USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The Essex memorial, for 1836: embracing a register of the county > Part 5
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STAGES.
Three daily stages leave for Boston; two in the morning, and one in the evening. The great eastern line passes through the centre of the town.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Agriculture .- The tillage land, and English, and upland mowing are about 2500 acres; the fresh meadow, 381 acres; the salt marsh, 84 acres ; the pasturage 4000 acres. Producing 1550 tons of hay, and 14000 bushels of grain, and pasturing 1100 head of cattle. About 300 barrels of cider are made from the orchards, which also yields an abundant supply of apples for the table. Potatoes are raised to an extent
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BEVERLY.
exceeding the consumption of the town. Onions, beets, carrots, cabbages, turnips, and a great variety of other vegetables are produced, some of which are marketed in other places, or shipped to the West Indies or southern States. There are about 250 sheep, and 500 swine kept. Butter and cheese are made in considerable quantities, but of the last, not sufficient for home consumption. There are two large milk farms, stocked with about sixty cows, from which, milk is carried to Salem daily. Grass is the most valuable object of culture. Wheat has some- times succeeded well, but has often failed. Flax is raised in small quantities. Maize, or Indian corn, is next in importance to grass, and there are 12,000 bushels produced annually. The whole quantity of grain raised within the town, is about equal to half of the consumption of bread stuffs. The other half consists principally of flour from New York and the middle and southern States. Of other vegetable food the quantity produced exceeds the consumption. The great extent of sea coast, furnishes ready means for improving the soil, by the abundant supply of sea manure. Mud from old muscle beds, sea weed and rock weed, are much used for this purpose.
Cod Fishery .- The greatest amount of capital em- ployed in any one branch of business, is that em- ployed in the cod fishery. There are fifty vessels, averaging seventy tons each, making an aggregate of 3500 tons ; valued, including the stores and outfits, at $100,000 ; manned by 400 men and boys. The gross product of this fishery may be estimated at $150,000.
Shoe Manufacture .- About 300 males and 200 fe- males are employed in the manufacture of shoes, most of the year.
Trade and Commerce .- About $100,000 are em- ployed in the coasting trade and foreign commerce.
Distances from the First Parish Meeting House .- To the old State House, or City Hall, Boston, over Essex Bridge, and Salem turnpike, and by the usually travelled roads, 16 92-100 miles. To the corner of Es- sex and Summer Streets, Salem, by Nourse's corner
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BOXFORD.
in Beverly, over Essex Bridge, and through Bridge, Newbury, and Essex Streets, Salem, 2 55-100 miles. To Wenham Meeting House, 4 46-100 miles. To Hamilton Meeting House, 6 14-100 miles. To the Court House in Ipswich, 11 26-100 miles.
Beaver Pond .- Beaver Pond covers 21 acres. In it are found perch, pickerel, eels, &c. and a shell fish resembling the muscle of the sea shore.
Eastern Wood .- It is estimated that three thou- sand cords of eastern wood are consumed in Beverly every year ; the quantity, however, is diminishing as coal becomes more generally used.
Sand .-- Several vessels are employed in transporting the coarse sand from the shores of this town, to Bos- ton, to be used for mortar.
Stores, &c .- There are seven stores where the prin- cipal business is in dry goods ; two hard ware, and twenty others of different kinds. The number of merchants now engaged in foreign commerce, is less than at any former period since the Revolution.
Taxable Property .- In the State valuation of 1831, Beverly stands at $973,029,06 ; but the assessors' valuation somewhat exceeds that sum.
Town Expenses .- The town expenses for the last year amounted to $6603,74.
Post Office Revenue .- The Post Office yields to government about $285 annually.
Reading Rooms .- There is a reading room attached to the Post Office ; and two others of less note, in other parts of the town.
Cabinet Making .- There are about a dozen shops in which between thirty and forty hands are employed at this business.
BOXFORD.
