USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newbury > History of Newbury, Mass., 1635-1902 > Part 40
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William Currier, previous to 1840, was associated with Mr. Elisha Briggs in ship-building at the foot of Pillsbury's lane, now Ashland street, Newburyport. Subsequently, he formed a partnership with Donald Mackay, who had been employed by John Currier, jr., to superintend the building of the ship "Huntress " in 1839. Messrs. William Currier and Donald Mackay built in 1842, in the ship-yard owned by Mr. Elisha Briggs, the ship "Courier," 380 tons, and the ship " Ashburton," 449 tons register.
In the following year, William Pickett and Donald Mackay built in the Moggaridge yard the ship "St. George," 845 tons register, and in the year 1844 the ship "John R. Skiddy," 980 tons, and the ship "Joshua Bates," 620 tons register. Mr. Mackay removed to East Boston in 1845, and built there many clipper ships. He died September 10, 1880, and was buried in Oak Hill cemetery, Newburyport.
* The steam propeller " Decatur," owned by Albert Wood, John Porter, and John Wood was enrolled at the custom-house, April 16, 1845 and sailed for Boston on the twenty-first. She was advertised in the Newburyport Herald, May 6, 1845, to make regular trips between Newburyport and Boston, "Joseph Bartlett, master." The side-wheel steamboat "Ohio" was built the next year, and was advertised May 20, 1846 to make two trips to Boston weekly, " Jere- miah Lunt, commander."
t Essex Deeds, book cccxix., leaf 173. # "Ould Newbury," pp. 282-285.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURY
William Currier and James L. Townsend built in the Elisha Briggs yard the bark "Talisman " in 1843, and the ship "St. Patrick " in 1844. They were engaged in active business until 1856, and during that time launched many famous ships, among them in 1853 the "Highflyer " (1, 195 tons) and the " Dreadnaught " (1,414 tons).
December 6, 1849, George W. Jackman, jr., bought of Mary W. and Eleanor Moggaridge land with the buildings thereon, "called the Moggaridge estate."* He also pur- chased the adjoining ship-yard, previously owned by his brother Stephen Jackman, jr., and in 1850 built his first vessel, the bark " Hollander," 525 tons register. He afterwards built in the same yard several large clipper ships, the United States gunboat " Marblehead," the United States steamer " Ascut- ney," and the merchant steamships " Ontario " and " Erie."
In 1851, when the ship-yards at Belleville and Joppa t were set off and annexed to Newburyport, ship-building ceased to be one of the industries of Newbury. The business, however, was continued for many years after that date in Newburyport.
* Essex Deeds, book ccccxx., leaf 235.
t Soon after the incorporation of Newburyport in 1764, that part of Newbury between North, now Oakland, street, Newburyport, and the Artichoke river was called Belleville. The name was frequently mentioned in deeds and advertisements early in the nineteenth century. A ser- mon by Rev. James Miltimore, printed in 1807, has upon the title-page "preached in Belleville in the Fourth Parish of Newbury, at the Dedication of the New Meeting House in that place."
Near the river side between Rolfe's lane, now Ocean avenue, and Cottle's lane, now Brom- field street, the inhabitants of Newbury were mainly occupied in catching and curing fish, and that part of the town was called Joppa, and is still known by that name.
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1
CHAPTER XII.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIAN WARS.
