USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 56
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 56
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 56
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 56
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant > Part 56
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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
529
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. - ENOCH CURTIN.
Mr. Curtin furnishes a striking example of unasserted talents. There is little doubt that nature bestowed on him powers, which, had they been fully developed and cultivated, would have made him eminent as a poet. He appears to have felt assured of this, but had not sufficient ambition to overcome a natural repug- nance to that earnest and persistent intellectual labor by which alone one can become eminent as a writer. And in his grave, perhaps rests another "mute, inglorious Milton." In his seques- tered walk as a humble mechanic, however, with his contempla- tive rather than laboring mind, he may have enjoyed more than he could have enjoyed through the ringing plaudits of a hollow hearted world. But can any one fulfill his duty to his fellow men while allowing talents which might benefit them to remain unimproved ? And is it not selfishness to prefer a pleasurable ease to a putting forth of those exertions which would enhance the enjoyment of others ?
As Mr. Lewis remarks, Mr. Curtin possessed a very happy faculty for composing odes and occasional pieces. His style was stirring and eloquent-just what is required in such compositions. His pen was in requisition for a contribution for almost every sort of celebration and dedication; and the news- boy confidently expected a glowing address for his patrons at new year's time. If he could have disciplined himself so as to bestow a little more labor on what might be called the finish of his pieces, eliminating redundances, easing off occasional rough turns, rectifying an imperfect image here and there, he would, on a final perusal, have been better satisfied with his productions, and they would have gone forth with a stronger recommendation to the discriminating reader. In consequence of this want of care and exactness in expressing himself, his full meaning does not always at once appear; and hence to the inattentive reader much may be lost. There is a wide difference between him and Miss Fuller, in these respects, as the reader will at once perceive. Their general styles, too, are marked by all the differences that characterize the opposite sexes ; hers is feminine and smoothly flowing, his masculine and often abrupt. But I hardly know who would place one below the other as a favorite of the Muses.
As a writer to be read in times not his own, Mr. Curtin S2 34
530
HISTORY OF LYNN. y
labored under a disadvantage. His pieces were commonly written with reference to particular occasions or localities and were apt to contain expressions which could not be fully un- derstood, under other circumstances. He wrote rapidly, gen- erally on the spur of the occasion, and in accordance with some special solicitation which his generosity would not suffer him to decline ; he wrote, too, without expectation of pecuniary reward; and his uniform success establishes the fact of an ac- tive and trustworthy genius; which is certainly to be preferred to one of the pyrotechnic order, however brilliant or startling an occasional scintillation may be. He was unassuming, and I apprehend would have been undisturbed by criticism, as he might defiantly exclaim, in the language of Wordsworth,
The moving accident is not my trade.
Most writers in verse who have not had considerable experi- ence nor been subjected to the shocks of criticism - and many, indeed, who have -injure their composition by straining after the ornamental and disdaining the natural. But it seems to me that Mr. Curtin, and Miss Fuller, were both singularly free from such an unfortunate habit. And as every one has a love for the natural, they will never cease to have admirers. Their styles were very different, and so were their themes; and it is strong evidence of their appreciation of their own powers that with each, theme and style were so well adapted to each other.
Mr. Curtin did not confine himself to poetry, by any means. He wrote a great many excellent prose articles ; some of an imaginative character, and others on the sober realities of life. And his pen was not unfrequently exercised on political subjects. He could be caustic if he chose, but was dignified, and seldom trespassed on the strict rules of courtesy. A couple of specimens of his poetry follow.
SOUND FREEDOM'S TRUMP !
An Ode sung at the Celebration of Independence, in Lynn, July 4, 1831.] Sound Freedom's Trump! The day returns, The day that gave our Nation birth ! The fire upon our altar burns, Whose sacred incense fills the earth. Let crumbling crowns to dust retire, While Liberty's eternal fire, 1
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. - ENOCH CURTIN. 531
O'er tottering thrones sheds its bright ray, And round the earth in triumph rolls, A halo of immortal day, Whose arch of glory lights the Poles!
Sound Freedom's Trump! Let each glad voice Join the full chorus of delight!
This day at Freedom's shrine rejoice, While Europe's minions sleep in night! Despots shall mourn their regal birth, And sceptres vanish from the earth ! Let mitres in obedience nod, Be Tyranny in ruin hurled,
And Liberty proclaim her God, While Freedom's Trump shall wake the world!
