History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 133

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 133

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On the morning of October 3d the Merrimac Opera Hall way found to he on fire in the third story, and so far advanced that all efforts to arrest the progress of the flames proved unavailing. Thus the village was left without a large and convenient hall.

At the session of the Legislature commencing Jan- uary, 1886, a petition was presented, very numerousły signed, asking for the annexation of a certain portion of Salisbury to Amesbury. The measure was ap- proved by East Salisbury and was finally successful. But there was some trouble about arranging the line. The bounds agreed upon were to start from the chain bridge, thence running to the powder-house, and from there to the State line near John C. Evans' at a stone bound. This line left most of Rocky Hill in the old town, including the venerable church. However, before the final passage of the bill the line was changed to the eastward, slicing off a much larger portion of the old town. The act went into effect July Ist. On the 4th a very general celebration was held suitable for the day, although the object mostly in view was the union of the towns. But few changes were made in town matters during the remain- der of the year. After the destruction of the Opera Hall no convenient room for town-meetings was to be obtained, and they were held in different places. The annual meeting in November was held in Veteran Ilall, and several subsequent meetings were held in the carriage repository of R. F. Briggs & Co., and the annual meeting in that of Walker & Shields.

It is probable that before the fall election a large and elegant hall will be completed by a private com- pany, with sufficient conveniences for town purposes. Ground has already been broken for the foundation on Main Street next to the Congregational Church, by Messrs. M. D. F. Steere, Wm. E. Biddle, Thomas D. Nelson and George E. Batchelder, the proprietors.

The front is to be of pressed brick, and the whole structure is to be built in the most thorough manner, and when completed will not cost less than sixty-five thousand dollars.

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AMESBURY.

During the year an extension of Main Street at the Mills was completed across the Sparhawk place to the Sandy Hollow road, which, in connection with Highland Avenue recently opened across the Lasell estate, throws into the market a large number of valuable honse-lots. This section is rapidly gaining in population and is destined soon to be one of the pleasantest locations in town. The rapid increase in business has called for additional tenements, and in every part of the village may be found new houses springing up as if by magic, In fact, "Po Hill" is already dotted with residences far up its southern slope, and bids fair within a brief time to be entirely occupied. And its twin sister on the west aeross Lake Gardner, "Whittier's Hill," will soon share a like fate. Several lots have been purchased far up on the southern side of the hill, where a most beautiful view of the village and surrounding country can be had.

Should present prosperity continue, the town will soon rank with the largest in the Commonwealth and possibly become a city.

MANUFACTURES .- In the early days of the colonies but little manufacturing was done. Some of the coarser articles were made by the slow hand-process, bnt machinery was nearly unknown. Rough carts, sleds, mill-wheels, plows, hoes and other similar arti- cles were made by the blacksmiths and carpenters, and that was about the extent to which the mechanical arts had attained. The first enterprise which can, with propriety, be considered under this head, is the iron works at the Mills. In 1710 Colonel John March, John Barnard, Joseph Brown and Jarvis Ring petitioned the towns of Amesbury and Salisbury for leave to set up iron works at the falls on Powow River, without being taxed. Leave was readily granted, and the petitioners proceeded to erect suita- ble works. The manufacture of iron from the ore ob- tained in this section was, however, a very hazardous business, to say the least, and needed all the encour- agement which the two towns could give. Hitherto the industries of the village had been confined almost exclusively to saw-mills, grist-mills and blacksmith- ing. The fact that iron existed in the neighborhood was probably known at a much earlier date, but the most favorable localities were first selected for the business. The principal inducement for commencing business here was the valuable water-power, which was important on account of the heavy trip-hammer needed in the work.

The ore was not abundant or easily obtained, being mostly taken from the ponds in Newton and Kings- ton. A small part was dug from the swamp.

That iron exists in this vicinity the casual observer will not fail to notice, from the stones in and near tlie Powow, many of which strongly resemble the crude ore. The walls by the road-side, in one part of New- ton, have that rusty appearance which the presence of iron usually imparts.

