USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > The history of Salem, Massachusetts, vol 1, 1924 > Part 37
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Coopers were busy from the first, and wheelwrights prepared for the simplest uses of wheels and carts. Shoemaker Thomas
33I
LIFE IN THE COLONY
Beard brought some hides in the Mayflower for both soles and uppers, which he made into boots and shoes.
Men skilful in making pitch and salt and vine planters were also secured and sent to Naumkeag. Able men for these duties were always sought. The business of making salt was reserved for the benefit of the general stock, although each planter of the Company was to have as much as he had occasion to use, as cheaply as he himself could make it, and if the Company had not enough to supply the demand of the colonists the latter were given liberty to make salt at their own expense, for their own use, but not to transport or sell it.1
All were to labor, that they might be aided by so doing in living uprightly as well as for material benefits. Each one had to apply himself to some calling, and no idle drone was permitted to live among them. A daily register was kept in each family of what was done by each person in it.
The reason of the objection to the playing of cards, and the use of dice, apparently was to economise time as well as to improve morals. The playing of games of chance possessed cer- tain fascinations which other games lacked, and so drew the attention of the people away from their occupations and unfitted' them for steady employment. The court of assistants, March 22, 1630-I, ordered that all persons whatsoever that have cards, dice or tables in their houses should make away with them before the next court, under pain of punishment.
One purpose of the early laws was to prevent idleness by compelling workmen to labor in order to earn enough to support themselves and their families. The theory was that idleness was an occasion of excess and mischief, and occupation was useful in many ways, direct and indirect. In the general letters to Governor Endecott, the Company in England directed the constant employ- ment of the planters and their families. Oct. 1, 1633, the general court ordered that no householder or other person should spend his time idly nor unprofitably, and the constables were to be specially careful and diligent to learn of offenders in this thing, "espetially of comon coasters, vnpfittable fowlers, & tobacco tak- ers," and present thein to the court.
Swearing and drunkenness were prohibited and punished. At this time the following named crimes were punished capitally : idolatry, witchcraft, blasphemy, murder, bestiality, sodomy, adul- tery, rape, man-stealing, false-witness, conspiracy or rebellion against the government cursing or smiting father or mother after passing sixteen years of age, unless with justifying provocation or
1Massachusetts Bay Colony Records, March 2, 1628-9.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
unchristian neglect in education, and filial rebellion after sixteen years of age.
The only means of telling time was by the sun's shadow, sometimes by the upright, inclined or horizontal stick and the dial, but more often by the notched window sill, and the calendar of the month and year was made by marking the shortening or lengthen- ing shadows on the floor through the seasons. Gov- ernor Endecott had a sun dial, which was made for him, and is now in the museum of the Essex Insti- tute. It is made of brass and octagonal in form. It is HOUR MARKS. inscribed : "William Bowyer SUN DIAL. of London, Clockmaker, fecit, I. 1630. E." On one side of the gnomon is "Latitude 42," and on the other "Salem." Nighttime had no measure except the hourglass.
Sunday was observed religiously. All labor ceased at three o'clock on Saturday after- noon, and the rest of the day was spent in catechising and preparation for the Sabbath, as the min- isters directed. Family wor- ship was held morning and evening.
Life must have been lacking in many ways mental- ly. In some houses there was a book or two on some re- ligious subject, but in many of HOURGLASS. them there was hardly a page of reading mat- ter, and pictures were almost unknown. The little instruction the children had, if any, was received from their parents, and consisted of reading and writing the simplest words and learning enough of numbers to enable them to SAMPLER. meet the ordinary problems of everyday life. There were no school books. Playthings, games and other amusements for children were practically unknown. There was no time for fancy work by the wives and daughters of the immi- grants. The fine sampler, now in the Essex Institute, wrought by Anna Gower, Governor Endecott's first wife, and shown above, was probably made in England.
333
LIFE IN THE COLONY
Musical instruments were not found among the early settlers and the singing of Psalms was the only music heard.