BOXFORD formed a part of Rowley, till August, 1685, when it was incorporated as a separate town. It is twentyfour miles northeast of Boston, thir-
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BOXFORD.
teen southwest of Newburyport, and ten west by north of Ipswich ; bounded north by Bradford and Rowley, east by Ipswich and Topsfield, south by Topsfield and Middleton, and west by Andover.
Many Indians resided here previous to the com- ing of the whites. A few years ago several bodies were dug up, and great numbers of arrow heads, together with a stone mortar and pestle were found with them. At the breaking out of the revolution, the inhabitants were very spirited in the cause of independence, and eight from the town were killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. The Hon. Aaron Wood, a native and resident of this town, who died in 1791, left a legacy of 2,061 dollars for the support of Latin and Greek grammar schools.
The town contains several ponds, which afford some useful water privileges, and form the head waters of Rowley and Parker Rivers. Here also is the source of a branch of Ipswich river. In the year 1680, the manufacture of iron was com. menced, but it was soon discontinued.
The soil is not the most productive, but the in- dustry of the inhabitants has surmounted many natural deficiences. It is a fact worthy of notice that there is no place in the town where ardent spirits are sold. There is a cotton factory here, at which some business is done in the preparation of batting. The principal business is farming, though shoemaking is carried on to considerable extent.
POPULATION.
The population has remained nearly stationary for the last thirty years ; in 1800 it was 852 ; in 1830, 957.
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BOXFORD.
Ratable Polls, 222.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Town Clerk-William Farnham.
Town Treasurer-Abijah Northey.
Selectmen and Assessors -- Amos Kimball, Moses Dorman, Jr., George W. Sawyer.
PHYSICIANS, JUSTICES, ETC.
Physicians-George Moody, George W. Sawyer.
Justices of the Peace-Parker Spofford, Jonathan Foster, Moses Dorman, George W. Sawyer, Solo- mon Low, Abijah Northey, Charles Peabody.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
First Church-Orthodox Congregational ; organ- ized 1702 ; Sabbath School attached ; John Whitney, pastor. The first pastor was Thomas Symmes. He was born at Bradford, Feb. 1, 1678 ; graduated at Harvard, 1698 ; settled Dec. 30, 1702 ; resigned in April, 1708 ; was installed over the first church in Bradford the same year ; died Oct. 6, 1725. The second pastor was John Rogers. He was born at Salem, and graduated at Harvard in 1705 ; settled here in 1709, and remained about thirtyfour years. He then went to reside with his son, minister at Leo- minster, where he died about 1775. The third pastor was Elizur Holyoke, who was born at Boston, May 11, 1731 ; graduated at Harvard, 1750 ; settled here, Jan. 30, 1759. He was paralytic, and did not preach after Feb. 1793. Died March 31, 1806. The fourth pastor was Isaac Briggs. He was born at Halifax, about the year 1775; graduated at Brown Univer- sity, 1795 ; installed here in 1808 ; resigned Dec. 3, 1833.
Second Church-Orthodox Congregational ; organ- ized Dec. 9, 1736. Sabbath School attached. Pas- tor, Peter Eaton. The first pastor was John Cushing. He was born at Salisbury, and graduated at Harvard in 1729 ; was settled here Dec. 29, 1736 ; died Jan. 25, 1772, aged 63. The second pastor was Moses
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BOXFORD.
Hale. He was born at Newbury, and graduated a Harvard in 1771 ; settled here, Nov. 16, 1774 ; died May 26, 1786, aged 38. Dr Eaton was born at Ha- verhill, March 15, 1756 ; graduated at Harvard in 1787 ; studied divinity with Phineas Adams, of Ha- verhill ; was settled here Oct. 7, 1789.
SCHOOLS.
There are six District Schools, comprising 240 scholars. School tax for the current year, is 500 dollars.
MILITARY.
