USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > The history of Salem, Massachusetts, vol 2, 1924 > Part 39
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April 13, 1645, the governor and assistants received intelli- gence that d'Aulnay had taken a vessel from Salem commanded by Joseph Grafton, because she was bound, with provisions, to the Fort of La Tour ; that he had turned her crew upon island, kept them there ten days when the snow was deep, destitute of fire, and only covered with an old wigwam; that he then sent them away in a shallop, without gun or compass. The next day after leaving the island, they were pursued by hostile Indians. The governor and assistants sent a request to d'Aulnay to give up the vessel and cargo.
An interesting section of Salem of this period is that around Creek Street, which was a large tidal creek, on the shores of which were wharves and ship building yards, with dwelling houses of the shipwrights, smiths, seamen, etc. Many vessels of the smaller varieties were built here. Capt. Nicholas Manning forged anchors of not less than one hundred pounds in weight and Capt. Manasseh Marston and Jonathan Felt were also anchor- smiths and had their shops here. Samuel King was a blockmaker. This section of territory was granted by the town to John Sweet very early, and from him the title passed to Thomas Ruck and his children and grandchildren and the locality was called "Ruck's Village." Later, the Bacons came and lived here and added their efforts for the building of vessels. So much business was done here that the sound of the mallets was almost incessant and the place became known as "Knockers' hole." The creek was filled about 1829. The western end of Creek Street was laid out, four- teen feet wide, as a lane to the landing place at the head of the creek, in 1692. The western end of Gedney Court was laid out, by the two adjoining owners, to Col. Bartholmew Gedney's building place in 1760, and the High Street end in 1796.
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Jacques (James) Pepin was a merchant of Rochelle, France, where his father was an elder in the Protestant Church, and he made voyages to Salem. April 25, 1661, he was. one of five to petition the general court to become inhabitants of this juris- diction. His petition was allowed, but without the right to trade here.1 "Monsieur Pipen" had a house in Salem in which he lived.2 In January, 1672-3, he brought a French woman here in his vessel, and the selectmen ordered him to take her aboard his ship again. This was done by Constable John Williams.3 In August, 1661, "Mounsier Pepine" and Joshua Scottow had been at Salem in Pepin's ship, which, with its cargo, Pepin had sold to William Browne, George Corwin, Joshua Scottow and Walter Price, and the new owners appointed Scottow their attorney to take control of the vessel and cargo, but some days later he relinquished his authority under the power.4
London merchants contended that England was the magazine of European goods, and, according to law, the colonists here had no right to procure their goods elsewhere. At this time, New England merchants traded with European ports and invited the people with whom they traded to trade with them, in turn. The merchants of England, therefore, in 1675, petitioned their govern- ment that New England might be compelled to conform thereto. The world traded here without any export tax, and with a tax on imports. Edward Randolph came to Massachusetts, with author- ity to act as inspector of customs, and also a commission to em- power the council and others, among whom was George Curwin, to administer oath to Governor Leverett, whereby he should obli- gate himself to execute the Royal Act of trade. The governor de- clined to take the oath. Thus, our people refused thus early to play into the hands of England. Randolph charged our govern- ment with refusing to obey the royal order for him to be collector of customs. Under subsequent dates, Randolph complained to the Lords of Trade of commercial transactions in Salem.
In 1663, Hilliard Veren was elected by the general court as collector of the ports of Salem, Marblehead and Gloucester, John Croade having been first chosen by the deputies, Oct. 28, 1663, but the assistants did not concur with them. May 20, 1668, the general court chose Edmond Batter and Henry Bartholmew to collect duties at the Salem port. They were ordered to repair to the warehouses, etc., where any foreign goods were placed on sale in any of the harbors. Upon complaint to them, constables of the town levied upon the goods on which the duty had not been
1Massachusetts Archives, volume A15, leaves 7 and 9.
2Essex Registry of Deeds, book 2, leaf 42.
3Salem Town Records, volume II, page 154.
