USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > History of Newburyport, Mass., 1764-1905, Volume I > Part 13
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 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
5 Life in a New England Town, p. 137.
I57
AMUSEMENTS
ultimately into a band of stringed instruments, with fife, drum, flutes, and clarinets, for street parades. A concert for the benefit of this organization was given in Phoenix hall, " pro- ceeds to be used for the purchase of musical instruments for members of the association."I
In 18II, a company of equestrian riders came to Newbury- port and exhibited their feats of horsemanship in a temporary pavilion, erected on a vacant lot of land between Harris and Pleasant streets. The following advertisement appeared in the Newburyport Herald, April 30, 1811 :-
NEWBURYPORT CIRCUS.
Mesfrs Cayetano & Co., managers of the Equestrian Company, respect- fully inform the Ladies and Gentlemen of Newburyport and its vicinity that they will have the honor to give a few Representations composed of feats of Horsemanship, Vaulting and Agility, and that they will do all in their power to give general satisfaction. The first Representation will take place tomorrow afternoon, May 1, 1811. This brilliant performance will commence with the Grand Military Manœuvers by eight Riders.
For particulars see Bills of the day. The doors will be opened at half past three o'clock. Performance to begin at half past four. Box tickets I dollar. Pit 50 cents. Children under ten years half price.
This circus was a novelty in Newburyport, and was proba- bly the first one allowed to exhibit within the limits of the town. It remained for more than two weeks, giving per- formances Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays ; the last one on the afternoon of May seventeeth.
NEWBURYPORT CIRCUS
POSITIVELY THE LAST PERFORMANCE. Mrs. Reardon's Third Appearance.
The Managers respectfully inform the public that THIS AFTERNOON will be the last time they shall have the honor to give Representations of Feats of HORSEMANSHIP, VAULTING & AGILITY in this town. The performance will be executed by the whole Company who will do their utmost to give satisfaction and render the exhibition pleasing and bril- liant. It will consist of surprising FEATS OF HORSEMANSHIP, GROUND & LOFTY TUMBLING and exhibitions on the SLACK ROPE in which among
' Newburyport Herald, July 3, 1818.
158
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
other things, Mr. Menial will perform the extraordinary feat of the WHIRLIGIG surrounded by FIRE WORKS : For particulars see bills. Box tickets I Dollar. Pit .50 cents. Children under ten years half price. Tick- ets to be had at the Office of the circus in the afternoon of the perform- ance, or at Mr Stetson's Bar-Room at any time.
Entrance to the Circus from Pleasant street.I
Dramatic entertainments, by amateur actors, occasionally enlivened the long winter evenings and interested and amused the inhabitants of the town. November 26, 1815, "The Thespian Club " presented scenes from the " Merchant of Ven- ice," in Phoenix hall, and in the month of February following, scenes from " Much Ado about Nothing " from "Henry the Fourth," and from the " Two Gentlemen of Verona," in the Academy building, on High street, opposite Fruit street. In December the same club gave several dramatic representations in Phoenix hall. " Doors open at half past five, curtain to rise at half past six."2
Travelling magicians frequently invited their patrons to witness wonderful tricks of legerdemain and "The Emperor of Conjurors " assured the ladies and gentlemen of Newbury- port that they would have an opportunity, " which may not occur again for centuries to come, of witnessing scenes before unknown on the terrestrial globe."3
Capt. Abel Coffin of Newburyport, master of the ship Sachem, arrived in Boston, Sunday, August 16, 1829, from Tringana, Siam. He brought the Siamese twins with him, and subsequently exhibited them in Newburyport.
CURIOSA NATURÆ.
Double Siamese Boys about 18 years old (lately arrived in ship Sach- chem Capt. A. Coffin) the most valuable and extraordinary natural curios- ity ever before presented the Public will be exhibited in Washington Hall, Green Street, on Monday & Tuesday next only.
