USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 195
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Dr. Spofford's activity as a citizen was in nowise limited by his professional life. There was nothing concerning the public interest to which he was indif- ferent, although personally he was never moved by
1124
1786
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
political aspirations. He was an early friend and admirer of his fellow-townsman, Mr. Caleb Cushing, and a strong and enthusiastic supporter of that dis- tinguished statesman in the memorable contests of his early manhood. He co-operated with Mr. William Bartlet in the introduction of the cotton manufacture at Newburyport, acting as one of the building com- mittee and directors of the Bartlet Mills. He was a member and one of the founders of the "Merrimack Ilumane Society," and connected with other societies of local interest. For a number of years he was one of the overseers of Harvard University. Becoming interested in early life in Free-masonry, its charms and philosophies continued to enlist his study and to commaud his devotion to the hour of his death. He had risen to the highest of its degrees and brought to their illustration, as he advanced from one position to another, the wealth of his research and learning.
At his decease Dr. Spofford left a widow surviving him (Mrs. Frances Spofford, an accomplished and intelligent woman, since deceased), two children (Richard S. Spofford and Frances H. Spofford), and a step-daughter (Mrs. Georgiana Hall, the child of Mrs. Spofford by a previous marriage).
The impressive character of the services at Dr. Spofford's funeral bore witness to the popular respect in which he was held, and to his public and private worth. All classes, rich and poor, learned and un- learned of the professions, without distinction of school or ereed, the Masonic orders, the community indeed as a whole, withdrew from their accustomed employments to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory-a memorable incident occurring as the re- mains were followed to their last resting-place in Oak Hill Cemetery, and one showing the depth and ten- derness of the public feeling, when, with a sponta- neous impulse, the schoolboys of the Turnpike School stood with uncovered heads as the funeral procession passed by. On his burial casket was the following inscription : " Richard S. Spofford, M. D., May 24, 1787, Jan'y 19, 1872. Homines non accedunt proprius deos quam salutem hominibus dando." These words may be translated, " Men never approach nearer to gods than when giving health to their fellow-men."
JOHN CURRIER, JR., was born April 14, 1802, in that part of Newbury called Belleville, which was annexed to Newburyport in 1851. He was descended from Richard Currier, one of the early settlers in Salisbury, Mass., and an inhabitant of that town at the time of its incorporation in 1640. Richard Cur- rier was among the first who went from Salisbury to Amesbury and signed the eight articles of agreement between the two towns, January 14, 1651. He was one of the Board of Selectmen from 1669 to 1683, and died February 22, 1687. Ile had a son Thomas born March 8, 1646, whose son Richard, born April 12, 1653, had a son John, born April 5, 1704. John had a son John, born June 6, 1752, whose son John, born November 26, 1771, married, December 31, 1795,
Hannah Coffin, of Newbury. John and Hannah had eigbt children, four boys and four girls, among whom was the subject of this sketch, who always re- tained, after his father's death, the name of John Cur- rier, Jr. Only one of these children, Samuel C. Currier, born February 3, 1814, is now living.
The subject of this sketch received his education at the common schools, and at an early age began work in the ship-yard of Elisha Briggs, at the foot of Ashland Street, in what was then Newbury. Elisha Briggs was a master carpenter, who came from Pem- broke, Mass., and was the son of Seth Briggs, of that town. During a temporary depression in the ship- building industry on the Merrimac he went, in com- pauy with a number of other ship-carpenters, to New Brunswick and found employment in the yards on the St. John's River.
Returning home after a brief stay, he began work as a ship-builder in the yard then owned by Nathan Merrill, just below Moggaridge's Point, aud there built the ship " Brenda " three hundred and seventy- five tons, in 1831 ; the ship "Republic," three hun- dred and ninety-seven tons, in 1832; the bark " Ober- lin," three hundred and fifty tons, in 1833; the ship "Newburyport," three hundred and thirty tons, in 1834; and the ship "St. Clair," four hundred and twenty-two tons, in 1834. It is possible that in the construction of the first three he may have had other carpenters associated with him in the contracts.
