USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 18
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J. G.BAT.
LEAS
GRAY'S
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ABOVE, MAIN STREET, GLOUCESTER. BELOW, VIEW FROM HARBOR
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ed that Gloucester and all Cape Ann abound in granite or syenite of vari- ous colors and tints, suitable both for building and paving blocks. A quarter of a century ago this industry at Gloucester was a very extensive one. Another feature of these quarries may be recalled, that of form- ing the old-fashioned mill-stones for grain-grinding purposes. Joshua Norwood was engaged in getting out such stones, which found sale over a large scope of country where such stone did not abound. By 1824 men from Quincy, Massachusetts, went to Gloucester and engaged extensively in quarrying granite for shipment. The Sandy Bay stone was very pop- ular. In 1869 quarries were developed at Bay View, known as the Cape Ann Granite company, operating with a capital of $100,000. Jonas H. French was president of this company; H. H. Bennett, treasurer; and Charles W. Foster, superintendent. From three hundred to seven hun- dred men were employed in 1887. Stone from these quarries went into the construction of the Boston postoffice building and the Sub-Treasury structure in Baltimore, Maryland. The beautiful polished granite of the Philadelphia City Hall interior finish came from these quarries.
Another large quarrying industry was that of the Lanesville Granite Company, organized May, 1873, on a $50,000 capital. Eben Blatchford was president and John Butman, treasurer of this company. Here fifty thousand tons of stone were annually taken from the quarry; one hun- dred and fifty men found employment there. While there is still much stone taken from these quarries, the amount is not nearly so great as be- fore cement took the place of so much constructing work.
Points of Interest-The Babson House, at Pigeon Cove, erected by three men, who fled from Salem about 1698 with their mother, charged with witchcraft, and hid in this house. The Babson House at Riverdale, built about 1740 by Joseph Allen, is said to still retain the slave pens used during slavery times. Ellery House, Riverdale, built between 1704 and 1710 by Rev. John White, used for many years as a tavern, contains many interesting relics. Home for Cape Ann Fishermen; open to the public. Independent Christian Church; the first Universalist Society in America, organized 1770 ; present building erected in 1806. Mount Anne Park, the highest elevation in the city, 255 feet above sea-level. "Nor- man's Woe," known wherever English is spoken, through Longfellow's "The Wreck of the Hesperus." Oldest house on Cape Ann, built by Thomas Riggs, the first schoolmaster and town clerk in Gloucester. Ravenswood Park, bequeathed to the city by Samuel E. Sawyer, to be preserved as a wild park. Revolutionary House, home of Rev. John Murray, first Universalist minister in America. United States Fish Commission Hatchery, on Ten Pound Island, in the harbor; open to the public.
Gloucester has been honored by the election of four of its citizens as representatives in Congress, a record exceeded by no other city or town in the county with the exception of Salem. The first candidate for
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Congressional honors among the citizens of the town to come before the voters was Hon. Robert Rantoul, Jr., in 1838, who had been a resi- dent of the town for about half a dozen years, but although his party, the Jacksonian Democrats, were in the majority in the district, a split in the party caused his defeat and the election of his Whig opponent. He soon after removed to Beverly, his native town, from whence he was elected to Congress in 1850, and died before the expiration of his term of office.
The first resident and only native of the town to be elected to Con- gress was Hon. Timothy Davis, who was elected in 1854 by the "Know- nothing" tidal wave which swept the State in that year, he receiving 612 votes to 213 votes for his Whig opponent in Gloucester, and carrying the district by a vote of more than three to one, receiving 7428 votes to 2231 votes for his opponent, the result of the vote being a complete surprise to the Whigs, who believed themselves strongly intrenched in power. He was again' elected in 1856 by a larger vote, receiving 833 votes to 283 votes for his opponent in Gloucester, and a total of 10,045 to 4292 in the district.
