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 50
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Dr. Perry retained his charge of this parish and society till his death, which occurred Deecmber 15, 1859, his pastorate extending over a period of forty-five years. He was a prominent and command- ing man, and was widely known as a leading clergyman among the Congregationalists. When the temperance reformation commenced, he took a leading part, and was influential in the cause. He was also regarded as well informed npon general questions, and his opinions and utterances were considered of value upon most subjects.
For several years prior to his death, his infirmities prevented him from the full discharge of his pastoral duties, and in 1851, the Rev. D. A. Wasson was settled as his colleague ; but owing to the promul- gation of opinions, in his pulpit utterances, which were regarded as not squaring with the creed of the church, his connection with the society terminated in about one year. He was succeeded by the Rev. D. W. Pickard, who soon resigned on account of ill-health. His sueeessor was the Rev. Thomas Doggett, in 1857, who remained with the society till 1864. The Rev. Martin S. Howard was his successor ; but his ministry was short, resigning in 1868. He was followed by the Rev. J. C. Paine, in April, 1870, who resigned in 1877. There is now no settled elergyman in connection with that society, the pulpit being supplied by the Rev. James McLain.
The resignation of the Rev. Mr. Wasson, for theological reasons, created quite a sensation, there having been no pulpit questioning of any point in the church creed and confession of faith during the official careeer of Dr. Perry, although he had been suspected by some of cherishing Unitarian views, which suspicions were strengthened by his friendliness to the Rev. Dr. Peter Eaton, of Boxford, who was quite pronounced in that direction ; and pulpit exchanges with him, for that reason, were not altogether agreeable to many parishioners.
Mr. Wasson was a graduate of the Bangor Seminary, and in accept- ing the call as colleague pastor of this society he objected to being ordained, but waived his objections after presenting to the church his confession of faith, which was accepted as sufficiently evangelical. His sermons, however, did not come up to the line of Orthodox expec- tations, and a rupture soon ensued. Among his offensive theological views was his statement that " instantaneous conversion was as much an impossibility as to jump from the earthi to the moon "; and he also pointedly disavowed his belief in infant damnation, which he affirmed was originally the doctrine of the church.
At a meeting of Congregational ministers, with Mr. Wasson, a sharp theological discussion took place, the precise nature of which is not known. Among those who took part in it was the Rev. B. F. Hosford, of Haverhill, who immediately after preached a sermon in the Groveland church criticising the opinions and doctrines of Mr. Was- son. Mr. Hosford was unmistakably evangelieal, and this was the opening gun of the conflict. The resignation of Mr. Wasson soon followed, and the society became divided, many of the influential
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members adhering to the adjudged heretic. Among these were George Savory, Jonathan Balch, - great-grandson of the Rev. Mr. Baleh, the first minister, - Albion Merrill, and others.
The Methodists formed a society there in 1830, building a church in 1832, in which they had sustained preaching a portion, if not all, of the time. In 1852, being in a languishing condition, the adherents to Mr. Wasson purchased the church of the Methodists, and formed an Independent Congregational Society, inviting him to become their pastor, which he aeeepted, becoming the independent and radieal preacher of the town, and remaining about three years, when he resigned. He was sneeeeded by the Rev. James Richardson, who was not adapted to follow a man of the type of his predecessor, and he remained but one year. The support of the Independent Society beeame much weakened by the death of prominent members of it, and by other eauses, which led to elosing the house most of the time from 1857 till 1865, when it again passed to the hands of the Methodists, who, in the mean time, had sustained preaching in a small chapel in the neighborhood.
Some of the Independents found their way back to the old church, while others retain their position, worshipping, as oeeasion permits, where liberal theology is promulgated. In this town is quite a sprinkling of Spiritualists, who are cordially attached to that theory.
Dee. 18, 1866, a Baptist church was organized in this town, and a new church dedieated. The Rev. Henry Hinekley was the first pas- tor, who was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Anderson. At present, the society has no settled minister, and the pulpit is supplied by the Rev. Otis Wing. The two religious contests which especially mark the history of the church in this town are : the early one with the Rev. Mr. Baleh, and the late one with Mr. Wasson ; the latter being by far the most violent, and productive of the most important results. The struggles in the parish meetings were often of an exciting nature, and sometimes those whose right to vote was doubted by the moderator, got their fingers pinched by the sudden sliding of the lid to the bal- lot-box while attempting to exereise that right. The liberal, or inde- pendent sentiment, is still strong, though not at present so aetive as in former years.
