USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The history of the Essex Agriculture Society of Essex County, Massachusetts, 1818-1918 > Part 4
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43
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
were those who questioned if the ancient Essex Agricul- tural Society had not fulfilled its mission.
When the Society was organized in 1818, Essex County was an agricultural section, and farming was the prin- cipal industry. The total population by the Census of 1820 was 74,666. Salem was the principal town, with a population of 12,731, where there was some farming but the principal employments were commerce and manu- factures. Gloucester had a population of 6,384, and the industries were equally farming and manufactures, Newburyport, with a population of 6,852, did little farm- ing, and its activities were commerce and manufactures. Marblehead, population 5,630, was chiefly engaged in commerce. In Lynn, fifth in population, 4,515, about one- seventh of the population were engaged in agriculture, six-sevenths in manufactures. In Beverly, Danvers and Newbury there were large farming interests. Haverhill, with a population of 3,070, was largely a farming com- munity, but with considerable manufacturing. In all the rest of the County farming was the predominant industry.
By the Census of 1860, Haverhill was credited with 208 farms, the largest number of any town in the County, and on these farms there were 597 cows and 196 oxen. Beverly, Newbury and Danvers were largely farming communities.
But in the next half century, by the Census of 1910, Lynn had attained a population of 89,336, and farming was practically eliminated. Lawrence was founded in 1845, and its territory included some thousands of acres of land in Methuen and Andover. On these acres the new city sprung into being, and in 1910 its dense manu- facturing population numbered 85,892. Haverhill had advanced rapidly as a manufacturing center and reached a population of 44,115. The great South Parish of Dan- vers, famous for its fine farms in earlier years, had become Peabody, the largest manufacturing town in the State, with a yearly output of leather valued at $16,000,-
44
THE HISTORY OF THE
000. Methuen had become a busy town of nearly 12,000 people. In some of the smaller communities as well manufactures had attained a predominant place, and all along the North Shore and in Wenham, Hamilton, Tops- field and Ipswich, many farms once tilled by working farmers had passed into the hands of wealthy summer residents, with whom agriculture was largely an amuse- ment. So it was affirmed that Essex County had now little concern for farming, and that the Agricultural Society might now rest from its labors.
But wiser counsels prevailed, and it was decided that while the Peabody experiment had proved a failure, there was still the promise of usefulness in a return to the simpler ways of the fathers.
1910.
THE HOME-COMING TO TOPSFIELD.
A very practical reason led the Society back to Tops- field, where the first Cattle Show was held in 1820. As has been stated, Dr. John Goodhue Treadwell of Salem had bequeathed his Topsfield farm to the Essex Agri- cultural Society in 1858. The farm had served some practical purposes in the way of experiment, and in some years had netted a profit. At times it had been an asset of questionable value, but the Society still held title. It was now utilized as the location for the Cattle Show and Fair of September, 1910.
New inspiration would have attended the return if Cyrus Cummings's tavern were still standing. Unfor- tunately, as a matter of sentiment, it had been taken down in August, 1844, and removed to Clifton, where it was rebuilt as a shore hotel, but was totally destroyed by fire two years later. But the old farm house proved attractive to many visitors. The story goes that it was erected by Dr. Richard Dexter of Malden in 1741. The
45
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
tradition lingers that his wife was a daring rider, and that while the house was being built the workmen con- structed a narrow ascent to the second story, up which she rode her spirited horse.
Be that as it may, it is an historic fact that the ancient Garrison House, into which the Topsfield folk hurried when the Indians attacked Haverhill and carried off Hannah Dustin, was built in the great field utilized for the tents, in the rear of the band stand. The great trees on the turnpike near by and on the edge of the field were set by Dr. Treadwell in 1835. Here a very successful Fair was held. There was a band, and base- ball, and hurdle-racing, but main reliance was placed on the old-fashioned ploughing match and heavy draft by horses, and in the fine exhibition of animals, fruits and flowers, and home work in infinite variety.
