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 14

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 14

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We do not find them flagging long in their attention to national matters ; for in 1798, pleased with the attitude of President Adams in reference to French affairs, they charged their selectmen to forward to him an address of approbation, expressive of their gratification with his course in that behalf. Ten years after, they were not in so com- fortable a frame, for Jefferson's embargo was eramping all New Eng- land, and the coasters and fishermen of the Merrimac desired to sec the end of all such unnatural restraint. In 1808, they held a meeting and voted to petition the president to suspend at least the operation of the Embargo Act, on account of its great unpopularity with the people of the neighboring region.

But the national cauldron, instead of cooling, grew rather to boil. The war of 1812 was the culmination of an evil influence that had been a long time arising and increasing. The declaration of war did not please the rather strongly Federal feelings of the Amesbury people ; and though they entered actively into the preparations for the conflict, it was hardly with much of heartiness. They drilled constantly, and there was much excitement ; many soldiers enlisted, and there was a good deal of drafting, which last fact did nothing to quiet popu- lar feeling. But the end of the war came at last, and this did very much more. We find no sign of anything disturbing the general peace and prosperity for many years. In 1817, President Monroe passed through the town, and expressed a pleasant interest in its

industries ; but it did not create a very enthusiastie admiration for him, sinee we find, when he stood again as a candidate in 1820, the Amesbury people cared so little for his election as to cast sixteen votes. They felt their spirit kindle far more when the friend of America, Lafayette, arrived in their vicinity. For though he came no nearer than Newburyport, yet they would not lose the joyful opportunity, but flocked thither by hundreds to greet the patriot of two worlds.

The clouds of war had now all rolled away, and the people, even of New England, first began to feel that they no longer were dependent on, or had connection with, any foreign power. Their atten- tion, therefore, turned still more to interior matters ; and here we find, in 1826, a proposition coming before the town for them to join in the formation of a new county within the old one of Essex. No doubt this was an early outflow of the same feeling, since observed so often, putting uneasiness, and perhaps distrust, between the northern and southern towns ; but be this as it may, the Amesbury people took little interest in the scheme, and gave it no sympathy at the meeting.

The next occasion of public anxiety in this town was of a very different character ; yet the alarm was, perhaps, even greater than had ever been caused by the British. The mortal fear of Asiatie cholera, in 1832, reached, and deeply affected even this little inland town. We do not hear of a single case occurring, -indeed, it could hardly be possible ; but the foe was new, and not well understood, and, therefore, feared all the more unreasonably. Town meetings were held. Health officers were chosen and charged to take all possible precaution, and the health committee were impowered to establish a hospital if needed. The general faith pointed to thorough cleanliness as the best of all protections, and a complete purification of houses and premises, both public and private, was the result of such a eon- vietion. Preventive measures like these could not be criticised ; yet in the light of present understanding on the subject, it becomes doubt- ful whether there was any real danger at all to a community situated as was that of this town.

The town, next year, 1833, are seen betraying their feelings, on religious questions, by a single vote ; for the constitutional amend- ment abolishing compulsory support of preaching being on the ques- tion of acceptance, they voted for it, 135 to 2. Evidently, there was no disposition here to encourage ecclesiastical rulership. The popula- tion was now increasing rapidly, owing to fresh efforts in manu- factures.

In 1837 came the curious problem to Amesbury, as to all other towns, - what to do with their share of the surplus revenue. Par- ties naturally arose on it, and the contest lasted all the year, with great bitterness on both sides. Meeting after meeting was held, but the year ran out with no solution of the difficulty, and it was not till 1838 that they finally decided " to deposit the money with the inhab- itants,"

Then came the memorable season of 1840, with the excitement of the presidential canvass overriding business, religion, education, everything almost, in the wild tumult over " log-cabins," and "hard cider." The largest vote ever cast in the town was brought out. The anti-slavery feeling had begun to spread, and here its advocates sue- eceded in bringing to the polls eleven votes.

