USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newbury > Reminiscences of a nonagenarian > Part 21
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"Ye sons of Byfield, now draw near; Leave worship for the dance; Nor farther walk in wisdom's ways, But in the ways of France ;"
and Dea. Benjamin Colman, as long an essay, in which he vehemently pro- tested against this innovation, holding forth in the strongest terms its foolish frivolity, and the enormity of promis- cuous dancing in general.
For thirty years Master Moody held undisputed sway over the academy ; then the infirmities of age became so evident that the appointment of a new teacher was deemed a necessity. To effect this it was expedient to obtain an act of incorporation, which gave the trustees greater control over the estab- lishment. It was a delicate and pain- ful task to ask the resignation of such a man as Master Moody, and he did not readily resign the sceptre he had so
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long wielded, but at length was induced to do so, on March 25, 1790. He lived until 1796, spending most of his time amongst his old pupils, at whose homes he ever met a cordial reception. He died at Exeter, N. H. The following is the epitaph on his tombstone, in the graveyard at York, Me. :
" Integer vitæ celerisque purus.
Here lies the remains of SAMUEL MOODY, EsQ., Preceptor of Dummer Academy (the First Institution of the kind in Mass.). He left no child to mourn his sudden death (for he died a Bachelor), yet his numerous pupils in the U. S. will ever retain a lively sense of the Sociability, Industry, Integrity and Piety he possessed in an uncommon degree as well as the disinterested, zealous, faithful and use- ful manner he discharged the duties of the Academy for 30 years. He died at Exeter Dec. 17, aet 70."
Rev. Samuel Moody, born January 4, 1675; graduated at Harvard in 1697 ; was ordained in York, Maine, Decem- ber 20, 1700, and there died November 13, 1747. Parson Moody was chap- lain in the army at the reduction of Louisburg. So confident was he of the success of our troops that he took with him a hatchet to cut the images in the Catholic churches.
Samuel Moody, born in 1700, com- manded the fort at Pemaquid, then Fort George ; was a physician in Brunswick, Me., where he died in 1758.
Rev. John Moody, born in 1705 ; graduated at Harvard in 1727 ; was or- dained in Newmarket November 25, 1730, and died October 15, 1778, aged seventy-three.
Rev. Amos Moody, born November 20, 1739 ; graduated at Harvard 1759 ; was ordained in Pelham, N. H., Nov- 20, 1765 ; dismissed in 1792, and died March 22, 1819, aged seventy-nine.
Rev. Silas Moody, born April 28, 1742 ; graduated at Harvard in 1761 ; was ordained in Arundel January 9, 1771, and died in April, 1816.
Stephen Moody, Harvard, 1790, was a lawyer in Gilmanton, N. H., where he died.
The arms of Moodye (Ipswich, Co. Suffolk, Eng.) are :
ARGENT, ON A CHEVRON, ENGRAILED SABLE, BETWEEN THREE TREFOILS SLIPPED VERT, AS MANY LOZEN- GES OR; ON A CHIEF AZURE, TWO ARMS ISSUING FROM CLOUDS PPR, VESTED BENDY OR, AND GULES, HOLDING IN HANDS A ROSE OF THE LAST. CREST-TWO ARMS EMBOWERED IN SALTIRE, THE DEXTER VESTED GULES, THE SINISTER VERT, EACH HOLDING A CUTLASS ARGENT, HILTED OR.
Richard, senior, and Stephen Kent. brothers, with their wives, came to Ips- wich in 1635, thence to Newbury the same year, in the party of first settlers, with Messrs. Parker and Noyes. Ste- phen Kent went to Haverhill, thence to Woodbridge, N. J. His second wife, Ann, died in 1660. He then married Eleanor, widow of William Seadlock, May 9, 1662. Children : Elisabeth, Hannah, Steven, Rebecca and Mary.
