History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 134

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 134

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Jacob Rowell, the subject of our sketch, was born October 30, 1771. He was a gentleman of sterling integrity, genial and sincere in his attachments. He enjoyed the friendship and confidence of many prom- inent men in social and business circles. He married Abigail, daughter of John Jones, November 22, 1804, in Friends' Meeting. She was born July 7, 1782, and died June 10, 1843; he died February 6, 1853, and together they are buried in the Union Cemetery, and a monument is erected to their memory. They were the parents of ten children-JOHN, born January 28, 1806, married Sarah M. Stuart, died June 27, 1872, left danghter. Sarah A., wife of S. E. Patten ; ELIZA- BETH, born February 8, 1807, living; JACOB, born December 10, 1808, married Irena A. Jones, died February 22, 1871, left two children, Mary and George J .; REBECCA, died in childhood; SAMUEL, living, born Angust 22, 1815, married Lydia J. Neal Septem- ber 11, 1841, has five children,-Abbie R., wife of Charles Tredie (has two daughters), Oliver D)., Samuel, Jr., Edward HI., and John, who has two children ; CHARLES, living, born October 24, 1817, married R. Ann Healey, has Anna H., wife of George F. Talbot, and has two sons; Jacob A., who has two danghters; Charles, Jr., who has one daughter, and Clarence E., who has one daughter ; GEORGE, born September 16, 1819, married Rebecca G. Jones January 1, 1856, died November 19, 1871, left one son, George William ; ABIGAIL J., living; SARAH, died November 23, 1884; MARY, died June 6, 1827.

Jacob Rowell resided during the closing years of his life in the house on Friend Street, corner of Pond, where reside his daughters, who gratefully cherish his memory.

The family, the most part being Friends, have been steadfast in the pursuit of their daily vocations, leav- ing the civil and military affairs to others, being at at once helpful in keeping alive the manufacturing and business interests, as well as the moral life of the past years of this community.

ROBERT PATTEN.

Stephen Patten, the grandfather of Robert, was born June 19, 1707, and his father, Willis, December 11, 1738, and died September 12, 1816. The occupa- tion of Willis Patten, was that of cooper, brickmaker and farmer. He married Hannah Sargent, and had nine children, viz. : Stephen, Jonathan, Willis, Moses, Amos, Robert, Hannah, Unis and Thomas.

Robert, whose portrait is here shown, was born at South Amesbury, October 28, 1776, when the great struggle of independence was progressing. About 1807 he bought the John Hoyt, Sr., home- stead of one of his descendants and moved to the

Mills, where he spent the remainder of his life. Ile was president of the Powow River Bank from 1850 until his death, February 27, 1858, and was the first treasurer of the Savings Bank, which office he held for several years. lle was frequently called into town business, holding the office of selectman nine years, and was three times elected representative to the General Court. In 184] he was elected county commissioner for three years, and served the town in various capacities during his life. llis principal business was farming and brick-making, which he pursued for more than half a century. For many years he furnished all supplies in that line, there being no other brick-yard in this section of the town. No doubt it is the oldest brick-yard in town, and was first used by John Hoyt, Sr., and, in faet, the remains of an ancient yard were to be seen when Robert Patten moved there, so ancient that the oldest in- habitants knew nothing about it.

Mr. Patten married Rodie Sargent, and had Betsey, born March 9, 1804; Abigail, born September 30, 1806 ; Susan H., born February 4, 1811 ; Orlando S., born July 10, 1808; Hannah, born July 17, 1814; Robert Willis, born January 13, 1817.

Betsey married Patten Sargent; Abigail married Orlando Sargent ; Susan married Daniel Sar- gent ; Orlando (2d) married Ann M. Sawyer ; Hannah never married; Robert Willis married Eliza A. Brown, daughterof Enoch Brown, and had two children, viz. : Enoch B. (not married) and Carrie B. (she married Stephen F. Woodman, and had two children, viz. : Willis P. and Esther).

