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 54
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Not less rigid were they in many other matters, and among their rules of citizenship was one requiring every voter to answer to his name in town-meeting, for neglect of which he was fined eighteen- pence, which was to be appropriated to the use of the town.
In 1659 no person could be admitted to citizenship except by vote of the town. At that time the town was increasing so rapidly that the meeting-house soon became too small to accommodate the wor- shippers.
Convenience, rather than the fitness of things, led to a peculiar ordering of many matters. In 1672 the selectmen were ordered to prepare a storeroom in the meeting-house to secure the town's pou- der and "all other amunition "; which arrangement led to the waggish suggestion that the storing of so dangerous explosives so near the centre of fiery threatenings to the ungodly, was placing the lives of saints and sinners in great jeopardy.
The first "Pound " for the confinement of stray animals was located in the burying-ground, but was removed at an early day to a more appropriate place.
A watch-house was ordered to be built near the meeting-house in 1672, which was also used for a school-house and for the entertain- ment of persons who might wish to congregate there on Sundays.
In 1649 the General Court ordered the erection of a watch-house, a ponnd, and stocks, and the records show the existence of the former institutions, but no records of the town give any indication of the ex- istence of stocks or the whipping-post, which is generally regarded as an indication that the public sentiment of the people was not in sym- pathy with those modes of punishment, and they were not inclined to mar the public records with an account of their establishment or their use as a means of discipline. Their existence here. however. is established by the best of traditional testimony. They were located at the east end of the old meeting-house, on the common, and within sound of the merciful benedictions of the minister who broke to the people the bread of life, and about ten rods from the present southerly entrance to the park. The whipping-post is said to have been from ten to fifteen inches in diameter, standing at an angle of forty-five degrees The culprit was tied upon the upper side. with his face to the post, and chastisement applied with a "cat" of stout leather thongs. Mrs. Stebbens and Hon. Moses Wingate, till within a few years, were the living witnesses to these facts. and beheld with their own eyes the infliction of the humiliating punishment. Sheriff David Bradley inflicted the punishment npon one culprit who cheerfully offered to "to take as many stripes more for half a pint of rum." The stocks stood near the whipping-post. but were rarely nsed. It is an enduring credit to the town that they only acted in obedience to instructions in establishing these modes of punishment, and never were either forward in their use or in recording the facts of their existence, or the application of the severities they were intended to inflict.
CHAPTER V.
ANCIENT NAMES PERPETUATED - ROADS AND BRIDGES - THE SCHOOLS, WHAT THEY WERE AND WHAT THEY ARE.
The names of many of the original proprietors of the town, and those who immediately joined the company, passed permanently to the early records as the directors in its affairs, leading in its in- dustries, or performing most honorable and heroic parts either in the defence of the town from Indian invasion. in resistance to British oppression, or in maintaining the common interests of the inhabit- ants in their struggles for their rights to the territory acquired
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both by grant and deed, but which in time became so mixed with other interests and the elaims of others, as to sometimes lead to the employment of force for the maintenance of individual rights. Prominent among these names is William White, who was a settler on the farm on Mill Street, now owned by Samuel White, it hav- ing been carried in the name to the present time. From Robert Clement and Job Clement descended the many families bearing that name residing in this town and vicinity. The Coffins, the Emer- sons, and the Davises are the descendants from the men bearing these names, who had a part in the pioncer work of founding and building the town. In all the names of early residents, probably none have become more numerous than the descendants of John, Robert, Thomas, and Peter Aver, who settled here in different sec- tions of the town. In the year 1700 it was judged that about one- third of the inhabitants of the town were of that name, and their descendants had then become scattered through nearly every State at that time composing the Union. Thomas Hale was another leading name, he being a member of the first board of seleetmen, and from whom, what is now known as Little River was given the name of " Thomas Hale's River." Michael Emerson, who came here in 1656, settling on Mill Street, was induced to "go back into the woods " by being given a tract of land on Winter Street, between what is now Little River and Emerson Street. At a later time came a class of names whose descendants have become very numerous, and now com- pose a large portion of the oldest families in town.
Notwithstanding the abundance of land possessed by the original grant, we find the inhabitants petitioning "the General Court for a tract of land to enlarge the town." The Court did not see fit to grant the request of the petitioners, and disposed of the matter by referring it to a committee, an expedient which has often been practised since by legislative bodies for the disposal of disagreeable subjects.
