History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 66

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 66

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was then sergeant, November 30, 1675. These troops, with others from the Plymouth and Comneeticut col- onies, made a forced march through the deep snows to a swamp in the country of the Narragansetts, in Rhode Island, where the Indians had erected a fort, which the English called Fort Narragansett, and gathered their bravest warriors. They reached the fort December 19, 1675, and, notwithstanding they had camped out the preceding night, " with no other covering than a cold and moist fleece of snow," and had marched nineteen miles that day, wading through the drifts, the troops rushed to the attack at once. The Indians retreated to the middle of the swamp, where they had fortified an island, five or six avres in area, with palisades and a hedge nearly a rod thiek. The English attacked and drove them to the centre of their fort, where the whole mass, there being three times as many Indians as English, was quickly engaged in a desperate and deadly struggle, which resulted at a great cost in favor of the latter. About one-fifth of the English soldiers were killed, and most of them wounded. Of those who went from Wenham, Mark Batchelder and Caleb Kimball were killed, and Thomas Abby wounded. John Fiske also served in the war, and was wounded. Others from Wenham took part in this conflict, but their names have not yet been determined.

Wenham was apprehensive that it might be ax- saulted by the Indians, and in 1691 voted, and chose a committee, to build a fortification, probably a sort of garrison house. Probably the vote was never acted upon, as nothing is afterwards mentioned re- garding it.

In the Andros revolution of 1688, the people of Wenham were interested ; and, on its happy termi- nation, a public town-meeting of thanksgiving was hehl May 6, 1689.

Some of the people of Wenham took part in the French War. By the records we find that Thomas Perkins and Thomas Pousland were killed in an at- tempt to take the Island Battery, in 1745; and that Israel Porter died at Cape Breton, August 10, 1745.

The people here took a more prominent part in the French and Indian War, which began in 1756. Some of the inhabitants served in the regiment commanded by Colonel lehabod Plaisted of Salem ; their chap- lain being Rev. Mr. Swain, pastor of the Wenham church, who accompanied the regiment in the expe- dition to Crown Point. By the records we learn that Eli Meservy died "in ye army" at Ticonderoga July 8, 1758, and Isaac Dodge at Cape Breton in 1759.

In 1756, the French, who occupied Acadia, as Nova Scotia was then ealled, having broken their agreement to remain neutral in the conflicts between the French and English, were removed to the English provinces and scattered through the many towns therein. Wenham had four to provide for. They were of one family, all females, consisting of a mother and her three daughters, one of whom was too young to earn

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her own support, and the mother old and incapable of working. Her name was La Jeau Deparis. They were received in Wenham February 9, 1756. The mother evidently died in 1757, and after that time the family only consisted of three persons. The family are sup- posed to have occupied the place lately known as Herrick's Corner. The house was then owned by Jonathan Porter. Dr. Allen says, in his history, that they " were finally disposed of December 20, 1762, to Dr. Putnam of Danvers."

The Revolutionary era approached soon after the termination of the French and Indian War. At a public town-meeting held June 30, 1773, it was voted, that the town was of the "opinion that the rights of the colonies, and of this in particular, are infringed upon in many instances, therefore it is a great grievance to all His Majesty's loyal subjects, and has a direct tendency to the destruction of our happy constitution." The people were thereafter gradually and thoroughly prepared for the opening ineidents of the first year of the fearful struggle on the battle-field. A good stoek of ammunition was kept on hand. An anecdote, showing the spirit of the Wenham people, is related as follows: William Fairfield at that time lived in the house lately oc- eupied by William Porter. Some British troops were marching across the country, and, as they ascended the little eminence by the burial-ground, their uniforms were suddenly seen hy several people, who proposed to flee, but Mrs. Fairfield manfully stood her ground crying, "not a step; give me a spit, and I'll pepper one of the villains." Armed with this rude weapon, she stood ready to receive the invaders, who, how- ever, passed on their way without meeting her.

At the beginning of the year 1775 Wenham had one militia company. At the request of the Province a company of minute men were then formed, and pre- pared themselves to march at a moment's warning. Ou the morning of the battle of Lexington, the two companies set out for the scene of conflict, which was reached too late for them to participate in the fight. The militia company, consisting of thirty-seven men, was commanded by Capt. Thomas Kimball ; the company of minute-men contained twenty-one men, and was comanded by Capt. Billy Porter ; and both the companies were reckoned as a part of the regi- ment of Col. John Baker.

