USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newbury > Reminiscences of a nonagenarian > Part 35
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The wedding was on the 22nd of April. No one was present but the family. Dr. Parish performed the cer- emony. I wore a white India muslin, the skirt edged by an ornamental bor- der wrought in colored worsted ; bands of similar embroidery finished the neck and short sleeves, with a girdle to match. My walking dress was a short pelisse of light drab silk, trimmed with
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black lace; the bonnet matched the pelisse, trimmed with bias folds of the silk bound with white satin, and white satin strings. The hair in full curls upon the temples, formed a sufficient face trimming. Mr. Emery had a blue coat with brass buttons ; drab pants, white vest, a drab overcoat, and a very stylish black beaver; we both wore white kids.
Mr. and Mrs. Carey with their two eldest children, Sophronia and Hannah, were already settled in their rooms at the upper end of the house. On my arrival I found myself not only the land- lady of a public house, but the mistress of a family numbering seven persons ; besides Betsey Downing, the maid ser- vant, there were three hired men, Dan- iel Smith, Aaron Palmer, John Webs- ter, and a boy of fourteen named Guy Carlton Mackie. This lad had been cast a waif upon the world ; his expe- rience had been both varied and roman- tic ; his last feat had been to escape from a British man-of-war, where he had been brutally treated, as his scarred back bore witness. Mr. Justin Smith picked him up in Boston and brought him to Newburyport to tend in his res- taurant ; he might as well have em- ployed a monkey. As the lad, in com- mon with most boys had taken a huge liking to Mr. Emery, Mr. Smith im- plored him to take him; "he could manage him if it was in the power of mortal to do it." Accordingly I was received by this hopeful, cap in hand, with the most graceful of bows. For two years he continued the most faith- ful and devoted of servants ; my word was law, and he was equally obedient to Mr. Emery. Ever alert, quick-wit- ted, possessing a knowledge of the world far beyond his years, he proved
a valuable addition to the menage.
The March previous Capt. Jeremiah Colman and First Lieutenant David Emery had both received promotion ; Captain Colman became Major of the regiment of cavalry, and Lieut. Emery took the command of the company. On the Monday following our mar- riage there was another choice of offi- cers, when Jeremiah Colman was chos- en Colonel and my husband Major. Thus, in the period of one month, Da- vid Emery received both a captain's and major's commission in the troop, besides assuming the responsibility of marriage and the management of an ex- tensive business.
Belleville presented at that time the same neat and pleasant appearance as now. At the junction of the main ferry and bridge roads, facing High street, stood the old-fashioned hay scales. The first house round "Newton Corner" was that of Mr. William Wade ; next came the fine residence of Mr. Robert Dodge ; below stood Varnum Howe's house and hatter's shop, the Gordon house and blacksmith's shop, the residences of Mr. Amos Atkinson, Col. Eben Hale, Mr. Folsom, Mr. Russel, Mr. Oliver Hale`and Messrs. Moses L. and Theo- dore Atkinson. Below came the Qua- ker meeting-house and the mansion of the late Dr. Edmund Sawyer, then oc- cupied by his widow and family, and that of the Rev. James Miltimore, the Pillsbury place, the Atkins estate and the residence of Capt. Reuben Jones. The house on the corner of Toppan's Lane was owned by Mr. Jonathan Har- ris, whose wife was Anna Toppan, a daughter of the late Edward Toppan. Down the lane came Mr. Stephen Top- pan's house and the old Toppan home-
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stead, then the property of Mr. Enoch Toppan.
The first house on the lower side of High street, from the bridge road, was that of Miss Eunice Atkinson, after- wards .Mrs. Moses Currier ; the next belonged to Mr. William Merrill ; next came the residences of Mr. Moses At- kinson, Orlando Merrill, Jacob Little, Stephen Little, the homestead of Josiah Little esq., Mr. Thomas Hale's house and hatter's shop; William Wiggles- worth's house and that of Mr. Moses Merrill; the next house belonged to "Marm Fowler," one of the ancient school· dames ; below was a small one- story house, and another of two stories, the latter belonging to Dr. Edmund Sawyer's estate. On this side of the street was Russell's chaise manufactory. The schoolhouse and meetinghouse stood together, above Moody's Lane ; below was Samuel Moody's house and that of Mr. Thomas Emery; on the upper corner of Tyng street stood the house built by Mr. Thomas Coker.
