USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 15
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 15
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 15
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 15
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Hazeltine.
under date May 13, and stands thus : "Samuel Chase, Dr. to 18 visits ; i. e. 2 visits a day from Sabbath the 4th inst. to yesterday, including both, and sundry articles of medicine, such as [enumerating,] 10.25."
The Doctor must have soon secured a large practice, judging from the number of his charges ; but to a physician of this day his fees would seem amusingly low, a fact which in a great measure may account for the statement that he made a little before his death, to the effect that his profession had scarcely yielded enough to pay expenses during his whole residence in Lynn. A much greater proportion of "bad debts " no doubt accumulated in those days than in later times, in all professions. But let us present the promised samples of the Doctor's every day entries.
1817. Aug. 2. George Hamlin, credit by 2 phials and med. returned, .13.
1817. Aug. 6. Frederic Newhall, Dr. to calling and waiting some time to see your sister, 1.00.
1819. Feb. 21. Enoch Mudge, Dr. to calling from the meeting-house and extracting a tooth for yourself, .50.
1819. March 6. James Lewis, Cr. by a fresh fish, weighing 8 lb. at 2 cents a pound.
1819. March 21. Peter Shott, Dr. to calling to see you this morning, .25.
1819. April 9. Benjamin Burrill, Dr. to a visit, and making lint for your sore, .50. 1819. June 10. Stephen Oliver, Dr. to a three dollar bill, for one that I borrowed of you, last week.
1819. July 21. Jonathan Connor, credit, by six cords of wood, taken on the wharf, at $6 a cord, to be paid for in 60 days.
1819. Sept. I. John Newhall, Dr. to calling to see your aunt Nabby, 0.25.
1820. March 4. Abel Houghton, Dr. to a visit for yourself, .25.
1820. March 8. Rufus P. Hovey, Esq. Dr. to a visit and a phial and vin. ipecac for yourself, 84.
1820. March 13. Henry A. Breed, credit by 1 lb. 8 penny and 1 1b. 6 penny wrought nails, at 18 and 22 cents, .40.
1820. April 10. Henry A. Breed, credit, by I gal. Lisbon wine, at $1.50, and 1 1-2 pint of brandy, 33, $1.83.
1820. April 15. Miss Lydia Stackpole, credit by your assistance in my family since Monday morning, before breakfast, till this morning, after breakfast.
1820. April 28. Preserved Sprague, Dr. to a visit, making lint, &c., and dressing your wound, and to a piece of bandage. . 75.
1820. May 16. Jonathan Buffum, Dr. to a visit this morning and to 10 oz. of tama- rinds, sent this evening by my boy, 0.42.
1821. March 5. This evening Mr. Trevett borrowed Hannah More's St. Paul, Dr. Worcester on Baptism and Medical Dissertations.
1821. March 28. Mrs. Mary Carter, Concord, N. H .: Her little son William Franklin Carter came to my house last Monday evening, to board and go to school. I am to board him for his schooling [?] and what services he will
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Hazeltine.
render in my family. This morning he gave me sixty-five cents in cash, which he brought with him, and for which I am accountable to his mother.
IS21. July 10. Abel Iloughton, credit, by mending my boot a little, yesterday, .06. 1821. Nov. 2. Amos Breed, credit by a barrel of cider [I found the barrel] and by
6 hoops and paying for setting them-hoops 2 cents cach, setting 4 cents each, .36; cider, 2.50. 2.86.
1821, Nov. 3. Enoch Curtin, Dr. to a visit early this morning and another at 11 o'clock, and assisting in moving you, 1.50.
1821. Nov. 28. Thomas Hamlin, credit, by repairing my chaise apartment door, i. e. putting on hinge, .06.
1822. Jan. 3. Abner Alley, Dr. to a visit, post m. for your daughter, she having injured her hand by striking on a hair comb, .50.
1834. March 3. Mrs. Mary Mailey, Dr. to a visit this a. m. for yourself, .25.
1834. March 7. Charles Chase, Dr. to a visit this a. m. for your daughter Mary, 0.25.
1834. March 8. Mark Alley, Dr. to a visit this evening and 12 pills for Mrs. Alley, .38.
1834. March 11. David Ellis, Dr. to a visit this evening in co. with Dr. Barker, for your little boy, 1.00.
1834. March 19. John B. Chase, credit by a five dollar bill paid me this a. m. equal to six dollars, because paid within sixty days.
