USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newbury > Reminiscences of a nonagenarian > Part 34
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On Market square, Mr. Edward Rand's store was burned, but his house was saved. Perkins & Dean had two stores, one a fire-proof building, which was principally preserved ; the remain- der of the upper side of the square was swept clean. Mr. Abner Wood and Maj. Joshua Greenleaf lost two large ship chandlery stores, and three brick stores on Water street. Maj. Green- leaf's dwelling house, barn, smithy, etc., on Liberty street, were also consumed. On Ferry wharf was a block of lofty buildings called Merchants' Row ; these were occupied by John Wood and oth- ers, warehouses ; Samuel Brown, ship
chandlery ; A. & E. Wheelright, three stores, groceries, iron, etc ; Jacob Stone, groceries ; Zebedee Cook, groceries ; Robert Dodge, flour ; Joseph Stanwood, jr., sail loft ; Thomas Pritchard, rigging loft.
On Boardman's wharf, Offin Board- man lost six stores and warehouses ; these were occupied by Amos Toppan, Benjamin G. Boardman and John Ord- ione. At this wharf a schooner was burned to the water's edge.
On Atwood's wharf, Margaret At- wood owned three warehouses ; these were occupied by John Wood and B. G. Sweetser.
On Carter's wharf, W. Boardman lost one warehouse, Enoch C. Toppan a shop, block maker, Nathaniel Carter a house and barn.
On Marquand's wharf, Joseph Mar- quand had six warehouses, a rigging loft, counting-room, etc. On Water street, at the head of the wharf, two dwelling houses and three stores ; all of these were burned, including his ele- gant residence, one of the splendid mansions of the town. At this wharf the brig Washington lost its mainmast, rigging, etc.
On O'Brien's wharf, Capt. Joseph O'Brien lost one store, and his dwelling house at the head of the wharf, with another store on Water street.
On Jackson's wharf, Mr. Abraham
- Jackson lost two warehouses, three stores, and a house on Water street.
On Jewett's wharf, Mr. Jonathan Gage lost one warehouse. The south side of Cornhill, from Charter to Essex street, comprising the Newburyport bank and the Peabody building, with the dry goods stores of James Caldwell, S. Davis, David Peabody & Co., and Prescott Spaulding, were not burned ;
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these were the only dry goods stores on State street that were saved. George Peabody at that time was a clerk inthe store of James Kimball, on Market square, which was burned.
CHAPTER LI.
On the evening preceding the fire, Frank Somerby, Ben. Tappan and Da- vid Emery had been walking in the mall. When the nine o'clock bell rung they turned homeward ; they had reached the head of State street when that tall spire of flame darted skyward. Shouting "Fire," the trio ran down the street. "Head for my store," said Mr. Somer- by, as Mr. Emery turned into Charter street to get his bags and buckets. Da- vid still boarded with his brother, and both belonged to the "Washington Fire Association." Tossing his watch and pocketbook into the hands of Margaret Lakeman, who resided in the family, he seized his fire apparatus and ran to Mr. Somerby's store, from whence he pro- ceeded to Wolfe Tavern ; after that had been cleared, he assisted in the removal of the bedding in the rooms occupied by Mr. Stetson, in the Phenix building. From that time he worked through the night, going from house to house as they became endangered, assisting the ladies to pack their valuables-a task in which he was peculiarly efficient. Within doors most of the time, too busy to look or think, at dawn he found him- self on the farther confines of the fire ; with amazement he gazed around -- could it be daybreak? he thought it not later than twelve o'clock ; could it be possible ? For the first time he realized the extent of the terrible conflagration ;
for the first time thought of his own property, which characteristically had never entered his mind in his anxiety for others. Mr. Colman was equally oblivious, in aiding the members of his fire company and packing his household goods, which, as the fire surged up State street, were put in readiness for removal.
Being so near the river, the shambles, through the exertion of Capt. Israel Young, were saved ; but a stable on Market square, owned by Dr. Smith of Mt. Rural, which Mr. Emery occupied, was burned; his loss however, was small, as his wagon was at the slaugh- ter house on the turnpike, and his horse at pasture there.
A year previous, through commer- cial disaster and the dullness in trade engendered by the embargo, Gen. Pea- body had been obliged to suspend busi- ness ; his affairs were soon satisfacto- rily adjusted, and he commenced the erection of a new brick store on Market square ; this building was just complet- ed, and a fine stock of new goods had been put in that last week in May, in the expectation of opening to the public on the first of June.
