USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 15
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The Town Records of this year, for the first time, state that the meet- ings were called by the "writ of the selectmen, published and placed on file." They were published by affixing a copy of the warrant to the door of the meeting house.
For ten years preceding this, we find no allusion in the Town Records to the subject of a school, and only one elsewhere,-that in the Ipswich Court Records of 1681. From this, and the record of the meeting men- tioned below, we infer that there was no regular school in town during those years.
On the 9th of November, of this year, a meeting was called, "in order to a supply and the providing a fit person to keep school in this Town, and make it his only employ to instruct the children or young men, or any of the inhabitants of Haverhill in reading, and in writing, and in cyphering." and the selectmen were voted full power to provide such a person, and agree with him to keep school until the next annual meeting, provided they did not agree " to give him on the public account more than Four pounds in corn till that time." Under the same date, we find the following agree- ment, which is well worth preserving: -
" We whose names are underwritten have agreed with Mr James Chad- wick to keep the school, to endeavour to teach such as shall resort to him, as they shall desire to read, or write, or cypher, or all of them, until the next annual meeting in February next: For which service of his he shall be paid by the town in general three pounds in corn. besides what he shall have, or agree with the scholars for ; or their parents, or masters ; or for want of agreement the said Mr Chadwick in his demands not to exceed what usually is paid in other places for schooling, viz: To have by the week - For a Reader 00:01, & for a writer 00:06. Dated November 9th, 1685, By us
and consented unto by the other 2.
Robt Ayer Ste Dow Selectmen. Josi'h Gage Jna Page Jun 2 Select Sim Wainwright § men "
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HISTORY OF IIAVERIIILL.
At the next annual meeting, the selectmen were directed "to agree with Mr Chadwick, or any other person, to make it his employ to keep school in Haverhill for the year ensuing."
In the spring of 1686, a road was laid out from Rowley to Haverhill. It was laid out eight rods wide.
In answer to a petition from the Seleetmen, the Court empowered them to " bind out young ones into sarvice,"- provided their indentures met the approval of " worshipful Major Saltonstall."
At the annual meeting, Danicl Ela proffered to sell his housing and land by the meeting house " to the town for a parsonage, and take as part pay. the house and land the town had previously purchased of Wm Star- lin ; but, after much discourse, the town refused to treat with him. At the same time, John Gild charged Lieut. Johnson, in open town meeting, with attempting to cheat him, by altering the bounds of land at Flaggy meadow, and taking in "near 40 or 50 acres." As the Lieutenant " con- fessed in part," the town chose a committee to look into the matter. The Lieutenant was not, however, the only one in town who wanted more land than belonged to him, as Serg't John Page and Mr. Simon Wainwright, " by virtue of an order from the Selectmen," the previous year, " to search after and find out them that had trespassed upon the Town's ways and common lands by their fencing of them in," gave in the following names: - Joseph Greelee, Joseph Peasely, Saml Pearson, Saml Shepherd, Daniel Ela, Edwd Brumidge, Sergt Johnson, Peter Patie, Lt. Browne or S Ford, Benj Singletery, John Gild, Robt Swan, Stephen Davis, Dan: Hen- driek, Jno Davis, Edwd Clarke, Stephen Dow, Abra. Belknap, Thos Davis, John Whittier.
But even this large array of names did not include the whole, for at the same meeting, the Recorder informs us, " Robt Swan sen presented a mo- tion to the Town for buying of their own lands which they had purchased of the Indians, and had grants for from the General Court: and was laid out in particular lots by the Town's allotment." Swan's motion was, that, -
" Whereas there was a certain tract of land purchased of Pumpasano- way alais Old Will, an Indian, by John Endicot of Boston, Gentn, eldest son to Gov Endicot, The which land was sold by Jno Endicot to Walter Barefoot, Esq. as appears by firm deeds under hand and seal, from one to the other of the above said conveyors, This land being part of it in the bounds of Haverhill near Spicket River. It being now in my hands to dispose of as I can make it appear, I think it expedient that a proposition be made to the town in the first place. That if they please to buy that
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part of it which is within Haverhill line, they may have it at a reasonable rate, or if they please to accept it now, before it be otherwise disposed of, or if they will buy that which is granted to particular men and laid out to them ; If the Town will buy the whole tract of land they shall have it for 2 shillings per acre, or if they will give acre for acre of land and meadow where they and I shall agree, it shall content me.