.In 1911 the number of cattle, horses and swine was nearly doubled. The ploughing, harrowing and drafting by horses attracted much attention, as usual, and there were unusually large exhibits of poultry, fruit and vege- tables, stimulated by the silver medals, given by Mr. Thomas E. Proctor, for the best collection in each of these departments. The school exhibits proved an inter- esting novelty. In the Spring the school superintendents had given four potatoes and six ounces of sweet corn to every child who agreed to plant and care for them. Exhibits of the product came from nearly every town, as well as speciments of handiwork. In addition to the Holsteins, Guernseys and Jerseys, Kerry cows, the breed which had been exhibited forty years before by D. F. Appleton, re-appeared at this time, and eight yoke of oxen lent an old-time flavor.
In 1912, from the old Fatherland Farm, owned a cen- tury before by Gorham Parsons, one of the staunch supporters of the Society, now owned by Frank L. Burke and Son, came their herd of imported Ayrshires. South- down, Shropshire and Horned Dorset sheep and a few
46
THE HISTORY OF THE
goats suggested a renewal of sheep raising. At the 1913 Fair a flock of Angora goats was exhibited. In 1914 the Essex County Agricultural School made its first ex- hibit. In 1820, at the first Cattle Show in Topsfield, Dr. Andrew Nichols had made his earnest plea for such a school. His plea had been repeated at intervals by others, and schemes for such a school had been proposed. At last the Essex County Agricultural School had opened its doors on October 1st, 1913, to an opening class of 85 pupils at Hathorne.
This exhibit was singularly happy and effective. Dis- play was made of the proper tools for modern farming, plans of farm buildings, tabulations of fertilizers and chemicals, and ten-minute lectures were given at inter- vals. The Essex County Poultry Association had been merged with the Agricultural Society, and the combined exhibit filled a large tent. The Essex County School made another effective exhibit in 1915. Demonstrations were made of grading, packing and canning fruit, killing and plucking of poultry, and making of hotbeds. Types of milking apparatus were displayed and the science of bee keeping explained. New buildings for the horses, cattle and swine, and two new large tents for the general exhibition in 1916, indicated returning prosperity.
Thus as the century is rounded out the venerable Society is rejoicing in a revived enthusiasm in the im- provement of agriculture. The Midway has been elim- inated. Children are encouraged to exhibit the products of their gardens, their school work and manual training, their poultry, their heifers and their pigs, the raising of which is being promoted by the Massachusetts Boys and Girls Pig Clubs. Boys are invited to compete in the old-time contests in ploughing with horses and oxen and in handling teams of oxen and horses. The homely arts of darning and patching home garments, the making of kitchen aprons, and many home industries are stimu- lated by premiums. The Myopia Hunt Club entertains
47
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
with exhibitions of skilled horsemanship and offers spe- cial prizes for the best draft teams and the best farm or utility colts. There are special premiums for the best ears of Indian corn.
The isolation of farm life has been offset largely by the telephone and the daily rural mail delivery. The automobile has made the farm near neighbor to the town, and made carriage of products easy. The transportation of children at public expense has facilitated education. The gasoline engine has relieved the hard work of wood sawing and ensilage cutting. The Grange has promoted the social relations. And now the Essex Agricultural Society, by its Fairs, its many premiums, and its good fellowship is making large contribution to the pleasure, the attractiveness to children and youth, and the profit of life on the farm, and the stimulation of agricultural pursuits. The Inspector of the State Board of Agricul- ture concluded his observations on the Topsfield Fair in 1916 with the complimentary remark: "It seems to me that with more fairs upon these same lines agriculture in New England is bound to return."
48
THE HISTORY OF THE
THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Society issued its first publication in 1818, the first year of its existence, a thin pamphlet of 27 pages, entitled, "Address to the Essex Agricultural Society, May 5:1818, by the Hon. Timothy Pickering, President of the Society."
The second, a pamphlet of 27 pages, entitled, "A Dis- course read before the Essex Agricultural Society in Massachusetts February 21, 1820, suggesting some im- provements in the Agriculture of the County by Timothy Pickering, President of the Society," was issued in 1820.
"The Trustees' Account of the Cattle Show and Other Exhibitions at Topsfield, Oct. 5, 1820," with "An Address to the Essex Agricultural Society at their First Cattle Show at Topsfield, Oct. 5:1820, by Andrew Nichols Esq.," a 56 page pamphlet, was published in 1821.
