USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Notes on Wenham history, 1643-1943 > Part 10
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Courtesy of Mass. Hort. Society
NOTABLE GROUP OF LINDENS SAID TO HAVE BEEN PLANTED FOR TIMOTHY PICKERING BY ALEXANDER HAMILTON
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
with the Concord grape, and many of the old vines are still cherished by the older residents.
Cranberries. Cranberry meadows extended along the Longham meadows, and gave owners a plentiful supply of fruit, with surplus to sell. At Wenham Neck one bog produced one hundred barrels which were sold in Boston. The estimated twenty acres of cranberry meadows are now practically gone, since the taking of the Longham Basin by the Salem Water Board.
An attempt was made, about the year 1878, to cultivate the cranberry, using modern methods, by Joseph Day at his farm, now owned by Mrs. Hoyt.
In preparing the bed, Mr. Day gave an example of seventeenth century labor to the nineteenth century. By his own hand, unaided, he cleared the land, cutting the pine and cedar, which he used for lumber to build a large barn. This barn was shingled with cedar handmade shingles of his own making. The stumps which he pulled out were used for fire wood. The turf embankment wall, which extends along the highway bordering his farm, was made of witch-grass which he had grubbed from the mea- dow. The land thus cleared, he then built a dam in the canal to hold back the water until time for flooding the cranberries; this was not a success. He then put up a windmill to pump the water for flooding, but this also was a failure, and the bog was finally abandoned after all this labor. In addition to these months of strenuous labor, he did his daily stint of shoemaking in his little shoe shop in the early hours of the morning, from three o'clock to daylight. We wish the bog could have been a success.2
Stores in Wenham. The earliest record of a store in Wenham, which we have found, is of the date Sept. 6, 1768, an advertisement in the Salem Gazette of that date:
"Broke open, either last Saturday or Sunday night, the shop belonging to the subscriber and stole from. thence five beaver hats, two castor, two felt-three of the beaver and two of the castor unlined, and one of the beaver hats lined with green silk. Whoever will apprehend the thief or thieves that he or she may be apprehended, and said
2 From Reminiscences of Mr. Jacob Barnes.
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
hats rcovered, shall be entitled to a reward of five dollars."
signed Billy Porter.
This advertisement tells us that the town was able at that time to support a store in an independent building, and not a room in a private house, for a shop and the stock was not of the thread and needle type.
Time occupied Proprietors Location
1797-1798 Col. Paul Por- At Tavern, site of old car ter country grocery barns
1808-1813 Col. Paul Por- ter. Business and es- tate sold to
Built house, where he kept a grocery store in west end of the house now occupied by Mrs. Charles Inches
1813-1823 David Perkins of Topsfield, Nathan- iel Perkins of Wenham
1820 A Mrs. Street and Samuel Ober and David Starrett
Kept a penny store at Her- rick's corner, in house standing on a bank, lower part stone; this cellar was store
1823-1824 David N. Per- kins sold to Thomas Clark sold to 1824-1825 John S. Felton sold to
In house built by Col. Paul Porter
1825-1845 Maj. David Star- Continued business in same rett
house until he moved a building from No. Beverly which he fitted as a store
1844 Nathaniel Perkins of Topsfield
Opened a store in a small building near Henry Per- kins' house "
1845 B. C. Putnam became a partner
1846 J. A. Putnam bought N. Perkins' interest
"
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
Time occupied Proprietors
Location
1846-1856 B. C. and J. Bought a lot of land of Dr.
A. Putnam
John Porter a little west of the Soldiers' monument. Built a store, and moved into it in the spring.
1856 This firm failed 1856-1860 B. C. Putnam " carried on alone 1860-1861 H. L. Eaton and N. Gould part- ners to B. C. Putnam 1861 H. L. Eaton retired "
1862 Mr. Putnam left town "
1862-1866 Mr. Gould re- tired. Fowler and Chapman
"
1869-1870 Mr. Fowler
Store of B. C. Putnam burned May 23, 1870. Wenham Cooperative Un- ion built a new store, Un- ion Block.
1858-1860 G. D. and Aus- tin Richards country store
At Herricks' corner, in base- ment of present remodelled Donald Bell house, stone front.
