USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > History of Topsfield Massachusetts > Part 12
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SCHOOL AVENUE runs from Main Street, into what was formerly the school grounds, hence its name. This Avenue was deeded to the town March 12, 1868, when it purchased the Academy and grounds from Jeremiah Balch, the deed giving "The right & Privilege of the way near to the southwest cor- ner of the premises & Pass the highway leading by the dwell- ing house of B. P. Adams."
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THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
SUMMER STREET runs from High Street to Main Street. May 6, 1872, the Road Commissioners were petitioned to lay out a road "Commencing on the County Road between the houses of Wm. P. Gallup & Ephraim Perkins and Ephraim P. Peabody and extending through their lands until it strikes the Hotel Road." Park and Summer Streets were built after being petitioned for by some of the townspeople whose chief reason for asking for these roads was, there being a need of suitable building lots near the centre at a reasonable price.
VALLEY ROAD extends from High Street near Towne's bridge, to the Danvers town line. So called from the fact that it was laid out to avoid the hills between Topsfield and Danvers. A valley road was agitated for a number of years. The first petition was recorded in 1827. October 8, 1900, the County Commissioners ordered the following way to be laid out : Beginning "at the Easterly line of High Street at gravel pit on land of Sarah P. Towne, thence running south . . . across the Pasture of Forrest W. Rust . .. thence running westerly of town bound stone on the line between Topsfield and Wenham situated on the Easterly side of the Boston and Maine Railroad track, over pasture, Field, and Meadow land of Mary L. Towne and crossing High Street."
WASHINGTON STREET runs from Main Street at the Common to the Boxford town line. The portion extending between Mill Street and River Street was formerly called Long Lane. That portion extending from Boxford Street to the Boxford town line, was laid out in 1667. At this time the meeting house stood in what is now Pine Grove Cemetery. The road may with some difficulty, be traced from the Ceme- tery to Washington Street. Further mention of this lay out is made under date of May 11, 1694, when the following is recorded : "Elisha Pirkins and Ephraim Dorman being apoin- ted to state a carte way through Capt. Goulds Meadow and ouer ye fishing brook so called; thare being a ordered way from ye Meeting-house to Mr. Endicuts farme:" Under Boxford Street will be found mention of the old way to Box- ford; the lay out is as follows: "Wee whose name are under writen being desired by some of ye Inhabitants of our Res- pective Towns to Lay out a Town way from the road that goes by Mr. John Capens to ye road that goes by Thomas Androus barn accordingly we have Laid out said way as followeth begining at Mr. Capens casaway so called along as the Land now goes by the Land of Sar. Daniel Clark upon Thomas Goulds and Ensign John Goulds Land to ye Land of Benjamin Byxby and so a Long between the abouesaid
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HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES
Benjamin Byxby house and barne to ye Broock as ye way was formerly Improuered and so along ouer ye Brook upon ye abouesaid Benjamin Byxby Land as ye way was formerly improuered to Thomas Andrews his land tho abousaid way is to Enter upon Thomas Andrews Land about three or fore rods to ye westward of a great Rock that is a boond between Thomas Andrews and Samuell Smith and so a Long as the way is now Impowered & the road yt goes by Thomas Androus Barn the aforesaid way is Lay'd out two rods wide"
Datd in Topsfield ye 16 of October 1718
Joseph Byxby
John Gould
Samuel Symonds
John Howlett
Ephraim Dorman
Jacob Peabody
Nathaniel Perkins
Selectmen of Boxford
Selectmen of Topsfield
A way was laid out January 19, 1767, and lay outs, straight- enings, and relocatings, are recorded from April 26, 1770, to August 27, 1846. August 26, 1873, the part of Washington Street near the Congregational Church and that across the Common, so called, were discontinued. That small part of Washington Street, from the main part to the Smith-Smerage house was laid out June 26, 1704, "from ye Meeting-House upon ye common and through the Land of Zacheus Perkins to Mr. Capens Causway."
WENHAM STREET extends from Salem Street to High Street. June 3, 1706, a committee was chosen "to lay out a way for Beverley Men from Wenham land near ye Casey to ye medow near Thomas Townses." Under date of January 28, 1707, or 8 it appears that, "the Town agreed that a Cartway shall be left between Wenham Medow and Thomas Townses Medow: and that Land which Zacheus Perkins hath of the Town upon Exchange on ye South Side of ye River." Octo- ber 6, 1709, a way was laid out "to ye Clay Pites; and allso for Beverley and Wenham Men to cary ther Hay." This way might have connected with the way that tradition says passed across the river at the Hartlands.
