USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 49
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SEC. 15. It is ordered, That hereafter no vaults, vats, cisterns, cellars, or wells shall be left open, unless the same be enclosed by a sufficient fence, curb, or guard, on penalty of paying fifty cents for the first week, and fifty cents for every week it shall remain open, after being notified by the Selectmen or officer of police to inclose or cover the same.
SEC. 16. It is ordered, That proper persons, of good moral characters, shall be annually appointed by a vote of the town, to inspect and inform of the breach of any of these orders or by-laws, this day here voted and ordered ; and the persons so appointed shall be called the Inspectors of the Police.
SEC. 17. It is ordered, That parents, guardians, and masters shall be deemed accountable for all penalties and forfeitures which their children, wards, apprentices, or servants shall or may forfeit, by any of the fore- going regulations.
SEC. 18. It is ordered, That it shall be the duty of the Inspectors to cause all these by-laws and orders to be strictly complied with, and to prosecute for all penalties arising under them, either from their own knowledge or from information given them by others
SEC. 19. It is hereby voted and ordered, That all and every the fine and fines, for any breach or breaches of these town orders or by-laws, except-
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ing as before provided, may be recovered by action of debt, before any Justice of the Peace in this county, by any Inspector or Inspectors of the Police, or any of the Selectmen of the town; one half to go to and for the use of the poor of the town, and the other half to the Inspector or other person who shall prosecute for the same. And such prosecution shall be commenced within three months from the commission of the offense, and not afterwards .- To prevent all dispute concerning the com- pact part of this town, it is hereby ordered, that the limits thereof shall be co-extensive with the bounds of the first parish.
Among the town officers chosen in 1805, we find seven "Inspectors of Police." The overseers of the poor were this year, for the first time, voted compensation for their services as such ; four ounces of powder were voted to each soldier annually for use on muster days; and a powder house was ordered to be built." The latter was a small brick structure, about eight feet square, and was placed on the north side of " Powder House Lane," (now called White Street, between Portland and Hun- tington Streets,) and will be remembered by many of our readers. It was removed about 1845, when the present one, on Golden Hill, was erected.
The town seem to have had a decided hostility to the erection of any bridges below them, as we find that they remonstrated against the erection of every one of them. This year, (1805) their Representative was in- structed to oppose the petition for the Plum Island bridge. Their great objection was, that such a bridge would hinder the passage of boats going to and from the salt marshes for hay. Two years later, they remonstrated against the building of a bridge at Amesbury Ferry, and also against " shortening the arch " of the bridge at Andover.
The 24th of May, 1807, will long be remembered in the history of Haverhill, as the day on which occurred one of those sudden and terrible catastrophes which now and then cast their dark shadows over a whole community.
On Saturday, the 23d, a brig was launched at one of the yards in the village, and a party of the men employed in the yard assisted in getting it down the river. They were returning the next day, in a scow, in the
0 In 1794, when a war with France seemed imminent, the town voted to each non-commissioned officer and soldier who should enlist, if called into actual service, enough to make their pay eight dollars per month. In 1801, the town's stock of military supplies consisted of two narrow-axes, four pick-axes, one hundred pounds powder, fifteen gun-locks, two hundred and fifty pounds leaden balls, and six hundred and twenty-six flints. In 1809, the stock of powder was but thirty-three pounds.