1880-1943 A. D. & W. F. Union Block was occupied by Trowt grocery store, successive apothecaries un- til sold in 1880. conducted by this fam- ily for 63 years
From 1862-1882 there were a succession of apothecary shops in Wenham. This period, following the Civil War and during the occupation of Camp Lander, seemed to offer opportunities for small business enterprises. The frequent changes in proprietors rather indicate the busi- ness was not very profitable, since the town was so small.
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
APOTHECARY SHOPS
Year Proprietor
Location
1862-
Calvin B. Dodge In a small building of Henry
sold to
Perkins, now at rear of present Ralph Perkins' house Above little building moved opposite engine house " Part of Union Block
1864-1873 Benj. F. John- son sold to 1873-1883 Proctor Brown 1873-1875 George E. Mor- gan of Beverly sold to 1876-1877 Andrew Geyer of Ipswich sold to 1877 C. W. Batchelder sold to clerk Mr. Benton sold to
Part of store he built, fitted for apothecary shop. Union Block
1878-1879 John C. Gray 1879-1880 James H. Per- kins 1880-1882 James H. Per- kins, Sr., transferred business to son
"
1882- James H. Per- Store built by C. W. Batchel- kins, Jr. der
Since the retirement of James Perkins, Jr., Wenham has had no apothecary shop. The needs of the town have been met by a store at South Hamilton, conducted by suc- cessive proprietors, Messrs. Andrews, Anderson, Knowles, and Conway.
Despite the efforts made during the last quarter of the nineteenth century to make Wenham an industrial town, the small enterprises, like the morocco factory, Fiske shoe factory, the wheelwright shops, finally closed. It was Charles W. Batchelder, who in 1884, inserted an article in the town warrant-"To see what action the town will take to induce business to come here." But business did not come and Wenham remained a residential town.
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
The Spanish War had little influence on the life and condition of Wenham people. Five1 men volunteered from the town, and none died in the service. In later years Spanish War veterans connected with Wenham families have been brought here for burial, but they did not enlist as living in Wenham.
World War I. A town changes in character as it reacts to national conditions, so that the waging of war and its aftermath, forms the structure of Wenham history.
Before the United States had entered the first World War, Wenham women had already taken up war relief work, as needs were presented by returning travellers from France. Miss Dorothy Jordan, whose home was then the site of the present A. J. Preston estate, (now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. B. P. Cutler), aroused the interest of her neighbors at Wenham Neck, in knitting for the French soldier, she supplying the wool. This was shortly followed by the making of surgical dressings for the French wound- ed, the work in Wenham started and carried on by Mrs. Alanson Daniels. When the United States became an ally, the work was changed to the Red Cross, started and carried on by Mrs. Daniels, as general chairman of the two towns, Hamilton and Wenham.
Public Safety Committee, combining the work of the two towns, under the chairmanship of Mr. Elbridge An- derson of Wenham, and Mr. Frank Trussell of Hamilton as treasurer. This committee was a most efficient pro- moter and clearinghouse for the many war activities which were undertaken. By this most effective organization the two towns did a great job, working in perfect accord. Since these are Wenham notes, we will confine ourselves to the work in Wenham.
The Public Safety Committee was divided into many divisions, under different leaders.
Food Production-Dr. John C. Phillips.
Food Conservation-Jacob Barnes, County Supervisor. Canning-Mrs. Edward B. Cole.
It is regrettable that the records of the Wenham and Hamilton Public Safety Committee are not available. The
1 Major Julian Dodge, Capt. William McKay, George Norris, veteran of the Civil War, Louis Page, John Philbrick.
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
most excellent "Story of the State Committee on Public Safety"1 of necessity omits those local plans and efforts of interest to our town, including the intimate details of in- terest only to Wenham people. We recall the flocks of sheep, patriotically purchased, to increase the supply of wool. This was a disappointing venture, since no outlet was found for the clip, and at the close of the war it re- mained a liability to the owners.
The Cannery, at Brookby Farm, with its morning and afternoon shifts, preparing and canning vegetables raised by the Service Unit of the North Shore Garden Club. A motor corps collected surplus vegetables and the products of the farmerettes, who did all the work exclusive of ploughing and harrowing. The thousands of jars canned by this volunteer labor were distributed to hospitals of service to this community.
Victory Shop was opened at South Hamilton by the Visiting Nurse Association. This was a sort of clearing- house for housewives for instruction and conference on the use of substitutes for white flour and sugar. Here also a baby clinic was held, one afternoon a week.
