USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume I > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
It is now impossible to give the reader any comprehensive idea of the first boundary lines of this township. It is certain, however, that it included all territory west of the Powow river which Salisbury then owned. Its limits included Newton, New Hampshire. Haverhill form- ed the boundary on the west. The Merrimac and Powow rivers and Kimball's Pond constitute the chief bodies of water in this town. The undulating land-the hills and little valleys-gave a most captivating natural landscape, as one viewed the then "green, glad solitude" of this country. The western portion is especially hilly, while the principal plains are Sandy, Martin and Buttonwood in the East Parish, and the Pond Plain in the western part of the town. The majestic Merrimac river on the south is upwards of a half mile in width. The soil is unusual- ly good for this part of the country, after so many years of cultivation. Mill sites and excellent water-power were found in numerous parts of the town.
The homesteads left by the first comers to Amesbury were sold at different times, commencing in 1647. Not until 1654 were there enough families and freeholders in this new settlement to undertake to form a
170
ESSEX COUNTY
new town. Only eighteen legal voters were then within the territory selected. The "Articles of Agreement" of this town were signed May 1, 1654, by the following named, which gives a good idea of who the first settlers of the town were: Joseph Moyce, Thomas Bradbury, Sam- uel Winsley, George Goldwyer, William Buswell, Edward French, Will- iam Allin, Samuel Felloes, Thomas Carter, John Rolfe, John Eaton, Isaac Buswell, William Osgood, John Stevens, Henry Browne, Roger Eastman, and Richard North on the part of the old town, and Anthony Colby, George Martin, John Hoyt, Philip Challis, Jaret Handon, Richard Cur- rier, John Weed, Thomas Macy, Edward Cottle, William Barnes, Thomas Barnard, and Valentine Rowell, on the part of the new town.
The "Articles" above referred to as having been signed by the cit- izens of both the old and new town covered these general points: Article 1 related to the boundaries and disposition of the common lands. By Article 7 the people of the new town were to contribute to the support of the ministry in the old town until they obtained a settled.minister in their own town. Article 8 provided that question of separation should be as follows: "Last of all, it is fully concluded and agreed upon by the inhabitants of each towne that the said townes, upon the assignment of the aforesaid articles of agreement, shall be absolutely dismist of them- selves and have no further to meddle with the affairs of each other in any towne matters whatsoever, forever."
Among other interesting paragraphs found in the Town Books are these: Staves at that time were an important article among the colo- nies, and they readily sold in the West Indies for goods needed here; the commoners claimed fifty of every thousand made from trees cut on the common lands. The old saw-mill also paid tribute to the new town for one-fourth of what was owned here. In 1656 it was found that a sec- ond saw-mill was needed, and Richard Currier and Thomas Macy were authorized to build one on the west side of the Powow, with the privi- lege of using all the timber on the common, not included in the grant to the old mill, "except oak and the right of the people to make canoes." For this privilege they were to pay the town £6 per annum for ten years, in boards at current prices. The prices for sawing were all regulated by the town. As money was then very scarce, the sawing was done upon shares, the mill being allowed one-half.
All was not serene in the churches of that day either, as will be seen by the following from records extant :
Joseph Peasly will not keep silent, but continues to preach, although fined and threatened by the authorities for doing what his conscience told him was his duty. And the new town people would hear him, notwithstanding his preaching "was very weak and unfit." A compromise was finally made, which it was hoped would satisfy the new town and settle the matter, which was becoming very troublesome.
The old town consented that Mr. Worcester preach at the new town, every fourth Sunday. This plan was approved by the General Court, which graciously respited one-half of the fines till the next session. But still Peasly preached, defied the
171
TOWN OF AMESBURY
orders of court and the wishes of Mr. Worcester's church. The General Court assumed a threatening attitude, and forbade his "preaching anymore in this juris- diction till he give full satisfaction to this court for what have been past." This was ominous of his fate, if he disregarded the order, and very likely he quit preach- ing. The conflict soon ended by the death of Peasly in 1660.
