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 60
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When the port of Boston was closed June 1, 1774, another town- meeting was called July 28th, at which the most radical action was taken. They voted not to use or deal in East India tea ; to abide by any action of the approaching Continental Congress, if rational, and generally adopted ; to create a committee of correspondence with the committee of Boston, as follows : Samuel White, Isaac Reddington, Joseph Haynes, Richard Ayer, Jonathan Webster, Jr., Daniel D. Rogers, and Timothy Eaton. They also chose a committee "to inspect the conduct and inform of those persons who shall counteract the resolutions" previously passed.
Immediately following this meeting. although there were three com- nanies of militia in town, a fourth was formed, which was called an "Independent Artillery Company," but practically they were a com- pany of light infantry, never having any ordnance. The officers were : captain, Dr. James Brickett ; lieutenant, Isaac Bartlett ; ensign, Joshua B. Osgood ; clerk, Edward Barnard. This company looked forward to immediate service, and Bailey Bartlett, Israel Bartlett, Thomas Cogs- well. Nathaniel Marsh, Dr. Brickett, and Nathaniel Walker sent to England for copies of the "Norfolk Militia Book," at a cost of £6 15s. per copy, to perfect themselves in the manual of arms.
Their uniform was of the Continental style -"blue coats faced with buff, and yellow plain buttons ; the coats ent half way the thigh, and the pockets a-slope ; with buff or nankeen waistcoat and breeches, and white stockings, with half-boots or gaiters, and hats cocked alike. Each had a bright gun, with bayonet and steel ramrod." This com-
pany met for drill in Mr. West's distillery, and the clerk was anthor- ized to procure candles, with the money collected for tines.
At an adjourned meeting of the town, Sept. 15, 1774, it was voted "to buy eight hundred pounds of powder, with balls and flints answer- able, as the town stock." The meeting then adjourned to Oct. 10th, at which the only vote passed was to instruct the constables " not to pay any more money into the Province treasury until further orders from the town, but that they pay immediately to the Town Treasurer, and take his security for the same without interest."
Events of the greatest importance were rapidly following each other, and the town was fast making history. Those who adhered to the Crown were the "Loyalists," and those who resisted the acts of British oppression were "Patriots." The patriots were many. and the loyal- ists few. The leading men of the latter were Col. Richard Saltonstall and his brother-in-law, the Rev. Moses Badger, an Episcopal clergy- man. Col. Saltonstall was a commanding and influential man ; he was commissioned colonel at the age of twenty-two years, and was in active service during the French war, and had been a representative man in many important matters. At this time his sympathies flowed out in the wrong direction, and he erred in judgment, as many men hefore him and since have done. The people knew him to be a loyalist, and that of necessity settled the question as to their further relations and duties toward him. Coolness and distrust, only, took the place of cor- dial friendship and confidence, till his influence was felt to he danger- ous and his presence an offenec.
Not long after the July meeting, the test was applied to him, as described by Mirick in the following : "The principles of Col. Richard Saltonstall, who was a Tory, were very repugnant to the Whig party, which composed a majority of the voters. A party from the West Parish, and Salem, N. H., collected before his house, armed with clubs and other instruments to mob him ; but he made them rather ashamed of their conduct. He came to the door, and with dignity told them his reasons for pursuing a different course from that which they bad adopted. He ordered refreshments for them, and requested them to go to the tavern and call for entertainment at his expense. They accepted of his invitation, and huzzaed to his praise. He soon after went to England to escape the resentment of the Whigs, where he was well received by his connexions."
Timothy Eaton, a member of the committee of correspondence, and a prominent patriot, was the leader of the party calling on Col. Sal- tonstall, and Chase gives the following as the traditional account of the interview, which he thinks is a more reliable version : -
"The bold and unpatriotic action of Saltonstall had become so obnoxious to the public opinion of the town, that a large party was made up to call on him, and notify him that such was the case. They went, and Mr. Eaton, leaving the company a short distance from the house, called the Colonel to the door, and informed him of his errand. Upon this, the Colonel drew himself up, and exclaimed, 'Is that any of your business ?' Eaton quickly replied, 'I'll let you know that it is my business," and was about retiring to his companions when the Colonel, finding that the affair was likely to terminate seriously, dropped his lofty air, held a parley, promised to give them no more cause for offence, and invited them all to refreshments at his expense."