This new enterprise was managed by a stock com-

pany, the capital of which is unknown. From the sale of the stock, at a later date, it was evidently divided into twenty-four shares. These frequently changed hands, and were described as "one twenty-fourth part." The ore was either boated or carted to the works at the Mills, as circumstances required, where it passed through the smelting process, and, when cooled to the proper temperature, was passed under heavy trip-hammers and drawn into bars ready for the blacksmith's use.

How long these works were continued at the Mills is not known, but probably some twenty-five years, till it became necessary to remove farther into the country, where wood was plenty and cheap.

The business was removed to Trickling Falls, where it was continued many years. The iron is thus de- scribed by one who, in his younger days, had worked it : "When I worked with my father, this old iron used to come in to be made over into different articles, but it was very poor, difficult to weld, and when hot would smoke and give out a bad smell. It could not be drawn into nails, and it bent short would break, unless very hot."

This home-made iron was made into anchors, saw- mill cranks, spindles for turning the stones in grist- mills, cart-tires, cranes, fire-dogs and other plain heavy work. A number of Amesbury and Salisbury people removed when the works were taken to Kingston, and their descendants are found in the vicinity at the present time.

Although the manufacture of iron was abandoned, the working of the material into articles of public use was continued for more than a century. In 1796, or near that time, Jacob Perkins, the famous inventor of machinery, set up the first nail-machine in the United States, here on the Powow. Until now nails were forged by the blacksmiths by a very slow pro- cess, and were an expensive artiele. By Mr. Perkins' invention they were made very rapidly. The first machine simply cut them, and a second process was required to head them, but an improved machine was soon invented which completed the nail at once.

The "Gazeteer of Massachusetts," printed in 1828, says : " An extensive iron factory was established at the Mills in 1800, where one thousand tons of iron have been wrought in a year." This, no doubt, refers to the old rolling-mill and nail-factory which con- tinued operations till about 1825. Much heavy work was done at the rolling-mill; many heavy anchors were made, which called into use the heavy trip- hammer worked by water-power.

The late Enoch Winkley continued the nail busi- ness in a building on Mill Street for a short time, and was the last to engage in it at the Mills. After the discontinuance of the iron and nail business, the old rolling-mill was used for the manufacture of starch for a brief period. It was finally sold to the Salis- bury Company, and in 1862 gave place to the large mill now known as No. 8.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Cotton and Woolen Manufactures .- Where the beau- tiful Powow comes foaming down over the ragged rocks, falling about ninety feet in a short distance, mills of some kind have been busy from a very early date, but not till 1812 was any attempt made to man- ufacture cotton and woolen goods on an extensive scale. This year (1812) a company was formed, com- posed, in part, of the following persons : Ezra Wor- then, Paul Moody, Thomas Boardman, Jacob Kent, Mr. Rundlett and Mr. Wigglesworth. Ezra Worthen was appointed agent. This factory was on Mill Street, where it yet stands, although enlarged and greatly changed. The first cloths made found a ready sale to clothe the soldiers and people during the war with England. In fact, the demand was so great for that class of goods that the following year (1813) a second mill was built, just south of the first, by Jonathan Morrill, Esq. (commonly known as " Ensign "). These two mills gave employment to many of the townspeople and were a publie benefit. In 1825 a large mill was built on High Street by the Salisbury Company, which gave a new impetus to business and largely increased the population of this section. But tenements could hardly be built to sup- ply this sudden demand, and houses were moved from the Ferry to accommodate the workmen in the mills.

From the small beginning of one mill in 1812 the business has steadily increased until to-day the HIam- ilton Company have eight large mills in successful operation.

Hatting Business .- Of the first seventeen who be- came sole proprietors of the town in 1654, not one, so far as ean be ascertained, was a hatter. The intro- duction of this branch was by Deacon Moses Chase, of Newbury, a descendant of Aquila Chase. The exact time when he commenced the business cannot be determined, but in 1767 he petitioned the town for a small piece of land on the Ferry road, next to Powow River, to build a hatter's shop on. The re- quest was granted, he receiving a lot thirty feet square.

There is a tradition that his first shop stood near the small brook in the rear of the houses on the west side of the street, and the fact that he was here and taxed four years before, asking for the lot beside the Powow, would seem to confirm the tradition. In 1763 he paid only a poll-tax, but the next year he was rated for some property, which may have been a shop where he was working.

