USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The Essex memorial, for 1836: embracing a register of the county > Part 8
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Mechanic Association .- Instituted February, 1831. This association has for its objects the mutual benefit of mechanics. When an apprentice in the town be- comes of age, if he has served his master faithfully, and otherwise bears a good name, this society grants him if he desires, a certificate signed by the President and Vice President, and bearing the scal of the asso- ciation, recommending him " to the notice, encour- agement, protection and patronage of all persons, in all countries where he may sojourn." There are now about 150 members. They have a library with 300 volumes. Officers-President, David White ; Vice President, Nathaniel Babson, Jr .; Treasurer,
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Joseph E. Pratt; Secretary, Moses Nowell ; Direc- tors, John Webber, John Atkinson, Josiah Herrick, Jr., John S. Johnson, Stephen L. Davis.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Tonnage .- The amount of tonnage in the district of Gloucester, (which includes Manchester,) is: reg- istered, 2500 ; enrolled and licensed, 13,537 ; total, 16,037 tons.
Vessels .- The number of vessels owned here, (not including Manchester,) is 274, viz : 1 ship, S brigs, 226 schooners, 18 sloops, and 21 vessels over 5, and under 20 tons.
Dwellings .- There are 797 dwellings in the town.
Town Expenses .- The sum raised to defray the expenses of the town the current year, is $7500.
Valuation .- Gloucester stands in the state valua- tion of 1831, at $914,427 34.
Divisions of Land .- Tillage, 340 acres ; English and upland mowing, 942 ; salt marsh, 635 ; pasturage, 1958 ; woodland, 1862.
Stores .- Twelve dry goods, and fifty grocery ; be- side a large number where a variety of goods are kept.
Town Records .- The town records are in a good state of preservation, and extend back to 1639; a few, however, are missing.
Church Bells and Clocks .- There are eight church bells, and three public clocks.
Church Organs .- There are two church organs ; one at the First Universalist church, and one at the Unitarian.
Road from Salem .- The road from Salem to Glou- cester is good, and extremely pleasant for a summer's ride. Some portions pass through woodland, and present rude and romantic scenery ; others follow the indentations of the coast, and afford delightful views of the scenery of the Bay and its numerous islands.
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HAMILTON.
Tms town formed a part of Ipswich, and was called The Hamlet, till June 21, 1793, when it was incorporated as a separate town by its present name. It is bounded north by Ipswich, west by Topsfield, south by Wenham, and east by Essex and Manchester. The inhabitants are mostly farmers though shoe manufacturing is carried on to considerable extent.
Hamilton is twentysix miles northeast of Boston, and lies on the great eastern post road. It is very pleasantly located, and the soil is good ; but the population is so much scattered, that less of a vil- lage is formed than in most places of an equal population. Chebacco pond, together with sev- eral other smaller ponds near the southeast bound- ary of the town, give rise to the head waters of Chebacco river. A part of Wenham Swamp lies in the southern section of the town, and Ipswich river runs a considerable distance along the west- ern border.
Rev. Joseph B. Felt, published a brief history of this place in 1824, which affords many inter- esting particulars, and we extract the following singular statement. " There are four families in this town called bleeders. Three of them are im- mediately, and the other mediately related. The number of individuals so denominated is five. They are thus named from an unusual propensity in their arteries and veins to bleed profusely, even from slight wounds. A cut or other hurt upon them assumes, at first, the common appearance. But after a week or fortnight, the injured part begins and continues, for several days, to send forth almost a steady stream of blood, until the
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redness of this disappears, and it becomes nearly as colorless as water. A portion of the coagu .. lated blood forms a cone, large or small according to the wound. The bleeding ceases when the cone, which has a minute aperture, and is very fetid, falls off. The persons thus constituted, dare not submit to the operation of a lancet. They often bleed abundantly at the nose, and are subject to severe and premature rheumatism. Some of their predecessors have come to their end by wounds, which are not considered by any means dangerous for people in general. This hemorrhage first ap- peared in the Appleton family, who brought it with them from England. None but males are bleeders, whose immediate children are not so, and whose daughters, only, have sons thus disposed. As to the precise proportion of these, who may resemble their grandfathers in bleeding of this kind, past observation furnishes no data ; it has been found altogether uncertain."
POPULATION.
The population in 1800, was 749; in 1810, 780 ; in 1820, 802 ; in 1830, 741 ; this last number, given in the official returns, it is thought should have been 810. Ratable Polls, 175.
TOWN OFFICERS, ETC.
Town Clerk-Nathaniel A. Lovering. Town Treasurer-John Tuttle.
