USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1883 Volume > Part 24
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1883 Volume > Part 24
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1883 Volume > Part 24
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1883 Volume > Part 24
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1883 Volume > Part 24
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
PERPLEXITIES AND DUTIES OF AUTHORSHIP. In the Preface to the 1865 editon of our History, a word is said about the labor , and perplexity attending the preparation of a work for the press, especially one in which a multitude of dates and facts appear. Dr. Livingstone, in the preface to his South African Researches says : " Those who have never carried a book through the press can form no idea of the amount of toil it involves." The toil, however, is not so great as the anxiety a careful author must feel to have his statements correct. Dates and facts are not always so readily obtained as the inexperienced may imagine. We remember that once, after a fruitless search for a certain date the thought occurred that it might be found on a grave-stone in the Old Burying Ground. The printer's call for "copy" was imperative ; and so, on a dreary winter night, borrowing a lantern of the undertaker and receiving his comforting caution to beware lest a bullet, intended by some wary watchman for a body-snatcher, should suddenly put a period to the search, we entered the ground, found the stone, and after scraping away the snow, were rewarded by finding the object searched for. This is given only as an illustration of what is often necessary to ensure accuracy, and to bespeak indulgence for trifling errors.
In the Preface first mentioned, too, a word is said about the redundant, inappropriate, and often ridiculous use of titles in which we Americans indulge. The writer has been somewhat sparing in the use of the titular pepper-box, believing that such free application of nominal distinctions seldom adds to the dignity of a name, though sometimes useful for identification. Horace Smith defines " Esquire " as " a title very much in use by vulgar people." But on this subject nothing further need be said here.
254
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
FREE PUBLIC FOREST. GLEN LEWIS. On page 90 of the present volume the reader may find a brief account of a "Camp Day" of the " Exploring Circle." And to the few remarks there made a little something should be added, as the movement has now assumed a rather more definite shape.
The intelligent and public-spirited gentlemen who enlisted in the praise-worthy " Free Public Forest " enterprise, soon formed themselves into a voluntary association, having in view, briefly, the preservation, as far as possible, of the extensive range of forest that traverses our northern border, and its devotion to the free use of the public, forever - a noble purpose, most surely.
The association is not a legally incorporated body, but an entirely voluntary one, and dependent for its success upon the good-will and contributions of the people. Of course, as respon- sibilities increase and perplexing questions arise, it may become necessary to introduce new features into the organization ; but for the present nothing further seems required, as the trustees, in whose hands the general management now rests, are of a character that cannot fail to command the confidence of their fellow-citizens. In time, others, of a different order, may be called to occupy their places, and further safeguards become necessary. Yet, should any rights be invaded, protection may always be found in the courts, for they cannot, if they would, put themselves beyond the jurisdiction of at least a court of equity ; and as to the present officers, we are sure they would not plant themselves outside of the law, if they could, however strong a temptation might arise.
On the thirtieth of May - Memorial Day - 1882, another Camp Day was held, far back in the woods, at which the principal ceremony was the consecration of GLEN LEWIS - a wild and secluded spot in the extensive tract known as Blood Swamp. The ceremonies were of a character similar to those spoken of on page 90, before referred to, with the addition of certain features appropriate to the leading purpose. The day was pleasant, and there, surrounded by the budding beauties of the season, the large company of ladies and gentlemen, youthful and mature, passed some very enjoyable hours in witnessing ceremonials induced by a warm desire to duly honor the memory of Lynn's esteemed historian and bard.
255
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
Whether any present were actuated by awakened consciences, and desired to atone for former neglects, or had any to atone for, may not be inquired into here. But it is not to be denied that Mr. Lewis, during his life, did not receive from the great body of his fellow-citizens the consideration which his talents and services merited. His literary efforts, perhaps we should say aside from his history, were not duly appreciated ; and the pecu- niary returns were meagre. He was keenly alive to the opinions of others, and delighted with expressions of approval, especially when those expressions appeared in print. And his life would have been rendered vastly more happy, if he had received, while among us, but a small portion of the praise that has been awarded since his decease, and which was justly his due. Posthumous acknowledgments are pleasant to the friends of departed ones ; but it is doubtful if the departed themselves can be much moved by them.
