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 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
Rev. Calvin Emmonds Park was born in Providence, R.I., Dec. 30, 1811. His parents were Rev. Calvin and Abigail (Ware) Park. Mr. Park was ordained over the church at Waterville, Me., Oct. 31, 1838 ; he was dismissed in 1844, and two years later, as already stated, was settled as colleague with Dr. Eaton, in Boxford.
Thus the society was left without a settled minister. April 9, 1861, the church voted to extend a call to Rev. Lucius Root Eastman, jun., of Needham ; but he declined the invitation the following August. March 24, 1863, the church voted to invite Rev. Charles M. Peirce of Hinsdale,
* Church Records.
337
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
Mass., who was still pursuing his studies at the Theologi- cal Seminary at Andover, to become their pastor. Mr. Peirce consented, and his ordination took place Sept. 2, 1863. The exercises of the occasion were as follows, viz. : Invocation, and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. E. C. Hooper of Newburyport ; prayer, by Rev. L. Thompson of West Amesbury ; ordaining prayer, by Rev. S. C. Leonard of Andover ; charge to the pastor, by Rev. Anson McLoud of Topsfield ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. William M. Barber of South Danvers (Peabody) ; address to the people, by Rev. William S. Coggin of the First Church; conclud- ing prayer, by Rev. L. H. Cobb of North Andover ; and the benediction, by the pastor.
Rev. Mr. Peirce continued in the ministry a few years, when, his wife being desirous of removing, and the salary small, he resigned his pastoral office June 23, 1867. In his letter of resignation he expresses his sorrow at the proposed separation. He says, "Here are the hallowed associations of my first pastorate, and tender ties bind my heart to those for whom I have labored."
At his request, a council of pastors and delegates from the neighboring churches was convened July 17, when it was voted to dissolve the connection, as asked by Mr. Peirce. By the dissolution of this connection, the church lost an able and faithful pastor ; one who cared much for his Master's glory, and who sought to be his faithful ser- vant in the Christian's work. He was of sound discretion and Christian zeal, endowed with a fine scholarship, and rich ministerial gifts. Mr. Peirce was soon after settled in Middlefield.
John Tyler of West Boxford died in November, 1872. In his will he bequeathed as follows : -
" And all of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, after the payment of the legacies aforenamed, and my funeral charges, and the charges and expenses of the settlement of my estate, I give and
338
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
bequeath to the religious society in West Boxford, where I usually worship, to be held as a perpetual fund, the income of which to be appropriated annually for the support of the gospel in said society forever."
After the settlement of his estate, the fund was found to amount to about thirty thousand dollars. On receiving this bequest, the parish, April 8, 1873, passed the following resolutions : -
" Resolved, That the parish of West Boxford accept with senti- ments of unaffected thankfulness the legacy bequeathed to them by the late Capt. John Tyler.
" Resolved, That the parish recognize in this act of Capt. John Tyler a sign of the same liberality and the same cordial interest in the religious welfare of the parish which was ever manifested by him during his unusually protracted life ; and they rejoice that he felt him- self prompted to crown a long life of honest industry and well-doing by such an act of liberality, which they trust will continue to be fraught with great good to the parish, and will be gratefully remem- bered by all coming generations."
The want of funds, which had been the cause of the irregularity of their preaching, by this bequest was annulled. This fund is sufficient to support the ministry, and leave a margin for the increase of the principal, which places the society in an independent position for the future.
Jonathan Tyler Barker of North Andover died in May, 1872. The following is an extract from his will : -
" As my brothers and sisters are well supplied with property, I have therefore concluded to give my estate for the benefit of the youth. I therefore give, devise, and bequeath all my estate to establish and support a free school in the West Parish in the town of Boxford in said county of Essex. Said school is to be located northerly from the West Parish meeting-house, and as near the house where the late Thomas Hovey formerly lived as may be convenient. After defraying the expenses of building and furnishing a suitable house for said school, the remainder of my estate is to be kept in trust, and the income thereof is to be appropriated for the benefit and support of said school."
