USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Notes on Wenham history, 1643-1943 > Part 12
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Legion Auxiliary. Wenham unit consists of thirty- three members-President, Mrs. A. Wesley Dodge. This unit is working with the Norman Prince Post for the betterment of the community in carrying out the peace- time program to which the Post is dedicated. The special work of this Wenham unit is rehabilitation work at the Danvers Hospital, by bringing cheer to ex-service men of World War I and World War II.
1688
METAL WEATHERVANE FROM OLD CHURCH (2nd) ON TARR'S HILL Historical Collection at the Barn, Wenham
CORNER OF THE BARN, WENHAM HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Ogee braces from the Second Meeting-house suggest the same builder as of the Claflin-Richards House
SOCIAL CENTERS
With the increasing number of organizations in town, there has become a demand for more social centers.
Town Hall. This is the only building for large assem- blies and for the town meetings. With the granting of suffrage to women, the expanding of the Library, the ex- panding work of the Selectmen, and town employees, the Town Hall, which has served the town for almost a cen- tury, is becoming inadequate for the population of today.
Church Vestries. The Congregational and Baptist so- cieties maintain small buildings for their social needs. Each of these buildings is used for the various church organizations, and smaller groups like the Scouts, who have no building of their own.
Community House. Through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. George Mandell of Hamilton, a very beautiful building was erected for the use and enjoyment of the citizens of both towns. This building was erected at South Hamilton as a memorial to their son Samuel, who lost his life in the first World War. This building has a commodious hall with smaller rooms for small groups, and bowling alleys.
Wenham Legion Headquarters. This small building is the headquarters of the Legion and adapted to their meet- ings only.
Engine House. By vote of the town in 1943, the en- gine house is being enlarged and has a room above the engine house for the firemen, as they choose to come to- gether socially. It is heated by the town.
Tea House. During the winter, this building is avail- able for groups of a hundred or less, and for committee meetings of the many organizations in town.
Barn on the Historical Grounds. This is especially use- ful to groups of seventy or less. It has a small kitchen and equipment.
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SOCIAL AND CIVIC LIFE OF THE TOWN
Town officials and leaders. Wenham has been fortu- nate in having the unselfish devotion of so many of its townspeople, in the conduct of the town, like Wellington Poole, who contributed so much to the town, in many capacities, in addition to the long years of service as Town Clerk - Porter Perkins, Selectman, followed by Arthur D. Prince, each of whom gave intelligent interest and wise counsel over a long period of years-and Herbert Porter, an enthusiastic supporter of town interests in various posi- tions - through the alert and discriminating efforts of Lester Libby in conducting real estate transactions, the town continues to be a desirable residential community.
Effect of Transportation. As the ownership of cars in- creased this first quarter of the twentieth century, Wen- ham lost its feeling of isolation ; neighbors and business centers within a radius of thirty miles became a part of everyday living.
In 1942 the convenience and comfort of the private car was suddenly displaced by the necessity of tire and gas rationing.
As 1943 has progressed the private car and bus have been further curtailed, with the increasing needs of the armed forces.
Bicycles have been resorted to by those able to ride them, occasional horses appear, and neighbors are combin- ing for necessary errands.
This increasing lack of transportation will have as defi- nite an effect upon the life of the people in Wenham as abundant transportation facilities changed living condi- tions in the last fifty years.
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WENHAM IN 1943 ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW CENTURY
The physical characteristics of the town have changed, though its shape and boundaries remain the same as three hundred years ago.
The town has suffered much from encroachments of the Salem Water Board, not only by losing acreage, but by the limitation of growth in the Neck district, much poten- tial value is lost.
This part of the town was the hardest hit by the Act in 1893, which took Longham Basin for the Salem and Beverly water supply.1 Not only is Wenham poorer by the 140 acres taken, but in reality 800 acres poorer, since the Act prevents the building upon any of the water courses. A further effort to increase the water supply and keep water pure, resulted in the taking of more land, Acts 1913, Chap. 700, making a total of 448 acres.
When the plan was conceived of driving wells through all this section, there was much opposition. There were public hearings,2 when the town was represented by coun- sel, Elbridge R. Anderson of Wenham; the plan was de- feated.