On the afternoon of the 31st of May, Sophronia Peabody and her cousin Da- vid had taken tea at Deacon Osgood's, in West Newbury ; they were on the summit of Pipestave Hill, on their way home, when that spire of fire shot into the sky. Mr. Peabody put his horse to a run; in breathless suspense they dashed to town, in dismay and terror watching the swift progress of the flames. As the couple drove into the yard of the State street mansion, David threw the reins to a boy who came to stable the horse, while he and Sophro- nia hastened to the store. Miss Pea-
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body secured some rich lace, and a few other light but valuable articles, which she took home; these were the only goods in the whole of that large, new stock which escaped the flames ; the rest unfortunately were taken to the Baptist meeting house, which later in the night was consumed with its contents. In addition, the General lost three other stores on Market square, and three on State street, the whole of "Peabody's Corner," and two on the opposite side of State street, which were owned in company with Mr. David Wood ; one of these was occupied by Jonathan Woodman, jr., silversmith ; the other was Newman's barber's shop.
By the change in the wind that took the Phenix and Blunt buildings. the up- per part of State street became endan- gered ; for a time fears were entertained respecting my uncle's elegant residence. Water was carried to the roof, the plate and much of the clothing was packed ; but another shift of the wind averted all danger.
The day after the fire Col. Bartlett was borne on a bed to the residence of his brother-in-law, Gen. Peabody, and Mr. Stetson took Col. Bartlett's house for a hotel. The brick addition was built, and this continued to be the loca- tion of the "Eastern Stage House" for about two years. The Tuesday suc- ceeding the fire I went to town ; I found Col. Bartlett much more comfortable and cheerful than I had dared to hope ; his good judgment and business tact were never more conspicuous than in a short consultation held with Gen. Pea- body while I was in his room. The General, with reason, appeared nearly crushed. Seeing that her father had become somewhat inspirited by his rel- atives' firmness, Sophronia proposed
that we should go out to view the ruins: Entering Market square from State street, we pansed a moment on the site of that new store which had been the goal of so much promise, then proceed- ed down Water street, taking a circuit of the whole area. In many places heaps of rubbish were smouldering in the cellars. It was indescribably sad to see the large space covered with charred debris and half-fallen chimneys ; those belonging to dwelling houses were most- ly standing to above the ovens. The sight of these domestie appurtenances brought such a vivid picture of house- hold desolation that I turned hastily away and left the scene.
As many strangers were in town, drawn thither by the double motive of viewing the ruins and doing spring shopping, the dry goods stores in the Peabody building presented quite a lively aspect. At David Peabody's store we met his fiancee, Miss Sally Caldwell, the daughter of Mr. William Caldwell. On passing Dr. Andrews' residence Miss Margaret came to the door ; she was followed by her little sis- ter Hannah, carefully holding a basket and box, in which were packed her dolls, playthings and picture books. Mrs. Andrews had kept her younger children asleep during the whole of the night of the fire ; this gave Miss Han- nah great offence ; "her things might have been all burned up ;" thencefor- ward, through the summer, they were kept in readiness for a removal at a mo- ment's notice. There is but one step from the sublime to the ridiculous, many Indierons incidents occurred at the fire. Little Eliza Bartlett, awak- ened by the noise and glare, elamorous- ly demanded her best wrought muslin dress, thinking that it was some grand
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·gala illumination ; and a lady carefully conveyed what she supposed to be choice plate, a long distance, finding to her dismay upon arriving at her des- tination, that her burthen consisted of two flatirons.
Tea was announced upon our returu ; I had not intended to stop, but my aunts insisted upon this. Their equa- nimity and heroism excited both admira- tion and wonder; their nobleness of character was fully displayed in this time of trial ; without neglect or confu- sion every duty was performed in the sick room and throughout the house- hold. A stranger would never have imagined that such a change in the do- mestic arrangements had occurred in such a brief space of time.
