USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lawrence > Quarter-centennial history of Lawrence, Massachusetts, with portraits and biographical sketches > Part 6
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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, MASS.
The officers and directors of the old company were men of note and ability. Col. Loami Baldwin, first president, was noted civil en- gineer in his day; of his successors, Major Benjamin Osgood, of Methuen, was a flourishing farmer and householder ; Gayton P. Os- good was a member of Congress ; Abbott Lawrence was Minister to the Court of St. James ; without his word and name Lawrence would not have been founded, his word and gift established the Franklin Library, without which the city might still lack a Public Library. Another, Hon. Charles S. Storrow, engineered and directed the build- ing of the city, and his works praise him in this valley.
The active management of the corporation naturally fell into the hands of Andover and Methuen owners. The first meeting of organ- ization was at the inn of Brinsley Stevens. Mr. Nehemiah Abbott, Captain Caleb Swan, and Mr. Benjamin Poor, were the first resident directors. Mr. Abbott was vice-president of the board, and seems to have been a sort of managing director. Major Joseph Stevens was first treasurer, serving many years ; his successors were Captain John Kneeland, Amos Blanchard, Joseph Rice, some of them serving more than twenty years. The first clerk was Deacon John Huse, of Me- thuen, succeeded by Samuel Abbott Kneeland, Amos Blanchard, Samuel Phillips, John Flint and Joseph Rice.
Hon. John Phillips and Ezra Abbott of Andover, and Zadock Bodwell, of Methuen, were also prominent directors, the former for a time president.
It would amuse modern referees to read the record ordering the employment of a commission of three "artists" to examine the con -. dition of the bridge, and report thereon, and finding the three artists charging collectively three dollars for the service. At another time a mechanical "expert " was employed to pass judgment at an expense of a dollar and a half. The modern expert and artist would hardly look at the ordinary mortal for those trivial amounts.
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An old gentleman tells a story of one of the directors. He was a great farmer, given to experimenting. A spring freshet brought up great quantities of eels, and, subsiding, left them high and dry in pools and hollows. He conceived the idea of boiling them and feeding to swine, of which he had many. His old hired man re- monstrated, telling him it was "agin natur to try and fatten pork with fish," besides, Deacon, he says, "if you succeed we shan't know what we're eatin', pork or lamper eels." But the deacon had a cart load of eels drawn up to the barn, he filled the great kettles in the back kitchen with eels, Indian meal and water, kindled the fire and lay down for a doze. But animals that squirm in the frying pan would not submit to boiling without protest, the hot water revived them all and each one became an agonizing serpent. They covered the floor of the old room, writhing in their agony, and knocking the fire brands about the floor. The deacon nerved himself for the contest and commenced the slaughter of the innocents ; an old negro, a new comer, who lived with a neighbor, and knew nothing of live eels, heard the outcry, and looking in saw the sea of serpents and fire brands, with the good man laying about him. He ran howling home, saying that more than a thousand devils had got the deacon penned up in the kitchen, but he was fighting and prevailing against them calling mightily on the Lord for help. The deacon said, though they were not Satanic foes, it was the hardest job of his life to subdue those eels, maintain his standing as deacon, and at the same time express himself in language sufficiently emphatic.
Eighty-five years have passed since John Hancock first legalized - the charter for the ancient bridge. For half a century thereafter the bridge itself was the solitary evidence of substantial progress in this valley. In all the plain no church spire pointed to heaven, no un- usual enterprise disturbed the dreamy quiet ; the Merrimack rolled unchecked to the sea. Many a time did our Lawrence pioneer, Daniel Saunders, now gone to his rest, rein up old "Snow Ball," the
1. JAMES RAE SIMPSON,
Grocer, 343 Essex St. ; residence, 24 Lowell St. Has been in Law- rence nearly 26 years. Born at Stanstead, P. Q., Jan. 14, 1832. ? His Honor James R. Simpson commenced life in humble circumstances. Worked on a farm and attended common school and the Wesleyan Academy, being employed as a teacher when fifteen. Married Julia H. Coan in 1860 ; has two children. Holds liberal views and attends the Unitarian church. Came to this State in 1849 ; was first employed in Boston, and afterwards at Manchester, N. H. Print Works, for some time having charge of a room. Removed to Lawrence, intending to pursue the same business, but subsequently entered into mercantile pursuits, in which he is now engaged under firm name of James R. Simpson & Co. Common council, 1863 ; elected mayor for 1878.