Selectmen-Israel D. Brown, Samuel Dodge, John Whittredge.
Physician and Justice of the Peace-Oliver S. Cressy.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY.
There is but one religious society at Hamilton ;
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that is Orthodox Congregational, and was organized October 12, 1714, as the third of Ipswich. The first pastor was Samuel Wigglesworth. He was born at Malden, February 4, 1689; graduated at Harvard, 1707 ; practised physic here upwards of a year, before studying divinity ; was settled, October 27, 1714; died September 3, 1768. The second pastor was Manasseh Cutler. He was born at Killingly, Ct., May 3, 1744 ; graduated at Yale, 1765 ; was a merchant at Edgarton for some time ; studied divin- ity chiefly with his father in law, Benjamin Balch, at Dedham; was settled here September 11, 1771; died, July 28, 1823. The third pastor was Joseph B. Felt. He was born at Salem, December 22, 1789 ; graduated at Dartmouth, 1813; taught a school in Salem for six years ; installed here June 16, 1824; resigned, December 4, 1833. Mr Felt is the author of Annals of Salem, history of Ipswich, Hamilton and Essex, and has published some valua- ble papers relative to the History, past and present, of various sections of the county. The fourth, and present pastor, is George W. Kelley. He was born in Greenbriar county, Va., Aug. 5, 1808 ; graduated at the Ohio University, 1830; and at the Andover Theological Seminary, 1833 ; settled here July 3, 1834.
SCHOOLS.
There are four district schools kept a part of the year. About 170 scholars attend ; the number of males and females about equal. The amount raised by tax for the school, is $400. About $15 are annu- ally paid for tuition at academies, &c.
PUBLIC HOUSES.
There are two public houses ; one near the meet- ing house, kept by Israel D. Brown ; the other near the Ipswich line, kept by Jacob Brown.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Post Office .- The Post Office was established in 1803 ; it produces to the government $24 per year ; kept by Israel D. Brown.
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Military .- One company of the line. A number of the batallion of cavalry reside in the town.
Stages .- The great eastern post road lies through this town ; consequently, a number of stages pass daily, for Salem, Boston, Newburyport, Portsmouth, &c.
Mills .- There are two veneering mills, with turn- ing mills, &c. attached, at which much business is done ; one grist mill and one saw mill.
Valuation .- Hamilton stands in the State valua- tion, at $211,888 99.
Divisions of Land and Produce. - Tillage, 489 acres, producing 6831 bushels of grain ; 724 acres of English and upland mowing, yielding 354 tons of hay ; fresh meadow, 778 acres, producing 411 tons of hay ; 4530 acres of pasturage ; 998 acres of wood- land. Considerable pork, poultry, and butter are sent to the Boston and Salem markets, in addition to the surplus hay and grain.
Buildings .- Dwellings, 118 ; shops, 51.
HAVERHILL.
THE settlement of Haverhill was probably com- menced in the summer of 1640. The Indian deed of the town, however, is dated Nov. 15th, 1642. But Dr Cotton Mather, says, Mr Ward was settled as the minister at Haverhill, in 1641. There is also a record of a birth at Haverhill the same year. These circumstances render it quite certain that the settlement was made in 1640. The settlers were chiefly from Newbury.
The town at first extended six miles north of the Merrimack, and was fourteen miles in length. It was afterwards much interested in the long contro- versy, regarding the boundary line between Massa-
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chusetts and New Hampshire. This was finally settled by commissioners from the crown, in 1737. Col. Richard Saltonstall, Richard Hazen, and Dea. James Ayer, representing the town before them and the line was then run three miles north of the Merrimack.
Haverhill originally belonged to the county of Essex; but in 1642 the colony was divided into four counties, when it was attached to Norfolk, and thus remained, until it was again joined to Essex by order of the General Court, February 4th, 1679.
The Indian wars afford the principal topics of interest in the history of Haverhill.
For more than seventy years, it was a frontier town, constantly exposed to the horrors of savage warfare. The lurking foe, might be frequently seen around the dwellings, and his terrific yell heard in the silence of midnight. To guard against such enemies, required not only courage, but a constant state of preparation, and a readi- ness to punish the first depredations. Accord- ingly, as early as the year 1675, the town passed the following vote : " The selectmen shall forthwith cause the fortifications around the meeting-house to be finished ; to make port-holes in the walls ; to right up those places that are defective and likely to fall, and to make a flanker at the east corner, that the work in case of need may be made use of against the common enemy."
In 1690, they petitioned the General Court for a garrison of 40 men for their protection, " at the country's charges." From this time to the year 1708, scarcely a year passed in which some were not killed or captured.