In 1834 he bought land on the banks of the Merri- mac, which he fitted for a ship-yard, and where, until 1884, he earried on business on his sole account. During the fifty-three years from 1831 to 1884 he built ninety-seven vessels, of which ninety-two were ships, four barks and one was a schooner, the whole amounting to ninety thousand and thirty-two tons, making an average of a fraction over nine hundred and twenty-eight tons to a vessel. During an uu- usually active period between 1854 and 1856 he launched six ships, averaging eight hundred tons, in twelve months. In 1883 he built the ship "Mary L. Cushing," of one thousand five hundred and seventy-five tons register, which was the last ship built within the limits of Massachusetts.
Previous to 1850 it was the custom of builders to contract with owners to deliver the ship with hull and spars only. After that date it was customary with Mr. Currier to furnish the ship complete and ready for sea, with sails, anchors, rigging, boats, cabin fur- niture, crockery, bedding, ballast, ete. During the last thirty years of his business life his son, John J. Currier, was associated with him, though not as a partner, and during most of the time had charge of the financial department and made purchases of ma- terials for construction and outfit. During those thirty years, too, Samuel C. Currier, his brother, had charge of the planking and raising department, but was in no way interested as a partner. Another bro- ther, William Currier (now dead), was at one time
1787
NEWBURYPORT.
associated as a master-builder with James L. Towns- end. A list of vessels built by Mr. Currier may be found below.
Mr. Currier married, in December, 1830, Clarissa, daughter of Levi Carr, and had two children-Mary Putnam, who died March 26, 1845, aged seven years, and John J. Currier, born October 22, 1834, who was mayor of Newburyport in 1879 and 1880, and now holds many responsible offices of trust in that city. After the year 1884 he was engaged in no active bus- iness, hut occupied his time with his domestic cares and with the management of vessels, in which he was largely interested up to his death, September 2, 1887. He was a man of a reserved and retiring disposition, too much absorbed in the business engagements which pressed upon him to seek political or other public pre- ferment, but nevertheless seeking at all times, and while bearing the heaviest burdens, the happiness and wel- fare of his home, and never permitting his attachment to the church of which he was a member to languish or fade. Though surrounded by worldly cares and the possessor of that increasing wealth which too often binds men to earth and earthily things, he re- membered always that life was but probation, and walked humbly and reverently before his God. In his last hours, not forgetful of the ties which bound him to his fellows, he instructed his son to give to the Society for the Relief of Aged Men, the Society for the Relief of Old Ladies, the Ann Jacques Hospital, the Hale Fund for the Care of Disabled Firemen, and to the Baptist Society, each, the sum of five hundred dollars.
It was said by his pastor at the funeral ceremonies :
"1 have known but few men, if any, in whom the highest virtnes were more perfectly united. He fills out Cowper's measure in a most re- markablo degree : 'I venerate the man whose heart is warm, whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life coincident exhibit truest proof that he is honest in the sacred cause.""1
List of vessels built by John Currier, Jr.
Tons.
Tons.
1831. Ship Brenda
375
1846. Ship John Currier. 681
1832. " Republic 397
1847.
=
Lebanon 682
1833. Bark Oberlin .. 350
1847.
64 Fanchon
924
1834. Ship Newburyport 330
1847.
Nestorian
690
1834.
St. Clair.
422
1848
Franchise 705
1835.
Leonore.
375
1849,
Charles Hill
705 993
1836.
Columbus 597
1849.
= Castillian
Tons.
Tona.
1857. Schr. S. Woodbridge ..... 250
1857. Brig Timandra. 173
1873.
W. S. Jordan. 500
1859. Bark Germantown 390
1873.
= South Shore ...
425
1839.
Huntress 543
1839.
Strabo.
437
1840.
Rosalind.
402
1853,
Guiding Star.
904
1860. " Abdel Kader. 420
1874.
W. B. Herrick 550
1840. Schooner Petrel.
72
1853.
Jolin N. Cushing.
671
1×40. Ship Virginia 409
1841. Bark Wessacumcon 325
1853,
Sonora
708
1861. Schooner E. H. Hatfield
170
1876. = Obed Baxter
916
1841. Ship Jas. D. Farwell ... 700
1854.
Merrimac
598
1862. Ship Mary Warren. 925
1863. " George Warren .. 970
420
1882. "6 B. F. Hunt, Jr ... 1190
1843.
Amity ..
502
1854.
= Gleaner ..
1000
1866. Ship Timour. 900
1867. Bark Signal. 424
1883.
