USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newbury > Ould Newbury: historical and biographical sketches > Part 39
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He was evidently a man of wealth, ready to aid and assist his friend, Nathaniel Tracy, and fully competent to deal with the difficulties of the situation. Two days after the con- veyance of the Tracy house to Mr. Russell, by the deed of exchange previously alluded to, a quitclaim deed from Thomas Russell, undoubtedly written by John Lowell, Esq., who took the acknowledgment, conveyed all his right and
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title to land formerly belonging to the estate of Patrick Tracy, " on State Street in said Newburyport and the build- ings thereon " to Timothy Dexter (Essex Deeds, book 153, leaf 75). On the same day Dudley Atkins Tyng, adminis- trator, with the will annexed, of the estate of Patrick Tracy, gave a quitclaim deed of the same property to Timothy Dexter (book 153, leaf 76).
Real estate in Newburyport was very much depreciated at that time ; and, taking advantage of this circumstance, Dexter bought several pieces of property that he afterward disposed of at a good profit. He retained possession of the Tracy house until April 9, 1796, when he sold it to John Greenleaf, and removed to Chester, N. H. (book 159, leaf 273). Ac- knowledgment of this deed was made in Connecticut, where Nancy Dexter, who married Abraham Bishop, was then living.
John Greenleaf sold the house and land, March 11, 1800, to James Prince for $9,000 (book 166, leaf 220).
The property remained in the possession of Mr. Prince for over thirty years. During a portion of this time it was occu- pied as a hotel. The Newburyport Herald for May 26, 1807, contains the following announcement : -
NEWBURYPORT SUN HOTEL.
JACOB COBURN.
W ITH deference informs his friends and the public that he has opened a fpacious HOTEL in ftate-ftreet, Newburyport, the for- mer manfion of the late Hon. Nathaniel Tracy, Etq. and where Mr. James Prince laft refided.
Having at confiderable pains and ex- penfe put the above in a fituation fuited to ac- commodate Gentlemen, he affures them with confidence that they will find every convenience, and an unremitting attention to enfure the fa- vors of the Traveller. Good horfes and carriages to be had at all hours.
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Some years later, the house, with the stable, garden, and household furniture, was advertised for sale at public auction. The full and accurate description of the property given in the columns of the Essex Register, a newspaper published in Salem, Mass., is interesting and worthy of preservation. It can also be quoted as evidence of the fact that Mr. Prince lived in the house Dec. 3, 1814. The statement that the house was " built by Nathaniel Tracy " is an error and should be made to read, "built by Patrick Tracy for Nathaniel Tracy." With this exception the description is historically correct.
To be sold at public auction on Tuesday the 27th of Dec. inst. on the premises.
THAT beautiful situation on State street, Newburyport, built by NATH'L TRACY, Esq and now occupied by the subscriber, containing about [ acre and 1-4 of Land, with an elegant garden laid out in squares trimmed with box, & which contains the choicest kind of fruit trees ; 90 bushels of St. Michael, Bergamot, Gardenelle and other Pears, and about 10 bushels of early summer Apples, 10 bushels of russett and other winter Apples were raised in it the present year- about 30 bushels of English black and white heart and mazzard Cherries, and a great variety of Plumbs & Peaches annually -the nett income of the garden the present year is $200. The Mansion House is 54 feet by 50, and slated, brick kitchen 30 feet by 24, rain water cistern containing 25 hhds. and a copper boiler set in brick which contains 2 1-2 barrels, cellar under the whole house, and a lower cellar where the heat is nearly stationary in all weather. The Stable is 79 feet by 35 -the wood house 50 feet by 25-the shed 45 feet by 22. Also at the same time about 500 bbls old Vinegar, and some elegant Furniture such as 2 Wilton Carpets 72 yards each, yellow damask bed and window curtains, sophas and chairs covered with same, India card tables, glass chandelier, and 5 elegant looking glasses suitable for the house.
Sale at 11 o'clock, when the conditions will be made known.
JAMES PRINCE.
Newburyport, Dec. 3, 1814.
For some reason unknown, the sale of the property was not completed ; and Mr. Prince was still living in the house
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when General La Fayette and his suite visited Newburyport in the month of August, 1824. The same apartments that Washington occupied in 1789 were offered to the commit- tee appointed to make arrangements for the reception of La Fayette, and were promptly accepted and prepared for his accommodation. Mr. Prince Stetson, proprietor of Wolfe tavern, then located on the corner of State and Temple streets, had charge of the tables and provided the meals for the town's distinguished guests. His son Charles, then a lad of thirteen, acted as valet de chambre to the general. Among the citizens who called to pay their respects to La Fayette, was an old companion in arms, Daniel Foster, Esq., who held the rank of sergeant in La Fayette's select corps of infantry during the War of the Revolution.
