History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 93

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 93

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The surface of the town is broken and uneven ; composed of hill and dale, there are bold and precip- itous ledges of rock and acres of houlders of all sizes, from many tons' weight to those no larger than a water-pail; the underlaying strata is granite. The highest hill is Pool's, westward of and near the rail- road station. It rises about two hundred and thirty feet above the level of the sea; its summit is a large extent of table-land. Pigeon Hill, the next highest land, is two hundred and ten feet above the sea-level ; it rises gradually, its surface is smooth and is com- posed of well-cultivated fields. This is the first land that greets the eye of the sailor as he nears the coast.

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From these hills we get a very extended view of land and ocean, the hills and mountains of Maine and New Hampshire; the eye also reaches a long distance over the broad Atlautic. There are the mountains (so-called) located on the westerly side of Granite Street, a bold and precipitous ridge of rough and irregular stone, rising some fifty or more feet almost 'perpendicular ; the apex a level plateau; then the highland of overlook and the split-rock and many other points of thrilling interest to the permanent set- tler and to the sojourner. There are, perhaps, few towns that have such a variety of scenery and so much to interest the tourist as this town, with its large ocean front and its great variety of hill and dale, fruitful fields and acres of wood.

The Cape, or Fresh Pond, a beautiful sheet of ahout seventy acres of pure water, on two sides inclosed by hills covered with boulders and trees. This pond is within three-fourths of a mile of the village. Its only outlet crosses the highway near the Beaver Dam farm-house, and flows through swamp, marsh and meadow, and finally mingles its waters with Mill and Annisquam Rivers to the sea. This pond is supplied with fish to some extent,-alewives, pickerel and perch,-but not in such abundance as to invite the Isaac Waltons of to-day ; though, in years gone by, two hundred barrels of alewives have been taken in a day.

The roads are in good condition and afford very pleasant drives, the main road lies the greater part of its distance six miles within a few rods of the ocean, of which the most of the way you have an unobstruct- ed view.

Then at Pigeon Cove the avenues laid out and built by the late Eben B. Phillips through a large tract of land he purchased some years since, and upon which are built a large number of attractive summer resi- dences. And these avenues constructed at a later day over and about Sunset-hill, by Babson and Gaf- field, for those who love an oceau view uone can be more fascinating. Pigeon Cove has long been popu- lar as a summer resort. The south part of the town is increasing in favor. The hotel privileges are the "Pigeon Cove House," "Ocean View," "Linwood," and "Glen Acre," at either of which travelers may be assured they will be well cared for. At the south Village is the Sandy Bay house and the Abbot, open during the year, the Sea Croft open during the sum- mer. Also private boarding houses in good number.

There are three Islands lying off the town, one of which Straitsmouth is separated from the main by a narrow channel called the Gap, through which vessels of light draught may pass at high or near high-tide. It contains about fifty acres. Though its surface is rocky it affords good pasture and a garden for the keeper. This Island was granted by the General Court to Capt. James Davis, in consideration " that he had been to much expense and charge in the late war with the French and Indians, and had spent much time

in the service." After changing ownership several times it was purchased by the United States Government and a light-house and dwelling-house was erected there in the year 1835. Benj. W. Andrews was the first keeper. He died on the Island while in the service. And in the year 1841, Capt. John Davis was appointed to fill his place. The present light-house was built in 1851, and was lighted towards the close of that year.

Thachers Island, the largest of the three, contains about eighty acres and is of good soil, affording rich pasturage. It is about two miles from the main; it was purchased by the Colonial Government in 1771, of Joseph Allen, at a cost of £500, and that year two light houses aud a dwelling-house were erected and were lighted for the first time December 21, 1771. Kirkwood was keeper. At the commencement of the Revolutionary War he was forcibly removed from the Island by Capt. Rogers' company of minute men as a person whose views were not in accordance with the patriotic sentiments generally held by the people of the town. After awhile the lights were relighted and their friendly beams guided the eye of the anxious mariner and aided in directing his way over the path- less sea, until the year 1861, when they were de- molished and the present light-houses higher and more noble in appearance were erected and furnished with lighting apparatus of the first order, and were lighted on the first day of October of that year. These lights located at the entrance of Massachusetts Bay are of very great importance. This station is also supplied with a fog whistle.