A. T. Stearna.
508
1844. = Brutus
546
1855.
Lawrence Brown.
795
1868.
Metis
620
1883.
= M. Sherwood ..
5:24
1845. Bark Fredonia
855
1855.
Lyra.
812
1868, Agate
649
1883.
Jag. B. Pace ... 642
1845. Ship lingueoot
899
1855. George West I123
1870. Essex
735
1884.
It. Esterbrook 657
1846. " Roman
642
1855.
Blondel
630
1871. Schooner F. J. Odiorna
1884. 283
M. Andrews ... 615
=
Blandina Dudley. 873
1865.
Montana.
1269
1856.
Crown Point. 1099
1866.
United States. 1315
1857.
Sarah Newman ... 909
1867.
Garden Reach
971
1857.
Josiah L. Hale ... 1094
1868. Augusta.
1326
1857.
Eliza. Cushing .... 888
1868.
= Monterosa 1338
1857.
Black Hawk 941
1869,
Whittier. 1295
1858.
Star of Peaco. 941
1869.
Importer
1270
1858.
Gaspee. 856
1871.
Franconia
1313
1859.
John Porter
997
1872.
Nearchua.
1288
1859.
Lucretia.
896
1873.
Victoria
1349
1859.
Charles II. Lnnt ..
998
1873.
Thomas Daoa
1445
1859.
Albert Currier. ...
1000
1874.
= Radiant.
1608
1860.
" Jacob llorton .. 1141
1874.
G. C. Trufant
1502
1800,
= Glendower 1093
1874.
Harmonia
1408
1861.
Kenmore.
1100
1875.
Big Bonanza ..
1472
1861.
Whampoa 1144
1875.
Daniel 1. Tenney. 1686
1882.
Rangoon
1144
1876.
Farragut.
1548
1862.
=
Winona
1162
1877,
Jabez llowe ...
1648
1863.
Valparaiso.
1159
1878.
Frank N. Thayer. 1647
1863.
Longwood.
1179
1881.
W. H. Lincoln ... 1727
1864.
Sapphire
1205
1883.
Mary L. Cushing. 1658
1864.
" Elcatio.
1210
There are other ship-builders, who, though belong- ing to a later period, may properly be referred to here.
B. F. Atkinson and J. T. Filmore, as partners or separately, have built, since 1869, at the ship-yard on Merrimac Street at the foot of Titcomb Street, the following vessels :
Tona.
Tona.
1869. Bark Sarah E. Kings-
bury.
520
1878.
Harvard
1033
1870. Bark Escort
636
1881. Schooner Cox & Green. 591
1871.
Harvester. 780
1881.
E. L. Ferris ... 590
1872.
James G. Peodle-
ton
938
1883.
C. C. Dame. .. 597
1873. Bark Wakefield
904
1883.
A. H. Cross ... 358
1874.
Susan Gilmore. 1204
1883.
W. C. French.
408
1874.
Edward Kidder .. 1014
1883.
W. Moore ......
413
1875. Albert Russell 762
1884. = J. C. Gregory. 379
1875. Ship Brown Brothers ... 1493
1885.
M. A. Trondy. 425
1876. Bark Ilaydu Brown .... 864
1877. " William Halea ....
868
1887. Steamer Minnesota .....
C. H. Currier, George E. Currier and John Currier (3d), as partners, and George E. Currier alone, have built, since 1857, at the ship-yard at the foot of Ash- land Street, the following vessels.
The last seventeen were built by George E. Currier alone.
411
1837.
Talbot. 622
1850.
= Clarissa Currier ... 993
1838,
Flavio .. 635
1851.
Inez.
705
1838.
Navigator 414
1851. Bark Hesper. 414
1852. Ship Parthenia 857
1852.
IIowadji
650
1860. Bark Persia 565
1874. Schooner W. H. Lewia.
525
1860. Schooner Hortensia. 99
1861. Bark Schamyl 417
1875. Bark John Shepard .... G75
1876. Scow New Era. 200
1812.
" Augustine Heard. 497
1854.
= Mercury
849
1843.
Pacific
517
1º54.
Oliver Putnam 1074
1865. Bark J. II. Pearson
1882. Schooner Ida L. Hull ... 498
1844.
Java.
543
1834.
Moses Davenport. 899
Tons.
Tona.