Social life was confined to meeting together at the religious services. The people were too few, too busy and too far apart to indulge in formal society. Funerals were almost fete days, and largely attended, not only out of respect for the deceased and sympathy for the bereaved, but because of the social privileges.
CHAPTER XIX.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT.
AND was plentiful, and the great trees and good soil were desirable. Much of it was sought, and much was granted.
Jan. 4, 1635-6, the town granted to Lt. Francis Johnson a farm of two hundred acres on the north side of the river of Brooksby,1 on condition that he maintain high- ways, and allow the rivers to be free. This was laid out by Roger Conant and John Balch Jan. 25, 1635-6. It was bounded by land of Mr. Thorndike on the north and the common land on the south, and was more than two miles from the town of Salem. This grant was relinquished by Mr. Johnson May 2d following. At the same time Mr. Thorndike relinquished his farm on the north side of Mr. Johnson's.2
Jan. II, 1635-6, the freemen of Salem granted to Townsend Bishop a farm of three hundred acres, of which the town was to have the refusal, if the grantee desired to dispose of it. It bounded "vpon m" Endicotts farme on the east, and fowre hundreth pooles in length, and six score poles in breath, that is to say six score and fowre at the west end and one hundreth and sixteene at the East end, bounded by the water, betweene the fearme of the executors of m' Skelton, and him at the North East corner of his farine, And hath there allowed, from m' Endicotts farme, eight acres for an high way, is bounded again at the South west Corner by the brooke." See plan of this grant on page 289.
On the same day the freemen of Salem granted to Thomas Scruggs a farm of three hundred acres, of which "thirty acres are fitt to be mowed, . being in the outmost bounds of Salem towards m' Humphries and is from the Sea where the freshe water runs out, West and by North is the fearme next to m'
1Brooksby was a part of what is now South Peabody.
2Salem Town Records.
334
335
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT
Humphryes bounded by the Comon by the North west end & East end." This tract of land lies between Legg's Hill and the ocean, at Clifton, next the Swampscott line.
During this winter (1635-6), the establishment of a college was discussed, and by tradition it is stated that Mr. Scruggs contemplated offering and did actually tender this tract of land for the site of the college building or buildings and campus. However, Governor Winthrop and others of Boston were opposed to this site; finally Mr. Scruggs relinquished the grant to the town and received in its stead two hundred acres of land beyond Bass River which had been granted to Captain Trask, and been
HUGH PETER
JOHN HUMPHREY
OCEAN
HUMPHREY AND PETER GRANTS.
later renounced by him. This change was made at this particular time because John Humphrey desired to have a tract of land in the neighborhood near his Swampscott farm, and this was done as Mr. Scruggs wished to favor him. This transaction occurred at a town meeting, May 2, 1636, when it was proposed to make a division of Marblehead neck, as the present territory of Marble- head was then called. "A motion was brought in by Cp. Endicot in behalfe of m' John Humphries for some land beyond fforest River, moved by spetiall arguments one whereof was, Least yt should hinder the building of a Colledge, wch would be manie mens losse." Thomas Scruggs, Roger Conant, John Woodbury, Capt. William Trask, Townsend Bishop and Peter Palfrey were appointed a committee to view the land and consider the matter. Nearly five hundred acres were subsequently granted to Mr. Humphrey by the general court, May 6, 1635, as follows: "it is
3,36
HISTORY OF SALEM
ordered, that the land betwixte the Clifte & the Forest Ryver, neere Marble Head, shall for the present be improved by John Humfry, Esq, & that as the inhabitants of Marble Head shall stand in neede of it, the said John Humfry shall pte with it, the said inhabitants alloweing him equall recompence for his lab & cost bestowed therevpon; provided, that if, in the meane tyme, the inhabitants of Salem can satisfy the Court that they have true right vnto it, that then it shall belong to the inhabitants thereof."