This Island is memorable ou account of the ship- wreck of Anthouy Thacher and his cousin, Rev. John Avery, who with their families were on their way from Ipswich to Marblehead, where Mr. Avery had a call to preach the gospel. They were wrecked on the 14th day of August, 1635, on a ledge, " Crackwoods," off the south side of the western head; besides these two families of seventeen persons there were two other persons and four seamen, twenty-three in all, of which but two, Mr. Thacher and his wife were saved, and but one body was recovered, that of a danghter of Mr. Avery. She was buried on the Island. They re- mained on the Island two days, then were taken off and were landed at Marblehead. He settled in Yar- mouth and died there in 1668, aged about eighty years; leaving one son, by whose descendants his name is perpetuated in various places. On his de- parture from the scene of his shipwreck he gave his own name to the island upon which he was cast call- ing it "Thacher's Woe;" and the rock on which the vessel was wrecked he called " Avery his Fall."

Milk Island, the smallest of the group, lies a short distance southwesterly from Thachers ; it rises but a little above the level of the sea. Tradition says that in the early settlement of the town it was used for the pasturing of cows, hence the name " Milk." For seve- ral years between 1840 and 1860, Asa Todd pastured sheep upon it. Probably his were the last sheep kept

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

in town. During late years it has been occupied for a fishing station, and is now owned by John B. Parsons and Charles Hodgkins. It is about three-fourths of a mile from the main.

Before there was any permanent settlement at Sandy Bay, men from Chebacco and Ipswich, came here at different times during several years and engaged in fishing. They erected their log cabins at or near Gap Ilead. One Babson had a grant of land at or near that locality. He probably was the Babson that was attacked by a bear, and had no weapon of defense except a knife. He was successful and killed the bear and spread his skin upon a rock on " Bear- skin neck," hence the name. Babson did not tarry long in this village.

INCORPORATION .- Several times during the years before Sandy Bay was set off from Gloucester, the question of separation was agitated, but for want of una- nimity on the part of the voters of Sandy Bay, or for other reasons of minor importance, no special efforts were put forth to bring about a separation. But in the opening of the year 1839, the question was again agitated, and with greater unanimity. A public meet- ing was called and a committee of two from each school district, was chosen to canvas each district, and get each voter's yea, or nay, on the question. This was done and the committee reported at the adjourned meeting, three hundred and nineteen yeas, fifty-four nays. (Sixty-two of these three hundred and seventy- three persons are now, June 1887, living). At this meeting a committee of five were chosen on the part of Sandy Bay, to confer with a committee to be chosen by the parent town, viz. George D. Hale, James Haskell, John W. Marshall, Nehemiah Knowlton, Reuben Dade.

At the adjournment of the annual March meeting (of Gloucester), held on the 8th day of April, 1839, the eleventh article of the warrant, which was to know if the town will set off Sandy Bay and Pigeon Cove, or Sandy Bay only as a town by such line or lines, and upon such terms as may be mutually agreed upon by the inhabitants, and take measures to effect the same, agreeable to the petition of Will- iam P'. Burns and others, came up for consideration, and the prayer of the petitioners was granted by vote, and a committee was chosen to carry the same into effect, who were as follows : Richard G. Stan- wood, William Babson, Alphonso Mason, John W. Lowe, Aaron Fitz, George D. Hale, James Haskell, John W. Marshall, Reuben Dade and Nebemiah Knowlton. Thus the work of separation was initiated and was so carried into effect that the new town, (Rockport), which includes Sandy Bay and Pigeon Cove, was incorporated on the 27th day of February, 1×40. The art of incorporation passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, and was approved by the Governor, Marcus Morton, on the same day.

The warrant for the first town meeting was issued by Jones Gions, Esq., to James Haskell, by which the

legal voters of the new town were required to meet in the vestry of the Congregational Society, on the 9th day of March, in the year 1840, to choose the necessary town officers for the current year. The meeting was called to order by James Haskell, Esq. Capt. Jobu Davis was chosen moderator, and Colonel William Pool, town clerk. He was re-elected year by year until failing health compelled him to decline. His son, Calvin W., was then elected and continues to hold the office by re-election until the present time. David Babson Jr., Thomas O. Marshall, and James Ilaskell were chosen Selectmen, Assessors and Over- seers of the poor. Capt. John Gott was chosen town Treasurer. The amount of the first tax assessed was $3,566.96 of which $2,762.03 was committed to collec- tor John B. Parsons, and $803.92 to collector Michael Walen. At the end of the year there was uncollected, John B. Parsons, $81.37, Michael Walen, $98.84. At the incorporation of Rockport its population by the United States census was 2650, and there were about 300 dwelling-houses.