Robert Swan, sen."
The Recorder adds, that, -
"Considerable discourse was had about Robt Swan's motion, which was unanimously opposed with manifestation of great dislike of R Swan's pro- ceedings and because he showed no original title, but only a blank, pretended to be Mr Endieot's title : and because of the Town's present being in pos- session, and having so been according to the law of possession. The town declares that till they be dispossessed by law they will not buy of R Swan or of any other, but will hold what they account their own."
Upon this, Swan desired the town to have laid out to him those lands which he could make appear to be legally due him, but which he declared had been kept from him twenty-three or twenty-four years by George Browne." He further declared, that he had often labored to have it donc, but could neither have the lands laid out, or any satisfactory answer con- cerning the same, and that he was much reproached, and also impoverished by the malignity of Lieutenant Browne's spirit towards him.
In reply to this, the town directed Swan " to make his right appear, & then justice should be done to him as to other men."
Swan then asked that the town " would call Lieut Browne, James Davis, and himself, to an account for their actions since they were appointed to lay out and rectify lands," at the same time delaring that there had been " such irregular actions done as may cause the children yet unborn to curse us hereafter," This " was spoken to, but no vote passed by the Town to do anything in it."
Lieutenant Browne's turn now came, and he plumply charged Goodman Swan with having told him a wrong story about a certain brook, on ac- count of which Browne had laid out more land to Swan than he was entitled to. Upon this, the Recorder adds, " several words, and some of them hard, passed, but there was no further proceed in order to further enquiry, and it being late and past time for a vote, the Moderator declared that the meeting was at an end, or dissolved, with respect to the present session."
At the next meeting, Swan asked the town to confirm to him a piece of meadow land, and his fourth division of land, " which he had laid out for
0 Browne was one of the town's "lot layers."
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himself." The town rejected his proposal, and protested against this, and all such acts, by whomsoever done.
Notwithstanding these matters of dispute, Swan evidently had the con- fidence of the town, for the very next vote, at the same meeting, placed him on a committee to run disputed and uncertain bounds, - a most im- portant office. Browne, however, "openly declared that he would not any longer stand as a lot-layer," and Thomas Whittier was chosen in his place. Swan was evidently too much for him.
We find the following among the records of births, marriages, and deaths, for 1686: - " Elizabeth Emerson, single-woman, had Dorothy, born April 10-86 ; and a second time, though never married, Twins, born May 8-91. who were both made away with privately, and found dead May 10-91." The Recorder then says: - " The Mother lay long in prison, but at the long run, in the year 1691, as I take it, was executed at Boston for the murthering of the two babes, or one of them.""
About this time, a rule was adopted requiring all petitions to the town to be in writing.
A law of the General Court required all swine running at large to be yoked, and also to have two rings in their snout, but allowed towns a dis- cretion in the matter of yoking. This town decided that they might go unyoked, if their owners would be responsible for damages.
At the annual meeting for 1687, Joseph Peasely, being chosen constable for the ensuing year, " by bringing in of paper votes,"; " made his plea for freedom," which not being granted, he moved that a second constable be chosen, - " because the Town was large and many lived remote so that one man could not well do the work of warning meetings and gathering of rates alone." This last request was granted, and John Ayer, junior, chosen second constable. It was left to them to divide their wards and their work, as they might themselves agree. It seems, however, that they could not agree, and the town released Ayer, and thus compelled Peasely to do all the work alone. A few years later, two constables were regularly chosen, and from that time, two continued to be chosen annually for many years.
The following shows the great value the town at this time placed upon its fisheries : -
" In answer to the proposition of some, and the universal desire of the people, that care, by an order, might be taken that fish might not, by Dams
9 The Recorder was correct. The father of the children, was Samuel Ladd, a married man, and then the father of eight children by his lawful wife, -the two youngest twins! Elizabeth was the daughter of Michael Emerson, and the one he kicked and bcat so shamefully in 1674.