1856. Ship Indna.
849
1865. Ship Tennyson 1247
185G.
1864.
Winged Hunter .. 1228
1882.
John Currier. 1945
1887,
= Sen. Morgan ... - 43
1859. Schooner Charmer 116
1873. Bark John J. Marslı ... 425
1874. II. Withington 550
1853.
Volant
896
1877. Bark Abbie Carver 983
1882. = Benj. Hall ....
597
1872. Schooner F. G. Dow ...
1877. Bark H. G. Johnson ... 1080
1788
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
J. W. S. Colby and E. P. Lunt have built, since 1866, at the ship-yard on Merrimac Street at the foot of Ashland Street, the following vessels :
Tons.
Tons.
1866. Schooner Matchless .. 99
1872. Schooner J.J. Houseman 150
1×67.
Pyrola 135
1873.
Willie II. Lord 134
1867.
C. F. Butler. . 92
1874.
F.F.Nickerson 90
1868. D. J. Adams .. 103
1874.
J. L. Mott. 191
1868.
('. A. Ropes ... 103
1875. =
H.L. Newman 115
1869. Annie Hooper 103
1876.
E. F. Long .. 150
1869.
F. A. Smith ... 117
1876.
E. M. Johnson 51
1869.
B. P. Poore .... 127
1877. 44 J. Johnson .....
150
1870. Spring Bird ... 194
1877.
San Blas
101
1871. 44 Fan. Byrnes ... 103
1877.
K. Boynton ... 45
1871,
N. C. Foster .. 125
1880,
J. Seaverus .... 112
1872.
Cayenne .... 130
George W. Jackman, Jr., has built, since 1850, at the ship-yard on Merrimac Street at the foot of For- rester Street, the following vessels :
Tons.
Tons.
1850. Bark Hollander .. 525
1858. Bark Said Ben Sultan. 330
1850. Ship Arab
525
1861.
Naboh 530
1850. Bark Anne Buckman .. 550
1851. Ship Hussar
725
head 529
1851. Schooner Lydia. 100
1852. Bark Falcon.
520
1863. Bark A. N. Frauklin ... 425
1853. Ship Whistler,
820
1863. Brig Newbury. 220
1854. Storm King.
1170
1864. Ship Fear Not 1012
1854.
Black Prince. 1050
1864. " Monantum 1075
1855. Charmer 1060
1866. Steamship Ontario. 3000
1855. War Hawk 1000
1867. Steamship Eric. 3000
1856 Daring. 1070
1873. Ship Exporter 1370
1857. =
Reynard
1051
1874.
" Reporter 1352
1858, Renorou
1040
1874.
44 Landseer 1421
Mr. James L. Townsend, in connection with his early partner, Wm. Currier, built the following ves- sels before 1862, in a ship-yard on Merrimac Street at the foot of Ashland Street, which was in Newbury before 1851:
Tong.
Tous
-. Ship Memnon. 416
1849. Ship Scargo .. 578
" Lancer. 420
1849. " Florida .. 697
-.
" Tzar 460
1850. Bark Dragon. 290
44 Harvard. 496
1851. Ship Racer 1669
Ariel
560
1852.
Jirah Perry. 435
-. Bark Angola 263
1853.
llighflyer .1195
-.
May Queen. 300
1853.
Constitution .. 1188
1×53.
.labez Snow. .1073
" Swallow 350
1853. Dreadnaught. 1414
1854.
Troubadour .1200
-. Schooner Mary C. Ames. 106 - -. Propeller Decatur. 142
1854,
Driver 1595
18.13. Bark Talisman 347
1854.
1855.
= Brewster 9×5
1844. " St. Patrick .. 896
1835.
Courier. 554
1845. Bark Edward Koppisch. 250
1845. Brig Monserat 170
1835.
Grace Gordon,
781
1846. " Almira .. 17G
1855.
= Gallego 610
1846. Ship Far West. 598
1856. 44 East Indian 897
1817. 4 Richard Colden. 665
1×56. Bark Algonquin. 650
1847. 4 Naomi. 547
1857. Ship Eddystone. 950
1847. Amaranth 666
121.1 1848. Raduga. 687
1848. Buenavista. 517
1849. Bark Crusoe. 342
CHAPTER CXLVI.
NEWBURYPORT-(Continued).
FOURTH PERIOD.