339
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
The estate amounted to about fifty-eight thousand dol- lars. The will being contested by the heirs, a compro- mise was made between them and the trustees, the trustees receiving thirty thousand dollars for the school-fund. As soon as this fund is large enough, the school will be founded, and then our youth can receive a high-school education without going out of town.
The first juryman from Boxford to the United-States Circuit Court, held at Boston for this district, was Frank- lin Jacques, who attended the winter session of 1873-74. The next winter, S. Porter Peabody attended. These are all the jurymen, we believe, that ever attended that court from Boxford.
About twenty years since, the manufacture of pegs was an important enterprise of several of our business men. Capt. Samuel Kimball was undoubtedly the first one to originate the business in this vicinity. About 1860, he raised the road (where the brook crosses it just north of his residence) high enough to form a dam, so as to be able to flow the meadow above. He was laughed at for his pains ; and, when the people spoke of his proceedings, they called it " Kimball's Folly." Nevertheless he finished his work, and, on the south side of the road, erected a building in which machinery was placed by one Jordan, its inventor, for the manufacture of pegs. Mr. Kimball entered upon the business, and turned out about twelve bushels a day. In 1862 he was joined by Mr. William Sawyer. They unitedly carried on the business till 1865, when they intro- duced the manufacture of box-boards, in connection with their peg-business. After this time, because of the intro- duction of more modern machinery, which would turn out pegs with greater celerity, and the numerical increase of manufactories, the peg-business of Messrs. Kimball and Sawyer gradually came to an end. They still pursued the box-business until the mill was burned in the spring of
340
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
1875. Pegs were also manufactured at the match-factory, ' and at the sawmill of Jacob Batchelder, where considera- ble business was done. Numerous ruins mark the sites of his dry-houses, &c.
After Rev. Mr. Peirce's departure from the Second Church, the following successive "calls" were extended and refused, viz. : to Rev. Hilary Bygrave, who was then preaching there, March 25, 1873 ; Rev. F. D. Sargent of Brookline, N.H., Dec. 25, 1873 ; Rev. Theodore L. Day of Holyoke, Mass., June 10, 1874 ; Rev. Edward S. Huntress of Waltham, Jan. 3, 1875 ; and to Rev. Granville Yager of Boston, Feb. 20, 1876.
In 1875 the West Parish built an elegant parsonage upon an eminence north-east from the church. It is in the Gothic style of architecture, and a handsome and commo- dious residence, doing honor to the tastes of the parish. The cost was about five thousand dollars.
The Second Church, April 9, 1876, extended a call to Rev. James McLean of South Weymouth. Mr. McLean came, and preached the rest of the year to the entire satis- faction of the church, and was installed on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 1877, with the following exercises, viz .: Invoca- tion by Rev. William S. Coggin of the East Parish ; read- ing of the Scriptures, by Rev. Rufus C. Flagg of North Andover ; introductory prayer by Rev. D. T. Fisk, D.D., of Newburyport; sermon by Rev. George E. Freeman of Abington ; installing prayer by Rev. C. E. Park (former pastor) ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. S. D. Gammell of the First Church ; charge to the pastor, by Rev. David Bremner of Plaistow, N. H .; address to the people, by Rev. J. D. Kingsbury of Bradford ; concluding prayer by Rev. Alfred F. Marsh of Georgetown; and benediction by the pastor.
Rev. Mr. McLean was the first occupant of the new parsonage. He was a native of Scotland, and had been
34I
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
settled at South Weymouth, Mass., and several other places. After being settled here in the ministry one year, Mr. McLean tendered his resignation. A council, consist- ing of pastors and delegates from the First Church in Box- ford, two churches in Haverhill, church in North Haverhill, Bradford, Byfield, and the Memorial Church in George- town, met May 17, 1878. Rev. W. S. Coggin was chosen moderator, and Rev. D. D. Marsh, scribe. After a pro- longed examination and hearing of the facts, the council came to the unanimous conclusion that the connection had . better be dissolved the Ist of July following. The use of the parsonage was granted to Mr. McLean till the Ist of October ensuing. He has since been preaching in Grove- land, as the unstated pastor of the Congregationalist church there.