The writer is not unmindful of his own short-comings, and in the biographical sketch in the 1865 edition of the History of Lynn, has endeavored to present some of the points of character wherein our friend was clearly misunderstood and consequently misjudged. That Mr. Lewis, especially in the earlier stages of his literary career, was extremely sensitive in matters touching his growing fame, and a little jealous of the aspirations of others, may not be disputed ; nor can it be disputed that occasionally, by some singularly unfortunate assumption, he exposed himself as a conspicuous mark for the shafts of criticism. But his appeals usually had in them such a measure of good sense and such a worthy purpose, that they could be counted as good sced, a little unwisely scattered.
Among other things, with now and then a needlessly tart ex- pression, he deprecated the disposition to undervalue the efforts of natives. In an " open letter" to the writer, dated October I, 1833, and addressed through the columns of a Boston paper, he says : " I have long observed the disposition prevalent in this town, to put down every individual, that was a native of it, who possessed any unfortunate tendency to rising. It is a disposition that appears to prevail in this town more than in any other, with which I am acquainted. Other towns know that the honor of their sons is their own, and they conduct accordingly. If they can
.
256
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
promote the welfare or advancement of an individual, they con- sider that an equal amount is added to their own. But it would seem as if we acted on a principle exactly different ; for it too often happens that they who manifest the greatest degree of public spirit, and do the most for the town, fare the worst."
The foregoing somewhat acidulous sentences it will be no- ticed, were written about fifty years ago. And it may not be improper to ask if there has been much improvement since. The letter was elicited by the only occasion where a disagree- ment between Mr. Lewis and the writer culminated in a news- paper controversy ; and it is believed the result was in no small degree beneficial ; it certainly was to one of us, and perhaps to both. The true theory, undoubtedly is, that every community should make use of the best talent it possesses, whatever the origin ; but a native should not be denied an equal chance, as Mr. Lewis seemed to think he often was. And it certainly does, in some instances, look as if one native thought there never could be a fellow-native equal to a transplanted resident.
It is not easy to determine whether Mr. Lewis preferred fame as a poet or historian. His writings were about as voluminous in one department as the other, though it was apparent that certain critics did not consider him equally successful in both.
Many a time have we looked back to the cheerless day on which the remains of our friend were conveyed to their last resting place, with feelings of deep sadness. The funeral service took place on the twenty-third of January, 1861, in the Central Congregational Meeting-house, on Silsbee street. It was a dreary day, without, though no storm was actually raging ; and within, there was little to relieve the dreariness. The house was cold, and the sombre exercises quite brief. No remarks touching the ability, character, or merits of the departed, were made ; indeed there was nothing beyond the reading of some passages of Scripture, a prayer, and a few strains of sacred mu- sic - such an apparently empty service being very uncommon in a Congregational place of worship, hereabout, on the occasion of a burial, at that period. But the saddest part of the whole was the singularly small attendance. And as, in passing out, we paused in the porch, almost alone, to take a last look upon that manly face, upturned in the casket, we almost fancied that
257
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
the pallid lips would part, and the well-known voice in sorrow ask, "Where, now, are all my worthy friends ?" And what answer could there be, but the chilling echo, "Where ?"
That Mr. Lewis's poetic conceptions led him to admire the picturesque and beautiful in every department of nature, is truc ; but it is likewise true that he had his preferences. The drowsy silence of the woody glen had its attractions ; but as a retreat in which to meditate, he would rather have sought some rocky niche by the sea, where the lulling melody of the peaceful, or the stern harmony of the storm-tossed, waves, was ceaselessly heard. His loved home, against whose very walls the sea murmured its matins and vespers, sufficiently evinces this. And by the sea would he have had his last resting place, pleading therefor in these imploring strains :
O bury me not in the dark old woods, Where the sunbeams never shine ; Where mingles the mist of the mountain floods With the dew of the dismal pine ! But bury me deep by the bright blue sea, I have loved in life so well ; Where the winds may come to my spirit free, And the sound of the ocean shell.
It is hoped that none of the foregoing remarks will be regarded as made without a purpose, or in a captious spirit. The occasion of the consecration of the Glen was a highly interesting one, and forced upon the writer reflections, some of which, thus expressed, may awaken in other minds considerations leading to results beneficial to all of us.