The Address by Rev. Abiel Abbot of Andover and the Trustees' Account of the Agricultural Exhibition at Dan- vers, October 16 and 17, 1821, 55 pages, was published in 1822.
The Society published the address of Rev. Peter Eaton, D.D., of Boxford, at Topsfield on October 2:1822, with full reports, premiums, etc., 60 pages, in 1823, but in the following year, 1824, a thin pamphlet of 23 pages was issued, which contained the Address of Frederic Howes Esq. at Topsfield, October 6, 1823, with no re- ports, but with the list of premiums for the following year.
No publication was issued by the Society regarding the Cattle Show of 1824, at which there was no address apparently, but a full statement was made in the New England Farmer.
An Account of Premiums awarded in 1825 and a list of premiums offered for 1826, with "Remarks and Ex-
49
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
planations for the Information of the Farmers of the County," without mention of an address, 33 pages, was published in 1826.
In 1826, at South Danvers, there was no address, and the only report was that in the columns of the New Eng- land Farmer, and the report of the Fair at Newbury in 1827, at which there was no address, was published in the same paper.
Col. Pickering made his last Address at West Newbury in 1828, and the Society published it, with reports, pre- miums, list of members, a pamphlet of 77 pages, in April, 1829.
There was no address in 1829 at Haverhill, but a full report, with "Hints addressed to the Farmers of Essex County," an 88 page pamphlet, was issued in 1830. From this date the Publications were issued regularly for many years, always containing the Annual Address in full. The title, "Transactions of the Essex Agricultural So- ciety," first appeared in 1840.
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50
THE HISTORY OF THE
LIST OF PRESIDENTS OF THE ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, WITH THE DATE OF ELECTION.
1818 Hon. Timothy Pickering of Salem.
1829 Hon. Frederick Howes of Salem.
1833 Hon. Ebenezer Moseley of Newburyport.
1836 Hon. James H. Duncan of Haverhill.
1839 Joseph Kittredge, M.D., of Andover, now North Andover.
1841 Hon. Leverett Saltonstall of Salem.
1845 John W. Proctor Esq. of South Danvers, now Peabody.
1852
Hon. Moses Newell of West Newbury.
1856
Richard S. Fay Esq. of Lynn.
1858
Daniel Adams Esq. of Newbury.
1860
Hon. . Allen W. Dodge of Hamilton.
1863 Joseph How Esq. of Methuen.
1865
William Sutton Esq. of South Danvers, now Peabody.
1874
Benjamin P. Ware Esq. of Marblehead.
1891
Francis H. Appleton Esq. of Peabody.
1896 Rev. Oliver S. Butler of Georgetown.
1898 Hon. George von L. Meyer of Hamilton.
Francis H. Appleton Esq. of Peabody.
1900 1904 Frederic A. Russell Esq. of Methuen.
1910 John M. Danforth Esq. of Lynnfield.
1912 Charles H. Preston Esq. of Danvers.
1915 Herbert W. Mason Esq. of Ipswich.
51
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
LIST OF SECRETARIES OF THE ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, WITH THE YEAR OF THEIR ELECTION.
1818 David Cummings of Salem.
1819 Frederick Howes of Salem.
1820 John W. Proctor of South Danvers, now Peabody.
1842 Daniel P. King of South Danvers, now Peabody.
1844 Allen W. Dodge of Hamilton.
1860 Charles P. Preston of Danvers.
1885 David W. Low of Gloucester.
1890 John M. Danforth of Lynnfield.
1910 Fred. A. Smith of Ipswich.
1914 Walter H. Brown of West Peabody.
LIST OF TREASURERS OF THE ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, WITH THE YEAR OF THEIR ELECTION.
1818 Ichabod Tucker of Salem.
1819 Daniel A. White of Salem.
1823 Benjamin R. Nichols of Salem.
1825 Benjamin Merrill of Salem.
1828 Andrew Nichols of Danvers.
1841 William Sutton of Salem.
1856 Edward H. Payson of Salem.
1881 Gilbert L. Streeter of Salem.
1902 William S. Nichols of Salem.
52
THE HISTORY OF THE
LIST OF ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
1818 Hon. Timothy Pickering of Salem.
1820 (Feb.) Hon. Timothy Pickering of Salem.
1820 (Oct.) Dr. Andrew Nichols of Danvers.
