History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 63

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 63

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Jolin II. Knowlton, enlisted Nov., 1864 for 1 yr.

Jozeph W. Dodge, enlisted Nov , 1861, for I yr. Daniel Trow, enlisted Nov., 1864, for I yr. Livermore D. Riggs, enlisted Nov., 1864, for 1 yr. George Smith, eulisted Nov., 1864, for 1 yr. Tristram Appleton (2d), enlisted Nov., 1861, for I yr. Nathaniel Appleton, enlisted Nov., 1864, for 1 yr. Thomas Mauning, enlisted May, 1861, for 3 yrs.

Of these, nine died while in the service-they were James A. Chase, who died at Gettysburg hospital July 16, 1863, of wounds received in that battle ; Isaac K. Dodge, son of Elbridge and Elizabeth K. Dodge, at Newbern, N. C .. of fever; Thomas J. Dodge, son of Luke and Margaret Dodge, at Ander- sonville, aged thirty-six; George W. Dodge, May, 1862; John E. Whittredge, son of John and Martha Whittredge, at Newbern, N. C., July 8, 1862, of fever, aged twenty-one; William H. Dodge, at Berrysville, September, 1864, aged thirty ; Elam Wright Burn- ham, son of Elam and Joanna Burnham, at Baton Rouge, La., May 23, 1863, aged twenty-two; Austin S. Kinsman, son of Jacob and Abigail S. Kinsman, at Memphis, Tenn., August 4, 1863, of fever, aged twenty-two, when on his way home with the regi- ment; Alvah Tibbetts, son of John and Sarah Tib- betts, at Andersonville, August 3, 1864, aged twenty.

Those who can recall to mind these young men of promise, as they were when they left their homes, cau realize what a contribution Hamilton, like other towns, made to sustain the country in its peril.

BIOGRAPHICAL .- In a town like Hamilton, in which the business is almost exclusively farming, many of the young men are unable to find useful oc- cupation, and, from necessity as well as choice, seek other fields for their talents and enterprise. Many of these have gained an honorable name by their success, and have reflected distinction on their native town. Of such are :

Francis Dodge, son of Colonel Robert Dodge, born here in 1782. Ile was a successful merchant in

Georgetown, D. C., where he died about thirty-five years ago, leaving a large estate. He was much in- terested in his native town, which he often revisited. The Gibney farm, formerly known as the Dodge farm, was owned by him at his death.

Daniel Safford, son of Samuel and Priscilla Safford, was born here October 30, 1792. He learned the trade of blacksmith of his brother in Salem, removed to Boston in 1812, when he commenced business. He was a skillful mechanic, as well as a shrewd and en- ergetic man of business. He was widely known for his earnest Christian character and great benevo- lence. He became first known to the churches, where his praise has dwelt ever since, in 1826, by a contribution of one thousand dollars to the American Educational Society. Ile filled various public sta- tions with great credit to himself. Ile was one of the founders of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, a member of the Prudential Committee of the Ameri- can Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and an active member of other charitable and benevolent societies. He died February 3, 1856.

Rev. Isaac Brown, son of Lemuel and Lucy Brown, was graduated at Amherst College in 1833. He studied for the ministry at the Theological Seminary at Andover, and was pastor of the church in West Gloucester. Ile was a man of marked piety, and possessed a singularly pure and earnest Christian character. But the fervent spirit wasted the feeble frame. He died, at Hamilton, of consumption Sep- tember 14, 1841, aged 31.

Rev. Isaac Woodbury, son of Captain John Wood- bury, was well-known as a clergyman of the Baptist denomination.

Solomon S. Whipple, son of Deacon Matthew Whip- ple, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1811, and practised law in Salem.

David Roberts, son of Samuel Roberts, born in 1804, was a lawyer in Salem, and was twice elected Mayor of that city.

Rufus P. Cutler, son of Temple Cutler and grand- son of Dr. Cutler, born in 1814, was graduated at Yale College in 1838, and was the valedictorian of his class. Hle was a prominent clergyman of the Unitarian denomination, and was settled at Portland, Maine, Charleston, South Carolina, and at San Fran- cisco and Oakland, in California. He died in Brook- lyn, New York, in 1878. ITe was never married.

