History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 111

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 111

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

every side, so that the rock looked as if it were rising out of the Falls of Niagara. East Point was covered with the breaking and dashing waves, which sent the spray apparently a hundred feet in the air, and along the shore by Pulpit Rock sheets of water were thrown far above the land, and the spray could be seen above the hotel. A great wave rushed through Canoe Beach Cove, over the road and across the land, emp- tying itself in the cove by Mr. James' house. Along the shore, by Spouting Horn, was a continued sheet of spray, making the Cary House an uncomfortable place of shelter. The sea rolled in past Swallow's Cove, then over the wharf, washing wood, boats and lumber into the sea. The lowlands were full of water- from the willows, in Mr. Whitney's field, to Doro- thy's Cove. The waves washed over Pond Beach, filling the meadow with water, while Bailey's Hill was overwhelmed by wave after wave, some of which, at times, would nearly reach the summit. The Long and Short Beaches were washed over, making Nahant appear like a group of islands wrestling in the furious waters for an existence. At evening the roaring of the sea could be heard above the storm, denoting that it was nearly over. The wind and snow gradually decreased through the night, and on Tuesday morning the sky was clear, while the waves along the shore formed themselves into long deep ridges to more steadily break on the rocks, but the washing of the stones by the tide made a continuous sound like distant thunder. The beaches were strewed with small fish and lobsters, which could be gathered by cart-loads.

As soon as the roads were broken out sufficiently to make them passable, many availed themselves of the opportunity to visit Nahant, to witness the grandeur of the ocean after the storm; and they brought with them the news of the wreck of the " Tedesco."

February 2, 1859, during the violent storm, the "Vernon," a British bark of two hundred and sixty-five tons, bound from Messina for Boston, was wrecked on Long Beach. Her cargo was chiefly of oranges. All her crew were saved.

On the morning of the 10th of December, 1864, the schooner " Lion," from Rockland, Maine, laden with granite, was seen at anchor between Egg Rock and Long Beach. She rode at her anchor till near night, when at low water the sea broke over her, causing her chains to part ; the jib was then hoisted, and, under this sail, she was run ashore on Long Beach, near Little Nahant, where she went to pieces betore help could reach her. All her crew were lost. The bodies of the unfortunate men were found washed ashore the next morning, and carried to the vestry of the village church, where a funeral service was held the next day, after which the bodies were carried to their late homes, in Rock- land. This made the second vessel lost on Nahant in which all the crew were drowned.

1432

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

About fifteen years before the wreck of the " Lion" two vessels were wrecked at Nahant at different times, the exact date not being on record. One of these schooners, the "Major Ringold," loaded with lumber, was wrecked on Canoe Beach, and was badly injured. A part of her load was broken to pieces in the surf on the beach, but that in her hold was saved. She was got off and towed to Salem, where she was repaired.

The other schooner, loaded with iron, was wrecked on the same beach, but was got off with little damage. The crews of both vessels were saved.

The last vessel that was wrecked on our shore was the schooner "Augustus Smith," Capt. J. N. Smith, of Lockport, N. S., bound for Boston. She carried a cargo of thirty-six hundred bushels of potatoes and rutabagas. She was east ashore on Short Beach, De- vember 21, 1883. On the 29th, by throwing overboard a part of her cargo, she was got off and towed to Boston.

SCHOOLS .- It would be difficult to fix the exact date of the first school at Nahant, but as far we ean ascertain, a school was first held in the Hood house and in the old Johnson homestead. A building for a school was used previous to 1812. It had been for- merly a shoemaker's shop, but was refitted and re- furnished as a school-house. It was located nearly opposite the site of the present post-office. A descrip- tion of this school is best given by one of its pupils, now living at Nahant in his ninetieth year :

" The first school that I ever attended was in the Hood house, and was kept by Nancy Carter during twelve weeks in the winter. Some three winters atter, we went to school in the old red school-house. There were then about thirty scholars. Benches ran across both sides of the school-room, so that we faced each other; long benches for our seats ran behind these ; and the teacher had a table at the end of the room, where she sat. The school was kept only in spring and winter. Clarissa Herrick was the first teacher, who afterwards married Richard Hood. Betsey traves, who afterwards married Joseph Johnson, taught the school from 1812 to 1816.