Sound Freedom's Trump, o'er hill and dale! Throughout Columbia's vast domain
Let songs of joy and mirth prevail, And each glad voice repeat the strain. No tyrant foot shall tread the soil,
Our fathers bought with blood and toil! Firm as the rocks upon our strand, To guard the right by freedom given,
Columbia's hardy sons shall stand,
A fearless host -the pride of Heaven !
Sound Freedom's Trump! Awake! Arise! And bid the thundering cannon's roar Swell in loud pæans to the skies, And fill the earth from shore to shore ! Gallia and Grecia shall be free! And Poland shouts for liberty ! On pinions of immortal fame, The sacred flame each clime shall bound ;
Then, while Columbia holds a name, Let holy Freedom's Trumpet sound !
LINES,
Addressed to a young lady of Marblehead, on the death of her brother, who died at Batavia, in the island of Java, and was buried on a small island, about half a league from Batavia. In digging his grave a considerable quantity of curious marine shells, of beautiful variety, were found embedded about four feet from the surface of the earth, a number of which were preserved and brought to this country, one of them being presented to the author. Written in 1830.
· Be hushed thy sighs! Oh, weep not for the dead, Who sweetly sleeps within his coral bed;
1
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HISTORY OF LYNN.
Oh, cease to chide the swelling waves that bore A loving brother from his native shore For the trumpet shall sound And the dead shall arise, To inherit a crown From the King of the skies.
No more the storm shall gather round his head, No more the foaming waves their crests shall rear, To shatter his frail bark - no more the lead Shall tell of rocks, and shoals, and quicksands near. For behold to unite In the sweet promise given, He has taken his flight To the mansions of Heaven.
Oft has he braved the perils of the deep, And heard the rude winds whistle through the shrouds. Oft has he strove his little bark to keep Safe from the fury of the gathering clouds. But the clouds have passed o'er, And the winds are at rest ; He now dwells secure In the realms of the blest.
Far in the palm trees' shade his bed is found, Where Indian summers yield eternal bloom; Where spicy groves spread their rich foliage round, And shed their fragrance o'er his early tomb. Where the lote shall wave, And the cypress shall twine, Till the mariner's grave Shall its treasure resign.
What though no storied urn points out the spot, Or marble marks his last retreat from care ; What though no stone records his early lot, Or tells -" The ship-wreck'd mariner lies there." Yet to his sad pile Shall the murmuring surge, As it sweeps round the isle, Sing the young sailor's dirge.
Then weep no more! Oh hush those sighs of thine ; For could thy tears recall him from that shore, Where his blest spirit lives in bliss divine, Methinks, young friend, that thou would'st weep no more.
533
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. - NEWHALL. - COFFIN.
Then trust in that arm, Whose chastening rod Will shield thee from harm 'Tis the power of God.
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JOSIAH NEWHALL. - 1790-1842.
Mr. Newhall was a highly respected and useful citizen, and for many years continued to fill the most responsible offices in the town. He was a Representative for several terms, and a Senator fin.1832 and '33. He was one of our largest shoe manufacturers, for years, and in all his business relations secured the utmost confidence of those with whom he dealt. His residence and place of business were at the east end of the Common. In manners he was dignified and courteous; and he was excelled by none for integrity of character and purity of life. For many years he was a prominent member of the Methodist connection, and active in benevolent enterprises.
He was born at Lynn, on the 7th of January, 1790, and was a descendant from Thomas Newhall, the first person of European parentage born in Lynn. He was twice married. His first wife was Lydia Johnson, to whom he was united on the 19th of March, 1811, and by whom he had four children - Robert, who died in infancy ; Elizabeth; Martha, who died in infancy ; and Harrison. His second wife was Clarissa Martin, whom he married in 1832, and by whom he had two children - Charles M., who died in childhood, and Josiah H., who is now a Metho- dist minister.
Mr. Newhall died on the 7th of November. 1842.
EDWARD LUMMUS COFFIN. - 1794-1845.
Dr. Coffin was the third son of Dr. Aaron Lummus, and a brother of Charles F. Lummus, a biographical sketch of whom !has been given. His name was changed to Coffin, which was the family name on the maternal side, chiefly because his father and elder brother, John, were at the time practising physicians here and confusion was liable to occur. He was born in Lynn, on the 14th of December, 1794, graduated at Harvard, and studied medicine under Dr. Shurtleff, of Boston. He was twice mar- S2*
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HISTORY OF LYNN.
ried. His first wife was Mary Rhodes, whom he married in 1823, and by whom he had one child, named Edward Everett, who died in infancy. His second wife was Frances Cutler, of Cambridge, by whom he had two children-Mary F. and Edward C. He died at his residence, on Market street, on the 31st of March, 1845, at the age of fifty, after a painful sickness of more than two years.
