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 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149
In 1795, a sudden change took place in this industry by the propo- sition of Moses Gale to exchange several thousand fresh and dry hides for shoes, and that he would give credit for the hides till the shoes could be made from the same. This appears to have been the entering wedge which opened up shoe manufacturing here, and from that time the business developed with great rapidity.
At that time Moses Atwood, father of Harriet Newell, of mission- ary memory, was a merchant doing business on Merrimac Street, con- temporary with David How, who was also among the first shoe-manu- facturers. He entered into the manufacture and traffic in shoes, receiving them in exchange for merchandise, and, during the war of 1812, Moses and James Atwood sent a wagon-load of shoes to Phila- delphia, from which they realized a handsome and encouraging profit. David How, a leading business spirit, was among the first to encour- age the new business. Phineas Webster, David P. Harmon, Daniel Hobson, Thomas Meady, Warner Whittier, and others, at once en- gaged in the business, and by 1817 there were as many as 200 shoe- makers residents here. Thomas Tileston, a printer in Haverhill, removed to New York in 1818, where he received from the manufac- turers here heavy consignments of shoes and hats, which were also made in this town. Paul Spofford, a manufacturer here, soon became united with him in the commission business, forming one of the largest shoe-houses in New York.
In March, 1832, there were twenty-eight shoe-manufacturers in town, and the business largely increased the freighting between here and Boston. The two-horse " baggage-wagon " of Rufus Slocomb, making regular trips to and from Boston since 1818, failed to supply the wants, and he found his facilities increasing till, in 1836, his force consisted of forty horses and eight oxen. In March, 1837, there were forty-two shoe-manufacturers, and fourteen tanners and leather dealers here, and nine other large manufacturers in Bradford, but chiefly doing their business in this town. The resident shoemakers had
largely increased, and by that time constituted an important and powerful element in the population. The business also gave employ- ment to mechanics in all the surrounding country, and soon made the town a still more important industrial and business centre. Barter was at times largely the mode of business intercourse, which much increased the commerce of the town.
In 1837, the revulsion in business had a disastrous effect, and many of the heaviest manufacturers were broken down, while the business was temporarily, in large measure, destroyed. It was not long before the enterprise of the town again found its way up through the ruins of the business and the financial crash, and the march was again on ward.
In 1860, another count was made, and 100 manufacturers were found here, nine of whom were then situated in Ayer's Village, a thrifty and growing community, four or five miles away, in the west- erly part of the town. For several years it was an important centre for the manufacture of hats and shoes, increasing rapidly in popula- tion ; but the tendency of business to concentrate in the city proper, led to a decline in its interests, and at the present time manufacturing there is quite limited. Among the leading manufacturers, there were the late Jonathan Crowell, Edwin F. Ayer, and Calvin W. Crowell. Among the other prominent business men there, were Ayer Brothers, John A. Houston, and C. W. Thom. Most of these have transferred their business to other localities. The shipments of shoes by rail show in 1850 the number of cases of shoes manufactured to have been 56,272, and in 1860 the number was increased to 93,856 cases. In 1875, the number of cases of boots and shoes manufactured here, as nearly as can be ascertained, was not far from 150,000 cases. The total value of production was $10,196,840.80, being an increase in ten years of $4,473,917.80, a gain of seventy-eight per cent.
About the year 1860, the tide of business began to show indications of leaving the old centres and forming new ones nearer the railroad. Main, Merrimac, and Water streets had hitherto been the principal ones for manufacturing, and for business, but since 1865 the transfor- mation has been very rapid, and the manufactories and warehouses of that day have been forsaken for larger and improved ones in other localities. The erection of first-class manufactories around Washing- ton Square, and in the rear of Washington Street, in connection with elegant stores, for the accommodation of wholesale business, has drawn the bulk of shoe manufactories and sales to that locality, con- stituting it the present chief manufacturing centre.
Within ten years the style of architecture has much changed for public buildings and business establishments, while much improvement has appeared in the style of private residences. On every hand change and improvement are visible, and freshness of growth is indicated in all directions. Haverhill has 2,643 dwellings, occupied by 3,422 families.
