Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America., Part 12

Author: Tracy, Cyrus M. (Cyrus Mason), 1824-1891, et al. Edited by H. Wheatland
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Boston, C. F. Jewett
Number of Pages: 450

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America. > Part 12

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We have not space for a history of the various activities and pro- eeedings of this organization during the thirty years since the above

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

commencement. They are sufficient to fill a volume. It must here suffice to say. that, under the existing constitution, the society has its operations in four departments ; viz., those of history, natural history, horticulture, and fine arts. The president is one ; but a special vice- president is assigned to cach department, and there are under each of these as many curators as the department is found to require for its good and successful conduct. The method of the whole is exhibited : 1. In a Museum, comprising all collections of history or science. 2. In a Library, embracing not only books, but manuscript documents and newspapers. 3. In Meetings, which are either regular meetings, on one or two fixed evenings per month, or " field meetings," held in the summer, at times and places appointed. 4. In Lectures, which are arranged from time to time, by courses or otherwise. 5. In Publica- tions, of which there are a large list, priced and for sale, touching almost every topic of science or history, and by some of the best authors of the region.

The library has grown to proportions of magnificence. At the for- mation of the Institute it contained about 1,500 volumes ; but, by the statement of the society in 1872, it had then gone up to more than 27,000 bound volumes, and 100,000 pamphlets, not reckoning dupli- cates. The museum has many antiquities, coins, medals. paintings and engravings, all assigned to history and art. The scientific collections were, iu May, 1867, deposited with the Peabody Academy of Science, and then contained over 125,000 specimens.

A wealthy lady of Salem, Miss Caroline Plummer, having lost a beloved brother, bequeathed, at her death, $30,000 to the Salem Athenæum, to erect a memorial building to his honor, to be used for meetings of literature and science, and the deposit of works of art and productions of nature. The Essex Institute secured accom- modations, under this arrangement, in the very fine building which was dedicated Oct. 6, 1857, and bears the title of Plummer Hall. Here is arranged its library and various collections, except those of natural history, which are deposited with the trustees of the Peabody Academy of Science, in the East India Marine Hall ; and here are car- ried on all the other operations of the Institute. The membership is large, numbering about five hundred, both resident and correspond- ing, only the first of whom pay dues, and those but three dollars per year. These are privileged to read all books in the library, and to con- sult freely, on the premises, all those in the library of the Athenaeum.

By a single feature, however, the institute has distinguished itself from all other scientific societies, and proved the great liberality and democracy of its system. This feature is what we have already alluded to as the field meeting. This is the special channel through which the society itself approaches the general people. It is, morc- over, the readiest of all vehicles by which it brings the truths and charms of science to popular notice and common comprehension. And to pass at once to a clearer statement. a field meeting is an occasion managed on this wisc. A locality is pitched upon, almost always within the county, rarely beyond, near which are known or supposed to be more or less objects of scientific or historical inter- est. Proximity of railroad carriage is always desired. Public notice is given, and the people, without distinction, are informed that who- ever uses the railroad to attend the meeting, can return over the same route free. Sometimes a ticket with a coupon is sold at the usual price, the coupon being used to return with. Often large companies

of people thus assemble, bringing whatever of apparatus they please, as well as their baskets of satisfactory provision. Arriving, explor- ing and excursion parties are made up, guides being generally in attendance, and the forenoon is spent in rambling in all directions in search of facts and specimens. Rendezvous is ordered to be at about 1.30, P. M. ; and when all come in, the baskets are put into common stock, a picnic table spread, and a choice entertainment usually suc- ceeds. This may be in some large room, or in a shady bit of woods, or wherever else seems fit. After this, in a larger hall, or in the village church or vestry, or possibly in the same cool grove, a formal

meeting is called to order, the president of the day, after a brief introductory, calls up such speakers as may be in attendance, whether townsmen of the place, members of the institute, strangers from a distance, or whoever they may be, so as to secure the greatest amount of instructive and agreeable entertainment. The afternoon is thus spent, and every one reaches home in good season.

