USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Essex > History of the town of Essex : from 1634 to 1868 > Part 24
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264
HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 5.
fray the expense of preparation for college, and was distressed and discouraged by the opposition of his friends, in his nineteenth year he repaired to the Rev. Mr. Remmington, of Candia, under whose hospitable roof he began his studies. Afterwards he spent a year under the tuition of that eminent Chris- tian, Rev. Dr. Thayer of Kingston, and completed his preparation at the academy in Atkinson. It was at Kingston that he indulged the hope of rec- onciliation to God, and of the commencement of the Christian life. A deeper consciousness of sin than he had ever felt before, pressed upon his heart, so full of distress and alarm, that for several days he was unable to pursue his studies. After a season of deep conviction, light broke out upon his mind, ' like a morning of Summer just as the sun rises, when the winds are hushed, and a solemn but delightful stillness prevails everywhere and the face of na- ture smiles with verdure and flowers.' From Atkinson he took a journey of more than eighty miles to Dartmouth College, for the mere purpose of examination and admission to college. His poverty prevented his remaining a single week to enjoy its advantages. Returning to Atkinson, he pursued his studies under the instruction of the preceptor, Stephen P. Webster, till the Spring of 1795, when with little improvement in the state of his funds, he rejoined his class in college, and completed his first year. At the close of the vacation, though disappointed in every effort to raise money among his friends, he once more set his face towards college. By a mysterious providence of God he fell in company with a stranger, who, learning his condition, without solicitation offered to relieve his necessities by a loan of money to be repaid whenever his circumstances should permit. The traveler was afterwards ascertained to be a merchant of Newburyport. After gradu- ating in the year 1798, he studied theology with the Rev. Stephen Peabody, the minister of Atkinson, about a year, and was then licensed to preach the gospel by the Haverhill Association. Soon after, he was invited to preach as a candidate in Chebacco parish, Ipswich, where, November 1799, he was ordained. After his dismission from that pastorate on account of the inade- quacy of his support, he was invited to preach to the church at IIampton, N. H., and was installed there, June 8, 1808. During his ministry at Hampton there were several revivals of religion, as the fruit of which one hundred and seventy persons were gathered into the church. It deserves to be recorded to the lasting honor of Mr. Webster, that he perceived the evil effects of the use of ardent spirits, at a period when even the eyes of good men, were generally closed to the subject. Almost from the first of his min- ? istry he preached against intemperance, and for years before the temperance reformation, observed entire abstinence from all that intoxicates. He was also deeply interested in the cause of education. To his influence and agency, the academy in Hampton, one of the most respectable and flourishing institu- tions in the State, is indebted for much of its character and usefulness. At- tached to the faith and institutions of our fathers, the doctrines of grace he understood and loved, and preached to the very close of his life. His last public act was the preaching of the sermon at the ordination of his son, Rev.
265
'LIGHT INFANTRY CELEBRATION.
1800-1819.]
John C. Webster, at Newburyport, as seaman's preacher at Cronstadt, Rus- sia, March 15, 1837. Anxious to perform the service assigned him on that occasion, he made an effort his impaired health was unable to sustain. The day following he returned home, and taking his bed, remarked, that he thought his work on earth was done. 'Well,' said he, 'if it be so, I know not with what act I could close life with more satisfaction.' He died of inflammation of the lungs. During his sickness, his mind was often alienated, but in lucid intervals he uniformly expressed confidence in the mercy of God, and cast himself upon the blood of atonement. His funeral sermon, preached by the Rev. Dr. Dana, is highly commendatory of his ministerial qualifications, devotion to his proper work, and his extensive useful- ness. Mr. Webster published five discourses delivered on different occasions."
Mr. Webster's wife was Elizabeth Knight of Hopkinton, N. H. Of their seven children, two were natives of Che- bacco. Eliphalet Knight was born May 3, 1802, studied medicine at Dartmouth College, and has been for many years a physician in Boscawen, N. H. Josiah, Jr., was born October 25, 1803, spent his life as a farmer, and died of cholera in Princeton, Ill., September 3, 1852. His other sons graduated at Dartmouth College. John C. became pastor of a church in Hopkinton, Mass .; Col. Joseph D. was chief of Gen. Grant's staff at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in the late war, and was a most efficient officer in turning the tide of battle there ; and Dr. Claudius B. became the Principal of a Seminary in Norwich, Ct.