The following men from Wenham served until August 1, 1775, in the company of Captain Ebenezer Francis in t'olonel Mansfield's regiment : Billy Por- ter, first lieutenant, Hatheld White, second lieuten- ant, Nathaniel Ober, sergeant, Ezra Kimball, corpor- al, and eleven privates ; and also the following served to August 1, 1775, in the company of Captain Benja- min Kimball, in the same regiment : John Dodge, lieutenant, Samuel Ober, sergeant, Asa Porter and Benjamin Brown, corporals, Billy Dodge, fifer, and two privates. Many, if not all, of these men un- doubtedly took part in the battle of Bunker Hill.

July 20, 1776, Josiah Moulton died of a wound re- ceived on board a privateer ; and January 21, 1777, Israel Batcheller died of small-pox in the army.

Some men went out in the company of Captain John Dodge, in Colonel Pickering's regiment, for ser- vice in New Jersey, being called therefore the Jersey company. These were three and a half months in service, marching from home December 16, 1777. The company numbered fifty-six men, John Tenny being first lieutenant, and Moses Scott, second lieuten - ant.

In Captain John Dodge's company in Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment April 1, 1778, there were seventy- two men.

Six six-months' men from Wenham enlisted in 1780 to reinforce the Continental army.

William Kimball served as a private in 1781, for five months, in Captain John Robinson's company in Colonel William Turner's regiment.

The History of Wenham says that one hundred and thirty-seven men from Wenham served in the Revo- lutionary army, some for a long and some for a short period. The town also spent much money towards carrying on the war. Up to December 23, 1776, it had paid out for this purpose five hundred and seventy-four pounds, five shillings, and sixpence since the battle of Lexington, and about a year and a half previously. The town regularly appointed a committee of safety and correspondence, who had to a certain extent the charge of the struggle. December 9, 1776, it was resolved by the town to supply the families of the soldiers, who were engaged in the cou- tinental army, with corn, pork, beef, wood, wool, flax and sauce; and Jacob Dodge, Thomas Kimball and Peter Dodge were chosen a committee for that purpose.

The people of Wenham, though suffering as much as the others in the province, supported the govern- ment which they fought to establish, when others sought its overthrow on account of the great burden of taxation which was imposed npon the people. Some of the old soldiers of the Revolution again buckled on their swords, and marched, under the com- mand of Colonel Wade of Ipswich, to suppress the insurrection created by Daniel Shay in 1787.

In the war of 1812, although opposing the policy which inaugurated it, Wenham did what it could to sustain the honor of the country in the field, both with men and money. Some enlisted on privateers, and others in the United States army, and fought valiantly in those bardly-contested battles. An alarm came to Wenham that the enemy had landed at Salem ; and the company of militia were immediately prepared to march, when, after bidding adieu to loved ones, news arrived refuting the report. The treaty of Ghent was welcomed hy the people here.

One more season of warfare remains to complete the story of Wenham's military service. Not inferior to any that had preceded it in suffering or in loss, in

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this conthiet for the supremacy of the Union, huge artes opposed to huge armies swayed back and forth for five long fearful years. The rebellion stands out prominently as the war of modern times. Com meneing with the shot fired on Sumter, it ended

with the emancipation of millions of slaves and the , ture in 1868 and 1869, and gave his salary to the town establishment of the control of the general Govern ment over the States. At the first call of Presi- lent Lincoln, the young men of Wenham quickly responded. One hundred and thirty men in all from this town were in the service. The pastor of the Congregational Church, Rev. John S. Sewall, served as chaplain, and the physician of the town. Dr. John 1 .. Robinson, as assistant-surgeon, in the Eighth Reg- unent. Dr. Arthur Kemble was assistant-surgeon in the navy on the " Gemsbok." Others from Wenham served in the navy on the "Young Rover," " Mal- vern," "Ino," "Cyane," " Kearsarge" (when she -unk the " Alabama), "Wachusett," tugboat " Del- ta," and " Congress," on which was Elbridge Porter. when the " Cumberland " was sunk by the Confede- rate ram " Merrimae " in Hampton Roads.

On the field of battle Wenham boys were killed in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Gaines' Mill, Olustee, Fla., and Cedar Creek ; and one was what in the battle of Cedar Mountain, and laid on the field two days and two nights for dead. Others were wounded in the battles of Spottsylvania, Chatta- nooga, Cedar Mountain, Gettysburg and in the gue- rilla fight in the Bonfocia expedition. Others fought in the battles before Petersburg, Ressacca, Ga., Chan- vellorsville, Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Gettys- burg, in Banks' Retreat, Antietam, Beverly-ford, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Chickahominy, Seven Days' Fight at Fair Oaks, Malvern Ilill, Fredericks

burg, Second Bull Run, Siege of Newbern, Kinston, camped on a plain near the depot during the conflict.