1 Newburyport Herald, May 17, 1811 ; Reminiscences of a Nonagenarian, p. 259. In December, 1826, a wooden building, on Charter street, was fitted up and occupied for several weeks by a circus company. Stoves were used to heat the building and comfortable seats provided. The doors were open at six o'clock and the performance began at half past six P. M. Newburyport Herald, December 26-29, 1826, and January 9-12, 1827.
2 Newburyport Herald, December 13 and 18, 1816.
8 Newburyport Herald, August 13, 1816.
159
AMUSEMENTS
Hours assigned for exhibition each day from 9 to I o'clock A. M. from 3 to 6 o'clock P. M.
Price of admission 25 cents, children under 12 years of age half price [For farther particulars see Bills].I
The Siamese twins were subsequently exhibited in the principal cities of the United States and Europe. They came again to Newburyport in 1831, and also in 1838. The fol- lowing advertisement appeared in the Newburyport Herald August 14, 1838 :-
NOTICE.
To all persons who made purchase at the Auction sales of the effects of the late Capt. Abel Coffin which took place before and after the death of said Coffin.
When we were in Newburyport in the year 1831 we left at the House of Capt. Abel Coffin a couple of trunks containing Sundry articles belong- ing to us, most of which were presents made to us in England and also in this country, and which we left to be taken care of for us till we should want them. At the time we became of age we wrote to request that these things might be sent to us at New York, but notwithstanding numerous applications these things were withheld from us and we now learn, very much to our surprise, that they were all sold at the first and second auction sales of the effects of Capt. Coffin which took place, as we have understood, in the years 1833 and 1834. No notice was given us of any intention to sell our things, nor can we now ascertain who was the purchaser, nor what prices were procured for those things belonging to us. Being very anxious to become re-possessed of even a few of those things presented to us, any person who may have made a purchase at either of the sales, of any thing bearing our names, or which there may be reason to think belonged to us, will oblige us very much by informing us of the article so purchased, provided they would be willing to let us. have it, and also the cost of it. Letters containing such particulars may be addressed to the Siamese Twins,-P. O. Boston and after the middle of September to P. O. New York.
CHANG-ENG, SIAMESE TWINS.
NEWBURYPORT, Aug. 14, 1838.
1 Newburyport Herald, September 4, 1829.
CHAPTER IV.
1824-1854.
WHEN Newburyport was incorporated, in 1764, it had a population of about twenty-eight hundred. In 1777, the male inhabitants of the town, of sixteen years of age and upwards, numbered seven hundred and eighty-two.1 There were three hundred and ninety-three houses, one hundred and twenty-four barns and one hundred and eighty-one stores in the town in 1781.2
December 15, 1790, the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet, commenting on the facts established by the first census of the United States, made the following statement :-
In this town, according to the late enumeration, the whole number of inhabitants amounts to 4837. The Dwelling Houses are 616. Accord- ing to an enumeration taken in 1784 the number of inhabitants was 41 13 and the Dwelling Houses 430. The whole town measures but 620 acres about 400 of which is taken up for pastures, streets, &c. Its greatest length is one mile and a half, and about half a mile in breadth.3
Since that date, the population has slowly, but steadily, increased. The following table, compiled from the census reports, gives the changes that have taken place since the incorporation of Newburyport, in 1764.4
Province of Massachusetts Bay,
1765 census, 2,882
66
1776
3,681
United States,
1790
66
4,837
1800 66
5,945
66
1810
7,634
1820
6,852
1830
6,375
1 Newburyport (Selectmen's) Records, Aug. 21, 1777.
2 Mass. Archives, vol. 191, p. 351.
3 Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet ( American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass.).
