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 95
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
Reconciliation with the "mother country " had always been cherished by the people as a probability of the future, till the conflicts at Lex- ington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, and the intelligence received fre- quently of the warlike preparations being made by the "home govern- ment" for their complete subjection, convinced every thoughtful patriot that the contest must finally end either in the political slavery or free- dom of their country. With this conviction, the citizens of Marble- head assembled on the first anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, and solemnly declared "that if the Continental Congress think it for the interest of the United Colonies to declare themselves independent of Great Britain, and should publish such a declaration, the inhabitants of this town will support them in maintaining such independence with their lives and fortunes." The representatives of the town in the General Court were instructed "to make this vote known as the deter- mination of the town."
During the following month, printed copies of the " Declaration of Independence" were received, with the recommendation that it be read to every church congregation, and that it be entered on the public records of the town. In accordance with this recommendation, it was placed in the records of Marblehead, in the plain but elegant hand- writing of Benjamin Boden, then filling the office of town clerk.
The disasters that befell the American army under Washington dur- ing the first year of the struggle are known to every reader; but the citizens of Marblehead, in town-meeting, resolved to raise a sufficient sum of money by taxation to provide such bounties as should secure "at least one-seventh of the male adults" for the Continental army.
"Tories" had been tolerated with much forbearance from the begin- ning of the conflict ; but Thomas Gerry was finally instructed, at a town-meeting, to ascertain and report the names of all who were found " inimical to the rights of the American states." He reported the names of seven citizens. The "Articles of Confederation," which had been prepared to secure a more perfect union of the Colonies, were accepted by the town without a dissenting vote, and the representa- tives to the General Court, Azor Orue, Jonathan Glover, and Joshua Orue, were instructed "to sustain the articles in the Assembly of the State."
The continued issues of paper money by Congress and the Provinces had driven gold and silver from the channels of trade, and rapidly
increased the value of all labor and merchandise when measured by the new currency. The families of soldiers, furnished with these paper promises, found it impossible to live, as the so-called money would purchase but little that was necessary to sustain life, and the town was obliged to provide for their necessary wants.
At the next March meeting, $24,000 were voted to defray the ordi- nary expenses of the town; but, before the year had closed, it was found necessary to make an additional appropriation of $40,000. Thus matters grew worse with every new issue, till at last a committee of forty citizens was appointed to regulate the value of "merchandise, the charges of tavern keepers, laborers and teamsters and the price of manufactures." Speculation in gold and silver was forbidden, and any person demanding coin for rent was denounced as "an enemy to the country." The price of "tallow" was fixed by town vote at "nine shillings per pound ; wood, eighteen pounds per cord ; hay, forty-four shillings per hundred ; candles, cighteen shillings per pound ; men's shoes, eight pounds per pair, and other shoes in proportion."
On Monday, the 4th of September, 1780, the first meeting was held in the town to receive votes for governor, lieutenant-governor, . and senators. The meeting was opened with prayer, by the Rev. Isaac Story. Sixty-six votes only were cast, John Hancock receiv- ing sixty-three for the first office, and Benjamin Lincoln the unani- mous vote for the second office. At this time there were reported to be "831 men belonging to the town," 477 being represented as "engaged in business or some industrial occupation," 166 held as prisoners by the British, and the balance were "in the service of their country or missing." There were "1,069 women, and 2,242 children."
The resolution of the people to continue the struggle and sustain the army appeared to be as determined as when the conflict com- menced ; but men could not be induced to enlist, with the almost worthless paper currency as compensation for services. Near the "old neck road " the town owned a lot of land, measuring about five acres, and this was sold for £217 18s. in gold, and the money appro- priated to encourage enlistments. Not being required for this pur- pose, it was used to pay loans made to the town by individuals, at different times during the war.
The surrender of Cornwallis and the British army at Yorktown, during the month of October, 1781, virtually closed the war, and secured the independence of the Colonies. As the people of Marble- head had engaged in the contest with rare unanimity and zeal, so, through all the weary years of the conflict, had they, on land and water, sacrificed life and property with unrivalled devotion.
