USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The Essex memorial, for 1836: embracing a register of the county > Part 14
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This seminary is under the present superintend- ence of Mr Cleaveland, who has filled the office of principal for about twelve years, and who is pecu- liarly qualified, by his natural intelligence, exten- sive acquirements and eloquent address, at once for the instruction of youth, and for conferring on them that gentlemanly deportment which adds so much of lustre to more solid attainments.
The school is in a flourishing condition, and affords scholars every inducement to embrace its advantages - pleasant board - moderate tuition - a delightful situation - a philosophical appara- tus - a library, and a thoroughly accomplished instructor.
Newbury has likewise the honor of having given to America the first example of a chain suspension bridge. This bridge crosses the Merrimack about three miles from Newburyport, and is said to be the second of the kind which was ever built. It was erected by the late distinguished engineer, Mr
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Palmer, of Newburyport. Since its erection, many others have been constructed both in Europe and America. It consists of an arch in the arc of a very large circle, with a chord of 245 feet, and is supported by chains passing over high buttresses at either extremity. The vicinity of this bridge affords, it is thought, some of the most picturesque views, of mingled landscape and water prospect, which are found among us.
Partial views, through intervening foliage, of this noble specimen of architecture, towering with its massive chains far above the surface of the stream, and seeming almost to be pendent in the air, tend greatly to heighten the otherwise beauti- ful prospect of several neighboring eminences.
The clergy of Newbury have in general been such as would confer honor on any place whatever, and some of them have been peculiarly distinguished. The names of Parker, Tucker, Parish and Popkin are familiar to all who are conversant with the lit- erature of their time. The first of these gentlemen, Mr Parker, was settled in Newbury in the year 1635. He had early availed himself of the advan- tages which were offered by the Universities of Oxford, Dublin and Leyden. At the age of twen- tytwo he wrote theses, " De traductione peccato- ris ad vitam," which were published, and are said to have been highly celebrated. To these per- formances he was probably indebted for the affirm- ation made by the faculty of Leyden. "Non sine magna admiratione au divimus." He likewise composed several volumes upon the prophecies, only one of which, on Daniel, was published. An anecdote is related of him, proving that his condi- tion was somewhat remarkable even in the scho- lastic age in which he lived. Among his other
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numerous writings, he had composed a preface for some book, which preface was censured by Presi- dent Chauncey, as too liberal toward the Episco- pacy. An assembly of his brethren was convened to deal with him on the subject of his dangerous disposition towards conformity. They addressed him in English ; he replied in Latin. They fol- lowed him ; he retired to the Greek ; they renewed their charge in Greek; he defended himself in Hebrew ; but his adversaries, who were not easily foiled, especially when a question of church disci- pline was involved, endeavored to force home their crimniations in Hebrew. He then retired to his fastness in Arabic, where they could no longer pur- sue him ; and, once out of their reach, he refused to be tried by any but his peers in knowledge.
The following, among many quaint epitaphs at Old Town, is placed on the grave stone of the Rev. Mr Richardson, one of the early preachers in this parish :
" When preachers dy, the rules the pulpit gave to live well, are still preached from the grave The faith & life which your dead pastor taught in one grave now with him Syrs bury not.
Abi, Viator -
A mortuo disce vivere ut moriturus, e terris disce cogitare de cœlis."
The very numerous and comparatively recent publications of Dr Tucker, have rendered his logi- cal reasoning, his racy humor, and elegant phrase- ology, too familiar in Essex County to require a more particular notice.
And no one who is at all acquainted with Amer- ican literature of the nineteenth century, needs to be informed, that Dr Parish was eminently distin- guished at once as a profound theologian, and a sound and enthusiastic political preacher.
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Many other interesting facts might be stated with regard to this ancient and respectable town, if the limits of a work like this permitted a more exten- sive relation.
Newbury is bounded north by Newburyport and the Merrimack, east by the ocean, south by Row- ley, and west by West Newbury. It is thirtytwo miles northeast of Boston.
POPULATION.
The population in 1810, was 5,176 ; in 1820, (West Newbury having been set off the previous year,) 3,671 ; in 1830, 3,803.
Ratable polls, 841.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Town Clerk-Ezra Hale.
Town Treasurer-Stuart Chase.
Selectmen and Assessors-Silas Moody, Josiah Lit- tle, Daniel Noyes.
