History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 117

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 117

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).

Mr. Sawyer removed to the parsonage in Salisbury November, 1835, and for five or six years preached

for the Amesbury Church and the Rocky Hill So- 1 is still well preserved, retaining unaltered its quaint, ciety. After 1841 he gave his entire time to the ' ancient style. A rare relic of ye olden time, within

Salisbury Church, and continued his connection here until his death, March 26, 1871, aged eighty-eight years, six months. He prepared for college with Rev. Abijah Wines, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1808. Rev. S. J. Spaulding, in an address on the

ROCKY HILL CHURCH.

It has increased its membership and influ- centennial occasion of the church in 1885, gives the , ence from year to year by the lessons proclaimed from following tribute of respect to the worthy pastor of its pulpit, by the many good and faithful teachers of Old Rocky Hill, who, for thirty-six years, was con- | the way that leads to the better life beyond.

nected therewith. He was justiy hell, by all who knew him, in high esteem :

"Father Saw ver pren ched his last sermon October 30, 1870, on which nytt huis mind was as clear and he spoke in the mild, tremulous when Characterized his delivery, reading his hymns und Serip- Im walut Phere His public lahors were abundant. During his re bes in Amesbury an I Salisbury heattended eleven hundred fune- Fr afl Cifras 1 Duiteen hundred marriages. He served on the Py fot twenty-one yems, and in 1814 and 45 feelheltle 1 wh mu tor LeErl ture May 15, 1529, he preached STOR ky His the fileth anniversary of lus entrance on mir er if the Big 1. January 12, 1865, be celebrated his golden 1 tos siwy r was faithful and sympathetic as a pastor ; Tej was a ben, neighbor nud friemi, and con-

M: S. verhe supidy of the pulpit has been, WEG Maton, an aged Baptist cler- THI ther pe of , I nodes and respected by

Boek Hil Chur Low fre Au_ 175 or was so

far completed, Dec. 7, 1785, that a meeting of the town was held in it.

The sound material of the old house was used in the building of the new house, which is located nearly half a mile south of the old site. On its firm rocky foundation it has rested for more than a century, and

and without, suggestive in its associations to the gen- erations of Salisbury of the early fathers and mothers, and kindred who worshipped here so long ago.

All of the churches of the West Parish, now consist- ing of five denominations, may be classed as origin. ating in the Rocky Hill Parish.

The Christian Baptist Society were the first to separate, consisting at first of but few mem- bers, who for a time previous to 1827 held meetings in the " Old Loft," xo-called, of Capt. Oliver Osgood's store-house on the wharf at the Point, increasing in numbers in 1827 to such an extent that a meeting-house was needed, and built, in which for years a large and flourish- ing society met, comprising worshippers of a large portion of the Point, together with mem- bers from other sections of Salisbury and Ames- bmy. It is still occupied by the same denom- ination, although by not so large a congrega- tion.

About 1835 another society, composed of a portion of the Rocky Hill Society of Salisbury and the Sandy Hill Society of Amesbury, united and built the house on the western ex- tremity of the Point and formed a Congrega- tional Society, with the church name of The Union Evangelical Society of Amesbury and Salisbury.

The First Baptist Church of Salisbury was organized as a branch of the Brentwood Baptist Church Sept. I4, 1821. Preachers of the Baptist denomination visited and preached in this vicinity at irregular per- iods for several years before a society was organized here; but they were often assailed and subjected to the same manner of persecution as followed the Quak- ers.

The first recognized preacher was Dr. Samuel Shep- ard. He was born in the East Parish. The prime movers in the establishing of the Baptist Church were Moses Chase, Barnard Corrier and David Currier. It is related of Dr. Shepard, that while preaching at a dwelling-house in Salisbury a constable approached with the intention of arresting him. Holding the Bible in his hand and extending it towards them, he remarked, " Here are my credentials." He was not further molested. The " exhorters" of the Baptist faith were a bold and persistent class, and no fear of

1459

SALISBURY.

law or personal violence seems to have turned them aside from " the call to preach the Gospel." Perse- cution and opposition only tended to increase their numbers, and their church attained a strong and vigor- ons growth.

The Methodist Society was founded in 1805, and its first pastor was Samuel Norris. The Universalist was incorporated in 1831.