. A large share of public attention, in a town of this sort, must always be absorbed by the roads and highways. A new road had been laid out in 1831, and eame to be known as the " Middle Road." Now, ten years after, in 1841, large improvements were made in the road to Haverhill, and a new section was opened by which one of the " Pond Hills" was avoided, to the increased comfort of travellers. The next year, 1842, the Poor Farm was condemned as unfit for public service. and accordingly sold. This had been the refuge of the poor since 1825, when the primitive plan of boarding out the paupers was first abandoned. At that time, this farm was bought and put in condition for their reception, but had declined ever since. Indeed, the people

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

scem to have risen to the perception of several important public wants ; among others, that of a town house, which they finally built at " Pond Hills " in 1843. The situation was, indeed, central, accord- ing to territory, but it fell in a very thinly-settled and unattractive region. This year was also signalized by the annexation to Amesbury of a small portion of the older town, called " Little Salisbury," and also by the rebuilding of the bridge at the ferry, over the Powow River. The new structure was made of stone, and was very sub- stantial.

The strong local feeling that is so common in country places, appears to have been active here from almost the first, causing jeal- ousies and oppositions between the East and West Parishes. In 1847 it rose so high as to produce a definite effort to divide the town ; but the day for such a project had not arrived, and a large majority defeated the undertaking. Next year, in 1848, we find the meeting engaged in regulating police, restraining dogs, and memorializing Congress against the freeing of United States stocks from taxes. Then affairs go on quietly again for a couple of years ; and, by 1850, they are ready to buy another and better farm for the poor, at what is called the " Lion's Mouth," and to spend $2,000 for four fire-engines, one of which finds a location in each of the villages.

The conservative character of the town was shown soon after this, in 1851, by the strong vote they gave against calling the constitu- tional convention of that year. But this rather seems in contrast with their course in 1852, when, during a great strike of the opera- tives in the Salisbury and Amesbury mills, they not only voted the strikers the public sympathy, but actually appropriated the sum of $2,000 to relieve and sustain them. Again, on the presentation of the new Constitution to the towns for acceptance, in 1855, they gave it 25 yeas to 5 nays, although they had discouraged it so much be- forchand.

The "Know Nothing " wave of popular excitement, went over the town like a sweeping flood. The campaign of 1856 was as bitter and hot as any ever known there, and the presidential electors received the largest vote ever cast in that town. Gov. Gardner's vote was 428, while all others had only 153.

Nothing further demands special attention, until we reach the ever- memorable year 1861, - the year of the great outbreak of rebellion, and the greater uprising of patriotic and loyal enthusiasm. Then the town met, April 27, 1861, took measures to raise volunteers, and appropriated $5,000 toward the expenses arising. Among the reso- lutions passed on this occasion, was the following : -

"Resolved, By the citizens of the town of Amesbury, in legal town- meeting assembled :

"That we pledge our united aid and assistance to our beloved Com- monwealth, and to His Excellency the Governor, to the utmost extent of our ability, both with men and money, to enable him to respond promptly and efficiently to the present or any future requisition of the Government of the United States, to put down rebellion against its authority, and to enforce the laws of the land."

The whole policy and practice of the people agreed with such pro- fessions as the above. Additional pay was given, and every induce- ment that could be offered to recruits was freely put forth. One company had already organized, and were marched to this town-meet- ing in good style. They were commanded by Capt. Joseph W. Sar- gent. They continued drilling till July 5th, and were then mustered in and attached to the 14th Massachusetts Regiment, which did duty near Washington for a long time. Next year, 1862, the effort to raise men continued, and not the less for the difficulties and checks that were encountered here, as almost everywhere. The amount of bounty offered was finally run up to $300 for three years men, and $150 for nine months men. This seemed to meet the purpose well ; but by 1863 came another call, and the bounties had to be advanced before the men could be persuaded to enlist. The quota was at length filled. Another year came, and it was still harder, in 1864, to

raise men than ever before. A draft was ordered, with the inevitable result. The whole town was alarmed ; and, at a meeting held in May of that year, they made a new appropriation of $10,000, to help in securing the number of men wanted : this secmed to prove sufficient.

