USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume II > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
People in the houses were greatly alarmed, for they not only heard the awful sound but felt the trembling of the earth. The houses over them shook to their foundations, and it seemed as if they must collapse. The chimneys, being imperfectly built on the outside of the house, of rough and uneven stones without mortar except for filling the chinks, readily yielded to the general shaking, and the tops of many of them fell off, striking on the house or on the ground. The noise of the falling stones without and the rattle of pewter platters and dishes upon the shelves within seemed the precursor of danger. The first and greatest shock of the earthquake continued about four minutes, and shook the larger portion of New England.
The first shock died away and the noise ceased. The people resumed their labors. Half an hour passed, when to their surprise and terror the horrible rumbling and quaking were renewed. But it quickly passed, being less violent than the first shock. For twenty days the earth remained in an unquiet condition.
At Newbury a town meeting was being held, and during the dis- cussions the sound of the oncoming earthquake burst upon their ears like "a shrill clap of thunder." The building was violently shaken, and amazement and fear filled the minds and hearts of the people. After the tumult it had caused had ceased, before proceeding, the assembly voted to make a record of the fact of the earthquake, con- cluding it, "Wherefore taking notice of so great and strange a hand of God's providence, we were desirous of leaving it on record to the view of after ages, to the intent that all might take notice of Almighty God and fear his name."
The summers for several years after the earthquake were too cool for the sufficient ripening of corn and other crops, as compared with those of a number of years preceding it. They were subject to unseasonable frosts, and on this account but little of the Indian corn matured. What connection this fact had with the earthquake, if any, is unknown.
This, the greatest earthquake of the seventeenth century, marked an epoch in the lives of the settlers, and for many years afterward it was common for them to compute dates as "so long since the earthquake."
1006
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1727-The greatest earthquake that New England experienced after its settlement by the English was that of October 29, 1727. A drought had continued that summer from the middle of June to the middle of September, the month of July and the first week in August being very hot. Rain fell the first week in April only, and there were but one or two slight showers during the succeeding months of summer. The weather was sultry, and the heat parched the earth, which became dry to a great depth, many wells and springs, which had never failed before, being as free from water as the land. There was much lightning, but little rain. On the eve- ning of August I, at the close of a scorching day, the heavens burst out into a blaze of flame and a roar of thunder, the terrific display continuing for two or three hours. The sky was continually light with the frequent flashes; and a contemporary writer said it seemed "as if the heavens, being on fire, were dissolving and passing away with a great noise, and the earth also with its works was to be burned up."
About the first of September the drought was broken, and on the sixteenth of that month a violent northeast storm came on. The storm caused so high a tide that about two hundred loads of hay were carried away from the Newbury marshes. Eight or nine vessels were driven ashore at Salem and thirty-five at Marblehead. Great damage was done to vessels and towns all along the coast.
After the lightning, thunder, and tempest came a tremendous earthquake. October 24 the weather was very cold; three days later snow fell, and on the 28th the cold had greatly increased. Sunday the 29th was fair and pleasant; in the evening the moon shone brightly, the air was calm, and quietness prevailed. People retired at the usual hour, and were fast asleep when at twenty minutes before eleven a terrible noise followed by a roar and a rush of air suddenly woke them. In about half a minute, before they had time to become conscious of what was taking place around them, there came a pounce as if gigantic cannon had rolled together. Latches leaped out of their catches and doors flew open, houses rocked and trembled as if about to collapse, timbers moved in their mortises, hearthstones grated together, windows rattled, tops of chimneys pitched and fell, cellar walls fell, beds shook, pewter dishes fell from their shelves, lids of warming pans leaped and fell with a clang, and all movable things, especially in the upper rooms, were tossed about.
1007
GREAT DISASTERS
Most of the people instantly arose, and many of them ran out of doors in their night clothes, being so frightened that they did not realize what they were doing. But the earth shook so much they could not stand, and they were compelled to sit or recline upon the ground.