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white horse he rode, to the tumbling rapids, as he crossed the old bridge, and dream of the possibility of harnessing that wasting power to the machinery of workshops and mills, thus consummating, as Whittier has it, the marriage of Beauty with Use.
In March, 1845, fourteen gentlemen of means, skill and enterprise, stood upon the bridge, with a newly granted charter to improve the power at these falls. Then and there they rudely conceived the plan which, developed and persistently followed, has dotted this plain with spires, and reared upon the river bank a file of great workshops, the centre and support of ten thousand homes.
The four square miles of barren plain surrounding old Andover bridge are no longer unimportant. Industries have developed there- on, gathering raw material from the wide world and scattering finished products far and near. Old residents by firesides on every hillside and valley of the land, follow with loving interest the fortunes of children who have left their homes, bringing to this new born city strength of muscle, skill of hand, and cunning of brain, to barter as merchandise for honest livelihood and ultimate riches in this labor market of the world's busiest valley.
In humble homes of many lands across the sea old residents doze and dream vaguely of a new and vigorous city on the banks of an American river, where their children thrive by labor and their daugh- ters' children enjoy the new found privileges of free American life.
The prophecy and promise of the old time has been fulfilled. A little one has become a thousand, a small one a strong nation. The „solitary place is glad for them ; the desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose.
VII. THE CHURCHES.
It is an incontrovertible fact that the Church of God stands nearer the sympathies of the people than any other institution. So long as men are mortal, religion comes in as a practical solace and support. Human philosophy is no consolation in bereavement. And, though men are learning more every day that true religion should be shrouded in no mystery, the heart can never be made believe that " Marseill- aise " and ' Yankee Doodle" are as suitable for obsequies as the fu- neral psalm which hushed the old Christian mother to her last sleep ; neither can the lectures of scientists on bioplasms or homogeneous matter fill a void in the human heart.
An All-wise Providence has put it into the hearts of all His rational creatures to worship. It is as natural as it is to love. Every man has his object of adoration and even
" The heathen in his blindness Bows down to wood and stone."
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It is not strange then that the comers to the "new city" should at once cast about them for a place to hold meetings. The men who first came to found the city were of the primitive New England stock, but they were soon followed by a train of laborers of all extractions, though largely Irish, many of them direct from the Emerald Isle. All sects had an eye to the establishment of a church in accordance with their peculiar tenets. It is a fact in history that men of the Congregational belief were the first to inaugurate public religious worship. In the month of April, 1846, the same month that the Essex Company had the first land sale, arrangements were made for a preaching service in the Essex Company's Broadway boarding
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THOMAS CLEGG,
Manufacturer of Loom Reeds and Harnesses, also Leather Board ; mill on South Canal, Lawrence, Mass. Residence, 33 Prospect St. Has been in Lawrence thirteen years. Born at Rochdale, England, Jan. 8, 1820. At the early age of eleven years he engaged in the _ trade of reed and harness making, and is therefore familiar with it in every detail. In 1841 he came to this country and located in Andover,' and in 1862 he came to this city, engaging in the reed and harness business in 1865. In 1876 he moved to the new mill on the south canal and added the manufacture of leather board to his other rapidly increasing business. Mr. Clegg was a member of the board of alder- men from Ward I, in 1875, 1876 and 1878.
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house, where now stands the store of E. W. Pierce. The sermon was de- livered by Rev. Silas Curtis, a Freewill Baptist clergyman. During the summer of the same year services were held in the Durant school house, and a Sabbath School was organized by the Congrega- tionalists, and they also made arrangements and commenced the erection of a vestry. The Methodists also commenced to organize that summer and had preaching service one Sabbath.
EPISCOPALS.