Robert Willis Patten now lives in the old home- stead, and carries on farming and the making of brick. When a young man of eighteen he learned the trade of tanning, and at the age of twenty-one years, engaged in this business with his brother Orlando, and continued for thirty years. He has been selectman and was representative in 1858.

JONATHAN B. WEBSTER.

Jonathan B. Webster, who was for many years a prominent citizen of Amesbury, died of pneumonia, February 17, 1870. He was an active and successful man, shrewd in business, of marked integrity and always held in high estimation by all his numerous acquaintances. Starting on the common level with his fellows, he maintained a steady, persistent course of life, until he became one of the wealthiest men in the community. Ile took no great interest in public affairs, but bestowed his greatest attention on the fi- nancial interests of Amesbury, which owes much of its prosperity to his efforts.

Mr. Webster was born at Amesbury Ferry Febru- ary 23, 1799. When about fourteen years of age he came to the Mills, and worked as an apprentice with Ezra Worthen, the first manufacturer of woolen goods in this place. He continued with Mr. Worthen

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

until 1>27, when he contracted with the Salisbury Mills to finish their goods, occupying that position until 1846, when he succeeded Mr. Nathaniel White as cashier of the Powow River Bank, which office he filled until May, 1858, when he was elected president, that office having been rendered vacant by the death of Robert Patten.

Mr. Webster was one of the principal men in es- tablishing the bank, and was one of its directors from the time of its establishment, in May, 1836, until his death. Ile was also one of the prime mov- ers in the organization of the Savings Bank, having been its treasurer for twenty years and vice-presi- dent for twelve years. He also suggested the forma- tion of the Amesbury and Salisbury Mutual Fire In- surance Company in this town, and through his ef- forts this institution was incorporated.

At a meeting of the officers of the Powow River and Saving Banks, held February 21, 1870, the fol- lowing resolutions were unanimously adopted : " Where- as, it has pleased the great disposer of events to re- move by death J. B. Webster, Esq., one of the of- fieers of this institution ; therefore Resolved, that in his death we mourn the loss of one whose fidelity and unwearied devotion to the responsible duties of the several offices he has filled, commencing with their organization, his strict integrity, inflexible honesty of purpose, have rendered him deserving of our implicit confidence and highest regard, and we shall ever cherish him in our memories as a safe counselor, faithful friend and upright man. Resolved, that we tender to his widow and family our sincere sympathy in their bereavement, and as a token of respect to his memory we will, in a body, attend his funeral. Re- solved, that these resolutions be published in the l'illager, and a copy furnished the family of the deceased."

Capt. Stephen Webster, the father of Jonathan B., was born December 6, 1771. He was a ship-captain, and when forty-three years of age sailed from Ports- month, N. H., in brig "Mars," and as nothing was ever heard from him, it is supposed that he was lost at sea.

Jonathan B. was the oldest in a family of five children, and was born at Amesbury Ferry February 23, 1799. Ilis mother's name was Sarah (Bailey) Webster. Ile married, for his first wife, Mary Mor- rill, by whom he had one child, -William B. Mary Morrill die I in 1833. The son, William B., married Julia Collins, of New York (no children). William B. died November 6, 1861.

Jonathan B. married, for his second wife, Laura Lins sot, who died shortly after marriage. For his third wife he n urriel Abby R. Ballard, daughter of Henry and Amigail ( Richardson) Ballard. She was born in Bratto bord, Vt. November 2, 1818. They had three chibiren, viz .: Abby M., born March 30, 1859: Sphen II, born March 5, 1843, and died Ropteon r 5, 1818; Stephen 11. a rain) born July 3, Isto, a'id died August 25, 1593.

Abby M. married Dr. Arthur T. Brown, a native of Kingston, N. H., and who has been for twenty years a dentist of Amesbury, Mass.

PHILIP JONES.