In this delightful way, nearly, if not every town in Essex County, has been visited and examined, and many of them again and again. The company is always of the best and most intelligent ; both sexes attend, young and old. Professors and teachers are glad to lend a day and a five-minute discourse ; clergymen open their churches. selectmen their halls, well pleased to do it many times. Railroad companies grant extra trains cheerfully ; for they say the cars never come back dirty. And thus science and history have been, for thirty years, with small interruption, carried here and there, in popular style, to every village and town, giving the old and feeble, the school- children and the farm-hands, opportunities to hear and learn the prin- ciples and truths of science, in manner and degree as was never done before, or elsewhere.

This must answer for an outline of the history and character of the Essex Institute. A more peculiar institution it would be hard to find ; to discover one more free from faults and better calculated for popular usefulness, might be impossible. Bright names are recorded on its calendar : Daniel A. White, Asahel Huntington, Francis Peabody, and Henry Wheatland as presidents ; and, in other capacities, John G. King, John Lewis Russell, John Fisk Allen, John C. Lee, Alpheus Crosby, John M. Ives, Benjamin F. Mudge, Allen W. Dodge, Jacob Batchelder, Robert Manning. The world knows these names. And these, and other such, have thus labored together for almost half a century to bring sound instruction to the people, and have had the satisfaction of seeing the people awaken responsively, and give pleasing heed to what they chose to say. And such is the Essex Institute, and such its usefulness and its honors.

In the Peabody Academy of Science, located at Salem, Essex County has a substantial remembrance of the wise liberality of the late George Peabody, the famed London banker and philanthropist. Under date of February 26, 1867, Mr. Peabody addressed to Francis Peabody, Esq., of Salem, Prof. Asa Gray, of Cambridge, the Hon. William C. Endicott and George Peabody Russell, Esq., of Salem, Prof. Othniel C. Marsh, of New Haven, Conn., Dr. Henry Wheatland and Abner C. Goodell, Jr., Esq., of Salem, Dr. James R. Nichols, of Haverhill, and Dr. Henry C. Perkins, of Newburyport, a letter, inclosing an instrument of trust, naming them as trustees of a fund of $140,000, " for the promotion of science and useful knowledge in the county of Essex." After naming the trustees and the amount given, the letter read as follows : "Of this, my native county, I have always been justly prond, in common with all her sons, remembering her ancient reputation, her many illustrions statesmen, jurists, and men of science, her distinguished record from the carliest days of our country's history, and the distinction so long retained by her as eminent in the education and morality of her citizens. I am desirous of assisting to perpetuate her good name through future generations, and of aiding, through her means, in the diffusion of science and knowledge ; and after consultation with some of her most eminent and worthy citizens, and encouraged by the success which has already attended the efforts and researches of the distinguished scientific association of which your chairman is president, * and with which most of you are connected, I am led to hope that this gift may be instrumental in attaining the desired end. I therefore transmit to you the enclosed instrument, and a check for the amount therein named, one hundred and forty thousand dollars, with the hope that this trust, as administered by you and your successors, may tend to advancement in intelligence and virtue, not only in our good old county of Essex, but in onr Commonwealth and in our

* Essex Institute.

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

common country." According to the instrument of trust, $40,000 was applied to the purchase of the East India Marine Hall in Salem, con- taining the extensive and valuable museum of that society, and of land under and adjoining that building. The $100,000 forms a permanent fund. Arrangements were soon made for the transfer of the collections of the East India Marine Society, and the natural history collection of the Essex Institute, to the charge of the trustees of the Peabody Academy of Science ; and these two valuable museums were combined in one, and re-arranged in the hall of the East India Marine Society, which had been refitted for the purpose. An Act of incorporation was granted to the Peabody Academy by the State Legislature, April 13, 1868. Prof. F. W. Putnam was elected director of the museum; and asso- ciated with him in the great work of re-arranging and properly classify- ing the collections, Dr. A. S. Packard, Jr., Prof. Alpheus Hyatt, Prof. Edward S. Morse, and Mr. Caleb Cooke, all curators in the natural history department of the Essex Institute.

