History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 124

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 124

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" Some of the fishermen began to use trawls in 1857. A trawl has from six hundred to ten thousand hooks; the lines are made of cotton.

" February 25, 1863, The Swampscott fishing fleet landed one hun- dred and fifty thousand pounds of fish on Blaney's Beach.

"In 1964 the ' Minnehaha' caught off Boon Island three hundred and fifty barrels, and the 'Flying Dart ' one hundred and thirty bar- rels of mackerel in about four hours.

" September 26, 1865 Augustus Story caught a halibut which weighed one hundred and ninety-four pounds. He received $54.32 for his prize.

" l'ebruary 16, 1872. The schooner " Champion," with a crew of twelve men, caught thirty thousand pounds of fish, which sold at four cents a pound. The next day's catch yielded $72,00 per man.

" While J. G. Twistlen was fishing in the bay, in 1878, he lost his two- pound load and line, and, a few days afterwards, fishing near the same placo, he captured the fish that deprived him of his tackle a few days befure. [This reminds the writer that when a youth, fishing from Na- hant rocks, a Buny marander snapped off his bait and hook. Replac- ing the Lost property and continuing the sport, he some hours afterward drew up the depredator with the stolen hook piercing his upper lip.]

" In 1x"9 tho schooner 'Alice M. Hawkes' brought in forty-nine thousand pounds of codfish in one day.

"In INNO Captain Ilenry Y. Hatch, while fishing in the bay off Swampscott, caught a halibut weighing three hundred and sixty

Mr. Thompson mentions that while Colonel Stetson kept the Astor House, in New York, he sent him a lobster, taken off Swampscott, that weighed twenty- two pounds. He likewise records that in September, 1852, I-aac Newcomb, one of the crew of the " Zep- pic," caught an cle trie fish weighing three hundred pounds. When taking it from the hook he received a shock that knocked him over, and Warren Jaquith, who grasped the tail of the fish, also received a

severe shock. It was of the species sometimes called cramp-fish, electric ray, or torpedo. Sickness at the stomach is sometimes produced by the touch.

LOBSTERS .- The lobster catch along our coast has been large and profitable for many years. The trap- ping of lobsters was first practiced at Swampscott in 1808 by Ebenezer Thorndike, who had twelve pots. For the year ending May 1, 1865, there were caught at Swampscott thirty-seven thousand lobsters, aver- aging in value, as taken from the pots, six cents each. Since that time the annual catch has gradually di- minished. For the quarter ending December 3, 1880, the district of Lynn, Nahant and Swampscott returned as the product of their lobster-fishery seven thousand pounds. In consequence of the growing fears that the lobster would be exterminated from our coast, the Legislature has of late attempted to do something for its preservation. Yet one would think there cannot be much danger in that direction, as naturalists inform us that a single female lobster will in one year lay forty-two thousand eggs. But probably other fish help themselves to the greater share.

As to the other fisheries, the district returned for the same quarter, that ending December 3, 1880, of cured codfish, 300,000 pounds; mackerel, 400,000 pounds; salted herring, 100,000 pounds. Of fresh fish, a daily catch of 315,000 pounds was returned ; the whole, with a few other items, making up a total value of $44,141.50.

In 1886 the Swampscott fishing fleet numbered from twenty to twenty-five sail.

CHAPTER CXXIV.

SWAMPSCOTT-( Continued).

HISTORICAL COMPEND.

1629. Francis Ingalls, the first settler of Swamp- scott arrived. The whole territory, comprising Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus and Swampscott, was called Saugus-an old Indian name-till 1637, when the name was changed to Lynn. Swampscott was made a separate town in 1852.

1630. A brick-kiln set up in Swampscott, near Humfrey's Brook.

1632. Francis Ingalls commences a tannery. This is stated by some local historians to have been the first tannery in New England. But it is a mistake, as there were tauneries in Plymouth several years be- fore. It was, no doubt, the first in Massachusetts Colony. In 1825 a hide, in good preservation, was found in one of the long-forgotten vats.

1634. Hot summer, with long drought.

1638. First division of lands among the settlers. May 3d, a violent gale, with heavy sea.

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1642. Daniel King, from whom the name of King's Beach was derived, settles in Swampscott. The win- ter of this year was exceedingly cold, and there was much snow.

1650. The first Swampscott settler named Phillips, arrives.

1651. The three Baptist missionaries from Rhode Island, Clarke, Crandall and Holmes, are arrested at the house of William Witter, in Swampscott, for dis- turbing the peace in disseminating their doctrines. They were convicted and punished.