James Prince was a son of Rev. Joseph Prince,* the blind preacher, who was buried in the vault, with Whitefield, under the pulpit in the First Presbyterian meeting-house. He was an active and energetic business man and rose to affluence by his own industry. He was chosen warden of St. Paul's Church in 1798, 1799, and 1800, and was a vestryman from 1801 to 1803, inclusive. In early life he was a zealous poli- tician, and at one time was collector of customs at Newbury- port. He died May 11, 1830, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and was buried in the New Hill burying ground.
June 16, 1830, Sarah Doane, wife of Samuel D. Doane, of Boston, Ann L. Jewett, wife of Nathaniel Jewett, of Washington City, Mary L. Prince, singlewoman, William H. Prince and James Prince, heirs and devisees of James Prince, sold the house and land on State Street, Newburyport, belonging to the estate of the said James Prince, to William Manning for the sum of $5,000 (Essex Deeds, book 257, leaf 91).
* Rev. Joseph Prince was born in Boston April 12, 1723. When only fourteen years of age he met with a serious accident which impaired his sight and compelled him to relinquish his studies. He married, July 30, 1747, Sarah, daughter of Capt. Ezekiel Carpenter of Attleborough, Mass. He died Jan. 15, 1791, aged sixty-eight, leaving a widow and seven sons. Rev. John Murray, then pastor of the First Presbyterian Society, Newburyport, delivered a sermon, Jan. 23, 1791, com- memorating the life and character of Rev. Mr. Prince, from the text, "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work." -- JOHN ix. : 4. This sermon was afterward printed and sold in Newburyport by John Mycall, publisher of the Vewe- buryport Herald.
PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING.
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Subsequent conveyances of this property are recorded as follows : -
William Manning to Jeremiah Colman Sept. 4, 1830 (book 257, leaf 201).
Jeremiah Colman to Moses Colman one undivided half of the premises.
Jeremiah and Moses Colman to Benjamin Hale Sept. 15, 1845 (book 359, leaf 23).
Benjamin Hale to Jeremiah and Moses Colman Sept. 15, 1845 (book 360, leaf 166).
Moses Colman and wife one undivided half to William Ashby Nov. 15, 1850 (book 437, leaf 15).
William Ashby and Ann Ashby, Jeremiah Colman and Mary Colman to Edward S. Mosely, Joshua Hale, and Charles M. Bayley, trustees, April 16, 1864 (book 667, leaf II 5).
Edward S. Mosely, Joshua Hale, and Charles M. Bayley, trustees, to the mayor and aldermen of the city of Newbury- port Sept. 22, 1865.
The interior of the Tracy house was remodeled and fitted with convenient alcoves and book shelves. The library, established in 1854, was removed to its new quarters and reopened to the public Jan. 1, 1866. A new and substantial addition was made to the building in 1882. During that year the " Simpson Annex " was erected, at a cost exceeding $20,000, contributed mainly by Michael H. Simpson, Esq., of Boston. The Free Reading Room, which owes its exist- ence to the liberality of William C. Todd, Esq., of Atkinson, N. H., occupies the lower story of the annex, and the upper story is used for the accommodation and enlargement of the library. In appartments on the lower floor of the main building the Historical Society of Old Newbury have gath- ered a small but interesting collection of books, manuscripts, maps, and portraits.
DEXTER HOUSE.
Jonathan Jackson, who built the house on High Street now known as the Dexter house, was born in Boston June 4, 1743. He was a lineal descendant of Edward and Frances Jackson, of Newton, Mass .; a great-grandson of Jonathan Jackson, of Boston, who died Aug. 28, 1693 ; a grandson of Jonathan Jackson, of Boston, who was born Dec. 28, 1673, and married Mary Salter March 26, 1700; and son of Edward. Jackson, of Boston, who was born Feb. 26, 1707, and married Dorothy Quincy, of Braintree, Mass.
While a student at Harvard College Jonathan Jackson, fifth in descent from Edward Jackson, of Newton, became intimately acquainted with John Lowell, son of Rev. John Lowell, of Newburyport. They were not classmates, but were of the same age, with congenial tastes and habits. Lowell graduated in 1760 and Jackson in 1761. The latter came to Newburyport, after his graduation, and commenced his business career as clerk in the store of Captain Patrick Tracy. "For several years the two young men lived to- gether as bachelors, Lowell engaged in the practice of law, and Jackson in commercial pursuits. They both professed to prefer single to married life, and avowed their intention to continue permanently in a state of single blessedness. But ultimately Jackson was married twice and Lowell three times."