Dr. Coffin was a highly esteemed citizen; skillful in his pro- fession, liberal in his views, of generous disposition and affable manners. He was active in the cause of popular education and the general diffusion of intelligence; was much interested in the common schools, in lectures, and scientific discussions. And he was not apt to denounce a new thing, without examina- .tion, because others decried it as a humbug. I remember when - the first lecturer on animal magnetism came to town and dis- coursed in the old Town Hall, with what fairness he joined thumbs with him, and how patiently he sat under the manipula- tions, entirely undisturbed by the merriment of those in whose minds the whole thing was forestalled as an imposition. He was not one of the many who are so excessively timid, through fear of compromising their dignity, that they suffer the best opportunities for improvement to slip by unemployed. His labors on the school committee, in conjunction with those of Rev. Mr. Rockwood, who was likewise an ardent friend of edu- cation, were highly appreciated. And their unity of purpose, in this respect, did much toward creating a lasting friendship between them; though on one important matter their views were essentially different - the Doctor being a decided Unita- rian and Mr. Rockwood a high Calvinist.
He possessed a vein of humor which would sometimes assert itself in a most pleasing manner; but he did not suffer it to override his dignity. Men who fancy themselves wits, and set themselves up as such, are prone to obtrude their smart saying as well out of season as in season, greatly to the annoy- ance of others and their own discredit. But the occasional sallies of a genuine and unostentatious humorist, are like placid rays of sunshine in the world's dull routine. Nor was the Doctor with- out ability as a versifier, his productions being usually of a playful character. His pieces were evidently unstudied; but
535
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. - EDWARD L. COFFIN.
they bear unmistakable evidence of a trained mind and lively sensibilities. The following appears in the form of a receipted bill, dated December 29, 1827, and was sent to a townsman into whose family he had been professionally called during the year. His charges were certainly moderate; particularly as he ap- pears to have taken store pay.
1827. My frien' good Mr. William B. Indebted is to Doctor E. For sundry pills and potions,
And credited by more amount, As will be seen by shop account, For claes and gloves and notions.
Feb'y. When slippery Pisces led the year, (Tail-tied, for lack of better gear, The stars amang,) Ye ken I've charged a groat or two
For self and wife and little Sue, When called to gang, 75
March.
Item - when crinkled-horned Aries
Looked frowning fra' the vernal skies, Rheumatics boding,
May.
Item - when Maia's gentler reign
Brought in a ghostly croupy train, Your lugs aye loading, 1.38
June 24. July.
When canker worms had left the trees, 70
And Cancer mellowed down the breeze,
(For wife and wee ane,) 2.37
August.
When Leo's flaming eye surveyed
All Sammy's cattle in the shade, Except - the HE. ANE. 1.62
$6.82
May He who only has the giftie, Make you aye cantie, hale and thriftie, To life's last hour. May a' the Powers above defend ye, Fra' croup and toothack always tent ye, And blue deil's power.
And when adown life's hill ye 're ganging May conscience give no fearfu' twanging, But hopes aye braw, And may your bonny bairns inherit Their mither's warth, their father's spirit, When ye 're awa.
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HISTORY OF LYNN.
ENOCH MUDGE. - 1776-1850.
Mr. Mudge was born in Lynn, on the 28th of June, 1776, and was a son of Enoch Mudge, who lived on the south side of the Common. At the early age of seventeen years he was licensed as a Methodist preacher, and the next year joined the traveling connection. He was the first Methodist preacher born in New . England, and continued active in the ministry for a great num- ber of years. He was a man of fervid piety and great activity of mind. His poetical effusions - of which many appeared at different periods of his life - bear evidence of a mind warmly in love with the beautiful of nature, and his sermons, of a heart devoted to the good of his fellow men. He married, 29 Novem- ber, 1797, Jerusha Hinkley, a daughter of John Holbrook, of ' Wellfleet, by whom he had four children - Solomon H., Anne B., Mary A., and Enoch R .; the latter of whom erected the beautiful Gothic stone cottage at Swampscot, which attracts so much attention from strangers of taste.
Mr. Mudge died in Lynn on the 2d of April, 1850, at the age of seventy-four, and was buried from the First Methodist meet- ing-house.