The Meadows have entirely changed in character. The coarse meadow grass has been replaced by pickerel grass and other weeds. This change is due partly to the dam, and flooding, which made the meadows wetter, and partly because the Miles river is no longer annually cleaned. Formerly the Miles River Corporation undertook this task. The river was cleared of lily roots and weeds by a couple of yoke of oxen and a triangular iron sort of plough. For this service owners were assessed $.20 an acre.
Wenham Pond has changed. Dr. John Phillips, ever a loyal Wenham citizen, has said of it,3 "We never again
1 Acts 1893, Chap. 352, 364.
2 W. Town Report, 1914.
3 "Wenham Great Pond," John C. Phillips, p. 10.
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
will see Wenham Pond, as God made it. They have pumped half the putrefaction of the Ipswich river into a spring fed pond, essence of dead dogs, pigs, cats and hens (we canoeists have seen them all). Water Boards come and go, politicians cannot agree . . and each autumn we Wenhamites must be content with smelly mud flats."
Highways. There are twenty miles of roads in Wen- ham. It would be difficult in these twenty miles of roads to find a mile stretch of straight road. Our wind- ing roads, with the everchanging vistas, have been a joy of Wenham during the horse and buggy days, and still are, when they can be safely retained. Each year as motor traffic asks for straighter roads, dangerous curves are eliminated, and thus with increasing motor traffic, Wenham loses its prized kaleidoscopic views, and one of its assets.
Further reduction of taxable acreage. In addition to the land taken by the Salem-Water Board, considerable acreage has been absorbed by other agencies. Wenham just missed becoming an educational center, when repeat- ed efforts were made to establish an academy here. This was in the nineteenth century. Today it might almost be said it was becoming a philanthropic, humanitarian and civic center.
The Iron Rail Vacation House, Inc., established as a vacation house for working girls on one hundred acres of the former farm of Richard Dodge, administered by a Board of Trustees under a trust established by Miss Helen Frick.
Hemlock Island, sixteen acres in Wenham swamp, pre- serving a stand of pine and hemlock given to the Trustees of Public Reservations by Dr. John C. Phillips.
Camp Site, eight acres to the Boy Scouts of America, Salem Council.
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a small house lot.
Wenham Village Improvement Society, Inc., five acres occupied by playgrounds and the Historical Association.
Churches, schoolhouses, and town buildings reduce also
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
taxable acreage. The tax paid by the Salem Water Board for the 448 acres owned by them is not commensurate with present values, based as it is on the low valuation as agreed upon when the land was taken. Acts 1893, Chap. 352, Acts 1913, Chap. 700.
That the tax rate which in 1902-3 was only $6.00 has not increased to more than $17.80 is due to two factors : first, the very rapid increase in valuation by the building of large estates, which increase is greater in proportion than the increased cost of conducting the town.
Population. The slight increase in population during the last fifty years is due to the coming of new residents, rather than to the general ratio of increase, which is maintained between births and deaths. It is interesting to note that many leaders in town politics and civic life who were descendants of former leaders are leaving no descend- ants to carry on their traditions.
The civic spirit of newcomers who have become a part of Wenham promises well for the future of our town. To them will fall the duty of conducting, with a broad vision, the affairs of this three-hundred-year-old town, yet keep- ing a just sense of values.
Land, and soil values. From the land standpoint, we stand at the moment on the threshold of either a revival of our cottage gardens and land production, or of losing the productivity of the land which we have cherised. The initiative of the individual with small acreage may retain the home garden and home subsistence. A feeling of responsibility toward the land may induce owners of large estates to restore its fertility. This latter is purely altruistic, for there is little incentive to grow without a profitable market.
The future of the soil and land of Wenham is in the hands of the coming generation, as they take up the prob- lems of the fourth century-of Wenham's struggle with the land.
Our town was founded with an acreage of some 5000 acres. Farming of the tillable land was a test of endur- ance, hard work and patience. Farming the 4000 acres remaining is, in this twentieth century, dependent upon
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Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943
capital, machinery, and all that goes with mechanized in- dustry.
The lush meadows and heavily wooded acres of the seventeenth century are gone. Our land-hungry pioneers had a look to the future in their regulations to preserve the timber, the herbage of the meadows, and good pastur- age. Their descendants of succeeding centuries have been opportunists, overlooking land values in terms of produc- tivity. They have created a residential town, a place to establish a home, to which to return after the day's work is over, a place to bring up their children, a town of homes. In every one of these homes, there is the chal- lenge to be alert-to keep the town clean-to give the best educational facilities in our public schools-to have standards-and live to those standards.
