general attention to its claims. The movement had the endorsement, also, of Henry Ware, then acting president of Harvard College, of Alexander H. Everett, and of other names hardly less conspicuous and influential, but it lacked the vital energy of the town Lyceums.

Later in the same winter, February 6, 1829, a meet- ing of members of the Legislature and others inter- ested, was held at the Representatives' Hall, resolu- tions voted and given to the public, and a committee raised to collect and report information on Lyceums

in the commonwealth. This report was made at an adjourned meeting at the same place, February 19, 1830, at which Governor Lincoln presided. It re- commended, through Alexander H. Everett, its chair- man, the formation of town and village Lyceums and of county Lyceums as an outgrowth and supplement to these, defined and described their objects, urged teachers to join them, proposed a State Lyceum, ap- pointed a State Central Committee, including many of the foremost names in Massachusetts, upon which Essex County was represented by Stephen C. Phillips, Rufus Choate, Benjamin Greenleaf, William Thorn - dike, Gayton P. Osgood, Alonzo Lewis and others, re- commended the Lyceums to co-operate in the pro- posed survey by Colonel James Stevens for a map of Massachusetts, proposed a scientific and practical ex- amination of the resources of each town, gave a defi- nition of the Lyceum as "a voluntary association of persons for mutual improvement," sent out a circular letter, with a promise of others, and urged in return a general response in the form of systematic reports from all the Lyceums in Massachusetts.

In consequence of this action the Massachusetts State Lyceum was organized February 25, 1831, and of this Alexander H. Everett was president and Jo- siah Holbrook secretary. Dr. James Walker, Hon. John Davis and Judge White were among its vice- presidents. It arranged for an elaborate lecture course at the State House during the annual session of the Legislature, with a most exhaustive catalogue of sub- jects and a most distinguished list of speakers, includ- ing Judge Jackson, Horace Mann, Theodore Sedg- wick and James Savage. Its first anniversary meet- ing was held at the State House, February 1st, 2d and 6th, 1832, the president in the chair and Stephen C. Phillips, of Salem, secretary. It appeared that the twenty-six towns in Essex County supported twenty- three Lyceums, a record quite in advance of any other section of the country. Salem had the largest Lyceum in the State, numbering twelve hundred members. That at Newton ranked next, and after Newton came Newburyport, with four hundred and fifty, and Glou- cester with four hundred. Haverhill with three hun- dred and fifty, was amongst the largest. Timothy Claxton took part in this meeting in an effort to show how Lyceums might be of service to struggling inven- tors in perfecting their designs and models. At the next meeting of the State Lyceum, which proved to be its last, held February 20, 1833, Dr. Gannett and Rev. John Pierpont appear among the speakers. But the efforts of all these good men and true were unable to save it longer.

The National Lyceum did not succeed much better. Organized in the United States Court Room in the City Hall at New York, May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 1831, in ac- cordance with a call issued January 13, by the State Lyceum of New York, sitting at Utica on its first gathering, the National Lyceum of America proceeded to adopt a constitution based upon the representation

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MISCELLANEOUS.