The settlement of Haverhill was early marked by the social events which have always attended life, and, in their unfolding, contribute so much to the joy of existence. The first marriage in town was that of Job Clement to Margaret Dummer, which occurred Dec. 25, 1643, and the second that of George Corlis and Joanna Davis, Oct. 26, 1645. During the twenty years succeeding the first marriage, thirty- seven marriages occurred in the town. The first recorded birth in town was that of a son to John Robinson, in 1641, who survived but three weeks. The second was also a son, to the same father, in 1642, who also died within a week from birth. From 1641 to 1662, inelu- sive, there had been 158 births and forty-one deaths, showing sorrow to have been the companion of joy. It will be seen that the popula- tion had quite rapidly multiplied, and the occasion for the improve- ment of more land was daily increasing.
The first road laid out was Mill Street, in 1651, which was called the "great road," and for more than a century was the principal one leading into the village. In 1665, a road was laid out to Holt's Rocks ; in 1669, another to Topsfield, and in 1685, one to Amesbury. The record is that a part of this route had long before been travelled, and was called a " bridle-way." Beyond the laying out of these roads, very little was done for their improvement. In some instances they were left to be kept in repair by those who used them; but the most important thoroughfares were maintained in condition as best they could be by a community whose principal currency, for many years, was land, butter, wheat, and Indian corn. It was not till 1735 that the town voted " to mend and repair highways by vote," and no sepa- rate sum was appropriated for that purpose till twenty years after.
A matter of still greater importance, in many respects, was the establishment of ferries, and the construction of bridges. The "great river " was between the town and many of the principal settlements, with whose inhabitants they desired to become placed in unobstructed communication. For many years there was no permanent ferry estab- lished, and the town was frequently "presented " for not maintaining a ferry. In 1648, after being " presented " for not previously main- taining one, the town was ordered to provide a suitable boat, within six months, or pay forty shillings. Thomas Hale was appointed ferry- man, and the price of ferriage established at "one penny for a passen- ger, two pence for cattel under two yeares old and four pence for such as were over that age."
The subject of building a bridge across the river, at this point, had been for several years much agitated; but it was not until 1794 that the structure appeared, - over 150 years after the set- tlement of the town. In its time, it was considered as a marvel in structure, and really opened a new era in all the interests of the town. It was built from a model by Timothy Palmer ; and Moody Spofford, of Georgetown, was the chief engineer in its construction. It was
built on three arches, of 180 feet cach, with three stone piers, and as inany defensive ones, or sterlings, extending fifty feet above, and was supplied with a draw, thirty feet wide, over the channel. It is recorded that, on its completion, Judith Whiting, then in the hun- dredth year of her age, walked over it unaided. This bridge was rebuilt in 1808.
In 1795, Merrimack Bridge was built across the river, a few rods above Holt's Rocks, now known as Rocks Village. It was the longest bridge over the Merrimac, being, in its span, 1,000 feet. It had four arches, resting on five piers and the abutments. Commanding little travel, the proprietors suffered it to fall into decay, and it was swept away by the ice in the spring of 1818. This bridge was rebuilt in 1828, on Towne's system, and was 900 feet in length, with four stone piers and abutments, defended by four sterlings, and was sup- plied with a draw, as required in bridges over navigable waters. In 1871, an iron bridge was built across the river, at Groveland, at a cost of $84,962.70.
In 1874-75, the wooden bridge between Haverhill and Bradford, having passed into a state of decay, was removed, and its place supplied by an iron structure 690 feet in length, composed of five spans, from 102 to 117 feet in length, resting upon new granite piers, and supplied with a pivotal draw. The estimated strength of this bridge is such as will sustain a moving load of 2,600 pounds per lineal foot of span. The weight of the draw is 100 tons, and so adjusted that it can be moved with case by the power of one man. It is a handsome and substantial structure, and was built by the National Bridge Company, of Boston, at a cost of $98,500, $20,000 of which was paid by the county, two-thirds of the balance by Haverhill, and one-third by Bradford. Both of the iron bridges are free to public travel.
As carly as 1669, a convenient bridge was built over Little River, near where the woollen mills now stand, which has since been sub- stantially rebuilt several times.
