History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 65

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 65

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Other contemporary families of the colonial and pro- vincial periods might be named of equal or superior distinction in the history of Salem, actuated by a like public spirit and not less zealous in promoting the higher interests of the town as well as its com- mercial prosperity, as Pickman, Orne, Curwen, Hig- ginson, Cabot, Pynchon, Oliver, Lynde, Turner, English and others.

THE SALEM ATHENEUM was incorporated in March, 1810. Its conception was suggested undoubt- edly by the Boston Athenæum, organized some three years earlier. The charters of the two institutions are in many respects similar, the leading objects of both being the promotion of literature, the arts and sciences. The founders of the Salem Athenaeum were actuated by high motives, and laid a broad basis for future operations, commencing at first with a library, and trusting to the future for the further extension of their views and plans. To this end they purchased the Social and Philosophical Libraries.

THE SOCIAL LIBRARY .- This reminds us of the Social Evening Club, composed of the leading spirits of the town, which flourished during the middle of the last century, and was wont to hold its meetings weekly at the Tavern House of Mrs. Pratt, to discuss the topics of the day, especially those of a literary or scientific character. The following are understood to have been members : Benjamin Lynde and Nathaniel Ropes, both of the bench of the Superior Court of the Province, the former, as well as his father, its chief justice ; William Browne, judge of the Superior Court, afterwards Governor of Bermuda; Andrew Oliver, judge of the Common Pleas; Rev. Thomas Barnard, of the First Church; Dr. E. A. Holyoke, a young physician ; Stephen Higginson, Benjamin Pickman and Timothy Orne, merchants; William Pynchon, an eminent lawyer, and others. A taste for literature and knowledge, and a zeal in the prosecution of sci- entific studies, were thus imparted to this community, of which the imprints can be distinctly traced through our subsequent history. The first movement in this

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direction was the meeting of gentlemen, many of whom were members of this club, at the Pratt Tavern on Monday evening, March 31, 1760, for the purpose of " founding a handsome library of valuable books apprehending the same may be of very considerable use and benefit under proper regulations." A sub- seription was opened, funds obtained, and Rev. Jere- miah Condy, a Baptist minister of Boston, being about to visit England, was employed to purchase the books. On their arrival a meeting of the subscribers was held, May 20, 1761, of which Benjamin Pickman was moderator and Nathan Goodale clerk. The Social Library was thus put in operation The books im- ported, with those given by members or otherwise procured, amounted to 415 volumes. The society was incorporated in 1797. It may be regarded as the pioneer of all the institutions established in this place for the promotion of intellectual culture.

THE PHILOSOPHICAL LIBRARY .- This also calls to remembrance some of the scenes in the Revolutionary period ; the Cabots' privateer-ship "Pilgrim; " its bold and stalwart commander, Hugh Hill ; his daring exploits; the capture of a schooner in the English channel, having on board the library of Dr. Richard Kirwan, a distinguished chemist; the bringing of these books into the neighboring port of Beverly; the purchase of the same by several scientific men of Salem and its vicinity, of whom may be mentioned Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of the Hamlet Church in Ips- wich, now Hamilton, Rev. Joseph Willard of Beverly, afterwards president of Harvard College, Dr. Joshua Fisher of Beverly, Dr. E. A. Holyoke, Dr. Joseph Orne, Rev. Thomas Barnard and Rev. John Prince, all of Salem. They made it the foundation of the Philosophical Library in 1781. To show Dr. Bow- ditch's estimate of the value and character of these books, this extract from his will is inserted :

Ilem, "It is well-known that the valuable Scientific library of the celebrated Dr. Richard Kirwan, was during the Revolutionary war, captured in the British Channel, on its way to Ireland, by a Beverly Privateer, and that by the liberal and enlightened views of the owners of the vessel, the library thus captured was sold at a very low rate, and in this manner was laid the foundation, upon which has since beon suc- cessfully established the Philosophical Library so called and the present Salem Atheneum. Thus, in early life, I fomul near mne a better collec- tion of Philosophical and Scientific books than could be found in any ollier part of the United States nearer than Philadelphia, and by the kindness of its proprietors I was permitted freely to take the books from that library and to consult and study them at pleasure. This inestima- ble advantage has nuule me deeply a debtor to the Salem Athenaeumi. and I do, therefore, give to that Institution the sum of one thonsatul dollars, the income thereof to be forever applied to the promotion of its objects and the extension of its usefulness."

