USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The Essex memorial, for 1836: embracing a register of the county > Part 13
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Preceptresses, Misses Lamb, Dowse, S. Dana, Bowers, Washburn, Kimball, Call, Wilson, H. Dana, Bond.
Present Trustees, S. Dana, R. Hooper, W. Reed,
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MARBLEHEAD.
J. Hooper, J. Bartlett, C. Briggs, J. Traill, D. Weed, W. Broughton, E. Bray, J. W. Green, C. Flagg, J. Hooper, Jr., F. Black, Jr., J. Sparhawk, Jr.
Public Free Schools .- From the yearly reports of School Committees to the Legislature, it appears that Marblehead, in its corporate capacity, has made lib- eral provision for the instruction of its children. Three respectable men's schools for boys have been supported many years ; in addition to which, there have usually been a high school for girls, and five or six primary schools. A school, intended to be of a superior order, with a male and female apartment, has also been established the present year. The sum raised this year for public instruction, is $3,500. Number of pupils in the public schools over 500.
Private Schools .- The private schools are not less than 30 ; they contain about 600 pupils, and have hith- erto been supported at from 75 to 100 per cent. greater expense than the public schools.
Sabbath Schools are 5 ; one in each religious society, with an aggregate of 720 scholars.
In 1802, 21 inhabitants of Marblehead, not born here, and 30 natives, had been graduated at Harvard College. Since that period 14 of her sons have been educated at different colleges. Total 65.
LOCAL SOCIETIES, ETC.
There is a variety of benevolent associations in this town, such as Temperance, Seamen's Relief, Seamen's Friend, Female Humane, &c.
The Atheneum and Columbian Society, each have a reading room and library.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
There are six engines, with a fireward attached to each. In this connexion it may be mentioned as a memorable fact that notwithstanding the compactness of the settlement, the buildings of which are almost exclusively of wood, and a large portion of them old, not a single dwelling has been burnt for twentyfour vears.
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MARBLEHEAD.
MILITARY.
Two artillery companies, organized 1809, now an- nexed to a regiment of infantry.
Two Light Infantry companies - " Marblehead Light Infantry," and " Lafayette Guards."
PUBLIC HOUSES.
There are two Public Houses - one kept by Henry Rea, the other by Peter Rix.
ALMS HOUSE.
Keeper, Stephen Hathaway. Number of subjects, 95.
STAGES.
A stage leaves here every day, Sunday excepted, for Boston, at 8, A. M. and retuans at 7, P. M.
A stage leaves twice a day, Sunday excepted, for Salem, at 8, A. M. and 2, P. M., and returns at 1 and 6, P. M.
Also a daily stage leaves for Lynn at 1, P. M., and returns at 6.
TRADES, MANUFACTURES, STORES, ETC.
The amount annually employed in the different trades and manufactures is, by estimation, $190,000. There are now engaged in the manufacture of shoes, 400 mnen, 250 boys, total 650. There is supposed to be about the same number of binders. Workshops, 135. 2 cordage manufactories employing 52 men and boys ; cooperage, 12 men and 6 boys ; soap and can- dle manufacture, 4 men ; paper and card manufac- tory, 4 men, 2 boys, 1 female ; tobacco manufactories, 4 males, 6 females ; leather manufactory, 2 inen, 4 boys ; cabinet manufactories, 8 men, 4 boys ; tin- plate manufactory, 3 men, 2 apprentices ; cap and hat manufactory, 4 men, 6 women and boys ; wooden ware manufactory, 3 men ; tailoring, 3 men, 12 fe- males ; blacksmiths, 3 shops, 9 men ; house carpen- ters, 54; bakers, 6 ; masons, 5 ; butchers, 2; wood- wharfingers, 7; Jewelers, 2; sailmakers, 3; boat- builder, 1 ; painters and glaziers, 5 ; sash and blind
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METHUEN.
factory, 1; machinist, 1; livery stable and stage office, 1; dry goods stores, 4; groceries, 30 ; book stores, 2.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Public Buildings .- Besides the churches are a Town Hall, the lower story of which is occupied as a market ; Schoolhouse ; Academy ; Alms-house, of brick ; Chapel ; Masonic Lodge ; Bank Buildings ; Powder House ; Gun House ; Arsenal.