From the organization of the academy, its work has been steadily progressive. From 1868 to 1876, the "American Naturalist," a monthly magazine, devoted to science and natural history, was pub- lished under the auspices of the Peabody Academy. It has since been transferred to a Philadelphia publishing house. The museum has been open free to the public six days in each week, thousands visiting it each year. No better general collection exists in the county ; and in some departments, it is nurivalled. During the last two seasons, a " Summer School of Biology," under the direction of Dr. A. S. Packard, Jr., and assisted by a corps of scientific gentlemen, including Mr. James H. Emerton, Mr. John Robinson, the Rev. E. C. Bolles, and Mr. Caleb Cooke, has furnished to students in natural history valuable facilities for the conduct of their studies.

Essex County Teachers' Association. - In latter years, the profession of the public teacher has come to be a thing much more pronounced and distinct than formerly ; and out of this has gradually arisen the desire for self-improvement and self-protection among such, as a class. Such feelings induced a meeting of about three hundred teachers and friends of education, at Topsfield (where every liberal and intelligent effort of similar kind in the county is almost sure to have begun), June 23, 1830; which meeting discussed the subject, and raised a committee to further consider and report at a future assembly.

The mecting re-assembled at the same place, December 3, 1830, and made a complete organization, besides listening to several interest- ing lectures. Since then, semi-annual meetings have been regularly held, from place to place, though for the first eight years the society did not remove from Topsfield. Persons of high esteem in the county gave sympathy and assistance to this effort, as well as some of the most prominent and celebrated of the instructors. Of the former, may be mentioned the Rev. Gardner B. Perry, of Groveland, David Choate, Esq., of Essex, and Dr. Nehemiah Cleveland, of Newbury; among the latter, Benjamin Greenleaf and Oliver Carlton, and, in a later day, Alpheus Crosby and Timothy G. Senter.

The primary object of these associations (for they have been copied into all the counties) is understood to be the improvement of the art of teaching by the consideration of all new helps applicable thereto, and the mental improvement of the members themselves, as the great- est of all contributions to this same end. This association, like most of the others, enjoys the patronage of the State, granted under the statute of 1848 ; which provides that any county teachers' association, formed for the improvement of common schools, which shall hold semi-annual meetings of at least two days each, may receive fifty dollars per year from the State. For the importance of such asso- ciations, and their good effect on the general welfare, seem admitted by all the community ; and among them all, it seems that the asso- ciation of Essex holds an honored place.

Several religions associations exist in the county, devoted to the interests of different denominations. That connected with the Ortho- dox Congregational faith is operated in two memberships, called the

Essex North and Essex South societies. We have not space to elab- orate their special histories, which would, after all, rather interest the denominational than the general reader. We are, however, permitted to say that the Rev. S. J. Spaulding, of Newburyport, and the Rev. E. S. Atwood, of Salem, are respectively possessed of full information touching these organizations, and may properly be addressed in regard to them.

The Essex County Unitarian Conference fulfils a similar service for the churches of that denomination through the county. It is of considerably later origin than the preceding.

The Essex Congregational Club, embracing in its membership prominent ministers and laymen, in the Trinitarian Congregational churches of Essex County, had its origin in the meeting of the " American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," which was held in Salem in 1871. The arrangements for that meeting were in the hands of a committee from various towns and cities in the county. After the session of the "Board," the committee assembled for a social evening ; and at that meeting a committee was chosen to take measures for the formation of an Essex County Congregational Club, in order, in the words of the resolution, "to perpetuate the pleasant intimacies formed, and to promote better acquaintance among the churches of the vicinity." For various reasons no further steps were taken until Nov. 12, 1872, when a meeting of representative Congregationalists was held in the South Chapel, Salem, all prelimi- maries arranged, and a constitution drafted. The first regular meeting was held in the Grand Army Hall, in Central Street, Salem, Jan. 6, 1873. The constitution adopted, was, with two or three slight altera- tions, the same as that of the " Boston Congregational Club," which was organized in 1869, and was the pioneer association of the kind in the United States. The exercises of the club are a supper, a brief social meeting, and a formal session, at which carefully prepared essays on practical topics are read, and the reading is followed by a general discussion. Although the club is organized on a denomina- tional basis, it is widely catholic in its spirit, and from time to time the presence and utterances of men of all varieties of religious faith have been welcomed. The representatives of the local and metropoli- tan journals are uniformly present ; and the public press has given wide currency to papers that were considered of special importance. Its growth in strength and usefulness, and its extended reputation, entitle it to be ranked as one of the institutions of Essex County, and an institution that exerts no small influence for good over the relig- ious communions that are represented in it. It holds six meetings a year, usually on the second Monday of alternate months.

