USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > Ryal Side from early days of Salem colony > Part 8
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April 19, 1794,2 Nathan Batchelder and wife and Apphia Kinneson conveyed to Robert and Huldah
I Essex Registry of Deeds, book 161, leaf 168.
2 Essex Registry of Deeds, book 161, leaf 116.
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Twiss the several lots of land assigned to them in the agreement, and on the same date, Robert Twiss and wife and Apphia Kinneson conveyed to Nathan Batch- elder the several pieces of real estate, together with the house and barn, which were agreed to be his share.
Of the names associated with Ryal Side, there are none so prominent as that of the Revolutionary soldier, Reuben Kennison, and concerning whose place of abode there has ever been a considerable doubt. The principal purpose of describing the partition of this estate is to show the location of the farm where Kennison lived and worked and the subsequent assignment of the vari- ous parcels to his widow.
Reuben Kennison and Apphia Batchelder, the young- est daughter of Joshua, filed their marriage intentions and were married May 3, 1774, and in less than one year he, with other American soldiers, was killed by the British soldiery in the yard of Jason Russell at Menot- omy, now Arlington.
Apphia married Kennison a short time before the breaking-out of the war and they lived in her father's house at this time, he assisting his brother-in-law, Nathan, in carrying on the farm. The records of the office of Registry of Deeds and of Probate for Essex County do not indicate that he was possessed of any real estate. It has been related authentically that his widow retained possession of all his personal effects until the time of her death.2
I Essex Registry of Deeds, book 164, leaf 36.
2 The records show very little concerning the life of this young farmer who gave patriotic service to the cause of the Colonies.
Of those known, by any who are now living, the late John B. Cressy was
JOSHUA BATCHELDER HOUSE Now standing on Cressy Street. Ruben Kennison was living here when he responded to the alarm, April 19, 1775
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ESTATE OF JOSHUA BATCHELDER
In the division of her father's lands, one of the parcels assigned to Apphia lay on the north side of Cressy Street, west of the lot where the barn stood, and had a frontage of eleven poles, but no mention is made at that time of any building thereon. She undoubtedly con- tinued to live at the homestead with her brother, Na- than, until he disposed of the house and lands, which was not far from the time she married her second hus- band, Uriah Wright, who was a Revolutionary soldier who had fought at Bunker Hill in Colonel Prescott's regiment.
After her marriage to Mr. Wright, Apphia lived with her husband in a small house which stood on the lot on the north side of the way abcve referred to, and which stood for some years after their decease. The lot is near the junction of Cressy and Elliott Streets and a recent
possessed of more knowledge concerning the life and associations of Kennison than any person whom I have known. He was personally acquainted with his widow, Apphia Batchelder Kennison, and had spent a considerable por- tion of his boyhood on the farm where Kennison had lived and worked.
Mr. Cressy has stated that Kennison was of New Hampshire and came to the Batchelder farm subsequent to the death of Joshua Batchelder, who died in March, 1763. Kennison was working in the field when the alarm rang from the meeting house at Salem Village (Danvers) at about nine o'clock in the morning of April 19, 1775, and, quickly preparing himself with his musket and other equipment, he passed up the way with his young wife, who accom- panied him for a distance, waving a farewell as he passed from her view.
Kennison proceeded to New Mills (Danversport), joining the company of Captain Israel Hutchinson, which left for Cambridge at about ten o'clock, and, on arriving there, proceeded to Menotomy, now Arlington. Stationing himself in the yard of Jason Russell to await the British on their return from Lexington, he, with several others, was surprised by a flank guard of British soldiers and in the fight which followed, Kennison was killed. His body was brought to Ryal Side the next day and interment made in the old Leach burial place near the 'greate hill,' Leach's Hill (Browne's Folly).
On June 19, 1927, the Beverly Historical Society placed on the great elm tree which stands on the John Batchelder farm a bronze tablet commemorat- ing the event of Kennison's departure for the scene of his military service.
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excavation has revealed the foundation wall of the old house.
Apphia survived her husband. While Mr. Wright lived, he improved the lands of his wife's estate and acquired other land by purchase.' He has been described by the late John B. Cressy, who knew him, as being a man of excellent physique, keen and thrifty in business affairs.
August 3, 1837,2 Uriah Wright and his wife, Apphia, conveyed to Ezra Dodge about four acres of pasture land, 'bounded on the north by land of Caleb Friend about seventeen poles, east by land, heirs of Jonathan Cressy about forty eight poles, south by land, heirs of Doctor Israel Woodberry about thirteen poles, and west by land, heirs of Joseph Masury, forty nine poles, with the privilege of passing over land of Caleb Friend ad- joining said pasture with teams and cattle as he shall have occasion.'
