USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > The history of Salem, Massachusetts, vol 2, 1924 > Part 21
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The early records of Manchester are not in existence, and so almost nothing can be learned of the earliest conditions there in the public and private life of the settlers. Even early land records are few. William Allen, a carpenter, appears to
1See volume I, pages 112, 113 and others.
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have been the most prominent of the men of the town, having lived there since about 1640.
The settlement of Manchester called for better means of traveling thither. The old path to Cape Ann was very poor indeed, probably nothing had been done to it. The first spot which was sought to be improved was at the creek at Mackerel Cove. Salem was presented to the local court because there was no sufficient bridge there ; and the town was ordered to make one. At a town meeting, Oct. 26, 1646, probably to meet the necessities of the Manchester settlers, the town of Salem ordered that a way between the ferry at Salem and the head of Jeffry's Creek should be laid out forthwith, by William Woodbury, Richard Brackenbury, Ensign Dixy, Mr. Conant, Lieutenant Lothrop and Lawrence Leach. and that it be such a way as men may travel on horseback and drive cattle ; and if such a way may not be found then to take speedy course to set up a foot bridge at Mackerel Cove. William Dixy certified that the committee of Salem, appointed to lay out a way toward Manchester, had done so, and made it sufficient, Dec. 30, 1646.1
"Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, volume II, page 108.
CHAPTER XII.
SHIP TAVERN.
ILLIAM WHEELER was of Salem early in 1646 for 2, a short time ;1 and Adam Westgate took up his abode here the same year. Mr. Westgate was a master- mariner, sailing along the coast.2 Thomas Avery was here earlier than these residents, and apparently removed to Topsfield in 1657.
Erasmus James lived in Marblehead on the southerly side of Washington Street about where Hawkes Street is now located. His wife Jane earned a reputation which was unenviable. As early as 1639, she was accused of taking things from the house of Anthony Thatcher, who was engaged in missionary work among the fishermen at Marblehead, and she and her husband were bound for her good behavior.
Both Mr. and Mrs. James were witnesses against John Bartoll for making some statements derogatory to the reputation of Moses Maverick in 1645, and Bartoll stated that he could prove Mrs. James to be "a common liar; a thief and a false foresworn woman."
The next year, William Barber and Mrs. James were in the house of Thomas Bowen, who testified that Barber said to Mrs. James, upon her speaking to him, "get out of doors you
1Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts in Essex County, volume I, page 92.
"CAPT. ADAM WESTGATE1 lived in Marblehead as late as 1680; wife Mary; she was living in 1676, and was probably dead in 1685; children : 1. Robert2, born July 1, 1647; of Salem in 1665; 2. - (son), born April 15, 1650; 3. Thomas2, born Feb. 12, 1653-4; probably died young ; 4. Joseph2, born April 30, 1657; died June 19, 1659; 5. Mary2, born Feb. 14, 1659-60; died Aug. 28, 1662; 6. Benjamin2, born July 26, 1662; died Aug. 12, 1662; 7. John2, baptized April 20, 1663; of Salem in 1680; had wife Elizabeth in 1690; mariner; 8. Thomas2, baptized April 20, 1663.
THOMAS WESTGATE2; of Salem in 1680; living in 1685; child: I. Thomas3, baptized May -, 1689.
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filthy old baud or else I will cuttle your hyde, you old filthy baggage";1 and Barber took a fire brand, but did not throw it at her. Bowen also testified that Barber carried away a shoulder of mutton which Mrs. James should have had, giving her a push, and saying that he could eat a shoulder of mutton as well as she. At the next term of the Salem court she sued Barber for slander.
In 1650, Mr. and Mrs. James brought suit against Peter Pitford for calling her a witch; and a verdict for fifty shillings damages, was recovered. Henry Pease of Marblehead testified that he heard Peter Pitford of Marblehead say that Goodwife James was a witch and that he saw her in a boat at sea in the likeness of a cat, also that his garden fruits did not prosper as long as he lived near that woman, and that he called her Jezebel. Henry Trevett of Marblehead also testified. The next year, Mr. James sued John Gatchell for saying that Mrs. James was an old witch, and that she was seen going in a boat on the water towards Boston when she was in her own yard at home: and the plaintiff again won his case.
