USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 18
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 18
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 18
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 18
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 18
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If I have been the means of ailing in moulding public opinion in this part of our beloved country, I owe it, in a great degree, to the education I received at old Har- vard. I should reface to meet my old class-mates on the 14th inst., but cannot leave home at that time on account of the situation of my family. Give my fraternal regards to those who may be present and believe me to be
Truly and Sincerely Yours, HI. NEWHALL
Dr. Newhall died on Monday, September 19, 1870. "Three days after," says the record of an affectionate friend, " we were present at the funeral which took place from the family residence. There were many, very many stricken hearts on that solemn occasion overshadowed with the gloom of the death presence. A large concourse of relatives, friends, neighbors and acquaint- ances assembled to express their sympathy with the living and their reverence for the dead. The room and coffin were profusely decorated with choicest flowers tastefully arranged. It was fitting ; he loved them in life ; and in the fulness of life above, he no doubt was enjoying the sweetness and beauty of those that bloom fadelessly in paradise - the garden of blessedness.
" When at four o'clock on the 22d of September we affection- ately and sorrowfully committed his remains to the earth - dust to its kindred dust - we could not but feel, that, for his body, worn out in the service of duty, there was to be a glorious awak-
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ening and renewal by the Master, who said, 'I am the resurrec- tion and the life ;' and there was deep solace in the Voice from heaven, saying write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.'
" Encircled in a garland of delicate flowers and green foliage was a miniature sheaf of ripe wheat lying upon the coffin which contained the inanimate form of the departed saint. The design was appropriate and significant : 'Thou shalt come to thy grave in full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season.' "
NEWHALL, ISAAC, of Mall street. By referring to page 540 of the 1865 edition of the History of Lynn, the reader will find a notice of this individual, who was a native of the place, and estab- lished something of a literary reputation by his letters on Junius. It is hardly probable that he anticipated the rank his little work was destined to attain so soon after he had ceased to be moved by anything the world could say of it or of him. The writer well remembers that when the volume appeared, in 1831, it was somewhat talked about, but probably not many copies were circu- lated in Lynn. The truth is, it was upon a subject concerning which very few in our community knew much, and to most of those few it had little interest. It was to the learned class of statesmen and politicians, rather than to the mere partisan, that it commended itself. But yet a sort of romantic interest attended its advent, it being so unaccountable that a man of Mr. Newhall's hum-drum vocation, could, while pursuing his daily routine, be pondering on themes that agitated the minds of a Burke and an Eldon.
In an address delivered by Hon. Charles W. Upham, of Salem, before the Essex Institute, in 1868, appeared a warm recognition of the success of Mr. Newhall, and interwoven were graphic allu- sions to his personal traits, habits, and pursuits. Said the speaker : " Behind the counter of a retail store on Essex street, [Salem] was to be found a person pursuing the daily routine of a most unpretentious life, apparently thinking of nothing else than the accommodation of customers, in the exhibition of his stock, and measuring out, by the yard, linen, cotton, ribbons, and tape. He was apparently beyond middle life, of a mild and courteous demeanor, quiet, and of few words. There was, it is true, in his mien and manners, a combined gentleness and dignity, that
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marked him as differing from the common run of men, but nothing to indicate the tenor of his peculiar mental occupations. The leisure hours of that man were employed in patient, minute, comprehensive and far-reaching researches in books, quarterly journals, magazines and political documents, guided by a culti- vated taste, keen discrimination, familiarity with the best models of style and thought, and intimate acquaintance with the bio- graphical details of all the prominent public characters of Eng- land, and their personal, family, and party relations to each other, that enabled him to grapple with a subject that was engrossing and defying the ingenuity of them all, and thereby to place himself as a peer among the literati of his day."
Mr. Newhall was not in any marked degree successful in life, as most people estimate success ; that is, he did not become rich ; but he lived in comfort, maintainel a respectable position, and died in peace, at the old family mansion, on Mall street, in which he was born, and which has since been removed to give place for the fine modern dwelling of Mr. John T. Moulton. He was an elder brother of Dr. Horatio Newhall, a sketch of whom has just been given, was born on 24th of August, 1782, and died on the 6th of July, 1858.
