USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 26
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 26
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 26
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 26
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 26
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
[By his romantic labor in thus gathering together detached and dim traditions, and giving them a connected form and local habitation, Mr. Lewis has succeeded in exciting a lively interest in many minds where a love of the marvellous could hardly have been supposed to exist. Without any desire to obliterate the
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ANNALS OF LYNN -1658.
glowing impressions which a fond credulity loves to cherish, it seems a duty to inquire as to the foundation on which these stories rest. No recorded evidence has been discovered respect- ing the persons and transactions so circumstantially brought to view. Among the records of the various courts, which abound in allusions, at least, to matters of even the most trivial signifi- cance, nothing is found. And none of the gossiping old writers who delighted especially to dwell upon whatever partook of the wonderful and mysterious make any mention of these things. The alleged abode of the pirates was almost within a stone's throw of the Iron Works, which were in operation at the time ; and yet we find no evidence that any about the Works even suspected the neighborhood of the outlaws. I once directly questioned Mr. Lewis as to whence he obtained the information ; but he declined answering. It has, however, been understood that he simply claimed the authority of tradition ; and is said to have remarked that his inquiries on the subject were induced by the same sort of evidence that induced his inquiries concern- ing the Iron Works. But however the researches may have commenced, they must have been pursued under very different circumstances. A glance at the colony records, would at once have assured any one of the existence of the Iron Works. And in recorded deeds they are again and again mentioned, as well as in the filed depositions of individuals connected with them. They were about as important in their day, as is the mint of the United States in this. And besides, at this very hour may be seen the heaps of scoria which were ejected from their sooty portals. Mr. Hiram Marble, who is now engaged in excavating Dungeon Rock, probably has much more faith in the supposed spiritual revelations that day by day are vouchsafed him, than he could have in any traditions. And if he should, under the spiritual guidance, discover hidden treasure, and traces of a piratical abode within the rock, then it will be deemed a triumph of spiritualism entirely eclipsing the few obscure, discordant traditions that float up from an age of mysteries.
[It was in 1852, that Mr. Marble purchased from the City of Lynn the lot of woodland in which the Dungeon Rock is situ- ated. He came hither, a stranger, enticed by alleged clairvoy- ant revelations, and immediately commenced the laborious task of excavation. And he has continued to ply the ponderous drills and rending blasts for these twelve years with a courage and faith almost sublime. His faith surely has not been without works nor his courage barren of results. And centuries hence, if his name and identity should be lost, the strange labor may be referred to some recluse cyclops who had strayed hither from mystic lands. The rock is of very hard porphyry, and the work has been so extremely uncomfortable and hazardous, that U*
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ANNALS OF LYNN-1658.
very few would have persisted in it. The course of the exca- vation is irregular, and such as a sensible mortal might avoid, as involving great waste of labor. But it is declared to be pursued under spiritual direction, the unseen superintendents -the re- doubtable Veal among the rest -being constantly at hand to direct where a blast should be made. As it can readily be believed that no mortal would give such apparently erratic directions, spiritual interposition may as well be referred to for an explanation.
[Mr. Marble is a man by no means deficient in intelligence ; and he is an energetic and persevering enthusiast -just such a person as often accomplishes great things, either directly or indirectly. He is of medium size, has a bright, quick eye, and wears a flowing beard, of sandy hue, which does not always bear evidence of having immediately been under the restraining discipline of a comb. He is communicative, and in his conver- sation there runs a pleasant vein of jocularity. He is now verging upon old age, and his health has become somewhat impaired, probably through the severity of his labors in that damp, dark cavern. He is ready to converse on his plans, fears, and hopes; and with great good nature, and some times with an apparently keen relish, alludes to the jeers and taunts of those who seem disposed to rank him with lunatics. It is refreshing to observe his faith and perseverance, and impossible not to conclude that he derives real satisfaction and enjoyment from his undertaking. He informs me that the spirit of Mr. Lewis has appeared, and through a writing medium endeavored to cheer him by words of approval and promise. That being the case, Mr. Lewis must surely have changed his sentiments since he left this world, for he was greatly incensed against those who laid their destroying hands upon the interesting objects of nature within our borders. And the reader, by referring to the first paragraph under date 1834, will see how indignantly he has expressed himself in regard to former attempts on the integrity of this very rock. The hope of find- ing hidden treasure has been the incentive to labors here, on a small scale, in former years ; and it is presumed that Mr. Mar- ble would not disclaim a kindred motive in his extraordinary application ; secondary, perhaps, to a due anxiety " to establish a great truth."