A private way over land of Samuel Hardy, running partly to Hog Island, is laid out this year. .
1
1807. The Fourth of July is celebrated by the Light Infantry and citizens of Chebacco generally, by a parade and public exercises in the meeting-house. By their in- vitation an oration is delivered by Dr. R. D. Mussey, to a large audience. A part of the closing address of this ora- tion (which was published at the request of the hearers) is as follows :
" Gentlemen of the Light Infantry : I am happy to address you on the present occasion. The patriotic zeal, the generous ambition, the noble ardor, which prompted you to unite, and devote to the acquisition of military skill, more time and expense than usual, have met the applause and best wishes ot all your friends. They view with pleasure the spirit of harmony which has 34
266
HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 5.
prevailed among you, and the handsome improvements and respectable ap- pearance you have made. They have the fullest confidence that you will always maintain the honorable ground you now hold, and that your deport- ment will always draw admiration and respect from your military brethren. Much of the safety of a free people depends on such men as you ; I mean on a well disciplined militia. It is undoubtedly a true maxim, that 'the way to keep peace is to be ready for war.' You will not suffer idleness and amusements to unstring all your powers, and prepare you for base servitude. Study the ' hardihood of antiquity,' and cherish those masculine habits, which give firmness and strength to the body, resolution and ardor to the soul. Cincinnatus could drive the Volsci and ÆEqui from his country, after harden- ing his muscles at the plough. May you never be called into action, and may the din of battle never again be heard on the fields of Columbia. But you have enemies who watch your freedom as a panther watches a roe ; and the voice of your country may cry ' to arms, to arms.' You will not then hesitate. Your Eagle and Indian will be the place of rendezvous. You will rally round that standard, and pour out your blood before it shall be touched by the polluted hand of despotism. Let yours be the cause of re- ligion and genuine liberty, you need not fear. Remember the trophied glories of Marathon. There a handful of gallant Athenians put to flight the vast legions of Persia. Remember Leonidas and his three hundred intrepid Spartans, who, at the narrow pass between Thessaly and Phocis, cut their way into the midst of the millions of Xerxes, spread terror, like a cloud, over his whole host, and saved their country from fire and sword.
" Think of the dear-bought liberties you now possess. Think of Lexing- ton, Bunker-hill and Monmouth, and the many patriots who fell in the heat of battle, or sunk away amid the ten-fold horrors of a lingering dissolution in loathsome prison-ships. Look round on this assembly. Behold your vener- able fathers, whose locks, now white with years, once 'whistled to the wind of British bullets' to purchase the independence you now celebrate, the festive joys of this day. You cannot, you will not part with a gem for which such a price has been paid."
1808. March 26th, David, the son of William and Mary Choate, departed this life in the fifty-first year of his age. He was born upon Hog Island, November 29, 1757. He inherited his father's farm on the island, and lived there till 1800, when, still retaining his farm, he pur- chased the parsonage, so many years occupied by Mr. Cleaveland, and built a new house on the same spot. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Dea. Jonathan Cogswell, who died about two months after her marriage. In 1785, February 22, he married Miriam, daughter of
267
MR. DAVID CHOATE.
1800-1819.]
Capt. Aaron Foster, by whom he had two daughters and four sons, and who survived him more than forty years. Mr. Choate was highly esteemed for his talents and acquirements, his integrity and public spirit. He was deeply interested in the cause of education; and at dif- ferent times, taught the school both on the north and south side of the river. He was also active and influ- ential in promoting the political welfare of the country, as appears from the following extract from a letter ad- dressed to the author by Hon. Asa W. Wilder, of New- buryport :
" From the late Dr. Cleaveland of Topsfield, I understood that Mr. Choate (David) was member of a convention (whether in relation to the adoption of the Constitution of Massachusetts or that of the United States, I am unable to say) ; that he was a prominent debater, and wrote much in the papers over the signature of 'Farmer ; ' that Mr. Choate became known as the writer over that signature, and that being attacked by some leading debater, he . (Mr. Choate) defended and sustained the 'Farmer ;' that, in one instance, the late Chief Justice Parsons himself was thought to be the writer. Mr .: Parsons was aware that some of the insinuations and innuendoes of the speaker were intended for him; and immediately after the debate had closed, Mr. Parsons (letting it pass so far as the authorship was charged to him,) went to Mr. C., saying, 'If I were the author, as some would seem to think, you have defended and sustained the position of the " Farmer " better than I my- self could have done.' I think there can be no doubt, that what I have above related must have taken place in one of the many public conventions, -which one, I have no means of knowing. I recollect distinctly the Doctor stating the fact of what Mr. Parsons said to Mr. Choate. The occasion of his mentioning it, was in reference to the distinguished talents of Rufus Choate, about the time he came to the bar."