NEWHALL, ISAAC, of Marianna strect. Mr. Newhall died at his picturesque residence near the eastern border of the city, on the 22d of February, 1879, at the age of 65 years. He was a native of Lynn, and a direct descendant from one of the first settlers ; was a man of great decision of character and uncom- promising integrity ; active in business and public enterprises ; not easily diverted from any course deliberately adopted, nor over-patient with those who undertook to thwart his plans ; was faithful to friends, and no time-server or selfish eringer. He loved to retire from the unsatisfying turmoil of business to his rural estate upon our castern highlands, where he possessed many acres which he had brought from a rough and unproduc- tive condition into rich bearing, there to enjoy the society of his affectionate family, and social intercourse with friends and neigh- bors. He was not much in public office, though he served as an Alderman, in 1851, and again in 1873. In his religious views he was liberal. Though of Quaker parentage, he in carly life
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became attached to the Unitarian denomination. But in after years, with his family, he worshiped with the Methodists. By his own request, however, his remains were buried from the Friends' meeting-house, and the funeral services were attended by a large number of business men, as well as relatives and friends. For several years he suffered greatly from severe neuralgic attacks, which he bore with great fortitude, and for the relief of which he submitted to dangerous surgical operations. He made very free use of tobacco, insomuch that at one period of his life he was commonly spoken of as always appearing with a cigar in his mouth. Whether this habit occasioned or aggravated his terrible disease, was never, so far as the writer knows, determined.
Mr. Newhall was twice married, and left a widow and several children. An elder brother of his - John Bailey Newhall - was possessed of an observing mind and roving disposition, and had he lived no doubt would have made a mark in the literary world. It is not derogatory to compare him to Bayard Taylor. They were about equally educated, and commenced their travels a-foot not far from the same time; and their letters were similarly interesting and graphic in style. As it was, though he died young he gave some attractive lectures about the Indians with whom he fraternized during his rovings beyond the western fron- tier ; and his epistolary accounts of pedestrian rambles in Europe were much read.
NEWHALL, JACOB- landlord of the famous tavern on the Boston road, in revolutionary times. He was born May 3, 1740, and died June 18, 1816. For biographical notice see History of Lynn, 1865 edition, page 494.
NEWHALL, JAMES R. - was born on Christmas day, 1809, in the old Richard Haven house, afterwards known as the Hart house, which stood on Boston street, corner of North Federal, till 1876, when, at the dawn of the great Centennial Day, July 4, it "ascended up" in a patriotic blaze. For biographical notice and portrait see Centennial Memorial.
NEWHALL, JOSEPH, mentioned on page 484 of the 1865 edition of the History of Lynn, was a man of considerable note in the
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town, and much respected. In 1696, the town granted him liberty to "sett up a pewe in ye east end of ye meeting house Between ye east dowre & the stares ; prouided itt does nott prejudice the going up ye stares into ye gallery, & maintains so much of the glas window as is against sd pewe." He was a member of the General Court, and died while in office. And in this connection it may be remarked that the pay of Representa- tives and indeed of all public officers, was at a rate that did not encourage that degree of hankering for official position so lament- ably prevalent in our time. Upon the records is found this item of account with Mr. Newhall : " Dec. 1706 to his serueing a Representative at the generall court in the year 1705, untill his death, 76 days at 3% per day- 116 8% od." True, the value of money was at that time very different from what it is at present ; but the difference was not sufficient to make office the matter of anxious seeking that it now is.
Mr. Newhall perished while on his way from Boston to Lynn, in a great snow storm, in January, 1705-6. His grave-stone is in the Old Burying Ground, near the western wall ; it gives his age as 47, and his title as Ensign. He had eleven children, all of whom survived him.
NEWHALL, JOSIAH - a prominent and public spirited citizen - born January 17, 1790, died November 7, 1842. His residence was at the east end of the Common. For biographical notice see History of Lynn, 1865 edition, page 533.