From the purchase of his house Col. Bartlett had rented the lower half; at the time of the fire it was occupied by Mrs. Prout and Miss Nabby, the maid- en sister of the late Mr. Prout. As Mr. Stetson needed the whole house, these ladies, with their young serving- maid, Ann Mason, had also become boarders in Gen. Peabody's family. On my account the meal had been served carly ; the gentlemen were not present, but the circle of ladies did their best to sustain a cheerful conversation, which was aided by the prattle of the children. I could scarcely swallow ; and it was with a sigh of relief that I turned my horse's head homeward. Wishing to relieve my Aunt Bartlett of all unnecessary care I took her little adopted girl with me. General Pea- body's second daughter, Adeline, a most lovely child, had been a sufferer from hip disease for some months ; she came to Crane Neck soon after. I had one or both of the little girls with me most of the summer.
On Monday morning, June 3d, at 9 o'clock the inhabitants of Newburyport assembled to take into consideration the state of the sufferers by the fire, and to devise means for their relief. At this meeting the following persons were cho- sen a committee on behalf of the town to solicit that aid of a benevolent pub- lic which the distress of a great portion of other citizens so forcibly claimed, and to adopt the necessary measures for af- fording immediate relief to the desti- tute, and to distribute among the suf- ferers at their discretion all moneys or other property which might be received :
Jeremiah Nelson, Isaac Adams, Eleazer Johnson, Jacob Stone, Nicho- las Johnson, jr., selectmen ; Joseph Dana, William Woart, Isaac Stone, Nicholas Johnson, Aaron Pardee, Wil- liam Bartlet, Moses Brown, William Coombs, John Pettingell, Samuel Coffin, Joshua Carter, James Prince, Michael Hodge, jr., Benjamin Pierce, William Russell, Stephen Howard, Robert Fos- ter, Samuel Tenney, John Stuart, Sam- uel L. Knapp, Daniel A. White, Nich- olas Pike, Thomas M. Clark, Joseph Williams, William Cross.
The selectmen of the town were au- thorized and appointed to receive all moneys and other donations for the use of the sufferers ; and Wm. Bartlett, Woart, Moses Brown, Benj. Pierce, T. M. Clark, Nicholas Johnson, Joseph Williams, John Pettingell and Isaac Adams were appointed to solicit sub- scriptions, and receive donations from the inhabitants of Newburyport. The sufferers in need of immediate relief were requested to apply at the store of Capt. William Russell, Market square, where also contributions of provisions were gratefully received.
In a town meeting held on Friday,
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June 7th, it was voted, "that in future no buildings should be erected within the limits of the town more than ten feet high, unless the same be built of brick or stone." From this vote sprang the large number of low wooden shops called "ten footers," which for a num- ber of years disfigured the streets.
The 13th of June was set apart as a day of fasting and prayer, in conse- quence of the heavy calamity with which the town had been visited. In the fore- noon a sermon was delivered in Rev. Mr. Dana's meeting-house by Rev. Mr. Miltimore of Belleville ; in the after- noon the Rev. Dr. Buckminister of Portsmouth preached at the Rev. Dr. Spring's meeting-house ; in both instan- ces there were crowded audiences.
By the invitation of Rev. John Giles and his society, Elder John Peak preached in the Harris street church the Sunday succeeding the fire. In the morning the Baptist clergyman took his text from Isaiah 5th, 24th, "Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust : because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." The af- ternoon sermon had for its object "Comfort to the affiicted who put their trust in the Lord."
The following Sabbath the Baptist society occupied the court house, in which they worshipped until the erec- tion of the new church. This society was peculiarly bereaved by the fire. In addition to the loss of their meet- ing house, eleven of their principal mem- bers were amongst the greatest suffer- ers. Capt. Joseph O'Brien, who had been one of their most prominent ben-
efactors, lost $30,000. At a society meeting June 11th, it was voted to ap- point the Rev. John Peak an agent, to solicit aid towards the erection of a new house of worship. The clergyman made a tour as far south as Philadel- phia and Baltimore, visiting most of the Baptist societies on his ronte. Af- ter his return he went as far east as Hallowell. This mission was eminent- ly successful, and steps were immedi- ately taken to procure the land for a new meeting-house ; a committee of three was appointed to circulate sub- scription papers at the north, south and central parts of the town. That for the centre received no subscribers ; at the south end one individual subscribed fif- teen dollars ; at the north end five hun- dred dollars were subscribed. Conse- quently it was decided to place the new meeting-house on Congress street. A plan for a building fifty feet by forty- two, with gallery, was approved, and the work commenced in April, 1812. The site of the old meeting-house, with the basement, bricks etc., were sold for the benefit of the original proprietors. After the new house had been begun, Dr. Bolles' society, of Salem, present- ed a subscription amounting to$440.17. This church was completed the last of July, and with the land cost less than than $4000. "The house was dedicat- ed without parade, with fervent suppli- cations for the divine blessing on the church, congregation, the word which should be dispensed there, and on their kind benefactors."