Liberty Bond drives, under Public Safety committee, exceeded by far the quotas assigned.
Home card of 1917. The home keepers were reached by home cards, carrying the messages of how and what to do, to the individual. Herbert Hoover stressed "The prob- lem of winning the war rests on the sacrifice of the Ameri- can people, in the matter of food."
Women's Council of National Defense was active in carrying out the work delegated to it. There was little confusion and the women were kept informed by lectures and demonstrations and the home cards.
In 1918 the town appropriated $875.00 as a War fund. From this amount $162.50 was spent for shoes for the State Guard, $226.76 for fertilizer, and $119.65 for labor (ploughing and harrowing) for home gardens.
Red Cross. Surgical dressings, Mrs. Alanson Daniels ; knitting, Mrs. Charles Thorndike Parker; sewing Mrs. Houston Thomas.
1 Story of the Massachusetts Committee of Public Safety, by George H. Lyman.
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
Influenza of 1918. This epidemic had its start in the army, where it attacked the most young and vigorous. It took the form of broncho-penumonia, and was fatal in a few days.
Hospitals and nurses were inadequate for the proper care of the patients ; a volunteer corps in Wenham rallied with clothing, bedding and food. Emergency hospitals were established in Ipswich and Gloucester.
The Wenham and Hamilton Cannery was then in full operation and quickly diverted its workers to soup-mak- ing. This soup was distributed daily by truck, as long as the emergency existed.
Aftermath of World War I. The relief when the war was ended, and the news of the truce announced, let down the bars of convention and for a brief half hour, the con- ventional citizens of Wenham became an emotional people, bells were rung and excited groups gathered to express the joy and relief of the end of this war.
The slogan of amusement for all, and the increase in the ownership of automobiles, created a reaction in living conditions. Wenham seemed to become a lodging house for its citizens, rather than a collection of homes to enjoy.
The gardens so painfully cultivated during the war and the canning became a memory, since one could buy vege- tables cheaper than one could garden. The evasion of the Prohibition law created another problem. In addition to these factors was the difficulty of readjustment to civil life of the ex-service men.
The Depression. This period beginning 1929 created a sobering influence. Unemployment became something more than a local problem. The Federal government gave each town a chance to register all unemployed, with in- formation as to their training and ability for different lines of work. Each town was allowed to submit projects of civic worth, to carry out which the town would pay for materials and the government for labor.
Men were largely employed on highway construction, and by this Work Progress Act, called WPA, Larch Row was widened and a sharp curve removed. Similar work was done on Grapevine Road, the abuttors giving the land for this so-called improvement.
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
The women made rugs, one in particular for the Town Hall stage. They sewed and they canned; those of clerical ability copied town records, carried on the Vital Statistics, 1850-1900, and assisted in town clerical work. Surplus commodities were each week brought to the town and dis- tributed to those in need.
This condition of unemployment was arrested by the beginning of the second World War, 1941. With the ex- panding of production, the pressure for labor, it became possible to liquidate the whole WPA administration in Wenham in April, 1943.
While the WPA was the object of much ridicule, on account of the enormous waste, its ill-conceived enter- prises, leaning on shovels, the doing of more or less futile projects just for the sake of doing them, it was a remedy for the mass unemployment. At the peak of its activity, Wenham gave employment to some sixty men and women.
Memorial of World War I. In 1920 there was a gen- eral desire to build some suitable memorial to the men in service during the war just completed.
The committee appointed reported that "a memorial Town Hall was the most fitting memorial which could be suggested, as the town would soon be compelled to have a Town Hall of adequate size and convenience, on account of the growth of its activities," but the committee believed that the work should not be undertaken until "the country was in a more stable condition."
A quarter of a century has passed, and the "inadequate" Town Hall is still waiting to be replaced or added to, for proper accommodations for library and town activities.
Since the memorial felt by the committee to be most fitting was not built, the town honored its men in the serv- ice by a bronze tablet on which is inscribed the names of the seventy-nine men who were in service.
World War II. It is impossible at this time, May, 1943, to make any review of the effect of this devastating war upon Wenham life and its people. At best we only note the part Wenham has taken in carrying on the Federal and State regulations. As to what changes in our pattern of life this war is making, only the future years can
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
answer how superficial or how permanent are the changes we are experiencing today.