The general court, Oct. 28, 1636, agreed to give four hun- dred pounds towards a school or college, the next court to appoint the site and consider the kind of building required. The court held Nov. 15, 1637, voted that the college should be located at Newtown, now Cambridge; and five days later, the governor, deputy-governor, treasurer and nine others, including John Humphrey and Hugh Peter, were appointed "to take order" for the college. Because of the benefactions of Rev. John Harvard of Charlestown the general court voted, March 13, 1638-9, to name the new institution Harvard College. The success of this place of learning in its growth and standing among the colleges of the world is unparalleled. To this accomplishment the people of Salem have contributed money, books, philosophical apparatus and professors.1
1At a town meeting, Feb. 3, 1644-5, it was "Ordered & Agreed that all such as God stirres vp their hearts to contribute to the aduancemt of learn- ing ffor the maintayninge of poore skollers at the Colledge at Cambridge, that they bringe in to Mr. Price wthin one moneth what they please to giue & to enter their names wth Mr ffogge & what they giue or contribute."
Sept. 19, 1657, a tax was levied, among other things, for five pounds and six pence for the college .- Salem Town Records.
Dec. 8, 1663, a town tax of six pounds and twelve shillings was levied for the college .- Salem Town Records.
In 1669, the people of Salem contributed one hundred and thirty pounds, two shillings and three pence towards the erection of a new college building. The larger contributions were by Rev. John Higginson, who gave fifty pounds, William Brown, forty pounds, and Edmund Batter, twenty pounds.
The Browne family of Salem have been the largest benefactors who have lived in Salem. Rev. Joseph Browne, who died in Charlestown May 9, 1678, was a graduate and fellow of the college, and in his will bequeathed one hundred pounds in money and fifty pounds in books for the library .- History of Harvard College, by Josiah Quincy.
Rev. Joseph Browne's father, Hon. William Browne of Salem, who died Jan. 20, 1687-8, added to the hundred pounds he is said to have given to the college, during his lifetime, by bequeathing in his will one hundred pounds for the bringing up of poor scholars .- Suffolk Probate Records.
Capt. Benjamin Browne, son of Hon. William Browne, who also lived in Salem, where he was a merchant, and where he died Dec. 7, 1708, be- queathed to the college two hundred pounds "towards ye bringing up of some poor scholars in a special manner such as may belong to Salem."-Essex Probate Records.
GREAT POND
Highway.
Thomas Scruggs
HILL
Highway.
HILL
Brook
Highway.
Ferre Lanan
Ancient Road.
Roger Conant
BAG
John Balch
PLAN OF OLD PLANTERS FARMS.
337
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT
Jan. 25, 1635-6, a lot of two or three acres, "a fearme of ground," granted to Henry Herrick, was laid out on the north side of Jeffrey Massey's Cove," bounded by the Rock on one side & Woolistons River on the other," on the same day the town granted to Capt. William Trask, John Woodbury, Roger Conant, Peter Palfrey and John Balch, five of the old planters, one thousand acres of land together, at the head of Bass River, and now in Beverly, the tract being one hundred and twenty-four rods
Maj. William Browne of Salem, another son of Hon. William Browne, died Feb. 14, 1715-6, having in his will bequeathed to the college one hundred pounds "to help support my grandchildren or their posterity while students there, if not any such then any other poor Salem scholars that may live at college."-Essex Probate Records.
Col. Samuel Browne of Salem, son of the last-named, Maj. William Browne, died in 1731; and in his will bequeathed to the college sixty pounds to be applied to the purchase of plate for the college, the plate to bear upon it the testator's coat-of-arms; also, the testator's two hundred acres of land and houses in Hopkinton for the bringing up some poor scholars .- Essex Probate Records.
The destruction of Harvard hall, by fire, in 1764 caused the loss of the library it contained, and the people of Salem contributed liberally in books and philosophical apparatus to repair the loss as far as possible. Benjamin Goodhue gave sixteen pounds and sixteen shillings; William Browne, Hon. Benjamin Lynde, Timothy Orne and Hon. Benjamin Pickman, ten pounds and ten shillings each; Samuel Gardner and Edward Kitchen, six pounds each ; John Barton, four pounds, fourteen shillings and six pence; Joseph Blaney, four pounds and ten shillings; Ebenezer Putnam, four pounds and four shillings; John Higginson, three pounds and twelve shillings; Joseph Bow- ditch, Dr. Edward Augustus Holyoke, Benjamin Pickman, jr., William Pynchon and Nathaniel Ropes, three pounds and three shillings each; Richard Derby, jr., two pounds, eleven shillings and three pence; Jacob Ashton, Samuel Curwen and George Dodge, one pound and sixteen shillings each; and John Appleton and Thomas Poynton, one pound and one shilling each. Edward Kitchen, in his will, bequeathed to the college in 1766 one hundred and thirty-three pounds and six shillings. Doctor Holyoke also donated, in 1769, a telescope, twenty-eight feet in length.
