USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > The history of Salem, Massachusetts, vol 2, 1924 > Part 38
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The miller was William Stacey from before 1682 until his death, in 1723. Because of this fact, this place of industry was known as Stacey's mills for several years after his death, even as late as 1735. Another set of stones and machinery was added about 1720, and still another set about 1727. These three sets of stones or mills continued in use until after the Revolution. The establishment was known as the South mills as early as 1699 and as late as 1840.
Capt. Samuel Gardner died in 1724, having devised his one- fourth to his grandsons, John Higginson, John Gardner, Daniel Gardner and Samuel Gardner. Daniel Gardner and Samuel Gardner conveyed their one-eighth to their brother John Gardner in 1733. John Gardner was a yeoman, and conveyed one-six- teenth to Jonathan Gardner in 1735. Mrs. Mary. Neale conveyed her one-sixteenth to Benjamin Lynde, jr., in 1735. Abel Gardner conveyed his one-sixteenth to his son Jonathan Gardner in 1735, and died in 1739, having in his will devised his other one-six- teenth to his son Abel Gardner. Abel Gardner conveyed his one- sixteenth to his brother Jonathan Gardner in 1739. John Gard- ner conveyed another of his sixteenths to Benjamin Lynde, esquire, in 1738, and his other sixteenth to William Lynde in 1738. Capt. John Gardner died possessed of his sixteenth, and his widow Elizabeth Gardner conveyed it to Jonathan Gardner in 1742. Joseph Henfield died in 1743. having devised his one-sixteenth to his son Edmund Henfield. John Higginson died in 1744; and his one-sixteenth descended to his son Francis Higginson, who died in 1761. having devised his interest to his wife Esther Hig-
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HISTORY OF SALEM
ginson. She married Daniel Mackey, and they conveyed it to Daniel Malloon Feb. 22, 1762. Mrs. Elizabeth Gerrish died in 1734 ; and her sixteenth passed to her daughter Sarah King by the division of her real estate, Dec. 1, 1756. Mrs. King conveyed her one-sixteenth to James King Dec. 1, 1756; and James King conveyed the same share to Daniel Malloon of Salem, miller, April 20, 1759. Mrs. Abigail Willoughby died, possessed of her one-eighth, and it descended to her son Francis Willoughby of Boston. Mr. Willoughby conveyed it to Thomas Barton June I, 1747. Colonel Barton died in 1751, and his one-eighth descended to his daughter Mary Toppan. She conveyed it to Daniel Malloon Feb. 4, 1764.
Thomas Brewer was the miller from as early as 1729 till as late as 1739, and Thomas Osborn in 1743 and as late as about 1760. Daniel Malloon was the miller in 1761, and until his death in the spring of 1783. They were known as Malloon's mills as late as 1831. About 1769, a "scythe mill" was added, and also a granary, the latter being in existence in 1804. The "scythe mill" existed in 1776, but was gone before 1811.
Edmund Henfield conveyed his one-sixteenth to Daniel Mal- loon Feb. 28, 1770. Mr. Malloon died in 1783, and his five-six- teenths descended to his grand-daughter Eunice Andrew. Wil- liam Lynde died in 1752, having devised his one-sixteenth to his brother Benjamin Lynde, Esq., who died in 1781, and his three- sixteenths was divided among his three daughters, Mary Oliver, Lydia Walter and Hannah Lynde April 21, 1786. Jonathan Gardner died in 1783, having devised his one-fourth to his sons John Gardner and Jonathan Gardner. Jonathan Gardner brought a suit against his brother John, who lived in Danvers, re- covered judgment, and, in satisfaction of the judgment, John's one-eighth was assigned to Jonathan Gardner July 12, 1813. The one-sixteenth of Hannah Lynde passed to her sister Lydia Walter. Their mother, Madam Mary Lynde, died in the summer of 1790, and her one-fourth passed to her daughters, Mary Oliver and Lydia Walter. Mrs. Walter died, and her heirs conveyed one- eighth to Jonathon Gardner April 16, 1801, and one-eighth to John Gardner on the same day. Mrs. Eunice Andrew removed to Marblehead and conveyed her five-sixteenths to Peter Hodson Nov. 15, 1804, and it passed from him to Jesse Blanchard. Mrs. Oliver died in September, 1807, having devised her three-six- teenths to her three children, Dr. Benjamin Lynde Oliver, Peter Oliver and Sarah Oliver. Sarah's interest passed to her brother Peter Oliver before 1810.