On the County records under date of December 30, 1757, the committee laid out "a way from Wenham Line to the Great Road So called in Topsfield leading to Salem on the North Side of the line hereafter Described of Two Poles in Wedth (being the wedth as the Committee are Informed of the former way lately Discontinued which line begins at a Stake in Wenham line by the Wall on the way near Theoph- luis Fisk's house & from thence Runs . . . through said
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THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
Fiskes land, to the corner of Michael Dwinell Junrs wall thence . . . through sd Dwinnells land ... thro land of Joshua Herrick of Beverly & land of heirs of Robert Cue late of Wenham Decsd . . . thro land of Capt. Thomas Tarbox . . thro land of Doct. Michael Dwinell thro land of Jacob Dwinnell thro land of Jeremh. Town (the way here taking in a Small peice of the corner of David Balchs land) . . . through sd Towns land and through land of Mathew Peabody to the Great Road aforesaid." The original laying out of Salem Street extended on Wenham Street some way then passed by the Dwinell houses about six hundred feet in from the present road. The first lay out of Wenham Street would then, of course, come under the head of Salem Street.
WEST STREET runs nearly due west from Haverhill Street to the Boxford town line, hence its name. The street was formerly known as Gunnison Road or Ridge Road. At a meeting held March 5, 1772, it was voted to accept of a way "laid out from the Country road in Topsfield along by the Northerly side of barehill, so called, and so to Boxford Line." "Full Liberty" was given "to hang & keep up good Cart Gates across said way." The County court accepted the way July 13, 1773. The way was altered September 27, 1774.
WILDES STREET runs from Boston Street to the Ipswich line. April 28, 1664, John Baker, innkeeper, conveyed to Edward Neland, Irishman, a house and land on Brooke Street. This street was probably what is now Wildes Street. The way originally ran across what is now Boston Street to North Street. At a town meeting held March 13, 1781, a way was laid out for Philip Neland and Aaron Neland. It ran through land of Jabez Ross, thence to the Brook by land of Dudly Wildes ... and land of Moses Conant ... to land of Ste- phen Foster . . . to the gate near Foster bridge. Under date of June 2, 1818 another portion of the lay out is recorded. The entire road was laid out December 19, 1854.
BRIDGES
Our present bridges are the result of gradual changes, from the old ford way and plank bridge, necessitated by the im- proved facilities of transportation. The demand for some means of crossing dry shod at first resulted in stepping stones, or a fallen log was utilized, and later a plank was laid across, this in turn being supplemented by another plank. The early records speak of allowing this person, or that person, a cer-
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tain amount, for mending the highways with plank. In this way, the early bridge consisting of a single plank was gradu- ally widened into a rude cart bridge. Because of this gradual process of growth it is impossible to discover on the early records the exact date of the building of our earliest bridges.
Some of the early bridges were constructed of slabs as we are led to believe from the record under date of November 1, 1725, when "The Town allowed to Jacob Averill three shil- lings & six pence for Slabs to mend the bridge near to Deac. Howletts." Under the same date, we find that Daniel Gould was allowed "two shillings & six pence for two Logs to mend the bridge near to Mr. John Capens house." Under date of March 7, 1681, or 82, we find that "John ffrench & John Townes are chosen to be siruiouers for ffences and hie ways & bridges for this yeare insuing." Probably the first bridge built was the one across the Ipswich river, now known as Balch's bridge, as mention is made of it as early as 1653. Mile Brook bridge on Perkins street was probably the second, first mention of it being under date of April 8, 1667. The first order to build a bridge was in "1668 or 69," when the bridge on Ipswich Street over Howlett's brook was made. Many of the bridges were built when the streets on which they are located were laid out. The bridges on the Turnpike were built by the Corporation in 1804 and 1805, with the exception of the Stone bridge. Due to the fact that the heavy planks were not fastened down on the bridges and made a rumbling sound when horses and wagons passed over them, Topsfield was formerly known as the town with the rumbling bridges.
ROWLEY BRIDGE, so called from the fact that the Rowley town line ran near it before 1700, and it was built by Topsfield and Rowley conjointly, is the first bridge in Topsfield coming down the Ipswich river. This bridge is mentioned in a deed January 1, 1695. We find no record of its building, but under date of March 6, 1764, we find the following record : "To see if the Town will help Deac George Bixby & others Mend & keep in Repair the Bridge a Crost the River in Tops- field called Rowley Bridg. "Again, under date of May 9, 1774, it was voted "that the bridge across ye River, called Rowley bridge shall be new built this present year." May 26, 1806, it was voted that Daniel Bixby, Benjamin Pike, and Henry Bradstreet be a committee to rebuild the bridge, "in the year 1807 - fifteen feet wide with a Stone Pier in the middle."