Population by the United States census in 1880, was 3912; in 1885, 3888; number of dwelling-houses in 1885, 755. The valuation in 1840, was $460,814; 698 polls ; each poll'was assessed $1.00; each $1000, was assessed $7.17. The valuation in 1886 was $2,022,102; I120 polls; each poll was assessed $2.00 ; each $1000 was assessed $15.30.

HARBOR ACCOMMODATIONS. - Rockport has no natural harbor. Sandy Bay, the principal indenta- tion, is about two and a half miles deep; and across its entrance from Straitmouth Island point to Andrews point is about the same distance. It has good hold- ing ground, and affords good protection from all winds except easterly, but these are the heaviest storm winds ; therefore we say it is not a safe harbor. There was from the earliest settlement of the village a necessity for some protection from these storm winds. The small boats-four to eight tons-by which the early business of fishing was prosecuted, were moored in the inner coves, Long and Pigeon, but were not. safe from easterly winds.

In 1743 Benj. Tarr, Eben', and John Pool had a grant of land and flats and built a timber wharf at the whirlpool, so called. Timber was cheap, as the entire cape was nearly all a dense forest. Eben'. Pool had a grant of a lot of land and flats on which he built a timber wharf southwest of the other wharf. These wharves enclosed quite a basin, making a comparatively safe retreat for the small vessels of that day. These wharves became dilapidated, and about 1811 were taken up or removed, and the present white wharf was commenced, and is built of solid stone. It is erected some seventy feet easterly of the old timber wharf location. At that time it did not extend to more than one half of its present length. In 1815 the southwestern wharf, now occupied by Hooper & Co. for lumber, was built. These two wharves enclosed quite a safe dock, or basin.

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The middle wharf was built in 1826. It was oc- cupied several years by Joseph E. Norwood, John and William W. Parsons for packing mackerel. Norwood removed to Quincy, Ill., in 1834; the Par- sons continued the business several years after. Many barrels of mackerel have been landed and packed on this wharf. At the time Norwood & Co. were occupying this middle wharf Wm. 11. Bradley and James Short were doing quite a business in the same line on the white wharf. Before this Neh. Knowlton was engaged in the same business, (he was the first inspector of fish at Sandy Bay) of inspecting aud packing mackerel. At the time of which we now speak there was quite a fleet of vessels owned in Sandy Bay ; they were from ten to fifty tons measure- ment. These wharves were built by an incorporation -"Sandy Bay Pier Company." A heavy gale of northeast wind in 1831 damaged the white wharf to that extent that it cost $1500 for repairs.

The inhabitants of Pigeon Cove felt the need of better accommodation for business and protection for their fishing boats. Capt. Daniel Wheeler had, about the year 1825, built a wharf on the southwest side of the cove.

In the year 1832 an incorporated company, " Pigeon Cove Harbor Company," commenced to build a break- water by which to protect the vessels in the cove. By a heavy gale in 1839 a portion of it was torn down by the action of the sea. It cost about $4000 for repairs. After this the structure was continued to the ledge, and has continued quite permanent. The basin thus enclosed affords good shelter for a limited number of vessels; it also contains a good quantity of wharf room by which the business of the place is tolerably well accommodated. More room could be utilized.

Early in the present century the Norwoods built a wharf on the southern shore of Long Cove to accom- modate their fishing boats, of which they owned several. They also owned several fish houses and quite a track of flake room. The first thirty-five years of the present century the fishing industry was prosecuted with considerable energy in that locality and by that family.

About the same time or a little later Azor Knowl- ton, at the northern extremity of Back Beach, built a wharf to accommodate his fishing boat. In later years the stone business was inaugurated, and that wharf was enlarged and another wharf was built near by, forming a basin by which vessels engaged in transporting stone were well accommodated. A breakwater was also erected for the protection of the wharyes and vessels. William Torrey shipped a large amount of stone from these wharves; so at a later day did Preston, Fernal & Co., and Wm. H. Knowlton.