Goldsboro', Whitehall, South West Creek, Blount's Mills, Roanoke Island, Cold Harbor, Olustce, Fla.,. and Drury's Bluff, and some were with the Army of the l'otomac. Four of the Wenham soldiers were im- prisoned in Andersonville Prison ; four in Millen Prison, one of whom died there; one in Libby; and one in the prison on Belle Island.

The list of those who died in the service is as follows, John 11. Bailey, Aaron D. Barnes, Israel D. Barnes, Orville L. Brown, Addison A. Center, Wil iam Clark, Hugh F. Corbett (in the navy), Peter Dodge Ikilled in battle of Gaines' Mill June 27, Istet, John Dudley, James A. Evans (drowned in crossing She mandosh River, three miles below Edin- burg, Va. April 9, 1862), Thomas 11. Gray (killed in battle of Codlar Mountain August 9, 1862), Charles HI Herbison killed in battle at Ulustee, Fla., Feb- may 20, 1501. Henry Il. Homan, Frederick W. Howland, Benjamin A. Ingersoll died in Millen Prion October 19 186b, Dennis II. Kane (killed in battle of texas Creek, Va., October 19, 1861, Charles Korun, Harlan P. Merill James Obrien (killed at 1 1 Antietam, M ... September 17, 1862), Daniel

H. Peabody, Moses P. Quimby, John M. Rowe, David Shea, Dennis Sullivan, Bradford H. Trowt, Thomas Turney and Stephen G. Tuttle.

Edwin Mudge, Esq., of Danvers represented the towns of Danvers and Wenham in the State Legisla-

of Wenham, for the purpose of erecting a monument to the memory of the soldiers and sailors of Wenham who served in the Rebellion. Mr. Mudge's fund had amounted to five hundred and fifty dollars in 1878, when the town, by appropriations and subscriptions, raised a thousand dollars to be added to it. A suitable monument, made of marble, surmounted with the figure of a soldier, was erected in 1878. The total height is twenty-five feet. It is made of granite, quarried in Mason, N. H., and the statue was made by Alexander MeDonald. Its total cost was $1476.91. It is surrounded by an iron fence. The monument was dedicated with appropriate exercises on Memorial Day, 1879. The speaker on the occasion was Rev. Isaac F. Porter, a native of the town. On the right and left sides of the monument are the names of the soldiers who died in the service. The inscription on the front side is as follows :-

IN HONOR OF THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS, OF WENHAM WHO DEFENDED THE UNION IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. ERECTED 1878.

Some of the soldiers in the rebellion were en-

SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, ETC .- The fathers of New England sought a common educational system, mak- ing the means of obtaining the benefit of an educa- tion equally accessible to both rich and poor. In the earliest small settlements this was accomplished as best it could at home, the parents feeling it to be their duty to instruct their children in the elements of learning. Books in those days were rare and costly, while the flood of reading material which is scattered broadcast to-day was then a thing, which would have been witchery to have dreamed of. Be- fore schools were established the people of Wenham hitd acquired considerable education. Upon a com- plaint being made to the General Court, the town, September 9, 1700, appointed Captain Thomas Fiske to keep school to teach children and youth to read and write, and as his pay therefor he was to have what the parents, etc., of the scholars would pay and the amount of his taxes. The next year the town voted that if he could not get sufficient payment for his services in that way, it would pay the balance. The school was probably at first kept at the house of Captain Fiske, who was again chosen schoolmaster in De-