This affair was a Revolutionary incident, neither singular nor pecu- liar. There were similar proceedings in all parts of the country, which grew out of the decided and determined spirit of the hour. Col. Sal- tonstall was one of the few men in the country who felt it their duty to cling to the rule of the sovereign, and the great majority every- where felt it their duty to "crush them out," and they did. That vio- lence was not desirable, on the part of those who waited upon him, is evident from their prudent steps, and that the Colonel was sagacious enough to avoid more unpleasant results is equally plain ; and his im- mediate departure from the country, accompanied by Mr. Badger, was an act of good judgment. There was no room for Tories in America in the days of the Revolution, as there was no place in the North for rebel sympathizers in the war for the Union. The estates of both Saltonstall and Badger were taken possession of under the directions of the General Court.
The delegates to the first Provincial Congress were Samuel White and Joseph Haynes, and to the second and third were Nathaniel Peaslee Sargent, and Jonathan Webster, Jr. These were the days of Patrick Henry ; and at the meeting of the Continental Congress, the power of his eloquence lifted that body promptly up to au adop- tion of what had been done by Massachusetts in the way of resistance to British oppression, and a harmony of spirit ruled in reference to the practicability and necessity of prompt and decisive action against the tyranny of the mother country.
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
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In January, 1775, the town voted one hundred pounds, in aid of the poor of Boston ; and for aid in defence of the cause of the patriots, they voted to raise a company of sixty-three minute-men, of which James Sawyer was captain, and Timothy Johnson and Nathaniel Eaton, lieutenants. The news of the battles of Lexington and Concord reached this town in the afternoon on the same day, and before night one hundred and five Haverhill men, nearly half of the whole militia force of the town, were on their way to the scene of conflict. Another company, under command of Capt. Daniel Hills, soon followed, marching to Cambridge. Supplies were also sent to Lexington from this town, amounting to £57 4s. 6d., for which payment was made out of the public treasury. A third company immediately followed, under command of Capt. Ebenezer Colby ; and in addition Col. James Brickett joined the forces at Cambridge, as early as the 26th.
In the midst of war's alarms came the calamity of fire, sweeping out seventeen buildings, embracing all the west side of Main Street from the "Corner " to what is now Court Street, inelnding stores, the tavern, and a distillery. The meeting-house was several times on fire, and the earth being parched with drouth, everything was combustible, which threatened the destruction of the whole village. This occurred on the 16th, and the news of the battle at Lexington came only three days later. The representatives to the Provincial Congress, then in session, Nathaniel Peaslee Sargent and Jonathan Webster, asked to be excused from attendance, their presence being so much needed at home ; but their presence was insisted on, or others in their place.
To add to the distraction of the hour, John Tracy, of Marblehead, came riding into town in the afternoon of the second day after the Lex- ington fight, announcing that the British were marching on the town ; that they would be there the next morning, and that they were " cut- ting and slashing all before them." This alarm proved to be a false one, but it spread terror through the town, left without defence by the absence of almost the entire militia. The women and children prepared to flee, packing their valuables in bundles, and gathering during the night around the meeting-house, and in the vicinity of the " Town Pump." Horses were saddled, and oxen yoked, preparatory for the flight. The people of the East Parish fled to the " Hemlocks," on the east shore of Kenoza Lake, where they passed the night. Sentinels were posted at a distance to give the alarm of approaching danger, but the dawn of morning revealed that the alarm was a false one, probably raised by the British to distract the people, and was part of a succession of similar disturbances, extending from Ipswich to Coos.
In response to the call of the Provincial Congress for thirty thou- sand men, enlisted for eight months' service, Haverhill furnished ninety-four.
At the battle of Bunker Hill, of the detachment of one thousand engaged in that fight, seventy-four, or about one in fourteen, were Haverhill men ; and of the number was Lieut. Col. Brickett. In that memorable struggle, two of that number were killed, - John Eaton and Simeon Pike; and twenty-one others lost their arms, or suf- fered some casualty. Col. Brickett was standing by the side of Gen. Putnam in the carly part of the action, when a cannon-ball struck the plank upon which they stood, knocking them both down, wounding Col. Brickett in the foot, and causing a rupture from which he always suffered. It is recorded, that, as Gen. Warren went upon the hill to engage in the fight, he obtained his arms of Col. Brickett, who was borne off with the first wounded. Col. Brickett was subsequently promoted to brigadier-general.
