USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > History of Newburyport, Mass., 1764-1905, Volume I > Part 32
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424
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
April 21, 1895, Hon. William D. Northend delivered a memo- rial address on the life and character of Hon. Eben F. Stone ; and November 16, 1902, many citizens prominent in business and professional life met in the same place to pay a tribute of respect and esteem to the memory of Hon. Elisha P. Dodge.1
CELEBRATION OF WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
Some of the earnest friends and supporters of Washington, realizing that he was soon to retire to private life, determined, early in the year 1796, to celebrate, in Newburyport, the an- niversary of his birth.
At the desire of several gentlemen it is requested of those who incline to meet in celebration of the Birthday of the President on Monday next, the 22nd inst, that they call or send and enter their names by Saturday noon, or before, with Mr Richardson at the Union Hall where it is proposed to dine on that day at 2 o'clock.2
The announcement was received with favor and met with a hearty response. The firing of cannon, the ringing of bells and the beating of drums aroused the patriotic citizens of New- buryport on the morning of February twenty-second. Flags were displayed by vessels in the harbor and floated gracefully over public buildings and private houses in the centre of the town. Dinner was served in Union hall, on Green street, at which toasts were drank, in honor of Washington, and a large number of merchants and mechanics sat down to a similar re- past in Davenport's inn, otherwise known as Wolfe tavern.3
The twenty-second day of February, 1797, was celebrated in the same way, by the ringing of bells and the firing of can- non. A company of cavalry, under the command of Capt. Abel Boardman, paraded and partook of a dinner at Hoyt's tavern, where toasts were proposed and briefly responded to.4
1 For further details relating to the memorial services held April 21, 1895, and November 16, 1902, see pamphlet, reports of the same, published a few months after the dates named.
2 Impartial Herald, February 19, 1796.
8 Impartial Herald, February 23, 1796.
4 Impartial Herald, February 24, 1797 (American Antiquarian Society, Wor- cester, Mass.).
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CELEBRATION OF WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY
February 22, 1814, the Washington Benevolent society as- sembled at the town hall and proceeded, under military escort to the meeting house on Pleasant street, where several patriotic odes were sung, and Stephen Hooper, Esq., delivered an elo- quent oration.'
The centennial anniversary of Washington's birth was celebrated in Newburyport February 22, 1832. The select- men and other town officers, with the members of the Marine, Humane and Howard Benevolent societies were escorted by the Newburyport Artillery and the Washington Light Infan- try from the town hall on State street, through Market square and Merrimack street to Green street, and thence to the meeting house on Pleasant street, where Washington's fare- well address was read by Roger S. Howard, original hymns by Hannah F. Gould were sung, and an oration on the life and character of Washington was delivered by Rev. Thomas B. Fox.
In 1856, the twenty-second day of February was made a legal holiday in the state of Massachusetts.2 Since that date there have been at least two noteworthy celebrations of the day in Newburyport. February 22, 1862, at the suggestion of Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States, flags were displayed on the public buildings and private residences, and the church bells were rung for half an hour, morning, noon and night. A public meeting was held in the Prospect Street meeting house. Washington's farewell address was read by Rev. Samuel J. Spalding, patriotic songs were sung, and congratulatory speeches made on the capture of Fort Donelson by the Union forces under General Grant. In the evening many private residences were brilliantly illum- inated.
February 22, 1879, a statue of Washington, by John Q. A. Ward, was presented to the city of Newburyport. On account of the severity of the weather the presentation exer- cises were held in City hall. An address, with a series of reso- lutions adopted by the sons of Newburyport residing in the
1 Newburyport Herald and Country Gazette, February 25, 1814.
2 Acts and Resolves, 1856, ch. 113.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
city and state of New York, was read by Rev. George D. Wildes, D. D., of Riverdale, N. Y. A hymn, composed for the occasion, was sung by a chorus of male and female voices and the Right Reverend Thomas M. Clark, D. D., bishop of Rhode Island, delivered an eloquent oration on the life and character of Washington. The presentation speech, made by Edward F. Coffin, representing Daniel I. Tenney, Esq., of New York, the donor of the statue, was responded to by the mayor, Hon. John J. Currier. At the close of the exercises in the hall, the members of the city government, with invited guests, in carriages, were escorted by the first battalion of the Eighth regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer militia, con- sisting of the Cushing Guards and City Cadets of Newbury- port, the Sherman Cadets of Lawrence, and the Haverhill City Guard, to the southeasterly end of Bartlet Mall, where the statue was unveiled while the band played " Hail to the Chief," and a detachment of the Newburyport Artillery company fired a salute of thirteen guns.I
ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
The stirring events that followed the killing of four, and the wounding of seven, men in the streets of Boston on the evening of March 5, 1770, created considerable excitement in Newburyport and led to the annual observance of the day for several consecutive years.
