History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 128

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 128

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1698. William Barnes died March 14th, and was no doubt the last of those who organized the town in 1655. He was one of the most prominent of the company, and his services were always in demand. He was selectman twelve years, moderator at sixteen meetings, commissioner to end small eases five years, constable, juror, and on the committee to correct the elerk's book. He is said to have come from England in 1635, in the " Globe," Jeremy Blackman, master, at the age of twenty-two; and if so, he was eighty- five at his death. He was a house-carpenter. Ilis children were Mary, born -; William, born -; Hannah, born Jan. 25, 1643; Deborah, born April 1, 1646 ; Jonathan, born April I, 1648; Rachel, born April 30, 1649; Sarah, born -; Rebecca, born -; Jonathan died before his father, and so did William.

1699. An appropriation of five pounds was made to build "galiers on ye foreside and at each end " of the meeting-house. The population increased but slowly during the first half-century of the settlement, if we may judge by the fact that galleries were but just needed. It should be considered, however, that their old-style settees seated more people in the same space than modern pews.

Educational matters were not forgotten, and this year it was left with the selectmen "to procure a School Master or school Dames that may supply the town," and six pounds was allowed towards paying the master. The custom had long prevailed of rais- ing by subscription some portion of the school money.

1700. A sharp, spicy letter was received from Major Pike in regard to his Indian ground, over which he said the town had laid a road forty rods wide, without notifying him. His Indian ground lay at the Button- wood, and that section was the favorite resort of the Indians in carly times, as shown by the arrow-heads and other implements found there. This letter was ordered to be kept in the town-book, and it is there to-day in a good state of preservation.

1701. The earliest record of the Society of Friends commences this year, although a few were living in town at an carlier dute. The Hampton Monthly Meeting decided to build a meeting-house twenty-six feet square and fourteen "foot stud," and here the members from Amesbury, Salisbury and Hampton met for some four years.

Many small vessels were built at this time on the river for fishing and the West India trade. The

name of one has been saved and handed down-the "Katch Peter," of thirty tons.

1702. A stringent law was passed this year, requir- ing towns to maintain schools and employ qualified teachers, other than ministers, under a peualty of twenty pounds. To comply with the law, the select- men were authorized to hire a master. Thus the free-school system was permanently established, the appropriations gradually increasing till, in 1875, it reached nearly twelve thousand dollars.

Seven young ladies had leave to build a pew in the gallery of the meeting-house, which they very mod- estly occupied till marriage thinned their ranks. Be- fore the year closed two were married and others soon followed.

The Quakers were taxed for the support of preach- ing, and this year the constable took two calves from Ezekiel Wathen, valued at thirty shillings, to pay his rate.

1703. This year the commoners held two meetings, choosing a clerk, and ordering a large tract of land near the late Moses Merrill's to be laid out in lots and disposed of. At the second meeting the only business transacted was confirming the grant to Fran- eis Davis of the Walter Taylor land at the river.

A new officer was chosen this year, styled " How- ard," but the duties of the office do not appear from the record.

A small vessel of forty tons was built this year and registered by the name of " Friends' Adventure."

There was taken from Ezekiel Wathen two thou- sand and one hundred shingles to pay the " prestes rate " this year.

The famous "Woolpit " Hill, sometimes called " sugar loaf" in modern times, is mentioned on this year's record. It is supposed to have been named from pits which were dug on its sandy top to entrap wolves, in the early years of the settlement. This hill is a singular formation, mostly of clay and stone, rising abruptly nearly or quite a hundred feet above the river at its base, affording a fine view to the south and cast. The river road winds along at its foot, crossing Goodwin's Creek and entering that beautiful valley known as Pleasant Valley. One residence has been erected near its summit, and others will no doubt soon follow.

1704. At this date tanning was an important busi- ness, as most of the leather used was of home manu- facture. Many old tan-pits were to be seen half a century since, and their remains are to be found in several places at the present time.

The town paid Samuel Colby, Sr., twenty shillings for ringing the bell and sweeping the meeting-house the past year, but the Quakers opposed the vote.

A square-stern vessel of about forty tons was built this year and named the "Success." Many others were no doubt built, although no record of them is found.

