History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 62

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 62

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of August, continuing about a week, and are largely attended. The first president of the Association was Hon. Thomas P. Richardson, of Lynn, who died in 1881. In June, 1870, a meeting of the National Camp-meeting Association was held at the grove, in charge of the Rev. Mr. Inskip. A neat and commo- dious chapel was erected in 1884, for the convenience of those living on the grounds, in which religions services are held during the summer. A post-office has been established at the grove, called " Asbury Grove."

The success realized by the Association in dispos- ing of lots for cottages, has encouraged land-owners in that vicinity to undertake similar enterprises. A few years since, a Mrs. Jones bought about eight acres lying on the Topsfield Road, southerly of the camp-ground, which she inclosed and divided into avenues and lots. Nearly all the lots in this in- closure, which is called Hamilton Park, have been sold, and substantial cottages built upon them. J. P. Lovering, Esq., has sold from his land, upon the opposite side of the road, a number of lots, upon which buildings will probably be erected the coming season.

SCHOOLS .- From the incorporation to the present date, the town has maintained four ungraded schools, one in each of the four districts, designated as the North, East, South and West.

Until 1827 the school committee consisted of eight members, who were chosen annually, and intrusted with the care of the schools. After that, five were chosen as a town's committee, and four, as a pruden- tial committee. This plan held until 1857, when the present system of choosing three, one of whom goes out of office each year, was adopted in accordance with an act of the Legislature. Until 1844, the pastor of the church was chosen chairman of the town com- mittee. The choice of prudential committees was made by the town or delegated to the several districts as seemed expedient. This committee was usually intrusted with the authority of selecting teachers. The amount raised for the support of schools at the first town-meeting, in 1794, was £36; from 1796 to 1799, the annual appropriation was $150; 1800 to 1822, $200; 1823 to 1832, $300; 1833 to 1846, $400; in 1847, $500, from which amount the annual appro- priation has been gradually increased to the present sum usually raised, of $1000. For many years, the school year was divided into winter and summer terms of twelve weeks each, for the former, males, and for the latter, females, were usually employed as teachers. In the year 1849-50 the average wages paid to the fe- male teachers were $9.75 per month, and to the małe teachers, thirty dollars per month. This system of employing male teachers for the winter and fe- males for the summer, giving about twelve weeks in each term, continued until 1858, when the duty of contracting with teachers having been intrusted to the town committee, they decided to employ female teach-

ers through the year, fixing their salary at five dollars per week, and thus securing thirty weeks of schooling in each district. Four graduates of the normal school were employed. The committee for that year report : "The idea of employing female teachers in our winter schools has obtained but a recent footing, and very many, perhaps a majority, do not favor it, and honestly think that it is an innovation not adapted to our situation. Others, and their number is very re- spectable, think that females will do as well as males, and as their services cost less, favor their employ- ment. These two opinions must clash in this town, until experience shall settle it, either for or against the employment of females." Public opinion, on this point, continned halting and uncertain for some time, until 1880, since then female teachers have been ex- cinsively employed. For the year ending March, 1887, the annual appropriation forschools was twelve hundred dollars, which increased by the amount re- ceived from the Massachusetts School Fund of $207.59, and the sum received from dog licenses of $242.89, gave for the support of schools for that year $1650.48, and a term of thirty-eight weeks for each school. The wages paid the teachers were thirty dollars per month during the summer, and thirty-six per month in the winter. But while the appropriation for schools has been thus increased the number of scholars has diminished, and the interest among the citizens of the town does not seem to be as general as it was fitty or sixty years ago. This may he due in part to narrowing the number of those who have a direct responsibility for the management of the schools. The effect of the policy of centralization in the direction of educational affairs, and of remov- ing them from popular control, is illustrated on a small scale in this town. Formerly, instead of three only, nine citizens were directly charged with the care of the schools for the year, each district having at least two representatives on the board. It was also then the custom of the committee, at the beginning and close of the winter term, to officially visit each school, accompanied by others who were interested. Upon the entrance of this august body the entire school rose and remained standing until the commit- tee were seated. The several classes were called up and examined; the writing-books, and copy-books containing arithmetical problems, were passed from hand to hand and carefully scrutinized. At the close, such members of the committee as were dis- posed made remarks, generally congratulatory and complimentary, though occasionally seasoned with adverse criticism. The visitors then retired, the school rising as on their entrance. The committee instead of separating at once to their homes, ad- journed to the residence of one of their associates in the district, where they were entertained with liberal hospitality.