People who were awake said that a flash of light preceded the earthquake. It was seen as it passed the windows, and a blaze of fire seemed to run along the ground, dogs that saw it giving a sudden bark as if frightened. This light was immediately followed by a gentle murmuring sound on the still evening air, and then came a slight wind gently ruffling the foliage of the trees. This was suc- ceeded by a rumbling noise as of distant thunder, which came nearer and nearer, and increased in intensity until it sounded like innumer- able heavy carriages rapidly driven over pavements, or like the roar of a great furnace, but incomparably more fierce and terrible, having a hollow sound as if it was subterranean. Then the shock came sud- denly, and houses tottered and reeled with the trembling and heaving of the ground. The extraordinary disturbance came from the north- west, and went in a southeasterly direction, and occupied about two minutes of time. Cattle ran bellowing about the fields, acting as though suffering great distress, probably being frightened at the sud- den and awful commotion in the still hours of night.
At eleven o'clock another shock came, less effective and quieter than the first, and at a quarter to twelve another. Many people would not return to their beds, but dressed and prepared to remain up till morning, being very uncertain as to what might next occur and apprehending the worst. At Salem the people sat up nearly all night. At Rowley they flocked to the house of Rev. Edward Payson, the pastor of the church there, as if he were able to save them from impending harm; but the house was too small to hold so large a number, and the meetinghouse was opened at the midnight hour, the remainder of the night being spent in prayer.
The shocks were repeated at three and five o'clock, but with abated force, and in due time the sun rose, greeting with complacency the fearing people. It was a night never to be forgotten by those who experienced it.
The great shock was felt in New York and Pennsylvania and extended all along the coast to the Gulf of Mexico, doing consider-
1008
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
able damage in the West India islands. In the towns near the Merrimac River the earthquake was felt more severely than in any other section of New England. A vast amount of stone wall was thrown down in addition to injuries that were general throughout New England. At Rowley many chimney tops were dislodged, and Newbury suffered similarly. In the latter place the chimneys of Mr. Knight and Mr. Toppan are mentioned as having fallen, and the doorstone of Benjamin Plummer fell into the cellar. Brick houses were cracked and in some places considerably shattered. But the principal damage consisted in the breaking of dishes and injuries to tops of chimneys, in many cases a few bricks only being knocked off, though in others the chimneys were so shaken as to make their rebuilding necessary. Not a wooden house was broken nor a person or animal injured.
The islands off the coast were shaken as much as the mainland, and the ocean was in great commotion, its roar being much louder than usual. Seamen said it seemed as if their vessels had struck a sand bar.
The character of the land, springs, and wells was considerably affected. Some upland was changed into quagmire and in a few instances marshland was raised, being subsequently too dry for its native grass to grow. In the meadow near the house then owned and occupied by Samuel Bartlett, at Newbury, a new spring was opened. The water of some wells was improved in quality, while in others it was made permanently impure. Some wells became dry, and the temperature of others was greatly changed.
Remembering that cities and other places had disappeared by the operation of earthquakes, some people were alarmed lest they might be thus destined. There was indeed some foundation therefor, as chasms a foot or more in width were opened in some places. In Newbury there were more than ten such fissures in low clay ground, fine white sand and ashes being forced up through them in varying quantities. In one place near Spring Island in that town were thrown up from sixteen to twenty loads of sand with some slight indications of sulphur. Upon throwing some of the sand on hot coal in a dark room blue sulphurous flames and a slight odor of brimstone were detected. In another place near that island, about forty or fifty rods from the residence of Henry Sewall, the ground opened, and for sev-
1009
GREAT DISASTERS
eral days water boiled out of the crevice like a spring. Within three weeks it became dry and the earth closed.
The people were affected by this earthquake as they had never been before, being fearful of divine judgment for their sins and failure in religious duties. The clergy taught them that it was "a loud call to the whole land to repent and fear and give glory to God." Lieutenant-Governor Dummer recommended that Thursday should be kept as a day of fasting and prayer throughout the prov- ince. Many sermons delivered on the latter day, and on other days at that time, upon the occasion, were printed and are still extant. In Salem a meeting was held on Saturday at the "upper" meetinghouse, which was attended by the largest congregation that ever gathered in that edifice.