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midst of one of the most violent north-east storms ever known on the river, and when a short distance above the Rocks' Bridge, the boat run un- der and capsized, and six out of the eleven in it were drowned. Their names were Matthew Pettingill, Samuel Blanchard, John Foss, William Hoyt, Benjamin Cole, and Joshua Weed, and all were heads of families. Mr. Cole was found the same day; four were found the next Saturday, and on the Sunday following, the body of Mr. Weed was taken up. They were all brought into the village and buried on the Sabbath, the first four in the forenoon and Mr. Weed in the afternoon. It was surely a solemn day. The names of the survivors were Moses Kimball, Joseph Kimball, Joseph Wells, Nathaniel Soley, and Nicholas Colby. After the boat cap- sized, Colby, who was a good swimmer, succeeded in getting these four upon the bottom of the scow, which barely kept afloat. He tried hard to save Hoyt, who clung to him, while beneath the surface, with a death grasp, but finding his strength rapidly failing, he was obliged to exert his whole remaining force in tearing himself from the drowning man ; and, having nearly exhausted himself in his efforts, Colby endeavored to per- suade Moses Kimball, who could swim, to swim ashore and find help, as it was evident the wreck could not long be kept afloat. But Kimball's brother positively forbid his making the attempt. Finding all entreaty unavailing, Colby at length resolved to make the attempt himself, though scarce expecting to be able to reach the land, and bidding them good-bye, he struck out for the shore. John Ingersoll, of the Rocks' Village, a young man lately returned from sea, observing the severity of the storm, and having a curiosity to see its effect upon the river, was that morning walking along the shore, when he came suddenly upon a man feebly cling- ing to a rock near the water's edge. It was Colby, too much exhausted to drag himself out of the water, or even to speak aloud. With great diffi- culty, the brave man explained the perilous situation of his companions. Ingersoll immediately ran to the village below, gave the alarm, and, after trying in vain to induce some one to assist him in the attempt, embarked alone in a small skiff, and after great peril succeeded in finding and sav- ing the four persons on the wreck ! Surely the names of Nicholas Colby and John Ingersoll well deserve an honorable place in our history. They have it, and may their noble example never be forgotten by their posterity.
Up to this time, (1808) with the exceptions already noticed, the poor of the town had been supported in families, though from time to time in- vestigations were made to ascertain whether that was the most economical plan for the town. From a report made in 1801, it appears that ten per- sons were wholly supported by the town, and several others assisted. The
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cost of supporting the former varied from fifty cents to one dollar and seventeen cents per week. The total expenses for the poor that year was eight hundred and twelve dollars. In 1808, a committee was chosen " to devise some different method of supporting the poor." The result was, that they were " let out to Ezekiel Hale," and he was voted " Master of the Work House." The selectmen were then made overseers of the poor. Under this plan, the expenses run up to $1,540,35, the same year ; and at the next annual meeting a separate board of overseers were again chosen and the manner in which the poor should be supported, whether " by keep- ing them together, or otherwise,", was left with the overseers. For a few years after this, they were kept together in a house hired for that purpose, but in 1814, the plan was given up, the "Poor House Stock & Utensils," (valued at $50) were sold, and the old plan of boarding them in private families was again resumed.
At a town meeting in September, 1808, a committee was chosen to draft a " respectful petition to the President of the United States, praying him to suspend a part or the whole of the Embargo Act." The President replied, under date of September 21st.
As early as January, 1805, a bill was passed by Congress, forbidding, under severe penalties, armed vessels to leave the United States. The policy of the government was to maintain peace by avoiding collisions, rather than by asserting rights ; but finally, measures were adopted with a view to punish the agressors; which in their practical effects, did more damage to the commerce of the Eastern States than all the confiscations of England and the continental powers combined. The first of these meas- ures was the Embargo Act, in 1807, by which vessels were forbidden to go to any foreign port whatever. For contravention of this act, the own- ers and shippers were liable to a suit for double the value of the vessel and cargo, and the master to a fine of not less than $1000 for every offence ; and his oath was henceforth inadmissible before any collector of- the United States. Thus both the export and import trade were killed at one blow.
Against this highly oppressive act, Haverhill, and many other towns, memorialized, and with such effect, that in March, 1809, the embargo was repealed, though all trade and intercourse with France and England were interdieted.
The year 1808 seems to have been selected for a general rebuilding and repairing of bridges in the town. The Haverhill Bridge was rebuilt this year. Instead of three, it was rebuilt with four arches, supported
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by three massive stone piers, the stones of which are firmly fastened with iron. The draw, which should have been continued over the channel, was placed close to the Haverhill shore, and reduced to twenty-eight feet in width, - a circumstance now much regretted, and likely to call for some change cre many years. But few bridges can compare with this for dura- bility, or strength. The immense masses of ice that are annually borne down the river with tremendous force, have no other effect upon the noble structure than to cause a slight tremulous motion.
