History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 87

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 87

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Had Nahant been granted to Randolph, it is easy to see that it would have become a sharp thorn in the side of Lynn ; that a continual petty warfare would have ensued. It would no longer have been, as for many years it was, a pasture for her cattle, nor would it have become, as in after-years it did, a delightful re- sort for parties of pleasure. And even at this day, instead of being the paradise of a certain class of reputed " dodgers," it would have been-we know not what!

From what has already been said, something may be gathered of the condition, habits, culture and gen- eral fitness of the settlers as laborers on the founda- tions of a new social fabric, and likewise something of the natural features of their new home. It will be observed that they came largely from the industrial classes. But they were a thoughtful people, and re- alized the responsibilities that rested on them. Next to ensuring the means for procuring the prime neces- sities of life,-food, clothing and shelter,-they felt the importance of supplying facilities for common educa- tion, for moral and intellectual training.

Lynn, unlike some other New England settlements,

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

has all along, in a remarkable degree, depended on herself, procuring whatever she possessed by her own industry and skill ; in other words, has had only what she earned. Some of the early settlements were the outcome of foreign business enterprise, and flourished by the aid of foreign capital. Especially in later times have manufacturing communities been nurtured, if not sustained, by capital drawn from outside of their limits. Not so with Lynn. Her advancement has been made through her own enterprise, her accumu- lations by her own industry. Throughout all the periods of business adversity and temporal distress that have cast their shadows over the community, in colonial, provincial and later times, Lynn has ever been able not only to maintain her own sons and daughters, but to afford, not perhaps of her abundance, but of her thrift and generosity, relief to communities more severely afflicted. " When there were yet few of them, and they strangers in the land," with humble trust, patient endurance and unremitting toil, they ap- plied themselves to their new duties, and seldom failed of meet reward. But the writer is not unmind- ful that there is a higher duty to perform than the boastful tracing of progress in a mere worldly way, that higher duty being to mark the development of the great principles that constitute the true founda- tion of human right and duty ; of tracing, even in the most limited sphere, the progress of those principles on which true liberty rests-principles which con- tribute so largely to the sum of human happiness, and have made our nation what she is.

In the history of Lynn, perhaps as conspicuously as in that of any other New England community, may be seen the progress to which we refer-the progress of principles which were the birthright of the settlers, as Englishmen, shadowed forth in the charter of 1215, and finally appearing in more pronounced form in the Declaration of American Independence, in the estab- lished Constitutions and supplementary Bills of Rights.

The Andros administration has been referred to. That, perhaps, was the most pregnant, as it certainly was the most stirring, episode during many years of New England history. Something of its bearing upon the people here has been seen. The result, no doubt, was of great benefit politically, for it quick- ened the apprehension of natural rights and solidified the determination to permit upon this soil no en- croachment upon them. The "tyrant of New Eng- land," as the obnoxious Governor was called, soon found that opposition attended every step, and mani- fested itself in every way-in grave denunciation, cutting satire and comic hyperbole. Imagine the ef- fect of the following stanzas from the Sternhold and Hopkins version of the Fifty-second Psalm, as they are said to have been lined off with great unction by an elderly deacon, and with equal unction sung by voices old and young, smooth and rough, in tune and out, at a meeting which the Governor, in one of his tours, deigned to attend :

" Why dost thou, tyrant, boast abroad Thy wicked works to praise ? Dost thou not know there is a God, Whose mercies last always ?

Why dost thy mind yet still devise Such wicked wiles to warp ?

Thy tonguo untrue, in forging lies, Is like a razor sharp.

Thou dost delight in fraud and guilo, In mischief, blood and wrong : Thy lips havo learned the flattering stile, O falso, deceitful tongue."

CIVIL HISTORY .- The civil history of Lynn, in its organic features, does not much differ from that of other early Bay settlements. The town was never formally incorporated, but by the earliest General Court was recognized as an existing municipality. That was enough, though, as we have just seen, the obsequious Edward Randolph, a counselor of Governor Andros when, in 1688, he petitioned for the gift of Nahant, denied this, saying, in answer to the vigorous protes- tations of the Lynn people, "It does not appear . . . that the said town of Lynn was incorporated in the year 1635, nor at any time since, and so not now en- dowed with a power of receiving or disposing of such lands, ... and their town of Lynn is equal to a vil- lage in England, and no otherwise." But he and his unscrupulous superior soon found that there was a power somewhere that was able to defeat their arbi- trary schemes and land them both in a prison.