Francis Dane, son of John and Fanny Dane, who was born here, August 6, 1819, was an eminently suc- cessful shoe manufacturer and merchant. He began his business career in South Danvers, now Peabody, about 1840. After the first few years during which his progress was slow, his energy, industry and sagacity pushed him rapidly forward to success. In 1857, he began business in Boston, and in 1860 removed his residence to that city. He lost heavily soon after the war broke out, as his dealings had been largely with the South, but in after years his wealth increased rapidly,

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

and at his death he left a large estate. He was gen- trous in disposition and unusually given to hospi- tality, and greatly enjoyed seeing his friends about him and in contributing to their pleasure. Some years before his death, he bought the family home- stead at the north part of the town, and spent his money with a lavish hand in remodeling and refit- ting the dwelling-house, in erecting barns, and, es- pecially, in building a substantial stone wall facing the road, that will last for generations. In the sum- mer of 1875, he was suddenly stricken down with discase and died July 30th. Hle married Miss Zeruiah Brown of Hamilton, October 10, 1842. The New England Shoe and Leather Association, the trustees ot Dummer Academy, the Essex Agricultural So- ciety, and various financial institutions, with which he was connected, took appropriate notice of his de- cease by resolutions expressive of their sense of loss, Ilis funeral was largely attended. The natives of the town, now living, who have achieved honorable suc- cess, we will leave to be cared for by the future his- torian.

There are also those who have been identified with the town by residence and who have filled the part of useful citizens. The first physician of the town was Dr. Nathan Lakeman, who settled here in the year of the incorporation, 1793. He was a native of Exe- ter, New Hampshire. In 1794 he married Elizabeth, youn'est daughter of Peter Frye, of Salem, who died May 17, 1796, aged 29. Dr. Lakeman removed to Glou- vester in 1800, afterwards to Manchester, thence to Beverly where he died. He lived in the house now owned by Benjamin Courtney.

Dr. Enoch Faulkner, who succeeded him, came here in 1800. He was a native of Andover. Ile was a popular physician, and built up a large practice in this and neighboring towns. He was interested in local and political affairs, and was largely influential in organizing the Democratic party in town. He married Mrs. Mary Lord, a lady of unusual gifts and graces by which she attained leadership in society. She survived him for many years, and died at the ad- v: ured age of ninety. Dr. Faulkner lived in the house at the corner of the Main and Essex roads, which is known as Faulkner's Corner. He died March 16, 1830, aged sixty-three.

Dr. Oliver S. Creasy commenced practice here about 1-31. He was a native of New Hampshire. He was well hket as a physician, and was an active, stirring citizen. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1-53, and died in September of that year shortly after the adjournment of the conven- tion. Ile lee a willow all three sons. His age at his death was forty-eight. Dr. D. vid & Allen, who sue- ceedled him, is a native of the town ; he continued here in the practice of his profission until the 'ivil War, when he was commissioned as surgeon in one of the regiments. After the clave of the war he resumed the petite of hu profession in Saugus, where he

now resides. For several years following, in the ab- sence of a local practitioner, Dr. J. L. Robinson, of Wenham, was generally employed by the citizens, until his removal to Manchester, N. HI. Since that time Dr. S. E. Thayer has been the resident physi- cian.

Hon. . Allen W. Dodge, a most valuable and highly esteemed citizen, died May 17, 1878. Mr. Dodge was born in Newburyport, in April, 1804, and was a grandson of Col. Robert Dodge, frequently mentioned in these annals. He was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy and at Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1826. Among his classmates were Rev. Drs. Nehemiah Adams, Andrew P. Peabody, Richard Ilildreth (the historian), Robert Rantoul, Jr., Samuel H. Walley, and other distinguished men. He studied and practiced law in New York City for several years, with good prospects of success. In 1834, he experi- enced such a change in his religious opinions and feelings, that he abandoned the profession of law, and commenced the study for the ministery, at Andover Seminary, in the class of 1838. He was never or- dained. Ile preached on several occasions, but owing to failure of health soon relinquished his second pro- fession. He then settled in Hamilton on the farm of his ancestors, and commenced an highly useful and honorable career. ITis service in the Legislature has been already mentioned. He was intimately con- neeted with the Essex Agricultural Society as secre- tary, and afterwards as president. He was, also, a member of the State Board of Agriculture, a trustee of the State Agricultural College, and was the first president of the Essex Congregational Club. In 1852, he was chosen treasurer for the county of Essex, which office he held until his death.

Hle was warmly interested in public affairs, and was enthusiastically loyal to every institution which claimed his allegiance, whether it was Nation, State or his own town, with the parish and church of which he was a member. In the Civil War, no citizen was more intensely anxious for the success of the national cause or more ready to assist it. He was wise in counsel, and energetic in action. No trait in his character was more attractive than his quick and sincere sympathy with the young who were entering on the business of life, and his advice was prompted by a genuine interest in their welfare.