One of the grist mills was taken out before 1827. A choco- late mill was established in or before 1811, and run by James Brown. It was leased to William Micklefield, tobacconist. by the
34I
THE SOUTH MILLS
owners of the mills, for ten years, from July 26, 1825, and turned into a snuff mill. There was a slaughter house upon the premises, also, in 1813. A saw mill had been introduced about 1812, and that was continued as long as the mills were run. A pulverizing mill was established in or about 1827, when there were upon the premises two grist, one saw, one chocolate and one pulverizing mill. William Frye was the miller in 1825, and continued until 1832 or later.
Dr. B. L. Oliver conveyed his one-sixteenth to Jonathan Gardner Jan. 28, 1819; and Jonathan Gardner had conveyed to Nathaniel West one-eighth before that date. Peter Oliver be- came deranged, and his guardian conveyed his one-eighth to Abel Lawrence and John B. Lawrence Feb. 26, 1821. Abel Lawrence conveyed his one-sixteenth to Charles Lawrence March 1, 1824; and Charles Lawrence conveyed his one-sixteenth to Nathaniel West April 20, 1830. John B. Lawrence conveyed his one-six- teenth to Mr. West May 27, 1831 ; and John Gardner conveyed his one-eighth to Mr. West Jan. 11, 1830. Jesse Blanchard conveyed his five-sixteenths to William Frye Dec. 1, 1825; and Mr. Frye, who had removed from Salem, conveyed his five-sixteenths to William Micklefield, John Jewett, Elliott Smith and Amos F. Smith, constituting the firm of Micklefield & Co., July 9, 1832.
There were dwelling apartments in the mills Jan. 20, 1836, when, for a rental of twelve hundred dollars per year, the mills were leased, for ten years from Feb. 1, 1836, by Nathaniel West, William F. Gardner, William Micklefield, John Jewett, Elliott Smith and the guardian of Amos F. Smith, owners, to said Micklefield, Jewett and Elliott Smith and Jonathan A. Kenney, all of Salem, and Thomas H. Prime of Charlestown, the lessees being the firm of Micklefield & Co. The next year, the mills consisted of two grist, one saw and one snuff mill. A veneering mill was added before 1846, and that was in use for a number of years, the veneer being sawn from squared mahogany logs. The mills were called the City mills as early as 1846. The snuff mill was in existence as late as 1846, and another of the grist mills was dis- continued between 1837 and 1846.
Amos F. Smith died in 1833, and his interest descended to his son Amos F. Smith, jr. Jonathan Gardner died in 1821 ; and his five-sixteenths descended to his son William F. Gardner, who conveyed the same to Jonathan A. Kenney and Thomas H. Prime, mahogany dealers, Jan. 27, 1846. Oct. 21, 1837, Elliott Smith conveyed five-sixty-fourths of the mills to William Micklefield, who died in 1840, possessed of five-thirty-seconds of them. The whole plant was then valued at twenty-two thousand dollars. The executor of the will of Mr. Micklefield conveyed the interest of the estate to John Jewett, Thomas H. Prime and Jonathan A.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
Kenney, comprising the firm of Prime. Kenney & Co., March 23, 1849. The guardian of Amos F. Smith conveyed his five-sixty- fourths, at auction, to John Jewett June 2, 1846. Nathaniel West conveyed his three-eighths to John Jewett, Thomas H. Prime and Jonathan A. Kenney, mahogany dealers, Oct. 12, 1849; and these three, "owners of the City mills," conveyed one-tenth of them to Thomas S. Jewett Oct. 18, 1849. John Jewett, Jonathan H. Prime, Jonathan A. Kenney and Thomas S. Jewett, for fifty thou- sand dollars, conveyed the City mills to The Eastern Railroad Company June 17, 1854. The property then conveyed consisted of grist, veneer and upright saw mills, and the buildings and land. The mills were run a few years after their sale to the railroad company, and then removed.1
HIGHWAY
SOUTH RIVER.