In closing our brief notice of church matters, we may add that the pastors of the first churches of New England were the first teachers of the people. Very few of the early settlers were educated men, and for many years the great majority of the people of the colonies were dependant upon the clergy for both civil and religious instruction. Men who by their natural ability had become famous by successful enterprise, statesmanship and scientific attainments, like Benja- min Franklin, Washington and hosts of others, were, in point of the higher branches of learning, very far below the standard of the minister of the gospel. Our first ministers were thoroughly schooled in the time-honored universities of the mother country- masters of the Greek, Hebrew and Latin tongues, as well as perfected in English lore. Not only in the- ology, but in all matters of practical import, they were well versed, and from this fact may we not trace the cause of the great respect entertained for them by the people?

SCHOOLS .- The record of the first schoolmaster gives the name of Thomas Bradbury. But there is no record of the building of school-houses in the early history of the town. The schools were held in dwelling-honses, and were moved about from one section of the town to another, that all the children, might be accommodated with such instruction as the first four teachers employed might furnish. Although the laws of the province were stringent in regard to the schools, the small towns lacked enthusiasm in this direction, and by indifference and neglect ignored and evaded them, and many towns were " presented " to the Great General Conrt for negligence in the ful- fillment of the requirements of the law.

In 1692 the law required " That every town within the Province having fifty Householders or npwards shall be constantly Provided of a School Master to Teach Children and Youth to Read and Write, and when any such Town or Towns have a Number of One Hundred Families or Householders there shall also be a Grammar School sett up in every such Town, and some Discreet person of good Conversation, well instructed in the Tongues, procured to keep such School. Every such School Master to be suitably Encouraged and Paid by the Inhabitants; and the Selectmen and Inhabitants of such Towns respectfully shall take Effectual Care and make due Provision for the settlement and Maintenance of such School Mas- ter or Masters." It appears by an act of the court in 1701, in addition to the above, that in many instances the law had been neglected or evaded, and the court

notices the same as follows, viz. : " The observance of which Wholesome and Necessary Law is Shametully Neglected by the divers Towns, and the Penalty thereof not required, greatly tending to the nourish- ment of Ignorance and Irreligion, whereof grievous Complaint is made." 1 will here add that the penalty of 1692 was ten pounds, which in 1701 was made twenty pounds.

It was also enacted that no minister of any town shall be accepted as a school-teacher of such town. It is thus manifest that the clergy had been compelled to serve in the capacity of teachers, and the law came to their rescue, although teachers were to be approved by the ministers.

Salisbury and Amesbury were frequently " present- ed " as delinquent in obeying the school law. The town at the period of our writing is maintaining the following schools: one at Ring's Island, three at East Salisbury, two at the Point, oue at Rocky Hill, one at the Plains, ten at the mills, and the school expendi- tures are eight thousand dollars per year. The first school-houses erected were built by subscription among the citizens interested in the cause of educa- tion. At the Mills such was the case, and the house was erected on an island in what is the yard of the factories of the Hamilton Mills Co. One of the scholars, the late Mrs. Stephen Osgood, when a girl of ten years, fell from a plank leading across the stream in approaching the school-house, and was carried down the current into the flume of one of the saw mills and over the dam. She came out unharmed by the adventure and lived to the age of upwards of eighty years.

Among the prominent teachers the name of Michael Walsh is pre-eminent. He was the author of the first Commercial Arithmetic published in New England. Among his scholars can be classed the names of many prominent sea captains of Newburyport, Salisbury and adjoining towns, who were taught the science of navigation. Among his scholars who were taught at his house at the Point was the late Seth Clark and Hon. Caleb Cushing.

The first school-house at Salisbury Point was erect- ed by subscription in 1793.

SALISBURY POINT .- There are few villages in the Merrimac Valley that embellish the landscape more brilliantly than the village of Salisbury Point. Situ- ated on the bank of the Merrimac, the river sweeps in a graceful curve to Deer Island, and the waters of the Powow flow along its western border, while on the Newbury shore the steep banks are covered with oaks, maples and evergreens. The village very early came to settlement from its location and value as a place for building ships. Its people were attached to their homes, and for patriots on sea and on land have given abundant proofs of their valor.

Upon the issuing of the King's proclamation in 1759, in which he called "upon his faithful and brave subjects of New England to join and co-operate

1460

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

in arresting by a most vigorous and extensive effort all danger which may threaten North America from any more irruptions of the French," we find quite a number enlisted from the Point. Many of these were shipwrights and were detailed at Lake George to build "batteau"-boats used on the expedition to Quebec. Captain William Swett, of the Point, kept a diary of the expedition, giving the details of every day's march from the Point to Lake George, he being in charge of a company of recruits from this village. It will be of interest to learn who of our ancestors engaged in this expedition, which forever stopped the progress of the French in their designs upon New England.

Attached to Colonel Willard's regiment are the fol- lowing recorded names:

Colonel Willard's Regiment.

