History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 33

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 33

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On the 29th of May, 1787, the Constitutional C'on- vention, composed of delegates from all the States, met in Philadelphia. Elbridge Gerry, of Marble- head, was one of the delegates from Massachusetts, arl labored earnestly throughout the entire session of the convention to " secure a Constitution adequate to the exigencies of the government and the preser- vation of the Union." He was, however, one of the sixteen members who withheld their signatures from the document when completed. When the instru- ment was referred to the States for ratification, Isaac Mansfield, Azor Orne, Jonathan Glover and John Gbver, as members of the Massachusetts Convention, voted in favor of its adoption.

The cretion of George Washington and John Alous ns President and Vice- President of the United States gave unbounded satisfaction to the people of Marblehead. For Mr. Adams, especially, they en- tortamet feelings of the deepest gratitude for his in- estimable services in preserving to the United States of America in the Treaty of Peace the exten- "HO advantage of the call-fishery." These advan- tres were considered as especially beneficial to Mar- blebend and the obzens, in the fullness of their hearts, resolved to present Mr. Adams with an ad- Ores and sonwe slight testimonial of their apprecia- tion of his efforts in their behalf. Accordingly, on the th of March, 17-9, a town-meeting was held, at which it was sole I to prosent his Excellency John I com, q., with wis quintale of table fish." The I habitants of Marblehead with the most unbounded

gift was presented, together with an address, which coneluded as follows :

" We therefore, being now legally assembled in Town-meeting, pray your Excellency to accept this, our unanimous address, as expressing our celian of those essential benefits which we now enjoy in the preservation of the fishery, for which we believe ourselves more especially indebted to your Exelleory. While we are enjoying the fullness of those bene- fits, we pray your Excellency will indulge us to furnish your table with a wiuull share of the fruits of your good services, which we wish may be acceptable asa mark of our gratitude."

During the year 1788, or during the year 1789, sev- eral influential citizens, who appreciated the necessi- ty of greater educational advantages for the youth of the town, contributed the funds for the establishment of an academy. These gentlemen, who styled them- selves " benefactors," were Samuel Sewall, Robert Hooper, Samuel Hooper, William Raymond Lee, Elisha Story, Samuel Russell Trevett, John Hum- phreys, John Goodwin, Marston Watson, Richard lloman, Joseph Sewall, Samuel Bartoll, John Dixie, Richard Pedrick, Ebenezer Graves and Burrill Dev- ereux. In a short time a building was erected on Pleasant Street, and Mr. William Harris was em- ployed as preceptor.

For many years previous to the Revolution Marble- bead had been a port of entry, but as the records were taken away by the Tory refugees during the war, we are thereby deprived of much valuable informa- tion concerning the commercial and maritime history of the town. Thefirst collector after the organization of the national government was Richard Harris, who was evidently commissioned in the autumn of 1789. The district comprised all the waters and shores in the towns of Marblehead and Lynn, though since that time the towns of Swampscott, Nahant and Saugus have been set off' from Lynn and are still included in the district. The first entry made in the records is under date of October 2, 1789. The number of licenses granted during the year ensuing was one hundred and thirty-two, twenty-seven of which were sloops, schooners and brigantines registered in the foreign trade

On the 29th of October President Washington, who was making a tour of the New England States, visited the town. He was accompanied by Major Jackson and Mr. Wear, gentlemen of his family, and was received at the entrance of the town by a procession composed of the selectmen, the clergymen of the town and a large body of citizens. Tbe accounts of the celebration on this important occa- sion are very meagre; but we are informed that he "was conducted to the house of Mrs. Lee, where a collation was provided, of which he very cheerfully partook with the gentlemen of his snite, the seleetmen, clergymen and other gentlemen of the town." President Washington was welcomed by the selectmen, who presented an address in the name of and on behalf of the town, in which he was assured that his presence "inspired the in-

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joy ; but they cannot express as they would wish, their great sense of the honor done them on this occasion. The too visible decay and poverty of this town must be their excuse that they have not offered to the illustrious character who now visits them a reception more answerable to his dignity and more expressive of their own venera- tion."

Before leaving the town President Washington visited one of the fish-yards and several other places of interest, after which he proceeded on his journey. Two days later, having arrived at Portsmouth, N. H., he forwarded a letter, saying that " the reception with which you have been pleased to honor my arrival in Marblehead, and the sentiments of approbation and attachment which you have expressed of my con- duct and of my person, are too flattering and grate- ful not to be acknowledged with sincere thanks, and answered with unfeigned wishes for your prosperity."

