USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Boxford > The history of Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts, from the earliest settlement known to the present time: a period of about two hundred and thirty years > Part 23
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Oct. 14, 1813, the militia met near Parker's Tavern in Andover, and were reviewed by Gen. Stickney of New- bury. Sept. 29, 1814, they were inspected by Gen. Stick- ney and suite. Oct. 18, 1814, the two companies, with Capt. Brocklebank's company from Georgetown, met at Rufus Burnham's (the Batchelder place), where they were trained in battalion by Col. Low.
Oct. 12, 1815, the West Boxford company, then com-
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HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
manded by Amos Kimball, together with the East Boxford company, met with their regiment, which was then com- manded by Lieut .- Col. Commandant Low, at the camp- ground near the late residence of C. C. Stevens, and joined the rest of the brigade, and were inspected by Major Scott of Newburyport.
Oct. 9, 1816, the regiment met, and were inspected by Col. Low. Oct. 9, 1817, the regiment met at the meeting- house in Georgetown, marched to Byfield, and joined the brigade, where they were inspected by Major Scott, and re- viewed by Gov. John Brooks and suite. Oct. 16, 1818, the regiment met, and was inspected by Brig .- Major Scott of Newburyport, and reviewed by Major-Gen. Hovey. Oct. 7, 1819, the regiment was inspected by Major Scott. Oct. 5, 1821, the brigade met at Bradford, and were inspected by Brig .- Major Scott, and reviewed by Major-Gen. Stick- ney. Oct. 8, 1822, the regiment met, and were inspected by Brig .- Major Scott, and reviewed by Brig .- Gen. Low. Oct. 9, 1823, the brigade met at Eliphalet Chaplin's in Georgetown, and were inspected by Brig .- Major Low and Major-Gen. Stickney. Oct. 5, 1824, the regiment met in Andover, and were inspected by Brig .- Major Scott, and reviewed by Brig .- Gen. Low. Oct. 4, 1825, the brigade met at Eliphalet Chaplin's in Georgetown, and were in- spected by Brigade-Inspector Joseph L. Low, and reviewed by Major-Gen. Stickney. Oct. 1, 1827, the brigade met in the West Parish in Bradford, and were inspected and re- viewed as in 1825. Oct. 6, 1828, inspected by Major Low. Oct. 6, 1829, inspected by Major Parish. Oct. 3, 1830, met at John Poor's in Andover, and were inspected by Daniel Parish, and reviewed by Gen. Solomon Low. Oct. 1I, 1831, and Oct. 9, 1832, met in Bradford, and were inspected and reviewed as above. Oct. 2, 1833, met at the West Parish meeting-house in Bradford, where they were inspected by Major Stickney, and reviewed by Gen. Solomon Low.
285
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
Thus we have chronicled the historic days upon which the militia met, and passed the grand review. The mem- bers of these companies have nearly all passed over the river, and joined those gone before around the camp-fire in another world. Many are the anecdotes we have listened to regarding the training-days of our fathers; many are the times they have related the stories of their "heroic" sham-fights ; but ever-hurrying time bids us advance, and so we must pass onward to new scenes and later days.
Not much was done by Boxford to aid the government in carrying on the war of 1812, because of its unpopularity. The people believed that the several embargo acts passed by the government of the United States were uncalled-for and unnecessary, and that England had been compelled to make the declaration of war. They held "that the uniform system of restrictions and vexations upon our commerce, adopted and obstinately pursued in by our own government, their contemptuous rejection of every applica- tion of relief by the injured citizen, together with a base and dishonorable submission to the most wanton, unpro- voked, and piratical outrage committed on our commerce by France, could not be reconciled by a declaration of war against Great Britain, as a friendly design to rescue and protect our commerce from British depredations, especially whilst that government, in their negotiations with the American government, continued to express friendly dis- positions, and a strong desire that all differences existing between the two governments might be amicably adjusted." The war continued for a few years, though in a mild form. A treaty was signed at Ghent, Dec. 14, 1814, though a number of battles were fought afterwards, because of the armies being ignorant of the existence of the treaty. The most important of these was fought at New Orleans, La., Jan. 8, 1815. The return of peace was hailed with great joy.
286
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
For several years from 1818, the First Church was in a state of disunion, caused by a private disagreement be- tween some of the members. The injured members left the church, and erected a quite extensive building near the meeting-house, in which they had preaching.