The Rev. Dr. Spring also made a tour for the purpose of soliciting funds, traveling as far south as Virginia. This call was met most generously ; Phila- delphia, with the aid given to Mr. Peak, contributed $3000, and a Moravian so-
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ciety in Pennsylvania added $60 to the funds forwarded from that state ; be- sides many donations from distant parts of the country, the neighboring cities and towns were most prompt and lib- eral in their contributions ; Boston gave $24,315.25 ; Charlestown sent $1,744 .- 55. Of this $150 was presented by the firemen to their brethren in Newbury- port ; Salem presented $1000 and con- tributions of clothing ; Portsmouth and all the smaller towns gave as largely in proportion to their means. Those of our citizens who were able showed great liberality towards their unfortu- nate fellow citizens ; provisions, furni- ture and clothing were given in large quantities from Newburyport, New- bury, and the other adjoining towns ; Mr. William Bartlett presented $3000, Mr. Moses Brown $1500, and other gentlemen contributed as their means permitted ; the Shaker families at Can- terbury and Enfield sent five wagon loads of furniture, bedding, clothing and food, which were received with the warmest thanks.
The 1st of June the circus of Messrs. Cayetano & Meniel was in Portsmouth ; these gentlemen wrote to Samuel Shaw and David Emery that if they would come over and ride in the military ex- ercise, they would advertise a benefit for the Newburyport sufferers. This proposal was accepted with alacrity, and the proceeds of the exhibition. which amounted to sixty dollars, were handed to the Newburyport Relief As- sociation. Such a noble charity from foreigners and strangers was duly ap- preciated by our townsmen, and it was with genuine grief that some two or three years after, they received the tid- ings of the loss of the whole troop on
their passage from New Orleans to Havana.
Of the money received, as just a dis- tribution as possible was made. No one whose remaining property amount- ed to the value of five thousand dollars received any appropriation. From the first few days after the fire the burnt area in the vicinity of Market square and State street presented a most busy aspect ; the debris was quickly cleared, and the foundations of most of the present buildings were laid ; before winter many dry goods and grocery stores were opened, and by the second year the town bore a much handsomer appearance than before the fire; but the war with England and other causes combined to curtail business, and it was years before the traces of the great fire were wholly obliterated.
Col. Bartlett lingered till November. For many weeks he laid helpless as an infant, and the end came gently ; with- out any painful struggle, his transition to another world was in perfect keep- ing with his calm, genial character. Earthly cares and duties finished, he departed, in the hope of a new and blissful life in that world "where there is no more death." His widow bowed in submission, casting her burden upon that Savior who alone could give com- fort. His relatives, friends, and the whole community mourned the loss of one, who at the early age of thirty-eight had been called from their midst.
Col. Bartlett was buried under arms, and the funeral, which was from Gen. Peabody's residence, was largely at- tended. Dr. Dana conducted the ser- vice, then the military formed in the order of escort; behind the hearse a negro attendant led the Colonel's fam- ous charger-a splendid white horse ;
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from his bridle floated bands of crape ; the housing was of black; across the saddle depended the uniform boots, with spurs attached, and upon it were laid his sword and cap, with its long white plume ; next came a long procession of gentlemen on foot, and a long line of mourners in carriages concluded the cortege, which to the solemn beat of the muffled drum slowly moved to the Old Burying Hill, where dust was ren- dered to dust. A volley having been fired over the grave, the musicians struck up a lively air, and the remains were left in the full hope of a glorious immortality.
The famous white horse became the property of Mr. Benjamin Hale, who succeeded Col. Bartlett in the stage agency. Though obliged to part with her favorite, Mrs. Bartlett, through the kindness of Mr. Hale, never felt his loss, as she had only to name the time when a ride was desired, and the horse was immediately put at her disposal.