George Emery
Matthew Woodwell.
DAN
HIGHWAY
Walter
Price.
MILL POND.
MILL SITE
This was a tide mill, and the mill pond was thus originated. The land on the eastern side of the South River at the mill was owned by Capt. Walter Price, and the executors of his will conveyed to the owners of the mill a part of his lot March 10, 1675. They built upon it a small house, situated at what is now the easterly corner of Mill and Canal streets, apparently for the residence of the miller. It was subsequently sold, and taken down soon after 1765.
Houses were built at either end of the dam soon after. The accompanying plan shows their locations and first owners.
THE NEW WAY TO MARBLEHEAD.
The only way by land to Marblehead from Salem to this time was by way of Highland Park to Vinning Square and thence to the town of Marblehead. When this milldam was constructed, with a highway over it, the road was changed to run through the South fields, by way of Lafayette Street and Loring Avenue
1See The Essex Antiquarian, volume XI, pages 158-166, for the full his- tory of the record title of these mills.
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THE SOUTH MILLS
to the pumping station on Forest River. The road then followed a path over the bridge, passing over Stony beach, called Webb's, between the river and Legg's Hill toward Marblehead, past Ruck's tree, going through the dungeons, westerly of the new burial place, on the south side of the gravel pit and joining the original highway at what was formerly known as "Our house." This new way saved more than a mile of travel.
SALEM HARBOR
Salem
FOREST RIVER
Marblehead
NEW ROAD TO MARBLEHEAD
A curious incident of this matter was the method of laying out the road. Salem appointed two citizens of Marblehead to lay out that part of the way which was in Salem, and Marblehead appointed two citizens of Salem to lay out that portion which was in Marblehead. Salem appointed Richard Rowland and Samuel Ward of Marblehead; and Marblehead appointed Maj. William Hathorne and Henry Bartholmew of Salem. The way was laid out April 24, 1666, and the return was as follows :--
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HISTORY OF SALEM
The Returne: of thofe that weare Apoynted: to laye owt the Common hie waye: betwixt salem towne and marblhed: is vydz: that the waye : shall : lye: owt of the towne of marblhed: as : the Common Cart waye now lyeth: fower Rodds wyde: and soe to Runn: fower Rodds broade : as wee haue mked trees: neere the way as It is Com- monly vfed : only vppon the midle of the playne we Leaue the common waye : and goe : somewhat one the Left hand of the ould waye accord- ing as thee trees are marked and soe to Runn: fower Rodd wyde: vntill wee com to: the bridg : and then to goe fower Rodd wyde: vntill wee Com to the litle gate : that standeth In the south feeld ffence : and then we haue determined that the waye shall Runn : throgh at that gate vppon a strayght lyne vnto an ould tree that lyeth neere that common hye waye: in the south ffeeld and soe to goe along the waye: as it is now vfed: through the south ffeeld vnto the mill dam: and the breath of the whole waye through the south ffeeld to be on Rodd wyde And that this is owre Joynt agreement: wee haue heare vnto sett oure hands this 24 of April : 1666
WILLIAM HAWTHORNE
HENRY BARTHOLMEW
RICHARD
T his
ROWLAND
mark :
SAMUELL WARD :1
Some time before his departure for England, John Humphrey had built a bridge over Forest River, near the Marblehead pump- ing station, to enable him to conveniently reach his Plain farm at the westerly end of Marblehead. This was about 1640. The bridge was poorly made, and was gone before 1648. The way by which Mr. Humphrey traveled was by boat from the rear of the parsonage across South River to the landing place of the South field, which was at what is now the southeastern corner of Wash- ington and Dodge streets, and then by land over the ancient, narrow and crooked path through the South field and what is now Loring Avenue to this bridge, by means of which he crossed over the stream to his land.