The manufacture of hats was early an important industrial interest, having existed here for over 130 years. The first hatter appears to have been Jonathan Webster, who was engaged in the business as early as 1747. A Mr. Ladd and Daniel Appleton were, also, two other early hatters here, and were in business near the site of the present city hall, in 1800. Nathan Webster was one of the most extensive hat manufacturers in New England in 1815, having his establishment on Green Strect, the firm being N. & B. Webster. David Webster was also a hat manufacturer on Water Street. Isaac How, in the West Parish, was a large manufacturer, from 1785 to 1800. He took his hats to market in sacks, on horseback, exchang- ing them for wool and merchandise. His three sous learned the trade, and are all living : Rev. Moses How, of New Bedford, who has preached 8,000 sermons since abandoning hatting; Isaac How, of Derry, N. H. ; Phineas How, of this city, who continued the business in his father's shop. Each is now over eighty years old. All were born, reared, and worked at hatting on " Scotland Hill."
Among the other hatters in the West Parish were : John Ayer, John Ayer, Jr., Jonathan Crowell ( forty years in the business ), David Gleason, Moses Lull, J. B. Merrill, Crowell & Ayer, John A. Hous- ton & Co., Ayer Brothers, Calvin W. Crowell, P. B. How, Eben Mitchell. Greenough, Cook & Co. began manufacturing in the village about 1830 ; How & Mitchell followed them, and since then the busi- ness has centred here, and entirely passed to the hands of William B. Thom & Co., and the Haverhill Hat Company ( Mitchell, Butters & Russ).
In the early days cottou hats, with pasteboard bodies ; silk hats, " napped " fur hats, also beaver and woollen hats, were manufactured here ; but time has wrought changes, and now only wool hats are pro- duced under the improved factory system by two establishments.
172
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
In 1835, the brick flannel-factory, on Little River, located on Win- ter Street, was built by Ezekiel Hale & Son. It had the capacity of 1,600 spindles, and was an addition to a formier structure of less capacity, and the whole gave employment to about thirty operatives, with a producing capacity of 600 yards of flannel per day. In 1855, it passed into the hands of Messrs. Stevens & Co., of North Andover. who increased its capacity, afterwards employing forty operatives and producing 8,000 yards of flannel daily. Since then an additional fac- tory has been built, and the whole establishment now gives employ- ment to 125 operatives.
CHAPTER VII.
INDIAN INVASION - A LONG AND BLOODY STRUGGLE - CAPTURE OF MIRS. DUSTON - HIER HEROISM - TRIALS OF MIRS. BRADLEY - CON- STANT FEAR AND SUFFERING FOR MORE THAN A GENERATION - THE MASSACRE - THE FINAL END - MONUMENT TO ROLFE AND OTH- ERS.
At an early day after the twelve pioneers had established them- selves in the new settlement, they were alarmed by the rumors of Indian invasion and massacre. and that the tribes all over the country had combined to cut off the English. This led to measures for dis- arming all the Indians, and to prepare for self-defence. It resulted, at that time, that no massacre or attack occurred ; but it was after- wards ascertained that the plot was laid. and was headed by King Philip. the chief of the Narragansetts. For some time the inhabi- tants lived in constant fear, knowing the treachery and revengeful nature of the Indian. In the excitement attendant upon the disturb- ing rumors, some things had been done which somewhat exasperated the Indians. and it was natural to anticipate revenge from them. The favorable influence of Passaconaway, who was the chieftain in this section. contributed in some degree to the publie safety. Some de- fence, however, was deemed prudent to be made, and a fort was built about the meeting-house, arms and ammunition procured. but no occasion occurred at that time to repel invasion. The exeitement became gradually allayed. a sense of security took the place of fear. the neighboring Indians were not generally offensive, and at length unrestrained intercourse grew up between them and many of the inhabitants. The fortifications were suffered to pass into a state of decay, and the years of a generation rolled away before the notes of alarm were again sounded. There had been a rapid growth in popu- lation. and from a community of twelve persons. the town had come to rank in size the twenty-fifth among the forty-nine towns composing the Colony, when the year 1675 rolled around.