of local Lyceums, each State and territory to send not less than three delegates, and not more than half its number of members in Congress. This body elected Hon. Stephen van Rensselaer, of Albany, N. Y., as its president, and Hon. Edward Everett and Hon. Thomas S. Grimke, of South Carolina were two of its five vice-presidents. It issued the usual appeals for support ; commended to the aid of local Lycenms the work of Colonel James Stevens, an eminent engineer, then engaged in Massachusetts on the first State topo- graphical map produced in the country ; called for the establishment of normal schools ; questioned the poli- cy of retaining Latin and Greek in the advanced schools as a required study ; urged the introduction of the natural sciences ; and, after much labor of a more formal character, adjonrned for a twelve-month. Its next meeting was in the Aldermen's Room in the City Hall at New York. May 4, 5, 6, 7, 1832, and here it was honored with the presence of an ex-president of the Spanish Cortes, of Zavala and Salgada, two Mexican ex-governors, and of Fortique, a representa- tive in the Congress of Venezuela, as well as at other times of the consul-general of Colombia, the Prussian Envoy, an Armenian essayist from Constantinople, an Athenian professor, and a philosopher from London. It met again May 3, 4, 5, 6, 1833, in the same place, and elected President Dner of Columbia College its presiding officer. It recommended a uniform system of meteorological observations, amongst the Lyceums of the country ; the introduction of vocal music and man- ual labor in the common schools; commended Audu- bon's great work on the birds of America ; heard let- ters from several leading personages in the West In- dies and the Central American States, as well as in various parts of the Union, and urged the formation in New York of a National Cabinet of Natural History, to be made up of contributions from local Lyceums. At a meeting in the same place, May 2, 3, 5, 1834, Massachusetts made a good report throngh Hon. Wm. B. Calhonn, and the state of education in Cuba, Po- land and Mexico were considered. It was voted to print an essay on the North American Indians by Schoolcraft, and a text-book on Constitutional Juris- prudence, furnished by President Duer. In May, 1835, the annual meeting was again held in New York, and the teaching of political economy and the fine arts in the public schools was advocated. John Pickering's researches in the dialects of the North American tribes were highly commended. Signs of approach- ing dissolution hegan to manifest themselves. At the meeting of May 6, 7, 9, 1836, at the same place, Dr. Howe, of Massachusetts, explained his method of educating the blind, and New Grenada reported the purchase, at government cost, of twenty thousand slates and two hundred thousand slate-pencils ! Hol- brook proposed supplying every one of the eleven thousand counties in the United States with a cabinet of minerals of its own, furnished through the system of Lycenm exchange. In May, 1837, the annnal meet-

ing was held in Philadelphia. The disposal of the surplus revenue was discussed and Espy's theory of storms was commended, with a request to the local Lyceums to report their weather observations to Espy. Government was memorialized in favor of a weather bureau. Holbrook now produced his twelve-page prospectus of a "Universal Lyceum," with Henry Brougham at its head, a list of fifty-two vice-presi- dents, one for every week in the year, taken from all the nations of the earth, and one hundred and thirty- nine secretaries, besides Josiah Holbrook, who is styled "Actnary." The declared objects were "the diffusion of knowledge over our globe," and "the ex- change of shells, minerals and plants." The meeting of 1838 was held at the free church in Hartford, Con- necticut, and sat hut one day, May 15. Common- school matters occupied it largely, bnt it found time to consider also the questions of international copy- right and the improvement and embellishment oť towns and villages. It complains of lack of funds and finds the American Institute of Instruction a growing competitor. It met once more; this time at New York again, May 3, 4, 5, 1839 ; fifty-five delegates were pre- sent, but none from Massachusetts. It proposed a convention to sit for one week from November 22d, at Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, just before the session of Congress, in order to influence that body in applying the Smithson Legacy, and also in favor of selling the public lands for educational purposes. It proposed to call for educational statistics in the next decennial census, and finally it proposed a Gen- eral National Convention of the whole Union to sit at Washington, D. C., in May, 1840. These never met, and so ended all but what survived in the town Ly- ceums, and possibly here and there a scattered county organization, of the Lyceum system of Josiah Hol- brook. This remarkable man seems to have died as he had lived, reaching out for more than he could grasp. His lifeless body was fonnd floating in a stream near Lynchburg, Va., May 24, 1854, and there was reason to believe that in clambering alone np the rugged bluff to secure some rare mineral specimen or delicate flower of which he was in search, he had missed his footing, and so lost his life. Few in any age have shown more unselfish devotion to a noble idea, and what he really did, however it may have fallen short of what he hoped, is monnment enough for any man.

CHAPTER VI.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Agricultural-Medical-Railroads.

ESSEX AGRIGULTURAL SOCIETY.1-The idea of the formation of this society originated with Col. Timothy Pickering, who, at the head of forty men, made the

1 By Benjamin P. Ware.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

first armed resistance to British forces, February 28th, 1775, at North Bridge, Salem. He called a meeting of farmers, and other inhabitants of Essex County, at Cyrus Cummings' tavern in Topsfield, Monday, the 16th of February, 1818. Ichabod Tucker was chosen moderator, and Daniel Cummings, secretary ; these, with John Adams, Paul Kent and Elisha Mack, were appointed a committee to report a plan of organiza- tion.