As the business of the village increased and vessels of greater tonnage both for fishing and freighting were called for, the need of a larger and safer harbor was more urgent.

In 1829 the general government caused a survey of Sandy Bay to be made, having in view the con - struction of a breakwater at this place. A few years after this an appropriation of fifty thousand dollars was made by Congress and a breakwater was con- menced on the easterly side of Long Cove. This work went on until seventy thousand dollars were ex- pended. Some few years after Congress appropriated twenty thousand dollars to supply the deficiency. This work was not completed and was left in an un- finished state. The action of the sea leveled it some- what, yet it makes quite a safe harbor in connection with the wharves that have since been erected by the Sandy Bay Pier Company at the head of the Cove, for our local business, but is of small importance to general commerce. Since the building of this break- water the question has been agitated from time to time of a breakwater and harbor of refuge that shall be of sufficient capacity to accommodate the ship- ping interest of the North Atlantic coast. As one of the results of this agitation a public meeting was held in Haskins' Hall on the 29th day of March, 1882, and organized by the choice of chairman and secretary, and a committee were chosen to draft a petition to Congress asking for a survey of Sandy Bay, having in view the constructing of a break water and a harbor of refuge. A petition was drafted and copies thereof were circulated in the cities and towns along the Atlantic coast from Eastport to Baltimore. They were signed by a large number of ship owners, ship masters and others interested in commerce. As a result a survey was ordered and was made in 1883, under the direction of Major C. W. Raymond, of the corps of U. S. engineers. In his report made to the Secretary of War November 28, 1883, he recommend- ed the building of a breakwater that will enclose one thousand three hundred and seventy-seven acres of water twenty-four feet deep at mean low tide. He estimated the cost four million dollars. Congress has appropriated two hundred thousand dollars to com- mence this work. The first load of stone was dumped from the sloop "Screamer," Capt. Albert Pittee, on the 12th day of November, 1885. The work is still in progress. General Thom, formerly United States Engineer, had previously called the attention of the government to this good work.

As one of the results of the stone business so exten- sively prosecuted here, two other small harbors have been constructed in Sandy Bay, and the largest is now the property of the Rockport Granite Company. It was commenced some sixty years since by Z. Green and continued by J. Wetherbee Eames, Stimson & Company and others until there are deposited in their breakwater more than one million tons of stone. They have also extensive wharf accommodation and dock room for quite a number of vessels.

The Pigeon Hill Granite Company, organized in 1870, immediately commenced the building of a breakwater and wharf, and at the present time they

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

have assumed such proportions as to accommodate their vessels with wharf and dock room, and also they have a good space occupied by paving cutters, well sheltered by sheds.

FIRST SETTLERS .- Richard Tarr was the first per- manent settler of Sandy Bay. He came here about the year 1690, and built his log-cabin on the south side of Davison's Run (the brook that feeds what was Manning's Mill Pond, tben empties into the sea), near the dwelling-house owned and oceupied by Deacon Reuben Brooks many years; later by Wm. Knights, now deceased. It is said that he was born in the west of England about 1660. Ife spent sev- eral years in Saco previous to coming to Sandy Bay and two of his children were born there.

In April, 1697, he had a grant of about three or four acres of land where his house stood; and in 1701 another grant of ten acres adjoining on condi- tion that he would support old Father Churchill during his life. Probably Tarr was induced to locate here in order to assist the loading of coasters with wood that was being shipped to Boston. He died about 1732, leaving an estate of three hundred and ninety-nine pounds and the following children: Wil- liam, John, Elizabeth, born in 1691 ; Honour, 1693; Richard, 1695; Joseph, 1698; Benjamin, 1700; Caleb, 1703; Samuel, 1706; and Sarah, 1716.

He was buried upon a part of the land donated by him to the village for a burying-ground, which, with two or three lots since purchased by subscription, is the old cemetery of to-day. There was no monu- ment to mark his resting-place until 1854, when the town erected a marble slab at a cost of fifty dollars. There are a large number of his descendants now living in this town, some fifty-six of the name ap- pearing upon the tax-list for 1886.

John Pool, the next after Richard Tarr, was born in Tannton, England, about 1670, according to family tradition. Hle was a carpenter by trade, and resided in Beverly several years ; he worked at his trade there with Richard Woodbury. After his death he married his widow.