4Massachusetts Archives, volume 60, leaf 132.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
paid. The rate was at that time one penny per pound. The com- missioners who had charge of the collection of the duties were ordered to meet at Salem on the first sixth day of each month.1 Among the protestants against imposts in Salem were Abraham Cole and John Cole. Mr. Veren was the collector in 1679, and he was succeeded by William Bowditch, who died suddenly Oct. 12, 1681. Feb. 15, 1681-2, Benjamin Gerrish was appointed to suc- ceed him. He was probably suspended during the Andros regime, when Thomas Offley was collector. In 1687, Thomas Dyer was surveyor. April 15, 1689, William Brown was appointed, under Andros, "chief officer of the customs at Salem." The Revolution occurred on the eighteenth, and Benjamin Gerrish was elected to succeed Brown on the twenty-fourth.
There was no known custom house in the early days in Salem. The records were probably kept and the duties paid at the house of the collector.
Feb. 7, 1683, it was ordered that Marblehead, Beverly, Gloucester, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury and Salisbury belonged to the Salem port of entry. In 1686, the extent of the port of Salem was somewhat modified.
WHARVES
In 1662, the town voted to allow wharves to be built around Burying point ; and, in 1681. William Brown, jr., and other mer- chants were permitted to have wharves on the cove which lay be- · tween Burying point and the foot of Norman Street and which ran up near Town House Square. One condition of the privilege was, that the town "have wharfage free there."
Dec. 23, 1661, the town gave liberty for shops to be built be- low the bank between the burying ground at the Burying point and South River, and gave authority to the selectmen to carry out the purpose. Before spring. however, it was considered as a com- mercial center ; and at a town meeting. May 5, 1662, Abraham Cole, Zebulon Hill, William Lake and Samuel Williams were each granted a twenty-four feet strip from the water to the burialplace, Henry Bartholmew, Mr. Price, John Brown (son of Mr. William Browne) and Edmond Batter were each granted strips thirty-five feet wide, to build warehouses on, and Major Hathorne, John Porter and John Gidney were each granted strips of thirty-five feet in width. There were lands laid out at the burying point : "To Abraham Cole next Natha : Pitman at the head of the Cove. 24 foot To Henry Bartholmew next to Abra : Cole 40 foot To Mr. John Browne, the ruling Elder-35 foot To Mr. Price: 35 foot To Zebulon Hill : for a shop: 24 foot To William Lake 24
1Massachusetts Archives, volume 60, leaf 38.
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foot To Sam: Williams 24 foot To Mr. Batter 35 foot To Jo: Brown Mr. William Browne's son 35 foot To Jo: Gedny 35 foot. To Sam: Gardner and his brother Joseph: 70 foot To Serg. Porter: 35 foot To Major Hathorne 35 foot." It was "ordered that all the bigger lots that are for warehouses shall leave a sufficient way of ten foot broad between their houses and the bank and the lesser that are for shops shall leave a sufficient way of ten foot broad before their houses or shops."
Examination of the titles to these lots, from the present time back to the time the grants were made, show that the layouts were as shown on the accompanying plan. The original owners of the lots were found to be as follows: I. Alexander Cole; 2. Henry Bartholmew; 3. John Browne, ruling elder; 4. Mr. Price ; 5. Zebulon Hill; 6. William Lake; 7. Samuel Williams; 8. Ed- mund Batter ; 9. John Browne; IO. John Gedney ; II. Samuel Gardner; 12. Joseph Gardner ; 13. John Porter; 14. William Hathorne.
March 3, 1661-2, the town "ordered that the selectmen with those masters of vessels that are then in town to join with them to advise with such as have land granted at the burying point how that may accomodate them so as that there may be a place left for graving of vessels and that all further proceeding be suspend- ed until this be done." Three days later, the selectmen ordered that "those three shops" laid out together.