BALCH'S BRIDGE. The bridge over Ipswich river on Salem Street, variously known as the Town bridge, Wooden bridge and Walsh's bridge, is first mentioned March 30, 1653,
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THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
when the court records speak of "the great bridg which the said Walter Ropper built and cartwaye over the river towards the south." On June 28, 1659, the court allowed £5 to Tops- field toward building a bridge sufficient for horses, at least, to be made over the river near Wm. Towne's house. Octo- ber 21, 1682, the selectmen were ordered to appear at court to "shew the cause of the defect, why a bridge upon the road betweene Salem and Topsfield is not repaired."
In 1697, the "grat bridg over ye River is so out of void yt it is agreed upon to be made new." A committee petitioned the County court for an allowance and was given £8. Twenty years later they asked the County again for help in repairing the bridge which had "gone to great dispaire." It needed a new foundation, the bridge rebuilt and causeway raised as the water overflowed.
At a town meeting held May 23, 1718, a committee was "chosen to estimate the cost in rebuilding and repairing our Bridg and Caseway ouer Ipswich reuer and prefar the same With a petition to ye honored Court of qurter Sechition to be holden at Salam in June next to see whether ye honored court will asist us with help from the country so that we may be inabled to rebuild the aboue said Bridge and caseway."
A petition dated June 24, 1718 made by Jacob Town, Eph- raim Wilds and John Curtis stated that the town of Topsfield "hath laboured under a very great hardship for near Sixty years past in building & maintaining ye Bridge & Causeway .. at almost ye whole charge ever Since . .. ye charge hath been very great : said Causeway being near fifty Rods in Length and great part of ye graveles carried away every year with ye River overflowing it laying convenient for a considerable part of ye county . it will take one thousand load of Rocks and Gravell at least to repair said Causeway." October 31, 1718, we find that "The Town alowed to Mr. Isaac Peabody, Qrtmr Ephraim Wildes and Mr Simon Bradstreet twenty fiue pounds nine shillings for building ye Bridg." The County paid £20 towards this work.
In 1728 the bridge was again repaired, for under date of April 2, "Capt. Joseph Gould is Chosen to Provide Plank two inches & a half thick and fourteen foot Long; good white oak Plant to Cover sd Bridge." David Balch was chosen, Decem- ber 18, 1728, "to take care of the Towns timber near the town bridge so called." The county allowed the town six pounds toward this expense. The bridge was rebuilt in 1762 and again in 1805. Tradition says that an old fordway existed at a very early date, about one hundred and fifty
THE STONE BRIDGE OVER THE IPSWICH RIVER.
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feet below the present bridge. In 1932 a cement bridge was built to replace the wooden one.
STONE BRIDGE. The bridge over Ipswich river some- times called the Arch bridge or Turnpike bridge, was built in 1853, at a cost of $3,638.54, the Town paying $1,245.54, and the County the balance. The first bridge at this spot was of wood, and was built by the Newburyport Turnpike Corpor- ation, in 1803 or 1804. It was washed away seven or eight years afterwards and again in December 1837 it was par- tially destroyed. The late John H. Gould once said, "the town first voted to build a double arched bridge but quicksand in the middle of the river forbade the erection of a pier there, so the plan was changed and a single arched bridge con- structed." A New York Journal once commenting of this Bridge, wrote "To erect this bridge nothing was required but the unskilled labor of the country masons guided by the in- stinct of someone who knew the practical and artistic value of the simple round arch and the massive wall." When the turn- pike was widened, the bridge was encased in cement and its beauty destroyed.
TOWNE'S BRIDGE which crosses the Ipswich river at High Street derived its name from the fact that all those living beyond the bridge belonged to the Towne family. The records do not show when this bridge was built, and it may be presumed that a bridge did not exist here prior to 1771, for in that year bricks were hauled over Grass hill to build the chim- ney of the Bradstreet house. Direct mention, however, is made to this bridge on July 15, 1809, when Joshua Town "laid out a certain road or way leading from a bridge lately erected by said Joshua over Ipswich river over land on the S. side of sd River to land now belonging to the widow Sarah Fisk." This bridge was replaced by a cement bridge in 1920.