The settlers were thoroughly imbued with the sen- timent that political power belonged to the people. If Roger Williams was the first here to formulate this as well as certain principles of religious freedom, he was not the first to realize it. When they left the Old World they left the dogma of a divinely-appointed class, and adopted the manly idea of equal rights. Such being the case, what more natural than the es- tablishment of the town-meeting,-the assembly in which all could meet and freely discuss the affairs by which the well-being and prosperity of all were to be affected, and in which each individual, by voice and vote, could exercise his influence? There was the charter, to be sure, and its authority was acknowl- edged ; but its provisions would not have been allow- ed to override the higher demands of conscience, right and justice, had there been any apprehended attempt to do so, for the trained and ingenious mind can discover ways of interpretation that will circum- vent the most crafty scheming.

Very soon the interests of the settlers broadened, and it became necessary to establish " Ye Great and Genrall Courte." And the same right of free discus- sion and free action was maintained there. At first every freeman was deemed a member of the court, and liable to be fined if he did not attend its sessions, for it was rightly claimed that the community was entitled to the best judgment and skill of each of its members, it being realized as well then as now that in the mind of the humblest hewer of wood and

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drawer of water conceptions of unspeakable value might arise. But the time soon arrived when it was impracticable for the whole body of freemen to at- tend the court sessions; no room could be found large enough to contain them, and then the end had to be sought through deputies or representatives. Soon parties began to appear, and divisions, not on the primary principle of individual freedom, but on the question as to whom it would be most safe and expedient to invest with the delegated power.

Of course it would not be practicable or even de- sirable to go largely into detail regarding the old town- meetings. They were conducted here much as else- where. Every local matter was freely discussed and often the debates broadened into irrelevant disserta- tions on great public questions and theoretical propo- sitions, very much as they are apt to in these days of political enlightenment. Neighborhood disagree- ments and jealonsies would occasionally arise, and crude conceptions and selfish inclinations manifest themselves. Village orators would harangue at weary- ing length and village seers forecast calamities; but there were also wise, honest and patriotic men, shrewd counselors and wary watchers for the public good, and through all and in all each felt his own in- dividual rights and acknowledged his responsibili- ties.

It is not wonderful that the people of the old Bay State clung so tenaciously and so long to the town- meeting. It had carried them safely through perilous times and threatening shocks; and in a broad sense it may even be claimed that it had been the very nursery of American freedom. There was no city organization in all Massachusetts till 1822, when Bos- ton assumed the new investiture, having then a popu- lation of forty-five thousand. It was quite a number of years, however, before any other town followed her example. Salem and Lowell were the first, they be- coming cities in 1836. But the adoption of the city form was so far receding from elementary freedom, and while it was desirable, if not necessary, in many respects, it also afforded greater facilities for ambitious politicians and wire-pullers to ply their arts.

Lynn adopted the city form of government in 1850. Many worthy and prominent people strongly opposed the change, and the adoption of the charter came near being defeated ; indeed, a similar one previously granted by the Legislature had been defeated by pop- ular vote. Mr. George Hood, a man of much ability and strong persuasive powers, led the opposition, and it is a little singular that he who had persistently and vehemently opposed the charter was elected the first mayor under it. In his inaugural address he thus bade adieu to the old règimè: "Before proceeding to the business immediately before us, it seems to be appro- priate to the occasion to revert briefly to our venera- ble system of town government, of which we have taken leave forever, and to pay a passing tribute to the memory of the conscientious men who, in the

midst of toil, privation and peril, founded, cherished and transmitted it to us as a rich inheritance. Ac- cording to Lewis' History, the first white men known to have been inhabitants of Lynn were Edmund In- galls and his brother, Francis Ingalls, who came here in 1629. The next year came Allen Breed, Thomas Newhall, George Burrill, Edward Baker, John Rams- dell and Richard Johnson; in 1635, Henry Collins; in 1640, Andrew Mansfield, Richard Hood, Edward 1reson and Henry Rhoades,-all of whom have rep- resentatives in this City Council, and perhaps others of whose history I have not been informed. . .. Our town government has accomplished its mission; its successful operation for more than two centuries has proved the capacity of man for self-government; it has proved that the safest repository for power is in the hands of the people. During this long period we hear of no abuse of power by them, nor of those to whom they intrusted the care of the town govern- ment. They taxed themselves liberally for all neces- sary objects of public improvement. The church and the school-house grew up together, both signifi- cant monuments of advancing civilization." Is it probable that at the end of two centuries more it can be said of the people under the present form of mu- nicipal government, that no abuse of power by them or those to whom they entrusted the administration of affairs, had been heard of?