NEWHALL, Gen. JOSIAH. General Newhall was born in Lynn, in the district now constituting Lynnfield, on the 6th of June, 1794, and was a lineal descendant from Thomas, the early settler. His long and active life closed on the 26th of December, 1879. During several years of his earlier manhood he followed the profession of teaching but as time advanced retired to the more congenial employment of agriculture. He however retained his love for study, and became quite proficient in some branches, his attainments bearing his fame even to the other side of the Atlan- tic, where, in 1876, he received the honor of being elected a fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Great Britain. He served in the war of 1812, and was afterwards much interested
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in military affairs, attaining the rank of Brigadier General in the Massachusetts Militia. When General Lafayette reviewed the troops on Boston Common, during his visit to America, in 1824, he was present in command of a regiment.
Lynnfield was incorporated as a separate town, in 1814, and General Newhall was her first Representative in the General Court. He served also in 1826 and '27, and again in 1848. In the administration of President Jackson, he held an office in the Boston Custom House. He also at different times filled impor- tant local offices. But his most congenial and satisfying resort was the honorable occupation of farmer and horticulturist. There, the results of his experiments and suggestions were often of much value. He was kind-hearted, genial in manners, and ever ready to lend a helping hand to the deserving who needed assistance. The last time the writer had the pleasure of meeting him, was on the occasion of the celebration of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Settlement of Lynn, June 17, 1879. He seemed greatly to enjoy the proceedings, and as the open carriage in which he sat moved along in the procession, on that pleasant forenoon, was in fine spirits and highly interested in observing the many evidences of thrift and improvement.
His wife was Rachel C., a daughter of Timothy Bancroft, and they were the parents of nine children, only two of whom sur- vived him.
NEWHALL, THOMAS and ANTHONY. These two individuals, who were among the earliest settlers of Lynn, were brothers ; and the first white child born within our borders was a son of the former, who, at his baptism, which took place immediately after the arrival of Rev. Mr. Bachelor, received the name of Thomas, a name which seems to have been a favorite in the family as far back as it can be traced. In the 1865 edition of our History of Lynn may be found such genealogical references as will enable many of the line living at this day, to trace their kinship. Dr. James A. Emmerton and Henry F. Waters, Esq., of Salem, a few years since, in their researches in the old country, found in the English archieves, the will of Thomas Newhall, dated in 1498, and proved April 22, 1499; and from that testator, it is concluded, the Newhalls of Lynn descended. The will is in
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Latin, and names the testator's brother Hugo, his daughters Margaret and Elizabeth, and other females, who may have been married daughters. It also names William, Stephen, and Thomas Nexhall. To the latter, one cow is bequeathed. The executors nominated are, " Thomas Newhall and Emmota my wife." That the testator was a devout churchman is indicated by this bequest : " My soul to God, the blessed Mary and all the saints, and my body to be buried in the chapel of Witton." And to the " Abbat and Convent of the Blessed Mary of Vale Royal, 5 marcas," are given. If the worthy old yeoman could have anticipated the extent to which his New England descendants would have swerved from the faith he cherished, it is feared that he would not have left the world in a particularly serene state of mind.
Oliver Cromwell seems to have been the owner of a manor called Newhall ; and indeed the writer remembers to have seen the names "Croumwell" and Newhall in some way connected far back in English history. But the Protector, finding the possession yielding but little, or perhaps being pushed for means, in 1656 expressed a desire to dispose of the estate. The following letter to his son-in-law, a photographic copy of which is in the Mint Museum, at Philadelphia, is upon the subject : " Sonn -, you knowe there hath often beene a desire to sell New-hall, because in these 4 years past it hath yielded very little or noe proffit att all, nor ever did I heare you ever liked it for a seate. It seems there may be a chapman had whoe will give 18.000/. it shall be either layed out where you shall desire, at M' Wallop's or elsewhere and the monie put into Spoffer's hands in trust to be soe disposed or I shall settle Burleigh wch yields me 1260 to 1300 L. besides the woods. Waterhouse will give you further information. I rest yr lovinge ffather OLIVER, P.
" My love to yr father and mother and your dear wife. May 29, 1656."