Early in that year King Philip's war broke out, and danger threat- ened in every quarter. The influence of this wily and powerful chief had secured the co-operation of many of the tribes in New England, to aid him in his work of revenge. The cause of that war was the execution of three Indians for the murder of Sausaman, a Christian Indian. and it raged with bloody desperation for three years.
The fortifications about the inceting-house were at once repaired, with port-holes in the walls. and the brush and top wood on the common ordered to be burnt. that the lurking enemy might not find concealment. On the 19th of March. 1676, it was announced that the Indians were crossing the river several miles above the town, but that proved a false alarm. On the 2d of May following the long- feared attack was made. and Ephraim Kingsbury was the first man killed. The next day. May 3d. Thomas Kimball, of Bradford. was killed. and his wife. with five children, Joanna. Thomas. Joseph, Priscilla. and Jolin. were taken prisoners. Philip Eastman, of Haver- hill, was also captured at that time. The perpetrators of this violence were three well-known "converted Indians," whose names were Symon, Andrew and Peter. Symon had previously been punished for theft. and it is probable that revenge was the controlling motive with him. From that time till 1684 thirty-five troopers were kept constantly on the scout on the borders of Haverhill. Amesbury, and Salisbury. These Indians escaped, and were afterwards troublesome in other localities, until the termination of the war by a treaty formed at Casco in 1678.
In 1688 a fresh Indian war broke out in New England, which was the opening of a struggle which continued nearly thirty years. In 1689 the invasion of Haverhill was made. The Indians hovered about the town in a manner to occasion constant alarm, and small
parties were daily seen skulking through the adjacent woods, or stealthily approaching farm-houses for plunder.
The Indian was a cruel. vindictive, and treacherous foe, making sly approaches and skulking behind protecting objects. At times they made their attacks in the night, barbarously slaughtering their defenceless victims ; and no hour of day or night was freed from fear of their approach. The people were obliged to go armed to their daily toil, and attended Sunday worship with psalm-book in one hand. and the gun, loaded and primed, in the other. At night the doors of every dwelling were barred and bolted, and the loaded gun placed at the bedside before retiring to rest. Such was life in Haverhill for more than the duration of a generation, and the sufferings of the inhabitants can never be fully described. Sometimes the pop of an Indian gun, from behind a rock or tree, laid the object of its aim low in death. Sometimes, the attack was made suddenly and without warning, and frequently it was a hand to hand fight. in long and bloody frays ; and whatever the form of attack, treachery and cruelty were the invariable characteristics displayed by the tawny foe. It has been said to their credit that, as a rule. they never violated the chastity of woman, either in word or deed ; but this appears as less a virtue in them when we remember that they were a eold-blooded and nnemotional race, rather than one at all accustomed to discipline themselves in integrity, virtne, and honesty. In the struggles of these heroic days some of the most daring acts were performed by woman. indicating alike courage and forecast, equalling the directing and performing qualities in man, on occasions when decision and ex- ecutive force were called for.
On the 13th of August, 1689. a small party of Indians made a descent on the northerly part of the town, killing Daniel Bradley and Nathaniel Singletary, whom they scalped, and also made a prisoner of Singletary's son. On the 17th of October another attack was made, in which Ezra Rolfe was wounded, from the effects of which he died on the 20th.
In the spring of 1690, the Indians again began to make their appear- ance, and the inhabitants became more alarmed. A meeting was called on the 7th of April to provide means of safety ; and six garri- sons were ordered to be put in a state of defence in different sections of the town, and four " houses of refuge" established. Most of the garrisons and houses of refuge were built of brick. and were two stories high ; and those not entirely of that material had an inner wall of brick. They had but one outside door, and that usually so narrow that only one person could enter at once. The windows were two feet in length, and eighteen inelies wide, protected in the inside with iron bars. The chambers were approached by a ladder, which could be drawn up in case the lower story should be captured by the enemy. The fireplaces were large enough to take in wood. sled length, and the ovens of such enormous size as to bake for a whole neighborhood. One of these garrisons was commanded by Sergeant John Haseltine, another by Sergeant John Webster. the third by Jonathan Emerson, the fourth by James Ayer, the fifth by Joseph Bradley. and the sixth by Capt. John White ; and each was garrisoned with from five to eight men. The houses of refuge were the brick houses of Joseph and Nathaniel Peaslee, in the east part of the town, and the houses of Major Nathaniel Saltonstall and Capt. Simon Wainwright, in the centre. These were the retreats for the aged, and for defenceless women and children. in cases of an attack, and in the perilous hours of threatened invasion. Watch-houses were also constructed at a little later time, and on one occasion the town elerk made a journey to Ipswich on horseback for the nails to use in their construction. At the raising of the frame of one, it is recorded that "two quarts of rum were employed at an expense of four shillings." In these days of prohibition this would have been a legal purchase. it being for a " mechanical purpose."