How long the business was continued at the Ferry by Deacon Chase and his son Bailey is not known, but the shop was occupied for hatting many years. The late Daniel Long manufactured hats here for Home tune. Nearly three-fourths of a century ago the business was started at the Mills, on Main Street, in the building since converted into a dwelling- house owned and occupied by the late Daniel Mor- rill.

Abont 1838 Isaae Martin, a native of the Ferry, commeneed hatting near Powow River bridge, in the basement of the house now owned by Timothy Bag- ley. Associated with him was the late Albert Gale. Subsequently they removed to the old building on the wharf, where the business was continued till about 1853. In the mean time the late Abner L. Bailey had become connected with the business and by his energy and perseverance became very success- ful. After continuing the business some length of time, mostly at Salisbury Point, under the title of " Merrimac Hat Company," a new company was formed, called the " Amesbury Hat Company," and the town landing (near Powow River bridge) pur- chased, on which a large factory was built. Before going into operation this company was consolidated with the " Merrimac Hat Company," of which Mr. Bailey was agent and a large owner.

In 1864 Alfred Bailey organized the " Horton Hat Company," which commenced operations near the present large mill on Merrimac Street. This com- pany sold out to the Merrimae Company July 18, 1866, when the latter company assumed the entire business.

The company now employ one hundred and sixty- nine hands, viz .: one hundred and eighteen males aud fifty-one l'emales. The number of hats manufae- tured in 1886 was forty-one thousand four hundred and ninety-eight dozen, valued at two hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars. For the last thirteen years the present efficient agent, R. B. Hawley, Esq., has had charge of the business.

CARRIAGE BUSINESS .- About 1800 the carriage business was commenced on a small seale in the West Parish by Michael Emory, wood-worker ; Willam Lit- tle, plater; and Stephen Bailey, trimmer. The method of manufacturing was very different from the present, the separate parts being made in shops devoted to that work. It was quite a task to make the ex- changes necessary to complete a carriage. There was little variation in style or finish, and the carriages were mostly " the one-hoss chaise."

But from this small beginning an important busi- ness gradually grew up, and in 1880 more than six- teen hundred carriages were built, amounting in value to three hundred and seventy-two thousand five hun- dred dollars. To complete this large amount of work two hundred and fifty hands were employed.

For more than half a century the business was con- fined to the West Parish, but in 1853 Jacob R. Huu- tington commeneed the manufacture of cheap car- riages at the Mills. This was an important move in the right direction. Hitherto carriages had been ex- pensive, those built at West and South Amesbury averaging two hundred and thirty-one dollars each. Mr. Huntington, in putting a cheaper article on the market, supplied a want of long standing. A ready sale was found, and soon others entered the business, spreading far and wide the products of their work -

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shops. With the large increase of trade come also great variation in style and finish, to meet the con- stant demand for higher grade carriages. Work of every style and grade, from the cheap, light carriage to the most costly and elegant, may now be obtained at Amesbury.

There are at present about thirty establishments in the business, varying in their manufactures from a few thousands to three hundred thousand dollars. The largest number of carriages built by one firm in 1886 was 2500. One other firm built 2018, and one 1200. Nearly every firm built several hundreds, and when it is remembered that there are about thirty factories busily engaged, some idea of the large num- ber of carriages made may be had. It has become an important industry, adding largely to the prosperity of the town, and one which is destined to be still further increased by the skill of the workmen and good judgment and enterprise of the manufacturers.

CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES .- There are eleven churches and societies in town, viz., three Congregational and one each of the following denom- inations : Baptist, Episcopal, Catholic, Friends, Free Baptist, Methodist, Universalist, Christian Baptist. The most ancient of these societies is the Friends', which was organized and a house built in 1705. From that date they have always had a house of wor- ship on this street, which was very properly named for their order. The society at Rocky Hill was or- gauized in 1714 as the Second Parish in Salisbury, and the present church built in 1785. Most of the other churches have been built and the societies or- ganized within the present century.

SCHOOLS .- Amesbury has (including eight paro- chial) thirty-three schools. The consolidated High School is now occupying the High School building re- cently built on the ancient academy lot.

