USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 188
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The building of vessels on the Merrimac was prob- ably carried on at a date much carlier than any date which positive evidence can fix. On the 5th of
January, 1680, the town of Newbury voted " To grant the petition of Benjamin Rolle, Doctor John Dole and Richard Dole, for four or five rods on the flats from Watts' cellar spring to Ensign Greenleaf's, for a place to build a wharf, and a place to build vessels upon, provided they come not within ten or twelve feet of the spring, and make up said wharf within three years." Here seems to be tangible evidence that as early as 1680 ship-building was carried on on the river. According to Mr. John J. Currier, from whose valuable pamphlet, entitled an " Historical Sketch of Ship-Building on the Merrimac River," the writer has frecly drawn, Watts' cellar was near the spot where the market-house now stands. In 1698, Ezra Cottle " began to build ships where Mr. Johnson did," just below Chandler's Lane (now Federal Street). Mr. Johnson seems to have been engaged in the business in 1695. Between 1681 and 1714 one hundred and thirty vessels were built on the river, one hundred of which were built in Newbury. The industry was recognized by the town as so important that it was fostered as one of its most valuable interest -. For many years most of the building-yards were the property of the town, and leased for longer or shorter terms, in whole or in part, according to the wishes of the lessces. In 1711 a building-yard near Watts' cellar was let to Colonel Partridge, Mr. Clement and Mr. Hodges. In 1734 other lea-es are recorded, either made by the town or by the " Proprietor-," who owned a strip along the river, intersected by the landing places and the building-yards belonging to the town. Mr. Currier states that in 1723 there was a ship-yard at Thurlo's Bridge over the Parker River, and that ships were built there that year. In the middle of the last century Gideon Woodwell built fifty-two ves els on the lower side of Water Street, near the foot of Marlboro' Street. Farther up the river Samuel Moggaridge was engaged in ship-building in 1730, and it is said that in 1766, two years after the incor- poration of Newburyport, seventy-two vessels were on the stocks, between Pierce's farm and Moggaridge's Point.
Mr. Currier says," All the vessels built at this period were doubtless duly registered, but no trace of theni can be found among the colonial records at the State- llonse in Boston ; and the papers and documents at the Custom-House in Newburyport do not extend further back then the year 1789, so that information in regard to them can be obtained from neither of these sources." It would be interesting to know some- thing of the size, ownership and general construction of these vowels, It is worthy of remark, however, that many of them were built for merchants in England, and when completed they sailed from Newbury load- ed with timber and agricultural products. The "Jew's Rafts," so called, were built in Moggaridge's yard for a Mr. Levi, a Jew. An English paper of 1770 an- nounces the arrival of one of them as follows :
"The ' Newbury,' Capt. Rome, from Newbury in New England, Hes al
1758
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the Orchard House, Blackwell. The above is a raft of timber in the form of a ship, which came from Newbury to soundings; in twenty six days, aad is worthy the attention of the curious."
Among the leading builders before the Revolution, were Ralph Cross, who was born in Ipswich in 1706, and was the father of Stephen and Ralph Cross, already mentioned in this narrative; and William Gerrish, a descendant of William Gerrish, an early settler of Newbury. At a later day, during the Revolution, the construction of privateers was largely carried on, and in 1777 a sixteen-gun ship, called the "Neptune." was built, and when leaving port capsized and sank in sixteen fathoms of water. After the Revolution Elias Jackman established a yard and carried it on thirty years, and Orlando B. Merrill, who in 1798 built the brig "Piekering," fourteen guns, for the United States. In the same year William Bartlett, William Coombs, Dudley A. Tyng, Moses Brown, W. P. Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, William Farris, Ebenezer Stocker and Samnel A. Otis, Jr., and other eitizens built and loaned to the government the ship " Merri- mack," of about three hundred and fifty tons burden, which was commanded by Capt. Moses Brown, and during her five years' service captured a number of French vessels and recaptured many English and American prizes. She was built by Major Cross, under the direction of William Hackett, in seventy-fivedays. Her eost was $46,170, and at the end of five years she was sold in Boston for 821,154, when, with her name changed to the " Monticello " she was soon after wreck- ed on Cape Cod.