Philip Colby.

Elijah Colby.

John Goodrich.

Geo. Worthen.

Kouben Lowell.

Amos Davis.

Thos. Currier.

Moses Davis.

Benj. Ring.

Robert Gould.

Wm Bagley.

Samuel Bagley.

Ezru Jewell.

Henry Trussell.

Sergt. John Hackett.

Peletinh Hoyt.

Corp. Adonijah Colby.

Benj. Badger.

John Brown.

Win. Lowell.

Sergt. Theodore Hoyt.

Thns. Iloyt.

Sergt. Gideon Lowell.

Joseph Hladlock.

Joshua Maxfield.

Thos. Gould.

Ezekiel Hackett.

Colonel Lovell's Regiment.

Gideon Rowell.

Jona. Saunders.

Tufts Thomas.

Danl. Kelley.

Jona. Thomas.

Labun Heath.

Thos. Calley.

Timothy Baker.

Edw. Bevans.

Eleuzor Gove.

Jas. Howard.

Stephen Ambler.

Danl. Greenough.

Ralph Cross.

Joseph Giles.

Moses Bailey.

Win. Prasen.

Colonel Rodgers' Regiment.

Eleazor Davis.

Joseph Jackson.

John Bunton, or Boyoton. Elevers Pratt.

Benj Marble. Ephraim Robbins. Jolin Frost.

Dennis Locklen.

Archibald Grimes.

John Belknap.

Jobn Wilson.

' Train."

Wm. l'erklus.

Abram Williams. Morris McGregg.

Maltha Pettingil.

Joseph Jenkins,

Nu:hl. Webater.

Jesse Warner.

solomon Brown.

Benj. Sunborn.

Nathan l'arks.

Joseph Du. is.

Stupsen Mewett.

The following items, copied from Mr. Richard Hackett's account-book, may be of interest, showing the price of substitutes for this last call :

J " 1"*8, April. Paid Joseph Pige (town officer) 20 dollars for half a man, by ( aptain. Tr se s order i. d currency), £15 ( s. Od.

" Ap 11 10, 17 3. 1 ud Jarvis Ring ten del mis for one-quarter of a

" April 5 th Be kid Ha kett and Judab culisted and went off the 11th day đ Muy, 17. ..

" }| Hackett pullsted (next year) abl went off the 21st day of Muy, Jit

The exulting joy resulting from the capture of Quebec, and the close of the war, was of but short duration, -- the home government had been at great expense in consequence of the few important features of the Point village, in the patriotic endeavor to throw off the yoke of oppression, and make their country a nation free and independent.

Although there was no company formation for the army, the men of Salisbury did not lack the general spirit and enthusiasm of the time, but ever responded promptly to the call to arms, and other assistance to the cause of liberty ; many during the war served in the field, and as many were seafaring men at the time, they found appropriate place in the naval depart- ment, rendering valuable and faithful service to the cause.

A large proportion of our people were shipwrights, and it is said that with this class of mechanics com- menced the War of American Independence. It is a well-known fact that the ship-builders of New Eng- land were ever patriotic and energetic in aid of the cause of liberty. This village had the honor of one of the most skillful naval architects of New England, at the time of the Revolution, and highly distinguished as a builder of ships,-a true patriot, and prominent in every matter of public welfare; as the builder of the first frigate (" Alliance ") for the continentals, he will live in the history of the nation.

After the refusal of other noted shipwrights to join him in the undertaking, he fearlessly contracted to build this first frigate for the Continental Congress, and the name of William Hackett, of Salisbury, as the builder of this historic war-ship, will ever be pre- served on the records of a great nation. As the correspondence in regard to the building of this ship may be of interest historically, I will here copy a portion of these relies, which have been well preserved by a descendant, together with other valu- able papers of ye olden time of historical importance and interest :

Letter from Elias Haskett Derby, of Salem. " SALEM, Jan, 23, 1776. " MESSIS. HACKETTS- Sirs : At Watertown, I saw a Member of the Continental Congress, who has orders to build two Ships-of-War, one of 700 tons and one of 600 tons, he has sent to Newbury-Port to know the depth of water on the bar. The Newbury members of the Court Bra very fond of building both. I should think at this time it might be a great service to your place to build one of them, - and as they are not yet agreed for-I told ye person I would see you on the affair-and made no doubt if you would come to Watertown (and if you should lose your Inbor the expense is not much). From what was said by Mr. Cushing, Currier and myself, I think you would be as likely to get it as New- bury.