Richard Kent, senior, had three sons - Richard, jr., and James, born in England, and John, born in Newbury- a daughter, Rebecca, who married Sam- uel Scullard, then John Bishop ; Sarah, whom he left in England, and other daughters. Richard Kent, senior, maltster, was a large landholder ; his
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house and malthouse were at the foot of Kent street.
Richard Kent, jr., and his brother James owned Kent's Island, and land in Oldtown extending to Oldtown hill. Richard Kent, jr., married Jane- who died June 26, 1674. He married his second wife, Mrs. Joanna David- son, Jan. 6, 1675. He died Nov. 25, 1689, leaving no heirs.
James Kent died Dec. 12, 1681, leaving one son, John, who inherited the whole estate. He married Mary Hobbs Feb. 24, 1665. He made his will the first of January, 1712, in which he gave his dwelling-house, barn, shop, and two orchards, half of his island, household goods, a horse, etc., to his wife, Mary, for her use and comfort during life, and " to give, sell or dis- pose of as she shall think fit among her children and grandchildren at her decease or before as she may have oc- casion. Also I give my said wife all money I shall have in possession at the time of my decease. To my son Rich- ard Kent, I do confirm the gift of my uncle Richard Kent, late of Newbury, aforesaid, deceased, of eight score acres of land upon said island given by my said uncle to my said son, so as that he may enjoy the same. I do give him my said son the other half of sd. Island · both meadow and upland & appurte- nances thereunto belonging, together with all my housing & orchards there- on, & all my common privileges & rights in all the common undivided lands for pastures where I have rights within the township of Newbury afore- sd & my wood lot, with all my right in the lands where the sd. wood lot is made, with all other of my cstate both real and personal wheresoever & what- soever it may consist, excepting what
is before given to my wife, & that which I do hereby give to the rest of of my children, on condition that he my sd. son Richard Kent do perform the trust I shall repose & commit unto him as my executor to this my last will.
I give to my daughter Jane Smith, the wife of my son-in-law James Smith five pounds, together with what she has already received & has been given her:
I give and bequcath to my son-in law Jacob Toppan four pounds, to be divided among the children of Sarah Toppan his late wife deceased.
I give unto Sarah Thing, who was the wife of my son James Kent, late of Newbury aforesaid deceased, twenty shillings.
I give unto Elizabeth Kent widow & Relict of my son James Kent of New- bury deceased twenty shillings.
I do ratify and confirm my late con- veyance of my land in the upper com- mons made to my grandson James Smith jun, according to the tenor of the deed & on the condition thereof whereby I have conveyed the same to him.”
The bequest in the "upper com- mons," was the James Smith farm, on Crane-neck hill, West Newbury. As the house was built in 1707, James and Elizabeth (Moody) Smith had been in possession five years, when this will was written.
Col. Richard Kent married first, Mrs. Sarah Greenleaf; second, Mrs. Han- nah Carter of Charlestown, whose moth- er was a daughter of Daniel Gookin, a preacher much valued in his day. Col. Kent by his will, entailed Kent's Island to his son Richard, and after his de- cease to his oldest son, and to the old- est male heir forever. He was a prom-
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inent and influential man in the town. His monument on the old burying hill bears the following inscription :
HERE LIES INTERRED THE BODY OF RICHARD KENT, ESQ., LATE COLONEL OF THE SECOND REGIMENT IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE MAY THE 8TH, 1740, IN THE 68 YEAR OF HIS AGE.
Col. Kent's son, Richard, came into possession of the whole of Kent Island according to the entail, but the birth of twins, his first sons, Stephen and Jo- seph, on May 9, 1741, brought an un- expected difficulty, as the nurse could not or would not say which was the first born. This question has never been decided, though a long and trouble- some lawsuit ensued, which at length was ended by an equal division of the property. I give a copy of the final decision by the court.
"COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the year of oue Lord One Thous- and Seven Hundred and Eighty Four, an act for apportioning and Establish- ing the Posession of the heirs at Law of Richard Kent, son of Richard Kent, late of Newbury deccast, to a certain Island called Kent's Island in Newbury aforesaid.