After the close of the Civil War, Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, of Lowell, removed to Gloucester, and was elected to Congress in 1866 as a Repub- lican, although he did not become a voter in the town till the following year. He served for four terms, and at his first election he received 765 votes in Gloucester to 149 for his opponent, and carried the district by a vote of 8586 to 2722. In 1868 he received 1041 votes in Gloucester to 395 for the other candidates, and carried the district by a vote of 13,080 to 6860. An opposition developed during his second term, resulting in his receiving only 613 votes in Gloucester to 406 and 216 for the opposing candidates in 1870, a total of 684, but he carried the district by a vote of 8333 to 4267 for his strongest opponent and 1076 for the third candi- date, a total of 5336 votes in opposition. His popularity returned in some measure during the next two years, and in 1872 he received 1096 votes in Gloucester to 723 votes for Hon. Charles P. Thompson, the Democratic candidate, but carried the district by a vote of 11,864 to 5,749.
Hon. Charles P. Thompson was elected congressman in 1874, defeat- ing Gen. Butler by a vote of 8703 to 7731, a plurality of 972 in the dis- trict, and carrying Gloucester by a vote of 961 to 818. So confident were the Republicans of carrying the election that the party leaders had arranged with a Boston caterer for a complimentary banquet to Gen. Butler, but the viands were returned to Boston untasted. The latter removed back to Lowell, the following year, and two years later was again elected to Congress from that district.
Judge Thompson was a candidate for re-election in 1876, but was de- feated by Hon. George B. Loring of Salem, receiving 11,228 votes in the district to 13,326 for Dr. Loring, giving the latter a plurality of 1098,
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the vote of Gloucester being 1328 for Dr. Loring and 1221 for Judge Thompson.
Hon. A. Platt Andrew, who was elected at the special election in 1921 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. Wilfred W. Lufkin of Essex to accept the position of collector of customs for the district of Massachusetts, is a native of Indiana, and first came to Glou- cester as a summer resident, but later became a voter and a permanent resident of the city. A strenuous fight was made in the primaries for the Republican nomination, which was won by Col. Andrew by a vote of 19,149 to 10,401 for his leading opponent, his vote in Gloucester being 4753 to 267, a lead of 4486, while at the election he received 22,545 votes to 6792 for the Democratic candidate, a plurality of 15,153 in the district, carrying Gloucester by a vote of 4246 to 282, giving him a plurality of 3964 in the city, or about 15 to 1.
Colonel Andrew is a veteran of the World War, going to France previous to the entry of the United States into the conflict and organiz- ing an ambulance corps, receiving the French croix de guerre, the Legion of Honor and the Distinguished Service medals. He was an instructor in economics at Harvard, and was later secretary of the Monetary Com- mission, director of the United States Mint and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
In a sermon preached at the First Parish Church in 1792, and print- ed in 1795, the Rev. Eli Forbes says: "The first settlers of this Cape Ann were early solicitous to set up and maintain the worship of God amongst them. Though they were few in numbers and strangers in the land, yet in 1633, like Abram, so soon as they pitched their tent they set up an altar, that is agreed on as a place where they might meet for public worship of God, prayed to Him and sung Psalms." This statement was authenticated by an old manuscript, extant at the time, and respectable tradition points to the exact spot where their house of worship stood.
It is probable that this body of worshipers met continually from this time, increasing in numbers and cohesiveness; for with the advent of the Rev. Richard Blyman from Plymouth, with several followers, they were sufficiently strong to be organized into a church, it being the nine- teenth in order in the colony. They erected their house of worship on a plain now called the "Green," which was at that time the most acces- sible location to the various settlements on the Cape, and was the only organized church in the town until 1716. Several of the parishioners, however, being in the westerly part of the town, found it inconvenient to attend. The journey of from three to five miles, a part of which had to be made by ferry, was attended even with difficulty in winter, so after controversy covering three or four years, permission was given to them to form a separate parish at the above date.
