USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 2
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 2
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 2
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 2
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 2
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There were, indeed, but few Indians in and about Lynn at the time the settlers came, and not half a score who were above the common level. Montowampate, who lived on Sagamore Hill, was a chief who stood much on his dignity. He was married during the year in which the first settlers came, being then twenty years of age. The marriage was celebrated with much barbaric pomp. But a while after, the wife went on a visit to the home of her maidenhood, and when the time for her return came a difficulty arose between the husband and his father-in-law on a point of etiquette, that seemed to threaten serious consequences, to the young couple especially. Matters, however, were finally adjusted and the dusky bride returned to her allegiance. The great question of woman's rights was to some extent involved ; and duty, dignity, and love, seemed to hold as fitful sway in those untutored hearts as in hearts trained to more refined world- liness. Then there was Poquanum, or Black Will, who appears to have been shrewd, venturesome, and unscrupulous ; and by his sale of Nahant to farmer Dexter, for a suit of clothes, left the
15
INTRODUCTION.
town a legacy, in the shape of legal involutions which they would gladly have buried with him.
But the pages of our 1865 volume contain so much of all that is known of the red men who pursued the game in our woods and the fish in our waters, that it would be almost impertinent to enlarge here. Before taking another step along in our history, however, let us say a word or two respecting Indian land titles, which seem to have been of a rambling, uncertain character. The settlers were generally willing to pay for what they occupied ; that is, pay something ; perhaps a hatchet or a hammer for forty acres ; and the pretended owners were seldom averse to selling ; indeed they were much too willing, for they would sell a tract over and over again as long as a purchaser could be found. Some of the chiefs claimed a right in the nature of eminent domain ; a right that seems usually to have been undisputed. The lands, however, were of little direct value to the Indians, for they were not an agricultural nor a pastoral people. The ques- tion of titles was long one of difficulty and dispute. By the spirit of the Charter it was plain enough that the settler could hold by occupation, subject to the native ownership. But perplexity in determining who the right owner was, often arose, for chiefships were so interwoven that nothing appeared clear. Governor Andros assumed that the signature of an Indian was of no more value than the scratch of a bear's claw- and he did what he could to make it so. But it is quite evident that the settlers held otherwise, or were at least anxious to guard against a contingency which they feared might arise.
It was with this feeling, no doubt, that the people of Lynn, in 1686- more than fifty years after the plantation was estab- lished - procured from the heirs of the deceased chief Wenepoy- kin, a release to them of all claim to the lands here, those heirs affirming in their deed that their ancestor was the true and sole owner of " ye land that ye towns of Lynn and Reading aforesaid stand upon, and notwithstanding ye possession of ye English, dwelling in those townships of Lynn and Reading aforesaid." These heirs, it would appear, claimed under the sovereignty of their ancestor, and did not admit that they had been legally dispossessed. The purchasing settlers probably did not much care what they did claim, as the consideration was trifling, and
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INTRODUCTION.
they had no fear of the appearance of others, at that late period, with further claims. And the Indians must have seen of how little value the territory could in the future be to them. Yet to Lynn, this release might prove of the greatest value, in view of the position a new administration might assume. The following are fac-similes of the Indian signatures to the deed.
David Kunkshamooshaw and Abigail his wife.
Cicely alias Su George
Mary Ponham alias Quonopohit. UJames Quonopohit, Mary's husband, was a fair penman, and signed his name in full.]
INDIAN SIGNATURES TO THE DEED OF LYNN.
Here we must bid adieu to our red brethren, ardently hoping that the remaining few of their forlorn and abused race may yet receive what is their just due, be sanctified and redeemed, and finally in the blissful land of reconciliation joyfully meet their arrogant supplanters, they too sanctified and redeemed by the same regerating love.
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Having thus in a necessarily brief and hence somewhat unsat- isfactory manner, spoken of the Northmen and the Indians, we come to greet the European settlers-our own forefathers. And here our " Introduction " may properly end, as in the fol- lowing pages, together with the volume which has gone before, many of the old worthies and their successors of every period down to the present, are summoned in to tell their own stories and illustrate their own times.
ANNALS.
[NOTE. These Annals are continued on from the History of Lynn, published in 1865, in which they begin with the year 1629, the date of the commencement of the settlement.]
1865.