1705. The town was troubled with Indian depreda-

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AMESBURY.

tions to such an extent that the children were in danger on their way to school, and it was unsafe for Jamaco people to come down to meeting. To obviate the danger, schools were kept in less exposed places, and Mr. Wells preached at Jamaco every third Sab- bath. As their numbers increased, the Indians be- came more aggressive, and murders were frequent.

The Friends in Amesbury and Salisbury took measures to build a meeting-house, and a committee was appointed to select a location. Thomas Barnard gave a small piece of land, which tradition locates on Friend Street, near No. 8 Mill.

The first marriage recorded on the Friends' book of records took place this year, at the house of Thomas Barnard. The groom was John Peasley, grandson of Joseph, the preacher, and the bride was Mary Martin, granddaughter ot George Martin. The marriage was signed by forty-seven witnesses.

1706. The first rate to pay for schooling was made this year, thus placing educational interests on a firm basis.

The Indians who were threatening the settlements last year continued their hostile demonstrations, and several of the inhabitants were killed about the 1st of July. The militia were called out, but the savages had fled beyond the reach of pursuit and nothing was accomplished.

1707. This year the town voted to hire four or five school " Dames " for young scholars, and two masters for two months, to teach young persons to write and cipher. Seven schools were thus provided during a portion of the year. The pay of teachers was very small, but a little money went a good ways. For fifty years after the settlement of Salisbury, butter re- mained at the price first fixed upon-six pence per pound-and other articles were equally low.

1708. The town ordered a road laid out from the six- rod highway near John Challis', to the plain near Tappan Emery's. John Challis lived on the corner, near the late Moses Merrill's, and the road was the one which crosses Sandy Brook, near Daniel F. Mor- rill's.

Benjamin Eastman petitioned the town for leave to build a fulling-mill just below the mill bridge, on the Powow River, and also to take the water underground across the road to drive the mill. The request was granted, and thus was put in operation the first fulling- mill of which we have any account.

Sept. 7th. The commoners held a meeting and granted Col. John March several pieces of land on the original right of George Carr.

1710. Col. John March, John Barnard, Joseph Brown and Jarvis Ring petitioned for leave to build iron-works on the Powow River without being taxed, which was readily assented to by the town. The works were built, and in operation many years. This was a new branch of business, and, in connection with the saw-mills, grist-mills and fulling-inill, was making brisk times in this little village. It is prob-

able that the stock of this company was divided into twenty-four shares, as ancient inventories mention " part " of the iron-works and mill privilege. In 1733 these shares were valued at seven pounds each, or one hundred and sixty-eight pounds for the entire concern. The ore was mostly raked from the bottom of the large ponds in Newton and Kingston, although some bog ore was dug. The stones in and near Powow River show strong indications of iron, and in the northern part of Newton the road walls are largely composed of iron-stones. The fact that most of the ore was obtained in Kingston may account for the removal of the works to Trickling Falls, after some years' experience at the Mills.

Capt. Harvey petitioned for leave to build vessels at Jamaco, and was allowed to do so. The town landings were always free to the business men in town.

The school appropriations were raised to thirty pounds, and schools were ordered to be kept half the time at the meeting-house and half the time at the house of Roger Stevens, at Jamaco.

1711. The Grammar School was ordered to be kept at the meeting-house four months, at "ye Pond Hills fort" four months, and at " Left Foot's fort or there- abouts " the last four months.

1712. Powow River, even in ancient times, failed to supply the mills with water during the dry season of the year, and to supply the deficiency, resort was now had to Kimball's Pond. Capt. John Wadleigh built a dam at the pond's mouth "to preserve water in a dry time for grinding " This was the first at- tempt to utilize the waters of Kimball's Pond.

Thomas Currier, the third town clerk since 1654, died this year, having served since 1674, when he su- perseded his father, Richard. Father and son held the office about fifty-two years. Thomas was a neat penman and correct business man, or at least the town thought so. lle held the office of selectman seventeen years, besides filling almost every other town office. He was a schoolmaster, and chosen by the town to "teach to wright and sipher such as shall come to him."