LAWYER, PHYSICIAN, JUSTICES, ETC.
Lawyer .- Jacob Gerrish.
Physician .- Martin Root.
Justice of the Peace and Quorum .- Jacob Gerrish. Justices of the Peace .- Silas Little, Moses Little, Daniel Hale, Samuel Newman, Orlando B. Merrill, Thomas Hale, Silas Moody, Moses Pettingell, Daniel Adams, 3d, Joseph Gerrish, Seth Sweetser, Josiah Little, Nehemiah C. Cleaveland, Joseph Little, Ben- jamin Stickney, William N. Cleaveland, Williamn Currier, Jr.
Coroners .- Orlando B. Merrill, Daniel Adams, 3d. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
First Church .-- Orthodox Congregational. Organ- ized, 1635. Number of communicants, 200. Pastor,
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Leonard Wittington. The first pastor was Thomas Parker. He was born at Wiltshire, England, 1596 ; settled here at the formation of the church ; died April 24, 1677. James Noyes, also settled 1635, was born at Choulderton, Eng. 1608 ; died Oct. 22, 1656. John Richardson, was settled Oct. 20, 1675 ; died April 27, 1696. Christopher Toppan, settled Sept. 9, 1696 ; he was born at Newbury Dec. 15, 1671, and graduated at Harvard 1691 ; died July 23, 1747. The next pastor was John Tucker. He was born at Amesbury ; graduated at Harvard, 1741 ; settled here Nov. 10, 1745 ; died March 22, 1792, aged 73. 'The next pastor was Abraham Moore, a native of Lon- donderry, N. H. ; settled here March 23, 1796 ; died June 24, 1801. 'The next pastor was John S. Popkin. He was born at Boston, June 19, 1771 ; graduated at Harvard 1792 ; settled here Sept. 19, 1804 ; resigned Oct. 5, 1815. Mr Withington, the present pastor, was born at Dorchester, Aug. 9, 1789 ; graduated at Yale, 1814 ; settled here Oct. 31, 1816.
Second Church .- Orthodox Congregational. Pas- tors, James Miltimore and John C. March ; Mr Mil- timore is unable to perform any duties. Number of communicants, 157.
Byfield Church .- (Partly in Rowley.) Orthodox Congregational. Organized Nov. 7, 1706. Number of communicants, 130. Pastor, Henry Durant.
Parker River Bridge Church .- No settled pastor. Communicants, 12.
Methodist .- Pastor, J. E. Risley. Number of com- municants, 190.
SCHOOLS.
Dummer Academy .- This is the oldest institution of the kind in New England. It is located in Byfield parish, and was founded in 1756, by Lieut. Gov. Dummer ; it was not, however, incorporated till the Sd of October, 1782, which was subsequent to the incorporation of Phillips' Academy, at Andover. The location of this school is retired, pleasant, and re- markably healthy. Pupils are prepared for College
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or receive instruction in the common branches of & merely English education. Tuition, $3 per quarter. Board in good families in the neighborhood may be had for $1,50 a week. To deserving youth, in indi- gent circumstances, the tuition is in part, or wholly remitted. Number of scholars the present year, 72- average number about 50. Instructors, Nehemiah Cleaveland, Principal. Aaron K. Hathaway, Hum- phrey Richards, Assistant Teachers. Benjamin W. Hale, Writing Master. Charles N. Todd, Teacher of Music.
Public Schools .- There are nine public schools kept the greater part of the year, and three or four private schools; number of scholars between the ages of 4 and 16 years, 900 ; average attendance at the public schools, 685.
TRADES AND MANUFACTURES.
There is a cotton factory at the head of tide water, on Parker river, in Byfield parish, which runs 1200 spindles and employs about 30 persons, male and fe- male. 6000 yards of cloth are manufactured per week.
There is also a woollen factory, for spinning stock- ing yarn, which runs 150 spindles and employs 4 hands. 50 pounds of wool are manufactured daily. Upon the same River, about one mile above, another woollen factory is preparing to go into operation, at which it is intended to manufacture frocking, some- thing like the imported article called Guernsey frocking.
Shoemaking is carried on to considerable extent, in several parts of the town. The shoes are mostly dis- posed of in the southern market.
At Bellville, chaise manufacturing is prosecuted with vigor ; probably not less than thirty hands are employed.