Mr. Dodge's voice was often heard in publie, and his addresses were conspicuous for their vigorous presentation of sound, sensible opinions, seasoned by humor, and by pointed illustrations drawn from com- mon life. His genial temperament, combined with a fund of information on subjects of common converse, made him a delightful companion. Like all men of his keenly sensitive and impressionable nature, he was subject to the alternations of buoyancy and depression. An highly appreciative memorial of him was prepared by his friend and neighbor, Gail Hamilton. His wife and two children survive him.

AUFNAH

- --

"DANE FARM," RESIDENCE OF A. P. GARDNER, HAMILTON. MASS.

D, at

that

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HAMILTON.

Miss Mary A. Dodge (Gail llamilton), who has secured widely extended fame by the brilliancy and vigor of her writings, is a native and resident of the town. She is the daughter of James B. and Hannah Stanwood Dodge. Her father was of Ilamilton de- scent, and her mother was a member of a prominent Ipswich family.

Among her publications are "Country Living and Country Thinking," "Gala Days," " A New Atmos- phere," "Battle of the Books," "Summer Rest," "Stumbling Blocks," " Wool Gathering " and " Wo- man's Wrongs," as well as numerous contributions to newspapers and magazines on the topics of the time.

POPULATION-BUSINESS .- The population of the town has varied but little since the incorporation. From causes already referred to, the tendency has been to emigration rather than to immigration. Dr. Felt states that the population of the Hamlet in 1773 was 870. Since the incorporation it has varied as follows: In 1810, 780 ; 1820, 802; 1830, 748; 1855, 896; 1865, 799; 1877, 790; 1880, 935; 1885, 850. The valnation was in 1831, $211,888; in 1865, $481,- 423; 1872, $560,620; 1887, $753,000.

As has been stated, the business of the town has, from the first, been essentially farming. Manufactur- ing has not been attempted to any large extent. About 1834, a stone factory was built on the Hlamil- ton side of Ipswich River, and, also, a large stone dwelling-honse for the accommodation of operatives; it was known for many years as " Manning's Mills," from the name of the builder. Since that time the manufacture of woolen goods has been carried on with varied snecess. In 1864, there were manufac- tured fifty-five thousand pairs of army and ribbed socks, and woolen goods to the value of one hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars. These mills wereto- tally destroyed by fire January 12, 1884, and have not been rebuilt. For several years previous to their destruction they were operated by the Willowdale Manufacturing Company in the making of woolen blankets ; a large number of operatives were employ- ed, and quite a village of cottages was built in the vicinity of the factory. The population of the town was from this cause increased so that in 1880 it was about one hundred above the average for the last century. The valuation of the real estate and machinery of the corporation in 1883, the year pre- vious to the fire, was about twenty thousand dollars.

Further down the Ipswich River there is a saw and grist-mill, near Warner's bridge, so called; this was formerly known as Dodge's mills, and afterwards as Smith's mills ; it is now owned by C. J. Norwood.

The opening of the Essex Branch Railroad gave the opportunity for the development of a new in- dustry in the eastern part of the town that is, the cutting, storing and shipping of ice. The Drivers' Union Ice Company have built ice-houses at the northerly point of Chebacco Lake, near the railroad. This affords employment for quite a number of hands,

mainly in the winter season. The value of the real and personal estate of the company, for the year 1885, was nineteen thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars.

This new railroad, which was opened in 1872, from the Wenham and Hamilton station to Essex, gave in- creased and much needed accommodation to the resi- dents in the center and eastern part of Hamilton. There are two stations for the town on the road ; one for the centre, at the crossing of the highway by Miles River, near Otis F. Brown's, and one for the east part near the house of William Woodbury.

The owners of the meadow lands lying on Miles River, most of whom are residents of IIamilton, were incorporated by the name of the Miles River Meadow Company, by an act of the Legislature, April 24, 1880. The purpose of this act was to secure better co-operation among the owners in removing obstructions from the river, and thus improving the drainage of their lands.

Before the extensive nse of machinery in shoe manufacturing made it necessary that all the work should be done at the factory, a number of the citizens found employment in shoemaking. The town was dotted over with small shoe-shops, each accommoda- ting two or three workmen; some of these followed the business for the entire year, others only during the winter interval between the seasons of active farm labor. Some carried on the business more ex- tensively, and might be ranked as shoe manufac- turers, although there was no large factory. In 1837, the value of boots and shoes manufactured was esti- mated at fourteen thousand seven hundred and two dollars. This industry has gradually dwindled away, until, under the changed conditions of business, it has entirely disappeared.