THE MAYFLOWER. In the Calendar of British State Papers, under date April 12, 1588, is found the following : " Thos. San- dyll, Mayor, and Aldermen of King's Lynn, to the Council : Pray them to direct letters to the town of Blakeney and other members of the port which refused to contribute their share towards the furnishing of the ships required. They are willing to furnish the Mayflower, of Lynn, of 150 tons, and a fine pinnace, to join her majesty's fleet." It would probably be esteemed an honor, by some of us, to discover a connection, however remote, between Lynn and the famed Mayflower ; and hence it may be gratifying to have it appear that the vessel here named, was
17
258
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
the renowned little rover the seas that afterwards brought the pilgrims, with their thousands of tons of trumpery to "wild New England's shore." King's Lynn, from which our own city derived its name, was not, indeed, noted for its puritanical pro- clivities, but as "business is business," would no doubt have been ready, for a consideration, to enter into negotiations touch- ing the emigration had they still owned the favored craft. The stated tonnage, though it does not exactly tally, yet comes so near that it may well be taken as some evidence of identity.
FIRST CHURCH CELEBRATION. On the eighth of June, 1882, a very interesting celebration took place - the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the " First Church of Christ in Lynn"-one of the very few churches that have remained steadfast in the faith of the New England fathers. It was something more than a mere society or denominational observance, being one well calculated to enlist the sympathies and stir the feelings of all natives of the town, and to interest all who have a regard for her prosperity and good name.
Yet it must be admitted that the attendance on the various exercises was not so large as might have been expected, the weather, in particular, being propitious. No doubt many forbore to suspend their ordinary avocations, in the belief that the good things to be said would immediately be published in a form that could be perused at any leisure hour. But the absentees lost much in failing to witness features that lay beyond the reporter's skill. They would have been especially pleased with the air of cordiality and Christian fervor that pervaded all the proceed- ings. There was, however, a very fair attendance, and that by no means confined to members of the society. Among the vis- itors from abroad was the Rev. Dr. Henry M. Dexter, one of the most prominent of our New England scholars and divines ; an accomplished antiquary and author of various works, among which is the highly-commended " History of Congregationalism." He is a lineal descendant from farmer Thomas Dexter, who conspicuously figured in our early history, and for a long time kept the town authorities in a disturbed state by persistently urging his claim to the whole territory of Nahant, under a purchase from the Indian sagamore Poquanum - otherwise called
259
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
Duke William, or Black Will -for a suit of clothes, in 1630. As editor of a leading religious paper, Dr. Dexter has done much to defend the ancient " orthodox" faith, against the inroads of modern " liberalism." There were also present other conspic- uous individuals from abroad, some of whom took part in the proceedings.
The exercises consisted of addresses appropriate to the occa- sion, interspersed with sacred music ; the principal address being an historical one by the pastor, Rev. Walter Barton. And at noon an excellent collation was provided, sufficient for the abun- dant supply of all present, who desired to partake. The deco- rations, floral and otherwise, were in good taste, and everything conspired to make the occasion one most enjoyable and pleasant to be remembered.
The following is a list of the ministers of this venerable parish from the commencement of worship here to the present time. 1632, Stephen Bachiler. 1636, Samuel Whiting. 1637, Thomas Cobbet, (colleague.) 1680, Jeremiah Shepard. 1680, Joseph Whiting, (colleague.) 1720, Nathaniel Henchman. 1763, John Treadwell. 178.4, Obadiah Parsons. 1794, Thomas Cushing Thacher. 1813, Isaac Hurd. 1818, Otis Rockwood. 1832, Da- vid Peabody. 1836, Parsons Cooke. 1865, James M. Whiton. 1872, Stephen R. Dennen. 1876, Walter Barton. Rev. Joseph Cook, who afterwards became noted here and in Europe as a lecturer on ethical subjects, was stated minister for some months preceding the settlement of Mr. Dennen.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL WORSHIP. There was no Protestant Episcopal Church edifice in Lynn, for more than two centuries after the settlement began. It was in 1819 that the first attempt to form a Parish was made ; but nothing permanent was effected. In 1836, Christ Church Parish was organized, and during the following year the modest house of worship on North Common street, between Franklin avenue and Hanover street, was conse- crated. It is a wooden structure, faithfully represented by the engraving appended to this notice. But Christ Church Parish did not long sustain itself. In 1844, the now flourishing St. Stephen's Parish was organized, and continued to worship in the old edifice till November, 1881, when the elegant Memorial
260
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
Church. on South Common street, was consecrated, and immedi- ately occupied. This church, the most costly public building yet erected in Lynn, with the exception of the City Hall, was the gift of Hon. Enoch Redington Mudge, of whom a notice may be found in our Annals, under date 1881 ; and under the same date an account of the consecration services appears.