Whereas the said Richard Kent the Father, by his last will and testament bearing date the sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty, among other things, did devise that his son Richard above said, should have and enjoy the whole of the Island aforesaid during his nat- ural life, and after his decease his old- est Son should have and enjoy the same, as an estate tail to his, and the heirs male of his Body Forever. Which last will and testament was afterwards duly proved and approved -- and the said Richard the son, on the death of his father, entered into possession of the premises devised as aforesaid, and thereof died siezed, leaving issue Jo-
seph Kent and Stephen Kent twin brothers, and Moses Kent, a younger brother, his sole heirs, and thereupon the sd. Joseph & Stephen entered into the possession thereof, and still hold the same, and by reason of some singu- lar, and extraordinary circumstances attending the birth of the said Joseph and Stephen, it remained uncertain which is the oldest son, although a suit at law, and the verdict of two juries, have been had to determine the ques- tion. By which uncertainty great diffi- culty and contention may further arise among the heirs of the said Richard to the utter ruin of the improvements, and cultivation of so valuable an an Island, and to the Disgust of divers others good citizens, from preventing of which :--
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives. in General Court assembled. and by the authority of the same, that the Justices of the Supreme Court, on the application of the said Joseph, Stephen and Moses, or on the application of either of them, his or their heirs, shall cause partition of the said Island to be made, and by like Process as is provided for dividing of other Real Estate on application to the said Court :
One third part of the said Island shall be set off to the said Joseph Kent or his heirs, one third to the said Ste- phen Kent or his heirs, one third to the said Moses Kent or his heirs."
The island is now in possession of the heir of Stephen Kent, Joshua Noyes Kent, he and his brother, John Kent, being the seventh in descent from Rich- ard Kent. jr., and Mr. Joshua N. Kent's sons, and grandson, are the eighth and ninth generations on the island, and tenth in descent from Richard Kent, sen. The Kents have been esteemed and influential citizens. In 1636, Richard Kent, sen. was chosen among the first "seven men," to conduct the town's affairs. First called "seven men," then "town's men," finally "se-
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lectmen." Stephen, the brother of Richard, sen., was one of the four, who with Mr. Edward Rawson "contra- dicented" the order for moving the meeting-house from the lower green. In 1640 Richard Kent, jr., "in ye name of nine others," petitioned the General Court, to grant that Newbury should hold the whole of Plum Island, "to relieve our pinching necessities." During the trouble in the church, the names of Richard, John and James Kent are among those adhering to Mr. Parker's party. In 1683, with ten oth- ers, Capt. John Kent petitioned that Newbury might be made a port of en- try as well as Salem. This Capt. Kent commanded the brig Merrimack, which was taken by pirates in Martha's Vine- yard sound, Aug. 22, 1669. In 1788, Richard and Abel Kent gave the loca- tion to the town of the lower part of Kent street ; a lane led thence through the Coker estate to High street, which was called Coker's lane.
·
Amos Kent, graduate of Harvard, 1795, was a lawyer in Chester, N. H. Moody Kent, graduate of Harvard, 1801, practiced law in Concord, N. II. The arms of Kent are :
ARGENT, LEOPARD'S HEAD OR; THREE MULLETS VERT, TWO AND ONE COUNTERCHANGED. CREST-GRIFFIN'S HEAD OR.