One more year, and in 1865, the soldiers " came marching home," while every one cried out for joy. Lee had surrendered, and no one regretted the exertion that had brought about so happy a result. On reviewing the war history of the town, it was found to stand some- what thus : -

Whole number in service, including men drafted who paid fee or found substitute, . 406

Whole number drafted, 27

Paid fee, $300, 11

Found substitute,

Of the town's entire force, 20 died of sickness, 7 were killed, 13 were wounded, and 6 were more or less time in prison at Andersonville. One man was in twenty battles, besides being a considerable space in the prisons of the rebels. The town fur- nished one colonel, one major, four captains, seven lieutenants, and one sergeant-major. It is scarcely possible that a perfect reck- oning can ever be obtained, as many foreigners were enlisted as sub- stitutes and otherwise, who never rendered any account of themselves. But the town had done its best to sustain the nation in its struggle for liberty, and also to encourage and assist those who were willing to peril their lives in sharing the great effort.

The great and terrible strain of the war being over, the town fell back to its accustomed quiet industry and prosperity. A few streets were laid out; the bridges on the Merrimac werc, in 1868, made free and supportable by the towns ; and, in 1869, a railroad was pro- jected, from the Mills Village to West Amesbury ; but the charter having a proviso that the town might take stock thercin, and the town decidedly refusing, the enterprise was abandoned. The roads, in fact, were always a subject of great care on the part of the town; in 1872 they tried the experiment of a board of commissioners to man- age them, but their labors were not satisfactory, and after a year they were set aside.

Next year, the claims of the Amesbury Railroad were again urged upon the town, and this time with rather more success, for the friends of the road did procure a vote of assistance to the amount of $50,000. But this was not all that was wanted, apparently, for the road failed to be constructed. And now, almost for the first time, something like a calamity fell on the place, for, Nov. 3, 1873, being the night before election, the town house took fire, and was burnt to the ground. The election was held, however, without interruption, the ballot being at the house of the town clerk, Joseph Merrill, only a short distance away.

The year 1874 is only to be noted as by the decision of the town to crect a monument to the memory of the fallen soldiers. The work was placed in the cemetery, and an appropriation of $500 was made for its cost. And here it may be observed, that, in 1868, the East Parish Cemetery had been enlarged by the action of the county com- missioners, a peculiar proceeding, of which the examples appear to be very few.

And now, on the centennial year, the town of Amesbury reached the first considerable crisis in its existence of two hundred and ten years. The people of the West Parish had long been more or less disaffected, and no doubt wished for many things which the townsmen of the East Parish were not disposed to grant. Several efforts of a radical character had been made, to some of which allusion has been had, looking to a re-arrangement of municipal affairs ; among others a consolidation of Amesbury and Salisbury was authorized (Stat. chap. 154), April 2, 1870, with some attendant provisions that were hoped to be effectual. But this had no success. Now, the case was directly urged for a new town to be made of the West Parish ; and, at last,

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

an Act setting it off was passed, and signed by the governor, April 11. 1876. The new town received the name of MERRIMAC, aud, under this title, will be found described in future pages.

The separation took from the parent town not far from twenty-five hundred inhabitants, or about two-fifths of the whole, and almost the same proportion of the valuation.

But the parent town had enjoyed much prosperity. Wealth had accumulated in the place, the highways were commodious and easy, the public buildings numerous and creditable, the private dwell- ings patterns of comfort and domestie enjoyment. Communication with the greater lines of travel, and with the sea-board, had been greatly facilitated by the Amesbury Branch of the Eastern Rail- road, giving passage from the Mills Village to Newburyport by quick trains several times per day; and also by the New- buryport and Amesbury Horse Railroad, which, crossing the Mer- rimac by the . Chain Bridge, and passing through Salisbury Point Village, reached the west side of the Powow by the stone bridge, and ran up on that side to the Mills Village. This had been in operation since its charter, February 29, 1864, and proved a delightful form of travel between the towns. The broad bosom of the river had always been a magnificeut highway to the sea, on which the men of Amesbury had claimed their full share of place and patronage. A steamer had begun to ply on its waters in 1829, aud from year to year this kind of transportation had more and more increased. And though the division of their territory had reduced the capital stock of their municipality, the town was still prosperous aud thriving, with every prospect of a worthy and honorable future.