When this town was incorporated no name was given to it-possibly on account of forgetfulness, but very early that year the name was fixed as follows: "At the same meetin the Towen have named this Towen Amesbury." This name was confirmed by the Court in 1668, but the name was slightly changed to "Emesbury." In 1675 the records show the business of this town to have been farming, fishing, making staves and building vessels. These enterprises also called forth such tradesmen as blacksmiths, tailors, carpenters, weavers, etc. River and harbor fishing came next to farming in importance. The raising of sheep and cattle was in no wise neglected. Small grains were grown in abundance, and fine orchards are mentioned within ten years from the first settlement. Potatoes are not found in the inventories until about 1730.
From 1676 to 1700, possibly later, the Indian scares were too fre- quent to be pleasing. On several occasions persons were killed by the Indians, but no general Indian uprisings occurred in this settlement.
In 1708 it is found of record that Benjamin Eastman asked permis- sion to build a fulling-mill just below the mill-bridge, on the Powow river, and also to take the water underground across the road to drive the mill. This request was granted, and this is the earliest fulling-mill of which there is any account in this vicinity. In 1706 the first rate to pay for schooling was made, thus placing educational matters on an up- ward grade.
Other business industries of those early years included the iron works industry. In 1710, Colonel John March, John Barnard, Joseph Brown and Jarvis Ring petitioned for leave to build iron-works on the Powow river, without being taxed, which was readily assented to by the town. The works were built and kept in operation many years. This plant, together with the saw and grist mills, the fulling-mill and stave factories made Amesbury quite a bustling little hamlet. The iron ore was simply "bog-iron" from the bottom of ponds and lakes, which had to be raked to the shore and carted to the melting place. Kingston, how- ever, was the place from which most of the supply of iron came. Most of this iron (a poor grade) was worked up into ship's anchors, boat cranks, saw-mill cranks, spindles for turning the burrs in grist-mills, cart-tires, and fire-dogs.
1810-Ship-building was revived, and carpenters were busy in all the yards. There were built on the river that year twenty-one ships, thirteen brigs and one schooner, with seven other vessels of different sizes. The Nail Factory Company bought of Deacon David Tuxbury half an acre at the pond's mouth, to control flowage of the pond.
172
ESSEX COUNTY
June 13-War was declared against Great Britain. This was the War of 1812-14 and was not popular in Amesbury, yet soldiers were re- cruited in case they were needed.
1818-The Iron and Nail Company was now in full operation, and it was believed that the company was not paying the amount of taxes they should, and an investigation was ordered.
1822-The Amesbury Flannel Manufacturing Company incorpor- ated; capital $200,000.
1829-The first steamer on the Merrimac made trial trip this year.
1832-This year an attempt was made to raise sunflowers and from the seed produce oil. Works were built and farmers induced to raise sunflowers, but it was a failure and the buildings were turned into a tannery.
1836-Powow River Bank was incorporated; capital $100,000. It was this year also in which the poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, removed from his native town of Haverhill to Amesbury.
1852-This season occurred a strike at the Salisbury Mills over the owners not allowing the operatives the old custom of taking a few moments off for a lunch in the forenoon. The town sided with the men and appropriated $2,000 to help provide for the operatives. However, the mill owners won out by importing foreigners to take the place of home mill operatives.
1862-These were Civil War days, and there was a great demand for woolen goods, causing the Salisbury Mills greatly to enlarge their works by removing the old nail factory and erecting a large factory on the spot. At the day of dedication there were many soldiers present, and no such gathering had ever assembled in the town before.
1863-The Amesbury Hat Company was organized this year. The enterprise was highly prosperous. Later this became a branch of the Merrimac Hat Company. A year later the Horton Hat Company was incorporated. A National Bank was established at West Amesbury, with a capital of $50,000.
1864-A charter was granted to build a horse railroad from New- buryport to Amesbury ; capital $120,000. The road was constructed and was of great benefit to the community.
1870-The population of the town this year (Federal census), 5,- 581.
Coming down to the eighties, about 1887, it has been discovered by the writer of this chapter that one of Amesbury's greatest business lines was that of manufacturing carriages. This business commenced in 1800 in a small way, but grew to large proportions, until, in the eighties, thirty firms were engaged in carriage-making within the town. The largest number of carriages built by any one firm in 1886 was 2,500, while an- other firm produced almost as many.