Little River bridge was also rebuilt this year, and several others, at an expense to the town of more than $2,000.º
In 1809, the right to fish in the several streams in the town, were sold at vendue, and this continued to be annually done so long as the privileges were worth purchasing .¡
The following, which we copy from the Merrimack Intelligencer, of this place, under date of July 22, 1809, shows that weather was as un- manageable fifty years ago, as at present : -
" Rain. - We believe the oldest person living never knew two such severe storms, in the month of July, as we have witnessed these two weeks past. In consequence of the great rains that have fallen, our river has already risen to an unusual height, and still continues rising; and we apprehend much injury may be done in the country, especially as it happened at a season when the farmer most needs the warm influences of the sun."
The warrants for the annual town meetings at this time run " to such as pay one single tax besides the poll or polls assessed, equal to two-thirds of a single poll tax ;" and for the meetings to choose Representatives, &c., they were directed to all male inhabitants of twenty-one years old and upwards, possessing a frechold cstate of an annual income of at least three pounds, or any estate of the value of sixty pounds.
At the annual meeting in 1810, the train-band applied to the town to increase their allowance of powder, for muster days, but the town seems to have considered four ounces a sufficient amount for such sport, and re- fused to increase it.
The Haverhill Light Infantry was organized on the 26th of May, and Jesse Harding was elected Captain. One of the articles of its constitution
o Little River bridge cost $1,827.49; and Creek Bridge $346.84. The town debt, in March, IS09, was $1,431.12.
+ In 1814, there were four privileges sold, viz. : -- at Ezekiel Hale's bridge, at Thomas Duston's meadow, at Enoch Bradley's mill-pond, and a privilege near John Carleton, Jr.'s. The total amount paid for them was fifty-four dollars. It was a part of the contract that the town's people were to be supplied for their own use, at twenty-five cents per hundred. In 1815, the privileges sold for $91.35; in 1816, $46.25 ; in 1817, $36.23; in 1820, $21.33.
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directed that, if any of its members should be removed by death, his body should be consigned to the grave with military honors. On the 6th of May, 1823, an elegant standard was presented to the Company by the ladies of the village, through the hands of Miss Polly Dow, accompanied with a pertinent address.
Mirick, in speaking of the company in 1832, says : - " There are but few independent Companies in the Commonwealth whose military conduct is more praiseworthy, and whose evolutions are more correct. The Com- pany is furnished with tents and every other necessary requisite for a fatigue march. In 1831, it established an armory, at an expense of over five hundred dollars ; and the accoutrements are there kept in the neatest and most perfect order."
The armory referred to was located in the fourth story of the Bannister Block, directly over the Essex Banner office. The company disbanded in 1841. Their successors, the " Hale Guards," fully sustain the high mili- tary reputation of the town."
The ship-building business of the town appears to have reached its high- est point this year. Nine vessels were built, which is the largest number built in any one year, so far as we can learn.
In August, a stage commenced running between Haverhill and Salem, making two trips per week. Morse & Fox were the proprietors. This line continued to run until the opening of direct railroad communication between the two places.
At a meeting called for that purpose, in 1811, a petition was received from David Chase, and others, to allow Thomas Johnson " to take water out of the Great Pond, so-called, to said Johnson's Mill," but the request was not acted upon. The proposition was to tap the pond at its north- easterly point, - a short distance east of the Kenoza House.
On the 8th of May, of the same year, a Bradford seine caught seven hundred and fifty-five shad, at one haul, which was said to have been the greatest haul for the forty years previous. It is almost, if not quite, within the bounds of truth to say, that the above number is nearly as many as one of our seines now average for a whole season.
In the Merrimack Intelligencer, of February, 1812, we find the follow- interesting item : -
" The Russian Brick Stoves have recently been introduced in Salem, and promise to make a great saving in the important article of fuel. A.
" Since the above was written, the company have dropped the first part of their name, and are now known simply as "The Guards."
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handsome one has been built in the Essex Bank, two in a meeting house, and others in private buildings. They were introduced by Capt Towne, from Revel."