These social interviews afforded pleasant opportu- nities for the interchange of opinions upon the merits

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of the schools, and of individual pupils. Thus each scholar felt that the eyes of the town were upon him, and that anything marked in his scholarship or con- lurt was a subject of general notoriety.

Some of the teachers of those days are deserving of note in this connection. Among them are Temple Untler, a son of Dr. Cutler; Nathaniel A. Lovering, who from his long service carned the title of "Mas- ter," and whose grave and dignified demeanor is re- called with pleasure by some of his pupils still living, Azor Brown, and especially his brother, Arza Brown, who for many successive winters was master of the South School. He is well remembered for his thor- ough drilling in the studies then pursued. Ile was especially interested in penmanship, and laid great stress on the formation of a fair, legible hand, and upon a mastery of spelling and arithmetic. Ile was a strict disciplinarian, and was fully in accord with Solomon as to the use of the rod, which he wielded with vigor. Among other teachers of more recent date, who were successful, were William A. Brown, Drs. Daniel S. and Justin Allen, brothers, and natives of the town, and flow. Charles A. Sayward, of Ips- wich. Among the female teachers of long experience and enviable success, who have now retired from the profession, Mrs. Sophia (. Preston and Mrs. Sophia F. Whipple deserve honorable mention.

POLITICAL ..- The town was incorporated about five years after the ratification of the Federal Constitution by the State of Massachusetts, and, as might be sup- posed from the influence which Dr. Cutler would be likely to exert, was by a large majority, if not unani- mously, of the Federalist party. It has been said that Dr. Faulkner, who came here in 1800, was the first Democrat in the town. In 1796, April 25th, while the ratification of the treaty with Great Britain, which was advocated by the Federalist party, was pending in Congress, and being discussed in the House of Representatives, the town voted to present a memorial to the House of Representatives, " Pray- ing that they would make provisions to carry the treaty with Great Britain into complete and honor- abdle effect." In 1812, the town gave expression to its opposition to the National Administration, respecting the conduct of the war with Great Britain. It was resolved, at a legal meeting hell July 1, 1812, " That die inhabitants of this town, deeply impressed with the awful prospect which duration of war with Great Britain presents to view, are ready to express with freedom and frminess their entire disapprobation of this rash and unjustifiable set of the National Gov- erabient, 'n'so resolved unanimously, "That in the "dan of this town a war with Great Britain under evi the cirenuntances is unjust, unnecessary and im- peditie" At the Presidential election that fall, the Loderalots polled one hundred and eight votes 1 st fourteen of their opponents. In 1828 the vote tor I'ne dent was thirty for Adams and one for Jack- Mon 10 1532, the Play electors received fifty-six votes

against twelve cast for the Jackson tieket. In 1836, the Democratic Presidential ticket received sixty-six votes and the Whig eighty-one. In 1840, the Whig vote was one hundred and seven; Democratie, fifty- six. In 1844, when Clay was again the Whig candi- date, he received eighty-one votes, and his opponent, Polk, sixty-one. In 1848 three parties were in the field, the Whig, supporting General Taylor; the Democratic, General Cass ; and the Free Soil, Martin Van Buren. Hamilton gave Taylor eighty-two, Van Buren, sixty-two, and Cass, twenty-six votes. Four years later, with substantially the same division of parties, the Whig vote was sixty-eight ; Democratie, forty-six ; Free Soil, thirty-five. In 1856, the Whig party, then nearly extinet, presented for its last can- didate, Fillmore; the Democratic, Buchanan ; and the young Republican party, just coming to the front, had nominated John C. Fremont. The vote of the town then stood for Fremont, one hundred and five ; Buchanan, forty-one; Fillmore, twelve. Since that election the Republican candidates for the Presi- dency have received a majority of the votes, except in one instance when a plurality only was received.