There are 2 tanneries, 1 in Byfield and 1 in Bell- ville, employing a capital of from $8,000 to $10,000. 5 grist mills, running 11 pairs of stones, with a bolt for flour at each mill. 2 mills for grinding corn with
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the cob, as fodder for cattle and swine. 3 saw mills, one a tide mill, doing little business, the other two, on Parker River, doing an extensive business. 5 circu- lar saws, employed principally for mahogany veneer- ing and other fine work. 1 clothing mill with 2 card- ing machines connected. 2 snuff mills, kept in operation most of the year.
ALMS HOUSE.
The Alms House establishment comprehends a farm of 200 acres, which cost $7,500. Number of in- mates 60. Superintendant, Ira Worcester.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Taxable Property .- The amount of taxable pro- perty is $840,000.
Town Expenses-The town expenses last year amounted to $8,000.
Fire Department .- Two engines, with five fire- wards attached to each.
Stores .- There are ten stores ; principally grocery.
Social Library .- This library is in the first parish, and contains 250 volumes.
Land .- Newbury contains 23,000 acres, of which 4000 are salt marsh.
State Valuation .- 1821, $799,316 17; 1831, $846,- 173 33.
Post Offices .- There are two post offices ; one at Byfield and one at Bellville ; but for many of the inhabitants the Newburyport office is most con- venient.
NEWBURYPORT.
THE town of Newburyport, situated upon the southwestern bank of the Merrimack, was origin- ally a section of the old town of Newbury, by
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which it is at present surrounded upon three of its sides. Its territorial limits, embracing but about six hundred and fortyseven acres, are less than those of any other town in the State of Massachu- setts. Its location being favorable for maritime and commercial enterprise, and the noble river, which flows by it, affording easy means of access to timber for ship building, in which its inhabi- tants early acquired great skill and reputation, it soon became a compact, populous and flourishing portion of the town of Newbury. These circum- stances involving, as was supposed, some diversity of interest between this part of the settlement and the agricultural population of the old town, the inhabitants of what is now called Newburyport obtained an act of separate incorporation in the year 1764.
The situation of the town is indeed uncom- monly beautiful. The populous part stands upon a slope, gently declining to the river, so that a summer rain can at any time completely wash the streets. By whatever avenue it is approached, its appearance never fails to impress the mind of the visiter with pleasurable sensations. The compact settlement of the town of Newbury enclosing it upon two sides along the bank of the river, as you approach it upon the eastern road, or from the sea, it presents the aspect of a considerable city, ex- tending to the distance of nearly three miles. The town is laid out with an unusual degree of regularity. A lower street, upon which the wharves and docks open, follows the course of the river ; and parallel with this an upper or High Street extends the whole length of the town. Various avenues pass through its centre, and a sufficient number of generally, wide and spacious
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streets, at regular intervals, intersect these at right angles and connect the upper with the lower street. The main post road from Boston enters Newbury- port nearly at the central point of High Street, and passes in a direct line through the town to a very large and convenient market-place, which is sur- rounded by brick stores and is in the immediate vicinity of the principal wharves and docks. The dwelling houses and other bu.ldings are generally kept in good repair and condition, and present a neat and often elegant appearance. Some of the principal houses are extremely handsome ; and there are few of any condition, which do not pos- sess a considerable garden spot, which gives a very open and airy aspect to the town, at the same time that it promotes that general health for which this place has always been highly distinguished. Indeed, a great deal of attention has been paid here, of late years, to ornamental as well as com- mon gardening. An intelligent Horticultural Soci- ety has given a tone and spirit to exertion in this way, and the horticultural exhibitions, which take place once or twice a year under the direction of the Society have been pronounced by strangers, to be at least equal, in many respects, to those which are held annually in the metropolis of the Com- monwealth.