The clergy improved the opportunity of leading the public mind toward the choice of a better portion; and the people were willing to be taught, and ready to believe. Many who had before cared nothing for a religious life became penitent and devout. Seriousness was on the faces of most of the people, and the churches were increased universally, some receiving large additions. In Chebacco parish, Ipswich, for instance, seventy-six were admitted. The earth- quake had a good effect upon some bad characters, who became truly reformed, and afterward led honorable and moral lives. But, in too many cases, when their fears went, their religious thoughts and habits were forgotten. Earthquake shocks were repeated a number of times in the following week, and also in November and December, but with less and less force.
THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1744-In 1744 there was another terrific earthquake, which was thought by some to have been nearly equal in severity to that of 1727. In May there had been two slight shocks, occurring in both instances in the morning. At a quarter past ten on Sunday morning, June 3, just after church services had begun, the severest shock came. It reached only about a hundred miles and was ushered by a loud rumbling, which threw the people into consterna- tion as they remembered the experience of seventeen years before.
People ran out of their houses, fearing they would fall upon them ; and the rector and many of the congregation ran out of the Episcopal
Essex-64
IOIO
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
Church at Newbury (in that part now Newburyport). In the Ham- let parish in Ipswich (now the town of Hamilton), the shock came when the pastor, Rev. Mr. Wigglesworth, was preaching. The con- gregation was greatly alarmed; but he endeavored to calm them, remarking that "there can be no better place for us to die in than the house of God."
Bricks were shaken from chimneys and stone walls were thrown down. At about five o'clock in the afternoon another and lesser shock was felt at Salem and adjacent towns, and people screamed and ran out of doors. Three or more lesser shocks were perceived that night and the next morning. On the 20th another shock came, caus- ing people to run out of meeting at Salem. Eight days later there was another.
May, June and July were all dry months, but whether that fact had any connection with the earthquake is not known.
THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1755-Eleven years later another earth- quake occurred. This was in November, 1755. On the first day of the month the city of Lisbon, in Portugal, with its convents, five churches and royal palaces, was almost totally destroyed, sixty thou- sand persons being killed by the falling buildings.1
Seventeen days later, at a quarter past four in the morning of Tuesday the 18th, it shook New England, being the most destruc- tive and awful earthquake that has been experienced here in historic times. At that morning hour the heavens were clear, the air calm, a Sabbath-like stillness pervaded the region, and at the time of the shock the moon shone brightly, being about two hours high. It was a beautiful night, and nothing uncommon occurred except that the roar of the ocean seemed louder than usual.
Here earthquakes have always come without announcement, in all seasons and weathers, and at all hours of the day and night.
The earthquake of 1727 began very gently, but that of 1755 came suddenly, like gigantic pulsations of the earth, and tossed everything about, being followed for about a minute with a peculiar tremulous motion, which some thought to be the resultant motion of the first shock and the gradual lessening of its force. But it was followed instantly by a quick vibration and jerks, much more terrible than
I. See appended account of romance of Agnes Surriage, of Marblehead (3d page following).
IOII
GREAT DISASTERS
the first. Dr. Edward A. Holyoke, of Salem, wrote in his diary that he "thought of nothing less than being buried instantly in the ruins of the house."
The course of the earthquake was the same as that of 1727, from the northwest to the southeast, but this continued longer, from two and a half to three minutes. People were in a state of extreme fright, thinking that the earth might be in process of dissolution. A writer of that time said, "I walked out about sunrise, and every face looked ghastly. In fine, some of our solid and pious gentlemen had such an awe and gloom spread over their countenances as would have checked the gay airs of the most intrepid." Animals were also alarmed at the mysterious and awful motions of the ground, and oxen and cows lowed and hastened to their barns, the only source of protection they knew, or ran about the fields when no place of refuge offered. Dogs went to their masters' doors and howled; and birds left their perches and flew about the earth, fluttering there a long time, apparently being afraid to again alight on tree or land. The ocean along the coast was affected as perceptibly as the land.