Philip Jones was the son of Philip and Ruth (Page) Jones and grandson of Ezekiel, and a descendant of Hobart Jones, who settled in Amesbury some two hundred years ago. Philip was born July 3, 1810, and was the only son in a family of seven children, viz., Lydia, born November 15, 1792, and died young ; Elizabeth, born March 20, 1795 ; Ezekiel, born March 3, 1798, and died young ; Hannab, born September 2, 1801; Ruth, born October 9, 1806; Philip, born July, 3, 1810 ; Lydia, born July 28, 1814.

Elizabeth married Hiram Neal; Hannah married John Huntington; Ruth married Josiah Challis ; Philip married Ann Osgood, the adopted daughter of Richard Osgood, of Salisbury, Mass. ; Lydia married Charles M. Brown.

Philip was brought up on the farm, and was con- sidered authority in all matters pertaining to agricul- ture. If there was a farm to be sold, Mr. Jones was called upon to appraise it.

He was a quiet man, very methodical and a natural mechanic, did his own iron-work and shoed his own horses. If he wanted a new wagon or carriage, he bought the parts and put them together ; was very enterprising and always encouraged improvements, and was considered an A 1 farmer, and his word was as good as his bond.

He was a prominent member of the Society of Friends, had been selectman of the town, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Mr. Jones died of paralysis April 9, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Jones had one child-Lura A. She married a Bartlett. Mrs. Bartlett died November 1, 1869.

REV. NATHANIEL LASELL.

Rev. Nathaniel Lasell was born in Schoharie, N. Y., February 4, 1816. He was the fourth child of Chester and Nancy (Manning) Lasell. His father was a direct descendant of Elder Brewster, and bis mother of Gov. Bradford. Thus was he of Pilgrim stock. There was also a Huguenot element in the father's family. Ilis parents moved from Scotland, Conn., to Schoharie in 1806. He had a Christian training in a devoutly Christian home, and early came into the Christian life.

Ifis preparation for college was in the academy of his native town and in New Haven, Conn. He en- tered Williams College in 1838, and graduated in 1842, among the first in his class. He pursued his theo- logical studies at Auburn, N. Y. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Cayuga April 16, 1815. Ile supplied the Presbyterian Church in Russia, N. Y., for some time. He was ordained and installed

Philips Jones

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AMESBURY.

pastor of the Congregational Church in West Stock- bridge, Mass., May 4, 1850, and dismissed July 7, 1853. He was acting pastor of the Congregational Church in Amesbury, Mass., from November 6, 1853, to April 6, 1856. Ile was installed pastor of the First Congregational Church in Exeter, N. H., June 9, 1856, and dismissed June 12, 1859. Hle then removed to Amesbury, where he ever after resided. He filled all these later years, however, with minis- tering to several churches. IIe was for five years acting pastor of the Union Church, Salisbury, near his residence. Several years he supplied the First Congregational Church in West Newbury. A like service he rendered for a brief time to the church in Brentwood, N. I[., and for several years to the church in Mattapoisett, Mass., preaching until within a few months of his death. After a brief sickness he died on his sixty-fourth birthday, February 4, 1880.

As a scholar Mr. Lasell took high rank. As a preacher he excelled. By his clearness of state- ment, and by a certain freshness and individuality of presentation, he awakened and kept the interest of his hearers, and fixed his sermons in their minds. " It was easy to remember them " is the testimony of a hearer.

As a friend he was greatly esteemed. His affec- tionate nature, cordial manner, his keen and kindly wit, made him beloved by the people to whom he ministered, and by a large circle of personal friends. And all was consecrated by a strong and earnest piety.

He married Mrs. Susan L. Winkley, June 25, 1856, who survives him.

HON. GEORGE W. MORRILL.

Hon. George W. Morrill was born on May 15, 1818, at Amesbury, Mass. ITis parents, Moses and Hannah Morrill, were also natives of Amesbury. His father followed the trade of ship-carpenter at various points on the Merrimac River, and when ship-building was dull he worked his farm.