This building had been built two stories in height, and the second story was fitted up with settees for a school or lecture room. In 1826 Major Jacob Peabody, a merchant of Boston and a native of Boxford, was instrumental in turn- ing it into an academy, which flourished for two or three years in a marked degree. The first teacher was Professor Leavenworth, who was followed by Pratt, Wyatt, and one or two others. Some fifty scholars were in attendance. Preaching was carried on on Sundays, sometimes by the professors of the school, and by other "reverend gentle- men," among whom was one Robertson. They were very liberal in their preaching, - their sermons partaking of the Universalist, and, sometimes, of the Unitarian, belief. The feeling existed for a few years only, and Parson Briggs' sermons were again heard by the offended. The school- building was afterwards occupied as a dwelling-house by Major William Low and Mr. William G. Todd, and was ultimately burnt on the night of Dec. 26, 1867.
By this reduction of the number of members of the church, the minister's salary was hard to be obtained, and the church was in great danger of an entire dissolution. In this extremity they received a communication from Enoch Perley of Bridgton, Me., expressing his good-will to the people of this his native place, and offering one hundred dollars towards establishing a fund " to secure the permanent enjoyment of the preaching of the gospel here." After passing through such a trial as they had recently done, they immediately concurred in his views, and re- ceived the said amount through the hands of Thomas Per- ley, Esq., who had been authorized to pay it. In acknowl-
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HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
edgment of Mr. Perley's generosity the parish voted, "that they receive with becoming emotions the pious and liberal communication of the above named Enoch Perley, Esq. And when by various unfriendly occurrences it had be- come expedient to make extraordinary efforts to retain our existence as a religious society, by attempting to establish a fund for the support of the ministry, in this situation every aid seems to come with increased value; and the truly helping hand, extended in this instance for our en- couragement by one born and brought up with us, demands and receives our grateful acknowledgment ; and we hereby wish to assure our generous benefactor that, although we are few in number, we continue to entertain a comfortable hope that by the blessing of God the institution of religion here established by our pious ancestors may be long enjoyed and blessed to us, their unworthy descendants."
A subscription-paper was circulated among the inhabit- ants of the parish, with excellent results. The following is a copy of the paper, and a list of the several subscrip- tions :-
"EAST BOXFORD, Sept. 20, 1824.
" We, the subscribers, in some measure sensible of the importance of the preaching of the gospel, to promote the present peace and future happiness of mankind, and to continue this inestimable bless- ing with us, we agree and promise to give the respective sums to our names annexed, to bear interest annually, from the first day of Novem- ber next ensuing, to be secured by promissory notes with sufficient securities, one tenth part of the sum by each person subscribed to be paid in one year, and the remainder at nine equal annual payments, the interest on the whole sum to be paid annually, and to be applied towards paying the salary of Rev. Isaac Briggs, conformable to the conditions of his settlement in the First Parish in Boxford ; and after his decease, or removal from his ministerial relation to the parish, the annual interest of the sums hereby subscribed shall forever be paid and applied towards the support of a learned, pious, Trinitarian Congregational minister, settled in the said parish, with the concur- rence of the church and congregation composing the said parish. During all vacancies of a, settled minister, in manner aforesaid, the
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HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
annual interest arising in such vacancies shall be applied towards increasing the fund, till thereby, or by other means, the principal shall amount to $ 10,000.
"The sums to our names hereafter annexed we severally agree to secure and pay in manner and for the purpose aforesaid, provided the whole of the sum so subscribed and secured shall amount to $3,500, and not otherwise; and also, provided that the said parish shall within one year next ensuing obtain from the General Court an Act empowering them to appoint three suitable trustees, to receive, manage, and improve the same, and to apply the interest in manner aforesaid. And it is further provided, that whenever any part of the principal or interest of the sums hereby subscribed and secured shall be diverted and applied to any other than the purposes aforesaid, then the sums subscribed by each individual shall revert to them, and be recoverable by them, their heirs, executors, and administrators.
" Thomas Perley
$1,050
Joseph Smith
$25
Aaron Perley
500
John Gould
25
John Sawyer
125
Oliver T. Peabody
25
Daniel Gould
100
Amos Perley
20
Parker Spofford
100
Betsey Foster
20
Oliver Peabody .
100
Anna Herrick
20
Josiah Kimball
100
Artemas WV. Perley
20
Samuel Peabody
100
Joseph Foster
20
William H. Herrick
100
Daniel Gould, jun.
15
Asa Perley, jun.
100
Charles Peabody
10
Ancill Stickney
100
Ruth Trask
10
Samuel Kimball, jun.