Dec. 23, 1661, the town gave liberty for shops to be built be- low the bank between the burying ground at the burying point and South River, and gave authority to the selectmen to carry out the purpose. Before spring, however, it was considered as a commercial center ; and at a town meeting, May 5, 1662, Abraham Cole, Zebulon Hill, William Lake and Samuel Williams were each granted a twenty-four feet strip from the water to the burialplace, Henry Bartholmew, Mr. Price, John Brown (son of Mr. William Browne and Edmond Batter were each granted strips thirty-five feet wide, to build warehouses on, and Major Hathorne, John Porter and John Gedney were each granted strips of thirty-five feet in width. There were lands laid out at the burying point : "To Abraham Cole next Natha : Pitnam at the heads of the Coue. 24 foote To Henry Bartholmew next to Abra: Cole: 40 foote To m' John Browne the rulinge Elder-35 foote To m' Price : 35 foote To Zebulon Hill: for a fhopp: 24 foote To William Lake 24 foote To Sam : Williams 24 foote To m' Battar 35 foote To Jo : Brown mr William Brownes son 35 foote To m' Jo : Gedny 35 foote To Sam: Gardn' and his brother Jofeph: 70 foote To ferg Porter: 35 foote To maior Hathorne 35 foote." It was
1Cole's, Hill's and Lake's.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
ordered that all the bigger lotts that are for ware houfes fhall leaue a fufficyent way of ten foote broode between their houfes and the banke and the lefser lotts that are for fhopps fhall leaue a fufficyent way of ten foote brode before theyer houfes or fhopps."
Nathaniel Pickman
I
2
3
4
5
Original Burial Ground
SOUTH RIVER
6
7
8
14
12
10 FOOT
13
10
WAY
SOUTH RIVER
GRANTS AT BURYING POINT
March 3, 1661-2, the town "ordered that the select men with thofe maftrs of vefsells that are then in towne to joyne with them to advife with fuch as haue lande granted at the buryings poynt how thet may acomodate them foe as that there may be a place left for grauinge of vefsells and that all further proceedinge be fufpended vntill this be Done" Three days' later, the selectmen ordered that "thofe 3 shopps1 laide out together are so to wharf as that they leaue sufficient room before their wharves for grav- inge of vessels those that have ground laid out for warehouses have liberty to wharf so low as they please and it is further order- ed that it shall be in the liberty of any person inhabitant or stranger to land at any of those wharves and also to moor or fasten his boat skiff or other vessel at any wharf provided it is not in the liberty of any person to land any goods whatever at any wharf unless the owner of the goods doe first agree with the owner of the wharf."
1Cole's, Hill's and Lake's.
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Front Street at this time followed the high-water mark, and soon had so many wharves along its water front that it was known as Wharf Street. The wharves, in that direction, were soon ex- tended to Creek Street, and then up Creek Street nearly to Sum- mer Street. The town landing was on the southwesterly corner of what are now Lafayette and Front streets.
NORTH RIVER
[English &t.]
Common.
[Becket St.]
[Washington St ]
[Turner St.]
[The Main St.]
N
[Elm St.]
[Central Styl
[Summer St.]
Burial Place
SOUTH
HARBOR.
RIVER.
LOCATION OF WHARVES
The following is a list of known wharves of this period. The numbers after the name of each wharf's or warehouse's name is that of each wharf or warehouse as shown on the accompanying map.
Hollingworth Wharf (I). At the foot of English Street, on the easterly side, was Hollingworth wharf, on which was a ware- house as early as 1661. This was in front of the ancient Blue Anchor Tavern, and was the property of Mrs. Hollingworth, widow of William Hollingworth, who was lost at sea in 1677. He had owned the property as early as 1661. Mrs. Hollingworth conveyed the estate to her daughter Mary, wife of Philip English Feb. 17, 1684-5. Mrs. English died in 1694, and the title descend- ed to her son Philip English, who conveyed it to Richard Derby Feb. 24, 1748. The wharf and warehouse were then in use.
Pinson Wharf (2). On the westerly side of and at the foot of English Street was a wharf owned by William Pinson, a fisher- man, as early as 1686. He conveyed the property to John Carter, who was, also, a fisherman, in the same year.
Becket Shipyard and Wharf (3). In front of the old Becket house was the shipyard of the famous builders of vessels of that name from the early days. to about 1816.
