USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 53
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At the time of the organization of the Rechabites, the Washingtonian Society had ceased to be an active body, and it soon after became extinct. In October, of the same year, an effort was made to revive the interest in the Washingtonian plan, by organizing a new society, under the name of the " Pentucket Total Abstinence Society," but it proved to be short lived.
The same year, another of the so-called " secret " societies was intro- duced into the town. September 4th, " Mutual Relief Lodge " of the " Independent Order of Odd Fellows" was instituted, and on the 17th of October, the hall over the lecture-room of the Centre Congregational Society, on Vestry Street, was dedicated to their use. The new order took vigorous root, and flourished for several years. It is still living, and by means of its brotherly aid in sickness, and the liberal appropriations from its fund to the " widow and orphan," is quietly diffusing its genial influence to no small extent.
In August, of the same year, a new burial ground was laid out on the north, and immediately adjoining, the first one laid out in the town. It was purchased by a company, and was dedicated April 21st, 1846, under the name of " Linwood Cemetery." It was tastefully laid out and embellished, and is now among the neatest and pleasantest places of the kind in New England.
The wide contrast between the neat and orderly appearance of the new cemetery, and the neglected and dilapidated condition of the old burying- ground immediately adjoining it, naturally excited a desire to see the latter improved and cared for. In this improvement, as in the case of the old common, the ladies were the most active and zealous workers. Foremost among them were Mrs. (Jeremiah) Stickney, and Mrs. (Rufus) Longley. Enlisting the aid and sympathy of others, a levee was held April 10th, 1845, which proved highly successful; contributions were solicited, and freely bestowed; and in the course of the next two years, more than one thousand dollars was raised and expended in beautifying and improving that ancient burial-place. A neat granite monument was erected to the memory of the beloved Rolfe and his family ; the old wooden
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fence in front was exchanged for one of iron, and that upon the sides gave place to the more appropriate and durable hedge; and every part of the grounds felt the magic touch of woman's hand. The homely and ancient name, " Burying-Ground," was exchanged for that of "Pentucket Come- tery," by which name it will ever after be known.
In June, 1846, the steamer Lawrence, a side-wheel boat, about one hun- . dred and forty feet long, and built at Newburyport expressly for the route, commenced running between that place and Haverhill. She proved to be too large and unwieldy for the purpose, and after running two seasons, was sold to parties in Connecticut. June 6th, 1848, a new stern-whcel steamer, of the same name, also built for the Merrimack, at Waterville, Maine, made her first appearance at Haverhill, and the same day went up as far as the new city of Lawrence. This was the first and last trip made by a steamboat so far up the river. The intention about that time, was, to clear the river above this place, so as to allow light draft steamboats to make regular trips between Newburyport and Lawrence. With that view, the legislature had granted (April, 1848) an act of incorporation to James R. Nichols, James H. Carlton, and others of this town, under the name of the " Pentucket Navigation Co.," giving them the exclusive right to navigate the Merrimack, between Haverhill and Lawrence, by steam- boats, for twenty-five years, provided they made it so navigable within five years. The only impediment to such navigation, was the rapids in this town, known as Mitchel's Falls, to clear a channel through which it was estimated would cost only about five thousand dollars. But for want of sufficient inducement to warrant even that outlay, the project was abandoned.
Besides the steamboats mentioned, several others ran transiently be- tween Newburyport and this town, at various times, from 1848 to 1854. Their names were, the Sarah, California, Merrimac, Ohio, C. B. Stevens, Narragansett, and Grace Darling. The latter was owned by Haverhill men, and was put upon the route in August, 1854. The opening of the Georgetown railroad, about this time, diverted the travel to so large an extent in that direction, that the steam navigation of the river was given up in the fall of the year last mentioned, and will never, in all probability, be again resumed.