The first representative chosen to the General Court from this town was Manasseh Cutler, for the year 1800. The list of those who have since been chosen representatives from Hamilton with the year of their service, is as follows: Robert Dodge, for 1801, '02, '03, '06, '08, '11, '12 and '13; John Saf- ford, for 1809, '10 and '15; David Dodge, 1816 and 1817 ; Temple Cutler, 1826; Azor Brown, 1827, '28, '29 and '32; Zachariah Standley, 1833; Israel D. Brown, 1834 and 1836; William Brown, 1835; George Appleton, 1837; Allen W. Dodge, 1840 and 1841; Nehemiah Woodbury, 1842; Levi Patch, 1848; Choate Burnham, 1850; Benjamin Woodbury, 1852; William M. Smith, 1855. Mr. Smith was the last representa- tive chosen by the voters of this town alone. The next, chosen to represent a district formed of Ipswich and Hamilton, were Daniel E. Safford, for 1861, and George Dane, for 1865. After a re-districting of the State in 1865, George B. Dodge was chosen to repre- sent a district composed of Beverly, Manchester and Hamilton, for 1867, and Franeis R. Allen, for 1873. For a district including Manchester, Hamilton, Essex and the Eighth Ward of (Hloucester, there were chosen as representatives from this town, William A. Brown, for 1880, and Otis F. Brown, for 1886.

Jonathan Lamson was a delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention held in 1820, and Oliver S. Cressy to that held in 1853. Allen W. Dodge was elected to the State Senate for the years 1842 and 1844, and Daniel E. Safford, from the second Essex Senatorial District, for 1871 and 1872.

At the fall election in 1867, a sudden revolution in political sentiment was indicated by the vote for Governor, which stood-J. Q. Adams, Democrat, 79; A. 11. Bullock, Republican, 62; whereas, the previous ! year, the Republican candidate, Bullock, received 73;

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and the Democratic, Sweetzer, 17. This sudden change was wrought by the "P. L. L." movement, so- ealled.

In the town elections, party politics have not been influential in the choice of officers, who have gener- ally been selected for personal qualifications, or upon some local issue. A notable instance to the contrary, however, occurred in 1855, when the Know-Nothing cyclone swept over the State. At the annual meeting in March of that year all the offices were filled from that party, but the following spring the town returned to its non-partisan methods. Officers found to be fitted for their duties have been re-elected, in many instances, for a succession of years. The office of Town Clerk furnishes an illustration, the incumbents of which have been Lemuel Brown, from 1793 to 1813; Azor Brown, son of Lemnel, 1814-1827; N. A. Love- ring, 1828-1844; Joseph Lovering, 1845-1854; J. P. Lovering, 1855-1867, and in 1875; Isaac F. Know]- ton, 1868-1874; Otis F. Brown, 1876-1887. Mr. Brown is a grandson of the first clerk.