On the 31st of August of that year. Samuel Parker was killed by an attacking party, while at work in East Meadow. In 1691 John Robie was killed, while returning to his home in the North Parish, and his son taken prisoner. He had previously taken his family, con- sisting of a wife and seven children, to a house of refuge, by means of which they escaped. In the same attack Nathaniel Ladd was shot, and soon after died. On the 19th of July. 1692, Hannah Wheeler became the next victim of Indian assault. In the Angust following John Kezar went to Pond Meadow to cut grass, placing his gun by the side of a tree. An Indian, on the watch for him, crept stealthily along, seized the gun, and, bringing it to his shoulder, with exultation, exclaimed, "Me kill you now." Kezar, seeing no certain chance of escape, with great presence of mind rushed upon the savage with a shout, and swinging his glittering scythe, threatened to eut him to
173
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
pieces. This attack, so unexpected, frightened the Indian, who, throwing down the gun, fled for his life. Tradition affirms that Kezar followed close upon the heels of his treacherous enemy, whom he at length reached, and, with one stroke, buried the seythe in his bowels.
In 1695, two persons are recorded as killed at Pond Plain, and two others wounded by the Indians. Early in the autumn of the same year a party of Indians attacked the northerly part of the town, sur- prising and taking prisoners Isaae Bradley, aged 15 years, and Joseph Whittaker, aged 11 years ; and the history of their captivity opens a chapter of a series of the most thrilling Indian narratives, of events oeenrring in connection with Haverhill, which are contained in the early history of New England. The prisoners were taken through the wilderness to the home of the Indians on Lake Winnipiseogee, where they were placed in an Indian family. Here they learned that they were to be taken to Canada in the spring, which was afflictive intelligence. Bradley is represented as small in stature, full of vigor, with an active mind. Whittaker was overgrown, clumsy in body, and mentally heavy. It was for Bradley to plan some method of escape, but prostration by fever in the winter led to delay. When health and strength returned, his plans were matured, and a night in April fixed upon to earry them into effect, all which was kept from Whittaker till the last moment of time. At a given hour the escape was made. The Indians pursued on the following morning, and their dogs were soon on their trail. The boys hid in a hollow log, making friends of the dogs by throwing them moose meat, and they passed by them, after devouring it, the Indians soon following. When night eame again, the boys emerged from their hiding place, and continued their flight homeward. On the seventh day, having chiefly subsisted on roots, Whittaker beeame exhausted by exertion and sickness, while he was mangled in limb and foot-sore. In this condition, with a bleeding heart, Bradley was obliged to leave his companion by a stream, prob- ably to die alone. Pursuing his course he soon came to a framed building, which so encouraged him that he returned to his companion, and, part of the time leading him, and occasionally carrying him on his back, both sueeceded in reaching Saco Fort on the following night, and on the ninth day from their escape, subsisting during that time "on a little bread, on buds and berries, and on one raw turtle and a pigeon, and without seeing the face of a friend, or warming themselves over a fire." They were kindly cared for by their countrymen at the fort, and Bradley soon pursued his journey homeward, but Whittaker was long detained there by disease, and was finally borne home by his father.
In 1696, "Old John Hoyt," as he was ealled, and a Mr. Peters, both of Amesbury, were slain by the Indians on the road between Andover and Haverhill.