A company of Light Infantry has recently been or- ganized. Number of members, 35. Captain-Wil- liam Low ; Lieutenant-Jonathan J. Porter ; Ensign -John Batchelder.
There is also one company of infantry of the line.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Divisions of Land .- Boxford contains about 13,900 acres. Of English and upland mowing, 1998; of fresh meadow, 832; of pasturage, 6500 ; of wood- land, 1474 ; of unimproved, 2743 ; of unimprovable, 953.
Valuation .- The valuation of this town was in 1811, $228,406,43 ; in 1821, $253,959,00 ; in 1831, $282,- 379,21.
Mills, S.c .- There are three grist mills, and three saw mills in the town. Also, three stores, at which a variety of goods are sold.
Post Offices .- There are two Post Offices ; one in the East Parish, Charles Peabody, Post Master. One in the West Parish, Benjamin Pearl, Post Master.
It may be mentioned that there is no public house in the town.
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BRADFORD.
This town was formerly a part of Rowley. The first name by which it was distinguished, appears to have been Merrimack ; afterwards it was called Rowley Village ; and in 1673, it was incorporated as an independent township, by its present name. During the Indian wars the people were much alarmed for their safety, and three garrisoned houses were erected ; but it does not appear that they were much molested by the savages. Rev. Gardner B. Perry, in a discourse containing a his- tory of the town, delivered Dec. 22, 1820, says, " I have found but one record of any violence ex- perienced from them. This is contained in a note attached to one of the town books, by Shubal Walker, who was the town clerk. He observes in this note that Thomas Kimball, was shot by an Indian, the third of May, 1676, and his wife and five children, Joannah, Thomas, Joseph, Prescilla and John, were carried captive. These, however, he observes in another note, returned home again the 13th of June the same year." The house in which Mr Kimball lived stood on the road leading to Boxford, and the cellar may still be seen. " It is traditionally reported," continues Mr Perry, "that the Indians who committed this violence, set out from their homes near Dracut, with the inten- tion of killing some one in Rowley who they sup- posed had injured them, but finding the night too far spent, they did not dare to proceed farther, and so avenged themselves on Mr Kimball. There was also a Mr Nehemiah Carlton shot from across the river, at the time of the attack upon Haverhill. And it it said farther, that one of the workmen employed in felling timber on the Haverhill side
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BRADFORD.
of the river, was also shot. Beside these I have heard of no particular injury received from them."
In 1723, Mrs Martha Hale was interred in the east parish burying place ; and this, as appears by the foot-stone, was the first burial there :
" If you will look, it may appear
She was the first that was buried here."
In 1726 the town was divided into two parishes.
The location of Bradford is very pleasant, being on the south bank of the Merrimack, a few miles above Newburyport, and thirty miles north of Bos- ton. The town is about six miles long, and from one to two and a half miles wide, and contains about 10,000 acres. It is bounded by the river, which separates it from Haverhill on the north and from Methuen on the west, by Andover, Boxford, and Rowley, on the south, and by Newbury and West Newbury on the east. It has an uneven sur- face and a great variety of soil from the richest alluvian to bog meadows and granite hills. The intervals and much of the upland is of surpassing fertility ; and favored by the nature of the soil and the evaporation of the river retains the deepest verdure amid the drought of summer.
Several of the hills are of considerable eleva- tion and afford some of the finest views of rural scenery to be obtained in New England. The back ground along the southern boundary of the town has an almost continuous extent of forest of oak, walnut, pine and maple with all the other varieties of forest growth which the county af- fords. These forests, with large tracts of excel- lent peat are amply sufficient to supply the inhab- itants with fuel.
The town is united to Haverhill by a costly
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BRADFORD.
›ridge of three arches, built in 1794; and by a chain ferry which furnishes a convenient and pleasant mode of crossing the river in good weather.