In October, 1847, a society was organized in this town, under the name of the "Fraternity of Shenstones." The object of the society, was, to provide means for setting out and taking care of " ornamental trees, in the streets, squares, and other public places in the town." Isaac Ames, Esq., was chosen President, and Thomas M. Hayes, Esq., Secretary and
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Treasurer. The fee for membership was one dollar per year. The name was adopted in honor of an English gentleman, who, many years before, labored zealously for a similar purpose in his own country. Through the exertions of the Shenstones, many hundred trees were from time to time set out, which have already become a beautiful "ornament " to more . than one street in our village. A large share of the credit which justly belongs to that society for their thoughtfulness, good taste, and large suc- cess, is due to the efforts of its originator, and first Secretary. Though long since laid beneath the sod, the beautiful trees he planted, and watched with so much tenderness and interest, will long remind us that he lived not in vain.
The subject of a Town House, or Town Hall, began to be agitated soon after the town found itself obliged to hire a place for its meetings, in 1828. In May, 1831, a meeting was called for the special purpose of con- sidering the matter, but the town voted not to build. Two years later, a committee was chosen to see about a site for such a building, and the prob- able cost, but nothing definite was done, and the next year the committee was discharged. At the annual meeting in 1835, the town voted to build a Town House, and a committee was chosen to see about a site, &c. Two years later, a proposition was made to purchase the Christian Union Chapel, on Washington Square but it was not accepted. Another two years came and went, and the subject of building such a structure again came before the town, but was indefinitely postponed. Here the matter rested until the annual meeting in 1847, when the town voted to erect a suitable building for their use, on the " south part of the Harrod lot, so called," at an expense of eight thousand dollars. A steeple was to be placed upon the building, provided a clock and bell were provided by priv- ate subscription. A plan was presented and agreed upon, for a building seventy-six feet long, forty-two feet wide, and twenty-six feet high above the cellar. The latter was to be seven and one-half feet deep in the clear. The work was immediately commenced, and the building com -. pleted early in the following year. Though the town adopted a plan, with the express understanding that parties had offered to erect a building according to that plan for $8,000, the actual sum expended was $ 16,382.44. The clock and bell were purchased as proposed, - by private subscrip- tions, - and the proceeds of a public levee.
At the annual meeting in 1848, the town voted to allow the county the free use of the hall for the County Courts, if the latter should be removed from Ipswich to Haverhill. It was also voted that the hall should be kept exclusively for the use of the town, except that it might be let " for
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such lectures or meetings as shall in the best judgment of the Selectmen have a tendency to improve the morals and intelligence of the citizens." Subsequently, the selectmen were invested with the full control of the hall.
At the same meeting, a committee was chosen to appear before the Gen- eral Court in aid of the petitioners for a railroad from Newburyport to Bradford.º It was also voted that future town meetings should be warned by publishing the warrant in each of the newspapers in town two weeks, and posting a copy in the office of the town clerk. This has continued to be the practice to the present time. At the same time a committee was chosen to superintend the laying out of the Common, and the setting out of trees .; The hay-scales were ordered to be removed from the Common, and they were accordingly transferred to their present location. A safe was purchased for the better protection of the town records; and the first two books of the records were ordered to be copied. The latter task was performed in a most faithful and beautiful manner, by Mr. Josiah Keely.
At the same meeting, a proposition was made for the town to pay the difference between the cost of a five-inch and an eight-inch iron pipe, from the Round Pond to the top of the hill on Main Street, - The Aequeduct Company being about to re-place the old logs with an iron pipe of the for- mer diameter. The subject was referred to a committee, who subsequently reported in favor of the town's paying the difference between a five and a six-inch pipe, which was agreed to, and the present six-inch pipe was accordingly substituted.
In December, (18th) of the same year, a town meeting was called to consider the expediency of placing a restriction upon the keeping of dogs. It was voted that dogs should not run at large without a muzzle, and the town elerk was authorized to pay one dollar for every dog killed, not so muzzled, provided no man was to be paid for killing his own dog. This regulation proved to be too stringent for practical execution, and, Decem- ber 30th, another dog meeting was held, when the above vote was re-con- sidered .¿
" The committee were Alfred Kitredge, J. H. Dnnean, W. R. Whittier, Rufns Longley. and Caleb Hersey.
t The committee were Wm. Taggart, J. H. Dunean, Wm. Merrill, Wm. D. S. Chase, and Thos. N. Chase.