Toward the establishment of the Massachusetts Professorship of Natural History, early in 1805, a goodly number of Salem men contributed. William Gray, jr., gave four hundred dollars; Benjamin Pickman, jr., three hundred and fifty dollars; Elias Haskett Derby, Joseph Peabody and Nathaniel West, three hundred dollars each; John Derby, two hundred and fifty dollars; Ezekiel Hersey Derby, Simon Forrester and Joseph White, two hundred dollars each; Edward Holyoke and Jerathmael Peirce, one hundred and fifty dollars each; and Jacob Crowninshield, Jonathan Gardner, Samuel Gerrish, Benjamin Hodges, Ichabod Nichols, William Orne and William Prescott, one hundred dollars each. Rev. John Prince gave books to the value of one hundred dollars.
In 1816, life subscriptions to the support of the Theological School were established. Clergymen could become such life members by the payment of two dollars, but from other persons a payment of one hundred dollars was required. Benjamin W. Crowninshield, George Crowninshield, John Derby, Humphrey Devereaux, Pickering Dodge, Samuel Endecott, Charles For- rester, Charles H. Orne, Joseph Orne, Samuel Orne, Joseph Peabody, Ben-
338
HISTORY OF SALEM
in width at the head of the river, and running "northerly to the River by the great pond side." It was laid out and surveyed by John Woodbury and John Balch. This gave each of the grantees a farm of two hundred acres. Mr. Trask relinquished his share ; and, May 2, 1636, it was granted to Thomas Scruggs. This tract of land was apparently divided, from time to time, among the several owners.
Mr. Scruggs erected his house on the northerly side of Dodge Street, just easterly of its junction with Conant Street. He was living at this place in 1640; and died in the spring of 1654. His widow released his homestead to her son-in-law John Raymond June 24, 1654 ; and the latter's son John lived here in 1683. The father conveyed the house and land to John Jan. 12, 1696;1 and the latter sold the estate to his brother Thomas of Salem Village. Thomas Raymond conveyed it to his brother Jonathan of Beverly Dec. 29, 1704; and the latter conveyed it to Isaac Hull of Wenham Jan. 15, 1705-6.3 Mr. Hull lived here, and died the next spring, having devised it to his daughter Sarah, who apparently removed the house in 1715.
Mr. Conant built a house on this lot in which he lived until his death, Nov. 19, 1679, although he conveyed the estate to his son Lot Nov. 20, 1666.4 Lot Conant removed to Ipswich, and died May 14. 1715, having devised the ancient homestead to his son Jonathan. Jonathan Conant died June 18, 1749, and the next owner and occupant was his son Jonathan, who lived here until 1783, when he removed, but retained possession of the farm until June 24, 1789," when he conveyed it to John Trow of Beverly.
jamin Pickman, Dudley L. Pickman, Stephen Phillips, Nathaniel Silsbee, Joseph Story, Gideon. Tucker and Mrs. Eliza Wetmore were among the benefactors. Rev. John Prince of Salem was among the annual subscribers, who paid five dollars for the benefit of the Theological School.
Upon the new foundation of the Society for the promotion of Theo- logical Education in the College, in 1826, about nineteen thousand dollars was raised by subscription. One ninth of this sum was donated by Salem people. Joseph Peabody gave five hundred dollars; Benjamin W. Crowninshield and Benjamin Pickman, three hundred dollars each; Joseph White, two hundred and fifty dollars; Pickering Dodge, two hundred dollars; Dudley L. Pick- man, one hundred and fifty dollars; Humphrey Devereaux and Daniel A. White, one hundred dollars each; and John H. Andrews, Gideon Barstow, William Pickman and Stephen White, fifty dollars each .- History of Har- vard College, by J. Quincy.