The following obituary notice, from the pen of Dr. Reu- ben D. Mussey, appeared in the Salem Gazette : .
" Mr. Choate was a man of uncommon intellectual endowments. To a quick and accurate perception, a ready and full recollection, he added a judg- ment ever ready to decide, and was never under the necessity of making more than one decision on the same subject. From childhood, books were among his dearest companions, and though denied the advantages of a regular edu- cation, he arrived at a degree of improvement often unattained by men of the first opportunities, and possessed talents which would have been an honor to a statesman. In the social circle, none were his superiors. Without any efforts to draw attention, he had the admiration of all around him ; and if
268
HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 5.
envy herself ever raised a sigh at his power of pleasing, she immediately lost it in a, less ungenerous emotion-the love of being pleased. The learned found instruction and amusement in his company, and the ignorant went away satisfied that they were persons of information, because they had been con- versing easily on subjects before unknown to them. His friendship was firm and unabating. The man who possessed his confidence had a safe deposit for the most important facts, and such facts gained much in value, by being thrown into such a deposit. His attachment to his family was ardent and tender. As a husband, he was all that the best of wives could desire ; as a father, all that a fine family of children need. He lived, the friend and sup- porter of virtue, order, and steady habits, and died in hope of a happier state, through the mercy of a Redeemer. A widow, five children, and the whole town lament his death."
April 5th. A new religious society is formed, called the Christian Society. From its first records, we learn that it had its origin in the preaching of some Methodist min- isters,* which seems to have had considerable effect upon the minds of a few persons, and they united together for private religious meetings. Afterwards, “ Elder H. Pottle preached several times. The people were attentive to hear and appeared serious while hearing. He baptized two. Early in 1806 Mr. John Rand visited this place and spent some time in preaching and in holding religious meetings. His preaching appeared to be attended with considerable effect." On the 28th of March, twenty-two persons, who had been previously baptized, "were em- bodied as a Church of Christ by Elder Elias Smith, Elder Abner Jones and Brother John Rand." They adopted the name of "Christians, in accordance with Acts xi. 26; and in general the system of belief held by that denomi- nation, agreeing to lay aside all the party names now in fashion among professors, with all the creeds, articles of faith, platforms, church covenants and everything contrary to the New Testament." A house of worship was built in 1809, and owned by proprietors. This was taken down in
* Dea. Aaron Burnham once said the first preaching of the kind he heard was at Manning's factory building in Ipswich. He told his wife, on coming home, he had heard something like one of the old prophets. It was upon his personal invitation, that Messrs. Rand, Elias Smith, Elders Jones, Stinchfield, and others left Ipswich and commenced holding meetings at Chebacco.
269
THE CHRISTIAN SOCIETY.
1800-1819.]
1843. Mr. Rand preached to this society about seven years. During the first eight years the church continued to receive some accessions. '"It ceased to exist as an active organization near the close of the year 1827."
Sometime in this year a second road to the Falls was built. It extends from the old road near Foster's brook over the hill south-westerly, joining the " old road " again near the houses of Abraham Perkins and Andrew Burnham.
1809. The Second Parish having been without a settled minister two and a half years, gave a call, together with the church, to the Rev. Thomas Holt, to be their minister. This call he accepted, and was installed pastor of the church, January 25th. Rev. Dr. Samuel Austin of Worces- ter preached on the occasion ; Rev. Daniel Tomlinson of Oakham offered the consecrating prayer; Rev. Dr. Dana of the South Parish gave the charge, and Rev. Mr. Kim- ball of the North Parish, the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Holt was esteemed a sound, scriptural preacher. But after hearing him two or three years, his parishioners be- gan to complain of a want of sufficient variety in his dis- courses, which they first imputed to his not writing them. They therefore chose a committee to wait on him and request him to write his sermons. With this he complied, but as the evil in their judgment was not removed, they respectfully requested him to resign. With this also he complied, and on the 20th of April, 1813, he was honor- ably dismissed by a Council. The parish gave him $100 to defray the expense of his removal, and he returned to his farm in Hardwick where he was formerly settled, and where he died. Mr. Holt was born in Meriden, Ct., No- vember 9, 1762: graduated at Yale College, 1784: con- tinued there most of the year ensuing, in the study of theology, and then removed to North Haven, where he finished his preparatory studies for the ministry, with Rey. Dr. Trumbull, and was ordained at Hardwick, June 25, 1789. He resigned his pastorate there, March 27, 1805. He died in 1836, aged 74.