100
John Stiles
10
Isaac Briggs .
100
Charles Perley
IO
Enoch Perley
100
Henry Perley .
5
Francis Curtis
90
John Hale .
5
Jacob Peabody *
90
Daniel Chapman
5
Moses Dorman
70
Zaccheus Gould
3
Oliver Killam
55
Jacob Gould .
50
Nathan Dresser .
50
Total
$3,400."
Samuel Killam
50
.
.
.
.
Thomas R. Chadwick
2
Thus the parish fund came into existence. In less than two years after, by gifts, &c., it had increased to $5,074.93. In 1834 it amounted to $5,585.86; in 1840, to $6,149.17;
* This is a part of the original subscription of Charles Peabody, paid by his brother Jacob. - Parish Clerk.
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HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
in 1865, to $7,III; and in 1870 it had amounted to $7,772,* at which sum it has continued ever since.
The first hearse in town was purchased by the West Parish in 1821, and Daniel Harriman was appointed sex- ton. He was to have $2.35 for attending each funeral, and . digging the grave, - payable by the family of the deceased. In 1823 Peter Pearl was chosen sexton, and, with the ex- ception of the succeeding year, held the office until within a few years. The hearse of the East Parish was procured about a score of years later. It was little used, because of its ancient style, for several years before it was sold at auction, - house and harness included, -a few years since. A new hearse was procured some years since by the West Parish; and the old one, it was recently voted, not to sell, but to destroy.
About 1830 Deacon Joshua T. Day of Bradford married and settled in Boxford. He built the house in which he resided, and about 1844 erected the grist-mill that is situ- ated near his late residence. The mill has been kept in running order ever since, although for the past few years it has remained idle. About 1852 some box-machinery was inserted, and box-boards were sawn out. The old building bears an antiquated look ; but we are informed it is to be renovated, and the whir of the millstones are to be again heard
"Through the meadows soft and low."
In 1836 Capt. Jonathan J. Porter erected his present mill-building as a carpenter's shop. About three years later he placed a dam across the brook, flowed the meadow above, and founded a grist-mill in his shop; in 1857 he made some improvements in the mill in the wheels, &c.
* In 1869 the parish received $200 from the estate of. Miss Mary Kimball, and $94 from the estate of Miss Caroline E. Peabody, both then deceased. The amount arising from leasing the "minister's farm" was also probably added : this amounted to some $1, 500.
290
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
In 1841 he also added a saw-mill, which is still doing service in connection with the grist-mill. In another department of the mill-building Mr. Porter incorporated a kind of repair-shop, with requisite machinery, that was adequate to the wants of a "jack-at-all-trades." Some of his original appliances are proof of considerable skill in the art of mechanical invention.
·
After Thomas W. Durant was done blacksmithing in the East Parish, in 1815, he removed to the West Parish, and opened a blacksmith's shop in what is now Mr. William E. Perley's front-yard. The late Moses Kimball bought out Mr. Durant on his removal to Canada in 1828, and hired Mr. Robert B. Anderson of Salem, N.H., a blacksmith, to teach him the trade. Mr. Anderson worked for Mr. Kim- ball until about 1845, when he (Anderson) built a shop for himself near his residence, and continued to work at his trade in this new locality until about 1874. When Mr. Anderson built his shop, Mr. Kimball sold out to Benjamin Woodbury from Londonderry, N.H., who, after carrying on the business till 1862, died. The place was then sold to John Harriman, who removed the shop, and erected Mr. Perley's residence.
In 1825 the question of founding a new county out of the northern part of Essex County, to be called the County of Merrimac, was agitated. April 3, 1826, the mind, of the town regarding this idea was obtained in town-meeting, - the result being a unanimous negative vote.
CHAPTER XIII.
1830-1860.
ATTAINMENTS OF OUR ANCESTORS. - FOSTER'S BEQUEST. - SCHOOL FUND. - REV. MR. BRIGGS' OFFER. - HIS DISMISSION, MINIS- TRY, AND LIFE. - REV. JOHN WHITNEY SETTLED. - HIS DIS- MISSION, MINISTRY, AND LIFE. - PRESENT EAST-PARISH CHURCH ERECTED. - REV. WILLIAM S. COGGIN SETTLED. - FOSTER'S BE- QUEST TO SECOND CHURCH. - PRESENT WEST-PARISH CHURCH ERECTED. - DR. EATON IS REFUSED DISMISSION, AND REV. CALVIN E. PARK INSTALLED AS HIS COLLEAGUE. - DR. EATON'S DEATH, MINISTRY, AND LIFE. - COVENANT OF SECOND CHURCH. - NEW CEMETERY IN WEST PARISH. - HOWE'S GROCERY. - SHOE-MANUFACTURING. - MILITIA. - " BOXFORD WASHINGTON GUARDS." - THE RAILROAD. - ALMSHOUSE. - LAND SET ON AND OFF .- SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION.