4 Census of the State of Massachusetts, 1895, vol. I., p. 156.
(160)
16I
TOWN CLOCKS
United States,
1840 census,
7,161
66
1850
66
9,572
State of Massachusetts,
1855
13,357
United States,
1860
13,40I
State of Massachusetts,
1865
12,976
United States,
1870
66
12,595
State of Massachusetts,
1875
66
13,323
United States,
1880
66
13,538
State of Massachusetts,
1885
13,716
United States,
1890
13,947
State of Massachusetts,
1895
66
14,552
United States,
1900
66
14,478 I
The population of Newburyport in 1850, according to the census taken in that year, was 9,572 ; and the number added by the annexation of a part of the town of Newbury, in 1851, according to a written statement on file at the state house, in Boston, was 2,842, making the total number 12,414, when the act establishing the city of Newburyport was approved by the governor, May 24, 1851. One year later, the several wards, into which the city was divided, had a total population of 12,866, as follows :- 2
Ward one
2,153
two
2,173
three
2,137
66
four
1,946
five
2,234
six
2,223
12,866
TOWN CLOCKS.
As early as 1735, a clock was purchased for the Third Parish meeting house, in Newbury, then standing near the cen- tre of a triangular lot of land now known as Market square, Newburyport.
[March 10, 1734-5] Voated that Capt William Johnson and doct Nathan Hale should see to git a clocke for sd Parish.3
1 The state census for 1905 will be found in the appendix at the end of this volume.
2 Newburyport Herald, May 14, 1852.
3 " Ould Newbury," p. 433.
162
IIISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
Benjamin Franklin examined the tower, or steeple, of the meeting house after it had been struck by lightning, in 1754, and carefully noted the position of the bell and the clock, in a letter read before the Royal Society of London in 1755.1
September 14, 1773, the inhabitants of Newburyport "voted not to paint and Guild the Dials of the Town Clock," and February 7, 1781, the selectmen paid Daniel Balch, two hun- dred and sixteen pounds "for taking care of and mending the Town clock to January 1, 1781."2 The price of labor and materials was charged in this bill in the depreciated currency of that day. In 1783, the selectmen paid the same person four pounds and sixteen shillings for taking care of the clock for two years.2
In 1785, probably, a clock was placed in the tower of the Presbyterian meeting house on Federal street. It had hex- agonal dials, with a long arrow to mark the hours, but no minute hand. In 1895, this clock was replaced by a new one made by the Howard Clock company of Boston.3
September 28, 1785, the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet published the following notice :-
Last week was placed in the steeple of the North Church, in this town, a clock (made by Simon Willard of Roxbury, Inventor of Patent Jacks) which for the goodness and beauty of the workmanship, and as a Time Keeper is not exceeded by any which have been imported from Europe, notwithstanding its being made at a lower price.4
At a town meeting held March 28, 1832, the question of removing this clock from the meeting house on Titcomb street to a more convenient location at the north end of the town, "agreeable to the petition of J. W. Pierce and others," was referred to a committee, consisting of Ebenezer Moseley, Caleb Cushing and Thomas Perkins.5 This committee reported on the eleventh day of April following that the clock was pur-
1 " Ould Newbury," p. 437.
2 Newburyport (Selectmen's) Records, Book E, p. 47.
3 See Chapter VI. First Presbyterian Society in Newburyport.
4 American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass.
" Newburyport Town Records, vol. III., p. 231.
163
TOWN CLOCKS
chased by subscription and placed in the tower of the meeting house with the consent of the proprietors. Whether it was the property of the town, or of the society owning the meeting house, the committee were unable to determine, and therefore did not consider it prudent to recommend its removal.1
In 1788, an effort was made to secure the appointment of a suitable person " to take care of the clocks in three meeting houses at the expense of the town," but the petitioners were granted " leave to withdraw". March 19, 1806, however, the subject was again brought to the attention of the inhabitants of the town and they voted to keep the clocks in repair and instructed the selectmen to employ a man for that purpose.3 A competent clock maker was undoubtedly engaged to super- intend the work, but his name and term of service are unknown. At a later date, the selectmen appointed Charles H. Balch to take care, of three town clocks and keep them in repair for the year "beginning April 1, 1817."4
Nathaniel Foster had charge of the clocks from April I, 1818, until 1828, and perhaps later. Under the supervision of the selectmen they were kept in running order until the incorporation of the city of Newburyport.