The town is well shaded by numerous trees, many of which are of ancient growth and great beauty. The horse-chesnut, lime, catalpa, moun- tain-ash and button-wood are common. There are individuals of the tulip-tree ; but the elm pre- dominates, of which there are some venerable and magnificent specimens. The existence of these beautiful trees in our populous towns, and that too in so good a state of preservation, is a fact highly
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honorable to the communities in which they flour- ish ; and involving, as such a fact of course does, the idea of a fondness for natural beauty, it ought certainly to exonerate our fore-fathers from the absurd charge of want of taste and value for the ornaments of life, to which they have been too fre- quently exposed. A great number of forest trees have been planted, within a few years, along the borders of the public ways, and promise to add much, in a short time, to the attractive character of the town. As you enter State Street, from the southward, in the summer season, those noble relics of another day, which skirt its borders, compose one of the most beautiful vistas of green foliage which ever refreshed the eye ; and many a return- ing wanderer, as these rose upon his view, has felt his heart glow with warmer love for the home of his childhood, and has doubted, whether in all his wanderings, he has looked upon a scene more fair.
The meetinghouse of the first Presbyterian So- ciety is remarkable for an ornament rather uncom- mon in the houses of public worship in this coun- try. It is a marble monument to the memory of the great preacher, Whitefield, a name not the least among those of the many distinguished men, who have in some way or other become connected with the history of Newburyport. This society owes its origin to the efforts of Mr Whitefield, in the year 1744. He died while on a visit to the church, and his remains are deposited beneath the floor of this meetinghouse. The monument is a very elegant cenotaph of Egyptian and Italian marble, designed by Strickland, and executed by Strother, of Philadelphia ; and was the gift of an eminent merchant of Newburyport to the society in which he worships.
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The direct line of travel from Boston to the eastward, runs through Newburyport, where is the principal depot of the stage company ; and in order to accommodate this a chain bridge was thrown over the Merrimack, in 1826, connecting the town with Salisbury upon the opposite bank of the river.
The inhabitants of Newburyport have been al- ways remarkable for their public spirit. The character of their public acts in the fearful times immediately preceding the Revolution bears wit- ness to their intelligent appreciation of their rights, and displays an ardor and resolution, in view of the great contest about to commence, not surpassed in any other town in the country. Its citizens bore their full share of the sufferings, sacrifices and duties of that momentous struggle. One singular example of patriotism ought not to be omitted here. In the difficulties with the French Direc- tory, in the year 1798, when our National navy was small, and the means of Government com- paratively limited, a twenty gun ship was built here by subscription of some of the respectable inhab- itants of the town for the public use. The com- mittee, which made offer of building this vessel, requested to be paid the ordinary rate of interest, and asked for final reimbursement of the net cost "at the convenience of Government." The ser- vice at that time was felt to be valuable.
The inhabitants of the town have always felt a just pride in the fame of the distinguished indi- viduals who have been born among them, or who have made this place their chosen residence; and the names of LOWELL, JACKSON, KING (RUFUS), PARSONS, PERKINS (JACOB), and others are still held by them in cherished remembrance. It was
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owing, no doubt, in part to the influence and ex- ertions of such men, that the town arrived at that flourishing condition, which it enjoyed in its better days.
The commercial prosperity of Newburyport was at one period, almost unexampled in a town of its size. But various causes have contributed to ef- fect its injury. The restrictive system of govern- ment pressed very heavily upon a mercantile and particularly upon a ship building population. A calamitous fire in 1811, swept off much of its valuable property, and left the centre of the town, composed principally of stores and ware-houses, a pile of ruins; and the war of 1812, seemed to add the last drop to the cup of its misfortunes. The construction of the Middlesex canal served to divert a great amount of its internal trade into another direction ; and in the midst of its calami- ties, the competition of other towns upon the coast, assisted to counteract its best efforts to recover its foriner standing. The sand bar at the mouth of the Merrimack, which, in prosperous times, would have afforded no great obstacle to trade, became under disastrous circumstances a source of de- spondence, and the town has never yet made any decisive approach to its former flourishing state. But the enterprise and spirit of the inhabitants have never entirely deserted them. They have been constantly endeavoring to recover their lost advan- tages. Of late years, the fishing business has become a source of profit, and at this moment the erection of steam factories is engaging attention with every prospect of profitable investment.
Timber for the construction of vessels cannot now as formerly, be obtained in the immediate vicinity of the town, and the falls at various places on the
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Merrimack render a certain amount of land car. riage necessary, at a considerably increased ex- pense. It is believed, however, by some, that locks might be made around the falls, at no great cost, which would not only afford an easier means of transportation for a sufficient supply of building material, but would also restore to its natural chan- nel some of the internal trade of the town. The most important point of view in which such a pro- ject can be considered, is undoubtedly in connex- ion with the ship-building interest; and in this respect it deserves much attention. The skill of former days still exists on the banks of the Merri- mack ; and nothing but a larger and cheaper sup- ply of timber is necessary in order to afford it ample employment. Indeed, there cannot be a doubt that with its great natural advantages, New- buryport is destined, sooner or later, to ,become a a place of much more importance than at present.