[At the close of the year 1863 the passage excavated had reached a hundred and thirty-five feet, and was of the average height and width of seven feet. Mr. Marble -who, by the way is a native of Charlton, in Worcester county, and was born in 1803 - when he undertook the labor had about fifteen hun- dred dollars which he devoted to the enterprise ; and that fund being exhausted, he has for the last eight years received his
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ANNALS OF LYNN-1658.
support and been enabled to continue his work, by the dona- tions of visitors. He is accustomed, whenever in doubt as to the course he should pursue, to apply for spiritual direction, and seldom or never conceives his application to be in vain. The following may be given as a fair specimen of his singular corres- pondence, the originals being at hand while we write. And that he has perfect confidence in them as genuine communica- tions from disembodied spirits is beyond question. The manner in which he conducts his unique correspondence, may be illus- trated by explaining the way in which the communication from Veal was obtained. He states that he wrote the request in this form :
" I wish Veal or Harris would tell what move to make next."
He wrote it in a room, while entirely alone, and folded the paper in such a manner that the writing was covered by fifteen thick- nesses. The medium was then called, and merely feeling of the exterior of the folded paper, took a pencil and wrote what the spirit of Veal gave, through him, as the response. The one called Captain Harris is supposed to have been the leader of the piratical band.
RESPONSE OF VEAL: "My dear charge : You solicit me or Captain Harris to advise you as to what to next do. Well, as Harris says he has always the heft of the load on his shoulders, I will try and respond myself, and let Harris rest. Ha! ha! Well, Marble, we must joke a bit; did we not, we should have the blues, as do you, some of those rainy days, when you see no living person at the rock save your own dear ones. Not a sound do you hear save the woodpecker and that little gray bird, [a domesticated canary,] that sings all the day long, more especially wet days, tittry, tittry, tittry, all day long. But, Marble, as Long [a deceased friend of Mr. Marble, spoken of below,] says, don't be discouraged. We are doing as fast as we can. As to the course, you are in the right direction, at present. You have one more curve to make, before you take the course that leads to the cave. We have a reason for keep- ing you from entering the cave at once. Moses was by the Lord kept forty years in his circuitous route, ere he had sight of that land which flowed with milk and honey. God had his purpose in so doing, notwithstanding he might have led Moses into the promise in a very few days from the start. But no; God wanted to develop a truth, and no faster than the minds of the people were prepared to receive it. Cheer up, Marble; we are with you, and doing all we can. Your guide, TOM VEAL."
[It seems proper to present another illustration of this singu- lar phase of human credulity ; and we give one that purports to come from the spirit of the Mr. Long, who is alluded to in the response of Veal, and who died in 1851. He was a man of good character, and a steadfast friend of Mr. Marble. One of the most suspicious things, in our view, concerning him is, that going out of this world with an untarnished reputation, and with the seal of good orthodox churchmembership, he should so soon be found concerting with pirates to allure his old friend into labors so severe and unfruitful. The rhetorical flourish about
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ANNALS OF LYNN-1658. 1
millions of years, near the close, would be thought weakening, did it come from a mortal. The Edwin alluded to is Mr. Marble's son, who has faithfully borne a heavy share in the operations, and is, if possible, a more confirmed spiritualist than his father.
REQUEST OF MR. MARBLE: "Friend Long, I want you to advise me what to do."