MONDAY, April 3d, was a time of great rejoicing in Lynn, the news of the fall of Richmond, the head quarters of the revolted States, being then received. Bells were rung, cannon fired, flags raised, and bonfires kindled. Many buildings were beautifully illuminated, though the news was not fully confirmed till towards night. The Light Infantry company hastened to show their appreciation of the event, and were soon marching through the streets, with a band of music. Fireworks gleamed in every direc- tion, and the whole city seemed aroused. A bonfire blazed on Sadler's Rock the entire night ; and the material of which it was composed being heavy tarred paper its remains were clearly visible more than fifteen years after. Old High Rock, also, lighted up the adjacent country with her fiery crown.
One week after the above day of rejoicing, namely, April 10, the people were again jubilant, and this time, over the crowning event of the war -the surrender of General Lee, commander of the Confederate forces. The weather, however, not being favorable, the proposed proceedings were somewhat abridged. A procession, composed of military and fire companies, various civic associations and patriotic individuals, moved through the thronged streets, with music and banners. One or two individu- als who were reputed to entertain secession views, or who had indulged in expressions favorable to the rebel cause, were visited with rough threats, and forced to display Union flags. It was proposed to hold a meeting, in the evening, in Lyceum Hall, for speeches and other congratulatory proceedings, but the exhausted condition of some of the leaders and the drenching rain made it expedient to dispense with that part of the programme.
The conspicuous and rather picturesque little wooden building on the summit of High Rock, known as the Observatory, was
(17)
2
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ANNALS OF LYNN - 1865.
burned on the night of April 19; perhaps the work of some patriotic incendiary who took that way of celebrating the anni- versary of the first battle of the Revolution.
News of the assassination of President Lincoln was received in Lynn on Saturday, April 15, and was followed by becom- ing demonstrations of profound sorrow. The Mayor issued a request that all business places should be closed at noon, which was readily complied with, and mourning drapery was freely displayed. The City Council convened carly in the afternoon and adopted resolutions expressive of a deep sense of the nation's bereavement. On Sunday the churches were draped in mourn- ing, and appropriate services held. The city authorities attended the First Methodist church.
At Swampscott, on the arrival of the news of the President's death, one individual, of alleged strong secession proclivities, was so indiscreet as to manifest his satisfaction in such strong terms as to kindle the wrath of his patriotic neighbors, who seized him, and after bedecking him with a coat of tar and feathers set him forth on a compulsory march through the town, bearing a Union flag, large numbers following in procession. He afterwards brought a civil suit for damages, persistently declaring that his expressions were misinterpreted, and recovered judgment for $800.
There were five photographic establishments in Lynn, this year, at which were taken the aggregate number of 38.500 pictures.
An idea of the extent of the lobster trale in this vicinity may be gatherel from the fact that during the year ending May 1, there were taken at Nalant 150.000, and at Swampscott 37.000, which were valued, as taken from the traps, at an average of six cents cach.
The fine mansion on Ocean street, for some time, and until his death, the summer residence of William H. Prescott, the his- torian, was destroyed by fire on Sunday morning, May 7. It belonged to the widow of the historian at the time of its destruc- tion, but was unuccupied.
Mrs. Mary Kirby was killed by falling into a culvert on the Eastern railroad, near Market street, June 14.
On Tuesday afternoon, June 20, the bodies of John S. Joyce, aged 12, and his sister Isabella, aged 14, were buried in one coffin, from St. Stephen's church, where they had been Sunday school scholars. These were the children whose terrible death sent such a thrill through the community. They were found murdered in a piece of woods, in West Roxbury, near Boston, whither they had gone for an afternoon's recreation. No trace of the murderer was discovered.
Daniel Ames, of Lynn, in a sportive wrestling contest with Edward Gibson, at Nahant, June 17, received injuries from which he died two days after.
19
ANNALS OF LYNN - 1865.
Independence was this year celebrated, in Lynn, with more than usual pomp, all parties joining. There was a grand proces- sion, music, speechcs, and in the evening a fine display of fire- works. A balloon ascension was to have taken place from the Common, in the afternoon, but an unfavorable wind rendered it expedient to postpone that, till the sixth, when it took place in a manner highly satisfactory.
The taxation of Lynn, this year, under the United States rev- enue laws, was $626.993.12, being chiefly, of course, on manufac- tures. There were then but about 20.000 inhabitants.