Bridges Wharf (4). Next westerly of the Becket shipyard was a wharf built by Edmund Bridges in 1680. He was a black-
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HISTORY OF SALEM
smith, and conveyed one-half of the wharf to his son Edmund, who died June 24, 1682. The entire property was sold to widow Elizabeth Turner in that year. Before Oct. 28, 1699, the title had passed to John Turner, merchant, and at that date he conveyed the property to William Beckett, who owned and occupied the ad- joining shipyard; and, Nov. 1, 1699, Mr. Becket conveyed the estate to Abraham Purchase, a blacksmith. Mr. Purchase died in or before 1724, and the estate was divided in 1735, the wharf and old house being assigned to his widow Ruth Purchase.
Turner Wharf and Warehouse (5). John Turner, a mariner, built a wharf and two warehouses on his home lot about 1670, and died possessed of them Oct. 9, 1680. The estate descended to his son John Turner, a merchant, who died in 1692, possessed of the wharf and warehouse.
Higginson Wharf and Warehouse (6). This wharf and warehouse were built by John Higginson and Thomas Gardner in the spring of 1687. They divided the warehouse, June 6, 1687, Higginson had the northern end and Gardner the southern, and fifty feet of the wharf was to continue in common between them. Lieutenant Gardner died Nov. 16, 1695, and the administrator of his estate conveyed his portion of the wharf and warehouse to Capt. Benjamin Allen, a mariner, Sept. 3, 1697. Mr. Higginson died in 1719, and the executor of his will sold his portion to Capt. Peter Osgood, who lived where the Salem Hospital was formerly located on Charter Street, in 1722.
Moore Wharf and Warehouse (7). This wharf and ware- house belonged to Capt. Richard Moore as early as 1659, and he conveyed it to John Higginson, jr., a merchant, Oct. 29, 1687. Mr. Higginson died in 1719 ; and the executor of his will conveyed it to Capt. Peter Osgood Feb. 26, 1721-2.
Bowditch Wharf and Warehouse (8). This wharf was pro- bably built by William Bowditch, a merchant, in 1676; and he, also. erected a warehouse thereon. He had a brewhouse on the wharf, when he conveyed the property to Philip Cromwell Aug. 26, 1680. Mr. Cromwell died March 30, 1693, and the estate descended to his son John Cromwell, who died, possessed of it, Sept. 30, 1700. The wharf and warehouse were still there, but the latter was then called "old". The warehouse then had a leanto, which was usual.
Bartholmew Wharf and Warehouse (9). This wharf and warehouse were built by Henry Bartholmew in 1662. He re- moved to Boston before Feb. 7, 1679-80, when he conveyed the property to Timothy Lindall, a merchant. Mr. Lindall died Jan. 6, 1698-9, and the wharf and warehouse were then standing.
Sanders Wharf and Warehouse (10). John Sanders was a mariner, and built this wharf and warehouse in 1682.
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Cole Wharf (II). Alexander Cole apparently built this wharf, which was in the ownership and possession of John Pilgrim in 1708.
Hill Wharf (12). This wharf was built by John Hill, a cooper, in 1686. He died in the spring of 1691, having devised it in his will to his wife Priscilla, who conveyed it to Philip Hill, a cooper, Nov. 22, 1692. Mr. Hill owned it in 1700.
Town Wharf (13). William Browne was granted an interest in this wharf by the town Aug. 29, 1681 ; and died possessed of it Jan. 20, 1687-7, when it descended to his son Benjamin Browne.
Corvin Warehouse (14). George Corwin had a warehouse as early as 1662; and this one in 1668. He called it the upper warehouse, and it measured 4412 x 1812 feet, Jan. 3, 1684-5, when he died. It occupied the rear portion of what is now Hale's Block. The heirs of Mr. Corwin conveyed it to his daughter Mrs. Susanna Lyde Dec. I, 170I.