The son had no other school opportunities than those furnished by the common schools of Amesbury. The old academy served as the high school of the time, and even its privileges were not long at the students' command. While still a boy he went to work in the woolen mills for a time. Farm work being distasteful to him, he felt unwilling to defer to his father's wish that he should become a farmer, and went to Boston and formally bound himself as a car- penter's apprentice when eighteen years old.

To the acquirement of his trade he applied himself with the zeal and thoroughness which always charac. terized his efforts.

The years of his apprenticeship taught him much more than the complete mastery of his trade. Ilis alert mind was awake to the intellectual life of the city, and, so far as he could do so, he made opportu- nity to share it.

Ife was careful to keep informed concerning all the great men of the day, and utilized every chance he could secure to listen to their public addresses.

His taste for polities was thus directed by Quincy Adams, Webster and Choate.

In religion and philanthropy John Pierpont and Theodore Parker furnished congenial thought and stimulus.

Music provided wholesome entertainment to a boy gifted with an exquisite ear for harmony. His flute- playing and fine tenor voice enabled him to give as well as to receive musical delight.

Boston was for him happily chosen as the place in which to learn a trade. In graduating from the car- penter's bench he knew the use of other tools, as well as those of his trade. He began the life of a journey- man carpenter in Brunswick, Georgia, whither he traveled by sailing vessel from New Bedford, at the age of twenty-one. He remained in the South three years, following his trade.

While working in the town and upon neighboring plantations he had a near view of the system of ne- gro slavery. Ilis rigid sense of justice condemned the violation of liberty and of human rights.

He naturally affiliated in politics with the anti- slavery Whigs, and became a member of the Repub- lican party as soon as it was formed. Returning to New England, he plied his trade at several places in the vicinity of Boston.

In 1843 he married Lydia F. Wells, who was also a native of Amesbury. As boy and girl they had been playmates ; as man and woman they were to be for forty-three years loving companions and helpmeets.

In 1849, at the request of the Wason Brothers, rail- road car builders, of Springfield, Mass., he moved to that city, and went to work in the car-shops. In 1851 he helped to fit up and start a car-shop in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved his family to that growing city on the Western Reserve. Besides working in the shop, he served also as its clerk and book-keeper.

llis services were of such value that he became a member of the firm, and ultimately its senior part- ner.

For sixteen years he conducted the car-shops with success, and in 1867 retired from active business with a competency. He took high rank among the busi- ness men of Cleveland. He was respected for his unswerving integrity and his ability. He was loved and admired for his winning personality, his graceful, genial manners and his generous charities, of which only the many recipients knew. Political honors sought him, placing him in the City Council for sev- eral years.

At this time Cleveland was one of the stations of the "under-ground railroad." Runaway slaves came here to take the night boats for Detroit, where ouly a river separated them from Canada and freedom.

George W. Morrill was known as a man willing to help the runaways. To him consignments of such

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

freight were addressed, and he accordingly met the anxious blacks and stowed them safely away aboard the steamboats.

Captain Pierce, agent of the line and an ardent Democrat, was always on the dock superintending the shipment of freights. Knowing Mr. Morrill's repeated violation of the Fugitive Slave Law, he often said to him : " Morrill, if I ever see you taking ne- groes onto my boats, I certainly shall deliver them up." But on Mr. Morrill's approach with the blacks, the humane captain would turn his back, so that see- ing the negroes board the boat was out of the question. Mr. Morrill was pre-eminently a law-abiding man, and he always gave to the nation au active and au un- wavering support ; but to him the Fugitive Slave Law was subordinate to a higher law, which the human conscience sanctioned and enforced.

Ilis achievements in Cleveland brought him wealth, social position and troops of friends. Most men so circumstanced would have settled permanently amid such surroundings. With him, however, had re- mained a love for his native New England strong enough to induce his return thither.

By this step he willingly surrendered the certainty of acquiring great riches, as well as the opportunity of winning the political prominence which his ster- ling merit, business sagacity and great popularity put within easy reach. No man in the city was more loved and honored than he.