ATHEN ÆEUM .- The rooms of the Atheneum in Cen- tral Building, Market (now Central) Street, were opened to the proprietors on Wednesday, July 11, 1810, with a goodly collection of books upon the shelves, duly arranged and properly classified.

In April, 1815, the library was removed to rooms in Essex Place; in 1825 to rooms over the Salem Bank ; in 1841 to Lawrence Place, and in April, 1857, to

Plummer Hall, the present resting place for this val- uable and increasing collection of books.

The present number of volumes is about twenty- one thousand. These have been obtained principally by moneys arising from the sale of shares and annual assessments and subscriptions, although many valua- ble works have been received as donations from the friends of the institution.

The number of shares is one hundred. Each share entitles the proprietor to take from the library four books at one time. Books which have been in the library one year can be retained four weeks; if less than that time, two weeks; recent periodicals, in numbers, one week. Persons not proprietors, ap- proved by the trustees, may have all the privileges of proprietors in the use of books for one year, on the payment of one dollar in addition to the annual as- sessment, which is determined at the annual meeting. The assessment for several years past has been five dollars.

Officers of the Salem .Ithenicum for the year 1887-8 .- Edmund B. Will- son, president ; Henry Wheatland, clerk ; Richard C. Manning, treas- urer ; William C. Endicott, Jr., Richard C. Manning, George P. Mes- servey, William Northey, Charles & Osgood, George A. Perkins, Fred- erick P. Richardson, Henry Wheatland, Edmund B. Willson, trustees ; Alice II. Osborne, librarian ; Annie E. Snell, asssistant librarian.

PLUMMER HALL .- On the 13th May, 1854, at her residence in Salem, " died Miss Caroline Plummer," leaving bequests to the city of Salem for the founding of a Farm School of Reform " for boys in the city of Salem ; " to Harvard College for the foundation of a Professorship of Christian Morals, and to the Salem Atheneum the sum of thirty thousand dollars "for the purchasing of a piece of land, in some central and convenient spot in the city of Salem, and for building thereon a safe and elegant building of brick or stone, to be employed for the purpose of depositing the books belonging to said corporation, with liberty also to have the rooms thereof used for meetings of any scientific or literary institution, or for the deposit of any works of art or natural productions." Thus, by the noble bequests of this lady, an impetus has been given to the cause of literature, science, philanthropy and noble living, which will ever make her name respected, honored and beloved, not alone in the city of Salem or within the walls of Harvard, but wherever learning and liberality shall find a home.

The location selected is upon one of the leading thoroughfares of the city and near its centre, with agreeable and attractive surroundings, and about which cluster many associations of exceeding interest to the student in history, the scholar, the scientist and the general public.

The building is in the form of a parallelogram, ninety-seven feet three inches long by fifty-three wide. The exterior walls are faced with pressed brick, and are forty-five feet in height above the under-pinning, which is four feet six inches high and is of brown sandstone. The steps, doorway, window-dressings,

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balcony, belts, &c., are also of the same stone. The style of the building is Romanesque. On the first floor were arranged the scientific and historical col- lections of the Institute; on the second floor the libraries of the Atheneum and of the Institute. The shelving in the library-rooms having been completed and the books placed upon the shelves, though not finally arranged, the building was accepted at a meet- ing of the proprietors, held on Monday, September 21, 1857, and dedicated on Tuesday, the sixth of October following. The order of exercises was as follows :

Music, by a volunteer choir under the direction of Manuel Fenollosa, of Salem ;

HYMN, by Hon. Joseph Gilbert Waters, of Salem ;

PRAYER, by Rev. George Ware Briggs, of the First Church, Salem ; HvMix, by Rev. Jones Very, of Salem ;

ADDRESS, by Rev. James Mason Hoppin, of the Crombie Street Church, Salem ;

HYMN, by Rev. Charles Timothy Brooks, of Newport, R. 1.

BENEDICTION, by Rev. Robert Curtis Mills, of the First Baptist Church, Salem.

The following letter from the historian Prescott, received among others in response to invitations to attend the dedication, will be read with interest :

PEPPERELL, Oct. 6, 1857.