Notice of the intended marriage of Jonathan Jackson to Sarah Barnard, of Salem, was recorded in Newburyport Nov. 15, 1766. The marriage ceremony was performed at Salem Jan. 3, 1767, by Rev. Thomas Barnard. She was the daugh- ter of Rev. Thomas Barnard and Mary Woodbridge, his wife, and was born in Newbury Jan. 31, 1741-2. Her brother
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John was born March 23, 1745-6, and her brother Thomas was born Feb. 5, 1748-9. Her father was minister of the Second Church in Newbury from 1739 to 1751, and of the First Church in Salem from 1755 to 1773. She died at Newburyport June 22, 1770, in the twenty-eighth year of her age. There were no children by this marriage. In 1772, Jonathan Jackson married Hannah Tracy, daughter of Cap- tain Patrick Tracy. They had children as follows :-
Robert, born March 4, 1773: died in 1800.
Henry, born Jan. 12, 1774; died in 1806.
Charles, born May 31, 1775: justice of the supreme court of Massa- chusetts.
Hannah, born July 2, 1776; married Francis Cabot Lowell, son of Judge Lowell.
James, born Oct. 2, 1777 ; an eminent physician in Boston.
Sarah, born June 26, 1779; married John S. Gardner.
Patrick Tracy, born Aug. 14, 1780; a distinguished Boston merchant. Harriet, born Jan. 2, 1782.
Mary, born in October, 1783 ; married Henry Lee of Boston.
Jonathan Jackson and his friend John Lowell bought of Elizabeth Stickney, widow of Joseph Stickney, March 23, 1771, about five acres of land on High Street ; and on one- half this land Jonathan Jackson built the house, now known as the Dexter house, just previous to his marriage to Hannah Tracy.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he was a member of the Committee of Public Safety, also a member of the Provincial Congress at Watertown ; and afterward, in 1781 and 1782, a member of the Continental Congress. He was a zealous advocate of civil liberty and a strong supporter of the policy of Washington and Hamilton. He was an abolitionist before emancipation was decreed in Massachu- setts. One of his slaves, manumitted before the Revolution, served in the Continental Army, and afterward lived in Newburyport until his death in 1822.
Jonathan Jackson began life with at least twenty thousand guineas, inherited from his father's estate; but the misfor- tunes of the war reduced his property very materially. In
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May, 1785, he removed his family to Boston and started a commission business there with Stephen Higginson, under the firm name of Jackson & Higginson. In 1786, when the insurrection occurred in Massachusetts, he was one of the military corps, who went to the support of public order and served under the command of General Lincoln. His efforts to establish a lucrative business in Boston were unsuccessful, "
JONATHAN JACKSON.
and he returned to Newburyport after an absence of a year or two.
He was United States marshal for the district of Mas- sachusetts when Washington began his tour through the Eastern States, and was temporarily occupying one-half of the house now known as the Public Library building. The will of Patrick Tracy, admitted to probate a few months
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previously, gave the house and land to the children of Nathaniel Tracy, who were residing at that time in the Spencer-Pierce house in Newbury. Under the direction of Jonathan Jackson, the vacant apartments in the Tracy house were fitted up for the reception of the president ; and there he received, during the afternoon and evening, calls from many of the prominent citizens of that day.
HANNAH (TRACY) JACKSON.
In 1790, Jonathan Jackson was appointed one of the com- missioners to take the census, and in 1791 he was appointed inspector of internal revenue. He was elected vestryman of St. Paul's Church at the Easter meeting in 1794, and also in 1795. May 27, 1795, he sold his house on High Street to Captain Thomas Thomas and again removed, with his family, to Boston. In 1796, he was appointed supervisor of
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the revenue for the District of Massachusetts to take the place of Hon. Nathaniel Gordon, deceased.
His wife, Hannah (Tracy) Jackson, died in Boston April 28, 1797. He retained the office of supervisor for several years, and was then elected treasurer of the Commonwealth for five years. At the time of his death, in March, 1810, he was treasurer of Harvard College, and also president of a large and important Boston bank.
An interesting sketch, written by his son, Dr. James Jack- son, and printed in 1866 for private distribution, is in the Newburyport Public Library. The pamphlet gives, in addi- tion to the facts already stated, other incidents connected with the later life of Jonathan Jackson.
