USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The Essex memorial, for 1836: embracing a register of the county > Part 3
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ESSEX COUNTY.
ESSEX SOUTHERN DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The Essex Southern District Medical Society con- sists of all those members of the Massachusetts Med- ical Society, who reside in Lynn, Marblehead, Salem, Danvers, Topsfield, Beverly, Manchester, Gloucester, Essex, Hamilton, Wenham, and Ipswich.
The society was formed in 1805, in pursuance of a vote of the Massachusetts Medical Society, authoriz- ing the establishment of district or subordinate asso- ciations, with power to hold meetings, make by- laws, and possess books, apparatus, &c. independent of the parent society. At its first formation, the mem- bers made very liberal donations of books and money to commence a library, which has been subsequently much increased by subscription among the members, in several instances exceeding one hundred dollars at a time ; by assessment among the members chiefly to continue the series of periodical works ; by liberal donations from individuals of books and money, in one instance of $100 in money ; by an apportionment, amounting to one third of the annual assessment paid the parent society.
The library is annually increasing and at the pre- sent time contains many expensive and useful vol- umes, among which are Dr. Wm. Hunter's folio plates of the Gravid Uterus, Sir Astley Cooper's plates of Hernia, Willau's plates of diseases of the skin, Carswell's Pathological Anatomy, Shaw's plates of Distortion of the Spine, &c. Among the medical periodicals are the principal medical journals of Lon- don and Edinburgh for the last fifty years.
The Society has lately finished a room at their own expense, in the Salem Lyceum, where their meet- ings are now held. At these meetings, the Physicians of the district have an opportunity for the agreeable and improving interchange of thoughts and opinions on medical topics ; for the production and discussion of rare medical cases ; for the exhibition and inspec- tion of specimens of morbid anatomy ; and for all those advantages which flow from social intercourse among liberal and enlightened men.
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SOCIETIES.
Ås there are no elections into the District Society, any Physician residing within the district, who wish- es to connect himself with this society, will obtain ad- mission into the general society, by applying to the counsellors, through the Recording Secretary, and signing the by-laws. In case he is not a licentiate of the society, or a Doctor of Medicine of Harvard Uni- versity, it will be necessary to obtain a license by ap- plication to the board of censors, and exhibiting to them the medical diploma of the applicant. This li- cense, or a medical diploma from some college or uni- versity in the State of Massachusetts, is considered necessary to a regular standing in the profession, since, without this, whatever medical or academical honors he may have received out of the State, no physician is competent to enforce the penalties of the law in the collection of his debts ; and the regu- lations of the Massachusetts Medical Society prohibit consultations with all persons who are not thus quali- fied. At present there are nearly forty members com- posing the society. The present officers are : - President, Andrew Nichols, Danvers. Vice President, A. L. Peirson, Salem. Treasurer, Sam'l Johnson, Salem. Librarian, Benj. Cox, Jr., Salem. Secretary, E. A. Holyoke, Salem.
ESSEX HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
This Society was incorporated June 11, 1821. It is located in Salem, their room being in the Salem Bank building. Its object is to co-operate with the in- stitutions of a like nature, in collecting and preserv- ing all authentic memorials relating to the civil his- tory of the County of Essex, and the eminent men who have been inhabitants of it from its first settle- ment, as well as all facts relating to its natural history and topography, and thus to provide the most ample materials for an authentic history of this part of the commonwealth. The officers are :
President, Benjamin Pickman.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
Vice President, Ichabod Tucker.
Corresponding Secretary, John G. King. Recording Secretary, Joseph G. Waters.
Treasurer, Frederick Howes.
Librarian and Cabinet keeper, Charles A. Andrew.
ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
This Society was organized, Dec. 18, 1833. It is located at Salem, and its objects are : To form a complete collection of natural productions, curiosities, &c., particularly of this County ; and, To forin a Li- brary of standard books on the natural sciences. Their rooms are in Essex Place, where are deposited their Cabinet and Library. For the two last seasons their rooms have been opened on Friday of each week, from June till October, for the exhibition of fruit, flowers, &c. The Society now consists of about one hundred members. Any person residing in the County may become a member of the Society, by signing the Constitution and paying two dollars per annum, or twenty dollars for a life membership. The annual meetings are held on the third Wednes- day in June.
President, Andrew Nichols, of Danvers.
1st Vice President, William Oakes, of Ipswich.
Od Vice President, Gardner B. Perry, of Bradford.
Secretary and Treasurer, Henry Wheatland, of Sa- lem.
Cabinet Keeper and Librarian, William P. Rich- ardson, of Salem.
Curators, John C. Lee, of Salem, William Pres- cott, of Lynn, John M. Ives, of Salem, Charles G. Page, of Salem,
ESSEX COUNTY TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
The praiseworthy objects of this Society are indica- ted by its title. The officers are :
President, Nehemiah Cleaveland, of Topsfield.
Vice Presidents, Charles Lawrence, of Salem, Ne- hemiah Cleaveland, Jr. of Byfield, Gilman Parker, of Haverhill, Ingalls Kittredge, of Beverly.
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SOCIETIES.
Executive Committee, Gardner B. Perry, of Bradford, N. W. Williams, of Newburyport, Thomas B. Fox, of do., C. O. Kimball, of Methuen, Benj. Porter Cham- berlain, of Salem, Benj. Greenleaf, of Bradford, and Josiah Newhall, of Lynn.
Secretary, Charles O. Kimball, of Methuen.
Treasurer, William Dean, of Salem.
ESSEX COUNTY ANTI SLAVERY SOCIETY.
This Society holds, "That the people of New Eng- land are both directly and indirectly guilty of the sin of Slaveholding, and are therefore under obligation to exert all christian means to effect the immediate, entire and unconditional emancipation of the Slaves."
President, Gardner B. Perry, of Bradford.
Vice Presidents, Cyrus P. Grosvenor, of Salem, Charles C. Sewall, of Danvers, David T. Kimball, of Ipswich, Isaac Winslow, of Danvers, Gilman Par- ker, of Haverhill, Ingalls Kittredge, of Beverly, Amos Pettingill, of Newburyport.
Recording Secretary, Benjamin H. Ives, of Salem. Corresponding Secretary, Thos. Spencer, of Salem. Treasurer, Stephen Driver, Jr., of Salem.
Managers, William Oakes, of Ipswich, John G. Whittier, of Haverhill, R. P. Waters, of Salem, Wil- liam B. Dodge, of Salem.
ESSEX COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.
This Association was instituted in 1829, and has for its object, the mutual improvement of school teachers, and the advancement of education. They have semi-annual meetings, at which discussions are held, and lectures delivered, on subjects calculated to improve the condition of schools.
President, Gardner B. Berry, of Bradford.
Vice President, Nehemiah Cleaveland, of Newbury.
Recording Secretary, David P. Page, of Newbury- port.
Corresponding Secretary, Alfred Greenleaf, of Salem,
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ESSEX COUNTY.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Divisions of Land .- The whole County contains about 300,000 acres, of which 18,000 are covered with water, and 8,000 used for roads. Tillage land, 15,000 acres, worth $26 per acre. English and upland mow- ing, 33,000 acres, worth $33. Fresh meadow, 16,500 acres, worth $15. Salt marsh, 16,500 acres, worth $14. Woodland, 24,000 acres, worth $21. Pasture, 118,000 acres, worth $12. Unimproved, 36,000 acres, worth $5. Unimprovable, 15,000 acres.