RESPONSE OF LONG: "My dear Marble, I have nothing to advise above what Captain Veal and Harris have already advised. We act in concert in every thing given you. I am aware you feel not discouraged ; but you feel that after ten years' hard labor, you should have had more encouragement than you have seemingly had. But, dear one, we have done the most we could for you, and though we may be slow to advise you in reference to that which your highest ambition seems to be-the establishment of a TRUTH which but few comparatively now credit, or cannot believe, from the gross- ness of their minds. But, Marble, you have done a work that will tell, when you shall be as I am. The names of Hiram and Edwin Marble will live when millions of years shall from this time have passed, and when even kings and statesmen shall have been forgotten. The names of Hiram Marble and Dun- geon Rock shall be fresh on the memories of the inhabitants that then exist. What shall you do? seems to be the question. Follow your own calculations or impressions, for they are right.
Yours as ever, C. B. LONG."
[These curious communications are introduced for more than one purpose. They show something of the kind of encourage- ment Mr. Marble receives in his arduous labors. And they likewise show something of modern spiritualism, which now pre- vails to some extent throughout the civilized world. Lynn has had a good share of believers, some of whom were among the intelligent and refined. It will be observed that the orthogra- phy and mode of expression in the response of Veal, who, if he were ever in this world, was here in 1658, are in the style of the present day. This might give rise, in a critical mind, to a strong suspicion. Indeed it is not easily explained excepting on the supposition that the medium, after all, acts himself, in part - and if so, in how great a part? - or the supposition that the spirits of the departed are enabled to continue on in the pro- gressive learning of this sphere; or by taking a bolder sweep and at once awarding to the spirits the attribute of omniscience. There are difficulties in the way of reasoning in such matters, because they lie in that mystic province into which no human vision can penetrate - where the vagrant imagination so often revels undisturbed. And then again, the allusion to sacred things, in Veal's response, does not seem in exact accordance with the character of an abandoned outlaw.
.
[Spiritualism, however, in the case of Mr. Marble, seems to have been productive of good. He states that he was formerly an unmitigated infidel, having no sort of belief in man's immor- tality. Even for some time after he commenced his labors at
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ANNALS OF LYNN- 1658.
Dungeon Rock, he clung to his frigid principles. And it was not till after repeated exhibitions of what he was forced to receive/as spiritual manifestations, around him, that his old opinions began to loosen. To minds constituted essentially like that of Mr. Marble, and there are a great many, the doc- trines of spiritualism must commend themselves as fond reali- ties ; and they bringing consolation and trust. And they are doctrines which, under different names and forms have existed ever since the world began. It must be a strong incentive that could induce a man to quit the ordinary pursuits of life, and take up his abode in a lonely forest, as Mr. Marble has done, there devoting years to the severest toil, and undergoing so many and great privations.
[In a late conversation, Mr. Marble expressed a desire that the facts regarding his enterprise might be stated in this history, to the end that the people of future generations might have some data by which to judge concerning the pretensions of the spiritualists of this period; saying that if he should discover, somewhere in the interior of that hill of rock, a cave containing treasure, and evidences of ancient occupancy, all according to the lavish assurances he has been daily receiving from the spirit host, the truths of spiritualism will be considered most strongly fortified, if not established. There is wisdom and fairness in this. And on the other hand, failure will teach a useful lesson, a lesson that will remain before the eyes of men so long as the rock itself endures. In either event, the Dungeon Rock is destined to be forever famous; to remain a monument of irra- tional credulity or triumphant faith.