He bought of John Emerson, Jr., in April, 1700, a certain farm at the Cape (Sandy Bay) for £160. (This land was on the westerly side Davison's Run.) Pool found but one family here (Richard Tarr), who had preceded him a few years. He, it is said, was a man of great industry and enterprise. Hle furnished the builders of Long Wharf, in Boston harbor, in 1710, with a large quantity of timber, which was trans- ported thither on a sloop built by himself. He became possessed of a large landed property, suffi- cient to accommodate each of his sons with a farm. Hle seut his eldest son to school at Beverly, not only that he might be educated, but that he might be able to teach the younger children. He died May 19, 1727, aged about fifty seven years, and left an estate of £2832. His first wife died November 13, 1716, aged about fifty-five years. His second wife was

Deborah Dodge, of Ipswich, who died February 1, 1718, aged about thirty-three years. His next wife was Elizabeth Holmes, of Salem, who survived her marriage less than two years. His fourth and last wife was Abigail Ballard, of Lynn, making the fourth wife he had within five years. His children were Jonathan, born in 1694; Miriam, 1695; Robert, 1697 ; Ebenezer, 1699; Joshua, 1700; (these were all by his first wife in Beverly); Caleb, 1701; John, 1703. By his last wife he had Return, 1722, and Abigail in 1725. The nncommou baptismal name Return is said to have been in commemoration of the joy with which he heard the relenting voice of Abigail Ballard bid him return, after she had onee rejected him. (Turn's Orchard, the name of a field in town, was probably once owned by Return Pool.)

There are forty-four that bear the name of Pool upon the tax-list of 1886.

Pool and three of his wives were buried in his own land, now owned by Ephraim Nickerson. October 22, 1878, their remains were removed to the old cemetery. It was a matter of some interest to the small party assembled to witness this exhumation and reinterment. All that could be found was care- fully gathered up and enclosed in a neat box, and deposited in what we trust is its last resting-place. The inscription on the old slate head-stone is :

"Here Lyes ye Body of Mr. John Pool, Aged about 57 Years. Dec'd May ye 19th, 1727."

EARLY SETTLERS AND OTHER FACTS OF INTEREST. -Up to 1688 no general division or grant of any part of this territory of Gloucester had been made, but on the 27th of February of that year the town voted, that every householder and young man, upwards of twenty- one years of age, that was born in town, and that was then living in town and bearing charges to town and county should have six acres of land. Among the conditions annexed were that the inhabitants should be permitted to eut wood upon these lots for their own use ; and the people have a free passage through them for certain purposes to the water side.

In accordance with this vote eighty-two lots, all numbered, beginning at Flat-Stone Cove, and termi- nating at Back Beach, Sandy Bay, were laid out to persons living on the easterly side of the ent.

Samuel Gott, weaver, came to Pigeon Cove from Wenham as early as October 23, 1702. He bought of William Cogswell, of Chebacco, for sixty pounds lawful money, eight six-aere lots, lying upon or near Halibut Point, and fixed his abode in that then remote section of the town. It appears that he was the first to settle at Pigeon Cove. His wife was Margaret, daughter of William Andrews of Ipswich. She died October 30, 1722, aged forty-six. He next married in 1723, Bethany Cogswell, of Ipswich, who died April 23, 1755, aged sixty-seven. Mr. Gott died November 3, 1758, about seventy-one years of age.

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Ile had a large family of children. Some of his de- scendants have filled stations of the highest respecta- bility and usefulness. Among them may be numbered Capt. John Gott, who was representative to the Gen- eral Court two terms ; and Lemuel, his son, a physi- cian in his native town several years, and occupied other important positions and is now a practicing physician in Berlin, Mass.

Probably his house was the one now owned and occupied by Charles Mclellan.

It seems that Samuel Gott had for a neighbor in 1707 William Andrews, a brother to his first wife; he located upon and owned Andrews' Point, hence the name.

About this time Joshua Norwood, another relative, bought a large tract of land in that vicinity, and in 1712 Jonathan Wheeler bought of Joshua Norwood about one hundred acres near Pigeon Cove for £150.

Joshua Norwood lived in a house that some of the later years was owned and occupied by Joseph Bab- son. Tradition says this house was built by two men of Salem for the purpose of concealing their mother, who was accused of witchcraft. This house is now in a good state of preservation.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 93

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