A business still more remote in point of time-that of vessel-building-was three-fourths of a century ago carried on considerably in the eastern part of the town. Fishing-boats, from ten to twenty tons, were built and hauled to the Chebacco waters by teams of cattle. Captain John Woodbury, an active and energetic man, who is still remembered for his brusque manner and kindness of heart, built some of these boats at his homestead, now owned by his son, John T. Woodbury.

In 1859, Mr. John Whipple, a native of Worcester County, but a descendant of a branch of the Whipple family of this town, bought the estate near Chebacco Pond, formerly the property of Edmund Knowlton. This place, attractive in its natural features, he greatly improved ; he built a large honse, since known as the Chebacco House, and fitted up the grounds with special reference to the entertainment of pleas- ure-parties. He made his establishment very pop- ular, and until the time of his death carried on a successful business, which has since been continued by his sons.

The opening of the Eastern Railroad through the

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

town to Ipswich, in 1899, caused a great change in the present burial-ground. This lot was described in the mode of public travel, and was also the indirect the deed as bounded by the southeasterly side of the cause of the disappearance of the public-bonses, the , road leading to Wenham, fronting on said road eight necessity for which ceased to exist with the with- ! rods, southerly on land of John Hubbard ten rods, draw il of the stage- line from Newburyport to Boston. Dr. Felt, in huis history, says, -" In 1774, a stage with four horses, from Newburyport to Boston, rode through Ipswich twice a week in going and the same in returning. This was an accommodation ex- ceeding any of preceding years. But it was far less than now existe. Such facilities for traveling are twenty times greater than they were then." At the time of Dr. Felt's history, a large number of st. ges passed over the main highway daily ; the ar- rival et these vehicles, with their loads of passengers,

and on the easterly end, eight rods, and on the north- erly side, ten rods, by Dane's land. John Dane, the grantor, died in 1707, and was buried in this lot ; the stone erected to his memory bears the oldest date of any in the cemetery. The inscription is " Memento mori, Fugit Hora. Here lyes ye body of John Dane, Sen., who departed this life December 23d, 1707, in the 65th year of his age." This John was the son of a John Dane who emigrated to this country about 1635. He was born in Ipswich about 1644, and lived at the Hamlet. In 1692 he was a juror in with cases. was a prominent feature in the life of the quiet vil- | He married Abigail Warner, and was an ancestor of lage. Of the public-houses referred to, there were the Dane family residing in this town. In 1763, John Hubbard gave one-quarter of an acre as an addition to the ground, for which he received the thanks of the parish, by a vote, passed February 3, 1763. In 1797 it was voted to enlarge the ground, and build a face wall in front, and to purchase of Mr. Roberts one-fourth of an acre at fifty cents per rod. In 1846, the ground was further enlarged by the purchase of one hundred and forty-four rods of Jacob Kinsman and wife, which included an adjoining lot in the rear, and also the lane which is now the carriage entrance to the cemetery. In 1866, the cemetery was extended at the easterly end by an acre, and, in 1886, by an aere and a fourth, purchased of Daniel Roberts. then two in town,-one, near the Ipswich line, was kept by Jacob Brown; the other, near the meeting- house, designated by a sign-post, on which hung a portrait of Governor Hancock, was kept by Israel D. Brown. An incident in the early history of the town shows the popularity of this tavern, then kept by L'aptain Daniel Brown, At the first election of Dr. Cutler to Congress, in 1800, the records show that Dr. Cutler received sixty-five votes, Joseph Roberts, on, and " old George Kezer," one. Whether this Kezer was a mythical personage, or a reality of un- savory reputation, is not known, but the ballot was evidently regarded as an insult to the worthy doctor. For this an apology was offered, which was unani- mously accepted, and then the meeting, with equal unanimity, voted to adjourn, immediately, to Captain Brown's, where, probably, the means were taken to completely re-tore harmonious feeling.

A pest-office was established in 1803, and for many Year- was kept at this place.

