USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 16
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 16
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 16
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 16
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 16
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 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
157
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 Moode .
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
158 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Ireson. - Jacobs. Fenks.
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
159
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Johnson.
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.
Mr. Jenks was ancestor of a rather remarkable line. Joseph Jenks, Governor of Rhode Island from 1727 to 1732, and who was not only applauded for his executive ability but renowned for his personal appearance, being seven feet and two inches tall, was a grandson of his. The late Rev. Dr. William Jenks, an eminent scholar and author, was likewise a lineal descendant. See Annals, 1662, and other early dates.
JOHNSON, CALEB. Mr. Johnson is well entitled to be called one of the patriarchs of Nahant - Nahant, that charming " little dukedom," which so warmed the imagination of Secretary Ran-
160
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Johnson.
dolph, some two hundred years ago, and inflamed his thirst for its possession. He was born in that section of old Lynn, in December, 1778, and there passed his whole life, with the excep- tion of two years, which he spent in another part of the town, as an apprentice at the trade of shoemaking ; and there he died, in 1867. At the time of his birth there were but three houses on Nahant, and no other house was erected there, till he had attained the age of twenty-two, at which time Capt. Joseph John- son built a large house on the western part, which was kept as a hotel, and which was destroyed by fire, on Sunday morning, August 28, 1803.
Years passed on, and Mr. Johnson remained in the seclusion of his peninsular home, now and then, during the warm season, entertaining individuals or parties who resorted thither for health or recreation, occupying himself chiefly in farming and fishing, by which he gained an ample livelihood.
By-and-by Mr. Tudor and other gentlemen of taste and culture, appreciating the delights of the place, went thither for summer sojourn, and a refined society accumulated. By the rise in the value of lands Mr. Johnson became comparatively wealthy ; and being surrounded by a promising family, possessing a social disposition, and uncommonly good health, he had many sources of enjoyment. In 1791 he married Olive Hartwell, of Charle- mont, and by her had ten children -seven sons and three daughters. His sixth son, William Frederic, was Mayor of Lynn in 1858, and a Senator in 1862 and '63.
JOHNSON, OTIS. Mr. Johnson was a son of Enoch Johnson, by his wife Elizabeth Newhall, and was born in Lynn, in 1802. At the early age of sixteen he left his native place for Petersburg, Va., where he remained till 1820, when he removed to Savannah, Ga. ; and there, by diligence and enterprise was able, by middle life, to accumulate a moderate fortune. His business at the south was successfully continued till 1860, when he returned to his native place for permanent residence. In the mean time, however, he had erected a fine mansion on the westerly side of Federal street, and embellished the grounds with rare flowers, and other tasteful adornments. And every season he busied himself with various experiments in the pleasant and instructive
OTIS JOHNSON MANSION, LYNN.
THE above represents the beautiful residence of the late OTIS JOHNSON. Esq., erected by him in 1831, and was one of the finest of the period. It stood on the westerly side of Federal Street, and was removed to Mall Street, in 1889, giving place to buildings of the Electric Works. See page 160.
161
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Johnson.
mysteries of horticulture. He did much to foster a taste for decorative gardening and the raising of choice fruit ; and for his highly beneficial influence in that direction is certainly worthy of being long remembered. He was not ambitious of the ephem- eral distinction conferred by public office, though he held posi- tions of trust and responsibility ; among them that of director in the City Bank, from the time of its establishment, in 1854, till his death.
In 1824 Mr. Johnson married, at Savannah, Miss Virginia, daughter of Capt. R. G. Taylor, and by her had ten children, four only of whom survived him. He met death, with Christian serenity, at his residence, in Federal street, on the 17th of Feb- ruary, 1870, aged 68, and was mourned for as a man of kindly sympathies, unswerving integrity, and a good citizen. His widow died on the 5th of. February, 1881, aged 78.
JOHNSON, RICHARD. Mr. Johnson was ancestor of the large and worthy family of the name still among us. His homestead estate was at the east end of the Common, and included the site of the present City Hall, together with a number of acres in and about Johnson street, a thoroughfare that perpetuates his name. His eldest son, Samuel, who was born in 1640, and died in 1723, and whose gravestone, though in a dilapidated condition, still remains in the Old Burying Ground, was known as Lieutenant, and earlier as Cornet Johnson. He and his brother Daniel served in the King Philip war, 1676, and both joined in the petition for remuneration presented in 1685. His name likewise appears as one of the official grantees in the Indian deed of Lynn, executed in 1686. The house which he, Samuel, built was a sort of semi- garrison, to which the neighbors might flee in case of any savage demonstration, and will be remembered by many now living as having stood where the present brick house of worship of the First Methodist Society now stands, on the northeast side of Park square.