The morning after the arrival at our new home our next neighbor Parson Miltimore called, and in his genial man- ner bade us welcome. This was the commencement of a friendship that con- tinued to the end of the worthy clergy- man's life. Mrs. Miltimore, an invalid, visited but seldom, but the young peo- ple-became most pleasant companions. The three sons, Andrew, James and John Murray, and the three daughters, Dorothy, Eliza and Mary, had none of them yet left the paternal roof.
The next Sunday we attended service at the Belleville meetinghouse. This was the first building, the one burned by lightning-a good-sized edifice, with galleries, and a tall and graceful spire. A broad and two-side aisle led to the
pulpit, which was in the style of the pe- riod ; a sounding-board was suspended above the desk, upon which rested a green velvet cushion ; the arched win- dow in the rear was draped with a cur- tain of the same color ; the pulpit cush- ion, and the seats of the three yellow, oval-backed, wooden chairs which stood beneath it were covered to match. A mahogany communion table occupied the platform in front, and two hand- some glass candelabra were placed either side of the sacred desk ; there was no chandelier, but the scones for candles were hung around the walls.
The society was large and of the highest respectability. The Pillsbury pew, which we had hired with the place, was on the left side of the broad aisle from the entrance, and about half way to the pulpit ; one seat, which was cush- ioned, was reserved for Grandma'am Pillsbury ; the rest of the pew, like those throughout the house, were un- painted boards hung upon hinges. Some faces were strange, but many of the congregation were relatives or ac- quaintances. There were the Little families from Turkey Hill and Belle- ville. Mr. Nathaniel Emery, from the lower parish of Newbury. The Top- pans, Atkinsons, Mr. Thomas Hale's, and all the families on High street above the meetinghouse, and many below, Mr. John Balch's and Capt. John Rem- iek's, and most of the other families from Bellevilleport. The choir, as was then the custom, was composed of vol- unteers, all good singers, and accom- panied by a bass viol.
Gen. Peabody had established a store for dry goods in Georgetown, D. C. ; in June his wife and family left to join him. They sailed in the brig Citizen, Capt. Dole, of Ring's Island. This was
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a regular packet plying between New- buryport and the District of Columbia, owned by Messrs. Robert, Allen and Frank Dodge. This firm was largely engaged in the flour trade, and for its greater facility Mr. Frank Dodge had recently become a resident of George- town. This separation from my aunt and cousins was painful to the whole family, but especially so to me ; I took' my farewell the day prior to their de- parture. The spacious house was empty and closed ; the furniture, trunks etc., were loading for the vessel. My aunt and cousin Sophronia maintained a calm, even smiling exterior, though I well knew that great heart sobs scarcely permitted utterance. John, the oldest son, a handsome, noble youth, coura- geously assumed the burthen of man- hood, and the younger children clus- tered about me, giving their little mes- sages and last kisses. It was inexpres- sibly sorrowful to leave my pet, my sweet, darling Adeline ; the beautiful girl so lovely in her suffering, clung to me in an embrace that spoke volumes ; . and I could not but feel that this was a final adieu. Polly Smart, the faithful handmaiden of years, who adhered to my aunt like Ruth to Naomi, also came to say good-bye. Sad, sad was the parting, and it was through an irrepres- sible mist of tears, that from the upper window of the old Pillsbury house I watched the Citizen glide down the river and over the bar; watched until she became a white speck on the sky, then wholly disappeared in the distance.
Aunt Bartlett took the house and shop formerly occupied by Mrs. Searle, and with the assistance of two young lady acquaintances she set up a fancy goods and milliner's store.
The intelligence of the declaration of
the war with Great Britain was re- ceived in Newburyport on the fourth of July. There had been a celebration, oration, etc., Major Emery had been on duty, and Col. Moses Newell, of the upper parish, who dined with us. ] was apprised of the news at the table. There was much conversation, but my husband said little, and I knew by his grave taciturnity that he was troubled. At night, after the house was still he came into my private parlor, and sink- ing into the large rocking-chair ex- claimed, "Wife, I fear I am ruined." Whether it was my father's democratic rearing, or a clearer insight, I cannot tell, but someway I did not share in this despondency, and soon succeeded in chasing the gloom from his brow.
CHAPTER LII.