Mail Regulations .- The mail arrives daily at 1, P. M. and closes at 8, A. M.
Taxable Property .- The assessors' valuation is $1,829,300
Town Tax, for 1835, $10,000.
Shipping .- The shipping owned here amounts to 8,330 tons.
METHUEN.
METHOEN is a flourishing and pleasant town, located upon the north bank of the Merrimack, a few miles above Haverhill ; a portion of it formerly belonging to that town. It is bounded north by Haverhill and Salem, N. H., east and south by the Merrimack, and west by Dracut. It is thirty miles north of Boston, eighteen miles southwest of Newburyport and twenty miles northwest of Salem. Incorporated, Dec. 8, 1725.
The surface of the township is broken into a pleasing variety of hill and dale, and the soil gen- erally is very good. Spiggot River flows through this town in its course from New Hampshire to the Merrimack, its mouth being nearly opposite that of the Shawshin. This little river has a fall of
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METHUEN.
about thirty feet, which gave rise, by furnishing a plentiful supply of water for manufacturing pur- poses, to the thriving village known as Methuen- Falls. Aside from the utility of these falls, they afford a beautiful and lively spectacle to the eye of the beholder.
Many of the inhabitants of this town are farm- ers, though some branches of manufacture are carried on to considerable extent, as will appear by statements to be made a page or two hence. A cotton factory was established here about twenty- three years since, and was burned down in 1818. It was rebuilt soon after ; the business has been extended, and at this day, the music of the spin- dle is the predominating " part " of the " busi- ness hum."
POPULATION.
In 1800, the population was 1253; in 1810, 1181 ; in 1820, 1371 ; in 1830, 2011. Since 1830 it has pro- bably increased 400.
Ratable Polls, 592.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Clerk and Treasurer-Moses Merrill.
Selectmen and Assessors-Samuel H. Harris, Wil- liam Swan, John E. Merrill.
LAWYER, PHYSICIANS, JUSTICES, ETC. Lawyer .- John Tenney.
Physicians .- John M. Grosvenor, Stephen Huse, I. C. Straw, H. D. Buxton.
Justices of the Peace and Quorum .- Ben Osgood. Justices of the Peace .- Jonathan Currier, 2d, Jo- sephi W. Carlton, Stephen Gage, Stephen Barker, 2d, John 'Tenney, Joseph How.
Deputy Sheriff .- Joshua Buswell, Jr.
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METHUEN.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
First Church .- Orthodox Congregational. Gath- ered Oct, 29, 1729. Pastor, Sylvester G. Pierce. Number of communicants 175. Pupils in the Sab- bath School, 270. Volumes in the library, 260. The first pastor, was Christopher Sargent. He was born at Amesbury ; graduated at Harvard, 1725 ; settled here Nov. 5, 1729 ; died March 20, 1790, aged 84. The second pastor was Simon F. Williams. He was born at Windham, N. H. ; graduated at Dart- mouth, 1785 ; settled here, Dec. 23, 1786 ; retired Aug. 16, 1791. The third pastor was Humphrey C. Perley. He was born at Boxford, Dec. 24, 1761 ; graduated at Dartmouth, 1791 ; settled here, Dec. 2, 1795 ; retired May 24, 1815. The fourth pastor was Jacob W. Eastman. He was born at Sandwich, N. H. ; settled here Dec. 13, 1815; retired Oct. 16, 1828. The fifth pastor was Spencer F. Beard. He was born at Brookfield, July 4, 1799 ; graduated at Amherst, 1824; settled here Jan. 22, 1829 ; retired, April 25, 1832. The sixth and present pastor, Syl- vester G. Pierce was born at Wilmington, Vt., 1796 ; settled here June 27, 1832.