The river is about 800 feet wide at the lower part of the town and narrower at the upper part. It has from four to five feet water at low tide up to the chain ferry and nearly as much in the best channel to Haverhill. High tides flow about six feet, backing the water and sometimes setting the current up river ; but the salt water of the ocean never reaches this place. The short turn in the river and the shoals between the chain ferry and Haverhill are serious impediments to naviga- tion, but hulls of vessels of 400 tons or more, built at Bradford and Haverhill, have been taken down, and those of 90 or 100 tons come up loaded.
The banks of the Merrimack, between this town and Haverhill, are pronounced by those ex- tensively acquainted with river scenery to be sur- passingly beautiful. They are fringed with trees and shrubbery to the water's edge in many places ; and the flowers of spring, the deep verdure of summer, and the variegated colors of autumn pre- sent, in the vast mirror of water a softened pic- ture of exceeding beauty.
The increasing business of Haverhill and Brad- ford is yearly increasing the navigation of the river. About fifty trips in a season are now made to Bradford and Haverhill chiefly to supply lum- ber and lime from Maine ; flour and grain from Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore and for the transportation of merchandise purchased in other places.
Several fine steamboats have passed up the river as far as Haverhill and made trips with par-
5
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BRADFORD.
ties of pleasure to Hampton, Isle of Shoals, and other places, and two, of different sizes, have been built on the river intended for its navigation, but as no one ever established regular trips it was not possible that they should receive much patronage.
The increase of inhabitants and business on the river require the facility of a good steamboat and whoever will establish a regular line with a suit- able boat, good engine and good attendance will no doubt meet with abundant success.
Johnson's Creek, a fine mill stream, rises in some ponds in Boxford and crossing this town near the centre affords some excellent mill sites, as the falls amount to 50 or 60 feet in about a mile, and the large ponds furnish capacious basins for retaining the waters. The stream might with im- provement afford facilities for factories and a vast increase of business.
The roads have been much improved of late ; and one to Boxford and Andover, and one from Bradford to Lowell, are laid out and under contract. The last named will furnish a very short and direct way from Newburyport to Methuen and Lowell, and greatly accommodate the inhabitants of Bradford. Several lines of stages pass daily through the town from Haverhill, Concord, Exeter and Dover to Boston. One from Haverhill to Salem. One from Newburyport to Lowell and one from Amesbury to Boston.
Ship building was formerly carried on here to considerable extent ; but it is now almost totally abandoned, though the town still presents one of the most advantageous places in the county for the business, and a great part of the timber for the ship-yards of Newbury and Essex pass by the very doors. The manufacture of boots and shoes now
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BRADFORD.
furnish the young men with easier labor and larger profits.
The freshet of March, 1818, was among the most remarkable occurrences ever witnessed here ; and was generally supposed to have been the highest flood that ever invaded the banks of the Merrimack. A violent rain had melted the snow and poured down the valley of the Merrimack with tremendous fury. The ice, which was then near two feet thick was torn up with the noise and tremour of an earthquake, and driven into im. mense dams, rolling and tumbling along in every possible position, on its way to the ocean. The river was raised at this place 21 feet above common high water mark, and 27 feet above common low water in the summer. The intervals were over- flowed, and in several houses the water was from two inches to five feet deep ; acres of ice were driven up high upon the land and pyramids of broken fragments were thrown up far above the level fof even this swelling flood. Some build- ings were removed and some destroyed. Cattle and sheep were drowned and devastation spread on every side.
The run of eels in the river is certainly a mat- ter calculated to excite astonishment in the be- holder. " It generally takes place," we quote from Mr Perry's discourse, above referred to " be- tween the two run of shad. They go up the river the beginning of May, in a ribband or stream of about a foot wide upon the average, and three or four inches in depth, and every year in the same course. They are from two to six inches in length, move with considerable velocity, and con- tinue to pass along without interruption for about four days ; almost an inconceivable number must
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BRADFORD.
pass during this time." They are from the salt water, and are said to pass into the ponds and brooks connected with the river.
POPULATION.