At the close of the biographical sketch of Micajah Collins may be found some lines from the pen of Mr. Mudge. His longest production in metre, was, I think, that entitled "Lynn, a Poem." It was written in 1820, and published, in pamphlet form, in 1826. It comprises some six hundred and fifty lines ; is not very lively in style, and is hardly calculated to meet the cravings of a taste that prefers the stimulating to the merely nutritious. Wit and humor always impart a relish to poetic effusions on themes which are not strictly pensive or solemnly didactic. Without one or the other, the sentiment must be pleasurable or the imagery glowing to render a piece at all attractive. But I do not find that Mr. Mudge laid claim to either wit or humor. His poetry was rather instructive and admonitory than pleasing; and it was always valuable for its moral inculcations and good common sense views. The follow- ing lines, which were probably written in 1826, are as easy and pleasant as any thing of his that I have been able to find. The sentiment will be approved, and the comparisons are suggestive, though an imperfect expression or two may be noticed.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. - ASA T. NEWHALL.
537
THE BLISS OF PIETY.
Gentle is the breath of May, At the early dawn of day ; Mild, the virgin-blushing rose, When first opening from repose ;
Sweet the odors of perfume, From the honeysuckle bloom, Pleasant is the morning ray, Peeping from the birth of day ; Pure the gentle dew or rain, When distilling o'er the plain; Charming to angelic ears, Is the music of the spheres. All these images are faint,
The Bliss of Piety to paint. Gentler, milder, sweeter, are The breath of Piety and Prayer.
Music, light, and dew, and rain, All your images are vain. Breath of light and life divine, Odors. music, all are thine.
ASA TARBEL NEWHALL. - 1779-1850.
Mr. Newhall was born in the part Lynn that now forms Lynn- field, on the 28th of June, 1779. He was a son of Asa, who was born on the 5th of August, 1732, and was a son of Thomas, who was born on the 6th of January, 1681, and was a son of Joseph, who was born on the 22d of September, 1658, and was a son of Thomas Newhall, the first white person born in Lynn.
Mr. Newhall was bred a farmer, and followed the honorable occupation all his life. He was a close observer of the opera- tions of nature, and brought to the notice of others divers facts of great benefit to the husbandman. He delivered one or two addresses at agricultural exhibitions, and published several pa- pers which secured marked attention and elicited discussion. His mind was penetrating and possessed a happy mingling of the practical and theoretical; and he had sufficient energy and in- dustry to insure results. Such a person will always make him- self useful in the world, though he may be destitute of that kind of ambition which would place him in conspicuous positions.
1
He was liberal in his views, courteous in his manners; and
538
HISTORY OF LYNN.
by his sound judgment and unswerving integrity secured uni- versal respect. In his earlier manhood he was somewhat active as a politician, and was deemed judicious and trustworthy. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1820, and a Senator in 1826. He was also a Representative, in 1828.
His wife was Judith Little, of Newbury; and he had nine children - Joshua L., Asa T., Thomas B., Sallie M., Eunice A., Judith B., Caroline E., Hiram L., and Elizabeth B.
Mr. Newhall died at his residence, in the southeastern part of Lynnfield, on the 18th of December, 1850, aged 71, and was buried with masonic honors.
EZRA MUDGE. - 1780-1855.
Mr. Mudge was born in Lynn, on the 10th of April, 1780. He was engaged in the shoe business, here, for some years of his early manhood, and afterward went to New York, where he kept a large shoe store. Subsequently he returned, and re- mained till the first administration of General Jackson, when, on receiving an appointment in the Boston custom house, he removed to that city, where he continued to reside till the time of his death. For sixteen years he faithfully represented his native town in the Legislature, having first taken his seat there in 1807. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention, in 1820, and of the Executive Council, in 1828. He was active in establishing the Artillery Company, in 1808, was one of the lieutenants commissioned at the time of organization, and cap- tain in 1813.
Mr. Mudge was a man of unaffected piety, sound judgment, and agreeable manners. And though his worldly fortunes va- ried, he never lost his integrity nor the respect of his fellow men. He died on the 25th of May, 1855, and his remains were brought to Lynn and buried from the South street Methodist meeting-house, he having been all his life a consistent adherent of the Methodist faith. He was thrice married, his first matri- monial connection having been entered into at the early age of twenty-one years. His first wife was Betsey Brewer, whom he married in 1801, and by whom he had no children. His second wife was. Ruth Chadwell, whom he married in 1804, and by
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. - FRANCIS S. NEWHALL.
whom he had seven children - Ezra A., Eliza B., Ruth C., Ezra W., Nathan, Hannah, and Sarah W. His third wife was Hannah Drew, and by her he had seven children - Lemuel D., William B., Hervey M., Sarah C., Mary E., Maria A., and Robert R. Ezra Warren, the fourth child by the second wife, was Mayor of Lynn in 1856 and '57.