In 1867 he moved to Boston and retained a resi- dence there a few years, during a part of which time he traveled in Europe, securing the information a practical man, with keen observation and a just judg- ment in making comparisons, can obtain from the study which traveling affords.

In 1873 he built his home in Amesbury, and re- mained there the rest of his lifetime. Ilis love for his native place had never abated, and an ultimate return thither had been his wish and purpose. Hle felt a warm interest in the prosperity of the town and a pride in the great beauty of its environment.

Political preferment he never sought. It came to him as the spontaneous offer of constituents. Chosen representative to the General Court for the session of 1875-76, he served with ability and characteristic zeal.

llis efforts secured to Amesbury an advantageous boundary line, when the act was passed at this ses- sion, incorporating the new town of Merrimac. Ile was chosen Presidential Elector in 1876, and cast his vote for the snecessful Republican candidate.

In 1884 he was elected to the State Senate from the Fourth Senatorial District of Essex County by a Republican majority vote without precedent. He led his opponent in every town and city in the district. Ilis able discharge of the duties of his position was indorsed by his re-election to the Senate the following year. As chairman of three committees, that of the Treasury being one of them, he conscientiously per-

formed every duty incumbent upon him. It afforded him satisfaction, while in the Senate, to be chiefly instrumental in securing the passage of an act unit- ing that part of the town of Salisbury known as Salisbury Mills to the town of Amesbury. This union of the towns was, in his opinion, a business need, and as such commanded his approval and re- ceived his efficient support. He declined to be a candidate for a third election to the Senate.

George W. Morrill, in private and in publie life, gave his best endeavors to whatever he undertook to do. Faithfulness, truthfulness, sincerity and earnestness characterized his every thought and effort. As a me- chanic, any deviation from a straight line or a sym- metrical curve offended him ; as a business man, only scrupulous exactitude and correctness received his approval; as a legislator, he was independent, and only such measures as he believed to be right in principle commanded his support. It is to be re- gretted that he would not turn his attention earlier to public affairs. Men like him are admirably equipped to give to the administration of public office the ad- vantage of management on business methods.

Descended from Puritan ancestors rigidly narrow in theology, he was himself a vigorous advocate of freedom in religion, as well as in civil and political affairs.

Throughout his life he looked to reason and con- science for guidance ; a kind and loyal husband and a loving and indulgent father, who taught by his own daily example, that most impressive of all teachings. llandsome in person, commanding in appearance, genial in manner, generous with his wealth, and with cheery words, his winning personality was universally respected as that of an able and good man.

lle assumed no virtue that he did not have. A strong man mentally and morally, he was, at all times and wherever placed, outspoken in his opinions and with the courage of his convictions.

In the carly summer of 1886 his health was im- paired by a severe attack of erysipelas, and on Decem- ber 10th of that year he passed away from earth sud- denly in the sixty-ninth year of his age. No higher eulogium could be spoken of any man than that pro- nounced upon him by an old neighbor, who said : " 1 have known George W. Morrill for sixty years. In all that time he never did a dishonorable thing. Ile could not entertain a dishonorable thought."

REV. D. GORDON ESTES, D.D.

Rev. 1). Gordon, Estes, D.D., was born in Malden, Mass., and received his early education at the semi- nery in Andover, and was a graduate of Yale of the class of 1839. Ile was for a short time junior partner of an old-established mercantile house in Boston.

He entered the middle class of the "General The- ological Seminary " at New York, and in 1845 was ordained priest of the Protestant Episcopal Church

D. Gordon Estes:

M. D. S. flere

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MERRIMAC.

by the Rt. Rev. Manton Eastburn, D.D., in St. Peter's, Salem. His first parish was St. James' Church, Amesbury, Mass. In 1847, during a visit to Europe, he was matriculated as a member of the Halle Wittenberg University, and attended lectures of Professors Roediger and Tholluck. In 1848 he was present at the forcing of the Ducal Bastile of Venice; also in Naples during their attempt at revo- lution ; and in Paris at the time of the memorable " Four Days of June."