" From your friend, " ELJAS HASKETT DENNY. "

The Cushing referred to was Thomas Cushing, of Boston, one of the prominent men of the Revolution, an associate with Samuel and John Adams, Robert Treat Paine in the Continental Congress; afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, with John Hancock as Governor.

Caleb Bundy.

1461

SALISBURY.

Letter from Thomas Cushing. " BOSTON, Jan. 14, 1777.

" Sın :- I am about building a Thirty-six gun Frigate for the Couti- nent. I have not yet received the dimentions, Imt an directed to engage some suitable persons to fell the Timber. I shall build this ship at Muggridge's Point. I propose that you (if you incline) and Mr. Jona- than Greenleaf, or, if be declines, Mr. Cross, should (it we can agree), build this vessel at the place before mentioned. As it is highly necessary that the timber should be cut immediately, I must desire you, together with Mr. Greenleaf or Mr. Cross, would immediately take measures to engage some suitable persons to sett about felling the Timber suitable for such a Ship ; as also tbe plank ; pay consult Mr Greenleaf and sett about it immediately.

"Do not let anybody know that I am about building this vessel. Should be glad to see you or Mr. Greenleaf immediately about this matter.

" I am your Obt. S'v't, THOMAS CUSHING.

" To MR. WM. HACKETT."

Second Letter from Thomas Cushing. " BOSTON, Jan. 23, 1777.

"SIR :- I desire you would immediately procure good white oak Tim- ber and plank sufficient for building a Thirty-six Gun ship of about eight bundred tons for the use of the Continent, Agreable to what 1 wrote yon the 14th inst.

" Your humble svt, THOMAS CUSHING. " To MR. WM. HACKETT."

It is evident by this last note and other papers that no agreement was made either with Greenleaf or Cross, shipwrights of Newburyport, as the intended building-place was changed from Newburyport to Hackett's building-place at Salisbury Point, at which place William Hackett and his cousin, John Hack- ett, built the frigate " Alliance " in the old ship-yard of Daniel Webster, at the western extremity of the village of Salisbury Point,-the first navy-yard of the Continental Congress and the Great Republic.

The Hacketts of Salisbury were scientific ship- wrights and excellent mechanics, whose ancestors were quite early engaged in this great industry of New England. They built many war vessels, also superintended the construction of others in other places; (they the vessels), are of historic fame, as are his build of merchant vessels of his time. His vessels were fine models, remarkable as sea-boats, so termed, and proverbial for their sailing qualities. The his- tory of his ships would make an interesting volume of the early shipping, both national and local.

The " Alliance " frigate was said to be the fastest sailing vessel of the navy ; her rate of sailing speed was fourteen knots an hour. With old papers of the builder, is the full dimensions of the hull and spars, but unfortunately her lines, or plan, is missing, and may possibly be in the Navy Department at Wash- ington.

Ilow familiar the names of the old Salisbury and Amesbury shipwrights and blacksmiths, as they appear on his old record of accounts! Here is the survey bill of timber and plank, which Cushing re- quested "sett about cutting immediately."

[ Copy.] " AMESBURY, 1777.

" To surveying Timber & Plauk at several times for ye Continental Ship.

" To surveying 508 tons and 24 ft. Timber .. £14 198. 4d.

To surveying 41,308 feet of Plank 3 2 2

£18 1s. 6d.

" Rec. of Capt. Hackett eighteen pounds, it being in full payment.

" WINTHROP MERRILL."

I will give an extract from the iron account,-the iron delivered to each partner of the smiths who did the iron-work of the ship. The blacksmiths were David Blasdell, of Amesbury ; Ezra Merrill, of Salis- bury (Point) ; Nathl. Ring, of Salisbury (Point ).

[Copy of heading of bill.]

" MESSAS. BLASDELL, MORRILL & RING to Thomas Cushing, Dr., To Iron Delivered at sundry times for 36 Gun Ship, between the dates of April 30, 1777, and July 23d, 1778, at which time the frigate was proba- bly completed."

It appears that each smith kept account of his iron used separate, and was so charged the amount deliv- ered him.

" David Blasdel's acct .. 21,473 pounds

Ezra Morrill 16,25713 4

Nathl. Ring. 13,1231/2

50,853 pounds.

" BOSTON, Sept. 16, 1778, Errors excepted.

" For TUOMAS CUSHING, ESQ., pr JNO. OmIN."

One more relic of the Revolution we feel proud to place on record, showing the patriotism of Salisbury Point in the very earliest period of the struggle for independence, only two days after the memorable battle of Lexington, and their prompt act in aid of the army, on receipt of the news of that first conflict with British troops, in defense of the rights and liberties of the people.

