USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 47
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 47
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 47
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 47
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 47
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A comet was visible in August. It was about as bright as a star of the third magnitude and had a tail two degrees in length, extending upward. The best view was when it was in the west, an hour or two after sunset. 1
On Friday morning, 16th September, a fire broke out in a building on the north side of Federal square, owned by Joseph Moulton, jr. A store and dwelling-house were destroyed and several other buildings injured. Loss $3.000.
Patrick McGuire, an Irishman, aged about 23, was fatally stabbed in Franklin street, at half past nine o'clock on Monday evening, September 26. The murdered man was thought to have been mistaken for another. The murderer escaped.
On Monday night, 24 October, a severe gale took place. The K2*
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eastern wing of Nahant Hotel, eighty feet in length and thirty in breadth, and containing sixty sleeping rooms and the large dining hall, fell, with a tremendous crash. It had been raised from the foundation for the purpose of being altered.
Albert Gove, aged 51, while near the Central Depot, 25 Octo- ber, was caught by the arm, by a locomotive, and dragged some two hundred feet. His injuries caused his death, two days after. His spectacles were found on the cow-catcher, at the Salem depot.
1854.
Pine Grove Cemetery was conveyed to the City, January 2, by the Corporation.
During the first week in January, there were four snow storms. Between two and three feet fell. The rail-road trains were much impeded. On Thursday, five locomotives were joined to force a morning train from Lynn to Boston. Some damage was done to Nahant Hotel, by the wind.
Early this year various fashions in wearing the beard began to be adopted. A great many laid aside the razor altogether, and allowed it full scope; others kept it within what was to them a convenient length, by the use of the scissors; others entertained only mustaches; and soon as great diversity pre- vailed as existed in the tastes and whims of those who cultivated the masculine appendage.
The Legislature passed the plurality law in February. This was a great convenience and the means of saving much expense at elections. In a community where the number of voters is few, it may operate well to require a majority for an election. But where the number reaches to thousands, and there must neces- sarily be many opposing candidates, a plurality law seems a necessity. The majority requisition was a great burden to Lynn, where there were usually more than two parties. It was not till the eighth trial that the mayor was elected, in 1852.
On Friday night, March 17, a violent gale commenced from the northeast, continuing through Saturday. For a few days previous the weather had been quite warm, with some thunder and lightning; but when the wind set in so violently the tempe- rature changed with a suddenness seldom witnessed even here. In about five hours the thermometer sank from near summer heat to below freezing point. The wind was so powerful as to overthrow several chimneys, and the lofty flag-staff at East Sau- gus. Upon the Eastern Rail-road a train was brought to a full stop, while passing over the marshes, by the force of the wind. Mr. Stevens, of the Tremont House, Boston, while attempting to ride across Long Beach, on his way to Nahant, found himself and his horse in danger of being buried by the drifting sand,
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and was compelled to give up the attempt and return to Lynn. Old people at Nahant declared that so severe a gale had not before taken place, within their recollection.
The Lynn Weekly Reporter was commenced on the 25th of March, by Peter L. Cox and Henry S. Cox.
The organization of the fifth city government took place on Monday, April 3-Thomas P. Richardson, mayor, Gustavus Attwill, president of the common council, Charles Merritt, city clerk.
John Estes died, 30 May, aged 41, of lockjaw. About a fort- night before, he stepped on a rusty nail, wounding his foot; but the wound apparently healed and he thought nothing further of it for some days. But on the Saturday before his death he took cold, and on Monday took to his bed, complaining of an unpleasant feeling in his head. His jaws presently became fixed and no effort could relax the muscles. Mortification ensued and on Tuesday afternoon he died.
A large and beautiful elm, on Washington square, died in May, as was supposed from the effects of gas that had leaked from the under-ground pipes. Several other fine trees, among them a stately elm on South Common street, which had cast its shade for sixty years, died about the same time, and as was thought, from the same cause ; also one on Market street, corner of Liberty.
On Friday, 16 June, a little son of C. W. Jewett, died from injuries received while attempting to turn summersets.
