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 25

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 25

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Boxford acted a eonspienous part in the Rebellion of 1861-1865. Ninety-two of the young and middle-aged men of the town volun- teered to go to the front and help sustain the union of the United States. Of these, two died while imprisoned at Andersonville. Two more were imprisoned in the Libby Prison, one of whom died there. Twenty of the brave young spirits succumbed to the deadly effects of riffe-balls and Southern diseases; the bodies of most of them now mouldering in the soil of the sunny regions of the South, in graves unknown and unhonored, with no memorial stone but the granite eenotaph at home. on which their names are engraved. Thirteen were wounded in battle, or contracted diseases of which they died soon after arriving home. In addition to these volunteers, thirty were drafted. five more entered the navy, and faithfully served their country until they died, or were discharged.

Entering the army, most of them, at the beginning of the strife, Bull Run, Cedar Mountain, and other battle-fields, witnessed the death-struggle of more than one Boxford hoy. Others were wounded, some fatally. in the battles of Port Hudson, Blunt's Creek, Antietam. Spottsylvania, Mechaniesville, Bull Run. Gettysburg, Lookout Moun- tain, and other fierce confliets of the Rebellion, Under the command of Gen. Joe Hooker, some were numbered with the Army of the Potomae. Death by starvation in the rebel prisons. on the battle- field, by fatal diseases ; inconveniences. discomforts. all stared them in the face : but, with unwavering patriotism, they fought until their end was gained ; until the Union was restored ; then they laid down their muskets, to take them no more up, until another threatening storm of disunion should sweep over the land.

Adj. Gen. Schouler, in his " History of Massachusetts in the Civil War," says, " there were no commissioned officers from Boxford. Ninety-two men were in the service, a surplus of five over all demands."

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The following are the names of those who died in the war; viz., Martin L. Ames (at Andersonville Prison ), John Q. Batchelder, Sam- uel H. Brown, D. Butler, Charles W. Cole, John F. Cole, Oscar F. Curtis, Joshua G. Day, Murdock Frame (killed in battle of Cedar Mountain, at Culpepper, Va., Aug. 9, 1862), Albert A. Fryc, Charles L. Foster, George A. Gage, William A. Gurley, Harrison Hale, Mat- thew Hale, George P. Hobson, Horace A. Killam, Thomas A. Mas- ury, Herbert C. C. Morse (in the Libby Prison), Asa K. Perley, Thomas P. Perley, John Sawyer (in Andersonville Prison), Aaron Spofford ( killed in last battle of Bull Run), and David M. Sullivan, in the army ; and Benjamin S. Twisden, in the navy.

The whole amount of money appropriated by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was $10, 756.35. State aid paid in 1861, $367.60; 1862, $1,170; 1863, $1,184; 1864, $1,097.71; and in 1865, $1,150.

The ladies of Boxford were active all through the war, in adding to the comfort of the soldiers at the front, and forwarded, through the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, on several occasions, under- clothing, quilts, pillow-cases, dried-apples, jellies, newspapers, and other comforts for the sick and wounded.

Through the generosity of J. Tyler Barker, Esq., the West parish have been enabled to ereet a substantial granite monument to the memory of those soldiers that participated in the Rebellion, and in- scribed with the nunes of those who have gone before, and gathered around the camp-tire above. It was dedicated on Decoration Day, May 29, 1875, with appropriate ceremonies, the governor and staff being present.

The following is the inscription on the front face of the monu- ment : -

IN MEMORY OF OUR PATRIOT SOLDIERS. WAR OF 1861. ERECTED BY THE MUNIFICENCE OF TIIE LATE J. TYLER BARKER OF NORTH ANDOVER. 1873.

MILITIA COMPANIES.