The population was, in 1810, 1369 ; in 1820, 1600; in 1830, 1856. Ratable Polls, 460.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Town Clerk-William Tenney, Sd.
Town Treasurer-Stephen Parker.
Selectmen-Benjamin P. Chadwick, Benjamin Par- ker, Jr., Jonathan Kimball.
LAWYERS, PHYSICIANS, JUSTICES, &c.
Lawyer-Alfred Kittredge. He resides in this town, but has his office in Haverhill.
Physicians-Jeremiah Spofford, George Cogswell.
Justice of the Peace and Quorum-Benjamin Par- ker.
Justices of the Peace-Daniel Stickney, William Greenough, Moses Parker, Jeremiah Spofford, Eli- phalet Kimball, Jesse Kimball, Amos Parker.
Coroners-Amos Parker, Jonathan Kimball.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
First Church .- Orthodox Congregational ; consti- tuted Dec. 27, 1682 ; located in the West Parish. At present without a pastor. The first pastor was Zachariah Symmes. He was born at Charlestown ; graduated at Harvard, 1657 ; settled here at the con- stitution of the church ; died March 22, 1707. The second pastor was Thomas Symmes, son of the first pastor. He was born at Bradford, Feb. 1, 1678 ; graduated at Harvard, 1698 ; settled here Dec. 1708; died Oct. 6, 1725. The third pastor was Joseph Par- sons. He was born at Brookfield ; graduated at Har- ward, 1720 ; settled here June 8, 1726 ; died May 4,
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BRADFORD.
1765. The fourth pastor was Samuel Williams. He was born at Waltham, April 23, 1743 ; graduated at Harvard, 1761 ; settled here Nov. 20, 1765 ; resig. Jan. 14, 1780. The fifth pastor was Jonathan Allen. He was born at Braintree ; graduated at Harvard, 1774 ; settled here June 5, 1781. The sixth pastor was Ira Ingraham. He was born at Cornwall, Vt .; graduated at Middlebury, 1815 ; settled here Dec. 1, 1824; resigned, April 5, 1830. 'The seventh pastor was Loammi I. Hoadly. He was born at Northford, Ct .; graduated at Yale, 1817 ; settled here Oct. 13, 1830 ; resigned Jan. 28, 1833. The eighth, and last pastor, was Moses C. Searle. He was born at Row- ley, Sept. 17, 1797 ; graduated at Princeton, 1821 ; settled here Jan. 30, 1833 ; resigned April, 1834.
Second Church .- Orthodox Congregational ; lo- cated in the East Parish ; organized June 7, 1728. Pastor, Gardner B. Perry. Mr Perry was born at Norton, Aug. 9, 1783 ; graduated at Union college, 1804 ; settled Sept. 28, 1814.
Methodist .- Established 1832. Pastor, David Cul- ver.
SCHOOLS.
Bradford Academy, in the West Parish, was es- tablished in 1803. It is located on an elevated site, which commands a most enchanting view of the val- ley of the Merrimack and the surrounding country ; comprehending the entire villages of Bradford and Haverhill. But the visiter has scenes of a more ele- vated character to contemplate, as he pauses in view of this institution. The names of Mrs Judson and Harriet Newell, who were once pupils here, have created a thrilling interest throughout the Christian world. The male department is now, and has long been, under the superintendance of Mr Benjamin Greenleaf, who expects, however, soon to retire. The female department is under the care of Miss Hazel- tine, assisted by Miss Sarah Kimball. It is now in a flourishing state, with from 80 to 100 pupils.
Merrimack Academy .- This institution is located in the East Parish, and was established in 1821. It
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BRADFORD.
is in successful operation under the charge of Mr Sylvanus Morse, and has from 40 to 50 pupils.
District Schools .- Bradford is divided into eight school districts. Whole number of scholars, about 600. Amount raised by tax, about $800. The esti- mated amount paid for tuition in academies, &c. last year was $1915.