This was the first time any officers, except Moderator and Selectmen, were chosen by written ballot. 19
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and . Wiers, made in the Sawmill River, or Fishing River, or any other, be stopped of the usual course up to the Pond, but have free passage up the River in this Town:
" The Town declares that they expect there shall be free passage for fish up the Sawmill River and Fishing River and all other Rivers, brooks and creeks in this Town, in all suitable seasons of the year for their getting up to the Pond to spawn, and in special in the night time; and to that end do order that no man shall make a dam, or suffer his dam so to stop any passage the fish used to have to the Ponds or Pond, without leaving his dam or Wier or other device open in the night time for the fish."
Similar reasons to those that led them to seek the preservation of their fisheries, also induced them to make vigorous efforts to increase their flocks.
We are unable to say when sheep were first introduced into the town, but it is probable that a few were owned by the inhabitants at an early period of its settlement. The first mention we find of them in the Town Records, is under date of 1684, when "the proprietors of the Great Plain thinking to lay down the said field for some years to be improved for a sheep pasture," the town gave them leave to fence it, choose officers, and make all necessary regulations for that purpose.º
The next mention of them, is the following, in 1687 : -
" It being the interest and desire of the inhabitants, for the sake of back, belly and purse, to get into a stock, and a way to keep a stock of sheep, in which all endeavours hitherto have been invalid and of no effect ; For a further trial : The Selectmen have hereby power granted them to call forth the inhabitants capable of labor with suitable tools, and in suit- able companies about Michaelmass, to clear some land at the. town's end, sides, or skirts ; as they in their discretion shall think meet to direct, to make it capable and fit for sheep to feed upon with the less hazzard : and he that is warned as above, and doth not accordingly come and attend the service, shall pay a fine of 2s per day."
From the above it is evident that the " hazzard " of sheep raising was occasioned by the ravages of wolves among the flocks. We have already alluded to the trouble these pests occasioned the settlers. In addition to the bounty paid by the colony for their destruction, this town (and others) for a long time paid forty shillings for every wolf killed in the town. In 1685, Amesbury repealed this additional bounty, and, to prevent fraud, this town soon afterward did the same, but still allowed the selectmen to
· Coffin, in his History of Newbury, estimates that there were in that town, in 1685, over five thousand sheep. The owners in the several neighborhoods clubbed together, hired a shepherd, and by means of portable fences, or " gates," took turns in pasturing them,-thus enriching their corn land.
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pay such sums as they should agree upon in particular cases. This plan did not prove satisfactory, however, and two years afterward a regular bounty of fifteen shillings was voted to any person who should kill a full grown wolf within the town's bounds, and seven shillings sixpence for each young one. The liberal bounty paid for their destruction, ultimately had the desired effect, and the flocks of the settlers were permitted to multiply without their molestation.º
° In 1696, Timothy Eaton petitioned the town to grant him a bounty, more than the country allowed, for killing a full grown she-wolf on the ox-common. The town granted him ten shillings "for killing said wolf since he declares it was a bitch wolf and that she will not bring any more whelps."
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
CHAPTER XII.
INDIAN TROUBLES .- FROM 1688 TO 1695.
IN 1688, a fresh Indian war broke out on the frontiers of New England. As a pretense for commencing hostilities, the Indians charged the English with neglecting to pay the tribute of corn, which had been stipulated by the treaty of 1678;" obstructing the fish in Saco river with seines; de- frauding them in trade, and with granting their lands without their con- sent."; The French used every effort to inflame their resentment, in order to revenge the recent injuries they had themselves received from the English.}
The first acts of hostility commenced at North Yarmouth, by killing cattle, and threatening the people. This was followed by robbery, and capturing the inhabitants.