1821 Rev. Abiel Abbot of Andover.
1822 Rev. Peter Eaton, D.D., of Boxford.
1823 Frederick Howes Esq. of Salem.
1828 Hon. Timothy Pickering of Salem.
1830 Hon. James H. Duncan of Haverhill.
1831 Rev. Henry Colman of Salem.
1832 Rev. Gardner B. Perry of Bradford.
1833 Dr. Jeremiah Spofford of Bradford.
1834 Hon. Ebenezer Moseley of Newburyport.
1835
Hon. Daniel P. King of South Danvers, now Pea,- body.
1836 Hon. Nathan W. Hazen of Andover.
1837 Rev. Nathaniel Gage of Haverhill.
1838 Rev. Leonard Withington of Newbury.
1839 Rev. Allen Putnam of Danvers.
1840 Hon. Asahel Huntington of Salem.
1841 Alonzo Gray, A.M., of Andover.
1842
Hon, Allen W. Dodge of Hamilton.
1843 Hon. Leverett Saltonstall of Salem.
1844
Hon. John W. Proctor of South Danvers, now Peabody.
1845 Rev. Edwin M. Stone of Beverly.
1846 Hon. Moses Newell of West Newbury.
1847 Thomas E. Payson Esq. of Rowley.
1848 Josiah Newhall Esq. of Lynnfield.
1849 Hon. Asa T. Newhall of Lynnfield.
53
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
1850
Hon. Caleb Cushing of Newburyport.
1851 Rev. Milton P. Braman of Danvers.
1852 Hon. Henry K. Oliver of Lawrence.
1853 Hon. Joseph S. Cabot of Salem.
1854 1855
Dr. James R. Nichols of Haverhill.
1856
Ben : Perley Poore Esq. of West Newbury.
1857 1858 1859
Dr. George B. Loring of Salem.
Hon. James J. J. H. Gregory of Marblehead.
1860 Rev. John L. Russell of Salem.
1861
Hon. Alfred A. Abbott of South Danvers, now Peabody.
1862 1863
George J. L. Colby Esq. of Newburyport.
Hon. Daniel Saunders Jr. of Lawrence.
1864
Hon. Darwin E. Ware of Marblehead.
1865
Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland of Topsfield.
Hon. Otis P. Lord of Salem.
1866 1867 Rev. Raymond H. Seeley, D.D., of Haverhill.
1868
Dr. George B. Loring of Salem.
1869
Benjamin P. Ware Esq. of Marblehead.
1870 Hon. Benjamin F. Butler of Lowell.
1871 Hon. Joseph S. How of Methuen.
1872
Hon. William D. Northend of Salem.
Rev. Charles B. Rice of Danvers.
1873 1874 John L. Shorey Esq. of Lynn. 1875 Rev. Edwin C. Bolles, D.D., of Salem.
Cyrus M. Tracy Esq. of Lynn.
1876 1877 Rev. Oliver S. Butler of Georgetown.
1878
Thomas C. Thurlow Esq. of West Newbury.
1879 Dr. George B. Loring of Salem.
1880 David W. Low Esq. of Gloucester.
Hon. Richard S. Fay of Lynn.
Dr. E. G. Kelley of Newburyport.
54
THE HISTORY OF THE
Dr. James R. Nichols of Haverhill.
1881 1882 Francis H. Appleton Esq. of Peabody.
1883 Hon. Charles P. Thompson of Gloucester.
Hon. Asa T. Newhall of Lynn.
1884 1885 Thomas Saunders Esq. of Haverhill. 1886 Rev. John D. Kingsbury of Bradford.
1887 1888
Dr. William Cogswell of Bradford.
Hon. Horatio Herrick of Lawrence.
1889
Charles J. Peabody Esq. of Topsfield.
John W. Perkins, A.M., of Byfield.
1890 1891 1892
Hon. William H. Moody of Haverhill.
Hon. Edwin P Dodge of Newburyport.
1893
Hon. Nathan M. Hawkes of Lynn.