In 1799 the ship " Warren," eighteen guns, was built in Mr. Webster's yard in Salisbury, under the direc- tion of Nicholas Johnson, of Newburyport, by contract with the United States, and commanded by Capt. Timothy Newman, of Newburyport. In 1810, the year after the embargo, which was so disastrous to shipping interests, was repealed, there were built on the Mer- rimae River twenty-one ships, thirteen brigs, one sehooner and seven small craft, with a combined ton- nage of twelve thousand tons. In 1813, during the War of 1812, the United States sloop-of-war," Wasp," was built by Orlando B. Merrill, and about the same time two gun-boats were built by Stephen Coffin, in Newbury.
Among the later builders have been Joseph Coffin, Elisha Briggs, Stephen Dutton, Jonathan and Thomas Merrill, Joseph Jackman, William Currier, James L. Townsend, George E. Currier, Charles II. Currier, John Currier, 'John W. S. Colby, Enoch P. Lunt, Stephen Jackman, Jr., George W. Jackman, Jr., Eben Manson, Fillmore & McQuillen, Atkinson & Fillmore, Donald McKay, Joseph Pickett, W. B. Coffin, and Cyrus Bornham. The following vessels have been built in Newburyport since the Revolution, most of which are either enrolled or registered in the New- buryport Custom-House.
Tony.
Tons.
1×13.
Mink
1851. Ship Victory. 32
1851. " Huzzar. 725
1814.
38
=
Teazer.
61
1792. Brig Nancy 84
1819.
=
Fraoklin ... 45
1792. Schooner Nymph. 97
1819.
John Howard 54
1819.
John.
41
1792. Schooner Sally. 89
1819,
Peacock 41
1793. Schoooer Sterk 70
1819.
Peacock. 51
1793. Brig Minerva. 143
1819. Brig Hanoah 154
1793. " Union 146
1820. Ohie
129
1793. Ship Peggy 213 1820. Schooner Rohert. 17
1820.
Oscar 54
1794. Brig Peter 178
1823. Brig Rapid 233
1825. Schooner Sarah Atkins .. 56
1825.
44 Enterprise. .... 47
1795. Three Sisters ..
1823. Brig Patron. 177
1827. Schooner Harriet. 55
1828.
Essex 50
72
1795. " Ilarrlet,
119
1828.
John
21
1795. Schooner Three Sisters .. 99
1828.
Francis
60
1796. Ship W'm. and Henry. 251
1829,
Bonnty
60
1796. Schooner Sally 74
1830.
(ilvhe
18
1796. Ship Commerce,
173
1830.
Hurkasee
74
1831.
Triton
56
1796. Schooner Bee, 76
1832.
Fame.
18
1799. Alexander. 81
1832.
Mechanic.
48
1800. Ship Angeline. 238
1833.
1835.
Warrea.
46
1800. " Amazon 110
1800. Schooner Cyrus .. I11
1837.
Asia.
69
1801. Triton. 108
1837.
Unicorn.
Rienza .. 66
1801. Brig Jefferson. 138
1837.
Equator.
Angola 30
1801. Sloop Mary 85
1838.
Harriet 23
1803. Brig Mac. 143
1815.
Alert 21
1804. Schooner Ann 76
1804. Ship Ango. 270
1804. Brig Geo. Washington 132
1805. Schooner Eleanor 103
1805. Rebecca. 108
IS47. .. HannahGrant 10#
1847. Ship Joshua Mansion ... 546 1848. Schooner Margaret Ann 100
1849.
Alice.
21
1849.
Antelope. 75
1850.
6 4 Pearl 31
1850.
America 30
1811. Brig St. Paul. 266
1811. " Juno 196
1813. Schooner Traveller. 77
1813. 44 Little Duck .. 42
1783. Brig Ilibernia. 108 1783. Schooner Ilibernia. 78
1783 Schooner llope. 17×4. Brig Success 147
Tons.
Tons.