April 24, 1837, the town voted to purchase a clock " agree- ably to the petition of George T. Granger and thirty-nine others," and the selectmen were instructed to provide a con- venient place for it on the westerly side of Market square.5 Ten or twelve years later the clock was removed from the niche it occupied, in the outer wall of a brick building near the foot of Inn street to a more conspicuous position on the mar- ket house. In February, 1896, it was replaced by a new one with an illuminated dial, the gift of John T. Brown, Esq.
The clock on St. Paul's church was purchased with funds received from the executors of the will of the late John Q. A. Williams of Boston, in 1890, and the clock on the meeting house on High street, between Woodland and Chapel streets,
1 Newburyport Town Records, vol. III., p. 238.
2 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 510.
3 Newburyport Town Records, vol. II., p. 335.
4 Newburyport (Selectmen's) Records.
5 Newburyport Town Records, vol. III., p. 360.
I64
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
was placed there in 1895, in memory of Capt. Joshua Hale, for many years a worthy member and deacon of the Belleville Congregational church.
These clocks are now under the care and control of the city council of Newburyport.
CLOCK MAKERS.
In October, 1707, James Batterson, "lately arrived from London," opened a store in Boston for the sale of watches and clocks. In 1712 Benjamin Bagnall made and sold in Bos- ton tall eight-day clocks with hard-wood cases.I
Samuel Mulliken, born in Bradford, Mass., in 1720, removed to Newbury in 1750. He bought a lot of land on Prospect street, and, three years later, an adjoining lot on the corner of that street and Fish (now State) street.2 On this land he built a dwelling house and shop where he made and repaired hall clocks until his death, in 1756.
Daniel Balch, born in Bradford March 14, 1734-5, was the son of Rev. William and Rebecca (Stone) Balch. He married Hannah Clement August 19, 1756, and bought, January 25, 1757, a lot of land in Newbury, with a dwelling house and other buildings thereon, bounded northwesterly by Fish street, northeasterly by land of William Moulton and Moses Little, southeasterly by land lately owned by Samuel Mulliken, southwesterly by Prospect street, northwesterly by land of the late Samuel Mulliken, and southwesterly by land of the said Mulliken to Fish street.3 He was a clock maker by trade, and owned and occupied the above described land, with the dwell- ing house thereon, for more than thirty years. When New- buryport was incorporated, in 1764, this property was includ- ed within the limits of the new town.
An eight-day clock, made by Mr. Balch, is now in the pos- session of Mrs. Stephen P. Bray, in Newburyport. A photo- graph of this clock is reproduced in the half-tone print on the opposite page.
1 Colonial Furniture of New England (Irving Whitall Lyon, 1891).
2 Essex Deeds, book 98, pp. 180, 181.
3 Essex Deeds, book 106, leaf 2.
CLOCK IN THE POSSESSION OF MRS. STEPHEN P. BRAY, NEWBURYPORT.
CLOCK IN THE POSSESSION OF MRS. DAVID A. ANDREWS, NEWBURYPORT.
I66
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
Miss Helen Leighton of Manchester, Illinois, is the owner of a fine specimen of Mr. Balch's handiwork. It was pur- chased by Mr. J. W. Clement, in Newburyport in 1865 or 1870, and taken to Illinois. It has a chime of twelve bells and is still in good running order. When the minute hand reaches twelve on the dial the clock strikes the hour as usual ; when the minute hand arrives at the half-hour the bells play, auto- matically, an old fashioned minuet or psalm tune.
Jonathan Mulliken, born in 1 746, son of Samuel and Susannah Mulliken, bought, in 1774, a lot of land in Newburyport with the buildings thereon, " bounded southeasterly by Fish [now State] street," where he manufactured and sold watches and clocks.' The following advertisement was published in the Essex Journal and Merrimack Packet, May 25, 1774 :- 2
Jonathan Mulliken Informs his customers and others that he still contin- ues to carry on the Clock and Watch making business in all its branches at his shop near the Town House in Newburyport where may be had the best of chimes, or musical clocks, playing seven different Tunes upon twelve bells. Eight day or common one day clocks equal to any import- ed from Great Britain.
