USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 47
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458
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL
From the above report, we learn, that "in the Western part of the Town, a number of School Houses have lately been erected, at their own expense."
At the next annual meeting, the selectmen, the clergymen, and seven other persons were made a committee to inspect the schools in the town." At an adjourned meeting, it was voted, that school district No. 1 should have one or more school-houses; No. 2, four ; No. 3, three; and No. 4, one. ¿ 350 were appropriated for building new school-houses.
The same year (1792) the town was divided into nineteen highway districts. A petition was received for a highway from Thomas Whittier's (now J. B. Spiller's) in a direct line to Muliken's ferry, but it was decided to be inexpedient .; At the same time, it was ordered that the "plain gate " (that near Rev. Mr. Keely's, on the bank of the river) be kept in repair, so that the river's bank might be used as " a bridle way."
Among the petitions presented to the selectmen this year, we find one signed by Samuel Blodgett and eighteen of the principal citizens of the village, praying that a town meeting may be called to see if the town " would permit Innoculation to take place in said town provided a conven- ient place can be procured for that purpose in said Town." The reason offered was, that the small pox was in the town of Boston, and other adjacent towns, and that " a great number of the Inhabitants of the Town of Haverhill are determined to go from thence to Boston to receive the same by Innoculation unless they are permitted to be Innoculated in their own Town."
A meeting was called, but the town refused to repair the pest-house, or to allow innoculation to be performed in the town. As a consequence, many persons went to Boston for that purpose. In November, another meeting was called, and it was voted to provide a hospital for innoculation in the town. A few weeks later it was voted not to allow the thing to be done in the town.
In 1793, President Washington issued a proclamation to the people of the United States, recommending that during the then existing war in Europe, they should preserve a strict neutrality. On the reception of the proclamation in this town, a town meeting was called, and resolutions adopted approving the course of the President, and agreeing to abide by his recommendations.
" One year still later, a committee was chosen for each school district; and this continued to be the practice for many years.
The portion between Mr. Spiller's and "Tilton's Corner," was finally laid out about 1835.
459
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
On the 6th of September, of the above year, occurred an event of no small importance in the town. This was no less than the publication of a newspaper, -the first ever printed in the town. It was " published by E Ladd & S Bragg," and styled the Guardian of Freedom. It was issued weekly, at " nine shillings per annum," and edited by Benjamin Edes, Jr." It advocated federal politics.
Cotemporaneous with the first stage coach and the first newspaper, was the erection of the first bridge across the Merrimack, in this town. The Haverhill bridge was completed in the fall of 1794 .; It was erected on three arches of one hundred and eighty feet each, supported by three handsome stone piers forty feet square. It had as many defensive piers, or sterlings, extending fifty feet above, and a draw of thirty feet over the channel. It was built on the plan of Timothy Palmer. Moody Spofford, of Georgetown, was the chief engineer in its erection. Palmer was an apprentice to Spofford when he made his invention.
At the time of its erection, the bridge was considered a marvel of mechanical ingenuity and skill ; and to this day, though divested of much ef its beautiful proportion, it is surpassed by but few in the country.
Dr. Dwight, who saw it in 1796, thus describes it:}
" The strength of the Haverhill bridge may be conjectured from the following fact. Six gentlemen placed themselves together upon an exact model of one of the arches, ten feet in length ; in which the largest pieces of timber were half an inch square, and the rest smaller in proportion. Yet not the least injury was done to the model. Of this fact I was a witness ; and was informed by the gentlemen present, that eleven persons had, a few days before, stood together upon the same model, with no other effect, than compacting it more firmly together. The eleven were supposed to weigh at least sixteen hundred pounds. No bridge which I have ever seen, except that over the Piscataqua, can be compared with this, as a fine object to the eye. The arches above, and below, have a degree of boldness and grandeur, unrivalled in this country. Every part of the work is executed with exactness and strength on the one hand, and on the other with great neatness and beauty. When we saw it, it was new, perfectly white, and brilliant, without that dullness which springs from the decays of time.§
° For a more particular account of this paper, see " Newspapers," in the Appendix.
t Soon as it was passable, Judith Whiting, then in her hundredth year, walked over it unaided. The old lady died soon after, wanting twelve days to complete a century.
Į Dwight's Travels.
§ In a note to the above, Dr. Dwight adds, -" In the year 1812, I found the arched work of this bridge above taken down, and with it a large proportion of its fine appearance gone."