1894 Hon. William S. Knox of Lawrence.
1895 Rev. Oscar T. Safford of Peabody.
1896 Robert S. Rantoul Esq. of Salem.
1897 Hon. George von L. Meyer of Hamilton.
1898 Francis H. Appleton Esq. of Peabody.
1899 Rev. J. M. Pullman, D.D., of Lynn.
55
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
PLACES WHERE THE ANNUAL EXHIBITIONS OR CATTLE SHOWS HAVE BEEN HELD.
1820
Topsfield.
1848
Lynn.
1821
Danvers.
1849
Salem.
1822
Topsfield.
1850
Salem.
1823
No Cattle Show.
1851
Salem.
1824
Topsfield.
1852
Lawrence.
1825
Topsfield.
1853
Lawrence.
1826
South Danvers, now Peabody.
1854
Lawrence.
1827
Newbury.
1856
Newburyport.
1828
West Newbury.
1857
Newburyport.
1829
Haverhill.
1858
Danvers.
1830
Andover, now North Andover.
1859
Danvers.
1831
Andover, now North Andover.
1861
South Danvers, now Peabody.
1833
Georgetown.
1862
Georgetown.
1834
Georgetown.
1863
Andover.
1835
South Danvers, now Peabody.
1865
Lawrence.
1836
South Danvers, now Peabody.
1866
Haverhill
1837
Topsfield.
1867
Haverhill.
1838
Topsfield.
1868
Newburyport.
1839
Georgetown.
1869
Newburyport.
1840
Georgetown.
1870
Ipswich.
1841
Georgetown.
1871
Ipswich.
1842
Andover.
1872
Gloucester.
1843
Andover.
1873
Gloucester.
1844
Ipswich.
1874
Danvers.
1845
Ipswich.
1875
Danvers.
1846
Lynn.
1876
Danvers.
1847
Lynn.
1877
Lawrence.
1832
Newbury.
1855
Haverhill.
1860
South Danvers, now Peabody.
1864
Lawrence.
56
THE HISTORY OF THE ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
1878 Lawrence.
1888
Peabody.
1879 Lynn.
1889
Beverly.
1880 Lynn.
1890
Beverly.
1881 Haverhill.
1891
Lawrence.
1882
Haverhill.
1892
Lawrence.
1883
Salem.
1893
Haverhill.
1884
Salem.
1894
Haverhill.
1885
Newburyport.
1895 to 1910
Peabody.
1886
Newburyport.
1910 to 1918
£ Topsfield.
1887
Peabody.
O O
Essex Agricultural Society
of Essex County
Massachusetts
THE REMARKABLE GROWTH In the Years from 1918 to 1923
MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN for 1924
C
JpIO
PIC
Essex Agricultural Society of Essex County Massachusetts
THE REMARKABLE GROWTH In the Years from 1918 to 1923
MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN for 1924
PRINTED IN 1924 ... BY ... NEWCOMB & GAUSS SALEM, MASS.
OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES FOR 1924
OF THE
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY FOUNDED IN 1818
President I. H. Sawyer, Boxford
Vice-Presidents
Edward Wigglesworth Topsfield
Andrew Longfellow Groveland
F. R. Appleton
Ipswich E. K. Burnham Gloucester
Secretary R. H. Gaskill, Danvers
Treasurer WV. Chester Long, Topsfield
Trustees
George Kinney
Amesbury Eric Wetterlow
Manchester Marblehead
Herbert Carter Fred Dodge
Beverly John K. Sargent
Chester Killam
Boxford Lyman Wilkins
Danvers
Essex
Georgetown
Gloucester
Groveland
Hamilton
Elbridge Noyes Paul Winkley George R. Barker George S. Curtis Chester P. Dodge G. F. Carleton Harlan Kelsey Edwin Bartlett
Rockport Rowley Salem
Haverhill Ipswich
Lawrence Lynn
C. E. Stillings Edwin Gerould
Swampscott
Lynnfield Charles J. Peabody
Topsfield
John Shirley
Methuen
C. A. Leach
Wenham
L. G. Dodge, West Newbury
Trustees at Large
W. M. Wood H. W. Mason
Lawrence Nathaniel Stevens No. Andover
Ipswich John S. Lawrence
Topsfield
Merrimac Middleton Newbury Newburyport No. Andover
Peabody
Salisbury Saugus
J. W. Nichols Caleb Cogswell Charles Johnson Ephraim Andrews Andrew Longfellow Leonard Ahl J. B. Sawyer J. W. Appleton W. G. Fancher H. H. Atherton Thomas Cox, Jr.