March 13, 1648-9, the selectmen granted to John Hardy lib- erty to make a dam to drain his salt meadow at the head of Forest River, in the place where the old bridge was, for seven years. Aug. 4, 1656, the term of seven years having elapsed, the town ordered that William Browne should make a foot bridge where Mr. Humphrey's bridge had been and maintain it for a common foot bridge. At the end of another period of seven years. Dec. 22, 1663, the selectmen of Salem appointed Captain Curwin and Mr. Batter to treat with the selectmen of Marblehead about paying their part of the cost of building the bridge, and "issue it" with them. Nov. 17, 1666, the town voted to pay Wil- liam Flint five pounds for the bridge. June 25, 1667, the Salem
1Town Records, volume II, page 81.
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THE SOUTH MILLS
court, having received a complaint that the bridge was defective, Salem and Marblehead were ordered to bear the cost of repairs and maintenance of the bridge for horses and persons to pass safely, with rails on either side of the bridge. A month later, the
FOREST RIVER BRIDGE
selectmen voted to repair the bridge, and William Flint repaired the Salem half of it. The next January, the selectmen ordered that no person should fasten any lighter or other vessel, great or small, to any part of this bridge, on penalty of one pound.
May 26, 1673, the selectmen chose John Pickering to rebuild or repair the bridge if Marblehead should appoint a person to act with them for their part, the selectmen of Marblehead to be no- tified to do so. To oppose the endeavors to compel the town of Marblehead to contribute to the maintenance of the bridge, Mar- blehead petitioned the Salem court for relief as it was claimed that the Coy Pond land many years before was a part of their town and the channel of the river was the dividing line between the towns ; but, in 1679, Salem took the liberty of claiming those lands as a part of their territory, and set the town line over about twenty rods from the bridge. After that time, the bridge was wholly within the town of Salem, and the Marblehead men stated that "the great ability of Salem" renders help unnecessary, and that "the poverty and disability" of Marblehead is such that "it should bear no part of the expense of a bridge or causeway en- tirely in another town." If the court should make Marblehead responsible for a portion of the maintenance of this bridge, the petitioner prayed that the Coy Pond land be restored to Mar- blehead, "which so long before we had enjoyed."
In 1675, there was a landing place on the northerly side of the river easterly of the bridge.1
1Essex Registry of Deeds, book 4, leaf 121.
CHAPTER XIX.
COMMERCE
HE catching of fish was the business in which most of the mariners of Salem in the first settlement were en- gaged, and naturally as the people came out of the fishing establishment at Cape Ann. By the middle of January, 1647, the vessels at Marblehead alone had caught in the season of fishing just closed about four thousand pounds worth of fish.1
Only a few years after the settlement of Salem, trade was established along the coast with the Netherlands, Virginia and the West Indies, and even across the ocean. The trade with the Dutch, which was profitable, almost caused a breach with the other people of the United Colonies, as the Massachusetts Bay traders were indisposed to war with them. Rev. Edward Norris of Salem, however, wrote a long and interesting letter to the Com- missioners of the United Colonies, dated at Salem, May 3, 1653, urging them to follow the threats they had repeatedly made by positive and aggressive activity against the Dutch.2
Jan. I, 1659-60, a small vessel was burned in Salem Harbor.
March 6, 1661-2, Elder John Browne, when on a voyage to Virginia, was shipwrecked, losing the vessel and cargo, and being
1Felt's Annals of Salem, volume II, page 212.
April 6, 1660, John Croad of Salem, merchant, conveyed to Walter Price of Salem his interest in the fish and train oil that has been or would be procured by their fishing shallop at Marblehead, kept there for fishing, at Moses Maverick's island, from Oct. 1, 1659, to May 31, 1660.