In 1778, £60 were paid to four men who served as guards to Cam- bridge, £55 each to six months' men; nine soldiers enlisted in the militia were paid £590; and fifteen soldiers for the Continental army were paid £1,500. This illustrates the cost of obtaining soldiers at that time. Patriotism abounded in the hearts of the people, but it required money to fill quotas at that time, as it did in later days. The expenses of the town for soldiers in that year were over thirty- one hundred pounds. There appears to have been no murmuring, however, for at a September meeting the authorities were directed " to hire any detachments ordered by authority at any time, and to pay what money was necessary for them," and " if the Treasurer had no money he was to hire some." To meet this, personal loans were effected, in sums from £5 to £626, amounting to nearly £5,000. The largest sum was loaned by the Widow Phebe Hateh, a magnificent " widow's mite " to drop into the treasury at such an hour. In addi- tion, the families of soldiers were cared for, and many hundred pounds paid for their support.
In 1779, Dr. James Brickett was chosen a delegate to attend the convention for revising the Constitution, which was then claiming
attention. At this time the expenses of the town were regarded as " enormous," and its indebtedness very heavy, but every emergency had been met, and in a final review it was found that Haverhill was only deficient one man in meeting all the drafts made upon it. There were soldiers of varied ages, and in the enlistments of 1781 werc two lads only fifteen years old, - Thomas Page and Nathaniel Clark, - one a drummer, and the other a fifer. They were received into Capt. Nehemiah Emerson's company, at their own earnest solicitation. These young musicians, by their skilful execution, attracted the atten- tion of Washington, who, with his characteristic interest in youth, inquired of Capt. Emerson in regard to them. Their general bearing drew from him the compliment, "They are pretty boys." They remained in the service till the elose of the war.
The final end of the struggle was hailed with delight, and the an- nouncement of the result followed with enthusiastic rejoicing. The ringing of bells, the booming of cannon, and bonfires and illumina- tions, were the outward tokens of the general joy, and all hearts beat high and warm over the victory of our eagles, and the establishment of AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. In the general view, Mirick says : " There were but few towns, if any, which made greater exertions to forward the cause of freedom than this ; no effort was spared, no sac- rifice was thought too great. The courage of the inhabitants never flagged, even at the darkest period ; 'they had nailed the flag to the mast,' to use the expression of a veteran of that period, and they. determined to see it wave in the winds of freedom, or see it fall nobly fighting !' They were willing to spend their treasures, and shed their blood ; and when there was scarcely room to hope, the votes which were passed in their town-meetings, show a spirit of cool- ness, determination, and patriotism, which is truly astonishing ; - they evinced a chivalry far nobler than that of olden time; they were actuated by a principle from which death only could separate them."
CHAPTER XII.
AFTER THE REVOLUTION - REVIVAL OF BUSINESS - GROWTH OF THE TOWN - VISIT OF WASHINGTON - WAR OF 1812 - SCHOOLS - SLAV- ERY AGITATION - MILLERISM - PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATIONS.
The close of the War of the Revolution fonnd Haverhill, as all other towns, groaning under the burden of a heavy debt, for the payment of which provision must be made, and the discharge of which rested on the integrity, energy, and thrift of the people. Industry had been crippled, commerce broken down, and the sources of income dried up.
In 1781, this town raised 32,256 pounds of beef for the Continental Army, and it was not backward in voting and contributing relief to the poor, at home and abroad. In 1790, they did not hesitate to vote and pay a " hard money " bounty of fifteen hundred pounds, for twen- ty-eight men to fill the call for that number of three months' men. In addition, they voted, " That the Town Treasury be open to the recruit- ing committee, and that the Town Treasurer be ordered to pay them what money they may call on him for, they being accountable for the expenditure of said money." They also instructed their representa- tives to resist the return of " Refugees " to the State, determined that patriots and brave men, rather than skulkers, should possess the soil. Their letter of reply to the Boston committee, in 1786, from the pen of Gen. James Briekett, referring to the disorderly situation attendant upon Shays' rebellion, which had then broken out, in which they de- elared themselves ready to "join in a firm and vigorous support of our Constitution for the redress of grievances, and in promoting industry, economy and every other virtue which can exalt and render a nation respectable," had the true ring.
