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 31
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The war spirit at this time ran high, as is evinced by the statement, that the third alarm-list, as it was called, chose its officers and organ- ized as a company on the 6th of the following March. In the win- ter and spring of 1775, the parishioners of both parishes were much interested in the relief of the patriot poor of Boston, and the North Parish appoints a committee, consisting of Capt. John Putnam, Lieut. Enoch Putnam, Ensign Archelaus Dale, Capt. William Putnam, Francis Nurse, Capt. Nathan Pope. and Capt. Samuel Flint, to gather a contribution. which Enoch Putnam was instructed to carry to Bos- ton and deliver to the Committee of Donations in the town of Boston, in the name of the North Parish in Danvers. He reported the deliv- ery of " 8 pair of Men's shoes, 2 pair Boys', 83 yards of Check, and 2 skeins of thread, and one pair of Moose-skin Breeches, also the sum of twenty six pounds fifteen shillings, and four pence Lawful Money to the said Committee." The South Parish gave £13 13s. 6d. for the same object.
There were at this time four companies of train-band soldiery, offi- cered as follows : The first company by Capt. Israel Hutchinson, First Lieut. Enoch Putnam, Second Lieut. Aaron Cheever, Ensign Job Putnam. This company contained about fifty men, some of whom were residents of Beverly.
The officers of the second company were Capt. Samuel Eppes, First Lieut. Benjamin Jacobs, Second Lieut. Gideon Foster, Ensign Francis Simonds. It contained about seventy men.
The third company had as officers, Capt. Jeremiah Page, First Lieut. Joseph Porter, Second Lieut. Henry Putnam, Ensign Richard Skid- more. It mustered thirty-five men.
The Fourth Company had as officers : Capt. Samuel Flint, First Lieut. Daniel Putnam, Second Lieut. Joseph Putnam, Ensign Israel Putnam, and contained about forty men. These companies are all that are upon the rolls deposited in the State archives. Prior to this period, this body of militia had been denominated min- ute-men, from their instructions to be ready for duty at a minute's
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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
warning. Capt. Gideon Foster appears to have been promoted from a lientenaney in Eppes's company, to a command of his own ; for it is recorded, that John Endicott was elected second lieutenant in Eppes's company to take the place of Capt. Foster, and it was Foster's com- pany which covered itself with immortal glory on the British retreat from Concord and Lexington. The news of the British advance on Lexington reached Danvers at four o'clock on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775. Young Foster, then twenty-six years of age, summoned his men at the first sound of the alarm. They met on the green in front of the Bell Tavern ; and, having received permission from the commander of their regiment to start in advance, after re- ceiving the parting blessing from the Rev. Mr. Holt, they marched to the Bell Tavern, where the final leave-takings were made, and at nine o'clock started for Lexington. The command pushed on rapidly, making the most of the journey on the run, and reaching West Cam- bridge, now Arlington, a distance of sixteen miles, in four hours. They took a position on the main road west of the meeting-house hill, in a walled inclosure, where they entrenched themselves behind a bar- ricade, consisting of bundles of shingles. It is supposed, that Capt. Foster's first intention was to intercept the retreat of the British, either under a mistaken estimate of their strength, or from a spirit of reckless bravery, enhanced by the excitement and awful carnage of the hour, and by the indiscriminate slaughter of his countrymen at Lexington, whose blood he burned to avenge. The British main column followed the road, guarded by strong flanking parties, thrown ont to the right and left, to protect it as much as possible from its infuriated enemies, who hung like clouds of angry hornets on its flanks, and whose death-dealing rifles rapidly depleted its ranks, turn- ing its retreat into a rout.
Of the existence of these flanking parties, Foster may have had no knowledge, although a statement has been handed down from sueces- sive generations, that he was warned of this method of conducting a retreat, by one of his men, who had seen service in the old Freneli war, when it was frequently adopted by the British commanders as the best means of protection from Indian attacks.