1834. March 24. Abel Houghton, Dr. to visit this a. m. and 9 small p. ip. for yourself, 0.42.
1834. March 28. Levi Frost, credit, by repairing chaise harness, .06.
1834. March 29. Alonzo Lewis, Dr. to a visit this morning and another this p. m. 2. pil. and some vin. ant. for yourself and some cal. added in the morning to two former powders, .92.
1834. April 7. Alonzo Lewis, Dr. to a visit this morning for yourself, .25.
1835. Feb. 18. Capt. Charles Merritt, Dr. to 12 pills delivered yourself this a. m. at the postoffice door, and consilium, .25.
1836. May 6. Nathaniel Ingalls, Dr. to cash paid you to-day, 67 cents. Credit, by assisting Mr. Merrill, the carpenter, about putting down some posts for fence, for me, yesterday, at Woodend, 67 cents.
1836. May 21. Daniel Moulton, credit, by 2 hours' assistance, at 8 cents an hour, .16. 1836. May 21. Esquire Daniel Henshaw, credit, by making out my last will, to-day, and attending to its signature, &c., 2.09.
The Abel Houghton named in two or three of the foregoing items, first, under date March 4, 1820, lived in Pearl street. He took great interest in horticulture, and it was from him that the Houghton Horticultural Society took its name. To him, also, we are indebted for that superior gooseberry known as the Houghton seedling. Rufus P. Hovey, named under date March 8, 1820, came to Lynn in or about 1816, and opened an office near the Hotel. He was a young lawyer of good education and fine abil- ities but destined soon to close his life. He died of consumption before attaining the fame and honorable position which his friends fondly believed awaited him. Under dates March 13 and
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Hazeltine.
April 10, 1820, appears the name of Henry A. Brecd. This gen- tleman, who is still among us, active and genial, was then a young business man. At the time of the transactions recorded he kept a "West India goods and variety store," in the west wing of the Hotel. A few years after, he became extensively engaged in building and other semi-speculative enterprises, some of which were on a large scale. Possessing a sanguine temperament and great physical activity, he did more than almost any other to give "a start" to the Lynn of that period, and is deserving of the gratitude of many now living for personal aid. But he has had his ups and downs ; his share of praise and censure ; and has shown himself neither a fawner nor a misanthrope. We can hardly call to mind one who has more reason to keenly feel the disregard of some now in prosperity who owe the foundation of their good fortune to him. Preserved Sprague, who is charged by the Doctor with a visit on April 28, 1820, was a farmer, and lived on Nahant street. He wore a long beard, which excited the wonder, if not the admiration of almost every one he met, as it was the fashion, at that time, for men to be close-shaven ; mustaches, especially, being an utter abomination. Esquire Daniel Henshaw, who under date May 21, 1836, is credited with writing the Doctor's will - at a price which would make a lawyer of this day stare if it did not induce some ejaculation indicated by a verb that rhymes with stare - was a legal practitioner who settled in Lynn, in or about 1833. He had a classical education ; but being one who had that rigorous sense of justice which for- bids the advocacy of any cause of even doubtful right, and being withal of a retiring disposition, never had much of an active court business. He was a good writer, with very little of the picturesque in his style, and as editor of the Lynn Record - the first paper of that name here- then under the proprietor- ship of Jonathan Buffum, produced articles that were extensively quoted and deservedly praised. The Record was an energetic advocate of the anti-masonic cause, of temperance, and anti-sla- very. It was to the house of Mr. Henshaw that the guard of ladies conducted George Thompson, the English anti-slavery orator, from the First Methodist meeting-house, when violence was threatened by the excited crowd; an account of which occurrence may be found in our Annals, under date, 1835. Mr.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, Haseltinc.
Henshaw was a man of strong religious principles conformable to the old Calvinistic faith.
Several other prominent residents whose names appear in these book charges will be remembered by our elderly people. But as something concerning most of them may be found where they are introduced, in alphabetical order, in this volume, it is unnecessary to go into details here. The Enoch Mudge for whom the Doctor drew a tooth, Feb. 21, 1819, being called from the meeting-house, was Rev. Enoch Mudge, father of the late Hon. Enoch Redington Mudge, and a most worthy minister of the Methodist denomination. Stephen Oliver, to whom $3, borrowed money, were paid, June 10, 1819; Jonathan Connor, who sold the Doctor six cords of wood, July 21, 1819; and Jonathan Buffum, who had 10 ounces of tamarinds, May 16, 1820, were all among the best-known business men in the place. Mr. Trevett, who borrowed the books, March 5, 1821, was Robert W. Trevett, the lawyer, who was at that time among the foremost of the Essex bar, and could understand the value of a good book as well as any man in town. Enoch Curtin, who was so sick as to require two visits, Nov. 3, 1821, was the poet whose pen was the one usually in requisition for odes, hymns, and other occa- sional pieces. Alonzo Lewis, who also needed two visits, and medicine, March 29, 1834, was the Lynn bard and historian. Capt. Charles Merritt, who was supplied with pills, Feb, 18, 1835, at the postoffice door, was the deputy sheriff who so acceptably filled that disagreeable office for forty years.