On account of a bronchial trouble, he passed two winters in Florida, one iu New Orleans, and resided several years in the West as rector of St. Paul's Church, St. Louis ; Christ Church, Boonville; and Christ Church, Lexington, Mo., in the diocese of Bishop Hawks. From St. Paul's College, Missouri, with his dear friend and classmate, William B. Cor- byn, he received the honorary degree of I).D.

He returned to Amesbury and to his first parish, which he was again obliged to leave, and passed a winter in St. Croix, West Indies, but never recovered his health, and, after great suffering, died of Bright's disease at his residence at Hillside, Amesbury.

He was a man of gentle diguity, high culture, amiable and affable, a dear lover of a good joke, cour- teous, hospitable and generous, These qualities made him universally beloved.

He married Hannah M., youngest daughter of Paul Moody, of Lowell.

M. D. F. STEERE.

were consolidated into one by purchase, over which he was the sole agent. In 1882 Mr. Steere resigned his agency to seek needed rest. In 1883-84 he was called to represent the First District of Essex in the Legislature, receiving nearly a unanimous vote. The same year he visited Europe in company with the late John Gardner, then treasurer of the Amesbury Mills. But one born to such active business could not long continue unemployed, and he soon after be- came a partner in the large carriage firm of Biddle & Smart, and carries into that industry the same energy of character. To him the town is in part in- debted for the building of the fine opera-house which now adorns Main Street.

CHAPTER CXXVI.

MERRIMAC.

BY WILLIAM T. DAVIS.

THE town of Merrimae coustituted the West Par- ish of Amesbury until its incorporation as a separate municipality, on the 11th of April, 1876. It is situa- ted on the north side of the river from which it derives its name, and covers a territory about three miles long by two and a half miles wide, bounded on its four sides by the Merrimac River, the eity of IIaver- hill, the New Hampshire line and the parent town of Amesbury. It is described in the act of incorpora- tion as "all the territory now within the town of

Among the business men who have made their home in Amesbury, few have given such evidence of enter- Amesbury, in the County of Essex, comprised within prise, perseverance and skill as the subject of this the following limits, that is to say, beginning at a point on the Merrimae River at the middle of the mouth of Pressey's Creek (so called); thence running northerly in a straight line to the most northerly point of land on the southerly side of Kimball's Pond ; thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point on the town line, dividing Amesbury aud Newton, N. H., 2050 feet west from the Monument on the State line, dividing Massachusetts and New Hamp- shire, situated on a road leading from Newtou to Amesbury, aud near the house of Arthur Robert- shaw; thence westerly, southwesterly and southeast- erly as the present division lines run between the said town of Newton, City of Haverhill and said town of Amesbury to a point on the Merrimac River ; thence casterly by the Merrimac River to the point of beginning." notice. Born in Pascoag, R. I., in 1828, he, like many New England boys, was compelled to seek the means of a livelihood at an early age. To him the battle of life was earnest; but with a mind trained to industry, he entered a woolen-mill, learning every department of the business, with the hidden resolu- tion to win success. It was thus he shaped his future years for the good fortune which followed houest en- deavor. Advancing step by step, he soon became the owner of a mill in Uxbridge and was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods in that town, when he received a call to take charge of the Amesbury Woolen Company's mills, one of the largest concerns at that time in New England, and receiving a salary at one period larger than that paid to the President of the United States. From 1858, for nearly twenty- five years, Mr. Steere was employed as the agent of This territory is beautifully diversified by bill, valley and plain, and shares largely the picturesque qualities for which both shores of the Merrimac River are distinguished. On the south and west ex- tends a range of hills known as "Long" and " Red Oak," which are easy of access and from which inter- esting views may be obtained of the undulating slopes through which, like a silver thread, the river the mills in this town, covering a period of their greatest prosperity. During his agency, the working capacity of the company was doubled by the building of several of its largest factories, the water-power was vastly increased by the erection of a new and large reservoir for the storage of water, and the three companies which did business on the Powow River

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 134

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