The following is a list of the permanent scholars attending the school in 1812, some of whom are now living : Joseph Johnson. Jonathan Johnson, Eliza Johnson, Francis Johnson, Pamelia Johnson, Mary Johnson, Welcome William Johnson, George Lovel Johnson, Clarissa Ann Johnson George Hood, Martha Ann Hood, Harriet Argans, David Bickford Mudge, Albert Newel, Thomas Rich, Priscilla Hitch-

Transient scholars : Thomas and Amos Bulfinch, George and Henry S one, Malinda Howard, Augustus Breed, Thomas and Otis Stone, Mary Stone and Nabby Breed

The next school house was built about 1819, of stone gathered from the granite boulders that were scattered through the pastures. It was about twenty-five feet

square, with a hip-roof. There was a window in each side, with two in the front,-one on each side of the door. A library and a few pictures were given by Mr. William Wood, Thomas II. Perkins and other summer residents; also a bell, which was placed in the cupola; the bell-rope hung down through the centre of the roof, bringing it in the centre of the school-room. The room was heated in winter by a large box-stove, burning wood, the seholars eaeh tak- ing turns in building the fire and splitting the wood, carrying enough in the school-house for the supply for the day. This school-room was used for school, church, political and like purposes, by the people of the town. By the school records we find .Joseph John- son served on the prudential committee for many years. He used to collect from Lynn the small sum allowed for the Nahant school, while the balance was contributed by the parents whose children were sent to the school. It is worthy of record that Joseph Johnson and his sons served as school committee for over sixty consecutive years. In 1851 this school building was torn down and the present primary and intermediate school-house was built. It was dedicated Tuesday, September 16, 1851. Three original poems were read and several addresses were made, that of Rev. E. G. Brooks being a very interesting and eloquent discourse, which was listened to with much attention and pleasure. Interesting and ap- propriate remarks were also made by James R. New- hall, Esq., Hon. George Hood, Joseph and Caleb Johnson and others. "The singing was by a select choir, under the direction of Mr. C. A. Adams, and was of a high order, the singers deserving much credit for the manner in which they contributed to the interest of the occasion. The new school-house is a fine building, beautifully located, and perfectly con- venient and comfortable. The system of ventilation is particularly noticeable, being on a new plan, which is for the first time in Lynn introduced in this edifice. The pure air is introduced beneath the floor through places in the sides of the room. The school-house was designed by Mr. Francis Foster, and built by Samuel Lord, both of whom have faithfully performed their duty." This school house became the property of Nahant in 1853, when it was set off from Lynn as an incorporated town.

The second or primary school was established in 1853.

In 1876 a High School was established in the town- hall, a room being set aside and furnished for this purpose. Mr. C. J. Hayward was the first principal.

A fourth school was established in 1880, with Miss Nellie M. Palmer as teacher. In 1884 a new school- house was built for the grammar school. Thus we have at the present time four schools, accommodating one hundred and fifty pupils.

CHURCHES. Previons to the building of the stone school-house, the few families at Nahant attended church in Lynn. The Hoods and Breeds were Quakers

1433

NAHANT.

and members of that society. The Johnson families belonged, one to the Baptist, the other to the Method- ist Church ; while the Rice family belonged to the Orthodox Church. The children of each family at- tended Sunday-school in these various churches. After the services came the long walk home, of three and a half miles over the beach. If the tide was out, the journey was made easily; but at high-water it became very tiresome, for it was as much as the horses could do to drag the empty vehicle, so that both parents and children were obliged to go ou foot, wad- ing through the sand home.

When the stone school-house was built, religious meetings were held there by the different pastors of Lynn. A Sunday-school was established, Mr. Jesse Rice being the first superintendent, assisted by Mr. Hubbard. This lasted until the present village church, called Independent Methodist, was built, when all, by common consent, made this edifice their church home. At the evening meetings the lighted lanterns, carried to and from each home to the churchi, were placed in rows by the door; then after the meeting was over they were carried back to the homes of every family, as if the light of the Gospel was literally carried from the church to the home. These united church-people have nearly all passed away, and with them the lights in their lanterns have all gone out.

Before this church was erected, in 1831, a chapel was built by the summer residents, which was used only in the summer months; and it was generously offered by them to the inhabitants to be used as their place of worship throughout the year; but it was thought best to build a new church. The builders of this first chapel were largely the builders of the village church, in fact we may say that the chapel was the parent of the village church, in that, like the former, it agreed that all could unite in the praises and teachings of Christ, whatever their religious preferences might be. Its pulpit has been occupied by clergymen of nearly every denomination.