[March, 1773] On the Evening of the 5th Instant the several Bells here were tolled from 7 o'clock to 9, and two Drums muffled were beat through the streets and a number of young Persons followed in Proces- sions with as much Solemnity as if they had been attending a Funeral.2
In 1774, arrangements were made for a more elaborate cel- ebration :---
The day was ushered in by the tolling of the bells. From seven to ten o'clock the bells ceased, then began again and tolled until eleven, at
1 For additional facts and details relating to the presentation of the statue of Washington to the city of Newburyport, see pamphlet printed by order of the city council in 1879.
2 Communication published in the Essex Gazette March 30 - April 6, 1773 (Essex Institute, Salem).
427
ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE
which time a great number of people of this town, and of towns in the vicinity, assembled at the Rev. Mr. Parsons' Meeting House,I at which place, at the request of the sons of liberty, Mr Parsons gave a discourse exceedingly well adapted to the times, from Galatians 5th c. and Ist v : Stand fast therefore in the liberty in which Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
The service was introduced by an anthem and ended by an elegy com- posed for the occasion. In the evening the bells tolled again, which served at the same time, not only to keep in mind that tragical evening which we were commemorating, but to solemnize and prepare our minds, if duly meditated on, for the approaching Sabbath.2
Mr. Parsons' sermon, " dedicated to the Hon. John Han- cock, Esq., of Boston," was printed by Isaiah Thomas and H. W. Tinges, and was, probably, the first book or pamphlet printed in Newburyport.3
Wednesday, March 8, 1775, Rev. Oliver Noble, " pastor of a church in Newbury," preached to a large congregation as- sembled in the North meeting house, Newburyport, a sermon in commemoration of the Boston massacre, from the text : " Wherein the King granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together and to stand for their life to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish all the power of the people and province that would assault them." Book of Esther, VIII., II.4
Paul Revere published a colored engraving of " The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street, Boston," which had a large sale. A similar engraving, slightly smaller in size, was printed from a plate made by Jonathan Mulliken, in Newbury- port, previous to 1782.5 The Revere plate is one eighth of an inch longer and wider than the Mulliken plate and there is a marked difference in the line work of the two plates. The half-tone print on the next page is taken from a very
1 First Presbyterian meeting house, Federal street.
2 Essex Journal and Merrimack Packet, Wednesday, March 9, 1774.
8 A copy of this pamphlet is in the library of the American Antiquarian Socie- ty, Worcester Mass.
4 This sermon was printed in Newburyport " by E. Lunt and H. W. Tinges MDCCLXXV " (American Antiquarian Society, Worcester). A brief announce- ment of the meeting was published in the Essex Journal and Merrimack Packet March 8, 1775.
5 Jonathan Mulliken died June 19, 1782. See p. 166.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
rare colored engraving of the massacre recently in the posses- sion of Alfred S. Manson, Esq., of Boston.1
The BLOODY MASSACRE
5
Lán fierce Bazbrziam goinging da then Preyt
Approvethe Garageand enjoy the Day-
diThe wounded wantthem Onest Most Jour CLARK: . Really
CELEBRATION OF JULY FOURTH.
After the declaration of independence, the anniversary of the Boston massacre was allowed to pass unnoticed in New
1 This engraving, enclosed in a small black antique frame, twelve inches wide and eighteen inches long, was sold in Boston April 6, 1904, by C. F. Libbie & Co., auctioneers for three hundred and seventeen dollars and fifty cents.
William L. Andrews refers to an engraving of the Boston Massacre, by "Milli- ken," in his account of " Paul Revere and his Engravings," page 115, and says it was published about 1830, but the engraver's name is misspelled and the date is evidently incorrect.