He had, by some means, acquired a good educa- tion for those early times, and if through the town schools, it speaks well for their efficiency and his in- dustrious habits.

On the 13th of October Orlando Bagley, Jr. (grandson of the first Orlando), was chosen clerk, and held the office till 1754. He was also a school- master, and chosen to keep a private school by the town.

1713. At this time Amesbury extended to King- ston, and the selectmen notified those of that town to meet them "at ye pond's mouth, called ye country pond," to perambulate the town line.

1714. The meeting-house built in 1665 had grown old, and was out of repair, and a meeting was called January 7th to consider what should be done. But

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

there was a difference of opinion, and the votes were rather conflicting. It was first decided to repair the old house, but some believed it better to build new, and the latter proposition finally prevailed. A com- mittee of six was chosen "to consider and conclude concerning ye building of a meeting-house, and they to bring in their result at ye next March meeting, for ye town's approbation, and also ye place where ye house shall be built." As no report of the committee is found, we are unable to state what it was, but at the annual meeting the town voted to build two houses, and then adjourned to April 12th. When again met it was decided to build the first house at Jamaco, on the Pond Plain, on land given the town by Jarvis Ring for a burying ground. But no com- mittee was chosen, and the measure failed for the present, evidently on account of conflicting opinions.

1715. The first important question upon which the town was called to act was that of building one or more churches, and deciding upon proper locations.

A meeting was held January 7th, but adjourned to the 24th, when the work of last year was recon- sidered ; and the town voted to build but one meet. ing-house, and located it on "ye parcel of land called yº parsonage, neare Edward Hunt's."

This settled the question, which no doubt caused some ill feeling, and was a concession to the people at the west end by shortening their route to church about one mile. Its location was on the corner of the Mar- tin Road, opposite the house of George W. Bartlett. The house was to be finished by the 1st of November, 1716. Deacon Joseph Brown, Thomas Hoyt and Thomas Sargent were appointed to carry forward the work. Its dimensions were - forty-five feet long, thirty-five feet wide and twenty fcet posts. An ap- propriation of one hundred and fifty pounds was made to carry forward the work. To satisfy the pro- ple at lamaco, it was voted to build a house there, three years after the completion of this. The loca- tion of this new church was not a lonesome one, as within the range of half a mile were half a score of houses.

1716. Orlando Bagley, Jr., gave the town an cighth of an acre where the pound now stands, for a school- house lot, and it was decided to build a house " twen- ty foot square and seven foot stud, within ye space of two years." The Pond Hills has seldom been without a school, even when there was not a school-house in town, und the schools were held at private houses, forts or the meeting-house. This central locality was convenient und favored on that account.

1717. The school-house at Pond Hills begun last year was not completed, and Thomas Challis was chosen to finish the work.

The meeting-house was not wholly finished, some persons not having built their pews according to or- der. These were given twelve months' longer time, and if the pews were not then built, the privilege was lost.

The pulpit, deacons' seats and many of the pews were completed and seats assigned to many persons, and meetings were discontinued in the old church, which was now given to the faithful pastor, who had occupied it for forty-five years.

Mr. Wells' experience with the town, in a financial point of view, had not been of the most pleasing kind; wars and scarcity of money had often rendered it difficult to raise his salary and caused some friction between the parties. He now proposes a final settle- ment up to September 29, 1714, the town giving him leave to build a pew in the east meeting-house and also in the one to be built at the west end of the town, and he to abate ten pounds of his rate made October 23, 1716, and sign the following receipt :

" Id acquitt, discharge and absolve ye inhabitants of ye town of Amesbury, considered conjunctively as ye town, of all debts, dues and demands whatsoever relating to my yearly salary for my ministerial main- tainance from ye beginning of ye world unto ye twen- ty-ninth day of September, in ye yeare of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and fourteen."

The town accepted this proposition and harmony was restored.

1719. In the early days of the town "Lot layers " were important officers; their duties being those of lotting out the new divisions, laying out highways and at stated periods returning all lots in town for record in the town-book. Samuel Weed had served in the capacity from 1694 to the present time, when he was discharged. The town voted him " ancient and decayed," although but sixty-six years of age.