The original portraits, by Copley, mentioned in the pam- phlet are now in the possession of Mr. James Jackson, Fair- field Street, Boston ; and the photographic copies, presented to the directors of the Public Library, have been reproduced by the half-tone process for the illustration of this sketch. Dr. Jackson, in a foot-note to his pamphlet, says :-
The portrait I have mentioned is a photograph taken by J. A. Whipple of Boston, in this month,- November, 1865,- from a paint- ing by the distinguished Copley, in London, in the year 1784. To the very great accuracy of this likeness I, who am now the only surviving child of Jonathan Jackson, can bear testimony. It was May, 1785, that the picture was brought home from London, and I well remember that I very often sat so as to see and examine my father's face and figure, the expression of his countenance and the dress which he con- tinued to wear for some years after the portrait was finished. This was a coat of deep blue color, with gilt buttons, the waistcoat being to my boyish eyes very handsome with broad stripes. His whole dress was such as became the fashion of the times, a point as to which he was never negligent.
As previously stated, Jonathan Jackson sold to Thomas Thomas, May 27, 1795, for £2,000, the house and land described in the deed, recorded in book 162, leaf 101, as follows : --
Beginning on High Street, so called, at the northerly corner of the land of Zachariah Atwood, Junior, thence running South thirty eight
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degrees west, bounding partly on land of said Atwood and partly on William Wyer's land as the fence now stands, to the highway by the common pasture, now known and called by the name of Low Street, thence running north seventy one degrees west on said Low Street to a divisional fence as it now stands between the estate now occupied by John Tracy, Esq., and the estate herein described, thence by said fence northerly to the bottom of the hill, till it comes to the fence on the lot which runs over to the land formerly the property of Somerby's heirs (and now owned by said Atwood and said Wyer) and Joseph Hoyt's land, thence from said fence running upon a line drawn parallel to the southeastern end of the house built by me and situate on the premises, and midway between said houses at equal distances from each until it meets a pillar on said High Street and measuring on said line about thirty two rods and two fifths of a rod, thence from said pillar running south fifty seven degrees east to the bounds first mentioned, together with all the buildings thereon, meaning hereby to convey all the estate that was by John Lowell. Esq., released to me October 21, 1778, con- taining 8 acres, 113 rods.
Captain Thomas Thomas was an active and patriotic citi- zen of Newburyport, largely interested in commercial enter- prises. He was a firm and zealous supporter of the govern- ment during the Revolutionary War, and was placed in command of one of the vessels that sailed from this port in 1779 to attack the military post established by the Eng- lish troops on the Penobscot River. Captain Micajah Lunt, who joined this expedition, says :-
In the war of the Revolution, in the year 1779, I shipped in New- buryport on board the armed ship Vengeance, commanded by Thomas Thomas, in the expedition to Penobscot, which ship was driven up the river by the British fleet, and with others in the expedition, was burnt by order of the Commodore to prevent them falling into the hands of the British ; their crew took to the woods, and on foot found their way back to the province of Massachusetts (History of Newburyport, by Mrs. E. Vale Smith, page 118).
In a brief sketch of this disastrous expedition by Hon. Eben F. Stone, published in the Newburyport Herald Jan. 9 and 10, 1879, the writer says : -
Of the captains of these vessels, who were undoubtedly selected because of their superior fitness for this service, little is now known, with the exception of Thomas Thomas, who rose from an humble
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position to the rank of one of our first merchants, when he affected with success the style and port of an accomplished gentleman of the old school. He was the first commander of the Newburyport Artil- lery Company and was distinguished for his boldness and enterprise. Danger and excitement had a charm for him. He liked the license of a revolutionary period ; and he possessed, in large measure, the qualities which make the leader in critical times. He would rather make a dollar in privateering than twice that sum in the dull ways of peaceful commerce. He was the man who responded so promptly to the call of the State, in behalf of the Newburyport Artillery Company, in 1778. to go to Rhode Island, with the reply, "We accept with cheerfulness your invitation, and will report for duty immediately." Take him all in all, he was one of the most interesting figures in this town during the Revolutionary War. His character had something of that quality which touches the imagination and lifts a man beyond the level of common- place. He was not a model, not so well organized as Parsons or Hodge. not so unexceptionable a citizen ; but was built on a larger scale, and surpassed them both in boldness and power of command.
He was a vestryman of St. Paul's Church from 1779 to 1788, inclusive. He did not live long to enjoy his new home. He bought the house and land of Jonathan Jackson May 27, 1795, and died August 2, 1796, aged fifty-nine. His wife, Martha, died Aug. 31, 1793, in the forty-seventh year of her age. They were both buried in St. Paul's churchyard.