In 1922, Mrs. Aroline C. Gove of Salem established a scholarship of six thousand dollars in memory of her late husband, Hon. William Henry Gove.
1Essex Registry of Deeds, book 23, leaf 216.
2Essex Registry- of Deeds, book 43, leaf 308.
3Essex Registry of Deeds, book 39, leaf 175.
"Essex Registry of Deeds, book 3, leaf 28.
5Essex Registry of Deeds, book 150, leaf 275.
339
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT
Mr. Trow apparently soon afterward sold it to Simeon Brown, who took the old house down.
Mr. Balch, built a house upon this tract of land twenty-three feet long, sixteen feet wide and nine feet post, facing the south- east. The roof was steep, and probably thatched. The frame was of white oak ; and the chimney was probably made of stone on the outside of the house at the northeasterly end. The first change in it was made about 1645, when the posts were lengthened about four feet and new rafters were placed above the original ones, to make two stories. The attic shows these two sets of rafters, one placed upon the other, but in the chamber the lower ends of the front original intermediate rafters were cut away in order to make the chamber clear of them, the lower ends of the back intermediate rafters were not disturbed and are to be seen in the closet in the chamber. Several subsequent additions to the structure (about 1760 and 1800) finally made it very large. The underpinning of the ancient house is of small stones laid in clay ; there never was a cellar under the original part. This is the only house of an old planter in Salem in existence, and is probably the oldest house in New England. It is of great interest, and furnishes an at- tractive study. Mr. Balch died in June, 1648, having devised "the Roome newly built" to his wife Agnes and the remainder of the homestead to his son Benjamin. Benjamin Balch conveyed the estate to his grandson Benjamin Balch, who lived with him, Jan. 4, 1703-4.1 This grantee lived here; and died Jan. 8, 1749-50, having devised it to his wife Mercy for her life and then to his daughters Mercy Lovett, Mary Woodbury, Martha Trask and Deborah Dodge and his grandson Benjamin Balch Lovett. The estate came into the sole possession of the daughter Deborah, who died, leaving it to her son Cornelius Dodge. Mr. Dodge died April 27, 1837, at the age of ninety-four ; and the title descended to his son Azor Dodge, who, in December, 1869, conveyed it to his son Joshua F. Dodge and the latter's wife, Mary Alice for their lives,2 with remainder to their children Addie F. and Martha.3 Martha died Jan. 14, 1880, and Addie married Charles H. Herrick. Martha's half interest in the remainder was inherited by her mother, who released it to her daughter Addie April 30, 1913. June 8, 1916, Mrs. Herrick transferred the title to Joseph Balch of Westwood, John Balch of Milton, Franklin G. Balch, Francis Balch and William Sumner Appleton, all of Boston, and Franklin Balch of Topsfield, as trustees, for the preservation of the ancient house.
1Essex Registry of Deeds, book 19, leaf 209.
2Essex Registry of Deeds, book 787, leaf 144.
3Essex Registry of Deeds, book 787, leaf 145.
340
HISTORY OF SALEM
Feb. 8, 1635-6, the town voted that Richard Bennett1 might have a two-acre lot; and Richard Hollingworth half an acre "in the place he desires, but must take soe much from his 2 acre or howse lott else where."
ROBERT COLE
Road
Path to the River Head
Ancient
THOMAS READ
24-
Brook.
COLE AND READ GRANTS.
Eight days later, the town granted to Thomas Read a farm of three hundred acres lying north-northwest from Salem, and to John Blackleach a farm of three hundred acres at Long marsh, now known as West Beach, in Beverly, extending easterly into what is now Manchester and northerly to the present boundary line of Beverly adjoining Wenham. This latter grant constitutes nearly the whole of Beverly Farms.