The great reform movement of the later times found warm support- er's here, the temperance reform movement being early espoused by the Rev. Dr. Perry and others, and has sinee been carried forward by individual effort, and through the popular voluntary associations of the day.
The anti-slavery eause found some of its warmest and ever-constant supporters here, and there was always an open door to the most radi- eal of this class of reformers. The Rev. Dr. Perry was among its friends, but his pacifie nature led him to hesitate in taking an extreme position when the radicals pointed to the erime as resting chiefly at the door of the church. Among the early supporters of that eause were John Brown, Warren Ladd, -now of New Bedford, - and Albion Merrill. The frequent leeturers here were William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Parker Pillsbury, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Stanton, and the Misses Grimpkey. The feeling at times rose to a great height, and sometimes violenee was threatened ; but no aetnal outbreak ever occurred.
In education, the town was always foremost, and common schools were well sustained. In 1821, Dr. Jeremiah Spofford, one of the firmest friends of education in the State, was instrumental in establishing the Merrimack Academy, which became an incorporated institution, and was for many years a flourishing school. The early preceptors were Stephen Morse, David L. Nichols, John Tenney, Alonzo Chapin, Sylvanus Morse, Rufus C. Hardy, A. J. Saunders ; and in later years its interests were committed to female teachers, of whom were Miss Hattie Paine, and the Misses Martha and Jenny Thompson. In its most successful days its pupils numbered from fifty to seventy-five. The academy was burned in 1870, and rebuilt in 1871. Abont that time, the ditlienlties of sustaining the institution became too formida- ble for the trustees to longer attempt to master, and the school was discontinued by an arrangement between the trustees and the town, by which the latter assumed all responsibilities, taking a perpetual lease of the building. In 1869, the school distriets were abolished, and in 1877, a high school was established. It is in a flourishing eon- dition, and has fifty pupils. Truman B. Riee is the principal.
CHAPTER III.
FRUIT-GROWING - "ARMINIAN CIDER" - RESOURCES OF THE TOWN - MR. PERRY'S HISTORICAL SERMON - FISHERIES - SHIP-BUILDING - MANUFACTURES - SOUTH GROVELAND.
The location and character of the soil rendered this town peculiarly adapted to agriculture, and for many years from the date of its settle- ment that was the principal business. The strong and somewhat . stony soil of portions of the town adapted it to fruit-growing, which was quite extensively engaged in,-apples being the leading fruit, though peaches, pears, and plums were raised in considerable quanti- ties for many years. The apple-tree was the most flourishing, often growing to a great size, and, when in bearing, there were trees which produced a sufficient quantity to yield from seven to ten barrels of cider. Mr. Perry, in his sermon of 1820, says, "One of the largest of these trees was on land owned by Jonathan Baleh, a grandson of the first pastor of this church, by whom cider of a very superior quality was made, familiarly ealled Arminian cider, and which for many years bore the highest price in the market of any made in the State." It may be said that eider of most excellent flavor is still made in the same neighborhood, and may justly be entitled to the same " brand."
In the lapse of years new industries began to make their appear- ance by the eentering here of mechanics who were attracted by the fine water-power existing on Johnson's Creek. In connection with the Bradford history, mention has already been made of many mechan- ical enterprises which were located here ; of these were William Ten- ney, Jr.'s, chaise manifactory ; Thomas Carleton's, Aaron Parker's, and Benjamin Morse's fulling and cloth -dressing mills; Jesse Atwood's chocolate factory, the manufacture of brass and pewter buckles by Stephen Foster; coopering, by Jotham Hunt ; saltpetre, by Dea. Samuel Tenney ; tobaeeo, by Moses Parker, and straw bon- nets by various persons. Clay was discovered, of which some was of fine quality, and bricks were made. Grist-mills and saw-mills were numerous, and tanning leather was an extensive business. The facilities appear to have been excellent for lumbering, but not fully improved.