1659. Road to Marblehead over the beaches laid out, in July. The part between Ocean Street and King's Beach, say the committee, " has been a coun- try highway thirty and odd years, to the knowledge of many of us." The "odd years," at least, must have been an exaggeration, as they would place it be- yond the arrival of the first settlers.

1666. Nathaniel Bishop and Hope Allen, curriers, petition the court to forbid tanners and shoemakers exercising the trade of curriers. But the court judged " it not meete to grant ye peticoners' request."

1671, Jan. 18th. Violent storm, with thunder and lightning. Other remarkable storms during the year.

1672. There appears to have been no professed musi- cian in the colony up to this time, and no dancing-school till the one established this year, which, however, was soon suppressed by the law. A heavy easterly storm, Nov. 10th, bronght in " so great a tyde as hath not bene this 36 years."

1673. A new road to Marblehead laid out, north of the former one ; the same now forming the extension of Essex Street, Lynn.

1679. A new troop was formed this year, consist- ing of forty-eight men. Ralph King was lieutenant.

1688. Ralph King actively opposes Randolph's petition for a gift of Nahant.

1689. Capt. Ralph King died. The appraised value of his estate was £2365 4s.

1696. Great elams in immense numbers were east up on the beaches by the storms of this year, and the town voted that the inhabitants might gather all they wished for their own use; but none were to be carried out of town.

1703. Walter Phillips, Sr., a Quaker, for refus- ing to perform military duty, had a fourth of an acre of his land seized and sold for the payment of his fine.

1706. Second division of lands among the settlers.

1723, Feb. 24th. A terrific storm, occasioning, says Mr. Dexter in his diary, "Ye mightyest overflowing of ye sea yt was almost ever known in this Country."

1751, Feb. Sth. Capt. Benjamin Blaney, of Swamp- scott, was killed in Malden, by falling from his horse.

1755, Dec. 9th. A whale seventy-five feet in length landed on King's Beach. Dr. Henry Burchstead rode into his mouth in a chair drawn by a horse.

1761, Sep. 6th. Ebenezer Burrill dies in Swampscott, aged eighty-two. He was born at Tower Hill, in Lynn, and removed to Swampscott, being the first of the

Burrills here. His father, John Burrill, gave him the Swampscott estate, and he lived in the " farm-house" still standing on the E. R. Mudge estate. lle was for nine years a crown counselor.

1775, April 19th. The battle of Lexington. Among those killed in this, the opening conflict of the Revolu- tion, was Abednego Ramsdell, of Swampscott, who was a son of Noah Ramsdell, and had elder brothers Shad- rach and Meshech. He was a young man of twenty- four years, somewhat of a sportsman, and on the morning of the fatal day was out on a gunning tramp. On his return he heard of the march of the British troops toward Concord, and dropping the game he had secured-two black ducks, says Mr. Lewis-and without stopping to eat of the waiting breakfast, seized a ration of Indian cake, and gun in hand hastened off to the field of expected conflict. He reached Lexing- ton about noon, and had time to fire but one or two shots before a British bullet laid him low. His wife was Hannah Woodbury, whom he married March 10, 1774.

1776. A midnight alarm that the English had landed on King's Beach occasioned great conster- nation. Many fled to the woods. The military rallied, but bad not marched far when it was found to be a false alarm.

1795. First Swampscott fishing schooner, called a "jigger," fitted out. Previously there was only dory- fishing.

1808. Trapping of lobsters first practiced at Swamp- cott.

1815, September 23d. Terrific southeasterly gale. The ocean spray was driven inland several miles, and fruit was impregnated with salt. Some declared that it rained salt-water.

1819, August. The first-known appearance of the renowned Sea-serpent in Swampscott Bay.

1828. May 2d. A whale sixty to seventy feet in length landed on Whale Beach.

1829, October 31st. Thestone beacon on the outer cliff of Dread Ledge was thrown down in a storm. It was erected a short time before, by the United States government, at an expense of one thousand dollars. Another, of granite, twenty-five feet in height, and three feet square at the base, was erected in 1831. In March, 1864, this last was broken off by the violence of the sea, during a severe gale.

1830, July 12th. Joseph Blaney, aged 52 years, while fishing, had his boat overturned by a shark, which sprang into it. Mr. Blaney was not scen after- wards, having, no doubt, been devoured by his vora- cious assailant.

1833, November 13th. Extraordinary shower of meteors. Friction matches come into general use, superseding the old tinder-box with flint and steel.

1838. Eastern Railroad opened for travel. Reg- ular trains first passed through Swampscott August 28th.

1839. Swampscott suffered greatly by a severe

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storm that began December 15th, and continued three days.