To add to the distresses and troubles of the Massachusetts colonists, they also found themselves involved in difficulties relating to their charter. Complaints had from time to time been made in England against the colon- ists, and in the height of the distresses of Phillip's war, and while the colony were contending with the natives for the possession of the soil, these complaints were renewed with vigor. An inquiry was set on foot, and followed, from time to time, until 1684, when judgment was given against their charter. In 1686, a commission arrived, appointing a presi- dent and council to administer the government. This administration was, however, short, and in December of the same year, Sir Edmund Andros arrived with a commission for the government of all the New England colonies, except Connecticut.
" It was stipulated, in this treaty, that the inhabitants should return to their deserted settlements, on condition of paying one peck of corn annually, for each family, by way of acknowledgment to the Indians for the possession of their lands.
+ Belknap 1, 242.
# France and England were early competitors in America. Each claimed a portion of its territory, assumed jurisdiction, and attempted its colonization. Their rivalry and hatred had existed for centu- ries -it was indeed hereditary,-and in consequence of it, the New England colonies were carly in- volved in difficulties. Acadia and Canada were wrested from the French in 1629, but were restored by the treaty of St. Germain, in 1632. Acadia was again conquered in 1654, but restored by the treaty of Breda, in 1669. In 1666, the conquest of Canada was a second time attempted, but without success ; and again in 1686, with a like result. These difficulties continued until the peace of Utrecht, in 1713. In 1744, war again broke out between France and England, and continued until the reduction of Canada, in 1760, and the treaty of Paris, 1763. During these wars, the colonies were continually involved, and severely suffered.
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
The administration of Andros was most arbitrary and oppressive. The Press was restrained ; public thanksgiving, without an order from the Crown, was prohibited ; fees of all officers were increased; and the peo- ple were even compelled to petition for new patents for their lands, for which patents they were obliged to pay exorbitant prices." As a conse- quence of these, and many other equally oppressive and arbitrary proceed- ings, the Colonists were greatly disquieted, and excited.
In September, 1689, a Special Justices' Court was ordered, to "make inquiry in the several towns of Gloster, Haverhill, & Boxford, and ex- amine and binde over such persons as have beene Factious & Seditious there and contemptuously refused to obey and execute the warrants of the Trea- surer."
In the language of Andros himself, " there was no such thing as a town in the whole country ; " and to assemble in town meeting for purposes of deliberation was esteemed an act of sedition and riot. The unhappy state of affairs at this period may be further judged from the following illustra- tions, which we find among the original papers in the State Archives: -
In the winter of 1688-9, Joseph Emerson and Jacob Whiticker, of this town, were pressed as soldiers for Andros, and sent in the expedition to Pemaquid. Their depositions, given afterward, before Nathaniel Salton- stall, Assistant, show that the soldiers of the tyrant were most shamefully abused, and maltreated. Simon Wainwright, of this town, had twenty- seven barrels of cider taken from him, by the excise officers of Andros.t Onisephorous Mash, constable of Haverhill, was forced to pay five pounds three shillings, in money, for the drawing up of a bond for him to appear at Salem, because the town had not appointed a commissioner on rates to meet at the shire town to assist in making rates for the county.
Daniel Bradley, one of the Selectmen, was forced to pay five pounds, one shilling, for a similar bond, on the same case.
Such was the unfortunate condition of the colonists, when troubles again broke out with the Indians, in 1688. To quell the disturbance, Andros, with seven or eight hundred men, marched into the eastern country, in November, and built several forts ; and though many of his men died by hardships and exposure, not one Indian was killed, or even seen. They had all retired into their distant winter quarters.}
" One of the first acts of Andros was to levy a tax of twenty pence on each poll, and one penny in the pound upon " all the late colonies and provinces toward defraying the public charges of the government." Some towns asked to be excused from paying the tax, and others refused. Haverhill, Salisbury, Rowley, and Andover, were fined for their contumacy.
t It appears that Wainwright made twenty barrels in 1688, from the produce of his own orchard.