Joseph Atkins, born in 1680, came from Isle of Wight to Newbury, with his wife, and sons, William and Joseph, and William's wife, about 1728. Tra- dition asserts that he had been a lieu- tenant in the British navy, in the ser- vice of Queen Anne. Mrs. Atkins, whose maiden name was Strover, died soon after her arrival, and the widower married a second wife, Mary (Dudley) Wainright, widow of Francis Wain- right, daughter of Gov. Joseph Dud- ley, and sister of Katherine, wife of Lieut .- Gov. Dummer. Captain At- kins, as he was styled, built a house which is still standing on the lower side of Strong street. At its erection it was surrounded by extensive grounds reaching to High street, a garden hand- somely laid out stretched in front to the river, and a broad avenue shaded by trees led to the mansion. Capt. At- kins was prominent both in the town and church, being vestryman and war- den at Queen. Ann's chapel, and a war- den at St. Paul's. The erection of the church by the "water side," was first suggested by him, and towards which he gave fifty pounds, and at the first sale of pews he headed the list by tak- ing four, his son William taking a fifth. In 1738, permission was granted Jo- seph Atkins, esq., and sixty-four oth- ers, to build a wharf at the foot of Queen, now Market street. His tomb in the St. Paul's church yard bears this inscription :
"This stone is erected to the Memory of Joseph Atkins Esquire. One of the Found- ers and A Generous Benefactor of this Church. Formerly an Eminent Merchant in this Towne, and Highly Esteemed by those who knew him. He departed this life Jan. 2d, 1773, Aged 92.
And of Mrs. Mary Atkins :
The Virtuous and amiable Reliek of Jo- seph Atkins, Esq., And Daughter of His Excellency Joseph Dudley. She died No- vember 12th, 1774. * Aged 82.
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Joseph and Mary Atkins had one son, Dudley, born in 1731 ; he gradu- ated at Harvard in 1748.
Prior to the decease of Col. Richard Kent, of Kent's Island, Col. Richard having entailed the estate to his oldest son, Richard, by his first wife, and to the oldest male heir forever, the family had removed to a residence owned by Col. Kent in Newburyport, where he died, and where his widow, formerly Hannah (Gookin) Carter, and her chil- dren, one son and two daughters by second marriage, continued to reside.
Madam Kent was a superior woman, possessed of a sound understanding and great benevolence, and although a most sincere and pious christian, her religion had nothing in it of austerity or bigotry. On winter evenings it was her custom to collect her children around her to read to them from some instruct- ive book, while she earnestly strove to imbue them thoroughly with the principles and precepts of the Bible.
Madam Kent was a neighbor of Capt. Atkins. The society of this interest- ing family must have been most conge- nial to young Dudley Atkins ; on May 4, 1752, he led to the hymenial altar Miss Sarah Kent. Their children were Mary Rapell, born August, 1753 ; Jo- seph, born April, 1755; Hannah, born April, 1957; Katherine, born Oct. 1758; Dudley, born Sept., 1760 : Re- becca, born March, 1767.
Dudley Atkins was a prominent mer- chant and a leading citizen of the town, a warden and active member of St. Paul's church.
Oct. 21, 1765, Newburyport held a town meeting to instruct their represen- tative, Dudley Atkins, esq., "relating to his acting in the General Court," respecting the Stamp Act. These in-
structions expressed the most loyal sen- timents toward the king, but the Stamp Act was esteemed a peculiar grievance, and he was directed to use his influence to his utmost ability "that the rights and privileges of the province may be preserved inviolate." A long list of resolutions ends with abhorrence of all seditious and mobbish insurrections, of all breaches of the peace, and "that you will readily concur in any constitution- al measure that may be necessary to se- cure the public tranquillity."