About ten years later, the northerly part of the town having had quite an increase in population and having industries started that were
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calculated to attract more settlers, applied for a separate church organi- zation, which was finally granted them after much debate in 1728. Till about 1700, the largest number of inhabitants centered around the origi- nal church and along the river, but early in the eighteenth century the population around the harbor began to increase, and it was not long be- fore they, too, wished to be set off as a separate parish. This proposition met with prompt resistence by the parent church, as it foresaw that further dismemberment would be fatal to the first parish. There was strong feeling on both sides, and finally several influential members living at the harbor erected at their own expense, a commodious meeting house and offered it to the parish. This was accepted on certain conditions, in 1738, a vote being passed that worship should be carried on there in the future as it had been carried on at the old one. A vigorous minority, however, took the matter to court, where it remained unsettled for four years. On December 15, 1742, it was ordered that the first precinct be divided into two precincts, giving boundaries to the same, and that Mr. White, the minister, should go to the harbor church, which should be known as the First Parish, while the seceders, occupying the very spot of the original church, should hereafter bear the name of the Fourth Parish. The seceding members, however, were not without indepen- dence and energy; a new church of seventy-six members was organized and the Rev. John Rogers was installed as minister. In 1752 the fourth and last meeting-house was built, but in 1756 another parish was organ- ized at Sandy Bay, the old church having fought a losing battle. Parson Rogers died in 1782. No successor was chosen to fill his place, and the pulpit was irregularly filled with chance supplies, mostly Meth- odist. In 1840 the edifice was taken down; the timber was sold, but afterwards given to the Methodists at the mills.
To follow the annals of the First parish on Middle street. Parson White was succeeded by Samuel Chandlers, who received a life settle- ment, and on his death Rev. Eli Forbes was settled. It was during his ministry that Universalism was first preached; and as many of the lead- ing citizens had embraced this doctrine, a spirit of dissension prevailed in the church for ten years. In 1780, however, the Universalist church was organized, and each set of believers acquiring means to worship God in their own peculiar way, peace and rest prevailed. Parson Forbes died in 1804, and was followed by several pastors of the same faith; but in 1829, under the pastorate of the Rev. Hosea Hildreth, dissatisfaction with the doctrines preached by him arose, resulting in the withdrawal of seven women and two men, who formed a church known as the Evangelical Congregational Church.
Mr. Hildreth, a conscientious worker, of conspicuous virtues, was greatly distressed by this dissension and dissolved his connection with the church. The next incumbent was a man of decided Unitarian views, and since his installation in 1834 the church has been known as Uni-
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tarian, belonging to the conference of that body. The edifice now stand- ing is the second on the same site, and was built in 1828.
Second Parish Church was incorporated by the General Court, June 12, 1716. Mr. Thompson, who had performed the joint duties of teacher and minister the three years preceding, was called to the pastorate, and his ordination took place the following November, but was of short dura- tion, for he died in 1724, at the early age of thirty-three years. History records him as a man "sweet of temper, inoffensive in his whole behavior, and orthodox in his faith." He was buried in the old parish burying ground, where his tombstone may still be seen. The meeting-house was a substantial building standing on an elevated plateau on what is now called Thompson street, the parsonage standing near by, but no trace of either now remains. Mr. Jaques followed Mr. Thompson, who in turn was followed by Rev. Daniel Fuller, the last minister of the Second Par- ish. Mr. Fuller's ministry covered a period of fifty-seven years, when the aged minister, feeling that the years of his activity were over, re- signed. He was greatly beloved by his parishioners, whom he had com- forted during the trying years of the Revolution, and his death a few years later was a great grief to them. About this time in the records of the church we find several instances of church members being dis- ciplined for holding views incompatible with the established faith, and in 1830 a vote was taken to ascertain in what faith the church would be most united. The result was Universalism-three to one-and from that time on, although there was no settled pastor, the pulpit seemed to have been filled by Universalist clergymen. At the demolition of the old church in 1846, the Rev. A. D. Mayo, minister of the Gloucester Uni- versalist church, conducted the farewell service. Later on services were held irregularly in Liberty Hall, which was partly built from timbers of the old church. In 1867 the society was organized under its present name, North Gloucester Universalist, and soon after the lot of land on which the present house of worship stands was presented to it by Mr. Sam Jones. In 1876 the building was completed and the church organi- zation effected in April of that year. The church has never had a resi- dent pastor, but has generally shared the services of the minister settled at Essex, as is the case at present.