Andover A. E. Little
A GENEROUS OFFER
After three years of incessant work, the old Essex Agricultural Society has been very much revived, and now owns its Fair Grounds, race track, and improve- ments at Topsfield, Massachusetts, free from incum- brance. Last year we spent for buildings and other im- provements on the grounds between $23,000 and $24,000, and our additional running expenses for the Fair were sufficient to make a total of $47,000. Our receipts were enough to cover this amount, lacking $10,000; which leads us to believe that by not making any more improve- ments than is necessary to run a successful four-day Fair this year, September 17, 18, 19, 20, with favorable weather, our receipts will be sufficient to put the Society practically out of debt. This is what we intend to do, while we need several new buildings and other improve- ments.
We wish to increase our membership, which is a very desirable source of revenue, as every increase in member- ship naturally means an increase of interest in the Society and Fair and larger attendance. Life Membership is only $3.00 for men, women, and boys and girls over twelve years of age. To make it interesting to the differ- ent organizations in the county, we are offering a com- mission of $1.00 for each membership secured. We feel that there is not an organization in any town that cannot add a nice sum to its treasury. Therefore, we are asking you to appoint a suitable committee of your organization to secure memberships for the Essex Agricultural So- ciety at $3.00 for life membership with no assessments, which means $100 in your treasury for every one hun- dred members you secure. It is not necessary that these members live in your town or county; you can solicit them wherever you can get them. On another page are some of the good reasons why people should become mem- bers. We are also sending you some blanks on which to write the names and addresses of the new members, and additional blanks will be sent on request. Please return the lists to the Essex Agricultural Society at Topsfield, with remittances.
We hope you will take hold of this work earnestly and secure results to our mutual satisfaction. Your kind reply will oblige.
Yours respectfully,
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
I. H. SAWYER, President.
A MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
An effort is to be made to increase our membership among the members of the following organizations of the County, and prizes will be offered for work in this direc- tion :
American Legion Masons
American Legion Auxiliary
Odd Fellows
Boy and Girl Scouts · Police Departments
Banks of County
Red Cross
Chambers of Commerce
Rotary Clubs
Churches
Sunday Schools
Fire Departments
Women's Clubs
Granges
Y. M. C. A.
Kiwanis Clubs
Y. W. C. A.
Knights of Columbus
Any other organization interested.
A commission of One Dollar will be awarded for each new member obtained, and an attractive Certificate of Membership will be presented to each new member.
MONEY PRIZES TO BE OFFERED
It is proposed to present three prizes to the organiza- tions in the County that secure the largest number of members for the Essex Agricultural Society.
First Prize
$15.00
Second Prize
10.00
Third Prize
5.00
WHY YOU SHOULD BE A MEMBER OF THE ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
Because it is the oldest Agricultural Society in the State holding an Annual Fair. Founded in 1818.
Because every town in Essex County is included in its membership.
Because it owns the most beautiful one hundred acre farm and Fair Grounds in the State, at Topsfield, on the Newburyport Turnpike and Ipswich River, twenty miles from Boston, clear of incumbrance.
Because it encourages agriculture, horticulture and animal industry.
Because agriculture is the basis of all prosperity : for the laboring man, the mechanic, the manufacturer, the merchant, the banker, and the professional man.
Because if agriculture is not successful, farms will be abandoned, and Essex County will become nothing but a summer resort.
Because it holds one of the largest and most attractive annual Fairs in the State, fast growing in popularity.
Because it provides once a year, to both young and old, the most entertaining and instructive four-day attraction in the county.
Because its beautiful grounds and improvements are offered free of charge to the fraternal, industrial, finan- cial and religious organizations of the county, for picnics and outings.
Because it provides a County Community Playground.
Because it very much increases the county attractions, for both residents and visitors, providing recreation and increased enjoyment for all.
Because it will provide more pleasure and recreation and encourage young men and young women to remain on the farms.
Because, during the summer, weekly dancing parties are given at the grounds for the enjoyment of the mem- bers.
Because we need your interest and co-operation to make this the best Fair in the State.