DECEMBER 13, 1636, all the able-bodied men in the colony of Massachusetts Bay, capable of bearing arms, were divided into three regiments : the first composed of men from Bos- ton, Roxbury, Dorchester, Weymouth, and Hingham ; the second, from Charlestown, Newtowne (Cambridge), Water- town, Concord, and Dedham ; the third, from Saugus (Lynn), Salem, Ipswich, and Newbury. John Endicott was appointed colonel of the third regiment, and John Winthrop, jr., lieu- tenant colonel .*
March 9, 1636-7, a watch, or guard, was established for the protection of the inhabitants of Newbury from the attacks of hostile Indians. John Spencer was chosen captain of the company organized at that date .¡ He was discharged May 17, 1637 ; and John Woodbridge was appointed " surveyor of armes," and Edward Woodman, " leiftenant." #
Captain Spencer was evidently a friend and zealous sup- porter of Rev. John Wheelwright and Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, and sympathized with them in their religious views and opinions. He became involved in the bitter controversy that prevailed during the summer of 1637; and, on the twentieth day of November following, he was accused of disloyalty to the government, and was ordered by the General Court to be disarmed. §
November 9, 1639, "Edward Grenliff " was appointed ensign of the company.|| "October 7, 1640, Mr. Woodman of Neweberry [was] released from being leiftenant there." T
May 14, 1645 Mr Symon Bradstreete, Capt Dani : Dennison, Leift Edmund Greenleife, Ensigne John Whittingham, Srgent John Reming- ton, wth divrs othr gentlemn of Ipswich, Neweberry, Rowley, Salsberry & Hampton, out of yir care for ye safety of ye publike weale having
* Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. i., p. 187. t Ibid., vol. i., pp. 190, 191. .# I bid., vol. i., p. 195. § Ibid., vol. i., p. 212. il Ibid., vol. i., p. 279. T Ibid., vol. i., p. 302.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURY
desired of ye cort to joyn ymselves in one company & to have liberty to exercise ymselves at such times as yir occasions will best p'mit & yt such othr librties & priviledges might be granted ym as ye Cort should think meete, for yir better incuragemt & furtherance in so usefull implimt wch request of theirs being considred of is granted as followeth,
1. Inp. Wee do ordr yt Mr Symon Bradstreete, Capt Denison, Leift Greenleife & ye above named gent & such othrs as they shall from time to time take into ye company, shalbe called ye Millitary Company of Ipswich, Neweberry & Rowley .*
On the eleventh day of November, 1647, the General Court adopted the following order : -
It is conceived meete yt ye towne of Newberry should p'sent anothr cheife military office in ye roome of Leift Greenleafe wm they discharge accords to his request.t
The religious controversy between Rev. Thomas Parker and the members of his church in regard to his rights and duties as minister was at that date so fierce and acrimonious that it divided the inhabitants of the town into two nearly equal parties, and rendered it impossible to agree upon a suit- able person to serve as captain. May 10, 1648, " upon the petition of the townes men of Newberry," the General Court passed the following resolution : -
Whereas there is a [controversy] in the towne about the choyce of their captaine, for p'venting of further debate in corte (wch will occasion expence of much p'cious time) & to help on a reconciliation between the now different parties of the towne, they are willing to consent to a new election as aforesaid, so as the towne shall elect two, of wch this Corte may alow one, when they shall thinke fit.#
May 10, 1648 In answer to the petn of the inhabitants of Newberry about the choyce of a Capt it was ordered, that they should p'cede to a new election & make choyse of two men & p'sent their names, of · which the Court might alow one, whom they should thinke fitt: and Major Denison is hereby desired to be p'sent at the election to se it orderly caryed on.§
May 2, 1649 Upon the petition of Newberry Men, it is answered, the petition's not haveing observed the Corts ordr in the election of their
* Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. ii., p. 111. In " The Wonder Working Providence of Sions Saviour," the author states that, when the military organization of Essex and Norfolk counties were united in one regiment, " the Band of Nuberry [was] led by Capt Gerrish, with his antient and experienced Lieutenant Greenlife. . . . the major of the regiment [was) Daniel Denison of Ipswich." (Massachusetts Historical Collections, Second Series, vol. vii., p. 55.)
t Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. ii., p. 215. # Ibid., vol. ii., p. 233. § Ibid., vol. ii., p. 122.
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MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIAN WARS
officers, the Corte cannot alow of their Choyce, but the said petition's have liberty to p'ceed to a newe election according to ordr of Corte, & to p'sent ye names of those whom they shall so elect to the County Corte at Salem or Ipswich to be confirmed .*
May 23, 1651, the General Court passed the following order : -
In ansr to the request of the towne of Newberry itt is ordered that Mr Wm Gerrish shall be their Captaine, and John Pike their leftennant and that the said towne shall goe to a new eleccon for an ensigne when they see meete.+
October 14, 1651 Whereas it was ordred, the last session of this Court, that the towne of Newbery should goe to a new election for theire ensigne, in respect the last choyce was not cleare, which accord- ingly they have done & haue legally made choyce of Benjamin Sweate, which, uppon theire request, this Court doth aproue of for yt place & hereby confirms him therin.#
Mr. William Gerrish, having been elected "lieutenant of the Troop of horse for Essex," was confirmed in that office by the county court held at Ipswich, March 27, 1649.§ Some question having arisen in regard to the validity of the election, the subject was brought to the attention of the General Court May 26, 1658.
In ansr to the petition of the inhabitants of Newbury &c humbly .. craving that they might haue the bennefitt of the law that no man should haue comand of the horse & foote both, that Capt Gerrish may be required to desert the horse & wholly attend the ffoote, or attend the horse & medle no more wth the ffoote, that so they may be excer by him vpon whom they must depend in time of neede, i.e. theire leftnnt allowed & approved of by the Court. The Courte Judgeth it meete to graunt their request. |
On the same day, John Emery, John Webster, and several other inhabitants of Newbury were ordered "to appeare before the General Court in October next, to answer wt is laid . agt them"; and Henry Short, Richard Kent, Richard Knight, Nicholas Noyes, and Anthony Somerby were ordered to attend as witnesses.
* Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. ii., p. 274. t Ibid., vol. iv., part i., p. 47. # Ibid., vol. iii., p. 254.
§ Ipswich Court Records, vol. i., p. 14 C.
! Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. iv., part i., p. 341.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURY
October 19, 1658 the Court having heard the case relating to the military company peticon of Newbury, preferred by Jno Emory, Senr who, with his sonnes, John Emery, Junr & Jno Webster & Solomon Keyes, haue binn so busy & forward to disturbe the peace of the place by their actings in seuerall respects & occationed much trouble to this court in refference thereto, Judg it meete to order that the said John Emory, Senr, Jno Emery, Junr, Jno Webster & Solomon Keyes be seuerally admonished to beware of the like sinfull practizes for time to come, wch this court will not beare: and that they pay the seuerall chardges of theire neighbors at the last Court and this, in coming for releife from such under courses. Costs allowed in all, was fower pounds, eight shillings & ffees .*
Notwithstanding this order of the General Court, military discipline and efficiency was seriously impaired by the dis- sensions and disagreements that continued to disturb the peace and harmony of the church; and May 19, 1669, the subject was again brought to the attention of the deputies, assembled in Boston, and the following vote was then passed : -
In consideration of the distraccons of the military company in New- bury for the better composure & prevention of the increase thereof Major Generall Leueret & Major Dennison are hereby desired & im- powered to inquire into the grounds thereof vpon the place & to doe what to them shall seeme meet & necessary for a peaceable settlement, till next session of this court.t
After many unsuccessful attempts to harmonize the conflict- ing views and opinions that distracted the church, a tempo- rary reconciliation was effected and military officers elected, who were confirmed by the following vote : -
May 31, 1670 This court hauing left it to the care of [John Leverett and Daniel Dennison], Major generalls, to make temporary prouission for military officers at Newbury, who did appoint Archelaus Woodman to be left & Stephen Greenleafe ensigne to the sajd company, which sajd appointment being satisfactory to this court they are hereby confirmed & allowed and are to haue comissions accordingly.#
Daniel Pierce, jr., was chosen sergeant, and Joseph Pike, corporal, at a meeting of the company, held December 14, 1674; § and October 7, 1678, the General Court appointed
* Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. iv., part i., p. 362. t Ibid., vol. iv., part ii., p. 425. # Ibid., vol. iv., part ii., p. 454. .§ Town of Newbury Records.
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MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIAN WARS
" Daniel Pearse Captaine to the ffoote Company in New- berry." *
In 1680, an effort was made to divide the soldiers of New- bury into two companies, and form them, with other companies from Rowley, Bradford, Andover, Topsfield, Salisbury, Ames- bury, and Haverhill, into a regiment under the command of Major-general Dennison .¡ In order to facilitate the organi- zation of these two military companies in Newbury, the Gen- eral Court ordered, May 16, 1683,
. . . that Thomas Noyce be captaine of the second company, Trystram Coffyne, leiftennt & Jacob Tappin, ensigne & that comissions goe out accordingly.#
The subject was again considered by the deputies February 13, 1683-4, when the following vote was passed : -
It is ordered that Major Saltonstall, wth the deputy of Newbery, take care forthwith to make division of the souldjers of Newbery into two companjes in as aequall a manner as they can, and that Capt Peirce & his comission officers shall haue the first choyce.§
The cavalry, or mounted dragoons, in Essex county were also reorganized.