The troubles with England increased, but Dudley Atkins remained loyal to King George. On one occasion his house was surrounded by a mob ; Mr. Atkins being indisposed, several gentle- men went to his assistance, but his wife, the courageous Sarah (Kent) At- kins quelled the infuriated populace. Contrary to the remonstrance of friends, she opened the door, and addressed the throng, telling them, "that her hus- band was ill in bed, might not live to see them again ; they had always re- spected him, and they ought not to mo- lest her and her small and helpless chil- dren." The evil spirit was laid. Prom- ises of security were given, and the mob retired with cheers for Madame Atkins. Dudley Atkins, esq., died Sept. 24, 1761, aged 38 years. His widow went to Amesbury where she resided for a time. Feeling the necessity of making some exertion towards the support of her young family, she determined to open a store on State street, Newbury- port. This was in the building now occu- pied by Mrs. Altar. It was mid-winter when the removal took place, the furni- ture and the family, with the exception of Mrs. Atkins and a man-servant, had gone, when a violent snow storm so blocked the roads that it would be im-
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possible to travel by the usual mode of conveyance for some days. Unwilling to remain thus separated from her new home, where her presence was so imperatively demanded, infusing her spirit of enterprise, as was her wont, into those around her, she obtained the willing consent of her own man, and another belonging to the farm, to draw her to Newburyport on a hand-sled, which they accomplished without any great difficulty. Passing the house of a friend, where a large party were as- sembled at dinner, upon seeing her unique equipage they rushed out with ludicrous expressions of surprise and congratulation, while the contrast be- tween their situation and pursuits and hers were vividly striking. Friends in Boston supplied Madam Atkins with fine goods, the store prospered, and be- came the fashionable emporium of State street.
Gov. Joseph Dudley married Rebec- ca Tyng. Their son, Edward, brother of Mrs. Joseph Atkins, left a large es- tate in Tyngsborough to his daughter, Mrs. Winslow. This lady, a childless widow, proposed to adopt young Dud- ley Atkins, and make him her heir if he would add Tyng to his name. As there was the oldest son Joseph to transmit the name of Atkins, this offer was accepted, but Joseph Atkins, an enterprising ship-master, died unmar- ried. His vessel was wrecked on a re- turn voyage, in a winter storm, and the whole . crew perished. The body of Capt. Atkins, found frozen to the mast, was brought to the bereaved home for burial amongst his kindred in St. Paul's church yard. The stone erected to his memory bears this inseription :
"Here are interred The Remains of CAPT. JOSEPH ATKINS, who (with his whole Ship's
Company) perished by Shipwreck on Cape Cod, Feb. ye Sth, 1787. Aged 31 years.
He that goeth on his way weeping & beareth good Seed shall doubtless come again with Joy brigning his Sheaves with him."
Mary Rapell Atkins married George, son of George and Catherine (Gore) Searle, in 1779. This lady was named for a Wainright, daughter of Mrs. Jo- seph Atkins, who married Judge Ra- pell, an Englishmen, judge of the Su- perior court, and judge of the Admir- alty for these Provinces, in the time of George 2d. It is said he never had but one decision reversed during forty years.
Hannah Atkins died Sept. 25, 1771, in the 15th year of her age.
Katherine Atkins married Samuel Elliot of Boston ; she was the ancest- ress of Samuel Elliot, president of Har- vard University, and other distinguished persons.
Rebecca Atkins died June 23, 1842, unmarried.
In 1788, Dudley A. Tyng, esq., pur- chased the present Tyng estate on High street for his mother, to which she removed with her daughter Rebecca.
Mrs. George Searle; having become a widow with ten orphan children, took her mother's store on State street, which she kept until after the fire of 1811. Mrs. Margaret Curson of Curson's mill was her daughter.
Dudley Atkins Tyng fitted for college at Dummer academy, graduated at Har- vard in 1781, and studied law with Judge Parsons in Newburyport. In 1795, he was appointed by Adams, Collector of the district of Newbury- port. For some years he was Record- er of the Supreme Court of Massachu- setts ; during this period he resided in Cambridge, but Newburyport was his favorite abode, and most of his sum-
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mers were passed here. He first mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Stephen Higgin- son of Boston ; second, her sister Elis- abeth. Madam Sarah (Kent) Atkins died on the 16th of October, 1810, aged 81. In 1821, Squire Tyng built the lower of the two Tyng houses for his sister Rebecca, and having remodelled and enlarged the other mansion, in the autumn of that year he returned to Newburyport, which was his permanent reisdence until his death on Aug. 1, 1829, aged 69. Dudley A. Tyng. like his father and grand-father, was an ac- tive and beneficent member of St. Paul's church, filling the office of warden for some years. He gave a silver paten for the communion service, which bears this inscription :
PRESENTED BY HON. D. A. TYNG, ESQ.