Timothy Pickering was chosen president, and Wil- liam Bartlett, Dr. Thomas Kittredge, John Heard and Ichabod Tucker, vice-presidents, Leverett Sal- tonstall, secretary, and Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland, treasurer.

Timothy Pickering was annually chosen president, for ten years to 1829; Frederick Howes, four years, from 1829 to 1833; Ebenezer Mosely, three years, from 1833 to 1836; James H. Duncan, three years, from 1836 to 1839; Joseph Kittridge, two years, from 1839 to 1841; Leverett Saltonstall, four years, from 1841 to 1845; John W. Proctor, seven years, from 1845 to 1852; Moses Newell, four years, from 1852 to 1856; Richard S. Fay, two years, from 1856 to 1858 ; Daniel Adams, two years, from 1858 to 1860; Allen IV. Dodge, three years, from 1860 to 1863; Joseph How, two years, from 1863 to 1865; William Sutton, nine years, from 1865 to 1874; and Benjamin P. Ware, thirteen years, from 1874 to 1887, now holding the office.

The secretaries and treasurers of the society have been as follows :-

SECRETARIES.

David Cummings 1818-19.

Allen W. Dodge. 1844-60.

Frederick Howes 1819-20.

Charles P. Preston .... .. 1860-85.

John W. Proctor. 1820-42.

David W. Low .1885-

Daniel P. King ... 1842-44.

(Now in office.)

TREASURERS.

Ichabod Tucker .1818,

William Sutton 1841-56.

Daniel A. White. 1819-23.

Edward II. Payson. 185G-81.

Benj. R. Nichols 1823-25.

Gilbert L. Streeter, .1881-

Benj. Merrill. 1825-28.

(Now in office.)

Andrew Nichols 1828-41.

There has been a carefully prepared address deliv- ered before the society, at its annual meeting, every year since its organization, except the five years be- tween 1823 and 1829. These addresses have been de- livered in every instance by a citizen of the county, invited by a vote of the trustees, and have been pub- lished in the transactions of the society, and form a valuable part of the agricultural literature of the so- ciety. Col. Timothy Pickering delivered the first ad- dress in 1818, and again in February, 1820. The others were as follows :-

Andrew Nichols, in October, 1820. Rev. Abiel Abbott, in 1821. Rov. Peter Eaton, in 1822. Hon. Frederick Ilowes, in 1823. Col. Pickering, ugnin in 1829. Hon. James H. Duncan, In 1830. Rev. Henry Colman, in 1831. Rov. Gardnor B. Perry, in 1832. Dr. Jeremiah Spofford, In 1833.

Hon. Ebenozer Moseley, in 1834. Hon. Daniel P. King, in 1835. Hon. Nathan W. Ilazen, in 1836. Rev. Nathaniel Gage, in 1837. Rev. Leonard Withington, in 1838. Rev. Allea Putnam, in 1839. llon. Ashael Huntington, in 1840. Alonzo Gray, A. M., in 1841. Ilon. Allen W. Dodge, in 1842.

Ifon. Leverett Sultonstall, in 1843. Hon. John W. Proctor, in 1844. Rov. Edwin M. Stone, in 1845. Hon. Moses Newell, in 184G. Thomas E. Payson, Esq., in 1847. Josiah Newell, Esq., in 1848. Ilon. Asa T. Newhall, in 1849. Hon Caleb Cushing, in 1850. Rev. Milton P. Braman, in 1851. llon. Henry K. Oliver, in 1852. Hon. Joseph S. Cabot, in 1853. IIon. R. S. Fay, io 1854. Dr. Janiss R. Nichols, in 1855. Ben. Perley Poore, Esq., in 1856. Dr. E G. Kelly, In 1857. Dr. Geo. B. Loring, in 1858. Edward Everett, in 1858. HIon. J. J. II. Gregory, in 1859. Rev. John L. Russell, in 1860. Hon. Alfred A. Abbott, in 1861. Geo. J. L. Colby, Esq., in 1862. Hon. Daniel Saunders, in 1863. Ilon. Darwin E. Ware, in 1864.