Nothing more than a glance at our pages of Annals will be needed to show that the Johnson family has all along presented examples of high character and great usefulness. The autograph of the patriarchal settler, Richard, appears on the Armitage Petition, page 106. See Annals, 1635 and other dates.
II
162
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Kcene. Keyser. King.
JOHNSON, WILLIAM F .- seventh Mayor of Lynn - born on Nahant, July 30, 1819. For notice, with portrait, see Centennial Memorial. A fac-simile of his signature is here given.
MmF. Johnson
KEENE, AVIS- a preacher in the Friends' Meeting, some sixty years. She died Oct. 13, 1867, aged 87. See Annals, 1867.
KEENE, GEORGE W. - a conspicuous business man and active in public enterprises. He died March 27, 1874, aged 58. See Annals, 1874.
KERTLAND, PHILIP- the first shoemaker here. His name appears on the Armitage Petition, page 106. See Annals, 1635.
KEYSER, GEORGE- a tanner - called by Mr. Lewis a miller ; perhaps he followed both occupations. His autograph is on the Armitage Petition, page 106. See Annals, 1630. It was in Mr. Keyser's tan-pit that a child of Thomas Newhall was drowned in 1665. "We Robart Potter and John Newhall : understandin by Too Testimonies," say a couple of witnesses in the case, "That Thomas Newhalls chilld was drounded in a pett which pett we heard George Keesar saye he digged : farther we doe Testifie that George Keser had a Tanfatt in that pett. I John Newhall doe furder Testifie that George Keyser did take up his fatt and left the pett open." This tan-pit was on the south side of Boston street, about where the tubular wells were driven, in 1880.
KING, DANIEL. By referring to our Annals, of early dates, various facts may be found concerning the King family, who were located chiefly about Swampscott, though they owned lands in other quarters. King's Beach perpetuates the name. They were an enterprising family, and in addition to farming and fishing, carried on a varied sort of commercial business, their traffic extending even to Barbadoes. Papers are yet to be found among our Essex County files, indicating to some extent the
163
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. King.
nature and course of their trade. In a memorandum dated May 6, 1653, Daniel King, jr. says : " I have Rec. of my cosen William Guy [of London] a parcell of goods amounting to the valew of fforty ffive pounds, ffourteene shillings nine pence starling money, which goods I have Rec : upon the account of Guy as an Ad- venture by him promising to doe my outmost indeuor for the sale of the aforesaid goods, and to make him returns by Chris- mas next, if," &c. But such "ifs" seem to have intervened that a settlement was long delayed, and the matter finally got into court. Five years after, that is, in 1658, his father, Daniel King, makes the following statement : " Boston, this 14 of Au- gust, 1658. These presents Witnes that I, Daniell King of Lyn, Sener, doe aknowledge that Capt. Jnº Peirce, Commander of the Ship Exchang, hath bene with mee and demanded of mee a debt of aboutt forty fiue pounds which my sone Daniell did Receive in goods of Mr Wm Guy, of London, haberdasher ; and my Answer is that my sone Daniel is gone to burbados and hath carried with him goods in order to the making the Returne much more then I can judge will Ballance that acco. And I hope either by this time or very sudenly hee will Returne a satisfactory acco."
Two years after the foregoing, namely, in 1660, Mrs. Elizabeth King, mother of the delinquent Daniel, jr., comes to the rescue of her son's credit and reputation in the following propitiatory epistle to her nephew Guy: "from Linn, in New England, Decembr the 28th, 1660 . ... After Respeckts presented these earr to lett you under stand that yours wee have receued, Return you Manny thanks for your patiente lines But being much troubled that wee yett cannot Answer your ends According to your expectations. Many ways wee have tryed, By Barbudoes, By Bills of Exchange, & By getting of Bever, for you, But as yet cannot proceure anny of them. But By the next shepping I hoape wee shall find out some way or other whereby you shall haue sattisfacktion ; my sonn Ralph & my sonn Blaenny douth Intend if pleas god the liue and doe well to com for England ; soe hoaping that you will bee pleased to Ad one mitt of patience unto your Aboundance which you have had soe.
" Resting and Remaining your Ever Loueing
Ante tell Death,
ELIZABETH KING."
164 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Laughton. Leonard. Lewis.
The " sonn Ralph " was successful in his business, and accu- mulated quite a property for those times. The inventory of his estate, taken July 8, 1689, by Rev. Mr. Shepard, William Bas- sett, and John Ballard, gives an amount of £2365 4s. The inventory of the estate of Daniel King, senior, who died May 28, 1672, gives an amount of £1528 9s.