When Boxford was first settled, the men trained with the Topsfield militia company. After the incorporation of the town, in 1685, they trained among themselves. When the parishes were incorporated, each parish contained a company. In 1832, the two companies united, and formed a part of the Third Regiment, Second Brigade, Second Division of the State militia. So they continued until 1840, when all the militia throughout the State was disbanded. A company, calling themselves the " Boxford Washington Guards," flourished here between 1836 and 1846.

Camp Stanton .- Boxford is noted for its being the camp of several regiments during the Rebellion. The annual muster of the Second Brigade has also been held on the old camp-ground several seasons. The same plain was used for the same purpose during the Revolution. Old Camp Stanton is a favorite name with many of the survivors of the Rebellion.

SCHOOLS, &c.

The town is at present divided into five school districts. Lady teachers are employed both summer and winter, the school committee thinking that they teach better than those of the masculine gender. Three terms are taught each year, - summer, fall, and winter. Whole number of scholars enrolled, 146; average daily attendance, ninety ; number of scholars under five years of age, five ; number of scholars over fifteen years of age, twenty-three. These figures are taken from the school report for 1877. The present school committee are : Sereno D. Gammell, Asa Kimball, Esq., and the Rev. David Bremner, a learned trio, certainly. $1,535.57 were spent for school-

ing in 1877. The town appropriates $1,000 annually for that pur- pose.

The first school-teacher of which any record has been found, was John Peabody. He was chosen for this purpose by the town at a town-meeting held Nov. 24, 1701. Aug. 25, 1713, the town agreed with Nathaniel Peabody to be schoolmaster for that year. Sept. 12, 1716, they agreed with Thomas Jewett "to teach Scool for writing reading & Arethemitick . . to the 6 parts of ye Town ye Town is for give him forty shillings pur month for ye six months & convenent diat & lodging." September, 1722, Thomas Redington was chosen to " learn persons to read, write and cypher."

The school was held for many years in private houses in different sections of the town, holding its sessions for a while in each place alternately. In 1738 or 1739, the town was divided into districts, and a school-house built in each district. About 1796, new houses were built in place of the old ones. New buildings were again built about 1830, which are in use to-day. An academy flourished here for a few years, very prosperously, about sixty years ago.

The Hon. Aaron Wood, who died 1791, bequeathed his farm to the town for the support of the schools. The farm was leased for a thou- sand years, and the money realized was placed at interest, which now amounts to $125 per annum. Several other bequests have been made for the same purpose. Ephraim Foster bequeathed $1,500 to the parish in 1835, for the support of the district schools. John Tyler Barker, who died in 1872, bequeathed to the West Parish $58,000, with which to establish a free high school, to be located as near the Thomas Hovey house as is convenient. The will being contested by the heirs, the court have given the parish $30,000, which they propose to place at interest until it reaches a suitable sum.

BUSINESS.

The principal occupation of the inhabitants is the pursuit of agri- culture in all its branches. Some excellent farms can be seen there, showing carefulness of cultivation, pride in the neat appearance of their homes, and that the cultivators have not mistaken their calling.

A forge for smelting iron ore was established, about 1670, by the Leonard brothers, the noted iron-workers of the country at that time. They carried on the business for a time, and, by different companies, the business continued to prosper until after 1680, when it was aban- doned for about a century. It was then changed to another site, and the business renewed by some of the inhabitants, who contrived to make it prosper until about 1800, when we hear no more of it.

In ye olden time, the East Parish contained a store, at which the post-office was located, -

" Where, in the past, We could often hear the thrilling blast, Borne on the early morning air, Of Pinkham's stage horn."

But since the Boston and Maine Railroad has conveyed the passen- gers and mail-bags,

" No more is heard of Pinkham, Or his horn."

There are now two post-offices, one in each parish.

The most extensive business now carried on in the town, is that of the manufacture of friction-matches, at the match-factory of Messrs. Byam & Carleton, of Boston. They located their factory here in 1867, and have been constantly running it ever since. They have some $30,- 000 invested, and turn out about $40,000 worth of goods annually. A saw-mill is also in connection with it, and also machinery for manu- facturing boxes for their own use and for sale. Some 1,800 tons of timber are consumed annually in the match manufacture.