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1879, one of the coldest days during the winter, Rev. Charles L. Hubbard of Merrimac, N.H., was installed over the Second Church. The exer- cises were as follows : Rev. Mr. Gay of Georgetown invoked the divine blessing ; Rev. Mr. Barnes read the Scriptures ; and Rev. Mr. Park offered prayer. The sermon was preached by Rev. E. Seldon of Manchester, N. H., on the subject of " The Human Side and the Supernatural Side of the Great Christian Doctrine." Rev. Mr. Kingsbury of Bradford offered the installing prayer ; Rev. George H. Ide of Lawrence gave the charge to the pastor ; and Rev. D. D. Marsh of Georgetown gave him the right hand of fellowship. Rev. Mr. Bremner of Boxford gave the charge to the people of the parish ; Rev. Mr. Paine of Groveland offered the closing prayer ; and the pastor installed pro- nounced the benediction. With the best wishes of his parish, Mr. Hubbard commences upon his pastorate.
Rev. Charles Lawrence Hubbard, born in Candia, N. H., July 4, 1839, was son of Joshua P. and Adeline (Eaton) Hubbard. He was ordained over the church at Merrimac,
342
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
N. H., Sept. 1, 1868, and dismissed Nov. 17, 1878, with the regrets of his parish.
The Sunday school - in connection with the Second Church - has a library of about two hundred volumes.
In 1878 Mr. Samuel Rowe, a deaf-mute, and a resident of West Boxford, was ordained to the gospel ministry at the Second Church. This is said to be the first Congrega- tional deaf-mute ordained in this country. His field of labor comprises the State of Maine, and principally the vicinity of Portland.
In 1870 Mr. D. Francis Harriman built a store near his residence in the West Parish, the second story of which is a hall, known as Harriman's Hall, in which entertainments are often held. This is the only store in the West Parish. The post-office was also incorporated there at the same time, Mr. William F. Harriman being postmaster. As no railroad is very near, the mail is transported by a mail-stage, which runs from Georgetown to Lawrence.
In 1877 Mr. John Parkhurst, at the match-factory, founded a grocery-store for the accommodation of his employees. This makes three stores, all grocery, now in the town.
In 1873 the Public Library was founded in the East Parish. The first contributions were made by A. E. Batchelder, Esq., of Boston, who manifested much interest in its welfare. The library now contains about six hundred volumes of works of various authors and subjects and char- acter, and is under the supervision of a board of trustees.
For its musical talent, Boxford is especially noted. Nearly every family that is able is supplied with an organ, piano, or some such musical instrument. It would be improper not to mention, in connection with this part of our history, James Hamilton Howe, a native of the town, and a graduate of the New-England Conservatory of Music, and who is destined to become a prodigy in the
343
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
art. Mr. Elvin French, also a native of the town, noted as a musical director and teacher, returned to his old home, and, noticing the talents of the young men, con- ceived the idea of founding a brass-band. Rehearsals were weekly held ; and, the aspects becoming promising, a band of eighteen pieces was regularly organized Jan. 3, 1874, with Solomon W. Lowe as musical director and leader. During the ensuing summer they fulfilled numerous engagements with great satisfaction to their employers. Praised by the press and people for their recherché exe- cutions, they were encouraged to persevere in their exer- cises the following winter, at which time they were joined by four or five musicians from Topsfield.