# Gov. Banks, in his annual address to the General Conrt, in 1860, ventured the opinion, that there were more dogs than sheep in the State of Massachusetts. We are inelined to believe that the estimate is a reasonable one ; and also that their extermination would be a positive blessing to the State. The loss of a single life by hydrophobia, now fearfully common, will more than outweigh the good done by all the dogs in the Commonwealth in a generation.
66
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. HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
In 1848, " Primrose Lane" was widened and straightened, and elevated to the dignity of a street ; and in the following year, Emerson, Vestry, and Cross Streets, were formally accepted by the town.
We have already alluded to the erection of a small school-house on Washington Street, in 1838. In 1843, the school was changed to a Gram- mar School. In 1845, the building was enlarged by the addition of twenty feet in length, but the rapid growth of that section of the village soon outstripped even that liberal addition, and, in 1849, the building was removed, to give place to the present neat and substantial briek structure. The present school building is thirty-eight by sixty feet, and two stories high. The first floor is used for a primary, and the second for a grammar school. The cost of the building was upwards of three thousand dollars. The school was for several years in charge of Luther Emerson, of this town. It is now under the efficient direction of Mr. J. B. Smith, to whose earnest efforts we are largely indebted for its present excellent standing. The old school building was subsequently removed to White Street, near Portland Street, where it is still occupied for a primary school,
There were at this time in the district five primary, and four grammar schools, besides the High school. The amount paid by the district for their support in 1848, was $3,164,86. The average weekly cost per scholar, based upon actual attendance, was, nine eents and four mills for primary ; fifteen cents for the grammar; and thirty cents for the High school.
In the early part of 1850, the small-pox broke out in the western part of the town, and for a time raged fearfully. It was confined principally to the northern part of the West Parish. In School Distriet No. 2, there were between thirty and forty cases, several of them fatal. The loathsome disease was introduced into the parish by a young lady, on a visit from Boston.
About this time, the town began to make large appropriations for its Fire Department. We have already noticed the organization of the de- partment, in 1841. In 1843, the town voted to build a house for the hook and ladder company ; in 1848, a new engine was purchased for com- pany No. 1, and a new engine house was built for them the next year ; in 1849, the old engine of company No. + was exchanged for a new one, and a new engine was purchased for company No. 2; in 1851, a new machine was procured for company No. 3, and a new and commodious house erected for their use. At the same time, it was voted to pay the firemen, (or, as they were then ealled, " engine-men,") five dollars each, annually, and twenty-five cents per hour each, for labor at fires -alarms
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to be considered as one hour each, if the engine was taken from the house. In 1852, the selectmen were authorized to sell the engine house on Pleas- ant Street, (about midway between Flcet and Winter Streets, on the south side,) " and the three Fire Engines therein." Other and liberal expendi- tures have been made from time to time for the purchase of machines, buildings, &c., until we now have a fire department, which, for character and efficiency is second to that of no town in the Commonwealth. There are now four companies, - three in the central village, and one at the Rocks' Village, - each supplied with excellent machines, and commodious buildings for their exclusive accommodation. Besides these, we have a " Hook and Ladder Company." (organized in 1860) well supplied with appropriate carriages and materials, and the occupants of a fine building, erected for their special use, on Fleet Street.
At the annual meeting in 1852, the town voted to place the highways of the town under the general superintendence of one person, who was to be appointed by the selectmen. This plan proved to be decidedly unpop- ular, and after one year's trial it was abandoned.
In 1853, the town appropriated $300 toward the expenses of celebrating the Fourth of July. This, we believe, is the only instance in which such an appropriation has been made by the town; the usual course having been to raise money for the purpose by private subscription.