[A few words should be added regarding the Pirates' Glen. This remarkable locality, though exactly the opposite of the Dungeon Rock in some of its principal features, being a deep ravine instead of a commanding elevation, still possesses rare attractions, notwithstanding its fame has become so eclipsed. During the last score of years, a great portion of the wood in the vicinity has been swept off. The axe is the most unsenti -. mental of instruments, and by its ravages much of the former grandeur and beauty of the scene has been extinguished. Quite enough remains, however, to abundantly compensate the visitor who enjoys nature in her more untamed aspect. On a recent visit I took particular notice of the old well from which the pirates are supposed to have drawn their supplies. It was cer- tainly excavated by human hands and if the fact were once established, that pirates dwelt there, it might be fair to refer the work to them. But the reasoning which claims the exist- ence of the well as proof of the residence of the pirates, is no more conclusive than that which claims the fact that the Dun- geon Rock was riven by an earthquake and a portion projected
1
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ANNALS OF LYNN- 1659.
forward, as proof that a cave was thereby closed up and a pirate entombed alive, with his treasure. The well may have been dug for the convenience of those employed in the woods. Be- ing in a swampy place, and hence requiring but little depth, a few hours were sufficient for the labor of excavation. The water ordinarily stands almost at the surface. The Glen would have furnished a most apt place for the jolly iron workers and their sweethearts to retire to, on a summer holiday, to pursue their sports and drink their punch. And the convenience of a well would have been to them worth the small labor of the digging. It may be remarked in passing, that the evidence of the splitting of Dungeon Rock, by the earthquake of this year, is not the most satisfactory. But it is not an agreeable task to reason against what a doting imagination has long held in keeping. And, moreover, it becomes one to be wary in making aggressive suggestions on these mysterious topics, lest Mr. Marble's future success should turn the laugh upon him.]
1659.
A road was laid out from Lynn to Marblehead, over the Swampscot beaches, on the fifth of July. In reference to the part between Ocean street and King's Beach, the committe say, " it has been a country highway thirty and odd years, to the knowledge of many of us."
[Captain Marshall, of Lynn, was empowered by the General Court, 18 October, to join in marriage such persons in Lynn as might desire his services in that interesting connection, they " being published according to lawe."]
At the Quarterly Court, on the 29th of November, " Thomas Marshall, of Lynn, is alowed by this court, to sell stronge water to trauillers, and also other meet provisions."
The General Court had passed some very severe laws against the people called Friends or Quakers, forbidding any even to admit them into their houses, under a penalty of forty shillings an hour. Mr. Zacheus Gould had offended against this order, for which he was arraigned by the Court. On the 25th of No- vember, " the deputies having heard of what Zacheus Gould hath alleged in Court, in reference to his entertainment of Qua- kers, do think it meet that the rigor of the law in that case provided, be exercised upon him, but considering his ingenious confession, and profession of his ignorance of the law ; and he also having long attended the Court, do judge that he shall only be admonished for his offence by the governor, and so be dis- missed the court, and all with reference to the consent of our honored magistrates hereto." This decision of the deputies was sent to the magistrates, and returned with this endorse- ment : "The magistrates consent not thereto." So it is proba-
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251
ANNALS OF LYNN - 1660.
ble that Mr. Gould was compelled to pay his fine. [The Court ordered that Mr. Gould pay a fine of three pounds. But the fine was remitted, 31 May, 1660, in consideration of the great loss, by fire, which he had recently sustained.]
The Court this year enacted that the festival of Christmas should not be observed, under a penalty of five shillings.
1660.
Mr. Adam Hawkes commenced a suit, in June, against Oliver Purchis, agent for the Iron Company, for damage by overflow- ing his land. The following papers relating to this subject, were found in the files of the Quarterly Court.
The deposition of Joseph Jenks, senior, saith, that having conference with adam hawkes about the great dam at the Iron works at Lin, he complayned that he suffered great damage by the water flowing his ground. I answered him, I thought you had satisfaction for all from the old companie ; he said he had from the OLD company, and further saith not.
This I, Charles Phillopes do testifie, that I, keepeing of the watter at the Irone Workes, since Mr. Porchas came there, Mr. Porchas did att all times charge me to keepe the watter Lowe, that it might not damage Mr. Hawkes, which I did, and had much ill will of the workmen for the same.