Jonathan Mulliken was not only a skillful clock maker, but an ingenious artisan of recognized ability. The " Boston Massacre," engraved by Paul Revere, was reproduced by Mul- liken in a plate of nearly the same size. The two engravings are practically, but not identically the same.3 Mr. Mulliken died in Newburyport June 19, 1782.
Samuel Mulliken, Jr., probably son of John and Susanna (Huse) Mulliken, born in Haverhill September 22, 1761, served apprenticeship with Jonathan Mulliken, clock maker, in Newburyport, and subsequently opened a shop on State street where he sold clocks.4 He married, Aug. 20, 1783, Susan- nah, widow of Jonathan Mulliken. Several years later he
! Essex Deeds, book 123, leaf 232, and book 134, leaf 148. American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass.
3 See Chapter near the close of this volume, entitled "Celebrations of the Bos- ton Massacre and the Fourth of July."
4 Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet, June 1, 1785.
167
CLOCK MAKERS
removed to Salem and then to Lynn. He was postmaster of Lynn from 1803 to 1807.
The clocks made in Newburyport by Samuel Mulliken were equal in style and workmanship to any produced by his predecessors in business. One of them now in the posses- sion of Mr. Herbert A. Wilkins of Salem, Mass., is shown in the half-tone print on page 168.
Daniel Balch, born March 1, 1761, and Thomas Hutchinson Balch, born July 7, 1771, sons of Daniel and Hannah (Clem- ent) Balch, were clock-makers in Newburyport for many years. They had shops in the vicinity of Market square as early as 1796, and probably earlier.I Miss Sarah E. Stickney, resid- ing at No. 3 Spring street, has in her possession a tall eight- day clock, made by Thomas H. Balch, who died previous to August 18, 1818. A photograph of this clock is reproduced in the half-tone print on page 168.
David, son of John and Eunice Wood, was born in Newbury- port July 5, 1766. He was a clock maker, and had a shop as early as 1792 in what is now known as Market square, “near Rev. Mr. Andrews' meeting house."2 He married, Janu- ary 22, 1795, Elizabeth Bird, adopted daughter of Tristram Coffin. In 1796, he bought a lot of land on State street, between Charter and Temple streets, with a dwelling house thereon.3 In 1824, he advertised "new and second-hand clocks for sale " at the shop, to which he had recently removed, on the westerly side of Market square, " opposite the Market house."
Many clocks made by David Wood are still in good running order. One of them, now in the possession of Mrs. David A. Andrews, No. 96 High street, has the name of the maker inscribed upon it, as shown in the half-tone print on page 165.
In 1803, Paine Wingate made and repaired clocks and watches at his shop on Merrimack street, and also bought and sold " silver, gold and old brass."4
' See advertisement in Impartial Herald, March 4, 1796.
2 Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet, June 13, 1792 (Newburyport Public Library).
Essex Deeds, book 160, leaf 138.
4 Advertisement in Newburyport Herald, Dec. 6 and 15, 1803.
CLOCK IN POSSESSION OF HERBERT A. WILKINS, SALEM, MASS.
CLOCK IN POSSESSION OF MISS SARAH E. STICKNEY, NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
169
GOLDSMITHIS AND SILVERSMITHS
Charles Hodge Balch, born in Newburyport October 29, 1787 was a clock and watch maker. He occupied, in 1808, a shop on Merrimack street, previously occupied by Nehemiah Flanders.' In 1817, he was appointed superintendent of the town clocks.
In 1818, Nathaniel Foster opened a store at No. 2 Phoenix building on State street, where he carried on " the clock and watch making business in all its branches."2 Three or four years later, in company with his brother Thomas, under the firm-name of N. & T. Foster, he commenced the manufacture of gold beads, silver ware and jewelry.