In July, several sharks appeared in Lynn harbor, to the terror of bathers and boatmen. And it may be stated in this connec- tion that the ferocious species known as man-eaters, some times make their unwelcome visits to these waters. In 1819 a boy was fishing near the mouth of Thomas Newhall's creek, so called, at Saugus river, when one of those desperate rovers suddenly sprang towards him with such a momentum as to ground him- self. The affrighted boy, by his shouts attracted the attention of a couple of men at work on the marsh, and they, hastening to the scene with their pitchforks, succeeded in despatching the monster.
A considerable number of whales were observed at different times during the summer moving about in the offing.
During this year there began to be seriously felt the need of a larger number of dwelling houses, especially those suitable for the accommodation of working people. Capitalists had in- vested so largely in government securities, and in enterprises promising greater returns - these being times rather fruitful of speculative schemes - comparatively little was devoted to the erection of tenement houses. A large number of workmen were obliged to come into town in the morning rail-road trains, labor during the day, and return to their distant homes by the evening trains. And the inconvenience was felt for several years.
The number of individuals attached to the Sunday schools of the different religious societies in Lynn, this year, was as follows : First Methodist, 623. St. Mary's (Roman Catholic,) 500. First Universalist, 429. Boston Street Methodist, 322. St. Paul's, (Union Street,) Methodist, 300. First Congregational, 283. High Street Baptist, 225. South Street Methodist, 213. Friends' 200. First Baptist, 190. Second Universalist, 190. Maple Street (Glenmere,) Methodist, 183. Central Congrega- tional (Silsbee Street,) 182, Christian, 160. Tower Hill Chapel, (Congregational,) 159. St. Stephen's, (Episcopal,) IIO. Ches- nut Street, (Congregational,) 110. City Mission, 73. Unitarian, 70. Third Baptist, (Wyoma,) 70. Second Advent, 30. These numbers include officers, teachers and pupils.
Richard S. Fay, of Lynn, died in Liverpool, England, on the
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ANNALS OF LYNN- 1865.
6th of July. He owned and for a number of years occupied the celebrated Mineral Spring estate, in the northeasterly section of the city. Being a gentleman of culture and large means he highly enjoyed life in his romantic retreat, which he greatly improved and beautified. He was a graduate of Harvard, and for some years practised law. In agricultural pursuits he took great interest, imported improved stock, and engaged in many useful experiments. He was affable and generous, and merited and received the esteem of all classes. During the war he con- tributed largely for the Union cause. At the time of his death he had just completed a European tour, and was expecting to return in the steamer which brought the news of his death. The death stroke fell upon him while passing in the street.
Edward Pranker, well known as the proprietor of a large wool- en factory, near the site of the old iron works, in Saugus, died, August 14, at the age of 73. His death was very sudden, he having retired for his accustomed afternoon nap, and being found, a few hours after, in his room, dead. He was a native of Wilt- shire, England, and came to this country while quite a young man, to seek his fortune ; was very successful in his enterprises, after becoming able to begin business on his own account, and accumulated a large fortune.
The number of apple trees in Lynn, this year, was 17.400 and of pear trees, 21.900 ; yet the aggregate value of the fruitage did not exceed $ 16.000.
On the morning of August 31, as a couple of gentlemen were passing from Market street towards Central square, they discov- ered that the inner clothing of a lady before them was on fire, and informed her of the fact in time, probably, to avoid serious injury to her person. How the fire was occasioned remained a mystery.
There were this year owned in Lynn, 720 horses, the average value of each being $ 140.
During the month of August, the shoe business of Lynn exceeded that of any previous month. The total value was $1.200.000 ; and the internal revenue tax for the month was $77.099.62. Business was very active, and would have shown a still greater increase had it been possible to procure a sufficiency of material and workmen.
Gen. Alonzo G. Draper, of Lynn, died on the night of Sept. 3, at Brazos de Santiago, Texas, at which post he had been in command. He was shot from his horse, while riding out, as was supposed by a stray ball from a great distance, no battle being in progress at the time, and lamented by his brethren in arms as a brave and efficient officer. His body was brought to Lynn, and buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, on the 27th, with becoming honors. He was a native of Brattleborough, Vt.
21
ANNALS OF LYNN- 1866.