Mr. Hood well said that under the old government the town prospered. Its growth was steady, but not rapid. At the time of the adoption of the charter, in 1850, the population was 14,200; twenty years be- fore, in 1830, it was 6200; in 1765 the first recorded census gave 2198; and the increase of business was in something like the same ratio. But after the in- troduction of machinery in the manufacture of shoes, which was subsequent to the adoption of the charter, the increase of business and population was seem- ingly much more rapid, though perhaps the percent- age was not much greater.

For nearly two centuries the town-meetings were held in the meeting-house, as the settlers preferred to call their house of worship, the first being an un- seemly little structure, standing in a hollow, near the territorial centre, and the only public building. It was not held by the same tenure that " churches " now are, but was the property of the town. There the village orators exercised their eloquence, the vil - lage statesmen their patriotism, the incipient wire- pullers their cunning, till the house itself disappear- ed. "The Old Tunnel," as the parish meeting-house built in 1682 was in after-years called, then became the place for the transaction of town business. It stood near the centre of the Common, and continued for sev- eral generations to serve the double purpose of a place for public worship and a place for the transaction of public business. But it was relieved of the latter use in 1806. In the mean time the Methodists had come in and built a house of worship. And some objec-

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

tions having been made to the further use of the old house, the town-meetings then (1806) began to be held in the Methodist house, which stood near the east end of the Common, at the head of Market Street. There they were held till the erection of the Town-House, in 1814. That building had an inter- esting history, of which little can be given here. It stood on the centre of the Common, nearly oppo- site the head of Hanover Street, and for many years the interior remained unfinished. Of course, elections were held in it ; military companies drilled there ; and it was used for assemblages and exhibitions of various kinds. In 1832 it was removed to South Common -Street, at the point where Blossom Street now opens, and the interior finished. On the formation of the city government, iu 1850, it was thoroughly repaired and fitted for the reception of the officials under the new and more angust order. Thus it remained until its destruction by fire on the morning of October 6, 1864.

It was on the 10th of April, 1850, that the Legisla- ture granted the City Charter; on the 19th of the same month the inhabitants, in town-meeting assem- bled, voted to accept it ; and on the 14th of May the first organization under it took place. The cere- monies were held in Old Lyceum Hall, which stood on Market Street, corner of Summer. The day was pleasant, and a large number, some of whom were ladies, were present. In the evening the new gov- ernment, together with a considerable company of prominent citizens, partook of a collation in the Town Hall. There was no jubilant display at the in- itiation of the new government; no procession, no pyrotechnic exhibition, either oratorical or material. All parties seemed to join in a quiet but cordial accept- ance of the change, and in a hopeful, if not enthusi- astic spirit, determined to repress all former misgiv- ings.

Soon after the destruction of the old Town House the necessity of a substantial City Hall was so mani- fest that the work of erection was set about energeti- cally ; and, on the 30th of November, 1867, the present stately edifice was dedicated. The city offices were soon removed thither, and from that time onward have the commodions chambers echoed with the elo- quence of the assembled counselors.

Whether Lynn has prospered more since the adop- tion of the city form of government than she would have prospered had the old town form been longer continued can only be conjectured. But certain it is, that during the thirty-five years that the existing form has been in operation her progress bas been highly satisfactory. The population has more than trebled ; and in business, in educational facilities, in benevolent enterprises, and, may we not venture to add, in religion and morality, her advancement has been alike marked.

It has been stated that Lynn has always been for- tunate in having among her people men of sagacity,

energy and prudence,-men who, in the administra- tion of her municipal affairs and in her broader inter- ests, vigorously defended her rights and labored for her good. These are deserving of special notice, and in an elaborate history should have a place; but in a limited sketch like the present but comparatively few can be even named. In the troublous days of the Andros administration, among her heroic defenders were Oliver Pnrchis, Rev. Mr. Shepard, Thomas Laighton, Ralph King and John Burrill. In the stormy times of the Revolution she had the vigi- lant watchfulness of Rev. Mr. Treadwell, Rev. Mr. Roby, Deacon John Mansfield, Dr. Flagg and Fred- erick Breed, besides her brave sons who took the field. And all along, down to these later times, she has never been destitute of loyal sons to protect her good name and promote her prosperity. Especially may it he said that during the threatening times of the great Civil War scarcely a man in her whole popu- lation could be found who was not ready, if need be, to take the field in defense of the national cause.