460
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
I have since learned, that it is too nicely built, and has suffered some decay by the retention of water in the joints, and elsewhere.
It was long doubted whether a bridge could be so constructed, as to resist the ice of the Merrimack. The stream is rapid ; and the climate so cold, as to produce, annually, thick and firm ice. But the doubt has van- ished. Seven bridges have been built on this stream : and not one of them has been carried away. The defensive piers have proved an effectual security against this evil. These are formed in the figure of a half pyra- mid; the base a semi-rhombus; and are strongly fortified with iron. When the ice descends in large floats against this pier; it rises on the oblique front ; and breaking by its own weight, easily passes between the principal piers ; and is thus rendered harmless."
Dr. Spofford, the veteran editor of the Haverhill Gazette, in that paper of March 2d, 1860, gives the following interesting reminiscences of Haverhill in 1794 :-
" Haverhill village at this time consisted of Merrimack, Water, and Main streets, and the only brick building in the village was part of Sheriff Bartlett's house, so long and so lately and so well occupied by Dr. Longley. A row of small wooden stores occupied the river bank, above the bridge, in one of which David How, Esq., and in another, Moses Atwood, father of Harriet (Atwood) Newell, kept stores at that time.
About this time a three-story brick store, perhaps sixty feet long, and forty feet deep, was built by Mr. Howe and Phineas Carleton, on the west side of Main street," of which Mr. How occupied what is now two stores, or about forty feet square, and Mr. Carleton twenty by forty, and from Mr. Carleton's store, which was the southerly one, it was vacant land to the corner. From the corner lot a house had been burnt some years before, belonging, we think, to Esquire White, ¡ a citizen long well known, and possibly yet remembered by some in Haverhill.
Those who have the curiosity to ascertain which of the stores now in that range was once owned and occupied by Phineas Carleton, may know how much land on Main and Merrimack streets was permitted to lay vacant after a fire, till it was covered with mouldering ruins and tall weeds.
The old First Parish, and the Baptist churches then furnished ample accommodations, though a much larger portion of the people then were constant attendants at church than at present.
" The block now occupied by John Davis, Willett & Co., and others.
+ Samuel White, Esq.
461
HISTORY OF HAVERIIILL.
Mr. Shaw preached at the Congregational, and Mr Smith at the Baptist church. Mrs. Shaw was a Smith, and sister of the wife of President John Adams. We can just recollect hearing of the sudden death of Mr. Shaw, in connection with which an anecdote was current many years ago ; that Rev. Stephen Peabody, of Atkinson, had started that morning, upon the recommendation of Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, to make proposals to a lady in Newbury said to resemble Mrs. Shaw, but meeting the news of Mr. Shaw's death, turned short about, and after waiting due time, made proposals and married the widow !
At the opening of the Andover and Haverhill railroad, now the Boston and Maine, a celebration was held, and a collation was given, and speeches made, in the Haverhill Academy Hall, at which, among many good things said, Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, of Salem, a native of Haverhill, gave a humorous description of the excitement here, when a four horse stage was set up, from this town to Concord ; how the boys collected to view the unaccustomed sight, and listening to hear the bells with which the horses were ornamented, by the time they got to " McFarland's," ran to meet them far up on the plains."
Dr. Dwight, who visited the town about this time, thus speaks of it :
"The manners of the inhabitants, in general, are very civil, and be- coming. Those of the most respectable people are plain, frank, easy and unaffected. Both the gentlemen and ladies are well-bred, and intelligent ; and reccommend themselves not a little to the esteem, and attachment of a traveller. We saw at the Church a numerous Congregation, well dressed, decorous and reverential in their deportment."
" I was informed by unquestionable authority, that in a small lake in this town, about half a mile east of the Congregational Church, and at a little distance from the river, there is an island, which has immemorially floated from one shore to another, whenever it was impelled by a violent wind. Lately it has adhered for a considerable time to a single spot ; and may perhaps be so firmly fixed on the shelving bottom, as to move no more hereafter. Several trees, and shrubs, grow on its surface ; and it is cov- ered with a fresh verdure."
That the Doctor's authority was " unquestionable," may be safely judged from the following extract from a communication received by the writer, a few weeks since, (1860) from John Bartlett, Esq., of Rox- bury : - 9
@ To Mr. Bartlett, (who is a son of Israel Bartlett, of this town,) we are greatly indebted for numerous favors received while engaged in compiling this history. His kind efforts in our behalf will not soon be forgotten.