In 1695, Isaac Bradley and Joseph Whitaker,
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aged 15 and 11 were taken prisoners and carried to Lake Winnipiseoge. They contrived to make their escape, and arrived at Saco fort, having en- dured almost incredible hardships in the wilder- ness for nine days.
'The heroism of the celebrated Hannah Dustin, in 1693, deserves more particular notice. At the time of the attack, Mrs Dustin was confined to her bed with an infant, six days old. Mr Dustin immediately sent the other children, seven in num- ber, through the back door, and despairing of saving his wife, soon after followed them on horse- back, loading and firing, upon the Indians in his rear. The pursuit was soon given up. The In- dians, however, on their return, met Mary Niff, the nurse, attempting to escape with the infant ; which they took and killed, dashing its brains out against a tree. They then ordered Mrs Dustin to rise, and setting fire to the house retreated with her and the nurse. After travelling for several days, they told the women they must run the gauntlet. The idea of this was so horrible, that they determined to escape at the peril of their lives. In the dead of night, Mrs Dustin, awaken- ing her confederates, the nurse, and an English boy, taken prisoner at Worcester, to whom she had disclosed her plans, arose and killed ten of the twelve, with their own tomahawks ; a woman whom they supposed dead, escaping with a boy whom they intentionally left. They arrived safe home, with the scalps of their victims, and re- ceived a reward of 50 pounds, from the General Court, for this heroic act.
The 29th of August, 1708, was the day of the famous Indian massacre. In the spring of the year, a grand council had been held at Montreal,
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in which it was determined to attack some of the principal English settlements. In this expedition, the warriors of all the tribes in Canada were to unite with about one hundred Canadians, and many volunteers, composing in all, an army of about four hundred men. Portsmouth was to have been the first place of attack. A part of the force, however, became dissatisfied and returned. So that they numbered but about 250 men. Deeming it unsafe with so little strength to attack Portsmouth they proceeded to Haverhill, and hav- ing passed the garrison undiscovered, fell upon the town about the break of day. The family of Mr Benjamin Rolfe, the minister, was the first to feel their unsparing hand.
Mr Rolfe placed himself against the door, at which they were endeavoring to gain access, and refused them admittance. They soon shot him through the door, forced it open, and killed his wife and one child, and three soldiers, who were garrisoned in the house, but who justly merited their fate for refusing any assistance in the de- fence of the house. Hagar, the maid-servant, car- ried two of the children into the cellar, covered them over with tubs and they were preserved.
Many other families mourned the loss of friends and relatives. In all, nearly 40 were killed or captured. Many owed their preservation to one Davis, an intrepid man, who raised the cry, " Come on ! Come on ! we will have them !" The Indians continued the cry, a little altered however, but which answered the purpose, " The English are come! the English are come !" and retreated in haste.
John Ward, the venerable pastor of the town, died Dec. 27th 1693, aged 87. He was born in
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Haverhill, England, and this town was called Ha- verhill in compliment to him. He was one of the original settlers of the town and ever continued friendly to its interests. Universally beloved and happy in the affections of his people, he united the characters of the pastor and the citizen and adapted them to the situation and wants of his people. The praises of God had probably never been sung in the wilds of Pentucket, before they were uttered forth by his voice. His salary was at first 40 pounds to be paid in " wheat and In- dian," and his wood to be " cut and corded." His father was the Rev. Nathaniel Ward, of Eng- land, one of the most celebrated worthies of the times, " whose wit," says Cotton Mather, " made him known to more Englands than one." He was settled for a short time at Ipswich, and was the author of " The Simple Cobler of Agawam in America." With the mention of his name, by Rapin, the historian of England, the colonies are noticed for the first time as connected with the politics of England.
Several of Mr Ward's successors were eminent ministers ; particularly Gardner, Brown and Bar- nard, whose praise is still in the churches, and the late Abiel Abbot.
A short account of the " Saltonstall family," so well known in the history of Massachusetts Col- ony, may not be here inappropriate. Sir Richard Saltonstall, (grandson of Sir Richard Saltonstall, Lord Mayor of London, in the year 1597) arrived in this country in 1630. He took a deep and early interest in the New England Colonies. He was one of the original patentees of Massachu- setts Bay and Connecticut. Sir R. has been styled "one of the fathers of Massachusetts Col-
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ony," and he may well merit the title. He him- self returned to England, on account of the rigor of the climate, but left his two eldest sons. In 1649, he was commissioned with others by parlia- ment, for the trial of Duke Hamilton, Lord Capel, and the Earl of Holland, for high treason.
Nathaniel (grandson of Sir R. S.) married the daughter of Mr Ward. In 1686, he was named as one of the council for the government of Mas- sachusetts Bay which he declined accepting.