Cotton-yarn, wicking, batting, wooden bowls, and other dishes, straw hats, gloves, shoe-pegs, and other articles have been manufact- ured here in days gone by.

Noted Natives, &c .- Boxford has, probably, given birth to more

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

enterprising, energetie persons than any other town of its size in the Commonwealth. They can be found in the busy business circles of large towns and eities, engaging in manufacturing, home trade, and commerce ; institutions of learning, in distant parts of the country, have called them to their assistance ; heathendom has called to them to bring the light of Christianity to its darkened lands ; invention has cried, " We need you to show to the world some new appliance "; pulpits and offices of trust have been filled ; the court-room has lis- tened to their voice, and not a few have assisted, and are still assist- ing, in building up the distant West with towns and cities, and turn- ing the rank, virgin soil of the prairies into grain-fields and fruit- farms. Thus it has been with the young men of Boxford. Leaving the old, dull home of their fathers, they enter the busy scenes, and soon become involved in the fortunes or misfortunes of a business life. But, thanks to the parents, and the morality of the place, most of them have succeeded in their career, and made themselves an honor to the dear old home of their boyhood. Most of the natives that have thus gone forth were business-men. But few, comparatively, have become professional men. We have thought fit to subjoin the follow- ing list of some of the distinguished natives :-

The Rev. Oliver Peabody ( 1698-1752), son of William and Hannah (Hale) Peabody. Graduate of Harvard College, 1721. First settled pastor of the Indian Church at Natick. He was also a missionary among the Mohegan Indians. Noted as a theologian, and a kind and useful pastor.

The Rev. Moses Hale (1701-1760), son of Joseph and Mary (Wat- son) Hale. Graduate of Harvard College, 1722. First minister in Chester, N. H.

The Rev. John Rogers (1712-1789), son of the Rev. John and Susanna (Marston) Rogers. Graduate of Harvard College, 1732. First minister in Leominster, Mass. He was a scholar, and a studious and learned divine.

The Hon. Aaron Wood (1719-1791), son of John and Ruth (Pea- body) Wood. Senator and representative to the general court for sixteen years. A noted public man in his day.

Col. Thomas Knowlton (1740-1776), son of William and Martha (Pinder) Knowlton. A brave colonel in the Revolution. . An intim- ate friend of Gen. Putnam, with whom he shared the perils and suffer- ings of the "French and Indian War." Slain in battle at Harlem Heights, Sept. 16, 1776. Washington said he " would be an honor to any country."

The Rev. Stephen Peabody (1741-1819), son of John and Sarah Peabody. Graduate of Harvard College, 1769. Chaplain in the Revo- lution. First minister in Atkinson, N. H.

The Rev. Humphrey Clark Perley (1761-1838), son of William and Sarah (Clark) Perley. Graduate of Dartmouth College, 1791. Min- ister in Methuen and Beverly.

Samuel Holyoke, A. M. (1762-1820), son of the Rev. Elizur and Hannah (Peabody ) Holyoke. Graduate of Harvard University, 1789. Noted as a musical composer. Author of "The Columbian Repository of Sacred Music," and other works.

Nathaniel Perley, Esq. (1763-1824), son of Nathaniel and Mehit- able (Perley) Perley. Lawyer in Hallowell, Me.

Dr. William Peabody (1768), son of Richard and Jemima (Spofford) Peabody. Physician in Frankfort, Me.

The Hon. Samuel Peabody (1775-1859), son of Richard and Jemima (Spofford) Peabody. Graduate of Dartmouth College, 1803. Attor- ney and counsellor-at-law in New Hampshire. He was father of Judge Charles Augustus Peabody, of New York and Louisiana.

Gen. Solomon Lowe (1782-1861), son of Nathan and Lucy (Lord) Lowe. Was general in the State Militia from 1820 to 1840. Representative from Boxford to the general court for several years.