With business at a standstill, and a currency so depreciated that board was £60 per week, shoes £20 per pair, potatoes 96s. per bushel, rum 45s. per pint, a mug of flip, £3 12s., the outlook was a dismal one ; but the skies soon brightened, and the blessings of peace brought thrift and prosperity.
The location of Haverhill was favorable, it being at the head of sloop navigation on the Merrimac, and a centre for a brisk inland trade. There were heavy importers and exporters here, to and from England and the West Indies, and business was not slow in reviving. Ship-building, which had been exceedingly depressed during the war, revived again, and scenes of busy toil appeared once more, while the spreading sails of commerce took every breeze.
The principal merchants of that day, were John White, Benjamin
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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Willis, James Duncan, James Duncan, Jr., and Isaae Osgood. The elder Duncan was a son of George Duncan, one of the early settlers of Londonderry, and his son, James, Jr., became a leading merehant and manufacturer, extending his business to Lebanon, N. H., where he had an extensive business, and was a man of a high order of busi- ness talent and business enterprise. This family became established here at an early day, and continues to be represented in the religious, social, and business interests of the town. Mr. Osgood, a native of Andover, was long identified with the commercial and business inter- ests ; and at his decease, his business passed to the hands of his son, Peter Osgood, at whose death the business activity of the family ceased.
At this time, 1790, the first United States census was taken, which showed the population of this town to be 2,408, with a valuation of $1,519,411. The mails were carried by post-riders on horseback ; and the mail-coach, making only occasional trips, was. the only means of public conveyance, and it was a twelve hours' journey to Boston, as the late Robert Willis had occasion to realize, by a journey thither with his mother, for the express purpose of being vaccinated. A post- office was first established here, Jan. 1, 1795, 155 years after the set- tlement of the town, and John Wingate appointed postmaster.
The stage-coach was a novelty and a wonder, gazed at by boys on the highways, and women at the windows; and its approach, an- nounced by the jingling of a bell suspended from the neck of one of the leaders, was the occasion for the shout of " THE STAGE," " THE STAGE," and a general halting from labor, and a gazing at the wonder; and the " knights of the whip," who held the " ribbons," were usually the most popular men in the country.
Every interest of a publie nature received attention. The poor were cared for as best they could be, and the unpleasant ordeal of annually selling their support to the lowest bidder, soon gave way to the estab- lishment of the well-ordered almshouse, where they could in some de- gree realize the pleasant relations of family union.
Education received carly attention, and a code of regulations for schools was established. Among the things of the first importanec was " that in reading they may be taught to observe the Stops and points, notes of affection and interrogation, accenting and Emphasiz- ing," and an answer brought daily " out of the catechism." The mas- ter was also " recommended to exclude corporeal punishment from the school, and particularly, that he never infliet it on females."
Of this people, Dr. Dwight said, after visiting this town about this time : " The manners of the inhabitants, in general, are very civil and becoming. Those of the most respectable are plain, frank, easy and unaffected. Both the ladies and gentlemen are well-bred and intelli- gent ; and recommend themselves not a little to the esteem and at- tachment of a traveller."
An almost constant confliet had imbued the people with a military spirit, not destined to lapse into indifference, or die. Military organ- izations were kept up, and the " training field" became an institu- tion ; and the " train-band " were allowed a quarter of a pound of pow- der each, for sham-fight on muster days, which the town refused to increase, deeming that quantity " sufficient for such sport."
An event of great historic interest was the visit of George Wash- ington. the President of the United States and Father of his country, to this town in 1789, while making his tour through New England. It had been heralded that he was to pass this way, on his return from Portsmouth, and the announcement that a change of programme would take him to Concord, N. II., instead of here, sadly disappointed the people. Knowing that he was surely to visit Exeter, Rev. Gyles Merrill and Jonathan Payson, with their daughters, Sally Merrill and Sally White Payson, started for Exeter, and on their way met the dis- tinguished company, who had finally concluded to come to Haverhill. The president journeyed in an opeu carriage drawn by four horses, accompanied by his private sceretary, Maj. Jackson, and a single servant, Mr. Lear, riding in advance, on a beautiful white charger. Meeting the throng which followed the president, the young ladies were jostled and overturned in their carriage, and, though uninjured, their misfortune attracted the attention of the president and called forth expressions of congratulation over their escape from harm.