Public Buildings, &c .- The public buildings belong- ing to the County are: A brick Court House, with offices for the accommodation of the Clerk and for the Juries, in each of the towns of Salem and Newbury- port; and a wooden Court House, with the above appurtenances, at Ipswich: a stone jail in each of the three towns, with houses appended for the accommo- dation of the keepers: a House of Correction, of brick, at Ipswich: and a Probate Office, of brick, also at Ipswich. The Salem jail, with the keeper's house, were built in 1813, at an expense of about $60,000. The average cost of the other two jails, was about 30,000 dollars each. The number of persons con- fined in each of the jails averages twentyfive; and the number of convicts in the House of Correction, some- thing like eighty. Of the Court Houses, that at Newburyport was the most costly, but it is in part owned by the town, and by them used for public pur- poses.
Colored Population .-- The colored population was, in 1790, 880; in 1800, 911; in 1810, 860; in 1820, 654; in 1830, 517.
Slaves .- In 1754, there were 439 slaves in this County. The present Constitution of Massachusetts was established in 1780. The first article of the Dec- laration of Rights asserts that all men are born free and equal; and this was generally supposed to have
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AMESBURY.
reference to slavery; but still it was a point on which all did not agree. In 1781, however, at the Court in Worcester an indictment was found against a white man for assaulting, beating and imprisoning a black. His trial took place at the Supreme Judicial Court in 1783; and the defence was that the black was a slave, and the beating, &c. was but the necessary correction of the master. This defence did not avail; the white was found guilty and fined; and this decis- ion was the death warrant for slavery in Massachu- setts.
Aged Persons .- By the census of 1830, it appears that the number of aged persons in this County is in greater proportion to the population of the State, than in any other section. The number of persons here, between 90 and 100 years, was thirtytwo males and fiftytwo females. There was no male of 100 years; but of the females there were two white, and one colored, of that age or upwards.
Deaf, Dumb and Blind .- By the same census it ap peared that there were fiftynine who were deaf and dumb, and fortytwo who were blind.
Highest Land .- The highest land in this County is " Bald Pate," so called, in the western part of Row- ley; the hill is 329 feet above the sea.
AMESBURY.
AMESBURY, so called from a town in Wiltshire, England, is bounded southerly by the Merrimack, which divides it from Newbury and West New bury, westerly by Haverhill, northerly by the New hampshire boundary line, and easterly by Powow river, which separates it from the western border
3
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AMESBURY.
of Salisbury. In the earlier records of the town, and in ancient books, the name is written Alms- bury ; and that orthography is occasionally adopt- ed at the present day. Previous to 1668, when it was incorporated into an independent township, it constituted a parish of Salisbury under the name of Salisbury New Town. Its distance from Bos .. ton is forty miles, in a northeasterly direction ; from Newburyport, four miles.
The town is six miles long, and three broad, and contains 9,170 acres; viz: 700 of tillage, 1,100 upland mowing, 300 fresh meadow, 5,000 pastur- age, 270 woodland, 1,800 unimproved land, and land not particularly described. The Amesbury farmers have not given so much attention to mod- ern experiments and improvements in husbandry, as some of their neighbors. They have seldom been competitors for prizes at the annual cattle shows, and very few have have attended as spectators. The quality of their soil is about equal to the average of soil in the County. From legislative returns of 1831, it appears, the produce that year was 8,000 bushels indian corn, 2,500 bushels wheat, rye, oats and barley, and 900 tons upland hay.
This town is perhaps more broken into hills and dales than any other town in the County, and hence its natural scenery is of a more varied and picturesque character. Whittier Hill, Bear Hill, and the Pond hills, are the chief elevations, from some of which the prospect, both of land and ocean, is very extensive and magnificent. Kim- ball's Pond, near the centre of the town, is a very beautiful sheet of water, about a mile in length. The perch and pickerel in its waters, the woods and valleys upon its borders, render it a favorite resort for parties of pleasure in the summer season.
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AMESBURY.
Amesbury is popularly divided into three sec- tions, viz : West Parish, or Jamaica, the Ferry and Mills. Jamaica borders on Haverhill, and is the seat of the extensive chaise manufacturing.