Another substantial bridge was built across the same stream, at Washington Square, which, within a few years, has been rebuilt, widened, and improved. Still another bridge has been thrown across the stream, midway between the two, connecting the two portions of the town. From the earliest date of highway improvements, the means for the transit of all streams has been supplied, either by ferries or bridges.
Early attention was given to the subject of education ; but for many years the only opportunity afforded for instruction was of a private nature, either within the pale of the family circle,-the parents becom- ing the teachers of their children,-or by a union in neighborhoods, and the gathering of children of several families under one roof for pur- poses of instruction in the rudimental branches. Early in the experi- ence of the settlement, there were many obstacles in the way of adopt- ing any system of instruction ; and, at a later time, when the elements would have been ripe and ready for vigorous work, the Indian wars prevented much from being accomplished, although the first public school was established about the year 1660, and Thomas Wasse was the master, at a salary of £10 a year, paid by the town, and, perhaps, trifling receipts as "tuition." He also taught at Chebacco Parish, in Ipswich, and at Newbury. He taught a school here from that date till 1673. In the year 1685, James Chadwick was engaged as a school-teacher, and was the second master employed here. The long interim between the services of the two masters would indicate that the cause of education had rather passed into neglect. The somewhat voluminous records, referring to the subject, show that to have been the case, and that the town was frequently " presented" for being destitute of a schoolmaster. The principal reason for this was the distraction occasioned by the Indian troubles, which, for nearly seventy years, surrounded the town, and much of the time made every hour and day of the round year to be moments of fear and uncertainty. In the year 1700, the grammar school ordered to be established, was obliged to be abandoned, and in 1703, the schools in operation had to be discontinued, on account of Indian troubles. In 1706, the town was again presented for being destitute of a schoolmaster. In 1711, an effort was made to engage a schoolmaster who would teach quarterly in different parts of the town, but that failed. The proposition to employ a teacher, at the expense of the town, to teach a school in the centre, was promptly voted down by those living in remote localities, and that opened the way for the adoption of the district-school system which has proved so successful and practical. In 1712, two school- houses were voted to be built in the north-west part of the town, and in 1725, three more were voted to be erected in the northerly and west- erly sections. In 1729, it was proposed to appropriate £100 for the
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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
support of schools, and a grammar school was permanently established, to be kept three months in the year, in each of the parishes. The schools kept in the private houses were then termed " common schools." In 1751, a grammar school was kept in each of the parishes four months in the year. From 1764, a grammar school was kept in the First Parish the year round, and in 1774, two schools - one termed the grammar school, and the other the English school, - were sus- tained in town the whole year. In 1790, a code of regulations for schools was adopted ; and in 1791, the town was divided into school districts.
In 1798, the first written school report was presented by the Rev. Hezekiah Smith. In 1801, the increase in the school interest, and the importance attached to it, were shown by the existence of a committee of forty-nine to superintend its interests, of which twenty-two were in the first district, eleven in the second, and eight each in the third and fourth ; but this large number proved too unwieldly, and, in 1827, a general school committee of seven was chosen instead. In 1814, the districts first chose district clerks.
In 1826, two maiden ladies - the Misses Abigail and Lydia Marsh - gave to the town half an acre of land, on Winter Street, as a site for an academy, which was immediately built, and dedicated April 30, 1827, the oration being delivered by the Hon. Leverett Salton- stall, of Salem, and an ode, written by John G. Whittier, who is a native of this town, was sung by Mr. John Crowell. The institution was incorporated, aud went into operation at once, continuing in a successful educational career till 1841, when the First District High School was organized, and the academy building leased for its use.
In 1829, an infant school was established, under the direction of a society formed in that interest, of which Mrs. James H. Duncan. Mrs. Rufus Longley, and Mrs. Isaac R. Howe, were managers, and Miss Re- becca Smith the instructress. The school continued to flourish for sev- eral years, and was supported by private subscriptions. The Haverhill Lyceum was an ontgrowth of the common-school system, through the interest developed in education, and was organized Feb. 25, 1830, with James H. Duncan, president ; James Gale, recording secretary ; and Isaac R. Howe, corresponding secretary. From the year 1838 the large increase in population created additional demands for school accommodations, and school-houses were enlarged and multiplied with great rapidity in all parts of the town. In 1855, another decidedly advance step was taken in the interest of education, and larger and more commodious school-houses were called for. In that year, the brick school-house, on School Street, was built, at a cost of $15,000. In 1856, the brick school-house, on Winter Street, was built, at a cost of $18,000, and in 1859, a school for Catholic children was opened by Francis J. Nichols, but was long since discontinued. Another large brick school-house was built on Washington Street.