The items quoted above from the books of Doctor Hazeltine are quite enough to show his exactness and methodical way of doing things even in those minor details which to most people appear frivolous. But that orderliness, no doubt, saved him from much of the tedious ransacking of the memory and many of the petty disputes to which less careful persons are constantly sub- jected ; and it was certainly an improvement on the method of keeping accounts adopted by another Lynn physician, well known to the writer, who made his charges on all sorts of odd scraps of paper, which he thrust indiscriminately into a bag, to which he resorted and drew out for collection when money was wanted. Some of the extracts may look as if selected for their quaintness or merely as curiosities ; but we have no such object.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Hazeltine.
The design is to show the Doctor's great conscientiousness and care, as well as something of the state of things at that time.
In his religious connections, Dr. Hazeltine ranked with the Calvinistic Congregationalists. He was rigid and consistent, but yet too high-minded not to deferentially regard the opinions of others. His only daughter, Phebe, a very intelligent and alert lady, though not without noticeable peculiarities, became an Episcopalian ; and we have some recollection of her once re- marking that her father expressed approval rather than disappro- bation of her sentiments. His religious tendencies were not merely theoretical, for there was evidently an earnest desire to give them a practical bearing upon the daily walk. His first book of charges is prefaced by two pages of " Precepts to be read and duly regarded before charging." They are chiefly taken from the Scriptures, and if lived up to, would make an almost perfect man. The twenty-ninth appears as a dictate of " con- science," and reads in this wise: " In all thy endeavors to alle- viate human misery, be careful by no means to increase it, either by negligent, careless, or unfeeling attention to the sick, nor by extravagant charges for thy services, nor by oppressive or inhu- man measures in collecting thy demands." That he was truly conscientious, and never disposed to thwart the kindly endeavors of nature to restore health, by uncertain experiments, cannot be doubted.
The house in which Dr. Hazeltine lived during the whole of his life here, is still standing on the south side of Essex street, between High and Pearl streets. It was for many years one of the best and most conspicuous in town, and no other building was near enough to obscure the very commanding view. The site was for a hundred and fifty years the chosen seat of a line of worthies of the healing art. Dr. John Henry Burchstead, who came from Silecia, in 1685, settled here ; after him, his son, Dr. Henry Burchstead, lived on the place, and it is thought built the present house, which was subsequently the residence of Dr. Peter G. Robbins, who came in 1805. From the latter, Dr. Hazeltine had it, in 1817, probably at first, as a tenant, the earliest entry in one of his books being a charge against Dr. Robbins for money paid Micajah Cutler for whitewashing and laying a hearth. It is now so hemmed in by other buildings that a
154
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Henchman. Hitchings.
passer-by would hardly notice it. For many years it was known as the house with the great whale bones for gate-posts, and more often inquired for by strangers, than any other house in town, as the cottage of Moll Pitcher, the celebrated fortune-teller, stood on the opposite hill-side, and the stealthy visitor thus sought to conceal the real object of his inquiry. Dr. Robbins was father of Rev. Chandler Robbins, a prominent Unitarian minister, in Boston, and Rev. Samuel D. Robbins, the third minister of the Unitarian society in Lynn ; and in that house the reverend bro- thers were born.
Dr. Hazeltine was born in Concord, N. H., Nov. 28, 1773, and died July 10, 1836, as noted in our Annals of that year.
HENCHMAN, Rev. NATHANIEL - minister of the First Parish, forty-one years ; settled in 1720; died in 1761, aged 61. His residence was on North Common street, a few rods cast of Mall. Sec Annals, 1761.
HENTZ, CAROLINE LEE - an accomplished prose writer. See Annals, 1680.
HITCHINGS, Major EZRA - was born April 15, 1765, in what is now Saugus, and died at his residence in Lynn, Nov. 26, 1829. For many years he was one of the most marked characters in the town and had great influence, though not generally in the most prominent offices. His military title was conferred by the position he held in the militia regiment of Lynn. He was also a freemason, a member of the old fire-club-a voluntary organization for mutual assistance in case of fire - and one or two other brotherhoods, social or benevolent. He loved music and with his neighbor, Master Blanchard, and his bass-viol, no doubt passed many an enjoyable evening hour.