The present and comparatively recent business incor- porations, not before mentioned, are: Alonzo J. Henly, J. Horace Nason, Henry Newhall, Perley Brothers, and Frederic Thomas, blacksmiths; J. Horace Nason, Perley Brothers, and Frederic Thomas, wheelwrights. A. J. Henly does business in the West Parish, his shop being situated near the church. J. Horace Nason runs the saw and grist mill of Jonathan J. Porter, near the Second Church, and has also near by a blacksmith's shop, and a department in the mill-building, where wheelwrighting is carried on. Henry Newhall's shop is in the East Parish, near the church. Some twenty-five years since, Mr. Jefferson Kimball built the shop nearer to the post-office, commenced the business, and continued in it till his removal from the town, when it was sold to Mr. Newhall, who removed it to its present position. In 1873 Perley Brothers erected their place of business, which is situated near by the dépôt on the Boston and Maine Railroad, in the East Parish. Their business is carriage-building and carriage-repairing ; machinery is also repaired by the requisite skill, and their numerous machines are driven by steam-power. Frederic Thomas, whose shop is situated near the church in the West Parish, carries on
344
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
blacksmith's, wheelwright's, and painting departments of carriage-repairing.
From the earliest settlement of the town to the present time, the principal occupation of the inhabitants has been that of agriculture; and from the primitive soil of our rocky hillsides they have ever drawn, by their industry and well-adapted labor, an independent livelihood, while many of them have prospered so well that they have become comparatively rich. Not only has agriculture, in its general term, been carried on, but its various branches - market-gardening, fruit-raising, &c. - have been in- dulged in during the past few years ; Haverhill, Lawrence, and Salem furnishing ready markets for the produce. Ac- cording to the State census for 1875, there were 125 farms in the town. We give an illustration of the manse of one of these farms on the opposite page. It is the residence of Mr. Isaac C. Day, and originally the old Ross place. The enterprise of Mr. John T. Day of Boston has caused new buildings and extensive repairs to be made, and by other out- lay has made it one of the finest farming-seats in the town.
The political history of Boxford is a monitor that would well instruct the enthusiastic and tumultuous politicians of the present day. The outbursts of political fevers, though sometimes occurring in a limited degree, are excep- tions to the movements of the people of this staid old town. The steady Republican principle has been a ruling power here for many years. The Democrats have been few in number, but are on the increase; and the new Greenback movement has won a few proselytes to its support.
The population of Boxford for the last century has always been more than it is at present. In 1765 the population was 851 ; in 1776, 989; 1790, 925 ; 1800, 852 ; 1810, 880 ; 1820, 906; 1830, 935 ; 1840, 942 ; 1850,982; 1860,1,020; 1865, 868 ; 1875, 834,- 421 males and 413 females. The
DAY PLACE.
345
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
last census gives a further division of the present inhab- itants : unmarried persons, 219 males and 208 females ; married, 184 males and 174 females; widowed, 18 males and 31 females. The families average four persons each, and there is none containing more than ten persons. The average age of the inhabitants of Boxford at the present time is thirty-five years.
· CHAPTER XVI.
DISTINGUISHED AND PROFESSIONAL NATIVES.
REV. OLIVER PEABODY. - REV. MOSES HALE. - REV. JAMES SCALES. - REV. JOHN ROGERS. - MAJOR ASA PERLEY. - HON. AARON WOOD. - COL. THOMAS KNOWLTON. - REV. STEPHEN PEABODY. - REV. DAVID JEWETT. - REV. BENJAMIN CHAD- WICK. - AARON PORTER, M.D. - MAJOR-GEN. AMOS HOVEY. - REV. HUMPHREY C. PERLEY. - SAMUEL HOLYOKE, A.M. - NA- THANIEL PERLEY, ESQ. - WILLIAM PEABODY, M.D. - SAMUEL PEABODY, ESQ. - JOSEPH HOVEY, ESQ. - GEN. SOLOMON LOWE. - RUFUS P. HOVEY, ESQ. - REV. PETER S. EATON. - HON. IRA PERLEY. - DR. DANIEL PERLEY. - REV. JOHN H. EATON. - JOSEPH E. BARTLETT, M.D. - WALTER H. KIMBALL, M.D. - CHARLES I. ADAMS, ESQ. - HENRY O. PEABODY .- REV. ALBERT B. PEABODY. - CYRUS K. BARTLETT, M.D. - WILLIAM A. HERRICK, EsQ.