In the mackerel and cod fishery were employed in 1835, 150 vessels with 1350 men. There were inspected during the year ending January, of that year, 25,200 barrels, and 5,155 half barrels mack- erel; showing Newburyport to be the third town in the State for the business. The number of quintals of codfish brought in during the year end- ing January, 1834, was 20,000. There are at present four ships, valued at $175,000, engaged in the whale fishery. The town is also largely en- gaged in the freighting business. The number of square-rigged vessels employed, principally ships and barks, is 32-tonnage 10,594. There are some West Indiamen and some coasters. Packets running to Boston, Portland and Bangor. One schooner now absent on a sealing expedition. During the two years ending September, 1835,
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there were enrolled and registered, as built on the Merrimack, 5,279 tons. The tonnage of this port on the first of January, 1834, was 21,535 tous.
The sketch would be incomplete, did we omit noticing, more particularly than we have done, some of the public works and public buildings.
The Newburyport bridge crosses the Merrimack from the north part of the town. It was built in 1827. Abutments with stone walls, filled in with sods, gravel, &c., project from either shore. That on the Newburyport side is 240, and that on the Salisbury side is 187 yards long. The bridge rests on these abutments and on four piers built of stone from high water mark, and is further sup- ported by chains passing over the tops of pyramids erected on the piers and under the centres of the arches. The span of the centre arch is 83 yards. The bridge is built in two distinct longitudinal parts, so that, in case of accident to one, the pas- sage of the river will not be interrupted. Whole length, three sevenths of a mile. Cost, $70,000. There has been a rapid and steady increase of travel over this bridge. The tolls taken in 1835 amounted to nearly double those of 1827.
A Breakwater was constructed by the United States in 1830, near the mouth of the harbor, for the purpose of improving the same, at an expense exceeding $30,000. It has as yet been productive of but little if any advantage. A pier has since been erected on Salisbury side, covering Badger's rocks, which affords a convenient harbor for vessels when prevented from coming up to town.
The Newburyport Turnpike to Boston, com- mences at the head of State street, and is continued in a direct course to Malden bridge. It was fin- ished in 1806, at an expense of $420,000, but is now little travelled.
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A Custom House has just been completed, situ- ated on Water street. It is built of rough granite, with hammered stone pilasters, entablature, cor- nice and portico. The roof is covered with zinc. With the exception of the windows and window- frames, it is built entirely of stone and brick. The style of architecture is the Grecian Doric, and the cost of the building $25,000.
There are eight Churches, a stone Jail and a keeper's house, an Alms house, an elegant brick Court House,* on Bartlett's mall, High street. There is also a brick Market house, containing a town hall, and rooms for municipal officers.
The Newburyport Academy, though situated within the bounds of Newbury, was built, as its name implies, by persons in Newburyport. It is a handsome brick building, situated on High street. A private school is now kept in it. The Newburyport Lyceum occupy the hall in the 2d story, which is a very handsome and convenient room, and was fitted for them at an expense of $1,200.
The great fire of 1811, before alluded to, de- stroyed in a few hours 250 buildings, and property to the estimated amount of $2,000,000. Insur- ance against fire was not then practised, and although large contributions were made in other towns for the relief of the sufferers, yet the injury to the town was very great. A portion of ground to the extent of fifteen acres, covered with buildings,
* The cost of this Court house was $16,000. It is men- tioned on page 40 of this work as still being the property of town and county ; but the town's half was sold to the county a while since, and it has been altered and much improved. It is now the largest and most convenient court room in the county.
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was burned over, and for a long space this section, in the heart of the town, called "the ruins," pre- sented a melancholy spectacle.
POPULATION.
The population was in 1810, 7,634 ; in 1820, 6,852 ; in 1830, 6,388. A new census was taken by some citizens in October, 1835, which gave 6,626, viz : white - males 2,781, females, 3,811 ; -- colored - males, 15, females, 19.
Ratable Polls, 1,395.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Town Clerk-Eleazar Johnson, Jr.
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