The Rev. Peter Sydney Eaton (1798-1863), son of Rev. Peter and Sarah (Stone) Eaton. Graduate of Harvard University, 1818, and

at the Theological Seminary at Andover, 1822. Settled over the Congregationalist Church in Merrimac (West Amesbury).

The Hon. Ira Perley, LL. D. (1799-1874), son of Samuel and Phebe (Dresser) Perley. Graduate of Dartmouth College, 1822. Read law with B. J. Gilbert. Practised the profession with great honor at Concord and Hanover, N. H. Was for many years judge of the Supreme Court, and vice-president of the New England Historic-Gene- alogical Society.

Dr. Daniel Perley (1804), son of Samuel and Phebe (Dresser) Perley. Graduate of Harvard College, 1828. Physician in Rowley and Lynn.

Rev. Albert Bradstreet Peabody (1828), son of Samuel and Mary (Bradstreet) Peabody. Pastor of the Orthodox Congregationalist Church, Strathanı, N. H.

William A. Herrick, Esq. (1831), son of William H. and Lois (Killam) Herrick. Graduate of Dartmouth College, 1854. Lawyer in Boston.

Prof. Atherton. Graduate of Yale College and Phillips Academy. Member of Congress from the third district of New Jersey. Pro- fessor in Rutgers College.

Dr. Walter Henry Kimball (1820), son of Amos and Lucy ( Foster) Kimball. Graduate of Dartmouth College, 1841. Physician in Andover, Mass.

The Flora, Geological Formation, dc. - The flora of Boxford is rich and varied, possessing most varieties native to this section of the country. The trailing arbutus is found in some localities, the air being fragrant with its sweet perfume. Two species of Drosera (Sundew), a eurious plant, found by actual experiment to digest animal food, are found in her meadows. The Cuscuta gronovii (Dodder), is found growing on the borders of some of her ponds. The beautiful white Azalea, the Aster, and goldeu-rod are found. Umbelliferœ contributes quite largely from her stock of poisonous plants. The order Composite is, of course, largely represented.

The land is diversified by hill and valley, which promotes the beauty of the natural scenery. In the south-eastern part of the town is found the series of ridges that form a continuous chain throughout the county, and which has received so much attention by the Rev. George Wright, of Andover. The rock is calcareous gneiss and sienite, with considerable many bowlders and ledges in some loeal- ities. Quartz, containing indications of silver, lead, nickel, and other minerals, is found. A few years since, when the mining fever was at its height, several shafts were sunk, but without the success which had been anticipated. Several thousands of dollars were spent in this way.

Ponds. - Boxford is well supplied with ponds and small streams of water, which can be, and many of them are, improved as affording water-power for mills, &c. Mitchell's Pond, in the West Parish, con- taining thirty-six acres, which has recently been stocked with fish by an association formed for the purpose, has its outlet into Johnson's Pond, of one hundred and ninety-four acres, one-half of which is situated within the Boxford line, the rest being in Groveland. It has its outlet through a brook in Groveland, which runs into the Merrimac River, and from thence to the ocean. Fowler's Pond, containing about twelve acres, has its outlet through Hazzeltine Brook and Parker River into Plum Island River and the ocean. "Poor Farm" Poud, of fifty-four acres, has its outlet through Penn Brook into Parker River, &c. Stetson's, of twenty-two, Four Mile, of forty-two, and Stevens' Pond, of thirteen acres, have their outlet through Pye Brook and Ipswich River to the ocean. Stiles', of sixty, Cedar, of thirteen, and Crooked Pond, of twelve acres, have their outlet through Ipswich River by means of Fish Brook. Fish has generally been abundant, but the anglers from the city have greatly lessened their numbers.

Negroes. - The first mention made of the colored people on the records is about 1730. From this time to the year 1780, the names of about twenty-five people of color appear upon the records. " Can- dace " and " Scipio " are among their curious names.