In 1772, over 200 sail of merchant and fishing vessels were owned in Marblehead, embracing a tonnage of more than 12,000, with 1,203 polls enrolled on its public records, while in wealth, population, and commerce, it was claimed as the second town in the Province. When the independence of the Colonies was recognized, only 1,509 tons of its shipping remained, the number of its polls was reduced to 544, while 458 widows and 966 fatherless children mainly depended on public charity for the necessaries of life.
A town debt of £2,700 had accumulated, nearly one-half of it being due to Jonathan Glover, who had served as town treasurer from the commencement of the war; and the wharf property belonging to the town was sold, and one-third of the debt was paid from the proceeds of the sale.
The Marblehead regiment had done good service in the long strug- gle which had ended so gloriously. With full ranks, and fully armed and equipped, it had left the town, on the 22d of June, 1775, under the comnrand of Glover, to join the American forces at Cambridge. The uniform was "a blue round jacket, and trowsers, trimmed with leather buttons," and it was designated as the 21st Regiment, and was also called the " Marine Regiment." Ten days after it reached Cambridge, Washington arrived to take command of the American army ; and during the autumn of that year it was ordered to Beverly, and several vessels were furnished with crews from its ranks, to engage in expeditions for the capture of military stores. It remained in this service till the British were driven from Boston, and Washing- ton, with the army, had left for New York. In obedience to orders, it left Beverly, and reached New York City at about the time the American army was defeated in the battle on Long Island, and was employed in the management of the boats for the transportation of the army across East River, during the night following that disaster. Glover was now placed in command of a brigade, consisting of his own and two other regiments, and was charged with the removal of the sick and disabled, as Washington had resolved to evacuate the city. Having discharged this duty successfully, the brigade followed the
278
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
retreating army, and, encountering a superior force of the cnemy, hehaved with such gallantry as to win the warmest praises of Generals Washington and Lee. The series of disasters that quickly followed these events need not be repeated here ; but the regiment was either with Washington or Lee during the weary days of that eventful autumn and winter, and when Washington encamped on the banks of the Delaware, it composed a portion of that little army, which, in spite of its successive reverses, was then preparing to strike an effective blow at the enemy. Of the service rendered by the regi- ment on that December night, General Knox, in a speech delivered in the Massachusetts Legislature several years after, testified in words of burning eloquence. "I wish," said the brave old General, "I wish the members of this body knew the people of Marblehead as well as I do. I could wish that they had stood on the banks of the Delaware River in 1776, on that bitter night when the Commander-in-Chief had drawn up his little army to eross it, and had seen the powerful current, bearing onward the floating masses of ice, which threatened destruction to whosoever should venture upon its bosom ; I wish that when this occurrence threatened to defeat the enterprise, they could have heard that distinguished warrior demand, who will lead us on? and seen the men of Marblehead, and Marblehead alone, stand forth to lead the army along the perilous path to unfading glories and honors in the achievements of Trenton. There, sir, went the fisher- men of Marblehead, alike at home on land or water, alike ardent, patriotic, and unflinching, whenever they unfurled the flag of their country."
Soon after this event, the term for which the regiment had enlisted having expired, a large proportion of the surviving officers and men returned to their homes.
The limits of this work will not permit the full record of patriotic serviee, on land and sea, by sons of Marblehead, in this great confliet. Glover, Lee, and Trevett are names still honored for their gallant devotion to the cause, as army officers ; while Samuel Tucker, John Manly, Richard Cowell, Robert Wormsted, and a score of others, won the applause and gratitude of their countrymen for brilliant achievements on the ocean.