The first postoffice was established here in 1820, and the postmasters
173
TOWN OF AMESBURY
who have served faithfully and well from that date to now include the following: Captain Jonathan Morrill, Jacob Carter, Philip Osgood, John Walsh, Daniel Blaisdell, under President Tyler; David Bagley, under President Pierce; David Batchelder, under President Lincoln; W. H. B. Currier, J. T. Clarkson, in 1873 and held until 1881, when J. T .Goodrich was appointed, serving until the election of Grover Cleveland in' 1884, when Hiram Foot was made postmaster; since then the following have served: Benjamin L. Fifield, Daniel W. Davis, James H. O'Toole, Cyrus W. Rowell, William A. Murphy, Timothy E. Lynes and present post- master-John McGrath, commissioned July 28, 1919. The last fiscal year's business in this postoffice was $48,242. The Amesbury post- office was burned on March 18, 1899 and the government erected a hand- some structure of its own in 1906 at an expense of $50,000. Its location is at the corner of Main and Aubin streets. There are now two rural free delivery routes extending out from this place. Aggregate length, twenty-seven miles.
Among other commercial interests of Amesbury at this date may be named the three banking houses-the Amesbury Co-Operative Bank, the Powow River National Bank, and the Provident Institution. (See Bank- ing). The newspaper press is represented ably by the "Amesbury Daily News." In the industrial line are the shoe factories of A. J. Anderson, the Nichols Shoe Company and Henry C. Rowe; the Baker Foundry and Machine Company (incorporated) ; the Merrial Hat Com- pany, incorporated in 1856; the Metalite Company (incorporated) ; the Murphy Aluminum and Bronze Foundry Co. (incorporated).
The greatest, far-reaching and best commercial and industrial fac- tors of the city are its numerous automobile body manufactories, as herein listed: The Amesbury Body Company ; Biddle & Smart Company ; Briggs Carriage Company; Currier-Cameron Company ; Hinkley & Bax- ter; Hollander & Morrill; Thomas W. Lane; Miller Brothers; Reardon's Top Shop; Shield's Carriage Company; Unit Manufacturing Company ; and the Walker-Wells Company. Recently a unique factory has been in- stalled, which makes large quantities of peanut butter. This is operated by Frank M. Hoyt.
Amesbury was founded two hundred and fifty-two years ago. Much of historic interest has already been given in short paragraphs on the town in its infant days. At present it may be stated that few towns in the great Massachusetts commonwealth have better improvements that are kept up in any better manner. The balance sheet January 1, 1921, shows net bonded indebtedness of $388,000.00. This debt is for fire, sewer, highway, school and water loans. The resources and lia- bilities of the town are $198,499.55. The Trust Funds account stand as follows: Trust funds (cash and securities), $49,287.98. The items are as follows: Library Funds, $32,967.34; Park funds, $2,000; Poor chil- dren's fund, $2,000; Fountain fund, $34.29; Cemetery funds, $12,286.35.
174
ESSEX COUNTY
The town officers (elective) for 1921 are as follows: Moderator, George E. Hodge; Town Clerk, George C. Dearborn; Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor: James W. Clark, Charles R. Scott and Joseph O. Donnell; Assessors: George C. Dearborn, James E. Doran, Richard Feeley; Collector of Taxes, J. William Gale; Treasurer, Earl M. Nelson; Board of Health: Samuel L. Porter, Daniel G. Dame, Otis P. Mudge; School Committee: Brainard G. Pillsbury, Gilbert N. West, Robert C. Patten, John A. Wilson, Jr., Ralph N. Good, Guy E. Nickerson. The Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent is Joseph Merrill. Park Com- missioners : Charles H. Tucker, Bernard J. Manning, William H. Graves; Superintendent of Streets, John D. Brown; Chief of Police, William S. Rogers; Fish and Game Warden, George O. Barton; Meat, Milk and Provision Inspector, James L. Stewart; Police Matron, Nora Conway.
The population of Amesbury in 1900 was, according to the U. S. census returns, 9,473; in 1910 it was 9,894 and by the last Federal cen- sus-that of 1920-it was 10,036. Property valuations in 1920 were: Personal estate, resident, $7,800,000; real estate, resident, $5,700,000; personal estate, non-resident, $149,000; real estate, non-resident, $447,- 000; Merrimac Valley Power Company, real estate, $886,000; 686 shares of Powow River National Bank, resident, $85,750; Total, $10,169,000. Valuation of real estate, 1920, $7,793,064. Tax rate in 1920 was $26.20 on every thousand dollars.