1784. Ship Thomas 230
1814. Schooner Peace .. 3G
1784. Brig Vulture. 172
1814.
Crocodile.
157
1785. Sloop Washington. 67
1815. Schooder Frances
72
1785. Schooner Fanny 148
1816.
Dolphin.
80
1786. Two Brothers .. 52
1816.
Caleb ...
81
1786. 41
Abigail. 73
1816.
Four Sisters.
115
1787.
=
Success 38
1817.
New Packet ... 75
1788.
= Polly
44
1817.
Eagle ... 97
1788.
Betsey 21
1817.
Governor 58
1789. Sloop Nancy 83
1817.
Lady Brooks .. 109
1789. Ship Industry 20G
1817.
Pickerel 41
1789. Schooner Hannah 82
1817.
Aagler. 54
1789. Schooner Pilgrim 58
1817.
Willianı. 35
1790. Brig Olive Branch. 140
1817.
Dispatch 118
1790. Brig Mary
206
1817.
Horoet. 38
1791. Schooner Martha
33
1818.
Perch 43
1791. Ship Mary 163
1791. " llenry. 262
1791. Schooner Martha 33
1818.
Driver.
53
1792.
Dove .. 28
1818.
Sea Serpent ... 65
1792. Brig Nymph 35
1818.
Chas. Sydney .. 103
1792. Sloop Three Brothers. 77
1794. Brig Minerva 150
1794. " Wm. and Mary. 92
1794. Schooner Mary 130
1795. Brig Minerva .. 115
1795. Schooner Harmony 89
1795. Brig Friendship ..
155 1828,
Maize ..
Glide 74
1799. Brig Mary. 134
1833.
Regulator 46
1800. Brig Salem. 137
1836.
Sea Flower ...
54
1801. " Triton. 43
1838.
Ansonia 199
1846. Brig Lanerk 299
1847. Schooner Factory Girl ... 20
1806. Brig I'nity 176
1806. Ship Bonz 304
1807. Brig Adeline 133
1807. Bark Circle. 115
1807. Sloop John 73
1809. Schooner Alexander 47
1850. Ship Arab. 525
Inez 1851. “ ,00
1831. Bark Falcon. 510
1851. " Hesper 392
1813.
Lark 41
1851. Schooner Gen. Cushing .. 98
40*
1785. " Sally 137
1814. Brig Hesper
1818. Brig William .. 138
1818. Schooner Success 58
1818.
1792. Brig Sally 122
1796. Brig Mary 135
=
44
ISul. Sloop Mary 85
1837.
1845. Brig Merrimac .. 148
1759
NEWBURYPORT.
Tous. 1851. Schooner Mary Felker .. 109
1851.
= Herald. 414
1852. Arctic ..... 113
1852. Abby Vale ... 22
1852. Caroline Knigbt 121
1852, Lydia ... 99
1852. Huntress, 99
1852.
Flash 126
1852. Golden West., 144 435
1852, Ship Jirab Perry ...
1852. Bark Flash 344
1852. Schooner Rival 125
1852. Ship Parthenia 849
1852. " Russell Sturgis ... 1000 1852. " Ariadne, 800
1852. Ship Iowadji.
695
1853. Schooner Golden Eagle ..
42
1853. Tekoa. 144
1853. Ship Highflyer. 1195
1853. Bark Naiad Queen. 319 meyer. 164
1959. Bark Germantown 393
1859. = Gehu. 335
1859. Persia. 660
1859. Schooner Merrimack 85
1860. Bark Abdel Kader. 420
1860. Ship Albert Currier. 1000
1860. Schooner Henry Per- kins 196
1860. Ship Sarah Chase, 568
1860. " Jacob Horton. 1141
1860. " Glendower 1093
1860. " Albert Edward 8 10
1860. Schooner Charmer. I1G 1861. Ship Kenmore 1000
1861.
" Whampoa
1144
1861. Nabob. 534
1861.
Star of Peace
125
1862.