On the 15th of August, in the same year, Jonathan Haines, living in the westerly part of the town, was surprised and captured by the Indians, together with his four children, Mary, Joseph, Ruth, and Elizabeth, in a field near Bradley's Mills, and the party taken to Pen- naeook. which is now Coneord, N. H. Here the prisoners were divided, one party taking the father and son, and the other party the three daughters. The men were taken to Maine, but soon escaped, and reached home after much privation and suffering. The girls were taken to Canada, where tradition says they were sold to the French. Chase's history has a traditional statement that Mary was afterwards redeemed with one hundred pounds of tobaeeo, and, marrying John Preston, of Andover, moved to Conneetient. Miriek has the record that they remained there, forgot their mother tongue, one of them marrying a Frenchman, and all became so fascinated with the manners and customs of the French that they could not be persuaded to return, though remembering many of the ineidents of their childhood. It is believed they lived and died there.
On the 15th of March, 1697, there was another invasion of the same seetion of the town by a body of about twenty Indians, which, in all the eireumstanees of the attack, its immediate results, and its ultimate issues, forms one of the most remarkable and thrilling chapters in the annals of Indian depredation and warfare, clearly illustrating how des- perately this town was besieged by these painted devils. It is not to be wondered at that the people began to be discouraged, and to think it was time to "draw off," seeking safety in some less exposed place. In this instance, as usual, the attack was without warning, dashing with the swiftness and fury of a tornado, and as quickly disappearing.
Concerning this assault, Miriek says : "The Indians made a descent on the westerly part of the town, and approached the house of Mr. Thomas Duston. They came as they were wont, arrayed with all the terrors of a savage war-dress, with their muskets charged for the eon- test, their tomahawks drawn for the slaughter, and their scalping-knives
unsheathed and glittering in the sunbeams. Mr. Duston was at this time engaged abroad in his daily labor. When the terrific shouts of the blood-hounds first fell on his ear, he seized his gun, mounted his horse, and hastened to his house, with the hope of eseorting his family to a place of safety, which consisted of his wife, whom he tenderly loved, and who had been confined only seven days before in childbed, her nurse, Mrs. Neff, and eight young children."
He ordered his children to fly from the approaching danger, and then sought to assist his wife ; but before it was possible to escape with her the house was captured, and he fled to protect his defenceless children. With them he retreated, under fire from a detachment of the Indians, for a mile or more, all escaping unharmed, though every time he raised his gun an Indian was sure to " bite the dust." The savages ordered Mrs. Duston from her bed, took the infant from the arms of the nurse, and dashed its head against an apple-tree. Partly dressed, and with one foot shoeless, Mrs. Duston was ordered to march, together with Mrs. Neff, and, after plundering the house, it was set on fire, as were eight others in the neighborhood.
There were other eaptives, who were tomahawked as they grew weary in the journey, till none remained except Mrs. Duston and Mrs. Neff. Twelve miles were travelled the first day, and the journey of one hun- dred and fifty miles pursued through the wilderness, till reaching what is now ealled Duston's Island, at the mouth of Contooeook River, six miles above the State House at Coneord. There the two female captives, and an English youth named Samuel Lennardson, taken from Woreester a year and a half previous, were placed in an Indian family of " two stout men, three women and seven children," all of whom followed the religious instructions given them by the French, and said prayers morning, noon, and night. The female prisoners were told that they would soon be taken to a distant settlement, and, on arriving, would be stripped and made to run the gauntlet between files of Indian warriors. This was so revolting to them that it stimulated to planning a way of escape. Mrs. Duston learned from one of the Indians that a blow on the temple was surely fatal, and also became posted on the most approved style of taking a sealp. Thus prepared for business, on the night of the 30th of April, while they were all in a deep sleep, Mrs. Duston and Lennard- son, dispatched ten of the twelve Indians, one of the squaws escaping badly wounded, and one of the children, being awakened, ran away. Taking her savage master's gun, and the tomahawk with which she had liberated the spirits of the sleepers, together with a few other articles, this heroic woman, with her captive companions, hurried their departure from the strange scene of death, and toward the home they so longed to see onee more. They had not proceeded far before Mrs. Duston remembered she had forgotton to scalp her victims, and was thus without any evidence, exeept her word, of what she had done. She instantly retraeed her steps, took the sealps of the slain, bagged the bloody trophies, and started a second time on her home- ward journey. All the eanoes but one were seuttled to prevent pursuit, and the liberated party quietly dropped down the river on their homeward journey, carefully guarding against strolling bands of Indians.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.