Mordecay Craford, his wife Judith and John Pride, all of Salem, mortgaged to Capt. Thomas Savage of Boston the barque in which Captain Craford usually sailed, and one-half of the barque that Captain Pride goeth in and the produce of a fishing voyage, which said Craford was then under- taking, with two boats at Cape Nawagon, Dec. 27, 1661.
2See the letter in Hazard's Historical Collections, volume II, page 255.
346
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COMMERCE
in great danger from the Indians, but, returning safely, he ren- dered thanks to God before the congregation for his safety.
William Hollingworth was a merchant here in 1663.
Obadiah Antrim was lost, in 1664, on a voyage to Nevis.
In the same year, Josselyn wrote of Salem: "In this town are some very rich merchants"; and, in 1686, John Dunton, who walked from Boston to Salem to see the place, wrote: "I found the town about a mile long, with many fine houses in it, and it is reported the next town to Boston for trade."
In 1665, Capt. Benjamin Fermayes of Salem died on the coast of Guinea.
In July of that year, great fear was produced here by the re- port that Admiral De Ruyter was in the West Indies, and intend- ed to visit our coast. Preparations were made to receive him ; but contrary winds caused him to sail to Newfoundland, where he "did great spoil."
Dec. 8, 1665, there was a great tempest, and a ketch from Barbadoes, with all her company and passengers, were lost near Salem.
In the beginning of 1667, some Dutch men-of-war came to Virginia, and plundered eighteen or nineteen merchantmen and burned a frigate. John Brown of Salem, son of Elder Brown, was one of the victims.
Feb. 12, 1667, the tax of John Norman was remitted as he had received great loss at sea, being taken by the Dutch.
Sept. 7, 1667, Captain Grafton's vessel and cargo were burned . here.
Oct. 9, 1667, a committee, of whom was George Curwin, was appointed to devise regulations for the better building of vessels and more correct procedure in admiralty cases. This resulted in the adoption of a maritime code of laws the next year.
Feb. 21, 1669-70, John Grafton and Joshua Ward had lately suffered shipwreck.
Oct. 15, 1673, the general court, having been informed "that there is one Robert Stone, master of a vessel, lately come from New York and arrived at Salem, judges it necessary in order to the present affairs under consideration, that said Stone, together with Mr. Hollingworth, who was lately taken by the Dutch, be forthwith sent for."
Nov. 16, 1674, Capt. Cornelius Anderson, under Dutch colors, took various articles from Capt. Edward Hilliard, at the eastward. Anderson was captured and tried the next year, on this account, for piracy, which was then punishable with death.
July 8, 1677, a vessel arrived here, which took Capt. Ephraim How of New Haven, the only survivor of his crew, from a desolate
348
HISTORY OF SALEM
island near Cape Sable, where, for eight months, he suffered ex- ceedingly from cold and hunger.
April 20, 1681, a ketch, commanded by Capt. Edmond Hen- field, picked up a boat with Captain Andrew and six of his crew, four hundred and fifty miles from Cape Cod. These persons be- longed to a Dublin ship, bound to Virginia, which had sunk two days previously, when sixteen men and three women perished.
Thomas Purchase went on a voyage, and nothing was ever heard of him afterwards.
Oct. 16, 1682, surveyors of goods damaged on board of ves- sels were provided for; and John Hardy, sr., John Brown and Richard More were appointed for Salem.
In 1685, James Collins sailed for Barbadoes, and was lost.
Sept. 8, 1685, as small-pox was raging at Barbadoes, the se- lectmen ordered that all cotton imported from there should be landed at Baker's Island.
In 1686, the New England flag had a red cross on a white ground, with a crown in the middle of the cross, and under the crown, the letters "J R" (James Rex).
Aug. 4, 1687, two Salem ketches were taken by a French man-of-war.
Sept. 24, 1687, James Thomas, master of the ship Thomas, stated that he and other French Protestants arrived at Salem the ninth, and that their ship was seized. He prays that he may be tried, and, if condemned, enough may be allowed to the seamen, and to relieve himself from distress.
Sept. 10, 1689, the ship Pelican, a pirate vessel, brought in a prize, which was sold.