Preceding him was a volunteer courier to announce his approach. The single horseman rode bare headed; with one hand he guided his plunging steed, while in the other he bore a trumpet, whose shrill blasts aroused the people, supplemented by the shout, " Washington is coming ! Washington is coming !" The parish bell was rung, and all the people were aroused. The village schoolmaster suddenly ejaenlated, " School's dismissed," and away the nimble urchins ran to catch glimpses of the hero and his attending retinue. A cavalcade of
horsemen were at once in line, embracing the first men of Haverhill, who advanced to meet the distinguished visitors and escort them to town, which they entered at half-past two o'clock, November 4th.
Ilis headquarters were made at Harrod's Tavern, located on the site now occupied by the eity hall. On alighting he was presented to many of the most prominent citizens, and, after a brief rest, spent the afternoon in looking about the town. He called on Mr. John White, whose daughter-in law had often visited his residence in Philadelphia, with whom he took a social glass of wine. He also called on Sheriff Bartlett, who, with his deputies, had aided in escorting him through the county. He wore a drab surtout, then a fashionable color, and a military hat. His tall, straight form and majestic tread, threw about him an air of dignity, and commanded respect.
Visiting such manufactories as had then been established, among them Col. Blodgett's duck factory, he expressed his interest in them, and extended his line of observation up Merrimae Street to what is now called Washington Square, when his passing remark, " Haverhill is the pleasantest village I have passed through," was accepted as a high compliment at that time, and has descended down the line of the generations as the inspiring unction of attachment to what is now the bustling and beautiful amphitheatre city.
At an eligible point, near Little River. he had an unobstructed view of the Merrimac valley for miles, embracing the Saltonstall residenee, now the Duncan estate, which led him to exelaim, "Beautiful ! beauti- ful ! "
The plane-trees which Hugh Talent, the Irish cobbler and " village fiddler," had planted in 1739, were there with- luxuriance of growth, and he pronounced it "a most charming and picturesque location for a home." This visit and the landscape observation have been immor- talized in charming lines of Whittier, from which are the following extracts :
" And he stood up in his stirrups. Looking up and looking down On the hills of Gold and Silver, Rimming round the little town.
And he said, the landscape sweeping, Slowly with his nugloved hand, I have seen no prospect fairer In this goodly Eastern land.
Then the bugles of his escort Stirred to life the cavalcade : And that head, so bare and stately, Vanished down the depths of shade."
Returning to his quarters, he received the visits of the people in the most democratie manner, and was especially cordial to the lads and lasses who thronged around him. Two misses he drew to him and gave them his gloves to mend, in return for which he bestowed on each a kiss. A young miss, who was thoughtful enough to use the warming-pan, the " luxury of the period," in taking the chill from his bed before his retiring, he also paid in the same coin. To a young lad, who insisted on seeing him after retiring to his room for the night, his ideal being that he was a god, he said, "I am George Washington, my lad ; but I am only a man."
Ile left town about sunrise on the following morning, and the militia were called out for inspection by their commander-in-chief, while all were anxious to extend to him every mark of consideration and respect. While waiting at the ferry for a boat to hear him over the river, an incident occurred which proved the depth of his remembrance for the soldiers who had been with him in the great struggle for independ- enec. "Bart. Pecker," a faithful soldier from Haverhill, in the war of the Revolution, and for some time one of the famous " Washington Life Guards," was there, and determined to see his great commander. Poverty and a too strong attachment to his cups, rendered him in the judgment of the people unpresentable, but " Bart " said he knew Wash- ington, and must see him. With a sudden dash he opened a way through the resisting crowd. extended his hand, and exclaimed, "Gen- eral, how do you do?" Washington knew the voice, and, turning to him, grasped his hand, replying, "Bart, is this you ?" Quietly drop- ping a gold coin into the hand of the rejoicing, but demoralized old veteran, he bade him a cordial " good-by" and took his departure. In his diary he made a long entry, descriptive of his visit here, which concludes with the remark, "The inhabitants of this small village were well disposed to welcome me to it by every demonstration which could evince their joy."
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