The same year, the streets of the village were for the first time lighted by gas - a gas company having been previously organized in the town, and in successful operation.º
At the annual town meeting in 1854, the following preamble and reso- lutions, offered by Hon. J. H. Duncan, were adopted : -
" The Inhabitants of the Town of Haverhill, in annual Town Meeting assembled, having seen with mingled emotions of surprise, indignation, and grief, that a provision has been introduced into the bill creating the Nebraska Territory, designed to repeal that section of the Act, known as the ' Missouri Compromise,' by which slavery was forever prohibited in all that part of the territory acquired from France, North of 36° 30', cx- cept that contained in the limits of the State of Missouri, and that the same has passed one House of Congress; do, in the exercise of their rights as Freemen, solemnly and earnestly protest against the passage of that provision ;
Because, it is an uncalled for and unnecessary violation of a solemn compact, made as a condition of the admission of Missouri as. a slave state, which has been held sacred for thirty-four years ;
° The gas works of the company are located on the south side of Winter Street, adjoining Little River, and on the east side of the latter.
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Because, it is a flagrant breach of faith with the free states, by which the slave states, having secured their part of the compact, would deprive the frec states of their rightful share of its benefits ;
Because, it is a gross departure from the policy of the founders of the Republic, which was to limit and restrain, with a view to its final extine- tion, and not to foster and extend, slavery ;
Because, the passage of this provision will destroy all faith in compacts and compromises made in Congress, on the subject of slavery, and while it justifies the friends of freedom to take all measures, not forbidden by the Constitution, to curtail and restrain slavery, and the slave power, it invites, and, without eause, provokes renewed and interminable agitation, which will threaten the permanency of the Union. Therefore
Resolved, That the measure above referred to is not demanded by the people of the United States ; it is a violation of a compact which ought to be held sacred and inviolate; that it tends to destroy confidence in public faith ; is fraught with alarming evils and puts at hazard the integ- rity and stability of the Union :
Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and resolutions, signed by the moderator, and town clerk, be forthwith transmitted to Hon. N. P. Banks, the Representative of this district, to be by him presented to Congress, and that he be requested to use his efforts to defeat the passage of this odious and unjust provision."
At the same meeting the town voted to prohibit all dogs from running at large, unless collared and muzzled, and the inspector of police was instructed to kill all not so provided. The act of the Legislature, estab- lishing a Police Court in the town, was formally accepted at the same time.
In 1855, the subject of a town High School again came up.for eonsid- "eration, and a committee was chosen to make arrangements for that purpose. The result was, that the Academy building, which had been used by District No. 1, for that purpose, was hired by the town, and a town High School regularly established."
During the summer of 1856, the Winter Street School building was erected, at a cost of nearly $18,000. It is a substantial, well-proportioned, and convenient structure of faced brick, two stories in height, about eighty- . five feet in length, and sixty fect in width. It contains a spacious hall - occupying one-half of the second story, where the several divisions assemble for devotional and general exercises- six rooms, occupied by two primary,
" The academy building was purchased by the district in 1844 for $3,000.
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two intermediate, and two grammar departments, (with scats for three hundred and eighteen pupils,) and cach fitted, within the school-room, and under the eye of the teacher, with closets for the clothing of the children, (an excellent arrangement, yet it is believed the only one of the kind in the State,)-and is every way well adapted to the purposes for which it was intended. The school was organized in August, 1856, from the material of the Centre and Winter Street Grammar Schools, and placed under the charge of its present excellent teacher, Mr. E. H. Hammond, a native of this town, then principal of the Centre Grammar School," with at first only three assistants ; but the wants of that portion of the district made it necessary, during the second and third terms, to occupy all the rooms. The dedicatory serviees were impressive and interesting. The address at the dedication was given by the Secretary of the Board of Education, Ex-Governor Geo. S. Boutwell.
This school, though not furnished with " all the modern improvements," is well provided with suitable and serviceable apparatus for thorough and successful instruction. By the efforts of the principal and his assistants, aided by the noble and generous cooperation of the parents and friends of the school, it has been furnished with a very superior toned piano, and one of Copley's large sized sixteen inch globes; and also, by vote of the distriet, the present season, (1861) with a splendid set of Pelton's outline maps. The school is organized upon the same general plan as that of School Street. with a principal and five female assistants, each occupying a different room, and conducting their classes over certain consecutive steps in their education, under the general supervision of the principal.