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cember, 1701, and also in 1702. In the last named year, ladies began teaching school here. It was then " voted that the seleetmen have full power to agree with such school-dames as are necessary to learn children to read." This is a very early date for ladies to be employed in teaching. In 1706, William Rogers was appointed sehoolmaster. In 1709 it was " voted that the seleetmen are empowered to agree with three school-dames to teach children for to read, and a schoolmaster to learn young people to write and eypher, and to engage forty shillings for their serviee." In 1710 Mr. Rogers was reappointed schoolmaster. In 1718-19 Mr. Rogers and Daniel Dodge were chosen to keep school, and each of them to have sixpence for each head per week. They all attended school at one place doubtless until 1733, when Nathaniel Brown was agreed with by the selectmen, " to keep a writing and reading school for the year ensuing; and whereas it is impracticable for all the children to come together in one place, it is covenanted and agreed that he be allowed to teach little children to read by suitable women, in the several parts of the town, that he shall agree with, by the approbation of the seleetmen ; also to teach to write by another man, in another part of the town." In 1735-36, Daniel Fiske sold to the town of Wenham abont five square rods of land in the west end of the town, provided that it will thereon erect a school-house and maintain a school yearly therein. The school-house was built in 1739. In the latter year the town raised thirty pounds for the support of schools. This was the first appropriation of the town, properly speaking, for that purpose. Novem- ber 30, 1742, Jonathan Perkins was agreed with to keep a school. The selectmen then had charge of the schools; hiring the teacher, the beginning and termination of the sessions, and the place where it should be kept. The first school committee in Wen- ham was appointed in 1772. In 1746 Mrs. Elizabeth Kimball was "approved of and approbated to keep school in our town, to teach children and youth to read and write, she having behaved in sober conver- sation." The history says that "three different schools continned to be supported in different see- tions of the town, and separate teachers employed for them, until the year 1770, when it was voted, that 'a grammar-school be constantly kept in this town, the year ensuing, and that provision be made for the support of the same.' It was moreover voted 'that a committee be chosen to provide a schoolmaster, and to apportion said school, according to the tax in this town.' This school, which seems to have been removed from distriet to district as occasion re- quired, was continued for several years. In 1779, it was taught by Rev. Mr. Swain, in addition to his pulpit and pastoral labors." The old system of three schools, and division of the money among them eqnally, was resnmed in 1782.

Since 1817, the general superintendence of the

sehools has been entrusted to a committee annually chosen by the town for that purpose. The town has now five schools, grammar, primary and three mixed schools, known as the East, West and Neek Schools. Wenham's portion of the surplus revenue of the United States, distributed in 1837, was deposited with trustees for three years, and then divided among the several distriets to aid in ereeting and repairing school-houses. The town appropriated the present year (1887) sixteen hundred dollars for schools. Last year (1886) eighteen hundred and ninety dollars were paid out for schools.

An attempt was made in 1810 to establish an aead- emy here. Later, private schools have been at- tempted several times. Mr. C. L. Edwards opened a private school in the Town Hall, as soon as it was in oecupaney, in 1854. He remained abont a year, and was succeeded by Mr. Francis M. Dodge, a native of Wenham, and a graduate of Waterville College. He continued the school two years, quite snecessfully. The room was afterwards and is now ocenpied by the grammar school.

Wenham has produced a good number of college graduates; and many others have attended Dummer and other academies.

For many years a public library was among the valn- able acquisitions of the town ; but on account of laek of funds, the books having grown old, new ones were not bought, and the interest in it failed. Some years ago a new library was formed. It is in a flourishing condition, the town this year (1887) having made an appropriation of more than a hundred dollars for it. Last year the town paid for its support one hundred and three dollars and sixty-six cents. It now con- tains nine hundred and thirteen volumes, which have a good eireulation.

BUSINESS AND MANUFACTURING INTERESTS .-- The business history of Wenham in many respects is quite interesting. The history of its old-style taverns, if it could be correctly written, would be de- lightful to read. From its earliest days the town had its public-house. March 7, 1643-44, William Fiske received authority to keep a tavern from the General Court, as follows: "Willi: Fiske is appointed & alowed to keepe an ordinary at Wennam." Novem- ber 13, 1644, by the same authority, " Willi : Fiske, of Wennam, hath liberty to sell wine." Mr. Fiske died in 1654, and in the inventory of his estate is men- tioned a sign and sign-post. He continued in busi- ness until 1647. His successor was Phineas Fiske, who was granted authority by the General Court Octo- ber 27, 1647, as follows: " Phineas Fiske is granted to keepe an ordinary in Wenham." May 10, 1648, by the same authority, " Phineas Fiske, of Wenham, is alowed license to draw wine there for this yeare ensuing," and three days later he "hath libtie giuen to sell wine for this year ensuinge." Samuel Foster was chosen by the town in 1654, and Walter Fairfield January 3, 1680, to keep the ordinary. March 18,