The first place of worship was completed for occupancy, and was oc- cupied on the second Sabbath of October that same year, (1846.) It
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REV. GEORGE PACKARD.
was where Grace Chapel now stands on Garden street. Rev. George Packard rode over from North Andover that morning and conducted
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the service. At the 25th anniversary of Grace Episcopal Church, held October 11, 1871, of which this beginning developed, Dr. Packard in his memorable address said :
"I remember well that beautiful autumnal day, and as I rode over from North Andover, where my family were then residing ; I was wholly uncertain as to the congregation, which my published notice might draw to this first house of worship erected within the present limits of our city. As the appointed hour drew near, one after another came in, until a congregation of about two hundred, some of whom were Episcopalians, were gathered for a service to which most present were utter strangers. At that time only two houses in this part of the city had been added to the few old residences, one of which was then occupied, the house on Prospect street into which Mr. Charles S. Storrow had moved the week previously, and the other, built by. the Machine Shop Company, was soon occupied by their agent, Mr. Caleb Marvel. Two' or three buildings erected on the south side of Common street, east of this church, as many on Oak and. Elm streets, on the plain, as it is now called, a brick build- ing, now the second from Essex street, on Amesbury street, west side, and the ten boarding houses on the west side of the Turnpike, now Broadway, with a few tenements opposite to them, were the finished new buildings in what was then called the New City, or by some, Merrimac. From these and the old houses, crowded with occupants, my congregation had come. It was composed almost entirely of men, who had gathered here from all parts to lay the foundations of this new manufacturing town. Ecclesiastically, they were of all sorts ~ and conditions.
"The text of my first sermon, was the precious promise of the Sav- iour, " Lo ! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." And, having remarked upon the instrumentality for good that day opened, I said, "The basis of our confidence and hope is this prom- ise of our once crucified but now risen Lord. Looking within and
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JAMES G. ABBOTT,
Abbott's Methuen, Boston & Lawrence Express ; Lawrence office a . 5 Appleton St. Residence, 66 E. Haverhill St. Born at Andover, Me. 1837. Removed to Methuen when four years old. Came to this cit when the Essex Company commenced operations, 1846. . Educated in the common schools of Lawrence. Enlisted in the union army il 1861 ; was recruiting officer, and provost marshal at Camp Lander fo several months. Went to the front as Ist lieutenant, Co., H., 4th Mass Reg't, and was with that regiment during its term of service. Was in spector in the custom house from 1867 to 1871, resigning to engage in his present business. Mr. Abbott has a medal from the Human Society of Mass. for rescuing two boys from drowning in 1867. Wa councilman in 1871-2, and is alderman from Ward II the presen ycar. Has a wife and four children.
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around us, we may well fear and tremble ; looking upward, we have confidence and hope. Upon this and other kindred assurances of our Lord and Master, the Church collectively may, should rest. Our trust is not in an arm of flesh, but in the Lord, mighty and willing to show mercy. We must not lose sight of these promises for good to Zion. We must plead earnestly and perseveringly before the throne, and if we do, having faith, and that faith leading to humble, prayer- ful, and untiring effort, our experience will be that " not one good thing hath failed us of all that the Lord hath spoken."
Mr. Packard gave notice that a Sunday School would be opened the next Sunday, and on that day, October 18th, there were three teachers and eight scholars. November, 19th, 1846, the church was consecrated under the title of Grace church, by Bishop Eastburn. In ten years more the society had grown so that a new edifice was needed, and the present stone structure was decided on. It was con- secrated in May, 1852, by Bishop Eastburn. At that time the walls were uncolored and they remained so till 1860, when they were painted and a window of stained glass put in the chancel. Dr. Packard closed his earthly pilgrimage November 30th, 1876, having completed a thirty years' pastorate of the church. To him the city as well as Grace church is largely indebted. The funeral was largely attended, Bishop Paddock +conducting the service. An affecting incident was the presence of two old gentlemen-one named DeRinzey, a resi- dent of the city, almost at death's door himself, the other a colored barber of Ward Six, both having attended the first service Dr. Pack- „ ard preached in Lawrence.
About a year before Dr. Packard's death, Rev. Wm. Lawrence had been engaged as assistant, and after death, Mr. Lawrence was made rector and still remains in that position. A beautiful memorial win dow, commemorative of Dr. Packard, has lately been put in the chancel of the church.
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St. John's church, now worshipping on Bradford street, began to . hold services in the engine house on Morton street. Dr. Packard and others officiating. The church was first built on Morton street on a lot adjoining the engine house. In 1869 the church was re- moved to Bradford street where it now stands. Its first rector was Prof. Allen, who remained one year, Rev. Mr. Lee four years, and the Rev. Belno A. Brown left this year, after a five years' rectorship, to or- ganize a new church in Methuen. The present rector of St. John's is the Rev. Mr. Wells. About five years ago a surpliced choir was intro- duced under the distinguished leadership of Mr. Charles Abercrom- bie, who is now principal tenor at Her Majesty's Chapel Royal. The church building cost about $8,000, which was all subscribed and the edifice consecrated about four years ago by the present Bishop of Massachusetts.