' Second Congregational .- Orthodox. Formed April 16, 1766. The first pastor was Eliphaz Chapman. He was born at Newmarket, N. H. ; settled here Nov. 1772 ; retired five years afterward. The se- cond pastor, John H. Stevens, a native of Canter- bury, Ct .; was settled March 18, 1791, and remained four years. The third pastor was Josiah Hill. He was horn at Bedford, July 11, 1792 ; settled here April 9, 1832 ; retired April 9, 1833, since which time they have been without a settled pastor.
[The first and second churches were united from 1817 till 1880.]
Baptist .- Founded 1815. Pastor, Charles O. Kim- ball. Number of communicants, 350. Pupils in Sabbath School, 346. Volumes in Library, 278.
Universalist .- This society was organized April 6, 1824. Pastor, John A. Gurley. At present they
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METHUEN.
worship in a hall, but arrangements are making for the erection of a meeting-house, which will probably be completed by the first of June.
Episcopal .- A small Episcopal society was formed here in 1833. They have no permanent minister.
Methodist .- There is also a small society of Metho- dists, who have no stationed minister.
DISTRICT SCHOOLS, ETC.
Methuen is divided into nine school districts. Whole number of scholars, between the ages of four and sixteen, 590. School tax for 1834, $900. Amount raised by contribution for support of schools, $300.
TRADES AND MANUFACTURES.
The amount of capital employed in the different trades and manufactures is about $300,000.
The cotton manufactories employ about 300 hands ; the shoe manufactories, 550 do. Hat manufactories, 50 do. Paper, 12 do. Piano forte, 10 do.
STORES.
English and West India goods, 8. Grocery, 4. STAGES.
Stages for Lowell, and Haverhill, leave Low's tav- ern, at the Falls village, daily. For Boston, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Newspaper .- The " Methuen-Falls Gazette," a valuable publication, is issued every Friday morning, by S. J. Varney, Jr. ; politics, neutral. Commenced, Jan. 2, 1835.
Taxable Property .- The amount of taxable pro- perty is $660,116.
Town Expenses .- The expenses of the town, the past year, amounted to $3,515.
Lyceum .- This association was formed in 1819. Members, 100. Number of volumes in library, 150. President, Charles O. Kimball. Secretary, Henry D. Preston.
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MIDDLETON.
Methuen Library .- Number of volumes, about, 100.
Temperance Society .- Formed Jan. 21, 1830. Number of members, 500. President, J. W. Carlton. Secretary, Stephen Huse.
Divisions of Soil .- Tillage, 855 acres. English and upland mowing, 1515. Fresh meadow, 1296. Woodland, 1142. Pasturage, 4833.
State Valuation .- In the valuation of 1811, this town stood at $233,672. In 1831, at $432,102.
Post Office .- The Methuen Post Office yields to government about $191 annually.
Public Houses .- There are two public houses.
MIDDLETON.
MIDDLETON is bounded north by Andover and Boxford, east by Topsfield and Danvers, south by Danvers, and west by Reading and Andover. It is twenty miles north of Boston ; was formed of the corners of several neighboring towns, and in- corporated in 1728. Ipswich river runs for some distance along the border of the town, and re- ceives the tribute of three small streams. There are several fine ponds, and some valuable mill privileges. The land is not of the first quality, though the industry of the people has made it in a good degree productive. The surface of the township is broken into hill and dale, and much rude and romantic scenery is presented for the contemplation of the lover of nature. The busi- ness of shoemaking is carried on here to consid- erable extent, though farming furnishes the chief employment of the inhabitants.
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MIDDLETON.
POPULATION.
The population in 1810, was 541 ; in 1820, 596 ; in 1830, 607.