The whole number of children between five and fifteen is thirteen hundred, and the sum appropriated for school purposes fourteen thousand dollars. The education of the young is well provided for and care- fully looked after by the School Board.

FARMS. - The town as now constituted may very properly be designated a manufacturing town. It lias a territory of about twelve square miles, being three miles wide and four long.

The eastern section is thickly settled by the vil- lage, which extends from the Merrimae River nearly to the New Hampshire line. The western section is de- voted to farming purposes. There are about seventy- five farms in town, not including homesteads of two or three acres.

Pleasant Valley, a tract of intervale land bordering the river, is a beautiful locality, containing several excellent farms within its limits. Formerly large quantities of salt hay were boated here for consump- tion on the farms, but the practice is becoming less frequent, the farmers depending largely upon patent fertilizers for their crops.

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The Buttonwood (the southwest section of the town) has a few good farms and a factory engaged in the manufacture of fertilizers, owned and managed by William Lavery.

The Pond Hills District includes nearly twenty farms, and is purely a farming section. The soil is good and in a good state of cultivation. Large quan- tities of strawberries are raised here, many of which are sent to the Boston market. This street is the main thoroughfare between Amesbury and Merrimac.

The Pond District includes several farms which are somewhat broken by hills and ridges, and the soil is less productive than some other sections. Kimball's Pond is a beautiful sheet of water on the south side of the district and a general resort for pleasure-parties during the hot season.

The Lion's Mouth is a small district, including several farms and the Almshouse. The soil is good and the farms very productive. Having a good market very near has made land very valuable in this vicinity and it readily commands a good price.

White Hall embraces the northern section of the town to the State line. It is mostly an elevated tract of land and affords a very fine view of the village and surrounding country. There are several good farms in the vicinity, which are well-managed and in a high state state of cultivation. Lake Gardner, on the east, is a beautiful body of water extending northward to the South Hampton line. "Whicher's" Hill, on the southwest, is a fine, well-rounded elevation which bids fair to be covered with residences in a few years.

To the eastward of Powow Hill is situated the dis- trict long known as "Allen's Corner." IIere are several good farms, which, uuder the good manage- ment of their owners, produce large crops.

In the southeast section of the town is situated the district very generally known as Rocky Hili. The ledge, which underlies the entire territory from Hav- erhill to the Atlantic Ocean, crops out in this vicinity and very likely gave name to the district.

Most of the soil is good here, especially near the village. The easteru part, which borders on the large plain in Salisbury, is sandy, but produces very good crops of corn, rye, etc. The central portion of the dis- triet is hilly and somewhat broken by the protruding ledge4. There are, however, some good and prosper- ous farmers. The village is fast encroaching on this romantic territory and soon it will be thickly dotted with residences.

The Amesbury and Salisbury Agricultural and Horticultural Society was organized in 1856 and has been accomplishing good results in its sphere of action.

GENERAL MATTERS .- Banks .- Amesbury his two national banks, viz., the Powow, incorporated in 1836, and the Amesbury, incorporporated in 1883, and also the Salisbury and Amesbury Institution for Savings.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Newspapers .- The first paper printed in town was the Amesbury Chronicle, published every Thursday morning by Nayson & Caldwell, in 1832. In 1833 Mr. Caldwell assumed charge and continued the paper under the title of Evening Chronicle. In 1834 Mr. Caldwell changed the title to Morning Courier. In 1837 the name was changed to News and Courier, C. E. Patten, editor ; Caldwell & Whitman, pub- lishers. In 1839 Mr. Caldwell again resumed full control and changed the name to Evening Transcript, continning its publication up to 1840, when he sold to Robert Rich. Mr. Rich soon sold to Joseph M. Pettengill, who changed the heading to Village Tran- script. Mr. Pettengill retained the management up to 1845, when he formed a partnership with Joseph E. Hood, and the paper was continued under the title of Essex Transcript, and was made the organ of the old Liberty party in E-sex County. Mr. Hood withdrew after a few months, and G. J. L. Colby was announced as editor. In 1848 Mr. Pettengill sold to Daniel F. Morrill, who continued its publication one year as the Villager. In 1849 W. Il. B. Currier assumed control of the paper and continued to publish it for more than thirty years. In 1883 Mr. Currier sold to J. M. and t. J. Potter, who continue its publication as Amesbury and Salisbury Villager.