On Saturday morning, 8 July, a car load of cotton belonging to a Saco company, on arriving at Lynn was found to have taken fire from a spark from the locomotive. Alarm was given and the fire engines appeared. After considerable exertion the fire was extinguished. Some fifteen bales were destroyed.
There was a great drought this year. No rain fell for six weeks immediately preceding the first of September. On that day copious showers took place, much to the refreshment of parched nature.
On the 3d of August, Henry Thomas shot a white-faced seal off Swampscot. The animal was four feet in length and weighed forty pounds.
Mackerel were unusually plenty on the coast this year. Old fishermen declared them to be more so than at any other time within twenty-five years. Considerable quantities were taken from the wharves in Lynn.
The City Bank went into operation in September. Capital, $100.000. John C. Abbott, president; B. V. French, jr., cashier.
The Cemetery at Swampscot was consecrated in September. Sagamore Hotel was built this year. The stone dwelling on the point of Sadler's Rock, at the junction of Walnut and Hol- 4
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yoke streets, was also built this year. The stone was taken from the hill above, and affords a fair specimen of large deposits. Our rough and partially barren hills contain that which at some future day may be esteemed rich treasure. In elevated locali- ties especially, stone is far preferable to wood as a building material, not only because it. is more substantial and durable, but also because it is so much less liable to be affected by atmospheric changes. There were only three stone houses in Lynn when this was built. But a novel material for building began to be used to some extent at this time. It consisted of coarse gravel, with about one twelfth part of lime, worked into mortar. Many believed it would be sufficient to form walls firm enough for large dwellings. But the delusion was dispelled in a singular and effectual manner, on Monday afternoon, November 13. Joseph Hay had employed William H. Mills, a carpenter, to erect for him, on Breed street, near Lewis, a dwelling-house, the dimensions of which, on the ground, were thirty-four by twenty-eight feet, with an L twenty-three by eighteen feet. The walls, which were of this new material, had been carried up twenty-two feet from the underpinning, and the roof was put on early in October. The house was now -- November 13- lathed, and ready for the inside plastering. Ten persons were at work within, when, without any premonition, and with a tremendous crash, the whole fabric fell to the ground. A cloud of dust ascended and great alarm spread. Nothing remained but a heap of rubbish. Mr. Hay had three of his ribs broken ; a young man had an arm broken ; and several others were badly bruised ; no one, however, was fatally injured. After this catas- trophe, the "mud houses," as they were called, were looked upon with little favor. But it should be added that one or two smaller buildings, of similar material, erected about the same time, are still standing. The ingredients may, however, have been better proportioned, or the weather during the time of building may have been more favorable. It is quite certain that in a climate as variable as that of New England, something more substantial is required.
The rail-road running from Danvers to South Reading, through Lynnfield, was opened for public travel, in connection with the Danvers and Georgetown rail-road, on the 23d of October.
An unusually protracted and delightful period of Indian sum- mer ended on the 28th of October. The natural cause of the beautiful autumn weather known in New England as Indian summer still remains unknown. Some naturalists think it pro- ceeds from a chemical condition of the atmosphere produced by the ripening and falling of the foliage.
Brick side walks began to be laid in Lynn this year, though a few trifling patches existed before. With a view to encourage
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the improvement, the city government passed an order that granite curb stones should be furnished and set at the public expense, in all cases where individuals would furnish and lay the bricks.
On Sunday evening, December 3, a violent wind with rain and hail arose and did considerable damage, breaking trees and destroying fences. Two dwelling houses in process of erection at Bass Point, Nahant, were blown down.
During the winter of this year there were thirty-five storms, and a more than usual aggregate of snow.
The boundary line between Lynnfield and Reading was estab- lished this year.