There has been a question whether the names NEWHALL and NEWELL were originally identical. Many have contended that they were not ; yet there is a will of Thomas Newell, proved 24 September, 1529, which mentions the testator's sister Margaret Newhall. Must not this same Thomas Newell have been the son and executor of the Thomas Newhall before named, for we see that he had a sister Margaret? If the names were originally
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separate, it is quite certain that they were. sometimes used inter- changeably, perhaps through ignorance, for it is not too much to admit that in the course of generations there may have been even. in that brilliant family, an individual or two who might ignorantly toy with the name. In " Traditions of Edinburgh," by Robert Chambers, it is mentioned that Sir Walter Pringle was raised to the bench in 1718, and called " Lord Newhall."
In Copp's Hill burying ground, Boston, is a grave-stone bear-" ing this inscription :
Here lies buried the Body of NATHANIEL NEWEL Aged 73 years decd Nov ye 29 1731
And upon another stone, in the same burial place is this :
Here lyes Buried the Body of NATHANAEL NEWELL Junr aged 26 years 10 mo & 15 days decd April ye 24th 1717
Now these persons were, without doubt, a grandson and great- grandson of Anthony Newhall, who so early settled in Lynn. Nathaniel the elder, who died in 1731 was born in Lynn, in 1658, and his son was born here, June 11, 1690; these dates appear on the records, and clearly identify the persons, as the family is known to have removed to Boston, in or about 1691, and occupied a house in the vicinity of Copp's Hill. Yet it will be noticed that on the grave-stone of the elder, the name is spelled Newel, and on that of the younger Newell. And, more- over, the christian names are spelled differently ; all which may be attributable to the ignorance or carelessness of the stone-cutter, in connection with the fact that even then not much importance was attached to uniformity in spelling. It will be observed that Nathaniel, jr. died young, but he left a widow. His father was a ship-carpenter, and evidently a man of means and good character. In our notice of Nathaniel Handford, page 142, for whom he received his baptismal name, there appears evidence that great confidence was reposed in him.
Having alluded to the favor with which the baptismal name Thomas has been regarded in the family as far back as the line can readily be traced it may be mentioned that among those now bearing it is Thomas A. Newhall, of Philadelphia, a native of Salem, Mass., a son of Gilbert, and grandson of Col. Ezra,
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of the Revolution. He went to Philadelphia, in 1830, a lad of sixteen years, having previously served for a while in the office of Dana, Fenno and Bolles, money and note brokers, in State street, Boston. In due time, by assiduity and business capacity, he became prosperously established in the home of his adoption, and yet remains there, enjoying the fruit of his industry and the respect of an appreciative community. He is father of one daughter and the patriarchal number of ten sons, several of the latter being established in honorable business around him. Capt. Walter S. Newhall, a commander in the Third Regiment of Penn- sylvania Volunteer Cavalry, during the civil war, and who lost his life in the service, was one of his sons, and one of six brothers who were in the army at the same time, receiving high commen- dation for the spirit and discretion with which they discharged their perilous duties. Lieut. Col. Frederic C. Newhall, another son, was Assistant Adjutant General on the staff of Lieutenant General Sheridan, and served during the entire war, from the fall of 1861, when he entered the army as a Lieutenant, till mustered out, at New Orleans, in 1865. This latter is the author of the volume entitled " With General Sheridan in Lee's Last Cam- paign "- a work forming one of the most valuable contributions to the literature of the war. His graphic description of the expi- ring throes of the Confederate army are almost pathetic. During Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, six of the brothers were at the front ; and the youngest, Charles, being at the Agricultural School, in Centre county, wrote to his father that as there was not time to wait for an answer to his request for permission to "join the other boys," he should go, " knowing it would be all right." Several of the brothers are well-known as among the best American players of the good old English game of cricket, which is still held in high esteem in and about Philadelphia and New York.
In view of the facts stated regarding the family of Mr. Thomas A. Newhall, and others of the surname spoken of in this volume, it will be seen that some of the transplanted Newhalls of the old Lynn stock, have so conducted as to reflect enduring honor on the name, however delinquent we of the indigenous branches have remained.