Unlike World War I, the town has been organized as a township and not in conjunction with our neighbor, Ham- ilton. However, various sub-committees of the two towns are cooperating for the better conduct of particular acti- vities.
Public Safety Committee. The State Public Safety Committee turned the organization of the town to the Board of Selectmen, Samuel Conary, chairman, and Thomas P. Mandell was appointed Wenham chairman of Civilian Defense. Mr. Mandell worked most dili- gently in organizing a rather reluctant township, which before Pearl Harbor was not aroused to the seriousness of the situation. Mr. Mandell (removing from town) re- signed in 1942, and Myron Perkins was appointed to fill this vacancy.
The important divisions of the Public Safety Commit- tee, with their chairmen are:
Public Safety Committee-Chairman, Myron Perkins.
Protective Divisions, with named chairmen: Air-raid Wardens: Delano Kennard. Hamilton and Wenham Medical Division: Dr. John Corcoran; Deputy, Miss Clementina Haines. Hamilton and Wenham Ambulance and First Aid: Rev. Wm. Stride. Hamilton and Wen- ham Canteen : Mrs. John Nightingale.
War Service Division-Women's Division: Mrs. John Amory. Personal contact with home keepers using block system, classes in nutrition and child welfare.
War Bonds-Men's Division: Charles Lunt. Women's Division : Mrs. Fred Ashworth.
Food for Victory: Philip Horton Smith.
Under these various chairmen are enrolled men and women who have qualified for this Civilian Defense work by attending classes, practise tests, and holding them- selves ready for emergency work. In addition to the Public Safety Committees :
Red Cross of Hamilton and Wenham - Production, sewing and knitting: Mrs. Louis Dodge. Surgical dress-
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
ings : Mrs. Oliver Wolcott. Home Service: Mrs. Fred Ashworth.
State Guard. This was formed at the request of the State, combining the towns of Hamilton and Wenham. It was organized March 17, 1942, as the 58th Company, of Hamilton and Wenham, with sixty men, and three offi- ers : Captain, Harold Daley; Lieutenant, Thomas J. Todd; Lieutenant, Henry Phippen, Jr.
Each town appropriated money to purchase uniforms and the necessary equipment for headquarters at the Com- munity House. The company drills weekly, and the roll is constantly changing, as men are entering the service. Forty-five men already have left the company, and are in service.
Report Center. In 1942, to fall in line with other towns, a report center was undertaken. By combining with Hamilton such a center was equipped and manned on a 6-4 basis. Wenham appropriated as its share, $650.
Rationing Board was established by the Federal gov- ernment-Fred T. Vickers, chairman; Guy Cole, clerk. The work started on a four-hour basis, and has increased to forty-eight hours a week. The work includes rationing of gasoline, tires, and rubber goods, and food.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
With the opening of the twentieth century, there began to be a demand for better accommodations for the school at the Center, and that meant a new schoolhouse adequate for the primary and grammar grades. The building must be centrally located, with sufficient land for a playground. The question of location aroused much controversy and for the satisfaction of the majority, the committee ap- pointed by the town selected four locations, to be voted on by ballot: The Kavanaugh site, the Perkins site, the old parsonage, and Kimball land (corner Main and Cherry streets). Each site had its strong adherents. The ballot decided in favor of the Perkins site on April 6, 1903. Here the school building was erected, and completed in 1907.
On this land were ample playgrounds. The rather bar- ren appearance was softened by the planting of trees and shrubs by the Village Improvement Society. The road- way through the grounds was bordered by trees through the interest of Dr. John Phillips.
Teachers. Throughout the last half century, the teach- ing force has been recruited largely from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and from graduates of State Teachers Colleges.
State Paternalism. The state continued its effort to raise the standard of rural schools by introducing some of the new subjects and opportunities enjoyed by larger communities. Some of these efforts were not popular with Wenham and many years elapsed between the time the State made it permissible for towns to appropriate money for new subjects and the time it became mandatory. In the interim, private efforts supplied this need.
Music was introduced into the schools through the in- terest of Ivory Quimby, who was the prime mover in bring- ing the matter before the town and securing an appropria- tion of $100, which was quite inadequate for supervision
(129)
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
in four districts so widely scattered. Mr. Quimby himself volunteered to undertake this work, and gave his services until his own business made it imperative for him to re- sign. The necessary money to secure a teacher was then donated by private subscription.