1843. February 1st. A splendid comet appeared about noonday.

1844. September 6th. Great Democratic clam-bake at Swampscott,-a political demonstration, attended by twenty-five thousand people. The escort was com- posed of four military companies, with bands of mu- sic. One hundred and seventy barrels of clams and one thousand lobsters were among the articles of food provided. Hon. Robert Rantoul, Jr., was orator of the day.

1846. The Rockaway House and contiguous build- ings destroyed by fire, January Ist ; loss, twenty thou- sand dollars. Swampscott post-offiee established, and Waldo Thompson appointed postmaster. First life- boat received. First Congregational meeting-house dedicated, July 15th.

1849. Gold discoveries in California. Several men went from Swampscott to seek their fortunes. Septem- ber, James C. Lamphier found a dead turtle off Swampscott Beach, weighing six hundred pounds. It was eight feet, six inches from end of nose to end of tail, and the shell was six feet long, and three and a halt wide.

1851, October 26th. British schooner "Brothers" wrecked at night, off Swampscott, by striking on Onter Ledge. Outeries of crew heard about midnight and all, seven in number, saved.

1852. Swampscott incorporated as a separate town. The event was celebrated with much enthusiasm. A procession was formed, and, with a band of music and banners, made a protracted mareb through thestreets. At the post-office Rev. J. B. Clark delivered an ap- propriate address, and in the evening there was a dis- play of fire-works. In the procession was an ensign that waved at the masthead of the frigate " Constitu- tion " during her triumphant battle with the "Guer- riere," August 19, 1812. When Lynn adopted the city form of government, in 1850, Swampscott, then being Ward 1 of the town, strongly opposed the change. And it was at that time that the desire to separate began to take determined shape.

1854, August 3d. A white-faced seal, four feet in length, shot off Swampscott.

1855. In the early part of this year considerable damage was done by the sea, to embankments espe- cially. Bathing-houses were thrown down and King's Beach at times completely overflowed. Deep sea- seining commenced this year.

1856. About the middle of February a large hump- back whale was seen several times near the Swamp- scott shore. A severe northeast storm began April Ith and continued two days. The steeple of the Methodist meeting-house, then in process of erection, wa- blown down. The first Methodist house of wor- ship in Swampscott, dedicated June 30th, Bishop Simpsom preaching the sermon. A severe thunder- storm Anglist 5th; house of John Blaney struck.

Within a circuit of ten miles the lightning struck in some twenty places. Egg Roek light first shown September 15th.

1857, January 18th. Bark "Tedesco" wreeked at Long Roek, Swampscott, in a terrible snow-storm, the cold being intense. All on board, twelve in num- ber, perished. The remains of six were buried from the Methodist meeting-house, Swampscott, at one time. The "Tedesco " was from Cadiz, with a cargo of wine and salt. Trawl-fishing began to be prac- tieed this year. June 13th, barn of Captain Fuller, in Humfrey Street, burned, the fire being occasioned by two little boys playing with matches. One of the boys was burned to death.

1858. Joseph Hill, aged twenty, was instantly killed by the accidental discharge of a fowling-piece while gunning at Swampscott, March 3d. On the afternoon of August 6th a barn belonging to Jonathan F. Phil- lips was struck by lightning and burned, with fifty tons of hay. The famous trotting mare, Lady Law- renee, valued at a thousand dollars, being in the barn, was killed by the lightning. October 13th, first electrie telegraph to Swampscott completed. Blue fish appear in the offing in great numbers during the au- tumn, and countless numbers of menhaden are found dead upon the shore-probably killed by the blue-fish.

1860. In January an unusual amount of ice ac- cumulated in the bay. Great shoemakers' strike commeneed in Lynn. Many of the craft in Swamp- scott joined. November 3d, a severe storm. The "Gazelle," a small vessel belonging to Gloucester, broke from her moorings and went to pieces on King's Beach.

1861. The great Civil War commences. Swamp - scott furnished for service in the field one hundred and seventy-five, and for the naval service twenty- five. Town Hall built, at cost of four thousand six hundred and fourteen dollars. Enlarged in 1882 at cost of two thousand five hundred and eighty-eight dollars. In 1884 the tower was built, the bell raised and fire alarm connected.

1862. Swampscott Library Association formed.

1863, July 3d. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Red- ington Mudge, of Swampscott, killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Extraordinary number of caterpillars appear in the summer.