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Wild Animals. - In 1739, a committee was chosen to inspect the killing of deer. 1770, a bounty was offered for killing wildcats. Samuel Dorman killed one about this time. During the early scttle- ment of the town, wolves and other animals of the like nature roved through the forests.

Witchcraft. - Rebecca Eames, wife of Robert Eames, one of the early settlers, aged, at this time, about 52 years, was placed in jail in Aug., 1692, had her trial for being a witch, was convicted, and eon- demned Sept. 17th. She remained in jail until the following March, when she was pardoned by Gov. Phips.

Almshouse. - Until 1847, the paupers in the towns were " boarded out " among the families. In the year above-mentioned the farm of Capt. Jacob Towne was purchased by the town for a "town farm," which it has continued to be to the present time.

Cemeteries. - There are five public cemeteries in the town, -thrce in the East and two in the West parish. The oldest yard is that across the street from the residence of Mr. Walter French. Only twelve headstones remain standing, the ground having not been used as a place of interment for half a century.

" The Old Elm."-It would not do to leave out a notice of the grand old elm-tree in front of the residence of the late Mr. Isaac Hale. It was set out in 1767 (we believe), by Samuel Perley, who dug it up in the woods, brought it home on his back, and set it out where it now stands. Beneath its branches, Judge Ira Perley and his brother Daniel, the doctor, studied and lived their years of minority together ; in their later years it became a kind of Mecca to them. It is the most magnificent and colossal tree that can be found in this section of the State. The trunk measures about twenty feet in cir- cumference, as high up from the ground as a man can reach. Its wide-spreading branches cover an area of nearly an acre.

Public Library .- A publie library was established here in 1874. It now contains about 600 volumes. Miss Mary E. Perley, librarian. Sustained by subscription. Located in East parish.

Senators, &c .- Boxford has furnished but two senators for the gov- ernment of the State ; viz., the Hon. Aaron Wood, in 1781, and Dea. Julius Aboyno Palmer, in 1869. Maj. Asa Perley was member of

the Provincial Congress, 1775. The polities of the town at the pres- ent time are largely Republican, though in the last few years the Democrats have increased in numbers. At the first " fall" election, held Sept. 4, 1780, the Hon. John Hancock was chosen governor ; the Hon. James Bowdoin, lieutenant-governor.

Boxford is bounded on the north and north-east by Bradford, Grove- land, Georgetown, and Rowley ; on the south-east by Ipswich and Topsfield ; and on the south-west by Middleton and North Andover. Boxford contains about 13,000 aeres of land, divided up as follows ; viz., English mowing, about 1,400; meadow, 800; pasturage, 6,500; woodland, 1,300; unimproved, 2,300; and unimprovable land, 900 acres.

The Danvers and Newburyport branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad runs through the eastern part of the town. A stage runs through the north-western section, conveying the mail and passengers. Other railroad stations are handy, but outside the limits of the town.

Population, 1765, 851; 1776, 989; 1790, 925; 1800, 852; 1810, 880; 1820, 906; 1830, 935; 1840, 942; 1850, 982; 1860, 1,020; 1865, 868 ; and in 1875, 834 - 421 males and 413 females. Ratable polls, 253; native voters, 218; naturalized voters, 3; total voters, 221. Number unmarried, 427 - 219 males and 208 females. Num- ber married, 358-184 males and 174 females ; 31 widows and 18 widowers. 52 of the inhabitants (1875) were foreign born; 412 born in Boxford; 270 born in other towns in Massachusetts ; 99 born in other States; and 1 unknown. Of the foreign born, 3 were born in England ; 23 in Ireland; 3 in Scotland; 22 in Canada; and 1 in Sweden. Number of families, 212. Number of dwelling-houses, 186-177 occupied, and 9 unoccupied.