Ratable Polls, 170.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Town Clerk-Amos Batchelder.
Town Treasurer-Daniel Fuller.
Selectmen and Assessors-Amos Batchelder, David Richardson, Daniel Emerson.
PHYSICIAN, JUSTICES, ETC.
Physician .- Ezra Nichols.
Justices of the Peace .- Daniel Fuller, Ezra Nich- ols, Pelatiah Wilkins.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Orthodox Congregational .- This church was gath- ered in 1729. Pastor, Forrest Jefferds. The first pastor was Andrew Peters. He was born at Ando- ver ; settled here Nov. 26, 1729 ; died Oct. 6, 1756, aged 55. The second postor was Elias Smith, a na- tive of Reading ; settled here, July 1759 ; died Oct. 18, 1792, aged 63. The third pastor was Solomon Adams. lle was born at Acton, March 18, 1762 ; graduated at Harvard, 1788 ; settled here Oct. 23, 1793 ; died Sept. 4, 1813. The fourth pastor was Ebenezer Hubbard, a native of Marblehead ; settled here, Nov. 27, 1816 ; resigned April 29, 1828, and settled at Lunenburg, Dec. 10, same year. The fifth and present pastor, Forrest Jefferds, was born at Wells, Me. Aug. 4, 1794 ; settled here, May 2, 1832.
United Society .- Besides the above there is a society composed of Unitarians and Universalists - at present without a pastor.
SCHOOLS.
There are four School Districts, comprising of scholars between the ages of 4 and 16, 206. School tax, $340. The district schools are kept a part of the year, and private schools are kept during the va- cation.
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NEWBURY.
MILITARY.
One company of the line.
PUBLIC HOUSE.
There is one public house - Joseph W. Batchel- der, keeper.
STAGES.
Tri-weekly stages pass through on the Salem and Lowell route.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Paper Mill .- Peabody's Paper Mill is located in this town. It is said to be the largest establishment of the kind in the country.
Dwellings .- The number of dwellings is 39.
Store .-- There is one store.
Mills .-- There are three grist and two saw mills.
NEWBURY.
NEWBURY was originally one of the largest, as it is one of the oldest towns in the Commonwealth. It was first settled in the year 1633, by a party who came from England in the ship Hector. In the following year, its numbers were farther aug- mented; and in the year 1635, receiving a con- siderable accession from the neighboring settlement of Ipswich, Quafcacunquen, a favorite hunting and fishing ground of the Indians, received a formal act of incorporation as the town of Newbury.
The pioneers of this settlement first pitched their tents at a place which long continued to be the head quarters of their agricultural residence. It was judiciously selected on the banks of a beautiful
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NEWBURY.
stream, to which, at an early period, as a testimonial of regard, they gave the name of their justly ven- erated pastor, Mr Parker.
The settlers were in no wise exempt from those severities of fortune which were experienced in common by their cotemporaries in other places ; and the paths which their descendants pass over so gaily, and perhaps value far too lightly, were for them beset by a thousand thorns and hidden snares-thorns and snares which we too should have found remaining, but for their invincible courage and untiring labor.
In that dreadful struggle with the savages, which is known as Philip's war, we find Newbury con- tributing 67 men and 46 horses, equipped for ser- vice. And when we reflect that the town probably did not contain at the time much more than 150 men who were fit to bear arms, we must be con- vinced at least that she was not disposed to sleep while others watched, or to purchase her ease without paying her full proportion of the cost. Tracing her onward to the period more immedi- ately preceding the revolution, we find her still exhibiting the same bold front, and active spirit ; determined to resist any infringement, direct or indirect, of what she esteemed her rights ; and her records still display many noble resolutions and addresses, couched in the most glowing and patri- otic language, expressive of this determination.
In 1774, the town voted to raise £200 to pur- chase provisions for the inhabitants of Boston ; a contribution which will appear extremely liberal, when it is known that this sum was about half as large as that raised for all other town purposes during the year.