A letter, dated at Boston, March 29, 1770, from Henry Pelham to Paul Revere, in regard to a drawing made by the writer of the letter, accuses Revere of stealing his design and " cutting " a plate of the Boston Massacre without his (Pelham's) consent (Massachusetts Historical Society Proceedings for May, 1893).
429
CELEBRATION OF JULY FOURTH
buryport. July 1, 1777, the representatives and councillors of the state of Massachusetts appointed a committee to make arrangements for the celebration of the fourth day of July in Boston, and the following resolution was read and adopted :-
Resolved that some suitable Person be requested to perform Divine Worship & preach a Sermon suitable to the Declaration of the Indepen- dency of the thirteen United States of America on friday next, being the fourth day of July at the Old Brick Meeting House in Boston, service to begin at ten o'clock being the anniversary of the same, and that Col. Crafts Train of Artillery, with two field pieces, and the Militia of the Town of Boston with the Independent Company appear under arms at 12 o'clock of said Day in Congress street, and that the grand salute of 13 cannon be fired at the Castle and by the Train under Col. Crafts in ·Congress street.I
March 25, 1783, the inhabitants of the town of Boston adopted the following preamble and resolution :-
Whereas the Annual Celebration of the Boston Massacre on the 5th of March, 1770, has been found to be of eminent Advantage to the Cause of America in disseminating the Principles of Virtue and Patriotism among her citizens ; and whereas the immediate motives which induced the commemoration of that day do no longer exist in their primitive force; while the Benefits resulting from the Institution, may and ought to be forever preserved by exchanging that anniversary for another, the foun- dations of which will last as long as time endures. It is therefore, Re- solved that the celebration of the fifth of March from henceforward shall cease, and that instead thereof the Anniversary of the 4th Day of July, A. D. 1776 (a Day ever memorable in the Annals of this Country for the declaration of our Independence) shall be constantly celebrated by the Delivery of a Publick Oration in such place as the Town shall determine to be most convenient for that purpose.
The patriotic citizens of Newburyport promptly followed the example of Boston in providing, for many years, an appro- priate celebration for the Fourth of July.
[Wednesday, July 6, 1785] Last Monday, being the anniversary of American Independence, the Artillery Company of this town, genteely dressed in their uniforms, and having their field pieces, celebrated the day in such manner as is customary in other towns on the like occasion .?
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCXIV., p. 337.
2 Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
[July 5, 1786] Yesterday being the anniversary of American Inde- pendence the same was observed in this town as usual.I
The funds needed to defray the cost of these celebrations and those that followed, previous to 1825, were raised by private subscription, but the town authorized the selectmen to furnish powder, at their discretion, to the artillery " to be used on Public Rejoicings & anniversary days."2
On the eighteenth anniversary of American independence, July 4, 1794, flags were displayed by the shipping in the har- bor, the church bells were rung, and a national salute fired by the artillery company. " The first regiment of Militia, under the command of Col. Whittemore, and the Newburyport Ar- tillery under the command of Major Cross paraded."3
July 4, 1796, the militia escorted the artillery company through the principal streets of the town and afterwards sat down to a bountiful repast, at which patriotic toasts were pro- posed and briefly responded to by some of the invited guests.
July 4, 1798, an elaborate dinner was served in a hall that had been recently erected on Deer island, and in the afternoon a procession of young men, headed by Capt. Moses Brown, with a band of musicians, playing upon stringed instruments, marched to the yard where the ship Merrimack was being built for the United States government, and, after listening to a brief, patriotic address from Captain Brown, heartily cheered the carpenters at work there, and then resumed their march followed by a multitude of interested spectators.4
1 Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet.
2 Newburyport Town Records, vol. II., p. 121.
3 Morning Star, July 8, 1794.
4 April 30, 1798, a musical association, consisting of twelve members, six play- ers on the violin, four players on the flute, one on the clarinet and one on the bass viol, was organized. Moses Kimball, a member of the association, states in a diary, now in the possession of Mr. Granville Goodrich of West Newbury, that on the evening of June fourteenth the members went into the belfry of Mr. An- drews' meeting house, then standing in what is now known as Market square, and played several musical selections, and on the evening of June twenty-eighth " they went into the belfry of Mr. Boddily's meeting house [on Harris street] and played for about an hour."
After the parade, July fourth, the musicians passed the evening at Davenport's inn, otherwise known as Wolfe tavern, on State street. " About ten o'clock went up to Timothy Dexter's and gave him a serenade. He invited us in and treated us very politely. We also went up into his cupola and played."