My preparations for marriage were nearly complete, but nothing definite had been decided upon, when to my utter astonishment, one evening in March David Emery came with the an- nouncement that he had hired the Pills- bury place in Belleville, and had come to take me down with him in the morn- ing to inspect the premises, and assist in making farther arrangements. I was completely dumbfounded. The Pills- bury domain consisted of a farm of sixty acres, on which was a large, old- fashioned house, which for many years had been a noted tavern for drovers and country traders. With the most perfect sang froid Mr. Emery stated his intention of immediately putting up a large slaughtering house, and that he had already hired Mr. James Carey to
assist in the butchering business. Mr. Carey, his wife and two children were to occupy a part of the house. "I was expected to become the mistress of a public house on a large farm, with an extensive butchering establishment at- tached !" "Yes, and I could do it." Efficient help had been secured-a girl from Lock's Hotel, who knew every "rope in the ship." Lock had succeed- ed Coburn, who had been appointed deputy sheriff.
Somewhat encouraged, I began to gather my scattered ideas and to take a more coherent view of things ; but it was after a restless night that I set forth with Mr. Emery in the morning. The place of our destination had for- merly been the homestead of Mr. Ed- ward Rawson, to whom at the first set- tlement of the township five hundred and eighty-one acres of land had been granted, which was termed Rawson's Newbury plantation. Mr. Rawson was the first town clerk of Newbury, and one of the wealthiest and most influen- tial citizens. Afterwards he became Secretary of the colony of Massachu- setts and moved to Dorchester. The unfortunate marriage of his youngest danghter, Miss Rebecca Rawson, to an Englishman named Thomas Ramsey, under the assumed name and character of Sir Thomas Hale jr., nephew of Lord Chief Justice Hale, Whittier has woven into his charming tale entitled "Mar- garet Smith's Journal," and this first home of my married life was the scenie of that romance.
In 1651 (O. S) Mr. William Pills- bury purchased of Mr. Edward Raw- son forty acres of land for the sum of one hundred pounds. The deed of this purchase is still held by the Pillsbury family. The present house was built
PILLSBURY PLACE
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in 1700, by Mr. Daniel Pillsbury. Orig- inally it consisted of the main building ; the several additions, which so mate- . rially enhance its picturesque appear- ance, have been made as the needs of the occupant required. At this time the estate had passed through three generations to the heirs of Mr. Joshua Pillsbury, who a few years previous had purchased a farm in Boscawen, where he had recently died. Pilesburgh or Pilesborough, now Pillsbury, Essex, England, Arms. Per fesse sable and azure, on an eagle displayed argent ; three griffins' heads, erased of the sec- ond. Crest, an Esquire's helmet- Motto, Labar ammia vincent.
A piercing March wind swept with great force across "the plains ;" I was completely chilled before we reached our destination. The old tavern looked dreary and uninviting. With a sinking heart I stepped from the sleigh and ac- companied Mr. Emery to the door. The premises were occupied by a family named Poor. Mr. Emery having intro- duced me to Mrs. Poor, went with Mr. Poor to the barn. My hostess led the way to the large kitchen next the street ; the breakfast dishes had not been cleared, and the room bore a most un- tidy aspect. A chair having been dust- ed, I was requested to take a seat at the fire. Gathering my handsome, light, drab cloth pelisse about me, I ventured to do so. While warming my benumbed feet the landlady never ceased making apologies ; she had not expected me so early, she had small children, etc. I stopped the talk as speedily as possible by rising to go over the house ; the spacious rooms were dingy, dirty, and meagerly furnished ; everything looked sombre and cheer- less ; I felt as though they were peo-
pled with all the defunct Rawsons and Pillsburys : in fancy, gliding before me, I saw Miss Rebecca Rawson, whom the scamp Thomas Rsmsey so shamefully married, then robbed and deserted in a foreign land, and who soon after met with a tragical death, being swallowed up by an earthquake in Port Royal. Mr. Emery's brisk step and quick, busi- ness tone dispelled these illusions. Al- terations and repairs were discussed ; whitewash, paint and paper would work wonders. Quite inspired, I rode down to my Uncle Peabody's.
Considerable trade had sprung up be- tween Newburyport and Alexandria and Georgetown, and several of our citizens had become residents of the District. Gen. Peabody had decided to join them ; preparations were in progress for the families' removal to Georgetown early in the summer.
Mr. Bartlett still boarded at her sis- ter's ; her future was undetermined. I had long coveted the two card tables and some other articles of furniture that had stood in her parlor. Much to my delight I found that they could be pur- chased ; Aunt Peabody was glad to let me take some of her surplus things. I returned home that night well satisfied ; order was beginning to be evolved from the chaos of my brain, and courage was upspringing for the new career marked out for the coming years.
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