270
HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 5.
1811. The bridge over our river, and the causeway connected with it, were much out of repair. At full tide it was very difficult, and at times impracticable for trav- elers to pass. This was a great inconvenience and detri- ment, not only to the people of this place, but also to people passing to Gloucester from other towns. Several attempts having been made by partial repairs to remove the evil, but without effect, the town voted $1,500 for thorough and effectual repairs. The county appropriated the same amount. But $3,000 not being sufficient, the town added $1,000 more, and it is believed that the county added nearly as much more, making the whole cost of bridge and causeway, as it now stands, not much less than $5,000. A new bridge was built some two or three rods south-westerly of the old one, a new piece of road opened to it from the top of the hill, about one half of the cause- way built anew, and the old part joined to it and leading to Thompson's Island, thoroughly repaired. One of the abutments of the old bridge is still seen east of the mill.
1812. February 12th, died Dea. Jonathan Cogswell. His father, William Cogswell, was the eldest son of Lieut. John, and Mrs. Hannah Cogswell, was born September 24, 1694, and was married, September 24, 1719, to Mary, daughter of Capt. Jonathan Cogswell. This Lieut. John was born in 1650 and died in 1710; was the son of Wil- liam, (born in 1619, and died in 1701,) and the grandson of John Cogswell, the first settler of that name, (emigra- ted in 1635, and died 1669.) Dea. Cogswell was born May 9, 1725, and was married, December 28, 1752, to Mary, 1749 daughter of Benjamin Appleton. He was seven years old when his father built the present mansion now occu- pied by Albert and Jonathan Cogswell. Dea. Cogswell had thirteen children, several of whom died young. His farm descended to his sons, the late Benjamin and Aaron Cogswell. Benjamin was born August 15, 1766, and died January 17, 1841. His children were Polly, (Mrs. Win- throp Low,) Sally, (Mrs. Daniel Cogswell,) Jonathan and
271
DIVISION OF THE SOUTH DISTRICT.
1800-1819.]
Humphrey C., also Abigail, who died young, and Abel, . who died very young of croup. Aaron was born Decem- ber 28, 1771, and died July 20, 1847. His children are Aaron, Albert, Lucy, (Mrs. Aaron L. Burnham), and Jona- than. On the "Cogswell Coat of Arms," in the possession of Mrs. Aaron Cogswell, is the following inscription :
" These Arms appertaineth to the name of Cogswell, being first granted to Lord Humphrey Cogswell in the year 1447 from whom it descends to the ancient family of Cogswell."
From Dea. Cogswell's uncle Nathaniel (born 1707, died 1783) have descended Dr. William, died 1831, aged 70, (and his son-Rev. Dr. William, died 1850, aged 62,) Dr. Joseph Cogswell, born 1764, died 1851, (and his son Rev. Eliot Colby, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1838.)
In the company of militia drafted from the Second Reg- iment for three months' service, and stationed at Gloucester during the Autumn of this year, were eight men from this place : Sergeant, Abel Andrews ; Privates, Benjamin An- drews, Charles Andrews, Samuel Andrews, Ezra Burnham, Joshua Burnham, John Butman, William Lufkin .*
The number of pupils in the three schools in the parish had increased, in 1811, to 296,-83 in the North District, 107 at the Falls, and 106 in the South-east District. Partly on account of this large number in the last mentioned district, and partly because of the great distance of many families from the school-house, the people on the south side of the river take measures this year for a division of their district. Accordingly a petition, signed by Moses Burnham and others, was presented at town meeting on the 17th of March, and referred to a committee, consisting of Maj. Joseph Swasey, Jabez Farley and George Choate, Esquires. The report of this committee in favor of a di-
* The following named soldiers belonging to Chebacco, also served in the same company at Gloucester for the same time, viz : Moses Andrews, Ebenezer Andrews, Elisha Burnham, Isaac Burnham, John Durang, Edward Lee, John Lull, Matthew Vincent ; also Nathaniel Burnham, Jr., Moody Cogswell, and John Harlow, Jr., served as soldiers in Marblehead, in the company of Lieut. Pritchard, for three months.