This lot, which was one of those assigned to Apphia from her father's estate, is traversed at its southerly end by County Way and the Ryal Side school building stands near its western boundary; the site of the school building occupying 'Coal Pit Hill,' formerly the land of Nathaniel Creesy and later, the land of Joseph Masury.
Apphia died October 22, 1842, about ninety years of age, and the administration of her estate was given to John Creesy, 4th.
In the later years of his life, Nathan carried on that portion of his father's farm which fell to his possession,
I What is now called Lard Pond was formerly called Wright's Pond.
2 Essex Registry of Deeds, book 304, leaf 3.
THE GREAT ELM TREE It bears the commemorative tablet of the Beverly Historical Society The tree stands on the John Batchelder farm
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ESTATE OF JOSHUA BATCHELDER
for while a young man he followed the life of a mariner. In 1792, he was assessed for one house, one acre of tillage land, one acre of 'english mowing land,' one acre of meadow, four acres of pasture, one ton of hay, one cow, and two barrels of cider.
April 6, 1798,1 Nathan Batchelder, yeoman, sold to Nathaniel Fisk, of Wenham, cordwainer, 'six acres and eighty poles of land together with my dwelling house thereon standing ... also two acres on the northerly side of the road and a barn.'
The estate descended to the son, John Fisk, who, with the consent of his wife, Huldah, sold the farm to Caleb Friend, March 23, 1801.2 Caleb Friend lived on the farm for many years, and during his occupancy he im- proved the lands and considerably increased the value of the estate.
August 15, 1853,3 Caleb sold to his son, Seth Friend, for the sum of $2000, 'all my homestead containing twelve acres more or less and is situated at Beverly (at ryal side so called) together with my dwelling house, barn and all the outbuildings standing thereon ... reserv- ing the westerly front room for my own use during the term of my natural life.'
Seth Friend died December 13, 1872, and in the division of his estate, the widow, Elizabeth D. Friend, and a daughter, Helen A. Woodbury, was assigned one half, and a son, Seth, was assigned one half.
The return of the administrator's inventory showed a
I Essex Registry of Deeds, book 164, leaf 271.
2 Essex Registry of Deeds, book 209, leaf 59.
3 Essex Registry of Deeds, book 482, leaf 123.
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homestead and farm, on or near Elliott Street, of about twenty-eight acres.
January 18, 1873, Charles Woodberry and wife, Helen A., conveyed to Seth Friend one undivided half of the estate subject to the dower and homestead in the real estate of Elizabeth D. Friend, widow, and on the same date the latter conveyed to Seth Friend all her right of dower and homestead in the real estate of her husband, Seth Friend, deceased.
Seth Friend, Jr., remained in possession of the farm for only a short time, conveying to William A. Creesy, October 24, 1876, the property described by the various grantors to his father, Seth Friend, 'one half I inherited and one half conveyed to me by Charles Woodberry and wife, and also by deed of Elizabeth D. Friend.'
Mr. Creesy occupied the homestead and continued the farm until his death in 1909, when the property was divided among the heirs.
Since its construction by Joshua Batchelder, the house has received many interior and exterior altera- tions.
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ESTATE OF JONATHAN BATCHELDER
JONATHAN, the second son of John Batchelder, 2d, was born March 29, 1678. In consequence of the early death of the parents, he, at the age of eight years, and two brothers and two sisters, were left in orphanage. The children were committed to the care of their grand- father, Zachariah Herrick, who until his death, was one of the administrators of the Batchelder estate. Mr. Herrick's farm was at Birch Plains,' and here young Jonathan was living when Sarah Goode, who was exe- cuted as a witch in 1692, wandered on the premises, and at her trial Jonathan offered some weird testimony: ,
'The deposition of Henry Herrick aged about 21 years, this deponent testifieth and saith that in last March was two years Sarah Goode came to his fathers house and desired to lodge there and his father forbid it and she went away Grumbling and my father bid us follow her and see that she went away clear, lest she should lie in ye barn and by smoking her pipe should fire ye barn and sd deponent with Jonathan Batchelder seeing her make stop near ye barn bid her be gone or he would set her further off to which she replied that then it would cost his father Zachariah Herrick one or two of the best Cowes which he had. And Jonathan Batchelder aged 14 years testifieth the same above written and doth further testify that about a week after two of his grand-
I Birch Plains is the name given to the district in the vicinity of Trask Street, North Beverly, and is so referred to in the earliest Salem and Beverly town records. White birch trees are now plentiful in this district.