His will, dated July 25, 1796, and proved Nov. 7, 1796, gave to his daughters, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, and Catha- rine, the house and land on High Street, appraised at $6,000, " which I lately purchased of Jonathan Jackson, Esquire."
Aug. 15, 1798, John Murray, of Newburyport, mariner, and wife Elizabeth, in her own right, Mary Thomas, single woman and spinster, Michael Hodge, Esq., guardian of Martha Thomas and Catharine Thomas, all daughters of Thomas Thomas, deceased, all of Newburyport, for $6,360, conveyed to Timothy Dexter, of Newburyport, the land and buildings above described (book 164, page 216).
The peculiarities and eccentricities of the new owner of this property have often been described and variously com- mented upon ; but Mr. William C. Todd, of Atkinson, N. H., in an article published in the Genealogical Register for Octo- ber, 1886, has brought out some new and interesting facts in
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regard to the means and methods adopted by Dexter for the acquisition of wealth. A second article republished in the Newburyport Herald Feb. 20, 1895, seems to prove conclu- sively that the dates and incidents of Dexter's early life as given by Samuel L. Knapp and other biographers are incor- rectly stated.
In a conveyance made by William Wyer to Timothy Dexter of about thirty-three square rods of land, extending from Prospect Street to a way or lane that was afterward called Temple Street, dated Jan. 3, 1770, and recorded in the Essex registry of deeds, book 127, page 150, Dexter is described as a leather dresser, residing in Newburyport. At that date he was only twenty-three years of age. He was born in Malden Jan. 22, 1746-7, and probably came to New- buryport as soon as he was able to support himself at his trade. There is no evidence that he was ever established in business in Charlestown.
In a communication published in the Newburyport Herald Jan. 14, 1806, Dexter says :-
1755 in May 9 Day my father put me with A farmer in Malden in which I stayed six years and six months, then went to Chalston. I stayed Leaven months At Dressin of skins for briches & gloves, then went to boston : there stayed till I was free-in fourteene days I went to Newbury Port with A bondel in my hand to A plase all noue to me.
These statements are undoubtedly true and in harmony with facts that have been ascertained from other sources.
Timothy Dexter married, in May, 1770, Elizabeth (Lord) Frothingham, who was several years older than himself. She was the daughter of John Lord, of Exeter, N. H., and widow of Benjamin Frothingham, of Newburyport. Letters of administration were granted on the estate of Benjamin Frothingham July 25, 1769, and the widow was appointed administratrix.
The children of Benjamin and Elizabeth Frothingham were : -
Benjamin (oldest son), born in 1 761. Gilman, born May 17. 1763. John, born Feb. 24. 1765. Betty, born Feb. 22, 1767.
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At the time of her second marriage, Mrs. Elizabeth Froth- ingham was living in a house belonging to the estate of Benjamin Frothingham, now standing on the corner of Green and Merrimac streets, Newburyport. Tradition asserts that Dexter carried on the business of leather dressing in that vicinity for many years; and his wife, it is said, kept a huckster's shop in the basement of the house for the sale of provisions and small fruits and vegetables in their season.
In 1781, Green Street was laid out four rods wide from High Street to the water side, the heirs of Benjamin Froth- ingham, and other owners of real estate in that vicinity, donating the land for this purpose. Oct. 12, 1782, Benjamin Frothingham, of Newburyport, mariner (oldest son of Benja- min Frothingham, deceased), for £240, sold to Timothy Dexter, of Newburyport, leather dresser, two-fifths of a house in Newburyport, and land under and adjoining the same, "bounded northeasterly on Merrimack Street, northwesterly on Green Street, southwesterly on land of Benjamin Green- leaf, & southeasterly on land of Jonathan Titcomb, Esq.," " being the house where the said Timothy now lives," "to- gether with 3 of a wall pew in the Presbyterian meeting- house in said Newburyport being the fourth Pew on the right hand of the northwest meeting house door," subject to claim of dower of the grantor's mother, Elizabeth Dexter (Essex registry of deeds, book 140, page 34).
Oct. 29, 1787, Gilman Frothingham conveyed one-fifth of the same property to Timothy Dexter (book 147, page 33) ; and the same day Timothy Dexter and his wife Elizabeth sold the house and land to Meriam Tracy, of Newburyport, widow (book 147, page 34).
April 8, 1791, Dexter bought the Tracy house (now the Public Library Building) for £1,400, and sold it to John Greenleaf April 9, 1796, for $8,400. In this conveyance Dexter is described as living in Chester, N. H. This state- ment is corroborated and confirmed by the historian of that town, who states that Dexter bought a house in Chester in 1796 and lived there for two or three years.
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