Very destructive fires raged in the woods of Lynn, Lynnfield, and Saugus, during September, the weather being unusually warm and dry. The woodlands hereabout, as well as in other parts of the country, have, from the period of the early settle- ments, been occasionally swept over by fire, which sometimes originated in the most unaccountable manner. In early colonial years severe laws were made against smoking tobacco in the woods, and various other precautions taken ; yet the fires would occur. Once in a while, it is possible, lightning may have been the cause of the mischief. But recently a French philosopher has suggested that the globules of pitch which exude from the pines may sometimes act as burning lenses and so concentrate the sun's rays that they will produce flame. There is little doubt, however, that in these days the careless use of friction matches is the cause of many of these fires. Very few are aware of the rapidity with which a fire once lighted in the dry litter of a pine forest will spread and get beyond control.
An extraordinary drought prevailed this year. It continued from July 25 to October 15; and had not been equalled for eighty-one years, as meteorologists claimed.
The corner stone of the new City Hall, at the east end of the Common was laid on Tuesday, November 28, in presence of the Mayor, a committee of the City Council, and a small number of other spectators. There was no display. A proposition had been made to have the event marked by grand masonic ceremo- nies, but some of the old anti-masons energetically protesting, they were dispensed with.
The number of deaths in the city during the year was 477.
1866.
On the morning of February 5, Pranker's brick woolen factory, in Saugus, was nearly destroyed by fire. The town having no fire-engine, the flames had gained almost uncontrollable head-way before one could arrive from Lynn.
Dr. Abram Gould, the oldest practising physician in Lynn, died, February 27, aged 58. He was a man of thorough educa- tion and much more than ordinary skill, and had gained an extensive practice. His residence was on Boston street, nearly opposite Cottage.
On the afternoon of June 25, there was a heavy shower, which flooded the streets of Lynn, though Nahant and even Long Beach escaped the visitation. And on the afternoon of the 30th a copious shower took place in the eastern section of the city, while in the western there was scarcely a sprinkling.
General Sherman passed through Lynn on the morning of July 16. An enthusiastic crowd rapidly collected in Central square, and most cordially greeted him. Some climbed upon
22
ANNALS OF LYNN- 1867.
the cars in their eagerness to grasp the hand of the hero of the grand march through the very bowels of the rebellious Confed- eracy. His stay, however, was but momentary. The day was excessively warm, the thermometer in the course of the forenoon reaching to 100 degrees, in the shade.
A rattlesnake, measuring four feet in length, and having ten rattles - thereby showing his age to be thirteen years - was killed in Dungeon pasture, July 29. The reptile attempted to strike his assailant before being despatched.
James R. Newhall succeeded Thomas B. Newhall as Judge of Lynn Police Court, his commission bearing date August 24.
The Central Church edifice, on Silsbee street, was entirely consumed by fire early on Sunday morning, September 9. No- thing of value was saved. It was of wood, built in 1850, and was insured to the amount of $15.000, exclusive of $2.000 on the organ and $500 on the pastor's library. The structure being on elevated land and the spire tall, when the flames enwrapped the whole, the scene was very striking.
On an evening in September, a lady, who was sitting at a window in a house on Ocean street, observed a brilliant meteor descend and strike near the house. She immediately went to the spot and discovered the strange visitant to be white and smelling strongly of sulphur. On being examined by an experienced natu- ralist of Boston it was pronounced to be a genuine aerolite.
A great meteoric shower was predicted to take place on the night of November 12, and public . notice was given that the church bells would be rung to awake the sleepers, if the celestial visitants appearel. But nothing unusual was observed here during that night, though the sky was very clear, In some parts of the world, however, especially in England, a brilliant display occurred, at about the time indicated. At Greenwich, some 12.000 meteors were seen on the morning of the 14th. At Washington, on the same day, at about noon, an extraordinary exhibition took place. In this vicinity, at about the time, an unusual number of " shooting stars " appeared.
1867.
A terrific snow storm occurred on the 17th of January. No storm within twenty-five years bore a comparison to it for severity, with the exception of that on the 18th of January, 1857, when the terrible shipwreck of the Tedesco, at Swampscott, took place, at which time the cold was more intense. The mail carrier between Lynn and Nahant, for ten years, failed in traversing his route only on the occurrence of these two storms,
There was an exceedingly high tide on the 21st of January. It was higher than at any time since the awful night of April 15, 1851, when Minot's Ledge lighthouse was carried away.