The plea of poverty, offered in apology for not re- ceiving the President of the United States in a man- ner more becoming to his station, gives but a faint conception of the condition of the town at this time. For two years the fishing business had failed to be remunerative, and many of the inhabitants were re- duced to a state of extreme wretchedness. There were four hundred and fifty-nine widows and eight hundred and sixty-five orphan children in the town, nearly all of whom were dependent in some degree upon the tax-paying inhabitants for support. As the winter of 1790 advanced, their sufferings were greatly augmented, and several perished from hunger and exposure.

Added to the general distress from this cause, was the anxiety produced by the visible decay of property, both public and private. Houses, barns and fences were falling to pieces, and without the means to re- pair them, their owners were powerless to prevent it. The town-house and work-house were in a ruinous condition, and River-Ilead Beach had been so long out of repair that it was in great danger of being en- tirely washed away by the constant inroads of the sea. The people knew not where to seek relief, and various expedients were resorted to for the purpose of obtain- ing money for the assistance of those in distress. At length, driven to desperation by the misery about them, the citizens, in town-meeting assembled, voted to petition the Legislature for permission to hold a lettery for the relief of their necessities. l'ermis- sion was readily granted, and the final drawing took place on the 3d of June. By means of this lottery, and two others subsequently held, the beach at the head of the harbor was repaired; the distress of the inhabitants was alleviated and the general appearance of the town was greatly improved.

During the year 1790 the Methodist Church was organized in the house of Mr. Prentiss, on Mugford Street. The new society consisted of seven members only, but so rapidly did it increase in numbers that

in a few years a pastor was settled and religious ser- vices were regularly maintained.

The Marblehead Academy had now become an es- tablished institution. Education was encouraged in Massachusetts, as in no other State in the Union, by wise laws and judicious appropriations, and when, in 1792, an act of incorporation was applied for, it was readily obtained. The act became a law on the 17th of November of that year, and the corporation was established by the name of "The Trustees of the Marblehead Academy." Shortly after the Legislature granted a township of land, six miles square, lying between the rivers Kennebec and Penobscot, in the county of Hancock, for the purpose of supporting the academy. This land was subsequently sold to Sam- uel Sewall, Esq., for one thousand five hundred pounds.

The mails had been carried to Marblehead from Salem, regularly twice a week, for many years, and on special occasions it had been customary to dis- patch a messenger on horseback to carry important news or documents. On the 20th of March, 1793, the first post-office was established, and Thomas Lewis was appointed postmaster.

On the 6th of June, 1799, Colonel Azor Orne, be- loved and respected as one of the most prominent of the Revolutionary patriots, died in Boston, and his remains were brought to Marblehead for interment. On the Sunday following his death the Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard, pastor of the First Congregational Society, preached an appropriate sermon, taking for his text the words found in chapter eleven of the gospel ac- cording to St. John, thirty-fifth verse,-" Jesus wept."

Another event to which considerable local import- ance was attached was the election of the Hon. Sam- uel Sewall as a member of Congress. Mr. Sewall was an eminent member of the Essex bar, and had for several years represented Marblehead in the General Court. Having been prominent in all local matters, and deeply interested in the welfare of his fellow-citizens, his election gave the most sincere pleasure to the people of Marblehead, who felt that in him they had an able advocate of their interests at the national capital.

The first bequest made to the town was the sum of nine hundred and thirty-seven dollars, given by Cap- tain John Marchant, for the benefit of the poor. During the month of June, 1797, Captain Marchant, who was about to sail on a foreign voyage from Phila- delphia, placed a promissory note for that amount, which he held against a citizen of Dorchester, in the hands of Colonel William R. Lee, with instructions to collect it, and in case he never returned, to donate the amount to the poor of the town. Captain Marchant died in Batavia during the following year, and the note was collected in accordance with his instructions. It is doubtful, however, whether the benevolent inten- tions of the donor have ever been carried into effect.

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After an unsnecessful attempt to invest the fund, the overseers of the poor turned it over to the town, and it was appropriated for the erection of two grammar school-houses.