Ralph King's name appears first among the grantees in the Indian deed of Lynn.
KITTREDGE, Dr. EDWARD A. - a physician and humorous writer. He died in Newton, Feb. 25, 1869, aged 58. See An- nals, 1869.
LAUGHTON, THOMAS. The name of this prominent settler, like the names of many others, was in old times spelled in various ways. He was elected Town Clerk in 1672, and remained in the office several years ; was likewise a Selectman for a number of years, and a Representative some ten. He held several other responsible offices ; was a farmer, and lived on Franklin street. Laighton street took its name from him. See Annals, 1635, and other early dates. His name is on the Armitage Petition ; and a fac-simile, taken from a signature of his made in 1668, follows.
Thomas Laughton
LEONARD, HENRY and JAMES. These brothers were connected with the ancient iron works on Saugus river, and became prom- inent in the iron manufacture of New England. See Annals, 1642.
LEWIS, ALONZO. A pretty full biographical sketch of Mr. Lewis the bard and historian, may be found in the 1865 edition of our History of Lynn. And in the Centennial Memorial a shorter sketch, with a portrait, may be found. It has been stated that Mr. Lewis, on one or two occasions, in early life, left his native place to seek his fortune elsewhere. His strong natural attachment to his home, however, always prevailed, and after a brief absence he was soon again among us. In 1832, at the age of 38, he removed with the determination, undoubtedly, to permanently reside abroad ; and the writer well remembers
165
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Lewis.
his emotion as he handed him the following touching lines for publication. But after an absence of a few months we were again favored by his presence ; and it is not recollected that he had, during the remainder of his life, any disposition to withdraw from the attractive scenes of his native place, its sunny hills and silvery streams, or to pitch his tent on any spot where the sound of old Ocean's harp could not be heard. We have always been impressed with the belief that the fourth stanza was founded on a singularly false apprehension, arising in an extremely sensitive mind. He had friends ; strong and loving friends ; and no real foes ; though there were those who could not avoid sometimes expressing annoyance at eccentricities which occasionally could hardly be called unobtrusive.
THE BARD'S FAREWELL.
Farewell ye streams, ye dear loved streams, Where I in childhood played, Upon whose marge my youthful dreams Have blest the peaceful shade. No more to hear your rippling song Shall I delighted bend, Nor with the loved your banks along In twilight converse wend.
Farewell ye hills whose dewy brow These early feet have kist While silent ocean lay below Half hid in sleeping mist. Your sunny tops at distance far These anxious eyes may view, But never shall the morning star Our vanished joys renew.
Ye early friends, to whom this heart Affection long has bound, The day has come when we must part, And share affection's wound. Your hopes o'er other joys may bloom, Your hearts with friendship swell ; But mine shall give no other room To aught, except - farewell !
And ye, without a cause my foes, As o'er life's waves I glide, May haply think upon the woes With which ye swelled the tide ;
166
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Lewis.
The injured heart that would have died Your slightest griefs to quell,
Shall breathe from out its bleeding side Forgiveness - and farewell.
As when the purple ocean flower From off its rock is torn,
Submissive to the tempest's power, By which 'tis onward borne, So shall my heart sustain the storm Its hopes in vain would quell,
And dying, breathe in accents warm, My friends -my home -farewell !
No extended notice of Mr. Lewis is required here, as the sketches already referred to will furnish sufficient information to meet all ordinary inquiries. But no more appropriate place will be found for the introduction of a pictorial view of the house in which he was born. It still stands on the north side of Boston street, nearly opposite Bridge. The writer well remembers it for at least sixty-five years, during which time the exterior has been a little modernized about the door-way, and the blinds have been added. The fence, likewise, is somewhat more artistic than the one Mr. Lewis built with his own hands, some forty years ago. We seem now to see him sitting in that door-way, just as he sat three score years since, in "contemplative mood," enjoying the cool of a summer morning, as we went whistling along towards the cow pasture.
BIRTHPLACE OF ALONZO LEWIS.
Mr. Lewis was born on the 28th of August, 1794, and died on the 21st of January, 1861. And it may be of interest here to
167
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Lightfoot. Longley.
reproduce a picture of the sea-side cottage in which he died, though it appears in our 1865 edition.
COTTAGE IN WHICH MR. LEWIS DIED.
Mr. Lewis was a fine penman, and somewhat ornate in his signature, as the appended fac-simile shows.