B OXFORD has probably given birth to more enterprising persons than any other town of its size in the Commonwealth. They can be found in the busy business circles of the large towns and cities, engaging in manufacturing, home trade, and commerce ; institutions of learning in distant parts of the country have asked their assistance ; heathendom has called to them to bring the light of Christianity to its darkened lands; invention has cried, " We need you to show to the world some new appliance ;" pulpits and offices of trust have been filled; the court-room has re-echoed with their voice; and not a few have assisted, and are assisting, in building up the distant West with towns and cities, and
346
347
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
turning the rank virgin soil of the prairies into grain-fields and fruit-farms. Thus it has ever been with the young men of Boxford. Leaving the old, dull home of their fathers, they enter the busy scenes, and soon become in- volved in the fortunes or misfortunes of a business life. But, thanks to their parents and the morality of the place, most of them have succeeded in their career, and made themselves an honor to the dear old home of their boy- hood.
REV. OLIVER PEABODY.
Mr. Peabody was born May 7, 1698, and was son of William and Hannah (Hale) Peabody. Entering Harvard College at an early age, he graduated in 1721. There was an Indian church at Natick, which was dissolved about 1720; and the commissioners of the society in England for propagating the gospel in New England deputed Mr. Peabody to preach in that town. He delivered his first sermon there Aug. 6, 1721, when there were but two white families in the town. After preaching there eight years, a church was gathered, composed partly of Indians and partly of English, over which he was ordained pastor, Dec. 7, 1729. He discharged his pastoral office with great renown for thirty years, ministering to the people of Natick, espe- cially to the aborigines, in the cause of sacred learning. He was a model in social life, and in benevolence and hospitality pre-eminent. He took great delight in theo- logical investigations, as well as in all needful learning. He taught the Indians temperance, the English language, · and the use of agricultural implements. Though naturally of a slender and delicate constitution, he consented to go on a mission to the Mohegan tribe of Indians, which caused a final decline in his health. He died Feb. 2, 1752. His last words were : "I have fought a good fight, I have fin- ished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
348
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day" (2 Tim. iv. 7, 8). (See Bacon's History of Natick, p. 61.)*
REV. MOSES HALE.
Mr. Hale was born Dec. 5, 1701, and was son of Joseph and Mary (Watson) Hale. He graduated at Harvard College, 1722. Oct. 20, 1731, he was ordained over the church that had just been gathered in Chester, N.H. He was, at times, afflicted with insanity, and for this reason was dismissed June 4, 1735. His life terminated in 1760.
REV. JAMES SCALES.
.
Mr. Scales was born, near the residence of the late Mr. Ephraim F. Cole, May 31, 1707, and was son of James and Sarah (Curtis) Scales. He graduated at Harvard College, 1733, and was ordained, Nov. 23, 1757, at the age of twenty-four years. Was settled at Hopkinton, N.H. He died July 26, 1776.
REV. JOHN ROGERS.
Mr. Rogers was born Sept. 24, 1712, and was son of Rev. John and Susanna (Marston) Rogers. He graduated at Harvard College, 1732. He was ordained as the first pastor at Leominster, Mass., Sept. 14, 1743. In his pas- torate Mr. Rogers met with great difficulties ; but, before his death, matters were Christianly adjusted. "Mr. Rogers was a man of intellectual powers," says Dr. Bancroft, in. his half-century sermon, "and an inquisitive spirit, pos- sessed of a name fitted to make a man independent of his
* Mr. Peabody married Hannah, daughter of Rev. Joseph Baxter of Medfield, a lady distinguished for her piety and good sense. The result of this union was the birth of twelve children : Catherine, Oliver, William, Rebecca, Mercy, Joseph, Hannah, Susanna, Susanna, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Sarah. Hannah married Rev. Elizur Holyoke of Boxford. Oliver graduated at Harvard College, 1745, and was pastor of the First Church in Roxbury from 1750 to his death, May 29, 1752, aged twenty-six years.