Two of those financial anomalies called loan and fund associa- tions were formed this year ; one called the "Lynn Mutual Loan and Fund Association," and the other the "West Lynn Loan and Fund Association." It is not singular, as may be remarked in general, and with no special reference to the Lynn associ- ations, that many of that large class who in the hot pursuit of riches rely rather upon their supposed shrewdness than any settled business principle or mathematical rule, and have a child- like credulity in regard to any speculation that promises in- crease, should readily join such associations as these; but it is singular that so many reputable and experienced business men, should have so readily given countenance to what was so questionable. Some expected to derive from them large benefits as borrowers and others as lenders. But most were disappoint- ed; for it turned out as a few careful computers declared, that miscalculations had entered into the plans of operation. The modes by which these associations operated were complicated and not easily understood; and perhaps that very thing was one cause of their acceptance ; for many minds are charmed with what is mysterious, and disdainful of what is simple. A portion of those connected with these associations complained bitterly of their usurious and oppressive management. And the supreme court was appealed to for the righting of some of the alleged- wrongs; but the appeal was barren of the expected results. They were relieved from the charge of usury; and the purgation was followed by such reasoning as to satisfy honest and reflect- ing men that the tribunal still remains a human institution.
For several years a difference had existed among the Friends, occasioned by some of their distinguished writers having advo- cated and published sentiments which were deemed by a large portion of the society to be at variance with some of its well- known and fundamental principles. This difference at length resulted in a division or separation in the Yearly Meeting of New England, one branch professing to adhere uncompromis- ingly to' the original ground, while the other had so far aban-
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doned that ground as to acknowledge religious fellowship and unity with those who had sought to introduce their modified views into the church. A large proportion of the Friends' Meeting in Lynn having declared themselves subordinate to this latter body, no alternative remained for those members who could not join in this course but to meet apart from them and thus sustain or continue the Meeting in connection with the Yearly Meeting which had resisted the innovations upon its discipline and doctrines. This year they erected a neat meeting-house on Cambridge street. Perhaps the reader will be enabled to form some just conception of the differences existing between the two parties by the statement that both contended that they were the true Quakers. Those who re- tained possession of the meeting-house, approved the teachings of Joseph John Gurney, an English Quaker, and considered that the reading of the scriptures forms an essential part of family and private devotion - that the scriptures alone reveal the true character of sin - that the observance of the sabbath is impor- tant - that the written gospel becomes the power of God unto salvation - that Christ will come again literally. The other party, in accordance with the ministration of John Wilbur and the early Quakers, held that the influence of the Holy Spirit, within the heart, was the true gospel, and alone sufficient for salvation -that the sabbath is a Jewish institution, the first day of the week not being the anti-type thereof nor the true christian sabbath, which, with Calvin, they believed to have a more spiritual sense-that the reading of the scriptures is profitable, but the knowledge of them not so essential to the understanding or practice of a holy life as to preclude the pos- sibility of leading such a life without it - that Christ has come already spiritually.
1855.
By an amendment of the city charter, the municipal year was made to commence on the first Monday in January instead of the first Monday in April.
The influx of the sea was so great during the violent storms in the early part of this year that considerable damage was done to the embankments along Ocean street. Many bathing houses were thrown down and King's Beach was at times com- pletely overflowed.
" Josselyn's Lynn Daily," a good sized, well printed and ably edited sheet was commenced in January, and continued for some months, by Lewis Josselyn.
On the morning of January 10, Samuel Newhall shot, near Saugus river, two eagles - one gray and the other bald.
There was an interval of severe cold early in February. On
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the morning of the 5th, the body of a well-dressed man was found in the road between Lynn and Danvers. He had evidently frozen to death. On the 7th, the thermometer stood at eighteen degrees below zero, in the morning, but at noon it was eight above; making a change of twenty-six degrees in four hours.
The new Methodist meeting-house in East Saugus, was dedi- cated on Thursday forenoon, 22 February. Sermon by Bishop Janes. The cost of the edifice, including furnishings, was about $9.000.
On Tuesday forenoon, 27 February, Mrs. Mary Farley, aged 28, died from the effects of ether. She went into the office of a respectable and skillful dentist, near the Central Depot, for the purpose of having a tooth extracted, and desired that ether might be administered. The operator advised against it, but after being urged complied. She died immediately, without returning to consciousness. A coroner's inquest was held, and the verdict was that she died from congestion of the lungs, caused by inhaling the ether. And the jury exonerated the operator from all blame in the unfortunate matter.