In 1880 a second paper was published by J. B. Rogers, called the Weekly News, hut recently changed to Amesbury News. This paper is now on its sixth volume and bids fair to continue indefinitely.

Post-offices .- Until 1820 the Mills had no post- office, but mail matter was left at Clark Maxfield's store. At the above date Captain Jonathan Morrill was appointed postmaster and his office was near the spot where the new Opera Hall is to be located. About 1836 Jacob Carter was appointed and removed the office to Wadleigh's block. President Van Buren appointed Philip Osgood, who removed the office to a small building on the corner of Main and Friend Streets. Near the close of Van Buren's administra- tion Mr. Osgood resigned and Jonathan Nayson was appointed. After the inauguration of President Harrison John Walsh was appointed and established the office in a building where No. 7 Mill now stands. After the accession of Mr. Tyler to the Presidency Daniel Blasdell was appointed and removed the office to the corner of Friend Street again.

In 1853 David Bagley was appointed by President Pierce, and retained the office until President Lin- com's administration commenced, when David Batch- elder took the office, holding it till the close of Pres- ident Johnson's term. Hle removed the office to the store of David French. In 1869 W. II. B. Currier was appointed, and soon after removed the office to its present location. In 1873 J. T. Clarkson was ap- pointed postmaster, and held the office till 1881, when J. T. Goodrich was appointed and served till the election of President Cleveland and the appoint- ment of Hiram Foot, the present incumbent.

At present the town is enjoying a season of un- usual prosperity ; business of all kinds is brisk, creat- ing a demand for tenements which cannot be sup- plied. But many new houses are being erected, the number which will be completed in course of the sea- son being estimated at nearly one hundred. New streets are being opened in various parts of the vil- lage, thus bringing into the market many desirable house-lots. The population is rapidly increasing.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

THE ROWELL FAMILY.

Valentine Rowell, from whom most of the family descend, was here in the early settlement. Ile was granted land in the first division in 1640; married Joanna Pindar, of Ipswich, November 14, 1643; re- moved to Amesbury 1651; died May 7, 1662. His son Philip, born January 8, 1647, married Sarah, daughter of Abraham Morrill, Sr., of Salisbury, and was killed by the Indians July 7, 1690. Ilis homestead was near the corner of School and Pleasant Streets. Jacob, son of Philip, was born 1669; married Hannah Barnard, of Andover. Ilis homestead was on Friend Street. lle died August 18, 1747. He owned a part of the iron-works located near the first dam on Pow- ow River, doing an extensive business for those times. This, with other property he bequeathed to his son Philip, born January 28, 1695; married Elizabeth Purinton, October 10, 1719; died April 18, 1780. His homestead was where the residence of Mrs. Stephen Woodman now is. To him much of the early thrift and business of the village was due. He was not only actively engaged in the iron-works, but was also a surveyor of land, wrote many deeds and wills, and was an exchanger of currency which floated from province to province. He also dealt in English and West India goods. His was indeed the country store of olden days. lle, as well as most of his descendants, was attached to the Friends' Society. In his will he gave fifty pounds to the Amesbury Friends' Meeting, which fund is enjoyed to-day. The society's first house was on the site of the Public Library; the second on the site of the brick house, Friend Street; the third, where the Friends' brick meeting-house now stands; their present house is their fourth.

Jacob Rowell, son of Philip, followed many of the avocations of his father. He was born February 12, 1724. His homestead was on High Street, corner of Powow. Hle married Anna, daughter of James Bux- ton, of Salem, January 22. 1761. He died September 29, 1813, aged eighty-nine. His wife died November 9, 1822, aged ninety-one years. They had eight children-Philip, who left three sons and one daugh- ter; Abigail, who married Edward Southwich, of Danvers; James, drowned when a lad; John, un-

Jacob Rowell

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married; Elizabeth, married James Purinton, Ken- sington, N. H .; Jacob, of whom more later; Anna, unmarried ; James, who left two sons, was drowned June 16, 1826.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 133

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