349
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
opinions, and prepared to encounter every difficulty in defence of religious truth." He was strictly an honest man. His moral character was never impeached. In con- versation he was frank, even to bluntness, and sometimes gave offence to, or wounded the feelings of, his friends unintentionally. He was tenacious of his own opinion ; perhaps he thought too highly of the name. But no man is perfect, and his greatest fault was a want of prudence. He died Oct. 6, 1789; and in 1845, under the direction of the First Congregational Society of Leominster, a mar- ble monument was erected to his memory. (See Wilder's History of Leominster.)
MAJOR ASA PERLEY.
Mr. Perley was born Oct. 10, 1716, and was son of Thomas and Sarah (Osgood) Perley. Mr. Perley erected the residence of Mrs. Isaac Hale (at the Old Elm-Tree), married, and settled down on the land which had been bequeathed to him by his father's will, in the immediate vicinity of his birthplace, where he continued to reside during his life of almost ninety years. Mr. Perley was one of the most prominent men in the town, where he held at various times the highest offices. In 1758, 1764, 1767-69, 1771, 1774, 1777, 1778, and 1782, - ten years in all, - he held the office of selectman. In 1771, 1772, 1780, and 1781, he was chosen representative to the General Court. In 1775, - that noted year in the history of the nation, - he was chosen a member of the Provincial Congress, in which Congress, as its records inform us, he held prominent positions. Seven of his sons served in the War of Inde- pendence. He died April 10, 1806.
HON. AARON WOOD.
Mr. Wood was born Nov. 20, 1719, and was son of John and Ruth (Peabody) Wood. He resided on the Stevens
350
HISTORY OF BOXFORD.
place in the East Parish, and probably built that house, which has since been burned. Mr. Wood was a senator in 1781 ; representative to the General Court, 1761-1770, 1773, 1774, 1776-79, sixteen years in all; and was also employed in the councils and conventions of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts with gratification to the people. Mr. Wood died Jan. 20, 1791, after having faithfully served his country for many years previous to, and during, the long conflict with Great Britain, securing a name for in- tegrity, justice, and judgment, and leaving an untarnished reputation .* The following is the inscription on his grave- stone : -
ERECTED In Memory of the Honº Aaron Wood Efq. Who died Janr 20th 1791 : Aged 71 years.
Yet my fond hope would hear him speak again Once more at leaft one gentle word & then Aaron aloud I call in vain I cry Aaron aloud; for he muft ne'er reply In vain I mourn & drop thefe funeral tears Death & the grave have neither eyes nor ears.
* Mr. Wood's first wife was Jane, widow of Dr. Eliphalet Kilborn of Rowley, who died June 15, 1775, aged sixty-eight years. When the British drove the General Court from Boston in 1775, Mr. Wood and some of the representatives boarded with Mrs. Lydia Barnard, - daughter of Phineas and Grace (Hastings) Warren of Waltham, Mass., and widow of David Bar- nard - (who was born Jan. 18, 1745), in Watertown, where, it will be remem- bered, many of the members of the General Court took refuge. Mr. Wood fell in love with his buxom hostess, married, and brought her to Boxford. After the death of Mr. Wood, who died childless, she married Benjamin Spofford of Boxford, Nov. 14, 1792. She was a woman of strong mind and body, weighing over two hundred pounds, and died Sept. 6, 1839, aged nine- ty-five years. When the British retreated after the battle of Lexington, they passed by her house. One of the privates stole a horse, and was making his retreat in better style. He said something to Mrs. Barnard that was not acceptable to her patriotic mind, and she pulled him from his horse, and took him prisoner; and, it is said, this was the first prisoner taken during the Revolution.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.