FIRST PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN LYNN. CONSECRATED IN 1837.
The following is a complete list of the ministers who served in this first Episcopal Church in Lynn. 1836, Milton Ward. 1837, George Waters. 1839, Frederic J. W. Pollard. 1841, William A. White, (Lay Reader.) 1844, George D. Wildes. 1846, Isaac W. Hallam. 1860, Edward H. True. 1863, George S. Paine. 1865, Gordon M. Bradley. 1868, Benjamin W. Att- well. 1870, Edward L. Drown. 1876, Louis DeCormis.
ECCLESIASTICAL PROCEEDINGS. In connection with the two next preceding Notes, a few remarks may be made, though it can hardly be required to go much into detail, especially in the matter of statistics, for the carefully prepared works that have of late from time to time appeared, give all the necessary infor- mation. Yet this is perhaps as suitable a place as any for an
261
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
observation or two of a historical nature, designed, so far as they go, to supplement those in our former edition. Lynn, as has already appeared, had her share in the ecclesiastical agitations of the olden time ; but she came forth from her trials as bright as any.
Whoever takes pains to examine the court files, will be satisfied that there always existed an under-tide of free thought which could not be suppressed, however it might be driven to conceal- ment by stormy malediction or by the strong arm of the law. Enough has been said touching the persecutions of the Quakers and Baptists - to say nothing of the antinomian come-outers - for their alleged heresies of opinion ; heresies that were the natural result of the admitted right of individual interpretation of Scripture. " Read your Bible," said the good old father, "and whatsoever doctrine you there find, that follow." "I do, by God's help, honestly and prayerfully," replies the recusant. "O, but you understand and interpret amiss, and cannot be permitted to promulgate your poisonous errors," is the rejoinder. The jurisdictions of church and state were very closely interwoven in the legislative proceedings of our early times ; and hence it has been said, the persecutions for deviation in doctrine were simply punishments by the civil authorities for breaches of positive law. It was, indeed, a time when errors of faith were regarded, all over the Christian world, as offences against the state. The Inquisition itself turned over to the secular authorities subjects for the auto-da-fe. But many of our New England fathers had a more rational conception of human rights, and the true princi- ples of human government, and might reasonably have been ex- pected to avoid those grosser fallacies that elsewhere held sway.
Most of the present shades of belief can easily be traced. And the following instance of the out-cropping of Universalism, that singularly enough seems to have passed on to atheism, which took place as early as 1684, is a case in point, and is found in detail in the county court proceedings : Joseph Gatchell, of Marblehead, "not hauing the feare of God before his eyes, being instigated by the devill, at the house of Jeremiah Gatchell, in discourse ab' generall Salvation (nech he sd was his beleife) & that all men should be saved, being answered that our Saviour christ sent forth his disiples and gave them comission to preach the Gospell, and that whosoever Repents and believes shall be
262
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
saued ; to which Joseph Gatchell Answered if it be so he was an Imperfect saviour and a foole. And this was a yeare agoe and somewhat more, as p' the evidences of Elizabeth Gatchell and since in the moneth of March last past and at other times and places hath uttered seuirall horrid blasphemous speeches saying ther was no God devill or hell as in and by their evidences may appeare, contrary to the peace of our Souiraigne Lord the King his croune and dignity the law of God & of this Jurisdic- tion."
For his utterances Mr. Gatchell was “ sentenced to be returned from this place to the pillory, to have his head and hand put in, have his toung drawn forth out of his mouth and peirct through wth a hott Iron then to be returned to the prison there to Remayne until he sattisfye and pay all ye charges of his tryall and ffees of Court wch came to seuen pounds."