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fathers Master Cattel were removed from their places and other young Catle put in room and since that several of their Catle have bene set loose in a strange manner.'
During his lifetime, Zachariah Herrick had given his daughter, Mary, the mother of the Batchelder children, a ten-acre lot from his homestead at Birch Plains, which at her death was given to the two younger sons, Jona- than and Josiah. This lot is near the Beverly Airport.
In the division of his father's lands, Jonathan was allotted that portion of the lands lying on the east of his brother John's land. The portion lying on the south of the highway (Elliott Street) is now traversed in part by Giles Avenue 1 and County Way. Through its northern part, Davis Road and Winslow Road are laid out, and Dodge's Lane marks its eastern boundary. This north- ern portion has been known in recent years as the Clark farm.
Jonathan Batchelder died in April, 1740, leaving a wife, Ruth, and three adult children, Jonathan, Lydia, and Ruth. By will he devised to his wife, Ruth, the use and improvement of much of the estate 'and Liberty of making her own Cyder at the Cyder mill 2 and ye im- provement of ye Little Garden before ye door as it is now fenced .... During ye whole term that Shee shall continue to be my widow but at her second marriage, then my son Jonathan shall pay unto her the sum of twenty pounds.'
I Giles Avenue was formerly called 'Batchelder's water way.'
2 The 'Cyder mill' stood on the south side of Cressy Street at its junction with Elliott Street.
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ESTATE OF JONATHAN BATCHELDER
To Lydia, wife of William Porter, 'Sixty pounds to bee paid by my son Jonathan.'
To his daughter, Ruth, was given certain privileges in the estate, the use of the cider-mill, one cow, and two parcels of land, one of which was a 'Half Acre of land Being Butted and bounded Easterly by my Lane which leads over to Leased Land ... , Northerly upon ye high- way as ye stone wall standeth, Westerly by my own land leaving twenty feet in breadth between sd Land and ye Little Garden and Southerly by my own land.' This lot lies at the junction of Giles Avenue and Elliott Street, and remains unoccupied. On November 10, 1747, Ruth conveyed this lot to her brother, Jonathan, and in 1753, released all right and interest in the house, barn, and cider-mill.
To the son, Jonathan, there was devised 'all my Estate both Real and personal which is not herein al- ready disposed of Including my Lease Land.' His wife, Ruth, and son-in-law, William Porter, are made ex- ecutors of the will, which was approved May 19, 1740.
The son Jonathan, who owned the farm of his father, was born in 1720 and married Hepzibah Conant. It is recorded that he held a commission in the Continental Army. He raised a large family, and his will, dated October 14, 1776, mentions eight children. His wife was deceased at the time of his death, October 16, 1776. He devised to his 'Sister in Law Elizabeth Conant the use and improvement of my Westerly Great Chamber in my dwelling house ... so long as shee shall continue a single woman.' He gave to his 'seven Sons and my Daughter, to wit - Timothy, Samuel, Nathaniel,
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Jonathan, Asa, Daniel, George and Ruth all the re- mainder of my estate both real and personal, to be equally divided between them.'
The children had the estate divided by the Probate Court and the record of the partition is very minute in the description as to each of the respective parts.I
The old house stood at the junction of Cressy and Elliott Streets, and the barn, which enclosed the cider- mill, stood on the southern side.
A large part of the land lying on the south side was assigned to Jonathan and George, the latter disposing of his portion shortly after by sale, one lot of which was a sixteen-acre lot which he sold to Jonathan Creesy in 1794, who owned at this time the John Batchelder farm. This lot, which is now traversed by County Way, was once covered by an excellent growth of pine and was commonly known as the 'Aunt Sarah Creesy Lot.'
North of the highway and bounded by Dodge's Lane on the east were assignments to Jonathan, Nathaniel, Asa, Ruth, Daniel, and Timothy. To Ruth was also given a two-acre lot west of the home field.
To Nathaniel was devised the western half of the house to the middle of the chimney, excepting the western great chamber, which was given to Elizabeth Conant, for her personal use; the western half of the barn and barnyard; three and one quarter acres of mow- ing and tillage where the house stands, 'and one half of the pew in the meeting house.'
