USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume I > Part 11
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tunity and was soon "at home" in leased quarters in this building. Sub- scriptions were coming in freely, and tables, desks, chairs, etc., with a goodly number of valuable books, documents, etc., were added to the effects of the new-born society.
Among the first results of this society was the influence which finally resulted in the procuring the splendid memorial monument and tablet, marking the spot near the First Church which perpetuates the great associations clustering about these spots. This memorial was the liberal, thoughtful gift of Francis R. Appleton. It was unveiled and dedicated with interesting exercises Wednesday, July 29, 1896. Since that good beginning there have been numerous "markers" placed at his- toric spots within Ipswich.
In May, 1898, at a cost of about $1,650, their present home, the ancient Whipple house, was purchased by the society. After much work and no little expense, this old frame house was restored and made suit- able for the home of such a society. Old-fashioned furniture was col- lected, an old dwelling, unsightly in appearance, was bought and re- moved from a near-by lot, a stone fence was placed around a part of the lot, and many improvements were made. Ever since then, desks, tables and appropriate pictures have kept coming into the hands of the society. It is the aim of the members, as soon as possible to build a fire-proof building in which to keep in sacred trust and safety their large collection of beautiful and ancient pieces, documents and books, and it is believed it will soon be accomplished. Another feature mentioned is that of utilizing a part of the room in this new building for a Hall of Fame, where could be preserved enduring tablets of bronze, oil paintings and rare publications, with many articles which might form a very inter- esting museum. Already there are many articles of Puritan make, which could be transferred from the Whipple House (which of course will never be removed or allowed to decay, if possible). This old Whip- ple House, a story and a half frame residence, is now at least two hun- dred and eighty-six years old, having been built in 1635. It is no doubt among the most ancient places in the county of Essex. A history of its building, a genealogy and biography of all who have lived within its walls, would indeed make a work of many good sized volumes. It is situated within a few rods of the Boston & Maine railway station, in the town of Ipswich, and is open to the public every week day-a place well worth visiting.
It goes without saying that the people of Ipswich have long been a reading people and highly appreciate their splendid Public Library. As early as 1833 there were two libraries in the town. They were the social and the religious libraries, each containing about three hundred books. These libraries have long since been out of commission and forgotten by the younger part of the community. One was kept in the Town House. The unpaid fines, it is said, caused the books to fall into the hands of two or three persons, who had always kept their dues up.
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The present Free Library was founded in 1868, by the liberality of Captain Augustine Heard. It was opened for public use March 1, 1869. Captain Heard donated the building, three thousand volumes, and an endowment fund of $10,000, making a total of $40,000. Professor Daniel Treadwell, of Harvard College, donated his fine private library, valuable paintings and a fund of $20,000. With the passing years, this library has been keeping pace with the times and adding to the volumes on its "stacks." In 1885 it had in excess of 10,000 volumes of books cata- logued.
The original librarian served from 1869, for about a quarter of a century, without any changes, showing ability and popularity, in the person of Miss Lydia Caldwell.
In 1920-21 the town reports show a bonded indebtedness of $296,- 050; a water department sinking fund of $132,762, making a net bonded indebtedness of $163,287. In 1920 the town clerk's report showed there were 204 births recorded in this town during that year; parents residing in Ipswich, 185; residing in Essex, 5; residing in Gloucester, 1; residing in Hamilton, 7; residing in Rowley, 4; residing in Taunton, 1; residing in Wenham, 1; total 204.
"The poor ye have always with you," was spoken by the Master twenty centuries ago, and is still true. In ordinary years the Town Farm supports the unfortunate poor of Ipswich town, but when the late World War was on and when there were many idle men and women because of shut-downs in the mills, etc., an extra burden was placed on the over- seers of the poor. That the readers of this work, now and in years to come, when conditions may change for the better (possibly for the worse) may understand how matters were handled at this date, a por- tion of the annual statement made by the overseers in 1920 will here be inserted:
Before aid has been granted, the Overseers of the Poor have endeavored to satisfy themselves in each instance as to whether the need could be met in some other way than from the town treasurer. It is not well to pauperize the applicant if it can be avoided. If he is able but is unwilling to help himself, he must be per- suaded or compelled so to do. If unable to help himself and the distress is but temporary, perhaps friends or relatives, or the Associated Charities or the Red Cross, or some of the churches or fraternal orders, can help him and thus make drafts upon the public funds unnecessary. All these agencies have been summoned to the aid of the Out Poor Department during the past year and the response has been gratifying. Much closer co-operation has been effected between these agencies and the Poor Department, so that imposition in the duplication of supplies has been re- duced to a negligible quantity.