At the dedication of the village church Mr. Fred- eric Tudor, one of the founders of the Nahant church, wrote an original opening hymn, which is quoted as follows :

ORIGINAL HYMN. BY FREDERIC TUDOR.

" While Thee we seek, protecting power," The stormy sea in vaio shall roar ; Although before its rage we cower, Sure can we trust our iron shore.

IInildy before Thy mighty throne, We here another altar raise, Of varied Christians, making one, We sing a paau to Thy praise.

United Christians come to Thee, With hopeful bearts to consecrate ; We ask that this new temple be

A place Thy name to veuerate.

The hoary head in meekness bows, The snuling child, the mid-aged man, 903

Each in his heart still thinks he knows Of Providence, Thy mighty plan.

Teach us a lowly course to take, To learn Thy bonoties, and adore ;

Accept the offeriog we make, And ever bless our rock-bound shore.

The land upon which the church was built was given by Caleb Johnson and J. W. Page.

A bell weighing eight hundred pounds was pre- sented by Dr. William R. Lawrence. A silver com- munion service was given by Mr. Charles Amory. The ladies of Nahant presented the carpet and fur- niture for the church.

In 1852 a small debt remained, which was can- celed through the kindness of Miss Catherine Hayes, who gave a concert in Lynn for the benefit of the church, an account of which is given below.

CATHERINE HAYES' LIBERALITY .- A grand concert was given at Na- hant on Tuesday evening, by Catherine Hayes, for the benefit of the " new Church " in that place. The following is the acknowledgment of the Committee of the Church ;-

" To MISS CATHERINE HAYES :- Most respected lady,-By request o sundry inhabitants of Nahant, worshipping in the new Church in this place, allow us to tender you and your musicnl associates their grateful arknowledgment of your important and substantial nid rendered to their religious enterprise, by your Grand Concert, for their benefit, in Lyceum Hall, last evening. It has discharged our debt, and will enable us to worship God withont pecuniary embarrassment. Be- sides, we are assured that it gave our citizens, generally, grent pleasure to have an opportunity to see and bear among them one whose fame in sung has filled the land and the world, and to bear their public testimony to your distinguished talents and worth. We shall ever remember your valnable services with thankfulness, your residence among us with grateful emotions, and your departure from us for a far distant part of the country with regret ; and should a kind providence allow you to re- turn to our shores, rest assured that we shall welcome you with ont- stretched bauds and warm hearts. In behalf of those whom your char- ity has blessed, and of your many friends in this place, we have the honor, esteeured lady, to remain your obliged servants.

" NAHANT, October 13, 1852.

" W. H. JOHNSON, " DEXTER STETSON, " W. W. JOHNSON, " A. COLBY, " F. JOHNSON,

Committee."

The Nahant church and the village church have both been enlarged and improved, so that but little of the original of each remains.

In 1868, by the joint contributions of the residents and non-residents, a parsonage was built and given to the village church. Mrs. Fenno Tudor and Mr. Welcome W. Johnson were the largest contribu- tors.

In 1876 a Young Men's Christian Association was formed through the efforts of the Rev. J. W. Dear- born, pastor of the village church. The land was given by Mrs. Fenno Tudor, and a small building was erected.

The Rev. Patrick Strain, of Lynn, and others of his church, preached and said Mass for members of the Roman Catholic Church in the old chapel until in 1872, when they built a church for themselves, the money being raised through the efforts of Fath- er Strain, who was assisted by the resident and non- resident Roman Catholics.

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHAPTER CXVIIL.

N.VIANT -(Continued.

Impre non-Long and Short Beaches- Little Nulint Cemetery- . Hela-John a Prit Malin Gardens-North Shore Iron Mine Sati Hora Bas Bauch-Pulpit Rock Cliffs at East Point, Salat and Old Wharf Clark's Punt Southwest Shore-

WAR. The first settlers of Nahant, although Quak- ers, who did not believe in fighting, nevertheless have a good war record to show. One, by his own testimony, received land on Nahant for his services in the Pequot War, and he also had a son killed in King Philip'- War. Another carly settler served in some of the French and Indian Wars, and many of his descend- ants fought in the War of the Rebellion. It is a not- able fact that one of our naval officers from Nahant, who served through the War of the Rebellion, had both of his grandparents serve in the same regiment in some of the French and Indian Wars.

At the breaking out of the Civil War the descend- ants of the carly soldiers were ready to bear the burdens of war, that the Union might be preserved. On the 23d of April, 1861. an enthusiastic meeting of the citizens of Nahant was held in the vestry of the church, where patriotic speeches were made by the citizens, and a company, called the " Home Guard," was formed.