Valuation of Boxford, 1860, $649,331 ; in 1865, $631,942 ; in 1875, $604,230 - personal property, $85,790 ; real estate, $518,440. Town debt, $5,000, which is balanced. by cash and notes held by the town, so that the debt is really nothing, - a situation of which few towns ean boast.

The following are the town officers chosen at the annual town-meet- ing, March 4, 1878 : Town Clerk, Benjamin S. Barnes ; Selectmen, Ancil Dorman, George W. Chadwick, J. Henry Nason.

BRADFORD.

CHAPTER I.

TOPOGRAPHY OF THE TOWN - EARLY SETTLERS - PECULIARITIES OF ANCIENT CONTRACTS - DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES - TOWN AFFAIRS.

Although the town of Bradford has a distinct and interesting history, the date of which commences sometime after its first settlement as a part of the ancient town of Rowley, its early and opening record is one of much interest, as being identified with the pioneers of civiliza- tion in this portion of Essex County. When Ezekiel Rogers, on the 4th of September, 1639, received a grant for a plantation, to he called Rowley. what is now known as Bradford was embraced within its limits, or was soon after added, and was then known as " Merrimack lands," from the fact that it bordered on the river hearing that name. It was not till ten years after, or in 1649, that active measures were taken for the settlement of these "lands," which was in the early days of the settlement of Haverhill, on the opposite shore.

In the spring of that year, the town of Rowley entered into an agreement with Robert Heseltine, John Heseltine, and William Wild, to commence the settlement, or to "sett down at Merrimack." The grant appears not to have been, at first, fully and clearly expressed by the town, which gave rise to many attempts at explanation, and much "town-meeting " talk. The specifications agreed upon were, that each should have " forty acres of upland, to be laid out to them as convenient as may be," with " commons for twenty head of cattle, which said commons they shall have liberty to fence in," but were re- strained " from liberty to erect any more than three tenements upon any part of the said uplands or commons." In addition, "the towne hath granted to each of them twenty acres of meadow, to be laid out to them when they claim it, unless some providence of God shall bin- der." They were also to have "liberty, each of them, to get a thousand pipe-staves yearly, for seven years " and to " cut fire wood for their families, and timber for fencing and building, but not within a quarter of a mile of the pasture fence." They were, in addition, " freed from town charges for the lands, houses, four oxen, and six cows, and four calves, for seven years." In return, they were " to sufficiently look to the herd of cattle which Rowley should put into the pasture for seven years, and provide convenient diet and lodging to any that the towne should send to keep any herds there."

Soon after the settlement of these men on these " lands," the town laid out to them four hundred and fifty acres of upland, and forty acres of meadow. The upland was on the river, extending from ahove the present site of the bridge, down, and the meadow was mostly in what is now Georgetown and Boxford.

The next "Merrimack lands" laid out, were two plantations, or farms, of three hundred acres respectively, to Rev. Ezekiel Rogers and Rev. Samnel Phillips. In addition, were twenty acres of meadow to Mr. Phillips, and twenty-five acres to Mr. Rogers, in Jeremie's meadow, so called. The town also voted that Joseph Swett should have nine hundred and sixty acres of land " in the neck, beyond the Heseltine's," and forty acres of meadow elsewhere, in exchange for three thousand acres about the Bald Hills. The farm of Mr. Phillips was east of Johnson's Creek, and bounded easterly by Mr. Rogers's farm, which was bounded by the river, and extended nearly down to the present site of the meeting-house. The Jewett plantation was " bounded by a runnell of water that falls into the Merrimack River on

the east, and from said runnell of water to a white oak tree, and from thence to Merrimack River by Andover line." The Glover farm was soon laid out next adjoining this, and in 1671 the town of Rowley caused a succession of river-lots to be laid out, beginning at the Glover farm, and extending down river, containing from thirty-five acres to one hundred and two acres, and from eleven and a half rods to thirty- three and a half rods wide at the river, and are supposed to have embraced the territory between the Heseltine grant and Johnson's Creek. In this town is Chadwick's Pond.

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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 25

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