Very soon after entrenehing themselves, Foster and his men saw the British column descending the hill on their right, and, at the same time, a strong flank guard advancing on their left. They made a good fight, and, for a time, poured in a hot fire on their enemies ; but they were between two fires, and were speedily enfiladed by the gnard in their rear. The little enclosure soon became a charnel- house. Seven of the men of Danvers were shot dead, and the lives of all were in imminent danger from the exasperated British soldiery. Under these circumstances, there was but one alternative, and brave Capt. Foster at onee adopted it. The gallant little band eut its way out into the road, and passed directly across the front of the British column, along the margin of the pond, taking a new position behind a ditch wall on the north side of the road. In this fight, the most shocking barbarities were perpetrated on the wounded by the Regu- lars. Dennison Wallis, who surrendered as a prisoner, received twelve bullets in his body, and was left for dead ; but he subsequently recovered. Joseph Bell was more fortunate in his captors, who took him to Boston, where he was imprisoned for two months on board a British frigate, at the end of which time he was released. The regiment containing the remaining companies marched to the seene of action, but arrived too late to be of much effective service. Nearly every able-bodied man in Danvers responded to the call; and it is related that but two men were left at the New Mills, one of whom was sick in bed, and the other returned in the evening to tell the tale of sorrow and woe.
The martyred dead, - Samuel Cook, aged 33; Benjamin Daland, aged 25; George Southwick, aged 25; Jotham Webb, aged 22; Henry Jacobs, aged 22; Ebenezer Goldthwaite, aged 22; and Perley Putnam, aged 21, were brought to Danvers the day after the battle, and were interred with military honors. The monument to their
memory, now standing at the junction of Washington and Main streets, was erected in 1835. It is built of hewn granite, and is twenty-two feet in height, and seven feet square at the base. Its cost was about $1,000.
On the 1st of May, 1775, at a public meeting, at which Capt. Wil- liam Shillaber was moderator, it was voted that there be two watches kept in the town of Danvers, one on the road near the New Mills, and the other at the crotch of the road near Mr. Francis Symonds's. Also, that each watch shall consist of thirteen men every night. Any person refusing to watch without sufficient reasons, his name shall be posted in the newspapers. It was further voted to procure teams to cart stores to Watertown ; and it was voted to be "concerned with ye neighboring towns, in establishing a post between Newburyport and Cambridge."
The firing of guns was disapproved of, except for the purposes of an alarm. These records show the sense of insecurity and alarm which the Danvers towns-people felt at this time, and also the warlike excitement which pervaded the community. It appears that the noted loyalist and Tory, " King " Hooper, felt called upon at this time to ex- plain his position to his fellow-townsmen, for a letter was read from him at this meeting, the contents of which were voted unsatisfactory to the inhabitants. Mr. Hooper was very unpopular at this period. Ile appears to have been a man possessed of considerable hauteur and aristocratie pride, and to have kept himself aloof from his townsmen in all their transactions, even prior to the Revolution. He was pos- sessed of vast wealth, and was a loyalist to the core. His grounds were tastefully laid out, and handsomely decorated.
The house, still standing, is now the mansion of Col. Francis Pea- body. In Hooper's time, there were a number of leaden ornaments upon the gateway and around the entrance. A party of recruits for the patriot army at Cambridge, while passing the house, stopped to strip the lead from the posts, for use in their bullet-moulds. The loyalist owner appeared at the door, and, calling them knaves, rebels, and other harsh epithets, ordered them to desist. For answer, one of the party levelled his gun and fired, the bullet entering the door, as it hastily closed. The mark remained until some years since.
Capt. William Shillaber and Samuel Holton were chosen to repre- sent the town of Danvers in the Provincial Congress, to be held at Watertown, May 25, 1775.
In the summer of 1775, Dr. Calef, of Ipswich, built a ship at the New Mills, then a famous locality for ship-building. The vessel was intended for the East Indies, and was quite large for that day, being of four hundred tous burden. Her building excited the curiosity of the towns-people, and Dummer Jewett was instructed to apply to Calef to find out for whom he was building it. The vessel, it seems, did not find a purchaser. It was launched in the night, and drifted to the south side of the river, where it laid for several years, and ultimately decayed.
At this time, the ship-building interest at the New Mills, Danvers- port, was a very prosperous industry. As many as seven vessels were at one time on the stocks, in the various yards, in process of con- struetion. Here were built the "Jupiter," "Harlequin," "General Greene," and other famous privateers and war vessels of the Revolution, besides four twenty-gun ships. A large fleet of merchant-men have also been launched here from Danvers ship-yards. Several fine Eng- lish prize vessels were also towed into Porter's River during the war.