Soon after the scizure of Sir Edmund Andros, he joined the council, and remained in office, un- til the charter of William and Mary, when he was appointed one of his majesty's council. Col. S., like his grandfather, was uncommonly liberal- minded for a man of those times, and in a measure stood aloof from the superstition that prevailed.
In 1692, when the celebrated witchcraft delu- sion began to prevail, he was one of the judges of the court, but withdrew, and always expressed himself, as dissatisfied with the proceedings. By this act he manifested his superiority to the popu- lar delusion, and his wisdom in checking it to the extent of his power.
Gurdon, his eldest son, was several years minis- ter at New London, and so distinguished was his reputation, that upon the death of Fitz John Win- throp, he was appointed governor of Connecticut, by the legislature, and continued in office till his death, in 1724. Richard, grandson of Nathaniel, held the office of judge of the Superior Court from 1736 till his death in 1756.
Richard, son of the last named Richard, was Col. of the regiment in Haverhill and vicinity, and sheriff of the county. He was a loyalist - and in 1774, a mob assembled to attack him, and paraded
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in front of his house. He immediately came to the door and addressed them with firmness and dignity, and requested them to go to the tavern, and make free at his expense. They accepted his proposal, huzzaed to the praise of Col. Salton- stall, and never attempted to mob him again. He shortly after embarked for England, and never returned. He had been a brave and distinguished officer in the French war, and had such an opin- ion of British power, that he thought the resistance of the colonies wholly desperate.
The first notice of a school in Haverhill, is in 1661. In 1671, it was voted to build a school house.
In 1669, it was ordered that a list of voters should be taken, and if any one did not appear and answer to his name, who was warned, he should be fined eighteen pence.
In 1676, it was resolved that no vote should be valid that was passed after sunset.
In 1709, the house of Col. Richard Saltonstall was blown up by a negro wench.
In 1740, an Alms house was erected, but the people became dissatisfied with it, and the poor were supported in families.
In 1759, pot and pearl ash works were erected, by Samuel Blodget, and for a long time continued in successful operation.
In 1769, salt works were erected, but were found unprofitable.
In 1790, the West India trade was considerable, and many vessels owned in Haverhill were en- gaged in it.
The first newspaper was issued in 1793.
In 1794, Haverhill bridge was completed. It was erected on three arches of 180 feet each, sup-
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ported by three stone piers, and is an admirable specimen of architecture. It was planned by Moody Spofford, Esq. of Rowley. Mr Palmer, his partner, afterwards built one over the Schuyl- kill, on the same plan. Haverhill bridge was re- built in 1808, and may now vie with any other in New England for strength and durability.
Merrimack bridge which connects " Rock's vil- lage " with West Newbury is six miles below Haverhill. This was rebuilt in 1823 in a superior style. It is 900 feet in length, and rests upon four stone piers.
The natural situation of Haverhill, is certainly one of the most beautiful in the Commonwealth. It is located on the northern side of the Merrimack, eighteen miles from its mouth, and at the head of navigation. The view of the town from the river below is uncommonly fine. Built upon a gentle acclivity the houses rise one above another in beautiful proportion, and interspersed here and there with trees, afford a delightful scenery. The Merrimack flows calmly at its base, not in one straight, monotonous course, but gently meander- ing, creating a pleasing variety. Upon the east rises " Golden Hill," from the summit of which, is a rich prospect of the river and the surrounding country, and the distant horizon skirted with mountains. Upon the west is " Silver's Hill," not quite as high and commanding as the former, but its excellent state of cultivation (owing principally to the enterprise of David How, Esq. who has also improved "Golden Hill,") and its many natural embellishments, add interest and splendor to the scene.
There are three fine ponds in the immediate vicinity of the town, called Plug pond, Round
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pond, (from which the town is supplied with wa- ter) and Great pond. The latter is more particu- larly celebrated for the beautiful scenery around its shores, and the fine fish from its waters.
The village is a place of considerable trade, and is rapidly increasing in business and population.
POPULATION.
The population was in 1810, 2682 ; in 1820, 3070 ; in 1830, 3912.
Ratable Polls, 1038.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Town Clerk-James Gale.
Town Treasurer-James Gale.
Selectmen and Assessors -- Jesse Harding, Samuel Johnson, Ephraim Corliss, Oliver Morse, Moses Merrill.
LAWYERS, PHYSICIANS, JUSTICES, ETC.
Lawyers-Stephen Minot, Isaac R. How, James H. Duncan, Gilman Parker, Alfred Kittredge, Charles Minot.