But the image of the Major looms up most conspicuously at his West India goods store, on Boston street, at the corner of Federal. There he was to be found at all reasonable hours, ready to deal out his commodities, even to the cent's worth, to discuss religion with the minister or deacon, politics with 'Squire Carnes, Amos Rhodes, the elder, Benjamin Massey, Samuel Mulliken, Daniel Collins, or any town notable ; or to sally forth
155
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Hitchings.
with measuring rod in hand at the beck of any teamster with his load from the woods. And, shifting the scene a little, we behold him if it be a day of military parade, standing at his door, intently watching the evolutions of a straggling militia company in the elaborate exercise of whipping-the-snake, or some similarly picturesque manœuvre, in the little square fronting his premises.
The business of the Major yielded him a comfortable mainte- nance, but nothing more, for the multiplicity of bad debts, in those days, was a sad draw-back to the retail trader. It was a day of small things. The shoe-manufacturers did a limited business, drew orders on the retailers, and in some cases made periodical failures. He was a careful purchaser and avoided all dishonest tricks of trade ; would not even water the rum he sold ; and could not comprehend the exalted morality of those virtuous brethren in the trade who, with consciences as weak as their own " extended " liquors, sought to convince him that to reduce the drink was a mercy to the poor deluded toper.
The Major was in many ways a most valuable man for any neighborhood ; sound in judgment, liberal in opinions, and ever ready to give his best advice to those who sought his counsel. He was not much given to hilarity or jets of humor, but rather inclined to the dignified and thoughtful mood, though by no means unsocial. With his stern sense of duty he had kindly sympathies, though occasional bluntness of expression might give a false coloring to his real feeling. Elderly people paid much deference to him, but from some cause, he failed to secure the good-will of the juvenile fraternity.' In short, the boys had little love for him, though it is not believed that any were inclined to manifest their dislike in a rough way. His dignity of bearing was enough to have prevented any thing of that sort. It was probably difficult for him to come down to their level, if, indeed, he had power to discern where they stood. Some of us were inclined to think he never could have been a boy himself. One day a little fellow went into his store and asked for something for Mr. Benjamin Newhall, and was met with the repellent ejacu- lation, uttered in a voice not the most placid and with an air any thing but winsome, "Why do'nt you say your father ; don't you suppose I know who you are, and who your father is ; I hope I know neighbors who have always lived next door." The
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Holyoke. Hood.
same lad had occasion presently again to go to the store, and remembering the admonition was careful to say " for my father." "And who is your father ?" was the quick response, in the old inclement voice ; "do you suppose I know every boy in the street, and who his father is ; why do'nt you give your father's name?" That boy was pretty sure, ever after, to say, "for my father, Mr. Benjamin Newhall." These remarks are not made for the purpose of casting reflections on a really worthy man, or to unnecessarily exhibit his foibles, but for the opportunity of suggesting that most of us might profit by the example. It is easy to win the good-will of the juvenile legion by whom we are surrounded, and quite as easy to lose it. And is it not much better to have the sympathy and friendship of those who are growing up around us, and on whom we shall surely be more or less dependent, than to have their ill-will and opposition ? But he was not blessed with any children of his own; yet he adopted several, whom he brought up in the most creditable manner. In this matter, however, he was seconded by his excellent wife who was undoubtedly entitled to a large share of the praise due for such commendable benevolence.
The Major was one of the early and active members of the Unitarian society, did what he could in a pecuniary way, but more efficiently aided by his exemplary life. His wife was of the same faith. She was a sister of Col. James Robinson, the first postmaster, and acted well her part in the management of their hospitable and happy home. She was a woman of much force of character, lively and sensible ; and her conversation, even in old age, was not only cheerful, but marked by a vein of attractive humor, and replete with pleasing reminiscences.
HOLYOKE, EDWARD - a farmer and large land-holder ; ances- tor of the respectable Holyoke family of New England ; a man of note in the Colony and honored in her councils. See Annals, 1630, and other early dates. His autograph is on the Armitage Petition.
HOOD, GEORGE - the first Mayor of Lynn - was twice elected to the office, and inaugurated May 14, 1850, and April 7, 1851. He died June 29, 1859, aged 52. For biographical notice see
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Hutchinson. Ingalls.
1865 edition of History of Lynn. See also Centennial Memorial for notice with portrait. A fac-simile of his autograph follows.