Nearly all the men there, fit for military duty, signed the roll and Luther Dame was elected captain. Arms were bought by subscription and military drill was at once commenced.

The uniforms were purchased by the members of the company. Their first public parade was as a part of the Home Guard Battalion, at Lynn, where they received the Volunteer Companies D and F of the

Eighth Regiment, on their return to Lynn, August I, , battle of Antietam, and was discharged April 29, 1863, 1861.

flagstaff was raised at the top of Bass Beach llill, upon which the stars and stripes were hoisted. On this occasion Captain Dunham, who had served in the War of Is12 and in the Mexican War, had command of the gun. He applied the match, sending the report thundering over sea and land, amid the ap- plause of the assembled citizens. This enthusiastic old sokher expressed great regret that his age and wound Peventel him from again enlisting in his country's service.

Nachalt, as well as the rest of the towns in the Com- In inwealth, was fully aroused and prepared to an- swer any call that the country might make upon its ohzens, Meetings were held in the school-house, where suh riptions were received and aid guaranteed for the berg fit of the families of those who should en- I-A the w.r. Many of those who enlisted in the Hohe Gnard poined the army in the field, making this e ganization of sport duration.

1 . first to enter actual service was Mortimer L. Johnsen, who volunteered and was assigned to the

U. S. frigate " Sabine," as midshipman. He served through the war with Rear-Admirals Du Pont and Porter and Commodore Thatcher, who make honorable mention of him as an able officer. Commodore Thatcher, in his report of January 14, 1865, writes : "I have to commend to your notice, especially, Lieutenant MI. L. Johnson, who, in the midst of a heavy fire from the enemy, with a boat's erew of vol- unteers, carried a boat's hawser from this ship to the 'New Ironsides,' in order to enable us to bring all the guns to bear from the port battery, and was for more than half an hour a target for the forts, which they availed themselves of, but fortunately without success.""

C. Warren Johnson enlisted in the navy, and served on board the " Naralanza." Ile died in the service.

In March, 1862, it was voted to appropriate three hundred dollars for aid to soldiers' families, and to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volun- teer, when mustered in and credited to the quota of the town. John E. Lodge and Frederick Tudor added to the town bounty of each volunteer the sum of twenty-five dollars, or one hundred and seventy-five dollars in all to be added; James W. Paige added twenty-five dollars to each of the first four recruits, and Nathaniel Walker twenty-three dollars to each of the other three. Seven was the number required to be raised. The town voted to raise fourteen hundred dollars for recruiting purposes.

In August it was voted to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to each of the volunteers for nine months' service.

Elbridge G. Hood served in the Thirty fifth Regi- ment as first lieutenant August 1, 1862; as captain December 16, 1862. He was severely wounded in the

for disability. He afterward served as captain in Company A, Eighteenth Regiment Reserve Corps.

The following is a list of those from Nahant who served in the war:

Mortimor L. Johnson. U. S. N. Commander

Charles Warren Johnson U. S. N. Seaman

Charles II. Palner. Eighth Regiment

Otto Bush Ninth Regiment, Co. B

George F. Newhall Eleventh Regiment, Co. K

W'm. I., Rand . Twelfth Regiment, Co. ('

W. J. Johnson Twenty-fourth Regiment, Co. F

Patrick Riley Twenty-eighth Regiment, Co. A

Elbridge G. Hood, Captain .. Thirty-fifth Regiment

Wilbur Hanson Thirty titth Regiment, Co. "'

Alexander Webber Thirty-fifth Regiment, Co. D

John E. Wheeler. Thirty fifth Regiment, ('o. D)

Charles T. Lawless V. R. C.

George P Stone.

Daniel L. Senvey.

Marcellus Kidder. James Campbell.

George C. Neal. Forty-third Regiment

Luther S. Johnson . Forty-fifth Regiment, Ca. F

Edmund B. Johnson Forty-fifth Regiment, Co. F

Edward J. Johnson Forty-fifth Regiment, Co. F

Sidney C. Johnson Forty-fifth Regiment, Co. F

Edwin W. Johnson. Forty-Ofth Regiment, Co. F

Shepherd HI. Johnson Forty . fifth Regiment, Co. F

Welcome J. Johnson

Forty-fifth Regiment, Co. F

1435

NAHANT.