Mr. Frederick Butler who took a very active interest in St. John's church was senior warden until two years ago, when he resigned in favor of Mr. James Walton, the present incumbent. There are now about 250 communicants. A rectory is now in contemplation by the wardens and vestry, and is expected to be built in a very short time on a piece of land adjoining the church.
1. CONGREGATIONALISTS.
The believers of this faith were first to organize for religious pur- poses. On the 12th of June, 1846, nine persons petitioned John Tenney, Esq., of Methuen, to issue a warrant calling a meeting to " organize a Congregational Society in "Essex City," in Methuen ; and on the 8th of August, accordingly, was organized the "Merrimack Congregational Society," since transformed into the Lawrence Street Society, and a house, 44 by 30 feet, was soon after commenced, oc- cupying nearly the site of the present building ; this was so far com- pleted as to be occupied for service in December, and was dedicated
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JOSEPH SHATTUCK,
Grocer, corner of Essex and Amesbury Streets. Has been in the city since its commencement. Born in Andover, in 1827. Educated at Phillips Academy. Entered the grocery of Josiah Crosby (the first grocery store opened in the town) as clerk, in 1845. Succeeded Mr. Crosby, engaging in business for himself in 1850. A year later he was joined in business by his brother, Charles W., the firm contin- uing to the present time. Increasing business demanded the build- ing of their present brick block two years ago. Mr. Shattuck is a director of the Bay State National Bank ; president of the Essex Sav- ings Bank, and a director of the Lowell & Lawrence R. R. Married Maria Cobb in 1857 ; has three children. Is at present a member of the board of aldermen, from Ward III.
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January 10th, 1847. The next Sunday, Rev. Lyman Whiting, of North Brookfield, preached his first sermon to the new society. The church was organized by an ecclesiastical council April 9th, with twenty-nine members, and on June 16th, Rev. Lyman Whiting was installed pastor. The present house of worship was dedicated Octo- ber 11th, 1848. Mr. Whiting was dismissed in January 1850, and Rev. Henry M. Storrs, of Braintree, was ordained over the church, January 15th, 1852, and remained its pastor till March Ist, 1855, Rev. George B. Wilcox was pastor from September 24th, 1856, to April 13th, 1859, and Rev. Caleb Ellis Fisher from April 13th, 1859, to October 1874.
Mr. Fisher was pastor over this church fifteen years, the long- est term of service rendered by any one clergyman-and to his eminent service the present prosperity of the church is largely due. Next to Dr. Packard he was the most representative minister ever settled in the city. He was earnest in the faith, but his love was as broad as the brotherhood of man. His life-work was here, and soon after he left, his health failed and he lived but a short time.
Rev. Joshua Coit, the present pastor, was installed May 23d, 1874. The present membership of the church is 569. The Sunday school membership is 307.
The Central Congregational Church of Lawrence, was organized Dec. 25, 1849. Rev. H. M. Dexter preached the sermon on that occasion, and Rev. Lyman Whiting, then pastor of the Lawrence Street Church in this place, gave the fellowship of the churches. On the Sabbath following, the new church commenced public religious services in the City Hall, which they continued to occupy until the first Sabbath in August, 1854, when they removed to their new house of worship, a substantial brick building, at the corner of Essex and Appleton streets. On Friday, the 12th of August, 1859, at a little past noon, this new house was destroyed by fire. On the Sabbath following, the congregation assembled in the City Hall, where they
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continued to worship about four months. The regular services of the church and Sunday school during this period, were uninterrupted ; the evening meetings being held in the chapel of Grace Church, on Garden street.
On the 30th of September, seven weeks after the destruction of the former house of worship, the corner stone of a new one was laid with appropriate services, on a lot secured for the purpose on Haver- hill street, north of the Common. On the second Sabbath of Jan- uary, 1860, the congregation met for worship in the basement of their new stone building, which was so arranged as to accommodate them with very slight inconvenience. On the 8th of June, 1860, the whole building was dedicated to the Triune God, a sermon being preached on the occasion by the pastor, Rev. Daniel Tenney, from Haggai, ii : 9.