1865, April. The fall of Richmond and return of peace celebrated at Swampscott with much enthu- siasm. A procession marched through the streets, bonfires were lighted and many buildings illumin- ated. April 15th, News of President Lincoln's assassination received at Swampscott with manifesta- tions of deep sorrow. Popular indignation towards one individual who expressed gratification at the event culminated in the application of a coat of tar and feathers. Extraordinary drought from July 25th to October 15th. Meteorologists claimed that it had not been equaled in eighty-one years.

1867, January 17th. Terrific snow-storm. No

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storm for twenty-five years equaled it except that of January 18, 1857, when the " Tedesco " was wrecked. Aud on the 21st the tide rose higher than at any time since the storm that carried away Minot's Ledge light-house, April 15, 1851. A beautiful mirage in the bay June 23d. Immense quantities of mackerel appeared in the offing in July. Several whales and horse-mackerel followed in pursuit. August 10th, a swing-tail shark, fifteen feet in length, was taken off' Swampscott, in a net, and sold to Professor Agassiz. This is a rare fish on our coast. September 3d, En- campment of Second Brigade of Massachusetts Vol- unteer Militia commenced at Swampscott.

1868. Atlantic Avenue, from Humfrey Square to Marblehead through Beach Bluff, laid out.

1869, September 8th. A very severe gale in the after- noon ; next in violence to that of 1815. Considerable havoe was made among the yachts and small shipping at Swampscott. September 29th, a blue heron, a very rare bird in this region, shot in Swampscott woods. Its height, when standing upright, was nearly four feet, and its spread wings measured some five feet from tip to tip.

1870, April 3d. On Sunday, about midnight, the brig " Fred Bliss" was wrecked on the Swampscott shore, near the Ocean House, a few rods from where the "Tedesco" was wrecked in 1857. The crew, though in much danger, were saved. A violent storm and heavy sea were raging. The brig was driven so far up that a plank was laid from the deck to the shore. A regatta took place at Swampscott in the summer, yachts from New York and other places taking part.

1872. Several extremely cold days in the early part of March. Ice formed all the way between Swamp- scott and Nahant. On the 7th, fishermen were able to walk on the ice to their vessels at the moorings-a feat they were not able to perform before for nineteen years. The summer was remarkable for excessive heat, the frequency and severity of thunder-showers, and for the abundance of mosquitos and house 'fics. September 25th, Joseph Harding died, aged ninety- seven. He was supposed to be the oldest Free Mason in the State, having joined the Adams Lodge, in Wellfleet, in 1800. So famed had Swampscott now become as a watering-place, that it was estimated that as many as ten thousand visitors were there during the warm season. The strange horse disease known as epizootic prevailed in the autumn.

1873. Branch railroad from Swampscott to Marble- head opened October 20th. November 17th, the three- masted schooner " Robert Raikes" struck on the "outer ledge," Swampscott, near midnight, during a severe storm, and was completely wrecked. All on board, five in number, perished. Two brothers of the cap- tain, who were elsewhere exposed to the same storm, also lost their lives.

1874. Some Indian remains were exhumed at Swampscott during the summer. Horse railroad from Lynn extended to Upper Swampscott.

1876. The " equinoctial storm " set in suddenly and with much violence, on the evening of March 20th ; three or four of the fishing jiggers were wrenched from their moorings, driven ou shore, or wrecked on the rocks. April 2d, the beautiful summer residence of Charles W. Galloupe totally destroyed by fire ; loss, some sixty thousand dollars. A hair-seal, weigh- ing ninety-five pounds, taken off Swampscott.

1877, March 9th. A storm, with a high wind, attain- ing a velocity of seventy-two miles per hour, pre- vailed. For several days in September, at night, the waves dashing along the shores exhibited an extraor- dinary phosphorescent glow. The spectacle was grand and attracted multitudes. A strong east wind had brought in a heavy sea.

1878, Dec. 17th. This is the date on which United States paper currency reached par value for the first time in sixteen years-that is, when one hundred dol- lars in greenback government notes would purchase one hundred dollars in gold. The former deprecia- tion was, of course, attributable to the Civil War. The extreme of depreciation was in July, 1864, when two hundred and eighty-five dollars in notes were required for the purchase of one hundred dollars in gold.

1879. The post-office at Beach Bluff established. A bald-headed eagle, weighing eighteen pounds, shot on Blaney's Beach. Two Indian tomahawks dug up on farm of E. B. Phillips.

1880. A number of icebergs seen in the distance by Swampscott fishermen. May, a severe thunder- storm. The lightning struck in nine places, in Swampscott, among them the "farm-house" on the E. R. Mudge estate. "Summit Villa," on the Gal- loupe estate, Swampscott, was destroyed by fire, with most of its contents, June 2d; loss, fifteen thousand dollars. It was rented to Com. Hutchins, of New York. November 22d, a beautiful mirage appeared in the bay.