Others testified that the lands had been much overflowed. Francis Hutchinson said, that the water had been raised so high, that the bridge before Mr. Hawkes's house had several times been broken up, and "the peces of tember raised up and Made Sweme." John Knight and Thomas Wellman were ap- pointed to ascertain the damage. They stated that the corn had been " Much Spoilled," and the wells " sometimes ffloted ;" that the English grass had been much damaged, and the to- bacco lands much injured, " in laying them so Coulld." They judged the damage to be the "ualloation of ten pounds a yeere."
[This year Charles II. took possession of the throne of Eng- land. Joseph Jenks, Jr., who worked with his father at the Iron Works, and who seems not to have been very strongly attached to the monarch, was accused of treason, having, proba- bly during some free and easy discussion with the other work- men, or perhaps in a political dispute with the dignitaries assembled at the tavern, after the labors of the day, made divers careless remarks that did not favorably strike the loyal minds. He was brought before the Court on the first of the next April, and several depositions were made against him. Nicholas Pinion deposed that he " did heere Joseph Jinks, jun. say that if he hade the king heir, he wold cutte of his head and make a football of it." Thomas Tower testified that when the king's name was mentioned Mr. Jenks said, "I should rather that his head were as his father's, rather than he should come
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ANNALS OF LYNN-1661, 1662, 1663.
to England to set up popery there." Several others testified to similar speeches. He was imprisoned while the case remain- ed undetermined, the punctilious authorities probably taking a strict view of the unbailable character of treason. While in durance, Mr. Jenks wrote a long letter to the Court; and they finally decided that the words proved against him, "were all too weak to prove him guilty of treason."]
1661.
" At a Generall Towne Meetinge, the 30th of December, 1661, vpon the request of Daniell Salmon for some. land, in regard he was a soldier att the Pequid warrs, and it was ordered by vote that Ensign John ffuller, Allen Breed, senior, and Richard John- son, should vew the land adjoyninge to his house lott, and to giue report of it vnto the next towne meetinge."
[" The canker worm," says John Hull, writing this year, " hath for fower years devoured most of the apples in Boston." And he adds that the apple trees, in June, look as if it were No- vember. So those pests are not especially a modern infliction, in this vicinity, as some have supposed.]
1662.
Mr. William Longley prosecuted the town, for not laying out to him forty acres of land, according to the division of 1638. The case was defended by John Hathorne and Henry Collins. In March, the Court decided that he should have the forty acres of land or forty pounds in money. [For some curious facts connected with this matter, see page 175.]
On 13 May, the boundary line between Lynn and Boston was marked. It ran "from the middle of Bride's brooke, where the foot path now goeth." This line has since become the boundary we between Saugus and Chelsea.
[This year, the price of oak wood was one shilling and six- pence a cord.
[It was customary, at this period, for Indians to bring ches- nuts hither, for sale. They usually sold them at a shilling a bushel.]
For the first time since the organization of the general gov- ernment, in 1634, the town of Lynn sent no representative.
1663.
On the evening of 26 January, there was an earthquake. [It took place about twilight, and proved quite severe ; chimneys fell, and in many instances people were forced to seize upon supports to prevent falling. On the evening of the fifth of the next month another earthquake occurred ; in some places doors opened and shut, walls split, bells rang, and floors fell. And
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ANNALS OF LYNN-1663.
between that time and July, some thirty shocks took place. In most cases the earth seemed to undulate, as if upon stupendous waves, rolling from the northwest. In some instances ponds were.dried up, the courses of streams changed, trees torn up, and hills riven.]
Mr. John Hathorne complained to the church at Lynn, that Andrew Mansfield and William Longley had given false testi- mony in the recent land case, for which they were censured. They appealed to the county court, accusing Mr. Hathorne of slander, of which he was found guilty, and sentenced to pay a fine of £10, and make a public acknowledgment in the meeting- house at Lynn; or else to pay £20 and costs. [See notice of Richard Longly, page 175.] On the fourth of April, the court directed the following letter to the church at Lynn.
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