September 14, 1775, Benedict Arnold's ill-fated expedition, designed to effect the conquest of Canada, and to induce its people to join with the Colonies in their struggle for liberty and independence, halted in Danvers, on its passage through the town, en route for Quebec. The town furnished generous support to its soldiers' widows all through the struggle.
Col. Timothy Pickering's famous Essex regiment passed through Danvers on its way to Bunker Hill. The regiment was not engaged in that battle ; but there is a statement that it met the retreating
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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Americans on Charlestown Neck, and supplied them with ammunition, Capt. Gideon Foster and his Danvers meu being principally engaged in this work. It will be remembered that at this time the British frigates and gunboats were pouring a hot fire across the Neck. which must have rendered Foster's task one of no little hazard and risk. Gen. Israel Putnam. of Couneetient (a Danvers boy), and Moses Porter. of Danvers. are the only two persons from Danvers. of whom there is record as being actively engaged in the fight. A few days before the battle. Foster and his men were summoned to an ardnous undertaking, by their own desire. Gen. Putnam having called for vol- unteers. The company supposed that it was to be detailed on secret service ; but, after a thorough inspection by " Old Put " himself. their arms were exchanged for axes, and they were ordered into a swamp, to cut faggots for the earthworks and entrenchments. The only serious peril which they incurred appears to have been from the mosquitoes, and their ouly exposure to fire was to that of the good-natured raillery of their comrades.
June 18, 1776, prior to the immortal Declaration of Independence, Danvers voted to support the government, should the Continental Congress declare itself independent.
In 1777, the towns-people were severely afflicted with the small- pox. and a pest-house was built. In the same year. they appear also to have suffered from the hard times and the influx of paper money. an irredeemable currency raising the prices of commodities and the necessities of life. Gideon Putnam is posted this year as an enemy to his country. for breaking the resolves of Congress, in presuming to sell cheese at nine shillings the pound.
The next year. 1784. it strongly opposed the removal of the Court of Common Pleas to Newburyport, and in 1786 it was as emphatic in its denunciation of paper money. On the 2d of August, in that year, the citizens, in town-meeting assembled, sent the following in- structions to their representative. Israel Hutchinson : "We deem that it will give you satisfaction to receive instructions from the town you represent at so critical a time as this is. when it appears to the by- stander that there is almost an end to all publick Faith. which we appre- hend will end in the dissolution of the Government. in order to give energy and respectability to government and to make it a blessing to the Subject we wish to see it supported with dignity. This can only be done by a steady and most sacred regard to justice in all publick engagements, the least departure from whitch will be productive of want of confidence and excite the most distressing anxiety in the best of Subjects and disaffection and opposition to others to the distruction and embarrasments, and finally to the dissolution of all government. We conceive there are no promises or obligations more solemn than those entered into for supplies advanced and for the most honorable and hazardous services in defence of the Sacred and invaded rights of this State - when destitute of monies, funds or resourses, the cred- itor, devoutly hoping a happy issue of a precarious unequalled and calamitous war. did not hesitate to accept the Solemn pledge of his Country's faith as his only Security, and most confidently relying on her justice, resolved to stake his all on her ability and Success. - If for these obligations, valuable considerations were received, especially if those consideratious were previous Services and aids in support of what we had solemnly resolved to defend with our lives and fortunes there can be noue for whose fulfilment. justice pleads more loudly. And we hope it impossable that injustice Shall ever be confounded with policy in the government of this State -Whether the original proprietor, through indiscretion or Severe necessity has been com- pelled to part with them, for a valuable or a vile consideration the obligations of the State remain in their nature unchangeable and ought to be inviolable.
"The emission of a paper currency we deprecate as a calamity ; to preveut which we charge you to use your utmost influence. The integrity of the upright shall guide them to Safety, but the injustice of transgressors shall be their destruction."
These instructions were prepared by Robert Shillaber, Caleb Low, Edw. Southwick. and also included instructions to representative Hutchinson to apprise the Great and General Court that a man in Danvers was taxed much more for £100 in value than if he resided in Salem. In this same year, Col. Benjamin Tupper raised a company in Danvers and Beverly to aid in the suppression of the famous Shay's rebellion.
In 1808, an attempt was made to annex the North Parish to Salem. but it failed of accomplishment, the iuhabitants not being favorable to such a movement.