Burnside
=
456
1862. Gunhout Marblehead .. 5:29 1862. Ship Mary Warren. 925 1862. " Rangoon 1144
1862. " Winona 11₺2
1863. Bark Sarah.
496
1863. = A. W. Stevens .. 476 - 1863. Ship Valparaiso 1159
1855. Old Colony 889 1863. Brig Newbury .. 261
1835. 4 Lyra. 1040 1863. Gunboat Ascutney
1855.
44
Grace Gordon.
781
1855. George West. 1123
1855. Brig Palestine 212 1863. " Longwood. 1179
1855. Ship Gallego 610 1864. " Edith 1116
1865.
= Charmer .. 1060 1804. = Winged Racer. 1228
44
1855. War Hawk .1060
1856. Courier 554
1855. Daring. 1070 1861. Mary Alice, 710
1856. Blandina Dudley ... 873
1856. John Wells. ×34
1856. Blondell 630
1×56. 44 East Indian 897
1856.
1856. Bark Algonquin 650
185G. " Orlando. 270
185G. Ship Eddystone. 950
1856. " Crown Point. 1099 1865. " Tennyson. 1217
1857. Ship Victory 1214 1865. " Calumet. 912
1865. Brig Sally Brown
4 26
1865. Schooner Oliver A.
Lewis 23
1865. Bark George Kingman 412
1865. Ship John Harvey 756
1865. Brig Isis 338
1866. Schooner G. W. Brown
1866. Occan Pearl ... 125
Tony. 1866. Brig Mary Plumer 397 Tons. 1874. Steamboat Everett. 25
1866. Ship Montana. 1209
1866. Bark Warren Ordway. 481
1866. Ship Nonantum.
1150
Matt, 1:39
1866. " Elsinore 688 1874. Ship Exporter. 1370 1874. “ 1866. Steamship Ontario 3000 Susan Gilmore 1204 1874, ** Radiant .. 1608
1874. Schooner Anson Stinson 224
1874. Ship G. (. Trufaut ...
1502
1874. 4
Reporter.
1350
1874. 44
Landseer
1419
1874.
Harmonia.
1497
1874. Schooner Willie HI. Lord 134 66 W. H. Lewis ... 525 1874.
1874. Win. B. Her- rick .......... 550
1874. Henry With- ington ........ 550
1874.
66
F. F. Nicker- gon .. 90
1875. Bark Albert Russell. 762 1875. Shop Big Bonanza. ..... .. 1473 1875. 46 Daniel J. Tenney .. 1687 1875. + Brown Brothers ... 1493 1875. Bark Jobn Shepard. ... $75
1875. Schooner Ilattie S. New-
Dian .. 145
1875.
Phantom
50
1876.
..
Ella M. J. ho-
28
1876. Bark Haydor Brown. 906 1876. Ship Farragut. .1549 1876. Schooner Ellie F. Long. 150 1876. Bark Obed Baxter 900 1876. Srow New Era. .200 1877. Bark William Hale. 868 1877. Schooner Josie Johnson 27
1877. Bark H. G. Joboson .... 1080
1877. " Abbie Carver. 983 1877. Steamer Kitty Boynton. 45 1877. Ship Jabez Howe ....... .1648
1869. Schooner D. A. Wilson 19 1877. Schooner Forest Maid ... 42
1869. Bark Envoy. 589
1869. Schr. Hattie E. Smith .. 100 1870. Schooner Nettie Adams 25
1870. Schir. Rebecca J. Adams 78 1878. Bark Harvard. ....... 1033
1878. Schooner Genevre. 8
1878.
=
O. T. Baley ....
58
1878.
44
M. A. Barstow
47
1878. 4 4 Ernest M. Snow ..... ...
9
1878. Ship Frank N. Thayer .. 1647 1880. Schooner Jennie Sea-
verus. 112
1880. Steamer City of llaver- hill 174
1880. Schooner Promenade ..... 8
1881. Cox & Greco .. 591 1881. Ezra L. Ferris 590 1881. Ship W. H. Lincoln ...... 1727 1882. Bark B. F. Hunt, Jr ..... 1190 1882. Schooner Benj. Hale ..... 597 1882.