A little space must now be given to a cousideration of the industries and business methods of this town. Apparently, the first settlers were not mechanics to any considerable extent, but farmers, who, as a collateral occupation, engaged pretty largely in lumbering. Thus, almost at the first outset of town life, we find a contract made with Thomas Macy and Richard Currier to saw all the timber that should be brought them. The work was to be done "at the halves," and £6 per year, payable in boards, was to be given the town for the privi- lege. This was January 19, 1656 ; but the location of the saw-mills is not assiguable to-day, though several eligible spots may be sup- posed. There are reasons for understanding the lumber business to have soon occupied more than one establishment ; for the uses of sawed timber for ordinary building did not long remain the only oue. A certain Capt. Harvey had leave from the town, February 10, 1709, to build vessels at "Jamaco," which was the early name of the present "River Village," and from that time forward the building of small vessels, aud even some of large tonnage, was prosecuted with much energy and success. Richard Currier, perhaps the same with the owner of the saw-mill, obtained leave, March 14, 1719-20, to build vessels at the mouth of the Powow; and March 8, 1724-5, Capt. Currier (the same again ?), Jacob Rowell, and Samuel Lowell had leave "to build a wharf ou Powow River," no doubt somewhere near its confluence with the Merrimac.

By 1803, the Ferry District, as that about the mouth of the Powow was called, had so prospered in its ship-building as to be the most populous part of the town. This was not, indeed, the exclusive business of the people there, siuce many were engaged, very naturally, iu the kindred caliings of coasting and fishing ; but it had the lead, and probably was as profitable as auy. In 1810, ship-building was extremely good all along the river. The whole account is said to be 21 ships, 13 brigs, 1 schooner, and 7 smaller craft built that year on the river. Not all, indeed, were the product of Amesbury ; but a considerable share were so, there being at that time six or seven ship- yards iu full operation in the town. The business continued in suc- cessful condition for many years after ; and iu 1817, President Monroe expressed much interest in it, as he passed through the town. But the next year, March 4, 1818, occurred a great freshet on the river, which did great damage, and undoubtedly to the ship-yards among

other places. There was nothing fatal in it, however ; for when, in 1827, the Newburyport Bridge Company undertook to lower their bridge, the Amesbury town-meeting remonstrated. since their exten- sive boating and other similar business would be interfered with and damaged. But from this date we hear little or nothing of any more ship-building in the town ; and, certainly, as there were no returns of any such business in the census of 1875, it may be inferred that the ancient calling has as good as disappeared.

There were other craftsmen quite as busy, however. As early as March 13, 1709-10, a proposition was made to the town by John March. John Barnard, Joseph Brown, and Jarvis Ring, that they would build and carry on certain iron-works at "Powow Falls." The record does not, indeed, declare, though it is natural enough to suppose, that they desired some public encouragement for their enter- prise. At all events, they so received it, for the town not only per- mitted the erection of the works, but voted they should be " tax free." How long this important exemption was to last, is not indicated, and it may be that the laxity of the grant caused embarrassment thereafter, as in so many other like cases ; but the works were certainly built and kept in operation for a great while. The location was within the present "Mills Village," but somewhat above the factories. Soon after 1800, a nail factory was added iu connection, and there was a large grist-mill there also. Indeed, the saw-mills and grist-mills were common in many parts of the town. But in 1805 there happened a great fire at the Mills, by which the nail factory was destroyed, as also the grist-mill, and some three hundred cords of wood. The machinery was built by the celebrated Jacob Perkins, of Newburyport. and was very valuable ; and the whole loss was reckoned at $80,000. After this, the iron-works appear not to be heard from, or at least, not as a concern of much activity.

At what time the manufacture of boots and shoes was first intro- duced into town there are no means of deciding ; but the business was advanced to a great prosperity by 1836, aud was an important branch of industry. The product was then spoken of as "immense," the work being carried on almost all over town ; but by 1865, it was probably very much increased, and certainly stood higher than it has since ; namely, at a value of $52,607. The following decade only showed. in 1875, $12.000 as the value of this industry. Yet this is not small iu proportion to many other kinds of business.