Although Newbury contains about five miles of
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coast, and has two principal rivers, the Merrimack and the Parker, the least of which is navigable for some distance by vessels of considerable burden, its inhabitants rely principally on agriculture for their support. The soil in general is neither re- markably productive nor sterile, but is such as to conduce most to the welfare of its occupants ; not so prolific as to enervate and demoralize its chil- dren, nor so ungrateful as to refuse a comfortable maintenance in reward of their labors. The prin- cipal surplus products of the agricultural portion of this community furnished for exportation, con- sist of apples, onions and potatoes. The town has an abundance of excellent grazing land, and is well supplied with salt marsh-the meadow bounding Plum Island Sound, and on the banks of Parker river, being in some places over a mile in width.
The territorial limits of the town have been greatly diminished, and its wealth more than pro- portionably impaired by the disjunction from time to time of Newburyport and West Newbury.
Those parts of the town which are most com- pactly settled, have a very intimate natural con- nexion with Newburyport, and together with the Merrimack, completely inclose it. The section called Bellville constitutes the northwestern bound- ary of Newburyport, and though it has greatly declined from its former wealth, it is still, in point of appearance, well worthy of the name it bears. High street, which is partly in Newbury, and which forms the southwestern border of Newbury- port, is thought one of the finest and most beautiful avenues in the country. It is between two and three miles in length, and is skirted on the upper side by a gentle eminence which is connected by a slight and uniform declivity with the street. On
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the summit of this rising ground are placed an extensive range of elegant buildings, occupied principally by merchants belonging to Newbury- port. That portion of the town which lies on the southeast side of Newburyport, contains about 1100 people in a compact settlement. The in- habitants of this part of the town, are generally engaged in the mackerel and cod fisheries, which for some years past have proved considerably lu- crative; and such an alteration has been wrought by this circumstance, in the aspect of the place and character of the people, that the familiar ap- pellation of Joppa, by which it has long been known, and which was formerly esteemed somewhat opprobrious, has now, and with good reason, lost any such meaning.
Plum Island, the principal part of which lies within the limits of Newbury, was until very lately connected with the main land by means of a bridge, erected for the purpose of affording more speedy aid to those who might be thrown upon its shore, than could be effected by means of a merely water communication. A portion of the bridge has been carried away by the current, but it is hoped that it will soon be rebuilt. 'The island is mostly composed of sand, and is much esteemed as a pleasant and salutary resort of invalids in the summer season. It has been thought that a private establishment for the benefit of the sick might be located there, with much advantage to the community, and profit to the owner. This Island has always been a fa- vorite haunt for pleasure parties, not only from the neighboring towns, but from those at a great dis- tance in the interior. Besides the benefit of sea air and bathing, a principal point of attraction has consisted in a copious supply of beach plums,
!
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which are found in great abundance in the autumn, crowning the thousand fantastic sand hills, which seem raised purposely to diversify the otherwise tedious sameness of the scene. With such inducements, the young people of the vicinity would scarcely deem the business of the year complete without a trip to Plum Island, and their annual frolic on its beach.