The introduction of the above kind of stoves seems to have directed attention to the importance of improvement in the prevalent modes of heating buildings, and we find that it was not long before the inventions of ingenious Yankees completely eclipsed the uncouth Russian apparatus, in every respect. The introduction of cast-iron stoves for simple warming purposes, was soon followed by stoves designed not only for warming dwel- lings, but for cooking purposes. The latter were at first rather expensive luxuries, and could only be afforded by the most wealthy people. The first cooking stove in the East Parish, was purchased by Dr. Weld ; the second by Colonel John Johnson. They cost $75 each, and though not very large, were each a good lift for four men. Cooking stoves could hardly be said to have been common, until about 1830.
The first musical society in the town, of which we can find any mention, was organized in April, 1812, J. Hovey, Secretary. It was called the " Haverhill Musical Society," and its object was stated to be " to improve in Sacred Music."" The first singing-school appears to have been kept by Samuel W. Ayer, in the old first parish school-house, commencing in December of the same year.t
The year 1812 opened with the gloomy prospect of a second war with England. Continued depredations upon our commerce, impressment of American seamen, and insults to our flag, had forced home the unwelcome conviction that our honor required a resort to arms.
On the 4th of April, Congress passed a ninety days embargo act, and vigorous measures were adopted to protect our national rights. In May, a recruiting rendezvous was opened in this town, at Greenleaf's Tavern, and " men of Patriotism, Courage, and Enterprise," were called upon to enlist in the United States service. On the 19th of June, war was for- mally declared. Though there was a strong feeling of opposition to the war, our town seems to have considered it their duty to sustain the gen- eral government in the matter, and at a meeting called a few weeks later, (July 20) it was voted to give such of the inhabitants as should enlist, while in actual service, ten dollars per month, including the wages allowed by the general government. How many persons enlisted in this town, wc are unable to say, but the number was quite large .;
" The Society was in existence in 1814, and perhaps later.
+ Ayer kept in the same place the next year.
# The Massachusetts Muster Rolls, for the War of 1812, are now at Washington. The Secretary of the Commonwealth has, however, been instructed to take measures to have them returned, and we hope that they will ere long be again deposited in our State Archives.
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During the next two years, the war was prosecuted with varying suc- eess ; but in the summer of 1814, more vigorous measures were adopted.
On the 25th of July, 1814, Colonel John Johnson (of East Haverhill) received orders to draft from his regiment" a sergeant, corporal, and thir- teen privates, to march to Newburyport immediately, armed and equipped, with blankets and three days provisions. The names of those drafted at this time from the three companies of regular militia in this town, we are not able to give. From the Light Infantry company, one person was drafted, James H. Duncan, who hired a substitute. This company had already voted, unanimously, to march with full ranks, whenever called upon.
September 9th, Colonel Johnson received the following orders : -
"' Brigade Orders
Newbury Sept 9, 1814.
Pursuant to General orders of the 6th, and Division orders of this day, you will hold the regiment under your Command in constant readiness to march at a moment's warning, & every man must furnish himself with a good knapsack & Blankets, before Inspection.
You will order the Company of Light Infantry belonging to your regiment, ¡ to march immediately to Boston, completely armed and equip- ped. On their arrival at Boston, they will be furnished with rations.
You will also order out your regiment for Inspection by Companies, on Tuesday, the 13th inst, at 2 oclk P M, and all deficiencies must be imme- diately supplied.
You will appoint regiment and order company alarm posts to be appointed where it has not already been done, and in all respects carry into execution the Division orders Inclosed.
Pr order of Gen Stickney,
David Peabody Brig Qr Master 2d B. 2d D.
Col Johnson
5th Regt."
The above orders were received on Saturday evening, (September 10th) and the members of the Light Infantry were immediately notified to assemble on the "Church green " at the close of the afternoon services the next day. They met accordingly, and decided to take carriages as far as Charlestown. Early on Monday morning, the company paraded with full ranks, and marched to the Bradford meeting-house, where they had car-
Colonel Johnson's regiment consisted of the companies of Infantry in Haverhill and Methuen.
* The Haverhill Light Infantry.
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riages in waiting to convey them to Charlestown. On arriving at the lat- ter town, they immediately took up the line of march for South Boston, their place of destination. As the company passed up State Street, their fine martial bearing won the highest compliments from the crowds which lined the street, and cheers upon cheers greeted them. They received the credit of being the best disciplined volunteer company called out.