With a population reduced at least one-third since the war com- meneed ; with the public buildings " in a ruinous condition," and the almshouse crowded with paupers subsisting on seanty rations ; and with less than a score of vessels left as the remnant of that splendid fleet that had made the port a busy scene for many years, Marblehead had suffered from the calamities of the war more severely than any other town in the Province. But, as in former times, the ocean had furnished the treasure on which her eonunercial enterprises had been founded and had prospered ; so now, the people, with hopeful expee- tation, turned to that same source of wealth again, and appealed to Congress to refuse its sanction to any treaty that should fail to pro- tect them in their former rights to the ancient fishing-grounds. Their petition was respected ; for it was confided to John Adams, a son of their own Province, who knew the people and the story of their patri- otic services ; and so faithfully did he discharge his duty in this matter that he won the public thanks of the town on his return to his native country, and was requested to receive as "a present, six quintals of table fish," as a small token of the respect and grati- tude of the citizens of Marblehead for his faithful service in their behalf.
At last, peace was officially declared, and the news was received " with the ringing of bells, firing of guns and other demonstrations of joy," while large tubs of rum-punch were prepared at the town-house for the free indulgence of a joyful crowd.
The conclusion of the war and the final declaration of peace moved Washington to send a special invitation to Lafayette to again visit the country. On the cessation of hostilities by the surrender of Corn- wallis, this distinguished young Frenchman had returned to his native country to organize a new expedition, if needed, for the patriotic cause he had so heartily volunteered to defend. During the summer of the next year he landed at New York, and late in the fall was received " on the Salem road " by a cavalcade of gentlemen as eseort, and, approaching the town, was greeted with a salute of eannon, from a hill near the highway, known as " Workhouse Rocks." As the pro- cession moved slowly down the main street, the bells rang merrily, and the doors and windows were filled with the fair daughters of the town, who warmly welcomed the brave defender of their country. When " Training-Field Hill" was reached, a large concourse of citi- zens was found there " who opened to the right and left, giving three cheers as the company passed and proclaimed Long live the Marquis de Lafayette." Gracefully accepting this publie greeting, the hon-
ored guest was escorted to "the residence of a prominent citizen," where he was formally welcomed with the following address : -
" Sir, -The citizens of Marblehead, with open arms and affectionate hearts, welcome your return to these United States. Your early attachment to the cause of America, the cause of mankind ; your unremitted exertion and eminent services therein, all con- spire to animate our breasts with that superlative esteem and respect we have long entertained for the Marquis de Lafayette.
"Onr loss of men and property in the glorions confliet may deprive us of the pleas- nre of fully manifesting the principles of hospitality on this occasion ; bnt, sir, we are happy in the assurance that your magnanimity will consider our circumstances a mis- fortune, and not a fault.
" We assnre yon, sir, with the utmost sineerity, that we are deeply interested in your welfare, and happy when honored by your company ; and we flatter ourselves that the present interview is only a prelude to similar favors, from yourself and friends, who accompany you."
To this address the distinguished gnest made the following reply :
" Gentlemen, -While I have the satisfaction once more to enter a town which so early fought and so freely bled in the great contest, admiration mingles with the tender eou- cerns of a sympathetic heart. But amidst our regrets of brave men, who had the honor to fall in their country's cause, I rejoice in the virtnous spirit, and animated industry, so remarkable in the remaining sons of Marblehead.
" May your losses be a hundred-fold repaired by the blessings of peace and plenty, and may your numerons posterity, in the preservation of that liberty. so glorionsly purchased, ever venerate the memory of their ancestors.
" Equally prond of your esteem, and happy in your friendship, gentlemen, I heartily thank you for your kind wishes and honorable welcome, and will most pleasingly anticipate every opportunity to greet yon with the affectionate tribute of my respect and gratitude."
An entertainment was provided by the citizens at a " genteel house," and after the dinner " numerous toasts were offered of a patriotic char- acter," the sentiment of Lafayette being, "The town of Marblehead, and unbounded success to its fisheries."
It was the purpose of the citizens to retain their distinguished guest till the following day, and arrangements had been made for a " ball" for his entertainment and pleasure ; but other engagements compelled him to leave, and at an early evening hour he departed, followed by the benedietions of a grateful people.
The public schools had been closed during the latter part of the war, from the inability of the town to pay the salaries of the teachers, and a few private schools had been maintained, with but little income how- ever to their principals.