The orthodox faction organized a church of their own faith in 1834, with Levi Wheaton as pastor, and built their present house of worship on a rise of ground contiguous to the site where it now stands. Renova- tions and improvements were made, and it was rededicated April 25, 1913. Although never wholly independent of the Missionary Society, it had pretty generally had settled pastors till a few years ago. At present, each church maintains its separate organization, each its own Sunday school and Missionary society, but unite for worship under the ministra- tions of Rev. W. H. Rider, pastor of Essex Universalist Church, who preaches alternately in the two churches.
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The Third Parish was set off. as a separate precinct June 11, 1728, and Mr. Bradstreet was ordained as minister the following September. His pastorate of nearly thirty-four years was terminated by death. The first meeting-house was an edifice of considerable size, at the head of Lobster Cove. In 1755 it was struck by lightning, and in 1830 gave place to the one now standing on the same site. The pastorate of Mr. Wyeth, who followed Mr. Bradstreet, was unsatisfactory, and he was dismissed in 1768. That of his successor, Rev. Obediah Parsons, was even more so, and he was also dismissed in 1779. From this time on the pulpit remained unfilled till 1804, when Rev. Ezra Leonard was called. In his ministry a most remarkable incident took place. Both he and practically his whole congregation embraced Universalism. The leaven of this new faith had long been working among his hearers, so when he announced his confession to it, their confidence in his judgment was so strong that they followed him with hardly a dissenting vote. This good man labored with them until his death in 1832. The church has con- tinued a Universalist church until this day, never, for any length of time, being without a minister. The present incumbent is Rev. G. H. Lewis.
The Independent Christian Church grew out of the first public preaching of the doctrine of universal salvation in this country, by John Murray, and the first body in America for promulgating this faith was organized in Gloucester. A covenant was adopted in 1779. In 1780, on Christmas Day, members first assembled for public worship in a small building erected for the purpose. In 1785 a compact containing regula- tions for government was formed. Although the organization had been effected without the usual public ceremonies, they held that they were exempted from paying the parish tax upon which their property was seized, and to recover it they resorted to law. Eminent counsel was en- gaged on both sides, the case being in court three years. In 1786 the de- cision was given in favor of the church. Thus we see that Gloucester has not only the distinction of being the first community to embrace the doctrine of the final salvation of the human race, but also defended the right to support this doctrine without being taxed to support the parish church. Mr. Murray was publically ordained on Christmas Day, 1788, and the church was incorporated in 1792, the members signing an obli- gation to be taxed in proportion to the town tax. Mr. Murray preached here until 1793, when he responded to a call to the church in Boston. For several years there was no settled pastor over the society, but in 1804 Rev. Thomas Jones was called. His connection was severed in 1841, owing to advanced age. Some years before, Rev. David Smith, having been settled as a colleague, assumed full pastoral duties. His pastorate, however, was filled with dissension and discord, resulting in the withdrawal of his followers to worship under a separate organiza- tion in 1843. They built a house of worship, where services were con- tinued till 1856, when the society was dissolved, and the building sold to
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the Methodists. Most of the seceders returned to the parent church, but their action had embarrassed it financially, and it required both energy and sacrifice to hold continued services. Following Parson Jones the following ministers in the order of their succession have served the church: Revs. F. T. Thayer, A. B. Soule, A. D. Mayo, O. A. Skinner, E. H. Capen, Richard Eddy, W. H. Rider, Levi Powers, John C. Lee. In November, 1824, the society held a jubilee of a social and religious character, celebrating the coming of John Murray to Gloucester. In 1870 the anniversary of preaching Universalism was observed by this church. More than five thousand persons were in attendance, and in August, 1920, the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary was observed in like manner. The first house of worship of this society stood at the head of Water street, a small structure without belfry, which was later re- moved and finally demolished. The present edifice was erected in 1805, Col. Jacob Smith being architect and builder. The church and city are justly proud of its Wren steeple, which closely resembles St. Clements in London.