Below we give the names of the officers and members of the company : " Company roll of Capt. Samuel W. Duncan's Company of Light In- fantry, in the fifth Regiment Second Brigade and Second Division.
Samuel W. Duncan Capt.
John Atwood
Nathan Burrell Lieut.
Frederic S. Ayer
Thos Newcomb Ensign,
Leonard Messor
Sergeants
Nathaniel Emerson
Saml Gardner Jun
Joseph Coffin Musicians
Saml M. Johnson
Phineas Carleton" John Davis
Rufus P. Hovey
William White
John Folansbee
Joseph Merrick
Peter Smith
James H. Duncant
William Swett
Nathan Emerson
Henry Briggs
Caleb S. Cushion
Jerc Stickney 2d
Henry Emerson
Thomas M. Greenough
Ephraim E. Lake
Bailey Bartlett Jr
Dudley Porter 3d
Samuel Hale
John Nesmith
Eleazer A. Porter
Christopher Hale
John Trumbull
Wm P. Loring
William Townsend
Calvin W. Howe
Samuel Curwen.
Isaac Averill Andrew Frink
Ezekiel Hale Jr Thomas West Jr
Samuel Noyes
During their stay in South Boston, the company were quartered in a brick house between the bridge and the " Heights." They remained in service until October 30th, when they marched home, arriving in Hav- erhill the next day.
The same day that the Light Infantry marched for South Boston, a town meeting was held, and the town generously and patriotically voted to pur- chase arms and equipments for all those of the militia who should be ordered into actual service, and who were unable to purchase for them- selves. Surely we may be pardoned if we again point to the earnest, consistent, and never faltering devotion of our town to the work of achieving, and sustaining, our National Independence. As at the first, so at the last, they were ready, at every call, to sacrifice their treasure and their lives, for their country's liberty and honor. Though, as we have said, many of its inhabitants condemned this second war with England, as
* Carleton did not march with his company, but paid his fine.
1 Duncan having already been drafted, and furnished a substitute, did not march with his company.
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uncalled for, and ill-advised ; and though towns all about it had passed, and were passing, resolutions of censure and disapproval ; yet no sooner had a call been made for soldiers, than the town met at a short twenty-four hours notice, and generously-voted, in substance, that no man's poverty should bar his patriotism !
A few days after the Light Infantry were ordered out, an order came (September 19) for a detachment of the militia "to march instantly to Beverly." The following named immediately marched : --
From the company of Captain Daniel Appleton, Jr., were John Chamberlin, Corporal George Cogswell Robert W. Eaton. William George Charles Pike
From the company of Captain Amos Ordway, were
Hazen Kimball, Sergt Thomas Wood John Simons.
John Underhill, Corp Benjamin Mills
From the company of Joseph Webster 3d, were
David Currier Sergt John Atwood Jonathan Corliss.
Amos Wheler
The most vigorous measures were adopted for the defence of our sea-coast. Alarm posts were established in every town, at which the companies were to assemble on the prospect of any immediate danger, and in case of an invasion, those nearest were to toll a bell; on which the militia were to appear, perfectly armed and equipped. Many British armed vessels were from time to time seen hovering on the coast, and added not a little to the general excitement and alarm.
The news of Napoleon's abdication, and the success of the allies, was soon after followed by the intelligence that a treaty of peace had been con- cluded between the United States and Great Britain," and caused great rejoicing among all classes. Business soon resumed its natural channels, and prosperity again smiled through the whole length and breadth of the land.
That the news of the peace gladdened the hearts of the people of Hav- erhill, plainly appears from the following account of their celebration of the event. We copy it from the Merrimack Intelligencer, a newspaper published in town at the time. The celebration took place February 22d, 1815 : -
"CELEBRATION OF THE PEACE. - On the 24th of December last a Treaty of Peace between the United States and Great Britain was conclu- ded at Ghent, by the British and American Commissioners; on the 28th of the same month it was ratified on the part of Great Britain, and on
* The treaty was ratified by the President February 17, 1815.
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the 18th of the present month received the signature of the President of the U. States. His Proclamation announcing the complete ratification of the Treaty on both sides, reached this place on Tuesday, the 21st. This put to flight the fears and doubts which some had entertained, in regard to the reception the Treaty might meet with at Washington.
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