Nathaniel Cleavlaud, Esq., in 1865. Hon. Otis P. Lord, in 1866. Rev. R. H. Seeley, D.D., in 1867. Dr. Geo. B. Loring, again in 1868. Benjamin P. Ware, Esq., in 1869. Hon. Benj. F. Butler, in 1870. Hon. Jossph S. How, in 1871. Hon. Wm. D. Northend, in 1872. Rev. Charles B. Rice, in 1873. Jobn L. Shorey, Esq., in 1874. Rev. Dr. E. C. Bolles, io 1875. Cyrus M. Tracy, in 1876. Rev. O. S. Butler, in 1877. T. C. Thurlow, Esq., in 1878. Dr. Geo. B. Loring, again in 1879. David W. Low, Esq., in 1880. Dr. James R. Nichols, again in 1881. Francis H. Appleton, Esq., in 1882. HIon. Chas. P. Thompson, in 1883. Asa T. Newhall, in 1884. Thomas Saunders, in 1885. Rev. John D. Kingsbury, in 1886. Dr. William Cogswell, in 1887.

In connection with these addresses, fifteen original hymns, odes and songs, have been sung by selected choirs, and published in the transactions. There have also been published in the transactions of the society, (67) sixty-seven prize essays upon various subjects connected with agriculture, for which has been paid premiums varying from eight to twenty- five dollars each ; also (49) forty-nine prize reports of committees ; premiums paid for these from six dol- lars to ten dollars ; in addition there have been pub- lished (626) six hundred and twenty-six extended re- ports of committees, containing original ideas and suggestions, each filling from one to ten pages of printed matter.

These addresses, essays and reports contain the best thoughts, the broadest experiences and wisest sug- gestions of the most prominent farmers and profes- sional men of Essex County, in the last sixty five years, and make up, principally, the agricultural lit- erature of the county.

The Essex Agricultural Society, unlike all others in the State, owns no grounds, including a trotting track and show buildings; it has no local abidiug place. But instead, owns a tent, some portable cattle pens, twelve hundred exhibition fruit dishes, an expe- rimental farm of one hundred and fifty acres, which brings an income of from three hundred to five hun- dred dollars per annum, besides conducting such ex- periments as are required by the committee having that matter in charge. A library of eight hundred volumes of valuable books for reference and study, and funds invested in bank stock, the market value of which is $17,119.83.

This society needs no trotting track, for it never paid a dollar for speed since its organization ; or for any other attraction, nor allows any on its grounds, except of a purely agricultural or horticultural char- acter, which must be grown or owned within the county. Domestic manufactures and works of art from citizens of the county receive the encourage- ment of the society. All stock competing for a pre-

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MISCELLANEOUS.

mium must be owned in the county at least four months previous. Agricultural implements, from any source, are admitted for competition; no entrance fees required from any competitor for premiums. The whole of the exhibitions are open, free to the public, except for admission to the exhibition hall, where twenty cents is charged. An average sum of three thousand dollars has been offered in premiums annnally for the last ten years, and since its organi- zation the society has, as near as cau be ascertained, awarded in premiums and gratuities an aggregate of $48,727.54. In addition, the society has supported three scholarships at the Massachusetts Agricultural College through the entire course of four years, at fifty dollars each per year, and for three years had a premium of one hundred dollars offered for the best prepared student, who shall enter the college from Essex County and continne through the four years' course.

This society holds its annual exhibitions in differ- ent parts of the county where most needed and where suitable accommodations can be provided. Since its organization, it has held its shows at Danvers, ten times; Lawrence, seven times; six each at Lynn, Topsfield, Haverhill and Newburyport; five times at Georgetown and Salem; four times at Gloucester; three each at Andover and Ipswich ; two at Peabody ; one at Newbury; and two others in doubt. This so- ciety has held, since required by the State Board of Agriculture, 1879, forty-eight institutes in different parts of the county where most wanted. At each meeting two sessions have been held, with a large at- tendance, and the subjects selected discussed with much interest and satisfaction to the farming com- munity, resulting in promulgating much practical knowledge and a growing interest in the farm. Two trials of mowing machines and other machines for making hay, have been organized and conducted by the society, and two of plows and other implements for cultivating crops, each proved of great value to the farmers and were a complete success. The whole number of members since its organization is twenty- nine hundred and eighty-six; the present number now living is fifteen hundred and eight.