Oct. 20, 1689, a brig arrived from Newfoundland, with wine, brandy and English manufactures; and another similar cargo came in another brig.
Nov. II, 1689, a ketch sailed to Virginia to load with a cargo of tobacco, and from thence to proceed to Scotland.
Dec. 13, 1689, a Salem ketch arrived from Holland.
The capture of vessels was always iminent. There were no officers of the strong right hand of the law to defend one's right in the lonely regions of the ocean. The little defence vessels possessed must be used, and in the old days the men who sailed them were steadily moulded into a hardy and couragious race.
Following King Philip's War, the Indians were very trouble- some to the fishing vessels. Thirteen fishing ketches, belonging to Salem, and their crews were captured. Some of the men es- caped and reached Salem. Great consternation came over the people here when the news came. July 16, 1677, fourteen of the merchants and leading men of Salem petitioned the general court, praying that a vessel, with forty or fifty men, be suddenly sent out
349
COMMERCE
to secure the vessels which had been lost and put a stop to such losses in the future.1 A fast was held a week later-on the next lecture day. The exercises were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Higginson, who was assisted in prayer by Rev. Messrs. Hale, Cheevers and Gerrish, the ministers of the neighboring churches. About nineteen wounded men were sent into Salem a few days be- fore, and on the day of the fast some of the ketches returned, which partially relieved the tension of the people. Among the wounded were James Veren and Anthony Waldern of this place. Two of the townsmen, Nathaniel Kun and Peter Petty, were killed. These four appear to have been connected with the pre- ceding vessels, while on fishing voyages at the eastward. Joshua Scottow's narrative says that, August 18th, on signing articles of peace at Pemaquid, Madockawando delivered up five men, who belonged to ketches of Salem and Marblehead.
May 24, 1681, there was a report that Indians intended to sur- prise "our ketches fishing near Cape Sable." The military com- mittee of Salem petitioned the government that they might im- press a vessel and men, and send her to prevent such a purpose, promising that if the report be false they would pay the cost, but, if true, the Province should pay them.
William Johnson and John Graham and other sea rovers, his accomplices, were tried in the court of assistants in Boston, Nov. 12, 1683, on the charge that, in June, 1683, on the high seas, and near the coast of Canada, with force and arms, piratically assault- ed, seized and took several vessels belonging to them, namely, a certain ketch belonging to the port of Salem, John Lambert, master, and three other vessels, making the men belonging to the vessels prisoners, and plundering and sharing among themselves the goods, in the said vessels. The jury found the defendants not guilty.
Aug. 1, 1687, two ketches of Salem were captured by the French.
June 13, 1689, the government ordered that a vessel "scour our coast of pirates, then carry soldiers on the Eastern expedition, and protect our fishing vessels on the coast of Acadie."
Sept. 17, 1689, five Salem ketches were taken by two French frigates. Soon after this, the merchants of Salem sent a petition to the council, stating that several of their vessels had not returned with their last fares; and that six of them, with thirty men, had been captured and carried into Port Royal. They also remarked, that they were discouraged from fitting out their craft next spring, and desired that an agent be dispatched to see about those detained by the French.
1Massachusetts Archives, volume 69, leaf 154a.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
John Blackleach of Salem petitioned the general court for re- lief from the depredation of the Moors. The petition was received and consented to, and referred to the elders "to inform them of the mind of God therein," and upon their report to further con- sider the matter. The Turkish pirates were very offensive along the shores of Europe, and disturbed our foreign commerce. The general court commissioned Capt. Thomas Breadcake, master of a ship, Nov. 13, 1644, to take any Turkish pirate within twelve months. Winter Island had been fortified by two small cannon, belonging to the colonial government; and now the court loaned them for this purpose to Captain Breadcake, who was to return them by the middle of the next summer (1645). The owners of the vessel were bound for their return, or pay the value of the guns by the next summer. The guns were probably never return- ed. The Barbary corsairs held many of Salem's mariners in bond- age for slavery and their ranson charges.
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