Chamber of Commerce-What was known as the Amesbury Board of Trade in 1913 published the subjoined article concerning the town. The organization at that time claimed a membership of three hundred from a total population of ten thousand-the largest per capita Board of Trade in New England :
The town is up with most progressive towns, with the headquarters of a large agricultural society, who does good work of an educational kind, and whose large buildings are devoted to the same in the form of fall fairs and lectures. The town is also favored with the best municipal water plant in the State and a good gas plant, also electric, heat and power company, who are co-operative workers with the Local Board of Trade, inducing new industries to locate in Amesbury; and with this. in view, we are able to offer power as low as the large cities.
The present conditions of our manufacturers are prosperous and the largest firms have secured their business for 1914 far in excess of any previous year, manu- facturing fifteen hundred pairs of shoes daily. The total manufactured product will come near the five million dollar mark, which means the local mechanics are to have a dividend for their labors of approximately $1,500,000 to spend in living expenses with local merchants and deposit the balance in the savings bank, which already has $3,000,000 of their thrift safely deposited.
The moral end of the town is now a factor in our advance, and we have churches of nearly all denominations, who work unitedly for the spiritual and moral welfare of the town, which is today free from open saloons or places of questionable char- acter. In addition to these are banded together business and professional men who are active in the maintenance of the best conditions possible for the welfare of the younger and rising generation.
Since 1913 the Chamber of Commerce has accomplished much
LE NEW YORK PLBL ( LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
POST OFFICE, AMESBURY
175
TOWN OF AMESBURY
towards building up the town. It has aided in securing all needful in- ternal improvements and has succeeded also in securing numerous fac- tories and other profitable commercial enterprises. From facts furn- ished the writer by the present (1921) secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Frank F. Perry, the present-day organization has accom- plished certain things herein named, viz:
The present organization of the business men of Amesbury dates from the Board of Trade, which had its birth at a public meeting held at the town hall, November 28, 1911. At this meeting Robert Briggs was elected secretary, and for some years was the chief factor in the ac- tive work of the Board of Trade. In April, 1912, the organization was active, and it was voted to pay the moving expenses of McLoud & An- derson. That firm has proved to be a permanent and profitable industry for the town, and is now the oldest and largest shoe factory in opera- tion. In October the organization was still active in attracting new in- dustries to Amesbury. It was voted to pay Finnerty & Cossaboom $500 for moving expenses.
Notable among the new industries which were established in Ames- bury through the co-operation of the Board of Trade during this period was the G. W. J. Murphy Company. The firm was already doing a pros- perous business in Merrimac, when Secretary Briggs advanced a prop- osition to the firm to establish a modern plant in Amesbury, where the business could be carried on under conditions which were equal to the best in the state. The buildings of the Hume Carriage Company and those formerly occupied by the George W. Osgood carriage factory were acquired. Building to and remodeling these structures, with the ad- dition of a large new building, resulted in one of the finest brick plants of the kind in New England.
The Board of Trade through a holding company acquired a large factory on Carriage Hill, and this was afterwards sold to Henry C. Rich, who carried on a successful business in the manufacture of shoes for some years. This work concluded, the Board of Trade soon became in- operative because of lack of interest, and possibly also by reason of the overshadowing importance to the community of the prosecution of the World War. When business depression overtook the industrial and com- mercial life of the country, the merchants of Amesbury felt the need of community effort to revive business. In the fall of 1920, Frank F. Perry was therefore called upon to organize a Merchants' Sale Carnival, and this proved to be so successful that an organization was formed, with Frank F. Perry as secretary-manager, under the name of the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce, dating its birth from January 1, 1921. The new organization gave unremitting attention to the securing of work for the unemployed, which in the winter of 1920-21 were in the majority. In this they were successful, and later secured the Littlefield Heel Com- pany, which moved from Haverhill, also a branch factory of the E. R.
176
ESSEX COUNTY
Smith Company, of Boston, manufacturers of clothing, which at once gave employment to a large number of idle men and women.