The damage done by this earthquake was far greater than that caused by any other that has been experienced here. The vibratory motion of the earth was so great and sudden that pewter dishes were thrown from the dressers, clocks were stopped, and weather-vane rods were bent. Much stone wall was thrown down, and subter- ranean streams were changed, in consequence of which many wells became dry. The principal damage consisted in the destruction of chimneys. They were dislocated in all sorts of ways, some being broken several feet from the top, and partly turned as though there had been a swivel at the place. Others fell on the roof, the section broken off remaining intact, and having slipped down to the eaves jutting over, being just ready to fall; and others broke the roof. Wooden buildings were much damaged by being rocked; but brick buildings were injured most. In spite of the great danger and many narrow escapes, no person or animal was killed or seriously injured in this county.
In the valley of the Merrimac it was not quite as severe as the earthquake of 1727; its noise was not as loud, and it did less damage. The towns along the seashore felt it most, it gradually increasing in force as it approached the ocean. It was felt from Nova Scotia to
IO12
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
South Carolina, and inland for a great distance, the great American lakes feeling it severely as shown by the agitation of their waters. Traces of the earthquake still exist in some places after the lapse of a century and a half.
About an hour after the first shock, as day broke, the ground was again shaken, but with abated force. For four days slight shocks occurred daily, and on Saturday evening, the twenty-second, the peo- ple were again alarmed by what proved to be only a slight shock. Again, after the people had retired for the night on the evening of December 19, there were two or three more shocks. Dull and calm weather, and a heavy atmosphere, succeeded the severe shaking the earth had received.
Religious services and fasts were held immediately after the first and greatest shock and appeals to God for preservation were made, the people being in a state of almost frenzied excitement. The edu- cated and ignorant were alike frightened. December 24, Lieutenant- Governor Phipps ordered a fast, saying in his proclamation therefor that, "It having pleased Almighty God, in a most awful and sur- prising manner to manifest his righteous anger against the provoking sins of men by terrible and destructive earthquakes and inundations in divers parts of Europe and by a late severe shock of an earthquake on this continent and in this province in particular, which has been succeeded by several others, although less violent than the first." The pastors of Gloucester kept a fast on account of the earthquake Janu- ary 1, 1756, preaching forenoon and afternoon.
The prospect of death turned the attention of the people toward those things that cannot be shaken, and the clergymen improved the opportunity to make a religious impression upon them. Many were led to reflect on the lives they had led, and to seek reconciliation with their Maker, the membership of the churches being considerably increased in consequence.
During the three centuries of our history there have been here several hundred earthquakes, the great majority of them being hardly noticeable, while a considerable number have resulted in damage. We have often expressed our satisfaction at dwelling in a land that was free from the terrible convulsions the tropical sections of the globe experience. But history shows that we are not exempt from the awful rumblings and shakings and dangers that are commonly
1013
GREAT DISASTERS
supposed to belong almost exclusively to other lands. Nearly every year our region is disturbed by these internal commotions.
The great Lisbon earthquake of November, 1755, has a remote but none the less romantic connection with the Fountain Inn of Mar- blehead, one of the most renowned of the departed hostelries of Essex County. The incident which has caused this old inn to be remembered is that concerning Agnes Surriage, a daughter of Edward Surriage, a poor fisherman of the village.
Late in the summer of 1742, when she was fifteen, she assisted in doing the work about the tavern. She was very pretty and artless, and possessed a sweet and musical voice. While she was scrubbing the stairs, her feet bare, a coach drawn by four horses stopped at the door. From the carriage alighted Sir Charles Henry Frankland, then Collector of Customs at Boston. He was young and fine looking, and accustomed to the best English society. As he entered the inn he saw the girl, and was greatly impressed by her face, despite the environment of her mean, torn, and soiled garments. He called her to him, and gave her some money to buy a pair of shoes.