Mr. James died in the spring of 1660, and his wife survived him. Her reputation did not improve with her widowhood; and, in 1667, when she was about sixty-five years old, she brought suit against her neighbor Richard Rowland, for saying that she came in at a hole in the window in Rowland's house, took him by the throat, and almost choked him as he lay in his bed, and for calling her an old hag. Capt. James Smith testified that he, Samuel Aborne, sr., and Richard Rowland were in bed together when suddenly Rowland screeched, started up and said that he was almost choked by the old hag, Goody James, who, Rowland said, had come in through a hole in the window and had him fast by the throat. Captain Smith said that he saw nothing, although the room was very bright with the light of the moon. Aborn also testified; and John Furbush stated that he had often heard 'Rowland and his wife call Mrs. James Jezebel and devil. She again won her case. About three years later, death ended her troubles, she having lived alone in a house which was built for her.2
Rev. Edward Norris, pastor of the church in Salem, expected to preach the election sermon to the general court in 1645, but failed to do so ; he preached it to the court the next year.3
The seven men granted to Daniel Baxter, in March, 1646, a small parcel of salt marsh lying at the end of his ten-acre lot in
"This is a corruption of the old French word bargasse, meaning a worthless woman.
2See volume I, page 449.
3Winthrop's Journal, volume I, pages 218 and 219.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
South field, and a little salt marsh lying before Mr. Gott's and Mr. Button's land near the mouth of Forest River; to Robert Gutch a small parcel of salt marsh lying at the end of his ten- acre lot in the South field; and to John Robinson about three quarters of an acre of salt marsh lying at the head of Clay brook.
April 8, 1646, the town "ordered that the way which was formerly used to be gone through near the end of Mr. Read's farm, that the gate shall be set there and the way run as it did before."
A week later, the town granted to John Borne leave to sell beer ; and the next month, by the general court, he was "allowed to set up a cookes shop at Salem, so that he sell no beare above a penny a quart."
April 20, 1646, the seven men granted to William Dodge about an acre of ground that lies between Hugh Laskin's lot and his ; and also it was ordered "That the little strip of ground that is between Ryall's Side, and the ten-acre lot of John Batchelor and John Marston and before the lot of John Scudder, where he dwelleth, shall be given" to those three men.
John Mascoll1 came to Salem about this time, and remained here.
May 6, 1646, the general court appointed Governor Ende- cott major-general and a commissioner of the United Colonies.
1JOHN MASCOLL1 was a servant to Mr. Goog in 1643; married Ellen (Eleanor) Long March -, 1649; living in 1704; children: I. John2, born Dec. 25, 1650; 2. Stephen2, born Feb. 15, 1652-3; living in 1671 ; 3. Mehitabel2, born May 15, 1655; married Peter Fountain; 4. Thomas2, born Aug. 14, 1657; 5. James2, born March 16, 1661-2; Nicholas2, born April 14, 1664.
JOHN MASCOLL2; gunsmith and locksmith; married Hester Babbidge Oct. 6, 1674; (wife Bethiah in 1710-1); living in 1720; dead in 1741; children : 1. John3, born Aug. 5, 1675; 2. Stephen3, born May 21, 1677; lived in Marblehead; married Mary Frettee of Marblehead Oct. 4, 1705; 3. Christopher3, baptized July 14, 1678; 4. Joseph3, baptized Aug. - , 1685; 7. 5. James3, baptized Nov. 18, 1683; 6. Nicholas3, baptized Oct. - , 1685; 7. Sarah3, born April 20, 1687; married Isaac Willaims; 8. David3, baptized July 14, 1689; 9. Jonathan3, baptized Jan. - , 1690-I; IO. Mehitable3, born Jan. 16, 1694-5; died before 1720; II. Benjamin3, born Aug. 15, 1699. THOMAS MARSTON; mariner; married Mary Swasey; died in the mid- winter of 1721-2; children: I. Thomas3, baptized Nov. 18, 1683; died young ; 2. Stephen3, born Aug. 10, 1684; died before 1722; 3. Mary3, bap- tized April -, 1687; married, first, William Beckett; second, Daniel Webb; 4. Preserved3, baptized Nov. 9, 1690; 5. Thomas3, baptized April -, 1692; 6. Ruth3, baptized March -, 1695; 7. James3, baptized July 1I, 1697; 8. Joseph3, baptized Oct. 20, 1700; 9. John3, baptized June 13, 1703; fisherman and mariner ; married, first, Sarah Prince (published Aug. 2, 1729) ; second, Hannah Prince Oct. 26, 1739; both living in 1771.