Constables were in early times important officers, and on them devolved the duty of collecting all rates. In consideration of their valuable services, they were not taxed, but this year a change was made, taxing constables and paying them six pence per pound for collecting.

A school-house was ordered to be built at Jamaco, which may be the second one in town.

Three important roads were located this year-the Ferry Road, Birchy Meadow Road and that part of the Lion's Mouth Road between the Poor Farm and Francis Locke's. What may have been the condition of the land at the Ferry is hardly known, although tradition says that a large portion of the land was covered with wood and bushes.

There were a few houses between Bartlett's Corner and the river, and three only are mentioned in the return of the road, viz .: Jacob Bagley's, James Har- bard's and Gideon Lowell's frame. There was, how- ever, an ancient "logg house " near the river. No doubt there was a path of some kind before this three- rod way was opened, but this was an important step towards building up the village.

The Birchy Meadow Road was located very nearly as found to-day, and was a very important measure to that vicinity. The extension of the Lion's Mouth was also a good move.

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AMESBURY.

On the 6th of December the causeway from the Poor Farmi at the Lion's Mouth across the boggy and sunken swamp to Birchen Plain was laid out as a pub- lic highway. It is probable that some rude path had already been made, by which it was possible to cross, but nothing like a road was there. To avoid the im- mense quantity of gravel which would be required, the way was first graded with logs and then covered with soil.

1721. The Hunt road, connecting the Haverhill and Buttonwood roads, was widened to three rods and defined.

This year the General Court authorized the emis- sion of bills of credit to the amount of £50,000. There was great scarcity of money, and it was becoming very difficult to transact the ordinary business of the colony. These bills were loaned to the towns and held by trustees, who loaned them, on good security, to the people. Each town received in proportion to its last province rate, which rule gave Amesbury £373. Captain Richard Currier, Jonathan Blasdell and Orlando Bagley, Jr., were chosen trustees, to loan the money on time, which should not exceed four years. For their services they were to receive one- fourth of the interest.

At this date hogs were allowed to run at large, and it was now " voted that all hoggs should go at large on ye commons in said towne for ye yeare ensuing, they being youked and ringed as ye law directs."

The people at Jamaco were growing impatient in regard to their meeting-house. Mr. Wells was will- ing to preach there a portion of the time, but no suit- able place was to be found. Late in the season (Dec. 11th) a meeting was called to consider the matter, and it was decided to “ proceed in building a meeting- house at ye west end of ye town, commonly called Jamaco."

Thomas Challis and four others opposed the meas- ure, they being Quakers, but without avail. The meeting decided to locate the house on "ye country road, near ye house of Thomas Bettells." Thomas and Jeremiah Fowler owned land there, and offered to give one-quarter of an acre for the purpose. Cap- tain Richard Currier, Jacob Sargent and Orlando Bag- ley, Jr., were chosen to proceed with the work. The house was to be of the same dimensions as the one at the parsonage. Although the town had fixed the lo- cation and begun the work, things were not working harmoniously, and there is evidently trouhle ahead.

1722. The location of the new church had given such general dissatisfaction at Jamaco that a meeting was called, May 14th, to further consider the matter. At this meeting a reconsideration of the vote locating the house on the country road was carried, but not without strong opposition. An out-of-town commit- tee was chosen, consisting of Colonel Henry Somerby, of Newbury, Captain Nathaniel Brown, of Salisbury, and Lieutenant Richard Heason, of Haverhill, with full power to determine the location. The result was

that the house was built on the plain a few rods from the present Congregational Church, and not far from the cemetery. This change occasioned some expense in removing the materials which had been collected, and the town agreed to foot the bills.

The Indians were now becoming very troublesome, frequent raids being made upon the settlemeuts, which kept the people in constant alarm. They sud- denly appeared at Jamaco, causing a general flight to the forts for protection. On this occasion Anna Cot- tle, a puny infant, was born in one of the forts, whither her mother had fled. But, notwithstanding the strange circumstances surrounding her birth, she lived to a great age, dying in 1810, aged eighty-seven years, eleven months and five days. At her death the Indians had disappeared, and garrison-houses were no longer needed.