Because the membership fee is so small and the benefit to the whole county so large.
Because we need a fruit and vegetable building and a flower building to make our Fair grounds practically complete.
Because we should perpetuate all the good things that the fathers left us.
Because your membership and co-operation will help us bring about all the above results.
Life Membership only $3.00 to Men and Women, Boys and Girls over twelve years of age; no assessments.
WONDERFUL GROWTH OF THE SOCIETY
The observance of the centenary of the Society, which is one of the oldest agricultural societies in Massachu- setts, was to have been made the outstanding feature of its Fair, scheduled for October 3, 4, and 5, 1918. An attractive program had been arranged and interest in the occasion ran high throughout the county. "Man pro- poses, and God disposes." In consequence of the pre- vailing epidemic of influenza in the early Fall, the agri- cultural fairs in the state were cancelled, and no fitting commemoration of the anniversary was held. During the year, however, the Society published its history, written by Rev. T. Franklin Waters of Ipswich. The pamphlet contains a comprehensive record of the incep- tion, growth and development of the Society during its first hundred years.
In 1919, the 98th annual fair was held on September 26 and 27. The evening previous to the opening day a terrific rain storm swept over the town, and the accom- panying high wind blew down the main tent, and by reason of the confusion resulting, the exhibits of fruits and flowers were not displayed until about noon. The exhibitors were few in number and the specimens of fruits were of fair quality, but the attendance was most disappointing.
Again, in 1920, the attendance dropped to low level. The large tent was not erected for this fair, and every- thing was conducted on a small scale. The pessimists openly declared that the days of the Society were num- bered. This gloomy view of affairs was evident at the annual meeting. At that time a committee, consisting
of Joseph B. Poor, John S. Lawrence and Thomas E. Proctor of Topsfield, and Isaac R. Thomas, Francis R. Appleton and Herbert W. Mason of Ipswich, were ap- pointed to consider and report on the proposition of con- tinuing the fair. These gentlemen worked out a program of development which not only rescued the Society from threatening dissolution, but marked the beginning of a return to its former successful operation of the fair.
But the fair of 1921! Never will the citizens of old Essex weary of the story of the 100th fair of the So- ciety. "A miniature Brockton show!" exclaimed an en- thusiastic member of the Society to his companion, who replied, "You have said something, and I have been at- tending fairs for over forty years." The suggestion was offered that a fund should be raised by public subscrip- tion to discharge the existing indebtedness. Thereupon, Isaac H. Sawyer, Josiah H. Gifford, Edward Wiggles- worth, Herbert W. Mason and Ralph H. Gaskill volun- teered to solicit and receive contributions, and a sub- stantial sum was secured by them.
The permanent improvements during the year were: an exhibition hall (50 by 100 feet), one-half mile race track, stable (24 by 100 feet), grand stand, dance pavil- ion (30 by 60 feet), and baseball grounds, and water supply and electric lights were installed. A continuous program was given by demonstrators and entertainers. The race track was indeed an innovation for the staid old Essex society. The horses showed their class before an overflowing grand stand.
The most valuable service to the Society during the year was that rendered by the President, I. H. Sawyer, who negotiated with the Massachusetts General Hospital, whereby it conveyed to the Society its interests in and to the fair grounds and certain other lands devised con- ditionally in 1856 by the will of Dr. John G. Treadwell of Salem, and the Society released to the Hospital the remaining parcels which it had under the will. The Society now holds a good and clear record title to its valuable and extensive plant covering one hundred acres, which is delightfully located on the Newburyport Turn- pike and within half a mile of the site of the famous Topsfield Hotel, where it was organized in 1818.
The fair held September 21, 22 and 23, 1922, brought out a record-breaking attendance, and was conceded to be the equal of any in the State. Here was found the traditional county fair with the addition of the best of the modern requirements.