DEAR SIR : I, last evening, had the pleasure of receiving the invita- tion of the committee to attend the dedication of Plummer Hall. Unfor- tunately, being absent from town, it did not reach me till too late to profit by it. I beg you will present my acknowledgments to the com- mittee for the honor they have done me. I need not assure them that I take a sincere interest in the ceremonies of the day, for I am attached to Salem by the reminiscences of many happy hours passed there in boy -. hood ; and I have a particular interest in the spot which is to be covered with the new edifice, from its having been that on which I first saw the light myself. It is a pleasant thonght to me, that through the enlight- ened liberality of my deceased friend Miss Pluummer, it is now to be con- secrated to so noble a purpose.

With great respect, believe me, dear Sir,

Very truly yours,

WM. H. PRESCOTT.

DR. GEORGE CHOATE, Pres. Salem Athenaum.

Presidents of the Salem Athencum.

Edward Angustus Holyoke. 1810-29

Benjamin Pickman 1829-35

Ichabod Tucker. 1835-38

Daniel Appleton White. 1838-40

Benjamin Merrill I840-47

Stephen Clarendon Phillips. I847-50

George Choate.

1850-64

Alphens Crosby

1864-74

William Mack 1874-86

Edmund Burke Willson

1886

Clerks of the Proprietors.

John Sparhawk Appleton. 1810-14

John Pickering I814-19

John Glen King. 1819-31

Ebenezer Shillaber 1831-41

William Putnam Richardson I841-46

Henry Wheatland

1846

THE ESSEX INSTITUTE .- The Essex Institute was formed by the union of the Essex Historical Society and the Essex County Natural History Society, and was organized, under an act of incorporation granted by the Legislature of Massachusetts in February of 1848, on the 1st of March following.

THE ESSEX HISTORICAL SOCIETY .- At the sug- gestion of Hon. John Glen King and George A. Ward, Esq., several gentlemen, many of whom were active in the organization of the Salem Athenaeum, eleven years before, assembled on the 21st of April, 1821, Hon. Joseph Story presiding, and formed then- selves into an association under the name of the Essex Historical Society, the leading object of which was the collection and preservation of all authentic ma- terials illustrating the civil history of the county of Essex, and in furtherance thereof they invited the co- operation of other kindred societies. An act of incor- poration was obtained from the Legislature, June 27, 1821. The first corporate meeting was held on Wed- nesday, June 27, 1821, due notice having been given of the call at which the act was accepted and the so- ciety organized by the adoption of rules and regula- tions and the election of officers to serve until the annual meeting fixed on the 6th of September, in commemoration of the landing of Governor John En- dicott on that day (O. S.), 1628.

The venerable Dr. E. A. Holyoke, who always took the most lively interest in whatever concerned Ameri- can literature and science, was elected the first presi- dent. It is quite remarkable that in each stage in the progress of institutions of this character in Salem, a leading part was taken by one man, Dr. Holyoke; he signed the call for the meeting at the tavern of Mrs. Pratt in 1760, and was an original subscriber to the funds then raised to establish the Social Library; he was one of the purchasers of Dr. Kirwan's books, thns co-operating in founding the Philosophical Library ; he was the first president of the Salem Athenaeum, and the first president of the Essex Historical Society. The zeal and ability of the members and their friends, in a short time, gathered together a good collection of portraits and antique relics, illustrative of the early history of the county and the nucleus of a library con- taining files of several newspapers, pamphlets, docu- ments, etc. These were first deposited in Essex Place, on Essex Street, facing Central ; then in the room over the Salem Bank, where Downing Block now stands, afterwards in Lawrence Place, at the cor- ner of Washington and Front Streets, until the union which formed the Institute.

On the 6th of September, 1825, the day of the annual meeting, Hon. Leverett Saltonstall delivered a public address, which was well received, before the society, in the First Church. On Thursday, the 18th of September (N. S.), 1828, the mem- bers of the society, with their invited guests, met to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the landing of Endicott. The orator of the day was the Hon. Joseph Story, one of the justices of the United States Supreme Court, an original member and the vice-president of the society. The president of the society, Dr. Holyoke, the centennial anni- versary of whose birth was appropriately observed

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

by the medical profession of Boston and Salem on the thirteenth of the month preceding, pre- sided. The secretary was the Hon. Joseph G. Waters, secretary of the society for the twenty-one years pre- ceding the union, in 1848. He will be long remem- bered for his deep interest in our literary and scien- tifie institutions and for his versatile gifts and exten- sive knowledge of English literature and history. The society had on its roll of membership at that time many men of wide distinction. Probably no society in the United States could claim a greater number of influential men in the various walks of life. The elo- quent address of Hon. Mr. Story at the North Church ; the intellectual and social banquet at Hamilton Hall ; these, and other interesting incidents connected therewith, rendered the occasion one long to be re- membered in the annals of the society.