The unusual problems with which the Overseers have been compelled to deal -problems arising from business depression, resulting in general unemployment- have been numerous, sometimes pathetic, and in other instances vexatious to say the least. Let it be understood that when a person applies for aid and declares him- self to be in dire need, the responsibility of proving otherwise, falls squarely upon the shoulders of the Overseers. Their first duty is to make investigation of home conditions by examining the cupboard, the coal-bin, sleeping quarters, the ward-
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robe, and by taking a general survey of the premises. If need be apparent, perhaps the shop-keeper will extend credit, or others may come to his assistance to prevent pauperization. If these sources fail, the bank is visited to ascertain as to whether there is any deposit to the credit of the applicant. In several cases we have found such deposits and have refused aid. In other cases we have learned of money secreted in the applicant's home, or snugly tucked away in a foreign bank where it has a largely enhanced value. A widow who pleaded poverty was found to have bought cor- poration stock at a recent date; not much, to be sure, but enough to show that she was not in need of assistance from this department. Another applicant was found to have $1,700 equity in real estate. Still another invested part of his first allow- ance in liquid moonshine, while his children cried for bread. Answers to questions regarding conditions have at times been anything but frank and ingenuous. Incor- rect statements have occasionally been made, when the absolute truth would have helped the applicant's case immeasurably.
The foregoing is the vexatious side of the question, but there is also the pathetic side which has appealed to the sympathies in powerful man- ner:
How many American men, after the decease of their wives, would perform daily work in the mill, and again in the evening and on Saturday afternoon and Sundays, devote their time to the care of four children whose ages might range from four to eleven years, one child being a cripple and needing more than usual attention ? Yet a man of foreign birth was found to have done this very thing, unaided, for more than eighteen months, not appealing for assistance during the first six weeks of his en- forced idleness. He received help because he richly deserved it. Another man, whose wife had gone away one evening and had neglected to return, was found to have taken care of two children, keeping them fed, clothed, and in school, for upwards of two years. This fact was disclosed when he was taken with typhoid and sent to the hospital by the Board of Health, the care of the children devolving upon the Over- seers. While instances such as these are more or less common with mothers, they are so exceedingly rare with fathers as to excite comment.
The tale of want and wretchedness, of privation and suffering might be pro- longed to a considerable extent. The Red Cross, Associated Charities, District Nurses and Church Workers, witness scenes right in our midst which the average citizen does not think exists. These organizations render invaluable aid to the Overseer's Department, and are to be encouraged and supplied with funds from the private purse, in order that they may continue their much needed work of benevolence.
But, notwithstanding the foregoing, the conditions in our town have evidently not been so bad during the period of unemployment as in many other industrial cen- ters, where bread lines have been formed and soup-kitchens opened to feed the hun- gry; nor has the comparatively moderate increase in cost of the care of our poor been such as to create alarm. The Overseers Department has been well organized, has worked harmoniously and industriously for the public good, with the general re- sult that the poor have not suffered nor the taxpayers' dollars been allowed to slip carelessly through their fingers.
The statement that forty cents out of every dollar of State tax is applied to the taking care of those who cannot care for themselves will be an eye-opener to most people. It will serve to show what is the state of society at large, how crippled is its condition. The cost to Ipswich is far below that of the average of the Common- wealth. A recent report of Mayor Peters shows that there has been during the period of unemployment an increase of ninety per cent. in the poor cases of the city of Boston. There has not been an increase of over twenty per cent. in Ipswich.