The following is a list of the mayors of Lynn, with the dates of inauguration :

GEORGE HOOD, the first mayor, served two terms ; was inaugurated May 14, 1850, and April 7, 1851. He was a native of Lynn, and died June 29, 1859, aged fifty-two.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MUDGE, the secoud mayor, was inaugurated June 16, 1852. He was a native of Orrington, Me .; born August 11, 1817, and died in Manhattan, Kansas, November 21, 1879.

DANIEL COLLINS BAKER, the third mayor, was inaugurated April 4, 1853. He was a native of Lynn; born October 14, 1816, and died in New Orleans, La., July 19, 1863.

THOMAS PAGE RICHARDSON, the fourth mayor, was inaugurated April 3, 1854. He was a native of Lynn ; born July 27, 1816, and died November 24, 1881.

ANDREWS BREED, the fifth mayor, was inaugurated January 1, 1855. He was a native of Lynn ; born on the 20th of September, 1794, and died in Lancaster, Mass., April 21, 1881.

EZRA WARREN MUDGE, the sixth mayor, was in- augurated January 7, 1856, and January 5, 1857, serving two terms. He was a native of Lynn; was born on the 5th of December, 1811, and died Septem- ber 20, 1878.

WILLIAM FREDERIC JOHNSON, the seventh mayor, was inaugurated January 4, 1858. He was a native of Lynn ; born [in Nahant] July 30, 1819.

EDWARD SWAIN DAVIS, the eighth mayor, served two terms; was inaugurated January 3, 1859, and January 2, 1860. He was born in Lynu June 22, 1808, and died August 7, 1887.

HIRAM NICHOLS BREED, the ninth mayor, was in- augnrated January 7, 1861. He was born in Lynn September 2, 1809.

PETER MORRELL NEAL, the tenth mayor, held the othice four terms. He was inaugurated January 6,

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1862, January 5, 1863, January 4, 1864, and January 2, 1865. He is a native of North Berwick, Me., and was born September 21, 1811.

ROLAND GREENE USHER, the eleventh mayor, served three terms. He was inaugurated January 1, 1866, January 7, 1867, and Jauuary 6, 1868. He was born in Medford, Mass., January 6, 1823.

JAMES NEEDHAM BUFFUM, the twelfth mayor, was inaugurated January 4, 1869. He was afterward elected for a second term, and inaugurated January 1, 1872. He was born in North Berwick, Me., May 16, 1807, and died June 12, 1887.

EDWIN WALDEN, the thirteenth mayor, served two terms; was inaugurated January 3, 1870, and January 2, 1871. He was born in Lynn, November 25, 1818.

JACOB MEEK LEWIS, the fourteenth mayor, served four terms, being inaugurated January 6, 1873, Janu- ary 5, 1874, January 4, 1875, and January 3, 1876. He was born in Lynn, October 13, 1823.

SAMUEL MANSFIELD BUBIER, the fifteenth mayor, served two terms, having been inaugurated January 1, 1877, and January 7, 1878. He is a uative of Lynn, and was born June 23, 1816.

GEORGE PLAISTED SANDERSON, the sixteenth mayor, was inaugurated January 6, 1879, and Janu- ary 5, 1880, serving two terms. He was born in Gardiner, Me., November 22, 1836.

HENRY BACON LOVERING, the seventeenth mayor, served two terms. He was inaugurated January 3, 1881, and January 2, 1882. He is a native of Ports- mouth, N. H., and was born April 8, 1841.

WILLIAM LEWIS BAIRD, the eighteenth mayor, was inaugurated January 1, 1883, and January 7, 1884, serving two terms. He is a native of Lynn ; born July 29, 1843.

JOHN RICHARD BALDWIN, the nineteenth mayor, was inaugurated January 5, 1885. He is a native of Lynn, and was born May 10, 1854.

GEORGE DALLAS HART, the twentieth mayor, was inaugurated January 4, 1886. He was born in Ma]- den, Mass., December 7, 1846, and is an offspring of the old Lynn Hart family. Mayor Hart, elected for a second term, was inaugurated January 3, 1887.

A short series of statistical statements, touching the present state of municipal and kindred affairs, will now be given. Other statistics relating to spe- cial topics will appear in their proper places.

POPULATION .- The population of Lynn, as given by the State census of 1885, is 45,867,-males, 21,752; females, 24,115. Native born, 36,099 ; foreign born, 9768. Of the age of eighty years, 16 males and 3] females ; of the age of ninety years, 3 males and 7 fe- males; of the age of ninety-five years, 4, all females. Colored persons, 624.