The declaration of war caused much anxiety for the safety of the Citizen. Two days' sail from Georgetown, and she was boarded by a British frigate. At her appearance Capt. Dole strove to outsail her, but the third shot over his bows compelled him to heave to and answer the demands of "where from" and "where to?" At the third ques- tion "with what laden ?" a clerk of Gen. Peabody's named William Brown, who accompanied the family, caught the speaking trumpet from the captain's hand, and shouted, "A few Yankee no- tions, such as women, children and spinning wheels." A boat was imme- diately lowered, but as the boarding offi- cer found that Mr. Brown had given a correct invoice, and though the declara- tion of war had passed the senate, its ratification by the House had not been
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received, after a short delay the Citizen was permitted to proceed to her destina- tion, which was reached in safety, and my uncle's family were soon domesti- cated in their Southern home.
In Federal New England the war was exceedingly unpopular, and the Gov- ernor of Massachusetts appointed a pub- lic Fast. In every seaport there was much distress. Labor was impeded ; the most industrious were enforced to idleness ; poverty took the place of plenty ; this was too often followed by despondency, drunkenness and misery. Many a noble man became a mere wreck of humanity, and many a delicately bred lady descended into an unthrifty, slatternly household drudge, while their offspring, half clad and half fed, mixed unrestrained amongst the very dregs of the population. "It is an ill wind that blows no one good." The war which ruined hundreds, brought, notwithstand- ing my husband's forebodings, great prosperlty to the tavern ; we could not have engaged in a more lucrative busi- ness. British manufacturers having quantities of goods upon their hands, ran cargo after cargo into their eastern provinces, thence they were passed across the border and taken South by ox teams ; as our accommodations were excellent, the teamsters made "Em- ery's tavern" their headquarters. The first teams arrived in September-five carts loaded with a variety of goods, consigned to Boston merchants. From that time until the winter of 1815 more or less came every week, usually to stop over night ; at sunset I have often counted a dozen or fifteen drawn up by the sidewalk, opposite the long barn, their mnotley coverings of patchwork quilts, coverlets etc., presenting a gyp- sy-like, semi-barbarous appearance.
Gunpowder and other ammunition was also transported. One night we slept with a large wagon loaded with powder standing directly opposite the house, but as the fact was not known until after its departure in the morning, no fears alarmed the household or neighborhood, but Mr. Emery was careful that there should not be any repetition of the risk.
Commerce being entirely stopped, and the coasting trade greatly impeded, all imported goods commanded an ex- orbitant price. Flour rose to fifteen and eighteen dollars per barrel, brown sugar was twenty-five cents a pound, molasses a dollar fifty cents per gallon. Dry goods, crockery, glass etc., were equally dear. I paid a dollar a yard for calico, a common-sized looking-glass cost sixteen dollars, common tea-sets were from nine shillings to two dollars. My china set was sixteen dollars ; blue- edged dining plate were a dollar per dozen, knives and forks were from two and and a half to three dollars per doz- en. With the exception of corn and wool, all kinds of country produce was cheap. Good butter brought from nine- pence to a shilling, and cheese from eight to nine cents per pound ; potatoes were twenty-five cents per bushel. All kinds of butcher's meat was low. Ow- ing to the high price of wool the pelts alone paid the cost of the live animal, and a good carcass of mutton could be bought for fifty cents. Cheap as this was, owing to the lack of work, many had not the money to buy even a small piece of meat. Mr. Emery was in the habit of giving away livers, heads, and the cheaper pieces. Young lads out of our most respectable families, on half- holidays and after school, were glad to give a helping hand at the slaughter house, receiving in pay a liver, sweet-
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bread, or bones for a soup. I have often watched them as they passed the house with their baskets, their faces ra- diant in the expectation of a good din- ner on the morrow. Some of our best mechanics were glad to dig potatoes on shares, thus securing a supply for win- ter. Mr. Emery having raised three or four hundred bushels, this was a mutual benefit. As the supply brought by the eastern coasters was diminished, wood rose to ten dollars per cord. Most of this was rafted down the river, but dur- ing the winter quantities came from New Hampshire ; in good sledding I have seen a dozen loads in a line pro- ceeding down High street.