JOHN MASCOLL3; cordwainer; married Elizabeth Bachellor May 14, 1701 ; died June 1, 1702; she married, secondly, Alexander Lovell of Ipswich Oct. 28, 1703; child : 1. Hester4, born March 25, 1701-2. JAMES MASCOLL"; mariner; married Patience Barton Nov. 7, 1721; she married, secondly,
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SHIP TAVERN
At this session of the general court, the following petition of the inhabitants of Marblehead was presented to the court :-
To ye General Court the humble petition of ye Inhabitants of Marblehead
Whereas there come yeerly into o" plantation many fishermen yt are strangers, & haue formerly don vs very much damage in ye con- fuming of o' fire-wood, stage-timber & flakestuffe; we could not but expreffe ye fence we haue heerof, & to yt end for the preventing of ye like detriment; we entered an action agft ye m's of ye voyages the last Court at Salem whose desire was yt before any farther pro- ceedings they might fpeake wth ye Marchants y' owners who haue manifested theyr willingnes to giue vs satisffaction for ye wrong yt heerein we suftayne, yet loath to bring vp any customes for future times. Our desire & humble request therfore is that this Honoured Court would be pleased to establish some order wherby from hence- forth we may be enabled to releiue o'f : in cafes of this nature.
your humble petitioners
WILLIAM WALTON MofES MAVERICKE FFRANCIS JOHNSON DAUID CARWETHEN JOHN BARTOLL JOHN PATCH fEN : JOHN LYON ARTHUR SANDIN
JOHN I H HART
Wm W M BARBER
WILLM W CHARLES
ABREHAM WHITEHEARE JOHN PEACH IUR
JOHN LEGG WALSINGHAM W CHILSON THOMAS SAM1
Upon ye petition of Marblehead men, ye Co't thinke fit to declare, yt howsoevr it hath bene alowed custome for forraigne fishermen to make use of such harbo's & grounds in this country as have not bene inhabited by Englishmen, & to take timber & wood at their pleasures for all occasions, yet in these parts weh aré now possessed, & ye lands disposed in ppriety to sev'all townes & psons, & by his maties grant,
Joseph Flint (published Oct. 30, 1731) ; child: I. James4; tailor. JOSEPH MASCOLL3; shipwright; married Ruth Purchase Dec. 31, 1724; died July - 1773; she died in 1785; children: I. Thomas4; 2. Stephen; 3. Mary *; married William Tapley; 4. Mercy4; married Thomas Stevens; 5. Joseph *; died before 1773; had children.
CAPT. STEPHEN MASCOLL4; mariner ; married Hannah Dean Aug. 16, 1764; died in 1784; she survived him; children: I. Hannah5, born in 1768; married Jesse Kenny Jan. 20, 1793; 2. Mary, born in 1770; 3. Stephen®, born in 1773; married Anna Thorndike of Beverly April 17, 1800; 4. Sarah5, born in 1777; married George Sinclair Nov. 17, 1799.