The schools worked hard for their music. When Mrs. Grace (Rogers) Gould was teaching at the Center, the pupils raised money to hire an organ by selling little aprons and holders which they had made.
Manual Training, Domestic Science, Sewing, were sub- jects introduced into the schools by the Village Improve- ment Society. When the subjects had proven desirable, they were taken over by the School Committee.
Nature Study is now being sponsored by the Village Improvement Society and the Audubon Society.
Free Textbooks. In 1873 an act was passed by the Leg- islature allowing towns who accepted the act to furnish school books at the expense of the town. The School Com- mittee did not approve, and recommended that the act should not be adopted, "fearing the scholars would take better care of the books, if they belonged to themselves." In 1884 the town was required to supply free textbooks.
Superintendency Union. The supervision of teachers had been a responsibility of school committees up to the twentieth century, when the State, by offering to share ex- pense of a supervising trained person to improve rural schools, allowed several small towns to unite in a Union. In 1903 a Union was established by which Wenham com- bined with Hamilton, Ipswich, Essex. This Union has been maintained up to the present (1943), the combina- tion varying, as Ipswich, Essex and Hamilton dropped out at various times, their places being filled by Topsfield, Lynnfield and Middleton. The Union at present con- sists of Wenham, Topsfield, Lynnfield; Mr. John Whit- tier, Superintendent.
Consolidation of Schools. The decrease in the number of pupils and difficulty of securing teachers for the three district schools, the better opportunities offered at the Cen- ter school, aroused a movement to transport these district schools to the Center. This was steadfastly resisted by parents in those districts for some years. Finally an cx-
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
periment was made in transporting the older children at the Neck by a horse-drawn vehicle. This was inadequate and unsatisfactory. The following year, to demonstrate that this transportation could be properly done, an auto- mobile (station wagon) and driver was offered the school committee by Mr. Edward B. Cole, and as it was shown that proper transportation could be provided, the district schools were gradually closed, and the pupils taken to the Center.
Junior High School. During the superintendency of Mr. Harvey Williams, the burning question of having a Wenham High School was a matter of yearly debate in town meeting. The cost of sending the increasing number of pupils to Salem and Beverly high schools was the prin- ciple motive for this perennial question. Town commit- tees and school committees reported adversely. The ques- tion finally was very satisfactorily decided, when the school committee added a ninth grade to Wenham schools, thus cutting down by a year the high school period out of town.
Addition to Center School building. This addition was made necessary in 1920 by the increased enrollment of the Junior High School.
Essex Agricultural School. The establishment of this school permitted each town in Essex County to take ad- vantage of training in modern farm methods. This was an outlet for boys and girls not adapted or interested in academic work.
Industrial Schools. In 1911 boys and girls were given the opportunity of attending any of the industrial schools of Massachusetts by Act, Section 7, Chapter 471.
The town today (1943) is providing school opportuni- ties for a less number than a hundred or so years ago, when in 1859 two hundred and thirty pupils were enrolled, with a town appropriation of $800.
In this tercentenary year, we find there are one hun- dred and fifty-four pupils enrolled in the nine grades taught in town. In the high schools there are thirty-nine ; Beverly Trade School, four; Essex Agricultural School, three, making a total of two hundred who are receiving the benefits of a free education. In addition to this num- ber there are forty-five in private school or college. Twelve
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
teachers are required for the first nine grades; this num- ber includes four part-time, special teachers for music, drawing, conservation, and the school nurse. The cost of conducting the schools the past year was $28,415.56, against which amount was a reimbursement by the State of $3665.55.
The disposal of the District School buildings 1911-Old schoolhouse, next the Town Hall, was leased for a Y. M. C. A. building. Later sold and used as a garage by Mr. William Trowt.
1924-West schoolhouse was moved to town land, at rear of the Town Hall and with an addition became a Town Garage at cost of $1700.
1925-East schoolhouse sold to Mrs. Abby Prince for $500. Unoccupied.
1930-Neck schoolhouse sold to the Baptist Society for $1.00. Resold by the Society to Arthur Leach for $20.00. He moved the building across the adjoining land of Mrs. Charles Leach, where it was remodelled into an attractive dwelling house.
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