During the week ending March 3, the Swampscot fishermen were unusually successful. The number of boats employed was fourteen, and the aggregate tonnage, six hundred. The total number of men employed was one hundred and twenty-six, and the fish which they caught sold for $5.272.00. None of the boats, excepting one, were out more than five days.
Rev. Jotham B. Sewall was installed pastor of the Central Church, Silsbe street, on Wednesday, 7 March.
The Lynn Library Association was incorporated in March.
On Saturday evening, 31 March, some gentlemen at Little Beach captured a black-fish, eighteen feet in length. The blub- ber produced two barrels of oil.
Seven thousand tons of ice were cut in the ponds of Lynn during the last winter.
The Lynn Musical Association was incorporated this year.
On Sunday, 6 May, a large tract of woodland, in Saugus, was burned over. A striking display was made by the fire, at night.
Early on Friday morning, May 11, the shoe manufactory of Nelson Raddin, near East Saugus bridge, was burned, and with it a large amount of stock.
Several young men made a trial of their powers in a pedes- trian contest, in June. Albert Ramsdell ran three fourths of a mile in two minutes and fifty seconds; Jacob Ramsdell ran the same distance in two minutes and fifty-five seconds ; and Charles Breed equalled the latter. E. F. Newhall ran one mile, on Long Beach, in five minutes and fifteen seconds. A. M. Col- yer, a shoemaker, ran a mile in five minutes and twenty-seven seconds, barefoot, and on hard ground.
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On the 16th of June, a turtle, weighing thirty-five pounds, was caught in Floating Bridge pond.
True Moody died on Sunday morning, 17 June. He was a colored man and had been out-door servant and hostler at Lynn Hotel for about forty years. He was a native of New Hamp- shire, an honest man and a faithful servant, and acquitted him- self so willingly and skillfully in his humble calling that travelers regarded him with great favor. In person he was stout, and possessed in a well-developed form, all the physical peculiarities that distinguish the African race. His mouth was capacious and answered the novel purpose of a temporary savings bank ; for in it he was accustomed to deposit the pecuniary gratuities that were bestowed by the numerous visitors at the house, till he could find time to remove them to a more suitable place, or till he required his mouth for some more legitimate use. And there is an account of a wager by some young men as to the amount of silver change in his mouth at a given time. To determine the bet he consented, with his usual good nature, to discharge the deposits into a bowl, when they were found to amount to a little more than five dollars, the whole being in small pieces. By his gains in this humble way, he was enabled to secure a comfortable home and respectably support a family. By the failure of Nahant Bank, in 1836, he lost some five hun- dred dollars, which was a sad misfortune. And the Eastern Rail-road, which was built a few years afterward, by diverting travel from the Hotel, which for many years had ranked as one of the best in the vicinity, greatly reduced his income. It is said that at this period he was accustomed to retire to a corner of the deserted stable and weep. He long bore the name of Master True, and few persons were better known to travelers. And he knew all the noted characters who traveled the road, many of whom would rather have lost an hour on their jour- ney than an opportunity to have a chat with him. It is said that Harrison Gray Otis was accustomed to speak of him as an acquaintance, and a man of great moral worth. Some newspa- pers stated that he was ninety-seven years old at the time of his death ; but this was probably far from the truth; or he must have been endowed with extraordinary physical powers. His history affords another illustration of the fact that diligence and faithfulness, even in the most lowly occupation will attract attention and ensure reward.
The electric telegraph to Nahant was put in operation this summer.
The bakery of J. C. Eldred, on Commercial street, was de- stroyed by fire on Friday night, 10 August. Loss $3.500.
On Monday, 20 August, a horse mackerel, weighing a thou- sand pounds, and measuring ten feet in length and six in girth,
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was captured between Egg Rock and the Swampscot shore, by three men from Swampscot.
A severe drought prevailed during the last of summer and first of autumn.
A sad accident occurred at Dungeon Rock, September 19. Ed- win Marble, who was assisting his father in the work in progress there, and Benjamin Mann, were engaged in blasting, when a charge prematurely exploded, breaking Edwin's left arm and two of the fingers of his right hand; also badly cutting and bruising his face and neck. Mr. Mann was likewise bruised, though he escaped with comparatively little injury.