Cole Wharf (15). John Cole built this wharf in 1662; and he conveyed it to Robert Wilkes, a shipwright, Feb. 22, 1675-6. Mr. Wilkes was taken sick on a voyage from Bristol to New Eng- land in the summer of 1677, and died on the way, having devised this property to his niece Mrs. Mary Woodbury, who conveyed it to Deliverance Parkman Feb. 19, 1693-4. He died in 1715, possessed of the wharf and warehouse.
Batter Warehouses (16). These two warehouses of Edmond Batter stood on the easterly side of Washington Street and north- ern side of Front Street, the westerly half of each of them stand- ing in what is now Washington Street. The upper warehouse was gone before 1700, and the other was then standing.
Corwin Wharf (17). This was George Corwin's wharf. There was a dock and wharf fifty feet in length there April 24, 1695, when the administrator of the estate of George Corwin con- veyed them to James Gillingham, and he sold the property to Ed- mond Batter Oct. 18, 1695.
Price Wharf and Warehouse (18). Capt. Walter Price owned this wharf and warehouse.
Corwin Wharf and Warehouse (19). In 1668, this wharf and warehouse was located at the northern entrance to the stone railroad station. The warehouse was of two stories in height ; and George Corwin conveyed one divided half of the wharf and ware- house to Robert Kitchen in or before 1689, and the other half to Roger Derby, a shopkeeper, July 13, 1689.
Tarley Wharf and Warehouse (20). This wharf had a warehouse back of it, and, in 1680, it belonged to John Tawley, a mariner, who died in 1690.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
Marston Wharf (21): This wharf belonged to Benjamin Marston, and its western end was included in what is now Mill Street.
Ruck Wharf and Warehouse (22). The Rucks carried on shipbuilding where Mill Street now runs, and had their wharf and warehouse here. They owned the property as late as 1702.
Felt Wharf (23). This wharf was probably built for the use of Jonathan Felt, an anchor smith, who had come from Falmouth. His smith's shop was adjoining the wharf. The land was a por- tion of the large Ruck estate and owned by Thomas Ruck of Bos- ton and then by his son John Ruck, who let it to Mr. Felt.
Lambert Shipyard (24). This was the shipyard of Daniel Lambert from 1686 for about ten years, when he died.
Rix Wharf (25). This wharf was built by James Rix, a car- penter, in 1685, and he became a shipwright. He removed to Preston, Conn., in 1703, and conveyed the estate to Ebenezer Lambert, a shipwright, June 12, 1705.
Marston Wharf (26). Capt. Manasseh Marston was a black- smith and bought this lot of land Jan. 7, 1669. He died in 1704; and the estate came into the hands of Charles King, who conveyed it to James King, a blockmaker, Oct. 10, 1761.
Gedney Wharf (27). This was the property of Eleazer Ged- ney in 1665. and he built vessels here, launching them near this wharf, which was called "the Lower wharf." He died April 29. 1683, and his widow and administrator of his estate conveyed it to his eldest son Eleazer Gedney Oct. 23, 1690.
The location of ancient wharves and landings are very difficult of determination, as they were of a transitory nature and situated upon worthless flats and unowned water. This was especially true in the early days. Besides those wharves and warehouses above mentioned were others here whose location is unknown to the writer. William Browne and Edmond Batter had a warehouse as early as 1662, and Joseph Grafton, jr., and Nathaniel Grafton had warehouses at the time of their decease in 1671. Capt. Walter Price had a warehouse in the town at his death, in 1674. which was valued at forty-five pounds. Richard Prince. sr., had one when he died in 1675.
VESSELS
Now, as to the vessels themselves. They were very small, and most of them were the two-masted ketches. These strong and firm vessels rode out wind and wave, though tossed about in both storm and pleasant weather.