MILITARY .- The citizens of Hamilton, as well as of the Hamlet, have ever been ready to respond cor- dially and promptly to the calls that, from time to time, have been made upon their patriotism to render military service. In 1755, several of the young men of the Hamlet were enlisted for service in the French War, and upon the eve of the expedition against Crown Point, Rev. Mr. Wigglesworth delivered a dis- course in presence of these soldiers. His text was in part, "And the Lord shall cause thine enemies, that rise up against thee, to be smitten before thy face ; they shall come out against thee one way and flee before thee seven ways." In this discourse he pre- diets disastrous consequences to the colonies if the French should be successful in the impending war, warning his bearers that the victors would not be content with simply civil jurisdiction over the conquered provinces, but would divide pri- vate property as a prey, and that far worse even they would enforce their religion on their " unhappy vassals," to quote his words, " and the French being bigots to the religion of the Church of Rome, that mother of harlots, there is not the least ground to hope (in case they should prevail over us), but that they wonld strenuously obtrude their monstrous idol- atries and detestable errors, and even enforce them upon us with fire and faggot and all the other hor- rible forms of persecution." Thus urged to action in defense of their homes and their religion, the soldiers of the Hamlet went forth to meet the enemy. Among these were Capt. Stephen Whipple, Benjamin Pinder, Ebenezer Porter, Joseph Whipple, Nathaniel Adams, William Poland, Stephen Brown, Stephen Lowater, Benjamin Glasier, John Baker, John Marshall, Thomas Adams, John Boynton, Antipas Dodge, John Jones, Joseph Symonds, Amos Howard and Elijah Maxey; of the last five, Amos lloward and Maxey were severely wounded, and Dodge, Jones and Sy-

monds were killed at Lake George. In 1759, in the expedition against Canada, Capt. Stephen Whipple, of the Hamlet, was severely wounded, and his two lieutenants, Burnham and Low, of Chebarco, were mortally wounded. Robert Dodge, afterwards colonel, and Abraham Hobbs, of the Hamlet, were present at the taking of Quebec, and Hobbs heard General Wolfe say to his men when the French were near them, " Now, my boys, do your best."

In the War for Independence, the citizens of the Hamlet showed that they had not lost the courage and patriotism which were conspicuous when they came forward so readily to sustain the mother country in the French War.

When the news of the first conflict of arms at the battle of Lexington reached the Hamlet, Dr. Cutler, who was always ready for leadership, addressed the company of Minute-Men, which were already mus- tered herc to march to the scene of conflict, and hin- self rode on horseback to Cambridge, in company with Mr. Willard, of Beverly, who was afterwards president of Harvard College, and reached there in time to see the enemy on their retreat to Boston. He afterwards served as chaplain in the regiment com . manded by Col. Ebenezer Francis, for six months, and afterwards in Col. Titcomb's regiment at Long Island and elsewhere. Dr. Elisha Whitney, the physician of the parish, served as surgeon in the army. An interesting incident is related in the memorial of Allen W. Dodge, by Gail Hamilton, of his grandfather, Col. Robert Dodge, in connection with the breaking out of the war; it is in the words of A. W. Dodge: " My grandfather was a brave and patriotic man. He was out on duty during the whole of the War of the Revolution, leaving the farm to be managed by my grandmother and her boys. My grandfather was sowing barley on the hill when the news of the fighting reached him. He left his barley on the hill, mounted his horse, rode to the village; and though he knew not a note of martial music, he knew enough to make a noise and raise the neighbors ; he seized the drum and tore up and down the silent country road, till his company was mustered, and was at Charlestown in two hours. My grandmother heard the noise of the cannon as long as she could stand it, and the next morning, alone, with horse and chaise drove across the country to Charlestown to see what had become of her husband." From these facts we can imagine somewhat of the anxious excitement which must have settled on the quiet village in those trying days, when the pastor, the physician and the young men were off at the war.

In 1775 the company of Minute-Men chose John Whipple, Jr., captain, John Thompson, second lieu- tenant, and Jonathan Lamson, ensign.

In 1776 Joseph Lufkin, who was in the western army, was killed by a tree, which fell on him and broke his neck while the soldiers were cutting wood preparatory to their night encampment.