Rev. Lyman Whiting and Rev. E. Whittlesey first served the church as stated supply. The first pastor was Rev. W. C. Foster, January 16, 1852. February 17, 1857, Rev. Daniel Tenney succeed- ed him and was followed by Rev. Mr. Cordley, who passed away from earth while in the discharge of his duties here. Rev. W. E. Park was the only pastor between Mr. Cordley and the present pas- tor, Rev. Geo. H. Ide. The latter was installed November 1, 1876. Number of members 343.
A Sabbath school composed of the children and adult members of the congregation, was early organized, and has uniformly been in a flourishing condition.
In August 1865, a joint meeting of the Lawrence street and Cen- "tral churches unanimously resolved that a third Congregational church was needed, and on the 30th, ten persons met, proposing to join in the formation of the new church. Wm. A. Russell, Geo. A. Fuller, C. A. Brown, E. E. Foster and B. T. Bourne were appointed a build- ing committee. September 28th it was voted to organize the Eliot church, and on the first day of October the first public service of the
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GEORGE SANBORN,
Carpenter, for Essex Company. Residence 99 Bradford street. Has been in Lawrence 33 years, being one of the earliest comers to the "new city," and in the employ of the Essex Company since its or- ganization. Mr. Sanborn was born in Epping, N. H., 1823, and learned the carpenter's trade before coming to this city. Had a common. school education. Has a family-wife and two children. Attends Lawrence. Street Congregationalist church. Was a member of Common Council 1875-76, and is Alderman from Ward IV the present year.
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church was held in the City Hall, Prof. J. H. Thayer, of Andover Theological Seminary preaching. October 4th the church was rec- ognized by council, ground having been broken two days before for the present edifice. The original membership was 32. In June 1866, the church voted to invite Rev. Wm. Franklin Snow, who had been supplying the pulpit for four months, to, become its pastor. The house was dedicated September 6th, and on the 13th following Mr. Snow was installed as pastor. His ministry was terminated by death January 11, 1871. During his pastorate the church gained from 42 to 216. On the 28th of April 1871, it was voted to extend to Rev. T. T. Munger a call to be pastor of the church, which was accepted on the 27th of April, and, on the 14th of June following, a council was summoned to install the newly elected pastor, the installation sermon being given by Rev. J. M. Manning, D. D., of the old South church, Boston. Soon after the beginning of the new ministry a society was formed to take charge of the property of the church. On the 20th of January 1875, Mr. Munger resigned the pastorate on account of the illness of his family. The resignation was regretfully accepted, and on the 21st of February 1875, Mr. Munger closed his labors with the Eliot church, a sorrow to a great many people. On the 5th of February 1875, a call was extended to Rev. J. H. Bar- rows to become pastor of the church. This was accepted and on the 14th of March following, Mr. Barrows began his labors. On the 29th of April he was ordained and installed, Rev. E. K. Alden, D. D., of Boston, preaching the sermon. Mr. Barrows is with the church to-day. The growth of the church has been rapid, having increased
- from 42 in 1865 to 236. During Mr. Barrows' ministry 102 mem- bers have been added. The Sunday School membership is now 215.
The South Congregational church originated in a Sunday School first convened by M. C. Andrews and J. B. Fairfield in a school house on Andover street in 1852. The school was continued till 1857 by the founders. At that time Geo. A. Fuller became connected
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with it, and it was soon removed to the engine house and then to the passenger room of the Boston and Maine depot, where it was held till its friends built a small chapel which was dedicated in 1859. In 1861 the chapel was enlarged. In 1869 it was again too small and that year the building now occupied was built, being dedicated De- cember 25th. An effort was made to have regular services there, and Prof. Edwards A. Park, of Andover Theological Seminary, began to supply the pulpit in October 1865, continuing to do so for three years. Mr. Fuller left the school in 1866 to join the newly formed Eliot church. To Mr. Fuller's energy is largely due the success of the South Lawrence enterprise. Joel Barnes succeeded Mr. Fuller as superintendent, and was followed by George Hardy, J. K. Cole, and the present superintendent, J. H. Lovett. The church was organized May 18th, 1868, but had no regular pastor till 1873. Rev. James G. Dougherty supplied the desk one year beginning October 1869, and in March 1870, Rev. L. Z. Ferris began a term as acting pastor and continued two years. January Ist, 1873, the present pastor, Rev. Clark Carter, began pastoral duty and was installed January 30th. The church organized with 47 members and now has 98, 65 having joined during Mr. Carter's pastorate. The Sunday School is a flour- ishing department of the church and numbers about 145.
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