The Ferry is at the southeast extremity of the town, at the junction of the Powow with the Mer- rimack and derives its name from the ancient ferry, which was established between this part of the town and Newbury. At this point the Merrimack alters its course, nearly at a right angle, from a northwest to a south west direction. Thirty years ago this was the seat of considerable commerce, several heavy ships being owned here. A great many vessels were also built on the banks of the river, and some are still every year launched. The salmon, shad and alewive fishery was also carried on here. Some fish are still caught, but they are becoming more scarce. The last season there were taken about 1,500 shad and 20 barrels of ale- wives. Not a single salmon was drawn up on the Amesbury fishing ground, during the season. Tra- dition says, it was formerly an article in the inden- tures of apprentices, that they should not be obliged to eat salmon, oftener than six times a week.
The settlement called The Mills, is at the north- eastern border of the town, round the lower falls of the Powow. It forms a continuous settlement with the northwestern village of Salisbury on the other side of the Powow. The river is but about two rods in width and is crossed by several bridges. For many purposes the people on both sides of the Powow act as citizens of one town.
The Powow river rises in Kingston, N. H. There are on it twelve different dams with more
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AMESBURY.
or less power. At the Mills there are five dams within the space of fifty rods, the falls over which are in the aggregate seventy feet high. The stream is rapid, and when swelled in volume by a recent freshet, its descent over the falls forms a curious and beautiful spectacle. The water in the stream seldom wholly fails, and to recruit its cur- rent, when exhausted, by long drought, Kimball's pond, before mentioned, has been dammed up and converted into a reservoir. The canal, which forms a communication between the pond and the river is about one eighth of a mile in length. It was made more than a century ago. A part of it passes under a high hill, tunnel-wise. This tun- nel, in consideration of the very early period, when it was undertaken and completed, has al- ways been regarded as an object of curiosity. The means exist in two large ponds, near the sources of the Powow, of greatly increasing the water in the stream and creating an inexhaustible supply for all the mills, that can be erected on its banks.
Water power was applied to propelling machin- ery in this village at a very early period. More than half a century ago, there was a smelting furnace here, and an extensive business carried on, in the fabrication of anchors, scythes, axes and other edge tools. About 1796, Jacob Perkins, having invented his machine for cutting and head- ing nails, set it in operation in this village.
Most of the people of Amesbury belong to the productive class ; very few are raised above the necessity of personal exertion. All are active and industrious, readily find employment, and com- mand good wages. They have been distinguished for their zeal in the cause of temperance. There has not been for several years, and is not now a single licensed grocer in town.
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AMESBURY
Josiah Bartlett, one of the signers of the de- claration of Independence, was a native of Ames- bury, and many of the same name and of his kindred, still remain in the place. He was edu- cated at the public schools, and studied medicine in his native town.
Payne Wingate, who for many years has been the oldest person on the catalogue of Harvard College, was born at Amesbury in 1739. He graduated in 1759, and settled in the ministry at Hampton Falls, in 1763. He continued in this profession but a short time - was elected a member of the first colonial Congress, and is the only member of that body now among the living. His residence is at Stratham, N. H.
POPULATION.
In 1800, the population was 1,757 ; in 1810, 1,890; in 1820, 1,956 ; in 1830, 2,445. By the last census it appeared there were 115 aliens, 3 colored persons, 1 deaf and dumb.
Ratable polls, 672.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Town Clerk-Daniel Weed.
Treasurer and Collector-Daniel Weed.
Selectmen-Stephen Clements, John Wadligh, Josh- ua Colby.
LAWYERS, PHYSICIANS, JUSTICES, ETC. Lawyers-Robert Cross, F. Emerson.
Physicians-Moses Carter, Israel Balch, David Plumer, Benjamin Atkinson.
Justices of the Peace-Robert Patten, Eliphalet Graves, Robert Cross, Stephen Sargent, Jr. Lowell Bagley, William Nichols, Daniel Weed, Patten Sargent.
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AMESBURY.