The Salem Baptist Association was formed in 1826, and was then composed of nineteen churches, made up of 2,178 members. Its first session was held at Lynn in 1828. It now includes twenty-four churches, composed of about 4,500 members. In the year ending October, 1877, the sum of $67,257 was collected.

The Salem Pastoral Union is an organization of thirty-five years' standing, and is intimately connected with the Salem Baptist Associa- tion, its members consisting of pastors of the churches composing that association.

The Essex North District Medical Society was organized Nov. 3d, 1841. At a preliminary meeting held September first, at the Merri- mac Academy, Bradford, Dr. Dean Robinson, of West Newbury, pre- siding, it was resolved that application be made to the counsellors of the Massachusetts Medical Society, to form the fellows of that society residing in the following towns, viz., Andover, Amesbury, Bradford, Boxford, Georgetown, Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen, Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley, and Salisbury, into an association, to be entitled the Essex North District Medical Society. The request having been granted, the society was organized at a sub- sequent meeting, as above stated. Dr. Jonathan G. Johnson, of Newburyport, was chosen its first president; Dr. Rufus Longley, of Haverhill, vice-president ; Dr. F. V. Noyes, of Newburyport, secre-

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

tary ; Dr. Isaac Boyd, of West Newbury, treasurer ; and Dr. J. Spofford, Groveland, librarian.

Among the earlier presidents of the society, after Dr. Johnson, were Drs. Longley, George Cogswell, Bradford ; H. C. Perkins and Enoch Cross, Newburyport ; and J. Spofford, Groveland. Dr. Isaac Braman, Georgetown, succeeded Dr. Noyes as secretary, serving until July 11, 1843, when he removed from the district. Dr. Martin Root, Byfield, was chosen his successor, and continued to hold the office by annual re-election, until his declination, May, 1874. His service extended over a period of thirty-one years.

Eight counsellors are annually chosen, who, in connection with those appointed by the other district socicties in the State, constitute the board of counsellors which conducts the affairs of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

Five censors are also elected annually, whose duty it is to examine all applicants for admission, as to credentials, character, and profes- sional qualifications. This examination must be satisfactory to at least three of the censors.

Stated meetings are held quarterly. The annual meeting at Haver- hill on the first Wednesday in May, and other meetings in August, No- vember, and February, at such places as may be determined. The society numbers, at present, about sixty members.

The officers for the current year, are president, Dr. W. H. Kimball, Andover ; vice-president, Dr. J. Crowell, Haverhill ; secretary and treasurer, Dr. G. W. Snow, Newburyport ; librarian, Dr. S. Drink- water, Haverhill.

Essex South District Medical Society. - Of the seventeen district societies that form the venerable Massachusetts Medical Society, this is one of the oldest. It was organized on the 4th of November, 1805, by ten physicians who met in the Sun Tavern, Salem. Dr. Edward A. Holyoke, of Salem, who died in 1829, in his hundred and first year, was elected president, and Dr. John D. Treadwell, of Salem, secretary.

This society was formed for the benefit of medical men living in Beverly, Danvers, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Salem, Topsfield, and Wenham. The later incorporated towns of Essex, Middleton, Peabody, Rockport, and Swampscott have been added to the above list. Originally, meetings were held quarterly, for many years, in the Sun Tavern. and after- wards in the room hired for the library ; but recently they have been called every six weeks, at Plummer Hall, Salem, and City Hall, Lynn, alternately.

At these meetings papers are read, clinical cases of interest are reported, and questions of medical science and ethics are discussed. At present, there are seventy-one members, not all of whom are in the active practice of their profession.

At the first meeting of the society, it was voted to establish a library, and the collecting of books was immediately begun. By lib- cral donations of money and books from past and living members, there is now in the society's room at Plummer Hall, the largest medi- cal library in the State, outside of Boston, - with one exception.