PROM the scanty written remains - but still more from what we have learned of the doings and achievements- of those whom these places once knew, we can form only a favorable opinion of their mental qualities. Their spelling and syntax might not always conform to rule, -at least to our rule, - but they knew what they meant to say, and they said it. Their phraseology was often quaint, but it was not often senseless or impertinent. If they talked but little, we may feel sure that they talked quite as much to the purpose as the more ambitious and long-winded orators of the present day.
The erection of the small and rude red structures of the time of which we are writing, in which the generation anterior to our own obtained what little book-learning they
291
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HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
had the honor of possessing, though seeming very old- fashioned and primitive to us, was nevertheless a grand stride toward the educational privileges which are now enjoyed by the youth. Our ancestors had too many things to contend with to give themselves much culture in the literary or scientific world ; and it is no reproach, but high praise, to say - as we must say of multitudes then - that the extent of their attainments scarcely exceeded that of the humble cottager, who, we are told,
" Just knew- and knew no more - her Bible true."
In addition to those bequests already mentioned, Eph- raim Foster, Esq., bequeathed to the West Parish, in his will, dated Jan. 3, 1835, fifteen hundred dollars to the schools of that parish - the income of said amount to be applied to paying the several teachers in that parish. The money was placed in the hands of trustees, and the interest arising from the same has been paid to the present time. The school fund of the town as contained in the several bequests now amounts to $3,467.59, and consists of the following items : Wood fund, $2,186.95 ; surplus revenue, $1,029.64 ; Foster fund, $176 ; Kimball fund, $75 ; having an income of six per cent, which amounted for the year 1878 to $208.05.
Rev. Mr. Briggs continued in the ministry in the East Parish until 1833, a period of twenty-five years, during which time thirty-four persons had been admitted to the church. As we have noticed a few pages back, the parish had been struggling to support their minister. In March, 1833, but a short time prior to his dismission, to ease their burden Mr. Briggs entered into the conditions contained in the following letter : -
"TO THE MEMBERS OF THE FIRST PARISH IN BOXFORD.
" My Dear Friends, - With you I have spent a large part of my days in peace and harmony -have been a sharer in your joys and in
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HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
your afflictions. I have been afflicted- I believe that my joy has been the joy of you all. Never (till the cold clod shall lie heavy on my breast) shall I forget your uniform attention and kindness, and the kindness of all this people to me and my family, especially in scenes of trial and affliction. If I know my own heart, I have endeavored to promote your spiritual and temporal interest. Being informed that, notwithstanding liberal donations have been made for my support, your parish taxes are still high, I hereby express my desire that no tax for the present year be laid upon this people for my support. I shall make no other demand than the annual interest of the parish funds for my salary. Whatever may be given by free and willing subscription, I hope I shall gratefully receive.
" Your friend, &c.
"ISAAC BRIGGS.
" BOXFORD, March 25, 1833."
· The reasons of Mr. Briggs' leaving Boxford have been many, and most of them ambiguously got up. For fifteen years previous to this time, the parish had been completely mixed up in matters pertaining to the conducting of the church affairs, and the probability is that Mr. Briggs was also mixed up in it. It does not become us to mention the origin of this derangement.
Rev. Mr. Briggs was born at Halifax, Mass., about 1775, and graduated at Brown University in 1795. He was first settled over the church in York, Mé., where his stay was brief. He resigned in 1807, and in the following year was settled over the First Church in Boxford, as we have just noticed. They had had no regular preaching since 1793, the year of the commencement of Mr. Holyoke's infirmities, a period of about fifteen years.
Mr. Briggs was known by the appellation of " parson "- Parson Briggs-far and near. He married, first, Sarah, daughter of Deacon Richard Sears of Chatham, who died April 29, 1812, at the age of thirty-two years. He married, second (pub. Oct. 16, 1813), Mehitable Sears, sister to his first wife, who died Aug. 1, 1814, at the age of thirty years. He married, for the third time, Henrietta Chester
FIRST CHURCH.