462
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
" As it respects the floating island, or islands formerly seen in Little or Plug Pond ; the fact must be well remembered by many of the older men of Haverhill village, Mr. Robt. Willis, Mr. Phineas Carleton, Mr. Hazen Morse," and others. According to my recollection there were two islands ; the smallest had a maple tree on it of two or three inches diameter; this was broken up and destroyed long before the larger one, which continued for years, and at last grounded when the pond was full, at the east end un- der the hill, where no wind could reach, to drive it off; as the water fell, the island became rooted to the ground; when the water rose, the next season it flooded the island, and it soon broke up. I should say that the larger island was 60 feet long by 15 or 20 broad; on the borders were bushes, such as formerly grew, standing in the water at the western end of the pond. The island was composed of a soggy mass of fine vegetable matter, of sufficient firmness to sustain the boys who were frequently on it; they would sink down a few inches, the water oozing up around their feet.
" As you will see, I have scratched out a sort of Diagram of the pond, by no means accurate, but it will show you, however, the different posi- tions, where I have seen the larger of the two islands ; many a time have I been on it and gathered cranberries; and when it was situated at the entrance towards the Plug, where it stood for a whole season, I frequented it for the purpose of fishing, from its outer side, from an opening in the bushes. I have marked the spot on the diagram, thus (2). Mr. Hazen Morse will remember being on the island while it lay there. As the inner edge of the island did not come to dry land, the boys placed some rails to assist in getting on and off. In 1827 I saw the rudiment of a new island afloat at the east end of the pond ; it was perhaps 6 or 7 feet long ; what became of it I don't know -some bushes were on it. So much for the Floating Island."f
Believing it would add to the interest of Mr. Bartlett's pleasant sketch of these islands, we have procured the following engraving, showing the positions of the larger island as seen by him at vari- ous times. Figure " 1 " indicates a place where Mr. Bartlett remembers to have seen the island ; "2" indicates the place where the island remained an en- tire season, during which time Mr. Bartlett, and others, fished from its outer edge. Figure "3" shows where the island finally grounded, and was broken up.
" Mr. Morse confirms the statements of Mr. Bartlett, and distinctly remembers fishing from the edge of the floating island.
Mr. Bartlett adds, in a note, -"The larger island became extinct, I think, about the year 1800."
463
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
As a fitting accompaniment to the above interesting reminiscenses of Haverhill in the last century, we give the following extract, from " The American Gazetteer," by Jedidiah Morse, D.D., printed in Boston, 1797 :
Haverhill, a handsome post-town of Massachusetts, in Essex County, situated on the N. side of Merrimack River, across which is an elegant bridge, connecting this town with Bradford, 650 feet long and 34 wide. It has 3 arches of 180 feet each, supported by 3 handsome stone piers, 40 feet square ; also a draw of 30 feet, over the channel of the river. Haver- hill has a considerable inland trade, lying about 32 miles N. by W. of Boston, and 12 miles from Newburyport, at the mouth of the river, and about 2S S. W. of Portsmouth in New-Hampshire. It lies chiefly upon two streets; the principal of which runs parallel with the river. Vessels of 100 tons burden can go up to it. Travellers are struck with the pleasantness of the situation ; and a number of neat and well finished houses give it an air of elegance. Here are two churches, one for Congre- gationalists, and one for Baptists; 3 distilleries, one of which has lately undergone a laudable transmutation into a brewery. Some vessels are annually built here, and several are employed in the West India trade. A manufactory of sail-cloth was begun here in 1789, and is said to be in a promising way. The trade of the place, however, is considerably less than before the revolution. The whole township contains 330 houses, and 2,408 inhabitants.""
In 1795, by order of the General Court, the selectmen caused a plan of the town to be taken for the State. The surveys were made by James C. McFarland, and Josiah Noyes. According to their report, the town con- tained fourteen thousand acres, including ponds and roads. "Great Pond " is put down as covering three hundred acres; "Creek Pond " the same ; "Little Pond " eighty acres ; and " Ayer's Pond " seventy acres. The island in the River is marked fifty aeres. Russell's Ferry, (now " Chain Ferry,") and Cottle's Ferry, were the only ones then in use in the town. j Little River was then called " West River."