A large shoe manufactory, established several years ago by Charles Stiekney, a mile below the bridge, at Stickneyville, is in sueeessful operation, produeing with its machinery and thirty or forty workmen large quantities of shoes.
In 1820, Mr. Perry said, " Ship-building has been, and would be still, were it not for the present depressed state of commerce, a very import- ant branch of business here ; ships of rising four hundred tons may be safely launched, and with what is publicly known on the subjeet, it will not appear a matter of boasting to say, our ship carpenters are well- taught and skilful mechanics. This business was commenced by Mr. John Atwood from Boston." At a later time several other ship- builders earried on the business here, among whom were Mr. Russell and Mr. Stevens ; and several vessels have been seen here on the stocks at onee by persons still living. East Bradford post-office was established in 1842 ; changed to Groveland in 1850.
For thirty years or more subsequent to 1820. the water-power on this stream was employed to run the grist-mills, the fulling-mills, the saw-mills, and the bark-mills ; but they gradually disappeared, one after another, till all have passed away. In the mean time a factory was built of greater capacity than any which had previously existed. In 1837 it was used by William Perry, of Bridgewater, for a brass- foundry ; in 1843 it was changed into a shoe-thread manufactory by Perry & Swett, which was not a suceess. In 1854 it passed into the hands of Hon. E. A. Straw, of Manchester, N. H., and Nathaniel Webster, of Amesbury, who transformed it into a factory for mann- facturing seamless bags. In 1859 it was purchased by Hon. E. J. M. Hale, of Haverhill, who was then manufacturing flannels in Littleton, N. H., and was then changed into a woollen factory, commencing operations with two sets of machinery. Not long after that the move- ments of Mr. Hale indicated that his purpose was to eoneentrate his manufacturing at this point. Steps were soon taken to more fully improve the water-power ; seeing, as Mr. Perry did forty years before, that " much considerable advantage might be derived from it."
The old mill was doubled in size by extensions, and filled with machin- ery to its fullest eapacity, and ultimately, as the water-power was dis- tributed, an engine of forty horse-power was supplied, which relieved from entire dependence upon water as a motor. In 1861 a new briek
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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
mill was built above the old one, in dimensions 52 × 137 feet, and four stories high. To this was attached an engine of eighty horse-power, which insured its operation in the contingency of a short supply of water. This mill was filled with first-class machinery, combining the latest improvements, and manufacturing began to look lively in that locality. In 1875 an addition was made, 80 × 54 feet in size, and three stories high.
In the prosperous days of production, during and following the close of the war, extension in manufacturing was warranted. During this time Mr. Hale purchased the remaining mill-sites on the stream, and in 1869 he erected a second brick mill, which is called the " lower mill," 52 feet in width and 316 feet in length, in all, the main building being four stories high ; to which is attached an engine of 150 horse- power. These mills contain thirty-six sets of machinery, which means 108 carding-machines, 49 "mules" or spinners, and 238 looms. All this stands in response to the call of the venerable Perry, less than sixty years ago, for " the erection of a carding machine" which he thought might be profitably operated. Within the last year a brick repair-shop, 32 ×55 feet, has been built at the lower mill, supplied with first-class machinery. There are four brick picker-houses, sepa- rate from each of the mills ; a brick dyc-house, and a forging-shop ; also, three extensive fire-proof storehouses for wool and merchandise. The water-power has been much increased by raising the dam and ex- tending flowage.
Thesc factories give employment to 400 operatives or more, and a village of about 1,000 inhabitants has grown up at that point. About 1855 a church was built in that section, which is now known as South Groveland, chiefly through the enterprise of the late Jacob W. Reed, Esq., which was occupied by various denominations, though largely by the Methodists ; but it has now passed out of existence. Since then the St. James Episcopal Church has been built, which is a hand- some edifice, and a flourishing congregation has been gathered. St. Patrick's Catholic Church has also been built, which supplies a place of worship for a large congregation. The site for the Episcopal church edifice, together with the structure and its furnishing, was a gift to the society from Mr. Hale, at a cost of $10,000, or more. The lot upon which the Catholic Church is located was a gift from Mr. Hale, who was also a liberal contributor to the structure. He also owns some forty blocks and dwellings, occupied by the operatives. The shoe business is also a mechanical industry here, chiefly in the hands of contractors. A post-office has been established here, and several stores are sustained.