Physicians-Rufus Longley, Aaron Kittredge, Au- gustus Whiting, Timothy Keniston.
Justices of the Peace and Quorum-Israel Bartlett, Stephen Minot, Moses Wingate, James H. Duncan, Leonard White.
Justices of the Peace-James Ayer, Oliver Morse, Charles White, Nathaniel Ladd, Isaac R. How, Mo- ses Merrill, Enoch Foot, Nathaniel Hills, William Bacheller, Barnard Brickett, Jr., Warner Whittier, David How, Rufus Longley, Ephraim Corliss, Gil- man Parker, Moses G. J. Emery.
Deputy Sheriff-Charles L. Bartlett.
Notaries Public-Charles White, Charles Minot.
Coroners-Oliver Morse, Enoch Foot, Nathaniel Hills, John Marsh.
Postmasters-James Gale, John Johnson, Jr.
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HAVERHILL.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
CENTRE VILLAGE.
First Parish .- Formerly Orthodox,-now Unita- rian ; organized 1641. The first pastor was John Ward. He was born at Haverhill, Eng., Nov. 5, 1606 ; was settled here 1641 ; died Dec. 27, 1693. 'The second pastor was Benjamin Rolf. He was born at Newbury, Sept. 13, 1662 ; settled here Jan. 7, 1694 ; died Aug. 29, 1708. The third pastor was Joshua Gardner. He was born 1687 ; settled here Jan. 10, 1711 ; died March 21, 1715. 'The fourth pastor was John Brown. He was born at Cambridge, 1696 ; settled here May 13, 1719 ; died Dec. 2, 1742. The fifth pastor was Edward Barnard. He was born at Andover, June 15, 1720 ; settled here April 27, 1743 ; died Jan. 26, 1774. The sixth pastor was John Shaw. He was born at Bridgewater, Nov. 7, 1747 ; settled here March 12, 1777; died Sept. 29, 1794. He preached the day before his death. The seventh pastor was Abiel Abbot. He was born at Andover, Aug. 17, 1770 ; settled here June 8, 1795 ; retired June 13, 1803, and settled over the first church in Beverly, Dec. 14, same year. The eighth pastor was Joshua Dodge. He was born at Hamilton, Sept. 21, 1779 ; settled here Dec. 21, 1808 ; retired June 18, 1827, and settled at Moultonborough, N. H. Feb. 27, 1828. The ninth pastor was Dudley Phelps. He was born at Hebron, Ct., Jan 25, 1798 ; gradu- ated at Yale, 1823 ; settled here Jan. 9, 1828. Mr Phelps retired 1833, and the present pastor, Nathan- iel Gage, a Unitarian, settled.
Central Congregational (Orthodox) .- This is the church which retired, when the Unitarians became possessors of the first parish meeting house and funds. Re-organized Aug. 28, 1833. Pastor, Joseph Whittlesey.
First Baptist .- Organized 1765. Pastor, Edward N. Harris.
Christian .- This society was gathered in 1806, but had no settled pastor till 1826, when Elder Henry Plummer, who still continues pastor, was ordained.
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Universalist .- This society is now without a settled pastor.
Centre Baptist .- At present not holding meetings. WEST PARISH.
Orthodox .- Gathered, October, 1735. Pastor, Abi- jah Cross. Mr Cross was born at Methuen, Oct. 25, 1793; graduated at Dartmouth, 1821; settled here, May 18, 1831.
Universalist .- This society was incorporated June 12, 1824; meetinghouse dedicated April 12, 1825; and Thomas G. Farnsworth installed pastor same day. Mr Farnsworth still continues his pastoral charge.
EAST PARISH.
Orthodox .- Gathered, 1743. Pastor, James R. Cushing.
Baptist .- There is a also a society of Baptists at East Parish.
NORTH PARISH.
In the North Parish there is a society of Orthodox Congregationalists, who are connected with a society at Plaistow, N. H., the adjoining town; Samuel H. Peckham is pastor, and the place of worship is at Plaistow.
SCHOOLS.
Haverhill Academy .- This institution was opened in 1827. The building is of brick, two stories in height, sixtytwo feet in length, and thirtythree feet in breadth. Number of pupils last season, about 65. Preceptor, William Taggart.
Districts .- There are twelve school districts, with 900 scholars. School tax, $2,000.
There are several private schools in the town, kept the whole or a part of the year; and the amount paid annually for tuition, aside from the public schools, about $825.
BANKS AND INSURANCE COMPANY.
Merrimack Bank .- Incorporated 1814. Capital, $270,000. Discount day, Monday. President, James H. Duncan. Cashier, Leonard White. Directors,
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