The remark is now often heard that the differences between religious denominations are rapidly lessening ; that the old walls of partition are crumbling. There can be no doubt that this is, in general, quite true. We frequently see Baptists, Methodists, Trinitarian and Unitarian Congregationalists, and others, meeting on the same platform, shaking hands, and congratulating each other on their fraternal nearness. This, though it sometimes seems to arise rather from indifference to any religion at all, than from true spirituality, is, at least in a social view, an im- provement on the old, inflexible ways.
There are at present in Lynn twenty-five religious societies, standing denominationally as follows :
Methodist, (1 African) 7 | Protestant Episcopal, . I
Baptist, .
5 Congregational, (Unitarian) I
Congregational, (Trinitarian) 4
Friends'
I Roman Catholic,
2
Second Advent,
I Universalist, 2 Christian, I
REV. SAMUEL KERTLAND, who, by request of the Provincial Congress, labored with the Indians of the Six Nations, at the opening of the Revolution, to induce them to espouse the Ame- rican cause, and was to a considerable extent successful, espe- cially with the Oneidas, was a direct descendant from Philip Kertland, the first Lynn shoemaker. Kertland street, has the honor of perpetuating the name.
263
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
IMMIGRATION OF RODENTS. In our Annals, under date 1861, appears some account of the famous Nahant Hotel, a huge structure, which, after an unsuccessful career of some years, as a watering-place hotel, was destroyed by fire on the night of Sep- tember 12, of that year. Romantic stories were long current about the annual emigration of rats from Lynn, to its hospitable precincts. An old resident solemnly affirmed that he had seen troops of the gluttonous animals wending their way over the beaches towards those luxurious quarters on the opening of the season ; asserting, with a positiveness that he seemed to think ought to insure belief, that on one occasion he had seen an old blind rat with a long straw in his mouth, by which some of the younger ones piloted him along. Rats are known to be remark- ably sagacious animals, and of extraordinary acuteness of scent. Some may have been toled up from their hiding places among the rocks ; but travelling over the beaches is quite another thing. The story, however, is not more wonderful than some other stories told of transactions about that celebrated house.
The oldest portion of this Hotel was built in 1819; and by a marvelous coincidence - perhaps we should say gracious prov- idence - it was hardly finished when the astounding news of the first appearance of the sca-serpent in the offing, took the country by surprise.
In the first edition [1829] of the History of Lynn appeared a fine engraving of the house as it then stood - picturesque and beautiful - with its airy piazzas and sunny surroundings. And in the 1865 edition there was an engraving of it as it appeared at the time of its destruction, in 1861. The history of this noted establishment furnishes some weighty lessons for enter- prising landlords to ponder over.
DEFENSE OF BOSTON. At the building of the fort in Boston harbor, in 1813, some eighty-five of the patriotic men of Lynn volunteered to labor on the works, one day. Early in the morn- ing they left town, with drum and fife, rode to Winnesimmet ferry, and were thence taken by boats to the fortification, where they industriously worked during the day, and marched home about nine o'clock in the evening, in jolly trim, as might have been expected from such an expedition.
264
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
LYNN POST-OFFICE. The Post-office was established in 1793, the population being then about 2.500 - including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant. Ebenezer Breed, a native of the section now known as West Lynn, and who was at that time a prominent business man in Philadelphia, but who became reduced, and died in our alms-house, on the 23d of December, 1839, at the age of 74, was chiefly instrumental in securing its establishment. Previously to that time the Lynn people received their mail matter at Boston. It was ten years before the Turn- pike was opened, and forty-five before the Rail-road was built, Boston street still being the chief avenue of travel and business. A biographical notice of Mr. Breed may be found in the 1865 edition of our History.
Col. James Robinson was the first post-master. He lived in the ancient house, built in or about the year 1700, still standing on Boston street at the south-east corner of North Federal, and kept the office in a small building near the house. A large family of sons and daughters were there born to him, and the writer holds occasional correspondence with descendants of his now dwelling in widely separated and distant parts of the country, where they maintain honorable positions. Like many others who in active manhood did much to advance the interests of Lynn, he died in indigence and comparative obscurity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.