The population at different periods is shown by the following :

which 7161 are of wood, 76 of brick, 2 of stone, aud the others of mixed material. It will be noted that this does not include the business buildings, many of which are of brick and very large. Number of per- sons to each occupied dwelling, 6.33. Number of buildings erected during the year, 392. Lynn has long been famous for the moving of her buildings from place to place, and, in pursuance of the custom, 55 changed their places during the year.

VALUATION, TAXATION AND POLLS .-- The follow- ing table shows the progress of Lyun in these matters, at several periods since she became a city :

YEAR.

REAL ESTATE.

PERSONAL ESTATE.

TOTAL.

NO. POLLS.

TAX PER $1,000.

1850

$3,160,515

$1,674,328

$4,834,843

3,251

$9.00

1860

6,201,460

3,357,605

0,640,065

3,033

8,80

1870

14,277,212

6,649,903

20,927,115

6,773

17.20

1880

17,913,543

5,470,192

23,353,735

10,702

17.60

1886

23,305,806

6,000,003

29,305,809

13,842

19.00

It will be perceived from the foregoing that we have made marked progress, as well in taxation as valna- tion and polls.

APPROPRIATIONS AND RECEIPTS, EXPENDITURES AND CITY DEBT .- The "progress" in these matters is indicated by the following :

YEAR.

APPROPRIATIONS AND RECEIPTS.

EXPENDITURES.

CITY DEBT.

1850

$45,000.00

$36,704.19

Mar. 1, 1850,

$71,398.15

1SGO

110,607.28

101,569.51

Dec. 31, 1860,

123,100.00

1870

524,776.72

499,5$3.25

Dec. 31, 1870,

910,000.00

1880

705,099.57

653,327.90

Dec. 31, 1880, 2,169, 000.00

188G

1,080,274.65

1,014,617.80

Dec. 20,1886, 2,522,400.00

It should be remarked, in relation to the city debt, that the exact condition is not always apparent. For instance, the debt in 1886 is given as $2,522,400.00, but there were such drawbacks as reduced the net amount to $1,778,128.82.

ALMSHOUSE .- Average number of subjects, 67 ; av- erage cost of each per week, $2.62. Aid was also given to 519 families, or some 1600 outside persons; 5457 tramps were during the year provided with food and lodging at an expense of $320.55.

FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE ALARMS, ETC .- Steam fire-engines, 5; hook-and-ladder trucks, 2; horse hose carriages, 5; hose wagon, 1; large double-tank chem- ical engine, 1; supply wagons, 5; fire alarm telegraph wagon, 1; jumper hose carriages, 2; hose pungs, 5 ; buggy, 1; small extinguishers, 6. The manual force consists of 1 chief and 4 assistant engineers, 1 super- intendent and 1 assistant superintendent of fire alarm telegraph, 6 engineers of steam fire-engines, 5 firemen of steam fire-engines, 12 drivers, 10 foremen, 8 assist- ant foremen, 49 hosemen, 20 laddermen, 12 substitutes, making a total of 129. There are also in the service of the department 22 horses and 14,750 feet of hose. The number of hydrants scattered about the city is 557, and the number of street reservoirs, 19. The tel- egraphic fire alarm was established here in 1871, and Years. ..... 1800 14,257 45,867 has proved extremely useful and economical. The number of fire alarms during 1885 was 188, 84 being Population. 2,837 1850 1885 DWELLINGS. 1885. - Whole number, 7383, -of bell and 104 still alarms. Loss by fire during the

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

year, $169,975.85. Expenditures of the department for the year, $44,840.06.

Notices of the most disastrous fires that have ever occurred in Lynn may be found elsewhere in these pages.

POLICE DEPARTMENT .- The expenses for the year 1885 were $43,451.44; number of arrests, 1472; 511 being of persons of foreign birth, and 166 females ; 828 were for drunkenness, 186 for assault and battery and 128 for larceny ; 5453 persons were provided with lodgings.

WATER WORKS .- Net cost of the public works, to January 1, 1887, $1,342,144.11. Average consump- tion of water per day during the year 1885, 1,920,519 gal- lons ; average to each inhabitant, a trifle over 41 gallons per day. Total extension of pipe in Lynn, 75} miles. The report of the president of the board says (1886), " The department has paid all expenses of mainte- Dance, the interest on the water debt, and shows a sur- plus of $26,919.18 to be carried to the water-loan sink- ing fund."

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 87

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