Monthly meetings during the winter months formed a definite part of the activities of the organization. The January meeting indorsed the daylight saving proposition and proposed an act to enforce penalties against stealing fruits and vegetables from farms. While the reclama- tion of the salt marsh was looked upon with favor, it was thought too much of a proposition for the Chamber to undertake at that time. The February meeting was addressed by George H. Moulton on salesman- ship and by Principal Forrest Brown on the Commercial course at the High School. At the March meeting the school problem was lucidly ex- plained by Superintendent of Schools L. Thomas Hopkins, and the large number who attended testified they had not before heard the question explained so helpfully. The directors of the Chamber of Commerce pre- sented to the Fibreboard Company the advantages of Amesbury over Brockton for their factory, and during the summer of 1921 steps were taken to move this business from that city to Amesbury.
The Amesbury Chamber of Commerce is affiliated with the Massa- chusetts State Chamber of Commerce and the Essex County Associated Boards of Trade, and in a vigorous and effective manner is working to the great advantage of the people of the community. The 1921 officers of this Chamber of Commerce are as follows: President, E. J. Graves; Vice-president, Colin Camerone; Treasurer, B. F. McLean; Secretary, Frank F. Perry.
Industries-Among the motor-car body builders in Amesbury is the firm incorporated as Hollander & Morrill in the rear of No. 17 Main street, which was organized in 1909 by George H. Hollander and Gayden W. Morrill. At present this concern employs about one hundred work- men. The product of the plant is chiefly sold in New York city, and it is annually increasing. The motive power used is electricity. About fifty per cent. of the workmen here are foreign-born, while the annual output is near the half million mark. The officers of this company are George H. Hollander, president and general manager, and Gayden W. Morrill, treasurer and salesman.
One of the first local carriage manufacturers to take up the manu- facture of automobile bodies was the Shields Carriage Company, which began carriage making in 1887. The business was founded by John H. Shields. At the present time twelve workmen are employed in this plant, and it is said that all twelve are American born. The machinery needed is electric-propelled, and the shops are located on Carriage Hill. The superiority of the goods here made finds ready sale throughout Massachusetts. The present officers are George E. Collins, J. Woodbury Currier and Nathaniel W. Currier.
The Biddle & Smart Company, with offices at No. 6 Chestnut street, with shops situated in the vicinity of Railroad avenue, has a plant estab-
177
TOWN OF AMESBURY
lished in 1870 as Cadieu & Biddle. From 1874 on it was known as W. E. Biddle & Company, and from 1880, as Biddle-Smart Company. The Biddle-Smart corporation was organized in 1895. The original partners of Biddle, Smart & Co., William E. Biddle, W. W. Smart, M. D. F. Steere, are all deceased at this time. The business of the company is now the manufacture of aluminum automobile bodies. From 750 to 1,500 men are employed, who are now being paid about twenty per cent. less than a year ago, on account of a general decline in prices in the world's mar- kets. In 1876 the company met with loss by a fire in its plant. The present production of these shops is disposed of almost entirely to the Hudson Motor Car Company, Detroit, Michigan. The works of this extensive plant are all propelled by electric power, generated by its own central power station and through purchase by contract from a local power company. The pay-roll in these shops is over $20,000 weekly; 650 men now are employed in the various departments. The annual business is about $3,000,000. About seventy per cent. of the workmen employed are American born. With a single exception, the Biddle & Smart Company has the largest capacity of building and completely finishing highest grade bodies of any concern in the world. The produc- tion is of custom quality in quantity. To gain anywhere near a good understanding of the size of these works, one must needs visit the same. The floor-space is immense! The reader is reminded, if inquiry is made in Amesbury about this company and its earlier enterprises, that it was established in 1870 as a carriage factory-bodies, gears, wheels and all complete. Building after building was added to the plant, until nine were to be seen in all. In one year alone, this concern shipped four thousand carriages. The sales ran to three-quarters of a million dol- lars, and they furnished employment to almost if not quite three hundred men. When the automobile came into fashion, the buggy trade natural- ly declined; but having changed the extensive carriage works over to a plant for making parts of automobiles, the business was in no wise injured, but rather enhanced.
The Thomas W. Lane Carriage Factory has long been a factor in the business enterprises of Amesbury. It was established in 1874. "Sterling Quality" being his slogan or trade-mark, he has ever lived up to its meaning in the production of his carriages and buggies. When many others abandoned carriages and took up the manufacture of auto- mobiles, Mr. Lane remained in the original trade, and bought out sev- eral of the other carriage firms in his city. He patented a cross-spring, by which he increased his sales from three hundred to six hundred car- riages a year.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.