The society publishes annnally an edition of from fifteen hundred to two thousand copies of its transac- tions, containing from one hundred and twenty to two hundred and twenty pages, for distribution among its members and others.

The transactions published since the society's or- ganization make in the aggregate eighty-seven hun- dred and sixty-one pages of valuable and interesting reading matter, and which are no inconsiderable part of the agricultural literature of the State.

ESSEX SOUTH DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY. - This is one of the oldest of the district societies that form the Massachusetts Medical Society. It was organized November 4, 1805, by ten physicians, who met at the Sun Tavern, in Salem ; Dr. Edward Ang-

ustus Holyoke president and Dr. John Dexter Tread- well secretary. It consists of those members of the Massachusetts Medical Society who reside in Lynn, Swampscott, Nahant, Saugus, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Salem, Peabody, Danvers, Middleton, Beverly, Wen- ham, Topsfield, Ipswich, Hamilton, Essex, Manches- ter, Rockport, Gloucester.

Its meetings are held every six weeks, either in Salem or Lynn, except occasionally during the sum- mer months, in other towns within the district. At these meetings written papers are read and oral com- munications are made, giving an account of interest- ing cases that have occurred in their practice.

The Library, which was established by a vote of the society at its first meeting, contains about twenty-five hundred volumes. The books from the libraries of the late Drs. E. A. Holyoke, A. D. Pierson and Samuel Johnson compose a large portion and are very valua- ble additions. The circulation is limited to members of the society. The library is deposited in Plummer Hall, Salem.

THE ESSEX NORTH DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY was organized November 3, 1841. An application had been previously made to the Massachusetts Medical Society and granted by that body for the formation of the fellows of that Society practicing in Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Bradford, Georgetown, Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, Row- ley, Salisbury and West Newbury into an association to be entitled the Essex North District Medical So- ciety. At the date above mentioned Dr. Jonathan G. Johnson, of Newburyport, was chosen president; Dr. Rufus Longley, of Haverhill, vice-president; Dr. F. V. Noyes, of Newburyport, secretary ; Dr. Isaac Boyd, of West Newbury, treasurer; and Dr. J. Spofford, of Groveland, librarian. The Society chooses annually eight counsellors, and these in connection with the counsellors of other district societies in the State constitute the Board of Counsellors of the Massa- chusetts Medical Society. Five censors are also chosen annnally, who examine applicants for admis- sion as to character and professional qualifications, and the consent of three censors is necessary for ad- mission.

Stated meetings are held quarterly. The annual meeting is held at Haverhill on the first Wednesday in May, at which officers for the year are chosen, and other meetings in August, November and February at such places as may be from time to time deter- mined.

BOSTON AND MAINE RAILROAD extends from Boston to Portland, Me., a distance of 115.50 miles. This road was originally organized as the Andover and Wilmington Railroad Company. It took its pre- sent name in 1839. This company is now the largest railroad corporation in New England. Its leased lines in Essex County are as follows : Eastern Rail- road, chartered April 14, 1836; Danvers Railroad; Lowell and Andover; Newburyport ; West Amesbury ;

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Chelsea Beach ; Newburyport City ; and Boston and Lowell and branches. President, George C. Lord ; General Manager, James T. Furber.

BOSTON, REVERE BEACH AND LYNN RAILROAD extends from East Boston to Lynn, along Revere Beach. It was chartered May 23, 1874, and was

opened July 29, 1875. It does a large summer busi- ness. Gauge three feet. Honorable Edwin Walden, of Lynn, is president. .

Boston, Winthrop and Shore Railroad extends from Point Shirley to Point of Pines. Honorable Edwin Walden, president.

THE

HISTORY OF ESSEX CO., MASSACHUSETTS.

CITIES AND TOWNS.

CHAPTER I. SALEM.

INTRODUCTORY.

BY REV. GEORGE BATCHELOR.

THE writer of this introductory chapter is released from the ordinary duties and responsibilities of the chroniclers whose work he prefaces with some general views of the various epochs of the history of Salem. The careful precision as to names, dates and the order of events required of them must here give place to general views, rapid sketches and such characterization of men and times as may be ex- pected of the essayist rather than the historian.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 23

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