A few citizens of the town resolved to secure the establishment of a school, with a course of study that should properly fit pupils for a college education ; and being successful in securing a grant of land from the State for its support, founded the Marblehead Academy, which was maintained for many years as a flourishing and successful institution.
Probably in no town in the country was the character of Washington loved and honored more fully than by the people of Marblehead ; and when, a few months after his inauguration as the first president of the United States, he visited the town, he was received with the heartiest manifestation of publie joy and gratitude. The details of the events on that happy day have not been preserved ; but it is safe to say that they were quite equal, and probably excelled, the demonstrations that marked the visit of Lafayette five years before.
On general subjects considered and decided at this time, it may be well to mention that the headland, designated as the " Fort," was for- mally voted to the United States ; that permission was granted to cer- tain parties to "enelose Training-Field Hill at their own expense "; that the first financial record appears computed in " dollars and cents," instead of pounds, shillings, and pence ; that a committee was author- ized "to purchase a suitable lot of land for a common burying ground," and the land for the Green-Street Cemetery was soon after purchased ; that the purchase of a "good Fire Engine " was authorized ; and that the sum of ten dollars was received " for the use of the Town House for three days for the exhibition of an Elephant."
The death of Col. Azor Orne, at this time, recalled the record of a public service in civil life rarely equalled by men with his limited opportunities in early life. Born in Marblehead, July 22, 1731, he acquired a moderate fortune in mercantile pursuits, and when the agi- tation of measures designed to defeat the revenue aets of the British government called for able and persistent defenders, he was reeog- nized as one of the boldest and most eloquent leaders of the colonial patriots. As the chairman of various important committees, and as an active member of the General Court for several years, he served the publie with such fidelity as to win the rare compliment of a special vote of thanks from the town for his faithful publie service. As a member of the " Provinee Committee of Safety and Supplies," he was associated with some of the ablest leaders of the colonial canse, and earnest in the prosecution and defence of his convictions. With great
279
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
gifts as a publie speaker, his serviees were in frequent requisition to reconcile differences constantly arising in the ranks of the undisci- plined army gathered at Cambridge, before the arrival of Washington. During the conflict he freely contributed money from his private fortune for the publie service ; and when the liberties of his eountry had been secured, he still continued to serve his fellow-citizens in various positions of public trust. He was a member of the conven- tion called to frame the first State Constitution, of the convention that ratified the Constitution of the United States, and a member of the Governor's Council for several years. Faithfully devoted to the interests of his native town, he was among the foremost in advocating all measures designed to promote those interests, and especially in those favorable to public education. He died in the 65th year of his age, universally lamented.
Gen. John Glover, the life-long friend of Orne, soon followed him to " the spirit-land." Born in Salem, Nov. 5, 1732, he followed the example of his two older brothers, and removed to Marblehead in his youth, to follow the humble trade of a cordwainer. With habits of prudence and industry, he saved sufficient means to invest judiciously in mercantile pursuits, and when the war commenced was a prosper- ous merchant. With an ardent love for military service, he joined the Marblehead regiment at au early age, and was promoted, step by step, from the ranks, till he became its commander in 1775. To equip it properly for military service he made large drafts on his pri- vate fortune. Joining the army with his regiment in 1775, he was placed in command of a brigade the next year, and a few months after was appointed as a brigadier-general by Congress. His family and private affairs requiring his attention, he declined the honor, but, at the earnest solicitation of Washington, was induced to accept. He was in service under Gen. Putnam, at Peekskill, N. Y., and was afterwards with Gen. Gates, at Saratoga, in the several engagements which resulted in the capture of Gen. Burgoyne and his army. He was charged with the delieate duty of superintending this large body of prisoners, in their removal from Albany to Cambridge, a service which he performed acceptably. He was with Sullivan's Rhode Island expedition in 1778, and afterwards at Providence, R. I. When André was captured he was in service ou the Hudson River, was appointed as a member of the court-martial which condemned that officer as a spy, and was officer of the day when he was executed. He remained in the service till 1782, when Congress permitted him to retire on half-pay. He had the fullest confidence of Washington, and through his urgent entreaties remained in active service even after his constitution and health were completely broken down. He died universally lamented, at Marblehead, Jan. 30, 1797, in the 64th year of his age.