46 Ida L, Hull .... 498
1882. Ship John Currier. .1995 1882. Steamer Merrimac .. 203 1883. Schooner Chns C. Dame 597 1883. Albert H.
Cross ......... 358
1873. Ship Victoria .1349 1883. Albert T. Stearns 508 1883. Ship Mary L. Cushing ... 1658 1873. Bark John J. Marsh 1873. Schooner Edith L. Steere 265 410 1883. Schooner Maude Sher- wood .. 524
1883.
William C.
French ...... 408
1837. Ship Elizabeth Cushing
Tons. 1858. Schooner Lula Montez 105
1858 Bucephalus .... 105
1858.
=
Hiawatha
166
1:58. R. B. Sumner 134
1858.
66
Enchantress ...
159
1858. Ship Black Ilawk. 941
1858. " Star of Peace.
941
1866. Ship Timour.
000
1858. " Garpee
856
1858. Bark Ileroine.
416
1866. Bark John H. Pearson
422
1866. Schooner Matchless
1867.
Pyrola
135
1867.
Carrie E. But-
ler 92
1867. Steamship Erie. 3000 1867. Ship Garden Beach 974
1859. Ship Lucretia.
896
Ixf7. " United States.
1315
1867. Schooner Crown Point 103 1867. Brig Lizzie II. Kimball 290 1867. Schooner Commerce .... 107
1867.
Lizzie Thousp-
8011 71
1867. Sehr. Lottie E. Cook
82
1863. .. Martha T. Pike 81
1868.
Harvest.
64
1868. Burk Signal
375
1868. Ship Augusta 1326
1868. Brig Tula
181
1868. Bark Agate
626
1808. Ship Monte Rosa
1338
1868. Schooner
David
J.
Adams ..
103
1868. Schooner
Charles
Ropes 103
1868. Bark Metis
G20
1869.
" S. E. Kingsbury ..
520
1869.
" Escort
036
1869. Schr. Annie Huoper .... 103
1849. Schooner F. A. Smith .. 117 1877. San Blas. 101
1869. - = Ben : Perley
Poore 120
1869. Schooner Edw. Burnett 192 1860. Ship Whittier. 1:295
1870. " Mary Burdett ..... 196
1870. Ship Importer. 1270
1870. Schooner Victor
1270. Bark Essex. 700
1870. Schooner Spring Bird .. 1224
1871. Nellie C. Foster 125
1871.
.4
Fannie Byrnes
103
1871.
=
F. H. Odiorne ..
270
1871. Mary Bradford 8
1871. Bark Ilarvester, 780 1872. Schr. Miantonomab .... 77
1872. Ship Franconia .. 1313
1878. Bark Jas. G. Pendleton 938 1872. Schr. Frank G. Dowe .. 411
1872. Schooner Cayenne. 28
1872.
66 Jacob Ilonse-
mall. 150
1865. Ship Herald 773 1873. W. S. Jordan .. 460
1873. Burk Wakefield. 904
1873. Schoener South Shore ... 390 1873. Ship Neauchus 1288
1873. Schooner Cecile.
174
3873. Ship Thomas Dana ..... .1445
1874. Schooner Annie C. Qui-
per 97
16
1864. Schooner Eustace, 236
1864. Ship Sapphire. 1205
1864. Schooner Samuel E. Fahens 155
1864. Ship Naples 820
1864. " Elcano. 1210
1864. Schooner Mary Lunt ... 178
1857. " Sarah Newman ..... 909 1857. " Biena del Seano ... 1033
1857. Schooner Sarah Wood- bury
222
1857. Ship Josiah L. Hale ..... 1094
1857. " Reynard. 1051 1867. Brig Timanda 173
1858. Ship Renown
1040
1859. Schooner Lizzie Wil- liams 86
1859. Schooner Prioress. 36
1859.
Halo.
163
185). " John Porter.
997
1859. " Charles H. Luut ... 998
1859. Schooner Carrie lIuse .. 178
1859.