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Capt. Jeba Whipple, who died May 28, 1832, at the age of eighty-nine, was very active in the struggle tor independence, and at the surrender of Burgoyne, was an officer in the cavalry. In 1832 there were in town seven pensioners, who had served as soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The military spirit was kept alive in town in the early part of the present century by the organization of a military company. I find the following record of a pleasant incident in the his- tory of the company :

" Hamilton, May 31, 1817 .- On Wednesday last, the military company of Hamilton under the com mand of Capt. Szor Brown, in a neat uniform, pro- vided at their own expense, together with the Wash- ington Hussars, commanded by Capt. Temple Cutler, in their elegant uniform and equipments, paraded for military duty, and went through their various exer- cises and marches in a very handsome style. In the course of the afternoon, an elegant standard, furnished by the ladies of the town, was presented to Capt. Brown's company, by Miss Sally Roberts (afterwards Mrs. Ephraim Safford). with the following address : . Sir, anxious to evince to the officers and soldiers of the Hamilton Infantry, the high estimation in which we hold the important service of the soldier, the Ladies of this town beg leave to communicate to them through you their high esteem of that spirit of military ardor which has prompted them thus hand- somely to uniform and equip themselves. May this laudable spirit be conducive to our country's honor, while it affords to us that protection which our sex demands. And although our beloved country now rests under the blessings of the benignant smiles of peace, yet we approve of your adopting that maxim of the immortal Washington 'In peace prepare for war.' Accept our warmest desires for your mili- tary success, and should you be even called into the tield of actual service, in defense of our country's right-, be assured our hearts shall accompany you. and our smiles greet your return. And, as a further proof of these sentiments, we present you this stand- ard as a faint testimonial of our esteem, confident that you will defend it with your best blood, and never permit it to be soiled by the hand of an enemy with- oft a struggle. May it never be unfurled but in the de force of the sacred cause of justice, virtue, liberty and our country. To which the following reply was made by In ign William Brown. "Miss, in behalf ot the company to which Ibelong, I accept this stand- il as a pledge of your esteem. Be assured we con- wider it highly honorable in a soldier to merit the es- teem ot the fair sex. It is with the greatest pleasure we contemplate supporting our country's honor, and for Hier to you our protection ; and though we feel Really to risk our lives in defense of our country, and . term it our duty to follow the advice of him when W.I- Orat 16 wår, fir t in peace and first in the hearts los countrymen, yet we rejoice with you in the un | preste. We accept, with gratitude. your

kind wishes for our military success ; and whenever we may be called into the field of actual service, we trust that we shall show to you, and our beloved coun- try, that our attachment is sincere. May we never disappoint your confidence, by deserting our posts in time of danger, but rally round this stand- ard and pour out our blood, before it shall be aban- doned. May we ever protect the fair hands that pre- sented it, maintain our country's rights and trans- mit them unimpaired to posterity.'"

This company kept up its organization for about twenty years later. The last officers were Isaac Knowlton, captain; Dennison Wallis, lieutenant ; and Joseph Knowlton, ensign.

On Saturday, April 18, 1861, the news of the bom- bardment of Fort Sumter reached the town. The spir- it of patriotism, inherited from the fathers of the days of 1775 and '76, was aroused, and on April 24th, the citizens gathered on the green in front of the meet- ing-house, where the stars and stripes were raised on a liberty pole which had just been erected. A salute was fired and patriotic speeches were made by A. W. Dodge, D. E. Safford, B. C. Putnam of Wenham, and others.

In May, 1861, the town voted to raise the sum of one thousand dollars as a fund for the assistance of volunteers in the service of the United States, and also that each person volunteering shall receive the sum of twenty dollars as a bounty when actually en- listed, and ten dollars per month in addition to his pay from the government as long as he is engaged in such service, and also to provide for his family during said time. In August, 1862, a bounty of two hundred dollars was voted to volunteers. In July, 1864, the town voted to pay one hundred and twenty-five dol- lars to any one who shall enlist on the quota of the town on any call of the President after July 1, 1864, and before March 1, 1865. There were enlisted during the war seventy-five men on the quota of the town; of these, fifty-five were residents of the town and twenty non-residents.