While it is not practical, nor of great interest to the average reader
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of the local annals of a county, to have published a list of the officers that have served with the passing decades, we may in this instance be allowed to insert the names of the men who had charge of the inter- ests of this town in 1920-21. The list includes the following: Select- men: Eben B. Moulton, chairman, John A. Brown, John H. Cameron; Assessors: John W. Nourse, chairman, George Fall, Richard R. Glazier; Overseers of the Poor: Frank T. Goodhue, chairman, Charles G. Hull, Agent, John G. Sperling; Town Clerk, Charles W. Bamford; Treasurer and Collector, William J. Riley ; Town Accountant, Frederick S. Witham; Board of Health, Dr. George E. McArthur, chairman, Aaron Lord, George W. Smith; Cemetery Commissioners: Philip E. Clark, chairman, Ralph K. Whittier, Howard Blake; Town Counsel, Frank E. Raymond; Chief of Police, Edward Leavitt; Engineers of Fire Department, Arthur H. Walton; chief, Edward H. Smith; clerk, Edward M. Poole; Superin- tendent of Streets, Joseph A. Huckins; Town Auditor, Frederick S. Witham; Moderator, Charles E. Goodhue; Finance Committee: M. Charles Arthur, chairman, George A. Scofield, secretary, Jesse H. Wade, Thomas R. Lord, Fred A. Kimball, George E. Hodgkins, George H. Curtis, Sidney H. Perley.
A postoffice has been in existence in Ipswich since 1775, and the following is a list of the postmasters who have served in the order given: James Foster, Daniel Noyes, Joseph Lord, Isaac Smith, Nathan Jacques, Ammi Smith, J. H. Kendall, Stephen Coburn, John V. Varrell, Joseph L. Ackerman, John H. Cogswell, Luther Wait, George A. Sco- field, George P. Smith, Olive Smith, Luther Wait, James H. Lakeman.
This is a second class postoffice with three rural routes extending to the outlying country. The postoffice has been in its present quarters for the last sixteen years, having removed thither from June's Block, Central Square. The office became a free delivery office December 15, 1908. The present office employes include these: John L. Russell, as- sistant postmaster; William A. Howe, sub-clerk; Harry M. Purinton, Arthur K. Ross, Edward L. Darling, clerks; William J. Barton, Francis N. Bourque, Harry M. Dolan, carriers.
In the early days in New England the Church seemed the object and end of government; the organization of the government and the church were about one and the same thing. Governor Winthrop wrote in his journal, November 26, 1633, that "Mr. Wilson (by leave of the congregation of Boston, whereof he is a pastor), went to Agawam to teach the people of that plantation, because they have no minister." Again he wrote of himself, April 3, 1634: "Went on foot to Agawam, and because the people wanted a minister, spent the Sabbath with them, and exercised by way of prophecy and returned home on the tenth." No church was then organized here from the reading of these journal entries. According to James Cudsworth, 1634, "A plantation was made up this year, Mr. Ward (pastor) and Mr. Parker (teacher)." This
Essex-6
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, was the ninth church in the Colony, and the third in Essex county. The religious service programme ran thus: The pastor began it with prayer; the teacher then read and expounded a chapter; the ruling elders announced a Psalm, which was sung; the pastor read a sermon, and sometimes followed with an extemporaneous address, frequently consuming a full hour or more; singing followed, then a prayer and the benediction. A similar service was held in the afternoon and especially was the singing very odd. One of the ruling elders would read a single line of the Psalm, then such of the congregation as could sing, rose in different parts of the house and sang it; then other lines were successively read and sung until conclusion of the Psalm. In case the elders were absent the deacons had to perform this duty, hence the expression "deaconing the hymn." Not until about 1790 was the whole stanza read at once, and about three years later the entire hymn was read by the pastor. Singing choirs became common as early as 1663, but this choir had no elevated seats and a gallery until 1781. The rule was a contribution each Sabbath. The magistrates and chief men first walked to the deacon's seat, then the elders and then the congregation. There was also weekly service, usually on Thursday and lasted nearly all day. This was called the "Lecture Day."
The first to come among this people as teacher and pastor was Rev. Thomas Parker. He came in May, 1634, with a colony of about one hundred, who subsequently settled in Newbury.
In 1698 was built the second church of this organization; the build- er was Abraham Perkins. It was to be "26 feet stud, 66 feet long and 60 feet wide, with two-thirds gables on every side, with one Teer of gallery round said house; as far as necessary, having five seats in the gallery on every side thereof, with as many windows or lights as the committee or said Perkins can agree for." This house stood on the site of the First Church edifice. These churches all had bells, and in 1702, a clock was purchased for the church.