1Massachusetts Archives, volume 60, leaf 35.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
und' ye great seale of England, it is not now lawfull for any person, either fishermen or other, eithr forreyner or of this country, to enter upon ye lands so appropriated to any town or pson, or to take any woode or timber in any such places w'hout ye licence of such towne or pprietor; & if any pson shall trespas herein, ye towne or pprietor so iniured may take their remedy by action, or may pserve their goods or other interest by opposing lawfull force against such uniust vio- lence ; pvided, y' it shalbe lawful for such fishermen as shalbe implied by any inhabitants of this jurisdiction in ye sev'all seasons of ye yeare to make use of o" harbo's, & such lands as are neere adioyning for ye drying of their fish, or other needful occasions, as also to take such timber for firewood as they shall have necessary use of, for their fish- ing seasons, where it may be spared, so as they make due satisfaction for ve same to such towne or prietor."1
Nov. 2, 1646, the town "Ordered that if Mr. Endecott doe agree with Mr. Allen and Mr. Dunster for the morter piece which is mounted upon the carriage that the town will see the same satisfied."
Feb. 2, 1646-7, the town agreed that Captain Hawthorn, Mr. Corwine and William Lord should "take care for fitting up of the carriages for the great guns, and to speak with Francis Pery and Thomas Tuck about finishing of it." It was agreed that for the gathering in of the town's powder, being dispersed in the hands of certain men, Sergeant Porter and John Hardy were to go to Mr. Fogg for half a barrel, Samuel Archer was to go to Mr. Johnson and Edmond Batter to Captain Trask for a barrel, and Captain Hawthorn was to provide a barrel for Capt. Thomas Read.
Nov. 2, 1646, the town granted to Zacheus Curtis about an acre of land near the house he bought of Joshua Verin at Brooksby.
The seven men, Dec. 28, 1646, granted to Edward Bishop2 forty acres of land lying near the farms at Bass River head Edward BifRap: near Nicholas Howard's lot, and to Humphrey Woodbury half an acre of meadow, lying beyond Mackerel Cove, and adjoining his meadow, which was granted to him.
Feb. 23, 1646-7, the seven men agreed that "two black staves of six foot long or thereabout be provided for the con- stables, and Edmond Batter to speak to Francis Perry to have
1 Massachusetts Bay Colony Records, volume II, page 147.
"Edward Bishop lived in what is now Beverly, on the northerly side of Conant Street, westerly of the main entrance to the Cherry Hill farm, as early as 1639. He was at first a husbandman and later a sawyer. He married, first, Hannah before 1646; she was his wife in 1653;
18I
SHIP TAVERN
them made." The staffs were not made, probably, as the next July the town was complained of for want of such a staff.
On the seventeenth of that month, the seven men granted to Robert Cotta that part of land and salt water marsh which lies before his lot and which he possessed, but he had nothing to
CABOT STREET BRIDGE.
do with that part of his lot he sold to Jeffery Eastye nor the salt water marsh before it. John Bailey1 requested a parcel of land in the South field, near William Giggle's lot.
married, second, Bridget, widow of Thomas Oliver before 1680; she was executed as a witch June 10, 1692; married, third, Elizabeth Cash March 9, 1692-3; he died before 1715; children : I. Hannah, baptized April 12, 1646; married William Rayment of Beverly; 2. Edward, baptized April 23, 1648; husbandman; lived here until 1703, when he removed to Rehoboth, where he was an innkeeper and yeoman; married Sarah Wild of Topsfield; died in Rehoboth in May, 17II; had children; 3. Mary, baptized Oct. 12, 1651; married Robert Coburn of Beverly; removed to Chelmsford.
1John Bailey left his wife in England and was living in Salem as early as 1644, in the part which was incorporated as Marblehead in 1649. In 1651, he was ordered by the local court to get his wife here or go to her. The last that was heard of him was when Mr. Maverick and Mr. Batter testified in court to his attempt to get her to come here. She de-
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HISTORY OF SALEM
At the same time, in the room of Ralph Fogg, whom they conceived unfit for that service, the seven men appointed William Auger to "take notice" of vital records in his stead.
At the same time, the selectmen appointed Samuel Archer marshall of the Salem court, and the appointment was confirmed by the court April 7, 1649. He continued in that office until June 26, 1666, when he was fined for being "disguised in drink"; and Henry Skerry was appointed at that time, his pay being four pounds per annum as Archer's salary had been. Mr. Skerry held the office until after 1682.