.
GOLDSMITHS AND SILVERSMITHS.
As early as 1690, William Moulton was established in busi- ness as a silversmith in that part of Newbury now included within the limits of Newburyport.
Joseph Moulton, goldsmith, son of William Moulton, had a shop and dwelling house on Fish (now State) street as early as 1757.3
William Little a manufacturer of and dealer in silver ware, published the following notice in 1775 :-
Taken, supposed to be stolen, two large SILVER SPOONS, the owners name scratched out; the maker's name on one, E. Davis ; on the other J. Moulton ; they were offered for sale by a man who calls himself William Stewart ; the owner by applying to WILLIAM LITTLE, Goldsmith, and prov- ing them to be his property may have them again, paying the charges.4
William Moulton, born July 12, 1720, son of Joseph Moul- ton, was a goldsmith in Newburyport during the Revolution- ary war. He removed to Marietta, Ohio, in 1788.
Joseph Moulton, born in 1744, son of the last-named William Moulton, manufactured gold beads and silver ware in a shop on the southeasterly side of State street, between Charter and Temple streets.
1 Advertisement in Newburyport Herald, Nov. 15, 1808.
2 Advertisement in Newburyport Herald, April 10, 1818.
3 Essex Deeds, book 126, leaf 280, and book 127, leaf 206.
4 Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet, Aug. 25, 1775 (Newburyport Public Library).
170
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
In 1786, table spoons made by Joseph Moulton, and other articles of value described in the following advertisement were stolen from the summer residence of Tristram Dalton at Pipe. Stave hill.
FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD.
THE Subscriber's Dwelling House in Newbury was broken open this. morning and a considerable sum of money stolen, with about 40 pieces of remarkable copper coin, some of very ancient date and characters.
Some Silver Table Spoons marked " with the maker's name, J. Moul- ton stamped on the handle, and a pair of square silver shoe buckles open work, with two rows of small holes.
Newburyport, June 17, 1786.
TRISTRAM DALTON.I
In 1796, Jonathan Stickney, silversmith and jeweller, had a shop on Water street.2 In 1798, he removed to Middle street, where he made silver ware " in the newest fashion," and repaired old plate.3 Moulton & Bradbury manufactured and sold plated buckles, at wholesale and retail, " at their shop in Merrimack street near Somerby's landing " in 1796.2
In 1807, William Moulton, goldsmith and jeweller, carried on the manufacture of tea spoons, porringers, table spoons and thimbles at his shop on Merrimack street, between Market square and Unicorn street.
May 11, 1813, the following advertisement appeared in the Newburyport Herald and Country Gazette :-
Francis Titcomb silver plate worker, informs his friends and the public that he has taken a shop in Merrimack street, head of Capt. Paul Tit- comb's wharf, where he manufactures Silver Cans, Pitchers, Tumblers, Soup Ladles and every article in the Silver Plate line. Table and Tea. Spoons made at short notice.
In 1815, Theophilus Bradbury and son were manufacturers of soup, sauce and cream ladles, table and tea spoons, sugar basins, tea pots, cream pots and pitchers.4 Abel Moulton was
1 Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet, June 25, 1786 (American Anti- quarian Society, Worcester, Mass.).
2 Impartial Herald, February 23, 1796.
3 Newburyport Herald and Country Gazette, August 31, 1798.
4 Advertisement in Newburyport Herald, April 4, 1815.
17I
GOLDSMITHS AND SILVERSMITHS
also a manufacturer of silver ware in Newburyport at that date. He announced, in the Newburyport Herald, August 18, 1818, that he had removed into the shop with Mr. David Wood, " formerly occupied by the late Mr Thomas H. Balch, where he continues to manufacture spoons and extra fine gold beads. A liberal discount made to whole sale purchasers." " In 1824, in company with John W. Davis, under the firm-name of Moulton and Davis, he manufactured and sold, wholesale and retail, extra fine gold beads and silver tea spoons.I
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.