RAILROAD BRIDGE. The bridge on which the Boston and Maine railroad crosses the river is sometimes known as the Iron bridge. In the month of February, 1855, a heavy freshet destroyed the first bridge built the previous year, so that for a portion of the month no trains passed through Topsfield. The second bridge was built at this time. The present bridge was built by the Boston Bridge Works, in 1888.
LAMSON'S BRIDGE, over which Asbury Street crossed the Ipswich river was named from the family of that name, who have lived in this vicinity for two hundred and fifty years. Felt, in his History of Ipswich, says that in 1730 a cart bridge was "built over the river by Jonathan Lamson and others." April 3, 1780, "The Town allowed to Mr. Peletiah Cummings
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THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
four pounds twelve shillings for forty-six feet of plank used in covering Lamson's bridge." November 4, 1813, it was voted that a new bridge be built over the river. This bridge was probably completed in 1814, for under date of March 1, 1814, appears further mention of the new bridge. In 1925 Bradley Palmer relocated a stretch of Asbury Street and built a new bridge, and Lamson's bridge was discontinued.
DRY BRIDGE was so called from the fact of its bridging Howlett Street where the Turnpike crosses. Under date of April 1, 1805, it was voted, "To grant liberty to the Newbury- port Turnpike Corporation to erect a dry bridge across the road near Joseph Andrews, provided it is done to the reason- able satisfaction of the selectmen and Sylvanus Wildes, Isaac Averill and Joseph Andrews and all persons immediately concerned or the major part of them." A steep descent fur- nishes passage from the Turnpike to Howlett street so that one may drive over the bridge and then under it.
There are several small bridges over various brooks. Some of these were mentioned in the early town records: Mile brook bridge crosses Mile brook on Perkins Street, east from the junction of Perkins and Ridge Streets. Fish brook bridge is at the boundary line between Boxford and Topsfield on River Street. Wheel brook bridge carried Salem Street over the brook at the foot of Dwinell's hill, so called. A bridge over Howlett's brook on Ipswich Street is just below the junc- tion of Perkins Street. Nichols' brook is now the boundary line between Topsfield and Middleton. Before the latter town was set off the land south of the brook was a part of Topsfield, and the Nichols' brook bridge now on the boundary line be- tween the two towns was for a number of years wholly in Topsfield. Falls bridge is on North Street, near Ipswich Street, over Mile brook. In later years it was called Symonds' bridge. Gallup's brook bridge is on Haverhill Street where it crosses Pye brook, more recently known at this point as Gallup's brook, because Israel Gallup lived near this bridge some years ago. Another bridge over Gallup's brook off Haverhill Street was built, "over the brook back of Ivory Hovey's" on Jan. 13, 1709. Boardman's bridge is on Ipswich Street, at the crossing of the Turnpike. Great pond bridge is near Hood's pond on Pond Street. Zaccheus Perkins' bridge is off Prospect Street, toward the old "Hubbard house, " so called.
At a town meeting held November 17, 1727 "The town allowed to Samuel Smith two shillings for Timber to mend the Bridge Near the Meeting-house," no doubt over the brook immediately in the rear. Under date of Sept. 7, 1694, "Sargt.
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Houlet propounded for a draine crose the way from his field to mr capens meadow and ye said Howlet engaged to make a bridg ouer it, and kep in repaire at his owne cost and charg : the Inhabitence here preasent did mannifest thare free con- sent." The dry bridge, on which the railroad crosses West Street, was built in 1854 and was replaced in 1888 by the pres- ent iron bridge. When the railroad was constructed, a cow pass was built under the roadbed near the oak grove between Washington Street and West Street, later owned by Henry B. Williams, but this was filled up a number of years ago. A bridge that existed in the 17th century, carries Maple Sreet over the unnamed brook that flows southerly from the Village to the river. This bridge has been variously known as Foster's and Poker or Porker bridge. According to tradition it is associated with Parson Capen's encounter with the Devil dur- ing witchcraft times. Numerous other small bridges or cul- verts have been built from time to time of which no account is here taken.
CHAPTER VII MILITARY AFFAIRS
Many of the men who first settled in Topsfield came from Ipswich and they undoubtedly remained members of the company of troopers there. The few others settlers joined them also, until such time as the growth of the town warrant- ed the formation of its own company. The first mention of a separate division is found in the Massachusetts court records dated May 7, 1662. "For the better settling & accomodating of the troopers of the county of Essex. It is ordered, that the said troops be divided under their present officers, who are impowered hereby to take care & command of the respec- tive divisions, viz. that the troopers of Ipswich, Rowley, & Newbury, Andiver & Topsfeild, be under the command of the present officers living in the said towns."