The early building up of mechanical industries upon Johnson's Creek, united with the general excellence of the surrounding agricultural ad- vantages, together with the fishing interest and the facilities for ship- building, led to a concentration of trade in this locality. At the most flourishing period of its business, seven or eight country stores were in successful operation, some of them keeping extensive stocks, for those days, which gave them a wide reputation, attracting consider- able trade from the surrounding country. The most prominent mer- chants were the Parkers. Of these Moses Parker was the first, and following him was Peter Parker, whose name is still remembered by many persons now residents of New Hampshire, whose knowledge of him, came through his mercantile fame. The excellent quality of the rye grown upon the pine-plains in New Hampshire made that grain a coveted article in this section. Nottingham West, now Hudson, located in the vicinity of Nashua, N. H., was noted for the growth of that grain, which was annually sold in large quantities to the East Bradford merchants. In gathering the material for these pages, per- sons were found still living who well remember "Mr. Hill's Not- tingham rye," and were able to give interesting reminiscences of the commerce of those by-gone days.
The increase in the value of land, from 1660, is shown by the fol- lowing : "Before Thomas Kimball moved into this town, probably about the year 1660, or a little after, he was driving a herd of cattle through on his way to Haverhill or Hampstead, when he was met by one of the land-holders in this place, probably Haseltine, who offered to take his cattle at a generous price, and let him have land upon the river at eight pence an acre in exchange."
CHAPTER IV.
CHURCHES- HIGHWAYS-SCHOOLS -INDIAN TROUBLES-FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR -THE REVOLUTION - WAR OF THE REBELLION, &C.
WHEN the first meeting-house was built is not certainly known, as before stated, but it was at an early date, and probably before the first recorded town-meeting was held. The builders of the second one, in 1705, were Capt. Haseltine, Cornet Richard Kimball, and John Hutch- ins. The first committee on record for laying out highways in this town were Serg. John Gage, Joseph Pike, and John Griffin, which was in 1668. The early historian complains of their work, in "making them so narrow as to require them to be widened by the town." The cheapness of land at that time ought to have suggested the practica- bility of broad highways, but it is quite likely these men got glimpses of the then distant future, when house lots would be sold by the spoon- ful instead of by the rod or acre, and were thereby led to be stinting in public convenience, for the sake of bequcathing more acres to pos- terity.
The pound was then a necessity for the safe-keeping of unruly cat- tle, and the burying-ground cqually so, as the resting place of those who should die. These were supplicd by the town, and were usually located on the meeting-house land, and remained so till the improved public taste suggested a change.
There is no early recorded vote of the town for the support of schools, but there is reason to believe that schools were supplied at a very early day at the public expense. The first record is in 1701, when it was "voted that the selectmen should provide a school, according to their discretion, and that they should assess the town for the expense of the same." The first teacher was Ichabods ; the second was " Master White," who tanght in 1723, and received £24 10s. per annum. Mr. Hobey followed him, and his successor was Mr. Merrel. The meeting- house land also supplied the site for the first school-house, which was 22 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 7 feet post, costing £25. The meet- ing-house, the school-house, the pound, and the burying-ground were neighboring institutions.
Following the common schools were the private schools, becoming institutions, which have done so much to educate, elevate, and refine society, as well as to give fame to the town. The Female Academy, established in 1803, was an institution which was held in high esteem by the whole people for its educational work. A very large majority were equally interested in the religious features which surrounded it, and with which are associated the names of Harriet Newell and Mrs. Judson, of immortal memory, for their self-sacrificing missionary labors.
Later than the common schools and the academy came what was called the " Washington Benevolent Society," which became exclusively devoted to literary interests, and had many years of prosperous life. This was not confined to one section of the town, yet a majority of its members were in the East Parish. Prior to 1820 the town supported two libraries of respectable size, and besides these were several smaller collections owned by associations.