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ANNALS OF LYNN- 1867.
On Sunday, March 24th, Rev. Mr. Woods of the Boston Street Methodist Society, and Rev. Mr. Biddle, of the First Uni- versalist, exchanged pulpits. The leading doctrines taught by these two divines being so directly opposite, a good deal of sur- prise was manifested, and not a little feeling on the part of some of the more rigid Methodists. While it was regarded by some as a commendable instance of christian courtesy, by others it was looked upon as a marked instance of waning denominational integrity.
A strange reptile was killed near the head of Sluice pond, in May. It was something more than four feet in length, and in the largest part nearly as thick as a man's wrist. Its back was covered with a horny coat resembling that of a crocodile, the bone making a perceptible ridge.
On the 27th of May, a man, in digging a post hole, in Summer street, exhumed some human bones, which were in such a posi- tion as to indicate that a body had been buried there, in a sitting posture. An arrow head and one or two implements and orna- ments were found with the bones, leading to the conclusion that they were Indian remains.
The new house of worship of the First Baptist Society, a neat structure of wood, in Gothic style, on North Common street, corner of Park, was dedicated June 20.
A beautiful mirage was observed from Long Beach, about noon, on Sunday, June 23.
On the 24th of June- St. John's Day - 30.000 persons were carried over the Eastern Rail-road, without an accident. It was the day of the great masonic celebration, in Boston, when the new temple was dedicated.
A balloon ascension was made from Lynn Common on the afternoon of the 4th of July. The descent was into the water off Swampscott, but the excursionists escaped injury.
Sagamore building, Union street, was nearly destroyed by fire on the night of July 13, it being the third time that it had come near being consumed.
Immense quantities of mackerel appeared in the offing, in July, affording rare sport for amateur fishermen and profitable em- ployment for professional. A whale, some fifty feet in length, and two or three others somewhat smaller, were several times seen ranging about, evidently bent on securing their share. Sev- eral voracious horse-mackerel, with keen appetites, also made their appearance.
A fire occurred in Wyoma village, on the morning of August 3d, on the premises occupied by T. L. Brown and Company, for the wool-pulling business. Property to the value of $18.000 was destroyed.
A swing-tail shark, fifteen feet in length, was taken off Swamp-
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ANNALS OF LYNN - 1867.
scott, in a net, August 10, and sold to Professor Agassiz for fifty dollars.
On the morning of Aug. 10, a flock of flying-fish, some twenty in number, appeared off Nahant, darting about and cliciting much observation, such visitors being very uncommon in this region ; some even declaring that they were never seen here before.
A sun-fish, of the estimated weight of two hundred pounds, was observed sunning himself near Egg Rock, in August.
The encampment of the Second Brigade of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, commenced at Swampscott, on the 3d of Sept. and continued five days.
A Second Advent Camp Meeting, so called, that is a camp meeting of those who believed that the second advent of our Lord would surely take place this year, commenced in Lynn, Sept. 10, and continued a week. On the last day of the meeting consid- crable excitement prevailed, as some of the more sanguine were confidently expecting that before another day the Son of Man would visibly appear.
Avis Keene, widow of Josiah Keene, died in Lynn, Oct. 13, aged 87. She was an accepted preacher of the Friends' society for some sixty years ; was a graceful and influential speaker, and by her blameless life, amiable disposition, and active charities, endeared herself to a very extensive circle of those who did not as well as those who did come within the sphere of her public ministrations.
Richard Gregg, a sober, industrious man, aged 62, was killed on the Eastern Rail-road, near the Pleasant street crossing, on the evening of Oct. 17. He was walking towards home, on the track, and was struck by a locomotive, which broke his skull and caused immediate death.
An interval of beautiful Indian summer, of more than ordinary duration, was experienced in October.
The new City Hall, at the eastern end of the Common - the site being at the time about the centre of the city, both geograph- ically and as regards population - was dedicated on Saturday, Nov. 30. The whole day, was very generally spent as a holiday. Crowds were in the streets, and about the building from morning till near midnight. The day was pleasant, so far as a clear sky and sunlight could make it so, but otherwise so far as a boister- ous northwest wind and clouds of dust could make it.
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