It embraces over two thousand four hundred bound volumes, and seven hundred magazines and monographs. Several of these works are of great value, it being no longer possible to procure them. None but fellows of this district society are entitled to the privileges of the library.

Officers for 1878 : - Dr. Amos H. Johnson, of Salem, President; Dr. Reuben F. Dearborn, of Lynn, Secretary.

The Essex County Homeopathic Medical Society was organized in June, 1872, and has since been in successful continuance. It is formed of physicians in regular standing, of the homeopathic school, and now has a membership of fifty-one. Its meetings are held monthly, the members being guests of some one of the society. Dis- cussions are held on topics of interest to the profession, an effort being made to keep the newest and most important developments

and discoveries before these sessions. This society has attracted considerable notice outside its own borders, and is quite as flourish- ing as any similar organization in the Commonwealth.

The Merrimac Valley Dental Association is not an Essex County organization, though its roll of membership includes the names of several surgeon-dentists of Newburyport, Haverhill, Lawrence, and other places on the borders of the Merrimac River. Its members are mostly New Hampshire dentists. Occasionally, sessions of this asso- ciation, and also of the Massachusetts Dental Society, are held in this county. In the latter, Essex County practitioners have always taken a prominent part, and have held high offices.

The Veteran Odd Fellows' Association of Essex County was organ- ized April 10, 1876, and is composed of members of the order, who have been such for twenty-five years or over. Its objects are the promotion of the principles of Odd Fellowship, and the perpetuation of fraternal regard and respect. Its membership is about seventy. At the date of organization Thomas Barr, initiated in March, 1828, was the oldest member.

Essex County Courts .- From a very early period indeed there Was a court held in Essex County, mostly or wholly at Salem, called the Court of Quarter Sessions. It was an institution of great importance, including within itself many functions besides the trials of cases, and such as are now distributed to other offices. Much later there was erected on the foundation of this the court that gained more, perhaps, of the affection of the people than any other before or since, the Essex Court of Common Pleas. It met at Salem, afterwards at Ipswich also, finally at Newburyport and Lawrence as well. At its bar were seen engaged the best legal talent that ever pleaded in New England ; while its bench was competent to revise the opinions of many more pretentious tribunals. It was at length set aside, like its fellow courts, by the new statute that substituted the Superior Court in its place. Sessions of this court are held at New- buryport, Salem, and Lawrence.

The Probate Court of the county is also an ancient and well-worthy institution, through whose records there lies spread along much of the best history of the region. Its records were formerly kept entirely at Ipswich ; but when the centering of all travel fell upon Salemas its focus, the Probate Court was carried thither also. The learned and venerable Daniel A. White presided over it for years, and did a great deal to make it an institution holden very near the popular heart. This char- acter is well maintained by his successor, Judge George F. Choate. This court has circuit sessions at Lawrence, Haverhill, Newburyport, and Gloucester.

The Essex County Bar has numbered among its members some of the foremost jurists and lawyers of the country. The names of Story and Choate, and of many other distinguished men in the profession, have been enrolled in its lists, men whose brilliant talents and pro- found learning gave them a reputation far beyond the limits of the county, and made the Essex bar famous in the annals of the profession. In the histories of the cities and towns which follow these opening chapters, will be found a notice of some of the most prominent among its members.

Botany. - A few words in regard to the Botany of Essex County will give fitting termination to this chapter.

To the botanist, Essex County offers an excellent field for study. In a comparatively small area are found the plants peculiar to the vicinity of salt water, as well as those of more inland regions, while it also seems to be the meeting ground for many northern and sonthern species ; added to these, the waters of the bays contain a large number of seaweeds, many of which are quite rare and very beautiful.

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Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America., Part 12

Author: Tracy, Cyrus M. (Cyrus Mason), 1824-1891, et al. Edited by H. Wheatland Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Boston, C. F. Jewett Number of Pages: 450

Author: Tracy, Cyrus M. (Cyrus Mason), 1824-1891, et al. Edited by H. Wheatland
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Boston, C. F. Jewett
Number of Pages: 450