Federalist ideas were so prominent the fitting of privateers was strongly opposed ; but as this was the only hope for our marine, and as the administra- tion had some strong supporters, dur- ing the summer a number of vessels cleared from Newburyport, "bound on a cruise." One of the most active in this business was Capt. Benjamin Pierce, a wealthy and influential citizen, largely interested in shipping. During the war he fitted out several armed ves- sels at his own expense and tendered them to the government. Capt. Pierce married Elizabeth Gerrish, who was connected with one of the most promi- nent and influential families of the town, and through a long life she was emi- nent for piety, benevolence and patriot- ism. Capt. and Mrs. Pierce had five daughters and three sons-Sarah Coffin, who married Thomas H. Battell and afterwards Mr. James Oakes of Boston ; Elizabeth Maria, who married Mr. D. C. Moseley, afterwards, Hon. Joel W. White of Norwich, Conn., who was con- sul at Lions, France, for several years ; Rebecca married Mr. George Reed, a
prominent merchant of Boston ; Mary became the wife of our respected citi- zen, J. J. Knapp, esq. After the fire of 1811 Capt. Pierce built the mansion on High street, which after his decease came into the possession of Mrs. Knapp, where she resided until her death. This lady inherited the noble traits of her parents, and to an ad- vanced age, she was ever ready to lis- ten to any tale of suffering, while her hand and purse were always open to ex- tend relief. Caroline, the youngest daughter, is unmarried, and has long been a resident of New York city. The three sons, Benjamin, Charles and George, all died single.
One of Capt. Pierce's vessels, the brig "Decatur," was commanded by Capt. William Nichols. In July the sound of heavy guns called the popula- tion to the wharves and other outlooks commanding the water. Coming up the river was the "Decatur," gay with flags and streamers, followed by two English prizes, the brig "Elisabeth," taken on the 25th of July, and the "Duke of Sa- voy," whose captain was shot dead at the wheel; there was also a French schooner, captured from the French by the English and recaptured by the "De- catur." A great crowd awaited the landing.
CHAPTER LIII.
Upon hiring the Pillsbury place Mr. Emery had put up a bowling alley. This attracted the townspeople, and as it was a pleasant walk to Belleville, I had many callers. Several of the el- derly gentlemen became habitually ac- customed to saunter up to the tavern on
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pleasant afternoons, when they often dropped into my private parlor for a chat. Mr. John Tracy, paralyzed and feeble, was a frequent visitor ; he was usually accompanied by his friend, Mr. Samuel A. Otis. Mr. Tracy was fond of recalling the events of his earlier days ; his tales of the Rev- olutionary period were very interesting. During the winter that Boston was oc- cupied by the British, Mr. Tracy went to the city to visit his ladylove ; he had scarcely arrived, when he learned that Gen. Gage had gained intelligence of a vessel of his loaded with gunpowder which was nearly due, and had placed one of the fleet on the watch for her. Bidding his betrothed a hasty adieu, he again mounted his horse and retraced his steps with all speed, finding to his great joy upon his entrance into New- buryport, his vessel safe at the wharf.
As I have previously stated, Mr. Tracy and his brother Patrick were largely engaged in privateering. A succession of ill luck had proved almost ruinous. At the end of 1777 the broth- ers had lost forty-one ships. Mr. Tracy's only hope was centered in a letter of marque of eight guns, of which he had received no tidings. Walking one day with his brother, discussing the ways and means of obtaining subsistence for their families, a strange sail was .es- pied making for the harbor. Mr. John Tracy jocosely exclaimed, "Perhaps it is a prize for me." Mr. Patrick laughed a doubtful laugh, but Mr. John imme- diately took a boat and went down the river. To his great amazement, on reaching the ship he found that it was really a prize belonging to him, worth five and twenty thousand pounds ster- ling.
As the summer advanced dry goods
of every description became excessively scarce, consequently exceedingly high in price. Though in most families there was more or less spinning and weaving, and the click of knitting needles was a familiar sound, it was difficult to procure proper apparel ; plainness in dress was enforced by ne- cessity. This state of things engen- dered an illicit traffic which our people as good Federalists were slow to con- demn. I was awakened one night by a tap upon the window of my bedroom. Somewhat startled, I still forebore to awaken my husband, who had retired much fatigued. Slipping on a wrapper, I raised the curtain and asked "Who is there ?" "A friend ;" was the reply, "make no disturbance, but call the Major ; I must see him a few moments." I recognized the voice as that of Capt. Josiah Bartlett ; at that time an active shipmaster. Mr. Emery hastily dressed, when it was found that Capt. Bartlett had a stagecoach at the door, filled with merchandise, gloves, muslins, laces, vestings, ribbons, and other articles of a like description. These were hastily placed in my best bedroom, from whence they were gradually taken to the stores in town. Capt. Bartlett continued to bring goods for some time. We often had bales of valuable cloth hidden in the hay mow ; some were taken to Crane Neck and stored away in the large back chamber.