From 1860 to 1870 there was no decline in the educational inter- ests, but the liberal provisions made for the accommodation of schools in the years immediately previous, rendered movements in that direc- tion less vigorous during these years ; but the rapid growth of the town in population indicated the near approach of a time when another stride must be taken.
The change of the government, from that of a town to a city, be- came the occasion for another new departure, and liberal appropria- tions were made for the promotion of education. In 1870 the Locust Street school-house was built ; in 1872 came the Currier school-house, on Mount Washington ; and in 1873 the high school building was erected, at the head of the park, at a cost of $125,000. In addition, nearly all the school-houses in the parishes were remodelled, or new ones built, and not a reasonable want, apparently, was left unsupplied.
There are, at this time, fifty-five public day schools, an evening school in the winter, and two evening drawing-schools, six months in the year, with sixty-four teachers in the employ of the city, whose pay-roll, in 1877, amounted to $41,103.31. There are twenty-eight school-houses in the city, each costing from $500 to $125,000. In 1878, the school appropriation was $48,000.
" Long terms " have been much the order here, with faithful teach- ers, whose inclination was to remain in the service. Among those who taught many years, are Luther Emerson, Dr. John Crowell, and J. A. Shores. Of the oldest now in the service, are Henry Cum- mings, since 1861 : Miss Annie S. Kimball, since 1832; Miss A. M. Wheeler, and Miss Louise Shattuck, since 1853; Miss Martha R. Nichols, since 1856 ; Miss Mary I. Gould, Miss Eleanor N. Bagley, and Miss Sarah S. Noyes, since 1858. The experience of many a " little rascal," in the past, will enable him to say in his manhood, that he took his first lesson, and his first whipping, from "Mistress Kim- ball."
The high school is organized with three courses of study, each em- bracing a term of four years. The first is an English course ; the sec- ond, an English and classical course ; the third, a classical course. Vocal music and drawing are also taught.
CHAPTER VI.
EARLY MANUFACTURES - THEIR DECLINE - DISTILLERIES - TANNER- IES - SHIP-BUILDING - HATS - SHOES, &C.
In the line of early manufactures, susceptible of expansion, that of tanning seems to have been the leading one to attain to permanency here. Job Clement first located on Mill Street, in 1643, the town granting him one-fourth of an acre of land upon which to establish his business. In 1674, John Kezar, of Salem, a tanner, was also granted land to set up his trade upon, which he permanently established. The principal tan-yards were on Mill Street, and, immediately east of what is now Stage Street, then called Colby's Lane, from a tanner of that name. Sometime after the year 1824, Col. John Woodman became his successor, and removed the business to Mill Street, when the " pits " in the vicinity of Colby's Lane were filled up, and the site con- verted into a garden. From the date of the purchase of the Mill Street property, that became the principal centre for the tanning bus- iness, while the curriers were distributed about the town, on Water Street, Merrimac Street, Fleet Street, and elsewhere. The leading tanners and curriers, from 1824 to 1860, were the Butterses, Hardings, and Blodgetts. Since 1860, the "pits" on Mill Street have been abandoned, and finally filled up, and the business has ceased to exist here. In the changes wrought by time in that locality, Mill Brook has entirely disappeared, the waters of the pond being reserved by the Haverhill Aqueduct Company for the supply of the city.