In 1812. came the second war with Great Britain, or as it is familiarly termed the "Last War." Danvers was violently opposed to this struggle from its first inception. At the first sign of hostilities in 1812. it chose Frederic Howes, Jonathan Ingersoll, Andrew Nichols, Jr .. Sylvester Osborue. and Thomas Putnam a committee to report upon the awful situation of the country. This committee submitted a series of resolutions. which were adopted. They opposed the course of the nation in reference to France, aud regarded the war as ruinous to the prosperity and dangerous to the union, liberty, and indepen- dence of the United States. It was unjustifiable and unnecessary, because, as the towns-people of Danvers believed, the differences between Great Britain and the United States could be settled by honest negotiation. Four delegates were chosen to the County Con- vention called to consult upon the proper means to secure peace.
The towu refused to take any active part in the war. although the anchors of the famous frigate "Essex" were forged at the iron works at the Port. and the stern-post of the same vessel came from the old camp-ground of Gage's troops near "King" Hooper's house, being cut from an old oak-tree. which stood on the plain occupied by the camp, and in which was found the iron staple to which the delinquent soldiery were tied when whipped for minor offences.
Two companies of militia were organized, oue commanded by Capt Samuel Page, and the other by Capt. Gideon Foster, both veterans of the Revolution. These two companies formed a home guard, and their only service appears to have been, when called ont by sudden and uncalled-for alarms in their near vicinity. Some pieces of artillery were posted at Hospital Point. aud there was a fort of turf, an earthwork, mounting two iron four-pound guns at Hooper's factory wharf.
On one occasion a boat laden with sea-weed passing Hospital Point was fired upon by the battery, the sound of whose guns summoned the militia. The artillery were again alarmed, sometime later, by fishi- ermen drawing a seine. and began a fusilade, creating such a commo- tion, that not only were the home companies called out, but the alarm spread as far into the country as Coos County, N. H.
This appears to have been the only glory wou by Danvers in this struggle. The old warlike spirit was slightly roused, however. as shown by the following document, still in existence, aunouncing the organization of Capt. Page's company.
"Attention ! The subscribers (exempt by law from military duty) viewing the present as a time. when every American should be in readiness to give his aid in repelling any hostile attempt on our homes, and in consequence of the exposed state of the country, do hereby voluntarily unite to equip and form themselves into an inde- pendent company, hereafter to be called the New Mills Minute Men.' This company will be under no military authority but that of its commander, and with ' Always Ready,' for its motto, the defence of our common country shall be its object, and Invasion the sign. at which every man will start into the ranks and be found alert in his duty.
"DANVERS, NEW MILLS, July 1814."
This company had its warning-post, or meeting-place, in Capt. Samuel Page's " front yard " at the Port.
June 12, 1815, the town remoustrated against an attempt to annex it
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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
to Salem. March 7, 1836, the town voted to sustain a railroad to go directly to Boston, avoiding the inconvenience of ferries. The first railroad through Danvers, the Salem and Lawrence branch of the East- ern Railroad, was not opened, however, till July 4, 1848. The road from Newburyport and Georgetown to Boston via the Boston and Maine Railroad from Wakefield Junction was opened for public travel in June, 1855.
The present First National Bank, formerly the Village Bank, was established in 1836. Sept. 22, 1843, occurred the great fire in the South Parish, now Peabody, The Second Congregational Church, the Essex Coffee-house, twelve stores, a large number of houses, sheds, and out-buildings were consumed. The Unitarian Church also narrowly escaped destruction, being on fire several times. The loss amounted to $75,000. June 10, 1845, the North Parish was visited by a similar calamity. The business of the Plains village received a severe check. A large number of houses, shops, and sheds were destroyed by the flames, and the loss was $80,000, on which there was an insurance of $30,000. The recovery of the parish and its subsequent growth were largely aided by the opening of the Essex Railroad, as before stated, in 1848. In 1844, Danvers was visited a second time by the small-pox, in epidemic form. There were in all thirty cases in the town, of which four resulted fatally.
Dec. 16, 1847, at a special meeting, resolutions were passed by the town strongly condemnatory of the Mexican war. In common with her sister towns in the State, Danvers saw no need for a resort to arms, and she gave the movement neither aid nor sympathy, although it is stated that five of her citizens served in the war.