The collector of the customs, Mr. Ralph Cross, and Master Whitmore, another custom house official, were in the habit of walking up to the tavern of a pleasant afternoon ; on one occasion I entertained the two old gentlemen in my parlor while Mr. Emery loaded a team at the barn with smuggled goods and drove away to West Newbury with-
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out exciting the slightest suspicion in the government officers, though the whole household were on the broad grin, and I was obliged to control my risibles and give a variety of private signals to the others to prevent an un- seemly outburst of merriment.
Late in the autumn Mr. Luther Wa- terman and Mr. Joshua Aubin received notice that a lot of linen awaited their order at "Kennebunk wharves." How were they to get it to Newburyport ! "The Major" was everybody's resource in a dilemma, and no excuse would be received ; "he must get that linen." Mr. Emery hesitated ; it was a job he did not relish. Besides having inherit- ed his father's consumptive tempera- ment, his health was such he could ill bear over fatigue and exposure, but overcome by his friends' importunity, he at length reluctantly made his prep- arations for the journey. Wishing to remain unrecognized, he donned his worst suit of clothes, to which was add- ed a gray spencer belonging to my brother James, too short in the waist and sleeves ; over this was drawn an old overcoat, which as it was minus several buttons, was secured by a red surcingle ; an old siouched hat and a pair of striped woollen mittens complet- ed the disguise.
In the summer of 1811, Mr. Emery had driven to market the first covered butcher's cart. This wagon had been made to order, and was A 1 in every respect. To this wagon, for the Kenne- bunk expedition, were harnessed "tan- dem," the Major's splendid parade horse, "Peacock" and our family horse, "Kate," a beautiful sorrel mare. I ex- pressed to my husband the fear that the contrast between his dress and his team might excite suspicion. My dis-
quietude became increased at finding after Mr. Emery's departure that our house dog "Turk," a handsome and noted animal, was missing. According to my husband's direction, he had been shut into my room, but "snuffing the . battle afar," in some unknown way he obtained egress, and started ahead, keeping shrewdly out of sight until his master had advanced too far on the road to turn back.
Mr. Emery set out early on Monday morning. Wednesday night the wel- come rumble of wheels, and his glad tones, brought the whole family to the door. A large hogshead marked "Rum," filled the wagon, which was driven to the barn and unloaded. Turk, quite tired out, sought his nook beside my parlor fire, whither he was soon followed by his master, who having re- freshed himself by a change of raiment and a good supper, entertained me with an account of his adventures.
The journey to the "Wharves" was made in good time. The goods were stored in the warehouse of a retired sea captain. This gentleman had been largely engaged in the West India trade, and there were plenty of rum casks at hand. After some consultation it was decided to pack the linen in one of these, which was done. A certificate must be at hand, but as the one belong- ing to this cask could not be found, another was adroitly altered. It was late ere all the arrangements were com- pleted, and the captain invited Mr. Emery to pass the night at his resi- dence, where he was entertained most hospitably. The following morning the cask was hoisted into the wagon ; there were plenty to assist, several very gen- tlemanly looking young men lending a hand with alacrity. It was nearly
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noon before everything had been com- pleted. By mistake the lower road was taken. Wishing to avoid the ferry at Portsmouth, Mr. Emery inquired of a young fellow he met how it could be - done. The gift of a cigar won his good offices, and he volunteered to lead the way through a cross-road that turned on to the upper route. Night closed in ; the path led through dense woods ; an early snow that elsewhere had vanished, covered the ground ; here and there were small clearings, where a log hut loomed up amid the charred stumps. its one or two small . windows, radiant from the pine knot within, and crowded with faces that the crunch of the wagon through the snow had drawn thither.
The main route having been gained, his conductor left him. . Having driven till past midnight, he came to a large tavern ; after repeated knocks a boy's head was thrust from a window, who shouted, "'taint the teamsters, Mr. Smith, it's a man." After further par- ley the door was opened, and the land- lord, bearing a lantern, came out, ex- cusing the delay ; he was troubled with teamsters from the back settlements, who only came in to warm themselves and get a drink, and the lad had been directed not to disturb the house by their admittance. The horses were sta- bled and a good supper provided, of which Mr. Emery partook, with Turk, who with true canine sagacity, fully shared his master's responsibility. The meal over, the landlord lighted his guest up-stairs. "There are three oth- er gentlemen in the chamber, but you will find an empty bed," he said, as he opened the door. True ; there was an "empty bed," but the occupants of the two others had stripped it of every arti-
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