From the Incorporation of the City to 1887.
THE ward lines of the city were established as they now are by the Board of Aldermen and City Council on the 10th of November, 1876.
Ward One contains all the territory southeasterly of a line beginning between 129 and 131 Water Street, and thence running on the west side of Salem to Purchase Street, thence between numbers 10 and 12 Purchase, crossing Milk between 33 and 35, and 38 and 40 to Newbury Street, between numbers 12 and 13, and thence on the east side of Parsons to High Street, and thence on a straight line to the southwest boundary of the city, leaving all of the inhabitants on Salem Street in Ward One and those on Parsons Street in Ward Two.
Ward Two contains all the territory northwesterly of the last-named line to Federal Street, including all the houses bounded on said street, and pursuing a line southwesterly from the northwest side of said street to the bounds of the city.
Ward Three contains all the territory from the northwesterly line of Ward Two to a line commencing on the northwest side of Market Hall building, to include both sides of Inn Street and Tracy's Court, continuing through the centre of Park Street, cross- ing High and the Mall into Pond Street, taking in the south side of Pond Street, both sides of Hill Street to Parker Street, thence running on the same course to the southerly bounds of the city.
Ward Four contains all the territory from the north- west boundary of Ward Three to a line beginning be- tween numbers 146 and 148 Merrimac Street, thenee continuing on the northwest of Boardman Street, in- cluding all the houses bounding on said street, in- cluding the house on the southwest corner of said street and High Street, erossing High Street between numbers 191 and 195, and continuing on a straight line to the bounds of the city.
Ward Five contains all the territory from the north- west line of Ward Four to a line commencing at the Merrimac River on the southeast corner of the wharf at the foot of Broad Street, through the centre of Broad Street, crossing High Street and continuing in a straight line southeast of Toppan Street, touching and continuing the ward line of 1866 at the house of Wm. T. Colman, leaving said Colman's house in Ward Five.
Ward Six contains all the territory northwest of the last-mentioned linc.
Until the war of 1861 the life of Newburyport was comparatively uneventful. In its new garb of a
Ala. 570
1854.
Commonwealth. .1245
Free Trade .. 1281 1844. Ship Rambler. 399
Okdl Colony. 899 1855.
1857. 44 Victory
1857. “ Reina del Oceana .. 1033
1861. " Name unknown ... 950
-. " Elviso.
700
1852. Russell Sturges ..... 1000
Arrow 303
1862. U. S. Gunboat Marble-
1863. U. S Steamer Ascutney 1040
1789
NEWBURYPORT.
manufacturing town it was gradually assuming a more prosperous expression, and increasing in both population and wealth. lu 1852 gas was introduced into the city, and the Gas Company, of which Eben F. Stone is treasurer, meets both the wants of the people and the expectations of its projectors. Other enterprises have, one after another, been undertaken, to which reference must here be made, though not in the order of their initiation. The Newburyport Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the Newburyport and Amesbury Horse Railroad, the Plum Island Street Railroad, the Newburyport City Railroad, connecting tide-water with the Bostou and Maine Railroad, the coal pocket of the Philadelphia Coal and Iron Com- pany, furnishing storage for coal destined for inland markets, the Newburyport Water Company, with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars, the Har- vard Brush Company, the Towle Manufacturing Com- pany, the A. F. Towle & Son Co., for the mauu- faetnre of silver and silver-plated goods, the Victor Manufacturing Company, the Chrolithion Manufac- turing Company, with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the Newburyport Quarry Com- pany, the Merrimac River Towing Company furnish means of employing labor, most of which were un- known in the palmy days of navigation.
In addition to these are the Bayley Hat Company, incorporated in 1863, with a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars, of which Benjamin Hale is presi- dent and John James Currier, treasurer, and the daily product of which is one hundred and fifty dozen fur and wool hats, amounting to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars per year ; and the shoe factories of E P. Dodge and Nathan Dodge, which employ nearly one thousand hands, and under the manage- ment of their enterprising and skillful owners have, within a very limited period, advanced from small beginnings to large and profitable industries.