FRANCIS STUART NEWHALL. - 1795-1858.
Mr. Newhall was born in Lynn on the 30th of April, 1795, and was a son of Winthrop, who was born on the 6th of June, 1769, and was a son of Farrar (or Pharaoh, as he was universally called, and which name he himself adopted,) who was born on the 15th of February, 1735, and was a son of Samuel, who was born on the 9th of March, 1700, and was a son of Joseph, who was born on the 22d of September, 1658, and was a son of Thomas, born in 1630 - the first person of European parentage born in Lynn.
· Like most of his cotemporaries, his father being in moderate circumstances, Mr. Newhall had but little opportunity to acquire more than a very common education. At about the age of thirteen he commenced learning the trade of a tanner, which business his father had followed for some years. Soon after attaining his majority he engaged in the morocco manufacture, and did a considerable business for those times. In 1822, the firm of F. S. and H. Newhall, familiar to every body in this vicinity, for many years, was formed; Henry, Mr. Newhall's brother, who is still living, being the junior partner.
Mr. Newhall removed to New York in 1825, and established another business house, with a third partner, Mr. Ebenezer Burrill - the old firm continuing in Lynn. Although the New York firm was not successful, yet it subsequently paid its in- debtedness in full. Returning to Lynn, Mr. Newhall, with his brother, prosecuted the morocco and leather business with such energy and success, that they soon became two of our most wealthy townsmen. The firm was dissolved in 1850, on account of the ill health of Henry. Mr. Newhall continued in trade for many years, and at the time of his death was in the sole leather business, in Boston, with his son Henry F.
He was for more than twenty years a . director of the Lynn
540
HISTORY OF LYNN.
Mechanics Bank; and in 1849, through his exertions the Laigh- ton Bank was established, of which, with the exception of three weeks, in 1856, he was president till the day of his death. He was one of the founders of the Lynn Mechanics Insurance Company, which has been remarkably successful.
Mr. Newhall was among those earliest interested in the Uni- tarian society, and continued through life to be one of its most active and generous supporters.
He was also active in political matters, and in the days of anti-masonry was several times chosen a Representative to the Legislature. After the decline of the anti-masonic party he became a whig, and was elected to the Senate in 1843 and '44.
There were but few matters of public interest or importance in which he did not take part. Being an active man, one of strong points and decided character, he was usually prominent. He was prompt, energetic, and far-seeing, and possessed very considerable skill as a financier.
Mr. Newhall was intelligent, social, hospitable, and a man of rare integrity. In speech he was sometimes rather blunt; but this perhaps arose more from his propensity to declare openly an honest conviction than a natural inclination to harshness. He was of a liberal disposition, and in mercantile affairs espe- cially, was a man of much influence.
In 1818 he married Lydia, a daughter of Thompson Burrill, and a lineal descendant from Hon. Ebenezer Burrill, a biograph- ical sketch of whom may be found commencing on page 492; and his children were, Eliza, Persis, Henry F., Lydia A., Maria, B., and George T.
Mr. Newhall died on the 2d of February, 1858, and was buried from his residence on Market street, opposite Summer.
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ISAAC NEWHALL. - 1782-1858.
Mr. Newhall was born in Lynn on the 24th of August, 1782, and was a direct descendant from Thomas Newhall, the first of the name who settled in Lynn. He was for many years a mer- chant, and at one time did an extensive business.
He was intelligent, and his literary attainment was considera- ble. In 1831 he published, in a well-printed duodecimo volume,
541
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. - ISAIAH BREED.
a series of letters addressed to John Pickering, in which he endeavored to satisfy the world that Earl Temple was the au- thor of the Junius Letters. The work attracted considerable attention, though it failed to satisfy mankind that the great un- known were really unmasked.
Mr. Newhall was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Lewis, a cousin of the Lynn Bard, whom he married in 1809, and by whom he had seven children - Sarah, Gustavus, Marga- ret, Horatio, Isaac, Martha A., and Louisa. He married his second wife in 1849, and by her had one daughter - Sarah M. In his youth, Gustavus manifested ambition for literary fame, and wrote a good many pieces, in prose and poetry, which ap- peared in the newspapers, and were well received. Mr. Lum- mus, of the Mirror, thought well of them, and I remember hearing Mr. Lewis speak of them as promising much; but the promise was not fulfilled.
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