43I
CELEBRATION OF JULY FOURTH
At an early hour on the morning of July 4, 1799, the inhab- itants of Newburyport were aroused by the firing of cannon, the beating of drums, and the ringing of bells. From ten o'clock until noon the military companies paraded and subse- quently partook of a collation at the gun house. Dinner was served at Wolfe tavern to a large and enthusiastic gathering of merchants, mechanics and tradesmen.
At sunrise, July 4, 1800, the American flag was displayed by the shipping in the harbor and floated proudly over the public buildings and many private dwelling houses in the town. At twelve o'clock, the artillery company, under the command of Captain Somerby, fired a federal salute. A din- ner at Deer island closed the exercises of the day. Col. John Tracy was president, and Capt. Ebenezer Stocker, vice pres- ident. Toasts were drank and speeches made by some of the prominent citizens of the town, among them Theophilus Par- sons, who removed to Boston a few months later and was sub- sequently appointed chief-justice of the supreme court of Mas- sachusetts.
Saturday, July 4, 1801, the Washington Light Infantry company, organized the previous year, united with the New- buryport Artillery company in celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of American independence. After the morning parade, both companies dined in the gun house then standing at the southeasterly end of Frog pond.
July 4, 1804, there was a military parade in the morning followed by a dinner at Washington hall, on Green street, at noon, and fireworks, under the direction of Mr. Jacob Perkins, on the mall in the evening.
July 4, 1808, a procession of citizens formed on the mall and proceeded under military escort to the meeting house in Pleasant street, where, after prayer by Rev. John Andrews, an address appropriate to the occasion was delivered by Eben- ezer Moseley, Esq.
May 8, 1809, the inhabitants of Newburyport voted to cel- ebrate the fourth of July, and the selectmen were authorized to make the necessary arrangements and provide an orator for
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
the day.' Plans were matured that proved satisfactory ; and on the morning of July fourth, the Washington Light In- fantry escorted the town authorities to the mall, where they were joined by several patriotic societies and military organ- izations and then proceeded to the First Presbyterian meeting house on Federal street, where prayer was offered by Rev. Daniel Dana, and an oration delivered by William B. Bannister, Esq. Dinner for four hundred was served by Prince Stetson in a tent erected on vacant land near the head of State street. The celebration closed with a brilliant display of fireworks on the mall in the evening.
The programme for the thirty-fourth anniversary of Amer- ican independence, July 4, 1810, was as follows : Procession from the court house on the mall, under escort of the Wash- ington Light Infantry, to Market street down Market to Merrimack, down Merrimack to State, up State to Pleasant street, and thence to the meeting house of the First Religious Society of Newburyport, where an oration was delivered by Samuel L. Knapp, Esq .; dinner in the town hall, on State street ; and fireworks on the mall in the evening.
The Associated Disciples of Washington, afterwards known as the Washington Benevolent society, had charge of the cele- bration July 4, 1812, which included a procession and exer- cises in the Pleasant Street meeting house, where prayer was offered by Rev. John Andrews, the declaration of indepen- dence read by John Pierpont, Esq.,2 and an oration delivered by Stephen Hooper, Esq.
The embargo and war with Great Britain cast a grievous shadow over the festivities of July 4, 1814. Questions relat- ing to the political rights and privileges of New England and the commercial prosperity of Newburyport were discussed in a public address by Rev. Daniel Dana, D). D., and in the
1 Newburyport Town Records, vol. II., p. 388.
2 At that date, Mr. Pierpont was a popular young lawyer in Newburyport. At a meeting of the members of the Washington Benevolent society held October 27, 1812, he read a poem, commemorating the virtues of Washington and deploring the destruction of commerce by the embargo, entitled " The Portrait," which was published a few months later. Mr. Pierpont subsequently removed to Boston, where he studied for the ministry, and was for many years pastor of the Hollis Street church in that city.
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CELEBRATION OF JULY FOURTH
speeches that followed the dinner in Washington hall, on Green street, the policy of the federal government was severe- ly criticised.
The forty-fifth anniversary of American independence was celebrated July 4, 1821, by the Newburyport Debating socie- ty. A procession, under the escort of the Washington Light Infantry, marched through the principal streets of the town to the meeting house on Pleasant street, where an oration was de- livered by Hon. Caleb Cushing. After the services, dinner was served and toasts drank at Gilman's hotel on State street.