Monito Lines. penis
LEWIS, JACOB M .- the fourteenth Mayor of Lynn. He is a native of the place, was born on the 13th of October, 1823, and served in the mayoralty four terms. For biographical sketch, with portrait, see Centennial Memorial. A fac-simile of his signature is here given.
1 tacoto Me. Lewis
LIGHTFOOT, FRANCIS - whose autograph appears upon the Armitage Petition, page 106, was a man of small means, but respectable character. He died in 1646. See Annals, 1635.
LONGLEY, WILLIAM. This was no doubt the same individual who figured so strangely in the land claim spoken of in our An- nals, under date 1638 ; and his name is on the Armitage Petition. The Longleys seem to have been often at war with their neigh- bors on account of land claims. Thomas Newhall, so often
168
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Longley.
alluded to as the first white person born in Lynn, and who from all that appears was far from being of a quarrelsome disposition, was prosecuted in 1663 for assault and battery committed on the wife of this William Longley while assisting in running a land line. Among other evidence in the case was the following : "The testimony of Elizabeth Newhall ye wife of John Senier, and Mary Haven whoe sayth yt Thomas Newhall Junier was desiered for to howld a poole for to rone a line between Will Longley and John Newhall : ye sayd Thomas Newhall stode on ye land of John Newhalls : then came ye two dafters of ye sayd Longley ; namely Mary Longley & Anna Longley and threue stons at ye sayd Thomas Newhall ; afterwards ye sayd Anna toke up a peace of a pulle & stroke ye sayd Newhall severall blows with it, & presently after ye wife of ye sayd Longley came with a broad axe in hir hand and cam to ye sayd Newhall and violently stroke at ye sayd Newhall with ye axe, but ye sayd Newhall sliped aside & soe ye axe mised him ; o'wise wee cannot but thinke but yt hee had bine much wounded if not killed : then presently after ye wife of Will Longley laid howld upone ye poole with hir two dafters to pull ye poole away from ye sayd Newhall : but ye sayd Newhall pulled ye poole from ym. All this time ye sayd Thomas Newhall did stand upon ye land of John Newhalls. Taken upon oath, 28 Imo '63." The Longleys, in their version, of course gave the affair a different coloring. They testified that Newhall was on one side of their orchard fence, and they on the other ; that they were striving to get the pole from him, all having hold of it ; and one of the daughters goes on to say, "wee had almost pulled the poole out of his hands but his brother John came and helped him and pulled it from us, and after the said Newhall had got the poole again he strucke my mother seueral blows with the poole so that one of her hands was black and blue severall dayes after." It must have been quite a spirited scene there at the orchard fence- the brothers Thomas and John in fierce combat with the sisters Anna and Mary, supported by their belligerent mother. And attention need not be called to the fact madc apparent by this historical scrap, that then petty neighborhood quarrels, with their exaggerated details and strife-engendering tendencies furnished the same sort of unwholesome food for the inferior courts that they do in our day.
169
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Lovering. Lummus.
LOVERING, HENRY B. - the seventeenth Mayor of Lynn - was born in Portsmouth, N. H. April 8, 1841. He was inaugurated January 3d, 1881, and so satisfactorily performed the duties of the office that in December he was elected for a second term. He has been for nearly the whole of his business life connected in some way with the manufacture of shoes. And that he is deemed a citizen of ability and trustworthiness is sufficiently apparent from the responsible positions he has been called to fill. On the 25th of December, 1865, he was united in marriage with Abbie J., a daughter of Harrison Clifford, and has four children During the civil war he served in the Union army twenty-six months. While attached to the Third Massachusetts Cavalry, under Gen. Sheridan, he had the misfortune to lose a leg, at the battle of Winchester. A fac-simile of his autograph is here given.
LUMMUS, Dr. AARON - a skillful physician, who was in prac- tice here nearly fifty years. He lived on Market street, and Tremont street was opened through his orchard. He died Jan. 5, 1831, aged 74. See Annals, 1831.
LUMMUS, AARON - familiarly known as " Judge Lummus" - was a son of Dr. Aaron just named, and his title "Judge," arose from his having long presided as a police magistrate. He was grave and deliberate in the examination of causes, but not over cautious in preventing the accumulation of small. cases. His occupation as a trial justice was superseded by the establishment of the Police Court, in 1849. He was a Methodist minister before assuming the judicial office, and besides preaching was at times connected with denominational publications. He wrote consid- erable, but his writings, as a general thing, were didactic and better calculated to instruct than interest. As a preacher he was sound in doctrine, but not eminent in the way of oratory. We remember hearing his brother, Charles F., who will come next
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