It is not in keeping with the scope of this chapter to add the long list of pastors who have served these various Ipswich churches. It may be well, however, to give those since older histories have been published, and which are accessible in any library in the county. Since 1885 the pastors of the First Church have been Revs. George H. Scott, 1885-91; Edward Constant, 1892-1910; Frank H. Baker, 1910-13; Paul G. Macy, 1914.
During the pastorate of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers the South Church came from out the First Church. The legislative act which legalized this change was dated May 27, 1747. The new corporation was effected and contained such conditions as follows: The parish was to remain intact, if it took "effectual care for building a new meeting house" on the south side of the river before July 20th, and settled another minister and supported the two churches out of the common fund, as
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a joint-stock company-which it did not do, so the new parish was established. The church was formed in July, 1747, by twenty-two mem- bers from the First Church. Their first pastor was Rev. John Walley, a graduate of Harvard College. Their meeting house, finished in 1748, was a two-story building forty by sixty feet. In 1819 two stoves were added to the furniture and fixtures of the church. The pastors of this old church have, for the most part, been able men who preached as they believed, though some of the doctrines they taught had to be amended at times with the advance of the years. The sixth pastor was the late Rev. Thomas Franklin Waters, from 1879 to 1909; the next pastor was Rev. Edgar Fletcher Allen, 1912-14, after whom came Rev. Harry Cartledge.
Of Linebrook Parish and Church, the articles of incorporation show that "this parish is centrally located with reference to Topsfield, Box- ford, Georgetown, Rowley and Ipswich, and is distant from them res- pectively, from church to church, from three to four miles. It was originally constituted of the last towns." Much inconvenience was experienced as early as 1738 in attending church at the above places, and thirteen of the freeholders of Ipswich, December 20, 1739, peti- tioned the First Church to be set off to Topsfield. This petition was denied them, but they were "discharged from all parish rates for the future." They soon began to employ a religious teacher. Again, in 1742, they tried to be set off as a separate parish, but it was also denied them. In 1743 they and the freeholders of Rowley erected a meeting- house, and April, 1744, they all voted to be set off as a district parish. Fifteen Rowley men opposed this move before the General Court, but the plan succeeded, and an act was passed for incorporation of a new parish, dated June 4, 1746. The precinct was bounded on the south by Howlett's Brook and Ipswich river, on the east by Gravelly, Bull and Bachelder's brooks, and on the west by Strait Brook and it was there- fore named Linebrook Parish by vote January 27, 1746.
Their first church building was erected in 1747, and the second was built in 1828; the third house of worship was erected in 1848. It was paid for by a stock company of eighty shareholders paying twenty- five dollars per share. At the death of one of the members, John Per- ley, Esq., who died in 1860, the church was remembered in a will to the amount of $7,000, which was to become a perpetual fund, "the income of which was to be paid to the Orthodox Congregational Society, Line- brook Parish, to the towns of Ipswich and Rowley, for the support of preaching and Sabbath School in said society, annually, while said soci- ety has a settled minister."
What was originally the First Baptist Church of Ipswich was formed in February, 1806. The first preacher was Rev. H. Potle. They occupied the former woolen factory which was converted into a house of worship. In 1813 there were sixty-eight communicants. In
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1816 a secession took place on account of poor discipline, and the seced- ers formed themselves into a new church and were incorporated as "The First Baptist Church in Ipswich," June 16, 1817. This church survived only until 1823 and a year or so later the original Baptist church also went down.
The present (1922) Baptist church in Ipswich was reorganized December 7, 1892. The first pastor was Rev. D. B. Gum; he continued until 1895, when came Rev. Edgar Harris, who resigned in 1896, and Rev. W. J. Thompson succeeded. The name Immanuel Baptist Church was given to it. A fine new edifice was provided, the same being dedi- cated April 3, 1898. The next pastor was Rev. Arthur K. Gordon, who remained until July, 1901, and was succeeded by Rev. William C. Cook, who became ill and resigned in 1902. Rev. W. H. Rogers came next in September, 1902, and remained till October, 1904. Then came Rev. Ilsley Boone, remaining from October to August, 1907; Rev. Reynalds, 1908; Howard B. Smith, 1909 to 1911; then W. C. Sampson, Robert M. De Vault, E. R. Corum, James Watson and Harry Chamberlain.
The Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in 1867, but ser- vices had been regularly held since 1861. Rev. Henry Wall was the first rector, and he was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin Rowley Gifford. Since Rev. Atwood's resignation in 1887, the rectors have been as fol- lows: Rev. Robert B. Parker, to June 1, 1892; Rev. Milo Gates to June, 1899, and he was followed by Rev. Reginald Pearce to 1911, who
was succeeded by Rev. Robert B. Parker. This church has always accomplished its share in carrying forward religious work in Ipswich and surrounding community. It is known as the Ascension Memorial Protestant Episcopal Church. One of the founders of this church in Ipswich, was Dr. Joseph Edward Bomer, a native of Beverly, born 1819.
A Unitarian Society was formed here in 1830, the several churches contributing to the membership. Services were held in the court house till, at the cost of $3,000, they built a church edifice, which was dedicated October 23, 1833. After about seven years, services were discontinued and the society was formally dissolved. In 1843 the house was sold to the town for a town-house for about two thousand dollars. The pews from this church went into use in the Linebrook church.
It has been well said that the Methodist Episcopal "denomination of Christians arose in England in 1729 and derived their name from the exact regularity of their lives, a very pleasing commentary on their lives and character." In 1741 they divided into two parts, under George Whitefield and John Wesley, the former adopting the view of John Cal- vin; the latter of Arminius. The followers of Arminius compose the greater body of Methodists in this country and Great Britain. In 1830 the seceders from the Wesleyan Methodists established a government and discipline of their own, and styled themselves the Methodist Protes- tant Church. This church differs from its parent church only in certain
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matters of discipline, particularly those relating to episcopacy and the manner of constituting the General Conference.
Methodism first came into this country with Rev. George Whitefield in 1739, and was an important factor in the deep and extensive revivals that soon after followed. Its power was first felt in Ipswich when that eloquent divine electrified the people from the "Whitefield Pulpit," a rock near the First Church, and "Pulpit Rock" in Linebrook. Methodism as now taught, "was first introduced into New England, in 1789," says Miss Archer, in her excellent sketch of this church, and "in Ipswich in the year 1790, by Rev. Jesse Lee, who was sent by the venerable Bishop Francis Asbury." The sketch relates that the first convert by the preaching of Mr. Lee was the mother of General James Appleton. She fixed the date August 12, 1791, and ever remembered the day with ador- ing gratitude. No other Methodist minister labored in Ipswich until October, 1821, when Rev. Aaron Wait (1821-26) came. His coming was after this manner: He was passing through the town on Saturday on a business trip and stopped at the "Treadwell Tavern." He was invited to preach the next day and had an audience of highly interested people in the "old woolen factory," the record remarks. Not only one service, but he preached three times that Sunday. He came again in November the same autumn and preached again to large audiences. Soon after he moved his family to Ipswich, but like Paul "coveted no man's silver," for he worked at the shoemaker's trade. Charles Dodge was Mr. Wait's first convert. In the spring of 1822 a class was formed and met at the residence of Aaron Wallace. The class had twenty-two members, eight of whom were from the Baptist church. The first love-feast was held with Captain William Gould, in the Robins house, on High street. In the summer of 1824 a Sunday school was organized, with Charles Dodge as superintendent. The first meeting house was begun in September, 1824, and dedicated the Christmas following. This building was forty by fifty feet in size, with galleries. Its cost was a little less than two thousand dollars. It stood where later stood the residence of Robert Jordan. Within the memory of many now living in Ipswich, the follow- ing have served as pastors of the Methodist Episcopal church: Revs. Herrick, 1888-89; James Fallen, 1890-92; George M. Smiley, 1893-95; George F. Durgin, 1896-98; Francis J. McConnell, 1899-1901; Arthur Bonner, 1902-04; Frederick Woods, 1905-07; Alliston B. Gifford, 1908- 11; Arthur D. Straud, 1912-15; William J. Kelley, 1916.
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