For many years our Philadelphia friend has taken much inter-
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est in our family history, and for what he has done deserves the thanks of the entire brotherhood. . He was, as just remarked, a grandson of Col. Ezra of the Revolution - the latter being a great-great-grandson of Thomas, the first of European parentage born here. He, Col. Ezra, was Captain of the Lynn Minute Men at the opening of the Revolution, but in consequence of the delay of Col. Pickering from Salem was not present at the battle of Lexington. Nor was he present at the battle of Bunker Hill, as he was attached to Col. Mansfield's regiment, as senior Captain. Col. Mansfield, it will be borne in mind, was cashiered for " remisness and backwardness in the execution of duty," on that memorable occasion. Col. Ezra, in earlier life, was an officer in the French war, under Col. Ruggles. Subsequent to the battle of Bunker Hill, he was Major, then Lieutenant Colonel in Colonel Putnam's Fifth Massachusetts Regiment, and so continued to the end of the war. He was twice married .. His first wife was Sarah Fuller, of Lynn, and his second, Elsie- Breed, also of Lynn. After the establishment of peace, in 1783,. he removed to Salem, purchased an estate on Essex street, and. there resided till his death, which took place on Fast day, April. 5, 1798, at the age of 66 years. He has always been spoken of as a brave and prudent officer, and a worthy and beloved citizen. There is abundant evidence that while in the army he was very popular with his companions in arms. While the regiment was encamped at Winter Hill, some dissatisfaction was manifested concerning the rank of the captains and other officers, as they stood on the brigade major's books. The captains there- fore, on the 27th of August, 1775, held a meeting and voted to " settle the rank of officers by lot, and abide thereby ;" at the same time voting that Captain Ezra Newhall should rank as first Captain.
It may be mentioned in this connection, that Mr. Charles L. Newhall, of Southbridge, Mass., a few years ago undertook the. preparation of a genealogy of the Newhall family and collected. a considerable amount of material, but from some cause was led. to abandon his enterprise, and Mr. Thomas A. Newhall, of whom: we have been speaking, took measures to have the materials thus collected placed in the hands of Henry F. Waters, Esq. of Salem, who diligently followed up the researches, correcting
13
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errors and adding new matter, till a very satisfactory result has been reached, and the wholo will undoubtedly soon appear in print, some portions having been already given to the public among the historical papers of the Essex Institute.
The will of Anthony Newhall, who died in Lynn, January 31. 1656, mentions his son John and grandchildren Richard and Elizabeth Hood. His house was on the east side of Federal street.
NYE, Dr. JAMES M. - a reputable physician and scientist. He died April 21, 1872, aged 53 years. See Annals, 1872.
OLIVER, STEPHEN. Mr. Oliver died at his residence on Blos- som street, March 15, 1875, at the mature age of 89 years. He passed a busy and useful life, and under the old town government was much in public office. Being an active politician, and full of interest in passing events, and withal a ready and racy writer on current local affairs, he exercised considerable influence. During the carlier years of the anti-masonic excitement he was a stalwart advocate of the cause; was one of the most pungent writers in the old Lynn Record ; and was a delegate to the national anti-masonic convention, at Baltimore, which in 1831 nominated William Wirt for the presidency. His zeal in the cause seemed sometimes to outrun his discretion, till it rather suddenly waned, and he became a warm adherent of the whig party. He strongly advocated the re-chartering of the United States Bank. In 1836 and 1840 he was a member of the State Senate ; and for a short time, under President Harrison, post- master. Being diligent and on the whole-though he had " ups and downs " - successful in business, he provided well for a large family, engaging at different periods in various occupa- tions, but chiefly in the retail dry goods and shoe-manufacturing lines.
In one of so much versatility it could hardly be expected that literary aspirations would remain altogether dormant ; and hence, in addition to his political newspaper writings, which, by the way, were usually timely and telling, he sometimes appeared as an essayist or lecturer ; and in all his productions there was a vein of good sense and good nature that secured attention. In
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verse, too, he occasionally beamed forth, one or two of his pro- ductions eliciting favorable comment ; but generally his efforts at versification did not extend beyond the newspaper advertise- ment, where, being stimulated by the exigencies of trade, he was quite felicitous, entirely out-doing a neighbor of his, who, being a sort of rival in business, thought it meet to attempt to rival him in the poetic arena.
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