295
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
Before Mr. Whitney left the ministry here, steps had been taken to erect a new mecting-house, which were suc- cessfully carried out; and a new house was begun and finished, and was dedicated on the day of Mr. Coggin's ordination, May 9, 1838. The work was carried forward in such a business-like manner, that it was quickly done, and little said about it by the parish-clerk. A description of this church, which is the present East Parish edifice, would be taking up too much space for an object that is yet new and known to all that are interested in its history. In reference to its being furnished and fitted up for use, we have a word to say about the gifts of some things that are still used in it. The first of these that we would mention is the bell which has so often waked the slumbers of the neighbors at an early hour on the morning of Inde- pendence Day. This was a present from Gen. Solomon Low, the noted military officer of forty years ago. The elegant sofa which adorns the pulpit, and the table and chairs in the altar, were the gift of Mrs. Sarah (widow of Thomas) Perley, and the Bibles and hymn-books of Mrs. Aaron Perley.
Shortly after Mr. Whitney's departure, in August, 1837, Rev. Mr. Coggin preached for the first time in Boxford. He was then but twenty-four years of age, and was still pursuing his theological course of study at Andover. He was invited to settle in the ministry here shortly after, but declined on account of his "youth and insufficiency to take the position of a pastor and teacher," as he remarks in his anniversary sermon. Again they urgently requested him to retract his former decision; which he did, and thereupon came to Boxford, and preached as a candidate for settlement. At the close of his engagement he re- ceived a unanimous invitation to settle; but he at first declined, because he regarded the salary that was offered as hardly competent for his support, and no provision had
SECOND CHURCH.
297
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
shingled for the first time since its erection in 1774, a period of sixty years. However, the building endured but a few years longer, and in 1841 the people evinced an idea of having a new edifice erected for public worship. In accordance with this view, a committee was chosen to "sound" the parishioners about the erection of a new meeting-house. May 25, 1842, the committee reported that " there are within the limits of said society, as we have ascertained, thirty-one persons who are in favor of taking down the old house and building a new one, twelve in favor of altering and repairing the old one, most of which wish to alter it to modern style, and make it about as good as a new one, and nine opposed to doing any thing. We have found persons who will take twenty pews in a new meeting- house, and others who think they shall want to buy or hire."
On the 4th of the next April, the parish voted to take down the old meeting-house, and build a new one. This vote was executed the following summer, and on Wednes- day, Nov. 22 (1843), the new edifice was dedicated to its service. The old meeting-house contained at the time of its demolition forty-nine body-pews, and fourteen pews in the gallery, besides the singers'-seats. There were in the new meeting-house sixty-two body-pews. The cost of the new meeting-house was $4,917.62.
No provision had been made for a bell, when the follow- ing letter was received by Charles Foster, Esq., one of the deacons of the church : -
" ANDOVER, Aug. 26, 1843.
" DEA. CHARLES FOSTER.
" Dear Sir, - It is now twenty-three years that I have spent a con- siderable part of my time within the limits of the Religious Society, of which the Rev. Dr. Eaton is pastor ; and during that period I have formed many agreeable acquaintances with those who there attend worship. As this parish are now building a new meeting-house, and have no provision for procuring a bell, and as many of my friends are very desirous that so useful and agreeable an accompaniment should
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HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
not be wanting, - which coincides with my own feelings, - I have taken the liberty of an old friend to address you on the subject, and to au- thorize you to make the following proposal to the parish on my behalf (if you judge proper) : that they shall authorize an agent or agents to procure a bell, of suitable size for the house, on the best terms they can make, and with such inscription as is thought proper, and that I will pay for the same, the parish giving me a legal obligation to pay the interest of the money which it shall cost, annually, to me or my wife, so long as both or either of us shall live, and no longer, and that the vote be unanimous. I regret that my circumstances do not enable me to make a gift, without conditions, but as my income is limited, and what may happen cannot be foreseen, my motive, I trust, will be construed liberally. Probably in a few fleeting years my wife and self shall have passed away, but the bell will remain, with its solemn sound, to summon other generations to the house of God.
"Truly your friend,
"CHARLES SAUNDERS."
The parish graciously accepted of his proposal, and a bell was purchased of Henry N. Hooper & Co., 24 Com- mercial Street, Boston, for the sum of $254.98. Its weight was 1, 159 pounds.
In 1840 Rev. Mr. Eaton was the oldest minister in office in the county, being in his seventy-fourth year ; and had been longer in the ministry than any one then in office, having completed half a century .* Shortly after, his health began to fail; and in the early part of the year 1845, he sent the following communication to the society, asking his dismission : -
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