Frankland visited the town several times, as he was superintend- ing the construction of the fort here. The next time he saw the girl her feet were still bare, and he asked her why she had not purchased the shoes. She replied that she had, but kept them for Sunday wear. The extent of her poverty and need dawned upon him. Lover of the beautiful in everything, he felt the wrong he should do if he failed to better her condition. He asked her if she would like to be edu- cated, to leave that drudgery. He obtained permission of her par- ents, gave her the advantages of the best schools in Boston, and she became an accomplished lady. They loved each other, and a few years later charges of improper intimacy were made. His family and social pride forbade his marrying one of lowly birth. Boston society refused to longer recognize them, and Frankland bought a tract of land in Hopkinton, where, upon a commanding site, he erected a manor house and laid out beautiful and extensive grounds. At this country seat he lived with Agnes a secluded life.
Being called to England on business in 1754, Frankland and Agnes sailed for London. English society refused her admission to its circle, and as soon after as possible the couple took a trip through Europe, proceeding to Lisbon, where they entered into the gay, fash-
1014
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
ionable life of the Portuguese. While pursuing its round of pleasures on the day of the great earthquake of November, 1755, he was riding with a lady to attend a church service, and both were buried beneath the walls of a falling building. The lady and horses were killed, but Frankland was not seriously hurt. The incident, with all the shock of his narrow escape, brought him to his senses, and while buried beneath the ruins he solemnly vowed that he would lead a better life.
Agnes, upon the first intimation of the earthquake, ran out of her house, where she was alone, into the street, and was saved. Almost wild with apprehension, she wandered through the ruined streets in search of Frankland, and finally heard his voice calling for help. She labored with almost superhuman strength to remove the débris that covered him, and at length succeeded. His wounds were dressed at a house nearby; then he sent for a priest, and Agnes Sur- riage became the Lady Agnes Frankland.
They returned to England, and on the passage had the marriage rite performed a second time, this time by an English clergyman. The Frankland family in London received her with every mark of esteem, and the society of their rank welcomed her. A short time afterward they returned to Boston and purchased a fine house for their winter home, retaining their beautiful estate in Hopkinton for a summer residence.
Being appointed Consul-General to Portugal in 1757, Frankland and his wife resided in Lisbon for several years. In 1763 they returned to Massachusetts, living upon the Hopkinton estate until he removed to Bath, England, where he died in 1768, at the age of fifty-two.
Lady Agnes returned to Hopkinton, where she remained till the breaking out of the Revolution, when she removed to England to live with the Frankland family. Some years later she married a wealthy banker in Chichester, Sussex. She died there on April 23, 1783, aged fifty-five, and her body rests in St. Pancras churchyard.
IV -- STRANGE PHENOMENA
(NOTE: For the following accounts of comets, dark days, and the aurora borealis, credit is due the "Essex Antiquarian." The sub- joined description of the shower of meteors in 1883 appeared origi- nally in Hurd's "History of Essex County," published in Philadelphia in 1888.)
1015
GREAT DISASTERS
EARLY COMETS-The first comet to appear in the heavens of New England, of which there is any account, blazed forth from Orion from the 9th to the 22d of December, 1652. It was large, and peo- ple shuddered when they looked at its beautiful tail of fire. Another appeared from February 3 to March 28, 1661.
The people connected their appearance with some famine, plague, or disaster, either as its direct cause or precursor, and the learned men of the times taught the people to fear their approach. When it is considered that some persons are still disturbed at their coming in this very end of the nineteenth century, it is readily understood why the people of the days when superstition was fostered trembled at their appearance. They seemed to be the perfection of instruments to accomplish the burning of the world.
The clergy of New England sought to make the most of this belief and fear, either hypocritically to simply increase the membership of their churches, or because they shared the common belief and hon- estly endeavored to have souls prepared for the great change that might come immediately, and without further warning. At these periods many were brought into the fold, and the ordinances and services of the church were more carefully observed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.