It is recorded that the town affairs were entrusted to the hands of discreet men, and well worthy to be designated as "the fathers of the town." Town officers were then few, and selectmeu, school committee, and sometimes assessors were all embraced in one Board, "empowered to manage its prudential affairs according to the best of their dis- cretion."
The first selectmen of the town were Serg. John Gage, Robert Haseltine, Joseph Pike, John Griffin, and John Tenney ; and Thomas Kimball was the first constable. Samuel Worcester, Benjamin Gage, Benjamin Kimball, and David Haseltine were the overseers, and Joseph Pike, the clerk. From the date of the first town-meetings, till the division of the town into parishes, it was the usage to make the houses of Benjamin Gage and Thomas Kimball "legal places for posting up any order or other business of public concernment to the whole town." He remarks that "the appointment of two coustables instead of one, in 1707, chosen from the two parts of the town, was the measure which led the way in the division of the town into two parishes, which took place about twenty years after." The compensa- tion of twenty-five shillings a year, formerly given to one, was divided between the two.
The sufferings of East Bradford from Indian invasion were less than most settlements, probably in large measure owing to the peculiar location of the town, being protected on the north by the river, with
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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
a populous settlement along its northerly bank, and on the south and west by communities sure to receive the first assault of the savages, and beat them back. The town, however, was not without its trials, and was often called upon to supply men to assist in guarding against the foe. The town maintained three garrisons and a block-house, which afforded places of refuge and safety when attacks were threat- ened.
In 1850 it became a separate town, and from that time dates its dis- tinct history in everything which pertains to a town municipality. Its lending citizens have ever been distinguished for their interest and activity in public affairs. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, its citizens were thoroughly posted in reference to the issues before the country, and were ready at a moment's warning to stand for the defence of the loyal cause.
The records of the town show that the selcetmen in 1861 and 1862 were Nathaniel Ladd, Solomon Spofford, C. W. Hopkinson ; in 1863, Nathaniel Ladd, C. W. Hopkinson, Samuel Balch ; in 1864, Nathaniel Ladd, Z. C. Wardwell, C. W. Hopkinson. The town clerk and town treasurer through the war was Morris Spofford.
The first town-mecting in Groveland, to consider matters connected with the war, was held April 30, 1861, at which E. B. George, Elijah Clarke, John C. Foote, N. H. Griffith, and D. H. Stickney were chosen "to furnish all persons who are called into active service from this town with all necessary articles, and to provide for their families during their absence"; also, "that all volunteers from this town in regularly organized companies, holding themselves liable to instant call to the service of their country, and in constant drill to prepare themselves for service, be paid ten dollars a month while so employed." June 22d, voted " that all volunteers entitled to pay for drilling be paid to this day, and that hereafter no money shall be paid for drill- ing"; also, voted "to transfer the duties of the committee chosen at the last meeting to the selectmen."
In 1862, July 19th, voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer, "to the number of twenty-one," who shall "enlist from this town" for three years, said bounty to be paid upon the pro- duction of "satisfactory evidence of enlistment and mustering in as above "; voted "that the payment of the above bounty be limited to those who enlist in the month of July." July 26th, voted to authorize the selectmen "to pay fifty dollars, in addition to the amount pre- viously voted, to all residents that have, or may, volunteer from this town previous to the first of August next." The following resolution was spread upon the town records : -
Resolved, That we have learned with pain and sadness of the privations and suffer- ings of our soldiers in the late battles before Richmond, especially those who went from our midst : that they all deserve our deepest sympathy and highest gratitude for the heroic bravery and unyielding fortitude with which they met the trials of that terrible carnage : and that we will ever revere the memory of our townsman, Charles Boynton, who died in the thickest of the fight, facing the foe.
August 13th, voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars for nine months' volunteers, "under the recent call of the President for three hundred thousand militia." The selectmen were instructed " to pay fifty dollars in money to each person, provided he shall require that amount ; and that they give the note of the town treasurer, pay- able on demand after one year, with interest from date, for the bal- ance." December 12th, it was voted, "that the town pay no further bounty for nine-months' men ;" "that the selectmen procure three- years' men to fill the quota of the town, and inform the Adjutant- General that the town has rescinded the bounty offered for nine- months' men, and will endeavor to procure three-years' men to fill its quota."
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