OFFICERS OF THE ESSEX HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Presidents.

Edward Augustus Holyoke .. 1821-20

Benjamin Pickman 1829-35

Ichabod Tucker 1835-37

Daniel Appleton White ..

1837-48

Recording Secretaries.

George Atkinson Ward 1821-22

John White Treadwell 1822-24

William Proctor 1824-27

Joseph Gilbert Waters.

1827-48

THE ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. -A communication was printed in the Salem Gazette for Tuesday, February 1, 1831, under the signature of Ebah, suggesting the feasibility of organizing a So- ciety of Natural History ; other communications oc- casionally appeared, but the various suggestions did not begin to take a tangible form until December, 1833, when, on the evening of Saturday, the 14th, a meeting of those friendly to the subject was held, which resulted, after several adjournments, in the or- ganization of the Essex County Natural History So- ciety, Dr. Andrew Nichols, of Danvers, president ; William Oakes, Esq., of Ipswich and Rev. Gardner B. l'erry, of Bradford, vice-presidents ; John M. Ives, Esq., of Salem, secretary and treasurer; Rev. John Lewis Russell, of Salem, cabinet keeper and libra- rian ; William Oakes, Esq., of Ipswich, John Clarke Lee, of Salem, Charles Grafton Page, of Salem, Thomas Spencer, Esq., of Salem, curators.

Upon the organization of the society the attention of its members was mainly devoted to horticulture ; its rooms were opened occasionally during every sea- son with greater or less frequency, as circumstances would permit, for exhibitions of fruits and flowers. The first exhibition took place on Tuesday, July 11, 1834. The first general exhibition, which continued several days, occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 14th and 15th, 1841.

These exhibitions, though not an original object, became, in the course of years, one of the most

important features of the society. For several years exhibitions were held weekly during the sum- mer months, with an annual show in September, and increased in interest with each successive season. Several nurseries were established, the demand for fruit trees, ornamental trees and shrubs increased, and Salem, for some years became, as it were, a cen- tre for horticultural operations. The exhibitions at the Metropolis were largely indebted to the Salem gardens for their requisite proportion of fruits and flowers.

This city and its vicinity had a goodly array of en- thusiastic and successful cultivators of the choicest gifts of Flora and Pomona ; among them the name of Robert Manning stands as a pioneer in the cultiva- tion of fruit, especially of the pear. The garden of Mr. J. Fisk Allen exhibited, for several seasons, a fine display of that gorgeous lily, " Victoria Regia," and his excellent treatise on that flower, with illus- trations, finds a place in every well stored library. Salem was also noted for the great variety of grapes and other fruits grown under glass. The gardens and grounds of the Messrs. Putnam, Lee, Cabot, Emmer- ton, Upton, Ives, Bertram, Hoffman, Derby, Phippen, Ropes, Oliver, Glover, Bosson, Gardner and others, may be mentioned in this connection.

The Journal of the Essex County Natural History Society, comprising one volume in three numbers, is- sued in 1836, 1838 and 1841, was published by the society.

OFFICERS OF ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

Presidents.

Andrew Nichals. 1833-45

John Lewis Russell. 1845-48

Secretaries. 1833-35

John M. Ives.

Henry Wheatland.

I835-48

During the autumn of 1847 the Historical and the Natural History Societies held several meetings to ef- fect a union. A joint committee was appointed to draft a plan to serve as a basis of organization. The plan offered by the committee was accepted by the two societies at a meeting held January 14, 1848. An act of incorporation was obtained in February of that year, and upon its acceptance, on the Ist of March following, the Essex Institute was organized.

The organization of the two societies being on an entirely different basis, generous concessions were called for from both parties to bring about the de- sired results.

The Historical Society always had a small mem- bership. Members were elected by ballot, and an entrance fee was required. There was no regular assessment, though occasionally one was levied; the rooms were never opened to the public at stated times, though persons could obtain access by calling upon the librarian or some officer, who was always courteous and ready to grant such a favor.