BUTTS BRIDGE.
In the early summer of 1647, "A barn at Salem was set on fire with lightning, and all the corn and hay consumed suddenly. It fell upon the thatch in the breadth of a sheet, in the view of people."1
The town was presented for two insufficient bridges near the houses of John Balch and William Dodge, and the seven men, May 17, 1647, chose these men to make the bridges sufficient
sired him not to hasten his coming to her as she had a comfortable estate to live upon and maintain herself.
1Winthrop's Journal, volume II, page 310.
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and finished within one month. The engraving of the Cabot Street bridge, near Herrick Street, in Beverly, was made from a photograph taken in 1924. Extensive fillings from time to time have raised the road to its present height. Sergeant Porter and Mr. Kennyston were chosen to see to the finishing of Strongwater bridge, the Butts bridge and a bridge at the great pond within one month. Butts bridge, over Butts brook, on Washington Street, in South Peabody, has changed but little probably since early days. The view of it given here is from a photograph taken in 1924.
"William Clarke,1 dwelling between Lynn and Ipswich, hath liberty to entertain passengers and cattle."2 This was in the summer of 1641. He removed to what was subsequently known as The Ship Tavern, on Essex Street, in the town of Salem, be- fore April 7, 1645, when the town chose him to keep the ordinary in Salem, and, Nov. 4, 1646, the general court appointed him to keep the house of common entertainment here. He died seven months later.
The latter house of Mr. Clark, in 1647, was of considerable size, and he had a large estate. His house included, on the ground floor, a hall, parlor and kitchen, and upstairs a chamber over the hall, a great chamber over the parlor and a chamber over the kitchen and a partly furnished garret. He had an . abundance of household furnishings and supplies, among the latter being fifteen hundred weight of tobacco, about seven hundred pounds of sugar and corn and wheat. There was a long table, round table and two others, six table cloths, a court "cubbard" and a sempiternum "cubbard cloth" with silk fringe. There were stools, seven of which were jointed and three were of leather, a bench, five forms, one being short, and three leather chairs. There were four bedsteads, one being half-headed, one jointed and one low, five featherbeds, two flock, one canvas flock and a straw bed; curtains and valances, bolsters, pillows, blankets, two dozen sheets, among them Holland sheets with seaming lace. On the floors were mats and rugs, and five car- pets, two of which were Turkey carpets ; a great cushion wrought with worsted, five "cubbard cushions," one of which was of dam- ask and another of needle work; seven and a half dozen napkins, among them being Holland, diaper and flax napkins; and a dozen towels. Among the customary smaller things were silver
1William Clark lived in Salem as early as 1637; married, first, ; and, second, Katherine ; died in 1646; she married, secondly, John Gedney, sr .; children : I. (son by his first wife) ; 2. (son by his second wife) ; 3. Bethiah, baptized Aug. 26, 1638; 4. Susanna, baptized March -, 1643; married, first John Gedney, jr .; second, Deliver- ance Parkman; 5. Deborah, baptized Aug. 6, 1645.
2Massachusetts Bay Colony Records, volume I, page 332.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
spoons and some pieces of plate, twenty pewter platters and a great pewter pot, flagon, three dozen plates, beer cups and wine cups, two pewter lamps, four candlesticks, China dishes, brass and copper pots and kettles, shovel, tongs, andirons, peel and jack.