1881, May 14th. Horse cars began to run as far as Monument Square. Sept. 16th, memorial services on death of President Garfield. Address by Rev. J. B. Clark. October Ist, Hon. Enoch Redington Mudge dies, aged sixty-nine.

1882, August 4th. Nickerson's oil clothing factory burned. Miss Emma Stone, an employee, lost her life. Loss of property, about nine thousand dollars. Sep- tember 6th, Jonathan Blaney's house, " Ilillside," de- stroyed by fire. September 6th, Ocean House, near Whale Beach, destroyed by fire; loss, about sixty thousand dollars. Tubular wells, twenty in number, sunk to depth of thirty feet by Swampscott Company. A splendid comet adorned the southeastern sky for several weeks in October and November. It rose a few hours before the sun.

1883. First steam fire-engine purchased. Soldiers' Monument erected. The residence known as Cedar Ilill Cottage burned ; loss, five thousand five hundred dollars.

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1884, June 25th. Horse-cars begin to run to Marble- head.

1886. September 25th. Capt. Martin V. B. Stone, yachtsman, of Swampscott, receives an ovation in con- sideration of his triumph in the race for the Ameri- ca's prize cup between the yacht "Mayflower," under his command, and the English yacht " Galatea," under command of Lieutenant Henn. A gold watch em- bellished by an engraved representation of the yacht was presented by his fellow-townsmen.

CLOSING REMARKS. - But little space is required for the few closing remarks that seem desirable. It has been seen that the first settlers, with hardly an exception, were from the toiling ranks; manual labor was a necessity with nearly every one; and to this may in a measure be attributed the fact that years passed without the presentation of any specially marked character or incident. Extreme physical want was, indeed, not known, but it required constant exertion and vigilance to keep the wolf from the door. It was not till after generations appeared that some of the nobler family traits became conspicuous. Pennry is not a congenial soil for the growth of those higher intellectural powers that need persevering study and deep meditation. Says Bulwer : "How many noble natures, how many glorious hopes, how much of the seraph's intellect, have been crushed into the mire or blasted into guilt by the mere force of physical want!" But the Burrills, Kings, Blaneys and Phillipses appeared, opened new avennes of progress and infused new energies. In these later days, as has been seen, Swampscott is by no means found lagging behind her neighbors in the paths of refinement and influence.

It may not be amiss to again direct attention to the varied and picturesque scenery of Swampscott, which, in conjunction with invigorating airs, unsurpassed facilities for sea-bathing, interesting drives and convenient means for frequent intercourse with the metropolis, has rendered her so famous as a watering- place. Perhaps no place on the New England coast can present greater attractions for the jaded city deni- zen who would seek a temporary home for the days of summer vacation. But the most enjoyable feature is the ocean. The ocean has peculiar attractions. And who can wonder that its deep mysteries have in all ages induced feelings akin to adoration in the contemplative mind,

" Earth speaks of nim,- Her level'd mountains, and her cultur'd vales,

Town, tree, and temple, and triumphal arch, All speak of ham, and moulder while they speak. But of where ar hitecture and design, Speak thing eternal fountains, when they rise I , umbut with the cloud, and when they fall? of wh m strong culture tell thy sunless plants, And groves and gardens, which no mortal «yo

What @ mel'a skill With wrought There conal monuments, and tombe of pearl, Where slags the men iny 'and a group that earth

Ne'er showed her buried kings ? From whose loom

Came forth thy drapery, that never waxeth old, Nor blancheth 'neath stern winter's direst frost ? Who hath thy keys, thou Deep ?- Who taketh note Of all thy wealth ?- Who numbereth the host That find their rest in thee ?"

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ENOCH R. MUDGE.

Enoch Redington Mudge was a descendant of Thomas Mudge, who was born in England about the year 1624, and appeared in Malden, Mass., in 1657. His father, Rev. Enoch Mudge, was born in Lynn, June 28, 1776, and was the first native Methodist preacher in New England. He was received in the New England Conference as a preacher in Angust, 1793 ; received deacon's orders at the age of seventeen and orders as elder at the age of twenty-one. He finally made Orrington, Maine, his home, where he married Widow Jerusha Hinckley, a daughter of John and Ruth Holbrook, of Wellfleet, Mass. His children born in Orrington were Solomon Hinckley, born January 18, 1803 ; Anne Bickford, January 15, 1806; Mary Atwell, February 18, 1810; and Enoch Redington, March 22, 1812. He died in Lynn April 2, 1850.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 124

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