[ Copy.] "SALISBURY, April 21st, 1775.

" Money Recd of Deacon Daniel Morrill to purchase Bread for the Armey 258. 5d.

Of Mr. Stephen Merrill 47

Of Capt. Clark 7

Of Dea. John Stevens. 18

Of John Hackett 23

Of Ezra Morrill. 23

Of Arkelus Adams 9

Of John Webster 4.5 0

Of Moses True. 50

of Oliver Osgood. 7 0

(This wassterling or lawful money, which, by old tenor, amounted to £21 008. 10d. With this, bread was bought, as per document indorse- ment.)."

There is much incidental and biographical matter historically interesting, but it is the same experience of other towns of New England in the aggregate -hardship, struggle with poverty, sufferings by sick-' ness, and death on the battle-field, and in their homes, which was the common sacrifice of a people determ- ined to be free. We have not the time necessary to give the soul-trying details of this great war, and will here end the brief story attempted by adding that our section of New England, old Essex County towns, in their great endeavor, did nobly for the cause of the nation's independence.

At the close of the war the Point was the business portion of the town, and with peace, prosperity, by industry and enterprise continued with intervals of depression. Our main industry has been ship-build- ing ; also considerable has been the commerce in the years past ; also the fisheries for years continued prof- itable, and gave the industries connected therewith prominence; and various industries, the manufacture

1462

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

of shoes, hats, carriages, etc., have had short seasons, of enterprise and note, but they have not remained a permanent industry here. The only industry holding place since the Revolution is boat-building,-the dory manufacture, commenced by Simeon Lowell, and through his generations, reaching to the present time, consisting of seven firms, manufacturing in the aggre- gate nearly twenty-five hundred boats annually for the fisheries of New England, British and French provinces. The manufacturing portion of the town. The Mills (so called ). has long since taken our place as the enterprising and business portion of the town,

The War of 1812 found our mechanics and sea- men ready to fight for "Free trade and sailor's rights," which in the main was a naval warfare, in which our navy made an illustrous record, as also did the private men-of-war-privateers of which there were many, and effectual as a means of shortening if not ending the war.

Since this war, ship-building. for quite a term of years, gave employment to many men of different trades which were necessary in the construction of the ship. The demand for freighting ships of larger tonnage than formerly employed the firm of Kenis- ton & Colby for years in the building of vessels of this class, and the demands of the mackerel fisher- men for fishing vessels for quite a number of years was also a source of employment to the mechanics and seamen of the Point. This fishery was for some years a profitable enterprise, and many vessels were built and fitted out by the enterprising meu of the village, but for some reason it has been discontinued, as have also many of the former industries that once flourish- ed in this beautiful, crescent-shaped village of the Merrimac-Salisbury Point.

Salisbury Point never entertained the desire to change her name and give up the historic associa- tions which for more than two hundred years clus- tered in the old homestead of Salisbury. But the Great and General Court, in June 16, 1886, by vote of its members, and by signature of the Governor of Massachusetts, annexed this ancient Salisbury Mills Village and Point, comprising the whole early West Parish of the town, with its industries, and a valua- tion of upwards of two million dollars, and a population of three thousand people, to the town of Amesbury.

BIRTHIS IN SALISBURY .- The following is a record of the births recorded in Salisbury from 1637 up to 1611 :

Wyord, son of Mr. Tho. Bradbury and Mary, his wife, horn Ist of Sind Month, 1637.

Minue , on of Ju .. Sev guns und Abigail, born 19th of Seventh Month, 117.

Je-liPi, danechter uf Mr. Tho Bradbury and Mury, his wife, horn 2d of I Phth Mouth, 1.

I think the MEne ver L'un befu thu ir parents removed to Salis- bary -11Lyne 11 11\ Mr. Bradbury after he became town-clerk. Heer, ve caupoter of John Sinders und Ilester, his wife, born oth of Seve Month, . ..

Are, gher of Will Alla and Ant, his wife, born 4th of I.h vonth M uth, 1 AJJ

Jonathan, son of Rich. Singletary and Susana, born 17th of Eleventh Month, 1639.

Mary, daughter of Joo. Dickinson and Mary, boro 12th of First Month, 1639.

John, son of Jno. Stevens nud Katherine, born 2d of Ninth Month, 1639.

[Land was assigned to Mr. Stevens for a house-lot, which he built npon, and has never been out of the family-still occupied by Samuel Stevens, Esq., us a homestead - short distance south of Cushing's Corner.]

Sarah, daughter of Jarret Hadon and Margerite, horu 15th of Eleventh Month, 1639.

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 117

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