The Natural History Society was differently con- stituted. Any inhabitant of the county could be-

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come a member by signing the constitution and paying the small annual assessment. The rooms were al- ways central and accessible, and were frequently opened for horticultural and other exhibitions, the aim being to make them attractive and thereby to awaken an interest in the objects of the society. The collections increased in value and importance, the membership was enlarged, and consequently more means were available to extend its operations.

The Institute, in organizing in 1848, took up with vigor the work of its two component members, as well as new undertakings of its own. If the Essex Historical Society bad husied itself with collecting and perpetuating the history of the county, the In- stitute, with its new blood, hoped not without reason to push this important portion to still greater results. If the Natural History Society had been successful in its delightful exhibits of fruits and flowers, so did the Institute at the outset perpetuate this excellent ex- ample and call to its aid a new class of generous con- tributors. Moreover, it began at once, by means of field meetings and other popular and original appli- ances to make science, local tradition and history, literature and the arts, so far as it could with its modicum of means and membership, a part of the daily diet of the people.

The library and various collections were removed to Plummer Hall as soon as the shelving and cases were prepared for their reception.

The several departments of the Museum were ar- ranged on the first floor, and were well represented ; in several of the classes of the animal kingdom the collections were inferior to but one or two others in the country. Those in some classes were arranged and identified, and catalognes commenced. In con- sequence of a liberal use of its rich supply of dupli- cates, the Institute became the recipient of large and valuable collections from scientific institutions and individuals, both in this and foreign countries.

These various scientific collections, containing some one hundred and forty thousand specimens are now deposited at East India Marine Hall, in the custody of the trustees of the Peabody Academy of Science, according to terms of agreement signed May 29, 1867, by the contracting parties.

The Peabody Museum was, after thorough re-ar- rangement, dedicated to the public on Wednesday afternoon, August 18, 1869, the first day of the meet- ing, in Salem, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

All contributions of specimens in natural history which have since been received by the institute, either by donations or otherwise, have been likewise deposited with the trustees above named, at East India Marine Hall.

The collections of antiqne relics, paintings, portraits, engravings, etc., are placed in the halls of the institute, and are of great historic value, and will be alluded to in another place.

The agreement by which the institute has occupied Plummer Hall, jointly with the Athenaeum for thirty years, was cancelled from the end of April by the gov- erning board of the two institutions, February 25, 1887, and at the same time another agreement was adopted to go into effect on the 30th of April, 1887, by which the institute retains the use of the first floor and the basement for the deposit of a portion of its library and collections, and the hall to be used for lectures and meetings, horticultural and art exhibi- tions, and for other purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of Miss Plummer's will. Each society, as heretofore, may freely consult the books of the other.

Library .- The library of the institute contains about fifty thousand bound volumes, and some one hundred and fifty thousand pamphlets. In the early stages of the growth of a great library, its energies are mainly absorbed in mere accumulation. At a later stage, and when exchanges are established and a law of growth confirmed, while accretions are not less rapid, more attention can be given to extending its usefulness and acquainting others with the value and character of its treasures. The institute library has now reached this stage. It is for the first time able to display its quality and richness in the new building purchased March 12, 1886, and since suita- bly fitted for the purposes intended. Among the valuable features which, on being catalogued, it will be found to contain, are,-

A very complete collection of the legislative and official publications of Massachusetts from early dates, as well as those of several other States of New Eng- land and of the Union at large.

A large and daily increasing collection of the works of the authors of Essex County, both native and resi- dent, already counting about six hundred volumes. Full files of newspapers possessing to the antiquary, the historical student and the conveyancer, a value hardly to be exaggerated.

Some eight thousand volumes of English, Greek and Latin classics, also historical and other works, selected for the private library of the donor, the late Judge Daniel A. White, first president of the Essex Institute. A collection of some three hundred Bibles and parts of Bibles of curious antiquity, including one, doubtless the oldest book in Essex County, dated be- fore the discovery of America, in the year 1486, a well preserved copy brought from a Carmelite Monastery in Bavaria, and presented to the institute October 2, 1858, by Rev. J. M. Hoppin, then of Salem, now a professor in Yale College. Part of the library of the late Francis Peabody, the third president of the in- stitute, containing some three thousand volumes, principally, architectural, horticultural and scientific. Also the libraries of the late Augustus Story, com- prising abont fifteen hundred volumes of literary and historical books-and that of the late William Sutton,

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 65

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