In 1790, Hon. T. Dalton and D. A. Tyng, esq., were chosen lay delegates to a convention at Salem, to prepare an Ecclesiastical constitution for Mas- sachusetts, which was adopted by St. Paul's church, Jan. 16, 1791 ; the same delegates with Hon. Jona. Jackson and Mr. Lewis Jenkins were a commit- tee to ratify the same at the next con- vention in Boston.
Dudley A. and Sarah Tyng had eight children : Sarah, who married first, Charles Head ; second, Joseph Mar- quand. Susan C., married Edward A. Newton ; Dudley, who died in infan- cy ; a second Dudley, who took the name of Atkins.
Dr. Dudley Tyng Atkins graduated at Harvard in 1816, and studied medi- cine. He married Ann, daughter of Judge Bowman of Wilksbarre, Pa. For a time was practising physician in Newburyport, afterwards went to the city of New York, where he died April 7, 1845.
The Rev. Stephen Higginson Tyng, graduated at Harvard in 1817; was professor at Jefferson college, set- tled in Philadelphia, but for more than forty years had been the distin- guished rector of St. George's Church, New York. He has now retired from the active duties of the ministry. He married, first, Anna, daughter of Bish- op Griswold ; second, Susan, daughter of John Mitchell, of Philadelphia.
Charles died June 20, 1879, aged 78. He was a successful ship master, and merchant ; was for many years estab- lished at Havana, Island of Cuba, where he endeared hinself, by his hearty sympathy, and benevolence, to his countrymen there. He married, first, Anna Selina Anold, who died July 5, 1831, aged 25 ; second, AnnaA., danghter of John H. McAlpine, of New York. The McAlpines are of the oldest of the Highland Clans, dat- ing back to Kenneth McAlpine, Feb. 6, in the year eight hundred and thir- ty six.
Mary, married Robert Cross, esq. She died some years since.
James, graduated at Bowdoin in 1827, studied for the ministry, for many years was a rector in New York. He married Matilda Degan, and died April 6, 1879.
George Tyng, graduated at Har- vard in 1822, and died April 2, 1823, aged 25.
Many of my readers will remember the genial, and hospitable Mişs Re- becca Atkins, aunt Becky, as she was usually styled, and her pleasant home. Her house, and that of Squire Tyng have been modernized, but most of the ancient heir-looms, that formely graced them, are still retained. Amongst these are fine portraits of Joseph At-
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kins, esq. and Mary Dudlev, his sec- ond wife, and a painting, representing the visit of Queen Ann and the Royal Family to the man of war, of which young Atkins was Lieutenant, a new vessel, then considered a model craft. This picture Capt. Atkins brought to America, and he held it in such esti- mation as to bequeath it in his will, as a special legacy to be transmitted from his son, and son's son, through the generations.
Capt. Joseph Atkins, the second son of Joseph Atkins, esq., died a bachelor, Feb. 6, 1782, aged 76.
William Atkins, esq., the oldest son, was a prominent merchant and citizen, and an active member and warden of St. Paul's church. His name stands first on the list of two hundred and six of the "water side" people who signed the petition to be "set off from New- bury, and incorporated as a town by themselves," and, in direct contradis- tinction to his half-brother, Dudley, was an active Whig, and enthusiastic Revolutionist, being one of the Com- mittee of Safety and Correspondence appointed by the town on the 23d of September, 1774. Before leaving Eng- land, he had married Abigail Beck, by whom he had one son and four daugh- ters. He built a house near where the present custom house now stands, a handsome Colonial mansion, with wainscotted rooms, deep window seats, broad stone hearths, and fire-places decorated with Dutch tiles depicting Scripture scenes. At his death this house was purchased by the father of Captains John and Benjamin Harrod ; there they and their sisters were born. It was burned in the great fire of 1811, then known as the Harrod house. The Atkins family and their widowed sister,
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