The enrollment of the citizens of the town is as follows:

Francis W. Brown, 2d Regt .; enlisted May 15, 1861, for 3 yrs. George W. Barker, 14th Regt .; enlisted May 15, 1861, for 3 yrs Francis Barry, Lt. Battery ; enlisted May 15, 1861, for 3 yrs. James A. Chase, 2d Regt .; enlisted May 11, 1861, for 3 yrs. Jos. (' Conant, 2d Regt .; enlisted May 15, 1861, for 3 yra. Ispar W. Brown, 31st Regt .; unlisted Dec. 8, 1861, for 3 yrs. Isaac h. Dodge, 21th Regt .; enlisted Dec. 8, 18G1, for 3 yrs. John T. Dodge, 23d Regt .; enlisted Oct. 10, 1861, for 3 yrs. Jobn Brewer, 14th Regt .; enhsted July, 1861, for 3 yrs. Thomas .I, Dodge, 14th Regt .; enlisted Jan., 1862, for 3 yrs. George W. Dodge, enlisted Oct. 30, 1861, for 3 yrs. Richard Foss, 17th Regt .; unlisted Ang. 11, 1861, for 3 yrs. Vathl. M. Fors, 17th Regt .; enlisted Aug. 11, 1861, for 3 yrs. Sammel Groten, 11th Regt .; enlisted July 5, 1861, for 3 yrs. Peter 11. lowder, 24th Regt .; enlisted Nov., 1861, for 3 yrs. David Morris, 24th Regt : enlisted Oct., 1861, for 3 yrs. Josiah Oliver, 11th Hegt .; enlisted July, 1861, for 3 yrs. Charles F. Riva, 12th Regt .; enlisted April, 1861, for 3 yrs. Nathl. W. Saouders, 14th Regt .; enlisted July, 1861, for 3 yrs. Oliver II. Saunders, 23d Regt .; enlisted Oct., 1861, for 3 yrs.

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John E. Whittredge, 23d Regt .; enlisted Oct., 1861, for 3 yrs. David B. Wallis, 23d Regt .; enlisted Det. 15, 1861, for 3 yrs. Charles Porter. Ilth Regt .; enlisted Dec 19, 18il, for 3 yrs. Ira P. Knowlton, 38th Regt .; enlisted Ang., 1862, for 3 yrs. William Ham Dodge, 38th Regt .; entisted Aug., 1862, for 3 yrs. James E Gowen, 40th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 3 yrs. Renben Morris, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mos. Allen Webster Dodge, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mos. James W. Patch, 50th Regt .; culisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mos. George W. Bowen, 5 1th Regt .; eulisted Sept, 1862, for 9 mos. Elam W. Burnham, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mos . Hiram D. Hood, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mos. John Weeks, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mos. Henry P. Brewer, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mios. Alphonso Dodge, 50th Itegt ; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mos. Arthur B. Trussell, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 18 12, for 9 mos. Augustus II. Andrews, 50th Regt ; eulisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mm os. John C. Mordough, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mos. John L. Woodbury, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept. 12, 1862, for 9 mos . Austin S. Kinsman, 50th Regt .; enlisted Sept , 1862 for 9 mos. Samuel A. F. Whipple, 44th Regt .; enlisted Ang., 1862, for 9 mos. Alonzo L. Whipple, 44th Regt .; enlisted Ang., 1862, for 9 mos. Zeno A. Appleton, 47th Regt .; enlisted Sept., 1862, for 9 mos. Alvah Tibbetts, 23d Regt .; enlisted Dec., 1863, for 3 yrs. Elward Hill, Heavy Art .; enlisted July, 1864, for 3 yrs. George Rowe, enlisted Nov .. 1864, for 1 yr. Charles F. Hawkins, eulisted Nov., 1864, for 1 yr.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 62

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