July 4, 1822, the Newburyport Debating society, with the selectmen of the town and other invited guests, marched, under escort of the Washington Light Infantry, from the court house on the mall to the meeting house on Pleasant street, where an oration was delivered by Robert Cross, Esq. The celebration closed with fireworks on the mall in the evening.
Similar arrangements were made by the Newburyport De- bating society for the celebration July 4, 1823. George C. Wilde, Esq., was orator ; and dinner was served at Pearson's hotel, Hon. S. S. Wilde presiding.
The same society had charge of the celebration July 4, 1824. Nehemiah Cleaveland delivered the oration, and an ode, written by Hon. Caleb Cushing, was sung by a select choir. After the exercises dinner was served in the town hall to members of the society and invited guests.
The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated July 4, 1826, with more than usual pomp and ceremony. The Franklin Debating society, practically the Newburyport Debating society re-organ- ized, with a committee appointed by the Newburyport Ar- tillery company, had charge of the festivities. The Newbury- port Artillery and the Washington Light Infantry with the Amesbury Artillery, Newbury Cavalry, and two companies of militia from Ipswich and Bradford escorted the Masonic lodges, with banners and badges, the Humane society, the Marine society, the fire-engine companies, truckmen, ar- rayed in white frocks, and sixty-four Revolutionary soldiers, under the command of Daniel Foster, " who had served in LaFayette's own guard," through a line of school children
434
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
formed on each side of the mall, and thence through the princi- pal streets of the town to the meeting house on Pleasant street, where the declaration of independence was read by Robert Cross, Esq., an original hymn and ode sung, and an oration delivered by Hon. John Merrill. Dinner was served in the unfinished building afterwards known as Market hall. En- camped on Brown square, the Newburyport Artillery company, the Washington Light Infantry company, and the companies from Ipswich and Bradford remained over night and were dis- missed on the morning of July fifth.1
July 4, 1828, the Washington Light Infantry escorted sev- eral patriotic societies, accompanied by bands of music from Bradford and Lowell, to the meeting house on Federal street, where the declaration of independence was read by Hon. Caleb Cushing, and an oration delivered by Moses P. Parish, Esq. The same day another procession, under escort of the New- buryport Artillery company, proceeded to the Second Presby- terian meeting house on Harris street, where the declaration of independence was read by William L. Garrison and an oration delivered by Robert Cross, Esq. Dinner for the artillery company and invited guests was served in the gun house.
July 4, 1829, a procession, formed on the mall, was escort- ed by the Washington Light Infantry to the meeting house on Pleasant street, where Rev. John C. March read the declaration of independence and Edmund L. LeBreton, Esq., delivered an oration.
Monday, July 5, 1830, the Newburyport Artillery, " with infantry equipments for this occasion," escorted the officers and members of the Newburyport Lyceum and others associ- ated with them in celebrating the day to the meeting house on Pleasant street, where the declaration of independence was read by John Woart, Esq., and an oration delivered by William S. Allen, Esq.
July 4, 1831, Edmund L. LeBreton, Esq., read the declara- tion of independence at the meeting house on Federal street, an original hymn by Miss Hannah F. Gould was sung, and
1For further details of this celebration see Reminiscences of A Nonagenarian, pp. 326-331.
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CELEBRATION OF JULY FOURTH
Mr. Jacob Stone delivered an appropriate and eloquent oration. There was a display of fireworks on the mall in the evening.
July 4, 1832, was celebrated by a military parade, an ora- tion by Hon. Caleb Cushing, in the Pleasant Street meeting house, a levee in the town hall in the afternoon, and fireworks on the mall in the evening.
July 4, 1833, public exercises were held in the meeting house on Federal street. Mr. George W. Coffin read the declaration of independence, and Hon. George Lunt delivered an oration.
The Newburyport Artillery company suggested and matured the plans for the celebration of July 4, 1836. The town officers, soldiers of the Revolutionary war and members of various be- nevolent associations proceeded, under military escort, to the meeting house on Pleasant street, where an original hymn, composed for the occasion by Miss Hannah F. Gould, was sung, and Hon. George Lunt delivered an oration. In the evening there was a display of fireworks from the westerly side of Frog pond.
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