As early as 1631, the General Court provided for frequent exercise of the train bands, which were first confined to the company in each town and as the population increased more general gatherings were held and regimental trainings were introduced. In early times every able-bodied man between the ages of 16 to 45 had to belong to the train band or "foot and hors" which came together at intervals well equipped for the purpose of real practice in the military maneuvers of the day. The soldiers in each town chose their captain and other officers and these were generally commissioned by the major of the regiment. By order of the court all soldiers were to exercise and drill eight days in a year and a fine of 5s. was imposed on all those who did not present themselves without good reason.
As early as 1656, Thomas Dorman was discharged from training. In 1659, Luke Wakeling was released from train- ing, "paying one bushel of Indian corn a year to the use of the company. 1 In 1665, Thomas Dorman was again re- leased, "he paying what he pleased to the company." 2
1 Ipswich Quarterly Court Records, Sept. 1659.
2 Ipswich Quarterly Court Records, Sept. 1665.
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MILITARY AFFAIRS
The next mention of a local company is found in the Salem Quarterly Court records of 1666. "The inhabitants of Tops- feild and the villagers adjoining thereunto, having by order of Major Danyell Denyson, met together in a military way and chose officers of a foot company of train soldiers, as fol- lows, John Redington, sergeant-in-chief to command the company, Joseph Bigsby, sr., sergeant, Abraham Redding- ton, sr., clerk and Edmund Towne, John Cummins and William Smith, corporals."
The petition to the Court to confirm these officers was dated 21 : 4 : 1666, and signed by Daniel Hovey and William Avril, in the name of the rest. Thomas Perkins and Jacob Town were appointed to present the petition for the company. John Gould was chosen Ensign of the foot company of Topsfield, and his appointment was confirmed in 1667 by the Court. That same year William Nicholls was dismissed from common training, "paying 5s. yearly to the use of the company to Topsfield." The next year Francis Peabody was confirmed as Lieutenant. Thomas Perkins was released from training in 1670, "paying 6s. yearly to the use of the company."
It was considered a serious offense to be absent from the company trainings without permission. By paying a fine to the company a member might be released from this duty, as previously shown. In 1671, Sergt. Joseph Bigsbee and Abraham Redington were fined "for neglect in attending common trainings." The rest of the company who exempted themselves "were to be left to the clerk of the band whoe according to his oath is to take theire severall fines, according to law." John Gould was allowed 8s. for his charges. In 1673 Evan Morris was released from training by paying 3s. yearly if the company required it.
The inhabitants of Rowley Village (Boxford) at first joined with Topsfield both in worship and military affairs. An order from the Court to train men from Boxford with troops in Rowley was not satisfactory and the men from Boxford petitioned to be allowed to continue as before. In 1672, it was "Ordered that at the next training day at Topsfield, the soldiers of the Village shall attend there and declare whether for the future they will train there or not. And as the major part of the said Village soldiers shall determine by vote, it shall be binding during the Court's pleasure." "Accordingly the Court being informed that the General Court had allowed the uniting of Rowley Village with Topsfield in one military company, appointing their officers as their own desire, they revoked their former order of March last, and declare that
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the said Villagers ought to continue in the military company with Topsfield and to attend all military service and exercise under the established officers of that company until they be released or otherwise disposed of by the General Court's order." They were allowed to have their own company in 1685 as there was a sufficient number of men in the town.
In 1673, at the March term of the County Court the town was fined for not providing a stock of powder and bullets and was ordered to provide it within a month upon penalty of a fine. The next year Nathaniel Leonard, "for abusing the marshal in the execution of his office and striking him" was fined and bound to good behavior, as well as Ensign John Gould. From this trouble or for some similar reason Ensign Gould lost his commission. The following petition was sent to the Council March 1, 1678-9 for its restoration by officers and members of the company of which he was chief officer.
To the Honoured & Worpl the Council of the Colony of the Massachusetts, the humble Request of the welaffected Inhabitants of Topsfield. Sheweth: That Whereas sometime since you were pleased to take away the commission ffrom & to Disinfranchize our cheif officar, Ensign John Gold there beeing then some vncomfortable misunderstandings amongst some of us, all wch through God's goodness being since re- moved & much peace & love (we hope) now fixed amongst us, as also or Ensign generally received by the Military Company & also Joyned to the church here & much more wch we could say in the case as argumentative.
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