MANUFACTURES, STORES, AND FISHERIES.
Shoes are manufactured here to great extent, more than half the inhabitants of suitable age, being en- gaged on this branch of manufacture. It is estimated that about 360,000 pairs of boots and shoes are made annually.
The business of tanning and currying is carried on with vigor and profit. There are five tanneries.
A printing establishment has recently been com- menced, and letter-press and stereotype printing are carried on to considerable extent.
There are twelve stores in the town, several of which are connected with the shoe manufactories.
The fisheries in the Merrimack are very valuable. A few salmon are yet caught, and shad and alewives are taken in great abundance. The shad and ale- wives have been much more plenty within the last few years, than they were fifteen or twenty years ago. The ponds in the town abound with pickerel and perch of the finest quality.
POST OFFICES.
There are two Post Offices. One at the West Parish, yielding to government about $125 ; Elipha- let Kimball, Post Master. One in the East Parish, yielding to government about $77. Post Master, Benjamin Parker, Jr.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Valuation .- The valuation in 1811 was, #286,396; in 1831, $364,531.
Dwellings. - The number of dwellings is 256.
Insurance Company .- There is one Mutual Fire Insurance Company in the town.
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DANVERS.
Fire Department .- The are two fire engines with proper accompaniments and efficient companies.
Public Houses .- There are four public houses kept by Atwood, Hopkinson, Bartlett and Merrill,
DANVERS.
This town was settled, as a part of Salem, at a very early period, Governor Endicott having lo- cated himself within its precincts. Its early his- tory, therefore, is interwoven with that of Salem.
It was in this town, and in the family of Rev. Mr Parris, that the terrible witchcraft delusion of 1692, first manifested itself. From the church Jecord, as it stands in Mr Parris's own hand writ- ing, we extract the following statement.
" 27 MARCH, SAB. 1692, SACRAMENT DAY.
" After the commnon auditory was dismissed, and before the church communion at the Lord's table, the following testimony against the error of our sister Mary Sibly, who had given direction to my Indian man in an unwarrantable way, to find out witches, was read by the Pastor. It is altogether undenyable that our great and blessed God hath suffered many persons, in several families, of this little village, to be grievously vexed and tortured in body, and to be deeply tempted, to the endan- gering of the destruction of their souls, and all these amazing facts (well known to many of us) to be done by witchcraft and diabolical operations. It is also well known that when these calamities first began, which was in my own family, the af- fliction was several weeks before such hellish op- crations as witchcraft was suspected. Nay it never
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DANVERS.
brake forth to any considerable light until diabol- ical means was used by the making of a cake by my Indian man, who had his directions, from this our Sister Mary Sibly, since which apparitions have been plenty, and exceeding much mischief hath followed. But by this means it seems the Devil hath been raized amongst us and his rage is vehement and terrible, and when he shall be silenced the Lord only knows."
The settlement was incorporated as the District of Danvers, Jan. 28, 1752; and as a separate town, June 16, 1757. The district called New Mills, in the northeastern part of the township, was settled in 1754; and the first person born there is still living, and in the S1st year of her age. New Mills became a separate highway dis- trict, by legislative act, in 1772; and during the revolutionary war four 20 gun ships and eight or ten privateers were built here.
Danvers can boast of many sages and heroes among her sons. Gen. Israel Putnam, whose his- tory is too well known to require the brief notice we could give, drew his first breath upon her soil. Samuel Holten, who was a member of the Pro- vincial Congress, and for a time president pro tem. of that body; who was a member of Congress under the Constitution, and filled many important offices in the State, was also a native of this town. Col. Hutchinson, another of her sons, commanded a company of minute men at the battle of Lexing- ton, and afterwards became commander of a regi- ment. He received the marked approbation of Washington, for the signal service he rendered the army in crossing the Delaware, and was by his fellow citizens elected Representative for twenty- one years. Jeremiah Page, another hero from
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