INDEX
Abbe, Thomas, 33, 34, 35. Acadians in Wenham, 62, 63. Aenon, 6. Agriculture, 83, 117, 118.
Allen, Myron, 109.
Alley, Henry, 116.
Cannery, 124.
Algonquins, 7, 8.
Car-barn site, 101.
Amory, Mrs. John, 127.
Cape Breton Isle, 59.
Amherst, 35.
Catholic church, 141.
Ammunition, 32, 69.
Cemeteries, see burial grounds.
Anderson, E. R., 149, 123. Rufus, 86.
Chapman, 121.
Andros, Sir Ed., 40.
Charter, Loss of, 39.
Chebacco boat, Lilly, 115.
Chelmsford, 17, 25.
Apothecary shops, 121, 122.
Ashworth, Mrs. F., 127, 128.
Ayer, Mrs. F., 142.
Auxiliary, 146.
Church, Formation, 23. Separation from town, 140.
Congregational, 140.
Baptist, 141. Denom. in So. Hamilton, 141.
Cider mill, 53.
Clark, Thomas, 15, 120. Jason, 115.
Claflin, Daniel, 54, 59.
Claflin-Richards House, 31, 45.
Cole, Guy, 128.
College, Harvard, 51.
Common Lands, 41, 43, 44, 48.
Bee-keeping, 116. Bellerica, 9. Beverly, 8. Biam, George, 25.
Bibber, Goody, 39.
Bloody Brook, 34. Bond Drives, 124, 127.
Bounties, 22, 34, 35, 59.
Bounty jumpers, 94.
Boulder, 5, 6. Bowling, 142.
Boxford, 8.
Bradford, 8.
Crown Point, 60, 62.
Cromwell, 19. Curtis, J. W., 139.
Cutler, Mrs. B. P., 127. Rev. F., 145. Rev Manasseh, 72, 73
Daley, Capt. Harold, 128. Dame School, 7, 8.
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Baker, Col. John, 70. Balch Pasture, 9. Barnes, Jacob, 100, 123. Thomas, 138.
Barracks, 93.
Batchelder, Ira, 45. Joseph, 17, 35, 115. Mark, 33, 34. Mary, 134. Roscoe, 145.
Community House, 146. Conant, Benj., 6, 108, 111, 134. Roger, 27. Conary, Samuel, 127. Cook, Henry, 110. Joseph, 109. Stephen, 116. Coolidge, Mrs. W. H., 127.
Corcoran, Dr. John, 127.
Coy, Richard, 38.
Crehore, Rupert, 67.
Brown, Amos vs. Wenham, 9. Joseph, 71. Nathl., 68. Hon. Wm., 18. Bunker, Nathl., 111.
Burton, Mrs. F., 134. Burnham, Helen E., 144. Irving, 116.
Burial grounds, 74-77. Butcher carts, 115.
Cabot, George, 84.
Canal, 89.
Civilian defense, 127, 128.
Appleton, Samuel, 34.
Apprentices, 43.
Chickering, Henry, 14. Francis, 18. Choate, Jerry, 115.
154
Index
Day, Everett, 110.
Democratic party, 86.
Depression, 29, 125.
Diphtheria, 98. Diary of John Fisk, 32.
Fillmore, John, 63, 64.
Fire Dept., Devel. of, 136, 137.
Divoll, John, 17.
District School Bldgs., 132.
Dodge grant, 16.
Son of John, 53.
Dodge's Row, 16.
Dodge's Burial ground, 76.
Dodge, Abram, 104.
Phineas, 26.
Adoniram, 108, 138.
Major Andrew, 71, 106. Billy, 116. Isaac, 59, 72.
Jacob, 93.
John Thorn, 116.
John, 34, 59.
Judson Fund, 135.
Louis, 109.
Mrs. Louis, 128.
Oliver, 72.
Peter, 79.
Phineas, 59.
Richard, 16, 53, 98.
Rufus, 93.
French neutrals, 62.
Fruits, 11. 118.
Dow, George Francis, 46. Durgin, John I., 114.
Eastern railroad, 100.
Education, see schools.
Electric cars, 10. Ellery, Fortune, 71.
Embargo Act. 86.
Endicott, Zerubabel, 28.
Engine House, 147.
Enon, 19, 21, 136.
Enon Hotel, 37. Episcopal Church, 141. Erhard, Henry, 28, 45.