On the 14th of December, 1799. George Washing- ton ched at Mount Vernon in the sixty-seventh year of Ins age. The day of the funeral was appropriately observed by the tolling of bells, the firing of minute- guns and a general suspension of business. In the afternoon a procession of the Lodge of Masons and the pupils of the public schools marched to the new meeting-house, where an oration was delivered by Joseph Story, then a student of law in the office of Hon. Samuel Sewall.

In the autumn of 1800 the town was once more thrown into a state of excitement, by the breaking out of the small-pox. Doctor Elisha Story, who had for many years been a popular and successful physi- cian in the town, having learned of the important discovery by Dr. Jenner, that contagion from small- pox could be averted by inoculation with cow virus, sent to England and procured a quantity of virus, with which he inoculated several of his own children and those of some of his friends. It was soon evi- dent that a fatal mistake had been made.

The virus proved to be that of the genuine small- pox, and as the disease spread from house to house, the people were panic-stricken with fear. Several town-meetings were held to consider the matter, and the town-house being too small to contain the crowd of excited citizens that assembled, the meetings were adjourned and again convened at the " New Meeting- house." All intercourse with other towns was pro- hibited, and a committee was chosen to adopt other necesary measures of precaution against the spread of the pestilence. The wrath of the unreflecting and ignorant portion of the community was directed with especial severity against Doctor Story, to whom they attributed the cause of the entire trouble. Threats of lynching him were publicly made, and fears were entertained by his friends that some serious injury would be done him either in person or property.

The counsels of the wise prevailed, however, and the good doctor, why suffered keenly in his mind on ar- count of the distress which he had innocently caused, was mundtested.

In add to the general distress, a large proportion of the e mmundy were suffering from the most ex- treme privation of poverty " Melancholy indeed," wrote the town's con fuittre a few weeks later, "was the prospect of wox hundred inhabitants (one-twelfth at our population , who, independent of disease, were destitute of the common comforts of life; who had little ele than bunger and cold in prospect, with the Approve ling inclement season." The town had voted to care for the poor and destitute, but it wna tound impossible to tarnish relief proportionate to sch a derundt Fuecor was at hand, however, tem pen their nece ofte's bemy known, contributions

began to pour in from several of the neighboring towns, and in a short time the distress was alleviated. On the 13th of January, 1801, a little less than two months after the breaking out of the disease, the town was declared cleansed, and the inhabitants of other towns were invited to resume their usual inter- course. But before this could be done, the grave had received sixty-four victims of the pestilence, twenty of whom were adults.

Early in the month of January, 1804, the principal business men and capitalists of the town subscribed $100,000, as the capital stock of a bank, and applied to the Legislature for an act of incorporation. The act received the signature of the Governor on the 7th of March, and the institution was established as the Marblehead Bank. Capt. Joseph Barker was elected president, and Mr. John Pedrick (3d) cashier. The " Lee Mansion " was subsequently purchased of Hon. Samuel Sewall for five thousand dollars, and bas ever since been owned and occupied by the bank.

Instances of great bravery are not uncommon when men are fighting for the honor of their country or in defense of their homes. The deeds of the soldier who bravely faces death upon the battle-field are recorded on enduring monuments, and all meu unite in doing honor to the hero. But there are deeds of heroism when the country is at peace, and the bome is free from danger, when the ocean is the battle- fiehl and the mighty wind the foe. These, too often, are allowed to fade from the memory, and to perish in oblivion. Thus there are few persons living to-day who have ever heard of the mauy acts of heroism performed by the Marblehead fishermen while at sea. Much has been done to perpetuate the memory of an act of injustice to an innocent man, who had been accused by a cowardly crew of wilfully refusing to assist a vessel in distress ; but the following incident so worthy to be held in rememberance, has been almost forgotten :

In the spring of 1805 the English ship "Jupiter " foundered at sea, and three days after the sad eveut Skipper "William Powers " fell in with her long boat, having on board thirty-nine of the passengers and crew. The fresh wind and heavy sea rendered it impossible for the boat to board the schooner, and for a time it was feared that all attempts to rescue the unfortunate occupants must be abandoned. Finally, as a last resort, the heroic "skipper " placed a rope about his waist, and by flinging himself over the "lee quarter," succeeded in lifting each person separately on board the vessel. It was nobly done; but the dis- interested skipper performed the act of mercy at the risk of his own life, and, though a strong and power- ful man, was completely exhausted and severely bruised. The rescued passengers were shortly after distributed among three other vessels, commanded by Skippers John Powers, Green and Dennis, by whom they were brought in safety to Marblehead. Their arrival was the signal for similar acts of generosity on

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the part of the inhabitants, who vied with each other in supplying their necessities, and making them as comfortable as their friendless situation would permit.