Postmasters-Eastern post office, Philip Osgood ; western, Edmund Sargent.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
First Church-Orthodox Congregational ; located at the Ferry. Organized, and the first pastor, Thomas Wells, settled, 1672. Mr Wells, died July 10, 1734, at the age of 87. Edmund March, the second pas- tor, was a native of Newbury, and graduated at Har- vard College, in 1722 ; settled here 1728 ; died March 6, 1791, at the age of 88. The third pastor was Eli- sha Odlin ; born at Exeter, N. H. ; graduated at Harvard, 1731 ; settled here 1744 ; died January 21, 1752, at the age of 41. The fourth pastor was Thomas Hibbert ; born at Rowley ; graduated at Har- vard, 1748 ; settled here November 6, 1754; died September, 1793, at the age of 66. The fifth pastor was Benjamin Bell ; born in Duchess County, N. Y. January 21, 1752 ; graduated at Yale, 1779 ; settled here October 13, 1784, and resigned March, 1790. The sixth pastor was Stephen Hull ; settled here, 1799 ; resigned, 1811. The seventh pastor was Benjamin Sawyer ; born at Boothbay, Maine, Sept. 22, 1782 ; graduated at Dartmouth, 1808 ; settled here June 19, 1816; resigned, 1835. They have at present no settled pastor. The records of this church are lost down to the time of Mr Sawyer's settlement.
Second Church-Orthodox Congregational ; located at the West Parish. Organized 1726. Pastor, Peter S. Eaton. Mr Eaton was born at Boxford, October 7, 1798 ; graduated at Harvard College, 1818, and at Andover Theological Seminary, 1822; settled here September 20, 1826.
Baptist-This Society is located in the West par- ish. Pastor, William Norris.
Congregational Society of Amesbury and Salisbury- Organized December 6, 1831. Pastor, Joseph H. Towne. Mr Towne was born at Salem, May 27, 1305 ; graduated at Yale, 1827; studied with Mr Fairchild, of Boston ; settled here March 5, 1834.
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AMESBURY.
Friends .- The Friends have a meeting-house at the Mills ; they regularly assemble on Sunday, and the society is highly respectable in numbers and char- acter.
Universalists .- There is a society of Universalists here, but they have no settled pastor ; they hold occa- sional meetings at the academy.
SCHOOLS.
Amesbury is divided into eleven school districts, in each of which a school is kept a part of the year ; in the winter for larger, in the summer for smaller pupils. $1,500 were raised for defraying the ex- penses of schools the present year, Total number of scholars, 1,222. Private schools are also kept a part, or the whole of the year, in different sections of the town. At the Ferry is a handsome building, in a beautiful location, built by an association, for an Academy. In former years, a flourishing seminary was kept here, and it is still occasionally occupied by an instructer in the higher branches of education.
MANUFACTURES.
The Amesbury Flannel Manufacturing Company- have all their buildings at the Mills, on the west, or Amesbury side of the Powow. This company was incorporated in 1822 with a capital of $200,000. They have two extensive factories now in operation ; in one of which flannels, in the other, satinets are fabricated. In the flannel mill are made annually 15,000 pieces of flannel, measuring 46 yards each ; in the satinet mill, 5,000 pieces of satinet of 25 yards. In both mills the number of hands is 160. 80 males and 80 females. No females under fifteen years of age are employed. Both mills have been recently repaired and fitted with perfect machinery. Most of the proprietors belong to Boston.
President-Ebenezer Francis, Boston.
Treasurer-Benjamin F. Edmands, Boston. Clerk-B. R. Nichols, Boston.
Manufacturing Agent-Joshua Aubin, Amesbury. Selling Agents-A. & A. Lawrence & Co., Boston.
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AMESBURY.
The Salisbury Manufacturing Company-have one factory in operation at the Mills, on the Amesbury side of the Powow and two on the other. This Com- pany has a capital of $500,000. They now make 650 pieces of flannel of 46 yards every week. When their machinery is all complete and in full operation they will turn out 1,000 pieces a week. They em- ploy 200 males and 300 females. The stock is owned in Boston, Salem and Newburyport.