George Morde .
HUMFREY, JOHN - an original Colonial proprietor and Lynn settler - eminent for his attainments, respected for his high social position, and honored for his wisdom in 'council. See Annals, 1634, 1641, and other early dates. The following repre- sents his signature.
Jo: Humfrey
HURD, Rev. ISAAC - minister of the First Parish - settled in 1813. See Annals, 1816.
HUTCHINSON, JESSE, of the Hutchinson family of singers. The picturesque stone cottage at High Rock, was built by him, in 1847. He died in 1853. See Annals, 1853.
HUTCHINSON, JUDSON J. - also of the family of singers. He died at his residence, High Rock, Jan. 11, 1859, aged 38. See Annals, 1859.
INGALLS, EDMUND and FRANCIS. " The first white men known to have been inhabitants of Lynn, were Edmund Ingalls and his brother Francis." So states Mr. Lewis ; but it is quite certain that others came with them. At the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement - June 17, 1879- the names of these pioneers were heard on every side, and much curiosity was manifested to view the vicinity wherein they first pitched their tents. The grand procession, in its march through Woodend, halted to enable those who desired, to take a near look at the spot on which stood the humble habitation of Edmund, near Gold Fish pond. At the celebration, too, were read letters from John J. Ingalls, United States Senator from
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158 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Ircson. Jacobs. Fonks.
Kansas, and Rufus Ingalls, an officer in the United States service, descendants of Edmund. Many of the lineage have held useful and honorable positions here in the family home, and a number are now counted among our most worthy citizens. See Annals, 1629, and other early dates.
IRESON, SAMUEL EDWIN. Mr. Ireson died of consumption on the 7th of September, 1875, at the age of 44 years. He was a son of Samuel J. Ireson, and a well-educated lawyer, as well as classical scholar, having graduated at Harvard, with the 1853 class. After completing a regular course of legal study, he com- menced practice in Boston, but subsequently took an office in Lynn, his native place, and continued with a growing reputation and business, till failing health intervened. In 1873 and 1874 he was City Solicitor ; but his health still declining, he was induced in the spring of 1875, to visit the West Indies. Receiving no substantial benefit, he returned, to close his life in a few months. He was a man of genial manners and liberal views ; had a fine literary taste, and wrote a few poems which were much admired. His funeral took place from the Unitarian meeting-house, which had been his place of worship from childhood, and was attended by the chief officers of the city, by the brethren of the legal profession, and by many friends. He left a widow, but no children.
JACOBS, BENJAMIN H. - undertaker at the First Parish for thirty years. He died June 16, 1869, aged 76. See Annals, 1869.
JENKS, JOSEPH. From all that appears, Mr. Jenks came hither from Hammersmith, England, as an operative at the iron works. But he was not destined long to remain in an obscure position, for his skill and ingenuity soon commended him to the notice of the Court and the country at large. And well may he be called the pioneer inventor of America. For his ingenious con- trivances he was granted several patents, and one or two have hardly been improved upon to the present day - notably his scythe. It is said that the dies for the famous pine-tree coins, which all bear date 1652 - though they were struck in different years - were made by him. In our Annals, under date 1654, it
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Folinson.
is stated that the selectmen of Boston agreed with Joseph Jenks "for an Ingine to carry water in case of fire," and that this was the first fire-engine made in America. The order of the town was in these words : " The Select men have liberty to agree with Joseph Jynks, for Ingins to carry water in case of fire, if they see cause so to doe." This order, it will be observed, is permissive rather than imperative ; and there has been a question whether they did contract for an engine, or if they did, whether the contract was ever fulfilled, for it is asserted that Boston had no engine till after the great fire in November, 1676, at which time some forty-six dwellings were destroyed, besides shops, warehouses, and "a meeting house of considerable bigness." An opportune rain is mentioned as having done much towards arresting the flames, and some buildings were blown up. But nothing is said about an engine being there. Pemberton seems to have thought that as late as 1711 Boston had no fire-engine. Yet, on the 9th of March, 1702, the town voted that the Select- men should "procure two water engines suitable for the extin- guishing of fire, either by sending for them to England, or other- wise to provide them." This must have been in addition to one before had, for it was on the same day voted that "The Select- men are desired to get the Water Engine for the quenching of fire repaired, as also the house for keeping the same in." Now might not the one referred to as needing repairs in 1702 have been manufactured by Mr. Jenks on the order of 1654? It would have been an old "machine," to be sure, but was no doubt constructed in a thorough manner, and not very frequently called into use.
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