The entire length of highways is about thirty miles; from this it is seen that the duty of construet- ing and maintaining the roads imposes a heavy bur- den un the town. For many years, somewhat in the past, projects for building new roads, and for altering and improving those already built, were frequent; but of late, little has been attempted beyond keeping the existing highways in repair. The clearing of roads romi snow is an un certain, and, often, a large item of expune , for instance, for the year ending March, Is the expense on this account was 856.92; 1877, ** 11; 1576, 8961.05; 1874, 81857.42. The last roa leconstructed was that laid ont in 1886, as a town- why. badige fron the main road opposite the Wen- hun aod Hethon Rat road Station to the Topsfield R ad. This was built mainly for the accommodation of the hire rad way, in order to avoid two railroad

ANTAL GPOUNE - In 1707, the Hamlet was granted , the Man of Ipswith the ac ent common land for This was the next year, exchanged w . lin Dante for one-half acre, which is a part of

WIGGLESWORTH CEMETERY .- About the year 1850 several of the citizens purchased one of the lots into which the old parsonage ground was divided to be used as a private burial-place. This was consecrated by appropriate services as the Wigglesworth Ceme- tery ; Rev. J. H. Mordough making an address. For several years no burials have been made in this ground, and the remains of those already interred are being removed to the town cemetery. It will proba- bly soon be abandoned.

MISCELLANEOUS .- Since 1881 when George C. Ran- kins, an enterprising young man, bought of the Asbury Grove Association a tract of land on the Topsfield road, adjoining the Eastern Railroad, a marked im- pulse has been felt in business in that part of the town. Mr. Rankins started the coal business, and in 1883, Daniel C. Smith leased part of the premises to be used as a lumber-yard. A severe loss was sustained by the death of Mr. Rankins in 1884. Since that time Mr. Smith has carried on both lumber and coal business.

Within a few years eleven dwelling-houses have been erected in this immediate vicinity, and near the railroad station ; and five are now in process of eree- tion. Two shops have also been built, and a large building, one hundred feet in length, for business purposes.

The town now seems to be progressing as favorably as at any time in its history. The report of the select-

William et. Brown,

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WENHAM.

men, made March, 1887, shows the expenses of the town for the current year to have been $6055.16, of which $1653.37 was for roads and bridges; $649.37, for removing snow ; $583.96, enlarging and improving the cemeteries; $652.78, for poor; $1339.00, for schools.

The present Board of Selectmen are James F. Gwinn, John L. Woodbury and Isaac F. Knowlton ; Town Clerk, Otis F. Brown ; School Committee, Otis F. Brown, Jonathan Lamson and Andrew Haraden.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

WILLIAM A. BROWN.

William A. Brown is the son of William and Lydia L. Brown, and has always been a resident of Ilamil- ton, where he was born September 24, 1820.

Mr. Brown has for many years been prominent and active in town affairs, and has held most of the local offices. He has served on the Board of Selectmen at different times, fifteen years in all; during the war he was chairman of the board and was active and effi- cient in promoting enlistments. He has been a mem- ber of the School Committee, and for seventeen years was a teacher in the schools of this town for the win- ter terms.

In 1880 the district, of which Hamilton was a part, was represented by him in the Legislature.

Mr. Brown is a farmer, and has also been consider- ably employed as a surveyor of land. The farm in the northern part of the town, now owned and occu- pied by him, has been the property of his family through five generations.

The first of his ancestors who owned the estate was Samuel Brown, who was the grandson of Edward Brown, an immigrant from England, but the date of whose settlement here is not exactly known. Edward Brown died probably in 1659, as his will was proved in 1660.

CHAPTER XCIX.

WENHAM.

BY SIDNEY PERLEY.

First Settlement-General History-Physicians-Cemeteries-Railroads-Re- ligious History-Military History-Schools, Libraries, etc-Business and Manufacturing Interests-Distinguished Residents and Natives-Civil List.

" To raising Townes aud Churches new in wilderness they wander, First Plymouth and then Salem next were placed far asunder ; Woburn, Wenham, Redding, built with little Silver Mettle,

Andover, Haverhill, Berris-banks,1 their habitation settle."

THUS wrote the author of "Good News from New England," in reference to our early towns, showing the

alacrity of our ancestors in establishing new homes and new governments, with little means, except the strong arm, undaunted will, and faith in the prosperi- ty of their enterprise. Wenham was early fixed upon for a settlement ; its large lake, its streams, hills and meadows being very attractive to the English emi- grants. John Dunstan, Esq., an English gentleman, who visited the town in 1686, writes thus concern- ing it: " Wenham is a delicious paradise ; it abounds with all rural pleasures, and I would choose it of all other towns in America to dwell in. The lofty trees on each side of it are a sufficient shelter from the winds, and the warm sun so kindly ripens both the fruits and flowers, as if the spring, the summer and the autumn had agreed together to thrust winter out of doors." Josselyn, in 1663, says of it: " Wenham is an inland town, very well watered, lying between Salem and Ipswich ; consisteth most of men of jndg- ment in re rustica, and well stored with cattle."

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 63

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