Mr. Clark's widow, Katherine Clark, was licensed to suc- ceed him, with liberty to draw wine, paying a license fee of ten pounds annually, and to provide "a fit man that is godly to manage the business," and the Salem court approved of Robert Gutch as such a man.1 This house was the inn which was after- wards known for a century as The Ship Tavern. It stood on the northerly side of Essex Street, opposite Central Street. Mrs. Clark married John Gedney, sr., who had been an innkeeper in Salem, and Mr. Gedney conducted the house, drew wine and retailed strongwater until his death in 1688. Associated with this tavern was a pasture, containing twelve acres and being nearly a square, and lying on the southeasterly side of Bridge Street. Its western corner was opposite Lemon Street, the northern corner at Arbella Street and the southern was nearly down to the northern corner of the Common. This was called the "Ship Tavern pasture," and was used as its name implies.2
The children of Mr. Clark had died, apparently, except Susannah. The tavern continued to be owned by the Gedney family, but it had been let. In 1698, when the estate was con- veyed to Deliverance Parkman, it was occupied by Francis Ellis. Mr. Parkman died Nov. 15, 1715, and the title descended to his daughter Mehitable, who married Rev. George Curwen. In 1740, the tavern was under lease to Mrs. Margaret Pratt. Samuel Cur- wen, son of Mrs. Mehitable Curwen, became its sole owner, and, June II, 1745, he conveyed it to John Turner of Salem, who took down the ancient hostelry three years later, and Mrs. Pratt, who had been here since 1730, returned to her house on the northeasterly corner of Essex and Washington streets, where she continued the innkeeping business.
Sept. 30, 1647. the town granted to Sergeant Porter two hundred acres of pasture land near Mr. Bishop's farm.
July 6, 1647, "Nicholas Patch, sr., and William Woodbery & Company, inhabitants of Mackerell Cove," petitioned the Salem court for exemption from watching. The request was re- ferred to the general court, who, Oct. 27, 1647, freed them from
1Sept. 7, 1651, Robert Gutch was licensed by the Ipswich court to keep an ordinary in Salem; but he does not appear to have opened a public house.
'See The Essex Antiquarian, volume IX, page 75, for plan of this pasture.
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being called to watch at Salem, except that the petitioners should be liable to watch there by direction of the constable and the injunction of military officers in times of danger.
May 15, 1646, the general court ordered the convention of a synod of the churches to be held at Cambridge September first following, to establish the right form of church government and discipline, by agreement of the churches and consent of the civil authority, and October twenty-seventh, while the synod was in session, the general court desired Mr. Norris of Salem and six other ministers to prepare a brief form of doctrinal belief and present it at the next sitting of the synod. Mr. Norris was named first on this list of clergymen, and the stenographer of the synod was John Higginson, son of Rev. Francis Higginson, and afterward pastor of the Salem church, who was, at this time, living in Connecticut.
The present system of perambulation of the bounds be- tween towns was established by the general court Nov. II, 1647. Once in three years, three or more persons of each town, ap- pointed by the selectmen, should together go to' the bounds and renew the marks, by each adding a stone to the heap of stones, which should mark it, or renew a trench, six feet long and two feet wide, which was also a mark in low lands, the most ancient town being the one to give notice of the time and place of meet- ing, in March or April, to perform this service. The law of perambulation of town lines is practically the same today, but the bounds are now permanent monuments.
Thomas Bowen1 lived in Marblehead as early as 1642; and in the Salem court, Feb. 29, 1647-8, he was fined for sailing from Gloucester Harbor on the Lord's day, when the people were going to the morning exercises, having hay in his boat.
At a meeting of the seven men, Feb. 3, 1647-8, Edward Wil- son2 requested a quarter of an acre of land in the neck near his house ; and Benjamin Pauly3 was chosen to keep the town herd of cows. On the twenty-eighth, the town granted to Thomas Wheeler two parcels of meadow of about eight acres, lying near the grist mill by Mr. Humphrey's farm, one called noman's meadow ; and, also, to John Hathorne a parcel of meadow adjoin- ing to that of Jacob Barney, a parcel of meadow adjoining Mr.
1Thomas Bowen was a planter and fisherman. He was born about 1625; and lived in Marblehead as late as 1674. His wife was named Eliza- beth, 1646-1674.
2Edward Wilson probably lived in Salem as early as 1641, being a young man; ship carpenter; called son-in-law in will of Michael Sallows in 1646; and removed to Fairfield, Conn., about 1655. He was living in Fairfield in 1679.
3Benjamin Pawley lived in Salem until 1658.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
Bartholomew's, and a parcel lying on the great river, all three lots containing about five acres.
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