In the spring of 1796, the inhabitants of the town were startled by the frequency of incendiarism. So serious did the matter become, that a town meeting was held ; a reward of three hundred dollars offered for the dis-
" By the preface, we find that the Census is taken from the official enumeration of 1790.
+ Swett's ferry, at the Rocks, had just been superseded by Merrimack Bridge, which was completed the same fall. This bridge was one thousand feet in length, and was the longest over the Merrimack. It had four arches, a draw, and was supported by five piers and two abutments. There was but little travel over the bridge, and the proprietors suffered it to fall to decay. It was swept away by the ice in 1818. The present bridge at that place was built in 1828.
.
464
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
covery of the offenders, and a watch ordered to be kept. These vigorous measures had the desired effect, and we hear of no more like depredations.
May 2d, of the same year, a meeting was held to see what the town would do in relation to the withholding of supplies by the national House of Representatives, so as to render it impossible for the President to carry into effect the treaty with Great Britain. Bailey Bartlett was chosen to draft a memorial to the above body, which was adopted by the town, signed by four hundred and eight inhabitants of the town, of more than twenty-one years of age, and sent to Congress. The memorial strongly urges upon the honorable body the importance and duty of faithfully ear- rying into effeet all the provisions of the treaty, that the federal govern- ment might not be embarrassed, or weakened, and the honor of the United States, as a young Republic, might be well established.
In the summer of this year, a " malignant fever " made its appearance in several towns in the vicinity, and carried off large numbers. In August it visited this town, and spread alarm and terror throughout its whole length and breadth. A town meeting was called, and a committee of thirteen chosen to take measures to prevent its further introduction into the town. Baily Bartlett was chairman. Fortunately, the measures adopted proved successful in staying the progress of the disease, and but few of the inhabitants were numbered among its victims.
In the fall of the above year, the town ordered a stone pound to be built. It was set on the site now occupied by the house of A. B. Jaques, Esq., Main Street, and was demolished about the year 1850, when the present wooden structure, on Dow Street, was ereeted in its place. The first pound-keeper was Deacon Samuel Ames.
From the report of the committee chosen to settle with the town officers for the year ending March, 1798, we learn that the indebtedness of the town at that time was $2,350,00. For the first time in the history of the town, the committee recommended specific appropriations for the cur- rent year. Their recommendations were adopted.º
The first written school report made to the town, was by Rev. Hezekiah Smith, this year (1798). Mr. Smith was chairman of the school commit- tee for the 1st District.
In the early days of the Republie, it was a common custom for towns to discuss the affairs of the nation in their town meetings, and approve or
Fourteen hundred dollars was appropriated for the support of the poor; one thousand dollars toward the extinguishment of the town debt; one thousand dollars for highways ; and six hundred dollars for schools. The Selectmen were ordered to hold regular monthly meetings; a new set of town books were proenred, and a new plan for keeping the town accounts agreed to.
465
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
disapprove of public acts and measures with entire freedom. The follow- ing address from this town to the President, -John Adams, -is an illustration : -
" While we disapprove of an interference of the people with the admin- * istration of our National Government, we consider it our duty, at this time, to assure you that the measures you have adopted and pursued as first Magistrate of the Union, have uniformly met our hearty concurrence. In full confidence that those measures have been dictated by wisdom, and the purest principles of patriotism, we cannot withhold the expression of our grateful thanks for your undeviating firmness in their execution --- your late exertions to redress our wrongs-to accommodate differences unhappily existing between this country and the French Republic - to conciliate the affections of our Allies-to preserve our neutrality - to establish our peace and happiness - and above all to support the indepen- dence, dignity, and freedom of the United States, afford the highest evidence of the justice and wisdom of your administration; and demands in an eminent degree, the gratitude of every patriotie citizen.
" We humbly deprecate the calamities of war- but when the safety, the independence, the freedom of our country require, under the directions of the Government of our choice, imploring a blessing from heaven, we are prepared, with our property and at the hazard of our lives, to support our Government, to vindicate our rights, and to defend our country."
This letter was transmitted to Hon. Bailey Bartlett, then Representative to Congress, and by him to the President. The following is the President's reply :-
" To the inhabitants of the town of Haverhill in the State of Massa- chusetts.
" Gentlemen : - I thank you for a respectable and affectionate address, which has been presented to me by Mr. Bartlett, your Representative in Congress.