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1684-5, the General Court licensed John Fiske, "a sore wounded soldier in the late Indian War, to keep a public-house of entertainment." Woodward and Fairfield were licensed to sell liquor September 28, 1656. August 7, 1694, the County Court licensed Ezekiel Woodward as an inn holder "at the sign of ye flower de luce." Thomas Fiske, Jr., was licensed to sell liquor in June, 1693, and the license was re- newed in 1695 and 1696. A Mr. Symonds was the landlord in 1705 and 1706. Joseph Dodge was cho- sen to keep the public-house in 1709. Ile continued for several years. Ebenezer Kemball was the land- Jord in 1720. Jonathan Porter was an inn-holder here from about 1730 to 1755 and later. He lived a short distance west of the soldiers' monument. William Rogers was licensed as an inn-holder here in 1732. At the close of the Revolution there was a lavern kept at the sign of the "sun." Patty Lewis was the inn-holder here in 1799. From 1796 to 1795 Col. Pan] Porter kept a tavern and store where the horse car stable is now located. It was after- wards kept at the same place by John Thorn Dudge, Esq., for several years, and he was followed by Thomas Barnes. Ezra Lummus, who was also post- master and blacksmith, kept a tavern here for eight built for that purpose. lle was a free-mason, and his sign consisted of his name, " E. Hummus, 1827," and the painting of a square and compass. William If. Bryant, in 1851, commenced keeping tavern in the Old Parvern building, which was taken down in 1853. lle then opened the "Green House," so called, on the east end of the Common, and carried on the business here until all the buildings on the premises were burned, soon after midnight, on the 18th of April, 1869. The Union Block now occupies the same site. The present publie-house, run by Mr. Stephen Currier, was opened in 1886, and its sign bears the words, "Enon Hotel."

or ten years from 1827, in the brick house which he ly at different times. In 1707 the town granted to

Wenham has no water-power worthy of more than a mere mention. Miles' River, running through the easterly part of the town, is the principal stream. It Is sluggish, and therefore offers no great water privi- leges, although in former times, two places, at which there are falls of a few feet, were improved to turn the machinery of a saw and grist-mill. As early as 1653 a mill, probably built by Goodman Hawes, was located here probably on the farm where Mr. David Pingree now lives. In 1682 John Dodge had a saw- mill. In 1691 there was n saw-mill near Lord's Hill, and John Porter and James Friend had liberty to flow the brook. In 1700 and 1701 there was a saw-mill where John Leach then resid dd. There was a grist- all as early as 1686. In 1715 Josiah Dodge's corn- mull was situated a short distance above the ford. Mr. Henry Dunge has a steam saw-mill at the present time, at Lant Wenham. In 1699 Ensign John Porter Was ranted timber for a small malt-mill, to be set on the Brook by his house.

The first blacksmith mentioned as having a shop in Wenham was Abraham Martin, to whom the town voted on the 11th of the first month, 1670, to give two acres of land if he shall follow his trade here seven years. Robert Symonds was a blacksmith in 1697. Josiah Bridges moved from Boxford, and was a blacksmith here from 1713 to February, 1715, when he died. Daniel Herrick was the blacksmith in 1773. Pelatiah Brown had a shop, and worked at his trade of a blacksmith here in the Revolutionary period, where the house of Mr. Benjamin F. Young is now situated. Ezra Lummus, the postmaster and inn-holder, was a blacksmith from about 1827 to about 1837. John J. Senter was a blacksmith at two periods; and George A. Lummus from about 1849 to 1875. Uzziel Dodge established a shop here about 1790, and ran the business a term of years. He was followed in the same shop by Jabez Richards, who was succeeded by Daniel Bradbury, about 1840. Mr. Bradbury, in 1882, sold out to Mr. Charles F. Dud- ley, who has since continued the blacksmithing busi- ness at the old stand. The other blacksmith is Mr. Henry H. Dempsey ; both shops being located in Central Square.

Tanning hides was carried on here quite extensive-

Daniel MacClaflin sixty square rods of common land, on condition that he set up a tanner's yard. In 1708 he had liberty to dam up the brook; and in 1721 the land was given to him free from the con- dition. Samuel Gott carried on the tanning busi- ness from about 1725 for about forty years, on land now belonging to Mr. Michael Sullivan, situated across the street from the residence of Mr. Joseph G. Kent. Slight depressions in the ground still mark the precise spot of some of the old vats. This was one of the largest tanneries then operated in Essex County. A Mr. Flint had a tannery here for a few years about sixty years ago. Hle sold out to William Cleaves, and went to New Boston, N. HI. The prop- erty was afterwards sold to Augustus Dodge, who filled up the old vats.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 66

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