To Asa was assigned the 'Eastern half part of the
I Records of the Probate Court for Essex County, estate 2084.
ASA AND NATHANIEL BATCHELDER HOUSE
Built during the revolutionary period. It stands on the site of the house of the grandfather, Jonathan
THE AUNT SARAH CRESSY PASTURE This stand of pine lay between Giles Avenue and County Way, on the division of Jonathan Batchelder
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ESTATE OF JONATHAN BATCHELDER
house to the middle of the Chimney; the eastern half part of the barn with the cider mill and three acres on which the barn stands.' Three acres of pasture north of the home field came in his allotment: also one half the pew in the meeting house.
The house, which was thus given to Asa and Nathan- iel, was probably removed by them shortly after they came into possession, as its description in the will does not conform to the house now standing adjacent, north of the site of the old house. The present house was un- doubtedly built by Asa and Nathaniel in the latter part of the Revolutionary period, they occupying the eastern and western parts respectively.
December 9, 1783,1 Asa sold to Benjamin Very one half of the dwelling-house: also one three-acre lot of pasture and a three-acre lot on the southern side of the highway where the barn stood. February 28, 1820, Mary, the widow of Benjamin Very, afterward the wife of Ambrose Cleaves, sold to. Stephen Abbott all her part of the estate, which was later possessed by George Clark.
At Nathaniel's death a portion of his lands and land about the house was assigned to his widow, Elizabeth, as her dower, together with the western part of the house. The northern portion of the home field of about three acres was sold by Elizabeth to Nathan Leach, and in the division of his estate, this lot was given to his granddaughter, Sally Wallis, who, as the widow of Pyam Lovett, sold the lot, July 22, 1870,2 to George Clark.
I Essex Registry of Deeds, book 160, leaf 18.
2 Essex Registry of Deeds, book 802, leaf 273.
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The estate of Elizabeth Batchelder came into the possession of her sons, George and Nathaniel, Jr., who, on April 2, 1838,' conveyed two lots of land and the western part of the house to Jacob L. Obear. Mr. Obear sold his interest in the place to George Clark, October 7, 1865.2
Mr. Clark lived here for about thirty years, disposing of the property in 1895.
1 Essex Registry of Deeds, book 308, leaf 62.
2 Essex Registry of Deeds, book 690, leaf 285.
ESTATE OF JOSIAH BATCHELDER
JOSIAH BATCHELDER, the third son of John, 2d, was born March 6, 1680, and was given, in the partition of his father's estate, 'all the remainder of the land East- ward to John Green's stone wall ..... Excepting four acres which belongs to Joseph Batchelder.'
Josiah's allotment comprised much of the land in- cluded in what was later known as the Dodge or Giles farm, its boundary north of Elliott Street being the golf grounds. South of Elliott Street, its eastern boundary ran parallel with Eastern Avenue and continuing to Stoney Cove. Its western line ran by the land of his brother, Jonathan, and Dodge's Lane."
Josiah married, December 18, 1700, Mary Rayment (Raymond), who survived him. The children mentioned in his will were Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, Josiah, George, and Benjamin.
By will, dated September 29, 1749, he devised to his wife, Mary, 'the westerly or new end of my dwelling house 2 & leanto Clear through and so from ye top to the bottom with convenient room in ye cellar under the other end and liberty to bake in the oven as she shall have occasion from time to time ... and one half the fruit of the pear tree before ye door and likewise liberty to gather green beans in the field for her use and as
I Dodge's Lane is the old way leading from Elliott Street to the United Shoe Machinery Athletic Association Gun Club.
2 The old house stood on the site of the present house, numbered 407 Elliott Street.
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many apples in the Orchard as shee shall want .... Dur- ing ye whole term of time shee shall remain or continue to be my widow & no longer. It is my will that upon Condition the sd Mary my wife shall be married to an- other man shee shall resign and acquit to my three sons, Josiah, George and Benjamin all her right of Dower and interest ... and that upon sd acquittance they shall pay unto her the full sum of twenty pounds.'
Other substantial provisions were made for the sub- sistence and comfort of his wife. She was to have yearly 'Four barrils of Cyder putt into the cellar ... and the use of a horse to carry her to the Public Worship of God as often as shee shall want.'
Bequests of money and personal property were made to the daughter, and to the sons, Josiah, George, and Benjamin, the 'Cyder mill & press' and 'all my real estate both houseing and land as well as the land I hold by lease as the homestead to be equally divided between them both for quality and quantity.' His wife and son, Josiah, were made joint executors.