February 13, 1683-4 The Court, considering that the troope belong- ing to Newbury & Rowley is not yet compleated with comission officers doe, therefore, appoint, Mr Richard Dumer captaine, Thomas Lambert, left, & Henry Short cornet of sd troope. ||
At that date the conflict between King Charles II. and the General Court, in regard to the rights and duties of the free- men of the colony of Massachusetts Bay was serious and alarming. It was considered advisable to restore the cross that John Endicott had cut from the flag in 1634. May 31, 1684, Capt. Thomas Noyes, of Newbury, was ordered by Maj. Nathaniel Saltonstall, of Haverhill, "to provide a flight of colours for the foot company, ye ground field or flight whereof is to be green, with a red cross with a white field in Je angle, according to the antient custome of our own English nation, and the English plantations in America and our own
. Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. v., p. 212. t Ibid., vol. v., p. 295. # Ibid., vol. Y., P. 409. § Ibid., vol. v., p. 431. Il Ibid., vol. v., p. 432.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURY
practice in our ships and other vessels. The number or bul- lets to be put into the colours for distinction, may be left out at present without damage in the making of them." *
October 23, 1684, the High Court of Chancery in England entered a decree vacating and annulling the charter of the colony. May 29, 1685, Archelaus Woodman asked to be discharged from the office of lieutenant in " Capt Daniel Pierces company." Stephen Greenleaf was chosen lieutenant ; and Nathaniel Clark, "the oldest sergent in the company," was elected ensign .;
After the appointment of Sir Edmund Andros governor of New England, the military companies of Newbury were in a disorganized condition. Meetings for the election of officers were discontinued, and military drills were abolished, by order of the governor and council. April 18, 1689, Governor Andros was seized and imprisoned in Boston. A few months later, he was sent to England for trial.
July 1, 1689, the inhabitants of Newbury voted " that all our Milletery officers that were in comission upon May 12, 1686 do take ye care and conduct of us in peace and war . . . until we shall have time and opportunity for a farther choyce." # Vacancies were filled with commendable prompt- ness, and the following notices were sent to Hon. Simon Bradstreet, who had, in the mean while, been elected chief magistrate of the provisional government organized in Boston.
To the honoured Governour and Counsell of the Massachusetts . Colony for Newengland
These are to signifie that the troop belonging to Newbury and Rowly being duly Convened for that end ; they did by theyre votes then given in nominate Liftenant Steaven Greenleafe Junr to be Captin of sd troop And quartermaster Daniel Wicom for a lieutenant & Corporall Jonathan Moores to be Cornett ; And John Peirson Junr to be ye quartermaster ; desiring that these persons by them nominated may be allowed and
* Coffin's History of Newbury, p. 141. Judge Sewall was evidently in sympathy with the ministers and magistrates who objected to the use of the cross, as savoring of idolatry or popery. In his diary, under the date of August 20, 1686, he wrote, " I was and am in great exercise about the Cross to be put into the Colours, and afraid if I should have a hand in 't whether it may not hinder my Entrance into the Holy Land."
t Massachusetts Archives, vol. Ixx., p. 138. # Ante, p. 209.
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MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIAN WARS
Confirmed In the respective places to have the conduct of this troop July ye 8th 1689
Attest
JOSEPH PIKE Clerk of ye troop .*
The 2d December 1690 the foot company under my command met and for as much as, by the providence of god, Lieutenant Stephen Greenleaf & Ensign Nathaniel Clark are deceased, they chose Mr Cutting Noyse Lieutenant and Mr. Joseph Knight Ensign desiring the Honourable Court to allow them DANIEL PIERCE, Capt
consented to by the deputies and Governour .*
The 2nd december 1690 The troop In Newbury under ye command of Capt Stephen greenleaf being met together by order of sd Capt they did Nominate Corporal Daniel Lunt to be quartermaster of ye troop.
Attest JOSEPH PIKE Clerk of ye troop. consented to .*
When the new charter was granted, and the province of Massachusetts Bay was established, in 1692, the General Court, by a special act, provided for the reorganization of the militia. All the male inhabitants of Newbury between sixteen and sixty years of age, except ministers, justices of the peace, schoolmasters, and a few other persons, who were exempt by law, were required to do military duty, and, unless legally excused, were compelled to attend annual musters, armed and equipped with muskets, powder, and shot.
After the adoption of the Federal constitution, Congress provided for the enrolment of the militia in the several states. For more than fifty years the law remained in force ; but it gradually fell into disuse, and was finally repealed.
At the present time, the military organizations of the state · of Massachusetts are composed of volunteers who serve with- out compulsion, not gratuitously, but for wages that can hardly be considered remunerative. The old-fashioned militia com- panies have passed away, and none of the new organizations have been formed within the present limits of the town of Newbury.
THE PEQUOT WAR.
At a special session of the General Court held April 18, 1637, it was ordered that "the warr against the Pecoits . . . should bee seriously p'secuted " ; and one hundred and sixty
* Massachusetts Archives, vol. xxxvi., p. 238.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURY
men were chosen out of the several towns, and enrolled for this service.
The Pequot country extended from the Mystic to the Con- necticut river, a distance of about thirty-five miles, and from Long Island sound inland about sixty miles.
The colony of Connecticut organized a company of ninety men, under the command of Capt. John Mason, and called upon the colonies of Massachusetts and Plymouth for aid. Arms and ammunition were provided as speedily as possible ; and, May 17, 1637, Israel Stoughton was elected captain of the Massachusetts company. Eight men were armed and equipped in the town of Newbury for this service.