An agreement for the construction of a ship, made with Wil- liam Stevens, who was formerly a shipbuilder in Salem, but then of Gloucester, with John Browne, on behalf of himself and
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Nicholas Balhach and John Balhach, all then of Jersey, merchants, dated June 6, 1661, shows something of the size and construction of vessels at this early period of our commerce. Mr. Stevens agreed to build a new ship of sixty-eight feet in length by the keel and twenty-three feet broad from outside to outside, to be nine and one-half feet high in the hold under the beam, with two decks, forecastle, quarter-deck and round house, the deck from the main mast to the forecastle to be five feet high, with a fall at the fore- castle of fifteen inches, and a raise at the main mast to the quarter- deck of six inches, the great cabin to be six feet high, Stevens was to find timber, plank, trunnells, pitch, tar and oakum, and the hull was to be finished and the vessel launched by the last of July, 1662. "Said Browne and Company" were to find all iron work, carved work and joiner's work in due time, and were to pay said Stevens three pounds and five shillings per ton of the said ship's burthen, -that is, fifty pounds in goods at Mr. Brown's, Mr. Corwin's or Mr. Price's in Salem, one hundred and fifty pounds in Muscovadus sugar, at two pence per pound, at Barbadoes and one hundred pounds in New English money. As to the charge for building the vessel, at that time the ordinary price was four pounds a tun.
A vessel belonging to Philip English of Salem, Captain Bavage, master, was at Cape Sables Sept. 12, 1688.
The following is a list of the vessels that belonged in Salem, with a few connected with Salem, which, for the time, were prac- tically Salem vessels. This list does not include vessels from other · ports and trading or otherwise in Salem.
Abigail. Ship. She sailed from Weymouth, England, June 20, 1628, Henry Gauden, master, having been hired by the Massa- chusetts Bay Company to take over Endecott and some colonists, and arrived at Naumkeag Sept. 6, 1628.
On another voyage, she sailed from Plymouth, England, July -, 1635, with Hugh Peter, John Winthrop, jr., Harry Vane and others on board, and arrived Aug. 6, 1635.
Adventure. Ketch. This vessel was owned by William Payne of Boston in October, 1657, Stephen Talby, master. The owner purposed to send it on a voyage to England, on account of Simon Bradstreet, on an adventure to London, with sugar con- signed to Peter Cole of London, merchant, Dec. 17, 1657.
Alligator. Ketch. At the time of his death, in 1652, John Hardy owned one-fourth of this vessel, which one-fourth was appraised at that time at thirty pounds. This would make the value of the vessel one hundred and twenty pounds.
Ambrose. Ship. This vessel belonged to Gov. Matthew Cradock, and was commanded by John Lowell. It sailed from Southampton, England, March 22, 1630, and arrived at Salem about the middle of June.
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HISTORY OF SALEM
Arbella. Ship. 350 tuns burthen. For its figurehead, it had the effigy of an eagle ; and it was originally called the Eagle. The name was changed to Arbella, probably because the funds of Lady Arbella Johnson, who came to Salem in her, undoubtedly pur- chased the vessel. She sailed from Southampton, England, Peter Milborne, master, March 22, 1630, and arrived in Salem on Mon- day, June 14th. It carried three hundred passengers. She was manned by a crew of fifty-two seamen, and carried twenty-eight pieces of ordnance. Governor Winthrop and Maj. William Hathorne came in this vessel at that time. The ship sailed from Salem to Charlestown about two months later.
Beginning. Ketch. 24 tuns burthen. At the time of his death, in 1674, Capt. Walter Price owned five-eighths of this vessel, which five-eighths was appraised at that time at sixty pounds, that is, at a valuation of ninety-six pounds for the whole.
Betty. Ketch. 26 tuns burthen. William Bowditch of Sa- lem, a merchant, conveyed this vessel to Philip Cromwell of Salem Nov. 20, 1679. The vessel was commanded by Pasco Foot, and was then at sea.
Betty. Lighter. John Dodge of Salem sold to John Roberts of Gloucester, boatman, three-eights of this shallop Nov. 10, 1677.
Blessing. Ship. The vessel belonged in London, England, was owned by James Reed and Thomas Carrick, and commanded by Thomas Carrick. Edward Prescott, freighter of the ship, agreed to lade and dispatch the vessel out of New England by July 1, 1652, to carry goods for William Browne, George Corwin and Walter Price, merchants, of Salem, but the ship was not rigged nor graved, nor ready to receive the cargo, for Barbadoes. Her bows were weak and leaky and the sails insufficient.
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