Congratulations are due to the management for the unsurpassed exhibition of 1923. But attention is called to the fact that the Society has added to its plant during the past few months,-days, the contractor says,-new buildings as follows: Poultry building (50 by 150 feet), cattle barn (50 by 100 feet), horse barn (30 by 60 feet), racing stable (28 by 80 feet), piggery (14 by 80 feet), woman's building (30 by 60 feet) with rest and first-aid rooms and children's nursery (the latter structure was made possible by the generosity of the women of the county), pump house, and ticket office as the first unit of an administration building and exhibition hall. Sub- stantial and attractive fences have been built around the race track and outside the grounds. The new roadway from Maple Street to the racing stables served to relieve much of the usual traffic congestion at the main entrance to the grounds. The progress of landscape architecture is noted in the grading and setting out of shrubs and trees. The track has been the training quarters of sev- eral well known stables during the summer, and is con- sidered to be from three to seven seconds faster than the average race track in New England.
During the past three years women and boys and girls over twelve years of age have been admitted to member- ship, and a drive for an increase of membership has been highly successful. But with the forward steps already taken by the Society, it has only crossed the threshold in developing its plans for a service of wide scope and great value to the County and State.
INTERESTING STORY OF THE OLD BLOCK HOUSE FORMERLY ON THE FAIR GROUNDS
In connection with the foregoing history of the work of the Society, and as showing the wide interest it fosters and supports, we wish to record the action of the Society in the past year in voting to erect a monument near the center of the Fair Grounds to mark the site of the old Block House, erected in the early days of the town to furnish a shelter and defense against Indian attacks.
This building was constructed previous to the Indian attack on Haverhill, March 15th, 1697, when Hannah Dustin was carried off by Indians but escaped from them. At that time the alarm of an attack reached Topsfield, and some of the inhabitants took refuge in the Block
House referred to. According to tradition, considered authentic, the house was built of logs squared on one side and mortised and pinned together at the corners and covered with a heavy roof of logs and made tight with an outer covering of boards laid lap-edged and pinned to the logs. Loopholes were made in the side of the build- ing, through which guns could be aimed at the approach- ing foe. About forty feet from the sides of the house a palisade of logs set close together in the ground and from ten to twelve feet high, surrounded it on all sides. Entrance was by a stout gate or wide door or framed timber, fastened on the inside with bar and chain. Pro- visions, consisting of two barrels of meal and one barrel of salt pork, were kept constantly on hand. The meal was changed often enough to keep it sweet and fit for food. A spring in the cellar of the house supplied water in case of an attack, without risk of going outside the walls.
It is an interesting fact that the first water supply secured by the Society was the very same spring which long ago furnished water in time of need to the settlers of the early days. The spot is now covered by the engine house that supplies water to all parts of the grounds. I attach to this description the narrative of old Mr. Esty, given to the Town Clerk of Topsfield in 1895, of the fact that his grandmother in a flight had to take the refuge I have described. "His grandmother used to keep tied at the door a horse for the purpose of using in fleeing to the fort if Indians came. The fort was on the south east part of Treadwell's Plain toward David Perkins. He has ploughed up old dishes and pieces of brick where he thinks the fort stood."
The story of the ride is also narrated by William Ho- man, who was a neighbor of mine in my younger days, and a relative and descendant of the Esty family. He had knowledge of particulars not contained in the other story. He said that Mrs. Esty left her house, situated on what is now the T. W. Pierce estate, in the night, carrying her baby in her arms, with another child on the horse behind her. A company of other people, to the number of twenty or more, also reached the protec- tion of the Block House and remained for two days and nights, when the danger seemed to have passed and they returned to their homes.
Another incident of ancient days, the knowledge of which should be preserved by the Society, is the fact that
when the troop that marched with Arnold on the cam- paign against Ticonderoga and Quebec, returned from the expedition, the company of Danvers, Middleton and Topsfield men ate their last meal together under a great pine tree that stood, up to fifty years ago, directly in front of the house now owned by the Society, which house was built by Dr. Richard Dexter, the first regular phy- sician of Topsfield, in 1741.
Thus does the history of the Essex Agricultural So- ciety, itself covering one hundred years, reach back through the brave deeds and wise actions of other gener- ations to that time when the foundations were laid on which the Peace, Prosperity and Happiness have been builded which are so abundantly shown on our beautiful Fair Grounds, with spacious acres, convenient buildings, and a united membership, eager to pass on the blessings we have received to future years and to new enterprises they will bring.
CHARLES J. PEABODY.
CATTLE SHOW and FAIR
- ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY TOPSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
SEPTEMBER 17, 18, 19 and 20 1924
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