Edward La-
1853. " Jabez Snow, 1073 1853. " Dreadnaught. .1414 1860. Ship Fear Not. 1012
1853. Schooner Fearless 122 1853. Ship Volant. 900
1853, Schooner Amelia. 129
1853. Ship Whistler 820 1854. ^ Star King 1170
1854. " Black Prince. 1059
1854. Schooner Flying Cloud .. 40 1854. Ship Sonora, 708
1854. " Troubadour .. 1200 1854. " Merrimac. 59%
1854. " Commonwealth 1245
1854. Sch'ner E. N. Williams 55
1861. Bark Schamyl. 416 1854. Bark Rapid 331
1854. Ship Free Trade. 1284
1854. Mercury. 849
1854. " Driver ,1595 1851. " Oliver Putnam 1074
1854. " Gleaner
1000
1855. Schoover Edward Hill ... 276 1855. Ship Moses Davenport .. 899 1855. Brewster 985
1877.
Mary E. Smith 33
1878.
=
Gertie Free-
man ...... 15
1855. Lawrence Brown .. 795
1863. Bark A. N. Franklin.
426
1863. Ship George Warren ... 970
1864. Bark Calypso. 666
1804. Eugenia, 583
849
=
1853. Ship Guiding Star. 900 1853. Constitution .1188 1853. " Jobn N. Cushing ... 633
1874. Bark Edward Kidder .... 1015 1874. Schooner Jordan L.
1760
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1883. Schooner Warner Moore 444
1883.
James B. Page 642
1884. Rose Eater -
brook. 657
1884.
Leander F
Gonld. ... 70
1884. Jolin C. Greg-
ory .......... 379
1884. Schooner Maggie A n-
drews .. ..... 615
1885.
Mary A. Trendy 425
1887. " Senator Morgan.
1887. Surprise. 25
1887. Steamer Josie M. 20
1857. Sloop Tremont, 0
1887. Steamer Minnesota. 43
The ship " Mary L. Cushing," built in 1883, was the last ship built in Massachusetts.
It will be noticed in the above list that the class of vessels materially changed in 1851. This was owing partly to the demand for larger vessels after the dis- covery of California gold, but chiefly to the annexa- tion to Newburyport, in April, 1851, of a part of New- bury containing building yards, in which vessels of a large tonnage had previously been built.
The prosperity of Newburyport continued, with no other check than that imposed by European complica- tions, in the last years of the last century, until the embargo in 1807. The population, which at its birth in 1764 was 2282, had increased to 4837 in 1790, to 5946 in 1800, and about 7500 in 1807. The registered tonnage, which was about 9000 at the close of the war, had increased to 14,819 in 1794, to 15,412 in 1800, and in 1807 to 26,799. This amount of registered tonnage has never since been exceeded, except in the years 1809 and 1810, immediately after the repeal of the embargo, when in the former of these years it amounted to 29,571 tons, and in the latter to 29,897. In 1808, during the embargo, it was reduced to 22,191 tons. The enrolled tonnage which, at the close of the war, was about 2500 tons, found its maximum in 1828, when it amounted to 14.707 tons. The tonnage em- ployed in the fisheries was the largest in 1838, when it amounted to 7709 tons. In 1851 it amounted to 7435 tons, and since then has been steadily declining.
In the First Congress, after the adoption of the Constitution an appropriation was made for the sup- port of the Plum Island Lights, and the light houses, with a certain amount of land, were ceded to the government. Previous to that time such coast lights as there were, were maintained by the States or by local authorities. Those at Plum Island had been maintained by the Marine Society. In 1790 Abner Lowell was appointed by the government "light tender," under the following commission :
"GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States af America.
" To all who shall see these presents know ye : that I have appointed and do appoint Almer Lowell keeper of the light-houses on Plum Ial- und, Massachusetts, to exercise and fulfil the powers and duties of that office, and hold the same, with three-quarters of a mule of said island on the north, and with all the authorities and privileges and emoluments thereunto appertaining during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being.
"Given under my hand at the City of New York the tenth day of March, A.D. 1790.
"GEORGE WASHINGTON."