.
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HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 5.
vision into three districts, was adopted, May 13th; and the " division," subsequently made by the same committee in obedience to the direction of the town, was adopted, November 12th. It was as follows :
" No. 1. The Island, and extending along the Manchester road as far as Levi Andrews' house, and on the Gloucester road as far as John Cogswell's house, both included ; also, Nathan Burnham's and Elias Andrews' houses ; all the inhabitants within said limits, with their estates, shall make one dis- trict by the name of Thompson's Island * District.
" No. 2. Beginning at Seth Burnham's house, and extending on the Gloucester and Squam roads to the Gloucester line, including the house be- longing to the heirs of Francis Burnham, Jr., deceased ; and all the inhabit- ants within the described limits, with their estates, shall make one school district by the name of the Chebacco Eastern School District.
"No. 3. Beginning at William Cogswell, Jr's., on the Manchester road, extending to the Manchester line, including the house of Daniel Andrews on the north side of the road, and Samuel Groton on the south side of the road ; and all the inhabitants not included in the districts No. 1 and 2, with their estates, shall form one district by the name of the Chebacco South School District."
At this time the Thompson's Island District contained thirty-six ratable polls, the South District twenty-eight, and the East District, sixteen. The first meeting of the Thompson's Island District was held November 30th. Elias Andrews was moderator, and Thomas M. Burnham, clerk. In accordance with a vote passed at this meeting, the school-house of the old South-east District, with the land under and adjoining, which had been built in 1801, and owned by proprietors, was now purchased of them for $304, and became the district school-house.
1813. The first meeting " of the legal voters of the East School District was holden by lawful authority, at the house of Mr. Ebenezer Burnham," March 2d. William Lufkin was moderator, and Capt. John Butler, clerk. Vo- ted to build a school-house sixteen feet by twenty, and to
* Thompson's Island was so called from one Joseph Thompson, who purchased the whole of it of John Cogswell, Jr., son of the first settler, and lived near the spot where is now the house of William Burnham, 4th. He subsequently sold it to Thomas Burnham, Joseph Burnham, Aaron Low, and Benjamin Marshall, and re- moved to the State of Maine.
273
COL. JONATHAN COGSWELL, JR.
1800-1819.]
raise the sum of $200 for that purpose. Ebenezer Has- kell, John Procter and Ebenezer Burnham were chosen building committee. At a meeting held March 30th, the site of the present school-house was selected as the proper location, and the house was erected this year.
December 21st. A meeting of the South School Dis- trict, called by the selectmen at the request of several voters, was held, of which William Cogswell, Jr., was clerk. It was voted to raise $150 for the purpose of procuring a district school-house.
October 13th. Deceased, Col. Jonathan Cogswell, Jr. He was born July 14, 1783,-
" The only son of Jonathan Cogswell, Esq., who has been long known to us from his usefulness in public life. Early in life Col. Cogswell pre- pared himself for a university education, but for want of health was un- der the necessity of relinquishing his design. Endowed, however, with good native genius, by industry and application to private study, he be- came well-versed in modern literature. We believe but few of his age better understood our political relations. Had Providence designed him for longer life, we might have expected important services to his country. To the mili- tary he was a promising acquisition. In 1806, he was active in instituting, and was chosen commander of a company of Infantry in his town, whose har- mony and discipline have ever been an ornament to the regiment to which it belonged. In 1810, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel of the regi- ment. This office he sustained with honor to himself, and had the approba- tion of all under his command. Naturally modest, unassuming, none but his intimates knew his real worth. In private, he was respected and loved by all who knew him. In life, he was exemplary. In his illness, which was short but distressing, he was patient, and in death yielded up his spirit, trust- ing in the merits of an all-sufficient Saviour. Perhaps but few instances of mortality are marked with circumstances so afflictive to the surviving relatives. With them we drop the tear of sympathy. His remains were interred with military honors, attended by the officers of his regiment, a band of music, and the company of infantry he formerly commanded. A numerous con- course of citizens from this and the neighboring towns, followed in the pro- cession of the mourners, with great solemnity and decorum."
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