The first legacy received by Marblehead was the bequest of John Marchant, a respected shipmaster, who died in Batavia, in the East Indies. Before leaving his native country on what proved to be his last voyage, he left the promissory note of a Dorchester merchant in the hands of a friend, with instructions to transfer it to the town (in the event of his death) for collection, the proceeds to be applied to the establishment of a perpetual fund, the income of which was to be annually applied to the relief of the worthy poor in the town, under the supervision of the selectmen and clergymen of the various churches. The procceds of the note amounted to $1,036.17, and being placed in the hands of the board of overseers, with instruc- tions to invest the same, they reported, after a year's delay, that they were unable to do so. It was finally voted to build two school-houses with the fund, but it was also agreed that the town would execute a boud to the board of overseers, with the condition that the interest should be paid annually, in order that the wishes of the testator may be fully carried out.
The school-houses were built for the use of the north and south grammar schools ; but there is nothing to show that the bond was exe- cuted, or that the bequest was ever reserved as a special fund given for a special purpose.
George Washington, loved and revered as the "Father of his Country," died at Mount Vernon, Dec. 14, 1799, and the second day of the new year was set apart by the citizens for appropriate services in commemoration of this sad event. All business was suspended ; flags from vessels in the harbor, and on public and private buildings, were floating at half-inast ; the citizens assembled at the town-house, soon after the noon hour, each wearing black crape on the left arm, as a badge of mourning; at one o'clock minute-guns began firing on the " Common," and the bells commeneed tolling slowly and solemnly. While these sounds of mourning were heard throughout the town, a procession of the citizens was formed, and eseorted by the " Masonie
Lodge and Marine Society," marched "down the Main street to the Eastern square," and thence to the "New Mceting House," where the services were held. A large number of ladies had assembled there, each wearing a badge of black ribbon as a mourning emblem. The church was heavily draped with black cloth. " A solemn funeral hymn was sung as the procession entered, which was followed by prayer, the Farewell Address of Washington read by one of the clergymen, and the Eulogy pronounced by Joseph Story, in later years Chief Justice of the United States, and then a little more than twenty years of age." At the close of these services, the procession returned to the town-house, aud the citizens, choosing Isaac Maus- field for moderator, then passed votes of thanks to all who had ren- dered any service for the occasion ; and not only thanked the young orator of the day for his effort, but requested the eulogy for publi- eation, and voted " to print a thousand copies at the expense of the town."
The father of Joseph Story was a respected and popular physician, who had removed from Boston to Marblehead to practise his profes- sion thirty years before. Having read some accounts of the won- derful discovery of Jenner, he procured from Europe what was represented to be a small quantity of the "Kine Pox Matter," and proceeded at once to inoeulate children in his own family, and some others belonging to families of his most intimate friends. The chil- dren became quite ill in a few days, and soon the rumor spread through the town that these children had been inoculated for the small-pox. The excitement produced by this rumor was fearful, and, at a hasty meeting of the citizens, "the Doctors were charged to pro- ceed no further in this business without the authority of the town." The next day another meeting was held, and a committee ehosen to investigate the whole subject. This was the 7th of November, and on the tenth day of that month another meeting was eonvened, and the number of citizens was so large as to require an adjournment to the "New Meeting House," when the committee submitted a report, which confirmed their worst fears ; the confidenee of the good doctor had been betrayed, and he had innocently inoculated his own and his neighbor's children with the small-pox. A general inoculation of the whole population was ordered, "to continue till the expiration of fifteen days." On the 17th of November, it was voted to provide accommodation at the public expeuse for those whose means were limited, and to hire four hundred nurses at the expense of the town. A general inoculation took place, and by the last of December the town was declared to be free from the pestilence, and all excitement had ceased. In a little less than four years after this distressing event, so mortifying to his professional pride and reputation, the good doctor died.
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.