The fleet at that time sailing from Newburyport consisted of six ships, forty-five brigs, thirty- nine schooners and twenty-eight sloops, making probably as many as two or three arrivals per day during the year. Mr. Lowell was succeeded by his
son Lewis Lowell, who held the position until 1823, and will, perhaps, be remembered by some readers. lle was a remarkable man, and united the perform- ance of his light duties with those of a pilot and a life-saving service. The families of Newburyport whose husbands or fathers or brothers were on the sea, slept more in peace, knowing that the watchful eye of Lewis Lowell was open and ready to guide them into the river, or warn them of the dangers of a storm- beaten shore. He died at his post. On a wintry night be placed a basin of burning charcoal in one of the lanterns to keep his oil from chilling, and remain- ing too long under the influence of its fume:, was over- come, and found dead in the morning.
Ile was succeeded in 1823 by his son, Joseph Lowell, who served ten years, and was followed in 1833 by Phineas George, who served until 1856. Succeeding Mr. George were Francis D. Carlton, who served until 1861; Solomon Park, who served from 1861 to 1866; Joseph Lowell, from 1866 to 1870, and Henry Hunt, from 1870 to 1882. Since 1882 appointments to light- houses bave been made by the Light-House Board by promotions in the service without regard to the claims of localities. When, by such promotions, a vacancy in Massachusetts is created, as is the case when a death or resignation oceurs, the vacancy is reported to the collector of Boston and is filled by him.
A temporary ripple on the surface of public affairs, exciting an interest in the minds of the people of Newburyport, was caused by the efforts to form a State Constitution. In 1776 the Legislature voted that the Council and House " should enact such a Constitution for the State as they shall think best for the well-being of the country," and that it previously be made public for the perusal and approbation of the people. The old Assembly, which had existed under royal authority, was dissolved by Governor Gage in June, 1775. Until July of the next year Ma-sachusetts had no legally organized government, and was tor five years without a Governor. In July, 1776, a House of Representatives was chosen, in ac- cordance with writs issued in the name of James Warren, the president of Provincial Congress, and was summoned to meet at Watertown. The new Legislature was substantially like that of the province, but was dependent upon the co-operation of the towns for the maintenance of its authority. As stated by Mr. Cushing, "the General Court was rather the Congress of these little corporations thau the Legis- lature of an individual Commonwealth. When the General Court desired to ascertain the sense of the people it was usual to propose the subject in town- meetings."
The draft of a Constitution prepared by the Gen- eral Court and then submitted to the town was not satisfactory to the people of Newburyport. At a meeting held March 26, 1778, it was voted :
" That this town nro of opinion that the mode of representation con- tained in the constitution lately proposed by the convention of this date
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1761
NEWBURYPORT.
is uoequal aod unjust, as thereby all the inhabitants of this state are not equally represented, and that some other parts of the same consti- tution are not founded on the true principles of government ; and that a convention of the several towns of this county by their delegates, will have a probable tendency to reform the same, agreeably to the natural rights of maokind aad the true principles of government."
It was also voted :
" That the selectmen be desired in behalf and in the name of the town, to write circular letters to the several towas within the county proposing a convention of those towns by their delegates to be holden at such time and place as the selectmen shall think proper ; in said cir- cular letters to propose to each of the towns aforesaid, to send the like number of delegates to said convention as the same towns have by law right to send representatives to the General Court."
In accordance with the proposition contained in these votes, a convention was held at Ipswieb, in which Theophilus Parsons, then in the second year of his law practice, was a delegate from Newburyport. After a full consideration of the Constitution a com- mittee was appointed to draw up a report, of which Mr. Parsons was a member, and his report, known as the "Essex Result," so satisfied the public mind of the unsatisfactory terms and provisions of the sub- mitted Constitution as to lead to a convention to draft a new one in the winter of 1779-80, of which Mr. Parsons was a member and the final adoption of the Constitution under which, with its amendments, the people of Massachusetts have lived and pros- pered. In the Massachusetts Convention of 1789, to consult on the adoption of the Federal Constitution, Mr. Parsons and Rufus King were delegates from Newburyport, and it is perhaps not too much to say that the town they represented was largely influen- tial in the final adoption of that instrument.
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