Shortly after this event the town was again thrown into a state of excitement by the news of an outrage committed by the British frigate " Ville de Milan" upon several fishing vessels from Marblehead, Salem and Beverly. The frigate was cruising on the banks, and her commander, Captain Lowrie, boarded the vessels and impressed twelve or fourteen of their best men into the British naval service. Though only one of many similar outrages, this incident is impor- tant as an illustration of the depredations committed by British cruisers upon American seamen, which resulted in the passage of the Embargo Act, and the subsequent war between the United States and Great Britain.

CHAPTER LXXXVI.

MARBLEHEAD-(Continued).

The Embargo-Seizure of Marblehead Vessels-The True Story of Skipper Ireson-Action of Marblehead in Support of the Embargo Law-Reception of Marblehead Resolutions in Congress - Marblehead Light Infantry Organized-Elbridge Gerry Elected Governor-Baptist Church Organized -Wur Declured Against Great Britain-Patriotic Action of Marblehead- First Privateer Fitted Out-Marbleheaders Man the Frigate " Constitution" -Heroism of William Furness-Battle Between the " Constitution " and the " Guerriere"- Elbridge Gerry Elected Vice-President-Engagement Between the " Constitution" and the "Java"-The " Chesapeake " und the " Shannon "-The Town Fortified-Two Men Shot in the Streets- British Cruisers Chase the " Constitution" into Marblehead Harbor- Heroic Death of Lieutenant John G. Cowell-Demonstration on the Declaration of Peuce-Marblehead Men in British Prisons.

THE repeated indignities to which American vessels were subjected by British cruisers had the effect to impress upon Congress the necessity of legislation for the protection of the commerce of the country, and on the 8th of January, 1808, the famous embargo law was passed. This act, which was adopted at the instance of the President, detained all vessels in American ports, and required all American vessels then away to return home. But the depredations of the British continued in spite of the embargo. Ves- sel after vessel was captured and confiscated, and many were overhauled while returning from foreign ports in compliance with the law. Among these were the schooners "Minerva" and "Perseverance," of Marblehead, commanded by Captains Poor and Mes- servey. The captain of the "Perseverance," on his arrival home, reported that he had left sixty Ameri- can vessels at Plymouth, among which was the schooner " Betsy Hooper," of Marblehead, which had been confiscated.

Though firmly in favor of the embargo, and sin- cerely believing in its necessity as a measure of pre- caution, the inhabitants of Marblehead were among the greatest sufferers from its effects. With a popula-

tion of six or seven thousand, nearly all of whom were entirely dependent upon the fishing business for subsistence, the condition of the town was deplorable. Eighty-seven vessels, averaging eighty tons each, were necessarily idle; and the warehouses were stored with the fish caught during that and the pre- vious year. The law prohibited their exportation and there was no market for them at home ; consequently they could not be sold, and there was great distress among the people.

Ou Saturday, the 30th of October, the schooner "Betty," commanded by Skipper Benjamin Ireson, arrived from the Grand Banks. Shortly after their arrival the crew reported that at midnight on the previous Friday, when off Cape Cod light-house, they passed the schooner "Active," of Portland, which was in a sinking condition ; and that the skipper had refused to render any assistance to the unfortunate men on board the wreck. The excitement and indig- nation of the people upon the reception of the news can be better imagined than described. Two vessels, manned by willing volunteers, were immediately dis- patched to the scene of disaster, with the hope of their arrival in time to save the shipwrecked sailors. But their mission was a failure and they returned with no tidings of the wreck. The resentment of the people was still further provoked when, on the follow- ing day, the sloop "Swallow" arrived, having on board Captain Gibbons, the master of the ill-fated schooner. Ile corroborated the story told by the crew of the "Betty," and stated that the " Active " sprung aleak at about eleven o'clock on Friday night. An hour later the "Betty " was spoken, "but con- trary to the principles of humanity," she sailed away without giving any assistance. On Saturday, Captain Gibbons and three of the passengers were taken off the wreck by Mr. Hardy, of Truro, in a whale-boat. Four other persons were left on the wreck, but the storm increased so rapidly that it was found impossible to return to their rescue. Captain Gibbons was placed on board the revenue cutter "Good Intent," and afterwards went on board the "Swallow," in which he came to Marblehead. This statement by one who had so narrowly escaped a watery grave made a deep impression upon the fishermen, and they determined to demonstrate their disapproval of Skipper Ireson's conduct by a signal act of vengeance. Accordingly, on a bright moon- light night, the unfortunates skipper was suddenly seized by several powerful men, and securely bound. He was then placed in a dory, and, besmeared from head to feet with tar and feathers, was dragged through the town, escorted by a multitude of men and boys. When opposite the locality known as Work-house Rocks, the bottom of the dory came out, and the prisoner finished the remainder of his ride to Salem in a cart. The authorities of that town forbade the entrance of the strange procession, and the crowd re- Iturned to Marblehead.