" The interference of the people with the administration of the National Government, in ordinary cases, would be, not only useless and unnecessary, but very inconvenient and expensive to them, if not calculated to disturb the publie councils with prejudices, passions, local views, and partial interests, which would better be at rest. But there are some great con- junetions in which it is proper, and in such a government as ours, perhaps necessary. If ever such an occasion can occur, the present is one.
" Your assurance to me that the measures I have adopted as first Mag- istrate of the Union, have uniformly met your hearty concurrence ; and 59
466
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
your declaration that you are prepared with your property, and at the hazard of your lives, to support your Government, vindicate your rights, and defend your country, are to me a great consolation.
" JOHN ADAMS.
" Philadelphia, June 6, '98."
The following table, showing the number and valuation of the dwelling houses in Haverhill, in 1798, with the name of each owner, and occupant, we have prepared from the official returns, and believe it to be well worth a place in a history of the town : -
Householders in Haverhill, 1798.9
" General List of all Dwelling Houses, which with the Out Houses appurtenant thereto, and the Lots, on which the same are erected, not exceeding two Acres in any Case, were owned, possessed or occupied on the 1st day of October 1798, within the Assessment District No 4 in the 3d Division of the State of Massachusetts, exceeding in value the sum of One Hundred Dollars."
Names of Reputed Owners.
Valuation in Doll's. 200
Names of Reputed Owners.
Valuation in Doll's
Ayer Samuel
Bradley Samuel
380
Ayer James
190
7-Bartlett Enos
600
1-Abbot Abigail
550
Brown John
150
Appleton Daniel
1200
Bradbury Samuel
180
2-Appleton Daniel
450
Brown Edmund 105
3-Appleton Daniel
200
8-Brown Edmund, adminis-
Ayer John A
400
trator 150
Ayer Nathan
850
Blodgett Samuel
800
Ayer James
200
Brickett James 2
1000
Atwood Moses
850
Brickett Daniel
350
Harris Abial
1000
Bartlet Bailey 2000
Atwood Joseph Abbot Abial
500
Bartlett Israel
950
Ayer Moses
400
Bradley Nathaniel
1000
Ayer Obadiah ?
375
Bradley Francis
200
Ayer Jonathan
200
Bradley Joseph
275
5-Ayer Peter
120
( Bradley Mehitable
400
6-Ayer Jonathan
140
Bradley Joseph
350
Ayer Peter Jun
600
Bailey Nathan Brooks B Cotten
800
Ayer Simen
600
11-Burrell Joseph
400
Adams Phineas
Ballard Ebenezer
120
Ayer Peter
350
Bailey Nathaniel
200
-
9-Bartlett Israel
350
Bradley Peter
550
Ayer James
10
Ayer John
220
° In those cases where the owner is not the occupant, we have prefixed numerals, referring to the list ofllowing, where will be found the name of the occupant of the house.
4
Atwood Moses )
Bernard Sarah
-
467
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Valuation
Names of Reputed Owners.
in Doll's 400
Chamberlin William 750
Bradley Benjamin 400
Chickering John .700
13-Bradley Benjamin 150
18-Chadwic James 450
Bryant William
175
19-Cawlis John
500
Bricket Barnard
200
Carleton Aaron 250
Bricket John
200
Clements John
175
Bradley Daniel ?
700
Clark Nathaniel 180
Bradley David
350
Corliss Swadock John 200
Bailey Benjamin
130
Chase James 200
Bailey Jonathan
350
Corliss Ephraim 700
Bailey Woodbridge
260
Corliss John
350
Bradley Isaac
280
20-Carleton Kimball 450
Bailey Nathan, Jun 105
Currier Jonathan
320
Bacheler William ?
260
Davis James
290
Bradley Enoch
400
Duncan James
1400
Chase Daniel
180
310
Dusten David
150
15-Carr Francis
180
Dusten Thomas
150
Chase Anthony
230
Ela Jacob
290
Chase Woodman
130
Elliot Ephraim
450
Chase Joseph
210
Elliot Thomas
460
Chase John
150
Ela Jonathan
130
Chase Leonard
110
22-Elliot Ephraim
110
Chase Josiah
120
Easterbrooks Hannah
250
Chase Ephraim
120
Emery Ephraim Emerson Nehemiah
600
Chase William
230
23-Emerson Nehemiah
$00
16-Colby Elizabeth
150
Emerson Susannah Eames Samuel
400
17-Carr Francis 400
21-Eastman Ephraim
450
Cottle William
150
Eaton Joseph
350
Cottle Thomas
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