Lorenzo P. Whitney Forty-fifth Regiment, Co. F Charles N. Babb .. Forty-fifth Regiment, and Eleventh Battery for three years.

Arthur J. Bulfinch .. Eleventh Battery nine months and Eleventh Battery three years.

Wm. H. Perry, Jr .. Twelfth Battery

John Simpson. Twelfth Battery

James Hogan ... Regular Army, Nineteenth Infantry

Michael Mitchell Regular Army, Nineteenth Infantry

John Williams Regular Army, Nineteenth Infantry

Enlisted in regiments out of the State :

Jobn llenry Hood.

Hervey H Murdock.

Nelson Tarbox.

Alfred Tarbox.

George Tarbox.

Theodore M. Johnson.

Nahant furnished forty-two men for the war, which was a surplus of five over and above all demands. The whole amount of money appropriated and ex- pended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was six thousand five hundred and eight dollars. During the whole of the war the ladies of Nahant held meetings to make underclothing for the soldiers, which, with boxes of provision- and small stores, were sent to the Sanitary Commis- sion. There can be no better description of the summer season here during the war than the following quota- tion from one of its summer residents from his cot- tage by the sea : "Nahant is very solitary and de- serted this year. I stood looking down at the steam boat landing opposite, not a fishing-boat, not a human being in sight ; then the ghostly little steamer comes in and the phantoms go over the hill towards the ruins of the burned hotel, and all is still and lonely again."

IMPROVEMENTS .- From 1866 the valuation of per sonal assessments began to steadily increase.

A town hall was built and dedicated in 1869 ; later new streets were laid out, a Fire Department was organized and a new fire-engine built, with reservoirs for storing water, to be used in case of fire ; a public library was established in 1872; edgestones and con- crete sidewalks were laid on our streets ; street lamps were placed along our highways and over Long and Short Beaches. In 1872 the valnation of the town was $6,611,202, being the largest valuation of any year since the town was incorporated.

The number of dwelling-houses in 1861 was one hundred and seven, while at the present time there are but two hundred and fifty, showing but a small increase for the past twenty-five years. Many of the houses have been enlarged and improved, while on many of the old sites of the summer cottages large and beautiful summer residences have been built, so that few, if any, of the old cottages of fitty years ago re- main as first built.

The town has appropriated each year sufficient sums of money to encourage the improvements mentioned above, which were to beautify the town and make it more attractive.

Along some of the streets flowers have been planted in the small triangular pieces of land where two or three streets meet.

Many of our old summer residents protested against eurbstones and concrete sidewalks, declaring that they would injure the beauty of the town and make it appear stiff and cityfied. They wanted to retain the green grass and irregular lines of the footpaths along onr roads. " Let us have our Nahant primi- tive, the one place where there shall be no encroach- ments, a place which nature has itself made beautiful," they said. But their protests were of no avail, and the green footpaths were covered with concrete, so that at the present time these long, black, cheerless walks extend through nearly every street and lane throughout the town. Perhaps in the future the foot- paths and the green grass may be restored, for then there was beauty and life, even to the grasshopper that flew away under our feet.

By the absence of any large hotel for the accommoda- tion of transient visitors, Nahant has been a quiet home for summer residents, and the old times of hotel gayety have entirely passed away. Very few picnic parties now visit Nahant, although formerly they were very frequent, especially when the Maolis Gardens, a desirable and attractive resort, was in its prosperous days. Thousands visited it each season, but now its popularity is a thing of the past, and Bass Point, in a measure, takes its place.

A settlement of small summer cottages dot the hill- top and valley below. These cottages and small, cheaply constructed houses, prove to be a better shel- ter than the canvas covering that preceded them New streets and small lots of land have been laid out and are now offered to those who may desire to pur- chase and build upon them. Already larger and more beautiful cottages are being built for the coming season. The hotels that flourish there have, from small beginnings, increased in popularity, until to-day they are known throughout the country and visited in summer by thousands of people.

In July, 1847, a post-office was established in the Nahant Hotel. The first postmaster appointed was Phineas Drew, the proprietor of the hotel.

In the autumn of the same year the office was re- moved to the grocery store in the village, and Mr. W. W. Johnson was appointed postmaster-an office he held until his death, when his son, Mr. Edwin W. Johnson, succeeded him. The mail was carried every day during the summer months, but only once a week during the remainder of the year. At the present time the mail is brought twice a day during the sum- mer and once every day during the winter. Mr. T. Dexter Johnson is the present postmaster.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 111

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672