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IHISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Throughent the entire proceeding Mr. Ireson main- tain la docreet silence, and when, on arriving at his home, he was released from custody, his only re- mark was "I thank you for my ride, gentlemen, but Fou wol live to regret 1. ' His words were prophetic. When too late to make reparation for the wrong they bad committed. th . impulsive fishermen realized that hey hal perpe rated an act of the greatest injustice upon an innocent man.

At this late day, when for years his memory has ween defamed throughout the land, and the fair name if the women of Marblehead has been sullied by the ti titious story of one of our best New England poets. it is but just that the true history of the affair should be written. skipper Ireson was not more to blame than his crow, and, it is believed, not at all. When the wreck was spoken, and the cry of distress was heard, a terrible gale was blowing. There was a consultation on board the " Betty " as to the course to be pursued, nil the crew decided not to endanger their own lives for the sake of saving others. Finding that they were resolute in their determination, Skipper Ireson pro- Insel to lay by the wreck all night, or until the storm should abate, and then go to the rescue of the unfortunate men. To this they also demurred, and insi ed upon proceeding upon the homeward voyage without doMy On their arrival in Marblehead, fear- ing the just indignation of the people, they laid the entire blame upon the skipper. This version of the atlar is generally accepted as true; and for the credit of the town, be it said, that it is one of the few inci- dent- in its entire history that its citizens have any reason to regret.

The embargo, which had now been in operation nearly a year, had been strongly opposed by the Federalists from the beginning, and as the ill effects if the measure began to he felt, their hostility in- creasi 1. Town-meetings had been held in nearly all principal sea-ports to remonstrate against the law, cod orny of the speeches at these meetings were M. linus and inflammatory in the extreme. Not so in Marblehead Though starvation stared them in the 'er, the citizens were loyal to the government, and it n towe-meeting, held on the 7th of December, the Allowing resolutions were unanimously adopted :

D. t w . untines steadfast in the faith that the Av lon , won that the President and Congress ecithe 1 to and shall receive our warmest tnt at the In Jependence, Liberty and just 1 Att ar y the mural port there if. Cool and the cherry they jose to carry

rowles dugros sinst the unjustitia

( @ Wikus story, Nathan B. Martin and A h l'. Irak were el ted a committee to forward I resten to the lon dph Story, member of I'm from this district The resolutions were trwar . 1 e ip ated by a letter signed by every

" Having learne l that the government intends employing some cutters As gun-boats, to prevent evasions of the laws of the Country (they wrote), we with humility beg leave to suggest to you our opinion, that on this coast that is to say, frous Cape Cod to Cape Sable), any cutter which the government may soud will not so well answer the purpose ; the gun-boats will be useless, for they would not, in this inclement season of the year, be able to keep at sen withunt great risk. From the knowledge we have of our fishing-vessels, we think they will answer every purpose and be a saving to the goverment to employ them in defense of their laws. Wi algo beg leave to offer the government as many vessels of this de- Brription as will prevent any evasion whatever, from any ports or places between the above-mentioned capes, or wherever otherwise wanted, knowing, as you do, the peculiar situation of the people of this place, that they have now on hand two years catching of fish and no vent for the same. Notwithstanding this, they look upon the measures of the government as the only means of retaining our future commerce. They therefore feel disposed, to the utmost of their abilities, to support the general government with the risk of their lives and property, and beg leave through you to tender their services to man out, and have manned, any vessels which it may please for the service of the United States."

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 33

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