Essex Co. Ag. Soc., 117. Ag. School, 131.
To defend, 32. Protests vs. tax, 40.
Essex Junto, 84, 85, 89.
Farming, 11, 12. Felmingham grant, 12. Fairfield grant, 13, 16. Fairfield, Benj., 69, 71. Burial ground, 77.
John, 13. William, 80. Dr. Wm., 60.
Gage, Gen., 68.
Gage Ice Co., 114.
Gill, Richard, 63.
Golf, 142.
Gould, Amos, 108. Nathl., 121.
Geere, Wm., 26. Gen. Court, 19, 22, 32, 35-37, 40, 41, 43, 47, 54, 99.
Regulations, Dress, 47. Schools, 51, 78, 80. Wages, 49.
Gentlee, John.
Geology, 5.
Gloucester, 8.
Gorham, A. D., 145.
Goldsmith, Richard, 25, 26. Zaccheus, 15, 45. Gott, Charles, 27, 54. Lieut., 48. Grammar schools, 51. Grant, Kate, 107. Grange, The, 144. Grape, 11. Wenham, 118. Great Pond, 7, 16, 19, 53, 113.
Mercy, 48.
Noah, 48.
Thomas, 33. William, 51.
Flower of Essex, 33, 34.
Fortifications, 58.
Foster, Joseph, 9. Samuel, 25, 37.
Founding of Wenham, 5.
Fowler, 12. Elizabeth, 35. Joseph, 15, 39. W. W., 139.
Fox-hunting, 102.
Friend, James, 53.
French and Indian Wars, 59-62.
Stephen, 70. Thomas, 71.
Federalists, 84, 86. Felton, John, 120. Ferry, 38.
Fisk, Capt., 51. John, 14, 15, 18, 19, 23-25.
155
Index
Half-way Covenant, 31. Hartford Convention, 85. Hatfield, Ruth, 47. Hawes Mill, 53. Hawkins Fund, 135. Highways, 150. Higginson, John, Letter, close of 17th cent., 56, 57. Hill, S. M., Ice Co., 114. Hobbs, Henry, 110, 139. Home Card, 1918, 124. Horse-cars, 99, 100. Horse-boat, 38. Horse trotting, 103. Hort-yard, 30. Horn-book, 52. Houses, 17th cent., 45. House-wrights, 115. Hutton, Richard, 33, 35.
Ice-cutting, 113-115. Inhabitants, 22, 35, 45, 52. Industries, 53-55, 112-116.
Indians, 7-11, 32, 58.
Indian Wars, 59-62.
Influenza, 1918, 125. Iron-rail vacation house, 150. Ipswich regiment, 85.
Johnson, Abbot, 109, 110. Josselyn, John, 49.
Kavanagh, Kate, 139. Kemp, Edward, 25. Kennard, Delano, 127. Killam, Austin, 17, 25, 26. Wife of Austin, 47. Daniel, 84. Dr. Daniel, 85. David, 70. Kimball, Caleb, 33, 34, 70. Capt., 71. Wife of John, 47. Henry, 38. Solomon, 109. Thomas, 33. 70. King Philip's War, 20-32. Knowlton, Ray, 127.
Lancaster, 17. Lake-view Golf Club, 142. Lander, Chas., 113. Camp, 92. Brig. Gen., 92.
Legion, 146. Headquarters, 147.
Leach, Capt. Mathew, 116. Lexington, Battle of, 70.
Lefavour, Issacher, 104. Libby, Lester, 148.
Library, 108-111, 133. Funds, 135.
Little Comfort, 106. Lilly, Chebacco-boat, 115, 116.
Lindens, 117.
Longham, 106. Long Hill, 42. Lord's Hill, 53.
Louisburg, 59.
Loyalists, 68.
Lumber. 22.
Lummus, Ezra, 138. Samuel, 18. Lunt, Charles, 127.
Mault Mill, 53. Manchester, 8. Mary Ann, The, 14, 18, 24.
Macclaflin, Robert, 29. Mandell, Mr. and Mrs. George, 142. T. P., 127.
Mapleville Chapel Assoc, 145. Maxey, John, 59.
Merrill, Harrison, 112. Misses Carrie and Nellie, 112.
Meeting House, 19, 30.
Meservy, Eli, 62.
Military Training, 32, 60.
Miles River Corp., 149.