Trinity Congregational Church was organized November 17, 1829, by seven members from the First Parish church, five women and two men, who felt that they could not support the doctrines preached from that pulpit. In March, 1830, the society was incorporated under the name of the Evangelical Congregational Church, and the year following the members erected a meeting-house on the corner of Middle and School streets, which was dedicated September 8. On January 14, 1832, a covenant and articles of faith were signed by forty-two people. Rev. Charles Porter accepted a call to become pastor, and he was ordained in the Universalist church the following August. In Mr. Porter's pastorate several more seceders from the First Parish Church connected themselves with the Evangelical body, which added to its strength and influence. Mr. Porter was followed by C. M. Nichols, his successor being James Atkins. Under the pastorate of J. L. Hatch, 1853-56, the first meeting house was removed and the present edifice erected on the same site. At the present day it does not preserve the fine proportions and beautiful spire as it came from the hands of the builders. Elongation and the ad- dition of a basement have destroyed the proportions, while the spire, which was deemed to be unsafe, was taken down some years ago, the present unsightly structure being put in its place. This edifice was dedi- cated March 22, 1855, the sermon being preached by the pastor, Rev. J. L. Hatch. Although Mr. Hatch had been largely instrumental in accom- plishing the building of this church, he was destined to preach in it only a few times, if at all. Having given utterance to beliefs and sentiments not conforming to those held by the main body of church members, he was soon asked to resign. A period of dissension followed, culminating in a withdrawal of his followers, who for a short time held meetings by themselves. This period of dissension, however, was not of long dura-
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tion and eventually all or nearly all came back and were received as com- municants. From this time on, prosperity has characterized the pastor- ates of the several ministers. In 1892 the parish was abolished and the church was incorporated under the name of Trinity Congregational Church. Rev. A. A. Madsen is the present pastor. The present mem- bership is approximately four hundred and seventy-five.
Lanesville Congregational Church was legally organized August 25, 1828, with thirteen members. March 2, 1831, Rev. Moses Sawyer was installed as minister, and in 1860 its membership had increased to fifty- two, with a Sunday school numbering two hundred. Its first house of worship was built in 1828, which was enlarged and repaired in 1853. In 1919 the parish was dissolved and the church became the corporate body. At that time a constitution and by-laws were drawn up and a church manual was prepared by Rev. Mary Macomber, pastor of the church. In 1918 the final debt on the parsonage was cleared, and this is now free from incumbrance. Rev. E. H. Whitman is at this writing the officiating clergyman. The present membership is one hundred and fourteen.
The Magnolia Congregational Church was organized February, 1887, and held its meetings in the little chapel now standing, sharing its min- ister with the West Gloucester church. The present edifice was built in 1894, Dan Woodbury being the architect, the land and memorial win- dow being given by the heirs of Daniel Fuller. The bell and communion service were given by Mrs. Wendill of Jamaica Plains; the organ by Mrs. Rebecca Colfert of Philadelphia; and the communion table by Mrs. A. C. Thornton, it being built by J. Christpin from a design by the donor.
The introduction of Methodism into Gloucester dates from 1806, when Rev. George Pickering was presiding elder. He probably came on the invitation of John Edny, a Wesleyan of English birth, who lived near the mills. Three years later Mr. Pickering came here as conference mis- sionary, but nothing more is said of his coming here till 1821, when for two years he made irregular visits, preaching in the old parish church on "the green". About this time class meetings were held and a class of eight persons was formed, meeting at the home of Miss Lucy Low, under the leadership of Thomas Heller. In 1825 Gloucester was included in a circuit, Mr. Waitland and Mr. Pickering preaching alternately. After the death of Parson Rogers there was no settled minister at the parish church, and the latter having been repaired, the Methodist Conference was petitioned to station Mr. Waitland there as minister, and the petition was granted. In 1828 Cape Ann first appeared as a separate charge in the minutes of the conference, and the house of worship, built on the corner of Taylor and Prospect streets, was completed the following year. This church was designed to accommodate both the Methodists of East Gloucester and the town parish, the minister dividing his labors between the two. The church was feeble and its support precarious, but in 1837, under the ministrations of Rev. John Bailey, the debt on the church
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was cleared, and a hundred and ten members, the fruit of a wonderful revival, were added to its membership.
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