David S. Proctor, of Swampscot, during three days hunting in Lynn woods, killed three foxes and forty gray squirrels.
On Sunday, 25 November, the Catholic church, on Ash street, was consecrated, by Bishop Fitzpatrick. Nearly three hundred persons were confirmed on the same day. The main portion of the building was old. It was built by the Methodists ; after- ward occupied by the Baptists ; and later still used for the sixth ward grammar school. The Catholics purchased, repaired, and enlarged it, rendering it capable of accommodating something over a thousand worshipers. This was the first Roman Catho- lic church in Lynn. See under date 1815.
Michael Dolan, aged 22, was knocked down by a rail-road train from Boston, at the Market street crossing, 21 December, and so much injured as to cause his death.
At the close of December there was a splendid display of frosted trees, continuing three days. Few people ever witnessed such a fairy-like exhibition. It appeared to me far superior to that noticed under date 1829. In the forest, when the sun was shining brightly, one could hardly realize that he had not been transported to some enchanted land.
The Lynn Five Cents Savings Bank commenced receiving deposits, November 27 - George Hood, president.
There were issued in Lynn, during this year, one hundred and sixty-three marriage certificates.
1856.
On Saturday, January 5, a violent snow storm commenced, and continued through Sunday. A great quantity of snow fell, and the wind blew a hurricane from the northeast. Rail-road traveling was greatly obstructed. The half past six o'clock train from Boston, on Saturday evening, was twenty-two hours in reaching Salem ; it became fast bound, a short distance east of the Swampscot station, and had to remain through the night, the passengers, among whom were some twenty ladies, suffering much from the intense cold, and want of food. For several days after the storm the weather was very cold, the thermome- L2
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ter, on Wednesday, standing at twelve degrees below zero. In- deed the winter of 1855-6 was one of marked severity. From Christmas to near the middle of March, the same snow, in many instances, remained on the roofs. Sleighing commenced the day after Christmas and continued between eighty and ninety consecutive days. On the morning of the 10th of March, the thermometer, in various parts of Lynn, stood at ten degrees below zero. The ice in the harbor broke up on the 19th of March. Cutting winds from the northwest greatly prevailed for ten weeks preceding the middle of March, adding much to the piercing effects of the cold.
On the 17th of January, George H. Jillson, aged 46, a carpen- ter, employed on Nahant Hotel, was so badly injured by the falling of a board from the fifth story, upon him, that he died on the following Sunday.
A pair of bald eagles were seen upon the ice in Lynn harbor, 17 January.
On Tuesday, 12 February, Ezra R. Tibbetts, a respectable citizen of Lynn, while passing along the side-walk in Bromfield street, Boston, was killed by the falling of a body of ice and snow from a three story building, upon his head. He was a mason by trade, and an industions, worthy man. He held vari- rious responsible offices under the old town government. Tib- betts's Building, so called, on Market street, was built by him.
On the night of 27 February, a sudden and vivid flash lighted up the whole atmosphere. It resembled lightning, in some respects, though no thunder was heard. It was probably some brilliant meteor passing behind the clouds.
On Tuesday evening, April 8, a farewell meeting was held at the First Methodist meeting-house, on the occasion of Rev. William Butler's departure for his field of duty as superintendent of the Methodist missions in India. Several dignitaries from the church at large were present and the exercises were instructive and impressive. Mr. Butler received his credentials and charges at this meeting. Soon after his arrival in India, the great Sepoy revolt took place, and he was subjected to much loss though he escaped personal harm.
On the morning of April 10, the carpenter shop of William H. Mills, on Chesnut street, was destroyed by fire with all its contents. Loss, about $1.400.
A severe northeast storm began on Saturday evening, 19 April, and continued to rage till Monday night. Numerous buildings were more or less injured. The steeple of the Meth- odist meeting-house at Swampscot, then in process erection, was blown down.
The brick school-house on Howard street, was destroyed by fire on the morning of May 15. Loss $1.500.
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Stephen Palmer, a carpenter, aged 53, fell from a staging, while at work on the house of Holten Johnson, at the eastern end of the Common, on the 15th of May, and was so injured that he lay senseless till the morning of the 18th, when he died.
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