President-Edward S. Rand, Newburyport.
Treasurer-John H. Treadwell, Salem.
Clerk and Manufacturing Agent -- James Scorton. Selling Agents -- Waterston, Pray, & Co., Boston.
There are also on the Powow, in this village, a grist mill, a saw mill, and a fulling mill.
About 550 chaises are annually manufactured at the West Parish, giving employment to 150 hands and a capital of $30,000. These chaises are disposed of in almost every section of New England.
ALMS-HOUSE.
Keeper-Samuel Stuart. Number of subjects, 13. A farm is connected with the establishment.
STAGES.
A stage, meeting the Newburyport line, for Boston, leaves the Mills daily, except Sunday, at 7 A. M. : and returns in the evening ; and another from Dover and Exeter passes through for Boston every day, ex- cept Sunday, at 11 A. M.
A stage passes through for Dover every day, Sun- day excepted, at half past two P. M. ; and another from Newburyport for Dover, every Tuesday, Thurs- day and Saturday, at 8 A. M., returning Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 4 P. M.
A stage from Newburyport to Haverhill passes through every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 10 A. M., and returns Monday, Wednesday and Fri- day, at 3 P. M.
All these stages, with the exception of the first, carry a mail.
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AMESBURY.
PUBLIC HOUSES. Manufacturers' Hotel, (Mills) Ichabod B. Morrill. West Parish House-John I. Stickney.
INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS.
The Salisbury and Amesbury Provident Institu- tion-or savings was incorporated in 1828.
In May, 1835, the whole number of depositors was 256. Amount of deposits 32,906,58. Invested in mortgages of real estate 9,260, in personal securities 6,495,52. Bank stock 17,035,75. Cash on hand 150, 88. Dividend declared and paid 5 per cent. Ex- penses of Institution $75.
President-Joshua Aubin.
Treasurer-Robert Patten.
Clerk-Jonathan B. Webster.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
& Militia .- Under the present organization there are but two companies of infantry. A volunteer com- pany of artillery was disbanded a few years since. The militia system has been particularly unpopular in the west part of the town. In consequence, effi- cient men have been unwilling to hold commissions. For two years the Western Company has been des- titute of officers and all measures taken to procure the election of suitable persons or to parade the con- pany have proved inefficient. Of the East Company Jonathan Allen is Captain, James Rowell Lieutenant.
Fire Department .- There are three fire engines in Amesbury.
Stores .- Grocery, 7 ; dry goods and millinery, 5 ; others 16; total, 28.
Town Records .- The records are extant, in good preservation, from the date of the incorporation of the town.
Dwellings .- The number of dwellings is 406.
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ANDOVER.
ANDOVER. .
Ir is not known with certainty at what period this town was first settled. The land was pur- chased of Cutshamache, the Sagamore of Massa- chusetts, for twentysix dollars, sixtyfour cents, and a coat, in behalf of the people of Cochiche- wick, by Rev. John Woodbridge. The town was incorporated in 1646, by the name of Andover, receiving that name from Andover, in Hampshire, England, whence most of the early settlers came, - settlers who were men of the same noble traits of character which distinguished those who first stepped upon the rock of Plymouth.
From the proceedings of the town in 1672, we make the following amusing extract : " Ordered, that whatsoever dogs shall be in the meeting house on the Sabbath day, the owner thereof shall pay sixpence for every time being there, and G. A. Jr. is appointed to take notice thereof and have the pay for his pains, and to gather it up." In 1679, it was " ordered by the Selectmen, that no person entertain others in their houses after nine o'clock in the evening, without warrantable business, on penalty of five shillings. No young person to be abroad on Saturday or Sunday nights, nor people to entertain on these nights, on the like penalty. Persons unseasonably from their own homes, ex- posed to the same forfeiture. The tythingmen required to attend to it."
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