It is probable that near this time a descent was made upon the Pond Hills. Tradition says that David Currier captured an Indian on his homestead (now owned by John Currier), near the Great Swamp. He was at work in his field, with his dog and gun near at hand, when the growling of his dog warned him of approaching danger. Snatching his gun, he quickly saw an Indian picking berries near the swamp, ap- parently not noticing any one near. He fired, wound- ing the Indian, who called for quarters, being too much frightened to flee or fire. "Lay down your gun and I'll give you quarters," was the reply, which con- dition was readily complied with. He was now Mr. Currier's prisoner, and was taken to the garrison- "house, on the plain, near the late Rev. D. G. Estes' residence, and finally exchanged. His gun is yet in the possession of the family at Pond Hills.

An effort was made to engage a colleague for Mr. Wells. The eloquent young minister had now grown aged in the service, and it was proposed to lighten his labors by employing a young man to assist him. A town-meeting was called to "make choyce of men to procure an orthodox schoolar to assist our reverent Mr. Wells, Minister, in ye work of ye Ministry." The record simply gives the choice of moderator, leaving us in the dark as to what other matters were acted upon, if any.

1723. The town having laid out a landing near Nichols' Creek (now Pressey's) found that the land taken of Thomas Nichols was in the " bank of credit " for security, and could not be held without authority from court. Accordingly, Captain Foot was chosen to petition the "enferour Court" to establish the landing.

1724. The new church at Jamaco was so far com- pleted as to be ready for those having permission to build pews, and they proceeded with their work. For the privilege of pew-room each proprietor was to pay ten shillings, and if not built before the last of May the right was lost. Jamaco was now well prepared for religious worship, with the exception of a minis- ter. And here the question arose,-how shall he be

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IHISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

hired and paid ? To settle this question a town-meet- ing was called, April 24th, when it was decided that each end of the town pay their minister.

This was virtually a division of the town into par- ishes, which soon followed. The dividing line was Nichols' Creek and up the brook to the country road, thence north to the pond, and across to Back River, thence up the river to Bartlett's Brook to his saw- mill, and thence, as the brook goes, to the country pond.

Rice Edwards was now building vessels on the town landing, and asked leave to set a house thereon so long as he continued building, and was allowed the privilege. Ship-building was a permanent branch of business in those days, and did much towards build- ing up the village.

1725. Captain Currier, Jacob Rowell and Samuel Lowell had leave to build a wharf on Powow River, to the northward of Gideon Lowell's wharf. This was, no doubt, needed for the accommodation of un- loading their vessels which returned from the West Indies and other ports with cargoes of merchandise. Mr. Currier's " ware house " stood near by, according to the record.

Last year the town was divided into parishes, but not presented to the General Court for confirmation on account of some opposition on several points. The West Parish, however, went forward and hired a minister, but there was some disagreement about Mr. Wells' support in his old age and other matters. To settle all difficulties by the adoption of some just measures, John Challis was directed to warn a meet- ing on the 7th of April, at the East Meeting-house, " to consider of some means whereby to settle our- selves with respect to ye payment of our ministers ; and to endeavor a loving agreement for ye future set- ling ourselves for y" future respecting ye same, either in our being together or asunder." Under this kind invitation the people assembled and confirmed the line to be perpetual and " mutually agreed upon and concented to and with by ns ye sª inhabitants, that ye lower precinct shall pay to ye upper precinct so much as ye sd upper precinct are assessed to pay to ye main- tainance of Mr. Wells for his work in ye Ministry in ye yeare 1724; within three months after ye date hereof, and it is further mutually agreed upon by ye s" inhabitants that ye upper precinct shall have and enjoy yo one half of ye pasnage land and meadows conditionally that they shall and do pay to and for ye use of Mr. Wells' maintainance after he is disabled for carrying on ye work of ye Ministry ye one half of what is to be payd to him and also pay to Mistress Wells y" one half of what she must be payd by yo town's agreement with Mr. Wells." Thus a satisfac- tory settlement was reached, and the division was submitted to the General Court and confirmed.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 128

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