In like manner, other mechanical interests attempted to be estab- lished here, failed of success. In 1759, pot and pearl ash works were established by Samuel Blodgett; in 1769, salt-works were projected on Mill Brook, by James Hudson ; and in 1775, a saltpetre manu- factory was established, which was aided by an appropriation by the town of fifty pounds ; but all failed to be remunerative, and were soon abandoned. Corn-mills, and fulling-mills were more successful. In 1791, a duck factory was established, also by Samuel Blodgett, who was a man of much energy of character, but it did not succeed. In 1738, James McHard "had liberty to build a rum distillery," which was also located on Mill Brook, near the residence of William White. The proprietors of the land granted McHard the use of the land on which the distillery stood, in answer to his petition which set forth that he was "about to build a Still House for the good of the town of Haverhill, and without any regard to my [his] own inter- est, as I generally do." There were four distilleries in operation at that time, three at the C'entre, and one at the Rocks. In productive seasons, cider was distilled in large quantities. One of these was owned and operated by Mr. West, another by Mr. Osgood, a promi- nent merchant, which was subsequently changed to a brewery, and was located a few rods east of the bridge. The last distillery in op- eration was owned by Capt. William Caldwell, located on Merrimac Street, and was sold to Alfred Kittredge, in 1836, at which time the temperance reform was beginning to take deep root here. On taking possession, the fires were immediately put out, and were never kin- dled again. In 1840, the range of stores now known as " Kittredge's Block " took the place of the distillery. In the early days, the distil- lery was regarded as a fixture among men, and its product as among the necessaries of life, alike with all classes. The distillery was a popular centre with the people, and, in 1774, when Capt. James Brickett, with his company of thirty-three men, " each equipped with arms and accoutrements, and one pound of powder and twenty balls," were preparing to bear honorable part in resistance to British tyranny, they were accustomed to meet at " Mr. Osgood's and Mr. West's Still houses " for purposes of drill, and the transaction of company busi- ness. That was their armory, and, without doubt, in accordance with the customs of that day, the occasional source of their inspiration.
In 1790, there was a ship-yard at the Rocks Village, but it ceased operations about the year 1800. About the year 1733, Henry Sprin- ger established a ship-yard at the Centre, engaging, to a limited ex- tent, in ship-building. In 1759, another ship-yard was established by Jonathan Buck, who remained here only a few years, removed to Maine, and became one of the founders of Bucksport. During the
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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
war, the business languished, but after its close developed into in- creased activity, continuing to be a leading industry for many years. For twenty-five years, many ships, schooners, brigs, and sloops were built here, giving employment to a large number of mechanics. There was a large export and import trade to and from England, and the West Indies, and vessels sometimes sailed from here to London direct. This industry finally reached its height about the year 1812, and as soon after as the year 1815 became quiet. There were three yards, one near the foot of Mill Street, another on Water Street, and a third at the foot of How Street. These yards were operated respectively by David Webster, Barnard Goodridge, and a Mr. Ken- drick. The last vessel built below the bridge was the "Thorn," launched in 1815. Mr. Goodridge, the builder, afterwards took the yard above the bridge, which was the only one thereafter operated. From 1835 to 1840, the business was carried ou by Capt. William Caldwell, during which time five vessels were built. The last of that number, the " North Bend," was launched Nov. 19, 1840. From that time the business was discontinued, and Capt. Caldwell, a man of much busi- ness activity, died, January, 1842. Since that date, ouly two vessels have been built in this town, and these by John C. Tilton, in his ship- yard above the railroad bridge, on River Street. They were schoon- ers of about two hundred tons each, - the " Lucy Jane " and " Eliza Aun," the keels of which were laid in 1874, and the vessels launched in 1875.
Thus far it is scen that the prominent mechanical industries, early engaged in, either failed in becoming fairly established, or finally died out by force of circumstances. The shoemaker was a mechanic early looked upon with disfavor by the town, and in some instances denied citizenship by a vote of the inhabitants. At the annual meeting in February, 1676, William Thompson, a shoemaker, was denied citizen- ship by " a clear and full votc." At the next annual meeting, Peter Patie, also a shoemaker, made application for acceptance as a citizen, but the moderator announced the negative vote in the words, "the town doth not own him, or allow him for an inhabitant of Haverhill, and that it was the duty of Grand-jurymen to look after him." He was not driven from the town, however, as the records show that he was chosen constable in 1694 by a " plentiful, clear and legal paper vote," and as late as 1710 was the proprietor of " Pattee's ferry." By a more lucky turn of fortune, Benjamin Webster and Samnel Parker, both shoemakers, were admitted to citizenship in 1679. From that time the fortunes of the shoemaker appeared to turn, in this con- munity, till the vocation has become the leading one and its product the principal one in the town. For many years the business was not marked by any thrift, and, in 1794, it is recorded that there were only two shoemakers in town.
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