In 1859 the death of Henry Johnson, one of the earliest mayors of the city, occurred. He was chosen mayor in 1852, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Caleb Cushing, and he again served in 1853. Mr. Johnson was the son of Capt. Nicholas Johnson, and was born in Newburyport October 4, 1796. His mother was Mary Perkins, sister of Jacob Perkins, the inventor, who has been referred to in this narra- tive. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen in 1831 and '32, '46, '47, 48, '49, '50, '51, and during the last years of life was president of the Merchants' Bank. He was extensively engaged in navigation, and was often an associate of John N. Cushing, Sr., in the ownership of vessels. He died March 13, 1859.
In 1861 the death of Moses Davenport, another ex- mayor of the city, occurred. Mr. Davenport belonged to a family long associated with Newburyport. Wil- liam Davenport was born in Boston in 1717, removed to that town in early life and married, in 1740, Sarah Gerrish. He was captain of a company under Gen. Wolfe at the capture of Quebec, in 1759. Upon his
return lie established the Wolfe Tavern, in 1762, where he died and was succeeded by his son An- thony, who was the grandfather of Moses. Anthony finally went into business at the head of Ferry wharf and took his son John, the father of Moses, into part- nership. Moses was born February 14, 1806, and was brought up in the dry-goods business, in which he continued until about 1848, when, having become ex- tensively engaged in navigation, he devoted himself almost exclusively to commercial affairs. Ile was one of the chief owners of the ship " Gen. Harrison," 410 tons, built in 1840; the ship "Ocean Queen," 824 tons, built in 1847 ; the ship " Charles Hill," 700 tons, built in 1849 ; the ship " Parthenia," 849 tons, built in 1852 ; the ship " Moses Davenport," 899 tons, built in 1855 ; and the ship " Star of Peace," 91 tons, built in 1858. He was active, prompt, methodical and bore a stainless reputation as a merchant and a man. He was president of the Mechanic,' Bank, a Representative in the Legislature in 1852 and '53, a member of the Board of Selectmen in 1841 and '44, and mayor of the city in 1854 and '55, and in 1861 his death, February 18th of that year.
William Cushing, another ex-mayor, died in 1875. He was the son of John N. Cushing and half-brother of the late Caleb Cushing. IIe was born in August, 1823, and fitted for college at the school kept by Elias Nason in the Newburyport Academy building, now a dwelling-house opposite the head of Fair Street. He graduated at Harvard in 1843, and afterwards visited the Sandwich Islands and Oregon. On his return he became associated in business with his father and his brother, John N. Cushing, and after the death of his father continued in mercantile business with his brother. Mr. Cushing was president of the Ocean Bank, and was four times elected mayor of the city, serving in 1856, '57, '58, and the fourth time declining to serve. In 1871 he was a member of the Legislature. He was universally beloved and respected by his fel- low-townsmen, who were always ready to support him for any public position he was willing to accept. He died at Newburyport Friday, October 15, 1875.
Capt. William Graves, another ex-mayor, died about 1877. Ile was a shipmaster in early life and afterwards become an owner and manager of vessels. At a still later period he became interested in manu- facturing, and at the time of his death had been many years treasurer of the Bartlett Mills. At the organization of the city, in 1851, he was chosen a member of the School Board, and in 1866 served as mayor. He was an agreeable and affable man, popu- Jar with his fellow-citizens, and worthy of the confi- dence and respect which he possessed.
The death of Eldridge G. Kelley, another ex- mayor, occurred about five years since. Dr. Kelley married the daughter of Edward S. Rand, and lived while mayor, in the house formerly of Timothy Dex- ter. The house was remodeled by him, and the grounds were improved. In early life he was a dentist,
1790
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
but relinquished professional business and devoted much of his time to the gratification of horticultural astes. He was a member of the Legislature in 1873 and mayor in 1871. After the expiration of his term of office he went to Europe and there died.
The death of Isaac H. Boardman, another ex- mayor, occurred during the year 1887. He was at one time extensively engaged in the cod fisheries, and is believed to have been the last owner of a Bank fisherman in Newburyport. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen in 1840 and 1841, a member of the House of Representatives in 1842, 1844 and 1852. Ile was also at one time a member of the State Senate, and served as mayor in 1863. At the time of his death he was president of the Merchants' National Bank.
A sketch of Caleb Cushing, the first mayor of the city, whose death occurred at Newburyport, on Thurs- day, January 2, 1879, may be found in the second chapter of this work, relating to the Bench and Bar of Essex County, and of course needs no repetition here.
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