The Danvers Savings Bank was established in 1850, and in 1854, the present bank building was erected. The present town hall, in which are located the rooms now oceupied by the Holton High School, was built in 1854, and first occupied at the annual meeting, March 5, 1855. In the same building, there was opened in 1857, the Danvers branch of the Peabody Publie Library. This library was given by George Peabody, Esq., the munificent London banker, who was born in the South Parish of Danvers on the eighteenthi day of February, 1795. The house in which he came into existence is still standing on Washington Street, Peabody, next to the Upton Glue Works. The library was first established in South Danvers; as its location there did not conveniently accommodate the inhabitants at the north, the present braneli was established.
May 18, 1855, the south parish of Danvers was incorporated as a separate and distinct town, by the name of South Danvers. April 13, 1868, the new town adopted the name of Peabody, in honor of its distinguished townsman.
The decade from 1840 to 1850 marks a transition period in the history of Dauvers. Before that time, from its first settlement, it had been known as the Farms, the Village, Salem Village, or the North Parish. Its public centre and place of gathering had been at or near the present First Parish meeting-house ; but during this period the seat of business was removed. The present village of the Plains had been gradually developing as a trade eentre, dating its present business prosperity from about the year 1830 ; and within this period of which we are speaking, it became the chief business and public centre of the town. The old appellations were dropped, and those of to-day instituted ;- the vicinity of the old meeting-house becoming Danvers Centre ; the locality of the present carpet factory, Tapleyville ; the present business centre, Danvers Plain ; and the New Mills, Danvers- port. Blind Hole became Putnamville.
14
CHAPTER III.
DANVERS IN THE LATE CIVIL WAR - TIIE OLD AND NEW CHURCHES - THE FIRST PARISII, AND OTHER SOCIETIES - LITERARY SOCIETIES.
The patriotism of the sons of Danvers burned as brightly during the recent Rebellion as that of their fathers in the days of the Revolu- tion. The best blood of Danvers watered many a Sonthern battle- field during the civil war. The town furnished some 800 soldiers during the struggle, and at its close had a surplus of 120 men above the number required for its quotas. Of this number, but forty- four received commissions. Five hundred and ten of this number were enlisted directly from the inhabitants of the town. Ninety-five of her sons laid down their lives that the nation might live, and Dan- vers. proud of their heroism, in 1870 erected the present beautiful granite memorial, which stands in front of the town hall. The sub- ject of the soldiers' monument was first brought before the town at the annual meeting in March, 1868. As a result. the following commit- tee were chosen : Wm. Dodge, Jr., E. T. Waldron, J. F. Bly, Wm. R. Putnam, Dean Kimball, Timothy Hawkes, George Andrews, Rufus Putnam, S. P. Cummings, Simeon Putnam, Henry A. Perkins, Josiah Ross, Edwin Mudge, and Daniel P. Pope. About $3,000 was raised by subseription. Of this sum, nearly one-half was given by Mr. Edwin Mudge, who contributed to this purpose his salary for two years as the town's representative in the Legislature. The town added a somewhat larger amount, making the sum total $6,298.20. The monument is of Hallowell granite, is 33} feet in height, and 73 feet square at the base. On its front face, is the following inscription :
" ERECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF DANVERS IN MEMORY OF
THOSE WHO DIED IN DEFENCE OF THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, IN 1861-65."
On the remaining faces are the names of the ninety-five patriots who gave up their lives. The list eoumenees with the names of Maj. Wallace A. Putnam and Lieut. James Hill. The monument was dedicated with befitting ceremonies Nov. 30, 1870. Its design is especially pleasing and appropriate.
Danvers raised by subseription, and paid in soldiers' bounties dur- ing the Rebellion, $6,342. It also raised for the purposes of drilling, elothing, equipments. &c., $4,606. The amount of State aid paid by the town, over and above the amount re-imbursed by the Common- wealth, was $1,884. The whole sum raised for all purposes during the war by the town of Danvers was $38,838.44.
In 1869, the present building of the Peabody Institute was built upon the Park, south of the town house, from donations received from Mr. George Peabody. The institute was made entirely inde- pendent of the Peabody institution. The present library contains many thousand volumes. The building has an audience hall, in which courses of free leetures are given each year. The permanent funds of the institute amount to about $66,000. The building is gothic in design, with a tower, and is a handsome structure.
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