The witnesses to his will were 'Jno Cresy, Jona Batchelder and Willm Green.' Josiah, Sr., died October 16, 1749.
Josiah, 2d, who came into possession of a major part of his father's estate, was born December 16, 1709, and continued the farm at Ryal Side, retaining during his life all the lands of the homestead. He appears to have taken an active part during the Revolutionary period, although advanced in years. He was a 'gentleman' and died intestate.
A son, Josiah, the eldest of ten children, was ap-
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ESTATE OF JOSIAH BATCHELDER
pointed administrator of his estate, March 27, 1798, and the inventory shows the following items of real estate:
The homestead on the north side of the Highway, Contain- ing about five acres of land, together with two-thirds part of the Dwelling House & Barn thereon, Handing $500.
About three acres of Pasture land on the North side of the way called chanted Swamp,1 $90.
About one acre of Land on the southern side of the way, old garden called, $60.
About one acre and a half of wood land on the Southern side of the way on by the Bridge,2 $150. [Herricks Bridge.]
About one acre & 120 pole of upland and salt marsh on the western side of the Bridge, $150.
About 20 acres of Pasture land called the Neck pasture, $ 500.
These items of real estate comprised his father's as- signment from the partition of the estate of John Batchelder, March 10, 1697, and from which no part had then been conveyed by sale. The three-acre lot named in the second item, called 'chanted Swamp,' lay about five hundred feet north of Elliott Street on the old way (Dodge's Lane) which leads to the rifle range of the United Shoe Machinery Athletic Association Gun Club.
Josiah Batchelder, 3d, was born at Ryal Side, Septem- ber 25, 1736, and married, February 18, 1760, Hannah Dodge, a daughter of Captain Caleb Dodge. During the Revolutionary period he was a man of large interests and owned several armed private vessels, on one of which, the Retaliation, he sailed in personal command. I Chanted Swamp is north of Elliott Street, and is traversed by Dodge's Lane.
2 Herrick's Bridge on Green Street.
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Captain Josiah appears by the records of the state and town, and by other reliable references, to have been a valued citizen and a public-spirited man. He served as a member of the Committee of Public Safety during the Revolutionary period and as a member of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, first Congress, October II, to December 10, 1774; second, February I, to May 29, 1775; third, May 31, to July 19, 1775. His participation in the Provincial Congress is shown in the official Journals of that body, published in Boston in 1838 by Dutton and Wentworth. He was the second postmaster of Beverly, serving under appointment by President Jefferson from January 1, 1807, until his death while in office, December 10, 1809. The post- office was located in his house, which is the building now standing at the corner of Davis and Front Streets.
Rev. Edwin M. Stone writes of Captain Batchelder as 'a warm and devoted friend to the cause of freedom, to promote which, he made large pecuniary sacrifices. His fellow citizens honored him with their confidence by electing him six times to represent their interests in the General Court. He was also elected a member of the committee on correspondence and a member of the Provincial Congress .... His extensive business and pub- lic station made for him a large acquaintance at home and abroad, and his numerous guests were entertained with a generous hospitality. For many years he dis- charged with great acceptance the duties of a justice of the peace .... He was for 35 years a member of the First Church and departed this life highly respected.'
Captain Batchelder bought and sold considerable real
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estate at Ryal Side and died possessed of much real property, which included two large farms.
As a justice of the peace, his services were much in demand, and the manner in which his deeds, adminis- trative and other documents were executed, not only show care and precision, but the neatness and character of his penmanship, which may be found in the registry and probate records, will stand as creditable work.
His four children were Josiah, Caleb Dodge, Joanna, and Hannah, and they all survived him excepting Caleb.
As administrator of his father's estate, he sold to John Lovett, his son-in-law, February II, 1799,' all the items of real estate named in the inventory, and on the same date, John Lovett reconveyed the property to him. With the exception of the two parcels of land adjacent to Herrick's Bridge, his deed to Ezra Dodge of June I, I802,2 conveyed the remainder of his father's property which had now come into his possession.
Captain Batchelder survived his wife, Hannah, who died in 1797. By will, dated November 3, 1804, he gave to his granddaughter, Hannah, 'the only surviving child of my son Caleb Dodge Batchelder, deceased, all such personal estate as came into my hands after the death of my son Caleb ... also to the sd Hannah one good cow out of the stock that belongs to the Dodge farm which together with one half the farm that falls to her by the last will of her great grandfather Dodge ... will be as much as I ought in justice to give her.'
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