# Joseph Emerson and Jacob Whiticker, of this town, were pressed as soldiers for this expedition.
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
With the opening of spring, the situation of the settlers again became critical. None knew when or where another attack would be made, and we need not wonder that their hearts were oppressed with the gloomiest forebodings. The following extract, from a letter of Samuel Ayer, con- stable of Haverhill, to the General Court, under date of February 11, 16899, -in answer to a citation for the town to appear and answer to the charge of " withholding the one half of their proportion of rates," -touch- ingly represents the condition of the town : -
" I pray you consider our poor condition. There are many that have not corn to pay their rates, many more which have not money : to straint I know not what to take : we are a great way from any market, to make money of anigh thing we have : and now there is not anigh way to trans- port to other places : I pray consider our poor condition."
Early in April, news reached Boston that William, Prince of Orange, had invaded England, and dethroned the King. Animated with the hope of deliverance, the people rushed to arms; took possession of the fort; seized Andros, and other obnoxious characters ; placed them in confine- ment, and organized a Council of Safety .; The latter immediately sent circulars to the several towns, recommending that delegates be chosen by cach, to assemble in convention at Boston on the 9th of the following month, to advise with the Council. The following was the answer of this town : -
" Haverhill May 20, 1689.
By an express from ye council for safety, &c, dated May ye 10th 1689. The Town being meet do unanimously, nemine contradicente, declare yt they think it most eligible & safe to wait for information from ye Crown in England, according to promise, & declaration, so yt we may ye better know wt we may at present do; & do pray yt ye Council, now in being for Safety of ye people, & Conservation of ye Peace do take care effect- ually in all publique affaires, & in all imergences. And we do hereby further declare yt we will be assistant in ye charges yt shal come unto, both wh our persons and estates, so yt ye Persons that are or shal be put into Holds be effectually secured, & have not too full a libertie of visitors, either made or Remade, whereby they may escape, we we hear hath been attempted.
This was read, voted & passed, nemine contradicente, as attest
N Saltonstall Recordr."
o State Archives. + Restrain.
# Nathaniel Saltonstall was chosen one of this council.
§ Jail, or prison.
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Cornet Peter Ayer was chosen to represent Haverhill at the Convention.º
Scarcely had the colonists recovered from their surprise at this sudden change of affairs in their government, when their attention was again called to the necessity of further protection against the Indians. The fol- lowing, from Mirick, is well worth inserting in this place : -
" The Indians, for some time past, had been hovering over the town in such a manner as kept the inhabitants in continual alarm. Small parties were almost daily seen traversing the adjacent woods, and slyly approach- ing the farm-houses in search of plunder. The friendly intercourse that had existed so many years between them was broken, and open hostility succeeded. So early as 1675, the fortifications around the meeting-house were repaired, and in the following year we find that Ephraim Kingsbury was slain ; but it was in the summer of this year that they commenced the work of murder and desolation in good earnest. The tawny savage sharpened his knife and tomahawk for the work of blood, and glutted his imagination with the atrocities he should commit. The war began-the fierce and inhuman contest on the part of the savages. It proceeded, and what deeds of valor were performed -what acts of chivalry graced the lives of our Fathers ! The plaided Highlander, armed with his claymore and battle-axe, was not more heroic; the stern and determined patriot, who rallied beneath the banner of Wallace, was no braver; the enthusi- astic Crusader, who fought and bled on the plains of the Holy Land, never exhibited a more fearless and undaunted spirit. Some of their deeds have been emblazoned on the page of history ; but many of them, until now, have been permitted to rest in obscurity.
There was but little genuine bravery among the savages; and, in fact, we do not recollect one instance of the kind, on their part, where pure, high-souled and chivalrous courage was displayed, during the whole war,- a period of nearly thirty years. But they were generally cruel, vindictive and treacherous. Such aged and infirm persons as were unable to perform a journey through the wilderness, were generally despatched. Infants, soon as they became troublesome, had their mouths filled with burning embers, or their brains dashed out against the nearest stone or tree. But we have one thing to record which speaks highly in their favor ; that is,
" The people of Massachusetts soon applied for the restoration of their charter, or the grant of a new one. A definite answer was deferred, but the council was authorized to administer the government ac- cording to the old charter, till further directions were given. A new charter was received in 1692. By this charter, the appointment of the governor was in the crown, and every freeholder of forty shillings sterling a year, and every inhabitant of forty pounds sterling, personal estate, was allowed to vote for representatives.
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
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