On the twenty-second of the month, "Richard Bishop hauing planted his earable pte of his ten acre lot, Its ordered that soe much as he leaues of his said lott to the townes vse for fire
ABard Bizar
1Richard Bennett probably removed to Boston soon afterward.
2Richard Bishop was a husbandman; lived in Salem; married, first, be- fore 1635, Dulzebella -, who was born about 1607; she died in Salem Aug. 23 (24), 1658; married, second, Mary Gould, July 22, 1660; she was born about 1611; he died in Salem Dec. 30, 1674; his widow, Mary, married Thomas Robbins; children : I. Mary, born about 1635; married John Dar- ling (called John Barret or Barbant) ; 2. Thomas; lived in Manchester; wheelwright; married Lydia -; died Oct. 15, 1694; she was his widow in 1702; had children; 3. Nathaniel; lived in Easthampton, Long Island, N. Y .; was dead in 1686: 4. John; lived in Southampton, Long Island, N. Y .; hus- bandman; was living in 1686.
34I
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT
wood & elce, soe much more earable ground he may haue for his pp use." It was also agreed that Hugh Laskin may have "about ten pole to the water side, by that place where the old planters do move for."1
PONDY
N 24
JOHN
BLACKLEACH
JOHN HORNE
Creek .
Chubb's
Ancient Road.
POND,Channels
OCEAN
BLACKLEACH AND HORNE GRANTS.
March 28, 1636, John Peach, fisherman, and Nicholas Mer- ritt2 were allowed to improve the five acres of ground on Marble Neck, which they had illegally fenced, for immediate building or planting.1 John Peach lived on Peach's Point, in Marblehead, and Nicholas Merritt at Little Harbor. Merritt Street runs through his homestead. Because the location of grants of land were so indefinite, encroachments often occurred.
1Salem Town Records.
2Written "Mariott" in the town records.
342
HISTORY OF SALEM
George Ropes,' a servant of Gervas Garford, for striking his master, throwing him down and spurning him with his feet after he was down was ordered by the general court, April 5, 1636, to be severely whipped at that court and again, in convenient time in Salem at a public meeting. John
"GEORGE ROPES1 lived in Salem; married Mary -; died June -, 1670; she was his widow in 1691; children: I. Jonathan," baptized June 5, 1642; died Oct. 14, 1661 ; 2. Mary,“ baptized Nov. 3, 1644; married John Norman; 3. John,? baptized July 4, 1647; 4. George ;? killed by the Indians at Bloody Brook Sept. 18, 1675; 5. William," baptized Aug. 26, 1651 ; 6. Abigail,2 bap- tized Oct. 29, 1654; 7. Samuel," baptized March 15, 1656-7.
JOHN ROPES ;" housewright; married Lydia Wells Sept. 25, 1669; she was his wife in 1713; he died Jan. 30, 1721-2; children : 1. Benjamin, born Feb. 22, 1669-70; 2. Lydia," born Dec. 26, 1672; married Abraham Gale; 3. Mary,3 born Aug. 21, 1675; living in 1714; died unmarried; 4. John,3 born Sept. 13, 1678; 5. Abigail,3 born April 26, 1681 ; married Richard Bartlett of Newbury Nov. 21, 1706; 6. Sarah,3 born Feb. 23, 1683-4; 7. Samuel,3 born Jan. 24, 1686-7; 8. Elizabeth,3 baptized Nov. 23, 1689; married Daniel Webb; 9. Nathaniel," born in 1694. WILLIAM ROPES;" shipwright; married Sarah Ingersoll July 26, 1676; died in 1728; she was his widow in 1732; children : I. Jonathan,3 born Nov. 4, 1689; mariner ; died, unmarried, in 1714, on board Her Majesty's ship-of-war Rumney; 2. Sarah," born Jan. 9, 1683; married Miles Ward; 3. William,3 born March 5, 1685; probably died before 1725; 4. George," born Aug. 12, 1688; probably died before 1725; 5. Richard," born in 1690; 6. Joseph,3 born Jan. 11, 1692; 7. John,3 born Jan. 4, 1694-5.
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