On the twenty-sixth day of May following, the Connecticut troops attacked and burned a fortification of the Pequots on the Mystic river. More than six hundred Indians perished in the fire or by the sword. Those who escaped were subse- quently overtaken near New Haven ; and all but about seventy of the bravest - who, protected by the darkness, managed to steal away unobserved - surrendered to Capt. Stoughton.
PASSACONNAWAY.
In September, 1642, the inhabitants of the colony of Massachusetts Bay were greatly disturbed by the report that the Indians from the Hudson to the Penobscot rivers had combined to make war upon them. Gov. Winthrop hastily summoned the magistrates and deputies to a special session of the General Court, and ordered that all Indians within the limits of the colony should be disarmed. A warrant was accordingly sent to Ipswich, Rowley, and Newbury " to dis- arm Passaconnaway who lived by Merrimack." *
The Pennacooks occupied territory beyond Pentucket (Haverhill), and were the most powerful tribe in that region. Passaconnaway was their leader and chieftain, "the great Sachem of all the tribes that dwelt in the valley of the Mer- rimack."
Forty armed men attempted to execute the order, but the
* Winthrop's History (edition, 1853), vol. ii., p. 96.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIAN WARS 501
autumn rains and other difficulties prevented. "They could not go to his wigwam, but they came to his son's and took him, which they had warrant for, and a squaw and her child which they had no warrant for." * On their way to New- bury, they led Passaconnaway's son " in a line, but he taking an opportunity, slipped his line and escaped from them."
Fearing that the Indians would be exasperated by these proceedings, the General Court considered it advisable to sur- render the captives.
[September 8, 1642] an order was sent to Leift Greenleafe, or in his absence to Mr Woodman, for sending home the Indian woman & child from Newberry & to send to Passoconnaway for satisfaction.t
"Sergent John Leveret & Sergent Edwd Hutchinson" were instructed to go with guides and interpreters to the Indians living in the vicinity of the Mystic river, and explain to them why the order to disarm Passaconnaway and others had been issued.
You are to informe them of or true intent in disarming the Indians neare us & that wee meane to render them their armes againe when wee are satisfied of their innocensy & that what was done to Passaconnaway his sonne, etc., was through his owne p'vocation & not by any order from us (for wee intended only to speake wth him) & that wee have given order to have his squa & papoose to bee sent whom to him againe.}
September 27, 1642, the General Court ordered that all Indian arms should be restored to their former owners, and . that Passaconnaway should be satisfied. What means were taken to soothe his anger and regain his confidence is un- certain, but he evidently became a steadfast friend.
May 29, 1644 Passaconnaway & his sonnes offering & desiring to come under this government, according to such articles as Cut- shamache & others have formerly bene accepted, they were accepted & he & one of his sonnes subscribed the articles, & he undertooke for the other.§
* Winthrop's History (edition, 1853), vol. ii., p. 96.
t Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. ii., p. 23. # Ibid., p. 24. § Ibid., p. 73.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURY
KING PHILIP'S WAR.
At the beginning of King Philip's war, the Essex county regiment was composed of organized military companies from the following named towns, under the command of Major Daniel Denison : -
Ipswich .
Capt Daniel Denison Lieut Samuel Appleton
Salem (First company)
Capt Joseph Gardner Lieut John Price
Salem (Second company) . . Capt John Corwin Lieut Richard Leach
- Newbury
Capt William Gerrish Lieut John Pike
Rowley .
Capt Samuel Brocklebank Lieut Philip Nelson
Marblehead
Lieut Francis Johnson
Andover
Capt Dudley Bradstreet
Lynn '.
Ensign John Fuller
Beverly .
Capt Thomas Lathrop
Mounted horsemen from Salem and Lynn, under the command of George Corwin, captain, Thomas Putnam, lieu- tenant, and Walter Price, cornet, constituted the first squad- ron ; and a similar number from Ipswich, Rowley, and New- bury, under the command of John Appleton, captain, and John Whipple, cornet, were organized as the second squadron of Essex county troopers .*
From the Suffolk, Middlesex, and Essex county regiments, men were drawn for special service against the Narragansett Indians. They were formed into companies, and officers chosen subject to the approval of the General Court. In the first campaign, the soldiers were mostly from Boston and the towns in that vicinity. They received marching orders June 26, 1675; and the twenty-ninth day of that month was appointed by the governor a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, for the confession of sins, and for the humble supplication of Divine Providence for help to overcome and subdue the hostile Indians.
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