Mills, 53. Minute Men, 69. Mitchell, Rev. J. C., 110. Mrs. E. L,, 144 Morant, Philip, 116. Morocco Factory, 113.
Moulton, Ja., 26. Samuel, 33. Mudge, Edwin, 94.
Myopia Hunt Club, 102.
Narragansetts, 34. New Boston, 35. Neilson Fund, 135. Nightingale, Mrs. John, 127. Newman, Antipas, 27-29. Children of, 27, 28. Norman Prince Post, 146. Northwest territory, 72, 73.
156
Index
Ober, Serg. Saml., 71, 120. Old Farm, 45. Ordinance of 1787, 72. Ordinaries, 37, 38. Osgood, E. H., 104.
Patch, Amos, 108. Perkins, David, 120. Nathl., 120. Porter, 148. Poole, Wellington, 6, 108, 138, 148. Population, 151. Porter, Billy, 120. Col. Paul, 120. Herbert, 148.
Postal service, 139.
Pickering, Timothy, 84-88, 117. Swain, Rev., 62, 66.
Pickering house, 45, 84. Prince, Andrew, 116. Arthur, 148.
Public Health, 97.
Public Safety, 123, 127.
Putnam, B. C., 109, 120, 121, 138. J. A., 109, 120, 121, 138.
Railroad, 99. Rationing Board, 128.
Rayment, Richard, 13.
Reade, Esdras, 24, 25. Red Cross, 124, 127.
Rea, Dr. Caleb, 61.
Report Center, 128.
Reynolds, Hon. James, 45.
Revolution, 65-73.
Richards, G. D., and Austin, 121.
Robinson, Dr., 94.
Rocky Hill, 5.
Rogers, Wm., 35. Rowley, 8. Rowlandson, Mary White, 33.
Sagamore of Agawam, 8, 9. Salem, 21.
Water Board, 149.
Schools, 51, 78-80, 104-107, 129, 132. School-dames, 78. Scouts, Boy and Girl, 145. Servants, 43. Sewall, Rev. John, 82. Shipwrights, 115. Shoe making, 112.
Stores, 120, 121. Smallpox, 98.
Smith, Samuel, 13, 14, 87. Widow of, 15, 16, 19, 21. Son and grandson of, 15. Philip Horton, 127, 135.
Snake Hill, 5. Social Centers, 147.
Spinning Bees, 66, 67.
Spanish War, 123.
Sports, 142. Stamp Act, 65.
Starrett, David. 123
Stride, Rev. W., 127.
Suffolk Co., 14, 18.
Swett, Josiah, 79.
Swamp Division, 44.
Tanning, 54. Taverns, 37, 81, 99, 120, 138, 139. Teachers, 107.
Ten-footers, 112. Tennis, 142. Ticonderoga, 60-62.
Tiffany hood, 47.
Timber, 42-42.
Todd, T. J., 128.
Town Hall, 97, 147.
Topsfield, 8.
Training Field, 32.
Training Band, 71.
Transportation, 82, 99-101.
Trowt, A. D. & W. F., 121, 139.
Tuberculosis, 97.
Tudor, Fred, 113.
Turnpikes, 82.
Union of Colonies, 59. Union Block, 121. Union Church, So. Hamilton, 141.
Vestries, church, 147. Vickers, F. T., 128. Victory Shop, 124. Village Imp. Society, 143, 144. Visiting Nurse Assoc., 124.
Wages, 49. Wars, French & Indian, 59-62. Revolution, 65, 71. 1812, 84, 89. Civil, 91, 94, 95.
157
Index
Wars, Spanish, 123. World War I, 125, 126. World War II, 127. Waldron, Edmund, 15. Nathl., 45. Way, see Highway. Welles, Dr. Edward, 48. Welch, Philip, 33. Wentworth. Ethel, 142.
Wenham burial grounds, 75. Lake, 5. Pond, 89, 149. Canal, 89. Suit against, 9. Efforts to make industrial, 122.
Wenham, Organizations, 143-146. Social Centers, 147. Transfer to S. Essex Dis., 86. Whittier, John, 130. White, Alden, 145. Hannah, 17. John, 17. Ruth, 17. Thomas, 17.
William, pirate, 64.
Wilkins, Adeline, 147.
Winthrop, John, 7. Gov., 22. W.P.A., 125, 126.
Woodbury. I., 135. Wolcott, Mrs. O., 128.
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