The state of agriculture in Newbury is probably in no degree inferior to its condition in any other town in the county ; and individuals of her active and thriving population carry away a large propor- tion of the prizes which are annually offered by the Agricultural Society. The extensive farm of Mr Parsons, near the source of Parker river, is remarkable at once for its elegant appearance and for the judicious husbandry which it exhibits ; while the Indian hill and Rocky hill farms are not less remarkable for the liberal expenditures and laudable enterprise of their proprietors. Among the objects which principally excite the attention of visitors, are a series of limestone excavations formed by the early settlers, who carried on a considerable traffic in this article, until the greater abundance of fuel diverted the channel of the business into Maine. Little did the pious fathers dream, while engaged in making these excavations, that they would be converted by the fertile imag- ination of their descendants into a chosen residence of the enemy on earth, and distinguished by the not inappropriate appellation of "Devil's Den." Stripping it, however, of the factitious consequence with which it has been invested by lovers of the marvellous, it still retains some points of interest to the mineralogist, by furnishing his cabinet with certain specimens which are not to be found else-
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where in this vicinity, amongst which are serpen- tine, asbestos, and amianthos, in considerable quantities, and some of the first, particularly, of great beauty. Another object of much greater rarity is a floating island, of about half an acre in extent, contained in a pond directly behind the burial-ground at Old Town. This island has sev- eral trees of considerable growth upon its surface, but is principally covered with dogwood and bushes. Its elevation varies in a range of four to eight feet, with the annual inundations. An elab- orate and learned essay upon this subject was written by a late much respected native of New- buryport, and published in Silliman's Journal, a few years since.
Few towns, perhaps, furnish a greater number of pleasant rides than Newbury. One of the finest of these is afforded by the old road leading from Ipswich to Newburyport. It is ornamented with a great number of beautiful trees, and running most of the way on the summit of a gentle rising ground, it offers on one side a view of an extensive and well cultivated amphitheatre, including Kent's island; and on the other, a complete view of the harbor with its numerous fishing boats and larger vessels, of Plum island, the Isles of Shoals, Ipswich harbor, and Cape Ann; the whole constituting a panorama which for extent, variety and beauty, is seldom equalled.
Newbury has within its present limits, four meeting houses, nine public school houses, a town house, five grist mills, two snuff mills, a fulling mill, several saw mills, a cotton factory, &c. ; most of these are more particularly noticed in another place.
Dummer Academy,* which bears the name of
* Newburyport Academy (so called) is situated within the limits of Newbury.
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NEWBURY.
its munificent founder, was established and richly endowed by Governor Dummer, in the year 1756, considerably earlier than any other in New Eng- land. This institution attained a high degree of celebrity under the auspices of its first instructor, " Preceptor Moody," and had the honor of educa- ting a large proportion of the most distinguished men of the time. The town still continues justly proud of the memory of Mr Moody, though his latter years were clouded by a constantly increas- ing degree of mental aberration, occasioned by intense application to his chosen pursuits of study and instruction, to which he continued to cling until death with all the ardor of a first love. In consideration of his earlier eminently successful services, and especially as his madness, like Ham- let's, had somewhat of " method in it," the Trustees saw fit to continue him in office, notwithstanding the occasional vagaries resulting from his danger- ous malady. An anecdote illustrative of his keen observation of character, which probably consti- tuted the key to his success, was related a few years since, by the late Hon. Dudley A. Tyng, of Newbury, at a meeting of the alumni of this ven- erable institution.
It was observed by a member of the association, that an old oak desk, made, agreeably to the lib- eral practise of the times, some two or three inches thick, was split in the centre by a blow which pre- sented the appearance of having been inflicted many years before. Mr Tyng assured the compa- ny that the blow was given in his presence, when a school boy, by Preceptor Moody, under the fol- lowing circumstances :
A roguish pupil had already exasperated the old gentleman to the utmost verge of endurance, when perpetrating some further roguish tricks, the Pre-
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ceptor sprang towards him, with all the fury of a maniac glistening in his eye, and seizing a large old-fashioned shovel in his way, he raised it to strike the offender to the ground. As the fatal instrument descended, the relenting old man di- verted it by a violent effort from its course, and, saving the culprit, inflicted a blow which cleft even this stout oaken desk in two ; and with a counten- ance as full of admiration as it had before been of rage, he exclaimed to the school - " Did ye see, boys ? He did n't wink !- did n't wink ! He'll make a general !" His prophecy was well nigh fulfilled. The roguish boy, whose life was saved by the caprice of a madman, was reserved for a distinguished destiny. He was afterward Commo- dore Preble.
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