The fourth of July, 1856, was celebrated in this town by a procession - composed of the military and fire companies, Masonic and other so- cieties-an oration, by Hon. Charles W. Upham, of Salem, in the Centre Church, a dinner, and fire-works in the evening.
The same year, Locust, Grand, Orchard, Walnut, and Vine streets were formally accepted by the town, and Kent street widened and straightened .; The year following, (1857) Jew street felt the magic touch of the widen- ing and straightening process; and all the school districts (fourteen in number) were re-bounded. But local improvements did not by any means stop with merely straightening streets. The town voted that in future
" The old Centre school-house is now occupied for a primary school.
t Chestnut street was accepted in 1853, at which time White strect was widened and straightened. The next year (1834) High street was widened and straightened. In 1833, Little River bridge was rebuilt, and Washington square thereby greatly enlarged and improved.
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the Town Hall shall not be leased on Saturday evenings " for theatrical or Negro concert purposes."
The salaries of the town officers for 1858, were as follows: Moderator, ten dollars ; town clerk, fecs ; treasurer, one hundred dollars; collector of taxes, three hundred and fifty dollars ; selectmen, three hundred and fifty dollars ; assessors, three hundred and twenty-five dollars; overseers of poor, one hundred and seventy-five dollars ; general school committee, two hundred and seventy-five dollars ; inspector of police, fifty dollars; audi- tors, twenty-five dollars; pound keeper, ten dollars. For the information of those who come after us, we should, perhaps, add, that the same person now usually fills the several offices of town clerk, treasurer, and collector of taxes. The sums paid to the several boards of officers is usually apportioned among the individual members of each, by the respective boards, in proportion to the labor individually performed.
The same year, Merrimack street was paved, from Main street to Washington square ; and the year following, Water street was paved, as far as Green street. One year later (1860) the paving of Water street was continued as far east as School street.
In 1859, the town appropriated one hundred dollars for the purpose of setting out shade trees in the town. The sum was divided among the several highway districts.
So rapid was the growth of the town in population in the ten years preceding the date of which we write, that continual complaint was made that it had already outgrown its town house. The subject continued to agitate the public mind of the town, until, in 1859, it culminated in a proposition to build a new one. A committee was thereupon chosen to consider the subject, obtain estimates, plans, &c., and report. The com- mittee consisted of James H. Duncan, Robert G. Walker, A. A. Sargent, Moses D. George, Orenzo T. Emerson, James F. Gile, Elbridge W. Chase. At the next annual meeting, the committee reported a recommendation that the town purchase the Wingate estate, (next north of the town house) with a view to the erection of a larger building upon the old site at some future time. The recommendation was adopted, the estate purchased, and the committee were instructed to report a plan and estimates for a new building. January 7, 1861, the committee reported a plan, which was adopted, and measures were at once taken for the erection of a new build- ing.º
" The plan adopted was drawn by John Stevens, architect, of Boston. The contract for the erection of the building was awarded to Messrs. Carleton & Sargent, of this town.
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At the time of writing (July 1, 1861) the old building has been levelled, and the foundation of the new structure nearly completed. The following extract from the committee's report will give an idea of the general plan of the new town house : -
" The plan approved is for a building of brick, faced on the front and ends-ornamented with freestone, (or perhaps with iron, if found much cheaper) one hundred and fifteen feet in length, and sixty-seven and a half feet wide, with a tower on the front, south of the main entrance, eighteen by eighteen feet square, for the clock, bell, and dressing rooms, connected with the stage ; and a smaller tower north of the main entrance, fourteen and one-half feet square, with a staircase to the stage, clock, and also to the attic of the building. The principal entrance will be through a vestibule on the front between the towers, and there will be also an en- trance at the north end into the main corridor. The basement may be entered on a level from Court stitet, will be ten feet high, and will afford ample accommodations for market stalls and a large grocery store.
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