The calling that has probably given more celebrity to Amesbury than any other, is that of carriage-making. It is also the oldest industry in town, save ship-building and farming. We first hear of it in 1800, when it was begun at West Amesbury in a rather moderate way. It made itself a good footing there, and has steadily advanced in importance from that day. It was first started at the Mills Vil- lage in 1855, by Mr. J. R. Huntington, "a young man of great energy." Its success was immediate, and it has much increased there, both in the number of factories, and the value of the work done. Of this we will only make a single statement, from the census of 1875, which shows the value of carriages manufactured to have been, iu that year, $393,200. The Amesbury work is very celebrated, being known in every part of the country, almost, and always noted for elegance and durability.

Wool hats have, in latter years, become a manufacture of very much consequence in Amesbury, as likewise in nearly all the other Merrimac towns. The value reported in 1875 was $141,500

But, very naturally, the importance of the woollen manufactures, reckoned as cloths, is greater than that of any other, or almost all other branches together. This industry is also of high rank in town, as regards priority of establishment. It commenced at the Mills Village, in 1812, when the first factory was built there by a small company, consisting of Ezra Worthen and others. The next year, 1813, Ensign Jonathan Morrill put up a second factory there : and by 1820, the business had very largely increased. There were then two substantial companies engaged, one represented by Joshua Aubin,

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

and the other by James Horton ; and several new mills had been erected, so that the way seemed open to great prosperity. A wholly separate mill of the same kind was built about 1863, at a place known as " Patten's Hollow," where a small stream, peculiarly situated, fur- -nished a light water-power. It seems in some respects to have been more fortunate than its more costly fellows, as it is still running, under management of Robert Bleakie & Co., while the mills on the Powow have been entirely out of use for a long period. Of course, it will not be forgotten that a large share of the mills last mentioned are located on the Salisbury side of the stream ; yet with this precaution in reckoning, we still find the value of woollen goods manufactured in 1865 to have been no less than $1,413,922; and in 1875 this had gone up to $1,432,542. We are not well prepared to describe the particular styles of goods made at the various establishments ; it will be enough to say that the investment is large and liberal, and the style of construction is throughout suited to an ample and worthy description of product.

After this rather cursory view of the industrial history and charac- ter of Amesbury, we conclude our notice by a brief retrospect of religious and educational matters in the town.

The town had been ten years settled, when, Jan. 4, 1664, the first action of the people in a public way, as to religious affairs, appears in a vote, that "a Meeting House should be built by next midsum- mer ; " and Thomas Barnard, John Hoyt, and Richard Currier, were chosen a committee to carry out the object. Then, afterward, April 3, 1665, Lieut. Challis and John Hoyt were "to treat with Capt. Pike, and obtain his help in the ministry." There soon appeared quite a material reason for such action, for when the General Court, May 23, 1666, incorporated the township, it also freed them from parish taxes in Salisbury as soon as they had a minister of their own. But this was not, at first, an easy thing to accomplish. There are some reasons for thinking that a certain Mr. Brakenbury was preach- ing here under some kind of arrangement, about 1667; but we hear no more from him. A more definite record appears of Mr. Hubbard, of Kittery, who was certainly called Dec. 5, 1668. The probability is at least good, that he officiated here, in one way or another, till March 12, 1678, when, with no indication beforehand, we find Mr. Thomas Wells in the same position. He is usually spoken of as the first minister, and he certainly was the first to stay any considerable time. He was also the town schoolmaster, earliest of all, even at March 13, 1681-2. But no definite action seems to have been had as to any salary for the minister for a considerable period ; indeed, not until Dec. 8, 1690, when it was voted that he should have fifty pounds per annum. This was certainly not exorbitant, especially when we observe, as about 1708, that the interest in schools had remarkably increased, and probably the minister had both callings to attend to. As soon as April 12, 1714, the time had come for sectional interests to be heard making demands ; and it was then that " Jamaco Village," desired a church by themselves. At first, it was ordered to be built there ; but other counsels afterwards prevailed, and the new church was ordered to be upon some of the "Parsonage land, near Ed. Hunt's." This decision was not reached, however, till the 24th of the next January.

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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 14

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